Ashbourne Methodist Church Magazine

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“O Lord, hear our prayers”

 

November 2002

From the Manse

 

Dear friends,

 

I am writing during One World week.  It is just one week after the Bali bombs destroyed the Sari nightclub and killed 187 people. That was a terrible reminder that we live in One World. A reminder that we cannot bury our heads in the sand and pretend everything is all right.  For there will never be Peace in the world while there are people angry with their share in life. Angry about how the world distributes its wealth.  Angry that they do not have the life choices we in the west take so much for granted.

Until last week Bali was known as an island of peace.  A tranquil tropical paradise.  A place to escape from the problems of the world and problems at home.  A place to rest, relax and return home refreshed.

 

During One World Week we are fortunate to have the Christian Aid photo exhibition “Swords into Ploughshares”.  It is a project running in Mozambique, where after 16 years of civil war they now have peace. The former fighters have been encouraged to swap their guns for farming tools.  Over 200,000 guns have so far been handed in.  The vision recorded by the prophets Isaiah and Micah of a time of Peace, when “swords would be beaten into ploughshares” is becoming a reality in Mozambique.

 

Some of these guns are handed to local artists to produce Peace sculptures.  A cross made out of guns provides a potent symbol of how our Lord Jesus defeated evil. How his death brought enemies together, so making Peace. (Ephesians 2v16).

 

The Old Testament word for Peace is ‘Shalom’.  It is a “big” word. It means everything is all right, everything is in place.  It is much more than simply an absence of war.  It means prosperity, a right livelihood.  It means right relations with your neighbours, living in harmony.  It means a right relationship with God.

 

A Welsh gentleman in my last Circuit was fond of reminding me that the Welsh language has two words for Peace.  One means an absence of war. The other is the Peace that God gives.  That inner Peace that shelters the soul, even though events outside may be in complete turmoil.

 

Jesus said “My Peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not be worried and upset. Do not be afraid” (John 14v27).  This is the Peace of God that speaks in our hearts.  It tells us we belong to God, we are his.  It tells us he is with us even when there is turmoil all around.  It tells us we are in God’s Will.  Just as an absence of that Peace tells us we have strayed from him.

 

When we pray for Peace in the world. Pray for an end to war, yes.  But pray for more than that.  Pray that we can create a world where all get their fair share, where all will have the choices that come with prosperity.  And pray that all will know God’s Peace and live in a right relationship with him.

 

        Shalom, my friend,
        God’s Peace, my friend,
        Go with you now.
        In all you do,
        May he be with you,
        Shalom, Shalom.

 

God Bless,
Chris

 

 

Christmas Fair

The Christmas Fair will occur on the same evening as Late Night Shopping within Ashbourne (Friday 13^th December).  It is intended that high quality Christmas goods will be for sale with stalls including home-made cakes, soft toys, Fairly Traded gifts, decorations and crafts. 

The stalls will be set up in the Century Hall and refreshments of tea and coffee will also be served.  Hotdogs and soup will be available as normal at the front of the Church.

We would like to ask for your help in baking cakes, and in making crafts for the other stalls. Further details will be available nearer the date, but please keep a look out for anything that will help to make the evening a success.

 

Women’s Fellowship

Our regular meetings continue each fortnight on Tuesdays at 2.15pm in Cornerstone. Our next meetings will be:

12^th November – People and Places, with Eric Matthews

26^th November – Alex Thorpe, Occupational Therapist, and Catherine Wragg, Community Care Worker.

If you would like transport, please ring Carole Thorpe ((346535) no later than the Sunday evening before the meeting.

Please be assured of a very warm welcome – if you’d like more information, please contact me.

Barbara Blenkinsop

Youth Work

Parwich Youth Club has gone well so far. I am grateful for all the support offered so far and to those who have made it all possible. Please continue to support this work and offer to help as well.

