Benjamin Sandy wins Jack Petchey Award

Congratulations to Benjamin Sandy (our church guitarist and worship leader) pictured above with his mother, Kim. Benjamin received a prestigious Jack Petchey Award given to young people who are 'outstanding achievers'. The award was presented at Ilford Town Hall by the Mayor on 26th November 2009. Benjamin also received a framed certificate and £200 for his school. Very well done, Ben!

Harvest 2009

Harvest this year was a wonderful occasion, the church was full with only one or two seats available near the front. We give God praise for all He is doing among us, and for the love He so freely showers upon us.

Our gifts this year went to the Faulkner Trust chidlren's home in Zambia, Victory Christian Outreach in Leytonstone, and to Teen Challenge in Ilford.

How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you. Psalm 31:19 (NIV)

MAN2MAN SEPT O9

The MAN2MAN conference on Saturday 19th September was indeed a powerful time as men of Goldings and elsewhere gathered together for worship and to hear God's Word. The theme this time around was 'THE POWER OF THEIR TESTIMONY' beginning with a testimony from Es Kaitell - who until very recently owned one of London's biggest Doormen firms.

Coming from a very unusual but very loving home, life on the doors of London's pubs and clubs came as quite a culture shock to Es, but he soon adapted and became just as notorious as some of the people he dealt with. After being left for dead one night and sustaining horrific injuries, Es finally came face to face with the God he didn't believe in.

After a man-sized Buffett lunch Pastor Jerry Sandy spoke on an incident in the apostle Paul's life, where he was one man who stood up for God and spoke for God, challenging us to, like Es, be that one man who speaks out for God.

We are hoping to upload Es' testimony onto our audio sermons page - watch this space :-)

Dolly's 90th Birthday

Dolly Elliott had been looking forward to her 90th birthday for some now. Recent illnesses, including spending some time in hospital, made her wonder if she would make it but we give God thanks for blessing Dolly with this very special day. Dolly had invited friends and family to help her celebrate, which included former Goldings Pastor John Billett.

Our thanks to Kim for decorating the hall and to Sue James, Cathy Syer and Pauline Kempley for preparing and serving food for Dolly's guests. Huge thanks to everyone who came and made Dolly's day such an enjoyable occasion.

Thanks also to David Hawkins for the photos used above.

WOW night out!

WOW, (Women of the Word) headed out on Tuesday 8th September for a great night out ten-pin bowling. The evening was such a wonderful time of friendship and fun that every single woman went home asking when we could repeat the evening.

Highlights of the evening was discovering that Pat Palmer is seriously good at bowling! Everyone wants to be on Pat's team next time. Roxanne, by strange co-incidence, happened to find a gold medal on the night which she awarded to our champ, Pat. Gillian Hawkins had an incredible score and an even more incredible bowling technique...whenever she bowled her ball veered away from the pins until she turned around to complain to her team...her ball would then suddenly swerve back on target and not only hit the pins but quite often get a strike! This even happened when Gill's right arm got tired and she decided to bowl with her left! A fact that caused much hilarity.

For those who are interested (and since this is on the net our Sunday School teachers, who incidentally had the two lowest scores, will not be able to manipulate the scores as they did by adding zeros to the score sheet in the church) here are the final scores:

TEN PIN BOWLING SCORES

1. Pat 240
2. Joanna 217
3. Janice 186
4. Melody 185
5. Gill 183
6. Donna 174
7. Janet 155
8. Kim & Cathy Both scoring 146
9. Esther 140
10. Destiny 135
11. Jayne 130
12. Sue 125
13. Roxanne 121
14. Emma 108
15. Chrissie 86