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The Magazine of Ashbourne Methodist Circuit
December 2006 January 2007

From The Manse

Dear Friends,

This is the season of Advent, the 4 weeks that lead up to and help us prepare for Christmas. This month I want to give a short guide with a theme for each week to help us prepare ourselves for the coming of the Christ child.

Week 1 "Waiting" Waiting is hard. It requires
patience and faith. The people of Israel were "waiting" for some 300 years, patiently expecting the Messiah to come. They had the prophecies, the promises of God. They had a deep faith. They had the hope that when the Messiah arrived he would put everything right. But the long period of waiting was hard.
So for us when we have the hope of something new, that may be looking for a new job, looking for the right place or the right person, or waiting for the deliverance from some awkward situation. We may be waiting for God to act in the life of some person we care deeply about.
Use this time of waiting to pray, to draw close to God, to know again his warm embrace, and to receive anew in our hearts his Peace. And allow him to give us the assurance that the future is in his hands.

Week 2 "Hoping". This is not "wishful thinking". Hoping is about looking forward with eager anticipation. The secure knowing that the promise is to be fulfilled. I recall the song that was sung in South Africa during the apartheid years, "Freedom is coming, oh yes, I know". They knew that apartheid must end, that the prayers of the decades would be realised, that God's Kingdom values would prevail.
So for us - allow that current of certainty to rise in us, to turn us from dull despair to the living excitement that comes with anticipation. Christ is
coming. All will be well in his Kingdom of Peace.

Week 3 "Preparing". John the Baptist appeared calling all of Israel to "Prepare the way for the Lord to come". The commercial adverts tell us to prepare by putting up decorations, festooning the place with lights. We select presents to give to those we love. We prepare special food for the family feast. But do not get sidetracked by the commercial Christmas. Heed the words of John the Baptist and prepare our own hearts and our own lives for the Lord to come.
John called people to repent, to recognise where they had gone wrong, and to determine to leave that behind. And then allow the Christ to come in, giving us a new start - just like the birth of a new baby. This is the time to put right relationships. As we send out Christmas cards - send to those with whom things have been difficult. In so doing we can offer Peace and reconciliation, show that any ill feeling is to be put behind us. In this way we will be
prepared, ready for Christ to come.

Week 4 "Rejoicing" In this final week we consider Mary. The angel has appeared to her. She knows God is already acting. The Christ child is on its way. When she meets cousin Elizabeth she bursts into her song of praise, "My soul magnifies the Lord…" Luke 1v46.
For us also this last week is filled with praise. We have Carol services,
children's nativity plays, the Christmas music, bands and choirs. The lights are on everywhere. We too want to burst into praise. Allow the wonder of this event to come into our hearts anew. Let it chase away all the cobwebs and come with living freshness to every part of our being. Let the joy and mystery and wonder work in us, release in us praise and joy and love overflowing.

Christ is coming. May he bless you all with his Peace and his Joy and his Love this Christmas.

God Bless Chris

ONE WORLD GROUP
LOOKING BACK
Looking back to One World Week at the end of October on the theme "MIND THE GAP" we can report on a very successful event in Victoria Square. A colourful display of information and the opportunity for a "hands-on" experience attracted passers-by of all ages who seemed genuinely interested in what we wanted to say about the gap between conditions in countries in the developing world and our own. A lesson we have learnt is that a lot of people do not know who we are or what are our aims! We hope to rectify this in 2007 and at the same time attract new members. (However there is no need to wait for US to approach YOU! If you would like to learn more about us and join us now, please contact our chairman
Stuart Green tel 01335 300338 or our secretary, Steve Parker, tel. 01335 300318 )

LOOKING FORWARD IN 2007
We already have plans for February, March, April and May

FEBRUARY
"FAITH, HOPE and DESPAIR in the face of HIV/AIDS in Africa" - an illustrated talk. The event includes a Mozambiquan buffet-style meal
Thursday Feb. 8th. - 7-30pm. - St. Oswald's Church Hall - speaker Rev. Ben Humphries.
Ben spent several weeks in Mozambique at the beginning of 2006 with a small voluntary Christian mission and this will be the story of his experiences working amongst communities stricken by AIDS

TICKETS £4-00
Please buy your ticket in advance if possible to give us some idea of numbers for catering.
Tickets will be available from Steve Parker at Natural Choice, Stuart Green
01335 300338 or any member of the One World Group in the New Year.
ALL WELCOME.

