The Vine Thornton Methodist Church Magazine CLC BOOKSHOP 45 Abingdon Street Blackpool 01253 624160 Bibles books cards and gifts available here or order from your church bookstall Opening times Monday Saturday 9.30-5.00pm Jack Jordan qualified unisex mobile hairdresser with 4 years salon experience. Are you a business then this space could be working for you Reasonable prices and working flexible hours. For any enquiries or to make an appointment please contact Jack on 07794560782 email [email protected] Victorian Arts and Crafts Looking for a Book-keeper? Need someone to help with VAT Returns and/or Payroll? Ring Moira Hannah for a no obligation quote 8 Blackpool Old Road Poulton-le-Fylde, FY6 7DH For all your Needlework and Craft supplies Knitting, crochet, patchwork, Cross stitch, etc AP FEBRUARY/ MARCH 2015 suggested donation 50p 1 07870 174649 Fellow Member of Association of Accounting Technicians with over 30 years’ experience Tel: 01253 883685 Email: [email protected] www.stitchnknit.co.uk 2 The Vine – February and March 2015 Welcome to this edition of The Vine. During this edition it is the season of Lent, where we set aside time to reflect on Jesus – his life, his suffering and his sacrifice. If you would like an article in the April/May edition of The Vine the deadline is Friday 13th March. Please let Lesley have your items, or you can send by email to the Church Office [email protected] or they can be taken to the church office, which is open on Fridays from 10.00 to 12 noon. . PLEASE HELP US TO GET TO KNOW YOU! Name…………………………………………………………. Telephone……………………………………………………. Address………………………………………………………. ………………………………………………………………... Please tick ………I am new to this church ………I would like someone to call ………I would like to receive this magazine regularly ……... I would like further info about………………………....... …………………………………………………………….. Please cut this out and hand / post it to the Minister, give to one of the Stewards or email your details to [email protected] 3 Rev Stephen Dunn 60 Victoria Road East Thornton Cleveleys FY5 5HQ 01253 855917 07913 442627 [email protected] Dear Friends So I’ve lived on the Fylde Coast for 16 months now, but I still haven’t got used to the weather! Coming from Newcastle I’m used to ‘proper’ winters; good hard frosts, and plenty of snow and ice – so far there hasn’t been any of that! However, what we’ve missed out on in ice and snow has been more than made up by the wind; I’ve never known anything like it! It’s crazy! My acclimatisation to life and ministry in Thornton has taken some adjustment. That said, I am more than committed to seeing this challenge through. We closed 2014 with 2 Testimony services on 28th December. I was hugely encouraged to hear how God has been working in your lives across the year. You shared of how God has sustained you through life’s struggles, and led you to mountain top highs, and been an ever present companion during everything in between. The final act of sharing at the 11am testimony service was a word of encouragement for me from Hebrews 13 v 17 and quite difficult to take (I am naturally self-deprecating) but much appreciated, with flowers for Sarah, Christian books for me, and most precious the assurance of love and prayers. I was also really encouraged, (as well as a little spooked!) when I received an anonymous Christmas card, full of 4 encouraging words in very carefully printed block capitals, and a very generous cash gift along with the much appreciated assurance of love, support and prayers. I have no idea who snuck up the drive and pushed it through our door, but the kindness and generosity was heart-warming. I admit I am not always very good at receiving gifts so thank you. It seems to me that accepting people for who they are, overcoming differences, encouraging, supporting, loving, showing generosity, standing with people in the highs, lows and all is what the Church of Jesus Christ ought to be about, and I am pleased to say that that is what we are about at Thornton Methodist Church. Now, not one of us are perfect, but we are striving to be ever more like our perfect God, made real in Jesus, made real in our lives too. As I write we are just about to share in another 24 hours of prayer, praying around ‘Loving God, Loving People’. This is a slogan we are considering using as a Church Mission Statement, it can be read in more than one way; 1. We have a loving God, we are a loving people, 2. We love God, we love people, perhaps you can see other implications of this phrase, and, more importantly, put it into action. I look forward to prayerfully discerning with you God’s future for His Church in Thornton for 2015 and beyond, and being a part of what He is doing here. Yours in Christ’s service We offer our deepest sympathy to the families of those who have died