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Easter service saw the chapel organ being played before the service for the first time in over a year. The communion service was led by Rev Farai and afterwards the Easter display was much admired as we left through the "tomb" exit. Easter Sunday also sees our now traditional Easter lily flowers. These are bought by the congregation often in remembrance of loved ones departed.  Our service was led by Linda Comfort who had put a lot of time and effort into interpreting the work written this year by the woman from Vanuatu; A collection of around eighty islands found in the Pacific ocean to the East of Australia. We had a map and items which helped us picture life in the islands and the recounts of the problems of cyclones which regularly hit the island. We learnt that the illustration depicted on the booklet this year was by a local artist Juliette Pita. All attendees were given lovely paper flowers which were formed from designs of the islands fauna and brightened up the morning. The children were asked to complete a flag using tissue paper and this was explained as being red for blood, green for the earth and fauna and black for the people of the island which became independent in 1980. The little symbol is a boars tusk (often worn by islanders) with leaves representing peace in the middle of these. Donations totalling £102 were later sent off - thank you We seem to have a boiler which is demanding attention. With it being a bank holiday weekend it will be Monday before it will be looked at so we have had to cancel this coming Sunday service with Fiona Beadle. Hopefully we shall be back next week.
*** Update *** Now fixed and we are warm again. Today we were allowed to meet again inside the chapel and it felt good to be back amongst friends again. And what a joy to see the wonderful nativity tableau erected high on the outside wall for all to behold as we entered. Such creativity amongst our congregation!
We thought about resilience; thinking of the many examples of the same in the Bible and reflecting on our own resilience during these difficult months. “Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” Joshua 1:9 We thought about our ‘ring pull’ charity, the Purple Community Fund, who have been supporting some of the poorest people in the Philippines, and how amazingly resilient these people have been, not only locked down in slum conditions, but coping with a fire, a volcano eruption and three typhoons. And still strong and resilient! We looked at some of the beautiful crafts they create from ring pulls. £25 was sent to the Purple Community Fund for their Christmas appeal. We remembered lovely friends who have passed away since we were last in chapel together. Mary Payne, Dick Dale and of course the Reverend Derek Shaw who will all be sadly missed and who have all left us with happy memories which will never be lost. Today our service was all about the power of prayer. We thought of the people on our prayer list as well as the persecuted Christians of the world and prayed for all in need. £50 was collected to be sent to Barnabas Fund.
A very different service today reported on by some of our younger attendees. "Today was harvest at church. Anne and Mike took the service. The people took fruit and vegatables. The food is going to Tamworth food bank." Several boxes with a large quantity of donated tins and packet food is now being stored prior to being delivered. Many thanks to all those who have donated. Twenty four people gathered to celebrate in the first service since lockdown restrictions started. Fiona led the service of prayers and reflection deliberately avoiding using music so we did not get tempted to sing! Despite the new normal situation it was good to be back in the chapel to praise God.
Our gathering this Sunday was in Arthur and Gina’s garden. They had prepared a lovely service for us, the sun was shining and we were treated to a walk around Arthur’s amazing dahlias in bloom afterwards - absolutely beautiful. The chapel met to have an open air service today for the first time since the start of the Covid crisis. Twenty three people each in their socially distanced groups met for a short service of prayer and reflection as well as listening to the two set readings for this Sunday. The weather was kind and shone upon us too A good number of ladies and gentlemen joined together for the World Day of Prayer service this year at the Methodist Church. The choir led the singing and Rita Poulson was the leader, ably assisted by Lucy Harvey and Gill Noble.The service was written by the ladies of Zimbabwe and the theme was Rise, Take your Mat and Walk. Our own minister comes from Zimbabwe and told us a little of the problems she has encountered and the effect that sanctions have upon her country. She brought some musical instruments and a sisal mat for us to look at. £167.20 was collected for the work of peace,love and reconciliation which was symbolised by white,red and yellow candles respectively. |
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