Annual Report 2008
Pastor's Report
Each Sunday, as we meet together, I sense amongst us a growing love for the Lord and a greater strength in our church family ties. So as I look back on 2008 I can only give praise and thanks to God for His faithfulness to us.
The activities of the church have been numerous and you read all about them in the many reports in this publication. However, some perhaps need a mention here – the Deacon’s Day held in June – what a blessing it was to be able to share openly and freely in an unrushed way what we believe God is asking of the Church and to begin to plan for our future together. Hopefully, we shall have opportunity to meet again in the same way very soon.
Again in 2008, as Churches Together in Shepshed, we held a Children’s Holiday Club (The Light Factory), which we can certainly say was a ‘success’, not only in that so many children attended but also in the response of parents in their attendance at the BBQ and the next day’s Sunday Family Service. I am very grateful to all those who worked in the Holiday Club and gave it that ‘CTIS feel’.
In June we formalized the Soar Valley Gospel Partnership at a special service at Loughborough Baxter Gate when we covenanted together to try and place a Christian Cell Group in every village in the Valley, as well as agreeing to work together for our individual church’s growth.
Sadly, during 2008 we lost both church members and attendees – Meg Hickling, Brian Carrington, Shirley Clarke, Jean and Jack Greenhalgh and Maud Lester. All are greatly missed.
We had two marriages – Yvonne and Gareth on 3rd May and Lucy and Adam on 9th August – both sets of young people I know personally and it was lovely to be able to offer to them our great building as a venue for their marriages. On 4th May Heather and Graham Hillier brought Adam Richard for a Service of Thanksgiving and Dedication as did Daniel and Elizabeth Chambers with their son, John William on 31st August. It was wonderful to share with the family members of the church in these special occasions.
At Pentecost and again at Harvest a ‘motley crew’ became a superb choir, narrator and musicians in performing Roger Jones’ musical, Saints Alive, which was very well received by the church and visitors.
On 24th August 23 of the Fellowship went to Tenby for the Church Holiday. I think we can say that ‘A good time was had by all.
We have continued to play our role in the Shepshed Community being represented on the Shepshed Partnership Committee and playing a full part in Churches Together in Shepshed. Alan Scott has also been working with me in The Charnwood Oaks and Marwoood Residential Homes where we conduct monthly services for the appreciative staff and residents. I continue to take monthly assemblies for Year 1 at Newcroft School.
Our Church Membership has increased too with David Harrington, Irene and Barrie Newton and Carole Smith all being welcomed into full memberships. Of late, several new people have also started worshiping with us and attending Bible Study Groups.
I have been so grateful through the year for the dedication and work done by all the deacons and our music group and those who have laboured to improve the church buildings. Hilary and I have been carried through these past few months by your continued prayer and loving support for us.
I hope that your spirit is lifted as you read this report. God is being so gracious to us – new people coming and sharing with us, new relationships built and restored – a one-ness of spirit and above all – Christ at the very centre.
Let us pray that we might remain faithful to Him who is so bounteous to us.
Your Pastor Howard
2008 has been another busy year for Charnwood Road and filled with blessings too as our ‘church family’ grows closer together in love and fellowship with each other. We continue to grow in numbers too as new people attend and find a place here where they can worship the Lord amongst like minded folk and become part of our fellowship. Our Coffee/Tea bar is in use every Sunday alternating between morning and evening and gives us a chance to meet with one another after the services, to get to know the new folk, and to chat about what is happening in the church and in each other’s lives.
During Lent, Hilary Ketton with several helpers organised a Hunger Lunch each Wednesday. Quite a few attended these each week and enjoyed soup, bread, cheese and an apple. The front door of the church was opened too and food served from there so that passers-by were able to come in and eat or take-away as they pleased.
Our church again took part in the Churches Together in Shepshed Silent Walk of Witness on Good Friday visiting all 4 of the churches here in Shepshed.
Easter Sunday saw us again tucking into a full English breakfast before the morning service. What a feast and thanks go to Kenny Henry and his helpers for feeding us so well.
For Pentecost our Pastor, Howard, and the choir put on another of Roger Jones’ musicals “Saints Alive”. It was performed on the Saturday and Sunday evenings at Pentecost to a very full and appreciative congregation. It was so successful that it was put on again in early October combined with our Bring’n’Share Harvest Supper. It was a lovely evening and we all enjoyed it immensely. Our music Group has also grown and now consists of Pauline Halford on the organ, Keith Miller on the keyboard and guitar, David Harrington on drums, Kevin Halford and Barry Newton on guitar and David Spendlove on piano. We are very grateful to them for accompanying us each week as we bring our worship to the Lord in song.
