Dear Friends,
Greetings. I wish to draw your attention to certain events in the calendar of our Circuit.
First, on Saturday 31ft May, there us to be a Circuit Mission Celebration. This will be at Birchington from 10.30am to 4.00pm. The focus will be on mission in the world and also our local communities. The programme includes visiting speakers, local contributions, fun, food, fellowship and worship. Please come , for all or part of the day.
On Sunday 15th June we celebrate the three hundredth anniversary if the birth of John Wesley. A circuit Servive will be held at Hardres Street at 6.30pm. In the service the life and ministry of John Wesley will be recalled in dialogue, drama, music and singing featuring Charles Wesley’s hymns. The service has been written and produced by Paul Sangster, who will play the part of John Wesley –see you there.
The Pastoral care course will be repeated. Meeting at Hardres strret on Wednesday evening at 7.30pm for approximately one hour. The first meeting is on 7th May and the course will last six weeks. Pastoral Visitors and anyone interested is welcome to attend.
A reminder of Church Anniversaries; at Manston on May 15th at 7.30pm. Our support is an encouragement to the local churches.
Finally, the welcome service for my successor, Revd. Jean Quick will be on Sunday 7th September, at York street, Broadstairs. The preacher will be Revd. Harvey Richardson, Chairman of the District.
Thank you. God Bless.
David Read.
This Good Friday Garlinge Methodist Church will be joining with other churches in the Westgate and Garlinge area for a united walk of witness called journey of the Cross. This will follow the story of Good Friday through the Stations of the Cross.
We will be starting at Garlinge Methodist church, and will follow a route across Bridge Road, along Westbrook Avenue, before finally ending at Westgate railway station. Along the journey we will be stopping every so often to remember a particular part of the Easter story. We do this partly to seek to identify ourselves with the journey Jesus took through the streets of Jerusalem to the cross on Calvary, but also to be a witness to our community and remind them of the important of this special day.
We will be starting at Garlinge at around 10.45am with some refreshment, before setting out at 11am. The aim is to arrive at Westgate Station at 12.30am. The walk will not be too strenuous, but for those who fell they cannot make the whole journey we are making arrangements for them to be taken to the last stop at Westgate Station. If you would like a lift please let one of the stewards know.
Thanet Area – Christ Church U. R. C. Westgate Canterbury Area – St. Andrew U.R.C. Canterbury
Good Friday 18th April Meet at 9.30am at SS Austin & Gregory for a short act of witness before setting off to walk through the Town. The route willpass St John’s. new life, Cecil Square and Union Church, before gathering for worship in the Salvation Army Citadel, in Union Cresecent. We will end with refreshments there. If you cannot walk the whole route, please join us from Cecil Square onwards, or outside the Salvation Army. The whole event should be finish by 11am.
Please support if you possibly can.
Tercentenary
Celebrations Wesley’s Chapel,
City Road BBC Radio
‘Sunday Half Hour’ Saturday 3rd
May Rehearsals
3-5pm, Recording 6-8pm Also,
Rochester Cathedral Saturday 21st
June Rehearsals
1-2pm, Service 2.30-3.30pm
John Wesley
Union Church 20th-24th
May 10.00am – 4.00
pm Displays of all
the groups using the church
Flower Festival
Union Church Saturday 26th
April 6.30 – 7 pm Supper served
at Half Time Free Admission (Retiring
collection) Come on
Garlinge, Buckingham Road and Others field a
Team
Easter Quiz
Thanet Circuit
Mission Celebration Birchington
Methodist Church 10.30am –
4.30pm Note the date
and now and come for the whole or part of the day Displays,
entertainment, speakers and Fair Trade
Saturday 31ft May
Thane t Community
Transport Association can
now provide a five-seater for group travel. Hire gegerally
based on 58p per mile (eg Canterbury
for £20) (volunteer
drivers available)
On behalf of my family and myself I would like to express our deep thanks for all the prayers, cards and expressions of support we have been given through the loss of my mother. It has been a great source of comfort in this sad time, and we have really felt ourselves strengthened by it.
With much love.
