Our Vision
Is to Aspire … to Inspire… a Desire… in JESUS!
February 2004 No 32
CHRISTMAS AT BRIMINGTON COMMON
We would like to share with you all the way in which members of our church sent Christmas Greetings to each other in December.
Members were asked by the Sunday School children to buy a “lamb” (small sheep made from card and cotton wool in Sunday School). The idea being that you purchased the “lamb” with the money you would have otherwise spent on buying cards. You then fixed your lamb to a notice board on which the children had painted a background of hills. You then write your personal greetings to other church members and signed your name by their lambs.
So what happened to the donations? – we purchased A FLOCK OF SHEEP! (7 in all) through World Vision to donate to a village in Ethiopia – at a cost of £80.
You will see that this gift will grow – the flock will increase, providing wool for sale and meat to eat.
Could this be an idea for your church next year?
BOLSOVER
During morning service on November 23, the congregation wrote their own psalm – a Psalm of Proclamation. This was achieved by different members of the congregation shouting a phrase or short sentence out which expressed their own proclamation of praise, and these were written down on a blank OHP transparency. The whole congregation then recited the words together. We would like to share our Psalm with you and suggest that at sometime your congregation might participate in a similar edifying pursuit.
God is good, God is great
God is gracious and His love endures forever
He is my Saviour and my friend
God’s mercy is new every morning
He hears and answers our prayers
Praise His name
God the anchor of our soul
He loves us all.
ONE PERSON CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
For thirty years my husband and I visited Clowne Co-op several times a week. It has always been the friendliest store I have ever known. The staff were always so helpful and did their work with a smile. They were courteous, patient, and kindly, ever ready to help even when it was obvious that they were under pressure. One was never under the impression that they just wanted your money and to hurry you through the tills. They were interested in you – no matter how busy they were.
The atmosphere of friendliness was noticeable among the customers, even people who did not know you would stop and pass the time of day. Friends and neighbours greeted each other and often stopped for a chat. Shopping at Clowne Co-op was a pleasure, elderly and disabled were helped by staff and customers alike.
There was one man who truly set the standards and created the atmosphere which permeated the store. The words one heard so often were “ask Derek”. He was always quick to come and sort out any problems. Derek never spoke of his religious beliefs – he simply lived out what he believed in his daily work. To be in his presence was to feel something of the love of God.
Whether your daily work takes you into a store, an office or a factory – remember your presence can make a difference. A little prayer card was given to me when I left the Deaconess Training College . It read: “Lord grant that this day I may live so near to you That every life that touches me, may touch you also”.
That was certainly true of Derek. Thank you Derek for showing us the WAY.
Sister Elizabeth Richards
CALLING POTENTIAL PREACHERS
Some may have seen this in the Methodist Recorder recently, but I reprint it for everyone to read…
“You are old, Brother William,” the young man said,
“Yet you preach at each church in the circuit,
With the weight of such years on your hoary old head,
Pray, how do you manage to work it?”
“In my youth,” said the sage, “If a chapel was far,
We set out to walk at first light.
So to travel, in minutes, to church in a car,
Is luxury, lad, at it’s height!”
“You are old, brother William,” went on the young man,
“And have obviously never been ‘mod’,
Yet you draw a good crowd when your name’s on the plan,
I confess this seems a bit odd.”
“I read myself full,” brother William replied,
“Then I think myself clear – that’s the test –
Then I pray myself hot ‘til I’m glowing inside,
Then let go, and let God do the rest!”
“You are old,” said the youth, “As I mentioned before,
Though you’re loyal, hardworking and tough.
With a record of service that tops the three score ,
Don’t you think that you’ve preached long enough?”
“Yes I do,” said the sage, “Though I love the work so,
I’d be glad of a rest, no denial.
Yes, I and my friends would be ready to go,
If you and your friends were ‘On Trial’!”
(by Marguerite Kendrick)
BRIMINGTON PRAISE
The Celebration Choir are leading a Praise Evening at Brimington Methodist Church on Saturday, 27th March at 7.00 p.m. Entrance is by Free Ticket only - these will be available from Jean Fisher (620908) from 1st March. There will be a retiring collection and after exepenses the remainder will be divided between Blubell Wood Hospice and an orphanage we support in the Ukraine . A warm welcome to all to join us in praising God.
