Choral Houseparty to Israel

Applications for the choral houseparty to Israel are coming in, but we still have a few places left.  Download the flyer and have a look!  It is an amazing opportunity to be able to share the musical 'Rock' at both Christ Church Jerusalem and Bethlehem Bible College.

Follow this link to download the application form.

Thank you from St Thomas More School

Our day today was brightened by St Thomas More School, who have sent us a beautiful book full of pictures and letters following our visit to them a couple of weeks ago.  Hopefully I'll be able to put a couple of pictures up here in time, but for now, here are the letters that they sent.

Dear Annie, Roger and Helen
Thank you for coming to St Thomas More and giving us the Sing Up platinum award and teaching us new songs.  I really enjoyed playing in church.  I also liked doing the penguin warm up.  I hope you can come again.
Samantha

To Annie, Helen and Roger
Thank you for teaching us new songs.  We had a great day.
From Year 1/2

To Roger, Annie and Helen,
Thank you
From Reception

Dear Roger, Helen and Annie,
Thank you for all of your happiness that you gave to our community.  Your singing and happiness made our school sing always!  Our singing is now a SUCCESS!  Your happiness gave joy to our singing world.  We will be thinking about the 3 of you as we travel around our world of singing.  We hope that you will have many more journeys along the way.  We will keep you in our hearts of praise!


We just wanted to say a great BIG thank you, for all the music you've taught us!  We will miss your magic of singing!  By your singing people are able to sing better.


We hope that you'll have many more journeys all around the world.


Good luck!
From year 3

Roger and Mary in Bognor Regis

For the last weekend Roger and Mary have been ministering in Bognor Regis.  Whenever they visit Bognor they take the chance to visit friends, staying with Brenda and visiting Jane and Harry, Geoff and Marion, Val and Robin, and Geoff (another one!).  So it was a busy but rewarding visit for them both.

The main reason for their visit to the area was to spend some time ministering and sharing at Aldwick Baptist Church.  This church has been through some difficult times, and is now in interregnum, so Roger feels that it was good and helpful for them all to simply focus on worshipping Jesus throughout the weekend.

Roger's team were due to be Sarah (vocals and workshop leader), Val (prayer support), Tim (guitar and vocals), Lydia (cello and trumpet) and Philippa (flute), but at the last minute Sarah was ill leaving Roger with just the one vocalist and no-one to lead a workshop.  This was quite stressful for Roger and Mary, but it also provided a wonderful opportunity for Roger to work with the local worship team, which included a flautist, clarinettist, guitarists and some singers.

On Saturday morning and afternoon Roger led a music in worship day, looking at being a worshipper as well as planning and leading praise.  Then on the Sunday, Roger had a bit of a marathon day.  In the morning he not only led the service, but played keyboard, preached and presided at the communion!  In the evening he led a praise service from the keyboard, focusing on the themes of the tabernacle:
Entering the gates with thanksgiving
Coming into the courts with praise
By the blood of Jesus and the tearing of the veil coming into the most holy place

The whole weekend was well attended, but the praise evening was particularly special as several local churches closed their evening services in order to come along.

Roger and Mary were also presented with a special Ruby Wedding cake by the church, which was lovely!


The weekend was not what was originally expected, but God had some great plans beyond what we could have imagined.  We praise God for his blessing, and we continue to pray for all at Aldwick Baptist at this uncertain time.

Events coming up - Book Now!

We're delighted to announce a couple of important events coming up in the autumn.

Firstly, an evening with Michael Card.  Michael is a singer-songwriter from the US.  He has written quite a few well known songs such as El Shaddai and Immanuel.  He has a beautiful voice, and accompanies himself on guitar and piano (not at the same time!).  Last year he came and shared an amazing evening with us based all around the passion of Jesus.  For more information about Michael, visit http://www.michaelcard.com/  If you would like more information about his visit to the UK visit http://www.michaelcard.org.uk/
This is a preview of the tour - 'The beginning of the Gospel' Tour: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCL4xE6AZZc&feature=youtu.be

The date of his visit to CMM is Wednesday 26th September.  The concert starts at 7.30pm at Christ Church, Burney Lane, Ward End, Birmingham, B8 2AS.  The tickets are £10 full price and £7 concessions, available from CMM - 01527 576 440 or events@cmm.org.uk.

Secondly, we have a special musical in a day on Saturday 1st December.  This will also be at Christ Church Ward End, but will run from 10am with a performance at 5pm.  Annie has re-orchestrated While Shepherds Watched, and she would like a chance to try it out!  Singers, instrumentalists and audience all welcome.  The day will cost £5 per participant (audience free), but vocal scores (£6.99) or words (£1.99) will need to be brought or purchased by singers.  Contact CMM on 01527 576 440 or events@cmm.org.uk to book.

Life in the Spirit

Last night Roger, Mary, Annie, Helen, Simon and Caroline travelled to Newent in Gloucestershire for a special 'Life in the Spirit' evening.  The EBRG contact with Newent goes back for a number of years.  When Peter Lawrence, Roger and a number of others were becoming more experienced in ministry in the power of the Spirit, they were invited to meet with a small churches together group in Newent to begin sharing some of what they had learnt.  Since then there has been a wonderful friendship over the years and a lot of meetings between the two groups.

