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Ashbourne Methodist Circuit Magazine
September 2003
Praise and thanksgiving,
Father, we offer,
For all things living
You have made good;
Harvest of sown fields,
Fruits of the orchard,
Hay from the mown fields,
Blossom and wood.†
†Verse on Cover from Hymns & Psalms No 350, Albert F Bayly (1901-84) alt
September 2003
From the Manse
Dear friends,
We live in an ever changing world. And one where that change is becoming ever
more rapid. It is a world of computers and instant communication. A world
where events taking place thousands of miles away are seen live on our T.V.
screens. A world where we think nothing of taking a weeks holiday in a country
on a different continent, half a world away. A world where tourists from the
West can so easily slip into treating the world as a playground and forget
the people whose world and culture they have invaded.
There is a similar gulf between the world of the Bible and the world of today. A fact which makes it ever harder to simply pick out texts from the Bible and throw them out as simple solutions to some modern 21st century problem. This is the problem which preachers have to wrestle with, trying to discern how God's word spoken to a people in a particular place and culture two or three thousand years ago, can apply to us today in our modern world.
Sometimes in history the church has tried to fossilise the Bible and its teachings, making them immutable, fixed rules which can never be changed. Then when scientific discovery has exposed some teachings as false, for some the bedrock of their faith has been shattered, and their faith evaporates. They join the growing number who dismiss the Bible and Religion as a thing of the past, part of an archaic culture, irrelevant to the modern world.
Yet it is in the Bible that we discover our God is a living God. Our God
is not a fossil belonging to a bygone age. Neither is his word simply a relic
of the past, a piece of history. God is the God of the living, the God who
invites us to live with him. He sent his son Jesus that we might have life,
life in all its fullness. That we might enter into his eternal life, to have
a living relationship with him and know his guidance, his leading, his strength
to face all the problems our 21st century living brings.
From the Bible we learn the Word of God is alive and active, sharper than
any two edged sword.(Hebrews 4v12). It can cut to the heart, discerning the
thoughts of heart and mind. The Word of God is alive and active, it is able
to cross the centuries and speak to us today, to bring us new challenges,
to assure us God is with us as we face today's world.
We have a living God, who speaks a living word, to us who have a living faith.
There is one change in our church scene here in Ashbourne. The United Reformed Church has ceased to worship at St. Johns and has joined with Wirksworth U.R.C. to form the West Derbyshire U.R.C.. Some URC members have chosen to worship with us in Ashbourne. We welcome them and pray they will soon feel at home amongst us. With this change comes the offer to make more use of the URC ministers Mair Bradley and Duncan Tuck. We will discuss this offer at our Circuit Meeting on 23rd September.
I close with some words from that great hymn "Abide with Me"
Change and decay in all around I see;
O thou who changest not, abide with me.
God Bless,
Chris
Partnership with Patna
INVITATION FROM ASHBOURNE CHURCHES TOGETHER TO THE DIOCESE OF PATNA
An invitation for 5 people from Patna Diocese to visit us has now been sent
to Bishop Philip. We hope that they will be with us for two weeks in May 2004,
including the time of the Tissington Well Dressings. Incomes in India are
much less than in the UK. We shall have to raise money to pay for the air
fares and for transport in the UK. Please look out for details of events.
We are also looking for people to host a visitor. The intention is to accommodate
our visitors for one week in homes in Ashbourne and for one week in the surrounding
villages. Please consider if you would be able to help in this way. Your guest
would be out for most of the day and for most meals except breakfast.
Elizabeth Hurfurt
Local Preachers
You may have noticed on our plan that our friends Tracy Dawson and Roger Mallard
have now moved from being 'On Note' to 'On Trial'. Both have now completed
the 'On Note' portion of Local Preacher Training and now go to take services
on their own.
Yet they are not on their own, since Diana and Tim will always be on hand
to give them advice, and Rev Chris Eddy will be tutoring them through the
theory side of their 'Faith & Worship Course' - and adding his experience
to their work. You can play your part too, by praying for Roger and Tracy
as they continue on their course and by encouraging them, attending the services
they take in the Circuit - being part of that 'Great Cloud of Witness' for
them at your church or chapel.
We give thanks to God for the call he made to Tracy and Roger and give thanks
that they answered the call.
We also give thanks for the call of Stuart Mustow and I ask you to pray for
his work as a newly accredited Local Preacher to our Circuit. We pray that
the Lord will richly bless him in his work in our Circuit.
We give thanks too, yet this accompanied with sadness, for the life of Mrs
Rena Wilcox who died not long ago. No doubt many of you will have read the
epitaph in the Ashbourne News Telegraph about her and I would like to add
my tribute to her, yet one wonders where to start. The Bible studies and fellowship
at her home in 'The Avenue' in Mayfield, Bible studies like no other with
cats vying for a place on one's knee or Rena holding a chirping canary in
the folds of her cardigan. Being invited to meetings and making sure one got
home afterwards - even if it meant a 60-mile round trip to take me home to
Stockport. Many met the Lord through them, at Mayfield or at The Barn Meeting
at Hulme End (one even met his future wife there) and, with Mr Wilcox, their
unstinting 'giving' to all that met them - all who touched her life will know
the blessing they received. We give thanks for the life of a great lady and
pray for the comforting love of The Lord to be with Mary, John, Philip and
all her family at their time of loss.