I will write about the holiday club and other youth matters in the next issue. Since taking up the role of Youth and Community Worker, I have received many good wishes and considerable support from many people. I am most grateful for your support and I pray that you will continue with your support especially as the going gets tough. Your prayers are very valuable and I give thanks to God for the many things he has already made possible.

Thank You.

Roger Mallard

NCH Invitation

We invite all our friends to our Coffee Morning at Hurtswood Guest House, Sandybrook, Ashbourne, Betty and Mike Hadley’s home, on Saturday 2^nd November, from 10am ‘til 12noon.

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 come and join us while supporting your local NCH group.

Val Howse

 

Mission Matters

A Prayer for Mission in Britain

God, thank you for the many ways in which faith is shared:
For those who seek to make the good news of Jesus Christ relevant to the variety of cultures in Britain today;
For those planting new churches –
Some that look like traditional churches, others that we find hard to call “church” at all;
For acts of love and service which provoke people into asking “why?”;
For good news shared using every form of media;
For District Evangelism Enablers and all who equip churches to look outwards.
Help us to share the calling of the whole Church
To proclaim Christ confidently in word and deed;
To long for our friends and neighbours to become followers of Jesus Christ;
To be church for those who don’t yet belong.
In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Written by Graham Horsley. From “No easy peace”.

 

Together in hope and prayer

This year the first Sunday in Advent falls on 1^st December, World AIDS Day, and churches throughout the UK will mark the start of Christmas by praying for people and communities affected by HIV/AIDS.  Globally, 60 million people have already been infected with HIV and 20 million have died from HIV-related illnesses. The developing world accounts for more than 95% of people living with the condition.

 

The Changing Face of World Mission – celebration, faithfulness, change and looking forward with confidence

 

This year we celebrate 70 years since the Methodist Church was re-united in 1932. This was also the time when three missionary societies (of the Wesleyan, United and Primitive Methodist Churches) came together to form the Methodist Missionary Society (MMS).

The world is a very different place today. The 1932 report spoke of “our missions” and now we talk of partnership. All but one of the “British Overseas Districts” are now autonomous Conferences and a growing number are united churches. Britain is a much as “receiving church” now as a “sending church” as we welcome mission partners to work among us here. All of this highlights the changing face of world mission.

Methodist people, through their giving to the Fund for World Mission, as well as those who have offered to work and witness for Christ in a country other than their own, are involved in World Mission on a daily basis. Cross-cultural exchange of personnel still lies at the heart of what the World Church Office does on behalf of MMS. The partner churches still ask for long and short-term mission partners; we in Britain value partners from overseas Churches serving on the “World Church in Britain Partnership” programme and their coming as Mission Live visitors.

There are great contrasts between 1932 and 2002. In 1932 the reliance on missionaries was strong; 70 years later the picture has changed. This is a real sign of achievement and cause for celebration. Theological colleges, teaching hospitals and teacher training colleges have done their work well over the years; people studying locally in good Christian schools have become skilled in agriculture, accountancy and management. Local leadership and autonomous Churches are sound and we should give thanks to God.

World Mission is about enabling people to encounter the transforming love of Jesus. But how we raise and use money is important in expressing what we believe about partnership in mission. MMS guiding principles are: more about enabling than control, more about decision-making as a shared responsibility than the preserve of a few; more about decisions being taken by people on the spot, not thousands of miles away.

These are exciting times in World Mission. Together, we strengthen each other to be “witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Adapted from the “The Changing Face of World Mission. MMS Report 2002

Oasis of Hope

 

Karibuni Trust is a small charity supporting projects for children living on the streets and in the slums of Kenya. These same projects are currently part of a 2-year focus by JMA through “Timetravellers”. All but one of the projects are within the Methodist Church in Kenya, all are run by Kenyans.

 

Methodist minister, Rev Mary Kinoti, told of her work of supporting and counselling people affected by HIV/AIDS and of enabling lay people to educate their peer groups – young people, women and, more of a challenge, men. “The word is getting about that HIV can be prevented and that there is spiritual, emotional and physical care for those already affected. But still people are dying from “unknown causes” – the stigma of HIV is so feared.”

