KESWICK METHODIST CHURCH

Transcription

1 KESWICK METHODIST CHURCH NEWSLETTER Robin Photo by Tony Marsh January & February 2019

2 Minister s Letter Christmas celebrations are now behind us for another year but I hope that during all the festivities you managed to draw near to God and were able to rest in his presence as your focus was centred on the true meaning of Christmas God is with us. Therefore, as we move into this New Year, I want to you to hold on to that fact because this next year is going to be a year of change within this circuit. By no means the least of these changes will be the circuit merger with the Whitehaven circuit to form the Western Fells circuit. Come September a new Superintendent and Deacon will be in place. But we know that God is with us. We need to hold on to that fact and that God has his hand on all the changes that will take place. Sometimes this time of year, with the darkness and the inclement weather, and the aftermath of the Christmas festivities, can cause the spirit of some people to feel quite flat. Yet January can be the time when God is with us becomes a reality. We will begin the New Year with the Covenant service - that service which is very special to so many people. We will offer ourselves once more to be used in service for God. What difference will the incarnation make to us this year if we all realise afresh that God is with us! The Covenant service is even more important to me personally this year as I begin to think about my future ministry and service when I retire at the end of this Connexional year. But God is with me, as he is with each one of you and we have to put our trust in him. The fact that God has broken in and can change this world, and can change you and me is important to us as Christians with all the issues relating to Brexit at the moment and what that will mean to our country. So we need to continually pray for the right outcome which will benefit

3 and not disadvantage our country. So we need to ask the question, Where do we go from here? And that question is both for our nation and for Keswick Methodist Church. What is God asking of us? How can we be fruitful and effective in this community? What ways of mission and outreach can we embark on? The leadership team have been thinking about this for some time so look out for more information about this very soon but remember God is with us! I wish you all a peaceful and fruitful new year Every blessing, Sue The DaySpring Trust All gifts in the collection at the Carol Service on Sunday, 23 December, were for the Dayspring Trust (part of Sinai Ministries) in Tamil Nadu, South India. This is the charity run by Moses family to help orphaned children and those in need in the local area. All the collection (envelopes included) will be for this essential work and in particular to help with building new toilets! 2018 I North Lakes Calendar Recall As we come to the end of the year please consider returning your l North Lakes calendar to be upcycled into the greetings cards we make for sale here at KMC. Due to less 2018 calendars being printed and the high demand for them, there are now none left but requests for the cards are still coming in! I only need the photos, so please cut off the dated section under the month title and maybe use this scrap paper for shopping lists! I also use the small photos on the back of the calendar so I d love those as well. You can leave them in the box in the welcome area. Your support is very much appreciated. Thank you.

4 Sally Lunson (71016)

5 Church Family News Thank you to Hylton Sadly for us the service on the 4 th November was Hylton Boothroyd s final playing of the organ for us. Following the service there was a presentation to Hylton to show our appreciation of his years of service in providing the music for our Sunday services. New Year Greetings We send New Year greetings to all those who are no longer able to worship with us; Greta Grave, Elizabeth Grisdale, Sylvia McNae, Edna Preston, and Adrian Thwaites. Joyce Ellis News from the Traidcraft Stall Many thanks to all who purchased Christmas cards and gifts this year. The total taken for Christmas orders was 400 Thank you all for your Christmas orders and your support. As I reported in the last Newsletter, Traidcraft believed they would have to stop trading after December. The good news is that the support has been such that they feel that they can now continue trading, but on a much smaller scale. They hope to bring out new catalogues soon and I will be happy to order for you. We will not however continue with the stall. Joyce

