The President and Vice-President in Jersey at Easter, 2003

Part 1 At Communicare

**

Rev Derrick Mellor welcomed Ian White and Peter Howdle to a meeting of

preachers at Communicare on Sat. April 19th. They had already visited

Alderney, Guernsey and Sark in their C.I. visit.

Peter used the example of Easter Offering envelopes, present in Sark as

in most Methodist churches, as a witness to our connectedness. He has seen

many well-cared for buildings used 7 days a week. He confirmed that

Methodist finances are well run but with falling numbers, difficult

decisions will be needed about priorities.

Ian said that we have an influence that outweighs our numbers, with MHA

and NCH as leading charities in their field, to whom the Government turns

for advice. At the Youth Conference in Hull, there were many impressive

young people, who wanted places that made them welcome and worship that was

intellectually and spiritually stimulating.

Peter has led several seminars on medical ethics, and on being

professional. He does his work as a gastroenterologist as well as he can

and has the same attitude to his work for the church.

In response to questions, Ian spoke of a young woman lay worker who is

appointed to a night club with working hours 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Another

person was chaplain to a town council and their work had been so well

received that it had been made a full-time post paid by the council. Ian

felt that circuits needed to use the talents of their ministers wisely and

not limit them to a section. Ian has travelled to several distant places

and found gratitude for the 19th century missionaries who had brought the

Gospel. Now at a meeting of World Church partners in Britain, he said there

was a feeling that the young churches overseas had grown up and they were

now concerned to feed their elderly parent church in G.B.!

There is a move for ministers to be given contracts of employment,

following a dispute between an Anglican bishop and vicar. Ian felt that in

Methodism ministers could be employed by conference and seconded to

circuits, to keep close to our traditional ways.

Both Ian and Peter agreed on the need to rationalise our resources,

perhaps in conjunction with other churches. Otherwise in large parts of the

country there will be no Christian presence within a few years. The

Anglican-Methodist Covenant had arisen from a request by churches already in

ecumenical partnership for advice on the way forward. It was not a top down

attempt to bring about a merger. We should have confidence to have

buildings with multiple uses, and to use non-church buildings from time to

time. We should also retain the cell approach, the small Christian presence

in every community. 

The Alpha course had shown the importance of a meal and the friendship

of a group in introducing people to faith. The ordained person will be an

initiator and supporter of work done by many people.

In many cases, groups renting church premises for play groups or after

school clubs have become partners rather than tenants. The group helps the

church in its mission to serve the neighbourhood.

Ian has obviously had a wonderful opportunity to see and learn many new

ideas during his travels. We hope he will be able to introduce some

appropriate ones during his final year in Jersey.

On Easter Sunday morning the President preached in Guernsey, while the

Vice President was at St. Aubin. In the evening there was a circuit service

at St. Martins. During the service Alan Colback and Sister Ruth Baudains

were presented with their 50 and 40 year certificates. The photo shows them with the President and Vice President after the service.

**

The service was led by Rev. Derrick Mellor, with a heavenly choir (in the

gallery!) and Alan Mollet at the organ. Peter Howdle took as his theme the

story of Thomas, unfairly remembered, he felt, as "doubting".

The service concluded with communion.

Ed Le Quesne

I am I. You are you.

I am not here to live up to your expectations.

You are not here to live up to mine.

You are you. I am I. If occasionally we see eye to eye, Thanks be to God.

John Fielden

Good Friday service

A good crowd gathered in a sunny Royal Square at 10 a.m., to be led in

prayer by Rev. Derrick Mellor then sing "There is a green hill far away".

It then set off in silent procession up Halkett Place led by Deacon Malcolm

Salmon striking a slow beat on the drum and followed by 3 crosses. Rev.

Paul Brooks and a small group from St. Paul's peeled away at Union St. to go

to their own service. At St. Helier Methodist Centre, one cross was left at

the top of the steps and the others taken into the services (there were two services, a traditional one and an all-age one).

**

The procession moves down Halkett Place

The traditional service began with a solo from Roy Picot, "Were you there when they crucified my Lord?" Then the silence was broken by hammer blows as Debbie

Godefroy drove 3 nails into the cross. Jeremy Troxler led 4 meditations on

the 7 words from the cross in his usual thoughtful style. After each,

Debbie added symbols to the cross then said "Jesus we believe in you, we

hope in you, we love you. Through your cross you bring us hope of

resurrection" and we responded "Father, forgive us, we know not what we do".

The hymns fitted in perfectly and after a final verse from Roy Picot, "Were

you there when they raised him from the dead?" we left in silence. It was

a memorable service to put alongside many other memorable Good Friday

services. An alternative all-age service was held at the same

time in the Hall. There were just two disappointments, I was not able to

get the text of Jeremy"s talks for everyone to reflect on, he has been too

busy. Also a number of people didn't realise the service was on, so stayed

away, as it was not on the Circuit plan.

Ed Le Quesne

"Good-bye, Jersey"

Can it really be true that Margaret and I are already saying good-bye? We

talk so often about how "time flies," but it seems to defy belief that

already our year here is drawing to a close. There are days when it seems

like only yesterday that we stepped off the plane for the first time, a

nervous young couple not quite sure what would be waiting for us on the

other side.

What would be waiting for us would be the most wonderful, challenging,

exhilarating, blessed year of our lives. Our words (and our tear ducts)

fail when we try to express what "ya'll" have come to mean to us. You have

welcomed us, accepted us, listened to us, fed us (!), trusted us, and loved

us. There have been times when you have made us feel like a prince and

princess, so gracious have you been. There are many more things we could

say, many more things we will say over the course of this month; but

perhaps now the best thing to say is the simple truth: We love you and we

thank God for you.

If perhaps in some small way our time here has been a blessing to

you, thank the good and gracious God who will use even the young and the

inexperienced for building up his kingdom.

