Issue 171 October 2019

Minister:

Pastor Steve Mayo

1 Oakview Close Leigh-on-Sea Essex SS9 4JN Tel: 01702 483827

E-mail: pastorstevemayo@gmail.com

Editor:

Mrs. Sue Spaull

Tel: 01702 521344

E-mail: sue.spaull@hotmail.co.uk

Ministers letter

Sunday Services October

Other dates for October

Letters Page

Future events

Regular weekly meetings

Inside this issue:

B e l f a i r s M e t h o d i s t C h u r c h W h e r e o l d f r i e n d s m e e t a n d s t ra n g e r s f e e l a t h o m e

N e w s l e t t e r

Thought for the month Never be so heavenly minded As to be no earthly use. Belfairs Birthday book

www.belfairsmethodistchurch.org.uk

Our mission is to provide an open, welcoming and accepting, living place of Christian worship and service

in our community, in which we seek to serve and follow Jesus Christ.

When I started thinking about using ‘footprints’ as a theme for this letter, I had feet in

mind, but by far the biggest hit on the internet about footprints was about our carbon

footprint, the damage that we do to our world through pollution etc. Then that got me

thinking about what we do with our lives whilst were here, living on earth, and that quote

from a song by John Kay, ‘take nothing but pictures leave nothing but footprints,’ kept

running through my mind, so I started to thinking about it a bit more… ‘take nothing but

pictures…’

I know what the writer of those words is getting at, meaning don’t pick flowers etc.

which would spoil things for others following us.

But how many of us only take pictures of life without really getting involved in what

happening before us; watching life stream past us like rain running down a window pane?

A Christian author, Anne Long, describes time as being measured not only in length, but

also in depth! And she’s right! It’s not just about the length of time we spend here on

earth, it’s also about the depth of time, the quality of what we do whilst we’re here that

also counts; the depth of our experiences, the depth of our relationships.

Do our footprints of life go off into the distance in a straight line, or do they meander,

touching and experiencing life to the full, because that’s why Jesus said He came to

earth; to bring us life and life to the full! He said in John 10:10; ‘I came so they can have

real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.’ [The Message]

………………………………………./2

- 2 - Are you living your life in 2 dimensions when you could be living in 3 dimensions? We

shouldn’t just be on-lookers of life, but active participants!

And what about the second part of the quote… ‘leave nothing but footprints?’

Are footprints all we leave? Is not the way we behave and the way we treat others more

lasting than footprints?

What’s going to be your legacy to the earth and to others?

Hopefully when we look back over our lives it won’t just be footprints we see, but remnants

of a good life, a life of encouragement, generosity, goodness and love.

But maybe, as you think of your past, you haven’t just left footprints, but a legacy hurt,

despair and pain?

Well, you can change that too. Because if we correct our present, then that will change our

futures, and consequently, our pasts in that future!

So how do we change?

We change by walking with Jesus. By following in His footsteps, by copying His example of

how we should live and how we should interact with others as we journey through life.

And the closer we walk with Jesus; the fuller life will be!

There is an old Jewish blessing that says; ‘May you be covered by the dust of your Rabbi.’

So the image here is of us, His followers, walking so close behind Jesus that we become

covered in the dust that His sandals kick up. Now that’s following closely!

So, don’t just skim through life, realise the depth of time, as well as the length. Follow

Jesus closely, and you will live life to the full! Amen.

Every blessing,

Pastor Steve

6th 11.00 a.m. Ms. Jill Campbell

13th 11.00 a.m. Mrs. Dani Mayo

20th 9.00 a.m. Early Morning Communion followed by breakfast - Pastor Steve Mayo 11.00 a.m. Miss Sanya Strachan - Parade Service 27th 11.00 a.m. Rev. Peter Perowne - Holy Communion - United Service with Wesley

Other October dates for your diary

3rd Men’s Supper Club at 7.30p.m. (Please make sure your name is on the list at the back of

the church if you wish to attend).

5th Coffee Morning - Maureen and Margaret

10th Thirsty For?? at 7.00 p.m.

12th Coffee Morning - Mike & Phil

13th Sunday Lunch at 1.00 p.m. (Please make sure your name is on the list in the front foyer by

end of service on 6th October).

