0910 - October 2009

www.stivesmethodistchurch.org.uk

October 2009 Newsletter St Ives Methodist Church 27, The Waits, St Ives, Cambridgeshire. PE27 5BY Minister: Rev Matt Finch Tel: 01480 462293 Mobile: 07968 692390 Email: [email protected]

Sunday Services Rev Vivian

4th October

10:30am

11th October

10:30am

Rev Matt Finch

18th October

10:30am

Ruth Horton

25th October

10:30am

Simon Cooper

Holy Communion

A loop system is in use in this church. In order to use this please put your hearing aid to the ‘T’ position.

A warm welcome to anyone who is visiting St Ives Methodist Church for the first time. Please stay for a free cup of tea or coffee in the church after the service. Children’s corner Activities are available at the back of church. Please feel free to join us at any time during the service.

Church Meetings St Ives Methodist Church (SIMC) run various groups that meet on different days of the week. For more details of a specific group’s events, please pick up a leaflet from the leaflet rack in the corridor opposite the kitchen. Day Mondays

Time

Meeting

2-4 pm

House Group

Tuesdays

9:30 – 10am

Tuesdays

2 pm

Morning Prayers / Communion Afternoon Fellowship

Tuesdays

10 -12 noon

Tuesdays

10Toddlers Group 11:30am

(alternate weeks)

Open Door

Fellowship and Bible Study A special time of reflection Hymns, prayer, various speakers. Drop in for a cup of tea and a chat Meet other parents, have a chat

rd

7:30 pm

Open Circle

Various speakers on topics of interest

Sundays

7:30 pm

Phos

Young Adult group

Thursdays st

(1 and 3 )

A letter from the Minister... Have you ever heard phrases like, “I wish I had more time”, “I don’t know where the year has gone” or “there are not enough hours in the day”? I often find myself bemoaning the lack of time and hear others saying it, why are so many of us overwhelmed by busyness and plagued by the problem of not enough time? To this end, I think October is a good month, not only is it my birthday but it is also the month in which we get an extra hours sleep. As the clocks go back we celebrate the rare occasion when we have controlled time which normally slips through our fingers like water. As I consider the pressure on us all to do more things in less time and be more efficient with fewer resources, I am struck by how precious that additional 60 minutes of Autumn time is. It is in itself a bonus to tired people but more valuably it reminds us that if we are not careful the gift of every moment passes by without us noticing it is gone. Jesus taught that He came so that we may have life in all its fullness. My worry is that we have interpreted this as a call to have full diaries and if we don’t we are lazy. I think Jesus was instead saying make sure you live life, not waste it by forgetting what a treasure it is. A challenge for us all is to look for God in the hectic lives we live; to take the time to stop and watch for where God is at work, to cherish every hour (not just the extra one) as a sacred moment in which God is present and to have a life of discipleship with space to wait for God’s leading rather a hurried few minutes where we try to pray. As God’s church we are called to be witness to what God can do and is doing in ordinary people. The God who loves us is not confined to special occasions or an hour on Sunday. God is a part of all we do and every moment we live. Our task as the church is to join God at work in his world and share how the God who created the heavens is with us in all circumstances. This month I invite you take some time to stop, reflect and share with somebody how God has been and is at work in your life. If you are willing I would love for you to give that testimony in one of our services. Every blessing and enjoy your extra hour!

Church Events Please note it has been necessary to POSTPONE until further notice the Jumble Sale planned for Saturday 10th October.

Visiting Speaker from MRDF The Methodist Relief and Development Fund is one of our church charities for this year. Our recent harvest festival celebrations focussed on the work of MRDF and this month, Graham Lindsey from MRDF will be speaking to the Tuesday Afternoon Fellowship on 13th October at 2pm about the work of the charity. All are welcome. Contact Pat Wass for further information 351462.

Alpha Course The Alpha Course is a series of introductory discussions for people who wish to know more about the Christian faith. A course has recently just started in St Ives. For further information speak to Ann Owen or visit www.bluntishambaptist.org/alpha.

Plaque unveiling for Tony Talbot A plaque will be unveiled for Tony, who died in January, at All Saints Church on Sat 31st Oct at 3.00pm. All are welcome. Please bring along any memories of Tony which you may like to share.

Residential Retreats A number of themed residential retreats are taking place at The Guy Chester Centre in Muswell Hill, North London, including "You Called?" – a weekend retreat exploring vocation from 6pm on Friday 16th October. Reflection and Prayer - a mid-week retreat for lay church workers 10th-12th November. Please contact [email protected] or Stuart Wilkinson 389623.

Action for Children Supporters’ Day Action for Children are holding a Supporters’ Day on Saturday 31st October at North Walsham Children's Centre, Norfolk. Please arrive at 10am for registration and coffee with a 10:30am start (lunch 1pm). Please contact Jo Redhead at Action for Children on (020) 7704 7034 to book your place before 23rd October.

