With hurricane Ciara hitting the shores there was a limited attendance to church. However a number of us made it and the presentations went ahead to three of our collectors. Our thirteen collectors raised £130 in 2019 - thank you.
Our minister Farai was ordained at the Chapel in Repton School. The five ordinands were accepted by the Methodist conference earlier in the day and at this service their calling was confirmed with prayers and the laying on of hands.
Farai promised to: Preach the Gospel by word and deed. To declare God's forgiveness to the penitent To baptize and confirm To celebrate Communion To lead worship and prayer To minister Christ's love and compassion To serve others Farai has worked hard to fulfil this calling and was rather nervous. We were proud to be representing Nether Whitacre and supporting her at this special event. Rev Faria lead our worship today which included a celebration of our JMA collectors, many of whom were able to be in church to collect their ribbons. The service reflected the young people contribution to the life of the church as well as more world wide issues especially concerning the recent developments in Farai's home country of Zimbabwe. We finished with the usual tea coffee and cakes in the school room where some products purchased from The Purple Community fund were showcased.
After the service today lead by Farai we had our annual bring and share lunch. The table was once again groaning with food and we even had puddings. We can independently confirm the rumour that Mavis was seen to eat at least three meringues. Easter day broke with lovely sunshine. The chapel looked lovely with Easter lillies bought but members of the congregation in memory and celebration of loved ones. Farai reminded us during the service that whilst we should remember Easter is also about new life and renewal. Farai had done a lovely altar display which was rapidly dismantled but it included candles which were lit at the start of the service when the lillies were highlighted. After the service chocolate biscuits were enjoyed as a first taste for many who had given chocolate up for Lent.
Many of you will have met our new minister but how many of you have spotted that our church notice board is now up to date? After being blown away in the winter storms, it was rescued and remounted and has now been updated with our new minister Rev Farai Mapamula. You can also read her introductory entry to her own page accessible on the home page as FARAI'S BIT Our Remembrance service today was lead by Derek and afterwards we had quite a large range of poppies to show including several scarfs.
Today was our final service to be lead by Rev. Andi Smith. He leaves us after two years and we finished our last service sharing lunch with him afterwards. A well attended service despite a number of us being away and during the lunch a small token was presented to Andi.
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April 2024
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