The President and Vice President's visit to the Channel Islands.

“Moussieu  L'Président et Moussieu L'Vice-Président ous êtes touos les deux les beinv'nus en Jèrri”.   This welcome to Jersey was the greeting given in Jersey French by Constance De Gruchy (in the doorway) when the President and Vice President met with some residents and Supernumeraries in Maison La Corderie, one of Jersey’s Methodist Homes.  Later they were to visit Maison L'Aumone, Guernsey's Methodist Home where they were briefed on the planned development of a specialised high-dependency care unit and Alzheimer's unit. 
Visits to the Royal Courts and States Chambers in both Jersey and Guernsey enabled our welcome visitors to get an insight into the Islands unique constitutional and legal history. The visit came close after Liberation Day and on a visit to Guernsey Press, the Bailiwick's daily newspaper, the visiting party saw archive copies of the newspaper published during the Nazi occupation in the Second World War. Earlier, in Jersey, the President and Mrs Carter had opportunity to visit the Jersey War Tunnels. 
Media interviews are a big part of Presidential visits to the Islands.  On BBC Radio Guernsey the President and Vice President spoke of their life and witness and an excellent upbeat interview on BBC Radio Jersey which began with a question about 'scriptural holiness' and then explored in depth the life of the Methodist church in the twenty first century has been broadcast repeatedly. This interview gave opportunity to share some good news stories about the Methodist Church in the Jersey Circuit.
The visit coincided with District Synod.  On the night before The President and Mrs Carter and the Vice President and Rev Canon Dr Coates joined Synod Representatives for supper and bowling. Visits of this kind should not be all work and no play!  
During Synod the President presented the District Network Triennial cup. He and Mrs Carter had judged the best entry in a competition in which many had entered from across the District which includes Alderney and Sark. The task was to make a gift box for women helped by the Women's Refuges in Jersey and Guernsey.  In the morning session of Synod the President and Vice President spoke about issues coming to Methodist Conference and in the afternoon led an open forum on 'Church and Discipleship in a messy world'.  The Vice President reminded us that we should recognise that lay people in their ordinary everyday lives are in the front line of God's Mission. Discipleship was the Presidents theme both here and at a Circuit Service in Jersey the following day.  After Synod the Vice President and Jean left by ferry for Guernsey. Though delayed by rough weather he arrived safely and on Sunday preached at three services including a Christian Aid week service in the Anglican Town Church. He was joined on Monday by the President and Mrs Carter.
Over the long weekend in the Channel Islands the President and the Vice President, listened and shared many stories and conversations, talks and sermons in a very full programme of events and engagements. Their visit was deeply appreciated in this most southerly District of the Connexion. 
David Coote


Channel Islands District Synod, 12th May 2007 at Communicare


President and Vice-President in relaxed mood at Synod
In the morning session, we were made aware of the situation facing the Methodist Church. From 2008, we will no longer be able to draw on reserves to balance our Connexional Budget  and the number employed centrally is likely to decrease from 144 to about 80-90.  The process will be completed by August 2008, and meanwhile there is a great deal of uncertainty among staff   There is a questioning about how much needs to be done at national level rather than locally. We wait to see what will emerge from Conference, but some posts will disappear.
The number of children and young people being touched by our churches is falling.   A time-limited project is going to assess the Church’s work with children.  The Youth Conference has been a a success story.  
There is a proposal for five training regions in England, working ecumenically as far as possible and available not just for ministers.
The afternoon was held in open session, and began with the judging and prize presentation of the Triennial District Network competition. The theme had been to design and prepare a gift box for either a child or adult staying at the Women’s Refuge.   The judge was the President, the Rev Graham Carter, and Mrs Roselle Sutherland spoke about the work of the Jersey Refuge.   She thanked the competitors for consistent Church support throughout the year. Whilst Jersey (Ebenezer) carried off top honours, all the islands put up entries, and there were commendations all round for the efforts undertaken. 


Mrs Joyce Perchard, Ebenezer, receives the District Network Triennial Cup from Rev. Graham Carter, with Mrs Barbara Coote, District President in the background

We then heard two stimulating talks from the President and from the Vice President, Mr Dudley Coates. They spoke on “The Church and Discipleship in a messy world”.
The President began by talking about Discipleship in a world that demanded choice and compromise, but one in which we are drawn by the insistence of Jesus’ call, “Will you really follow me?”  He developed his subject by talking of the Call, Commitment, Companionship and Accountability of Discipleship, freely using Gospel and Kingdom story illustrations. 
• Call – to a journey, and of being always spiritually on the move.
• Commitment – to another, new way, travelling light and inviting change.
• Companionship – that on the journey we are not alone, both Christ and our fellow Christians will support us.
• Accountability – watching over each other in love. “What were you talking about on the way”
Dudley Coates asked us to consider God’s mission in this messy, uncertain age we now label “Post Modern” but a world in which none the less Christ was born, lived and died. This world of natural disasters, disease, famine, crime and intellectual challenges is of course the one in which we are called to serve and witness.
This was a very stimulating, relevant and challenging talk. Mr Coates has written a book “Shades of Grey”, available through the Methodist Publishing House, which expands on this subject and which would make good material for a study group interested in facing up to contemporary issues.
John Le Gresley

Report from Sark
On May 20th we celebrated 81 years on the site, with a special service taken by Rev. David Coote.  The chapel is steadily being refurbished with outside painting being undertaken and a children’s corner established.  A pew has been removed and another turned to make a carpeted space with toys and colouring pencils.   Now parents can sit with children while they play and still take part in the worship.
With several young people leaving the Island to seek work the number of adults attending the evening club has fallen.  However I have been able to speak to young people within the school and have started a young people’s Sunday School which has attracted 3 young people at present.  The school has agreed to allow them to use their computer room and equipment and funds have been set aside to purchase a computer for use of the Sunday School this year.  I am still hoping for a volunteer to give an hour on a Tuesday or Wednesday to help with youth work.
The music group has grown stronger and we enjoy a wide range of hymns and choruses.  The organ was declared broken but were offered a replacement instrument by Shiloh church, confirmed on Easter Sunday evening.
Ms Terry Archer is training as a Reader in the Anglican church and has had a three month placement over the winter.   She has had to lead a Bible Study group for 6 weeks and we are exploring how this might become an established group.
Roger Browning 

