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Magazine April 2006
From The Manse
Dear Friends,
We are in that most solemn part of the Christian year, the period of Lent leading up to Good Friday. Yet we are an Easter people. We know that beyond the solemnity of Good Friday lies the joy of Easter Sunday.
As I write there is snow on the ground, yet the daffodil shoots are already pushing up. The trees are bare, yet the first buds are already showing signs of sprouting. For us Christians Lent can feel a bit like that. We are repressed, in solemn mode, like a bulb in the ground. Yet we have all this joy inside waiting to burst out. Like the daffodil bulbs that can't wait to thrust up their shoots and let the flowers appear.
Jesus had this determination as he approached Jerusalem. He knew that this was to be the showdown, the point at which his conflict with the Jewish authorities would reach its dénouement. The Gospel writers are keen to tell us that Jesus knew he would face suffering and rejection and be killed. Mark repeats this three times (8v31, 9v31, 10v33). Yet it seems that even though Jesus knew what lay ahead, his disciples simply could not take it on board. And it was not until after the agony of Good Friday and the joy of Easter Sunday that they then began to piece it all together.
Sometimes our lives are like that as we go through some very difficult phase. It may be physical suffering, facing a course of treatment for cancer. It may be anguish at work, having to face the reality that this job is not the right one and struggling to lay it aside and look for another. It may be some relationship problem, where every encounter with that person is painful, wounding.
Yet we are Christians. We keep in mind the promise of Easter Sunday. That beyond the present anguish and suffering lies a new, bright, glorious hope.
Many are able to look back on a period of suffering and wonder how they ever got through it. But they are now in a place of Peace and Light. And many come through it as people who have been reshaped, better able to understand and to empathise with others who are suffering.
Did you see the programmes with Archbishop Desmond Tutu on telly? He was helping those who had been through agony in Northern Ireland come together to tell their story, to listen to the anguish of the other side also. Some were able through that encounter to move beyond their anguish to a place of healing and reconciliation.
One of the two ladies helping Desmond Tutu, was a lady who had lost her husband in the genocide in Rwanda/Burundi. She had come through that trauma and was now able to offer help to others going through their own anguish.
The writer to the Hebrews tells us that we have one who is able to help us. "Because he himself has passed through the test of suffering, he is able to help those who are in the midst of their test" (Hebrews 2v18 REB).
Jesus passed through his test, he suffered the agony of the cross, and he rose to new life. He is able to help us as we pass through our trials of anguish and suffering. And he will bring us to a place of light where we can know joy once again.
God Bless, Chris
Tuesday Evening Home Group:
18 Premier Avenue
This group started about seven years ago as follow-on to an Alpha course.
We meet fortnightly on Tuesday evening in the home of Gwenda and Hedley Alcock.
At present there is a regular attendance of about ten. We are currently reading
through the first letter of Peter, at the rate of one chapter per session.
We have two group leaders who alternate, Diana Whitmill and Trevor Staniforth
The meetings begin at 7.30pm, and we finish with a cup of whatever, and leave
between 9.30 and 10.00. We have good, lively and helpful discussion. The evening
always includes a time of prayer. We have grown to feel a deep sense of fellowship.
We would be delighted to welcome new members. Our next meeting is on March
28th. Then after Easter we shall meet on 25th April; 9th May; 23rd May; 6th
June; 20th June; 4th July. This could be the fellowship you are looking for.
Trevor Staniforth
WINDMILL FARM CONFERENCE CENTRE
CLANFIELD, OXON
http://www.windmillconferences.co.uk/
"DISCIPLESHIP"
AIM
The aim of our Church Weekend is to provide an opportunity for the Church Family to spend time together, to deepen our understanding of what it means to be a disciple of Christ, and of course to have plenty of food, fun and relaxation.
VENUE
Windmill Farm Conference Centre is approximately a one and a half hour drive from Ashbourne and is situated on the edge of the Cotswolds. Once you arrive I'm sure you will feel the journey was well worthwhile. Wendy and I visited the centre and instantly felt it would make an exceptional venue for our Church Weekend. The Christian witness of the centre is immediately apparent and is summed up in the centre's Mission Statement,
"Our aim at Windmill Farm is to provide good quality facilities with an atmosphere of Christian hospitality. We recognize the value and significance of each individual and we trust that as they come here their lives will be changed as they come into contact with the living God"
THEME FOR THE WEEKEND
The theme for the weekend is "Discipleship" The programme is still
being finalised but it is anticipated there will be 3 main sessions on different
aspects of Christian Discipleship, two on Saturday morning and one before
a time of worship on Sunday morning.
