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.
The
sun was relentless, getting very hot from 11 onward, with no shade on site, so
we took to having a long lunch break and a couple of times stopped early
afternoon. By the last day, over half the outer walls had reached lintel
height and all the iron work for the girders was completed but it will take
Dominic and his team at least another month to complete the building. The
costs have also risen, as there is a building boom in Southern Sudan and cement
and steel prices have almost doubled and the items are becoming hard to obtain,
so I have already paid an extra £2650 from our funds above the £15,000 sent
before we arrived. We may have a further claim but we still have money in
hand.
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.
We
were also shown the range of OGRA projects being carried out. It is certainly
true that Hezron gets things moving and we are going to fund raise to ensure
that he can return full time from January. He will be changing an NHS salary of
about £3000 p.m. for whatever we can raise. We are aiming for £1000 per month.
However he is very committed to work in Kisumu and prefers the Kenyan
lifestyle. It was very encouraging to see the number of profit-making
enterprises that are under way, using money donated. ( a fuller 6 page
report on our trip is available, some are outlined below )
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
Visit
of Chinese Christians
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
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
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