Sept 16 for web

CORNER SEPTEMBER 2016

S T O N E

MAGAZINE OF CENTRAL ST. ANDREWS AND VICTORIA PARK

Cover Photo courtesy of John Head

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

Hazel Nightingale 01803 613345 hazel_nightingale@hotmail.com Steve Norman 01803 296069 Paul Sherriff 01803 298603 Clive Bastin 01803 325142 Hazel Nightingale 01803 613345 Philip Kay 01803 323551 philipkay393@btinternet.com Sarah Ayres 01803 613345 Faith.moves.mountains@outlook.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 Margaret Freemantle 01803 400723 mfree166@hotmail.com

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, Michael W Smith, a Christian musician we enjoy, has two songs that fit this moment rather well. The first, Pray for Me, begins: ‘Here is where the road divides, Here is where we realize, The sculpting of the Father's great design…’ We can’t quite believe that five years ago, almost to the day of writing this, we were moving into our new home at Oak Park Ave and beginning a new chapter in ministry. Yet, here we are, at the end of that chapter and the beginning of something new.

God, in his wisdom, brought us together and from the fun of Radio Ha! Ha! through the reshaping of the Grand Plan, and the challenges of Circuit changes we find ourselves at a new point of departure and new beginnings again. As we look back over the past five years, more than anything else it is the people who have shared the journey with us that mean the most.

At each of the three Churches I have had responsibility for, it has been good to see the growth in those who have taken up the challenges in different ways. On leadership teams, church councils, Bible study, mission teams, committees and so much more. For all this, and all of you, we give grateful thanks to God. All of which brings me to the second song called Friends.

‘And friends are friends forever, If the Lord's the Lord of them, And a friend will not say never, 'Cause the welcome will not end, Though it's hard to let you go, In the Father's hands we know, That a lifetime's not too long, To live as friends.’ Indeed, one of the bittersweet moments of ministry is the horde of people packed into our hearts and lives we take along with us to the next place! Within a few days of writing this we’ll be with some of those whom we haven’t seen in 12 years in Johannesburg but we know it will seem as if it was only yesterday as we pick up with them again albeit only for a moment. Inasmuch as we hope our time here has impacted your lives, you have impacted ours. Thank you for the love and care we have received, the challenges we have faced together and the opportunities for the Gospel we have shaped together which brings me back to the first song again.

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‘Won't you pray for me and I'll pray for you, Pray that we will keep the common ground, Won't you pray for me and I'll pray for you, And one day love will bring us back around, Oh, I know that love will bring us back around, Again.’ Indeed, our prayer for you is that even as our paths diverge in this moment that you will know God’s grace and love urging you on to new things, new opportunities for sharing the good news, new moments to celebrate his life shaping yours and new expressions of hope and joy bringing his peace into the hearts of the communities you serve.

Yours in the Gospel, Gavin & Angela.

QUOTES OF THE MONTH.

The beginning of a cure must be the recognition of the real disease.

Halford E Luccock The joy that isn’t shared, I’ve heard, dies young. Anne Sexton To live without listening is not to live at all; it is simply to drift in my own backwater. Joan Chittister I guess it’s true what they say: there’s a fine line between gardening and madness. Cliff Clavin (Cheers) A wise man will desire no more than he may get justly, use soberly, distribute cheerfully and leave contentedly. Anon Our eyes are placed in front because it is more important to look ahead than to look back. Anon Character is destiny. Greek proverb Gardens are not made by singing ‘Oh how beautiful’, and sitting in the shade. Rudyard Kipling 4

FAMILY & FRIENDS Family News & Other Bits & Pieces CONGRATULATIONS TO · Judith Holmwood who celebrates her 70�� Birthday on 28�� September. · Happy Birthday to Stephanie Withers on the 1��. · Happy Birthday to Pam Bristow on the 7��. · Happy Birthday to Ann Williams on the 9��. · Happy Birthday to Gillian Avery on the 14��. · Happy Birthday to Revd Valerie Price on the 21��.

THANKS ·

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Yvonne Thorne would like to give thanks to all those who thought of Bill during his illness, and in particular for all the prayers that were offered for him throughout this most difficult time. Both Yvonne & Bill are so grateful.

Thanks come from Victoria Park to all those who supported the Shoe Box Appeal. “17 were sent to those less fortunate than ourselves.”

BREAKFAST LIKE A KING, DINE LIKE A PAUPER. The old saying ‘breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dine like a pauper’ could well turn out to the very best of advice if you want to lose weight and stay healthy.

According to a recent study by King’s College, the modern lifestyle of eating more as the day goes on, instead of less, is causing havoc to our body clocks and digestion.

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MARY NANKIVELL. 1933 – 2016.

