April 2026

Stewards Scribblings

I've been reminded very much over the last month or so of verse 2 of the hymn 'Moses, I know you're the man'.

'Don't get too set in your ways',
the Lord said,
'Each step is only a phase',
The Lord said
'I'll go before you and I shall be a sign
To guide my travelling, wandering race;
You're the People of God'

Well, we didn't expect to be a (slightly) travelling race so soon, until that Sunday morning when I had a phone call from Barry to say a significant crack had appeared in the ceiling above the sanctuary and did I think we should meet in the primary room or safety's sake? Of course I agreed, and Jill, Virginia and I quickly got the Primary Room as ready as we could for worship. After two weeks claustrophobically meeting there, we decided to meet in the larger area of the main hall, which meant a lot more furniture shifting from Primary and vestry and back again afterwards.

In the meanwhile, the ceiling around the crack had fallen, leaving big chunks of masonry and much dust on the floor; the furniture and clavinova having been prudently covered with polythene and dustcloths. The organ was also affected. Barry was quick in getting the necessary permissions for estimates to be procured and eventually work to begin in restoration of the affected areas. We are so very grateful to him for this.

All being well, we should be able to be back in church for our Easter morning service, such an apt time for a new(ish) beginning.

Thank you everybody for coming along with us, with very little grumbling and a special thank you to those of you who came a bit earlier to help the stewards set up - you know who you are!

When we started to discuss new ways to encourage new folk into our church, this wasn't quite what we had in mind!!

God bless

Chris Cox, Senior Steward

Money & Property Matters – and Barry’s Babblings

April is the month when we come to the climax of the journey through Lent with Good Friday and Easter Day. There will again be a Good Friday Walk of Witness for all Christians starting from the De La Warr Pavilion lawn at 9.30am. Following the walk around town, we assemble for a United Service at Beulah Baptist Church - please come along if you can.

April 14th sees the Annual Church Meeting in the main hall, and this is the opportunity for all members and friends to share their thoughts about the work and witness of Christchurch. Jill is kindly preparing a printed Report that should be read before the meeting. There will be plenty of subjects to discuss from our outreach and witness to finance and mission. Remember - all are most welcome and all comments and thoughts are appreciated.

We have recently enjoyed our 119th Church Anniversary with a lovely service led by Mrs Drina Hampson - with three of our members telling their story as it links to Christchurch (see later in this Messenger edition). Many thanks to all who donated to the Gift Day appeal - we are very grateful.

We are all aware that there has been trouble with the ceiling in the actual church -the good news is that encouraging progress is being made by Steve Willard and his colleague. It will not be too long before we return to the church again. At the same time Steve Lusted has been dealing with many improvements to the church electrical system and, once again, good progress has been made. The next job is to agree a fuel contract for the next two years!!

As we reflect upon the work and witness of our church, we are delighted that the small working party has been planning the way ahead for a Lay Worker/Chaplain at Christchurch. The post is being advertised and if you, our anyone you know, is interested in this role do please speak up!

In conclusion, we should express our appreciation to the stewards and all who help to make our services in the hall possible each week. A great deal of movement of books, keyboard, chairs and tables, sound and audio visual system and much, much more! At the Annual Meeting we elect the Church Stewards, and it would be lovely if a couple of new stewards could come forward to share the load - could it be YOU!!??

This is a wonderful time of the year especially with all the beautiful flowers, and how fortunate that we can live in such a wonderful part of God's world. If only we could all live at peace together- if you have a hymn book - in Singing the Faith number 696 is well worth a read.

Barry Turnwell, (Hon 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

Our next meeting is on Saturday 11th April at 10.30am for 11am when we will be celebrating 'Easter Songs of Praise'. Easter is a wonderful time of the year and represents the greatest Christian celebration of all.

Do please try to come along and join the celebration - it is very special to be able to worship in the 'Preaching House' that dates back to 1785. We look forward to giving you a warm welcome.

Barry Turnwell, Publicity Officer

Membership Secretary 01424 216456