Our Vision

Is to Aspire … to Inspire… a Desire… in JESUS!

The Newsletter of the Bolsover and Staveley Circuit

July 2004                                          No 37

WELCOME SERVICE FOR THE NEW SUPERINTENDENT
There has been a little confusion in some quarters as to the arrangements for the service to welcome Revd Gillian Robertson to the circuit.  The chairman Revd David Halstead is leading, so we must fit in with his diary – and this confirms that he is speaking at BOLSOVER on Tuesday 31 August at 7.30 pm.  Please take note of this date and accept our apologies if you thought otherwise.

Circuit Prayer Meeting
I have recently heard of people expressing doubts as to whether this meeting should continue. They cite reasons such as "so few people come", "its an awkward day/time/place”& other such excuses. I feel just as strongly that this Prayer Meeting is vital to our hopes of growth, nay even revival in this area as I did when Peter Soar & I agreed jointly (simultaneously?), and I am convinced that we were prompted by the Holy Spirit to be the ones to arrange these meetings. Did not Charles Wesley state in one of his hymns that "Prayer is the Christian's vital breath, a Christian's native air?".
I appreciate that it may not be possible to visit all churches or attend all meetings, but that was not the intention, although a few people have a very good record of attendance!!  To have fellowship with other Christians scattered round the circuit and to pray together for the needs of our Circuit, however you view what that might be, was and remains our main thought. It was also our intention that guidance from God as to what our aims should be was to uppermost in our minds, realising that however strenuous our efforts might be, without God they would prove fruitless.
No one need feel inadequate in his or her ability to pray. Quite a few of our regular “members" were a little tongue tied at first, but as Paul says, the Spirit translates "our inarticulate groans" and places them at the Throne of Grace. One of the most inspiring meetings that I have attended was when after the introduction by the leader; no word was spoken out loud for nearly half an hour. I can assure you that the presence of the Lord was powerfully present that night!

Michael Carrington & Peter Soar.

LPMAA
Local Preachers Sunday this year saw a change to arrangements in recent years because with just one exception, all the appointments on that Sunday were filled by local preachers from this circuit.
Can we take this opportunity to remind church treasurers and members of LPMAA that donations and subscriptions are now due to be paid to Dennis Kirk.  Thank you.

HOLIDAY REPORT
As I sit here typing and watching the rain pour down outside, I have received the following report on the recent trip…
Christine and Denis Kirk’s holiday this year was to Torquay from 24th to 29th May.  We stayed at the Bute Hotel which was a very comfortable place with very good food and friendly service.  We had visits to Plymouth, Dartmouth, a boat trip on the river Dart, a steam train journey from Kingswear to Paignton, Sidmouth and Teignmouth.  On the Friday we had a free day to do whatever we wanted, and Friday evening we held our usual fellowship meeting – held in the Methodist-United Reform church.
On the way home we stopped for a meal at the Bownes Hotel, Worcester.  We all had a wonderful holiday and look forward to next year – wherever it is decided we should go.
We give our grateful thanks to Christine and Denis who work very hard organising and planning these holidays each year.
Thanks too to John Lefley our driver in a coach supplied by T M Travel.

EASTER PEOPLE 2005
Still on a travelling theme, we are taking a party to Easter People next year, 29th March to April 3rd at Scarborough.  You would be very welcome to join us.  Could you please let us know if you want to go as soon as possible so that we can confirm hotel reservations.  Further details and cost from Geoff and Jean Fisher on 620908.   

WHY NOT?

WORSHIP LEADERS…
There are several churches in the circuit who have appointed worship leaders – people who have undergone a training course, and who can help lead worship in their church and who can take some of the load from preachers by reading, leading prayers etc.  New rules mean that the church councils will have to review their appointment every three years, so all of the existing worship leaders will need to be re-appointed in the next twelve months. 
We are fortunate in this circuit in having Revd David Whitehouse able to lead the training courses for worship leaders and he has indicated that he is willing to run a course for six-ten new worship leaders in the near future.  Church stewards especially (but not exclusively) will benefit from the training for arranging the many “Own arrangement” services we are now faced with.  If you would like to be considered for training please contact the circuit office or one of the ministers.

… AND CHURCH STEWARDS
We have been asked by the district to provide a venue for a district training evening for Church Stewards. Peter decided on Inkersall as the best place so we commend to all present and future stewards the following event.

AS this is a district event, publicity will be going round the district about it but I would like to really encourage all our stewards to take advantage of it. It will be free and it will be relevant to those who are new to the job or even those who have been in it for some time.

NETWORK
Coming up in the next few months:-
Teas at Bolsover – Mondays 26 July, 2 August and 9 August
Togethercombe event – 29 September
Easter Offerings from the district amounted to £3729.  Thank you.

THANK YOU
Sister Elizabeth Richards has asked me to thank everyone for the cards, prayers and best wishes she has received during her stay in hospital and at home since.  She is not able to see clearly enough to write to anyone at the moment and takes this opportunity to pass on her greetings.  We hope that she will soon recover and return to full health in God’s grace.

The Methodist Prayer Handbook for 2004-2005
I have received advance notification for the new prayer handbook.  It will be available in August priced £2.  However if we can get a bulk order together they will cost £1.75 each – so if you would like a personal copy please send your order to the circuit office before Friday 16 July.  There will be a copy ordered for each of our pulpits as usual.

