November and December actvities, and a new venue

Amazing new things are happening! We are enjoying life with our new son Moses. And we're about to move to a new Community House. We see this as God's provision for a gathering place to pray and worship, welcome new people, and a resource to serve the community. We invite you to join us there.

Love Richard and Katy
　
7.30pm Wednesday 4 November, Boiler Room Meal, John and Sue's, 4 Asbury Close, Colchester.

7.30pm every Wednesday from 11 November, Boiler Room Meal, Abbeyfield Community House, 170 Berechurch Road, Colchester.

1pm Sunday 15 November, Sunday Lunch, Abbeyfield Community House.

1-5 December, Katy, Richard and Moses moving house into the Abbeyfield Community House.

1pm Sunday 20 December, Christmas Lunch at Abbeyfield Community House.

Prayer times on Thursday at Bethany Place, Friday at Out for Good, and monthly for Street
Pastors will continue as usual.

We will also arrange a weekly time to gather and work on the prayer room set up, and some prayer walks in the area around Abbeyfield.

News for October and November

Hi Boiler Room friends,

It's been an eventful time for Katy and I. We're thanking God for Moses,and for my new job with the Abbeyfields Community Project.

Due to these wonderful changes, we've made a few changes to planned activities in October and November.

We've changed our Boiler Room Sunday Lunch from 1 November to 1pm Sunday 15 November. This will enable us to gather in the Abbeyfield CommunityHouse at 170 Berehchurch Road, share vision and pray for the new place.

Also, I've cancelled the Street Pastor shift planned for 16 October. The next shift I'm doing will be on Friday 27 November, and I'll be invitingyou to come and pray for us.

Prayer continues at Bethany Place on Thursdays, and Out for Good on Fridays. This week and next week, there's no Boiler Room meal.

On Thursday 22October at 8pm we will be going to a presentation at Kingsland Lexden church building to hear from Mike Holden, who was sent from Boiler Room Community to work in North Africa. Please contact me mail@colchesterboilerroom.org.uk if you need a lift.

love Richard

Chance to hear news from Mike, Thursday 22 October

"As part of my week in Colchester, I'm planning an event to get as many of my prayer partners as possible for an evening of sharing testimonies and prayer for North Africa.

The event will take place at Kingland Church Lexden, 2-4 London Road, Colchester from 8pm til approx 9:30-10pm.

I'll be sharing about life and work in North Africa there'll be opportunity for us to pray together.

Please reply to mail@colchesterboilerroom.org.uk if you plan to attend before Thurs 22nd so I can estimate numbers. (colchester Boiler Room Community may be able to help with a lift). I look forward to seeing you there.

Thanks very much for reading, be greatly blessed this week. May you know more of the Father's love and favour.

Michael"

Boiler Room Sunday Lunch Sunday 4 October cancelled

Many apols to those looking forward to the monthly Sunday feast: tomorrow's Boiler Room Sunday Lunch (4 October) has been cancelled.

How to pray (and participate) in politics

This week sees the start of the UK’s political party conference season.

This year the conferences are especially important, as they will set the tone for the general election that must happen within the next 9 months. The Bible tells us to ‘pray for rulers and those in authority’, and now is a brilliant time to take that command seriously.

Why not spend 10 minutes every Monday for the next 3 weeks praying for the political parties who will help to shape the future of our nation for the next 5 years? That way, you will be praying during all 3 of the main party conferences!

But in 2009, you have the chance to do more than ‘just’ pray. In all of the main UK parties there are Christian groups working to help Christians find a political voice and get involved. This year, they are inviting YOU to get involved in the various fringe meetings that they are holding during their conferences. All these events are outside of the conference security zones, so you don’t need a conference pass and you don’t need to be a party member (or even a supporter). The only qualification is a desire to see Jesus’ kingdom come among the nations.

(for details of opportunities to pray at the Conferences visit
http://uk.24-7prayer.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=583&Itemid=175)

Join in this week.

Wednesday 26 August - 7.30pm - Boiler Room meal at Richard and Katy's house. We'll be hearing more the God Story. And sharing curry.

Saturday 29 August - 10pm to midnight - we're praying with the Street Pastors, as they look after people out at night.

