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From our Minister: As we move towards Christmas we often think and sing about Angels. Perhaps The Knife Angel at Derby Cathedral reminds us that Angels are not always white and fluffy? But as Gabriel said to Mary so also God says to us "Do not be afraid."
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Ministers Message> ‘Windows & Doors of Opportunity’
A short report of my Sabbatical for my congregations:
Dear all,
Firstly, my Thanks go to my Borders Mission Circuit colleagues and Stewards in Churches for being on hand across the Churches. Thank you to you all for your prayers, understanding and encouragement shown to me as I have had this sabbatical time from The Methodist Church. There is so much I could share. I hope I can share more with you, and you will glimpse more of my experiences in conversations and in Worship etc. I trust you will discover more of what I mean by ‘Windows & Doors.’ So what follows is a brief overview of what I have done with my sabbatical:
Icons, Bulgaria Re-connect, Preaching, Football Mission, Local Ecumenical Partnerships-
A large part of my sabbatical time was spent concentrating and reflecting on Icons. Most of this ‘Icons research’ came during a return visit to Bulgaria. I visited some monasteries and museums which have some incredible collections of icons and frescoes. Looking back to when we lived in Bulgaria, I think I regarded Icons as a ‘tourist attraction’ and didn’t fully understand their meaning. I hope to be able to benefit from this experience and I believe it will help me in my devotional time and in leading worship, Retreats & Quiet days. For us as a family it was wonderful to re-connect with Bulgaria, in the Methodist churches and in the communities we lived in, and to visit some new places.
Preaching> I attended ‘The Festival of Preaching’ event in Oxford which was very good. There were some very interesting lectures & seminars such as> ‘Preaching the Parables, ‘A Preachers Alphabet’ and ‘Sermons seldom heard.’
Football> Only a little bit of ‘football reflecting’, honest! I met with club chaplains as well as other Christians who explore ways of mission and outreach with people through football.
Local Ecumenical Partnerships/LEP> I was able to have some conversations with colleagues across the Midlands about Ecumenical churches, which is important as New Cross has to review its own LEP.
I have been on two retreats in the UK. I have read a good range of books. On some Sundays I have been able to simply go to different churches and worship in varied styles and contexts. Having some time with my family has been good. I visited Epworth Rectory, the home of the Wesley’s which reminded me of the Methodist DNA that speaks to us today.
Above all of this, I give all the Thanks to God (and The Methodist Church) for this sabbatical experience.
Rev. Peter Taylor 21/10/19
Some pictures from my time on Sabbatical. Pictures (not in this order) include: Veliko Turnovo & Rila Monastery in Bulgaria; Team Taylor with Methodist friends in Ruse, Bulgaria; Pete & Sam admiring the incredible frescoes at Rila; Ffald y Brenin retreat centre in West Wales; Christ Church Cathedral & University, Oxford.
Ministers Message> ‘Windows & Doors of Opportunity’
A short report of my Sabbatical for my congregations:
Dear all,
Firstly, my Thanks go to my Borders Mission Circuit colleagues and Stewards in Churches for being on hand across the Churches. Thank you to you all for your prayers, understanding and encouragement shown to me as I have had this sabbatical time from The Methodist Church. There is so much I could share. I hope I can share more with you, and you will glimpse more of my experiences in conversations and in Worship etc. I trust you will discover more of what I mean by ‘Windows & Doors.’ So what follows is a brief overview of what I have done with my sabbatical:
Icons, Bulgaria Re-connect, Preaching, Football Mission, Local Ecumenical Partnerships-
A large part of my sabbatical time was spent concentrating and reflecting on Icons. Most of this ‘Icons research’ came during a return visit to Bulgaria. I visited some monasteries and museums which have some incredible collections of icons and frescoes. Looking back to when we lived in Bulgaria, I think I regarded Icons as a ‘tourist attraction’ and didn’t fully understand their meaning. I hope to be able to benefit from this experience and I believe it will help me in my devotional time and in leading worship, Retreats & Quiet days. For us as a family it was wonderful to re-connect with Bulgaria, in the Methodist churches and in the communities we lived in, and to visit some new places.
