Jill Loader

Jill's Memorial Service was a fitting tribute to someone who had given so much of her time to help others, as was reflected in the number of people who attended, filling the church to overflowing. The Service was moving and inspirational, and spoke always of Jill's strength of character and sense of purpose in all she did.

The Bexhill Observer detailed many of Jill's achievements: her MBE for her work as former manager of the Citizen's Advice Bureau in Bexhill, a long-service commendation from the Red Cross; the Red Cross Badge of Honour, the Rotary International Service Recognition Award. For many years, Jill was a Group Leader for the Activenture Project - activity holidays for special needs children in Ashdown Forest.

At Christchurch, Jill was a Sunday School Teacher and Steward, and more recently was Leader of the Ladies Supper Club and also a familiar figure with Clive in the Choir and behind the Fair Trade Stall on Sundays. We will miss Jill at Christchurch.

Centenary House

Just a reminder to everyone that the house is fully equipped for meetings and light refreshments, and the central heating ensures a comfortable temperature is maintained at all times. Now we are looking to expand the use of this excellent facility next door to our church.

It has already attracted a number of outside bookings during the daytime, which provide an income to cover the regular outgoings on the property. However, we would also like to encourage Christchurch committees and groups of up to about twenty people to consider transferring their meetings from the hall and vestry to Centenary House, entirely free of charge!

Barry Turnwell, Christchurch Property Steward, maintains a bookings diary so he should be informed of dates and times of church meetings in Centenary House and contacted for bookings.

During the summer months it may prove possible (weather permitting) for small groups to hold their meetings outside, either on the patio area or the recently laid lawn.

JAM TAG

This is a new group for Christchurch teenagers plus their invited friends, meeting once a month on Friday evenings in the Main Hall at Christchurch. The Group have chosen their name themselves: - Jesus and Me Teen Activity Group – JAM TAG for short. So far, the average attendance is twelve.

In January, Konrad Pieterse and Barry Turnwell demonstrated their table tennis skills to youngsters, who were then able to play table tennis themselves, some for the first time. In early February, some of the group went on an outing to the Big Bang Rock Concert together transported by Lisa and Giles Pestell, then at the end of February, TAG played table tennis and table games in the Hall. In the March meeting, Sheila Richardson and Lisa Pestell helped TAG members to bake cakes (which were yummy!), and they played table tennis again.

Thanks to the above, and also to Keith Richardson, Ray Dennis, Helen Mitchell and Bridget Pieterse for helping at JAM TAG. The next projected dates are 25th April, 16th May and 20th June and more activities and outings are being planned. Watch this space!

News from Winchelsea Chapel

Some may wonder why we have an item each month about this Chapel that is some 15 miles away from Christchurch. The short answer is because we are delighted that we have a piece of Methodist heritage so close to us. Within the chapel John Wesley preached and the pulpit that he used remains in the Chapel (and is still used occasionally). Also, in 1790 John Wesley preached his last open air sermon under a tree just around the corner from the Chapel – the existing tree now some 70 years old was taken from a cutting from the old original ash tree.

There are probably many who have not ventured to see the Chapel and there is a splendid opportunity on Saturday April 12th when we will be having an informal Coffee Morning in the Chapel from 10am to noon. Do try to come along and join with us, and perhaps learn a little more about our Methodist history.

We also hope to prepare a Newsletter for all friends of the Chapel and becoming such a friend is a positive way to support the witness of the Chapel. We have an event every month and during Holy Week we had a most informative and helpful time of reflection led by the Rev Malcolm Hope (one of our Circuit Ministers based in Hastings).

Thank you to all who support the work and witness on the Chapel – it is much appreciated.

Church Flowers: Thank You

A sincere thank you to all who donated, arranged and delivered flowers throughout 2007.

During this March, thanks to your generous flower donations, we were able to distribute sprays to a number of people. These were much appreciated and reminded them that they were in our thoughts and prayers.

The Flower Rota for 2008 is in the vestibule. Please sign up if you can either donate, arrange or deliver flowers.

Easter Events

Thank you to Roger and Hilary for hosting their very last Easter egg hunt for the young people on Easter Saturday. It was cold but everyone had great fun finding 300 eggs! The hunt was even more exhilarating than usual as some of the seekers found the Easter Bunny sitting in the garden shed! It's such a shame that our minister Roger was not there to meet the Bunny, who was very friendly and was wearing a bright yellow waistcoat (where could Roger have been??).

It seems to have been a month of eating as the following week we had our traditional Easter breakfast following the Easter communion service. Our thanks go to Carol and Alison for organising and cooking the breakfast which was a super spread enjoyed by all, and a great way to celebrate Easter morning!

101 Years of Christchurch Worship

Thank you to Yvonne and Eric for a wonderful roast lunch on our Church Anniversary. Sixty-four people were catered for and the kitchens in both the Church and Centenary House were used to create our wonderful lunch. This was very much appreciated and enjoyed by everyone.

The Palm Sunday Service preceding the lunch was uplifting and the young people brought their own dimension to the service, waving real palms and supplying their very own donkey, illustrating and dramatising Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem. A super morning – now we look forward to our 102nd Church anniversary next year!

Fair Trade Fortnight

All the churches in Bexhill were asked to count the number of Fair Trade teas and coffees served during Fair Trade Fortnight 2008.

Christchurch's total was 214 teas and 176 coffees. Well done! I expect we will be near the top of the league! Please make sure that all the teas and coffees served in this church are Fair Trade at all times of the year.

Info For Teens from Network

As part of the new Methodist Children website, an exciting, new, free weekly texting service Mctxt4u was launched in October for the 9-13s and over fifteen hundred texts have been sent out including prayers, jokes, news and bible text challenges.

If you know of a young person who would enjoy this new way of keeping in touch let them know about this wonderful new development by Methodistchildren.

To join simply text to 07786205203 to receive weekly texts. Free promotional wallet cards are available from mph, tel. 01733 325002. Why not hand them out to your groups or pass them onto other groups in your area?

For all the latest information go to:
Mctxt4u

Can you help Christchurch?

Christchurch needs more stewards. The job isn't difficult or as time consuming as you might think. What do stewards do?

• help to care for the Church family
• prepare the Church for services
• look after the Minister
• read the notices
• count the collection
• attend a few, infrequent meetings

If you would like to know more, please have a word with one of the stewards or speak to Roger, the Minister.