September 2026

Stewards Scribblings

September! Harvest Festival, mists, mellow fruitfulness and Methodist New Year - although January is also marked as a new year by the holding of our Covenant services.

The Methodist Movement was dictated strictly by the Methodist Conference. John Wesley held the first Conference in 1744; these conferences tended to be held in June or July, and preachers who were moving to pastures new would immediately pack their bags and travel straight to their next assignment. As the church grew, it became highly impractical to move preachers and their families immediately after the summer conference, and so an official gap was formulated between the decision-making conference and the actual physical moves.

Over the 1800s, 1st September naturally fell into being as the day preachers would begin their new appointments, having had August to pack up, move their families across the country and settle into their new homes (manses) before starting work amongst their new flock. It coincided with Michaelmas which in Britain was the traditional time for hiring servants, beginning university terms, ending harvest contracts and beginning agricultural leases. This meant that the church could synchronise its business with the rhythm of the rest of British society.

So - to return to where we started - Harvest - for Christchurch this year on 20th September 2026, the stewards are going to lead our Harvest worship, following which we shall have our now-traditional Harvest Lunch and auction.

A list to indicate what you will be bringing is out now, watch out for it, or ask a steward.

Happy New (Methodist) Year!

God bless, Chris

Chris Cox
Senior Steward

Money & Property Matters – and Barry’s Babblings

1st September sees the start of the Methodist New Year so blessings to you all and enjoy the 2026/7 year! This is the time of the year when some congregations welcome new ministers (as we did with the Rev Ian Couchman last August as our new Superintendent). Also, 1st September sees the start of the fiscal year and perhaps a time for reviewing our giving. New envelopes for weekly use are available, and I would encourage more use of this method of giving, and an even better way is to make a monthly transfer direct to the church bank account. Whatever method you use we are most grateful for all the giving at our church (not just in money but also use of resources, time and talents).

The Bible/Prayer group continue to meet each month - the next time it will be on Thursday 3rd September 2026 at 2.30pm in the Primary Room. The subject will be 'New Beginnings' and all are welcome - we are an informal group so do come.

The Circuit Meeting is a representative group made up of elected members of each of our nine churches and Winchelsea and also the Circuit Stewards and other officers. The next meeting is Wednesday 9th September at 7.30pm in our church. Any member may attend the meeting, although only elected members may vote.

Some good news!! We enjoyed a week's holiday in the Norfolk area and went to Holt Methodist Church on the Sunday. They were very welcoming and very keen (and excited) to tell us that the following Sunday was the last one in the church for a year. (Why I hear you ask!!). The congregation had raised £1.1 million pounds to finance a complete refurbishment of their church. It will take around a year, and we were able to see the plans etc. We congratulated them and wished them every blessing for all the work, and they will meet in the local sports hall whilst the work is being done. We hope to return in a year's time to view the work!

23rd September at 12.30pm sees the restart of the monthly Circuit Lunch Club at the Fairlight Lodge Hotel. We enjoy a lovely hot lunch and on occasions listen to a guest speaker. It costs around £20 and all are most welcome. If you would like to know more please speak to David Hanson or myself. We may be able to take you.

You may recall that in the previous issues I have been quoting the hymn 'Summer Suns are glowing' and Rev Cynthia Park chose the hymn at our recent service. I end with the words of the final verse (Hymns and Psalms 361).

We will never doubt thee, though thou veil thy light,
Life is dark without Thee, death with thee is bright.
Light of light, shine o'er us on our pilgrim way;
Go thou still before us to the endless day.

William How 1823 - 1897.

Happy New Methodist year to you all!
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 this website 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.

Over 17,500 visits (hits) are made to the website each year, around 48 each day. There are 18 web pages, and the most popular ones are the Home Page, News & Events, Diary, Contacts, Ninfield, and Christchurch Singers. There is also a link to the Winchelsea Chapel website.

If you have any comments or suggestions to make about the website, please let me know.

Peter Downes
Web Developer

Winchelsea Methodist Chapel News
www.winchelseachapel.org

The Chapel will be open on Saturday 12th September from 10am - 4pm to link with the National Heritage Open Days - all welcome.

Then on Saturday 3rd October at 10:30am for 11:00am we will be celebrating 'Breaking Bread'- a musical setting for Holy Communion. This will be an inspiring way to celebrate communion so please do try to come along.

Hopefully readers who support the Chapel have been able to make their annual contribution to support the witness of the historic 'Preaching House'.

Barry Turnwell, Publicity Officer

Membership Secretary 01424 216456