David's Notes

Season Greetings, 

We sit now with the aftermath of Christmas; the Advent services, end of year functions and the holidays with those closest to us - and now what? 

This Sunday coming we will have time to chew on the cud a little and absorb the season's treasures.   

Anne, Howard and myself would also like to thank the congregation for their generous Christmas gift.  We thank you for the continuous love and support of the congregation and we look forward to working with you in such a way as Paul so aptly put it in Acts 20:24, "bearing witness to the gospel of God's grace". 

All our love, 

Rev. David Barbour
033 3431708
barbour@absamail.co.za

David's Notes

Greetings,

The week the world stood still. It has been an emotional roller coaster the last few days listening to the umpteen speeches, sermons and prayers offered up in memory of Madiba. The greatest sermon for me was the Rabbi who likened Madiba to Joseph who was sent to prison unjustly, then rises to become the prime minister of Egypt and then on to forgive those who sent him to prison. The funniest anecdote for me was the Houghton neighbour who had him for tea and when telling him about their son who had left the country Madiba gets on their phone and tries to persuade him to come home. The most embarrassing for me was the behaviour of the crowds as foreign presidents gave their speeches or was it the interpreter for the deaf who was a complete "fake". The most surprising for me was how emotional I felt and how much a part of the country's sorrow I identified with. I would love to hear what this week has meant for you.

End of year Imbizo at Masibumbane

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David's Notes

Last week we took a lesson from David Steindl-Ras who proposed a simple way to help us get out of the time-famine of our busy life.  It was to stop, listen and then go.  A simple lesson every child learns when crossing the road.  It is simple isn't it but not often practiced.  The ability to pull in the reigns and check our direction, who is with us and what the purpose of our journey is all about.  Have you thought of any ways you can stop and respond to God's presence in the current moment? "There is another way to live in the world, to live from the Holy Center, the Divine Center Who abides in us, who can speak in us and through us at all times - if we listen" (Mary Anne Best) 

Unexpected Christmas

Join us this Sunday evening service (6:00pm) to the first part of the series "Unexpected Christmas" 

by Andy Stanley.  

"Shake any family tree and you never know what kind of people might fall out. Let's face it; we all have an 

uncle or a cousin we whisper about behind closed doors. We all have a relative or two we try to avoid at family 

gatherings ... but heres something you may not know. Jesus had a few shady characters in His family as well. 

Actually, He had some relatives that make your most wayward cousin look like a saint."

Circuit carol service practice

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David's Notes

Greetings all, 

Last night I attended the valedictory service at the Methodist Seminary.  I usually go with my tail between the legs to such events.  However I was pleasantly surprised at the 'village' as they like to call it.  The attitude and spirit of these seminarians going off to serve God in the circuit was very heartwarming.  There are always aches and pains in the birthing of any project but the result is a 'child' the Methodist church can be very proud of.  The calibre of minister coming through our training has turned right around.  It was also encouraging to see that about six valedictorians were from the Congregational church.  The best part of the evening was when our very own Motlatsi Letsoko walked up to claim the Peter Story award for the best overall seminarian of the 2011 intake.  It takes quite something to achieve this - well done Motlatsi.   

Grace, 

David 

Thanksgiving Service

David's Notes

There is always something exciting coming up on the church calendar at the end of the year. Next week Friday at 6:30pm we will be having the Circuit Carol Service at the Methodist Seminary in town. If you have never been to the new seminary, this is your opportunity. There will be a 50+ choir comprised of all the church's in PMB and surrounds. Then next week Sunday there is a Christmas service prepared by the "Young Seekers" at our 9:00am service. There will also be a Christmas social on the 1st of December where families will gather for some fun, song and the sharing of gifts. Just before Christmas we will also be having a Christmas Taize service to prepare our hearts.  If it doesn't mist in Hilton at the end of each year it is certainly bound to snow.  

A Rocha KZN Indigenous Gardening Workshop - Saturday 16 November

Kevin and Karen Zunckel who are environmental consultants in KZN, and horticulturalist, Granton Law, will bring more than fifty years of experience to facilitate this workshop. Gardeners who live in the mistbelt biome and want to develop indigenous, water wise, or bird and butterfly gardens will find inspiration as well as plants to purchase. The workshop will demonstrate the placement and grouping of suitable plants for all areas of the garden, on site, at Hilton Methodist Church. A delicious tea and plant sales will be included in the morning. Workshop times: from 10:00 to 12:00 noon on Saturday 16 November. The cost: R60 per person. Places are limited to 25 people. Please purchase tickets early to avoid disappointment by writing for payment details to Allen Goddard: allen.goddard@arocha.org. - See more at: http://www.arocha.org/za-en/index.html#

You are needed!

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Have you noticed how beautiful our gardens are?

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HMC Parents Meeting

Greetings, 

A reminder of the parent's meeting this Friday @ 6:00pm @ the church.  

We will try and keep ourselves to one hour and no longer.  

All parents are welcome as we discuss the future of youth ministry at Hilton Methodist. 

Please reply to this email so we have an idea who is coming. 

Note: Junior youth will start the following week as normal. 

Thanks, 

David 

Under Construction

Greetings all,

We are changing a few things with our website so don't panic if it looks upside down.

David