August Update
Dear friends,
The month ahead can often feel a little odd in the life of our church community as many people take holidays and much of our usual activity slows down. I suspect this month will feel even more unusual having said a fond farewell to our Famous Five (Gareth and family).
The reason we slow things down over August is partly to give many of our busy people time to breath. I encourage you all to take time to breathe in deeply, and know the air you breath is a gift to you from God. As a church community we have so much to be thankful for and so much to be excited about for the months ahead of us.
Life around PMCH will likely seem a little different for a while, yet we are so blessed to have so many wonderful people amongst us. I am so grateful to the incredibly affirming and skilled people who serve on our leadership team. I am also thankful for the rich variety of folk and skills amongst us – you are all part of the ministry team!
For those with an interest in procedure, from September, our District Chair, Dan Haylett will assume the role of Superintendent minister. Whilst this is partly for reasons of governance it will be great to see Dan on occasion to preach, and also to chair meetings that I’m thrilled not to have to chair.
So, take a breath, offer thanks and look upwards and onwards.
Jonny
PMCH NEWS
Farewell from PMCH
On Sunday 21 July we said a big farewell to Gareth and his family as they embark on a new journey in Poole. Gareth has been employed as a Mission Lecturer at Moorlands College. Please pray for the whole family as they start their new life in Dorset.
A note from Gareth
“On behalf of Laura, the children and I, can we express our huge gratitude for all the kindness, gifts and love shown to us as we move on, as well as a wonderful celebration lunch. We are so touched by people’s generosity and love and will hold the people of PMCH in our hearts for a very long time”
We are also saying goodbye to Sophie Horlock as she moves on from her post as Youth Pastor at the end of the summer. We wish Sophie well in her next endeavour and thank her for all she has brought to the role in her time with us.
New staff at PMCH
We are excited to announce that we have two new members of staff joining the team in October. Zoe Haydon will be our new Youth Pastor, having been a big part of our YTH for a long time she’s excited to get started in her new role. Alice Wall will be joining our Children & Families team as a volunteer intern which will massively aid this fast growing ministry.
MWiB News
A big thank you to all who came to our Pasty and Sweet lunch in aid of Hearing Dogs for Deaf people. This charity is our District MWiB charity and to date we have raised £490. We also presented a cheque for £500 our tithing gift from PMCH to Hannah and Glen and Hannahs dog Nacho. Hannah and Glen gave a fascinating talk and Nacho demonstrated the skills needed to aid Hannah in her daily life. Thanks are also due to all those who gave of their time to make the day a success.
Action for Children Sponsored Walk
On Saturday 20 July Sylvia and her team took part in a sponsored walk in aid of Action for Children. Many thanks to all who supported the walk in the rain. The total raised so far is £1400 and we are very grateful for this amount. Please visit actionforchildren.org.uk for more information about this amazing charity.
What’s coming up in August
PMCH Online
This Sunday will be our last Livestream before the Summer break. Sunday Online will return 01 September at 10.55am for Morning Worship.
Why not use August to look back on YouTube at some of our past Livestreams or maybe work your way through one of the Bible Study series
Kids & Youth
During August we will be taking a scaled back approach to our children and youth provision on Sundays. The usual toy bags will always be available in church and paper pens and colouring/puzzle sheets. The Sports Hall will be available for our young people to use during our service, children aged 11 or under will need to be accompanied by their parent/guardian (we will endeavour to have 2 members of the our youth and children's work programme there but they are not responsible for the children/youth). For more information, please chat to our Children/Youth team.
Our weekly clubs take a break over the summer so please view the section at the bottom of this newsletter for return dates of groups
Prayer Meeting | 07 August | 7:30pm
Our Monthly Prayer Meeting carries on throughout the summer
Healing Service | Sunday 18 August | 11am
For a number of months now some of our evening services have been focusing on healing prayer. On Sunday 18th August our morning service will follow some of the pattern that we have been using there. There will be praise and worship, as well as time for stillness and waiting on God. We will be considering the work of God in saving and healing us and giving more time during the communion service to be attentive to the work of the Holy Spirit in us through praying for each other. We know that Jesus is among us to bring salvation, healing and wholeness.
Wedding | 10 August | 12pm | PMCH
We are thrilled that Callum and Sabrina will be getting married at PMCH. All are invited to the service on 10 August at 12pm.
Foodbank Hub
Foodbank Sunday
Thank you to everyone who donated items at our July collection. We'll be back on 25 August at our morning and evening services. The items we are asking people to bring along this month are tinned meat and cans of rice pudding
Volunteer Treasurer
There is a fantastic opportunity to help with Plymouth Foodbank. We are in need of volunteer treasurer and this could be you. It’s about 2 hrs per week and 4 meetings a year. For more info please contact Nigel Morris or Mark Haydon
Gifts for Romania
This year's team for Romania have been asked to take out skipping ropes and a large play parachute for the Mission centre, where we will be running children's activities. Rather than take them with us we want to buy them there, so as many of you kindly contribute money each year we go, we would welcome donations to help pay for these things.
Any money we take with us is used directly for what FAST charity need for their work. Helena and Nigel will be around to chat about the visit on Sunday.
Messy Church returns in September
We’ll be taking a break over August, here are the dates for the rest of our sessions in 2024. Have a great Summer everyone!
Proposals for PMCH Tithes
The Faith in Action Team will soon make recommendations to the Church Council for allocating our tithe monies to worthy charities and causes.
If you would like to make a proposal that fits in with our agreed policy and guidance, please look on our website under GIVING > Tithe Gifts
Completed proposal forms for a tithe gift must be submitted to office@pmch.org.uk or handed into the church office by 3pm Wednesday 28 August 2024
Coming up this month…
02 August - YTH trip Satellites
04 August 11am - Morning Worship - Jonny Libby
04 August 7pm - Evening Communion - Martin Earl
07 August 7:30pm - Church Prayer Meeting
08 August 3pm - Thanksgiving Service for Doreen Knight at PMCH
10 August 12pm - Callum & Sabrina Wedding
11 August 11am - Morning Worship - Paul Courtney
11 August 7pm - Evening Worship - Malc Halliday
18 August 11am - Morning Communion & Healing Service - Dave Martin
18 August 7pm - Evening Worship - Mark Haydon
25 August 11am - Morning Worship & Foodbank Sunday - Paul Whitell
25 August 7pm - Evening Worship & Foodbank Sunday - Jonny Libby
01 September - Morning Worship - Jonny Libby
01 September - Evening Worship - Paul Smith
Weekly groups return dates
02 September - YTH BBQ
09 September - Totstop & X:CLAMATION
13 September - YTH Woodlands Trip
17 September - Bible Study