This time we were in a Catholic Church in the town, and Roger had been invited to speak and lead an evening meeting, involving lots of music and also some prayer ministry.  It is always wonderful to travel somewhere where the ministry team is all trained up and raring to go!

We had a lovely evening with them, starting off with a bite to eat (including the biggest quiche ever seen!) and a good prayer time together, led by Fr Aidan from the church.  Fr Aidan was so welcoming, as were his church members, and it was great that so many denominations were represented.

Roger talked about the Tabernacle - Entering the gates with thanksgiving, coming into the courts with praise, and then entering the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus.  Caroline sang 'When I survey' with Helen, and Simon led 'When I stand before your throne', in a wonderful time of worship at the end.

It really was a lovely evening.  God was moving among the people, and it was wonderful to see so many friends that we have come to know over the years.

A Sing Up Celebration

Last week on Tuesday Helen and Annie visited St. Thomas More School in Sheldon.  The school, led by Sr Susan had achieved an amazing Platinum award from 'Sing Up!', which means that they include singing throughout the school day - even when they are taking the register!  Sr Susan has used a lot of Roger's music over the years in her different schools, and this school even performed Jerusalem Joy back at Easter.

CMM were invited to the school to help them celebrate winning the award, and Helen and Annie led a day where they learnt lots of songs to sing in the special assembly at the end of the day.

At the start of the day it was the turn of the school choir.  They have amazing voices and sound beautiful.  The choir learnt the tricky verses and descants, and were able to hold everything together.

After the choir, it was a full school rehearsal, where we went over bits they already knew, and taught the special new song for the day - Jesus comes riding into town.

Then Helen and Annie worked with years 3 and 4, teaching them 'Jesus, Friend of little children' from Jairus' Daughter.

The reception classes had a very special little bit to learn - 'Jesus, you're the way' from 'Jesus I will come with you.  Years 1 and 2 learnt the 'Jesus I will come with you' section of the same song in the afternoon.

Years 5 and 6 had fun just before dinner learning 'God is our shelter and strength'.  They even  put some actions to it.

After the hard work came the assembly.  Roger came for lunch and he was able to take part the assembly, playing keyboard and leading a couple of songs.  He also presented the award to the children.

This was the programme from the assembly:

Violin and viola group - Be still for the presence of the Lord

O, give thanks to the Lord (From Pharaoh to Freedom) - choir on verses everyone on choruses

The Lord's my shepherd (David) - choir on verses, everyone on choruses

God is our shelter and strength (Psalms collection) - years 5 and 6

Jesus, friend of little children (Jairus' Daughter) - years 3 and 4

Talk by Claire from Sing Up

Jesus I will come with you (A Grain of Mustard Seed) - reception, years 1 and 2, choir on verses

Roger introduces himself and leads 'Brother and Sisters' (Saints Alive)

Presentation of award

Jesus comes riding into town (Two Sisters and a Funeral)

Talk by the Catholic Priest

Thank you, thank you (Apostle)


Sr Susan played along on her guitar and flute, and the other music teacher Katie Jordan did an amazing job looking after us - she chickened out of playing her piano accordion though, insisting she had to look after the powerpoint!  It was a great day, and we pray for the students and staff of the school that they have a great rest this summer.

Seasons and Reasons Day

On Saturday Roger, Annie, Bill, Paul, Richard and Amy travelled to Salisbury to lead our first ever 'Seasons and Reasons' Day using the new book and CD for a base.  It was wonderful to be in Salisbury, as this is the home of Bishop Timothy Dudley-Smith, and he came, along with some members of his family who had travelled all the way from Ipswich.

The team were also joined by some local helpers - Grahame Chubb played the drums as well as organised the day.  Alison Larkham played cello, while her husband Andy did a lot of choir training.  They were a huge help and wonderful supporters.

Roger divided the day into several sections:
Psalms and Seasons - which picked out the music from the book which was based on Psalms, and some others that fitted into the various seasons such as Christmas, ascension.

Rites, Rhymes and Reasons - which looked at why we worship, and also included some of the songs that fit particular events such as baptism or the creed.

Come, let us praise the Lord - this was the finale of the day, which was a worship service which included an interview with the Bishop as well as lots of songs/hymns from the book.

The day went very well, and the team received some lovely comments at the end.  This comment came from the vicar at the church:

Dear Roger,Thank you, and all your team, very much indeed for travelling down to put on such an inspirational day. Everyone I spoke to found it spiritually energising and uplifting - 'tingles down the spine' was one comment. I am very hopeful that we will be able to introduce at least some of the hymns & songs into our regular worship in the Winterbournes. Rev Peter Ostli-East

Helen at Methodist Conference

For the second year in succession, Helen was privileged to be part of the worship band at Methodist Conference.  It was a hectic weekend but a great honour to be involved.  The band led the worship at the opening of conference, when the new president and vice president are inaugurated.  The other highlight was playing for the 'Reception into full connexion' of all the new ordinands.  Check out the website - http://www.methodistconference.org.uk/  Eventually there will be videos of the band in action.

Helen was also able to spend a little time promoting the work of CMM by having some literature at the stand of our friends Christian Guild Holidays.  John and Kath were on the stand for the rest of the week after Helen went home, so we pray that they will have had many good conversations.