Claire Morgans of YKids is providing some helpful expertise in preparing churches to make maximum impact in the pageant on 14th June. Dates have been agreed for workshops to enable people to learn how to make colourful banners, streamers, windsocks etc and to envision creative people in respect of costumes. This is a fantastic resource for all churches who aim to be part of the Pageant on 14th June. Each evening will start at 7.00 pm. Please let all your contacts know as people will not only learn but also have a lot of fun. The workshops are not designed to make the items for your church but to show you how to do it and give you ideas that you can then develop. Please encourage your creative people to be there and let’s make 14th June 2008 a wonderful witness of our Christian faith! Dates arranged so far are: April 3rd Kingsway Christian Fellowship, Crosby April 9th Liverpool Lighthouse, Anfield April 10th Grace Family Church, Aigburth April 15th St Marks, Haydock April 16th St Georges, Huyton http://www.festivalofhope08.com/ 18 Apr 2008 20:00:58 GMT Issue 23 of TFH News has been published & will be mailed to TFH churches before 1st April. Copies are available in Christian bookshops around the region, or you can view and download a copy from the website. http://www.tfh.org.uk/page2.html 18 Apr 2008 20:00:58 GMT The Churches diary for the next three months is avaiable on the website. http://www.tfh.org.uk/page9.html 18 Apr 2008 20:00:58 GMT Joel Edwards, who has been the General Director of the EA for over ten years, will be stepping this coming September. He said, “ It will be a great wrench to leave this wonderful organisation, but I am convinced that after 20 years with the Alliance and ACEA God is leading me to new challenges.” Joel was recently appointed as a commissioner for the Equality and Human Rights Commission which he plans to continue in, as well as his involvement with Micah Challenge. Expanding on this, Joel said, “Last year, I completed my second five-year term as leader of the Alliance, but wanted to stay on in the role to finish the work I was doing on our mission and vision for the future. This work is now outlined in my book An Agenda for Change, and I feel God is saying that it is the right time for me to hand over the baton to a new head of the Alliance, who will spearhead the delivery of this vision over the coming years.” He will spend his final six months as General Director presenting this vision to the church on a tour of the UK and America. The vision of the Alliance continues to excite him, as it o aims to unite evangelicals to present Christ credibly to government and society; be good news to the poor and marginalised; and mobilise the church for spiritual and social transformation. http://www.eauk.org/media/joel-to-leave-alliance.cfm 18 Apr 2008 20:00:58 GMT SINGING IN ANFIELD is not confined to the crowds of red-jerseyed fans at Liverpool’s Kop. A stone’s throw from Liverpool FC’s stadium is a venue that will host one of Liverpool’s best gospel choirs for a special fundraising concert. Love and Joy Gospel Choir are delighted to present ‘Friends of Love and Joy Fundraising Concert’ in aid of City Sings Gospel; this year’s International Gospel Music Festival. This intimate musical evening at Liverpool Lighthouse on April 5th will be a taster of what's to come in the festival in June. Margaret Olorogun, Love and Joy Gospel Choir member said, “It’s been a privilege to have played our part in supporting the Capital of Culture bid and to have been there singing when the result was announced. We are proud of the City Sings Gospel Project that has allowed diverse communities to form choirs and to enjoy Gospel music.” Love and Joy Gospel Choir blew crowds away with their singing at the New Year’s Eve service at the Anglican Cathedral and have established themselves as one of Liverpool’s finest Gospel choirs performing nationally and internationally. The vibrant multi-racial choir, which formed in 1987, will perform a variety of gospel songs to raise funds for the ground breaking festival which includes a Gospel Music Heritage Exhibition, concerts, an international summit and a huge street party for 20,000 people - The festival of Hope. Doors open at 7pm for the performance at 7:30pm. Tickets priced at £10 (Concession £7) and are available on www.csg08.com or 0151 4762342 or at Wesley Owens, St Johns Precinct/ Gladstones, Slater Street. http:/// 18 Apr 2008 20:00:58 GMT John Glass, general secretary of the Elim Church in England, spoke to leaders at Grace Family church on 24th March as part of the year long programme of events organised by TFH. Basing his message on the life of Elisha he challenged leaders to be passionate about building bigger people. He said, "We need to make space for what God can do in our lives." Quoting the story of the church member who said, "Our church is so small that when the vicar says "Dearly beloved" I think he is proposing", John said that we need to make space for what God can do in our lives. Likening it to a runway, he asked how we might extend it, and how important it was to clear it of rubble. Leaders present expressed their appreciation of his ministry. An mp3 of the message can be downloaded from the download page http://www.tfh.org.uk/page25.html 18 Apr 2008 20:00:58 GMT