Our Vision

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

The Newsletter of the Bolsover and Staveley Circuit

DECEMBER 2007                               No 76

DAVE’S VISIT TO ROMANIA
It is with great humility that I bring greetings and thanks from the churches in Romania.  Your generosity in giving has helped to make this Christmas much brighter to so many people in that nation.  I praise God that I was privileged to be able to go on that journey, and witness His work in that country.  The response by the people of the Bolsover and Staveley Circuit was beyond my expectations, (to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than I could hope or imagine Ephesians 3:20) and so on their behalf may I say a big thank you to everyone.  In the end we were able to fill two 7.5 ton lorries with food, clothes, blankets, gift boxes, bicycles, mattresses and medical aid.

Les and Pam Gratton of Hope for Life Ministries also wish to pass on their thanks!  They visit Romania at least twice a year and they will be going again early 2008 and would value any contribtions to their trip.

There will also be an opportunity to support their valuable work on January 13th 2008 at 3:00pm at Staveley Methodist Church when our annual Christingle Service of Celebration will be donating our gifts to that Ministry.  Les and Pam Gratton will be attending the service to receive the gifts-Everyone is welcome to join in and be part of sharing in the vision of helping to bring the Light  of the World into the lives of the people of Romania.

Items required for the journey

Educational toys/games, Bible story aids, pens, pencils, crayons, rubbers etc., school bags, writing and drawing pads, knitted items, pillows, reading glasses, blankets, sheets, towels, cups and plates.

Food items Pasta, rice, cooking oil, flour, salt, biscuits, dried fruit, coffee and also toiletries.                                                        Dave Presson

SONGS OF PRAISE
Back in the summer whilst holidaying in North Norfolk I heard on BBC Radio Norfolk that there was to be a Songs of Praise at Thursford on 30th September.  Realising that we should be there over that weekend, I obtained two tickets from the BBC at Norwich and duly went to Thursford that evening.  Arriving at 5.50 for a 6.30 start, we found the ‘auditorium’ already filling, and so made for two aisle seats.  The two double A4 sheets provided told us that the Fakenham, Wells and Holt Methodist Circuit, in association with BBC Radio Norfolk.  The evening was entitled “My Own Familiar Friend – a celebration of the Tercentenary of the birth of  Charles Wesley” presented by his brother John Wesley (played by actor Mark Topping) with the Fakenham Town Band, the Wurlitzer organ played by Danny Wakefield, the Methodist Circuit Choir and the Hindringham Male Voice Choir , conducted by the Rev’d Colin Gardwood.  There followed over two hours of the singing of Charles Wesley’s hymns, interspersed with his music-sermons, and reflections by brother John.  With 1200 voices accompanied by band and organ, you can imagine that we did justice to:-

O for a thousand tongues to sing
Christ the Lord is risen today
Love divine, all loves excelling
And can it be that I should gain
Lo, He comes with clouds descending
Soldiers of Christ arise
Father of everlasting grace
O thou who camest from above

There was no charge for attending, but in true Methodist custom, an offering was received during the evening.  This event took place by kind permission of Mr John Cushing, who, by a coincidence, was interviewed the same evening on Songs of Praise on BBC TV (no doubt pre-recorded).

It was a truly memorable evening , which I shall not forget in a hurry.

Gerald Miller

PRAYER FOR THE CIRCUIT
The Bolsover Methodist Prayer Group meets weekly to pray for our churches and community.  We believe that prayer is essential for growth.  In the New Year the group would like to focus upon the individual churches in the circuit and their needs.  Each church will be given their own week.  The group would like to extend an invitation to the churches to join them during their week.  Please look out for the letter addressed to your church.  The dates are as follows:

Barlborough - 9th January, Barrow Hill – 16th January, Bolsover – 23rd January, Brimington – 30th January, Brimington Common – 6th February, Clowne - 13th February, Duckmanton – 27th February, Hillstown – 5th March, Inkersall – 12th March, New Brimington – 2nd April, Staveley – 9th April

The group meets at Bolsover Methodist Church in the Sykes Room, 8:00pm till 8:30pm.  For more details contact Pam Cutts 824649 or Sue Wilson 476545.

BARLBOROUGH’S FELLOWSHIP
Our October Fellowship evening was for the Samaritans Purse shoe box appeal.  Gill Mountford spoke about and sold some of her paintings and with donations £80 was raised, 26 shoe boxes were also handed over along with a large box of spare knitted items to go into other boxes at the charity’s base.  The evening finished with supper and we all had an enjoyable time. 

THANK YOU
Brimington Common would like to thank everyone for supporting their 140th celebrations.  The offering at the Circuit Service amounted to £71.00 and has been sent to the Smiles Foundation.

CHRISTMAS SERVICES
Barrow Hill would like to invite you to their Candle Lit Carol Service on 23rd December starting at 6:00pm.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are as follows:

Christmas Eve

Clowne                             11:30pm    Holy Communion                   Revd Colin Barrick
Brimington Common       11:30pm    Holy Communion                   Revd Gordon Morton                
Staveley                                 11:30pm                                          Mr Dave Presson

Christmas Day

Duckmanton             9:15am      Revd Gillian Robertson
Inkersall                    10:00am    Mr Dave Presson
New Brimington        10:00am    Revd Gordon Morton
Bolsover                    10:30am    Revd Gillian Robertson
Brimington                 10:30am

CIRCUIT OFFICE
The Circuit Office is usually open on Tuesdays (9:15am to 11:15am), Wednesdays (9:30am to 1:00pm) and Fridays (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

December 2007

3          Concert with Stonebroom Male Voice Choir       7:00pm                 Duckmanton
5          Local Preachers’ Meeting                                 7:30pm                       Bolsover
7          District Network Christmas Market                 10:00am                  Victoria Hall
12          Circuit Carol Service                                        7:00pm                       Staveley
15          Men’s Fellowship Breakfast                              8:30am                       Staveley
22          Carol Singing on the Green                            10:30am                       Inkersall

January 2008

9          Prayer Meeting (Barlborough)                          8:00pm                       Bolsover
16          Prayer Meeting (Barrow Hill)                            8:00pm                       Bolsover
19          Men’s Fellowship Breakfast                              8:30am                       Staveley
23          Prayer Meeting (Bolsover)                               8:00pm                       Bolsover
30          Prayer Meeting (Brimington)                            8:00pm                      `Bolsover

February 2008

13          General Purpose Committee                             7:30pm                         Clowne
20          Circuit Meeting                                                7:30pm                    Brimington

April 2008

27          Easter Offering Dedication Service                   6:00pm                    Brimington