|
| |
This is where we'll announce the most recent
additions to our web site. If you've visited us before and want to know what's
changed, take a look here first.
| Two happy events took place on
Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th April. On Saturday the brigade made
the short journey to Ipswich Citadel and really enjoyed providing an
evening of singing and evangelism. We were made warmly welcome by
our friends just over the county border in Suffolk.
While on Sunday our newest recruit was enrolled as a songster.
Faye Hart comes from a strong army background, and is really enthusiastic
about her service to God. Her bubbly personality shows through in
all that she does! Welcome to the songster family Faye. |
Ipswich Citadel, Suffolk |
 |
And so (after what seemed at times an interminable journey), this morning
(9th March 2008) we held our first meeting in our temporary home, at St
Peter's College. There was a sense of coming home among the corps
folk, as if this is where God wants us to be at this time. We are
now looking forward to an exciting and blessed time in this area. |
| Tuesday 4th March 2008 was an
historic occasion for the brigade. This was to be our final
rehearsal in what will soon be considered the "old hall".
As you would expect, emotions were mixed, with a pretty much equal balance
of nostalgia and excitement.
It was fitting that our final song in the "old hall" was
based on the words of Moses in Exodus 33; "Lord if your Spirit does
not go with us, please do not send us up from here. How will anyone
know we are your people, unless You go before us ...?"
Pictures Right The brigade prayer is song, that the Lord will
continue to be with us
Below Left Jo McIntosh starts our final rehearsal in this
building, and Below Right Doreen Smith leads the brigade in
our devotional thoughts. |
|
|
|
|
 |
Christchurch United reformed Church was the venue for what has become an annual
event for the brigade. Once again we were privileged to take part in
this concert to raise money for the Helen Rollason Cancer Charity.
In conjunction with the Enfield Citadel Band and soloist Captain Susanna
Hart, and with some seasonal magic from Major Elwyn Harries and readings
from Kenneth Lodge. The evening raised £1500 for this very worthy
cause. |
| On the evening of Saturday 13th
October, the brigade was once again out and about in Essex. This time to
help the corps at Southend Southchurch to celebrate their centenary.
Some of the songsters gave up an evening watching the England Rugby team
fight their way to the world cup final, but there was certainly no sense
of loss, as a warm welcome was received at the Bell Vue Baptist Church,
where the festival was held. The evening included some light moments
including a recitation by songster librarian Pauline Buckle "The
Alto's Lament", and some times of introspection and challenge.
Right: the interior of the church |
|
| Two events of note took place over the last few
days. Today (8th October 2007) we met to celebrate the life of one
of our faithful songster reservists, Bryan Harvey. Bryan has been
ill for some time, and was "promoted to glory" on Monday 24th
September. He was a faithful soldier of Christ, and will be missed
by all those who knew him. We're sure that "They'll Sing a
Welcome Home" for Bryan, and he'll soon have the heavenly band tuned
up and ready. God bless you Bryan, well done good and faithful
servant, enter into the joy of your Lord. |
| On a brighter note, a London North East
Divisional event (imaginatively entitled "The Main Event"), was
a great weekend of fellowship, teaching, and music held at the historic
Cressing Temple Barns just outside Braintree in Essex. Corps
sections from all over the Division took part, and our brigade was pleased
to sing on Saturday evening. The weekend included some great
teaching with no less that three commissioners in attendance!
An aerial view of the venue is pictured right. For
more information about Cressing Temple Barns click here. |
|
| The new season got off to a busy start, on the
22nd September, with a Saturday evening spent at Hadleigh Temple Corps,
just up the road from our home in Chelmsford. It was a lighthearted
evening with lots of smiles, and just break the evening up, a 1947 quiz
led by Garry Smith, to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the first band
camp, which was held at Hadleigh. |
| This was followed on Sunday 23rd September by a celebration evening
of our own, with Singing Company and Songsters to the fore, as Jo McIntosh
and Jo Schultz officially took up their new duties as Songster Leader and
Singing Company Leader respectively.
The evening was led By our Divisional Commander (Major Mick Highton).
Right Jo and Jo with the DC |
|
| September 2007 sees the start of a new season for the
brigade, with new leadership, and (soon) new surroundings, as the corps
moves from the buildings it has occupied since the mid- seventies and
decamps to a local school, so that our brand new citadel can be
built. Look out for news on the move, and where we will be locating
to.
It seemed appropriate then, that the web site should also have a new
look. I hope you like it. Sign the visitors' book, or drop me
a line, from the link below, to let me know what you think. |
| |
| Click on the following links to view our "old
news"
[ Old News Page 1 ] [ Old News Page 2 ] [ Old News Page 3 ] [ Old News Page 4 ]
|
|
