Skegness Coast Methodist Churches

20th July 2008

This Newsletter. This newsletter appears weekly in six churches and is sent out to many people. The editor will be taking a break shortly and so this edition, today, will be the last until the first Sunday in September. A shortened version will appear every week for news items, details of services and our prayer list. Prayer must go on, even when we rest. Please send any notices to Jayne Hopps (contact details overleaf) by the Tuesday of each week, and Jayne will post out the notices to all churches. When it comes to September, it would be good if church stewards and worship leaders could contribute as well to the newsletter – items of news, opinions and reflections, prayers that they find helpful. Short reports too of Circuit and council meetings. Thanks in advance.

Cream Tea. Jenny and Tom Savage would like to thank everyone who supported and helped at their Cream Tea and Open Garden which was held on Tuesday. The weather was superb and it gave everyone the opportunity to look around and envy Tom’s beautiful gardens as well as enjoy a cream tea. The event raised £423.50 towards church funds.

Minutes from the Skegness Annual General Church Meeting held on Sunday 18th May are available at the back of the Church if anyone would like to take a copy.

13th July

Welcome. As Churches Together, we welcome Majors David and Sylvia Bird to Skegness. They will be here on a part-time basis, serving in the Salvation Army until September.

Skegness Access Ramp. The builder has advised us that handrails have been ordered and he is now awaiting delivery.

Skegness Church Photocopier. We are now looking rather urgently for a replacement photocopier.

Theft of Metal. Please be watchful. Some metal has been was stolen from Seathorne Methodist Hall.

Going into Hospital? If the time has come to go into hospital for a while, then you may find it helpful to make contact with the NHS Hospital Chaplains who will come and visit you during your stay. Chaplains are attached to a hospital, and their ministry is a ministry shared with local churches, providing a continuity of spiritual care. It is a valued ministry especially where hospitals are geographically distant, and where people are transferred from one hospital to another to receive specialist care. It is important to make contact with the chaplains. Unless they are informed of your arrival, they will not know that you are there and opportunities for conversation, prayer and sacrament may be otherwise missed.

Government Plans to change the way GP services are provided highlight some dangers to us all as patients. If you think you may be affected, the Beacon medical practice invites us to sign a petition, either at the surgery or go online to www.supportyoursurgery.org.uk

6th July

Strawberry and Cream Teas. Thanks to all those who have prepared teas for us at Skegness and Great Steeping. They were much enjoyed..

Schools Festival. Last Wednesday 150 children from Skegness Junior school and Richmond School came together for a Schools Festival on the theme of ‘Dreams’. Workshops were held in St Matthews and in the Methodist Church based on music, mime, poetry, Godly play and pottery. After lunch parents and friends were invited for a celebration presentation of all that was created in the workshops. The Jolly Fisherman came to help with the pottery making in the morning, and in the afternoon the Mayor and Mayoress shared in the celebrations. It was a wonderfully creative day. Watch out for pictures in the local press.

Changes of the watch at the Baptist Church. Pastor Jim Martin who has been with us since January is returning to Texas and his place is to be taken by Pastor John Ward, also from Texas. There is a "Greeting and Farewell Tea" on Saturday 12 July from 5.00pm at the Church Hall in Beresford Avenue, to which we are all invited.

Skegness Community Larder. Thank you for all the contributions, most of which have been delivered to the Salvation Army for storage. If there is any food yet to be collected, please ring 01754 881938. Thanks again.

Skegness Access Ramp. The new entrance is almost complete, and what a difference it makes. Only the rain yesterday morning prevented the final touches. Many people are stopping to take a good look at it, and our church, so at the next Church Council we will be looking at how we advertise ourselves, and when shall we have an official opening.

Skegness Church Photocopier. The engineer advises us that the photocopier is reaching the end of its life. There are mechanical defects causing the black edges as you will have noticed in recent weeks, and the toner will soon be no longer available. We are looking for a replacement but good photocopiers are expensive.

Government Plans to change the way GP services are provided highlight some dangers to us all as patients. If you think you may be affected, the Beacon medical practice invites us to sign a petition, either at the surgery or go online to www.supportyoursurgery.org.uk

29th June

Prayer and News Letter: Zimbabwe, June 21st., 2008

Habakkuk asked God 2 questions at the beginning of his short oracle: “Lord, how long will I call and You will not hear? How long will I cry and You will not save?” Implicit in the questions is Habakkuk’s troubled conclusions; God does not hear and God does not act. I was led to begin a short series on the prophecy of Habakkuk. I have a sense that we as a church have reached the point that Habakkuk reached. God has brought us to a point in our experience where we ask Him, “Lord, do You hear? Lord, why are You doing nothing?”

God was gracious then. He allowed Habakkuk to pray in this way and brought him through troubled questions to faith, the faith that made him stand with hind’s feet on high places. We are convinced that God is gracious yet. He has heard our confused and pained cries, our veiled, humble yet honest questions about His care and power, and He will yet bring us to a point of faith. We too will stand on high places. But between the questions of chapter 1:2 to the faith of 3:19 is a hard journey. We need for you to pray for us and for our land. There is a facade of normalcy in our nation, as though it was just life as normal, but dig beneath the surface, probe within the hearts of those whose faces we see. If ever a time when we needed prayer, surely it is now. The election marks a watershed but it seems unlikely that the President will relinquish power. The future is most serious indeed.

