Home  Services  Church Groups   Methodism   Message   Churches Together   Ashbourne   Circuit   News  

Cliff College - "On the Road" & Supper
The Principal of Cliff College, Howard Mellor, will be joining us to spread the good news about the Vision and Challenge facing the College. He will be giving a multi media presentation about the College and its vision for the future in the Century Hall on Friday 21st March at 7.30pm. We would like as many people as possible from the Circuit to come along to celebrate the vision and learn more about the College. There will be time for questions and discussion too. Please bring a sweet or savoury item for the cold buffet, which will follow the presentation. We look forward to seeing you and your family and friends.

A prayer for justice by John Mohan Razu, Bangalore From "No Easy Peace".

Come, Holy Spirit, fill us with love, so that differences caused by economic and social injustice may be removed.
Fill us with your Spirit of justice, so that we can fight against poverty and exclusion.
Come, Holy Spirit, Giver of Peace, use us in a world which is polarised, where hostilities and violence have erupted between people and communities who were at peace but who now distrust each other.
Harbinger of Shalom, fill us with your Spirit of tolerance and solidarity, so that mutual respect may be established, in the name of Jesus Christ who reigns with you and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

JMA Timetravellers 2 - Children in Kenya

JMA members and supporters may like to know where some of their gifts have been spent: One of the first grants was to Kawangware Methodist School. Play equipment, from toy cars to footballs, skipping ropes to swings were bought. Learning through play and developing self confidence are vital for children if they are to grow up strong enough to find their way creatively through the difficult things life will throw at them in Nairobi. Some of the next grants will go to help AIDS orphans in Maua. One of the Mission Partners says; "Taking care of orphans must mean taking care of their parents before they have to leave their children as orphans". If their parents die most children go to live with their grandparents, most of whom are poor, living in tiny shacks, with no room or extra food for the children and no money to send them to school. The Maua AIDS Orphans project helps grandparents run a self-help group and there they give each other ideas and support, organise training and run a micro-finance scheme which enables a few of them at a time to borrow about £20 to start an income generating project.

Diary Date
Refugees & Asylum Seekers will be the topic of the Church & Society team's roadshow for our Circuit in the Century Hall on Thursday 11th September at 7.30pm. This will be an evening of information, entertainment and worship using display boards, sketches, a quiz, talks and a worship session followed by refreshments.

Some News from Parwich
We had a wonderful Carol Service led by our own minister Rev Chris Eddy, when we were joined by Rev Chris Harrison, Andrew Robinson and the congregation of St Peter's Parish Church. We look forward to our next joint service on Mothering Sunday, which will be held at St Peter's.
In January, we celebrated the 90th birthday of our senior member, Mrs Dolly Wayne. After the service we all joined together in wishing her a very Happy Birthday along with Peg Lees who had also celebrated her birthday during the week.
The Youth Club is developing under the guidance of Roger Mallard, and we were pleased that they were able to celebrate their Carol Service at the chapel.
We will celebrate our Chapel Anniversary on 11th May when Chris Eddy will be our preacher.
Jan Smith

Tissington Family News
Jean Bailey is now back at home and making steady progress after spending 8½ weeks in hospital. She wishes to thank everybody for the many visits, cards, letters and gifts during her stay and hopes not to be repeating the exercise! It is good to see her out and about again, and she was in chapel for our February service with Sister Merle at which we said prayers for World Peace.
Also with us was Mrs Titterton, a regular visitor to our chapel, over many years. Mrs Titterton has been unable to attend for a while, having moved to a residential home in Bakewell. We wish both ladies well.
Sandra Alcock

ASHBOURNE CHURCHES TOGETHER

FRIDAY MEDITATIONS AND LENT LUNCHES

12.30 - 1.30pm. COST £1.50

AT ST. OSWALD'S CHURCH HALL ON -
FRIDAY 14th MARCH AND FRIDAY 21st MARCH

AT THE CENTURY HALL ON -
FRIDAY 4th APRIL

AT ST. OSWALD'S CHURCH HALL ON -
FRIDAY 11th APRIL

SERVICE FOR HOLY WEEK 2003
TUESDAY 15th APRIL at 7.30pm. in ELIM PENTECOSTAL CHURCH

GOOD FRIDAY WALK OF WITNESS
FRIDAY 18th APRIL at 12.30pm. VICTORIA SQUARE

Once again, please join this important opportunity to witness for Christ in the town.

