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Our New Lay Assistant, Libby Holden (October 1989 edition of magazine) On October 1st, we welcome Miss Libby Holden to be our Lay Assistant for 8 months or so. Having completed her degree course in Theology, Libby is now to obtain some practical ex¬perience of ministry and will be helping in many areas of church life. She is a Derbyshire person and her home Church is St. John's Charlesworth near Glossop. About Libby -Our Pastoral Worker (October 1990 edition of magazine) "Will you be getting another Libby?", I was asked recently. "Another Libby?" I replied. "There isn't one. She's unique." It has been good for our churches to have Libby Holden on the staff for a year. She has brought a new dimension to our ministry and we trust that her mark will remain with us. We are especially grateful for her work in restarting a pastoral visiting scheme. Libby is very gifted and our people quickly recognised this. Her clear, strong voice leading worship and speaking; her rapport with Pathfinders (especially on the holiday venture) and Quest Club; her enthusiasm and talent for drama; her determination to out-do Jonathan Jee (even in his size of appetite sometimes!); her keen sense of the comical and the ridiculous; her genuine concern for those in pain of whatever kind: these are some of the memories we shall retain. For some, she has helped them see for the first time that there is a place for women in the ministry. Libby and George are to get married at St. John's, Charlesworth on October 6th. As I write, they have neither home nor job for the following twelve months. Next October, they are both to start training in Durham for the ordained ministry. They will make a formidable combination, Mr. & Mrs. G.D.C. Lane. We won't be getting another Libby, or another Pastoral Assistant for the time being. Her placement was rather special to give her experience, partly funded by the Bishop, partly by her home church of Charlesworth and partly by us. That would be hard to repeat - but it was good while it lasted. Christopher Frith Reflections from Libby -Our Pastoral Worker (December 1990 edition of magazine) "Act justly…love mercy and…walk humbly with your God" Micah 6:8 (Our 1990 Church Motto) This verse has always been one of my favourites, and it is even more so now because it will always remind me of my year in Chesterfield. When I first arrived in Brampton I was aware of how inadequate I was, to be in the position I found myself. However I may have seemed, I was very unsure of myself and certain that I would not be able to cope with all the new things I was trying to adjust to. Twelve months on I still feel very much the same. I am inadequate to be serving God in any way. I am still unsure of my own capabilities and by myself I cannot cope. However, a year in Brampton has reinforced the fact that, when I walk humbly with God, He will see me through anything. God has been faithful to me in a remarkable way during the last year providing me with more than I ever imagined in every sphere of life. That the Lord should so cherish me perhaps should not be such a surprise; after all, He promised that he would do so for all His children. What was entirely unexpected was the way I was cherished by God's people. I was accepted and loved in a remarkable way from the moment I arrived. I hope it is not out of place for me to take this opportunity to thank especially the Friths, the Jees and the Porters for all their encouragement and the great example they have been of how to live in full time ministry. I pray that George and I (and our family if/when we have one) can follow in their footsteps. Also I must thank the Hoares and Joan Kirby for their outstanding bravery in opening their homes to me. Every person I met, every relationship I established, was special and each one a source of enjoyment and learning - the knowledge of these is the most valuable thing I take with me from Chesterfield. There were some marvellous highpoints during the year during which I flourished - Gift Day, Holy Week, Pathfinder Camp to name a few; there were also some very difficult times: they too turned out to be periods of great growth. I am very pleased to have been in at the beginning of the St. John's day time Open House and the monthly 'Communion and Cuppa'. I pray they continue to encourage those involved as much as they encouraged me. It was great to be part of long established groups Quest, Pathfinders, Open House, the Drama Group - I discovered a great deal from others' experience and expertise. So many memories are treasured of so many occasions and encounters that I cannot begin to recount them all. I hope it will suffice to say I am honoured to have been with you for a year and I cannot imagine a better place first to taste full time ministry. Thank you. Libby Lane (nee Holden) Jill Trunkfield -the Rector's Secretary is Leaving (December 1990 edition of magazine) Jill Trunkfield took on the job in January 1988 - a very brave thing to do. It was a new role in the parish, with great scope for hard work and improving the way things happen. Jill took to it immediately. Her calm, smiling efficiency has made such a difference to the life of our churches. The high standard of presentation of the weekly newsheet for instance would be hard to rival in any church in the county and this is largely due to Jill. She is moving to Edinburgh where her husband Malcolm is in charge of catering at Herriott Watt University. We pray God will bless them and their children Paul and Lisa; they will all be missed at St. John's. We are most grateful to Jill for her service over the last two years. Looking Backwards, Looking Forwards -Philip Herrick looks back his time as Church Administrator (December 1994 edition of magazine)
I like to be organized in my life. So do many in all three of our churches. Occasionally I achieve it with some success, often adequately and sometimes I don't at all. What annoys me most is when the plan becomes unworkable and unpredictable. Some of us can work in an opportunistic way. I can't. I am not able to judge, but I wonder how God feels when we thwart his plan and a different tack has to emerge. Or when we don't have faith to walk in the steps he wants us to. On this occasion I am confident I am being obedient and I set out as 'salt and light' back into a secular job. Being organized in life is supposed to be easier. We have all the tools to enable us to do it ... radio, television, newspapers. And what of the array of diaries ... fat diaries, thin diaries, loose leaf 'filofaxes', planners, wall charts and calendars with a column for everyone in the house! No excuse now. Sadly, I think it makes life more rushed and complicated. But how about being organized for God next year'? Has it been given a thought yet? If I was asked to specify one word which was the aim of my time as Ministry Co-ordinator it would be 'fulfilment'. Not just for me but for the members of the congregation also. Bringing people into ministries was the nature of the appointment. In some ways it has worked, but in several others it has not. I ask all members of our congregation 'where their fulfilment might lie'? But fulfilment if not the only aspect of church life. I heard on a training course four aspects of a spiritual life. * Something Upwards - being better in our personal and our corporate worship of our Lord, day by day, week by week, 'not conforming to the pattern of this world ... but being transformed by the renewing of your mind...', acknowledging that Christ is Lord of all. *Something Downwards - being 'devoted to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship' - being rooted in Christ in all things. * Something Outwards - our mission to the parish (our family, our friend, our workplace ...) I have several times been reminded that everything we do or say is a statement of who we are - we are witnesses, good or bad, like it or not. *Something Inwards - our fulfilment - serving the Lord with gladness and coming before His presence with a song. Like many ingredients of life, we can go without one aspect for a while but eventually an imbalance sets in. Too much praise and worship and nothing outwards is mere froth: all work and no root suggests activity without God's direction ... and so on. I ask each of us to review our involvement and contribution, and as you write up your diary, calendar or planner how about a self assessment score of the pointers above. How balanced is your year going to be? Philip Herrick See also: Rector's Letter December 1994 Roger Freestone, our New Co-ordinator (February 1995 edition of magazine) When Philip Herrick announced his resignation, the post of Church Co-ordinator was advertised internally. Five excellent candidates were interviewed, some interested in a part-time appointment, some full-time. Roger Freestone has been appointed on a full-time basis. Since 1989 Roger has been a manager with Senior Engineering, previously he was with Coalite. He is a member of the British Institute of Management and he is a magistrate. His task will be to build on the administrative foundation set in place by Philip Herrick, with an emphasis on motivating church members to make spiritual growth and service a major priority. "I am thrilled at the prospect," sat Roger. "I am aware that it is not going to be easy but I believe God has called me to serve Him in this way and will respond to our prayers." Roger starts his ministry on 31 January. A Deserved Retirement for Pam Brimelow and a Welcome to Anne Duff (February 2000 edition of magazine)
Pam will continue to be available on a voluntary basis, which is excellent news. We owe her a huge debt of gratitude. Hers will be a hard act to follow.
