Newsletter No. 248
October 2014
Minister
Pastor Keith Brown
965706222 666180108
E-mail: [email protected]
Urb. San Luis
C/Azpeitia 1a
03184 Torrevieja
Hon. Minister
Rev. Alberto Araujo
Minute & Administrative Secretary
Margaret Mycroft
Tel.: 966784938 E-mail: [email protected]
Social Secretary
Kathy Walton-Brown Tel.: 965706222 617445223
E-mail: [email protected]
Page 1 Newsletter 248
October 2014
La Siesta Evangelical Church
Recent Minister’s Letters published in this space have indicated very clearly the amount
of work, much of it behind the scenes, which any Pastor must perform in order to
provide the proper ministry. This most assuredly applies to Pastor Keith who recently
has had a workload even greater than before due to the number of weddings and
funerals which have fallen to him. This month he has not had time to produce a letter
and, in future, his letters will appear only as workload permits.
Recently I came across a small book entitled “God’s Little Book of Calm” by Richard
Daly. In the introduction he says “open this book at any page and claim those precious
promises that will bring ultimate peace and calm to your life”. We take him at his word
with the following thoughts.
KNOW GOD, KNOW CALM....
NO GOD, NO CALM
The secret of being calm is knowing the God of calm. The more you get to know him, the calmer and more at peace
you will become within yourself. Psalm 46:10
LET GOD BE GOD
Anxiety is calm’s greatest destroyer..... when we are agitated or frightened by events in our lives, let us learn
to let God be God and accept his direction and leading. Proverbs 16:3 Philippians 4:6
LET GOD SHAPE YOU
If you are going through an unusual amount of grief and pain don’t despair. The master potter is at work in your life.
He sometimes has to break us so he can remake us. Jeremiah 18:4
SEEK WISDOM
There is security and rest in the wisdom of the eternal Scriptures James 1:5
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La Siesta Evangelical Church Page 2
DIARY FOR OCTOBER
SUNDAY 5th.
MORNING SERVICE 09:30am
SUNDAY 12th.
SERVICE OF WORSHIP 11:00am
SUNDAY 19th.
MORNING SERVICE 09:30am
SUNDAY 26th. 11:00am
SUNDAY 2nd. Nov. MORNING SERVICE
09:30am
Please remember in your Prayers
Philippians 4: 1 – 9
Matthew 22: 1 – 14
1 Thess. 2: 1 – 8
Matthew 22: 34 – 46
Philippians 3: 4b – 14
Matthew 21: 33 – 46
Pastor Keith Brown Elder: Jack Doonan
To be announced Elder: To be announced
Newsletter 248
October 2014
Ministers Letter
1
Church Diary 2
Important Notice & Red Bucket
3
Pastor Gerson Amat
4
Desde Mexico 5-6
Baptism 6
Mozambique 7
Fellowship Committee & Ladies Friendship
8
The Difference
9
Organisations 10
Church Information
11
Andrew Duckworth
Mary Nell having eye surgery
Jimmy Cross, brother-in-law of Davy and Lynn Young
Ray Hughes and Jeff Anderson, friends of Keith and Kathy, both suffering from cancer
1 Thess. 1: 1 – 10
Matthew 22: 15 – 22
Floral Donations In this issue
Pastor Keith Brown Elder: Jack Doonan
Pastor Keith Brown Elder: Jack Doonan
The Elders Guest : Tracey Williams Elder: Jack Doonan
October 12th. Helen & Margaret
October 26th. Cate Blair
SERVICE FOR MOZAMBIQUE
If you know anyone who is sick, at home or in hospital, please advise the Minister
or any Elder so that a visit can be arranged.
1 Thess. 2: 9 – 13
Matthew 23: 1 – 12
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La Siesta Evangelical Church Page 3
Newsletter 248
October 2014
IMPORTANT NOTICE
Firstly, apologies for a mistake in last
edition of the newsletter concerning
the service of September 28th. which
is, of course, the Harvest Thanksgiving
Service and not the
Mozambique Service
featuring the visit of
Tracey Williams which
takes place a month later,
on Sunday October 26th.