Tom Parkinson, Local Preachers Secretary
Book Review
"CHANGING WORLD - CHANGING CHURCH"
Among the excellent new books for sale in the Cornerstone Coffee Shop is "Changing
World - Changing Church" by Michael Moynagh. A "Must-Read"
for all who are concerned about the failure of much of organised Christianity
to connect with the modern generation. Michael Moynagh's analysis of the situation
facing today's church is salutary, but he points beyond the struggles of the
present to practical ways of re-connecting with our contemporaries, if only
we have the courage to think outside the box. This is a book that should be
read by all those in any kind of church leadership and could usefully form
the basis for group discussion. Highly recommended.
Stuart Mustow
Kniveton
Friends who have shared worship in Kniveton Chapel will have met John. After
a short time of sharing worship in the chapel he saw our need for another
organist and filled the need with infectious joy and enthusiasm. The news
of his sudden and unexpected death on his way to work came as a complete shock
to all who knew him and of course most sharply to his dearly-loved wife Christine
and sons Robert and Martin. We had come to appreciate the warmth and genuineness
of his friendship, and as we remember John we bear in prayer Christine and
their sons in a time of such loss and grief.
WELL DRESSINGS
Kniveton was transformed by the arrival of a large family of scarecrows during
Well-Dressing week. Passers-by left their cars to admire the new creations.
A few fell in love with the strangers and carried them off! Others, in a different
frame of mind, assaulted a few of the poor crows and left their remains by
the roadside!
Congratulations to Mrs Broughton who won the competition with her scarecrow
"Aunty Sally" and received a prize of £50!
The theme of the Well Dressing event was "Farming and the Land"
and the wells were decorated to celebrate the farming community. The Rev Chris
Eddy led the procession on the Sunday as the wells were blessed and took the
service in the chapel at the end of the long walk from the church to each
well and finally to the chapel well and the chapel.
GOOD NEWS DRIVE-IN SERVICE
This service was held at the Breck Farm on a glorious evening in July. The
Chesterfield Mission Choir led the singing, personal testimonies were given
and the preacher was evangelist Daniel Howson. People came form considerable
distances and formed an enthusiastic and appreciative congregation. The evening
was arranged by the Faith Mission.
Sister Merle
Kirk Ireton
The monthly services continue to be well-attended and I believe greatly enjoyed.
Usually, some members of the village choir join us and share the singing.
It seems like a miracle to those of us who journeyed on in faith with only
three or four people present and we thank God for his leading and pray for
his continuing blessings.
The chapel Harvest Festival will be on 28th September, when the Chairman of
District will be the preacher. This will be Wesley's first visit to the chapel
at Kirk Ireton and you are warmly invited to share the celebrations with us.
Sister Merle
Ashbourne Women's Fellowship
Womens' Fellowship restarts on Tuesday 9th September after the summer break.
You are more than welcome to join us at 2.15pm.
9th September- My Nursing Career, Elizabeth Heap
23rd September- Sister Merle
If you would like transport, please ring Carole Thorpe no later than the Sunday
evening before the meeting the following Tuesday. Please be assured of a very
warm welcome - if you'd like more information, please contact me.
Margaret Bacon
Auxiliary Fund of the Methodist Church
In addition to donations made to other Connexional Funds, every Church is
encouraged to make an annual contribution to the Auxiliary Fund, which exists
to provide assistance to retired Ministers (Ministerial Supernumeraries) and
their spouses or widows who are faced with unexpected expenditure. This is
usually administered in the way of small grants that most commonly relate
to property repairs, specialised health or mobility equipment, removal costs
at the end of ministry or general financial problems.
Currently, annual grants exceed £300,000 and for the 2001/02 Connexional
year a grant of £25,000 was given to the Methodist Ministers' Housing
Society. Our District continues to show the high esteem it holds for our Ministers
by its contributions of £9574.62, a generous increase over the past
two years of 5.18% which, during a period of increasing demands on Circuit
finances, is to be commended.
Our District also contributed £4143.52 directly to the Housing Society,
which is an independent Provident Society formed over 50 years ago to house
retired Methodist Minsters, Deacons and their widow(ers) of limited means.
At the end of the year the Society housed 881 ministerial tenants. Its total
incoming resources were £2,958,940 and the resources expended in the
year were £2,158,841. Whilst it is independent, the Housing Society
retains close links with the Methodist Church, and is grateful for the continuing
generous support given by our District, Circuits, Churches and individuals
who faithfully support this ongoing work.
