News for 2001

January:

The year has started very positively with changes being made to the teaching and organisational aspects of the childrens work in the church. With the increased numbers, it was necessary to split the children into 3 separate groups.

School years 7 and above remain in the small back room of the church during normal service times, whilst the other 2 groups comprising junior school aged children and below decant to the nearby old village hall part way through the Sunday morning services. It is early days at the moment, but the arrangements appear to be working well, with much added freedom gained for the 2 groups meeting away from the main church. This is enabling them to engage in more physical activities, sound in the knowledge that they are not disturbing the main Sunday morning service.

February:

On the 3rd February the church held a workshop to inform, instruct and help the congregation focus on many different aspects of childrens work within the whole life of the church. It was a day packed full of information and ideas to address how we can provide spirit filled christian teaching of children across the complete age range from pre-school toddlers upto the teenage years.

We learned about aspects of nurturing the pre-school church members of the church family, parents and toddlers groups, working with the 5s to 10s and finally working with the teens in our church. Many topics were raised, many issues discussed and a wider understanding and appreciatation was gained of the vast range of activities and teaching practices that can be introduced to enable our children to gain a fuller and richer understand of having God in their lives.

Throughout the day we had regular refreshments (the day started with coffee and doughnuts!). Lunch was provided and we dined together at the close of the day with a sausage and chip supper!

At the end of the very busy day, many of us came away with our heads full of ideas and also an appreciatation of the challenges that our children face in the modern society in which we live. We realise that to take forward any ideas into the life of the church needs to be covered by prayer and careful consideration to ensure we are doing God's will and that we are making effective use of our precious resources.

April:

Prior to Easter weekend, a group of 14 adults and children went to the first week of Spring Harvest at Minehead. A most enjoyable and spiritually refreshing time was had by all. This year's theme was based on the Sermon on the Mount, and introduced many challenging topics to make us think of how we can enjoy a more fulfilling walk with God.

We celebrated Easter Sunday with a shared breakfast prior to the main morning service. Many of the congregation took part in this special event which was concluded by an informal, but reverent commemoration of the last supper.

The main Easter Sunday service was indeed a service of surprises, complete with a real (and large) motorbike actually within the church building! Keith used this to illustrate part of his service and it was greatly admired by one and all (especially the children - and older 'children' too!).

The afternoon saw a new venture - an informal afternoon of praise and worship, with great participation of the young people. We hope that this informal service will enable us to grow as a family of God's people and that others outside of the church may be encouraged to meet with God in an informal and relaxed atmosphere. The afternoon ended with a shared tea, with loads of food and delicious cakes and sweets. A really enjoyable time of fellowship.

Feedback from those attending the Connexional Conference reported an enjoyable time of fellowship with Christian friends and challenging sermons from elloquent speakers. Adrian Plass was one of the better known speakers and by all accounts delivered a topical and humerous talk. Much Connexional business was also conducted with resolution of the staffing of the posts required to support the connections with Sierra Leone.

May:

On May Day, the village celebrated the occasion with the traditional fair on the village playing field. This year the church hosted a small performing drama group from "Saltmine". 

The members of G-Force (school ages year 7+) organised a superb evening meal at the New Village Hall in Woodmancote. The event, based on an Italian theme, was in aid of raising money to be given to Cancer Research. 14 people took part in what can only be described as a 'feast'. Six courses were laid on, including Garlic Bread, Caeser Salad, Spagetti Bolougnase, Fruit Salad and Tiramasu, finished off with coffee. Most of the planning, arranging, cooking and serving was carried out by the young people. The event was very well organised, and enjoyed by everyone. A total of £150 was raised for Cancer Research. G-Force plan to make this an annual event - so we look forward to next year!

During this month, a number of significant changes have taken place within the church building. Running hot water facilities together with a small corner wash hand basin were plumbed in to the WC at the rear of the church building.

Due to further increases in the numbers of regular attendees on a Sunday morning, additional space for seating has been necessary. Following on from the initial removal of the small raised plinth at the front of the pulpit, the pulpit itself has been removed. A standalone, mobile lecturn has been procured to be used as required. With the increase in space at the front of the church, activities to support our worship can more easily take place, such as drama, children's activities and additional musicians.

