Happy New Year!
Another year draws to a close – a new one begins, and with it a new heading to the newsletter (the old one never did copy very well). I hope that 2005 will be a year to remember for the good times we shall be having and the fellowship we share. God Bless each and every one of you.
PROPERTY REPAIRS
All of our church buildings suffer damage and tiredness at times, and we are called upon to mend, refurbish, rebuild…. Each of us have our own “tame” builders/roofers/decorators and no doubt many of us have a list of “cowboys” who we wouldn’t let near the building again!
It has been suggested that we should keep a list of contractors in the circuit office to enable our property secretaries to contact contractors who have done good work in the circuit when the need arises. Perhaps property secretaries (and others) could let me have any information in the new year and I’ll try to produce a circuit “Contractors Directory” listing the good and the bad for roofing, building, plumbing, electricians, decorating (internal and external), sound systems, boilers, carpeting, furnishings etc...
Nightmares of having a Sound System.
A true Story…
The Vicar in our local church experienced problems with the Sound System one Sunday. Instead of starting the service as usual with “The Lord be with you”, he said, “There’s something wrong with the microphone.” Not hearing this, the congregation responded, “And also with you.”
Poetry Diaries
by George Reed, priced £2.50p. All proceeds going into the fund for the young children who want to go to Spring Harvest next Easter. Anyone interested ring George on 01246 240710.
Contemporary Worship at Brimington Common
Friday evenings see two new monthly initiatives at Brimington Common starting on 28th January at 6.00 pm when the circuit lay worker Nel Shallow hosts a Youth Church/Youth Club called 44 – it lasts for 44 minutes! And the youngsters (aged 10 plus) will share a time of friendship, games, music and a tuck shop - all with a Christian base.
Then, at 7.00 pm Mark joins Nel to lead contemporary worship using many different aids and styles of presentation of the Christian Gospel. The flyers call it an “experience” and everyone is welcome to join in with the experience at the Manor Road church.
Shorthand and typing?
Is there anyone out there who can still master the arts of shorthand and typing, and who can afford to give a little time to help Sister Elizabeth Richards? Elizabeth has for many years been a regular contributor to Peaple’s Friend – and would like to continue but she is finding difficulty in producing copy herself..
If anyone can help with this please contact sister Elizabeth direct.
SORRY!
A man got up in the middle of the sermon and walked out of church. His very embarrassed wife approached the preacher afterwards.. “I hope you didn’t think that he disagreed with anything you said. It’s just that he has a tendency to walk in his sleep!”
MAYC LAUNCHES NEW LOGO, NAME AND WEBSITE.
MAYC, the youth section of the Methodist Church, has agreed that it will now be known as "MAYC - Supporting Youth Work in the Methodist Church."
MAYC will no longer known as Methodist Association of Youth Clubs. This acknowledges that in the sixty years since its foundation MAYC has evolved and has moved away from its initial presence in youth clubs to a much wider role, which includes youth development and training courses, campaigns work and various music projects.
MAYC's new logo represents a cross/plus sign, showing the positive effects of being part of MAYC while conveying the central focus of Christ in the work and ministry. As part of these changes MAYC has launched a new integrated website http://www.mayc.info highlighting the range of work being carried out. The comprehensive site includes resources to read and download, campaign and worship material, policy information, ideas-exchange, a national events guide and many useful links to various organisations and groups around the country and beyond. MAYC's site went live on Youth Sunday - 21 November 2004.
MAYC celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2005 and will be marking this milestone with a variety of events including:
6:T Invest - 14 May 2005: a Garden Party at Chester House, London
6:T Intense - 15-17 July 2005: National Weekend, Cliff College, Derbyshire
6:T Inspire - 16-18 September 2005: Weekend bash, at Truro School, Cornwall More details on the new MAYC website http://www.mayc.info
EVANGELISM - on the web
We're a small, mostly 'senior' congregation in Clydach, Swansea.
We worship in the hall of a Welsh Independent Church. A couple of years ago we were offered a free web-page on a village site. Some older members were doubtful about the value of it, but we went ahead - the only local church to do so. Two younger couples have found us through the web-page, much to our delight. We've celebrated the wedding and confirmation of one couple, and we're looking forward to the wedding of the second, who may also become members.
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)
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
18-25 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
28 Circuit Prayer Meeting 7.30 pm Barrow Hill
28 “44” and Ascent from 6.00 pm Brimington Common
February 2005
7 Circuit Prayer Meeting 7.30 pm Clowne
15 Deadline for material to be included in next newsletter
18 Circuit Prayer Meeting 7.30 pm Brimington
19 Men’s Fellowship Breakfast 8.30 am Staveley
25 “44” and Ascent from 6.00 pm Brimington Common
28 Circuit Prayer Meeting 7.30 pm tba