CORNER JUNE 2016
S T O N E
MAGAZINE OF CENTRAL ST. ANDREWS AND VICTORIA PARK MINISTER IN PASTORAL CHARGE Tel: 01803 615480 REV GAVIN HANCOCKS email: minister@centralchurchtorquay.org 1
CHURCH CONTACTS - CENTRAL Secretary Treasurer Envelope & Gift Aid Secretary Organist & Choir Director Magazine Editors
Booking Secretary Publicity(Posters) Caretakers Website
Barbara Lawton 01803 296990 lawtonbarbara75@yahoo.co.uk Paul Sherriff 01803 298603 Paul Sherriff 01803 298603 Clive Bastin 01803 325142 Hazel Nightingale 01803 613345 Philip Kay 01803 323551 philipkay393@btinternet.com Hazel Nightingale 01803 613345 hazel_nightingale@hotmail.com Barbara Gissinger 01803 328407 Darrell Sanderson 07719 099901 Keith Read 07719 099901 www.centralchurchtorquay.org
CHURCH CONTACTS – ST ANDREWS. Church Secretary Senior Steward
Nicola Lindsay 01803 314292 nicola.lindsay@hotmail.com Sue Masheder 01803 873258 sue@masheder1.freeserve.co.uk
CHURCH CONTACTS – VICTORIA PARK Church Council Secretary Senior Steward
Myra Wise 01803 327145 myrawise456@btinternet.com Mavis Paul 01803 291895
Please Note - The articles in this magazine represent the opinions of the person submitting the article and are not necessarily representative of the opinions of the editors or the churches
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THE MINISTER Dear Friends, In my Wednesday morning Bible Study, we have been exploring Luke’s Gospel with the help of Michael Wilcock’s The Message of Luke. It is proving to be a challenging and stimulating journey as we explore familiar passages discovering new emphases and fresh insight into the old, old story that is ever new. This morning we were exploring the second half of chp 13 and chp 14. As we finished reading the verses together, one of the group remarked on just how hard it was and who then was to be saved?! The piece we were reading was about the narrow door in chp 13:22ff and it hangs together all the way through to the end of chp 14. At first glance it does seem to be a series of disconnected sayings, each one raising the ante a little more than the previous ultimately leaving us with the exasperated conclusion: ‘Well, just who then can be saved?’ Actually, we discovered, I hope, it’s not that at all! Jesus isn’t telling us how hard it is to get into the Kingdom, he’s inviting us to get the priority right. Matt Redman in his song When the Music Fades writes: I’m coming back to the heart of worship, And it’s all about You, All about You, Jesus. I’m sorry, Lord, for the thing I’ve made it, When it’s all about You, All about You, Jesus. As we explored the various situations from questions about who’s going to be saved, to Herod’s interference, healing on the Sabbath, dinner invitations and heavenly banquets and final plans and not losing our zest for making a difference we came back to this one thing again and again – unless Jesus is the priority in our lives, the one to whom we simply come and lay our all before, we may well be found to be missing the narrow door, not to some better life in a distant future, but to the 3
celebration that is the Kingdom life now, here! Or to put it in the words of Matt Redman: When the music fades, all is stripped away, And I simply come; Longing just to bring something that’s of worth That will bless Your heart. I’ll bring You more than a song, For a song in itself Is not what You have required. You search much deeper within Through the way things appear; You’re looking into my heart. All he needs to see is that the room there is for him and him alone and then anything, everything, is possible. Yours in the Gospel,
Gavin
AN APPLE A DAY Here is an excellent reason to eat an apple each day: they really can help reduce the risk of dying early – by up to 35 per cent. A new study by the University of Western Australia has found that apples may boost health because of their high levels of fibre and flavonoids. Apples are high in soluble fibre that slows the build-up of cholesterol-rich plaque in the arteries. Apples are also a good source of magnesium, potassium, vitamin C and flavonoids, which have been linked to lower risk of cardiovascular disease.
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FAMILY & FRIENDS Family News & other Bits & Pieces
Congratulations CONGRATULATIONS · To Dorothy Barnet who will be 70 on the 10�� · To Paula Bastin who will be 80 on the 23��. · To Sheila Pamphlion on the birth of her first great grandchild, Fraser born on 21�� April. · Happy Birthday to Margery Vaughan on 5�� June. THANKS · From Margaret Dustan who says: I would like to thank all my friends at Central for their prayers, beautiful flowers, cards and phone calls while feeling unwell at home. God Bless you all. · From Lorna Lo who says: Thank you all at Central for remembering me in your prayers. God Bless you all. · From Enia Dunn who says: I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to everyone who sent cards, wrote letters, and made telephone calls to me since John’s death. It was a great comfort to me and of course my family as well. I hope the friends who were able to get to the family’s “Thanksgiving Service” for John’s life, felt it was a joyful occasion. The tributes given by family and friends were such a true reflection of John, he would have loved it all. It was a friendly gathering in the hall afterwards, and of course this was due to good refreshments provided by our own catering team - Tessa of course being in charge. I have not forgotten the back room people – they know who they are – thank you. This also gave a chance for people to mix, swap memories, and in some cases, I am sure, catch up with friends not seen for a while. Thank you all again, it made a memorable occasion which gave my family and me inner strength. God Bless to you all.
