PAST EVENTS

SUNDAY 14^th.AUGUST at CHRISTCHURCH THAME

There is an old saying that necessity is the mother of invention!

It was partly necessity, due to so many of our Ministers and Local Preachers being on holiday, that caused 8 of the Circuit Churches to be invited to the morning service at Christchurch Thame on Sunday 14^th.August, which was led by our Superintendent Minister Rev. David Jenkins.
Joint services are not exactly new but this was the first time that this has been attempted on this scale for other than Circuit Services and it turned out to be an immensely worthwhile occasion.

The following comments are typical of many:

‘We, as a Church appreciated the Joint Service last Sunday, as it gave us an opportunity to get to know our friends from the other Churches in the Circuit, it was something we had missed with the Circuit being so large now. The Church was full, the singing good and a very thought provoking sermon, giving us something to go home and think about.

Let's do it again next year!’

‘Those of us who were able to join in worship at Christchurch last Sunday enjoyed a wonderful service in a full church- a very uplifting experience.’

Thame are to be thanked for hosting such a great gathering of Circuit Churches last Sunday.

Although only 8 churches were invited, it seemed to attract more folk than many Circuit Services have in the recent past and it certainly gave us all the chance to meet folk from the other churches.

CIRCUIT SERVICE

SONGS of PRAISE

Aylesbury Methodist Church Sunday 24 July: 6.00 pm

Folk gathered from right across the Circuit sang thirteen GREAT ENGLISH HYMNS
Including Amazing grace, How sweet the name, O for a thousand tongues,
Love Divine and And can it be?

The worship was led by Rev. David Jenkins and the hymn singing was led by the Circuit Choir together with friends from other local choirs. The Choir contributed three extra items, 'Take my life' was sung as an introit later in the service 'Lead me Lord' by S S Wesley was sung as an anthem and 'How Sweet the name of Jesus sounds' was sung unaccompanied.

The congregation had been invited to Come along for a Great Sing we hope that object was achieved and all the organisers and participants are warmly thanked.

A collection for 'Child Bereavement Charity' was taken up during the service.

If you didn't get a chance to sing your own favourite, there is always next year!

CD's will be available in due course with profits going to Methodist Mission Fund.

AYLESBURY FESTIVAL 2nd – 17th July.

The Aylesbury Festival 2011 is now over for this year.
We are proud to have played a part in its success these past two weeks. 8 Concerts were held here and it was well received. Those who did not come along missed a treat and we look forward to it happening again in 2012. At our church it was a triumph of organisation with regards to opening up and cleaning after each event. A special thank you to Kevin Hardern, Bob Bucknell, Steve Marks and Roger Kirk and in particular Brian Taylor, who were in every day during the event to make sure the premises were clean and ready for use. It was really much appreciated. Michele.

(Report from Aylesbury weekly news sheet)

On Sunday 29^th. August the last Service to be held in the Aylesbury Vale Circuit. was at Stoke Hammond and took the form of a Songs of Praise Service led by Rev. Jim Gorringe. The Service also celebrated the installation of a new Pipe Organ.

Hymns chosen by the regular congregation were sung by folk from all around the Circuit who vitually filled the Chapel and certainly filled it with sound. The last verse of the final hymn was a fitting end to the Old Circuit and a welcome to the new.

Lord for ourselves; in living power remake us-
self on the cross, and Christ upon the throne,
past put behind us, for the future take us:
Lord of our lives, to live for Christ alone.

We moved on to WEDNESDAY 1st September - 7.30 pm when the New Circuit gathered at Aylesbury, for the service to mark the inauguration of the Vale of Aylesbury Circuit, to welcome a new Minister the Rev. Keith Edwards to Aylesbury and to mark a new sphere of ministry for Rev Fred Ireland at Thame Christchurch, Chinnor, Cuddngton and Haddenham.
The Service was led by Rev David Jenkins who remains as Superintendent Minister but leaves Aylesbury to take over the pastoral care of Princes Risborough,Weedon, Whitchurch & Wingrave in addition to Stoke Mandeville and Stone.

