Church Life Review 2007-2008
CHURCH STEWARDS
It may help church members to have a brief explanation regarding the duties of a church steward, especially if they are considering helping out with this worthwhile commitment:-
To be responsible for seeing that all services have been properly prepared with the church open and ready for members of the congregation.
To welcome and look after the preacher both before and after the service and to organise transport and hospitality, if required.
To help and support members of the congregation and to pass on any concerns to the appropriate minister.
This last year has been an unsettled one with our main concern centred on our minister, David and his struggle with health problems. We are very fortunate to be able to call upon the loving support of Rev. Gordon Lemmon, Rev. Jackie Smith and Deacon Brenda Hayes.
The stewards themselves have given their time both ably and willingly, working well together as a team. They have organised “Songs of Praise” and the Christmas service of Readings and Carols.
We are sorry to lose Sylvia Buttifant from our dedicated team and would be delighted to welcome new volunteers. We will ensure that any new stewards will be supported by an experienced steward.
It may be that becoming a door steward, welcoming the congregation, taking up the collection and giving out the service sheets has some appeal for you and I know that Stanley Lay would welcome your input and be pleased to add you to his rota. Pat Glover
PASTORAL VISITORS
There are twenty-two Pastoral Visitors at St. Andrew’s. Pastoral Visitors care for six to twelve Church Members. We have three new Pastoral Visitors this year – Sylvia Buttifant, Brenda Hayes and Stanley Lay. Our new Baptismal contact person is Margaret Lessels who is also a Pastoral Visitor. Betty and Roger Cook have recently resigned. We are extremely grateful for their support over the years.
Our Pastoral Visitors make contact on a regular basis; to have a chat; to see that all is well; to deliver the annual Membership Cards etc. This is also an opportunity to strengthen friendships and to keep members in touch with our Church. It is an important role and much appreciated by our housebound friends.
Our Minister would find it an impossible task to keep in touch with all our Church Members and Pastoral Visitors are in a position to know if a visit from the Minister would be appreciated; to keep him notified of any changes in their circumstances, e.g., poor health and/or hospital admission.
This year we have lost three of our members and we pray for their families in their sadness. It has been good to welcome four new members and hope that they all feel part of St. Andrew`s church family.
Our membership stands at 167.
Are you a regular worshipper at St. Andrew’s but not a Church Member? If so, we would very much like to know you better. We are aware that at present we do not have contact details for a number of friends who attend our Services. We invite you to provide a few details on a ‘Friends’ card, which you will find on the vestibule table. When completed please hand the card to one of our Church Stewards.
We greatly appreciate the commitment of all the Pastoral Visitors. If you feel that you would like to know more about this work please contact me.
Hazel Corry (Pastoral Secretary)
TREASURER`S REPORT
You may have seen a small notice that has appeared recently on a number of notice boards within the Church. The notice contains the information that last year it cost £1,167 a week; yes, one thousand one hundred and sixty-seven pounds a week to ensure that St. Andrew`s Church was able to meet its commitment to continue the work of ministry in Sheringham.
Now you may, once you have recovered from the shock of such a daunting weekly expenditure, have wondered how the Church managed to pay all the bills last year. Well, £500 to £600 a week was donated in the weekly collection, but that still left a shortfall of about £600 or £700. So from where did this extra money appear? This extra money came from several areas. From letting payments for use of rooms within the Church building; from generous donations by Church members, Church Organisations and friends; from profits gained from all the hard work that went to make the annual Flower Festival such a success; from tax recovered from ‘gift-aided’ donations and finally from Bank interest.
Each year the Church running costs increase. In August this year we now know that the Circuit Assessment for St Andrew’s will increase by 9% that is about £3,983. This is a significant annual increase in the amount of money that the Church has to find to meet its commitments to the Circuit. It would be dangerous to fully rely on donations from other areas such as the Flower Festival, Church lettings, ‘gift-aided tax recovery, etc to provide the extra money now needed to meet the increased Assessment. A Flower Festival affected by bad weather or a drop in lettings could severely impact on the Church’s ability to meet it debts. However the target does not seem quite as bad when the increase is calculated as support from weekly giving. The additional money required is equal to an extra £76.58p in weekly giving, or about 46 pence per week per Church member.
