Showing posts with label colchester. Show all posts

Well Steve and I have officially moved into the Big Prayer House. And it's truly caught me by surprise. I am loving the idea of being in the house and the opportunity it is to be working in and for our community.... The shocking part was how scared, unsettled, angry and sad I felt.

Steve and I are co-leaders of Colchester Boiler Room, a 24-7 Prayer Community. We recently have been asked to job share a community worker role through a project called Abbeyfield Community Project. This project is supported by 7 local churches and has a vision to plant local missional churches on 6 newly build estates around the Abbeyfields in Colchester.

Part of this role comes with use of a large 4 bedroom house that over the last 3 1/2 years has been used by our community to be a home to a family of 3 and prayer community. The combo has worked really well and Steve and I are excited by the idea of continuing this with a bit of a twist. 

The twist being that we are hoping to share the house with a few different people.

Steve, Clare Field and I are all current members of the Colchester Boiler Room and are over joyed by the idea of moving into the house to live missionally for Jesus on our estate. But we want to ask for more. Steve and I have been married for the last two years and are in our late 20s early 30s and Clare is in her mid 20s. We all work full time jobs in Colchester and have a heart for prayer, people and Jesus.

Are you coming to live in Colchester.... Would you like to?!? Want to live in a missional house with 3 other people?

We seeking a 4th person join us to live in the house and share our passion for Jesus, Community and Prayer. This is not just about a house share, its an invitation to join intentional living and being missional. The type of person we are looking for is someone who is about prayer, wants to help keep the prayer room open, creative and prayed in. The person would want to help us be hospitable and creative to our neighbours. They would like the idea of eating together, studying the bible together and being nice to people. They MUST love Jesus and want to make him a priority in their life. Ideally we would love this to be a single man, as this would help to give balance in our house. We also would love it if they were only working part-time or less (or studying at uni!?!) and could be around and available in our community and house. (and since we have been blessed with the house the cost of living is going to be minimal). We would love for them to have a heart for local mission, English people, prayer, neighbours, being creative, a heart for 20 to 30 year olds and a desire to meeting new people. We'd also loved them to like the idea of living in Colchester and really blessing this normal town. If you know someone that is looking to get involved in a Christ- centred prayer community but not sure how to make it happen, have them contact us. Or if it is you, then contact us!

We are all planning to move into the house in September 2013. So spread the word. If you or someone you know is moving to Colchester or is already in Colchester and wants to get involved in a local, missional, prayer community then have them contact us. Email either Steve (mctkz@aol.com) or Tina (rockstartina83@gmail.com) or give us call on 07904207238 (steve) or 07769978216 (Tina)

We would love to chat with you about what is all involved and seeing if it is a good fit for us all. Really look forward to chatting with you!

CHECK OUT COLCHESTER BOILER ROOM'S BLOG:

http://colchesterboilerroom.blogspot.co.uk/

I constantly am trying to convince good people to come get involved in what we are doing in Colchester. (if you have been the target of my 'move to colchester movement' know that I think you are cool, that you have a great passion for jesus and you could be used here to some pretty great stuff!).

Steve and I love getting to be a part of our Boiler Room Community on our normal, little estate. It is so ordinary but so lovely. We are really blessed that the people that live around us are so generous and accepting. WE LOVE PEOPLE... and we want to help to make good things happen for people here on this estate. WE LOVE JESUS... and we are desperate to find good and relevant ways to share his story, pray for people and make spaces for people to have their own personal Jesus encounter.

There are lots of reasons why we love Jesus so much, but honestly its better to see that love in action than talk about it, so you will have to come visit us if you want to know why and how we love Jesus so much!

Plus, Colchester is an up and coming town I have no doubt. We can get a fast train to london in less than an hour, the music scene is exploding and I am not joking (every time we go to an open mic night or gig somewhere the talent is phenomenal). We have a few secret hidden gems for wining and dinning. Plus WE HAVE A CASTLE! wink wink.

So if you have ever fancied living in a missional community, if you have been thinking to yourself you need a move or a change but can't think where to go, if you need a good job and don't really care where you live, if you are coming to colchester for uni but don't want to live in greenstead, if you fancy moving to a neighbourhood where you can meet neighbours, do good things and get yummy roast dinners on sunday.... then think about getting in touch with me and lets see about working out a way for you to move here to Malborough Estate.

