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Connections
The Magazine of Ashbourne Methodist Circuit

July / August 2007

From the Manse

Dear Friends,

For my final newsletter piece I turn to Jesus' farewell discourses to his disciples. These are found in John's gospel chapters 13 - 17. They are a series of speeches and actions made to leave them with a clear understanding of all that his ministry had been about.

In chapter 13 he shows them by example, by
washing their feet. Thus teaching us to be humble servants, to take up the servant role.

In chapter 14 he assures them he will prepare a place for them so that they can follow. I will have some spare beds in Saltburn for any who want to come and sample the sea air.

In chapter 15 Jesus gives his commandment to "Love one another as I have loved you." This has been one of the texts I have used most often in my 5 years among you. Love one another. It is the whole basis of our Christian living.

In chapter 16 Jesus teaches about the Holy Spirit whom he will send. The Holy Spirit will teach them and guide them. He will remind them of all the teaching Jesus has given them. He will reveal the truth concerning God the Father and Jesus the Son. The Holy Spirit is God's precious gift to us. Do not put out the Holy Spirit's fire says 1Thessalonians 5 v 19. Always seek to follow the Spirit's leading.

In chapter 17 we find Jesus at prayer. He prays for the disciples, for their
protection as they go out into the world. And finally he prays for unity, "that they may be one". In the matter of prayer again he leads by example. Throughout his ministry Jesus spent many hours in prayer. He always
retreated to a quiet place at the end of the day to get away from the crowds, to be alone with God, to discern what lies ahead and to prepare for it. This practice of daily communing with the Father is the example Jesus leaves for us.

And his prayer is that "they may be one". I have tried to encourage you to be a "family" church where all are included from the youngest to the oldest. In Ashbourne our morning worship with the whole church family present for the first 20 minutes or so is a vital sign of our being a "family" church. It has been thrilling to see how these times of worship have been enhanced by the worship teams, uplifting us all.

And we are doing more with our sister churches in Ashbourne. The ecumenical principle is that "we should not do apart what can be best done together". The appointment of our ACE Youth worker is the latest venture in this line. I pray this venture will bear much fruit, really encouraging our Youth across the area.

For my own part I want simply to say "Thank you" . Thank you for all the support and encouragement you have given me over 5 years. Thank you for meals shared, friendships formed.
Thank you for all.

May God Bless you richly in the years ahead,

Your loving friend, Chris


MISSION MATTERS

Methodist Mission Partners
Thank you to all those who made Jonathan & Isabel Hill and their children, our Methodist Mission Partners from Zimbabwe, welcome in Ashbourne on 23-24 June. Please continue to pray for them while they are in the UK over the summer.

Here is some news has been shared: It hasn't been a very good rainy season this time, especially on this side of Zimbabwe. There were some end of season showers but it was too late for those who had planted crops. It enabled some grass to grow which will keep cattle alive.

Teaching progressed fairly well. Last year's O-level and A-level results were not good across most subjects at Thekwane High School and part of the explanation is that the school can hardly afford to buy anything except food, so books and stationary and equipment were not available to teachers in as much abundance as they would have liked. It is also hard for students to be motivated when there are very few opportunities for work or earning a legitimate living, when they leave school.

The radical inflation rate has affected all areas of life and made everything very much more difficult. The HIV/AIDS situation means that there are ever-increasing child-headed households and more orphans. Isabel's work, co-ordinating the HIV/AIDS and childcare programme within 9 Methodist circuits, includes 2000 orphans. She helps to co-ordinate volunteer care, counselling and relief with very minimal resources.

Thank you to all those who contributed to the retiring collections on 23-24 June so that the Hill family can help with basic relief to those in greatest need where they live and work. We hope to have more information about our Circuit's mission family in the next edition of the magazine.

Hill family news and pictures of the family can be found on the mission notice board and you can find further information on: http://hillfamilyeaster2007.blogspot.com

Please pray for the European Methodist Festival
In Bratislava, Slovak Republic,1st-5th August. For further information:
Tel: 0207 467 5164 or email: wco.Europe@methodistchurch.org.uk
Website: www.methodist.eu

JMA
Would all members please have their collecting boxes emptied before the school summer holidays. Thank you.

