President and Vice-President in Jersey
Rev. Neil Richardson, President of the Methodist Conference and Rev. Ian White,
Superintendent Minister, visited Bethesda on Sat. March 6th at 8.30 a.m. for a
full English breakfast
with about 20 members and friends of the Bethesda Mens' Breakfast. The
President spoke of the hope he had that Methodists would become God's people in
the community and was very hopeful of what he had seen so far in his first
months of touring the country. Rev. Ian White also spoke of his year as
President and of how he was reminded in his travels abroad how Methodists in the
past had taken the word of God out to remote countries and how those countries
were now helping the 'mother' church in Britain in return. The President is
running the London Marathon for Christian Aid in April and was given a donation
at the Breakfast. Report and photo by John Noel
Mrs. Judy Jarvis presented a certificate to Joy Potts
to mark her retirement as
a local preacher after 53 years of service at a Circuit Service at Sion on
Sunday evening, March 7th. Joy came to Jersey as a nurse and midwife, while her
father was Superintendent. A certificate was presented to Derek Le Maistre,
retiring after 48 years as a local preacher. Like Derek, Judy Jarvis had been a
head teacher in a primary school. Finally
Dr. Douglas Begg received a
certificate marking his retirement after 14 years as a preacher, though he has
been a doctor for much longer. Judy Jarvis thanked them all for their service
and dedication. In her sermon, Judy Jarvis reminded us all that we had a story
to tell as we reflected and reinterpreted Gods story for our own times and
circumstances, using Scripture, tradition, reason and experience. It never fails
to inspire and guide us and she illustrated it with some of her stories. The
music group provided excellent leading of the hymns and we had dance from Alice Veitch and Felicity Shaw as part of an inspiring service. Ed Le Quesne
On the way with Mark
The President, Rev. Neil Richardson, introduced his study of Marks Gospel at
Bethlehem Chapel, by asking us to make the most of the Bible, using the insights
of scholarship. It is a record of Gods revelation and we should attend to it and
be changed and shaped by it far more than by newspapers.
Mark has a dramatic opening with Jesus baptism, the calling of four disciples
and healing announcing that his gospel is about the coming of the Kingdom of God
through the coming of His Son. By chapter 3 there is opposition from the
religious leaders. There is encouragement in chapter 4 with the parables of the
sower, the secret harvest and the mustard seed and in chapter 6 with the feeding
of the 5000, reminding us what Jesus can do with little and how he uses
outsiders.
In the central chapters, the core of the gospel, Jesus predicts his death three
times and each time the disciples are shown in a bad light. Peter tries to
dissuade him then the disciples argue who is the greatest and James and John ask
for a special place in heaven. Jesus reminds them that the greatest is the one
who serves.
Neil has been teaching New Testament for most of his ministry and led our study
with a Greek New Testament in his hand. He said that the last word of a sentence
is often used for emphasis. In chap.14 v. 23, all the disciples drink from the
cup at the last supper, yet by v. 50 all have deserted him - the insiders have
become the
outsiders. In chapter 15 as He goes to the Cross, Jesus himself becomes an
outsider and then welcomes us back as he rises again. Mark ends at chapter 16
v.7 with the disciples told that he is going ahead of them into Galilee. In the
discussion that followed, Neil reminded us that the Bible is hard on those who
claim to be insiders by making the right noises but dont live up to their words.
The whole theme of his Presidential year has been a God-centred church, bringing
the values of the Kingdom into our lives and recognising that these values can
be seen in others who might be thought of as outsiders. He said that whether the
Bible records the words Jesus
actually said is not as important as whether the words recorded are true. He
said that gospel according to Mark differs from the gospel according to Luke for
example in the same way that journalists differ in the way they report news
stories today.
As well as visiting the Governor and the Bailiff and touring the Island with his
wife Rhiannon and the Whites during the day, the President ran from Communicare
to Corbiere and back as part of his training for the London marathon in April.
He aims to raise £10,000 for Christian Aid and take it personally to Sierra
Leone next year. Donations would be welcome.
We are grateful for his challenging insights into Marks gospel and for his warm
personality. Ed Le Quesne
The men at the Bethesda after a good breakfast and a talk from the visitors
Introducing the Hunter family, coming to SHMC in September
Liz Hunter and her 3 daughters at the Methodist Conference last June
Liz writes:
John and I have been married for almost 22 years. We met when we were both
serving as officers in the RAF, John as an administrator and I as an air traffic
control officer. Our RAF careers took us around a fair bit of the UK but, when
John was posted to Naples in Italy, I chose to resign my commission in order to
accompany him. We had a wonderful 3 ½ years there during which time our eldest
daughter, Charlotte, was born. John retired from the RAF in 1982, by which time
Becky had been born. We moved back to Devon, which is my family home, and Emma
was born shortly after. I soon became involved in the Methodist Church in Newton
Abbot, helping with the Junior Church and running a Parent & Toddler Group. It
was the church where I had grown up and so I really had 'come home'.
Following a visit to Israel and completing the DISCIPLE Bible Study course in
1995 I finally responded to God's call to become a Local Preacher (I'd been
ignoring it for some time up to that point!). This led to me candidating for
the ministry and I was ordained into Full Connexion in June of last year.
Having been self employed for a while John is now happy with the quieter life of
retirement - though as that now means providing a taxi service to the girls,
supporting my ministry and generally taking on more of the responsibility around
the house he is realising that retirement isn't quiet!! John enjoys cooking
(good news for me!) and is interested in model railways, history and would like
to take up golf again - a game he hasn't played for a while.
Charlotte has just turned 16 and is the musical one of the family. She would
like to be a music therapist and is looking forward to studying music and drama
at A-Level - though needs to get through her GCSEs first!
Charlotte was a young person's representative at the World Summit on Sustainable
Development in Johannesburg in 2002 and is currently helping with a campaign to
get Newton Abbot recognised as a fair trade town. She has also challenged the
churches within the Plymouth & Exeter District to support fair trade / use of
local produce and spoke about this at our recent autumn synod.
