Our Vision

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

The Newsletter of the Bolsover and Staveley Circuit

JULY 2007 No 71

“DYNAMIC PRAYER IN THE LOCAL CHURCH” CONFERENCE – SATURDAY 21st APRIL 2007
Saturdays are very precious to me; working full time Saturdays are my main day to spend with the family. (Also I enjoy a ‘lie in’ – well usually till 8 am!). However the conference was well worth the sacrifice. It was a wonderful day of learning and remembering what God has done, and indeed wants to do in our personal lives and the life of the Church. There was a menu of seminars to attend and then at the end of the day, a prayer meeting! I have to say it was the most exciting and inspiring prayer meeting I have ever attended. I would never have believed the last hour of a long day could go so fast and be so dynamic.

The main message of the seminar was to have a regular church prayer meeting but be dynamic, it can help to stop people nodding off. Combine worship and prayer, be willing try to experiment. If anyone wants more details about the day or some ideas to try to make prayer meetings ‘fun’ – yes it is allowed, then please feel free to contact me or any of the group that attended.

God bless you and keep praying.

Pam Cutts

AMPLEFORTH ABBEY
Last weekend I went to a Diaconate Exploration Weekend held at the abbey at Ampleforth. This was a fantastic weekend of discovery, of replenishment and of being. We were extremely well looked after by the monks and staff at the abbey and by the Deacons that led the two days. I was mightily impressed by the Diaconate, their togetherness and their willingness to serve God, the church and the wider community. Their commitment was phenomenal and something that we all could learn from!

One of the main highlights was the togetherness that the sixteen individuals that attended had as a group after only knowing each other for forty eight hours. It was great to know that God is working His purposes out, that His call is being heard within the Methodist Church and that people are responding. Even though we would not agree with each other theologically, we had a togetherness within our diversity that was exciting.

I am now eighteen months into Foundation Training. I have been challenged in many different ways and it has been tough going. This current Connexional Year six candidates have gone forward in the Candidating Process from the Urban Theology Unit, two for Diaconate and four for Presbyteral. They have been accepted and will start their pre-ordination training in September subject to the approval of Conference in Blackpool. My journey continues, entering a new phase during the next Connexional year as I enter the Candidating Process and the Church tests my call, starting here within my own Circuit.

These are exciting times for us as a Church. God is moving within our Church and challenging us in the things that we do and the way that we do them. God’s call continues to us as Church, but are we listening and responding. This is not about us and our plans; it is about God and His plans. Sometimes it so easy to get despondent as we look around and we do not recognise that God is moving, but He is both within this Circuit and the wider Church.

On the Methodist Web Site one is able to read of good news stories. Here are a brief flavour what is happening and maybe in future months more will be printed.

From Brimrod, Rochdale
We signed up to Oasis Trust's ‘Faithworks': researching our area, we wanted to save our local library from closure by the Council. We helped the community to form a Friends of the Library to challenge the decision and come up with alternatives. Sadly, the library did close, but a mobile library now uses the church car park every other Monday, and the local school is able to send pupils to use it. We open up and run a community information centre at the same time, with refreshments for adults and children.

From Shirley, Croydon
We wanted to increase our contact with children and families, so we've been opening our whole premises one Friday Night each month. We do a leaflet drop, and lay on a mix of activities, including basic and exhibition cookery, craft, board games, snooker, table tennis, discussion ... even beginners' Bridge! Older carers as well as teenagers and others are enjoying it, and now we're looking for more ways to support and nourish them.

From Timsbury, Bath
Three members of our small village church decided to raise money to provide good quality Children's Bibles free to our local primary school. We've now been able to supply 70,000 children in over 350 schools nationwide. Years 1-5 have a well-illustrated story Bible: year 6 have the Rainbow Good News. We also make sure there can be annual replenishments. Headteachers and R.E. teachers are thrilled. We've been given resources to provide all the children in a further 50 schools this year.

Nick

MICHAEL’S THANKS
Can I thank everybody for their prayers, love and support to Barbara and myself over the past few months.

Following three operations this year, I now feel better and stronger each day and life has new meaning, purpose and peace. Can I especially thank the Church family at Clowne for welcoming me back.

Many thanks and God Bless each and everyone of you.

Michael Rogers

BARROW HILL’S CONCERT
“Fantastic”, “Very Enjoyable”, “I look forward to their return”. Some comments from the last show. The Robin Johnson Palm Court Trio are returning to Barrow Hill Methodist on Saturday July 14th at 3:00pm. Good quality music from the golden era of music, played and sung by talented musicians. Do not miss out. Book your tickets quickly. Only £6.00 including buffet.

STAVELEY’S SISTERHOOD WEEKEND
This takes place on Sunday July 15th at 10:30am. The preacher is Rev’d Betty Tompkins with items from the ladies.

Monday July 15th at 2:45pm is the Sisterhood Rally. The speaker is Mrs Doreen Heap (Clowne). Refreshments will follow and everyone is welcome.

CIRCUIT OFFICE
The Circuit Office is usually open on Tuesday’s (9:15am to 11:15am), Wednesday’s (9:30am to 1:00pm) and Friday’s (9:15am to 11:15am).

Office Address : Staveley Methodist Church, Chesterfield Road, Staveley S43 3XD

Telephone : 01246 470859 Email : administrator@bolsoverstaveley.plus.com

Circuit DIARY

July 2007

11        Children and Young People’s Training                7:00pm                        Staveley
14        Johnson Palm Court Trio Concert                      3:00pm                    Barrow Hill
15 & 16   Sisterhood Rally                                                                                  Staveley
21        Men’s Fellowship Breakfast                                8:30am                        Staveley
27          Deadline for material for August’s Vision.

August 2007

18 Men’s Fellowship Breakfast 8:30am Staveley

September 2007

11 Local Preachers’ Meeting 7:30pm Brimington

October 2007

3 Circuit Meeting 7:30pm Staveley