VOICE - wbmethodist.org.uk · Christ the Redeemer Christ the Redeemer is a statue in Rio de Janeiro, that has dominated all the views from the Olympic Games. It was built as a symbol

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VOICE August 2016 Edition 63 The magazine of West Bridgford Methodist Church – sharing Faith, Hope and Love www.wbmethodist.org.uk Find us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter @wbmethodist

As human beings encounter other cultures and faiths as they compete and watch the

Rio 2016 Olympic Games, may we fervently pray they also encounter the truth.

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Ministers letter August 2016

Endings and beginnings …

I am writing this in my last week in the Sheffield Circuit; all endings carry mixed

emotions.

I have been greatly blessed to begin my Presbyteral ministry within the

Methodist Church at Chapeltown. We have seen much work of the Holy Spirit in

our churches, local community and even as far as Harare! While it will be sad to

say good-bye to the people I’ve met here, I am also excited to get to know you

in Clifton and West Bridgford; in the churches and the wider community. I’m

sure God has much in store as we share our journey of faith and discovery in the

coming months and years.

The photo shows me holding an eagle – one of my favourite verses in Scripture

is Isaiah 40: 31 – to hold this majestic bird was a dream come true.

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I look forward to listening to your stories, hearing how God is at work in your

lives and discerning together where God leads us. As we get to know each other

over the coming months, I look forward to regaling you with some stories of my

adventures too!

In January, I had the wonderful privilege of blessing a church roof and meeting

the people of Southerton Methodist Church in Harare; a connection made

through Chapeltown Church; I can’t wait to go back!

More recently, I have completed a 156 mile Coast to Coast bike ride, to

celebrate my 50th birthday and to raise money for Alzheimer’s Society. I am

looking forward to cycling in Nottingham – its flatter than Sheffield

I look forward to meeting you soon – do come and say hello!

Be blessed and be a blessing,

Rev Rach

Friday 2nd September - 7.30pm Welcome Service for Rev Rach Ward

Sunday 2nd October - 10.30am Harvest Celebration

Sunday 13th November 10.30am Remembrance Sunday

Tuesday 11th October – District Day (Methodist Women in Britain)

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Christ the Redeemer Christ the Redeemer is a statue in Rio de Janeiro, that has dominated all the views from the Olympic Games. It was built as a symbol of Brazilian Christianity. In 1850, the idea of building a religious monument was first suggested by a Catholic Priest Pedro Maria Boss. It wasn't until 1920 when a group petitioned for support to build a landmark statue that it became a reality. The design was chosen from several ideas and construction began in the 1920s, taking nine years to finish. Today, Christ the Redeemer is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

Interesting Facts: Christ the Redeemer is the largest art deco statue in the world. It is 98 feet tall (not including the 26 foot pedestal), and the arms stretch to 92 feet wide. The statue weighs approximately 635 tonnes. Christ the Redeemer is located at the top of the Corcovado Mountain and is the 5th largest statue of Jesus The request for financing wasn't approved because Princess Isabel was not a fan of the idea. The request was officially denied in 1889 when Brazil mandated the separation of church and state. A petition started by a group in the early 1920s, called the Catholic Circle of Rio, was successful. Construction began in 1922 and took nine years to complete There were several designs to choose from, the chosen statue is meant to show that Christ loves all and will embrace all that come to him The statue was completed in 1931 and officially opened on October 12th 1931 at a cost of approximately $250,000 US, today would be equivalent to $3.2 million US The stones came from Sweden and had to be constructed in pieces and carried up the mountain. The right arm points to South Rio de Janeiro and the left arm points North The statue became one of the New Seven Wonders of the world on July 7th 2007 The cover photograph was taken during my visit June 2015 – John Bendall

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PEACE DAY 21st SEPTEMBER 2016

The United Nations first recognised an annual Day of Peace in 1981

The Day’s theme for 2016 is “The Sustainable Development Goals: Building Blocks for Peace.”