STAVELEY NEIGHBOURHOOD MANAGEMENT PROJECT
With regard to research into illness as a Barrier to Employment we (SNMP) would like to interview 100 people in the Mastin Moor, Woodthorpe, Lowgates, Hartington, Middlecroft, Poolsbrook, Duckmanton and Stavely Town Centre area who are in receipt of incapacity benefit, disability living allowance or who are not claiming benefit but cannot find work because of illness or disability. This is a survey of what your experiences of “the system” have been and is confidential. If you would like more details in order to participate contact Angela (01246 473596/477496)
ON THE YOUTH CONFERENCE REPORT
How good it is that we have young people in our church who care enough to be critical and say where they think changes should be made. I think perhaps all age worship is not right for every church – it should perhaps be a monthly service specially geared to a mixed gathering.
As a retired preacher, I too need sermons from people of my own age group, who have shared some of my experiences of life and who have with God’s help come through some of the difficulties which I now face.
It is true that like speaks to like and it so good that there are young people who are prepared to share the good news of Jesus with their own generation. What a tremendous task they have – some of their contemporaries are involved with drugs, have no clear cut standards about sexual practices, have problems with education and fees. Jobs are hard to come by. There are so many temptations to face – the future is so uncertain. Living on credit has become the norm.
So many young people still live with parents simply because there is no alternative, and when the pressures of arguments become intolerable to all, so many choose to be homeless.
What can we old folk offer them? First we must take the trouble to understand. It’s no use saying “When I was your age!” We didn’t live in the world todays young people live in. I am proud of my generation – we fought in a war, were bombed, knew poverty, but we were important, had an identity and had jobs, housing and opportunities.
What we can offer the young is understanding, encouragement to young Christians, financial support in the way of affordable homes. We can encourage them to conduct the kind of worship they find relevant to todays young people – don’t impose our ideas on them!
We can find the time and the place to worship God in a way that is relevant to us. Don’t forget that God is always making all things new. We don’t like change; the real truth is that we are afraid of change! That means that we are not secure enough in our beliefs to trust God fully.
We must as the hymn says: “Make way, make way for the coming of the King of Kings”.
Sister Elizabeth Richards
STAVELEY CHURCH ANNIVERSARY
Chesterfield Operatic Society will be performing in the entertainment at Staveley’s Church Anniversary tea on Saturday 28 February. Tea at 5.30 pm will be followed by a concert at 7.30 pm , and tickets priced £3.50 are available from the stewards
HELP PLEASE
Sheffield Victoria Hall operates a clothing store for vulnerable people who gravitate to the big city lights – then find they have little or no support. The clothing store is kept going by the support of churches and individuals, throughout the district, and that help is much appreciated by the ‘staff’ at Victoria Hall. The store has recently been redeveloped and a shortage of men’s shoes has been identified. These – or any other items – delivered to Victoria Hall will be greatly appreciated. Contact Revd Noel G Irwin (0114 272 1749) for further details on how YOU can help.
GOD SPEAKING
The man whispered “God speak to me” – and a meadow lark sang but the man did not hear.
So the man yelled “God speak to me” – and the thunder and lightening rolled across the sky but the man did not listen.
The man looked around and said “God let me see you” – and a star shone brightly in the sky but the man did not see.
The man shouted “God show me a miracle” – and a new life was born but the man did not notice.
So the man cried out in despair “Touch me God, and let me know you are here”. Wherupon God reached down and touched the man – but the man brushed the butterfly away and walked on…….
To which we can add in this modern age:
The man cried “God I need your help” and an e-mail arrived with good news and encouragement – but the man deleted it and continued crying.
The Good News is that you are loved.
Don’t miss out on a blessing – just because it isn’t packaged the way you expect it to be!
4 stories of ideas and initiatives from around Methodism: the contacts can tell you more.