Becky is 13 and as yet undecided as to her future, though mention of journalism
keeps coming into conversations at the moment. Becky would probably be good at
this. She is easy going and open to meeting new people. She also has a keen
sense of humour. Becky likes being around animals and would probably love it if
we had a dog, some chickens and maybe even a horse. However, I suspect she
wouldn't be around when they needed exercising etc in the pouring rain! As it
is we already have two cats and a rabbit.
Emma is 11 and in her final year at primary school. Totally laid back
and phased by very little, Emma makes friends easily. She enjoys life to the
full and if she is interested in anything will be right there in the thick of
it. Emma doesn't have any one particular hobby. She is a member of our local
Guide unit and enjoys listening to music (at the moment Busted are a favourite -
and if it's any consolation we hadn't heard of them either!).
We are all looking forward to our move to Jersey later in the year, with all the
opportunities and challenges that it will create. This is an exciting time for
us, and we hope for you, as we step out in faith alongside each other. Liz
Hunter (from the SHMC magazine)
"Shaped for Mission" - A
Consultative Report from the Circuit Leadership Team
While Church Councils are discussing this report, presented at a special Circuit
meeting on Jan. 22nd, we just print a summary of the excellent introduction
given at that meeting by Circuit Steward, David Marett.
Ladies and gentlemen, the privilege falls to me of presenting the Report: Shaped
for Mission from the Circuit Leadership Team? a dubious privilege? I make no
complaint however. Just under a year ago at the Circuit Meeting at Bethesda, in
my report from the Stewards, I dared to put my head above the parapet and urged
members to consider very seriously our Churchs ability to sustain its present
structure in view of the vastly changed circumstances and society in which it
finds itself. I suggested that we would do ourselves a favour if we entered upon
reform in a positive, pro-active way rather than letting natural forces take
their course and allowing one fellowship after another cease to exist slowly but
surely as all the evidence suggested it would; a profoundly depressing state of
affairs that would be.
At the same meeting, urged on by Mr. George MacRae, we were later commissioned
as Stewards and Leadership Team to go away and consider ways of reducing the
financial burdens on the Circuit via the Assessments which seemingly keep
increasing, year on year. It took little time to see that more than 90% of
Circuit expenses cannot be so easily controlled. The biggest factors are
stipends and housing. Savings and cost cutting would only be marginal.
A more radical and visionary approach was needed. The Team set about analysing
the present situation and seeking, prayerfully, to understand what Gods mission
might be for this branch of His Church in the twenty-first century. What was our
vision of this? How might we best implement it, mindful as we were at all times
that change would at the least be disturbing and at worst, painful.
Some members here have told me we did not need to survey the present
situation -we knew it all too well. Well, perhaps. But we felt we needed
something more reliable than anecdotal evidence, prone as it is to hyperbole and
bias. The results might well be very similar but we needed to see where present
trends were leading us in the next 5, 10, 15 years, if nothing were to be done.
And, yes, many of our suspicions were confirmed.
Much discussion followed; subgroups worked on specific aspects and reported
back; editing was done by the larger group and at times the report began to look
like the proverbial camel? designed by a committee. I would pay tribute to the
last editing group, that they finally brought it all together in a way that is
both highly readable but does not compromise the courage and radical approach we
always felt to be necessary.
This is at least the fourth attempt, not forgetting the clear presentation John
Green gave us some six years ago at St. Aubin when he looked with great clarity
at all sorts of demographic matters that we needed to address. We really cannot
let this opportunity founder this time.
There are several points I would like you to note from the report. First I would
draw your attention to a point our Chairman makes in his foreword: We are not in
meltdown; it is not about ceasing to be. Our faith is not in question. What may
be in question is how we live out that faith in a changed society; in a changed
world. It is saying that we have to embrace change if our church is to have any
future in this altered world. The signs are there all too plain to see. I
commend to you the section Setting the Scene which sets out our vision. It is
not about retrenchment but about reorganising our resources both human and
material (yes cutting our coat according to our cloth as that Circuit meeting
challenged us) but above all revitalising our human resources to be better
placed and better equipped to carry out the Mission of our Calling; a mission we
are not best placed to carry out currently, so weighed down as we tend to be by
the business of maintenance? both buildings & institutional.
Now one very important point needs to be made loud and clear. And if you forget
everything else, please, please remember this. It would be unforgivable if this
report led anyone or any church to feel that somehow they had failed. I refer
you to page 5 again, at the very start. It says: All forms of ministry are
valued and cherished, and we give thanks to God for them. We do indeed. That is
not just empty rhetoric. We do give thanks for all those saints who over many
years have given the best of their lives in their Lords service and still
continue today in all of our sixteen churches. That is what makes some of the
changes proposed so difficult and so painful. We do not duck that issue, even
when we persist in seeing change as our only hope for the future. But there must
never be any sense of having failed or a blame culture we seem so fond of in
this modern world. Our only failure would come from ignoring these challenges
and sitting back in resigned complacency. Change is almost invariably
uncomfortable. It disturbs.
And as you read those pages which seek to describe the future shape of the
Circuit; it is not simply those churches that might close which will feel the
draught. Any church that continues will be different too. There must never be
any question of: Thank you for coming to our church It is not like that at all.
The membership will be new; the challenges to be shared by all. There must be no
division here of those who stay and those who are uprooted; sensitivities, past
histories must be respected, not venerated, but celebrated and be part of our
inspiration for the future. We have a wonderful Gospel to proclaim. It should
surely not make any difference where we do it but how effectively we do it in
this needy world of ours.
In all this let it also be remembered that we are not presenting the Circuit
with a definitive blueprint. We would shirk our responsibilities of leadership
if we made no suggestions as to the future shape of the Circuit etc, you have
those. But this is a consultative document. It needs to be picked over, examined
prayerfully. The grass-roots membership will need ultimately to guide our
decisions here. But they will also need leadership in this difficult process and
we do hope that you will find much here to commend to them.
