Quiet Day

"Heather Johnston will be leading a Quiet Day with the theme SPACES AND SHAPES at St  Mathews Church, Hayfields.  The day will start at 8.45 a.m. and end at approximately 3.30 p.m.  Please bring your own lunch; coffee and tea will be provided.  Please also bring with you scissors and glue.  Cost – donation."

 

Jim & Heather

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

David's Notes

Greetings, 

Let us endeavour to make the most of every opportunity we have to learn, pray and share God's love.  I heard somebody in our congregation use the words: "Why not me Lord?".  In our exploration of personal call and the discovery of God's unique way of loving through us, are those not the most important words to hear? In amongst all our protestations as to why it ought to be somebody else, why is it not me that God is calling?  A ship can only get somewhere once it is moving, we will only reach our destination if we are brave enough to venture out of the harbour.   

Grace, 

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

Society Stewards on retreat

Don't miss it

Greetings, 

Jim Johnson is going to be doing a workshop on Christian Care on Saturday the 8th of February, 8:30am -12:00pm. 

He will be helping us with what we are listening for and how to respond to those who care.  

Don't forget the evening teaching series led by Dr. Peter Grassow called "God found South Africans" - starts this Sunday at 6:00pm. 

Grace, 

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

David's Notes

Greetings,

The last week has not been the easiest for the Barbour household. Howard had to go for observation at Entabeni hospital for two nights with Anne whilst I have been at Methodist education meetings in Benoni. We are so grateful for the love of the church and the love of our family who have rallied to make it easier for us, thank you. Richard Rohr uses the phrase 'breathing under water' to describe a life of faith in the world we live in. It is so necessary to learn the way of prayer that allows us 'breath' in the more testing circumstances of our life.

Grace,

David
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David's Notes

Greetings, 

Welcome home to all those who have been away over the festive season.  For many, the time was well spent at home enjoying the Hilton weather (joke!) but now it is back to work and children are already at school. I trust that you will partake in as much of God's work as you are able in 2014. We know that the word 'no' is a very valuable word to create boundaries in our life but don't forget the word 'yes' is even more important in creating space for spiritual development.   

The Sunday evening gathering starts again this Sunday.  We start with Jonathan Smith who will be talking about "Beyond Boring - a discussion on how the ambitions we have, become the stories we live." Sounds great for the start of the year.  

I encourage parents of teenagers to make the effort to bring their 'brood' along as these evenings are informal and a great meeting place for young folk.  

Grace and love, 

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

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.