Preaching> I attended ‘The Festival of Preaching’ event in Oxford which was very good. There were some very interesting lectures & seminars such as> ‘Preaching the Parables, ‘A Preachers Alphabet’ and ‘Sermons seldom heard.’
Football> Only a little bit of ‘football reflecting’, honest! I met with club chaplains as well as other Christians who explore ways of mission and outreach with people through football.
Local Ecumenical Partnerships/LEP> I was able to have some conversations with colleagues across the Midlands about Ecumenical churches, which is important as New Cross has to review its own LEP.
I have been on two retreats in the UK. I have read a good range of books. On some Sundays I have been able to simply go to different churches and worship in varied styles and contexts. Having some time with my family has been good. I visited Epworth Rectory, the home of the Wesley’s which reminded me of the Methodist DNA that speaks to us today.
Above all of this, I give all the Thanks to God (and The Methodist Church) for this sabbatical experience.
Rev. Peter Taylor 21/10/19
Some pictures from my time on Sabbatical. Pictures (not in this order) include: Veliko Turnovo & Rila Monastery in Bulgaria; Team Taylor with Methodist friends in Ruse, Bulgaria; Pete & Sam admiring the incredible frescoes at Rila; Ffald y Brenin retreat centre in West Wales; Christ Church Cathedral & University, Oxford.
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Some recent activities
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SURE AND STEADFAST
St John's 2nd Sutton in Ashfield Boys' Brigade held their impressive special awards presentation at SJ, conducted by Revd Barry Shipley:
St John's 2nd Sutton in Ashfield Boys' Brigade held their impressive special awards presentation at SJ, conducted by Revd Barry Shipley:
The astonishing success of the Boys' Brigade and until its demise the Girls' Brigade, is proved in the 805 awards they have gained. Interestingly, the twenty strong band (musicians) includes six young ladies! In the process, the young people have been introduced to Christ and at the same time learned numerous skills, concepts and attitudes which have helped them on the way to successful and happy lives. Well done from the Website!
More information, photos and the names of the latest recipients appear on the Brigade page.
More information, photos and the names of the latest recipients appear on the Brigade page.
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VACANCY for a website editor
Are you able to help keep our Church website up to date? We require someone who is computer literate who can maintain the website & keep it current. You don't have to be an expert as full training will be given. To find out more, please speak to Bob Dawson or Carole Southall.
Borders Mission Circuit
Stamps for charity
Borders Mission Circuit has now sent the magnificent total of exactly 100kg of stamps & postcards to the Leprosy Mission. The proceeds help dozens of sufferers to receive treatment or to get preventative treatment or palliative care for this awful illness which so exercised Our Lord. Thank you very much to everyone. Please continue to give your stamps to Mary Aldous or Bob Dawson.
Welcome to our Church
"We are united by the love of Jesus. We will support one another in love and through worship and service work together to share the good news of Jesus with everyone."
"We are united by the love of Jesus. We will support one another in love and through worship and service work together to share the good news of Jesus with everyone."
Stamps sold in aid of SJ
AND
Used stamps needed for International Leprosy Mission
SEE UNDER NOTICES
Bible Pictures
www.thebiblejourney.org is a super website portraying real people and real Biblical places. Grateful thanks to the Taylor family who have given us permission to use some of their superb pictures.
Here's a taster:
www.thebiblejourney.org is a super website portraying real people and real Biblical places. Grateful thanks to the Taylor family who have given us permission to use some of their superb pictures.
Here's a taster:
Grateful thanks to all those who have supplied illustrations, especially Alan Herberts. Alan and Martyn Walker are our official site photographers - big thank you to them -
but we're grateful for pictures from any sources.
but we're grateful for pictures from any sources.
This website is kept as up to date as possible so new information and pictures go up regularly.
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Above, Good Friday Walk of Witness.
Below, Picture Parade (which replaces 'picture of the week'.
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Above, previous pictures of the week -
