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Pastoral News: 22 February 09
Chris Whitaker
It is with sadness that we report the death of our friend and Church member Chris Whitaker; he died peacefully in hospital during the early hours of Friday morning (20th February).
Chris had been suffering with lung problems for some time and those of you who have spoken with Chris recently will be aware of the difficulties he had with his breathing. Often there were days when he was only able to get up for a few hours before he became exhausted and needed to go back to bed.
Over the past year he had been making regular trips to The Royal Brompton Hospital in London for treatment. To begin with these trips were made by train but more recently he had to be taken there by ambulance. They were able to give him some relief but were not able to repair the lung damage and he was always susceptible to infections. It was as a result of one such infection that his GP sent him to hospital ten days ago. He spent the last few days surrounded by his family and was at peace when he died.
Our love and compassion go to Marian, to Andrew, Heather, Frances, Russell and Holly and their families at this time. We can report that the service of thanksgiving for Chris will be held here at the church on Wednesday 4th March at 2.15pm followed by interment at the London Road Cemetery. All friends are welcome at the service, and at Chris and the family's request - please wear bright colours! Further details to follow.
Girls’ Brigade Young Leaders
We remember officers and leaders of our Girls' Brigade as we host the GB Young Leaders Training weekend on Friday and Saturday 27th and 28th February. We are delighted that we have a large number of young leaders in training, and we remember our Captain Sue Garnham as she leads this weekend of training and preparation.
Women’s World Day of Prayer
Do come along on Friday 6th March to the Methodist Church at 7.30pm for this year's Women’s World Day of Prayer. The theme this year is ‘In Christ there are many members yet one body’ and was prepared by the Christian women of Papua New Guinea. Our speaker is the Rev Jenny Mills of the URC church. It promises to be an interesting evening and everyone is welcome.
John Bunyan Day Trip, Saturday 25th April
Information sheets with Reply Slips are available or downloadable from the home page of www.ctnp.org.uk about the day trip to Elstow and Bedford to see the sights associated with the life of John Bunyan.
The cost of £13 per person (children £11) includes coach travel from Newport Pagnell, a salad lunch, the services of an official John Bunyan guide and admission costs. It is refundable if necessary. Please include the cost with your reply slip and return them to Catherine Hall as soon as possible to reserve your place (recommended no later than the end of February).
Monday HomeGroup
From 2nd March to Monday 30th March inclusive the Monday HomeGroup will become a Lent HomeGroup using the CTNP syllabus. The venue each week will be at Bancroft, to keep continuity, and will start at the usual time of 7.45 for 8.00 pm finishing at 9.15 to 9.30 pm.
Cake Makers for Food4Thought
Offers of homemade cakes for Sunday 1st March would be most welcome. Please refer to the list in the foyer if you are able to help. Thanks from the F4T team.
Church AGM
We give notice of the Church's Annual Meeting to be combined with an Ordinary Church Meeting on Saturday 7th March. The minutes of both meetings are available for members to read. (Located in the green folder by the Stewards table.)
The worship for the evening will include thanksgiving for the year past and prayers of thanksgiving and remembrance. The business of the AGM will include the election of Deacons and Elders, the adoption of the Church's Accounts for 2008 and the Financial Review, adoption of the Church Year Book and the reports from organisations contained therein, and the review of the Church's Policy on Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults. In addition, we shall include business of an Ordinary Church Meeting to include applications for membership, and any other relevant business relating to the church's work and ministry.
In view of this meeting containing the business of both an AGM and an Ordinary Church Meeting, we shall be vacating the date of Tuesday 17th March which had previously been posted as the next Ordinary Church Meeting.
Nominations to the Leadership.
The following people have accepted nominations to stand for election to the leadership:
· To the Diaconate - Eric Djan, Chris Kirby and Paul Manning.
· To the Eldership – Eric Eyre
Introduction to “Inductive Bible Study”
Do you know what Inductive Bible Study is? It’s a simple. easy to learn, practical and highly effective way to read the Bible and there’s an introduction to this method taking place in North Crawley on the 2nd March from 19.30pm to 21.30pm. Booking can be made by contacting Rev Mandy Marriot. If you want more information about the study please have a chat with Fiona Eelbeck.
