Skegness Community Larder

It is the Anglican Group's turn to collect food for the Skegness Community Larder during the month of July.   Anything in a tin or in a packet is very useful, but please not baked beans, spaghetti, or tea at the moment.   Non-food needs include baby wipes, kitchen towel roll, and shower gel.   The churchwardens will arrange a collection point at each church.

There is a Quiet Day at Gunby Hall with Father Terry Steele tomorrow (7).   Coffee or tea is served on arrival from 10.00am for a 10.30am start; please bring a packed lunch.   It's not too late to book your place with Gwen at the Parish Office.

Drivers are needed to take the members of Omega Group on their outing to Catchwater Meadow on Wednesday 16 July from 2.00pm.   If you can help with this very worthwhile project please contact Beryl Damms (764715) or Gwen at the Office.

Christine Anderson

Please remember Christine in your prayers; she is in hospital following an operation and will be out of action for a little while.

Martha's trip to the Ice Show

A contingent from The Martha Group went to the Embassy Theatre last week to see Beauty and the Beast on Ice.   The evening was very entertaining and well enjoyed by those who went.   The characters transformed the theatre as they swung into the air and did tricks with fire.   When the Beast changed into the Prince the excitement was overwhelming.   One member said I shall be dreaming tonight now!   The skating was excellent and we aim to have a trip next year to see Cirque de Glase` ( Circus on Ice).

The Martha Group now takes a rest for the summer.   Meetings will resume in September the first meeting being Wednesday 10 September at 7.00pm at St Matthews.  Lesley Harris, the Chair, has emailed to thank all members for your continued support and wishing us all a good rest ready for the hard work ahead.   The first engagement will be on 20 September in support of a concert at St Matthews sponsored by East Lindsey Arts.

We are grateful to Webb Publicity for generously sponsoring the new notice board in the porch at St Matthew's Church.

Members of the Ministry Team who have not yet attended the Diocesan Course on Vulnerable Adults should note that there is to be a further event on Monday 11 August in Ingoldmells Church Hall.   This will be led by Reverend Alison Harvey, Rector of Mablethorpe.   Please contact Gwen in the Parish Office for booking.

Pastor Jim Martin who has been with us at the Baptist Church since January is returning to Texas and his place is to be taken by Pastor John Ward, also from Texas.   There is a “Greeting and Farewell Tea” on Saturday 12 July from 5.00pm at the Church Hall in Beresford Avenue, to which we are all invited.

Parish Chaplaincy

 The work of the Church in our community is divided into four Chaplaincies: we work with Children and Schools, with people in Hospital, with people at work and with people who are bereaved.  For details of how you may help with the work in any of the Chaplaincies please contact the Parish Office

Workplace Chaplaincy, meeting people at work.   We continued with a pilot project at Butlins Resort.   We held a lunch for some owners of businesses in the town at which the Bishop of Grimsby shared ideas.   We began fundraising to cover the cost of a third member of the clergy team to lead this project.   The Rector met the Archbishop of Canterbury who showed a great interest in the project.

Childrens Chaplaincy, meeting people at school and in the uniformed organisations.   We gave regular talks at school assemblies, held a schools festival in Church, are developing a project to support teenagers at school, invited schools to harvest festivals, carol services, and Christingle services.   We provided opportunity for the uniformed organisations to take part in fun events.

information leaflets for the staff.   We have held an information afternoon for local ministers who are encouraged to be part of the chaplaincy service.

Bereavement Chaplaincy, meeting people who have lost loved ones.   We have widened our base of volunteers to include members from the Skegness Fellowship of Churches.   We have run a training course on Listening at which 25 people attended.   We have taken funeral services, made follow up calls, provided memorial services, made our churches available so that people can spend a quiet moment and light a candle in memory, and tried to be as supportive as possible.

