Picture by Sally Adams. Bournemouth [...]]]> Mrs. Frances Young represented East Cliff Church U.R.C. as leaders of Bournemouth’s faith communities pledged their desire to work together in partnership for the good of our Borough at a service of Thanksgiving held at St. Peter’s Town Centre Church to mark the end of Bournemouth’s Bicentennial year.

Picture by Sally Adams. Bournemouth Daily Echo

The Rev Dr Ian Terry conducted the service. in his address he said, “Our faith compels us to action, to do what is good. There must be no room for rivalry. Our differences can often be seen negatively, but we want better for this town and for our families. We would like to see an end to violence, hatred and suffering in our world.”

Accepting the differences in their faiths, and that they are united in their hope to build a ‘bridge of friendship’ in Bournemouth and that they wish to align themselves to do what is right for Bournemouth representatives of the faith communities signed a unique document of declaration to this effect in the presence of the Mayor of Bournemouth, Cllr Barry Goldbart, who then received symbolic gifts from each faith group at the end of the service.

I would just like to look back, totally happily, over the month of December 2010 at East Cliff Church, the “best” Christmas period I can recall here [...]]]> Magazines and newspapers at this time of year often look back over the past twelve months and recall happily, or sometimes critically, the events that have occurred.

I would just like to look back, totally happily, over the month of December 2010 at East Cliff Church, the “best” Christmas period I can recall here for many a year.

Our Christmas season started with a “Christingle” Service led by our Church Leader Linda Pain on 5 December with the ribboned oranges with candles representing Christ as the Light of the World, His sacrifice for us and His love surrounding us all.

Linda also led our Candlelight Carols Service on the following Sunday, a most enjoyable traditional mixture of lessons and carols. The sound of Bournemouth Concert Brass really enriched the evening.

December 19 saw our Nativity Service and what a joy that was with Toby and Ellissa; Rosie and Mollie; Leila, Saskia and Gabriella; and Isobel making appearances in a captivating tale of The Angel Who
Couldn’t Sing. The story was continued on a subsequent Sunday. It really gladdens the heart to see these children attending our church.

David Young again led worship at the late night Christmas Eve service and all who attended enjoyed a well prepared and delivered service, followed by warming Christmas fare.

All in all a busy and enjoyable Christmastide involving a good number of church members and friends which prepared us well to face the challenges and opportunities of 2011.

John Tout

March is the start of Spring, flowers starting to grow, the earth wakening up. Looking forward to better weather. Thinking of all [...]]]> February always seems to be a bit of a forgotten month. January is of course the New Year with all that represents, parties, resolutions made, looking forward, not forgetting my husbands birthday.

March is the start of Spring, flowers starting to grow, the earth wakening up. Looking forward to better weather. Thinking of all Jesus went through for us in Lent and into Easter.

February is a little month squashed in the middle of all this, a month to be put up with. Resolutions now most likely forgotten, weather mixed and mostly dull, a sort of anti climax month.

But just a minute!

The days are getting longer it is still light at about five o’clock. There’s Valentine’s day – a day of thinking about love, friendship and suddenly we can have a warm feeling.

We Christians believe in God’s love for all. We know the love Jesus has for us and what he did to show us this.

So in little February – mid Winter February, let’s concentrate on the love around us and in us, that should make us feel warmer and ready to smile in the dull days.

God Bless
Linda