John Hunter, Auxiliary Fund Treasurer
Ashbourne Church Prayer Diary
In June I wrote to all the families within the life of this church about the
Prayer Diary that the Church Council is proposing to produce. Each member
of each family will be listed, along with their address and telephone number,
so that we can pray for everyone within the church on a regular basis.
If you have not received a letter or have recently started worshipping with
us, there are spare copies on the table in the vestibule. Please complete
the form and return it to me in my pigeon hole at church, by post to 12 Cavendish
Drive, Ashbourne or email me the information to cthorpe@tinyonline.co.uk.
If you do not wish your address or your telephone number to appear in the
diary, and have not replied to my letter it is important to let me know as
soon as possible. Your address and telephone number will appear unless you
tell me otherwise!
Carole Thorpe, Church Council Secretary
Women's Network
EDUCARE MEETING
There will be a meeting at Hulland on Thursday 4th September, commencing at
2.15pm. The speaker will be Mr Arnie Kells of Mansfield, who will speak on
the Educare (Phakamisa) Project. We have supported the Educare Project for
several years. It assists and helps to establish pre-school groups for children
in the township of Pinetown, near Durban in South Africa. Mr Kells has visited
the project this summer and will be able to give us up-to-date information.
There will be a bring and buy stall and refreshments will be served at the
end of the meeting. All are welcome.
PRAYER WALK
There will be a Prayer Walk on Saturday 6th September commencing at 8am from
the Tissington car park. It is an effort to get to Tissington for 8am on a
Saturday, but I can assure you that it will be worth while. The atmosphere
walking round this beautiful village at this time takes a lot of beating.
We walk around the village, stopping every now and then for a meditation or
prayer finishing at the chapel for breakfast - a lovely time of fellowship.
Please come along.
DISTRICT DAY
May I remind you of the District Day on Wednesday 8th October. This is to
be held in Ashby-de-la-Zouch. I am sure that Harry and Lyn would be pleased
to see as many as are able to attend on this occasion. The day commencing
with registration and coffee from 10am, a meeting at 10.30am and lunch at
approximately 12.30pm (please take a packed lunch, drinks available). There
is a service at 2pm, when the speaker will be Sister Sue Fry, who will be
speaking of her work in Kenya.
If you require transport to any of these events, please contact me and I
will endeavour to arrange it for you. If you can offer transport, perhaps
you could also let me know.
Alma Swan
Greenbelt
This was my first year at Greenbelt, but I had heard a lot about it from my
two older sisters, Rowan and Lorna who had been the year before so I wasn't
really nervous about going, just excited.
It was held at Cheltenam race course as usual and when we arrived I was amazed
to see how huge it all was and how many people were there, but it took us
no time at all to settle in as everyone was so nice and friendly and willing
to help.
Over the weekend, we went to lots of events and music concerts such as: Kate
Rusby in concert, The London Community Gospel Choir, Umoja (an African dance
theatre group) and lots more including several seminars and discussions. On
the Sunday everybody went to a big service and we had Commuion and a picnic
all together on the grass.
I wasn't the only first timer this year, others were; Tom Dawson, Tom and
Natasha Allen, Ezra Morris, Graham Constable, Bec Webb and Emma Fisher. And
I think I speak for everyone, including the new comers when I say that we
had a really great time and thankyou to Stuart, Catherine, Jacqui, Ian and
Mark for making it possible for us.
Jen Bale
One World Group
In addition to the above notices, please make a note in your diary of the
following events that will be happening during October.
CARDS FOR GOOD CAUSES
This will be held on Saturday 18th October in Ashbourne Town Hall from 10am.
Please come along to our new venue - you're assured of a good selection of
cards, as well as refreshments.
ONE WORLD WEEK
One World Week runs from 19th - 26th October and during this time there will
be "Moving Stories" around the town - watch this space for further
details, but be assured that it should provide a talking point!
This week-long event will lead up to an event on Thursday 30th October in
St Oswald's Church Hall. "Moving Stories" will tell a trilogy of
"Moving Stories" - three stories - three continents - three voices
(and food!).
We hope you'll be able to support these activities - and spread the word to
your friends and family.
Stuart Green
Brailsford Alive @ 9
9am on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of each month, often with a light breakfast.
Why not try it, you might be surprised!
Jane Baker
Jamboree!
Ashbourne One World Group would like to invite you to come along to a presentation
by the three Ashbourne Scouts who went to the World Scout Jamboree. The meeting
will be held in St Oswald's Church Hall on Wednesday 3rd September at 7.30pm.
The Scouts will share with us their experiences in Thailand and South Korea
last Christmas and New Year - which should make for a very interesting and
lively evening. Please come along to this meeting (the first time they have
talked to an open meeting in Ashbourne) to see and hear about their adventures.
Stuart Green
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 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
Mission Matters
Dates for your diary - forthcoming Circuit events
REFUGEES & ASYLUM SEEKERS- Thursday 11th September, 7.30pm. Century Hall.
