The year 2012-2013 has indeed been a time of development and growth, with new opportunities having been taken on by several members of the congregation. The BeAt has reopened with an excellent new leader, and revitalised team. As part of the group which helped to lay a solid foundation for the reopening it has been great to see the progress and shared vision we have with the Anglicans. The club’s character has changed from what it used to be, but it seems that more opportunities are now opening up for conversations with the youngsters.
As a spin off from this I was talking to Rev. Brenda Harland about their bimonthly “Sunday on Saturday” which gave me a germ of an idea. This grew into a concrete proposal taken to Church Council by Worship Consultation group, and as I write we are going forward with plans to begin an “alternative” family friendly form of worship and fellowship in the months alternating with the Anglicans. Something I will be really looking forward to in the autumn.
We have also begun another expression of worship in Alice Bye Court. Several Methodists have moved in there from both our town and further afield, and with my chaplaincy hat on I popped in to see the manager. The result is what is turning out to be a regular Songs of Praise, enjoyed by an increasing number of residents and friends - “ABC Church”. Many thanks to the team who lead it and support it.
My work in Parsons Down has been focussed on the infant school – not my forte, but I think my visits with Georgina (puppet) have gone down well. Building on Janice’s connection there we have just had Orison in there which had a profound effect on many who participated - children and adults alike. We hope that this can be repeated in other schools in our area.
The Well has continued to develop under Louise’s supervision. She has many creative ideas, and we had a great Christmas ad-hoc nativity. Chaos reigned as many of the tots are very young, but it was great fun!
Thursday Prayer group continues, though with very low numbers. However we are trying to be creative to enable those who cannot attend to be connected by joining in time rather than place - more details elsewhere. When the prayer group began I told others that my experience is that when prayer groups start, after a couple of years the fruits begin to be seen. It is now about two years since we began praying together for our church and community-please notice how things are starting to move during these last few months!!
Friday Café Church continues, with different speakers bringing their own stories and insights for us to enjoy, along with the delicious cakes provided.
This is just a brief snapshot of our church life, which does move on. Sadly our friend Eddie Rudge passed away during this last year. Personally, I miss the great conversations we had when I visited and I know he prayed regularly for me. But life does move on and we have a new Local Preacher and a new Worship Leader in the making. The Worship Leading course I held was a very useful time for all of us associated with it.
As I write this I have just returned from my sabbatical and would like to thank all who took on extra duties in my absence. I look forward to consolidation and growth in the next year. Please be encouraged, as a church community God will lead us on, it may be challenging, but I believe He is guiding us into fruitful places.
Every blessing
Maree Farrimond
As a spin off from this I was talking to Rev. Brenda Harland about their bimonthly “Sunday on Saturday” which gave me a germ of an idea. This grew into a concrete proposal taken to Church Council by Worship Consultation group, and as I write we are going forward with plans to begin an “alternative” family friendly form of worship and fellowship in the months alternating with the Anglicans. Something I will be really looking forward to in the autumn.
We have also begun another expression of worship in Alice Bye Court. Several Methodists have moved in there from both our town and further afield, and with my chaplaincy hat on I popped in to see the manager. The result is what is turning out to be a regular Songs of Praise, enjoyed by an increasing number of residents and friends - “ABC Church”. Many thanks to the team who lead it and support it.
My work in Parsons Down has been focussed on the infant school – not my forte, but I think my visits with Georgina (puppet) have gone down well. Building on Janice’s connection there we have just had Orison in there which had a profound effect on many who participated - children and adults alike. We hope that this can be repeated in other schools in our area.
The Well has continued to develop under Louise’s supervision. She has many creative ideas, and we had a great Christmas ad-hoc nativity. Chaos reigned as many of the tots are very young, but it was great fun!
Thursday Prayer group continues, though with very low numbers. However we are trying to be creative to enable those who cannot attend to be connected by joining in time rather than place - more details elsewhere. When the prayer group began I told others that my experience is that when prayer groups start, after a couple of years the fruits begin to be seen. It is now about two years since we began praying together for our church and community-please notice how things are starting to move during these last few months!!
Friday Café Church continues, with different speakers bringing their own stories and insights for us to enjoy, along with the delicious cakes provided.
This is just a brief snapshot of our church life, which does move on. Sadly our friend Eddie Rudge passed away during this last year. Personally, I miss the great conversations we had when I visited and I know he prayed regularly for me. But life does move on and we have a new Local Preacher and a new Worship Leader in the making. The Worship Leading course I held was a very useful time for all of us associated with it.
As I write this I have just returned from my sabbatical and would like to thank all who took on extra duties in my absence. I look forward to consolidation and growth in the next year. Please be encouraged, as a church community God will lead us on, it may be challenging, but I believe He is guiding us into fruitful places.
Every blessing
Maree Farrimond