Racial Justice Sunday
A date for your diaries: On Sunday 9th September at St. Mary's, Edwinstowe there are afternoon workshops followed by an evening of international worship. The speaker is Dr. Anthony Reddie, Research Fellow and Consultant in Black Theological Studies at the Queen's Foundation in Birmingham. More details from Andrew Barker on 0115 9819619 and a.barker@btinternet.com

Home Mission
Thank you to all who support the Methodist Church Fund for Home Mission, as individuals through donations and collecting boxes and by church gifts. The following activities come under the umbrella of God's Mission in
Britain.
Evangelism Planting new congregations Prisons & Industrial Chaplaincy
Chaplaincy in Further and Higher Education Institutions
Media Relations Mission in Rural Areas Cliff College
Mission Alongside the Poor Grants to local churches and circuits
Public Issues Support for Children's & Youth Work
Political & Parliamentary Affairs.

News from Phakamisa Educare project in S. Africa
Glenda Howieson writes to us:
· Did you know almost half the staff was unemployed before they joined Phakamisa?
· Did you know we started by training 5 Educare teachers who taught 100 children? we train 250 Educare teachers every year, and they in turn teach 10 000 pre- school children?
· Did you know Phakamisa offers support and training to 1500 Caregivers who look after approximately 5000 orphans?
· Did you know our Caregivers have received training in Home based Care and Parenting skills? Did you know many of them are over 80 years old and several do not even know their date of birth?
· Did you know those who attend workshops are from many faith groups: Anglicans, Apostolic 11 and Apostolic 12, Christian Centre, Full Apostolic Faith Mission, Full Gospel, Faith Mission, Jehovah Witness, Lutherans, Methodists, Muslims, Presbyterians, Roman Catholics, Seventh Day Adventists, Shembes, United Christian Church, Zionists and Zionist Christian Church and we all worship together?
· Did you know the HIV AIDS infection rate statistic in South Africa is 1:5, but in the communities Phakamisa serves, it is unofficially 1:2?
· Did you know the people who attend our workshops regularly give thanks to God for your love and support?
Did you know that they have prayed that each one of you will walk with walking sticks, for in their experience, a walking stick represents a time of rest after a long and happy life, well lived?
More news is available on the mission notice board. Please contact Ruth
Mallard if you would like to receive the Phakamisa newsletters direct.

Prayer
From Philip Barnet, the Methodist Church in Wales.
Lord our God, our hope is in you for life and death and to eternity.
We ask you to restore our strength, confirm our faith and enliven our hope;
And assure us that nothing can separate us from your love.
In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Ruth Mallard

Dates for your Diary

JULY
Mon 16th 7.30pm Network AGM & Supper Century Hall
Wed 18th 7.00pm Summer Service at Milldale led by John Lowe
Sat 21st 7.00pm PRAISE Century Hall
Sun 22nd 6.30pm Kirk Ireton Chapel Anniversary
Sun 29th 6.30pm Circuit Farewell Service (see below)
Tues 31st 12.30pm Ashbourne Church Lunch Century Hall
7.30pm Ashbourne Summer Fellowship -The Cornerstone

AUGUST
Tues 7th 7.30pm Ashbourne Summer Fellowship -The Cornerstone
Tues 14th 7.30pm " " " "
Wed 15th 7.00pm Summer Service at Milldale led by Stuart Mustow
Tues 21st 7.30pm Ashbourne Summer Fellowship- The Cornerstone
Sat 25th-Mon 27th Tissington Flower Festival
Sat 25th 6.30pm Songs of Praise Tissington Chapel
Tues 28th 12.30pm Ashbourne Church Lunch Century Hall
7.30pm Ashbourne Summer Fellowship - The Cornerstone

SEPTEMBER
Sat 1st 4.00pm Afternoon Tea with Rev Tim Morris- Century Hall
5.30pm Commissioning of Rev Tim Morris, Ashbourne
Tues 6th 2.15pm Network Meeting at Hulland
Sun 9th 6.30pm Hulland Harvest Festival
Mon 10th 7.30pm Hulland Harvest Festival Sale

Rev Chris Eddy -Circuit Farewell Service 29 July 2007 6.30pm

There will be a Circuit Service to say our farewell to Chris at Ashbourne Church on 29th July 2007 at 6.30pm. We hope that all will do their best to attend this service. Following the service there will be an informal gathering in the Century Hall and all are welcome stay.

