The Methodist Church Sidwell Street Exeter and 6.30pm … · The Methodist Church Sidwell Street Exeter Services 10.30am every Sunday ... May 2nd ‘A Dip into France’ with Heather

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The Methodist Church

Sidwell Street Exeter

Services 10.30am every Sunday

and 6.30pm on the first Sunday of

the month.

Our Monthly News

May 2017

Church Website : www.sidwellstreetmethodist.org.uk

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ!

One day on my day off I decided to pull out weeds in a corner of

the garden because it looked like a bush with all kinds of weeds

with a few small trees (the small trees must have names but I

do not know their names). So I trimmed the trees back as short

as I could and I pulled the weeds out clean as possible. Since

then, I have repeated doing it once or twice, and I felt the

satisfaction of seeing the corner of the garden clean and tidy.

I’d forgotten what I had done until recently. On a sunny day, on my day off, I went

outside to the edges of the garden, which were full of greenery and flowers, to find

out what they were. Once in the past I’d made a lot of effort to learn the names of

the flowers, especially wild flowers, and their characteristics. While I was looking in

the corner of the garden I tried to recall the flowers, and I

realised that there were flowers there with which I was

unfamiliar (I still do not know what they are); but there were

raspberries, lettuce, and some others; plants which were

growing up and making a beautiful sight. As I am a novice

gardener with only a little experience in gardening, I did not

know what plants, flowers or trees were growing in the corner of

the garden. As this is my first year of living in the manse I haven’t yet seen what

plants or flowers are going to be blossoming through the spring and summer. So, I

have decided not to pull out anything unless I am very sure, until I can see and know

what they are this summer.

Contd. overleaf

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I believe we who follow Christ may be similar to the plants or flowers in our garden.

For as Jesus said, “For the tree is known by its fruit” (Mat. 12:33), we may be known

as the followers of Christ or Christians when we bear fruits of the

Spirit. And like the flowers and plants grow and make blossom

according to their seasons, we will eventually know what fruits

we bear in the harvest time. Jesus warns in the parable of weeds

among the wheat (Mat. 13:24-30), until his harvest time the

harvester will let grow all whether they are the weeds or the

wheat.

I believe this is a good season for self-reflection; on seeing ourselves, as we have

seen the risen Lord, in each other, and rejoicing together, after spending six weeks

of Lent, passion and Easter Sunday.

God bless, Yangsun

Appreciation

Honor & Ralph Collier appreciate the flowers, cards and kind thoughts they

received from their friends in Sidwell Street, following the death of their daughter,

Mary. She had fought long and hard against her illness and eventually slept away

peacefully, surrounded by love and care in her local hospice. They thank God for

that and also for the same good work that is done here in Exeter.

Sheila Spencer is another member of Sidwell Street who

wishes to thank all those who sent cards, good wishes and

flowers, following her recent operation. Her recovery is

progressing well and hopefully the periods of pain and

discomfort are now a thing of the past.

Mary & Richard Euridge write ‘ We would like to thank all our friends at Sidwell

Street for their cards and good wishes for our Golden Wedding on 18th March.

We had a wonderful celebration with family, friends and in church the following

day. Thank you very much’

Thank you for sharing your cake too, Mary, it was delicious!

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Church Family News

We are pleased to learn that Ann Weeks is making satisfactory

progress following her surgery in the RD&E Hospital. We hope

she may be at home by the time this edition of Update is

printed. Betty Hicks has progressed from the RD&E to

Whipton Hospital where the physiotherapists

are helping her mobility. Anne Sparks has settled

into Parkland House as a resident extremely

well. We remember all these folk, plus any others

who are unwell and their carers in our prayers

Congratulations to the new Mrs Folland,

whom we know as Julia, seen here with

her sister, Sarah Peek on the occasion of

Julia’s marriage to Paul at Whitchurch

Parish Church in Cardiff on 20/04/17.

Janice & Bob Price are delighted to have

a new grandson Rafe John Hedley Price,

born to their son Mark & his wife. No

doubt Bob has his rugby training

planned already! David and Ronnie

Tanner will be celebrating 40 years of

marriage on Sunday, May 14th, the day of

the Church Anniversary. They hope

friends will be able to join them after the morning service and

enjoy a piece of cake with their tea or coffee.

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Our Property & Our Future

Over the years the process of maintaining our large Edwardian grade ll* listed building has been managed by many hours of voluntary labour doing routine maintenance and employing professionals to carry out high level and often very specialist work. With the years reducing the capabilities of the volunteers and without another generation to

take over, Church Council has for many years been seeking a way forward and has considered many possibilities over the last twenty years. What was never in doubt was our desire to keep the church family together. Over a year ago an offer was made by Exeter network Church (ENC) to purchase our premises, at less than market value and to take over the responsibility for all maintenance and running costs, whilst allowing Sidwell Street Methodist Church to continue worship and church based activities in the premises at no cost. ENC is a Bishop’s Mission initiative (Anglican), a church of over 400 people who have active work amongst students and also the less well off people in our society. Sidwell Street is a perfect location for them instead of renting different premises across the city. When we heard their main Sunday worship takes place on Sunday afternoons, not in the mornings, we knew God’s guiding hand was at work to bring this union about. The reason to purchase at less than market value leaves ENC with finance available to improve the side access and to modernise some of the ancillary buildings. They have no plans to alter the sanctuary area and any future plans would all be controlled by the listing on the property. Sidwell Street required permission from Church Council, Exeter Coast & Country Circuit Meeting, Plymouth & Exeter District, The Methodist Council and to satisfy the Charity Commissioners in order to sell the property at less than market value. We are currently at the final permission stage. Contd on next page

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Once permissions have been granted we shall begin the process of drawing up contracts and local agreements regarding the purchase of the property and arrangements for sharing the premises & equipment. The main contract will involve a ‘reverter’ clause that returns the property to Methodism at the original purchase price should ENC cease to use the premises.

