One Life - what's it all about?

The Christianity Explored course gives you time and space to think through who Jesus is and why it matters.  A huge variety of people, with different experiences and backgrounds, and different views and beliefs, come on the Christianity Explored course.

The Christianity Course is being run at Aylsham Community Church starting on Wednesday 15th April, 7.30pm at Jubilee Family Centre.  The course lasts for seven weeks.

For more information please phone the church office on 01263 733332 or contact Simon via email at simon@aylshamcommunitychurch.org.

Party Night!

Are you looking for a fun, fancy-dress free alternative to Halloween for children in School Years 3 to 6?  If so, then he Jubilee Family Centre might be able to help…

Thursday 31st October

6pm – 8pm

Cost £2 per child.

Limited places – book to avoid disappointment on 01263 734801

Activities include:

• Bouncy Castle
• Nerf Arena
• Graffiti Wall
• Biscuit Decorating
• Wii
• Craft
• Pool
• Air Hockey
• Tuck Shop

Parents are welcome to stay for coffee and cake in the foyer.

Sycamore Tree 10th Anniversary Celebrations

On Monday March 25th at Jubilee Family Centre Aylsham, members and guests joined together to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of The Sycamore Tree, a support group for Alzheimer’s and Dementia sufferers and their carers.

Live jazz music by Simon Gallagher and Ed Osborne entertained everyone as members busied themselves, puzzling through a quiz on Norfolk names or taking part in the Bagatelle competition. Some guests tried their hand at the Air Hockey and others were looking at a display about The Sycamore Tree’s 10 years, which included paintings the group had prepared at a previous meeting.

A rolling presentation of 100 photographs brought a variety of feelings to those watching.  The memories of fun times experienced and friendships formed making a fitting tribute of these 10 years not only for those present but also for the loved ones not here now.

The morning finished with speeches, presentations and the handing on of the leadership of the group to Donna and John Smith as Liz and Peter Hendon, although remaining part of the team, step down.    

The cutting of the Anniversary Cake by two of the longest serving members Sybil Brooker and Frank Townsend, who had joined the group in June 2003, ended the formalities and everyone enjoyed a buffet lunch that followed including a piece of the beautiful Anniversary Cake.

Guests at the Celebration included Eileen Springall, Chairman of Aylsham Town Council, Representatives of The Alzheimer’s Society Norwich and District Branch, Aylsham Rotary and Aylsham Community Church.

Christian charity shows pain of East Anglia debt

Debt counselling charity Christians Against Poverty has today launched a report showing the painful effects of living with debt in our region. Jenny Seal reports.

The national debt counselling charity, Christians Against Poverty (CAP), which has two church-based centres in Norfolk, has revealed that many of their East Anglian clients say that the stress of debt has affected their health, their ability to feed their children and their desire to live.
 
The new report, launched today, says that 72 per cent of clients in East Anglia said that before accessing help from the debt counselling charity, stress was affecting their health and a quarter were missing meals regularly. A fifth said they were unable to feed and clothe their children and a third said they were even considering suicide.
 
Angie Rusbridge, Manager of the Norfolk North CAP centre in Aylsham said: “These statistics show the reality that people in debt face every day and it’s a grim picture.
 
“Debt doesn’t just concern your bank balance – it can rob you of your health, your marriage, your ability to care for your family. That’s why we are so determined to make a difference for people in this situation.”
 
Within the East, the average debt the charity tackled in 2012 was £11,976 – just a little more than most of those clients earned in a whole year.
 
CAP’s findings reveal the main four causes for debt across the UK are unemployment, low income, relationship breakdown and problems with budgeting.
 
Angie Rusbridge added: “Many of the clients we see are having to make terrible choices about eating or heating or pacifying creditors. Our service is free and available to everyone regardless of age, gender, faith or background and it’s completely non-judgemental so I would urge people with debt problems to give us a call and to see what we can do.”
 