And if we'd like to leave with you one final thought, it would be this:

that to play a part in Christ's mission in the world is a magnificent

adventure! What a joy, in a world of loneliness, to be made part of the

fellowship of Jesus! What a privilege, in a world dying of boredom and

emptiness, to have good and meaningful work to do! What an adventure, to

wake up each day and to wonder how it is that God will use you, how God will

come to you that day, who it is that Christ will call us to serve!

In an earlier article I referred to the story of Orpheus and the

rowers: about how the seductive song of the sirens once lured sailors to

crash their boats upon the rocks, but about how Orpheus saved his own ship

by playing on his lute a song that was more beautiful than the song of the

sirens.

The seas may be rough for a time, and there may be siren songs all around,

but the church still has the world's most beautiful song: a magnificent

melody of love and service and justice and wholeness and peace. May all of

us trust in the greater beauty of that gospel song, and may we play it with

all our hearts before a listening world!

Margaret and I will now be going to play a different part in God's

world-wide adventure of the kingdom; we go forward to play and to listen

that to that glorious song in a different place.

But now, there is another song whose strains will never be far from our

ears:

"Beautiful Jersey."

God bless ya'll!

Jeremy and Margaret Troxler

Jeremy asked for the words of the song "Beautiful Jersey" so here they are,

thanks to Jackie De Gruchy, from Eden, who has often sung them.

Beautiful Jersey

1. There's a spot that I love that I ne'er can forget,

Tho' far I may roam 'twill be dear.

For its beauty will linger in memory yet,

Where'er o'er the world I may steer.

Dear Jersey, fair Isle, of the ocean the queen,

Thy charms are so many and rare;

For love finds a home 'mid each beauteous scene,

My heart ever longs to be there.

Chorus

Beautiful Jersey, gem of the sea,

Ever my heart turns in longing to thee;

Bright are the mem'ries you waken for me,

Beautiful Jersey gem of the sea.

2. On thy shores I have wandered in glad days of yore,

With one who is dear to my heart,

And the love links will bind us as one evermore,

Although for a while we must part.

And oft in my dreams do I see the dear place

The dear little Isle of the sea,

And in fancy I gaze on a sweet loving face,

The face that is dearest to me.

Seeing in it written down, I think it has a great chorus, with music adding

to the words, but I'm not so sure about the verses.

Ed Le Quesne

Window on Chaplaincy

Photo of Chris White

Right at the very start of my ministry in England, I was assigned to a

prison as a Chaplain for one full day, occasionally two full days, every

week. This lasted three years as part of a multi-faith team in a large

Chapel. It was placed right in the centre of a low category prison

surrounded by a maze of locked gates and razor wire.

Attached to me were keys with which I would lock men back into their

cells in the evening after they had attended bible discussion groups. My

memories of beginning this work alongside my five rural Methodist Chapels

were those of anxiety and wondering if I would actually cope. I found the

prison food was appalling, the smells inside a cell were sickening, the

incidents of thuggery among inmates almost unrepeatable to share. Yet

after three years there, I found it almost impossible to leave and for

several months afterwards I actually hated the Church for relocating me. It

had taken years to understand the prison system and undergo training and

liaise a community work scheme. I left a thriving Chapel with a group of men

who had begun a faith journey and whose friendship was very strong. There

are times when I think the Church is absolutely barking mad and times when I

have been furious with the powerlessness of God.

However, when I arrived at my next location I realised why I had to move

because of a long list I won't share here. But sufficient to make me realise

that whilst we might question the hand of God, her hand is far wiser than

the Church itself. Many years later, having moved again, I now begin

hospital Chaplaincy. My initial thoughts were fear of the unknown and

desperate need for some basic training, which I did receive in Leeds.

Having been an occasional day patient I knew what it felt like to be

vulnerable, to wear a funny gown and have injections and tubes and things.

In the first four months working two and a half days each week, I am

learning all the little things, which help. When not to visit a ward, when

to speak and when to say nothing, which members of staff smile and which do

not, when to give an answer and when to realise there are no answers. I

still dislike all the bedside fluid bags and cables, the smells and noises

people make. It seems strange to watch the body decay and grow tired slowly

and yet help to sustain someone's inner spirit.

Just as we think of Churches as holy ground I have realised there is a

holy ground in a Maternity unit when a new baby is struggling to breathe and

a blessing is requested. There is holy ground when there is a deep sense

of privilege reading the final words in final moments of life. At the end of

the day in the Hospital I need to shake off emotionally some of the words I

have heard and even the feeling of someone's trembling hand I have heard in

prayer or to console. I have to say that when I come back into "Church"

ministry each week, I feel that some of the matters we discuss seem suddenly

and appallingly quite petty, because of this new contrast. We grasp at

things in this life too much and we need to loosen our grip. We take too

much pride in ourselves when we ought to be thankful that we woke up without

pain. Sometimes the church can lose touch with reality so easily. I suppose

this perspective is bound to come through, it's inevitable and I hope people

will understand why I say this.

During my first week as a chaplain I had to wash my hands after leaving

a room and take off gloves and apron. I proved too enthusiastic with the

bottle of pink sterilising fluid and managed to thoroughly soak my left arm,

which did not improve my new suit. Needless to say I felt a complete idiot!

Laughter has a great therapeutic value I think.

If anyone would like to know more about Chaplaincy, do think about

becoming a hospital volunteer and contact me at home on tel, 722093.

Rev. Chris White, Hospital Chaplain

SAMARÈS RENEWS LINKS WITH SHETLAND CHURCH

Samarès Chapel's sole claim to fame lies in the fact that it's the most

southerly church in the British Isles. Its most northerly counterpart is

the Haroldswick Methodist Church, Unst in Shetland.

Contact between the two congregations was first established by the Rev.