DRAFT PROGRAMME - SUBJECT TO DETAILED PLANNING!
Friday Evening
Arrive from 16.00
Buffet Supper 18.30 -20.00
Short Time of Fellowship
Saturday
Full English Breakfast 8.30
2 Sessions on Discipleship for adults (Coffee Break at 10.45 - 11.15) 2 Sessions
of Activities for Young People - led by Adventure Plus, a Christian organisation
geared up to providing adventure activities.
Lunch 13.00
Afternoon - walk or other activities as required
Afternoon tea 15.45-16.15
Dinner 18.00
Evening Entertainment/Quiz etc
Sunday
Full English Breakfast 8.30
Session 3 on Discipleship
Coffee Break 10.45-11.15
Sunday Worship
Lunch 13.00
Depart by 15.00
PAYMENT ARRANGEMENTS
Cost is £105 per adult (Over 18) and £25 per child. Under 2's
free.
Deposits of £25 per person (including those under 18) are needed by
the end of April 2006 with cheques being made payable to Ashbourne Methodist
Church. Please pass any payments to myself or Ann Parkinson. Final Payment
of the balance owing will be needed by the middle of August 2006.
Please book early. Places are limited to circa 65 in en-suite accommodation,
but there is extra space for campers!
CONTACT DETAILS
If you would like more details or would like to be involved in organising
the weekend, please contact me.
Paul Haslam 01335 345560
OCC Craft Workshop
The first shoe box craft workshop, held in Cornerstone on 22 February, was
a huge success. About 20 people came and enjoyed sharing practical ideas for
making small items to go into the boxes. It was very much a sharing and learning
experience, and was very informal. People came and went as time permitted.
The 2 hours passed very quickly, and many friends took away materials, templates
and patterns to continue working at home. It was unanimously agreed that we
should continue to meet on a regular basis, and the next one will be on 26th
April. Although for this first meeting there was no charge we will be asking
for a donation of 50p to cover the cost of refreshments, which may leave something
over for materials, although these are largely donated.
This is not only a "sewing and knitting" group. There are things
for gentlemen to do as well - Michael would welcome company as he cut and
glued! Please join us for a relaxing morning, with plenty of time to talk
and perhaps meet new people. No need to book - just turn up.
Date - Wednesday 26 April. Time 10 am - 12.30 pm. Place - Cornerstone.
Betty Hadley. (Tel. 300699)
BOOK REVIEWS
The Miracles of Exodus Colin Humphries
I found myself seated one night in Cambridge next to chemistry Professor Colin
Humphries and, when it quickly became clear that we were both Christians,
we started talking about a just-published book he had written on the Exodus
miracles. I was then lucky enough to be sent a copy and found that it was
a book I just couldn't put down.
Colin is both enthusiastic and meticulous. His wife Sarah, and she told me
she really didn't mind, was shaken and stirred all over parts of the near
and middle East in search of confirmation for the clues which Colin shows
are clearly written, in detail, in Exodus. The result of Colin's painstaking
research show the 'miracles' to be God-given, natural and believable phenomena,
which do not detract from one's faith but add to it. Colin's style sweeps
the reader along, as if on a great detective hunt but with all the Biblical
references faithfully used. I can thoroughly recommend this book and if I
could remember who I last lent it to, I would lend it to you!
Val Howse.
The Real Oliver Twist John Walker (ISBN 1.84046 .5425)
A book I read very recently really brought home to me the appalling apprentice
system in the cotton mills in the Industrial Revolution period. "Employing"
children aged as young as seven years, many of whom never survived. However,
one did, namely Robert Blincoe, the person whom it is believed was Dickens
inspiration for his novel "Oliver Twist".
Sheila Cook
Whispers from the Heart - Hilary Faith Jones
This book was published recently by The Leprosy Mission - at £4.95.
It is a book of prayers based on the author's favourite Bible texts. The style
is contemporary, the words beautiful, the illustrations lovely colour photographs
- a real treasure to dip in and out of at any time or place! I'm sure you
will be able to order it through Helen.