Patna Partnership
Alma's Jumble Sale raised £240 towards St. Luke's Hospital roof. The Barn Dance on 7th February produced £300. We now need only £1000 and we shall have reached our target of a total of £12000 one year early.

FAIRTRADE FORTNIGHT MARCH 3-16

For most Ashburnians two days of Shrovetide Football in one week is quite enough excitement! But this year we can offer you something more because Fairtrade Fortnight (the start of which coincides with Shrove Tuesday and Lent 2003) will see the launch of the Ashbourne Fair Trade Directory "CHOOSE FAIR TRADE" and two supermarket stands - one at Ashbourne Co-op and the other outside Sainsbury's - on Saturday 8th March. At the supermarket stands we will be giving away free samples of Fairtrade coffee, tea and chocolate plus information leaflets with recipes, during the hours the stores are open and while stocks last. Don't miss your opportunity for a free taste of Fairtrade! To paraphrase a familiar slogan "SHOP EARLY FOR FAIRTRADE"!
Meanwhile the One World Group has been collecting information as to which local establishments either sell, serve or offer fairly traded products. The results have been put together in a free directory and initially 200 copies will be available. It is intended that this will lead to the production of a sponsored professional-style booklet. The latest information published by the Fairtrade Foundation lists no fewer than 41 different products that carry the Fairtrade mark. This is in addition to those which are designated "Fine Foods Fairly Traded". How good it would be if all these items were available in our town!

"CHOOSE FAIR TRADE" AND TOGETHER WE CAN WORK TOWARDS MAKING ASHBOURNE A "FAIRTRADE TOWN", TAKING ITS PLACE ALONGSIDE THE MANY OTHERS NATIONWIDE WHICH HAVE ALREADY ACHIEVED THAT STATUS. MAYBE BY FAIRTRADE FORTNIGHT 2004????

And now a date for your diary . . .
Wednesday April 23rd (Easter Wednesday) 7.30pm in St Oswald's Church Hall. Traidcraft and "Pachacuti", Dig St. Ashbourne will collaborate in presenting a FASHION SHOW.
Clothing from the Traidcraft Spring Catalogue will be shown alongside the latest items from South America stocked by Pachacuti which is a member of BAFTS (the British Association of Fair Trade Shops). The One World group has recently welcomed Carrie from Pachacuti as a new member. !!!Models needed, please!!! - aged from teenage to centenarian! More details next month.
Ashbourne Churches Together One World Group

A Kenyan Experience
Talking to Sister Merle before our safari holiday in Kenya we realised that we would be passing through the area where Merle used to work. A closer look at the map and Merle suggested that we try to visit the Methodist Church in Isiolo. We were only six in the safari vehicle and our driver and the other couple were quite happy for us to stop. Entering Isiolo we saw first a large Catholic Church then a Mosque. Soon we turned off the main road and found the Methodist Church compound. There were three churches on the site, the church which they currently use, a (bigger) one which they are in the process of building and tucked away in the corner a corrugated affair which was the original church and now the church office (see picture). The Superintendent Minister was there and we received a warm welcome as we told them about Sister Merle. Lots of photographs were taken and addresses exchanged and then we had to be on our way.
Elizabeth, John, Marianne & Eric