SMILE LINES

Grace
The elderly visiting minister turned to the little boy: "Now, James, tell me frankly, do you say prayers before eating?" "No, I never bother," little James replied scornfully. "I don't have to. My mum is a good cook."
Practise makes perfect
A little girl was sitting on her grandfather's lap as he read her a bed-time story. From time to time, she reached up to touch his wrinkled cheek. Then she would stroke her own cheek. Finally she interrupted: "Grand-dad, did God make you?"
"Yes, dear," he answered, "God made me a long time ago."
"Oh," she paused, "Grand-dad, did God make me too?"
"Yes, indeed, dear," he said, "God made you just a little while ago."
Feeling their respective faces again, she observed, "God's getting better at it, isn't he ?"

Rough
A little girl asked her mother, "Can I go outside and play with the boys?"
Her mother replied, "No, you can't play with the boys, they're too rough."
The little girl thought about it for a few moments and asked, "If I can find a smooth one, can I play with him?"

Holiday church
A family on holiday went to visit a strange church. Afterwards, father
criticized the sermon, mother thought the organist had played atrociously, and the daughter disliked the choir's choice of anthems. Then the small boy of the family ventured: "But it was a good show for a pound, don't you think, Dad?"

Charles Wesley - Orpheus to the Christian Church
A tercentenary look at the hymns of Charles Wesley
Charles Wesley - singing of prayer
Charles Wesley encouraged the early Methodists to make constant use of prayer as a means of grace. This was in line with the New Testament where our Lord taught that we "ought always to pray and not lose heart" (Luke 18:1). Christ also gave his disciples a form of prayer in what we now know as the 'Lord's Prayer.' He gave it in answer to the disciples' request, "Lord, teach us to pray" (Luke 11:1). On that verse Charles Wesley wrote one of his many hymns dealing with prayer.
Teach me, Jesus, how to pray
Take the hindering thing away
Into this weak heart inspire
Power, and hunger, and desire.
Then the pleading Spirit impart
Fix my Teacher in my heart.
Scattered through his many hymns on prayer there are lines that acknowledge that it is the Holy Spirit who moves us and inspires us to pray.
Attend Thy feeblest followers call
And, Oh, instruct us how to pray!
Pour out the supplicating grace
And stir us up to seek Thy face!
Other petitions for the Spirit's help in prayer include, 'The Spirit of ceaseless prayer impart;' 'The promised Intercessor give;' 'Of all Thy gifts we ask but one, We ask the constant power to pray;' 'The spirit of interceding grace, Give us in faith to claim.' 'O wondrous power of faithful prayer.'
So many of the examples of praying that we find in the Bible inspired Charles' hymns on prayer. Matthew records that in the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus left his disciples and 'went away and prayed' (26:44).
O could I thus my wants declare
In humble persevering prayer
With true simplicity.
Speaking of prayer our Lord taught that we 'ought always to pray and not lose heart' (Luke 18:1). Wesley took up this theme and wrote.
Surely if we aught, we may
Every moment watch and pray
Simply I receive thy word
Merciful, almighty Lord.
Thou who gavest the command
Nothing can thy will withstand
And if I believe in thee
Nothing is too hard for me.
The letter to the Hebrews tells us that the ascended Christ is praying for us! We are invited to 'draw near to God' through Christ because he lives to 'make intercession' for those who come to him (Hebrews 7:25). What an encouragement for every believer! The Christ who died for us now lives to pray for us! The Lord of earth and heaven is praying for you and for me! The wounds of his great sacrifice now plead for us at the throne of God.
Five bleeding wounds He bears
Received on Calvary
They pour effectual prayers
They strongly plead for me.
'Forgive him, oh, forgive,' they cry
'Nor let that ransomed sinner die.'
Dr H B McGonigle is Senior Lecturer in Historical Theology, Church History and Wesley Studies in Nazarene Theological College, Manchester, England.

