Sunday 24th December

Hymns and Psalms

82 Hark the glad sound

86 Tell out my soul

118 See him lying

107 In the bleak mid - winter

106 Hark the herald - angels sing

Please remember in your thoughts and prayers

Mabel Price who is in hospital

Those who are in hospital or care homes and those who are housebound

Amendment to Communion Notice

Please note contrary to last weeks announcement that there WILL be early morning Communion on the first Sunday in January.  The Covenant Service will be at 10.15 am on 14th January 

New Year Party

Once   again it is time for our New Year’s Eve Party.  Everyone is invited to join us from 8.30 pm onwards.  There will be a short service at 11.30 pm.  Please bring some food to share for supper and if you can organise a game or provide some entertainment, then please sign on the notice on the board outside the kitchen.

 If you need more information then contact Tina or Barbara on 249135.

COFFEE MORNING 6 January 2007

When we held our World Church Meeting in October we heard of the need to raise funds for scholarships for our Methodist School in Panama.  The coffee morning on the first Saturday in January will be to raise money for the scholarship fund.  Your support and help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you Barbara Murray

Children want 24/7 church 

An online survey conducted by Methodist Children has found that children prefer to participate in the fun, fellowship and community offered by churches during the week and in summer holidays than on Sundays. 

Steve Pearce, Children’s Secretary, says; ““Midweek groups are almost 100% bigger than Sunday groups.  Many churches are doing great work on Sundays, but it’s clear from our results that children want church to be more than just that - they want to go to activities during the week. Which is great, because 43% of the churches that work with children already provide mid-week activities, with an average of 38 children attending each group.”

This is particularly the case for the 9-13’s age group and Methodist Children hope to see the work of the Church serving children’s needs throughout the week.  Steve says; “Sundays are special, but we’re called to be Christians every day of the week and this survey shows that children and young people have a 24/7 spirituality that needs to be fed all the time.  We are already doing this in a variety of ways through services such as the Methodist Children website and free weekly texting service.  We are also involved in various online church projects for those of all ages, but there’s always more room for growth.”

Doug Swanney, Children’s Work Development Officer, comments that; “This strengthens the case for churches to develop work on days other than Sunday and to try one-off events and holiday clubs.  It shows the opportunity churches now have for   partnership with schools and clubs as they develop their extended services.”

Children’s workers across Britain are adapting to this trend and the survey highlights their most pressing needs as wanting a local forum to discuss ideas and encouragement, more resources and more training. Methodist Children has responded with a new resource, The Methodist Children Journey, which is being sent to all churches this week. 

Doug comments; “The most significant finding of the survey is that when churches do something new, it usually works.  Churches need to be ready to take the risk of trying new things – they might just surprise themselves with how successful they are.”

The results of the survey are available online at www.methodistchildren.org.uk

Sunday 24th December Christmas Eve

10.15 am Morning Worship for the Christmas season - for all ages

11.30 pm Midnight Christmas Communion - as we greet the New  Born King

Christmas Day

10.00 am Celebrate the day with informal worship for all ages together                                                                               

Sunday 31st December  

10.15 am   Morning Worship - Rev. Peter Clarke              

Carol Service

The annual Carol Service, held on Sunday 17th December, was supported by a packed Church.  The service, which followed the traditional routine of carols and readings, was presided over by our own minister Rev. Peter Clarke, and proceeded without announcement.  The Wellington Town Band, with Michael Davey on the organ, led the singing in which the congregation participated with great enthusiasm.  Michael had assembled a small choral group which performed four items, including “The Angel Gabriel” and “Ding Dong Merrily on High”

A feature of this group was the number of our younger members whom Michael had recruited.  Prayers of intercession were led by Dianne and John Parkin and these with the readings and carols , and Rev. Peter Clarke’s ‘Word in Season’ all helped to bring out the message of the Nativity. The whole service was enjoyed by all who were present, and surely the occasion and its meaning will remain with us for a long time.

Ron H.

4 Meyrick Road, Wellington

Dear Friends,

Just a line to express our sincere thanks for all the good wishes and flowers which we received on our 65th Wedding Anniversary on 15th December: they were very much appreciated.

Thank you and God bless you all.

Sincerely Irene and Ron