The 17 Sustainable Development Goals were unanimously adopted by the 193 Member States of the United Nations at an historic summit of the world’s leaders in New York in September 2015. The new ambitious 2030 agenda calls on countries to begin efforts to achieve these goals over the next 15 years. It aims to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all.

The Sustainable Development Goals are integral to achieving peace in our time, as development and peace are interdependent and mutually reinforcing.

“The 17 Sustainable Development Goals are our shared vision of humanity and a social contract between the world's leaders and the people,” said UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. “They are a to-do list for people and planet, and a blueprint for success.”

Sustainability addresses the fundamental needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Modern challenges of poverty, hunger, diminishing natural resources, water scarcity, social inequality, environmental degradation, diseases, corruption, racism and xenophobia, among others, pose challenges for peace and create fertile grounds for conflict. Sustainable development contributes decisively to dissipation and elimination of these causes of conflict and provides the foundation for a lasting peace. Peace, meanwhile, reinforces the conditions for sustainable development and liberates the resources needed for societies to develop and prosper.

Every single one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals is a building block in the global architecture of peace. It is critical that we mobilise means of implementation, including financial resources, technology development and transfer, and capacity-building, as well as the role of partnerships. Everyone has a stake and everyone has a contribution to make. (John Bendall)

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‘Messy Church’ is coming soon!

Thank you very much to all those who took part in our ‘Messy Church’ Training in June. For those of you who were unable to attend and for other prospective volunteers, here’s a bit more about what is involved.

There are 3 strands to ‘Messy Church’ –

Hospitality

Creativity

Celebration

which go together to make up the session that lasts about 1½ - 2 hours. Here’s how:

Hospitality – a great welcome and good food!

The children and families may do some preliminary activities whilst everyone is arriving, straight from school, when we will need ‘chatterers’ – people who just chat to the children and adults. After the celebration, the session rounds off with a simple shared meal.

Creativity – mainly craft activities

We will need to plan up to 10 different activities to suit the ages and interests of the children – always including a food activity and always a messy activity such as paint or glitter. Boys often like to have a construction activity or an obstacle course challenge.

There are opportunities for all of the congregation to be involved, perhaps with collecting resources or ‘cutting out’ beforehand. Children all get a bag to take home their crafts and with it a sheet which reminds them and their family what they’ve done that day. It can also advertise the next session and anything going on in church that month!

Celebration – making the journey of faith more accessible

The children and families spend 15 - 20 minutes altogether in church, with the volunteers. Everyone is encouraged to join in, and there is always a story, which is told in a lively and practical way to get the children involved. This is accompanied by action songs, which everyone can enjoy together.

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Before we start later in the Autumn, we have a lot more to do, and we need your input and prayers.

We will be producing publicity to go to our toddler group, our uniformed groups, the local schools and other groups for children which meet on our premises. This is a whole church activity for local families, and we’d love you to help. We are likely to

meet on the 3rd Monday in the month.

If you feel you can help in any way, however small, either in the sessions or beforehand, please contact the church’s Family Workers, Jane Ashley and Lucy Mayer. Thank you!

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Holiday Club 2016

‘Champion’s Challenge’ was the theme for our Holiday Club this year, which

took place over three mornings from Wednesday 27th- Friday29th July.

Just as Jesus chose to work with his ‘team’, so too were the children and adults

part of a team and were challenged to take part in a variety of activities,

including sports, crafts, songs and Bible stories. The theme was based around

Luke’s gospel and followed each day a different facet of Jesus – Jesus the

trainer, Jesus the team-mate and finally, Jesus the winner!

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This year we enjoyed learning a new ‘Champion’s Challenge’ song as well as

singing some familiar much-loved songs. We heard stories about the wise and

foolish builders, the feeding of the five thousand and the jubilation of

discovering that Jesus was alive again after dying on the cross!

A record of ‘Personal Best’

Watching a Bible story video

Practising sports skills

Enjoying craft activities in the hall

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We had a great time making and decorating a variety of crafts including

drawstring back-packs, ‘trainer’ coin boxes, sand and glitter art crosses and

wooden trophy magnets.

