Wow! what a busy month April is.....The 11th saw our Easter holiday club lift off. The theme was 'Good News' as we enjoyed drama, music, games, dancing and artistic activities to learn about the Easter story of how Jesus died on the cross to save us and rose again from the dead to promise an extra special life in heaven with him. Well over 40 children enjoyed the morning and were invited to come back and share what they had done on Easter Sunday.

By the look of the pictures below it looks as though they had a bit of fun :-

May

We start our new page on the web site to keep up to date with our mission partners in India and The Sudan......  Click here ......to have a peek at what's going on

Well done to Kate Harris for securing the chance of a lifetime to attend the global young leaders conference in Washington DC. Here's Kate's'  write up before she goes....watch this space for an update when she gets back...

'On 25th of June I am flying out to the USA to take part in a Global Young Leaders Conference. I was nominated to do this by Mr Stones, the Head of Politics at The Priory LSST, along with three others from my school (although we are all attending at different times). The first half of the conference will take place in Washington D.C. and the second in New York. It should be a fantastic opportunity for me to meet other young people from over 100 different countries as well as business leaders, policy officials, lobbyists, journalists, diplomats, academics and some of the US Senators. I am also looking forward to gaining insight into the workings of government and politics and develop my skills in public speaking and decision-making as well as improving my knowledge of international law, human rights and global economics.

I believe that social justice and responsibility is at the heart of Jesus’ message. Eventually I would like to be involved in improving the situation for the poorest people of our world, perhaps through lobbying for issues such as trade justice, cuts in investment in arms and better aid. St Peter-in-Eastgate has given me a big cheque for £200 to go towards the cost of attending the conference. I would like to thank the PCC and the financial committee for deciding to support me in this way and also everyone at St Peter’s for showing an interest in the trip. This money really is a fantastic help.'  Kate Harris.

Each year our church leaders have a half day together. It gives them some quality time to discuss the way forward of our church. Thanks to Rick Lund for sending in the following article.

Our church committee attended a half day session at the Cathedral Centre on 20th May. Edward set the scene with prayers of thanksgiving for the Mission of the Church and our discussion groups focussed on the ‘Threats’ and ‘Opportunities’ faced by St Peter’s in moving forwards.  Our ambitious agenda included, the review of our Sunday Services, our Prayer Life and Global Partnerships. We sought to establish whether the format of Services was fulfilling the needs of our congregation.  The consensus view was that we were moving in the right direction and that this was enhanced by the establishment of the Enquirers’, Nurture, Baptism and Confirmation Courses being run during the week.

The importance of our Welcome Team was discussed, as were aspects of the Pastoral Care and Social Life which have become such a vital part of our way of life.  Edward also outlined his plans for the next Sermon series, and also for the Children, Youth and Growth Groups.

Our committee eagerly awaits the growth in our leadership team with the arrival of our new curate, Nick Alexander and his family, who join us in July. We discussed the plans for re-ordering St. Peter’s, and some of the challenges relating to the funding for the project.

At the close of this session, Edward introduced a new Prayer for St. Peter’s based upon the Great Commission (Mathew 28.16-20):

God our Father,
Every year may we see people drawn by your spirit to faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour.

Every month may you add to the St. Peter's family; may we provide a warm welcome and a spiritual home
in which to serve and be served.

Every week may we long to know the Lord Jesus better through the bible and through the Holy Spirit dwelling within us. May we be given hearts to obey and grow mature in our faith.

Every Sunday may your name be glorified with heartfelt praise and in thankfulness for prayers answered
here in Lincoln and across the world.

Every day may we experience the presence of the risen Christ as we serve Him in this broken and fallen world. May we learn how to live generously so that ministries are released to the blessing of many,
and our building speaks of the living church we seek to be.

Amen

Article by Rick Lund

June

During June our house groups joined together to review The Bible from Genesis to Revelation in 6 sessions - WOW! Sounds a bit heavy you might think but Edward's house was bursting at the seams with people some nights, which just goes to show how interesting and fun the sessions were - including the cheese and wine on the last evening.

The series of study assisted us to see how God has worked out his plan of salvation over history and to see how the Bible applies to our lives today.

Our prayers at our Patronal Festival this year were based on the verses from our new church prayer, and were said by our church committee.....