The Chair of the Northampton District, Rev Peter Hancock. (left) gave the address

After the address Rev. Keith Edwards was welcomed by the Mayor, Cllr Graham Webster, Major David Stott, the County Ecumenical Officer and by Chris Sara, as Senior Circuit Steward. The service also recognised the new roles of Revs. Fred Ireland and David Jenkins.

Light refreshments were served in the hall after the Service when members were able to have a personal word of welcome with Rev. Keith Edwards

Saturday 25^th. September at Fairford Leys - at 3pm

The Service for the Induction of the Revd. Anthony Howells as the new Minister of the Ecumenical Church at Fairford Leys took place in a virtually full church with a congregation gathered from local folk, the Vale of Aylesbury Circuit and a party frome Perton where Rev. Howells had been their minister for 10 years.

Rev. Tony Willis, Assistant Ministert Fairford Leys welcomed the congregation then invited Rev. Dr Andrew Prasad, Moderator, Thames North Synod of the URC, to lead the Service according to URC traditions.
The address was given by Mrs Wendy Needham, the Licensed Lay Minister at the Church at Perton, who likened the occasion to the launching of a ship as she felt she was launching The Church at Fairford Leys on a new chapter in its life and Anthony on a new phase of his pastoral career.

The Rev. Anthony Howells was formerly presented to the congregation by Rev. Alan Kircaldy, the URC Interim Moderator who had been appointed to oversee the various stages of the invitation process whci were explained in detail by Alan Lambourne the acting Church Secretary at Fairford Leys Church. The Rev. Anthony Howells was then invited to speak and presented his thoughts on the process that led to his acceptance of the appointment at the Church at Fairford Leys.

After the formal Affirmations by the Minister Elect, the Congregation at Fairford Leys and all those who had come to support, Rev. Dr Andrew Prasad made a formal declaration that The Rev. Anthony Howells was now the Minister appointed to serve at the Church at Fairford Leys.
The Rev. Andrew Blyth, Area Dean, Aylesbury deanery of the Church of England added his words of welcome and declared that Anthony was authorised to Officiate at Sacrements according to the rites of the Church of England.
The Rev Peter Hancock, Chairman of the Methodist Northampton District also welcomed Anthony and told him he would now be thought of as ' One of Us'.

This was followed by representatives of the Partner Churches, Local Church Organisations and The Parish Council who each offered a welcome and The Right Hand of Fellowship.

Whilst this was a formal occasion the proceedings had their moments of humour and there was a feeling of great anticipation and enthusiasm in the Church at Fairford Leys, Rev Anthony was well and truly launched!

An abundance of light refreshments were available after the Service when it was possible for those present to offer there own words of welcome to Anthony and his family.

The Vale of Aylesbury Circuit offers Anthony and his family the warmest of welcomes and our prayers for a long, happy and fulfilling time as minister at Fairford Leys and we hope that they will occasionally escape and visit the other 17 churches in the circuit where they will be most welcome.

David and Paula's Wedding - Saturday October 9^th.

The Service at 12.30 pm. was conducted by
Rev. Jim Gorringe before invited guests and members and friends from around the Circuit. The service was followed by an afternoon reception and an evening entertainment which David & Paula had kindly suggested should be a fund raising ticket event towards the refurbishment at Aylesbury Church.

For a full report with pictures click on the AMC website and follow the links.
You will see the day went exactly as the Super intended!

Exodus at Aylesbury October 17^th.

^{A Musical about Moses and the Israelires' escape from Egypt}

^{Performed by the Combined Churches of Chinnor.}

^{Director: Ralph Westerby Musical Director: Jane Honeyball}

^{Word and Music written by: Lyn Lloyd Jones}

^{This was a very busy weekend for the 'Company' having given a performance on the previous evening at Watlington in St. Leonards Church.}

^{Profits from this performance will go to Action For Children}

The music was provided by a small band which supported the Moses Choir and the various soloist as they sang through a series of songs that were both melodic and supported the action on stage.