Skegness Coast Methodist Churches

27th December 2009

Blessed and Happy New Year to all our readers.

Our church was a pleasant place to be on the evening of Wednesday the 16th. It was warm, decorated by lit Christmas trees and with our beautiful “Nativity”, but the true ‘beauty’ was in the eighty happy, lively children and over one hundred parents and families. Their Nativity Play was fairly true to tradition, though it did contain some ‘modern’ music and dancing while the moon-walking donkey gave a new twist to the journey to Bethlehem. The children and their teachers deserve congratulations for their dedication and hard work –

Well done all of them!

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20th December 2009

I hope most of you agree with me, and most of the Tree Festival workers and visitors, that the “Nativity Scene” has added a visual, and Christian, centre of interest to the Christmas Tree Festival and you will join me in voicing our heartfelt thanks to the anonymous donor. Our thanks are due to all the people, especially the “Lions”, who put up the trees and decorated them so beautifully; and congratulations to the Butterfly Hospice for their winning tree. Also thanks to all the workers in the Kitchen and Halls whose long hours of effort made the “Winter Fayre” such a success. And what a pleasure it was, on Sunday evening, to hear the traditional readings and to sing the carols in the gentle light from tree lights and so many candles. As the hymn says “Joy to the world” – including Algitha Road! GMG.

The Treasurer informs me that the Fayre and Festival together made some £790 while the “Help for Heroes” Tree took £48.65.

Request : I am asked by Bill Paul to say, on behalf of himself and Ida, “Thank You” for all the Prayers and Cards they have received from so many friends. They wish you all a Happy Christmas and a Blessed New Year and they hope you will understand if they don’t get round to sending individual Christmas Cards this year.

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13th December 2009

Thought for the Day. (From the “Daily Altar”)

The Joy of Living.

Joy is not alone a blessing and a gift; it is also a duty and a virtue. Some lives are so ordered with good health, or inspiring circumstances, or successful achievements that joy springs up spontaneously. Other lives must find joy, if at all, in spite of illness or dull surroundings or unhopeful defeats. Yet through prayer and the presence of Christ, the least favoured life may be kept in touch with the true sources of joy and respond to them with praise and thankfulness.

It’s the Intention that Counts.

Little Elsie having been told that Grandma, who was unwell, would be better when the warm weather came, prayed “God bless Mummy and Daddy, and make it hot for Grandma.”

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6th December 2009

Thought for the day. (Thanks to Anne Foster.)

Everything is further away now than it used to be. It’s twice as far to the corner – and they’ve added a hill, I’ve noticed. I have given up running for the bus – it leaves faster than before. It seems to me they are making steps steeper than in the old days. And have you noticed the smaller print they use in newsletters and telephone books? There is no sense in asking anyone to read aloud – everyone speaks in such a low voice that I can hardly hear them. The material in clothes is getting so skimpy – especially around the waist and hips. Even people are changing. They are much younger than they used to be when I was their age. On the other hand, people my own age are so much older than I am. I ran into an old friend the other day and she had aged so much she didn’t recognize me. I got to thinking about the poor thing while I was combing my hair this morning and in doing so I glanced at my reflection and, would you believe, they don’t make good mirrors like they used to?

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29th November 2009

Finance Report received from Anne May:

“We have received a legacy from Barbara Neale which has been put into our Model Trust Fund.

A Portable Loop System has been installed in the three Community Rooms and we have received a grant from Circuit to pay for this, which is much appreciated.

Thank You to all who worked at, and all who came to, “Val’s Special Coffee Morning” on the 20th – you made an admirable £170.80 – and the piece of cake that I had was delectable!

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22nd November 2009

Monday 9th saw fifty people off on a day trip to Thursford. A very good time was had by all with a chance to socialize, to shop, to eat, drink and be merry and to be entertained by the spectacular show. The “Fund Raising Committee” held a raffle on the way home which made £101 for Church Funds – Well Done! I’m sure all those who went will have individually thanked Jayne for her hard work organizing the day; but I also think it is right that the church community as a whole should appreciate what Jayne does for us all – even if she does have to “boss us about” just a little on occasions – if she didn’t we would rarely get anything done.

