Welcome to our new Superintendent and Chair
David and Barbara Coote at the new manse at the top of Mont Felard.
(Les Pipots
= Spring Daffodils, as they were grown on this land till some 15 years ago.
Westlea manse will be sold)
David writes:
Dear Friend
Barbara and I are both extremely grateful for your kindness since we arrived in
Jersey. We have experienced a warm welcome and your good wishes have helped us
to feel at home.
These past few weeks have been an intensive time of orientation as I seek to get
to know something of the life of the Island and of the Methodist Church here. My
role as Chairman gives me a special involvement in the life of the States.
Already I have met with other church leaders, the Bailiff and the Lieutenant
General and a whole host of Parish officers. I have travelled to Guernsey and
Sark where Barbara and I had a great holiday in August and before the end of
October will have made several trips to the mainland for Connexional business
and one to Alderney.
My role as Superintendent gives me a unique overview of the circuit and the
number of able and dedicated people we have in this circuit encourages me.
Unquestionably as a circuit we have many challenging issues to face, some of
which are common to Methodist circuits elsewhere and to other denominations.
There is nothing that cannot be tackled constructively if we act wisely and in a
spirit of Christian love. We must forever keep our eye on the ball, which is to
build the Kingdom of God, to create welcoming, loving communities that express
Gods love and care for all and in which worship and social concern meet the
needs of both ourselves and others. I have encountered a degree of despondency
in some places, which I understand but I remain convinced that when our wills
and Gods grace combine great things can be achieved.
The District and Circuit aspects of my role are important for many reasons but
no more or less than my commitment to the life of my local churches and
Communicare. The job description is vast but at the same time immensely
interesting and challenging. We all, if we are to do anything successfully
depend upon the prayers, encouragement and support of others and I am no
exception.
Research reveals that a healthy mission shaped church is, Energised by faith,
Outward looking, Seeks to find out what God wants, Faces the cost of change and
growth, Builds community, Makes room for others and Does a few things and does
them well. (www.chpublishing.co.uk\healthy churches) There is plenty of positive
research that can help us discern the way ahead.
We live in exciting times. I feel privileged to have been invited to share in
the life of the Church here in the Channel Islands. I look forward to working
with you and hope and pray that we will grow in renewed confidence of Gods
presence and action in the world and in the Church.
Yours in Grace and Peace
David
Welcome to Jersey
David and Barbara Coote were welcomed to Jersey at a crowded service at Ebenezer
on Wednesday September 1st. The promises, from the Methodist Worship book, were
spoken by Rev. David Deeks, General Secretary of the Methodist Church. The
preacher was Rev. Colin Rowe, former Chairman of the London South-West District
and a colleague of David. Many people from Epsom were also present, including a
Chinese choir, who sang ‘Streams of praise’ in Mandarin.
Epsom choir
Personal welcomes were offered by Synod secretary, Rev. Stephen Robinson, the
senior Circuit Stewards of Jersey and Guernsey, Mrs Enid Quenault and Clive
Falla, the Deans of Jersey and Guernsey, John Seaford and Paul Mellor and the
Catholic Dean and President of CTJ, Canon Nicholas France. The Lt. Bailiff of
Jersey, Mrs Sally Le Brocq and the Constable of Trinity also greeted David,
while the Bailiff of Guernsey sent his apologies.
The music group led two opening songs then all joined in ‘Born in song’ by Brian
Hoare. The final hymn was Charles Wesley’s ‘O Thou who camest from above’, with
three other hymns all sung with true Methodist fervour. A collection was taken
for Methodist Relief Fund and an ample tea was provided in the crowded school
hall at the end of the service.
The final blessing ‘May the God of love stir up in us the gifts of his grace and
sustain each of us in our discipleship and service; the blessing of God, the
Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, remain with you for ever. Amen’ underlined
the promises made by all during this service. Ed Le Quesne
Dreams
At the beginning of a new church year it is appropriate for us to give some
thought to how we would like our church to grow both numerically and, perhaps
even more importantly, spiritually so that we really do become Christ’s
representatives in our community and our world. The Reverend Colin Rowe, who was
the preacher at David’s Welcome Service, ended his address by reading a poem
that is well worth a second reading.
I dream of a Church that joins in with God’s laughing
as she rocks in her rapture, enjoying her art.
She’s glad of her world, in its risking and growing:
‘tis the child she has borne and holds close to her heart.
I dream of a Church that joins in with God’s weeping
as she crouches, weighed down by the sorrow she sees:
she cries for the hostile, the cold and no-hoping,
for she bears in herself our despair and dis-ease.
I dream of a Church that joins in with God’s dancing
as she moves like the wind and the wave and the fire,
a Church that can pick up its skirts, pirouetting,
with the steps that can signal God’s deepest desire.
I dream of a Church that joins in with God’s loving
as she bends to embrace the unlovely and lost,
a Church that can free, by its sharing and daring,
the imprisoned and poor, and then shoulder the cost.
God, make us a Church that joins in with your living
as you cherish and challenge rein in and release,
a Church that is winsome, impassioned, inspiring,
lioness of your justice and lamb of your peace.
Kate Compston
(First printed in ‘St. Aubin Church Chat’)
LIZ’S DIARY - Friday 24th September 2004
Dear Diary
I haven’t written an entry for a few days been a bit busy. Well, we’ve been here
for a month already doesn’t time fly? We seem to be settling into a routine (of
sorts!!), the packing boxes are all empty and the house feels more like home.
After that initial nervousness about starting at new schools Charlotte, Becky
and Emma each have social lives that exhaust me just thinking about them, and
John and I have had to transfer our Devon taxi service to here!
Day off yesterday and used the opportunity to explore. Went for a walk on the
beach at La Greve de Lecq (it’s wonderful to be so close to the sea), lunch in
the café and then a look around the barracks. John is really interested in the
island’s history and has already been into the library to look at the local
history section! I can’t wait to get out and about with my camera, as time
allows, and begin to capture some of the marvellous Jersey scenery on film (or,
as I’ve gone digital, computer).