All Church Treasurers, I am sure, feel the pangs of doubt and anxiety gather as they contemplate all the expected bills as part of their preparation of the budget for a new financial year. I trust that the continued steadfast generosity of Church Members and friends will see us through the challenging year ahead. Tony Glover.
PROPERTY REVIEW 2007-2008
During the year the following work was performed on the outside of the premises:-
The paved area in front of the Church entrance was cleaned, some slabs replaced and the surface adjacent to the doors raised to improve wheelchair access. Also steps, complete with a handrail, have been added. The car park lines were repainted and adjusted to allow for the new storage facility. Christine and David Gooch weeded the car park and have done extensive work in maintaining and reorganising the gardens. A small rota of gentlemen, with the help of the motorised mower, maintained the Lawn. (Please note more volunteers are required, or in future years we may have to contract this work out).
Internally, the kitchen has a new hot water boiler for the washing up area and some of the cupboards have had the shelving strengthened. The Vestry toilet now has a hot water supply. The storeroom has experienced a major clearout, some to the rubbish dump and a lot to the new building in the car park. The main church heating has been attended by the plumber again and a watch will be maintained to ensure it continues to function.
The modifications to the Church sanctuary, to conform with the Disability Act, have reached the stage of being assessed by a Quantity Surveyor and the District Planning Authority before tenders are requested.
The following work is scheduled in the near future: Installation of a Digital Projection system in the small hall; The kitchen hot water boiler (adjacent to the serving hatch) will be replaced; Installation of a Fire Alarm system; Security marking of valuable items; Bids have been received for the gentlemen’s toilet to be refurbished. John Lessels.
PUBLICITY GROUP
The Church Publicity Group has had another busy year, continuing its aims to –
1. Provide information about church events, through designing posters, leaflets etc., getting information out to local papers, radio stations, on web-sites and other means of letting people know what`s on.
2. As well as publicity for Special Church services, Flower Festival and other large events the group is there to do publicity for all the church groups, so if you have an event which needs publicising let us know.
3. To keep notice boards inside and outside the church up-to-date, with posters rotated in date order. (Specific areas of boards in the church are used for different types of publicity – e.g. church events, town events etc.) So any posters for display should be given to Rosa.
4. To produce the monthly newsletter – The Messenger, and we are grateful to all who distribute these for us.
There are 5 members of the group, each with responsibility for different areas of the work, and often working together. We meet together about 4 times a year planning what is needed in the coming months and deciding on the designs of Christmas, Easter and Flower Festival publicity items. Rosa West
BEETLE DRIVES
We meet twice a month from September to May and have an average attendance of 20. Everyone pays a pound for 24 games, and we have a cup of tea and a biscuit after 12. After each game (about 5 minutes) the two winners on each table move on and the two losers change places, so by the end of the evening almost everyone has met everyone else.
The evenings are an excellent social occasion with the opportunity to meet other people. At the end of the season the profit from the evenings is shared between St. Andrew`s and one other charity.
Ann & Eric Roberts.
CHURCH CHOIR
The Choir meets weekly on Thursday afternoons under the leadership of Sylvia Forshaw, in order to prepare for the following Sunday morning's worship.
We sing an introit at the morning service, hopefully creating an appropriate atmosphere for worship. We sometimes use this opportunity to sing unfamiliar or new hymns in order to broaden our own and the congregation's knowledge. On special occasions, we sing an appropriate anthem.
We sometimes join with choirs from other Churches in Sheringham or in the Circuit to present more major works. Choir numbers have increased recently, but we are still short of tenors. If you are interested in joining, please speak to Sylvia Forshaw or Kath Whiting.
Kath Whiting
FELLOWSHIP CHOIR
Rehearsals are held in the Small Hall on Monday mornings from the beginning of November to the end of June. We currently have about 20 members and any lady who enjoys singing would be made very welcome - especially Altos!
We have a very varied repertoire and are always trying to expand this with new music. Our concerts are mainly for charitable or church-based organisations. We also represent St. Andrew's at the annual Town Carol Service at St. Peter's Church.
We are actively seeking new opportunities to perform and would be pleased to hear from any organisation that we could help in this way. Margaret Alderman
FRIDAY COMMUNION
Attendance at this weekly service continues to increase, and often numbers about 25 to 30 people. Lasting about 30 minutes the service usually includes two hymns, a reading, short talk and the communion. The service is much appreciated by all who attend, and we are grateful to our Minister and Supernumerary Ministers who lead it week by week.
