Issue No.69

Visit Of Logos II (Logos 2), September  23-27

Slowly, almost apprehensively, she slipped between the pier heads of St Helier harbour and was nudged by the waiting tugs to her berth. MV Logos II had arrived. A ferry built for the Spanish waters as long ago as 1968, she was unspectacular to look at. But her treasure lay in her crew. 200 people, many in their twenties and thirties, from some 45 different countries. They were on the deck, clad in national costume and holding national flags, waving to the Jersey welcomers.

The ship carried two extra passengers. BBC Jersey had flown a reporter over to Holland to join the ship for her trip to Jersey so she could get a feel of the real thing. Our harbourmaster, Captain Howard Le Cornu had also travelled to the Netherlands to relive the days when he had served on the ship as its navigator.

Senator Jean Le Maistre performed the opening ceremony the following day and a lunch for pastors and their families followed in the ship’s restaurant. When have you ever known of a generous affirmation of pastors and their families like that!

Logos Unplugged that Saturday evening hosted some 50-80 teenagers and on the Sunday teams were picked up to share in services around the Island. We were due to receive 3 people at Samares but in the end 13 came and our lunch buffet coped with the additions. Sunday evening saw an all Island celebration in the ship’s conference room but, with over 400 people turning up, the event had to be relayed into the café as well. It was here especially that we were stretched as gentle worship gave way to different nationals sharing audio-visually both socio-economic and spiritual needs of their own countries. It was here that we were invited to pray in various ways as we were taken from Peru to China via India, Russia and other nations. Typically multi-cultural, the ship hosted well attended events the following day for Portuguese people.

Then there was the bookshop. Was it 4,000 or 5,000 titles? Opinions varied just like the titles as educational, children’s and spiritual books, tapes and CDs at subsidised prices captured the imagination and the purses. Over 1,500 visitors came on the Saturday, rising to over 2,000 the following day. Had we been in the Caribbean they would have queued over 5 hours for their books.

We couldn’t keep away from the ship. There was a depth about these people, each with their compelling stories of why they were there, why they had found support from their savings, their families and friends, their churches to enable them to serve for 2 years with Operation Mobilisation. No one, captain included, is paid. I understand that 60% of crew members go on to serve as full time missionaries. Logos II is a great training ground for mission. And Doulos yes there are 2 ships in action is the same. One lady from New York City, veteran of at least 2 previous tours on the ships, confessed that she is still plagued by sea sickness. She is not the only one. They are now on a 17 day crossing on the Atlantic to the next port of call in Trinidad and Tobago. God keep them in good health! A young man from South East Asia shared with me how his father challenged him “I have risked my life for Jesus. What are you going to do to risk your life for Jesus?” In the prison, having played 5 a side football with local inmates, one of the crew shared of his struggles to get free from cocaine and come into faith in Christ and serve on the Logos II. He received rich applause at the end of his testimony. The final Tuesday evening was a sharing time when many spoke of what this profound weekend had meant to them. It was clear that God had blessed us greatly. But we were encouraged not to look back but to look forward and to build on strengthened and sometimes new found faith in the risen Christ.

We missed the departure by 30 minutes and there were tears in our car. Logos II had become an old friend, her crew an ordinary yet extraordinary collection of people touched by God, called by Him, and making big waves in the process. There is just that possibility that she will make a return to Jersey within the next 2 years. She will find many old friends waiting for her, and she will make many new ones.

Henry Le Ruez

Mountain Joy At Maggie Valley

On Mon. 6th June a small party of members of St Aubin on the Bulwarks and Ebenezer Churches set off for Maggie Valley, North Carolina to represent our congregations on the occasion of the ordination of Revd Jeremy Troxler. We were fortunate to be on the first flight and as it turned out the last out of Jersey that day and we took off in thick fog.

After a few hours at Gatwick we had a comfortable 8 hour flight to Atlanta. By then we had been on the go for over 16 hours and were pleased that we had decided to spend our first night at an airport hotel. The next morning we set off driving north through Georgia towards the Smokey Mountains and the North Carolina state line. It was noted by the youngest member of the party that rest of the party, (all of them fresh from their Liberation 60 celebrations) just don’t do jet lag!  We made very good time on straight wide roads which at times we had virtually to ourselves and we were able to pull over at a road side diner for lunch where the party sampled some delicious main course from the “seniors” section of the menu!

  Jersey Group With American Friends

By now we realised we were only an hour away from Maggie Valley and we were very excited and couldn’t really believe we’d all but made it. The road had been climbing for many miles by now, the country side was becoming increasingly, wooded, green and scenic and Andrew phoned ahead to warn of our imminent arrival.  At the top of the lane leading to the manse we spotted balloons, a yellow ribbon and a welcome sign to ‘Our Jersey visitors’.  Soon Roselle, John, Annette, Andrew and Iris were welcomed with open arms by Jeremy and Margaret and from then on our feet never touched the ground.

Their lovely manse overlooks a valley, surrounded by tall trees, and has many mementoes of the year spent with us in Jersey. We met ‘Bouley’, Jeremy and Margaret’s black dog who, although he behaved very well was probably quite glad when we said good-bye.

The Methodist Church of North Carolina is divided into two huge districts East and West; Jeremy “belongs” to the West and our visit coincided with their annual week long conference. This is always held at the internationally famous Lake Junaluska Methodist Centre, a twenty minute drive from Maggie Valley.

We attended a number of events there during the week leading up to Jeremy’s ordination on the Saturday and a particular highlight was a Concert to celebrate the Methodist University of Africa which is in Harare, Zimbabwe. The University choir, who were on a tour of the USA, contributed to an unforgettable evening in a most beautiful setting. There was also congregational singing by an audience of over 2000!

  Jeremy and Margaret

Jeremy’s special day started with an awesome lunch party. We did not know where to start! It was lovely to meet all of Jeremy and Margaret’s families and their many friends who had gathered to share his special occasion. They all liked to hear our accent and we were only too pleased to oblige.

After a short break we all set off for Lake Junaluska for the ordination service. Jeremy waited, the last in line (T for Troxler) to be ordained with nineteen others. We were very honoured and humbled especially as seats had been set aside for us at the front amongst Jeremy and Margaret’s closest family. We stood up with them when Bishop Lawrence McCleskey placed his hands on Jeremy’s head. It was very moving and we felt very privileged to have been there.

  Jeremy’s Church

On Sunday we attended the 11 am service at Maggie Valley Methodist Church and there is also an 8 am service to accommodate everybody. This is a beautiful well maintained building on a vast site with many facilities for all ages and a membership of 350.  The service was special as it was Jeremy’s first service in his own church after being ordained and when the children sang to him and presented him with a Stole depicting children of all nations he had ‘dust in his eye’.