Project Uganda Catch up with news about the Berkley Street ‘Project Uganda’ trip. 7:30pm on Tuesday 3rd November at Buckden Methodist Church. All welcome.

Advance Notice: Churches Together in St Ives A burning question? - Christianity and Climate Change A talk by Professor White of Cambridge University at St Ives Methodist Church on Monday 16th November at 8pm. Organised by the St Ives Free Church Eco-group.

Church Family News Colin and Fiona Fish remain in our thoughts and prayers following the sudden death of Colin’s mother last month. Fiona has now left, with three friends, for her trip to Namibia, where she will be helping in a school renovation project. We think of her, as well as Colin and the family back at home. We also think of the family and friends of Doreen Gouch who died recently, particularly remembering Flo’, Madge and Margaret Waddoups who all gave Doreen much support and love during her long illness.

Please Pray... As a church we believe that prayer makes a difference because God listens and answers. We are asked to pray for the Methodist Church in Latvia and for growing links with our Latvian brothers and sisters. We continue to remember in our prayers all those of our Church family who are unwell, and those awaiting, or recovering from, surgery. Especially at this time we think of Nan Duplessis, Jim Dale, Bob Kettley, Ted and Jenny Woolford, June Lawrence, Steve Mear, Ivy Rawlinson, and Connie and Ray Rogers. We think of Fiona Fish in Namibia this month, helping to renovate a school in Sorris-Sorris, Damaraland. We give thanks for Premier Christian Radio being granted permission to now broadcast nationally on digital radio. We pray for The Christian Union at St Ivo school, that it may be a place of Christian love and friendship for the pupils who attend, thinking especially of new Year 7 pupils in a very different environment to their primary school, and Year 11 and Year 13 pupils who may be looking ahead to their future. May God bless and empower the leaders of the CU. If there is anything that you would like to be prayed for please write it in the Prayer Book at the back of the church, let the Leadership Team know or contact [email protected] .

Notices Monday House Group meetings Marion Rutherford is currently leading us in an Old Testament study of the book of Ruth. If you would like to come along you will be most welcome. On Monday 5th Oct 2pm, we will be meeting at the home of John Gibbon, 8, Bury Close. On Mon 19th Oct the meeting will take place at 3, Clare Court, the home of Barbara Cooper. The Pastoral Visitors Meeting will be held on Monday 12th October at 7:30pm in the church. Do you receive Living Light Daily bible reflections through the church? If so, next year’s subscription of £9 is due this month. Please speak to Pat Wass (351462) before 1st November. If you don’t currently subscribe and you think you might be interested in receiving these daily bible reflections, speak to Pat or view a sample online at www.simc.co.uk/livinglight. The Good News Library Van will be visiting us again on Tuesday 27th October from 10:30 to 11:45am. Do come along and borrow books, CDs, etc without charge. Offering amounts for September were £420 (6th Sep), £410.50 (13th Sep), £404.91 (20th Sep), £430.15 (27th Sep). Our harvest collection for the Methodist Relief and Development Fund (MRDF) by the end of September was £309.40. Envelopes are available at the back of church if you wish to contribute. The next REST service at Sawtry will be on November 19th at 7pm.

Christmas Tree Festival This year’s Christmas Tree festival will be held at Huntingdon Methodist Church from Friday, Dec. 4th – Sun. Dec. 6th. It will be opened by Dame Norma Major at 6pm on Friday evening, and the proceeds from the event will be divided between EACH, Huntingdon Young Carers group and the Woodland Centre. Once again we are invited to sponsor and decorate a tree- any organisation, group, family or individual is welcome to join in, although as space will be limited it is suggested you get your application in early. The closing date is October 21st. The theme for the festival this year is ‘Christmas Carols or Songs’, so you need to get planning now! Nearer the time our Church will be asked to provide the names of helpers who will be willing to man stalls, help with Stewarding, help with refreshments etc. etc. Those who were involved last year will confirm that it was very enjoyable, and will almost certainly want to help out again, sometime during the week-end. If you weren’t involved last year, then don’t miss out this time! More details and information is available from Leigh Harris, Jean Buckman or Barbara Cooper. There is also a planning meeting at Huntingdon Methodist Church on Mon 19th Oct at 7.30pm. All are welcome to attend. Interested in becoming a member of our church? Several people have shown interest in becoming a member of the church. If you would like to find out more about what it entails please contact Rev Matt Finch. It is hoped over the coming months we will have a service to welcome people into membership.

