| Previous | Next | |
Our VisionIs to Aspire … to Inspire… a Desire… in JESUS! The Newsletter of the Bolsover and Staveley CircuitMarch 2008 No 78CIRCUIT WOMEN’S NETWORK Dear Friends I expect you’ve realised that Easter, and consequently Mothers’ Day, are early this year-the earliest for nearly 100 years so I’m told! Consequently, the first of this year’s Easter Offerings envelopes will soon be seen (received and filled most generously-thank you in anticipation!) Did you know that these envelopes are a very special part of our on-going Methodist history? 150 years ago, the women of the Wesleyan Methodist Church were challenged to form an official organisation to raise funds and to train and send out women missionaries, especially to the Far East where the male missionaries were not allowed near the local women. Many missionaries’ wives did amazing things to help out but they knew that other women were needed, especially those trained for the work as teachers. Then in 1883 the first medical worker sailed for Madras. In that year the first Easter Offering was received for this vital work. All the women of the Church throughout the country were challenged to give at least one penny as an Easter Thank offering for God’s gift of His Son. Each of the early Methodist denominations had their own society, but at Methodist Union in 1932 they became one under the name “Women’s Work” and that vital work of funding, training and sending women missionaries continued. 21 years ago “Women’s Work” (WW) and the Home Mission oriented “Women’s Fellowship” organisation (WF) came together under the umbrella of “Women’s Network” (WN) to include all Methodist women, whether belonging to a group under WW or WF or not. This we will be celebrating at our Circuit Lunch on Wednesday June 18th – Don’t forget to book your place (from April 1st). However, there has recently been a shadow over WN since the Connexional Methodist Council, in its cost-cutting proposals and re-organisations, has said that WN should be self funding i.e. have charitable status and lose the present Methodist subsidies which cover the expenses of two Connexional WN Officers and their administrative base. This has caused great upset and outcry as the women of Methodism are known to be the “backbone” of most local church congregations. In response to a challenging questionnaire concerning independence of WN there has been such a backlash of opinion against the idea that the Methodist Council has just decided (Feb. 08) to review the situation and to form a working group of three Methodist Council members and three representatives from the Connexional Network Committee. So-watch this space for further developments (or read the “Methodist Recorder”) Yours in His service, Jean Morton p.s. Don’t forget to fill your Easter Offering envelope, remembering that it all goes to the Methodist World Church Fund to spread God’s word in a variety of ways, not just by missionaries (or Mission Partners as we now know them.) ENCOURAGEMENT FOR THE UK FROM THE USA!! Sue Wilson found this article in her old church’s newsletter in Bridlington (October 2007). Rob Parker shares: I heard the Holy Spirit say this is a season of Encouragement for the Body of Christ in the UK. God is causing his breath of life to come upon the church in the UK. I believe there is a specific anointing coming on the ministry of the word in pulpits all across England. I saw the Holy Spirit hovering over congregations and as the word was preached and taught, there was a multiplied effectiveness in the lives of the hearers. That the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation was resting upon the Body of Christ causing greater levels of fruitfulness, breaking off of yokes of bondage, mindsets and strongholds and causing people to increase in stature in the Lord. There will be greater harvests of the lost because of the work of the Holy Spirit and the atmosphere of faith that will be brought through the teaching and preaching of the Word. I also heard the Holy Spirit say that God is adding to His church. The season the church is in is much like a woman who has discovered that she is pregnant. I heard the Holy Spirit say that England is pregnant with the next move of the Lord. This season is a time when He is adding to the church, a time of fruitfulness, expansion, coming to fullness and maturing in preparation for the next move of God. I specifically heard the Lord remind us to “Keep Sowing!” God’s favour is multiplying the harvest for whatever is sown in this season. He was exhorting us, “Don’t stop sowing and cultivating-Carry this work to fruition…Be Encouraged! Continue sowing for successive harvests, don’t become satisfied with the first fruits. Keep sowing!” 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: 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. HEALING SERVICES Bolsover hosts the Healing Place on the following dates 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. EASTER SERVICES Brimington and Brimington Common share a Communion service on Maundy Thursday at Brimington Common starting at 8:00pm. On Good Friday, there is the Brimington Walk of Witness arriving at the Green next to Hall Road for a short service at 12 noon, followed by tea/coffee and hot cross buns in Hall Road. STAVELEY’S CONCERT On Friday 28th March commencing at 7:30pm by the Ireland Colliery Chesterfield Band. Tickets are priced at £3.00 either through Barbara and Geoff Thompson 471227 or they can be bought at the door. Light refreshments will be available with all proceeds for church funds. CANDIDATING I would like to thank you all for your prayers, love, support and affirmation as I candidate. Many have asked for specific dates allowing you to pray for me. This month I see a psychologist on Wednesday 5th March and I go before the District Panel on Saturday 15th March. Thank you all, Nick. 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 Circuit DIARY March 2008 April 2008 JUNE 2008 © 2008 - Bolsover and Staveley Methodist Circuit |
||
| Previous | Next | |