Our Vision
Newsletter of the Bolsover and Staveley Circuit
October 2001 No 5
Clowne – 125 Years Old
The weekend of 23rd September marked the 125th anniversary of the stone laying at Clowne – now the oldest church building in the circuit. To celebrate this milestone there were a number of events, starting with a photographic display on 15th September, when Mr Heap brought along his collection of photographs and reports of Clowne in days gone by. A faith supper and social evening on 22nd September was not as well attended as hoped for, but for the committed who came we had an enjoyable time of fellowship – and a few games! Our Sunday Anniversary service was led by our friend Revd Alan Morton with the Junior church singing that Faith as Small as a Mustard Seed can grow into great things. The United Service on Sunday 23rd was a time of enjoyment and fulfilment . It was uplifting to see the place as it must have been in days gone by – FULL! Special thanks must go to those who decorated the church with their gifts of flowers. The final event for the anniversary was a visit from the Celebration Choir to sing out God’s Praise and give thanks for his continuing presence in this corner of his vineyard.
Duckmanton
On Sunday 2nd September, the members and friends of our church organised a surprise party after the service for Hedley Mason who retired from the positions of Church Treasurer and Property Secretary after 42 years service..
A further surprise for Hedley, and indeed for his wife Evelyn, was that their son, daughter-in-law and great-granddaughter came over form New Mills. And their daughter and son-in-law came from the West Midlands to mark the occasion.
To show our appreciation we had a “bit of a whip round” and presented Hedley with a music centre – we hope that both Hedley and Evelyn will enjoy many hours listening to their favourite pieces of music.
Of course Hedley is still the organist, a position he has now held for more than 60 years, and we pray that he will continue to enhance our worship in this way for many more years to come.
Local Preachers News (1)
Revd Peter Cross will lead a discussion at the next LP Fellowship (Staveley, Wednesday 17 October at 7.30 pm.) on the subject Emeritus – Emerita which was the subject of a memorial to conference 2001, and a reply to which is printed in the LP magazine Ichthus – If you have this magazine please bring it with you to the fellowship. The meeting is important, the subject relevant to us all – please try to attend.
Local Preachers News (2)
Chesterfield Circuit are having a Study Day at Cliff College on 19th January 2002 when it is expected that Howard Mellor and Peter Phillips will lead on “The Spirituality of the Preacher” and “Communicating Conviction”. As is their custom, an invitation to our circuit local preachers is extended. The cost for the day is £10 each – please let Grace have your booking and the fee as soon as possible (or at the next LP Meeting on 7 December at the latest). The circuit training fund may be able to assist in part funding the day for our representatives
Vision 2010 Circuit Outing.
Our Vision 2010 bore fruit in the form of a highly successful Seaside Trip to Bridlington on Saturday 1st September. Throughout the summer, the viability of the event was in question, however thanks to the grace of God and the strong-arm recruiting tactics of June Widdowson and Jean Feneley sufficient places were booked to “break even” with £15 to spare for the excellent coach driver Peter.
Forty-five day trippers of all ages made their way to be picked up from Brimington, Staveley and Barlborough. The August heat wave had just come to an end and the weather forecast for the day was “cloudy but dry”. Even the heavens smiled down and provided us with a lovely warm sunny day.
On each leg of the trip everyone picked his or her favourite hymns from Mission Praise. Gerald and Peter led the fellowship singing to our Lord. It was pointed out to David that it was not appropriate to announce hymn numbers in the style of a “Bingo” caller!
On arrival we all set off in small groups to do the sea, rides, chips, tea, shops, beach and generally have a good old time beside the seaside, beside the sea. Through the day it just became warmer and hotter! Most of us went for a paddle but David Jones heroically went into the sea for a swim too.
We all gathered again on the beach mid-afternoon for friendly chatter, fun and games. With the tide coming in fast some of us tried to play football and cricket – the Jones boys were far too good for the rest of the Methodist athletes. At the end of a perfect day, with everyone on board, we set off for home at exactly 5.00 pm.
The group photo at the return comfort stop was delayed for a few minutes whilst every child sprinted to the toilet and back. With a rousing cheer to God for such a wonderful day we were all convinced that this should become an annual circuit event. Let us hope that our valiant leader Jay can cope with the stress.
