The West Bergholt Methodist Church are inviting older members of the community to afternoon tea. The event takes place at the Methodist Church Hall on Sunday 17th July starting at 3pm. Particularly aimed at those who are elderly, living alone and with no nearby family or friends this will bring Continue reading “Afternoon Tea at the Methodist Hall”
We have received the following news update from the Methodist Church:
The Methodist Church
Sadly it is time for our Minister Rev Ruth Ridge to move on, having completed eight years service with us here in West Bergholt and the Colchester Circuit. She came to us as a newly ordained minister in her first Circuit and has been a breath of fresh air to us all. Her tireless work and infectious enthusiasm have made an impact on so many. We are grateful for all she has done in our communities over this time and she will be greatly missed by us all.
Ruth is leaving the Circuit at the end of July and there will not be a new Minister in the Manse. The Manse is being let for a year, so please do not try and make contact at the Manse or deliver any messages there. The Rev Ken Chalmers will be joining the Circuit in September but will not be living in the village. He will join our Superintendent Minister, Rev Alan Jenkins, in providing a ministry to all the churches in our Circuit. They will be supported by three retired Ministers. The Circuit was not able to secure a third full time minister for September 2015. It is the intention to seek a third minister from September 2016.
All services and activities at the Methodist Church and Hall are continuing as normal.
Contact for the Methodist Church can be made initially through Church Stewards or by telephoning Judith, 01206 241969 or by e-mailing [antibot mailto=”[email protected]”]. We will deal with local matters and also take initial enquiries for weddings baptisms and funerals. We can arrange for one of our Ministers to be in touch with you as needed. If you need to contact a minister directly in an emergency please phone Rev Alan Jenkins, 01206 793888.
West Bergholt Methodist Church are holding some more of their popular fun activity mornings for young families during the school holidays.
The Summer Coffee and Craft sessions will all take place on Monday mornings from 10.30 to 12.00 in the Methodist Church Hall, Chapel Lane, West Bergholt, CO6 3EF. There will be a variety of craft activities and free coffee, tea, squash, biscuits and cakes will be available.
There will be an entrance fee to cover the cost of craft materials of £2.50 per family (any number) but please note that, sorry, we are unable to accept unaccompanied children. Each morning will follow a different theme, which will be reflected in the craft activities. The dates of the mornings are:-
Monday July 27th 10.30 to 12.00 – Seaside Fun,
Monday August 10th 10.30 to 12.00 – Animals,
Monday August 24th 10.30 to 12.00 – Sky.
All are welcome.
For more details contact Andrew Wilks on 01206 242511.
As we approach Easter there are a lot of services taking place in West Bergholt during Holy Week leading up to Easter and of course for Easter itself. Services will be taking pace in both the Methodist and St Mary’as Churches, those we are aware of to date are:
Methodist
At the Methodist Church the following services are taking place, all to be led by Rev Ruth Ridge:-
Friday 3 April – Good Friday -11.00am service.
Saturday 4 April – 8.00pm a short reflective service.
Sunday 5 April – Easter Day – 11.00am service with Holy Communion.
Thursday 2 April – Maundy Thursday – 8pm Passover Meal and Communion Service. Please could you let Dorothy Chadborn know if you would like to come so that she knows how many to cook for (there is a list in church or you can phone her on 240541).
Saturday 4 April – Family Fun Easter Eggstravaganza –10-12 noon – there will lots of activities for Children and their parents to enjoy, including a prayer station.
Sunday 5 April – Easter Sunday – 9.30am Family Holy Communion Service led by Rev Mandy Elmes.
Colchester Service
Friday 3 April – Good Friday at the Mercury Theatre – @ 7.30pm – A time to reflect through music and word, led by the Bishop of Colchester, Rt Rev Roger Morris
Everyone is welcome to any or all (!) of the above services.
West Bergholt Methodist Church are holding another of their popular Easter Coffee and Craft mornings for young families. This is taking place on Monday 30th March from 10.30 to 12.00 and promises fun activities for young families. The session will take place in the Methodist Church Hall, Chapel Lane and ALL ARE WELCOME but, sorry, we are unable to accept unaccompanied children. The cost is £2.50 per family.
Further details from Andrew Wilks on 01206 242511.
