Sunday 28th April

The Bible Study on Monday evening at our home church was so engrossing that before we knew it we had been there for two hours considering the passage and points arising from it.  One of the mothers arriving to collect her daughter at the end of the Junior Youth Club on Tuesday evening suggested that it should last for two hours, I’m not sure whether that was for the child’s pleasure or for the peace the mother had enjoyed.  The children had a good time playing outside, an old motor cycle tyre was a hoop to roll, a boat to sail in, den for games of tig, a seat and as many different things as the children could imagine.  At the Senior Youth Club it was a movie night so it was quieter as the young people watched the picture.

I had been invited to our South Hetton IM Church on Wednesday evening to take part in a community evening called View Point.  I was part of a panel of three invited guests who were given topical questions to answer, the questions were not easy and had taken quite some thought but it was good to consider them and to listen to the answers from the other panellists.  As always I received a warm welcome from the fellowship at South Hetton and enjoyed sharing with these lovely Christian people.

After several weeks of being absent from the community choir I was able to be there this week, I have been told that the choir will be singing at the Connexional President’s visit to the North East Circuit so there was some work to be done to practice for the visit.  There were also other pieces to be practiced so a good time was had by all (well all except the choirmaster).

I spent Friday evening with a grieving family making the arrangements for their mother’s funeral.  It was good to share with this family and to find out about her.  By the time I got home I got ready for going away the next day.  It was an early start to get to the Resource Centre on Saturday morning for a meeting of the Executive.  The meeting carefully considered the various matters which were upon the agenda seeking to discern the best way forward.  After the Executive I set off for Chorley where the members of Bolton Circuit were holding their meeting.  I was immediately made to feel welcome and before the meeting I was able to look around the wonderful building which is our Chorley IM church, it was built with lots of side rooms for Sunday School classes.  The Circuit Meeting took place in one of these side rooms where I was accorded the privilege of a voice in the meeting, which was good natured.

After the meeting a lovely tea had been prepared by Graham and Joan from our Radcliffe IM Church giving everyone the opportunity to relax and chat to one another.  Kathleen Rowland lead the evening meeting where we began by singing well known choruses which everyone enjoyed as well as being a great way to worship.  I had the opportunity to bring the Word to those who had gathered.  After the meeting Alan and Dylis Hunter from our Chorley IM Church made me feel at home with them, offering me hospitality for the evening.

On Sunday morning I was back at our Lyons Lane, Chorley IM Church to preach, as I got out of the car to go into the church I was delighted to see a friend, a retired Anglican vicar, who had heard from Kathleen Langton that I would be at the church and had come to hear me.  It was a joy to join with the congregation of Lyons Lane for the service and for a cup of tea afterwards.

Dorothy prepared a lovely lunch for us and then led the way for me to follow her car to our Noble Street IM Church for their afternoon service.  Harold Porter led the service and I preached to the congregation which was swelled by members of our Chorley and Radcliffe IM Churches.  As I left Bolton on my way home I reflected on a weekend of blessing where I had been both treated as a member of the Bolton Circuit family and as an honoured guest.

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 29th April
6.30pm Governors’ Meeting at Grindon Hall Christian School.

Tuesday 30th 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 1st May
3.30pm Meeting of Governors at New Seaham Academy.
6.30pm Prayer meeting at Stanley Street IM Church, Seaham, North East Circuit.

Thursday 2nd May
12.30pm Conduct the funeral of Joan Brooks at Sunderland Crematorium.
5.45pm Seaham Community Choir at Stanley Street IM Church, Seaham, North East Circuit.

Friday 3rd May
7.00pm Bible Comes Alive at Thorney Close IM Church, North East Circuit.

Sunday 5th May
10.30am Attend Stanley Street IM Church, Seaham, North East Circuit.

Monday 6th May
7.00pm Bible Study at Stanley Street IM Church, Seaham, North East Circuit.

Tuesday 7th May
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 8th May
7.30pm Seaham Churches Together at Christ Church, Seaham.

Thursday 9th May
5.45pm Seaham Community Choir at Stanley Street IM Church, Seaham, North East Circuit.

Friday 10th May
Attend the Congregational Federation Annual Assembly in Tunbridge Wells.

Saturday 11th May
Attend the Congregational Federation Annual Assembly in Tunbridge Wells.

Sunday 12th May
Attend the Congregational Federation Annual Assembly in Tunbridge Wells.