Connections The Magazine of Ashbourne Methodist Church October 2006
From The Manse Dear Friends,
I praise God that in Ashbourne we have many new faces in worship week by week, and that most of those receive the friendly welcome that says “this is a good place to be”. But how easy is it for newcomers to move on into places where the deeper fellowship and learning takes place? Some house groups have been going for a good number of years. Is your house group open to new people? Sometimes I am told “we’re full”. That raises the question, “How do we create the space where newcomers can be welcomed?” If your house group is “full” is it time to split – the cell principle- creating two new groups each with room to grow? I ask your house groups to face this question openly and honestly. Secondly, I praise God for the many contacts we have with people outside the church. The Cornerstone, Basement, Children’s Church, Junior Youth Club and Gateway are all key points where we welcome others onto our premises. Add to these the many personal contacts we have through our work and our leisure activities. I ask, “Are you playing your part in this?” Do you have contact with people outside of church either individually are through being part of the team running one of these groups? All these activities are part of our mission to reach people outside with the Good News of Jesus, to enable them to discover the God who is Love, who loves each person. We come alongside others with the Love of God for them. A third way in which we face outside is our concern for the needs of the world. We support NCH and MHA, vulnerable children and vulnerable older people. We support the needy, responding to crisis appeals, disasters around the world, our harvest gifts to Belarus, our Christmas shoeboxes. This face of compassion is a channel for God’s love. We support campaigns for Justice and Peace and care of the environment. We add our voice to those prophetic voices who say the world needs to reflect the compassionate face of God to those who are suffering. We support Fairtrade. And fourthly we support those who are engaged in Mission. We pray for Sandra Lewer as she goes on her many travels as Connexional Network President. We pray for Mark Lowe now in Bolivia with “Latin Link” Christian mission team. We pray for those whose faces we do not know in our prayer manual “Amazing Grace”, supporting their work through our JMA and Network giving. For those who can’t get out and be part of the active groups above – this prayer support is vital for advancing God’s Kingdom in the world. I hope that simply by writing all this down you have been encouraged to see just how much we do “face outside”. But do take time to reflect on what is your own part in all of this. And do remember all of our activities, our structures, our groups, need to be “open to others”.
God Bless, Chris
Quote :- Man’s way leads to a hopeless end – God’s way leads to an end-less hope. Anon
One World Week - October 22nd - 29th Mind the Gap!
MIND THE GAP IN LIFE EXPECTANCY!
MIND THE GAP IN LITERACY!
MIND THE GAP IN INCOME!
One World Week runs from 22nd – 29th October and on Saturday 28th October
we will be running a special event in Victoria Square. Come along and take
part in our quiz if you think you know about the gap in life expectancy,
literacy and income between our country and those in the developing world.
We’ll be in Victoria Square from 10am to 12.30pm and the more people we
attract the better – so please stop by and see us (after all, a crowd attracts
a crowd!). There’s also a special children’s quiz with Fairtrade chocolate
prizes - so bring along your children, grand-children, nieces, nephews,
neighbours or any other children you know (with permission of course!).
If you’d like to help out in One World Week, or would like to get involved
with the One World Group’s campaigning for world development, please have
a chat with Stuart Green (300338) or John or Liz Hurfurt (342859).
Gift Aid – Envelopes – Inflation.
In the good old days of covenants, people who pay income tax on their earnings
or savings could sign to give an amount per annum for the next 4 years and
to donate the tax refunded by the government. A few years ago we had the
introduction of gift aid which allows the church to claim the tax on all
gifts each year once a gift aid form has been signed. The disadvantage of
Gift Aid is the reminder the 4 yearly cycle of covenants used to give to
us all that inflation continues, currently 2.5% or thereabouts and over
4 years this is at least 7.7%. Have we all increased our giving by 7.7%
since 2002? Envelopes are available to all regardless of whether you are
a tax payer or you gift aid but they are a weekly reminder of the Lord’s
goodness to us and the need to hand a little back via gift to the church.