An inspirational challenge to look after homeless young people from Minneapolis

Check this link for news from the Source Boiler Room Community in Minneapolis. They are active amongst homeless young people.


http://www.24-7prayer.com/emailredirect/b139e104214a08ae3f2ebcce149cdf6e/

Prayer request for persecuted believers in Iran

"In a dramatic session before the revolutionary court last Sunday in Tehran, Maryam Rustampoor (27) and Marzieh Amirizadeh (30) were told to recant their faith in Christ. Though great pressure was put on them, both women declared that they would not deny their faith.

Maryam and Marzieh were originally arrested on March 5, 2009 and have suffered greatly while in prison, suffering ill health, solitary confinement and interrogations for many hours while blindfolded.

On Saturday August 8, Maryam and Marzieh were summoned to appear in court on Sunday August 9 in order to hear a verdict on their case. The chief interrogator had recommended a verdict of ‘apostasy.’ However, when they arrived, no verdict was actually given. Instead, the court session focussed on the deputy prosecutor, Mr Haddad, questioning Maryam and Marzieh about their faith and telling them that they had to recant in both verbal and written form. This made it clear that in the eyes of the court, Maryam and Marzieh’s only crime is that they have converted to Christianity."

For more info see 24-7 Prayer website
http://www.24-7prayer.com/emailredirect/d305281faf947ca7acade9ad5c8c818c/

Some news from 24-7 Prayer

Pete Greig Joins a Cult
http://www.24-7prayer.com/emailredirect/aa2a77371374094fe9e0bc1de3f94ed9/
"I just joined a cult. I realize this may come as a disappointment to some of youand I hope we can still be friends – in fact I am hoping to stay involved in 24-7,if you’ll still have me." Find out what Pete's converted to and what it's taughthim about prayer...

Blogging Miraculous Healing in Prayer Room
http://www.24-7prayer.com/emailredirect/e0ab531ec312161511493b002f9be2ee/
A former Muslim was dramatically healed last week in the 24-7 Prayer Room inGuildford, UK. “My friend from a Muslim country became a Christian last year,”explains Dan Jones who co-ordinates the citywide prayer initiative. “She’s had aserious Repetitive Strain Injury in her left arm for 3 years and her doctor saidshe would need surgery...

Can Prayer Foil Terrorism?
http://www.24-7prayer.com/emailredirect/61b1fb3f59e28c67f3925f3c79be81a1/Aitor de la Camara 5th August Last week, as I watched the news on the terrorist attack in Burgos,Spain Icouldn’t believe my eyes: I was seeing on TV a police building that I often driveby... I started to wonder whether the fact that no one died was due to the errormade by the terrorists, or something else...

Three New Nations Pray 24-7!
http://www.24-7prayer.com/emailredirect/9a1de01f893e0d2551ecbb7ce4dc963e/
Carla Harding 7th August Christians in Angola, Iceland and China are the latest to register that they'veprayed 24-7! Though we've been aware of people praying in both Iceland and Chinafor a few years, the last couple of months have seen the first registered nightand day Prayer Rooms connect with the rest of the movement...

Going DeeperAre You Surfing This Wave?
http://www.24-7prayer.com/emailredirect/d757719ed7c2b66dd17dcee2a3cb29f4/
God is moving around the world in a wave of continuous prayer and mission. Are youplaying a part?

Sailing on the Wyvenhoe By Jason C. McLean

To the main sail pulling and tying rope,

Cuppa tea in tow,

Down below the seasick mope,

Learning knots at a rate of knots,

Remembering the port side red,

And the starboard green,

Mssrs: Harvey, Smith, Hope and McLean stay keen,

Enoch, Dan, Alfie on red alert while it’s raining,

No short cuts in plain sailing,

Barbeque on the beach goes down a treat,

Decked out in orange from head to feet,

Parts of the ship: top sail, helm, and stern,

A lot of names for yachtsmen to learn,

Queen Elizabeth the Second has sat on this boat,

A plaque marks the occasion on the vessel afloat,

007 Action also saw this boat in all her glory,

And as for the fry up well that’s another story,

Three cheers to skipper and first mate,

On to the land lumbering now,

I hear the Wyvernhoe came first not late,

Sheer genius doesn’t have to ask how,

Down to the Thames a Masters crew,

They knew exactly what to do,

So here’s to Captain Richard and Hillary,

Sailing may be part of our destiny merrily.

