It proved to be an awesome week for all of us. Everyone felt a sense of God's presence and many of us have returned changed and on fire for God. One of the evening-events that spoke to me especially was about being radical for Christ. It was spoken about putting ourselves on the line, stepping out and doing something different, putting our faith before anything else - the faith that brings us to understand who Jesus really is and how He affects our lives - the faith that God wants us to use daily in every aspect of our lives, not just as weekend worshippers, but so as to stand out from the crowd, be bold, be different and stand up for what we believe in.

So for 10 days in May, from Ascension to Pentecost, we are joining with the other Churches of Knutsford to pray - an opportunity for some to do something they may not have done before - time to spend with God, just you and Him, praying for ourselves, our town, county and nation.

This runs from 9.00am on the 1st May until 9.00am on the 11th. We have 240 1-hour slots to be filled, and I know that we can achieve this. For God wants to bless this town of Knutsford in a new way.

There are many, many ways in which we can be radical for Christ - and small steps can bring about 'the radical' in time as we learn to trust that what God asks us to do is something He will equip us to do!

So we must SIGN UP, STEP OUT, STAND UP, & BE COUNTED as disciples of Christ.

We thank God for the 'Towards Revival in the UK' weekend at Manchester Cathedral. And we thank God that so many lives were touched and people's faith strengthened.

Please pray:-

For the organisation of the 24/7 Prayer - 10 days happening across the town from the 1st to 10th May. Pray that all Churches will want to be involved and that the 240 one-hour slots will be filled.

For the young people at this time as the GCSE's and A-Levels begin. Pray that God will give them clear and focused minds to do the best that they can do. Pray for peace and calm as they enter the exam rooms and begin the exams.

For all those involved in the weekly Senior Citizens lunches being held in our Church Hall - those who are in charge of the cooking, those who help prepare, those who serve, and all the elderly people that attend. The lunches are proving very popular and it is becoming a real outreach event every week. Please pray for the continued support of the volunteers.

For those known to us who have been bereaved as they mourn their loss. We pray that you will feel God's presence, peace and comfort at this time of grieving.

For those who are frail and unable to get about. In sending our love and prayers we hope that you will experience God's love through those you see and through God's creation as the colours of Spring brighten our world.

For healing in mind, body and soul for the lives of those known to us who are in need at this time.

For those in the Armed Forces and especially those serving abroad at this time. Pray for their families and loved ones back home.

For our Circuit ministers and staff: Paul and Karen, Richard and Becca, Ben and Katherine, Debbie, Martyn and Rosemary. Pray for our staff here at Knutsford - also for Gill, Ruth and Brenda.

But now it has been decided to make the studies even more accessible. An audio file of each day's Bible-study, and a bigger file with all of the studies for each week, can easily be downloaded onto a computer or mp3 player, so that users can listen at a time convenient to them.

Alison Pollard, Web Writer and Researcher and the new voice of A Word in Time says; "People find it increasingly difficult to make time to read and reflect on the Bible in today's busy world. A Word in Time made it easier by giving people access to a Bible-study on the internet. Now we've taken it to the next level and you can catch up with your daily Bible-study at a time most convenient to you - whether you're cooking dinner, doing your weekly shop or on the daily commute to work".

A Word in Time features a daily Bible-reading, background and an explanation of the text, reflections and questions to ponder from that week's contributor. It follows the readings in the Methodist Prayer Handbook bringing the 40,000 readers of the handbook together with online disciples in their search for daily spirituality.

Each audio file is available in two formats - a high-quality version for those using broadband internet connections and a lower-quality file for those using a dial-up connection. The audio files for past Bible-studies are available online in the Word in Time archives.

The audio Bible-studies are also ideal for sharing with those who otherwise might not have access to daily Bible-notes, perhaps because of a disability or simply not having access to the Internet.

Stewards

Ruth P emphasised the need for more stewards. The full complement of stewards is ten - ideally five men and five women. However for a while we have only had eight stewards, and Ruth's term of duty finishes in April.

As well as the need for stewards, other key positions remain vacant, including Property, Social Responsibility and Network Secretaries.

Young Church

There has been a slow increase in numbers in Young Church.

Volunteer Staffing levels are very good and we are introducing 1-to-1 support when needed.

The Junior Church worship-time is now well established.

The benefits resulting from having a Children's and a Youth Lay Worker are recognised by the different groups. Gill and Ruth are also developing relationships with the local schools. Gill is leading school assemblies, and Ruth is running Listening Ear at Knutsford High School.

Andrew Dinsmore will take up the post of Junior Church Superintendent and John Mills will take up the post of Young Church Chairman.

Pastoral

Attendance at worship is increasing. Figures recorded in October show a weekly average of 224 different people worshipping at Knutsford Methodist Church.

