Read All ABout It

Because it is the start of the Methodist New Year and also the beginning of the autumn there are a lot of activities mentioned on the website. Do look at them all and make a note of the dates, there is something for everyone, whatever your age.

It might be the time to try something new, coming to a Coffee Evening, or Open House, The Men’s Breakfast Club or the Ladies Friendship Club. Why not have a shake at the Timbrels, join a Prayer Group, come to Discipleship or Bible Study. if you are young enough Junior Church is right for you , and perhaps the Play Group and I am sure Jamtag would enjoy some more Young People. If your tummy rumbles why not fill it at the Ladies’ Supper Club; and if you have a good voice why not become one of the Christchurch Singers or join Time4us ? Before you know it spring and summer will be back again.

Churches Together In Bexhill

Following the weekly open air hymn singing at the Colonnade we held the united service in the De La Warr Pavilion Theatre with around 400 people present. The service was led by the Rev Peter Timms and there was a special presentation to the Rev David Frost, Vicar of St Stephen‘s Church and Rural Dean, as he has now left Bexhill to become Team Rector in Rye.

We hope to resume the open air hymn singing next June but whether the Colonnade will be available is a slight mystery at present...as you will know!!

Usually, when there is a fifth Sunday in the month there is a united service in the evening. Therefore on Sunday 29th August at 6pm we all met at the Sidley Baptist Church in Sidley. I wonder how many readers have been inside that church – now is an opportunity – and they have PowerPoint as well! (Just to mention that also on that afternoon at 5pm we led the hymn singing at the Irvine Unit – but this was over in time to get to the service at 6pm!).

Out of interest, there are now 20 churches in membership of CTIB plus the Men's Coffee Fellowship and the Servants with Jesus – and this for a population of around 41,000 people (a church for around every 2,100 people!).

Barry Turnwell (Still the Hon Treasurer).

MAYC Breakout 2010: Connect

Jamtag members Dougie Benge and Catriona and Elena Dennis took part in this weekend event at Cliff College in Derbyshire, in the beautiful Hope Valley. Accompanied by Christchurch Youth Leaders Michelle Benge and Wendy Dennis, they camped in the College grounds along with hundreds of other Methodist Youth Groups.

It's the 65th year that the Methodist Church has been doing this type of huge national youth event and this year was the last of its kind. The theme for the event was 'Connect' and explored:

• how God wants to connect with each of us
• how real connection is a two-way process that allows us to hear God and live in the ways He wants
• how we can connect with our communities and the concerns of the wider world.

Sports activities were football, climbing on the rotating climbing wall, bungee basketball, Segway, parachute games and a huge coloured inflatable ball to just roll around the site.

The Café Tent was a great meeting place with lots of singing, jamming, eating and chilling out. The media hub was buzzing with TV screens, pc's and Wii games, plus two massive multimedia screens and webcams. MRDF Global Action Tent was also full and The Well was a venue for Youth Leaders only. Walking Communion made its way round the site and there were plenty of workshops to attend.

This was a once in a lifetime event full of passion for following in our Lord's footsteps and lots of opportunities for youths to have fun while learning about the important message of connecting with God. We look with interest to see what sort of event MAYC will be taking part in next year.

Christchurch Singers Prepare for Christmas 2010!

Looking well ahead the Christchurch Singers will again be presenting 'Christmas Praise' at our church on Sunday December 12th at 6pm. There will be words and music and guest artists, the conductor will be Keith Richardson and the accompanist Mavis Foskett, and there will be a collection for charity. Please book the date and we hope to see you. No tickets or admission charge – just come along!

News from Winchelsea

We had an excellent guided walk around the town at the end of July when 18 friends joined us on a rather miserable day. We had the benefit of a 'Blue Badge Guide' and went to places that we had not visited before – a most interesting and fascinating morning.

This month we take part in the National Heritage Days arranged by English Heritage and the Chapel will be open on Saturday September 11th from 10am – 5pm. This also links with the Sussex Historic Churches Trust 'Ride and Stride' Day so we hope to have extra visitors as well.

It may be helpful if I detailed briefly the rest of the events for this year so that diaries can be updated. On Saturday October 16th at 10am for 10.30am we have our Harvest Celebration: then on Saturday November 20th at the same time we are to have a talk by Malcolm Pratt MBE called ‘The Winchelsea that Wesley Knew’. Our final gathering will be on Wednesday December 8th at 7pm for our Christmas Praise.

Thank you to all who support the Chapel with their attendance, donations and prayers – we are very grateful.

Barry Turnwell Publicity Officer.

Carnival Success for Beulah

We did not enter a float this year and the Christchurch Carnival Cup was won by Beulah Baptist church to whom we give our congratulations. Also our thanks to those who helped provide drinks etc. when the procession passed the church.

Several friends have indicated that they would assist with a float next year and I am told that the Carnival date will be Saturday July 30th 2011 – you read it first here!

Well done to Chris, Hazel and John for the excellent Carnival Quiz Night held in our hall in July – there was a full house and it was great fun, and Chris makes an excellent Quiz Mistress.

A Bit About Christchurch Junior Church...

What do we do?  We learn about our Christian faith through:

Arts and crafts *** Stories *** Music *** Games *** Drama *** Bible reading *** Friendship and fun

When and Where?

Children from the age of 3 years and upwards are invited to attend. There are currently three groups: Primary, Junior and Senior. These groups run on Sundays from 10.30am to approx 11.30am.

All of the Junior Church groups are run by CRB checked Church Volunteers.

The children begin by joining the congregation in the church and then come out and use the rooms adjoining the church and in Centenary House. Once a month there is a Family Service in which Junior Church members participate, details of which can be found in the monthly Newsletter.

For more details please do contact us and we will be delighted to see you.

Christchurch Timbrels

Just a bit about the tambourine. It isn't every ones chosen instrument, and it isn't the easiest to play, but an instrument it is. We at Christ Church have chosen to use it in God's service.In the darker evenings we like to use our tambourines with lights on. (Very effective!)

We are often asked to play away from Christchurch. These occasions have been received with enthusiasm and return visits have always been requested. We have enjoyed these times very much and they make our practices together worthwhile, but even if we didn’t have these times, our practices are happy and good fun.

This practice time is for those who feel the need to move on and be a little more ambitious. For those who would like extra practice time, this is extended on Thursday to begin at 5.30pm . The extra practice period is also open for those at Christ Church who would like to come along and try their hand at a new and challenging experience.

Please ask for more information (Tambourines are supplied) or please come and join us at 5.30pm on Thursdays to see if you are made for the tambourine experience.

Centenary House

We are delighted with the continued use that is being made of the Centre both by the church and various outside groups. We have had Strawberry Teas, Coffee evenings, birthday party celebration, student groups learning English, Charity events, training courses, meetings etc.

If you feel that there is an area where the Centre could be used for church outreach in any way do please have a word as we want to encourage its use for the wider church.

The Centre Management Group meets regularly so if you have any ideas or comments we would be delighted to hear from you. Contact Barry Turnwell, Bookings Officer for more details.

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 Methodist children.

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 Stephen, the Minister.