September 2025

Stewards Scribblings

September again, and Harvest Festival! Happy new Methodist year!

Hopefully, we will have a warm September; I love to feel the sun warm on my back while walking along a country lane, enjoying the sight, sounds and smells of an Autumn day.

Looking up, the trees are turning colour, reds, golds and brown, and beginning to fall. The sky is that deeper shade of blue; I looked up the reason for that and leave you to do the same as the answer was very technical! Acorns are fully formed, chestnuts are ripening but not ready yet, conkers are falling; I still enjoy filling my pockets full of the beautiful shiny glossy newly fallen conkers in their prickly cases, and thinking that nobody but me has seen that particular beautiful seed! So sad that they soon lose their gloss, but still they're useful as spider deterrents placed in the corners of your rooms!

In the hedgerows are the last of the blackberries, those luscious little spheres of purple juiciness. There may be hazelnuts with their green collars if the squirrels and mice haven't got to them first. A favourite thing we had to draw in nature study lesson at school! Oh, and the long strings of bright red berries of traveller's joy, lighting up the hedge!

And then we have fungi - all shapes and colours to find. How lovely to find a red-capped fly agaric with its white spots, but how sad to know how poisonous it is!! Reminds me of the saying, ''All that glitters is not gold'' It's a lucky day to come across a field with little button mushrooms pushing their way through the grass, and, knowing exactly what they are, prise a few out of the ground to take home and fry up in, a bit of butter.

What a wonderful creative God we have!!

Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness,
Close bosom friend of the maturing sun;
Conspiring with him how to load and bless
With fruit the vines that round the thatch eaves run;
To bend with apples the moss'd cottage trees,
And fill all fruit with ripeness to the core.

John Keats

Enjoy your September!

God bless

Chris Cox, Senior Steward

Money & Property Matters – and Barry’s Babblings

I should really start by wishing all our readers a very Happy New Year! Methodism starts on the 1st September each year - another reason that we are called non-conformists!

Hopefully, readers have had a lovely summer and are still enjoying the beautiful weather (at the time of writing!). Living in such a lovely town as Bexhill, it is good to try to spread the word by holding outdoor activities and services. We were able to share in the service of praise on the Centenary House lawn that was led by Chris Cox - and at the same time we learnt much about the disciples. Thanks also to Hazel for playing the keyboard, and Magnus for leading the readings. There were around 35 people there and this included two dogs who were very well behaved!

We are sorry that Kerry Halliday's stay with us as our Lay Worker did not last too long - but for understandable reasons. Her work with us was from March to August but Kerry now needs greater time with her training and studies as she looks to the future as a Methodist Minister. We do wish Kerry every blessing, and she and Curt will remain in our prayers and thoughts (we are pleased that Curt will remain a member at Christchurch).

Some of the members of the Property and Finance Committee are busy reading the recent Quinquennial Report on the property and we have had to take urgent action with the electrical part of the Report. Various matters have to be dealt with asap and we are delighted that the 'Ladies Who Lunch' group have made a donation to the church that should cover most of the cost. In addition, the LWL have also paid for the new lap top computer that is needed for the church (it was in full use at the recent Baptism service led by our Minister). Very shortly the WiFi part of our technology will be up and running and that will conclude another project. (Thank you Magnus for all your help.)

During September the agreed work on the church roof should be completed, and this will help with some of the internal signs of damp that we see in the church. We are most grateful that the cost is being covered with legacy funds that were generously bequeathed by former members. Before any decorating can be completed, we need to allow time for the building to 'dry out' so please be patient!

The welcome service for the new Circuit Superintendent, Rev Ian Couchman and his wife will be on Friday 12th September 2025 at 7:15pm at our Calvert Church. This will be conducted by the new Chairman of the District.

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

Many thanks to all who have read the latest Newsletter and made a donation to the Chapel. There is no actual congregation at the Chapel and it is mainly supported by the generosity of those who make an annual donation and become a 'Friend".

The Chapel (or Preaching House' as it should correctly be called) was built in 1785 and is the oldest active chapel in the Methodist South East District.

The various events are well documented and all are most welcome to call to join with us at any of the meetings.

Barry Turnwell, Publicity Officer

Membership Secretary 01424 216456