A Word of Wisdom from a Church Magazine:

“Don’t let worry kill you off – let the Church help.”

Ellen Lund has news of the birth of her 19th (!) Great Grandchild – he is called Arley and weighed 6 lb 12 oz.

Community Larder. Algitha Road Methodist Church is the responsible church for the month of December. We are asked to provide only small cans which have ring-pull opening. A list of preferred items will be provided as soon as we have it. Toiletries are NOT wanted.

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15th November 2009

A Message from the Manse.

Val and myself have now been here for a couple of months and we are feeling more settled and less like strangers, although I still struggle sometime to put names to faces! I’m sure we have been able to settle in so well due to the warmth of welcome and encouragement you have all shown Val and myself. Jesus said “people will know you are my disciples by your love for one another”; and it’s been a real encouragement to us both to see that fellowship of love around the churches we have been to. Both of us know that this is where the Lord has called us to be, in this particular part of the Kingdom of God, and we look forward in expecting to share with you as we continue on our discipleship journey together. I’m sure there will be many challenges that lie ahead of us as we seek together the way forward with God, and in the power of his Holy Spirit. There will also be times of blessing as we see God touching lives in new, as well as familiar, ways. My prayer is that, together as the Body of Christ, as well as individually, we can “seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness”. May you all know the richness of God’s grace in your lives, Shalom. Revd. Nigel.

Skegness Fund-raising Committee.

Church Recipe Book. The Committee hope to produce a Recipe Book to raise funds for the Church. Jenny, or any Committee Member, will be glad to receive copies of your favourite recipes for inclusion in such a book.

Kathie asks me to share this poem with you :-

“God’s Minute” from the “Sisters of Nazareth”.

“I have only just a minute, Only sixty seconds in it.

Forced upon me, Can’t refuse it, Didn’t seek it, Didn’t choose it,

But it’s up to me to use it; I must suffer if I lose it,

Give account if I abuse it, Just a tiny little minute –

But Eternity is in it.”

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8th November 2009

Thank You to Mavis and Roy for their coffee morning, and to all of you who helped and/or supported them; despite the less than helpful weather they raised £216.00 for Church Funds.

World War Two Memories.

One young man of Chapel St Leonards was lost in the First World War and four in the Second World War. All but one of these were members of the Hill family. A book – The Casualties Were Small – contains diaries and moving poetry written during WWII by May Hill, a faithful Methodist. The book includes details of each loss as well as photographs of the Chapel St Leonards Village War Memorial with close-ups of the inscriptions. The book also has vivid accounts of village life on the “Home Front”. If you would like to know more the book is available from Chapel St Leonards Bookshop, or talk to May Hill’s daughter, Mrs Barbara Hayes of Algitha Road Church.

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1st November 2009

A Church, visited by tourists, issues a tract on the subject of “Money” of which the following is a précis:-

“We can not evade the issue that money matters – not if we wish to continue to worship in our traditional building.

Money is a spiritual issue – just see how often Jesus talks about money and possessions and about our attitude to them.

“My money is my private business” – it’s God’s business too. “Every good gift … comes from heaven; it comes down from God” (James. 1:17).

In our Christian lives we have continually to review where we are going with God and our response to Him – and that includes reviewing our giving.

Our giving of our effort, our time and our money to our God will always be a barometer of our response to Him. God, the Creator, gave us Physical Life. Through Jesus on the Cross, through the Empty Tomb and through the gift of the Holy Spirit God also gives us Eternal Life. All this is given free because God is a generous God who loves to give. It’s free but it is not cheap! It was paid for by Jesus – in his death and resurrection is our eternal life”.

A Thought :

A litre of milk at the Supermarket costs £0.86.

350 grams of haddock fillet cost £3.10.

