From the 23rd to the 27th of August, a group from Ashbourne were just 16 of 12,000 people enjoying the Christian Greenbelt festival. The festival, held at Cheltenham racecourse, was a massive event with most people staying in tents and doing without all mod cons for those few days. Thankfully, the weather was kind to us so the camping aspect of the festival was fun. The festival was an event for all ages. There were many young people there but also lots of families and older people. The atmosphere was very relaxed and friendly. Every day, there was a programme telling us what was going on at each time and at each venue. There was always loads to do – seminars, talks, workshops, comedy shows and lots of live music of different sorts. Amongst other things, I went to a talk about street children and a seminar about what it is like to be deaf. The comedy show ‘The second coming of Ned Flanders’ on the last night was excellent and so were some of the bands. There were also plenty of stalls and shops, suc h as the Jesus Christ Superstore, to look around if we wanted to fill time between one activity and another. On the Sunday morning, there was an open-air service in the main arena. Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams spoke and at the end of the service, we all sat on the grass and had a communion picnic with wine and sandwiches. The service, along with various other events at the festival was filmed by the BBC and will be on Songs of Praise on the 15th September. For the Ashbourne group, Greenbelt 2002 was a very successful trip. Rowan Bale Why I Enjoy(ed)… the Alpha course! We had often wondered about doing an Alpha course, but it was only after seeing a poster in Cornerstone that we began to consider it seriously. The introductory evening was informal and interesting – in fact, that would probably describe the whole course. The shared evening meal was a good way to get to know the group. It also makes it easier to get to the course after a day at work. The video that follows gives you plenty to think about while you’re feeling quite relaxed. The discussions based on the video were fascinating – there weren’t necessarily easy answers to difficult questions. It’s inspiring to learn of the faith and experiences of others. The people in our group enthused us and enriched our experience of the course just as much as the course content itself. Whatever the extent of your faith/knowledge, Alpha has something to offer. It’s a chance to air issues that often get overlooked or taken for granted. We had some of the most interesting conversations since college (all those years ago!) and would still be tussling with ideas when we got home. Like many others before us, we’re really pleased we did Alpha. If God has whispered ‘Alpha’ in your ear, then why not do it? Fiona and Chris Green Ashbourne Churches Ecumenical Singers Ashbourne Churches Ecumenical Singers (ACES) start their rehearsals on 3rd September at Clifton Smith Hall at 7.30pm. We are rehearsing firstly, a Harvest Anthem to sing at Marston Montgomery on 15th September, Clifton on 29th September and Snelston on 6th October all at 6.30pm and at Norbury on 13th October at 11am. We shall also be learning new music for a Christmas Concert at St Oswald's Church Hall on 2nd December 2002. All are welcome to join as all voices, particularly men (who seem to be very reticent at coming forward), are needed. Make Tuesday a fun night and come and enjoy a good sing and good fellowship and work towards a worthwhile result. If you insist that you can't sing, which we don't believe, perhaps you might like to volunteer as a "Friend of ACES" and make us a cuppa at Choir practices and wash up and look after the choir in other ways. If you are interested then give me a ring on (342031). Mike Hadley Some News from Brailsford We have continued to worship each Sunday evening at Brailsford. We are small in number, but this has not prevented us from having some lively and inspiring worship. The preachers who have been have given us plenty to think and pray about. The future presents us with the ongoing challenge of spreading the gospel message, not only to those who have never heard it, but also to those who have heard it regularly, but have not yet made a commitment to Christ. For those of you who could not come to the circuit activities afternoon and/or the open air service, we had a brilliant time. Quite a number of families from the village joined us for the afternoon, which was very encouraging. The worship led by Tim Dutton and John Lowe was challenging and inspiring. Thank you to everyone who helped in any way with this circuit event. We now need to plan other outreach events if the Church is to grow in Brailsford. The Ladies Fellowship resumes on the second Wednesday of each month, beginning on September 11th when the speaker will be Rev Chris Eddy. We remember the family of Mrs Maud Wallis, who died recently, she was a member of the Ladies Fellowship. We continue to pray for Mr Tatler who is ill, and being cared for in Derby, and for Mrs Tatler as she visits and supports him. We would like to welcome Rev Chris Eddy. We look forward to sharing fellowship and challenges with him. Jane Baker MHA Sponsorship Steph Allen, who spoke at our MHA Evening recently, and a team of people from the MHA Office in Leeds are doing the Great North Run half marathon (13 miles) on 6th October. They need sponsorship, if anyone is interested would they please contact me. Tom Parkinson, Circuit MHA Representative Ashbourne Christmas Fair This year our Christmas Fair will be a bit different! It’s going to be a part of Ashbourne’s Late Night Shopping, and will run alongside our usual refreshments of hotdogs, soup and drinks. Look out for more information – and your chance to get involved – the date for your diary is Friday 13th December. The Bishop of Patna at Kniveton We had heard that the Bishop