Our Vision
Aspire… to Inspire… a Desire… in JESUS!
February 2003 No 20
I was expecting a heated response to my letter in the December to February plan as it was my hope to open up a debate about what it means to be the church in our secular world. In the event I received just one letter suggesting that I might not be seeing things quite in the right way. It was such a challenging and well thought out letter that I asked permission from the person who wrote it to reproduce some of the ideas raised in order to take the discussion a stage further.
“Dear Peter,
… To be the church today means to be a Christian Community with Christ at its centre, flowing outwards through members in fellowship, care for others including financial help and Christian teaching for all ages. We should also be a part of and not apart from the local community. Here is the difficulty. I have prayed daily to be shown a way forward in which we can be more relevant. There is no doubt in my mind that this is an age that has turned its back on Gods. It’s not just a rejection of organised religion. I don’t find that your assumption that we “long for a full church with more folks to share the responsibility” rings true to me. To me it is not an aim. If we have the type of fellowship outlined above plus the ability to express my faith in worship, the main remaining problem is that of trying to reach others in the community.”
The letter goes on to challenge my negative assumption that many people see Church life as simply “keeping the building going” and points out that for the author of the letter and for many others, Church work is not a chore but a delight. The letter goes on to say…
“…I see my duty as that of a steward, living day by day in God’s service but conscious that I have inherited a “mountain of faith”. As a steward, my duty is to hold my inheritance in trust for a hoped for return to a more active Christian Society. Once a church is lost it is lost for ever.
…I see the only way forward as working together and I hope that this may be a pattern for future discussions –starting with our church councils.”
I would like to thank the author of that letter for the time and trouble taken to put those thoughts on paper. It made me rethink some of my ideas. I invite further comments and contributions.
Peter
30 YEARS CELEBRATION
Last year, in a blaze of publicity, Emmerdale celebrated their 30th anniversary. In a totally different situation, the Pfüngstadt Link Group quietly celebrated 30 years of twinning.
Many years ago there was a Staveley and District Christian Council comprising all the clergy and two representatives from each church in the district. Meetings were held twice a year with the aim of working more closely and getting to know each other as a Christian Community. At one of those meetings, Revd Kenneth Mowl brought greetings from a pastor Beiber of Pfüngstadt in Germany. There was also a request—”would we consider a closer relationship?” So, 30 years ago the first exchange visit was made and the following year, members of the Pfüngstadt church made their first visit to England, a pattern that still exists today.
Many friendships have been made. Last year two members of that original party were in our own group visiting Pfüngstadt. Our hosts care for us and provide interesting outings and activities. Geographically the Pfüngstadt area is very beautiful and there are many places of interest to visit.
This year, 2003, the return visit of our German friends will be towards the end of July when we shall be giving our English hospitality.
The Pfüngstadt Link Group meets periodically but as the dates have yet to be announced for the next visit, arrangements are on hold.
This is a Christian commitment, not political, but if it is to continue then new members are needed. The next meeting of the Link Group will be on Monday 24 February at 7.30 pm at Mrs Wedgner’s—6 Cotterhill Lane, Brimington, or come along to the Barn Dance in the Brimington Church Hall on Saturday 1 March at 7.30 pm. A price of £3.50 for adults and £2.50 for children includes a buffet supper.
More details can be got by telephoning Mr Peter Deeming (the chairman) on 01246 475431 or treasurer Mrs Sue Greaves on 01246 272625.