CAP has 218 centres, which each partner with a local church, across the UK which give a face-to-face free service in the client’s home making it ideal for parents with young children, elderly, disabled and distressed people.
 
The charity works by negotiating with creditors on the client’s behalf, assessing the household income and drawing up a fair budget so repayment can begin.
 
Each client can continue face-to-face care from the local church, if they want it, to encourage them as they battle back into the black, usually within five years.
 
For more information about CAP visit www.capuk.org or for help call 0800 328 0006.
 
The Norwich Central CAP centre works in partnership with Surrey Chapel, 2-6 Botolph Street, Norwich, NR3 1DU email: norwichcentral@capuk.org.
 
The North Norfolk centre works in partnership with Aylsham Community Church, Jubilee Family Centre, Norwich Road, Aylsham, NR11 6JG

Article Copyright Network Norwich

Acoustic Norfolk evening to savour from Philippa Hanna

Christian singer Philippa Hanna produced an entertaining evening of contemporary acoustic folk music with the help of the Daughters of Davis at Aylsham Community Church last night (March 8). Keith Morris reports.

 

Philippa held a packed house of over 200 people captivated not only by her delightful brand of folk and bluegrass acoustic guitar but also the stories that lay behind each individual song.
 
Opening with Happy in My Skin, which Philippa obviously is, she explained how being born into an Irish showbiz family defined her childhood and choice of career.
 
Moving into Summer Bride, also from the Out of the Blue EP, we learnt of the heartache of Philippa’s flatmate. The catchy Raggedy Doll went down well with an appreciative audience and the picture it painted of a perfectly-made toy. Apples was golden rather than poisoned until Philippa mentioned her love of Norwich anti-hero Alan Partridge, which did not go down so well with her Norfolk audience.
 
A sneak preview of Philippa’s first-ever single, the upbeat Lighthouse set to be released on March 25, brought her first set to a close.
 
An unbeat Work in Progress kicked off the second half leading into Cherry Coloured Coat from her forthcoming album Through The Woods with an oblique reference to Little Red Riding Hood. I Am Amazing was a personal favourite followed by a moving Godfrey Birtill cover when Philippa also spoke of the day she played to 20,000 peopl at the O2 Arena while supporting superstar Lionel Ritchie.
 
A haunting cover of You Are Always in My Mind and a sing-along version of I Saw The Light, with Daughters of Davis as backing singers brought the set to a close.
 
An encore was demanded by the appreciative audience and Philippa responded with The Love You Always Give Me to round off an excellent night’s entertainment.
 

Earlier in the evening, soul sisters Fern and Adrienne of Daughters of Davis in the support slot also went down well with the audience. Especially a cover of Michael Jackson’s Billie Jean and their own Where Do We Go from album To The Water, which was so popular with the audience that they completely sold out of copies on the night.
 
The event was put on by the Norfolk-based www.spiritmusic.co.uk.

Article by Keith Morris, Network Norwich

Landmark year for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia support group

On one side of the hall, a group of four were busy playing a game of bagatelle, and on the other, a painting session was taking place.

Many people would be forgiven for believing The Sycamore Tree was a regular luncheon club – and in many respects it is.

But this particular group at the Aylsham Jubilee Family Centre supports people with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia and their carers.

The organisation was set up by the Aylsham Community Church, based at the family centre, and will be celebrating its 10-year anniversary on March 25.

It was originally formed because there was a lack of dementia care services in the town and the family centre wanted to become a base for community groups seven days a week – which it has achieved.

Alzheimer's support group, The Sycamore Tree, at Aylsham's Jubilee Family Centre. Group leader Liz Hendon. PHOTO: ANTONY KELLY

Liz Hendon, 77, from Aylsham, has run the group with her husband Peter, also 77, since the beginning and said: “I cannot believe it has been 10 years.”

Since its launch about 35 couples have been supported. They come from north Norfolk, including Mundesley, Sheringham and North Walsham, as well as Taverham, Norwich and Postwick.