August events in Colchester Boiler Room Community

Coming up with Colchester Boiler Room Community;

Boiler Room meals every Wednesday 7.30pm at Richard and Katy's. Bring food to share. This week Sue shares about her trip to Malawi.

This Sunday 2 August 1pm at East Bay, Castle Park (bottom of East Hill, next to river and East Bridge). Picnic, prayer and games.

Saturday 29 August 10pm-midnight at Street Pastor base. Prayer for the Street Pastors. (this has been changed from 14 August)

Sunday 6 September - Sunday Lunch planned, but we need a venue, please let me know if you have suggestions.

Boiler Room meals in July

On Wednesday 8, 15 & 22 July our Boiler Room meals will be John and Sue's house.

On Wednesday 29 July, and in August we'll be back at Richard and Katy's house.

Get in touch on mail@colchesterboilerroom.org.uk if you'd like to come along for food, learning and prayer.

247 Prayercast encourages thousands to pray for Europe

Europe is shaking: economic structures are crumbling, political systems are inmeltdown and injustice is on the rise.

We can ignore it, we can panic or we can pray.

24-7 Prayer activists like Pete Greig (author of Red Moon Rising) and Andy Freeman (author of Punk Monk) will be releasing daily video Podcasts (We're calling it "24-7 PrayerCast") from Monday 8th June addressing the challenges andopportunities we’re faced with.



The 24-7 PrayerCast has already hit #1 on the UKiTunes Spirituality Charts!



View the PrayerCast through http://www.24-7prayer.com/

Some news from May

May was an eventful time for Colchester Boiler Room Community.

We worked hard to set up and run a 10 day prayer room in an empty shop unit. People from more than 12 church congregations came alongside us to take prayer slots in the prayer room. Many visitors came in from the streets. Here are some pics;

And some of us had the chance to join a sailing trip that Out for Good organised;

Big thanks to Pete, for an amazing trip.

We've just met up to plan our ongoing rhythm of prayer. So watch this space for our new weekly, monthly and special prayer times...

Richard

24/10 update

Hope in Colchester 24/10 Prayer Room: The Story so far...

Venue: 28 St Botolph's Street (The old Meryl's shop), Colchester

Dates: 8pm Thursday 21 May - 8pm Sunday 31 May (open to the public 8am - 8pm daily)

Involvement so far: 9 congregations taking slots, 5 days in total covered so far.

Need: 5 days more prayer slots to be covered. Especially times on Thursday 21 - Monday 25 inclusive. Individuals and groups can book slots of an hour or more...A further £130 in donations is needed to cover costs.

Contact Richard or Katy mail@colchesterboilerroom.org.uk

Please pray for God to lead our prayers, and that through this time new life will spring up for God's kingdom.

Thank you for your support-- Richard

Hope in Colchester 24/10 Prayer Room 21 - 31 May 2009

There will be a 24/10 prayer room running in a shop unit at 28 St Botolph's Street, Colchester from 21 -31 May 2009.

It will be an inspiring place of prayer, a place to spend time with God and a place for visitors to be welcomed.

Come in and visit! It will be open to visitors from 8am - 8pm.

If you're a believer and part of the church in Colchester, you can support the prayer room by booking a prayer slot. Contact Richard or Katy at mail@colchesterboilerroom.org.uk

There's no Boiler Room meal on Wednesday 6 May, due to Launch meal Thursday 7 May

An amazing poem

Here's an awesome, Holy Spirit inspired prayer, written in the 24-7 prayer room in Turkey in March 2009.

So I’ve been asked to look and listen to what you hear and see
But my gut reaction is to look at everything naturally
I put myself in the midst and think to myself, well, what do I see?

