Sunday 31st March
Among the churches of Seaham it is traditional to have joint services in Holy Week, the first of these was held on
I was at the local Primary School on Tuesday morning to lead an assembly, reminding them of the great gift of love as we approached God Friday. The children listened carefully as I explained. I received a round of applause at the end of the assembly and at the Youth club in the evening some of the children told me that they had enjoyed the story. I had to leave early from the Youth Club to go to the Methodist Church for the second of the Holy Week Services. Once again there was the opportunity to meet and chat with friends after the service.
I was at the local Secondary School on Wednesday afternoon as part of an interview panel appointing a new Head of Maths. It is a great responsibility to be part of such a group knowing how important education is to the lives of young people and happily there was a good field of candidates. I didn’t get to the Holy Week Service on Wednesday evening, I played taxi driver for our daughters while my wife, Anita, went to the service giving me a full report when she returned.
On Thursday evening we had a house full of guests, it was our elder daughter’s eighteenth birthday on Friday so we had a sort of party with family and friends from other churches coming. It was nice to see everyone as we celebrated this milestone in Hannah’s life.
Good Friday was Hannah’s birthday so it began with her opening cards and presents before we went to our home church for the Good Friday Service which was led by my fellow Minister at the Church, Sheila Heron. Sheila gave a short but powerful address reminding us of the price Jesus paid for our salvation and reminded us of the need to respond. Members of other Churches in Seaham arrived at the end of the service for us to join in an act of worship before continuing the annual Walk of Witness which continued to the Methodist Church and the Salvation Army.
After having refreshments at the end of the Walk our family went for a walk along the beach. Hannah’s geography teacher had heard that we might have a walk by the sea on her birthday so he had set her some homework, to take pictures which showed at least two forms of sea defences. We managed to get rock armour, groins and a sea wall all in one photograph and then some examples of coastal erosion where there are no defences. As we walked along the beach we experienced different weather, from sunshine to a light snow shower but as we then walked home via a country lane it was sunshine that prevailed.
Saturday morning saw the final meeting of the Northern Counties Confederation of IM Churches as together with the three former IM circuits in the North East it merged into a single new circuit. Shaun Newton, whose vision and wisdom has lead the North East Churches to this point, led the meetings in the morning which included an audio visual presentation of meetings among the North East churches over the years. The presentation included many who have served God well who have now gone to their reward reminding us all of the great heritage that we have as we go forward into the future.
The meeting was held at our South Hetton IM Church which had gone to great lengths to ensure that we were well looked after providing a superb lunch for us to enjoy. In the afternoon the new circuit came to life, the Sunderland Circuit President, Ian Wren opened the meeting and I had the privilege of being elected its first president. I was then tasked with guiding the meeting through agreeing the constitution, agreeing the way that it will initially operate, electing its other officers and setting some dates for the future. After a refreshment break we then held a discussion on what we would like to see from the new circuit with a focus on prayer, supporting one another and on evangelising coming out of the meeting.
Our friends at South Hetton presented us with a magnificent tea before we held an evening service. Ian Wren and Jean Merton led us in a time of prayer and praise before it was my privilege as Circuit President to lead the meeting and as Connexional President to speak. I did threaten to sing a solo but felt that it would be too cruel to inflict that on the congregation.
Easter Day began with a prayer meeting at our home church before I was able to welcome the rest of a good sized congregation to our Easter Celebration. Our pianist, Carl Heron, was in excellent form as he led our songs of praise and worship and I once again led and spoke. Our service ended with the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper when I also had the privilege of welcoming our elder daughter into adult membership of the church which was for both of us a very emotional experience.
My mother and father-in-law had invited us to lunch so it was good to spend time with them and enjoy their hospitality. In the evening I returned to our South Hetton IM Church to lead the worship. Martin Banks was in fine form as he played the Easter hymns on the organ and it was good to see this church giving eggs to remind the congregation of new life and polished stones as a reminder of the stone being rolled away to reveal the empty tomb. It was a wonderful end to a remarkable weekend, one of new beginnings and fresh starts.
If you would like to get in touch for whatever reason you can contact me by e-mail at president@imcgb.org.ukor by writing to me at my home address.
Diary Dates
for the Coming Fortnight
Monday 1st April
7.00pm Bible Study at Stanley Street IM Church, Seaham, North East Circuit.
Tuesday 2nd April
6.00-7.00pm Combined Youth Club at Stanley Street IM Church, Seaham, North East Circuit.
Friday 5th April
7.00pm Bible Comes Alive Planning and Prayer meeting at Thorney Close IM Church, North East Circuit.
Sunday 7th April
10.30am Attend Stanley Street IM Church, Seaham, North East Circuit.
2.30pm Baptise a baby at Greatham IM Church, North East Circuit.
3.00pm Preach at Greatham IM Church, North East Circuit.
Tuesday 9th April
6.00-7.00pm Junior Youth Club at Stanley Street IM Church, Seaham, North East Circuit.
7.00-8.30pm Senior Youth Club at Stanley Street IM Church, Seaham, North East Circuit.
Wednesday 10th April
6.30pm Prayer meeting at Stanley Street IM Church, Seaham, North East Circuit.
Thursday 11th April
11.00am Joint meeting of IM’s with members of the Congregation Federation at their headquarters in Nottingham.
Saturday 13th April
10.00am Finance Committee Meeting at the Resource Centre, Wigan.
Sunday 14th April
10.30am Preach at Moorside IM Church, Leigh Circuit.