June 2009

St Neots and Huntingdon Methodist Circuit NEWSROUND JUNE 2009 This month: DIRECTORY CHANGES AND REQUESTS FOR CONTACTS • RAISING MONEY FOR PROJECT UGANDA • BRAMPTON’S CELEBRATIONS • NEWS FROM NEPAL • SAMARITANS’ PURSE: SHOE BOXES TO KYRGYZSTAN • JOB OPPORTUNITIES • WORKING IN A PRISON

SAMARITAN’S PURSE – OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD KYRGYZSTAN – MARCH 2009 Having been involved in various guises with the Shoebox Campaign for a number of years it came as a pleasant surprise when I was invited to apply to join one of the Samaritan’s Purse Distribution Teams that would be visiting one of the chosen countries to deliver shoeboxes towards the end of 2008. With the full support and backing from my Church, I applied for and was accepted onto one of the new Discovery Teams that would be going to Kyrgyzstan in February 2009. The difference between a normal Distribution Team and a Discovery Team is that the latter spends more time in the chosen country giving the opportunity to make a more in depth study of that country and any of the benefits gained from Operation Christmas Child. At the last moment the trip was delayed by a month but on the evening of 18th March, the nine of us that comprised ‘The Team’, met at a hotel adjacent to London Heathrow for the start of our eight day visit which was to have a profound affect on all of us. Early on 19th March we were at Heathrow for the first leg of our flight which was from London to Istanbul. Having previously never ventured into Asia, I was looking forward to the delights of the ‘mystic east’ only to find that the transit lounge at Istanbul Airport boasted such delights as; “Gloria Jean’s Coffee Shop” and “Burger King”. After a 4 hour stopover we continued our journey to Bishkek where we arrived at about 2.30am, local time; eventually arriving at our Guest House at 5am. After a few hours sleep, a late breakfast and a strong cup of tea we were ready to start. Having seen shoe boxes in their various stages; empty, being covered, filled, checked, sealed and finally put into cartons, the experience of seeing the faces of children opening these boxes is something best described as magical. In most cases, the children have little or nothing; the shoebox could well be the first and only present that many of them will ever receive. Words are inadequate to describe the sheer joy that these children show. To us the average value of a shoebox is about £12/£13; to these children they are a priceless treasure and I would defy even the hardest heart not to be moved.

In area, Kyrgyzstan is slightly smaller than the combined size of England and Scotland but with a population of less than half that of London. It is a very mountainous country; in fact, the Tien Shan range has some of the highest peaks in the world outside the Himalayas. It was formerly one of the republics in the old Soviet Union and has, therefore, only existed as an independent nation for about 14 years. It is 75% Moslem; 20% Russian Orthodox and 5% the others. Religious freedom is enshrined within the constitution; however, recent legislation has curtailed many of these freedoms. It is a very poor country with high unemployment, and like many of the central Asian states, it has a major problem with drugs, alcohol and other substances. During our stay we travelled more than 800 miles and took part in 7 distributions, but probably the greatest privilege was being asked to take boxes to the homes of some children who for a variety of reasons had been unable to attend an organised distribution. Before going on this trip one of the things that I had been apprehensive about was food. I need not have worried, the food was excellent and plenty of it. What was most humbling was to realise that some people may have gone short themselves in order to feed us. The people have a generosity of spirit that would put many of us in the West to shame. Despite having so little they are more than happy to share with you. In fact we were told that for us to have refused would have been taken as an insult. Usually on this sort of trip one would expect there to be something, an event or a place, that would leave a lasting memory. From my eight days in Krygyzstan there are so many lasting memories that it is difficult to pick one out. One of the slogans used is “The power of a simple gift”. The photo above is of a young girl living in an orphanage having been dumped by her family, and her age and name are unknown. A simple gift-filled shoebox brought a smile to her face for the first time in two years. The trip stretched every emotion to the limit and beyond. Prior to going I was told that it would be a life changing experience. I cannot be sure at this stage whether that is correct, but what it most certainly has done is to change my perspective on a number of things in life. We in the West seem to travel through life with an excess of clutter and baggage that we would do well to shed and thereby make our journey a much simpler affair, affording ourselves time to concentrate on what really is important. My advice to anyone who has the opportunity to do what I did; seize it with both hands. It really is quite rewarding to come out of one’s own comfort zone and perhaps see a part of the real world that isn’t available on a package holiday. Bill Ashdown Berkley Street Methodist Church

NEWS FROM EATON FORD

“A Night with the Merry Makers” on 5 June 7.30pm in aid of Uganda appeal Gift Day and “Coffee and Cakes” is on Saturday 6 June 10.30am – 12.00noon. Good News Book van is at Betty and Dennis Connor’s, 9 Crecy Court on 2 June and 7 July,

---------WORSHIP LEADERS The Local Preachers Meeting has asked John Stent to communicate with worship leaders and worship leaders’ groups around the circuit. However, he doesn’t know which churches have them, nor their names and addresses. If YOU are a worship leader or belong to such a group, will you please contact John directly at [email protected] or write to 30 Elizabeth Drive, Hartford Huntingdon PE29 1WA or phone 01480 374008.