WHAT GOES ON, WHERE…
BARLBOROUGH: WEDNESDAY 7.30 pm Fellowship
BARROW HILL: MONDAY 2.45 pm Ladies Meeting
BOLSOVER: MONDAY 2.45 pm Women's Fellowship, 7.30 pm (occasionally) Worship Preparation Group, TUESDAY 6.00 pm Boys Brigade, 7.30 pm (occasionally) Worship Preparation Group, THURSDAY 10.00 am Community Bible Study, 7.30 pm Community Bible Study at Mr & Mrs Newton’s, FRIDAY 10.30 am Coffee Morning
BRIMINGTON: SUNDAY 10.00 am Prayer Group, TUESDAY 9.30 am Mums and Toddlers, 2.30 pm Ladies Friendship Circle (2nd and 4th weeks), 7.30 pm Fellowship at 66 Hill View Road (contact 279664), WEDNESDAY 10.00 am Fellowship Group (various venues contact 620908), 7.00 pm Choir Practice, THURSDAY 2.30 pm Mums and Toddlers, 5.30 pm Brownies, Guides, FRIDAY 7.30 pm Monthly fellowship at 59 Cotterhill Lane (contact 271608)
BRIMINGTON COMMON: MONDAY 7.30 pm (Alternate weeks) Social Hour / Prayer Group, TUESDAY 7.30 pm (Alternate weeks) Fellowship Group, WEDNESDAY 2.30 pm Sisterhood, THURSDAY 7.30 pm (Alternate weeks) Fellowship Group
CLOWNE: MONDAY 6.00 pm Sisterhood, 7.15 (occasionally) PTA, THURSDAY 10.00 am Prayer Fellowship, FRIDAY 6.15 Junior Club, 7.45 pm Youth Club, SATURDAY 10.00 am Coffee Morning
INKERSALL: MONDAY 2.30 pm Sisterhood, 7.30 pm Bible Study, WEDNESDAY 2.30 pm Bible Study, SATURDAY 10.30 am Coffee Morning
STAVELEY: MONDAY 2.30 pm Sisterhood, TUESDAY 5.30 pm Brownies, 7.00 pm Guides, WEDNESDAY 10.00 am (Alternate weeks) Prayer Meeting at 10 Hayfield Close, 2.00 pm (Alternate weeks) Wesley Guild, FRIDAY 10.00 am Intercessions, Coffee Morning, SATURDAY 8.30 am (3rd Sat in month) Men’s Breakfast
OUR CHOIR NEEDS YOU! (if you’re a man, that is)
Whitwell Male Voice Choir is an established choir of many years. We meet every Monday between 7.30 p.m. and 9 p.m. for practice, fellowship and a cuppa, at Methodist Church, Portland Street, Whitwell, all for 50p per week.
We are currently looking to recruit another conductor on a voluntary basis as ours has retired. If you feel you are equipped to fill this role please contact me before 14th February. Just as importantly we are looking for new choir members for all four sections of the choir but especially for top tenors.
We do concerts at various venues for the pleasure of audiences and the choir too and hopefully raise a small financial income to cover gratuities, buy music and uniforms.
If you are at all interested please call Michael Rogers on 01246 811214 for a chat.
We hope we do get some reaction to this letter as we all enjoy our involvement with the choir and are sure that others would too.
M. Rogers Secretary
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.
JOHN WESLEY TERCENTENARY 2003
BBC SONGS OF PRAISE
BBC TV is inviting Methodists in Britain to join a choir of a thousand
Methodist voices to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the birth of John
Wesley. The BIG SING will take place in the Royal Albert Hall on Sunday 30 March 2003. The hymns recorded that day will provide the music for three editions of Songs of Praise including a special programme to mark Wesley's tercentenary which will feature eight of Charles Wesley's greatest hymns. Paul Leddington Wright (founder of the MAYC Orchestra and Singers) will be conducting the singing, accompanied by the BBC Concert Orchestra. The evening will be hosted by Pam Rhodes and Aled Jones.
This Wesley special edition of Songs of Praise is planned to be broadcast in June 2003 to coincide with the 300th anniversary itself. The programme is also planned to feature separate location filming around some of the places associated with Wesley's life.
For those of you with internet connections, many new sources of online information for tercentenary events have become available in recent weeks and months. Some will, no doubt, be familiar to you already. But not wanting any of our regular readers of E-News to miss an opportunity to join in this important time of praise and celebration for the whole Methodist community here are some sites you may just have missed:
http://www.wesley2003.org.uk/ (comprehensive listings of all key 2003 anniversary events)
http://www.art.man.ac.uk/wesley/home.htm (John Wesley Tercentenary Conference at Manchester University, 2003)
http://www.mph.org.uk/welcome.php (Tercentenary resources and merchandise from Methodist Publishing House)
http://www.methodist.org.uk/europeanfestival.htm (specific information on the 2003 European Methodist Festival)
http://www.emk.de/aktuelles/396_560.htm (European Methodist Festival - Evangelisch-methodistische Kirche host site)
http://www.lincoln.ox.ac.uk/wesley/ (John Wesley Tercentenary Celebration at Lincoln College)
http://www.epwortholdrectory.org.uk/ (Epworth Old Rectory website)
http://www.forsaith-oxon.demon.co.uk/methodist-heritage/ (Background information on Wesleyan heritage)
CIRCUIT PRAYER LIST
Please remember these friends in your church and personal prayers:
Marjory Henry, Jean and Harry Feneley, Lily Samuel.
As the old year ends and we welcome in the new
Hear what the Prince of Peace says to you.
This is his message to all on earth,
Destiny’s child from the time of his birth
Remember me, in all that you do.
My body and blood here given for you
Never will I forsake you, ever.
I am the same today and forever,
Like the Church candles, shine so bright,
I am this world’s one true light.
Jesus Christ our future
With him, the new year starts
Thank God for all his blessings
With love and a grateful heart.