Angie Moves On (August 2000 edition of the Church Magazine)
Her successor is to be known as our Administrator/Rector's Secretary - a more accurate description of how the job has worked out. As this edition goes to press, the search is on to find that person. Christopher Frith Roger Freestone Calls it a Day (February 1996 edition of the magazine) In November, our co-ordinator, Roger Freestone had a major heart attack. Two months later, he has reluctantly decided not to return to his post. Everyone will understand his decision to retire and we pray on for health and fulfillment for both Roger and Irene. He has every intention of remaining a committed and serving Church member and all at St Thomas' will be delighted about that. We muss his smiling efficiency, his ability to laugh in almost any situation, his willingness to tackle whatever is asked of him (and more), his sensitive, pastoral manner, his prodigious hard work, his reassuring presence. The list could go on and on. In his nine and a bit months as our coordinator, Roger achieved so much and we are very grateful to him. Christopher Frith Julie Lomas -New Parish Administrator (December 2000 edition of the Church Magazine)
Around May time this year I whispered one of those prayers that I found out later was going to change everything. It went along these lines "OK God, you can come in to my life - a little bit more" - except God only heard the first part of the prayer! Then everything changed - and within a month I had resigned from my job as Head of Corporate Planning for a national company based in Sheffield, and I was having an interview with Christopher, Petra and Pam Brimelow, discussing leaving all my worldly success behind, and working here in St Thomas'. Throughout this time God supported us as a family, especially Steve and the children, Katie, Eleanor and Sam who were wondering what on earth was going on! On top of all this I was also diagnosed as having Diabetes and was quite poorly whilst my blood sugars were stabilised. I have learnt to adjust to a new way of life of injecting insulin and watching carefully what I eat and what I do. A few months into the new job, and into diabetes, these passages from the Bible are the ones that have meant most to me: Matthew 6:25 - 34, and especially these verses: Do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear...but seek first His kingdom, and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well" Psalm 121, and especially v 1 - 2 "I lift my eyes up to the hills Where does my help come from? My help come from the Lord The creator of heaven and earth" So, here I am, very much learning "on the job", enjoying the variety of things that need to be done behind the scenes each week, and of course, working with a lot of different people. It is a privilege to be able to serve God in this place and I thank Him for being the One to whom I can turn for my help. Best wishes, Julie Lomas Neil Roper -New Children and Youth Worker (December 2000 edition of the Church Magazine)
Neil came to realise from this that his ideal job would be working for a church and providing the link with schools. Luckily for us he was happy to move on when this job opportunity arose. He believed that St Thomas' was where God wanted him to be even before the interview, as he felt so comfortable here. From the short time he's been with us, it's already clear that he's the right bloke for us! I can only speak for members of CYFA, but he appears to have fitted in well with everyone, being enthusiastic and motivated to convey holy living and to teach God's Word directly into youth culture. He is very keen to continue and build on work with the North Midlands Youth Project -something that brings us closer to and united with other churches in the area. A recent weekend away, which several of us attended and thoroughly enjoyed, gave Neil the opportunity to get to know other youth workers, and the youth that he will be serving. Similarly, at The Great Escape' party held on the 31st October, it was exciting to witness the natural ability he possesses for communicating the Gospel to children. He has shown much potential for future events. Neil's vision for the church is to see children and young people move on in their own faith, so that they can step out in confidence and make a difference in their homes, schools, colleges, work places, community, nation and world. He aims to encourage and establish groups for fellowship, teaching, and discipleship, including mid-week groups for 7-10 and 10-12 year olds. He hopes that evangelistic outreach to 'unchurched' youth and children can be done through lunchtime groups in schools. Neil is engaged to Amanda, who he has been going out with for 2 years after meeting her at the Notting Hill Carnival. They will be getting married in July next year. Amanda is also fitting in well and, after she finishes her degree in Biblical Studies at Sheffield University in the summer, I'm sure, will be an invaluable member of the church community. Suzanne Foan Introducing Neil Roper -New Children and Youth Worker (December 2000 edition of Mustard Seed) You realise he comes from London as soon as you speak to Neil Roper. He supports Arsenal and he's a quick thinking jack-in-a-box who always has plenty to say. He owns 1150 vinyl LPs and singles and over 70 CDs - and he's a bit of a DJ. Ask him what else he enjoys and Neil throws out things like "films and media type stuff, socialising (I'm not designed to be on my own) and, most