Mary was born in York 4�� December 1933 to Phyllis and Hubert Earnshaw. Her father worked in education as a colonial officer which took the young family to Africa, in particular Kenya. In 1938, Mary and her younger sister, Margaret, were evacuated to Cape Town. When South Africa became involved in the war, the girls were moved to Nairobi, staying with a number of different families, learning to speak Afrikaans, becoming fluent and almost forgetting their native tongue when reunited with their parents. During this time, Mum had the responsibility of looking after her precious little sister.

After the war Mary attended Kenya High School for 2 years before returning to England, aged 15, as a boarder at Kendal High School in the Lake District. She became known as ‘Big Hen’ as she was seen to be a mother Hen to Margaret.

During the holidays, the girls went to live with their Uncles and Aunties who nurtured them there.

Mary was a keen sports woman, captaining the hockey team and enjoyed watching sport throughout her life, particularly tennis. Though her father wanted her to go to university, Mary was adamant that she wanted to become a nurse. With this in mind she moved to London to train at St Thomas’s Hospital.

Mary was always very proud of her chosen vocation and this was reflected in all her future work, from community social work in London to hospital social work and hospices in Worcester and Torbay.

On moving to London Mary gravitated to Hinde Street Methodist Church, forming close relationships with many lifelong friends who met through Sunday Night Group and Methsoc. A number of marriages were formed in these circles and Mary met, fell in love with and married Owen. As a young family Mary and Owen brought up their children with clear open political discussions around social justice that underpinned their faith and lifeworks.

During these happy times Owen and Mary’s houses in Highgate, Worcester and Torbay were always known an open house that took in many travellers both geographical and spiritual.

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It would be fair to say that Mary was not always in total agreement with the decisions to move from firstly London to Worcester and then Worcester to Torquay. However any misgivings she may have had, were always ameliorated

by Owen. The move to Worcester was placated by a sun lounge with a gorgeous view of the Malvern Hills. The move to Torquay had to be a greater bribe of actually building a sun lounge to her own design.

As Hussein Bolt is made to run. Mary was born to care using the mediums of tea and sympathy. Mary had a deep and long standing relationship with strong Yorkshire tea. She was able to drain a large teapot in one sitting, which she consistently achieved at least twice a day. The grandchildren will all remember special time in the grandparents bedroom first thing in the morning feeding “granny bics” to the grand-dogs (as she affectionately called them) and fulsome afternoon tea, that was often enough to sustain an army. Her dear friend Sheila Nelson’s last memory of Mum was watching her collecting cups at a normal coffee morning and she noted how she had a word and a cuddle for everyone she came into contact with. That was our Amazing Mum. Adapted from tributes given at Mary’s funeral.

METHODIST WOMEN IN BRITAIN AUTUMN DISTRICT DAY 13�� OCTOBER 2016.

PALACE AVENUE METHODIST CHURCH AT 10.30AM Ladies please come and support your Circuit at this event.

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PAMELA BRINDED. 1926 - 2016 Pam was born on the 3rd February 1926, the second of 3 daughters born to Clarrie and George. Pam has 2 sisters, Joyce 2 years older and Averil 2 years younger. The girls grew up in London, were evacuated to Dunsford in 1939, moving to Exeter the following year after George, their father sadly died suddenly.

Pam remained in Devon thereafter for most of the rest of her life. She enjoyed holidays abroad, her family and friends, her church and singing in the choir. She loved animals, especially dogs and budgies. She looked after many happy budgies throughout her life, including Peter and Paul who lived with her right up to her tragic accident in November 2012, when her life changed overnight.

In years gone by, Pam would typically join Averil for lunch every Saturday and meet Joyce for lunch in St. Marychurch every Friday.

After Pam’s accident, when she had to leave her lovely home, community and independent living behind her, aged 87 she moved to Abbeywood. Her last three years were challenging for her, but she received much support from her three nieces.

Pam was a very private person, a sweet and gentle soul. She always loved her music. At Abbeywood, Ella Fitzgerald, The Carpenters, Songs of Praise and Dusty Springfield were favourite sing along tunes.

She loved her family very much, and was the welcome guest for all important family occasions.

Pam was always smartly turned out with her sturdy but elegant handbag, and she added some extra fun to any meeting with her infectious laugh.

While apparently reserved at times, she possessed a calmness that was anchored in her faith. She told a niece from the States this past Easter “I am 90 years old, I have outlived my mother and my father.” She will be truly missed.

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ST ANDREWS JUNIOR CHURCH NEWS. Belated happy birthday to Honey Wiggins who was 7 on 3rd August.

Happy birthday this month to: Jameson Stibbs who will be 7 on the 21�� , Bradley Harbor who turns 12 on 8�� and Toby Harbor who will be 14 on 20��.