Dear Friends,
Hope you enjoy this combined July/August Circuit edition of "CONNECTIONS". Apologies for it's late appearance due to holidays.
I hope to publish the next one on Sunday 2nd September, deadline for copy Wed 22nd August .
Please E-mail to ashbournemethodistmagazine@supanet.com ,post to 2 Hambleton Close DE6 1NG or place in pigeon-hole at AMC.
Arthur Watts

Opportunity International - Mawololo Trust Group, Ashiaman, Ghana

To mark our Golden Wedding last October we wanted to do something special. We have supported Opportunity International for many years and decided to sponsor a Trust Group in Ghana. In brief, this enables members of the group to take out small loans, making it possible for them to set up a business or expand an existing one. Our group is situated in Ashiaman, Ghana, which is a migrant squatter settlement. There are 33 members in the group, 32 women and just one man. This is typical of such groups, which are helped by local partners who provide training and support. 98% of all loans are repaid. If a client is unable to make a repayment because of a short-term problem, such as illness, other member of the group offer support to keep the business operating. If a client defaults on payment for other reasons, subsequent requests for loans are refused. It is estimated that up to 300 lives will be helped by the benefits of just one Trust Group.

Many people helped us to raise the money needed for the Group (£5,000), not least friends within the Church, as well as our family and personal friends, and we were most grateful for this. The group is now established and we have details of the members. We hope to hear more over the next year. If you would like more information please ask us.

Betty and Michael Hadley.

ASHBOURNE ONE WORLD GROUP

Tissington Thanks!

Thank you to everyone who contributed to the stall at the Tissington Well Dressings. We are pleased to report that the cake stall raised over £440 for Christian Aid's water projects. This amount will be spent on improving water supplies and sewerage for people around the world.

The Traidcraft stall was also a great success, selling over £300 of fairly traded products, all of which helps to lift people out of poverty.

G8: Climate Change and Poverty

The twin focus of the recent G8 meeting in Germany was climate change and poverty. Positively, the leaders of the G8 countries agreed to work on climate change - but this still leaves plenty of work to be done. However, the meeting didn't really produce any significant strides forward on poverty. Climate change and poverty will be the theme for One World Week this year, when we will look at the impact that climate change is having on the poorest people in the world. Look out for more details in future magazines.

Stuart Green

Accompanied Self Appraisal Scheme

Each year Methodist ministers are required to undertake a process of self-appraisal. This is done with the assistance of an accompanist. The accompanist is someone who listens, clarifies issues and supports the minister in this process. In order to sustain and develop the scheme, which has been running for about 10 years, it is planned to train twelve new accompanists in our District.

Do other people think you are a good listener and perceptive in clarifying issues? Could this be a new area of service for you to consider? The free
residential training weekend is 3-4 Nov in Cromford. To find out more about what being an accompanist entails please speak to Ruth Mallard initially. The process is an open one but the contents of each accompanied self-appraisal is confidential.
Ruth Mallard 348342. email: ruth@mallards.me.uk

Project - South Normanton

Following the recent appeal for items for the above we were able to take a very full car load of goods to South Normanton, which is the location from where the project is run. In brief, the object of the exercise is to find self-contained accommodation for young people leaving statutory care at 16, and then support them through the next 2 years. It covers an area of a 100 mile radius around Chesterfield - an enormous task. The staff at the centre were delighted with what we took and assured us that it would all be used. They were especially grateful for the food items as the cupboard keeps running bare!

In order to keep helping we are placing a box beneath the vestibule table - if you feel able to drop the odd tin into it we will see that it reaches the project periodically.

How about putting your "buy one get one free" items into it, or using your bonus points? Thank you - without help such as this many more young
people could end up homeless.

Ashbourne NCH Support Group

Open the Book Project

We have been presenting Bible stories at Hilltop School for a full school year, and have just reached the end of The Old Testament. In September we return to begin the New Testament, with one class having moved up and another joining us. We look forward to the challenge and are grateful for your prayers and support.

Whilst there are other Open the Book teams working in schools in and around Ashbourne, there are still schools who have asked for a team to visit them, but we don't have enough presenters. If you would like to know more about how the teams work, or would like to become a presenter, please speak to Heather Garbutt, Joy or Arthur Watts or Margaret Heaton.

The Morris's are on the move!

Rev Tim Morris, our soon to be Superintendent Minister, writes……..

