The Winter 2011 issue of Spotlight – News and Views for Local Groups, by Local Groups can be downloaded here.

In this issue:

• Report from the National Assembly
• Yorkshire Regional Meeting and Prayer Conference
• Reflections on “Light out of Darkness” silent retreat
• Christmas reflections

Spotlight is the vehicle for news from Maranatha Local Groups and Members (as distinct from the Maranatha Newsletter which brings news of inititatives from the office in Flixton) so if you have anything to report from your local group then please email Matthew. You can also give us your thoughts via the comments facility here.

We were reminded of the resurrection power of Jesus in which we live and move and have our being; the importance of personal intimacy with our Father – to “sit, sit, sit” in His presence so that we can “run, run, run” in His strength – and the immediate need to be a people who live and speak as one and declare the truth in love in a culture that needs life instead of death and absolutes instead of relativism.

We were encouraged to hear that “the hand of the Lord” -  His anointing – is upon us and the Maranatha Community and to realise that we are “catalytic converters”, agents for change in the power of His Spirit. We were challenged to respond to the calling of God on our lives as individuals and to receive and accept His “marching orders” in the spiritual battle.

We were moved, inspired and filled with hope by the young people who called us to be their spiritual mothers and fathers and spoke of their own desires to serve the Lord in their generation.

This anniversary is a defining time for Maranatha. The rock of Ebenezer has been raised. A new season has begun. The Lord says “Behold I am doing a new thing!” And our response? Yes, Lord! Amen!

Ishmael Evans, one of the participants commented: “One of the unique and amazing things at Maranatha gatherings is the genuine sense of unity in worship and this occasion was no different. Paul Barnsley led the Morning section of worship and the beauty of it, along with the heartwarming singing, was the flying of the national flags of various countries around the world. The sense of holding up a nation before God; declaring his Lordship over that nation in worship and prayer was phenomenal. It will take an outsider great investigative skills to identify that the gathering was made up of Christians of various traditions and backgrounds. The solidarity messages given by ministers, parliamentarians and other great associates was more than re- assuring.

However the challenge of the new season after 30yrs in celebration is the hope that we all share as a community that God is not finished with us yet. The next chapter begins now. In a statement by the leader of the community Dennis: 30yrs has been a great preparation period and in the new season God is calling on us to listen more, readily available to be more involved, visible and ready to leap forward as He leads.”

Perhaps you might like to leave us your comments here:

ABLAZE FOR HIS GLORY.

Since its formation in 1981 the Maranatha Community has been an open and dynamic movement of thousands of Christians, walking and working together as one. For 30 years we have seen amazing evidence of the mighty power of God changing attitudes and lifestyles.

With this special edition of the Maranatha Community Newsletterwhich is available for you to read on-screen (or print for your convenience) we want to draw your attention to the National Assembly on October 1st where we will not just celebrate all that God has done though our community but look forward to the next phase of our life together.

Also inside is a word from God in our current chaos, news about our global vision, new publications, and a challenge to join an army of worshippers.

Click here to view / download the latest Maranatha Newsletter

Click here for details of NATIONAL ASSEMBLY (Sat 1st Oct) and ‘First Sunday’ (2nd Oct)

Click here for the latest edition of Prayer Network

If you would like a Hot Meal being served 5pm-6pm at the National Assembly for £5 per person
then this needs to be pro-booked by emailing Heather and stating choice of either:
A) Wild Rice & Mushroom Risotto    or
B) Chicken Hotpot
   (Replies to be received before 28th Sept, and payment to be made on the Saturday morning).

Wishing you every blessing in Christ,
From all in the Maranatha Community Office.

If you have any comment on this newsletter then please do leave them.

The Autumn 2011 issue of Spotlight – News and Views for Local Groups, by Local Groups can be downloaded here.

In this issue:

• News from the Maranatha “Taste and See” Bookshop
• Manchester Flixton “Third Firday” Group news
• Manchester “Brunswick” Group news
• Testimonies from the Plymouth Weekend
• Dates for your diary, and a cake recipe!

Spotlight is the vehicle for news from Maranatha Local Groups and Members (as distinct from the Maranatha Newsletter which brings news of inititatives from the office in Flixton) so if you have anything to report from your local group then please email Matthew. You can also give us your thoughts via the comments facility here.

A STRUGGLE IS NOW TAKING PLACE FOR THE SOUL OF OUR NATION AT THIS TIME OF CRISIS

This call is made in the name of many thousands of members of the Anglican, Roman Catholic, Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, Orthodox, Pentecostal, Salvation Army, United Reformed, New and Independent Churches right across the UK

WE STRONGLY BELIEVE THE UNITED PRAYER OF GOD’S PEOPLE WILL HAVE AN IMMEDIATE AND POWERFUL INFLUENCE UPON THE STATE OF OUR NATION TODAY.

It is urgent that, as Christians, we take our positions as members of the Body of Christ and PRAY earnestly for the United Kingdom.