(then Mr.) Eric Lucas in 1991, when Eric was Lay Pastor at Samarès, in

response to an article in the Methodist Recorder. Since then, gifts have

been exchanged between us, both monetary and otherwise, and the Haroldswick

lay pastor, Douglas Graham, regularly sends us his Christmas newsletter. In

about 1994 four members of the Haroldswick congregation, holidaying in

Jersey, worshipped at Samarès and in 1999, Mr. Graham, while visiting

Jersey, preached at Samarès. Likewise some Jersey folk (notably Mrs. Jennie

Lindley, whose husband the late Rev. Herbert Lindley, began his ministry in

the Shetland Islands), have visited Haroldswick church.

**

The plate taken to Shetland

When the Methodist Church Prayer Card, was issued, we quickly spotted

that this year's President, our own Rev. Ian White, was due to visit the

Shetland District in February this year and we asked him if he would be

prepared to take a gift from Samarès to Haroldswick with him, especially as

2003 is our Centenary year. Mr. White readily agreed, and the question then

arose: what form should that gift take. Such a gift needed to be something

of a permanent nature, and we eventually decided that a Jersey Pottery

plate, suitably inscribed, would be appropriate. Florence Le Cornu, one of

our church stewards, had spent some two months in the General Hospital at

the end of last year, a lot of the time under the loving care of Maria Da

Encarnaçao, a Portuguese staff nurse and a member of Elim Church in

Stopford Road. Maria was discovered to have considerable talent as an

artist, and she undertook the commission, although with some misgivings, as

she'd never before painted on pottery. However, the painting was done, on a

plate supplied by the Jersey Pottery, the plate glazed and fired at the

pottery and delivered to Mr. & Mrs. White just in time to catch them before

they journeyed north.

**

The President hands over the plate

The Methodist Recorder of the 20th March reports the President's visit

to Haroldswick thus "The second day of the visit involved a 120-mile round

road trip plus four ferry journeys to Haroldswick, the most northerly church

in Britain. Mr. White presented Haroldswick church with a specially

commissioned hand-painted plate from Samarès Methodist church in Jersey, the

most southerly church in Britain, which this year celebrates its centenary."

In May, the tenth anniversary of the opening of the new Haroldswick church

building was celebrated. The visit coincided with the local Up Helly Aa, or

Viking Fire Festival.

**

The President with a group of the "Vikings"

John Le Cornu

An eventful Circuit meeting

This was held at Bethesda on March 6th. It supported Mrs Glenys Best as

a candidate for the presbyteral ministry by a large majority. Mr. Chris

Haines has gained a place on the STETS course in September to begin

Foundation Training and has the good wishes and prayers of all.

After Rev. Chris White spoke for and Rev. Kevin Jones spoke against and

others spoke, a ballot was held on the Anglican-Methodist covenant. 29 were

in favour, 51 against with 4 abstentions. However the secretary was asked to

record that many voted against with sadness, as a vote against the process

rather than ecumenism. There is still a strong desire to work together in

friendship with Christians of other denominations.

**

Our Treasurer, a member at St. Aubin

Mr. Eric Le Rossignol was unanimously appointed as Circuit Steward,

undertaking the role of Circuit Treasurer. His first task was to present

the accounts for the current year, which will show a deficit. The size will

depend on how long the Sion manse remains empty. Then the budget and

assessments for 2003/2004 were put forward and agreed nearly unanimously

after discussion, though there are some problems with the current formula.

Mr. George MacRae brought a resolution from Bethesda asking for all options

for cutting costs and/or increasing income to be brought to the meeting

before setting the 2004/05 assessment. After discussion this was amended to

a proposition that "the Circuit Leadership Team bring a 4 or 5 year plan to

the September Circuit meeting re the functioning of the Circuit and the

associated costs, including options" which was carried nearly unanimously.

(This has long been needed. I hope they will be bold and realistic!) Mr.

Ian Toole was thanked for his many years as Hon. auditor. By law a

registered auditor is now needed.

The meeting approved the purchase by Bethlehem of a strip of land to

create a car park. It also approved a 99-year lease of part of the

caretaker's garden to house a 5 metre square cabin of equipment for a

one-off payment of £10,000 and an annual rent.

The meeting agreed the following Memorial to Conference "to extend from

seven to 14 days the consultation period before invitations to ministers are

offered to give time for references and additional information to be

obtained"

Ed Le Quesne

(from the minutes, not actually there!)

Synod report

This was held on April 12th at St Helier Methodist Centre, chaired by

Rev. Ian White, a.m., and Rev. Ian Suttie, p.m.

The central debate was before the vote on the Anglican / Methodist

covenant. Speakers were both for and against. Most people felt there was

already a good working relationship with the Anglicans in the district and

all were in favour of this. There were areas of uncertainty about the

positions of Deacons and women, but that this was just a beginning. There

have been enormous changes in the structure of the Anglican church which

should encourage us to go on a journey of faith. It was mentioned that

perhaps the Methodist Church has an inferiority complex, but we have much to

offer. A question was asked about the financial viability of the Anglican

Church but we were reminded that there are many Ecumenical partnerships

already working well.

A Ballot vote was taken on the following Resolution. "The Channel

Islands Synod approves the Anglican/Methodist Covenant, consisting of a

preamble and mutual affirmations and commitments, as set out in Paragraph

194 of the Common statement."

The results of the Secret Ballot were: -

Yes 31 No 28 Abstentions 1

This result goes forward to Conference, which takes the final vote.

Other matters at Synod:

A piece of flint, a gift from East Anglia to the Channel Islands at

Conference 2002 and a reminder that "Christ is our cornerstone" was carried

to all the Channel Islands on the President and Vice -President visits. The

President, Ian White, said that his role is Networking and in this period of

change, to listen, link and share. It is an exciting, supporting and

challenging time because each church offers something new, to meet the needs

of their community. We are all on a pilgrimage - try, try, try again -

never lose your objective, which is to arrive.

The Rev. David Coote was unanimously endorsed as the proposed Chair of

the C.I. District from September 2004. (more about him in September)

A presentation was made to Mrs. Phyllis Le Goubin who is stepping down

from the Network Committee after 30 years.