During the last year we have been receiving a retiring collection each week, and these are sent monthly to various charities, these have been:
Christian Aid £54.90; Leprosy Mission £62.60; Biblelands £56.00;
Scripture Union £50.40; Seamen’s Mission of the Methodist Church £62.70;
Bible Society - Ethiopian Appeal £49.10; WaterAid £37.40; NCH £87.80;
Nelson’s Journey £58.45; Scripture Union £68.00; Leprosy Mission £54.40.
FRIDAY COFFEE MORNING
Coffee Mornings are held in the Small hall on Fridays throughout the year from 10.30 – 12, with the exception of Good Friday and the Flower Festival. We have two stalls - one selling various fancy goods, stationery items, toiletries etc., the proceeds from this stall going towards the cost of the flowers for Flower Festival. (Rosa will always be pleased to receive new items for this stall). We also have a card stall and proceeds from this are added to the card stall at the Flower Festival. The last Friday in September is usually given over to the annual MacMillan Nurses Coffee Morning.
A warm welcome awaits you all. Janice & Dennis Smith.
FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE
Again very little has changed since last year, membership and activities remain the same, although we did produce goods making our best ever total for the Flower Festival. We have also made a banner for the new North Norfolk Circuit. Maureen Conlon.
MORNING HOUSE GROUP
Our group of 12 members have had a positive and helpful year of Bible Study. We have mainly concentrated on the Acts of the Apostles which has helped us to understand and appreciate the Church in its early days. It has also encouraged us to seek the ‘Acts of Holy Spirit’ in our daily experience. We now meet at the home of Sylvia Buttifant, (21-23 Cromer Road) which, due to its cosy atmosphere has provided a bonus to our meetings. Some of the evening housegroup are about to combine with us, but we extend a warm welcome to any others who would also like to join us.
If you need transport, please speak to Jackie, Sylvia, or Brenda and we will arrange this for you. Jackie Smith
SCRABBLE EVENINGS
Our little group continued its regular twice a month meetings throughout the year and the total amount received over this period amounted to £213 in favour of the National Children`s Home. Between 8-9 come on average, and more are always welcome, particularly another driver to help with the transport. It is all very informal and light-hearted. The monthly dates are published in the Messenger. Pam & Derek Tibbs
SHORT MAT BOWLS CLUB
We have had a membership of 52 this past year, and a regular attendance at all the sessions. The ideal number at each session is 12 but we can cope with 16.
We meet every weekday afternoon except Thursday, plus Monday and Wednesday mornings, for two hours and everyone enjoys not only the competitiveness of the game, but also the fun and laughter that ensues.
There are all levels of skill amongst our members, but everyone mixes in and a good time is had by all. The nucleus of club members is from St. Andrew`s, but we also have players from St. Peter`s, St. Joseph`s and some with no church connection at all, the club being open to all. An Annual Lunch is held in January or February each year when we all get together for a meal at a local restaurant.
Anyone who would like to try their hand at bowls will be very welcome at any session. Contact either the Secretary, Eric Roberts, or the Treasurer, Win Manington, for more information. The new season starts on 1st. October. Eric Roberts
SONSEEKERS
We have 7 children in the group aged between 5 yrs. and 11 yrs. They all attend regularly, although not always every week. They are a lively bunch and certainly keep us on our toes.
Sadly we had to say farewell to our longest members, Rebecca, Victoria and Chelsea, who are now fairly `grown up`. Also, they live a distance from Sheringham and it is quite difficult to get to St. Andrew`s regularly. We hope they will keep in touch and in the meantime wish God`s blessing on them. Yvonne Grainge and I continue as leaders. We follow the Roots worship notes which correspond with the lectionary.
The children take part in All Age Worship and special services. We hope that the congregation in general enjoy these services and find some benefit from sharing the lessons to be learned by all ages. Some attended a District youth service at East Runton Chapel. The end of service report on what they had studied provided enjoyment for them and the congregation (at least that is what most people told me) We also hope that the grown-ups may learn something from our children too.
In February we had a special all age worship to commemorate the life and work of Janet Warsop. The theme, appropriate for Janet was `People who make a difference` lead by Jackie Smith and attended by Janet`s family and past Sonseekers. Towards the end of the service, most of the congregation went outside where the Sonseekers and Janet`s grandchildren planted a tree in her memory. The tree was the idea of the Sonseekers and donated by them. Grateful thanks to David Gooch for organising the planting.
