Rest & Reflect is continuing with a new start time of 9.45am, every Tuesday during term time, and takes place in Room F4 of the Community Centre. It's free for anyone to attend (aimed at age 16+). Each 30 minute session begins with meditation, based on the Christian Ignatian tradition, and is led by Rev. Clive McKie.

Entering the church from the High Street, you might have noticed the smart new notice board and finger-post just behind the railings. These replace the rather delapidated wooden boards and give the church a more welcoming and up to date entrance.

Chairman of the Property committee John Hill is seen here beside the new board, which has frequently been a subject of debate on the committee. In fact John remembers the issue of replacement being discussed 20 or 30 years ago, although it must be said that some of the delay is due to planning permission rather than indecisive committee members !

Shoeboxes filled and decorated by members of the congregation for Operation Christmas Child were collected and dedicated during the morning service, which was led by Rev. Sheila Purdy. The boxes will now be passed to the local OCC collection point, and eventually distributed to children overseas.

 

On 3 April there will be an opportunity for the congregation to look round the new Community Centre (although it will be officially open for business at the end of the month). As well as celebrating the achievement of building completion and the witness it represents, we will be praying for the work now starting to run the centre, and the opportunities it provides for outreach. All are invited to write their own prayer before the service and place it in a basket afterwards - these prayers will be used in our future worship.

If you'd like to contribute a prayer, but won't be present on 3 April, you can use the Contact form to send it

Following work on the east and west walls last year, cracks in the south wall are now being repaired. This is necessary to ensure that the existing building is stable before construction of the new Community Centre behind the church.

Cracks in the altar arch and corners of the south wall have been visible for some years. Investigation showed that water running under the church had washed away some of the foundations, causing settling. It is known that this end of the church was partially rebuilt following WWII bomb damage, and that section may in fact have better foundations than the other walls, resulting in a difference of movement and hence cracking.

The foundations will be strengthened as necessary and the brickwork rejoined at the cracks, following which it will be replastered.  Fortunately most of the cost is being covered by insurance.

Church members are encouraged to read the discussion paper Mapping a way forward - regrouping for mission produced by Rev John Hellyer (chairman of the Methodist Church South-east district). The paper considers recommendations from Methodist Conference about the structure and resourcing of the Church, in particular the way in which Circuits of local churches are organized. Comments on the issues raised can be fed back through the stewards.