Visiting Preachers
In our Circuit, we are lucky that we have a good group of preachers who bring God's Word to us each week. It's good, though, to sometimes have preachers from outside our Circuit. For this reason, we would like you to let us know of any preachers who you feel it might be nice to invite.
In particular, we normally invite a visiting preacher to lead our Harvest Festival services, and this year Wesley Blakey has kindly offered to take the morning service. We would also like to invite a preacher to take the evening service.
If you know of someone then please offer their name to the stewards, before approaching that person, so that a suitable invitation can be made.
Ashbourne Church Stewards

Annual Ashbourne Church Meeting
April 7th 2003 7.30pm
Please try to come to this meeting which is an opportunity to review the whole life of the Church and to discuss important issues. Each church group leader has been asked to prepare a report which it is hoped will be printed and available before the meeting.
We will be electing Church Stewards and Church Council Representatives for the year beginning 1st September 2003. An invitation letter, agenda and information on voting are included in the notice-sheet for 2nd March, and some spare ones should be on the vestibule table. If you cannot find one, please ask Carole.
Nominations for Church Council members may be made on the sheet on the vestibule notice board - these should be made by 31st March.
Carole Thorpe (Church Council Secretary)

Rich Worship at Kniveton
We continue to be grateful for the rich services of worship each week and for the help and blessing we receive from fellowship with our preachers and organists. A wonderful answer to prayer has been given, in that Martin, the son of John and Christine, is making a slow recovery from a severe illness. The bible study meets each fortnight when we are joined by friends from the Church.
Mrs Rayworth looks forward to the Sundays when we worship in her home and is cheerful in spite of the constant pain.
Lester and Linda are travelling to Belarus for two weeks at the end of April.
Sister Merle

Saturday Night Live!
The latest Saturday Night Live! was a great success, with 80 people almost filling Waterside, Station Road for an evening of lively Christian worship. The worship was led by the young people of Elim Pentecostal Church, with the dance group "Blaze" performing and encouraging everyone to join in. The live music included some songs written by members of the group, and several people sharing a few words on their favourite song.
Following the worship, about 25 young people went on to the Cornerstone Café to chill-out with non-alcoholic cocktails and other refreshments. This trial run was a great success, and we're hoping to repeat it next time - perhaps with even more outlandish concoctions being mixed up!
Saturday Night Live! is being held monthly, and is aimed at younger people and contains a mix of live music, prayer, meditation and dance. Everyone is most welcome to join us for our next Saturday Night Live! from 8pm on Saturday 22nd arch. For more details, contact Roger Mallard.

Should I bother writing
about another war,
Will I raise a point
that has not been raised before?
Shall I go in favour
about this global pest
and any confrontation
would be a noble quest?
Or take the other option,
change this mischief mind
and show that life is precious
to all of humankind.
I don't think they will ask me,
I don't think I could say,
The Bible says it's God's world
and says He will repay.

By Wilf Ward, Stanton

Local Preachers
We ask for your continued prayers for our two preachers "on note" Tracy Dawson and Roger Mallard, and for those who help them with their work, Tim Dutton and Diana Whitmill.
We also ask for your prayers for Royce Warner, the Circuit tutor, as he leads Tracy and Roger through the "faith and worship" course, with those training to be preachers in the Dove Valley Circuit.
We still pray that the Lord will call more people to be preachers, the line of scripture "the harvest is plenty, but the labourers are few" is as relevant today as it was when Jesus spoke it. Many still pray for people to come forward, please join with them.
I also ask your prayers for our preachers who are not in the best of health, especially for Mrs Rena Wilcox, who many of you will know. When I last visited her at St Mary's she was not well. Please pray for her.
Please support all our preachers and ministers in prayer and in presence at their services, thank you.
Tom Parkinson, Local Preachers' Secretary

