Recent Events

 

Walk the National Forest Mission 12th-20th September  click here for report

 

HOLIDAY CLUB AUG 24-28th

 

Patronal Festival 2009

CAR WASH - 25/4/09
(to raise funds for the trips to Cae Canol)

 

The Service led by our Church Youth 

 

Anyone who missed the service on Sunday 19th April led by our own church youth seriously missed out on something really impactive and special.

They had a profound message from God for us; they‘d prayerfully thought it all through themselves.  They planned it, prepared it and delivered it with huge spiritual maturity. To say we, adults were moved and humbled and thoroughly ministered to would be an understatement.

Matthew Hogsden clearly, ably, and imaginatively delivered a sermon –a spiritual adaptation/interpretation of MRS NERG (movement, respiration, sensitivity, nutrition, excretion, reproduction, growth) the 7 characteristics of living things, normally reserved for school biology lessons. Are we as Christians or as a church moving, growing, being sensitive, etc ??

We were treated to coffee in our pews, whilst watching a variety of video clips from YouTube and other sources, including Sunday teams, thanks to the technological competence of Andrew H and Simon. The musical talents of Rebecca, Sam, Matthew and Tim Rossell all added to the occasion and impact of the service.

The choice of songs and choruses was theirs and included the one where God’s Holy Spirit is being asked to "Revive Us", because that it what they genuinely desire to see for this nation. What an example they set!

Many times through the rest of the day, and through the night I kept mentally replaying the repeating the cry from one of the video clips "You’re losing us..you’re losing us...you’re losing us...".

On behalf of the nation’s children, this was the cry from those whom many churches are missing, failing, and losing by not providing a creative, attractive environment in which to hear The Gospel Message, The Good News of God’s Love and Salvation, the chance of hearing about what REALLY matters in life, in a user friendly way. Indeed, we felt thoroughly convicted of this country’s churches giving insufficient priority, resources and energy to reaching out to children and young people.

We thank God for these youngsters and pray that God really uses them and keeps His Hand upon their lives. Chris F.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnM0nnT4rxs - to view the video

http://www.wymad.org.uk/ - to view the Will You Make A Difference website

TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT MRS NERG - CLICK HERE....

 

Mulitisensory Prayer Journey

 - the Three Wise men

 

On Friday 16 January we were invited into the church to take part in a prayer journey.
Life is a journey…….through the seasons……the highs and the lows…

The journey was based on Matthew 2 and we began by reading the chapter. We were then invited
to start the journey: and to begin your journey expecting God to speak to you.

"…………. Speak Lord for your servant is listening" (1 Samuel 3 v 9)

We then visited a series of very well-designed, moving and thought provoking prayer stations that had us touching, smelling, listening and tasting.

Following Matthew 2, we experienced the:
1) Stars  2) Baggage  3) Gifts   4) The Oasis  5) Lost & Found  6) God in Flesh
7) Lies & Betrayal  8) Doubts and being rescued  9) Refugees  10) Going Home

Fifty people came to the event and the feedback from people suggested that they had felt God’s presence during the journey

Well done to all those who organised it. If you were unable to come to this one, make sure you watch out for the next one as it is planned to hold another prayer journey later in the year. LM

 

"You've Got It wrong again, Gabriel!"

What did Christmas mean to me?

I count myself really fortunate to have attended the production of "You’ve got it wrong again, Gabriel!"

All the wonder of God’s plan to come to earth in his son, to show his love and forgiveness to absolutely everyone through Jesus’ teaching and sacrifice, was shown by the amazing group of people playing their parts in this lovely, welcoming church.

Ably supported by a whole host of backstage workers and with wonderful music, they made us all laugh, think and cry! I could not begin to single out any individuals, as they all must have spent hours rehearsing and preparing and praying that they would do justice to a clever play, suitable for all ages.

Thank you to those of you that had the vision, will and faith to put this on, for us all to share. I do hope that in future I may see another play that brings God’s message to us all with so much pleasure.

I was really glad to get the chance to hear that last song of Mary’s again in church at the Carols by Candlelight service.
Pam Wraithmell

Christmas Fayre

A resounding success, with many visitors despite the freezing fog!  a wonderful atmosphere and much fun - and to top it all, we raised approx £1500!

