CAMP, CAMP, CAMP

A few photographs of the stunning campsite at Rocklands where

we will be holding our camp over the weekend 16 to 18 November. Look at the amazing view, the accomodation, the pool and all the wonderful facilities that, together with an exciting programme, go towards making this a memorable event not to be missed!

Pick up a camp form on Sundays at church or contact Sue or our church office and we will ensure that you get the forms.

Prayer for examinations

Recently Mr Cameron Dugmore, the Minister of Education in the Western Cape sent a letter out encouraging all faith communities to pray for education over the weekend of 28 to 30 September. In the letter he cites a moment when prayers were held at the beginning of this year at a church in the Southern Suburbs and how meaningful this had been.

We have decided to therefore make Sunday, 30 September, an opportunity to focus our prayers on education in our country.

We will be spending time in all our worship services praying for all involved in education.

Naturally a specific focus will be on those writing their final examinations in Grade 12 but we will also include all learners in our prayers.

You are invited to do the following:

1. Invite all involved in education, learners and teachers, as well as their families, to attend our worship services the Sunday. Encourage them all to come for prayer. They do not need to be members of our church; this is an opportunity to pray for our community.
2. Spend time over the weekend in your own times of prayer praying for all aspects of education.
   

Seniors Tea

On Friday 14 September 2007 our Pastoral Commission hosted their annual Seniors Tea in our hall. It is a very special event where we honour our members who are seventy years old and older. At this years event our oldest member was Minnie Hanslo who is a young ninety four years of age! In October this year she will be 95 !

Many others, over the age of 80, also continue to play an active part in our congregation. Reuben Smit, at 88, was also acknowledged as he continues to lead our Wednesday morning Bible Study group and be active in Venture, a Friday mornings fellowship for seniors.

We had a wonderful tea, as you can see in the photographs, and were then entertained with sing-along music.

A marvellous time was had by all and thanks must go to Robin Schell, our Pastoral Care Commission Co-ordinator and his team as well as the ladies who looked after each table.

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Old friends

Recently we have had visits to our church by some very special "old friends" - although none of them is really old!

It was good to see them at different events and worship services. It reminds us that we are one big family, wherever we are in the world. The scriptures speak of the church in a number of different ways, each indicating somehow that we are part of a family and that we are sisters and brothers together on a journey.

Well it was great to see some of our sisters and brothers that we have not seen for a while.

It started with the visit back home to sunny South Africa by Murray and Gina Wilkinson. Murray was our Youth Pastor a little while ago before he decided to venture into the colder part of the world, namely England. He and Gina were married during his time of ministry here and Gina began her teaching career while they were still among us. They joined us for worship one evening during their visit. Here you see them sitting in church after our worship service.

It was great seeing them again.

Then, a little later we had our spring dance and who should we see swinging the night away? None other than Kevin and Pat Alexander. They now live in Melkbosstrand, not too far from good old Bellville. During their time with us pat used to lead the Precepts Bible Studies in the church. Thanks for joining us at the dance.

In the photo you can see them smiling for the camera with Sue Storbeck, the dance organiser.

And finally, at Jason's farewell, we made contact again with Adam Barker, a past member of our church who now serves as the Youth Pastor at St Marks, Edgemead. We do see Adam around every now and again. Apparently it has something to do with a certain Society Steward at Bellville Methodist Church! We are really excited that he and Laura will be married later this year and wish them a deep sense of God's love as they make their covenant together before God and their family and friends.

Adam is on the far left of the photo looking to see if Jason will arrive!

Family Camp

We are holding a Family Camp from Friday 16 to Sunday 18 November at Rocklands campsite in Simonstown. This is to be a family and youth camp and so we will have activities and fun planned for everyone, irrespective of age.

Make sure you book the dates now in your diary so that NOTHING comes in the way of you and me and us and everyone having a wonderful weekend !

There are most amazing views of False Bay from the campsite and we will perhaps even be able to do some whale spotting from camp.

Book the dates now and start saving as there is a small cost involved. Check the church bulletin on Sundays or Facebook or phone the office if you need any further information.

Also feel free to contact Sue Storbeck, the organiser, if you have some suggestions or if you wish to volunteer in any way.

Family service

Well we had our Family Service on Sunday and then went and said goodbye to Jason. It was a great time of worship and wonderful to be together across all ages.

It began as we entered the sanctuary. We were met at the door by some of the members of our Children's Church who handed out notices and also gave each person a small gift. In the photo you see some of our young people who were the "Door Stewards" - a Methodist term for welcomers, for the day happily making all feel most welcome.

At 9.30 am the service began as we were led in worship by the young folk. They are all regularly involved with worship on Friday nights, at Youth, on Sunday mornings, at Children's Church, and on Sunday nights, at the evening worship service. In this photo you see some of those who participate in these services.

Finally, we moved over to the hall and said our goodbyes to Jason. He and Eileen joined us and we were able to wish them well in their future and will hopefully still see them in the future as they worship with us.

Here you see the happy couple as Jason makes his speech!

The lamp was a gift that related to a sermon where Jason once used a lamp as an illustration, but the lamp did not burn - hence the gift - a working lamp!

Spring Dance

As this has been a longggggggggg Cape winter some of our folk did not realise that Spring had Sprung! And so, despite the smallish attendance, a good time was had by all.

Thanks go to Sue and her team for organising the event as well as to Mike, Hanlie and the other members of the band for great music!

Now for the Summer Ball . . . .

Making sleeping bags for street people.

Recently we collected over 120 blankets that were given to people in need of warmth. We also made sleeping bags of newspaper and plastic to try and keep the blankets dry, left messages of love on the bags and we even tested them.

New Life Centre Brunch

A few of the folks involved with the New Life Centre ministry were hosted to a brunch on Saturday 8 September. Some photos of the event and the centre.

See the spread . . .

and the new beds . . . . and the new lounge suite! All donated by those supporting the ministry to pregnant women in crisis.

SPRING DANCE

Saturday 8 September 2007 will see us all enjoying fellowship on the dance floor and grooving the night away! Come along to this fun-filled event to be held at Vredelust Primary School from 8.00 pm. Tickets are only R 30 and are available from Sue Storbeck, Sandy Benskin, Helen van Tonder and Cavell Landman. Contact them via the church office.

Bring along your own refreshments.

See you there ! ! !

JASON'S FAREWELL

Come along to our farewell for Jason, our out-going Youth Pastor, on Sunday 9 September 2007 at 10.45 am in the church hall. Time will be given to thank him for his wonderful ministry among the young people in our church. He and Eileen will be getting married soon and so we will commit them to God in the next part of their journey.

Be there! Bring eats or come and eat other people's food!