Report from Alderney
Two new ventures are up and running.  ‘Lunch2gether’ takes place every other Thursday  for people who would normally prepare and eat their lunch alone.  The meal is cooked and served by ladies from all the Island churches on a rota basis and attended by up to a dozen people arriving at the Church Hall to some wonderful aromas.  We are hoping to continue throughout the year with more cooks to ease the burden on the willing volunteers so far.
The Sunday following the start of the school term in September, five adults met in the hall at 2.45 to see if any children would appear for the start of the ‘children’s thing’ we have prayed about for so long.  To everyone’s amazement nine children shared in a fun packed afternoon together.  Each afternoon commences with a ‘warm-up’ game, then the telling of a bible story relating to a hero, followed by cooking, colouring etc ending with a quiz and a prayer. When parents collect the children there are teas and coffee and a chance to share the Christian message.   Early in December our Carol service took place and twenty three children (all having attended ALF (About Life and Faith)) dressed as Nativity figures and singing Away in a Manger and Wonderful Lord to a church packed to capacity all hearing the Nativity Story.  ALF continues with near full attendance each week, with support from the Church communities in Alderney and England.
Each week a  group of Under three’s use the Church Hall and increased use is being made of our premises for fund-raising events.  
Our window project has been completed and plans are being made to consider the painting of the exterior -  a long overdue job.  As we are close to town we can’t erect scaffolding between April and September but we hope by the autumn to have sufficient funds to cover the cost.
Our links with St. Anne's continue quite strong, with joint weekly sessions during Lent to explore aspects of Christian living and service in the community and world-wide  
Irene Day
 (both summarised from report to Synod)

Mind your Language!


Christiana, on left, and Deborah at Georgetown
     On Saturday 16th June the island had a visitor from Methodist Church House in Marylebone Road, London. Christiana Odejayi and her daughter Deborah arrived after a 4-hour delay at Gatwick. Christiana works for the Racial Justice Office of the Methodist Church and she was visiting the island to write a report on the current projects organised by ACET Jersey, based on La Route du Fort in St. Saviour. Over some years the Methodist Connexion have financially supported ACET Jersey along with support from island churches.
   I accompanied Christiana as she visited the literacy programme held at the St. Paul's Centre, which is overseen by ACET Jersey. Here she met women from Hong Kong, Thailand, Poland and Portugal who were learning the basics of the English language and preparing for examinations. This will help them to communicate, make friends and maintain jobs here in Jersey. It felt a great privilege to realise that the Methodist Church were helping in a small way to enable this essential work.
On Sunday 17th June Christiana gave an interview during morning worship at Georgetown Methodist Church and spoke about her work with the Racial Justice Office. Later that day Christiana and Deborah returned to London but not before we encouraged them to return and visit again when the sun shines!
Rev Chris White


Period of Renewal 
Dear Friend
The Renewal period between Easter and Pentecost is now over but renewal is a constant theme. Three elements made up Renewal. Each Sunday there was one single act of worship on Sunday evening across the circuit and of course a concluding service on Pentecost Sunday afternoon. Every Sunday a prayer was used in morning worship and we held a 24 hour period of prayer.  (see below).  Though in  early hours of the morning  just two or three people kept vigil the lights did not go out. When I arrived at 6.30 slightly ahead of the Staff there was that sense that the voice of prayer had not been silent. All kept vigil until 8.30.


Assembling outside St. Clement’s Parish Hall with dark clouds threatening
I do not know what you may have hoped for as a result of the renewal period but for me it  was immensely positive. Of course it would have been good if more people had fully engaged with all that was going on. Following the Pentecost service which attracted about 80 people I was asked if I felt disheartened by the response. I was much heartened by the enquiry because it revealed that the questioner was sensitive to all the hard work that ministers had put into the service. It is true that ministers, like anyone else can be encouraged or discouraged by others and the point at which they are most encouraged is when people give themselves to worship and service. So I replied that I suppose I have got used to less than overwhelming responses to many church or circuit events not only here in Jersey but elsewhere also and the fact that eighty people had come was a cause of celebration.  We shouted three cheers for the Holy Spirit as balloons were released. Yes the Spirit is life and power and love. Without it we won't get far. And so renewal goes on!
Over the next few months the Circuit Leadership Team will bring to the Circuit meeting a strategy for the use of resources held in the Circuit Advance Fund and a new idea to stimulate mission oriented activity at local church level. It is the work of the Holy Spirit when new ideas and ventures of faith bubble up among us.   Around the circuit there is no shortage of people who are positive and expectant. Oh Yes, lets have more of them. But I for one rejoice that despite the tough situation we are in there are among us people who will neither rest on the laurels of a former generation nor despondently resign themselves to continual  decline but are willing to open up themselves again and again and again to the Spirit of God who promises to make all things new!
            Yours in Grace and Peace 
David



The balloons start off, blown by a southerly wind towards France, then the rain starts! 

Prayer Labyrinth
The twenty four hour of prayer held at St Aubin, was part of the theme of renewal  throughout the period Easter to Pentecost.  Today we live in a frenetic world that gives us little time to stop and reflect on our journey of life. The Prayer Labyrinth is an ancient way to enable us to journey along a path seeking God's presence, and to evaluate and reflect on our life.    As you followed the path of the labyrinth, there were seven prayer stations allowing you time to stop along the way to ponder, reflect and contemplate.



At the entrance, the poster says  ‘We are all made in the image of God’
We fill our lives with noise, both outside and within and the first station gave us time to be still, to sit and be silent and to listen for God's small voice.  Station two asked us to think about our concerns, worries and burdens that we carry with us each day.  Sometimes it feels as if we carry the world upon our shoulders but God can help us travel lighter.  People were asked to write down their worries and attach these to a suitcase, they were asked to pick up a stone and reflect on the things they carry with them and when ready to place the stone in a bucket of water and give their concerns to God.  Station three asked us to look in the mirror and to be delighted at what we see.  How often do we hear people, especially the young, wishing they looked a certain way and yet God has made us in the very way he wants us to be.  Station four asked us to pull off a piece of play-dough, to close our eyes and just mould a shape.  Are we ready and willing to be moulded and shaped into the person God wants us to be?  Station five was the very centre of the labyrinth where we sat in God's presence. It was a space to be with God and God's space to be with us.  It was a time to feel God's love around us, to hear him speak and to feel refreshed and renewed.  Station six helped us think of the people travelling along our journey, family, friends and work colleagues.  We were asked to write down someone we would like to pray for and attach this to a web reminding us we are all connected to a web of relationships with God at the very centre.  Station seven asked us to make a pledge or promise to help make a difference to the world.  We sometimes feel as one person we are totally insignificant but we are reminded that an ocean is first of all made up of tiny drops.  


