Home Services
Church Groups Methodism
Message Churches
Together Ashbourne
Circuit News
Ashbourne Methodist Church Magazine
October 2003
Dear friends,
"Lord, teach us to pray." This was the title of my sermon on a recent
Sunday evening. Someone suggested that I print copies of it as they wanted
all the church family to hear it. I will not do that here, but I will pen
one or two thoughts on prayer.
Those who do not believe God "acts" in response to prayer, or who do not think there is a "God" out there say "prayer is consulting your own value systems". Contrast that with what Jesus taught "Whatever you ask for in my name, it will be done for you". (John 14v14). Jesus expected things to happen when you pray.
Some say it is the person who is praying who is "changed" by the prayer, that we think ourselves into taking the action needed to bring about the answer to the prayer. Like me, when I was a young student, inserting one line of my own into a set prayer asking God to "raise up ministers for his church". I never in my wildest dreams thought I could be the answer to my prayer. God has a sense of humour.
I remember reading a book entitled "What happens when women pray". A lady in her church gathered a small group of ladies together to pray. The church began to change, began to open to others. They started to see people come to faith. They found God answers prayers for people in trouble. Jesus promised "When two of you agree about anything you pray for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven". (Matthew 18v19).
Now that is a promise worth taking seriously. Can we find a prayer partner. Get together in 2s or 3s simply, to pray. You will start to see things happen.
What about personal prayer? Prayer is not reciting a formula like the Lord's prayer said quickly, without meaning. Jesus told us not to babble like the heathen. (Matthew 6v7). Real prayer is what you say in private to your heavenly Father. It is between you and God.
Get in a quiet place, with no distractions, and simply talk with God. It is a conversation. Tell God how you are feeling. Share with God your concerns for your family, for others, for the world. Thank God for the day, the people you have met, the things you have learned. Then, most important, spend time listening to God.
Some people are good at telling God what he should be doing, but are not
good at listening to what God wants to tell you. Have you ever thought what
a privilege it is to go into the throne room of God, and talk to him? It is
an awesome thought. Yet God delights in having his children come to him in
prayer. He is delighted even more when they spend long enough with him to
hear what he wants to reveal to them.
Keep a notebook. Write down the things God shows you.
Most awesome, I find, are those stories where people are led to pray for someone else at a particular moment. The MAF pilot looking for a hole in the cloud so he could land. His friend stuck in a traffic jam in London, thousands of miles away, sees a man with a moustache, thinks of his pilot friend and begins to pray. The pilot finds a single hole in the cloud right over the landing strip. Later they discover the prayer was made at that exact time of need.
The story tells me God needs our prayers. We are in a spiritual battle. Prayer opens the way for heaven's victory.
God Bless,
Chris
Ashbourne Churches Together One World Group
ONE WORLD WEEK
"MOVING STORIES"
QUIZ
During One World Week, collect quiz answers from posters in shops and offices around the town. The quiz sheet will be published in the Ashbourne News Telegraph and entries must be handed in at the News Telegraph office by 12noon on Wednesday 29th October. Winners will be presented with a Fair Trade hamper at our Moving Stories evening on Thursday 30th October. Quiz in association with The Ashbourne News Telegraph
A TRILOGY OF MOVING STORIES
Thursday 30th October
St Oswald's Church Hall at 7.30pm
Come and hear a trilogy of Moving Stories
THREE STORIES - THREE CONTINENTS - THREE VOICES
Paul Rimmer, Chris Eddy, Jean Humphries; Chernobyl, Sierra Leone, Bangladesh.
Annual Church Meeting
I must apologise for the delay in getting these notes into the magazine, especially
after the effort put in by those people attending the Annual Church meeting.
[Please also accept my apologies - as I wanted this to be in a Church, rather
than a Circuit, magazine - Stuart]
The discussions at this year's Annual Church meeting focused on 4 areas, with
the following notes summarized the discussion in each group:
a) People on the fringe
We all recognize the importance of making everybody a part of the church family,
but we sometimes don't know how to make people feel that they belong to that
family. This group looked at ways that we could overcome this problem and
some of their ideas are listed below:
o Having 'named' photographs of everyone associated with the Church on display.
This helps us all to get to know one another - Hedley Alcock has already embarked
on this huge task.
o Having more 'social' gatherings
o Invite people to housegroups
o Involve the parents of our young people in services from time to time
o Involving people in things sooner rather than later - for example inviting
people to help with after-service coffee, or taking collection.
b) Welcoming Newcomers
When people first come to our Church, what can we do to make them feel welcome?
