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Ashbourne Methodist Church Magazine
February 2004
From the Manse
Dear friends,
When were you last struck by the sheer beauty of something in this world?
When did you last have an experience that moved you to tears?At New Year I
was visiting my old missionary friend Jenny. We were out bird watching when
we were fortunate to see a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. (This is the small cousin
of the much more common Greater Spotted). This was Jenny's first time to see
one. It was pecking away at the bark on a young sapling bush, at eye-level,
just 5 yards away. It was clearly visible to us yet was unperturbed by our
presence. We watched it for nearly 10 minutes, lost in admiration.
On the telly I like to watch those nature programmes. One recent one showed
underwater shots of "Sea Dragons", creatures related to Sea Horses
but much more ornate. One had masses of fronds growing on its body that made
it look exactly like the seaweed amongst which it lived. This rare exotic
creature is found in just one place, a small area of sea off the Southern
coast of Australia.
We live on a beautiful planet. Contrast it with the new pictures from Mars,
a barren, rock strewn, lifeless landscape. Planet Earth is teeming with life
in such variety and abundance. It is beautiful. It tells us something about
our God who created it. As Genesis tells us "He saw that it was Good".
And those experiences when you are moved to tears…
I was watching a young mother playing with her baby, lifting her high in the
air, the baby squealing with delight. The mother revelling in her child, her
miracle child, the one she thought she would never have.
On the telly I saw Michael Burke's programme where he revisited Ethiopia.
He went to the place where 20 years ago he filmed the famine, brought those
harrowing pictures of starving people to the world, the pictures that alerted
the world to that human disaster and prompted the world to take action to
save those people.
The old pictures were shown once again. We saw the young nurse going out amongst
the hundreds of starving, dying, listless children, selecting the ones she
would feed, the ones selected to live. We saw the picture of a dying child,
who against all the odds, did live. On this visit Michael Burke found that
child, now a beautiful, healthy young woman. This was one of those programmes
where you wept openly.
And why do I relate these experiences? Because they speak to us of God. A
God of Beauty. This is one of His attributes (Psalm 27v4). A God of miracles.
The God who gives life. Every life is a miracle wrought by him.
A God who moves us to wonder, who moves us to tears, who opens our eyes to
beauty, who opens our hearts to love.
Beauty, Truth, Goodness and Love, the four attributes that speak in our hearts,
create a sense of wonder, stir our emotions, and tell us, Yes, there is a
God - and he made all of this.
God Bless,
Chris
NCH - Auction of Promises
NCH is a charity, the prime focus of which is to act on behalf of children,
young people and their families who, for various reasons, are experiencing
difficulties of one kind or another. It was founded in 1869 by a Methodist,
Dr Thomas Bowman Stevenson, who was moved by the desperate plight of the many
homeless and hungry children he encountered on the streets. With a small group
of friends he raised money to provide shelter and care for hundreds of children.
The way in which the children are cared for now is vastly different to Dr
Stevenson's day, but it still remains a "Methodist concern", and
fund-raising still remains very much within the province of Methodism. Nowadays,
around 100,000 children are cared for my NCH - a major undertaking. Our major
fundraising event this year is to be an Auction of Promises, to be held in
Waterside on 23rd April. Look for more news of this event next month, and
again in April. In the meantime, look for the 'promise' form in this magazine,
which explains more fully, and consider what you might offer towards this
event. Spare forms are on the vestibule table, or can be obtained from members
of the support group.
Betty Hadley.
This month's cover design is entitled "Church" by Tom Allen,
aged 13..
Women's Network
DISTRICT DAYS OF FELLOWSHIP AT WILLERSLEY CASTLE
This year the Days of Fellowship at Willersley Castle, Cromford, organised
by District Network, will be held the week 29th March to 2nd April.
I have booked places for us to go on Monday 29th March. The leader this year
is the Rev Dr Keith Albans, Senior Chaplain at Methodist Homes. His theme
is 'Above the bright blue sky'. The fee for the day is £9.75 which includes
coffee, lunch and conference expenses. The day runs from 10.45am to 3.45pm
with coffee from 10am.
