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Circuit News
Ashbourne Methodist Circuit Magazine
March 2004
From the Manse
Dear friends,
The Anglican-Methodist Covenant was signed on 1st November 2003, All Saints
Day, at a ceremony witnessed by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth ll. The ceremony
began in the Methodist Central Hall Westminster and was concluded in Westminster
Abbey. Some hailed it as a day of great significance for both the Anglican
Church and the Methodist Church. Others have asked whether it would make any
difference at all.
Three months on I find that it is beginning to make a difference. Since the
signing several of my Anglican colleagues have declared a desire for more
visible working together and sharing services together. In the last week I
have received communication from the Derby Diocese together with our own Notts-Derby
District encouraging Circuits and Deaneries to begin conversations about how
we might work together. I am already in dialogue with the Rural Dean Christopher
Harrison who is calling a meeting of local clergy to initiate these discussions
with our own Circuit.
I have put all this here in the Circuit Newsletter so that you know these
conversations are taking place.
Meanwhile at local level many of you are already enjoying the fruits of working
together with Anglican and other colleagues. In Brailsford we now have joint
working on the holiday club front as well as our regular joint services. In
Kirk Ireton and in Parwich, Roger works hard to engender joint working with
the youth clubs and modern worship. In Ashbourne the joint programme of holiday
clubs has added to a large area of co-operation already running through Ashbourne
Churches Together. The clergy now co-operate to take assemblies in the Primary
Schools and Communions in the residential homes on a rota basis.
The February edition of Pilgrim Post, the magazine of Churches Together in
England, featured our Declaration of Ecumenical Welcome to the URC members.
I have had follow up calls in response to that. In February I attended my
first URC District meeting. Rev. Duncan Tuck and Rev. Mair Bradley will be
invited to attend our Circuit Meeting.
What does all this add up to? The 'Church' in this country is changing its
shape. We can no longer sit in our small corner and ignore the others in their
small corner. St. Paul in 1 Corinthians chapter 11 castigated the Christians
of his day for doing just that. He told them when they come to celebrate the
Lord's Supper they should "discern the body of our Lord", meaning
that they had to take notice of each other and come together to partake of
the Lord's Supper.
That remains the goal for us. When we can come together with fellow Christians
of whatever denomination to share in the Lord's Supper as one body.
The signing of the Covenant on 1st November 2003 was just one small step along
the way.
We are now in the season of Lent. We journey with Jesus as he "set his
face toward Jerusalem". Some of the followers turned back from following
him because they saw his single-minded determination. They were afraid of
what might lie ahead, scared of a confrontation with the authorities.
But this is the time to come closer to Jesus, to focus on the mission God
has given to us here, to reach those around us with the love of God and the
Good News of Jesus.
It is time to get on board. Come to our special day "Faith Sharing for
Cowards" at Brailsford, Saturday 27th March.
Come and travel with Jesus.
God Bless,
Chris
Weekly Giving Envelopes
A pack covering one year of small envelopes are available to anyone who wishes
to remind themselves that the work of the Lord goes on each day and each week
and giving is essential. Almost 100 are in use around the Circuit and are
sent out in March each year.
Anyone who would wish to have a pack should contact Cliff Lewer
This month's cover design is entitled "Spring" by Tom Parkinson.
Women's Fellowship
Women's Fellowship continues every other week at 2.15pm in Cornerstone. Everyone
will be most welcome to join us.
2nd March Margaret Bacon
16h March Pearl Webster
30th March Jean & Gerald Humphries
If transport is required please ring Carole Thorpe no later than the Sunday
before the meeting on the following Tuesday.
Margaret Bacon
Prayer Diary Update
Please add the following names to your prayer diary so that they are included
in the prayers for our church family.
Mrs Winnifred Berriman Dove House
Mrs Heather Fairclough and Meg
Mrs Iris Raile and Selina 59 Derby Road
Mrs Marie Smith 1 Jubilee Cottages, Green Lane
Miss Helen Thorburn 2 Weirside, Conygree Lane,
Some copies of the diary have omitted Emily Barton, sister to Holly.
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 are supporting 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 over £500, so we still have a lot of work to do.
