A record number of 90 young people attended the Sierra Leone Annual Connexion Youth Conference, which took place from 18 to 20 December at Huntingdon Secondary School in Jui.

Magnus Bendu, who organises the event, said: ‘We were expecting approximately 50 to join us for this three day event, and are delighted that the youths are yearning to come together to study and glorify God.’

Every sleeping bag was put to use in order to accommodate the extra numbers and additional money was sent to ensure there was enough food, including rice, which is a rare treat for many. Magnus sends his thanks everybody for their prayers and support.

Donate

To contribute towards the important work of The Connexion in Sierra Leone, please click on Donations. All donations, no matter how small, are of huge value to help us to continue the Countess of Huntingdon's legacy.

As we are making preparations and looking forward to the next Connexion Annual Conference, it is lovely to look back to the beautiful tapestry, which was presented at the Conference in 2000.

Members from each of The Connexion’s 22 churches featured in the work, took a great deal of time and effort to create a needlepoint picture of their own church. 

The colours and textures illustrate the church buildings with remarkable accuracy, and when brought together as a complete tapestry they look stunning!

Dates for your diary

Last year’s Conference had excellent attendance and was a hugely enjoyable affair. We are hoping next year’s will be equally good – if not even better! 

Dates for the Annual Conference 2020 are Tuesday 14 to Thursday 16 April 2020. The booking form will be posted on the website in the New Year, with an Early Bird booking discount before the end of February, but don’t forget to put the dates in your diary now!

Some happy recollections from Mark and Lorraine from Sheppey Evangelical Church, who came to The Connexion Conference at High Leigh for the first time this year. 

"Our first impression when we arrived at High Leigh was how peaceful and relaxing it was just to be there, looking out on the gardens was beautiful.

The people were very friendly and approachable, and over the course of the three days we felt we had made some new friends.

We were really impressed with the sense of unity within the churches and how they all support and worked together. It made the whole conference such a success.

We were blessed most of all by Dr Michael Quicke's teaching over the three days, it really gave us so much to think about and ponder on, so much so we bought his books to learn more!

We look forward to going again in the future."

Mark and Lorraine

Sheppey Evangelical Church

Don't forget to put next year's dates in your diary for the 2020 Conference: Tuesday 14 to Thursday 16 April

We thought the Connexion Community would enjoy sharing Michael Quicke’s reflections, from his Blogspot, following the 2019 Conference.

Lady Selina

‘In the heady days of eighteenth century revival with John Wesley and George Whitefield, Lady Selina experienced dramatic Christian conversion which led to her extraordinarily fearless witness to all - peers and servants - as she established preaching centres using every ounce of influence and wealth for the gospel. Facing opposition from the established church, she reluctantly organised her connection of churches of over a hundred chapels as a group of separatists. She stands out as one of the most significant women in Christian history.

Knowing that I was going to speak, a US professor friend wrote to me: “The Countess of Huntingdon! Oh, wow! Dear Lady Selina. I had no idea her Connexion still existed. Where do these congregations exist?” I read this to the conference who with laughter, wanted to reassure him that they do still exist! I promised to write and let him know. True, numbers of churches have shrunk to 22 and some of these are small but The Connexion's spiritual life with its partner Connexion in Sierra Leone was evident from the very first.

My wife Carol and I loved sharing sessions and meeting friends from places ranging from Ely, to Middleton, to Eastbourne to St. Ives, Cornwall. Children and young people had very lively parallel activities. Interestingly, at a Mission Marketplace churches had been asked to bring details of their recent outreach. I went from table to table, picking up leaflets as members enthusiastically described their hospitality projects, schools' work, overseas' commitment, work with special groups etc. Wonderful.

In my three talks on the Connexion's values: Welcoming, Supporting and Networking, I introduced some of the challenges that come with being a missional church. Of living in the faith and vision that GOD IS AT WORK EVERYWHERE AS HE GATHERS AND SCATTERS HIS CHURCH AS MISSIONARIES. I warned them to be ready for OUCH moments when God would ping them with a fresh challenge and maybe rebuke! People told me they experienced several of these. Indeed one person said they were sitting near the door to escape too many more!

So, I am grateful I was well enough to undertake this. The Connexion had asked prayer for me earlier in the year and when I first arrived I was encouraged by the people who asked me about my health and said they had been praying. Thank you Lord for opening up to Carol and me another part of your great family.’