Work on developing the Workplace Chaplaincy continues.   We have now resubmitted a funding application to the Church and Community Fund.   If the money is granted this will enable us to pay for training volunteer chaplains, travel expenses and support costs of setting up what is called a sessional approach.   The Chaplaincy will “purchase” one or more sessions per week of a person's time which will be devoted to visiting people in the workplace.  This will be rather like the Hospital Chaplaincy where the Rector visits Skegness Hospital two sessions per week, the funding for which comes from the Lincolnshire PCT.  It is also similar to the Children's Chaplaincy where the Associate Rector networks with the seven schools in our area, the funding for which comes from the Parish..

What is confirmation?

Confirmation is part of the process of admission to Holy Communion and valuing our Christian life.   It starts with your Baptism.   In this group of parishes we baptise about 60 children each year.   Parents and Godparents encourage their children to learn to know God in public worship, follow Jesus in the life of faith, and serve their neighbour after the example of Christ.   Sometimes it takes a lifetime to find the benefits of the Christian life.   Being confirmed is a public statement of something you have decided; sharing Holy Communion with fellow Christians is one of the greatest outward symbols of your inward desire to life a fulfilled Christian life.   If you, or someone you know, would like to be confirmed, please let us know.

The Church Sitters

sit at St Mary, Winthorpe.    This is a very rewarding activity as we welcome visitors to the Church for a hot drink and perhaps to light a candle.   This is all part of our care for people, the Church is very beautiful, and well worth a visit.   If you would like to be a Church Sitter a couple of hours each month, please contact Jean on 769273.

Can you support the Community Larder?

The Skegness Community Larder was launched last month by the Skegness Fellowship of Churches.   This is a scheme to provide emergency food rations in times of crisis and is there to help people when there is a delay in the receipt of benefit cheque or in a sudden family crisis.   All the local churches are supporting the scheme.  

Something as simple as having a collection box in your church.   You asked to donate a tin, jar or packet now and again.   Items that are asked for include tinned vegetables, meats, spaghetti, or beans (all with ring-pulls); also: jams, cereals, teabags, powdered milk, instant coffee, pasta, pasta sauces, and soups.

Items collected will be taken to the community larder at the Salvation Army in High Street.   They will operate a voucher scheme so that anyone who approaches us for help can be given a voucher and present it at the Larder to get the help they need.   (Note for Churchwardens: please contact the parish office for further details).

Our Legacy to the Church

Through the centuries our Churches have been cared for and maintained by the hard work and generosity of countless generations of people.   And it is thanks to them that our Churches are available to us today to use and enjoy.   It is our responsibility to ensure that future generations of people will be able to look back in gratitude for what we have done to keep the buildings in good order.

One of the ways in which we can do this is to leave a gift to our church in our Will.     If this is something that you would like to do then please pick up a leaflet from the literature table in your Church and take a look at what is involved.

Legacies

Leaving money in our Will is a splendid way of ensuring that the work of the Church that we supported in our lifetime can continue after our death.

The Parish Foundation Course

On 7 January we started the Parish Foundation Course, an introduction to Christian Study led by the Rector of Mablethorpe, the Reverend Alison Harvey.   This will take place at St Peter's Hall, Ingoldmells.   Already 25 people in our deanery (3 from the Skegness Group) have signed up.   If you are interested to attend please contact Malcolm France at the office.

St Mary, Winthorpe

We are most grateful to those people who have taken turns to “Sit” at the hospitality suite in church over recent months.   A valuable Community service has been provided.   The venerable old Church is in fact the support building and car park for the many people who visit the Skegness Town Cemetery.   It offers peace and refreshment to visitors, many of whom travel from afar.   We always need volunteers so if you would like to be part of the project please contact the Parish Office with your details.

HOP

Stands for “Healthier Older People”  There are two types of classes - one for over sixties and one for fitter under fifty fives.   Sessions are held on Tuesday mornings…

….10.30am at Ingoldmells in St Peters Hall, and…

…11.00am at Skegness in St Clements Community Hall

Contact from Doreen (820274)

St Barnabas Hospice has set up a day centre project on Fridays at Skegness Hospital.   Volunteers are needed for driving and for in-house help.   If you couldspend a few hours a week to help with this excellent project then please contact Ruth O'Melia, the volunteer services manager on 01522 785706.