6 Western Fells Methodist Circuit Never heard of it? That s because it doesn t exist. Yet. It comes to life on 1 September 2019 when our circuit joins with the Whitehaven Circuit. It will then stretch from Scales and Borrowdale to Seascale and Gosforth taking in Kirkland, Frizington, Egremont, Hensingham Cleator Moor and Whitehaven. Before then a lot of work has been, and is, going on to find a new name and logo, to work out staffing, to decide how the circuit will be managed and coping with all the legalities that have to be gone through to bring two circuits together. In the midst of it all we have had to cope with stationing, as both members of staff in the two circuits move on next year, but more of that elsewhere. The merger work is beginning to come to fruition although there is still much to do. As well as bringing together the churches the new Circuit will embrace the Shackles Off Project in Seascale, Café Church in Costa in Whitehaven, and staffing wise there will be a Presbyter, Deacon, Family Worker and admin assistant with the possibility of a further lay worker at our end of the circuit. To help us get to know each other a social has been planned. This will be on Saturday 27 April 4pm 9pm at Cockermouth Methodist Church. We will have a bring and share meal and churches will bring an exhibition about their work. Please put this important date in your diary and plan to be there. Transport will be coordinated nearer the time. Please pray for the meetings and work of the joint leadership teams as they seek to find God s way to move us forward into this exciting venture. David Hasson

7 Stationing for 2019 As you probably know, Rev Sue Edwards is due to retire as our superintendent minister in the summer and Rev Wendy Kilworth-Mason is moving on as Superintendent Minister of the Whitehaven circuit. A lot of work has been going on during the last few months in order to create the best possible ministerial leadership for our new Western Fells circuit. We successfully persuaded the Connexion that our circuit is a critical appointment due to a number of factors including size, leadership needs etc. We had decided that our circuit would be best served by a Superintendent Minister with appropriate leadership experience together with a Deacon to form a team where skills and abilities would then complement and support each other and the circuit as a whole. In December we were visited by Paul and Kina Saunders as part of this process. They had a very busy couple of days travelling around the circuit and came to Keswick for Jubilatte where they had the chance to meet a few of us. At the end of this, the circuit invitation committee unanimously agreed to invite Paul to serve as Superintendent Minister and Kina as Deacon. We are delighted that they have both accepted this invitation. We have much work now to continue to do as the circuits merge in order to give them the best possible welcome and start when they arrive for the new Methodist Year in September Richard North

8 This year, and over the Christmas period, we have been raising money for Action for Children So far we have collected: The Christmas tree Festival 617 Our Christmas Post Box 30 Carol Singing at the Farmers Arms in Portinscale 128 Mince Pies Evening 30 ********************************************************************* Congratulations to Andrew Robinson, director of the North Lakes Foodbank Andrew Robinson, who founded the North Lakes Foodbank in 2009 is also a popular visiting preacher at our church. Andrew has won the West Cumbria Heroes Award 2018 as Allerdale Person of the Year. Andrew was nominated for his excellent work for the Foodbank, working tirelessly over the years leading the team of staff and army of volunteers to help the most vulnerable people in our community. Andrew s award is richly deserved. Roy Ellis

9 Christmas Tree Festival with Nativity Scenes 7 th 9 th December Christmas Tree Festival & Keswick Live Advent I would like to thank everyone who contributed in any way, to help make our sixth Christmas Tree Festival such a wonderful event. In our refurbished church, the trees & Nativity scenes looked beautiful, displayed on a mixture of tables & our new staging. There were a total of twenty-six trees, provided by pre-schools, primary schools, Rainbows, Brownies & Scouts, various societies, businesses and churches. It was good to have such a variety of groups involved. All the providers had given a lot of thought to representing their group in an interesting, imaginative and decorative way. The overall result was a stunning and atmospheric display, which was greatly appreciated by those who came to see it. Many visitors voted in the informal Favourite Tree competition. Not surprisingly, the children s trees were very popular, & the winner was Threlkeld Primary School s tree depicting While Shepherd s Watched. The tree represented Blencathra, complete with plaited wool stone walls, knitted sheep, & shepherds, all made by the children. St John s Poppy Tree was the second choice, & third was Braithwaite Primary School s festive tree.

