0911 - November 2009

www.stivesmethodistchurch.org.uk

November 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 1st November

10:30am

Rev Matt Finch

8th November

10:30am

Keith Cakebread

15th November

10:30am

Rev Matt Finch

22nd November

10:30am

Open Circle Service

29th November

10:30am

Rev Matt Finch

6th December

10:30am

Rev Matt Finch

Holy Communion

Remembrance Sunday

Shoebox Service

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

Morning Prayers / A special time of reflection Communion

Tuesdays

10Toddlers Group 11:30am

Meet other parents, have a chat

Tuesdays

10 -12 noon

Open Door

Drop in for a cup of tea and a chat

Tuesdays

2 pm

Afternoon Fellowship

Hymns, prayer, various speakers.

Thursdays rd

7:30 pm

Open Circle

Various speakers on topics of interest

Sundays

7:30 pm

Phos

Young Adult group

(alternate weeks)

st

(1 and 3 )

Fellowship and Bible Study

A letter from the Minister... November is a month to remember. On the first we have All Saints day, on Bonfire night we will ‘remember, remember the fifth of November’, and of course on the eleventh of the eleventh there will be many acts of remembrance lest we forget. Remembering is important at a simple level without my things to do list I am lost. But deeper and more significant is the power of memory to envoke within us all vivid pictures and feelings. What thoughts come to mind if I say, ‘Andy Pandy’, ‘Bill and Ben’, to those slightly younger, ‘Mr Ben’, ‘Playschool’ or ‘Grange Hill’? Perhaps it’s memories of being with our children or personal childhood television viewing. In twenty years from now, ‘Maka Paka’, ‘Dipsy’ and ‘Balamory’ may be equally evocative for the children around us today. Our memories are what make us who we are. One of the most terrible things about those who lose their memory is that they begin to forget who they are. Yet, inspirationally it is the thought of fifty years ago that will bring a spark of life when today is a blur. In our world of technology we have the ability to store masses of information, we communicate more effectively and easily. But, I fear we remain forgetful of the important things despite our progress. In the Bible God frequently reminds his people to remember who they are, who he is and what he has done. He reminds the Israelites wandering and moaning in the desert what he has done for them and to not forget the story of their ancestors. For the Israelites to grasp the Promised Land they need to remember what God has done before. In a smaller way it is the same for us. November is a month to remember. It connects us to the past, enables us to live today and make us sure the future is full of memories. Every blessing as you remember. Matt

Church Events Autumn Fayre The spectacular Autumn Fayre takes place on Saturday 7th November from 10am-2pm. Come and enjoy a wide variety of stalls including gifts, toys, jewellery, cakes, produce, Christmas decorations, bric-a-brac, a raffle, refreshments and lunches from 11:30. Please contact Wendy Ware (370185) if you are able to help in any way or require further information.

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. All welcome.

Project Uganda Catch up with news about the Berkley Street ‘Project Uganda’ trip which took place this summer. Meet the team, see photos and ask questions. Tuesday 3rd November, 7:30pm at Buckden Methodist Church. All welcome.

R.E.S.T. at Sawtry Methodist Church Relax in an informal atmosphere where you can eat a tasty meal, share with friends and find space to think. A newer style of mid-week worship, R.E.S.T. is a relaxed, informal time of contemporary worship designed to feed the heart and stimulate the mind, beginning with a simple meal. The next REST service takes place on Thursday 19th November at 7pm.

United Circuit Service The President of Methodist Conference, Rev David Gamble, will be preaching at Huntingdon Methodist Church at 6pm on 29th November. All are invited to this Circuit Event and everyone is encouraged to come along to hear David speak.

Action for Children On Tuesday 1st December at 2pm the Afternoon Fellowship will be holding their annual Christmas Service in aid of Action for Children, the children's charity of the Methodist Church. Action for Children help vulnerable children and their families across the UK. The support of anyone who can attend would be valued. A warm welcome awaits you.

Monday House Group This month, Marion Rutherford is currently leading an Old Testament study of the book of Jonah If you would like to come along you will be most welcome. On Monday 2nd November and Monday 16th November meetings take place at 3 Clare Court, the home of Barbara Cooper, beginning at 2pm.

