November

2002

Significant

Jesus Christ chose a sparrow to illustrate the great truth that God cares for us in a tender and wonderful way. Five common sparrows could be purchased for two pence in the market place; yet Jesus said our Father in heaven thought about and individually remembered every bird. He

reminded His listeners that if God had tender regard for such lowly creatures, then they, who are of more value than many sparrows, should not be afraid. The cure for all loneliness is found in the blessed thought that God never forget us, and never considers us unimportant.. Remember, you arc always significant to God! You are never of the circle of His attention and concern, for “He careth for you”. S.A

For All

This is a poem I did about two very special people, my best friends Lucy and Shaun. I suppose I’m very lucky, not only do I have Jesus, I have them as well.

You are someone special and very dear to me

Your inner beauty is what I love to see

You make me laugh and helped when I was sad

You are my shield from bad

You stood by me through thick and thin

Even when you knew we couldn’t win

You’ve been there when others left me alone

A greater debt I’ll never owe

You’ve been there for me and I know on you I can depend

I am honored to call you friend

Ann-Marie

Bible Class

Second week in the month by Rev Boxer

All welcome.

Our Harvest weekend was a great success. Twenty-five sat down to a lovely meal made by Vera Ward, helped by Reg and Vera’s sister-in-law. Also, thanks to Tina for helping to take the food to the tables. The meal was shepherds’ pie & veg and apple pie and custard. For the first time I noticed all clean plates! After supper we had prize bingo - thanks to benise and Rene. We made €51 for church funds. To end the weekend, we had a good service by the rev John Pyke.

On Friday, I heard the sad news that Gladys Norris had died after her long illness. My wife and I have been friends since we were members at Garlinge church in 1971. It’s been a friendly church but sadly a lot are now with our Lord and others have left for various reasons. Gladys had cancer when I first met her -and many problems since.

A lovely person and a good friend. Now she is at peace and wilt always be remembered.

Please pray for Bert Lilliot - in a nursing home

Doris Patton - unable to come to church

Dorathea - had a fall and waiting to go into hospital for on operation

Mrs Euden - in Yorkly House

Mrs Clay - still poorly

Angela Wilson with family problems and in poor health

Garlinge

Please pray for those of our church members who are unwell, in pain or lonely and for all who are in need

for Eunice Blackstock. now in Summerlands at Westgate. We pray she will feel at peace and her treatment will get results

Sheila Cressey, whose nephew is on lifesupport

Jan Harris and family as her doctors decide what treatment to give, now that her count has gone down. Let us place the situation into God’s hands and trust in His will

Ken and Marion Stephens as they, through poor health, find it a struggle to get to church Marion Greenstreet as she continues to look after her two grandchildren during this difficult time

Gladys Norris who’s funeral was held in our church - giving thanks for her life and that she is now at peace Let us pray for those killed and injured in the terrorist attack in Bali and for all their loved ones and friends.

Let us pray for peace in our troubled world and all who are in need but let us not forget in our prayers to thank God for our many blessings and the joy we share in serving the Lord Jesus Christ.

More proof-reading gaffs

Irving Benson and Jessie Carter were married on October 24^th in the church.

So ends a friendship that began their schooldays.

The Deacon’s meeting on Tuesday will be gin with prayer (hic! Hic!)

Keith

Thanks to all who remembered the Through Faith Missions Walk of 1000 men on the Isle of Grain. For many reasons, we found it a hard mission compared to the others. Even the local people told us it was the end of the world -- the dumping ground. The youth of the village of Grain had nothing to do and we found this a big challenge. By midweek, the team was feeling down and that our efforts were not bearing fruit. But with a lot of prayer and hard work, things began to happen. -people were coming to the Lord, commitments were being made and the local youth become quieter. By the end of the week we were feeling much better -we knew that God had answered our prayers. God was watching over us and His Holy Spirit was giving us the strength and power to go on and do His work. Yes, it was a hard mission, and you may wonder why we do it. If you could have been at the decommissioning service, you would have seen and known why. The team members, all together exchanging stories of the mission, the joy they felt through the work they had done in the Lord’s name. God’s love and the presence of the Holy Spirit was there and all would take those wonderful gifts to share with whoever they met as they went their different ways.

We did it because we love God and we want everybody to know the joy of loving Him. Thank you for your prayers.

God Bless Eddie

Alpha

Despite quite a bit of initial interest, the Autumn Alpha course didn’t get off the ground. Alpha will go ahead in January and we ask for your prayers and “New Ideas” for this course.