10 On Friday, our hall silhouettes were lit as part of the Keswick Live Advent. We were window number 7, & a crowd of about thirty people gathered outside to count down to the switch-on. The silhouettes looked quite striking! We then moved in to the church for carol singing, hot chocolate & mince pies. Thanks to the singing group for leading the singing, which was much enjoyed. The winners of the Children s Star colouring competition, were Teagan Quigley aged 10, & Maisie Cooper, aged 6. We were entertained for a while on Saturday & Sunday, by Oscar & Louis, Jane & Ted s grandsons, playing Christmas music on the violin & the saxophone. On Sunday a special Celebration Service was held, led by the Rev. David Hasson. The congregation sat in the hall, looking towards the trees & nativity scenes, reminding the congregation that Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Jesus. Donations during the Festival, including the service collection, raised a magnificent total of 617, for the Methodist charity, Action for Children. Sheila Files.

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12 The following events are all sponsored by Churches Together in Keswick Christmas Eve Carol Singing for Christian Aid On Christmas Eve, at 10am, about 300 people gathered on a dry but cold night outside the Skiddaw Hotel for Christmas Carols. The singing was led by Rev Charles Hope and accompanied by Gordon Pickering on the keyboard with violin, flute and accordion support. A collection was taken for Christian Aid of Ted Holt Week of Prayer for Christian Unity th 25 th January Weekdays: January 27 th Lunchtime prayers at 12noon at Methodist Church dates to be confirmed United Service - 6pm at Crosthwaite Church Only Justice Material for 2019 originates from the churches of Indonesia, where there is a strong emphasis upon the need for unity alongside the nation s ethnic and religious diversity. The resources also highlight issues of economic injustice and how religious pluralism can face challenges in the face of radicalisation. The theme is based around Deuteronomy 16:18-20, Justice, and only justice, you shall pursue

13 Women's World Day of Prayer This year the service has been prepared by the women of Slovenia. The theme is: Come Everything is ready! Friday March 1st further details to be announced All are welcome; men, women and children * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** * ** * ** * * * * * * * * * * * * Saturday 2 nd February 9am 4.30pm Keswick School Caring for our Common Home is a conference to reflect on why we should care for our common home and the challenges we face doing it. It s about becoming aware of faith perspectives on the environment and environmental challenges and to identify practical actions we can take, both as individuals and communities. It will include inspiring speeches and a range of workshops. For more information see the poster on the notice board or visit caringforourcommonhome.org. The cost is 15 for the day and you can book online. Bring your own lunch, drinks provided. Roy Ellis

14 Taizé Worship Nothing is more conducive to a communion with the living God than a meditative common prayer with, at its high point, singing that never ends and that continues in the silence of one s heart when one is alone again. When the mystery of God becomes tangible through the simple beauty of symbols, when it is not smothered by too many words, then a common prayer, far from exuding monotony and boredom, awakens us to heaven s joy on earth. Brother Roger of Taizé Where and what is Taizé? The Taizé Community is an ecumenical Christian monastic fraternity in Taizé, Saône-et-Loire, Burgundy, France. It is composed of more than one hundred brothers from Catholic and Protestant traditions, who originate from about thirty countries across the world. It was founded in 1940 by Brother Roger Schütz, a Reformed Protestant. Today, Taizé is one of the world's most important sites of Christian pilgrimage with a focus on youth. Over 100,000 young people from around the world make pilgrimages to Taizé each year for prayer, Bible study, sharing, and communal work. Through the community's ecumenical outlook, they are encouraged to live in the spirit of kindness, simplicity and reconciliation. When do our Taizé services take place? On the 2 nd Sunday in the month, four times a year. 10 th March and 9 th June are the dates of our next two services. What happens at a Taizé service? The church is set up the same as for morning worship i.e. we all face in the same direction, as a way of expressing that we pray not to one another but to Christ. We have candles to create a prayerful atmosphere and we project images and symbols associated with Taizé symbols on the screen.