Concern was expressed that Jersey JMA has declined.

It was agreed that the District Advance Fund is not available for

general property grants but for new developments of ministry - lay and

ordained, - for maintenance of ministry where Synod deems it to be

appropriate and for property grants related to new developments of ministry.

The difficulty of getting young people to the Youth conference on the

mainland, travelling on their own, has led to the idea of a District Youth

Executive and sending a group of young people to the 2004 Youth Conference

in Southampton

Notes from the minutes by the Synod Secretary (June Le Rossignol)

The centre of the Bible

The shortest chapter in the Bible?

Answer: Psalm 117 (2 verses)

The longest chapter in the Bible?

Answer: Psalm 119 (176 verses)

Which chapter is in the centre of the Bible? Answer: Psalm 118

There are 594 chapters before Psalm 118 and 594 chapters after Psalm 118.

594 + 594 = 1188 and the centre verse of the Bible is Psalm 118 v. 8.

Does this verse say something significant about God's perfect will in our

lives?

It says "It is better to trust in God than to put confidence in man" (Good

News Bible).

The next time someone says they would like to find God's perfect will for

their lives and they want to be in the centre of His will, just send them to

the centre of His Word!

Bethesda News, May 2003.

The facts have not been checked!

Methodists at Lunch

The Methodist Women's Luncheon Club meet for a 2 course lunch and a talk

by a local speaker for a 7 month season from October to April, on the 2nd

Monday monthly. During the 2002-2003 season, speakers talked on an

entertaining and diverse range of topics including Guide Dogs of the Blind,

working with Mother Teresa, being a local Blue Badge Guide, Overseas Aid,

the work of a Advocate and North Carolina USA.

The next season commences on 13th October 2003 and all ladies are welcome.

Please see your chapel representative if you wish to join us.

Joyce Haines

Methodist men meet for lunch at the Mayfair on the first Monday of each

month between September and May. There is no formal membership or

subscription, just one thing in common-we are Christian men who enjoy our

food.

Over the last year we have seen our numbers growing as more men discover

the value of meeting together as Christians. We always invite a well known

guest to speak on a Christian or faith topic, speakers this season have

included Kevin Jones, Jeremy Troxler, Colin Perchard and Derrick Mellor and

Rev Christine Price at the joint lunch with the ladies in December.

Retiring collections are held for the Young Christian Community

Development project in Rongo, Kenya, which is caring for children left as

orphans through AIDS, a tangible way of giving thanks for the good food and

fellowship we enjoy.

Further information is available from Nick Owen on 858262 or John

Duffield on 725996.

Nick Owen

The New Team at Highlands Hotel

**

Sandra and Alan, before the hotel opened on May 7th

As mentioned in the March edition Bob Farrimond has left his position as

Deputy Manager with Highlands Hotel at Corbiere so that he can move with his

wife Maree who is shortly to take up a position as a Methodist Minister in

Caldicot South Wales. Soon after Bob made his decision known the

appointment of Tim Anderson to the position of customer Service Manager at

Jersey Airport was also confirmed.

Alan Irving with his wife Sandra had been working in Christian Hotel

management in the UK for the past 15 years and Alan was appointed in

February to take over the position as Hotel Manager of this successful

Christian hotel. Sandra has joined the management team as his assistant

during the summer season and it has been rumoured that their presence has

been seen worshipping at Bethesda on a number of Sunday mornings recently.

They have a son, Jonathan, living with his wife in Ely, who plays the

guitar with a worship team in a church in Cambridge.

During the summer Alan will be actively involved encouraging the Bible

Ministry programme at the hotel and seeing that the guest speakers feel at

home. Many Jersey locals have called in the past for light refreshments and

it is hoped that this will continue over the coming months. It is not

unknown for people living on the island to come and stay for a short while

either on personal retreat or to sample the full ministry programme. Those

who are prepared to have a 'standby' holiday (last minute bookings for

Jersey people) can be offered accommodation and board at very favourable

terms. If you are in the vicinity please do call in to get to know us.

With best wishes

Alan and Sandra Irving

I enjoyed a cup of coffee and chat with Alan and Sandra at the start of

May as they readied the hotel for its first guests. I discovered that Alan

started work as a science teacher in Birmingham. When faced with redundancy

on the "last in, first out" principle as the school roll fell he moved into

hotel management. He has managed Methodist holiday homes in Welsh borders,

near to where Maree and Bob are moving. He stayed at Highlands as a guest a

few years ago, so knows what he is taking on. One innovation already is a

children's climbing frame in the grounds.

Their special offer is Fellowship, Bed, breakfast & Evening meal for

£30.00 per night. It is for Jersey residents only, and can be booked up to

7 days before the intended date of stay. It will help them to fill in the

inevitable gaps that occur in their bookings and offer a relaxing break in

this attractive and welcoming Christian hotel. Every church notice board

should have their attractive colour photos advertising this offer. The

phone number is 744288.

Ed Le Quesne

**

Alison Connan, Derrick Mellor, Bob , Maree, Ann-Marie Jones + John Perkins after the Farrimond's farewell service at Bethlehem

Provision for Old age groups

In our last issue we looked at the use of our premises for young people

in parent and toddler and pre-school groups. Here are some responses to the

question, What do we provide for the elderly?

Eden We have a Network meeting fortnightly on a Wednesday. A different

speaker comes each time and about 25 to 30 attend, middle aged upwards.

Hazel Le Boutillier

Georgetown

Neighbourhood Club

This meets fortnightly on Wednesday afternoons, with activities and

visits including strawberry tea, garden parties, visits to the Pantomime, Easter

show and Old Tyme Music Hall. Church members help with transport and

Georgetown and St. Helier Minibuses are used. Some members die or become

housebound each year but others join through word of mouth. It has run for

over 20 years.

Network This meets alternate Wednesdays, 2.30 to 4 pm with a service,

talks and a Bring & Buy stall for missions. It ends with a cup of tea and

biscuit.