The wonderful welcome we received when we arrived hasn’t diminished and people
are being incredibly helpful as we find our way around the tax system, the legal
structure, the supermarket and the one-way system! Actually it’s occurred to me
that negotiating the one-way system is similar to what our Christian lives
should be. It’s a challenge to us to find new routes for our journeys, to go
into areas we might otherwise by-pass and to see things that we would have
missed. Doesn’t God do just that challenge us to move away from the familiar,
explore the things that unsettle us and discover more of the kingdom. Must
remember that could be a good sermon illustration!
It’s good to see that there is an active group here campaigning for Fairtrade
and Trade Justice, issues close to both mine and Charlotte’s heart and there are
some great thing happening in the churches around the Circuit. Work with young
people and developing links with local schools, churches open and welcoming the
community in for coffee mornings and lunches, links with other denominations.
Some great foundations to build on and I’m excited at the chance to be part of
that process. I hope others feel the same!!
Liz and John on the steps of S.H.M.C
Well diary, it’s time to do another taxi run. I’ll try to get an entry done
tomorrow but... Liz Hunter
Churches, churches, churches - reflections and some facts.
Perhaps the heading should have been ‘Chapels, Chapels, Chapels’ For Methodists
a chapel is a building whereas ‘Church’ suggest the members, the family, the
Christian community that meets in and centres its activities around a building.
Weekly, the Faith page in the J.E.P. lists 66 places of Christian
Worship: 24 C. of E. buildings, 15 Methodist chapels, 1 Anglican/Methodist, 8
Roman Catholic and 18 other centres. I would think that more than twice as many
Catholics meet for worship each week compared with our Methodist attendance
island wide. Recently the Catholic Church in Jersey has closed two buildings,
Queen of the Universe(Millbrook) and Ville a l’Eveque (Trinity). Perhaps
Catholics are less attached to buildings than we are.
In the past 75 years, 14 Methodist chapels have closed. They were Tabor,
Beaumont, Galaad, Six Roads, Les Freres, Augres, Seaton Place, Great Union Road,
Aquila Road, Wesley St, Royal Crescent, Bethel, Carmel, Les Landes(St. Martin).
These fourteen congregations have faced the heart-searching, agonising and hard
decisions involved in the process of closing a place of worship.
When Tabor closed the majority of its members joined the congregation at the
Bulwarks, bringing new life to the Church in St. Aubin. Marian Dart
St. Helier
Methodist Centre are ...
‘Finally there!’
For those who have not heard the good news the balance of the loans taken out to
assist in the redevelopment of SHMC was repaid in July of this year a whole year
ahead of the due date. As a result, after several years of being ‘in the red’
the Church is free of debt and can look to the future with renewed optimism.
It is worth reflecting on the main events of the past five years or so.
After several years of endeavours, and sometimes frustration, Planning consent
was finally received for the redevelopment in 1998 and in May 1999 the building
contract was signed for a scheme costing close to £2m. Fund raising then began
in earnest! At that time the balance in hand was approximately £60,000 together
with both the Aquila Road Church and Great Union Road premises which were to be
sold.
However, both premises were being fully used by the Church and could not be
vacated until the redevelopment of the Wesley Grove premises had been completed.
Whilst Aquila Road Church was being used for worship by the Church the Aquila
Road Nursery and Youth Club were being run from the Great Union Road premises.
Fortunately, the Church was able to negotiate the sale of Great Union Road to
the States at an early date with the Church retaining occupation until it was
possible to relocate the activities especially the nursery - in the new
premises.
At the outset it was envisaged that the Church might need to borrow up to
£600,000 in order to finance the project. As events turned out, when the
redevelopment was completed in August 2000 the loans outstanding amounted to
£420,000. The Circuit Advance Fund contributed £40,000 towards these loans and
the remainder were from Church members. All loans were interest free and due to
be repaid by 2005. In 2001 the sale of Aquila Road Church left a balance of
£200,000 on the loan account. It was with enormous relief and not a little
satisfaction that as stated above the remaining loans were cleared earlier this
year.
As it turned out the redevelopment cost over £2m. How was this sum raised? The
nett proceeds of the sale of Aquila Road Church and the Great Union Road
premises provided £882,000, but this still left a balance of over £1.1m which
was raised not only by the hard work and generosity of the members of the Church
in organising dozens of fund raising events and contributing towards the fund
but also by the generosity of many other people, trusts and organisations
including the Jersey Circuit of the Methodist Church.
A file containing photographs to record the various ways in which the money was
raised is to be found in the vestibule of the Church.
Here is a broad breakdown of the funds raised:-
Net sum from the sale of Aquila Road Church and the Great Union Road premises
£882k
The Circuit Advance Fund - grant £200k
The Rank Trust - grant £60k
Connexional Advance & Priority Fund - grant £30k
Property Connexional Committee - grant £5k
Donations and bequests £560k
St. Helier Methodist Centre - nursery profits, fund raising, sale of investments
etc. £340k
Total = £2077k = £2,077,000
Of the donations of £560,000 approximately £350,000 of this sum was received
from trusts, charities and organisations some of which have connection with the
Methodist Church but many of which do not. The balance of £210,000 was received
from Church members or persons closely connected to the Church.
St. Helier Methodist Centre is immensely grateful to all those people who gave
to make the Centre a viable reality - a vibrant Christian witness in the centre
of St. Helier and reaching out to the community around it. Di Toole
(A good news story from the SHMC magazine)
7 New members at St. Helier
Sermon Rap based on a reading from John 16
So now you’re members and part of the squad
You’ve accepted Jesus and been welcomed by God
Jesus has promised Holy Spirit’s for you
And you know that the promise of God is true
Uh huh uh huh
God’s grace is a gift to you and given
So that you can be part of the kingdom of Heaven
Your place is assured and prepared by the Son
Now you, God and us are joined as one
Uh huh uh huh
The fruits of the Spirit bring enabling power
And (his/her) presence is with you hour by hour (two voices say one each)
When
the going gets tough and you feel quite low
Open up to God and let the Spirit
flow Uh huh Uh huh
There’s no guarantees that life will be easy
At times you may well feel a little queasy
The journey of life may sometimes be lonely
But God is with you, rely on him only
Uh huh uh huh
You’re in this together, working with God
And remember there’s also the rest of the squad
To be a team player and give it a shot
Is to be joined with this lot like it or not!