16th Seekers Discussion Group at 2.00 p.m.

19th Coffee Morning - Pam and John

24th A.C.T.I.O.N. at 2.00 p.m.

24th Church Council Meeting at 7.30 p.m.

26th Coffee Morning - Men’s Supper Club - Toast will be available

Sunday Services for October2019

Point of Contact

Below is shown details of the Sunday Stewards, Communion Stewards and Flower Rota relevant for this month. Sunday 6th October

Sunday Steward - Maureen Frampton Flowers - Doreen Brown in memory of Fred - arranged by Jan

Sunday 13th October Sunday Steward - Pat Crabb Flowers - Margaret Bailey in memory of Peter - arranged by Margaret B Sunday 20th October Early Morning Communion Steward - Steve Spaull Sunday Steward - Mike Spaull

Flowers - Peggy Grant in memory of Peter - arranged by Marion

Sunday 27th October

Sunday Steward - Anthea Meek

Communion Steward - Jim Halstead, John Collier

Flowers - Margaret Tomlin for Steve’s birthday - arranged by Margaret T

Letters Page/Church family news

Dear Church Family Thank you for the flowers I received in July, I was feeling a bit low after my friend Peter Godward passed away. Thanks again for the love and kind-ness. Peggy Grant I thank you God sincerely for the friends I have today And all that they have done for me To help me on the way. I thank you that I met them In fellowship and cheer, And that in time of need and stress They always have been near. I thank you for my faithful friends In places near and far, Whose kindly deeds have made my days as fruitful as they are. Whose happy songs have done so much to make my dreams come true, And who, by their example, Lord, Have drawn me close to you. Anon Supplied by Peggy Grant

Dear friends, Thank you so much for the lovely scarf and card I received from A.C.T.I.O.N as I will not be doing door duty any more. It was a lovely gift from you all. So many thanks Love Sylvia

Dear friends Thank you for a;; the lovely flowers, gifts and cards on my 80th birthday. I had a lovely time with friends and family ending up in Jersey. I’m blessed to have ny friends at Belfairs and a lovely family. God bless everyone With love Lucy

I’d like to say a huge thank you for my beautiful flowers which I received for my birthday. They are giving me a lot of pleasure. I had a lovely birthday. Dave took me out for a meal which was followed be a trip to the cinema to see the new Downton Abbey movie. Also want to thank all those who sent me cards. I felt thoroughly spoilt and feel really blessed having such wonderful friends at Belfairs. God Bless you all. With love from Neeltje

Letters Page/Church family news cont.d /2

"From Zena Goss (wife of Revd. Brian Goss) who many people in the Circuit will remember from their time here: As many of you will know, the Revd. Teresa Rutterford is a highly creative and gifted artist – witness her quilted wall hangings at a number of churches, including Leigh Wesley, Highlands and Canvey Island Methodist Churches; not forgetting her Circuit Wall Hanging, and also her Wall Hanging in Rayleigh Baptist Church. For two weeks, from October 21st to November 4th, a variety of examples of her beautiful and unique work will be on display and on sale in the shop “PUDDLE and GOOSE” close to St. Clements Church, Leigh on Sea. This will be a wonderful opportunity to buy special and unusual gifts, and a way to start your Christmas shopping! Profits from the sale of items will go to Rethink Mental Illness, Southend Recovery Point, in memory of her late son, Jerome."

Please remember you are free to put your prayer concerns on the board at the back of the church. They will be printed on the weekly notice sheet for two months and then removed though you may put them back if the need continues. Please add your name and date to the request on the white cards which are by the board. The church is always open on Saturday Mornings during 11.00 a.m. to 12 noon while the coffee mornings are in progress and you are invited to spend time there in quiet prayer or reflection. An up to date list of the family and friends of Belfairs who need our prayers will appear on the weekly Notice sheet.

