Annual Report 2007
Saturday Coffee Morning report
As I looked through my diary for 2007 to remind myself of what we had done together, I became more and more aware of what an amazing year the Lord has given us.
We have increased our numbers as we have welcomed new members, whilst we have also been joined by new faces in the congregation – thank you for the welcome you have all given. We were also had a dedication service this year for Lucy May Miller.
There have been numerous occasions for social gatherings and shared meals, all helping us to grow closer together. I am grateful to those who have shared in the Ministry of the Word with me – particularly Derrick Tickner and Bob and Ruth Ellett, plus visiting preachers. Thank you, too, to those who use their talents and who have contributed in no small way to our worship and praise with their music – Pauline Halford, Keith Miller and Kevin Halford, I appreciate the dedication of Judi and the Deacons, those who teach and lead our organisations and everyone who works quietly and lovingly for the Kingdom – not forgetting those whose ministry it is to pray for the church.
There have been times of great sadness this past year as we have said goodbye to loved ones, good friends and faithful believers – Elsie Marvin, Joyce Castle, Alan Spiby, Jean Hickling and Maud Buckley – these will be greatly missed - ‘safe in the arms of Jesus’ and until we meet again.
This year we became part of the Soar Valley Gospel Partnership agreeing to be involved in sharing the Gospel, especially in places where there is no current place for worship - notably Diseworth and Belton. This grouping has also taken us into closer partnership with the Northern Soar Group - Kegworth, Castle Donington, Sutton Bonington, Long Whatton and Hathern – and in most of these places we have shared in refreshing and enlightening worship. I believe God has great plans for using this Partnership.
So, too, has God increased our work and witness with Churches Together in Shepshed, again in sharing worship with each other – Christian Unity Sunday, Songs of Praise and exchange of pulpits and also in the visitation and sharing of the Gospel in the Homes for the Elderly in Shepshed.
2007 also saw the fist Holiday Club for 5-11s held on our premises, but jointly run by CTIS. What a thrill it was to have so many children – thank you to all who worked so hard and shared in this project in so many ways. I hope you were as blessed as I was in taking part in such a great adventure.
Another adventure was the Church Holiday to Weymouth when ‘a good time was had by all’ despite the poor weather, but new experiences were shared (Ten Pin Bowling comes to mind!). It was the fellowship we shared which made it such a great time. And that is the very essence of life at CRBC – we really do enjoy being together in the presence of the Lord for worship, study, prayer and social experiences – we have a oneness in Him which is to be encouraged and prized. Let us go forward together in the New Year ahead of us to proclaim Him to the people of Shepshed, that others may know Him and the wonderful difference He can make to their lives.
“We know that in everything God works for good with those who love Him, who are called according to his purpose” Romans 8:28
Your Pastor and Friend,
Howard
We have completed another year of blessings in the church as we have seen our fellowship continue to grow and flourish under the leadership of our Pastor. We have been happy to welcome new visitors to our services and thrilled that they have continued to attend and join our church family.
We continued with the improvements at the back of the church. Many thanks to John Halford and Alan Todhunter who worked so hard to open up the choir vestry into the corridor to make better use of the space there. Our coffee/tea bar is used every week, as we alternate serving refreshments after the morning and evening services, and most of the congregation stay behind to enjoy fellowship together.
As part of the improvements the church was also able to acquire a new sound system, including a loop system, that was fitted in December. Funding for this came from our Gift Day and grants from The Helen Jean Cope Trust and The Old British Schools Trust.
The North West Leicestershire Group of Churches had a couple of joint services - at Donnington in March and Kegworth in July. Churches Together in Shepshed also held united services during the year — a United Songs of Praise at Christchurch during Christian Aid Week and a Christian Unity Service here at Charnwood Road. We met together for the Lent Course and took part in the Silent Walk of Witness on Good Friday which visited all 4 of the churches in Shepshed. This year the Town Carol Service was again held outside the co-op. The weather was dry this time but there were not many people around.