Trade Justice
At the beginning of Fairtrade Fortnight, let's not forget the millions of people who are living in poverty because of our greed and selfishness. Buying Fairtrade products shows that you truly value the work of the producers - producers who are too often neglected in the international trade in products.
But buying fairly traded goods is only the beginning. Even fairly traded goods only guarantee the producers a fair price for the raw materials they grow. How much better it would be if the poor countries could actually make chocolate or roast and grind coffee themselves and export it as a finished product.
But why don't coffee-growing countries like Uganda start processing the coffee and selling it on at a higher price? It's NOT because they're lazy. It's NOT because they're corrupt or inept. It's NOT through lack of trying. They can't process coffee themselves because the international trade rules are unfairly biased against them, meaning that multi-national corporations and rich countries can prevent them exporting processed coffee.
The same applies to cocoa beans (used to make chocolate) in Belize, rice in Haiti, tomatoes in Ghana, bananas in Costa Rica, and many, many more.
Christian Aid's "Trade for Life" campaign is about making trade work for poor people, and calls for the re-writing of international trade rules to end the bias against poor people.
Christian Aid are a part of the Trade Justice Movement, along with many other groups including The Methodist Relief & Development Fund (MRDF) and Traidcraft.
Ashbourne's Church Council recently passed a Trade Justice Resolution, calling on world leaders to re-write international trade rules with poverty reduction as the highest priority.
We encourage you to show your support for the campaign as follows:
· Write a postcard to Tony Blair about the campaign (coming soon!)
· Wear a Trade for Life badge (pictured, right) - £2 from Stuart or Catherine Green
· Speak to your friends and colleagues about Fair Trade and Trade Justice during Fairtrade Fortnight. If you don't know what to say there's a great introduction to the topic in the Trade Justice Handbook…
· Read the Trade Justice Handbook - available from the "Mission" noticeboard at Ashbourne Church, or from Stuart or Catherine Green
· Keep involved, sign up for regular news, updates and resources from Christian Aid by phoning 020 7523 2225 or logging on to www.christianaid.org.uk/campaign

Stuart Green


John Wesley (1703 - 1791)
Were you surprised by the inclusion of John Wesley in the BBC's 100 great Britons? Each year Methodists celebrate the date of what has come to be known as "The Aldersgate Experience". This was the momentous experience which changed Wesley forever. He was to note in his journal "I felt my heart strangely warmed and that I did trust in Christ alone…" As this year is the 300th anniversary of his birth (17th June) and therefore a very important date, special services are to be held to mark the occasion. I believe that many of us know little about Wesley and it is helpful to look closely if briefly at aspects of his life.
John Wesley was born at Epworth in Lincolnshire on 17th June 1703, the 15th child of a family of 19. On the evening of 9th February 1709, the Epworth rectory was engulfed with fire. John's father, the Rev Samuel Wesley rector of Epworth believed that all his family were safely out of danger when he suddenly realised that John must still be inside the burning home.
Twice Samuel attempted to rescue the child and twice he was beaten back by the flames and heat. Suddenly the child appeared at a window and was saved. This dramatic event so affected Susanna, his mother, that she cried "A brand plucked from the burning; and destined for great things."
Susannah Wesley, a remarkable and gifted woman undertook the education of her family. John lived in a happy family environment for the first ten years of his life; but went to Charterhouse School in London at the age of 10 and leaving at the age of 17 for Christ Church, Oxford where he studied for 6 years.
He had decided to become an Anglican priest and was ordained in 1728. In 1769 Wesley returned to Oxford as a fellow of Lincoln College. He now became the spiritual advisor to a group of students who became known as 'The Holy Club' or 'The Methodists' . Maybe it was at that point that John saw with a deep concern the necessity for practical help to relieve the anguish of the destitute. Prisons were visited and a school was started for the children of the poor.
1735 and the brothers Charles and John embarked for work in Georgia. John served as a parish priest in Savannah. At a glance the outcome was a great disappointment to both men, but later, the outcome of this experience was to lay the foundations of the future Methodist Church. May the rich blessing of The Father be ours as we journey through Lent to Easter, and may we awaken in the Holy Spirit as we celebrate the amazing life and work of Wesley.
Sister Merle