What is certain is that the status quo, comfortable in the short term, is NOT an
option.
I will leave you with an image, a parable: a gardening one with apologies to
Denis Shaw . . .
I have throughout seen this process rather like attending to a favourite rose
bush or fruit tree. It is a bush that has matured but sadly? perhaps through
neglect or misguided kindness) has been allowed to grow unchecked but gangly.
The branches have become thin and no longer blossom and bear the fruit they
ought. If this goes on the tree will wither and die altogether!
This is where my ignorance as a gardener may show through, but I imagine that
the wise gardener at this point would prune his bush. To a casual observer
perhaps it looks rather severe. But he does it in the faith that new, vigorous
growth will result and it will again blossom and bear fine fruit. If you are a
gardener like me, the pruning process always seems a bit drastic and even
fearful. But the wonderful thing is that it works. I believe it can work for the
church we all love and yearn to see thrive. I commend the report. David Marett
January 2004
An amusing and inspiring message...
Frogs in Cream
Two frogs fell into a can of cream.
Or so I've heard it told;
The sides of the can were shiny and steep,
The cream was deep and cold.
Oh, what's the use? croaked number one,
Tis fate; no helps around.
Good-bye, my friends, Good-bye sad world!
And, weeping still he drowned.
But number two, of sterner stuff,
Dog-paddled in surprise,
The while he wiped his creamy face
And dried his creamy eyes.
Ill swim awhile, at least, he said,
Or so I've heard he said;
It really wouldn't help the world
If one more frog were dead.
An hour or two he kicked and swam,
Not once he stopped to mutter;
But kicked and kicked and swam and kicked,
Then hopped out, via butter!
T C Hamlet
Taken from Double Cream by Stephen Gaukroger and Nick Mercer - with thanks to
SHMC magazine
THE YANGTZE JOURNEY NEARS AN END
Dr. Lilian Grandin is almost at the end of her journey up the Yangtze. There are
hundreds of miles yet to go on foot, by pony, and by coolie carried chairs,
before she reaches Chaotong. Here is the entry for.......
Easter Sunday April
15th,1906
The spot in which were moored was very beautiful being just off a
little bay, but with a rapid ahead. Last Sunday a boat was overturned here in a
sudden gale and 100 men were drowned. Two bodies were lying in the water. The
men were afraid to stay here, so were given permission to go on and they kept on
for some hours not finding another suitable place to moor until the afternoon.
The weather was very warm. Another place were we saw another body had seen 20
men drowned last Sunday - probably the capsize was due to overcrowding of a boat
which could not stand against the sudden gale! It was very warm and I was glad
to go off the boat after tea with a book hoping to find a cool spot under the
bamboo groves. After walking along the shore for half a mile, I settled myself
under some beautiful palm trees. An old gentleman came along and said something
to which I replied "puh tong" = not understood. But he advanced to look over my
book and so I thought it better to move, again he came and shook hands with
himself and seemed to be asking me to come to his house. He said "come" anyway.
I decided to go back and settle on the pack above the boat where I read in peace
and looked at the sun sinking slowly behind the mountains leaving a path of
glory on the river. The people came again so I went down to the boat and found
about 50 standing around gazing in. They stayed until dark watching with deepest
interest.
Saturday 5th. May 1906
"This afternoon we went across the river to
visit the school house of the American Baptist Mission. This stands on the South
bank of the river and is surrounded by cornfields with hills in the background.
It is an advanced school and numbers several B.A.'s amongst its students. The
schoolroom is large and airy and furnished with sweet smelling white pine wood
chairs and desks, very fine charts of physical geography and blackboards.
Balconies were around the three stories of the house and there are beautiful
views all around. Looking across the river we had a good view of the city and
could distinguish the Fa Yamen, the various gates of the city, the Drum Tower
and the Roman Catholic Church. The last is very large building 50 ft by 80 ft
and 40 ft high. It was built to commemorate the martyred Christians of Szechwan
with indemnity money and with contributions from the Bishopric. The pagoda on
the hill was visited by the gentlemen here and they counted 150 gods as they
went up. During last year's flood the front of the Temple at the junction of the
Min and Yangtze rivers was washed away. There is a good picture of this temple
in Geil's book - it is one of Mr. Faer's photographs taken after G left Sui-fu.
Mr. Faer went down after the water subsided and saw men scraping mud off the
idol! Returning we entered to see the prisoners. It was a sad sight. We passed
between two rows of unkempt vermin covered beings chained together by twos and
sixes. These were thieves not yet judged, and one man stood in the pillory. In a
courtyard filled with stagnant pools of water over which countless mosquitoes
buzzed was the prison for light offences. A wooden grating allowed our mutual
inspection. One man has been here 20 years and will never comes out to his
liberty again. He offered his pipe to Mr. Faers who knows him well, coming often
to speak to the poor fellows. The prison for heavy offences has only a round
hole the size of a dinner plate for ventilation - one poor fellow looked through
eagerly at the foreigners. Above is a tiger mouth and inside it written in
characters "Too late for repentance". The prisoner leaves this dungeon only to
lose his head. Back in the street we reached a more cheerful lodging". Clearly
China was a very different world from Jersey and also European and American
colonies and influence had penetrated right into the heart of the
pre-republican, pre-communist China. No place to be on the wrong side of the
law!! The next and final article will include extracts from a few letters home,
painting a picture of what life was like on station as a doctor in Chaotong
Tom Nicholas
Reflections upon Retirement - from my Role as a Lay Worker by
Diana White
1987 - a new house, a new area, a whole new life-style - how should I
use my time?
A phone call one day told me that a minister was being moved unexpectedly from
the Circuit into which we were about to move - would I be interested in helping
out pastorally at one of the churches, just for one year? This was very exciting
as well as challenging. At the time Lay Workers were still quite a new concept
and certainly that Circuit had never experienced one before. For one year I
worked in a multi-racial Church, concentrating mainly on visiting people in
their own homes and preaching on a regular basis. Towards the end of the year a
fresh challenge was presented - would I like to continue as a Lay Worker, but in
a different part of the Circuit?
