Sunday 14th April
There was a theatre trip with friends to the Sunderland Empire on Monday evening to see Jason Donovan in "Priscilla Queen of the Desert”, some of the humour was not to our taste but we did not allow that to spoil our enjoyment of the show.
We had only a combined youth club on Tuesday evening because of the children still being on holiday from school and many of them being away on holiday. Those who had already been away on holiday had stories to tell of their adventures whilst two young brothers were telling me of choosing rabbits for pets. Outside the children enjoyed playing in the fresh air, for some it was with a football but others found other games to amuse them.
The joint prayer meeting was in our home church this Wednesday when, conscious of the bitterness which remains within our community following the 1980’s miners’ strike and the way this has once again erupted, we prayed for healing with our town. It was good to share fellowship with the members of the other churches and together carry our prayers to the Lord.
There was an early start on Thursday morning as I set off to Nottingham, going first to Hetton-le-Hole to pick up Shaun Newton, the Education Organiser. In Nottingham we met up with the General Secretary, Brian Rowney and the Safeguarding Officer, Marilyn Riding to share common experiences and opportunities with a small group from the Congregational Federation at their offices. It was comforting to realise that many of the problems faced by our churches we share with the churches of the Congregational Federation and to share ways in which some of these are being tackled whilst others remain a concern.
On Friday evening I travelled again to Hetton-le-Hole, this time to our IM church there for the first gathering of the newly formed North East Circuit’s Ministers’ Meeting. There was a good time of fellowship and also a frank discussion of how we should move forward in ways that will better enable us as Ministers to support one another and the churches of the circuit. It was good to hear the range of opinions and to see the desire there is to find new ways of working rather than falling into the known and familiar.
There was another early start on Saturday morning, our son was due at the Air Cadet Squadron at 7.15am for a weekend expedition towards his Duke of Edinburgh award so I dropped him off before setting off for the Resource Centre. After dropping off David I drove along the coast where I was able to look down upon the beach and a ship in the harbour before turning inland.
At the Resource Centre the Finance Committee Meeting had a long agenda to be worked through, there were lots of matters to be carefully considered all of which was done in good spirit. Whilst it was not the longest meeting that the Finance Committee has held it was close to it.
After the meeting I travelled down to the Cottage at the Northwood Christian Centre to get on with some work and settle in for an overnight stay. Gill Jacks of our Friars Green IM Church invited me to our Risley IM Church for the men’s weekend concert in the evening. It was a joy to visit our Risley IM Church, seeing so many familiar faces and enjoying the concert. The Men’s Choir sang well with some performing solo pieces accompanying themselves on guitar or ukulele and all interspersed with humour especially from master of ceremonies / comedian Ron Percival, it is little wonder that this event attracts such a good attendance with the hall being packed.
On Sunday morning I was at our Moorside IM Church, one which I spent much time in during my time on the Manchester area so there was a real sense of being at home with this fellowship. During the service our worship was aided by solos from Eileen Hall and Eric Chaloner, both accompanied on the piano by Sydney Hall, these beautiful and heartfelt solos were a real delight and our congregational singing was expertly accompanied by Marjorie Berry on the organ. After the service and a tour of the church’s musical instruments there was the opportunity to chat over coffee and cakes. As I journeyed home I was able to reflect on the great wealth of talent that there is within our churches, whether that is talent used in committee meetings, entertainment or in worship and service.
Once home I had time for a quick cup of tea before going to our home church for Messy Church, unfortunately it wasn’t as well attended as we had hoped and prayed but the families there threw themselves into the activities. Afterwards I was on taxi duty for my son and younger daughter and so another busy week ended.
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 15th April
11.00am Attend a meeting of representatives of the Free Churches Group and Churches Together in England at Tavistock Square, Bloomsbury, London.
8.15pm Children and Young People’s Working Group Meeting at Stanley Street IM Church, Seaham, North East Circuit.
Tuesday 16th April
3.10pm Lead the assembly at New Seaham Academy
6.00-7.00pm 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 17th April
6.30pm Prayer meeting at Seaham Salvation Army.
Thursday 18th April
11.00am Attend a meeting of the Free Churches Group at Tavistock Square, Bloomsbury, London.
Sunday 21st April
10.30am Attend Stanley Street IM Church, Seaham, North East Circuit.
Monday 22nd April
7.00pm Bible Study at Stanley Street IM Church, Seaham, North East Circuit.
Tuesday 23rd April
6.00-7.00pm 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 24th April
7.00pm Ask the Panel at South Hetton IM Church, North East Circuit.
Thursday 25th April
5.45pm Seaham Community Choir at Stanley Street IM Church, Seaham, North East Circuit.
Saturday 27th April
2.45pm Bolton Circuit Meeting followed by Circuit Rally in Chorley IM Church, Bolton Circuit.
Sunday 28th April
10.30am Preach at Chorley IM Church, Bolton Circuit.
2.00pm Preach at Noble Street IM Church Bolton, Bolton Circuit.