ROCHESTER NEWSLETTER
“Don’t lose hope”
It s not easy to relate to this statement with what has gone on in the pass year. Facing crisis after crisis, food shortages, energy crisis and the continuing war in Ukraine which has claimed many lives.
As we come to the close of 2022 we would like to give God thanks for all your support.
We are in a season of uncertainty and we do not know what the future will bring. I want to encourage us that Jesus is the reason for this season, bringing hope to a lost world. We thank God that He has sent His only begotten son that we can have hope and a future life beyond this world. Continue to trust God even when things look bleak, He will always keep His promise to bring provisions and favour to us and our household.
Have a blessed and wonderful Christmas.
MIN NORMAN
“Dear Pastor Jancie and the Rochester brethren.
We thank God that he has allowed us to see the closing of another Year inspite of the many challenges we have had to overcome.
I want to wish you all joy and peace this Christmas as you spend time with your family. I also want to thank you for your kindness and support.
BISHOP LLOYD HENRY
DEPTFORD DISTRICT
“MISSION STATEMENT
The Leadership came together in December and created a new mission statement for our Church
REVEALING CHRIST THROUGH LOVE AND
REVEALING CHRIST THROUGH LOVE AND ACTION
ACTION
We believe this defines the purpose and calling of our fellowship. We all have a responsibility to demonstrate the love of God.
D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 2
Friday
Zoom
WEEKLY SERVICES Sunday 11am Family Worship 6pm Joint Zoom service (Rochester & Wellington) Tuesday 8pm Discipleship Lessons (Bible Studies) on Zoom
8pm Touch and Agree (Corporate Prayer) on
We celebrated 40 years of the church witness in the Medway Towns. We will never forget all those past and present who have served this Church. We salute and honour you.
We were graced with the presence of the then Administrative Bishop Donald Bolt and 1st Lady Joycelyn Bolt. We thank the planning team led by Rev Dr Grace for making this an occasion to remember.
“This was our round Table event where the Men’s Department was reconnecting with each other. This was one of several events which we ran this year 2022 after the Covid pandemic had run havoc for the past two years.
The pandemic had isolated us from each other.
Regrouping as a fellowship of men became a bit of a challenge as some people were still in isolation; fear of catching the virus
That being said God favoured us as we made a break-through and we were able to congregate as MBK men of God. It was really an awesome event, because we were able to see some old faces and enjoy each other s company in the presence of our mighty God !!
SPENCER KARANDA .
EVANGELISM
In 2022, we continued with the Alpha Series, which has been dealing effectively with the Big Questions about life. The aim has been to continue to reach the unsaved, the searching, and young converts, and to bring them by the help of the Holy Spirit into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ.
Additionally, we continued our community engagement with the Medway Foodbank, each month-end dropping off a range of essential food items to the local Food depot in Strood. This has been in response to the fact that many in our local community are struggling with the cost of living crisis. Our weekly 10p challenge has helped us to fund this initiative and we are so grateful for the sincere generosity of our members and visitors
We also engaged with the Samaritans Purse mission, collecting more than 60 shoe boxes to send to vulnerable children across the world to bring joy to their Christmas. Finally, in JanMar, volunteers from our church engaged in the Winter Night Shelter, which provided shelter and food for vulnerable/homeless people in the community. We look forward to 2023 as we further enhance our evangelistic and outreach initiatives
REV CHRIS LINDO
4 0 T H C H U R C H A N N I V E R S A R Y
M
B K L I F E B U I L D E R S
With your help we were able to donate 60 Christmas shoe boxes (plus 1 on-line). Along with the shoebox gifts children and youths are also offered a Bible story booklet called The Greatest Gift, which tells them the story of God s greatest gift, his son Jesus
We would like to thank Rev Gwendolin Scott and her team for the privilege we had to celebrate and appreciate our Rochester Seniors
They had afternoon tea with a twist The spread was fit for royalty! It was attended by 6 of our seniors and their families. The hall and spread were beautifully presented and well received by all who attended
C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S
Rev Christopher Lindo was promoted to the rank of Ordained Minister
Rev Angela Notice achieved the first rank of Exhorter
Rev Gwendolin Scott achieved the first rank of Exhorter
2 Timothy 2:15
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
It has been a hectic year for many but we have continued to maintain a high standard of Sunday School lessons for our children so that they can grow in confidence and understanding in their faith and knowledge of Jesus.