Uh hmm Uh hmm
You’ve made your responses, said count me in
And now you’re forgiven, delivered from sin
The journey continues, now its up to you
To keep your promise to BE and to Do!
Uh huh Uh Huh
We are all of us called to worship and caring
To service in doing, and loving and sharing
Our expressions are different but that’s OK
We’re the rainbow people following the way
Uh Huh Uh Huh
Our prayer is to know God in all his glory
This is the beginning of the rest of your story
You travel forward with God at the centre
And into the world you know God’s gonna send ya!
Uh Huh Uh Huh
So trust God who knows and calls you to be
His friends and his followers with them you and me
As Jesus’ disciples we make a great squad
Now and forever together with God.
Uh huh Uh Huh YEAH!!
The above rap was delivered by Debbie and Malcolm as the sermon on Sunday
evening 6 June at St. Helier Methodist Centre when Andrew Rabet, Alice Veitch,
Felicity Shaw, Jenna & Menna Treleven were confirmed and received into the
membership of the Methodist Church.
The service had been put together with the help of the young people and was well
attended by SHMC members and many from around the Circuit. It was different and
very meaningful and appreciated by all present. The enthusiasm of the young
people and their commitment was clearly evident and a great encouragement to see
them setting out on their Christian journey. Alexander Pointon and Nicolai Thapa
had their special moment on Sunday 1 August, when they were confirmed during the
morning service. Some further thoughts….
‘We enjoyed Confirmation classes because we found out about the Church family
and had fun learning about values and influences. We’re glad we were confirmed
as now we really feel like part of SHMC. We really loved organising the
Confirmation service and would like to thank all those who came to take part in
it. We would also like to say thank you to Debbie, Malcolm and Maureen who took
our lessons leading up to the service’ Alice Veitch
‘We had Confirmation classes after school for about 6 weeks. We learnt about the
values and importance of becoming a Member and what it meant to be one. Each
lesson covered different points & aspects on the subject of becoming a Member.
We enjoyed organising the service so we were able to have all our favourite
things e.g. music, dance and drama. And of course there was Malcolm & Debbie’s
Rap!’ Menna Treleven
Some of us even after the classes were getting cold
feet about the idea of confirmation, but we soon realised that it’s a way
forward to our own faith. Overall this was a fantastic experience. Our doubts
were unfounded. Thanks to all involved.
Felicity Shaw
Audrey Hepburn, an Elegant
Spirit by Sean Hepburn Ferrer
This is not your usual Hollywood biography. Audrey Hepburn was not an ordinary
star. As one of the world’s greatest screen icons most people have a picture of
her in their mind’s eye, be it whizzing round Rome on the back of Gregory Peck’s
scooter, dazzling as Eliza Doolittle or as the stunning Holly Golightly.
This book is written by Hepburn’s eldest son as a tribute to his mother. She
refused to write an autobiography as she felt her story would be too plain and
simple. This book is not a ‘tell all’ gossip filled memoir; she did not tell her
family of any scandals or salacious gossip; it is, instead, a book dedicated to
encapsulating the spirit of Audrey. Numerous photographs, mementos and memories
of friends and family help this.
From a childhood blighted by war and an absent father, her dream of becoming a
professional dancer was dashed by the lack of training she received in occupied
Holland and by her wartime malnutrition. She had to rethink her life and moved
into acting. A son’s viewpoint on his mother could well be argued as biased.
This may well be the case, but in reading Sean’s words they resonate with the
simple elegance that seemed to pervade all of Audrey’s characters and her work
for UNICEF. Billy Wilder once said of Audrey ‘God kissed her on the cheek and
there she was.’
One of the first insights that Sean tells us is that his mother had a secret
‘She was sad’. As insights go it is more of a confirmation of what I have always
felt when watching her on screen, a deep hidden sadness behind her fragile
facade. The sadness was rooted in what she saw happening in the world
particularly to children.
The book is a gentle, elegant walk through the life of Audrey Hepburn. She comes
through as a truly beautiful person (not without her faults) but full of love.
The book also touches on sadder and more emotional elements of her life and
work. It tells of her passionate commitment to the world around her, her
decision to raise her family rather than pursue her acting career, her
involvement with UNICEF and her final days. The last time Audrey Hepburn walked
in her garden she was approached by her gardener who said ‘Signora, when you get
better, you’ll come and help me to trim and to plant again.’ She smiled and said
: ‘Giovanni, I will help you. But not like before.’ I think if we could all
cultivate a little bit of Audrey inside us the world would be a better place.
This book is a witness to a truly gracious life. The world seemed a little
greyer when I had finished reading and yet also full of possibilities. I had a
suspicion that sometimes angels do walk among us even if we do not always see
them passing by. (All the proceeds from this book have been donated to the
Audrey Hepburn Children’s Fund)
Helen Toole First published in SHMC magazine
The tourist prayer
Heavenly Father, look down on us your humble, obedient tourist servants, who are
doomed to travel this earth, taking photographs, sending postcards and buying
souvenirs.
We beseech you, O Lord, to see that our plane is not hijacked, our luggage is
not lost and our overweight baggage goes unnoticed. Give us this day divine
guidance in our selection of cabins. We pray that everything works and that the
interpreters speak our language.
Lead us to good, inexpensive restaurants, where the wine is included in the
price of the meal. Make the natives love us for what we are and not for what we
can contribute to their worldly goods. Grant us the strength to visit the
museums, cathedrals, palaces, and if we skip a historic monument to take a nap
after lunch, have mercy on us for our flesh is weak.
Dear God, protect our wives from bargains they don’t need or can’t afford. Lead
them not into temptation for they know not what they do. Almighty Father, keep
our husbands from looking at foreign women and comparing them to us. Save them
from making fools of themselves in nightclubs. Above all, please do not forgive
them their trespasses for they know exactly what they do.
And when our voyage is over, grant us the favour of finding someone who will
look at our holiday photos and listen to our stories so our lives as tourists
will not have been in vain. AMEN. Seen by Michael and Mardie Bisson while on a
cruise
Peace in the twenty-first century
This is the general title of a series of pamphlets of the Methodist Peace
Fellowship. The summer 2004 issue looked at ‘The real weapons of mass
destruction’. It pointed out that the USA and Russia still have about 20,000
nuclear weapons ready for use, while another 1000 are held by 6 other countries.
