42

Exciting Churches: Raunds Methodist

In 42: Drowning in excitement I wrote

I am going to write separately about what is happening in the Churches as it is really exciting and there is a lot to say.

So here I am writing about some of the reasons why I find Raunds Methodist Church exciting.

WOT (Worship on Thursday)

We are now starting our 4th year of WOT and the numbers continue to grow. We now have 40 on the list with around 30 each week with ages from pre-school to mid 80's.

We meet every week during school terms opening from just after 3pm until 6pm (we just about manage to get cleared up before the Scouts arrive for 7pm). If you can't get to WOT on time then no problem you can join us at any point in the afternoon.

Our programme is unashamedly Christian. Every week we have a theme from the Bible, all the games and crafts (for all ages) relate to that theme and we worship together before we eat a proper hot meal.

As WOT is so popular we can only properly care for a limited number of unaccompanied children, if you come without an adult it is on a first come, first served basis with the total depending on the number of trained and CRB checked adults available.

WOT has become a caring and supportive community, something that has been wonderful to see.

There is no charge for WOT. It is supported entirely through the generosity of Church members.

Kitchen

We confess that we love food. So we are delighted that we have now opened our fully refurbished kitchen (all stainless steel with all the gadgets like dishwasher). Already it is used to cook for 30 each week at WOT and over 50 for Sunday lunch (2nd Sunday of the month at 12:30pm).

Sunday Worship

We love worshipping together, we often lose track of time - don't expect us to watch the clock and finish in an hour. We have a worship band who play regularly and love contemporary worship, but we also have more traditional (but still very informal and welcoming worship) on other weeks. Our focus is on God's grace (celebrating that all are loved and welcomed by God) and on the call to follow Jesus (working out together what that means today).

Life

Raunds Methodist Church has a very active life as we explore and live out the love of God for all. Lots of food, small groups, prayer, study & service.

Excitement for Dave

It is not just what is happening but the way it happens, the attitudes and especially the presence and power of the living God that makes it so exciting to serve this Church. God is at work and we love it!!

Drowning in excitement

It has been a long time since I last posted. In fact I have not just been behind on posting I have also got way behind on reading blogs, facebook and twitter.

However, this is not the result of boredom. Instead life has been both full and exciting with no energy left over. I want to share some of the things that have been keeping me busy.

In my personal life in this new year (Methodist and School) two changes are significant. Jane has a new position as a teaching assistant, that means more hours but also means we get a day off together which we did not have last year. Very nice it is too. Secondly, our youngest son has just started secondary school, that changes a number of dynamics in the family.

In work terms there have been lots of changes too.

• Our circuit has a new superintendent and it is his first superintendency.
• This August we have moved from 4 to 3 ministers in the Circuit
• I am now responsible for an additional two churches while dropping one. So in alphabetical order I am the minister for Irthlingborough, Old Weston, Raunds, Thrapston and Wollaston. Fortunately Wollaston has a very capable Lay Worker which makes a big difference.
• I am now on the Methodist Council as Northampton District Representative, the first meeting is Monday and Tuesday next week in London. Still ploughing through the 160 pages of agenda items.
• As a result of being the District Council Representative I have found myself on the District Executive Committee.
• A number of the elements of our Circuits Vision are really starting to kick in now. Among them is my role as Circuit Worship & Fresh Expressions Enabler.

Beyond these things there is another work related change on the horizon. My 5 year appointment to the Nene Valley Circuit ends in August 2010. We decided not to seek an extension and so will be moving next August. Please note that there will be no discussion here of potential stations. All the Churches in the circuit were informed several weeks ago. This was a hard decision but we believe that it is the right thing for the Circuit and for our family. It will be hard to leave so many friends and wonderful churches but on the other hand leaving would only get harder if we stay longer.

I am going to write separately about what is happening in the Churches as it is really exciting and there is a lot to say.