We had a fantastic time taking part in a variety of sporting challenges set out in

circuit formation. The children were introduced to the idea of ‘PBs’ (or Personal

Bests). The aim of ‘Personal Best’ was for each child to improve at one or more

of their sporting challenges over the three days. All of the children were really

inspired and enjoyed this immensely!

Decorated drawstring back packs

Painting a trainer coin box

We also performed a ‘drama’ each day about a school ‘miniball’ team. The

children and adults followed the fortunes of the characters and learnt about the

importance of working as part of a team.

Finally, a great big ‘Thank you’ to all of the team who helped at Holiday Club and

gave the children such a fantastic and memorable experience. A great time was

had by all!

Jane Ashley and Lucy Mayer

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4th West Bridgford (Methodist) Scout Group

Essex International Jamboree (30th July to 6th August)

Excitement brewed as we prepared for our week at the Essex Jamboree, an

international event held for eight-thousand scouts and guides keen to get

involved in many fun and challenging activities. In the weeks leading up to our

summer camp, we created bunting, and checked our equipment before setting

off for seven days of action.

As soon as we arrived, it became obvious that there was a strong, friendly

atmosphere across the whole camp. Our troop was in ‘Newton’s Lab’, one of

twelve subcamps surrounding The Village Green. The stage was the heart of the

site, as it was host to the opening ceremony and was the main venue for

countless other occasions.

There were numerous different zones, which contained multiple thrilling

activities. These included ‘Wet & Wild’, ‘On Target’ and many more. Many of us

liked the water-zorbing and the clay-pigeon shooting.

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In the evenings, we enjoyed the entertainment up on the stage, which was a

wide range of music to please the whole camp. Another thing that the scouts

took pleasure in was the freedom of roaming the site and soaking in the civilised

aura.

Overall, we all had a fantastic time at the Jamboree, and we appreciated the

hard work our leaders, Jordan, Kirstie, Neill, and David put into the organisation.

Also, Jan, our other leader, who travelled from Germany to attend the Jamboree

with us.

Friary Drop-in:

The collection box is available every week in the foyer for your gifts of

tea, coffee, sugar, household and personal items

With the present demand on the centre there is VERY URGENT need

for your support.

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Notes from the Leadership Team

The church Leadership Team comprises the six church stewards, the church

treasurer and the pastoral co-ordinator who meet approximately every six

weeks with the minister to help with the running of our church life, and to keep

the work of God in this place under review. They make leadership decisions in

the period between church council meetings and take practical steps to ensure

that as far as possible things function smoothly for all our church members. This

means reviewing finance and property matters, considering mission

opportunities and discussing membership, nurture and pastoral issues. In

addition, we hear reports from our lay employees and oversee their work,

sharing their joys, successes and challenges.

Rev Rach has written about ‘Endings and beginnings’ in her first letter to us and

we are excited about her coming to join us at West Bridgford Methodist Church,

confident that we will work well together for the benefit of our community as

we seek to discern where God is leading us for the next part of our shared

journey.

We give thanks for those who have accompanied us to this point, remembering

Rev Dr Paul Hill as he begins his ministry in London and offering thanks to Hugh

Crawford who has given excellent service as our Senior Steward over the past

year. We also record our gratitude to Mark Butler who together with Chris

Morrey has helped the finances of the church work smoothly by dealing with

much of the day-to-day administration.

We welcome John Heard as the new Senior Steward, and Angie Platton who will

be joining the team of stewards who help with the arrangements for worship

each Sunday. As assistant to the church treasurer we are glad to have the

support of Dr Anbarasu Lourdusamy who will offer his skills to the service of our

church.

In terms of beginnings we are also delighted that plans are afoot to start ‘Messy

Church’ during the Autumn with the help of our children and family workers,

Jane and Lucy. We are delighted that already a strong team of helpers are

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coming together to deliver these sessions which will provide an opportunity for

children and families to hear more about the love of Jesus.

Our purpose as a church is to be involved with those who have yet to hear the

story of God’s love and we rejoice that the excellent work of our community

engagement worker, Jane, is helping us to contact and welcome new people

into our groups and fellowship by building relationships.