In the rural areas, whole villages are being intimidated. People are fleeing homes and living and sleeping in the bush for fear of beatings, rape, pillaging, and the burning of their homes by gangs of youths armed and mandated by the government. We have more and more people coming to the church in need of help as a result of political violence and intimidation. .....Churches have been stopped in fact from distributing food. Many of our church folk learn the slogans of the day for their own protection. Friends, we need you to pray please. God must hear, and God must do something. Pray that we will understand God’s larger purpose. Pray for people struggling in fear and uncertainty. Pray for young people caught up in the situation. Pray for the elderly who are beaten by youths, for grandmothers and widows, for school children with studies disrupted, for those imprisoned wrongly.

Skegness Community Larder.

The Community Larder for families and individuals in crisis is empty. God calls on us to share what we have with the needy, and one collection box contains just 2 tins. What message does this give out about caring for people in need? “When I needed a neighbour, were you there, were you there?” We need to fill the larder, for others, for the sake of Jesus Christ who calls us to do just this – and not to prejudge the needs of others.

Sing for Life. During the Sing for Life event, a recording was taken of the 50 hymns, and has been transposed to CD. This is your last opportunity to request a set of 3 CDs. Please give your name to Jayne if you would like a copy for yourself, or would like to give a copy to someone who was not able to come. Likely cost will be £5.

Antiques Road Show The Antiques Roadshow was yet again a success with many happy faces when the valuations were announced. A total of £165.00 was raised for Church Funds. A special thanks to the Antiques expert, Mavis Coley and Jayne Hopps who organised the event and the helpers during the evening.

22nd June

Hospitality. A very big thank you to all who helped prepare a meal on Thursday afternoon in Skegness for a large group from Blackwell, Derbyshire. The meal was much appreciated.

Christian Aid. Alan Townsend called to say that the total collected for Christian Aid this year was around £2300. Of that £511.40 was the ‘Methodist’ contribution. Thanks to all who collected and gave, and walked.

Sing for Life. During the Sing for Life event, a recording was taken of the 50 hymns, and has been transposed to CD. It is not a perfect recording, but very much true to life. You can sing along to it and enjoy the singing of each presenter too. If you would like a copy, then please give your name to a steward. Three CD’s will be required – yes we sang for that long! – and there will be a cost (maximum 5 pounds). What we need know is some indication of the interest in purchasing a set of 3 CD’s as a record of a wonderful event.

Skegness Community Larder. It is again the turn of the Methodist churches to support our community larder. Donations of food and other items are very welcome. There are lists at the back of each church which give details of items required. Please tick the lists when providing items. Particularly required are tinned potatoes and long-life milk. Please help – it seems that the larder is almost empty.

Circuit Plans Circuit Plans are now available for the period 1st June – 31st August 2008.

Lincmakers. This is a local charity which keeps a store of furniture and distributes items of furniture to those in need. They are willing to collect items no longer required. It is a very worthwhile cause, yet receives no funding. If you would like to know more, then contact either the minister or Jayne Hopps.

15th June

Skegness Community Larder. It is again the turn of the Methodist churches to support our community larder. Donations of food and other items are very welcome. There are lists at the back of each church which give details of items required. Please tick the lists when providing items. Particularly required are tinned potatoes and long-life milk. Please help – it seems that the larder is almost empty.

Skegness Church. The building work continues. We are currently awaiting final confirmation for the planning authorities that the railings to be purchased are in accordance with their requirements. The builder is working as fast as these issues permit.

Next Sunday there will be a baptism and worship will be held in the church.

Circuit Plans Circuit Plans are now available for the period 1st June – 31st August 2008.

Mowing the Grass at Seathorne Chapel and Community Hall. The grass has now been cut, but this has left other important jobs undone this week. Sometimes problems don’t just go away by ignoring them, but by addressing them. The grass will still grow again, and more help will be needed. If you could help, please contact the Minister.

8th June

Circuit Plans Circuit Plans are now available for the period 1st June – 31st August 2008.

Burma Crisis Appeal

The Methodist Church and the Methodist Relief and Development Fund (MRDF) have launched an emergency appeal for funds. The Church sent an immediate solidarity grant of £10,000 to the Methodist Church in Myanmar and has launched a join appeal with MRDF. To donate via the World Church Office please visit www.justgiving.com/methodistburmacyclone or send a cheque, made payable to the Methodist Church Fund for World Mission to: Burma Appeal, Fund for World Mission, Methodist Church House, 25 Marylebone Road, London, NW1 5JR.

Mowing the Grass at Seathorne Chapel and Community Hall. Unfortunately no help has been forthcoming as yet. The grass is still growing, and we still need help on a more permanent basis.

If you could help, please contact the Minister.

