Beckenham Methodist Church

The Indicator: September 2006

Message from our Minister

Dear Friends,

We start this new Connexional year by welcoming Russell as a new member of the circuit ministerial team at Bromley. Russsell is not replacing John, but is building on the work that has already begun there. Likewise we look forward to the leadership that Roger Wiig will exercise as our new Superintendent. These changes will undoubtedly affect us here in Beckenham as the circuit team ministry continues to grow and develop. But before we race to explore the challenges that lies ahead for all of us, I want to take a moment to pay tribute to all the hard work that has gone on during this last year to enable both our Church and circuit to serve this community as well as it does.

Both Bromley Road and Clockhouse needed major refurbishment during the last Connexional year. Bromley road needed its main halls refurbished, and Clockhouse Road needed the sanctuary area refurbished. Most of the hard work was undertaken by a remarkably small group of people and I want to pay tribute to them all. Thank you, to everyone who gave up precious time, and who climbed up and down ladders, washed walls, painted, laid carpet, plastered, nailed, hoovered, glued, made tea, and did all the other running around that was so necessary. I especially want to thank Colin Wilson, our property secretary, David Jackson, Rob Love, Brian Shier-Jones and David Dingley who all went above and beyond the call of duty to ensure that the work was completed on time, in budget and to a really high standard - thank you gentlemen.

We don't often take the trouble to acknowledge how important this work is to the life of our Church but without their committed thinking, planning, caring and down-right HARD work, we would not be able to undertake the outreach that we are committed to or offer the worship that we desire to give to God. The Bevington hall, Epworth and Richmond rooms are used by an astonishing assortment of people, from the Blood Donors of the NHS and A.A. through to the South London Singers, the Badminton Club, and - of course, our own, committees, youth club, Junior Church etc. Similarly the sanctuary area at Clockhouse road was becoming unsafe as well as unsightly in places. Our sacred spaces and our halls reflect our commitment to serve, every bit as much as TCs and our benevolent giving does. If you haven't already done so, please take the time to visit and appreciate the hard work that was done and see what the property committee's prayer in action has done. Their work is a real sermon of service to God.

One further area of our Church's work that needs our acknowledgement before we begin the new year is that of financial management. Beckenham Methodist Church is a large and complex organisation. It takes time, effort, skill and dedication to ensure that our accounts are in order so that our finances assist us in our service of God in this community and in the world. We have been exceptionally fortunate in having David Blacknell serving as our Church treasurer for the last 13 years. His work, like that of the property committee, is seldom acknowledged, but it is crucial to the work of God, so thank you David for all that you have done.

When God called the disciples, he didn't call them to be other than they already were. He just asked them to use their existing gifts and graces to serve a different purpose. We have been set a phenomenal example in the last year by those I have mentioned that 'fishing for men' isn't reserved for ministers or Superintendents, it is the task of us all. I pray God will grant us the grace to build on the foundation that they have laid for us, and go forward from strength to strength for the sake of the kingdom and our community.

Revd Angie

MONDAY FELLOWSHIP

Welcomes both ladies and gentlemen to our devotional meetings at 2pm in the Wesley Lounge of the Bromley Road Church.

Date	Speaker	Topic
September 11th	Members' Afternoon	Colours
September 18th	Deacon Pat Soule
September 25th	Mrs Joan Thompson	Flowers and Fruits
October 2nd	Revd Andrew Jones
October 9th	Mrs Mollie Lunggren	Charcoal and Feathers
October 16th	Mr Frank and Mrs Joan Thompson	Favourite Hymns
October 23rd	Revd Jack Beeson
October 30th	Mr David Lemmon

OAKDALE HOUSEGROUP

Wednesdays at 2.30pm
September 20th

WEDNESDAY WORSHIP

4.15pm at Bromley Road
September 13th
October 11th

CIRCUIT PRAYER FELLOWSHIP

"Called to Prayer"

These meetings have been held in the Circuit each month for the past year. Numbers attending have not been large and we would like to stress that the invitation is to all members of our churches, based on the belief that prayer is central to our lives as Christians.

The usual pattern is to sing a few hymns or worship songs, have a reading from scripture, and then spend time in prayer under the guidance of Christina Messenger, the leader of the group.

We pray for the needs of our churches, the local community, national and international concerns. There is no obligation for anybody to lead in prayer; it is simply a matter of being part of a worshipping community.

We do lead busy lives, but are we really so busy that we cannot find time to spend an hour in prayer once a month?

