SEPTEMBER 2008 - INDUCTION SERVICE

Elim Church Newcastle recently celebrated the Induction of our new pastor, Rev Simon J Lawton.

On Saturday 28th September 2008 the church gathered together, along with friends from Crewe, ministers from the region, and family and friends from across the UK, to mark Pastor Simon's new role leading the church.

 

 

After a time of uplifting worship, our Regional Leader for Elim, Rev Gordon Neale, welcomed Pastor Simon and his wife Julia to Newcastle and the leadership of the church.

Other ministers, including Rev David Allister and Rev Harold Menzies, and our church Elders Rotimi Jaiyesimi and Lawrence Kidd prayed for Pastor Simon & Julia as they took on the role of Pastor.



 

The church had prepared some interesting gifts for Pastor Simon and the family! Pastor Simon was initiated into Newcastle with a Geordie Dictionary and Geordie Bible, which will surely help when he's on the terraces at St James Park, whilst Julia was overwhelmed by a striking silver handbag emblazoned with her new home city!

(There were, of course, some other more substantial gifts, but everyone at the service had a laugh at the more frivolous ones!)

 

Making a special appearance later in the day was the Sheriff of Newcastle and the Sheriff's Lady. The Sheriff (Councillor Michael Cookson) extended a warm welcome to the city and wished Pastor Simon much success in his ministry to the church and the community.

The Sheriff then got the celebrations underway by starting a rendition of happy birthday for Pastor Simon, who was sharing his induction with his birthday!



 

The afternoon continued with the church and all the guests, including councillors Chris Bartlett and Henri Murison (South Heaton Ward), tucking into a delicious buffet and enjoying their time together.

 

 



Pastor Simon & Julia's children and their partners (seen above) all came to Newcastle for the Induction Service.

 

 

 

The day was full of life and the church is so glad to welcome Pastor Simon and the family to Newcastle. As Elim Church Newcastle enters its 52nd year in the city, we're expecting great things and we know that the best is yet to come!

 

Thank you to everyone who attended and all those who volunteered their time to make the day a huge success!