WHEN I SAY I AM A CHRISTIAN

A Beautiful Poem by Maya Angelou

"When I say that 'I am a Christian', I am not shouting that 'I am clean living. I'm whispering 'I was lost, but now I'm found and forgiven.' When I say 'I am a Christian', I don't speak of this with pride. I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide. When I say 'I am a Christian', I'm not trying to be strong. I'm professing that I'm weak and need His strength to carry on. When I say 'I am a Christian', I'm not bragging of success. I'm admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess. When I say 'I am a Christian', I'm not claiming to be perfect. My flaws are far too visible, but God believes I am worth it. When I say 'I am a Christian', I still feel the sting of pain. I have my share of heartaches, so I call upon His name. When I say 'I am a Christian', I'm not holier than thou, I'm just a simple sinner who received God's good grace, somehow!" Supplied by Tina Gowers

Envelope Scheme

The weekly envelope scheme starts again on 6th October and I have 6 spare sets of envelopes.

The envelopes are great way to regularly contribute to the work at Belfairs and help pay our Circuit assessment so, if you would like to have a set to put in the weekly offertory bags, please speak to me. Alternatively, you could set up a bank standing order, for a regular amount each month. Please speak to me for our bank details.

If you are a taxpayer, I can claim back 25% of your offerings from HMRC. If you can also contribute in this way, please see me for a Gift Aid declaration form. Even if you are not a tax-payer, as long as any one contribution* is £30.00 or less, in cash, than I can still claim back 25%. So, there’s really no reason not to join the envelope scheme. Please help us by contributing regularly.

This year, our circuit assessment is £32,697!

Although the circuit assessment is worked out, partly, on membership, every one of us needs to contribute towards our church finances, members and non-members alike.

Tina Gowers

Treasurer

*If you contribute £10 per week, but miss a couple of weeks and, therefore, put 3 envelopes in the offertory bag in one week, that equals £30 and that is ok. However, if you miss 3 weeks and, therefore, put 4 envelopes in the bag in one week, that would equal £40 and I would not be able to claim Gift Aid on that £40.00.

Call to Prayer & Fasting The President of the Conference called the church to a day of prayer and fasting – it was hoped in Sept 2017– this was not possible in the timescale. A

Sunday Lunch We will resume Sunday Lunch on October 13th. If you wish to attend please make sure your name is on lunch list in the front foyer by end of service on Sunday 6th October. Please remember that as this is a new session no names were carried forward. The meal will consist of three courses, soup with roll and butter, a roast meal, and a choice of dessert followed by tea or coffee, cost £7.00. At the time of print, the profits made from these lunches, for this year only, are being allocated to church funds towards the cost of new heating and electrics, but this has to be ratified at Church Council. This is, as always, subject to last minute change should demand arise, e.g. world disaster. Thanking you in advance for your support. Sue Spaull Sunday Lunch Co-ordinator

BELFAIRS METHODIST CHURCH Eastwood Road North, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex.

REGULAR WEEKLY MEETINGS

SUNDAY SERVICES 11.00 a.m. (6.30 p.m. as announced)

9.00 a.m. Early morning communion followed by breakfast (3rd Sunday as announced) 10 O’clock Club 10.00 a.m. (except 3rd Sunday Parade Service)

MONDAY 5.30 p.m. Boys’ Brigade Anchor Boys

6.30 p.m. Boys’ Brigade Junior Section 7.30 p.m. Boys’ Brigade Company Section

TUESDAY 2.00 p.m. Indoor Bowls Club

7.00 p.m. Junior Badminton Club 8.00 p.m. Badminton Club

WEDNESDAY 10.00 a.m. Parent & Toddlers

5.30 p.m. Girls’ Brigade Explorers 6.30 p.m. Girls’ Brigade Juniors 6.30 p.m. Girls’ Brigade Seniors & Brigaders

THURSDAY FRIDAY

SATURDAY 10.00 a.m. ‘Open House’ Coffee Morning

MONTHLY MEETINGS Sunday Monthly Lunch 1.00 p.m. 2nd Sunday (Oct—June) Men’s Supper Club 7.30 p.m. 1st Thursday (Oct—May) Thirsty For?? 7.00 p.m. 2nd Thursday A.C.T.I.O.N 2.00 p .m. 4th Thursday House Groups 7.30 p.m. 2nd Tuesday ) Please speak to ‘Seekers’ Discussion Group 2.00 p.m. 3rd Wednesday ) Stewards for ) more details.

November Newsletter Deadline: Articles are welcomed at any time, but the deadline for last minute items is 20th October 2019. Articles can be placed in the box in the foyer or e-mailed to sue.spaull@hotmail.co.uk Thank you.