Weekends

Hey it's been a while - sorry!

How's your day been? Today's a day for battening (?!) down the hatches and staying inside,warm and cosy - the weather is so horrible - wet and windy. The sort of Saturday where I feel sorry for any brides. The sort of Saturday when I'm glad we received the call that the football match had been called off. But today was also an afternoon for a Tea Party celebrating a special friend's birthday - what could be nicer on a wet Saturday than time spent laughing and talking with friends whilst eating cakes displayed on pretty cake stands?

In our household we're always mindful as Saturday evening approaches, that Sunday is coming - it's a lot of work, but it's such a great day, Church and loads of people and lots of life and celebrations; worshipping our Saviour together and hearing the Word - equipping us for the week ahead. So tonight it's some family time, easy tea and early nights for us!

But just a reminder:

Don't forget to bring your completed letters to Church tomorrow for the Serenje penpals. It's going to be so great to be able to bless the Zambian women in this way. Find an easy way to remember to keep praying for them too - a note in your diary or calendar? a post-it by the coffee pot? a note in your Bible? whatever works for you - it's our privilege and gift to pray for them.
These next 2 Sundays we've got Serenje gift days - an exciting opportunity to give to the work we're doing partnering with churches in Zambia. Our money will go a very long way, and will truly change lives. Whilst we all have many many calls on our finances at this time of year, don't feel guilty or pressurised, instead let's simply decide to put God first with our finances - whatever that looks like for you .

Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track.
Don't assume that you know it all. Run to God! Run from evil!
Your body will glow with health, your very bones will vibrate with life!
Honor God with everything you own; give him the first and the best.
Your barns will burst, your wine vats will brim over.
Proverbs 3

Unique

Well the launch of Serenje penpals went really well last Sunday - you came up trumps ladies! You can still visit the table in reception this Sunday after the 9 and 11 meetings at Kerith - come and find "your" lady to start communicating with. It's been great watching women look through the file to choose a Serenje woman that they connect with, so thank you - and if you haven't taken a look, I'll see you in reception on Sunday!

Just a reminder that Unique Energy meet every Monday at 10am at the Look Out (the "Go Ape gate) for a good paced walk - it's so easy to come along and join in - bring a child in a (sturdy!) buggy bring a friend or a dog.
All ages All abilities - Fitness and Friendship -a great start to the week!

I need your help please!...
...Do you have a story, account, quote or thought about your experience of coming to a large Unique event ?(eg one of the Saturday Breakfasts; or the evening "Talkshow"; or the "Action Morning")
As many of you know, we will soon be producing a Kerith magazine - hoorah! Well, the team are asking for quotes about all the different ministries and groups that we have - quotes from you, the ones who come along, take part and belong - quotes that bring it all to life and encourage other women to take part.
Through conversations with many of you, I know that God spoke and changed the direction of lives of women through the large events -so my request is could you supply the details please?
If you have a story,you can post your quote as a comment to this blog; or email me directly - it can be a s short as a one-liner, I'd love to hear from you. Let me know whether or not you want your name included too.THANK YOU x
By the way, I know you're going to be delighted to hear that we have some great opportunities to meet back together again in large events in 2010...and we also have a Women's Conference planned for Saturday 3rd July - put it in your diaries now! Any thoughts on these future events - please do get in touch.
Wherever you are, whatever your circumstances Be Blessed today - God is good all the time -so enjoy the changing colours of the trees and proactively do one thing today that "replenishes your bucket".

Serenje Women Penpals

Hey friends, it's been a long time!

Sorry for the big gap in blogging - don't know why really, just lots of LIFE happening I suppose.

Well, the blogging-gap has ended because I want to tell you about a great new initiative that we're launching on Sunday at Kerith that's going to be a wonderful chance for women from Kerith to connect with women in Serenje Zambia. The Serenje women sent letters back to the UK with the Kerith team that visited earlier this year. Mel is leading the Serenje Penpals group, and she has put all the letters on the computer; written some guidelines and is generally making it very easy for us to support the Zambian women through the exchanging of letters. Our aim is to connect - to share our lives and our faith...and to commit to pray for the Serenje women and their families. Zoe has written more about it on the Serenje blog so please take a look. There's also information in this week's bulletin, and also on the Kerith website.

Come and see Mel in the Kerith Reception this Sunday - ask any questions you have, and take a Serenje woman's letter back home with you. write a letter back and bring it back by 15th November so we can send them all off together before Christmas.

Do it now, before the "Christmas rush"!

Fish Tank

A lot of life has been happening recently! I was going to tell you about how I managed to smash the fish tank last week whilst making cakes for my children home from school. It's a good story - there was a lot of water involved, and it got everywhere (as did the fish). I could tell you that the smashing glass didn't end there, and next morning I smashed 10 jam jars in the same kitchen. Two days later, Alice re-hurt her arm (the one we heard she was in A&E with when we turned our mobiles back on, as we touched down in Chicago last month!) and again went to A&E. ...And so the week went on. Lots of "little things" (did I mention that our rabbit is intent on escaping our garden?) lots of things that actually sap my energy and distract me from what I'd like to focus on in life. So instead of all the details of the funny stories, I reckon God's Word is what I'm bringing today:

"Show the wonder of Your great love...

keep me as the apple of Your eye,

hide me in the shadow of Your wings"

Psalm 17

"I sing to God, the Praise-Lofty,

and find myself safe and saved"

Psalm 18

"God rewrote the text of my life

when I opened the book of my heart to His eyes"

Psalm 18

What's Your Story?

"A person's story tells us more than

their gifts, strengths and talents."

"Walk slowly - see the people and hear their stories."

Dave Gibbons

Unique Energy

I'm really excited to be able to tell you about the launch of a new

Kerith Unique Community Group called

Unique Energy

It's being led by Lianne Allen and it's a group for all women of all ages and fitness levels to take exercise in a non threatening and social environment.

So, please don't instantly disqualify yourself when you see the word exercise, if you're a woman...it's for YOU - read on to find out more.

Here's more details from Lianne:

The key to exercise is to make it fun and there are lots of events in store for you.

Our first two regular activities will be:

Every Monday (starting on 7th September) 10am-11am Walk at The Look Out
Bring dogs, children, a friend or just yourself and enjoy a good paced walk while having a chat. If you do not need to rush off, there is a cafe so continue talking over a coffee.

First Saturday in the month (starting 3rd Oct) @ 8.30am Jog around Dinton Pastures
A jog around the lake, if you are starting out or a seasoned jogger please join us and stay for a well earned breakfast in the cafe.

April 2010 will be the launch of a Tuesday sports night. A different sport/activity will take place every week with the main aim being to get exercise but to have a good laugh doing it...when was the last time you played indoor hockey?!

Contact Lianne Allen for more details ls.allen@virgin.net
01344 488490 or 07804096799

Simple Steps

"Do these few simple things and see what God might do"

(as Naaman washed in the Jordan 2 Kings 5)

1. DAILY meet with God - in a regular place, at a regular time.

2.Read good books (30 mins daily)

3.Review my replenishment strategy. "The mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace" Rom 8v6

4.Decide to say YES to God, everytime His Spirit asks me.

Bill Hybels