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The Newsletter of the Bolsover and Staveley Circuit

December 2004                                 No 42

TWO DECADES IN THE REMAKING
at Stannington in the Sheffield West Circuit

19 years after they moved out of Church into the Hall, they moved back in! “The really amazing thing is that a society of only 18 members, over three-quarters of whom are retired, have raised over £95,000 - more than £5000 per member - towards their quarter of a million pound refurbishment project. Manchester is talking about it, so I guess it’s as remarkable as it seems.” So read Superintendent Revd Elizabeth Mackey’s introductory email.
The chapel, which closed in the mid 1980s because of falling congregations, the need for extensive repairs, and the cost of heating a large draughty Victorian building, is a much loved local landmark that is in a prominent position in the centre of Stannington Village. The congregation moved into the church hall for weekly worship, but always remained confident that one day their much loved chapel would be reopened, and they committed themselves to an ongoing programme of fund raising events and innovative ways of raising money.
Although the chapel roof was subsequently damaged by fire, and the ravages of nature took its toll on this very exposed site over the years, the church folk, together with a huge following of local friends and supporters, never doubted that the chapel would eventually be restored. As a sign of their faith and commitment, they had a large part of the main roof overhauled in 1999 at a cost of £23,000 - a figure that was raised entirely locally.
The chapel is extremely unusual in that the seating (the original pews) is tiered in auditorium style, and far from being a drawback, it was believed that this design could be used to full advantage to cater for a very real community need.
There is a very strong musical culture in the area - bands (brass and silver), and choirs, as well as dramatic groups all play an important part in the life of the community, and after years of prayerful thought, it was believed that the chapel would lend itself wonderfully well as a venue for concerts by bands, choirs and dramatic groups, as well as allowing Sunday worship to return. Whilst there is no shortage of ‘flat floor’ space to hire, the auditorium style of the chapel, which could comfortably seat an audience (or congregation!) of 160, is believed to be rare, if not unique, on the North and West side of the city.
A local architect was employed to draw up plans, which retained much of the original character of the building, but opened up potential use to cater for a range of uses, including a concert venue. The opportunity was also taken to incorporate many new facilities, as well as provision for up to the minute equipment. Initial estimates suggested a cost of about £125,000 and the Redevelopment Project was launched in October 2002.
Local fund raising activities were stepped up, applications made to the usual sources of funding within Methodism, as well as to charitable trusts and other fund raising bodies, both Sheffield based and national.
The response was astonishing, and following agreement by Methodist Property Office, rebuilding work began in January 2004. Whilst there was still a substantial sum of money still to raise, the church folk had the faith to commit themselves to the Project never doubting that the requisite funds would be forthcoming.
Whilst the work progressed according to plan for several weeks, dry rot reared its ugly head in a far greater way than had been anticipated, and as a consequence the cost of the Project increased by over £50,000. This was a tremendous shock, but once again the church folk were in no doubt, ‘We can’t stop now, we must keep going, the money will come from somewhere!’
As the work neared completion so excitement amongst church folk and villagers alike reached almost fever pitch, and plans were put in place for the reopening celebrations. There can be no doubt that without the support of local friends and villagers, this ambitious Project would not have been possible. People have given tirelessly of their time, their talents and their money. Almost half of the total cost which increased to nearly £250,000 (including the roof work in 1999) has been raised locally - quite astounding with a largely elderly membership of only 20! Not all the money has been raised and a loan of £35,000 from Chapel Aid has been negotiated.
The atmosphere at the Rededication Service on 9th October, attended by over 250 people, had to be experienced to be believed! District Chair, David Halstead, preached, many past Ministers and friends returned or sent messages of encouragement, and the news was given to the congregation that another donation of £10,000 had just been received from a local charitable trust (and yet a further unexpected gift of £10,000 was received a day or so later!). Reopening celebrations continued over the following week, and these included a ‘sell-out’ concert given by two local choirs, that certainly confirmed the vision that the chapel would make a wonderful concert venue.
Far from taking a well-earned rest, and sitting back on their laurels, the church folk continue their fund raising endeavours to repay the loan; but more importantly, they look forward eagerly to continuing God’s work in the area through the gift of their beautifully restored chapel.
Deacon Bryce Fletcher commented in submitting this article, ‘It has certainly been an enormous privilege for me to have been working with these folk.”!