This group looked at ways we could make people feel at ease in our company.
Some of their ideas included:
o On first contact - ensure that all people are chatted to and introduced
to others. These responsibilities are not just for our Door Stewards or our
Church Stewards - we all have a role to play.
o Over the first few weeks - extend hospitality, offer help with practical
issues, provide them with a 'Welcome' pack, address any pastoral issues
o After the first few weeks - provide opportunities for the newcomer to participate
in a service or wider church life, understand their aspirations and special
gifts.
o Generally - continue the practice of wearing name badges at the some services,
establish a small group with responsibility for newcomers
c) Dreaming Dreams
This was an opportunity for people to think on a wide scale and the following
issues were discussed:
o Separate service on a Sunday at Ashbourne with a contemporary feel - comments
in favour of this idea included the fact that it might be more appealing to
people who don't currently come to church, it would give an opportunity for
alternative music styles and varied musical gifts, the style might be different
but the message would be the same.
Comments against the idea included the concern that it would create a separate
church, and a feeling that some might not like the idea of a contemporary
service.
o Continued Outreach to young people. Thoughts here included giving opportunities
to young people, not pursuing one model of approach, getting people with credibility
to lead young peoples' services, and investigating what the young unchurched
people are looking for
o Cornerstone is ready to move on. We need to build on what has already been
established and could form a group to look at opportunities and options
d) Welcoming the URC members
This group looked at ways in which we could welcome those who had previously
worshipped at the URC into our church family. Some of their ideas included
a social event where people could get to know one another, a possible covenant
between the 2 churches, and the possibility of URC lay preachers being recognised
as local preachers in the Methodist Church.
Some of the activities are being done already but, if you have any thoughts
or ideas on any of these issues please speak to one of the stewards.
Jeff Ffoulkes
NCH News
Despite changes to NCH organisation at Conference in June this year, NCH remains
very firmly rooted in Methodism. We now care for over 100,000 children and
young people, either through places in purpose built family homes, young people's
hostels, teaching skills for starting at college or work or parenting or childcare
classes and many other situations. There is an amazing variety of work, which
is carried out to help children and young people make their way, in this modern
and often confusing, world. Dr. Thomas Bowman Stephenson's vision for orphan
or abandoned children is as relevant today as it was in 1869 London. We ask
you all to think about how you can help us support this vital work.
We have four fund raising events planned before Christmas.
On Saturday October 18th 10 - 1pm we will be selling NCH Christmas cards,
diaries, wrapping paper and gifts at the 'Cards for Good Causes' at Ashbourne
Town Hall. Please note this is a change of venue.
Saturday November 1st 10 - 12noon, will be our annual Coffee Morning at Hurtswood
Guests House and Conference Centre, courtesy of Betty and Mike Hadley. As
you know there will be delectable cakes and mince pies, competitions, Christmas
gifts and other stalls. It's always a great atmosphere; do come! Transport
can be arranged.
Friday14th/ Saturday15th November is our collection at Sainsbury's. You are
always generous when you see us collecting but can anyone spare an hour on
either day to help? At least it's in the warm!! Please contact Judith Starkie.
Finally we shall be having a stall for Christmas gifts and stocking fillers
at our own Church Fair on Friday evening, December 12th. This was a lovely
evening last year, which I'm sure will be repeated.
Val Howse Chairman
Wanted - Props!
As part of our lessons in Explorers, we sometimes dress up! We would like
to put together a 'prop box'. The items we are looking for are, for example:
hats, bags, waistcoats, old uniforms, shirts, shawls, cloaks, dresses, material.
If you have anything hiding in the back of your wardrobes that you no longer
use, perhaps you could bring it into Explorers or give it to Peter Dawson
or Becky Dutton. Thank you!
Becky Dutton
Women's Network
DISTRICT DAY
The next District Day is on Wednesday 8th October and is at Ashby-de-la-Zouch
(one of Lyn & Harry's churches). Registration (£1 which includes
all your drinks during the day) and coffee is from 10am, with the morning
meeting commencing at 10.30am. There will be reports from various officers,
one of which is likely to be by Lyn on her attendance at the European Section
of the World Federation held in Germany at the end of August. Lunch will be
taken at around 12.30pm (please take a packed lunch). In the afternoon (at
2pm) there will be a service when the speaker will be Sister Sue Fry. She
is involved in a project in Kenya and will be speaking about that. A collection
for the Fund for World Mission will be taken at the service.