Good News Library Van The Good News Library Van will be visiting the church again on Tuesday 24th November from 10:30 to 11:45am. Do come along and borrow books, CDs, etc without charge. Enjoy a drink too!

Operation Christmas Child – Shoebox Appeal The final date for receipt of shoeboxes is Sunday 15th November when they will be dedicated during the morning service by Rev Matt Finch. Anyone not able to attend the service may leave boxes at any time the church is open.

Church Family News We welcome Fiona Fish back safely from her trip to Namibia, and look forward to hearing more about her experiences in the coming weeks. We are also pleased that Nan Duplessis is back home again, recovering slowly from surgery.

Please Pray... As a church we believe that prayer makes a difference because God listens and answers. We continue to remember in our prayers our housebound members including Jim Dale, Ted and Jenny Woolford, and Connie and Ray Rogers. We also think of those who continue to struggle with health problems, including Bob Kettley, Mary Hindley, Ivy Rawlinson , Margaret Harris, June Lawrence and Steve Mear. This November, we pray for all those affected by wars, past and present, across the world, and for the work of charities helping those injured or bereaved by war. 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 Harvest Gifts. On the Monday following the Harvest Festival Service, Mary & John Hindley travelled to Cambridge to deliver the donations of packages, tins of food and other dry goods to Jimmy's Night Shelter. The Housekeeper was delighted to receive the goodies and we have now received a letter of thanks from the Manager which will displayed on the Foyer Notice Board for all to see.

Christmas Tree Festival Plans are now in hand for this year’s Festival being held at Huntingdon Methodist Church. As this is a Circuit event we are hoping that our Church will be able to help, and join in, with events over the whole weekend – Friday 4th to Sunday 6th December. The event will be opened by Norma Major at 6pm. We are being asked particularly for help on the Sunday afternoon between 12.30pm and 5pm, with volunteers to man the stalls, and with Stewarding. There is a list at the back of the Church, and if you are able, then please sign up to help in any way you can. Those who were involved last year will confirm that it’s a really enjoyable pre-Christmas experience, and a nice opportunity to mix with people from other Churches around the Circuit. If you were not around then, do try to join in this year’s event. The Festival will finish around 5pm on Sunday with a service of Thanksgiving led by Rev. David Shaw. If you are not available on the Sunday afternoon, then offers of help at other times would not be refused. Items for the stalls of cakes; preserves, and Christmas gifts, would also be appreciated. All the proceeds from the weekend will be given to Charities - The Hunts Young Carers group, East Anglia Children’s Hospices (EACH). and the Macmillian Woodlands Centre at Hinchingbrooke Hospital. An opportunity also still exists for individuals, or groups, to decorate a Christmas Tree. The theme this year will be : A Christmas Carol or Song. Barbara Cooper still has application forms, but note the deadline for entries is November 15th –so don’t think about it for too long! For further information, and offers of help, please speak to Leigh Harris or Barbara Cooper or offers of help for refreshments to Jean Buckman. The next planning meeting will take place at Huntingdon on Thursday 12 th November at 7.30pm. Anyone is welcome to come to this meeting.

Update from the Treasurer In the last issue of the magazine (July-October) I said that I was fairly confident that income would exceed expenditure by the end of the year. Unfortunately we ended the year with a deficit of £1350 on the General Account. Although our overall income was about the same as last year, our expenses have increased due to higher prices for gas and electricity, more expenditure on repairs and a big jump in Circuit assessment. On the plus side our general income does not include any contribution from the Gift Day as this went into the Foyer Project Fund. The cost of heating, lighting, cleaning, repairs and insurance for the church premises came to £13,557 for the year. The hard work of Wendy Ware in arranging for the letting of the church premises and Nita Charter collecting the money provided a letting income of £11,748. Therefore, the net cost to members for heating, lighting, cleaning, repairs and insurance for the church and meeting rooms was only £1,809 for the year, which works out at just £35 a week. This coming year will be a difficult one for the church as many members will be having to make economies. We still are very dependent on the weekly offerings. To meet the Circuit assessment we need over £500 every week. Weekly Offerings for October Oct 4th £592.46 Oct 11th £405.90 Oct 18th £498.40 Oct 25th £354.50 Derek Hedger, Treasurer

