Issue No. 77

Malcolm Bailey- much missed

‘The Jersey Methodist’ offers sincere condolences to Charmaine and family on the sudden death of Malcolm on Friday, August 31st.  As many in the circuit had not had a chance to get to know him we print fully the tribute by Rev. David Coote at his funeral.  It was attended by all the ministers from Guernsey as well as a large congregation from Jersey.

 Malcolm 

 It is so difficult to know where to start for we have come together with such a mixture of feelings. Certainly we feel great sadness and grief because we've lost someone so special and so suddenly but we also come with a desire to say thank you to God for a dear and deeply loved husband, father, son, brother and relative. And those feelings although perhaps not felt with the same intensity of those who knew Malcolm best are shared by those of us gathered here today who were his colleagues, friends or simply those who came into contact with Malcolm as a Methodist minister.

 Family and faith were the twin themes of Malcolm's life and to both he gave his all.  As a child he attended Crumpsall Park Methodist Church, Manchester still the spiritual home of his family. Here he joined the cubs and scouts attended the youth club and became a youth club leader. At a 21st birthday party he met Charmaine. The following day he went out with her and bought chicken in the basket which translated for us southerners means chicken and crisps - he always knew how to treat a lady!

 But it did the trick and in 1974 Malcolm and Charmaine married and came to Jersey for their honeymoon. Charmaine said she didn't want to leave but they did and returned to Crumpsall first to a flat then after Cheryl was born into a house and then in 1979 to Radcliff where shortly after Lindsey was born and the family was complete well at least until Lindsey married Martin and Madeleine and Philippa were born. 

 The family retain an enormous fund of memories of Malcolm who delighted to take photographs of family events - some of which we have seen on the audio visual.  We, that is those of us who are not family knew Malcolm to be punctual, organised, honest, reliable and more besides and we also knew he had a sense of humour, he could let his hair down - lucky to have some - and I'm sure although he would not wish this service to go on to long for he hated fuss and wasting time he will forgive me for quoting an anecdote or two. Charmaine, Lindsey and Cheryl have jotted down some Funny Stories about Dad.

“Dad always made everything fun.   We remember what we now understand was “budget tea night” where the standard food was tinned beans and sausages.  Dad created a wonderful cowboys and Indians scenario whereby we all had names (Mar, Par, Hank and Wild Bill) and we’d look forward to this every week”

“always clowning around, especially with grandchildren - wanting to make everyone laugh!    He climbed on their hobby horse and was galloping round shouting “yeehah !” little realising that several people had stopped to watch”

“ He liked to be organised.  Had socks for each day of the week.  Was mortified in case anyone realised when he went to a church meeting on Tuesday wearing Wednesday’s socks !.  and more worried because Wednesday’s socks were already dirty”

“ useless at DIY.  Mum glad when he became a minister and she could rely on a property steward to get things done properly”

And there are lots more filling two pages...

 Malcolm's faith led him into the Methodist Ministry. He became a Christian when he was 17 on holiday with his parents in the Isle of Man but it was some years later when in his 30's he heard the call to the ministry. He had trained as an electrician and then as a Quantity surveyor in the engineering industry and at first felt that his calling was among young people but later as he was to say to a reporter in Jersey Link.  “I was driving down to Hatfield one day, when I quite clearly felt a call to conventional ministry.  It was not to be youth work specifically. I imagined that Theological College would represent the next step - but that wasn't so.  I had a lovely mentor; the Reverend Geoff Jones (Uncle Geoff to our two girls), who told me that I'd first of all have to become a local preacher.  Moreover, there were exams to take over a period of three or four years.  I needed additional 'O' Levels and opted for sociology and psychology - both of which became so useful in prison work later on.”   The reporter turned to Charmaine who laughed and said “When Malcolm told me that he intended going for ordination I turned to him and said, 'Not before time!' 

 In 1991 he went to train at Hartley Victoria and in 1993 to his first appointment in Rochdale for 7 years before leaving for the Islington and Camden Circuit in London. In both these places he had a remarkable ministry which included prison chaplaincy work. In this as in so many other ways Charmaine was a constant help. Alan Ogier the Superintendent Free Church Chaplain to HM Prisons wrote to me to say what a highly regarded chaplain he was.   Members of the Holloway Prison Chaplaincy Team wrote that ‘Malcolm was a good colleague and friend, who served faithfully, at Holloway and Pentonville.  He was loved by staff and inmates as a very caring pastor, who always had time for people.  He always spoke well of others, and looked for the good in those he met.  A family man and a good man, who will be missed by many.” 

 He was moved by the distressing scenes he saw. To that Jersey Link reporter about experiences in Holloway he said, 'To see young girls heavily into drugs looking like seventy year olds is truly distressing.   Of his work he said ' In an ideal world I could have done with a couple of hours with each prisoner, each week, helping them to know that God’s profound love opens the way to self respect, ridding these folk of their self loathing'   These words show us what kind of person Malcolm was and many have experienced - he was deeply compassionate man who wanted others to know the grace and love of God.

 Time does not permit me to share all the tributes that have been made but I read a few sentences from a former circuit.  “His preaching was always to the point and I remember him saying that he didn’t like people saying they had enjoyed the service - he wanted them to be challenged by it. “

and  “I know he has only been with you for one year but from my experience of him I know that even in that short time you will have come to recognise him as an exceptional minister - not only an excellent preacher and teacher but a genuine, honest and lovely man with whom to work”

and from Jan in Rochdale “I remember when involved with Circuit business in particular, some of it tricky and sensitive, Malcolm was always ready to listen.  I don’t think he knew how wise, respected and intuitive he was. His ministry was full of grace and his love of Jesus so very evident.  Most of all, he was easy to get on with, self-depreciating  and had a great sense of humour.”

 And so I could go on. There's even one from a Ladies Meeting in a former church who said Malcolm was voted their favourite speaker - now that's an accolade.

 And despite the fact that Malcolm was with us here in Jersey for an all too brief time the folk who knew him here would say Amen to all that others who knew him better have said.  He made a remarkable impact in a short time. The people here at Bethlehem and at St Ouen, Bethesda and Philadelphie will miss him greatly as will the staff and leadership team of this circuit. But we to want to give thanks to God for a great colleague who was always constructive and never given to cynicism and despair either of people or situations.