Autumn Fayre – Sat Nov 7th. Can You Help? If you are able to help in any of the following ways it will make such a big difference. Contributions such as: Gifts, Toys, Jewellery, Cakes, Produce, Christmas Decorations, Miscellaneous and prizes for the Raffle can be placed in the boxes at the back of church. If you are able to help by providing food, for the popular Lunches prepared by Jean Buckman and her team, please sign up on the list at the back of church. Offers of help to set up on Friday 6th or Sat 7th would also be gratefully received. Please contact Wendy Ware (370185) if you are able to help in any way. Church Theatre Trip to see ‘Les Misérables’ on 25th November. It seems ages since this trip was arranged but the coach is now booked and all arrangements made. Payment for the coach is required by November 10th and a letter regarding this, together with coach pick-up details can be found in the pigeon holes at back of church. Please speak to Wendy Ware for more details. This newsletter is now printed on 100% post-consumer waste recycled paper, which saves water and energy, reduces chemical use and shrinks our carbon footprint. Forthcoming notices: If you would like a notice to go into the November Newsletter, please contact Stuart Wilkinson. Email: [email protected] Telephone: 01480 389623 Write in the purple notice book at the back of the church. Deadline for the next issue: 11am Tuesday 27th October

October:feature Each month the newsletter will include a special feature about one particular part of our church. This month, Kay Hender and Madge Harrison are preparing for a busy run up to Christmas as they hope to receive over 100 shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child. Even though it started months ago in the shops, Christmas may still seem like something in the far-off distance for many of us. For millions of children around the world, however, the birth of our Lord comes and goes without being even noticed. Over 1.2 million shoeboxes from the UK, packed full of gifts and goodies, were sent to disadvantaged children across the world last year. There is a very simple idea behind the project – the giving of a gift from one individual to another. It is indeed a simple but very powerful gift - reminding each child receiving a shoebox that God loves them and that they have not been forgotten. Samaritan’s Purse have been running Operation Christmas Child for 20 years and are assisted by a huge army of volunteers who help to get the boxes sorted, packed and delivered to where they need to go. If you would like to fill your own shoebox with gifts for a child to receive this Christmas time, pick up a copy of the shoebox leaflet from church, or speak to Kay or Madge. This tells you everything you need to know about what can go in your shoebox. 11 year old Shella received her shoebox last Chistmas. Her family live in Pristina, Kosovo, and since being displaced by the war, her home

has been a large steel container. She is fortunate enough to be able to go to school and hopes one day to become an English teacher. The notepad and pens she received in her box have allowed her to practise her writing. This is just one example of how a simple gift can make such a huge difference and let a child somewhere in the world know that someone is thinking about them. Last year 113 shoeboxes were collected between our church and the Free Church – and both Madge and Kay would like to beat this for Christmas 2009. Filled shoeboxes can be brought to church on Sunday 15th November where the morning service will focus on the work of Operation Christmas Child. Shoeboxes can also be left at church before this date if you are unable to join us on the 15th November. Kay and Madge are holding a coffee morning at 77 Burstellars on Saturday 17th October from 10am to 12noon. There will be items available to buy that may help you fill your shoebox and covered boxes will also be available if you need one. Kay Hender (01480) 382372 Madge Harrison (01480) 493537 If you have a suggestion for a special feature in a future newsletter, please let the Leadership Team know.

Date

Time

Meeting/ Activity

Mon 5th Tues 6th Tues 6th Tues 6th Tues 6th

2pm 9:30am 10 – 11:30am 10 – 12 noon 2:00pm

House Group (8 Bury Close) Morning Prayers / Communion Parents and Toddlers Open Door Afternoon Fellowship: Kay Rawlinson

Sun 11th Mon 12th Tues 13th Tues 13th Tues 13th Tues 13th Tues 13th Thurs 15th Sat 17th

7:30pm 7:30pm 9:30am 10 – 11:30am 10 – 12 noon 2:00pm 4pm-5pm 7:30pm 10 – 12 noon

Phos Pastoral Visitors Meeting Morning Prayers / Communion Parents and Toddlers Open Door Afternoon Fellowship: Grahame Lindsey Circle of Light, meditative music drop-in Open Circle: Medieval woodcarvings Shoebox coffee morning (77 Burstellars)

Sun 18th Mon 19th Mon 19th Tues 20th Tues 20th Tues 20th Tues 20th

7:30pm 2pm 7:30pm 9:30am 10 – 11:30am 10 – 12 noon 2:00pm

Phos House Group (3 Clare Court) Christmas Tree Festival Planning (HMC) Morning Prayers / Communion Parents and Toddlers Open Door Afternoon Fellowship: Mary Cox

Sun 25th Tues 27th Tues 27th Tues 27th Tues 27th Tues 27th

7:30pm 9:30am 10 – 11:30am 10 – 12 noon 10:30–11:45am 2:00pm

Phos Morning Prayers / Communion Parents and Toddlers Open Door Good News Library Van visit Afternoon Fellowship: Own arrangements

Printed on 100% recycled paper