In July two minibuses took 23 of us for our Church Holiday to Tenby. We were extremely fortunate with the weather (it was the best week of the summer). We were out every day viewing wonderful scenery and visiting all kinds of places including a monkey sanctuary, St David’s Cathedral, Pembroke Castle, a boat trip to Caldey Island and a concert with a German Youth Orchestra. We had a great time and our thanks go to Howard for organising the holiday and to Pete Bassford and Gillian Clement for driving us around so ably all week.
During 2008 Churches Together in Shepshed have been planning and putting into action a new project called “The Passion” for the young people of Shepshed and CRBC is very much part of this. The aim of this project is to provide a place for the young people to meet instead of hanging around on street corners. Hopefully in 2009 this will become a reality as the premises are renovated but it will need continuing prayer and effort for it to succeed.
Again during the year Derrick Tickner and Ruth and Bob Ellett have taken several services and they also very ably lead the 2 Bible Study Housegroups which meet every 2 weeks on Tuesday evenings. We do thank them for their leading at these meetings that is very much appreciated by all who attend. On the alternate weeks the Bible Study is led by Derrick or Howard at CRBC so that the groups can meet together. We are also very fortunate in our Pastor who feeds us spiritually with the Word each Sunday as we hear and learn more from the Bible. We are so glad he came to us.
A Prayer Chain was set up by Derrick so that if people were in urgent need of prayer, that need could be communicated quickly to the fellowship by the deacons who each had a list of folk to contact. It has been working very well and folk are assured of prayer when they especially need it.
The Banner group have this year again produced 2 wonderful banners for us for Pentecost. We appreciate their hard work on these and enjoy seeing them in the church as we worship each week.
Our website at http://www.crbcshepshed.org.uk continues to attract visitors from all over the world. This last year we had 9,961 from various countries as far afield as Moldova, Ukraine, Estonia, Israel, Korea, Brazil and many more. Work has continued on developing the church website and I love doing it but could I encourage leaders of departments to keep me supplied with material. Thanks to those who do supply me with reports, photos, and emails from our missionaries to go on the website and also photos to use on Songpro too.
A lot of time has been spent in 2008 in planning for more improvements to the church building and hopefully these will be carried out during 2009. A new central heating system for the whole of the building is needed as the old has now become too expensive to repair. It is planned to remove the stage, and the organ loft with its inner workings to create more space. Together with new flooring, curtaining and redecoration it will make better use of the space we have to become a much pleasanter area for our use and for the Scouts and Dancing School who use the hall each week. A plan of the church building was drawn up by Oliver Dixon and Bob Ellett, a couple of our church members, to aid us with our plans as we considered how to get the older folk to the upper hall. To this end we had a visit from a lift manufacturer and have been considering stair lifts as well.
Many thanks to everyone who helped me during the year. It is very much appreciated and especially to Maureen and Brian Walbey for taking over the editing of the newsletter each week.
2009 looks like it will be another busy year but I am looking forward to all that is planned and to seeing us progress even more as we serve the Lord.
Judi Weller
2008 began with us completing a study on Nehemiah and then a look at some of Matthew’s Gospel, particularly emphasising the Christian’s Character and Righteousness as expressed in the Beatitudes of Christ. Then followed a long spell of work on the Letter of Paul to the Romans - a difficult and demanding series!
Meanwhile, Derrick Tickner’s once-a- month ‘Walk through the Bible’ was completed in December and those who shared in these studies have expressed their gratitude for all they had learned during this on-going series.
My understanding is that the two house groups are enjoying and benefitting from their times together and sense their growing understanding of one another. However, both groups also appreciate the joint meetings at church when the breadth of biblical knowledge and prayer can be shared with all.
I would like to express my thanks to Bob and Ruth Ellett, Derrick Tickner and Allan Scott for the leadership of the house groups and their willingness to be adaptable to the whims of the minister. My dream is to have at least one more house group - probably a daytime one – so hopefully in 2009 we might be able to set that in motion.
The Word of God is so vital to our lives as Christians, so the more we study it, the more we are together it’s truths, then the more available we will become to our Father for use in His Kingdom.
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you” says the Lord. Ps 32.8.
Howard Ketton
This has been a year of growth for the Ladies Fellowship with 14 in regular attendance and we have enjoyed a full year of good meetings interspersed by special occasions. We were sad when early in the year our dear friend and long-standing member of the Sisterhood, Meg Hicking, passed to Glory and then in July our former President for many years, Maud Lester, also was called home.
We have been greatly blessed by the speakers who have come along to bring a message and by those of our own number who have shared in this too. Our grateful thanks again this year to our ‘resident chauffer’, Alan Todhunter for his weekly pick-up trips.
Special ‘outside’ events included the Women’s World Day of Prayer in March and the Loughborough & District Baptist Women’s Federation Rally and Tea in June held for the first time in many years at our Church (many thanks to all who helped!). We had an afternoon tea at the Manse in late May for a triple birthday celebration – Kath Newbold (80th!), Madge Massey and Hilary Ketton.. Our ‘Christmas Party’ this year was held in January (no time in December!) and this year all the husbands of members joined us, as they did for our New Year Lunch at … ions in Loughborough, which was another enjoyable time spent together.