So today we say thank God for a much loved husband of 33 years a deeply loved father to Lindsey and Cheryl and a grandfather to Madeleine and Philippa, A father in law to Martin, a son, brother, relative and friend. And as we do so we give thanks for the knowledge that neither we nor he can ever be separated form the love of God in Christ Jesus. As one person has written Heaven will be much richer.

 This service has tried to give expression to the person that Malcolm was. Adrian Plass was a favourite and reflects something of Malcolm's humour as did the Audio Visual.  He enjoyed Neil Diamond. The presence of the music group reminds us that Malcolm himself loved to play guitar. All the hymns were chosen because they reflected both Malcolm's likes but also his faith. And the reading reminded us that he was not a man to run aimlessly through life. He had a sense of purpose and he knew where he was going.

 And included also is his ordination hymn ‘Behold the servant of the Lord’ which concludes with words so appropriate for him -   ‘Serve with a single heart and eye, and to Thy glory live and die’

 David Coote 

 Thanksgiving Service for Malcolm Bailey

Pre service music 

Adrian Plass from City of Gold CD

Organ Voluntary

Welcome

Hymn In Christ Alone Songs of Fellowship 1346 

Prayer

Audio vision presentation 

Hymn  The Lord’s my shepherd Townend version Songs of Fellowship 1030

"Heavenly Playground"  from Adrian Plass CD City of Gold

Reading

John 14 v 1- 6, 27  Enid Quenault

Hymn     And can it be H&P 216 

1 Corinthians 9 v 24 - 27 John Harrington

Address

Hymn Behold the servant of the Lord  H&P 788

Prayers

Hymn    Thine be the glory H&P 212

Blessing

Exit        Neil Diamond 'Beautiful Noise'

Tribute from Bethesda

 It was with a deep sense of shock and sadness that we heard of Malcolm's sudden death last Friday.  With Charmaine, he had just returned from a holiday spent visiting his family in England. On their return, they had been joined by their daughter and her family from Guernsey who were spending a week's holiday with them.

 Last Thursday, he spoke to me about his holiday and how he was now looking forward to the new Methodist year and he shared with me his thoughts for Bethesda as we planned the refurbishment of the building and especially was he enthusiastic about our mission for the future.  He felt that our impending meeting with the representative of Christian surfers in Jersey would be a valuable part of our mission outreach.

 During his too short ministry among us, he and Charmaine had endeared themselves to all our members and he had been a faithful pastor and friend to so many.  A brilliant preacher, he was also completely at ease talking to the children, often sharing with them various television programmes he had watched and which he linked to his Christian faith.  He enjoyed playing his guitar with our music group and was being taught by Andre the technique of playing the drums, something that he had always wanted to do.

 Malcolm and Charmaine had come to us a year ago from Islington where he had a Chaplain to Pentonville and Holloway Prisons as well as being in charge of two Churches, one of which had a mainly black congregation, who loved him dearly.  

We shall miss Malcolm, “a gentle giant”, as he has been called, but we pray that his death will unite us even more strongly as a Church family and give us the faith to carry out his vision for Bethesda.  In this way we will honour his memory. Our prayers and love go out to Charmaine, to Cheryl, Lindsey and Martin and to his two lovely granddaughters.  They have lost a loving husband, a devoted father and grandfather.

 We thank God for his ministry among us, for sharing with us his deep faith and his love of the Gospel and so enriching our lives.  He is now at home with the Saviour he worshipped so faithfully and his journey here is over.  We shall miss him.

Enid Quenault

Report on circuit meeting

 We met at Bethlehem, very conscious of the recent loss of Malcolm Bailey and opened by singing Charles Wesley’s hymn ‘O for a thousand tongues to sing’.  David Coote said that light touch ministerial oversight would be given to Bethlehem by Chris White, St. Ouen by Liz Hunter, Bethesda by Billy Slatter, Philadelphie by Henry Le Ruez/Malcolm Salmon,  Communicare and Stuart Court by Malcolm Salmon.  The main burden would rest on the stewards of the churches.

 It was confirmed that nothing is planned locally for the Charles Wesley anniversary.

 In her Circuit Stewards report, Di Toole said John Le Gresley and Ray Le Cornu would serve on the District Policy Committee.  Their main aim is to work with John Bell, former vice-president, to see whether Jersey/Guernsey should be linked with a mainland district.  She thanked Jill Corbin for her work as Secretary.  The Treasurer’s accounts were presented in a new format as required by the Connexion and in the old format to ease us into new ways. Sue De Gruchy was thanked for her work.   

 Ray Le Cornu and Eric Le Rossignol were added to Di Toole and John Le Gresley as Trustees of the Circuit Benevolent and Endowment Funds, chaired by David Coote.

 Peter Luce is drawing up a long-term lease for the residents of Maison Binet.  A developer for the whole Gorey site has put up a non-returnable bond of  £5k, while his plans are put to Planning Dept.

 Chris White’s invitation was extended by a further year to August 2009, to complete work at Maison Binet and Sion.   A circuit profile to send to the stationing committee by October 1st is being prepared as we try to fill the vacancy in the West section.

 Liz Hunter’s proposal for a monthly evening service for Renewal, led by circuit staff was agreed.

 John Le Gresley commended the work of Andrew Bennett in running training courses for Boys Brigade officers and training by GB too, and said both wished to retain their existing HQ’s.  Reg Jeune commented that many years of work by GB and BB can’t just be swept away.

 Billy Slatter of the Youth Worker Management Group said that Safeguarding work had been put in place, but there was not enough work to do in supporting local groups to justify a full-time Circuit Youth Worker.

 A full policy on the use of the Circuit Advance Fund was circulated with the agenda.  David Coote stressed that grants had to be for mission, not maintenance.  A sum of £10k was agreed for Bethesda towards their £40k project to renew their premises and extend their mission to Christian surfers.  A sum of £150k was agreed for Ebenezer to develop car parking and extend their mission to young families and the new residents  coming to their doorstep.   It was confirmed that there was money in the church accounts to tackle a long-standing damp problem in the front of the church. The 40 members will be raising at least £160k between them.  A sum of £7k this year and £6k for each of the next two years was agreed for St. Aubin to support Mrs. Liz Lambotte as their Youth worker.