A reception followed the service, where we met members of his church who made us most welcome. Margaret had arranged for us to stay in a pair of delightful rustic (all “mod. cons.”) log cabins. These were in sight of the manse. Here we could idle away any spare moments in true “Southern” style in rocking chairs on our verandas watching families of ducks waddling by.

Our excursions included a drive along the breathtaking nearby Blue Ridge Park Way and Jeremy and Margaret also took us Elk watching off the beaten track on back roads through the local forests and mountains.

Andrew also took a day out to go white water rafting on a 14 mile stretch of river across the border in Tennessee. He was accompanied by Stuart, a young student who was spending the summer holiday working with Jeremy.

Our last evening turned into a lovely gathering in one of our cabins sharing our leftovers with Jeremy, Margaret and Monica Becquet.

Jeremy and Margaret are two very special people. They hope to return to Jersey before too long and send their love you all.

Roselle & John Green, Annette Voak, Andrew and Iris Le Feuvre.

Flowers for Freedom, July, St. Ouen

On behalf of the Officers and Members of St. Ouen’s Methodist Church, I wish to extend sincere thanks to all who supported us. We are extremely grateful to Jill Green for the beautiful floral exhibits, to many Parishioners who lent so many items for the exhibition of “temps passe” memorabilia, and to all who visited us and made donations. As all the expenses have been met by the members of the Church, a sum in excess of £1200 has been divided between Headway and the Methodist Relief and Development Fund.

Valerie Remon

Contrasts, Contradictions And Challenges.

I visited Uganda in August and for me it was a land of contrasts and contradictions. I went with the assurance of God’s presence yet arrived quite unprepared for what I found.

From the congestion of Kampala to the cool mountains of Kabale.

From abundant kindness and great joy, to immense poverty with almost no way out. 

From the source of the Nile to striding the Equator

From schools over crowded with eager children, to a generation lost to the Aids pandemic, from grandparent to child with half a missing generation.

From the Archbishop standing tall for faithfulness and truth, to the crowded churches arriving early to find a seat.

From the ubiquitous Anglican Church, with revival at its heart, to the new Methodist Chapels along the Kenyan border.

From 12 hours of light to 12 hours of darkness.

From the night fisherman casting his net in Lake Victoria, to the internet café in the dust blown wilds of Rukungeri.

From Plummer to King.

From rebellion to Revival.

From lush green fruitfulness, to financial frustration.

From rampant inflation, to ruined roadways.

From snakes, to insects, to potholes that swallow a petrol tanker,

From light to darkness as the Owen Falls dam struggles to provide enough electricity, 

From Darkness to Light as tribal conflict gives way to unity in the Christian faith. 

From a near 80% of Christians to 80% living on less than £1 a day. These are the contrasts, the contradictions and the challenges that are Uganda.

 

  A  Crowded Classroom

I travelled to Jinja with a small group representing the British Educational Charity (A.C.T.S.) African Christian Training Services. We went to supply finances for a Methodist Primary School near the second City. The school was founded two years ago with 206 children in 7 classrooms. They have now grown to 967 children in the same 7 classrooms. The largest class, year 4 is 167 children and 1 teacher. The money we took should build the next phase of the school.

We also visited the Local Methodist Churches. These Churches work on the poverty line, between the 27 congregations around Jinja there is not one car owner (The superintendent’s car is off the road needing £1700 of work, taxi and bicycle are the main transport for the 5 ministers and 4 trainees) I hope to keep contact and be able to provide ongoing support for the work there.

  A Local Church

Three projects come to mind.

1.             To supply 5 bicycles to the ministers who do not have one, cost £50 each.

2.             English is the common language and the Churches need Hymn books, especially Mission Praise One! (The paper back edition, with a Music copy, for ease of posting)

3.             To save for a 4 wheel drive vehicle. Cost approx. £4000.

If your church has old Mission Praise hymn books or would like to contribute to the bicycles or car they can contact me at: - The Manse St Peter, Tel 01534 481 479. When you have seen the overwhelming need, first you become thankful for what you have and then you say what small thing can we do to make a difference? Perhaps you too will join me in supporting the Methodist people in Uganda. Yours

Rev Kevin Jones

 

Dear Friends...

A 50p piece met a £5 note and said, ‘Hey! Where have you been? I haven’t seen you around here much.’ The £5 note replied,’ I’ve been hanging out at the Bingo, done the Lottery a few times, had a Chinese takeaway, gone to a couple of football matches, a bit of shopping, holidays abroad, that kind of stuff. How about you?’

The 50p piece sighed and said, ‘Oh you know. Same old stuff church, church, church.’

I share that with you not because I’m having a ‘dig’ and nor am I about to ask you for money, at least not directly! No, I share this with you because I feel we all need to be challenged about an area of Christian discipleship that we really aren’t very good at talking about: our use of God’s gift of money. Of course, personal finances are just that, personal. I would never ask how much someone earned or, indeed, how much they gave to the church. That is between them and God. But I would be failing in my own path of discipleship and in my role as a minister if I didn’t draw people’s attention to the more difficult areas of Christian living and giving that the Gospel calls us to.

Let me ask you a question? Do you give your weekly offering through our envelope scheme? Do you know how the system works? Each person is given enough numbered envelopes for each week of the year. I am the only one who knows which name corresponds to which number. The treasurer is the only one who knows how much is given by each number but does not know the name which goes alongside that number. I never know how much is given by any number. Thus the system offers complete confidentiality. There are a number of advantages to this scheme. A colleague of mine once told me about a man in his congregation who was dependent on state benefits. He often explained, a little guiltily, that by Sunday morning he was scrapping around just to find some loose change for the collection. When he decided to join the envelope scheme he was encouraged to put his offering into the envelope as soon as he collected his benefit, the envelope was sealed and put to one side. He actually tithed his limited income (i.e. he gave 10%, which is what the Bible calls us all to do) and he found that he still had enough to live on. God truly does honour a cheerful giver.

What the envelopes also encourage us to do is to decide where our priorities are. Do you value God as just some loose change in your pocket or is he worth more to you than that? I end with another story:

Two men were shipwrecked on a desert island. The minute they got on to the island one them started screaming and yelling, ‘We’re going to die! We’re going to die! There’s no food! No water! We’re going to die!’ The second man was propped up against a palm tree and acting so calmly it drove the first man crazy.

‘Don’t you understand? We’re going to die!’ The second man replied, ‘No, you don’t understand, I make £100,000 a week.’