If these plans come to fruition, just as in a marriage, we shall have to make compromises, not everything will stay exactly the same, there will be little things that irritate, but looking at the bigger, long-term picture these are minor things compared with the benefits we shall gain – to be released from the physical & mental work in managing the property and able to concentrate on the work of God. We ask for your prayers for all those involved in both the decision making and the negotiations.

Action for Children (AfC)

Please make every effort to support and bring

your friends to our Coffee Morning on Sat. 6th

May from 10.00am to 12 Noon. It will be held in

the Church vestibule and there will be Cakes and

Books for sale. Contributions for these stalls would

be most welcome.

The League of Light boxes ( in aid of AfC) will be

collected during May. If you pay tax would you please consider using Gift

Aid. The necessary form can be supplied. New collectors are always

welcome. It doesn’t involve asking anyone for money, just keeping a box at

home for any small change you can spare. To borrow a well known

marketing phrase ‘ Every little helps!’. Please see Janice Price about

contributions for the stalls or about the collecting boxes or gift aid.

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Company & Craft

At our monthly meeting in the Reed Hall

on Friday 5th May we shall continue to

complete the embroidery on our tee

shirts. On Friday 2nd June, we shall be

instructed by Alma Harding on how to

construct a tray box, another activity

which will stretch over two months. Our

meetings are held from 2.30 pm until

4.30pm, the cost for the afternoon is £2.00. We have a lot of fun, welcome

new people and of course the afternoon wouldn’t be complete without tea

and biscuits!

Tuesday Fellowship

Come and join us on Tuesday afternoons in the Reed Hall from 2.30pm. A

speaker, some worship, good fellowship and a warm welcome - here’s the

programme for the next few weeks.

May 2nd ‘A Dip into France’ with Heather & Chris Gould ( also Bring & Buy)

May 9th ‘ John Wesley - Founder of Methodism’

May 16th ‘Methodist Women in Britain’ with Mrs Jean Mann

May 23rd ‘World Church News’ from Mrs Sally McClelland

May 30th ‘Fairtrade’ with Mrs Janet Lee

June 6th Visit to Crediton Flower Festival + Cream Tea

Update Publication

Please note the June edition of our Update magazine will not be available

until June 4th, , rather than the last Sunday of May. This is to allow our editor

a little time off! Articles for publication by Saturday 28th May please.

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Men’s Group

The last meeting of this session will be held on

Wednesday 10th May , when the MEN (not the

ladies this month!) meet for their Annual Dinner.

Meet at The Toby Carvery, Lympstone, formerly

the Nutwell Lodge at 7.00pm for 7.30pm

If you need a lift please contact John Sparks on

telephone 01392 216549 or 07804 777036

Or email John at [email protected]

Church Anniversaries

A family service to celebrate our church anniversary (112 years) will be held

on Sunday 14th May at 10.30am, when our preacher Mr David Bennett will

be travelling from Gloucestershire to take our service. David’s parents

worshipped at Sidwell Street many years ago and David attended the youth

club here, so no doubt he will be sharing some of his memories with us. The

following Sunday 21st May at 6.30pm, Topsham Methodist Church will be

the venue for a Circuit Service to celebrate their witness over 150 years. You

will receive a warm welcome at each of these services

Can you help with accommodation?

Stewart Barr writes ‘ A colleague and friend of mine

from the university, who attends Belmont Chapel is

seeking temporary accommodation for a husband

and wife from Brazil from now until September

while they study in the city. Rodrigo & Cara have

never been outside Brazil before, so if you could

host & befriend this young couple and in return

receive a reasonable recompense, I could give you more details’

Stewart

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CHURCH CONTACTS

The absolute deadline for the June edition of Update will be lunchtime on Tuesday 30th

May but the editor would prefer articles by Saturday 27th (a week later than normal)

Minister Rev Yangsun Yi 275070 [email protected]

Worship Leader Stewart Barr 425415 [email protected]

Circuit Steward and

Hon. Treasurer

Margaret Fogarty 467354 [email protected]

Senior Steward Valerie Peek 461201 [email protected]

Church Secretary Anne Edwardson 436016 [email protected]

Website Admin and

Community Garden

Jenny Elliott 493596 [email protected]

Junior Church Mary Mayers 422289 [email protected]

Organist & Choirmaster Wensleigh Palmer 876690 251846 [email protected]

Hall Bookings Bryan Vincent 270145 [email protected]

Property Secretary

Property Chairman

Chris Gould

Bob Price

432909

437075

[email protected]

[email protected]

Catering Janice Price 437075 [email protected]

Company & Craft Sheila Spencer 466023 [email protected]

Badminton John Sully 460889 [email protected]

Boys’ Brigade Glenn Bearne 01363 84451 [email protected]

Men’s Group John Sparks 216549 [email protected]

Wednesday Mornings

and Safeguarding

Jenny Elliott 493596 [email protected]

Tuesday Fellowship Ronnie Tanner 669355

Youth Contact and

Safeguarding

Bob Price 437075 [email protected]

Weekly Notices - see

weekly sheets for

details

Heather Gould

John Sully

Graham Bulford

432909

460889

205140

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

Monthly Update Margaret Fogarty 467354 [email protected]