Alma Swan
Gateway Centre Bookings - April
31st March - 2nd April - 53rd Coventry Scout Leaders
7th - 9th 1st Chellaston Brownies
13th - 17th Family Group
21st - 23rd Burton Road Methodist Youth Lincoln
28th - 1st May House Group Nottingham
Rachel Jeffrey- Walker
Ashbourne Patna Partnership.
The group that went to the Patna Diocese will be giving a presentation about
their visit on Saturday 1 April in the Methodist Church, Ashbourne at 7.00
pm. Indian food will be served so we need some idea of how many will be attending.
Please telephone Clare Sales, (01335 342321) as soon as possible if you intend
to come. We can do two sittings, i.e. meal then presentation or presentation
then meal, so the more the merrier. No charge but donations towards the cost
of the food please.
Lent and Easter.
Lent Lunches continue on Wed 29 March and Wed 5 April at 12.30 pm in the Century
Hall.
There will be a Holy Week Service on Tuesday 11 April at 7.30 pm in St.
John's Church. The annual Walk of Witness will start from Victoria Square
at
12.15 pm on Good Friday. Please make every effort to support your fellow Christians
in these events.
One World Group.
DYING FOR A DRINK OF WATER?
"Nobody reading this started the day with a two -mile hike to collect
the family's daily water supply from a stream. None of us will suffer the
indignity of using a plastic bag for a toilet. And our children don't die
for want of a glass of clean water"
The above is the opening paragraph of an article by Kevin Watkins Director
of the UN human development report office, published in the "Guardian"
on March 8th.
He goes on to say, "in the next 24 hours diarrhea caused by unclean water
and poor sanitation will claim the lives of 4000 children. The annual death
toll from this relentless catastrophe is larger than the population of Birmingham"
Over the last two decades we have got used to statistics about the numbers
of children and old people who die in the "Third World" because
they have no fresh clean water. We have heard about the girls and women of
Mozambique or Ethiopia who carry back 5 - 10 litres a day for each person
and we find it hard to imagine carrying buckets of water for miles under a
baking sun. We all know about it, we have all raised our voices in protest
and yet so little seems to have been achieved.
Now, as larger and larger areas of slum - dwellings are springing up around
the cities of the developing world a new hazard is coming to light. In the
past we realised that water was contaminated by dirt, disease-bearing insects,
worms and animals. Now in these "informal" settlements we realise
that disease is carried by human waste also. With no access to latrines people
are forced to resort to using plastic bags which they then throw away giving
rise to the apt but appalling term "flying toilets"
In his article Kevin Watkins is calling for global leadership from the rich
countries to push water and sanitation higher up the Aid agenda "none
of us should tolerate a world in which over 1 million children are, in a perversely
literal sense, dying for a glass of water and a toilet"
Ever since its inception 21 years ago Ashbourne's One World Group has worked
for clean water for the developing countries and all the money it has raised
has been given to Christian Aid for village water and sanitation projects.
THIS YEAR WILL BE NO DIFFERENT! WHEN THE GROUP SETS UP ITS STALL AT TISSINGTON
WELL DRESSING FROM ASCENSION DAY, THURSDAY MAY 25TH. TO MONDAY MAY 29TH. all
the profit from the sale of home-made cakes, cookies and biscuits will go
to Christian Aid Water Projects - last year we raised £412 and we are
asking YOU to help us beat that total this year.
Help in staffing the stall on a rota basis and in baking cakes for sale (preferably
tray-bakes which cut up neatly into slices for people to pack into their picnics,
please) will be most welcome. Full details of how you can volunteer will be
published nearer the time, but preliminary offers can be made to any member
of the One World Group.
At the Well Dressing we give thanks for the clean safe water we enjoy all year round.
PLEASE HELP ALL WHO ARE WORKING TO BRING CLEAN SAFE WATER AND SANITATION TO THE DEVELOPING WORLD
John and Elizabeth Hurfurt
Lessons from the Story of Noah
1. Don't miss the boat.
2. Remember we are all in the same boat.
3. Plan ahead: it wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark.
4. Stay fit: when you are 600 years old someone may ask you do
something big!
5. Don't listen to critics, just get on with the job that needs to be done.
6. Build your future on high ground.
7. For safety's sake travel in pairs.
8. Speed isn't always an advantage. The snails were on board with the cheetahs.
9. When you are stressed, float a while.
10. Remember the Ark was built by amateurs, the Titanic by
professionals!
11. No matter the storm, when you are with God there's always a
Rainbow waiting.
