October 2002 From the Manse Dear friends, I am happily settling in to life in Ashbourne. What a beautiful little town it is. I am finding that many people already know who I am. Especially since my picture has appeared twice in the paper already. I have in front of me the photo album prepared by Hedley for me. What a boon this has been, enabling me to fit names and faces together much more quickly. And it is especially good to have whole families pictured together so that I know who belongs to whom. In these pictures you are all happy and smiling so it quite cheers me up just to look at them! I have discovered that half of Ashbourne seems to be related to Enid and Joe. And if they are not related that means they are incomers like myself. I have had fun exploring the town, discovering all the little back alleys and short cuts. I should be a lot fitter being the minister here than in my last station with lots of walking and hills to climb. And that’s just inside the town! And especially I have enjoyed my first services worshipping with you. It is so good to have the choir giving a strong lead. It is easy to praise God when the singing’s good. Several people have asked me about my name. Am I related to Geoffrey Thackray Eddy? The answer is yes, he is my uncle. My middle name is also Thackray. It was my great grandfather Thackray who was a Methodist Minister, and his father, and his father. I am the only one in my generation to have the name Thackray. Is this why I’m the one who has ended up as a minister?! In the world of the Bible, names often had special significance. Israel – The one who struggles with God (Genesis 32v28). Jesus – the one who saves, which comes from the Hebrew name ‘Joshua’ meaning “Yahweh is Salvation”. It is interesting that Joshua has become such a popular name today. Do people know its Hebrew meaning? Rather like my own name Christopher, from the Greek “He who carries Christ”. John’s Gospel tells us the Good Shepherd knows each of us by name. “He calls us by name and leads us out”. (John 10v3). God knows each one of us personally. He knows our strengths and our weaknesses. He knows what we like, what motivates us. He knows our feelings. When he calls, he doesn’t give a general invitation, he gives a personal invitation. When he calls us to new work, he declares “I have chosen you and appointed you to bear much fruit”. (John 15v16). This personal approach by God can be overaweing. It makes one feel so small. But then comes the realisation that God knows me better than I know myself! He knows the real me and wants the real me. He loves the real me, not some Sunday best image. He knows when we are hurt and need Tender Loving Care. He knows when we need prompting into some new adventure…He calls us by name. The words of the old chorus come to mind – He touched me, He touched me, And oh the joy that filled my soul, Something happened, And now I know He touched me And made me whole. God Bless, Chris NCH News Don’t start too early buying your Christmas cards, wrapping paper and gifts! On Saturday October 26th from 10am till 3pm NCH will be having a stall at the ‘Cards For Good Causes’ at the Green Man in Ashbourne. The following Saturday (2nd November) we will be welcoming you to our Coffee Morning at Hurtswood, Betty and Mike Hadley’s home, from 10am till 12 noon. There will be the usual delectable cakes and mince pies to accompany your coffee while you chat with friends. Then you can browse through the Christmas goods on sale at fantastic prices. There will also be a candle stall, cakes, books and a ‘bring and buy’. Please make a date in your diary to come and join us while supporting your local NCH group. Val Howse Youth & Community Work. Like so many things, events and different programs can only work with willing volunteers to run them and they always seem in short supply. It is a shame because there are so many hidden talents out there that are not being used and there are so many jobs that need to be done. There are several events occurring shortly and we will need help to make them a success. Help can be from making refreshments, tidying up, helping a child colour something or make something to, running a tuck shop, registration and taking ‘subs’ from young people or leading a few sessions. There are jobs for all abilities and age is not a barrier. Please help Half Term Holiday Club We are running a mini holiday club during half term that will run for 3 mornings only (Wed 23rd to Fri 25th Oct) for children aged 4 to 11. Lots of helpers are needed and there’s a small job for anyone no matter your age or ability. If you can volunteer for just one morning or all of them, your help will be gratefully appreciated. The Elim Church is also running a one-day holiday club on Tuesday 22nd Oct. during half term. We are joining forces and sharing publicity for both these events to save paper, resources and to help the schools who pass on the publicity. Halloween 31st October As a follow up to the holiday club we will have an alternative event to Halloween (probably a disco) running from 5.30 to 7pm for children aged 4 to 11. Again we need helpers to make the event a success and to ensure that the Gospel message is delivered rather than what is behind Halloween. Parwich Youth Club Parwich Youth Club closed at the end of the last school term. On Monday 7th October, we are going to resurrect the youth club and hopefully get it going again. The age range is generally from 10 to 15. It is our hope that over time we will be able to run it with helpers from within Parwich but until such time we are dependent on helpers from outside Parwich. The club runs from 7.30 until 9.30pm each Monday evening during term time and transport is available if you are willing to help. You can get really involved if you wish but we really do need the ‘physical’ presence of an extra person to keep watch. An extra pair of ‘eyes’ will make all the difference. If you can help with any of the above please speak with Roger Mallard. (346107. E-mail. rmallard@nascr.net) |