 

It is estimated that 50% of the young people living in the Kibera slum aged between 15 and 25 are HIV positive. No wonder then that the number of children living on the streets is increasing rapidly, that crime is rising and that this year, for the first time, there is an atmosphere of despair. Where people have previously said, “God will take care of us”, now they are asking, “How long must we suffer these problems?” And the problems already included abject poverty, appalling slums, unemployment, foreign debt, corruption and disease.

 

As Rev John Nyota, Superintendent Minister of Langata Circuit, Nairobi, wrote recently, “Poverty is worsening. More people in the middle class earning bracket are now finding themselves in the slums. Our hope is empowering the children and their guardians. At least we can be an oasis of hope for the future”.

 

The Church is growing and is an oasis of hope – where children can be given the possibility of a future through food, education and loving care, and where they can discover a faith in God who is with them in their distress. Joy Murphy writes: We were challenged by the achievements of people who do much more than survive in impossible situations, and by the steadfastness and joy they demonstrate in their faith.

 

“Bwana Asifwe” – “Praise the Lord”.

 

Adapted from an article by Joy Murphy about her recent visit to Kenya

Help needed!

We urgently need more leaders to help with Explorers, Beta and Lazers. As the diagram below shows, we have only two leaders for Explorers and three for Beta and Lazers. We usually have around 30 children in total, and really need to find more people to lead the groups on a regular basis. This would not be every week, but it is important that we have some more help.

Please think carefully about whether you could help lead a group – it is very rewarding and important work and we feel strongly that it must continue.

If you would like to know more, please speak to Ian Marsh (( 345210)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Website of the Month:

       http://www.bhg.com

“Better Homes and Gardens? What’s that got to do with the price of fish?”, I hear you cry! Well, they’ve got lots of ideas of craft items you can make – so get surfing and then get crafty and make something to sell at the Christmas Fair.

JMA – Thank you!

Thank you to all new Junior Mission for All members, the young people on the JMA Admin Team and all the church members supporting the JMA members with regular gifts along with prayer. Your support is appreciated.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some of the new JMA members and team

Church Weekend Away

What a great weekend it was! On the first weekend in September, a group went to Scargill House, near Skipton, North Yorkshire.  Every age was represented, ranging from Joy Mallard (age, less than 1) to someone who shall remain nameless (age, more than 70!). The weekend was led by staff from the Scargill House community, with activities arranged for the children and young people and also for the adults! We shared the weekend with a group from East Didsbury Methodist Church in Manchester, and we made some good friends.

The topic of the weekend was “Mission” and we looked at many of the different aspects of mission, but we also had lots of time to relax and enjoy the surroundings.  This included a lovely walk down the dale on Saturday afternoon and a barn dance and “talent” show in the evening. Who will forget Chris delivering his bottles (was that what he said?).

The weekend culminated in a lovely communion service on Sunday afternoon in the chapel. With views out across the valley and the sun shining in, it was a beautiful setting for a very moving service.

Thanks to Wendy Haslam and everyone else who helped organise a great weekend – we should do it again sometime!

Stuart Green

Ashbourne Churches Together

ONE WORLD GROUP - HARVEST APPEAL FOR BELARUS

Thank you very much for supporting our Harvest Appeal. Nearly 800 kg (or 16 cwt) of food has been sent to ConVoy of Hope for their October trip to Belarus, along with over £750 in donations. Joan Newton, who is taking our food in her truck, was overwhelmed by our efforts. She has promised to take plenty of photographs and come and see us some time in the new year. We shall try and organise an evening meeting when she will be able to tell us more about her trip.

