ELM RIDGE METHODIST CHURCH WHO’S WHO? Introducing Rev. Joe Daley

ELM
RIDGE
METHODIST CHURCH
WHO’S WHO?
A new series introducing members of our congregation, and
their stories of faith and life.
Introducing Rev. Joe Daley
My name is Joe Daley and I am the Presbyter responsible for
the churches in the north end of the town. I am also one of
three co-superintendents in this circuit.
This is a snapshot of who I am what I do and enjoy; I like to watch
the TV and listen to the radio (Radio 4 is an abiding passion!) and I
enjoy popular culture in all its forms - and I have even been known to
struggle a little with the riches of Proust and the great Dante! I also like
to walk and think and read. I will read anything, but discrimination often leads me to novels
both classic and modern, and I particularly enjoy science fiction in all its forms; everything
from classic space opera to ‘Game of Thrones’; the (Guardian) newspaper is permanent fixture
in my day - both print and online versions as is the New Statesman.
I am fascinated by history and current affairs and I try to be informed about the world we
live in and I try not to let cynicism get the better of me!! I enjoy all kinds of music but I am
especially passionate about jazz and my family and friends are very important to me.
My wife Heather is a teacher, a gardener and an enthusiastic devotee of crosswords and
games. Our daughter Rebecca is a recent graduate from Oxford and is working for a publisher
in London and our son Jonathan has just started his second year at Queen’s University in
Belfast.
Moving to Darlington has revealed a part of the country we were not familiar with and I am
excited by the opportunities that ministry here offers and the garden at the manse will give
Heather another opportunity to turn me into a gardener!!
CHURCH INFORMATION
Address
Elm Ridge Methodist Church
Carmel Road South
Darlington. DL3 8DJ
Church Administrator
Lindy Lowis (Tel: 282491)
Core office hours
Mon-Thurs 10am-12pm
Ministers
Rev. Helena Harbottle (Tel: 462317)
Rev. Andrew Stobart (Tel: 722961)
Registered Charity Number: 1126826
CCL: 32479
E-mail
[email protected]
Website
www.elmridgemethodist.co.uk
Sunday 19th October 2014
A very warm welcome, whether you are joining us today for worship or reading this at
home.
‘We need better communication’, is a phrase I have heard a lot at recent church-related
meetings and in the private discussions which inevitably follow. Yes, I agree, but these
comments have caused me to ask myself, what is it we should be communicating? I need to
think doubly hard about this because I have agreed to be the Church Steward with particular
responsibility for communication!
The guidance issued by the Methodist Church makes it clear that an important part of
a Steward’s role is to ‘uphold and act upon the decisions and policies of the Synod and
Church Council, communicating them to the congregation’. Obviously, you want to know
what’s happening and why; and you have my word that I’ll do my best to make sure this
is disseminated rather more effectively than it has been in the recent past, but, doesn’t
communication imply rather more than that?
If you log on to Elm Ridge’s website, you will see this: ‘We are a community of Christians who
are trying day by day to understand God’s love. We see God’s love shown to us in the death and
resurrection of Jesus Christ and we are determined to reflect that love to others.’
Certainly, we have to communicate God’s love and part of showing this love is to spread
the good news of new life in Christ. We can, through our contact with the people we meet
day to day. We can, through adapting what we do and how and when we do it to best
meet their circumstances. We can, through making Church practicable for, welcoming to
and supportive of those who are not yet searching or who are taking their first tentative
steps towards becoming Christians. So that we can be effective collectively as ‘church’, it is
important too that we each make the most of the opportunities available to help us learn
through teaching, to pray together, to worship together, to have fellowship. We each need
to ask God what our particular gifts are and, if you are not sure, ask those close to you; you
may be surprised! To misquote the words of the Fat Controller in Thomas The Tank Engine,
we need to be equipped to be ‘really useful Christians’.
For, as we know: ‘...God so loved the world that he gave
his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not
perish but have eternal life.’ (John 3:16)
Richard McElheran
CHURCH NOTICES
A warm welcome to worship at Elm Ridge Methodist Church.
