Snippets

SNIPPETS

Issue 57 - September 2010

Dear friends,

Has God ever surprised you? Many times, like me, I'm sure!

When we went to Lindisfarne, (Holy Island) in April, at the beginning of my Sabbatical, we visited all the usual attractions: the Priory, Castle and Lindisfarne Centre. We saw the old fishing boats in the small harbour and found the shop which sells beautiful Celtic pottery, glass and the famous Mead made, (I think), from honey. All good and interesting to see but then we took a turn up a small road we hadn't been up before. There was a sign reading 'St Cuthbert's Centre.' The Centre is a National Mission Project of The United Reformed Church.

We entered the grounds to find 'The Peace Plough.' A Christian artist had designed and worked on an old horse drawn plough after it had been re-claimed from a farmers barn. The metal was sandblasted to remove the rust and onto the frame of the plough were welded: a Roman Spear; decommissioned machine guns; a belt of bullets; knives; hand grenades; slave chains, amongst the symbols of 'man's inhumanity to man.' Vine leaves and clusters of grapes sprout from the barbed wire to symbolise the end of wars and of barbaric fences of imprisonment and separation. And the words: Swords Into Ploughs, took up Isaiah's theme from chapter 2 verse 4. "They will hammer their swords into ploughs and their spears into pruning knives. Nations will never again go to war, never prepare for battle again."

WOW!

The inside of the church had been transformed into a place where individuals and groups could spend times of retreat with kitchen facilities as well as prayer helps. The form of ministry was based on five aspects of the life of St Cuthbert: Solitude, Reconciliation, Teaching, Worship and Hospitality.

From what appeared from the outside, a normal church building, we found challenge, peace, rest and renewal. God certainly surprised us as we visited Lindisfarne. The ordinary can become extra-ordinary when filled with God's Holy Spirit.

God Bless you all,

Sue

DAVID AND JEAN LAWSON

Nunthorpe Methodist Church has a lost a long-standing ambassador for church music with the resignation of David Lawson as its organist. For almost 50 years David's appropriate organ playing at the beginning of services always created a worshipful atmosphere which the congregation has appreciated. He was always on hand often at short notice to play at Weddings and Funerals and was not fazed when confronted by something unfamiliar to accompany a soloist or the choir. To sum up, David was always "there". Whether he liked what he was asked to play or not did not matter, he was "there" to serve our church quietly in the background, to the best of his ability, of which he has a great deal. I sincerely hope that when David's arm has healed properly, we shall see him on the organ stool and hear him play again occasionally"
Beryl Lindley

The whole community has lost a long-standing ambassador for choral music since Jean Lawson had to retire due to ill health last year. Jean has been training and conducting choirs for over 40 years, with great expertise and enthusiasm. She started initially with the Guisborough choral society, then formed the Marton Ladies Choir from evening classes, held first at Captain Cook Primary School then later at Nunthorpe School. All the choirs entertained us in concerts every year in many venues, which raised thousands of pounds for a variety of charities. In recognition of her contribution to Choral work, she was awarded the M.B.E. by the Queen. David was always there to accompany Jean on the piano and spent hours making new arrangements with the music for the choirs. It was a real team effort. We owe a great debt to them both and thank them for the immense pleasure they have given us over so many years.
Shirley Hinchley

PRAYER CORNER

'Hasn't this year gone quickly' is what many of us are saying and whilst that may seem true, for our church family the Methodist New Year is just beginning.Hopefully we have been refreshed and renewed by the summer break.

Please pray for the organisations starting again after the break, for the programmes which have been arranged and for the fellowship and friendship we share together,also our concern for each other.

Please remember those of our church family for whom the year stretches ahead with sadness or pain,recently bereaved that they will find comfort, those undergoing treatment or who suffer pain and difficulty, those who are housebound or in residential homes, bring those known to you to the Lord in prayer.

Loving God,

whose hands hold all creation like a candle, hold us in your love this ay. May your hands protect and guide us.May your hands strengthen and enfold us, that we may become your hands holding others with your love, knowing that you will never let us go.Amen

HARVEST THANKSGIVING

26th September 11am

Proceeded by the Guides

BIG BREAKFAST

Our theme this year:

'GIVE POVERTY THE BOOT'

(Please would everyone come to the Harvest Thanksgiving

Service wearing boots/wellies

of some kind)

Everyone Welcome

Methodism in Nunthorpe.

For over one hundred years Methodists have been meeting for worship in Nunthorpe. Records show that the first Methodist Society was formed in 1908 and, at that time, meetings were being held in one of the Station Cottages. In 1911 the Congregrationalists built the Church in Rookwood Road and the Methodists decided to join them for worship. Over the years, the Methodist Circuit was providing more and more preachers for Sunday worship and eventually, in 1936, the Methodist Church purchased the Rookwood Road premises. The first services as a Methodist Church were on Sunday 6th December 1936. It was in 1952 that the Trustees decided to buy the site of our present Church at a cost of £875. The Nunthorpe Station community was expanding and bigger premises would be needed. Membership was 54 in 1952 increasing to 100 in 1959. From 1958, after the decision to build a new Church was made, there was a challenge to raise about £33,000. This money came from the Middlesbrough Circuit and from local contributions and much varied fundraising. Eventually, the foundation stone was laid on 25th February 1961 and the Church was formally opened and dedicated on 16th September 1961. It is this event in September 1961, fifty years ago, that we will celebrate during 2011. We need also to celebrate and remember all the Nunthorpe Methodists before us that have paved the way for today.
Christine Armstrong.
Information taken from ”Nunthorpe Methodist Church Anniversary review 1986”