Stewards Scribblings - April 2024

"Mid pleasures and palaces though we may roam
Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home
A charm from the skies seems to hallow us there
Which seek thro' the world, is ne'er met elsewhere
Home! Home!
Sweet, sweet home!
There's no place like home
There's no place like home!"

John Howard Payne 1823

What a lovely word is home - it's the place you can be yourself, do what you want. Home is different to different people - it can be a castle, a cottage, a flat, a room, a camper-van, a tent; whatever, it's the place you live, the place you can call your own.

It has other meanings, but all mean a base, a beginning, an end. A game of snakes and ladders - how many do you need to get home? The home key on your keyboard gets you back to the Home page. A football team's own ground where you play a home match. Home and dry - safe.

Our church is our spiritual home, a place where our church family is, where we feel safe to talk about our faith, and care for each other. Our good friend, Stephen Page wrote the following. It goes to the tune 'Celeste'

We gather together in this place
To worship in thought and in word
We come with our joys and our pains
And lift them together to our Lord

And our final destination is our eternal home. Jesus said, "My Father's house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?" John 14 v 2

God bless

Chris

Chris Cox,
Senior Steward

Money & Property Matters – and Barry’s Babblings
April 2024

All who visit the Church will have seen the two new external notice boards, and also the two signs that indicate the church and hall entrances. Last month I wrote about the image that buildings project and I hope that these improvements will encourage folk to come in. Every Sunday we also have the two large flags so I imagine that most people will notice these improvements.

We had a lovely 117th Anniversary service on March 3rd when Rev Cynthia Park led the celebrations. Many thanks to all who have donated to our Gift Day Appeal and when I receive the monthly bank statement, I hope to see funds that have been paid directly into the bank account. We are grateful to you all.

It is too early to write about the Easter celebrations and services but on Easter Day it is always lovely to see the cross decorated with many flowers that have been brought by those who come to worship.

April usually sees the gathering for the Annual Church Meeting - this year on Tuesday 16th April at 7.30pm in the hall. As well as hearing reports of various Christchurch groups, electing our church stewards there is an opportunity to pose questions and comments about church life. We can also see if we are reflecting our Mission Statement that appears on our weekly diary.

You will be interested to know that our premises will again be used as a Polling Station on Thursday 2nd May and it is good that many of our neighbours come onto the premises - I must make sure that the notice boards are all up to date!

Two important future dates. Over the May Bank Holiday weekend (25th - 27th) we will be having our 34th annual Festival of Flowers - and we need everyone to give a hand, please. Chris has a rota for all the many jobs that are required. Please do make an offer to help and make the weekend a big success.

The other event is the Christchurch Singers Summer Concert on Saturday June 22nd at 7pm. I am sure that this will be a very lovely evening and it may (or may not!) be their final concert - so please do not miss the occasion.

It will soon be time to have a few Coffee Evenings in various gardens - if you could host such an occasion (even in the daytime?) do please let me know.

Every blessing for this lovely month of April and we hope to see you soon.

Barry Turnwell
Church Treasurer and a Property Steward

Christchurch Messenger Website

You may know that much of the content of the Christchurch Messenger also ends up on the website - www.christchurchmethodist.org - but not all of it. So it is well worth your while to read the Messenger, but also to keep a watchful eye on the website, which is updated every month.

Winchelsea Methodist Chapel
www.winchelseachapel.org

April 2024

We have just celebrated the Holy Week Reflections that has been a tradition at Winchelsea for many years. The committee is trying to have an event almost every month and are very grateful to all who give support.

On Saturday 11th May 2024 the Chapel will have an Open Day from 10am - 4pm. At 3pm there will be an organ concert by Stephen Page with a collection for Christian Aid. Do try to make a visit on that day.

Barry Turnwell, Publicity Officer