The new area was very different. It was a large housing estate, on the edge of
the city, with a very high level of deprivation. Again my role was to care
pastorally for the congregation as well as those who had links through the
community roll. This latter group was quite large as an Ecumenically run second
hand clothes shop and coffee bar was set up on the Methodist Church premises
(something which grew out of Ecumenical House Groups). The estate was a lively
place to be - somewhere where church labels didn't really matter - we were just
'church'. Over one three-day period we had severe riots, which hit the
international headlines. The community was torn apart, though it was the
churches which took the lead in reclaiming the devastated area and rebuilding
the community feeling. After 5 years on this estate, it was time for a change -
where next?
Into the city centre to a Drop-in Church. This time my role was still pastoral,
though with a very different feel to it. I was the Volunteer Co-ordinator
responsible for recruiting, training and caring for the Volunteers in this very
busy Monday to Friday Church Centre. The people who dropped in were those who
lived on the margins of society - drug addicts, alcoholics, homeless people,
those with broken relationships of all kinds and those who were mentally ill.
Before they lived on the margins they had been teachers, lighthouse keepers,
office workers, highflying business executives, sons, daughters, friends -
people just like you and me. The Volunteers were an amazing mixture of people.
They were recruited from local churches, those who had been users of the Centre
and begun to find their way again, those coming to the end of a long prison
sentence, people on NVQ courses - in fact anyone with a caring interest in
others. What did I do there apart from fulfilling the job description? - I
helped to prepare meals, lead morning prayers and the weekly worship which was
held on a Wednesday afternoon, help people move flats, take them to the
hospital, cut hair (male and female), speak and lead worship around the District
to increase awareness about the work and raise funds for the Centre - and
LISTEN, ACCEPT and AFFIRM over and over again. Looking back I believe that there
was a greater openness there and that I was asked far more challenging questions
about life and faith than I have ever been asked in a traditional church
context.
Then to Jersey - and back to a more traditional kind of pastoral care.
The jobs have varied between 6 hours and 3 days per week, as well as between
being voluntary and paid, though the difference has never been part of my
consciousness - the commitment has always been the same.
It has been a great privilege to be involved in so many people's lives and to
work as part of a team with Ministers, Deacons and other Lay Workers as well as
those of other denominations. I've worked with 4 different Superintendents and
alongside 5 ministers - and it's only been here in Jersey that Ian and I have
worked together - a very special privilege. I'm very grateful to all those who
have accepted, challenged and encouraged me and helped me to lead a fulfilled
life. Diana White
Florence Le Cornu
Florence was born on 14 September 1925,
the only child of Howard and
Frances Nott of St Mewan, Cornwall. Brought up on her fathers farm, she was
educated at St Mewan School and St Austell Grammar School for Girls. Her great
musical talent on the piano was soon evident and she became a Licentiate of the
Royal Academy of Music (LRAM) and an Associate of the Royal College of Music
(ARCM) in 1944/45, during which time she was training as a teacher at Hockerill
Training College, Bishops Stortford. On her graduation, Florence became Music
Mistress at Tiverton Grammar School for Girls until 1952. She came to Jersey in
1954 to take up the post of Music Mistress at the new Rouge Bouillon Girls
School. She was a founder members of staff.
She was attracted by the high standard of musicianship at Aquila Road Methodist
Church under the hand of Leonard Herivel, and this became her spiritual home. It
was also the home of Mrs Maud Le Cornu, which soon led to her meeting John and
marriage in 1957. As John was a member of Wesley Grove, Florence transferred to
be with him.
Alison was born in 1958, at which time Florence relinquished her post at Rouge
Bouillon. Hilary was born in 1959 and Howard in 1961. She later taught at many
island schools, but principally at Jersey College for Girls and at Mont Cantel.
Her children were given their own private lessons!
Her involvement with the Jersey Eisteddfod led to over 25 years voluntary
service, including acting as Official Accompanist.
Florence became conductor of the newly-formed Sylviidae Male Voice Choir which
she undertook from 1961 to 1977, taking it to become one of the islands leading
choirs.
When John Lobb was taken ill and no longer able to play the organ at Wesley
Grove, Florence took over as organist until 1985 when increasing disability
resulting from rheumatoid arthritis forced her to retire. She then moved her
membership to Samares Methodist Church where she took over a musical role and
became a much valued Church Steward. John joined her there some two years later.
It was in May 1999 that we as a family first came to Samares Methodist Church.
We had returned from my ministerial appointment in the West Midlands after only
6 months in order to look after my parents and we were looking to settling down
in a church. While talking with people in the hall before the service began, the
message came through You will play, wont you? One did not refuse Florence!
Yet Florence and I had something in common. Not technical ability, however!! It
was the passion for the words in the hymns. Florence did not need to look at the
music. She studied the words and played to them with a passion of a living
faith. Her music spoke. No other musician had the capacity to articulate so
eloquently through music. Her music could bring you close to God.
It was many years previously that I had, equally nervously, played the great
organ at Wesley Grove with Florence and John in the congregation. Shortly
afterwards I received a letter of warm encouragement from Florence which spurred
me on with my music. Many, many will also have received those letters sent out
over many years short and to the point, sometimes with a monetary gift as
well. It was typical of Florence generous in so many ways.
Pastoral visits at home and in hospital were often to be brief and to the point.
You were left in no doubt when it was time to pray and go! But that is not a
criticism it was both Florence's desire to get to the point and also not to
feel that she was wasting someone's time.
She never felt that she had arrived, or had the monopoly on anything. Her
breadth of mind and enquiring nature meant that she had a wide embrace of many
aspects of life. Her evangelical faith was broad just like its depth. And it
was her smile which spoke of her love for her Lord
Florence had a rare quality, shared with John. That of total commitment to her
Lord and to her church. They were just always there, at everything. You could
count on them. Their loyalty was unquestioned and, happily, they did not agree
with everything so our working together was genuine and honest. Always first to
arrive (even with wheelchair), they led by example.