Contributed by Pat Fielding
Walk and Talk Group
It is now three years since I retired from work and joined the Walk and Talk Group and it's one of the best things I've ever done, something that gives me so much pleasure. Although I am Derbyshire born and bred, over the last three years I have been to places I never knew existed. From the moors, hills, valleys, rivers and woods in Derbyshire, to the wonderful Roaches in Staffordshire.
We meet on the first and third Wednesdays of the month and have some very
good leaders who do a really good job. We have many excellent Culture Stops,
when we learn all about the area and it's history.
Someone once asked us, "After you have walked where do you go for your
talk?" The answer is we talk as we walk. We also have lots of fun and
laughter and always look forward to our visit to a café or teashop
at the end where we often indulge in cream scones or cakes.
When I get home I always do a log of the days events and Vic, one of our walkers, takes photographs of the day so between us we have done a book, the first edition is finished and the second well on the way. If anyone would like to see the book please let me know.
We are always pleased to see new walkers.
Chris Dakin
____________________________
MISSION MATTERS
JMA
Lunchtime event for all JMA members in Cornerstone on Sunday 2nd April, 12-2pm.
.
Gideons International
A mission evening will be held in the Century Hall on Saturday 6th May , 7.30pm
- 9.00pm. All are invited to hear about the Gideon ministry in Ashbourne and
Derbyshire South, the UK and internationally.
The Gideon ministry will be presented by a variety of speakers: We can learn
about it's missionary arm, the local ministry, the ministry of Gideon wives,
the UK and worldwide ministry including seeing a short film of the work in
Uganda. There will be opportunities for questions and volunteering. The
evening will include prayer, a literature display and refreshments. A warm
welcome is extended to all who are interested to learn more about Gideons
International.
"Reinventing the Wheel? God's mission, many models".
World Mission Conference Swanick 2006, Friday June 2nd - Sunday June 4th.
All ages catered for. For further information and a booking form contact Meg
Bailey, 4 Brompton Street, Heaton Mersey, Stockport SK4 3HH. Tel: 0161 432
3854. Email: meg@baileymm.fsnet.co.uk
Website: www.mwm.org.uk
A prayer from the United Church of Canada
Dear God,
Open our hearts so that we may feel the pain of those who are victims of senseless
acts of violence.
Unclench our hands so that we may reach out to one another.
Open our lips that we may speak for justice, wholeness, health and safety
for all people.
Unclog our ears to hear your agony in our inhumanity.
Open our eyes to see you in the midst of the horror that touches our world.
Be with us we pray. Amen.
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".
The call to care for the world's poor has never been of more concern to Christians. That is very good news But what of the other poverty that must be made history - the poverty of not knowing the God who made you. As Jesus said, "The Scriptures say: "No one can live only on food. People need every word God has spoken". Matt 4:4.
Bible Society's 8:32 campaign is a plea for us all to open our eyes and our hearts to Bible poverty. Because it is poverty too few Christians are aware of, let alone feel passionate about. At its root are language barriers, blindness, illiteracy and people simply being too poor to own a Bible. Others are Bible-poor because they live in a "sophisticated" culture where the Bible is written off as irrelevant.
Bible poverty is robbing millions of the truth that Jesus can set them free. We need a vision for a day when the Bible is shaping the lives and communities of people everywhere. For the next few months there will be articles about Bible mission and the Bible Society's role in our Mission Matters.
Taking the Bible to those who are poor
Nearly one in six of the world's population live on less than 60p a day.
What little they have is spent on life's essentials - simply to survive.
Growing churches in poor communities are desperate for Bibles. Often a
whole church shares a few dog-eared copies.
By 2025, one in three of the world's population will be Christians -with
70% living in countries where poverty is a major issue.
Bible Society distributes free Bibles, subsidises their costs in some places
and partners with other organisations to reduce the price.
Bible Society supports the vital work of other national Bible Societies
around the world.
Donation fact: To reach people in marginalized neighbourhoods with the Scriptures in 2006 the Haitian Bible Society needs £13,000.
For further information: www.its832.org or 0845 2020832 Donations line: 08707
747676.
Ruth Mallard
Thank You
My family and I would like to thank everyone for their prayers and support
as I am very grateful for this. I would also like to thank those who sent
me cards and gifts, they are very much appreciated. It was nice to have my
appetite back after not being able to eat for five days! Once again, thank
you.
Thomas Allen and family
Milldale
On Holy Saturday, 15th April a short walk has been arranged prior to the
service in the Milldale Chapel at 2 p.m.
