Our Vision

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

The Newsletter of the Bolsover and Staveley Circuit

January 2006 No 53

A Happy New Year to you all! Another year past, the start of yet another one, New Year resolutions made and for some already broken. The question must be for all of us, what has God in store for us this year as individuals, as Churches and as a Circuit. Are we listening, are we willing and are we ready to step out in faith and follow where He leads.

Changes are afoot within the Circuit staff during the coming months, firstly with Nel leaving us during this month to take on the role of Youth Officer for the Sheffield Diocese. Mark Coles writes

A WORK FULFILLED!!
It was during the Vision 2010 event, that a number of major issues were highlighted by our circuit. One of these was staffing and the use of lay workers in planned work, to advance Methodism in our circuit. The circuit leadership team took this on board, and over the next (in total) 2 and a half years, recognising the forthcoming changes in ministerial staffing came up with a strategic plan. This involved the reorganisation of the circuit, with a new section named Brimington and Staveley, comprising of 6 churches. It was recognised that this would need a lay worker to develop new work in this section. This was fulfilled in the appointment of Nel Shallow in September of 2003.

Nel's work was intended to be predominantly in the Brimington Churches, but as many of you know, she has had an active circuit role / presence also, through various events. It has been a busy time for Nel in our circuit, with numerous challenges and opportunities, on both sides to work through. Nel has very much challenged, nurtured and encouraged the churches in Brimington through her work amongst us. It would be wrong for me to write a list of all the things she has done with us, and for us, as I probably would forget something; suffice to say, that from my point of view the work fulfilled has been considerable, surpassing much of what I had hoped for.

Anyone who has met Nel, will know of her considerable gifting, in leading of worship, pastoral work, schools work, community outreach, evangelism and creative gifts, to name but a few. Nel has been a real asset to the circuit, and as she moves on to a new appointment, it is with a heavy heart that many of us say our goodbyes (although we hope to invite her back from time to time).

Our best wishes and prayers are with Nel, Jim, Joseph and Jacob, as they leave us.

Finally a personal note, for me it has been great to have worked with Nel, I am not only losing a colleague, but a good friend.

Nel, our circuit owes you so much, for the Work you Have Fulfilled.

CIRCUIT CAROL SERVICE
Many thanks to all those who took part with each Church being represented. We especially thank Staveley for hosting this event and for those members there which played such an important part in making it such a success.

Following the Carol Service, a number of people placed retiring offerings in a plate in the Crèche at Staveley, which totalled £51.40. This has been donated to NCH on behalf of the Circuit.

HOMELESSNESS SUNDAY
Homelessness Sunday 2006 will take place on Sunday 29 January 2006. The following report (thanks to Rita Sawyer) is from the Churches’ Association for Social Work (Chesterfield and District). Homelessness has always been within their brief and the Association are exploring the gaps in provision within the Chesterfield area.

Existing support for the homeless in Chesterfield at present includes:

· Chesterfield Borough Council Homeless Section, with limited resources has to prioritize applicants and often resorts to providing temporary Bed and Breakfast accommodation for homeless adults and families until tenancies become available. The added problem of tenancy agreements leads to eviction causing further homelessness.

· St Michael’s Centre Soup Kitchen, at the Baptist Church, Cross Street, Tuesday and Friday evenings 6.30-7.30, provides a three course meal, clothes, sign posting and spiritual support when requested.

· The Zion Community at the Assembly of God, Chatsworth Road. MAD provides a three course meal and spiritual support on Wednesday evening. They also provide outreach visiting housing estates delivering clothes, foods, toys and Mission.

· Church Army/Holy Trinity Church, Newbold Road Bus Project. The Double Decker bus operates outside the Town Hall on Thursday evenings, providing soup, sandwiches, TLC and Mission.

· Pathways Day Centre at 55 Vicar Lane due to open in February will provide soup, sandwiches, snacks, training/life skills, shelter, support and laundry facilities for homeless adults. The centre is now seeking volunteer support workers to help in the day to day running of the project.

The gaps in provision for the homeless in Chesterfield.

·        Night Shelter
·        Emergency Accommodation
·        Supported Accommodation : more is required
·        Shared Accommodation
·        Independent Tenancies
·        Mentoring of Tenants: to avoid eviction and to support the tenant with managing the tenancy.

Determined to address some of these issues, on behalf of the Association, John and Jane Hart visited Pastor Pete of Green Pastures in Southport. Known in Southport as God’s Estate Agent, a Christ driven figure with great faith and charisma, Pastor Pete has eliminated homelessness in Southport. As a result of John’s detailed report the Association agreed to work with Pastor Pete of Green Pastures and took this vision to Chesterfield Borough Council and received a positive response.

Green Pastures is a Limited Company run on a share issue basis. The Company is prepared to invest money in Chesterfield by buying properties for our clients but will be looking for investment from Chesterfield.

The Churches’ Association for Social Work (Chesterfield and District) are in the process of amalgamating with Roofstops and they shall be looking to the Churches for support through prayer, expertise and funding to enable them to move this project forward.

Their aim: To eliminate homelessness in Chesterfield and the surrounding area.

For further details on Homelessness Sunday see the website www.homelessness-sunday.org.uk

STAVELEY CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIT CAROL SERVICE
We were very pleased to have Mark with us once again on what is his last Christmas with us, and he varied the address with the inclusion of an appropriate short sketch. Our services are supported by members of other Churches in the Circuit and for a number of years now, the offerings taken have been donated (we feel appropriately) to Shelter. This year’s offerings totalled £117.96 and these will be rounded up to £160 from our Benevolence Fund.

Geoff. Thompson

Circuit DIARY

Meetings and Other Church Events for the forthcoming months.

January 2006

18      Teaching on Spirituality                     7.30 pm                     Bolsover
21      Men’s Fellowship Breakfast              8.30 am                      Staveley
27      Deadline for material to be included in next newsletter

February 2006

3        Circuit Prayer Meeting                     7.30 pm                   Brimington
17      Teaching on Worship                       7.30 pm                      Staveley
18      Men’s Fellowship Breakfast              8.30 am                    Staveley