 Chris White reported that he had sent a 31 page response to the Gambling Commission discussion paper.  He had drafted a letter to Senator Frank Walker rejecting the proposal to cut Overseas Aid.  This was agreed unanimously and Deputy Anne Pryke agreed to deliver it in person, signed by David Coote,  the next morning, when the debate was due.  It succeeded.

 The Circuit Leadership Team will choose a rep for Conference in 2008.   Seven names were received as circuit representatives to the District Synod in Guernsey next April.  There is one further vacancy.

 It was nearly 10 p.m. when business ended and we closed in a moment of prayer.

Ed Le Quesne

History of Grove Place Chapel

  St Helier Methodist Centre was part of the Heritage Open Day on Saturday 8th September. Peter Luce carried  out some research on the history of Grove Place Chapel as it was originally called.   It was built as a replacement of the chapel in Don Street.  Don Street chapel was built in 1812 with worship commencing in January 1813 and had a seating capacity of 700 to 800.  By 1840 the church was no longer large enough to accommodate those wishing to worship in it and the French Circuit decided to construct a larger church in the centre of St Helier. 

 By contract dated 12th July, 1845 a large site, including houses, was purchased at the top of what was then called Grove Place, now part of Halkett Place, from Thomas Messervy for a  sum equivalent to just over £2,300.   The architect of the building was Phillipe Bree, a member of the church and there is a memorial to him and his brother Elie in the east wall of the church. An estimate of £3,000 for the building of the church was received from Mr Thomas Messervy and on 13th April 1846, Easter Monday, the foundation stone of the church was laid.  This event is depicted in the drawing at the east end of the vestibule of the church.  In addition, it was reported in the local press and the  “Chronique de Jersey” of  Wednesday 15th April, 1846 gave full details of the ceremony.   Members and friends of the Society met at about 1.30p.m. in the church in Don Street and at 2 p.m. proceeded to the site where a large crowd from all over the island had gathered.  At about 2.30p.m. after a short opening prayer by Mr Tourgis, the Superintendent of the Circuit, Jurat Philippe-Winter Nicolle, accompanied by Nicholas Le Quesne and Philippe de Carteret all of whom were members of the English Methodist Church in the island, laid the foundation stone followed by a service with an address given by Mr Lucas a Wesleyan missionary in France.  The ceremony would not have been complete without a collection towards the cost of the construction of the church!   

 But, this was not the end of the day’s events, for at 5p.m. and 6p.m. a tea was served to 400 or 500 persons in the Sunday School hall at the church in Wesley Street, followed by a meeting in the church with the proceedings coming to an end at approximately 9p.m.  

 François Guiton in his book “Histoire de Methodisme Wesleyen dans les Iles de la Manche” published in 1846 states that according to the plans of the proposed church it was to be 104 ft. in length with a width of 64 ft. and would be able to contain a congregation of 1,700 to 1,800 (subsequently acknowledged to be a few hundred less).  It was to have a Sunday School of 73ft. in length and 59ft. in width with several rooms for committee meetings, prayer and classes. 

 By October 1847 the building was ready and the first service in the new church was held on Sunday 10th October, 1847.  Again, this event was reported in the “Chronique de Jersey”.  The edition of 13th October, 1847 informs us that three services were held in the church during the day and at each of them the magnificent steps which lead to the grand and fine building (“... le magnifique escalier qui conduit à ce grand et beau bâtiment...”) were covered with people before the opening of the doors.  The number at each of the morning and afternoon services was approximately 2,000  but, at the evening service, there were no less than 2,200 persons.  Collections taken at each service produced a total of about £75. 

 Although the estimate for the building of the Church was £3,000 there were several additional items which added to the cost, including £68 for the granite steps! 

 In 1901 and 1902 the interior of the Chapel was entirely altered.  A new vestry was built, the rostrum was constructed, all the seating was altered, the galleries were rounded and new lighting installed, as well as the stained glass windows installed as replacements for the original plain glass windows.  The total cost of the works including decorating throughout was over £2,100.00. 

 In 1932 electricity was installed and as we know the major redevelopment of the premises was undertaken between 1998 and 2000 to enhance the building commenced by our forefathers in 1846.  One feels sure that they would be pleased to see the  building in such a fine state. 

Peter Luce 

Now read on about the activities today!

SHMC Church family get together 

  On Sunday July 22nd  the service was planned as an All Age Worship and a Leaving Service for those youngsters from our Nestling Day Care nursery who would be going on to ‘big school’ in September. The children who attended were presented with a book to remind them of their nursery days. Everyone had also been invited to bring their teddy bears to church. Teams from ‘Open the Book’, who go into schools to act out Bible stories, re-enacted the story of the ‘Marvellous Picnic’ where ‘Jesus’ provided enough food, with some left over, for the large crowd of ‘5,000’ ( the congregation and their teddy bears)! 

 Many of the congregation then found their way to David de la Haye’s house. Tables and chairs were set out on a tennis court with Astroturf surface and there was more than enough food to feed the original 5,000. 

  The whole day was a wonderful demonstration of family life with the children and some of the men joining a game of cricket in an adjoining field while, in another, some of the adults were organising sack races and competitions.  Grateful thanks were expressed to David who had made this event possible. 

Cow for Kenya 

 David & Nance Hicklin had a very successful Open Day on 16 August when over 60 people came for coffee, lunch or afternoon tea. Thankfully, the  weather was good enough to enjoy sitting in the garden. The wonderful total of £640 was raised in aid of a Jersey crossbred cow to go to Nyalkinyi (to be purchased in Kenya). The cow is to be called ‘Jersey Lily’!   The farm has three fields and the village has had a crop of maize already. The 6 oxen & 1200 chickens together with 6 other cows will soon be in situ and all producing food for the school & the village as well as a very poor primary school close to the farm.  A big ‘thank you’ to Nance  & David for opening their home. 

