Our Vision

Aspire… to Inspire…  a Desire… in JESUS!

January 2003                    No 19

Firstly I hope you had an enjoyable Christmas and are looking forward to the new year. This year is a major year of celebration for the Methodist Church as it is 300 years since the birth of the founder of Methodism John Wesley. So using the John Wesley tercentenary website www.wesley2003.org.uk I have put together a brief history of our founder. Yours in Christ Mark Coles

John Wesley was born on 17 June 1703 ('old style' calendar - or 28 June in the 'new style' calendar after 1752). His birthplace was Epworth in Lincolnshire. He was a renowned preacher and spiritual leader of the 'Methodist revival'. 

'I look upon the whole world as my parish'

The occasion of the tercentenary of John Wesley's birth offers the Church the opportunity to celebrate the life of one of the most influential personalities in its history. 

Key Dates
1703 John Wesley born in Epworth, Lincolnshire, England
1709 Fire at Epworth Rectory - John Wesley rescued.
1714 Admitted to Charterhouse School, London
1720 Undergraduate at Christ Church, Oxford
1725 Ordained deacon
1726 Elected Fellow of Lincoln College, Oxford
1735 Missionary in Georgia, returning 1737
1738 Aldersgate experience: "I felt my heart strangely warmed."
1739 Commences outdoor preaching
From the 1730s until his death, it is calculated that John Wesley travelled some many thousands of miles around Britain, on horseback and by carriage; preached several times each day and wrote or edited some 400 publications. He left behind a movement of about 70,000 members.
1744 First Methodist Conference
1751 Marriage to Mrs Mary Vazeille (separated 1755)
1791 Died on 3 March at City Road, London

Historic Sites
Epworth, Lincolnshire The Old Rectory, the birthplace of John and Charles Wesley, was restored by the World Methodist Council in 1956, and is open to the public. Perhaps we could organise a visit to Epworth, or another of the historic sites of Methodism.
Oxford Christ Church and Lincoln Colleges, the University Church where Wesley preached, and other sites can be visited.
Bristol The 'New Room' of 1739 is the oldest Methodist building in the world. Restored in 1929, it retains much of the atmosphere of the 18th century. Above are the rooms where the travelling preachers met and lodged. Nearby is the house where Charles Wesley and his family lived, now a heritage centre open to visitors and for scholarly research. Some of you may have already heard my illustrated talk on the New Room; if not and you would like me to come, then please contact me.
London Wesley's Chapel and house in City Road are open to visitors. The Museum of Methodism tells the story of the evolution of the Methodist movement, and the house also contains many items associated with John Wesley. Around City Road are many places also associated with Wesley, such as his mother's grave in the Bunhill Fields burial ground, the buildings of Charterhouse where he went to school. At Aldersgate Street is the 'Aldersgate Flame' memorial, commemorating the place where Wesley experienced his 'conversion' in May 1738.

News from around the world
At Christmas, many of our ministers write a general newsletter and this year is no exception.  I have copies of the letters from some of our past circuit ministers—Roy and Jo Newell in Samoa, Bob Siddle (in Leeds), Alan Morton, and Corrine (lay worker).
All of who remember their time in this circuit and wish a Happy Christmas to everyone.  The letters are too long to be printed in full but I will keep them in the office if anyone wants to read them.
For Roy Newell this has been the year of the visitors - 29 in all—including Gwen.  Things in Samoa have changed during the year with the election of a new president of their conference and Roy and Jo have had to make changes in  their ministry.  They will be returning home in 2003—to Essex.
For Bob Siddle, 2002 marked his retirement from preaching (aged 89).
Alan Morton has also made an important preaching decision in 2002—as we all know he is hoping to retire in 2004 so we should see more of him then!  

JOINT METHODIST/ANGLICAN SYNOD MEETING
As mentioned in last month’s newsletter, the Anglican church have invited us (the Methodist Circuit Meeting) to their Deanery Synod which will be held at Barlborough Parish Church on Thursday 20 February 2003  at 7.15 pm.  The geographical area covered by the deanery corresponds well with our circuit, so it should be a time for us to “compare notes” and share common problems with our Anglican friends.

YOUNG PEOPLE’S CORNER
A car-ful of young people and leaders from Clowne went to the concert given by the Tribe at the Winding Wheel in Chesterfield on 22 December.  We had seen the group before at MAYC in Birmingham, and they were no less spectacular in Chesterfield—although some of the atmosphere was missing with the smaller venue (but none of the noise!).  There were some 500 present from various churches in the area and those who went had a great evening of music, dance and testimony from the performers.  It is a pity that many more young people from our circuit can’t (or won’t) join in with these events.  We are planning to take a group to MAYC provincial weekend in Middlesbrough on April 4-6 - details from the 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 could arrange transport if a group would like to attend from this circuit.

NCH COLLECTION
To all who helped in the recent collection at Morrison’s in Staveley, thanks are due from NCH for the £240.39 which was raised.  This generous support will help NCH maintain and develop it’s work in improving the lives of vulnerable children, young people and their families.
Would members of the Bolsover and Staveley NCH Support Group please note that the next meeting has been rearranged to Wednesday 26 March 2003 at 7.30 pm at Graham Newton’s.

MHA
Would all churches please note that we now have a circuit MHA Representative in Don Onions.  It would make things much easier if you would send any donations for MHA through Don.  Donations sent direct to head office are put on Don’s circuit statement—and as you treasurers will know, trying to balance books with only half of the information to hand is difficult.

THANKS TO PETER AND PAULINE
For their hospitality to those who visited the manse on New Year’s Day.

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

 January 2003

  6        Circuit Prayer Meeting                       7.30 pm Brimington Common
17       Circuit Prayer Meeting                       7.30 pm         New Brimington
30       Treasurers and stewards meet with Insurance Representative
                                                                      7.30 pm                     Staveley

February 2003

  7        Circuit Network Committee               2.00 pm                     Staveley
  7        Circuit Prayer Meeting                       7.30 pm                 Brimington
17       Circuit Prayer Meeting                       7.30 pm                     Bolsover
20        Deanery Synod                                  7.15 pm
                                                                          Barlborough Parish Church
28       Circuit Prayer Meeting                       7.30 pm               Barlborough