In October, many of the children participated in the District Social, where they enjoyed a fun packed day. A special highlight for us at Rochester was our successful Christmas Production which revealed the extremely talented children we have been blessed with They put their acting skills into action by retelling the nativity story.
We look forward to the New Year ahead to continue building our children to shine for Jesus.
P R A Y E R M I N I S T R Y
Bishop Strachan and Mother Forbes, who are the current leaders of Rochester prayer meetings, will be retiring from that position.
We are so grateful for their dedication to this important ministry within our Church and take this opportunity to say "thank you" and "God bless you " Please be assured they will still be on hand to support and guide as they pass the baton on to Rev Derran Mayne and Sis Rosaline Francis
If you are new to the area or you are not a part of a prayer group, please contact Rev Mayne or Sis Rosaline for more information. We have prayer groups in the following areas:-
Strood/Hoo
Gillingham
Chatham/Walderslade
Rainham/Sittingbourne
London
S A M A R I T A N ' S P U R S E
E N I O R C I T I Z E N S A P P R E C I A T I O N
S
G R O W I N G I N F A I T H
REV ANGELA NOTICE
One of our highlights was our women s social that took place in October 2022 We are grateful and blessed with an abundance of skills/talents amongst the group
I want to take this opportunity to thank all those who contribute to the work here in Rochester. It would have been impossible without you. I am so grateful to God for all of you. I want to wish you a merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
In 2023 we plan to launch:
Book club
Meeting within homes
Just to name a few of the things we have planned. Our email address is still available for those seeking additional support: rochesterwomenntcg20@yahoo.com
We look forward to your continued support.
A P T I S M A L S E R V I C E
We are so pleased to welcome Sis Kamar, Minister Michael, Sis Desreene, Sis Janice and Bro Emmanuel to our fellowship. We look forward to them using their gifts for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up (Ephesians 4:12).
SONIA KEDDO-COLLINS
We were delighted to have our first baptismal service post lock-down with four candidates.
I was speaking with a young lady from our fellowship and during our conversation we kept saying 'Let s make it happen'. For 2023 we want to do more than just talking we want action. I am reminded of Nehemiah when he heard the walls and the gates of his beloved city Jerusalem were broken down. Nehemiah found favour with the King who gave permission for him to go to Jerusalem but also provided the wood he would need for the rebuilding project.
Nehemiah was galvanised into action because of the love he had for his city. He sought direction from God with prayer and fasting. He inspected the land, looked at the damage, drew up a plan, then got the people together to work. Within 52 days the walls and the gates were repaired. Was it easy? No, there was opposition, they were told they couldn't do it but the people had a mind to work (Nehemiah 4:6)
I want to encourage us that together we can make it happen! We can accomplish so much in our community if we start to think big for 2023 and beyond.
If you are not involved in an area of ministry, come and let us have a chat. Break out of our comfort zones and let us impact our communities There is so much we can do if we put our minds to it.
God bless and let s make it happen!
PASTOR JANCIE
W O M E N ' S D I S C I P L E S H I P M I N I S T R Y
L E T ' S M A K E I T H A P P E N !
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1 6 - 2 2 n d J a n u a r y N a t i o n a l & L o c a l W e e k o f P r a y e r 2 8 t h J a n u a r y N T C G R o a d s h o w ( L e e N T C G ) - f o r a l l L e a d e r s F E B R U A R Y - E D U C A T I O N M O N T H D A T E S F O R Y O U R C A L E N D A R
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