Since the last issue of Cornerstone here at St Andrews we have been busy at times in Junior church. Busy playing games, cutting and sticking, completing word searches and making our own games.

One Sunday we heard about the time Jesus sent 77 out to share the good news. The disciples were told not to take anything with them as they went on their journey, to accept any hospitality they were offered and to shake the dust off their feet when they were not welcomed into a town. On that Sunday we talked about journey’s we have made, things we need when going on a long journey and things we like to take. Some of our members made their own board games with forfeits such as; you are not welcomed into a town, shake the dust off your feet and go back 3 spaces or, a wolf is lurking miss a turn.

On another Sunday we heard the story of the Good Samaritan and we used plasters and bandages to give first aid to a paper person. This is displayed on our board in the hall.

Our most recent activity came when we talked about being dressed and ready for the kingdom and had lots of fun decorating gingerbread people.

Rachel George.

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A PROFILE OF STEPHEN NORMAN. Stephen was born in Paignton. His maternal grandparents were Welsh and his paternal grandparents came from London, so Stephen says he is half Welsh and half Cockney! He once won a bonniest baby competition and says he still has the cup to prove it.

His family moved from Paignton to Exeter and then London and back to Torquay before Stephen was 11. He thinks his parents had the philosophy of ‘don’t improve, move!’ as they moved 15 times - 6 in Torquay alone.

His father was Finance Director of Watts Blake & Bearne. Stephen went to St Andrews church and later joined the Youth Club at Chelston, which was where he first met Susan. The Youth Club or ‘Squash’ as it was called, used to go to members homes after service, where he enjoyed making friends – some played the guitar, so Stephen gave up piano lessons, and had guitar lessons. Why haven’t we heard you play Stephen?

He attended Torquay Grammar School and from there went to Southampton University (because it was by the sea) where he studied geophysical sciences. He was ready to go and explore for oil, but in 1976 the oil market was having a recession. Stephen obtained a job in the IT sector and worked for a number of major international IT manufacturers.

He lived in Winchester in that period. The highlight of his career he says, was being made a partner in KPMG. This made his father smile, as he became a member on the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales without being an accountant! His brother Andrew was also born in Torquay, and now works as an Accountant in the Bay. Stephen says that he sadly lost contact with his children. This is why he is such a keen supporter of the Child Contact Centre – a facility that wasn’t on offer when he really needed it.

Stephen moved to London to work and commuted back to Torquay on a weekly basis for a couple of years, and by chance, met Susan again. They were married two years later and are now very happily living in Torquay.

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Stephen now works at the Meteorologist Office in Exeter, helping to develop their international, commercial and consulting business.

Stephen has been at Central for eight years and has just taken on the very onerous job of Church Treasurer. He also helps on Sundays with the sound and audio equipment. He’s also on our Special Events team. Some of us know he raises quite a lot of money at car boot sales (do give him anything that will help).

We are so delighted that Stephen is among us, and we thank him for all he does in so many ways, quietly and thoughtfully, as part of the life of Central.

MML

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STEF REID…… Christian paralympic athlete on her way to Rio Stef Reid is a paralympic athlete. She does long-jump and also sprints. In the 2008 Paralympics she won a bronze medal in the 200 metres and in 2012, a silver medal in the long jump. She has broken the world record for long-jump in the F44 (below the knee amputees) class several times.

She had a life-changing accident in her teens as she describes: “I was in a boating accident when I was 16. The propellers caught me across my lower back. The water around me was blood red. I thought I had been cut in half. The next issue was that we were three hours away from a half-decent hospital.

“I survived but unfortunately the leg was so mangled that it had to be amputated. So I was really thankful to be alive. But with my love for sport, I was absolutely devastated. The stuff that you love to do, you are told that you cannot do it anymore.

“I don’t come from a Christian family but my parents sent me to a Christian school. We had Bible classes. I had a very good head knowledge of the Bible but it wasn’t a major part of my life.

“Everything changed when I was in the accident. I remember lying in the ambulance. I was scared because I knew in my heart that I wasn’t going to heaven. I did not know God. I had never asked Him what His plan was for my life. I remember praying for a second chance. It was a complete miracle that I survived the accident. I know that God had a hand in that.

“I also know that by me not dying, I still had a purpose here. There is a reason for me to be here and it completely changed my perspective. It changed me as a person and I committed my life to Him in the ambulance.

Now, I look at things from the perspective of hope. I have always got hope.

I think that is the biggest difference”.

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OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD 2016 time to pack those shoeboxes!

Earlier this year, thousands of children in Liberia were delighted to receive Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts, especially following that country’s widespread trauma over the Ebola crisis. Now a new film showing the OCC delivery to the children of Liberia is available, as another season of packing shoeboxes gets underway.