There will also be a book stall, a resources stall (cards, books, badges,
pens etc.) and a bring and buy stall.
If you would like to go, please contact Alma (Swan) as soon as possible. Don't
wait to be asked! Alma will try to arrange transport for everyone who wishes
to go. If you can offer transport, please contact Alma also.
Please join us for an enjoyable day.
Alma Swan
Greenbelt
Greenbelt is a Christian arts festival held annually and is now in its thirtieth
year. I have been attending Greenbelt occasionally over the last fifteen years
and have always found its themes and teaching to be provocative and an important
landmark in my spiritual growth. This year the theme was 'Diving for pearls'
and I was struck by what that meant to me and in my life.
For many Greenbelt is just about music, seminars, the teaching, meeting friends
or a holiday. It is all of the above and also so much more. To me being in
a field on a race course on the outskirts of Cheltenham was a place to be
with God, a place to be alone whilst surrounded by fifteen thousand other
people and also a time to share fellowship with many others.
These 'pearls' were not always comfortable. But pearls themselves only grow
when grit gets under the oyster shell!!! I realised that over the Greenbelt
weekend I had at different times laughed and been moved to tears, been challenged
but also encouraged, met up with old friends and also made new ones. It struck
me that meeting with God in such a way can be an uncomfortable experience
and this realisation was in itself hugely encouraging. It reminded me that
our God is big enough to handle all of our emotions and all of our hang ups
even if we ourselves cannot.
Above all though I realised that Greenbelt for me had been a pilgrimage, a
journey to a Holy place in the truest sense of the word. This year especially
I was very moved by the privilege of having travelled that journey surrounded
by others, especially some of the young people of this church.
To you all, I can only say that Greenbelt 2003 was a pilgrimage and many thanks
to everyone who travelled on that journey with me and made it such a special
and spiritual time. Here's looking forward to Greenbelt 2004…. And a
fresh harvest of pearls!!!
Mark Lewis
Explorers News
In September, I took the challenge of taking the job of Explorers superintendent
and I'm looking forward to working with the young people of our church. Thanks
go to Ian for all the work he has done!
There are also a few changes in the leadership of groups within Explorers.
I am thrilled to welcome Nigel Marsh and Christine Evans. Below are all the
classes and leaders.
Sparklers / All Stars (age 3 up to School Year 2)
Becky Dutton, Sandra Lewer
Trailblazers (School Years 3-6)
Sandra Lewer, Peter Dawson, Nigel Marsh, Christine Evans
Beta (School Years 7-9)
Ruth and Roger Mallard
Lazers (School Years 10+)
David Bale (coordinating)
An important part of Explorers is the valued time that people give us as
helpers. We have a small group of willing helpers who come into Explorers
on a rota basis. They come in as we all leave the service and then join in
with the activities that the leader has planned. If you feel that you would
like to help with Explorers on our rota, please speak to me and I can explain
more! Your help will be much appreciated.
I would value all your prayers for Explorers and the staff as we all work
together to share the Good News to our precious young people.
Becky Dutton
Explorers Themes
The Family of God (5th)
Disturb the comfortable and comfort the disturbed (12th)
Who wants to be first (19th)
Let me see (26th)
Becky Dutton
Family News
We had a memorable morning service on Sunday September 7th when 5 children
were baptised and welcomed into our Church family - Lydia Scott and Tom, Matthew,
Molly and Darcey Dawson. It was good also to welcome Peter (Dawson) into membership
of the Church.
We also send our congratulations on news of a grand-daughter for Margaret and Gerald Grindey, Holly, sister for Georgia.
We continue to pray for Jenny Marsh, Heather Mawdsley and Hannah Lemon who have all just started at university.
A number of our Church family have had a difficult month during September
and we remember them and their families in our prayers. We think of Shirley
Hill (now in Kingsway Hospital, Derby), Betty Douce, Angela Smith, Bill Steeples,
Jim Woodhouse, Malcolm Simpson, Dreda Kitchen, Joe Stubbs, Sue Coackley, Karen
McKinley and Carole Thorpe.
At the time of writing Jim and Malcolm are now thankfully home from hospital.
