NEWSLETTER December 2016 A very Happy Christmas to all
FROM THE MINISTER S STUDY Dear Friends, My favourite Advent joke is this one (credit to Tim Vine). A friend of mine said Advent Calendars were going out of fashion, their days are numbered. I am sure many of you will have seen the Christmas edition of the Vicar of Dibley where Alice, the Verger, ends up giving birth in the middle of the Village Nativity. Ooh it s very realistic one of the audience is heard to say. In that episode, Geraldine, the Vicar, produces a poster that calls the Nativity the greatest story that has ever been told. There follows much debate as to whether it really is the greatest story ever told, with the macabre Owen proposing a somewhat gruesome alternative. Geraldine eventually wins the day, however, by pointing out that this tale about a baby born in a stable is still told today, over 2000 years later. Why do we continue to tell this story today? Why is our history dated from before or after the birth of Christ? When the church feels irrelevant and insignificant in society today, have we forgotten that as Christians we are guardians of a tradition that has changed the world beyond all recognition? In Matthew s birth narrative, the Magi visit the baby Jesus in a turbulent historical time. The birth takes place under the Roman empire and in a place ruled over by the brutal King Herod. It is telling that having encountered Jesus, they returned home by another road (MT 2:12). It was the birth of this child that would ensure history, especially in the West, would continue by another road. I hope this Christmas we can once again encounter the continuing significance of the Word become flesh. In a turbulent time, we will not need to look very hard to appreciate the relevance this Christmas of a light shining in the darkness. And as individuals, as we encounter Jesus anew this Christmas season, may each of us allow our lives to be transformed more and more, as we too return home by another road. Love, Peace and Joy, Andrew Strictly speaking I know that they got their calculations wrong when they reset the calendar in the middle ages. Jesus was probably born in 4BC, but the principal remains the same!
SUNDAY & CHRISTMAS SERVICES FOR DECEMBER Services are held each Sunday at 10.45 am and 6.00 pm. Junior (ages 7-11) and Primary (ages 3-7) Sunday School meet at 10.45am (except on Family Service Sunday). Late Risers (11+) meet at 6.00pm. 4 th 10.45am Rev. Andrew Charlesworth - Holy Communion 6.00pm Rev. Ruth Orton 11 th 10.45am Mr. Steve Corah 6.00pm Rev. Andrew Charlesworth - Youth Service 18 th 9.00am Rev. Andrew Charlesworth - Holy Communion 10.45am Mr. David Blount - Nativity Family Service 6.00pm Rev. Andrew Charlesworth - Carol Service 24 th 5.30pm Rev. Andrew Charlesworth - Crib Service 11.15pm Rev. Andrew Charlesworth - Christmas Eve Communion 25 th 11.00am Rev. Andrew Charlesworth - Christmas Day Family Service ADVENT MEDITATIONS All are welcome to come to a time of reflection each day from Monday November 28 th to Friday December 2 nd. Drinks and mince pies (and lunch if you bring your own) at 12.00 noon followed by a meditation at 12.30pm. There will also be a session on Saturday December 3 rd, drinks at 10.30am and meditation at 11.00am. The leaders for the sessions are as follows: Monday November 28 th Tuesday November 29 th Wednesday November 30 th Thursday December 1 st Friday December 2 nd Saturday December 3 rd John Wilson Val Stone Gordon Tantum Cathy Milne Margaret Sendall Richard Harvey 2