Have any of us any idea what physical and emotional suffering she carried in
these last thirty - five years? Florence was no ordinary lady. In Gods hands she
became extraordinary. And we all knew it. Her extraordinary depth can only have
been fashioned because she understood depth in many ways intellectual depth,
emotional depth, spiritual depth, physical agony yes and doubt. Fear,
frustration and faith. No words are adequate. But these words, translated into
long years of struggle, created the immense stature of this woman of God. By
Gods grace she became the extraordinary person Florence has been to us. When she
could have succumbed to bitterness, resentment and self centeredness, Florence
towered above, unshakeably the giant. When her hands could no longer make music,
her life took its expression to a new height.
It was on Sunday 4 January, the first Sunday of this year, that Florence,
complete with wheelchair, arrived at Samares. With superhuman effort she had
come, along with John, to worship at her tiny church, meeting with a small group
of fellow Christians. As the general Sunday traffic passed us by, the drivers
and pedestrians considering the matters of Christian faith nothing to be
reckoned with, this courageous lady came to renew her covenant, her contract,
her promise to serve her Lord. Just two weeks later she went to be with Him. We
miss her deeply, but Heaven is a richer place.
Henry Le Ruez with acknowledgements to John and Alison Le Cornu
A list to live by
The most destructive habit.... Worry
The greatest Joy...... Giving
The greatest loss....... Loss of self-respect
The most satisfying work........ Helping others
The ugliest personality trait..... Selfishness
The most endangered species.... Dedicated leaders
Our greatest natural resource........ Our youth
The greatest "shot in the arm"...... Encouragement
The greatest problem to overcome.. Fear
The most effective sleeping pill.... Peace of mind
The most crippling failure disease... Excuses
The most powerful force in life....... Love
The most dangerous pariah........... A gossiper
The most incredible computer....... The brain
The worst thing to be without....... ... Hope
The deadliest weapon.................. The tongue
The two most power-filled words... "I Can"
The greatest asset..... Faith
The most powerful channel of communication....
Prayer
The most contagious spirit........... Enthusiasm
Everyone needs this list to live by...pass it along!!!
Circulated by e-mail. My copy from Kevin Jones
Baptist minister Tim Welch and family
Photo by kind permission of Brian Fisher Photography
I spoke to Tim in the midst of major refurbishment going on in his manse
at La Pouquelaye., hopefully now finished. He arrived in November and is
settling in well. His early work was as a teacher of P.E. & R.E. from 1985 -88.
Then he worked with deprived teenagers in Birmingham and was in the Philippines
in 1990, surviving an earthquake that killed 2200 people. This triggered a call
to be a minister.
He became an assistant minister at Duke St. Baptist Church in Richmond and
attended a Baptist College. In 1997 he moved to work in Shrewsbury, where he had
six happy years.
At the Baptist Church from the start of February he is running Christianity
explored a 9 week course on Monday and Tuesday evenings based on a meal, talk,
discussion, question time and home Bible Study using Marks Gospel. Up to 30
people are attending this in depth study of Christianity in a relaxed, informal
and cringe free environment, many with no previous Church connections. Tim is
hoping to take part in activities with Christians Together in Jersey. He is
married to Rachel and they have three children, Susannah(7), Frazer (4) and
Emelia (2) Ed Le Quesne
News of Andrew and Serena De Gruchy
They left Bethesda six years ago to study in the U.K. then returned to Jersey
two years ago. Andrew took up the post of Pastor at Tesson Chapel. They have
recently left Tesson to start a new project which has grown out of the work they
started there. At Tesson the congregation had grown to the extent that the
chapel was full to capacity, with the Junior Church and Mums and Toddlers
lacking space to grow any more.
With the support of Tesson and other church leaders they have started a new
church at the old Wolfs Caves, now renamed the Abundant Life Christian Centre.
Although they are small in number and still in the process of refurbishing the
building, they are confident that they will continue to see growth and see their
vision fulfilled. The desire of the Abundant Life Church is that out of their
passion for Jesus they see a church: .. who live to worship an awesome God
through expressive and joyful celebration and intimate devotion. .. who are
committed to actively obeying and applying the teachings of the Bible in a way
which is relevant to life today. .. who are genuine and committed in their love
and care for each other; who are fun to be with and amongst whom people find
acceptance, hope and a sense of belonging. .. who are encouraged to discover
their gifts and are equipped, enabled and empowered to see their gifts and
abilities used to serve the church and fulfil their God-given purpose. .. who
are naturally supernatural and go beyond the ordinary so that they live life to
the full and .. who, by all means possible, bring Gods abundant life of love,
healing, forgiveness and freedom to a lost and hurting world. Bethesda News,
Feb. 2004
Olde English facts
Most people married in June because they took their yearly bath in May (part of
the spring cleaning) and were still smelling pretty good by June. However, they
were starting to smell, so brides carried a bouquet of flowers (a nosegay) to
hide the odour.
Baths were taken in a big tub filled with hot water. The man of the house had
the privilege of the nice clean water, then the other men, then the women folk,
then the children, and lastly the babies. By then the water was so dirty that
you could lose someone in it. Hence the saying Don't throw the baby out with the
bath water! From SHMC magazine Geoffrey Dennis Huelin
Geoff Huelin, a member at La Rocque, died on 30th September 2003, aged 77. He is
best known to many Islanders for the flower displays outside his house at La
Rocque. They attracted a lot of attention and Geoff just loved it when coaches
pulled up to let the tourists look. In return he arranged for postcards to be
sent from their homes and they came from all over the world; he was so pleased
to show them to us all.