Christingle again provided the children with an opportunity to shine. This time, their role was to provide a tableau of the nativity scene and they helped with the music group singing.
During the year the children have collected for JMA, after the service and at home, with great success. They also supported Christian Aid with a `toilet` project. Thanks to the few people who also took part, helping them to increase their `earnings`. Sonseekers played an important part in the shoe box appeal and it`s associated All age worship.
I would like to thank those members who have volunteered to help. There are few times when they have been called on but it is a great help to know that we have such support. Thank you to the congregation, too, for giving us an awareness of increasing support and interest in the children.
June Willingale.
TABLE TENNIS CLUB
We have a membership of around 14, but the number of people playing each week varies from 4 or 5 up to the full membership.
We have two table-tennis tables which we set up in the Large hall, and usually play games of doubles, swapping and changing partners throughout the whole evening. It is an evening of fun, exercise – chasing the ball around the floor is good exercise!, chat and laughter plus a welcome cup of tea or coffee, and often chocolate biscuits too! It`s been known affectionately as “the adult youth club”.
New members would be warmly welcomed. Just come along one Wednesday evening between 7.30 – 9.30pm. Rosa West & David Starling
WESLEY GUILD
The Wesley Guild meets in the Small Hall at St. Andrew`s on the 3rd. Thursday of the month at 7.30 p.m. from October to May inclusive. The Guild is an open meeting for ladies and gentlemen of all ages. We try to arrange a varied programme of subjects and speakers that we hope will be of interest to all. The meeting opens with a short devotional time led by a member, which leads into the subject of the evening and concludes with tea, coffee biscuits and a chat.
During the past year we have listened to the Revd. Rosemary Wakelin about her experiences as a prison chaplain, and Deacon Brenda Hayes telling us about some of her experiences as a deacon. The Revd. Philip Hilstrop gave us another very enjoyable musical evening. Madeline Ashcroft told us of her voluntary work in South Africa working with under privileged children in a school. In April we have a supper followed by a short Annual General Meeting. At our May meeting, which is the last session before the summer break, we will hear of the work of M.A.F.“Flying for Life”.
Please come along – we welcome all – church members, residents or visitors to North Norfolk. We will be pleased to see you all. Valerie Ridgley.
WIVES GROUP
The Wives Group was founded in 1970/1 as a Young Wives Club – we still have some founder members! However we dropped the “Young” in our title a long time ago and our membership includes all denominations and others who enjoy our mix of sociable activities. We aim to extend Christian fellowship, have fun and support each other in raising funds for charity in an unforced and friendly manner. Most years we give nearly £2,000 to various charities near and far.
We hold coffee evenings in the Church hall the second and fourth Tuesday evenings of the month from September to July. Our speakers talk for up to an hour (in return for a donation to the charity they nominate) following which we have coffee and biscuits.
This year we have enjoyed talks on:- Catering the Royal Way part II; Fairtrade; Kai and her flowers; Cream beauty boutique; Antiques Road Show; The Legacy of Apartheid; Creative Chiropractic and The Sheringham Children`s Trust. The charities supported this year are medical – Palliative Care East- James Paget Hospital; Multiple Sclerosis Society; Motor Neurone Disease Association; East Anglia Air Ambulance, local – The Sheringham Children`s Trust; Sheringham in Bloom; BREAK; and of course St. Andrew`s Church. Others- NCH; The Calabash Trust; Traidcraft Exchange.
We have entertained ourselves with a Membership buffet to begin our new year, Christmas Punch and pies, a quiz night in February, a Lucky Dip night in May and our AGM in June can be quite lively too! We have organised two jumble sales plus cake stalls to augment funds raised at the coffee evenings and held a Fashion show in April. We run the Bric-a-brac stall and lucky dip in July at the Flower Festival.
Our social programme included our annual dinner at the Sherry `n` Ham, a Thai buffet, a musical evening at Sheringham Little Theatre, a visit to Cromer Museum and a Jazz cruise on the Broads.