Thankyou 5
BETTY SMEDLEY 1st April 1929 - 9th April 2016 Betty was born in Burton-on-Trent, where her family lived just two doors away from Parker Street Methodist Chapel. In 1949 she married Harry Anthony (Tony) Smedley, the wedding taking place at the chapel. Over the years they were blessed with four children Sian, Patricia, Carol and Andrew. Later grandchildren and great grandchildren arrived. Tony's job as an engineer with the Civil Service took them all around the country - first to Conway, Cardiff, Reading, Dalkeith and finally to retirement in Spalding, Lincolnshire. Betty was a very busy person cooking, cleaning, gardening, sewing and basically creating a happy home for the family. Throughout Betty and Tony's lives they were members of the local Methodist Churches and enjoyed the fellowship and companionship of other members. They were always out and about helping others, attending coffee mornings and going to concerts and in retirement enjoyed many happy holidays in France and around Britain. After Tony died in 2012 Betty came to be near the family in Torquay. She enjoyed attending Central with two of her daughters until unfortunately ill health took its toll, including Alzheimers disease which meant the once lively person became rather a shadow of what she once was. The church was there throughout her and Tony's lives, providing not just spiritual support but friendship and kindness, right up to the end when Gavin conducted her funeral. Thanks from all the family to you all at Central Church. My thanks to Carol, one of Betty's daughters for this obituary. We at Central only knew Betty for a short time. As well as attending services she also came to the Women's Fellowship on a Monday afternoon. I had the privilege of visiting Betty in Erith House, taking her our Cornerstone magazine which, in the early days she loved reading, and having some interesting chats. We continue to remember Betty and all her family in our prayers. Barbara Lawton 6
JOHN DUNN 1929 – 2016. Born in 1929 in Woking, Surrey, John was the son of a compositor who lost his sight and thereby his employment. Moving to Torquay with his parents and younger brother Alan in 1945, without taking his School Certificate, John went to work as a maker of spectacle frames for Clement Clark to help the family finances. At Union Street Methodist Church John met Enia (then 15), the youngest of seven children born to Charles and Florence Hoskin, the church caretaker and his wife, and they married in 1951. Three children were subsequently born: Jacqueline in 1955, Maurice in 1959 and Richard in 1971 (yes, after the winter of the 3 day week and power cuts). With the support of Enia and his much loved mum, Ivy, John studied at night school over a long period to pass sufficient O levels to enable him to study for two years at St Luke’s College in Exeter. He achieved his ambition to teach in 1967 aged 38. He was a gifted and charismatic teacher and spent most of his career at Bishopsteignton Primary School. Ivy’s influence was also evident in the development of a very active social conscience which led him into local politics as a Liberal Councillor, eventually chairing the Education Committee. He was proud to serve as Chairman of Torbay Borough Council from 2006 – 2007 and was much loved and well respected. Church was always a large part of the Dunn family’s life. John was Sunday School teacher and, eventually, Superintendant which he loved as it gave him the chance every Sunday to go to the youngest group and tell them one of his favourite stories. He was a member of the Church Council for some time and, for a much longer time, a lively member of the Minstrels Group who sang and acted sketches out to raise money for numerous charities. Family was John’s greatest love. As father, grandfather and (since November 2015) great grandfather, John was always concerned for, and involved with, the lives of the younger family members, supporting their activities to the full, shouting encouragement from the sidelines, acting as a taxi driver, mentor, sounding for new places, and his love of travel. John’s intelligence, humour, compassion and generosity were unending and will always be remembered. Especially the sense of humour! Daughter Jacky 7
THE KING & THE QUEEN (Psalm 121 + John 13;5.) God has saved the Queen, May the nation give thanks And ask questions: What motivates her? Where does her help and strength come from? In the words of the psalm “Her help comes from the Lord The maker of heaven and earth.� She trusts Him, She acknowledges His Lordship, She is committed to Him In fact, she serves Him. She is the Servant Queen, Following a great example, And her life has only just begun. God has saved the Queen, Now, what about us? By Daphne Kitching
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OUR SERVANT QUEEN The Way I see It – the Revd Canon David Winter The whole country will this month be celebrating the Queen’s 90th birthday. She has splendidly fulfilled the promise made on the day when her father, King George VI, died and she came to the throne at the age of 27. On that day she dedicated ‘the rest of my life, whether it be long or short’ to the service of the nation and the Commonwealth. She has certainly proved that she meant what she said. Hers is already the longest reign of any British monarch. Those years have seen huge changes in the world: the end of apartheid in South Africa, the transition of scores of countries to independence within the Commonwealth, the advent of space exploration and men on the moon, the arrival of the computer and the internet, social media, Twitter and so on. Through it all she has remained a calm, reassuring figure, head of state to 12 different prime ministers and leader of a resilient and growing Commonwealth of Nations. The Queen has quietly moved with the times. Her rather tortured ‘royal’ accent of the forties and fifties has broadened into a quietly spoken Received English. Uneasy about it at first, she has made herself an effective performer on television. And through it all she has openly acknowledged that her own Christian faith is the bedrock of all that she is and has done. In recent years she has been more willing to talk about that faith, notably in her Christmas messages. To mark her 90th birthday, the Bible Society has published an attractive illustrated book The Servant Queen, setting out largely in her own words the essential heart of that faith. The Queen herself has written a Foreword. The aim of the publishers is that the book should be widely distributed, so that people up and down her kingdom can share her evident enjoyment of a committed Christian faith. Its subtitle is ‘And the King she serves ‘. As advertisers say, ‘every home should have one’. The Servant Queen is available from the Bible Society in packs of ten for £10, or singly. Go to: https://www.biblesociety.org.uk/landing/servantqueen/ 9