Well, it’s a big city
And it all seems fine, and if I look with my mind’s eye
I just sit, and wonder why
Coz, this place seems fine, and I’m forced to wonder if this is all a waste of time
Surly in this space and time, I’ve got better ways to spend my time
And as I begin to walk in this direction, I’m forced to stop
God, into temptation, lead me not
So, as often I do, deprived of sleep
I begin to pace the darkened streets
Searching for any kind of beat
And at firsts its silent, I’m not really tuned in
And I’m sure at this point your feeling some frustration

But

Then

In the silence

I begin
To start really listening
I start to pick up the heart beat of the city
And at this point I start to see
At least, I begin to see what you’re showing me.
I see a people struggling to be free
Struggling to find a true sense of identity
I see a pressure to be, all you’re told to be
And how that has an effect on being free
But sometime
It’s the stuff you don’t see
And I start to the heartbeat of broken lives
I hear you’re longing to comfort the cries
Your desire to answer the hows and whys
You explain you’ve been watching over for time
And you’re desperate to bring a turn in the tide
Since the pain you felt when Polycarp died
To your desire to wipe the tears from hurting eyes
And as we stand at the crown of ancient Smyrna
I slowly begin to understand
That your heartbeat
And that of this city
Go hand,
in hand
‘’But the streets are dark, and the walls are high’’
‘’The task is big and we aint got have much time’’
I begin to understand your broken hearted cries
Coz your heart and arms are open wide
But
Out of 4 million or so people. Most, just pass you by
We pray for your kingdom to come and for your will to be done
Through your spirit in the name of your son
But then we’re forced to pause, at the enormity of the request
But then, I see hope
As the heartbeat is felt across the nations,
And your call has started gaining momentum
And it reaches out in all directions
I have to smile at the response
‘’Hear I am Lord, Send me’’
I don’t know the language, and it’s a culture Iv never seen
But my trust is in you and I’ll go wherever you lead
And when you walk this earth you said ‘’follow me’’
So walking in your footsteps is where I’ll be
And as we witness the mobilisation of your people,
We begin to pick up your heartbeat

So I humbly say, please, ask me again what I see

I see a light, and at first it’s dim
Then a few more flickers start to join in
Pretty soon it starts, to really shine
The dark around starts to decline
And the heartbeat that’s been shadowed for time
Makes a sudden, shudder, at this sign
And as I look above the crowds
I see on the horizon, the smallest of clouds
And with faith in heart and hope in hand
I see a vision of rain on this fertile land
And uprising is at hand
It starts with the humble prayers of man
In response to the heartbeat of this land
And as prayer, passion and unity stand
With mission and action Hand in hand,
We boldly make are united stand
As storm clouds fill the sky
In one voice we cry ‘’ Rain in this city tonight’’
That peace and hope would flood the streets
That love and grace would wash the people’s feet

So

This is what I begin to see
The response of your people to your heartbeat for this city
So we ask that, what’s birthed in our humble prayers
Wouldn’t just stay there
But would spur the people
Into action
And take this light
Out there.

Colchester Boiler Room Launch Meal 7 May

We having a Launch Meal on Thursday 7 May at 7pm at the Jesus Centre, King Harold Road, Colchester.

We'll be sharing food and vision for the future of Colchester Boiler Room Community.

This will also be the launch of Colchester Boiler Room Community as a constituted community group.

Leave a comment if you'd like to come, or speak to Richard or Katy...

Turkey 24-7 update

Its Thursday 'Persembe', and day 5/6 of our week of 24-7prayer in Turkey. The week has gone well so far... Highlights include children's activities, good Turkish cuisine including a meal at the 'old fire station', views of the city, and the arrival of our 6th team member late on Monday night.

We were pleased to abandon many of our ideas about setting up the prayer room, as people here already had ideas of their own. Although the UK team have supported some of the more challenging night shifts hours, some of the church leaders and a few locals have shared the responsibility. There have been big steps since last year's 24-7 week here, including a bi-monthly night of prayer, a monthly youth event and the readiness for this week of prayer. The church are already considering how to continue to grow in prayer beyond this week, and will end with a corporate night of prayer tomorrow!

Pray we stay awake enough to join in ;o)

Love Katy, Rich and team XXX

Hosgeldiniz! (Welcome!)

Having received a warm welcome as a team last year,

we have been invited back to Turkey

to facilitate another week of 24-7 prayer from 27th March - 6th April.

We prayed for a team of 6 and within a week 4 people
had signed up to join Katy and Rich on their travels.

One of the highlights last year was a night of prayer with 15 young people - This year there are 60-70 young people gathering most Sunday evenings. We go ready to serve in anyway we can, and praying that Turkish people will meet with God in amazing ways through prayer, hospitality and creativity. Please pray for this venture, and check the blog for more updates...