The Operation Christmas Child yearly campaign is all about providing some joy to deprived children in the developing world. “A simple Christmas shoebox gift is a ‘treasure chest’ for a child who has never received such a gift before. It is a powerful symbol of hope that someone, somewhere, cared enough to pack a gift meant just for them.”

In 2015, generous people across the UK packed 900,008 shoeboxes for children. These were sent to 14 different countries – their only Christmas gifts that year. Worldwide, 11 million children were given shoeboxes, “experiencing God’s unconditional love through a simple gift.”

This year, OCC will be again supported by individuals, families, churches, schools, workplaces and community groups across the UK. If you could send a shoebox, go to: https://www.samaritans-purse.org.uk/what-we-do/operationchristmas-child/

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FORGIVE? “I can’t forgive!” I hear them say, And then I start to think If they think that from day to day Their lives may one day sink.

For hatred like a cancer grows Extending harm with time And hotter than an ember glows As crime is built on crime.

Some people say “Revenge is sweet!”

It leaves you feeling good…

Until your foe returns the ‘treat’, As well you knew they would.

A vortex of increasing hate The Devil casts his spell.

So must it be the feuder’s fate To spiral into hell?

A heavy heart, weighed down, like lead Raw hate, its burden sore.

O hear the words our Saviour said – Hear Him, and hate no more!

His lonely voice is heard to cry, “O Father, please forgive!”

O hear His voice, He’ll tell you why To seize the chance to live!

By Nigel Beeton

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15�� ANNIVERSARY OF 9/11 Fifteen years ago, on 11th Sept 2001, terrorist attacks demolished the Twin Towers in New York. They killed 2,996 people and injured more than 6,000. Events like 9/11 raise the inevitable question: Why does God allow such suffering to take place?

There are no easy answers to this question! We cannot fully understand why such things happen, although we live in a fallen world, where people make real choices. Yet the Bible affirms that God identifies with our suffering, supremely when Jesus experienced suffering and death.

It is on the Cross that God knows what it is to lose a loved one in an unjust attack. ‘I could never myself believe in God if it were not for the Cross.

In the real world of pain, how could one worship a God who was immune to it?’ (John Stott). What does this mean? We cannot know why God allows evil and suffering to continue, but we do know that He does love and care for us: ‘For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.’ (John 3:16). God loved us enough to fully engage with the mess of the world.

We also can view such events in the light of resurrection. Jesus said: ‘I am the Resurrection and the Life. The one who believes in Me will live’ (John 11:25). Resurrection points to the restoration for us of the life we lost. New heavens and new earth point to a world and relationships restored and perfected! In The Lord of the Rings, Sam Gamgee exclaims: ‘Gandalf! I thought you were dead! But then I thought I was dead! Is everything sad going to come untrue?’ The answer of the Bible is Yes!

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CENTRAL’S WELCOME ROTA DATE 10.30 AM SEPT 4�� Hazel Nightingale & Tessa Goodwin 11�� Celia & David Bolt 18�� 25��

6.30 PM Monica Lansley & Paul Sherriff Barbara Gissinger & Philip Kay Celia & David Bolt

Judith Holmwood & Barbara Gissinger Sheila & John Lawrence

Monica Lansley & Philip Kay

Not all Dear Minister: I know that God loves everyone but He has never met my sister. Love Peter (aged 7)

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UNCERTAINTY & HOPE……………..The Ven John Barton If the audience at the First Night of the Proms this year had not heard the national news broadcasts that day, they would have been startled by an unscheduled addition to the programme. It opened with a rousing rendition of the French National Anthem.

Scores of unsuspecting holidaymakers in the French resort of Nice had been mown down by a fanatical lorry driver; his was the latest in a chain of massacres perpetrated by Islamists in Europe and beyond. Ironically, it was Bastille Day, commemorating French unity. The playing of the Marseillaise in London’s Albert Hall was a demonstration of solidarity with French people everywhere and a defiant message of hope.

Church leaders the world over published their prayers the next day. An Anglican chaplain based near Nice said, “Prayer is the thing. We can’t do anything tangible or practical in support of the security service apart from our own vigilance . . . but we do have a very strong and a very powerful thing that we can do . . . and that is prayer . . . because with faith we trust in God’s love and mercy for those who have died, but for the families left behind this is a most terrible time from which many may not recover.”

Terrorist acts of this kind are motivated by a deadly combination of false faith with hatred. No one is risk-free, and the nations’ leaders are hardpressed to safeguard their people. St. Paul’s advice to Timothy has never been more apt: “I urge that … prayers… be offered to God for all in authority, that we may live a quiet and peaceful life with all reverence towards God and with proper conduct.”