Church of Fools - an update.
The Methodist-sponsored online 'Church of Fools' has attracted immense interest from around the world since its inception last month. As publicity reached its peak 41,000 people logged on and entered the church on one day alone.  The church has regular Sunday sermons as well as daily morning and evening prayers. Up to fifty people can appear in the church at a time. Others can enter as a 'ghost' who can watch and listen but not talk to others.
The anonymity of online visitors has led to some 'uninhibited' behaviour. There have been controversy, bad language, and a few chat-up lines; but also serious discussions on Theology, people openly sharing their feelings about life and faith, and people praying for each other.
Amongst the enthusiastic feedback there have been some moving stories, such as that told by Sandy from North Carolina. "I have a friend who has claimed not to believe in God for many years," she wrote . "He had a crisis this week and wanted a place to try a prayer. No way would he ever go to a real church. But he went to yours, said his first prayer in many years and told me he felt much better afterwards."
Revd Jonathan Kerry, Co-ordinating Secretary for Worship and Learning in the Methodist Church, chose to deliver his Pentecost Day sermon in the Church of Fools – and over 5000 logged-on to listen.
Mr Kerry said: “It was very appropriate to celebrate Pentecost in a web-based Church, because the Christian Pentecost is a festival of communication: it celebrates God's gift of communication and God's mission to communicate... In the Church of Fools we can begin to share our faith with an international audience in ways that are perhaps as astonishing as the experience of those apostles and crowds in the first century. For them as for us, the challenge was to seize the opportunity of an audience curious to hear what God has to say, and to learn what motivates the followers of Jesus.”
Visit the Church of Fools at www.churchoffools.com

Hope Opera

Prison and Church Tour 2004 - in YOUR community?
In 1993 Riding Lights successfully toured Walkout!, its acclaimed production of Murray Watts' adaptation of The Pilgrim's Progress, to prisons and churches across the country. This year they are to present Hope Opera, a new play which will once again enable churches to support their work in prisons by hosting a public performance of the play.
Hope Opera, specially created for performances both to a prison and to a general audience, gives voice to the lives of those who have touched rock bottom and yet have found the strength to rise up again. People who have grasped a hope that lasts. It focuses on stories that dramatise the nature of hope - specifically where Christian hope has brought transformation and a new beginning. This show has been created as a contribution to the national 'Faithworks' initiative.
Hope Opera will be touring between September and November 2004. There is no charge for this production and there is even an opportunity for churches to earn income from a performance! In addition to this, as a result of support given in hosting a performance, and with funding from The Anchor Foundation, Riding Lights will also endeavour to take a performance of Hope Opera into a prison near your church.
Many churches work together with other churches in their area to help organise and promote performances. This has the dual effect of ensuring good attendance and fostering good relationships with other churches. Riding Lights may be able to help you make contact with other people in your area to make this possible.
Because of the prisons element of this tour, it is anticipated that interest in presenting the show in churches will be very high. If you are even only tentatively interested in booking a performance please contact:  Jessica Fisher  Tel: 01904 655317  E-mail: Jessica@rltc.org
 

HEALTH & SAFETY – PREVENTION OF FALLS
Falls are one of the most common causes of injury – especially to older people, but they must not be treated as “just one of those things”.  Our church buildings should be safe for all and regular checks ought to be made to ensure that no one is going to trip or slip in them.  But what about your home?  There are some things we can all do to prevent a fall:

In the bathroom/kitchen:

·       Remember that wet lino is slippery – use a non slip flooring when it is time to change and you can add non-slip strips to the bottom of baths and showers.
·       Grab rails fitted around the bath and toilet can help older folk get up and down.
·       Loose mats can be easily tripped over – remove them or get them fastened down.

In the bedroom:

·       Have a bedside light – not just for reading in bed – it means you will be able to see when you have to get out of bed in the dark.
·       And keep your glasses handy.
·       Keep floor areas clear.
·       Don’t trail electric cables across where you will walk – route them round the skirting.
·       Don’t have loose mats – these can curl up at the edge or slip on the floor ready to trip you.
·       Don’t rush – get out of bed steadily.

And for the older or infirm among us…

·       Stay healthy by eating well and exercise.
·       Check that any medication will not cause dizziness – take extra care when you have an illness or infection.
·       Wear well fitting shoes.
·       Keep your feet warm.
·       Have your sight checked regularly and also have your toenails cut regularly.

Coping with Crisis.
Sometimes the church can be faced with disaster on its doorstep, with bereavement and loss in the community - and with the media looking for stories.
At this year's Methodist Conference in Loughborough there is going to be a session which presents an opportunity to share our experience and personal stories in a way that others might learn. There will be three presentations from those who found themselves having to cope with a crisis (covering the murder of a teenager in north Lincolnshire, the foot and mouth crisis, and the death of two young girls in Soham), followed by question time.

Circuit DIARY

Meetings and Other Church Events for the forthcoming months.

To have your meeting/event included in this listing – Please leave a message at 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)

July

    2    Circuit Prayer Meeting                   7.30 pm                     Staveley
  12    Circuit Prayer Meeting                   7.30 pm               Duckmanton
  12    Sisterhood Anniversary Rally         2.45 pm                     Staveley
  17    Men’s Fellowship Breakfast           8.30 am                     Staveley
  19      Deadline for material to be included in next newsletter
  23    Circuit Prayer Meeting                   7.30 pm                     Inkersall
  26    Network Tea                                  4.00 pm                    Bolsover 

August

    2    Circuit Prayer Meeting                   7.30 pm   Brimington Common
    2    Network Tea                                  4.00 pm                    Bolsover
    9    Network Tea                                  4.00 pm                    Bolsover
  13    Circuit Prayer Meeting                   7.30 pm          New Brimington
  16      Deadline for material to be included in next newsletter
  21    Men’s Fellowship Breakfast AGM  8.30 am                     Staveley
  23    Circuit Prayer Meeting                   7.30 pm                    Hillstown