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Creating Communities of Wholeness with Christ at the Centre St. Nicholas News February 2012
February Services
Ministry Musings Spring is in the air! As we move
into the month of February we can thankfully say that the darkest part
of the winter is behind us. Evenings are
becoming lighter and, as we see signs of early spring all around us, it fills
us with fresh hope for the coming year. But for many people the future
can look bleak. The world can seem a dark place, with a recession,
unemployment, financial difficulties, ill health and uncertainty about what the
future holds – security and hope seem to be in short supply and there doesn’t
seem to be any light at the end of the tunnel. But Jesus said “I am the light of the world –
whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life”. He doesn’t promise his followers an easy life but
He does promise to be with us and to fill us with that inner glow of the Holy
Spirit to guard and guide us, bringing His peace and hope into our lives,
especially through difficult times. Jesus is our light and our hope for the
future. He can remove all fear and replace it with his security. This Good News is just too good to keep to
ourselves! We need to share it with
those around us. Have you ever shared a torch-light with a friend
on a dark winter’s evening? There is a
sense of warmth as, together, you follow the beam of light. We have the light of Christ in us and it’s meant
for sharing. Over the next sixteen months, as we light the
Candle of Hope every Sunday, we will continue to use it as a symbol, reminding
us that Jesus Christ is the Light of Hope that the world needs. And
so, as we prepare for the coming Flame of Hope mission in 2012 (mostly in the
villages), and 2013 (mostly in the towns), can I suggest that we use the next few months to pray
especially that God will give us His vision
of how He wants us to reach out to the surrounding neighbourhood and
also to our own immediate neighbours and friends. From the youngest child to the oldest adult in our
church family, God has a plan for each one of us to be a part of His vision for
the future of our church and the neighbourhood around it. And as we allow God to line up our wills and our
vision with His wonderful plan, we might be amazed at what God can do, both
with us, as a church and as individuals, as He reaches out to our needy world. Heavenly Father, We thank you for the Flame of Hope. We pray that we may see signs of new life In our churches and communities. Give us a sure faith in Christ, And the willingness to step out in His name. Amen May God bless you over the next weeks and months
as we move forward with God, together. Veronica
Giving - On behalf of the PCC, I would like to express our thanks to you all for your continued generous giving in 2011. In these times of tightening budgets, it is heartening to report that there was a small increase of 1.6% in giving from the 2010 total. I am currently preparing the 2011 financial report for the APCM and am confident that I will be able to give a very favourable report compared to previous years. This is in part due to the contribution to the Diocese changing from a Parish “Share” to a “Pledge”, thereby allowing the PCC to be more able to manage our budget effectively in line with the income received and have agreed that our Pledge will be increased by 5% in 2012. Envelopes - If you regularly give using the yellow envelopes, would you please consider taking a box of the Regular Giving envelopes as this is easier to manage for the returns for Mr(s) Taxman. If you do use the yellow envelopes, can you please ensure that your details are completed and it is signed and dated. Also thanks to all who give by standing order to our bank or building society. And on a personal note, training is going well for the Chippenham Half-Marathon on 9th September 2012. I have been following a programme called “Couch to 5K” and am pleased to report that by the time you read this I hope to have completed my first non-stop 5 kilometre run, and am planning my first officially timed 5k run towards the end of the month. Just need to build that up to 21.09km! Jim
Women’s Union Women’s Union Programme of events. Join us at 2:15pm in St. Paul's Hall on: , 9th February - Slides with Joe McNeilage 23rd February Musical Afternoon 8th - March – Annual General Meeting All meetings are held in St. Paul’s Church Hall at 2:15pm. Details,
Barbara Wood 655413 Operation Christmas Child A
thank you to all those who donated Shoe Boxes and Money together with Brenda
Bird who coordinated the donations. Flowers at St.Nicholas Thankyou to Mary Clarke and all those that contribute to the wonderful
flowers displays in Church throughout the year. Mary is seeking help for the
flower rota for the July to December 2012 period. No special skills are
necessary, if you feel you can assist with this work please contact Mary 660753 Dates for the Diary Further
details of each event to follow in forthcoming newsletters. 21st April 13th to 20th May May/June (date to be advised) 6th June 14th July Contact Details Team
Rector, Revd Simon Tyndall Tel: 657216 Simon Team Vicar, Revd Simon Dunn Tel: 445816 Associate
Minister, Revd David Kilmister Tel: 650926 dave Lay Ministers based at St.
Nicholas Veronica Kilmister Tel: 650926 veronica Karen
Rudge Tel: 445191 karenrudge Barbara
Wood Tel: 655413 bmdwood Newsletter,Mark
Sheppard Tel: 721451 mark@avonweir.co.uk
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