The walk will commence from the public car park in Milldale at 11 a.m. Please
bring your own refreshments and join the picnic lunch at a convenient point
on the walk.The area around Milldale is particularly attractive in the spring
and although in the past we have had all kinds of weather for this event it
has always been a good fellowship day for all ages, ( and sometimes dogs also).
Cliff Lewer
We continue to ask for you to especially remember the following in your prayers
this month:
27 Mar All those who help prepare for services at church
28 Mar
People with mental health problems
29 Mar Friends at Stanton
30 Mar For those
working to eradicate world poverty
1 Apr The Church of North India - especially
Patna Diocese
2 Apr Friends at Parwich
3 Apr For the Fairtrade Movement
4
Apr For those involved in the Prayer Triplets
5 Apr People with Alzheimers
and their carers
6 Apr Friends at Brailsford
7 Apr The leaders of this country
and the world
8 Apr Preachers preparing to lead services tomorrow
9 Apr Those
unwell who cannot attend worship today
10 Apr Those attending Powersource
groups
11 Apr Women's Fellowship
12 Apr Those who feel unloved
13 Apr Those
who look after our church property
14 Apr Members of the Ashbourne choir practicing
for Sunday
15 Apr Those serving at Cornerstone
16 Apr Friends at Tissington
17 Apr The work of NCH
18 Apr Farmers who are not paid a fair price for their
produce
19 Apr Walk and Talk Group
20 Apr Annual Church Meeting at Ashbourne
21 Apr The work of Methodist Homes
22 Apr Friends at Hulland
23 Apr Friends
at Kirk Ireton
24 Apr Local Farmers
25 Apr All those involved in Youth Work in the Circuit
26 Apr Annual Church Meeting Ashbourne
27 Apr Those who serve on committees for the Church and Circuit
28 Apr Those who help and attend The Basement
29 Apr For those preparing for worship tomorrow
30 Apr House Group Leaders
Ashbourne Patna Partnership -
Throughout the month please pray for
the churches in the tribal areas centered on Barharwa and for the pupils and
staff at St Thomas's School and the new English medium school there. Pray
for Mrs Uniki Hembrom, the Principal of St Thomas Girls High School, her pupils
and staff. Pray also for the girls in the hostel attatched to the school.
Uniki visited Ashbourne in 2004.
--------------
Worship
On 16th February a meeting was held to discuss worship in our church - to consider whether we have a need for a new type of service at Ashbourne and, if so, of what kind. The main outcome of the meeting was to suggest a review of the first part of our Sunday morning service to ensure that it remains suitable for everybody - inclusive, accessible and engaging for people of all ages and backgrounds. The need to maintain and build up our worship together as a single Church family was considered paramount.
The idea of a review has been approved by the Church Council and the Worship Development Group will now consider how this can be progressed, in consultation with the local preachers and others involved in leadership of our worship. Introduction of a new service at this time was not considered a priority.
There was a wide range of other ideas and viewpoints expressed at the meeting. These have been recorded and will be considered further by the Church Council when it meets in June. They include the following:
Worship for Families - an opportunity for families to worship together e.g.
on a Saturday morning, for those who find it difficult to attend on a Sunday.
Worship for Young Adults - a regular opportunity for those in their 20s or
30s to worship together at a time in the week, which is most convenient to
them.
Worship for Teenagers - informal worship, with bible teaching, contemporary music, Christian bands, and use of multimedia presentations. This could be held on a Friday or a Saturday evening, operating in co-ordination with Bassline at Elim, or we could consider a regular service for young people on a Sunday. There would be scope for the young people themselves to help with the leadership of this type of worship.
Here are some of the other comments from the meeting:
Bible teaching should be a central feature of our Sunday services.
We should consider Theme Preaching. This has worked well in the past and helps
to create a sense of expectancy in worship.
We should not change our present Sunday morning service.
We should involve children and young people more e.g. in readings, choosing
hymns, leading prayers etc.
All-age worship should be held once a quarter, so that the whole church
family is regularly together in worship for the whole service.
Young people need instruction.
We should get rid of the pews.
Let's use more CDs, DVDs etc and encourage more variety in music and singing.
The period of silence at the beginning of worship is good, but should be longer.
Have we got the human resources to carry out these new initiatives properly,
even if they are wanted?