Also here are some killer job I have recently found on line that might help make you see the practical big picture of how you are going to make this happen!

Behavior Support Worker: work in schools to help model positive behavior
http://www.workingforessex.com/details.aspx?nPostingID=16176&nPostingTargetID=168854&option=52&sort=DESC&respnr=1&ID=QZUFK026203F3VBQB8M8MF60R&LOV1=6178&Resultsperpage=20&lg=UK&mask=external

School Crossing Patrol Officer: be a lollipop lady! (or man!!)
http://www.workingforessex.com/details.aspx?nPostingID=15987&nPostingTargetID=168499&option=52&sort=DESC&respnr=1&ID=QZUFK026203F3VBQB8M8MF60R&LOV1=6178&Resultsperpage=20&lg=UK&mask=external

Business Sourcing Placement Assistant: help process applications for colchester borough counceil
http://www.workingforessex.com/details.aspx?nPostingID=15798&nPostingTargetID=167859&option=52&sort=DESC&respnr=1&ID=QZUFK026203F3VBQB8M8MF60R&LOV1=6178&Resultsperpage=20&lg=UK&mask=external

Trainee Chef: make great food
https://jobsearch.direct.gov.uk/GetJob.aspx?JobID=1535027&JobTitle=Trainee+Chef%2fCommis+Chef&rad=5&rad_units=miles&pp=25&sort=rv.dt.di&vw=b&re=134&setype=2&tjt=&where=co2+7qw&q=&AVSDM=

General Assistant: help serve customers and run touchscreen till
https://jobsearch.direct.gov.uk/GetJob.aspx?JobID=1743528&JobTitle=General+Assistant&rad=5&rad_units=miles&pp=25&sort=rv.dt.di&vw=b&re=3&setype=2&tjt=&where=co2+7qw&q=&pg=2&AVSDM=

Before and After School Club Chaperone: possibility of extra hours as a playworker
http://jobsearch.essex-eyjobs.co.uk/pages/job_search_view.aspx?jobId=3696&JobIndex=4&interest=-1&workinghour=-1&qualification=-1&location=12&PageIndex=1&Number=7

Get Connected Project Worker: help vulnerable people to computers and internet
http://www.familymosaiccareers.co.uk/job_description.asp?cid=1185

Temporary Catering at Colchester Zoo!: feed people who come visit the zoo
http://www.colchester-zoo.com/index.cfm?fa=about.job.list&section=4

Admin and Reception Duties or Guest Host: work at a Spa near Boiler Room
http://www.claricehouse.co.uk/Colchester/Work-For-Us/Work-For-Us

oh the fun that can be had!!

You know this whole 'moving to England to be with the love of my life' has been awesome... but the one down side is that more often then not I feel like an 'outsider' rather then an 'insider'.

Most the time I completely don't even notice because I love learning new things and meeting new people... However!! I've gotten used to really noticing this feeling in extreme cases of exclusion or clued-outness (mostly conversation topic wise).

I must admit I wasn't fully prepared for the positive awesome feeling of experiencing, not the out-ness of an outsider, but the In-ness of an insider!

The other day when Claire (my husbands eldest sister) called me and said that Denise (his mom) and Hannah (his litter sister) were wondering if they could come to Colchester to celebrate Claire's birthday with me over a lunch or tea I have never felt like more of an INSIDER!! in my whole life!

It was in that moment that I realized I'm not just some girl that came to live with some boy in England trying my best to be some version of a good wife. But I am actually someone's daughter, someone's sister, someone's friend.

They didn't have to consider me. For a long time its just been the three ladies of their family... but they chose to remember me.

I miss my American family every day. They know and understand a part of me that not many people will ever experience. They can NEVER be replace. But I love that they showed me a love that wasn't limited but constantly expanding!

So that in moments like these I can learn to love more, learn to be family more!

Love isn't divided; it's multiplied! 

In a world where jobs are hard to find and people are wondering how they will find purpose and meaning I am here to tell you the community I am a part of is in need of workers.