of all, being with Amanda." Neil and Amanda are getting married in July and are buying a house on Walgrove Road. At present, she is a student at Sheffield University. Neil has recently been appointed to a new post at St Thomas' to work with children and teenagers in the community and the church. "I really appreciate and enjoy all the invitations to go into the local schools," he says. He has opportunities to take both assemblies and lessons and so he is already a familiar figure in the neighbourhood. "It's very confusing for young people today," he says. "They are aware that there is something spiritual out there yet there are so many ways they can turn to try to find it. Christianity, we have to admit, hasn't been packaged very well and so it doesn't really get considered much. It's been good to see that there are quite a lot of young people and children who see that the message of Jesus is amazing, it's wonderful, not boring at all. Jesus is relevant to their lives." Goodbye from Neil and Amanda Roper -Neil was the Youth Worker at St Thomas' (February 2004 edition of the Church Magazine)
I have learned an enormous amount in my time here at St Thomas’ and I am grateful for all the experiences that I have had here in Chesterfield. The most memorable experiences of my time here at St Thomas’ have been the Holiday Clubs. I have been around for three and they have all been a joy to work on (even if the first was a little fraught!). The last two have each catered for about 150 children and the team of leaders and helpers have always been amazing. I will always remember the joy of working with so many children and leaders of all ages. It is working together and the unity of all ages that I believe is so special. The area of my work that has caused me the most frustration has been the continual blocks to our attempts to get new buildings. Since I arrived, and long before, people at St Thomas’ have been trying to get an extension built for the church, specifically for the young people and children. It will make an enormous difference to the work of the church in so many areas, and increase the number of young people and children that we can safely cater for. For the last year and a half I have been studying part time at Cliff College in Calver. The course is called Children’s Evangelism and Nurture, and involves five blocks of one weeks teaching, and nine essays. On top of this I am currently doing a dissertation on schools work. (Another part of my role here at St Thomas’ that I have enjoyed immensely). The background reading needed for essay writing has been of particular interest and benefit. Subjects as varied as children’s spirituality, children and sin, prayer, development, postmodernism and evangelism have all been covered, and the amount covered by the course has been amazing. I am extremely grateful to the church for the support that I have received in doing this course. As I think of the future at St Thomas’, I pray that God will continue to bless the young people and children in Brampton. The young people and children in the schools desperately need to hear God’s message in an appropriate way. The need for more space and more leaders for the youth and children’s work in the church is staggering, and hopefully will increase as the numbers of under 18’s (and over 18’s) increases. My greatest prayer for the children and young people here at St Thomas’ is that each one will grow closer and closer to God, by following him every day. So this is Au Revoir from Amanda and myself, we will be back to visit, and we look forward to seeing what will happen both to the people here who we love and the development of the church as a whole. Goodbye!!! Gemma Machin -New Youth Work Co-ordinator (August 2004 edition of the Church Magazine)
I grew up as a child taken to church, but not understanding why. I didn’t realise that God could be my best friend, or that He actually loved me as I am, until I reached the age of about 13. Then, I eventually gave my life to Him. I’ve never looked back since. Current responsibilities As “Youth Work Co-ordinator”, my current responsibilities are care and nurture of all 11-18 years olds within St. Thomas’, and also, to be involved with the same age group in Brookfield Community School. In St. Thomas’, this means I am responsible for and involved with the groups known as Lasers, Pathfinders, and CYFA. Work in progress The youth work I am doing at the moment is going well praise God, and I pray that it will continue to do so. Good things: CYFA bonding more as group, and becoming more inquisitive. The strengthening of links between youth workers across Chesterfield. Not so good things: Lack of volunteers to work with the youth. Not enough hours in the day to spend with young people! Future dreams I dream of seeing young people working for God in everything they do, striving to walk against the flow, and growing both spiritually, and in number. Prayer needs Please pray that I would never run out of energy, and that I would always be inspired even on the greyest of days. Please pray for all the youth here at St. Thomas’, but also for those in Brookfield School, that they would hear and learn about God, and in doing so grow closer to Him. Read also People and Jesus -Gemma Machin (2007) Karen Herrick -New Children's Work Co-ordinator (August 2004 edition of the Church Magazine) I am a trained teacher and have, between the needs of my 3 children, worked part time in a number of local schools recently.
