Page 9 - Moravian Messenger January 2020

Opening Devotions were led by Br Paul Holdsworth representing the PEC, Sr Patsy Holdsworth was present, Br Philip Ashton was Chair, Sr Judith Ashton took minutes. Deputies were present except for Bath Weston and Blackbird Lees, and Br David Smart and Sr Jackie Pennington were observers.
We discussed the need to elect a Representative for the Provincial Youth Committee as we still have a vacancy for this position.
The Western District Rally at Bath Western this year raised the sum of £72.50 and was donated to Bath City Farm.
The Fellowship Day at Bath Western this year brought into focus the need to assist Refugees and Asylum Seekers - we hope to repeat this next year. We welcomed two asylum seekers into our Kingswood Congregation this year, one of whom has moved on and found accommodation in London.
Br Paul has started a Fellowship in Midsomer Norton with four services so far.
Congregation Reports
Brockweir: there are 17 members. Soup lunches have raised over £1,400 for charities in the last year. Sr Sue Groves started Bingo evenings once a month. The Soap Box Derby raised £200. Sr Patsy has started a monthly coffee and chat day.
Kingswood: there are 20 members and two adherents. Vandalism has damaged our stained-glass windows - now repaired at much expense. We are seeking funds to pollard our trees. A café church initiative has been started which is more informal, and a monthly Coffee and Chat is held on a Wednesday morning.
Bath Coronation Avenue: there are eight members and one
adherent. The Girls Brigade held a camp in Tytherton and joined in the service. Br Holdsworth is still Chaplain and with that in mind it was good to explore the Moravian context in Tytherton. The Congregations of Ascension and Coronation Avenue hold joint services twice a year.
Tytherton: there are seven members. Work on the grounds continues and rental properties are in need of refurbishment. A visit by metal detectors led to over 200 finds including coins and thimbles from the lace making at the girls' school.
Swindon: there are eight members and one adherent. The Rainbows are continuing well but the Beavers have closed. Over 100 backpacks have been sent to Mary's meals and the congregation are just beginning on Trussell Trust shoeboxes which are sent to Eastern Europe. Lenten Lunches were held with The Society of Friends this year and this will be continued. There will be a Brean Barbecue on 5th September 2020.
Bath Weston: there are 20 members and one adherent. Love Weston Café continues to be popular and an Open Mic concert in March raised £700 for Dorothy House, a local Charity. Phase 2 of the refurbishment of the church commenced.
The Spring Western District Conference will be on 21st March 2020 at Kingswood at 10am.
Western District Rally will be at Swindon on September 13th at 3pm.
The Cup of Covenant was shared and led by Sr Patsy.
Br David Smart
Kingswood
Autumn Western District Conference
United Church Kingswood on 2nd November 2019
Report from the Autumn Yorkshire Western District Conference
The autumn Yorkshire District Conference took place at Lower Wyke on Saturday 5th October.
Opening devotions were led by Sr Jane Dixon. 18 people attended the retreat day held at the Community of the Resurrection in Mirfield. A working party has been set up with representatives of each of the congregations to look into opportunities for working together on an outreach project.
The Provincial Board report was given by Br Mark Kernohan who was attending his first District Conference as a Provincial Board member.
Baildon congregation stands at 28 members, with three adherents. Like many other congregations, the membership is getting older, but their faith and enthusiasm are not diminished. Membership at Horton stands at 36. Average attendance had increased slightly, with a few people having simply wandered in, liked the welcome and stayed.
Fulneck had 76 members, down six on last year due to the deaths of three members and also the departure of the Dunn family. Gomersal had 30 members and six adherents, with an average Sunday attendance of 24 adults and two children, the same as last year.
Lower Wyke has an average attendance of 27 and it is a very sociable church. Cafe Church is still the best-attended service, with 37 adults and six children. Wellhouse has 13 members, no change on last year. Both Lower Wyke and Wellhouse have bought defibrillators which have been installed outside the church.
Concern was raised again at information given by the Children's Society about the Christingle. Sr Katherine Woolford said that, as well as not giving the correct history, the idea behind the Christingle had been altered and she, and many others, objected to what they have done. The Provincial Board confirmed that discussions with the Children's Society were continuing.
Since the departure of Br Simon Dunn, the Moravian Singers are now jointly led by Br Glyn Jones from Fairfield and Sr Diane Thornton of Lower Wyke. Br Jones is leading the choir for the Advent Choral Festival on 1st December at Wellhouse. Sr Thornton will take over after Christmas, leading the choir towards the District Lovefeast at Gomersal on 22nd February and the Palm Sunday Service on 5th April at Wellhouse.
Br Kernohan said that, following a resolution at the 2018 Synod, the Provincial Board and bishops had met Hornsey and Wood Green MP Catherine West to talk about child poverty in the UK and it was hoped to have an e-petition in place before Christmas. He also said the board was continually grateful for the work put in by the editors of The Watchword, Br and Sr Robert Hopcroft.
Br Evans reported on the work of West Yorkshire Churches Together and said updates had been made to its constitution, with the Yorkshire District ministers having had some input.
The conference ended with the singing of the hymn 'For I'm building a people of power', and the sharing of the grace.
Br Michael Newman
Fulneck Based on a report given to the Fulneck congregation by Br Dick Porter.
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