Our next event will be a 'South Africa' night, when John & Liz Hurfurt
and Stuart & Catherine Green will be telling us about their recent visit
to Mooiplaas. This event will take place on Friday 2nd April, starting at
7.30pm in the Century Hall. We are aiming to entertain in excess of 100 people
- so please spread the word among your friends and we hope you will all be
able to join us. Tickets cost £5 and will include a special South African
supper and are available from any member of Youth Fellowship, or from Stuart
or Catherine Green
Ashbourne Youth Fellowship
One World Group
Fair Trade in Ashbourne
A steering group has been formed to work on a campaign to make Ashbourne a
Fairtrade Town. To launch the campaign, a public meeting will be held on Wednesday
31st March at 7.30pm in Ashbourne Town Hall.
The aim of making Ashbourne a Fairtrade Town is to contribute to the overall
purpose of tackling poverty by enabling disadvantaged producers from poor
countries to receive a better deal.
If you are interested in Fair Trade then please show your support for the
concept of a Fairtrade Town, by coming along to the public meeting on 31st
March.
Stuart Green
Milldale Services
This year as always a service will be held at 2.30 p.m. on Holy Saturday 10th
April and will be preceded with a walk in the beautiful surroundings of Milldale,
leaving the village Car Park at 11 a.m.
Services in the Summer time will be at 7 p.m. and one each month on the following
dates June 16th, July 21st, August 18th.
Please note these dates in your diary and join this wonderful fellowship in
the Dale.
Cornerstone Extension
With anything concerning planning time seems to be for ever, this is doubly
so when the building subject to planning laws is a Listed Building. Plans
have been approved in outline by the property Office of the Methodist Church
and a planning application is pending with Derbyshire Dales District Council.
Following approval in the next few weeks we shall be seeking quotations for
the work and having received approval from Church Council to go straight ahead
we will be launching an appeal for the cost (likely to be in excess of £20,000)
to replenish Church Funds.
Covenant/Gift Aid
In the original way of redeeming Income Tax from the Government a covenant
had to be signed and renewed every 4 years. This was superseded by the scheme
of Gift Aid, which is ongoing once a gift aid form has been signed. Whilst
this new scheme is simpler it does not jolt us all ever four years to consider
our level of giving, remembering inflation is affecting both our incomes and
the Church's costs. May I therefore as the 1st April approaches remind everyone
who is kind enough to gift aid their giving to review the amount in the light
of the period of time since they last renewed it and consider if the amount
given to the Church could be increased.
Cliff Lewer
WOMEN'S NETWORK
1) 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 10 am with the day commencing at 10.30
am. Lunch is taken at around 12.30 pm (packed lunch required). The afternoon
service begins at 2 pm when the speaker will be Sue Richardson who works for
Christian Aid. As it is 'Fair Trade' fortnight, she will be accompanied by
two ladies from Brazil who work in a project supported by Christian Aid. They
are hoping to negotiate a contract to supply oil to 'The Body Shop'.
2) SUPPER EVENING - SATURDAY 13TH MARCH
A Supper Evening is to be held at The Elms, Snelston on Saturday 13th March
commencing at 7.30 pm. Tickets, price £10, are now available from Alma
Strictly limited. There will also be some entertainment. Proceeds are in aid
of the District President's Appeal for the new Methodist Home at Ripley (Maple
Leaf House).
3 AREA DAY - SATURDAY 20TH MARCH
Our District has been invited by Leicester & Oxford District to an Area
Day at Daventry on Saturday 20th March. It is understood the speaker will
be the Connexional President, Mrs Irene Sayer. I hope to have further details
after 10th March.
4) DAYS OF FELLOWSHIP AT WILLERSLEY CASTLE
This year the Days of Fellowship organised by the District 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 10.45 am to 3.45 pm with coffee from 10 am.
If you would like to go another day (Tuesday is fully booked), I shall be
pleased to arrange this.
5) 'Will you come and follow me?'
This is a Connexional Network Event to be held at The Hayes Conference Centre,
Swanwick from 11th-13th June. The leader of the main sessions is Ann Donaldson
who was the speaker at our lunch at Brailsford last year. It is possible to
go to this event for a day, the cost being £30 which includes meals.
Some of us are hoping to go on the Saturday, 12th June (we shall get to hear
two of Ann's sessions). Why not come along too.
