Welcomes
After a yea
r since our last Minister was transfered to her Devon Circuit, it was perhaps an even more than usually happy occasion on Thursday 31st August to welcome our new Minister, the Rev. Nico Hilmy-Jones to the Circuit and our particular section at a special service at St. Martin.
The service was very well attended with members from Nico's three churhes at Ebenezer, Eden and St. Martin as well as many others from around the whole Circuit. The Service was led by our Superintendent Minister, the Rev. Graeme Halls - to who we at St. Martin would like to say a great big thank you for all his attention and care in the past year - colleague, Rev. Christine Legge who led us in prayer and Chair of District, the Rev. Dr. David Hinchliffe who preached a very perceptive sermon with great humour and challenge. The St. Martin's Singers welcomed us all in song before the Service, while the Eden Singers gave well appreciated songs: "I watched the Sun rise" and foot-tapping rendition of "Hand me down that silver trumpet". It was also pleasing to share this time of worship with leaders from the community and the other denominations in the three Parishes and for them to have chance to make their own personal welcome. Teas and cakes in the Hall afterwards gave everyone a chance to chat with Nico and others as we began our work and journey together.
Farewell to Rev. Liz and Peter Singleton
August will see the end of an era at St. Martin's Methodist Church as Rev. Liz Singleton and husband Peter move to Liz's home county of Devon, where Liz has been invited to lead the Oakhampton Circuit as its Superintendent Minister. This was an unexpected invitation and move were the result of various changes in that and neighbouring Circuits and we pray for Liz and Peter as they take up the challenges and opportunities of this move. We are sure that with God's continued support Liz's ministry in Oakhampton will prove a great blessing to both herself and the circuit, as she has been to all of us. Liz will leave a very big gap in our section of churches and will be greatly missed throughout the Circuit as well as in the Hospital, Hospice and funeral services, where she has had a very special ministry.
A numb
er of farewell events are planned and the first for us came on Friday 8th July and our final Messy Church of the school year. As always, Liz was there in the thick of all the activities and developing much appreciated, friendly and supportive relationships with our Messy community both children and adults in our fifty strong group (We had our usual group of 26 children) Liz's creative worship times have been masterly and much appreciated - a hard act to follow! At supper time, twins James and Daniel presented Liz with a beautiful bouquet of flowers and thank you card from all the children. Sorry to see you leave, Liz, but a great big thank you for all you have done. God bless.