of Patna, the Rev. Phillip Marandi would be staying in the Ashbourne District and that one day he would be visiting Woodhead Farm, the home of Mrs Jane Meuthen, one of the church wardens in the village of Kniveton. The object of the visit was to give Bishop Philip an insight into the life of Christians who live and witness in the rural areas in this country. Together with our friends from the Church of England we were invited to visit Woodhead Farm, to share lunch together and to meet the Bishop. We enjoyed the lunch and our fellowship together. After the meal, our friends and the Bishop walked on the old footpath down the steep fields on very muddy ways in the pouring rain. We returned to Kniveton Chapel by car to await the group who were coming on foot. It seemed silly to wait around idly and one of our number, Gill, suggested we sang some hymns together and I played the old harmonium. Usually we use the electric organ, but I used the old one, I made a lot of mistakes, but I tried. Among the hymns we sang were “What a friend we have in Jesus”, “Take time to be Holy” and “Jesus stand amongst us”. It was such a shock when I turned round from the organ and the Bishop and his companions were listening. Bishop Philip seemed to be so at ease and at home in the Chapel and so happy to Bless us and bless the Chapel that means so much to us. It was such a memorable and enjoyable day in spite of the bad weather, and we are so grateful to Mrs. Methuen for inviting us to be one with them. Winifred Broughton From the Circuit Stewards We are very glad to welcome Chris Eddy as our new Superintendent Minister. We’ve just managed to survive without one, but are looking forward very much to getting to know Chris in the next few weeks. We believe that his particular gifts are those needed in this Circuit at this time. His wisdom and experience will be much appreciated We also welcome Roger Mallard as our new Youth and Community Worker, and are sure he’ll bring his unique gifts and enthusiasm to his new role. As a Circuit, we have been asked by the Methodist Conference, to discuss and vote on the proposed Anglican-Methodist Covenant. We include the text of this, for everyone to read who hasn’t yet seen it. We’ve also received copies of the District’s new initiative, called “District Help”, a series of meetings and seminars to help anyone who would like information on variety of topics. These include: All-age worship Safeguarding Evangelism Church and Circuit Stewarding Church Treasurers And more… Anyone who is interested in these please let us know. Ann Parkinson and Eric Matthews Women’s Network - Meeting at Hulland Our first event of the Autumn is a meeting at Hulland Chapel at 2.15pm on Thursday 5th September. The speaker will be Mrs Betty Hadley of Ashbourne. There will be a Bring & Buy Stall and refreshments at the close. Please come – you will be most welcome! District Day The next District Day is on Tuesday 1st October and will be held at Barnby Gate Methodist Church, Newark. The day commences with coffee at 10am, followed by a ‘business’ meeting at 10.30am. The afternoon commences at 2pm and will be the Induction Service for the new District President Barbara Brown. If you are interested in going, please contact Alma (( 343751). Workshops and worship We shall be holding another Workshops and Worship Day on Tuesday 5th November on the theme of “Advent Unravelled”. Please make a note of the date and look out for the booking forms! Some News from Ashbourne We send our congratulations to all our young people who have recently had results for GCSE, AS and A-level exams. They all did exceedingly well, and we’re very happy for them. We especially think of the A-level students who are moving on to new things. Sam Fielding will be taking a year-out, James Marsh will be going to Sheffield, Rowan Bale is soon on her way to Edinburgh and Hannah Chilton is going to Glasgow. We wish them well and look forward to hearing updates on their “progress”! We wish Joe and Enid well in their new home, at 6 Holly Close. May your home continue to be a place of love and friendship. We also congratulate Ann and Tom Parkinson who celebrate their Silver Wedding anniversary on 3rd September, and to Liz and Pete Mawdsley who have just celebrated their 20th anniversary. We pray at this time for all those who are suffering the loss of a loved one. We think especially of John and Daphne Dyster and their family who recently lost their aunt, Mrs Marjorie Parfitt of Henmore Place. We also pray for the family of Mrs Molly Fletcher, who had lived in Muswell Hill MHA but moved to Hadfield to be nearer to Eric’s son Colin and his family. We continue to pray for Rev. Wes Blakey, our district chairman, who is recovering after heart surgery and also John Turner, recovering from a hip operation. It was good to see John at the welcome service for Chris and Roger, and we thank God that he was able to play a part in it. MP faces grilling from youths Following on from the handover of the giant postcard and 100-signature petition to Patrick McLoughlin in June, Ashbourne Youth Fellowship will be meeting with him on Sunday 15th September. They’ll be asking him about a range of things including the Trade for Life campaign, the UK’s response to HIV\AIDS around the world, his job as an MP and no doubt much, much more. It should make for an interesting evening – and we won’t really grill him! Some News from Kirk Ireton The funeral of Mrs Hilda Heathcote was held at Kirk Ireton Church on 16th August. The family and the members and friends of the chapel were most grateful to the Church wardens and to the Rev. Keith Orford for allowing us to use the Church and to Mr Jeremy Butt for playing the organ. Hilda had endured a long and painful illness and we are thankful for her that her suffering is over. The circuit will want the family to be aware of their sympathy and condolences. Sister Merle |