Mr and Mrs Hendon will be handing over the running of the group to Donna and John Smith in April but will join the 16 volunteers who support the sessions, held every other Monday, 10.30am to 1.45pm.

Mrs Hendon said: “The Sycamore Tree is a friendship group. When you have dementia or when you care for people with dementia, your friends fall by the wayside because they don’t know how to cope with it. Some people are on their own because the people they cared for have died. So this really is a social group.”

She added: “They find coming somewhere like this very helpful. They want to have fun because it is a 24-hour job for the carers.”

Mrs Hendon said even though holding the sessions was demanding and hard work, at times it was “amazing” because the sessions allowed carers to forget about their worries for a short time as well as make new friends because everyone was accepted.

As well as art, activities include gentle exercises, a regular bagatelle competition and cognitive work. The Alzheimer’s Society also provides advice for carers every three months.

The carers enjoy an annual ten-pin bowling trip and a hot meal is provided for everyone during each session.

Alzheimer's support group, The Sycamore Tree, at Aylsham's Jubilee Family Centre. Carers, left, Ann King and Rita Martin get some respite at the group. PHOTO: ANTONY KELLY

Tony Connor, 68, from Thorpe Marriott, cares for his wife Patricia, 64, who started showing signs of Alzheimer’s disease in her late 40s and now has vascular dementia.

He said: “The Sycamore Tree has made a heck of a difference. Having somewhere to come is good. As a carer you do need a bit of help. I battled through long enough without any help but in the end it wears you down.”

Normandy veteran Frank Scott, 92, from Newton St Faith, used to care for his wife Jill, 84, before she moved into a home with Alzheimer’s disease.

The grandfather and great-grandfather has been coming to the group for nine years and said: “I have made a lot of friends. Liz makes you feel very welcome and always puts on something interesting.”

Sybil Brooker, 75, who lives off Newmarket Road in Norwich, has been coming to The Sycamore Tree since it started and continued to enjoy the sessions after her husband Harry Brooker, 84, died nearly four years ago.

He was head of presentation at Anglia Television and had Alzheimer’s disease for 10 years.

Mrs Brooker said: “Harry’s face lit up when he came to the group. It allows you to relax with your friends and have a bit of me time.

“In many ways it has been my saviour. I have made friends because whatever your background you have that one thing in common. It has been a lifesaver.”

The group is funded through grants and supported by Aylsham Family Church.

For more information, ring the family centre on 01263 734801 or email info@jubileefamilycentre.org or visit www.jubileefamilycentre.org

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By Sophie Wyllie

, North Norfolk News

Monday, March 4, 2013
5.42 PM

Copyright © 2013 Archant Regional Ltd. All rights reserved.

Philippa Hanna live in Aylsham

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Philippa Hanna

Live in concert at Jubilee Family Centre

with support from Daughters of Davis

Friday 8th March at 7.30pm. (Doors open 7pm)

Tickets £5 from Jubilee Office on 01263 733332

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Philippa Hanna is one of the UK's brightest talents and her songs and stories are captivating audiences around the globe. She has been seen on the BBC’s Songs of Praise, produced the EP Out Of The Blue and toured extensively throughout the UK and Europe appearing at major UK events such as Greenbelt and Big Church Day Out. In 2012 she supported international superstar Lionel Ritchie for each of his UK tour dates finishing the year with a fully booked Christmas tour.

Taking in over 100 performances each year since the launch of 'Watching Me' in 2007, it is clear that Philippa is following in the footsteps of her bassist brother Stuart Zender (Jamiroquai, Mark Ronson) by making her mark in the music industry.

At the end of 2010 she was in Hong Kong working as part of the development team for Asia's premier girl band 'Blush'. The televised project generated huge global interest.

A new book and album are due for 2013 but before that her contemporary folk/bluegrass acoustic sound can be heard right here in Norfolk. Check her out at www.philippahanna.com.

