June 16.1
Transcription
June 16.1
Grove Street Methodist Church The Challenger Ju ne 20 16 www.the-grove.org.uk Weekly Events at The Grove Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday 10:30am 4:00pm 6:00pm Morning Worship & Children's Group Messy Church (2nd Sunday) Evening Service (Cafe Style 1st Sunday) 9:00am 12:00noon 1:30pm 2:00pm 5:00pm 8:30pm Retirement Group (Alternate weeks) in the Vestibule Move to the Music in Chapelgate Hall Painting Class in Albert Hall Move to the Music in Chapelgate Hall Pilates in Albert Hall Rattlejag Morris Men in Chapelgate Hall 1:00pm 4:00pm 7:30pm 7:30pm Notts. Probation Trust in Albert Hall Cosmic Cottage Computer Training in the Albert Hall Scottish Dancing in Chapelgate Hall Tuesday Ladies Group in Albert Hall (Alternate Weeks) 10:00am 11:00am 7:00pm 7:00pm Antiques History Group in the Albert Hall Move to the Music in Chapelgate Hall Baptism Preparation (1st Wednesday) Retford Historical Society Meeting (2nd Wednesday) 9:30am 12:00noon 2:30pm 5:30pm U3A Craft Group in Albert Hall (2nd and 4th weeks) Lunches in Chapelgate Hall Bright Hour Fellowship Group in Albert Hall Retford Rainbows followed by Guides and Brownies in Chapelgate Hall Friday 8:30am 9:30am 1:00pm 1:30pm Cosmic Cottage Internet Cafe in Vestibule Toddler Group in Chapelgate Hall Notts. Probation Trust in Albert Hall Craft & Chatter in Albert Hall Saturday 10:00am Elevenses Coffee Morning in Vestibule More information available from THE CHURCH OFFICE Telephone 01777 703743 Enthusiastic Workers wanted - no age limits apply! Enthusiasm that sparkles with hope, catches our attention and leads to the verve, dynamism and vivacity that was so evident at Pentecost and which epitomised the first Methodists is not a time-bound quality. We see it and experience it for ourselves. I wonder if anyone can remember reading that quotation? It comes from a foreword by the editor of the Connexion Magazine which you may have seen around church recently. It was produced for Pentecost and entitled ‘Spirit-led enthusiasm’. It is a really inspiring magazine and gives a brief overview of stories from across the Connexion. The range of stories it describes is impressive. Here are just a few: · an initiative in Birmingham entitled Ten Holy Habits based on teaching about discipleship in Acts 2 · pioneering youth work on a tough housing estate in Burnley · a Methodist-run farm in South Wales which offers work placements for troubled teenagers · a deacon serving the poorest of the poor in central Hull · an RAF chaplain serving in Afghanistan. It reminds us that so much can be achieved in our local churches when we step out with an energetic and purposeful vision. We could certainly find good news stories within our own church, which would have fitted well within this magazine: Thursday Lunches, Cosmic Cottage, Messy Church, not to mention our ecumenical work with the Anglicans. The magazine also reminded us that enthusiasm is a key part of our Methodist heritage, but not necessarily in the positive way we might imagine. One of the words most frequently used to describe the followers of John Wesley in the 18th century was ‘enthusiasm’. John Wesley is alleged to have said, ‘catch on fire with enthusiasm and people will come from miles to see you burn.’ Nowadays the word ‘enthusiasm’ has very positive connotations; we would all like to have enthusiastic workers within our fellowships. However in the 18th century it was used as a term of abuse by religious sceptics. Dr Johnson defined enthusiasm as a ‘vain belief of private revelation ... of divine favour.’ Elsewhere it was a term used to describe religious fanaticism. Bishop Butler, an 18th century Anglican bishop, went much further proclaiming that such enthusiasm was ‘a very horrid thing.’ Wesley himself did not deny the charge of enthusiasm but was keen to avoid religious excesses, urging that his followers should be guided by a reasonable belief. I preached recently on this topic of spirit-led enthusiasm at one of the chapels within our circuit. As I was talking I looked round the congregation and had one of those thoughts which preachers dread, when they are in mid-flow: my message is totally irrelevant here because these folk are too old and infirm to be working enthusiastically within their local fellowship. This was confirmed by 1 comments after the service about the difficulty of attending joint services in neighbouring chapels because of issues of transport and mobility. This might have been my lasting impression of the service if I hadn’t gone home and soon after found an article entitled ‘Preaching from the Palace’. For those my age the Queen has been a part of our life from childhood to retirement. Whilst we begin looking forward to slowing down and taking things easy, she sustains a punishing schedule of public engagements at home and abroad. On top of her public duties, she continues to tackle regular Red Box paperwork so that she is informed on all the issues facing her government. As the Queen approaches her official 90th birthday, it is a timely reminder not only of the energy and enthusiasm she has brought to the monarchy, but also of how she has been sustained and nourished by her Christian faith. As she has become older and the world around her has become more secular, the Queen’s Christian faith has become more overt, but never strident or obtrusive. In 2012 she made one of her most revealing personal statements in her Christmas message: ‘I know just how much I rely on my faith to guide me through the good times and the bad. Each day is a new beginning. I know that the only way to live my life is to try to do what is right, to take the long view, to give of my best in all that the day brings and to put my trust in God.’ If ever we are tempted to think that we are running out of steam or enthusiasm, the Queen’s example should make us think again. Or we might even consider our founder John Wesley, travelling up and down the country on horseback in his eighties and still preaching at the age of 88 only weeks before he died. We still need enthusiastic Christians, and age may not necessarily be the barrier we think it is. Keith Abel ✞✞✞✞✞✞✞✞✞✞✞✞✞✞✞✞ Lectionary Readings for June 5 June: 1 Kings 17: 17-24. Psalm 30. Galatians 1: 11-24. Luke 7: 11-17 12 June: 1 Kings 21: 1-10 (11-14) 15-21a. Psalm 5: 1-8. Galatians 2: 15-21 Luke 7: 36 - Luke 8: 3. 19 June: 1 Kings 19: 1-4 (5-7) 8-15a. Psalms 42, 43. Galatians 3: 23-29 Luke 8: 26-39. 26 June: 2 Kings 2: 1-2, 6-14. Psalm 77: 1-2, 11-20. Galatians 5: 1, 13-25 Luke 9: 51-62. 2 Bright Hour Mr. Ray Goodburn’s message ‘The past, the present, the future’ gave us much food for thought, as did Rev. Bryan Stevens’ analogy of a wheelchair’s wheels (hub, spokes and tyres) to God’s creation and our role within it. We enjoyed another visit to Thaymar for goodies-to-eat and a members’ afternoon to share and provoke memories and thoughts. Mrs Joyce Holland is our speaker this coming week and the programme continues: 2 June 9 June 16 June 23 June 30 June Visit to Thoresby (Stable Yard and Coffee Shop) Sam from Retford Museum Favourite Music – Members’ choice Mrs. Daphne Sidney Annual General Meeting It is very encouraging that we have recently welcomed some other folk who have joined us. The welcome still awaits anyone else – it would be good to see you. Wednesday, 15 June we are off on our outing to Skipton. Please note the coach departs at 9:00am from Kettlewells’ Coaches Depot. Doris Maw – Secretary to Bright Hour ◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆ Tuesday Group Gossip Tuesday June 7 we have the pleasure of welcoming Mrs. Christine Carter to our meeting and we look forward to her talk. Tuesday June 21 we welcome Mr. Derek Turner who is going to talk to us about The Civic Society. We welcome anyone who would like to join us. We will even give you a tea/coffee and a biscuit! For all who are going on a break/holiday have a good time. 3 Action For Children Mr Alan Laurie has invited us once again to visit his garden for a picnic lunch, followed by a walk for the active ones! This is always a lovely event. This year’s date is Sunday, 5 June. So following morning worship, you are invited to take your picnic to Walnut Cottage, Main Street, Hayton – look out for the red and while balloons. Enjoy looking around Alan’s garden – I’m sure it is up to its usual high standard and it’s something not to be missed! After lunch we shall have a walk in the countryside and perhaps alongside the canal, returning to Alan’s for cups of tea and scones. For those who would like to be part of this event