Our Vision
Aspire… to Inspire… a Desire… in JESUS!
March 2003 No 21
THE PLAN…
Some of you will have received your plans at the beginning of last month and on looking through them may have wondered where was the Easter Offering Service…. Last year we had a very successful Circuit Service at Barrow Hill to receive the Network Easter Offerings, and YES we are repeating the exercise again this year, but there are already two other circuit services in the quarter and so the Easter Offering will be received at a special additional service. Brimington Hall Road will host the service on Sunday, 4 May at 3.00 pm (Note the time!) when the leader will be Miss Pamela Grayson from Sheffield. We hope that as many of you as possible will come along to support the service, and make it an enjoyable time of worship and fellowship together.
CIRCUIT NEWSLETTER
As I have pointed out on numerous occasions, this newsletter can only pass on information if you send it in for publication. I have a source of “national” and general interest material but there ought to be far more local items (reports of, and advance notification of events and happenings in your church). Several people have asked recently “When is the deadline for inclusion?” - so I give you the way to work this out…. You get the newsletter on the first Sunday in the month. It has to be printed and distributed in the week before this, so the absolute deadline for “stop press” news is the Friday before the last Sunday of the previous month, although I would prefer to have as much material as possible a week before this. So the preferred dates for material to arrive for the next six months are: 24 March, 21 April, 19 May, 23 June, 21 July, 25 August, 22 September. I’ll try to remember to include these dates in the Circuit diary each month to remind you!
DISTRICT EVANGELISM DAY
You will by now have had pulpit notices about a district day on Saturday 22 March 2003 which will take place at Victoria Hall in Sheffield. There are to be a number of (nationally known) speakers—including the president of conference—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.
LADIES…
Would you like a change of scenery? - a meal prepared and served for you, and a time of quiet relaxation in lovely surroundings—as well as meeting others from the Network District. THIS IS AN OFFER - a “Quiet Day” from 10 am until 4 pm at Whirlow Grange in Sheffield on Wednesday 9 April OR at Bawtry Hall Conference Centre on 10 April. Both days will be led by Mrs Kathleen Wilson (who comes highly recommended) and the theme for the day is “Just One In A Crowd”.
This is your chance to have a day off and enjoy a change of routine—for only £13 which includes lunch, and coffee/tea breaks. Book now either through your own church ladies meeting secretary or Rita Sawyer (277083). Bookings must received before 14 March—indicating your choice of day. Don’t miss this special day— it will be even better than you have imagined!….
PS Don’t be put off by the word “quiet” - you don’t have to be silent all the time! There will be plenty of laughter and sharing with others too. See you there—with a photo of yourself (alone), a bible and a copy of Hymns and Psalms.
DUCKMANTON METHODIST CHURCH
During the past few years we have been busy renovating our church. We have had new toilets installed at the entrance, a new roof, gutterings and fall pipes and a new kitchen put in. The rear of the church had to have extensive repairs, the outside walls have been re-clad and finally the inside has been completely stripped and renovated.
On 15 March 2003 at 3.00 pm we shall be holding a short act of thanksgiving during which Lord and Lady Varley will unveil a plaque to celebrate the completion of the refurbishment programme.
Refreshments will be served. Please come and join us in giving thanks to the Lord for all his goodness.
CIRCUIT PRAYER LIST
Please remember these friends in your church and personal prayers:
Marjory Henry, Lily Samuel, Gerald Sawyer.
WORLD ACTION FOR TRADE JUSTICE
Throw Your Weight Behind World Action's Campaign.
MAYC World Action is asking young people to "Throw Your Weight Around", and join the new campaign: "World Action for Trade Justice". MAYC is adding its voice to the 9 million others already calling for Trade Justice, as they have now joined the Trade Justice Movement, and want young people to take part in the "24 hours for Trade Justice" on 27/28 June. The event starts with the first ever Local Lobby Marathon from 12 noon on Friday 27 June - 12 noon on Saturday 28 June. The aim is to lobby EVERY MP in their local constituency at some point over this 24 hour period. To our knowledge, this is the first time this will ever have been done. Saturday 28 June is the 'Weigh in' for Trade Justice! The 24hr Local Lobby Marathon will end with a 'Weigh in'. At events and gatherings all over the UK (and beyond!), at exactly 12 noon, campaigners will stand together holding high sets of scales - our international symbol for trade justice.
Lizzie Jeans of World Action said: "2003 is a crucial year for trade justice. Our government is preparing for a vitally important month of trade meetings in September. Major decisions about international trade are on the agenda of the World Trade Organisation, the World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund. The lives of many of the world's poorest people are held in the balance. MAYC can help make the call for trade justice louder and clearer than ever before, and shout for Tony Blair to "Throw his Weight behind Trade Justice."