We also attended a Rally in the summer at Coalville and the Mother’s Union Christmas Service at St Botolphs in December. In July we went along to Melbourne Hall and Gardens for our Outing, where we had lunch in the cafe and a conducted tour of the house.
For the second year running we held a Wednesday morning Christmas Carol Service followed by Coffee and mince pies. This was not quite so well attended as last year’s service owing to the fact that Christchurch were having a service the same day.
By the time you receive this Report there should be new curtains in the Meeting Room and also in the Church Vestry which the Ladies Fellowship have donated and made. We understand the old ones (curtains, that is!) have been there for about 30 years, so thought it time for a ‘new look’.
There have been periods of ill health for several of our members this year but we all are keen to be together every Wednesday when we possible can. We still have spare chairs, and ladies of any age are very welcome at 2.45 p.m. each Wednesday afternoon for a time of devotion to our Lord and fellowship with one another.
Hilary Ketton
An average of 30 meet for lunch on the third Thursday of each month for a two course lunch followed by a speaker, either from amongst our number or from ‘outside’. We also take ‘meals on wheels’ out to those who are unable, through illness, to get along to church.
Eileen, Derrick, Hilary and Howard would like to thank those who have helped us cook and serve on those occasions when one or the other of us have not been available, also to Alan Todhunter who is on regular meals delivery service.
We have not had so many guest speakers this year and consequently have not given so much money away – donations have been given to Chernobel Children, and Peru Chldren’s Trust. We have also bought from the funds two new kettles and plants for the front-of-church tubs.
Hilary & Howard Derrick & Eileen
We began 2008 with our usual New Year Party which was enjoyed by all.
Then, for their badge work in the education section the girls began with designs for stained glass windows. Bible drama was for the spiritual section and we were pleased to be able to present part of it at our spring Church Parade. We were able to present 2 badges for the year at that service and certificates to the other girls who hadn’t completed all four sections of their badge work and were fairly new to Girls brigade.
The next service project called ‘Junk to treasure’ was about the environment and recycling and they all made a bag for shopping etc out of something that would have been thrown away eg a shirt, top or skirt, and a pin cushion out off a coffee jar lid. For their physical project, team games were the choice.
We were able to enter the Leicestershire district Scripture Trophy competition at the end of the year with a collage of ‘The feeding of the 5,000’ from explorers and bracelet messages from the seniors. We do not know the result yet, but you can see the entries on the notice board nearest to the stage upstairs.
We have been pleased to welcome Holly and Nikki during the year, also Hannah who came from the Dancing Class. We now have a very lively group of 10 girls aged from 5-14 years on most Fridays.
Our thanks to Maureen who has been teaching them a craft for a few weeks, which has enabled us to split the girls into two groups, and thank you to everyone who has helped us during the year and those who have collected aluminium cans and small change for us.
Yours striving to ’Seek, Serve and Follow Christ.’
Beverley Sutton
During 2008 £979.15 was collected for BMS as follows:-
Brought forward from 2007 £ 39.00
Birthday Scheme £102.00
Ladies Fellowship £ 70.00
Lent Hunger Lunches £228.65
Easter Breakfast £ 12.50
Torch boxes £ 7.80
Envelopes £ 6.00
Church Funds £513.20
£950 has been sent to headquarters and we begin 2009 with a balance of £29.15.
Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this total, your giving helps to send and support people in mission. Without your financial support they could not go. Without your prayer support they might not cope.
Beverley Sutton
The Sunday School has 7 children and young people on its register. We are also always pleased to welcome visiting children during the year.
We continue to meet in two classes with Hilary taking the younger ones and Jenny the older ones. We have been grateful this year to Ruth Ellett, Glynda Bassford and Annette Henry who have taken classes when needed.
We are still using the Scripture Union material and follow the same subjects as the church, which this year has included, from the Old Testament, Daniel, Esther, Nehemiah and Abraham. From the New Testament we have covered topics such as The Holy Spirit, Jesus Healing, Paul's conversion, work and letters and Prayer.
We enjoyed lots of different activities and crafts, the children enjoy acting out some of the stories. We hope you see some of the pictures and crafts on the noticeboard in the meeting room.
We would ask for your continued prayer.
Jenny Miller
May I take this opportunity to thank everyone for bringing their used stamps. The total raised in England in 2007 £3,442.57, 2008 to date £2,800.86. I would also like to thank those who have boxes which also raises money.
The church continues to give generously, the amount can be found on the account sheet.
We can all pray for this work to continue and help churches who cannot afford a minister to have one, even if it is only part time.
Cynthia Bowley
Thursday 12 January 2012