Our Vision
Aspire… to Inspire… a Desire… in JESUS!
April 2003 No 22
CIRCUIT SERVICES
There are two more occasions in the current plan when we hope that everyone will get together to worship as a circuit. Firstly, in addition to the normal planned services, we are holding a united Easter Offering Dedication Service at Brimington Hall Road on Sunday, 4 May at 3.00 pm (Note the time!) when the leader will be Miss Pamela Grayson from Sheffield.
Then a couple of weeks later on 18 May at Staveley, the morning service will take the form of our circuit LPMAA service. Usually we have the services of local preachers from neighbouring circuits for the week of LPMAA Sunday (and our own local preachers travel to other circuits in return!), but this year we are having a visit from Mr Peter Relf who is the national Local preachers secretary. He will lead worship at 10.30 am and this will be followed by a Faith Lunch and a seminar (Preachers, Worship Leaders and Youth Worship Teams: Welcoming newcomers and working together) to which everyone is invited. The day will finish by 2.30 pm. We hope that as many of you as possible will come along to support these services, and make them an enjoyable time of worship and fellowship together.
J2
Do you know any children or teenagers who pray?
J2 is an event at Sheffield’s Ponds Forge Sports Centre on 25 May and is a day for calling children together and taking the prayers of children seriously…. A day when Heaven is touched by heartfelt cries…. A day when real changes take place in real situations…..
Crossbow ministries are organising the day and hope that 1000 children will take part.
There are registration forms in the circuit office if anyone would like more information on the day’s programme check out my notice board.
HOLIDAY CLUB
Just a little late for last month, we report that during the half term holiday in February, a Holiday Club loosely based on the material produced by Scripture Union for the millennium called “Y Now?” was run in Clowne.
Numbers attending varied from 16-20 each day and there was non-stop action (games, craft work, video and a 3-part play performed by three of the older youth group) for the under 11s. “Great Fun” “When can we come again?” were just two of the comments on the club. Many thanks to all who helped run the club, and made the refreshments to keep them going!
So that the older group were not left out, a holiday youth club was held in the afternoon where we enjoyed a time together playing video games, pool, table tennis and a number of “Silly” games to involve everyone (leaders too!)
Hard work in preparation and long days for the leaders were well worth the effort—thank you from the church.
THOUGHT FOR TODAY
Preach faith till you have it; and then,
because you have it, preach faith.
Peter Bohler to John Wesley |
JOHN WESLEY 300th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION:
LINCOLN CATHEDRAL
Applications are now invited for tickets for one of the major events marking the 300th anniversary of the birth of John Wesley this year. The Ecumenical Service of Celebration is to be held at Lincoln Cathedral on Tuesday 17 June at 2.30pm. Methodist, Anglican and other Christian leaders from across Britain and the world are to attend the service, along with civic guests. The Preacher at the service is to be the President of the Methodist Conference, the Revd Ian White.
Applications for tickets can now be sought by writing to: "Wesley Celebration Tickets", 8 Claybergh Drive, Sleaford NG34 7BG or by e-mail to: wesley2003@methodistchurch.org.uk Please add "Wesley Celebration Tickets" in the subject box. In all applications, please state the number of tickets required together with the postal address to send tickets.
CIRCUIT PRAYER LIST
Please remember these friends in your church and personal prayers:
Marjory Henry, Lily Samuel, Gerald Sawyer
THE METHODIST CLASS MEETING
There are some advantages in age! One of mine is that I remember the Methodist Class Meeting. This was before Methodists became so sophisticated that they did not like to acknowledge their need of God.
In the 1940s we stopped singing choruses---until Billy Graham reintroduced them, even then, they were considered to be for the young people, the so called outsiders, and the Women's Meeting who clung to their Moody and Sankey's
Our Class Meeting was held on Wednesday Evenings. Half way between Sundays when we needed a Spiritual boost before going back to the challenge of the mill, the pit, office, shop, and family.
It was hard practising Christian living in the society in which we lived and we knew that we needed God in order to do so and the support of fellow Christians.