MARCH
FAIR TRADE FORTNIGHT (which actually starts this time at the end of February!) will be celebrated mainly in March and the One World Group hopes to take part in all the activities planned by Ashbourne Fairtrade Town Initiative.

APRIL
THE ECUMENICAL ACCOMPANIMENT PROGRAMME - in Palestine and Israel Ms. Judith Green, a returned volunteer from this programme has agreed to give a presentation about her experiences and the work of the Accompaniers.
The date for her talk has not been firmly fixed as yet but it will be after Easter. It will be published in the February magazine and subsequent editions. Please watch out for this - several people have already expressed an interest and it should be a very rewarding experience.

MAY
What can we say about May except that it will be TISSINGTON WELL DRESSING time!

The next edition of the magazine will be in February, well into the New Year and so the One World Group wish everyone
PEACE AND JOY AT CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity,
18 - 25 January 2007

Midday prayers will take place on

Thursday, 18 January St. Oswald's Church

Friday, 19 January All Saints' Church

Monday, 22 January Ashbourne Methodist Church

Tuesday, 23 January St. John's Church

Wednesday, 24 January Elim Pentecostal Church

Thursday, 25 January Holy Trinity Church, Clifton

Tea and coffee will be served after the services.
On Sunday 21 January the Revd. Alec Prail will preach at our church as part of the pulpit exchange.

English Towns Quiz for NCH.

Here are the answers to the quiz, which many of you supported. We made a profit of £237 after paying out the prizes. We are sorry no-one in the church won a prize. Two of these went to winners in Yorkshire, one in Kent, and the nearest geographically to us, Sue Carpenter from the Health Centre, who lives in Brailsford.

1.Featherstone. 2. Kings Lynn. 3. Coventry. 4. Bolton or Staple. 5. Darlington. 6. Crosby.7. Stockport. 8. Braintree. 9.Redruth
10. Taunton. 11. Lincoln. 12. Beer 13. Nottingham.14. Teignmouth 15. Ryde 16. Dover 17. Oldham 18. Poole 19.Manchester 20.Rugby
21. Crewe 22. Wells 23. Eye 24. Nelson 25.Birmingham 26. Ramsgate 27. Blackpool 28. Broadstairs 29. York 30. Bootle 31. Peacehaven 32. Sidcup
33. Oxford 34. Freshwater 35. Bury. 36. Andover 37. Derby 38. Nuneaton 39. Sunderland 40. Skipton 41. Bristol 42. Halesowen 43. Egham
44. Redditch 45. Milton Keynes 46. Felixstowe. 47. Bishop Auckland 48. Reading 49. Widnes 50. Beverley. 51. Huntingdon 52. Chard 53. Ilkeston 54. Leatherhead
55. Leicester 56. Deal 57. Newark 58. Ilford 59. Preston 60. Cowes.

WHO SAID MEN WERE BORING AND LACKED IDEAS?!!

Members of Ashbourne Methodist Church have expressed an interest in forming a Men's group to encourage all men - believers or not - in their
everyday lives.

Ashbourne Men's Forum has now been established and will be running a series of quarterly DINNERS at local venues with interesting GUEST SPEAKERS aimed at both church and non church men. Please PRAY for this initiative.

The first of these Dinners will be on Monday 29th January at the Ashbourne Golf Club, 7.30 for 7.45 pm, when the speaker will be Paul Pritchard, Head of Learning & Developments at JCB.