This coming September I shall become the Superintendent Minister of the Ashbourne Methodist Circuit, and also the minister of your Church. I am grateful for the opportunity of having visited all the churches in the Circuit over the past few months, and met some folk along the way too!

As I prepare to leave Leeds (we've been here for 10 years), I do so with a real sense of completion and conclusion, for which I am very grateful. I come to the Ashbourne Circuit looking forward to the fresh challenge of new beginnings for myself and my family, and to sharing with you in your mission and ministry.

Alison, Samuel and Jacob are looking forward to living in the Peak District too and we are very grateful to those who are already making preparations for our arrival.
I look forward to serving the Circuit as Super, and working with you in sharing the Good News of Jesus in word and deed. I hope and pray that as we share together in this ministry of Christ, as brothers and sisters, I will become not just your minister, but your friend as well.
Tim Morris

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD
- - - - - - - - -
SHOEBOX GARDEN PARTY OR OPEN HOUSE

(Depending on the weather)

Saturday 14 July
2 - 4pm

AT

12 SPENCER CLOSE
Ashbourne

Items for Shoeboxes
Bring and Buy Stall
Refreshments
Cakes
Books and Jigsaws
____________________

If you are unable to attend but have items which you would like to send along to sell at the Garden Party, please speak to Ann Overton or Margaret Heaton. Money raised will go towards extra items for the shoeboxes or to subsidise transport costs.

Rev. Chris. - An Appreciation

"You were probably closer to Chris than anyone during your years as Circuit Steward." That was how the conversation began and that's why I am sat at this machine collecting my thoughts……………………

November 2001, Ann and I have received the name of the District Chairmen's recommended Minister for our Circuit. Arrangements were swiftly put in hand. Marianne invited Chris for coffee and then lunch, ready to fortify him for what lay ahead. 11am was the suggested time. And at 11am a car pulled up at no 21 and the stranger rang the doorbell.
Following introductions I said, "You're right on time Chris." "Ah well I've been sat in a lay-by waiting." First lesson - he was honest and second lesson he was a good timekeeper. The remainder is history.

Chris has served us to the fullness of his ability in sometimes, difficult circumstances. Mayfield was closed, there were other property problems looming coupled with an ageing membership. In addition Chris had to establish his own personality and gifts following our previous superintendency and 6 months interregnum. Ashbourne Circuit was Chris's first Superintendency.
It became clear to me after a short while and following one of our frequent meetings at the Manse that Chris yearned for spiritual and other contact with active Ministerial colleagues. Not easy in a one-man Circuit. It can be a lonely job.

Nevertheless we have not stood still. Under Chris's leadership, with the dedication of Sister Merle and the vision and efforts of many lay people, we have seen the 'wind of change' blowing in a number of our village chapels and the continuing progress in many, if not all, the varied activities at Ashbourne.
We have experienced life in Sierra Leone, met visitors from Africa, and learnt about Mercy Ships. Chris has been involved in Local Preacher, membership and Alpha training. Sermons have been thoughtful, not over long and collective prayers reflective and calm - all adding up to worship, which has, certainly for me, been what I needed. If I had to describe Chris the Minister I would say 'a man of peace'.
At the same time we have been able to see Chris the man at our various social activities, including Ashbourne's weekends away and behind the counter at The Cornerstone.
This is not to say that there have not been hurts and disappointments, both personal and collective and also criticisms. I have yet to meet a Minister who has been received with universal acclaim.
Whenever I am critical at home, Marianne reminds me that there was only one perfect man and it isn't me! Ministers too, are human and I am sure that if they realise their shortcomings they regret them immensely.

So we approach the end of Chris's ministry here in this Circuit and we have an opportunity on the evening of July 29th to all meet together at Ashbourne and look back on the total of the last five years and say thank you to him and to wish him well in his new Circuit at Saltburn. Chris will be the Superintendent and he will have several ministerial colleagues - a fact, which I believe, will benefit him immensely in his final years as an active Minister.
God bless you and guide you Chris.
Eric Matthews.

WOMEN'S NETWORK

Easter Offerings
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! Your Easter Offerings this year amounted to £800.05,of this £376.00 was gift aided. This is a very worthwhile contribution towards the work of the World Church.

