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Our Vision

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

The Newsletter of the Bolsover and Staveley Circuit

May 2007                                          No 69

MARK’S RICKSHAW TOUR
In June, I will be apart of an Interserve Team driving an Indian rickshaw from Iona (north-west Scotland) down to St Augustine's Point (south-east England) - two entry points that saw Christianity coming to the UK. During the tour, called Miles for the Marginalised, the team will be stopping off at churches to highlight the issues of the marginalised in India and Bangladesh.  The objectives are to raise prayer for the Marginalised in these countries and also raise money for two projects.  The first is portable ultrasound machine for Lamb Hospital in Bangladesh. The second is a night shelter for Street children in Mumbai, at the moment 100,000 children sleep on the streets of this city each night.

So how can you be involved, there are three ways you can be involved.  The first is sponsorship, I am looking for people to sponsor me as I take part in this journey.  The second is raise money yourself, we are looking for people to walk, hop, and run a mile to help raise even more money.  The third way is by coming to the event, on Monday 18th of June at 7.30pm the Interserve team will be at Hill Top.  We will be having a praise service and hearing for the team.  So please come along and help change peoples lives.

If you want more information see the web site www.therickshawtour.org
or contact me:  01246 823323

God Bless, Mark North

BOLSOVER LADIES’ FELLOWSHIP CELEBRATES
The members of the Ladies’ Fellowship at Bolsover have celebrated the 60th Anniversary of their meeting.  An invitation was given to the Church family and 50 people (including gentlemen) attended.  After a short service, there was an hour’s music by the Palm Court Trio, followed by the Anniversary tea.  There are still two founder members, Mrs Kathleen Elliot and Mrs Pam Wilson who attend regularly.

Muriel Maughan, President.

A POSTCARD FROM THE SEASIDE
Dear All - Just a quick note to let you know that we are having a great time here at Spring Harvest, Skegness!  As always, the weather here is bracing!!  (Sue’s lost her scarf and misses it desperately!!)

To be honest though, we’re just too busy to worry about the windy weather.  We’re up around 7am to eat our lovely cooked breakfast, surrounded by all our mates from Hilltop and some of them are actually awake!!  Then it’s off to the Big Start in the Big Top.  There are all sorts of ages there, all joining in singing and doing the actions.  What a brill start to the day!  Beth and her mates then go to their youth programme whilst we stay in the Big Top for our bible study.  Charles Price is doing an excellent job of helping us to understand Philippians.

After a quick jog round the Butlins site, we are ready for our lunch and so was Beth.  After lunch, we split up to our various activities: I go to a series of seminars about building community and Sue goes to learn more about confident evangelism whilst Beth hits the shops!!  In a blink of an eye, it’s time for tea and we all gather round to chat about what everyone’s been up to. 

In the evening, it’s back to the Big Top where a couple called the Getty’s lead the worship.  It’s brill because we get to sing all our old favourites as well as trying out some new songs.  Each evening there’s a top notch speaker who brings a smile to our lips but also makes us think QUITE HARD.

At around 9.30, there’s a really difficult decision to make: you can go to bed or you can try some of the late night entertainment.  Beth has been to see some groups which she thought were really good (I think that means that they were very loud!) Even old codgers like Sue and I can manage one night out!  We went to see a comedian called Tim vine and his ’partner in crime’, a magician called John Archer.  They were very silly and very funny!! 

We’re having a really good time and we have lots of ideas for things to do back at Bolsover.  It’s really lovely to be part of a community of Christians that number in the thousands, even though it’s only for a few days.  Most postcards end with that famous expression, “Wish you were here” and we really think that it would be great if you could be here next year.

Lots of love,

Dave and the Wilson Family

ERIC’S RECOGNITION SERVICE
Eric Robertson’s recognition service as an accredited Local Preacher takes place at Bolsover on Thursday 17th May at 7:30pm.  Please come and support Eric on this important occasion.

EASTER OFFERING SERVICE
The Easter Offerings Dedication Service took place at Staveley on 29th April.  The theme was “Crossing Divides”.  Ladies from various churches took part in the service and the speaker was Dr. Mary Jefferson.  Offerings from churches amounted to £755.30 and the collection realised £236.10 making a total of £991.40 which is an all time record.  Grateful thanks to everyone who contributed to such a wonderful total.

Muriel Maughan

CIRCUIT WOMEN’S NETWORK
THANKS

o         Thanks for knitting and selling Easter Bunnies, or for giving donations-in lieu, mainly for the
       World Church Fund but also for “Smiles” (Final income not yet known.)

o         Thanks for buying and having a go (or not!) at the recent Bird Quiz which has raised over £240
     towards facilities for teenagers at Weston Park Hospital.  The answer sheets are now available at
     each Church.  (Nobody got 100 correct answers but several got 99 and the “little prize” went to
     the most senior of these persons-Mrs. M. Maughan.)