If you are interested in any of the above events, please contact Alma as soon
as possible.
New Home required
If anyone would like a bedroom suite - wardrobe, dressing table and chest
of drawers - in dark wood, 1920s style, please contact the Webbs
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 Rev. Jo Honour and all are welcome.
The community bus is available for the afternoon service. Please contact Carole
Thorpe if you would like transport to Marston Montgomery
Betty Douce
Ashbourne Family News
We send congratulations to Alice Harbey for her award for "Voluntary
Community Service" in the Matlock area. Also, congratulations to Joan
Constable who has become a great grandmother.
Thoughts and prayers are with Sandra, Cliff and family as they mourn the passing
of Sandra's mum Mrs Cliffe.
We continue to pray for all those who are unwell at the moment and their families,
especially Joy Pegg, Cathy Stubbs, Muriel Paton, Jane Rutledge (sister-in-law
to Gareth), Doris and Christine's brother Dennis, Joan Constable's sister-in-law,
Myrtle Beck and Joe Stubbs.
Wanted
Is there someone amongst our congregation or known by one of them who would
be interested in some gardening this summer? Probably mainly weeding and maybe
lawn mowing - say 4-5 hours a week at the going rate - actual times for negotiation
- probably April until July. If anyone can help with this please contact Daphne
Dyster Thank You!
Mary Hatch would like to thank everyone for their good wishes, cards and
the beautiful flowers which arrived for her 90th birthday. Thanks also go
to David and Judith Bale for making it a happy day.
"It is now over 2 months since I came home from hospital, and high time
I expressed my thanks to everyone for their kindness in visiting, sending
cards, praying and helping in practical ways. This did not stop when I came
home; I am still conscious of a loving Church family surrounding me and wishing
me well. Thank you all for this loving kindness."
Shirley Hill
Annual Church Meeting - 26th April 2004 7.30pm
Please try to come to this meeting which is an opportunity to review the whole
life of the Church and to discuss important issues. Each church group leader
will be asked to prepare a report which it is hoped will be printed and available
before the meeting.
We will be electing Church Stewards and Church Council Representatives for
the year beginning 1st September 2004. An invitation letter, agenda and information
on voting will be included in the notice-sheet for 28th March, and some spare
ones should be on the vestibule table. If you cannot find one, please ask
Carole.
Nominations for Church Council members may be made on the poster on the vestibule
notice board (should appear mid March) - these should be made by 19th April.
Carole Thorpe (Church Council Secretary)
NCH -Auction of Promises
23RD April 2004
There is still time to return the "promise" slip which was inserted
in the February newsletter. The deadline is 8th March, but if you miss this
date please don't feel you can't send in your form. If it is too late to include
in the catalogue we can print a supplementary sheet for distribution at the
Auction. Spare forms can be found on the vestibule table.
There are 3 positive ways you can help, all of them important for the success
of the Auction.
Send in a "promise" (or more than one!)
Buy a catalogue, or sell some for us to neighbours and friends
Attend the Auction on 23rd April in Waterside
If you would like further help deciding how you can help, or information about
the Auction itself please contact Betty Hadley
Prayers
We continue to ask for you to especially remember the following
things in your prayers this month:
29th February Those providing the music for our services
1st March Those attending the Alpha course
2nd March The people of Mooiplaas, South Africa
3rd March Those involved with Cliff College
4th March Customers buying fair-traded goods
5th March Women's World Day of Prayer
6th March Those staffing Fairtrade Stands in Ashbourne Supermarkets
7th March World Leaders during fair-trade fortnight
8th March Members of the Housegroups
9th March The staff and local preachers within our Circuit
10th March Those attending the Network District Day at Carlton
11th March Those making decisions on behalf of our Church
12th March Farmers during fair-trade fortnight
13th March Those staffing the Fairtrade Stand outside Sainsbury's
14th March Those who bring the word of God to us each week
15th March People spreading God's word at work
16th March The members of the Women's Fellowship
17th March The Walk and Talk group
18th March Those attending the Fairtrade talk at St Oswald's Church Hall
19th March Cornerstone volunteers
20th March Those preparing for services tomorrow
21st March Those who help with Explorers
22nd March Those who are unwell or in hospital
23rd March Young people attending Youth Club
24th March World leaders at this difficult time
25th March Those making decisions on behalf of our Circuit
26th March All customers of Cornerstone
27th March Those involved with the Faith Sharing for Cowards seminar
28th March Young people working to help the people of Mooiplaas
Life's Lesson
I DREAMED I had an interview with God. "Come in," God said. "So
you would like to interview Me?" "If you have the time," I
said. God smiled and said, "My time is eternity and is enough to do everything.