Please will you support this important initiative by making a note in your diary. More information and tickets (£11, payable on the night) can be obtained from Jonathan Webb, Robert Sales, Stuart Mustow or Ian Marsh.

CHRISTMAS PRAWN CRACKER
Are you in school years 9 to 13? If so you are invited for a Chinese meal following the Carol Service on Sunday 17th December 2006 where you will get to hear about Youth Alpha which will be starting on Sunday 14th January 2007 and will run up until Easter.

Please contact either Robert Sales on 01335 342321 or Fiona/Russell
Davidson on 01629 824277 by 10th December 2006

If you would like to bring a friend along please let us know when you telephone.

BOOK REVIEWS

Landmarks - An Ignatian Journey.
Margaret Silf. ISBN 0-232-52254-5

Landmarks assists us to find ourselves when we may think we are lost, when we don't know where to begin or where we are. The landmarks can give us a starting point and confidence to keep going. If we think we have arrived they remind us there is always something more!

It is written out of the author's own prayer and lived experience inspired by the insights of St Ignatius. It opens up questions that concern us all. How can we recognise God's ceaseless action in our lives and begin to discern his will? What does "fallen ness" mean for us today? How can we live true to ourselves and make decisions for freedom?

Landmarks is a book that can help us discover and deepen our individual spiritual journeys. It is written for both groups and individuals and is illustrated with very good drawings and diagrams. It contains exercises and suggestions for prayer and reflection.
Ruth Mallard

Shattered and Restored
Elsa McInnes

This very moving book is the story of Elsa McInnes who very humbly tells how through the tragedy of losing her husband to cancer, lost her faith in God. She asks the questions "Where is God?" and "Why did he let this happen to me?" Through the many emotions Elsa experiences we follow her through the darkness into the glorious light of His presence with joy.

It addresses the issue of a wounded faith and will give helpers a way to
understand and respond appropriately. It shows the church family the opportunity they have to reflect the heart of Jesus to those who question his love. A 'must' read for all pastoral visitors.
Margaret Bacon

Ashbourne Patna Partnership

A New Year's Eve Dance

with Colin and Margaret Tristram
on

Sunday 31st Dec. from 8.00 p.m. until 12.30 a.m.

at

Hulland Millennium Hall

Bring your own food and bottle( s).
Hot drinks provided

Soup after midnight.

Tickets (strictly limited to 80)
£5.00 (children £3.00) £6.00 on the night

Tickets available from Natural Choice,
Martyn Davis 370665, Elizabeth Hurfurt 342859
Claudia Severn 360508

Photo - Copier

Ashbourne church is very fortunate to have the use of a professional and flexible photocopier.
The functionality available includes: Printing on A4 or A3 paper, enlarging/reducing from the master image to the copy, doubled sided printing (1 to 2-Sided, 2 to 2-Sided or 2 to 1-sided) and image separation (making a large multi-sheet poster, from a single page).
If you are a regular user of the photo-copier on church business, and find the operation of this range of options a little baffling, then please contact myself and we would be happy to organise a 'demonstration workshop' session.
John Elliott (348068)

Church Family Matters

Thank you.
Betty and Michael Hadley wish to thank everyone for their messages, the many cards, and donations received both for NCH and their special project, the Trust Bank in Ghana. We hope to have news sometime in the new year of where the bank will be sited and will keep you informed from time to time. Thank you for supporting us.

Dreda and I would like to thank the members of the church for their wonderful support expressed in many ways but especially through their prayers and cards over the last six months. I am pleased to say that the cancer has
responded extremely well to the treatment and I am now clear at least for the time being. I hope to be up and running and back to normality very shortly. Many thanks again from the both of us for the staunch support we have received.
Dreda & Brian Kitchen

We would like to thank all our friends in the Circuit who have sent cards and best wishes concerning Dorothy's hip replacement. Also to those who brought practical gifts of food etc and visits, lifts and phone calls; to Don and Pat for playing the organ at Hulland.
We know that a large number of friends have been praying for us. What a comfort and help that has been for us! Dorothy is now playing the organ again. Preachers please note. We wish all readers the blessings of Christmas.
Dorothy and Michael Prior
------------------------------
Congratulations!
A grandson, Guy Edward James, ( 7lb 1oz) for Val and Mike Howse ,a brother for Isabelle.