Methodist Conference 2003
This year the conference was help in Llandudno at the end of June and despite
the lovely weather that we have all enjoyed this year the representatives
attending the conference received several wettings.
A great deal happens in a week long representative conference, some of it
legalistic, some of it hot air, and much of significance to us all as this
is the decision making body of the church made up of elected representatives
from each Synod and therefore representative of each area in the country.
Note the term representatives, they are not delegates and they vote as an
individual and are not directed by their synod.
The financial news first - District Allocation of the cost of operating the
Methodist Church for the coming year are to be increased 2.5% plus the already
agreed increases in Stipends for our Presbyters and Deacons is to include
an additional 3.5% of stipend into the Ministerial pension Fund which like
most schemes has a black hole and is under funded.
The third annual development plan was adopted which centres on 'Our Calling'
plus it involves the Church in the increasing regionalisation of the UK, continues
to look at economies in the costs of the Church, pushes along the development
and use of IT and builds on the progress made with engaging with Young Adults
(20's/30's)
The Secretary of Conference for the past 5 years - Nigel Collinson retired
and was warmly acknowledged for the work he has done, we now have a General
Secretary - David Deeks - and a revised group of Coordinating secretaries.
The Covenant between the C of E and the Methodist Church received a 78% majority
in favour after much debate - this has been reported widely elsewhere.
Youth Conference is a growing influence and has 5 representatives to full
conference and brings many items for debate, this year Church Councils are
called upon to include younger people, there is no age barrier and only if
voting as Trustees do people have to be over 18.
After much debate and challenge to the decision of conference 2002 and the
receipt of 54 memorials asking for the National President of Women's Network
to have a seat in Conference by right was approved.
The President for the current year is Neil Richardson from Leeds and next
year will be Will Morrey from Cardiff. The Vice President is Judy Jarvis from
London and the person behind the new young peoples scheme - Roots, next year
the Vice President will be Deacon Myrtle Poxon from Preston.
The Agenda ran to 845 pages plus there were over 40 Propositions put during
conference, however the wide ranging debates covering mission in the world,
internal financial difficulties and redundancies, stationing and the shortage
of Presbyters, inclusive language, child protection and our safeguarding regulations,
talks with the URC and Catholic Churches, Trade and Racial Justice, Property
matters, Methodist Schools, employment rights, NCH, MHA, and much much more,
Passions ran high on several occasions and the curfew of 7 p.m. was broken
more than once.
We are privileged to have such an open and listening decision making body,
any one can attend as an observer and as the next conference is at the University
of Loughborough I would encourage everyone to go along and just see how our
church is governed.
Llandudno was a happy venue with a team of Arrangements Committees who worked
very hard indeed, In June 2004 you will have the opportunity via working as
a steward, selling memorabilia, attending fringe events etc to be a part.
Cliff Lewer
A man and his wife were having an argument about
who should brew the coffee first thing each morning.
The wife argued, "You should do it, because you get up first"
The (not 21st-century) man argued, "You are in charge of the
cooking around here, so you should do it".
His wife replies, "No, you should do it.
Besides, it's in the Bible that the man should do the coffee."
Husband replies, "I can't believe that! Show me!"
So she fetched the Bible, and opened it to the New Testament,
and showed him at the top of several pages, that it indeed says
"HEBREWS"
Prayers
We continue to ask for you to especially remember the following
things in your prayers this month:
28th September New members and friends at Church
29th September People coming to Alpha courses this week
30th September Those joining for fellowship at the Church lunch
1st October Rev Welile Segabi and his work in Mooiplaas
2nd October The work of Christian Aid
3rd October Those visiting The Gateway Centre
4th October Visitors to Cornerstone
5th October Those who look after our church buildings
6th October Trade Justice in the world
7th October Youth Club staff and members
8th October Members of the District Women's Network
9th October Local farmers
10th October The work of all at St Luke's Hospital, Hiranpur
11th October Youth Fellowship members
12th October Those who will receive flowers today
13th October People spreading God's Word at work
14th October Methodist Missionary Society
15th October Those who will hear about One World Week today
16th October Roger Mallard's work with Ashbourne's young people
17th October The work of Operation Christmas Child
18th October Charities working to raise money for their work
19th October Our friends of the United Reformed Church
20th October Those finding out more about Bangladesh
21st October Those finding out more about Chernobyl
22nd October Those finding out more about Sierra Leone
23rd October The work of Mission Aviation Fellowship
24th October Choir practising for Sunday
25th October Leaders of Explorers, Betas and Lazers
Mission Matters
Forthcoming Circuit Events
MISSION AVIATION FELLOWSHIP. Thursday 23rd October, 7.30pm. Century Hall.