Family News from Hulland
We are glad that Sally Rains is much better and getting out a little with help of Hilary. We are also pleased that Milly Foy is still happy in her new home at Duffield, and we know that she looks forward to having visits from friends at Hulland. We and are in constant touch with Vera Barton who is not too well at the moment, we continue to pray for her.
Peggy Spencer

Women's Network
DISTRICT DAY
The District are hosting an Area Day on Monday 10th March at Queen's Hall, Derby. On this occasion the District business meeting will commence at 10am. There will be a break for coffee at 11am. We shall then re-commence at 11.30am when we shall be joined by friends from Lincoln & Grimsby District and Leicester & Oxford District. There will be a break for lunch from around 12.30pm until 2pm (packed lunch required, drinks available). The speaker will be Margaret Sawyer, the Connexional Secretary. It will be a good opportunity to meet her - don't miss it!
'WHAT'S MY LINE?' SUPPER
Our first Circuit event of the year is this supper which will be held in the Century Hall on Monday 17th March commencing at 7.30pm. During the evening, two ladies will be telling us what their line is! Tickets (price £4) are now available from your local rep or from Alma. Gentlemen are welcome too! Come along and enjoy good food, fun and fellowship!
WILLERSLEY WEEK - 7TH TO 11TH APRIL
The leader of Willersley Week this year is June Anderson (a former Connexional President). Her theme will be "Bad girls of the Bible (and what we can learn from them)". Places have been booked for Monday 7th April. The cost of the day is £9.25 which includes coffee, lunch and conference fees. If you would like to go, please book your place with Alma as soon as possible. If Monday is not a good day for you and you would like to go another day, have a word with Alma.
DEDICATION OF EASTER OFFERINGS
This circuit Service will be held on Sunday 18th Mat at Brailsford at 6.30pm. The service (written by Jean Owen, former Connexional President) is entitled 'God's Rainbow Promise' and will be lead by ladies from Kniveton Chapel. The speaker will be the Rev Patricia Olivent-Hayes of the Belper Circuit. Please book the date and make sure you are there!

The Cross of Christ
Ashbourne Churches Ecumenical Singers present "The Cross of Christ": A devotion for congregation and choir. On Palm Sunday, 13th April, at 2.30pm at Hulland Methodist Chapel.
We would be delighted if you can support us on this occasion. We shall be joined by the organist and some singers from Derby Cathedral, and led by Rev John Perkins, so we hope to fill the chapel, and together prepare our hearts for the Easter message.
Ruth Perkins

A Few Thoughts
Today, I have been to Kniveton to take the service and remembered it is 40 years this Easter since I came as a teenager with my parents to a service which my father was taking. The chapel was full and after the service, everyone seemed to go to Mr & Mrs Botts' house to eat sandwiches, cakes and drink cups of tea. After which, Primitive hymn books were handed round and we all sang.
Sister Merle has asked me to write down what we considered today. The subject was from the story of the conversion of the Phillipian jailer. The jailer asked "What must I do to be saved?" (Acts 16: v16). What did he mean by "saved"?
Saved from the penalty of sin. When we come to Jesus Christ in repentance and put our faith in him, we are forgiven for all that is past. We are told in 1 John 1: v9 that "if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness". Human nature being what it is, we sometimes forget things we should remember, but remember things we ought to forget - especially about others. When God forgives, he also forgets. The prophet Micah tells us that God will "hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea". I expect that most of us have things in our past that we are ashamed of, but Paul says that we should forget what is behind and strain towards what is ahead.
We are saved from the power of sin. Sin is a real power we hear a lot about. Addicts of different kinds, people who find themselves doing something they wish they didn't, but unable to stop themselves. But it may not be things like these that come to the forefront when we think of addiction. It may be an uncontrollable temper, or a certain kind of greed, or an aspect of selfishness that we cannot control. Well praise the Lord, there's great news!
In Romans 6: v14, we read that "sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.". In that marvellous hymn of Wesley's, we sing "He breaks the power of cancelled sin". What it means is that He not only cancels our sin, but also breaks its power. That does not mean that we, as Christians, are perfect, but when we realise that something is wrong in our lives we have the power to do something about it. 1 John 4: v4 says "the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world".
We will be saved from the presence of sin. When Adam sinned in the Garden of Eden, sin and sickness came into this world. One day, we shall be delivered from its presence, Revelation 21: v4 says "He will wipe every tear from their eyes, there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."
We Christians are the most privileged people in the world, because we know from God's word that death is not the end, and to be with Christ is far better. Paul said (Philippians 1: v21) "to live is Christ and to die is gain".
So we can say that in Christ I am saved, I am being saved and I will be saved.
Alleluia!
John Lowe

