Special Church Members' Meeting - Sunday 19 October
We recently emailed church members and included a notice in last week's Bulletin advising of our intention to call a brief, Special Church Members' Meeting after the morning service on Sunday 19 October.
The sole purpose of the meeting is to decide upon the future of the Heron Way manse and there will no other church business discussed in this forum. This notice explains how the meeting will be managed, accepting that there will be a need for some flexibility on the day.
Agenda
The meeting agenda is now available for download from the members' area of the website along with the slide presentation which Adrian shared at the September CMM.
Attendance
Anyone from within our church family is welcome to attend in order to listen to the discussion and observe our decision-making. However, only Church Members are permitted to vote on the proposal, as stipulated by Baptist Union guidelines and our own Governing Document.
Timing
Our worship that day will take the form of a Cafe Service led by Julie Rudd, Marion Richardson and Louise Carter and we anticipate that the SCMM will commence approximately 15 minutes after the conclusion of the service. The exact start time will be confirmed at the close of the service to allow the opportunity of a comfort break and to enable members of our wider church family who do not wish to attend the meeting to move to the downstairs hall for refreshments. Any members seated in the balcony are requested to move to the downstairs area of the main church at this point.
Childcare
If necessary, provision can be made for young children of any members who attend the meeting, either within the main church or in the downstairs hall.
Refreshments
Refreshments will be provided in the downstairs hall for any of our wider church family who do not wish to attend the meeting.
Online Attendance
A Zoom link will be distributed so those church members who are unable to attend in person can participate online. The link will be circulated by email to all members towards the end of this week.
I hope this covers all the essential matters related to the meeting and how we will manage it on the day. If you need any further information or guidance, please email me at: secretary@brbc-horsham.org.uk and I will be pleased to assist you.
Ken Carter
Car Park Accident
As many of you will now be aware, an accident occurred in the church car park last Monday (6 Oct). An elderly driver lost control of their car whilst parking in the car park and this caused them to collide with the Creche window. The collision caused significant damage to the window as well as the car itself. A member's car was also slightly damaged. I'm very pleased to advise that no one was injured and the building is safe. Whilst the activities scheduled last Monday were cancelled, our normal daily programme resumed on Tuesday so there was minimal impact on building users. The only space that remains out of bounds is the Creche room itself until repairs can be completed and we will make alternative arrangements for Creche during our Sunday morning worship over the coming weeks. Our insurers visited the church on Thurs 9 Oct to inspect the damage and we will be working with them to have all repairs completed at the earliest opportunity.
We will keep you informed of any relevant developments.
Ken Carter
Annual Election of Deacons
At the November Church Members' Meeting we will be conducting the annual election of Deacons for the new three-year term beginning in January 2026. Three current members of the Diaconate are due to step down at the end of this year. They are Dick Beazley, Ken Carter and Louise Carter.
Ken and Louise have each indicated they are willing to be renominated for a further three-year term, but Dick has advised of his intention to step down at the end of this year.
We currently have a team of nine people on the Diaconate but under the Constitution, we are permitted to appoint up to twelve Deacons in total. We would therefore be grateful if church members would consider if this is a role in which they could serve our fellowship at Brighton Road. We have an excellent team but we would warmly welcome additional expertise and experience to enhance our decision-making and to share some of the tasks associated with the role. If you would like to discuss this informally, then please contact me or one of the Deacons and we will be pleased to explain a bit more about what is involved.
Nomination forms are available from Karry, or one of the Deacons. Please note that all nominations need to be received by the Church Office by midnight on Sunday 9 November in order that preparations can be made for the election at the members' meeting on 26 November.
I would be grateful if you would all give this matter prayerful consideration.
Thank you
Ken Carter
Mission Prayer Meeting
There will be an opportunity at 9.15am on Sunday 19th October to hear up to date news from our overseas mission partners and to pray for them. All are welcome to join the group in the Main Hall.
BRBC Art Group Meeting
The next meeting will be on Thursday 16th October in the Main Hall 10-12pm. All are welcome. Tea, coffee and biscuits will be available.
Mens Coffee Morning
All men are invited to join us at 9, Fitzalan Road RH13 6AA for coffee, croissants and conversation from 10.30a.m.onwards on Thursday, 16th October 2025. I look forward to your company.
Brian Carey. 07813 739896 brian.rosalyn@me.com
Walks
On Friday 17th October there will be an opportunity to join a group going for an afternoon stroll in the nearby countryside. If you wish to join meet at church at 2pm.
Operation Christmas child - Shoe-boxes for 2025
A child’s Christmas Box says that they are loved by Jesus and his people. In 2024 the UK lovingly packed 241,015 shoeboxes for children in Malawi, Ukraine, West Africa, Moldova, Albania, Nigeria, the Balkans and Central Asia. Worldwide 11.9 million boxes were distributed.
2025 box destinations will be known after Nov.17th; but they will be going to regions and countries affected by poverty, war or natural disasters, to share the love spoken of in the Gospels.
Making a box: Boxes and ‘How To’ leaflets will soon be at church on the reception display.
Donating boxes to BRBC: Bring them from Sun 2nd – Mon 10th Nov.
Giving a shoebox online: From the website below, their warehouse will make up a box for you.
All information on the OCC website: www.samaritans-purse.org.uk/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/
Overview 2025 video: youtube.com/watch?v=If-IQpLRcqs (4mins15)
Last year you amazingly gave at least 96 boxes including online, so please be generous again in 2025! Each box makes a child happy.
Thank you, from Keith Johnson 256596
Church Flowers
The flowers this week are given by Eileen Cherriman in memory of her beloved husband, John.