100 tea bags cost £3.33.

A loaf of wholemeal bread costs £1.30.

A tube of Sensodyne toothpaste costs £3.57.

What is a weekly Offering Envelope worth?

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25th October 2009

“The Word for Today” – the winter edition of the UCB Daily readings booklet is available for collection from the back of the Church.

A Poem by “Bob” from the “Big Issue”.

Take the tiredness of my days, take my past regret,

Letting your forgiveness touch all I can’t forget.

Take my talents, take my skills, take what’s yet to be;

Let my life be yours – and yet – let it still be me.

Thank You to Julia and her team for their very short notice “Local Arrangements” service last Sunday.

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18th October 2009

World Vision Up-date. Heather reports :-

A letter written on behalf of Omondi thanks us for the money we have sent. The letter says “He is very thankful for your sponsorship and great things you have done to him. His parents are very thankful for your considerations on their child. The area is now very dry because of the hot sunshine. This has made many animals to die because of the drought.” Omondi will be 11 on the 11th of November and is doing well. The letter together with Omondi’s school report and photograph are on the World Vision Board in Church. Thank you all for your generosity each week. Every penny helps our young Kenyan boy – and will be of great help in replacing lost cattle.

In addition to our sponsorship of Omondi we have enough funds to help another child and World Vision have given us a girl called Grace Honde. She is 6 years old and lives in Northern Malawi. Please include Grace in your prayers and continue to give generously so that we can help both these children. The photograph of Grace is on the board. She looks a solemn little girl – please help to put a smile on her face. Thank You.

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11th October 2009

Last Sunday’s Harvest Festival Service at Algitha Road was attended by more than forty people who were privileged to be part of a service in which God was gratefully thanked for His wonderful gifts of earthly produce and, in the sacrament of Holy Communion, for the inestimable gift of the body and blood of His Son Jesus Christ. We are lucky to have people who are able, and willing, to decorate our church so beautifully and a special “thank you” to Mavis Coley for all her efforts on our behalf. After the service most of the congregation enjoyed a socially, and gastronomically, enjoyable time at lunch. Baskets of Harvest Gifts were taken to a dozen of our more mature members.

Church Heating.

Last Sunday the Church was not very warm and we apologise for this. The sudden change in the temperature on Sunday took us unawares and therefore the heating was not put on. Hopefully this has now been rectified and you should feel warmer today !

At the Church Council it was decided that with effect from November 15th the services will take place in the Prentice Room. This should mean that during the cooler months (January – March) we will be warm. Apologies again for the lack of heating on Sunday.

Anne.

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9th October 2009

The funeral for Rita Baxter is on Friday at 11.00am at Alford Crematorium with a service at Algitha Road at 1.00pm to be followed by refreshments.

4th October 2009

The Community Awareness Day. Last Saturday’s event was a great success with over twenty organizations taking the opportunity to advertise their contribution to the welfare of our town and its people. We thank Jayne for all the hard work she did in organizing and advertising the event, and in persuading the organizations to make use of our facilities. An important contribution to the success of the day was the part played by the valiant kitchen workers who kept us all well provisioned throughout the five hours. Our thanks also go to all those who helped in so many other ways. The turn out, though less than we might have wished, will be most encouraging for Jayne once she has had a rest and recovered her customary ‘zing’ !

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27th September 2009

The Charity Coffee Morning at Skegness raised some £145 for the Polycystic Kidney Disease Charity.

The Community Awareness Day. Next week’s Newsletter will have a report of yesterday’s event.

Having been away last week-end I don’t know what is going on and so I have no “News”. Instead I offer you some quotations from other church newsletters.

“Ladies, don’t forget the rummage sale. It’s a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Bring your husbands.”

“Miss Charlene Mason sang ‘I will not pass this way again’, giving obvious pleasure to the congregation.”