What questions do you have in mind to ask me?"
"What surprises you most about mankind?"
God answered "That they get bored of being children, are in a rush to
grow up, and then long to be children again. That they lose their health to
make money and then lose their money to restore their health. That by thinking
anxiously about the future, they forget the present, such that they live neither
for the present nor the future. That they live as if they will never die and
they die as if they had never lived …"
God's hands took mine and we were silent for a while and then I asked ....
"As a parent, what are some of life's lessons you want your children
to learn?"
God replied with a smile "To learn that they cannot make anyone love
them. What they can do is to love and let themselves be loved. To learn that
what is most valuable is not what they have in their lives, but who they have
in their lives.
To learn that it is not good to compare themselves to others. All will be
judged individually on their own merits, not as a group on a comparison basis!
To learn that a rich person is not the one who has the most, but is one who
needs the least.
To learn that it only takes a few seconds to open profound wounds in persons
we love and that it takes many years to heal them. To learn to forgive by
practising forgiveness.
To learn that there are persons that love them dearly, but simply do not know
how to express or show their feelings.
To learn that money can buy everything but happiness.
To learn that two people can look at the same thing and see it totally differently.
To learn that a true friend is someone who knows everything about them ...
and likes them anyway.
To learn that it is not always enough that they be forgiven by others, but
that they have to forgive themselves.'
I sat there for a while enjoying the moment. I thanked Him for His time and
for all that He has done for me and my family and He replied "Anytime.
I'm here 24 hours a day. All you have to do is ask for me and I will answer."
People will forget what you said. People will forget what you did. But people
will never forget how you made them.
Author unknown
Fair Trade Fortnight 1st - 14th March
10th Birthday Celebration
Please join us outside Sainsbury's supermarket on Saturday 13th March to celebrate
10 years of The FairTrade Mark. We will be giving away samples of Fairtrade
goods and cutting a Fairtrade Birthday Cake at 12noon.
How the Geobar Got to the Cape of Good Hope
The One World Group invites you to continue celebrations of the Fairtrade
mark's 10th Birthday and Traidcraft's 25th Birthday with HOW THE GEOBAR GOT
TO THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE. Come along to St Oswald's Church Hall on Thursday
18th March at 7.30pm. Jean and Gerald Humphries will be giving their account
of their recent Traidcraft visit to South Africa.
All are welcome and admission is free.
Liz Hurfurt
Church Weekend - 15th to 17th October 2004
PIONEER CONFERENCE CENTRE - Cleobury Mortimer, Nr Kidderminster
We now have sufficient interest so we have confirmed the booking and are going
to the Wyre Forest in October!
Every member of our church family should have received a letter inviting them
to join the weekend. If you are interested but have not collected your letter,
please ask a Steward at church, ask your Pastoral Visitor, ring or email me.
If you have your letter but not replied please let me know whether you are
interested. Remember we are not asking anyone to definitely commit if they
aren't yet able to.
We will now be planning our programme which will include some activities tailored
to out younger members so we would encourage families to join us on this weekend.
Ian Marsh
Children Don't Bite
This is the latest seminar that I am putting together to help those working
with children and young people and for those who might be considering helping
with children's work but feel uncertain whether they can do it. The seminar
will cover issues such as child protection and managing children to get the
most out of them and make life easy for you. The seminar will be full of good
tips and there will be an opportunity to ask those burning questions that
you have to allay or fears.
The seminar will be on Saturday 19th June starting at 10am and will finish
no later than 4 pm. A crèche and childcare facilities will be laid
on.
The venue for the seminar in Ashbourne will be announced in the next issue.
Meanwhile keep this date free.
Roger Mallard.
Faith Sharing for Cowards
We are pleased to be able to bring this District led seminar right into the
Ashbourne Methodist Circuit specifically for the members of this Circuit.