Our membership has grown from 15 – 50+ over the past 10 years – our speakers comment on how friendly and interested our group is. Do please support our efforts to help others – join us or come to our events. If you would like further details contact me. Stephanie Wolsey
WOMENS FELLOWSHIP
Membership numbers at 33 remain much the same, attendance on average being 24. Some members have moved away but one or two others have joined us. Since Christmas things have been a bit difficult. The illness of our minister has meant a number of the meetings that had been planned had to be rearranged, but we have always had a meeting and they have been enjoyed by those who attended.
The annual set aside day was well attended and very ably led by Deacon Brenda Hayes. During the day there was a break for lunch for which we thank the ladies who did the catering.
The Women’s World Day of Prayer was held at the Baptist Church on the first Friday in March. Next year St Andrew’s will be hosting it. The Easter Offering Dedication Service will be held on Monday 21st April at Overstrand followed by a light lunch.
The Women’s Fellowship have an outing planned for May 1st going to Long Sutton to their Flower Festival. We are expecting a good time.
Soon we shall be planning the programme for the autumn when once again we hope to have interesting and varied meetings Any lady who doesn’t yet come and would like to join us would be more than welcome on a Thursday afternoon at 2.30pm. We always finish with a cup of tea and a chat. We are a very friendly group. Margaret Clough
CHURCH CATERING
Catering generates income for the church and is a means of outreach to a wider community. Our biggest commitment is providing refreshments over the four days of the Flower Festival. Booked lunches and teas for coach parties are catered for both at St. Andrew`s and St. Joseph`s. Last year we did more parties again, including three in one day.
During the year we have provided lunches and teas for coach parties visiting Sheringham. There were not quite as many as in previous years and one party leader explained – with free bus travel her party had decided to travel in smaller groups. We have also catered for refreshments after services (including funerals), performance intervals, and at the Old Time Markets – four times a year. A most enjoyable event was providing refreshments after the wedding of Audrey and Don Howes.
The annual meeting of the BevIn Boys again featured as one of our largest events, with about 70 people having morning coffee, 3 course lunch and afternoon tea and cakes. We shall be catering for this event again this year, a special event, celebrating recognition and receiving awards for their previously unacknowledged wartime service.
It was also a pleasure to provide lunch for our neighbours of Anchor Close and St. Andrew`s Close. The annual Harvest Meal, a lunch, was another highlight and hopefully another meal will be enjoyed this year.
The profits from these events are divided between buying equipment, donations to local charities, and the church, hopefully for specific projects.
With increasing demands on our time (at home as well as the church), we are very grateful for all the willing help we are given by members of the church, both ladies and gentlemen, often at short notice. We will always have to ask for help and so please contact me or anyone else on the committee if you feel you would be able to help, either by joining us on the committee or offering your help in any way. Please make our life a little easier by volunteering. Thank you everyone for your support.
June Willingale.
CHURCH FLOWERS
The flowers in our Church are donated by members in memory of their loved ones or to celebrate special occasions. The flowers are arranged by a member of the flower arranging team, and are then left in the Church for people to admire during the course of the week when we have many groups using the Church. Also the giver of the flowers can visit the Church to see the arrangement. (Sometimes they cannot get to the Church on a Sunday.)
I am always receiving praise on behalf of the arrangers, and so I know that our visitors enjoy them. I am also given donations towards the cost of the flowers at Easter, Harvest and Christmas. The flowers become more and more expensive every year and so I am always grateful to receive any monies towards them.
I start planning the following year's Rota in October, or thereabouts . Please see me around that time to confirm that you wish to give flowers again or to sort out which date you want. Each year the dates fall on different days and so it may be that you want an earlier or later time than the previous year. I do have some spare dates, but not many. If you require a particular day, then an arrangement can always be put in the vestibule or chapel if the Church is already being used. Hazel Fielding
CHURCH BOOKINGS
Our premises are very well used – almost 800 entries in the diary so far this year – that’s without Sunday services!
I haven’t had two people expecting to use the same room at the same time yet – hopefully it will never come – but if you haven’t booked the room there’s no guarantee it hasn’t been let to someone else.
All entries on the calendar are colour coded so that Mike, the caretaker, knows which rooms are to be used. If you wish to check your booking(s) the code is at the front of the calendar. Thank you to all those who return their booking forms promptly – your co-operation makes the job a lot easier.
Christine Gooch
FLOWER FESTIVAL
Our largest annual event of the year is the Flower Festival which takes place from the 1st. Thursday to Sunday in July each year. But, preparations and work for it commence almost a year ahead.