 Autumn Fayre  

 On Saturday 13 October SHMC are holding our church Autumn Fayre at St Clement’s Parish Hall from 11am-4pm.  

Friday lunch & stay-a-while 

           From the beginning of September our Friday lunches are taking on an expanded form and twice a month there will be additional interest for everyone. As a town centre community we feel that we should show more interest in what goes on around us and to that end we will be having ‘themed days’ when there will be an information board about a local or national charity or organisation. On the themed day the donations for the lunches will be given to that charity. 

Once a month, at 2pm,  there will an invited speaker. The topics will be wide-ranging and should prove entertaining.  The programme for September and October included; 
Focus on Family Nursing and Home Care  

‘Temps Passé’ slide show by Maurice Richardson 

 ‘Macaroons & Memories’ led by Philip Le Brocq  (bring an item which holds special memories for you)  and on  19 October - focus on Breast 

Cancer Awareness Week 

All other Fridays will be lunch as usual and games afterwards.  The donations for lunch will go to SHMC charity funds / Christian Aid as before.  

Wise words- author unknown

Think freely.  Practice patience. Smile often. 

Savour special moments.  Live God’s message. 

Make new friends.  Discover old ones. 

Tell those you love that you do.   Feel deeply. 

Forget trouble.  Forgive an enemy. 

Pick some daisies.  Share them.  Keep a promise. 

Look for rainbows.  Gaze at the stars. 

See beauty everywhere. 

Work hard.  Be wise.  Try to understand. 

Take time for people.  Make time for yourself. 

 Laugh heartily.  Spread joy. 

Take a chance.  Reach out.  Let someone in. 

Try something new.  Slow down. 

Be soft sometimes.  Celebrate life. 

Believe in yourself.  Trust others. 

See a sunrise.  Listen to rain.  Reminisce. 

Cry when you need to......... 

Little rascals—September 2007 

 Little Rascals has been up and running for a whole year which has literally flown by.  Any minor hitches have mostly been overcome suitably. 

 Little Rascals started off very slowly with only a handful of children but gradually, during 3 terms, the numbers increased and we are now forced into the fortunate position of introducing some sort of membership and waiting list. This we sincerely hope and pray will not offend any regulars, but has become a necessity. From the experience gained during the past year, we reckon that up to 25 children per session is the maximum we should ideally be catering for.  Out format and layout for this term will be very similar to the previous year, as we find this appears stimulating but still friendly to the children and their parents/carers. We try to create areas for different types of play e.g. home corner, quiet corner, creative table, construction etc. for the first hour. Then have a toddler-friendly snack time together (excellently prepared by Annie) and finish the morning with a quiet time and singing. This seems to work well. 

 At the end of term we organised the parents and helpers evening out at Pizza Express; this was a beneficial and pleasant time for all who attended. Everyone who comes to Little Rascals enjoys themselves and we have had much positive feedback.

Sally Shaw 

Teenage group 

 We are now offering our teenagers a further opportunity to meet together and discuss the issues raised in our morning Junior Church sessions - a chance for them to ask questions, share doubts and uncertainties, and to discover how the Gospel message might be relevant in their lives and culture.  

 We will be meeting fortnightly at 7.30pm on Sundays, usually at the Sion Manse, and would value your prayers.  We would like the whole church to feel involved so below is the programme for Sept – Dec. 

 Sunday 9 September    Human Rights Crisps and Coke! 

 Sunday 23 September   Esperado – the issues and the  planning  Pizza 

Sunday 7 October   The Bible – boring and irrelevant OR exciting and real?     Cheese and biscuits 

 Sunday 21 October   Church – where do you fit  in? Fruit Salad 

 Sunday 4th November   The Holy Spirit – a breath  of fresh air  Crumpets 

 Sunday 18 November    What is a Christian? Things on sticks!! 

 Sunday 2 December  Angels, teenagers and the Son of God   Mince pies 

 Sunday 16th December   Christmas – what does it  mean to you? Party food 

 Exam results. 

FELICITY SHAW achieved A,B & D in her ‘A’ level exams. which means she has her place at Bangor university in N. Wales. 

JO EGRE gained 2 B’s & a D in  her ‘A’ levels and secured her university place. 

At GCSE

ALICE VEITCH gained 4A*, 4A’s & 2B’. 

MENNA TRELEVEN got 2A*, 3A’s, 4B’s & 1C and

JENNA TRELEVEN got 1A*, 5A’s. 3B’s &1C at GCSE. 

   WINTON WILSON died on Friday, 24 August  aged 91. Winton was a longstanding and much loved, member first of Wesley Grove and then SHMC. He was an active member of the choir and all things musical. His lovely voice enhanced worship  and when failing health prevented him from attending regularly, he was greatly missed. Many people will remember his involvement with the Eisteddfod Music section, to which he gave many years of voluntary service as well as competing in classes. One of his many qualities was his ability to spot a visitor to church, welcome them warmly and find out more about them—very few escaped his handshake. Long after his memory began to fade he could still be found in the vestibule before worship, greeting people and taking an interest in them. He has left many happy memories with us. We remember Carole, Ian and family in our prayers. 

      JOY POTTS, after her stay at Maison La Corderie, realised that the time had come for her to look for somewhere more suitable to live without having to climb 14 steps and was fortunate in being offered a place at St Ewolds.

Jersey-Kenya group visit to Kisumu, August 2007  

 For most of the team it was their first encounter with Hezron and his forceful personality impressed them all.  He and his team made every effort to make us very welcome and the lunch breaks, cooked by his wife Connie and with 3 year old Samantha and 10 month old Peter happy to be made a fuss of, made a welcome break in the day.   We were very fortunate with the weather which was generally dry and hot.   Since we returned they have had heavy rain that has made roads impassable and brought waterborne diseases.