We must be on our guard, but also trust God. In Nice churchyard is the grave of Henry Lyte, the writer of the hymn, Abide with me, which encourages us to disarm our fears by expressing confidence in God’s purposes: I fear no foe, with thee at hand to bless; Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness; Where is death’s sting? Where grave thy victory?

I triumph still, if Thou abide with me.

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SUNDAY SERVICES FOR SEPTEMBER 2016.

(HC) = Sacrament of Holy Communion (WG) = Worship Group CENTRAL Date SEPT 4��** 11��** 18��** 25��

Morning 10.30am

Evening 6.30pm

Revd Paul Smith.(CA) (HC) Revd Adrian Phippen Revd Gavin Hancocks Mrs Barbara Vond (WG) Mrs Margaret Newman Revd Doug Rix (HC) Revd Gerald Morris Mr Brian Hart (HF) (AA) (P) Dates marked ** indicate contemporary worship at 9.15am.

ST ANDREWS Date SEPT 4�� 11�� 18�� 25��

Morning 10.30am

Evening 6.30pm

Revd Mike Newell Mr David Welsh Revd Adrian Phippen Mrs Irene Cochran (HF)

Revd Gavin Hancocks

VICTORIA PARK Date SEPT 4�� 11�� 18�� 25��

Morning 10.30am Mrs Barbara Vond Revd J Haley (HC) Mrs Irene Cochran Revd Valerie Price (HF)

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SHARING IN WORSHIP 2nd -4th Sep 10.30am Revd Paul Smith (Mission Weekend) 30th Oct

10.30am Revd Tim Clarke

6th Nov

10.30am Revd Tony Graaff

ANNIVERSARY EVENT 2nd - 4th Sept

Church Anniversary weekend with Revd Paul Smith:-

Alive in Christ - Living the Faith 22

VICTORIA PARK DATE SEPT 4�� 11�� 18�� 25��

DOOR STEWARDS

DATE SEPT 4�� 11�� 18�� 25��

NAMES

Betty Peachey & Margaret Collings Connie & John Sims Pat Hawes & Pam Cloke Stephanie Withers & Sylvia Penny

Sheila Fletcher Audrey Avery Iris Kaey Pam Bristow

VP FLOWER ROTA IN MEMORY OF Her Parents Fred & Kath Locket Her Husband Gordon Her Husband John Her Wedding Anniversay.

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. Don & Barbara Pugh.

Carl Murphy. Barry. Virginia, Julie & Peter.

Youth Genesis.

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AROUND THE FAMILY AT ST ANDREWS. The year hastens on and soon we shall be celebrating Harvest. During the last two months we have been enlightened, heartened and inspired by the people who have been to conduct our Sunday services – Mrs Barbara Vond, Rev. Gavin Hancocks, Mrs Irene Cochran, Rev. Mike Newell, Mr David Welsh, Major Denise Brine, Mrs Vicki Bryan and for offering us Holy Communion we tender our thanks to Rev. Adrian Phippen and Rev. Peter Williamson.

Warm but belated Birthday Greetings go to our efficient Worship Link Person, Barbara Dunbar, and to Zoe Hills (whose role as a helper at Junior Church on occasion is also appreciated) with birthdays on August 20�� and 30�� respectively. In September the friends celebrating birthdays will be Naomi Dunbar on the 3��, Colin Powell on the 14�� and Bill Freemantle on the 26��. A very Happy Birthday to each of you.

Our friend whose years at St Andrew’s have seen her active in so many roles and also in the Circuit as a Local Preacher, Sheila Denham, is still receiving treatment and assessment at the time of writing, following her earlier fall in hospital resulting in a fractured hip and surgery. Our thoughts and prayers are with her.

The accident which occurred to Elizabeth and Duncan Stockings on their way to Church in late July must have been a very shocking experience.

It was good that it did not have to mean a long stay in hospital for them and we continue to wish them well and look forward to seeing them at Church again.

With school beginning early in September all school pupils – and any who work in schools – have our Best Wishes for their new term.

The departure of Rev. Gavin and Mrs Angela Hancocks will be occurring in September. We have appreciated Gavin’s ministry among us and it

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was a joy to greet Angela on her frequent attendances. Our thoughts, prayers and heartfelt Good Wishes go with them.

Later we shall be welcoming Rev. Jonathan Doble and hope he will find his time among us happy and rewarding.

Diana George

Bible sense Being married to a woman who reads her Bible can have its drawbacks. When a man protested to his wife that wiping dishes was not a man’s job, his wife replied simply: “2 Kings 21:13”, and handed him a tea towel. Later he looked it up: ‘And I will wipe Jerusalem as a man wipeth a dish, wiping it and turning it upside down.”

