News
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February News from Chris Dinsdale
Posted on February 16, 2012I have met a couple of business people recently who talk about their bosses using ‘the stick’ principle of management. Not I believe a good biblical one! So in a time where there is still uncertainty as to which way the economy is going, and still uncertainty in the workplace, both in the public and the private sector, let us this month concentrate on bringing ‘words of encouragement’ to our workplace neighbours.
Acts 20 v 2: “Paul travelled through that area, speaking many words of encouragement to the people.”
As we do this can we continue to remember the HOPE we have as disciples of Jesus and may we be those who stand alongside our colleagues in the workplace who often have no hope. Now hard that must be for them! May we through our action and word mission follow the commandment of Jesus to:
Love the Lord our God with all our heart and with all our soul and with all our mind and with all our strength. And then to Love our neighbours as ourselves
A number of people have commented on the research I have mentioned before which shows that 70% of employees leave their manager and not the job. Do you encourage those around you?
A Gallup survey has shown that one of the 3 most important questions to workers is “Does my supervisor or someone at work seem to care about me as a person.” Do you care for those around you?
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God at Work
Posted on February 16, 2012January saw the start of a 6 week God at Work course which took place in Urban Coffee Company on Church Street. The sessions were led by Revd Canon Nigel Hand of Birmingham Cathedral and a ChaplaincyPlus trustee. 21 people from a range of commercial organisations attended the course and 2 people were “virtual members” of the group being unable to attend and following the course materials and engaging by email.
“Thank you also for yet another thought provoking evening. Really enjoying the course and the company.”
God at Work, January 2012
The venue was comfortable and welcoming. The course materials were interesting and at times challenging, with lots of group discussions and the opportunity to meet and engage with new people.
“I am finding the course really good in its content and also meeting other Christians in the business community. Thanks for the homework!”
Do contact Deborah if you would be interested in attending this or another similar course in the future.
God at Work, January 2012
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Corporate Social Responsibility behind the Mulled Mora served at Christmas
Posted on January 30, 2012Fruto del Espiritu who import the Mora (Andean blackberry) juice we drink at Carols for the Business Community have sent us a new report about the Colombian Mora producers. Go to our Resources page and select ’things to read’.
For more information about Reception Drinks for business events or Smoothies, Shakes and Desserts at home, see www.fruto.co.uk
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Book group news – introducing Light Read Plus
Posted on January 30, 2012For the last few months CityLights has had its own book group, Light Read. We have read a variety of Christian books and as a result most of us in the group we have explored new genres.
A few members of ChaplaincyPlus have expressed disappointment that, not being members of CityLights, they were not able to be part of the group. Following a discussion after the last meeting of Light Read it was decided that we should create Light Read Plus, a book group for all members of ChaplaincyPlus.
If you are interested in joining the group it would be great if you would contact Deborah so that have an idea of numbers. We appreciate that some of you will be “virtual” members and not often able to attend meetings but you are welcome to read with us and let us have your comments by email! We are keen to encourage one another to read more Christian literature.
The first book for Light Read Plus will be “The Way of the Desert” by Andrew Watson. (This book is available on amazon as well as at local Christian Bookshops for those who would prefer not to purchase online.) This is a book of daily readings for Lent and we will fix a date to review this after Easter. The daily readings are relatively short and the Bible passage is included in the book which is convenient.
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January News from Chris Dinsdale
Posted on January 4, 2012A Very Happy New Year!
As the number of you who look at this website increases year by year I make no apology for writing this prayer again at the start of 2012. If you have read it before I trust you will still find it as inspirational in your workplace this year as those of you who are reading it for the first time:
My Heavenly Father, as I enter this work place, I acknowledge your presence ahead of me.
I speak Your peace, Your grace, Your mercy, and Your perfect order intothis office.
I acknowledge Your power over all that will be spoken, thought, decided, and done within these walls.
Lord, I thank You for the gifts you have blessed me with. I commit to using them responsibly in Your honour.
Give me a fresh supply of strength to do my job. Anoint my projects, ideas and energy, so that even my smallest accomplishment may bring You glory.
