Faith News (including a girls’ night out at Sunnyside Church)

Thank you and goodbye to Nascent House

More than 50 people gathered at St Mary’s Church in Apsley on August 31 to say a heartfelt thank you to the staff of Nascent House.

The house was a Rehab Centre which was next to the Church, which closed in June.

For over 20 years the staff have been there to encourage, educate, guide and support users who wish to change their lives.

The event was co-hosted by St Mary’s and Hemel Hempstead Methodist Churches.

Both churches have supported the work of the House, both financially and with friendship .

As a member of staff remarked: “It was good to see so many of the ex-residents well and living their lives. It proved that we had made a difference.”

All the staff left with gifts , flowers, cards and happy memories.

Girls’ Night Out at Sunnyside Church, Berkhamsted

On Friday September 26 at 7.30pm, Sunnyside Church Berkhamsted welcomes a celebrity event exclusively for women from international children’s charity World Vision UK.

The aptly-named Girls’ Night Out is fronted by vocal coach to the stars Carrie Grant, who shot to fame on TV talent show Pop Idol and is a regular presenter on The One Show.

Girls’ Night Out also features a stand-up set from female comic Jo Enright, who appeared in Phoenix Nights and the recent Ricky Gervais sitcom Life’s Too Short, among other things.

The event, hosted by Sunnyside Church in Ivy House Lane, HP4 2PP, invites women of 16 and above to be entertained, treated and inspired.

Every woman receives a goodie bag to take home, and complimentary drinks and treats are served on the night.

The show is not a Christian event. Carrie said: “This is not an evangelistic night but a great time to invite people to a great “cringe-free” event, without the worry of a visiting speaker preaching at them!”

The night is a chance for Carrie and Jo to talk about their recent visit to Uganda, to see World Vision’s work.

World Vision is one of the world’s leading international relief and development agencies, dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. Its development projects started in Uganda in 1986. The funds from child sponsorship are being used to benefit whole communities, with projects to help children access quality education; opportunities for children to find out about their rights and chances for people with HIV and AIDS to access better healthcare and work opportunities.

Girls’ Night Out tickets are £7 on the door, or £5 in advance plus a booking fee. Tickets can be obtained from The Way Inn Christian Centre, 268 High St Berkhamsted HP4 1AQ – contact Frances Fletcher on 01442 870768.

Tickets are strictly limited. To buy online visit www.ticketline.co.uk, or contact the Sunnyside office on 01442 875025. For more, visit worldvision.org.uk/girlsnightout.

Christian viewpoint

During the Great War, a British soldier had a wounded German in his sights, he lowered his rifle, allowing the German to escape. Years later, he was to reflect on that action, when he learned the soldier he allowed to live was Adolf Hitler. Although traumatised by that knowledge, he still did the right thing. So must we Christians, in a society becoming ever more compartmentalised, impersonal and fragmented, we must continue to show the love of God in our lives. God’s creation, and its inhabitants are just too precious. How precious? Well, Jesus died, it was so loved by God.

Robin McEwen, Methodist Church