Supporting Philippa are the Daughters of Davis, also hitting Norfolk as part of a UK tour with their acoustic folk/soul style. Rising stars in their own right, the story for the duo is that, called to play and perform to the widest possible audience, they bought a camper van off eBay and have spent the last couple of years touring and, where necessary, living in the van and eating soup and porridge!

The girls are so committed to their music that they gave up everything, quit their previous jobs and devoted all to their music which is their greatest passion. These sisters truly have soul and demonstrate that it is possible to turn your life around and live the dream if you are bold enough! To find out more visit www.daughtersofdavis.com

Sponsored by Spirit Music, this event promises to be a must see for all acoustic guitar fans. Brilliant music, uplifting lyrics and much more besides. Tickets are limited and are selling fast so grab a seat while you can.

I'm in the Nativity Get Me Out of Here!

It's that time of year again, when Aylsham Community Church presents its annual panto....come and join us as we watch the nativity characters compete for first prize in 'I'm In The Nativity, Get Me Out Of Here!'...complete with bushtucker trials, lots of songs and your favourite pantomime dame!

Will King Herod last to the final round?

Will baby Jesus be born in the jungle? 

And what will Widow Twanky be wearing?

Come and find out at the Jubilee Family Centre, on the 16th December. Performances @ 10.30am & 3pm.

Aylsham Community Church also has 2 other services over the Christmas period:

It would be great to see you at some or all of these events! To book your free ticket for the panto or for more information on our other events & activities please email info@aylshamcommunitychurch,org  or call  01263 733332.

Explore Life's Big Questions....

Alpha is an opportunity for anyone to explore the Christian faith in a relaxed setting over weekly thought-provoking sessions.

It’s low key, friendly and fun and there’s no cost!

Alpha is for everyone who wants to explore life big questions!

Following on from its One Big Question series, Aylsham Community Church is running an Alpha course at the Jubilee Family Centre in Aylsham starting Tuesday 2nd October 2012 @ 7.30pm.

It will then continue, initially for a further 3 Tuesdays (9th/16th/23rd) until the end of October.

Interested?

For more information email info@aylshamcommunitychurch.org or call 01263 733332

For more information on the Alpha initiative click here

Come along and explore life's big questions!

Year Out Opportunities...

Year Out Opportunities

We are looking for 2 creative individuals to spend a year with us, helping to support and nurture the children & youth we have in our church & local community.

These are fantastic opportunities to make a difference in the lives of many young individuals, helping them to encounter God & grow in their relationship with him.

As a part of your time with us you will live with a host family, gain lots of experience and serve in the church day to day. We will also give you opportunities to receive appropriate training and provide you with a little pocket money.

Interested? -  If so,  please contact 01263733332 or email info@aylshamcommunitychurch.org for more information.

Aylsham Community Church located north of Norwich in Norfolk, has a rich history of church planting and working into its local community. 

To find out more information about the church go to www.aylshamcommunitychurch.org

Do you have a question?

“Everyone has big questions about life. Just suppose you could ask God one question…..any question….what would it be?” This is what Aylsham Community Church will be asking the people of  Aylsham this summer.


Perhaps your ‘One Big Question’ might be “Why is there so much suffering in the world?”, or “What happens when we die?”, or even “Will England ever win a penalty shoot-out?”

The most popular questions will then form the basis of 4 special Sunday morning church services in September (on the 9th, 16th, 23rd & 30th) at Jubilee Family Centre on Norwich Road, to which all the community are invited.

There are lots of ways that the community can get involved with the ‘One Big Question’ campaign. You can:

• Post your question on the ACC website (www.aylshamcommunitychurch.org)
• Email it to the church office (info@aylshamcommunitychurch.org)
• Text it to 0758 321 8587
• Post or tweet us your question at - facebook.com/AylshamCC | @aylshamcc, or
• Put it in an envelope and drop it in at Jubilee Family Centre.

Alternatively there will be the opportunity to answer in person as members of Aylsham Community Church and young people from the International Youth Event, Newday, conduct ‘One Big Question’ surveys in the town during August.