recently, assuring them of our prayers. In particular: We pray for the family and friends of Thelma Bowell, a member of Thornton Methodist Church whose funeral took place at TMC on 9 December. We particularly remember Sharon, Simon, Janice and Helen and their families, and the church family in our prayers. We pray for the family and friends of Jeff Blamires whose funeral took place at Carleton Crematorium on 5 January. We particularly remember Julie and Gary and their families in our prayers. We pray for the family and friends of Dorothy Lee, a member at Thornton Methodist Church whose funeral took place at TMC on 14 January. We particularly remember her daughter Ann and family, and the church family in our prayers. We pray for the family and friends of Muriel Thomas whose funeral took place at Carleton Crematorium on 20 January. We particularly remember Liz, Dave and Ian and all the family in our prayers. We pray for the family and friends of Bessie Summerton whose funeral took place at Carleton Crematorium on 21 January. We particularly remember Margaret and Alan and all the family in our prayers. Stephen We send best wishes to Marjorie Smart who celebrates her 90th birthday on 28th February 5 Blessed are those who die in the Lord; for they rest from their labours 6 Sunday Worship February and March Worship at TMC At TMC it is part of our Vision that we cater for a variety of worship preferences, which is why we hold two services on Sunday mornings. Our 9.30 a.m. is traditional whilst our 11 a.m. service is contemporary. At 10.30 a.m. between services we all meet together for coffee/tea and fellowship. Once a month we hold our Tent Service at 7.00 p.m. This is a contemporary worship service usually led by our Worship Band and features testimony, prayer and teaching. If you have never been to a tent service before, why not give it a try? You would be made very welcome. Sunday 1st February 9.30 a.m. Rev Stephen Dunn – Holy Communion 11.00 a.m. Rev Stephen Dunn 7.00 p.m. The Tent – Rev Paul Critchley Sunday 8th February 9.30 a.m. Rebekah Spinks Worship Leader – Pam Roberts 11.00 a.m. Brian Robbins - All Age Worship Sunday 15th February 9.30 a.m. Rev Stephen Dunn Worship Leader – Eileen Harper 11.00 a.m. Rev Stephen Dunn – Holy Communion Worship Leader – David Rangeley Sunday 22th February 9.30 a.m. Sylvia Clark 11.00 a.m. Greg Doughty 7 Sunday 1st March 9.30 a.m. Rev Stephen Dunn 11.00 a.m. Rev Stephen Dunn – Holy Communion 7.00 p.m. The Tent – Rev Stephen Dunn Sunday 8th March 9.30 a.m. Rev Stephen Dunn – Holy Communion 11.00 a.m. Rev Stephen Dunn Sunday 15th March – Mothering Sunday 9.30 a.m. Rev Stephen Dunn 11.00 a.m. Rev Stephen Dunn - All Age Worship and Parade Sunday 22nd March 9.30 a.m. Richard Adams 11.00 a.m. Greg Doughty Sunday 29th March – Palm Sunday 9.30 a.m. Rebekah Spinks 11.00 a.m. Rev Bill Davies Holding two and sometimes three services in a day requires a lot of teamwork and support. If you feel you can help in any way, perhaps welcoming, serving coffee, or with sound and vision, please start off by talking to one of the stewards who will be delighted to speak with you. Remember, the more volunteers we have, the greater the spread of our tasks. We particularly need more welcome stewards for the 11.00 service and a couple of people to make coffee on the first Sunday of each month. 8 Introducing your new Treasurer Hi Everyone. My name is Ken Holden. A fair number of you will know me but others may not. On Wednesday 7th January I took over from Jean Casson who has been your Treasurer for many years. With regards to myself, I was the Church Treasurer at Fleetwood Road Methodist Church for 2 spells in the 1990s and early 2000s. I moved on to become Fleetwood Circuit Treasurer around 2002 and continued in that role until late 2007. This means that, yes, I have experience of being a Church and Circuit Treasurer but since my time in those roles the nature and organisation of the job has changed enormously. I have not yet had time to settle into the role properly and it will take time. It has not helped me this week in that I have suffered the most horrific cold, head and chest, I have ever had and am still recovering. 