Boiler Room meals every Wednesday

We have a meal together every Wednesday, 7.30pm at Richard and Katy's house.

We bring food to share, catch up, learn from God Story and pray.

(God Story is a journey through the Bible, based on teaching from our friends at Kansas City Boiler Room Community http://www.kcboilerroom.com/)

Leave a comment and get in touch if you'd like to join in.

love Rich

Treasure of the Earth prayer room

Here's details of a conference we're setting up a prayer room for...

It's been cool to reflect on creation as an inspiration for prayer. Katy and Sally are making some amazing collages...pictures to follow, definitely!

Here's a repentance prayer for our abuse of the natural environment;

"Land is a gift of God to His people.

The Scriptures remind us that the people of God are charged with tending,caring, resting and stewarding the land.

But when people violate God's laws then the land is spoiled.

We confess our sin in penitence and with sorrow.

We grieve at the polluted seas, poisoned atmosphere, all ugliness, misuse and greed, at arrogant exploitation and indifference to consequences.

Have mercy on us, Lord.
Heal our lives and this world.

(from "Celtic Daily Prayer" by The Northumbria Community)

Agape (a Poem by Jason McLean)

Agape
By Jason McLean

Agape feasts not in the broils,
Of demons loathing, where hatred spoils,
Agape treads where malice won’t dare,
In places where love will never be rare,
Nor does it dwell in realms of ill,
For Agape is a panacea pill,
Nor does she reside in places unjust,
For trust is the must, in God we trust,

A lair of wrath is to some a home,
Home is the heart of a life of your own.
Agape learned what mankind is learning,
Power never corrupts if respect is burning,
In time peace locks love it is true,
Like two lovers meeting and then bidding adieu,
If love is for real and the deal sealed with passion,
The lover’s feelings won’t go out of fashion.

Agape finds what Agape seeks,
A place to rest a heart that is meek,
Enough manna and nourishment to move forward,
The beauty of Agape is its own reward,
Agape is Agape in day and in night,
The essence of which will see dark become light.

Agape is unconditional love,
Fused with desire it sets mans heart on fire,
Like a hand fits a glove Agape covers all ground,
Patience and compassion the triumphant sound.
Agape exists to mute the scream,
To turn a fantasy into a vision dream,
Agape knows no bounds,
Peace is found.

Agape stretches around the globe touching all mankind,
Gentle spirits and awakened minds.

Agape rests in eternity, Agape is the bliss of infinity.

Next Boiler Room Meals

We get together regularly to share food, catch up, and learn about Jesus together.

Our next Boiler Room meals are on Wednesday 14 and Wednesday 28 January at 7.30pm.

Email me at mail@colchesterboilerroom.org.uk if you're interested in coming along.

Richard

News from the nations

Here are some new year messages from James and Mike, both in Africa;

"Thanks for your prayers.

God is doing amazing things in me.

Miss all the 24 prayer team.

love James"

" Hi Rich, KT and Boiler Room Community,

I love you heaps! Thanks so much for your support and friendship to me this past year and since I moved to Nth Africa.

Pray you know more of joy of Christmas, celebration of God putting his trust and whole life in the hands of an unmarried couple from Nazareth!

Lots of love Mike

ps Check out Psalm 27"

Feast News

On Saturday, 20 volunteers worked to provide a Christmas Feast for 50 people in need.

Thank you to the cooks, who provided a top quality 3 course roast dinner, the hosts and servers, the carol singers, the musicians, and of course, the washer ups!

And a big thank you to St Botolph's Church who welcomed us and gave us the venue.

Many of the guests were very grateful for the meal together. We had a fun time together. Several guests stayed right until the end , enjoying the music and chatting. There was a chance to pray with some guests.

It showed me the need for food and warmth, and need for a welcome and sense of family. I feel a door has opened, and I wonder how to step through and respond to this opportunity. Please leave your comments if you have ideas.

Our next action to give to the poor is supporting the overflow accommodation for the Nightshelter. This will be the last week of January and last week of February. Please contact me mail@colchesterboilerroom.org.uk if you're interested in helping...

love Richard.

