Page 11 - Moravian Messenger January 2019

Yorkshire District Autumn Conference
Sr Chris Porter reports on the Yorkshire District autumn conference, held at Gomersal on 29th September.
Members of Yorkshire Moravian congregations are being urged to help people facing the ordeal of appearing at court.
Volunteers of all faiths are asked to work at magistrates' courts in Bradford and Keighley, giving confidential support to a wide variety of people who are often confused and worried at appearing before magistrates.
Volunteers are asked to be good listeners, non-judgemental, patient, reliable and caring. Br David Howarth, the minister for Baildon and Horton, told the conference he had become involved with the scheme and had found it highly rewarding and worthwhile.
Br Howarth had earlier suggested a new approach for strengthening and renewing the Moravian Church, with possibly a church café or library in a central location. He said a meeting was held at Lower Wyke, with 18 members attending. Food and fellowship featured high on the agenda. and following on from the successful first evening a further meeting is planned for 27th November at Gomersal.
Ministers reported on their work in the various congregations. Sr Jane Dixon said Lower Wyke had 39 members, no change from last year, with membership at Wellhouse standing at 13, and average attendance of 17. At both Lower Wyke and Wellhouse, community defibrillators are being sought and fundraising for them is ongoing.
Br Howarth said membership at Baildon stood at 30, and membership at Horton had remained the same as last year. He said no successor from within the Baildon congregation had come forward to act as treasurer and after many 'financial
headaches' it was decided to approach someone from outside the congregation. He said that while it was far from ideal it had worked well so far.
For Fulneck, Br Michael Newman reported on the congregation's 82 members. He said Gomersal had 34 members and reported that the Manse - empty for several months for restoration - now had new tenants. He told the meeting: 'For a smaller congregation, there is a lot going on and a lot to feel positive about.'
The conference was told there are vacant roles on the Provincial Committee's Finance and Mission and Society and that a District Youth Co-Ordinator will be appointed soon.
The board also said it was finding a shortage of reliable and affordable handymen to carry out work in the settlements. Those that had found good workers were asked to share their contacts.
Most members had heard that Br Simon Dunn would be leaving the area next summer, following a career move to Middlesex. The District will be looking for a successor to fill the role of musical director for the Moravian Singers, which Simon has carried out magnificently.
Conference finished with a short discussion on the Church's definition of child poverty and how it can be tackled. Br Newman said government statistics showed 20% of children within the Pudsey area were living in poverty. The chairman, Br Kenneth Evans, referred to a book by John Kirby entitled 'Nevertheless', which gave practical help to families on budgeting.
Sr Chris Porter
From 1st December 2018, Br Edwin Quildan will transition from non-stipendiary to stipendiary ministry. Br Edwin will now be working in a full-time capacity and subject to the call system.
Accordingly, we are now we are now issuing Br Quildan the Call of the Church to serve the Harlesden and Bedford Queen's Park Congregations as a full-time stipendiary minister.
Please keep Br Edwin and his family in your prayers as he begins a new chapter in his ministry.
From the 1st December, Sr Claire Maxwell will be on maternity leave until the beginning of September 2019.
During this time any matters, notices and correspondence with Fetter Lane should be directed through their secretary, Sr Naomi Hancock. The committee will be responsible for pastoral oversight and provision of services. Br Edwin Quildan will provide administrative oversight to the committee and congregation council.
I'm sure you will join me in sending Sr Claire best wishes over the coming months.
Roberta Hoey
Provincial Diary for January 2 Church House reopens
12 PYCC, Royton Sr Z Taylor Mission and Society, Lower Wyke Sr R Hoey
17-18 PEC, Church House
From Church House
1
New Year's Day
6 Epiphany
7
Christmas Day - Orthodox
14 New Year - Orthodox
18-25 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (https://ctbi.org.uk/weekofprayer)
25 Burns Night
27
Holocaust Memorial Day (http://hmd.org.uk/)
Homelessness Sunday (www.housingjustice.org.uk/Event/homeless-sunday-2019)
World Leprosy Day (www.leprosymission.org.uk)
155
Dates to remember!