There is a full page in the Church Magazine giving more details. The seminar
is not just for Ashbourne Methodist 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.
Update on Grants made…
Here is some news of two projects we have supported with grants in 2003.
1. Joshua Sambou. We gave a grant of £250 to support Joshua. Joshua
is a Gambian boy who has been working on the Mercy Ship "Anastasis".
He is now in South Shields doing the first stage of a Marine Engineering Qualification.
This will enable him to return to the Anastasis later this year to work in
the engine room.
2. Rebuilding manses in Sierra Leone. We have sent the first (of three) grants
of £1,000 to support this work as the Methodist Church in Sierra Leone
begins the long task of rebuilding its infrastructure now that the 10 year
civil war is over. I have had a newsletter reporting that 3 manses have been
completed, Bunumbu, Jojoima and Kailahun. Work is now in progress on Sandaru.
There are 6 more manses to work on in this first phase of building. Each manse
costs £8,000 to rebuild. It is good to know that this work is making
good progress.
As these projects are close to my own heart can I say a big thank you for
this support.
God Bless, Chris
Mission Matters
World Mission Conference 2004
Friday 4th- Sunday 6th June at the Hayes, Conference Centre, Swanwick. Please
see the poster on the mission notice board. The theme is: Latin America: Chaos,
Cross, Celebration. - Discovering Spirituality for Life. The conference will
also include a special focus on Haiti.
Ruth & Roger Mallard can obtain booking forms for you.
JMA Members
We hope you saw the Ashbourne JMA photos in the recent edition of Rainbow
magazine.
All JMA members are invited to a JMA lunch event in Cornerstone on Sunday
25th April at 12 noon until 2.30pm. Invitations have been sent out. Please
RSVP to Ruth.
Steve Pearce, editor of Rainbow magazine and JMA co-ordinator for the Methodist
Church is based at Methodist House in London. He will be here to share our
JMA and Mission Sunday on 24th October.
Thank you to all the members and supporters of JMA and to the young people
that help administer the collecting.
Other 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
Parwich Youth Club
With further developments happening in Brailsford, we need to release Jane
Baker, who has been one of the leaders of the youth club for the last 18 months,
so that she can concentrate on work at Brailsford. Of the whole circuit, Brailsford
have been the most supportive church of the youth work in Parwich and we are
grateful for that support and would ask that others would be challenged by
their example. We particularly need a female helper to replace Jane.
We are also moving from the village hall to the pavilion after Easter for
the spring/summer term and would like some extra help, particularly helping
with the sports. We play cricket, football, and baseball and lots more. Extra
help would be very welcome.
Speak with Roger Mallard.
Kniveton
The witness of the Chapel at Kniveton continues devotedly week by week. The
gentle beauty of the Chapel enhances the sense of God's presence.
If you have not yet joined the congregation in worship, why not come one Sunday;
the chapel has been described as a "perfect example of a Chapel of it's
time".
You will be sorry to learn Mrs. Broughton had an accident in the home quite
recently and the doctor decided that the time had now come for her to be in
a less vulnerable situation.
She is now living with her family at Stubwood, but she has promised that she
will be worshipping at Kniveton when she is feeling stronger. We look happily
to that day.
Linda joins in leading a small children's group at the village Hall. And from
time to time we look forward to the school being involved in worship. Mrs.
Board and members of staff came with the younger children to help us to rejoice
at Christmas. The children played the instruments they bought with a Harvest
gift and performed a play from their Christmas concert. Many parents came
to the service. They had not known what to expect as many had never worshipped
in a Methodist Chapel, but their fears were allayed and we enjoyed the company
of each other.
On February 22nd, Brody, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Bates will be baptized
at the family service. Cory and Saskia, Brody's brother and sister both have
their names on the Cradle Roll and are remembered in our prayers. Saskia is
singing a song by herself at the service. We have enjoyed planning the service
together. In the future it will be a privilege to pray and share with Richard
and Annaliese as they bring up and nurture their lovely family.
Lent is almost here, Good Friday with the darkness and pain, then, Easter
with the wonder and triumph of Resurrection. "How deep the Father's love
to us"
Thank you to Annaliese, Enid, Elizabeth and Jackie for so gladly coming to
play the organ at Kniveton Chapel.