Eid greetings from Mike in North Africa

"Hello beautiful people of God!

Greetings from Nth Africa and a big merry Christmas to you with blessed New Year.

Can't say I'm feeling the Christmas mood yet but mind you I don't normally until at least 20th December. I'll have a party with colleagues and friends including some kind of present pot luck giving game.

My country has just been celebrating Eid l-Kabir (Lit: Big Feast). It's a fascinating time when Muslims celebrate the sacrifice made by Abraham who obeyed God when he was told to give up his son. To much great delight of the child, God's angel told him to stop but provided a lamb in his place.

So, every family here buys a sheep and on the special day of the feast they slaughter it, skin it and eat the whole thing, yes, the whole thing.... well not all in one day. They just eat the insides - liver, heart and brain. The next day they start eating meat!

It was great to have time with a local family during this time. I spent the night before at their house and watched my friend perform the.... you know... the thing. I won't say anymore 'cause I know there are vegetarians among you.

I found God spoke to me a lot about sacrifice and Jesus our Lord. I've had the privilege of sharing the story of Abraham and about sacrifice from our book with a few local contacts.I've been thinking about my sacrifice. What is God calling me to lay on the altar? Will I climb the mountain of sacrifice? Will I take the journey of worship and find that he is the Lord who provides?

Take care of yourselves my friends and co-labourers, bro's and sisters and stay close to the one who loves you the most.

Much love, MH"

Sausage and Serve

Come and get a sausage in bun at Rich and Katy's house, 6pm, Wednesday 17 December.

Then come out with us and help the Hope in Colchester activity in Lion Walk at 7pm. There'll be carol singing, mince pies handed out, present wrapping....

Bring some mince pies to hand out.

love Rich

Sacred Space at different venue on Sunday 7 December

Sacred Space will not be at St Martin's Church on Sunday 7 December.

We'll be gathering for silent prayer at 7pm at Dave and Janie's house, 52 Wellesley Road, instead.

Sacred Space will be back at St Martin's on Sunday 14 December.

Short films about 24-7 Prayer

I get alot of people ask me "what is boiler room community?".

I find the most meaningful answer is when I describe what we get up to, and with whom...

Follow this link to find some short films that tell stories about Prayer, Mission, Justice and Community from 24-7 communities around the world.

http://24-7shorts.com/

Christmas Feast

Hope in Colchester Christmas Feast

Saturday 20 December

St Botolph's Church Hall, St Botolph's Street, Colchester

Doors open 6pm. Food served 7pm.

All welcome.

Please contact Richard at mail@colchesterboilerroom.org.uk if you'd like to help with hosting, serving or washing up!

Reflections from Gemma

Gemma sent these reflections on her time with us as a Transit Pilgrim in October.



"I felt challenged to put God at the centre of my life, to seek his purposes and not my own and to serve others before myself. I think God has been teaching me what it means to completely surrender all my hope dreams and ambitions to him, to really trust that he knows what he’s doing with me especially if its not what I would choose myself. I am learning to seek God in every thing every day and to put him first above my own plans. The only way I can do that is to keep spending time with God.



I think the one moment that sticks out for me is the prayer workshop with the Cre8 kids. Their prayers were so straight forward and honest and real it gave me insight into what it means to have a child like faith.


It was great to spend time with all the people in Colchester to learn from the way they are doing their Boiler Room Community. I really liked the way they were involved in lots of other things in the town joining with what other people were doing as well as doing their own things. They all really made us feel welcome and served us generously. That showed me a lot about serving others with all my heart. They really seemed to be involved in one anothers lives and not just the ‘boiler room stuff’ they were doing together."

Fotos from the Transit visit

Here's some photos from the recent visit made by the Transit pilgrims. It was fun to have them, as you can see. And they created some cool prayer spaces for Cre8 and Street Pastors...

And more Reflections on the Transit Pilgrimage

Here's Carla's reflections on her visit with us at the end of October;

"Personally I enjoyed going to Colchester, it was good to be back there and great meeting people I haven't seen in awhile.

It was great to get to know Richardand Katy and to hang out with them and everyone else in the Boiler Room Community. We were made to feel really welcome and it was great to be a apart of all they were doing. Everyone was very generous and kind.