Whatever your ‘One Big Question’ is, Aylsham Community Church would love to hear from you.

If you would like any more information about ‘One Big Question’ please feel free to ring the Church Office at Jubilee Family Centre on (01263) 733332.

PANTO TIME!

Back by popular demand.........It's PANTO TIME on Sunday 11th December. Followed by our Carol Service on Sunday 18th December. See below for more details!

The Pampered Chef Cooking Show - in aid of Clic Sargent

This event was held at the Jubilee Family Centre on Friday 07^th October. There were over 50 guests who enjoyed the competitive spirit between two families, whose children have benefitted from the support provided by Clic Sargent, as they tried to outdo each other in their cooking abilities. There were also some amazing raffle prizes on offer: tickets for Legoland, Amazonia and Alton Towers to name just a few. After the cooking came the eating! We were able to sample the delights that were straight out of the oven, once they were cool enough to handle, along with teas and coffees.

The grand total raised for Clic Sargent was a fantastic £630.76 which will go towards helping to support other children suffering from Cancer.

We’re all going.... The Holiday Club for the 50s and over.

We went and had an amazing three days. This was the sixth year that we have held a Discovery Holiday Club at Jubilee Family Centre in Aylsham. We had sixty two people of fifty years and over, some of them friends from past years, some of them for the first time.

They played games like Croquet, Boules and Quoits and flew kites, they had made, on the field next door to Jubilee Family Centre. Inside the building they painted flower pots, decorated buns, made greetings cards, painted pictures, made flower arrangements and even made coasters using a Fret saw. Bingo was also very popular. As usual we had a thought for the day on the days in the Jubilee Family Centre. This year we were looking at where we are all going to, in this life and beyond. Again a number of people decided that they wanted to follow Jesus and so changed their ultimate destination.

The holiday club outing was a great hit again this year. We went via The Highway Garden and Leisure Centre where we were very well served with coffee and cakes. Then on to Somerleyton Hall and Gardens near Lowestoft, where we were made very welcome, and had a tour of the hall followed by lunch. After a quick look at the beautiful gardens we had a cream tea then back to Aylsham, a very pleasant day out.

We have a monthly coffee morning called Discovery Coffee on the last Wednesday of each month, except August, from 10.00 to 12.00 at Jubilee Family Centre. It’s a time for getting together and chatting, playing games and having coffee and cakes. This is open to anyone who is fifty years and over. If you would like more details please call Keith on 01263 733332.

Jubilee Tots at the Aylsham Carnival

With the Aylsham Carnival fast approaching, Jubilee Tots decided to throw caution to the wind and celebrate this annual community event by joining in the procession. Our interpretation of this year’s theme "Merry England" was old fashioned nursery rhymes - particularly relevant to our client group - we thought.
So if you were in Aylsham on the afternoon of Sunday 3^rd July you may have been lucky enough to catch a glimpse of; a king, a queen, a blackbird or two, a farmer, a cat with its fiddle and even a fellow in his nightshirt (to name just a few characters), parading through the streets of Aylsham towards the "Rec".

The streets were lined with encouraging onlookers, much to the children’s delight, and the sun shone. It was a fantastic day, improved only slightly by Jubilee Tots being judged overall winners. (Who am I kidding, we were overjoyed!).

It was a great effort from the Tots members and the team and well worth it to be part of such a strong sense of community.... anyone fancy a go next year?

Amazonia at the Jubilee Family Centre

One Thursday in June, the JFC was transformed into a den of noise and excitement. The hall was buzzing with anticipation… Amazonia was in the building. A vast number of volunteers had turned out to help at the last FATJs: one to be remembered. Families began to arrive in and the anticipation mounted. Children were engrossed in the various activities that were on offer from making spiders out of wool, decorating cakes with spiders and other creepy crawlies to face paints and nail decorating. But the real excitement was the reptiles.

