METHODIST CHURCH

            During the autumn we have seen many and varied activities taking place, as we continue to aim to be a caring family of Christians in our community, sharing the love of Jesus with those we meet.

            Sundays, of course, are still the main focus of the week, with morning and evening services taking various forms, including monthly Family Services, all aiming to worship God and equip us to serve Him during the rest of the week. Sunday School for 4 - 10 year-olds, Crusaders for 10 - 13’s and a newer group, SAT NAV, for older teenagers, meet on Sunday mornings, and the Circuit Youth Officer is currently leading the young people on a Youth Alpha course. Alternate services on Sunday evenings, sometimes including a light meal, are exploring contemporary worship, with varied activities. T Time, in the Memorial Hall once a month, is particularly suited to the needs of families with children, with a bring-and-share meal and activities that include worship, teaching and prayer.

            During the week the well-established meetings such as Network, Guild and Tuesday Group continue to welcome friends, while the more recent Connections is thriving, providing a relaxed and informal group for women of all ages on Wednesday afternoons, making new friends and often learning a new skill or interest. Monday's Drop-In, a simple lunch, again in a relaxed atmosphere, is followed once a month by the afternoon Cinema, showing films for the older generation - two of the latest being "Ladies in Lavender" and "The Queen". The monthly Cinema on Saturday evenings, showing films for children and their families, continues to grow in popularity and is one way of making new relationships with those who may not have any other links with the Church. The next family film will be on Saturday December 12th  and the afternoon event the following Monday, December 14th .

            Beyond the church buildings at least ten home groups and Bible study groups meet regularly, services and hymn-singing at residential homes takes place and links with other churches are maintained.

            Christmas is coming! We have already been packing shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. Christmas services will include a Family Service at 10.30am on December 20th and the Candle-lit Carol Service that evening at 6pm. We hope to welcome families and friends to the Crib Service on Christmas Eve afternoon and on Christmas Day morning there will also be a service for families in the Church.

            Details of all these services, as well as many other events which take place during the week, and of course also the films being shown, will be found on the noticeboards outside the Church. We hope that you will be able to join us soon, especially as we celebrate the birth of Jesus. We look forward to welcoming you.

 Gill Freeman.