An evening of information, entertainment and worship - display boards, sketches,
quiz, talks and worship session. Led by the Methodist Church & Society
Roadshow Team.
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 compliments the One World Week theme "Moving Stories".
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. We hope to have
a JMA display in the Century Hall after the service. Will anyone who has JMA
"memorabilia" that they are willing to loan for the display please
speak to Ruth Mallard.
Racial Justice Sunday - 14th September 2003
ONE RACE, THE HUMAN RACE
What are we trying to achieve by observing Racial Justice Sunday? We are aiming
to:
- raise awareness of each other's cultures and experiences
- understand ourselves, our own roots and identity
- understand the feelings of people from different cultures
- become more inclusive and outward looking
- become more welcoming
- encourage all members to contribute to the service of the community
- remember that whatever our skin colour, ethnicity or culture we are all
children of God
- deepen our understanding of being "one in Christ"
- face up to the challenge of living this out in practice
- tackle injustice, not ignore it.
So Racial Justice Sunday is an opportunity for all Christians living in Britain
and Ireland to join together in:
- Thinking about racial justice
- Thanksgiving for human diversity
- Prayer for an end to misunderstanding, racism and injustice
- Action that truly makes a difference
- Fundraising for national and local racial justice initiatives.
Happy Methodist New Year!
CHALLENGES FOR US AND OUR CHURCH.
September is the start of a new church year. In the last edition of the Methodist
Church Mission Matters magazine there was an article "Love in word and
deed" which seems good to share at this time:
"Churches Information for Mission have recently published the results
of the national survey of church life for each of the participating denominations.
If one is concerned about the mission of the church, it makes interesting
reading. Methodists are more likely to be involved in community action such
as community service, social justice or welfare activities (23% of Methodists,
15% for all other denominations), but much less likely to be involved in evangelism
(7% of Methodists, 13% for all other denominations).
Perhaps another way of expressing the data is that Methodists are very good
at demonstrating the love of Christ, but not so good at explaining the source
of that love. If we wish to proclaim the love of Christ in words as well as
in deeds, there are a number of ways of doing this. We can think about our
church programme and see if there are bridge activities where Christians and
those searching for faith can meet in safety. Once people realise that Christians
are human, we might like to think about how we share what we believe, both
informally through personal sharing and formally through the programmes of
the church. There are a huge number of Christian discovery courses available
- Alpha (which our church runs, of course), Essence, Journey etc. Church membership
classes are yet another way of exploring the relevance of faith."
Susan Johnson (Methodist Mission Education Co-ordinator) has been challenged
to share with us some of the questions that have been challenging her this
year.
o Are we keen to reach others who have different lifestyles from ours?
o Do we welcome only those that fit our expectations?
o Do our circuits have strategies to reach out into prisons, into the lives
of the homeless, the poor and the outcast of our society?
o Do we try to find out about the lives of the young people who hang around
on our street corners?
o How can we really show the love that God has for all people?
Christians in the Holy Land
We had a very interesting evening on 16th July when Nichola Jones gave a fascinating
talk about the realities of life today in the Holy Land. This was illustrated
with wonderful photographs. Thank you to all who supported that eye-opening
evening.
We encourage everyone to feel welcome at all Circuit Mission Events. Why not
come along to one of the autumn mission evenings and bring a friend? If you
have any enquiries, comments or suggestions please speak to Ruth or Roger
Mallard.
Ruth Mallard
A prayer for peace in Iraq & all of the Middle East
Lord grant us peace:
Not the partial peace of silent guns,
but the fulfilled peace of lasting security.
Not the uneasy peace of people under control,
but the deep peace of justice experienced by all.
Not the tense peace that wonders what will happen next,
but the rich peace of nations, tribes and peoples as one.
Lord grant us peace,
and create in the hearts of humankind
a desire to see all people living in justice and safety. Amen.
A Christian Aid Prayer
Operation Christmas Child
As I write this article, which concerns Christmas, the temperature outside
is in the 80's (F) and Christmas seems a long way off. However, many of us
are already thinking about Operation Christmas Child, and have been doing
so for many months. We have already received knitted teddy bears, scarves,
hats and gloves. Pretty bags for the bears are being sewn. A good start! If
you have spare material remnants lying around, or suitable wool for making
into bears, scarves, etc. Marianne or Betty would be grateful to receive these.
(see phone numbers below).
Please think about contributing again this year. Leaflets will be on the vestibule
table giving more details of things to include, and what to leave out. We
would like to increase the number of boxes for boys, particularly in the 10-14
years bracket, but also the 2 - 4 years group. A reminder that the breakdown
last year was:
Girls: 2-4 yrs. 24 boxes: 5-9 yrs. 58 boxes: 10-14 yrs.17 boxes.
Boys: 2-4 yrs.17 boxes: 5-9 years 52 boxes: 10-14 yrs. 12 boxes.