Tim Paisley will be showing a video and giving a talk on MAF. This coincides
with and complements the One World Week theme "Moving Stories" (see
separate article about One World Week Events)
JMA LUNCH EVENT . Sunday 30th November. Midday in Cornerstone.
BIBLE SOCIETY. Thursday 8th January 04. 7.30 pm. Century Hall. Mr Fred Winks
will be sharing about the Bible Society's work in Egypt with a talk and slides.
JMA Sunday
We look forward to Chris Eddy leading our Mission Service on
Sunday 19th October at 10.30 am. Presentations will be made to our
JMA members and there will be a JMA display in the Century Hall after the
service. Thank you to all the JMA members, the youth helpers - Teresa Hall,
Natasha Davies, Naomi Lowe & Tom Allen and to all who support JMA with
regular giving. New members are always welcome. Please speak to Ruth Mallard
or pick up a leaflet from the mission notice board.
Ruth Mallard
Funding for Mission
The Fund for World Mission supports many projects throughout the world. Here
is just one of them: Chapel of Hope, Church of Pakistan. Following the massacre
during the service last October, the Christian community has been working
quietly to re-establish itself as a body of peaceable and loving citizens,
but anti-western sentiments continue to run high adding to the anxiety of
the Christians. With the building of this Chapel of Hope, which is also a
community centre, the Church of Pakistan is showing its commitment to her
people and to all people of faith.
During recent years the Methodist Church has been asking how best to support
the one mission of the whole Church. At the 2003 Methodist Conference it was
decided to continue with the present system of the Methodist Church Fund (which
can be used for any Methodist purpose) and a small number of subsidiary funds,
which can be used for any particular purpose. The Conference affirmed the
importance of the funds and appealed to all Methodists to support them:
o The Methodist Church Fund
o The Methodist Church Fund for Home Mission (with its subsidiary, Mission
Alongside the Poor)
o The Methodist Church Fund for World Mission
o The Methodist Church Fund for Property
Church councils are being encouraged to make their gifts to the Methodist
Church Fund, which will allow the money to be used when and where it is most
need at the time. There is a leaflet on the mission board for anyone requiring
further information. Thank you to everyone for their mission giving.
Ruth Mallard
Earth Song
Taken from the Tear Fund activist magazine.
CHANGES
The climate has been through an intense period of change over recent years,
throwing up increasingly extreme weather. Rising levels of rain, temperatures
and sea levels increase the risk of disasters, and the poor are hit hardest.
It's hard to pin all the blame for disaster losses on climate change when
other factors like population growth and urbanization are involved, but scientists
do think that weather-related losses are increasing as expected considering
the changes in climate.
In the 1990s there were 87 "natural" disasters (hurricanes, cyclones,
floods etc.) while in the 1950s there were just 20. A quick look at the last
five years shows that these extreme cases are becoming frighteningly familiar.
AFRICA Drought across the south led to crop failure for the third year running in 2000, leaving 16 million people at risk of famine. In the same year a tropical cyclone also hit Mozambique, prompting the worst floods in 50 years and leaving one million people homeless.
EUROPE The floods of November 2000 were the country's worst since 1625. Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott called them "a wake up call" to climate change.
ASIA Hundreds were killed and 2 million people were left homeless after flooding in Bangladesh in October 2000. One year earlier the Orissa cyclone claimed 100,000 lives in India. In August 2001 5 million Afghans faced starvation after 3 years of drought. 70,000 fled across the Pakistan border.
LATIN AMERICA Hurricane Mitch kills 11,000 throughout Honduras and Nicaragua in 1998. Two years later and 3 million are still dependent on aid for survival. In August 2001, 1.4 million people face food shortages in Central America after severe drought.
REASONS
So we can see things are changing, but what about the link? Much of the warming
observed over the last 50 years is attributable to human activities. While
we might find the idea of better British summers quite appealing, the reality
of the situation is far less reassuring. Climate change is rarely safe and
predictable. The main cause of global warming is the invisible ceiling of
Carbon Dioxide. The earth has a way of combating Carbon Dioxide, with trees
and vegetation soaking it up and turning it into oxygen. The ocean also absorbs
Carbon Dioxide, but currently the ocean and the land together are only taking
up half of our Carbon Dioxide emissions.