Please let me know if you require envelopes, gift aid forms or any assistance
in this area. <br>Cliff Lewer
THE VOLUNTEER ORGANIST
The preacher in the village church one Sunday morning said, ‘Our organist
is ill today, will someone play instead?’ An anxious look crept o’er the
face of every person there, As eagerly they watched to see who’d fill the
vacant chair. A man then staggered down the aisle, whose clothes were old
and torn, How strange, a drunkard seemed to me, in church on Sunday morn.
But when he touched the organ keys without a single word The melody that
followed was the sweetest ever heard. Each eye shed tears within that church,
the strongest men grew pale. The organist, in his melody had told his own
life’s tale. The sermon of the preacher was no lesson to compare With that
of life’s example of who sat on the organ chair. And when the service ended,
not a soul had left a seat, Except the poor old organist who started to
the street. Along the aisle and out of the door he slowly walked away, The
preacher rose and softly said ‘Good brethren, let us pray’. The scene is
one I’ll ne’er forget as long as I may live, And just to see it all again
all earthly wealth I’ll give. The congregation, all amazed, the preacher
old and grey The organ and the organist who volunteered to play
Contributed by Pearl Steeples
Property
May I thank all of the members and congregation of the church for their
support over the past 10 years when I have been allowed to spend a great
deal of people’s money in the refurbishment and improvement/maintenance
of the whole complex of buildings. It has been a very enjoyable time and
I have met some delightful contractors who without exception have shown
great regard to our place of worship. Best wishes to Ian Marsh in taking
on the task, please give him every support. Cliff Lewer
Father I place into your hands…
Many times in my life I have set out into a difficult situation relying on my own personal strength. From being bullied at school, overwhelmed by work at University, preparing for an important presentation at work, or for a conference paper to hundreds of people. Each time I’ve had God at the back of my mind, more as a constant presence than intervening and relevant presence. I’ve ploughed on making plans, practicing and thinking that if I tried hard enough I could do it on my own. Each time I’ve realised at the last minute that I’m getting worried and stressed, and the words of that hymn have come into my mind – ‘Father I place into your hands the things I cannot do, Father I place into your hands the things that trouble me’. I’ve admitted to God that I can’t do anything on my own and I’ve given my worries and anxieties to him. And He’s never failed. He’s given me the words to say, the stillness of heart and the ways to act that have carried me through – and even given me success. And each time I pray ‘Next time, help me to place it in your hands from the beginning!’ Stuart and I have recently been blessed by the birth of Ethan, a wonderful gift who reminds us of God’s many gifts each day. I’ve prayed the same prayer many times before he was born and God has provided the reassurance I’ve needed in many ways. In the first weeks after we have discovered that I was pregnant, and we both felt a bit of disbelief as I felt no different (maybe the tests were wrong?) and God spoke to us through a member of the Church in a dream. After going to our first antenatal class (the day before the 24 hours of prayer), I had a realisation about what child birth was going to be like which I think I had been dismissing beforehand, and I felt genuinely scared. On the Sunday morning I spent some time before the service at the different prayer stations around the Church and was reminded to trust in God and felt God’s reassurance and peace. Since Ethan’s birth we’ve had some difficult times with breast feeding and lack of sleep (!) and I’ve again tried to survive on my own inner strength, but I know however many times I fail, God will always forgive and answer prayer, however late it’s eventually asked. Father, I place into your hands the things I cannot do. Father, I place into your hands the things that I’ve been through. Father, I place into your hands the way that I should go, For I know I always can trust you. Father, I place into your hands my friends and family. Father, I place into your hands the things that trouble me. Father, I place into your hands the person I would be For I know I always can trust you. Jenny Hewer
Catherine Green
“The Invisible Hand?” - A reply
In the last issue of our magazine Andrew Lewer quotes from a review of a book by Deepak Lal that I have not read. That makes it extremely difficult to comment on the review as asked but here goes nevertheless. All reviewers are able to pick and choose quotations or to summarise views in context or not. This one certainly contains arguments based on false premises. The statement that outsourcing is a prime target of anti-globalists is a case in point. The future of the developing world depends on help from the capitalist society as much as on government and charitable aid. All three are interdependent. All three have their good points and examples of good practice can be found in all three areas. All three have their bad points and examples of bad practice can be found in each. Certainly there are examples of charities wasting their money on ineffectual schemes, but have all the schemes of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund been successful? I fear not and look how much money they have wasted. So what about multi-national firms? They certainly have the resources to help and help they do. VW have turned round Skoda, Renault are improving Dacia cars in Romania and McDonalds are establishing good practice in health and hygiene. These are the good side. But water companies in Africa? Coca Cola in India? And remember Bhopal. The motives of profit-based companies are unfortunately always suspect. Perhaps we should be more interested in becoming private shareholders and attending the meetings. Proposals to pay fair wages, to improve working conditions, to empower the workforce are not often seen on AGM agendas. If you have a copy of the book Andrew, I would love to borrow it.