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20th September 2009

On Sunday the 13th we were treated to a fine service in which three new people were involved. It was Simon’s first Sunday as a steward – thank you for your help. It was the first service in Algitha Road for Nigel, our new Minister, who helped us to appreciate the spiritual, social and family value of Baptism. And it was an important day for Mercedes Armani Woodward who enjoyed her starring role and who brought so many of her friends and relations to support her.

Skegness Festival Fringe Events connected to the SEAS Festival

will take place on various dates from September 26th at St Matthew’s Church. Details are on “Fliers” around the Church and Hall.

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13th September 2009

Sunday the 30th of August.

Belated apologies :- In last week’s Newsletter I forgot to say that the “moving and enriching” service that I described was conducted by our Superintendent Minister – Revd Cecil Mundy – with his usual skill and charm. ( That should put me back into his good books! )

Today, on the second Sunday of the Church Year, we are delighted to welcome to the Algitha Road Stewards our new Steward – Simon Fox. May his stewardship be a pleasure to him and a glory to God.

Criticism has been expressed that the “We hold before God” section never seems to change – I will not add names unless you tell me, nor remove a name unless I’m told – so tell me as I’m not a mind reader.

Newsletters. We are delighted that members who can not come to church like to receive Newsletters but our postage costs are raising and any contribution towards the stamps would be appreciated.

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6th September 2009

Saturday the 8th of August.

Thanks to Sue and Neil Baxter for their Garden Party – and to you all for supporting them – you raised a grand total of £300. Well Done !

Friday the 21st of August.

The Charity Friday Coffee Morning at Algitha Road raised £245.70 for the Skegness Parkinson’s Disease Support Group. Thank You.

Sunday the 30th of August.

The “Welcome” service for Revd Nigel Clements, Keith Locke and Revd Ivor Haythorne was a moving and enriching experience with 162 people taking Holy Communion after hearing an excellent sermon by our District Chairman, Dr David Perry. Hymns were sung with gusto and the Offertory raised £346.77 for the Chairman’s chosen Charity, “Action for Children.” We pray that we will all give the three new workers the support they will need as they settle into our Circuit. This account can not end without saying how great are the thanks we owe to all those who helped in the Church (Organist, Actors, Door and Communion Stewards), in the Hall (providing the refreshments) and to Julia for her organizing work as our “team leader”.

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17th August 2009

On Sunday the 30th of August Rev. Dr David W. Perry and Rev. Cecil Mundy will welcome the new Minister of Skegness Methodist Church, Rev. Nigel Clements and his wife Val. A Circuit Service will take place at 3.00pm in the Skegness, Algitha Road Church where Keith Locke the Pastoral and Development Worker at Wainfleet and Rev Ivor Haythorne will also be welcomed to our Circuit.

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26th July 2009

We are pleased to welcome as our preacher today Mr Peter Kay.

We are delighted to welcome to our Service this morning the members of the 25th Nottingham Boys’ Brigade and the

1st Yorkshire District Girls’ Brigade. We hope their stay in Skegness will be full of faithful fun and fellowship.

From Tuesday 14th July.

A big thank you to Jenny and Tom for opening their home and garden once again for the strawberry cream tea. Although the sudden heavy downpour meant that tables and chairs had to be removed swiftly from the garden to the house a good time was had by all and £280.00 was raised for Church funds. Thank you for supporting the Fundraising Committee whose next event will be at Sue and Neil’s on August the 8th. (See “Forthcoming Events”.)

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19th July 2009

A Very Important request. Volunteers would be most appreciated to help clean, and get ready, the Skegness Manse after all the decorating. The cleaning will take place on Saturday 1st of August. For further details contact Stuart on 01754 764676.

Sunday the 12th of July. The final service taken by Rev Ian was a well attended Communion Service at which Ellen was welcomed into membership. Several members of the congregation took part and there were words from a visitor who had been at Seathorne 40 years ago, when Neil was no’but a lad. The Algitha Road/Seathorne congregations gave him a cheque for £250 and, at a later service, the Circuit gave some seven hundred pounds to Ian and Lindsay.

