8 Nov 2005 - Annual Report - Year to 31 August 2005
Rolf Harris (no relation), long before his involvement in Animal Hospital, would appear on our television screens painting with a decorators 4" brush whilst commenting, 'Can you see what it is yet?' And we never could until he painted in a few outline strokes and the picture appeared. Well, summing up a year in the life of the Fellowship is much the same!
First, we have the big brush strokes. The Brigades, the Band, Noah's Ark Sunday School, the Bible Study, Challenge Newspaper distribution, the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, together with the Sunday Services at the Hilltop Centre and St John's; these are the backbone of the Fellowship.
We then have those few (or in the Fellowship's case perhaps many) outline strokes that bring all of these activities together. Things like the monthly parade services that have been well supported throughout the year, where we have celebrated the Harvest, Christmas carols, Palm Sunday, Pentecost, Fathers Day and our Thanksgiving Service in July. We have met socially with lunches to mark Harvest and Easter, partied at New Year, fund raised at a karaoke evening, danced to the beat of the 50's and 60's, and met the challenge of the curry and quiz evening. We have worked together to mark the youngsters efforts with the Annual Display & Awards Evening as well as with the floats entered into Polesworth Carnival. We came together for the BBQ and picnic at Rosliston Forestry Centre in July where, with the celebration service in the morning, we recalled God's blessing upon the Fellowship over the year.
In our worship on Sunday we have been led in a service of Praise, Meditation, Reflection & Worship centred round songs and music chosen by the congregation, we have spent four weeks studying the life of Daniel, and we welcomed Vaughan Thomas from the Open Doors organisation who came to tell of its work with the persecuted church.
We have welcomed new members, filled the vacant Girls' Brigade Captains role, welcomed new Brigade Officers, and created the role of Fellowship visitor.
So, 'Can you see what it is yet?'
On a personal level, this has been a challenging year for me. In November it fell to me to lead the village Remembrance Service at Polesworth Abbey church, the responsibility for which always lies heavy with me. In December I was able (at short notice) to take early retirement from work after 41 years in the car industry, this has enabled my role in the Fellowship to be extended in the months since. During the year I was able to meet with the national directors of the Boys' Brigade and of the Girls'Brigade to hear their plans for the continued development of these activities. And one surprise to me has been the level of interest in our web site with contacts coming from around the world.
A challenge we faced as a Church was the Noise Abatement Order served on the High School in respect of our band practices, fortunately this was over come with the support of the head master and some new arrangements.
Can you now see what it is? This is a Church group, meeting in rented premises, self financing, working in the community, worshiping God. This is life in Polesworth Christian Fellowship!
But, quick, we have started another 'painting' as we face the challenges and opportunities of the new year. We are aware of issues with regard to the buildings we rent (the condition of the structures is very poor although they broadly meet our requirements). We see opportunities for growth in the Brigade membership with the enhanced leadership structure but we need to raise the profile of the activities in the community. Training of leaders and Fellowship members will be a major aspect of the work in 2005/6. Church finances will become more stretched as the work in the community develops.
I do wonder what this next picture will turn out like and who will feature in the paint pallet, but this I know, I have confidence in the painter and His guiding hand.
David
Leader - Polesworth Christian Fellowship
First, we have the big brush strokes. The Brigades, the Band, Noah's Ark Sunday School, the Bible Study, Challenge Newspaper distribution, the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, together with the Sunday Services at the Hilltop Centre and St John's; these are the backbone of the Fellowship.
We then have those few (or in the Fellowship's case perhaps many) outline strokes that bring all of these activities together. Things like the monthly parade services that have been well supported throughout the year, where we have celebrated the Harvest, Christmas carols, Palm Sunday, Pentecost, Fathers Day and our Thanksgiving Service in July. We have met socially with lunches to mark Harvest and Easter, partied at New Year, fund raised at a karaoke evening, danced to the beat of the 50's and 60's, and met the challenge of the curry and quiz evening. We have worked together to mark the youngsters efforts with the Annual Display & Awards Evening as well as with the floats entered into Polesworth Carnival. We came together for the BBQ and picnic at Rosliston Forestry Centre in July where, with the celebration service in the morning, we recalled God's blessing upon the Fellowship over the year.
In our worship on Sunday we have been led in a service of Praise, Meditation, Reflection & Worship centred round songs and music chosen by the congregation, we have spent four weeks studying the life of Daniel, and we welcomed Vaughan Thomas from the Open Doors organisation who came to tell of its work with the persecuted church.
We have welcomed new members, filled the vacant Girls' Brigade Captains role, welcomed new Brigade Officers, and created the role of Fellowship visitor.
So, 'Can you see what it is yet?'
On a personal level, this has been a challenging year for me. In November it fell to me to lead the village Remembrance Service at Polesworth Abbey church, the responsibility for which always lies heavy with me. In December I was able (at short notice) to take early retirement from work after 41 years in the car industry, this has enabled my role in the Fellowship to be extended in the months since. During the year I was able to meet with the national directors of the Boys' Brigade and of the Girls'Brigade to hear their plans for the continued development of these activities. And one surprise to me has been the level of interest in our web site with contacts coming from around the world.
A challenge we faced as a Church was the Noise Abatement Order served on the High School in respect of our band practices, fortunately this was over come with the support of the head master and some new arrangements.
Can you now see what it is? This is a Church group, meeting in rented premises, self financing, working in the community, worshiping God. This is life in Polesworth Christian Fellowship!
But, quick, we have started another 'painting' as we face the challenges and opportunities of the new year. We are aware of issues with regard to the buildings we rent (the condition of the structures is very poor although they broadly meet our requirements). We see opportunities for growth in the Brigade membership with the enhanced leadership structure but we need to raise the profile of the activities in the community. Training of leaders and Fellowship members will be a major aspect of the work in 2005/6. Church finances will become more stretched as the work in the community develops.
I do wonder what this next picture will turn out like and who will feature in the paint pallet, but this I know, I have confidence in the painter and His guiding hand.
David
Leader - Polesworth Christian Fellowship