Julilee... Jubilation... apt words from the Moderator’s sermon to describe the bi-centerary weekend at Guisborough held 29th – 31st October. A church full of friends from other churches, families, guests and civic representatives, reflecting the eucumenical feeling in the town.
When the subject of the Church’s 200th Annniversary was raised at a meeting a few years ago, members felt it seemed quite far into the future. Now it is part of its 200 years of history.
Over the past few years church secretary Ray Tunnicliffe has diligently researched back to 1811, and the exhibition viewed by the public over the three days of celebration was testimony to his work. Profiles of the 36 ministers who have served the Church over the years were on display, along with information about the development of ministry. Building plans, photographs and old minute books were all on show, illustrating the earlier life of our Church.
On Saturday refreshments were available in the Hall throughout the day. The exhibition was open to view from 10 until 4.30. A play “Before the Big Day” had been specially written by Ray and was performed three times through the day. Undoubtedly a highlight for all who saw it, this 30 minute production, featuring Barbara Ward as Mrs Elizabeth Dunn and Don Beattie as Rev William Hinmers, brought the historical detail to life.
Barbara says about the play :-
“I was amazed at how much of the wording and historical content from the original records Ray had incorporated into the script. The factual was interspersed with the funny but again included some true facts. Mrs Batchelor the wife of a previous minister David Batchelor, asked to have a copy of the script to read.
“The most special moment for me was during the last performance, when Mrs Dunn referred to ….. 'Miss Anne' as 'an intelligent demure young lady, most articulate and well informed in conversation, sir'.
“We now have the benefit of this subtle form of matchmaking. Rev Hinmers married Miss Anne and I addressed those lines to their g-g-g grandson Bill in the audience. Such a physical link does have some effect on you. A tinge of sadness that Ray was not able to play opposite me but a great thank you to Don Beattie who stepped in at very little notice”
Then an invitation to a Ceilidh – free tickets for a party event on the evening of Saturday 29th at St Nicholas Church Hall with the Cleveland Bays Ceilidh Band, Tombola Stall, buffet and good company - what better way to round off a spectacular day of celebration? The music was excellent. Tricky dances were explained clearly and ‘called’ throughout so there was little excuse for mistakes. However the odd wrong turn added to the fun!
Sandra and Moira ran a fabulous tombola stall with over 50 prizes. They raised just under £140 which together with the free-will offerings collected in lieu of ticket price, resulting in £418 being raised for Macmillan Cancer Support. (When donations received from the exhibition were added, the final amount totalled a splendid £500.)
The evening continued with a sumptuous buffet provided by Julie Melling. Plenty for all and some to take home!
Towards the end of the evening, the Moderator picked 3 lucky tickets for the prize draw.
Together with the Moderator Rowena Francis, we welcomed five other ministers to the ceilidh, together with members from eight local churches, including Great Ayton Methodists where we had been so warmly welcomed on our picnic day in the summer, as well as Bridge members and our Junior Church members Tyla and Bryony Bennison. Although Catey was unfortunately ill, it was lovely to see John and the children.
The verdict - a very enjoyable evening among friends.
The theme for the Sunday service was Jubilation and Thanksgiving, both for past gifts and the continuing redistribution of gifts for the future. Prayers of thanks were offered for God’s blessings to us from the time when our own Chapel began 200 years ago, to our present work in the community with children and the elderly in Belmont House. To this end, the service included a personal Act of Commitment inviting all present to affirm their support for the present and future hopes for our Church.
Thanks were given for the shared talents of worship leaders across the East Cleveland Group and the Mission Partnership. Representatives from other churches in the town joined in thanks for the work of Churches Together and the Bridge. The sermon was given by Rowena Francis, the Moderator of the Northern Synod.
A note of sincere thanks to our special guest, Mr Bill Hinmers, the great, great, great grandson of our first minister. We were delighted that he could arrange a busy professional schedule to be with us for a Saturday performance of the play and our Sunday service. As with any celebration, we had a cake which was cut after the service by Bill Hinmers and Mary Robson, a senior member of the Church.
The exhibition was again open on Monday October 31st. This was the anniversary of the day 200 years ago when the Chapel opened. Meg led a short service of thanksgiving at noon.
Jubilee... Jubilation... we are each naturally left with personal memories of an uplifting weekend, individually expressed in the balloons.
Comments included in the balloons
Collectively, the three days revealed an active, living fellowship, working together and moving forward in faith and hope to the next Jubilee.