Wednesday 27th September - 8pm - Bromley Methodist Church

Thursday 26th October - 8pm - Keston

PRAYER HANDBOOK

"Amazing Grace" is the title of this year's handbook. Copies are available for sale at both Bromley Road and Clock House Road.

PRAY WITHOUT CEASING

Following on from last year's initiative, prayer cards will be distributed in, and collected from, the Clock House and Beckenham High Street areas. These prayer concerns will become part of the intercessions in morning services during September.

NEWS FROM AWAY

It was lovely to see you all when we visited for John Bown's leaving bash! Those of you that we missed, we thought we would fill you in with our latest news:-

Yes, we have moved into our new home; yes we are getting settled and yes I still have lots of boxes to unpack, but now they are sitting in our garage and not in my friend's stable!

We have moved to a larger village called Broughton, where we have a small Methodist Church and a large C of E church waiting to be explored. The house now feels like home. My family have been for Sunday dinner; we have decorated various rooms and put colour into the garden (both back and front).

Matthew loves his new secondary school and came to London for 4 days on his school trip. His highlight was calling for a black taxi to get his classmates back to their lodgings.

Katie thinks our home is 'posh'. It's newer than Churchfields and more modern. I have a lovely kitchen (for Paul to cook in!). So, after all this, we are ready for visitors.

We look forward to seeing you and send our love to everyone.

Bye for now. Rachel

CHURCHES TOGETHER IN BECKENHAM

Terry Davies is delighted to report that Fr Leon Carberry (St James) has agreed to take on the task of Chairman and Maggie McNie (St George's) has offered to be the Secretary.

The AGM is being planned for October and the date will be circulated as soon as possible.

A Conversation with Roger Wiig

Please follow this link for the interview with Roger Wiig, the new Superintendent Minister of Bromley Circuit.

PERSONALIA

CONGRATULATIONS AND WELL DONE IN YOUR EXAMS:

A Levels

To Louise S (Colin & Valerie's granddaughter). Louise will now be going to Reading University to Study English and German and we wish her every success.
Anesu M - well done and we hope your next results are what you desire.

AS Levels

To Lindsey D on her good results - we hope next year's are as good.

GCSE

Abigail W - now going on to 6th Form and A Levels
Sandy D - sure there will be more successes next year
Rodney K - we also wish you success in you're A Level studies
Andrew W (Andrew is now to start training to be an Electrician)

We also wish Ben every happiness at his new school. We are sure he would like to receive a few letters from time to time. Perhaps Ben will get an Email address at school that we can use.

Birthday Wishes

Best Wishes and congratilations to Lilian Madge on her 103rd Birthday on 16th September, from all her friends at Beckenham Methodist Church.

NETWORK

"HUMAN TRAFFICKING"

The Connexional committee of Women's Network requested Conference to recognise that 2007 commemorates the Bicentenary of the Act for the Abolition of the Slave Trade and that modern slavery in the form of human trafficking is still a reality throughout the world. It requested Conference to write to the Prime Minister and Home Secretary urging further governmental action to address this issue. Conference endorsed the motion.
Reprinted from the Methodist Recorder 20 July 2006 with permission.

If you would like more information please contact Deacon Pat Soule, who has a copy of The Trafficking Information pack. Thank you.
Joan Thompson, Circuit Network Secretary

SING FOR ST CHRISTOPHER'S

Sunday 15th October at 3.30pm at West Wickham

West Wickham invites everyone from around the Circuit to join them for this event.

JOIN THE CHURCH FAMILY FOR A PICNIC

On Sunday 10th September, we will be meeting by the statue of Guy the Gorilla in Crystal Palace Park, after morning service at about 12.30pm.

Please bring your own picnic.

If you would like a lift, please speak to Alice Everest.

THANK YOUS

From Ann Dyson

Thank you to everyone for all your cards, letters, support and prayers throughout the last few weeks.

What a wonderful 'FAMILY CHURCH' WE HAVE AT Bromley Road.

Also many thanks to our Deacon, Pat Soule, for the love and support she has given and the caring way she conducted Eric's Thanksgiving Service.

From Kate, Millie and Margaret

A hearty thanks to Valerie and Colin for a lovely day out at Polesden Lacey. Colin made sure to park as near as possible to all amenities. Their consideration for our needs is so thoughtful.

Comfort was a great help to me. If I was ready to give up she would say, "It isn't far". So, on I would go.

Before coming home, Colin took us up to Box Hill. My, what a glorious view! It was a lovely finish to our day.

Thanks again to you both for all your kindness and consideration.

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