We're delighted to introduce a new series of challenging and topical evening services for 2010, to help us find the right road.

Facing Terror in Rowledge
Throughout 2010 St James’ Church in Rowledge has been running a new series of challenging and topical evening services on the 3rd Sunday of the month entitled “Directions Please!”, as we said in our publicity “to help us find the right road.” Open to all, the series has been designed to show that church-goers struggle with the same issues as non-church goers. With thought-provoking talks from a number of different visiting speakers, contemporary worship songs and the opportunity to chat afterwards over coffee or a glass of wine, previous services have covered topics including euthanasia, materialism, God after the Holocaust, and marriage.
The next topic is “Facing Terror”, 6.30pm, September 19th at St James Church, Rowledge.
Over the last 10 years or so the British Army has been involved in a series of hard fights on operational deployments in the Middle East, suffering several hundred deaths and a large number of very severely wounded. What is it all about – why have we become embroiled in these operations; is this about a misplaced foreign policy, or are there serious threats to be countered out there?
St James’ is delighted to welcome a senior British soldier to talk about the situation in Iraq and Afghanistan and consider our response to terrorism. Major General Tim Cross CBE served in the first Gulf Campaign in 1990/91 and completed 3 Tours in the Balkans before deploying to Washington, Kuwait and then Baghdad in 2002/03. His final appointment in the British Army as a Divisional Commander included preparing his soldiers for deployment to Afghanistan from 2006 onwards. He has written and lectured widely on his experiences and is now an adviser to the House of Commons Defence Committee. But he is also a Local Lay Minister in the Church of England, and it is as a committed Christian that he will offer his thoughts on what is happening, and how we should respond to the constant barrage of news reports that hit us day by day.
Come along to hear what Tim Cross has to say, join our worship for the evening, stay for discussion and enjoy a glass of wine after the service.

Directions Please! has been designed to help you find your way, so don’t miss this topical and interesting series of services.

Put the dates in your diary NOW!

This is a journey you’ll remember for eternity!

Remaining services:

September 19
FACING TERROR.
What is our response to terrorism and the situation in Iraq and Afghanistan?
Major General Tim Cross CBE, the most senior British soldier involved in planning post-war Iraq, will be leading our thoughts.

October 17
ONE GOD?
Christians, Jews and Muslims all claim the one God...Who’s right and going to Heaven, and who’s wrong and going to Hell?
Canon Jonathan Frost, University Chaplain and Diocesan Inter-faith adviser, will be leading our thoughts.

November 21
WHO SPEAKS FOR THE POWERLESS?
It is your responsibility to create a just society and ensure all - especially the weak and vulnerable - enjoy life too. But how?
Canon Chris Rich, Diocesan Director of Social Responsibility, is passionate about restoring hope, empowering love and seeing justice in action, and will be leading our thoughts.

December 19
CHRISTMAS.
Join us at church as we celebrate the special season of Christmas. See the notice sheet in November for full details.

Previous services:

January 17
LIFE OR DEATH. WHO DECIDES?
An honest look at Euthanasia and what our response should be.
The Rt Rev Christopher Herbert, retired Bishop of St Albans and a member of the House of Lords Select Committee considering this subject, will be leading our thoughts.

February 21
WHO LEADS WHO?
A thought-provoking talk on guidance and how we can be sure we’re going in the right direction.
Neighbour to the church and Baptist preacher, Tony Staite, will be leading our thoughts.

March 21
WHOSE PLANET IS IT ANYWAY?
A candid look at our planet and our response to global warming and environmental issues.
Headmaster, Curate and planet-lover, Rev Stephen Crabtree, will be leading our thoughts.

April 18
I DON’T BELIEVE IT!
Considering the challenge of atheism and general lack of faith in our society.
David Welch, Diocesan Youth Adviser in the Education Team at Guildford Cathedral, will be leading our thoughts.

May 16
DOES GOD HEAL TODAY?
“I prayed but she still died”. A sensitive subject that leads us to the perennial question of healing today.
Rev Dr Russ Parker, author and Director of the Acorn Christian Healing Trust, will be leading our thoughts.

June 20
RICH MEN AND NEEDLES.
Materialism is one of the key-stones in our society’s decline. What is our response?
Rev John Gooding, Director of MEPD from Guildford Diocese, will be leading our thoughts.

July 18
I DO! (but for how long?)
Marriage is great while it lasts. What goes wrong and how do we stop the decline in relationships?
Rev Andrew Body, author of many books on the subject of marriage and a Relate counsellor, will be leading our thoughts.

August 15
WHO CARES?
A difficult and powerful theme looking at God after The Holocaust.
Following an enlightening trip to Auschwitz, our own Rev Clive Richardson will be leading our thoughts.