These weapons are at the apex of a global culture of domination and violence, a
denial of the way of love which is the way of Jesus. It adapted Eph. 6 v.12 -15
into ‘Arm us, O Lord, with the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness,
the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation and the sword
of the spirit, so that, when we have done everything we can, we may be able to
stand firm against the Evil Empire of violence and war.’
It asked readers to write to Jack Straw and Geoff Hoon to ask why we need
nuclear weapons and who might attack us if we didn’t have them. So I did write
and got some full answers, in letters and booklets. (Anyone is welcome to read
them).
Britain has withdrawn the RAF’s freefall nuclear bomb, so we have only a single
system (Trident). Only a single Trident submarine is on deterrent patrol at any
one time, with its missiles de-targeted and on several days ‘notice to fire’.
Thus Britain feels it can press the USA and Russia to make deep cuts in their
own nuclear arsenals.
Britain is playing a leading role in the discussions with states such as Libya
and Iran to allow international monitoring of their nuclear activities, so they
can generate nuclear power but not nuclear weapons. It is also playing a leading
role in finding alternative work for Russia’s weapons scientist and in making
safe Russia’s nuclear weapons. So I was pleased to know that the British
Governments playing a leading role in ridding the world of these weapons and
pleased to get a full and frank answer to my questions.
2001-2010 is the Decade to Overcome Violence called by the World Council of
Churches. If you want to receive the Methodist Peace Fellowship pamphlets, 4
sides of A4, contact Alan Litherland, Old Damery, Spring Hill, Nailsworth,
Stroud, Glos GL6 0LU. Tel. 01453 834707 Ed Le Quesne
C.I. Prison Fellowship (Jersey)
Prison Fellowship is an international ministry, started over 20 years ago by
Charles Colson as a result of his prison sentence for involvement in the
Watergate scandal, and now working in over 100 countries. The purpose of the PF
is to mobilise and assist the Christian community in its ministry to prisoners,
ex-prisoners, victims and their families and to advance restorative justice in
the community as a whole. Last year a group began in Guernsey. Prison Fellowship
International asked that Jersey be invited to come on board so they deliberately
called it a C.I. group, hoping to extend it to Jersey. About 30 people attended
an initial meeting on 13th September at St. Thomas Church Hall to hear Deputy
Jonathan Le Tocq, chairman of the Guernsey PF group. He explained that their
work was underpinned by prayer. One of the first activities of the Guernsey
group was an Angel tree. Group members discussed suitable Christmas presents for
the children of inmates, bought and wrapped them while the inmate wrote a card.
The members delivered the present. The group has continued to develop its
activities this year.
In Jersey there is a Jersey PF steering group. Stephen Higginson, who has been
to the prison with the Cornerstone group, and Rev. Henry Le Ruez were present at
the meeting. Since John Le Page left Communicare there has been a vacancy for a
chaplain, (not necessarily Anglican) so support from a Prison Fellowship Group
will be most valuable at our overcrowded prison.
My wife Judi’s cousin is director of the Prison Fellowship in Melbourne,
Australia. We visited him last year and heard of the valuable work they do. It
is great to see it extending to Jersey.
If you wish to join this work, there will be a prayer meeting at St. Helier
Methodist Centre at 8 p.m. on the first Monday of each month, starting October
4th. It will also be on the agenda of the CTJ Forum on Monday, October 11th. We
hope this will help to get more volunteers. A ‘big’ launch is planned further
down the line to try to get business behind the group. For further information
contact Sister Hilary Brown, chair of the steering group, at the Catholic
Pastoral Centre, 732583. Ed Le Quesne
A SECOND CLAIM TO FAME FOR SAMARES CHAPEL?
Until recently it was thought that Samarès Chapel’s sole claim to any kind of
fame lay in the fact that it was the most southerly church in the British Isles.
But now a new claim to fame has been discovered! As readers of the booklet ‘One
Hundred Not Out!’(written to mark the centenary of the present chapel building)
will no doubt have noted, the chapel’s founding father was one James Joslin
Dupré. A recent request for a copy of the booklet by Mr. Tony Grange-Bennett,
living in Alton, Hampshire, and subsequent correspondence between him and John
Le Cornu (the author of the booklet), has revealed that James Joslin Dupré was
the great grandfather of the world-renowned ‘cellist, Jacqueline du Pré!
James Joslin Dupré
Mr. Grange-Bennett is himself a great grandson of James and therefore a second
cousin of Jacqueline. James’ second son was James Wilfred Dupré and he had two
sons, Wilfrid de Vaumorel and Derek; the former (always known as Val) who became
Vicar of St. Simon’s Church in Great Union Road, and the latter was Jacqueline’s
father.
Lydia Grace Luce
James married Lydia Grace de Vaumorel Luce, whose family owned the business well
known in Jersey for many years as the manufacturers of Luce’s Eau-de-Cologne,
which disappeared from the Island scene probably in the 1970s. Foundation stones
around the chapel bear, among others, the initials of both James (J.J.D.) and
his wife (L.G.V.D.).
A very fulsome obituary to James Dupré appeared in The Jersey Methodist (a
previous incarnation of the present Jersey Methodist!) in August 1921 and this
is reproduced in full in ‘One Hundred Not Out!’, copies of which are still
available at £3.00 each from John Le Cornu (Tel. 722316). John Le Cornu
* * * * *
One of the hardest things in life is to know which bridge to cross and which
bridge to burn. from SHMC magazine
Sally Le Brocq - Lieutenant Bailiff
Around the beginning of July, I was told that the Bailiff wanted to see me. I
went in with some trepidation and was amazed when he asked me whether I would
consider becoming one of his Lieutenant Bailiffs. I would be replacing Jurat
Mike Rumfitt, who had recently retired and sharing the post with Jurat John de
Veulle who had been in this position for some time. What a great honour!
Sometimes there is confusion over the roles of Deputy and Lieutenant Bailiff
which I can clarify. The Deputy Bailiff is a qualified lawyer who presides in
the Royal Court, sharing and assisting all judicial roles with the Bailiff. The
Lieutenant Bailiff is like a Head Prefect in a school with the Jurats all being
Prefects. None of the Jurats is legally qualified, but we sit in court to judge
on matters of fact as opposed to legal matters.