NUTHALL NEWS PRAYER STREETS Please remember the residents of the following streets in your prayers. Our friends at St. Patrick's Church and the churches in Kimberley are joining with us in this activity. The streets in italics are in Kimberley. December 4 th The Spinney, Croxley Gardens & Temple Drive Cornfield Road & Park Avenue 11 th Holborn Close, Woodside Avenue & Oakley Mews Beverley Drive, Millfield Road & Gilt Hill 18 th Meadow Rise, Rochester Court & Hillingdon Avenue Town View & Speedwell Lane 25 th Newbury Drive, Vernon Court & Millennium Way West Spring Close, Hayley Close & Stanley Mews THANK YOU Jean Aram would like to thank everyone in the church for their cards and good wishes on her 100 th birthday. She was amazed and overwhelmed by people s kindness. Beryl Tantum wishes to say a sincere thank you once again for the flowers, cards, cakes, phone calls and visits which she has received after her recent accident. God bless you all. Joyce Housley would like to say thank you for all the prayers, flowers and cards during her recent illness. A big thank you to all the volunteers who, together with our friends from the other local churches, so willingly helped to deliver the church Christmas cards. This year we ordered 10,000 cards with the aim of having one in every home in Nuthall, Kimberley and Watnall. SUNDAY SCHOOL NATIVITY The Sunday School Nativity Service takes place on Sunday December 18th at 10.45am. Please come along and support the youngest members of our Sunday school as they retell the Christmas story in their own special way. FOUND! A ladies ring was found in the church car park on Sunday November 6 th. Please ask friends, family and those who may have visited the church if they have lost a ring and if so to contact Cathy Milne on 0115 9750931. 3
100 TH BIRTHDAY On behalf of Nuthall Methodist Church I would like to congratulate Jean Aram on the occasion of her 100 th birthday celebrated on November 17 th 2016. What an achievement. Jean is the only surviving founder member of our church and what an example she has set us over the last 50 years and continues to do so. Her faith, loyalty and kindness have influenced so many people throughout her life. You are amazing Jean. God bless you and may there be many more birthdays to come. This article was submitted anonymously but I am sure we would all sincerely echo the sentiments expressed. MS CAROL SINGING Carol Singing in the Coffee Lounge - Thursday December 15 th from 6.30pm 8.00pm. Please join us to sing your favourite carols or just listen to the wonderful singing and share in the festivities of the season. This replaces our usual carol singing around the village. If you would like to join us but need transport please speak to Gail or Sandra. There will be mince pies and drinks and we will be collecting for the charities supported by the Nuthall Christmas Lights. Everyone is welcome. Merry Christmas HUNGRY LUNCH Following the Family Service on December 18 th, Templars invite everyone to join them for the traditional Hungry Lunch. During the festive time of the year when we often eat to excess - this is your chance to share in a simple meal of bread and cheese in return for a donation of food or money for the Bulwell and Bestwood Foodbank. We look forward to seeing you there! CHRISTMAS MARKET COACH TRIP There are still a few seats left on Elsie to go to the Christmas Market at Birmingham on Saturday December 10 th. Tickets are priced adults 16 and children/oaps 13.50 Please contact Norma Ellis 9278429 if you would like to book a seat. 4
REVERSE ADVENT CALENDAR This Christmas please join us in taking part in the Reverse Advent Calendar. Instead of opening the usual calendar and receiving a gift, why not try putting an item each day into a box for the foodbank. Place non-perishable items into the box, items that can be used to make up a Christmas meal or a few luxury items to help make Christmas feel special. Each box should have 24 items (please see the list below), bring the box to church before Sunday December 18 th to allow time for the boxes to get to the foodbank. You don't have to wait until December to start your box. We encourage groups within the church and wider community to take part. Basic Items UHT milk (1litre) Instant Coffee Tea Bags Sugar Fruit tea bags Tinned fruit Tinned tomatoes Tinned vegetables Instant Mash Gravy granules Jars of cooking sauce Biscuits Cereal Bars Rice Pudding Custard Tinned meat Luxury Christmas Items Evaporated milk Tinned pies Mint sauce Hot chocolate Jelly Chocolate bars Boxes of chocolates Luxury biscuits Crisps Sweets Crackers Bars of soap Shampoo Conditioner Deodorant Shower gel 5
