City Life Church : The Fusion Newsletter

Hello again, and we hope you enjoy our update for the end of another year. Its been an exciting, and significant one with some fairly big changes, but best of all really special things have been happening in the cells. Communities have developed; people have grown; we’ve encountered Jesus; and God is still doing things!

leadership update

Fusion has changed a lot in the past two years, and over the last few months a great deal of discussion, thought, and praying have gone into how Fusion should continue to run, and be led.

Phil Harford, Cell Co-ordinator, thinks about the last two years of Fusion in Cambridge.

We’ve now reached the end of two years of Fusion Cambridge being run by a student-led team. Gabriel Smy handed over leadership at the end of the 2006-2007 academic year as Fusion wasn’t in a position to be able to support a part-time paid employee. Leadership was transferred to a team of students led by Jonty Roland, overseen by a Churches Team made up of church leaders (mainly from the more charismatic churches in the city). The newly formed Lead Team took on all the roles previously undertaken by Gabriel. Fusion Cambridge maintained the same vision it always had, as a multi-denominational organisation working with students across the university from a wide variety of churches.

However, there were challenges faced by the new Lead Team and it was decided that for 2008-2009 the Lead Team should be condensed. Rachel Thorpe took over leadership of the team supported by two other students (Jonny and Eric) as assistant leaders, and three recent graduates of the University. We were able to take some positives from the new structure, including an improved relationship with CICCU, thanks to fresh perspectives and much time put in both by Jonty and Rachel in discussion with the CICCU presidents. Looking ahead to next year, however, the Lead Team felt that as Fusion was still changing, we needed to reassess the way Fusion would be run in the new year…

2010 and beyond

Rachel Thorpe, Team Leader, explains the plans for Fusion Cambridge next year.

Next year we will be reducing the current leadership structure so that the roles of the current Churches Team, Lead Team and Associates Team will be performed by a single Fusion Oversight Team. The members of this team are yet to be confirmed, but Daniel John (CLC Student Worker) and Tim Anderson (CLC Leader) will have a key involvement. Cells will continue to be led by students. We are very excited about the possibilities this new structure allows. While there is the opportunity for students to be involved in the Oversight Team, key students will be released back into leadership of cell groups, alleviating pressure on those who would have otherwise been involved in higher levels of leadership.

We believe that the set-up will allow us to strengthen connections with the churches team. It will also allow the Associates' job of directly supporting the cells to be done by peers rather than church leaders, as this was something the Cell Leaders thought was important. In addition, those on the Oversight Team will have an investment in something bigger than Fusion Cambridge, keeping the broader vision (across the University and connecting into Fusion National’s vision) and long-term vision at the forefront.

As a lead team, it has been a long and at times difficult journey to reach this decision, but God has been guiding us at every step, and I am utterly grateful to him for the lessons that he has taught us along the way.

God will continue to move in Cambridge next year, and as Fusion we want to remain a part of that as long as He will have us. Bring on 2010!

Due to having this smaller team, if you are a student, sort-of student, or indeed just have some free time, we would really appreciate your help in preparing for next year. Please speak to Daniel or Annie, or come and join us for prep week.

AMAZING news

The relationship between Fusion and CICCU has always been a talking point in Cambridge.

Over the last few years, relationships have been significantly improving, as both groups worked to communicate their vision for building the Kingdom in Cambridge. We reached a milestone in Lent Term when the policy document, a statement issued by CICCU several years ago stating their views on Fusion, was removed. This was a huge cause for celebration; one effect being to give CICCU reps the freedom to attend Fusion cell meetings if they wanted to. How mind-blowing is our God?

Many, many thanks are due to those people who have prayed about this issue over the years, especially those connected with the 24/7 movement. Do continue to pray for God’s hand over future conversations.

If you are interested in more details about the change in policy, do contact Rachel who'd be overjoyed to tell you more!

the cells

king's/ catz/ corpus/ trinity/ john's

Observant people may have noticed that the number of colleges in this cell has grown. The King's, and Catz and co. cells merged in Lent term, after the King's cell lost a couple of members. Since then the cell has continued to thrive – helped along by the combination of Jonny's impassioned rants and Chris's laid-back genius for making everyone feel welcome. Last term two new first years from John's started coming, which has been great, as has the good community feel. They have been focusing on trying to get every one involved and growing in God, and the content of the meetings has been varied and interesting; and mostly determined by whatever God's talking to them about that week.