Dr Michael Quicke

Click here to read more articles from Michael’s Blogspot

There was a lot to smile about at this year's Connexion Conference. The sun was shining, skies were blue and it was a great chance for the whole Connexion family, of all ages from 18 of our churches, to get together in a beautiful setting for friendship, teaching, worship and fun. A fine time was definitely had by all!

The programme included News from our Connexion Churches - with a "Connectional Speed Dating" twist, Mission Marketplace, showcasing our Churches' outreach work over the past year, news and trip reports from the Sierra Leone Mission, a General (and not so general!) Knowledge Quiz and periods of prayer and worship.

The smaller children formed a spiritual 'army' complete with costumes and props and the Youth Conference packed in a whole host of activities into the three days, including some paddle-boating on the river.

We were were delighted to welcome Dr Michael Quicke who inspired and entertained us all with his wisdom and teaching on the important subjects of Welcoming, Supporting and Networking.

Dates have already been set for next year: 14 to 16 April 2020. So put them in your diary now!

The morning service and worship was enjoyed by all family members and included contributions from the younger children and Youth Conference who had been involved in a wide variety of activities and projects.

The three-day conference was packed with opportunities to learn about mission work throughout the UK and overseas, and also to take some time out to relax and enjoy coffee, cake and a chat with friends and colleagues - in the garden room and outside on High Leigh's lovely terraces!

The 2019 Connexion Conference and Youth Conference take place from Monday 15th to Wednesday 17th April at High Leigh in Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire.

International Speaker

We look forward to welcoming Keynote Speaker, Dr Michael Quicke, who will be preaching on the theme of Welcoming, Supporting and Networking. Michael is Emeritus Professor of Preaching at Northern Seminary in the USA, having previously held two Baptist UK pastorates in Blackburn and Cambridge, and the post of Principle at Spurgeon’s Bible College (1993-2000). He is the author of award-winning books on preaching and an international speaker. 

What's On

There will be a chance to hear from The Connexion Trustees and the Sierra Leone Mission, as well as opportunities for worship and prayer.  

Other highlights include a new look News from the Churches, Mission Market Place and also Connexional Speed Dating!

Families Welcome

Families as always are very welcome and there will again be Children’s Work covering many of the sessions. We are also welcoming Youth Conference again this year so that our whole Connexional Family can be together at High Leigh in order to join in the Quiz on Tuesday evening. 

How to Book

Click on the links below for the Conference Booking form and an outline of the planned programme. The deadline for bookings is Friday 22 March 2019.

Payment can be made by bank transfer to make it is easier to secure your place, and cheques are still welcome if you prefer. 

We look forward to seeing you there!

2019 Conference Booking Form

2019 Conference Planned Programme

Our 2019 Conference takes place during Holy Week from Monday 15th to Wednesday 17th April at High Leigh in Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire.

Alongside the chance to hear from the Trustees and the Sierra Leone Mission, there will be opportunities for worship and prayer, plus excellent teaching from Michael Quicke, the former principal at Spurgeons, on the theme of Welcoming, Supporting & Networking. 

Other highlights include a new look News from the Churches, Mission Market Place and Connexional Speed Dating!

Families as always are very welcome and there will again be Children’s Work covering many of the sessions. We are also welcoming Youth Conference again this year so that our whole Connexional Family can be together at High Leigh in order to join in the Quiz on Tuesday evening. 

A provisional programme is attached below, though please note this could be subject to some changes. 

Payment can be made by bank transfer so it is easier than ever to secure your place although cheques are still welcome if you prefer. A link to the booking form can be found below. The deadline for bookings is Friday 22 March 2019.

So don’t miss out!

2019 Conference Booking Form

2019 Conference Provisional Programme

The Youth Conference's next gathering takes place from 26 to 28 October at The Countess Church in Ely.

It's a great opportunity for young people from our churches to meet and encourage each other and grow in their faith whilst having fun.

The conference starts at 5pm on Friday 26 October, and concludes after lunch with the church on Sunday at 2pm.

The cost for attendance is £20, which covers all of the activities. However, if this is prohibitive for anybody, please get in touch, as we wouldn't want anyone to miss out.

The annual Connexion Conference, takes place at High Leigh in October

While the conference has to deal with a number of business meetings, it is primarily our ‘annual family gathering’ with inspirational teaching for children, youth and adults, an opportunity to hear what God is doing across the churches and above all enjoy lots of fun and activities!

It is a time to renew old friendships and make new ones. Each year we welcome a renowned key speaker to inform, motivate and inspire us.

High Leigh is a very attractive venue located in Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire. Its striking Victorian brick building dates back to 1853 and is set in 40 acres of beautiful grounds, with lawns, parkland and woodland.