I have been appointed as the part time children’s work coordinator. In practice, my remit covers all work involving children in the name of St. Thomas’. This means that in church I oversee the Sunday Discoverers work; run the Tuesday night Kidzone 627 club for 7-11 year olds; provide training for existing children’s volunteers; organise the annual holiday club for around 100 children; arrange termly events for children in the parish such as Easter Extravaganza, Pancake Disco, alternative Halloween etc.. and help to provide all age services throughout the year. In addition to this I liaise with Westfield and Old Hall Schools to provide Christian based assemblies once every half term and R.E. lessons for all year groups. I go into nursery and After School Club once a term, as well as Brownies. This is proving very difficult to juggle within 22 hours! It is exhausting and sometimes difficult to think of a different way to present the same message. However it is a privilege to be able to go into schools and share something of the Christian faith with so many children. It is always very humbling when children whom I do not yet know say hello in the street or younger ones stop and say “You came to my school today.” For me one of the best moments this year was when a non-church child with whom I had shared the Easter story as part of an After School Club visit using coloured Smarties, was able to recount to his entire class with great feeling and understanding the Easter message I had shared. The job is great fun and has endless possibilities. I am very aware that I cannot build on the children’s ministry at St Thomas’ without a huge amount of ongoing commitment from congregation volunteers. It would be lovely to start a similar group to Kidzone 627 for the infant age group and also to encourage our own church children in their walk with God by arranging children’s worship with other churches. I would like to be more in touch with other churches in the area so that our approach to children’s ministry is “more joined up”. Pray for the many children I meet- that they might come to know Jesus as their friend; our outreach through Kidzone 627 club, Holiday Club and seasonal activities; our local schools and teachers and others in our congregation who work daily with children; me- for physical strength and protection against tiredness and a continued ability to listen to what God is saying to us about children’s ministry despite the busyness around. Note: Karen stepped down from the position of Children's Work Co-ordinator in at the end of August 2006. Julie Brown - Interim Children's Work Co-ordinator (December 2006 edition of the Church Magazine) Julie was appointed in September as our ‘Interim’ Children’s Work Co-ordinator. Julie tells us a bit about herself and her family and why she took on the role. Graham and I moved to Chesterfield 12 years ago when William was only four months old. We tried a few different churches in the Chesterfield area, but it wasn't until we moved to Brampton and decided to try St Thomas' one Sunday morning that we knew we had found a church that we could feel part of and where God wanted us to be.