The first man looked at him quite dumbfounded and asked, ‘What difference does that make? We’re on an island with no food and no water! We’re going to DIE!’

The second man answered, ‘You just don’t get it. I make £100,000 a week and I tithe 10% of that to my church. The church treasurer will find me!’

Written by Rev. Liz Hunter in SHMC magazine but a challenge to all.

Postcards Put Churches At The Heart Of New Communities

Delegates to the Labour and Conservative Party Conferences will receive postcards encouraging them to recognise the contribution churches are making in areas of new housing. 2,000 of the postcards have been printed.

The postcards are part of a campaign by the Churches Group for New Communities, part of Churches Together in England. The group points out that the churches have vital roles to play in new housing developments, helping to build community as well as supporting the spiritual needs of individuals and families. The Town and Country Planning Association estimates that Britain will need 3.5 million new homes between now and 2021.

“Churches are involved in the debate on how communities are built,” says Anthea Cox, Methodist Co-ordinating Secretary for Public Life and Social Justice, and chair of the Churches Group for New Communities. “We have so much to offer when it comes to helping areas of new housing becomes communities.”

“At its heart, this is about the spiritual well being of new communities,” says Anthea, “and also about providing services such as schools. At a time when we are warned about Britain’s towns becoming increasingly segregated, we want to play our part in helping bring people together.”

The churches have a role in Jersey too !

 

Open Air Circuit Service

This was held outside the parish hall at St. Aubin at 5 p.m. on Sunday, July 24th.  It was a warm sunny afternoon.
The main item was a perfomance of ‘Zacc’s for tax’ by members of St. Helier Methodist Centre. Roy Picot made a forthright tax inspector, Zacc, who climbed a step-ladder to catch a sight of Jesus, played by Ken King.
Rev. David Coote followed the drama with some appropriate words. A few visitors joined the congregation but it was mainly Methodists from around the circuit.

Ed Le Quesne

Book Review :

                        The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown

OK, this may be a controversial choice, but I am very much of the opinion that you cannot make a judgment on something without doing your own research. The Catholic Church has expressed its displeasure about this novel and many of its most devout members have also reacted negatively in the press.

I have to say that I feel their reactions have given the book greater weight than if they had ignored it. In essence the book is a lightweight thriller ,a very easy read and quite enjoyable if you like these books (it reminded me of John Grisham’s novels). Where the controversy comes in is that the mystery revolves around a secret sect “The Priory of Sion” whose sole aim is to protect a centuries old secret from the more fanatical element of the established church. I am not going to reveal exactly what the secret is, but many of you may already know that it revolves around the bloodline of Christ.

Brown’s novel never criticises outright the Christian faith or denies the religion, in fact the central key to the code relies on the acknowledgement that Christ was in existence. (However, the Catholic Church does come in for some criticism so you can understand some of the defensive press that has been written). For me it provided an interesting issue to consider and explore my faith. It was a challenge to my beliefs and I enjoy being challenged and considering things in a new way. It stops me and my faith from going stale.

Another benefit that this book has had is that amongst my friends it has led to some very interesting conversations. I have been encouraged to debate the book and how as a Christian I feel about it. How can this be a bad thing if it encourages these conversations?

The other element that I enjoyed in this book was the setting and the use of major artworks. It transported me back to my inter-railing trips round Europe and whistle stop trips to cities and museums, and landmarks. For me I could almost smell the scents of the different places and the feel the chill of the churches as I entered from bright sunlight.

I acknowledge that this book will not be everybody’s cup of tea, but if you are open to new ideas (you don’t have to agree with them) and enjoy a good thriller then try it. I have been amazed at how this book has prompted so many people to explore their faith and beliefs and has provided a fantastic opening to discuss Christianity. So if the controversy comes an opportunity to evangelise it can’t be a bad thing can it?

Helen Toole

For another review of The Da Vinci Code click here

Forgotten Skills

It is worth sometimes remembering the forgotten skills of past ages, to stop us from becoming too arrogant. How did the builders of early castles surface their walls with a glasslike cement unimaginably hard ? How did the ‘primitive’ people of Africa and Latin America learn and retain the knowledge of cures for ills such as snakebite or schizophrenia — skills well attested but now largely lost?

Older skills are overtaken by alternative techniques. As the human being learns a quicker way and it is adopted, the older one dies. So our children can handle calculators, but not mental arithmetic, for which they have no need. Accountants in stores can present a bill with no knowledge of how it is arrived at. Generation to generation, skills are being lost.

   In the same way, all around us, human beings are losing the skill of communication, which is a paradox, for communications are undergoing a revolutionary expansion - space and time are changed. When James Cook first saw New Zealand he saw a different place — a year away from home during which he had adapted degree by degree, leaving behind the assumptions of the world he had left behind”.  When he arrived he was open and ready to see what was there in a way we, who can travel there in 24 hours, cannot be.

We take too much of ourselves with us, and lose as much. By motor car we travel without thinking of the miles we traverse or what they contain. Simply walking to Church can keep one much more vitally in touch with the people who live on the way. While we must take the telephone seriously, we are losing the art of letter-writing. By saving time, we are becoming “people with no time— for we have much less time for one another. And enriched with, almost drowned by, sources of information, where do we find time for reflection on it? How good are we at actually getting sense out of it? Where can we arrive at a mature understanding of the information we receive?

Are we, in fact, in danger of losing the skills of seeing, hearing, talking, smelling and tasting, those skills termed by Dylan Thomas "My five and country senses."?

Are we as good as our grandparents at seeing the things around us, and drawing inner resources from them? (The Bishop told of his grandfather who, during a long retirement in Sussex after service in India, could communicate to him his joy in looking at, and identifying, flowers and birds : skills present only in a minority now.)

We have gained — but we have lost too.

Everything creative should be able to draw an inner strength from an awareness of our environment: if we can't, what does it mean for us?

Are we as good as our grandparents at hearing what folks say? at remembering what they say? or at conveying our thoughts and feelings so that they can understand us at depth? Why are we prone to block off things rising in us we don't want to recognise, or things crying out from others that we don't want to hear?

Contemporary Skills

Against all that background, we should recall the ideal of the Christian mission: George Herbert is often held up as a model pastor: he had time to write, was known to all his flock: was ever ready with the right word to the sick or those in trouble; but he was skilled in the herbal arts and in making music too! His life was rich, and open, with time for so much. Is this just nostalgia, Twentieth Century Luddism wanting to destroy machines and return to a pre-industrial age? It is an important question, for the new technology heralds a new industrial revolution far greater than the last, even if we do not yet understand it.