AND WHAT NEXT?

o         All the women belonging to any of our Circuit Churches are invited to the CIRCUIT LADIES’ LUNCH on Thursday, June 7th, 12.30pm for 1pm at Staveley Methodist Church.  There will be a three course meal, including drinks, all provide and served by outside caterers (who are highly recommended by our Brimington friends).  The meal will be followed by a fascinating presentation by Pam Grayson of Sheffield about last year’s World Methodist Women’s gathering in Korea.  Finishing time will be no later than 3.30pm.  The inclusive cost is only £7.00.  Names and money must be given to Jean Morton on or before Sunday Math 27th, ready to pass on to the caterers.  Perhaps one lady in each Church could be the booking person.

o         If you would like to be part of the bigger Methodist family then come to the new Crossing Church, Worksop, on Tuesday June 12th to hear our present Connexional (National) Women’s Network President, Sandra Lewin.  The first meeting is at 3.30pm, followed by a “bring your own” tea (drinks provided).  The main meeting is at 6:45pm and is due to finish not later than 8:30pm.  This will be an interesting, enlightening and uplifting day, along with fun, friendship and fellowship.  What about getting a car load together from your Church?  If you can’t manage the whole day, why not come just to the evening meeting?

o         Finally, we’re looking forward to 2008-9 when Judith Simms, our present District President (who spoke at the 2006 Circuit Easter Offerings Service and also at Brimington’s After-Christmas Dinner) will be the Connexional President.

Jean Morton

CBS AT BOLSOVER
Since September last year Community Bible Study at Bolsover has been studying the return of the Jews from exile in Babylon to Jerusalem.  Under the guidance of Ezra a priest and teacher the temple had been rebuilt but the city remained in ruins for a further 13 years.  Then a character named Nehemiah appears on the scene.

Nehemiah held an important position in the court of Persia and was highly regarded by the king.  He could probably have continued with his comfortable life and ignored the plight of his own people who were in danger from the surrounding nations.  His concern for them however led him to pray and fast.  Eventually he was able to return to Jerusalem with the blessing of the king, convinced that God wanted him to help his people.  Nehemiah was a layman, a good administrator, leader and encourager, but more importantly was a man of prayer.  The result was that the walls of Jerusalem were repaired and the city was once more secure from their enemies.  Then he tackled the spiritual waywardness of the people and restored the worship and commitment to God that had been neglected not only by the people but also by the priests and Levites.

What makes Nehemiah so interesting to me?

He was not a prophet or priest, he was a simple layman who was concerned about his countrymen who took those concerns to God and was available for God to use.  He acted upon God’s plans for him and used his talents and efforts to the benefit of fellow Jews.

Is there a lesson from this account in the Bible for our churches and circuit?

Community Bible Study will be starting again in September when we will be studying the Gospel of Mark and also James and Philippians.  Anyone is welcome to join us at 10am on Thursday 17th May to see CBS in action.  There will be a crèche and lunch will follow the meeting.

Peter Soar

Reminder of the next Children and Young People’s Training Session at Staveley on Wednesday 9th May starting at 7:00pm.

PLOUGHMAN’S LUNCH
There will be a Ploughman’s Lunch at Bolsover on Saturday 12th May from 12:00 to 2:00pm with cake, craft and plant stalls.  All proceeds for Christian Aid.

PRAISE AND HEALING SERVICES AT HALL ROAD
You are welcome to join Brimington on Sunday 20th May for their next celebration beginning as near to 7.30pm as possible!

We have been asked to remember Jessie and Maurice Bates in our prayers as Jessie goes into hospital on the 30th May for an operation on 31st May.

Circuit DIARY

May 2007

9          Children and Young People’s Training                  7:00pm                        Staveley 
12        Ploughman’s Lunch                                           12:00pm                        Bolsover
17        Invite to Community Bible Study                         10:00am                        Bolsover
17        Eric’s Recognition Service                                   7:30pm                        Bolsover
19        Men’s Fellowship Breakfast                                  8:30am                        Staveley
20        Praise & Healing Service                                     7:30pm                    Brimington
25        Deadline for material for June’s Vision

June 2007

7          Network Lunch                                                  12:30pm                        Staveley
10        Praise & Healing Service                                     3:00pm                        Bolsover 
12        Network Visit                                                      3:30pm                       Worksop
14        Local Preacher’s Meeting                                    7:30pm                        Hillstown
16        Men’s Fellowship Breakfast                                  8:30am                        Staveley
18                Praise Service (Interserve)         7:30pm        Bolsover

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