Barn Dance

St Andrew's Church in Foxton are hosting a Barn Dance on Saturday 27th June. Everyone from the Mission Partnership are invited to attend.
There is a Hog Roast and a Bar and it takes place at Turney's Barn, North Lane, Foxton.
Tickets are available from Bernard Rice 01858 545694, Sue Brown 01858 540135, Jackie Phillips 01858 545349 or
Bridget Turney 01858 545273.

FRESH EXPRESSIONS – URBAN VISION DAY New Ways of Being Church in an Urban Setting

Saturday 4th October, The Salvation Army, Kildare Street, Leicester – 9.30am – 4pm.

A day for the whole Christian community to discover more about fresh expressions of church.

Speakers will include Tim Lea and Rachel Jordan and local church leaders.

The programme will include:
• An overview of developing fresh expressions of church within a mixed economy
• Worship, prayer and reflection in a variety of styles
• Stories of fresh expressions of church within Leicestershire
• Workshops in particular areas of interest

You are welcome to come on your own but we particularly welcome small groups and ministry teams.

The day will be a fresh expressions experience in itself for:
• Complete beginners
• Teams and individuals with a heart and passion for urban ministry
• Those who have questions about fresh expressions and mission shaped church
• Those who have started something new and need some practical help
• Christians from any church and every tradition

Cost: £5 including lunch.

To book please contact Sally Cresswell, Tel: 0115 983 5000 or E-mail: sally.cresswell@salvationarmy.org.uk and for more information visit www.freshexpressions.org.uk

Fresh Expressions is an initiative of the Archbishops of Canterbury and York supported by the Methodist Conference and working in partnership with many churches across Great Britain. www.freshexpressions.org.uk

A fresh expression is a form of church for our changing culture established primarily for the benefit of people who are not yet members of any church.

Worship in Music Weekend

St Wilfrid's Church in Kibworth are holding a Worship in Music Weekend from Friday 3rd to Sunday 5th October. 

The Friday night worship will be led by Noel Alexander and the team. 

The Saturday workshops are for all guitarists, drummers, keyboard players and singers.

Everyone is invited to the Sunday 10am service. 

There is no charge for the event. To register fill in your details below or telephone 0116 2793358.

ENJOYING GOD - Ministry, Mission and Money

Friday 12th September, Leicester Cathedral Centre - 10am-3.30pm
With guest speaker Canon Sam Wells

Described by the Archbishop of Canterbury as “an outstanding thinker and an outstanding pastor”, we are fortunate to have Sam Wells leading a day of theological and pastoral reflection which will no doubt be both spiritually nourishing and intellectually stimulating.

The day will be comprised of three addresses:

Ministry
The first address will focus on power. A whole generation of clergy lost the ability and vocabulary to talk about power, and, as a result, lost touch with a sense of their own power. The first address will reopen the conversation about the power of ministry and seek to identify where that power specifically lies.

Mission
It is commonplace for Anglicans to talk about incarnational ministry but less common for that ministry to be grounded in a description of mission that emphasizes the abundance of God. This address explores three models of ministry and commends one that most aptly imitates the shape of Jesus’ life.

Money
Money is the elephant in the room for many clergy and diocesan conversations, and there is difficulty in talking theologically about it for all the reasons highlighted in the first two addresses. This third address seeks a theological and practical way of conceiving money in the kingdom of God’s abundance.

Sam was born in Canada. He studied in Oxford, Edinburgh and Durham, and then served in parish ministry for fourteen years in Newcastle, Norwich and Cambridge. In 2005 he moved to North Carolina to become Dean of Chapel at Duke University and Research Professor of Christian Ethics at Duke Divinity School. He has written several books on theological ethics, including God’s Companions, Improvisation and Transforming Fate into Destiny. Most recently he wrote the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Lent Book in 2007, Power and Passion.

Open to all - booking necessary. Contact Claire Stapleton, Tel: 0116 248 7417 or E-mail: claire.stapleton@leccofe.org

Diocesan Assembly: Book Now!

Spaces are still available for the Diocesan Assembly on 20th September.

The Diocesan Assembly: Saturday 20th September at Samworth Academy.

What will we see?
A rock opera called 'Luv Ester', the story of Old Testament Ester's engagement with God and society.
Many displays about life and activities in and around the parishes of the diocese.

...and do?...
many workshops are available from which to choose.

There will be a Eucharist at the end of the assembly, and we'll be launching Back To Church Sunday.

GOOD NEWS! PARKING has been made available to all those attending this event at three locations on Trenant Road and the Saffron Lane. If you have not yet sent back your booking form please do so at the absolute latest by 31st August to Carol Gibbons at Church House email: Carol.Gibbons@LecCofE.org or tel: 0116 248 7411.