Recovering Skills of Communication

Already in the U.S.A. and Latin America it has progressed much further and some churches have grasped the significance of the ability to bring direct communication between separated groups in great cities, and in rural areas it has been possible for isolated communities to have communication. But we must ask whether this will further diminish the skill of personal communication and accentuate the things we are already forgetting.

It is the Christian calling to serve humanity, but do we know how we can help one another? There is an inherent power of evil, calling into being the anti-life, the absence of life, negativity, the possibility of non-being. The cosmic struggle between life and death continues. Against that background we have to ask how we can help — can we recover the skills of being sensitive and aware of the world around us?

We have a problem of communication in that we are becoming specialists at eliminating, seeing what we want to see (or even what others want us to see): there is so much thrust upon us that we have to select, or exclude. But we have become habitual blockers: listening today is blocking out. Do we ever see the whole?

Voices Which Speak of God

There is a sense in which only God can see the whole but how much less than past generations are we actually taking in?

This question brings us close to God and our need for God. At the heart of the Old Testament is the word "SHALOM" and, even more than 'peace' that means "integration and wholeness." The Old Testament is concerned that we should be at "Shalom" with the clan, the slave, the stranger, the beasts (even wild ones). We should be aware of 'fitting-in', with a supreme sense of the whole. 'Fitting-in' is also a New Testament keyword, though it is often translated as "Temperance." We have to take seriously the call to fit in and see the whole.

The question also brings us to the heart of Prayer: letting yourself be open to everything that's there, but with God at the heart. We are not meant to be specialists in God, cutting out the world. This may be near the bone for clergy who focus on God alone but what does 'God alone' mean? The here and now, wide and broad is where we meet him.

In the story of the young man, desperately listening for the bells of the sunken Cathedral, it was only when he gave up hope and expectation, no longer trying to hear the bells, that he truly heard the sound of the surf and of the sea birds: and in their sound he heard the bells. So it is with God in prayer: we must be open to the whole range of voices which speak to us of God; and they may not all be religious ones. God may speak through strange people, but if we don't listen and acknowledge, we are the poorer.

Folk singers of an earlier generation like Bob Dylan and Don Maclean spoke again and again with an insight into Christian truth matched by very few preachers. Among playwrights, Peter Schaffer, Tom Stoppard, Harold Pinter still come very close to it: and among novelists, Greene, Golding and others tell us much about the Gospel because they see human nature so clearly. Though twentieth century English poetry may be difficult to understand, it often rings out the truth about God with a clear Christian emphasis if only we can learn to expect to hear about God, and widen our expectations of where we shall hear of Him.

Nor is it only in the intellectual that we hear of God : his truth speaks just as remarkably in the common human experiences, retold by very ordinary folk, who may speak profoundly without realising it. The joy of a father in a child, for instance, or a friend’s grief at the suffering of another. So often we miss the enchanting thing because we are looking in the wrong direction. 

It is the aliveness of Jesus that must bring us to life. How incredibly aware he was: he needed no man to tell Him what was in a person, for he knew! He saw the person, and could discern what he might be. The nicknames he gave were important because they spoke of what he saw at the heart of the person : Peter, Boanerges, Didymus even Thaddaeus (the chesty one!). Jesus saw people like Zaccaeus, or Nathaniel "under the fig tree" (under the burden of what Israel was at that moment) — because he was totally alive. All his healing miracles are the outcome of that extraordinary sensitivity, and of his own aliveness, whose vibrancy poured out and could lift the burden of inhibition that prevented the body from accepting that healing which was God's gift. His touch was important, communicating His aliveness: "because I live, you shall come alive also. "

Jesus promised "I have come that they may have life ... ", and in letting our own awareness grow, our aliveness to be stretched, we come close to the Prince of Aliveness, who is our Lord.

Bishop John V Taylor in 1983

Watch your thoughts; they become words.

Watch your words; they become actions.

Watch your actions; they become habits.

Watch your habits; they become character.

Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.

Frank Outlaw from Grapevine, the magazine of Christchurch Methodist, Worcester Park

To Whom It May Concern   
                                    (A 'tongue in cheek' piece )

As you got up this morning, I watched you and hoped you would talk to me, even if it was just a few words, asking my opinion or thanking me for something good that happened in your life yesterday but I noticed you were too busy trying to find the right outfit to put and wear to work.

I waited again. When you ran around the house getting ready I knew there would be a few minutes for you to stop and say hello, but you were too busy. At one point you had to wait fifteen minutes with nothing to do except sit in a chair. Then I saw you spring to your feet. I thought you wanted to talk to me but you ran to the phone and called a friend to get the latest gossip. I watched as you went to work and I waited patiently all day long. With all your activities I guess you were too busy to say anything to me.

I noticed before lunch you looked around, maybe you felt embarrassed to talk to me, that is why you didn’t bow your head. You glanced three or four tables over and you noticed some of your friends talking to me briefly before they ate, but you didn’t. That’s OK. There is still more time left, and I have hope that you will talk to me and yet you went home and it seems as if you had lots of things to do.

After a few of them were done you turned on the TV. I don’t know if you like TV or not, just about anything goes there and you spend a lot of time each day in front of it, not thinking about anything just enjoying the programme.

I waited patiently again as you watched the TV and ate your meal but again you didn’t talk to me. Bedtime I guess you felt too tired. After you said goodnight to your family you flopped into bed and fell asleep in no time. That’s OK because you may not realise that I am always there for you. I’ve got patience more than you will ever know. I even want to teach you how to be patient with others as well. I love you so much that I will wait every day for a nod, prayer or thought or a thankful part of your heart.  It is hard to have a one-sided conversation. Well, you are getting up again and once again I will wait with nothing but love for you hoping that today you will give me some time. Have a nice day!

Your friend, GOD

The new facade in Pier Road of 16 flats, fully refurbished with fitted kitchens, double glazing and electric central heating. They were officially opened on Saturday October 8th by Deputy James Reed, President of the Housing Committee. The next Trust project is a development of 73 houses in a field at St. Clement, to be known as ‘Le Benefice’. It should be complete by October 2006.  For more information, contact the secretary, Ed Le Quesne on 730131.

 

Sunday Trading

Recently the States voted to allow jewellery to be sold on Sundays. The Keep Sunday Special Campaign, which many thought had been consigned to history, has been given a new lease of life as people begin to worry about the breakdown of family life in this country.

A recent move by several major superstores to persuade the Government to increase the number of hours for trading on a Sunday - present legislation restricts Sunday Trading to six hours between 10.00am. and 5.00pm. - started all the alarm bells ringing again.