A PROFILE OF CELIA AND DAVID BOLT. David, a local boy, was born in Paignton, and Celia was born in Surrey and moved to various places with her family. David attended Torquay Boys Grammar School and then went on to Lancaster where he gained a degree in History – later qualifying as a teacher. Celia started work when she was seventeen, but went to college seven years later and qualified as a junior teacher. David and Celia met when teaching at Sherwell Valley School. They found they had a mutual love of travel, classical music, theatre, books and good food. They became engaged in 1990 to the delight of the children who enjoyed playing mock weddings in the playground. The real wedding took place 1992, so next year will see them celebrating a Silver Wedding Anniversary. They lived in Totnes until moving to Torquay to care for Celia’s mother, and they still live in that home. It was during the time with Celia’s mother that David and Celia came to Central – previously Celia had worshipped at St Mary Magdalene. After Celia’s mother died they spent eight months touring 16,000 miles in Europe. One of the highlights was staying with a young couple in Hungary. David suffered a heart attack in 2010 but thankfully made a good recovery. David is a great cook and Celia says she loves eating the delicious meals he prepares. Celia does excellent craftwork, and so enjoys Tuesday mornings at Busy Bees – producing all kinds of artistic work. They both love gardening, theatre, opera and travel. At Central they have been very active, in a quiet and helpful way – both have served on the Church Council and Celia is the Safeguarding Officer, while David is one of our excellent gardeners.
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I am fortunate to be one of the members of Southfield House Group, and David shares the leadership of this group. We have some really helpful and lively times together, and I am always amazed at the knowledge of both Celia and David. David does so much preparation for our meetings, fully supported by Celia, and we all feel so welcome. Thank you David and Celia for all you do at Central in so many ways, and the help you give so willingly. MML
SHARING IN WORSHIP 12th June
10.30am Revd Ruth Whitehead - Moderator of the SW Synod of the URC 10th July 10.30am Revd Glyn Millington 7th August 10.30am Revd Vikki Bunce 2nd -4th Sep 10.30am Revd Paul Smith (Mission Weekend)
OTHER ANNIVERSARY EVENTS 2nd July
9.00am Men’s Breakfast – with guest speaker Kevin Foster MP and Kingsman Singer’s Barbershop Quartet. 10th July Re-union Lunch - Welcoming old friends 2nd - 4th Sept Church Mission weekend with Revd Paul Smith 11
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OPEN DOORS Here’s how a monthly gift of £25 changed the world in 2015…………… In JANUARY £25 provided three Bibles and three Christian books for secret believers in North Korea. FEBRUARY £25 funded a place in a safe house for a secret believer for a month MARCH £25 provided a month’s trauma counselling for five women affected by extreme persecution APRIL £25 funded four places on a training course to give believers the skills to create a sustainable income. MAY £25 provided one month of support and training for a secret church worker caring for believers in the horn of Africa. JUNE £25 funded three weeks of practical care at a school for an orphan in Kenya. JULY £25 provided materials to support and encourage ten persecuted believers. AUGUST £25 funded medical care and hygiene training for five persecuted Christians in South East Asia. SEPTEMBER £25 provided an emergency food parcel to keep a family of five alive for 10 days. OCTOBER £25 enabled a church leader in Syria to attend a prayer conference to help build unity within the persecuted church. NOVEMBER £25 provided Bible training materials for three believers in the Middle East. DECEMBER £25 funded five places at a Bible school for children from a Muslim background. Information taken from the Open Doors Annual Review 2016. For more information or to send a donation speak to Sue Coatham 01803 323212
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HEALING MINISTRY It is now just over a year ago that Revd Elizabeth Knifton from the Acorn Christian Healing Foundation came to Central and talked to us about the work they do. We came to understand that one of God’s challenges to us was to listen! To listen in a noisy world, where so many people are crying out for someone to really listen to them. Sadly, even Christians can’t always seem to find time for that! Several of us were moved to come together and form a team which would take up the challenge to offer to listen to anyone who came forward with concerns about things that were happening around them or to them, about people who they knew, or knew of, and who were all in need of some comfort and support. We are a team of six. The result was that we decided to make ourselves available on each Sunday morning to pray with anyone who wished to unburden themselves of their concerns, and to pray together with them to ask God’s comfort and support in difficult situations. We first did this on 7�� June 2015 – almost a year ago. We respond to people who come forward on a Sunday morning, to prayer requests that are left on the Prayer Board in the front foyer, and we recently had the first request to come in by email! These requests are also taken to the Prayer Meetings held on a Tuesday morning. We also meet once a month, and we are working through a course on listening. We usually manage to complete a whole page (!) of our workbook at each session. A bit slow you might think, but that doesn’t matter. It is a time when we can share our thoughts and support each other. We all feel it a privilege to do this work, and feel rewarded by the support we get. We will continue to be there each Sunday. Just one final thing. We understand the workings of the Church on a Sunday morning, and we do not seek total silence whilst we are at the front. But we would appreciate, and be grateful for, the space and quiet needed for this ministry. 14
