Dear Friends,

Now here’s a surprise, another edition of the Messenger! I realise that a great many people look forward to each edition because, for many, it is the only way that they can keep in touch with happenings at the their Church. There is no way that I will be as professional as Graham, but I hope that my efforts will be of use to some folk. I also appreciate that some folk will not be satisfied and will grumble, but that is the way of the world!

So 2003 is here, what does it hold in store? Personally, the sharing of the Gospel in Dover and the areas where we live and work challenges me! Recent months have seen us being presented with great opportunities, some we have seized on, others we are, perhaps, still contemplating. My hope for 2003, at least at London Road and Tower, is for a strengthening of our links with the folk at St. Columba. I have a vision of a great work arising from the foundations that our Lord is seeking us to lay. Bible Study, Prayer Groups, the building up of our worship and pastoral support are important parts of those foundation. Allied to that must be decision on our future, as single congregations or coming together as a joint worshipping family with St. Columba folk in a Christian Community Centre. Hold on tight, exciting times are coming!

Christine joins me in sending our love and thanks to you all.

I am yours because I am His - John.

THANK YOU GRAHAM AND FAMILY!

I think everyone who read Graham’s thoughts in his final edition of the ‘Messenger’ last month will realise that he put a tremendous amount of time and effort in it. We have had a very good means of communication, which I guess, in the usual course of things; many of us have taken for granted. So Graham, Jill, Paul and Chris thanks for everything you have done and still do for us!

THANK YOU DONALD AND FRIENDS!

Sometimes we have strokes of genius in our lives; Donald certainly had one of those when he planned the Carol Service for the night of the 15 December. I hope that I am not biased, but I think that it was one of the best Carol services I have ever been to! We had a lovely, loving congregation from different Churches all sharing in a special time of worship. Grateful thanks, also, to all whom contributed to the wonderful act of worship. I look forward to next year’s event with great anticipation!

THANK YOU FROM TOWER YOUNG PEOPLE.

The concert for NCH raised the wonderful total of £83, especially good when money is not easy for some folk! Sincere thanks for all who came and supported the event. It is good to know that, in our small way, we are able to help those who are less fortunate.

THANK YOU ALL!

Christine and I would like to say our grateful thanks for all the Christmas cards and gifts that came our way! We had so many cards that it was difficult to find places to stand them! As you progress along life’s way, more friends appear making it even more important to express love and thanks to them for their part in our lives. Christine and I feel richly blessed with the number of people who have contributed to our lives in so many different places and way. God bless you all.

CHILDREN IN NEED.

One of the most important events in the District’s calendar is the annual holiday for children in need. For over 20 years now, the District has played its part in helping these children by organising a one week residential holiday for about 25 children. This really is an event to remember in the lives of the children who go. This event needs to continue, and to so it needs money. Last year around 36 Churches gave £3,000 and a grant was also obtained from the BBC Children In Need Appeal. I just wonder whether there is any way that we who read this newsletter can help? Derek Leach is the local contact for answering queries and giving further information.

BIBLE STUDY AT LONDON ROAD.

We are carrying on with our Wednesday and Saturday Bible Study groups in 2003. The dates for January are Wednesday 22 and Saturday 25. Both are at 10am in the Vestry. ALL are welcome, it is not just a London Road activity!

WESLEY GUILD.

Due to the dark nights, and often inclement weather, the Guild does not meet in January or February. However, that gives you all the time to look forward to the programme for March, which looks very interesting. So don’t forget, Tuesday evenings at 7.30pm Wesley Guild! This year the meetings will be carrying on right into June, even more enjoyable times to share. Make sure that YOU are there otherwise you will miss some super evenings of Christian fellowship and love.

TOWER MEETINGS.

The fellowship next meets on the 7 January 2003 at Sheena Evans home. The Women’s League will not recommence their meetings until Monday 27 January.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHURCH STEWARDS.

The Circuit Spiritual Maintenance Group are arranging a series of evenings for Church Stewards, and those who may be thinking about the role. The series is a whole, but if people cannot make all of them they are asked to get to as many as possible. Each evening starts at 7pm and, hopefully, should conclude by 9.15pm.

Dates and venues are:-

Monday 6 January at Trinity Church, Deal. Wednesday 29 January at River Methodist Church. Friday 21 February at London Road Methodist Church

I appreciate that travel can be a problem for some in the evenings, but maybe arrangements to share travel can be made with stewards from other Churches.

Any more details of these evening can be obtained from the Co-ordinators Daphne Tutton or David Sheasby.

THINKING ABOUT MEMBERSHIP?

Some of you may be thinking about membership of the Methodist Church, whilst others who are already members may be wanting to reflect on their role within God’s family the Church. Well this little pocket size book from the Methodist Publishing House may be just what you are waiting for! Entitled ‘ Called by Name’ and priced at £3.50 and available from the Methodist Publishing House.

By using hymns, modern Christian art, prayers and images from contemporary life the book gives all of us a resource to reflect on and treasure.

COMING TOGETHER.

I want to think about two main items under this heading this month.

1. The time draws near when the Circuit will have to make some responses to the proposed Anglican and Methodist Covenant proposal. I have had one letter, which I have passed onto the Superintendent Minister. Any more thoughts? We need as wide a response as possible so that the Circuit Meeting, and then District Synod and the Methodist Conference, have a good feel of how people at the ‘grass roots’ feel about this. Please don’t miss your opportunity to be heard!