Geoff Boxer
A well-known speaker started his talk by holding up a £20 note and asking “Who would like this?”. Many of the 200 present put their hands.I really will give it to one of you but first let me do this – and proceeded to crumple it. “Who still want it?” he asked, and even more hands went up.
“Wel,” he continued, “What if I do this?” and he dropped the note on the floor and ground it with his shoe. Picking it up, all creased and dirty he asked “Who still want it?” The hands remained up just as enthusiastically.
My friends, you have demonstrated a valuable lesson. No matter what I did to the money, no matter what it looked like, you still wanted it because of what it was worth underneath it all. Many times in our lives we are dropped, crumpled or ground into the dirt by others, by decisions we make and by the circumstances that come our way. We may fell worthless but no matter what has happened you will never lose you value. You are SPECIAL – don’t ever forget that. Never let yesterday’s disappointments overshadow tomorrow’s dreams.”
I have been a member of Thanet Festival Choir for nearly 33 years. We mostly sing Christian Classical Music. I enjoy the Wednesday rehearsals because find it a really uplifting experience – a time when I can use my voice to praise God for all the joy He has given me. We are told by the choir’s director to enunciate the words, and so we should, as we are conveying a Christian message, not only at a performance to the audience but to some members of the Choir who have not yet found the Lord. At present we are rehearsing William Loyd Webber’s Divine Compassion’ which contains some wonderful words of hope from St. John’s Gospel. It is a challenge to the choir because there are no recording of this work, so we cannot listen to any professional performance, but with the ‘singing lessons’ we have each we will give the best performance that we can.
Moria Bush
NCH Sunday is a special Sunday designated by the Methodist Church to reflect on the work and impact of its children charity. The theme for this year is Families Matter, highlighting the work of our family placement projects – adoption, foster care and family-based shared care. These projects support some of the most vulnerable children in our society by finding adoptive and foster families for children in care and by linking individuals and families to support disabled children and their parents through care in the home, outings or other activities.
There are thousands of vulnerable and excluded children in the UK who need the support of families:
Around 5,000 children are waiting to be adopted
Around 45,000 children and young people need foster care placement
Of the 400,000 disabled children in Britain, 100,000 have severe disabilities that require intensive
support, usually given by their families.
There is a desperate shortage of people coming forward to adopt or foster children in care or to offer regular support to disabled children and their families. Volunteers are also needed to befriend and support young people in care who have little or no contact with their birth families. Families Matter is a UK-wide NCH initiative to raise awareness about this need for parents, carers, and volunteers and raise money to support and train those who come forward to extend their own family, so that vulnerable children and young people can have the same opportunities as others to reach their potential.
Give thanks for the family of God, to whom all belong and no one is excluded.
Pray for those children and young people whose lives have been scarred by abuse,
neglect or violence and who find it hard to trust again.
Pray for disabled children and the prejudice and exclusion they face in everyday living.
Give thanks for the work of NCH in bringing a sense of healing and hope for the future to children and
families.
Without the ongoing support of many Methodist churches and supporters, the work of NCH could not continue. Thank you for your support and prayers.
NCH Sunday worship materials, prayer cards and gift envelopes are available from our Supporter Help line on 08457 626579.
Also available on that number are details of our family placement projects or visit our website at
www.nch.org.uk/adoption or www.nch.org.uk/fostering
NCH is the children’s charity of the Methodist Church
Registered charity no. 215301
A major concern for many churches today is the apparent loss of children and young people. Times have changed. Diaries are full and there are so many attractions for the younger generation. What is more, fewer volunteers seem to be available to help run junior church and youth organisations –and standards and training requirements have become much more stringent.
The United Reformed Church Southern Synod at its’ Synod meeting on Saturday 8th March endorsed a strategy to support and develop youth and children’s work in local churches. Entitled ‘Turn the Tide’, it encourages local churches to employ youth or children’s workers, by offering up to £10,000 per year to fund appropriate projects. £120,000 will be available each year over the next 5 years. Any churches receiving such a grant will be expected to make their worker available to other local URC’s, the District or the Synod, so that those without the resources or potential work to employ a worker them selves, will also benefit from the scheme.