1st June

Skegness Church. Building work continues on the new ramp at the front of the church. Progress is limited by the need for the materials to be approved by the planning authorities. We will keep you updated. The services will now take place in the Parlour until the work is completed.

Circuit Plans Circuit Plans are now available for the period 1st June – 31st August 2008.

Burma Crisis Appeal

Mowing the Grass at Seathorne Chapel and Community Hall. Unfortunately no help has been forthcoming as yet. The grass is still growing, and we still need help on a more permanent basis.

If you could help, please contact the Minister.

18th May

Skegness Church. Building work has begun on the access steps and ramp at the front of the church. From next week the services will take place in either the Community Hall or the Parlour until the work is completed (approximately 3 – 4 weeks).

Skegness Church Gift Day. The Skegness Methodist Church Gift Day has raised £814.00 so far. We still need to find the balance in order to meet our target of £2000.

Thank You. Neil and Sue Baxter would like to thank all those who helped and to those who supported their Coffee Morning on Tuesday. They raised £172.20 towards Church Funds.

Revd’s Ian and Lindsay Kemp would like to thank all those who sent cards and good wishes for their new home (Hastings Drive, Wainfleet All Saints, PE24 4PX)

Mowing the Grass at Seathorne Chapel and Community Hall. We urgently need someone to help us mow the grass at Seathorne. The grass is growing rapidly. If you could help, please contact the Minister. Thanks.

Eileen Buxton rang this week. She sends her greetings to everyone, is thinking of you all and remembers the kindness shown to her. She has been living outside of Nottingham now for 4 years and is doing well, after a period of illness.

BURMESE CYCLONE: A hymn written by Andrew Pratt following storms in Burma where thousands have been killed. What might be a good tune to sing it to?

When every source of hope is torn

by storms we strain to understand;

when children queue for all their needs,

and water drowns out fertile land,

we cry to you O God in prayer

and wonder if your love is there.

Amid the cyclone's aftermath,

where fallen trees and shattered lives

are witness to this tragedy,

we pray that human strength survives,

while children weep and adults cry,

where homes are gone and thousands die.

For mile on mile the floods are seen,

with roads and bridges swept away,

while people struggle, bleed or mourn,

while hoping for a better day.

God show us how to help and heed

the cry of neighbours in such need.

©Andrew Pratt 05-05-2008

The Battle for Granny’s Opening, Winthorpe. 100 years ago today, on May 18th, a small platoon headed by Councillor Samuel Moody, marched out together along Roman Bank, soberly intent on removing the barricades at either end of Granny’s Opening, which is a footpath running from Roman Bank to the beach at Winthorpe. It was deemed dangerous for local inhabitants to cross the (new) golf course at this point and so barricades was placed, depriving Winthorpians of their right of way. Samuel Moody restored the right of way by clipping through the barbed wire, and, creating a breach in the barricade, claimed the right to use the pathway for his children, and children’s children, and for Winthorpe. The ringleaders had to answer to a summons, but were cleared by the magistrates at Spilsby. Granny’s Opening remains open today.

Taken from an article by Winston Kime in Lincolnshire Life, May 1984, a copy of which is to be found at the back of the church.

Who was Sammy Moody? This obituary is taken from the Methodist Times, dated Feb 1937

4th May

Skegness Church. We have received the permissions we need to start work on the new access ramp at Skegness, and the builder is starting work this coming Tuesday.

Anthony Nolan Trust – Sing for Life. All of the sponsor money and donations have now been forwarded to the Anthony Nolan Trust. The final total sent to the Charity was £1,012.16. Many thanks to everyone who contributed to the day.

Skegness Fundraising Coffee Morning. Many thanks to Bill Reid for hosting the coffee morning on Tuesday 29th April. £195.00 was raised towards Church funds. A special thanks to all of you who supported the event.

Seathorne Home Missions Coffee Morning. £45.00 was raised towards the Methodist Home Missions at the coffee morning held at Seathorne Church on Wednesday 23rd April. Many thanks to those who supported the event.

Calling all Worship Leaders, and to those who would like to explore the possibility of becoming a Worship leader. There will be a Worship Leaders’ training session for existing Worship Leaders, and people who would like to explore the possibility of becoming a Worship Leader, and Local Preachers who are interested in coming along and any one else who would like a ‘taster’. There are two possibilities to attend this session:

--> Monday, 12th May 2008 at 2.30 pm at Alford (Guild Room)

--> Wednesday, 14th May 2008 at 7.30 pm at Skegness (Office)

To give some idea of numbers, please contact Revd Lindsay Kemp on 01754 880201 to let her know if you able to come, and which session you wish to attend. (You are welcome to attend both if you like, but they will contain the same material!)

Mowing the Grass at Seathorne Chapel and Community Hall. We urgently need someone to help us mow the grass at Seathorne. If you could help, please contact the Minister. Thanks.

The Latest News on the new Methodist Hymnbook. The Music Resources Group (MRG) is looking to producing a collection of musical material by 2010. Methodists are known for singing their faith. Our hymns and songs are what we use to give voice to our faith. The question is therefore this: what are the hymns and songs that we value most, and would like to see in a new collection?

