BEXHILL CARNIVAL QUIZ

Saturday, July 20th 2019 at 7:00 pm

Christchurch Methodist Church
Springfield Road, Bexhill, TN40 2BX

You are welcome to bring your own soft drinks,
but no alcohol in the church hall please.

Ticket price £7, to include a ploughman’s supper

Numbers in each team - 4

Tickets from - Nim Whitmarsh

lesliewhitmarsh@hotmail.co.uk or phone 01424 220217

MONEY AND PROPERTY MATTERS – AND BARRY’S BABBLINGS!

I am writing down my thoughts following the recent wonderful Festival, and just prior to the Christchurch Singers concert. Never a dull moment and I have managed a holiday in between as well!!

It was a privilege to lead the Sussex Day service on June 16th when we had a visit from the Mayor and the former Mayor as well as around twelve Brownies from Sidley. With a congregation of over 70 we had a lively time and, I felt, a special time of worship. Thanks to Paul Lendon for all his work in promoting Sussex Day and for helping to boost our congregation with visitors. I think that we all know that June 16th is Sussex Day – if not where have you been??

I am so pleased that we are able to resume our Coffee Evenings around various venues. There are three planned and they are lovely occasions when we can sit in the garden and have a chat (if wet indoors!). Many thanks to those who have offered hospitality and if you would like to have a date do let Sandy know. If you do not have a garden you can use Centenary House garden.

We are grateful to Wendy for taking the reins of the Messenger and please remember that we do not have an edition in August so do get your items in good time for the September issue.

We have been able to welcome our Minister back following her three month Sabbatical. Both she, and John Troughton from our Little Common church, are representatives at the national Methodist Conference that is to be held in Birmingham this month. There seems to be plenty to talk about and it will be interesting to see what is decided at Conference. I am sure that our representatives will keep us informed. It is some years since I was able to attend conference but I did find it informative.

In a few week’s time we will be saying our farewells to the Rev Peggy Heim and there will be opportunity to express our thanks to her. Peggy has been supportive of our church during difficult times when she has had many demands upon her time. We wish her every blessing as she retires to live in Wolverhampton.

May you all have a wonderful summer with plenty of rest and sunshine and return refreshed and ready to go!

A thought to take with you: ‘I can’t do anything’ never yet accomplished anything; ‘I will try’ has accomplished wonders. (George Burnham).

Barry Turnwell
Treasurer and a Property Steward
July 2019

Stewards Scribblings

We are very pleased to have our minister Tricia safely back with us after her sabbatical period of leave. In due course we look forward to hearing about some of the places she visited and things she has done. For a few more weeks Tricia will have the support of Peggy within the Circuit but will then be on her own as Superintendent Minister until August 2020. She will need prayerful and practical support from all of us.

One of the consequences of the reduced number of ministers in our Circuit will be an increase in the frequency of “Local Arrangement” services on the Plan. The Stewards will do their best to provide a meaningful Sunday morning service on these occasions and any ideas for themes or topics will be warmly welcomed! Instead of the LA services it has been suggested that we could consider holding joint morning services between the Bexhill churches so that a Minister would be available to lead the worship.

Another matter that might be under review concerns Evening Worship. In the Hastings area no evening services are held any more. In recent times at Christchurch there have only been a handful of loyal members attending. It is being suggested that the Bexhill churches could hold just one combined evening service with Holy Communion each month at Little Common church, which still seems to attract a reasonable evening congregation.

There was a Circuit Meeting in June, the last one to be chaired by Peggy Heim, and various matters were discussed arising from her retirement. Over the next twelve months Stewards will need to take more responsibility for day to day matters in their churches, and Local Preachers may be given a temporary dispensation to administer Holy Communion. The good news is that Brian Knight from our Battle Church, who is very experienced in financial matters, has agreed to take over as the Circuit Treasurer. We are also hoping to appoint a Property Secretary in the near future who will look after the manses and associated matters. At the same time Rod Sinden is standing down as the Circuit Meeting Secretary so a replacement for him is being sought. There is also a need for up to four Circuit Stewards to be appointed, in succession to existing Stewards who have served their term of office.

Here at Christchurch we had another very successful Festival of Flowers and thanks to everyone who assisted in any way over the three days. This is our main outreach event of the year and it brought into our church more than 800 people. On 16 June we had a wonderful combined celebration of Sussex Day, Father’s Day and Trinity Sunday, led by Barry with considerable input and help from Paul Lendon who is the Sussex Day Champion! As I write this we12 are about to have the “Music for a Summer’s Evening” concert by our very own Christchurch Singers. Yet another great outreach occasion with an expected full house. There is always something going on at Christchurch! Best wishes to you all for the Summer.

Peter Watson

July 2019

Angel Yarn Bomb
We are planning a yarn bomb for Christmas 2019! To explain, we are encouraging anyone who would like to, to knit angels from this simple pattern. On a set day near to Christmas, they will be ‘released’ in public places all around the town and Sidley, with a label attached to explain they come with blessings from Christchurch, and that they may be taken home with our love!
Further details from Chris Cox: chriscox60@hotmail.com