Three members, including both the leaders have just graduated, so while an incredible handful of people will still be there next year, the future of the cell looks a little uncertain, and this is an important time to ask God to continue the incredible things that have been happening here the last few years. Chris and Annie.

emma

Cell has been really great this year and God has been SO good to us. We are proud to have gained two new regular members at the beginning of Lent term, and the community within the cell has just flourished - there is a real sense of community and a network of support. Not only that but we have also been able to share with each other through God's word by going through the book of Hebrews, and to draw upon that for encouragement and wisdom. Our prayer and hopes are that next year will be just as good. Although there will be many changes I'm excited that Fusion is going from strength to strength and that God has instilled a passion and a perseverance for small groups who are BIG on Jesus! Eric.

robinson/ selwyn/ newnham/ clare

From a slightly uncertain beginning with two people, cell this year has gone well. They rapidly gained 3 new members: one brand new, one old hand returning to Cambridge and, er, an ex-Caian (who is excused on account of being engaged to the associate!) It’s been small but intimate, and God has really been teaching them about being community. They've got to know each other well, and everyone enjoys being there. Some of the members have been very busy, and can't always come, but the size of the group makes it possible to meet at different times and do fun things like having breakfast together. Please pray for Carol, who is leading next year, and for more people and even more life. Zoe.

speak

The past two years Cambridge Speak have been meeting fortnightly for prayer and campaigning. They began this year with one person, but Felicity became really sure that God wanted to do something much bigger with Speak, and that it was about building a community where people could be really known, and cared for; grow in their faith; and pray for each other, as well as campaign for things in the world to change. She and Randalle thought a Fusion cell might be a good framework for what they wanted to do, so they read everything on the website; figured out how to start a cell; and started coming to the Hub (cell leaders' training). Amazingly, as they're not based in any one college and had no real way of advertising, 7 people turned up the first week.

They started meeting for a little bit of Bible study, relevant to a current political issue, praying, and writing letters to important people. And they saw God's intervention in one of the Government policy decisions they prayed about! A term in, I met Felicity and she asked if they could be a “proper” Fusion cell. (Yes, please!) The past 2 terms they've had really good meetings with 3 consistent members; have learned about being a community; that God can keep their attention; and most of all that He's faithful and will provide. Next year Felicity will be leading again, and is full of faith that God wants to do more and that there will be new people (the other cell members have graduated)! Annie.

fitz/ churchill/ st. ed's

Fitz (and co.) Fusion has been going well. We have a strong committed group who support each other well and it has been really good to see some peripheral members getting more involved and contributing. People are probably most enthusiastic about eating together but that hasn't stopped some lively discussions, particularly during James' "Evangelism Questionnaire" and a study of Ephesians. Keeping the group focussed is not always effortless, and James has done a good job of leading. The cell has also maintained strong links with the new college Chaplain and been involved the 24-3 prayer initiative in college. Next year looks slightly less certain as several of the group have graduated and so won't be there. Please pray for new members, enthusiastic freshers and wisdom for how to lead the group in the future. Pete C.

murray edwards

The Murray Edwards (New Hall) Cell has been going solidly over the last few terms. There is a strong core group of about 5 who meet regularly on Friday evenings. They have been going through various books of the Bible, and consistently pray for each other (with the help of their prayer notebook!). Sadly Renee has graduated and moved on but the rest of the cell will be around next year so it will continue under the distinguished leadership of Clare and Elaine. They are hoping and praying for more freshers to join next year and are really looking at ways they can bring their Christian community more centrally into college life. Pete C.

caius/ trinity hall

The cell multiplied into 2 very successfully at the beginning of Lent term, mainly thanks to real commitment and vision from the leaders. Both new cells got used to hanging out together quickly, and dived into in-depth and honest discussions of everything from Habakkuk, via a debate on predestination, to a Rob Bell-style “doubt night”. Within weeks peoples' friends had begun to come along; and some quieter people - who had previously tended just to listen - started to feel able to contribute more, and in one case find they actually had quite strong opinions!

At times, making life-giving changes without disrupting the strong community in and around Fusion has felt like treading a fine line; yet looking back over the year we've seen God do so many incredible things! The smaller cells feel friendlier, and safer. This has really shown in the way so many people have become more confident and involved in the community, and through this simple change, found their faith growing. There has been space for several more people to lead discussions and prayer, and for four new interns to begin helping lead.