A new collection does not automatically mean a new hymnbook. We already have many. It is a new collection that is being considered which could be released to those leading worship in different formats. If you have a photograph album, you can leave it on the shelf, or you can go and look at the photographs, add to the collection, change your opinion on photographs already taken. Some you will know as being important. You can put the best photographs in a new album, even digitalise them. It can be the same where hymns are concerned. Why, for example, not select the hymns that are important, say a little about the author and composer, about the circumstances of the hymn, and add a photograph, or a prayer. We have the technology which will allow us to lift the words from the page. But your list of 25 hymns is important so that those entrusted with the task of hymnology can do their work.

The Latest News on the new Methodist Hymnbook. The Methodist Conference is looking at the possibility of producing a new hymn book and last year agreement was given to work continuing on this proposal. The Music Resources Group (MRG) is looking to producing a collection of musical material by 2010. Methodists are known for singing their faith. Our hymns and songs are what we use to give voice to our faith. The question is therefore this: what are the hymns and songs that we value most, and would like to see in a new collection?

I asked if you would like to compile a list of up to 25 hymns that are important so that I could collate our findings and pass them on. My thanks to the one person who responded, but what about you? Think widely. Choose hymns for all seasons. Choose hymns not because they are necessarily favourites, but because they speak to our hearts and souls. Choose hymns for high-days, as well as low-days, for Good Friday as well as Easter Day. Please will you help?

Rogation Service. Thanks to all those who worked hard to prepare this service, especially those at Thorpe Fen Dykes Chapel. It was a wonderful opportunity to be together in the countryside, and to hold part of the service outside. Our speaker was Revd Alan Robson who led us in a plethora of reflections on the current food crisis – had we not noticed the steady climb in food and fuel prices? How would people in other poorer countries cope with a doubling of their food costs? He has encouraged us as a circuit to put forward a motion to the Methodist Conference and the first draft of this motion says this:

The Alford Skegness and Wainfleet Methodist Circuit 17/19 arising out of a Rogation Sunday service at Thorpe Fendykes( 60 present) in solidarity with the vulnerable and in a spirit of justice appeal to the Methodist conference to encourage the British Government to acknowledge the worst effects of the global credit crisis and the consequential global fuel and food crisis and to:

Affirm its commitment to an ethical Foreign policy by substantially increasing it support to the World Food programme which is presently in a state of paralysis at the catastrophic scale of food shortages and excessive prices for basic staples such as wheat and rice across the planet.

To encourage the British Government to lead in its influence upon the G7 nations and the IMF and the World Bank to reconsider, through the offices of the United Nations to immediately re-activate the World Trade talks to enable and not prevent the developing nations to access commodity markets by way of ensuring tariffs and trade protectionism by nations states do not disadvantage developing countries ability to trade.

27 April

Casserole and Games Evening. Thanks to all who supported the casserole evening last Saturday. A special thanks to those who cooked, those who served and those who cleared away. We enjoyed good food, mirth and fellowship, even if we did test the little grey cells at the end.

Skegness Church. We have received the permissions we need to start work on the new access ramp at Skegness. The builder may well be starting very soon, and temporary measures might need to be made as the old ramp is removed and the new constructed. Exciting times.

Seathorne Chapel now has a full complement of new windows. Thanks to those who have given money towards the replacement of these final two words, and thank you to the Circuit for funding half of this work.

E-Mail received from Zimbabwe: Just to let you know that Chris was invaded yesterday afternoon by war veterans I just happened to be visiting them when a bakkie load of about 23 drove up the road singing war songs. Chris went out to them and they told him to leave the farm immediately. The police arrived about 45 minutes after the war veterans and spent a long time talking to them with Chris remaining calm and reasoning with the chaps. The whole episode took about 2.5 hours with us watching anxiously from their house. I was so worried that they might beat Chris up as is so often their style. They left the property and have vowed to return today to "sort things out".

There was a carefully orchestrated war vet attack yesterday on the few remaining white owned farms in Masvingo. Five farms that I know were invaded. The whole (name removed – Ed.) Lodge was taken over and the owners were given an hour to leave their house. They did so with a few photos and valuables but didn't even have time to pack a suitcase.

I will update you later as to what happens but surely, surely, the outside world cannot sit back and allow a repeat of 2002. There is huge military deployment as we speak and the people are becoming fearful. Love to you all

20 April

Church Anniversary. Congratulations to the chapel at Great Steeping on their Chapel Anniversary and a welcome to Rev. Dr. David Perry, our District Chair, who is preaching there today at 3pm. A question perhaps to us all: when was the foundation stone laid for our chapel? When was the first service held? Do we have in our chapel archive a copy of the opening service?

Hymn. Can you recall this hymn, probably written by Lizette Woodworth Reese:

Glad that I live am I;

That the sky is Blue;

Glad for the country lanes,

And the fall of dew.

After the sun the rain,

After the rain, the sun,

This is the way of life,

Till the work be done.