A visitor looks at station seven while the mirror at station three is at the right
Creating the labyrinth was a wonderful, prayerful experience that has greatly deepened my relationship with God.  Living, reflecting and praying with the design over the past few months I have felt the Holy Spirit guiding me and inspiring me.  To see people walking the labyrinth and stopping at the stations on that first night was a truly emotional experience as something designed on paper suddenly became a reality.  Thank you to the many people involved in helping to get it together, and especially to the children, young people and leaders from Ebenezer, Bethlehem, Georgetown, St Helier Methodist, Bethesda and St Aubin who so willingly contributed.  For those who took the risk and travelled the prayer labyrinth I pray that your hearts have also been touched.


Liz sits at one station of the labyrinth, with station five behind and station two further back
Liz Lambotte
St Aubin Youth Leader
YMM Diploma (Youth, Mission and Ministry)
I passed!!  On June 30th I was very proud to receive my certificate at a special ceremony at Cliff College.
Although I am the named person on the certificate, many people have given me incredible support and encouragement throughout the two years.  Many thanks go to my family, my mentor, people who read through various assignments, the congregation of St. Aubin together with the Circuit.
The prayer support and many hugs have been tremendous and kept me going especially through those desert moments.  But my greatest thanks must go to the children, young people and their parents for their openness, willingness and commitment to become involved in new ways of doing church.
What happens now?
I continue studying for a further two years at Cliff College and hope to gain a BA in children's and youth ministry and to continue with the very important task of sharing our faith with children and young people.  
Please continue to pray for all those involved in children and young people's work across the Circuit and for the children and young people themselves that more and more of them may come to know Christ and ask him into their lives.
Liz Lambotte
St. Aubin Youth Leader

Visit of Dr. Ralph Waller

John Le Gresley discovered that they had a mutual friend from Glasgow days.

Dr. Ralph Waller from Christchurch College, Oxford, is an authority on the Wesley’s.  He spoke at Georgetown on June 10th, the Church anniversary, about the life of  Charles Wesley, 18th child of Samuel and Susannah Wesley.  This year is the 300th anniversary of the birth of the greatest Methodist hymn writer. During the service we sang 5 of Charles’ hymns.  


The Governor visits the Circuit

The Lieutenant-Governor, Lieutenant-General Andrew Ridgway & Mrs Valerie Ridgway toured the Circuit on Thursday 26 April 2007 with  Reverend David & Mrs Barbara Coote starting from Government House at 10 a.m. 

Introduction
The idea of the tour emerged from a conversation I had with the Governor about the Circuit and the life of the Methodist Church and an offer to give him and his wife Valerie a 'whistle stop tour'.   He took me up on this offer and  we were able to visit a great many places and had a most interesting day.  Circuit secretary Jill Corbin was largely responsible for putting together the itinerary with help from the Governor’s ADC Charles Woodrow and all he and Mrs Ridgeway met at the various churches were extremely well prepared. The Governor felt the day had been very helpful and was grateful for the time and hospitality offered.   We in our turn were grateful for his interest. He would always welcome invitations from the churches for special events. 
David Coote

The following pages give a snapshot of the Methodist Church in Jersey in 2007, using photos taken by Mrs. Barbara Coote and historical notes prepared for the visitors.  The editorial team felt it was well worth sharing them widely through this edition of the ‘Jersey Methodist’  

Background
Circuit Mission Statement
“Our purpose is to build confident faith in God, to encourage Christian growth so that all may know God's love in Christ and to strengthen community life in Jersey.”
 
This to be accomplished by -
o Encouraging all circuit churches to be open to sharing with other circuit churches and ecumenical partners the creative use of resources.
o Exploring the release of ministers and lay workers to work on the edge of church life, and supporting circuit wide and Island initiatives in prayer and evangelism.
o Equipping people through training and teaching programmes to be more effective in discipleship, in leading inspiring worship and in sharing in other ministries within the church.
o Engaging with and supporting all who work for better community relationships, respect for creation and the relief of poverty and need in Jersey and across the world.
o Enabling new ways of reaching and relating to young people in the church and in the wider community.  

THEN AND NOW 
Methodism first came to Jersey through the Jerseymen who travelled to Newfoundland with the cod fishing fleets.  The first recorded Methodist meeting was established in 1774, in the home of one Mr Le Sueur when he returned from the fisheries to be married.  The term Methodism was originally an insult and reproach; Methodists were seen as dangerous enthusiasts (fanatics) who had gone mad for religion.  They were serious about their faith and followed a methodical religion. 
In the early years in Jersey there was persecution by the mob and even imprisonment for the men who refused to drill with the militia because they wished to worship on Sundays.  When the king was petitioned by the Royal Court to stop the Methodist meetings, he ruled that he would not have his subjects being imprisoned on a matter of conscience. 
The first minister was appointed to the island in 1783 and slowly the patience and good lives of the growing Methodist societies gained a hearing.  John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist Church, visited Jersey from August 20th to 29th 1787, preaching several times in St Helier and St Mary while he was here. 

ITINERARY 
From Government House drive past THE BAY METHODIST CHURCH 
This year is The Bay's 160th Anniversary year and June is to be a month of celebration and remembrance.  With an average congregation of 30, The Bay is an elderly and fairly traditional church.  The members have a great gift of hospitality and run a weekly Coffee Morning through the summer months with many visitors to the Island coming back year after year.  Once a month these mornings are now being extended to include a bread and soup lunch which is proving popular with a number of elderly local residents.  Other regular activities include a fortnightly Bible study group and a monthly Women's Fellowship.

10.20am Arrive ST AUBIN METHODIST CHURCH HALL to be met by Mrs Ann Prentice and members of Parents and Toddlers Group and Mrs Liz Lambotte, leader of children and young people's work.  (Presentation re Youth Work in Upper Room.)

