Time to retreat...

Following on from the concert with Marilyn Baker, Marilyn, Tracy and Doug (their sound technician, driver, and all-round amazing person) came with EBRG to Cloverley Hall in Shropshire. Marilyn and Tracy led our annual retreat, helping us to spend some time with God and each other, being renewed, refreshed, and reenvisioned for the year to come.

It was a fabulous time, and many of us heard from God in an exciting way.

On the Sunday when Marilyn, Tracy and Doug had left, we heard Rock together for the first time, and prayed about this new venture. We are very excited, and believe God will do some exciting things through it. Watch this space!

Turning up on the door

On Friday, Marilyn Baker performed at Christ Church, Burney Lane here in Birmingham. Due to the awkward time of year (no-one thinks about January before Christmas, and after Christmas is too late to advertise), less than 50 people had bought tickets. Thankfully, due to a lot of prayer, nearly a hundred people came to hear Marilyn sing.

It was a wonderful evening. Marilyn has a beautiful alto voice that is incredibly gentle and relaxing to listen to, and her songs are peaceful and packed full of meaning. Marilyn travels around with Tracy Williamson, who has a wonderful gift for speaking and hearing from God. Together they make a brilliant pair, with a ministry that brings people closer to God in a gentle, healing way.

If you would like to know more, visit www.marilynbakerministries.org

Archery and an indoor picnic...

The weekend before last, Annie and I travelled to Sheffield to a youth and childrens work centre called The Oakes. We helped to lead a weekend for 8-14 year olds which was based on Roger's musical Jairus' Daughter. It was a really fantastic weekend full of fun and games as well as rehearsal, bible teaching and worship.

Friday night involved a snack dinner of hamburgers and then an introduction to the weekend.

Early on Saturday morning all the leaders and team members at the Oakes meet for prayer and bible study before forcing the kids out of bed for a pancake breakfast. Saturday morning also included a bible teaching session on faith, and the first rehearsal - Annie did a fantastic job with the orchestra who were mostly clarinets, and the choir were brilliant - they virtually memorised it.

After lunch the kids got some time off to explore and take part in various activities, including craft, dance, archery and a low ropes course. Then came more rehearsal and bible teaching before a game of hunt the leaders in the dark and then an indoor bonfire to get everyone out of the pouring rain.

On Sunday after the last bible study session, the orchestra, choir and soloists all came together for a final rehearsal in the dining room which meant that tables couldn't be put out for lunch. So instead table cloths were set out for an indoor picnic.

The performance to the parents at 3pm was great - the orchestra were very sensitive, and played beautifully, particularly in all the long exposed instrumentals. The choir were really excellent, making my conducting job easier as they knew exactly where they were and what to sing.

A weekend to remember.

Dinner time...

Last Thursday evening the East Birmingham Renewal Group, the trustees and a handful of other CMM supporters gathered at a furniture shop in Erdington, north Birmingham. And no, it wasn't to buy furniture, but instead to have dinner at their restaurant.

When people were pretty full and starting to doze a bit, Roger gave his 'State of the Union' address - sharing the highs and lows of the year past, and envisioning people for the year ahead. Mostly he focused on Rock now he has finished his composition, and the wonderful opportunities it will offer. Rock will clearly show the gospel, even portraying for the first time ever an on-stage conversion. Rock will also contain a demonstration of ministry in the power of the Holy Spirit, something very close to the heart of EBRG and CMM.

Our thanks and prayers are with all of our supporters throughout the country for all of their help and generosity over the years. God bless you.

Christmas is nearly over!

This weekend has seen some of the last performances of Roger's Christmas musicals that we know about - if there are any others, please let us know.

Back in November Roger led an afternoon workshop on While Shepherds watched followed by a Ways to Praise event at Charlton in Worcestershire. Their final performance of While Shepherds Watched was on Friday. Our prayers are also with them following the death of one of their choir members at a rehearsal.

On Saturday Katie Leaver (Debbie on the album and head of customer services at CMM) led The Inn Crowd in a day at her own church, St. Andrews in Barnt Green, South Birmingham. The day was a great success, and it was followed by a performance at their morning service yesterday. The scratch choir were fantastic, and the musical was well received.

There are still two performances to go for Pamela Dewick and the Gloucester choir, including one tonight. We hope it goes well.

Praise and Worship Conference

On Saturday 12th April 2008 CMM are going to be holding a Praise and Worship Conference somewhere in Birmingham and we're trying to brainstorm ideas of content for the day. We want the conference to be as relevant to the local churches as possible, enabling them to move forward in their praise and worship.

Our ideas so far include:

Sing new songs - with the publishing of Songs of Fellowship 4, there is a vast array of new material available. We'll try to sift through it all a bit and bring you some of the best to take home to your churches.

Effective praise and worship on CD - sadly more and more churches are having to resort to using CDs or computers to accompany their music. This workshop would look at the best resources, and how to use them effectively.

Accompanying Praise - looking at different instruments and how best to accompany congregational singing.

Prophetic Worship - enabling the Holy Spirit to move creatively within our worship.

Come aside and rest - Praise and worship is one of the toughest warzones in the church. This is a place for battered worshippers to rest and receive some prayer ministry.

If you have any more ideas that your congregations would appreciate, please contact me on helen@cmm.org.uk

Concert!!!!!

Marilyn Baker is coming to perform at Christ Church, Burney Lane, Ward End, Birmingham on Friday 25th January 2008 at 7.30pm. Marilyn is a well-known singer-songwriter with a beautiful alto voice. Teamed up with her colleague Tracy, Marilyn has a powerful ministry of music and testimony.

Tickets are £5 for adults and £3 concessions. For tickets or more information email helen@cmm.org.uk. Don't miss out on a wonderful evening.

We are back!

After a long Christmas break, the CMM office is back and running - and completely swamped in orders for books and CDs. Katie and I had a mad rush to get everything ready for the postman at 12pm and ran out of £1 stamps. It's always fun trying to work out a £7.49 postage in 78p stamps...

We're busy getting ready for out next mailing which will happen in the next couple of weeks. It will contain our new 2008 catalogue, as well as details for all the events coming up. Watch this space!

Hope you all had a fantastic Christmas.