Dear Partners and Friends of Welcome Network,
We hope you are keeping well. As we look to Him, God will show us the way we should go (Psalm 25:12) – a promise for all of us to rest in. Our prayer is that we will all pick up, and flow in God’s love for the people around us, and be a blessing where-ever we are!
ALNWICK and OUR VILLAGE (Shilbottle) We have been hosting a monthly Stories of Hope under our Bright River Chapel banner in Alnwick, since January. It’s been a lovely opportunity for people to share stories from their experiences of faith over a cuppa and some nibbles. There has been a sense of God on the move in the town, and we arencouraged by the praying that has been happening. Notably there was a 24 hour period at Pentecost where different ones took time slots to pray for the town.We also recently hosted a prayer walk around the village which brought together Christians from the area, and has been a great opportunity to pray God’s blessing over the village of Shilbottle. Each week we love going along to help with a lunchtime meal for older folk in the village. We enjoy the chat and the opportunity to get to know them all a bit better! One or two have also come along to our Stories of Hope! We sense that God is stepping up the prayer for our communities and we want to thank all of you who read this newsletter and are standing with us in prayer.
REGIONALLY IN NORTHUMBERLAND & TYNESIDE Our monthly, ‘Pockets conversations’ on zoom continue to provide mutual encouragement and support for a scatter of individuals, couples and small groups in our region, and further afield. We are hosting an Away time at our house at the end of June with some of the like-minded people with whom we engage in our region. We are praying for increased momentum in what we are doing together. 
As a group, we are planning a major Fire in the North gathering on Saturday 2nd September. This will bring together leaders, church pioneers, evangelists, worship, prophetic, intercessor and wider view people from across Northumberland and the North East to look at how we might encourage and nurture what God is already doing here! The venue this time will be in Alnwick; and then, later in the autumn, we will be hosting an evangelistic weekend here-in North Northumberland, with our Manchester evangelist friend, Wayne Hudson. In February, he came across to meet some wider view people as well as local church pioneers. We believe this is part of a general focus on evangelism and harvest. We are calling in the ‘strong wood’ to help us, especially in prayer, as we feel that God has some “Mighty Oak” praying ones to stand with us! Mary and I will also be helping to co-ordinate prayer ministry at the Cedarwood Festival in July – a regional worship gathering which we believe God is using to strengthen the wider church in the North, and to draw many into His kingdom.
OTHER NEWS In the last few weeks we also gave some teaching and prayer ministry support at an Away Time for a small church group from Birmingham. This was over 5 days staying at The Quinta in Shropshire. We felt very loved and appreciated by everyone, and enjoyed a relaxing and refreshing time together!
BRIGHT RIVER CHAPEL We continue every Sunday (4pm for 4.15pm UK time) bringing worship and encouragement for 30 min or so via zoom and Facebook live. If you’d like to join us on zoom, you are very welcome! You can also connect on the Welcome network youtube channel during the week.
FAMILY NEWS We had a lovely family time away in Frome, Somerset, just after Easter, staying at an old manor house! Six of our seven grown-up children were with us, plus partners and five grandchildren! This was a fantastic opportunity for us all to catch up- we had some lovely days out and had fun acting a murder mystery play too! We also enjoyed celebrating the first birthday of our grandson, Jack, with parents, Esther and Martin in Paisley at the beginning of May. Recently, we went to see our son-in-law, Scott, Abigail’s husband, at a Ladies Finals football match in Norwich, where he acted as assistant referee. (see photo above) What an experience!
We have visited London as well, staying with our son, Joe and Emily and their two young boys, which was really fun! Very soon, we are going down to Cornwall, on a discounted train fare to see our youngest son, Matt and wife, Sharmila; plus, on the way back, we are stopping for a coffee with our eldest son, Dave, at the train station in Bristol!
THANK YOU to all of you who pray and support us! Please let us know your news or prayer needs.
With much love
from Bob and Mary Bain xxx
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