News Letter – September 2007
Dear Friends,
As we come to the anniversary of our move to Margate, Nicky and I have been enjoying the good things that this area has to offer. We spent some time at the Jazz Festival in July, enjoying the (all too rare) sunshine, and listening to a variety of musicians on the stage in the Old Town. The Carnival Parade was held on the hottest day of the year, and it was fun to watch the floats and the costumes – and to see so many burned sunbathers! Earlier in the summer, we watched some of the national beach volleyball competition on Margate sands – sadly under damp and drizzly skies; but enjoyable none the less. Last week, we spent some time over at the Broadstairs Folk Week – I was impressed by how well organized and well supported it was. We watched the torchlight procession, saw several of the musical concerts, and enjoyed the atmosphere of laid- back summer fun.
At Church too, we have been enjoying the summer break from many of our regular activities. We had a Church picnic at Botany Beach on 29th July – the day started overcast, but steadily improved until we had brilliant sunshine by tea-time. A group of more than 40 of us enjoyed the sand, the sea and the chance to spend some time together – it was great to see so many of our young people there with us.
John and Pat’s Coffee Day was also a regular highlight to look forward to, and to enjoy. Again, the weather was not at its best, but nevertheless an excellent number of visitors came along, and enjoyed the cakes, the stalls, the company, and the chance to have a good look at the Murphy’s garden – very nice. A very good sum was raised for Day Care for the elderly.
Many of the fellowship have been away at different times, to enjoy a well-earned break. We have, from time to time, welcomed visitors to the Church on Sundays; and the summer is often a time to greet newcomers to the town, who may be looking for a Church to settle in.
I hope you have enjoyed your summer. We have been fortunate not to have to endure the floods or hurricanes that others have faced – and we have been blessed to live in a beautiful and richly rewarding part of the country. God has been good to us!
Now the end of summer is in sight, and we must begin to prepare for our autumn’s work, and for another year of service in the Kingdom of God. Mark will be with us full time in September – sharing the preaching with me, and doing much visiting and other pastoral work. Make the most of him – once September is over, he will be very busy in his final year at Spurgeon’s, and he and Sue will be seeking the Lord’s will for their future.
Mark will be leading our Monthly Prayer Meeting on 5th September (8pm), when the emphasis will be very much on the Church’s Youth Work in the coming months – please come and join us if you can. This autumn will see us following the TIDE Course on Sunday evenings, from October.
Finally, 16th September will mark the anniversary of my Induction. The 6.30pm service on that day will be in the style of “Café Church” – something that many churches are now using. Please come and join us!
Best wishes, Stephen