We need teachers, videographers, event coordinators, youth workers, housing support workers, young dad mentors. footballers, graphic artist, dreamers, nurses, financial advisers, community developers, police officers, play specialists, musicians, politicians, cheese makers, theologians, mentors, girls club facilitators, includers, students, photographers, carpenters, moms, agriculturalist, fitness trainers, social media experts, trainers, advertising agent, shop assistants, information officers, electricians administration, natural conservators, activators, journalist, restaurant managers, encouragers, engineers.... and so many more!

Do you see yourself in this? Want to get involved in a body of Christ where you are really NEEDED? you are welcome and needed here in Colchester... and if you ever felt like you weren't I am here to say you are needed, valued and essential! God is doing a good work in Colchester and you can be a part of that.

If you ever wanted to be a part of a christ-centerd community where prayer and action go hand in hand and where hard work is anticipated and enjoyed... then I invite you to come join us in the amazing work God is doing in Colchester essex...

There are load of Job Opportunities here. Do you have the guts to apply?

message me and I will let you know how you can get involved! rockstartina83@gmail.com

I met up today with two really amazing women from my town who are helping to organize the operation of 'praynet' a group dedicated to increasing prayer in Colchester. We had a delightful time chatting about prayer and how we were going to use the resources, connection and networks that are at our finger tips with effectiveness and efficiency.

I kept wondering, "Why do we care so much if people pray?"

We talked about how prayer is this beautiful conversation that happens between us and God. It also allows us and God an outlet to work out all of what is going on in life (the good and the bad)... all in all my conversations with God have shape more of the person I am and the life I live than any other conversations I have every had.

This further got me to thinking... in this day and age... how do we promote prayer in our towns?
It has to link to awareness... but digging in deeper how do we promote prayer awareness? How do we remind people in this age that when life smacks them across the face they don't have to turn to alcohol, lonely movie theaters, dark corners of libraries, busy pubs, isolated homes, over active lives to distract them from the realness of what they are going through?

How do we remind people that prayer is real... a real connection to a real being that really cares? How can we let people know that you don't have to be hyper spiritual to pray... you just have to start talking to God... just like you do with your mate... start with the everyday stuff and as you get more comfy and familiar with God start telling him about the more personal and intimate stuff...

As I thought about this question and browsed a bit on line I found this picture that I have posted on the right linger on the side of a prayer website... the bigger the words the more times that word was tagged on this website about prayer... What do you think this tells us about what people are interested in getting involved with when it comes to adding praying into their normal everyday routines?

So going a bit off the "olympic" theme ... here in Colchester they (the town) are holding a competition for local schools to build a time capsule in honor of the olympics. The idea is that you have to put 10 items into a box that describes the "essence" of Colchester.

What things tell the story of Colchester? What items do Colchester-vites always have with them? What places are most frequently visited? What types of things can the people of Colchester not live without?

I know this is a kids thing, but every sense I heard about it I couldn't stop thinking... What if i made a time capsule of my time here in Colchester... What 10 objects would tell the story of my life here in Colchester? So here are the 10 things I would put in my time capsule to describe my life here in colchester: (in no particular order)



1. empty brie cheese wrapper
2. carrot seeds
3. library card
4. wine glass
5. copy of my wedding vows
6. union jack tea mug
7. bike chain
8. umbrella
9. prayer fairy lights
10. I heart my Mac car bumper sticker

Well, if you didn't know, I am here to tell you... THE OLYMPIC TORCH IS COMING TO COLCHESTER! I had to say it big and all excited because in the real world it is coming through our town at the butt-crack of dawn (ok 7:28am, but still early in my book!)

However, sense sooo many people keep looking me long and deeply in the eyes as they say "this is a ONCE in a lifetime opportunity" I feel compelled to be excited about it as well (and no lies I am a bit goose bumpy about it!)

Interesting Fact: Did you know that  the

Olympic torch is lit in Greece months 

before the opening ceremonies? The fire 

is ignited in a ceremony where 11 women 

use a special mirror concentrating the 

Sun's rays. 

That being said, I have never attended so many meetings about one thing in the space of a couple week in the entirety of my life (minus church crap because you know how Christians like to have "meetings"), but if a few hours talking about one subject can make you a guru about it then let me introduce myself:

Madame Guru Olympia is here to break it down for you!

So July 6th bowy... get out your diary and make sure you write in RED, WHITE AND BLUE that from 7a-9a you have some Olympic Business.