Prostate Cancer Fund Raising Campaign I would like to thank all you wonderful people for giving so generously to this very important cause. The super amount raised was ÂŁ60. My adopted nephew, Ryan, took to his bike, accompanied by a friend, from his home town of Pembroke Dock, which is situated in South Wales, then rode to the start of his monumental journey. Lands End to John a Groats! He travelled many miles with his bike & bucket, & I'm awaiting the final amount he raised. On behalf of Ryan, and myself, THANK YOU. Judith Holmwood
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AROUND THE FAMILY AT ST ANDREWS. Freshly cleaned doors and grime removed from the METHODIST CHURCH lettering over the doors greeted us on the first day of May thanks to Mary and Jim Gill who had earlier undertaken this task. Our gratitude goes to them. Thank you to Rev. Mike Newell, Rev. Gerald Morris, Mrs Irene Cochran who conducted our services during April, and to Rev. Gavin Hancocks who also administered Holy Communion. With hearts inspired thanks to them all, we were able to face the coming weeks with courage and inspiration. Happy Birthday to Judith Smith - who is so active in so many helpful ways - on June 24�� . Also wishing the only woman pilot amongst our members, Liz Elliott, warmest Birthday Wishes for 30�� June. Well done, Josh Keay! Josh came first in his age group out of all the children in the Bay in a Sumdog Maths Competition. Sumdog Maths helps to make learning fun for children. How well he did! We extend loving concern go to those of our number who have suffered with their health in various ways recently, notably Sheila Denham who has been in hospital. We have missed her from church. Margaret and Alan Nicholls were ill during some recent weeks and could not be with us and Elizabeth Stockings has also been prevented from attending by illness. We think of Sandy and Emily Discombe with heartfelt sympathy following the recent loss of Sandy’s mother – Emily’s Grandmother . Your prayers are asked for these and any others who may be dealing with anxieties and sorrow. It would be good to see anyone who is able to come to our monthly Lunch Club – details are elsewhere in this issue of
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Cornerstone. Remember our Church Anniversary which will take place on Sunday, 12�� June when the service will be taken by Rev. Valerie Price. Finally huge thanks to Colin Powell, retiring after many years of sterling service. Also to Sue Masheder, who has shown unstinting dedication to the task of being our Senior Steward, a demanding position which will now be filled by Margaret Freemantle , no doubt with a similar high standard of commitment. Diana George
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CENTRAL’S WELCOME ROTA. DATE 10.30am JUNE 5�� David & Celia Bolt 12�� 19�� 26��
Barbara Gissinger & Judith Holmwood Paul & Christine Sherriff Paula Bastin & Sheila Lawrence
6.30pm Sue Coatham & Paul Sherriff Monica Lansley & Philip Kay David & Celia Bolt Barbara Gissinger & Margaret Newman
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CALENDAR ST ANDREWS. CENTRAL. VICTORIA PARK Wednesday
Thursday Friday
Saturday Sunday Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday Friday
1st
6.00 Beavers 7.30 Ladies Club. What is your Favourite perfume & why? 2nd 6.00 Cubs 3rd 10.00 Coffee & Fellowship 7.00 Scouts 7.00 Choir Practice 4th 9.30 Contact Centre 10.00 Pop in for a Coffee 5th See separate pages for services-all churches 6th 6.00 Brownies 6.30 Flexercise Fun 7.30 Guides 7.30 Lydwell Park Housegroup 7th 9.30 Midweek Prayers 9.30 Toddler Group 10.00 Coffee & Fellowship 10.00 Busy Bees 7.00 New Life Housegroup 8th 9.30 Toddler Group 10.00 Bible Study 2.30 Healing Group 6.00 Beavers 7.30 Sunday Club @ Jenny’s 7.30 Ladies Club-Jill Drysdale Tales of Bigamy In Devon 9th 9.30 Central Tots 6.00 Cubs 10th 10.00 Coffee & Fellowship 11.00 Belleplates 7.00 Scouts 19
Saturday
11th
Sunday Monday
12th 13th
Tuesday
14th
Wednesday
15th
Thursday
16th
Friday
17th
Saturday
18th
Sunday Monday
19th 20th
9.30 Contact Centre 10.00 Special Coffee morning for Church funds See separate pages for services - all churches 2.30 Tea Party in aid of Torbay Hospital League of Friends 6.00 Brownies 6.30 Flexercise Fun 7.30 Guides 9.30 Midweek Service – Gavin 9.30 Toddler Group 10.00 Coffee & Fellowship 10.00 Busy Bees 10.15 Belleplates 8.00 Babbacombe Fair on the Downs 9.30 Toddler Group 10.00 Bible Study 6.00 Beavers 7.30 Ladies Club – Central Belleplates 9.30 Central Tots 2.00 General Church Meeting Followed by Church Council 6.00 Cubs 1.00 Thanksgiving Service for Marjorie West 7.30 Worship Mission Team Meeting 10.00 Coffee & Fellowship 7.00 Scouts 9.30 Contact Centre 10.00 Pop in for a Coffee See separate pages for services-all churches 6.00 Brownies 6.30 Flexercise Fun 7.30 Guides 7.30 Lydwell Park Housegroup 20
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday Sunday Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
21st
9.30 Midweek Prayers 9.30 Toddler Group 10.00 Coffee & Fellowship 10.00 Busy Bees 7.00 New Life Housegroup 22nd 9.30 Toddler Group 10.00 Bible Study 6.00 Beavers 7.30 Ladies Club – AGM 7.30 Anniversary Planning Team 23rd 9.30 Central Tots 6.00 Cubs 7.30 Pastoral Visitors Meeting 24th 10.00 Coffee & Fellowship 7.00 Choir Practice 7.00 Scouts 25th 9.30 Contact Centre 10.00 Pop in for a Coffee 26th See separate pages for services-all churches 27th 6.00 Brownies 6.30 Flexercise Fun 7.30 Guides 28th 9.30 Midweek Communion 9.30 Toddler Group 10.00 Coffee & Fellowship 10.00 Busy Bees 29th 9.30 Toddler Group 10.00 Bible Study 6.00 Beavers 30th 9.30 Central Tots 6.00 Cubs 7.30 Moors Housegroup
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SUNDAY SERVICES FOR JUNE 2016. (HC) = Sacrament of Holy Communion (WG) = Worship Group CENTRAL Date Morning 10.30am Evening 6.30pm JUNE 5��** Revd Gavin Hancocks (HC) Revd Adrian Phippen 12��** Revd Ruth Whitehead Revd Gavin Hancocks (WG) 19��** Revd Peter Williamson Revd Gavin Hancocks (HC) 26��** Revd Gavin Hancocks Mrs Helen Barrett (WG) Dates marked ** indicate contemporary worship at 9.15am.
