Goodbye to even more of our members!
At the end of September we are saying 'Goodbye' to Gilberto and Paula, who are moving to Brazil with their two children; and Mark and Louise, moving to the USA. This economic crisis in Portugal is really hitting us as people move to take jobs in other parts of the world!
Of course, a constant change of personnel is typical of an international church - but we really miss these guys!
On the positive side, we have been pleased to welcome new faces and look forward to getting to know them and the visitors that they bring.
Visit of MountainView Church (Madrid)
Over the weekend of 14 / 15 May the church was thrilled to receive a team from MountainView International Church who provided both the music and the message for us.
Tori and Alex provided music and led our worship at both Valença and Porto ...
.... while Sam shared the message "Grow", based on the parable of the Sower or the soils (depending on who you talk to).
We nearly lost Sam at Valença, but wife Claudia relented at the last moment!
Everything about the visit was enjoyed by the people who are Riverside Porto International Church and we look forward to a repeat performance soon. Thanks guys!
Artur and Gaby Fuchs
It is with great regret that said 'Goodbye' to Artur and Gaby, who have moved to the São Paulo area of Brazil.
For several years they, with their daughters who are now at university, were mainstays of our community and have become treasured friends, valued leaders, wise counsellors and have regularly led the church in music and worship. They will be impossible to fully replace and we hope and expect that they will visit us from time to time - Brazil isn't that far from Porto nowadays!
Bill and Tina Mason both recovering well after surgery
A few weeks ago we told the church that Tina had been diagnosed with breast cancer and was to have a mastectomy operation. Unfortunately Bill felt that she was getting all the attention and had a heart attack a few days before Tina's operation. In the end, he had a triple arterial by-pass operation at Gaia hospital.
Both Bill and Tina are recovering well after successful operations and both are getting back into the life of the church. We apologise that the web page, the Facebook site and other church functions have not been kept up to date - but we will try to correct that now.
During their absence the church has continued to function in the capable hands of the Leadership Team, ably supported by other church members. We are especially grateful to Tim and Julie Hawkins, who did so much to keep the wheels turning; to Artur and Gaby Fuchs who were such a help and confort in navigating the medical system; to Carlos and RIa Silvéria who looked after much of the day to day stuff and to Elizabeth and Arménio Anjos who helped in so many practical ways. God has blessed the church with great depth and an overwhelming shared love.
Marriage of Miguel Santos and Michelle Silvéria
On 18 September Miguel (Rodolfo) and Michelle finally made their marriage vows to each other before the Lord and their friends. Because of the size of the venue, unfortunately not everyone who wanted was able to attend and so we are pleased to post a few of the many great photographs here.
Congratulations Miguel and Michelle!
Getting to church gets harder!
The authorities have announced that the motorway network in the North of Portugal will no longer be free. Not only that, but the tolls on certain motorways will now be collected electronically, with no option to pay in cash! You may have noticed the frameworks covered with cameras and sensors straddling the Autoestradas in places.
From 15 October 2010 only vehicles equipped with one of three means of electronic payment will be able to use the motorways in question, which include part or all of the A17; A25; A28; A29; A41 and A42. The three forms of electronic payment available include:
· Via Verde (an electronic box in your car debits your bank account)
· Pre-payment contract (with receipts)
· Pre-payment card (without receipt)
Electronic identification for the car can be purchased from Via Verde or Post Offices and it is believed that cards may be recharged at MultiBanco (ATM) machines.
The rules apply to foreign registered vehicles, although full details of how they will pay are not yet available.
If you use the motorways without any electronic means of payment, the system records your registration details and sends an invoice to the registered owner of the vehicle. Although the price will be the same, there will be an unspecified "handling charge".
Discounts
If you live in the area covered by the free motorways and pay by Via Verde, you are entitled to discounts and some free journeys. In order to be registered as a resident, you have to take your vehicle registration documents (with a Porto / Gaia address) to a Via Verde centre (the Porto centre is in Antas, near the Dragão Stadium and the Loja de Cidadão). Once you have registered, discounts will be applied automatically and include 10 free trips monthly and 15% off additional journeys. However, no-one really knows what will be charged until the first bills arrive!
Beating the system
The A44 (from Arrábida Bridge to the A29) will remain free and the cost of the section of A29 from the A44 to the Granja exit will be €0.45; so the journey from Porto to the church will cost €0.45 each way if you use the A29 South. This could be avoided by leaving the A44 at the last exit before the A29 and using the beach road without charge. During most of the year that is a good option; it takes about the same time and the view is much better. However the beach road does become very congested during August with holiday traffic.
- Av. Sacadura Cabral 1642
- 4410 - 463 Arcozelo
- Vila Nova de Gaia
- PORTUGAL
+351 227 627 643
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