Geoff was the third of six children. He left school at 14 and worked
the land with his father. Among other things they had a threshing machine which
they took around all the farms, even during the occupation. He worked in the
tomato fields and then started gardening, visiting various houses. He married in
the early 50s and had four children, Nigel, David, Angela and Pam. The marriage
broke down and for a while he lived in Samares. In the mid 70s he met Pauline
when he came to look after her garden and they have supported each other since
that time. The love of the garden continued which we see in the wonderful
display at the front of their home. As Pauline said it was no good putting them
out the back, no one would see them
He loved cycling and until recently went all round the Island. He loved to
change his bike every year and show off the latest gadgets he had equipped it
with. He was always keen to share the latest reading on the milometer to show
how far he had travelled. Perhaps at one time he never thought he would travel,
but this changed and he and Pauline have been to many places; Thailand and
Canada for instance.
He was always committed to the Church. He remembered so well his time in Sunday
school at Bethesda and Les Freres. He drifted away from church for a while but
following his move to this part of the Island he began to attend services here
at La Rocque. He was here twice a day on most Sundays. He thought it a great
honour to be asked to read the lesson and to take the collection; the chapel
will miss him so much. He was a gentle kind hearted person who just loved to
meet and talk to people and like you all I will miss him.
A shortened version of Rev. Derrick Mellor's address at Geoff's funeral
HELP NEEDED
The hospital league of friends
25 years ago a small group of people got together to give help and consolation
to relatives and friends of visitors who, whilst visiting our island, had fallen
ill and had had to go into hospital for treatment. Later there was an official
joining to The Hospital League of Friends.
Since then the League has grown and now does many other tasks. Visitors to the
hospital will no doubt be familiar with the purpose-built café and shop situated
in the foyer. From here various snacks can be obtained and from the shop a
variety of goods such as chocolates, sweets, toiletries, cards and other items
needed for patients are available. Staffs also are pleased to take advantage of
these facilities.
Each day trolleys are taken round the wards with newspapers and others with
goods from the shop. Profit from these sales have been spent on equipment and on
furnishing rooms for relatives who in an emergency need to spend a night or so
near their loved ones.
Other tasks are undertaken, such as receptionists in Antenatal clinics,
Mammography clinics and X-ray. Trolleys are also taken round the Day Centres at
The Willows and Sandybrook; flowers are attended to in the wards - duties which
are much appreciated by the patients and staff. A cheery word and a smile are
also welcomed by patients and a feeling of achievement is the reward felt when a
task has been completed.
Unfortunately not enough people come forward these days and sometimes the café
and the shop have to close for lack of helpers. This is a great shame and I
would appeal to anyone who has time to spare to join us and help us to continue
the good work. I can assure them that they will find it a rewarding experience.
Rosalie Le Brocq
Contact Rosalie on 724808 if you can offer some help.
(first printed in SHMC magazine)
Walk Jersey, 8th - 23rd May
This was launched at a Service at St. Helier Methodist Centre on Sunday evening
22nd Feb. A wide range of churches were represented and a number of men were in
red T-shirts with footprints going up them and the text How beautiful are the
feet of those that bring good news. These will become familiar across the Island
in May.
There was a welcome from Walk Jersey chairman Mike Field and an opening prayer
by the Dean of Jersey, John Seaford. Derrick Mellor read from Isaiah. We heard
from Adrian Harbidge, Archdeacon, about the previous walk, held last year in
Bournemouth where initial anxiety had been replaced by enthusiasm as the week
progressed. Rev. Peter Adams of Through Faith Mission in UK spoke to two people
who had taken part in several previous walks. They have been running for over 15
years. After three hymns, Canon Nick France caused amusement with his two hats.
One had the label CTJ and as President of CTJ, he welcomed the Walk. The other
was his biretta and as Catholic Dean he gave a cautious welcome, unsure but
ready to see God at work through it.
In his address, Rev. Daniel Cozens spoke on the text How beautiful are the feet
and also gave a number of examples of people coming to Christ in previous walks.
The Co-ordinators from the various churches were commissioned by Mike Field,
before Rev. John Harkin, Vice Dean of Jersey, led the whole congregation in the
Dedication of Gods People, using words from Jesus prayer As you sent me into the
world, so I send them into the world.. The closing hymn was Thine be the glory
before some moved down to share in a cup of tea or coffee.
The local Walk Jersey supporters, which include several Methodists, went on a
prayer walk in St Helier in February. In total over 50 men took part, stopping
at various locations praying that God would make an impact on the island
community through the witness of 250 men visiting pubs, clubs, hotels and
churches etc. There are further prayers and preparations before May 8th when the
first weeks walkers arrive for commissioning at St. Helier Methodist Centre. Ed
Le Quesne
Book review
"The five people you meet in Heaven"
by Mitch Albom
This is the story of Eddie. We meet him on his eighty-third birthday, just
before he dies in a tragic accident. He has worked his whole life at an
amusement park, fixing the rides like his father before him. His only escape was
when he fought for his country during the war but he returned wounded. It is an
unremarkable life and Eddie has become embittered by his circumstances.
Eddie dies trying to save a young girl at the amusement park. In his final
moment he feels two small hands in his and then nothing.
He awakens in the afterlife where he finds heaven to be a place where five
people, who had some connection to it, explain his earthly life to him. Some
were loved ones and others distant strangers, yet each had an impact on his
life.
Each of Eddies five guides provides us with an insight into his life and theirs.
Each episode although, at times, seemingly bleak provide rays of hope and
discovery in Eddies story. These episodes build to a stunning conclusion as
Eddie seeks to find out whether he managed to save the girl at the theme park.
The book is bittersweet at times, but the writing draws you in and I was unable
to put down until it was finished. The prose has a feeling of other-worldliness,
as though it is something out of its time echoing Eddies feelings of his old
age. Difficult subjects are introduced and dealt with thoughtfully.
This is a gem of a book, it made me stop and reflect on my own life, and my own
ideas of heaven. Mitch Alboms idea of heaven may not be yours, and he recognises
that in the dedication of this book, which reads, everyone has an idea of
heaven, as do most religions, and they all should be respected. The version
represented here is only a guess, a wish, in some ways, that people who felt
unimportant here on earth realize, finally how much they mattered and how they
were loved. Reviewed by Helen Toole, first printed in SHMC magazine I fully
endorse Helens review, having borrowed and read her copy! A great read Editor
Two sorts of prayer
1. As I see it - an answer to prayer
by Pauline Druiff
Have you ever been an answer to prayer?
