Our Vision

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

The Newsletter of the Bolsover and Staveley Circuit

April 2006                                 No 56

BRIMINGTON AND THE SMILES FOUNDATION
Smiles is a Christian foundation which operates in Romania, Honduras and Armenia.  I first heard of Smiles from Mandy Close last year and was very interested to hear about the children’s work she had done in the hospital where the abandoned babies were.  After listening and seeing photographs, I mentioned it to our leadership team, and we then asked the lady in charge, Carol to come and share her work with us.

What do they do?

They work with the Gypsies, who are considered the outcasts of society, because since Communism failed they are worse off, having little or no means of work.  The young children beg and the older ones steal to support their families.  Smiles stepped in and they deliver food parcels once a week.  There are many on going projects including educational, housing, renovation, family care, Cihei Children’s Centre to name just a few.

The Tileagd Community Complex Big Dream

However the Tileagd Community School Complex is an exciting project just beginning which we can help with.  It will provide a Primary School and Kindergarten, combined with a medical centre, treatment room, dental surgery, office, community room and church.  When asked, “Why are you building here?”  Kevin Hoy, the Chief Executive replied, “Because God loves the people of Tileagd and has put a burden on the hearts of His people to build a facility that can change lives for the good forever.  This complex will serve the people in all aspects of life, feeding the mind, body and soul through school life, medical assistance and a church family”.

How much will it cost?  In monetary terms £400,000.  They have got the land and £100,000 and are asking 400 individuals or groups (churches, schools, businesses, home groups, families, clubs and societies) each raise £1000, the dream will become a reality.

We as a Church at Hall Road have agreed to join the Dream Team and raise £1000 by September 2006.  How?  By the twenty pence a day challenge from February until September or by eight monthly envelopes.  When this publication comes out Darryl will have completed his sponsored swim at Middlecroft Centre, 2.5km (100 lengths) and collected over £300.  Well done and a big thank you to Darryl and all who sponsored him.  There will be other activities throughout the year to support.

A Table Top Sale at Hall Road on 29th April 10am -3pm.

Everyone can be involved from the youngest to the oldest on one way or another.  Prayer is of vital importance and we can all do this as a Circuit in our churches, house groups and homes.

I am going to Romania with Mandy on 17th June until 24th and would appreciate any sponsorship that the church and individuals feel able to give.  I thank those kind and generous people who have already given to my sponsorship.  Any ideas and help in making this dream come true will be very much appreciated.  Sometimes, especially within the church we focus on our limited resources; but if we focus on working to heal the world, we will find that we have more than enough – time, energy, money – to do what God asks.  It is not a matter of protecting our standard of living; it is a matter of raising our standard of giving in every area we touch.  Jesus calls us to give until the whole world is healed.  For more information on the Smiles Foundation and the project see www.thesmilesfoundation.org.

Maureen Gartland

PRAYER CALL
Last week I was forwarded an email from Brimington Common asking that as Churches within this Circuit could we pray for Abdul Rahman, an Afghan who faced the death penalty for converting from Islam to Christianity.  A week is along time within the world and this man has been freed with Italy giving him asylum, thanks to a campaign led by Pope Benedict XVI.

We as Christians within this country often forget how blessed we are and forget how much it costs for our sisters and brothers within other areas of the world.  We still need to remember Abdul Rahman in our prayers as he has had to leave his homeland and also his family and we need to stay informed as the Church in many areas is under great persecution.

NO GREATER LOVE
Nailed on the cross in pain and agony
Beaten and spat on for everyone to see,
A mother’s anguish to see her suffering son
Innocent and blameless, she saw what they had done,
Weighed down with our sins, He made no sound
Cruelly scorned, no mercy He found,
“Father forgive them, they know not what they do”
His cries from the cross, His love for me and you,
He hung there and died, until His life was done
Destiny’s child, God’s only Son,
The chains of hell could not keep Him bound
No greater love is ever found,
This Easter Resurrection Day
We read God’s word, and while we pray:

“Thank you Lord for Jesus, who reigns with God on high
He loves us so much and was willing to die,
We feel guilt and shame as we seek His face
Our loving Lord Jesus, so full of grace,
Forgive us our sins Lord, we give thanks from our hearts
For the blessed assurance that Jesus imparts”

                                                                         Amen.

June Jones, Brimington Common

DOUBTING THOMAS
So if you were Doubting Thomas,
would you believe that Jesus was alive?
Oh I would definitely, and would never
say that death had won.
I have never seen Jesus but I know this
and so I can be truly happy.

Bethany Pritchard (Age 7yrs) Brimington Common Church. (Now Bardney Church, Lincs.) 

THE PASSION OF CHRIST
There will be a free showing of The Passion at Hilltop, Bolsover on Saturday 8th April at 3pm.  Anyone aged 18 or over is welcome to come along.

THE DEAD SEA SCROLLS
Peter Kirk a renowned expert on the subject will lead an evening on these on Wednesday 17th May at 7:30pm at Brimington Common.

DISTRICT NETWORK
The District day will be held at Bradwell Methodist Church on Saturday 20th May 2006 from 10:00am to 4:00pm.  The theme for the day will be “Partnership” led by the Connexional Network President Alison Judd and the Connexional Network Secretary Margaret Sawyer.  Take along your lunch, drinks will be provided.

RECOGNITION SERVICE
There will be a Recognition Service for Dave Wilson and Mark North as they have completed their training to become Local Preachers.  This will be held at Bolsover on Thursday 25th May at 7:30pm.

CHANGES TO BE NOTED
The Brimington Procession of Witness on Good Friday meets at midday on the Green, not at 2:00pm as shown in the plan.

The Circuit Office will be closed Monday 3rd April.  For Easter it will close Tuesday 11th April through to Monday 24th April.

Circuit DIARY

Meetings and Other Church Events for the forthcoming months.

April 2006

7        Circuit Prayer Meeting                 7.30 pm                          Inkersall
8        Showing of The Passion               3:00 pm                         Bolsover
15      Men’s Fellowship Breakfast          8:30 am                          Staveley
 

For Easter Services please see the plan.

May 2006

5        Circuit Prayer Meeting                 7.30 pm                    Duckmanton
14      Easter Offering Circuit Service      3:00 pm                           Clowne
17      Dead Sea Scrolls Evening            7:30 pm         Brimington Common
20      Men’s Fellowship Breakfast          8:30 am                          Staveley
25      Recognition Service for                7:30 pm                         Bolsover
            Dave Wilson & Mark North

© 2005 - Bolsover and Staveley Methodist Circuit