Kibworth and Fleckney Praise

The next Kibworth and Fleckney Praise is in September

We are very lucky to have two amazing items to look forward to: The talk will be by Barrie Hockney on 'Walking with God', and the Worship is being led by a new and young worship band, The Calling.

As always, a warm welcome and refreshments afterwards.

Bank Holiday Open Day at Launde Abbey

The August Bank Holiday is almost upon us and if you’re stuck for something different to do during the long weekend of 23rd, 24th and 25th August 2008 from 12.00 pm until 5.00 pm, why not try the Wild West Party at Launde Abbey, near East Norton in east Leicestershire. This annual fund-raising event, with a bumper number of stalls, rides and attractions already planned, will have games for all ages, bouncy castles, dressing up, craft stalls, bric-a-brac, plants, lunches and bar, raffle, classic cars, pony rides and fun for all the family. There is ample parking at the Abbey and entrance is £3.00 per car or £10.00 per bus/coach. This year’s event will also include a car boot sale on Bank Holiday Monday from 12.00 pm until 5.00 pm. The cost for this is £5.00 per car in advance or £7.00 on the day (trailers extra).
For further information or to book a stall or car boot pitch for YOUR fund-raising, please contact Launde Abbey on 01572 717 254 or visit www.launde.org.uk

The Bishop of the Arctic visits Oadby

Thursday 7th August – The Bishop of the Arctic, The Rt Revd Andrew Atagotaaluk, will be visiting St. Paul’s Church, Hamble Road, OADBY, on Thursday 7th August 2008, from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.
For further details of his visit, please call Revd Canon R. J. Tonkin – 0116 281 2517

Kibworth Relay for Life

Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st August 2008 – Kibworth Relay for Life
In aid of Cancer Research (UK), the Kibworth Relay for Life is a 20-hour, community, family, overnight event that will be held at Kibworth and Smeeton Football Ground 30th and 31st August 2008. It will be a charity event raising money for cancer research. If you are interested in finding out more, please call Sharon Archer on 0116 279 6559, or Valerie Griffey (Joint Committee Chair) on 0116 279 1162 or email shazarch61@hotmail.com

Gumley Open Gardens

Sunday 6th July 2008 - Gumley Open Gardens & Art Display will be held from 11am until 6pm in aid of St Helen’s Church. Come along and have a Ploughman’s Lunch or Cream Tea in the Village Hall. Walk round the gardens, or view the Art Exhibition in the Church. Sit and watch some village cricket or have a go on the Tombola! Lots to see and lots to do. Further details from John & Penny March 0116 279 3931; email: towerhouse1@btinternet.com

“For God's sake, please listen to us!”

Young people from around the world challenge Bishops to listen at the Lambeth Talk, Monday 14th July 2008
The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, and the Bishop of Leicester, Rt Revd Tim Stevens, will head a delegation of Archbishops and Bishops from all over the world coming to Leicester ahead of the Lambeth Conference.
All this and much more on the RCC Newsletter June 30 now on the website www.leicester.anglican.org

RUN NATIONAL CONFERENCE

Reaching the Unchurched Network is holding its annual conference - entitled 'MORE THAN THIS... breaking the mould of mission' - in Peterborough on 17 - 19 June.
The Archbishop of Canterbury has graciously agreed to a video interview that will be shown in one of the main sessions. Stuart Barbour (currently touring with Graham Kendrick) will head the resident worship band for this event. Aradhna, (who capture the beauty and dignity of India's bhajan devotional melodies) will be leading some of the worship along with Pall Singh of East & West Trust. There will be a choice of 8 seminars on each day with the opportunity to go to two of these. Seminar leaders include Jonny Baker (CMS, Gerard Kelly (International Church, Amsterdam), Tom Burke (Grace Christian Fellowship Cork), Stephen Croft (Fresh Expressions), Krish Kandiah (Evangelical Alliance) and Pete Askew (Northumbria Community).
In addition on each day, one of the seminar options will be an opportunity for a Q&A session with the main session speakers including Brian McLaren who will be contributing throughout the conference.
You can find more details and book now on line at: http://www.run.org.uk/R/envision/FutureC/NC2008.aspx 

Free Media Training for Young Adults (18-35)

Fantastic training opportunity: Monday 9th – Wednesday 11th June 2008

theMediaNet Academy is a 3-day training course in which industry professionals will work intensively with aspiring producers to give them a grounding in TV, radio and on-line production. They will work on the production of an on-line soap opera Joel Bloggs - a story about a young journalist facing a crisis of conscience. The story will be launched by the group using video, audio and the web.

Christians aged 18-35 are invited to apply for places at the academy. Training and accommodation are all provided free of charge. Trainees will only be asked to cover the costs of travel, plus a £30 admin fee on registration. To find out more or download an application form, visit the academy website or call  0845 652 0027.   The Media Net Academy takes place in parallel with the Churches' Media Conference at Swanwick, Derbyshire from 9th – 11th June 2008. Industry experts attending include BBC technology correspondent Rory Cellan-Jones.

