Hi Readers.

Yes…summer is here, people are walking past the Manse in shorts and T shirts, and the garden is growing at double speed. Our flimsy pagoda (posh word for big trellis thingy) has bloomed from spartan wood to a veritable jungle, and I can even see grapes starting to form. Mrs McManus, knowing I am allergic to gardening and other forms of DIY, yesterday went out and chopped the ‘extra’ bits off. I am not a gardener, so cannot explain, but if we don’t get rid of the extra bits, they turn into waste, and hinder the good stuff, i.e. grapes, growing.

Now there are a whole lot of symbolism I could think of here, particularly linked to John 15 in the Bible. But what is on my heart is something sometimes called ‘affluenza’, the disease of always wanting more (covetousness).

How about looking at you, your stuff. We all have clutter, especially me, but it is surprising what might be waste, and stopping us from growing.

My mobile phone broke last week. Initially I thought this was SO important, more important than all ‘the grapes’, and I simply couldn’t do without this slab of plastic. Well, what happened is one of my favourite words. I ‘adjusted’. From reacting to the instant world in my pocket, I had to look and listen to real people, think about the immediate world around me, and I even started to read more quality books.

What I thought was vital had turned into waste, was restricting my growth, and needed trimming.

So…how about chopping off some waste stuff this summer, and just enjoy the sun in your shorts and T shirt!

Blessings, Pastor Andy

Pastors blog for July 2016

Hi Readers.

Looking back so much has happened recently. Although the weather was against us, May Camp was a huge success with loads of Christ-centred kids craft, Bible discussions twice daily, communal food and great evening entertainment. It was literally a full house on the final evening with 50 enjoying the 4 fellas doing their first private gig away from worship at Bourne Baptist (thank again fellas).

The Queen’s 90^th birthday was celebrated in grand style at Dyke Chapel, with her official message of serving our divine King and those around us fitting perfectly with the chronology of our Sermon series on the Lord’s Prayer. Also a substantial money gift was raised for our Ladies in the Congo. Thank you.

We had a very positive Member’s Meeting where we unanimously agreed to press on with all the refurbishment proposals. These include pseudo-stained glass to upper front windows, sage green curtains, new carpet, folding glass partition doors and a lick of paint throughout. The repairs to the plastering will be finished next week.

The Gift Day raised over £5,000. I am absolutely blown away by your generosity. Forms are being prepared to apply to East Mids Baptist Asscn for a matched grant.

Looking forwards the ‘Your Youth Club’ are around 20 strong, and are going to ‘Bounce’ in Peterborough this month, and we are still looking for volunteers to work in our shop on the normal roster and the Morton Street Fair this month.

Please pray for both MND & Dyke churches. Let the love of God that we have been blessed with shine out to all that we meet, particularly in our villages.

Be richly blessed, Pastor Andy.

35 gathered at Dyke to celebrate the 90th birthday of our Queen Elizabeth the 2nd. She is an example of how we are to serve, and a lively chat ensued…

Really enjoyable fund raiser for Kids Holiday club Monday 22 – Wednesday 24th August.  7 teams, winners MND Singers!!!

Hi Readers

I type this getting ready for May Camp 2016. I’m really excited as have spent time at Morton Primary School this week with assemblies and being in class. Many of the great kids there are coming to Low Farm caravan site in Folkingham, as are the kids from YYC. We are having a Milk Shake night tonight. I am not sure what this involves, but 2 girls stopped me outside the Manse this morning and were jumping up and down!

The last few weeks have been enjoyably busy. We are getting lots of quotes and ideas for redecorating our church. This is being funded primarily though our 4 x Gift Days, and for all of you committed to this I am very grateful.

14 of our Ladies spent last weekend at Willesley Castle in Cromford, Derbyshire. Mrs McManus drove a 17 seater mini bus around the twisty hills without squashing anything which is a mini miracle!

Derek Skinner led our Men’s ‘Shoulder 2 Shoulder’ at the Wild Heart café and is preaching at both churches Sunday 5^th. Get there if you can!

We are half way through our sermon series on Prayer. We know that Jesus prayed…lots…and if He needed to, so do we! We know that a prayer is NEVER wasted. Prayer is free. Peaceful. Powerful. If you want to hear more, why not join us at Morton New Day 10.30am, or Dyke 6.30pm, every Sunday.

Be richly blessed….Pastor Andy.