There has been considerable publicity about the fact that the proportion of our population that are elderly is increasing. Also that there is a significant proportion of elderly people who live alone and can be lonely and become isolated. A charitable trust has set up “Silver Sunday” in an attempt to raise this issue and try to take steps to address it (www.silversunday.org.uk). We became aware of this and felt we as a Church would like to respond. The designated Silver Sunday is in October but we were not in a position to arrange something at that time.
As a first step we are holding a simple afternoon tea on Sunday March 1 at 3.00 and are inviting folk to attend. If you are elderly, living alone and not fortunate enough to have family and/or friends living nearby this could be for you. You are warmly invited to an Afternoon Tea with folk in a similar situation to yourself. We will provide transport to pick you up from your home, bring you to the tea and return you to your home when the tea has finished.
If you, a neighbour or someone else you know, would like to come to the tea please contact Judith Fletcher (01206 241969) or Andrew Wilks (01206 242511). If you can let us know you are coming it will help with our arrangements.
Crucial Crew – 27th March
The FREE Crucial Crew event is taking place on Friday 27th March between 10am – 2pm at St Botolphs Church, St Botolpsh St. and is targeting those over 55s who are members of established clubs or groups.
Several local organisations have joined together to organise, Older Persons Crucial Crew. This event will bring together 130 ambassadors from clubs and groups serving older persons in the Colchester Area and involves 16 tables in an informal setting.
There will be a total of 16 speakers from 8 different organisations;
The Police Home and personal security,
The Fire service Home fire safety advice,
Trading Standards, Rogue traders and consumer advice,
Environmental Health for residents,
Colchester street wardens, street safety,
Gas safe,
Young people from Stanway School computer mobile phone advice, and
Red Cross.
Each speaker will sit at your table for 15 minutes giving advice and information in an informal setting, almost like a safety speed dating!!
A free buffet Lunch prepared, provided by Colchester Institute catering course students, will be served at your table by Students from Stanway School. After lunch the speaker’s organization plus several other service and help organisations will provide tables where you can go and talk in more detail on issues raised during the morning’s event.
This event is for the over 55s and it is the aim that the members attending will take back the information gained, the contacts made to their respective clubs, ensuring that the information is cascaded through the whole area.
There will be limited free transport available on the day, but to save costs if you are able you can use your own or Public transport leaving this for the people who need it we would be very grateful.
As I am sure you will understand that with just 130 places available for the whole of Colchester we have to offer up to 5 places to each Organisation on a first come first served basis so if you are interested please return the linked ticket request to:
West Bergholt Methodist Church are holding another of their popular half term Coffee and Craft mornings for young families. This is taking place on Monday February 16 from 10.30 to 12.00 and promises fun activities for young families. The session will take place in the Methodist Church Hall, Chapel Lane and ALL ARE WELCOME but, sorry, we are unable to accept unaccompanied children. The cost is £2.50 per family.
Further details from Andrew Wilks on 01206 242511.
The West Bergholt Methodist Church report that their Christmas celebration events certainly went well and provided a happy time for all involved.
Posada
Mary and Joseph travelled extensively around the villages of West Bergholt and Great Horkesley visiting a wide variety of groups. They visited 10 meetings of the various uniformed organisations throughout November. They then joined all the youngsters from the uniformed organisations at the Gift and Parade service in the West Bergholt Methodist Church on December 7th. Following a lively and enjoyable service, with contributions from the young people which included the construction of a shelter, the gifts were distributed and gratefully received by Colchester Womens Refuge, The Night Shelter and Beacon House. Mary and Joseph continued their travels in December visiting some 20 groups before returning to the Methodist Church for the Candlelight Carol service on December 21.
Carol Singing Friday 19 December
A hardy band of carol singers were outside the Coop store from 18.15 to 19.30. They entertained shoppers, some of whom joined in with the singers, and Coop staff with a range of popular carols. Thanks to the generosity of the shoppers, and the singers, the sum of £37 was raised for Action for Children. The hot drinks and mince pies enjoyed after the singing were most welcome.
Candlelight Carols Sunday 21 December
The service by candlelight, led by Rev Ruth Ridge, provided a very special Christmas celebration atmosphere with a mix of traditional carols and readings. Many of the congregation were also able to enjoy a chat with coffee and mince pies in the hall after the service.