Wednesday Group, formerly Young Wives, meets

alternate Wednesday evenings. It is more a social activity group with 15

members and an age range 45 - 70. Visits to the cinema, Opera House and

eating out are balanced by talks and donations to charity. Favourite

evenings are a Pool party, at the Picots, and a Christmas meal with a fun

competition.

Craft group

This has been going for just 2 years, now meeting fortnightly on Monday

evenings. Members bring their own crafts or have visits out. Before

Christmas they made a display of paper angels and shepherds and before

Easter made crosses from materials donated by church members.

Philadelpie There are no weekly activities for older people at present.

However, as from 30 September the Women's Network will meet in the hall on

the last Tuesday of each month, for three months. The first speaker is Rev K

Jones, then Dennis Shaw and Elizabeth Perchard.

Katie Norman

We do not have anything specifically for older people at Samares at present

although they are fully integrated into anything we do as a whole church

anyway. Steve Higginson

St. Martin. Women's Fellowship which meets on the first Tuesday of the

month at 3.00pm. The President is Lyn Mellor and Vice President is Eveline

Le Seelleur. This is a church based group with approx. 10 regulars of

retirement age. This is more of a worship based group.

Wednesday Group which meets once a month. The President is Margaret Le

Cornu until Sept. then Marion Labey. The group has approx. 50 members and

regularly attendees number 35 / 40. The age range is 50-75 years. The group

is open to all and has about 10 Catholic members and 10 Anglican members.

The rest are made up of Methodist and friends. This is a good outreach for

our Church. The group is more social than Womens' Fellowship but begins with

a prologue with a Methodist slant. The President must be a member of the

Methodist church.

Wednesday Prayer Group. This meets in the vestry at 12.00 for half an hour

of prayer for the church & our everyday concerns. The numbers are

around 10 but is open to all in the Church & Parish. On the fourth

Wednesday of the month the Group pray for the Parish & island and the Rector

L Turner attends to lead on occasion and Anglicans & Catholics are invited.

Joy Owen

St Aubin

We have a Friendship Club that meets once a month in members' homes but as

far as providing for the elderly we work ecumenically in St Brelade. There

are Tea Sets at Communicare on Tuesdays and Fridays and there is also a Day

Care Centre on Wednesdays but those attending this have to be referred.

Members from St Aubin assist in various ways.

Jill Corbin

Others can share their activities in our Sept. issue

From the Youth Worker

Since November about 50 young people go to SHMC on Wednesday evenings

for cell groups. These are small groups of young people who meet together

every week with their leaders to worship, pray and study the Bible together.

The nature of the small groups enables friendships to be built up with

support and care given to those who have committed themselves to living the

Christian lifestyle. All meet together in the youth room to socialise and

gather, then break into four groups for approximately an hour before coming

back together at the end of the evening. Deacon Malcolm Salmon is one of

the leaders and he is also a core leader within "The Gap" leadership team.

"The Gap" is a fortnightly event held at the Jersey Community Church in

Victoria St. It is ecumenical Christian based youth work with several

churches involved. Malcolm finds it a great challenge and very rewarding at

the same time being involved in a project that is at the cutting edge of

ministry and mission among young people today. Anyone age thirteen or over

is welcome and Malcolm hopes more Methodist young people will get involved.

Work in schools

Open Book are having an Open Afternoon on June 3rd at Rouge Bouillon School

from 1.30 to 2.30. This is to show the sort of assemblies that are being

done in two primary schools and to encourage more people to take part.

The assemblies are being enthusiastically received in the schools and other

schools would like a team to visit them. It needs more volunteers able to

spare an hour a week. If you would like to help in this important outreach

please contact Caroline Homan or Deacon Malcolm Salmon

Christian Aid

During Christian Aid Week Malcolm Salmon and Danny Desbois have taken

"pilot" assemblies in primary schools, which have been well received.

Malcolm, Danny and others in the Christian Aid Schools team are hoping to

extend the work to further primary schools and secondary schools. They hope

shortly to have a website available for both young people and teachers to

log into giving details and resources available.

Young Church Action Team (formerly Christian Education & Youth committee)

At a meeting on Thurs. 27th Feb, at St Helier Methodist Centre, our main

speaker was Miss Carrie Myers, a young gap year student who has been working

with Christian Aid, and spent some time in South Africa. She shared with us

her experiences and gave us an opportunity to see some of the available

resources, which we can use in relation to Christian Aid and our work with

children and young people. Every one was impressed with her presentation.

It was only a shame that not more people were there to hear her!

A Circuit Weekend Camp for school years 6 to 9, is being planned from Sat.

21st to Sun. 22nd June, held at the Boys' Brigade HQ at Les Freres, St

John. We seriously need help and support to make this weekend happen and more importantly happen well! We are greatly in need of support for catering, and people to stay over! We have a final meeting on Mon. June 9th, 7.30 pm at St Helier Methodist Centre when we

hopefully will have a list of names! Junior Church Leaders are bringing the

names of those who will be attending the weekend from their church. There

are two options:

1. 10.00am Saturday to 6.00 pm on the Sunday, cost = £15.00 per person

2. Just the Saturday (10.00 am to 9.00 pm). Cost = £10 .00 per person

The weekend will include social, recreational and spiritual activities!

If you or anyone in your church is able to help then contact Malcolm as soon

as possible please!

Jersey Youth Keswick Fri. 4th - Sun. 7th July 2003 at Vinchelez de Haut

Manor, St. Ouens, cost= £20 per person (discounts available for more than 1

child in the family) for ages thirteen to eighteen. During the course of the

weekend we will be looking at 'Who is this Jesus' and what he means to us

today. Information has been distributed to each church, further information

is available from Malcolm Salmon, please encourage your young people to

come.

e-mail: deacon_malcolm@hotmail.com,

Tel: 722763

"Ode to Jersey" By: Rev. Jeremy Troxler

To Jersey wonders, Jersey Royals, Jersey milk, and Jersey cows

To natural beauty that elicits sighs and wows.