AUCTION

The auction on Saturday 1st November made over £500 for church funds. 

Harvest Festival - Supper and Auction of Produce

There was a good attendance for the supper of delicious baked potatos and varous fillings. 

The meal was followed by the sale of produce under the very able hammer of auctioneer, Rev John Seaman.  The cans and produce were offerings from the harvest festival services that were held in church for the school, the playgroup and last Sunday's Festival service. Fierce competition for desirable goods led to frantic bidding.

It was an evening where we all shared fun and fellowship - and made over £360. This money will be kept aside to use to respond to world emergencies as they arise.

Several boxes of canned food have also been donated to the Marlene eid centre in Coalville.

Thank you to the team who produced the meal, the auctioneer, those who came for the meal and and those went home laden with cans and produce!

 

TROUBLE BREWIN' Concert

 

 

We'll Meet Again

 

 

Tim and Jade's Wedding

Saturday 6th September

 

Music for a summer's day

Bank holiday Monday saw an excellent afternoon's entertainment by organist Nigel Singleterry performing music from Bach to...Pudsey the Bear!  A delicious afternoon tea was served in the interval.

A big thanks to Nigel for the concert.  Money raised is to be used for a christmas card to be distributed to every home in Whitwick.

 Annual Cricket Match v The Black Horse

After several years of suffering defeat at the hands of the cricket team from the Black Horse, this year’s annual fixture saw the team representing St John the Baptist turn the tables with a convincing victory by 12 runs.

 

 Sayanara - farewell!

Whitwick Church said a fond farewell to Washiela Ratcliffe at her Commissioning Service on Sunday 7th July. Washiela, who is a diocesan evangelist, is preparing to leave for a two year mission in Japan

 

 

 

 

 

Summer Strings

	The chancel was transformed on Saturday 6th July, graced by the presence of 5 harps, three violins and a group of young ladies!

The audience of over 70 people were entertained by the young people of Leicestershire Arts in Education Harp Ensemble, under the direction of Jen Gilchrist, and Fiddlers Three.
The versatility of the instruments was demonstrated by the wide range of music played, all to an excellent standard.  The performers radiated their obvious love for music, which is always a pleasure for the audience. 
A thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining evening!  Thank Youi!

 

The Minstrels' Gallery

 

It was a hot evening for the visit by the Minstrels’ Gallery, and the church proved a cool refuge.

The band consisted of three sackbut players and two cornett players and they were joined in a few of the items by an octet of singers. The music as all of the baroque era from the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. This is exactly the sort of music that would have been played in our church in those days and it was easy to imagine you were back in time, with the church largely as it would have been in the times of the Tudors and Stuarts -the major changes being the addition of electricity and the victorian pews!

In between pieces we learnt about the instruments and their development, and a bit about the composers of the time.  The sackbut may sound the more peculiar, but the cornett is one of the weirdest looking instruments you’ll see!  It is long, thin and bent; made of wood, encased in leather; played similarly to a recorder but with a mouthpiece like a trumpet. It was an entertaining and informative evening, enjoyed by and audience

Targetted publicity, as well as a mention in the local press, brought in a musical  audience from Whitwick and further afield. 

Now we can offer a venue with facilities, it is hoped that Whitwick Parish Church can go on to host a range of events that appeal to the wider community. LM

 

Barn Dance - April 25th

This was our third in the last nine months and was another success, with the Windmill Folk, and everyone in full swing!

BAPTISED   19 year old Ben Christian with Rev Anne Stratton after his baptism on Easter Day 2008

 

Auction makes Lots and Lots!

The Auction on October 13th 2007 made approx £700 for the church development fund. 
Thanks to all who donated items, all who helped and all who came on the day.

 

Songs from the Silver Screen

The singing group ‘Concorde’ entertained a delighted audience at Whitwick Church on October 6th 2007with a variety of songs from films. They were well received and are a very talented group.
A glass of wine was provided at the interval, and we were invited to join in with a couple of the well-known songs, it certainly brought back some memories! It was a very enjoyable evening and there was so much applause - we even had an encore.

The evening raised over £200 for the Church Development Project.  We have asked them to come again in a few months time to entertain us. Keep your eyes peeled, don’t miss out!!  
Julia