2. Some of us shared in the three way service and the Carol Service on the 15 December which, as I have already mentioned, was a great success. London Road and St. Columba are already sharing one service each month. St. Columba folk are now suggesting that we make that two a month, which I personally would support. Tower will only be able to financially support themselves until around the end of June 2003, so perhaps they ought to be thinking about supporting the joint services as well. PLEASE I would like some responses to these thoughts!

PRAYER TIMES.

Each month, I hope to be able to share some thoughts about prayer needs that we can all lay before the Lord in our quiet times.

As we enter 2003, let us remember the following:-

The politicians of our world, especially those who make the decisions about Iraq. Let us pray that war will be averted and that the people of Iraq may enjoy freedom and peace.

The refugees, especially those in the Citadel at Dover. Let us also remember the changes that are being made in this country to asylum rules. The fear is that many refugees could end up on the streets of our town.

THE 300TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BIRTH OF JOHN WESLEY.

BBC TV invites YOU to join a choir of a thousand Methodist voices to celebrate the 300th Anniversary of the birth of John Wesley.

The BIG SING will be in the Royal Albert Hall on Sunday 30 March. The hymns that will be recorded that day will provide the music for three editions of Songs of Praise, including a special programme to mark John’s tercentenary which will feature eight of Charles Wesley’s greatest hymns.

The special Wesley edition of Songs of Praise is planned to be broadcast in June 2003 to coincide with the 300th anniversary itself. That programme will also include filming around some of the places that were associated with Wesley’s life.

Paul Leddington Wright, the founder of the MAYC Orchestra and Singers, will be conducting the singing, which will be accompanied by the BBC Concert Orchestra. Pam Rhodes and Aled Jones will host the programme.

There is going to be one rehearsal, prior to the event, at Methodist Central Hall, Westminster, on Sunday 23 March from 2.30 to 5.30 p.m.. Singers will also be required at the Royal Albert Hall from 2.30 p.m.on the 30 March with the recording commencing at 6.30 p.m.. Having been involved in three Songs of Praises, I can tell you that it is an interesting experience!

Choir members will receive free entry to the event and will be seated in the arena of the Royal Albert Hall. If you want to know more, and have access to the Internet, look at the Songs of Praise website, which is as follows:- http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/tv radio/songsofpraise/index.shtml

If you are interested in being a part of this special service, please let our Superintendent Minister, the Revd. John Johnson, at River know as soon as possible.

ADVANCE DATES FOR YOUR DIARY.

January.

Sunday 5 London Road Covenant Service. Monday 6 Church Stewards Training, 7.30pm at Deal. Wednesday 8 London Road mid-week Holy Communion. Thursday 9 Christian Aid AGM. Sunday 12 Tower Covenant Service. Tuesday 14 Circuit Meeting. Saturday 18 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity starts. Sunday 19 United Service London Road/St. Columba. Wednesday 22 London Road Bible Study. Wednesday 22 Agape at London Road. Saturday 25 London Road Bible Study. Monday 27 London Road Ladies Meeting AGM. Wednesday 29 Church Stewards Training, 7.30pm at River.

February.

Tuesday 4 Tower Church Council. Wednesday 12 District Ministerial Synod. Sunday 16 United Service London Road/St. Columba. Monday 17 London Road Church Council. Friday 21 Church Stewards Training, 7.30pm at London Road.

March.

Monday 3 Circuit Meeting Tuesday 4 London Road Wesley Guild re-commences at 7.30pm. Sunday 16 United Service London Road/St. Columba. Sunday 23 Songs of Praise Rehearsal. Saturday 29 District Synod. Sunday 30 Songs of Praise BIG SING.

FAMILY NEWS.

We lift before God the family of Keith Juniper as they mourn his death on the 14 December. Keith was a retired Metropolitan Police Officer, known to some of you, who I had met since he and I lived in Dover. We also remember the family of George Gibbs who died on the 21 December.

Hilda Driver is still in Montgomery Ward at Buckland Hospital. and Marilyn Smithard is now home and taking things easy. Clarice King has had a fall and fractured bones in her left arm, as well as giving herself a beautiful shiner!! Not to be outdone, Kath Hopper also had a fall at home and broke her right hip. This meant a trip to Kent Ward, Kent and Canterbury Hospital! Now Kath has had a further fall and broken her left wrist. If those broken bones were not enough, Joyce Stacey had a fall, broke her hip and is now also in Kent Ward, Kent and Canterbury Hospital. Ruth Edwards and Brian Gammon have both had car accidents, thankfully in each case the car took the brunt of the damage. Eve Dewhurst is due into hospital this month for an operation. We wish her well and thank those organists who are filling in for her at St. Columba.

We keep Margaret Craven, Sadie Gledhill, Molly Hodgson, Margaret Machin, Margaret McKenzie, Betty O’Connell, Hilda Welburn, George Craven and Ossie Hodgson in our prayers as they recover from their hospital treatment. We continue to pray for all those who are unwell in their own home, or in residential homes, especially thinking of Vera Coombes, Mary Page, Edie and Winnie Seelly, John Bates, Ossie Hodgson and Colin Thompson at this time.

Especially we remember those members of our Church family who are away from Dover, either by way of education or work requirements.

Any information for the February edition should be sent to messenger@londonroad.ukf.net