Ashby and Coalville Methodist Circuit

Hall Lane Newsletter Winter 2005
Issue 9

From the Minister December 2005

Dear Friends,

May this Christmas be a time of real blessing to you and to all your families and friends.

Many people have expressed to me their concern at the way in which it has become “incorrect” to make any reference to Christ at this time.

The other night we were in an enormous and very crowded shopping centre.

All was in full festive flight.

I was so glad that there was no reference to Christ, because nothing I saw had anything to do with Christmas.

The picture above was drawn twenty-two years ago for the cover of a church magazine. Sadly it proved to be very controversial. Some people were appalled. They said it wasn’t suitable. Others were deeply affected by the star, drawing this figure to the distant manger. I was dismayed that some found it offensive for this picture speaks so powerfully of Jesus as the Saviour of all who would come to him. The artist himself was a person acquainted with grief who did not find faith came easy.

The picture is his expression of what Christ meant to him.

In the festivities, may we ourselves come to a deeper realisation of what the presence of Christ means for us.

From the minister December 2005

“O come to my heart, Lord Jesus!
There is room in my heart for thee.”

Drummond Gillespie

Harvest Festival

Thanks to everyone who helped to decorate the church for Harvest Festival, whether it was by donating flowers and produce, turning up to arrange things to look nice or tidy up afterwards or indeed to distribute the produce to our friends afterwards.

Thanks

An Evening with Nicholas Martin

Nicholas Martin & Dorothy Watson

Once again Nicholas Martin dazzled everyone with his music, at what has become an expected annual event at Hall Lane.

Music ranging from the theme tune to the James Bond movies, pieces written by Bach and a medley of Christmas carols were played to everyone’s delight.

Home baked cakes and mince pies were served at half time when Nicholas signed CDs that he’d brought along to sell.

Monies raised from the event were split between the County Air Ambulance and church funds which will help towards next year’s flower festival.

Ladies Fellowship Party 2005

Ladies Fellowship Party 2005

This year’s Ladies Fellowship party had the theme of VE Day. Red, white and blue was everywhere and some of the guests were dressed in appropriate costume.

Almost 70 ladies were present plus Arthur Sykes from Thringstone Methodist Church who treated us to some amusing monologues. Malcolm Godfrey also came along after our meal of stew and jam and treacle tarts to play some old wartime songs for a sing-a-long.

Once again a group of men were present to wash up our pots and pans to allow the ladies to enjoy the evening, so thanks to Mel, John and Marcus.

Ashby Bridge Club

Ashby Bridge Club

The Ashby Bridge Team are playing their home matches at Hall Lane this season and play in Division 2 of the Leicestershire Bridge League.
Hall Lane allowed the team to use the premises when their usual venue became unavailable. The team have had mixed results so far, following its promotion from Division 3 last season, having played six matches so far - won three and lost three.

Circuit Prayer Week Ashby and Coalville

On Saturday 19th November a coach arrived at Hall Lane Methodist Church to collect around 25 people from the circuit to take a trip around north west Leicestershire to visit all the churches in the Ashby and Coalville Circuit. Some people met at their own local church and some met at Ashby Methodist Church where a lovely lunch had been organised.

The aim of the day was to offer prayers at each church for the people who regularly worship there and for each of the churches’ futures. The week following (18th - 24th) was also set aside by the circuit in response to a challenge set by the Methodist Youth Conference of the Methodist Church when they challenged the whole of Methodism to turn to prayer. The Nottingham and Derby District rose to the challenge and has committed itself to pray for a whole year.
However, although it has been good to put aside a week in the year specifically for prayer in the circuit, it is our responsibility to pray for our circuit and district at all times.

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Tim 5: 17 & 18

Flowers

You don’t have to be a flower arranger to put your name on the flower rota.

If you would like to make a donation towards some flowers - to commemorate a special occasion, for example - someone will always be willing to arrange them for you. Just let us know.

Retired People's Outing

This year’s Retired People’s Outing went to Southport in October. Thirteen people went for the Sunday to Thursday trip and unusually good weather for the time of year was a real bonus.

Outings to Blackpool - for a walk along the prom, to Chester - to enjoy some good shopping and to Liverpool - to see the cathedral and to experience Beatlemania were organised.

All in all another good trip was had by all.