Please pray about worship in our Church. Pray for the Worship Development
Group, for our Minister, for local preachers and for the Church Council. If
you are able to commit some of your time and energy towards building up the
worship life of our Church and feel that you are called by God to serve in
this way, please speak to Chris Eddy or myself, David Bale.
David Bale
From Mooiplaas - A Different Perspective
In February 2004 John and Liz Hurfurt, and Stuart and Catherine Green visited
the Mooiplaas sustainable development project in the Eastern Cape of South
Africa. Danny Ffoulkes and Teresa Hall then visited in August 2005. While
I was there I spent most of my time with Nandipha, who had recently been employed
by the centre to do administrative things, and needed a bit of help using
Word and Excel. I often get e-mails from Nandipha, and she has recently sent
me the thoughts below. The community of Mooiplaas is very rural, and most
people live in mud built rondavels, and rely on hitch-hiking or walking to
get around. The thoughts that she sent offer a different perspective which
is quite challenging to the way we may think in our society in the west.
Catherine Green
Ten Things God Won't Ask On That Day
God won't ask what kind of car you drove. He'll ask how many people you drove who did not have transportation.
God won't ask the square footage of your house. He'll ask how many people you welcomed into your home.
God won't ask about the clothes you had in your wardrobe. He'll ask how many you helped to clothe.
God won't ask what your highest salary was. He'll ask if you compromised your character to obtain it.
God won't ask what your job title was. He'll ask if you performed your job to the best of your ability.
God won't ask how many friends you had. He'll ask how many people to whom you were a friend.
God won't ask in what neighbourhood you lived. He'll ask how you treated your neighbours.
God won't ask about the colour of your skin. He'll ask about the content
of your character.
God won't ask why it took you so long to seek Salvation. He'll lovingly take you to your mansion in heaven and not to the gates of hell.
God won't have to ask how many people you shared this with. He already knows
your intentions.
___________________________
ASHBOURNE CHURCH COUNCIL
Summary of minutes of a meeting held on Monday 6th March 2006 at 7.30 pm in
Century Hall.
Stewards
There will be 24 hours of prayers starting at 10.00am on Saturday
22nd April. - There will be a gift day on Sunday 2nd June with the money going
towards the cost of the Ecumenical Youth Worker. - Rev Frank Topping is providing
entertainment on Saturday evening 24th June (the Church Anniversary weekend).
- There is a poster in the church vestibule about the Church Weekend Away.
Property
While The Cornerstone Coffeeshop is open, the church could be left
open therefore locks would be needed to secure certain areas of the building.
The sound and AV systems will need to be secured. - Any extension to Waterside
could be costly and take some time to implement but we must try to sort it
out before September when the planning permission expires for the storage
container. The immediate problem is the safety of moving equipment between
the container and Waterside. - With Cliff Lewer standing down, a new Chairman
for the Property Committee is being considered.
Powersouce
New helpers are always required for Powersource and Essence. A
focused prayer group will meet from 9.45am until 10:15am each Sunday (before
the service) until the annual church meeting. - From the end of April, Catherine
and Stuart Green will not both be able to lead Essence. Perhaps this might
be an opportunity for a Youth Alpha course to run.
Basement
The leaders of Basement are trying to offer healthy, warm food to
the young people. Some volunteers have come forward to help to prepare this
food but more are required.
A document stating the purpose and a set of core values has been put together
for the work in the coffee shop.
Ashbourne Churches Together are offering Lent lunches each Wednesday at 12:30pm
in the Century Hall. Different churches within ACT will be leading and doing
the cooking.
A coordinator for Christian Aid is needed - this involves work over 6 weeks.
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity was wonderful and uplifting.
Worship Development
A summary of the Worship Meeting held on 16 February was
circulated. The main outcome was that we should maintain worship for the whole
church family and with this in mind to review the structure and content of
the first part of the Sunday morning service to ensure that it is accessible
to everyone. The Worship Development Group is asked to carry this forward.
The Church Council will re-visit the summary document at their next meeting
in June.
House Groups
The Church Luncheon has enriched each member of the house group
that takes part - similar activities are commended to other house groups.
Youth Worker
A helper is required urgently for the Ashbourne Youth Club and
from September a new leader will be required when Roger's contract ends.
Several of our church members are trustees for the Ecumenical Youth Worker
(ACE Youth Worker) trust. A trust deed has now been drawn up to regulate the
trust and it is hoped that this will be adopted shortly. The trustees will
then make requests for money and advertise the post. Church Council approved
payment of £10,000 per year to the trust towards the ACE Youth Worker
post.