Bob

Union Church

Brownies

We enjoyed our open evening with the Rainbows & Guides and thank everyone who supported us. At the end of the Summer term we had several practices for Athlete’s badge and over half the Pack have now succeeded in obtaining it. Sadie Handley and Jasmine Ayles went to Guides and we have welcomed in three new Rainbows. Four Brownies made their Promise and another one made hers the following Friday

Youth Synod

Chelsea Stainton and I would like to say a big thank you to Harry and Rita for taking us to the Youth Synod in Brighton on Saturday 12th October. We had a fantastic time and would love to go again. Some of the things we did were: mod-rock masks; a mural; a picture-board about Saul on the road to Damascus and a “Big Brother diary room’. Thank you again, we thoroughly enjoyed it and had a great time.

Rachel Ogden

Friday Bookstall

The Christian Aid box paid in £20.81 for the third quarter of 2002. Also, thanks for all the books, copper coins and stamps to help Demelza House and the Leprosy Mission.

Clive Collins

Webb Ivory Catalogues

The church receives the profit for any orders placed. There are catalogues on the back table - or ask Pam Haswell if you can’t find one. If you wish to place an order, please give it to Pam by 1Oth October

Pam Haswell

Thank You

I should like to take this opportunity to say thank you to all my church friends for their good wishes when I started off on my travels, around ten weeks ago, firstly some four weeks in Worthington to “cat sit” for my daughter and family while they went off to Minorca on holiday. The cats, three in number, very soon had me trained to know when they wanted fed and when it was time to play. Soon it was time for me to set off for Pennsylvania to visit my family, there were some raised eyebrows at my choice of date to fly out (Sept 10^th)• However it turned out to be quite an experience to be there on the 11th Everything that moved on wheels, every home and public building had a stars and stripes flying from it. I thought that we had made some show during the football season but it’s nothing like this. The whole place seemed awash with colour. There were church services and parades everywhere.

The third plane that came down on the ₁₁th came down only six miles from where my family live, so a very special service was held on the spot, attended by President Bush. A very moving service indeed but the security was something that had to be seen to be believed. None-the-less, the president did not hurry. He spoke to every family who had lost someone in that crash. PA is a beautiful state, so thickly wooded and, about now, the trees are changing colour. The reds and golds were so beautiful. I was just itching to get my paint-brushes out. But that was my next move. I was booked in for a painting holiday in Rye when I got back. But I must say, no matter how lovely it was in the states, it did not touch the beautiful view from my window in Rye. And there I found out how much I have to learn about painting. At least I can now blend 24 shades of green from three colours. And so I was back in church on Sunday morning, being so warmly welcomed on my return and realising how precious it is to belong to a church family. Thank you.

Emily Baynes

Golden Jubilee Fayre

Our Jubilee Fayre is not far away And so this rhyme is just to say “Please turn out your boxes - one and all to help me fill the jewellery stall”

Brooches & beads, bracelets or rings

Necklaces, chains or just ear-rings

It matters not if they’re new or old

Whatever it is, it will be sold.

I hope for quite a bright display

To add to the rest on the great day.

Tell your friends & your neighbours

we want them to come

Then the result will be a princely sum¹

Joan Corbey

Bric a Brac

Please turn out your cupboards and loft f or any Bric a Brac for the Jubilee Fayre. Items can be brought to church on Friday or Sunday mornings or, if transport is required, contact Peter Lane on 296 349

Maureen O’Donoghue

Volunteers needed to staff side-show games during the Fayre - please contact Simon Pengelly on 296 292

Union Church

Family News & Prayers

Joyce Taylor continues to have problems with her back.

Joan bowling still having pain

Ivy Bloggs is recovering from an operation

Tom Slack has had tests at the hospital Jenny’s brother-in-law, Don, is a little better.

John Baynes has had minor surgery on his feet

Sheila Everett is patiently waiting to see her consultant later in the month Gwen law has moved to Yoakley House

Chris Knight is progressing well following her operation

Lynne Allen has been poorly since she returned from her holiday

Rene King has been poorly

We continue to pray for Lyn, Brian & Luke.

We extend our sympathy to Sylvia’s family on the loss of her brother’s wife Congratulations to Vera Wicks who celebrates her 98th birthday on Nov 23rd We have.been pleased to welcome Clare and the twins. Clare and Gerwyn have moved from Staple to Botany Road We are glad that Emily is back with us following her trip to America

We are hoping that Jeremi will soon be able to return from Southampton to stay with Rita and Simon and praise God that his mother and twin brothers are safe. We are delighted to welcome Tisha and John Pyke into membership on transfer from Hailsham

Doris Jackson has decided to attend Union Church on a regular basis and we welcome her most warmly.

We remember all these friends and any others you may know in our prayers.

0Please pray for the Alpha Holy Spirit day on ₉th November.

Congratulations to Sarah, Charlie and Edward on the birth of a 9lb 6oz boy at home on Thursday ₁₇th October. Mother and baby doing just fine!