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12th July 2009

Thank you to all who attended, and to all who worked at, the Strawberry Tea on the 2nd. You raised £115 for Church Funds.

A Very Important request. Volunteers would be most appreciated to help clean, and get ready, the Skegness Manse after all the decorating. The cleaning will take place on Saturday 1st of August. For further details contact Stuart on 01754 764676.

Pat King. We have received a Notelet from Pat thanking us for our card and giving information about her new life in Buckinghamshire. The card can be seen at the back of the church.

Plastic recycling. I have checked with East Lindsey District Council recycling service and the news that you can now put yoghurt pots and margarine tubs in the Grey Bin is wrong. Please recycle only plastic with the PET 1 and HDPE 2 signs as indicated in the booklet which came with our Grey Bins.

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5th July 2009

My version of a Story I heard a few weeks ago.

A man was walking along Skegness beach gloomily looking across the Wash to Hunstanton. God took pity on him and said “Name one thing I can do to make you happy.” “Thank you” said the man, “could you build me a bridge across the Wash so that I can drive to my favourite golf course in Norfolk?” “I’d rather not,” said God. “Think of the tons of steel and concrete, the lorries clogging up the roads, the interference to shipping and the ecological disaster to the shellfish industries of Boston. You’re asking for the practically impossible. Can’t you think of something else?” The man thought for a minute, and then asked, “Well, the wife’s a bit down this morning. Could you help me to understand women?” There was a long silence, and then God said “What colour shall I paint your bridge?”

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28th June 2009

Jenny writes –The Quilt Show was a very successful event and my thanks go to everyone who helped to make the week-end go smoothly. I particularly wish to thank the ladies who allowed their quilts to be exhibited, the church stewards who helped with the moving of furniture, those stewarding the ‘competition quilts’ and those ladies of the Fundraising Committee who worked so hard in the kitchen and on the Tombola. Thanks also to the members of both quilt groups who assisted by stewarding their work and who looked after the sales tables. We had 203 visitors to the show who had travelled from all over Lincolnshire, Nottingham, Leicester, Surrey, Northumberland and America. The sum raised was £1,324.34. Thank you everyone for your support.

Michael writes –Thanks, congratulation and admiration to Jenny and her team of quilters and flower arrangers for the hard work in producing the wonderful show of craft, skill and beauty with which they adorned out church last week-end. Thank you to all those who helped in the kitchen and hall making everyone so welcome.

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21st June 2009

My attention has been drawn to “The Casualties Were Small” – a book of wartime poetry and diaries from a Lincolnshire sea-side village by Mrs. May Hill. I mention this because the writer of the poems and diaries was the mother of one of our members, and the village is Chapel St Leonards – if you are interested in knowing more, or in buying a copy of the book, see the proud daughter –

– Mrs. Barbara Hayes, or ring her on 766399.

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14th June 2009

Thank you to Jayne for organizing such an interesting day out for us last Monday. Southwell was superb, and what a joy to see a religious building full of young people enjoying learning about the Church. Newstead was an example of sublime landscaping and gardening and the weather was kind(ish) – it did not rain nor was it too hot! It was a pleasure for some of us to share lunch with a peacock who displayed his tail in gratitude for food received. The Mary Magdalene Church in Hucknall with its ‘mosaics’, glass and connections with Lord Byron was a splendid example of a basically Victorian church. But for many of us the modern Methodist church was “the icing on the cake” of our day. The church was built, set out and decorated for today’s congregations and their worship. While their “community hall”, kitchen, cooks and Minister served a scrumptious meal which went down very well with a satisfied, but weary group of people. People who look forward to Jayne’s next expedition!

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7th June 2009

Yvonne and Jay Jay have informed us of the arrival at 8.15am on the 28th of May of Eli Ward weighing in at 8lbs. All are well! A picture of little Eli is on the table at the back of the Church.

Prentice Room. The flooring is to be laid on Monday and Tuesday, 8th and 9th.