AGM and Supper - Monday 16 July
Our AGM will be held in the Century Hall on Monday 16 July at 7.30 pm. As usual we shall try to keep the business to a minimum with written reports. It will be followed by a Ham Salad Supper with a Fair Trade sweet, after which the Fair Trade Team will give a Presentation. The tickets are now on sale price £4.00. Do come and join us for this evening of Fun, Food and Fellowship. All welcome!

Where are we going to?
This is the theme of the Connexional event to be held at The Hayes
Conference Centre, Swanwick from Wednesday 19 to Friday 21 September 2007. The keynote speaker is Ann Morisy on Mission in the 21st Century. Alison Adam of the Iona Community will lead the music and worship. The cost is from £90.00.

If you are interested in any of the above, please contact Alma (343751)

KNIVETON

During a very wet week-end in June, Kniveton began its Well Dressing week. The wells were decorated to honour the four patron saints - David, George, Andrew and Patrick. Chris Eddy blessed the wells for us, leading a small group of intrepid villagers in the rain. The blessing ceremony was followed by a family service in the parish church, again led by Chris. We took this opportunity to thank Chris for his friendship and leadership during his five years with us, and presented him with a picture of Milldale, specially painted for us by Jacinth Land, and a card made by Sue Avery. It was appropriate to do this in the Church as links with the Anglican community are strong, and they also thanked Chris for his contribution to village life. Further events were the scarecrow competition (nursery characters) and the children's fancy dress parade, for which Sister Merle was one of the judges. In spite of the rain, it was a very special week-end for us all.
Betty Hadley

TISSINGTON

A happy event in April was the Christening of Samuel Gibson, son of Helen and John, which took place in the chapel on the 15th.

Les and Elaine Alcock celebrated the marriage of their son Brian to Sadie Weston at Swinfen Hall near Lichfield on June 16th

One of our members, Lindsey Whitman, recently moved to live in the United States and has been back for a visit. We were all pleased to see her and find her looking so well. We wish her all the best for the future.
There will be a Flower Festival over August Bank Holiday 25-27th. All
donations will go towards funds for repairs and alterations to the chapel.
Refreshments will be available from 11am to 4pm daily. On Saturday 25th at 6.30pm local born preacher Jim Titterton will lead us in "Songs of Praise".

S.E. Alcock

From The Circuit Stewards

This will be the last Circuit Magazine before Rev Chris Eddy leaves at the end of July. The past and present Circuit Stewards wish to record their thanks to Chris for all the help, encouragement and support he has given over the five years (2002 - 2007) that he has been our Superintendent Minister.
Being a single man in the job as superintendent, coupled with the position being in a "one man" Circuit, must have been a daunting prospect in the beginning, but also in some ways an exciting challenge.
Chris has grasped the opportunities to express his personality on the circuit with his quiet, thoughtful and prayerful services and has without doubt added to the quality of the worship in the circuit. We hope that his experience gained at Ashbourne will enable him to look forward to his new position with a stronger and surer certainty of his calling.
We all wish him well at Saltburn and our prayers and best wishes go with him as he takes up his new appointment.

PARWICH

What a thrill it was to see Parwich Chapel full and to hear the wonderful singing on May 13th. I am so grateful to all those who helped me celebrate my 60th birthday and the Chapel Anniversary, it really was a day to remember. Thank you too for the generosity of those who swelled the chapel
collection and also helped me to send £800 to the Cystic Fibrosis Trust which I know will be put to good use.
We have lost a faithful member in Dolly Wayne who passed away at the end of April in her 95th year. Although she had not been able to get to chapel
recently she was always glad to see Chris when he visited and took her
communion, and we are grateful to him for his sensitive and caring funeral service.
On behalf of all Parwich members I would like to take this opportunity to thank Chris for all he has done in the past 5 years and to wish him every blessing in the future.
Jan Smith

Letter to The Editor

Having read Chris Eddy's letter in the June edition of Connections , I really felt the urge to reply and not only confirm what he's said, but to add my own encouragement, or witness, to his.

'When the Holy Spirit comes on you it makes a difference and other people notice'

When I was filled with the Holy Spirit in 1975, I had no idea what had
happened to me.All I knew was that this was truly a wonderfulexperience.I was filled with a joy quite unknown to me before, but I could not have told anyone what had happened.

