July/August 2025

Stewards Scribblings

July was named by Mark Antony in honour of Julius Caesar. Until the 18th century, July was pronounced with the accent on the 'Ju' and not as we do, on the 'ly'! Sounds odd, doesn't it?

Anyway, already, I digress! July being the 7th month, I thought it would be interesting to see what the Bible has to offer in the way of instances of quoting the number seven, and I find a wealth of sevens, and sevenths, apparently over 500 times, and that's not counting 70, 700, 7000, etc. Wow!

Just in Genesis alone, we find the following: the seven colours of the rainbow, seven years of plenty, and seven years of famine, among many others. Going to the last book in the Bible we find in Revelation seven of each of the following: angels, churches, seals, trumpets, vials, horns, lamps, thunders, heads, crowns, mountains, kings and more.

I looked on good old Google to find why seven is such a significant number, and this is what it said. 'The number seven is associated with completeness, perfection and spiritual awakening. It's often seen as a symbol of divine order and the culmination of a cycle.'

I almost wish I hadn't started on this as not only is it interesting, but it's quite mind boggling!! So, when we're having our Bible readings in church on a Sunday morning, let's see how many sevens we can hear read.

God bless

Chris Cox, Senior Steward

Money & Property Matters – and Barry’s Babblings

As I write, we are certainly enjoying some lovely summer weather and long may this continue. It has been encouraging to see that the Open Air Hymn Singing has been held for three Sunday afternoons. This takes my mind back to the days of the Open Air Sunday School on the so called 'Religious Lawn' on the seafront. Bexhill was a holiday resort in those days and even featured the Sunday School in the Town Brochure. Our Christian faith still has much to sing about!

The members of 'Christian Voices' gave us a fitting music and dramatic play with the title ''Lost but Loved' and this linked with a coffee morning. A collection was made for the Christian Voices' chosen charity Hastings and Rother Voluntary Association for the Blind and this raised £260. There was an encouraging number who came along, and it was well supported by family and friends.

Writing about donations - many thanks to all who supported the MWiB Easter Offering collection that totalled £500 and also the Christian Aid appeal result of £600 and this contributed to the total collected for CA in all the churches of the town of £7,312.

Those of you who kindly contribute to the church funds via the envelope scheme will be aware that new envelopes are issued annually at the start of August. I have the new supply and existing donors will get a new supply - and if you would like to join, I have plenty more available. Thank you also to those who donate each month direct to the church bank account - both of these gift channels can be Gift Aided as well (as many of you do already).

The circuit is struggling to find sufficient preachers to lead worship in the nine churches in the circuit. Hence the need for 'Local Arrangements' and we are grateful to those who lead the way. Our worship is at the heart of our church, and it is sad that a number of our members are unable to come to actively worship with us. However, you do remain in our thoughts and prayers.

Our Superintendent Minister, the Rev Philip Wagstaff, retires (or 'sits down' in Methodist jargon!) early in August and his successor will be the Rev Ian Couchman. Philip's wife, Rev Catherine Wagstaff, who leads in the Dover area, also retires at the same time. We wish them all every blessing in their future situations. The Rev Crawford Logan continues as our minister at Christchurch.

May I conclude by thanking you all for your prayerful support for Joan and the family and it is encouraging that Joan is now making good progress and long may this continue. We are most grateful to you all.

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

The 240th Chapel Anniversary will be celebrated on Sunday 13th July 2025. Following the open-air hymn singing under the Wesley Tree we adjourn to the Chapel when Rev Philip and the Rev Catherine Wagstaff will lead the celebration service. We hope for a good crowd for this time of prayer and praise.

The latest Newsletter has been issued and do ask me for a copy, if you wish. It makes an interesting read, and also links with those who kindly make an annual donation to help with the upkeep of the chapel (more correctly known as a 'Preaching House').

Barry Turnwell, Publicity Officer

Membership Secretary 01424 216456