SITUATION VACANT! Margaret Waldram would like to hand over the organisation of the Neighbourhood Services to someone else. Please consider if this is something that you can do as it forms an important part of our church s outreach in the community. Please speak to Margaret, Rev. Andrew or one of the stewards if you are able to take on this role or would like further information. October 4 th October 11 th October 25 th November 8 th November 22 nd BESTWOOD & BULWELL FOODBANK Once again very grateful thanks for your generous contributions to the Foodbank. We have taken the following items on your behalf: 197 items 108 items plus 278 items from Hempshill Hall Primary School s Harvest 198 items 206 items 285 items If you are participating in the Reverse Advent Calendar project (see previous page) a reminder that to make your gifts effective, we will need to take them on December 13 th or December 20 th at the latest. This means bringing them to church on Sundays 11 th or 18 th. Thank you. Margaret, Doug and John CHRISTMAS CHUCKLE! Shortly before Christmas, a Methodist minister discovered a box of wine left anonymously in his porch. He considered carefully how he might acknowledge this gift that many might think was inappropriate for a devout Methodist! The following Sunday, during the carol service, he made this announcement: I would like to thank the kind person who left me a lovely gift of fruit earlier this week. I particularly appreciated the spirit in which it was given! 6
BEAUVALE NEWS BEAUVALE EX-MEMBERS ACTIVITIES Our friends from Beauvale are reminded of the following events: Sunday December 11 th at 6.00pm Greasley Group of Churches United Service will be held at Newthorpe Baptist Church. Thursday December 15 th at 7.00pm Christmas Concert by Newthorpe Baptist Choir at their church. Wednesday December 21 st at 2.30pm. Beauvale Fellowship at 9 Vale Close. Eastwood Churches Together will be singing carols in Morrisons (Eastwood) on Wednesday December 14th from 3.00pm - 4.00pm and on Wednesday 21st from 6.30pm - 7.30pm. Everyone is welcome to come and sing. CIRCUIT AND DISTRICT NEWS NEW MINISTER FOR HUCKNALL The Rev Sue Preston recently visited the Circuit, in particular Central, East Side and the Church on Rise Park, on invitation following a matching proposed by the Connexional Stationing Group. This was to consider the vacancy which will arise from September 2017 after David Winstanley's appointment ends here. We are pleased to report that, since the visit, both Sue and the Circuit Invitation Committee have agreed to the stationing and her appointment will be confirmed, subject to Methodist Conference agreement next May. Sue has connections with the Notts and Derby District - she is originally from Ilkeston, was a Local Preacher in that area; was ordained in 2010 and has served in Stoke South Circuit and Trent and Dove Circuit. NOTTINGHAM WINTER SHELTER VOLUNTEERS NEEDED The Winter Shelter runs between the winter months of November to March providing approximately 22 beds per night to rough-sleeping individuals. Individual needs are assessed at Emmanuel House where individuals, if necessary, are referred to this temporary accommodation provided in local church halls. The Nottingham winter shelter is now open and volunteers are needed to help at the shelter. More information is available on the Emmanuel House website: http://www.emmanuelhouse.org.uk/volunteer-at-the-winter-shelter 7
