| Christians Together in the Newbury Area |
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CTNA Chairman's Report 2008 A Review of 2007\08 Soon after our AGM of 2007 people became involved in a new venture for CTNA - A Christmas day meal and celebration - It was held at St George's church hall and altogether around 65 people enjoyed a full Christmas dinner plus entertainment. Many people put a lot of effort into the day and already I am receiving emails asking if we will be doing it again this year. We hope to, but we do need someone to cook - we are open to offers if you know anyone who would enjoy cooking for a large family then please do let me know. 2007 got off to an amazing start with many of us seeing in the New Year at the Kennet Christian Centre. What a year it has been, the prayer Christian Unity service saw us launch out with Hope 08 - this has been a year when many extra things have been done in the name of Christ within our community.Good Friday saw a new venture for the churches this year including drama as we stopped in the middle of Northbrook Street. Following our united act of worship we distributed free coffee (donated by starbucks) and hot cross buns in Bartholomew Street. The snow had stopped and people appeared to have time to stop enjoy a coffee and chat. In 2007 the ministers of the town began meeting at St John's on a Tuesday morning for prayer, the 24\7 prayer week again highlighted what can be gained when time is taken for prayer. With this we also acknowledge the prayer breakfasts that have continued throughout the year. Offering time and opportunity to pray together. Many of these activities have gone on arranged by people who have quietly worked in the back ground but it would be wrong not to record our thanks for all that they do. One person I am going to highlight today is someone who has taken the minutes, produced the minutes and kept us all an even keel for many years (long before I had even heard of Newbury) I am sure you have realized it is Ron Burke. After one of two years as secretary Ron is hanging up his pen. What many of you will not realize is that for many years the CTNA Coffee Stop (Formally the Rest Tent) at the Newbury Show was kept going by Ron and Sylvia loading up their car collecting everything together and then setting it all up - not bad for someone who retired a few years ago now. There are many other things that Ron has done to see the CTNA continue and it would be very wrong of me not to say a heart felt thank you to him and to Sylvia. I personally do not for one moment believe you will find Ron at home in his slippers, but I do pray that the Lord will continue to bless him as he retires from the post as secretary. The CTNA Coffee Stop was busier than ever, probably because there were very large numbers of people attending the show this year. We had to close early on Sunday as we had run out of milk. Despite bringing extra in the morning. As you will see from the finance statement we took enough in donations to cover the cost of tent and table hire less £3.95. Many people had come looking for the tent; they knew they would get a good cup of tea but also knew they could rest in comfort and have a chat with someone if they wanted to. Thank you to everyone who puts so much into the week end. For 2009 the dates are September 19th/20th I will be around to help plan and set up but is there anyone (or a team of people) who would be willing to over see the week end? If you think it is something you could do then please give me a call so we can discuss it. I have also enclosed in this booklet a copy of the CTNA Constitution and covenant statement. This is not a new document but I thought it might be helpful for you to have as some of our discussions for the future will need to be based on our constitution. As I have reviewed the year I have found my self singing these words: Give to Jesus glory, Give to Jesus glory, Proclaim redemption's wondrous plan And give to Jesus glory. Edwina Cussen Major Chair of CTNA |
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