Friday 19 December 2008

A Roger Jones Christmas!

We received this email from Katie, who used to be a member of staff here at the CMM office:

He's better than Santa isn't he ?!!

Just to report that
Coughton School sang four of Roger's Christmas songs in their Carol Service on 11 and 12 Dec - conducted by yours truly. They were really enthusiastic, and I expect their parents will be sick and tired of "Sheep" by the time Christmas Day arrives. Lots of people were moved to tears by "High up on a Hillside", especially the staff, (and not 'cos it was bad!), and one little girl informed my Mum this week that her favourite was "Come see the beauty of the King" because it had really lovely words and wonderful music. Mum was so surprised, as she expected an 8 year old to like "Sheep" or "Hush, hush" best. Those kids are really thoughtful and they do take on board everything you say......

We also went to Kettering Methodist Church's performance of The Inn Crowd on Sunday - with orchestra (not backing track) and they even had bassoon and cor anglais (which did the opening to No 4 instead of a horn). They did the narration, but were in full costume, with dancers and a decent-sized choir from the circuit. They even had 6 Wise Men (impossible I hear you cry - there can't be six wise men in Kettering!!) - three old blokes from the choir to sing No 8, and 3 fully-costumed young lads to kneel at the manger and look cute. It was nice to listen to someone else. Sam, Debbie, Mary and Joe were all very good (and my Joe behaved himself well in the audience), and Debbie had a good go at the descant. I did apologise to her afterwards for writing it!!

Anyway, Mum went to a concert of The Circle Singers in Alcester on Sat evening conducted by Beresford King-Smith, and even that had "Love came down at Christmas" in it.

If Roger isn't careful he'll turn into John Rutter, and be wheeled out every Christmas even by snobby classical choirs!

Lots of love

Katie xxxx

Wednesday 17 December 2008

Another evening at St John's

Now we are in the season of advent, so that means it's time for CMM to lead another evening at St. John's - the Anglican convent which has been Helen's home for the last 3 years, and hugely supportive of our ministry.

Unfortunately this year, Roger and Mary couldn't make it to the evening themselves, so that left Annie and Helen to lead it, ably assisted by Pat Woolridge.

The sisters had been studying Paula Gooder's Advent book "The Meaning is in the Waiting", which is based around the four advent candles representing the patriarchs, the prophets, John the Baptist and Mary. So using Roger's musical Snakes and Ladders and some other bits and pieces, we structured the evening around that.

So if you're wondering how on earth it would work:

Setting the scene: I waited patiently for the Lord (from Simeon)
In the beginning (S&L)

Patriarchs: Father Abraham (S&L), In my dreams (S&L)

Prophets: Engraved upon my palms (S&L)

John the Baptist: Because of the tender mercy of our God (S&L)

Mary: The angel Gabriel from heaven came (not one of Roger's!)
Thorns in the straw (by Graham Kendrick)

Then we used the character of John the Baptist to point forwards to Jesus' death using the song Behold the Lamb (Angel Voices)

To finish: In the Beginning was the word (S&L)
Come thou Long Expected Jesus (trad)

Tuesday 16 December 2008

CMM Christmas Newsletters

Hi Folks – here are our personal Christmas newsletters from Christian Music Ministries:

POPPY’S PAGES - Jones Family Newsletter – yes, she’s written this year’s as well!
http://www.cmm.org.uk/downloads/newsletters/12-08-pp.pdf

CMM NEWS & EVENTS – inc. Diary, ROCK DVD & Tour, etc
http://www.cmm.org.uk/downloads/newsletters/12-08-cmmnews.pdf

ANNIE’S CHRISTMAS NEWS
http://www.cmm.org.uk/downloads/newsletters/12-08-ar.pdf

HELEN’S CHRISTMAS NEWS
http://www.cmm.org.uk/downloads/newsletters/12-08-hg.pdf

You should be able to open each one with Adobe Acrobat reader. (If there’s a problem try right clicking and “save as”.) Do let us know if you’d like us to send “hard copies” through the post.

Don’t forget that you can help support CMM at no cost to yourself by using EASYFUNDRAISING:
http://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/

and EASYSEARCH:
http://cmm.easysearch.org.uk/


From all of us at CMM – have a really lovely Christmas and a peaceful New Year.

Bless you all!

Roger (Jones)

www.cmm.org.uk
0121 783 3291

Wednesday 10 December 2008

Rock Christmas Party

Last night, most of the members of the Rock touring party gathered at CMM for our Christmas party. After a bit of time socialising and eating nibbles we crammed into Roger's lounge in front of the TV to watch the DVD. This was the first opportunity for most people to see the DVD, and much hilarity ensued.

We're really pleased with how the DVD has turned out. If you'd like one, please visit the CMM online shop




Thursday 4 December 2008

Christmas performances

I see from the 'Your Performances' section that quite a lot of people are well into their Christmas musical performances. If you know of any more please let us know.

I hope and pray they all go really well - God bless you.

December 2008

Roger's latest email has gone out:

Dear Friends

We have now completed ROCK Tour One, and it has been wonderfully successful, with tremendous response from local choirs and audiences. You can read more on our ROCK “Blog” at: http://rockthemusical.blogspot.com/ and further reports will be added later. We praise God for how he has guided and blessed us, and really look forward to resuming touring after Christmas!

Of course, I have already started “Tasters” for Tour Two – see our diary: http://www.cmm.org.uk/downloads/cmmdiary.pdf

The ROCK DVD, recorded for the UK Entertainment Channel, is due to be released within the next few days. You can pre-order now, in time for Christmas: http://www.cmm.org.uk/products/catalogue/index.php?newproducts=1 and also get Devon Brown’s great album HOW SWEET THE NAME.

Talking of Christmas, did you know you can seriously help CMM whilst doing your Christmas shopping? By joining EASYFUNDRAISING and making us your cause, you can go to all your favourite sites and yet earn a commission for CMM at the same time. It won’t cost you a penny extra. Please consider this – over 50 of our supporters already help us in this way. Go to: http://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/

Also, by joining EASYSEARCH you can help us with every “click”: http://cmm.easysearch.org.uk/ I hope to be in touch again soon with our Christmas Newsletter – it’s still to be written.

Bless you all!

Roger

Tuesday 2 December 2008

The tour is over

All members of CMM have now returned from the first tour of Rock. It was a fantastic time that God blessed in amazing ways. Keep your eyes on the Rock blog as I gradually add reports from the tour.

http://rockthemusical.blogspot.com/

Roger is now on the road again after a short break, visiting Worthing, Crawley and Crowborough in the South East, holding tasters of Rock as those venues prepare for tour 2.

Other events coming up include an advent evening at St. John's House in Birmingham, a Rock DVD preview evening for the touring party, more Rock tasters, Roger speaking at a prayer breakfast, and the office Christmas lunch - mmmmmmm.