Our Vision

Newsletter of the Bolsover and Staveley Circuit

September 2001 No 4

God is at work in our circuit. Yes, I think we all know that this is the case. There are many changes taking place around us and many challenges being set for God (and us) to address. We are often reminded that although God has worked out everything for our well being – our destiny – He has also given us the freedom to HELP in working his purpose out. It is no use sitting there thinking that God’s will will be done – it will indeed but much of the time it needs an input from us to make it happen. Summer holidays over, I hope that we can now get the newsletter out for the beginning of each month – if you have any contributions or diary dates please let me have them by the third week in each month for inclusion in the next letter.

Using Up Time
I received a surprise letter today
That just went on to say,
I had been nominated for an award this year
And have been voted as Volunteer of the Year.
The award is from The Glyn Lewis Trust team
Until today I had never heard of the scheme,
To say that I was shocked and surprised
Was an understatement, then I realised,
It now seems quite some time ago
I was asked for my address by a lady I know,
It seemed a strange request at the time I felt
Maybe something odd going on I should have smelt.
But now it’s happened what do I do
I’m only doing the things other people do too,
When volunteering I never expected this to happen to me
I’m only using up time that would otherwise be free,
It gets me out of the house new people to meet
Most are young but others are elderly and sweet,
I’ve come now to the end of my little rhyme
There! That’s used up a bit more of my time.

Circuit Stewards Training Day
Although looked forward to with some trepidation, it turned out to be interesting, informative and challenging. About 18 stewards from the Sheffield District were involved – more women than men – and with periods of office from a few months up to “about nineteen years”. There was a friendly atmosphere and it was easy to share ideas and experiences.
Caroline Riley (who came to us for Vision 2010) and Michael Sanderson led the sessions in between coffee, picnic lunch and more coffee. The morning session covered “The role of the circuit steward” and “Circuit policy making” with time to discuss various issues in small groups.
After lunch, the District Treasurer explained some of the finer details of circuit finance, and particularly individual church accounts. This was followed by “Pastoral care and the circuit stewards” when several case studies were presented and discussed.
We finished with a short evaluation and closing worship.
Another training session is to take place in October during the evening – not a good time, but I am getting a lift from Chesterfield) with a suggested programme including “Stationing, district and connexional structures” (Rev David Halstead) “Circuit stewards and Manses” (John Bailey) and “The relationship between staff and circuit stewards” (Rev Eileen Sanderson).
One of the things that came over very strongly from the stewards present was that they found it very helpful to attend other church council meetings in the circuit. These would be allocated to the circuit stewards and arranged so that they would not go to their own church meetings (as a circuit steward). This helps them get a better idea of the life in other churches and enables them to share in their hopes as well as difficulties. The circuit stewards should not appear as a threat to the church council but as a means of communication or a “bridge” to link the churches in a circuit.

(Note that this idea is already in place in our circuit as a part of the leadership team’s responsibility, and you should be seeing more of the circuit stewards at future meetings.)

Gwen Cushing

Stewards Training
As a continuation to the above theme, Rev Peter Cross is running a course for church stewards within the circuit. If you are a steward already or are interested in becoming one, then this course may be of interest to you. Contact Peter before 30 September if you would like further details.

Barrow Hill
As part of the Flower Festival weekend at Barrow Hill on 14/15 July, a very pleasant afternoon was spent listening to music performed by the Robin Johnson Trio, with vocal soloist Gwen Knight.
Afterwards we shared a lovely strawberry tea. It was good to welcome friends from other churches, and by a happy coincidence it was the birthday of two of our members – so we were able to pass on our best wishes to them.
The service on Sunday was conducted by the Rev Betty Tompkins, the church looking lovely with the beautiful floral arrangements. Thanks go to all who worked so hard to make this a good weekend.
Thanks be to God for His Blessings.

Rev David Whitehouse
At the end of last month we said farewell to David, as he retired from active circuit ministry. We wish him every blessing in his retirement – and look forward to having him with us as a supernumerary minister later in the year. (Have a good rest while you can!)

Chesterfield Mission Choir
The last few months’ newsletters have advertised a visit of the choir to Bolsover in October. Please note that this has had to be postponed to a later date.

A reminder finally for anybody to get in touch with me for:

i. Party pieces for the circuit meeting entertainment. I haven’t received anything yet!!!!
ii. Reports and Booked dates for your group meetings…

The circuit office telephone now has a fully operational answering machine service, so please leave your messages after the tone! Chesterfield 470859.

CIRCUIT DIARY

Circuit Meetings and Events

September 2001

    5   Local Preachers Meeting                 7.30 pm     Clowne
    7   Circuit Network Meeting                   2.30 pm     Staveley
10   Circuit Prayer Meeting                     7.30 pm     Brimington Common
19   Network Come Together                 7.00 pm     Staveley
21   Circuit Prayer Meeting                     7.30 pm     Barrow Hill

October 2001

    1   Circuit Prayer Meeting                     7.30 pm     Bolsover
12   Circuit Prayer Meeting                     7.30 pm     Barlborough
13   Circuit Meeting                                 4.00 pm     Clowne
22   Circuit Prayer Meeting                     7.30 pm     Clowne

Other Events with Circuit Interest

23 September Circuit Service for Clowne 125 Anniversary
29 September Celebration Choir at Clowne