When Wesley introduced the class meeting Methodists were subjected to all kinds of persecution. Meetings they held were sometimes disrupted by a mob. Therefore the class ticket was shown to gain admission to services and meetings.
Our class meeting consisted of a leader and 11 members, making twelve like the 12 disciples. We began with hymns and prayer. Each member then related how God had blessed them during the week, a good leader kept each one brief and no interruptions or arguments were allowed. The group was bonded spiritually, and the leader gave good pastoral care to each member. Mutual support was give through times of sickness, financial hardship; the problems of daily life were shared.
Prayers were said by any who felt called to pray, these had to be brief and to the point . There were times of silence when we just allowed God to speak to our hearts. Great emphasis was laid on humility. Each counting others better than themselves.
We knew that God loved and Jesus died for all. However we also wanted God's approval, so our lives had to be tested by His life.
In these conditions people grew in the things of the Spirit, lives were changed, calls to service were heard. Our meeting was a cell of the living Church. In us Jesus lived and through us the Holy Spirit worked.
Elizabeth
CIRCUIT PRAYER MEETINGS
At the circuit meeting, a question was asked about the present scheduling of circuit prayer meetings. There are just a few “core” members of these meetings and we wondered whether the system of alternating Mondays and Fridays may be partly to blame for others not being aware of when the meetings were taking place. Some churches are not represented even when “at home” for the meeting! The next meeting will be at Staveley on 11 April—please come along and join in fellowship and prayer for our world, our country, our circuit, our churches… Your views and prayers are important.
“Especially For You”
Sister Elizabeth has compiled a selection of her writings (published in The Peoples Friend) into a booklet/greeting card entitled “Words of Comfort and Encouragement—Especially for You!”
The booklets are available (at cost) to the churches from sister Elizabeth, and any profits from sale will go to the individual churches.
COMMUNITY BIBLE STUDY
CBS is an in depth study of God’s word which originated in the USA and is spreading throughout the UK and the world. A course runs for a period of 30 weeks and is open to anyone who has a desire to study the bible.
The Bolsover class meets at different venues (Bolsover on Thursday morning and evening, Calow on Thursday evening and also in Chesterfield)—and more may be arranged if demand for them exists. The next study will be Matthew’s Gospel commencing on 11 September 2003, for more information contact Margaret Rowley (tel: 825877) or Eileen Coupe (823956) or Peter Soar (824161)
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. For more details ring 345727.
SNM INTER-DENOMINATIONAL PRAYER GROUP
...is a group who meet at intervals for prayer and discussion of common concerns in the Staveley area. The minutes of their seventh meeting on 5 March 2003 which was attended by Rev Michael Champney - Vicar of Duckmanton, Rev. Mark Coles - Methodist Minister, Vee Coxon - Salvation Army, Diana Grandage - Anglican Church, Kath Staniland - Roman Catholic Church, Angela Gray, convener and Jeanette Clayton and Margaret Keen SNM are as follows:
1] Most urgent prayer for Jeanette, Margaret and the consultant in the process of redrafting the 2nd year delivery plan due next Wednesday 12 March, for the meeting with GOEM on that day and that it will meet with approval and not require any more time consuming work.
2] Pray for lessening of the burden of proving how well they are doing the job, and just let them get on with it.
3] Pray for a good response to the advert in the Derbyshire Times for the recruitment evening at the Chantry youth club to encourage adults to work/train as youth workers. Projects have had to close because people are not applying for this kind of work in Staveley. If you’re interested contact Barbara Sansome at the Peter Webster centre 269569.
4] Pray for the successful start of a Play Station games club for youngsters and the possibility of buying a mobile skateboarding ramp to move around the district.
5] Pray for the next board meeting 20 March at the Stables 6 - 8pm Angela will be chairing. That it will be approved that “Quick Win” applications can become up to £1000, and leveredge spend up to £200 on Jeanette’s authority.
6] Pray that the local drugs strategy will begin to make a difference, that prescribing GPs will come forward, that the advert for a drugs worker will be fruitful.