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY NOVEMBER 28 th 12.00noon Advent Meditations (see Nuthall News) 30 th DECEMBER 1 st - 2 nd 12.00noon Advent Meditations (see Nuthall News) 3 rd 10.30am Advent Meditations (see Nuthall News) 3 rd 7.00pm Elsie s Christmas Meal 5 th 7.00pm BPFA Committee Meeting in the Coffee Lounge 6 th 12.00noon Midweek Communion 10 th Coach Trip to Birmingham Christmas Market (see Nuthall News) 13 th 2.00pm Women s Fellowship - Carols, Readings & Mince Pies 15 th 2.00pm Take Time Together 15 th 6.30pm Carol Singing in the Coffee Lounge (see Nuthall News) JANUARY 8 th 4.45pm Property & Finance Meeting in the Coffee Lounge TWO USEFUL WEBSITES! www.nuthallmethodistchurch.org.uk www.nottingham-north.org.uk 8
SUNDAY & CHRISTMAS SERVICE DUTIES FOR DECEMBER Duty Steward Readers Door Stewards Pianist 4 th 10.45 A. Tanser R. Harvey B. Wakefield 6.00 J. Wilson P. Corah M. Waldram V. Morgan & D. Nicholls A. Pounder & L. Armstrong A. Hindle L. Page 11 th 10.45 K. Dane B. & B. Watson D. Pullen & J. Wakefield D. Harvey 6.00 C. Milne G. & B. Tantum H. & J. Gray J. Wilson 18 th 9.00 S. Moore H.Gray 10.45 H. Whittle A. & J. Wilcock Hindson family J. Wilson 6.00 S. Pullen D. & B. Coleman C. & L. Page J. Wilson 24 th 5.30 J. Wilson J. Wakefield 11.15 J. Dent L. Page 25 th 11.00 K. Dane J. Wilson Please pass all items for the January newsletter to Margaret Sendall, post in the box in the Coffee Lounge or e-mail to mesendall@hotmail.com by December 18 th, please PLEASE BE PROMPT - NO LATE ENTRIES THIS MONTH - SORRY! 9
DUTIES AND ROTAS FOR DECEMBER CHURCH FLOWERS December 4 th Gail Brockway 11 th Josie & Andy Wilcock 18 th Margaret & Barry Newton 25 th Advent Candle Ring TODDLERS' DRINKS ROTA December 7 th Sue and Ken Shepherd & Ann Knight 14 th Our Christmas Party starting at 12.15pm instead of 1.30pm. All drinks helpers are invited to the party. Thank you to all our helpers who help throughout the year. Have a Happy Christmas and New Year. Toddlers restarts on January 11 th 2017. COFFEE CORNER December 3 rd Sylvia & David 10 th Liz & Carl 17 th Gillian & Peter 24 th No Coffee Corner 31 st Sue & Dougie CAR PARK December 4 th Ron Tooth 11 th Terry Burrows 18 th Doug Waldram 25 th No Evening Service MINISTER Rev. Andrew Charlesworth 2 Fairburn Way, Watnall, Notts, NG16 1GH (Day off Monday) 8757414 ach2804@yahoo.co.uk SENIOR STEWARDS Cathy Milne 9750931 Heather Whittle 07817 238977 SUNDAY SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT 01623 798277 Mrs. Josie Wilcock CHURCH / HALL BOOKING CLERK 9763028 Mr. Ian Poxon CHURCH COACH BOOKING CLERK 9278429 Mrs. Norma Ellis 10
REGULAR WEEKLY ACTIVITIES Sunday Monday Tuesday 9.00am Holy Communion (3 rd Sunday of the month) 10.45am Morning Worship (crèche for ages 0 to 3) Sunday School (ages 3 to 11) Family Service (3 rd Sunday of the month) 6.00pm Evening Worship Youth Service (2 nd Sunday of the month) Late Risers (ages 11+) 7.00pm Templars Youth Fellowship 7.00pm Ladies Keep Fit 12.00noon Midweek Communion (1 st Tues. of the month) 2.00pm Women s Fellowship (2 nd Tues. of the month) 7.45pm Badminton & Table Tennis Club 8.00pm Wives Group (1 st & 3 rd Tues. of month, in homes) Wednesday Thursday 7.00am Prayer Meeting 10.00am Nuthall Methodist Church Walking Group (3 rd Wednesday of the month - contact M. Sendall 9279500 for meeting point details) 1.30pm Toddlers Group 6.00pm Girls Brigade (Explorers age 5 to 8) 6.30pm Girls Brigade (Juniors age 8 to 11) 6.30pm Girls Brigade (Seniors & Brigaders age 11+) 1.30pm Art Group 2.00pm Take Time Together (3 rd Thurs. of the month) 6.15pm Zumba/Salsa (2 nd & 4 th Thurs. of the month) Friday 5.55pm Boys Brigade (Junior Section age 8 to 11) 6.00pm Boys Brigade (Anchor Boys age 5 to 8) 6.50pm Boys Brigade (Company Section age 11+) Saturday 10.00am Coffee Corner Come and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee, homemade cakes and scones, and of course, a chat with friends A list of House Fellowship and Bible Study groups is available on the noticeboard in the Coffee Lounge