Ashby and Coalville Methodist Circuit

Hall Lane Newsletter Spring 2006
Issue 10

From the Minister March 2006

This month I would like to share with you some words of Robert Louis Stevenson which have helped many people.

They are taken from his “Pattern for Living”.

“Make up your mind to be happy: learn to find pleasure in simple things.

Make the best of your circumstances: no one has everything and everyone has something of sorrow intermingled with the gladness of life. The trick is to make the laughter outweigh the tears.

Don’t take yourself too seriously: don’t think that somehow you should be protected from misfortunes that befall others.

You can’t please everybody: don’t let criticism worry you.

Don’t let your neighbour set your standards: be yourself.

Don’t borrow trouble: imaginary things are harder to bear than the actual ones.

Since hate poisons the soul, do not cherish enmities and grudges. Avoid people who make you unhappy.

Don’t spend your life brooding over sorrows and mistakes. Don’t be one who never gets over things.

Do what you can for those less fortunate than yourself.”

May the deep peace and joy of Christ be with you all.

A prayer

Living God, may we live fully by your grace and discover your kingdom within us.

Golden Celebrations

A Celebration of Fifty Years Together

The Clarke family certainly know how to put on a party!

All members of the family contributed to a lovely afternoon in order to celebrate Alan and Margaret’s golden wedding anniversary.

Sons, James, Nick, Phil and Richard all took a turn in telling stories from the past fifty years with a slide show of wedding photographs, stories from their childhoods and tales from both Alan and Margaret’s working lives. But the overall message was how proud they are to have them as their parents.

The afternoon was rounded off with entertainment from the grandchildren playing various instruments and singing along to songs from the Beatles.

A lovely way to celebrate such a momentous occasion. Congratulations!

Working Party

Our first working party took place at the church in March. A huge list of jobs had been drawn up by the property committee and various jobs were tackled by those who turned up with paint brushes, hammers and cleaning materials.

The old wooden chairs were sorted out into those that were still usable and those that weren’t. If you’re going down to the tip in the next few weeks, please take a few with you so that the bottom room can be emptied.

There’s still lots to be done so please come along to the next working party on Saturday 22nd April and help out - even if its just to make tea and coffee for the many coffee breaks. These times together are just as much a social occasion as a time for work.

Ladies Day

Our 2006 Ladies Day Service was led by Ruth Watson who challenged us on the ten commandments. She creatively managed to relate them to the highway code, with some interesting visual aids, and what they mean for us today. Everyone enjoyed the service and lots of people stayed afterwards for a drink and a chat.

Happy Birthday!

Rev Bill Wathes celebrated his 80th birthday earlier this year.

Many of his friends had joined together for a meal at Ashby Methodist Church, after the special service with Rev Dr Leslie Griffiths, and were able to sing ‘Happy Birthday’ and present him with a gift and birthday cake!

Fundraising Events

The fantastic sum of £250 was raised at a coffee morning held in February at the church. The event was in aid of flower festival funds and everyone came along for a cup of coffee and a chat.

Lots of cakes were on sale together with freshly made bread, homemade crafts and cards.

Later in March, a coffee morning was organised by Phyllis Withington at her home in aid of the charity supported by this year’s Ladies Fellowship - the County Air Ambulance.

A bring and buy added to the sum raised which totalled £174. All in all, a good morning’s work!

The monies for the County Air Ambulance are adding up nicely and a grand total, after a number of other planned events, will be announced in June.

Thanks to everyone who has given so generously.

New Programme

A new programme for the Ladies Fellowship has been arranged with a variety of speakers. These include an evening with David Bell talking about Ladies of Leicestershire, an Easter Bonnet competition and an open evening when Peter Bunney will be saying ‘Smile please - you’re on Camera’.

If you’re interested in joining us every other Wednesday evening, please see Val Hutchinson and ask her for a programme.

Congratulations ..

.. to Ena Lycett and her husband John. They celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary earlier in March whilst they were away on a cruise.

Happy Birthday ..

.. to Sue Henderson who celebrated her 60th birthday in March. Many happy returns from all your friends.

Refurbishment

Quotes are currently being sought for a number of projects within the church to improve facilities. The property committee has met to look at various possibilities within the building including a possible new kitchen.

Watch this space for more news once costs have been sought and the viability of the projects has been assessed.

Don’t Forget...

... to buy a competition entry to help raise funds for the Flower Festival. The theme is Music and covers everything from golden oldies, classical to nursery rhymes. They cost £1 and can be bought from Allison. Closing date is the end of April, so there’s still plenty of time to enter.

If you enjoy competitions, look out for the next one coming soon with a theme of The Movies!

Ashby Methodist Church is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year and has organised a series of events throughout 2006.

Hall Lane joined together with Ashby for the first of a series of services.

The celebrations started with a special service led by Rev Dr Leslie Griffiths who preached on the importance of remembering our past and learning lessons for the future.

Over seventy people, including a good number from Hall Lane, joined together after the service to enjoy fellowship and a roast beef lunch!