Howard Nurden, the Synod Youth and Children’s Work Trainer says, “I think that employed church workers engaging with young people and children in local communities is one way to turn the tide of our churches struggling to come alongside children and young people today.” There are currently 8 churches in the Synod receiving funding for such initiatives, it is hope that over the next five years this will raise to at least 20.
Reporting on the decision of the Synod meeting, Revd. Nigel Uden, Synod Moderator writes, “St Paul wonders, ‘How are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard?’ (Romans 10: 14). TURN THE TIDE is a strategy by which Southern Synod seeks to enable a new generation of people to unearth the ‘life in all its fullness’ which Jesus offers. The Synod’s support for this initiative is considerable, and a measure of our recognition that ministry amongst children and young people is both our duty and a delight.”
For more information about the Turn the Tide strategy and how to apply for funding contact Howard: email: h@nurden.plus.com
Tony had never been particularly lucky. His career in junior business management had been slow and he had never had the breaks like some people. He worked hard and did long hours but with only mediocre returns. And he saddled himself with a flat, a mortgage and a nice big chunk of negative equity.
Until one day things changed. He was alone in the office at 8 in the evening whan a surprise call came through from a company in the USA that were interested in obtaining a large quantity of pre-antiphonal canting switches for their expanding electrical division. Tony grabbed this opportunity with both hands and, using his eight years of experience, managed to seal a long term profitable deal for his company.
The result was threefold pay-rise and a large enough bonus to clear the negative equity and buy a small house. He then consulted a trustworthy financial advisor who invested the money wisely to give him a good return each year. Then he brought a quantity of decent furniture for the house. “No more long hours for me! Nine to five and the rest of the time I shall put my feet up, stock up the drinks cabinet and have a quite a few really wild parties. Wheee!
And then it happened. As Tony was walking home from the station one day a drunk driver mounted the pavement and hit him. In the ambulance he cursed his bad luck as he thought of all the fun he was going to have. Realising that he was in quite a bad way he knew that the circumstances had changed. But as things went hazy and the ambulance men started fussing over him he felt warm and cosy. And the final vision he seemed to msee was of a youngest man asking him a question over and over. “You fool! Your earthly life is over. Who will get what you have built up for yourself now?” Then, for Tony, everything went dark. Very dark indeed.
Thjs modern version of one of Jesu’s parables is more than just “You can’t take it with you.” Jesus taught us that if we focus primarily on money we’re going the wrong way. Follow Him, and money falls into place as just another part of our temporary way of life on earth, nothing more.
© KENTON SMITH –Moorley’s Print & Publishing 0115 932 0643
See Luke 12:13 – 21
As I write this the threat of war gets nearer and according to the latest reports by the time this is printed we will be at war.
Today’s papers are talking of who will benefit from it, out of the politician’s and countries etc, if it goes that way or this. But as Christian believer’s, we should be thinking of those who will lose out on both sides the innocent women children and families, the members of the forces in the front line.
We must be strong in our faith our trust in God.
Jsesus struggled with fear and even wavered from the path and on the cross his faith was tried to the limit. We must repent; pray to God asking for his forgiveness for the mess we are making of his world and the wrong decisions we have made. Placing ourselves into his hands.
Humbly asking for His mercy on the world and going on to make the right decision, loving our neighbours, caring for the growing numbers of neighbour in need sharing our resources living in peace.
There is strength in knowing Jesus, strength to do the right and strength to follow in His footsteps.
So lets hold His hand and let him guide us. Knowing His help and strength is always near, because He loves us and he will take away our fears and give us Peace.
God Bless EDDIE.
The Garlinge Fellowship have adopted a little boy from Columbia his name is Samuel and he is seven years old. All the members of the fellowship contribute towards his physical and spiritual needs in prayer and financial support, and we all pray, that the help, how ever small we give, well help him have a happy and better standard of life.
Garlinge Woman’s Fellowship who have been having a short winter break. Will be resuming their meetings on Wednesday the 30th April 2003 at 2-2.30pm in the Church hall.
Easter Craft a Coffee Morning with a difference where you can try your hand at some Easter crafts and take home what you make. Come along on Saturday 12th April at 10am to Garlinge Church Hall and enjoy a cup of coffee and try your habd at Easter craft.