When I had gathered myself and accepted his flattering invitation, the Bailiff
said he already had one duty he would like me to perform on his behalf as he
would be out of the Island. This was to represent him at the Induction Service
for David Coote. As a Methodist myself, I thought this couldn’t be a better
induction for me either!
Apart from these social events, I also have to preside in the Samedi Court
afternoon sessions from time to time which deal mainly with passing property
contracts and taking judgement debts - the Samedi Court these days is held on a
Friday! Presiding on these occasions is the most nerve-wracking aspect of my
role, I think, but there is always helpful support and advice from the Judicial
Greffe and the other two Jurats who happen to be sitting with you. Apart from
the Bailiff and Deputy Bailiff, it is only the Lieutenant Bailiffs who are
allowed to sign Search Warrants for the Police although all the jurats can sign
Committal Orders to enable the Police to remand people in custody before they
are brought to Court.
I am very much the ‘new girl’ in this role at the moment, only sworn in on July
23rd, but I am surrounded by encouragement from all around me and, of course, by
the portrait of my Father, as Bailiff, gazing down on the Court - how amazed he
would be to see me sitting in what was his Chair! Sally Le Brocq
The Dot Com Revolution
A mother taught her child the Truth,
And watched him learn and grow to youth.
But that was Yesterday. Today,
It’s Role Reversal all the way.
When she was young, she knew the mouse,
A creature chased from every house.
The Internet has changed all that,
The ‘mouse’ now sits upon a mat.
The child who understands .com
Now shows his mother how it’s done:
With lap-top, or with smart pc,
Finds information instantly.
He’s not the first to look askance,
At such apparent ignorance.
What of Tomorrow: who will be,
The teacher? Who’ll be taught? Do we,
Now feel so powerful that we can,
Reverse the roles of God and man?
That leads to Peril, to a fate:
Too terrible to contemplate.
It’s God alone, who holds the key:
To Life, and Truth, eternally.
Grace Edgoose, Recorder poetry competition
Medical matters
Three members of the Amos Group met Mr. Mike Pollard, Chief Executive, Health &
Social Security Dept. at his offices in Peter Crill House in September. The
meeting was at the invitation of MP after we sent a letter re waiting lists. MP
stressed that he was very pleased to speak directly to us as he was a public
servant spending our money and we had a right to know how it was being spent. He
said that Jersey had been very generous in its investment in health facilities.
As the budget gets tighter, what is needed is more perspiration and more
inspiration!
On the particular question of Hospital waiting lists, he felt that they had not
been managed as well as they could have been. In the past shorter waiting times
were not seen as a priority. He has gathered detailed information on all the
main Depts, ENT, gyne etc He has met all consultants and is working with them to
put more theatre time into those with longer lists. The aim was for the hospital
managers to manage the lists while the consultants do the operating. He aims to
have waiting below 3 months in all Depts. within the next year. This would mean
that it almost becomes a diary job, ‘when are you free to come in for surgery’
He agreed that median waiting time would be a better measure than maximum
waiting time which can be distorted by a few special cases. His aim for ‘pen to
knife’ (i.e. G.P. letter to operating table) is 6 weeks, maximum, for the
appointment and 3 months for the operation.
The only clinic he has not yet looked at is the pain clinic. One member of the
Amos group told us ‘I have just received an appointment for the pain clinic at
the hospital for 22nd April 2005. I was actually referred by a hospital
consultant who is now writing to the pain clinic to see is they can bring the
appointment forward. The pain is in my shoulder/neck and in my hip which
prevents me from walking any distance or sitting or standing for periods. ‘We
passed on this information to Mr. Pollard. The information about waiting lists
is likely to be made public in October.
Another concern of MP and some staff is the variation in standards expected by
different managers / Depts. To rectify this he will be introducing ‘modern
matrons’ (Featured recently in the JEP) whose responsibility is to raise
standards to a uniform high level.
MP knows that there is a poor take-up of MMR vaccine in Jersey, only 68% of
Jersey children are receiving the vaccine against a target of 95%, and routine
levels of 80 to 90% in UK. However this is not part of his brief. He also
confirmed that there is no Yellow Card system in Jersey to report on adverse
reactions to drugs. He told us the surprising information that there is no law
to govern regulation of doctors. The Shipman report due out soon, will be quite
scathing about the regulation of GP’s in England that allowed Shipman to murder
so many. The Jersey system will require strengthening if the public are to be
assured about clinical safety in general practice. The quality of general
practice in Jersey was probably as variable as in the UK, he said. It is
generally good though not always This is an area to ask political questions
about.
MRSA is common in UK, but Jersey has high standards of cleanliness in its wards,
and good hygiene. Also occupancy rates are about 85%, so there is not quite the
same pressure on nursing staff as in some UK hospitals where rates are at or
over 100%. Patients returning to the hospital after a stay in a UK hospital are
monitored in a separate area of the ward and swab tests are done, to ensure that
they don’t bring infection back to Jersey.
MP welcomed the creation of medical centres at the Lido and on the waterfront.
He said they still fell short of a full Health Centre as known in UK but were at
least future proof - they could be upgraded in the future.
We raised the communication of info by GP’s. An Amos member had been told that
her results ‘were fine’, without the detail she would have liked. MP said that
the GP role is to know the whole background of the patient.
In conclusion, MP again stressed that he was happy to meet us face to face at
any time. He valued the input from concerned citizens. We felt that it was a
fruitful meeting.
Ed Le Quesne, Chairman, Amos Group
Please share any concerns about the hospital which we can pass on to Mr.
Pollard.
GOVERNMENT PROPOSALS NOT ENOUGH TO STOP RISE IN PROBLEM GAMBLING, SAY CHURCHES
The Salvation Army and The Methodist Church are concerned that the Government's
latest gambling proposals still do not do enough to protect vulnerable people
and children.
Despite some welcome moves on high-value fruit machines, there are still key
areas of the Government's final policy statement on gambling, before a Bill is
brought to Parliament, where protection for vulnerable people and children is
clearly inadequate.