All that we need to do,

Be we low or high,

Is to see that we grow

Nearer the sky.

And can you remember how it goes?

Supporting Survivors of Abuse. The Church of England and the Methodist Church have brought out a small booklet to guide future steps. If you would like a copy, the minister has one for you, or for a friend.

From the manse … A number of circumstances, words said, actions taken, emotions expressed, have caused me to want to reflect with you about our church buildings. All our buildings are held in trust, and these trusts are governed by the Methodist Church, Essentially, and theologically, our buildings are God’s buildings, and not ours. This then is the first rule. We have the task of stewardship, and we are not owners but trustees, not landlords but tenants. Although church councils may make the rules that are essential to the well-being of our communities, rule number one still applies.

What we do as church councils and congregations is to apply our understanding of God’s will and character to our stewardship of His property. If we shut the door on outsiders unwisely, we contravene his principle of hospitality. If we demand our way, assert our priorities over outside groups, then we stand in opposition to the actions and words of Jesus. Look how Jesus welcomed people, children, parents, those needing healing, and then look how the existing authorities reacted. So then, open door or closed door? God’s church only for God’s people or God’s church entrusted to us for all people? In our safekeeping, then, for the generations to come, as was passed onto us. If you are still in doubt, then go back to rule number one.

God provides and God takes away – this is to be found especially in the stories of the Old Testament. In the New Testaments servants are given talents to use, and one buried his talent – what happened next? If God asks by His Spirit that we sell what we have and give to the poor, is that not His right to ask and to expect us to do so? The needs of the poor are ever before His sight, whether in Zimbabwe or along our coast. Do we not trust that God will provide again for His church those who have been obedient to His will and consistent with His character? Everything we have is from God, is it not? Perhaps God is telling us by His Spirit not to store up our spirituality, our worship, our history in barns, but to move out, to recreate our church life in new places, and thereby, to rediscover God alongside the people he is now calling to worship Him. ‘Unless a seed falls to the ground…’ as the good book says. As Dr John Stott says in “The Message of Acts” (page 143)

“… God has bound himself to his church (promising that he will never leave it) and to his word (promising that it will never pass away). But God’s church means people not buildings, and God’s word means Scripture not traditions, So long as these essentials are preserved, the buildings and the traditions can if necessary go. We must not allow them to imprison the living God or to impede his mission in the world … Stephen’s martyrdom supplemented the influence of his teaching”

So let us be good stewards. Let hospitality and good-humoured sharing be our watchwords where our buildings are concerned. The needs of others must often prevail over our own needs. Our chapel is always His chapel. Our gifts of money, time, and the labour of hands have been freely given to Him – there can be no clawback clause. Just sometimes, like us, God may want to move house, to move back in the community, into the places where people live

6 April

Thank you. Jenny and Tom Savage would like to thank everyone who supported their open garden and coffee morning. £317.00 was raised for Church Funds.

Sing for Life. A wonderful afternoon was enjoyed singing 50 well known hymns with the help of soloists, duets, the Addlethorpe Puppets and the Probus Choir who were supported by guest organists and pianists. Approximately £1,000 was raised for the Anthony Nolan Trust. Many thanks to everyone who attended and also to those who raised money for the charity.

Thank you, Jayne, for your inspiration and organisation that led to a wonderful afternoon. You showed us that we can do this, for others, for God and for ourselves too.

Easter in Spain.

While you were all shoveling snow, Sue & I were basking in the sun in Spain. We were staying with Sharon & Terry Rippon whom most of you will remember from Sharon’s time with us at Algitha Road.

Holy Week was, as you would expect, a very special week in Spain. Towns and villages were out celebrating and the streets were packed every day as crowds came out to enjoy and pay reverence to the wonderfully decorated Pasos, which portrayed the story of Christ’s passion day by day.

Pasos are large floats, decorated with palms and flowers and are carried by Costaleros (men, women & children dressed in costumes). The Pasos depicted amongst others, John the Baptist, Christ on a donkey, the Last Supper and Jesus in the Garden of Olives. The largest Paso was carried by 120 men. 40 children even carried a Paso of an Altar with an open Bible on top.

The Pasos are carried round the streets for 2 hours, the largest parade (14 Pasos) being on Good Friday. Palm Sunday saw Christians of all denominations and nationalities standing outside the Church with large palm leaves, which were blessed by the sprinkling of water by the Priest, before they all joined the parade.

On Easter Sunday, we attended Morning Worship at La Siesta Evangelical Church. The congregation is a mixture of English speaking Baptists, Methodists, United Reformists, Church of Scotland and Presbyterians. Separate services were held for Anglicans, Spaniards and Germans in the same Church.

We arrived half an hour before the service was due to start and queued outside for the doors to open and indeed the service was late starting as extra chairs had to be brought into Church to accommodate the congregation which I estimated to be in the region of 200.

