24 April - Good food and fellowship at the University

It was a good spread at the bring and share lunch on Sunday 23 April. Thanks to the University of Essex Chaplaincy for having us to join in with their Sunday lunchtime gathering. I enjoyed meeting new people, talking about David Tennants Scottish accent in Dr Who(!), hearing about the mission work of the Chaplaincy team and Friends International....

We also learnt about Nehemiah from Michael White (of Friends International). Check out this Old Testament book for inspiration on hearing from God and acting confidently on His plans for our lives....

And we had a chance to pray for Mike Holden. He's leading the 24-7 mission to Pula, Croatia this summer. Want to be involved? Post a comment at the bottom of this post....

And we heard that Julian's off to the 24-7 Big Conversation in Belgrade. He'll be bringing back news of other Boiler Room Communities across Europe, and asks if there's any questions/observations that we should ask as part of that Big Conversation.

We had a chance to talk together as Boiler Room Community on Sunday. I observed that this is a time for gathering the Community, and establishing our shared values and practices. In particular it's a time for working out how we practice a rhythm of prayer, serving the poor, mission, creativity, hospitality and study.

Currently we practice a rhythm of prayer by praying together on Monday mornings, and at prayer rooms. We have heard of opportunities for action through working with Sanctuary (a new home for homeless with substance addiction problems). Also opportunities for practicing mission and hospitality through Friends International. Also an opportunity to support mission by standing with Mike in prayer as he leads a mission to Croatia this summer. Please keep ideas coming in....

Jamie is gathering people to walk, breakfast and pray at High Woods Country Park at 5am on Monday 1 May. Call Jamie on 07710 397824 to book your place (it's a Ranger-led birdsong walk).

We plan to meet again for a bring and share Sunday lunch on Sunday 28 May 1pm to 3pm. If you would like to host this Boiler Room gathering please let us know by posting a comment below.

Also, we still wait on the possibility of a weekend of 24 hour prayer at Castle Methodist on 10 & 11 June. And the opportunity to communicate with church congregations in the Colchester area.

My final thought...for this posting anyway! I have just been looking at the 10 day prayer meeting between Jesus' Ascension and Pentecost...and asking if I should be practicing a particular rhythm of prayer through this time.

with love, Richard