Our Vision
Aspire… to Inspire… a Desire… in JESUS!
June 2003 No 24
THANK YOU
At a recent Thursday fellowship at Clowne, I had picked up a comment that the Hebrews didn’t have a word for “Thank You” - in the way that we now use the phrase to someone who has done a “service” for you. We thank each other for gifts, a cuppa or whatever, but the Hebrews apparently never did, yet the bible (or our translation) has thanks and thanksgiving liberally sprinkled throughout!
I thank sister Elizabeth for doing the spadework in pursuing the answer to this anomaly.
There are two Hebrew words which we have translated as thanks:
Yadah the root of which is “To praise” appears 64 times in the Old testament writings, while Barak—”To bless” makes 370 appearances.
So Thanks was far more meaningful - it was used to bless or praise God or others. The Hebrews book of instruction—the Talmud—states: “It is forbidden to taste of this world without saying a blessing. Whoever tastes without saying a blessing commits unfaithfulness”.
It would appear that we have yet again downgraded the original thanks from a word which praises God into it’s casual use today—if indeed we use it at all!
BLUEBELL WOOD
While I’m on the subject of thanks… Network have recently been “selling” bluebell badges, and have raised £120 for the hospice project. A heartfelt thank you goes to everyone who now wears their bluebells.
Mabel Carrington
MORE FROM NETWORK
1. The collection at the Easter Offering Reception Service at Brimington amounted to £121.07, which together with the £608.34 from the church envelopes means that we have sent £729.41 to the Network Fund for World Mission from this circuit. Grateful thanks to everyone who contributed from the Network treasurer.
2. For those of you who support the Network Afternoon Teas on the Bolsover Manse lawn in July/August. Please note that due to unforseen circumstances the first of the planned dates (28 July) will not now take place. Teas will be available on Mondays 4, 11 and 18 August. There will be a bring-and-buy stall each week and proceeds will go as usual to Network Funds.
3. On a personal note, Muriel Maughan (the Network treasurer) is moving. In June she takes up residence at 4 Pearce Trust Bungalows, High Street, Bolsover S44 6AG. We wish her well in her new home.
FELLOWSHIP MEETINGS
A few of have felt that we have a need to come together more regularly to aid each other in matters the affect us the most. We are hoping to meet on the 5th June then fortnightly after that. The format of the evening will hopefully be as varied as the company. In our minds we like the ideas of discussions, pertinent films, Bible studies songs, videos ………….. name it and we’ll have a go!
Why! One of the things that we really enjoy about Easter People is getting together at the end of the day and talking. We talk about the things that have been most important to us during the day and then talk about how this is reflected in our lives.
As the weeks go by the format and activities might well change as people join in and have better ideas and we look forward to that.
Jon and Clare Moore have kindly offered their house for the first one on the 5th June, so if you would like to join us then please come along at 7:30.
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).
HELP PLEASE
Sister Elizabeth has given up driving which leaves her a little isolated from circuit events. She would like to attend circuit Prayer Meetings, Services and the Local Preachers Meetings and would willingly pay a driver to take her to these events. If you can help her to get to any of the meetings, please contact her direct - the number is in the plan!
MORE HELP...
A group from Middlesbrough are hiking around the connexion as part of the tercentenary celebrations. They are hoping that many hundreds of people will walk a part of the route with them, but the “core” group consists of 5 or 6 people only. They will be in this area in June. On Thursday 19 June the plan is to leave Elkersley and walk through Creswell to Staveley. Friday 20 June is a walk from Staveley through Whittington to Baslow.
As you can see, they plan to stay overnight in Staveley, and if anyone can offer one or more of the group a bed for the night it will be more comfortable than Staveley church floor! Please contact Mark if you can help with a bed for the night.
JOHN WESLEY 300th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS:
IN SHEFFIELD DISTRICT
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
One of the major events marking the 300th anniversary of the birth of John Wesley this year is an Ecumenical Service of Celebration 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.
PSALM 23 (HOURS??)
The clock is my dictator, I shall not rest.
It makes me lie down only when exhausted
It leads me to deep depression, it hounds my soul.
It leads me in circles of frenzy for activity’s sake.
Even though I run frantically from task to task,
I will never get it all done, for my “ideal” is with me.
Deadlines and my need for approval, they drive me.
They demand performance from me, beyond the limits of my schedule.
They anoint my head with migraines, my in-basket overflows
Surely fatigue and time pressure shall follow me all the days of my life,
And I will dwell in the bonds of frustration forever.
Marcia K Hornock
THEN some quick tips FROM CLIFF TODAY:
· Work Less - Get things in proportion by sorting out your priorities, De-stress yourself by making gaps in a busy timetable for quiet relaxation
· Turn off all the noise - radio, TV, discs and enjoy the silence. You could go on retreat, but just go to church or library - somewhere quiet or wear earplugs!
· Have even just a few small flowers in the house—snowdrops, violets or forget-me-nots.
· De-clutter as you go along. Enjoy a calm, tranquil home.
· Change your pictures round from time to time — you’ll see them in a new light.
· Enjoy the age you are now! Cherish the rites of passage. Every step along life’s road is important.
· “Make a fuss” about the good things in your life and those around you.
· Feed the World - it is always good for the spirit to do something for someone else. It puts your own problems into perspective. We can offer money, time or both.
· “Walk joyfully through the world”.
· Live adventurously
· Be still…
“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.
BUCKETS AND SPADES AT THE READY
Jay Raizada (Barlborough) is organising a trip out again this year. The suggestion is that the circuit invade Whitby on Saturday 23 August, so bring along all the family and your friends and neighbours. But before this, please contact Jay on Chesterfield 812184 to book your place as soon as possible. The cost will be £9 for adults and £5 for children.
DECORATING YOUR CHURCH?
It may be helpful to know that in the past the Dulux Community Projects Scheme have offered FREE paint to voluntary groups to carry out painting projects for the benefit of the local community. We do just fit into this category, so it may be worth a letter.
Send a stamped (72p please) addressed envelope (C4 size—an unfolded sheet of A4 paper) to:
Lucy Duggan
The Dulux Community Projects Office
Kletchum Life
Folgate Court
35-41 Folgate Street
London E1 6BX
Or visit the website www.communityrepaint.org.uk
One other stipulation they make is that the work MUST be done by UNPAID volunteers
NCH Financial Statement
For the Year ended 31 March 2003
Event Amount
Christmas in June Dinner 566.00
Bolsover Street Collection 30.38
Donations from churches and individuals 973.07
Counter collecting boxes 55.00
Step Out walk 421.40
Morrison’s Store collection 239.39
Christmas Services 470.39
Brimington Common Harvest Supper 55.00
Santa Claus 20.00
Total 2,830.63
Banked: 2,830.63
The sponsored swim raised over £1600—which will appear in next year’s statement.
Circuit DIARY
Meetings and Other Church Events for the forthcoming months
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 New Brimington
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
6 Sunday Youth Fellowship 7.30 pm Clowne
11 Circuit Prayer Meeting 7.30 pm Barlborough
13 NCH Sunday—Families Matter
14 Sisterhood Rally 2.45 pm Staveley
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
August
1 Circuit Prayer Meeting 7.30 pm New Brimington
3 Sunday Youth Fellowship 7.30 pm Clowne
11 Circuit Prayer Meeting 7.30 pm Duckmanton
16 Men’s Fellowship Breakfast AGM 8.30 am Staveley
22 Circuit Prayer Meeting 7.30 pm Staveley
23 Outing to Whitby
25 Deadline for material to be included in next newsletter