Lord, when I am confused, guide me. When I am weary, energise me. When I am burned out, infuse me with the light of the Holy Spirit.
May the work that I do and the way I do it bring faith, joy, and a smile to all that I come in contact with today.
And Oh Lord, when I leave this place, give me travelling mercy.
Bless my family and home to be in order as I left it.
Lord, I thank you for everything You’ve done, everything You’re doing, and everything You’re going to do.
In the Name of Jesus I pray, with much love and thanksgiving….Amen.
If you were not able to join us for either of the two Carols for the Business Community services, you will be pleased to hear that there is now room for you next year! Around 800 attended, about the same number as packed the Cathedral for the one service last year. I have yet to hear the final amount of the collection but I think around £1,300 will be split between the charities Betel of Britain and The Karis Neighbour Scheme.
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City Lights Christmas Carols and Poetry
Posted on January 2, 2012On Saturday 17 December 2011 we gathered to drink coffee in Urban Coffee Company in the Jewellery Quarter and enjoy festive Carols and Poetry. The excellent Wolverhampton Street Orchestra played and sang traditional carols and other songs. Local poet, Simon Lee, recited his own poetry on Christmas and other themes with humour and plenty of food for thought.
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Carols for the Business Community
Posted on December 20, 2011Around 800 Members of the Birmingham Business Community turned out to Birmingham Cathedral for Carols for the Business Community after work on Tuesday December13 and at lunchtime on Wednesday 14 December. One person who came said:
“We got to the Cathedral in good time. It looks beautiful – I love those purple candles in the advent wreath in particular. The low sun was lighting up the ruby-red Burne-Jones windows. The service for the packed congregation was just so well done, warm words of welcome followed by wonderful carols, splendidly accompanied by organ and trumpet and perfectly chosen for both regular church goers and those drawn in by other needs, the talk pitched just right. Not only that but they pressed mince pies and drinks on us afterwards! We came out singing and comforted.”
The speaker Nick Cuthbert reminded those there not to let the familiarity of Christmas pass us by but encouraged each one of us to reconsider again the real meaning – the birth of Jesus – and all that follows on from that.
People love singing carols so what an opportunity this was and we hope that people will read the gift we gave them of the booklet ‘What’s the Point of Christmas’ by JJohn. Over £1,300 was collected for two local charities Betel of Britain and the Karis Neighbour Scheme and by drinking mulled mora, which was handed out after each service with mince pies, Colombian farmers are helped by us enjoying the fruit they grow: so that they can provide for their families without the need to grow cocaine.
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City Lights Prayer Breakfast
Posted on December 8, 2011The December Prayer Breakfast took place on 7th when we gathered to eat breakfast before turning to a time of open prayer.
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December News from Chris Dinsdale
Posted on December 6, 2011Do please remember that you, but more importantly your clients, contacts, colleagues and friends
are invited to
‘Evening Carols for the Business Community’ on Tuesday 13th December, 5.45-6.45pm
or
‘Lunchtime Carols for the Business Community’ on Wednesday 14th December, 1.05-1.55 pm
in Birmingham Cathedral, Colmore Row.A carol service for those working in the city centre with a talk by author and speaker Nick Cuthbert
mince pies and mulled mora will be served afterwards
If further information is required contact me on 0121 236 9742. chris.dinsdale@chaplaincyplus.org.uk -
City Women Autumn Lunch
Posted on November 30, 2011City Women held their autumn lunch on Monday 21 November at Anthony Collins Solicitors. About 40 were there to enjoy a delicious buffet lunch of crudites, wraps and salad. The speaker was Sarah Hayes, a consultant at Anthony Collins as well as an ordained Church of England minister. Sarah’s talk was very interesting, contrasting the different ways in which the old testament kings, David and Solomon, engaged with their kingdom work. She encouraged us to stay true to our heartfelt passion for our work but also to resist getting completely snowed under by the desire to finish a job that relationships with colleagues suffer. We need to work hard but sometimes that’s all we feel we are able to do which can mean little room for the creative side of ourselves. Sarah’s talk sparked some interesting comments in the short discussion that followed.
The next lunch will be in February, details to follow.