John Hurfurt
Report on District Synod September 2006
This was my first Synod and I confess a little disappointment with the day, mainly because there was no opportunity for discussion. Having said that; the worship was excellent and the presentations good. Nottingham University, Sutton Bonnington Campus was a good venue for the slimmed down Synod and made the whole feel like a meeting rather than a seminar. · A new prayer room is available at East Midlands Airport and we are encouraged to visit as we pass through the airport. · David Horton – Bishop of Repton and resident of Holloway Nr Matlock retires in November · Our attention is drawn to the many Polish migrant workers in our area and we are asked to be aware of their spiritual needs as they work amongst us. · Easter People in 2007 in Blackpool will be the last such event – theme – Amazing Grace · February 2007 has been designated as a month for inter faith payer · We heard from Steve Pearce the Connexional Team member with responsibility for children. He referred us to much of the material the team produced being on their website, www.methodistchildren.org including its monthly e-news email. He spoke about difficult choices, e.g. Sunday School or a mid-week club when you do not have the resources for both. He asked us to consider involvement in the extended school programmes, which many schools are introducing. Holiday clubs for instance might be run under that banner. He also said that they were trying to make JMA a more integral part of work with children, and recommended another website, www.coreskillsforchurches.com which was a joint initiative across several denominations. · Dean Robinson spoke about the District Youth Team (DYT) They were producing resources and hoped to develop a network for youth workers of all types so that we did not feel alone. They were also producing a directory of youth work in the District but that depended on us telling them what we are doing. There are two District events planned, aimed chiefly at young people but all are welcome; · At the other end of the age scale Gaynor Hammond from the Baptist Union spoke about “Vulnerable Adults”. This is a bit like safeguarding for children and is something we shall have to address in the near future. In the church situation it seems that it could be very relevant for Pastoral Visitors. Diary Dates District Bonfire is on Sat Nov 11 at Calverton District Picnic is on June 10 2007 in the Derby area. March 3rd is another date for everyone’s diary as this will be a District Gathering with the President Graham Carter and then on 4th March Graham will be in Belper for the bi-centenary of the Belper Chapel. The whole Synod enjoyed the celebration of Holy Communion to close the day.
John Hurfurt
WOMEN’S NETWORK
District Day - Wednesday 11 October This District Day will be held at Queen’s Hall, Derby. Coffee will be serve from 10.00 am (registration £l.00 ) and the business meeting will commence at 10.30 am, at the end of which, the current District President, Mrs Pam Kilby, will hand over the proceeds of her project to the Kidney Patients Association. In the afternoon at 2 pm, the new District President, Mrs Monica Sanders, will be commissioned. Our own Gwenda Alcock will be taking over as District Vice-President. All are welcome! Come along and enjoy friendship, fellowship and a great time of worship.
Caribbean Evening - Monday 23 October Our next Circuit event will be a Caribbean Evening in the Century Hall commencing at 7.30 pm with a Supper (hopefully Caribbean food - or rather our version of it!!) This will be followed by an illustrated talk by our new Connexional President, Sandra, entitled ‘ Highlights of Antigua’. Again, we look forward to fun, food and fellowship. Tickets are now available, price- £4.00, from Alma, Gwenda, Betty D and Betty H, Margaret and Jacinth. Do come along - All Welcome!