As a result of a generous donation, the church has been able to purchase a number of items of a technical nature. A laptop computer, colour projector and viewing screen. Additionally, a mobile clip-on microphone with remote receiver and small PA system with recording facilities have also been purchased. These new items will aid our worship, giving numerous possibilities for projecting moving and static images, video and sound. Recording capabilities will enable the recording of the teaching/preaching sessions from each service. This will help those who may miss a particular service to continue to receive teaching/preaching from one Sunday to another.

September:

September the 30th saw two harvest services. The morning service followed a more traditional pattern with a varied display of goods provided by the church congregation. This year all non-perishable goods were delivered to the Cheltenham Homeless Project and the very small amount of fruit and vegetables were distributed within the church congregation. A special collection on this Sunday was given to the Sierra Leone Mission to aid our brothers and sisters in this troubled country.

The evening service was a new service with many participants presenting and acting out in worship various aspects of the harvest message including the overarching message of God's provision for us in our everyday lives. It was very encouraging to see many people at the evening service, some of whom came for the first time from Bishop's Cleeve.

Both the morning service and the evening service ended with a time of fellowship and refreshment.

October:

October was a very busy month in the church. The Annual General Meeting took place on 3rd of October where many reports were delivered. These included the secretary, treasurer, Splash, G-Force, the Home Group and CAMEO. Elections were held the previous week to seek the re-election of our Pastor, Keith. Keith has been with us for 3 years and under the Connexional rules required to be re-elected to the position of pastor by the church congregation. The result of the election was an overwhelming vote in favour of retaining Keith as our pastor for the next 3 years. Keith was invited to serve as pastor of the church which he duly accepted.

On the 13th of October, Peter and Jackie Lake from Turners Hill Church led some of the church congregation in a one day seminar on Family Life in the 21st Century. Many aspects of family life were explored including; starting out as young adults into marriage, married life, life with young and maturing children, letting go of children as they leave the family home, family life in later years - including the roles of grandparents. There was a great deal of participation with all attendees sharing in and debating all the topics covered. All agreed that the day was really very useful and those who attended the seminar shared a common feeling of a further bonding together of the church fellowship. Thank you Peter and Jackie for all your efforts and work in preparation for this day, also Keith and Ruth for providing refreshments and buffet lunch and to Ken and Barbara for taking on the important role of child minders for the day for some of the family members too young to attend.

The Leadership Team met at the Rising Sun Hotel on the morning of the 20th October to prayerfully contemplate and discuss the spiritual direction of the church. Many topics and ideas were explored and the meeting also served to bring the leadership team together with a better understanding of the aims for the church. A church meeting is planned for November where many of the ideas will be introduced to and discussed with the church congregation.

November:

This month saw a new venture in the history of the church - a children's holiday club. The club ran for two days, on the 1st and 2nd of November. The holiday club enabled children who were of the age to join SPLASH! to have a fun time together, creating, laughing, singing, dancing, playing and learning about God. The main theme of the club was Noah and the flood and most of the activities were centred about this amazing biblical story. 

On the 16th we had our very popular quiz night - quizmaster Andrew did his best (in some cases his Very Best) to ask tricky questions. The church was packed, and it was good to meet up with friends old and new. Of course, there was no truth in the rumour that we had all just turned up for all those scrumptious puddings! Thanks again to all who made the evening as pleasurable as it was.

A short church meeting was held in the church where Keith discussed the outcome of the leadership team's meeting that had been held in October. A large number of topics were discussed which will be the focus for 2002 - these include:

  • Building up the congregation
  • Improving communications both within the church and externally
  • Provision of all inclusive activities;

    • Church business meetings
    • Prayer meetings
    • Home Groups
    • Social Events
    • Seminars
    • Sunday Evening Communion
    • Afternoon 'Services'
  • Church Weekend

At the meeting it was also announced that Gareth was to step down from his role within the church as the church secretary - a post he has held for many years. Gareth remains on the leadership team. Fran Rawlinson has volunteered to take on the role of Church Administrator. The post of Church Connexional Secretary had at the time of publishing not been filled.

December:

The Carols by candlelight service saw the church packed out with over 100 people attending this regular service of celebration. We saw many new faces this year, including some families with children.

In addition to the candlelight service, a new service was introduced on Christmas Eve for children of the church and the community. This crib service attracted many new families, with parents and grandparents accompanying too. The story of the nativity was illustrated with a crib scene complete with carved wooden figures representing the characters associated with the nativity story.

In the middle of the month, for the children who attend as members of SPLASH a Christmas party was held at Southam village hall. The party was a success, with happy faces and full tums - usual party fare - with plenty of nice things to eat!