At the end of July we said thank you to Geoff Bond who has
served as our organist for many years. It is not farewell because he will come
back and play for us on occasions and we will always be pleased to hear him. At
present we have not replaced him with one single musician but are using a number
of people from within and outside our church. Mavis Fletcher, Stephen Grice and
Stewart Bell are playing regularly, assisted by Liz Huddleston, Tony Whitman and
an increasing number of others who make up our music leaders week by week.
Sometimes singing will be led by the organ, at other times you will hear the
piano, assisted by a band of various instrumentalists. We are seeking to broaden
our musical resources, so if you play an instrument or sing and would like to
contribute to worship please have a word with one of the musicians named above
or the minister. There are going to be regular musical evenings for anyone to
join in singing, both with the choir and music group and hopefully with more
integration of all our talent.
Following gifts in memoriam for Cecil Bacon, Tom Hastwell and others, as well as using some of our fund-raising resources, we have contracted a firm to come and completely renew the sound system in the church. There will be more (and hopefully more reliable!) microphones as well as facilities to play tapes, CDs and sound from the computer. We will also use the system to assist the band. We hope the work will be complete for the beginning of November when we hold our annual Memorial Service, which will be a fitting occasion to dedicate and use it.
At least once a month, although not on any fixed Sunday, our evening worship includes multi-media elements such as pictures, drama and modern music. Please watch out for these services and encourage people who are perhaps not familiar with church or are looking for something different from the traditional worship to come along.
As we have an ever changing congregation, and growing children, may I remind everyone that we have an open table policy for communion. People of all ages are welcome to receive the bread and wine: it is not dependent upon age or being a church member. All we ask is that parents discuss with their own children whether it is appropriate for them to receive the elements. This is backed up by explanation and teaching in Junior Church. Any adult is also welcome to receive communion; please speak to the minister if you are unsure or would like some guidance.
It is some time since we held a service for new members to the church. If anyone would like to consider this important step on their journey of faith please have a word with Peter or Myrtle. If you are unsure whether you are already a church member, the test is whether you receive a membership ticket with your name on and signed by the minister. If not, we haven't got you on our lists! If you have come from another church, your membership can easily be transferred. If you have never made a public statement of faith within worship, is now the time for you to do so? Would you like the opportunity to ask questions and learn about the Christian faith?
The Church Council has suggested that next summer, for perhaps July and August, we hold our morning worship at 9.30am. The thinking is that many people have days out, perhaps with family, and don't come to church when it lasts until lunchtime, but would come if it was earlier. Please let the minister or church stewards know if you have any thoughts about this proposal so they can be shared at the next Church Council meeting. Are you good at getting up on a Sunday morning or do you value your lie in? Would this assist you coming to worship or make it harder? It was also considered that we hold the monthly Inspirations service at 8 o'clock and not 6.30pm during the summer too— does that seem a good idea to you?
A reminder that the church has a small number of people who have committed themselves to pray, especially when there is an urgent need. If you have a prayer concern, for yourself or someone you know, you can contact Christine Sheasby who will begin the message on its phone journey round the chain so people can be praying within minutes of a message being passed on. We are also looking for new people to be a link in the chain. It is impossible to say how much you would be contacted because it varies from once in a month to three times in a day depending on the need! All we ask is that you receive a phone call and make a phone call to pass the message on and then pray as you can for the person concerned. The prayer chain is confidential to those who are on it and no news is shared with others without permission.
© Fulwood Methodist Church
17:08:54 Wednesday, 26 October 2005
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