We ran a Holiday Bible Club for children from age 4 to 11 at the Misterton Chapel during the February 2009 half-term. Based on Scripture Union’s holiday club material the week was full of games, crafts, drama, music, video presentations and Bible stories as the children learned about the life of Jesus from the Bible account in Luke’s Gospel.

On October 11th, we celebrated the ordination of our pastor, Peter Woolway, as a minister of the Baptist Union of churches within Great Britain. This was a special occasion, which took place at the Henhayes Centre, Crewkerne, and was conducted by Regional Minister, Revd Dave Hewitt. We were delighted to welcome a good number of friends from Baptist churches around the district, friends and family of Peter’s together with people from other Crewkerne churches. Senior Regional Minister, Revd Jez Brown also attended and took part in the ordination service. The address was brought by Revd. David Howells who was Peter’s minister for part of the time when Peter and Jennie were members at Chard Baptist Church.

For the first time in 2008, we held our harvest Supper at a neutral venue, at Bilby’s in Market Street in Crewkerne. The 30-plus people who attended the supper had a marvellous evening: the food prepared by Bilby’s was superb and the atmosphere excellent. Old friendships were renewed and new ones made.

On the Sunday, harvest services were held at both Crewkerne and Misterton. Both church buildings were beautifully decorated with a focus on flowers, in view of our not being able to hold a silent auction at Misterton due to building works at the Chapel. Flowers were distributed to a number of people on the day after Harvest. A number of people participated in both services, focusing in the morning service on the greatness of God (Psalm 8), and with prayer for Tearfund, an evangelical Christian charity which works in the Third World and which the church has supported for many years.

In both morning and afternoon services there were collections for Tearfund. We appreciate very much the generous giving of many which enabled us to send £402 to Tearfund.

On a glorious Saturday at the end of June 2008, we filled a coach with church connected families for our annual outing to Weymouth. The weather was very kind and we spent the whole day on the beach, building sand castles, bathing and playing beach games.

Everybody enjoyed the day out, including our pastor Peter who joined the younger people for a paddle on the water’s edge.

CMBC hosted a barbecue for the churches of the East Wessex cluster of Baptist Churches at Misterton Recreation Ground in early June. We were pleased to welcome as guests of the East Wessex cluster our BMS Link Missionaries from Nepal, Ian and Cynthia Chadwell and their children Justin and Lucy. We heard from Ian about the work in Nepal and particular prayer needs at this time. All of the churches in the cluster were represented.

The following day, we were pleased to welcome as leader for the monthly All Together Praise at Misterton in June, Revd.Ryder Rogers, formerly our BMS World Mission Link Missionary in Albania, together with his wife Heather. Continuing the missionary theme, Ryder presented his message about the great commission, focussing on the word GO.

Our service at North Street Chapel this weekend was led by members of the Chard branch of the Gideons who place Bibles all over the world.

Our kids’ clubs continue to thrive. Between 13 and 18 boys and girls attend weekly at Kingfisher Club, including one new family and the return of one or two others who had attended in the past. A wide range of activities takes place, with a variety of crafts being done. There is always a Christian slot during the evening and in most weeks there are games during the hour.

The older and fortnightly Club Rock has changed dramatically this autumn, with more boys than girls attending some sessions, including some new faces. The group has been looking at the relevance of the Ten Commandments today, has engaged in a number of team and individual games and has enjoyed some good food together! In October, the club went ten pin bowling in Yeovil.

The church’s Men’s Group met again in The White Swan for skittles in September. A number of rounds of skittles were enjoyed by the group who attended,and there was a short talk by our Pastor, who spoke on those times in his life when he was unable to control the direction of his life but the hand of God was clearly upon it.

The men met again in November, this time at the chapel in Misterton for a practical session. We are grateful for the 14 guys who gave up their evening to work on the extension, and for those who have given further time since.

At the end of the evening, twelve from the group joined together for a meal at The White Swan – and it is rumoured that some people did not reach their own homes until well after midnight!

We meet together for food and fellowship, including summer BBQs and winter socials.

The chef is working hard and the clients enjoy the results.

www.thegoodbook.co.uk - www.springharvest.org

www.swbaptists.org.uk - www.baptist.org.uk

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