For more info and campaign pack available in March, please contact: World
Action on 0207 467 5197, or e-mail worldaction@methodistchurch.org.uk
EPWORTH OLD RECTORY
Visitor Centre's Appeal and New Pictorial Resource: Jean Parton on behalf of the Fundraising group from the Trustees of the Old Rectory at Epworth writes: "To mark the tercentenary of John Wesley's birth, the Trustees of the Old Rectory at Epworth have launched a £500,000 appeal for a new Visitor Centre in the grounds and refurbishment of part of the Old Rectory. The Visitor Centre will depict the influence of the Wesley Family up to the present day. This will be achieved by means of the most up to date technological equipment, displays and artefacts. Your church will shortly be receiving a 'birthday card' giving information as to how this Appeal can be supported."
The Old Rectory at Epworth is also the focus for an imaginative new book of watercolours and drawings by John Hurst, an established traditional watercolourist who was born in Epworth in 1951. Having Methodist connections since childhood and having produced quality lithographs on behalf of Epworth Old Rectory since 1977 John willingly accepted this new challenge. The narrative text, also composed by the Artist on his travels, captures not only the very essence of each locality but includes some first hand recollections sourced from family members of the original Methodist
Societies.
WOMEN’S WORLD DAY OF PRAYER
Friday 7 March sees the annual day of prayer. There are a number of joint/united services taking place in the circuit. The Bolsover churches meet at Hillstown at 7.30 pm when the speaker is to be Mrs Pauline Cross. Clowne churches will meet together at the Parish Church Hall at 2.30 pm, Brimington churches at the Parish Church at 2.15 pm when the speaker will be Janet Fox and Staveley will meet at the Parish Church at 2.00 pm.
Concert for Network/MHA
The Phoenix Singers will be giving a concert at Bolsover Methodist Church at 7.30 pm on 15 March 2003. I haven’t got information on tickets or prices, but all proceeds will be shared between Network’s World Church Fund and Methodist Homes for the Aged. Further details can be obtained from Muriel Maughan—the Network Treasurer.
Whitwell Male Voice Choir...
… will be in concert at Hillstown on Saturday 29 March at 7.00 pm. Invitations are available, there is no charge for the concert — but a collection will be taken for Missionary funds.
… the choir is looking for new singers and a conductor (as reported last month). If you would like to join them please ring Michael Rogers on 01246 811214 for details.
THE IMAGINED WORD
Is the title given to an Inspiring Collection of Contemporary Christian Art which will be on display for a month starting 3 May at the Chesterfield Museum Art Gallery. Admission is free, and for more details ring 01246 345727.
STAVELEY
The Christmas Eve candlelit carol service at Staveley was well attended as usual, including many from other churches in the circuit. Mark’s short address was very topical featuring e-mail messages.
The offerings for shelter totalled £97.01 which was rounded up to £100.
Circuit Diary
Meetings and Other Church Events for the forthcoming months
March 2003
3 Sisterhood Rally 3.00 pm Inkersall
7 Women’s World Day of Prayer 7.30 pm Hillstown
7 Local Preachers Continuing Training 7.30 pm Staveley
10 Local Preachers Meeting 7.30 pm Duckmanton
10 Circuit Prayer Meeting 7.30 pm Barrow Hill
13 Circuit GP Meeting 7.30 pm Staveley
15 Men’s Fellowship Breakfast 8.30 am Staveley
15 Auction Sale 11.00 am Brimington
15 Thanksgiving Service 3.00 pm Duckmanton
15 Concert by Phoenix Singers 7.30 pm Bolsover
16 Circuit United Service 10.30 am Staveley
19 Circuit Meeting 7.30 pm Duckmanton
21 Circuit Prayer Meeting 7.30 pm Brimington Common
22 District Evangelism Day 9.30 am Victoria Hall, Sheffield
24 Deadline for material to be included in next newsletter
26 Circuit NCH Support Group 7.30 pm Graham Newton’s
29 Concert by Whitwell MVC 7.00 pm Hillstown
April 2003
7 Circuit Network Committee 2.00 pm Staveley
11 Circuit Prayer Meeting 7.30 pm Staveley
14 Sisterhood Rally 3.00 pm Clowne
19 Men’s Fellowship Breakfast 8.30 am Staveley
21 Deadline for material to be included in next newsletter
28 Sisterhood Rally 3.00 pm Barrow Hill
May 2003
3 Chesterfield Art Collection opens
4 Circuit Easter Offerings Service 3.00 pm Brimington
9 Circuit Prayer Meeting 7.30 pm Inkersall
17 Men’s Fellowship Breakfast 8.30 am Staveley
18 LPMAA Circuit United Service 10.30 am Staveley
19 Circuit Prayer Meeting 7.30 pm Duckmanton
19 Deadline for material to be included in next newsletter
30 Circuit Prayer Meeting 7.30 pm New Brimington