Alma Swan
A Message from The President
A huge thank you to everyone who kindly supported me on the 16th September for my commissioning as President of Women’s Network of the Methodist Church. The whole day was a very enjoyable occasion from my point of view and has set the scene for a year of meeting with people throughout the connexion to increase the profile of Women’s Network and to encourage, enable and equip them for the challenges of the world today both within and outside of the church. This Connexional year is the 20th Anniversary of Network, when all women’s groups came under the one title and a celebration service is to be held in Cleveleys, Lancashire on 9th July to coincide with the Methodist Conference being held in Blackpool. The major focus is the horrors of trafficking in women and children throughout Europe for use in the sex trade and the raising of the awareness of this evil so that we can together try and get the authorities to act. I shall submit my diary for the magazine each month and write some comments on the activities I attend.
Sandra Lewer
Sandra’s October Diary
29th/30th September and 1st October – Connexional Committee, meeting in
North Wales
9th – Cumbria District 12th – Nottingham and Derby – commissioning District
President
13th – World Federation Meeting – Stoke on Trent
14th – meeting at Methodist Church House, London
18th – North Lancs District
23rd – Ashbourne Circuit Caribbean evening
26th – Link 2 World Church
CHURCH NEWS IN BRIEF
Twelve Baskets – sharing resourc es for the good of all Twelve Baskets is a new website, supported by the Methodist Church, which allows people who produce PowerPoint, mini-movies, music, written word and images to sell and share their work quickly and easily at no cost to themselves. For a small fee, others will be able to download material for projection, magazines, posters etc, without having to worry about any copyright restrictions. The originator will earn royalties, and 10% of profits will go to charity. There is a vast wealth of resources sitting on people's computers that could be of great value to the whole Church. Twelve Baskets aims to build a vast and accessible online library, improving the quality of resources for worship, event publicity, and otherwise spreading the message of God. The site went live in late August. Visit http://www.twelvebaskets.co.uk and start sharing your work.
ChristianSat Guide helps explain Digital Satellite TV & Radio Would you like to receive Christian TV & Radio? Satellite offers 13 Christian TV & 10 Christian Radio channels that are all free. You can buy a system for a one-off cost with nothing further to pay. Want to know more? There is a helpful new website that explains in simple terms how to choose a satellite system for Christian TV & Radio in the UK. There are many options, most that need no Sky contract. This clear step by step guide can be found at www.ChristianSat.org.uk. If you have no internet access, then please send a stamped A4 size SAE with two extra unused stamps to help cover costs, to ChristianSat, 40 Rickford Hill, GUILDFORD, GU3 3PG. SERVICE - on a treadmill?
From Mansfield Street, Derby Derwent Mission circuit
With the help of a gift we refurbished our hall. Our youngest member started
a Parent and Baby group, which now has 18 members with 21 children. The
son of one of our members has (with a partner) set up a mobile gym of treadmills
and rowing machines to run fitness classes. The oldest ‘user' is 80-plus!
Such opportunities for service and outreach have given us a real sense of
renewal, joy and hope. E-mail contact: mailto:meady78@hotmail.com Phone
contact: Rita Wright 01332 513534
EVANGELISM - a walk and a prayer
From Upper Calder circuit, West Yorkshire We have several chapels close to the Pennine Way, which attracts many walkers, so we decided to hold a Walkers' Weekend. The idea is to combine 10-minute opportunities for reflection with walks and refreshments, taking in Lumbutts, three other chapels and Stoodley Pike. It's an opportunity for outreach, and people are invited to come for the whole day out, or for just a few minutes. E-mail contact: mailto:rab@fish.co.uk Phone contact: Rev Robert Bowen 01706 839032
Christian Aid
There is now an old inkjet and laser toner cartridge recycling scheme. Christian Aid receives £1 for each reusable cartridge you send. Freepost envelopes are available in the photocopier room near the pigeon holes if you wish to support the scheme.