If you would like to go, please contact me (Alma) as soon as possible. If
you cannot go on Monday (29th March), but would like to go on another day,
I shall be pleased to arrange this too.
DISTRICT DAY WEDNESDAY 10TH MARCH
The next District Day is at St John's Methodist Church, Stand Hill Road, Carlton,
on Wednesday 10th March. Coffee is from 10am followed by a business meeting
at 10.30am. Lunch is taken at around 12.30pm (packed lunch required). The
afternoon service begins at 2pm when the speaker will be Sue Richardson. Sue
works for Christian Aid. If you would like to go, please contact me (Alma)
SUPPER EVENING SATURDAY 13TH MARCH
March is going to be a busy Networking month! - but don't miss this!
Please make a note in your diaries of this evening. We are holding a supper
evening at The Elms, Snelston (at the kind invitation of Sandra and Cliff)
on Saturday 13th March. The District President has asked all Circuits to hold
a fundraising event in aid of her appeal for the new Methodist Home at Ripley.
All funds raised will go to this.
Tickets are limited!
Watch out for further details in the notices.
Alma Swan
Property
A planning application has now been made to DDDC for the extension to The
Cornerstone in order to provide a bigger kitchen and more usuable small room
plus provide access to the patio area.
Health and safety work is ongoing following the survey done in 2003, cable
covers, exit signs, a planned rail across the front of the balcony, and additional
handrails to Century Hall and the front entrance.
Damp proofing work in the Gateway Centre is in progress in bedrooms one and
two, the new kitchen in Gateway has met with acclaim from visitors.
Cliff Lewer
Christmas
What a blessing we received at all our Advent/Christmas services. We waited
with anticipation each week to the postman's arrival with his special delivery
(with snow!!) to God's chosen people. Each group bringing a new and fresh
look at how they received their message. Even Christmas Day the Postman arrived
with his special gifts of: The baby Jesus, Love, Dove of Peace and a cake,
which we all shared.
All the Young People brought us a special message as we travelled with them
in "The Time Machine" from creation to Easter morning. Well done
everyone. Thank you to Peter for his inspirational writing and all of the
Explorers staff for their hard work.
It was a joy to see our young people share in Tracey's service during and
at the end of the service. A message for us all in worship. The words of the
tapes made us think.
The choir has brought to us special Advent/Christmas music which have enriched
our worship with variety and meaning. Thank you to Tim, Don and all the choir.
Carols by candlelight brought us a new insight into the Christmas message.
We shall remember their input as we look at the Christmas story.
We are so blessed as a Church to have such a wide range of ages, talents,
abilities and gifts. People young, middle, older who give of their time and
gifts to proclaim Christ's Love in so any ways.
Enid Stubbs
Church Calendar
There is now a 12 month Church event calendar located in the passageway leading
to the choir vestry. The reason for having this calendar is to ensure, as
far as possible, that events do not coincide within our Church or with other
activities in Ashbourne.
Some events have already been marked up, but if you have organised something
and confirmed it with Shirley Hill - please add it to the calendar. Notes
of guidance on how to use the calendar have been put on the wall adjacent
to it.
The Stewards
Women's Fellowship
Women's Fellowship will commence on 3rd February 2004 at 2.15pm in Cornerstone.
Everyone will be most welcome to join us.
3rd February Speaker Tim Chilton
17th February Speaker Rev. Trevor Staniforth
If transport is required please ring Carole Thorpe no later than the Sunday
before the meeting on the following Tuesday.
Margaret Bacon
Faith Sharing for Cowards
We are pleased to be able to bring this District led seminar right into the
Ashbourne Methodist Circuit, on Saturday March 27th at Brailsford, specifically for the members of this Circuit.
The seminar is not just for Ashbourne
but also for anyone from Kniveton, Stanton, Tissington, Kirk Ireton,
Parwich, Hulland and Brailsford who are also hosting the seminar.
