Teddy Bears Step Out
Tea & Cakes for Cancer Relief
Young and Old
Belarus Summer Camp
George & Maureen Palmer

What a great joy it is for us to say how much we are really looking forward to  joining with you at TRM. It is of course difficult saying goodbye to friends, and we know how much you will miss your friends Chris, Heather and Ethan, because we will miss them too. Yet in spite of the difficulties of saying goodbye we are excited about what the Lord has in store for us all.

One of the things we have sought to weave into our lives and ministry in Ipstones are the words of Jesus in John 5:20 ‘... whatever the Father does the Son does also’. We are very much looking forward to meeting you and discovering what the Father is doing in your lives and in the life of the church. So, we feel excited and delighted to be coming to TRM and joining in with what the Father is doing amongst you and in the life of the wider community of Totley Rise.

Love and every blessing, Garry, Dawn & Joel’

What happens when you pray for an hour?

In June, TRM church set aside a week for prayer. People volunteered to pray for one or more of the 168 hours. Most prayed in the church lounge which became a prayer room equipped with notice boards, books, music and other aids to help prayer. Others, particularly in the night hours, prayed at home. The first reaction of many was “How can I pray for an hour?, “What will I do?”, “I’ll run out of ideas after a few minutes”, and so on. In fact for every one we have spoken to it was a very positive experience. Here’s what three people had to say.

“I realised that some would be nervous at the thought of being on their own for an hour. So a group of six of us went together. I created some thoughts, I prayed, we prayed, then there was silent prayer so no one was left out. After that there was time for each of us to wander through the other prayer activities. As a result all were grateful for the opportunity and glad to have had the courage to say something. One person in particular was amazed when God, through His Holy Spirit, gave a picture to share with the others which was helpful to all. In my

own hour of prayer, looking round the room I was drawn to the CD — so I listened to the worship whilst reading the scriptures. I prayed for the things on my heart. Then I began to feel the Holy Spirit stirring in my spirit. I was thrilled to find myself dancing in worship, totally uninhibited as the expression of love for Jesus welled up within me. When it came to an end I knelt at the cross, let God’s love come to me and wept with gratitude.”

“My hour of prayer was from 4.30 to 5.30 am. So I stayed at home. Two things helped shape my prayers. The first was Dick Eastman’s best-seller The Hour that Changes the World, which reminded me to start off with praise and ‘soul surrender’. The second was a list of all our church members and adherents. As I prayed my way through the list I asked God to show me how He could best bless each person. Occasionally He said ‘Let Me break down their barriers and resistance’, and for the whole church He seemed to say we must have courage to get out of our comfort zones and familiar patterns, and explore the next phase of our mission.”

 “My special hour was from 7.30 to 8.30 am on Tuesday. I was greeted at church by Josie Dunsmore. My first question was ‘How is it?’ and the reply, ‘It was wonderful’. This excited me to capture that same feeling. I started praying in the area where we could put our own prayers on a washing line. The prayer that had been on my heart was for abused children (1 had just read a book called A Child called ‘it’ which I found disturbing and knew this must be an ongoing prayer). After that I moved to a cushion area and began to pray for the world. The G8 summit was the focus — 25 minutes just flew by. Lastly I sat by the large candle which had the names of Jesus inscribed on it — Immanuel, Saviour, Redeemer, etc. I focused on what Jesus meant to me and found it very moving. The experience was wonderful. The hour flew by and I really felt the presence of the Holy Spirit. What a wonderful Saviour we have!”

In the Spotlight - Woodseats advice centre

To make it easier for people in Dore & Totley to get access to the free and confidential help and advice Woodseats       Advice Centre can offer, it now holds weekly advice sessions on TRM Church premises. Dave Owen is the adviser on duty and he is fully trained and qualified to give practical advice and assistance on a wide range of issues. Typical questions he gets asked include:-

“I was made redundant three months ago, and I’m in debt. Can you help me sort  things out?”

“Can you help me fill in my Benefits claims form?”

“My employer sacked me and says he won’t pay me my holiday pay. Can you tell me if I have any rights?”

“I bought a second hand washing machine last week and it’s broken down already. The company say they won’t repair it. Can you help?”;

“Can you advise me if I am eligible for Pension Credit, and how to apply for it?”

“I have been told I can apply for help with personal care now that I’m getting older. Can you tell me how to go about it?”

 The answer to all these questions is “Yes!” – Dave can offer help and advice on these and many more issues. So. . . if you, a friend, neighbour or acquaintance need help, anyone living in S17 can drop in any Tuesday between 10 and 12 noon to TRM Church hall, and Dave will be happy to help. If you can’t drop in, you can ring WAC on 0114 2584384 and get advice over the phone, or if necessary arrange a home visit.

Family News

July and August saw the baptisms of Callum Hall, son of Tina and Garry, and Rosie Biggins, daughter of James and Rachel, and a thanksgiving service for Ellie and James Burbeary, children of Alison and Mick.

 Trish and Adrian Dearden became the newest additions to the TRM family when they formally joined the church as members on Sunday 17 July.