Ashbourne Family News
We are pleased that Mrs Barbara Dadge is home again. She has sent us the following letter of thanks:
I wish to thank all concerned for the kind wishes, flowers and cards sent to me while in St Oswald's. It's great to think one has so many friends and well-wishers. Hope to see you all soon.
Barbara
We send our congratulations to Crispin and Cathy Scott on the birth of their daughter Lydia Rose. A sister for William, Christabel and Camilla. We wish the Garside family all the best in their new home.
We send our best wishes to Mrs Lilian Shaw, Mrs A Weston and Miss E Leburn who is in St Oswald's Hospital.
We also remember in our prayers Mr Arthur Durose of Stanton, Mr & Mrs Little, Mrs Powlson, Mrs Purdy, Mrs U Spencer and Jenny Waring.
We continue to pray for those who have been recently bereaved. We think of the family of Mrs Taylor of Ashbourne. We also pray for Rev Michael Clark, whose wife Dorothy recently passed away, his daughter Susan Leese and her husband David.

Methodist Homes is 60!
April 2003-March 2004, will be Methodist Homes' Diamond Jubilee Year, with events being planned throughout the country. Events so far include:
V Diamond Treasure Hunt
V Search for Fundraiser of the Year
V Special Service of Celebration and Thanksgiving (Feb 2004)
V Forget-Me-Not Club Appeal (for the work with dementia)
I have decided, in the Diamond Jubilee Year, to try and collect at least £60 in my coin box. Can you do something this special for Jubilee Year? I hope you can.
At the time of writing, the total collected Circuit-wide for MHA is £903.73. By the way, if you have not given me your box for counting, please do so as soon as possible. Thank you for your support.
Tom Parkinson, Circuit MHA Representative

Circuit Services

There are a number of Circuit Services planned for this summer, which we hope will be wonderful celebrations with meaningful worship.
During this summer we are celebrating the birth of John Wesley 300 years ago. Our main celebration is planned for 25th May at Ashbourne at 6.30pm. We are hoping to involve the whole Circuit in enacting scenes from Wesley's life and rekindle the spirit of evangelism which characterised his ministry. Come and celebrate, go out and spread the Gospel!
On 1st June, Hulland Village Hall will be the venue for a Wesley Songs of Praise at 2.30pm. Brailsford are planning to host an open-air meeting on 15th June. They will provide details later. There will be three midweek services at Milldale during the summer, all starting at 7pm.
We hope you'll be able to come and join us at all these events and services, which ought to be a good time of fellowship, praise and thanksgiving.
Circuit Ministries Team