7] Pray that the Health Visitor seconded two days a week to team Staveley will start work soon and make a difference. Pray for 10 May "Health For All" 10-4 Middlecroft Leisure Centre. Transport will be provided from the Town Centre.
8] Pray for a better information arid advice service generally in Staveley - CAB is not open enough.
9] Pray that the Police check on the second Neighbourhood Ranger will come through quickly so he can cover when Mick will be off sick pray for quick healing for Mick.
10] Continue to pray against the atmosphere of hopelessness, lack of aspirations and no moral code.
11] 14 May launch of Community Cohesion Report particularly centring on domestic violence, pray that this will be well attended and produce good outcomes.
12] Continue to pray against all forms of exploitation of our fellow man for personal gratification.
13] Last but not least please pray against any Satanist activity there may be in the area especially behind the Church and Hall.
The Next Prayer Meeting Wednesday 2 April 12.00 - 1.00 at 2 Lowfield
LOST PROPERTY
After the united service at Staveley, we found a child’s purse. If Siân would like to contact the office it will be returned…
TAKE CARE
We have been given information about two telephone scams which are presently doing the rounds. You have probably had a notice in the church, but I will repeat them just in case…
First, a scam which has ladies as their target. You receive a phone call from “The Post Office” asking for confirmation of your postcode. You are then told that you have become eligible for some gift vouchers—please give your home address and postcode so that they can send the vouchers to you..
So far most of the ladies who responded have been burgled—it is merely a way of finding out if your home will be empty! If you receive such a call do not co-operate, the Post Office have confirmed that they are NOT conducting any postcode surveys.
The second scam involves a call from someone who purports to be an AT&T Service Technician conducting a test on your telephone line (although by now they may have some other equally official sounding “occupation”). They will ask to complete the “test” that you dial 90# and then hang up. Unfortunately, this action will allow them to use their telephone to make calls which will be billed to your account. Police have found that many of these calls originate in prisons, and the billing generally is for calls to high rate chat lines or international numbers. NEVER dial 90# for anyone!
Staveley & District Churches United Choir
...will be singing the 'Way of the Cross' on 4 April at 7.30 pm at the Church of Ascension, Loundsley Green and again on 14 April at 7.30 pm at Holy Trinity Church, Shirebrook
EASTER
Among other special Easter events at circuit churches, you are invited to join Brimington in their Easter Praise time at 7.45 pm on Easter Sunday (20 April). This will be a relaxed and light time of Praise and Worship featuring drama and the Worship Band “New Commandment”. Tea and Biscuits will preceed the worship.
Circuit DIARY
Meetings and Other Church Events for the forthcoming months
April
4-6 MAYC Provincial Weekend Middlesbrough
7 Circuit Network Committee 2.00 pm Staveley
7 Sisterhood Rally 3.00 pm Barrow Hill
10 Baptismal Preparation Class 7.30 pm Staveley
11 Circuit Prayer Meeting 7.30 pm Staveley
14 Sisterhood Rally 3.00 pm Clowne
17 “Last Supper” Communion 7.00 pm Staveley
17 Maundy Thursday Communion 8.00 pm Clowne
18 Good Friday Devotions 10.00 am Staveley
18 Parade of Witness 10.30 am Clowne
18 Interdenominational Service of Witness in the Market Square, 1.00 pm Staveley
19 Men’s Fellowship Breakfast 8.30 am Staveley
21 Deadline for material to be included in next newsletter
29 Circuit Meeting (Manses) 7.30 pm Clowne
May
3 Chesterfield Museum 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
24-30 Cliff College Festival
25 J2 day Sheffield
30 Circuit Prayer Meeting 7.30 pm New Brimington
June
3 Chesterfield Museum Art Collection Display finishes
7 NCH Sponsored Walk—Hardwick Hall to Bolsover Castle
9 Circuit Prayer Meeting 7.30 pm Brimington
21 Men’s Fellowship Breakfast 8.30 am Staveley
20 Circuit Prayer Meeting 7.30 pm Bolsover
23 Deadline for material to be included in next newsletter
28 Christmas in June Bolsover
30 Circuit Prayer Meeting 7.30 pm Clowne |