We are always delighted by the work of the Property Team who continue to

maintain our building to a very high standard and we look forward to the

installation of a new projector in the community hall during September which

will offer new possibilities for many groups who meet in that room. We also

await further news of the investigations into the possibility of installing a lift in

the schoolrooms to give greater access for all to the meeting spaces. There’s a

long way to go, but if it can be achieved it will open up lots of new possibilities

for us and other community groups.

In terms of worship, we plan particularly for special occasions such as Harvest

Festival, (Sunday 2nd October) baptismal services and Remembrance Sunday

(Sunday 13th November) making sure that these times of celebration are real

highlights in our shared life and times when we can meet with God. We are

grateful for the many people who serve in a variety of ways, flower arranging,

reading, door stewards, musicians and so on to make our worship a fitting time

week by week.

Then, we are also beginning to think about our Christmas Tree Festival and who

knows what might await us in 2017!

So, if you have any ideas, suggestions or comments about our life together as a

church community, please speak to one of the members of the Leadership

Team! Or maybe you could consider taking on a new role within the life of our

church, or increasing your commitment to regular giving so that we can grow

and develop? But certainly, we ask that you continue to pray faithfully for all

that we are doing, and particularly for Rev Rach as she begins her ministry here.

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Christmas Tree Festival

We are excited that we are to host another Christmas Tree Festival in December, when we hope to have at least 40 decorated trees displayed in church which have been prepared by a range of church and community groups, including local schools. This will be a massive opportunity to communicate with people who might not normally come to church and to present to them the welcome that Jesus would want us to give.

We are seeking to be radical in our hospitality and generous to our visitors as part of our intentional faith development which will allow us to introduce others to passionate worship at our church. We will be looking for everyone to play a part in making the event a huge success, including raising some good sums of money for charity as we did in 2015 with our Singing Christmas Tree.

Please put these dates in your diary and consider how you can offer to help:

Friday 9th December Set-up day. (Welcomers and tea-makers required)

Saturday 10th December Open to the public 10.00 am – 5.00 pm

Sunday 11th December Lessons and Carols Service 10.30 am

Open to the public 12.00 am – 5.00 pm

Soul Café (Informal Worship) 5.30 pm

Monday 12th December Open to visiting groups from local schools

Tuesday 13th December Open to visiting groups from local schools

Thursday 15th December Open to visiting groups from local schools

Friday 16th December Open to visiting groups from local schools

Saturday 17th December Open to the public 10.00 am – 5.00 pm

Sunday 18th December Nativity Service (All Age) 10.30 am

Open to the public 12.00 am – 4.30 pm

Celebration Worship 4.30 pm

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As in 2014, we again hope to display a collection of Nativity Scenes, to offer a quiz sheet for children and to have our ‘Travelling Nativity’ visiting homes each day throughout Advent. If you can help with arranging any of these features, or offer to assist with catering or stewarding please let John Heard know.

The costs of staging the event will be raised at Saturday ‘Community Coffee’ mornings, so we look forward to a successful and enjoyable event which we pray will bring some real Christmas joy to our community.

Pokémon GO

Pokémon GO is a mobile and tablet app game which lets players find Pokémon

(animated creatures, first created in the 90′s, which players have to catch, train

and battle with). The game takes place in augmented reality (meaning the game

combines real life action with virtual gaming) by using GPS as you walk around

towns, cities and other locations to find the Pokémon.

The game has been an overnight sensation with millions playing it around the

world.

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When all thy mercies, O my God

Joseph Addison (1672 – 1719)

England’s famous poets have seldom been great hymn writers.

Perhaps William Cowper is the solitary exception. John Milton, William Blake,

Alfred Lord Tennyson and Robert Bridges all made occasional appearances in

most hymn books but on the whole it is the minor and largely forgotten poets

who have filled them.

The essayist Joseph Addison was a layman, although he very nearly became a

clergyman. He was born in 1672, the son of a parson and studied at Oxford with

the intention of following in his father’s footsteps and taking up the life of a

vicar.