Soon after this, my son John came home on holiday, and his first comment was 'Whatever has happened to you, I want it!'I could not explain to him, because at that time I didn't have the scriptural knowledge, having been brought up in a Church of England, where Bible teaching was rather sparse. I rang the pastor of the church in which I had found the teaching I so
desperately needed, and he came to explain to John what had happened to me.John received Jesus as his Lord and Saviour that night.

'When the Spirit comes He pervades all your life......'This is so true.The changes and our response to Him may not be dramatic.In fact God moves in us as He sees that we are able to allow Him to, but once He begins there's no stopping His work.
We are indeed all called to be witnesses, but the way we witness must be
according to what Father God is doing by the power of His Spirit in our lives.Power is the operative word.We cannot witness satisfactorily without the power of the Holy Spirit.

I will finish this message off with a very old, but totally scriptural song, which we used to sing in 1975:
"For the Spirit of the Lord is Love, Joy, Peace; Patience, kindness, goodness; Faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, for these there is no law."

If we produce these Fruits of the Holy Spiritour lives, they will be an
effective witness.
Sheila Paterson.

DO YOU WANT TO GET WELL?

Christian Prayer Ministries

"Prayer Ministry is a deeply sensitive ministry which touches areas of our lives where there is hurt, pain, hang ups and a struggle with sinful reactive patterns and oppression.
Many strive for years to get free of these things, but fail to discern the root cause which holds them in place.

This is not a ministry for those just wanting to feel better but for those wanting to go on in the Lord and into the freedom He has already won for each of us on the cross."

I attended Prayer Ministry Courses in 2006 and 2007 in Stafford.I was amazed by the result in people present on the course and by the consequences long term.

For two weeks before each course we were advised to prepare and were given some simple instructions.It included making two lists.One list was for all the things we still felt guilty about and another list was for recalling the hurts and wounds we had received and still felt angry or resentful about.Anything which we could not forgive in ourselves or in others we would bring with us to the C P Mcourse.

The first two evenings were for instruction.We were told about family sin patterns and any occult involvement such as fortune telling or reading of horoscopes, which would interfere with our prayer life and healing.All day Saturday was for prayer ministry.were many co-incidences which showed that the Holy Spirit was present, freeing and healing people.

Leaflets about C P Mare available on the Library and Century Hall notice boards.Please feel free to take one.
(Mrs) Chris Morris

The Mathare slum
Recently I received a copy of the Herald Tribune It came from a friend who had read an article in the paper written from Nairobi by Jeffrey Gettleman.
"Shadowy outfit sows dread across Nairobi" the headline declared.
I believe we remain very aware of the situation of those we have shared with in our Christian journey and my heart missed a beat as I read the words.

The Mathare slum is the area catching the brunt of the trouble and it is situated quite near to Nairobi. Some 500,000 people dwell in shacks and constructions of galvanised sheeting. The footpaths are immediately in front of the houses, on the other side run the turgid streams of sewage and filth. When the heavy rains descend it is all too easy to slide into the adjacent horror of the sewage. My experience of Mathare had been on the Sabbath Day, when the sun shone hot and brightly. Everywhere was thronged with Christians. They represented almost every denomination and countless unknown ones.
The songs of Redemption came from every quarter added to which were the reggae rap thumping, women sitting braiding hair, chickens, children and the scent of barbecues. On one visit I had been asked to look at a new Methodist Church with very good ancillary buildings. An energetic young minister had been appointed. Other denominations give significant ministry to the Mathare community.
The "Mungiki" are the "Shadowy Outfit". The title means "Multitude" and the members model themselves on Mau-Mau, Kenya's independent fighters who were bound together by terrifying oaths and waged war on their own Christian communities, white settlers and the former Colonial Government.
Mungiki was founded in the heart lands of the Kikuyu Highlands in the
beautiful countryside where the film "Out of Africa" was made. It was the home and place of origin of Mau-Mau.