Parents chat with Mrs. Ridgeway

Methodism in St Aubin goes back to 1786 when Adam Clarke (later to be three times President of the Methodist Conference) walked across the sands from St Helier to St Aubin with Robert Carr Brackenbury who had been the 'apostle of Methodism' in Jersey since 1783.  During his three years in the Channel Islands Adam Clarke spent considerable time at St Aubin where there was fierce opposition to the Methodist cause.  Opposition became more violent when Clarke persuaded Methodists not to do military training on Sundays.  Members met in a shed in the yard of Les Vaux, the home of François Jeune (whose grandson became Dean of Jersey and later Bishop of Peterborough).  This meeting place was frequently attacked by the mob and attempts were even made to destroy the house. 
Despite opposition the movement grew and in 1817 the first church seating 230 was built on the site of the present church hall.  Work began on the present church building in 1867 and in the 1930s the central rostrum was removed to reveal the apse.  The more recent renovations in 1995 and in 2006 give expression to the congregation's commitment to provide 'open access'.  Visual barriers have been removed so that the whole church is visible to the passer-by and the hall now provides a bright and welcoming space for the groups that meet there, including a children's Sunday Club, Youth Club, Parent and Toddlers, Youth Group, Bible Study group, Friendship Group and Craft Club.


Governor in the busy Parent & Toddler Group 
During the summer months the church is open as often as possible for visitors and locals alike.  The stained glass window is a particular attraction.  It was the gift of the Morley family who came to Jersey from Leeds in 1864 and who donated the window in memory of their son who was a doctor.  The window depicts the Bible story of the healing at the Pool of Bethesda and the lettering at the foot of the picture is thought to translate as 'Come to me for healing and come again, and again and again.'

11.00am Arrive COMMUNICARE CENTRE  for coffee to be met by Reverend Mark Bond, Co-Chair of Communicare Council with Reverend David Coote, Reverend Judith Davy, Chaplain, Mrs Nicky Brown, Youth Worker and Mr Tony Hocking, Centre Manager. 

With Rev. Judith Davy and Rev. Mark Bond
Communicare Centre came into being in 1977 through the active partnership of the Anglican and Methodist Churches that had the foresight to appreciate the needs of a growing community.  Today Communicare is used by around 1,500 people each week and provides a base for a wide variety of activities for all age groups from new born babies attending the clinics to 90+ year olds attending Day Care and other such groups.  The Chapel, at the centre of the building, stands in recognition of our commitment to the work of God in the parish and the island and strives to make real this vision by fostering close relationships with the community through its ethos of Christian love and care.
11.30am Depart COMMUNICARE

Drive past Philadelphie on the way to St Ouen
At first Methodist growth came slowly in St Peter.  At the beginning of the 19th century there was a 14-year period when no meetings were held.  Then house meetings began and membership grew until 1825 when a new chapel, Philadelphie, was built.  In the same year, a religious revival came to the western parishes.  People began to flock to the chapels, each earnestly seeking to know Christ.  The preacher of the day said, "Hearts were touched and melted like wax before fire.  The voices of those who wept covered the preacher's voice.  When this happened, we stopped and prayed for distressed souls.  Often, we dismissed the congregation three or four times but the people could not leave; so we resumed the meeting.  It was not unusual to see people along the roads openly praying, weeping or singing in thanks for their great deliverance.”  By August of 1826, the chapels were too small to receive the people who gathered and meetings were held in the open air.  That year, 350 new members were added to the society at Philadelphie. 

11.40am Arrive at ST OUEN METHODIST CHURCH to be met by Reverend Malcolm Bailey and Mr Les Vibert, Senior Steward and Caretaker


Valarie Remon, Barbara Coote on left, Malcolm Bailey, Les Vibert, Hugh Lince on right,taken inside St Ouen Chapel,
The first chapel specifically built for Methodist worship, was erected in 1809.  Until then worship had been held in private houses, barns and kitchens.  The Methodists of St Ouen had been attacked by the mob more than once and needed to move their places of worship.  Finally, a Mr Perchard purchased a piece of land and presented it to the society.  Donations from members and friends in the parish and the surrounding area raised £80 and the first chapel was built.  By 1832 it was too small for the growing congregation and it was enlarged to over 300 seats.  Finally, a new colossal building, seating over 800 people, was put up in 1871.  In 1974, the congregation moved back into the original chapel. 
12noon Depart ST OUEN  

Drive past BETHLEHEM, St Mary 
The chapel was built in 1829.  Methodists had been worshipping in farm houses since 1787 when John Wesley had preached there, with crowds flocking to hear him.  They met in halls built by their members at Vingtaine du Nord but as the membership grew, new premises were needed.  The Bethlehem chapel was built originally to seat about 320 worshippers and a Sunday school was soon added.  In more recent years the interior of the church has been modernised and the church has an active congregation.

12.15pm Picnic lunch at Boys' Brigade HQ, Les Frères to be met by Mrs Joan Streets, Caretaker, and Deacon Malcolm Salmon, Chaplain to the Boys' Brigade.


Malcolm Salmon on left, Joan Streets at the back, in the Sports Hall of  Les Frères

1.00pm Arrive Sion to be met by Mrs Liz Blampied, Senior Steward, Treasurer and leader of Nursery School, Arthur du Feu, Property Secretary, and Mr Richard Dupre.


Liz Blampied and Arthur Du Feu on left and Richard Dupre in front of  Sion’s organ.

Sion Methodist Church in St John has a membership of 37 people and has morning worship each Sunday.  During the week the church hall offers a Nursery for the community and the car park is let to local Sion village residents. The Church has no Sunday School or midweek meetings and is now discussing the sale of its premises for a community re-development scheme, pending planning approval.  Throughout the year Sion shares in worship at key festivals with the Parish Church and the local United Reformed Church.
1.30pm Depart SION    

Drive past EBENEZER  on the way to St Martin
Ebenezer Methodist Chapel in Trinity was built in 1896 and over the past 111 years, strong family generations have carried on the work and witness of the Church.  However, the congregation has dwindled over the years and the current membership is 41.
During the past 15 months two styles of worship have been introduced on a weekly basis as part of the aim to explore ways of including young people in the Church.  A traditional service is held at 10am and family worship is held in the School Hall at 11am, with coffee shared by both congregations in between the services.  
Ebenezer continues to develop strong links with Trinity Parish Church, sharing in services such as Liberation Day, Trinity Sunday and Remembrance Sunday.  It is working towards wider expressions of worship and holds an Open Air Service in the summer, followed by a barbecue.  It has a strong Women's Network Group that meets fortnightly during the winter months, and a thriving mother and toddler group 'Pickles' was introduced last year.