ST ANDREWS Date JUNE 5�� 12�� 19�� 26��
Morning 10.30am Revd Peter Williamson Revd Valerie Price (CA) Revd Gavin Hancocks (HC) Mrs Irene Cochran
VICTORIA PARK Date JUNE 5�� 12�� 19�� 26��
Morning 10.30am Mrs Helen Barrett Revd Gavin Hancocks Revd Adrian Phippen Revd Graham Shaw (HC)
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VICTORIA PARK JUNE
DATE NAMES JUN 5�� 12�� Pat Hawes & Carolyn Balouza 19�� Myra Wise 26�� Margaret Russell
VP FLOWER ROTA IN MEMORY OF
Respective Wedding Anniversaries Her Parents
VP PRAYER BOARD This is where we remember in prayer those friends who are not well, and those friends who are not able to attend Church. Audrey Avery. Amy Bartrip. Jean Barrett. Iris Kaey. Margery Vaughan. Don & Barbara Pugh. Carl Murphy. Barry. Virginia. Torbay Winter Night Shelter. Youth Genesis.
CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS BOXES Thanks to all who have contributed. As you bring your gifts there is a list to note what is being donated. Stephanie will be on hand to explain. Knitted goods – we have 7 complete sets for little ones, 5 for middle aged and 4 for the older. We have 3 scarves & 3 hats of larger size to complete our requirements – but we won’t refuse any offers. Myra Wise 23
ST ANDREWS MISSIONS. A reminder to all JMA collectors to bring their boxes in on the first Sunday of each month. August will be the end of the Methodist year when all the money has to be in, and is fast approaching. We have collected £126.92 so far, which is great. Let’s see if we can beat last year’s total of £158.47. Also if anyone else would like to be a JMA collector speak to Rachel who will happily get you a box. Rachel George Sunday Coffee money for Water Aid £32. Jean Jarvis
Economy The wife of a banker asked him why he seemed a bit down. He replied: "I'm a walking economy! My hairline is in recession, my stomach is a victim of inflation, and both of these together are putting me into a deep depression.”
EASY MOVES TO KEEP AGEING AT BAY! One of the frustrations of old age is reduced mobility. It often follows a kind of ‘disuse syndrome’, where some older people simply coast to a halt. Put frankly, older people need to keep moving! Now chartered physiotherapist Margaret Coles has put together some easy movements which can make the difference between needing assistance or not when you are really older, and may be one of the key preventatives of dementia. Here is the link to the easy movements that may literally extend your active life! http://www.movingtherapy.co.uk/Moveforhealth
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SAINT OF THE MONTH EVELYN UNDERHILL – MYSTICAL WRITER OF THE 20�� CENTURY For anyone interested in Christian mysticism, Evelyn Underhill may be a good place to begin. She died 75 years ago this month (10th June 1941) after a life full of remarkable achievements: author of more than 30 books that explored the intersection between the spiritual and the physical, the first woman ever to lecture to the CofE clergy, the first woman to conduct spiritual retreats for the Church, the first woman to establish ecumenical links between churches, and one of the first woman theologians to lecture in English universities. Evelyn was also an awardwinning bookbinder. Born in 1875, the daughter of a barrister from Wolverhampton, and then wife to a childhood friend, also a barrister, Evelyn moved in cultured, educated circles, and travelled widely each summer along the Mediterranean – both her father and husband were keen yachting enthusiasts. Her spiritual search began in childhood, after a number of "abrupt experiences of the peaceful, undifferentiated plane of reality—like the 'still desert' of the mystic—in which there was no multiplicity nor need of explanation". Trying to understand these mystical experiences sparked her passion and lifelong quest. Evelyn became one of the most widely read writers on mysticism in the first half of the 20th century. Her greatest book, Mysticism: A Study of the Nature and Development of Man's Spiritual Consciousness, was published in 1911, and is romantic, engaged, and theoretical rather than historical or scientific. While writing it she came into contact with Baron Friedrich von Hugel, who became her spiritual mentor for many years. He gradually steered her away from mysticism and towards a more Christocentric view of reality. During World War I Evelyn worked in naval intelligence, but in later years became a Christian pacifist. 25
Get a grip It was said that Archbishop Tench of Dublin, in his later years, had a fear of sudden crippling paralysis. One night at a formal dinner he sat looking more and more forlorn. Finally he confided to the guests around him: ‘Well, it’s come at last – total lack of feeling in my right leg.’ Whereupon the lady sitting next to him said soothingly: ‘Not at all, your Grace. It will comfort you to know that during the whole of this meal it has been my leg that you have been pinching!’