There was an atmosphere about the service particularly in view of the number of people in the Church although I was personally a little disappointed with communion which was brought around by the Church Elders. The ‘Minister’, who was Spanish, spoke on the journey to Emmaus with particular emphasis on the Journey which we are now all making. But when we sang ‘And Can It Be’ and ‘Thine Be The Glory’ I guessed you too would be singing this back home and we felt close to you all again, despite the distance between us (and the temperature too!)

After the service, we were offered Tea, Coffee or Juice and a chat although this was served outside the Church in glorious sunshine.

Neil Baxter

30 March

It was good to see so many people in Church on Easter Day given the weather and the state of the roads. At the sunrise service, there were 17 of us. It was cold, and we had to wipe away the snow from our song sheets after every verse, but the wind was gentle, not bracing, and there was a great willingness to worship the Lord. He is risen indeed. Hallelujah.

Skegness Church Offertory Envelope Scheme. Your Church Needs Funds. Regular giving helps to sustain the work of our Church. If givers are Income Tax payers the Church is able to recover 25p tax back for each £1.00 donated using this Gift Aid Scheme. If anyone is interested in joining the scheme, which is confidential please contact Judith Bradshaw on Tel: 01754 766808. The new Gift Aid Scheme starts on Sunday 6th April 2008.

23 March

The really good news gospel: the Easter message from Revd Dr Martyn Atkins, President of the Methodist Conference, who writes:

"Donald English used to say that death and resurrection is not simply what happened to Jesus but is the deep movement God implants in all creation. The Christian God is a God of death and resurrection.

“Like many I have been challenged by poignant examples of death – its reality and hard consequences - and blessed by wonderful examples of resurrection - and the hope and joy it brings. "I will never forget a conversation with a Sierra Leonian man, bearing the scars of the rebel war in the 1990's so powerfully depicted in the recent film Blood Diamond. He thanked me fervently for bringing the gospel to his land - he talked to me as if I was one of those first Methodist missionaries to West Africa! He explained with deep emotion how he had received Christ quite recently, in the war years, and this coming to faith had enabled him to begin to forgive those who mutilated him - and, as I learned a little later, killed his wife. I was moved to tears. In all his pain and lasting disability he knew that Jesus was alive, and there was hope in his life. He knew in a deep way that the gospel of Christ truly is good news.

"More recently, when in Uganda with MRDF, I met Christian folk who have so little, who live with the reality and proximity of death and suffering in a way I do not, yet who remind me more than most of the life and hope of Christian faith. Death and resurrection belong together.

“Or I think of some friends who have died in recent times. They knew their prognosis. They lived with the stark consequences of their impending death, for themselves and especially their loved ones. And at just the time when hope might be most lacking in these dear people and those who love them, they talk of the nearness of Christ, the wonderful love and forgiveness of God, the comfort of their faith, their trust in Jesus, the salvation he freely gave and their hope of heaven. In the most traumatic situations of life, it is often those going through them who embody and make clear that the Christian gospel truly is good news.

"Death and resurrection is also evident in the life of our churches. I was at Walworth Methodist Church some weeks ago. A church with a venerable past, 'Clubland' had a great ministry among local youths and others in that London neighbourhood. But there came a time when almost all signs of life disappeared, and a long three days of darkness ensued. But resurrection has come and new life bursts out everywhere. Methodist Christians, young and old, many (originally) from various parts of West Africa and beyond, share life and worship that exudes the good news gospel.

"Our world lives with death and resurrection in many ways and in many places. An 'average' news broadcast gives cause to both weep and rejoice. In places of death and darkness we must continue to weep with those who weep and 'look for the morning' as people of resurrection faith and hope. With those who rejoice in life and hope we must celebrate and point to God, the giver of it all.

"Our Easter faith is not death or resurrection, it is death and resurrection. The resurrection of Jesus is not a reversal of death. It is much more than that. The risen Jesus is known by the scars of crucifixion. He is the Living One Who Died. But now he is alive forever. And, marvellously, he stands today with this needy world in the reality of death and the promise of new life. This ministry he shares with us, his Easter People Church, a people bearing the marks of both death and new life. A people who know and live out the profound truth that death and resurrection life both lie deep in the purposes of God, in whom all things will be well. Alleluia!"

Marie Curie Coffee Morning Event. Joyce Porter would like to thank everyone who helped and to those who attended and supported the event held last Friday. £323.80 was raised for this well deserving charity. Many thanks to everyone.

Skegness Church Offertory Envelope Scheme. Your Church Needs Funds. Regular giving helps to sustain the work of our Church. If givers are Income Tax payers the Church is able to recover 25p tax back for each £1.00 donated using this Gift Aid Scheme. If anyone is interested in joining the scheme, which is confidential please contact Judith Bradshaw on Tel: 01754 766808. The new Gift Aid Scheme starts on Sunday 6th April 2008.

Thank you to those who have decorated the church both last week and this week. The flowers are wonderful, and sometimes we forget to say that. Thank you too for those who have worked hard to bring colour to the floor at the sides of the church in Skegness. Thank you to the Pastoral Team who sent out 40 Easter Cards on behalf of the churches.