The following were involved in the collection of food or money:  Public Collection at St Oswald's, Thorpe, Tissington and Fenny Bentley over 60's, Ashbourne Methodist Church, United Reformed Church Ashbourne, St John the Baptist Church Mayfield, Henry Prince First School Mayfield, Parwich Methodist Chapel, St Peters Junior Church Parwich, Clifton School, Holy Trinity Church Clifton, Hilltop Infants School Ashbourne, Alstonfield Church, Snelston Church, Thorpe Church.

 

PARTNERSHIP WITH PATNA

The second £4000 has now been sent to St. Luke's Hospital, Hiranpur. There was a profit of £90 at the end of our St. Luke's Day Celebration. We now have £1000 towards our last £4000. Our main fund raising effort will be another Barn Dance - please put the date in your diary - Friday 7^th February 2003 in Hulland Millennium Hall.

 

SERVICE IN PREPARATION FOR ADVENT

Please come and join together with all the Ashbourne Churches as we look forward to Advent and Christmas. The service will be held in our Church at 7.30pm on Tuesday 26^th November.

Elizabeth Hurfurt

Youth Club Activities

Youth Club meets every Tuesday during term-time, starting at 7pm and finishing at 8.30pm. Anyone aged 7 – 14 is welcome to come along.

29^th October           Alternative Halloween Party

5^th November          Table Games / Craft

12^th November        Music Quiz

19^th November        Video Night

26^th November        Christmas Display

Prayers

We continue to ask for you to especially remember the following things in your prayers this month:

27th Oct	Our friends at other Ashbourne churches
28th Oct	The Gateway Centre
29th Oct	Tuesday Daytime Housegroup
30th Oct	Network
31st Oct	Young people in Ashbourne
1st Nov	The Church of North India
2nd Nov	NCH
3rd Nov	The work of Methodist Homes
4th Nov	Brownies & Guides
5th Nov	Youth Club
6th Nov	Wednesday Housegroup
7th Nov	Those attending the Alpha Course
8th Nov	Operation Christmas Child
9th Nov	Christian Aid’s Trade for Life campaign
10th Nov	Those who’ve not been to Church for a while
11th Nov	Christians in North Korea
12th Nov	Tuesday Evening Housegroup
13th Nov	Methodist Missionary Society
14th Nov	Those with a note to preach
15th Nov	ConVoy of Hope
16th Nov	The AGLOW Movement
17th Nov	New members and friends at Church
18th Nov	Parwich Youth Club
19th Nov	Our friends at other Ashbourne churches
20th Nov	Walk & Talk Group
21st Nov	Local farmers
22nd Nov	Choir practising for Sunday
23rd Nov	Those who hear God’s Word through Cornerstone
24th Nov	Those not well enough to attend Church today
25th Nov	Monday Housegroup
26th Nov	Luncheon Club
27th Nov	Pastoral visitors
28th Nov	Those attending the Alpha Course
29th Nov	Customers of Cornerstone and the staff
30th Nov	JMA members

 

Family News & Prayers

We extend a very warm welcome to Veronica Stavila, who is staying with John and Elizabeth Hurfurt for three months for experience of British Church Work. Veronica is from Romania, but is currently studying for a Masters degree in British Studies in Berlin.

We send our congratulations to John and Ruth Perkins on the birth of their grandson, Caleb Benjamin and also to Trevor and Ena Staniforth on the birth of their granddaughter Katherine Isobel.

We are pleased to welcome into the Church family Sebastian Frederick Simpson-Hart, who was baptised on 29^th September, he is the second son of Gordon and Jeanette.

We were also pleased to welcome John & Pauline Latham, Elsie & Ivor Redfern, Elizabeth Heap and Stuart & Sigrid Mustow into the Church family. They have all recently moved into the area and have transferred their membership to Ashbourne.

We also congratulate Andrew McKinlay on being selected for further rugby training and development with Leicester Tigers Rugby Club. Also on a sporting note, Jonathan Webb successfully completed the Great North Run, and raised over £500 for the Crossroads organisation.

