SKEGNESS METHODISTS
RECENT EVENTS
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10,000 Poppy Petals Mark Remembrance Sunday
Christmas Tree Festival 2002
Christmas Offering Donated to Derbyshire Children's Holiday Centre.
Jolly Fisherman attends Family Service
Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore ....... (John 21: 4)
Those words formed the theme for the Sunrise Service as worshippers gathered on the beach at Skegness for the first Communion service on Easter Day. The Rev Ian Banks rallied worshippers together at 5.45 a.m. on a cold windy morning as he read from John's gospel
Sunrise Service Easter Sunday 2003
the story of Jesus' 'Breakfast on the Beach' with his disciples during one of his earliest post-resurrection appearances. He reminded those who had gathered from Skegness, Wainfleet and Burgh le Marsh and as far afield as Cambridgeshire, that what Jesus was offering Peter and the other disciples on that first Easter morning was a fresh start, a new life. They could put the past behind them just as we can today. However bleak the future looks life can begin again. As dawn broke on these modern day
disciples the cold wind carried the sound of their hymn singing along an otherwise deserted beach and took a few of the hymn sheets with it too. In previous years the 'congregation' has shared some hot coffee and hot cross buns but this year they were content to await the refreshments in the Church's Community Hall at a family breakfast at the more civilised time of 9.45 a.m. However, despite the dullness and cold of the weather the great red glow of the morning sun did appear in the sky over the sea as the service drew to a close.
Councillors Gather for Mayor's Civic Service
Skegness Town Mayor and Mayoress, Councillor Gary Ellis and Mrs Julia Ellis were joined by Deputy Mayor and Mayoress, Councillor Andy Fletcher and Mrs Jackie Fletcher in welcoming guests at Skegness Methodist Church on February 16, 2003 for the Annual Civic Service.
During the thanksgiving service pupils from the Richmond School read prayers and a meditation which they had composed and which reflected their thoughts about living in Skegness. The Town's Silver Band accompanied some of the hymns and also gave a performance of Gabriel's Oboe by Ennio Moricone. The Band also played the Lincolnshire Poacher while a collection was taken for the Mayor's Charity, First Responders.
The Skegness Methodist Church Singers sang John Rutter's arrangement of All things Bright and Beautiful. Verses from Psalm 95 were read by the Town Clerk, Mr Alan Crawshaw, the prayers of Intercession were led by the Rev Malcolm France from St Matthew's Church, and the Gospel was read by the Town Mayor, Councillor Gary Ellis.
Young people from the Hall Way to Dance performed a liturgical dance to the hymn Make me a channel of your peace which was sung on CD by Geraldine Latty.
Before giving his address, the Rev Ian Banks introduced a 'powerpoint' presentation of the 'Mayoral Year' which embraced many of the organisations and activities which Gary had attended as well as a photo collage of Skegness. The presentaion was made against the background playing of Songs of Life sung on CD by Neil Diamond.
In his address the Rev Ian Banks paid tribute to the courage and determination shown by Gary Ellis after his serious road accident at the beginning of his year of office. He also likened the role of church minister and town councillor, saying that both vocations required a 'heart for people'.
After the service refreshments were served in the Church's Community Hall.
Guests included Skegness Town Clerk Alan Crawshaw and his wife Vivien, Spilsby Mayor Arline Cadman and consort Harry, Councillor Jim Dodsworth and his wife Janet, Chairman of Ingoldmells Parish Council Ray Harrison and his wife Doreen, Lincolnshire County Council Chairman Councillor Graham Wheat and his wife Mary, as well as mayors of Peterborough, Lincoln and Louth.
On Easter Day a new Pulpit Fall was dedicated to mark the Easter season. The pulpit fall was made by Jenny Savage and is based on one of the illustrations in At the Breaking of the Bread, the Illustrated version of the Methodist Worship Book Communion Services which was commissioned from the Nuns of the Priory of Our Lady of Peace at Turvey Abbey. The nuns have given us permission to use the design which remains their copyright.
Margot Hill decorated our Lent cross with a beautiful display of flowers and Wendy Woolley created the banner over the pulpit.
The service was conducted by the
Rev Ian Banks, The Mayor's Chaplain.
Both Ian and gary were anxious to reflect
the community role of both the Town Council
and the local Church. This aim was achieved by community organisations
and other Christian Churches taking part
in the service and by the imaginstive way
in which modern technology, music,
both sacred and secular and dance
were used.
Visit publishers McCrimmon Publishing Co to see an exquisite new range of high quality banners featuring the artwork of
The Benedictine Sisters of Turvey Abbey.
The Methodist Publishing House online catalogue is available at www.mph.org.uk