NCH News
We wonder if anyone in the Circuit still has a collecting box, perhaps one of the "Light of Life" variety or an older version, and would like the money counted. Please contact anyone on the support group (see end of article) or especially Mike Hadley our treasurer. Of course, if anyone would like to start collecting in this way, please let us know. Some 97,000 children and young people are helped nationally by NCH and we support nearly 500 local projects. Your help is vital!
We are busy organising our next fundraising dates. Our hot supper and quiz evening on 8th March is already sold out. Next will be a wonderful summer evening at The Elms (courtesy of Cliff and Sandra Lewer) on 4th July with full sit-down dinner accompanied by some beautiful harp and guitar music, thanks to Harp & Carpe. This will be followed by some easy-listening and/or dancing - more details later, so please keep the date free if this sounds a good way to spend a summer evening.
Apart from that, we are planning our usual town and store collections, our produce stall at the Town Hall, this year on 17th July, and our coffee morning in the Autumn. For spring 2004, we are planning an auction of promises.
As this shows, we are a very active group, and are very grateful for cake making, jam-bottling and other support you all give us. But, if there is anyone else who would like to join us on the committee when we meet three times a year, please let us know.
Ashbourne Support Group comprises: Betty and Mike Hadley, Doris Harrison, Val Howse, Marianne and Eric Matthews, Sandra and Cliff Lewer, Judith Starkie and Margaret Todd.

From the Circuit Stewards
At the last Circuit Meeting, Chris, our Minister and ourselves were asked to discuss the possible appointment of additional Circuit Stewards, so that when the present Stewards retire from their posts, then others were in- situ with the necessary experience to carry the work along.
These discussions have been ongoing and as a result of approaches made, we will be recommending to the next Circuit Meeting on March 24th. 2003, that Mrs. Elizabeth Heap from Ashbourne be appointed as an additional Circuit Steward with effect from the date of that meeting.
We know that Elizabeth has given the matter much prayerful thought before agreeing that her name be put forward and we are convinced that if the Circuit Meeting ratifies the appointment then a caring and thoughtful person will strengthen the team.
Ann Parkinson & Eric Matthews

Lots to Report from Brailsford
We are currently in the process of putting a property scheme together. We have had a serious woodworm problem in the floor and pews, which has now been solved. The pews have been sold and the floor has been treated and partly replaced. There is some work needed in the roof, external paths, walls, etc. We can then update the whole building with disabled access, carpets, comfortable chairs, better kitchen, etc, etc! This will make the building much more welcoming and usable, and enable us to reach out to more people with the message of God's love. We will, of course, be fundraising over the next months (or years!).
Our outreach continues on the first Saturday of March, April and May when we will be serving "soup and rolls" from 11.30am - 1.30pm.
We are also planning new activities such as a children's holiday club on Friday 7th March. Starting on Sunday 9th March, we have Brailsford_ALIVE@9 - a new alternative worship to which you are all invited. Details are in the ad earlier in the magazine.
Please support us with your prayers. You will all be very welcome at any of our services and activities.
Jane Baker

News from Kirk Ireton
The monthly services continue to fill a need in the village and are joyful occasions with good fellowship following the time of worship.
It is hoped that Roger will be able to strengthen the work amongst the young people in Kirk Ireton in the near future. The village was shocked to hear that Mr Heathcote had fallen and cut himself severely on the glass door. There are other friends who are suffering at the present time, we remember them and send them greetings.
Sister Merle

Prayers
We continue to ask for you to especially remember the following
things in your prayers this month:
2nd March Those providing the music for our services
3rd March Those attending the Alpha course
4th March Participants in Shrovetide football
5th March Those preparing for Holidays clubs
6th March The children attending Ashbourne Holiday Club
7th March Women's world day of prayer
8th March Those staffing Fairtrade Stands in Ashbourne Supermarkets
9th March Brailsford Alive@9
10th March Members of the Housegroups
11th March Farmers during fair-trade fortnight
12th March Customers buying fair-traded goods
13th March Those making decisions on behalf of our Church
14th March World Leaders during fair-trade fortnight
15th March Visitors to Ashbourne
16th March Those who bring the word of God to us each week
17th March The members of the Women's network
18th March Young people attending Youth Club
19th March The Walk and Talk group
20th March Cornerstone volunteers
21st March Those involved with Cliff College
22nd March Saturday Night Live!
23rd March Those who help with Explorers
24th March Those practising for the 'Encounters' production
25th March Those attending the Luncheon Club
26th March World leaders at this difficult time
27th March The group studying the Life Worth Living course
28th March All customers of Cornerstone
29th March Those preparing for services tomorrow

