Ignition Gloucestershire

We share a deep concern for the state of our nation in these troubled days. Week by week in our congregations we are praying for our leaders and those who are suffering because we have turned from God’s ways. We are grateful for the unity that God has given us as His people in this area. It has enabled us to share in fellowship, mission, and in serving our community in many ways. Could we now pray together? 

Christians nationwide are responding to the challenges in both prayer and action. To help us learn how encouragingly widespread that response is and some of the forms it takes, we have invited to Stroud a speaker who sees the big picture. Jane Holloway has been involved in coordinating prayer across a broad spectrum of churches. She, with others, has been in consultation with national leaders - the Prime Minister and Prince Charles among them. You can find out more about Jane by going to the link below at the ‘World Prayer Centre’ website:

www.worldprayer.org.uk/about-wpc/meet-the-team/jane-holloway

May I therefore, on behalf of Prayernet, Churches Together in Stroud and Ignition Glos, invite you and your members of your congregation to join us on Saturday March 14th at the Salvation Army Citadel, Acre Street, Stroud from 7.30-9.30 pm. After coffee and light refreshments, Jane will share how she sees our situation. Then we shall pray together. Do come.

A poster can be downloaded here

Yours sincerely
Revd Jim Baker
on behalf of Prayernet, Ignition Gloucestershire and Churches Together in Stroud

Stroud charities are set to benefit by hundreds of pounds thanks to this year’s community carol services.

Ignition Gloucestershire, the local inter-church charity, is donating every penny raised from ticket sales to Stroud Beresford Group Women’s Refuge, The Door Youth Project and Marah.

Similar to a scheme run in Waitrose, Stroud, those attending can decide which of the three charities they wish to support by placing their ticket in a named Christmas present as they exit the Carol Service. The funds will then be divided accordingly.

“For safety reasons due to the numbers expected, this needed to be a ticket only event. We also wanted to benefit the Stroud community and inject a bit of fun into proceedings, giving people a voice as to how their own ticket money would benefit a local charity. The three charities we have chosen each deal with a different aspect of a sometimes troubled area of community life where we love to see fresh hope given to individuals,” Ignition Chair Martin Pearson explains.

“It’s apparent from previous years events, that people from all church backgrounds, and those with none, love to come together to sing, enjoy themselves and connect afresh with the true meaning of Christmas. The hope is that we can all enjoy ourselves and at the same time raise funds for local Stroud projects.”

This year Ignition is organising two special Community Carol Services on Tuesday 9th December at St Laurence Church in Stroud, with special guest speaker Jeff Lucas, an international speaker, broadcaster and best-selling author, well-known for his down-to-earth sense of humour.

The 6pm service is a Special Family Service, suitable for children of all ages. It will include puppets, a children’s choir from Beaudesert School, The Beacon Gospel Choir and readings from Debbie Sleep, head teacher at Stroud Valley Community School. (Family tickets are available at £10 for up to five family members)

The 8pm service will feature The Beacon Gospel Choir, local journalist/singer Tracy Spiers and singer/songwriter Roy Ballard, as well as readings from community favourites Clare Gerbrands, the inspiration behind Stroud’s Farmers Market and Pete Withey from James & Owen.

Tickets for both services are now on sale from Stroud Tourist Information Centre and Centre Christian Bookshop in Stroud, priced at just £3 each. The credit card booking telephone number is 01453 760900.

Date:     Tuesday 9th December
Venue:   St Laurence Church, Stroud
Time:     6:00pm & 8:00pm
Cost:     £3 per ticket

Ignition is delighted to be announce not one, but two, “Community Carol Services” this year. It has become apparent from previous years, that at this special time of the year people from all church backgrounds (and those with none!) love to come together to sing, enjoy themselves and connect afresh with the true meaning of Christmas.

We are delighted that Jeff Lucas has accepted our invitation to be our guest speaker this year, and we can assure you of a terrific evening.

Tickets for this year’s event are now on sale from Stroud Tourist Information Centre and Centre Christian Bookshop in Stroud. The credit card booking telephone number is 01453 760900. 