There has been another change in the
venue and time of the lunch to be held
in Tracey’s honour after the service. It
will now be held at Elviras’s Restaurant
at San Luis at 1:00pm for 1:15pm.
Tickets are now on sale at a price of
eleven euros and all are welcome and
indeed encouraged to attend in order
to express our thanks to
Tracey for taking the time to
visit us here in Torrevieja.
Please note that when you
purchase your ticket you will
be asked to declare your main course
choice from Beef, Pork or Turkey as the
totals have to be advised to the
restaurant in advance.
THE RED BUCKET
More important information, this time
concerning “The Red Bucket”.
As most of you are aware the “Red
Bucket” comes out annualy to
receive donations for Tracey
Williams at the Zimpeto Children’s
Home in Maputo, Mozambique.
Tracey is the daughter of the late
George Williams, a member of our
congregation for many years.
The bucket will be out at services from
September 28th. to October 26th. inc.
The money collected is added to a
donation of 500€ from our Church
Funds.
Year on year the amount donated
has increased so I would ask you
all to give as generously as
possible so that Tracey may
personally take back a bumper amount
to Mozambique.
Howard Cook, Treasurer.
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La Siesta Evangelical Church Newsletter 248
October 2014
Pastor Gerson Amat Torregrosa of the IEE Valencia
Church died on August 29th. after a long illness.
Some of the congregation may remember that Gerson,
who was an English speaker, travelled from Valencia and
preached at our Church on one occassion shortly after
Joel and Mayra left.
Gerson Amat was born in Alicante, 25 July 1952, the son
of a Protestant pastor, a fact which undoubtedly marked
the direction his life would take. After completing his theological studies at the
Evangelical Theological Seminary, he moved to Valencia in order to perform their
pastoral practices within the IERE(Spanish Reformed Episcopal Church). There he
would meet his future wife , Doña Desamparados Sanchez, with whom he had two
children. For a time, and being a specialist in religious and adult education, he
worked in the development of teaching materials in the Training Department of the
Archbishopric of Valencia. He also worked for many years as a professor of religion
at different high schools in the city of Valencia.
In 2007, Pastor Amat became a member of the IEE, and on January 10, 2009 was
ordained and installed as Pastor of the Church of "La Esperanza" in Valencia. He also
coordinated the Theological Workshop –a branch of SEUT- in Valencia, and actively
participated in the reformation of the Ecumenical Interfaith Centre in that same city.
In one of his last sermons he wrote the following:
PASTOR GERSON AMAT TORREGROSA
“I'm done. Where I finish, you can begin. Or follow. You can live to the joy of music
and choreography. You can praise God for what he has done and does for us. You
can experience the joy of sharing your life in God in living communities that
arouse admiration. You can devote your lives and invite everyone to join the party.
Because Christ is risen! "
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La Siesta Evangelical Church Newsletter 248
October 2014
DESDE MEXICO
The following progress report has been received from Joel and Mayra who have
now arrived safely in Mexico.