In late 1990 the Mungiki left the Highlands where they had fought unfairness in the distribution of land and went urban. They took over, by fair means and foul, the mini bus trade, diversified into garbage collection, building materials and a protection racket. Not everything they have done has been bad for Mathare, for the township had been infested with muggers and drug dealer until the Mungiki established a kind of order.
Real trouble began when a group of brewers began to create home made beer (a very common happening) and the Mungiki tried to tax the brewers. The brewers responded by arming a rival gang. In the battles many people were killed and an estimated 1000 fled. In May Mungiki were suspected of beheading four defectors; they ambushed two police officers. The police responded by storming the slum city with tear gas and machine gun fire. Then the political accusations were let loose. Members of the opposition
accused the government for allowing the situation to get out of control. The government ministers then threatened to arrest the opposition leaders, including a presidential candidate.
At the moment the Mungiki is in a dormant phase along the mud boulevards of Mathare. Kihara Mwangi, an MP who was kidnapped by the Mungiki declared "These people are devil worshipers; no one knows what they want".
The older Christians have met it all before and emerged in the power of the Holy Spirit to Praise the Risen Christ.
Sister Merle

Christian Aid Week 2007

We raised £2580 altogether in Ashbourne. Ashbourne Methodist raised £1365. We were about £270 down on last year because we didn't manage to cover all of our streets.

Thank-you very much to everyone who helped deliver, collect and count money at what was a very busy time for our Church.
Catherine Green

Ashbourne Church Family News

Congratulations to Phil and Judy Hall on their Silver Wedding Anniversary and to Helen and Peter Flinn on the safe arrival of their grandaughter Jessica..

A big thank you to everyone for your prayers, thoughts and kindness shown to Jeff and I over the past 2 ½ years, both when I have been in hospital and at home. Your support has meant so much to both of us and has kept us going! Thank you also for the beautiful flowers, cakes and meals we have received over this period.
With love and thanks to you all.
Sue Ffoulkes

Ruth Perkins -
We are glad to report that Ruth continues to make good progress following her major surgery. A recent visit to Newcastle for review of her progress was very positive. Ruth has been able to get to some church activities including worship last month. Please continue to support her and John in your prayers.

We continue to think of all our members and friends who need our prayers, Chris Dakin who has broken her ankle, Jean Humphries who is in hospital following a stroke, Sue Ffoulkes for healing. For Charlie Cox and James Cork both serving with the forces in Basra. We also pray for others in hospital or in residential and nursing homes and for those confined to their own homes through illness or infirmity, that they may feel part of our church family even though they are unable to get to worship.

Ashbourne - Patna Partnership

July
Please pray for the Schools at Barharwa - St. Thomas' Girls Middle School and St. Thomas' Girls High School - both Hindi medium schools and the English medium all age mixed School. Pray for the Head teachers, the teachers and the pupils. Pray for the people who look after those pupils who have to live in the hostels.

August
Please pray for the Bamdah Eye Hospital - for the doctors and nurses, the patients who are mainly in hospital for cataract operations. Pray that the problems with the electricity supply can be resolved so that the good equipment that they have can be used.

Ashbourne Churches Together - Lunch time Prayer Meetings

Monday 6th August - 12 noon Holy Trinity Clifton - lunch at The Fairways Garden centre afterwards.

Gateway Bookings July - August
13th - 15th 38th Derby Brownies
23rd - 27th Liverpool Girl's Brigade
28th - 1st Aug 6th Mickleover & 8th Littleover Brownies
6th - 10thst Breadsall Brownies
24th - 27th Bells Lane Surprise Camp
29th - 2nd SeptBaptist Church

CIRCUIT CHURCH SERVICES
Sunday
Ashboume 10.30am with young people’s groups. - Becky Dutton (343494) and 6.30pm
Brailsford 10.30am United service 10.45am monthly on 1st Sunday
Hulland 6.30pm
Kirk Ireton 6.30pm monthly on 4th Sunday
Kniveton 2.30pm Family service 11am monthly on last Sunday
Milldale Special services - see Dates for Your Diary
Parwich 2.30pm 2nd and 4th Sunday
Stanton 2.30pm
Tissington 2.30pm monthly on 3rd Sunday

 

ASHBOURNE CHURCH ACTIVITIES

 

Circuit Staff

Rev Chris Eddy; 33 The Green Road;Ashbourne; DE6 1ED Ashboume DE6 1EE ;Tel 01335 342408 Tel 01335 343793
Sister Merle Wilde; 124 The Green Road; DE6 1EE; Tel 01335 343793

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