June
2003
Dear Friends,
On the 8th June we celebrate Pentecost, often known as Whit Sunday.
This is the day in the year when we particularly celebrate the Holy
Spirit.
At Pentecost we remember how the Holy Spirit first appeared to the
disciples whilst they were in the upper room still coming to terms
with the departure of Jesus, firstly by his crucifixion and then
by the ascension. Jesus has told them of a power which is to be given
them by God the Father which will only be given to them after Jesus
has left them.
In the second chapter of the Acts of the Apostles we read how the
Holy Spirit manifested itself to them ‘like the rush of a mighty
wind’ and ‘tongues as of fire rested on each of them’. In this power
the disciples go out to preach to those in Jerusalem. The change
in their character and confidence is quite dramatic, no longer cowering
in a loft, no longer hiding their Nazareth accents but speaking passionately
of what they know Jesus has done.
If you like, Pentecost is the Birthday of the Church, no longer can
we leave Jesus to do the work, now we are to participate. The Holy
Spirit will provide the power and the guidance. The Spirit of God
will grant us gifts to further the mission of the church and as we
plant ourselves in him so we will grow the fruits which make us more
and more like Christ. A moment repeated daily which is more than
worthy of celebration.
This year at St Peter’s we are holding an All Age Service on Pentecost
Sunday at 11am. This will include a simple form of Holy Communion
as it is a major Christian Festival. As one of the significant things
about that first Pentecost was that every one heard the disciples
talk in their own language we will be developing this theme.
We are therefore encouraging everyone to wear National Costume, it
doesn’t have to be your own countries necessarily, but to help underline
the Holy Spirit speaking to all the nations of the world. We are
also going to have the bible reading read in a variety of languages
to emphasis the point. (If you are able to speak in a foreign language
and would like to take part please let me know a.s.a.p.).
The Holy Spirit is the life giving force provided by God to his church
in order that we may indeed be His people. This is something to enjoy,
celebrate and share.
Yours in Christ,
Rev. Nick Wells
MANNIFEST 2003
Another tradition is the islands ecumenical weekend conference at
the Crossags in Ramsey. This year promises to be another exciting
event. The theme is “Let Go, Let God” and is being held from Friday
27th June – Sunday 29th June.
SPRING HARVEST 2004
It is becoming a tradition that a group from St. Peter’s attends
Spring Harvest in Minehead, Somerset. Spring Harvest is an annual
Conference for people of all ages. There is, literally, something
for everyone from early morning to very late at night for those who
want it. And if there are members of families who would like to go
but don’t want to join in the conference there are all the usual
Butlins Holiday attractions, swimming pool, fun fair, etc. Every
year over 60,000 people attend. It offers vibrant worship to stir
your soul with cutting edge teaching to equip you for life. 2004’s
conference is entitled ‘Grace Academy’ – not a red-carpet awards
ceremony, but a concentrated course to remind us that heaven’s applause
is already ours.
Grace is one of the most dominant melodies in the symphony of the
Bible. It’s what makes the Good News so very good. Grace is the reason
for our confidence, the ground on which we can draw near to God.
Grace drove Jesus to march steadfastly to the cross – to die a death
He didn’t deserve, so that we could live a life we could never earn.
Grace is truly amazing, outrageous and humbling. It’s the message
the world has been waiting for. (taken from the Spring Harvest 2004
brochure).
Next year a group will be attending – why not join them – Tuesday
13th April – Sunday 18th April, 2004 (Week 3 at Minehead). Brochures
and booking forms can be found on the table at the back of church.
Please take one if you are interested.
IF YOU WANT TO BE PART OF THE GROUP STAYING IN UNITS CLOSE TO EACH
OTHER – BOOKING FORMS AND DEPOSITS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO BEV WELLS
BY MONDAY 9TH JUNE AT THE LATEST OR YOU CAN BOOK FOR YOURSELF. BOOKING
LINES OPEN 9.00 a.m. WEDNESDAY 13TH JUNE.