To gorse, hydrangeas, agapanthas, and daffodils;

To rolling hills, and to outrageous rent bills.

To castles of stone, and to beaches of sand;

To controversial developments, and to reclaimed land.

To green lanes and roads six inches wider than your car;

To believing that two miles is actually very far.

To Bouley, Bonne Nuit, Rozel, and St. Aubin's Bay,

To country people who end every sentence with "eh?".

To breaks for coffee and tea, and to more breaks for coffee and tea,

and to more breaks for coffee and tea;

To drinking an amount of tea to fill up the sea.

To Gorey, St. Catherine's, and the island called Green;

To looking for the Red Houses at Red Houses, when none are to be seen.

To St. Oo-en, I mean, St. Ouen, to Oo-ais-knee, I mean Ouaisne;

To the challenge of pronouncing things as the local people say.

To Guernsey, to Alderney, to Herm, and to Sark;

To circling downtown trying to find a place to park.

To majestic cliff paths and the ocean on the rocks,

To the tunnel, to the ferry terminal, and, to steam clocks.

To magpies, to sea gulls, to birds of a feather;

To the game of seeing who will be the first person to comment on the weather.

To wonderful cooks and long and enjoyable meals,

To Lent lunches, black butter, and soup from conger eels.

To the American Cookie Company and to beautiful parks,

To the phenomenon referred to as Marks and Sparks.

To sea lettuce, the filter-in-turn, and the JEP,

To taking yet another break for coffee and tea.

To museums and tapestries and the orchid foundation,

To fascinating stories from the German Occupation.

To those fogbound days that lead you to sigh,

To a trip to the zoo to see the Aye-Aye.

To boats and to castles and the various towers,

To the Battle of Britain, and the Battle of Flowers.

To gales, broncage, freezing water, and Jerriais,

To the old at conversation, and to children at play.

To days when sun and lightness seem to fill the very air;

To red and purple sunsets in the sky above Corbiere.

To an island, not perfect, and yet that plays its special part;

To Jersey: a small place, yes, but with a big heart.

This was originally written for the Biarritz dinner in April, but is well

worth wider circulation. Jeremy has summed us up to a "T", especially the

last two lines, eh !

Samares Methodist Church

What do you do when you have a lively group of children in your Sunday

School aged 5 to 12 and a small staff meeting in just one room? Especially

when the teaching material sometimes leaves you cold. One answer is to

involve everyone in frequent interactive worship.

Following a lively Stewards Meeting the Church Council approved a pilot

3 month scheme of All Age worship alternating with our more traditional

worship so that one Sunday is All Age worship and the following one is

traditional and so on. We set up a small team of people to meet together to

turn the vision into reality. The result is a scheme under the title of

"Freedom". You might be interested in the titles:

Free to Receive Luke 18: 9-14: the tax collector and the Pharisee

Free to Give Luke 18: 18-30: the rich young ruler

Free to Worship Luke 18: 35-43: the healing of the blind man

Free to Grow Luke 19: 1-10: Jesus and Zacchaeus

Free to Serve Luke 19: 11-27: the parable of the pounds

Free to Be John 10: 1-10: the shepherd and the sheep.

A co-ordinator has been appointed from the team for each theme, although

all team members have agreed to help each other find resources. We are

expecting to involve most of the congregation, including the children. It

is at least in part a learning by doing exercise.

The All Age service will explore the theme for the fortnight

interactively and the following Sunday it will be followed through both in

Sunday School and in the preaching service.

Yes, we are trusting in the co-operation of the preachers appointed to

us and yes, it is a lot of extra work. But we believe it is worth it. The

scheme will be reviewed mid-term. And, just to make life interesting, we

are having a church family breakfast from 9 am before each All Age worship.

We began on 4 May with a very patient Chris Haines who willingly came in

with the vision, and we look forward to the weeks ahead. Your prayers for

this venture are much valued.

Henry Le Ruez

FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF EASTER PEOPLE

I had often heard others talking about "Easter People", which had

intrigued me, and thought at sometime I would like to go. One day out of the

blue my very good friends, Henry and Eileen Le Ruez asked if I would like to

go with them - obviously my answer was yes. So on Sunday 20th April 2003 I

set off along with the Le Ruez's.

We arrived at our hotel in Torquay at around 2:00 pm on the Monday

afternoon. By the time we had settled in it was time for dinner after which

it was off to the Riviera Centre and my first meeting with the Easter

People. There were so many different things going on in the Centre so we

decided to head for "The Arena" and the "All Age Worship" led by Ralph Ward

and Steve Wild. What an experience! You couldn't help yourself joining in

with the signing and actions to the words. Everyone was so happy and the

Gospel is told in such simple terms that the young and old can understand.

Next day, after breakfast we were off to "The Forum" in the Riviera

Centre again, this time for the "Full English" led by Ralph Ward, after

which the children went off to their respective groups. The adults went to

Bible Study that was led by Paul Smith, Superintendent Minister of the

Plymouth Central Hall (Methodist). This for me was the highlight of the

week, he is a wonderful speaker. In the evening we again attended the "All Age Worship" which of course I couldn't miss.

One evening, Eileen and I went to one of the fringe events, a chat show

where four guests were being interviewed. Two people I wanted to hear were

the Reverend Ian White and the Reverend Paul Smith who lived up to

expectations.

Easter People for me was an extremely wonderful experience, I would

certainly go again and would recommend it to anyone who asked - what a shame

I had never been before.

Betty de Laune The Bay Methodist Church

More about Galaad from John Le Cornu

The word 'Galaad' is the French version of the English 'Gilead', the

name of some of the land to the east of the Jordan where the tribes of

Reuben and Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh settled, rather than crossing

over the Jordan to the Promised Land of Canaan ("The Reubenites and Gadites,

who had very large herds and flocks, saw that the lands of Jazer and Gilead

were suitable for livestock" Numbers 32 ). As the chapel was in the French

circuit it was natural that the French version should be used though I must

admit that I don't know the reason for the choice of Galaad/Gilead.

