March 2008 Newsletter No 33
Minister:- Rev Vivienne Smith Telephone 703820
Hi Everyone,
As some of you know, the last few weeks have just been crazy in our house. On the 6th of March the district probationer’s panel will decide whether to recommend me for ordination or not. (Please remember me in your prayers, and thank you for your understanding over recent months) Since Christmas I have been preparing for the committee, writing essays, filling out forms, reading, going to meetings etc, as well as trying to do everything else that needs to be done. So when Luke offered to write a few words for the newsletter I jumped at the chance. I hope you enjoy it. It does somewhat give an insight into our family life! We are all busy people, but making time for God should take priority, surely, especially at this time of Lent and Easter?
Every Blessing
Viv
But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord
(Joshua 24v15b)
You were probably expecting some words of wisdom from your minister, but this time it’s not Vivienne but Luke. I’m sure if you haven’t met me you will have heard all sorts of stories about me in Vivienne’s sermons, none of them true!
In this time of Lent you may find yourself taking stock and reflecting on where you are with God. You also might be thinking, I’m just too busy for all of this Lent stuff.
Have you ever wondered what life might be like being married to a minister? Especially one as lively as Vivienne? As you know I too am a minister and work as many hours as she does, and with two teenage daughters there never seem to be enough hours in the day. So where does Lent fit in with our house?
We try to organise our lives well in advance. We put our diaries together and mark one day a week where we aim to be together, sometimes with the girls on a Saturday, but sometimes not. In addition we also try to take one evening off every week.
Meal times are often difficult. We make a menu and decide who is cooking for that evening and we always try to eat together as a family. Washing is an interesting one, on a Monday evening the ironing gets done so leading up to Mondays the washing machine and dryer is constantly going. Washing up would be quite a chore without the dishwasher, I can tell you. Cleaning the house seems to get done when either of us (or Laura) thinks it needs doing.
So do we have time for Lent? At home, not really. In our household Lent is marked in church more than at home.
What about with you?
Luke
As you all know this has been an awful winter for colds and sickness and I daresay very few people have survived it without having a bug of some sort, but it is good to see people gradually getting back to church again after absences. John Clarke made a welcome return after a spell in hospital, Iris Brattan just got home after being there only to be whipped back in with pneumonia, Phyllis Martin and Doris Gibson are in hospital as I write and Margery Spaven’s sister Joan is in hospital so we think about both of them.
We miss and remember all who are unable to meet with us thinking specially of Horace Wright, Brenda Harper, Phyllis Mower, Vera Sturdy and Joan Clarke with a very special mention to Doreen Woods who will be 90 on 26th Feb. Many congratulations Doreen. We miss you.
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Congratulations to Annie and Daniel Binns on the birth of their son Thomas Lewis, a sister for Ella and a first grandson for Aileen and Allan, and another welcome great grandchild for Lily Fleming. Congratulations also go to Doreen Woods and Mary Dennett who have both recently celebrated their 90th birthday. |
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Book your Easter Breakfast March 23rd
Easter Sunday morning Sacrament is at 7.45am to enable Viv to celebrate it with us and also with Holderness Rd at 8.30am The men of the church will unite behind John once again to serve a full three course English breakfast at 8.45 to 9am to everyone who signs up for it. (Thank goodness that this year the clocks don’t go forward until the following week!) Sign up at the back of the church or phone 812440 but we need to know by Sunday 16th.
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At the time of writing the Sunday Club is preparing for its Anniversary on Sunday 9th March at 10.30am Vivienne is the minister on duty and, as always, friends and family will be welcome as we all enjoy seeing what the children and young people have been preparing for us. |
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That week is a good one for eating out! The Annual Church Meeting is on Thursday March 27th. This meeting is for everyone. Come at 6pm and a fish and chip supper will be served at 6.15pm before a short business meeting, at which members have the chance to elect a church steward and representatives to the Church Council. If you want us to order fish and chips for you please sign up at the back of the church. Cost £2.50 . We need to know numbers by Easter Sunday
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We are still collecting any shoes in good repair for Jacobs Well, Beverley. They can be delivered direct to the shop or warehouse in Beverley, or given to Margaret. |
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Congratulations also go to Doreen Woods and Mary Dennett who have both recently celebrated the 90th birthday.
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The Senior Steward’s charity this year was ‘ Heart Link’ for children with severe heart conditions and £83 was sent to them from money put in the Christmas card box. |
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Quiz Nights offer a warm welcome to everyone who would like a night out in good company. Always at 7.30pm on the first Thursday of every month which means our next ones will be March 6th April 3rd and May 1st. £1 includes your refreshments – and, of course, the chance to win a prize!!
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Items for the next newsletter can be given, phoned or emailed to Margaret at MrgHrrsn@aol.com or 812440. |
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Leisure Day draws to the close of another term with Jill Crowther speaking on 3rd March, Miss Deanes talking about Beverley Minster on 10th March and the Open Afternoon from 2 to 4pm on 17th March. Make the most of it while you can!
The new afternoon venture has provided miniature carpet bowls, snooker, darts and dominos but Scrabble, Cards and Upwords (another sort of Scrabble) have won the day. We need another player for whist to make up a foursome and are still open to all new suggestions before we begin again in September.
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Don’t forget Portobello has its own website www.portobellomethodistchurch.com |
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The Cinema Club established in September for 10 to teens meets in the parlour once a month. The next dates are Mar 21st, April 18th and May 23rd. So far we have been entertained by, amongst others, the films Johnnie English and Happy Feet. 50p admission includes refreshments. If anyone would like to volunteer as a helper for these nights not only will we let you watch the film free but we will be very glad to see you!!!
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We were sorry to see that one of our ‘old boys’ Dennis Teal died at Christmas. He is fondly remembered. |
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Some of the flowers for the sanctuary during this quarter have been given in memory of Marjorie’s mother and father, Bill and Lillian Smith, by Cath Woods in memory of her Dad, John Couse on the 25th anniversary of his death, and by Jean Fairbank in memory of her mother, husband Cyril and daughter Diane.
Anyone wishing to give flowers please see Cath. or ring 814317
‘There was no Lent that first Easter, in fact no one knew there was going to be an Easter….’ |
Our Gift Day and Fayre is booked for Saturday 7th June so please book it in your diaries now. |
This article has travelled widely and is believed to have first appeared in a German Church magazine
No Excuse Sunday
To make it possible for everyone to attend church next Sunday we are holding a special “No Excuse Sunday”
Beds will be placed at the back of the church for those who say ‘Sunday is the only day I can sleep in’.
Optrex will be available for those with tired eyes from watching late night TV on Saturday.
We will provide hard hats for those who say, ‘The roof would cave in if I ever went to church’.
Blankets will be provided for those who say, ‘Church is too cold’, and fans for those who say ‘Church is too hot’.
There will be lunch for those who can’t go to church and cook on the same day.
The church will be surrounded by trees and grass for those who like to find God in nature.
We will give out hearing aids for those who say ‘The preacher speaks too quietly’ and cotton wool for those who say, ‘The preacher speaks too loudly’.
Some relatives will be present, for those who like to go family visiting on Sundays.
Finally, the church will be decorated with both Christmas trees and Easter flowers, for those who have never seen the church without them.
We could add that our Fair Trade stall will be open for those who think of Sunday as their shopping day. Can you think of any others to add? If so let me have them for the next Newsletter.