I found it quite tough that week personally, my emotions were very up and down and was really anxious that week and things that wouldn't normally bother me, seemed to bother me. Which was a challenge and something I had to deal with during the week. Was hard not having my own space, a chance to be on my own.

On the other hand I really enjoyed everything we did,(well maybe not getting up for the 6am prayermeeting!!!!!!!lol). It was great to go along to the various prayer meetings and be a part of community life.

It really made me think during the week about prayer and how we pray, that prayer doesn't have to be something separate, and I know this and on a personal level it isn't something separate, I chat to God throughout the day, but as I'm going through the day with others, is prayer a part of it? not just the times where we meet to pray? Do we have to stop and say, ok, let's pray together or should prayer just be a natural part of our life with others that know Jesus?

There were times during the week where pray was a natural part of the conversation or came out of the conversation and this challenged me to think about this. Does prayer have to be be separate or is it and should it be apart of everything I do? I think this is something I'm really thinking about at the moment and will be sometime I'm trying to workout.

I really want to see the natural and spirtually things be one thing in my life, not two things that run side byside, but never mix. I want prayer, worship etc to be a part of my life all the time, not something separate. (don't know if i'd explained that well)

One of the moments that really stuck out for me was the community meal on Wednesday evening. I really enjoyed after the meal, chatting about journeys, itwas so natural and great to hear peoples stories. It didn't matter if the story was a spiritual one or not, it was good to share in that experience with others. Being creative and encouraging others was fun too. That evening was more than just sharing food together,it was about sharing our lives together.

Another cool thing was the tea and chat with the foreign students at the uni. We sat at the tables andas a student came, someone would direct the student toa table. It just amazes me how God works things out. The person who sat next to me was a Brazilian student,which was great, we were able to talk about Brazil. God's so good.

As a team it was really great Thursday when we put together the prayer room for Cre8, it was great to see us all working together and facing challenges together, where we weren't sure how to go about something we stopped and prayed about it and moved forward together. The prayer workshop went well too, all fitted together well. Was really great all the things we were doing and wouldn't have wanted to do any less coz don't feel we would have got a proper feel for what was going on in Colchester if we had.

It was hard to find time to do the reflection questions during the week, coz the time we did have free, we either spent with our host, or resting after earlystarts or having a bit of time in the town to do thetourist thing! Which meant we ended up doing the question when we got back. I don't know how i would change it, coz i wouldn'thave wanted to not do anything we did.

Was a good week all in all. Lots of praying, eating and laughing! Carla"

Reflections on Transit Pilgrimage to Colchester

BIG thanks to Tina for these reflections (and encouragements) on the Transit Pilgrimage week;

"Travelling to Colchester I didn’t expect to change or experience God in a new way. Carla asked us to spend the weekend before we went praying about God really using the week to stretch us and change us, but I mostly forgot to do that.

Getting to Colchester and being so warmly welcomed into a community of people was just amazing. I felt like I had come from home to my home. At that moment I realize that if I really wanted this week to be all that it could be I really needed to plug in and dig deep. I spend sometime praying and really just getting my mind wrapped around the idea of surrendering my all to God.

I really was challenged by the way the community of believes would just pray in normal conversation. If we were talking about a problem or an issue or a praise, they had this gentle flow of moving horizontal conversation and making it a vertical one without missing a beat. It showed me how easy it is to really put prayer into everything. Having a conversation with God is as easy as having a conversation with a group of friends over a bowl full of noodles.

I also really loved getting to create two prayer rooms. One was for a group of kids that would be going to a CR8 workshop and the other was for one of the outreach ministries the Colchester Boiler Room is involved with called Street Pastors. Both were amazing times of using my creativity in worship. It really sticks out to me because as a Transit team we were able to work together on a project and go through all the phases of putting it together as well as participate in the end result.

Lastly, coming from a Boiler Community that has an established Boiler Room hubbed around a building I was impressed to learn that mobile Boiler Rooms have a quite and unique strength about them. I learned the importance of being willing to go to the people and not always focus on bringing the people to a Boiler Room.

Overall this pilgrimage week gave me a chance to draw nearer to God and explore the ways he wants me to join him in the plans he has. Learning the ease in which I can intertwine God into the conversations and relationships I have will be a lessons I carry with me the rest of my life.

