More Farewells. It is with sadness that we have to inform you that Captains Susan and Ian, with Hope, Grace and Adam, will be leaving leadership of this church and taking up a new role as leaders of The Salvation Army in Horsham, and Ian continuing as Mission Partner for London South East Division. This will be an almost immediate change, due to the need for the children to be settled and ready to start school in September. Your prayers are asked for the captains. Also we ask your prayers for Forestdale, who will not be having full time leadership at this current time.

Circus Party was the theme of the end of year party for both KIDS ALIVE groups on Wednesday, and they are pictured here having a great evening together. See you again in September!

A small gathering of church members met together to say farewell and thank you for church members, Majors Joan and Mike Parker. The majors have worshipped with us for some years and been very involved in the life of the church. It was when they were the leaders of The Croydon Citadel Salvation Army they had a vision to plant a church and found Forestdale. The majors have been appointed as divisional leaders in the London Central Division from August. We do thank God for them - and we had a great night sharing a meal and then also time to pray with or for them.

Members of the church enjoyed the day away on Sunday the Divisional Fiesta. Two of our members also attended the national Word for Women Convention in Sunbury

The End of Year Celebration was just that. Over eighty two prizes have been presented this year to regular attenders of our children ministries events. The Award Ceremony took place as part of our KIDS ALIVE programme, with the idea that the church and kids activities would meet together and celebrate. Many parents attended, and a good number of the children, although they could not all be present for this due to school commitments. The evening started with the award ceremony, and then some refreshments. Prizes were presented to kids from 5 and 6pm groups, the star of the year, our youth and also our childrens ministry team. After refreshments there was time for games to enjoy together - which gave the whole evening a true family feel. We are so grtaeful to all those who have given time this year to our childrens ministries, and all those who have attended. Thanks to Major Margaret Bovey who presented the prizes and is keeping our children ministries on track.

Despite disappointing numbers in attendance, a good time of fellowship and worship was shared today, and focussed on The New Commandement - Love One Another, as Christ has loved us. Colonels Beryl and Keith Burridge, who worshipped at Forestdale before being appointed to Singapore, returning to the UK for International Leaders conference, shared and led the meeting (it was a favourable request at our own leadership team meeting).

The children opened the worship meeting with the song - Holy Spirit Rain Down, and Junior Soldier Grace Woodgate prayed. Also featured during the meeting was Barbara, Marie and Jenny, sharing a worship dance 'Breathe'.

Our celebration together concluded with a family buffet.

Kids Alive at 6pm enjoyed a craft evening - thanks to the team for making this possible

Kids Alive at 5pm enjoyed a sports evening - the A Team vs the Girls Rock team. The A Team won.... just - but it was a winning night for all anyway.

This Sunday morning we welcome Colonels Beryl and Keith Burridge, currently territorial leaders in Singapore, will be returning to the UK and leading us in worship at 10am. Before taking up leadership in this territory, the colonels worshipped at Forestdale for a number of years. They are in the UK for International leaders conference in London. Please come and join us. A light meal will follow afterwards.

The service of celebration and thanksgiving for Dorothy Avis Harrison was held in the East Chapel at Croydon Crematorium this morning at 11.15am. Captains Ian and Susan conducted the service, and David Coles shared a church tribute.

Others was the focus for LIFT HIM UP, our monthly celebration for adults, while children enjoyed their Praise Party with Susan. They looked at growing together and designed an amazing banner to help with this for the church. Others explored teaching from Matthew 25, and how we are taught by Jesus Himself about judgement and how we are taught we should be serving God, thus serving others. A time to give in our summer challenge gift appeal was given, and we are thankful to those who have supported this. During a time of prayer a number spent time before the cross praying for themselves and others.

Please remember in your prayers the Norton Family. Recently we have been praying for Major Jo Norton, who with her husband, Alan, leads the Salvation Army in Wandsworth. We are sad to inform you that this afternoon Major Jo died - and was promoted to Glory (Praise God!) ...... we remember our brothers and sisters in our prayers

As we prepare to give in our summer challenge tomorrow, the following hymn, written at the beginning of the 1900's has been found, and is a helpful reflection in our considerations:-


Others

Lord, help me live
from day to dayIn such a self-forgetful way
That even when I kneel to prayMy prayer shall be for—
Others.

Others, Lord, yes others,Let this my motto be,
Help me to live for others,That I may live like Thee.

Help me in all the work I doTo ever be sincere and true
And know that all I’d do for YouMust needs be done for—
Others.

