Our Vision
Aspire… to Inspire… a Desire… in JESUS!
December 2002 No 18
1. Anglican Methodist Covenant
Following on from my letter in the plan this quarter, perhaps one of the things we need to look at is a closer co-operation with our brothers and sisters in other denominations. Talks have been going on at the highest level to consider the possibility of entering into a covenant with our Anglican colleagues as the first step towards visible unity between our two churches. A proposed Covenant has been drawn up and, as a circuit, we have to discuss the implications and send a formal reply to the Connexion by 17th April 2003.
We will be discussing it at the March Circuit Meeting, and before that we have been invited to meet with members of the Bolsover and Staveley Anglican Deanery Synod, so that we can explore the implications together.
This meeting has been arranged for 20th February 2003 at 7.15pm at the Anglican Church in Barlborough. I do hope that there will be a really good turn out of Methodists for this ground breaking and important meeting. This will be led jointly by the Rural Dean Revd Norman Harvey, and me and will give us opportunity to ask questions and raise issues first hand.
So that we are well informed and prepared for the thinking and discussing that will be going on in the next few months, I have included below the full text of the proposed covenant. Please read it carefully and prayerfully and come prepared to make your contribution.
The Formal Conversations with the Church of England
The Proposed Covenant :
AN ANGLICAN-METHODIST COVENANT We, the Methodist Church of Great Britain and the Church of England, on the basis of our shared history, our full agreement in the apostolic faith, our shared theological understandings of the nature and mission of the Church and of its ministry and oversight, and our agreement on the goal of full visible unity, as set out in the previous sections of our Common Statement, hereby make the following Covenant in the form of interdependent Affirmations and Commitments. We do so both in a Spirit of penitence for all that human sinfulness and narrowness of vision have contributed to our past divisions, believing that we have been impoverished through our separation and that our witness to the gospel has been weakened accordingly, and in a spirit of thanksgiving and joy for the convergence in faith and collaboration in mission that we have experienced in recent years.
AFFIRMATIONS
1. We affirm one another's churches as true churches belonging to the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ and as truly participating in the apostolic mission of the whole people of God.
2. We affirm that in both our churches the word of God is authentically preached, and the sacraments of Baptism and the Eucharist are duly administered and celebrated.
3. We affirm that both our churches confess in word and life the apostolic faith revealed in the Holy Scriptures and set forth in the ecumenical Creeds.
4. We affirm that one another's ordained and lay ministries are given by God as instruments of God's grace, to build up the people of God in faith, hope and love, for the ministry of word, sacrament and pastoral care and to share in God's mission in the world.
5. We affirm that one another's ordained ministries possess both the inward call of the Holy Spirit and Christ's commission given through the Church.
6. We affirm that both our churches embody the conciliar. connexional nature of the Church and that communal, collegial and personal oversight (episkope) is exercised within them in various forms.
7. We affirm that there already exists a basis for agreement on the principles of episcopal oversight as a visible sign and instrument of the communion of the Church in time and space.
COMMITMENTS
1. We commit ourselves, as a priority, to work to overcome the remaining obstacles to the organic unity of our two churches, on the way to the full visible unity of Christ's Church. In particular, we look forward to the time when the fuller visible unity of our churches makes possible a united, interchangeable ministry.
2. We commit ourselves to realise more deeply our common life and mission and to share the distinctive contributions of our traditions, taking steps to bring about closer collaboration in all areas of witness and service in our needy world.
3. We commit ourselves to continue to welcome each other's baptised members to participate in the fellowship, worship and mission of our churches.
4. We commit ourselves to encourage forms of eucharistic sharing, including eucharistic hospitality, in accordance with the rules of our respective churches.
5. We commit ourselves to listen to each other and to take account of each other's concerns, especially in areas that affect our relationship as churches.
6. We commit ourselves to continue to develop structures of joint or shared communal, collegial and personal oversight, including shared consultation and decision-making, on the way to a fully united ministry of oversight.
2 Open Day At Bolsover Manse
Can I make a slight correction to the invitation which appeared in our vision last month. I got a bit enthusiastic and bit off a bit more than I could chew. Pauline and I would be pleased to welcome everyone to an open day on New Year's Day 1st January 2003 at the newly refurbished 73 Hill Top Bolsover between the hours of 10am and 12noon or 2pm and 5pm. We decided that it would be too much to try to have an evening session as well.
