2014 rEVIEW - A blessed year at westbury

Our Pastor, Fred, has been with us for 1 ½ years.  This is his second Christmas with us as our minister and we are so grateful to God for him.

In March, we hosted the International Women’s Day Conference for a third year.   The theme was “Woman, you are Chosen”.   It was fantastic!  Our speakers were inspiring and thought provoking.    We were reminded that God has chosen us to serve Him and we are all special to God, regardless of what we look like or where we come from.  Plans are in hand for another conference in March 2015.

The Women’s Saturday Bible Book Group continued throughout the year.   The women of the church (lots of us!) meet regularly and discuss the women in the bible, with fun, laughter, earnest debate and lots of lovely food!  This year, we have all learned a lot and shared a lot.  We have been inspired and encouraged through studying the lives of the women in the bible and feel we know them much better now.  

Throughout the year, Sound of Worship has been one of the most wonderful and joyous events we have staged at the church.   The atmosphere at the shows is amazing.  They are not just an opportunity to be entertained by fantastic and inspiring music, but to praise the name of the Lord and worship Him.  God willing, there will be many more Sounds of Worship in 2015. 

The Wednesday prayer meetings have been going steadily, providing an essential service to the church and community.

We have been blessed with new teachers for Sunday Club.  We have been joined by Sharon Green, Gloria Larksham, Dee Roberts, Christine Lewis this year and we give God thanks for them.  Sunday Club gives us an opportunity to share the gospel with children who would not otherwise know anything about God.   This is one of the most important ministries in the church.

For various reasons, “Little Angels” the nursery for the under 5s has come to an end for the time being.  We wait upon the Lord about its long-term future.

This summer saw the return of Junior Apprentice, after a year’s absence.  The theme was “Fashion” and the young people had great fun designing and making clothes for all kinds of needs. They also went to two residential care homes and entertained the residents with songs, and memories of wedding clothes of times past, followed by a tea, which judging by the feedback, was very well received and enjoyed. So much so, that they asked the youth to return to sing carols at Christmas.

Ruth Smith held her Music Workshop, just after Junior Apprentice, which was well received and enjoyed by those taking part.  At the end, they performed a concert to show off their learned skills, which was thoroughly enjoyed.

Wedding 
In October, Ruth Smith became Mrs Ruth Olaniyan!  She had one of the most fantastic and joyful weddings I have had the privilege of attending.  The church was packed with her family and friends. We wish her and Samson every blessing from God for the future in their life together.

All Age Worship with Puppets!
Throughout the year, we have been treated to many wonderful youth services organised by Ruth and her team.   They have been encouraging and thought provoking.  We have also been entertained and challenged by the puppets.

Bible Studies
We now have three regular bible studies at the church, on Sunday mornings at the church, Monday evenings, at Tosin’s house and Tuesday mornings at the church.  Details in the newsletter and church website.   The Tuesday day-time bible study, hosted by Sandra Stone, is inspiring and encouraging for all who attend.  We learn so much from each other and from God.  We have been studying the names of God, which have enabled us to study how good God is to us.  As there are three bible studies, there is no excuse!  You will be greatly blessed.

New Members
During the year, we have welcomed several new members into the church, including Pastor Desmond and his wife, Bobsie.  We are greatly blessed to have them as members of our church.  Also, Calvin, Christine and Sharon’s brother was welcomed into membership.  He has been doing lots of essential repairs round  the church, for which we are very grateful.

New Deacon
The members voted Sharon Green to be part of the Leadership Team and she was also appointed Church Secretary.   Please support, encourage and pray for our Leadership Team.  It is not an easy job!

New Churches
A new church has started meeting in our large hall, which is working out very well, and providing much needed income for the church.

Baptisms
We have had the privilege of baptising several people during the year. 

Baby blessings 
We have blessed lots of babies this year, which is a real pleasure.  We were reminded during these occasions that we are all involved in the bringing up of children, not just the parents, and have a duty to help, support and encourage the parents.

Funeral
We said farewell to two much loved members this year: Mavis Gazely and Lester Hylton this year.   Both funerals were packed with their family and friends who paid tribute to a faithful follower of the Lord for many years.  They will both be sadly missed.

As this year closes, we look forward to a new direction for church in the new year. That of healing and deliverance.  This will bring new blessings and challenges to each one of us.  I pray that each of us who worships at Westbury will strive to get closer to God and walk with Him as Enoch did (see Genesis 5: 24) so that every thought, word and deed comes from God and not ourselves.

Thank you so much to everyone who serves the Lord in the church and community and in service to each other.  May God bless you richly and may you continue to serve Him in the ministry God has chosen for you.


Written by: Deborah Hayward - Church Administrator