LETTER RECEIVED FROM
NORTH MBALE DIOCESE
Ven. Canon. A. N. Wettaka
Bulegeni Parish
North Mbale Diocese
P.O. Box 69 Siroko
14th April, 2003
Rev N. A. Wells
The Vicarage
Church Road
Onchan
Isle of Man
IM3 1BF
via England
Dear Friends,
It is really very long we wrote to you and equally long we heard
from you.
We apologies for this delay, we are sorry for this. We want to thank
you for your last mail.
We acknowledge the following:
1. Your prayers
2. Hosted John & Lloyd
3. A help £250 through Rev. Canon Theo Kikoso
4. Gift of Ug. Shs. 50,000 from your Bishop to our Vicar Ven. Canon
A. N. Wettaka.
5. 1 Clerical shirt through Rev. Canon Kikoso to our Vicar Ven. Canon
Alusutaluko Wettaka
6. 1 packet of pens to our Vicar by Lloyd
Allow us report the following:
With the help of money the church construction is at the tie-beam
(May God bless you all).
We have been blessed with C.I. Compassion International they have
a Centre with us. They have registered 288 children. We
have opened Bank Account in U.C.B. Uganda Commercial Bank Mbale Main
Branch. Account No. 31-06674-1.
We wish you good health.
Yours in His Service.
Ven. Canon Alusutaluko Wettaka.
Attached
Expenditure as per the help of £250 Ug. Shs. 700.000
½ ton cement 165.000
Transport cement 5.000
4000 bricks 200.000
White Sand 100.000
Black Sand 50.000
Transport bricks 200.000
720.000
Ven. Can. A. N. Wettaka, Vicar
MOTHERS UNION
During the 11 a.m. service on Sunday 11th May Sylvia Lawrinson was
enrolled as our new Branch Leader by the Vicar. She was then presented
with a card and flowers by Joan and Christine.
A business meeting was held on 13th May when it was unanimously decided
to change the start time of our meetings from 2.30 p.m. to 2 p.m.
A committee of 11 members was set up and their first meeting was
held Friday 23rd May in the Parish Office to arrange our forthcoming
programme.
Members from both day and evening sections joined together at Peel
Cathedral on Wednesday 14th May when the World Wide President, Trish
Heywood, gave the Address. This was followed by a marvellous tea
in Harbour Lights Restaurant and to add to the occasion the members
were able to celebrate with Les and Sylvia Lawrinson who were celebrating
their wedding anniversary on that day.
For our next meeting, on 1st July, we have been invited to Mildred
Cooper’s home, Woodlands, Alexander Drive, for afternoon tea at
2 p.m.
Some dates for your diary:
17th June - Deanery Meeting, St Mary’s Hall, Port St Mary at 2.30
p.m.
17th June - Deanery Meeting, St. Stephens Church Hall, Sulby at 7.30
p.m.
5th July - Henry Bloom Noble Anniversary Day – Onchan
Recreation Ground – at 2 pm – Any donations for the stall would be much appreciated
- for more info contact Betty Makin.
8th July - Flower Festival Coach Trip (details later)
18th July - Songs of Praise, Bride Church at 7.30 p.m.
We have been asked to contribute to the Diocesan venture of making a wall hanging
and we are therefore looking for anyone who is an embroiderer to advise us. If
you can help please telephone Sylvia on 627664 by 4th July as our contribution
must be ready for October.
EVENING MOTHERS’ UNION did not have a meeting in April but a successful Ceilidh
was held in the Parish Hall on April 26th.
On May 14th four members of the E.M.U.’s joined the afternoon members at Peel
Cathedral for the Mothers’ Union Festival Service followed by a very enjoyable
meal at The Harbour Lights.
The May meeting was held in Church on May 15th. We were joined by our new Branch
Leader Sylvia Lawrinson and discussed next years programme.
