"Journeying together to share our Christian faith"

Issue Number 28

25th July 2008

    There was anxiety about how the use of the Church for the Summer Fete would be taken. In the event it was surprising how relaxed everyone was on this aspect. There was a good atmosphere, and the event was a success - over £ 1600 was raised for general funds. Prize-winners included A. Clyde, A Stovell, E. Morris, H. Charlton, Mel@Oasis, P. Robertson, A Stourton, P. Bradley and J. Kingman.

    The following day we said our formal farewells to Tony and Helen. You will have seen the write-up in the weekly notices, together with Tony and Helen's response and appreciation of years of co-operation, and hopes for the future. We wish them happiness in their new life in Devon.

    Another 'party' in a smaller yet beautiful. garden was at Hazel Charlton's house in aid ofthe Leprosy Mission. Hazel thanks everyone who took part, and has received a letter of thanks for the £161 raised. The money is to be allocated to a leprosy prevention project in Nigeria.

    As most of you will know by now, our friend. Jean Bowling. passed away on Friday 18th July after a long and distressing illness which she bore with great courage. Her bravery was an inspiration to all who knew her. Before her illness worsened, Jean took a keen interest in all Church activities, especially those involving the youngest of our children. May she rest in peace. We extend our sympathy to her son Michael and his family.

    We also record the death of Peter Beasley whose funeral was on 5th June. Our condolences are extended to his family.

    We welcome by baptism Megan Davies, Katelyn Burton, Taylor Harvey and Hayden Barnett; may they grow in grace within the Church family.

    The following were confirmed at St. Paul's on 8th June: Alice Bennett, George Belcher, Daniel Brown, Charlotte Farnsworth and Charlotte and Robert Gough. May they continue .to -grow in .grace with our help..

    Following the appeal in the last Peternews, the lost Banns register has duly reappeared, after (of course) we had purchased and started to use a new one!

    Also since the last Peternews there have been two PCC meetings. At the 12th June meeting we resolved the vacant Treasurer position by enlisting Diane Bishop to look after the incoming money, Becky Bennetts to look after the outgoing money and Arline Stovell to keep the books and an overall watch on our finances. At the 17th July meeting the Archdeacon explained how he sees the next 6 - 8 months at St. Peter's (via an external 'facilitating' team); see details in the PCC minutes in the Narthex. We also decided it was now possible to regularise the Church Warden situation and to fill a casual vacancy on the PCC. Nomination forms are on the Notice Board in the Narthex. {A Church meeting  was held on 10th August at which Vivienne Fuller and Ivan Hurcum were elected as Church Wardens - NS]

    There have been two donations of white goods for the kitchen: a large fridge (thank you, Verena) and a microwave oven (thank you, GiIl).

    You may have missed hearing the bell. It has suffered a mechanical failure, and Keith Dispain is sorting it out for us.

    The boiler replacement and conversion to gas is in hand, and should be completed during August. We applied to Borough Lands and to NWDC Community Partnerships for grants, and have been awarded £4000 and £10,000 respectively towards the £17,550 total cost. We are extremely grateful for this help. As part of the NWDC grant assessment, an energy survey was carried out on our buildings, and it makes interesting reading. A second recommendation was to get the defunct heat exchangers repaired/replaced, for which NWDC has added a further £700 grant. This work has yet to be initiated. Part of the survey included giving us an electrical energy monitoring device, so we can now tell the instantaneous power consumption at any time; an encouragement to "switch off that light, etc.".

    The list of DIY jobs around the building is being nibbled at. Several people have indicated they would like to help. Where you feel you

can get on with any of it - please check on availability of access (others may be using the premises) - please proceed. It would be useful if you let me know as well. It is hoped to get a large part of this work done during August.

    Anyone for a pilgrimage to the Seven Churches of Asia (Paul's journeys) next April? Tony is willing to organise such a trip. Please contact him soon (by e-mail to tonyfens@aol.com or by post via the Church office).

Welcome back to the Bartons, - Chris, Francina and daughter Rebecpa - after a couple of years abroad in Australia. It's good to see you again.

                        Ivan Hurcum

    {I'm sorry for the delay in posting this edition of PETERNEWS - NS]