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Excerpts from the monthly News Letter, APRIL 08
Ashburton Methodist LINK
MINISTER Rev. Peter Taylor Ph 308 6297 home
OFFICE: Thursday / Friday 9am to 12 noon
Email: ashmeth@paradise.net.nz
SECRETARY: Daphne Whiting Ph/Fax 308 6207 office
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Resurrection - Then and Now Christmas or Easter? Which is the more important festival in the Christian calendar? Or put it another way - is the birth of Jesus more significant than the death and resurrection of Jesus for your faith and understanding of God? I suppose your answer might depend on what is happening in your life at the moment; for example, if you have been blessed with the gift of a new birth in your family then Jesus' birth might help you more, or if you are going through a bad time in relationships or suffering in pain then the cross might speak to you, whilst if you are grieving, then the resurrection might encourage you. It might come as a surprise to realise that for the Gospels (and indeed the whole New Testament) the birth of Jesus is not very significant, and that the stories relating to the resurrection are far outweighed by the narrative from Palm Sunday to Good Friday. For instance in this year we are looking at Matthew's Gospel in our lectionary and he records about 19 times more words about the events leading to the cross than words about the resurrection. 19 times more! It comes across almost as an afterthought, written down to tidy up the story, a postscript. Yet for many the resurrection, whilst puzzling, is so central to their faith. I set out early in the year to examine the resurrection in the New Testament, more specifically accounts and references to the resurrection, rather than the theology that comes from thinking about it. There were some interesting discoveries. The Study Groups which will take place on three Thursday evenings (3rd & 17th April and 1st May) at 7.45 in the Lounge will have a look at these references and stories and try to make some sense of them, as well as comparing them with accounts from some of the so-called 'lost gospels' that we sometimes hear about in the news. I daresay this sounds rather academic and dry, but
with the sort of folk in our parish I cannot imagine that is how it will
turn out! Yes, there will be some study but how can anything that helps
us get to grips with one of the keystones of our faith be irrelevant or
dull? As before with these groups, you will get the most out of them by
coming to all three, but each will be separate so if you can only mange
one or two do not be put off. Come and join me - I would not want to
think that those hours spent preparing had been in vain! |
SERVICES
for this MONTH
click
here
MEETINGS FOR for this MONTH
| Retired Men’s Fellowship | Tuesday 1st -- 9.30am at B.Sq Church |
| Parish Executive | Thursday 3rd -- 9.30am in the Office. |
| Parish Council | Wednesday 9th -- 7.30pm in the Lounge |
Indoor Bowls - Tuesday Nights 7.30pm in the Baring Square
Church Hall.
If you have never played and would like to, come along.
If you would just like to come and watch and find out what it is all about you
will be made most welcome.
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PARISH GOODWILL SHOP -
Open Tuesday & Thursday Mornings in the Tinwald Church 9.30am – 12.30pm,
Change over to winter clothes and meeting for distribution of funds Wednesday 9th April 9am.
All Shop workers are urged to attend.
Methodist Women's Fellowship Meetings Baring Square Afternoon Group Thu 10 Mar in the Lounge Speaker Peter Taylor Evening Group: 28th 7.30pm in the Lounge Willowby Group Tue 15 Mar 7.30pm at the home of Edna Ellis
CONTACT NAMES FOR PASTORAL CARE:
Prayer Chain Convenor: Dorothy Lill Ph 308 3793
Greetings Secretary: Lynda Ayers Ph 308 9311
Small Tasks Organiser: Allan Tweed Ph 307 1650
NOTE:
Presbyter
Rev Peter Taylor Phone
308 6297.
Parish Council Report -
March Meeting
New sign for Tinwald Church and Goodwill shop is up and has been paid for
by the Goodwill Shop.
The visit to Tweeds farm at Carew is to take place later in the year.
Wakanui School have donated a Hammond organ no longer in use by them. It
is now in the Tinwald Church
Staveley Campsite still seeking Treasurer & Booking Agent
Ellesmere Visit went well. Not well supported by our Parish. Enjoyed by those
who were able to attend.
Parish Fair 5th April. Helpers will be required. Probably not as much for Garage
sale as other years.
Some members attended the induction of Rev Bruce Anderson as District
Superintendent at which Betty Watson was presented with a gift and thanked for
her role as assistant superintendent.
Due to the absence of the Treasurer there was no Financial Report.
Our Prayers for…...
All
those who are in Hospital & Rest Homes and all who are unwell our thoughts
& prayers are
with you all.
Sympathy
We record the death of Colin Leadley 26th Feb 2008.
To Audrey, family & friends we extend our sincere sympathy
and offer our love and prayers at this difficult time.
Colin will be sadly missed by us all.
Harvest
Our Harvest Festival services are taking place on 20th April
at Baring Square and 27th at Winchmore and Tinwald. The theme at Baring Square
will be 'The Bread of Life' and will include a display of loaves made by members
of the congregation.
Peter Taylor (for the Worship Committee)
Travelling Together - A Pastoral Carers Event
(and for anyone who cares about people)
The Pastoral Committee is organising an opportunity for all those who are
involved in pastoral care to get together and reflect on our calling. The date
we are working towards is Thursday 22 May from 10.30 to about 3.00.
We will begin with morning tea, share lunch together. The theme will be
Travelling Together. Please put this date in your diary and look out for more
details nearer the time.
Peter Taylor
Reading the Bible in Church - The Tools and
Tips of the Trade.
You know how some people can read the Bible and it comes alive, while others
send you to sleep. Are good readers born, or are there tips and techniques to be
learned? We are holding a fun occasion when we do some work and try to improve
our ability, whilst avoiding common pitfalls. This event will be held on the
afternoon of Sunday 15 June from 1.00 at St David's Union Church. More details
nearer the time.
STAVELEY CAMPSITE COMMITTEE require a Treasurer & Booking Agent. This is a voluntary position joining a dedicated team overseeing this popular facility. For further information please contact Langtry Maginness Ph 302 4708. Email: langtrym&xtra.co.nz
ELLESMERE VISIT
A very big thank you to those responsible for organising the visit on 9th March.
Folk came from Dunsandel, Brookside, Leeston and Southbridge to join with us for
the day.
Following the service and Morning Tea at Baring Square folk chose to climb the
Tower Visit the Museum or wonder around and see the new Theatre. After a
scrumptious shared lunch we visited Winchmore Church where Brian Reesby
explained the history of the church, then on to Lauriston Church where Laura
Cairns gave us a comprehensive talk of the District and its church. We then
moved on to St Johns Church Barr Hill. Peter led us in Worship after which we
went across to the Hall for afternoon tea prepared by Brian & Rothery
Reesby. The day was enjoyed by all.
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READERS CONTRIBUTION: 10 COMMANDMENTS - Of Human Relations ################### |
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Resurrection - Then and Now How do the Gospels tell the Resurrection stories? These questions and more will be looked at in meetings
for study and fellowship. |
Something to think about:
Can you figure out what these words have in common?
Banana Dresser Grammar Potato Revive
Uneven Assess
Answer next month
KIDS IN CHURCH
After the christening of his baby brother in church, Jason sobbed all the way
home in the back seat of the car. His father asked three times what was wrong.
Finally, the boy replied. "That preacher said he wanted us brought up in a
Christian home, and I wanted to stay with you guys."