“Leaving a Gift in your Will.” If you have not yet read the Draft Pamphlet on the table at the back of the Church, please do so, and add your view to the comment sheet.

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31st May 2009

Algitha Road Ladies. Following the Annual General Meetings of the “Women’s Fellowship” and of the “Ladies’ Evening Group” it was decided that the two groups should join. The renamed “Ladies’ Fellowship” will meet at 2.30pm on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays from September to April. All ladies are welcome. The new Programme will be available later in the summer.

Circuit Letter. The Skegness Stewards have received a letter from the Circuit Stewards which draws attention to the very difficult situation in which the Circuit finds itself. Our giving has not kept pace with the rising costs of running our churches and circuit, and we are all asked prayerfully to reconsider our weekly giving, and, if appropriate, to consider “Gift Aiding” our gifts. Regulations do not allow the Circuit to advertise the post of Lay Minister unless it can show that it has the funds to cover his/her salary for three years. Churches, members and friends are asked to consider making a gift, or interest free loan, to the Circuit to allow a Lay Minister for Wainfleet to be appointed. If you would like to see the letter in full see me – GMG.

Chris Rushworth wishes to thank you all for the Get Well cards, the Good Wishes and the Prayers.

Neil & Sue wish to say Thank You for supporting their Coffee Morning which made £130 – and thank you Neil and Sue for hosting it.

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5th April 2009

It is with sadness that we share with you the news that Graham Metcalfe passed away on Monday. Graham has done so much to support the church but above all we shall remember his cheerfulness. We send Chris and the family our love at this time, indeed we surround them with our love and prayers. The funeral service will take place on Wednesday April 8th at 1pm at Alford Crematorium. The church is preparing a buffet lunch which we will share around 2.15pm, to be followed by a service of thanksgiving around 2.45pm (in the church in Skegness). All are welcome.

Skegness Methodist Church Pens Ball point pens are available for sale at £1.00 each from the Church Office.

Fundraising Coffee Morning Jenny and Tom would like to thank everyone who attended and helped at their Open Garden and Coffee Morning. The event raised £194.80 towards Church Funds.

Offertory Envelopes The new tax year starts on April 5th. Have you thought about earning additional funds for your Church? If you are a UK tax payer we can claim 28p for every £1.00 you put into one of our Offertory Envelopes. You do not have to make any commitment to the amount or how often you give providing you sign up to the envelope scheme. All amounts you give are private and confidential. If you would like to contribute or would like further information, please contact Judith Bradshaw on 01754 766806.

For those of you who already are on the scheme at Skegness your envelopes for 2009/2010 are at the back of the Church.

Decorating of the new Room and Hall The Church Council Sub Committee responsible for arranging the decoration of the above two rooms have chosen the colour scheme. The colours and paint were chosen taking into account special offers available and a colour scheme which will be pleasing to the eye. All the walls will be emulsion in Dulux Natural Hessian, the skirting boards and any wood surrounds in Dulux non drip gloss Irish Linen and the doors in Dulux Gloss Chocolate Fondant. Hopefully the preparation of the walls and the painting will be started by volunteers of the church in the next week or two. If anyone would like to volunteer please contact Jayne Hopps. The more people who volunteer the less work and time it will take those who have already volunteered.

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29th March 2009

Marie Curie coffee morning Chris Rushworth would like to thank everyone who gave help and supported the Marie Curie coffee morning. The event raised £271.00. - Many thanks, Chris Rushworth

Skegness Methodist Church Pens Ball point pens are available for sale at £1.00 each from the Church Office.

For those of you who already are on the scheme at Skegness your envelopes for 2009/2010 are at the back of the Church.

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22nd March 2009

This week is Mothering Sunday – I don’t want you to forget

Three sons grew up and left home and prospered. They were soon able to provide too for their elderly mother back home. One day they met and discussed the gifts they were able to give her.

David said. ‘I built a big house for Mum”

Henry said, “I sent her a Lexus – with a driver!”

