News - November 09

News from Angel Mountain, November 2009

Dear Friends,

As you may have noticed, Cumbria (where Yelly and I live) has had a lot of rainfall recently - the highest ever recorded in the UK. In a 30-hour period about 380mm of rain fell. It was wet! (as rain often is). Thankfully the river levels are getting back to normal now, but in the east of the county it will be a long time before things get back to normal. There has been lots of damage to infrastructure - especially bridges. So life here at home has been quite dramatic recently. Thanks to all who have contacted us to check we are not floating away. No - we’re still here.

Autumn gathering - ‘Water Into Wine’

This was such a great time together. This is what one person wrote to me: “It was really amazing this time. I am always surprised how deeper and deeper we go. I wonder how deep God's well is!” And it was wonderful to see how people were once again encouraged and deeply touched - and, perhaps more importantly, how the weight of condemnation was lifted as we discussed issues to do with excessive legalism and control. It was great to have Terl Bryant back with us again (and once again we had 2 drummers and 2 percussionists on stage which was fun). Mike Ainscough also joined us after a five-year absence, and the story of his recent journey was an encouragement to many, not least because we discussed the practical outworking of forgiveness in our lives.

School of Creative Worship and Leadership

I need to just fill you in with what’s happening: we are hoping to start the second intake of the School in February 2010, but this is contingent on two things: firstly we need enough students. Applications are coming in, and we hope by the end of the year that we’ll have enough to make the School viable, but it’s clear that the credit crisis is having an effect, and people are worried about committing to such a large expenses. In reality the School costs significantly less than comparable secular training programmes, but nevertheless, it’s a big step for many people. Perhaps you are thinking of applying yourself? Well. I would encourage you to talk to your church or community and see if you can get sponsorship if money is a real issue, and to pray that the Lord will provide the means. He does work in surprising ways! So the second issue is funding: we have just been turned down for a £10,000 grant (which we need in order to reduce the costs to students and cover our overheads): so please pray for financial provision and for wisdom as to how we move forward. We’ll keep you informed as things develop.

New CDs

You’ve no doubt seen the new CD ‘Without Walls’ is now available, as is the compilation album ‘Inspired’. I’m very happy with the Without Walls CD, and it was a real privilege to have contributions from such great musicians - Terl Bryant and Libor Orel on drums, Dave Markee on bass, and the wonderful keyboard and production skills of Andy Green. I have recently set up an on-line download site for this album. Click here to have a look, and to listen to all the tracks. If you like it, please forward the link to friends, or - of course - buy lots for Christmas. I hope to put Acoustic Communion on the download site before too long as well.
John Nuttall has also just produced a CD “Father’s Love 2’ which features 8 gentle tracks focusing on John’s emphasis on relationship with the Father. Also produced by Andy Green, this is a very laid-back album which is great for meditation and worship. Eventually these will be available through our website, but in the meantime do contact John if you’d like a copy.

Advent Tour

John and the band are doing an advent tour in the Czech Republic from the 4 - 13 December. Thanks to those of you who have invited us or who are hosting events - we look forward to seeing you! Dates will be posted in the Events section: hope many of you can join us at one of these. This will be followed by a lovely spa holiday for Yelly and I in Marianske Lazny. This holiday was a gift from the students of the last School, and I’d like to say a big thank-you to those who made it possible - particularly Radana Donátová for much of the organisation. We are both looking forward to it! (Although I confess I am slightly worried about being massaged by large amazon-like women with sadistic tendencies, but there you go - I do teach that it’s good to live dangerously).

Looking ahead

I and the Trustees both here in the UK and in the Czech Republic are pondering the way ahead. In both countries we are considering regional gatherings to supplement our larger twice-yearly events in the Czech Republic, and also I personally am looking for more musical work either performing or writing. Yelly and I also continue to make High Chapel House a great place to visit. She continues to expand the cookery and B&B business here, and we will also run more of our creative weekends based on music and writing. If, for example, your church worship team would like a special weekend away, do consider coming to High Chapel House: contact me if you’d like to explore this.
For us, as for many of you, these are times of great change and challenge, so let’s pray for divine inspiration and wisdom as we move towards the year 2010.

May the Lord bless you and keep you on your journey.

John de Jong, November 2009.