We have laid on crèche and childcare facilities to ensure that anyone
with children who would like to attend can come along. Transport will be provided
for anyone who has difficulty getting to Brailsford.
Roger Johnson who is the Nottingham and Derby District Evangelism Enabler
is leading the seminar.
It's an exciting seminar and we would encourage you to make it a date in your
diary and book your place early. For further information or to book your place,
contact Roger Mallard.
Roger Mallard
Operation Christmas Child, 2003
Many thanks to all who contributed in any way to our appeal this year. We
had fewer boxes than last Christmas, but they were all of a very high standard,
and were very full. Often boxes need topping up, but not this time, although
we did make room for many of the lovely scarves and teddy bears which had
been made for us or given. Those we had left were taken to the collection
and distribution centre in Derby, where they were gratefully received. We
have kept some of the teddy bears for next year. Rev John Perkins dedicated
the boxes for us at the morning service on 16th November. He did this very
movingly and appropriately. We offer him our thanks.
A special thank you for responding to our request for different age groups.
The count was a follows:
Boys …. aged 10 - 14 yrs. - 21 boxes: 5 - 9 yrs. 28 boxes: 2 - 4 yrs.
6 boxes
Girls …. aged 10 - 14yrs. - 10 boxes: 5 - 9 yrs. 28 boxes: 2 - 4 yrs.
8 boxes
The information I had following our collection was that most of the boxes
from Derbyshire were going to Romania and Hungary. Many had already been dispatched.
Transport bringing goods from these countries is used to take the boxes on
the return journey, thus ensuring that the countries involved benefit from
the cost of the transportation rather than the richer donor countries.
In addition to the boxes, we sent £624 in donations - a worthy contribution
to a worthwhile project. Thank you.
May I add that we have some knitting wool which will make up scarves, gloves
and hats. If anyone is able to knit up some of these during these darker evenings
we will put them into shoe boxes next time. Please contact Marianne if you
can help.
Betty & Michael Hadley. Marianne and Eric Matthews.
Ashbourne Youth Fellowship
As you may know, Rev Sigabi, who recently visited Ashbourne with Royce Warner,
runs a project at Mooiplaas, (near East London) South Africa, which aims to
encourage sustainable rural development.
The members of Youth Fellowship want to support Mooiplaas in prayer, time
and money. Several members intend to visit on a serv-fari after their exams
in the summer, and they would like to take a gift from our Church family.
We aim to raise a total of £1500 by August 2004, part of which will
be sent directly to Mooiplaas and part of which will be a contribution towards
flights for members of Youth Fellowship to visit Mooiplaas to work. We have
so far raised £500, so we still have a lot of work to do.
Our next event will be a 'Room 101' night. If you had the chance to banish
some of your worst nightmares to the depth of Room 101 what would they be
and why? You will be invited to vote on what should or should not be out into
Room 101. Tickets cost £5 and will include supper and are available
from any member of Youth Fellowship, or from Stuart or Catherine Green.
Ashbourne Youth Fellowship
Family News
Warmest congratulations to Sue and Jeff Ffoulkes on their recent Silver Wedding
Anniversary and to Jacqui and Ian Marsh who celebrate their Silver Wedding
Anniversary on 3rd February. Congratulations to Mary Hatch who was 90 on 25th
January. Congratulations also to Catherine Green on being awarded her MSc
degree. Welcome to Savanah Catherine, daughter for Mary and Gavin and a granddaughter
for Jeff and Sue Ffoulkes. We are pleased to see Mrs Shirley Hill back home
again.
We must remember in our prayers all those who have had difficult days recently
and in particular we think of Jim and Emily Woodhouse, Enid and Joe Stubbs,
Joy Pegg, John Lowe, Jenny Waring, Ken Wall, John Latham, Bill Steeples, Mrs
Purdy, Barbara Dadge and Doris Harrison and her sister Christine. We also
pray for Christian Mallard, who is not well at the moment, and for Ruth and
Roger.