Benjamin said, “You know how Mum enjoys reading the Bible. Because she now can’t see very well, I sent her a remarkable parrot: it took 10 ministers twenty years to teach to, and it recites the whole Bible. All Mum has to do is to name the book, chapter and verse, and the parrot will say it”.

Soon afterwards, a letter of thanks came from their mother

"David, the house you built is so huge. I live only in one room, but have to clean the whole house.

“Henry, I am too old to travel. I stay most of the time and home, so I rarely use the Lexus. And that driver – he loves to swing the car round these Lincolnshire roads, and it gives me such a pain in the derriere.

“Benjamin, you alone of my sons understand what I enjoy – thank you, the chicken was delicious”

You might forget the story, but don’t forget Mothering Sunday.

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Skegness Methodist Church Pens Ball point pens are available for sale at £1.00 each from the Church Office.

Action For Children (NCH) Thanks have been received from Action for Children for £258.76 sent from the Church

Christmas Celebrations and £23.85 from recent collecting box opening. – Julia Allton 040309.

For those of you who already are on the scheme at Skegness your envelopes for 2009/2010 are at the back of the Church.

Donation to Skegness. We would like to give a huge thank you to the donor who paid for the new vacuum cleaner for the Church in Skegness.

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15th March 2009

Exploring God’s call. Could God be calling you to serve in the Methodist Church? Come to a vocations day on Saturday May 16th at the Queen’s Foundation, Somerset Road, Edgbaston. Information available from Revd Caroline Wickens, (caroline.wickens@gmail.com)

The Methodist Church rises to government challenge of engaging young people.The first UK Christian denomination to employ young people in a new youth strategy has pushed the boundaries of youth participation. Eight 17 to 23-year-olds have begun part-time jobs on the Church’s Connexional Team in order to lay the foundations for the future employment of 32 District Youth Enablers spanning the Church’s 32 districts from September this year. This is the first stage in a £4 million, 5 year Youth Participation Strategy that will see at least 32 young people between the ages of 16 and 23 employed on 12 month contracts for 15 hours per week each year for four years.

The strategy is a ground-breaking initiative designed to engage young people in the life of the Church. One of the many activities District Youth Enablers will be involved in is looking at ways knife and gun crime can be tackled by young people. They will have the opportunity to take up placements associated with Church projects and the wider community, such as youth offending institutes.

Skegness Methodist Church Pens Ball point pens are available for sale at £1.00 each from the Church Office.

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8th March 2009

Marie Curie Cancer Support

If you have anything you could donate to sell and raise funds for Marie Curie please give them to Christine Rushworth. Alternately you can bring them to the Church Office on a Tuesday or to Church on Sunday Morning. Needed are for example, books, jigsaws, tombola and raffle prizes.

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1st March 2009

Heating the Skegness Church After several weeks of holding our Sunday morning services in the Parlour due first to the pump having to be replaced (and then to the Treasurer worrying about the cost of the heating!) we should be back in the Church today. The heating has been on continuously since Friday morning. I hope that both your welcome and the Church have been warm this morning. – Anne May, Treasurer.

Skegness Methodist Church Pens Ball point pens are available for sale at £1.00 each from the Church Office.

Marie Curie Cancer Support

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15th February 2009

Latest news of Kevin Omondi Omuga. We have had news of Omondi in a letter written by a World Vision worker in Kenya. It states: “Kevin (Omondi) and his family are fine. He is very happy now that he is sponsored by a Church and appreciates the gifts sent to him. He always goes to Church on Sundays.

Omondi’s father appreciates that their child is now sponsored by a and has asked that we pray for them so that their child may prosper.”

I have put the letter on the World Vision notice board together with Omondi’s Christmas card.

It is good to know how much our sponsorship is appreciated and I thank you all for your generosity. Please continue the good work. Thank you.