Let “Self” be crucified and slainAnd buried deep:
and all in vainMay efforts be to rise again,Unless to live for—
Others
.
And when my work on earth is done,
And my new work in Heav’n’s begun,
May I forget the crown I’ve won,While thinking still of—
Others.

Charles D. Meigs

The funeral service for Mrs Dorothy Avis Harrison will take place on Tuesday at 11.15am at Croydon Crematorium, and conducted by Captains Ian and Susan Woodgate

a great afternoon was enjoyed by our Little Acorns!

Mrs Dorothy Harrison who has been linked with this church for some years, died this afternoon at 4.30pm. We remember her family in our prayers, and thank God for her life.

THE FATHER'S DAY: This morning we took the whole worship meeting to explore what a day with the Father is all about, and explored various passages of Scripture to understand what this means, especially Psalm 118. We explored being the Fathers People; knowing the Fathers Presence; being the Father's Property. The children helped us by sharing what they would do with the congregation if they were the King, and also the types of house they would live in. We explored together how God as Father could chose to live anywhere - but lives right here among His People. During the meeting we thanked Cadets Debbie and Will Pearson who have supported us in recent months by attending worship and gave them a gift from the church. We also prayed with them before their commissioning as Salvation Army Officers in a couple of weeks times.

Following their journey to Malawi with other divisional leaders in The Salvation Army - Majors Joan and Mike Parker (who worship with us) shared an evening of their experiences and time in this country. A meal started the evening, to which we then enjoyed listening, and talking through much of which they experienced and shared in over their few weeks away.

Have you seen a Balloon floating in the sky? Yesterday at KIDS ALIVE at 6, our children were exploring about telling other people about the Good News of Jesus. As a result the released balloons which shared this message with the world, and somewhere today we are praying someone will hear the amazing Truth of Jesus Christ.

Majors Brenda and David Sterling led Sunday Worship, and looked at the theme of growing together - and how we are a church need each other to grow and develop into what God wants us to be. The meeting fitted brilliantly into our focus for this year and we are thankful to the majors for their ministry. Songs today included:- What a Faithful God have I; Faithful God; I've found a friend in Jesus; Great is the Lord and most worthy of Praise; All Heaven Declares; Lord I Lift Your Name on High; Strong Oaks.

SUMMER CHALLENGE - SUMMER FAIR
The church continued it outreach into the community by arranging a stall for the Courtwood School Summer Fair. £130 was raised towards the challenge.

THE SUMMER CHALLENGE captured the imaginations of KIDS ALIVE as they gave up their weekly meeting to hold a bring and buy sale, to raise funds for the appeal. Stalls, which had items supplied by the children themselves, together with craft areas, face painting, card making and refreshments, all added together to raise £200 for our support of the annual appeal to contribute towards our social and community services within The Salvation Army. As the event was donation only (ie people gave what they could) we were so impressed at the amount raised, as we were the many who supported - and again it was great to see parents and their children enjoying this time together.

The Summer Show was THE EVENT for June, and saw new faces attending, which is always great. All generations gathered together for this morning of sharing our talents, which included singing and dance. It was a great opportunity to see what we have in each other. But it was more than that- it was a reminded of the part that we have to play, and the worth we have - whether its up front taking part, or sitting down and encouraging those who might be standing up. We were encouraged to play our part and to ensure we are not a missing part within the body of Christ - and as a sign of our promises to God people were encouraged to bring their part to God in the form of a jigsaw piece.

A GOOD NUMBER gathered together to celebrate Pentecost. The meeting explored being ON FIRE, and how Pentecost set fire to many aspects of life, bringing a complete new birth to the church and for disciples as individuals. During the meeting, Barbara Jackson was welcomed as the church's new discipleship officer. Barbara will work with our leaders to ensure we as a church are supporting each other in our disciple walk. The meeting also included the dedication to God of Nigel Boye, which Ian conducted, followed by the welcoming into membership of his mum, Susie. It was indeed a great celebration - with songs including: Come on and Celebrate, Send the Fire, Lord the Light of Your love is shining, May the God of Hope, O Thou who camst from above, Spirit of the Living God, Send a new touch of Power, Holy Spirit rain down. Several people responded for prayer at the end of the meeting.

The planned church BBQ AND LIGHT LUNCH was not able to happen, but instead we held a buffet in the time permitted us at the school. It was good to be family together.