---------120 YEARS ON THE GREEN On the weekend of June 27th/28th Brampton will be celebrating 120 years as "The Chapel on the Green". We welcome any of you with past or present associations with the chapel to join in our celebrations with a Victorian-style tea on the Saturday at 4pm (do feel free to dress appropriately!) and a service involving the congregation and village friends on the Sunday morning. If you have memories to share or pictures of Brampton in years gone by that you would be willing to lend, please contact Rev. Pam Siddall or any member of the congregation. If anyone knows of past members of the Church or Sunday School, please let them know as everyone would be most welcome.

CHARITY TREK TO NEPAL

Last year I did an organised charity trek to Nepal in aid of the Sherpas and dependents. This year I have decided to do another trek but one that I have organised myself. Having seen the extreme poverty in Nepal for myself and the plight of the poor street children , I have decided to try and raise some money for the Esther Benjamin's trust which provides homes for orphans and trafficked children. If anybody in the circuit would like to sponsor me they can do so via the website: www.justgiving/sandramonk1. There is a link on my personal page which gives more information about the charity. Many thanks, Sandy Monk ( member of Hilton Methodist Church)

---------CIRCUIT MEETING Wednesday 10th June at Tempsford, 7.30 for 7.45p.m. which will include a presentation by Rev Matt Finch on Mission Shaped Ministry

---------PROJECT UGANDA UPDATE We are so thankful to so many people to have reached our target of £20,000. We have been touched by all the wonderful support from the circuit. God has been so faithful in answering our prayers. This means we can consider other ways in which we can make a real difference in the community. We are hoping to be able to build pit latrines and perhaps a fence round the school. As well as large quantities of medication, we are taking out New Testaments to every girl in the school. Preparations continue apace as the date of our departure draws nearer 11th July. Shall we be able to fit everything into our suit cases? There are so many gifts we hope to take out so personal clothing will be minimal! We believe there is just one Methodist Church in Uganda so we very much hope to visit it. It is in central Uganda in Jinja and we are currently trying to make contact.

BERKLEY STREET

July 3rd, 4th, and 5th Festival of Arts, Crafts, Flowers and Music at Berkley Street - full details will be available in every church.

---------WHICH ELIZABETH? We have two important circuit officers both with the Christian name Elizabeth. Please make sure you know which you are addressing correspondence to; their mail is often arriving at the wrong one! Elizabeth Buckle is a Circuit Administrator, based at the Circuit Office at Berkley Street Elizabeth Cracknell is Circuit Treasurer, and she would also like to ask you all to correct her address in the circuit directory - the house number is 45 not 5 - please see the plan for the correct address.

TWO JOB OPPORTUNITIES FROM THE IPSWICH CIRCUIT: IPSWICH CIRCUIT ‘at the heart of community’ is seeking a CENTRAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATOR This is a newly created part-time post based at Circuit Office, 17 Black Horse Lane, Ipswich We are seeking a self- motivated person able to work flexibly and collaboratively to support a team of Ministers and lay people with administration, focusing on Circuit Accounts (using a dedicated software package) some church finances, grant applications and the co-ordinating of some statutory requirements etc. Candidates should have excellent I.T. and accounting skills, be able to work independently and resourcefully and be a good organiser and communicator. Minimum 12 hours per week (flexible to meet peaks of activity) Approx. £7.00 to £9.00 per hour (depending on experience and qualifications) Candidates need to be in sympathy with the ethos, aims and activities of the Methodist Church. Application packs from [email protected] Closing date 12th June 2009 IPSWICH CIRCUIT

‘at the heart of community’ is seeking a FAMILY AND CHILDREN’S WORKER for the four Methodist Churches in the Felixstowe Area We are seeking a self-motivated person to get to know, support and work with the families and children who use the church premises or are involved in church based activities. Candidates will be expected to embrace fully and advocate the ethos of the Methodist Church. A suitable candidate could have experience in the caring sector, education, nursing, youth work or a similar lay ministry. 16 Hours a week, £7.00 to £8.00 per hour depending on qualifications and experience.

Application packs from [email protected] or The Circuit Administrative Assistant 17 Black Horse Lane, Ipswich IP1 2EF Tel: 01473 254781 For enquiries Tel: 01473 310948 Closing Date 12th June 2009