However, some of his influential friends persuaded him to abandon this idea

and instead pursue his great interest in literature and politics. He decided to

take their advice and by the beginning of the eighteenth century he had not

only attained high office in affairs of State but had also become a distinguished

man of letters. He regularly made contributions of essays and poems to The

Spectator and this brings us to the origin of our hymn.

In The Spectator for 9th August, 1712 there appeared an article from Addison on

the subject of gratitude, in which he wrote :-

“There is not a more pleasing exercise of the mind than gratitude.

It is accompanied by such an inward satisfaction, that the duty is

sufficiently rewarded by the performance. If gratitude is due from man to man,

how much more from man to his Maker! Every blessing we enjoy, by what

means so ever it may be derived upon us, is the gift of him who is the great

Author of good, and Father of mercies.”

Following the essay was a poem of thirteen verses illustrating the theme and

expressing gratitude to God for all the blessings of this life.

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The first thing which we must bear in mind is that “When all thy mercies” was

written, it was written as a poem and not a hymn.

Obviously thirteen verses is far too long for a hymn and we find that in our

hymn books it is shortened to five or six verses. In many cases disturbing the

content of the hymn, but in this case, it unfortunately disturbs the scheme

which Addison had in mind. His poem follows a clear and orderly pattern. It

gives thanks to God for his mercies throughout the whole course of life, in all its

varying circumstances, from beginning to end.

The theme is summed up in the lines:-

“Through every period of my life” etc and by omitting eight verses of

the poem so much of Addison’s message is lost. If you feel that the last line of

the first verse of the hymn has a familiar ring about it, then you are correct, as

Charles Wesley borrowed these words to give a triumphant conclusion to his

great hymn, Love Divine.

Derek Hopewell

Ride and Stride

It is hoped that some members of the church will be able to take part in the

‘Ride and Stride’ sponsored event again this year (being held on Saturday

September 10th) and raise money for the Nottinghamshire Churches Trust. We

are hoping to have some people cycling and walking as part of the event as well

as having our Church open for people to visit. Further information contact Jane

Everett [email protected] or 07905143661

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Autumn Prayer Issues 2016

World and our country

Thank God for the blessings and uncertainties which this new church year will bring. Learn to accept and embrace the changes ahead, which with God’s help we can.

Remember unanswered prayer can be as big a blessing as answered prayer when it keeps us from violating God’s will to make us more like Jesus.

Pray that the Father will be with you throughout this month, especially when you look at situations and say ‘I can’t deal with this alone’ – you don’t have to!

Thank God for all the joy and shared happiness within our church community and beyond and have the vision to use your talents in God to continue this journey to even greater glory through the autumn as we must embrace so many changes in our church and Circuit.

May those people with sadness ahead be given the strength needed for them to cope with the adversity. Not alone but with the help of the Lord’s power and His consolation.

Blessings to all with special anniversaries in September, October and November.

Pray for the situation in every part of the world where rivalries are creating conflicts. Especially pray for a cessation of violence and abuse towards innocent women, children, the elderly and most vulnerable

Pray for the ongoing precarious situation in the Middle East and Africa that unrest can be resolved without undue violence or the further involvement of European and American forces.

Pray for guidance to our Government and the European Parliament as we enter the great uncertainties which Brexit has created. Encourage and enlighten those with the power to resolve the problems, intended and unintended, which will occur in the coming months as this political and economic upheaval develops.

Pray that the Conservative and Labour parties see beyond their current leadership uncertainties and focus on the good of the people as they make their far reaching and life changing decisions.

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Pray for the refugee and migrant receiving islands and countries needing support and understanding from the more affluent northern European countries, the Muslim world and the UN. Pray too as the weather changes, for the desperate people seeking to cross the Mediterranean Sea in insecure boats and the dilemma their vast numbers is causing Europe. Help all the EU countries to be prepared to receive their fair share of these troubled and fearful people. As hearts harden against the numbers, especially in Germany and here help us to find a just solution. Walls and wire and denial of their humanity cannot be the answer.

