Our Vision

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

The Newsletter of the Bolsover and Staveley Circuit

December 2006 No 64

WELCOME TO GORDON
Many will have realised now that Revd Gordon Morton has recovered from his operation and is fighting fit. As a Circuit we welcome him and his family looking forward to the times that we will share together. Gordon writes

The last 12 months have flown by. It is just a year since the decision was made that I should come and serve in this Circuit. Everything looked good but then I went into hospital for what should have been a routine bypass and everything went ‘pear shaped’. I spent most of the summer in hospital and went home a very weak man.

At one time it looked as though I would not be joining this or any other Circuit. However, during my illness I knew that many people were praying for me and my wife. I seemed to turn a corner for no apparent reason and the doctors still do not know what had happened. Julie and I felt we knew more than the doctors because we realised that the prayers being offered were increased around the time I began to feel better and our God offered me mercy and His Grace.

I am so much better now and want to thank you as a Circuit for all your prayers and patience in allowing me to begin my Ministry here a little late. We have received tremendous support from the staff, circuit stewards and from everyone around the Circuit.

Our hope and desire is to serve the Circuit as God leads. I know first hand what He is capable of doing and look forward to Him leading the way over the next few years. Last year’s President of Conference talked about the Church waiting for a new Pentecost. I want to be part of the Methodist Church when that happens and as we approach Advent my prayer is that we all look to the future. God has plenty to do with us all. Let us celebrate Advent and Christmas in anticipation of the new Pentecost.

Wednesday 10th January sees Gordon officially welcomed to this Circuit. The service will be held at Brimington starting at 7:30pm, with the preacher being our Chair of District Revd Vernon Marsh.

GOOD NEWS ROAD SHOW
A few of us from this end of the District were privileged to share in the above event. There were valuable resources to be bad from the exhibition and although I was not able to stay for all the workshops, it was a most encouraging time. It has long been a concern of mine that it is not necessary to reinvent the wheel! Stories from Hexthorpe and Lowedges were proof indeed that Fresh Expressions of Church meet the needs of today.

Colin Brown was the facilitator for the day. He is a Church Army Missioner, currently working as part of the national Fresh Expressions core team where he is responsible for Prayer and Spirituality. He shared with us his experience as he is pioneering a fresh expression of church in Sheffield's "Cultural Industries Quarter" where he uses his artistic and creative gifts to help nonchurch folk explore their spirituality and the Christian faith. I was so fascinated, that even though he told me he would be repeating his previous talk, I stayed to listen to him second time around!

I came away with mixed feelings. Delighted that I had been but sad that so few had taken the opportunity to share such a wonderful experience.

Rita Sawyer

SHOE BOXES AT BRIMINGTON
This year, for the second time, we acted as a Shoe Box Drop Off Centre. This meant someone being in the Church weekdays from 10.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. during the collecting period. Generally we waited for boxes in twos, and enjoyed the fellowship together, the coffee and biscuits, mince pies, and in some cases bacon butties! Some days there were other groups in the Church - the Mums and Toddlers and the Older People from the Day Centre. It was good to chat with them. 47 boxes were collected from people bringing them to the Church; plus 59 boxes which were brought to us from the Manor School at Brimington Common. As usual we collected boxes from church members, some people made up their own boxes, others brought various articles to be put in the boxes, and other members made donations of money, the £2.00 donation per box being given from Church funds. We were able to donate 57 boxes from Church Members. During one or our Sunday morning services we showed the Samaritan's Purse CD of the children opening their boxes in various countries around the world, as an encouragement and 'thank you' to all who helped in any way.

Jean Fisher

The total Circuit contribution including Brimington’s is at least 247 boxes and over £200 in monetary gifts.

CLOWNE’S SISTERHOOD’S ‘PARTY’
Monday 4th December sees Cresswell Colliery Brass Band leading a Carol Concert. Everyone is welcome to share with the Sisterhood ladies in singing carols and listening to the band as they celebrate with their “party” and final meeting of the year.

HILLSTOWN’S CHRISTMAS COFFEE MORNING
Hillstown welcomes you all to their Christmas Coffee Morning on Wednesday 6th December from 10:00am to noon.

BRIMINGTON COMMON’S CHRISTMAS COFFEE MORNING
Brimington Common will be hosting a Christmas Coffee morning on Saturday 9th December. Coffee and mince pies served from 10:00am to 11:30am. Light lunches of soup/bread cob – apple pie – cheese/biscuits served from 12:00 to 1:15pm. There will be competitions and stalls including home baked cakes, toys, books and fancy goods.

DUCKMANTON’S CHRISTMAS TEA
Duckmanton are holding their Christmas Buffet Tea on Saturday December 9th at 5:30pm. After tea, there will be a concert by Stonebroom Methodist Male Voice Choir at 7:00pm. Entrance is free but an offering will be taken for Church funds.

For catering purposes we will need to know numbers. Free tickets are available from either Church Members or by phoning June and Derek on 01246 472553.

CIRCUIT CAROL SERVICE
This takes place on Wednesday 13th December commencing at 7:00pm and as is customary different churches from the Circuit will be taking part. The offering this year will be going to the Smiles Foundation. There will be an opportunity to continue our fellowship afterwards with a cup of tea.

JOINT CHILDREN’S AND YOUTH WORKERS SESSIONS
These are District sessions that have been organised following a request from one of our churches. There are four sessions as follows:

Children’s and young people’s spirituality                  Wednesday 31st January
and faith development
How children and young people learn                        Wednesday 7th March
Planning and preparing sessions and                        Wednesday 9th May
exploring resources
Managing Behaviour                                                    Wednesday 11th July

These are a valuable resource that are being held on our doorstep, use them! Each one is being held at Staveley, starting at 7:00pm finishing at 9:00pm. Booking is essential, either through the Circuit Office on 470859 or direct with the District Office on 0114 281 2733.

CIRCUIT OFFICE
The Circuit Office will be closed on Friday 15th December. The last day I will be working will be Friday 22nd December reopening on Wednesday 3rd January.

FOR CHRISTMAS SERVICES AND TIMES PLEASE SEE THE PLAN.

Circuit DIARY

Meetings and Other Church Events for the forthcoming months.

December 2006

4        Concert                                        7:00pm                           Clowne
6        Coffee Morning                           10:00am                         Hillstown
7        Local Preachers Meeting               7:30pm                          Inkersall
9        Coffee Morning                           10:00am         Brimington Common
9        Christmas Tea & Concert              5:30pm                    Duckmanton
11       Staveley’s Sisterhood                    2:00pm                          Staveley
          Carol Service
13      Circuit Carol Service                     7:00pm                          Staveley
16      Men’s Fellowship Breakfast           8:30am                          Staveley
          Carol Service

January 2007

10      Welcome Service                          7:30pm                       Brimington
20      Men’s Fellowship Breakfast           8:30am                          Staveley
31      Children & Young People               7:00pm                          Staveley
          Training Session

March 2007

14 General Purposes Committee 7:30pm Bolsover
21 Circuit Meeting 7:30pm Clowne