FormWoodbridge Blog

This Year is flying past! 

Busy, Busy, Busy is the theme of this coming term.

This terms teaching is based on ‘leadership values’ and ‘the work place’. We will be discovering Myers Briggs, SHAPE and meeting people who live their faith in the work place. 

The FORM guys will be serving at ALIVE 09 (Book NOW -http://www.alive09.org.uk/). The guys are also involved in the ‘Where Next?’ retreat for those doing A levels and AS - to spend some time searching God and discovering where God is calling them to.

Please continue to check our blog for updates, stories and events at FORM. 

Also, please come along to our churches CD launch - Sunday 17th May, 7pm at St John’s Church Woodbridge

YEAH! We managed the 690 miles. Thanks to all those that came to clock-up those miles and those that gave generously. Also a BIG thank you to the Army for the loan of three fitness bikes. A few photos!

Legends!

Matt was the hero, Rob was the POWER HOUSE

what lovely sights we saw!

Plumface on a FITNESS BIKE!

Jo actually did 600 miles!

Rob encourages the team - 'WORK HARDER BOYS'!!!

what Sylvan doesn't know is that we have set his bike to 'up hill setting'...Ha ha HAAAA!

You can order FORM Adverts by emailing - form@stjohnswoodbridge.org.uk.

If you are interested in applying for FORM please download the 09-10 application form from our homepage or call Ben on 01394 383162 to arrange a meeting.

Happy New Year to all that read our blog!

This term at FORM we are plowing through Alister McGrath’s ‘Introduction to Theology’, Richard Foster’s ‘Celebration of Discipline’ and we are also traveling to Sheffield to share fellowship and engage in mission with our FORM Network. And that’s only the beginning of our term!

In March we are also heading off to Zurich for mission. Every year FORM offers an overseas mission trip. We believe it is important for young adults to experience a different culture and to build relationships with other Christians across the world. This year we head to Zurich with our friends from Sheffield. Zurich, even though being in the centre of one of the richest countries in world, is in need of God. With the guys from Sheffield and the vineyard church in Zurich we will be working with the homeless, drug addicts and hearing the stories of those caught up in prostitution.

The team from FORM WOODBRIDGE includes, Lizzy, Sylvan, Rob, Mark and me! Please pray for the team, our friends in Sheffield and Zurich as we prepare, fundraise, and seek to follow the Holy Spirit in our travels this term.

Keep an eye on our blog as we share our daily lives with you and others across the globe.

God Bless,

Ben 

Hey Guys, 

Happy Christmas to all of those who log on to read the FORM Blog.

I love Christmas! It’s one of those seasons where Christians feels comfortable to invite friends, family and the gold fish to church. It’s one of those seasons where Christians openly go out onto the streets and sing about God. It’s one of those seasons where cultural tradition meets Christian belief. I love Christmas!

So why don’t we do this all year round? Not carols or Christmas but openly discuss, worship, shout out our love for the AWESOME GOD?

I believe it’s because Christmas is such a success in terms of getting people into church (which is not the end product of discipleship but a clear demonstration that society are still interested). However, unlike Christmas many evangelistic events end in disappointment. Laurence Singlehurst writes, (1998, p. 9):

‘the experience of many churches looks like this. They put a great deal of effort into coming up with an idea for outreach into the community. They, as it were, climb a mountain (carry through the idea). But at the end of all their hard work climbing, they plunge into a valley of disappointment because their expectations were just not met.’

So often we are looking for the convert before we have even engaged in a person’s life. Sowing and reaping is mentioned in John 4. Christians often look for the reaping before the sowing has even taken shape.

Singlehurst offers many strategies and ideas for evangelism. I would recommend purchasing his book and seeing what you think: –

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sowing-Reaping-Keeping-People-sensitive-Evangelism/dp/1856840522/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1229443265&sr=8-1

Why not ask a friend what they think about God this Christmas. Don’t miss out on this great opportunity. But don’t let it be the only time you mention God.

Happy Christmas guys

Love,

Ben 

As the winter chill approaches the FORM trainees have been learning about God’s Word in the warmth of the Old Vicarage.

During this past month we have had the privilege to welcome Professor Ted Evans discussing God and Science, John Finlinson walking through Romans and Dave Gardner bringing the 5 fold ministry to life. So a busy and fantastic month. Thanks to all those that have contributed to FORM so far.

December looks extremely busy for our trainees and me! We have a number of events to organise and serve at. So please do come along to the events below and get to know Sylvan and Lizzy. They’re amazing people of faith and are always willing to serve God’s church and God’s world.

Events and dates:

Thursday 18th Dec 2:00pm - 4:00pm: FORM trainees present a book of the Bible (Old Vicarage)

Sunday 21st Dec - 4pm and 7pm Carol Services and St John’s Church Woodbridge, IP12 1HS

Sunday 28th Dec - ‘The Lounge’ - Jazz, drinks, chill and chat. 5pm to 7pm at Costa Coffee in woodbridge town centre. Check out the advert:  lounge-ad-28-dec 

Love to all and I hope the christmas shopping is going well!

Ben

These are just some photos to give you a taste of our silence and solitude retreat in early October. Sylvan will be blogging soon to share his story and observations from this retreat - watch this space!

Lizzy studies the word

Keeping the silence!

Long walks with God

Words, Pictures and Scripture from God

So close to home but felt so far from home

I am SO excited about next months School of Theology!

Melody Briggs will be coming down to discuss ‘Social Action and Evangelism’ with us here at School of Theology. It’s going to be a great day of teaching but also a time to network and encourage one another as we seek God’s Kingdom here on earth.

If you don’t know what School of Theology is please read Sophie’s report within this blog (17th Sep 08).

SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY - Social Action and Evangelism 

Date: Monday 3rd November, 9:00am - 3:30pm

Where: St Johns Church, St John’s Hill, Woodbridge, Suffolk, IP12 1HS 

Cost: £15 for the day (includes a buffet lunch)

Book: Please book asap - email: form@stjohnswoodbridge.org.uk

Melody Briggs - School of Theology Guest Speaker

This Sunday we welcomed Lizzy and Sylvan to FORM WOODBRIDGE. We are so pleased to have them here at St John’s Woodbridge.

Throughout the year they will be posting their stories and thoughts on this BLOG. We hope to update it twice a month with photos, videos and personal journals from the trainees.

Photos from the Welcome Sunday and their first day at FORM WOODBRIDGE will be posted SOON!

ENJOY!