Our Vision
Aspire… to Inspire… a Desire… in JESUS!
May 2003 No 23
LOCAL PREACHERS MUTUAL AID
Local Preachers Sunday, is for us at least, on Sunday 18 May this year. As you will see in the plan, we are holding a circuit united service at Staveley at 10.30 am when we have Mr Peter Relf with us. Peter lives in Mansfield but is the national Local Preachers Secretary so we look forward to his visit to our circuit.
Following the service, there will be time for you to eat your packed lunch and then Peter will lead a time together when you are invited to look at the way in which we welcome newcomers and work together at all levels in the church.
On a more earthly note, the circuit LPMA Secretary, Denis Kirk, would like to collect all this years subscriptions and church donations as soon after the 18 May as you can—church treasurers, and LPMA members please note! Thank you for your cooperation.
MAYC
A group from Clowne went to MAYC weekend in Middlesbrough last month. For a full report see the Youth Vision enclosed with this newsletter.
BRITISH METHODIST YOUTH CHOIR
The choir is a group of young people (aged 16—27) who come together 3 or 4 times a year to make music, have fun and fellowship with the church community where they meet. The choir is celebrating it’s 21st Anniversary this year, and as part of those celebrations will be presenting a concert at Endcliffe Methodist Church, Ecclesall Road, Sheffield on Saturday 5 July at 7.30. Tickets for this concert cost £6 each and are available from John Bailey (tel: 0114 235 1085).
JOHN WESLEY 300th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS:
IN SHEFFIELD DISTRICT
24 May: Sheffield Ecclesall Circuit
Circuit pilgrimage—all churches open all day with displays
25 May: Worksop & Kiveton Circuit
Circuit United Service at 6.00 pm at Worksop
13—15 June: Mosborough Methodist Church
Flower Festival (for details ring 0114 239 2462)
17 June: Sheffield West Circuit
Tea and Celebration Service at Carver Fields (details 0114 230 5676)
20—22 June: Doncaster
Flower Festival at The Priory. Sunday morning service (dress in period costume) (details 01302 323077)
22 June—27 July: Hexthorpe Methodist Church
Sunday series on “Four Great Methodist Themes” (details 01302 857044)
BRADWELL WELL DRESSING
The annual Well Dressing at Bradwell takes place in the first week of August, and this year one of the wells will depict John Wesley. If you are planning a day out in the Peak, bear this event in mind. (The churches provide refreshments during the week making a welcome break in your ramblings).
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.
KEEPING ABREAST OF CHANGE
When I became a local preacher in 1953, I very soon joined LPMAA. Since 1975 I have been heavily involved in its work.
I had a real baptism by fire, however, in 1980. The annual Aggregate, a meeting from Saturday to Monday, of something like 240 preachers, was coming to Sheffield District in 1981. The person with overall responsibility for the arrangements was taken ill and not able to continue. By some means my family persuaded me that it was something that I could do. I seem to think it went something like this: “Well you’ve fed us Mum, We’re sure you can feed 240!” but what about finding hospitality and preaching appointments for them? It’s a long time ago now - but I did it, even though the first thing we had to do was change the venue from Sheffield to Chesterfield. With the help of so many friends I fed them too, in spite of the message at Sunday tea time, that the chip shop owner who was rumbling the potatoes for Monday lunch, had kindly chipped them for us as well! We had no means of frying chips in the hall, which we had hired! It was a tale which delegates appreciated and many still remember!
In 1982 I became a member of General Committee and since then have served on nearly all the other committees. The following year Gerald was elected to the General Committee and together we have travelled many miles and preached in many different churches. We have seen and been involved in the decisions resulting in many changes.
Initially, once a year, there would be LPMA Sunday. Preachers in Chesterfield, Clay Cross and Our circuit would exchange pulpits, usually the second Sunday in March. Many were the experiences in the snow trying to get to such places as Barlow or Cutthorpe.
In the 1960s, LPMA began working closer with the Local Preachers Department. One outcome was that the title “Local Preachers Sunday” was agreed by LPMA and the LP Department as long ago as 1967!
A standing joint committee was formed with representatives from the LP Connexional Committee and LPMA. Steadily the work of the two departments, both serving different needs of preachers, grew together.
The next milestone was in 1966, when both the Aggregate and Conference gave approval for LPMA to become a discrete organisation within the Connexion.
In 2003 the message is “Watch this space!” discussions and consultations are taking place, which, if approved, will result in even bigger changes as LPMA and the Local Preachers office seek to serve the present and future age.
Rita Sawyer
“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. If you would like to purchase a copy please contact one of your church stewards who should be able to obtain them for you. They will be available nationally through advertising in the People’s Friend later in the year.