Already a third of the country’s workforce do some sort of work on a Sunday and the number of children being left to their own devices grows week by week. Recent research by the campaign reveals that as many as three million families have parents working on Saturday AND Sunday. Equally disturbing is the fact that one in three lone mothers with dependent children work on many Sundays of the year, leaving tens of thousands of children without the support and supervision of a parent.

KSS continues to fight the organisations that want shopping hours to be totally deregulated with some success. John Alexander, the Campaign Manager, feels sure that the existence of the campaign has stemmed the tide. “Every time there is a threat, we make a lot of noise about the strain on shop workers and their families, and plans to increase the number of trading hours on a Sunday fade away for a while. But they’ll come back again” he warns.

John points out that they are now seeking to be more positive in promoting measures which would stop the erosion of family life. High on the agenda is a plan for a Family Days Protection Bill, which rests on the argument that the only days of the week when parents can spend time with school-age children are Saturdays and Sundays. The Bill would put an obligation on employers not to employ ‘parent-employees’ on both days of the weekend except in exceptional circumstances.

This acknowledges that for some Sunday work is inevitable (e.g. emergency workers) but that everyone, including ambulance men, nurses, and firemen should have at least one day a week which can be spent at home with their children.

A consultation process is taking place and the next step is to build a coalition of organisations, hopefully including a variety of children’s charities, which will join the battle.

Jersey is fortunate not to have as much pressure for an extension for Sunday Trading, but with no law in place, we need to keep watchful, and aware of the experience in England.

The address to write to is KSSC, 3 Hooper St, Cambridge, CB1 2NZ. Tel. 01223 566319.

Ed Le Quesne

Over To You

The Circuit Leadership team are revisiting the Mission statement in Shaped for Mission. My hope is that there will some feed back for the Spring circuit meeting. We do want local church responses to the Shaped for Mission report ASAP but certainly before March next year. What are the local church plans hopes and dreams?

David Coote

September Circuit  Meeting

This was held at St. Martin. In his opening words, Rev. David Coote reminded us that the church from earliest times has debated how best to organise itself to spread its message and we sang 774 ‘Lord, thy church on earth is seeking thy renewal from above.’

We heard that discussions are on-going about the use of Bethel and Les Freres by the Brigades. David Coote hoped that we could settle on fixed churches for evening worship.

Rowland Heaven reported that Georgetown concerts had raised £17,000 so far, with £8,500 going to church funds for the restoration and £8,500 going to charities.

Ray Le Cornu and John Le Gresley were appointed Circuit Stewards to replace Stephen Higginson and Nick Owen, who were thanked for their work.

The manse at Le Rocque has been sold and a new manse at Les Hautes Carrieres bought.

Churches were urged to respond to the “Shaped for Mission” document by Feb. 1st to allow the leadership team to report in March to the Circuit meeting or to a special meeting.

The accounts were presented fully by the Treasurer, Eric Le Rossignol and he asked that we apply for £10,000 from the Circuit Advance Fund which will help to fund the Deacon’s stipend. Treasurers will shortly get a standard spreadsheet to use for their accounts and Schedule B. He also said that churches would soon be required to have reserves of about 50% of their annual expenditure. He warned that assessments are likely to rise by £30,000 from £240,000, i.e. 12%, though the impact will be different on each church.

Enid Quenault reported that the invitations committee had narrowly voted not to recommend an extension of Deacon Malcolm Salmon’s appointment but after discussion 62% voted to extend his appointment for a further 2 years from Sept.2006. 

Rev. Chris White reported that Gorey had voted to cease to meet as a place of worship (see later article).

Rev Oseias da Silva was welcomed to Jersey as our Mission Live visitor. He will share in the life of the Circuit and tell us of his life and work in Brazil over the next few weeks.

We welcomed Russell Christison as Property secretary, but are still looking for an Archivist to replace Freda Le Boutillier and a Safeguarding Officer to replace Caroline Homan.  We also need to replace Danny and Rebecca Desbois, now in France, on the Good Friday film committee.

Tony Hefford (and Rev. Paul Chesworth of Guernsey) will be our elected reps at Conference next year. The District has decided not to appoint a Training Officer to replace Caroline Homan but to purchase training as required, using the 0.4 of a salary provided by the Connexion.

At the end of the meeting, Rev. Liz Hunter spoke about the ‘Pray without Ceasing’ week  (see later article) and we saw a short video about the Disciple course, starting on a Circuit basis in January.

It was close to 10 p.m. before we left but much necessary business was done.

Ed Le Quesne

Some First Thoughts From Billy Slatter

Jersey - where the sun always shines! I'm told that the summers are not always as good as they have been this year, but I'm enjoying the clear skies too much to believe it yet.

We feel we are settling in nicely; the house is lovely and almost in order, the mountain of official paperwork has been dealt with and people have been very welcoming to us.

  Billy On The Front Doorstep.

Pauline is working part time at Grands Vaux School and Philip is at Cineworld and still hoping to get into TV and film production.

With my first three Sundays all being harvest festivals I discovered that Jersey folk eat very well and with Tennerfest now upon us it will be even harder to keep the waistline trim!

There are clearly some challenges to our church life and worship that face us in the circuit, but there are also new opportunities and great resources in the Methodist people.

I feel blessed to be a part of the church here in Jersey and look forward to discovering what God will do with us.

Billy Slatter

Shaping The Future:

                        Your Way, My Way Or His Way?

A recent meeting of the Circuit Leadership Team, which consists of the Circuit Ministers and Stewards, had an item on the Agenda ‘Shaping the Future’. Yes, Shaped for Mission was mentioned. It was recognised that much good has come out of this report, for many of our circuit churches were challenged to look at their life and witness; as a result new initiatives of faith have been taken. We want this process to continue and while our mission may be more effective, with churches joining together and pooling resources in an existing building, in a new build or even in a community hall, we must not imagine that this is the only way forward.

I’m sure that as we listen more attentively to what God is saying to us when we pray (as we will across the circuit in our week of prayer starting on November 4th) and engage in a serious study of the Bible (as we will by sharing in the Disciple course starting in January) new ways of building up our life together will emerge.

Of course, praying and bible study are not new things to do but if we approach these events and indeed the rest of our church life, first of all asking what God is seeking to say to us and how does God want to use us in shaping the future, some real good will come out of it. Agreeing is the difficult bit

Of course agreeing the way forward is the difficult bit for none of us have a “hot-line” to God. Diversity of opinion is to be expected. It has always been so. St Paul in Romans 14, in addressing the row about eating meat which was not kosher, sided with the modernisers but was eager not to let the issue divide the church. It is a matter of fact that there has rarely been a time in the history of the church when Christians have had total agreement on every issue.

