News for 2000
January:
The first Sunday of the new Millenium saw a number of the church members remaining in the church after the morning service. We enjoyed a shared meal together where we ate our own 'first course' and treated ourselves to shared puddings. We seem to do very well with puddings at WFC ! something to look forward to for the next year!
On the 23rd of the month, we enjoyed the company of Paul and Pauline Hunt in our morning service. Paul and Pauline hail from Turners Hill Free Church and are long time friends of the WFC pastor and his wife (Keith and Ruth). Both Paul and Pauline shared some of their family experiences with us and took the opportunity to teach us a couple of songs. Their family is very musical and have a 'relatively' famous family connection. One of their daughters is married to the son of David Fellingham, the well known Christian song writer. Part of the reason for Paul and Paulines' visit was to enable us at WFC to experience Paul's Christian teaching, which was based on the words of Psalm 8.
April:
There was an Extravaganza of Gospel Songs evening at the church with many different styles of worship songs and music. The celebration in song was most enjoyable and demonstrated the range of gifts and talents with which the people within the ecumenical parish of Bishop's Cleeve and Woodmancote are blessed. A number of different styles of music were enjoyed by everyone that attended.
On Easter Sunday, a number of us met early in the church for Easter breakfast and to share in holy communion prior to the normal Sunday morning service. This is the second year breakfast has been shared in the church in this way and for those who participated it was a special time together to celebrate the Risen Lord.
A number of the congregation attend the Connexional Conference and they were richly blessed by the time of fellowship and worship with other church members from the Connexion Churches.
One family attended Spring Harvest at Minehead - this is a good Christian venue to receive from God, to learn more of God, worship God and relax in the company of fellow christians.
May:
During May we helped Ted Long - a previous pastor to celebrate his 90th birthday. Ted was encouraged to share some of his lifetime of rich experiences which included many years in the mission field in Africa.
June:
On June 25th, a small group from the church (7 individuals) took part in the Cheltenhan Circular Challenge walk.This walk is organised by the Cleeve Vale Rotary Club of Cheltenham and is run on an annual basis to raise money for local charities. The day dawned fine, cool and dry - ideal walking conditions. Five members of the church group including two children under the age of 14, completed two stages of the walk - some 12 miles, whilst the other two members of the group completed the whole walk - some 24 miles. A total of £376 pounds was raised in sponsorship and donations, with half the proceeds being sent to our brothers and sisters in Sierra Leone.
September:
Harvest Thanksgiving services - 10th September. Two Harvest Thanksgiving services were held in the church.
The morning service provided an opportunity for all the family to join in the celebrations of this harvest time. The church was decorated with a myriad of flowers providing a rich perfume and an array of produce, both fresh fruit and vegetables, and commercially produced food products were presented on display for all the congregation to gaze upon and marvel at God's provision for us. Many of the congregation took an active part in the thanksgiving service which comprised 'Prayer for all Seasons' led by the Pathfinders Group, an Intercessory Prayer, a harvest time story illustrating how we can share what we have with our neighbours and a dramatic reading of "The Rich Fool" (Luke 12:13-21).
The Pastor brought a harvest message based upon "The Rich Fool" where we are reminded that it is foolish to store up 'treasures' on this earth. We heard that earthly treasures are but short lived, exposed to rot and ruin and we should put our energy and efforts in striving to build up 'heavenly treasures'.
The evening service was one of praise, celebration and reflection of all the good things God provides us. Many things that we enjoy in our lives can so easily be taken for granted. For example, our families, our health, our food, our clothes, our friends. When we live busy lives and rush around from one thing to another, the simple, basic things that God provides can be forgotten. We thank God that at harvest time we can take stock of the goodness he shows to us and reflect on the bounty of his provision. Halleluh - Amen!!
The following day, food and provisions presented at the harvest service were taken to the National Children's home at Ebley. The offerings from both services were sent to the Sierra Leone Mission and will be used to provide rice for those facing hardship after many years of civil unrest.
November:
During November, elections were held within the church to elect individuals to form a new leadership team. All nominees for the leadership team were duly elected. These are:
Gareth Howell
Ken Peterson
David Hall
Mike Rawlinson
Nigel Cleaver
The leadership team under Keith the pastor, meet on a monthly basis to prayerfully consider all aspects of church life within the village community of Woodmancote.