To Alan and Margaret Wright and Mike and Betty Hadley on the celebration of their Golden Wedding. With our prayers for their future together.

--------------------------
Best Wishes
To John and Daphne Dyster as John now joins Daphne in retirement. We pray they will enjoy this new phase in their life together.

The Organist Entertains
Ashbourne Methodist Church January 13th at 7.30pm

Brailsford Methodist Church has plans to upgrade their premises and facilities that will include new toilets, a toilet for the disabled, disabled access, new kitchen facilities, additional storage space and general redecoration. It's an exciting time for Brailsford and they need all the help we can give. Don Cox has kindly agreed to host an evening of Organ Music at Ashbourne with the proceeds of the tickets going to Brailsford's property scheme.

More information and tickets will be available early December from Roger Mallard, Members of Brailsford Methodist or Don Cox

"OPEN THE BOOK"

Many thanks for your prayerful support as the team tells the Bible stories to classes 1 and 2 at Hilltop School. The enjoyment is shared both by the children and the team. We have had sessions on creation, Abraham and will conclude the term with the story of Joseph.

Sadly, not all the schools are involved due to the necessity to find more team members. In particular Osmaston has expressed a wish to be included, so if you feel you would like to know more please speak to Margaret Heaton, Joy Watts or Heather Garbutt. Alternatively, contact Janet Brown on 01335 348380, she is the local co-ordinator for the teams working in the local schools. Think about it - you will be surprised how much God can bless you in this work.

Joy Watts

MISSION MATTERS

Christian Aid Advent Prayer

Light of the world, we wait for your coming;
Transform our darkness.
We remember Mary, surrendered to your will,
Eagerly waiting for you.
We think of a mother's hopes.
We think of a mother's fears - conflict, danger, hunger, illness,
Poverty which traps and mars her child's future.
We pray for the work of all who bring light to children
And renew their mother's hopes.
God with us, be with them.
Amen.

JMA
Thanks to all who supported the JMA lunch on Sunday 19th Nov.
Special thanks to Chris Eddy and his friend Matthew, from Sierra Leone. We learnt and enjoyed. We would love to have some additional Junior Mission for All (JMA) members - please speak to Ruth Mallard for more information (Tel: 348342) or see the information on the JMA notice board near the church kitchen. If any members of the circuit would be willing to support JMA please speak to Ruth who will match you with one of the children or young people.

Mission Partners
We should hear very soon about our new Methodist Mission Partners Scheme. It is very likely that our new mission partner link will be with the Hill family in Zimbabwe. The person who organises these links at World Church Office has been abroad for a few weeks but the process is moving forward. There should be more to report early in the New Year.
We will be holding our Carol service on December 10th when we look
forward to the coming of the baby who was to change the world. It will be my privilege to lead that service and I hope to have a little help from friends.
I would like to use this opportunity to ask for help. I will be away for 6-8 weeks in the spring and that will leave Parwich without an organist. If there is anyone who is willing to help us we would be most grateful.

Mission in the US
We don't hear too much about mission in America. This year two American ministers spoke of mission in the USA when they visited the Bolton and Rochdale District. Rev. Douglas Smith was from the
Eastern Conference in Texas, with 285,000 members and 825 churches. His own church started with 76 people in 1978 and had 6,500 today. Now it is a seven-days-a-week church, every year they had grown in their involvement in Christ's mission, both at home and around the world. Rev. Phillip Kearse said that Methodism was the second strongest Christian denomination in every state of the US. Representing the widest cross-section of the population it adopted the prevailing characteristics and culture of a region. Accordingly Methodism never appeared the same anywhere. He believed that while the Christian faith was, as in John Wesley's time, at a low ebb in Britain, re-creation and revival were close at hand.