By the end of Easter term we had grown to 22 members. And I've seen, again, that God still does all those things that cell's supposed to be about: like turning up when we meet, and transforming situations and freeing us and our friends! Question is, do we have the courage to pray for even more next year? Annie.

homerton:

sarah’s cell

I arrived at Cambridge a Christian of conviction, but not really, truly of actions. At cell, I met normal, fun people, who managed to lead the Christian and modern way of life in unison, and learned that they are not mutually exclusive. It was an amazing lesson: living as Jesus wants us to doesn't mean living like a freak! All it took for my new fusion friends to teach me this was some cake and prayer in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. It helped a lot that we always discussed our lives before starting and after finishing, and that we then prayed for each other's issues. I still love the feeling that I in turn can share with others the pearls that Jesus reveals to me. And the lovely Sarah is always amazing at drawing other people into the leadership of the cell! Swyn.

scott's cell

Huge thanks go to Scott for leading this year. The year has seen strong friendships built and much laughter. Nooma DVDs have kickstarted some great discussions with several people having the opportunity to lead meetings. Most excitingly the cell has been a place where those who wouldn't normally be comfortable with a 'church' environment have felt able to contribute, with one person finding faith as a result. Next year we're delighted that the wonderfully friendly and enthusiastic Holly will be leading. Pete A.

sidney/ jesus/ peterhouse

This year we’ve had a small group of 5 girls, and God been meeting with us in gentle but exciting ways. We have discussed a number of issues this term, but our focus has been on God’s interest in our daily lives, and the way he uses us to challenge and encourage each other. Praise God for the diverse mix of church backgrounds in the cell, and for the presence of his spirit in our meetings. Rachel.

Here's the Fusion garden party in May week. And this was the Caius cells' end-of-term picnic.

25%

We were asked an interesting question at the last Student Worker Equipping day with Fusion National in Loughborough...

“How could Fusion in Cambridge grow by 25% in the next 12 months: can it grow by 25%, 30%, 50%? Can you believe that that might happen?”

And by growth they meant new people, not currently involved in other “Christian” things; people who aren't Christians yet. After a quick bit of maths, we realised 25% is 17.5(!) people. As the student workers from other cities sitting around us were thinking about the way their groups are going and shouting out impressive figures like 50% and 100%, I thought about the challenges of leading cell; the relatively small college communities our cells operate in; and the array of other amazing Christian groups and churches in Cambridge... And also about when I'd last, specifically, asked God for growth like that. And its not always easy to pray, but if I don't, I can't complain if nothing happens! And I so want to ask God for real, noticeable growth. What we have in Fusion is so good: too good not to share! Cell communities can be so incredible, so full of God; have the potential to bring so much to their colleges...

And then I started to think that 25% can happen. I can see God doing that! Through things like cell communities working really well; and people who were once around churches but who'd never talk to God coming back to life; and getting people into discipleship that's really Good. Come on!! Annie.

salt and light

We’ve unintentionally hit on a theme in our recent corporate gatherings.

james2

In January, James Hewitt came from Fusion National to talk to our cell leaders and members about the challenges of the student mission field. He spoke about the importance of being salt and light to the world, and mentioned the bushel/light ratio: (grab your mobile phone. How many of the people in your contacts are Christians? What might that tell you about your ability to effectively connect with people?)

You can hear James’ full talk on the Fusion website. It’ll be 22 minutes well spent, trust us.
james

Then, in April, our very own James Hutchinson spoke at Soul Tree, at The Call that we held in collaboration with C3. He also spoke on the same passage, reminding us of the way that light is able to utterly overpower any surrounding darkness. (And showing off his super-fancy-bright torch.)

Something to think on this week…
13"Let me tell you why you are here. You're here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavours of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You've lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage. 14- 16"Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colours in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand— shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven. Matthew 5:13-16 (The Message).

fusion fashion

If you want to be down with the cool kids we have some rather lovely Fusion Cambridge t-shirts (as modelled by Jonny!) for the bargainous price of £9.

Order yours here.

And finally... two important dates for your diaries:

Fusion National Student Worker Conference, 11th–12th September. Talk to Phil or Annie to book.
Fusion Prep week (kickstarting the year!), 29th September - 2nd October. Sign up here.

Annie Holmes, 07/08/2009