but don’t want the exercise, you can remain to take your ease at Walnut Cottage to await the return of the walkers. There will be an opportunity to donate to Action for Children. Wednesday, 6 July I will be hosting an At Home at 21, Stanley Street from 10:00am to 3:00pm. Donations for stalls, cakes, bric-a-brac, toiletries, bring and buy and paperback books will be gratefully received. Wednesday, 20 July Mrs. Joyce Holland is holding a Coffee Morning at her home, 3 Idle View 10:00am to 12:00 noon. Tuesday, 13 September Mrs. Diane Welchman will be serving Cream Teas 2:30pm to 4:30pm at 8 Rutland Road. We do hope you will be able to join us at these events (mark them in your diary please). Thanks for your support. Doris Maw, on behalf of the Retford Support Group for A4C ❍❍❍❍❍❍❍❍❍❍❍❍ Birth Mr John Rew ‘phoned me on 11 May to tell me he has a new great-grandchild born on 6 May, a beautiful bouncing boy, Samuel Read Prudham, first child for John’s grand-daughter Helen and Garry. John sounded very excited, is full-of-beans and enjoying his new home and country Chapel where he has been made very welcome. Doris Maw 4 Vision at The Grove 2020 The Steering Group would like to take this opportunity to say a big 'thank you' to everyone who has participated in our questionnaires. The first being on Charter Day when over 60 questionnaires were filled in and returned to us. We are now collating all the information. The second is to all the church members and friends who came to lunch last Sunday and participated in a very different questionnaire, but which gave the Steering Group important information about what members of the church feel about the use of the church now. It was a lovely event and our thanks go to the team that made it possible – Pat, ably assisted by Bea, Marion, Diana and Doris and of course Tony who carved the turkey! Thank you to everyone who came and shared views and lunch with us. So what next? Well...the Steering Group will continue to collect the information and meet the people we need to talk to in preparation for sending in a bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund in September. We are also wanting friends and members to share memories of Grove Street Methodist Church both recently and going further back in time. If you have any photos that we can copy that would be great. Alan Laurie is working very hard trawling through archives and records of Grove Street held in Nottingham, York and Epworth. Christine Carter is also sharing all the documents that she has collected, but we need your memories and if possible those of your family. Thank you for all your support and help. The Steering Group (Alan, Di, Nicola, Pat, Terry and Chris) ❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖ Don't give God instructions, just report for duty! The task ahead of us is never as great as the Power behind us. The Will of God never takes you to where the Grace of God will not protect you 5 Attending church once a week may help you live longer Going to church is good for your health and can slash the risk of dying early by a third. Attending just once a week is linked to lower rates of heart disease and cancer, according to a study. The researchers cannot say exactly why but it is thought a higher level of optimism and stronger sense of community among church-goers combats poor lifestyles and stresses associated with diseases. Professor Tyler VanderWeele, of Harvard University in Boston, US, said: ‘Our results suggest that there may be something important about religious service attendance beyond solitary spirituality. ‘Part of the benefit seems to be that attending religious services increases social support, discourages smoking, decreases depression, and helps people develop a more optimistic or hopeful outlook on life.’ The scope of the study was narrow as it only looked at the lives of white Christian female nurses. Yet it found that those who attended services more than once a week had a 33 per cent lower risk of death during the following 16 years, compared with women who never attended services. Those who went weekly had a 26 per cent lower risk, and those who attended services less than weekly had a 13 per cent reduced risk. The study was published in JAMA Internal Medicine. ❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖ Reflective Service A Reflective Service will be held on the first Sunday evening of each month at 6:00pm led by: Janice Sykes on 5 June Rev. Mark Cantrill on 3 July and 7 August All services will be In the Albert Hall 6 May Messy Church! Jacqui Jones, our local Threads’ School Worker, joined us in May. The theme this month was ‘Our Worldwide Family’. The Bible reference was Colossians 1:6-14. Our opening activities and devotions were relevant to Pentecost. Much fun was had with the ‘Parachute Game’ and ‘Floating Ping Pong Balls’ (helped by a hairdryer). Jacqui then led our time of worship ending with a game of ‘Good News Whispers’. We then gathered together for activities associated with our Worldwide Family – Prayer Flags and String of Doves. ‘Peace be with you’ was written in eight different languages and we had to guess which one. Nicola and her team provided the tea this month. We wish Jackie Goodburn a speedy recovery. The members of the Messy Church Team are all very excited about the next meeting which will be held in the grounds of the Bassetlaw Museum on Sunday12 June. This will be a celebration for the Queen’s 90th Birthday. All are welcome. Pauline Merrills 7 On Sunday 12 June we are taking MESSY CHURCH across to the Museum Grounds to celebrate the Queen’s 90th Birthday. The time is still 4:00pm to about 6:00pm. We would LOVE you to come and join us and hopefully the weather will be kind to us. If all else fails we will be across in Chapelgate Hall. Drinks will be provided but please bring along a picnic and a deck chair or rug if you wish. There will be games, competitions, fun, laughter, celebrations and worship all in a ‘Royal Manner’. We are going to suggest that the children, if they wish, dress as princesses and princes so if you wish to dig out a wedding hat, or have a tiara to hand, please join in the fun and wear it. Everybody is most welcome as we share in this special celebration. 8 A few things you might like to know about the month of June. In the Georgian calendar, the calendar that most of the world uses, June is the sixth month. However, according to the early Roman calendar, June was actually the fourth month and had only 29 days. In 46BC, Julius Caesar gave June 30 days instead of 29 when he reformed the Roman calendar. June was named after the Roman goddess Juno, who is the wife of Jupiter. However, others say that its name actually came from the Latin word iuniors. It means the younger ones, which is opposed to majors or elders from which May's name originated. In June, spring ends and summer begins in the Northern Hemisphere. During this time, all the flowers and plants are usually very prolific & beautiful. In the southern hemisphere, winter begins in June. The birthstones for June are the pearl, alexandrite, and moonstone. June 5 - World Environment Day The birth flower for June is the rose. The Queens Official Birthday this year is on 11 June Father’s Day this year is on 19 June The Longest Day is 20 June and Mid-Summer Day is 24 June. Armed Forces Day is 25 June The zodiac signs for June are Gemini (May 21 - June 20) and Cancer (June 21 - July 22) The UK’s EU referendum is on Thursday 23 June to decide whether the UK should leave or remain in the European Union. Wimbledon Tennis begins on Monday 27 June for 2 weeks. Submitted by Di Welchman 9 10 Move to the Music A blend of exercise movement and dance to keep your body and mind active. All proceeds from the class go to Bassetlaw Hospice. Claire Guest Health and fitness is back in a fun and friendly class. 12 noon Monday 2:00pm Monday T: 01777 838614 M: 07749 322033 Email: trentframing@gmail.com Sherwood House, Top Street, Askham, Nr. Retford, NG22 0RP 11:00am Wednesday Grove Street Methodist Church Chapelgate Hall www. trentframing.co.uk Boiler Heat ●Gas, ●Oil, LPG ●Landlords’ Certificates ●Servicing & Repair ●Installation ●New Boilers with a 10 year parts & labour warranty ●Gold Service Plan from £13.80 Andrew Booth 01777 710878 07977 097735 We now offer a Full Electrical Service Contact us for help with Domestic & Commercial Repairs & Installations 11 Newman Building Services Ltd. New Builds Extensions Refurbishments Joinery / Kitchens Driveways / Paving Garden Landscaping T: 07977 479219 E: newbs67@btinternet.com Hope Cottage Blenheim Avenue