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Excerpts from the monthly News Letter,   OCTOBER  07

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

Watoto Children's Choir 

It is said that the devil comes into a church through the choir, I guess because in many a choir, like in all artistic groups, there are usually a few temperamental folk, some prima donnas and this causes the friction to create mayhem. I am sure our Music Group has not been like this (at least, so far!). When it comes to choirs, like the Mid Canterbury Choir, the average age is often fairly high, and it gets worse with most Methodist Church choirs I have known, with an average age sometimes over 80. 

So when we come across a choir whose average age makes me look positively geriatric, it has got to be a rarity worth noting. Such is the case with the Watoto Children's Choir from Uganda which we have the opportunity to hear in October. These children, who are Ugandan orphans (mostly AIDS orphans, I imagine), have found in the Christian faith a cause for joy and go around the world sharing that joy with contemporary gospel music full of African rhythms and dance. They bring with them their colourful costumes, infectious smiles and moving stories that might cause more than a few tears. 

Talking of tears, it is TEAR Fund that is sponsoring this nationwide tour, which this year is coming to Ashburton, at the Roman Catholic Church on Sealy St. The performance date is Friday 12th October at 7.00, so not too late for children or adults who need their sleep! What is even more amazing is that the concert will be free, though there will be opportunity to give towards expenses and as a thank you to the choir. 

Please go along, and be captivated by these young people, who will no doubt inspire us. Maybe, before long the music group will sing African rhythms in bright colourful costumes whilst swaying to the beat. Or maybe not! Who knows? It is an interesting thought though. 

Peter Taylor

I

SERVICES  for  this MONTH    click here 

 

               MEETINGS FOR  for this MONTH

Retired Men’s Fellowship	Tuesday  2th -- 9.30am   at B.Sq Church
Parish Executive	Thursday 4nd -- 9.30am    in the Office.
Pastoral Committee	Wednesday  9th – 7.30pm   in the Lounge.
Parish Council	Wednesday  10th -- 7.30pm  in the Lounge

    PARISH GOODWILL SHOP  -  
    Open Tuesday & Thursday Mornings in the Tinwald Church        9.30am – 12.30pm,
      Next Meeting 16 Oct at 1pm.

	Methodist Women's Fellowship Meetings
	Baring Square Afternoon Group Thu 11 2.00pm in the Lounge.  Speaker  Peter Taylor
		      Evening Group  22th  7.30pm    Programme;  Fenn Leadley - Paper Tole
	
	Willowby Evening Group 16th 7.30pm at the home of Audrey Bruce

Watoto Children's Choir will be performing on Friday 12th October 7pm at the Holy Name Church. - See top of page for more information

 

Boulevard Day
A VERY BIG thank you to: All you great cooks.
All those who so kindly gave up time to help on the stall.
Don & Lorna for the use of the caravan.
Those who helped set up and came back late afternoon to pack up.
Without all your help we could not have banked $1,600.00 for Parish Funds.
A wet cold day did not dampen our spirits.

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.

 

Our Prayers for…...

 All those who are in Hospital & Rest Homes and all who are unwell our thoughts & prayers are with you all.
      

Congratulations
Gwen West & Dorothy Chapman  celebrating their 90th Birthdays this month.
All others celebrating birthdays, we hope you have a great day.

Baptism at Baring Square Sunday 30th September Erica Jayne Harrison
Daughter of Nicola & Angus Harrison.
Granddaughter of Yvonne & Alan West

              

Film Discussion Group

We met on 14th September to watch Evan Almighty at the cinema. It sounded as if it might be a big send-up of the Noah story but it was a lot better than that and touched on a number of interesting religious themes. Our discussion ranged from prayer and our relationship to God, to the way faith is coupled with uncertainty, for if we are certain, perhaps we no longer need faith!
In October we will go to watch Hairspray on Sat 13th at 6.30 pm. There will be issues about racism and weight to discuss, amongst other things.

Peter Taylor

Reading the Bible Aloud in Church

You know how some people can read the Bible and make it sound alive, while others can make the same passage act as an aid to sleep? Are good readers born, or are there tips and techniques that can be learnt? Can you get to read the Bible (or indeed any book aloud) better?
If you read in Church, or would like to start, but feel a little help might make all the difference, then I am developing a workshop course for you. Watch out early next year in The Link for further details for this opportunity, sponsored by the Worship Committee and endorsed by the Parish Council.

Peter Taylor

Len Butt & Merle Ford

When I arrived just over a year ago it seemed to me that Len and Merle were at the heart of things in the Parish, not least because of their involvement in leadership of the Parish Council as Chairman and Secretary respectively, on the council in their capacity as Congregational Representatives. I know that they have been fulfilling these roles for a number of years and so I thank them on behalf of you all for their work and dedication, trusting that they will remain at the heart of things, though without these formal 'hats'. Thank you Len and Merle.

Peter Taylor

PARISH COUNCIL REPORT
Tinwald Church celebrated 110years on 9th September. Luncheon followed the service.
Staveley Campsite are holding an open day from 3pm 7th Oct for all those interested in viewing the site. David Leadley has been elected to the committee. There is still a vacancy for another from our Parish. If you are interested please leave your name at the office.
Touchstone  Parish agreed to send $200 towards the publication
Foodbank Goods to be put in the basket at B.Sq Church for dedication on 7th Oct.
Advertising Lack of advertising Methodist Church services was discussed. Very expensive. Continue with 'Daily Diary'. Contact Ministers Association for ideas on this.

AGM
Chairperson: Colin Leadley; Gordon Abernethy & John Bilverstone agreed to share this duty.
Secretary: Graham Hawkey
Society Steward: Len Butt has offered to continue. Allan Tweed as backup.
Executive: Peter Taylor; Brian Reesby; Daphne Whiting; Graham Hawkey & Duty Chairperson.
Merle Ford asked asked to be relieved from towel duties. MWF to be asked to continue the duties.
Len Butt & Merle Ford were thanked for their time as Chairperson and Secretary. We look forward to their continued support.

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EVE TRUST Acknowledgements 

Maud Ayers. 

Maud became a Trustee in Oct 1984 - a total of 23 years comparable with some other long-serving Baring Square stalwarts - Messrs Fowke, Armstrong, Chapman and Morris. Her loyalty and continued interest have been outstanding. She was the first, and for many years the only, woman Trustee. 
Digby Prosser 

Digby Prosser 

Digby joined as Secretary Treasurer in 1995 having audited the accounts prior to that from 1988. Though he will be continuing on the committee for another year, he has stood down as the Secretary Treasurer, and Brian Leadley is taking on this role. We thank both Maud and Digby for their work and interest over the years. To make up numbers we have welcomed Amanda Watson to the committee. 
Peter Taylor

2007 Parish Directory.
You may have received a copy recently.
I have been told of some errors which have now been corrected in the master copy.
If you find any Please let me know.     Daphne

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The MWF are again selling boxed cards, diaries, calendars, note pads, gardening and recipe books.  
These make great gifts and sell below retail price.  They will be on display at Church on Sunday 30th September and 7th October and Audrey Leadley (phone 3072212 ) will be happy to arrange for you to see them if you are unable to be at Church. 
 Orders must be in by 7th October.

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WAKANUI CHURCH 

A service of celebration of 125 years of Methodism in the district Sunday 21st October at 2pm 
Anyone interested in the church is invited to attend the service which will be by Rev Peter Taylor

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