News (Spring 2010)

 Due to the extreme winter weather, Emmaus's Prayer Room opened a week later than planned in mid January. Created by church members, it was decked out with pictures, photos, artwork, flowers, wooden cross and information making a quiet space for reflection and 'being with Jesus'. This year's theme was 'Being fruitful' and the Room remained open until Easter.

The Men's Yorkie Group continued their successful 'get togethers' with an evening of ten pin bowling and visits to Bath Ales Brewery and Coaley Mill, Dursley.

Emmaus's Women's Group began the year with showing each other different crafts in a Craft Exchange and followed this with a trip to Chepstow.

During the break between school terms, many young families enjoyed a morning at Emmaus Church Centre; the building was transformed into an area full of toys and tables of craft. Coffee, cakes and fruit were served by church members and all appreciated the relaxed morning together.

Emmaus joined with other local churches at Aust Evangelical Church for the annual World Women's Day of Prayer in March.

Finally, we all had a wonderful time celebrating Easter. Young families got together on Palm Sunday for a 'Fun & Food' Party. The children were engaged with craft, the Easter story and a picnic, leaving excitedly with a balloon and decorated cross.  On Good Friday, many enjoyed an excellent Passover style Supper with explanations and songs.  On Easter Day itself, Severn Beach Churches Together met on the Sea Wall to praise God for the resurrection. This was followed by Breakfast at Emmaus Church Centre and the morning concluded with a time of celebration; with songs and meditations we thanked the Lord that Jesus is alive and cares for us all personally. 

 News (Autumn 2009)

The Autumn began with a "Fun and Food" event for young families. Jon Bonner, an illusionist told the story, sang songs and left us with copies of his new CD 'Bigger up Jesus!'.  There was another "Fun and Food" event in November when parents and children watched the DVD "It's a Boy!" before making wooden spoon puppets and enjoying a Christmas picnic tea.

Our Harvest Celebration and Ploughman's Lunch took place in October and was a great success.  Paul Hazelden from the Crisis Centre Ministries attended and talked about its work with homeless and disadvantaged people. We gave the charity a gift of £260 and a car load of groceries for the Wild Goose Cafe!

The Yorkie Group continued with more trips and outings.  They visited Castle Quarry for a spot of shooting and archery, a cider orchard and cider press, and explored Redcliffe Caves. To celebrate Christmas, they treated themselves to a great Christmas meal at Thornbury Golf Club. 

'Changing Tunes' is one of Emmaus's favourite charities.  Some of their musicians visited Emmaus in October and led an inspiring service.  Sarah, our Church and Community Worker visits Eastwood women's prison regularly with 'Changing Tune' musician Myrtle Lawrence, bringing music, song and friendship to some of the prisoners.

The Women's Group exchanged recipes and enjoyed a meal together at Sarah's in September and had another 'night in' in November, watching the DVD "Evan Almighty" at Emmaus Church Centre.

Christmas was celebrated with the community at Severn Beach School with a Churches Together Carol Service.  Some members of the school choir sang for us and all enjoyed the wonderful tea served by church members.  A relaxed cafe style Carols by Candlelight Service was held at Emmaus CC on Christmas Eve providing those who attended with a great prelude to the Big Day!  We would have taken part in a Carol Singing event around the village but the extremely icy weather prevented this from taking place - perhaps next year!

News (Summer 2009)

During May the church was delighted to announce two marriages. First Gaudence, a young lady in Rwanda who we have sponsored through school and university wrote to let us know she was getting married and moving to Uganda.  Gaudence was a left an orphan after the genoicide but through the Rwanda Orphans Project she and many others were given a future. Secondly, Geoff Miller, member of Emmaus married Jane at Bovey Tracey in Devon and moved to Exmouth.

During June, we met with Severn Beach United Church for an openair Sunday Service at Severn Beach School; once again the weather was fine and we enjoyed the barbecued lunch afterwards.

The men's group visited Bristol Blue Glass factory and organised a river trip on the 'Flower of Bristol'

The women's group also visited Bristol Blue Glass factory and went ten pin bowling

During the school holidays, young families enjoyed a trip to 'Noah's Ark Zoo Farm', a film show and an afternoon of outdoor games at Salthouse Farm.

As a church we took part in a Creative Weekend, enjoying music, photography, scrap booking, card making, etc at Emmaus Church Centre. During August we had great weather for our annual BBQ at Salthouse Farm.

The ninth edition of 'Making Waves' was produced, printed and delivered during July.

Sarah, our Church and Community Worker completed her first year employed by the church. As well as helping generally with church work such as speaking, singing, producing the monthly newsletter and 'Making Waves', Sarah helps in a classroom at Severn Beach Primary School and is gaining experience in prison work by helping the charity 'Changing Tunes'. 