EVANGELISM
From Runcorn, Cheshire
Last year our Local Preachers wanted to try working in teams – it went well. So now we’ve set teams to work on the 4 themes of Our Calling, intending to take the services around the circuit. Two of us were left with the ‘short straw’ – Evangelism! But actually, with help from the CD-Rom (Evangelism CD-Rom free from Graham Horsley at MCH.) produced last year, we’ve found it fascinating – and a huge subject! We’ve built a service around the story of the woman at the well, ending with her invitation, “Come and see..”
Email contact: colin.higginbotham@ntlworld.com
Phone contact: Stuart Smith 01928 573651
SERVICE
From Sprotborough, Doncaster
6 years ago, the children’s Fun Club had just 6 children. We decided to get a new rota of volunteer leaders together. We now have up to 15 leaders from the congregation, and 150 children aged 7 – 11, with 80 attending each Friday. We’ve obviously taken Safeguarding seriously, and no leader is ever alone with children. We offer crafts, table games, videos, disco and karaoke, and with a 25p entrance and ‘tuck’, we’re self-financing. Due to building work, we’re meeting in the church at present: we think Jesus would approve!
Email contact: dbanks@fish.co.uk
Phone contact: Anne Brammer 01302 855928
WORSHIP
From Hove , Sussex
We wanted to ‘do something’ about evening services. Morning congregations are 80 – 120, but evenings only 10. So a small group, including Local Preachers, musicians and an RE teacher, is committed to planning monthly themes, but with different worship-styles. We began with ‘Hope’, and included a Folk Communion, a Taizé evening, and a praise band. We’ve printed publicity leaflets, and want eventually to invite people who aren’t normally at worship. Initially, numbers have gone up to 28.
Email contact: charlotte.gravestock@btinternet.com
Phone contact: Kathleen Allen 01273 732536
LEARNING and CARING
From Chipping Barnet, North London
Despite sharing a building for 17 years at St John’s , with monthly shared services, we realised that Anglicans and Methodists knew less about each other than we should. Spurred on by a new Rector and the Covenant, we held a series of groups to look at areas of disagreement – and found there weren’t many, apart from small things on a practical and liturgical level. So now we’re moving on to greater sharing, including a Holy Communion for families.
Email contact: csmith@18grb.freeserve.co.uk
Phone contact: Marilyn Kirtan 020 8447 1847
Circuit DIARY
Meetings and Other Church Events for the forthcoming months
To have your meeting/event included in this listing – Please contact the circuit office – 01246 470859. (I would rather hear the same message many times than miss it because everyone leaves it to someone else! - David)
February
6 Circuit Network Committee 2.00 pm Staveley
6 Circuit Prayer Meeting 7.30 pm Brimington
16 Circuit Prayer Meeting 7.30 pm Clowne
21 Men’s Fellowship Breakfast 8.30 am Staveley
23 Churches Working Together in Chesterfield – Prayer Meeting for Schools, Teachers and other workers in schools TBA
23 Deadline for material to be included in next newsletter
7.30 pm Inkersall
Chesterfield Operatic Society 7.30 pm Staveley
Chesterfield – Childrens Event organised by Mike Dalby TBA
March
8 Circuit Prayer Meeting 7.30 pm Barlborough
19 Circuit Prayer Meeting 7.30 pm New Brimington
20 Men’s Fellowship Breakfast 8.30 am Staveley
22 Deadline for material to be included in next newsletter
27 Celebration Choir 7.30 pm Brimington
7.30 pm Duckmanton
Chesterfield – Prayer Meeting for Town, Council and Services TBA
31 Ministerial Synod 7.30 pm Staveley
April
8 Maundy Thursday meetings 7.00 pm Staveley
7.30 pm Clowne
9 Good Friday Witness 10.00 am Staveley
10.45 am Clowne
12.00 noon Brimington
(in the market place) 1.00 pm Staveley
11 Band Praise evening 7.30 pm Brimington
17 Men’s Fellowship Breakfast 8.30 am Staveley
19 Circuit Prayer Meeting 7.30 pm Hillstown
19 Deadline for material to be included in next newsletter
30 Circuit Prayer Meeting 7.30 pm Barrow Hill |