Skip to main content

August Message from the Ministry Team

Image
By
Dear friends,

Each season brings change, whether it’s the leaves falling through Autumn, the year ending and beginning in Winter, or the world waking and giving birth during Spring.  And Summer……

Summer may sometime seem to be the season of contrasting fruitfulness and restfulness, with ripe crops and school holidays, but for us this year it is certainly a season of change.

This Summer we bid farewell to ministers Ian and Sarah, and their respective spouses Tabitha and John.  Both colleagues have been here since the birth of the Bradford North circuit, and Sarah a good deal longer.   Both have contributed deeply and significantly to the life of the circuit and its churches, bringing distinctive gifts and personalities through which God has richly blessed us. We are going to miss them muchly!!!

At the time of writing, we are still planning their farewell service on July 20th; by the time you read this it will have happened and they will be on their way to Abingdon and Bradford (South not North) respectively.  They go with our thanks and blessing.

And soon we will welcome Rev Christine Crabtree and her husband Stephen into our ministerial team.  They join us from Lincoln, and will live in the Ollerdale Avenue manse.  A circuit service at Northcliffe on the evening of Monday September 1st will be the first opportunity to welcome them.   Christine is very much looking forward to working in team ministry, and we are looking forward to working with her.

Two going, one coming.   We are still exploring possibilities with the URC and Methodism regarding our vacancy, but are most grateful that Rev Andrew Taylor has agreed to remain with us, initially for a further six months, to help us through this period.  Andrew will be working part-time (0.7), and I continue to hear rich appreciation of his ministry among us.

We are also hopeful that we may have a new Children’s Ministry Enabler in post for September. We are missing Sharon, but by the time you read this, adverts will have gone and hopefully interviews happened and good news of an appointment be ready to be shared.

In our churches change comes too.  Some stewards will be coming to the end of their time, and new ones beginning.  In some ways, church stewards are the unsung heroes of church life, and it’s appropriate to offer a word of thanks and appreciation.  Perhaps you might do that to your stewards, whether they are finishing or not!  Other office holders too – ‘Thank you’ is in order.

So Summer rolls on, and September looms.  For those who are leaving, arriving, or staying, God continues to invite us to join in with the work of loving, caring, sharing the good news of hope and peace and life in all its fullness.  May we be blessed in the work of blessing others.

Yours,
Rev Nick

             
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Share the joy of Christmas with older people

By
The most important Christmas Card you’ll send this year Methodist Homes (MHA) are asking YOUR CHURCH to share the joy of Christmas with older people this year.  Could you take the time to write just one extra Christmas card which will be passed to an older person cared for by MHA?  To take part, please refer to the further  details and an order form . Instructions of how to take part, as well as special Christmas cards designed by an MHA resident for your church members to write their own messages of goodwill and friendship, are included in the Christmas Friendship Appeal pack. “May I express my gratitude for your lovely idea of asking folk (including children) to send Christmas cards. We appreciate the warmth and concern of the whole idea.”  MHA Resident
Post a Comment
Read more

Bradford Ukelele Group ‘Splinters’

By
I had heard from a friend who had seen them that this ukulele group might be suitable to entertain our Luncheon Club at St Andrew’s. Arrangements were made for them to come but, unfortunately, due to a heavy snowfall, we had to cancel their visit. We decided to invite them again, through the Ladies Fellowship and open it up to all who wanted to attend an evening concert. Tickets were sold, help pledged and cakes promised, as we were assured that cake helped the musicians to perform at their best! They were such a lovely, friendly group of people and we just sensed that we were going to enjoy a really good night. Some 50 people turned up to support, which helped to create a great atmosphere. We were given songbooks (and percussion instruments!) so that we could join in and also make requests for our favourite songs from their list. It was such an uplifting, joyful, fun evening with songs old and new, many bringing memories from the not-too-distant past. Everyone put aside...
Post a Comment
Read more

Soupermums! Wilsden Trinity Church

By
Do you have a young baby? Looking for something to do? If the answer is yes then Soupermums is for you. We're here from 11 until 1 every Monday, Mums (and dads) have a rest and the babies can play. Have a lovely sit down whilst you sip on a brew. Enjoy having someone else make lunch for you! Come along to Wilsden Church, meet the rest of the group. Lovely ladies cuddle the babies, whilst you eat your soup. Chat with the mums, new friends you will make. Swap tips and advice over a slice or two of cake. So what are you waiting for? come on along, For homemade treats, good company and if you're lucky a song. We're looking forward to meeting you, please come take a peek, 11-1 at Wilsden Trinity, we're here every week! Celine V  (a Soupermum!) Where can new mums go, to have lunch where it’s warm and safe and you get to eat fresh soup and homemade cakes, while someone holds your baby? Too big an ask? Not at Wilsden Trinity! Every Mond...
Post a Comment
Read more