We will again have a box in church in which you can place small gifts. Shoe
boxes (medium sized) will be needed. If you don't have a box already ask at
a shoe shop - they usually have some lying around which are not needed. As
well as boxes, financial contributions are also very much needed towards the
cost of transport.
Last year we sent off 180 boxes, £683.80, and a quantity of soft toys
for the charity to use. Can we increase the total this year? We have until
mid-November to collect the boxes. If you want more information please ring
Marianne Matthews or Betty Hadley.
Betty Hadley & Marianne Matthews
Harvest Festival Dried Food collection
Ashbourne Church's Harvest Festival will this year be on Sunday 28th September.
As usual we shall be supporting the Ashbourne Churches Together One World
Group collection of dried foodstuffs. Some schools and churches will also
be using their harvest services in this way and there will be a public collection
at St Oswald's church hall on the morning of Saturday 27th September from
10.00 am until noon.
We are again sending the food to Belarus with ConVoy of Hope with Ann Rimmer
from Cubley. She went to Belarus with ConVoy of Hope last year and speaks
very highly of them.
They are asking for the following:-
Pasta, Rice, Sugar, Plain Flour, Pulses and Dried Fruit, all in packets.
Please note that tins and jars are not acceptable as they are too heavy. The
Belarussian authorities will not accept any meat or milk products from the
UK. This means that powdered milk cannot be taken. Please ensure that the
sell by date is May 2004 or later, the Belarussian authorities are very strict
about this.
As usual it costs money to transport the goods to Belarus and so monetary
donations would be very acceptable.
We shall be decorating the church in a traditional manner, as last year. More
details of this later.
John Hurfurt
2003 Chernobyl Children's Lifeline Visit
At the end of April, Lester and I made our second visit to Belarus. It had
been a late spring there and we saw the remnants of snow. Within the two weeks
of our visit, things really changed and everything became green and the 'dasha'
(smallholdings) were a hive of activity with all the crops being set to provide
the food they rely upon to keep them through the winter - potatoes being the
most important. We were told that they have over 200 recipes for potatoes
- including making sweets.
We visited many families while we were there and the welcome and the meals
were unbelievable. There are not many cars, but transport was always organised
to take us to different places, as was an interpreter. It was good to see
the six children who had stayed with us and to see they were reasonably well,
and doing well at school. We were tired when we arrived home on 11th May,
but felt closer to a lot of special people, and brought many happy memories
back with us.
At the beginning of June this year, children arrived again in Ashbourne and
we had Dima and Zhenya staying with us - two lovely boys. Dima had his thirteenth
birthday while he was here. Once again it was a full programme for the month,
with visits to Alton Towers (thanks to JCB), sailing at Carsington Water and
a visit to the Snowdome at Tamworth and many other interesting excursions.
We were very sad to see the boys going home, but there is always next year
to look forward too.
Lester and Linda
Trafficking of Women and Children
Members of the Ashbourne Church will have read an article about this in the
May Magazine. Trafficking is when people are moved from one place to another,
usually across a border, for the purposes of exploitation. It should not be
confused with people smuggling as those who are smuggled are free to leave
the smugglers when they reach their destination. A person who is trafficked
becomes a slave and may be forced into commercial sexual exploitation, domestic
service or manual labour. The United Nations estimates that 1.2 million children
across the world are trafficked each year.
In the Gospels, [Matthew 19 v 13 -15, Mark 10 v 13 - 16, Luke 18 v 15 - 17]
we read that Jesus blessed children. Can we allow children to be exploited?
There are two easy ways to help. If you have internet access you can visit
UNICEF UK's website - www.endchildexploitation.org.uk to help their campaign
to end child exploitation. The other way is to send a postcard to your MP
to ask him to urge the government to change the legislation so that the traffickers
can be more easily prosecuted and their victims more easily helped. Some postcards
are available at Ashbourne but if you would like more they can be obtained
from ECPAT UK - (0207 501 8927, email - ecpatuk@antislavery.org. This organisation
had sent out 5000 postcards by May 2003 and still have more!
Elizabeth Hurfurt
Alpha
We are again planning to run one or more Alpha courses starting at the end
of September this year. This is the timetable of events running up to then.
Monday 8th - Friday 12th September: a leaflet campaign aimed at the whole
town. In 2001 we delivered 1000 leaflets in South Ashbourne. In 2002 we
delivered 2000 leaflets covering both South and Central Ashbourne. This
year we aim to do the whole town, approx 3000 leaflets. We reckon about 100
leaflets per hour so we need volunteers to total around 30 hours work. We
hope many people will be able to help either during the day or in the
evenings. Please contact Jeff Ffoulkes to tell him when you can help.
Thursday 18th September: Alpha Prayer Evening. Jacqui Marsh is organising
this so please book the date and look out for more information.
