News

New Partnership in Community Allotment Project

A new addition to the various Men’s Sheds around Eastbourne brings a new twist to the idea. Linking Lives is partnering with a local community allotment to create a twice weekly event for men. The allotment is open 6 mornings a week and welcomes everyone – but for two mornings a week will have a special focus on men.

Linking Lives Development Worker Dave Roberts comments: ‘Some of those we befriend still have a fair bit of mobility and a desire to re-connect with community. This kind of activity works at many levels, providing exercise, connection with nature, small group community and meaningful work. Not to mention the allotment volunteers bonus – take home vegetables. Because of the size of the community allotment we are able to welcome people, in line with government guidelines, in all but a lockdown. Care is taken over social distancing at all times ‘

The work varies from light sit down tasks through to digging, shredding and the erection of posts and small growing structures. The pilot project will be detailed in a short 8 page document, complied by our partners for these sessions, local charity Growing Futures and local community church Gather Collective. This document can be used by Eastbourne churches and charitable groups to create their own unique Men’s Garden Shed projects.

If you would like to know more about the Men’s Garden Shed idea or refer people to it contact Dave at [email protected] or call/text 07838 388128, People can come for taster sessions on Saturday mornings post lockdown.

Join Us in Townwide Prayer Gathering

Among those helping the upcoming Eastbourne Day of Prayer are Dave Roberts and Judith Moir. Read on for full information about this online event.

Churches Together for Eastbourne are planning to hold a ‘Prayer for Eastbourne’ Zoom online prayer event on Saturday 23rd January 2021. It will start at 9am and finish at 1pm.

Four Churches will help host the event and contributors will come from several others across the town, with each host church facilitating prayer around the topics shown below.

The plan for the morning is as follows:

9-10am Church and Agencies; hosted by St Johns/St Michaels
10-11am Young People and schools; hosted by The Well Community Church
11am-12 midday Local Government and Agencies; hosted by St Marys Church
12-1pm Families and the Elderly; TBC

Please reserve the date and promote the event. You can register for the morning of prayer here
– this will also enable people to receive Zoom information if they are not on our email list and help us plan the overall event.

Journeys with God – First in New Series

For the next 7 weeks we will look at the theme of Journeys in scripture. What did they mean then and what do they mean now for us as followers of Jesus. In this introduction Caroline Kimber sets the scene.

In Ecclesiastical imagery and symbol, the ship is the picture of the pilgrim church on earth. The best ship example would be the Irish coracle, in which monks set out, letting the wind take them and wherever they landed, they spoke to the people about Jesus.

The church was never intended to be static, but to move according to the wind of the Holy Spirit. The church is founded on the sure foundations of Father, Son and Holy Spirit, revealed in scripture. However, each generation seeks to be authentic to those foundations in the circumstances it finds itself in.

The intention of looking at the topic of journeys is to encourage and inspire ourselves as individuals and community to respond to ‘such a time as this’.

Jesus in the Psalms Small Group Series

During January and February our Zoom based small group on Tuesday evenings will focus on the Psalms that are often linked to or are believed to allude to Jesus. As well as our normal prayer times and song based worship we will reflect together on key passages from the Psalms.

It is one of the most quoted books in the 4 gospels so we expect to find a rich treasure trove of faith building insights. Each week we will let you know the Psalm for that week so you can read ahead.

Need details of our Zoom meetings? – Text Dave Roberts on 07838388128

Jenni Talks – A conversation with refugee activist James Aldred

Many of you will be aware of James – we’ve met with him several times and he was a guest at one of our socially distanced services. Our very own Jenni Osborn talked to him as part of her regular youth work podcast.

James has an extraordinary story of seeing hope, love and trust amidst destruction and oppression in the refugee camps in Calais and Dunkirk. His journey back to faith and realisation that God is at work in even the most humble of circumstances is inspiring and fascinating to listen to. His plea for 2021 to be a year of welcome without fear and with great love is significant and will stay with me in the coming weeks and months.

Creation Care is Mission

Gather Collective is committed to creation care as a core biblical practice. If you want to dig a little deeper yourself here is a conference we commend to you.

A one-day virtual conference to explore the theology and practice of caring for creation

For mission agencies and churches supporting missions

Morning speakers (10-12am)

Rev. Dr. Chris Wright, International Director, Langham Partnership International
Dr. Rosalee V Ewell, Director of Church Relations for the United Bible Societies
Seth Appiah-Kubi, Director, A Rocha Ghana
Sumayya Sajjad, Project Director for Tearfund, Pakistan

Afternoon (2-4pm): case studies, workshops & discussions on topics including

An in-depth look at eco-theology
Practical advice on greening your mission agency
Embedding creation care in policy and practice
Carbon footprints and what to do about them
Engaging with the next generation
Creation care IS mission!
The EcoChurch toolkit around the world
Supporting environmental missions – a UK church perspective

Important information:

This event costs £10 per person

Find out more here

Become – The Patient Path to Spiritual Growth

In this first gathering of 2021 we look at what we might become in this new year. Dave Roberts introduces us to the different uses of the word become in scripture and explores maturity, community and being a disciple. He finishes with the promise that those who are becoming disciples will bring forth new treasures as well as old. What treasure can you bring?