The team ready for the football match

Building project

 The building was not near the clinic as originally planned.  It was felt that clinical staff would still feel isolated living outside Kisumu in their time off.  Also deep foundations would be required as the water table is high in the village   So the accommodation is located just behind Hezron's house on a hill on the outskirts of Kisumu.  From there staff can work at both Port Florence and Le Quesne clinic at Ombeyi as required and their families will be near the city.  The building is bigger than originally planned as each unit now has its own kitchen and bathroom.  It is also built of dressed stone rather than regular blocks (as we had practised on the Great wall of Trinity! )  In the first few days, half a dozen local people with cold chisel and hammer dressed one face of yellow, white, red and black  stones.  They were paid daily by the foot produced.  Thereafter we were looking for  '16" yellow',  '8" black etc etc to make a colourful outside wall to the building.  Tape measures from Normans were greatly appreciated!     There was plenty of hard work needed in bringing sand and cement into the site and mixing them with shovels and then adding water to make mortar.   Then there was work in laying the stones under the guidance of Dominic the foreman, and Charlie, George, Maurice, Silas and other fundis, and filling the gaps between stones.  Stories were shared and generally there was a very happy working atmosphere, to the background of music from a radio that was bought early on.   

Celebrations on the final day

On our last day we shared a bottle of soda with the fundis and presented two photo frames.  One had our photo and list of names, the other had a Rotary banner and a list of supporters.  We were supported by a grant of £7500 from the international committee of Rotary in Jersey and a donation of £3000 from Camerons Ltd.    The team raised over £5100 from special events such as a Kenyan BBQ, Liberation Day walk, coffee morning and quizzes.  We raised over £2200 from doing jobs such as garden clearance and window cleaning.   More than £13000 came from donations, particularly from friends at Georgetown and through written appeals.    All the team paid for their airfares, nearly £600, and £200 towards their living expenses in Kenya and £250 for the final .safari to Masai Mara, where we saw 4 of the ‘big 5’ and vast herds of wildebeest and zebra. 

 Our accommodation 

 Originally we were due to stay in Hezron's house.  It is a magnificent building with a great view over the countryside, though it is reached by a 10 minute ride up a very stony, bumpy track.  The house has been built over the past 5 years, using the labour of some of the orphans that Hezron is supporting.  It is built on a large scale because it is intended to provide accommodation for visiting groups such as ours.  However a group called Mungiki began operating in Kenya recently and have committed some killings, including one 'mzungu' (white man') so anyone intending to accommodate visitors in their house had to report to the police and Hezron was refused permission to house us!  Thus we stayed at 'Classic Beach Resort' run by David and Grace, friends of Hezron.  It was very comfortable with electricity and hot showers in rooms shared by two or three people, full breakfasts and evening meals, served by Joseph, Violet and Rose and with our washing done for us.  It was only 100 yards from Lake Victoria and a fishing port.  It also had hippos nearby, which several group members saw either early mornings or at dusk.   It meant we had a 30 minute drive morning and evening to and from the site but that we could stop on our return journey in Kisumu at MegaCity supermarket, where there were telephones and internet access.

 OGRA projects  

 OGRA Foundation is the NGO (Non-Government Organisation), registered in Kenya in 2000, which owns all the property and employs the staff.  Hezron is the patron and among its trustees are the local chief and a local primary Head, Charles Awour, who was Hezron’s teacher some years ago!    It started with 24 orphans.  It now cares for more than 1000.   WASOT-UK raises money in Jersey and England for OGRA projects. 

With staff at the Le Quesne clinic

 This is now an impressive building, with water and electricity.  The wards are not fully open yet because there is not enough funding for 24 hour nursing cover, though since our visit it has become busier and we have been given funding for two extra nurses.   (A nurse is paid £200 per month)  Also the 3 units of accommodation on site are very primitive.  Rapid turnover of clinic staff has been a problem.   Victoria, the present clinical officer, is a very capable person and making an impact in the village.  She will appreciate the good accommodation, when our building is complete.  She is standing next to me, then Dorcas, pharmacist, Lilian, lab technician and Larissa, nursing assistant.

Feeding Centre

On land donated by Hezron's Mum and close by her home, a feeding centre has been built by visiting students from various UK medical schools.   It is practically complete. It will provide breakfast, lunch and supper for 50 orphans.   This will ensure that the children attend school regularly.  Though schools are free, many orphans drop out of school to search for food. There are over 200 needy orphans in the area.  50 will chosen from the 3 nearest primary schools.  The cost of feeding 50 children per day is about £21.  With wages for staff, the annual cost is about £8700.  We hope this project will be adopted by some group in Jersey.  A similar project is operating in a nearby area so we know that the idea works  

Sugar Cane

Jenny Pryke, Tony Allchurch and Neal Crowell try some sugar cane 

 The area is very suitable for growing sugar cane and OGRA have planted several acres.  However cheap sugar imports from Europe have put several local sugar mills out of business and there is just one locally.   It took Hezron several days of effort to ensure that our crops  (and 3 or 4 others in the village) were collected and delivered to the mill   We hope to receive a payment of several thousand pounds for the 200+ tonnes delivered.  We sampled the sweet juice of the cane.  2 further crops can grow from the roots before replanting is needed.

Income generating activities (I.G.A.)

    30 groups of 10 to 15 members each have been set up and group leaders trained   Each group starts with 10 cockerels and 100 hens, (1 cockerel and 10 hens per member).  This costs 25,000/-  or £200.    For goats, 1 buck and 10 goats cost 11,000/- or under £100.   There are more groups than funding at the moment so the lucky groups are going to be decided by drawing names from a hat.    Support for either more chicken or more goats would be very welcome.

 Home based care (H.B.C.)

 We met John Ongere, a living example of the difference that ARV (Anti-retro viral) drugs can make.   John was seriously ill, very thin, with AIDS before he received the ARV drugs.  He was one of those funded by the Drip-drip initiative, people donating £24 per month to provide the drugs for one person.   He is now an enthusiastic advocate of ARV drugs, urging people to get tested to know their HIV status and making sure they take their drugs daily.   We have recently received enough drugs, through Dr. Michael Marks,  to treat up to 1000 people for 3 years.  This will need two people to oversee the programme, to counsel and support the people going onto the drugs.  This is called V.C.T. (Voluntary Counselling and Testing).   Two of our team have agreed to fund their salaries initially so this is already getting underway.   The Community Health workers are paid just 2000/- per month (£17) and oversee the care of people living with AIDS.  All of our team went to visit the homes of at least one person living with AIDS.