Diary Dates for Christmas 2009 9th Dec 7.00pm Remembering Service 16th Dec 7.00pm Taize Healing and Wholeness Service 20th Dec 4.00pm Carol Service 24th Dec 4.00pm Christmas Eve Crib Service 24th Dec 11.00pm Christmas Eve Communion at the Free Church 25th Dec 11.00am Christmas Day Service at the Free Church FINAL REMINDER: Church Theatre Trip to see ‘Les Misérables’ Payment for the coach for those booked on this trip is required by November 10th. Please speak to Wendy Ware for more details. Jumble Sale It was necessary to cancel the planned jumble sale for October, but this has now been rearranged for Saturday 13th March 2010 - start saving your unwanted jumble now! Please also note we can no longer accept bric-a-brac unless it is nearly new – this will avoid the need to make many trips to the dump after the sale. Thank you for your co-operation and support. Please be aware that Huntingdon District Council will be using the main church during the day from Monday 23rd Nov - Friday 27th Nov. This should not cause any disruption but we need to be respectful as they will be holding a hearing about a land dispute. Forthcoming notices: If you would like a notice to go into the December 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 Tuesday1st December

November:feature Each month the newsletter will include a special feature about one particular part of our church. This month, Fiona Fish writes about her visit to Namibia last month, where with a group of friends she helped to build part of a school in a remote village It’s hard to believe that at the point of writing this I have actually been back 2 weeks!! What a truly wonderful, exciting, emotional and physically challenging experience! After a travelling time of nearly 31 hours we arrived at our camp and found we had a tent each! Our mornings started at 6am and after breakfast we would walk approx 1 kilometre to the school. To be honest it was a little better than I had expected as far as there were some concrete buildings with windows and rooves and our challenge turned out to be building a Cook House. The existing one was barely useable, the roof having gone a few years ago, rotten poles, rusting corrugated sheeting and half a concrete floor.

The government provide 1 meal for the children at school and this is a porridge equivalent. The cook makes it in a cauldron size pot over a wood fire and at 7.30am the children have this in between two pieces of bread. Over the next few days we set to as a team and demolished the rest of the cook house and rebuilt them another one with roof, steel girders, new corrugated sides, a concrete floor and a cooking bench. We dug what seemed like miles of trench and brought water to the Cook House for the first time and we put in a sink! We dug a soak away for the water to go into and the water from the roof in the Wet Season. We have mixed many wheelbarrows of concrete, hack sawed many a bolt and constantly worn a hard hat!! I have many happy memories and photographs and look forward to the opportunity of sharing them. Thank you for all your prayers and thoughts during our time out there. Despite having so little, many of the children had a smile, a wave and a hug daily for us. Those actions spoke more than words and on our last day when they sang and danced for us there was not a dry eye amongst us - even the five men! Fiona Fish – [email protected] (01480) 498372 If you have a suggestion for a special feature in a future newsletter, let the Leadership Team know.

Mon 2nd Tues 3rd Tues 3rd Tues 3rd Tues 3rd Tues 3rd Thurs 5th Sat 7th

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

House Group (3 Clare Court) Morning Prayers / Communion Parents and Toddlers Open Door Afternoon Fellowship: Rev James Pullen Project Uganda Evening at Buckden Open Circle: Mediterranean Cruise Autumn Fayre

Sun 8th Tues 10th Tues 10th Tues 10th Tues 10th Tues 11th

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

Phos Morning Prayers / Communion Parents and Toddlers Open Door Afternoon Fellowship: Ann Owen Circle of Light, meditative music drop-in

Sun 15th Mon 16th Mon 16th Tues 17th Tues 17th Tues 17th Tues 17th Thurs 19th

7:30pm 2pm 8pm 9:30am 10 – 11:30am 10 – 12 noon 2:00pm 7:30pm

Phos House Group (3 Clare Court) CTSI: Christianity and Climate Change Morning Prayers / Communion Parents and Toddlers Open Door Afternoon Fellowship: Gerry Swain Open Circle: Water Aid

Sun 22nd Tues 24th Tues 24th Tues 24th Tues 24th Tues 24th

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

Sun 29th Tues 1st Tues 1st Tues 1st Tues 1st Thurs 3rd

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

Phos Morning Prayers / Communion Parents and Toddlers Open Door Afternoon Fellowship: Action for Children Open Circle: My Scotland