Casting Up a Highway
Bognor Regis Bible Week

20-26th September, 2008

Download Programme (pdf)            Phatfish Concert (pdf)

A report from inside the Marquee

‘Spiritually stretching’ and ‘uplifting’ are my two lasting thoughts as I reflect on the first Bognor Regis Bible  Week which centred round a 600 seater marquee in the grounds of the Royal Norfolk Hotel, home to Christ for the Nations UK this September. The theme of the Bible Week was ‘casting up a highway’ (words from Isaiah) and the opportunities which are ahead for Revival locally, nationally and internationally.

It was good to have two different perspectives on the event; I served in a volunteer capability throughout the week but there was times when I was able to ‘sit and receive’ ministry through the excellent teaching and seminars which took place.

The pattern for the weekdays followed in the same way for most of the week with informal praise and worship led by Graham Fairbairn, the Resident Worship at CTFN at 9.30am. Each morning, at 11.00am, it was a pleasure to listen to the Rev’d Dr Derek Tidbull teaching from the Prophet Micah and the relevancy of this message for the Church today. As someone who hadn’t really studied Micah before, Derek’s combination of dry humour and yet spiritual profoundness in his talks left a mark on me.

Each afternoon, there were a number of fringe events in the various local churches. St Wilfrid’s hosted two excellent (even if I do say so!) seminar. The first seminar on the Monday afternoon explored how parish website can be a useful tool to an i-pod and digital age. (report below) Peter and I co-lead between us and for those of you who attended; you will know that I am not a young whippersnapper really! The second seminar was an introduction to Christian mediation led by Chris Seaton, director of the Christian Charity, Peaceworks. Chris spoke about the subtle differences which exist on conflict management today and what the response of Christians might be. 

St Wilfrid’s also hosted the ‘Christianity Today’ art exhibition led Chichester born artist, Helen Hiles. There is a bibliography below about Helen and also copies of the paintings which were on display at St Wilfrid’s on Helen’s website. Helen also took an active role in the Evening Worship in the Marquee at the Royal Norfolk. During the worship, Helen undertook painting to express the meaning of worship that night.

Each evening, we were able to hear a range of stimulating teaching from well known Christian speaker, such as Lyndon Bowring, Roger and Sue Mitchell and Greg Haslam. Each talk about what God is doing NOW in our time and how we must be ready to respond to the challenge of the Gospel. I was deeply inspired by the Saturday evening teaching from Lyndon Bowring about what our Gospel responsibilities are and our response, using the model found in Romans 12. I would certainly commend this talk to anyone who might be interested.

On the Wednesday evening, the week took on a more youthful feel with worship led Lou Fellingham and Brighton based Christian band, Phatfish.  Having worked with Phatfish in the past, I was invited by Dr Judith Lee to assist with this event and I must say that they were better than the last time I worked with them. Lou Fellingham, who is married to Phatfish band member, Nathan Fellingham led us in a time of modern and classic worship before our teaching that evening from Roger and Sue Mitchell from Passion Ministries who spoke about the power of the Holy Spirit in churches in Bognor. After the teaching, the music was cranked up for a live concert and testimony from Phatfish. Over 200 people stayed to dance the night away until gone 10.30pm. This was one of the highlights of Bible Week for me.

A final memorable moment was the Saltmine production of ‘When I’m calling YOU’. The production was humorous with a serious message about whether we seek to make a commitment to that which God is calling us. This struck a very pertinent string with me, but I know that I was not the only one challenged by their message.

A huge debt of thanks must go to Kevin and Pam Swadling, co-founders of Christ for the Nations UK, Dr Judith Lee and the entire staff of Christ for the Nations for hosting such an excellent week.  

I look forward very much to next year’s event wherever it may be!

Pictures from the events can be found by clicking here

Report by Adam May

If you missed the Bible Week and want to listen to the Morning teaching by the Rev'd Dr Derek Tidball from the Book of Micah or the various evening teaching, copies of the CDs are available from CCF Tapes price £3 each - contact   or 01243 862621.
 

St. Wilfrid's Bible Week Fringe Events

Art Exhibition at St. Wilfrid's Church

“Christianity Today”

By local artist Helen Hiles, BA (hons)   Fine Art

A series of prophetic paintings, revealing God’s message for us today.

A bit about me

Inspired by a passion for plants, I taught myself the art of botanical painting.  I went on to exhibit in the Royal Horticultural Society shows in London, where I was awarded the R.H.S silver-gilt medal.  I have also illustrated a number of horticultural books and brochures.

I later attended University where, still with my passion for plants, I ‘branched out’ into other media.  After graduating I became a freelance artist and have continued to exhibit and sell work at home and abroad.

As both a Christian and Artist I have developed a great interest in Christian Art and have begun to diversify from my usual subject of plants.   

Encouraged by my Pastor, I took up ‘God’s brush’ and began to paint Christian images.  It’s been a very exciting venture and a great learning experience, which has impacted my spiritual life.

My work has become an integral part of both my worship and prayer to God.

My work has been exhibited at various Christian conferences, as well as at venues such as Chichester Cathedral.  I have also worked at Spring Harvest as part of the creative worship team, where I painted during the main worship and taught at the art workshops.

I believe that there are two types of Art.  The first type of Art is purely for decorative purposes, while the second type conveys a message.  It’s the latter Art, which, I believe the Lord has been leading me to paint.  These prophetic paintings have ‘a voice’ and ‘speak’ to people in different ways. 

Helen Hiles

Get me to the Church online!  
Serving God in a Computer & IPod Age

A seminar by Peter Green and Adam May
Monday 22nd September, St. Wilfrid's Church Hall  

As part of the the Christ for the Nations Bible Week fringe events, Peter Green and Adam May gave a brief seminar on how they are developing the church website wilfrid.com to make available on-line and up-to date resources with the aim of making the Internet an effective contribution to the daily spiritual journey.  

The presentation was done (bravely!) using a live internet demonstration of the website using a computer connected to the church office broadband connection, LCD projector and sound equipment. The opening was a demonstration of the video on our organ page  of Rex Latter playing the Choral Prelude by Healey Willen, which was the closing moments of the 2003 Organ Dedication. This was not only to gain everyone's attention at the start (!)  but also highlight that our website contains not only words and pictures but can include music and video of important moments in our church life. 

The main body of the presentation focussed on some of the recently introduced features including the Google diary facilities for both events and daily readings of scripture,  and the podcasts introduced recently of the Sunday services and the discussions with the children at Family Eucharist and the Sunday Eucharists. The podcast on 'Nyewood pupils investigate what the Bishop does at work', which was only recorded the previous day when Bishop John Hind attended the Family Eucharist, was a most amusing highlight.  

Visitors from Bible Week event were also attending the Helen Hiles Art Exhibition in the main body of the church and after the two planned 45 min 'Online' presentations on the website, an impromptu  third had to be organised for late visitors to the Art Exhibition!  

Overall the small numbers who attended indicated that the seminar was greatly appreciated and worthwhile.

A word of thanks

 Peter and Linda Beckley would like to thank everyone who helped during the Art Exhibition and seminars held during Bognor Bible Week in St Wilfrid’s with stewarding, refreshments, printing etc. Special thanks are given to Ron our Verger, Adam May and the Admin Team in the Office. We appreciated all your support during a difficult week for us!