MONEY AND PROPERTY MATTERS – AND BARRY’S BABBLINGS!

My first task must be to wish all our readers a very happy new year! We are not called non conformists for nothing and the Methodist church year starts on September 1st – so happy new year! This is the time of the year when some congregations welcome new ministers, and many of our committees meet to plan for the coming months.

Hopefully you have been able to have a pleasant and relaxing summer and now we look forward to the season of harvest and autumn. (We have not had our holiday yet so we have much to look forward to!)

As we reach the end of the fiscal year may I thank you all for your generosity towards the work at Christchurch – both financially and in many ways of witness and service. One of my tasks is to draw up the annual accounts and we are grateful to Paul Burson of our Ninfield Church who acts as the ‘independent examiner’.

The celebration of our Harvest Festival will be held on Sunday 22nd September when there will be two services at 10.30am and 6pm. This will be followed on the following Monday with the ever pleasant Harvest Supper. Do please book the dates and if you are able to provide produce etc for the church displays please bring these to the church on the Friday afternoon. The church stewards are kindly arranging the Supper and perhaps I can just say a ‘thank you’ to our stewards and for all their hard work.

On Saturday 7th September our minister will be telling us about some of the activities that she did when on her Sabbatical earlier this year. We will meet in the church at 3pm and a cup of tea will follow. Please do try to come along.

Regretfully numbers are very poor when we sing hymns at two local places. Please try to come along and support – Monday 16th September at 2.30pm at Orchard House, and 4pm on Sunday September 29th at the Irvine Unit. These are important ways of outreach and, I feel, worthy of support – they only last about 40 minutes and are usually led by our minister (I deputise if needed).

External use of our facilities is on the increase and this does help with our finances. We struggle to balance the books and we do appreciate all those who help to keep the premises in good order. You will see elsewhere the appeal for a few more cleaners – the more who offer, the less times you have to do the clean! Joan would love to hear from you.

As we read our papers and listen to the news I thought that these words are rather profound and worthy of reflection –‘Justice and power must be brought together, so that whatever is just may be powerful, and whatever is powerful may be just’. (Blaise Pascal).

Barry Turnwell

Treasurer and a Property Steward

September 2019

Stewards Scribblings

The onset of September usually means that the summer season is coming to an end, unless we have an “Indian Summer” this year when the warm and sunny weather continues well into October. We have enjoyed some very hot temperatures coupled with short periods of rain to refresh the gardens and overall a good mix of weather here in Bexhill.

There have been several coffee evenings held in member’s gardens and these have been an enjoyable time of fellowship. Thank you to everyone who provided hospitality. It is always good to have opportunities for meeting up and socialising outside of our Sunday morning worship. The refreshments after the service are well attended and we are grateful to Jan and Geof for looking after the rota and for everyone who takes a turn in setting out the hall and serving tea and coffee.

Tricia has now taken on the role of our Superintendent Minister and will need extra support over the coming twelve months following the departure of Ian and Peggy from the Circuit. At a recent meeting of the Senior Stewards from all our churches we discussed ways in which we could assist Tricia. For the time being any enquiries and matters concerning Christchurch should be communicated to either myself or Barry and whenever appropriate we will pass on the information for Tricia to action. Authorisation is being sought for at least two Local Preachers to be able to administer the sacrament of Holy Communion so that regular Communion services can be held at all the churches. Home and hospital visits will usually need to be made by our own Pastoral Visitors and information about members will continue to be circulated via Sandy’s prayer chain.

We have started what is likely to become a regular pattern of having two Local Arrangement (home grown!) services each quarter. Please let the Stewarding Team know of any requested hymns you might like included in these DIY services. Margaret Bickerdike has offered to lead a training session during September for anyone interested in arranging LA services. Look out for a date and time on the notice sheet.

At Christchurch we are renowned for warmly welcoming everyone into our church. I would like to remind you there is an attractive “Welcome Leaflet” available that has recently been updated and reprinted. Please do not hesitate to hand one out to any new person you talk to on a Sunday morning. It is an excellent guide to everything about Christchurch.

If you want to hear about the Methodist Heritage sights that Tricia visited on her recent Sabbatical leave then make a note4 in your diaries for Saturday 7 September when she is giving a presentation. It will be an opportunity for all of us to learn more about the long and interesting history of Methodism.

Peter Watson, Senior Steward

September 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