16th March

Easter Garden. It would be wonderful if we could create an Easter Garden in our churches for Easter Day and the Sundays that follow. Would you be willing to create one? Perhaps with others? Please let the minister know on 01754 881938 if you are willing.

The Latest News on the new Methodist Hymnbook. The Methodist Conference is looking at the possibility of producing a new hymn book and last year agreement was given to work continuing on this proposal. The Music Resources Group (MRG) is looking to producing a collection of musical material by 2010. Methodists are known for singing their faith. Our hymns and songs are what we use to give voice to our faith. The question is therefore this: what are the hymns and songs that we value most, and would like to see in a new collection?

Here we have an opportunity to influence the selection process and the decision-making. I would like to ask each of our members and regular attendees to select up to 25 hymns that are important. Would you then give me a list of hymns by (say) the end of April, and I will collate our findings and pass them on. Each of us can do this, and we do it on behalf of the next generation of Methodists. So think widely. Choose hymns for all seasons. Choose hymns not because they are necessarily favourites, but because they speak to our hearts and souls. Choose hymns for high-days, as well as low-days, for Good Friday as well as Easter Day. Please will you help?

9th March

Thought from the Manse. As you may have noticed, the Scripture readings from our Lectionary are now printed in the newsletter. Allow me to explain my thinking behind this step. Our worship, listening and preaching often flow from having a text of Scripture before us. The Word of God is often just that – a word to us – in time. As Colin Morris said last week, our God is a talkative God. Did not the Lord God used to speak to Moses face to face, as with a friend (Exodus 33.11)? The word of God is therefore often the source of our thinking. As we say, it sets us thinking.

Wesley would then say that we need to apply reason to our thinking. In our search for understanding of God’s Word, we draw too on the Christian tradition and on the experiences of ourselves and others. It seems right to me to set God’s word before you in text every week, so that you may examine it for yourselves. Do you buy fruit and vegetables without checking them carefully? Scripture is vast. In each passage there are multiple layers of meaning, but there is a word for you in the context of your journey through this world with God. To take time with each passage means to taste the goodness of the fruit you have selected, for yourself and for those who eat from your table.

By printing the text of the readings, you can follow them in the service, but you can also read them prior to the service. Come 10 minutes earlier to prepare yourself for worship by reading. It is true that preachers may choose different texts. These too are important, and the presentation of their word has been much prayed over and researched. The Lectionary readings nevertheless have another role to play, for they guide us through the Christian Year. This Sunday is the fourth Sunday in Lent. By now we will have got over the harsh rigours of early Lent, and our minds will becoming more attuned to the approaching passion of Christ. Our talkative God is beginning to break through to our busy minds, and we may rediscover our spiritual yearnings. Colin Morris talks again of the ‘dialogue between the Gospels and ourselves’. By passing the newsletter on to friends and neighbours, the Word of God for each week is being passed on, and people do read, just as you are reading this now. If I gave you a text to look up, would you look it up? Try Genesis 15.1. If you continue reading, and don’t look it up, my point is made. Remember too that the Lectionary readings speak to each other. Jesus often reflects on the Old Testament. Paul reflects on the life of Christ.

My thanks for the gift of a paper folding machine for the office in Skegness. It will make preparation of the newsletter much easier. The newsletter is sent out to 6 churches and is now available in the community halls too. Much of the information is also to found on our website. Take an extra copy and use it as a calling card.

Yours Lentfully,

Ian

2nd March

Skegness Offertory for February 2008. During the four services at Skegness in February the total of the offertory was £981.31.

Offertory Envelope Scheme. Your Church Needs Funds. Regular giving helps to sustain the work of our Church. If givers are Income Tax payers the Church is able to recover 25p tax back for each £1.00 donated using this Gift Aid Scheme. If anyone is interested in joining the scheme, which is confidential please contact Judith Bradshaw on Tel: 01754 766808. The new Gift Aid Scheme starts on Sunday 6th April 2008.

Seathorne Community Hall. The Internet and Computer courses have begun, and 10 people have signed up. There is room for you as well. By supporting these courses, you are supporting this work in Seathorne

Circuit Notices. Firstly, the Circuit Plans for March to May are now available from the church stewards. Secondly, we welcome Linda Evans to the Circuit as our new Circuit administrator. Linda will work three mornings a week from the Circuit Office in Alford. The Circuit Office phone number is 01507 462460

After the Earthquake, and In Praise of Lincolnshire (Guardian 26-02-08)

Shaken but not stirred, the people of Lincolnshire went about their business almost as usual yesterday, despite the fact that in the wee small hours they had endured Britain's biggest earthquake in a quarter of a century. At the epicentre, in Market Rasen, masonry fell off the church, but the Rev Michael Cartwright told the local paper he was grateful that nothing had actually fallen through the roof. Stoicism is in keeping with the character of a county which, despite being England's second biggest, does not like to make a fuss. In the 1970’s its great size was diminished by Whitehall bureaucrats, who lumped its northern districts along with Yorkshire's East Riding into the cooked-up county of Humberside - Glanford and Grimsby endured their fate with less grumbling than was heard from Yorkshiremen on the other side of the Humber. Nonetheless Lincolnshire yearned for unity once again - something it finally achieved in 1996. The flattish landscape and rich soil mean it is better known for arable farming than panoramic views. Even so, it can offer the visitor as many draws as many more boastful shires. That great Victorian John Ruskin dubbed Lincoln cathedral "the most precious piece of architecture in the British Isles", and it remains breathtaking today. Pretty market towns abound, the loveliest of all being Louth. Then there are those Skegness sands, famous for being "so bracing". It would take much more than yesterday's tremors to shake the spirit of Lincolnshire from its rock-solid foundations.