Sometimes these issues have led to enormous “bust-ups” like the Catholic / Protestant divide. More often than not there is blame on both sides. We must be wary of those who say, ‘God says this or God says that’. St Paul would be equally wary. In 1 Corinthians 13 v 12 he writes ‘for now we see only puzzling reflections in a mirror but one day we shall see face to face. My knowledge now is partial, then it will be whole’

We must put our local Methodist circuit difficulties in perspective and today the church around the world continues to wrestle with issues that threaten to divide. Homosexuality and the blessing of same sex partners have already caused rifts between Christians in some churches.

I’m not saying that there is not some ultimate truth but that it is unwise to claim you have it. A long time ago in a time of bitter division the chaplain of Oliver Cromwell’s army wrote, ‘Let us not assume any power of infallibility towards each other, for another’s truth is as dark to me as mine is to him until the Lord enlighten us both.’

‘Let us cease judging one another, instead love one another with affection, outdoing one another in showing honour’ says Paul. And then again, in Philippians chapter 2, Paul urges the church which has feuding factions to seek a common mind. The challenge is to seek the truth and to maintain unity. Paul desperately cares that the church is inclusive and not narrow and exclusive. A divided church is no witness either to the reconciling power of God or evidence of His grace.

So on any significant issue, (and the Jersey circuit’s desire to be Shaped for Mission or for the future is a significant issue at least as far as we are concerned) what matters most is that we seek, above all, to discern God’s will or (to use a phrase of Paul) the mind of Christ. This does not mean that we as individuals have to give assent to what we believe to be the wrong way, but if we put down others with derisory contempt and not do all we can to maintain unity then we are not sharing the mind of Christ. And of course any one of us could actually be wrong!

There is a great story which tells of the greatest conservative theologian of the last century Karl Barth. Much of Barth’s theology is in dialogue with the great liberal theologian Freidrich Schleiermacher. But Barth used to tell his students jokingly that when he got to heaven he was going to have long talks with Schleiermacher. Then he will say “Well Schleiermacher you saw some great things in your theology" and Schleiermacher will reply "Well Barth you saw some great things too." None of us, Barth used to say, can see everything.

Now Barth and Schleiermacher were concerned with weighty issues. The way forward for the Jersey Methodist Circuit could never in the great scheme of things be regarded as a weighty issue but the principle remains the same. What matters most is not your way or my way but His Way.

David Coote

 

Desiderata

(A poem read at the funeral of David Rayson, by his son Peter)

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

Max Ehrmann, Desiderata, © 1952.

Looking To The Future In The West

Rev. Kevin Jones is on sabbatical 14th August to 6th November inclusive. (We report his trip to Uganda here) In the sabbatical period, with the support of the local churches, he is publishing a special Lent course concentrating on "The seven last words of Christ" - from the cross.

In the new Year 06 the Disciple course will be offered in Jersey. This is a 34 week in-depth Bible course run over a full year which will greatly challenge and enrich our Christian lives. Those who do this are asked to lay aside other Bible classes and concentrate for the year on their own discipleship. This course is a proven tool for taking people on to a deeper level of faith and service; Kevin hopes many will want to sign up to it. In addition Bethlehem are due to welcome back Steve Cousley with a New Faith Mission team, from their Bible College on May 25th for two weeks of events.

There is plenty to look forward too and every opportunity for Christian growth and discipleship within our Methodist Church. I pray many will find a deeper walk with Christ in the months ahead. This thought I read was an encouragement to me so I pass it onto you.

Never give in, Look with faith to God, look to the future and what he will do,
look past the immediate problem, see the long view, and never give in. 

After the night comes day,

After the winter spring,

After the storm a sun drenched earth,

After sin; confession and forgiveness,

After failure a chance to try again!

                                                       Robert Schuller

 

Lastly please pray for the forth coming round of stationing in November. We will need to seek and find God's will for our lives, as will the circuit on my successor.

Rev. Kevin Jones

Local News

9 people intend to take the Worship Leaders Course, led by Malcolm Salmon. This is bound to be disrupted now. Everyone was shocked to learn of the severe injuries suffered by Malcolm Salmon in a fall at his home on Sat. Oct. 1st. His wedding to Nicky will be delayed. Our prayers are with him and his family.

 

Family Notices

Birth: Peter Stuart Delap, born to Martin and Jane on 15th August

Death: David Rayson, husband of Maureen died on September 5th.

Prayer Tree

On the back page of the hard copy of the magazine is a pictureof the Prayer Tree that has been used for a few months by members at SHMC.  The idea that each day of the month, you write a word or sentence in one of the leaves. It gives a visual focus for prayer.  Hopefully you will have access to a photocopier to allow you to have one sheet each month. It may provide a useful lead-in to the Pray without Ceasing week in November.

The Story Of St. Helier

The annual pilgrimage to The Hermitage took place on Sunday 17 July, starting from West Park slipway at 8 am. (timing dictated by the tide). All the churches in St Helier are encouraged to take part to acknowledge the importance that St Helier had to the development of Christianity in the island. A short service was led by Rev. Geoff Houghton and a wreath was laid by Constable Simon Crowcroft in his ceremonial robes. laying. The ‘pilgrims’ returned to West Park by Appox. 9.30am. There was a procession through town to the Town church for a family service at 10.15 am. At this service, the name of the new Dean was revealed, who will be Rector of St. Helier

Helier was one of the first Christians to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ in Jersey - and in the British Isles. He was murdered on 16 July 555 A.D. by Saxon pirates (Vandals). His father was a nobleman of the town of Tongres in Gaul and his mother was also well born. Sigebard and Lusegard were their names but whilst endowed with youth and riches, unhappily for them both, they lacked children.

In the Tongres there lived a Holy Man called Cunibert, a follower of the new God and it was to him that Sigebard turned for help, promising that if God would grant him a son he should be dedicated to the service of Our Lord. Cunibert prayed that Sigebard’s petition would be heard and in due course the longed for son was born - but the promise was forgotten!

When Helier was 7 years old he suddenly became sick developing a paralysis which rapidly grew worse. The distraught father, remembering his promise, hastily sent for Cunibert and begged him to cure him. Cunibert took the boy and praying over his body miraculously restored him to health. From that day on Helier displayed such fervour and piety that it was not long before he was performing miracles and his fame began to spread.

As Helier’s reputation grew Sigegard became convinced that Cunibert had cast some evil spell over him. In order to free his son, Sigegard arranged to have the Holy Man killed but this cruel act did not have the desired effect. Instead, Helier fled from Tongres never to return and feeling that it was because of his fame that Cunibert had been murdered he determined to live the life of a hermit and shun the company of his fellow men.