A Prayer – Let Go and Let God
When you’re struggling through a trying time And nothing is going your way Go to your quiet place And bow down to God and pray Put your troubles in His hands And soon you’ll begin to see That giving it all over to God Is where He wants it to be Trust in God for everything Lean not on your own way Learn to live by God’s will To let go and let God is the only way Never question why It’s not for you to understand But when you receive your revelation You’ll give praise to God. Amen. By Nicholas Acklin.
Church Calendar
The church calendar is on the wall behind the organ, in the passageway
between the kitchen and the ramp door. The calendar is for everybody's use
to record church and other local events, not just those which use church
premises.Noting things on the calendar helps people planning events to avoid
clashes with other activities that might attract a similar attendance.etc
are located nearby.
David Bale
A prayer for my thoughts
God help my thoughts! They stray from me, setting off on the wildest journeys. When I am in church, they run off like naughty children, quarrelling, making trouble. When I read the Bible, they fly to a distant city, filled with beautiful women. My thoughts can cross an ocean in a single leap; they can fly from earth to heaven, and back again, in a single second. They come to me for a fleeting moment, and then away they flee. No chains, no locks can hold them back; no threats of punishment can restrain them, no hiss of a lash can frighten them. They slip from my grasp like tails of eels; they swoop hither and thither like swallows in flight. Dear, chaste Christ, who can see into every heart and read every mind, take hold of my thoughts. Bring my thoughts back to me, and clasp me to yourself.
A Celtic Prayer
An Invitation to all from Betty and Michael Hadley
We celebrate our Golden Wedding anniversary on 31st October, and as a start to a week in which we will be observing this in different ways we have chosen to host the NCH Coffee Morning on 28 October in St Oswald’s Church Hall. There is a longer notice about this elsewhere in this magazine. Please take this as an invitation from us to ALL friends in and around Ashbourne to join us during the morning. There will be a celebration cake which we shall cut and share with all who come. As a special treat for both adults and children Ashbourne’s own Mr Magimo will spend the morning with us demonstrating his special gift. There is, of course, no charge for admission on this occasion, and we ask DEFINITELY no personal presents, or indeed cards. However, you may like to browse round the stalls, and you may find something which catches your eye and be tempted to buy. We won’t refuse! Come and enjoy something special.
Betty and Michael Hadley.
MISSION MATTERS
JMA
The annual JMA presentations will be made to JMA members during the morning service on 15th October. Diary date: JMA member’s lunch on Sunday 19th November 12-2pm in The Cornerstone. Please let Ruth know if you can come along.
Fund for World Mission
Translating the scriptures for the natives of Papua New Guinea posed a problem. Scripture mentions many animals; ox, ass, sheep, but the only domesticated animal in New Guinea is the pig. One attempt to translate the scriptures decided to substitute “pig” for all these in order to make it meaningful and culturally relevant. In some instances the translation seems odd, even inappropriate to us; Jesus “the Lamb of God”, became in this Bible “the pig of God”! However, in the parable of the lost sheep, this would be especially poignant: any islander who lost a pig would search diligently until it was found and brought home. In many cultures around the world pigs are vital to people’s livelihoods.
