NOTTINGHAMSHIREMINISTERS GATHERINGIf you are a serving minister in the Synod and would like to attend the Ministers’ Gathering on Tuesday 28 September and haven’t already done so, please let Michelle know. The venue is here at Sherwood, in the church and garden room, and we plan to start the day with coffee at 10.00, for a 10.30 start and will end the event at 3.00 p.m. Lunch will be provided so please let us know if you have any special dietary requirements you think I’m unaware of, or indeed of anything we can do to make your time here more comfortable.

Charles Jolly will deliver a talk on TLS and bring you all up to date, and Denese Chikwendu, whom some of you may have heard speaking so eloquently at Mission Council, will update everyone of the God is Still Speaking campaign and the changes that have been implemented.

FAITH NETWORK INFORMATION - Here is some information from Bill Tomson, Community Link Officer for Nottingham Community and Voluntary Service (NCVS), that may be of interest:

• ‘Branded’ a drama from an Islamic perspective. Friday 30^th July 7pm at Djanogly City Academy Theatre. Tickets £3. For information call 07905 686 898
• One Nottingham’s Fairness Commission are looking for a faith advocate to join them – please contact Bill whose details are below, if you would like to be involved
• NVCS Get Involved Pack - The pack is designed to help development workers in conversations with community groups and local residents. Each sheet is designed to give a flavour of some of the different ways that local residents and/or community groups can get more involved and influential within their communities. You can view the sheets here – http://www.nottinghamcvs.co.uk/partnerships/Getinv.html
• Community garden project - http://www.partnershipcouncil.co.uk/images/uploads/Community_Garden_Project_Flyer.pdf
• Speak out against poverty and social exclusion – join the ‘All in One project’ – it leads up to a Regional Poverty Convention at Southwell Workhouse in October. If you are involved in activity to help combat the effects of poverty and social exclusion, this is an opportunity to have your say. Contact Clare Caves at CEFET on 0115 911 0419 or email clare [at] cefet [dot] org [dot] uk to get involved. click here for more information

Bill Tomson, Community Link Officer, Nottingham Community and Voluntary Service (NCVS)
7 Mansfield Road, Nottingham, NG1 3FB. Direct line: 0115 934 9547. Reception: 0115 934 8400
Email: billt [at] nottinghamcvs [dot] co [dot] uk Website: www.nottinghamcvs.co.uk

DERBYSHIRE Children and Family Worker (full time) Ashbourne Methodist Circuit

Salary £17,500-£18,500 depending on qualification and experience

We are a small rural Circuit in West Derbyshire seeking an experienced person to join the Circuit Staff in autumn 2010 to lead the development of outreach and pastoral work with children, young people and families.Applicants must have:

· Commitment to Christ and a passion for bringing people into the Church

· Relevant training and experience

· Understanding of child protection policies

· Proven organisational skills and ability to work as part of a team

· Membership of the Methodist Church or other Christian denomination

Closing date for applications: 22nd August

For details and application form go to: www.ashbourne-methodist-church.supanet.com

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE

 NORTHAMPTON INTER FAITH FORUM PRESENTS THE CHILDREN’S ART EXHIBITION Thursday 21 - Saturday 23 October 2010 at the ground floor in the Grosvenor Centre.Children aged 7 - 11yrs from Northampton's faith groups will be submitting artwork on the theme of 'Compassion'

.The Exhibition is being organised by the Northampton Inter Faith Forum and supported by the Town Centre Partnership.

We hope your children's Sunday School/group/club can take this opportunity to participate - the Christian faith and the Bible contain lots of themes, stories and illustrations of compassion for people and the world around us. For the poster please visit: www.urc5.org.uk/?q=niffcae

LEICESTERSHIRE

 COFFEE MORNING IN AID OF LAUNDE ABBEY - You are all invited! This will take place at Wigston Magna United Reformed Church, Long Street Wigston Magna.On Saturday 21^st August 2010 from 10.30am - 1.00pm. Please do come along!

OADBY URC - ADOPTED CHARITY – 2009-2010 - On Sunday 27^th June, Derick Horsfall was invited to take part in the morning service. Derick is an ambassador, fund raiser and volunteer driver for LOROS (Leicestershire and Rutland Organisation for the Relief of Suffering.) Derick’s role in the service was to receive three cheques for LOROS, and also a donation from Sainsbury’s as part of their Local Heroes scheme. In total £1824.17 was handed to Derick. This represented a year’s hard work by all at Oadby URC. Many thanks go to all who supported the fundraising events throughout the year. After he received the cheques, Derick spoke about the work of the Hospice. It is hoped, that this money will in some small way enable LOROS to continue their valuable work.

FAREWELL LUNCH – REVD JAMES GARROW - On Sunday 11^th July during his farewell lunch, a presentation was made to the Revd James Garrow on behalf of the Oadby URC by Mrs Paddy Letts. Family, friends and members of the South Leicestershire Group had time to chat and reminisce over his time spent at Oadby. We will all miss his faithful service given to the Oadby church and the South Leicestershire Group over the last twenty years. His future home will be nearer to his family in Birmingham.

GROBY UNITED REFORMED CHURCH - For the second year running we were involved in running a six day programme of events for the elderly of Groby called Holiday @ Home to provide a holiday experience without having to travel out of the village. This was run under auspices of Churches Together in Groby, but apart from two off-site visits, the whole event was held at the URC.

The theme for this year was “Up, up and Away”, with holiday flights (of fancy) each day. The sun shone all week and over fifty guests thoroughly enjoyed their six days holiday experiences. The entertainment programme varied daily. There was lunch, music and buggy rides at the Shuttlewood Clarke Foundation’s, Ulverscroft Grange and Manor. Then a fun, games and creativity afternoon. Next day a three course luncheon was followed by music from flight Captain Cliff. On the Friday there was an in-flight movie afternoon with pop corn and ice cream and on Saturday afternoon a garden party in beautiful sunshine, where straw hats were much in evidence and as tradition dictates, homemade scones with strawberries and cream were served on the lawns.

There were times of nostalgia when scenes of old Groby were projected onto a large screen and a further talking point when childhood photos were dusted off and brought along for the ‘Who do you think they are’ competition?

The fun packed week was brought to a close on Sunday afternoon by Golden Oldies Songs of Praise, favourite hymns chosen and sung with much enthusiasm by the guests, with reflective moments on growing old gracefully. ‘Duty free’ cake and an awards ceremony brought the week to its final destination – safely home to Groby.