5 September, 2014 Dear family and friends, Wow! It seems ages ago, to us, since the last time we wrote to all of you. It is such a strange feeling, we still feel the lovely warmth of your last words and hugs but at the same time every memory seems so distant. A lot has happened in the last six weeks. Thankfully, God has protected us in all the travelling, visiting, preaching and eating!! Family and friends in the New World have received us with love, kindness and generosity. We enjoyed visiting some of Joel's family in Florida as we enjoyed visiting some of Mayra's family in Honduras. Time was so short and our bodies were tired but our hearts were full of happiness and gratitude that we had the opportunity to see them before starting our new life in Mexico. We also had the chance to go to the beach for a few days and we enjoyed the sunshine, sand and relaxation time in the Caribbean sea. It was great! Joel Fernando has been fantastic but in the last week he has been missing Scotland, his school and friends very much. Having a new start has been hard for all of us, but it has been especially difficult for him to realise that we are not going back to Ayr after the holidays, and that our next trip to Scotland will not be until in two years time when we`ll go to visit you all. It has also been a great challenge for us to deal with lots of bureaucracy, staying in temporary accommodation, still waiting for our stuff and missing you all, and also our fellowship in Scotland. We love you all and we miss you. Our reception at the seminary and in Puebla was very good and ever since we have been gradually adapting to new routines, eating timetable, and flavours. Our brothers and sisters here have been helpful and caring in many ways, so we are just full of gratitude. At the end of last week we had a visit from Suzanne Potter,who is the Latin Link supervisor for Central America and the Caribbean and now for Mexico as well. We had a great time together and she was a great support to us in many ways. There are many things we could tell you, but we rather leave it for another occasion (another letter) maybe next week! For the time being please help us to pray for the following: 1. Physical strength and health for us. 2. For a place to rent which is affordable, comfortable and close to the Seminary so we don’t have
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La Siesta Evangelical Church Page 6
Newsletter 248
October 2014
any travel expenses.
3. For a safe arrival of our few belongings.
4. Pray for provision to buy a computer so we can write our newsletters and also to speed up Joel
Fernando's school work. We decided to go for homeschooling during this first year.
5. Pray for Joel as he will be preaching in the chapel to lecturers and students twice during this
month. Pray for the preparation of classes for next term and for the allocation of classes for Joel.
7. We are also part of a mentoring scheme with students at the Seminary. We need wisdom and insight
to guide them well in their spiritual formation.
8. Pray for our new relationships, new friends and for the church where we will worship. We are still
looking for one.
9. Pray for wisdom and faith. We need lots of them!
10. For Joel Fernando’s new academic year and his teacher (Mayra and others).
Thank you for your love, emails and prayers. We love you and miss you all.
Many blessings,
Joel, Mayra and Joel Fernando
BAPTISM
On Sunday September 14th. Pastor
Keith officiated at the Baptism
Service for
Isabella Saray Pescaru
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October 2014
MOZAMBIQUE
Here is a day to day account of life at Zimpeto.
August 17th 2014: Five birthdays to celebrate! L- R meet - Almeran (3), Rosa (4),
Shelton (2), Arminda (4) and Keron (3)
August 21st. 2014: Tomorrow, the munchkin, Sina, who entered my world as a 1.6kg, 5 week old baby, will turn 8. She has stretched my faith to the limit, filled my life with joy (and noise!!) and I am SO blessed. Sina, I love you and am excited for all that lies ahead. Happy Birthday my "gorgeous stinker". August 30th. 2014: “Bucket Challenge!” September 10th. 2014: Today I am thankful for ... African Sunsets La Siesta Church in Spain Some of my "infamous" mentors and role models - Brig / Russell Baylis , Maggie Thomas (and Brian!), Janet Weston (and John), Sheila Osborne, Jackie Jackson, ... Could be a VERY long list!! September 11th. 2014: R e a s o n s t o b e t h a n k f u l t o d a y : My AMAZING "Right and Left" arm bearers - Tia Marlita and Tia Sonia . How would I survive without them?? My Rock and My Foundation is Firm and Sure For the 37 (plus 12) munchkins that fill my life with joy and sorrow, tears and laughter - and have me running, waiting, giggling, crying - the best life ever! September 13th. 2014: My days of "THANKFULS" is up so I have to end it with these three gifts. I never came to Mozambique dreaming or imagining that God would knit ANY of the children so tightly into my heart. It's been a fairly precarious walk at times, we've faced some health battles along the way but I am SO thankful that God added Felismina, then Sina and then Rosalia to my life - they are loved dearly and I am thankful for being entrusted to call them "filhas do coracao".