There are, of course, other examples of our chapels bearing the French

version of Biblical locations, eg Ebenhézer (Ebenezer), Sion (Zion) and

Philadelphie (Philadelphia); also Carmel, Tabor, Bethléhem & Béthesda

(though without change of spelling). The most intriguing one is La Rocque,

which was originally named Tsohar' which according to Arnett"s "History of

Methodism in Jersey" was never popular. The equivalent word in English is

Zoar. It is mentioned in Genesis 19 v.22 as the city to which Lot and his

family fled from Sodom. A footnote says it sounds like the Hebrew word for

small.

Local News

Bethesda

The March Men"s breakfast had a talk from John Huelin of Roseneath,

which houses homeless people and helps them back into the community.

The AGM on Friday April 25th was followed by a church supper at Rocco's

restaurant, Les Mielles. The birthdays of 4 veterans were celebrated with one cake!

There is a Perspex fence in place and a viewing area to create a safe and

welcoming environment for the lizards that are around the church, thanks to

hard work by Malcolm and friends from Action Wildlife. This is an

interesting extra feature for the Pre-School group.

Following a successful trial a multimedia projector, computer and software

have been bought. The website at www.bethesda.fslife.co.uk now has a

calendar of events for easy reference. Details of weekly meetings, Sunday

services etc will appear there. There is also on each page a link to the

Hunger Site. Click on a button once a day to donate free food to the

developing world.

St. Helier Methodist Centre

Half the outstanding loans were repaid last December. The loans now

stand at £100,000.

The magazine has a tribute to Grace Du Feu who died early in 2003. She

was a house mother with NCH for many years, then looked after her brother

Philip when his first wife died. She returned to Jersey in the late 60's

and was active in many areas, with a loving and caring nature and infectious smile.

The Young teens group went on a Safari supper in January. They started

at 6.30 and finished at 10.45, visiting four homes and travelling round the

island by minibus.

The Junior church have supported a child in school in Uganda through

ActionAid for many years and this support is now continued by the whole

church. Letters come from time to time. The latest, by Helen Aguti,

expresses her joy at being able to continue school and not be forced to

marry very young, thanks to support from Action Aid.

Seven young people are members of the new Junior Church Council.

Following four weeks of preparation during Lent, from 12 to 12.45 on

Sundays, young people from seven upwards shared the elements for the first

time on Easter Sunday morning.

Debbie Godefroy had exam leave in May to prepare for her final exams.

Pat Tourtel went to the Lay Workers conference at High Leigh in

Hertfordshire and was amazed at the variety of ways of working and of

workload. On the way home she watched her grandson Ben Shaw give an

impressive performance as Tevye in "Fiddler on the Roof"

St. Martin

If you look at P. 11 of the indulgence feature in the Jersey Evening

Post of Wed. 14th May, you will see that Les Ormes are using St Martin's

black butter in one of their recipes. Our fellowship reaches some

surprising nooks and crannies!!

Nick Owen

Sion's new kitchen

As the average age of the congregation increased year by year the steps

leading to our cramped kitchen posed ever greater dangers. It was therefore

decided to build a new kitchen at the opposite end of our school hall and

redesign our small meeting room with a hatchway through. Consequently we

have a cosy room which can be serviced directly, much to the delight of all

our members. As a bonus, and in obedience to our Mission Statement to serve

the community, we have also provided toilet facilities for the disabled and,

in the space left vacant by the kitchen, created a 'wet area' for our

nursery.

Ian Jayes

We do go world-wide!

The following brief note was in my editorial e-mail box recently "I was

curious as to whom and where I would send a promotional postcard that

presents my illustrations for consideration in your Jersey Methodist

Magazine. If this is the wrong place to ask, could you please direct me to a

more appropriate department. Thanks!

---Jason "

I replied to Jason, asking where he lived. It turned out to be the USA. He

also thought I lived in New Jersey and had no idea of an island called Jersey!

I am not getting his illustrations, but the post of illustrator is still

open to Jersey artists.!

Ed Le Quesne

Appreciation of Rev. W.N.C.Wooldridge

**

Norman Wooldridge, 2001

Norman Wooldridge was a Cornishman and born into a musical family.

After working in the finance dept at County Hall, Truro, he became a

bombardier in the Royal Artillery when war broke out. Later he became a

Captain in the 21st Army Group, serving in Belgium and Holland.

He heard the call of the Methodist ministry and served in the Scilly

Isles circuit from 1947. He started youth work there, built a Sunday School

and got a grant. Determined to study Theology at Richmond College, he

swotted up Greek in one term to meet the entrance requirements. In three

years he gained his Bachelor of Divinity degree, and was ordained at the

1951 Sheffield conference.

His first appointment was in Rochdale then he moved to Jersey in 1954.

He served here for 9 years and made many lifelong friends through the

Church, Youth Work, Music, the Jersey Eisteddfod, Sports and became

President of the Jersey Free Church Council. He was very popular with the

ladies in Jersey, but it wasn't till he moved to Sparkhill, Birmingham in

1963 that he met Sheila at a church event. They were married there in 1967.

In 1968, Norman was appointed Assistant Secretary of the Methodist

Conference, stationed in Westminster and was there till his retirement in

1987. He lived in Wallington, where Lucy and Emily were born. Jersey was

a yearly visit and Emily was christened at Georgetown.

While at the conference office, Norman served under three distinguished

Secretaries of Conference. Rev. Eric Baker was very kind to Norman and

Sheila, encouraging Norman to support Sheila's sporting activities - playing

hockey for the Midlands and England. Then he worked with Rev. Kenneth Greet

for 13 years and finally Rev. Brian Beck. Dr. Greet gave the memorial

address at Norman's funeral service.