Tuxford, Notts. NG22 0LR The Road of Little Miracles I had decided to cross back into Chile. The Carratera Austral is on many cycle tourists checklist of world famous rides. While I was now too far south to do the complete 1250 kilometre route from Puerto Montt, I worked out an 8 day route from Futuleufú to Puerto Ingeniero Ibañez in Chile. The road was constructed during the Pinochet regime in the late 1970s and the route is famously 'Ripio' hard packed gravel and dirt. Due to the extreme terrain and extreme climates the road has been a very tough challenge to build and many workers have lost their lives during its construction. It is said to be very isolated in places and passes through some stunning scenery. It is a challenging dirt road route where you have to be self sufficient for several days in places and be prepared to walk your bike up steep muddy hills. The detour would also have the advantage of resetting my Argentine visa so taking a little time pressure off my journey when I re-entered the country. The dirt road began almost as soon as I left Trevelin. A town about 25 Kilometres south of Esquel. I passed through some villages with Welsh ancestry and signposts in both Cymraeg and Spanish; and a lot of sheep. Then as I crossed the border into Chile again, I was on perfect asphalt for the 10kms to the village of Futuleufú. I spent another 2 nights here. Futuleufú is famous as a hub for Kayaking and river rafting. The rivers in this region have class 4 and 5 rapids, which apparently means very difficult. I 12 have never tried either, so can’t speak from experience, but the far too hippy tour guides that kept harassing me in the street sounded very convincing, too enthusiastic and smelled of Marijuana. I’ll keep to the dry land for now thanks. The Ripio dirt road began immediately as I left the town. And continued for the next 60 kilometres. The road was loose sand, pebbles and dirt. Passing vehicles kicked up clouds of dust and my newly clean clothes were filthy after the first 10 kilometres. I passed beautiful clear streams and small waterfalls tumbled noisily into the deep blue river below me. Then back into the dirt, dust and gravel to the junction with the Route number 7. The Carratera Austral. Here I had to wait in a queue of traffic as they were laying brand new asphalt! After almost 10 minutes of waiting and staring at me, the worker realised I was riding a bike and sent me down the side of the construction machinery. Smoke, oil stains and the smell of tar filled the air as I pedalled past. Yips and calls from the workers and my tyres crackled and popped as small pebbles stuck to the warm tar now covering my tyres. Beyond the work site, the road was also brand new. New signs, new road markings and fast traffic but with a shoulder and a tailwind! I managed to travel another 40 kilometres on the road before spotting a hostel and checking in. The lady made me the smallest sandwich for the biggest price which wasn’t too great but I slept comfortably and was woken early the following morning by a bull roaring in the next field. I guess it makes a change from 4:00am roosters, though roosters don't generally make the walls shake! The asphalt stopped after 10 more kilometres and rain in the night had dampened the dust. A cool morning made me stop and put on an extra layer. A crashing in the woods made me jump as a herd of goats wandered out, stared at me, bleated a bit then wandered across the road to some tender looking plants on the other side. I continued on a mix of Asphalt and dirt through little populations that did not appear on my map. Eventually I arrived at Puyuhuapi and its fjord like lake. Except it wasn’t a lake but the Pacific Ocean again. The road changed again. More tourists now. Many more cyclists on cheap squeaky mountain bikes and people driving overloaded 4x4s also expecting the route to be much tougher. Farmhouses appeared occasionally offering hospitality and access to the lake sides for camping, rafting, kayaking or fishing. This is definitely a popular tourist area and while beautiful, when the road is eventually all asphalt, the people who have set up businesses here now, are going to be very wealthy. Hopefully not to the detriment of the environment though? Villa Mañiguales was another town not displayed on