Any Questions?
An evening of “Any Questions” has been organised by the Newport Pagnell branch of the Mother’s Union. If you have some, why not put them to the panel! Our very own Paul Rosier and David Huckle (Police Community Support Officer) are on the panel along with Euan Henderson (Milton Keynes Council) and David and Primrose Gallimore (Mothers' Union Oxford Diocesan President). All are anxious to answer any questions on Thursday 5th March at 8.00pm in the United Reformed Church. Questions must be submitted in advance to either Rachel Buckley or Pat Parker by Wednesday 25th February.
Pancakes 2009
It’s that time of year again; time for our annual Pancake Party. This year, Shrove Tuesday is on February 24th and pancakes are available between 18.30 and 20.00. Choose from toffee and marshmallow, cherry, lemon, banana, syrup, cream and ice cream! New this year – ‘Valletta’
The cost is still 60p per pancake. Any proceeds will once again go to Willen Hospice in memory of David Buckell. Last year with proceeds and donations we were able to send them £190.00
Service Details 22/02/09
A warm welcome to our time of worship this morning which is led by Roy Freestone. Roy will be speaking on “The Challenge of Lent; Giving Up or Taking Up”.
Preaching Elsewhere
We remember in prayer our members Trevor Ransome and Keith Bedford as they lead services elsewhere. This morning Trevor is leading the service at Olney Baptist Church whilst Keith is leading at Potterspury URC. This afternoon Keith is at Paganell Grange.
Service Details 01/03/09
On Sunday 1st March at 10.30am our minister Paul Rosier leads our worship. Paul will be speaking on “Honouring God in Our Mission”. The service will also include communion.
Prayer Triplets
Linda Row and Bev Wright are reviewing the prayer triplet scheme, so this is a good time to think about whether or not you’d like to be involved. Being part of a prayer triplet means meeting up, usually with two other people (hence the name ‘triplet’!), to pray on a regular basis for each other, for fellowship matters and for the wider community.
If you would like to give it a try, please just speak to Linda or Bev, to Paul or one of the pastoral assistants. They will do their best to match you up with people who can meet at a time convenient to you and they will support you for as long as takes to get going. Prayer changes things.....and it will almost certainly change you!
CHURCH DIARY
SUNDAY 22 February
10 – 10.15am Prayer Time in the Chapel.
10.30am Service of Worship led by Roy Freestone.
7.45pm HomeGroup.
7.30 – 9:30pm yPod at the home of Steve and Natasha Wood.
MONDAY 23 February
6.15pm Boys’ Brigade Anchor Boys & Junior Sections. See Roger.
7.45pm Amicus – Contact Sam Downton or Mark Nicholls
TUESDAY 24 February
8.45am Team Prayer Meeting in the chapel.
10.00am Parent & Toddler Group (24 Months+). See Yvonne Wilkinson
1.30 – 3.00pm Parent & Baby Group in the Tickford Room Contact Sue Garnham
1.30 – 3.00pm Parent & Toddler Group (12-24 months) contact Janet Rosier.
6.30pm Pancake Party in the Tickford Room
7.45pm HomeGroup Meeting in the chapel. All very welcome.
WEDNESDAY 25 February
11.00am Bethany Lunch Club for Senior Citizens. Contact Peter Faulkner on for bookings and Elsie Smith on for transport.
8.00pm HomeGroup meeting, Newport Pagnell (contact Allan and Chris Webb).
THURSDAY 26 February
6.15pm Girls’ Brigade Explorers For all sections see Sue Garnham
6.45pm Girls’ Brigade Junior Section
7.15pm for 7.30 Pastoral Assistants Prayer Meeting.
7.45pm Boys’ Brigade Company Section Contact David Wright
8.00pm Girls’ Brigade Senior and Brigader Section
FRIDAY 27 & SATURDAY 28 February
Girl’s Brigade Officers and leaders training weekend
SUNDAY 1 March
10 – 10.15am Prayer Time in the Chapel.
10.30am Service of Worship and Communion led by Paul Rosier.
4.00pm Food4Thought hosted by Trevor & Christine Ransome
7.30 – 9:30pm yPod at the home of Steve and Natasha Wood. |
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