WOMEN'S FELLOWSHIP This month sees the start of our new season, and on the 12�� Sheila and Cynthia will ‘Welcome Back’ our ladies after the summer break. We also look forward to Carol Stephens on the 19��, continuing her life story ‘Still finding Work.’ On the 26�� we will be welcoming a representative from LiNX Christian Youth Trust. At this meeting we will be presenting our final cheque for £300 which, along with £150 already sent, concludes our support for this charity.

During our summer break we held two very successful ‘Tea Parties’ with proceeds of £235 being sent to our Torbay Hospital League of Friends and £161 for our LiNX charity. Our thanks to Sheila for organising these events.

Barbara Lawton

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A REFLECTION FROM CENTRAL We have just come to the end of our 40�� Anniversary (Central @ 40: Growing in Grace - Sharing God’s Love). And what a year it has been.

We have had the then President of the Methodist Conference, Rev. Steve Wild and the Moderator of the General Assembly of the United Reformed Church, Rev. David Grosch-Miller visit us. We also welcomed the Chairman of the Plymouth and Exeter Methodist District, Rev. Graham Thompson, and Rev. Ruth Whitehead the Moderator of the South Western Province of the United Reformed Church.

We have welcomed back lots of Ministers who ‘took care’ of us during those 40 years, and we have been pleased to have in our pulpit those who grew up in our Sunday School and have gone on to become ordained Ministers.

We have had a Ladies’ and a Men’s Breakfast with specially invited speakers, a hair stylist, and a choir accompanying them. We had a wonderful meal after one of our morning services too.

Now what? Do we rest on our laurels until our 50�� Anniversary? No, certainly not.

When we reached our 40�� Birthdays (if you can remember that far back!!), we continued to live our lives to the best of our ability. And that is what we shall do at Central.

This Magazine will come out just before our Mission Weekend on 2ⁿ�, 3�� and 4�� September. The Rev. Paul Smith who used to be the Minister at Plymouth Methodist Central Hall, is to be our Guest Preacher for the weekend. The title of the weekend is “Alive in Christ – Living the Faith’.

Isn’t that what we all want to be -- “Alive in Christ”. We have had a good 40 years, but we want another good 40 years, and we shall only have that if we place our lives in Christ and become Alive in Him. Christ is our Motivator. He is the One who will invigorate us. He is the One 26

who will give us the ability to help others to come to faith. We know Jesus as our Saviour; we know Jesus as our Friend and Companion day by day, and we want others to know Him as their Friend don’t we.

If you receive this Magazine before our Mission Weekend, I hope you will come and see how we can become more ‘Alive’. If you receive it after, then I hope those who came found it an inspirational time, and those who could not make it because of illness or infirmity, I hope you will hear what you can do to make Central a real Beacon in Torquay.

(Even if you are ill or infirm, you are part of Central and you can pray).

We need Central to be Alive in Christ. We need Central to draw others to Christ. We need Central to be what Christ wants His Church to be.

I quoted this hymn at our recent Vision Day. Let us make it a real prayer.

You can find it at No. 777 in Hymns & Psalms.

O Breath of life, come sweeping through us, Revive Your Church with life and power; O Breath of life, come, cleanse renew us, And fit Your Church to meet this hour. O Wind of God, come, bend us, break us, Till humbly we confess our need; Then in your tenderness remake us, Revive, restore; for this we plead. O Breath of love, come, breathe within us, Renewing thought and will and heart; Come, love of Christ, afresh to win us, Revive your Church in every part.

May God bless Central, and help us to grow in the power of His Holy Spirit. And may God bless you all as you pray for this to happen.

Margaret Newman.

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CENTRAL CHURCH Central Church where many members love to pray, Will, during September, celebrate its fortieth Birthday.

Many ‘Passers-by’ have used it as an Oasis of rest, To reflect, meditate, learning to trust God in their Christian quest.

A Joint Church by two denominations built on a hill overlooking the Bay, Organ and a Gowned Choir singing Anthems, are still the Order of the Day Central has a wonderful reputation for being a Church that cares, Providing for the Homeless, collecting food for the Poor, holding Fayres.

On the Social side, Tea Dances are held on certain Saturdays in the year, Band Concerts are arranged, Choirs such as, Police, Welsh, etc. love to appear.

“Life begins at Forty” as the saying goes, so Central’s heart will come alive, Joyfully awaking us, that our much loved Church will always survive.

For the Fellowship of Central it has been a rollercoaster ride of highs and lows, In recent months we have lost members, faithful workers, such bitter blows.

Familiar faces we now no longer see, the founder members who paved the way, To ensure that the God they served, will still be there, to hear us as we pray.

J.H.D. Lawrence

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WHY STORYTELLING IS OOD FOR US. Don’t let anyone tease you if you enjoy novels and drama. Story-telling is more than just entertainment – it really does have an important role to play in our lives.