1.50pm Arrive ST MARTIN  to be met by Reverend Billy Slatter, Mrs Eveline Le Seelleur, Senior Church Steward, and Mr Ray Le Cornu, Church Steward at St Martin & Circuit Steward.
Methodism in St Martin began in 1784.  
For the first 34 years meetings were held in cottages but by 1820 the membership had increased so much that a chapel was built and 30 years later the larger present chapel was built costing £770.    St Martin has always had a strong base of farming families that have produced large congregations, thriving children's work and a strong sense of community.  Church traditions run deep, though the congregation is trying to meet the challenges of modern life by keeping its worship relevant and attractive for regulars and visitors.


Billy, Eveline and Ray with the visitors
The church has a playgroup, Boys and Girls Brigades, a Youth Club and various fellowship and social groups that meet during the week.  Membership is currently 95 with a community roll that greatly exceeds that.
2.15pm Depart St Martin  

2.35pm Arrive Samarès to be met by John Le Cornu, Church Steward, and Andrew Bird, Youth & Community Enabler.
                                                                                                                
                                                                                 

Samarès, - small enough to notice - big enough to care.  Friendly and innovative are words which begin to describe this growing church.  The popular Sunday café style worship relocated to the larger premises of the Rotary Eastern Good Companions at Le Marais shortly after the visit. The church employs a highly skilled Community Enabler to develop and enhance its outreach, together with the resident minister.
A 24-hour prayer line is accessed by telephone and email.  With four house groups, including one serving the Portuguese community and another made up of young people, a parent and toddler group and a Friday morning coffee drop in, the church is now looking at developing responsible links in the Le Marais area.
2.50pm Depart Samarès.  

3.00pm Arrive GEORGETOWN to be met by Reverend Christopher White and Dr John Le Gresley, Senior Steward at Georgetown and Circuit Steward.

John Le Gresley, Reg Jeune and Chris White in front of stained glass window.
Georgetown Methodist Church is situated at the very southern tip of St Saviour on the busy Georgetown Road.  With 77 members and a fringe membership it employs a Church Administrator three mornings each week to manage bookings and activities.  Each Sunday it has two services and during the week has Girls' Brigade, Boys' Brigade, a Craft Group, two Toddler Groups, a Neighbourhood Club and Network Group.  As an inclusive church it aims to be welcoming to visitors and includes signing for the deaf in the quarterly worship programme.  Refurbished five years ago, the premises are open as much as possible and the Minister has a morning surgery each Monday.

Tea taken at Georgetown with invited guests:- 
 Minister of St Helier Methodist Centre and The Bay, Reverend Liz Hunter;

Circuit Stewards; Mrs Di Toole MBE, Mr Ray Le Cornu, Mr Gary Godefroy
Chair of Biarritz Hotel,   Mr Reg Jeune CBE
Chair of Methodist Homes for the Aged (Jersey), Mr Tom Perchard

3.30pm Lieutenant-Governor's party depart.

Other Methodist Churches not visited due to time constraints are:-

BETHESDA, St Peter 
  Within one hundred years of John Wesley's visit to the island in 1787, there were over one and a half thousand members and countless attenders who had come to a new faith in Christ and now worshipped in the Methodist churches of Jersey.  There were Methodist chapels in every parish, in fact, well over thirty in the whole island.  The chapel in St Peter was so strong that it was ready to plant a daughter church in the parish and in 1868 Bethesda was established at Val de la Mare, overlooking St Ouen's Bay.  
Bethesda has lively Sunday morning worship with singing led by a music group, two house-groups, a well supported Men's Breakfast Club during the winter months and a preschool group that meets in the mornings.

EDEN, St Saviour
Eden Chapel was built in 1833 on a field owned by Jean Amy, a neighbouring farmer. This followed years of Christians meeting to worship in small groups in each other's homes. A Sunday School began in 1836 and its success led to the hall being built at the rear of the chapel.
The church currently has 39 members and a number of affiliated people.  A well-attended ladies Network group meets every other Wednesday for fellowship. Eden Singers rehearse weekly and perform regularly by invitation at a variety of events throughout the island.  The Toddler & Family Pit-Stop is a recently introduced monthly venture with cooked breakfast and toddler playtime providing a good meeting point for all generations.

LA ROCQUE, Grouville
La Rocque Methodist Church in Grouville is situated on the main coast road and shares parking with the nearby oyster fisheries. With 33 members it has morning worship and a small Sunday school. Recently its long standing Girls Brigade closed and the midweek Network group merged at Georgetown. The hall is currently hired by Alcoholics Anonymous, a Pilates Group and a Toddler Group and can be hired for children's birthday parties. The hall is used also for harvest suppers, mission lunches and circuit events.

ST HELIER METHODIST CENTRE
Now in its 160th Anniversary year SHMC is in the centre of St Helier and its membership is the result of the amalgamation of various congregations from St Helier, the most recent being Aquila Road and Wesley Grove.  The congregation of 70-100 often includes holidaymakers.  During the week the church is kept open as often as possible for the many people who come to see the building.  A total refurbishment was completed in 2000 allowing the Centre to offer resources to many and varied groups and organisations including Alcoholics Anonymous, dance classes, Parent & Toddler Group, Slimming World, exercise classes, flower arranging and one-off children's parties and other occasional/one-off activities.
Together with the Community Link Worker the church runs a Community Coffee Bar on Monday and Wednesday mornings.  The latter leads into a prayer group time and lunchtime Communion service.  On Fridays there is a bread and soup lunch.  With up to date sound and technology equipment the church is often used by local schools and colleges for end of term services and is a popular venue for concerts.
Alongside these activities there is a full-time nursery, Nestling Day Care Nursery.  Managed by the church the nursery caters for 47 children, (babies to 4 years old), and employs a manager plus 15-20 full-time staff and bank staff as required.


Samares on the move
“Move before you are full,” say the Church Growth experts.   So we did.  Café church in our chapel with a congregation of 40 plus, and sometimes 50 plus was putting pressure on our space.
Sunday 20 May 2007 gave rise to one of the most important events in the life of our church.  Marked by a short BBC Radio Jersey interview after the 7 o'clock morning news, by new yellow and red sign boards and by warm greetings from our friends from other Island churches our Sunday worship opened in the welcoming hall of the Rotary building now known to us as EGC.