"What sort of Bishops?" is a document, which has come from Connexion,
available for anyone to read and discuss. A meeting in August will be arranged
to which all the circuit will be invited.
Ashbourne has been asked to host District Synod on 24 March 2007. A provisional
booking was made to use the facilities at QEGS but may prove to be too costly.
Date of next meeting will be on Thursday 15 June 2006 at 7:30 pm in the Century
Hall with David Bale in the chair. Annual Church Meeting will be on Monday
24 April 2006 at 7:30 pm in the Century Hall.
Dear Friends,
Thanks for your contributions, hope you enjoy this bumper edition. I have
had to hold over some material due to space shortage but please keep the copy
coming! Hope to publish the May edition on April 30th but due to holidays
deadline for copy is 9.00pm Monday April 17th. Please
E-mail to ashbournemethodistmagazine@supanet.com put in the Newsletter pigeon
- hole at church or post to me. Arthur Watts
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
MARCH
Tues 28th 12.30pm Ashbourne Church Lunch Century Hall
Wed 29th 12.30pm Lent Lunch Century Hall
APRIL
Sat 1st 7.00pm Presentation on Patna Visit Ashbourne Church
Mon 3rd Network Willersley Week Willersley Castle
Mon 3rd 7.30pm Methodist Homes- Speaker Ashbourne
Wed 5th 12.30pm Lent Lunch Century Hall
Tues 11th 7.30pm ACT Holy Week Service St John's
Thurs 13th 7.30pm Maundy Thursday Service Ashbourne
Fri 14th 10.30am GOOD FRIDAY Service Ashbourne
Fri 14th 12.15pm WALK OF WITNESS Ashbourne
Sat 15th 11.00am Milldale Walk
Sat 15th 2.30pm Milldale Service Milldale
Sun 16th EASTER DAY
Start of Notts & Derby 24/7 Prayer Fortnight
Mon 24th 7.30pm ANNUAL CHURCH MEETING Century Hall
Wed 26th 10.00am OCC Craft Workshop Cornerstone
ANNUAL CHURCH MEETING
Monday 24 April
This is an open meeting for all members of our church when we elect Church
Stewards and representatives to the Church Council. Nominations for Church
Council members may be made on the poster on the vestibule notice board -
these should be made by 19 April. An invitation letter, agenda and information
on voting was included in the notice-sheet for 28 March, and some spare ones
should be on the vestibule table. If you cannot find one, please ask Carole.
There is also an opportunity to raise questions from the reports of the various
activities of our church. The topic we will be looking at is "Stewardship".
What gifts and talents do we have to offer? How do we match these with roles
in our church life, opportunities for service and needs for training? Your
views are both important and welcome. Please do come and share with us for
this important meeting. 7.30 MONDAY 24 April in The Century Hall
Smile Lines
Haircut
A minister, known for his lengthy sermons, noticed a man get up and leave
during the middle of his message. The man returned just before the conclusion
of the service. Afterwards the clergyman asked the man where he had gone.
"I went to get a haircut," was the reply.
"But," said the minister, "why didn't you do that before the
service?"
"Because," the gentleman said, "I didn't need one then."
Show of hands
The Sunday School teacher asked her class: "When you die and go to Heaven...which
part of you goes?"
Young Suzy ventured: "I think our hands go, whatever else." Startled,
the teacher asked why. Suzy replied, "Because when you pray, you hold
your hands together in front of you and so when God comes to get you, he'll
just naturally grab those first."
Cats
Behind every cat that crosses the street, there is a dog saying, "Go
ahead, you can make it."
Dogs believe they are human. Cats believe they are God.
Speeding
A speeding motorist was caught by radar from a police helicopter in the sky.
An officer pulled him over and began to issue a traffic ticket. "How
did you know I was speeding?" the frustrated driver asked.
The police officer pointed somberly toward the sky. "You mean,"
asked the motorist, in some awed confusion, "that God has installed speed
cameras?"
Overload
The businessman dragged himself home and barely made it to his chair before
he dropped exhausted. His sympathetic wife was right there with a tall cool
drink and a comforting word. "My, you look tired," she said. "You
must have had a hard day today. What happened to make you so exhausted?"
"It was terrible," her husband said. "The computer broke down
and all of us had to do our own thinking."