CONGRATULATIONS
To Vernon Marsh, Superintendent in Rotherham Circuit, who has been appointed to succeed David Halstead as Chair of the Sheffield District from September 2005. 
Vernon has been in the Sheffield District for 9 years, so is well known to many. He is married to Megan and has three children, Tom, Jo and Beth.  They will be Welcomed into their new role on August 31st and I am sure they will be in your thoughts and prayers as they prepare for the next stage of their ministry.

LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL
There are lots of District-run learning opportunities during January, February and March. These include:
    •   Church Stewards training on Feb 17th at Endcliffe (a repeat of what we had at Inkersall recently)
    •   Gift Aid for Treasurers on March 9th at Wilson Carlile College (all about tax-efficient giving)
    •   Pastoral visitors - a six week course starting on February 16th at Wath
    •   Working with Adults - a four week course starting on Feb 14/15in Tadcaster and Bawtry
    •   Quiet Days - two sessions on Jan 22nd and 29th at Creswick Greave
    •   Vocational Discernment on Feb 24th at Chesterfield
    •   The Church’s healing ministry on Feb 12th at St Peters Ellesmere
    •   Website creation on Feb 5th in Barnsley
    •   Worship Leaders on March 21st at Hexthorpe

More details can be found in the leaflet which was sent to all churches and ministers in August, and on the District website.

Don’t miss these

NETWORK EVENTS
CHRISTMAS MARKET - Friday 3rd December 10.00am. - 12 noon. Coffee and Biscuits & various stalls provided by Circuits in the District. – at Victoria Hall, Sheffield
“WOMEN ALONE” Event - Saturday 5th February, 2005, 10.00 am to 1.00 pm Leader Pamela Grayson, District Network President
This is intended for ALL Women - not just those who support Network - who are either Widowed, Divorced or Single. The morning will include Devotions, Discussion and talks by qualified people on things such as Security, Holidaying Alone, Theatre going and whatever comes out of the discussion. - also at Victoria Hall, Sheffield.

SAMARITANS PURSE
The annual collection of “shoe boxes” - presents for the children in Eastern Europe has been taken up by Staveley with the result that 49 boxes and £100 were sent.  Some of the Staveley folk also went to the dedication service for the appeal on 21 November at Saltergate.  This is a moving service – to see the large lorries set off with our boxes which will bring a smile to the face of a child who we have not met, but to who we can send love in a box.  We pray for a safe journey – for both boxes and drivers.

Mabel Carrington

HELP!
The ladies of the PTA at Clowne are wanting to replace the pulpit fall in church as their final act before the PTA closes.  We have searched high and low for someone to supply a new fall without success – are we looking in the wrong places?  If anyone has a contact for such items please let me know in the circuit office and I’ll pass it on to them.

NCH COLLECTION
A collection was held in Morrisons supermarket in Staveley for NCH recently.  A total of £238.70 was collected and passed on to NCH – Thank you to all who helped and gave.

THIRD WORLD DEBT
Rita and Gerald have preached recently in some churches and included an appeal to write to the Prime Minister to persuade the governments of the “rich West” to cancel the debts owed by the poor countries in developing Africa and elsewhere.  They have had a reply to their letter from the PM’s office telling how busy Mr Blair is – but the message has been passed to the Department of International Development for their attention.  They also point us to a website which details the work of the Commission for Africa – so if you’re internet connected look at www.commissionforafrica.org

Methodist 'Web Radio' is launched.
In a new departure for the Methodist Church, 'Methodist Web Radio' has been launched on www.methodist.org.uk .
This is a section of the website dedicated to 'streaming audio' interviews and features from around the Church.
Click 'n' listen to....