"What me - someone like me - an answer to prayer? You are joking aren't you?"
No; I'm deadly serious. Look at it another way. Has anyone you know ever been an
answer to your prayer? Heads nodding? Murmurs of 'yes'? Exactly. If God can use
your friends - why not you? You think your friends are better people than you?
Think again. We all live with ourselves and know our faults and failings.
Sometimes we dwell on those and discount our plus points. We all have plus
points but human nature seems to demand that we exaggerate the minuses, for fear
of being thought arrogant, big headed or self absorbed.
One morning, many years ago, while I was busily vacuuming my living room I had a
compulsion to go and call on a neighbour. At first I dismissed this -it was only
9 am - kids had just gone to school - she probably wouldn't welcome me as she
rushed round the house clearing up after everyone. But the feeling nagged and I
gave in, put on my coat and went across the road. Honor answered the door, burst
into tears and drew me inside. That morning her husband had told her he was
leaving her. She was devastated and had been sitting at the kitchen table crying
and praying for help. She wasn't afraid to tell me that I was the answer to her
prayer. Me - inadequate and unsure? But one has to trust; if God had sent me as
an answer to prayer, He would surely give me wisdom and strength to cope with
the situation. And He did. Sometimes simply 'being there' is all that is needed.
Other times more practical help may be required, as with the lady at the
communion rail when I was serving, whose tremor made it hard for her to hold her
head still for the chalice. Instinctively, I put one hand behind her head and
gave her the cup as one would give a child. A little uneasy in case I had
behaved inappropriately, I was delighted, and humbled, when she greeted me after
the service with "You were the answer to my prayer". We don't need to rush
around looking for ways to be answers to prayer - God will let us know when He
wants to use us. So I ask again. Have you ever been the answer to prayer? Think
about it. I'm sure you have. And next time someone is the answer to yours, don't
forget to let them know. (first printed in Bethesda News)
2. Prayers for prawns
Prawns have become a popular part of our diet. Imagine a dinner party is due and
finding one supermarket after another has sold out of prawns, and a desperate
prayer as you head for the last one, Please God let there be prawns left
Imagine a farmer in Bangladesh who ekes out a living growing rice in the huge
delta that makes up most of the country. He watches with trepidation as huge
corporations take over stretches of coastland in order to farm prawns,
destroying mangrove swamps in the process. Every few years cyclones hit
Bangladesh. Without the protection of mangroves, more farms are destroyed,
salinating the ground for years to come. The farmers prayer is Its so unfair.
Ive worked hard on my farm and to whom can I go for justice?
In Luke 18 v.1 - 8, Jesus tells a story about a judge who neither feared God nor
cared about men. A widow kept on at him for justice till eventually he heard her
case to stop her bothering him. Jesus ended by saying Will not God bring about
justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep
putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice and quickly. We
dont come to God in prayer in the same desperation as the Bangladeshi farmer.
But Jesus disciples knew all about a Roman Government which viewed its conquered
Jewish subjects as
economic commodities with few rights to be exploited as they wished. They
would see that Jesus wanted his disciples to pray and not give up with prayers
more like those of the prawn farmers than the prawn shoppers.
We too as we learn more about the God of justice will pray for what he wants and
our own part in the answers. In the country of the prawn buyers, the church is
declining by 100 a day. In the country of the prawn farmers it is growing ten
times as fast! Ed Le Quesne (based on a longer article by Peter Graystone of
Christian Aid)
Local news
New Warden at Communicare.
At the beginning of March, John Le Page left for a well-earned retirement in
Spain. His successor is Philip Wood, who is a Methodist Local Preacher and keen
to make Communicare a Fairtrade building. We will have a fuller introduction to
Philip in our next issue.
New Constable in St. John
Congratulations to Richard Dupre on his election to this post. He will tell us
of his vision for the Parish and Island in our next issue
Cornerstone at the Prison
On the 23rd December last year the Cornerstone Fellowship group visited the
prison for the second time, an invitation extended from the then Prison Chaplain
John Le Page through Jean Schooling of Bethlehem (who sings in the group). We
felt the carol service was thoroughly appreciated by the 25 men who attended
with various carols, a testimony by Graham Bisson and a talk by John Perkins
providing the order of service. At the end of the service we asked if anyone had
a request that we might be able to perform and the ever-versatile Alan Hilton on
keyboard didnt disappoint the wish for We wish you a merry Christmas! The group
hope to be able to carry on this prison ministry in 2004. Stephen Higginson
Letters to a prisoner
Alan Colback has had a letter from a young person Jonas Ugandu who is in a
prison in Zambia. He is 15 years old serving a sentence of 20 years, and asked
Alan to write to him, but at present Alan is writing to another prisoner so does
not feel that he can take on another person.
If there is someone in the Circuit that would like to write to this young
Christian lad, Alan would pass on the letter and address. You have to be willing
to continue writing and not give up after the first couple of letters, also you
have to be careful as they can soon ask for money.
At the Christian Bookshop
" The Heavenly Man" was the book of the year in 2003. It tells the remarkable
true story of a Chinese Christian, Brother Yun. The book can be purchased at the
Christian Bookshop Mission in the market. A lady working at the bookshop, Beryl
Healey, who until recently lived in Cyprus is willing to speak at meetings about
the variety of books available. She is a very interesting person.
Alan Colback
American exchange
Rev. Derrick Mellor and his wife Lynn will be going for 6 weeks to Philadelphia
with July 4th their first Sunday appointment. In return the Rev. Cookie Bracey
will be coming to the East for 5 weeks, starting on July 11th. She is a black
American, ordained into the United Methodist Church in the USA. Her church has
about 150 members, 80% black and 10% Hispanic. For both ministers it will be a
big contrast to their present work but I am sure both communities will be
enriched by their ministries. The Mellors will also spend a week in Toronto
visiting relatives.