26 February, 26 March, 23 April, 21 May If you need to contact me I can be obtained on 01253-863511. If I am not about please leave a message so that I can get back to you. I am looking forward to working at this role within the Church and hope I am able to do as good a job as Jean. I thank Jean and Bill for their work in the past and trust they have a wonderful time in Australia from the end of January until their return. If you have any enquiries please contact me. Kind Regards and God's Blessing, Ken 9 10 CHURCHES TOGETHER IN THORNTON Lent service will be at St John's Church, Little Thornton on Sunday 22 February at 3.00 pm INSPIRE CONFERENCE The Lancashire Methodist District 9th annual Inspire Conference is on Saturday 7th March at Runshaw College, Leyland from 9.30am to 4.00pm Loving your neighbour who? why? how? . Cost £15 adults and free for under 18’s Booking forms will be available shortly or they can be downloaded from the website www.lancashiremethodist.org.uk PRAYER TIMES In the morning, long before dawn, he got up and left the house And went off to a lonely place and prayed there.” Roy Searle, a Baptist minister, and a member of the Northumbria Community, told a story in one of his talks, about his son Joshua. When Joshua was small, maybe 4 or 5, he came into Dad’s study one day and sat down near him. Roy was hard at work with Church business. Looking up from his paperwork he asked Joshua what he wanted. There was no reply. So dad asked him again; “What do you want Josh?” The reply came back: “Nothing.” And Joshua still sat there. “Well, do you want to play a game?” “No.” And Joshua still sat there. “Do you want sweets?” “No.” And Joshua still sat there. “Do you want a toy?” “No” And Joshua still sat there. Feeling frustrated, and by now a bit irritated at this continued interruption to his all-important work, Roy cried: “Look Josh, what is that you want, I’m very busy?” And Joshua said: “I just want to be with you.” Roy described how - after stopping blubbing into his hankie he realised what a lesson his small son had taught him, both about his relationship with his family, and about his relationship with God. Simply to be with them - his family and his God - really to be with them, in mind, body & spirit; was the most important thing he would ever do. The short reading from Mark’s Gospel is a beautiful and vivid picture of a time when Jesus simply wanted to be with his Father. You can feel in the words the wonderful, pre-dawn time as Jesus gets up and walks out in the cool darkness, to a quiet, still place where there are no distractions to come between him & his Father. The reading gives us no idea of what Jesus said, even whether he said anything at all. 11 12 Perhaps his prayer was simply spending time aware of his Father’s presence, revelling in Him, listening to Him and seeing his power & beauty reflected in the wonder of the dawn. Too often, our own prayer & worship is shot through with busy-ness. We have to be doing, we have to be talking, we have to be singing. We don’t often seek to ‘just be’ with our Father, simply being still and silent, and knowing God’s constant, loving presence in our lives and in the world around us. If and when we do try just to be with Him, we can struggle with the quietness, the stillness, the tension of not doing anything; or our minds quickly become distracted by the stream of thoughts that constantly run around in our heads. But it’s worth persisting, in giving a little of our time and ourselves to being with our Dad, our Abba, our Father. ACTION FOR CHILDREN Thank you to all the box holders for Action for Children, a total of £290 was raised for 2014. If you would like a box please let me know. Also the YOYO Toddlers group raised £15 from a cake sale which they donated to AFC. Thanks to everyone who contributed to this amount. Shirley Eade LADIES FELLOWSHIP There are many ways we can do this. You may find these two helpful: Simply focus on your breathing - in and out, in and out aware that God is present in each life-giving breath you take; literally, that it is in God that you are living and moving and having your being. In rhythm with your breathing, repeat a word or phrase from scripture that especially speaks to you of your relationship with God e.g. “Abba”, “Jesus” or “Lord”, “Abba Father”, Lord I know you are near”. If you prefer something more specific to help you stay focused on God in stillness, the following is one simple suggestion. Using the three verses of that beautiful little hymn: “Be Still & Know That I Am God” (Singing the Faith 18), read or sing one verse at a time, and then spend a little time with them “Be still & know that I am God”: Relax into God’s presence, as you would in a hug from a parent and enjoy and thank God for being right there with you. “I am the Lord who saves & heals”: Focus on those things that need healing in your life, and rest in the healing presence of God’s love and mercy. “In you oh Lord, I put my trust”: Sense within your heart & soul the joy, the security and the wonder of God’s endless love. Happy New Year to all from the Ladies Fellowship. We are looking forward to our 2015 programme and we are pleased to see some new members to our group. We have plenty of room for more, so if you would like to come along on a Tuesday afternoon that would be lovely. We start at 2.00 and finish with a cuppa and biscuits (sometimes cake) around 3.00/3.30. We try to have a varied programme to suit all “tastes”, so please come along and join in with us. BOOK STALL IN THE CHURCH FOYER Thank you to all who purchase items from our bookstall. A reminder there are envelopes to put the money in, or if you don’t have money can you please put an IOU and give to either Sheena Burwell or one of the stewards. STREETLIFE Open day on Saturday 28th February at Streetlife, 48 Buchanan Street, Blackpool. Everyone welcome to call in between 10.00 am to 3.00 pm. . 