We continue to pray for all those who have been unwell. We think especially of Ena Staniforth, Marjorie Matkin and May Hallam who are all getting better.

We also pray for those who are awaiting surgery in the near future, Joan Constable, Heather Broadbent and Jenny Waring. We ask that God will remain close by at this time.

At this difficult time, we send our prayers and condolences to the family of Mr Jack Wilson of Clifton, whose funeral was on Thursday 17^th October.

 

 

Social Responsibility

HIV/AIDS Africa

At the circuit meeting it was agreed in response to the AIDS/HIV pandemic that we would write to Pharmaceutical Companies and ask them to sell drugs at an affordable price to those poor nations particularly those in various parts of Africa where this disease is at its worst. I will be providing a list of companies in the next Church magazine together with sample letters that can be written. Watch out for the article and do your bit to help those countries so severely devastated by this disease.

 

North Korea

There is a copy of a letter and leaflet I received recently from CSW (Christian Solidarity Worldwide). I have received all their mailings since 1995 and CSW do a great job in supporting persecuted Christians around the world. CSW also work with Release International in some areas too. The situation in North Korea is very bad for Christians and I would ask you to support them in whatever way possible. Above all, your unceasing prayers in upholding the Christians in North Korea. We do need to pray for a regime change or change of heart with the regime that governs North Korea. Perhaps we should pray for God to show Kim Jong II the writing is on the wall (See the book of Daniel Chapter 5 and in particular verse 26 - 28) that his days as leader are numbered and that he has been found guilty of his crimes. Miracles do happen, more frequently than we can imagine. Do your all for your brothers and sisters in Christ in North Korea.

 

If you would like to know more, please speak with me.

Roger Mallard

Treasurer’s Report

Your offerings for September 2002 are gratefully acknowledged.

September	Envelopes & Bank	Cash	Total
1st	£565.50	£175.47	£740.97
8th	£383.50	£202.56	£586.06
15th	£404.00	£168.57	£572.57
22nd	£416.50	£169.02	£585.52
29th	£303.50	£140.40	£443.90
Direct to Bank	£1014.17		£1014.17
Totals	£3087.17	£856.02	£3943.19

John Hurfurt   

People at work

On our church weekend away at Scargill House we explored aspects of mission and the recognition of many of those in our own fellowship who’s mission field is their workplace. The following is a prayer written by John Ellis and included in “No Easy Peace”.

Creator God, we pray for people at work:
Those who know their work is creative and those who see no purpose in it,
Those who work uncomfortable hours so that we may be comfortable,
Those whose work takes them far from home and those who are always bringing work home.

We pray for Workplace Chaplains:
Give them sensitive spirits to know when to listen and when to speak;
Give them insight and courage needed by prophets;
Give them an awareness of your Spirit when all around seems hostile.

We pray for our churches:
That our worship may hear the cries from the workplace;
That our caring may embrace those who find no work;
That our evangelism may stretch to those who work beside us.

AMEN.

Ruth Mallard

Dates for your Diary

October

Tues            29^th   12.30pm    Ashbourne Church Lunch                        Century Hall

Thurs           31^st   5.30pm      Alternative Halloween Party        Century Hall

November

Sat              2^nd     10am          NCH Coffee Morning                   Hurtswood

Sun             3^rd                       MHA Sunday                

Tues            5^th     9.15am       Network Day                             Ashbourne

Sat              16^th                     AGLOW Movement Conference    JCB

Tues            26^th   12.30pm    Ashbourne Church Lunch                        Century Hall

Tues            26^th                     ACT Service for Advent              Church

 

 

Items for the December Ashbourne Circuit newsletter during the week commencing 17^th  November, please.  The deadline is therefore 9pm on 24^th November.

51 Highfield Road, Ashbourne. ( 300338, place items in the “Newsletter” pigeon-hole at church or e-mail ashbournemethodistmagazine@supanet.com

Home  Services  Church Groups   Methodism   Message   Churches Together   Ashbourne   Circuit