Church Stewards at Ingoldmells. We welcome George Evans and Len Silvester who agreed to take on the role of Church Stewards at Ingoldmells, and we ask God’s blessing on their work and commitment.

24th February

Access Pathway at Skegness. The second estimate has proved to be lower that the first. The third builder has declined to tender for the work. We are now in the process of selecting the builder, obtaining final permissions to proceed, and then discussing timescales with the selected builder. Please hold this work in our prayers. We shall also need to find a shortfall in funding but we are getting there. The promised pathway is in sight. We are thankful to all who have spent time and energy on this work.

Going into Hospital? If the time has come to go into hospital for a short stay, or for a longer stay, then you may find it helpful to make contact with the NHS Hospital Chaplains who will come and visit you during your stay. Chaplains are attached to a hospital either in a part-time or a full-time role, and their ministry is a ministry shared with local churches, providing a continuity of spiritual care. It is a valued ministry especially where hospitals are geographically distant, and where people are transferred from one hospital to another to receive specialist care. It is important to make contact with the chaplains. Unless they are informed of your arrival, they will not know that you are there and opportunities for conversation, prayer and sacrament may be otherwise missed. There may also be services of worship in the hospital chapels.

In this way too, we support the work of these Chaplains. Several NHS authorities have sought to cut back on the spiritual care of patients, and we must resist these attempts, for the sake of the Kingdom.

Fairtrade fortnight is coming up, and the Co-Op are offering 20 pounds worth of Fairtrade products FREE to any community group, school, church etc arranging a Fairtrade event. There will also be a 20% discount in stores during that Fortnight

17th February

Access Pathway at Skegness. The first estimate from a builder has arrived, and as you might guess, the cost is substantially higher than the original estimates.

Seathorne Community Hall. An additional grant has been obtained so that the Tiger 2 project Inspiring Aspirations LIN07 run by the Winthorpe Youth & Residents Association can continue in offering IT (Internet and Computer) courses. This is great news.

On our Church Hall Noticeboards and website this week . Have you seen the photographs centring on the anniversary celebrations and the Epworth visit? Have you found that picture of yourself? Take another look.

Newsletter. Several people have passed the message on that they really appreciate reading this newsletter. It keeps them in touch with the church. We thank Bess Wise for her ministry of sending this newsletter to sick or housebound members. Please notify her of anyone who would appreciate a copy.

Congratulations to Neil Baxter, on being accepted as a local preacher on note by the local preacher’s meeting held this week in Burgh. Neil – we look forward to hearing from you in the near future and wish you God’s grace and blessing on your preaching and studying. We are also committed to praying for you as a preacher. A question for the church historians here: in what year was the last occasion that a member of the Skegness churches answered the call to become a local preacher?

Congratulations to Alice and Percy Reeson from Seathorne on their Diamond Wedding Anniversary this coming week. We wish them all joy on their celebration, and ask for God’s blessing on them both.

Access Pathway at Skegness. As the plans for the new Entrance and Access Ramp have now been approved by East Lindsey District Council we have been able to take the next step in improving the look and usefulness of our Church building. We have asked three firms to tender for the work and to forward their estimates by the middle of February. When these have been received, the Church Council will be a position to deciding which we will accept.

Restoration work at Addlethorpe Chapel after the great Flood continues. Colour schemes have been chosen, most of the decoration work has been completed and the floors have been slowly drying out at a heavy cost of electricity. There is also a need to refurbish the kitchen which will be undertaken if funds permit. If you would like to make a gift, speak to the church stewards.

On our Magazine Rack this week. The Circuit Magazine ‘Coastlines’ appears today. Make sure that you take a copy as it gives news and details of events around the Circuit. Also the Local Preacher’s Magazine for this quarter is available with an interesting article on Candlemas. In the Church Hall, there is now a noticeboard dedicated to Skegness & District Seniors Forum which is worth browsing from time to time.

On our Church Hall Noticeboards and website this week is a wonderful series of photographs centring on the anniversary celebrations and the Epworth visit. Refresh your memory of all we did in the church, in the church hall and outside in the caravan park. There are some excellent pictures, and yes, there is a picture of you. Worth checking out (if only to check out how the photographer has portrayed you!). Worth telling the family too that you are on the World Wide Web! Thanks to Tom and Neil for taking and presenting these pictures

Saying of the Week. Fear less, hope more; eat less, chew more, whine less, breathe more; talk less, say more (Swedish proverb)

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