We're churning out way more than the earth can cope with.
CONSEQUENCES
When the worst floods in 400 years hit suburban England most people affected
had the backing of insurance and the security of well-built houses. For Nur
Mohammed and the millions like him living with poverty worldwide, life is
a little different. The shocking truth is that 96% of deaths from natural
disasters occur in developing countries. We can lessen the impact of natural
disasters by working with vulnerable communities, delivering relief that helps
in the short term and introducing support for the long term. We can also tackle
the problem of environmental change by altering our own lifestyle choices.
CHANGE YOUR WORLD
Some ideas:
1. Walk or cycle rather than use the car.
2. Be energy efficient: use low energy light bulbs, switch appliances off
properly and wash clothes at a lower temperature.
3. Encourage people to switch to an electricity supplier that puts wind energy
into the grid rather than burning fossil fuels. For info: www.greenelectricity.org
4. Avoid packaging-heavy convenience food. Go for fresh local produce instead.
5. Look out for and support environment campaigns.
Ruth Mallard
Our Family Photograph Album
Before Chris came we prepared for him a photograph album showing our Church
members. Since then our family has grown! There are new babies and people
who have moved to Ashbourne. If you have not had your photograph taken please
would you make yourself known to Hedley Alcock, our photographer. If you have
had your photograph taken and you don't like the result, Hedley is willing
to take another.
People who are new to our Church find the album very useful as it helps
them put names to faces and I daresay some of us who have been around
a time have had a look to check on a name or two!
Trade Justice
Some of you signed postcards and wrote letters to the Government asking them
to make sure that Trade Justice was at the top of the agenda at the recent
trade talks in Cancun. Unfortunately, the talks collapsed after poor countries
refused to be bullied by the US and EU (including the UK). It seems that our
government wanted to side with its rich allies in Europe and the US, rather
than working for the benefit of the poor of our world. This means that we
need to keep up our campaign by continuing our letter-writing, postcard-signing
and MP-lobbying. Watch this space for more information about how you can help.
Don't forget that I have pin badges available in red or silver for £2
and Trade for Life T-shirts at £8 so you can show your support for the
campaign.
Below is an extract of Christian Aid's response to the news of the collapse
of the talks that you may find interesting.
Stuart Green
Cancun Collapse:
Christian Aid's initial response
16.09.03
On Sunday 14th September, in a flurry of excitement and activity the world
trade talks in Cancun dramatically collapsed. Despite three intensive days
of negotiations, delegates failed to reach agreement and the talks came to
an abrupt end. What does this mean for the future of the WTO and trade negotiations?
Pascal Lamy, the European Union's trade commissioner and chief negotiator
in Mexico, described the collapse of the talks as a 'failure'. Meanwhile delegates
and representatives from poor countries cheered at the outcome.
Christian Aid believes that no deal is certainly better than a bad deal and
that there are some real messages of hope and strength to be taken from the
summit.
Good news
Poor countries were well prepared and refused to be bullied in to agreeing
to a deal they did not want.
Poor countries were successful in preventing the introduction of the so-called
'New Issues' onto the WTO agenda. This was described as a 'victory for campaigners'
by Martin Khor, Director of Third World Network.
Poor countries have succeeded in making their case at the WTO and exhibited
an impressive show of strength.
Poor countries made it clear that if you want to have a 'development round'
of trade talks, you have to listen to what people in developing countries
want.
During the negotiations the EU announced it was willing to drop discussions
on two of the 'New Issues' of investment and competition.
The world media are much more aware of the issues surrounding the World Trade
Organisation.
Many poor country delegates expressed support and thanks to trade justice
campaigners and urged them to continue campaigning.
Bad news
Developed countries missed an opportunity to place poor countries concerns
at the heart of trade negotiations. Thousands of poor peole will continue
to suffer under the impact of unfair trade rules.
Little attention was paid to the right of poor countries to protect and support
their own producers.
Rich countries refused to focus primarily on the concerns of poor countries
and continued to try and push ahead with their own agenda.
The draft declaration which formed the basis of the negotiations was clearly
biased in favour of rich countries
Christian Aid calls upon the UK government to:
1. Press the European Commission to formally announce a new negotiating mandate
that will make clear that the EU is no longer demanding that the WTO launch
negotiations on investment and competition.