Sunday 24th May
In the absense of our leaders, David Coles - Community Officer led Sunday Worship

To celebrate the end of our first half term for KIDS ALIVE at 5pm, we held a Cool Dudes party with lots of fun and food of course!

You are invited to join us for worship for Ascension day on Thursday at 7.30pm at 23 Newlands Woods.

Thursday House Group will be starting to look at this material this week. You will find a warm welcome and a good discussion!

our leaders will be away next week, and in our absence, David Coles, will be leading worship

A Faithful God was explored this morning, through teaching by Susan from Joshua Chapter 3. During our Sunday Challenge, Susan encouraged us to consider the faithfulness of God in the past and to record them on stones. We then collated these to make a memorial of celebration from the Past. The Presence and Power of God was celebrated in the present too, as Susan asked us to see God in our today and recognise that He is able.... In concluding prayers, we were encouraged to reach out and see an able God right among us. Songs today included:- Great is Thy Faithfulnness; We're gonna celebrate; Your love is amazing; Great is Your Faithfulness, You never change; Faithful God; As I Gaze Upon Your Face; He is able

The Summer Challenge was launched today!!!! From now until the end of June, everyone is challenged to raise money in whatever way, to contribute towards supporting this years annual appeal, held in September. The Annual Appeal supports the social and community work, services, centres and programmes of The Salvation Army in the UK and Republic of Ireland - which is the largest provision of such after the government. This is an really important opportunity for us to unite together to seek to show God's Glory through our love and care for others - loving one another as God has commanded us. Various events have been planned to help towards this, and members and friends have been encouraged to raise money through outreach and seeing the opportunities to use it for such.

To help launch this, Majors Christine and Paul Kingscott launched the challenge, and helped us understand a little about those who benefit from the annual appeal, through their own work and experiences in Salvation Army Social Work. It was a very help insight and helped us to consider about the needs of so many others around us. Songs used today included:- I will enter His Gates; Joyful, Joyful we adore You; If I were a butterfly; King of kings; There is a Redeemer.

THE EVENT for May, took us to a BEACH PARTY and through this we linked it to what the Bible teaches us through 'stories' at the beach. We were reminded that Christ has called us to leave everything, to taste and see that the Lord is good, to know that we are in the right place and follow His leadings, and finally to know that we never walk this Life with Him alone. Games, challenges and more helped explore this and bring this to life.

Kids Alive on a Wednesday continues to be a great hour plus each week at 6pm

Our new KIDS ALIVE group at 5pm, on a Wednesday, is now in its second week and attracting a good number of children.

Bromley Temple Songsters on Sunday Past

APRILS PRAISE PARTY

Pentecost - the birthday of the church - will be with us at the end of May. We will be holding a bbq and lunch following our celebration. ~Tickets are £3 adults and £2 children available from Sue and Ian

HOPE TO SEE YOU THIS SUNDAY!!!

We are grateful to our brothers and sisters in Christ from The Salvation Army in Bromley, who came across and shared in our worship meeting this Sunday. The Songsters, shared much music, which helped us to worship God and Lift Him Up! Candidate for Salvation Army Officer Ashley Prodgers spoke on Spirit and Truth, and encouraged us to know God as the Holy Spirit. During a time of prayer, many people made prayers to God, and someone knelt before the cross. It was a real blessing to share in this way. Equally for the children, they enjoyed their monthly PRAISE PARTY, which looked at Forgiveness and Saying Sorry. All sorts of games and activities helped to issustrate this.

don't miss this sunday!

visit our web site to see the NEW programme for the summer term

We are grateful to Major Nigel Bovey who led worship and taught from The Word this past Sunday. Ian was ministering at Plumstead. Major looked at doubting - but despite how Thomas started he went on to influence many for Christ after truly meeting with Him.

Members of the church took time out in their Easter Holidays to enjoy a day out in London, which included a full tour of the Palace of Westminster.

Easter Sunday started with a breakfast together at 8.30am, and attended by three people. However it was nice to have some time together at the start of this special day. It was good to be able to celebrate Easter Together with members and friends of the church, and part of our celebration included personal testimonies of peoples experiences of Jesus, and also songs from the Holiday Club, to which many joined in. There was also time to look at Pictures from the Holiday Club. Adults who helped with the week were presented with a gift and certificate for helping. MAD were featured in our worship meeting, and started with a short drama, and also an Easter Dance. This was so good it was repeated at the end of the meeting. Songs today included:- Christ the Lord is Risen today, He has Risen, Lo in the Grave He Laid, Thine be the Glory. We also sang God Your so cool, We celebrate, Good News with the Holiday Club Children. Ian summed up the church's week of following through Crosswords, and encouraged people to pick up their cross and follow Christ in this amazing eternal Life that He has for them. Many people came and knelt before the Cross and prayed indiviaully and with others. Following this, a number returned to the home of Sue and Ian and enjoyed an Easter Meal together.