 Peter Rawling passed away in July after a short illness. Peter had attended TRM for a number of years, and was known to many as a member of the choir. Peter also helped with church events as a volunteer driver. The church family will sadly miss him, and our heartfelt sympathies go to his wife Jean.

Congratulations to Sarah Garnett and Rob Southern who married at TRM on Friday 5 August. Sarah and Rob have some catching up to do - 40 years ahead of them are Peter and Phyl Holmes who recently celebrated their ruby wedding anniversary.

Splashing Out

Some people go out with a bang. Chris and Heather left TRM with a splash. Over 120 people dropped in to 87 Furniss Ave on 17 June to say goodbye to the Kirks. Nobody wanted to leave, the garden was packed and the event became one big family party. The weather was hot so one of the parents went to fetch a paddling pool — and it was not only the children that got soaked. Ethan escaped the heat by watching one of his favourite videos inside, and he was soon joined by several others of his age.

 Although food was provided, many brought more, and several people found they were not allowed to leave until they had agreed to take some food away with them.

 In the informal and friendly surroundings everyone was able to say their own farewells to Chris and Heather and thank them for all they had done over the last five years.

Teddy Bears Step Out

On 7 July the children of the Thursday Playgroup and the Pushchair Club took part in a sponsored “Teddy Bears Step Out” to raise funds for NCH Action for Children. The children, clutching their teddies, did up to 20 circuits of an obstacle course which included a snake, hoops, balancing beams and tunnels. Playgroup did their bit in the morning, followed by the Pushchair Club who had a picnic first. About 50 children took part and raised Dyer £400. A great time was had by all and even the weather smiled on us!

Tea and Cakes for Cancer Relief

A cool cloudy morning gave way to brilliant sunshine for the afternoon tea on 20 July. Visitors were able to relax in Roger and Margaret Hoyle’s newly developed garden as they enjoyed their hospitality. Over £350 was raised for the Cavendish Centre.

New Church Youth Group

A new church youth group launches on 29 September. The group, which is for 9 to 14 year olds, will meet at TRM. It is intended to be a fun place to meet your friends, and there will be games and themed evenings including a pizza night Anyone who could help with the running of the group is asked to contact Ann Oles.

 The Youth Club

This continues to meet fortnightly on Sunday evenings and recommences on Sunday 11 September, catering for the recreational needs of secondary school children 11 and upwards in the community. Please contact Suzanne Tudor on 2363370 for details and availability of places.

International Students Visit

This summer TRM played host to 2 inter­national students from Cliff College. Sunday from India and Shepherd from Zimbabwe spent ten days with the church as part of their placement. They shared experiences of their home countries, led parts of services and got to know their way around Totley as they conducted a series of video interviews around the neighbourhood. We wish them well as they complete their studies.

  OAPs Evening

Belarus Summer Camp 2 - 14 July
MISSION to put a smile on the faces of disadvantaged children of Belarus.

15 volunteers from the U.K. went from Manchester arriving on the morning of 3 July. Our first day was spent preparing for the children, organising their rooms and sorting craft and play materials. rhe children arrived quiet and subdued, not knowing what to expect; for many it was the first time they had been away from home. They came from a variety of backgrounds, e.g. one-parent family disabled parent(s) and one boy from the Jeaf school. The children had only one change of Clothing (for 12 days) and one 14 year old boy had nly the clothes he wore, no shoes, just flip-flops. Luckily my trainers were his size so I was able to give him a pair and socks. The charity (Operation Christmas Child) gave each child three T-shirts so it was o.k. Once the children had settled and got to know us, and us them, we began a programme of games and crafts, including scoobies, which they Loved. Swimming in the lake was voted TOPS.

As a special treat the volunteers each gave $10 to take the children to a “Theme Park” (definitely inverted commas) and this was followed by a trip  to McDonalds. After a glorious 12 days of fun the children took home memories to last a lifetime plus a knitted hat, pencil cases (thank you Totley Rise) and a packet of photos from a disposable camera they had been given along with many other goodies. Some children wrote us thank you letters, some of which together with photos are posted on my website Belarus.harpham.info Quote from one girl “I never thought it was possible to talk to God and express my feelings through songs”.

Coming Home - George & Maureen Palmer

That was how George and Maureen Palmer described their feelings when George came to preach at the TRM services on 24 July. The warmth of affection between the congregation and former minister was evident throughout the visit. In the morning George spoke on the importance of seeing God, and recounted how the life of a woman in his congregation had been changed after being aware of Jesus’ presence.

The church was full for the evening service with many visitors from other churches. George particularly welcomed the surgeon, David Forster, who had successfully operated on his tumour some years ago. Many people gave accounts of how their lives had changed spiritually in the 10 years since George had left—some developing from things that had happened whilst George was minister, others new. George spoke on the effect on us of touching God in faith, based on the story of the woman who came through the crowd to touch Jesus for healing. At the end of the service George and Maureen prayed with many people and we left knowing that we had met with our God.