The churches are pleased that the Government has decided that £1 million jackpot
machines will only be allowed in the largest casinos. If the Government had
accepted the recommendation of the Joint Committee scrutinising the gambling
proposals, these machines, which are among the most addictive forms of gambling,
could have found their way into high-street locations across the country.
"We have never seen this type of high value fruit machine in the UK before and
it is important that they are introduced slowly and in very controlled
environments," said Rachel Lampard, Secretary for Parliamentary and Political
Affairs for The Methodist Church. "Research needs to be done on the effect of
these machines in the UK before a further rollout is even considered."
But the Government's proposals do not deal with the growing problem associated
with Fixed Odds Betting Terminals (FOBTs), which are found in high street
betting shops. These machines allow customers to stake over £100 in a single go.
Not only do the current proposals fail to clamp down on the amount that can be
staked on FOBTs, they would also allow them into arcades and clubs for the first
time.
"The proliferation of fixed odds betting terminals is becoming a real problem,"
said Jonathan Lomax, Public Affairs Officer for The Salvation Army. "Charities
helping people with gambling problems are reporting that the number of cases of
people addicted to these machines is growing month on month. They are quite
clearly a hard form of gambling which should not be made even more widely
available."
The Churches are concerned that the current proposals risk an explosion in the
number of mega-casinos in the UK. There are already scores of applications for
prospective casino developments in the pipeline with local authorities, well
before the proposals even become law. This type of casino will be completely new
to the UK and there is no guarantee that they will not have a very harmful
effect on local communities and the people that visit them. Forwarded by David Coote.
Jersey is due to debate its own new law on gambling soon. Some is a necessary
updating of old laws, but it also opens the possibility of one casino in a
location that includes other entertainments. The proposals for Jersey can be
found on the following website,
www.statesassembly.gov.je/documents/propositions/49820-36951-2742004.htm
It is not easy to find out how many are addicted to gambling in Jersey through
the existing outlets, but we certainly don’t want fruit machines appearing in
hotels and pubs in Jersey. They are called pokey machines in Australia and we
were told several times while we visited there last year ‘Don’t allow pokey
machines into Jersey’. They are a social menace there.
The information above outlines some of the concerns in England. It was produced
by Rachel Lampard of the Methodist church and Cathy Le Feuvre of the Salvation
Army (Cathy used to be a journalist in Jersey) Her contact number is Cathy Le
Feuvre. Tel: 020 7367 4516 Mobile: 07717 448232.
Derrick Mellor and Chris White have expressed some of the Methodist Church
concerns to the Economic Development committee. The committee recognise that
there are moral objections to gambling by some but see it as a leisure activity
for others. Blanket opposition to a new bill is not likely to succeed but
detailed scrutiny of the proposed law will be well worthwhile to ensure there is
protection for the vulnerable.
Ed Le Quesne
Work with young people
Walk Jersey.
For the children's work, kids parties were held at Haute Vallee School on 15th
May and Royal Hotel in David Place on the 16th. Both events went well in
different ways. There were about 80 people in attendance on Saturday and 90 on
Sunday, which was good considering the hot weather we had. The Salt team
performed lively songs by Doug Horley. In the presentations there were puppet
sketches, games, and interactive stories followed by a gospel message and a call
to respond at the end by talking to the red shirts or those the kids came with.
The event ended with a time of all-age worship and refreshments. During the
presentations I could hear the delight of the children behind me which was
thrilling, and to see some children return the following day was great along
with those who were non church attenders. The lasting effects ....we had the
opportunity to sow the seeds and now we wait for them to be watered and to grow.
Our thanks goes out to those who helped during these events.
Kids Keswick. (KK)
KK took place on Sunday 4th July with 2 sessions focusing on the first three
chapters of Daniel and a challenge to "dare to be a Daniel" led by Chris Leach
and other children's workers in the Island. The sessions were done in a holiday
club style, there were plenty of fast moving songs ( I'm sure all who took part
became fitter by the end), games, Mrs Mango, fun, sporting activities, drama &
puppet sketches with many illustrations to put across the message of standing
firm and supporting /helping each other to do what is right including non
Christian friends . There were many prayer activities to encourage the kids to
pray according to the theme. There were between 30-40 throughout and fun was had
by all. Our prayer is that the children will ‘Dare to be a Daniel’ and be used
by God in amazing ways in places that would seem to be foreign lands. Danny
Desbois Jersey District Girls Brigade Summer 2004 Inter Island Netball Members
of the Jersey Girls’ Brigade practised weekly with Siobhan Rondel for the Inter
Island Netball match which this year took place in Guernsey. After two excellent
matches the jubilant Jersey teams returned with the two trophies. Scores; Junior
team 50 0 and Senior team 26 14.
Headquarters Open Day & Art Exhibition
Deacon Malcolm Salmon, G.B. chaplain and Ann Marett, G.B. Island Commissioner in
front of a poster showing the Four-square Badge programme of G.B.: Spiritual,
Service, Educational and Physical
Bethel, the Headquarters of the Jersey District Girls’ Brigade provided an
excellent venue for the Art Exhibition on June 26th. With 270 exhibits on
display, mainly work from members and friends of the Girls Brigade, there were
lots of colourful displays and artwork showing the talents of many people.
Girls, parents and friends of Girls Brigade including the President, Miss M
Huish and Honorary Secretary, Miss J Thomas, attended the exhibition. The Island
Commissioner, Mrs Ann Marett, welcomed visitors to Bethel. The judges for the
exhibition were Betty Bree, John Curwood, Dulcie Noel, Sheila Birch and Rosemary
Perchard. The building was filled with flower arrangements and photographic
displays of the activities of the girls past and present.
District Sports Day
The District Sports
Day was held at Plat Douet School in July with each Company competing for The
Marett Trophy, which was won by St Martin’s Company, by a narrow margin of two
points. The girls had much enjoyment taking part in the various events including
400 metre run, sack race, 3 legged race, obstacle race and tug of war. Lady
Cheshire, the Jersey Girls Brigade Patron, who met girls, parents and Officers,
attended the afternoon. Lady Cheshire presented The Marett Trophy to St Martin’s
Company. An enjoyable afternoon was had ending the summer term activities of the
Girls Brigade. Lt. Beverley Waller
Circuit meeting, September 2004
Though held at my home church, Georgetown, I was only able to get there near the
end after supping with the Institute of Directors at their big debate. I was
told it had been a low key meeting with our new Super feeling his way.
