Stewards Scribblings

What a wonderful meeting we had at The Ladies Who Lunch this month. We all did flower arranging, everybody had a different basket, and Sue helped us with some advice on how we should do it. When we had finished, we were all able to take our baskets home. Although my roses are now dead, I have replaced them with flowers from the garden.

Well, the weather is starting to change, so out will come the winter woollies and we will be putting in our final plants like our wall flowers for a colourful show next year, along with bulbs ready to cheer us up in the spring.

The new screens and sound system is up and running. It will be very helpful to be able to watch things in the main hall if needed. This will be very much used as life gets more technical, but like many older people, we do not understand it! Hopefully I will slowly learn to use it at least for the sound.

I look forward to November and fireworks, the Bonfire Societies have already started their parades and bonfires. This is a safe way to see the fireworks and take the children to see how we have always celebrated Guy Fawkes.

I am off to Ninfield this weekend. Please all keep safe.

Anne

Anne Pitchforth, Senior Steward

Money & Property Matters – and Barry’s Babblings

We enter the month where we can celebrate and give thanks for the freedom that we enjoy. I hope to lead the service on 10th November at 10.30am together with the church stewards, we usually try to link in with the 11 o'clock two minutes silence from the Cenotaph. We also have a memorial plaque in the church and there is a framed display with many names of folk from our church who have served in the wars - it has been suggested that we could also refer to this at the service and this we will do.

Only a few weeks later we will remember in a very different way as December 1st is Advent Sunday and we will have a special Advent Carol service.

The new Audio Visual system has now been installed and several folk have said how the pictures and sound are much clearer. We are grateful to several people who helped towards the cost of the installation and the balance has been taken from legacy money that we hold.

When you are reading this newsletter, we will have held our Church Council meeting and there are several important points to discuss (not only the damp!).

David (with a little help from me) has started a Bible Study group that meets in the Minster's Vestry every other Friday afternoon at 2pm for an hour with a cup of tea to follow (November 8th and 22nd). This type of gathering is so important as we do need to take time to discuss the Bible, our spiritual life and to reflect upon our Christian faith. I would be interested to know your thoughts on my comments. Whatever you feel, a warm welcome awaits you.

We have had several deaths recently at Christchurch and this does bring our faith into sharp focus. Hard as it is, Christians do have a positive view of the teaching of our Lord that is so supportive at times like these.

Perhaps I could end by two quotes that I do use from time to time - and I feel both have a message for this present age:

'Some folk believe in a hopeless end, but the Christian rejoices in an endless hope', and 'Some people fail not because they are discouraged, but because they are not actually encouraged'. At least they are food for thought to help us in our thinking.

Every blessing,

Barry Turnwell, Church Treasurer and a Property Steward

Christchurch Messenger Website

You may know that much of the content of the Christchurch Messenger also ends up on this website but not all of it. So it is well worth your while to read the Messenger, but also to keep a watchful eye on the website, which is updated every month.

Over 17,500 visits (hits) are made to the website each year, around 48 each day. There are 18 web pages, and the most popular ones are the Home Page, News & Events, Diary, Contacts, Ninfield, and Christchurch Singers. There is also a link to the Winchelsea Chapel website.

If you have any comments or suggestions to make about the website, please let me know.

Peter Downes
Web Developer

Winchelsea Methodist Chapel News
www.winchelseachapel.org

Having celebrated Harvest Festival we now move on to reflect upon the Remembrance theme this month. At the Chapel there is a small memorial and this will be referred to when we have our special service on Saturday November 2nd at 10.30am for 11 am. We are delighted that we will be led by the Rev Crawford Logan and everyone is most welcome to join with us. Come early for a cup of coffee!

One further date - Saturday 14th December when the Rev Tricia Williams (a former Minister in our circuit) will be leading our Christmas celebration - please do try to come along and share with us all.

Barry Turnwell, Publicity Officer