Eastern Good Companions  (EGC)
It had begun many months previously with a clear vision that we were going to continue to grow and that we needed to find larger premises.  We also needed to grow in our ability to share God's love with those around us.  We examined St Clement's Parish Hall before coming to the conclusion that the Rotary premises offered us the best opportunity for the months to come.  Our preaching, teaching, praying and brainstorming have visited and revisited the concepts of change examining both the costs of change and the cost of not changing.  The opening chapter of Judges was so helpful.  A half day of prayer signalled the immanence of the move and, with many practical aspects having been addressed, our first set up team prepared the EGC hall for the first service.  We were so pleased to welcome John and Doreen Reed to the service, John being the Rotarian in charge of the Good Companions work and Doreen a regular worshipper at Bethlehem.  Also Mrs Elaine Griffin, manager of the EGC who has been very helpful and has provided us with much space for storage and facilities for our equipment.  A welcome surprise was the arrival of Deputy Ian and Mrs Gorst who took the trouble to come for the service to show their support.  Ian was quickly pressed into being Joseph in our impromptu drama as we lined up nearly all the men in the congregation to become Jacob and his sons.  The service looked at Joseph's coat and how we “put on Christ” to allow God's redevelopment scheme to take place.  This was broken up by an excerpt from BBC's Any Dream will Do? on video.
The move has meant a great deal of work, but with willing helpers we are well installed.  We are also blessed with 4 set up teams, each of at least 5 people who will take it in turns (1 team per month) to set up and dismantle each Sunday.  More people are involved in worship than ever before, which can't be a bad thing!   Initial teething problems with the p.a. system will be solved when it is upgraded shortly and we now have a good keyboard on long term loan.
I was very impressed with Paul Scanlon's book Crossing Over written about the move of Abundant Life Church, Bradford from one set of premises to a new purpose built building.  The move was literally of less than 100 metres but it represented a complete culture change and new perception of church that Paul Scanlon perceived lay in the difference between the wilderness and the promised land in Judges.  He writes “The first thing we must do in order to cross over is separate ourselves from everything we cannot take forward with us.  You can't have Joshua and keep Moses.  You can't have the wilderness and Canaan”  Whilst we may not always be quite where Pastor Scanlon is in terms of theology and some of the ways his church does things this is what we too are working towards as we move from old building to new building, from old church to new church.
We have more space now for café church although not for Sunday School, which is a challenge, although we can take the young people back to our old premises if necessary.  Best of all, however, we are in the middle of a redeveloping housing scheme and seeking by God's grace to play our part in sharing His love in creative and innovative ways with those who have lived in the area for many years as well as those just moving in and beginning a new life in a new home.
We are enjoying our new home too.
Henry Le Ruez  June 2007


This is the graphic used on the website and service sheet of Samares, at http://www.samares-methodist.org/, which was used to symbolise the countdown to the move.   As well as details of the forthcoming services it currently includes a 5 minute video clip of a visit from John Wesley.    Do any other Methodist Churches have such a lively website?
Ed Le Quesne

Gorey Village
On the 15th May an Extraordinary Circuit Meeting took place at Bethlehem in St. Mary. On the agenda was Gorey Methodist Church and Maison Binet Flats and the Trustees listened at length to an informative report on both.  Over some months a team of Circuit Stewards and myself have met with the tenants of Maison Binet to discuss an opportunity, which had been presented by a local developer. Gorey Chapel, which closed its doors in January 2006, remains in good condition and is frequently inspected.
In presenting the details of the report, the trustees were asked to regard the matter with discretion and care; therefore much of what was shared cannot be printed on this occasion. Ongoing discussions and communication with the Church Property Office in Manchester will be continuous for months to come. Only at a point when legal safeguards and full procedures have been followed can both the Chapel and the Maison Binet flats be sold. At a suitable date in the future, a fuller update can be given.  Until then there is much to be done.
Rev Chris White 

Visit of Hilary Jeune
Hilary is Policy Officer at the Fair Trade Advocacy Office, supported by FLO (Fairtrade Labelling Organisation), IFAT (International Fair Trade Association) NEWS (Network of European World Shops) and  EFTA (European Fair Trade Association).  She and one other person have to put the case for Fair Trade against a large number of business and Government lobbyists.  She spoke to a meeting of the Jersey Fairtrade Island Group in May.

Daniel and Anne Wimberley in conversation with Hilary
    She explained that she has a Jersey background, daughter of Celia Jeune and granddaughter of former Senator Reg Jeune.  She did a Geography B.A. and a Masters in International Development. She has worked in Africa and at the U.N. and spent a year in Brussels working on Conflict prevention before taking up her present post in January. 
   She outlined the principles behind Fair Trade which includes paying a fair price, supporting market access, building capacity,  making advance payments if requested by the producers and having long term, stable and transparent relations with  them.  There should be respect for the 8 ILO (International Labour Organisation) conventions  about working practices and respect for the environment.  
  Max Havelaar is a trademark for Fair trade  in Holland .(like the Fairtrade Foundation in England) It began certifying Fair Trade products 1988   Where does the name Max Havelaar come from? More than 130 years ago the author of the book "Max Havelaar or the coffee auctions of the Dutch Trading-Society", Eduard Douwes Dekker, was assistant resident in one of the districts of the former Dutch East Indies, the present Indonesia. Douwes Dekker could not reconcile with the politics of the colonial government who forced the countrymen on a massive scale to work for the Dutch coffee plantations. That pressure was so high that the farmers had to neglect the cultivation of food crops.   Famine was the result.   In the book, ‘Max Havelaar’ himself says "And once more I do not ask this for myself, but for the cause that I represent, the cause of justice and humanity, which is also a cause of well-understood politics".    (Max Havelaar, 1859, in his famous letter to the King of Holland, pledging for His intervention to secure a humane treatment of the indigenous people of the so called ‘Dutch Indies’, then later Indonesia. At that time, his plea stayed without positive result.)
Now the mood is changing.  Sales of Fair Trade items reached one billion Euros world wide in 2005.   In UK sales have grown from £2.75 m in 1994 to £195m n 2005.  Over 1.5 m people benefit from Fair Trade sales.  
  In July 2006 the European Parliament supported a resolution on Fair Trade and Fair Trade teas and coffees are served exclusively in the building.  The European Commission and Council do recognise that Fair Trade is important for poverty reduction and sustainable development and highlight this in different documents. However, there is still a lot of work to be done to translate what is said in documents to what happens on the ground.
Free trade or trade liberalisation is high on the E.U. agenda but for Last Developed Countries (LDC) it can destroy local trade and lead to food dependency (local tomato production in Ghana destroyed by imported Italian tomatoes is just one example of many).   LDCs are in a weak position in trade negotiations, which are legally binding, as every day in Geneva only about 12 out of 58 of them have people to speak for them.  Hilary gave the staggering statistic that it is estimated that LDC’s lose about $2m every day through unfair trade rules or 14 times the amount that they receive in aid!!!
The main drivers of trade liberalisation are MNCs (multinational corporations) and supermarkets with 95% of lobbyists coming from this direction, often stronger than national governments.  Hilary said that the best counter is the shopping habits of ordinary people who show their care by buying Fair Trade.  
To follow her work look at their website at www.fairtrade-advocacy.org
Ed Le Quesne