 Then set you alarm for much to early. My guess is from my Estate it will take about 25 min to walk into town. So those who want to walk down with Steve and I are gunna have to be up and ready by 7:00am (and sorry this party bus will not wait for you people that always "accidentally" run late!)

The celebrating is going to be smashing... I'm planning on investing in a variety of union jack colors, flags and memorabilia (or just stealing them from my friend Maz H. who has a union jack obsession) ... I hear BBC 1 is gunna be filming the procession to make it a classic, "Mom-I'm-on-TV!" moment.

The route of the torch begins at the top of Harwich Rd travels down to East Hill then up the High Street (the wrong way) then hangs a right and heads down North Hill ending the party parade at Middlebourgh bus stop. 

I'm guess our little crew will prolly line the street somewhere near the high street/ the castle. 

Word on the street is that the sponsors of this parade Loyds and Coca Cola are gunna be handing out freebies along the parade route so we gotta get up close!

After the glamorous 32 min that the torch spends in Colchester there will be a couple hours worth of different celebrations to get involved with. A few choirs are coming to sing, some bands to play, loads of churches and business are opening up their doors early to hand out coffee, tea and bacon sandwiches. Basically lots of goodies and potential freebies (so you know you can count me in!)

I'm hoping a few peeps from our estate will join me, Madame Guru Olympia, and head down to enjoy the festivities, after all (your hand in mine while looking deeply and profoundly into your eyes) "This is a ONCE IN A LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY!" 

I spent last week volunteering with the CYO team that host Sanctum (sacred prayer spaces in schools). This last week they were in a secondary school here in Colchester. I went just M W F, but we had so much fun. There were 12 different prayer activities for the kids to get involved in. They set the activities up, each in its own space. Some had to do with writing down a question you had for God, or something you were thankful for or sorry about. Another had the kids walk through this maze with mirror to help them with their identity or this other one that had sand so they could put their hands in it to learn about impressions. One of my favorite was this "calm" zone where they could chill and listen to music and think about God!

I made a little video about it... check it out and feel free to spend some time praying as you listen and watch! The music and glitter might help! :D

Dear All,

This is an open invitation to the people of the world (or readers of my blog) to offer an invitation to interested individuals to join our prayer community here at the Colchester Boiler Room Community (Colchester, Essex).

We recently have had one of our young professionals let us know that she would be interested in moving nearer to our estate to specifically live in a community house with other Christians, be intentional about prayer and supporting the mission and vision of our Colchester Boiler Room Community.

The time scale for this invitation is a short one:
We are looking for a minimum of 2 more people to move into this house (either move from another part of Colchester or move completely to Colchester). If we get a group interested, we would start looking for a house by the 1st of June 2012 for a move in date of no later than the 1st of July 2012.

We would be most interested to have single young professionals age 20 to 30, but are eager for people who simply have a heart for loving Jesus, prayer and community. Members of the house would need to have a means of funding themselves: meaning rent for the house, their lifestyle and bills (we would assume most would need a part-time to full-time job). They would also need to be able to commit to being a part of a community and getting involved at Colchester Boiler Room for a minimum of 1 year.

Colchester Boiler Room Community would classify itself as a missional, prayer, organic and nontraditional form of church.

The vision and mission of Colchester Boiler Room is Jesus. Our commitment is to God and each other and is expressed most simply in our community prayer "Lord, Jesus help me to be true to you, kind to people and take the Gospel to the nations".

Being a part of Colchester Boiler Room Community offers its members a chance to be in a Christ centered community, do focused community work on a 200+ house estate and get involved in creative prayer. Below are some of the activities are community chooses to express and meet Jesus in:

• Maintaining an allotment
• Hosting a Toddler Group
• Organizing Messy Church for Families on our estate
• Facilitating a girls club for 8-12 year olds
• Communal teaching and learning of God Story
• Extended time of Prayers for community, the Nations and children
• Volunteering with a local charity for homeless youth
• Youth Football Club
• Starting Prayer in Clubs
• Organizing two/threes for mentoring and deeper bible learning
• Arranging House Concerts for Young Adults (20-30s)

At the moment we predominately work with young families and children. Building off this momentum we are seeing we are praying for breakthrough among young professionals (20 to 30 year olds). We are hoping that the addition of even just two to three more Christian young professionals would help us pioneer relationships among young adults that we have been praying for.