Wednesday 24th September: Alpha Supper in the Century Hall. This is the event
that the leaflets will be inviting people to and we hope to see lots of
people there. Please try and invite a friend or a neighbour (and come with
them), personal invitations are always the most successful.
Monday 29th September - Friday 3rd October: Alpha Course(s) begin
Jeff Ffoulkes
Youth & Community Worker's Corner
ROGER MALLARD
The Ashbourne Churches Together holiday clubs have been a success with over
200 children attending them throughout the summer and at the time of writing;
we still have the last holiday club and the 'Big Bash' service at Hill Top
School to come as the final event. The holiday clubs have been successful
in other ways; particularly bringing individual members of each church together
- to work together and this has fostered new and stronger relationships between
us. The gospel message has unashamedly been brought home to the children and
we who have run it have worked together as Christians in unity.
We have subsequently agreed to work together in bringing an Ashbourne Alternative
Halloween Evening for children. If you would like to be involved in helping/planning
it, please let me know.
Thank you to everyone who helped make the holiday clubs a success, for giving
up their time and working so lovingly with the children in so many capacities.
The end of the summer holidays herald a new season of activities - all of
which cannot happen without your support and prayers. A lot of hard work (by
a few people) has gone into setting up various activities and events over
the last 12 months and now in my second year we have an opportunity to strengthen
them and see them start to bear fruit. We all have a part to play in seeing
God's work bear fruit and unless you play your part the ministry that God
called me to do and the job you employed me to do will be all in vain. Some
will say that if God wants the job done He will make sure the helpers come
forward and to that I would say that those of you reading this now are the
helpers that God wants to use, but you have a choice - free will.
There are imminent & urgent needs right now.
Parwich Youth Club
We are working on involving parents and people from within Parwich to help
run the club and there has been some success, but not enough as yet. Meanwhile,
it is crucial that this club keeps going and because of illness with one of
our most regular and staunch leaders, we are stretched and need some extra
help. We meet on a Monday night between 7pm and 9pm during school term time.
I usually provide transport for helpers. It's a good club. If you can help
or would like to know more let me know. Why not come along one night and see
what goes on?
Both the Anglican and Methodist Church in Parwich are low in numbers and as
from 5th October, (thereafter the 1st Sunday of each month) together; we will
be introducing an alternative worship service (similar to Brailsford's 9am
service) that will be held at the Village Memorial Hall starting at 10am.
The reason for the hall is because it has toilet facilities, running water,
a car park and is easily accessible. It is hoped we can encourage members
from Parwich Youth Club to be involved. We would like your support too. If
you can help musically, leading or attending until we are established it would
be so helpful to us. Please let me know if you can help.
Ashbourne Methodist Youth Club
Once again, because of illness to a staunch supporter and leader, we find
ourselves stretched and additional help is needed. We meet on Tuesday evenings
during school term time between 7pm and 8.30pm. We have a fun packed evening
and the kids and young people are great. There's great untapped potential
in this youth club that will remain that way until it can be better staffed.
If you can help, please let me know.
Saturday Night Live (Monthly)
This is for the young and young at heart. It's an evening of contemporary
worship and I would encourage you to come along and to invite friends to it
also. Regular commitments of help are also need for this event. We have to
set up equipment beforehand and put away after, in addition to providing refreshments.
If you can help please let me know. The next Saturday Night Live is 27th September.
The Venue - Saturday Night Café at Cornerstone
This is for young people. An opportunity to meet their friends, chill out,
eat some food, listen to some good music and have a good evening out here
in Ashbourne all for free or at an affordable price. We open every Saturday
evening between 7pm and 10pm. We really would like to see Ashbourne Methodist
young people supporting us and inviting their friends as well. 'The Venue'
is another part of our outreach strategy to young people but it will not work
without our young people making it work. There is a need for adult helpers
to come and run 'The Venue' of an evening that really consists of serving
up drinks (mainly cans) and serving food (the favourite seems to be Pot Noodles
or toast). We open between 7pm and 10pm. Setting up can take up to an hour
and we usually get away by 10.30pm if we have the appropriate help. So, Adults
if you can help, let me know and to the young people, please support this
great venture.
Kirk Ireton Youth Fellowship
We will meet on the 2nd and 4th Sundays each month. On the 2nd Sundays of
each month it will be held in the Methodist Chapel and will be more study
orientated (but fun) and on the 4th Sunday it will be at someone's home on
a more social basis. If you would like to lead a session, please let me know.
Brailsford
Well you all know about Brailsford Alive@9, that 9am contemporary worship
service. Thank you for your support but please keeping it coming. We need
it for a while longer. However, we hope that in giving your support, you are
being blessed in worship. The service is on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of each
month.
There's a lot still to happen at Brailsford, so please pray for the Church
as it continues to discern God's Will for the future.
The Seaside Rock Holiday Clubs at Brailsford were brilliant. Well-done Brailsford.
Please do come forward and offer help. If you're not sure, talk to me or come
along and see what's involved. Don't say no until you know! Your help is vital.