NB:   The 6:00pm service is a Special Family Service suitable for children of all ages, and will include a children’s choir and puppets. Family tickets for this service are just £10 for up to 5 members of the same
family.

Read More Details Here 

Download The Poster 

Date: November 15th 2008
Time: 9:30am to 4:00pm
Speaker: Paul Griffiths

Subject: Effective Communication of the Gospel

The gospel never changes but our cultural landscape has changed. During this highly stimulating day we will explore the questions of, “How does post-modernity interact with the communication of the gospel;”, “How do people journey to faith?” and “ What are the key components in developing an evangelism strategy for your local church?”

Bore details here

The internationally acclaimed African Children’s Choir^TMÒ will be performing on Sunday 2^nd November at 7.30pm, at Stratford Park Leisure Centre, Stroud.

The African Children’s Choir is comprised of 25 African children, ages seven to eleven. Each child in the Choir has lost one or both parents to poverty or AIDS. This year’s Choir members come from South Africa.

The concert includes well-loved children’s songs, popular gospel tunes and lively spirituals. Through their songs and dances, the Choir brings Africa alive, in all its colour and splendour creating a truly unforgettable musical experience.

The admission charge for the concert is just £5 and a free-will offering will be taken at the performance to support African Children’s Choir education, care and emergency relief programmes

Full Details Here

Our next event is on the 20th of September covering the subject “What is Mission?: Small groups that live the message” with Lawrence Singlehurst

Nearly all growing churches and Christian movements feature the use of small groups. These are not merely Bible study or fellowship groups though they may do both these things. Small groups used in mission have a distinct character. What would such groups look like and how might we develop them?

Why not book now so you don’t forget

The Ignition supported youth project “Club Hope” runs again on the 7th September. Things will kick off at 7.00pm and finish off around 9.00pm at The Space in Lansdown, Stroud. Admission is now FREE.
Check the Club Hope website here

Following the success of last year’s
events the taskforce had decided to step back and have a ‘quiet
year’ in 2008. Obviously God had other plans…we have been approached by various people we
had previously contacted who all really wanted to come to Gloucestershire - what could we do?

Hope
Sunday 6th July 7pm
The Space

Click Here for Details

Sparks For Mission: Hugh Osgood - Mobilising the workforce: Developing disciples.
Saturday 12th July 9:45pm - 3:30pm
Minchinhampton Baptist Church

Click Here for Details

The Vicar of Bagdad
Sunday July 13th 6:30pm
St Laurence Church, The Shambles, Stroud

Click Here for Details

Hope
Sunday 7th September 7pm
The Space

Click Here for Details

Sparks For Mission: Lawrence Singlehurst - What is Mission?: Small groups that live the message.
Saturday 20th September 9:45pm - 3:30pm
Minchinhampton Baptist Church

Click Here for Details

Doug Horley’s Duggie Dug Dug Family Praise Party and Children’s Workers Training
Saturday 4th October
Children’s Workers & Sunday School Teachers Training: 2pm – 4pm
Family Praise Party: 6pm – 7.30pm
Downfield Schools Music Block, Downfield Road, Off Cainscross Road, Stroud GL5 4HE

Click Here for Details

African Children’s Choir
Sunday 2nd November (evening - time tbc)
Stratford Park Leisure Centre, Stroud

Details coming soon…

Sparks For Mission: Paul Griffiths -What is the gospel?: Effective communication of the gospel.
Saturday 15th November 9:45pm - 3:30pm
Minchinhampton Baptist Church

Click Here for Details

Hope
Sunday 16th November 7pm
The Space

Click Here for Details

Community Carol Services with Jeff Lucas
Tuesday December 9th - 6pm and 8pm
St Laurence Church, Stroud

Details coming soon…

Celtic Spirituality with Rev Roy Searle
Friday January 16th 2009 (evening - time tbc)
The Space, Lansdown, Stroud

Details coming soon..

Sparks For Mission: Roy Searle
The Shape of Spirituality: engaging with spiritual seekers.
Saturday 17th January 2009 9:45pm - 3:30pm
Minchinhampton Baptist Church

Click Here for Details