Cheddington Methodist Church
Minister: Rev. Donna Broadbent-Kelly - Tel: 01525 240589
At the time of going to press we are, of course, in lockdown and are unable to hold services in the Methodist Church. Hopefully, after 2 December, we shall be able to return to our Sunday morning worship. The Church remains set out in order to observe social distancing with hygiene and safety precautions in place and all who attend will need to wear a mask. The services will be at the usual time of 10.30 am and will last for approximately half an hour. At the moment quiet, reflective singing is possible for a small number and music is played. The names of Preachers appointed to take services in the Methodist Church are normally planned 3 months in advance but in the current and ever changing situation they are only being arranged month by month therefore, the preachers for January 2021 have not yet been named. If for any reason the services cannot be held a notice will appear on the door of the Church.
We welcome everyone to come along to our church to share in our worship and other activities. Services begin on Sundays at 10.30 unless otherwise stated. The church is also open for prayer before each morning service.
Our church is one of 18 in the Vale of Aylesbury Methodist Circuit, whose website can be accessed via the link on the right.
We welcome Donna Broadbent Kelly as our new Minister from 1 September 2017. We wish her
and her family well as they begin their life in the Aylesbury Vale Methodist Circuit
MESSAGE FROM THE MINISTER
Dear friends,
As I write this, I hear of people already putting up the Christmas lights and decorations and I begin to ask myself some questions.
Do they love Christmas and are so desperate for it to arrive? To celebrate with family and friends, and forget the year gone by?
Do they want this year to end? Christmas coming and going quicker to get it over and done with. Let’s face it, it’s not been a good one for many with loved ones lost, furlough, Covid, lockdown and home schooling.
Maybe they are longing for light and hope, in what feels like a dark world?
I wonder though, how many of us will be packing Christmas away on Boxing Day? I wonder how many of us will sit and think that all of that preparation was worth it? And then there’s the almost inevitable feeling of dread as many think of the extra pounds both gained and lost.
We often forget that before Christmas comes Advent, a time of waiting; a time of longing for hope. We can’t make Christmas come any quicker. We might want to pull the dates off the calendar now and get to that glorious Christmas morning when we are told (as Boris promises) a Christmas full of joy and love, and with family and friends. But we have to wait.
We have all learnt to wait a bit more this year, and maybe our patience is beginning to run dry as we are fed up of waiting for things to get back to some normality and for Covid to go away. Fed up of the uncertainty, the feelings of loss, loneliness and isolation.
For the people of Old Testament times of waiting for the long expected Messiah seemed to never end, it was frustrating! “O that you would tear open the heavens and come down!”—Isaiah 64:1. Waiting involves a lot of trust; a naked vulnerable trust that requires us to be persistent and patient, but vulnerable to mockery, challenge, and temptation to take things into our own hands.
But you can’t rush God, you can’t rush time. We might be feeling like we are in the Bleak-mid Winter of our carols, but the light is coming.
When the waiting is over and the child is born,
When the shepherds have gone back to the fields
When the magi have left their gifts and returned to distant lands
When Mary and Joseph have fled Herod’s wrath-
Keep our hearts open, O God, to the call of your kingdom. Amen.
With love
Rev. Donna
SERVICES FOR NOV & DEC 2020
In these present, ever-changing, times we are planning to be open each Sunday. The Church is set out in order to observe social distancing with hygiene and safety precautions in place and all who attend will need to wear a mask. The services will be at the usual time of 10.30 am and will last for just a half an hour. Sadly there will be no singing but it may be possible for music to be played. If for any reason the service cannot be held a notice will appear on the door of the Church.
| Sunday 1st November |
Mr Ken Harris |
| Sunday 8th November |
Remembrance Sunday – sadly under current regulations the usual service at St Giles will not be able to take place. Further details have yet to be finalised.
|
| Sunday 15th November |
Rev Donna Broadbent Kelly |
| Sunday 22nd November |
Mr Ken Harris |
| Sunday 29th November |
Rev Donna Broadbent Kelly |
| Sunday 6th December |
Mr John Bush |
| Sunday 13th December |
Rev Donna Broadbent Kelly |
| Sunday 20th December |
Carol Service – Local Arrangement |
| Sunday 27th December |
Rev Donna Broadbent Kelly |
"THE TOAST” – FOR PARENTS, CARERS and LITTLE ONES
For all parents/carers of per-school children and babies, join us in the Chapel schoolroom on Monday mornings 9.15 – 11.00 during term time for a gentle start to the week. There are toys, activities and refreshments (including toast!) and a warm welcome. Tel Nicola 662010 or Janet 660205 for more information.
OPEN DOORS – Friday morning 10.30 a.m – noon at the Methodist Chapel.
This is an opportunity for village people to meet/socialise each Friday morning and have a cup of tea/coffee and a biscuit/cake. Contact Jeanne 662876 for more information.
LOOP SYSTEM
For those people with hearing aids, we have an induction loop system installed and working in the chapel.
Schoolroom Bookings: For all enquiries, please contact Janet Banham, Tel. 660205 or email .