|
European MSC Assembly
 The
Fourth MSC European Assembly took place in Issoudun, France from the
18th to the 23rd August. Carl and Ton attended from the Cordate
Community. The theme of this year's gathering was Justice, Peace
and the Integrity of Creation. A particular focus was the reality
and plight of migrants and refugees across Europe and our possible MSC
response. Carl and Ton were able to share about some of the
initiatives they are involved in, particularly through our partnership
with RESTORE, the Birmingham Churches Together befreinding project.
Another part of the Assembly was given to a reflection on
the newly developing area of "Eco-Spirituality".
During the course of the Assembly Carl and Ton gave a
presentation on developments and progress in our mission here in Aston.
The Cordate community and its mission is fruit of the first MSC European
Assembly in 2002. There was considerable interest in how things
have been going for us and a great degree of support felt from all the
members of the Assembly.
You can read the full report and statement from the
Assembly in PDF format
here. The picture above shows Carl and Ton giving their
presentation. Alongside them is Fr André
Classens MSC, the Belgian Provincial, who was chairing the Assembly.
More photos can be seen in the news item
about the Assembly on the MSC Irish
Province website.
Summer Barbecue for the Senior
Citizens
 Before
we parted company with one another for our summer holidays we hosted the
Senior Citizens of the parish to a barbecue lunch in our garden on July
22nd. The regular Tuesday lunch club is held in Sacred Heart
Primary School and so does not meet during the school holidays.
Some weeks ago we had suggested that it might be nice to meet up during
the summer at our house to break up the six-week gap. The response
was overwhelmingly enthusiastic and so some 20 parishioners came to us
at the usual gathering time of midday and stayed well into the afternoon
enjoying the food and one another's company.
Hope '08 Weekends Continue
 We
have now been involved in three Hope 08
weekends - at the beginning of May, the beginning of June and recently
at the beginning of July. These events are hosted by Aston
Churches Together. On each weekend the Saturday has been devoted
to the Christians of the many Churches in Aston coming together to give
service to a particular neighbourhood in Aston - clearing litter,
tidying gardens, painting common areas, etc. On the Sunday of each
weekend a family fun day has been hosted, with games, sports, face
painting, crafts, food and an opportunity to witness to our Christian
faith. Each of the weekends have been organised in a different
part of Aston and each has had its own character. The response has
been great and as many as 800 have attended the Sunday fun days.
The July weekend coincided with the Aston Pride Family Festival at Aston
Villa's football ground, so we set up an Aston Churches Together tent at
the festival and hosted crafts, face painting witness and prayer
ministry. Unfortunately heavy rain came mid-way through the
afternoon and sent everyone rushing for cover! Hopefully the final
weekend at the beginning of August will bring better weather.
|
Reading
and Studying
Visits
