As momentum grows at the start of a new term, here are some wonderful encouragements, for which we praise God, and key challenges, which need your prayerful interest.

Alison Young has begun her ministry in Thailand with 100% of her target support figure reached, approximately half of which is coming from Highfields. Catrin Byrne is moving positively towards her departure to Sudan with AIM in January and Gillian Pegler is now studying at Redcliffe College. Andy Court is at theological college (WEST) and of course with his wife, Helen, is heavily involved with our Student Team.

We have also moved ahead with the proposed structural changes to our previous model of a separate Cross Cultural Missionary Committee and a United Kingdom and Short Term Missions Committee.

We thank all those who have served us well over the years and pray for those who will continue to serve on the new unified Board, and Phil Jenkins who will be the Missions Pastor. It's the Lord's provision that we have Phil to help us through this transitional stage and into the exciting plans which will unfold.

There's excitement too at the 36 people who attended the first public service of Hill City Church and the more than £3,500 given by us to their Chair Appeal to date. God is good!

Perhaps as a matter of concern let me draw your attention to the wider financial picture here at home. Based on giving to date we anticipate a shortfall in the General Fund, by the end of the calendar year, of between £25,000 - £30,000.

In order to manage this position we are encouraging Staff to minimise spend without impacting ministry negatively. We are also applying for an early tax rebate from the Inland Revenue. Nonetheless we appreciate that this is simply buying us time.

We do need to ask the Lord to help us be as generous to the needs of running the ministry on site as we are to Missions off site.

The church lives, of course, by faith - as it has done since the beginning - and without any other means of financial support other than from within. This is a particular challenge in uncertain economic times. But God is faithful and through the faith-filled giving of its Members, Highfields will continue to spread the gospel.

Staying with the home base, there are a number of Staff changes about which I want to update you.

For several months now we have been going through a process of evaluating the key element of administration in Highfields and how best to support the church as it moves forward.

As we have done this we have taken into consideration the increased effort that MAs provide in this area as part of their overall ministry training.

We have also taken professional advice on how to manage these changes in an appropriate way whilst caring for our Staff sensitively.

As a result of this process, and following consultation with various ministry areas, the Elders are deploying Jenny in the position of full time Church Office Manager. Jenny will move into the office and take some of her existing responsibilities with her. The other responsibilities will be shared amongst the trustees.

We have agreed with Carolyn that she will operate as a Church Worker and help us in the areas of pre-school ministry and pastoral care and as an administrative assistant to Peter.

We rejoice with Meg and Jonny with the birth of Cerys Mari last Saturday. Do pray that Megan and Jonny will enjoy this new chapter in their lives. The Pastoral Team, which has been in existence for some time, will pick up much of Meg's coordination role.

Celine Fautrat, our Associate Worker for Internationals, is stepping down from this work and seeking the Lord about her future context for ministry. Again we thank her for the tremendous contribution she has made to the work of the gospel among us.

At virtually the same time as Celine leaves, Jasper Pandyan arrives as a Reach Worker with Friends International. Pray for him, Rowland Hughes and the team, especially as we seek guidance for the right person to fulfil Celine's role among international women.

With a note of thanks, we also recognise Ted Bird's contribution to the development of the Tape Ministry. He has relinquished this responsibility, but remains a key Deacon in the upkeep of the premises. Another Deacon - Mark Wiltshire - after many years overseeing the Sunday Stewarding Teams is handing that responsibility over. We thank Mark and look forward to his ongoing commitment on the new Missions Board. But we do therefore have two situations vacant, so pray for suitable people with a calling in these areas.

By the time you read this we will have had our first CentrePoint meeting, where all our weekly Life Groups will be joined by our Students, 20's and Youth Groups for this new monthly church-wide gathering. There will be time to share more of the church family news and prayer items at these occasions each month, but I trust that this blog also helps keep you up to speed.

Copies of this blog are available via the Highfields information desk, as well as via the website which Chris Graves and John Wells have been updating. There's more to come on this, but thanks to Chris and John for what they have been doing behind the scenes.

So as you can see there's much to be thankful to God and watchful in prayer about as we move forward in faith, hope and love together for the King and His Kingdom.

So in whose life are you investing for the long term?
As always, in Christ