Review of 2002

This is a summary of the reports given at our Celebration Meal, when we reviewed the positive things which had happened in 2002.

60 people enjoyed our Celebration meal

Little Fishes

Little Fishes has had a very encouraging year. We have seen numbers of children increase ­ we regularly get around 18 families on a Tuesday morning with anything up to 25 children. Nearly everyone who comes is from Bluntisham and Colne now too, so we are definitely meeting a local need.

Most weeks the children enjoy playing with toys, doing craft / other activities, hearing stories, singing and music-making and, of course, refreshments. We had a special Easter celebration which included hearing the Easter story, a summer picnic (indoors sadly!) and the Christmas party, where we were able to give each family a lovely book of the Christmas story.

We have started a lending library and the money we raise is given to a similar group called Tiddlers which is based in Bermondsey. Any donations of books or videos for the library would be welcome!

We have seen strong friendships formed as a result of Little Fishes and we were overjoyed to see our first Little Fishes Mum baptized in 2002.

Ladies' Fellowship

The ladies come from a wide range of backgrounds, and from young middle-aged to elderly. Some come to the church on a Sunday, others don't. All receive a warm welcome.

We have a varied programme which includes:  Speakers on a wide range of subjects; craft, cookery, keep-fit demonstrations; outings; discussions; and we share our memories and hobbies, etc. We have an annual Garden Party, Christmas lunch and New Year party!  We always include a short time of worship.

Home Mission

We praise God that we were able to exceed our target of £2,000, reaching a total for 2002 of £2,321, an increase of £700 on 2001. Thank you all for your prayer and your generous giving through Harvest and Home Mission Sunday offerings, the Coffee morning, monthly envelopes, boxes, donations, and the Christmas card board.

Home Mission funds chaplains working in education and industry, and helps churches in strategic mission situations, that would not otherwise afford a minister, to have one. Ed Keenan says: "I thank God for our Home Mission partner churches who have probably never heard of Sheddingdean Baptist Church, yet because of their prayerful giving are working as partners with us. This enables us to focus on ministry and mission whether through youth work, parent and toddler groups, work with older people on Alpha courses. I pray that our partners will know how much their support means to us.² Please keep up the good work.

Men's football

The second Monday of each month is now firmly established as football night. We have a very faithful band of players who enjoy a highly energetic evening of action (which most of us seem to pay for with aching limbs). We enjoyed a Christmas get-together and we give thanks for opportunities to build relationships and welcome men (young and older), into the church family.

Sunday School

Highlights have included:

* The Summer School programme was planned and led successfully by the youth study group.

* Mother's Day saw testimonies from mums, drama, and songs, and each lady in the chapel received a posy.

* Fathers received a bag of chocolate footballs on Father's Day.

* The Sunday School Anniversary was a great highlight, Nick leading the worship with Wendy presenting the prizes.

* The Carnival service at St. Helens School was attended well, with young and old enjoying the worship.

* We had good attendances at Holiday Bible Club. Nick and Sarah Smith kept the children enthralled by their antics on stage.  Everyone in the Church helped and there was a great feeling of expectation and excitement as the children found treasures in the desert, pointing us to the mighty God(s w)ord. Each child who attended the Holiday Bible Club received an invitation to Sunday School.

* The children presented a Remembrance Day wreath which they had made.

* The Christmas Carol service was a nativity in a modern setting, interjected with carols and readings. The children enjoyed bringing the Christmas message to the congregation.

Social Events

In 2002, we began to hold a series of regular social events to help people get to know each other better and enable new people to become more involved. We had a series of picnics, an evening ten-pin bowling and a very successful murder mystery evening. This pattern is to be extended in 2003 to include a men¹s breakfast, picnics, a quiz night, a visit to Hinchingbrooke County Park, etc. We are also looking at the possibility of a church weekend away for 2004.

Secretary's report

There has been the nine baptisms, with people of all ages making their public commitment to the Lord. With the church growing, Nick, with the deacons, have been prayerfully considering how we can ensure that everybody who comes through the doors is both welcomed and their God-given talents used properly. We look forward to a year when there are likely to be more challenges.

MAT

Our small Team has spent the year preparing the best quality literature we can for use in the church and our community.   Within the church family, we have produced the weekly BBC News, posters, tickets and invitations for our special events.   Our key task has been to produce three Vision magazines which have been extremely well received in the community and noticed much farther afield. We have also been trying to revamp our various notice boards.

Alpha

We had a very successful Alpha course during the first part of 2002. Anything up to 20 people met at John and Karen's house.   Alpha is about discovering what Christianity really is about. After an evening meal, participants did this in a relaxed and informative way, using video and discussion.  Several people came to faith during the course, and others have subsequently been baptised and come into church membership. A new homegroup was formed following the course.

Rock Solid Y-Club

Our youth groups changed in format this year, so that secondary school years 7-9 meet on Fridays, while those older teenagers from school year 10 and beyond set up a Sunday evening group called Ignite. Friday nights continue to be lively, with anything up to 50 young people attending, but more typically 35. Each evening concludes with a short Bible-based talk.

Ignite

Ignite is a group of about 15-20 teenagers who meet together every week on Sunday evening. We generally start the evening with a short time of informal worship, led by a couple of members in the group, and then a talk on various things chosen by the group. Other weeks we have discussion-based evenings where we can voice our opinions on the meaning of life (it makes us feel grown up) and also things not quite so... mature.

Ignite gets its name from a Bible verse which says: "Fan into flames the gift of God, which is in you." (2 Timothy 1:6). We feel it is important to explore the gifts we have been given and Ignite is a safe, comfortable place where we can Ignite the talents we have.

So, are the rumours of tea and toast really true? Yes, they most certainly are! Along with large bowls of coco pops and biscuits with very... creative home designs. We fund the whole thing ourselves and the snack supplies work on a rota basis.

Music

The musicians (players and singers) meet on a Thursday evening for rehearsal from 7.30 to 9.30pm and at 10am in preparation for the Sunday morning service. Various members also play in the evening in the main service, while others often contribute to the Ignite time of worship in the hall.