BB in Jersey continues, perhaps not at the heights of the past, but still making an invaluable contribution to the developing Christian lives of many boys (and now even some girls!).
To me the object of the Boys’ Brigade is even more relevant today in our “hoodie” society as it was in 19th century Glasgow when Sir William Alexander Smith decreed the object of the Boys’ Brigade as “The Advancement of Christ’s Kingdom amongst boys and the promotion of habits of obedience, reverence, discipline, self-respect and all that tends towards a true Christian manliness”. 
2007 sees the 120th anniversary of BB in Jersey and 2008 the 125th year since our formation. Whilst the history and longevity of BB is something to be cherished, and no doubt brings back many happy memories to those who are or have been associated with BB, our current challenge is to plan for the future, to map out where we might be for in 5 year’s time. We have started to do this and concluded that to survive we must grow and achieve critical mass. We would like to double the number of companies over the next 5 years from the current 3 (Georgetown, St Martin and Communicare). To do this we need some new blood, people who can identify with our object and are willing and able to commit to serving our young people.
Our first initiative is to hold a Youth Leader Training event on 13 October at Les Freres. This will provide the basic training to equip potential leaders. The course will be run by some very experienced BB officers from the North East of England District.  If, like me you are worried about the future spiritual well-being of our Island’s young people and want to make a difference, I would urge you to contact me for a chat and sign up for the training. We would also be delighted to meet with church councils to discuss how new companies might be established. Please help us rise to the challenge…..the adventure begins here!
 
Andrew Bennett, Training Officer, and member of Georgetown BB since 1980.
abennett@ jerseymail.co.uk 
Tel 639687 or mobile 07797 752235
A Blessing
        May God bless you with DISCOMFORT  ...
At easy answers, half-truths and superficial relationships,    So that you may live deep within your heart.
       May God bless you with ANGER  ..
At injustice, oppression and exploitation of people,    So that you may work for justice, freedom and peace.
       May God bless you with TEARS.
To shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation and war,    So that you may reach out your hand to comfort them 
And turn their pain into joy.
        And may God bless you with enough FOOLISHNESS  ..
To believe you can make a difference in this world,
So that you can do what others claim cannot be done.
Amen
by Brother Skip Matthews, who spent many years in Zambia.  It was printed in the ‘Hands around the world’ newsletter of March 2007.

New role at Communicare
Deacon Malcolm Salmon has been appointed to be responsible for the pastoral care and development of the Sunday morning congregation.  This is a circuit appointment with Rev. David Coote as  line Manager and the circuit staff meeting as support group.  He will also have the support of the Rector, Rev Mark Bond and Rev Judith Davy who is Chaplain at Communicare.    From September  he will be planned regularly and on most Sundays at Communicare.   As they don’t have a regular organist, Malcolm’s musical skills will be very welcome.
He may also be able to develop weekday activities with the support of the Youth service but Sunday will be his main focus.  Anything he does during the week on the Communicare premises should be shared with Tony, the Manager and with Judy, the Chaplain.

News from Kevin Jones
Dear Friends
Just a note to keep in touch, things have been hectic as ever but I trust the summer will be a little more sane.  It has certainly taken this long just to begin to arrive in Southport, the real work is yet to emerge.
We have been blessed over the Easter period as we have engaged in a discipleship program from Rick Warren.  My five Chapels have engaged in the 40 days of purpose  and have grown spiritually through the experience.  We are also beginning to plan a trip back to Uganda with our good friend Keith Jarvis, in January 08.
Till then I am completing a Masters degree at Cliff College on Leadership, renewal and Mission and beginning to find my feet in the new anointment.  Though it has both ups and downs.  Trying to provide an active lead over five chapels seems almost beyond reach, but there are some good early signs and many challenges. 
I am still doing occasional presentations on the East African Revival 70th anniversary convention around the Liverpool district and our chapels are supporting the Methodist Work in Jinja Uganda, by continuing to help fund the building of the primary school out there.
For now Anne-Marie is off to France for a few days to see her parents and I am looking forward to summer holidays, we will be at the revival fellowship in Wales in early August but are yet to decide where to spend our other weeks holiday.  It seems almost impossible to get things to work out, but the Lord I am sure knows.  I enjoy getting the whole family together.   Daniel has now finished his second year at UNI and Bethany has struggled through but accomplished her first.  Lydia-Anna is taking her A level year one exams and Joshua is at Timber yard in Leyland doing work experience.  Rebbekah is now quite big and doing well  at school.  I mist get ready to go hospital visiting, so the Lord's blessing be with you in all you do.

D Kevin Jones.  Methodist Minister
from an e-mail sent to several  people at Easter 

News from the Millers
We will be moving this summer when David’s current invitation comes to an end. Many folk would have liked us to stay; a few wouldn’t, but that’s to be expected. It was difficult decision on our part; we could have stayed  another two years - and seen Stephen through school.