Rev Paul Wilson is to run a course, 'Catch the Vision', on four evenings (1st, 15th, 29th April & 6th May 08) for those who have recently started worshipping at Knutsford Methodist church.

Alison Maynard has settled well into her role as Pastoral Worker. Church Family

The Family Fun Evening on 2nd February was attended by 70 people. There was a faith supper and games organised for all ages. Feedback has been very positive.

The guest speaker at the Ladies Day 'Inspiration' on Saturday 7th June will be Karen Porter. The men will 'wait on' the ladies for lunch and evening meal.

The Summer Picnic/Barbecue on Sunday 13th July will be held in the garden of Michael and Daphne Barker.

Outreach

Knutsford Methodist Church is supporting Hope 2008, encouraging the churches of Knutsford to work together in outreach. There will be a focus on Pentecost. This will include a time of prayer, ending on 11th May when there will be an event at Knutsford Methodist Church to which we can invite children and families.

The Tuesday Luncheon Club is attended by 40 to 42 people. Approx 60% of those who attend are not members of our Church, though some stay for the Tuesday Afternoon Fellowship. The Club is felt to be a good outreach initiative. We are considering the possibility of also running a Luncheon Club on a Thursday as we have to turn people away on Tuesdays.

In 2007, £1,203 was raised for N.C.H. and £995 for J.M.A.

The Tearfund lunch raised £250, with £990 worth of cards and gifts sold.

The following requests for funding were agreed: The Welcome, £900; Andy and Michi Evans, £300; U.C.B., £200; Wythenshawe, £200.

Property

The Building Project is now close to completion. Work required to separate the hall heating from the church will be carried out at no cost to our Church.

The front window of the church is now netted and the tower window ledges are wired to keep off the pigeons.

Handrails have been fitted to the rear staircase.

A generous donation has been received for the purchase of 2 new projectors, which means we no longer need the screens.

It is planned to have a banner above/behind the organ. Knutsford Quilters have agreed to produce it.

A design has been agreed for the glass doors. They will fit outside the wooden doors and open outwards. There will be enough room for wheelchair users to use the ramp.

Finance

£20,000 is the amount now needed to complete the building fund. Donations have continued to come in. A letter from Howard Kirkham in the March Open Doors will include a further appeal for donations to clear the debt completely by 31st March, or pledge sums of money between now and 31st December 2008.

Once the building fund is complete, we plan to turn our attention to money for outreach. Circuit

A successful Circuit Supper was held on Friday 22nd February, when 81 friends from across all the Circuit churches met together at Alderley Edge.

Over Peover church held an open meeting on Sunday 17th February to discuss ways in which their property might be used for the benefit of the local and wider community, bringing people into the premises as well as generating income.

Rev. Richard Byass will be back on the Plan as from 1st March. However sensitivity will be needed by the Circuit because, although he is progressing well, he is not yet completely back to full health and strength.

Excellent News
We have now finalised all the remaoning bills which need to be paid for the Redevelopment. So we now know exactly how much money we will still need to raise. This is £20,000, which is a great situation - especially that we have not had to take out a Methodist Chapel Aid Loan. The response over the last 3-4 years from our congregation has been wonderful, and the Church Council wish to express their thanks to all concerned for their generous financial support.

Our aim now is to raise this final £20,000 if possible by 31st March 08 so that we can then apply for the final grant of £4,000 from Methodist Property

How do we raise this remaining £20,000? I would suggest the following two possible ways:

1. Donation by 31st March 08: We could then apply for the tax relief immediately - in April. If you feel able to help by making a new donation then please would you let me have your donation made out to 'Knutsford Methodist Church Building Fund'.

2. Pledge a donation to be made between 1st april and 31st December 08.

3. New 1-year Standing Order: If you would prefer to make a donation using a new monthly Standing Order over a 12-month period (i.e. February 2008 to January 2009) then please let me know so that the necessary arrangements can be made.

JMA stands for 'Junior Mission for All'. It started back in 1812 as the 'Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Society'. It was created so that children could be included in supporting and learning about the missionary work of the Church.

The JMA promise is to 'Learn, pray and serve with the worldwide church of Jesus Christ'. The JMA rainbow is a sign that we are working to make the world as good for everyone as God wants it to be.

We have 8 collectors at the moment, ranging in age from 3-10. The Beginners, Primary and Junior departments of our Junior Church donate their weekly collections to JMA, and money from the Christmas post is also given to JMA. Until the last couple of years most of our collectors have been secondary-school age. Our oldest collector, Hannah L, has just finished collecting for JMA after 10 years. This is a tremendous achievement. In the 5 years I have been secretary, Hannah has raised the fantastic amount of £2,430.47. This is certainly an achievement for our young collectors to aspire to. Well Done Hannah, and Thank-you. There will be a lot of children and adults around the world benefiting from your commitment and the generosity of your sponsors.