Anyone who wanted to have a go was able to hold a bearded dragon, baby tortoise and various snakes. But the main attraction this year was a baby alligator. Children, young and old, squealed as they held and stroked the different reptiles. Many grown ups took the chance to ‘have a go’. There were many golden moments as children were given the opportunity to hold creatures that were just so amazing and which they wouldn’t normally have the chance to see let alone hold.

The last FATJs was a truly wonderful event. Lots of laughter and fun lots of happy families gathering together to enjoy time out with each other. A HUGE thanks go to the army of volunteers without whom FATJs would not be possible.

One child put it this way:

“FAT J’s was AMAZING!! I loved being able to chill, talk and play with all my mates. I especially enjoyed being able to hold the animals! I just wish that wasn’t the last one because I loved going to FAT J’s because it was so fun!”

We're all going....to the Holiday Club

Booking is now open for the Jubilee Family Centre Holiday Club in July.

BBC Radio 4 Any Questions?

BBC Radio 4 ‘Any Questions’ in Aylsham

On Friday 25^th February the Aylsham Rotary Club hosted the BBC Radio 4 programme ‘Any Questions?’ here at the Jubilee Family Centre. 

The panel, chaired by Jonathan Dimbleby, included Andrew Lansley MP, Secretary of State for Health; Margaret Hodge MP, Chair of the Commons Public Accounts Committee; Phillip Blond, founder and director of the public policy think tank ResPublica; and Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the Royal Society for the encouragement of the Arts, Manufactures and Commerce and formerly Labour's Director of Policy and a member of the Labour Party's election strategy team for the 1997 election.

Over 300 people came to hear the lively debate with questions ranging from defence cuts to NHS reforms. The evening began with warm up questions where Mr Lansley revealed that he used to visit his girlfriend in Aylsham whilst at university! The evening ended on a lighter note with the panellists being asked what they would buy as a wedding present for Prince William and Kate Middleton. Answers included baby clothes and an extremely good spin doctor! A good and enjoyable evening was had by all.

THE 3 KINGZ...

THE 3 KINGZ

IN SEARCH FOR A STAR

It was panto time again. oh yes it was, here at the Jubilee Family Centre on Sunday 12th December! Another amazing production of the Nativity performed by members of Aylsham Community Church and played to 2 packed audiences. This year it was the turn of the 3 Kings with their desperate attempt to find a 4th member for their band. On hearing about a new star in Bethlehem they went on a long journey to find the new star. On the journey they stopped by at their managers house (Herod) to tell him what they were doing. Also on their journey they came across some old favourites, Snow White, some dwarfs, Aladdin, and of course the Dame herself, Widow Twanky! Their search for a 4th member for their band didn't turn out quite as they imagined. A lot of the usual panto silliness mixed with some great singing and of course with the most important message being that the search for the star was in fact the finding of THE STAR, Jesus.

Thank you to all who came and supported our 2 productions. We hope you enjoyed your time with us. From everyone at Aylsham Community Church, we hope you have a great Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Christmas Events @ Aylsham Community Church

'The 3 Kingz' Panto
Sunday 12th December will see the third Aylsham Community Church Christmas Family Panto.  Continuing the story from the past two years, this year boyband 'The 3 Kingz' are searching for a fourth band member and they've heard a star has appeared in Bethlehem.  Will they find the star they are looking for?  Will panto favourites Aladdin and Widow Twanky be able to help The 3 Kingz in their quest?  Only one way to find out - book your tickets now for you, your family and friends and join the The 3 Kings as they Search for a Star!

There will be two performances at 10.30am and 3.30pm at the Jubilee Family Centre. Tickets are FREE, but need to be booked and refreshments are included.

Carol Service

On Sunday 19th December, Aylsham Community Church will be having a traditional carol service for the all the family. Mince pies & mulled wine (& soft drinks) included!

Christmas Day Service
At 10.30am, Aylsham Community Church will be holding a family service to celebrate Christmas day!. There will be no service the following day on the 26th December.

To book tickets for the panto or for more information on our other events & activities please email info@aylshamcommunitychurch,org  or call 01263 733332.