Welcome to the new look Activate-your-life website. Activate-your-life takes a unique approach because we encourage 'ordinary', individual Christians to be active; we know that you can be effective just by being yourself.
With 4 decades of experience behind us and an exciting future ahead, we'd like to invite you to join our community of 'girls getting out there' sharing God's love in natural, meaningful ways.
Our aim is to offer stimulating articles, fun ideas and challenging topics for discussion. We need you to join in and help us by posting articles - or even writing a regular blog; joining in forum discussions, voting in polls, or simply telling others about useful resources you've discovered. So why not log on and help us build… We look forward to welcoming you.
Fiona Castle - President | Mandy Catto - Director | Sarah McKerney - Director
Activate Dates For Your Diary
'One Day In Your Life'November 13th 2010
Oasis Centre, London
For the first time, Activate Your Life will be hosting a one day London gathering. We will meet in the Lincoln Suite of the Oasis Centre within walking distance of Waterloo station. More details of the seminar teaching, group workshops, worship sessions and networking opportunities will follow. This is a training day, designed to resource and inspire Christians to get out there with Activate's core mission purpose - friendship evangelism. Coffees, teas, a light lunch provided by the Hub cafe team will be included for £20, and our chocolate fountains will be flowing all day. Meeting between 10am and 4pm the space is limited to 100 delegates; put the date in your 2010 diaries now and the paypal button booking system will open soon. This is one day in your life that could make all the difference to you and those who you know...
'Better Than Ever'March 4th,5th,6th 2011
Four Pillars Hotel, Cirencester
We are delighted to announce a new venue for our next weekend away. We have secured a booking in a contemporary four star hotel on the Cotswolds lakes, with a fabulous spa, excellent catering and lovely bedrooms – many of which look out onto the surrounding lakes. Water sports can be booked adjacent but we will have a packed programme with our special guest Michele Guinness. This time we offer one or two night stay options – arrive on Saturday at 9.30am for coffee ready for the conference to begin at 10am. A full programme of speakers, workshops, seminars and worship will follow, including lunch and a gala dinner, then another full day on Sunday, finishing at 5pm. For a twin bedded room this price will be £170 per person. If you want to add in an extra night on the Friday, add on £60. Internet booking will open soon.
Win a £500 Training Day in Coventry
Location
Activate has enjoyed many years of events in the Royal Court Hotel in Coventry. We are using the Oasis Centre in London for this year's training day before moving to the Four Pillars Hotel in Cirencester for the 2011 weekend away. As part of our previous contract we have a £500 voucher for the Royal Court hotel which we are offering to one of you, our supporters. We would like to hear your ideas of how you might use this voucher with your group of friends. Read on to discover how you can enter our competition...
Christian Vision for Men
The Activate Dream team recently had the opportunity to meet Carl Beech, the national director of CVM. We realised how much we have in common in wanting to reach out to others with the love of Jesus in culturally relevant ways. Whilst we beilieve that our calling is to reach out to women, Carl and the CVM team are pioneering many innovative events, resources and networks for men. We hope to be able to partner together in some future training events. If you want to connect some of the men you know with CVM then click onto their website below.
February Devotional - Angel Blessings
You may have experienced angels in your own life...?
I know I have! Angels bring blessings as special messengers for God, there to guide and protect us.
In the New Testament there are events involving angels. Angel Gabriel was sent by God bringing the news to Mary that she would give birth to Jesus. Jesus was also assisted by angels during his ministry and when in the desert - Matthew 4:11 ‘…angels came and took care of him' and also by rolling away the stone from the tomb.
'Back to Love' - CD by Beth Nielsen Chapman
'Back to love' by Beth Nielsen Chapman will be released on 25 January and you might have heard the track 'Happiness' being played on our radios at the moment. An honest, soulful song which captures the pain and joy of life. A BBC review describes the album as 'a joyous collection of skilfully-written songs delivered in the most relaxed way'.
To order this CD go to http://christianbookshops.org.uk/town_k.htm to find your nearest stockist.
Christians Against Poverty - Free Budgeting Courses
CAP are running free budgeting courses to help beat financial blues writes Maria Mackay for Christian Today.
As the Christmas bills start to roll in and the recession continues to put pressure on people’s finances, Christians Against Poverty has announced plans to run 500 free budgeting courses across the UK in the coming months.
Count Your Blessings
Count your blessings 2010
A life-changing experience for Lent
Make Lent meaningful this year. Instead of giving up wine or chocolate, join Christian Aid in looking again at the good things in your life
– and change the lives of others living in poverty across the world at the same time.
A Passion for Life - A National Outreach Initiative
'A Passion for Life' is a nationwide initiative that is drawing together individuals and local evangelical churches to plan a variety of missional initiatives culminating in Easter 2010. The vision is to see see numerous people of all ages and backgrounds in the country reborn to glorify God.
It is about proclaiming Christ's PASSION for the LIFE of the world in March 2010 through...
-connecting with people:making contact with unbelievers in local communities
-connecting with churches, partnering with evangelical churches for the sake of the gospel
January 2010 Devotional - 'I Am the New Year'
As the Christmas decorations are taken down we may ponder on another year ahead, embarking on new beginnings and resolutions with Jesus as our guide...
I am the New Year.
I am an unspoiled page in your book of time.
I am your next chance at the art of living.
I am your opportunity to practice what you have learned about life during the last twelve months.
All that you sought and didn’t find is hidden in me, waiting for you to search it but with more determination.
All the good that you tried for and didn’t achieve is mine to grant when you have fewer conflicting desires.
Ask Alison December 2009
Christmas can be the best of times and the worst of times as Charles Dickens might say. For many the stresses, both emotional and financial put an unbearable strain on relationships. So with this in mind what can you do to ensure your relationship flourishes rather than flounders during the festive season?
Here are my top 5 tips:
1.Keep talking-even though time is short, keep those communication lines open!
2.Don’t feel under pressure to buy your spouses’ affection- show them by your words and deeds as well as with a thoughtful gift.