Fund for World Mission
Nationals in Mission Appointments (NMA) post-holder Jonsen Sembiring, has been working with rural communities in Gereja, Indonesia. With the help of a £7,500 Fund for World Mission grant administered over 5 years he was able to help them establish self-sustainable fundraising projects through integrated organic farming. One of the results of the projects is a thriving piggery. Fund for Home Mission Interface is in the process of creating a website that will give Methodists (and others) an opportunity to discuss issues as they arise in the news and popular culture. Could you contribute articles of 300 words every now and again on particular topics relating to your field of knowledge? For further information contact Alice Lambert on 020 7467 5195 or email lamberta@methodistchurch.org.uk
Be Inspired - Fresh Expressions on DVD
In this time of social change many people beyond the borders of the Church are desperate for some sense of spiritual reality. Fresh Expressions of Church are the green shoots of the future. All over the country there are new initiatives to connect with those outside the church. “Expresssions: The DVD” tells 14 stories about these fresh expressions and describes some of the lessons learnt so far. The DVD is available from the mph bookshop Tel: 020 7467 5106 £12.99 plus £3 p&p. Bible Society News (from Word in Action) 8:32 campaign, waking up to Bible poverty: John 8:32 “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free”. In our Bible Society series the topic this month is “Our Culture”. Bible ownership in Britain is down by a quarter in just 50 years. And it is being used less and less. 60% of people say “the Bible’s not relevant to me”. Despite an increased interesting spirituality few look to the Bible for truth. Many teachers are more likely to use the Bible to convey social messages. Once it was the Bible that shaped our nation. But that influence is waning fast –with less people knowing its story, valuing its message or living by its wisdom. Many who work in areas that influence and shape our society – the media, education, politics and the arts – see the Bible as irrelevant. An intentionally or not, their view permeates the wider community. Here again Bible Society is at work helping people in the key areas of politics, arts, media and education see the links between the Bible and everyday life. It is an important step towards changing the way people view and value the Bible in their everyday lives. There are no quick fixes. We did not become Bible poor overnight and bringing change will take time. But Bible Society is resolute in its commitment to see the Bible brought back into the heart of our society. For further information: www.its832.org or 0845 2020832 Donations line: 08707
Phakamisa
The latest newsletter is on the mission notice board. If you would like
to receive copies or have them emailed to you please speak to Ruth Mallard.
Ruth Mallard
Craft Morning
Now it is the beginning of October our thoughts turn to covering and filling shoe boxes after the months spent making fillers to help complete those which are not full. Don’t worry if you think your box is not complete. We have sufficient supplies to fill the spaces. We also remember that many boxes needed replacing for various reasons, so we try to keep lots of spares on hand. Last year we replaced about 40. The craft morning on 25th October will be largely about covering boxes, and seeing what we have accumulated over the year. There will be a table in the Century Hall after morning services from the beginning of October which will display supplies of hats, scarves, gloves, glove puppets, shoe bags, and other useful items. No charge – just come and help yourselves. Someone will be on hand to help you. Also, at the NCH Coffee Morning in St Oswald’s on 28th October there will be a stall selling items from 25p to £2.50 which can be included. Completed shoe boxes should be brought to the service at Ashbourne Church on 19th November. The usual leaflets can be found on the table in the vestibule. Betty Hadley. 01335 300699
NCH Coffee Morning
You are invited to our special coffee morning on Saturday October 28th from l0am to 12 noon, at St Oswald’s Church Hall. As Betty and Mike Hadley are including this event in their Golden Wedding celebrations, entry will be free. So please come and ‘toast’ their 50 years with your complimentary coffee and cake. Of course we hope you will browse and spend at all our usual stalls: Christmas cards and gifts, cakes and produce, bring’n buy and second-hand books. New this year will be a stall with items suitable for filling the Christmas shoe boxes, plus games for the children and the announcement of our Towns quiz. Special Visit of Mr Magimo! Conjuror and Balloon Sculptor. We’re sure this will be the usual happy and sociable morning, albeit in a new venue, but we hope it will also be special for Betty and Mike. Please do come! (If anyone needs a lift please contact Eric Matthews 343208) Val Howse
Church Family Matters
CONGRATULATIONS! To Heather Garbutt on gaining her degree in Theology from Oxford University and on the birth of her grandson.
PRAYER REQUESTS - Please pray for improved health and strength in caring for Ena and Trevor Staniforth, Brian and Dreda Kitchen and Doris Harrison.
WOMEN’S NETWORK - Love and God’s Blessing to Sandra and Cliff Lewer as they travel on Network duties. May Sandra feel the love and support from her church family in her Presidential year.
“OPEN THE BOOK” - Bible Story telling in First Schools has commenced and a group from AMC has begun visiting Hilltop School and your Prayer support is requested.
