May 2026

Stewards Scribblings

There's a song which the Christchurch Singers used to sing, "To feel the rhythm of life, to feel the powerful beat, to feel the tingle in your fingers, to feel the tingle in your feet". It's spring, and everything's starting up again!! Our tortoise woke up today from his six-month sleep; a miracle that he feels the tingle in his feet and starts to scratch in his winter-sleep box! Fifty years of miracles, for she was a birthday present to our son, David, when he was a little boy.

Plants that have lain dormant over the winter are sprouting, feeling that rhythm of life. Even the slugs and snails have a tingle in their 'feet', more's the pity!!!

And here at Christchurch we feel the beginnings of excitement that another Festival of Flowers is beginning to take shape. Our 38th! Jill has found a Messenger for May 2016, just 10 years ago, but what changes! We had a Pre-School, a Junior Church, Open House, Timbrels, Christchurch Singers, and Time4us. Six stewards, too! BUT, we now have Fun and Friendship and new people who have joined our congregation and very quickly become one of the family. The theme for this year's Festival is 'Weather' and there are wonderful ideas in Sue Parkinson's head waiting to be turned into beautiful and inspiring displays. As ever, I know you will all be wanting to help out in one way or another; I have the duty rota, Wendy Gorham has the food list and Hazel Abraham has the musician's list. You are all wonderful, and we never have to twist arms (well, maybe a very little bit!)

Going back to that 2016 Messenger, Tricia Williams was our Minister, and she had a column called "Focus for prayer". This was one of her prayers:

Praise God for the beauty and wonder of all creation. Give thanks for the gift of flowers and for the skill and artistry of those who display them. Pray that the beauty and poetry of the flower arrangements may speak to those who come to see them of God's living presence in this world. Amen

May you never stop feeling the rhythm of life!

God bless, Chris Chris Cox, Senior Steward

Money & Property Matters – and Barry’s Babblings

What a delight it was to be able to return to our main church on Easter Day following over three months of disruption when the falling of the ceiling meant that it was not safe to be in there. Steve and Mark were appointed as contractors to deal with the work and we are most grateful to them for the excellent job. Many others were involved and we are grateful to everyone.

There was a congregation of 42 folk and the large cross looked so inspiring full of Spring flowers. Our organ seems to have survived the fall and to be in good voice again! It is good to be back and thanks to all for your patience.

The attendance at the Annual Church Meeting on 14th April was a little disappointing as this is a wonderful opportunity to discuss the work and witness of our church and faith. We are most grateful to our existing stewards (see inside front cover for details) and they have all agreed to continue for a further year. They do an excellent job and without them we could not move forward as a church.

A word of thanks also to Wendy Dennis who is our church Safeguarding Officer (as well as the Editor of the Messenger) and a number of us are required (by Methodist Law) to attend various courses that become very time consuming. Wendy and Ray now have two grandchildren so their time is very precious to fit everything in!

Thank you to all who donated to the Easter Offering appeal and these will be presented at the Circuit Service on Sunday 3rd May 2026 at 3.30pm at our Calvert church. Whilst expressing thanks, the Church is grateful to all who donated to our Church Anniversary Gift Day appeal. We had a splendid 119th Anniversary service led by Mrs Drina Hampson.

24th May is an important date - it is Wesley Day and Aldersgate Sunday. This was the occasion when John Wesley reluctantly went to a meeting (we have all done that!) in Aldersgate Street in London but he experienced a life changing happening when he felt his 'heart was strangely warmed'.

An interesting local fact - if you look at the foundation stone of our main hall you will see that it was laid on 24th May 1939 - was this deliberate or a happy coincidence?! The main church was opened and dedicated much earlier on 20th March 1907.

Thank you for reading my ramblings (as they are sometimes called) and I am sure that the Editor would love to hear from you if you have a short article to offer.

We are trying to improve our 'kerbside appeal' at the front of the church to make it more attractive for passers-by and to encourage them to come and share with us - you may hear more of this later. One poster may say 'Prayers go up and Blessings come down' - a very thoughtful comment.

Every blessing and Christian love, 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 Easter Praise was a very reflective and helpful service led by Rev Jonathan and Dr Julie Todd with help from various other folk. We even had a call from the local radio station 'Jerusalem Joy!'

On Saturday 16th May from 10am there will be a Coffee Morning linked with a treasure hunt (if you wish to take part).

Do come and join with us.

Barry Turnwell, Publicity Officer

Membership Secretary 01424 216456