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ALL IN THE MONTH OF JUNE……………………….It was: 125 years ago:- on 9th June 1891 that Cole Porter was born. This American composer and lyricist was one of the most successful Broadway songwriters of the 1930s. Noted for: Anything Goes, I Get a Kick Out of You, Begin the Beguine, etc. 90 years ago:- on 1st June 1926 that Marilyn Monroe was born. The iconic film actress, model, singer and sex symbol starred in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, The Seven Year Itch, Bus Stop, Some Like It Hot, etc. 80 years ago:- on 14th June 1936 that G K Chesterton died. This British novelist, short story writer, journalist, essayist and theologian was known for his stories about the priest-detective Father Brown. 50 years ago:- on 2nd June 1966 that NASA’s space probe Surveyor 1 landed on the Moon to collect data for the Apollo programme. It was the first U.S. craft to soft-land on another extra-terrestrial body. 30 years ago:- on 22nd June 1986 that the ‘Hand of God’ goal took place when Argentine football player Diego Maradona scored a goal against England using his hand in the quarter-final of the 1986 FIFA World Cup in Mexico City. (The referee mistakenly thought he had used his head, and so allowed the goal. England was knocked out of the World Cup as a result and Argentina went on to win.) 20 years ago:- on 15th June 1996 that the centre of Manchester was devastated by an IRA bomb. 200 people were injured and the city centre had to be redeveloped because of the immense amount of damage.
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FORGIVING THE SLAUGHTER OF HIS FAMILY The Rev Fayaz Adman lost 27 members of his family in the twin suicide attack on All Saints Church, Peshawar, Pakistan, last September. Currently priest in charge of West Bolton in the Diocese of Manchester, Adman talks about his journey to forgiveness, and the impact of Project Umeed, or Project Hope, that he has set up with his wife to provide care and support for people injured in the attack. Listen at the Church of England podcast: http://bit.ly/1Y3Sss9. Or go to:http://cofecomms.tumblr.com/post/142293180412/i-forgivethem-and-i-pray-...
ST ANDREWS JUNIOR CHURCH NEWS. Happy birthday to Callum Stibbs who will be 11 on 28�� June We have been busy recently in Junior Church, it has been nice to welcome some new children; Callum and Holly returning with their younger brothers Reuben and Jamieson and siblings Honey and Joby. Our focus over the past few weeks has been John’s gospel. One Sunday we learnt that knowing that he will soon leave his disciples, Jesus explained to them how God is glorified in him and told them to love one another. Some of us decorated hearts that Sunday. The next Sunday in John’s gospel we were told that while having supper with his disciples Jesus said to them “If you love me, you will do what I teach you and when you do this my Father will love you in a special way and the Father and I will be close to you in your thoughts and feelings.” He also told them not to be afraid and said he would leave his peace with them and that the Holy Spirit would come to them. That morning in Junior Church two of our youngest members enjoyed decorating paper with feathers and glitter and waving flags while songs were sung. RachelGeorge 28
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A REFLECTION FROM CENTRAL This year we are celebrating our 40�� Anniversary at Central, but we are only young compared with another Church in our Circuit which is celebrating this year. Fore Street Methodist Church in Brixham has its 200�� Birthday this year. They, like us, are having previous Ministers back to preach for them, together with the ‘great and good’ of Methodism. Fore Street are also having special events throughout the year. On the 22ⁿ� May, Roger Jones, the well-known Christian music composer is coming to conduct his latest musical called Barnabas. It was only published in May of last year. Unfortunately, by the time you are reading this, it will be all over! However you will have seen it advertised in our last two editions of the Cornerstone Magazine. So, if it is all over now, why am I telling you about it? Well, I was asked to join their Surprise Singers and sing in the production. And the Musical prompted these Reflections this month. The Musical tells the exciting story of Barnabas as he and Paul visit Cyprus on the first part of their missionary journey, and how they share the good news of Jesus with those they meet. You can read all about the journey in the Book of Acts. Barnabas wasn’t the name his parents gave him. The name his parents gave him was Joseph. Joseph was a real encourager to everyone he met, and so, he was given the name Barnabas, which means “Son of Encouragement”. He seemed to be drawn to anyone who needed encouragement. He was such a help to everyone with whom he came into contact. It was Barnabas who encouraged the people of Jerusalem to welcome Paul when he first went there. They knew what Paul, as Saul, had done to the Christians before his conversion. 30
The Church grew very quickly, so Barnabas went to Tarsus, and he asked Paul to join him. It was Barnabas who encouraged Mark to go with him to Antioch. Barnabas saw potential in others and he encouraged them. What an example Barnabas was to those early Christians. Do we encourage others? It is encouragement which brings out the best in people. A positive comment brings a much better response than a negative one. Jesus encouraged everyone -- He said things like:- “Stand up”; “Feed my lambs”; “Come follow Me”; “Cast your net on the other side”; “ I go to prepare a place for you so that where I am you may be also”. How can we give more encouragement? We can give a smile. We can put a hand on someone’s shoulder. We can find encouraging words to say to each other. Let us build each other up. Let us all be Barnabases and encourage each other as we continue the work of Jesus in His Church. Margaret Newman.