Mission Support Questionnaire research results
Ask congregations how they decide where their money for mission goes and the results give food for thought. The Methodist World
Mission Conference 2006 compiled data from 100 churches following a survey. Anyone interested in obtaining copies of the results either as a Word document or a PowerPoint presentation can obtain these from Val Ogden. Her email address is: v.ogden@queens.ac.uk It is hoped that the survey will encourage many congregations to take a fresh look at the increasingly complex issues around God's money and God's mission.

A mission prayer for us all for 2007
Lord God, pioneering Saviour as we set about this work
We ask that you will lead us step by step.
Help us to see with your eyes.
Help us to listen with your ears.
Help us to think about what you are doing in our world.
May we not falter nor make empty plans
But work to share your love and grace.
From Mission Pursuit
Ruth Mallard

THE CORNERSTONE COFFEE SHOP

What a great opportunity and blessing has been given us in being able to run The Cornerstone. It is not only valued by the church but by the many visitors who come to enjoy a drink and refreshments and have the opportunity to receive a warm welcome, the offering of a listening ear, a word of encouragement or be upheld in prayer.

Since it's inception Helen Flinn has nurtured this project and has created it into the success it is today. She has devoted her time and prayers to develop a God centred place of physical and spiritual refreshment, with words of encouragement to the many volunteers. Helen would now like to pass the responsibility of co-ordination on to some-one else. She has requested to be relinquished of the role in April and we now need to ask for God's guidance in seeking her replacement. May I ask you to pray about this as the role is key to the continuation of the running of The Cornerstone. Is God asking you to offer yourself as co-ordinator to lead this part of the church's witness in to 2007 and beyond? Please think and pray about this so that this work may continue to be richly blessed by God.

Joy Watts (Steward)

PLASTICS UPDATE!

I noticed last week that some large fierce notices had appeared on the plastic recycling bin at Sainsbury's - Plastic Bottles only!! This morning I spoke to the Environmental Office at Derbyshire Dales: "Does this mean what it says? Can we now only put plastic bottles in the bin?" Pause. "Oh no, you can still put in any plastic that has numbers 1 - 5 on it." "So why does it say plastic bottles only in even larger letters than before?" "That's for people who don't understand about the numbers." (!!!) "Wouldn't it be a good idea to explain them to people instead of letting so much plastic go to landfill......"
So carry on putting in all your plastic numbered 1 - 5! Oh, and please
remove plastic lids and put them in separately (as long as they too are 1 - 5), otherwise the bottle will explode in the crusher!
Pat Fielding

From Around the Circuit

Manna

By the sweat of your brow, shall you eat bread
That's what the Holy Bible said.
To plant and sow, and gather in
Has always been the work of men.

The land may flow with milk and honey,
But not for those who have no money.
It's only with the labourers there,
The generous earth has food to spare.

Prepare the ground and sow no seeds,
The only thing that grow are weeds,
A spade and fork, with an old watering can,
Or it all goes back where it began.

Some are full, and some are empty,
Some will starve in the land of plenty,
Fowls of the air, and fish of the sea,
But very little of our food is free.

Wilf Ward Stanton Chapel

____________________________

Parwich

In October our friend, Jim Titterton led our Harvest festival service when we remembered God's goodness to us and contributed to the ACT project for Belarus. Many of the circuit will remember Jim's parents, Dorothy and Percy who farmed at Tissington. My Mum often talked about the times that Percy walked across the fields from Tissington to lead worship at Parwich, and then walked back for milking. We had a lively time of fellowship and welcomed friends from St Peters and other churches. It was a great pleasure that Chris was able to join us in worship too.
We will be holding our Carol service on December 10th when we look forward to the coming of the baby who was to change the world. It will be my privilege to lead that service and I hope to have a little help from friends.
I would like to use this opportunity to ask for help. I will be away for 6-8 weeks in the spring and that will leave Parwich without an organist. If there is anyone who is willing to help us we would be most grateful.
Jan Smith
We will be holding our Carol service on December 10th when we look forward to the coming of the baby who was to change the world. It will be my privilege to lead that service and I hope to have a little help from friends.
I would like to use this opportunity to ask for help. I will be away for 6-8 weeks in the spring and that will leave Parwich without an organist. If there is anyone who is willing to help us we would be most grateful.
Jan Smith

