News Reports
NEWS FROM ALDERNEY – January 2009
Once again its time to share with the members of the Circuit Meeting what’s been happening on the Northern Isle.
In the Autumn we had our Harvest Festival Service followed by Lunch which was enjoyed by all. The Church had been decorated by several members of the congregation each having been given an area in which to utilise their talents. The results were excellent and very well co-ordinated. Apparently they all worked independently – Gods Hands at work again.
In October we had our first ‘Do Crafts Day’. Several talented people on the Island were invited to share their skills with others. It was a chance for others to have a go or just enjoy seeing what can be done, sharing a coffee or chatting over lunch. The Crafts on display ranged from machine embroidery, papier mache, tea-bag folding to stencilling. The event was repeated in November, when other crafts people came and this time there was calligraphy, cross stitch and knitting as well as some of the favourites from before. There will be other such days in February, March and April 2009.
Our Christmas Fair was held at the end of November. We were rather disappointed with the result but it was very bad weather and as always clashed with other events on the Island. The Church members who manned the stalls enjoyed themselves and we hope for better things at our Summer Fair.
Over the Christmas period we held our Carol Service by Candlelight, with an augmented choir by members of St Anne’s Church choir; and Christmas Day Worship along with regular Sunday Services. The Church was beautifully decorated and many commented on our crib in the porch. Over the last few months our congregation has dwindled owing to several people being unable to attend owing to health problems but on Covenant Sunday we welcomed a new member who has transferred their membership to us, having recently come to live here. We also experimented with a 9am Service in December.
During 2009 we are hoping to continue with improving the garden outside the Church, which has undergone a makeover during the autumn thanks to a generous donation of both plants and finances to keep it in shape. We are also hoping to continue with a once a month early service in the Hall – this is still in the developmental stage as this report is written.
Our Sunday afternoon children’s group ‘ALF’ has also had a makeover and had become ‘Loaves & Fishes’ which meets on a Wednesday Lunchtime. A different format to include lunch, quiet time and a bible story. This is very popular and we have 30 children on the register!!
Blessings
Irene Day
Lay Worker