Churches Together

Melbourn United Reformed Church

Cheese and Wine Robert Elbourn hosted a cheese and wine evening at his home on 27th November. The evening was a great success and raised over £400 for Christian Aid.

Operation Christmas Child We were able to send 161 shoe boxes (including some from our friends in Fowlmere) full of gifts to deprived children abroad who would not otherwise have any presents. The shoe boxes were blessed during our morning service on 15th November. (see photo) Tastes of Christmas This was an enjoyable event with plenty of food to taste and buy, food hampers to win in the raffle and other competitions. It was also a social time for people to chat as well as raising money for church funds. (see photo) Family Nativity Service The service included the drama “Surprise! Surprise!” as well as the usual bible readings and carols. The drama was in four scenes in reporter style. The surprises

Operation Christmas Child Tastes of Christmas

were Mary expecting a baby and finding that Elizabeth was also expecting, Joseph being told Mary was pregnant, no room at the inn for Mary and Joseph and finally the shepherds learning of the birth of Jesus. There was another drama “Strange Night” in which the inn keeper and his wife were discussing the events of that night. Reverend Stanley Hodges It was with sadness we learnt of the death of Stanley Hodges on 12th November 2015, aged 97. Stanley was our congregational minister from 1946-1959. It was during his ministry that our present manse was built and we also moved our worship from the big church to the Meeting House opposite where we worship today. The wooden cross on the wall behind our pulpit was made by Stanley and remains a focal point today. Four of us travelled to Broadway

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URC in the Cotswolds on 16th January to attend the Service of Thanksgiving. It was a beautiful day and the church was full. We sang some rousing hymns and there were eulogies from family and friends as well as from each of the churches where he was a minister. Robert Elbourn spoke on behalf of Melbourn. There was soup and a buffet lunch provided in the hall after the service where we were able to chat and exchange anecdotes before returning home.

Easter Services » 25th March - Good Friday service at 10am followed by coffee and hot cross buns in the hall. » 27th March - Easter Sunday service at 11am including the celebration of Holy

Communion.

Women’s World Day of Prayer This year’s service is on Friday 4th March in our church at 2.30pm. The service has been prepared by the Christian women of Cuba entitled “Receive Children, Receive Me”. There will be a cup of tea afterwards. It is an ecumenical service so do come along and join us.

Welcome to All We extend a warm welcome to anyone interested in joining us for worship. Our Sunday service is at 11am and we hold a Friday coffee morning from 10.30am when you can enjoy a cup of coffee/tea, biscuits and chat. Diary » Every Thursday : Craft & Chat URC 2-4pm » Every Friday : Coffee URC 10.30am » Every Sunday : URC Morning Service 11am except first Sunday of the month when Holy Communion is celebrated. » March (Special) : Friday 4th - Women’s World Day of Prayer URC 2.30pm » Friday 25th URC Good Friday service 10am followed by coffee and hot cross buns

Melbourn Baptist Church

The busy time of Christmas has fast become a memory, but there is no let-up at Melbourn Baptist Church, with events leading up to Easter, which is early this year.

The church took part in the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, hosting early morning prayer meetings and a house group meeting, among other events taking place in Melbourn and Meldreth.

As part of the village’s Lent activities, members have been involved in the York Lent course, held at the United Reformed Church.

And as Easter approaches, Melbourn Baptist Church will host a Churches Together cooked breakfast on Good Friday at 8am.

Also on Good Friday, the church will be open during the day for music and art events, and also children’s activities. Keep an eye on the church notice board for times of the various events.

As part of the church’s celebration of Easter, it is hoped that a baptismal service will take place on Easter Sunday.

Before Easter, the church will be holding a meeting focused on Thailand on March 9, at 7.45pm, when church members Brian and Janet Orrell will be speaking about their recent mission visit to the country.

A week later, on March 16, the church will be holding its annual meeting, also at 7.45pm.

The church continues to hold its regular weekly meetings, including Toddlers Plus on Tuesdays, Craft Morning and Coffee Break on Wednesdays, early morning prayer meetings on Wednesdays and Fridays, and Luncheon Club on Tuesdays.

Ninth Safari Supper 4th June 2016

I cannot believe it is NINE years since Jane and I tentatively launched the idea of a Safari Supper in Melbourn to raise money for the All Saints Community Hall. Since then it has grown and become a very well supported and popular event and last year we were able to give over £600 to the Hall. This year our aim is to replace the existing chairs which are showing signs of wear.

Our ninth Safari Supper will take place on Saturday 4th June this year. I do hope that everyone who has taken part before will join in again – we have taken care to avoid the fetes in Melbourn and Meldreth - and that even more people will join in. For the evening to work well we need people willing to provide a starter, main course or dessert for 4 to 8 people – and after each course you all move on to different venues hopefully (if we have organised it properly) not meeting the same people again. We all finish up at the Hall to have coffee and exchange notes on the evening! The cost is £15 per person but we do offer something towards the food for those who are cooking. Not everyone has to be a host, we do take guests as well and have several regulars from outside the village who enjoy taking part. It is good fun and you get to meet a lot of people.

If you would like to know more about our Safari Supper, or indeed to put your name down to take part do please ring either me on 260686 or Jane Brett on 260306. Or alternatively, email howards.carlings@btinternet.com for an application form. Mavis Howard

Swing into spring in the hall for all

You may recall that I wrote in the last issue about the All Saints Community Hall, bringing you up to date with the improvements which had been carried