Good quote A certain bishop had a fondness for using Bible quotations whenever he visited a function. When he arrived to open a new Maternity Home the organisers thought: “Now we have him stumped.” However, after a few well chosen words, the bishop smiled and said: “I know you are waiting for a quotation, so here it is: ‘We shall not all sleep, but we shall be changed!’”
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INVICTUS CHOIR 2016 Watching T.V. and seeing Gareth Malone at work, forming a Choir from ex service personnel, still suffering from injuries received in various Wars, to perform at the Opening of the 2016 Invictus Games, brought tears to my eyes and the result is I have jotted down this poem as a tribute . For those who have suffered the horrors of War, Who lives have been blighted for evermore. Unable to cope with self- doubt and distress, Struggling to overcome Post- Traumatic Stress. Choir Master Gareth Malone arrives with his persuasive ways, Listens to their experiences of War Time Days. Encourages them to sing as a way of release, Helping to restore their Minds to an area of peace, Forming a Choir, for music has no barriers to bring, Bringing damaged ex-service personnel together to sing. Singing emotional songs helps them all to believe, They are taking the first steps to overcome and achieve. J.H.D. Lawrence
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SAMARITAN’S PURSE LAUNCHES TURN ON THE TAP FOR SOUTH SUDAN Samaritan’s Purse has launched an urgent appeal to provide clean water to over 35,000 people in desperate need in South Sudan. Angelina is just one of many thousands whom Samaritan’s Purse plans to help. Along with her family of ten children, she moved into a camp for internally displaced people in Abiemnhom County, South Sudan. Now she must walk for six hours in intense heat on dangerous terrain to collect dirty water from a river. She risks being attacked and beaten on each journey. With an estimated 55,000 internally displaced people across Mayom and Abiemnhom counties in Unity State, overcrowding and overuse of clean water sources has led to one third of existing hand pump wells breaking down. So Samaritan’s Purse plans to rehabilitate and install 70 wells in this region, for people who currently have no choice but to drink dirty water. To achieve their goal Samaritan’s Purse needs to raise £525,000 by 30th June. More details and free resource pack: www.turnonthetap.org.uk
Sweets I gave my four-year-old grand-daughter money for sweets and the church collection plate. Later, seeing her enormous pile of sweets, I got suspicious and asked if she hadn’t also given some money to God in church that morning. “No,” she replied sweetly, “He wasn’t there.”
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MORE ‘REMINISCING’ ON MAYC LONDON WEEKENDS I thought I must reply to Sue Burnham’s article in the May edition of the Cornerstone Magazine. I did not go to any of the MAYC London weekends, but I remember going to a MAYC ‘event’ in St. Anne’s Hall in Babbacombe, in the 50s. The visit is very hazy, but what I do recall, is learning songs from various musicals. We also had JMA Rallies at The Mint Methodist Church in Exeter. We young people of the Torquay and Paignton Circuit (that is what the Circuit was called in those days – Brixham was not in our Circuit then), went by train. I boarded the train at Torquay Station – what excitement it was! Thinking about that took me to the Sunday School Festival days held in Torquay every November. How our Sunday School Teachers worked to train us to sing solos and chorally, to recite, and to learn passages of Scripture (from the Authorised Version of course). I especially remember in those 50s Mrs. Mogridge and Mrs. Richards from Chelston, Mrs. Lipscombe from Upton Vale, and of course my Mum and Githa Townsend from Market Street who did so much. I can’t remember who trained the young people from Union Street and Belgrave. Someone may remember. And, what about Mr. Shinner from Abbey Road Congregational Church. He was the Sunday School Festival Secretary for years. And then there was the Scripture Examination -- I could go on!! And yes, I do remember Miss Gladys Smith. She did a magnificent work with young people despite her terrible infirmities, and brought many to the Lord. She preached at Market Street many times, but how she stood for a whole service in her condition, I really don’t know. Remembering Miss Smith as one of our Local Preachers really sent me reminiscing. Who remembers George Dear, Bill Denham, George Clark and Bill Glanfield? Mr Dear was a teacher at the Boys’ Grammar School, Mr. Denham was Sheila Denham’s Dad, George Clark was Sue Burnham and Deacon Jane Verrall’s Dad, and Bill Glanfield, well, he was my Dad. 34
The four of them used to meet in our front room at home for Fellowship and Bible Study with refreshments given by my Mum! I wonder if those 4 Local Preachers, when they were young men, ever thought that Sheila, Jane and I would follow in their footsteps and become Local Preachers too, and Sue become a peripatetic organist in this Circuit. How lovely to remember these Saints in Christ. What a lot we owe to them. And thank you Sue for setting me on the road of remembering. Margaret Newman.