Elizabeth & John Hurfurt and Catherine & Stuart Green will, during
February, be leaving for Mooiplaas (South Africa) and we wish them safe journeys
and pray that God will bless all they do in his name whilst they are there.
We look forward to hearing of their experiences when they return.
At Home… Open Day
On Thursday 19th February, Gwenda & Hedley Alcock will be at home to welcome
friends to an Open Day. Please come and visit them at 18 Premier Avenue, Ashbourne.
We will be open from 10.30am until 12.30pm;
from 2.00pm until 4.00pm;
and from 7.00 pm until 9.00 pm.
Light refreshments will be available.
There will be an offering plate the proceeds of which will be divided between
Mooiplaas and World Church.
Please come, all welcome.
Gwenda & Hedley.
Holiday Clubs
In Ashbourne it is planned to run a holiday club during half term on Thursday
26th February. This will be held here in Waterside and in the Century Hall.
It is a joint holiday club with St. Oswald's Church.
We do need help and we would be grateful if you would check your diary now
and offer to help if the date is free. Can you help with refreshments, help
clear up after activities, supervise children painting pictures, or help organise
a game or help put together the holiday club programme? There's a job for
everyone. We would also like someone to offer to take the bookings for the
holiday club that will come in by phone. We would also welcome help from young
people who are too old to for the holiday club and there is a variety of jobs
for them including operating video, sound and computers.
We would encourage parents to encourage their children to attend. Children
from anywhere in the circuit are welcome to the holiday club. Leaflets will
be distributed to Ashbourne schools in February. To volunteer your help or
to obtain more information contact Roger Mallard.
Roger Mallard
Brailsford Holiday Clubs
It is hoped to run two one-day holiday clubs during the half term period,
one on Wednesday 18th February and one on Wednesday 25th February. The reason
for two is because Brailsford has attracted children from Kirk Langley and
Mackworth and these areas have a different February half term to that of Ashbourne.
For parents who send their children to schools outside the area, you may wish
to consider letting your child come to Brailsford on the 18th February.
Roger Mallard
Youth Work Developments
The Tuesday night Youth Club (age range 8 upwards) is good at attracting young
people at the lower age range. As with most youth clubs young people tail
off as they get older and when it is no longer 'cool' to belong to a youth
club. Because of the low age range at the youth club in Ashbourne, the tail
off occurs slighter earlier than for youth clubs that have a higher starting
age. We need to plug the hole in the bucket and keep these young people.
I am looking at this issue at present as well as looking at further ways to
attract young people and provide facilities for them.
The most pressing issue is help. The Tuesday night youth club is understaffed
and yet to carry the work further, it requires ever more help. Even with me
taking the lead, the laws regarding safeguarding children and young people
demand that there are two people and so without help, I too am helpless to
do a great deal that has direct involvement with young people. I am working
on a proposal at present to provide more facilities for young people and thereby
hopefully help us keep our young people and attract more. I am interested
to know what help people might be willing to give if the scheme was approved
and we decided to go ahead. Some jobs would involve sitting and monitoring
a fire exit and toilets, another would be making refreshments or selling tuck
shop food, or generally keeping an eye on equipment to prevent any possible
damage to it or to the premises. Other work would involve setting up and putting
away equipment at the end of the evening. I'm looking at approximately 5 helpers
per week needed to get us up and started with people in reserve to give people
a night off. It is likely that this would happen on a Friday evening.
Please let me know if you would be willing to help or if you would consider
helping if I could allay any concerns that you might have.
Roger Mallard.
Computer Workshops
Would you like some training in using PowerPoint to produce presentations?
Would you like to set up a slide show to use with the projector that belongs
to this circuit? Then, book a place on the PowerPoint Workshop on Saturday
14th February.
Or would you like to be able to use spreadsheets more effectively? Or to be
able to set up and use a database? Then Saturday 13th March is when the workshop
for you will take place.
If neither of these dates is suitable for you, an Open workshop is available
on Saturday 27th March. During this workshop you can pick and choose which
computer program you wish to learn more about.