Anne-Marie Jones was accepted as a local preacher with a Circuit Recognition
service to be held soon. Rev. Kevin Jones was invited to serve for one further
and final year from September 2005. A process will be started soon to replace
Rev. Derrick Mellor from Sept. 2005, though everyone’s thoughts and prayers are
with Derrick and Lynn as he faces his present illness.
I arrived in time to hear people speak with feeling about the changes to evening
worship since March. However the worship is going to remain as at present for
the next plan to Feb. 2005. Similarly the ‘Shaped for Mission’ item did not
indicate any progress since the June Special circuit meeting, which itself
scarcely showed a future vision. This is perhaps understandable with the change
of chairman and Derrick’s illness but must be high on David’s in-tray.
Donald Reid is the new Treasurer for NCH taking over from Viviane Jayes. Roy
Picot is Treasurer for the Young Church Action Team and, led by Malcolm Salmon,
they are organising an event on the 1st Sunday of the month, 6.30 to 8.30 p.m.,
for all in Year 7 and above, starting on October 3rd. Ed Le Quesne
Reflections
We have been one of the churches most affected by the changes to evening
worship. It has reminded me forcefully that worship can’t be divorced from the
community offering it.
‘Traditional worship’ has continued the pattern already established between Eden
and St. Martin. Methodism traditionally covers a wide variety of acts of
worship, which reflect the gifts of the preacher and the people present and
builds up the church in that place.
‘Contemporary’ was the label put on pattern in the West, possibly because they
have a music group and use ‘Songs of Fellowship’ as much as ‘Hymns and Psalms.
We will hear more of that in our next issue.
‘Reflective’ was the label put on a merger of two congregations, with the same
minister, Chris White, but quite different backgrounds. Sion have had
congregations of 20+ for ‘traditional’ evening services. The elderly
congregation do not find it easy to travel to Georgetown. Georgetown have had
similar numbers for their services, which included some response and discussion
by the congregation of the words of the preacher, a format evolved over time to
suit the people here. The group organising the reflective services, included
Chris White and Caroline Homan but no-one else from either place. It interpreted
‘Reflective’ as ‘Meditation’ with candles and stones and silences. Both
congregations have been unhappy, at least partly because the continued change of
venue meant that those who were not regulars often turned up to a closed church.
I hope we can label all evening services ‘developing’ in future and make sure
they are fully rooted in their community. We should not be shoppers or consumers
seeking ‘our type of service’ but humble servants, seeking to build the Kingdom
of God in the place where we are members of a Christian fellowship.
It appears that there are now a number of Moslems living in Jersey, who are
looking for a building in which to gather for worship. Sadly, I have heard it
said that if a Methodist premises becomes redundant it should not be sold to a
Moslem community. (There are no plans at the moment anyway). Abraham Lincoln was
once quoted as saying ‘It is not our job to claim that God is on our side, but
to try to make sure we are on God’s side’. Through the Christian community and
the Methodist section of it in particular, I have been nurtured and grown in an
understanding of God and his ways, though still ‘seeing through a glass darkly’.
People born into a Moslem community will have learnt a different way of
understanding God. Both, at their best, express fruits of love, peace and
justice and offer comfort in the tragedies that from time to time are a part of
being human. Both at times are hijacked for political purposes and show
intolerance of anyone who doesn’t hold their view of the truth. For us, Jesus
Christ is unique, God incarnate. For Moslems he is a prophet. Discussions in
humility between sincere followers of each faith can be illuminating for both.
It has been striking how Christian and Moslem leaders in U.K. have united to
speak out against violence, both in their own towns and cities as well as
abroad.
For a long time in Jersey we have not been confronted by a different faith
community. The Methodist Church has just published a study resource ‘Faith
meeting faith’ to help us to look at our relations with people of another faith.
It is available from Methodist Publishing House. Ed Le Quesne
The Methodist Conference of 2004
Meeting at Loughborough University, it was the first all residential conference.
A possible result was that there was less influence & visibility in the town of
Loughborough itself than in previous years, it also tended towards less
fellowship for the smaller districts.
Though the conference covered a wide range of subjects, its overall feeling was
surprisingly non-contentious. It was actually the suggestion from the Youth
Conference to support a 24/7 prayer event in every circuit which caused the most
heated discussion & negotiation. (Since the budget was set already it was deemed
practical to support this initiative but no funds were available to promote it.)
The Youth initiative was based on a book ‘Brave Moon Rising’ which tells the
story of the development of the 24/7 prayer movement.
A Snap Shot of the Main events.
Anglican Methodist Relations. Covenant. The joint implementation committee has
met twice creating four sub groups to look at ‘Faith & order,’ ‘promoting good
practice,’ ‘communication & presentation,’& ‘ecumenical issues.’ The ABC
(Archbishop of Canterbury) addressed the conference on Monday afternoon & spoke
of the nature & essence of the Church. (See Methodist recorder). Because of our
unique position alongside the Anglican Communion which the covenant gives us,
the Methodist Church felt at this time it should ask questions about the nature
of Establishment. The Conference did not feel it was in a place to ask for
disestablishment. The report suggests some advantages & disadvantages to
establishment & suggests some modifications where other Churches & even Faiths
could share in some of the privileges. E.g. Methodist peers in the House of
Lords, & a wider consultation by government than just the state Church. When
asked in the debate if we would remain a Free Church, authors of the report
suggested that we were more of a bridge Church between the free & established
traditions. The report is now available to the Connexion for further debate.
Priorities for the Methodist Church. A good debate was held which highlighted
the need of the Methodist Church to be a mission minded people. The impact of
our calling as a process of renewal was widely acknowledged & the Church locally
& nationally was asked to establish its priorities. As ways towards realising
this priority, the Methodist Conference directs us to give particular attention
to the following:
Underpinning everything we do with God-centred worship and prayer
Supporting community development and action for justice, especially among the
most deprived and poor in Britain and world-wide
Developing confidence in evangelism and in the capacity to speak of God and
faith in ways that make sense to all involved
Encouraging fresh ways of being Church
Nurturing a culture in the Church which is people-centred and flexible
Inter faith relations. Caused a lively debate in which the Church was urged to
engage with other faiths whilst maintaining the uniqueness of Jesus Christ as
the divine Son & Saviour. A study document; ‘Faith meeting Faith’, is available
from MPH to help groups discuss this area.