Ruth and Bob Ellett and Derrick Tickner on several occasions lead our services and preached for us and we also had a visit from Rev Kim Goh of Christchurch Methodist Church.
Christian Aid Week was well supported by the churches in Shepshed and concluded with a concert by Hathern Band at Charnwood Road which was greatly enjoyed.
There were several chances to get together socially too. Many of us again had a full Easter Sunday breakfast at church. Kenny Henry was our chef and he produced a great meal that was enjoyed by all who partook. We met too for a Harvest Supper and auction that raised money for BMS Relief Fund.
A group of us went walking again this year. This time from Ticknall onto the Calke Abbey estate and ended up having a picnic lunch at Staughton Harold.
The Church Holiday this year was spent at Weymouth and, although the weather was very mixed (some of us got soaked at Corfe Castle), we all had a good time visiting the attractions in the surrounding area. We went to a show one evening and also had a very enjoyable time ten-pin bowling. All who went are looking forward very much to the next holiday.
Nearly a year on from setting up our website we have had many visitors from all over the world so the site is being viewed by many nationalities as far afield as China, Japan, Korea, Africa, Australia and both North and South America etc. Work continues to try to keep the site up to date but I do need leaders of the departments to keep me supplied with material. Thanks to all those who do supply me with photos and regular reports. (www.crbcshepshed.org.uk)
Many thanks to all those who helped me during the year by taking on the magazine and the newssheet. I look forward to 2008 and pray that God will indeed continue to bless us as he did in 2007 and we will see more progress in the work we do for the Lord here.
Judi Weller
This has been a year of consolidation and growth. I feel that our love of, and confidence in, the Word has grown as has our love for and trust in one another.
We were blessed and encouraged as we studied ‘Lost for Words’.
The group has grown to such proportions that we decided we would experiment with smaller groups (2 initially) meeting in the homes of Pam Spiby and Allan and Lee Scott on alternate weeks and then in the lounge on the other weeks. This seems to be working well and it would be wonderful if others joined us and we have to have a third group! We are also experimenting with having the Sunday morning preaching based on the same material as the group studies. Again, the response is very positive. In our times of prayer we have ranged far and wide but always remembering those of our fellowship who are in need of the Lord’s touch.
I am excited by our Bible Study and am eagerly waiting for whatever the Lord wants to do with us next.
At this point, may I say thank you to those who share in leading groups, playing music, and those who are generously sharing their homes for our meetings.
The Pastor
The Sunday School has 7 children on its register and one little one in the créche. We also have been pleased to welcome some visiting children during the year.
We meet in two classes with Jenny taking the older group and Hilary the younger ones. We were pleased to welcome Isaac Henry into the Sunday School in October. We are grateful to Glynda Bassford and Ruth Ellett who have stood in to cover holidays etc.
We are still using the Scripture Union material and follow the same subjects as the Church, whicxh this year has included, from the Old Testament, Elijah, Elishah, Jeremiah, Jonaj, & Ruth. From the New Testament we have found out about Jesus the Friend, Good and Faithful God and looked at some of the letters of the New Testamnet.
We enjoy lots of different activities and crafts. We hope you see some of these on the notice boards in the meeting room.
We would ask for your continued prayer.
Jenny Miller
Ladies Fellowship Report
This has been a year of change for the Wednesday Ladies Meeting when, in the Autumn, 2007, Mrs Lester left her home in Cambridge Street to live in sheltered accommodation in Loughborough. Thus, after many years ‘at the helm’ of the Sisterhood, she resigned as our President. We give thanks for her many years of dedicated service. At a Special Meeting held in September it was agreed, to effect a change in name for our meeting from The Sisterhood to The Ladies Fellowship which we felt was perhaps a little more modern and attractive, especially for ‘advertising’ purposes on the Web Site, etc.