These will be held at The Ashbourne Adult Education Centre from 9:30 until
4:30 with an hour for lunch. Ring me to book a place.
Carole Thorpe
Barn Dance
Ashbourne - Patna Partnership Barn Dance
with Margaret and Colin Tristram
Tickets £6.00 (from John and Elizabeth Hurfurt)
Saturday 7th February 8pm Hulland Millennium Hall
One World Group
Fair Trade in Ashbourne
The One World Group is helping to set up a group to co-ordinate the activities
associated with making Ashbourne a Fair Trade Town. Membership of this group
is for anyone in the community who has a particular concern for Fair Trade
issues. The Mayor of Ashbourne, Kevin Stone, has shown an interest. If you
are interested in being involved, please contact Stuart Green.
Fair Trade Fortnight March 1 - 14
To celebrate 10 years of the Fairtrade Foundation and 25 years of Traidcraft,
the One World Group invites you to celebrate this double anniversary with........
HOW THE GEOBAR GOT TO THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE Thursday 18th March at 7.30 pm
in St Oswald's Church Hall. Come and hear Jean and Gerald Humphries' account
of their recent Traidcraft visit to South Africa.
All welcome Admission free
Traidcraft News
The 2003 sales amounted to £8350.
Of this £461.18 came from the sales at our monthly lunches and £97.48
from the stall at Late Night Shopping. Jean and Gerald thank everyone for
their support.
Christian Aid - A special date for your diary
As an introduction to Christian Aid Week, 9th - 16th May there will be a concert
in St Oswald's Church Hall on Saturday 8th May at 7.30 pm by The Prince of
Wales Brass, an ensemble of musicians from the City of Birmingham Symphony
Orchestra. More details from Margaret Heaton.
Elizabeth Hurfurt
Mission Matters
"Going Bananas"
JMA members enjoyed a lunchtime event learning about Fairtrade bananas and
the lives of the growers at the end of November. The event involved a quiz,
short video and many banana games plus making banana smoothies and having
lunch together.
Rise Within Us Like a Star
Beckoning God -
who called the rich to travel towards poverty,
the wise to embrace your folly,
the powerful to know their own frailty;
who gave to strangers
a sense of homecoming in an alien land
and to stargazers
true light and vision as they bowed to earth -
we lay ourselves open to your signs for us.
Stir us up with holy discontent over a world
which gives its gifts to those
who have plenty already
whose talents are obvious
whose power is recognised;
and help us
both to share our resources with those who have little
and to receive with humility the gifts they bring to us.
Rise within us, like a star,
and make us restless
till we journey forth
to seek our rest in you.
By Kate Compston. Network magazine. Winter 2003 edition.
New Year Reflection.
"It seems as if the Christmas rush gets earlier and earlier and we are
led to believe that our children will not be happy unless they have this or
that toy on Christmas morning. As adults we also are led to believe that we
need the latest car, washing machine, kitchen, clothes etc. before we can
be happy.
As I read letters and e-mails that arrive from other parts of the world I
am struck by the fact that true happiness is not to be found in the accumulation
of possessions. We hear of communities working together to bring support to
those living with HIV/AIDS; and we discover that out of poverty and struggle
comes the desire to work for peace and to challenge injustice; we see individual
lives and that of communities, in this country and overseas, being transformed
by people who are seeking to live as disciples of Jesus today. We work together
for the mission purposes of God.
This work is being funded by your gifts to the Methodist Church Fund for World
Mission and the Methodist Church Fund for Home Mission."
From an article by Susan Johnson. Mission Office. Methodist Church House.
London.
Circuit Bible Society Evening
Thank you to those who attended this evening talk and slide show where we
learnt about the varied work of the Bible Society and about the special project
focus on Egypt. Gifts from the evening of £42.10 have been sent to support
this work.
Ruth Mallard
World Church fund raising
The needs of the World church are ever increasing, and they are so heavily
dependent upon us to help with the work of our Lord in many places across
the world.