Fair trade is still being supported at Garlinge and has been taken over by Bob Buchanon for the time being and we thank Audrey and Ann for the hard work they put in getting the project up and running.
Two Celebrations
How great it was the other Sunday to be present at or Sunday school or should I say J A M (Jesus and me) Anniversary Service. It was good to see the young people taking part in the service, enjoying it all. Well done for bringing back the Sunday school Anniversary to Garlinge. Thanks to the young people and their hard working Leaders. God bless them all.
And the other celebration, well it was Jeff Boxer our Ministers birthday a special one. It was His big, well I don’t know if I should say, but I did wonder why there were ballons and banners in the Church with 50 on.
Joking apart I know we all send him our love and best wishes on his Big 50.
NOT HAVING YOU
Jesus when I think of not having you
my very being seems to
be draining to some place
dark and dim
This much is clear, without You
to walk with me this is a very
sad and lonely place without thee.
When I think of not having You
my heart turns blue
My how it would shatter into a
Thousand pieces, each splintering
my very being.
I could not stand a shattered heart
I could not stand to be apart
For Jesus, You alone own my
heart.
Ann Marie Davis
Think of a lovely landscape
If ever you droop with despair
Picture the perfumed pathways
The dells and arbours there
Sit in a shady corner
Or lounge on a sunny slope
Where nature brings you contentment
And God will offer you hop.
Do all the good you can
By all the means you can
In all the way you can,
In all the places you can,
At all the times you can,
To all the people you can,
As long as ever you can.
John Wesley
My friend said, “You must be fed up now that you cannot get out on your own, nothing to see”.
To-day I looked out of my window, - How that little willow tree grows. – There Mrs. B off to the shops –what a hat – where does she get them, and the courage to wear them!
There’s Mrs. W cat ready to pounce on the kitten next door – What’s that shadow. Ah! - it’s the kitten come round the back and pouncing on her.
My goodness, if Mrs. J doesn’t turn down the telly Mr. X next door will be out shouting – can’t hear myself think etc. – here he comes.
Warden goes by and smiles.
Oh here come the children from school – What fun – all this in half an hour.-
“Nothing to see”, I say quietly to the Lord – and I’am sure He winks at me.
Betty Whyat
I know, it is a bit long. Originally I wanted ‘gm-church.co’ but some felt gm (meaning Garlinge Methodist) could be mistaken for ‘Genetic Modified’, or has I would put it: ‘God Modified’ church.
I am proud to announce that the Garlinge church web site is now operating. This is my very first commercial designed web site and I dedicate it to God.
After six years of hard studies with Open University, obtaining two diplomas (Computing and IT) and a BSc Hons (First Class).
Geoff felt I was just about qualified to design and publish the church very own web site. I am honoured to do ao, and I felt it is part of my calling to the Lord’s service.
At present the web site is relatively simple and primarily set up has an information service, giving details of church services etc. But I intend to slowly extend the site to include all aspects of church activities. I am also trying to attracts and encourage web readers, who may not currently be involve in any Christian activities to investigate further. I believe these sites could and should be a channel to draw people into the churches.
I said to Geoff, one day, maybe sooner than you think, we will have live web-based broadcastings, to reach home-bounded members around the world. Mind you, I am not planning to do just yet. Maybe next month…..(only kidding). It will be while yet, but who knows when.
One idea I have come up with is to offer members free e-mail messages to send to their love ones. For example, grandparents to grand-children. We could send a surprise e-mail message, with photo attachments; of course they need to get hold of the e-mail addresses.
Over the next few years, I hope to build up an archive of church life, build up a library of information; how the church changes over the years. A listing and details of the church ministers and more importantly of course, of all the web-masters.
OK, enough of self-boasting. Any boasting belongs to the Lord alone;and I am thankful to be a part of it.
To those of you still interested the web site is designed using Front-page 2002 web development and after some difficulties with OneandOne web server. It’s kept refusing to accept the site (Apparently the site is too holy and almost cause the server to crash). Eventually, perhaps with the Holy Ghost intervening , it is now running.
Keith.