Twenty Four Children gathered together for KIDS ALIVE on Good Friday. This was an ideal opportunity to explore the reality and true meaning of this day with the many who attended.

A large number of families gathered together for our Good Friday Family Event, which also gave us opportunity to share what we had been doing throughout the week, and to share the reality of Good Friday with them. FREE craft, food and an easter egg hunt formed part of the day, with also a Stations of the Cross Prayer Zone. Face Painting and Nail Painting were also part of the event. We are grateful to the many who joined us to help in this and make the event so successful.

Good Friday: the day started with the traditional Churches Together Service and walk of Witness. A number from the church attended this. Additionally we held our own reflection in the late afternoon, attended by a small number. At the same time the children had their own programme.

Maundy Thursday Evening: A small group of people met together for reflection together, and shared the Love Feast Together.

Thursdays Holiday Club saw nearly 40 children gather to focus on the account of Good Friday. A film depicted the story for us, after which around a cross children nailed nails to symbolise the amazing work that God wants to do in our lives when we surrender to Him at the cross. A large number prayed the prayer of Salvation. A highlight today was being able to ring our very own Maggie, who has been in hospital this week and not able to be part of things. Loads of games, craft and singing helped the day - and red team were the team of the day. A group photo was taken.

Wednesdays Holiday Club celebrated Maundy Thursday, and we remembered Judas who betrayed Jesus, and the celebration of the passover meal. As part of our prayers the children prayed through a re-enactment of what Jesus shared with His Disciples. Forty Children attended today, which caused great noise - but it was fun!!! Games, Craft, and Lots of Worship Singing also helped to make the afternoon a great time together. Team of the day was not blue today for a change - but actually was the Yellow, Red and Green team. In fact this was such a surprise there was not enough medals for everyone. The 3 o clock challenge today was eating cream crackers in a minute, and seeing how many could be eaten. The adults were challenged to the fluffy bunny game, and Ben did very well indeed!!!

Day Two of Easter Holiday Club saw over thirty children sharing in two hours of endless fun!!! Our focus today was on the Freedom that God gives us, and we enjoyed games and craft and more. We enjoyed some great outside games as well - as the weather was so good. Music played an important part of the afternoon - and a special activity was feet painting - which ended in feet washing - for many quite an emotional part of the day. Team of the day again were the Blue Team!!

Thirty Children turned up at Courtwood School for the first day of our Easter Xpedition. Today we explored Palm Sunday and games helped us to recognise the coming of the King. Various songs were also used, to which the children enjoyed dancing, clapping - and more. Susan told the account of the Bible that helped everyone to get into what the story was all about. There was also lots of craft and indeed the 3oclock challenge - today an exciting game of Fluffy Bunnies. Team of the Day was Blue Team and one of the pictures reflects the presentations made to this team. We are so grateful to the team of adult helpers/leaders that were part of this day too.

Holy Week Reflections started this morning with three people gathering to open The Word, and explore the power of CROSSwords. We do hope more will share with us throughout the week. We meet 9.30am in various venues - please contact us for these.

Majors Joan and Mike are preparing to engage in a trip to Africa to reach out to suffering and needy people, especially affected by human trafficing. As a church we have wanted to bless them in this important journey, and presented them with a love offering we had taken, plus a couple of books to help them through the days ahead. We spent some time praying God's blessing on them.

PALM SUNDAY saw our monthly special - THE EVENT, which included presentations to the children for what they had done throughout the month, and lots of things to consider through games, craft and reflection, all linked to Palm Sunday - and led through by Susan. Major Nigel led us in a couple of 'Palm Sunday Songs' which saw the children using their own 'church made' palms to celebrate what the day really meant for us and the day traditionally. Children also enjoyed making crowns, and we all were encouraged to make a donkey jigsaw, bearing the message - King of kings and Lord of lords. Green Team were announced as team of the month again - and the team of the day was red and yellow teams combined - well done all!!! During the meeting also some of those who recently attended the Safe and Sound Training received their attendance certificates.