Easter Walk at Milldale
On Holy Saturday, 19th April, we will be meeting for an Easter Walk, followed by a service in the chapel. Please meet at the Milldale car park at 11am for the walk, the service starts at 2.30pm.
Cliff Lewer

S.A.C.R.E.
Our District doesn't have a representative on the Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education (SACRE). It's a statutory body which consists of representatives from Christian and other religious denominations, Teachers Associations and Councillors from Derbyshire Education Authority. The representative can be ordained or lay. If you are interested please contact one of the Circuit Stewards for more details.
Ann Parkinson & Eric Matthews

Giving Envelopes
Envelopes for regular giving will be sent out in March, please advise if additional ones are required and also please advise if you should wish to gift aid your contributions to the work of God.
Cliff Lewer

Dates for your Diary
MARCH
3rd - 16th Fairtrade Fortnight
Fri 7th 2pm Women's World Day of Prayer Clifton Church
Fri 7th 7.30pm Women's World Day of Prayer St John's Church
Sat 8th Fairtrade stands at Ashbourne Co-op & Sainsbury's
Fri 21st 7.30pm Cliff College "On the Road" Century Hall
Sat 22nd 8pm Saturday Night Live! Waterside
APRIL
Mon 7th 7.30pm Annual Church Meeting Ashbourne Century Hall
Sun 13th 2.30pm The Cross of Christ (ACES) Hulland Chapel
Wed 23rd 7.30pm Fairtrade Fashion Show St Oswald's Church Hall
MAY
Sun 11th 2.30pm Parwich Chapel Anniversary Parwich
Sun 25th 6.30pm Celebration of John Wesley's Birth Ashbourne Church
JUNE
Sun 1st 2.30pm Wesley Songs of Praise Hulland Village Hall

As Catherine and I are sometimes struggling with the volume of copying/stapling etc required, we would like a bit more time to produce the magazine - hence the new Wednesday deadline. Thanks.
Items (including Dates for Your Diary) for the April Ashbourne Church magazine to me by 9pm on Wednesday 19th March.
Items (including Dates for Your Diary) for the June Circuit magazine to me by 9pm on Wednesday 21st May.
51 Highfield Road, Ashbourne, DE6 1DX. e-mail ashbournemethodistmagazine@supanet.com or place items in the "Newsletter" pigeon-hole at church.


CIRCUIT CHURCH SERVICES
Sunday Ashbourne 10.30am with crèche and Explorers. Contact - Ian Marsh
6.30pm
Brailsford 6.30pm 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 2nd Sunday


ASHBOURNE CHURCH ACTIVITIES
Sunday 7.30pm Youth Fellowship - School years 10+
Contact: Stuart & Catherine Green
Monday 7.00pm Alpha Course: weekly
Leader - Chris Eddy)
7.30pm Housegroup: weekly
Leader - Gareth Rutledge
Tuesday 10am Housegroup: weekly
Leaders - John & Elizabeth Hurfurt
12.30pm Luncheon Club - Last Tuesday in month, Century Hall
Contact John & Elizabeth Hurfurt
2.15pm Womens' Fellowship - fortnightly, Cornerstone
7pm Youth Club - weekly, Lower Hall
Leader - Roger Mallard
7.30pm Housegroup: fortnightly
Leaders - Diana Whitmill
Trevor Staniforth
Wednesday Walk and Talk Group - 1st & 3rd Wednesday
Contacts - Eric & Marianne Matthews
7.30pm Housegroup: fortnightly
Leader - Stuart Mustow
Thursday 7.15pm "Life Worth Living" Course - weekly
Leader - Jan Higham
Friday 7.30pm Choir Practice - weekly, Church
Leader - Tim Dutton

Circuit Staff
Rev Chris Eddy
33 The Green Road
Ashbourne
DE6 1ED