2. Note the anger felt by developing countries at being asked for the excessive
liberalisation of their agricultural markets while there is no substantial
reduction in support to farmers in rich countries. The government should take
note of the strength of feeling on this issue and should press the European
Commission to drop its demands for far-reaching agricultural liberalisation
in developing countries. The European Commission should endorse the rights
of developing countries to protect their poor farmers from unfair competition
Rural Projects in Burundi
We are very pleased that on Thursday 2nd October, at 7.30pm, Geoffrey Ndagijiman
from Burundi will be coming to talk to us about the work of Christian Aid's
partners in Burundi. Geoffrey has been a pastor in the Baptist Church since
the early 1990s and has worked in a variety of roles in the church, most notably
being the coordinator for various rural projects of the Baptist Church throughout
the country.
He will be accompanied by Sue Richardson, the East Midlands Area Coordinator
for Christian Aid and together they will paint a picture for us of life in
this country which has seen so much recent tragedy.
Many of us give a great deal of time, effort and money in supporting Christian
Aid throughout the year - and especially during Christian Aid Week. I am sure
that hearing about Geoffrey's experiences will help bring to life just how
important this work is.
Please come along to St Oswald's Church Hall with your friends and please
encourage others to come too, so that we can offer him a warm welcome. Refreshments
will be served, and admission is free.
Stuart Green
Operation Christmas Child
Last month, we asked you to consider filling a shoe box with gifts for children
in deprived or traumatised areas, particularly countries which have been hit
by way, famine or catastrophe. Leaflets are now available on the table in
the vestibule - please take one and see how you can help.
Sunday 16th November is the day when we will display the boxes in Church,
and ask Rev John Perkins (our preacher on that Sunday morning) to bless the
project before we take the boxes to the local collection point. Please have
them ready by them and bring them to the service. Our target this year is
200 boxes. Marianne (Matthews) and Betty (Hadley) have videos showing children
opening gifts received last Christmas. If you would like to borrow one, please
ask.
On Saturday 18th October, we have a Quiz Night at Hurtswood, Buxton Road.
This event will raise funds to pay for the transport of the boxes. If you
would like tickets, please ask Marianne or Betty. The cost is £10, to
include a hot buffet supper. Tables are for 6 people.
Betty Hadley
Competition!
Are you creative? Can you draw? Design? Sketch? Use Paint on a PC?
How about creating a cover that can be used on the Church magazine?
I'm after designs that can be used for one-off covers - so you might
like to draw something that matches a particular month (eg. Christmas
pictures for December, Spring pictures for April) or something more general
(a picture of people in church, or of the church itself).
Entries, no bigger than 14cm square (approx 5½") and suitable
for photocopying (in other words, in light-shaded colours), should be given
to me at Church or put in the Pigeon-hole in the office at church. Please
include your name (and age if under 18). The judge's decision is final and
I can't be bribed or bullied!
There are 4 categories, and a winner from each will get a special prize!
Aged 10 or under
Aged 11-14
Aged 15-18
Adult (aged 19 or over)
Stuart Green
Dates for your Diary
SEPTEMBER
Tues 30th 12.30pm Ashbourne Church Lunch Ashbourne
OCTOBER
Thurs 2nd 7.30pm Rural Projects in Burundi Talk St Oswald's Hall
Wed 8th Women's Network District Day Ashby-de-la-Zouch
Sun 12th 9am Brailsford_Alive@9 Brailsford
Sat 18th 10am Cards for Good Causes Town Hall
Sat 18th Operation Christmas Child Quiz Night Hurtswood
Sun 19th 10.30am JMA Sunday Ashbourne
Sun 19th 3pm URC Thanksgiving service St John's Church
Sun 19th - 26th One World Week "Moving Stories" Quiz around the
town
Thurs 23rd 7.30pm Mission Aviation Fellowship Talk Ashbourne
Sat 25th 8pm Saturday Night Live Waterside
Sun 26th 9am Brailsford_Alive@9 Brailsford
Tues 28th 12.30pm Ashbourne Church Lunch Ashbourne
Thurs 30th 7.30pm One World Week "Moving Stories" St Oswald's Hall
NOVEMBER
Sun 2nd MHA Sunday
If you would like to contribute an article for the magazine, I will be happy
to publish it.
Items for the November Ashbourne Church magazine to me by 9pm on Wednesday
15th October