I will also take this opportunity to thank all the collectors for their commitment to JMA and to all the sponsors for their generosity. It is just wonderful to see the young members of our Church becoming involved in missionary work. Last year a total of £870.25 was raised.

Being a collector for JMA involves asking a few friends and family if they would like to sponsor you each week, or to give you a donation when they see you, if they prefer. Every penny makes a difference, and no amount is too small or too large. Even very little children can enjoy being collectors. Our daughter, Anna, who is 3 just enjoys shaking her JMA pot around Grandparents and Aunties and Uncles, and seems to charm them into emptying their pockets! 80% of the money collected goes to fund missionary work abroad, and 20% to missionary work in this country. As a collector you will receive a badge and certificate each year, as well as a record book and a bright yellow collecting pot.

We have a 'fun and learning' evening once a year where the collectors learn about some of the countries where the money they have collected gets sent. In previous years we have had a lady come to talk to us about life in India; and last year a lady from 'Christian Relief Uganda' came to talk to us about her work with children in Uganda. This year, Liz H kindly came to talk to us about her missionary work in Ethiopia with 'Habitat for Humanity', and made a game to help the children learn a little about what life is like for families there. We have learnt about FAIRTRADE, and had a coffee morning to send money to Uganda. I try to make it suitable for the different ages of collectors, and fit it in around their very busy after-school, social activities! The collectors also receive a 'Rainbow' magazine three times a year, featuring articles about the lives of children in other countries as well as the work of JMA collectors in this country, and how some of the JMA money is spent. We have had photos of our Knutsford Methodist Church collectors featured a few times. The rainbow magazine encourages the collectors to pray for people all around the world, and for the missionary work that JMA funds.

If there are any children or young people who would like to start collecting, or anyone who would like to be a sponsor, then please either come and find me after church on a Sunday or ring me on Kn.654206. I will be delighted to talk to you more about what JMA involves.

Eric tells me he started playing the piano as a young boy, and the organ at about the age of fourteen. He began playing Church organs in Northwich where he lived at the time, and played at Station Road Methodist Church for some time.

Mr Bradley's business brought him to Knutsford in 1956, and some time later he was asked to play the organ at Knutsford Methodist Church. At that time, he tells me, he was playing almost every Sunday.

Then in the early 1980's Eric went on a rota of four organists who took it in turns to play for the Services, the other three being Brian Cotgreave, Arthur Crimes and Mary Roberts. Mary particularly remembers Eric's kindness, and indeed I do, too.

He has continued to play at our Church on a rota basis, though not the same rota from that time, taking the new organ in his stride, as it were. These, however, are the bare facts of Eric Bradley's playing for the Services at our church - there has been much more to his musical career than this.

Mr Bradley has been widely known and acclaimed throughout the district as an accompanist for choirs performing oratorios. For many years, he played under the conductor, Cyril Dawes, as accompanist of the Northwich and District Festival Choir, and travelled around with them.

One of the last times he played for the choir, which was soon to be disbanded, was at a performance of 'Messiah' in our Church, and he remarked afterwards that this had been his 100th performance of that oratorio.

To be able to accompany choirs singing oratorios, which are notoriously difficult to play (and not easy to sing), takes a very accomplished organist, which is what Eric is.

I'd like to finish this short tribute by expressing thanks to Mr Bradley from all at Knutsford Methodist Church, and wishing him, and his wife Ruby, health and happiness in the years ahead.

What God Wants by Donald Neale Walsch (Reviewer - Noel P) Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire by Jim Cymbala (Reviewer - Rev Paul Wilson) Fresh Faith by Jim Cymbala (Reviewer - Rev Paul Wilson) How you can be led by the Spirit of God by Kenneth Hagin (Reviewer - Rev Paul Wilson) The Shadow of the Galilean (SCM 2001) by Gerd Theisson (Reviewer - Rev Bruce Thompson) The Power of Prayer for the roles of Wife and Parent by Stormie Omartian (Reviewer - Philippa C) The God Chaser's by Tommy Teeney (Reviewer - Caroline R) Intercessory Prayer by Dutch Sheets (Reviewer - Caroline R) What's So Amazing about Grace? by Philip Yancey (Reviewer - Martin H) Move over Harry Potter, make way for THE KAIROS by Leslie Cashin (Reviewer - Bob B) What's So Amazing about Grace? by Philip Yancey (Reviewer - Steve A) Resurrection - Interpreting the Easter Gospel by Rowen Williams (Reviewer - Steve A)