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| Ferryhill
Parish Church Parish News October 2002 |
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 Telephone: 01224 213093 E-mail: Office Minister Webmaster |
We were delighted to welcome Rev Clarence Musgrave and his wife
Joan, our Missionary Partners, to a supper evening in the church on
Friday 20th September. Many of you will have read
the e-mails Clarence has been sending us from St Andrew's Church in
Jerusalem, describing the difficult and tense situation in Israel and
Palestine. It was all the more moving to meet them and to hear the
personal stories of how the complex troubles in the Holy Land are
affecting real people. "Both sides are hurting; both sides are
suffering" was the message Clarence gave us and he urged us to do
what we can to support both Israelis and Palestinians. |
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CONTENTS
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On Sunday 3rd November a soup and cheese lunch will be served followed by a Congregational Consultation. The General Assembly has instructed the Board of Practice and Procedure to consider whether the present arrangements are the best and most flexible way of managing a local congregation. The Consultation will therefore seek comments on the following matters: 1. Having a single body to oversee all the work of the congregation rather than a Kirk Session and congregation al Board as at present. 2. The direct election of elders as the sole method of appointment to a Kirk Session. 3. Elders serving for a stated period. 4. How a new constitution, if approved by the General Assembly, should be introduced. Other issues relating to the eldership will also be addressed. The purpose of the Consultation is therefore to allow you, the individual members of the congregation, to have your say on these matters. It is hoped that many of you will want to attend and so contribute to Church's decision-making process. |
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The Congregational Board meets on Wednesday 9th October at 7.15 p.m. |
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SERVICES IN
OCTOBER
Sunday
6th October Sunday
13th October.
Sunday
20th
October Sunday
27th October Sunday
3rd November Baptisms: Weddings: Funerals: |
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Message
from the Revd Ian Dick
Harvest hope in Afghanistan The toll of wars, drought and poor farming has changed the landscape of Afghanistan beyond recognition. Isaq Suleiman is a typical village. It is set at the foot of hills in a dry and dusty landscape. Hundreds of landmines make it treacherous. It saw the worst of the drought for four years, then it was evacuated and looted when it was bombed. This is where the Agency for Rehabilitation and Energy Conservation in Afghanistan works. AREA is an organisation supported by Christian Aid which is revitalising the farms upon which so many people in western Afghanistan depend. It also trains children to be aware of mines, and gives small loans to enable families to take the first steps to start a business. And its work is beginning to change Isaq Suleiman. The money that you have given through Christian Aid has allowed AREA to drill two deep wells in the village. Because of the wells and the first reasonable rains of the century, the villagers have made a harvest for the first time in four years. At the start of 2001, to stop the villagers leaving as refugees, AREA
distributed wheat and fertilisers. Since then, Christian Aid funds have
provided them with a tractor which can do in one hour what used to take
two days with an ox-drawn plough. And the villagers have also worked
together to buy a generator, so for the first time they have electricity
for part of the day.
Mirza Abdul Haq (above) is the treasurer of the co-operative. 'There are many positive changes in the village,' he says. 'I'm very happy with my harvest, but I am still worried about the price of the wheat ... We want our country to be green again - to grow vegetables and wheat and to have enough water to drink. And our village needs a clinic.' While people in the UK are enjoying Harvest Thanksgiving this month, the farmers of Isaq Suleiman will be having a farmers' picnic: 'We all go to a nice place with trees, near the mountains, with a spring. Everyone gives some wheat from their harvest. We sell it in the market and with the money we buy meat and the whole village |
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Our
Indoor Carboot Sales are proving to be a big hit, in that no
sooner are they announced, than requests for tables come flooding in.
The next Sale is on Sat 5th Oct. and
all tables are reserved, but come along to view or purchase and visit
our Coffee Shop too. Admission is only 20p and the Church has its own
Table with items of interest on sale. As usual we are requesting
donations for our home baking stall on Sat 5th Oct. and for 2nd Nov
also. If you are quick off the mark, you can reserve your
"space" in the Hall for our next Sale on Sat
5th Nov. Contact Fiona Firth, tel: 590806.
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It is to be hoped that every member of the congregation is already planning how they can contribute to our Christmas Fair on Saturday 7th December, to make it the huge success it usually is. This is our biggest fundraising effort of the year and is always a day of hard work and enjoyment, as everyone knows. Look out for the suggestion box appearing in the Foyer next month and get the thinking caps on, as we are always on the look out for new ideas, or speak to any member of the fundraising group. | |
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The response to the Shearers' appeal for bulb
bowls has been a little slow. They are urgently needed to
plant up for the Christmas Fair. If
you have any please leave them in the hall entrance.
Ferryhill Beyond 2000. Our giving and Fund-raising events have been continuing to progress at an encouraging pace and our shortfall is now down to £55,000. We will continue to pay two instalments a year on our debt and, if we continue to contribute and support fund-raising events, hopefully we will have the loan paid off early. The COFFEE SHOP (open every morning, Monday to Saturday) is also helping to raise funds and at the time of writing £5,000 is in the process of being transferred to the development fund. Anyone willing to help in the coffee shop PLEASE, PLEASE get in touch the Edna Sainsbury Tel: 572477. The Outdoor Bowling Club coffee morning raised the sum of £525. This included a generous donation from one of our members. The doll was won by Christina Williamson and the birthday cake by Rita King. Thanks to all who supported our event. |
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Ministers' phone numbers: |
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