So says a professor at the University of Toronto. It seems that reading or watching fiction increases your ability to understand the feelings of others, and so can break down divisions between people of different backgrounds. “What’s a piece of fiction…a novel… a short story… a play or movie or TV series? It’s a piece of consciousness being passed from mind to mind.”

CROSSWORD SOLUTION FROM JUL/AUG MAGAZINE

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ST ANDREWS MISSIONS. This September at St Andrews you have the opportunity to support the Harvest appeal from Methodist Charity ‘All We Can’. We are asked this year to ‘Make a Splash’ by celebrating God’s gift of water and raise support for people who lack such vital resources. In Kasange in Uganda children were suffering because they didn’t have clean water in their community. Children like Prossy Nabiryo who had to miss school because she got sick as there was no clean water. ‘All We Can’ gave money to their local partner in Uganda Voluntary action for Development (VAD) and a new water tank was installed at the local school. As Prossy said “I am now very happy and don’t have any reason not to miss school.

I am sure there is clean water.”

As last year there will be a table at the back of the church with envelopes and a collection box on it. If you wish to donate to the ‘All We Can’ appeal please put your monetary donation in one of the envelopes and place the envelope in the box. Every penny you are able to give will help people like Prossy.

On the 2ⁿ� October it will be our annual World Mission Sunday service at St Andrews and this will include the JMA awards. Envelopes will be given out for your gifts for the World Mission Fund. And the coffee collection for this month will also go to this fund. By donating to this worthwhile cause you will be helping people all around the world. This year there has been a severe drought in Zimbabwe. Because of donations to the World Mission Fund the Methodist Church in Britain was able to give the Methodist church in Zimbabwe a £10,000 grant as an emergency response. Local Methodist Churches in the country are mobilising support to address immediate challenges affecting their communities. “Elderly people, under-fives, orphans, disabled people and sick patients are priorities in receiving help,” said the Revd Dr Zwana, Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church in Zimbabwe. Please give as generously as you can to support the World Mission Fund, every penny helps.

Rachel George Sunday morning coffee money for July, in aid of Action for Children, was £30.

On 31�� July £32.26 was collected for Methodist Homes.

Jean Jarvis 32

HUMOROUS QUOTES On a bus a man gave his seat to a woman. She fainted. On recovering, she thanked him. Then he fainted.

If parents haven’t learned something from experience, they can always learn it from their children.

When a girl reduces, she is going out of her weigh to please some man.

Permission Extract from an official letter notifying residents of a new boundary road: ‘It is hoped to take the new by-pass through the old cemetery, provided we can get permission from the various bodies concerned.’

Children’s understanding of the Bible can have a charm all its own…

A deacon is a mass of inflammable material.

The Pharisees fasted in public but in private they devoured widows’ houses.

Today wild beasts are confined to Theological Gardens.

The natives of Macedonia did not believe, so St. Paul got stoned.

A Republican is a sinner mentioned in the Bible.

Iran is the Bible of the Moslems.

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ALL IN THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER……..it was 125 years ago: on 14th Sept 1891 that the first penalty kick in the English Football League was taken by Wolverhampton Wanderers in their match against Accrington.

100 years ago: on 3rd Sept 1916 that the first German airship was shot down over Britain, near St Albans.

Also 100 years ago: on 13th Sept 1916 that Roald Dahl, British novelist, short story writer and screenwriter was born. (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach, The BFG, and more.)

80 years ago: on 6th Sept 1936 that British aviation pioneer Beryl Markham became the first person to fly non-stop from Britain to North America, and the first woman to fly solo from east to west across the Atlantic Ocean.

50 years ago: on 8th Sept 1966 that the Severn Bridge was officially opened. It links England and Wales, spanning the River Severn and River Wye. 40 years ago: on 3rd Sept 1976 that NASA’s Viking 2 landed on Mars. It photographed the surface, analysed soil samples and searched for signs of life.

30 years ago: on 7th Sept 1986 that Desmond Tutu became Archbishop of Cape Town – the first black person to lead the Anglican Church in South Africa.

15 years ago: on 11th Sept 2001 that the September 11th terrorist attacks on the USA took place (also known as 9/11). 2,973 people were killed.

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VICTORIA PARK. We are in desperate need of items to sell on the stalls at our monthly Coffee Mornings.

Would you please look in cupboards & drawers to see if you have any suitable items you can donate to us.

BRING THEM ALONG ANY SATURDAY OR SUNDAY MORNING. THANKS!

Cucumber A small boy asked his mother for a cucumber to take to Junior Church. A slightly puzzled mother complied. Later she asked what it had been used for. ‘Sorry, mum,’ he confessed. ‘I got it wrong. We were supposed to bring a newcomer.’

WHEN THE SUN GOES EDGEWISE and daytime equals night.