Sister Merle
KIRK IRETON
Early in the New Year, members of the congregation decided that the Chapel
was in need of redecorating. When the suggestion was made, I thought it would
be sometime in the lighter, warmer weather. However, within a matter of days
the paint had been purchased and the team began their work. The inside walls
and the windows (inside) of the Chapel were redecorated and the curtains dry
cleaned. Then it was the turn of the kitchen, this has been prepared for repainting
and the cupboards which were in quite a dangerous position have been moved
to a less dangerous situation which now has everyone's approval. We are more
than grateful to the gentlemen for their enthusiasm and hard work. Thank you.
A friend of the Chapel, Mrs. Linthwaite died recently. She had lived through
terrible hurts and difficulties, succeeded in managing the village Post Office
until she retired (against her will) at 88. And more because of the increasing
paper work than the day to day working pressures. Latterly life would not
have been possible but for the devotion and care of Jean (her daughter), John
(her son), Monica (his wife) and the daily help of good friends and neighbours.
Mrs. Linthwaite had a splendid party for her 100th birthday.
Almost every one in the village was a guest and there was of course the lovely
card from The Queen. Mrs. Linthwaite had lived to be 105 years of age, and
died very unexpectedly having been able to converse and understand clearly
until a very short time before her death. She will be missed by her many friends
and acquaintances in and around Kirk Ireton.
Sister Merle
Why?
When feeling at my very best,
When the house is clean and neat,
When I've lots and lots of leisure
And I'm not run off my feet,
No one comes to see me,
I have put it to the test;
But when I'm extra busy
When I'm worried or depressed,
When my fruit cake in the oven
Decides to droop and sag,
When I have no time to dress with care
And feel an awful hag,
When my stocking springs a ladder
From the ankle to the knee,
Why is it that my friends decide
To come and call on me?
By Iris Evans
Taken from a book of poems written for The Salvation Army Hendon Home League
"Barefoot Doctors" Appeal 2004
Worship and mission
FROM MISSION MATTERS ISSUE 10
Lord on this sleepy Sunday morning I hear your call to worship
I answer by coming, with others, to church.
We sing, we pray, we listen to your word, we talk together over coffee, we
go home.
Lord, what is it all about, this worship?
Lord, on this damp, dark morning I hear your call to work.
I answer and travel to my place of work.
I meet people, talk on the phone, answer letters ........
Lord, what is it all about, this work?
Lord, on this busy day I hear your call to be still
At home with family, children playing, crying,
At home alone, silence all around.
What's it all about, Lord, on this day?
It's all about knowing you, Jesus,
Knowing the offering you made for the life of the world.
Knowing your call to seek justice, to love others
As you have loved.
It's all about living in hope,
Working with you each day in ways that make a difference,
Small though they may be.
Valuing and respecting others.
It's all about living in wonder,
Marvelling at all that we have been given.
It's all about working for your kingdom.
About being aware of your presence and power.
It's all about .................. (here's space for your own thoughts and responses)
Brailsford Women's Fellowship
The Wednesday Women's Fellowship has been an important part of the life of
the Chapel for many years. For a number of reasons there has been a decline
in numbers over the past years and we are looking at ways of renewing the
life of the Fellowship. The more members there are, the richer the fellowship.
And also it is much easier to invite a range of speakers to come to a reasonably
sized gathering.
With these factors in mind we have felt it would be good to invite husbands
and friends to come along to share with us. The meeting area is now much more
user friendly and the welcome is warm. We are renaming the meeting, "The
Wednesday Fellowship".
Our next meeting will be on Wednesday March the 10th at 2-30 pm, Mrs. Pat
Tatler of Idridgehay, is a brilliant arranger of floral displays, and is well
known in the county for her skill and artistry. We are delighted that she
is has agreed to come to us and we are looking forward to many interested
flower arrangers coming along to meet Pat and to enjoy her skill and enthusiasm.
Sister Merle
News from Brailsford
Brailsford Alive@9 is still progressing we haven't quite taken off yet but
I think we are about halfway down the runway gathering speed. Through the
winter numbers have fluctuated from a lowest of 17 to 35 about a month ago.