News from Northern Ireland. Those of you who remember David Foster speaking of the proposed integrated primary school in Moira 2 years ago will be interested to hear of its progress. Two enrolment evenings have been held recently for the September 2009 intake. One of those was enhanced by the presence of Dame Mary Peters who spoke to the prospective parents. As a result of these evenings 21 new pupils are already enrolled – an increase for the second time. Two new mobile classrooms are expected in the near future. There are now various after school activities including violin lessons, a French club and an art club. School Governors and parents are delighted with the schools progress.

SNOW EDITION (2) To those who discovered the secret of the white cat hidden in last week’s newsletter, another Lincolnshire mystery has been solved, at the very moment that a new one appeared. In the case of the damaged wind turbine, it has been discovered that the strange lights were caused by a local firework display and the damage by failing bolts, not a UFO. Yet in a field near Wainfleet, local residents are puzzling over the sudden appearance of several pieces of coal in a heap with a carrot and a scarf. Can you help?

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1st February 2009

Skegness Methodist Church Pens Ball point pens are available for sale at £1.00 each from the Church Office.

Skegness Thursday Lunches and Leisure Day. The first Lunch in 2009 will be on Thursday 5th February and Leisure Day will start on Thursday 12th February.

Southampton continued Last Sunday, you will have read the article about the bus driver in Southampton who wouldn’t drive his bus with the British Humanist Association’s slogan ‘ THERE’S PROBABLY NO GOD. STOP WORRYING AND ENJOY YOUR LIFE’ posted on the side. Last Sunday morning, I was with our friends at Chapel St Leonards and unaware of this article, spoke on the same subject.

Sue & I were in Bournemouth 3 weeks ago and there we saw posters on hoardings which said ‘IF THERE IS A GOD, ARE WE BOTHERED? Posted by the same group. I have to say the posters catch your eye so they obviously achieve their first objective. Upon our return, I investigated further on the internet and I was initially surprised at the Christians response.

The Methodist Church said ‘it would be a good thing if it gets people to engage with the deepest questions of life’ and suggested it showed ‘a continued interest in God’. My first thought was ‘I’m not sure’ but perhaps the church response was right. People do need to think and talk about God. And surely it’s our responsibility now to respond to the commitment we made at our covenant service to stand up for our beliefs.

At the risk of being brought before our local (well known) magistrate, my first thought was to buy some paint and change the hoardings to ‘THERE IS A GOD AND YES I CARE’ – but I can’t catch all the buses.

Neil Baxter

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18th January 2009

Saturday Games Afternoon

Reflection of the afternoon from one who attended.

The people who were hosting – maybe you know their names –

Said “Welcome to our parlour, eat, then play some table games”

When roll and soup were eaten someone called out, “What’s for pud?”

Surprisingly, soon afterwards, and tasting very good,

Hot Christmas pudding did appear with custard on, of course,

(I should have taken from my fridge that pot of brandy sauce).

Following tea or coffee we wandered round a bit,

Deciding on the games of choice, and whereabouts to sit.

The Scrabblers played two games before they put the board away

In favour of ‘Phase 10’, a card game from the USA.

A couple in the corner were chatting at their ease,

But why did folk playing indoor bowls keep getting on their knees?

The Ludo was competitive, and goodness knows who won,

But groans and cheers and shrieks of mirth said they were having fun.

All tables sounded lively, but you had to be on guard

With something called ‘The Wall Game’? – IMURI seemed quite hard

Far simpler, ‘Happy Families’, with Bakers, Mr Bun

And Mrs Plod the Policeman’s wife, and Master Plod their son.

We had more drinks and biscuits before we went away

BIG THANKS to those who organised a very good half day.

Join us for our next Games afternoon on Saturday 14th February.

Skegness Thursday Lunches and Leisure Day. The first Lunch in 2009 will be on Thursday 5th February and Leisure Day will start on Thursday 12th February.

Skegness Methodist Church Pens Ball point pens are available for sale at £1.00 each from the Church Office.

Have you seen our church hall at Skegness recently?

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