13 14 SABBATICAL The lovely Methodist Church release ministers from normal duties for a 3 month sabbatical after 10 years of ministry... I've now been a minister for just over 11 years and so I'm overdue a sabbatical. Therefore, from 11 May until 11 August I will be around (and away) but won't be preaching or doing the usual things of ministry, followed by a couple of weeks of holiday. Emergency cover will be provided by the circuit staff (details will follow) along with arrangements we make within TMC to ensure that everything continues. I'll have more detail for the next Vine but wanted to let you know what is happening. Stephen NIMBLE FINGERS We start with a big thank you to all who donated wool for our hats, glove, blankets, bootees etc which have been sent to children who are in need through International Aid (see letter on the next page) Alas our stock of wool is running low so once again may we ask for any double knitting wool (in bright colours) to be donated so we can continue to supply those in need. We meet at 11.00 on Thursday so if you would like to come and join us please do, you will be made very welcome. Thanks again. The Nimble Fingers Group 15 16 . Monthly Giving: November and December 2014 Nov. 2nd 9th 16th 23rd 30th £ £ £ £ £ 342.82 444.66 317.29 345.75 506.13 Dec. 7th 14th 21st 28th £ £ £ £ 624.44 352.00 625.36 317.91 Standing Orders: £1,785.00 £1,757.00 Total: £3,741.65 £3,676.71 Average weekly: £ 748.33 £ 919.17 Total income: Nov: £ 5,841.26 Total expenses: Nov: £ 6,889.21 Dec: Dec: £ 6,759.52 £10,724.60 Christingle £117.53 went to Streetlife Christmas Eve £48.73 went to Comfort Zone The coffee morning in Dec raised £285 The coffee morning in Jan raised £266 LENTEN LUNCHES Once again, Churches Together in Thornton are arranging Lenten Lunches on each Friday in Lent from 27 February to 27 March. A short service, starting at 12 noon, will be followed by a simple lunch. Each of the five local churches will host one of the Lunches. Feb 27 March 6 March 13 March 20 March 27 St Nicholas Owen St John's Sacred Heart TMC Christ Church COMFORT ZONE The Monday before Christmas we served a full Christmas dinner, with all the trimmings to 100 at our Comfort Zone community (not bad from a domestic 4-burner cooker?) with a Carol service while we cleared away and prepared the puddings. Rotary arrived with wrapped presents for everyone, Paul Maynard MP came to help, again, and brought more presents and the Rucksack Project brought useful filled rucksacks. The atmosphere was electric. We continued on Christmas Eve with breakfasts as usual. This was all done by donations of food or cash, so our thanks to you all for your continuing support. Our stocks of food are being eaten into - literally - so please continue to help us with food, especially tins of minced beef, baked beans, peas (not mushy) carrots and packets of instant mash. (We no longer need butter tubs.) We also need clothing:- warm coats, trousers, sweaters, socks, good shoes and new knickers and boxer shorts. For those sleeping rough we desperately need sleeping bags and duvets. We also need more volunteers!!! Do you want to come along and see if it is for you? Just have a word with me (Gwen) and we can arrange it. Thank you from all at Comfort Zone ADVANCE DATES FOR YOUR DIARY Sunday 19th April – joint 10.30am service followed by Annual General Church Meeting and bring and share lunch Saturday 25th April – 4.00 to 6.00pm Christian Aid Quiz and refreshments Saturday 9th May – 10.00am to 1.00pm – Spring Fair 17 18 TESTIMONY SUNDAY WOMEN’S WORLD DAY OF PRAYER (INTERNATIONAL AND INTERDENOMINATIONAL) How inspiring was “Testimony Sunday”. To hear people giving testimony about what God has done or is doing in their lives was quite emotional. It isn’t easy to stand at the front of church and speak to the congregation, but it was evident to me that God was there at their sides giving the support and strength for them to speak. How wonderful it is to share God’s love, with one another and not just on “Testimony Sunday” but every day. Sometimes we need the odd nudge to remind us, but our God is so patient with us and we need to remember to be patient with one another. ENVELOPES - WEEKLY GIVING TO CHURCH. New envelopes will be available Sunday 15th March and Sunday 22nd March in the Church