I can be contacted on 01335 346107 or by e-mail on rmallard@nascr.net or in
person at Church most weeks. If I'm not having a drink after the service,
I'm likely to be in Cornerstone putting things away after helping with the
BETA group. Thank you.
Roger Mallard
Which Way to Look?
September 2003, and we commence a new Connexional year in our Churches.
Very shortly our individual Church Councils will be meeting and planning for
this new year. We hope that through prayer they will be guided to plan wisely
and to look forward in eager anticipation of a strengthening of faith within
their respective congregations.
At least one of us, along with Chris will be with you at your meetings and
look forward to sharing fellowship with you.
This is also an opportunity to briefly look back over the past year. A lot
has happened in our Circuit in that time for which we have to give thanks.
First of all, Chris has completed his first year as our Superintendent Minister.
We have come to know him and likewise he has become used to our many foibles!
Together, we have endeavoured to 'knit' the Circuit ever closer through our
special Circuit services to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the birth of
John Wesley.
Having laid the foundations of his Ministry amongst us we anticipate that
Chris will be eager to build and develop that ministry in the year ahead.
Roger has also completed his first year as our Youth and Community worker.
We have marvelled at his enthusiasm and drive and we ask God's blessing on
Rogers' efforts and plans for this year.
We have also been blessed with another year of dedicated service from Sister
Merle. Her trust in the Lord and her hopes for the village Churches she serves,
are a beacon to guide all of us.
We wish to say thank you to Jane Baker for her time of dedicated service as
Secretary to the Circuit Meeting. Many of us know that there have been occasions
when Jane has found it difficult to continue but nevertheless she has 'come
through'. New opportunities in her Church life have arisen for Jane and she
now feels it is time for a change.
So, we need an immediate replacement. Despite an appeal in the Ashbourne monthly
newsletter and 'feelers' that have been put out, no one has yet responded.
Surely there is someone from within our Circuit who feels that they are called
to perform this duty. The Circuit Meeting meets, under normal circumstances,
twice a year and there are Agendas, Minutes and ongoing correspondence to
deal with. The use of computer facilities whilst desirable is not essential.
Please give this urgent matter some thought and prayer; ring Jane for more
information; ring Chris to talk it through and then say …… yes.
Ann, Elizabeth and Eric (Circuit Stewards)
The tide is in (and out) at Brailsford!
The sun is shining, the sky is blue, the sand is golden and has shells, crabs,
buckets and spades. The lighthouse is guiding the fishing boat on the deep
blue sea. SEASIDE ROCK IS HAPPENING AT BRAILSFORD!
By the time this is published, we will have completed our five weekly holiday
clubs, today (20th Aug) has been our fourth, and we have had a record attendance
for Brailsford of 19 children.
We have used the Scripture Union book, video and CD. The rock theme has been
picked up in:
· Peter the rock - Jesus calls Peter
· The wise and foolish builders, Peter walking on the water
· Jesus heals Peter's mother-in-law
· Peter and the cross
· The rock that lives
Each day we have:
· had beach games and races.
· had team games and challenges
· sung the Seaside rock theme song and other action songs.
· learned a memory verse with a song and actions.
· had ice creams and drinks from our kiosk
· watched a video of Peter telling more about life with Jesus.
· learned about how we can have Jesus as our friend.
· used creative prayer.
· had beach crafts - painting, bead coasters, star crosses, bookmarks,
plasticine modelling, decorating fish biscuits, collages.
· had a brilliant time!
At the end of each day, each child has taken home a postcard with puzzles,
etc and the memory verse. At the last holiday club, each child will receive
a little book about Jesus and the fishermen and a stick of rock with JESUS
THE ROCK through the middle.
Please pray for all the children who have attended the holiday clubs in Ashbourne,
Kirk Ireton, Parwich and Brailsford. Please also remember the families of
the children. The childrens' work is a vital part of outreach and many seeds
have been sown during these holiday clubs.
Jane Baker
Bursary for Young People
As part of our church's giving to charities etc. it was decided to set up
a fund to provide bursaries for our own young people. The purpose is to help
fund projects or visits which you might wish to undertake. There are no firm
rules as yet but if you have any ideas which you think are worth supporting
please contact Chris Eddy or our treasurer, John Hurfurt
John Hurfurt
Trade Justice
The Trade Justice Campaign is continuing to work for international trade rules
that will work in favour of, not against, poor countries. In mid-September,
world leaders meet at Cancun, Mexico to discuss trade - and many people have
sent letters to Tony Blair, Patricia Hewitt (Trade & Industry Secretary)
and Baroness Amos (International Development Secretary) urging them to discuss
trade justice. A few sample letters are available with the magazine - or from
me.