Pray for our Border Forces, the guardians of the Channel Tunnel, and truck drivers especially on the South Coast trying to repel ever more resourceful and violent attempts to land migrants on our shores. As the people smugglers risk the lives of those who pay them, help us find a fair solution. As those refugees feel more desperate because of the uncertainty that the political situation has created, bring them comfort and justice.

Pray that our young people are given hope and the prospect of jobs which they have gone into debt at University to achieve. Let all those who have graduated and the new group about to join the workforce feel that they are welcomed and valued in the working world. Pray for older workers suddenly made redundant who are experiencing loss of hope especially those affected by the closures or uncertainties.

Pray for all the children and young people especially those under attack by cyber bullies, that they can be safe and happy. Pray for all those young people going to new schools, college and university.

Pray for all with whom we come into contact in our daily lives, especially those who indicate that they want us to pray for them. Please look in the entrance hall at the Prayer Board and make it your resolution to pray for those asking for help. Thank God for all resumed activities and those who organise them

Pray for all our preachers and activities throughout Autumn, especially all the groups which bring joy and fellowship and growth in spirituality. Pray for comfort for the bereaved, sick, lonely and unhappy.

Pray for all our new leaders working with our new Minister Rev. Rach Ward that we build up a new relationship and embrace any changes which will further God’s kingdom in our community and the wider world. Pray for all the volunteers who keep our church running.

PRAY FOR YOURSELVES

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Behind Schedule but not Beyond Hope.

In the last VOICE, I described how I had completed the first 50 miles of my 290

mile walk on the Cross Britain Way which many of you are sponsoring for

Macmillan. In the article, I said ‘to follow my progress, look in the next issue of

VOICE’. So here it is!

The next section of the walk – from Harlaxton (near Grantham) to Diseworth (by

East Midlands Airport) was all local so I tackled in as individual days. This is the

section for which I also act as warden (checking for blockages, diversions,

missing signs, broken stiles, etc) – so I was doing my ‘wardening’ at the same

time as the walk – but apart from a few fields where the crop overgrows the

path I found few issues this year.

I had bought new boots to overcome the issue with blisters I was experiencing

in the previous section of the walk, and Margaret drove me to the start of each

day’s walk then picked me up at the end. This was successful apart from one

day when my phone battery went dead so I couldn’t phone and had only about

20 seconds to type a text before it powered off. After some time we did

eventually meet!

For 4 days in June I used our campervan as overnight accommodation for the

section from Diseworth to Penkridge (a little town near Cannock). This is mostly

rather nondescript north midlands countryside, except for the last day – which

passed both the National Trust’s Shugborough Hall and Cannock Chase, and was

by far the most picturesque. By that time I had covered 133 miles from the start

so was almost half way there – but was left wondering why I opted for a 290

mile sponsored walk instead of a 100 mile one!

Late July gave me the opportunity for the next section which was planned from

Penkridge to Welshpool. This section was packed with

names redolent of holidays, and I was really looking forward to it - Iron Bridge,

Much Wenlock, Wenlock Edge, Church Stretton, the Long Mynd, Stiperstones

and Welshpool.

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It is good to report it lived up to expectations – and was some of the best

walking I have ever done. The weather was generally glorious so most days

there was no heat haze and the views – particularly from the Long Mynd - were

spectacular. In this part of the world buses are infrequent and for one section

the only bus of the day leaves at 7.30am.

My camp site was on the footpath about 5 miles before the bus stop so instead

of driving to the bus, I walked – setting out at 5.40 am. I have not walked this

early in the day before, but the early light and birdsong made this a magical

section.

One day, the forecast was for temperatures to peak in the mid 30’s so I decided

that was too hot to walk and became a tourist for the day. Consequently I have

stopped a day short of Welshpool, at a little village called Hope on the A488. So,

205 miles completed, and an endpoint which gives me a great title for this

article – not beyond Hope!

Sponsorship has increased since the last article and now stands at £558 (plus

about £90 in gift aid). There is still opportunity to sponsor me for Macmillan so

if you wish – see me at coffee after church any Sunday.

John Thurston