Homelessness Sunday on January 25th reminded us once again of our two-tier
housing system. So did a more recent letter from the St. Helier clergy of all
denominations. A dialogue is continuing between the Amos group and Deputy Terry
Le Main, but we really wait for a States policy on immigration.
CD-ROM on
Evangelism
The local Preachers, meeting in March, were introduced to the
contents of this CD by Caroline Homan and Kevin Jones. It has been compiled by
Graham Horsley and all ministers have a copy. One of the programmes is called
Know and Grow, a 3-month support programme to help your church:
- identify strengths and areas for growth
- plan appropriate action and support
- see development take place within 3 months.
It needs about 8 people initially then draws on the ideas of the whole church
and looks well worth trying. There are suggestions for including evangelistic
events as part of events throughout the Christian year. The CD acknowledges that
we all have different ways of evangelism - sharing our stories, telling good
news - so there is something on the disc for everyone. Make use of this
resource!
Links between SHMC and La Pouquelaye School-
Following the Springboard initiative SHMC adopted LP School, where SHMC church
steward Jean Treleven is a teacher of Year 4. As well as 'Open Book' assemblies
once a fortnight, a small team of helpers from SHMC spend several hours each
week in the school helping children with reading and writing - within the
literacy programme. Jean finds this very helpful and the children look forward
very much to the time they spend reading to the visitors. I have done the key
stage two assemblies and playground duty and visit a class before the 'OB'
assembly. We are looking at other ways to build up the links between the school
and the Centre. At the end of March,
Year six are coming down to the centre for a Lent lunch
Malcolm Salmon
Footnote
The Kathie Bull report last year found large number of children with problems in
Jersey. They are in our schools day by day and teachers have to cope. Teachers
really value the help of others to give children personal attention to develop
their self-confidence and skills. Perhaps other churches will develop links with
their local school.
Network Triennial Competition
The Jersey Network judging for the competition took place on February 24th. Mrs.
Ann Winder had 12 shoe boxes and hand made contents from groups throughout the
Island to judge. The boxes had 6 items, including a greeting card, notebook, a
scarf, hat or gloves and a book mark. They had to have a colour co-ordinate or
theme and be suitable for young people 15 - 25. Ebenezer were first and the
three runners-up were St. Martin Wednesday, Georgetown Wednesday and Georgetown
Craft groups. These will go to the inter-island final in Guernsey at Synod. The
eight remaining boxes have gone to Mustard Seed to be included in the Easter
delivery.
Phyllis Le Goubin
The cross at the front of the chapel at Bethlehem has a heart on it for the
period of Lent, saying Love is ... Other hearts on the walls at the side give
some answers faithful, patient etc.
Georgetown goes golden, ruby and walking
The Georgetown Neighbourhood club members all wore something yellow or gold at a
recent meeting to celebrate the golden wedding anniversary of Betty and Iain
Nutter. Rowland and Ruth Heaven are visiting South America for a month to
celebrate their ruby wedding anniversary. While Rowland is away, Bev Waller is
acting as administrator. The Georgetown Strollers step out again for the first
time for 17 months on Sunday March 14th for a Sunday afternoon of gentle
exercise.
Fairtrade fortnight. Its 10th birthday, March 1st - 14th was well
celebrated in Jersey.
*A cake was cut in the presence of Deputy Jacqui Huet and the leaders of all
the denominations in the Central Market to launch the Fortnight. Balloons
flew. A new directory was launched indicating where you can buy Fairtrade
products in Jersey and may already be out of date! The Co-op offered a 20%
discount on their wide range of Fairtrade products. Checkers and Capital are now
supplying 35 lines from Traidcraft, including rice, muesli and kitchen towels.
Spar are considering the inclusion of Fairtrade lines in their stores. The
States are due to debate a motion on Fairtrade on March 9th.
The Fairplay concert at Haute Vallee School on March 6th was not as ear
splittingly loud as we oldies had feared and we were really impressed by the
passionate calls for justice for people, just like us, that lay behind the
lyrics. Their prospects are so improved by sales with the Fairtrade mark.
There were just 3 products, Cafedirect coffee, Clipper tea and Green & Black
chocolate on sale in March 1994 . There are now over 200 products. The Methodist
Church has been one of the leaders of the calls for Fairtrade and we can be
quietly glad that it is becoming mainstream. Please ask if your workplace is
Fairtrade and if not why not! HSBC are now offering staff a Fairtrade option
because two people kept asking!
Now we press on for Trade Justice, an end to massive subsidies and a removal of
unfair tariff barriers that mean the poor stay poor. Ed Le Quesne
MUSIC TEACHER
CURRENTLY HAS VACANCIES
FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS.
Beginners and advanced
PIANO, ORGAN AND SINGING TUITION.
Exams (all grades). Music theory,
aural training and sight reading.
Lessons held at Philadelphie
Methodist Church hall, St Peter.
_____________________________
Also: Piano tuning and repairs
_____________________________
Contact Hugh Lincé:
07797 785940
jerseymusicschool@jerseymail.co.uk
* * * * *
New offer of a lap top for a Church or individual.
The Acer laptop, advertised in our December issue, is still unsold. Sealed
bids now requested by May 15th. No obligation to accept the highest bid. Contact
Stephen Higginson 851646
A reminder: It cost £790 when bought new for Rev. Jeremy Troxler in July
2002. It has Norton Antivirus & Personal Firewall. Also Microsoft 2002
Works Suite (which includes Word XP, Encarta 2002 Standard, MS Picture It Photo,
MS Money 2002 Standard, MS Autoroute 2002) It went back to the factory in August
2003 to restore it to an as-new state as there was a problem with the floppy
drive and screen.
* * * * *
In the coming weeks, probably in late March 2004, a calendar for events in
the Jersey circuit is being launched and will be regularly updated by the
Circuit Office and is located at
www.ci-methodist.org.uk/Jersey/Information.htm
All contributions for the June issue by May 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