When Georgia went to school, I knew it was time to venture back into employment and recognising how much I enjoyed working with children at St Thomas' I decided that I would train as a teaching assistant to work in schools -a job which would also fit well with my own children. I subsequently took a job working with children with special educational needs at Old Hall Junior School where I continue to do 10 hours a week but also, voluntarily assist in year 6 science lessons. I knew that the science degree would come in useful one day! But how did I end up as the Interim Children's Work Co-ordinator at St Thomas'? When the position became vacant in the summer of this year and we were unable to appoint anyone to the position, I became concerned that the children's work and links with local schools that had been built up by Neil and Karen would not be able to be continued for some time. All of our events, Holiday Club, the Alternative Halloween etc and KIdzone 627 were attended by children in our community who don't go regularly to church but come back year after year to have fun and also learn about Jesus. We are called by God to sow the seeds of faith and I believe that our children and youth work does just that, which is a great strength of St Thomas'. Although I couldn't commit to the permanent, 22 hours a week children's worker post, I felt very strongly one Sunday evening that God wanted me to take on responsibility for the impending Alternative Halloween and Kidzone 627. After a discussion with David, the Rector, and a letter to PCC I have assumed a temporary, 15 hour post that will last until the 31st August 2007. I am now responsible for co-ordinating Discoverers, Kidzone 627, delivering seasonal events such as the Alternative Halloween, assisting with All Age services and maintaining links with the local schools through assemblies each term. It has been a little daunting following on from the exceptional work that Karen has done, but I have enjoyed the challenge of delivering 'The Treat' and re-starting Kidzone 627 and I am looking forward to the next 10 months in this role. But it is important to note that the co-ordinator' s job is only possible if there are other volunteers willing to get involved and for all those who help in Discoverers, Kidzone and who helped at 'The Treat' I am very grateful for you all. I hope and pray that, in the coming months, St Thomas' will develop a clear vision for the long term future of our children's work and that next September we will be able to fill the position with the person that God has in mind to continue and develop our children's work. Julie Brown Thank you Julie, welcome Dawn our new Children's Work Co-ordinator (October 2007 edition of the Church Magazine)
Welcome Dawn our new Children's Work Co-ordinator (Christmas 2007 edition of Spotlight and April 2008 edition of the Church Magazine) Tell us something about your self Hello, I am Dawn Edingborough, I moved to Chesterfield at the end of August to take up the position of Children and Families Worker here at St Thomas'. Although I have moved around a lot, this is the first time I've 'gone north'. I've moved here with my daughter Holly. My other daughter Lauren has just graduated from university and is hoping to find her own place to live nearby. I've been involved in children and families and parish work for about 12 years now and the passion is as strong today as it was when I first felt God calling me into it. I've worked in a variety of settings right across the denomi¬nations but mainly with Anglican and Baptist churches. Before coming to St Thomas' I helped to set up a church plant on a housing estate in a Hertfordshire town. It was a very challenging but hugely rewarding project and I'm classed as 'a founder member'- a great privilege, but it makes me sound really old! As well as having a heart for people my other passions are all things pink and sparkly and chocolate! What are your hopes and dreams for this work? My hope is that as a church we will have a renewed vision and enthusiasm for the Children and Families work, that we can draw together and reach out together to those on the fringes and further, finding new and exciting ways to be reflections of Christ, modelling Jesus and helping those who feel lost to find hope and healing in His love. I'd also like to see us giving the children already in our church, the value they deserve, by continuing to listen to them and by learning to appreciate the problems and the joys that they face. This is God's world, and these children are His, they are precious to Him and we have a responsibility to make a stand and develop an example of counter-culture, which our children will want to follow. Just imagine how our community could be changed if all our children in church became disciples, apostles and evangelists- that's my vision- want to join me? Why are you a Children’s Worker? I've always been a children's worker. I was the oldest of 6 children and we had a fairly rocky childhood, so l always felt a sense of responsibility, wanting to protect my younger brothers and sisters. Later I went on to train as a Nursery Nurse, gaining my NNEB certificate, before spending the next few years gaining experience in all areas of childcare, from being a nanny, to day nurseries, state nurseries, hospitals, creches and then working as a teaching assistant. When I became a Christian 12 years ago, I knew that God was requiring all of me, everything that I am and so I surrendered my whole life to Him to use me as he desired and required. It's not always been easy, but it's been awesome to see how He's taken all my experiences - good and bad and used them to help serve Him in reaching out to a lost and broken people. I've been able to work alongside children and their families during times of great stress as well as times of great joy, bringing God's love and compassion into their lives, introducing them to the healing that knowing Jesus can bring. There's no greater privilege than that. |