• Anthea Cox talking about the new 'Mocktails' campaign.
• Michaela Youngson talking about her new job as the Methodist Secretary for Pastoral Care and Spirituality.
• A report on the Anglican-Methodist covenant one year on. Hear how the covenant is taking effect at different levels of the Church.
• Ex vice-president Judy Jarvis interviewed about her nomination as a 'Woman of the Year' and her work with children in the Methodist Church.

Methodist Web Radio will be regularly updated with new features, and gives listeners the opportunity to feedback any comments they may have on what they have heard.

Christmas is a time for friendship
Christmas is a time for friendship and sharing the Yuletide celebrations with a friend makes it all the more special. However, for some, this Christmas will be a time of heartache and loneliness, as they will have no one to share this joyous time with.
If you are someone who may be lonely this Christmas, volunteer befriending could fill the gap and also be an opportunity for you to meet people and make new friends.
Elderfriends and Making Time are befriending projects, which recruit volunteers to visit people who are lonely and isolated in their homes. It is run by The Volunteer Centre in Chesterfield and covers both Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire.
Volunteers provide friendship on a good neighbour basis and provide support in many ways such as visiting and keeping someone company or escorting people to places such as local shops, doctors and hospital.
Full training gives the volunteers the skills they need, expenses are covered, and support is available from the Volunteer Support Group, which is run bi-monthly.
The rewards can vary, but by sparing just a few hours of your time each week, you will be bringing some happiness into another’s life. Plus you will be developing a new friendship for yourself.  If you can spare a few hours of your time, please contact Janine LeMire at The Volunteer Centre on (01246) 276777 or call into the office at 35 Rose Hill, Chesterfield.

·       We are each of us angels with only one wing. And we can fly only by embracing each other (Luciano de Crescenzo)
·       Having a dream isn't stupid. It's not having a dream that's stupid (anon)
·       If you want to be listened to, you should put in time listening (Marge Piercey)
·       A smooth sea never made a skilful mariner (proverb)
·       God will not look you over for medals, degrees, diplomas, but for scars (anon)
·       This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it (Psalms)
·       There are 2 kinds of people. Those who say to God, let thy will be done, and those to whom God says, alright, have it your way. (CSLewis)
·       Don't hurry, don't worry, you're only here for a short visit - so be sure to stop and smell the flowers. (Walter Hagan)
·       I can't say I was ever lost, but once I was bewildered for 3 days (Daniel Boone)
·       I'm not overweight, I'm just 9 inches too short (Shelley Winters)

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)

December

    6    Circuit Prayer Meeting                   7.30 pm          New Brimington
  13      Deadline for material to be included in next newsletter
  15    Local Preachers Meeting               7.30 pm                  Brimington
  17    Circuit Prayer Meeting                   7.30 pm                    Hillstown
  18    Men’s Fellowship Breakfast           8.30 am                    Staveley 

January 2005

    7    Circuit Prayer Meeting                   7.30 pm                    Bolsover
  15    Men’s Fellowship Breakfast           8.30 am                    Staveley
  17    Circuit Prayer Meeting                   7.30 pm               Barlborough
  17      Deadline for material to be included in next newsletter
  28    Circuit Prayer Meeting                   7.30 pm                 Barrow Hill

Christmas Services in the circuit:

Christmas Eve 24 December:

Brimington Common   11.30 pm    Revd Mark Coles
Clowne                       11.30 pm    Revd Geoff Fisher
Staveley                    11.30 pm    Revd Gillian Robertson

Christmas Day 25 December:

Duckmanton               9.15 am     Revd Gillian Robertson
Inkersall                     10.00 am   Revd Mark Coles
New Brimington          10.00 am   Mr Eric Vaughan
Bolsover                    10.30 am   Revd Gillian Robertson
Brimington                  10.30 am   Mrs Nel Shallow

Boxing Day 26 December:

Brimington                  10.45 am   Mrs May Hoyes

(N.B.  All other churches are closed on Boxing Day)

Finally (for 2004),