foyer. If you do not give using the envelopes and would like to, please just ask. This is a great way to give if you do not use standing order. Alternatively, if you would like to give using standing order, forms are available from Julie and Ken. Tax payers can Gift Aid their donations which greatly increases your giving at no extra cost to you. Remember to complete a new form if you change address or your circumstances change and you can no longer Gift Aid your donations. Tax certificates will be available on request shortly after 6th April. Thank you for your continuing support. Julie Gift Aid Secretary 19 Jesus said to them: Do you know what I have done to you? Women’s World Day of Prayer is an international, interchurch, organisation which enables us to hear the voices of women, from a different part of the world each year, expressing their hopes and concerns and bringing them before the rest of the world in prayer. On Friday 6th March an estimated 3 million people, in over 170 countries, will gather to observe the day of prayer, using an order of service written by Christian women from The Bahamas and translated into over 1000 different languages and dialects. In the British Isles alone over 5,000 services will be held. The day will begin when the sun rises over the island of Samoa, and continue until it sets off the coast of American Samoa some 35 hours later. The theme of the service is taken from St John’s Gospel, chapter 13 verses 1- 17, ‘Jesus said to them: “Do you know what I have done to you?”’ and it challenges us to demonstrate the same radical, unconditional love for others that Jesus showed when he washed the feet of his disciples. The Bahamas consists of over 700 islands, scattered over 100,000 square miles in the Atlantic Ocean, only a small proportion of which are inhabited. It refers to itself as a ‘family of islands’ and in the service the needs of the smallest islands are given as much prominence as those of the larger ones. Everyone is welcome to attend the service, men, women – people of all ages. For further information and resources, please see the WWDP website: www.wwdp.org.uk This year the service is at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Heys Street, Thornton at the earlier time of 2.00 pm on 6 March 20 Meeting Together: People to Contact DATES FOR YOUR DIARY SUNDAY Young Church Monday 2 Feb 7.30 pm Wednesday 4 Feb 7.30 pm Saturday 21 Feb 9.00 am Children’s Team meeting Leadership Team meeting Philippi Trust training session Coffee Morning with Fair Trade Stall and Children’s activities Monthly lunch Ladies’ night at Mimmos Women’s World Day of Prayer at Sacred Heart Philippi Trust training Session Inspire Conference at Runshaw College Finance Team meeting Leadership Team meeting Coffee Morning and Children’s Activities Monthly Thursday lunch Philippi Trust training session 10.00 am Thursday 26 Feb Thursday 5 Mar Friday 6 Mar 12.30 pm 7.30 pm 2.00 pm Saturday 7 Mar 9.00 am 9.30 am Wednesday 11 Mar 7.00 pm Monday 16 Mar 7.30 pm Saturday 21 Mar 10.00 am Thursday 26 Mar Saturday 28 Mar 12.30 pm 9.00 am Mettle (Year 10+) MONDAY Quiet time of Prayer Scruffy Club Cool Club for Kids TUESDAY Ladies Fellowship Kristina Wilson 07974 152092 19.00 James & Kristina Wilson 07967 044327 13.30Brian Robbins 15.30 873625 17.15 Kristina Wilson 07974 152092 18.15 Rachel Kearton 07763 065997 14.00 Sylvia Clark 857754 Prayer Meeting 19.00Brian Robbins 19.30 873625 WEDNESDAY Ladies Bible Study THURSDAY 19.30 Jenny Whiteside 07525 346922 Café 09.30 Pat Gregory 823814 Nimble Fingers 11.00 Pat Gregory 823814 Choir Practice 11.00 Sylvia Clark 857754 Monthly Lunch 12.30 Jenny Whiteside 07525 346922 Board Mates 14.00 Pat Gregory 823814 09.45 Alison Stevenson 826931 19.00 Alan Whiteside 07538 700234 08.00 Doug Harper 825871 FRIDAY YOYO Parent & Toddler Family Fridays SATURDAY Men’s Breakfast 21 11.00 22 CHURCH OFFICE 07967 497617 (Open Fridays 10 am to 12 noon) [email protected] ALPHA COURSE Eileen Harper CHILDREN’S TEAM LEADER Kristina Wilson 07979 648348 07974152092 CLEANING Doreen Faragher 868712 FINANCE TEAM LEADER Brian Watkins 851301 MEMORIAL BOOK Margaret Daniel 826183 John Byrne Dip. F.D. John Byrne Jnr. Dip. F.D. Angela Byrne NOTICES/COMMUNICATIONS Lesley Butterworth 821957 (by 5pm Thursday) 07759498938 [email protected] NURTURE Eileen Harper 07979 648348 PARENTING COURSES Wendy Reeds 594335 PASTORAL Sylvia Clark 857754 PRAYER Brian Robbins 873625 PROPERTY MAINTENANCE Mansel Jones 886749 ROOM BOOKINGS Lesley Butterworth 07927 912218 room bookings phone [email protected] SENIOR STEWARD Sheena Hendrie 868635 TREASURER Ken Holden 863511 WORSHIP Rev Stephen Dunn 855917 YOUTH TEAM LEADER c/o Rev S Dunn 855917 23 Pastoral Visitor’s name ………………………………………… My telephone number is ………………………………………. 24
© Copyright 2024