BOOK REVIEW
The Dignity of Difference by Jonathan Sacks (The Chief Rabbi)
… is a book which tries to explain ways in which we can avoid a clash of civilisations. It covers religion, politics and history, but it remains nonetheless a readable book on a most important subject.
Jonathan Sacks himself summed up his work as follows:
The Dignity of Difference is not and was not intended as a theological treatise. It is a plea - the most forceful I could make - for tolerance in an age of growing religious extremism. I see in the rising crescendo of ethnic tensions, civilizational clashes and the use of religious justification for acts of terror, a clear and present danger to humanity. For too long, the pages of history have been stained by blood shed in the name of God. Allied to weapons of mass destruction, extremist religious attitudes threaten the very future of life on earth. In our interconnected world, we must learn to feel enlarged, not threatened, by difference. That is what I have argued in my book. I pray that this affirmation will be shared by many voices from many faiths."
BLUEBELL WOOD
Children from our area who are in need of the type of care that is provided by the Hospice movement have to travel to Harrogate or similar distances South or West. This places other strains on their families on top of the obvious stress of the illness. To alleviate this situation, a new Children’s hospice is being built near Bawtry—The Bluebell Wood Hospice, and I have no doubt that you will be aware of Radio Sheffield’s appeal to help build the unit. Churches in the circuit have also helped with fund raising in various ways, our own District Network appeal has raised almost £10,000. Network too have taken a great deal of interest in provision of Children’s Hospice places.
In the way of all previous campaigns, this one will soon come to an end and the hospice will be left to raise it’s own funding to continue operation…….
BUT did you know that there is a difference between say Ashgate and Bluebell Wood? Under the present rules of the NHS, Ashgate can receive grants from the NHS Budget up to nearly a quarter of the annual running costs (not enough I can hear you say) BUT Bluebell Wood will only be eligible for one tenth of this! (WHY? Because of the word Children in it’s title!) Yes, present legislation prevents a CHILDREN’s hospice getting the support from the NHS. Network have distributed a copy of a letter which they (and I) urge you to copy and send off to Prime Minister Blair (as President Bush calls him) to ask for proper funding for children’s hospices. If you haven’t got a copy and would like one please contact Rita or the circuit office—I’m sure that Network won’t mind having a few honorary male members for this campaign.
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.
The Great Exchange
I recently purchased some foreign currency for a trip abroad.
The exchange rate was favourable, but whether it is or not it is only available between recognised currencies. No worthless piece of paper will ever be exchanged for a nice crisp new 50 Euro note - it’s unthinkable!
Paul, writing to the people in ancient Corinth mentioned another exchange that is even more unthinkable at face value and yet it is a marvellous reality. He wrote “God made Jesus, who knew no sin, to be sin for us, that we might have His righteousness.”
God reconciled the world to himself, giving us a fresh start. An exchange rate was established whereby a sinner, in a brief moment of time, can receive the infinite riches of grace. All it takes is to acknowledge Jesus as Saviour.
Jesus who as God in the flesh demands our life, our all. Nothing less!
Calvary could be described as God’s heartbreak, the place where heaven’s love meets man’s sin. Heartbreak is inevitable in a world where sin and suffering prevail. True God could not remain true God if the cross had been refused. It took that sacrificial death to effect the redemption of mankind.
Jesus’ words on the cross were - “It is finished”. Never before or since in the annals of human history have so few words realised such a joyous accomplishment. The victory was God’s as Jesus triumphantly accomplished the task through his death.
Eyewitnesses told of his resurrection on the third day, and the spirit today, not just at Easter, confirms their report.
Love so amazing, so divine
Demands my soul, my life, my all!
My soul is what I am as an individual. My life is what I do - my daily task and activity. My all is what talents and gifts I have been given.
Circuit DIARY
Meetings and Other Church Events for the forthcoming months
May
3 Chesterfield Museum Art Collection opens
4 Circuit Easter Offerings Service 3.00 pm Brimington
9 Circuit Prayer Meeting 7.30 pm Inkersall
9 Local Preachers Continuing Development Study Evening
7.30 pm Staveley
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
11 Local Preachers Meeting 7.30 pm New Brimington
17 Ecumenical Service of Celebration
(John Wesley 300th Anniversary) 2.30 pm Lincoln
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
July
5 British Methodist Youth Choir 21st anniversary concert
7.30 pm Endcliffe
11 Circuit Prayer Meeting 7.30 pm Barlborough
13 NCH Sunday—Families Matter
21 Men’s Fellowship Breakfast 8.30 am Staveley
21 Circuit Prayer Meeting 7.30 pm Barrow Hill
21 Deadline for material to be included in next newsletter |