Pete, Christine & Janneke’s News – May 2022

Every step

The Lord has helped us every step of the way. 1 Samuel 7:12 (NIrV)

While we celebrate, we cannot overlook the suffering of thousands, indeed millions, of people caught up in the horrific events in Ukraine. Our hearts go out to them and we pray for a just and peaceful settlement that will allow ordinary people like you and me to live in safety. For people with learning disabilities and autism, and those who support them, the experience of change from known routines and situations hardly bears thinking about. We feel humbled to know physically disabled friends in mainland Europe who have initiated rescue trips to bring out disabled people into places of safety; you may, like us, have friends here in the UK who are opening their doors to refugee families. Sadly, there are many more people across the globe who need such kindness, compassion, dignity and a home.

• First it was an Easter celebration at Greyfriars Church in Reading with local church groups portraying the events of the first Easter. It felt good to be together to mark such a significant time in the church year and to see many joining Janneke in signing during the singing of worship songs.
• Word Alive at Prestatyn was our first festival since August 2019. We didn’t know whether to expect one or 101 at our two daily sessions on four days but the team of seven, including leaders Pete and Christine, agreed to carry on regardless. In fact, the few who did come appreciated being able to participate more than they might otherwise have done. We enjoyed looking at surprising things that happened when people met Jesus. Numbers swelled one morning when a group of 9 from the local day services for adults with learning disabilities joined us, none of them Christians or even church-goers! Pete’s ‘Longing to Belong’ seminar attracted 35 people, including many students. They were fascinated, so much so that some came along to experience our celebrations first-hand and may even be reading this right now! Oh, how we need adults with learning disabilities to be seen as part of God’s mission field, right where we are in our town and villages.
• Sadly, after 26 Covid-free months and despite taking as many precautions as we could, Pete contracted Covid towards the end of Word Alive. Christine subsequently went down with it over the Easter weekend at home which meant she was eliminated from the next big event. Surprisingly, Pete’s daily testing provided the requisite time lapse and consecutive negative results for him to travel a couple of days late, which takes us to ….
• Spring Harvest, the long-awaited opportunity to introduce Count Everyone In to many friends, old and new, at Minehead! Janneke led the team of seven who quickly stepped up to the mark! At the morning celebrations there were about 50 guests and for the afternoon workshops attendance was around 40. Everyone enjoyed the story of Nehemiah and it led to some helpful teaching on the Spring Harvest theme of Restore, Renew, Rebuild.  Janneke had the thrill not only of signing in one of the main venues each evening but also presenting a Makaton workshop that attracted 89 people! Maybe next year we shall all be there.
• Look out on Sunday 8^th May for Songs of Praise, filmed at Spring Harvest and featuring some familiar faces!

Even this month we have bumped into people who have said just that. Can you help us? You may know churches and groups that were once linked to Prospects, and others who have never had any connection with a central organisation but are interested in doing so. Please connect them with us at info@counteveryonein.org.uk or point them to the website www.counteveryonein.org.uk. Amongst other things, they might like to join a regional or Zoom Prayer and Encouragement group. Thank you!

How about attending or even hosting one of our Know & Grow workshops? It takes a few months to organise and publicise these events so get in touch as soon as you can at info@counteveryonein.org.uk. You’ll find details of Know and Grow 1, Know & Grow 2 and Know & Grow Makaton (pilot) at https://www.counteveryonein.org.uk/events/

Whether you’re looking for Bible Reading Notes, Prospects worship albums or our newly launched service booklet for Holy Communion, do get in touch and we can send you our complete list, all of which are available by mail order.

We also have CEI branded t-shirts (£10) and hoodies (£22). Supplied by Christianhood, they come in three colour choices – burgundy, charcoal and sapphire blue. They will be available to buy at the Keswick Convention or you can order by email/post but it is harder to be sure of colours and sizes, and there will be p&p to pay.

If you’re looking for the New International Readers Version (NIrV) – Accessible Edition with its large, clear print and line drawings, this is available from Bible Society.  The New Testament (Hardback at £9.99 or softback at £7.99) and Mark’s Gospel (£2) and Psalms will also soon be available in the same accessible edition.

Sun 1 May Cornerstone Church, St Albans (preaching) and Prospects group
Tues 10 May Zoom meeting with European Disability Network
Sat 21 May Know & Grow Makaton, Leeds
Mon 6 – Mon 13 June Spring Harvest LPO (France)
Weds 22 June Know & Grow 1, Caterham, Surry
Sat 16 – Fri 22 July Keswick Convention (week 1)
Fri 29 July – Mon 1 Aug Creation Fest
Fri 19 – Sun 21 August Awaken, formerly ONE Event (Newark) – cancelled
Sat 1 Oct Know & Grow 1, Teignmouth, South Devon
Tues 11-Thurs 13 Oct Christian Resources Exhibition, Sandown Park, Esher
Sat 15 Oct Know & Grow 1, Stratford, East London
Sat 22 Oct Know & Grow Makaton, Reading

Ways to help CEI

• Why not do a sponsored walk/cycle/swim/push for CEI – alone or with friends and family? Last September Grace, a faithful friend with CEI, launched Every Step Counts with a challenging coastal walk from Worthing to Shoreham and back. She raised more than double her initial target! Contact us for details.
• Become a Friend with CEI – whether you’re an individual, a couple, family, church or church group, you can be a Friend with CEI. Get in touch and we’ll send you a leaflet and application form.
• Pete and Christine have once again stocked up on greetings cards from the lovely range that Tua Phelps-Jones sells to raise funds for CEI. Here’s the correct link (apologies – it was wrong last month) so do take a look at https://www.flamingopaperie.co.uk/web/tuaphelps-jones
• Use Give as You Live or Amazon Smile when you shop online, nominating Count Everyone In as your chosen charity. See links at the foot of this newsletter.

1. Thank God for answered prayers for Word Alive and Spring Harvest
2. Thank God for the joy of meeting together in Reading, Prestatyn and Minehead
3. Thank God for CEI teams, their hard work, dedication and love for our guests
4. Thank God that Covid didn’t spoil the plans as far as our guests were concerned
5. Pray for the impact of Songs of Praise on 8^th May
6. Pray for the people God is calling to join Pete, Christine and Janneke so that the work of CEI can grow; pray especially for those currently exploring this with us
7. Pray for health as we live and work, and for safety as we travel
8. Pray for CEI trustees Richard, Keith, Janet, Jonathan, Mayryanne, Tim and Val. Thank God for Dorothy who is stepping down after nearly 5 years’ service to the charity.

And finally, let’s remember ….

God is able to do far more than we could ever ask for or imagine. He does everything by his power that is working in us.                          Ephesians 3:20 (NiRV)

*Please note that the best times to contact us are Tuesday to Friday 9:30 – 5:30pm