Tim, Liz, Stephen and David

 Instinctively, though, we feel the next phase of the work here is five to ten years worth, not two. Somewhat reluctantly David agreed to be considered for superintendents’ appointments; however in the draft profile form, under the “what kind of circuit would you consider being a superintendent in” question, we put the phrase, “A circuit where superintendency is viewed as more about being a team leader than a church bureaucrat”. We expected the District Chair to suggest we tone it down; instead, he chuckled and said, “Oh, I like that; it’ll certainly put off the circuits you don’t want and I think I’ll probably include it in my next profile...”! The upshot is that David was matched with the High Wycombe circuit, to be Superintendent and be based in Marlow - which is where Buckinghamshire meets the Thames. We were completely ignorant of the fact that Marlow is quite posh - in parts. We went for interview, David was offered the appointment and after a bit of deliberation we’ve accepted.  We will move mid August. There is some innovative work and some exciting opportunities in the circuit and no doubt, there will be challenges like all places.
Tim was inspired after an excellent work experience with Associated British Ports and is applying through UCAS for Mechanical Engineering courses.  He’s allegedly studying towards A levels in Maths, Chemistry and Physics. He's planning a mixed “gap year”; he hopes to work with Spring Harvest Holidays at their campsite in the Vendee (France) next summer, and with a Christian children's work team overseas as an intern. These periods will be interspersed with blocks of “work for money”.
Stephen is working steadily towards GCSE’s, but is unsettled about us moving - he’ll come round! He continues with the violin and Boys’ Brigade and now also sometimes plays the drums in the church worship band;. This was considered an asset by Marlow Methodist Church.
Liz continues supply teaching and to be the all round organiser of everyone else’s life. Liz passed the British Sign Language exam in the summer, so further signing to come and hopefully to continue after our move and still enjoys playing the piano.
  We’ve had more frequent trips to David’s Auntie Vera near Wimborne, who is still immensely active and independent in her late 80’s. However 550 mile round journeys are becoming wearing - with mainly slow return trips. Once more, we all enjoyed Easter People in Scarborough and again co-ordinated the Kibbutzes, as well as leading our youth group in one. We were pleased to visit Liz’s brother and his family, in Virginia again this summer; it was good to catch up with Andrew , Jill and their sons Andrew and Daniel for a week in late August. We first flew into New York, had a hectic three days in The Big Apple and then drove to Niagara - four hundred and fifty miles North-West from New York and then to Richmond five hundred miles south via by Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania (remember Groundhog Day? Yep, that’s the place. Hmm..)
Edited from their Christmas letter
The Millers are spending 2 weeks in Jersey in July

Ebenezer


Ebenezer window at Trinity Church Flower Festival
The last few months have been a busy and exciting time for us at Ebenezer. Our links with the Parish Church are as strong as ever and we had the first joint service of the year on Liberation Day at our church, when the magnificent sum of £705 was collected from parishioners who attended the service in aid of  British Red Cross .
  As in previous years we join our friends at the Parish Church on Trinity Sunday which was celebrated on the 3rd June. As the church had their organ renovated recently, they decided that in celebration  the church would be decorated for a Flower Festival over a three day period. Each window and other areas of the church were decorated to celebrate the many organisations that Trinity is so fortunate to have . Ebenezer was requested to decorate their own window, which was a beautiful display of our church life and memorabilia. Part of the display was a  board with a quote  from 1 Samuel 7:12 (NIV), with a footnote 'Ebenezer’ translated from Hebrew means ‘stone of help'.
Recently Ebenezer's Women Network was awarded the CI District Network Cup, which is for a triennial inter island competition . The competition was set this time to make a container for a mother or child at Jersey Women's Refuge. The exhibits were judged by the President of the Conference during his visit.  Our ladies won the 1st prize for their child’s gift, and won it back from the Guernsey Circuit who had held the cup since 1995!(see the photo )
One of our young people has also been very busy. Matthew Pallot is a member of the 6th Scout Troop and they are the only group in the Channel Islands to have reached the final stage of a national competition to celebrate 100 years of the scouting movement. The mammoth  project was to complete 100 challenges in 100 days. The challenges they completed make interesting reading but seemed like hard work to me! The winning patrol in this national competition will enjoy an expenses-paid trip to the World Jamboree this summer. Good luck Matthew and well done to them all.
And finally, Ebenezer held a council meeting in early June when our minister made a PowerPoint presentation  of an ambitious scheme to  create our long awaited car park. To achieve this we will also have to demolish part of the rear of our hall. This will give us the opportunity to update our hall facilities and bring them bang up to date for additional community use. This exciting project is a huge leap of faith for us, but it came about due to the impending sale of the hotel next door. The developer is willing to work with us in exchanging land at the rear of Ebenezer to attain our car park.  After the doors had been firmly closed on our previous scheme we are delighted that this new offer has come about, and we are fortunate to be working with people who are very community minded. Matters seem to be quickly falling into place and we are truly thankful that our prayers have been answered.  We see this very much as a mission and community scheme, as the hotel premises are being turned into 41 one bedroom flats!.
However, we must not forget that we have been very grateful for the help and support received from David Lord at the hotel over all these years. In the past we held some of our annual BBQ's there and we have been very fortunate in being able to use the hotel for car parking.
As the quote above states Ebenezer means stone of help. The church has been ' a stone of help' to this and previous generations. Now its our turn to have vision in the future life of these buildings in order to spread our faith to those in and outside our immediate community.
Michael Picot

Answer to prayer
After his cat got stuck up a tree, a vicar mounted a rescue operation.  He climbed a ladder, tied one end of a rope to the narrow trunk, and the other end to the tow bar of his car.  He gently drove forward and the inevitable occurred: the rope snapped, catapulting the cat into the sky.
No more was heard of the cat until a few weeks later.  The vicar went to visit a member of his church, a young mum (and her little boy, Johnny).  In her front room, lying on a rug was the vicar’s cat!  ‘How did you find such a lovely cat?’ the vicar asked, with thinly disguised innocence.
‘You’ll never believe it,’ replied the mother.  ‘My little Johnny’s been asking for a cat for months.  In the end I got so tired of it I told him to come out in the garden where I was hanging out the washing.  I told him the only thing to do was pray.  So we put our hands together and looked to the heavens.  “Dear Jesus,” we prayed, “please send us a pussy cat.”  And you’ll never guess what happened next, Vicar….’  !!!!

Items for the October issue should be sent to Ed(itor), 16, Millais Park, St. Helier, JE2 4RU by September 25th    
 E-mail     edleq@jerseymail.co.uk