Our Vision

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

The Newsletter of the Bolsover and Staveley Circuit

February 2008 No 77

Cedric Oldfield 1923-2008
“In heavenly love abiding”

Monday, 28 January saw the members of Clowne Methodist Church and the Circuit say their goodbyes to a well loved friend and mentor, Cedric Oldfield. The church was full to capacity with people standing upstairs on the balcony and in the vestibule at the back of the church. The service was led by Colin Barrick with Alan Morton paying tribute to Cedric and reminding us of the many different talents that Cedric had and how he used them to help others – from writing material for the PTA and Crewsers to serving the circuit as a local preacher for nearly 50 years. The roof was raised during the singing of the hymns and the people of Clowne sang a favourite of Cedric & Betty – O Jesus I have promised. The service was followed by tea in the schoolroom when over 100 people stayed to speak to Betty and her family. A truly great tribute for the wonderful life of a very special person.

Thanks….

I would like to say thank you to all the friends in the circuit who have helped me and the family in so many ways at this sad time of the loss of Cedric, also for the cards, letters, donations and the practical help that we have received over the past weeks.
To our minister Rev Colin Barrick for his support and help and to Rev Alan Morton for the tribute to Cedric so warmly delivered.
Grateful thanks to the individual churches and the Local Preachers who remembered us too and all the many friends who attended the celebration of Cedric’s life.
The donations for prostate cancer and Clowne Methodist Church have amounted to over £1000. God Bless You All.
Betty
We also say a fond farewell to Stan Squires, another of our Local Preachers. We thank God for both the life and witness of Stan and Cedric, knowing that they are at peace with their Lord in His eternal presence.

QUIZZES BECOME AN AFRICAN CAFÉ-SHOP?

Yes, miracles are possible – with lots of help from you, and from many others in our Sheffield Methodist District.

Africa Previously your quiz money, together with many other contributions, helped the Adolescent Cancer Unit at Weston Park Hospital, Sheffield. Now, for 2007-2009, our Methodist women are being challenged to raise £3-4000 to build a café/shop in Sierra Leone. This will be a place where products can be sold from sewing, dyeing, hat making and catering courses at the Women’s Skills Development Centre which is run by the Methodist Church there.

The Methodist Women’s Skills Centre trains young women who missed out on childhood (and schooling) because of the brutal civil war 1991-2002. Many of them were forced to
become child soldiers or to work for the rebels in other ways. Now they need to be able to earn their own living and gain self respect. They receive

Basic education: reading and arithmetic
Dress-making and tailoring skills
Training in dyeing (batik and tie-dye)
Instruction in hat making and catering

The Centre began during the war as a self-help group for displaced women. After the war, it operated for “ex-combatants” who had been taken against their will to “serve” the rebels. At that time it was supported by government funding but now it depends on selling in the UK the goods made by the students. They use best West African cotton (like our damask) and top quality fast dyes. The Centre is managed by a Technical Committee appointed by the Methodist Church in Sierra Leone. Tutors are skilled and experienced people.

Many of you will already have seen (and possibly bought) some of the beautiful batik and tie-dye items which Dr. Mary Jefferson brings to all the occasions she is invited, eg at our Circuit Service last year for the Easter Offerings Dedication. Dr. Jefferson also always wears on these occasions a delightfully coloured gown from Sierra Leone. The Methodist women in Sierra Leone call her their “Mother in Christ” because she has helped them in so many ways, not least by selling their products and telling us about them.

So-if you buy the latest Animal Quiz or give a donation in lieu you’ll be helping just a little towards this challenge. Further details are available from:

Jean Morton (Circuit Network Secretary)

p.s. Don’t forget the next Circuit Network Planning Meeting – Friday, February 29th, 2.30pm at Staveley. We will be preparing for the next Circuit Service (Sunday, April 27th, 6.00pm at Brimington, Hall Road) and also for the Circuit Ladies’ Lunch (Wednesday, June 18th at Staveley). We hope that there will be ladies from all our churches at the Planning Meeting.

PRAYER REQUEST

Recently I had a phone call from Mary Bentley, my friend and prayer partner for 20 years. She asked for prayer for her son Martin who is headmaster at Greensteds School Nakuru, Kenya. The violence was only ten miles away from the school and it was about to be evacuated. 350 students and 100 staff left the school under armed police escort.

Martin is requesting prayer for protection for those who remain on campus and for wisdom about the schools future.

Barbara Cutts

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:

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.

STAVELEY’S ANNIVERSARY WEEKEND

This takes place over the weekend 23rd-24th February commencing at 5:30pm on Saturday with a Church Family Tea. At 6:30pm there is a Gift Thanksgiving Service followed by a Concert by Tickhill & District Male Voice Choir. (Tickets £4.00).

Sunday’s Preacher at 10:30am is Dr. Peter Andrews. For more details please contact Geoff Thompson on 471227.

CLOWNE’S CONCERT

Come and join us for supper at Clowne Chapel on March 1st at 6:00pm. This will be followed by a concert featuring Anston Male Voice Choir and Guests at 7:00pm. Everybody welcome. A collection will be taken during the evening for the Chapel Building Fund. For supper tickets (priced at £3.00) or further details, please phone Barbara Rogers on 811214.

HEALING SERVICES

Bolsover hosts the Healing Place on the following dates : Tuesday 12th February, Tuesday 11th March and Tuesday 8th April each starting at 7:30pm.

Brimington has a Praise and Healing Service on Sunday 16th March starting at 7:30pm.

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

February 2008
12          The Healing Place                                           7:30pm                       Bolsover
13          General Purpose Committee                             7:30pm                         Clowne
Prayer Meeting (Clowne)                                  8:00pm                       Bolsover
16          Men’s Fellowship Breakfast                              8:30am                       Staveley
20          Circuit Meeting                                                7:30pm                    Brimington
23 -24     Staveley’s Anniversary Weekend                                                       Staveley
27          Prayer Meeting (Duckmanton)                          8:00pm                       Bolsover

March 2008
1            Concert                                                           6:00pm                         Clowne
5            Prayer Meeting (Hillstown)                               8:00pm                       Bolsover
11          The Healing Place                                           7:30pm                       Bolsover
12          Prayer Meeting (Inkersall)                                8:00pm                       Bolsover
15          Men’s Fellowship Breakfast                              8:30am                       Staveley
16          Praise & Healing Service                                 7:30pm                    Brimington

April 2008
8            The Healing Place                                           7:30pm                       Bolsover
16          Local Preachers’ Meeting                                 7:30pm                       Bolsover
27          Easter Offering Dedication Service                   6:00pm                    Brimington