Last year we again saw a record number of visitors coming through our church doors over the four days, and hundreds of appreciative comments were received, both verbally and in the visitors book, many commenting on the warm and friendly welcome they had received, as well as the beauty of all the flower arrangements, the delicious meals they`d partaken, and the variety of the stalls.
The Festival, as well as being essential to the financial running of the church, also is a great out-reach into the community, and as church members work alongside one another they get to know one another a bit better too.
A donation from the Festival is given to a local good cause, which last year was to the East Anglia Ambulance Trust project to set up a First Response Team in Sheringham.
Each year the Festival has a theme for the flower arrangements, and for this coming year as we will be celebrating St. Andrew`s 40th. Anniversary, it is “A Celebration of Festivals”, and will depict the titles of Festivals over the last 40 years. Rosa West
J.M.A (Junior Mission for All)
Last year we had 11 JMA collectors, 10 of them from our Sonseekers Group, and they raised £659.60 for missionary work. Some of this went to provide training and tools for poor people in Bangladesh. On 4th. November we met with other collectors from the Circuit, at East Runton and learnt about work amongst street children in Bolivia.
The children would like to thank all the church members who give so generously when we collect after the morning service once each month. Yvonne Grainge.
NCH
NCH has a Circuit Support Group which meets in Sheringham several times a year planning activities for fund raising and meeting the fund raising requirements from the National Children`s Home Area representative.
Our year concluded on 31st. December 2007 and the total raised was £4157.28 of which £900 was raised at St. Andrew`s, plus £616 from the NCH boxes.
Throughout the year our Circuit Quizzes and Concerts are held atSt. Andrew`s and these raise a considerable sum. All the Circuit Churches support the NCH. To date the current total is £802.57 which includes £345.77 from St. Andrew`s Christmas collection.
I express my grateful thanks to all who support NCH, especially the support group and those who collect and administer the NCH boxes which was an increase on last year.
Watch out for the Tuppenny Rush at St. Andrew`s on Saturday 12th. July 10-12noon
David Starling
NETWORK
Our 1st. Network event for this year (2008) was the Set-a-side day, held once again at Sheringham and led by Deacon Brenda Hayes. We were joined by members from the North Walsham & Aylsham Circuit. We had a thought provoking day and then enjoyed a hot lunch prepared by our catering team.
The Easter Offering envelopes are one way in which we raise money for World Mission. This year the Easter Offering Circuit Thanksgiving service will be held at Overstrand on 21st. April. The theme of the service is “Making a Difference”.
We have a social get-together lunch on 12th. July where we hope to meet our new Superintendent – Revd. Pat Olivent-Hayes.
At the moment the future of Women`s Network is in turmoil. It has been suggested that we become independent from the Methodist Church, a challenge that is being resisted quite strongly form the membership. We await events! Win Manington
CHRISTIAN AID
From December as St. Andrews C.A. Rep. I would like to report the following:-
In December, we responded to the Bangladesh appeal with a retiring collection, raising the sum of £176.65. In January we joined with other Churches for Family Fun Quiz, which was enjoyed by everyone and we raised £144.24.
Dates for your diaries:- May 11th-17th is the House to House collections. Many of our members are giving their time to do this valuable and worthwhile collection, which will be for Bangladesh and Africa, we ask for your prayers during this period.
On the Sunday May 11th there will be an ecumenical service at St. Andrews commencing at 3.00pm. Leader -Brenda Hayes, with Speaker- Eldred Willey (C.A.organiser Norwich office) Members of Sheringham churches will be taking part. Please support this service.
During the coming year we hope to have other events, these will be publicised. Audrey O’Neil
LUNCH CLUB
Sheringham Evergreens Lunch Club is a lunch club for anyone who is over the age of 55 and living in the parishes of Sheringham, Beeston Regis and Upper Sheringham. We are affiliated to Age Concern.
We have members from all the churches and have different guest clergy who come to say Grace for us. The Lunch Club is now 20 years old and held a special birthday lunch last November when the Mayor Mr Noel Gant and his wife were our special guests.
Lunches are prepared and cooked on Thursdays between October and the end of April. We have 74 members and a waiting list. Our committee does all the organising and our present Chairman is Mr Bryan Pigott. We have a list of wonderful volunteers doing different jobs; cooks, waitress's, people preparing vegetables and some doing the washing up, also drivers for our less able members.