Conclusion

 The team worked hard and enjoyed their first contact with Kenya and will tell you plenty more about it!

Ed Le Quesne

OLD FRIEND  -   John Farley

 It was as I was browsing through a recent edition of the Methodist Recorder that in the Book Reviews there was quite a strong recommendation for a small book of sermons that has recently been published.  I would have passed by the items rather quickly had it not been that my eye caught the name of the author John R. Farley.  Then the reviewer said the book even good enough to have a foreword by Colin Morris.......so I read on.

 For in my last appointment when Ena and I arrived to take up living in the Sion Manse we followed John and Jane Farley who were just retiring form the active work and going back to the Peak District in Derbyshire.  So my curiosity was aroused.  Needless to say I did not actually know John as we only met in passing.  But I do know that they had many friends here in Jersey, and that he had acted as Superintendent for a while when the Circuit were in a little local difficulty.  I know that both he and Jane were highly respected and thought of as "very clever" by many of the folk he ministered to.  I doubt if they ever really knew just how clever he was God bless them all.

 My curiosity was aroused enough to send for a copy of the book entitled "tsedeqh and other sermons".  You will need to know a little about languages to even begin to understand that title I guess.  Anyway the little book comprises 13 sermons that John preached over his last few years.  Two of them you heard here in Jersey. After reading them I have to say they are brilliant and you had here amongst you a clear thinking a scholarly man whose gifts were far beyond the journeymen preachers who make up the bulk of we ministers.

 To quote the Foreword of Colin Morris of all people      

   "There are sermons here I would have preached had I been able to. I have written books on preaching and lectured on the subject.  I have shelves groaning with volumes of sermons by all the acknowledged masters. This volume will take its place amongst them, and I tell you, it will not be overshadowed."

 That is praised indeed from one of our most able wordsmiths.

The book came from:-

  The Church in the Market Place

  c/o  Rev. Robert Davies

         93, Lockerbie Close

         Cinnimon Brow

         WARRINGTON   WA2 0LT

The price was only £5 +  p & p £1  =  £6.  Perhaps his close friends locally already have a copy but I just provide this info in case it slipped past us all in Jersey.

Tom Nicholas

When I received this note from Tom a couple of weeks ago,  I immediately wrote for a copy and it came in a few days.  I have only read two sermons so far.  The first to find out the meaning of that intriguing title ‘Tsedeqh’.  It comes from the Hebrew word that is often translated justice and often translated righteousness and includes putting right what is wrong.  He looks at the contrast between the way the popular press reacts to violent crimes and the way Gordon Wilson did  for instance in Northern Ireland.  He adds two words to Micah ‘And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, which is to love mercy, which is to walk humbly with your God’    We still need to fully absorb the depth of the concept of ‘tsedeqh’.

 The other sermon is one I still remember that John preached at Wesley Grove on Good Friday in 1988.  At the time, there was quite a bit of talk by some Christians that the current turmoil in some parts of the world and possibly the coming millennium meant that the Second Coming was imminent.  John forcefully reminded us that Christ is alongside and suffering with us.  God is the one who carries our sorrows, not the one who inflicts them.   He expounded that principle very forcefully then and revised it in 2001 after the twin tower collapsed in Manhattan.

 The photo on the book’s cover shows John as younger than we remember him in Jersey, though I recall his high jumping one Sports Day, which showed he was still active while here!

 I agree with Tom, well worth reading and reflecting upon.

Ed Le Quesne 

The picture shows Rev Hazel Yu and Rev Ernest Yu.  Hazel is a member of the Staff at Epsom Methodist church from which most of the 23 visitors came and Ernest her husband is a URC minister in Kingston. They used St Aubin church as their base from Monday to Wednesday, September 3rd to 5th and many people came and shared time with them, including Chinese residents in Jersey.

 The theme for their visit was 'Who Holds the Future’, and they shared in worship, Bible Study and Testimony.   They did some sightseeing and shopping and thoroughly enjoyed their visit. They wrote to say how welcome they felt. They look forward to coming again. They bring a freshness and a naturalness about being a Christian which impressed many. Their ability to share openly together and have fun together was also something that was commented upon. 

David Coote (who was a minister at Epsom before moving to Jersey)

Bethesda News

 Following the shock and sadness of Malcolm Bailey's tragic death, we are supporting his family in our prayers and fellowship.  Malcolm, in only a short time with us, had not only endeared himself to the congregation, but had made a significant impact in the vision and worship of Bethesda.

 Malcolm had worked with us in providing an exciting new vision for the church with an outreach to the surfing community at St Ouen's and a refurbishment programme for the church, undertaking necessary significant repairs and  removing the pews to provide for a more flexible and contemporary worship area.  We feel it is important that we honour Malcolm's impact on the church by pressing forward with this vision.

 Bethesda was well-filled for Linda and Chris Haines' Farewell Service, which they conducted jointly.   They spoke on the theme of "Trust", linking this with their trust in God for their future ministry in Torbay.   They thanked all their friends for their support and prayers and said how their faith and their experience in leading worship had been nurtured at Bethesda and had grown and deepened over the years. 

 At the end of the Service Richard Quenault, on behalf of the Church, presented them with a Jersey Royal Potato bowl chosen by them and with a cheque which they intend to use to buy garden furniture for their new home.

 Richard spoke of their loyal commitment to Bethesda and of the service they had given in so many capacities over the years, which had been much appreciated and valued.  They would be greatly missed but would continue to be supported by our love and by our prayers.

 Following the Farewell Service a Church Family BBQ was held at Roy and Margaret Vautier's home when about sixty people enjoyed the food, which included tasty mackerel caught by Roy the previous afternoon.  Everyone enjoyed just being able to relax on a warm summer afternoon in very pleasant surroundings and listening to lovely Irish folk music played by “Fiddler's Green”.

 The Ladies Afternoon Group met this month for tea at Highlands Hotel.   As the weather was rather blustery we were able to enjoy the comfort of their sun lounge with its breathtaking views over the bay.  

 From September, we are trying out a new format for worship and services will begin at 10.30am.  

