Brigg Matters Issue 68 Spring 2023

Brigg Methodist News
by Mary Knaggs
The Church is a family. And just like your family or my
family, we suffer loss, either through moving away,
or disagreements, or death. We at Brigg Chapel have
recently lost 3 people who we loved.
Just before Christmas, Peter Brock, known to many
people in Brigg, passed away. Peter was our church
caretaker and funeral steward, working right up until he
went into hospital. But Peter was more than a caretaker.
He really DID care for his church - as a building and
as a family. Nothing was too much for him. No matter
what time of day or night he was needed to unlock the
door, or lock up again, or put the heating on, or open
the windows, or move the chairs and tables, we always
knew we could rely on Peter to say “Yes. No problem”.
He knew everyone and everyone knew him. He will be
sorely missed.
A few weeks ago, another member of our church,
Brenda Stothard, also passed away following a fall at
home. Brenda came to Brigg chapel after the closure of
Scawby Brook chapel and she was also a member of the
Wednesday Group.
Just a few days before the time of writing, we heard of
the death of Gordon Neall, husband of Jean, one of our
members. Many Brigg people will remember seeing
Gordon walking his lawn mower from his home on the
Brocklesby Park to the chapel. The gardens at the chapel
were his pride and joy and together with Jean, the lawns
and flower beds were kept immaculate. We remember
Peter, Brenda and Gordon.
In this coming year we will be doing a lot of
remembering and looking back as we celebrate our
Diamond Jubilee. Yes! 60 years since the new Methodist
church was opened on the corner of Wesley Road. 1963
- no dual carriageway then. No traffic lights. No Barnard
Court. No Old Courts Vets. No Police Station. Brigg was
very different then. We will be planning some events to
celebrate this special birthday so look out for details.
Easter will soon be here. Beforehand, we celebrate Lent,
the 40 days of preparation leading up to Easter Day. A
Lent Course will be held at the chapel every Thursday
at 12.15pm starting on February 23 rd . This will take the
form of a discussion on The Lord’s Prayer and will include
a light lunch. Everyone is welcome to attend. We will be
holding a Maundy Thursday service at 7pm on 6 th April
and a Good Friday service at 10.30am on 7 th April, both
led by Revd. Enid Knowles.
Following the Good Friday service we will be joining
our friends from other churches in the traditional
Walk of Witness and Easter Sunday will be celebrated
with a communion service at 9am led by Revd. David
Woodward followed by our Easter breakfast. Please
come and join us at any or all of our services.
Finally a reminder that we are offering a Warm Space
every Thursday morning when we hold our weekly
Coffee Morning. All are welcome to have a hot drink and
biscuit and just chat or read a selection of books and
magazines or do a jigsaw or play a board game. Details of
all our services and meetings are on our church notices,
on the church door and on our Facebook page.
Assembling outside the Angel for the Walk of Witness
30 Brigg Matters
Brigg Matters 31