CROSSWORD SOLUTION FROM MAY CORNERSTONE
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SEVENTY YEARS ON EVEN MORE REMINISCING ON MAYC LONDON WEEKENDS. Dear Sue Burnham – what have you done? You have opened a floodgate of memories. It was seventy years ago this May that I went on my first MAYC London Weekend – 1976. As my parents did not go to church, and never did, I never went to Sunday School, so my visit to the Albert Hall on the Saturday was my first taste of religion. I had only joined the Youth Club at Hornchurch Methodist Church, Essex, a few weeks before. That was one of many London Weekends when the area around the Albert Hall was filled with young people wearing green and yellow, and on Sunday seeing hundreds of lively teenagers ready to QUEUE to get into Westminster Central Hall for the service. Joy was a member of the Club Keep Fit team and they appeared on stage once at the Albert Hall, and once at the Festival Hall. At one performance they used lighted clubs with mini bulbs which made quite a display when the lights went down. Gerald had only walking on parts in a number of sketches, plus playing ‘pretend’ bagpipes in a Scottish scene. The Revd Len Barnet from Methodist Youth Department would vet all clubs which wanted to put on a display, so we met him on a number of occasions not wearing a dog collar but a tee shirt. In 1985, life turned full circle when I was appointed minister at a Methodist/URC church in Hitchen, Hertfordshire. One of my many duties was to be the chaplain to the local Methodist care home – “Elmside.” Among its residents was Revd J.K. Whitehead, one time Chairman of the Exeter District, and then General Secretary of the Methodist Youth Department. It was under his leadership that MAYC was formed and in May 1945 his daughter ‘launched’ MAYC at the first rally at the Albert Hall. I went to the second. A flood gate of memories. Oh yes, we also remember the Harris Bacon factory just by the town bridge in Totnes. Does anyone remember the slogan “Harris’s sausages are the best – God save the Queen.” Gerald & Joy Morris 36
JUNE….WIMBLEDON….TENNIS….’EBENEZER.’ Many of us can look back to some visible sign that galvanized us for the next great adventure of our life. Take the former Wimbledon champion, John McEnroe, for example. McEnroe was sitting by the Pacific Ocean with fellow-player Tony Graham. He was down-hearted, and confided to Graham that a recent defeat was perhaps a sign that he should retire. “No, mate,” insisted Graham, “Maybe there’ll be another sign to start you playing again!” At that moment, a Pacific wave rolled all the way up the beach, and deposited at McEnroe’s feet… a tennis ball. That, for him, became the sign – and his ‘retirement’ was over! Certain emblems can also stand for moments to remember. A small terracotta urn, The Ashes, marks the England-Australia battle for cricketing supremacy. Certain preserved steps down to the sea at Plymouth Harbour remind us of 1620, when The Mayflower took The Pilgrim Fathers to America. Are these examples of an Ebenezer Moment? The original Ebenezer episode occurred through the Bible prophet Samuel, following victory over the Philistines. Setting up a great stone, Samuel gave it the Hebrew name of Ebenezer – the ‘Stone of Help’, and declared, “Hitherto has the Lord helped us” (1 Samuel 7:12). Do you have such a milestone in your life? Indeed does God have His own Ebenezer? Evidently so! In His mind, it stands forever as a Cross of wood where His Son died for the sins of the world. Men and woman in gratitude for their forgiveness will sing: In the Cross of Christ I glory, Towering o’er the wrecks of time! And – on a rather different scale - you and me too – are Living Ebenezers for God in the here and now…. this very day! Why not? The Lord HAS helped us. Richard Bewes 37
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CLUES ON OPPOSITE PAGE
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Across 1 Military tactic used by Joshua to attack and destroy the city of Ai (Joshua 8:2) (6) 4 Place of learning (6) 8 ‘When Moses’ hands grew — , they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it’ (Exodus 17:12) (5) 9 Unpleasant auguries of the end of the age, as forecast by Jesus (Matthew 24:7) (7) 10 Stronghold to which girls in King Xerxes’ harem (including Esther) were taken (Esther 2:8) (7) 11 Where Saul went to consult a medium before fighting the Philistines (1 Samuel 28:7) (5) 12 Propitiation (Hebrews 2:17) (9) 17 Turn away (Jeremiah 11:15) (5) 19 So clear (anag.) (7) 21 ‘I have just got — , so I can’t come’: one excuse to be absent from the great banquet (Luke 14:20) (7) 22 Long weapon with a pointed head used by horsemen (Job 39:23) (5) 23 Musical beat (6) 24 What the Israelites were told to use to daub blood on their door-frames at the first Passover (Exodus 12:22) (6) Down 1 Fasten (Exodus 28:37) (6) 2 Art bite (anag.) (7) 3 ‘The people of the city were divided; some — with the Jews, others with the apostles’ (Acts 14:4) (5) 5 Contend (Jeremiah 12:5) (7) 6 Possessed (Job 1:3) (5) 7 Sheen (Lamentations 4:1) (6) 9 ‘You love evil rather than good, — rather than speaking the truth’ (Psalm 52:3) (9) 13 Large flightless bird (Job 39:13) (7) 14 They were worth several hundred pounds each (Matthew 25:15) (7) 15 ‘A — went out to sow his seed’ (Matthew 13:3) (6) 16 How Jesus described Jairus’s daughter when he went into the room where she lay (Mark 5:39) (6) 18 The part of the day when the women went to the tomb on the first Easter morning (John 20:1) (5) 20 Narrow passageway between buildings (Luke 14:21) (5) 39
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