my little GPS map. I was directed by three people to the campsite that didn't exist. Same name, different locations.......... I still had to reach Puerto Ibañez. Though my experience was faster and not as tough as I had prepared myself for, I have to think of the cyclists who have travelled it in previous years and had the full dirt road adventure. It is still possible to see what it would have been like before the Asphalt as not many of the homes, farms and businesses and landscapes have yet caught up with the modernisation. Puerto Ibañez is a ferry town. It exists only to serve the twice daily ferry on the 2 hour crossing to the other side; except I arrived on a Saturday night and on Sundays they only run one service. Had I checked properly I would not have checked out of my hostel at 8:00am and pedalled the few blocks to the quay side, found the office and 13 seen the big sign that says, Office opens Sundays at 1630. How annoying! Though this isn't the first time I have made a mistake reading timetables. Eventually the ferry arrived, unloaded one cargo of passengers and we began to board for the 2 hour crossing. The exposed, flat, water surface let the wind move over it with increased ferocity. As we passed by little bays and coves the wind would churn into the ferry with such force it would whip up the water and make it look like it was boiling. Clouds of 'steam' drifted on the winds in all directions. The crossing was quicker due to the tailwind and the Captain docked smoothly at Chile Chico. This little town was quite pretty and affluent and I was almost tempted to stay a night, but as it was only 14 kilometres from the Argentina border and I had arranged a host in Los Antiguos on the other side I made my way through customs and arrived in the town shortly after dark. I was looking forward to getting out of the wind, having some food and beginning the next morning in a new part of Argentina. Although of course, it's never that simple.... Facundo is a young Veterinarian in Perito Moreno and he had previously travelled through Europe, Couchsurfing along the way. He left me in his home and I did a few more chores then went to the supermarket. Looking at the map, I knew the road ahead would be very isolated. I was deep in the Pampas now. We had a good conversation in the evening and though he was a self confessed ‘lazy cook’ actually prepared a very nice meal. Leaving the next morning, the landscape became very isolated very quickly. It was immediately evident from the dry plants and dead riverbeds that finding water was going to be an issue. A few patches of green were fenced off and herds of cows or sheep were exclusively feeding on the verdant pastures. Occasional abandoned farms, a gold mine and hundreds of Guanacos showed there was still life in this barren region. The strong tailwind meant I was making good distances but with nothing but dry cold Pampas in between. Tamal Aike was literally just a junction on the road. I continued and approximately 20 kilometres further on, I found a road maintenance station who let me camp in their yard. A violent night as the powerful winds rushed down the valley! The night guard offered to help me move my gear into one of the warehouses but I was happy in my little tent and confident it would not be damaged. I slept very well despite the raging storm outside. The next morning, I had a little respite for about 2 hours and it was pleasant to see and hear Patagonia without the static noise from the wind continually in my ears. It wasn't to last long and in the afternoon it pushed me ever faster, the final 30 kilometres to the free municipal campsite at Gobernador Gregores. A local resident looking over my bike told me that I could use my card in the supermarket. ‘They have their own satellite internet, and they give cash back’. Excellent! I bought a few needed groceries but they still did not give cash back on international credit cards. At least I had some food. I reached El Calafate. I needed a rest and spent two nights in the town. I considered going to see the glacier, but two other cyclists told me the 80 kilometres of road was bad, busy with traffic and there was no place to officially camp once you arrived. I didn't want to pay the $80$150 US dollars to take a tour. As I arrived in Rio Gallegos, I was stopped at another Police checkpoint. The young female officer had to ask her colleague ‘Where's Alaska?’ She was somewhat stunned when she realised. The city is the end of the Ruta 40 that travels from the Northern border of Argentina and Bolivia 14 and I guess I was expecting grander things rather than the dirty scruffy former commercial port that I was now cycling through. The last time I saw the Atlantic Ocean was in Santa Marta in Colombia last July 2015 and as it is the ocean I am most familiar with seemed to add to the finality of my journey. On my chosen route, I have approximately 750 kilometres left to ride. It's really not that much... Tierra del Fuego or ‘Land of fire’ gets its name not from some volcanic geological phenomenon, but from the myriad of fires lit by the native Yanghan or Ona people who lived on the island. These tough people were distinct again. When Charles Darwin travelled through the region in 1833 on his exploratory missions, he noted that the people of this region had very little clothing on despite the harsh climate. It was common to see the people mostly naked, in thin animal skins and often walking barefoot in the snow. They would huddle round fires to keep warm and the hundreds of small fires viewed from the European boats passing through the region gave rise to the name Tierra del Fuego. The Yanghan hunted marine animals in their reed or skin boats (often with a fire burning on top for warmth!) and would cover their bodies with animal fat for additional warmth. Sadly, the Europeans also brought disease, religion, culture and assimilation to these people and they now number in their hundreds rather than the tens of thousands that used to live here but in the few pure blooded Yanghan that still exist, a genetic marker shows they have a higher metabolism than other people in the same region and can maintain a higher and more stable body temperature despite the harsh climate and lack of clothing. A similar DNA marker has also been found in the Inuit and Eskimo communities in Alaska and Northern Canada. Unfortunately, I don't have the same marker and I dug out my winter jacket from the bottom of of my panniers. The temperature is not actually that cold. I'd estimate around 10-15 Celsius, but combined with a sweating body and the ever present wind, keeps you cool all day. I rode directly south from Rio Gallegos, through another police checkpoint where, for the first time, my details were taken down correctly without any prompting! I have passed through 15-20 checkpoints in Argentina alone and probably the same number again in the previous 15 countries. I'm not sure why Argentina is so much more cautious in this respect, but they seem to enjoy interrupting my journey for a few pointless minutes and I wish I only felt the same! A few kilometres from the border with Chile, I found a Guanaco stuck in a fence. Having seen a small group of Guanacos running away rapidly a few moments before I can only assume I may have been responsible for this poor animal’s suffering. After a few minutes struggling to cut the hardened steel wire with my barely functioning Leatherman multitool, while at the same time trying not to get kicked by the panicked animal’s extremely sharp toe nails and the wire split with a piercing ZZINNGG!!!! and the freed animal almost did a back flip as it stood up and sprinted away from me. I continued my journey and a few kilometres later crossed the border into Chile again. Matthew Hopkins theroadoflittlemiracles.ghost.io 15 Please come along and step out on a walk and raise some money for Action for Children SUNDAY 5 JUNE After your morning service, bring along a picnic to enjoy in Alan Laurie’s garden before setting out on a gentle walk. A chance for fun, fellowship and a bit of gentle exercise! The walk will be approx. 