15 The service proceeds unannounced, and involves sung prayer or chants, interspersed with a Psalm, a Bible Reading and Prayers of Intercession and/or Thanksgiving. These are often led by members of the congregation (they have been asked beforehand!). We also have a period of silence. Singing Singing is one of the most essential elements of worship. Short songs, repeated again and again, give it a meditative character. Using just a few words they express a basic reality of faith, quickly grasped by the mind. As the words are sung over many times, this reality gradually penetrates the whole being. And these simple songs then enable us to keep on praying when we are alone, by night and by day, sometimes in the silence of our hearts when we are at work. Meditative singing thus becomes a way of listening to God. As we haven t got the luxury of a live instrumental group, we use recorded sung music. The order of service includes the words of the chants which may either be in English or Latin (the translation will be there!) and you can either join in with the singing or just listen - whatever best enables your worship. Taizé chants will (should!) be already familiar to you as we have sung or listened to them during worship many times, especially during communion, and a number of them are now in Singing the Faith. Silence Brother Roger says, When we try to express communion with God in words, we rapidly reach the end of our capacities. But in the depths of our being Christ is praying, far more than we imagine. Compared to the immensity of that hidden prayer of

16 Christ in us, our explicit prayer dwindles almost to nothing. That is why silence is so essential in discovering the heart of prayer. Although God never stops trying to communicate with us, God never wants to impose anything on us. Often God s voice comes in a whisper, in a breath of silence. Remaining in silence in God s presence, open to the Spirit, is already prayer. We have a period of silence of about 10 minutes. This sounds a long time, but is often the part of the service that people find very powerful. Candle lighting Towards the end of the service, there is an opportunity if you wish, to light a candle after which a chant celebrating the light of Christ is sung. This reminds us that even when we are surrounded by darkness, in our own personal life or in the life of humanity, Christ s love is a fire that never goes out. I hope this goes some way in explaining what Taizé worship involves, and might encourage you to give it a try! Helen North Dates for your Diary 6 January United Covenant Service with St John s Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Jan 12noon each day Lunchtime Prayers at Methodist Church 27 January United Service - 6pm at Crosthwaite Church 8 February Church Council 2pm, at the church 25 February 6 March Fairtrade Fortnight 1 March Women s World Day of Prayer 27 April 4-9pm Western Fells Social Gathering

17 Rotas for January & February Preacher Steward Welcome Jan 6 Edwards Cov. Richard Sheila, Joyce Jan 13 Evans Anne Maureen H, Pauline Jan 20 Sharpe (CW) Helen Kate, Wendy I Jan 27 Jones Brian Catherine, Michael Feb 3 Ellis (S) Sheila Helen, Richard Feb 10 Edwards Richard Maureen H, Pauline Feb 17 Ellis Brian Anne, Wendy I Feb 24 Evans Sheila Catherine, Michael Tea/Coffee Counting AV Jan 6 Wendy M, Helen D David H, Nigel Anne Jan 13 Kate, David L Dave R, Ted Roy Jan 20 Maureen H, Pauline Roy, David L Richard Jan 27 Ted, Jane Richard, Joyce Sheila Feb 3 Kate, David L Dave R, Nigel Roy Feb 10 Helen D, Maureen B Ted, Nigel Brian Feb 17 Wendy M, Helen D David H, David L Sheila Feb 24 Ted, Jane Roy, Dave R Anne Flower Rota for January & February Jan 6 In memory-florence Scott Feb 3 Jan 13 Feb 10 Jean Holliday Jan 20 Feb 17 Maureen Burlington Jan 27 Hilary Baslington Feb 24 Margaret Bamber Editor: Rev Joyce Ellis joyce.ellis@zen.co.uk The deadline for the next newsletter, which will be for March & April, (Lent & Easter), is Sunday 10 th February 2018

18 Services for January & February Jan am Rev Sue Edwards United Covenant Service & Rev Charles Hope Jan am Martin Evans Morning Worship 6.00pm Rev Joyce Ellis Healing Service Jan am David Sharpe Cafe Worship Jan am Tori Jones Morning Worship Feb am Rev Joyce Ellis Holy Communion Feb am Rev Sue Edwards Morning Worship 6.00pm Rev Sue Edwards Reflective Service Feb am Rev Joyce Ellis Morning Worship Feb am Martin Evans Morning Worship Minister: Rev Sue Edwards susan_edwards@hotmail.com Circuit Church & Family Worker: Moses John mosesuk@hotmail.com Senior Steward: Sheila Files sheila.files@btinternet.com