We in Jersey, and particularly at Georgetown and Augres, which were

under his pastoral oversight, have very fond memories. There were lots of

family picnics and manse pancake parties and I well remember being in Queen

St. and seeing Norman cycle up, waving and calling out in a loud voice to

any friends he saw along the way. He met so many people in all walks of

life, becoming a caring and regular visitor to the sick and housebound. He

was an eloquent preacher.

We know Jersey had a special place in his heart and feel privileged to

have been part of his ministry. We remember Sheila, Lucy and Emily and

their families and assure them of our prayerful support in the coming days.

Doreen Perchard

Local Preachers news

The Governor, Sir John Cheshire, and his wife visited the Local Preachers

meeting at Eden on March 3rd. Mrs. Sue Le Gresley was presenting her Unit

19 project on "Icons". Sir John had spent some time in Russia during his

career and had given Sue some assistance and was pleased to hear her

presentation. The usual order of business was reversed so they left after

the presentation.

**

Rev. Derrick Mellor speaks to the Governor and his wife before the meeting.

**

Sue Le Gresley ready to speak

In April, the first meeting of the Hot Chocolate Club was held at the home

of Caroline Homan.

Eight local preachers attended and each shared one item that had been

important to them recently. This led into a sharing of experiences in our

Christian journey and a mutual support. It was felt to be very worthwhile

by all who attended and will continue quarterly between the formal Local

Preachers meetings that conduct business, and, yes, the hostess did provide

excellent hot chocolate.

Holiday thoughts

Singapore

4.4 million people in 5 times the area of Jersey, hence lots of high

rise buildings, but schools and shops built nearby to reduce need for

journeys. Car number plates are auctioned and limited to 10,000 p.a. It

may cost you £10,000 before you even start to buy the car! You pay extra to

enter the central district. A boat leaves the harbour every 3 minutes.

Most people are Chinese, with a minority Malay. They remember their invasion

by the Japanese at the time of the Pearl Harbour bombings with a museum and

memorial. Several people saw the "No War" badge that I was wearing and shook my hand!

New Zealand

Parking is easy, with wide streets. Parking meters very rare. Roads are

not crowded but they do twist and turn a great deal in places. Beaches are

largely empty. The New Zealand Government was willing to help with

humanitarian aid for Iraq but did not consider any military involvement,

unlike Australia.

**

Steve and Hayley at Sandcastle, Pohara

Steve and Hayley Du Feu run 6 well-equipped self-catering chalets in Golden

Bay, at the north-west tip of South Island. It is nearly 2 hours drive from

Nelson. At the time we visited them they had their first rain for 2 months!

They took us on a walk through the rain forest to a waterfall via a rope

walkway and there are plenty of other walks and beaches near them. Their

church is Anglican, 10 km away. Steve organised a Harvest Festival there in

April, their Autumn! He misses the fellowship of friends at St Helier

Methodist Centre but is introducing new ideas to his new church. Steve

will be visiting Jersey in June, 5 years after they left.

**

Dr. Bob Le Quesne and wife Janion, also a doctor, at home in Te Awamutu

My brother finds medicine in New Zealand is much less bureaucratic than in

the U.K. He can concentrate on dealing with patients. He has sold his

practice and will be looking to do locums in a variety of places, including

Jersey from November 2003. The New Zealand dollar value is fairly low so

the money he would get for his large house and garden would barely buy a

flat in Jersey. Though we liked the attractive countryside and relaxed

lifestyle, we wouldn't want to live there permanently. It is a long way from family.

Australia

We had a week in Melbourne, a very large city, laid out in a spacious

manner. It was a chance to meet Judi's uncle and aunt and cousins and their

families, who had emigrated 45 years ago. Till now they had just been names

on Christmas cards. They are fans of Aussie rules football, an exciting

type of Rugby with few rules, 18 a side. Cousin Richard is executive

director of the Prison Fellowship. They have a programme called "Lives in

transition", which deals with prisoners in their last 6 months of their

sentence. It is explicitly Christian, builds on a desire to change their

lives and provides them with a mentor, who will be a personal friend through

the course and when they are released. The mentor will provide contacts

that will help them to get work and housing when they are released. Jersey

is moving cautiously towards the proper preparation of prisoners for release

while serving their sentence. Perhaps we can use some of Richard's ideas

here. It was a timely visit because just recently we heard that Uncle

Harry had died, age 93.

We also had a couple of days in Sydney, walking on both Bondi and Manly

beaches and exploring the central area.

Bangkok

This is a city of contrasts, hot and sweaty outside, cool in

air-conditioning. Temples with a 5 metre golden buddha or a 46 metre

reclining buddha and street stalls selling all sorts of goods. They work

on the Buddhist calendar so it is year 2546. The Buddhist New Year is

celebrated from April 13th to 15th. We hit the start of it, which involved

people having great fun throwing water at each other. They also spend 3

days celebrating the calendar New Year and 3 days celebrating the Chinese

New Year, which moves to different dates.

Young men can become Buddhist monks for a period as short as a day or a

summer holiday, and receive training in the faith. The Thai people are

**

Tourists in the temple grounds

not allowed to see the film "The King and I" because they think it shows

their king in a bad light, but they are very proud of their king and queen

who have reigned for 50 years and carried out a number of projects designed

to benefit their people. The old name Siam means land of gold, and there is

plenty of that in the temples. Thailand means "land of the free" and they

are a friendly, peaceful people.

We missed any problems through the war in Iraq or the SARS epidemic. It is

an amazing privilege to be able to fly on time to anywhere you choose in the

world. The only flight delay was our 13th flight, Gatwick to Jersey!

Ed Le Quesne

Further holiday thoughts are welcome for future editions. Methodists are

good travellers!

All contributions for the September issue by August 15th, to:

Ed(itor), 16, Millais Park, St. Helier, JE2 4RU.

e-mail to edleq@jerseymail.co.uk

Also see the website www.ci-methodist.org.uk