Newsletter 248
October 2014
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Page 8 La Siesta Evangelical Church
LADIES FRIENDSHIP GROUP
On Monday September 8th the ladies met for the first meeting after the break which took the form of a pool party. We have a new venue at the home of Megan Wright and lunch was served at 1.0 pm. Thanks to the committee for the food and Megan for her hospitality.
In October our speaker will tell us what is offered by The Stroke Support Group. Traditionally the AGM is in November and on Nov 22nd. morning we will hold our Charity Christmas Fayre. We eat again(!) in December as on Monday 1st it is our Christmas lunch.
ALL ladies are invited to join the Ladies Group for a bargain fee of 10 euros per year (usually payable in October).
Contact Jean Wallace 966 720 414.
Jean Wallace
Lynn Young
The next attraction organised by
The Fellowship Committee will be a concert
performed by the members of TAABS
in La Siesta Church on
Thursday 13th. November 2014 at 7:30pm.
Tickets available from Committe Members after
Church services at cost of 5€ per person.
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La Siesta Evangelical Church
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October 2014
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La Siesta Evangelical Church Page 10
Our Prayer Chain address both concerns and joys. The information passed along is
strictly confidential.
All you need to do to be part of our prayer chain is to phone Lesley Rolls on 966719163
or Megan Wright on 966785513.
New members are always welcome
PRAYER CHAIN
CHURCH CHOIR
Choir practice is held on Wednesday at 15:30hrs.
BIBLE STUDY
Submitted by Jean Wilkes
Details of resumption
of Bible Study will be announced shortly
Newsletter 248
October 2014
PRAYER FOR OCTOBER
"Somebody Else Will Do It" Let us be concerned for one another, to help one another to show love and to do good. (Hebrews 10:24) So many pressing needs go unmet. An elderly couple, no longer able to drive, hasn't been to church for a while because no one has offered to take them.. A widow, disabled or unable to wishes that somebody would take her grocery shopping and help her get to church. WHY ISN'T SOMEBODY MEETING THESE NEEDS? "Somebody else will come along." As Christians , we can set a good example. We can be that "somebody else." Prayer O God, grant us a deeper sense of fellowship with all living things and our brothers and sisters to whom you have given this earth as home. May we realize that all these creatures also live for themselves and for you. They too love the goodness of life, as we do, and serve you in their way as we do in ours. Amen
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CHURCH ELDERS (please contact for assistance if required)
Howard Cook 96 670 0131 Mary Nell 96 572 5945
Karen Cooper To be advised Lesley Rolls 96 671 9163
Jack Doonan 96 676 9616 Jae Schock [email protected]
Andrew Duckworth 96 671 6527 Chas Smith 96 679 0398
Sandra Garman 96 570 3474 Jacqueline Thomas 96 671 7731
Alan James 96 672 2358 Helen Tudor 96 671 7582
Margaret Mycroft 96 678 4938 Jean Wilkes 96 671 9957
Jean McNary 96 5020342 Megan Wright 96 678 5513
VISITORS
OUR CHURCH
The next issue of this newsletter will be published on October 26th. Contributions may be
sent to the editor, Howard Cook, in writing, by e-mail to [email protected] or by
telephone to 96 670 0131
Newsletter 248
October 2014
La Siesta Evangelical Church is an ecumenical English speaking congregation drawn
from Baptists, Methodists, United Reform, Church of Scotland, Presbyterian Church in
Ireland and several other denominations. We belong to the Iglesia Evangélica Española
or Spanish Evangelical Church, a Presbyterian Church in which we are part of the
Presbytery of Levante.
Our Membership Secretary is Jean Wilkes and you should contact her or any other
Elder at any service if you are interested in joining our Church. Jean´s telephone
number appears in the Elders section on this page.
If you are a visitor we cordially invite you to sign the visitors' book at the front door. We
do have many visitors especially in the holiday months and it is very easy for "new
faces" to be missed. You will notice that the Elders and members of the Fellowship
Committee are identified by badges and we urge you to attend the refreshments after
the service and to introduce yourselves. We are really interested in meeting visitors to
our services.