Easter People 2002
For a number of years now, there have been groups from various parts of the circuit (Bolsover and Brimington to name two) at this annual Evangelical event and now is the time to start planning for next year’s event.
In 2002 Easter People has a Global Vision…meeting in Edinburgh, Llandudno and Torquay, 2-7 April. I have no doubt that the publicity material for this week will soon be landing on individual church doormats, but there is a copy in the circuit office if you’ve not received yours yet!
LPMAA Holidays
We invite YOU to share in our next short break holiday at Callender, Scotland. Monday 27 May 2002 until Saturday 1 June 2002
Six days and five nights
At a cost of £245 per person
Twin rooms only, the price includes everything except lunch and spending money!
Please come and join our group – speak to Christine or Denis Kirk Tel: 276417 (evenings only)
Methodist Youth Conference 2001
This year, the Methodist Association of Youth Clubs is organising its conference at Cliff College on the weekend of 16-18 November. Don’t think that this doesn’t concern you just because you have reached the ripe old age of 25+…..
We can all offer assistance as qualified first aiders …, as minibus providers and/or drivers to ship the ‘delegates’ from rail stations to Cliff at the start and finish …, as stewards meeting people at the rail station in Chesterfield on Friday night as well as during the weekend at Cliff …, by offering financial aid …, by promoting the conference in our churches to all young people … and by our prayers for the event. If you want further information, there have been previous leaflets circulated to churches, or contact the circuit office.
Covenant Discipleship
“A one day get-together for Christians interested in developing joyful accountability in their journey of following Jesus, and helping others to do the same” will be led by Revd David Lowes Watson from Nashville, Tennessee U.S.A.
We have received notification of this event to be held at Airedale Methodist Church, Castleford on Thursday 11 October from 10.30 am until 3.30 pm..
The cost for the day is £7, and to book a place please ring Revd Terry Higgins – 01665 713251 as soon as possible (the stated closing date was 28 September but …!)
Vision 2010 Community Group
The community Outreach Group formed after the Vision 2010 meeting last February has met several times and a number of important initiatives have been identified. Unfortunately, the response from some churches has been poor and so for the time being there will be no more regular meetings. Any information on the subject which comes along in future can be aired through the newsletter, and then a meeting called if necessary.
We thank the group for the work they have done in gathering together the ways in which we can be involved in our local communities NOW!
Circuit Meeting
A reminder for your diaries that the next circuit meeting will be held at 4.00 pm at Clowne on 13 October. Yes it is a Saturday afternoon … and it will be followed by a faith (sharing) tea and then a time of fellowship in entertainment when a number of our members will demonstrate their skills in music or spoken word ,,, (I’m still looking for the magician – any takers?) If you have not already volunteered to do a turn please speak to either Revd Peter Cross or myself to be put on the programme.
CIRCUIT DIARY
Circuit Meetings and Events
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
15 Local Preachers Fellowship 7.30 pm Staveley
22 Circuit Prayer Meeting 7.30 pm Clowne
November 2001
3 Circuit Prayer Meeting 7.30 pm New Brimington
12 Circuit Prayer Meeting 7.30 pm Duckmanton
Christmas in the Circuit
The annual Circuit United Carol Service will be held at Staveley on Saturday 15th December at 6.00 pm. Carol Services will be held at each of the churches – mostly on either 16th or 23rd December,
On 16th we have: Brimington at 10.45 led by Mr Darryl Beresford, then at 6.00 pm: Barrow Hill led by Revd Mark Coles, Bolsover led by Revd Peter Cross, Clowne and Duckmanton (both Own Arrangements)
On 23rd Staveley at 10,30, New Brimington at 4.00 pm, and Hillstown, Brimington Common, Inkersall and Brimington at 6.00 pm are all Own Arrangement services. Lucie and Neil Hutson will lead a Family Carol service at Brimington Common at 10.15 am.
Midnight services on Christmas Eve will be at Staveley, Clowne (HC) and Brimington Common (HC). Christmas morning worship will be held at Duckmanton at 9.15, Inkersall and New Brimington at 10.00 am and Bolsover and Brimington at 10.30.
Brimington will also be holding a watchnight service at 11.30 pm on 31st December. |