Baptist Squirrels
There were four country churches in a small TEXAS town: The Presbyterian Church , the Baptist Church, the Methodist Church and the Catholic Church. Each church was overrun with pesky squirrels. One day, the Presbyterian Church called a meeting to decide what to do about the squirrels. After much prayer and consideration they determined that the squirrels were predestined to be there and they shouldn't interfere with God's divine will. In the Methodist Church the squirrels had taken up habitation in the baptismal pool. The elders met and decided to put a cover on it and drown the squirrels in it. The squirrels escaped somehow and there were twice as many there the next week. The Catholic group got together and decided that they were not in a position to harm any of God's creation. So, they humanely trapped the Squirrels and set them free a few miles outside of town. Three days later, the squirrels were back. But -- the Baptist Church came up with the best and most effective solution. They baptized the squirrels and registered them as members of the church. Now they only see them on Christmas and Easter.
BOOK REVIEW
Through the Dark Woods – a young woman’s journey out of depression By Joanna Swinney, Monarch, £6.99 Depression has been called ‘the common cold of mental health’. One in five of us will experience depression. Sufferers include Winston Churchill, Henri Nouwen, Joni Mitchell, Vincent Van Gogh, and the preachers Luther, Spurgeon and Wesley. This book looks at what effect depression will have on your romances, your job prospects, your longsuffering family, your walk with God. It also offers some sensible, practical strategies that can help: keep a journal, pray short punchy prayers, find safe places, pay attention to your dreams, laugh at silly jokes. All in all, here is delightful, shrewd, warm book – written by a survivor. Editor: The feast day of St Luke the Physician falls on 18 October and World Mental Health Day falls on the 10th. Health advice on depression… in memory of Luke, the beloved physician It is estimated that almost three million people in the UK are suffering symptoms of depression and that one in five of the population will be affected at some point in their life. The Depression Alliance charity receives over half a million website hits and thousands of calls and emails each year from people seeking information and advice( www.depressionalliance.org ). While it believes that anti-depressant drugs are a valuable form of treatment for many sufferers, the Alliance says that these medicines work best in conjunction with other therapies, such as self-help and talking treatments. Sadly these other treatments are largely unavailable in many areas, forcing GPs to prescribe drugs alone. A valuable resource is the self-help groups that have been formed in many parts of the country. They provide a forum where people affected by depression can share experiences with other in similar situations. Each group differs according to the needs, wishes and ideas of its members. Groups can provide mutual support in a non-judgmental and confidential environment. They are not the same as therapy (although they have therapeutic value) but many people find them helpful. Our nearest local group meets fortnightly on Mondays, 6:30-8:00pm at Resource Centre, Derbyshire Royal Infirmary. Contact Jan or Heather on 07891 801 467. For Sale - Teak wardrobe, sliding doors, good condition, 36" wide. £35. Contact Daphne or John Dyster Tel: 344086.
Christian Aid
Invites you to a day of events in Derby… Thursday 16 November Two fantastic chances to meet Mai Jarrar of the YMCA Woman’s Training Programme in the West Bank and find out more about the work of a Christian Aid Partner. Ladies Lunch Come and enjoy a relaxed Ploughman’s lunch 12 noon, Central URC – by Debenhams Limited Places - £1.50 – please book Palestinian Evening 7pm, St. Alkmonds Church, Kedleston Rd Everyone welcome For more information or to book a place please contact Lucy at the Christian Aid East Midlands office: 70-72 Market Street, Ashby de la Zouch 01530 417522 lwaldron@christian-aid.org
Preacher’s 2007
This year we have welcomedpreachers from outside the Circuit to lead services at Ashbourne.of the visiting preachers were recommended by members of our own congregation and the variety of preaching has been much appreciated. We are now looking ahead to 2007. If you would like to recommend a preacher for invitation during the year -perhaps someone personally known to you or someone whom you have heard preach elsewhere - please speak to Chris Eddy or David Bale. David Bale
