WORLD AIDS DAY – 1 DECEMBER

December 1st is internationally recognized World AIDS Day

33.3 million people in the world are HIV+.

2.5 million of these are children.

Drugs can slow the process so that people can live a longer and near normal life.

Drugs can also prevent transmission from mother to unborn child.

There is medical hope.

 

A REAL STORY ABOUT REAL PEOPLE

Lusaka, Zambia – 2011

Two years ago, Rodah Banda had to make the biggest decision of her life – whether to terminate her pregnancy or leave her husband. He threatened to end their marriage if she enrolled in a programme designed to prevent mother-to-child transmission of the HIV virus. Rodah was HIV+.

Today, Ms. Banda is the proud mother of Joseph, a healthy 2 year old who is HIV negative. Those two years ago, Rodah decided to enroll in the course and received a Mother-Baby Pack which contained medicines including anti-retro viral drugs. The careful use of these drugs prevented the virus from being transmitted to her unborn son. Unfortunately her husband died when she was 9 months pregnant.

Rodah says “the pack gave a new meaning to my life. I am a happy woman, despite facing the daily struggles of unemployment and lack of food in my household.” Rodah has been a role model to many in her community where women are afraid to disclose their HIV status and make use of health services. She continues to speak out and encourage pregnant women living with HIV to seek out these services.

There is still much stigma around AIDS and there is much fear. But there is also much courage.

Men’s Breakfast – Latest News

Please put into your diary Saturday 25th February for the next Men’s Breakfast.  Arthur Williams has accepted our invitation to come along that morning. He is a founder member of the Stauros Foundation, and you can look up WWW.STAUROS.COM for more details.

When he became a Christian following a long battle with alcohol addiction he spent some time at Cliff College and has been an evangelist ever since (and was a Methodist Local Preacher!).

Through Dr Phil’s work as a GP, he has come into contact with alcohol and drug addicts who have been helped by this organisation and been led to Christ through fellowship with Stauros members so we are very excited to welcome him to Craigmore!

Senior’s Christmas Meal

The Senior’s Christmas Meal will be held on Friday, 9 December at the Jethro Centre, Lurgan at 12.30pm for the meal at 1pm.  All seniors are very welcome!

If you are in that category and you would like to attend, or if anyone can offer transport and help that day, please contact Averil.

NOVEMBER NEWS

Purpose Driven Life

Mon 7^th, Mon 14^th and Mon 28^th November 8pm at Philip and Arlene’s.

This month we begin a 6 week bible study course designed by Rick Warren called “The Purpose Driven Life.”  The six meetings will spread over 3 months until mid January 2012.  We especially welcome and encourage people who are not currently involved with cell groups to be part of this fellowship.

If you missed the first week, it is not too late to join us on the second week and new members will always be welcome at anytime throughout the duration of this 6 week course.

“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)

Find out and seek God’s purpose for your life!

 

Mini Monday

Mon 21^st 8pm in the Upper Room Craigmore.

Time to spend together in worship and prayer to our God.

Noel Mills will be joining us for the evening of fellowship.

 

Pastoral Team Meeting

Wed 23^rd November at 7.45pm for 8pm in the Upper Room

 

Men’sBreakfast

Sat 26^th November 8am

Time for men to meet together and grow together within out church.  Also excellent opportunity to invite people who do not attend Craigmore to share fellowship with us!

On this occasion we look forward to Reverend Charles Harris joining us.  Charles is minister of Glengormley Methodist.

If you know of a potential future speaker please pass on details to Philip or Noel.

PS – watch out in the new year!  The men have promised to make breakfast for the ladies and children of the church!  Worth seeing and looking forward to!

Men’s Breakfast

The men of Craigmore Methodist meet on the third Saturday of every month for a hearty breakfast and an opportunity to hear how God is at work in people’s lives as we invite a guest speaker each month to share with us. We meet at the not-too-early time of 8am. Please keep an eye on this website and the church announcements for when they will be happening and who will be joining us. We would love to see you there!

Contact Dr Phil Lusty or Noel McKee if you have any enquiries.

Music and Worship

There is a constantly growing heart for worship at Craigmore, and this team seeks to see how we can express this through music.

Over the years many musicians have picked up their first instrument in Craigmore and gone on to serve further a field in this area – largely as a result of a very supportive and encouraging congregation!

Our heart is to draw close to God and to give Him the amazing praise He deserves, to remember His greatness and become aware of His glory, that we might praise Him more!

We exist to bring God ‘more than a song’, and our hope is that, when expressed in music, this desire in us will be infectious.

Music team co-ordinator: Steve Harte

Cell Groups

At Craigmore we are moving towards becoming a cell church. This recognises the importance of our main Sunday gatherings together, but also the benefits of having smaller home-based groups on one night during the week. Cells are dynamic groups of people that exist to encourage one another to live transformed lives and be an active part of the church, as we seek to impact our local area and further afield.

Our journey into becoming a cell church started with two groups in January 2011.

Monday night cell leaders: Averil Harte & Philip Lusty

Tuesday night cell leaders: Rowan and Joanne Zeelie

Cell co-ordinator: Steve Harte

 

Sunday School

Sunday School is a place where children and teachers come to meet fora time of fun, laughter and learning. We meet every Sunday morning from 11.20am until 12 noon, depending on the length of the worship service. We meet in the church hall and upstairs.

It is a fantastic opportunity for children to learn about God, make new friends and have a time to talk about their week.

The children also take 2 services throughout the year, a summer service and a Christmas service, where they get to show the church all that they have learnt and show off their gifts and talents.

Mini-Mondays

A Time to Refresh
The Prayer Ministry Team would like to invite you to our Mini Monday’s.

These are held third Monday of November, January and March. They are informal evenings of relaxation, praise and reflective prayer, followed by refreshments.

Sometimes we invite a guest who will bring us a word to encourage and strengthen us in our walk with Jesus.

Prayer Ministry

PRAYER MINISTRY at Craigmore Methodist Church

“Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you.”  1 Peter 5:7

The Prayer Ministry Team at Craigmore is a committed group of people who will offer you personal prayer and help you to seek God’s presence in your situation. John Wesley once said, “God does nothing except in answer to prayer.”

We also believe in the importance and power of prayer in our need for God’s wisdom, protection and guidance. Our team receives ongoing ministry and training as part of their ongoing development.

We offer a confidential service.

PRAYER MINISTRY at Sunday Service

At the end of the Sunday morning service, two of our members will be available at the back of the church to pray with you in any situation you want to bring before God. This may be a personal need, a difficult decision you have to make, a hospital appointment to face or maybe something God has highlighted during the service. If you would like more information or would like personal prayer at another time please contact us here.

Anna is the co-ordinator of the Sunday morning ministry which also includes Jamie Best, Dr Philip Lusty, Averil Harte, Dr Steve Harte, David Murphy, Paul Kissick and Rab Reid.

If you would like to get involved with our Prayer Ministry, please talk to one of the team.