Richard Quenault

Encircled in Care:   helping those who help others

 Encircled in Care is a resource for all those who care for others. Produced in partnership between the Methodist Church and charity MHA, it is designed to train, empower and enable pastoral visitors and all who offer care and support in the church and community.  It offers practical, up-to-date ideas and accessible resources that can help pastoral carers to seek 'life in all its fullness' for the whole church. 

 The pack contains three foundation sessions, focussing on why we care, skills needed in our caring and the development of good practice. There are nine issue-based sessions, covering some of the situations that pastoral visitors might need to respond to or be involved with, including mental health issues, loss and bereavement and pastoral care across the generations.

 The Revd Dr Keith Albans, Director of Chaplaincy and Spirituality for MHA, says; “The quality of our caring is a sign of God's love and witness to others that Christians have something distinctive to offer a broken world that needs healing and reconciliation. Encircled in Care challenges us and offers the tools with which to fulfil that calling.” Additional sessions and resources will be made available on the Methodist Church website (www.methodist.org.uk). The pack also contains a CD-ROM with PowerPoint presentations of each session, as well as the text of handouts and prayers. 

 “As Christians, we're called to care for one another and for our communities as the body of Christ,” says the Revd Michaela Youngson, Secretary for Pastoral Care and Spirituality for the Methodist Church, “All in the Church are involved in the health of that body and we hope that Encircled in Care helps people to explore the many issues involved in pastoral care and to develop their skills.”

 Encircled in Care is available from MPH at the price of £16.99 (plus postage):

MPH

4 John Wesley Road, Werrington

Peterborough PE4 6ZP

www.mph.org.uk            01733 325002

Network

 Network had their Circuit Autumn meeting on 17th Sept at Sion Church.  Barbara had brought back a candle given at the Blackpool Conference Network Service marking 20 years of Network.  This candle was lit and the following song which had been written specifically for this celebration was sung and then a prayer used from the Service.

1. Raise high the banner! Lift Network high!

    Let us encourage and see our hopes fly

    God will equip us in all we do,

    Network enables dreams to come true

     Women of Network, this is our song!

     Twenty years old and still going strong!

     Women of Network, let uis all strive

     Keeping the Network Spirit alive!

2. Helping our neighbour, this is our aim -

    Forward together in Jesus’ name.

    Network endeavours all to embrace

    Any religion, colour or race.

3.  We’ll keep on travelling, No looking back

     Trusting our Saviour, we nothing will lack

     All our resources we have to share,

     Making a Network full of our care.

Words by Beryl Wesson

Tune ‘Blessed Assurance’  H & P 668

 Barbara as Network President had taken the candle and song to Guernsey and Alderney when meeting representatives from the Network groups earlier in the month so it was good that it was something that Channel Island District Network ladies and gentlemen had been able to share.

 Ideas were then brought forward to the meeting for each Network Group to make their own celebration of the 20 years to which all Island members would be invited and encouraged to support.   These will be circulated for everyone to see over the next few months.

Barbara Coote

DISCIPLE

 Over the next 9 months 26 people representing six of our Circuit churches will be embarking on the DISCIPLE Bible Study courses.  Fourteen people are setting out on DISCIPLE 1 - a 34 week chronological journey through the Bible which takes us from Creation to Revelation and helps to make links between the Old Testament prophecy and the New Testament experience of God's love shown in Jesus.  This is a journey of transformation and a time of excitement and challenge.  With 45 minutes reading required each day please pray for those meeting at St Ouen's every Monday evening and remember the team who will be sharing the leadership of those sessions with Liz Hunter.

 The twelve who are doing DISCIPLE 2 have all previously completed DISCIPLE 1.  Over the next 32 weeks they will be looking in more depth at Genesis and Exodus, Luke and Acts.  The emphasis on this course is more personal in many ways and explores how we take 'the Word into the World'.  The commitment to reading and sharing is no less than DISCIPLE 1 and the evening sessions follow the same format.

 This group meets at Georgetown on Wednesday evenings and would also value your prayers and support.

 Please, if you know someone who is doing either of these courses, ask them how it is going and encourage them.  And if you think you might be interested in future courses please let Revd Liz Hunter know!

Liz Hunter

Trek Vietnam 

 Liz Hunter flies out to Hong Kong n Nov. 9th with 30+ other trekkers and 60+ cyclists.  She writes: “After a day of relaxation (!) here, we then fly on to Hanoi where again there is time for a quick look around before we are given our expedition briefing. The following day we leave Hanoi in the early morning, saying farewell to the cyclists who will follow a longer and different route to those of us who have opted for the trek! 

  The itinerary says ‘our paths weave their way through hills and valleys, preparing our legs for the challenging days ahead’ -  oh, help!! 5 hours walking that day.    The next two days (8-9 hours of walking each day) begin ‘with a steep uphill climb’ which will, we’re promised, enable us to enjoy some fantastic views before we ‘plunge very steeply downhill’.  And just to cheer me up that descent ‘may be very slippery if it has rained recently’ -  there go my knees! 

  We will be spending our nights in the various villages we pass through en route, an experience which I really am looking forward to. This is a great opportunity to share in their traditional culture and we will have the opportunity to hear local music and visit local markets, as well as joining the various villagers in their particular (and possibly peculiar!) diets. 

 More days follow before we get taken back to Hanoi.  There, I’m informed, we will meet up with the cyclists and have a big party – wonder where the energy for that will come from!? 

 Oh...and the itinerary gives this postscript – Temperature 18 – 26 degC.  Rainfall: approx 10 days in November.  And it can be very hot and humid.  This will just add to the challenge of the event!!  So, that’s it in a nutshell – Trek Vietnam Challenge 2007 in aid of Jersey Hospice.  I have raised over £2000, of which £900 has been given in memory of Derrick Mellor.  More sponsors would be welcome. We arrive back in Jersey sometime on Saturday 24th November and I’m preaching at SHMC on Sunday 25th !!