Five years after Cunibert was murdered, Helier was sent by St. Marculf to Jersey there to live the life of a recluse and with him Marculf sent Romard to care for him. So began a life of fasting & privation which was to last for more than 18 years.

When Helier arrived in Jersey he found no more than 30 people living there, but the saint, finding this too many for the lonely life he wished to live, crossed over from the main island to L’Islet and took up residence on top of a large rock. Here he hollowed out a depression to serve him as a bed. When Marculf visited him some 3 years later he found Helier weak and emaciated from fasting and long vigils. It is recorded that soon after Helier’s arrival, he cured a lame man called ‘Ancheutil’ - a Norseman who had been wounded in a raid and left on the island because of his wound.

Whilst Marculf was still with Helier, a fleet of 30 vessels from the Orkneys was seen approaching. Panic spread among the islanders but the two saints remained unperturbed, praying to Almighty God to spare the people from the oncoming raiders. Miraculously the raiders fell to quarrelling among themselves and it is recorded that as many as 3,000 perished in the ensuing battle. Three days after this stirring event Marculf departed to Gaul once more, never to see Helier again.

For 15 years more Helier dwelt on the Hermitage rock taking food only once a week, thus seeking to serve God more freely by liberating his mind from the demands of the body. He became so weak that it was as much as he could do to walk more than a few yards each day. It was in this condition that he was found by the Vandals who invaded the island and true to their reputation for brutality they decapitated Helier. Tradition states that the saint walked more than 200 paces towards L’Islet carrying his severed head in his arms. This occurrence so terrified the Vandals that they departed from the island in ‘great haste and fear’. Another miracle in the last moments of Helier’s life.

Helier’s prayer cell still stands as a tiny chapel on the Hermitage Rock, near to the place where he was killed. Helier knew a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and invited men & women to turn and know Him too. Today, we Christians in Jersey proclaim the same truth:

That this Man Jesus died for our sin; He rose again from death; He is with us now to make a personal relationship with God available to all.

From SHMC magazine

Make Poverty History in Jersey

The Make Poverty History campaign in Jersey held an OPEN MEETING on Sat. Sept. 17th at the I.T.C., Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust. The meeting reflected on what has been achieved so far in Jersey and agreed to end JETJAP, (Jersey Trade Justice Awareness Project) and to form a Make Poverty History coalition. This would link people in Jersey into groups with a focus on particular aspects.  At the meeting, five groups were set up:

Fairtrade                                               Tony Allchurch 767593

Raising Jersey’s Aid budget                   Kevin Daly 853197

Tax leakage from developing countries   Jean Andersson 768980 

Work by and with young people             Ed Le Quesne 730131 

Linking Overseas charities                      Ed Le Quesne 730131

The emphasis is ‘Think globally, act locally’. There has been some progress during this year but much more still to do to ensure that the benefits of globalisation work for all and don’t make the rich richer and the poor, poorer. Read any part of the Old or New Testament and see that God is concerned with justice and reaching out to those in need.

Representatives of the groups will meet every quarter to share ideas, review progress and encourage one another. The next meeting will be on Saturday December 10th at 9.30 for 10 at the International Training Centre, next to the Zoo. Some further groups may form to look at fishing and milk issues, both relevant to Jersey.

All are welcome to join in. Thousands of white bands have been sold. Take some further steps!

Ed Le Quesne

St. Helier Christian Unity Group

                                                            - Kenya Project

Your Prayers, thoughts and practical help have already enabled us to make great progress in this project for the people of Nyalkinyi in Kenya. The people in the village are overwhelmed at the efforts that Christian brothers and sisters in far away Jersey are making on their behalf.

So far our fundraising has realised enough money to enable stage 1 of the project, The Borehole, to be started. At the time of writing this we are awaiting the final estimate following the Hydrographic Survey we commissioned, our hopes and prayers are that the borehole will be completed in time for Christmas.

Stage 2, building a health clinic for the village, is on course. Jersey Overseas Aid has reaffirmed their support to the extent of paying up to £20,000 for building materials. The Unity group have commenced fund raising to help to offset the cost of sending a team of volunteers to Kenya in November 2006 to help with the building work. We are awaiting the plans and building costs which we anticipate will be with us shortly and Paul will work with the village on plans for the team’s visit when he goes home for the winter (he is marrying Beatrice while at home and we wish them both well in their life together). Our plan is to hold a meeting for all those members of our congregations interested in the project in late January (details later). Overseas Aid requires us to recruit from within our group that includes the congregations of all participating Churches- so that we don’t detract from recruiting for their own projects. Interviews to finalise the team selection to be held in late March (Betty and I are away for 4 weeks in Feb/March) and team preparation to commence in April. Fund raising continues under the auspices of a hard working committee representing all the town Churches and we will continue to work with Paul and his friends in Kenya to fine-tune our plans.

Some of us had the privilege of hearing Paul talk the other day. He talked of his childhood in Kenya and has memories of sitting in the dark (they couldn’t afford an oil lamp) with brothers and sisters, frequently with no evening meal (money for food was always short and they often went without meals), waiting for parents to come home from work or the market, and singing hymns and children’s choruses to hide their fear of wild animals outside their hut (there was always a danger). His memories brought a lump to many a throat and reminded us of why we are doing this.

Do continue to support us with your prayers and practical help and consider whether you or anybody in your congregation would like to be a part of the team. If you want to learn more about the project or discuss the details do speak to your Church rep on the committee or phone me on 861848.

Yours in Christ, Dave Ellis (All Saints Church)

A New Face At Communicare

Peter Inchcombe has been at Communicare since mid September, taking over from Philip Wood. He is taking the title of ‘Manager’ rather than the more forbidding ‘Warden’. He is a Baptist, who comes from Jersey, but has spent the last 30 years in Maine, USA. From our brief experience at the Christian Aid party, you can be sure of a friendly, humourous welcome when you visit the centre, and you may also meet him in his role as a St. Saviour honorary policeman.

  Peter Inchcombe—Communicare Manager

Martin John Nicholls 

 Christian Aid supporters were moved, amused and inspired by Martin at a party to celebrate Christian Aid’s 60th birthday at Communicare on Sat. Oct. 1st.  Martin was a Baptist minister, but now has a ministry for Christian Aid, singing powerful lyrics arising from his contacts with Christian aid partners.  He wrote ‘O broken town of Bethlehem’ after a visit to the town and a meeting with Christians there still seeking peace in the face of violence. He wrote ‘Hunger for Justice’ after meeting fisherfolk from Ghana, helped by Christian Aid to get a good livelihood from their catch but with the fish now scooped up by E.U. trawlers. He also had some very humorous songs such as ‘A bored-again Christian’ and ‘Post-modern Pat’ (an update of Postman Pat). You can find out more on his website
www.martinjohnnicholls.com.