June Jones (Brimington Common)
ETHIOPIA - A COUNTRY IN CRISIS - MRDF's Response
Once again, reports from Ethiopia tell of a country in crisis, with 15
million facing starvation. The causes are complex, so who or what is to blame? The problem of food shortage in Ethiopia arises essentially from the chronic food insecurity of a sizeable proportion of the country's 63 million population. Much of the current problem is due to the failure to put in place disaster prevention strategies. Food shortages are aggravated by the legacy of the border war between Ethiopia and Eritrea, which ended last year. Whilst the burden of international debt repayments and the impact of deforestation have made the situation worse.
Over the last 40 years, the proportion of Ethiopia under forest fell from about 20% to less than 4%. In the tropics, trees absorb the sun's energy, lower daytime ground temperatures, ease wind speed, reduce evaporation of moisture in the soil and prevent soil erosion. When the trees have gone, the ground's fertility goes rapidly. Ethiopia can ill afford to lose its trees.
MRDF (Methodist Relief and Development Fund) is working with the Ethiopian Environmental Non-Governmental Organisation (EENGO), helping rural communities to manage their farm environment, through crop rotation, soil conservation and tree planting. The results have been amazing. Kefena Negera is an Ethiopian farmer battling against the annual threat of drought. Following advice from EENGO, Kefena rotated his food crops, planted indigenous trees and introduced soil conservation measures. This has protected Kefena against the drought and helped him to increase his yields. What can we do now?
It is difficult to ignore the immediate need. People are dying and the urge
to respond is very strong. Three other actions are equally important.
* Continue to support MRDF partners' longer-term development work.
MRDF supporters have helped organisations across Africa such as EENGO, the Rural Training Centre in Cameroon, who have planted over 6,000 tree
seedlings and women in Ghana who have planted sustainable teak as a cash crop. Maize, pineapples and cassava grow between the trees for more
immediate consumption. This all helps to protect the environment and provide food.
* Continue to support the fight against trade injustices and to international debt. The Jubilee 2000 campaign went a long way but over 10% of Ethiopia's government revenues are still being spent on repaying international debts.
* Pray.
METHODIST CHURCH HOUSE OPEN DAY
Are you planning a trip to London? On Wednesday 2 April 2003 (10.00am to 4.00pm) Methodist Church House is holding an open day to which you are warmly invited. The open day will be an ideal opportunity to meet the Connexional Team and participate in a programme of informative workshops. A full range of resources and an Our Calling exhibition will be on display.
THE BUZZ—More stories from around Methodism on the ‘Our Calling’ themes:
EVANGELISM :
From Southwell, Nottinghamshire
We wanted to raise our profile, and let locals know what happens in our church, so we had an Open Day. Every group in the Church had a display. Local charities were also invited to have a stall. There was a big splash in the local press. Some who visited have since returned to various activities. Just as important, we had the whole church there, joining in and being reminded of everything that does happen in our church. We ended by offering the life and work of the church to God in an act of worship.
Email contact: pamjwebster@btinternet.com, Phone contact: Alan Dearden - 01636 812850
SERVICE :
From Liverpool city centre
We’re baking bread and building hope above a shop. What began as the death of the old Central Hall has become new life in a ministry to Big Issue vendors and a community of Christians exploring faith. A music tutor recently gave time to teach guitar to some vendors. We got a dozen guitars by asking around local churches – now the group needs a drum-kit! And we’re setting up ‘Using your Loaf’ – to teach literacy, numeracy and food hygiene. As the Rev. Barbara Glasson says, “This is a brilliant place to be!”
Email contact: cnatton@fish.co.uk, Phone contact: Barbara Glasson 0151 706 0155
LEARNING and CARING :
From Poole and Swanage Circuit
We made contact with a good number of children through a holiday club in the summer. At Upton, we organised a Sunday afternoon ‘Go M.A.D.’ (Make and Do) in November. 65 children aged 5 to 11 came from all over the area for craft projects – crazy costumes, mad hats, a giant collage – plus dance, drama and music workshops, and a praise session. After tea, the 20 helpers and some parents plus the circuit congregations packed the church for a service.
Email contact:nick@funky.plus.com (www.nickthevic.co.uk), Phone contact: John Redwood 01202 773362
Circuit Meetings and Other Church Events
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
March 2003
3 Sisterhood Rally 3.00 pm Inkersall
10 Local Preachers Meeting 7.30 pm Duckmanton
10 Circuit Prayer Meeting 7.30 pm
13 Circuit GP Meeting 7.30 pm Staveley
19 Circuit Meeting 7.30 pm Duckmanton
21 Circuit Prayer Meeting 7.30 pm
22 District Evangelism Day 9.30 am Victoria Hall, Sheffield