3 Christmas
May I take this opportunity of wishing everyone a truly peaceful, joyful and blessed Christmas.
Peter
Misprints from the Parish Magazine:
The superintendent unveiled the churches new tithing campaign slogan last Sunday:
“I Upped My Pledge — Up Yours.”
WHAT GOES ON…
FELLOWSHIP MEETINGS/PRAYER GROUPS
SUNDAY 10.00 am Brimington Prayer Group
MONDAY 7.30 pm Brimington Common (Alternate weeks) Social Hour / Prayer Group, Inkersall Bible Study, Bolsover (occasionally) Worship Preparation Group
TUESDAY 7.30 pm Brimington Common (Alternate weeks) Fellowship Group, Bolsover (occasionally) Worship Preparation Group, Brimington Fellowship at 66 Hill View Road (contact 279664)
WEDNESDAY 10.00 am Staveley (Alternate weeks) Prayer Meeting at 10 Hayfield Close, Brimington Fellowship Group (various venues contact 620908), 2.30 pm Inkersall Bible Study, 7.30 pm Barlborough Fellowship
THURSDAY 10.00 am Clowne Prayer Fellowship, Bolsover Community Bible Study, 7.30 pm Brimington Common (Alternate weeks) Fellowship Group, Bolsover Community Bible Study at Mr & Mrs Newton’s
FRIDAY 10.00 am Staveley Intercessions, 7.30 pm Brimington Monthly fellowship at 59 Cotterhill Lane (contact 271608)
Misprints from the Parish Magazine:
Weight watchers will be meeting at 7.00 pm at ************ church. Please use the large double doors at the side entrance.
The low self esteem group will meet on Wednesday at 2.30 pm. Please use the back door.
OOOPS!!!
SISTERHOODS/LADIES MEETINGS
MONDAY 2.30 pm Staveley Sisterhood, Inkersall Sisterhood
2.45 pm Bolsover Women's Fellowship, Barrow Hill Ladies Meeting
6.00 pm Clowne Sisterhood
TUESDAY 2.30 pm Brimington Ladies Friendship Circle (2nd and 4th weeks)
WEDNESDAY 2.30 pm Brimington Common Sisterhood
YOUTH/UNIFORMED ORGANISATIONS
TUESDAY 9.30 am Brimington Mums and Toddlers
5.30 pm Staveley Brownies, 6.00 pm Bolsover Boys Brigade,
7.00 pm Staveley Guides
THURSDAY 2.30 pm Brimington Mums and Toddlers, 5.30 pm Brimington Brownies, Brimington Guides
FRIDAY 6.15 Clowne Junior Club, 7.30 pm Brimington Common Youth Café, 7.45 pm Clowne Youth Club
COFFEE MORNINGS
FRIDAY 10.00 am Staveley, 10.30 am Bolsover
SATURDAY 10.00 am Clowne, 10.30 am Inkersall
OTHER MEETINGS
MONDAY 7.30 (occasionally) Clowne PTA
WEDNESDAY 2.00 pm Staveley (Alternate weeks) Wesley Guild, 7.00 pm Brimington Choir Practice
SATURDAY 8.30 am Staveley (3rd Sat in month) Men’s Breakfast,
NETWORK
We thank all churches for their support during the year - we can report a good year for Network. We were grateful for the Easter Offering service being a full circuit service—other circuits in the district may follow our example in future years. The Autumn come together had a different format in that it became the Togethercombe Village Fayre and we were delighted to have Mrs Jean Morton as a special guest to open the Fayre. The parade of decorated/fancy hats (prize won by Mrs Hunt from Inkersall) was one part of the fun and games on a very enjoyable event. The year saw income of £1760.37 for Network funds. Thank You everyone.
CHURCH TREASURERS—PLEASE NOTE!
As requested at the last Circuit Meeting, Peter has arranged a visit by Theresa Stedman to explain the new Church Policy (Insurance). Would all treasurers make every effort to attend on Thursday 30th January 2003 at 7.30 pm at Staveley (along with others interested eg stewards/property secretaries).
THINGS I REGRET—by Sister Elizabeth Richards
(after 50 years as a deaconess!)
I regret….
...so much time and energy had to be spent on maintaining buildings.
...the opportunities that I missed because I was not alert enough to God and His children.
...that I kept silent when I should have spoken, because I was afraid of how people would react.
