Once again, a number of families spent a week of their Summer camping at New Wine. There seems no better way to sum up everything, other than to say: Wow! Isn't God amazing!
This year an alternative morning session was launched - the teaching in the main venue was complemented by an interactive, multi-media session in the EmPower venue, hosted by the Message Trust. This had drama, silly stories (ask someone who was there about 'That's a bit like Jesus'), Bible readings in a scouse accent and inspiring preaching from Andy Hawthorne. Later in the week, Andy spoke at the main evening celebration, with a collection, for the Message Trust, bringing in over £70,000 to help them plant more Eden initiatives in Manchester, Sheffield and Bradford. There was also a huge amount of prayer support for these initiatives and several volunteers who stepped forward to go and live in deprived estates in these cities.
On other evenings we heard Bill Johnson teaching powerfully about God changing our perspective to see His kingdom, Gavin, from Youth for Christ, inspiring us to be surprising and compassionate in Jesus name and Baroness Cox, reminding us of how our fellow Christians, and others, are suffering around the world. Several of these talks have been bought on CD by members of St Stephens, so ask around if you want to hear any of them.
Aside from all the great teaching, New Wine is also a great opportunity to spend quality time with other members of the St Stephen's family and to catch up with a few former members (including Eric & Lynn and Tim & Claire). Evenings were spent sitting out under the stars, with a few beers and the odd glass of wine, discussing everything from the new directions that St Stephen's is going in, through to the 'Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy'.
If you didn't make it along this year, it is well worth considering booking for next Summer (as usual, we will be doing a group booking, sometime in the Autumn).