We are sad, that Olive Carrington has, through ill health and circumstances, been unable to be with us for many months and we continue to pray for her and her family. Ann Smith therefore is now our Treasurer with Hilary as Secretary and Ruth as acting President with Ruth leading our meetings most weeks and we have guest speakers, as in the past. The ladies usually choose the hymns week-to-week and we have times of open prayer, which has been a break with tradition. The ladies who come look forward to our special time of fellowship and worship together. Our numbers now are around 8-10 each week and we have been glad that Pam Spiby has joined us as a regular this last year. Pam has led the meetings for us occasionally, as has Ann. We are pleased when Marjorie Thornhill feels well enough to join us.
We have been ‘out and about’ a little during the year, with a trip to Newstead Abbey, Notts. in the summer, we have had afternoon tea at the Manse and visits to other Ladies’ Rallies. As well as our usual Christmas Tea (we were delighted that Mrs Lester was able to come to this) we all really enjoyed a New Year Lunch at the Golf Club on Derby Road, Loughborough. Another new venture was the Wednesday morning Christmas Carol Service followed by coffee & mince pies held in mid-December. This was well attended and well received.
So, ladies, if you do not already meet with us and have time free on Wednesday afternoons, why not give the Ladies Fellowship a try – we would love to see you – 2.45 p.m. – 3.45 p.m. approx.
Finally, our special thanks to Alan Todhunter who continues to operate his door-to-door ‘taxiing service’ for us each week.
Hilary Ketton
The Luncheon Club continues to meet on the third Thursday of each month and numbers hover around 30 each month (plus a regular three meals-on-wheels delivery). We have met 11 times over the year, as we had to cancel in August.
We have been blessed by some interesting speakers, including the Volunteer Centre, Father Michael, Jill Abell, the Fire Service, Brian Walbey, Pam & Mike Frost, Derrick Tickner and Howard. Gifts totalling £165.00 have been given away plus we have bought hyacinths and bedding plants for the flower tubs and some items of cooking equipment.
Appetites do not seem to be waning and the Luncheon Club looks as though it’s here to stay! Anyone over the age of 60 is welcome to join us.
Hilary & Howard
Derrick & Eileen
We began 2007 with our usual New Year Party which was this time organised by our two brigaders as part of their badgework and was enjoyed by the girls and their friends.
In March we held our Church Parade when all the girls were presented with their awards fro the year and also the District Trophy for Scripture that they won in December 2006 for writing their carols.
During the year the girls have learned how to play Hand Tennis as well as some other games for their badgework, they also completed a Natural History project including a nature diary and study of snails and seashells. Various crafts were enjoyed for their educational project , we chose Bible drama fo rthe spiritual section.
Sadly we returned after the summer holiday with only four girls, so were unable to enter the drama into the district competition.
In October we were pleased to join with the scouts for our Church Parade and also pleased that grace was able to carry the colour - the first time that one off the girls had carried it in a very long time.
Also in October we decided to have a friends night, to see if we could attract a few more girls, so, we had an ‘Evening of Light’ when games, craft, music and cake were all connected to this theme and three girls were added to our number. Since then another three have come along making ten girls.
It was really good to be able to sing the carol written by two of our senior girls at the Church Carol Service.
If you have a particular skill that you would like to teach a small group of girls, we would be pleased to hear from you, as we continue into 2008 striving to ‘seek, serve and follow Christ’.
Beverley Sutton
Saturday Coffee Morning Report
We hold our Coffee Morning on the first Saturday of the month and really enjoy our fellowship with each other over a good cup of coffee or tea with biscuits or on special occasions cake too! The coffee is free and we put collecting boxes on the tables for those who would like to donate to Home Mission.
Judi Weller
Thank you to everyone who has given me stamps; the amount raised in 2007 in England is £3442.57. Please leave 1/4” border round the stamps.
We also have boxes where people put loose change. They are collected in yearly and if anyone would like one please see me.
Please support this important work, giving smaller churches with little income, a chance to have a minister or at least a part-time minster. This helps to spread the good news of Jesus.
Cynthia Bowley
Thursday 12 January 2012