Coffee and Craft Monday 22 December
This again proved to be a popular morning for families. Thirty-eight children, together with accompanying adults, enjoyed a range of Christmas crafts. There was also time to enjoy a chat and the drinks and cakes proved popular also. We will be looking to provide further Coffee and Craft mornings in the Easter school holidays – look out for our publicity nearer the time.
Thanks to all who supported and worked to make possible the above events and best wishes for the New Year.
Following the popular summer and half term Coffee and Craft mornings, West Bergholt Methodist Church are offering a special Christmas Coffee and Craft morning for young families on Monday December 22 from 10.30 to 12.00. This will take place in the Methodist Church Hall, Chapel Lane and ALL ARE WELCOME but, sorry, we are unable to accept unaccompanied children.
With lots of fun activities for the youngsters the charge is just £2.50 per family. To find out more please contact Rev. Ruth Ridge on 01206 242183
Will you meet Mary and Joseph on their journey this year?
The churches in West Bergholt and Great Horkesley, as part of their Christmas preparations, are supporting Mary and Joseph on their journey around the villages.
They will be visiting the various West Bergholt Guide, Brownies, Cubs, Beavers and Rainbow packs in the lead up to the Gift and Parade service with the Uniformed organisations on Sunday 7th December at 11.00am. This will take place in the West Bergholt Methodist Church, Chapel Road and all are welcome to come to this celebration service.
Mary and Joseph will also be visiting other groups/organisations that are happy to offer them hospitality. Their itinerary is still being finalised but it is already known that among others they will be visiting:-
Bluebell pre-school,
Christmas tree festival at Great Horkesley,
St. Marys for young people’s activities.
This custom of the figures of Mary and Joseph going on a journey in the local community stems from Mexico where it is known as ‘Posada’. As we welcome the figures of Mary and Joseph we are encouraged to remember those who are homeless and outcast today and to reflect on how we might offer hospitality to others this Christmas. These figures of Mary and Joseph are travelling around West Bergholt and Great Horkesley to remind us of that first Christmas journey to Bethlehem. When they arrived no room could be found for them, except in a stable, but hopefully this year they will receive a warm welcome in the groups that they visit and there will be places for them to stay. They are keeping a diary of their travels which will be available at West Bergholt Methodist Church from their Candlelight Carol service at 6.30pm on 21st December onwards. All are welcome to join us on December 21st.
If your group is interested in having a visit from Mary and Joseph and would like to welcome them please contact Andrew Wilks to arrange this (01206 242511; [antibot mailto=”[email protected]”]).
West Bergholt Methodist Church, St Mary’s Church West Bergholt and All Saints and St John’s Churches Great Horkesley.
Other Christmas Events not to miss are:
Christmas Coffee Morning 29th November
West Bergholt Methodist Church are holding a special “Christmas Coffee Morning”on Saturday November 29th from 10.00 to 12.00 in the Church Hall, Chapel Lane. Entrance is free and all are welcome. Coffee, tea, biscuits and mince pies will be available. There will be a variety of stalls including Home made cakes and preserves, books, jigsaws, cards and Christmas wrap, bric-a-brac, mystery parcels and novelty gifts.
Wired Christmas Party 5th December
Being held at St Mary’s Church starting at 7:45pm for Youth Group members.
Gift & Parade Service 7th December
The Gift and Parade service at the Methodist Church on Sunday December 7 at 11.00am led by Rev. Ruth Ridge is one of the Posada events. Gifts of toiletries will be distributed after the service to the Colchester Womens Refuge, the Night Shelter and Beacon House. All are welcome to join in, with the youngsters from the uniformed organisations and their families, for this special young peoples service.
Carol Singing at the Coop 19th December
A group from the Methodist and Anglican churches will be Carol Singing outside the Co-op in Chapel Road from 6.15 to 7.30 on Friday evening December 19th. More voices are always welcome so come and join us if you can for all, or just part, of the time – you will be very welcome.There will be coffee and mince pies available afterwards.
Candlelight Carol Service 21st December
On Sunday December 21 there will be a Candlelight Carol service in the Methodist Church at 6.30pm led by Rev. Ruth Ridge, followed by coffee and mince pies in the hall. All are welcome.
Summer Coffee & Craft
Holy Week 2015
Easter Coffee & Craft
Silver Sunday – 1st March
Half Term Coffee & Craft
Happy time at Christmas
20 groups before returning to the Methodist Church for the Candlelight Carol service on December 21.
Coffee and Craft Monday 22 December