OHP/OAP

 An overhead projector is often referred to as OHP.    Confusion with the term OAP is a bad idea, as discovered by a man in one of our local churches who announced the following: 

      'I have been going through the OAPs in our church and it has become clear to me that many of them are simply no use to us any more. They are elderly, shabby, difficult to understand, poorly put together, old fashioned and often theologically unsound. Some of them are literally falling apart. I have weeded out a number of these redundant OAPs and I suggest that we store them in the church cupboard until the autumn.  Have a look through if you wish, and feel free to take home any that you fancy, otherwise I shall dispose of them on the church bonfire.'

from Adrian Plass's book   A-Z of Christian life

Ebenezer Mission Development Project

Background

 In March this year it was announced that the Highfield Hotel will be sold and the site re-developed to provide 41 residential apartments. It was immediately obvious to the church that a new community of 80 young and retired people represented an opportunity and obligation for mission.  We are also aware that with new communities there is a need to act quickly as the impact in the first six months can set the pattern for the next six years - you only get one chance to make a first impression.

 A practical consequence of the development is the loss of a car parking facility for the church. For many years Ebenezer has enjoyed an informal arrangement with the hotel for the church to have use of the car park during church services. Without alternative adequate parking the future existence of Ebenezer as a church and community mission base is severely threatened.

The Project

 Negotiations with the hotel developer and local landowners has produced a scheme whereby the church can receive by gift and nominal purchase some areas of land that can be part-traded with the hotel developer to provide a church car park for 50 vehicles.

 To enable the construction and access there needs to be some modification to the existing premises and therefore the opportunity exists for the modernisation that will facilitate a greater worship and mission presence within a new housing complex. The hall will have a make over and there will be a new kitchen, toilets and storage. There will also be new rear entrances to both the hall and church.

The Purpose 

 Lest there be any misunderstanding, the title deliberately emphasises that the project is more than a car park, the intention is;

      o To serve a new community

      o To equip and expand our mission to the next generation

      o To increase our potential for worship and fellowship

      o To provide a central northern resource for the Jersey Circuit

 We believe that these aims help to further the Circuit Mission Statement and that of Ebenezer Church.

The beneficiaries

The project will benefit;

 The church - who will gain its own parking and modernised facilities.

 The disabled - who will have access to the buildings and proper toilets.

 The community - especially the new community who will enjoy use of the facility.

 The Parish - who will be relieved of the traffic pressures from parking on the road.

The Time-Scale

 As the cost and practicalities dictate that any development of the church should take place at the same time as the development of the hotel, the scheme is under tremendous time pressure. Development will begin in January 2008 - or even possibly November 2007! It could be completed soon after Easter or certainly by June 2008.

  Billy Slatter

More news next time!    Editor

Pat's Course - Signing for the deaf

     Hello Everyone, I have some very good news. I have passed my Church College's Certificate in Deaf ministry. This means that I have a Diploma in Deaf Ministry, in British Sign Language. I enjoyed my time studying with the University of Chester, a very beautiful and pretty place to visit. The course was run by the Church of England along with Signs of God and Chester University so that it was accredited. 

     The course has been challenging as it is the first time ever a course like this has been totally taught in British Sing Language.  It has been a privilege for me to be on this course.  I feel that I have been stretched, challenged and have taken part and learnt about many new aspects of Worship. I improved my language skills, particularly learning how to read the Bible from a “Deaf” perspective and interpreting the message into BSL (British Sign Language) by means of Drama and story telling.  It certainly brought the stories we know so well to life to imagine them from the perspective of the person  who was there.  

     I am forever grateful to Rev Liz Hunter. We met regularly throughout the course. She helped and encouraged me enormously.  So did Rev David Coote and Rev Mark Bond. I had to  compare two churches, choosing St Aubin and St Brelade's, where some  Signed services take place. 

      Also I could not have done this course without everyone at Georgetown Church and many  friends, who have kept me going in the last year and who told me that I can do this and achieve this course. And lots of thanks go to the Deaf Community here in Jersey who came to the services particularly to the June one at St Brelade's church where the service had to be recorded and sent back to the Uni for my last assessment!  And lastly also to Rev Sanday (who is the chaplain for the deaf with the Winchester Diocesan) for all his support and encouragement. I am so looking forward to the next step of my journey of faith.  I am happy to say that I have already started the Disciple 1 course with Rev Liz Hunter.

     The Chester  course has given me more confidence, self esteem and has enriched my life so much by knowing and learning British Sign language so that I can develop and learn more about my own personal faith and to spread the good news to all the Deaf Community here in Jersey with BSL. I look forward to teaching you all some of the signs I have learnt and to use them when we worship God. If anyone would like to join a Christian Fellowship group to learn some Christian Signs I am setting up a group next year! Please contact me at pat.bougeard@googlemail.com or at Georgetown.

God bless you all from Pat Bougeard

Mustard Seed visitors

 Mustard Seed has been sponsoring and supporting young people who have been brought up in the Romanian state orphanages since 2000 when they opened their first apartment for young women.  Sadly the state orphanages do not prepare the children for surviving outside an institution when they must leave at 18 – they often leave unable to cook, use money, wash clothes, sometimes even without identity papers making it impossible to have a legal job.  Many girls end up as prostitutes. Since 2000 Mustard Seed has helped well over 20 young women through offering safe accommodation and help with finding employment etc., as well as the ongoing emotional support and love they all crave.

Two of these young women Flori, with Rose and Gyongyi, with Phil came to Jersey on holiday in September. – both have lived in a sheltered Mustard Seed apartment, for over 3 years.   Gyongyi now has a full time job in a factory (5 am – 2 pm) and supports herself in the apartment.  Flori is sick (kidney dialysis patient) and has a Jersey sponsor to pay her rent and utilities as the Romanian medical pension is too small to pay for food as well as rent, etc.

 Although both look like boys at a first glance, this is the effect of having lived on the streets.  They felt so much safer if they looked like a boy rather than a girl.  Both look much younger than they actually are now in their mid twenties.

 Both were amazed at the life-style here in Jersey and the love and compassion people showed them. They attended Ebenezer Chapel where they sang on the Sunday morning and in the evening went to Philadelphie where they sang again.

Information from Rose Helie

Photo from  Ian Christison

All contributions for the 78th issue and offers of help by Dec. 31st, to: Ed(itor), 16, Millais Park, St. Helier, JE2 4RU.   or to edleq@jerseymail.co.uk

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