Rural Issues: - ‘Presence’. Circuits were encouraged not to abandon the rural
areas of Britain and a work book to help promote & sustain an effective
Christian presence in villages has been presented to the conference. ‘Presence’
argues that every community if it is to be whole, balanced & healthy needs at
its heart a committed group of Christians. The report is available to groups at
£2.50 from MPH.
Electronic Hymn Book Supplement. At the Llandudno conference the MPH were tasked
with ‘bringing specific proposals to the conference of 2004 for the preparation
of a supplement to H&P.’ They have gone for an electronic hymn book & sought to
bring back proposals following wide consultation to the conference of 2007. Your
representatives thought this too long a period of preparation. They successfully
proposed that it should be brought back by 2006 thus making an electronic
rolling resource of officially recommended hymns available all the sooner. The
conference warmly welcomed the project.
A very sensitive debate took place
concerning the availability of violent pornography on the internet & the
delegates were asked to sign a petition to the government. As Channel Islanders
we would need to petition our own governments if we felt strongly about this
issue.
Alcohol. The retiring secretary to conference was thanked & presented with a
bottle of Italian wine. The Central Hall at Westminster is losing revenue at its
conference centre because it was unable to offer the facility to its bookings to
drink alcohol. Following a debate the conference gave permission for Central
Hall to seek a licence, 204 in favour 144 against.
The Fringe.
The Methodist Art Collection availability. Part of the Methodist arts collection
was on display at conference Colloquy & following discussion with the secretary
to the trustees, Graham Kent, it will be available to the Channel Islands
district should we wish to facilitate its display. Possible dates, Nov Dec 2006,
or Jan/Feb 2007. Autumn 2007. If not 2008.
Singer song writer Paul Field (the
Millennium Prayer) took an excellent concert, & is keen to travel the Connexion.
He is available at very reasonable rates to run workshops & take concerts in
local Churches & would be happy to come to the Channel Islands. Details on
request.
President-elect is Rev. Tom Stuckey. Chair of Southampton District.
Over to YOU. Reports now available to the wider Church to discuss & comment upon
include,
Priorities for the Methodist Church.
What is a Deacon?
Church, State and Establishment.
International finance facility.
Racial Justice.
Domestic Abuse.
Gender Justice.
Presbyters & deacons affected by impairment.
Hymn Book Supplement.
Useful Web Sights. www.churchoffools.com www.shipoffools.com
www.headway.org
www.methodist.org.uk www.lpma.co.uk www.methodistrecorder.co.uk
www.biblesociety.org.uk
www.igniterevival.net a prayer & renewal web sight. A CD is available at £12-99
called ‘at the breaking of bread’ a visual liturgy for the communion service.
Kevin Jones
Fair Trade ....
A tasting session at the Town Hall on Thursday Oct. 21st will display all
sources Fairtrade supplies in Jersey, especially to persuade companies to supply
Fairtrade tea and coffee in their canteens. The slogan is ‘Fairtrade..because
they’re worth it’ We are halfway to Jersey being declared a Fairtrade Island.
However we need to move on to Trade Justice, making trade rules fair to the
poor, not biased in favour of the rich. We hope you will study it during Lent
and take part in the Global Week of Action in April. ‘Championing the cause of
the poor of the world in the pursuit of trade
justice is a truly noble endeavour’ Desmond Tutu, November 2003
Local news
Battle of Flowers success for St. Helier
‘At the peacock throne’, shown here in the Lower Park, minus the dancing girls,
won no less than five awards in the August parade. Congratulations to Nance
Hicklin and her team, who made thousands of paper flowers. The peacock’s tail
won a special award. The peacocks each had a name, Capt. Peacock ’I’m free’ on
the arch, Percy on the front, Priscilla with her ‘chickpeas’ Presley, Peregrine
and Pea-Wea on the base and Pip on the front of the tractor, with a bow-tie
which flashed in the evening parade!
Galaad ;The name continues with the entry
Rhyme -Tyme by Galaad and friends
Mary Lou Baert
At Georgetown we were sad to hear, via Betty Brooke, that Mary Lou had died,
aged 78, on June 1st. She was much loved for the year she spent as our minister
in the 80’s, with her husband Simon and sons Timothy and Reimund. We can agree
with the tribute in the Dallas Morning News, which listed her degrees and varied
ministry and ended ‘Mary Lou was filled with wisdom and understanding. There was
a high demand for her on the lecture circuits and she always made resentations
filled with humour and insight that had people thinking and laughing.’ Typically
in recent years, though not in good health, she and Simon had taken care of a
young relative Hunter Reyes. Our prayers and love are with Simon and the boys.
Mens Lunch club dates
Monday 4th October:
Rev.Kevin Jones on the 'Free Church’ & AGM
Monday 1st November:
Peter Gallaher, a Baptist
Monday 13th December:
Dr John Taylor on the 'Dead and the Dead'
- joint lunch with the ladies
All lunches 12.45 for 1pm at Mayfair Hotel.
All welcome, £8. Bookings, not essential, to John Duffield. 725996 Bookings for
the Women’s Lunch club should be made to Pat Tourtel, 747353. It is on the
second Monday of the month, starting on October 11th.
Calendar of activities
Jill Corbin is keeping an up-to-date list of events on the website at
www.ci-methodist.org.uk/Jersey/Information.htm, but it will not be unless you
tell her about your event. Tel. & Fax 728900 or e-mail circuit.office@jerseymail.co.uk. The website address is www.ci-methodist.org.uk
The next issue of the ‘Jersey Link’ edited by Angela Le Sueur is due out on the
first Sunday in Advent. 4000 copies of this 8 page paper are printed for
Christians Together in Jersey.
This issue should come out on the first Sunday in October. The next edition is
due out early in January. Please send items to Ed(itor), 16, Millais Park, St.
Helier JE2 4RU by Christmas or by e-mail to edleq@jerseymail.co.uk.