The current riots across the land hold up a mirror to the moral and spiritual sickness of our nation. The issues facing us today are not primarily political or social but spiritual. This is yet another manifestation of the consequences of our nation turning its back on God and His ways. It follows the exposure of corruption in the banking system, the Parliamentary expenses scandal, the phone hacking inquiry and corruption in the police.

We believe that God, in His mercy, is shining the light of His Truth on to the ugly wound of our nation which is in need of cleansing and healing. The riots are the fruit of our betrayal of our younger generations whom we have robbed of hope and purpose.

The police, politicians and others in positions of worldly authority are desperately searching for ways to bring the rioters under control. In this situation it is the mandate of the people of God to exercise spiritual authority through united prayer.

WILL YOU PLEASE TAKE IMMEDIATE STEPS TO JOIN WITH CHRISTIANS FROM OTHER CHURCHES IN YOUR AREA TO PRAY FOR THE NATION:

• For those in positions of authority – MP’s, Local councils, Police, Community leaders – to be given wisdom and Godly advice.
• For church leaders to speak with one voice, identifying clearly the spiritual nature of what is happening.
• For confusion of spiritual communication between demonic forces and a collapse of mob formation.
• For protection of people, their lives and their property in areas of rioting, and protection of police and those enforcing law and order.
• For cleansing and healing of the underlying causes of our national sickness.

PLEASE CONSIDER JOINING THOSE WHO ARE PRAYING ON THE STREETS OF OUR CITIES DURING THE DAYTIME AND GATHERING IN CHURCH BUILDINGS AND HOMES TO PRAY AT NIGHT

WE HAVE A GOD-GIVEN OPPORTUNITY TO BRING HOPE TO OUR NATION

As a Community we are committed to praying and working for the unity, renewal and healing of the Church and of the Nations.  Maranatha is a prayer – “Come Lord Jesus!”  We pray that He will come now and we look forward to His final coming in glory.

At this celebratory gathering we will give glory to God for all the ways that He has revealed Himself to His people and for all that He has done in and through this Community over the last 30 years.  We also look forward to all that He is calling us to be and do for His further glory.

Accommodation is available locally.  Contact the Maranatha office for information.

Refreshments – Drinks will be provided – please bring sandwiches for lunch.  There are local restaurants and takeaways available for those wishing to have an evening meal before the Evening Celebration.

Children are welcome with their parents, but we regret that there are no supervised children or crèche facilities available.

All are welcome
Please bring others from your Church or Fellowship

Click here for leaflet including maps and directions.

• Thursday 14th July 7:30pm  in Castlremartyr
• Friday 15th July 8pm in Macroom
• Saturday 16th July 10:30am – 4:00pm in Cork
• Sunday 17th July 7pm in Mallow
• Monday 18th July evening in Fermoy

We gather as ONE family and worship as ONE people, from all traditions of the Christian church <> Anglican <> Catholic <> Methodist <> Baptist <> Pentecostal <> URC <> Salvation Army <> Orthodox <> Presbyterian <> New & Independent Churches. We believe God wants His Church to speak and witness
to the Gospel of Christ with ONE voice.

Take your Positions!

The warning sound of the trumpet has changed to an urgent reveille to all God’s people. The alarm cry of the watchman is no longer that the enemy is approaching. The call is ‘Wake up!’ we are in the midst of a battle for the soul of our nation.

The June edition of the Maranatha Community Newsletter which is available for you to read on-screen (or print for your convenience) challenges and encourages us in our Christian walk. Inside there is a report from our annual Members Gathering, news of new Publications, Spearhead Study Groups, Malawi 2012, Northern Ireland, Hospice Prayer Pack, Nationwide Gatherings, our National Assembly in October and a pilgrimage to the Republic of Ireland, and information about the formation of a new Communications Team.

• Click here to view / download the full June edition of the Maranatha Newsletter

We would also like to draw your attention to the following: (click on each)

• God’s call to make a difference – new folder sent to all with the Newsletter
• National Assembly – invite to national gathering to celebrate our 30th birthday!
• Report from Members Gathering at Quinta including video snapshot
• THE ONLINE BOOKSHOP – buy all Maranatha publications and thousands of Christian Books, CD, DVDs etc. directly from our own Taste and See Bookshop via on-line purchasing.
• Weekends and Retreats – all the details of our 2011 weekends and retreats
• Prayer Network

If you have any comment on this newsletter then please do leave them.

To give everyone a flavour of this we are now publishing the following:

• A video snap-shot
• Report on Quinta 2011
• Report on Maranatha Groups and Prayer Cells – warning: large file (5MB)
• New liturgy of Faith, Hope and Power
• Dennis’s board1.jpg
• Dennis’s board2 – words for quinta.jpg
• Dennis’s board3 – Working Groups.jpg
• Vision Meetings – initial schedule (map and dates)

We are at an exciting time of renewed prayer and action for the Kingdom of God. Although we are based in the UK, the vision God has given us is global. As little brothers and sisters of Jesus, we continue to pray Maranatha, Come Lord Jesus.

We will be celebrating 30 years of blessings that God has given to this Community later this year at our National Assembly in Manchester on 1st October. More details will be published on this blog nearer the time.

If you have any response to the documents above then please leave comments here.