PRAYER We continue to ask for you to especially remember the following in your prayers this month:
2nd Oct All those who help prepare for services at church 3rd Oct People
with mental health problems
4th Oct People with Alzheimers and their carers
5th Oct The Church of North India - especially Patna Diocese
6th Oct Young people and helpers at The Basement
7th Oct Preachers preparing to lead services tomorrow
8th Oct For those involved in the Prayer Triplets
9th Oct Ashbourne Churches Together
10th Oct Friends at Brailsford
11th Oct The leaders of this country and the world
12th Oct Friends at Hulland
13th Oct Members of the Ashbourne choir practicing for Sunday
14th Oct Friends at Parwich
15th Oct Those attending Powersource groups
16th Oct Those who feel unloved
17th Oct Friends at Kirk Ireton
18th Oct Walk and Talk Group
19th Oct Friends at Stanton
20th Oct Those serving at The Cornerstone
21st Oct Farmers who are not paid a fair price for their produce
22nd Oct Friends at Tissington
23rd Oct Friends at Kniveton
24th Oct The work of Methodist Homes
25th Oct All those involved in Youth Work in the Circuit
26th Oct Local Farmers
27th Oct Those known to us who are unwell
28th Oct NCH
29th Oct Those leading Worship today
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
3rd Oct 9.00am Visit to Epworth
4th Oct 9.30am Walk and Talk Group
4th Oct 10.00am Alzheimer’s Café The Cornerstone
5th Oct 9.00am Prayers The Cornerstone
8th Oct 2.30pm Kniveton Harvest Festival Kniveton and 6.30pm
11th Oct 10.00am NETWORK District Day Derby
15th Oct 2.30pm Tissington Harvest Festival Tissington
18th Oct 9.30am Walk and Talk Group
21st Oct 7.00pm Praise! Century Hall
23rd Oct 7.30pm Network Caribbean Evening Century Hall
28th Oct 10.00am NCH Coffee Morning St Oswalds Church Hall
28th Oct 10.00am “One World Week” - Mind the Gap - Victoria Sq
31st Oct 12.30pm Ashbourne Church Lunch Century Hall
Christmas at Milldale
Once again we will be maintaining the tradition of recent years with a service on Christmas Eve at 4 p.m. Completely by candlelight this brings together many villagers, visitors for the festive season and people from the Ashbourne Circuit who find this a real time of preparation for the coming of the Lord. Please make a note in your diary.
The Cornerstone
Some 9 years ago when The Cornerstone was designated as an outreach resource for our church much debate was held over the name. In fact suggestions were requested and the a secret ballot held resulting in ‘The Cornerstone’ as opposed to Cornerstone and other names. Please can we refer to this excellent building as The Cornerstone? Cliff Lewer
From the Editor
Dear Friends, here is another edition. Thanks to all who contribute and a special thank you to Arthur Cook who collates, staples and addresses every copy. I’d welcome designs for cover pictures suitable for photocopying. Hope to publish the next edition on October 29th, copy deadline 9.0pm 18th Oct. E-mail ashbournemethodistmagazine@supanet.com , Pigeon-hole at church or send to 2 Hambleton Close. Arthur Watts
SMILE LINES
The following comes from an account of the ministry of a clergyman in the Poplar District of London in late 1880's.
Apart from being a very successful Parish Priest, he had aof humour (not always associated with church life at that time). "Once he told a boy's mother that he was glad that her son was a regular at church and Sunday School - and he was delightedshe replied- , well you see sir, he was kicked on the head by a donkey when he was a child and has never been quite right since."
Contributed by Margaret Hasler
Anyone for Golf?
The minister drove into a sand trap. He picked up his golf club, broke it but didn't say a word. Then he picked up the golf bag and tore it to shreds but didn't say a word. He then took out all the golf balls and flung them into the woods but did not say one word. Finally he muttered, "I'm going have to give it up." “Golf?" asked the caddie. "No" he replied. "The ministry."
Prayer
When I was a child I used to pray every night for a new bicycle. Then I realized that the Lord doesn't work that way. So I stole one and asked him to forgive me.
Quiet Please!
Six-year old Angie, and her four-year old brother, Joel, were sitting together in church. Joel giggled, sang and talked out loud. Finally, his big sister had had enough. "You're not supposed to talk out loud in church." "Why? Who's going to stop me?" Joel asked. Angie pointed to the back of the church and said, "See those two men standing by the door? They're hushers”.
Circuit Staff
Rev Chris Eddy, 33 The Green Road, Ashboume
Sister Merle Wilde,124 The Green Road, Ashboume
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