'Uprising' Youth Event

'Uprising' is an event for Christians and non-christians ages 14-18 organised by the Christian Union at Beauchamp college. It is on Thursday 24th April at Beauchamp College 7.15-9.00pm. 'The Steels' are coming all the way from Newcastle to play, with support from 'The Royal Welcome'. Free tickets are avaliable from bcu_uprising@hotmail.co.uk, or the college main office.There will be refresments and merchendise avaliable on the night. Donations for the bible society will be appreciated.

Check out the bands at www.myspace.com/thesteels and www.myspace.com/theroyalwelcome

Stoughton Village Fete

St Mary and All Saints' Church, Stoughton invite you to Stoughton Village Fete
on Saturday May 10th 2008 Commencing at 12.30pm
Free entrance.
Silver Band, Lots of stalls & games. Refreshments available all afternoon.
All proceeds to St Mary and All Saints' Church, Stoughton.

Merton College Oxford Concert St Wilfrid's Kibworth

The choir of Merton College, Oxford, consisting of graduates and undergraduates, men and women, will entertain us on Saturday 10th May at 7.30 pm with a programme of much-loved choral music: serious and light-hearted items, including excerpts from the contemporary masterpiece by Karl Jenkins, 'The Armed Man, a Mass for Peace'. Conductor will be the choir's Director, Organ Scholar, Chris Chan.
Drinks will be available in the interval in the adjoining church hall.
Tickets at £7.50, or £10 for premium reserved seats, are on sale in Kibworth Beauchamp at Ireland & Longhill, 10 Station Street, at the Kibworth Post Office on High Street or from Roger Whiteway on (0116) 279 2543 or rogerwhiteway@aol.com

Magnify 08

St Luke's Church Youth Band are hosting Magnify 08. Taking place on Saturday 26th April 2008 at St Luke's School Hall in Thurnby the worship event will feature the Youth Worship Band, Talks, Video, Drama, Response Zones and much more. The event is FREE with refreshments available. ALL YOUNG PEOPLE ARE WELCOME.
For further information contact St Luke's Youth Worker, Ali Goodman on 07967 562922 or email youth@thurnbychurch.com

All About Back to Church Sunday

When?    Sunday, September 28th 2008
What's the idea?    Very simply, everyone in your congregation invites someone to come to Church with them on that day. That's it really!
Whose idea was this then?    Back to Church Sunday began in Manchester Diocese in 2004. It was a response to research that showed that many of the people who used to go to Church would return, if only someone would ask them. Since then it has grown to cover most dioceses in the Church of England and other denominations. This year Leicester Diocese has adopted it.
Does it work?    Yes. Feedback from participating churches suggests a consistent average of ten new people per parish. But 'success' isn't a number or a percentage. If one person comes back to church because of the invitation of a friend, then it's worked.
How do we get involved?   
Back to Church Sunday packs, including prayer and invitation cards, postcards, pens, posters and balloons are only available through the diocese (cost £25 or £40 including 5 Fairtrade T-shirts). The diocesan contact is Carol Gibbons (Carol.Gibbons@LecCofE.org  0116 248 7411).  Please contact her now if your parish/mission partnership would like to be involved. The deadline for orders is May 15th.
How can we find out more?    The national website is www.backtochurch.co.uk . Local 'champions' are Susan Leighton, Tom Meyrick and Richard Dixon. Carol Gibbons can arrange for them to talk to chapters, mission partnerships or deanery synods, or to phone individuals.

Tel us about what your plans are for Back to Church Sunday - and share your ideas with others in the Mission Partnership.

Hooray Day 27

A children’s event called Wastewatchers for children 5 to 9 years (school years 1 to 5 only) with games, craft, singing, DVDs and Bible stories at St Paul’s Church, Hamble Road, Oadby.

Saturday 19^th April, 10am – 3pm and Sunday 20^th April 10am-11.30pm. To start in Morning service then for games, DVD and teaching in the Barnabus Centre next door to the church.

Bring a packed lunch for Saturday (marked with child’s name). No nut based foods in pack-ups please. Drinks will be provided.

Register early to avoid disappointment. For a registration form contact Derek Bowering on 271 5765.

Kibworth and Fleckney Praise

The next Kibworth and Fleckney Praise will be on Sunday 13 April, 7.45pm at St. Wilfrid's Church, Kibworth.

The theme this month is Sports Mission and we are very lucky that Nick Ferraby will be talking about Play, Pray, Say, based on Colossians 4, 2-6, and about the work of Christians in Sport.

For further information contact Ludger Fremmer on 0116 279 2294 or email ludger.fremmer@tiscali.co.uk