4 miles leaving from Walnut Cottage in Hayton (DN22 9LH) along the green lanes and tracks around Hayton & Clarborough. Alternatively you can sit and enjoy the peace and beauty of Alan’s garden & listen to the birds. BRING ALONG YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS There will be a plate at the end of the walk for donations to Action for Children. Everybody Welcome 16 Elevenses @ The Grove Saturday Morning 10:00am - 12noon 4 Craft Group (Nicola Hurton) 11 Hallcroft 18 Grove Street 25 Countryside Weekend at The Museum Everyone is Welcome Please come along and enjoy a drink and fellowship The Grove Methodist Church Union Street Retford DN22 6LB 17 The letter below has been sent from the organisers of the Food Bank with a request for donations if at all possible. As you are aware there is a trolley which is either in the Albert Hall or the porch area at Grove Street. If you feel able to donate that would be great and it will then be passed on to the Food Bank. Thanks. Di Welchman Hi to you all, After such a magnificent supply of food given to us over Harvest and Christmas we now have a shortage of food for the parcels. The number of people requesting parcels isn't going down and are now having to go and buy food. If you could help with the following that would be brilliant: Tinned vegetables Tinned potatoes Tinned custard Tinned rice pudding Tins of meat meals Coffee Squash Jam Rice Toilet rolls Thank you so much for your ongoing support. Carol Freeman Co-ordinator Bassetlaw Foodbank 18 Diary Dates June Wednesday 1 Baptism Preparation in Chapelgate Hall 7:00pm Thursday 2 Bright Hour visit to Thoresby Tuesday 7 Tuesday Group in the Albert Hall 7:30pm. Speaker: Christine Carter Wednesday 8 Church Council Meeting in the Albert Hall 7:15pm Thursday 9 Bright Hour in the Albert Hall. Speaker from Bassetlaw Museum 2:30pm Thursday 16 Bright Hour in the Albert Hall 2:30pm. Favourite Music. Tuesday 21 Tuesday Group in the Albert Hall 7:30pm Speaker: Mr D Turner Thursday 23 Referendum Election in the Albert Hall Bright Hour in the Vestibule 2:30pm. Speaker: Daphne Sidney Saturday 25 Farming Weekend at Bassetlaw Museum Sunday 26 Open Air Worship at Bassetlaw Museum 10:30am Wednesday 29 Circuit Meeting at South Anston Church 7:30pm Thursday 30 Bright Hour AGM in the Albert Hall 2:30pm. To book an event or meeting please contact Sue Walker at Grove Street Church Office email thegrove2009@hotmail.co.uk Telephone 01777 703743 ●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●● Prayer Corner Be a light, O Lord, to our eyes, and music to our ears. Be sweetness to our taste and contentment to our hearts. Be sunshine to our days and food at our table. Be rest in our night and sufficiency in our hour of need. Be liberty in our life and everlasting glory at our death; through our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen 19 Services for June 10:30 Ray Goodburn 6:00 Janice Sykes (Reflective Worship) 5 June 10:30 Rev. Mark Cantrill (Sacrament) 12 June 4:00 Messy Church (Museum) 19 June 10:30 Felicity Ferriter 26 June 10:30 Rev. Mark Cantrill (Museum) Flower Rota 5 June Sue Rich 12 June TBA 19 June Chris & Keith Wallace 26 June Nicky & Chris Hurton 20 Your Letters, News & Views Please These must be in the hands of Pauline Merrills, Val or Brian Wright no later than noon, Monday 27 June 2016 to appear in the July/August Edition. E-mail brianwright@ymail.com or leave items in the pink folder located in the pigeon hole outside the Circuit Office. Thank you. Contributions of a minimum of 50p towards the cost of materials and other production costs of this magazine will be greatly appreciated. You can hand your contribution to your distributor or to a member of the Leadership Team. Advertising Space Available If you know of any local Business which could benefit from using this space in Challenger with its circulation in excess of 200 copies per month + exposure on the Internet Please contact Pauline Merrills with the details merrillspauline@gmail.com Grove Street Methodist Church, Retford. Christians working together, sharing Faith, serving God and the community, today and tomorrow. Superintendent Rev. Peter Sheasby 01777 702573 Circuit Pastoral Worker Teresa Abel 07502 227252 Leadership Team Minister Rev. Mark Cantrill 01777 711530 Church Administrator Christine Carter 01777 703743 Treasurer Alan Laurie Church Council Secretary Sue Rich Keith Abel Chris Hurton (Worship Contact) Nicola Hurton (Other Matters) Pauline Merrills (Community Contact) Sue Osborn Helen Page (Church Family Contact) If you have any church issue which you would like the Stewards to address, please speak to a member of the Leadership Team and it will be discussed at the earliest opportunity. 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