...that I spoke out when I should have been silent—my own ego asserting itself!
...time that I spent on the wrong things.
...being so independent when God wanted me to be more dependent on Him.
...that I didn’t spend more time in prayer before I spoke or acted.
...that I was afraid of being vulnerable, when I should have trusted God.
...that the love of Jesus was not always found in me.
...the times when I have not listened to God, my colleagues and His children.
I am amazed that God should choose me and use me in spite of my failures.
How gracious have been His people — patient and forgiving.
“SAMARITANS PURSE” SHOEBOX APPEAL
Staveley have taken part in the Shoebox appeal again this year and have sent off 35 boxes (6 more than last year) along with £142 in donations.
Misprints from the Parish Magazine:
The church drama group will be presenting Shakespear’s Hamlet in the Church Hall next Friday at 7.00 pm. The congregation is invited to attend this tragedy
MANSE FUND FAISING
As those of you who attended the last circuit meeting will recall, the leadership team were asked to look at ways in which we can raise funds towards the cost of renovating the manses. We appreciate that some churches are already fund raising for their own buildings, and that there are limits to what we can expect. We have, however, discussed the matter and Peter has offered to organise a musical evening at one of the churches, and a garden party (later next year) could be two ways of holding circuit fund raising events. Do you have any other suggestions? Replies please to the circuit office…
DISTRICT EVANGELISM DAY
Information is beginning to filter through about a district day next March (Saturday 22 March 2003—put it in your new diary!) which will take place at Victoria Hall in Sheffield. There are to be a number of (nationally known) speakers on a day intended to equip local churches for acts of evangelism in their own communities. Entitled “Sharing Jesus in Word and Deed”, the day will be from 9.30 until 3.30. There will be a registration fee of £2.50 to cover copying and other costs, and we would arrange transport if a group would like to attend from this circuit.
CIRCUIT PRAYER LIST
Please remember these friends in your church and personal prayers:
Marjory Henry, Jean and Harry Feneley, Lily Samuel
Circuit Meetings and Other Church Events
December 2002
1 Circuit Advent Service 6.00 pm Barrow Hill
4 Christmas Coffee Morning and Stalls
10.00 am—12 noon Hillstown
6 Network Christmas Market 10.00 am Victoria Hall, Sheffield
6 Circuit Prayer Meeting 7.30 pm Hillstown
14 Circuit Carol Service 6.00 pm Staveley
16 Circuit Prayer Meeting 7.30 pm Staveley
Christmas around the circuit
Carol Services:
15 December: 6.00 pm: BARROW HILL - Rev Mark Coles 10.30 am: STAVELEY - Nativity - Rev Mark Coles
22 December: 10.30 am: BOLSOVER - Nativity
6.00 pm: BOLSOVER - Rev Peter Cross
10.45 am: BRIMINGTON - Rev Mark Coles
6.00 pm: BRIMINGTON - Mr Kevin Laming
10.15 am: BRIMINGTON COMMON - Mr Eric Vaughan (Christmas with the Children)
6.00 pm: BRIMINGTON COMMON - OA
10.45 am: CLOWNE - Nativity
6.00 pm: CLOWNE - OA
6.00 pm: DUCKMANTON - OA
6.00 pm: HILLSTOWN - OA
10.30 am: INKERSALL - OA
6.00 pm: INKERSALL - Praise Choir
4.00 pm: NEW BRIMINGTON - Rev Mark Coles (Christingle)
10.30 am: STAVELEY - OA
Christmas Eve:
11.30 pm: STAVELEY - Revd Mark Coles
11.30 pm: CLOWNE - Revd Peter Cross
Christmas Day:
9.15 am: DUCKMANTON - Revd Peter Cross
10.00 am: INKERSALL - Revd Mark Coles
10.00 am: NEW BRIMINGTON - Mrs May Hoyes
10.30 am: BOLSOVER - Revd Peter Cross
10.30 am: BRIMINGTON - Revd Raymond Goadby
January 2003
6 Circuit Prayer Meeting 7.30 pm Brimington Common
17 Circuit Prayer Meeting 7.30 pm New Brimington
30 Treasurers meet with Insurance Representative
7.30 pm Staveley
May we take this opportunity of wishing each and every one of our readers a peaceful and blessed time at Christmas, and in the New Year.
The Circuit Leadership Team.