I’ve also been very encouraged to explore new ways of engaging with people in my community that are not focused around buildings but are free and movable.

Richard and Katy Smith were amazing role models for me to see how practical Christ center communities can exist in normal, funny, everyday life!"

Transits students inspiring Colchester Boiler Room Community... :)

And now some of Richard's reflections;

"I found it good to share what God is doing here with new people, but also challenging to be open about the difficult bits and disappointing bits.

I found it inspiring and life giving to share time with the Transit students, who have dedicated this time to praying and serving God.

As Community, it was a good stretching step for us to take together to host the Transit students, as it required sharing the hosting and meals between 4 homes. I realised these daring steps together are important for mobile Communities, because it can be difficult to have an identity as a body together when the parts are separate.

I found it gave me new vision and ideas to hear stories and vision from Corringham."

Practises for a missional community

Pete sent me some thought provoking stuff on mission centred community, from Frontier Youth Trust...I think from some teaching from Mike Frost.

Here's an extract with some suggested practises for a mission centred community...

Post a comment if you have reflections on this.

(ps Colchester Boiler Room Community is not committed to these practises....yet?!)


"Once they’d started to be part of a community and had been around for a while they brought in some missional rhythms:

• Bless three people every week (one member of the faith community, one non-Christian who was a part of the community, one other who is either). Blessing could be practical (financial or serving) or through affirmation (most common). Idea comes out of the idea of secret acts of kindness – if you’re found out, it doesn’t count. Christians will often ‘bless’ back. People who aren’t Christians find it really difficult and can be threatened by it.

• Eat with three people a week with whom you don’t live (one member of the faith community, one non-Christian in the community and one either). When people eat together they talk – also eating is a real equalizer.

• Spend one significant time each week listening to the Spirit of God. This is essential in terms of the other stuff you are doing. Prayer becomes really important in engaging missionally.

• At least one significant period of the week learning the person of Jesus through reading the gospels, books about Jesus, films etc. Importance of soaking yourself in the person of Jesus. We want to inspire people to become like Jesus. Lots of people coming to Bible College don’t hardly know anything about Jesus at all apart from a few facts. If we want to become more like Jesus we need to immerse ourselves in him. Area of mission activating discipleship is awakened here – we don’t have to look like Jesus in church but if we are involved in Christ-centred mission we can’t afford not to.
  

• Journal all the ways in which you have been sent into the world during the week.

What values do these practices release? – generous, hospitable, spirit led, Christ-like and Christ-centred, missionaries. Need to focus on practices rather than values, because engaging in practices will release the values."

New friends visit

This week has been an exciting week for us at Colchester Boiler Room Community.

We've been hosting Carla, Tina, Gemma and Charl from Corringham Boiler Room Community. They've come on pilgrimage here. And they've been joining our rhythm of prayer. And encouraging prayer in new places and fresh ways.

It's been great to meet them. And be inspired by their faith and energy (and jokes!).

Here's some pics from Colchester Institute. They were demolishing the library when we arrived!!

Movement and Pilgrimage

Here's an extract from reflections that Mike left with us, before leaving for his mission in North Africa. I think it's all the more valid because of how he has chosen to go and follow Jesus....

(Mike and Nicky doing abit of movement and pilgrimage in Liverpool...)

"Since being part of Boiler Room Community, I've realise that movement and pilgrimage is more than just moving house or travelling around on hols.

It's about going somewhere in obedience to Father God, led by the Spirit, because of Christ and for Christ. We go to bless and make an impact, to receive spiritual food, give hospitality and receive it. We enjoy the journey, but also learn from our goings and comings.

In Manchester, where I first learnt of Boiler Room Communities, I was blown away by the depth of relationship that the students had for each other and for Jesus. They were sold out for prayer, mission and justice on behalf of their local community, the nation and the whole world.

I was gobsmacked by the warm welcome and sharing given me by Oria and Ben and others. I immediately found it natural to be with them after a few days in their shared house.

I was amazed by their wild and outlandish exploits in mission, in the shape of a skate park. Some young people became Christians, and treated the converted warehouse Boiler Room as their church. So, skate park became skate church through a rhythm of prayer, worship and study.

I thought; "we need this down south!".