______________________________

Advent

The holly and the ivy
Are dancing in a ring
Round the berry bright red candles
And the white and shining King.

Candles secured on an evergreen wreath, a circle of light glowing in the darkness once heralded the return of the sun on the shortest day in the dark mid-winter.
That was long before the Winter solstice was appointed to be the date for the celebration of Christmas, the birthday of the one who would be heralded as "The Sun of Righteousness" bringing life and light to the world.

An early mention of Advent as a season, important to Christians, was in Spain in the fourth century, where the records speak of a three week period of fasting which lead up to the Feast of the Epiphany.
However, it was in the time of Pope Gregory the Great that the four Sundays leading to the 25th of December were set aside as the time for both the preparation for the celebration of the Nativity and as a time of penitence in preparation for the beginning of the New Year.
ADVENT, which means "Coming", is an opportunity for reflection on the beginnings of the Christian faith, recalling the first coming of The Lord at Bethlehem and His Final Coming at the end of the Age. For the People of God these precious weeks are not only the count-down to Christmas nor a reminder of the diminishing days to complete our shopping but a precious time for quiet reflection concerning the lasting values of life. A looking forward to the time when all things will be summed up in Christ at the final judgement.

And Christ is in the Centre,
For this is His Birthday,
With the shining lights of Christmas
Singing, "He has come to-day"

To-wards the end of the second century an anonymous Christian writer, commenting on the festival of the mid-winter solstice, wrote: "They call (This Day), The birth of the unconquered sun, but is the sun so unconquered as Our Lord who underwent Death and overcame it? Or they say "It is the birthday of the sun", but is not our Lord the Sun of Righteousness of whom the prophet said "For you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings" B. Botte. Les origines de Noel. Page 105.

The images of light and darkness, of Glory shining from the heavens, are all strong images of the meaning of the coming of the Christ in whom the whole creation is held together. It was to share our lives that He came, to one particular place and at one particular time, so that all places and all times might celebrate His Coming. (I owe much of my thinking in the later half of this work to Miss P. Webb.)
With prayer and sincere wishes that the Incarnation of the Son of God may rest in us and all we do as His People.
Sister Merle

WOMEN'S NETWORK

CHRISTMAS SERVICE FOR TODDLERS and PLAYGROUPS
Tuesday 5th December
We hope that you will join us at this Service in the Church at 10.45am. There will be songs, (some with shakers), stories and activities, followed by refreshments in the Century Hall. Have you an under-5 or a grandchild in this age group? Why not come along and join us? Join us anyway! All welcome!

DISTRICT WILLERSLEY WEEK
March may seem a long way off but please book 26-30March for Willersley Week. We usually go on the Monday but if this is not convenient an alternative can be arranged. Bookings start in early January. Irene Sayer, a past Connexional President will be leading us this year. She is a lovely, lively lady and I am sure will give us much to think about. (You will appreciate this if you read her book, "Jesus Women"). So book the date and watch for further
details. Alma Swan (343751)

Hope and Homes

Step back in time and discover the secrets of Inner Mongolia's majestic and mysterious section of the Great Wall of China. Take on Hope and Homes for Children's China Challenge from the 26th May to 6th June 2007 and help them change the lives of some of the world's poorest children.
The trek is open to anyone over the age of 14 and is suitable for all fitness levels. For more information contact Abi Thatcher on 01722 792 916 or visit www.hopeandhomes.org

(When Sandra was commissioned as Connexional President of Women's Network in September the retiring collection was for Hope and Homes, a charity dealing with orphans in Romania and South Africa by
financial and personal support to remain a family and earn to keep themselves. This is their latest project).
Cliff Lewer

News from around the Connexion

CHILDREN WANT 24/7 CHURCH

An online survey conducted by MethodistChildren has found that children prefer to participate in the fun, fellowship and community offered by churches during the week and in summer holidays than on Sundays.