The readings today are:
9:00am Brian Simpson - Exodus 33: 12-23, 1 Thess 1: 1-10, Matt 22: 15-22
10:45am Graham Bright - John 4: 1-26, Romans 6: 5-14
THIS WEEK’S ACTIVITIES
1:30pm
5:45pm
MONDAY
Tiddlywinks
Beavers
TUESDAY
10:00am Prayer Meeting
12 noon Romney Bywater’s funeral
6:30pm Brownies
2:30pm
5:45pm
6:30pm
7:15pm
2:00pm
6:30pm
7:30pm
4:00pm
5:30pm
6:45pm
8:15pm
11:30am
2:00pm
WEDNESDAY
Women’s Fellowship
- details on next page
New Brownie Group
Worship Group
Guides
THURSDAY
Library House Group
Brownies
Men’s Fellowship
- details on next page
FRIDAY
Rainbows
Rainbows
Cubs
Scouts
SATURDAY
Sue Greaves and Keith
Sleightholm’s wedding
Alfreda Anderson and Harry
Bunting’s wedding
NEXT SUNDAY - 26th OCTOBER
10:30am
6:00pm
Together@bondgate
Rev. Andrew Stobart (HC)
I’m sure you would like to pass on
your good wishes to both couples
getting married on Saturday,
please remember them as they start
their married lives together.
Prayer Line:
•
•
•
•
Families who will attend church
based funerals
Please pray for a miracle regarding
the cure of the Ebola virus
Give thanks for the people of this
church hearing God’s call and
responding
Please pray that we ourselves will be
encouraged in all these things.
Anyone with emergency concerns should
contact Rev. Andrew Stobart (772961) or
Rev. Helena Harbottle (462317) otherwise
contact Sue Colley (356876), the church
office or the stewards.
Mr. Romney Bywater
Romney’s funeral will be held here at Elm
Ridge this Tuesday at 12 noon.
THE STORY
The story is an abridged version of the whole Bible which
reads like a novel. It is designed for the whole church
with different approaches for the various age groups. On
Monday 3rd November at 7.30pm there is a meeting to
discuss how this could be carried forward. House group
leaders, youth group leaders and other group leaders are
particularly requested to attend but all who are interested are encouraged to come
along. It is an exciting project in which we would like everybody to be included. Please
come along and learn about it.
Josanne Hall
The Elm Ridge Scout Group (Beavers, Cubs
and Scouts) will be selling cakes after the
Remembrance Parade Service on the 9th
November for group funds. Louise Macdougall
Once again we are holding a competition with
All Saints Church to design a Christmas card
which will go out around the neighbourhood.
The competition is open to all primary school
aged children. The design must be on a nativity
theme. There are forms in the church office or
contact Josanne Hall on 368226. The closing
date is November 9th.
Women’s Fellowship: The meeting this week is
titled ‘Creative Writings’ and will be led by the
Richard McHleran Group. New members will
always be made welcome.
Men’s Fellowship: This week’s meeting is titled
‘Career Reminiscences from the Registry Office’
- led by Malcolm Midwood. New members will
always be made welcome.
The table tennis group will restart on Friday,
31st October at 7:15pm. New players are always
very welcome.
John Coward
Can you help? Morvyn is looking for people
who would be able to help on a rota basis on
Mondays from 12 - 2pm at Bondgate Methodist
Church at the QE Sixth Form Drop In. This is
an informal session for students in their lunch
break and would be just to help serve tea and
coffee and chat to the young people. Please
see Morvyn or call 07472 022406 or email:
[email protected].
Operation Christmas Child:
Shoebox Appeal 2014 - Thank you for helping
to share ‘Good News’ and bring ‘Great Joy’ to
the children who receive a shoebox. Leaflets
are available from the church corridor or hall
entrance. Please bring completed shoeboxes to
the service on Sunday 9th November at 10.45am.
Any donations towards the cost of postage or
items for the shoeboxes may be given to Carol,
Louise or Holly.
The 6pm service on 9th November will be a
Songs of Praise evening. If you would like to
choose a hymn or Bible reading and say why it is
important to you, please see Ali.
Dates for your diary - at a glance
The Story meeting - 3rd Nov at 7:30pm
Songs of Praise - 9th Nov at 6pm
Remembrance Service - 9th Nov at 10:45am
Gideons Service - 16th Nov at 10:45am
MHA weekend - 22nd + 23rd Nov
Tea Dance - 29 Nov at 1pm
Church Council meeting - 9th Dec at 7:30pm
Thank you to Laurie and Olive Johnson for the donation of the Church flowers