Various people have led: Roger, David Higham, Chris Eddy, Tim Dutton and Mark
Lewis. It has been good to have Ruth playing the Keyboard, Danny on Guitar,
Emily on flute, Jane on Guitar, Helen on Tamborine and yours truly trying
to keep up, especially when we get new songs we haven't heard before. We are
very grateful to Ian Thorpe who keeps the technical side of things working
so well. Friends have come to worship from as far apart as Derby and Butterton
and quite a lot from around the circuit, so if you haven't tried it yet, do
come and join us one Sunday.
We have also started a series of Bible Studies led by Chris Eddy which is
giving a new insight into Corinthians 1, brilliantly led.
Even though we are waiting for the Architects ideas, the decision was made
to give the interior a facelift, so over the last couple of weeks the floor
has been sanded and varnished and the walls given two coats of emulsion, so
now the building looks more attractive and welcoming.
It is generally felt that God's work is progressing in a quiet and stead way,
and we look to the Lord for His directions for the future.
John Stubbs
If you would like to contribute an article for the magazine, I will be happy
to publish it.
Items for the April Ashbourne Church Magazine to me (Stuart) by 9pm on Wednesday
17th March.
Item for the June Ashbourne Circuit magazine to me (Stuart) by 9pm on Wednesday
19th May.
Stuart Green, 51 Highfield Road, Ashbourne, DE6 1DX, place items in the "Newsletter"
pigeon-hole at church or e-mail ashbournemethodistmagazine@supanet.com
Dates for your Diary
MARCH
1st - 14th Fair Trade Fortnight
Tue 2nd Ashbourne Church Lunch Century Hall
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
Tue 9th Circuit Local Preachers meeting
Wed 10th Network Day at Carlton
Thu 11th 7.30pm Ashbourne Church Council
Sat 13th Local Preachers Study Day
Sat 13th 12noon Cutting of Fairtrade Birthday Cake Sainsbury's
Sat 13th 7.30pm Methodist Homes Supper Snelston
Tue 16th Hulland Church Council
Thu 18th 7.30pm How a Geobar got to Cape of Good Hope St Oswald's Hall
Sat 20th Network Area Day, Daventry
Thu 25th 7.30pm Circuit Meeting Century Hall
Mon 29th 10.45 am Network Day of Fellowship at Willersley Castle
Tue 30th Ashbourne Church Lunch Century Hall
Wed 31st 7.30pm Ashbourne Fairtrade Town Public Meeting Town Hall
APRIL
Fri 2nd 7.30pm South Africa Evening Century Hall
Sat 3rd District World Mission Event at Stapleford
Tue 6th 7:30pm ACT Ecumenical Service Methodist Church
Thu 8th 7:30pm Maundy Thursday Communion Service Ashbourne
Fri 9th 10:30am Good Friday Service Ashbourne
Fri 9th 12:15pm Walk of Witness Ashbourne
Sat 10th 11:00am Circuit Walk from Milldale car park Milldale
Sat 10th 2:30pm followed by Service at Milldale Chapel Milldale
Thu 15th 7:30pm Ashbourne Property Committee
Wed 21st 7:30pm Ashbourne Pastoral committee Century Hall
Thu 22nd 7:30pm Alpha Supper
Fri 23rd Auction of Promises for NCH Waterside
Sat 24th District Synod Radcliffe on Trent
Sun 25th 6:30pm Easter Offering - Circuit Service Ashbourne
Mon 26th 7:30pm Ashbourne Annual Church meeting Century Hall
Tue 27th Ashbourne Church Lunch Century Hall
MAY
Sat 8th 10am - 1pm Network Quiet Day Kirk Ireton
Sat 8th Christian Aid Concert
Sun 9th 2:30pm Parwich Chapel Anniversary Parwich
Sun 9th Christian Aid week
Wed 12th 7:00pm Ashbourne Finance meeting
Sun 16th Visitors from Patna arrive - staying until 31 May
Wed 19th Zambian Choir Ashbourne
Thu 20th Tissington Well Dressing
Thu 20th - 23rd Traidcraft stall Tissington
Tue 25th Ashbourne Church Lunch Century Hall
Sun 30th 6:30pm Drama - Circuit Service Ashbourne