Ed Le Quesne

The Future Of Gorey Methodist Church

Many people will have already heard the news that Gorey Church Council have taken a decision to finally close the church for worship after January 8th 2006. The coming months of autumn will see the church membership thinking over where they will travel to worship and how they will be enabled to let go of the building they have cherished.

The decision took a long thoughtful route during the ministry of the late Rev Derrick Mellor and then during the interim ministry of Rev Kevin Jones. It involved discussion with the Constable of Grouville, Mr. Dan Murphy as to the possibility of the Parish sharing the building for some community purpose. However like most parishes at the moment it was a bridge too far and we realised the church had to face making a realistic decision and not avoid it. When September came, the Church Council was fully prepared to grasp the nettle and voted on September 7th to cease to worship. Later both the Circuit and District gave consent for this to proceed.

As I write, I would ask all the Circuit Churches to remember Gorey in their prayers and to welcome their members if and when they arrive. Sue Le Riche as Layworker has accepted the task of enabling all the Gorey members to find a new spiritual home, whatever denomination that might prove to be. Nearer the 8th January we would like to invite people from all the churches to stand together at the closing ceremony so that it becomes a shared experience in the body of Christ. This has been a very difficult decision to take, but the Church can take heart that since the 1840’s it has been a Christian witnes in a village all the way up to 2006. What a remarkable achievement this is and I hope that this perspective will instill hope and thankfulness into all the members at Gorey.

Rev Chris White

Disciple

Twelve years ago I sat at a Circuit Meeting and heard my Superintendent Minister speak enthusiastically about a Bible Study course called DISCIPLE. It captured my imagination and excited me.  I had recently become more committed to my faith than I had for many years and I longed for more than was being offered on a Sunday morning. Don’t get me wrong, the worship and teaching were great but I was hungry for more and didn’t know where to look. My knowledge of the Bible was limited to well-known stories and the snippets we heard at Church. I wanted to discover more about the geography of the Holy Land, the history of the Old Testament but above all, I wanted to know more of God, of his love revealed to us in Jesus Christ, and how I fitted into all of this. and with DISCIPLE I found what I’d been searching for.

DISCIPLE is a 34 week programme which takes you chronologically through the Bible . Equal time is given to the Old and New Testaments. The course runs on the principle of groups of 12. Each person receives a study handbook and is asked to read the set passages every day (about 30-45 minutes). Once a week the group come together for two and a half hours. The session begins with a video through which experts (such as the Archbishop of Canterbury, Desmond Tutu and other renowned theologians) open up what has been read through the week in a way which makes the Bible make sense in today’s world. The sessions look closely at our human condition and where we are and how scripture applies to our situation. There is time for discussion, for prayer and for fellowship, but everything ultimately revolves around the DISCIPLE ethos - ‘this is about transformation not just information.’

Twelve years on at our Circuit meeting in September I was the one speaking enthusiastically about DISCIPLE. It has changed my life and it could change yours too. We will be starting a DISCIPLE course in January 2006 to which all are welcome although numbers are obviously limited. Details are available through church stewards, notice sheet or from me on 739906.

Rev. Liz Hunter

The Dash by Linda Ellis

I read of a reverend who stood to speak at the funeral of his friend. He referred to the dates on her tombstone from the beginning...to the end.

He noted that first came the date of her birth and spoke of the following date with tears, but he said what mattered most of all was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the time that she spent alive on earth, and now only those who loved her know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own; the cars, the house, the cash. What matters is how we live and love and how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard, are there things you'd like to change? For you never know how much time is left. (You could be at dash mid-range).

If we could just slow down enough to consider what's true and real, and always try to understand the way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger, and show appreciation more and love the people in our lives like we've never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect, and more often wear a smile, remembering that this special dash might only last a little while.

So, when your eulogy is being read with your life's actions to rehash... would you be pleased with the things they say about how you spent your dash?

From SHMC magazine

 

Rev. Oseias da Silva has already taken part in several events in the circuit.  Here he is at the Christian Aid birthday party at Communicare. 

Freda Le Boutillier

 

  Freda, outside 1 Hautbois Villas

In 1939, two historical events took place. One involved the whole world in war, the other affected just a small corner of our little island of Jersey. Freda Le Boutillier arrived at First Tower.

Freda was a member of the Sunday School until 1947 when she was invited to be a Sunday School teacher, a post she held for some five years.

In 1949 Freda joined the choir and her angelic tones have pealed out until this very day. It will be strange not to see her head bobbing up and down beneath the flowers in the future, especially at Harvest and Christmas, when she sometimes appeared to be part of the floral decorations.  Another job Freda was given in 1949 was Plan Secretary and that too she has carried out till the present date.

Freda has had many other jobs through the years, Overseas Missions Sec/Treasurer, JMA sec., Christian citizenship sec., Sunday School sec. and treasurer, property secretary and Trust secretary, all positions she has held for many years. Some have developed under different headings but all have benefited from her dedication and expertise.

Two very important positions that Freda has been currently holding, are that of Secretary to the Church Council, a job she took on in 1969 under the title ‘Leaders meeting secretary’ and Church Treasurer since 1970. In all that time Freda has been meticulous in carrying out her duties and I know that those following in her footsteps will find her a hard act to follow. So will the new Methodist Church Archivist when one can be found to take her place. 

I still feel however that if our little church down here at “The Bay” First Tower had known that she was only staying temporarily we could have found a few more jobs for her to do, so as to make full use of her talents whilst she was with us.

Freda will be missed for many other reasons apart from all the work that she has done so well for so long. We in the choir will miss her coming through the door at the last moment with barely enough time to get her gown on before the service starts. We will all mss her giggles when something appeals to her sense of humour, and will all remember the words “Well if you don’t know me by now” a favourite saying of Freda’s. We will miss so many things, it just won’t be the same without “Our Freda” but we wish her well.  We will certainly keep in touch and hope to see her return for regular holidays. 

We wish her God speed and God bless as she sets out on this, her great adventure. She will be in our thoughts and our prayers.

I will now ask “Nephew John” to present her with a gift as a token of our love and appreciation and for all that she means to us.

Margaret Le Marquand

(speaking after Freda’s farewell service on September 4th)  Freda has gone to live near relatives in Norwich.

Next (Ed)tion

All contributions for the January issue to be sent by December 15th, please.

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