July

On Sunday July 2nd our new curate, Nick Alexander, was ordained at St Wulfram's Church, Grantham. Nick was ordained by the Bishop of Grantham, Tim Ellis. It was a beautiful day and the Reverend Edward Bowes-Smith, Alistair Ward and Richard and Peju Adeniran attended for St Peter in Eastgate Church in Lincoln. Nick's family held a buffet reception afterwards in Grantham for family and friends. It was a proud day for Nick who has just completed three years training at Oakhill Theological College in London, under the tutorship of the Rev. Prof. David Peterson. Before being called into Ministry, Nick was a Building Surveyor in Cambridge. Nick will be at St Peter's for a minimum of one year, and has now moved to Lincoln with his wife, Julia, and Henry, Barnaby and Milly. They are wonderful family and we all look forward to welcoming them into the church family and working with them.

Article and photos - Alistair Ward

During July Katharine Lund went on a mission to Croatia with 'Bless Network'.

August
Not only do we have a new curate, but a curate's mate has now appeared................. ........................

His name is 'Dave' (alright Rodney!) .......I'm sure we will see more of him soon!

People at St Peters accommodated members of the mixed choir of Adam Mickiewicz Grammar School in Glubczyce, Poland. It consists of 44 young people aged 14 – 18. The choir has won several international competitions. They tour widely  - this is their third time in  England (first time in Lincoln), they have also visited France, Germany, Czech Republic, Ukraine and Hungary, and Italy where they sang for the pope. We think they had a great time with us.

September
 

October
Thanks to Nick for sending in a bit about this Autumns holiday club......

.'..At half term over 40 children attended the Awesome Holiday Club which was held on three mornings during the week.  The whole week was themed around a journey to see some of the places where Jesus performed Signs in John's Gospel and to learn what pointed to.  Throughout the week we played games, sang lots of lively songs, did craft, learned the stories..oh and ate some lovely food.  During the week we had some special visits including our new puppet friend at St Peter's - Alex and a very special visit indeed, from the Bishop of Lincoln, who we even managed to blindfold to take part in a game teaching about Jesus healing a blind man.  The week climaxed with the Holiday Club Service on the Sunday.  Many of the parents of children who had been at the club came along to find out what had been going on during the week....'          'Sat Nav' Nick

Erica gets directions from Alex	Empathy with blind people	Crafts
Teams ready to go	Raising Lazarus game	Bishop John joins in
Singing with the band	Teaching in small groups	Thelma and Anne (more cakes!)
Video Team	Photos Jane Lund/Joe Bartrop	A winning team

November

The NFG (not for girls) group started this month......(against a backlash of hisses and boos from the opposite sex about the choice of name!)

 It's new group for men at St Peter's. The aim of the group is three fold:

• To server God together in practical ways, helping people in the church and local community

• To equip ourselves (not the girls) to be Godly men in the home and the workplace.

• At the same time....to have fun

The NFG Team are planning a programme of events for the New Year which will include each month:

• a social

• a talk or Bible study aimed specifically at men's issues

• a group 'task force' (possibly DIY or gardening type activity to help the church or a local person in need)

To launch the group NFG are having a 'laser' combat afternoon....watch this space to see how it went...........

Photos - Alistair Ward

....and here it is hot off the press -  the motley masculine crew at laser quest. (click on photos for a better view if you dare!)

Church Stroll:
 On Sunday 19th November about 30 or so members of the church family strolled from Cherry Willingham to Fiskerton and back along the River Witham.  God was good to us with the weather, it being fine and dry...and we just made it back before dark!  Everyone enjoyed themselves and it was a great time to get to know one another a little better. Nick Alexander

December

The Growth Group Social Evening took place on Tuesday 5th December, kindly hosted by Nick & Julia Alexander.
It was a delightful evening with both John & Maria’s and Erica & Alistair’s group congregating together.
As ever we were treated to a fabulous array of food and drinks, mulled wine & a non-alcoholic cocktail bar – (courtesy of myself), and not forgetting the traditional “Wards” Chicken balti.
I am sure we all added a few calories to our waistlines that evening, but needless to say, it was a good spiritual gathering, and we look forward to the next one!
Thank you to Julia & Nick for their kind hospitality.
Also a big thank you to John & Maria and Alistair & Erica and Nick for their leadership of the groups this term.
Article by Amy Jackson

Our Christingle service this year saw the introduction of a few new songs, including Graham Kendrick's calypso carol 'This Child'. It was great to see some of the 40 or so children who attended dancing to it. Nick kept the children (and adults) attention with an innovative talk about us not being able to see Jesus' light because of our wayward behaviour and thoughts. Good use of an old  cardboard box, 2 candles, and 6 sticky 'post its' for his visual aid. (see no expense spared in our church!) Thanks Nick........