September 23 is the autumnal equinox (if you live in the northern hemisphere) or the vernal (Spring) equinox (if you live in the southern hemisphere) The equinoxes occur in March and September, when the Sun is ‘edgewise’ to the Earth’s axis of rotation, so that everywhere on earth has twelve hours of daylight and twelve hours of darkness.

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CROSSWORD

Across 8 Where the ark of the covenant was kept for 20 years (1 Samuel 7:1) (7,6) 9 One of the parts of the body on which blood and oil were put in the ritual cleansing from infectious skin diseases (Leviticus 14:14–17) (3) 10 Uncomfortable (3,2,4) 11 ‘Yet I have loved Jacob, but Esau I have — ’ (Malachi 1:3) (5) 13 Where Paul said farewell to the elders of the church in Ephesus (Acts 20:17) (7) 16 ‘Jesus bent down and — to write on the ground with his finger’ (John 8:6) (7) 36

Across (cont) 19 Prophet from Moresheth (Jeremiah 26:18) (5) 22 Comes between Exodus and Numbers (9) 24 and 2 Down ‘Then Elkanah went home to Ramah, but the boy ministered before the Lord under — the — ’ (1 Samuel 2:11) (3,6) 25 There was no room for them in the inn (Luke 2:7) (4,3,6)

Down 1 Rough drawing (2 Kings 16:10) (6) 2 See 24 Across 3 Underground literature (including Christian books) circulated in the Soviet Union (8) 4 Lo, mash (anag.) (6) 5 The Bible’s shortest verse: ‘Jesus — ’ (John 11:35) (4) 6 ‘Can a mother forget the baby at her — and have no compassion on the child she has borne?’ (Isaiah 49:15) (6) 7 Can be seen in a dying fire (Psalm 102:3) (6) 12 ‘Send me, therefore, a man... experienced in the — of engraving, to work in Judah and Jerusalem’ (2 Chronicles 2:7) (3) 14 Second city of Cyprus (8) 15 United Nations Association (1,1,1) 16 One of the women who first heard that Jesus had risen from the dead (Mark 16:1) (6) 17 Braved (anag.) (6) 18 — of Evangelism, outreach initiative in the 1990s (6) 20 ‘Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and — in their own sight’ (Isaiah 5:21) (6) 21 ‘Neither — nor depth... will be able to separate us from the love of God’ (Romans 8:39) (6) 23 What Jesus shed in 5 Down (4)

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AFTER THE REFERENDUM - FINDING A GOOD WAY FORWARD. Archbishop Justin Welby and Archbishop John Sentamu issued a joint statement after the UK voted to leave the European Union. In it they said: “As citizens of the United Kingdom, whatever our views during the referendum campaign, we must now unite in a common task to build a generous and forward looking country, contributing to human flourishing around the world.

“We must remain hospitable and compassionate, builders of bridges and not barriers. Many of those living among us… come from overseas and some will feel a deep sense of insecurity. We must respond by offering reassurance, by cherishing our wonderfully diverse society, and by affirming the unique contribution of each and every one. “…. Unity, hope and generosity will enable us to overcome the period of transition that will now happen, and to emerge confident and successful.

The opportunities and challenges that face us as a nation and as global citizens are too significant for us to settle for less.

“As those who hope and trust in the living God …, Let us pray especially that we may go forward to build a good United Kingdom that, though relating to the rest of Europe in a new way will play its part amongst the nations in the pursuit of the common good throughout the world.”

Egg What did the egg in the monastery say?

‘Out of the frying pan and into the friar.’

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SAINT OF THE MONTH. The saint who knew how to help a beggar.

You are walking down the road when a beggar approaches you for money. What do you do? If, instead of giving money, you buy him/her coffee or a meal, then you are in good company: you are following in the steps of the first ever Bishop of Venice.

Laurence Giustiniani (1381 – 1455) was born of a noble Venetian family, but chose the austerity of the Augustinian monastery of San Giorgio on island of Alga. He became a priest in 1406, prior in 1407, Bishop of Castello in 1433 and then in 1451 the first ever Bishop of Venice.

By then, Laurence had seen a lot of human nature, and was wise as well as good. Frugal in his private life, and happy to help the poor, he made sure that he gave wisely as well as generously. Hence the poor who came to him for help were given food and clothing - but only very occasionally small amounts of money. Bishop Laurence also devoted himself to peace-making and other pastoral work, for which his contemporaries held him in high esteem. As he lay dying on a bed of straw, very many clergy, laity, beggars and destitute folk came to grieve: he was greatly respected and loved. Wise giving and peace-making – Laurence’s example still shines true today.

Last words The Seven Last Words of the Church: ‘We never did it like that before.’

Where?

The poster read: Where will you be on Judgment Day? The graffiti below read: Still waiting for the Stafford bus.

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