Jo Thomas a Social Worker dealing with children gave a very interesting talk
about her work.
The June meeting is on the 19th in Church when a Quiz will be held.
CT
LADIES FELLOWSHIP
We held our annual business meeting on the 7th May in the Parish Hall when Hazel
and Linda agreed to continue in their present ‘posts’ – our thanks to them. This
was followed by a buffet supper and a chat. We are having our Night Out on Wednesday
11th June at 8 p.m.
STEM
Our STEM service this month is to be at Marown. The Music Group gathered
for the Diocesan Youth Synod in May was made up primarily from the
music groups at Marown and at St Peter’s. The idea was suggested
of holding combined services with them from time to time and this
will be the first of what we hope will become many such services.
The service will begin at 7.30pm and everyone is very welcome.
Sunday 29th June
The 29th June is St Peter’s Day and therefore our Patronal Festival.
The 11am service will be our All Age Service, at 3pm we host the
Onchan District Commissioners Civic Service and in the evening our
Wholeness and Healing Service.
GUEST PREACHER
In the Church Leader there is an article on Cyprian and Jayne Yobero.
From Kenya they are currently missionaries in Manchester with the
Message Trust. They are on the Island for the Church Mission Society
open meeting on 14th June and Cyprian will be our guest preacher
the following day at Evening Prayer.
PICNIC
A note for your diary - again this year we are going to have a Picnic
on the church green following the Sunday School Anniversary on 20th
July, 2003 – so dust off your picnic chairs and hampers!
CHRISTIAN AID
A big “thank you” to everyone who supported this year’s fund raising
efforts. The ten collectors from St. Peter’s raised £1,157.15 and
our Government has agreed to donate £1 for each £1 collected. Especially
if your road was not visited this year, could you help somewhere
in 2004? Hoping to hear from you soon.
ERIC FOSTER
IN MEMORY OF OANA NANIU
6TH November 1987 – 26th February 2003
An appreciation by Rev. June Hurn, a long time volunteer, who knew
and worked with Oana for all the years she was in St. Laurence’s
– Romania.
Oana, a very special, special child, sometimes known for fun as “Oana
banana”, is no longer with us. So many people will miss her, carers,
nurses, visitors for whom she was someone much loved and loving.
She quietly observed everything that went on around her, understanding
words in Romanian and English. Her eyes told you so much. Her smile
was your reward – a smile which lit up the room and encouraged you
for the rest of the day.
She was sometimes sad or in pain but she responded to love that was
given, to gentle words, to a cuddle. She enjoyed being carried from
place to place, to “go visiting” to see what the other children were
doing.
Oana was an ongoing challenge to us all to meet her needs in how
we cared for her, feeding, bathing, dressing, making her comfortable
in her bed or in her wheelchair. She taught us how to care, not with
words, but just by being.
I like to think of her now freed from the bonds of her earthly body
and running and dancing with her many friends in heaven – and being
cuddled by an angel.
LNL
SSAFA
On Saturday 5th July, 2003 at 7 p.m. in All Saints Church, Douglas,
the Kings Division Normandy Band will play in concert with the Lhon
Dhoo Male Voice Choir. Compare for the evening will be Geoff Corkish.
Admission will be £5 and tickets can be obtained from Mrs Susan Temple
– Tel. 822096
FROM THE REGISTERS
Baptisms
Callum Murphy, Rachael Ormondroyd, Lucas Watterson,
Alexander Wells-Merrilees, Lydia Morris
Funerals
Mitch Black, Bob Carswell, Joan Quirk,
Ralph Taylor, Gladys Nelson
Weddings
Claire Margaret Hamilton and Paul John Sayle
Louise Helen Sanders and Andrew James McCulloch
Offertory
The offertory for April totalled £8,305.37 and was made up of £5,478.26 pledged
giving and £2,827.11 (including £1,459.06 Easter Day for Vicar) of loose plate
giving.
Thank you. |