Steve Pearce, Children's Secretary, says; ""Midweek groups are almost 100% bigger than Sunday groups. Many churches are doing great work on Sundays, but it's clear from our results that children want church to be more than just that - they want to go to activities during the week. Which is great, because 43% of the churches that work with children already provide mid-week activities, with an average of 38 children attending each group."

"Sundays are special, but we're called to be Christians every day of the week and this survey shows that children and young people have a 24/7 spirituality that needs to be fed all the time. We are already doing this in a variety of ways through services such as the MethodistChildren website and free weekly texting service. We are also involved in various online church projects for those of all ages, but there's always more room for growth."

Doug Swanney, Children's Work Development Officer, added; "The most significant finding of the survey is that when churches do something new, it usually works. Churches need to be ready to take the risk of trying new things - they might just surprise themselves with how successful they are."
The results of the survey are available online
at http://www.methodistchildren.org.uk/adults/audit.htm

THOUGHTS UPON SLAVERY

John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist Church, was well known as an opponent of slavery. In his then controversial tract, Thoughts Upon Slavery, published in 1774, John challenged the evils of slavery and called for the abolition of the Slave Trade Act.

To mark the bicentenary of the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act in 2007, Thoughts Upon Slavery has been reproduced, with additional material, links to resources and information on the Set All Free campaign which aims to combat modern forms of slavery

Thoughts Upon Slavery is available from mph at £3.50. A set of seven posters are also available at £5 per set from the Racial Justice Office, Methodist Church House, London NW1 5JR.
email: RacialJustice@methodistchurch.org.uk
The Women's Network of the Methodist Church has chosen to focus on modern-day slavery for its 2005 -2008 Social Action Project

See also the Set All Free website http://www.setallfree.net

-----------------------------------------

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT POVERTY?

MRDF have produced a six-session study pack for small groups, ideal for Lent.

It features challenging Bible studies for small groups including

* Bible readings
* Discussion questions
* Prayers
* Practical ways to respond

The study packs are free: order one copy for each member of your group from MRDF:

Tel: 020 7467 5132
e-mail: mailto:mrdf@methodistchurch.org.uk

MRDF, 25 Marylebone Road, London NW1 5JR.


The Commission on Integration and Cohesion

The Methodist Church has been asked to take part in the Government's
Commission on Integration and Cohesion, which is looking at issues of faith, identity and integration. You can find details of the Commission and how to make a response here: http://www.methodist.org.uk/index.cfm?fuseaction=news.content&cmid=1330

We hope as many Methodist people will respond to this as possible. This is obviously a major matter of concern for politicians of all types at the
moment, but it is rare for the voices of a large number of people to be heard in such a discussion. So please make yourself heard - it costs nothing and doesn't take long but remember the deadline is 15 December.

Dear Friends,

This is the last edition of 2006 and the first of 2007.
I hope you find it both informative and stimulating. Please let me know what you think especially about a new feature, "Mouse Hole" aimed at children, the inclusion where space allows of some national Methodist news and possibly a quiz or puzzle from time to time.
I hope to produce the next edition on February 4th, deadline for copy 9.00pm Wednesday 24th January please. Contributions should be E-mailed
To ashbournemethodistmagazine@supanet.com placed in the pigeon hole at AMC or sent to 2 Hambleton Close Ashbourne DE6 1NG
May the Season's Joy and Peace be yours. Arthur Watts

Quote: Filling the world he lies in a manger! (Augustine)

CHRISTMAS 'One liners'

Did you hear about the aggressive tom cat that lived in Jerusalem? It was named Herod Anti-puss.

