Verity Christian Fellowship

We all had a great time at the Christmas carol service and I would just like to thank all those who worked so hard, whether it was in setting up, on your costumes or in the kitchen. Everyone had a great time.

One of the big successes of the evening was the mulled wine (or in our case non alcoholic mulled apple juice). Everyone loved it and wanted the recipie. I claim no originality for it, I got it from a website but cannot remember which one so appologies but thanks to the creator. Anyway here it is:-

Mulled Cider 

 

Mulled cider, like mulled wine, has become a cold-weather tradition in many homes. This warm, comforting drink is easy to prepare and is a great finale for a holiday meal. This recipe is for one litre, which will serve up to three people; the amounts can be multiplied without any problems.

Things You’ll Need

• 1 Litre apple cider or apple juice
• brandy (optional)
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 6 to 8 whole cloves
• dried cranberries
• I tablespoon honey
• 1 orange
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract or 1 whole bean

Instructions

• STEP 1: Pour the cider into a non aluminium saucepan and turn the heat to low.
• STEP 2: Cut the zest from the orange with a sharp paring knife or a vegetable peeler. Try to get only the orange part. If any of the bitter white pith comes with the zest, cut this off and discard it.
• STEP 3: Lightly pound the zest to release the aromatic oils, and place the zest in the cider.
• STEP 4: Place all remaining ingredients in the cider and continue to steep over low heat, stirring occasionally.
• STEP 5: When cider is very hot and has begun to steam, it’s ready to serve. Taste it at this point to make sure it’s sweet enough and that there are enough seasonings. Add more if necessary.

STEP 6: Shut off the heat and ladle the cider into mugs.

Enjoy

The Sunday before last I read out a poem someone had sent me and was asked to put it on the website, so here it is. Sorry but I don’t know the author.

We received the following newsletter update from Chris Knott

We would like to wish you all a very happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year

Dear Friends,

As we reach the end of 2006 we can reflect on what an exciting year it has been for Starfish Malawi as many of the projects have reached completion and others have been started with great purpose and resolve. We would like to give you just a flavour of the present situation in this newsletter. Chairman Chris Knott was part of a team of 18 who went to Malawi in October. Besides overseeing a Sportsreach outreach and Pastors’ conference Chris was able to review existing work and decide on future plans. In addition Chris has become the overall head of African Revival for a year whilst Richard Bailey initiates a new project in Zambia. 

SCHOOLS

Building work at Kaputu School is complete. In a short time the Education Inspectors have changed it from a failing school into one of excellence. Each year we support 10 students to go to secondary school. If you would like to support a child in this way for £60 per year, please contact us. Work continues on schools at Simayiwa and Kanthona.
Most of you now know that Bentry Kalanga has been appointed Education Director to oversee the schools linking programme. The aim is to link over 100 schools mainly in Kent, Essex and East Sussex with schools in Malawi. Already a number of successful links have been established. As part of this programme 20,000 hyacinth bulbs were delivered to participating schools to encourage awareness of Malawi and raise funds. Children will be able to give them as presents this Christmas.

Some of the group were really touched by the work of a church amongst hundreds of orphans and have come back determined to raise £7500 so that these various vital projects can continue. 

CHURCHES

The Pastors’ conference was attended by over 200 leaders and their wives. Many of these pastors have only one book, the Bible. We now want to work with the Evangelical Association of Malawi to provide central library resources, to link churches in Malawi with the UK, and to help with adult literacy so that members of the congregations can actually read the Word of God.

SPORTSREACH

Sportsreach, an evangelistic team from the north of England, held two soccer schools at Simayiwa and Kaputu. Over 200 children attended to hear the gospel proclaimed as they played football. The legacy was a fresh dynamic in the children’s work in the local churches and football kit, goalposts, cones and 100 footballs (gold dust to the children who normally play with a ball made from plastic bags rolled together.)

AGAPE TAILORING

This is a work started by Rachel Lungu, the wife of Stephen Lungu, head of African Enterprise. She helps reformed sex workers to acquire new skills in tailoring. Recently we were able to send out a container full of sewing machines to help Rachel and also provide our partner schools with a valuable resource. In the future we would like to help develop outlets for the clothes and other items made by Agape.
 

A New Way to Support the Work and Save Money
Chris Knott Insurance Consultants support  Starfish Malawi and will give 25% of their commission if you take out a policy with them, (motor, home, business, travel – anything!). For a competitive quote ring freephone 0800 917 2274. You must mention Starfish Malawi.
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17 December
Join us at the Snowdon Parade shops at 4pm.

We’ll be ‘carolling’ our way up to the Community Centre, finishing with a Christmas message, hot treats and mulled wine.

For more information, drop Ian an email