Once a year we have an outing, this year in May we are going out to lunch at "The Plough " then going on to the Broads where we are having a trip on The Mississippi River boat. Anyone wishing to become a member and our waiting list is now very low, should contact our membership secretary Mrs Jill Clements on 824129.Also new volunteers are always welcome to join our happy team please contact Pat Paice on 823660. Pat Paice
MISSION IN BRITAIN
Mission in Britain, formerly known as the Home Mission Dept. supports and maintains the work of chaplains in the armed forces, in prisons, the seamen`s mission and all aspects of mission work throughout the country. Last year through your efforts the sum of £544.35 was raised for this very important work.
Our annual concert raised the sum of £161.80; Envelopes £88.00; a very generous donation of £90.00 from our St. Andrew`s Women`s Fellowship and £105.00 from the popular “Win & Jack`s Coffee morning”. Collecting boxes are available and I should be only too delighted to supply them to anyone who feels they could contribute to this cause. Jack Edwards.
MHA (Methodist Homes for the Aged)
The annual church collection in October raised £128.76, this included the MHA Collecting boxes. The Church Council donated £137, and other donations were £50, which makes a total of £315.76. Thank you to everyone who contributed. Brenda Smith
STABLE DOOR
The Stable Door is the Sheringham Christian Housing Trust, founded for the purpose of providing affordable, rented housing for families in need. It is a registered charity administered by representatives from each of the member organisations of Churches Together in Sheringham, and Upper Sheringham/Weybourne. St. Andrew`s is represented by Anne Barker and June Willingale.
We have 7 properties in the town. For the first time since it was formed 16 years ago we are not aiming to buy another house. The need is still there but we would be required to have professional management for any additional housing stock. Therefore, we have been renovating and improving the properties with replacement windows and doors; new kitchen units; new bathrooms etc. The weather has caused fallen tiles; garden fences to be blown down – all adding to the constant on-going repairs etc. All this work ensures that the houses are kept to a high standard.
Fund raising is still important to continue with this work. Christmas card sales are a major source of income and we would like to thank not only those who buy them but also the children of the churches who compete each year to have their designs chosen. We have been greatly helped and encouraged by the generous aid from the local churches, the carnival committee and many friends.
June Willingale.
TRAIDCRAFT
The sales for the second year, 2006-7 were £2,010, 93%higher than the previous year. They continue well this year, which is very encouraging. With the small profit from the sales of Traidcraft goods £110 has been sent to Traidcraft Exchange, the charity which helps producers in the Third World to achieve Fairtrade status.
We have fortnightly sales after the Morning Service during Coffee time. We also have a stall at St. Joseph`s Hall during the Advent and Lenten Lunches.
For part of Fairtrade Fortnight the Salvation Army Shop managers kindly set aside part of the shop and cafe for the sale of Traidcraft goods and cups of tea and coffee were served with Traidcraft biscuits. We have a permanent small area for Traidcraft goods and Traidcraft tea and coffee are used in the café.
We have had stalls at a Charity event at the Baptist Church, and in the street at Station Road, also at the Quakers Meeting Hall. I am grateful for everyone`s support, especially Barbara Dew, who has helped come rain (including a downpour!) come shine. Brenda Smith
WORLD MISSION
We are asked to support funding for Mission Partners both at home and overseas. Last October we had a weekend celebration with the Circuit, our guest speakers were working with the street children in Bolilvia.
Money is also raised by members who give very generously through boxes and donations. Last year (2007) over £500 was sent via MRDF (Methodist Relief and Development Fund) from this church.
Win Manington
PRIMITIVE METHODIST CELEBRATION
During 2007, we celebrated the founding of Primitive Methodism, and the work and witness of the former Station Road chapel. A booklet was produced telling the history of this. (copies are available from Rosa West and David Starlilng, price £2.50).
The ‘high point’ of the Celebrations was in August when, led by the Salvation Army Band, a procession walked from the site of the old Station Road Chapel to St. Andrew`s where a service was held on the church lawn. This was led by Revd. David East standing on an old farm wagon, in the style of the old Camp Meetings part of the witness of the early Primitive Methodists.
Following the service, tea was served to everyone in the hall, and a celebratory cake was cut. An exhibition of memorabilia and photos was displayed in the Small Hall.
|