Santa's helpers are subordinate clauses.

A Christmas sign on a reducing salon: '24 Shaping Days until Christmas.'

A turkey crossing the road is poultry in motion.

William had brought his glamorous new girlfriend home for Christmas to introduce her to his family. "What do you think?" he whispered. "Some dish, huh?"
"That she is," his mother agreed, frantically pulling the Christmas meal together. "But is she kitchen-tested?"

First colleague: "I made a fool of myself last night at the office Christmas party."
Second colleague: "Did you? I noticed nothing unusual."

The minister had been rushed into hospital, just before the rush of Christmas services, for an emergency operation. Things turned out better than hoped, and the minister asked his secretary to let the congregation know he'd soon be back to work. On the Sunday, the people were startled to find this notice in their pew-sheet: 'God is good. The minister is better.'

The bishop of Aberdeen and the Orkneys was irritated by the way one of his clergy had addressed a letter to him. "I know it was the festive season but I can assure you that I wasn't that bad when I visited your church at Christmas." And he returned the letter addressed to: The Tight Rev F Darwent (Church Times, 20.1.89)

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Tues 5th Dec 10.45am Service for Toddlers Ashbourne
Wed 6th Dec 9.30am Walk and Talk Group
10.00am Alzheimer's Cafe The Cornerstone
Fri 8th Dec Ashbourne Late Night Shopping
Sun 10th Dec 2.30pm Carol Service Parwich
Thur 14th Dec 7.30pm Ashbourne Church Council Century Hall
Sat 16th Dec 7.00pm PRAISE Ashbourne
Sun 17th Dec 2.30pm Carol Service Stanton
2.30pm Carol Service Tissington
6.30pm Carol Service Brailsford
6.30pm Carol Service Ashbourne
6.30pm Carol Service Kniveton
Tues 19th Dec 12.30pm Church Lunch Ashbourne
Sun 24th Dec 2.30pm Carol Service Hulland
4.00pm Christmas at Milldale Milldale
11.15pm Christmas Eve Communion - Ashbourne
Christmas Day 10.00am Christmas Day Celebration - Ashbourne
Sun 31st Dec 11.15pm Watchnight Service Ashbourne
Wed 3rd Jan 9.30am Walk and Talk Group
10.00am Alzheimer's Café The Cornerstone
Sun 7th Jan 10.30am Covenant Service & Confirmation Ashbourne
2.30pm Covenant Service Stanton
Sat 13th Jan 7.30pm The Organist Entertains Ashbourne
Sun 14th Jan 10.30pm Covenant service Brailsford
2.30pm Covenant Service Kniveton with Hulland
2.30pm Covenant Service Parwich
Wed 17th Jan 9.30am Walk and Talk Group
10.00am Alzheimer's Café The Cornerstone
Thurs 18th Jan Start of WEEK OF PRAYER for CHRISTIAN UNITY
Sat 20th Jan 7.00pm PRAISE Ashbourne
Mon 29th Jan 7.30pm Ashbourne Men's Forum Inaugural Meeting Ashbourne Golf Club

CIRCUIT CHURCH SERVICES
Sunday

Ashboume 10.30am with young people's groups. - Becky Dutton (343494)
6.30pm
Brailsford 10.30am
United service 10.45am monthly on 1st Sunday
Hulland 2.30pm
Kirk Ireton 6.30pm monthly on 4th Sunday
Kniveton 2.30pm Family service 11am monthly on last Sunday
Milldale Special services - see Dates for Your Diary
Parwich 2.30pm fortnightly
Stanton 2.30pm
Tissington 2.30pm monthly on 3rd Sunday

 

Ashbourne Church Activities

 

 

Circuit Staff
Rev Chris Eddy
33 The Green Road
Ashboume

Sister Merle Wilde
124 The Green Road
Ashboume

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