Ashbourne already has a small but dedicated band who have personal home collecting
boxes for the World Church. Some put their loose change into the box at the
week-end, others make a regular contribution each week or month, while others
offer the box to family and friends etc. The opportunities are boundless.
This is an excellent way to help the world church. Will you, every one of
you, please consider prayerfully if you can take a home box from me and so
further the work of World Mission?
I would be very happy to talk with anyone who is interested and give as full
explanation as possible. The needs are great, but the workers are few. Will
you please become one of the silent workers? Please contact me for more information.
Hedley Alcock
Prayers
We continue to ask for you to especially remember the following
things in your prayers this month:
25th January All those who help prepare for services at church
26th January The homeless during this cold season
27th January Those who are ill or in hospital
28th January Missionaries throughout the world
29th January Ashbourne Churches Together
30th January The work of Methodist Homes
31st January Preachers preparing to lead services tomorrow
1st February Those who drive the Community Bus every week
2nd February Those who have received flowers from yesterdays service
3rd February The work of NCH supporters
4th February Members of the walk and talk group
5th February The people of Mooiplaas, South Africa.
6th February Farmers who are not paid a fair price for their produce
7th February St Luke's Hospital, Hiranpur
8th February All those who attend the morning service at Ashbourne
9th February People visiting the Citizens' Advice Bureau for help
10th February Ashbourne Youth Club
11th February Those caring and praying for ill friends and relatives
12th February Visitors to Cornerstone
13th February Young People in Ashbourne
14th February Those preparing for Explorers tomorrow
15th February All those who attend the evening service at Ashbourne
16th February The work of Roger Mallard
17th February Those who serve on committees for the Church and Circuit
18th February Children of Brailsford attending holiday club
19th February The work of Oxfam
20th February Choir as they practice for Sunday
21st February Those preparing for services tomorrow
22nd February All those who were unable to attend Church today
23rd February All the children of Ashbourne as they start Half Term
24th February Those in Ashbourne for Shrovetide
25th February Those who are unwell at the moment
26th February Children attending holiday club
27th February The work of Christian Aid supporters
28th February Those preparing flowers for tomorrows service
Milldale
A wonderful service was held at this little chapel on the hill on Christmas
Eve at 4 pm and it was also wonderful to see that the villages of Milldale
and Alstonfield had publicised the event themselves.
The chapel seats 36 and we had 75 people attend, warm in their closeness and
in the fellowship of a Christmas preparatory service in candlelight. The Lord
was very present as we sung and listened to readings and reflections.
Cliff Lewer
Women's World Day of Prayer
FRIDAY 5TH MARCH 2004
This year our Order of Service has been prepared by the Christian Women of
Panama and is entitled "In faith - Women Shape the World". Services
will be held at:
2pm St. Giles Church, Marston Montgomery
7.30pm All Saints Roman Catholic Church, Ashbourne.
The speaker at both services will be the Revd. Jo Honour and all are welcome.
Betty Douce
World Church Home collecting boxes.
Will any box holders who would like their boxes emptied and counted please
let me have them at their convenience. I will count and return the box quickly.
Many thanks to you all.
Hedley Alcock
Dates for your Diary
FEBRUARY
Thurs 5th 7.30pm Room 101 Night, including supper Century Hall
Sat 7th 8pm Barn Dance Hulland Millennium Hall
Wed 18th Brailsford Holiday Club Brailsford
Thu 19th Gwenda & Hedleys Open House 18 Premier Ave
Wed 25th Brailsford Holiday Club Brailsford
Thu 26th Ashbourne Holiday Club Waterside
MARCH
1st - 14th Fair Trade Fortnight
Fri 5th 2pm Women's World Day of Prayer Service St Giles
Fri 5th 7.30pm Women's World Day of Prayer Service All Saints RC
If you would like to contribute an article for the magazine, I will be happy
to publish it.
Items for the March Ashbourne Circuit Magazine to Carole Thorpe by 9pm on
Wednesday 18th February. As this is the first time Carole has done the magazine
- the earlier you can get things to her the better, though! THANK YOU!