St. Michael & All Angels Church
Celebrating, proclaiming & demonstrating God’s love as shown in Jesus
News at St Michaels ............
For the latest news and photos from Chemba church click here
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Latest news from Matthew Archer in Jordan
Firstly, we found a nice apartment just down the road from the old one. It’s got 3 bedrooms, and a big living room, so there’s plenty of space for the boys to run around. Unlike the other place, we have central heating (!), so we feel very comfortable here, praise God. We’re also very happy to be staying in the same neighbourhood, as it’s just a 5 min. walk (albeit down 200 steps!) to the town centre, and we’ve got a few friends around here. So we’re very thankful.
We have completed our first week at language school! We’re learning to speak, write and read Arabic, which is very exciting. Karina & I are in separate classes (of 6), which is normal, apparently for married couples (probably to stop copying, or holding hands etc!). We’re in the first of 4 semesters, spread over 2 years if you want to complete the full program, which we probably will do. Besides the lessons, we have to study at home, and practise speaking with the locals. This is not easy to balance, while also entertaining 2 lively boys in the house; so we ask for your prayer as we try to do this.
We are also part of a team within our company. Karina helps at a church group for teenage girls (mostly Iraqis from M families), which apart from anything else, gives her plenty of opportunity to hear and practise the language! She and the team have also visited some of the girls’ families. They’d like to continue with that, so please pray for opportunities.
In the evenings, Matt (and a friend) goes to the town centre to talk to the guys (at night you’ll only see men on the streets), offering help and counselling. Regularly, our friends come to visit us at home, and we talk and sometimes decisions are made, which is exciting!
Please pray
· For our language studies.
· For God’s blessing over the work we do, the people we counsel, visits, friendships etc.
· For Spiritual protection over our family and team.
· At the end of Feb, we will need to travel to a neighbouring country (probably
to renew our visas. Please pray for safety on the journey (about 5 hrs by bus & boat), and a
successful return to
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Burns Night
Was a great success and £800 was raised towards the Development appeal, but most of all, everyone had a superb evening. Thank you to Tracey, Liz and the team for a fantastic effort!
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Following the recent Dartford Youth Council AGM,the new Vice Chairman for 2010 is Mark Richardson of St Michael's Church Youth Group Wilmington. Not bad for his first year as a DYC member!!
Visit the link below to the Wilmington Parish Councils 'Young People's' page for more news about young people in Wilmington and Dartford.
-----> Wilmington Young People's page
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Friends of Kent Churches sponsored bike ride and walk
Well done to Matt and Keith who raised in excess of £547 to be shared between the St Michaels Development Appeal and the Friends of Kent Churches.
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Support to Servicemen
St. Michaels has launched an initiative to provide support to local servicemen and their families. Click here to read more
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A total of £1876 was raised during Christian Aid week in 2009 through the house to house collections in Wilmington and from fundraising events.
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St. Michael's Development Appeal
The appeal has been launched to raise £350,000 to build a church that is fit and ready for the 21st Century. For full details see the Development Appeal page and the 'What's On' page for information about the fundraising activities taking place.
The Gift Day, held recently, raised in excess of £100,000 by way of donation or pledge, which when added to the £86,000 already raised means we have now raised £206,000. Thank you to everyone who has contributed and donations and pledges will continue to be gratefully received by way of the offering plate.
Read the latest Development Appeal Newsletter click here
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St. Michael's Model Railway Exhibition was held on October 10th & 11th 2009 and again proved to be a great success and enjoyed by many visitors. £9000 was raised and this will be shared between Demelza House, The Railway Children, Cherished Memories and St Michael's youth work.
Click here to see photos from the exhibition
Office Address:
2 High Rd,
Wilmington,
Kent
DA2 7EG..........Registered Charity Number:1127656