PICKERING METHODIST CHURCH

                September already! We hope you all enjoyed a good summer, whether at home or away. Pickering has certainly been full of visitors, some of whom have been to worship with us at our church on Potter Hill. The beginning of September is the signal for a new start, in many ways, for many people: starting school, or moving to a new school; moving away from home to a first job or to college or university. In the Methodist Church it is also the start of our "new year", and sometimes this may include the arrival of a new minister in the circuit (though not the case in Pickering this year.) All the regular meetings and events begin again after the summer break, and members remind themselves of their commitment to worship, learning and caring, service and evangelism in this community and in the wider world. We aim to provide a wide variety of services and meetings each week - within the church building, in the Memorial Hall or in homes around Pickering, hoping that everyone will be able to find a welcome, feel that their needs can be met and new friends can be made. We are glad that new friends are being made and families welcomed in several ways: through the monthly T-times at 5pm in the Memorial Hall (on the 3rd Sunday of each month), at "Second Sunday" (timing self-explanatory!) at 5.30pm and on the fourth Sunday of the month at PMC@6 - the last two events at the church. Monthly Family Cinema on Saturday evenings and Monday Matinees, mainly for retired people, continue to be popular. Next dates: Family - September 4th October 2nd and November 6th. Matinees - September 20th, October 18th and November 22nd. For more information on any of the above, contact Peter Hallsworth on 01751 473589.

                We continue to welcome everyone to the weekly Sunday morning services at 10.30am, with creche, Sunday School and two groups for 11-18 year-olds at the same time. Details of each week's services and meetings are on a central board outside the church. One last date for your diaries! - our Harvest Thanksgiving will be on Sunday October 3rd. We hope to welcome you to that special service - and to any of the great variety of other services and meetings on offer, as we try to spread the good news of the love of Jesus for everyone in this community.

Gill Freeman.