Stuart Green
Family News
We send congratulations to all of the young people who have received their
exam results: for GCSEs, AS-levels and A-levels. We send special congratulations
to those who have been taking A-levels - Hannah Lemon, Jenny Marsh and Heather
Mawdsley. We also pray that they will have fun in the coming weeks as they
head off to university. Hannah and Jenny will both be going to Leeds and Heather
will be going to Nottingham Trent. We hope that they will have a great time
- and learn something too!
We also send congratulations and our love to Hannah on her 18th Birthday which
was on 24th August.
We welcome into our church family friends from the Ashbourne United Reform
Church and those recently moved into the area who are worshipping with us.
We continue to pray for all those who are unwell at the moment and their families.
We pray for Shirley Hill who is currently in St. Oswald's Hospital, Angela
Smith who continues to undergo treatment, John Latham, Norman Adderley and
Jim Woodhouse.
We hold in prayer the families of those who have died, and ask God's blessing
upon them. We think especially of Mrs. Betty Little and Family following Tom's
death, Mrs.May Hallam following the death of her mother, Catrin Harrhy and
family following the death of her father, Pete, Liz, Heather and John Mawdsley
on the death of Pete's father, Margaret and Don Cox following the death of
Margaret's nephew, the family of Mrs. Rena Wilcox, and Sandra and Cliff Lewer
and their family on the sudden death of Sandra's father, Mr. Stanley Cliffe.
Prayers
We continue to ask for you to especially remember the following
things in your prayers this month:
31st August Our friends at other Ashbourne churches
1st September Young people returning to school
2nd September New Church Stewards
3rd September Those households receiving Alpha leaflets
4th September The work of NCH
5th September
6th September Members of the Women's Network
7th September Local Preachers
8th September Venues for hosting the Alpha course
9th September Our local MP, Patrick McLoughlin
10th September World Leaders meeting in Cancun
11th September Refugees and asylum seekers around the world
12th September Those households receiving Alpha leaflets
13th September The Trade Justice Movement
14th September Our friends around the circuit
15th September The Church of North India
16th September Ashbourne Youth Club
17th September Young people going to university
18th September The forthcoming Alpha course
19th September The Church of North India
20th September Circuit Staff and Stewards
21st September The Khanya Project in Mooiplaas, South Africa
22nd September Housegroups
23rd September The work of The Leprosy Mission
24th September The Alpha Supper Initiative and those involved
25th September The work of NCH
26th September Alpha leaders preparing for the course
27th September Members of the public giving food for those in Belarus
Dates for your Diary
SEPTEMBER
Wed 3rd 7.30pm Scouts 'Jamboree' Presentation St Oswald's Hall
Sat 6th 8am Network Walk and Breakfast Tissington
Thurs 11th 7.30pm 'Refugees & Asylum Seekers' Roadshow Ashbourne
Sun 14th 9am Brailsford_Alive@9 Brailsford
Sun 14th 6.30pm Hulland Harvest Festival Thanksgiving Hulland
Mon 15th 7pm Hulland Harvest Sale Hulland
Thurs 18th 7.30pm Alpha Prayer Evening Ashbourne
Sun 19th 7pm Stanton Harvest Festival Stanton
Sun 21st 2.30pm Stanton Harvest Festival Stanton
Sat 27th 10am-noon Collection of Dried Goods for Belarus St Oswald's Hall
Sat 27th 8pm Saturday Night Live Waterside
Sun 28th 9am Brailsford_Alive@9 Brailsford
Sun 28th 2.30pm Parwich Harvest Festival Parwich
Sun 28th 6.30pm Ashbourne Harvest Festival Ashbourne
Sun 28th 6.30pm Kirk Ireton Harvest Festival Kirk Ireton
Tues 30th 12.30pm Ashbourne Church Lunch Ashbourne
OCTOBER
Thurs 2nd 7.30pm Rural Projects in Burundi Talk St Oswald's Hall
Sun 5th 10am United Service All Age Worship Parwich
Wed 8th Network Day Ashby-de-la-Zouch
Sun 12th 9am Brailsford_Alive@9 Brailsford
Sun 12th 10.45am & 6.30pm Brailsford Harvest Festival Brailsford
Sun 12th 2.30pm & 6.30pm Kniveton Harvest Festival Kniveton
Sun 12th 2.30pm Tissington Harvest Festival Tissington
Sat 18th 10am Cards for Good Causes Town Hall
Sun 19th 3pm URC Thanksgiving service St John's Church
Sun 19th - 26th One World Week "Moving Stories" around the town
Thurs 23rd 7.30pm Mission Aviation Fellowship 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 10am United Service All Age Worship Parwich
Sun 2nd MHA Sunday
Sun 9th 9am Brailsford_Alive@9 Brailsford
Sun 23rd 9am Brailsford_Alive@9 Brailsford
Tues 25th 12.30pm Ashbourne Church Lunch Ashbourne
Sat 29th 8pm Saturday Night Live Waterside
If you would like to contribute an article for the magazine, I will be happy
to publish it.
Items for the October Ashbourne Circuit magazine to me by 9pm on Wednesday
17th September