News (Spring 2009)

The Church began the year by creating a Prayer Room at the Church Centre; a place of quiet for reflection and prayer with the theme of 'The Servant King'.

Emmaus Church is a Fairtrade Church and during Fairtrade Fortnight we raised awareness of the injustice of trade agreements between the developed and developing world by showing the film 'BLACK GOLD' and holding a coffee morning with Fairtrade refreshments and a stall selling Fairtrade food products.

Peter Andrews visited Emmaus during February and gave a report on the Rwanda Orphans Project. We presented him with a gift of £600.00 for the Project.

The Men's Yorkie Group visited Oakham Treasures Museum at Portishead and a restoration business, and enjoyed ten pin bowling at Cribbs Causeway.

The Women's Group enjoyed a film night together (Mama Mia!) and exchanged plants and gardening tips while enjoying an afternoon cream tea.

Events for young families included a 'Fun & Food' Coffee morning with toys, craft and cakes during half term and before Easter the KISs (Kensington In Schools) Puppets performed a show on Sunday afternoon. This was followed by Easter Crafts and picnic tea; thoroughly enjoyed by all!

Emmaus Church drew attention to Easter with a musical production called 'Arms of Love' written by Keith Emmerson. The Emmaus music group, joined by Keith's brother, gave an excellent, moving account of the Easter story. Severn Beach Churches Together celebrated  the raising to Jesus from dead on the Sea Wall beside the River Severn at 8.30 am on Easter Day.  This was followed by Breakfast at the Church Centre and all stayed on for a short service of songs, drama and short talk.

News (Autumn 2008

At the beginning of September we welcomed Sarah Jarvis to Severn Beach and Emmaus Church. Sarah, a graduate from Trinity College, Bristol is working for Emmaus as it's Church and Community Worker for atleast 2 years.

For the Men's Yorkie Group, the autumn began with a great trip around the Bristol Docks on board the Matthew. Wives and other family members were invited along and the good weather made the day!  Other Yorkie group outings included a special effects demonstation, the Clifton Rocks Railway and a Christmas dinner.

Harvest time gives the Church a great opportunity to express our thanks to God for our plenty by giving to those who are poor and needy; Emmaus gave over £800.00 to Tearfund towards it's work in Ethiopia.  We continued to support Myrtle Lawrence in her prison work with 'Changing Tunes'.

Family Events during the Autumn included a 'Fun & Food' party with illusionist Jon Bonner, an alternative to Halloween called 'Farmer John's Scavenger Hunt' and a Christmas puppet show with Ebe Church's 'Come Alive Puppet Theatre'.

The Fun Quiz Night with quiz master Rod Whiting was another success, with 8 teams and much laughter!

Not to be out done by the men, the women at Emmaus got together over lunch to create their own group. They shared lots of ideas for events and outings and met socially at Sarah's home just before Christmas.

Christmas is always a busy time; as a church we want to remember that God sent Jesus to show us how much he loves us.  Severn Beach Churches Together held a Carol Service at the local school and members of the school choir took part. A group went Carol Singing and we held a Carol Service at the local care home, Faith House. The Candlelight Service on Christmas Eve is always well supported and this year was no exception; there was a great atmosphere and it made a great start to the Christmas holidays!

News (Summer 2008)

The 'Yorkie' Group' (men only) continued organising a variety of outings. Hobbies and collections were of great interest as they visited an Allied Forces Military Vehicle Restoration business and a vintage motorbike collection, and welcomed the Christian Motorcyclist Association to the church centre. Their competitive spirits came to the fore when the group went bowling at Henleaze Bowls Club.

Two men who followed the Alpha Course during the winter and spring were baptised during the summer; both had great support from family and friends as they followed Jesus's example.

Another Sunday afternoon family event took place in June when 'The Come Alive Puppet Theatre' performed their version of the 'Good Samaritan'. The children followed this by making party hats and then enjoyed a picnic tea. The puppets also performed their show at the local primary school.

Two Parenting Course Reunions took place, one during the May Bank Holiday break and the other at the beginning of the Summer holidays. The Coach trip to Crealy Adventure Park near Exeter was a great success; the weather stayed dry during the visit so the children and parents enjoyed all the facilities. The picnic event was cancelled by a heavy downpour just as everything in the park was set up and ready!

The outdoor Sunday Morning Service in August went ahead without a hitch. The Emmaus Music Band with 7 musicians led the service and it was followed by Frank's Free Barbecue accompanied by a great selection of salads. A family game of 'scratch cricket' was enjoyed by those with lots of energy!

Emmaus supported two mission charities during the Summer. One was 'Opne Doors' (see links for more information); the area representative Roger Faulkner gave a presentation of their work, focussing on the church in Egypt. The other was 'The Gideons'; Harold Colebrook spoke about thier work of placing bibles in a great variety of public places.