Contact - February 2009

CONTACT

Magazine of Erdington Methodist Church Station Road - February 2009 1

Contents Minister’s Letter Family News Thinking Day A day in the life of . . . . an Outreach Co-ordinator National Bramley Apple Week 1st – 8th February Would you make a good Proof Reader?

Salvation Army Band Concert Holiday Memories Coppers for Kids & A Big Thank You Sarah Malik named first salaried Youth President Gaza : Where are the Peacemakers?

Powerpoint in Worship - a training day Christmas Carol Service Volunteers Coffee Morning for CONTACT Magazine & Fresh Expressions Valentine’s Day – 14th February What do other folk believe? & Share the good things Children’s Pages Are you idling or lazing?

The Light of the World The Cry of a Palestinian 2009 is a huge year & Grace!

Platform2 - a life-changing experience What does it mean to be a church member?

Inner Strength & Baptism Illogical Instructions Methodist Church Lends support to Christians in North Korea Longevity Letter to Churches about Christmas in Bethlehem Accounting for taste Candlemas Fund Raising 2009 Answers to ‘Would you make a good Proof Reader?

February 2009 Regular Meetings Weekly Church Activities 2

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 12 15 14 16 17 18 19 23 24 25 26 27 29 30 31 32 33 34 36 37 38 38 39 40

Minister’s Letter Dear Friends You have heard people say things like, “Oh, I'm so tired of hearing about this or that tragedy that I just turn off the TV - I can't bear watching it anymore” or, “It's such a long way away, what has it to do with me and my family? We've got lots of poverty/trouble/crisis etc here on our own doorstep.” Even the kindest of us can get tempted to be bored by the endless appeals for help from some parts of the world. “What? Darfur again?” Or, “Not Zimbabwe? Haven't they got it all sorted yet?” Or, “Well, you're never going to solve Palestine/Israel - it's as old as history and you'll never make a difference there.”

Charities call it “compassion fatigue” - the weariness which sets in when a crisis has gone on and on and seems no nearer a solution. We simply want a break from it all so we can think of something more cheerful or go on to another cause. All of which is understandable - even saints can get weary of giving endlessly, worn out by the cost of discipleship and sharing the grief of a troubled world.

But there is also a much worse condition called, if you like, “compassion cynicism” - the feeling that it is all a waste of time anyway and there won't be any lasting good, so why bother? All that trouble concerns people far away who have nothing to do with us, so why should we make sacrifices for them?

Let's look after number one! Let's not try to save the world or change it.

That mood affects a lot of people and sometimes, God forgive us, it creeps into church life. So good Christian folk are heard saying, "Charity begins at home so let's turn aside from the horrors of watching a war on the TV and the frenzy of trying to find a ceasefire etc. Let's give it a break for there's nothing we can do to make any difference." That attitude is deeply and tragically unChristian.

The Christian faith teaches us we are all part of one huge family - the human race - and when one part suffers, so do all the rest. We feel for the needy and the desperate simply because they are fellow human beings for whom 3

Christ weeps and dies. If we don't feel that at all then we are not properly alive and we live stunted, introverted lives. Worse still, we haven't got onto the wavelength where Christ is - for Christ is especially close to the starving, the oppressed, the bullied and the shattered. It is not a "bore" to be trying to feel with Christ, rather, it is an essential part of the joy of Christian life.

Joy? How can being close to the starving and wretched, the war-weary and bombed-out bring us joy? Because there is no lasting delight in turning one's back on the world's great needs. Joy comes with embracing life, embracing generosity, clinging to Christ. Christ is right there with his bruised and torn children, waiting for our love.

May you be given new strength and new delight in seeking Christ at the heart of human life and need.

And in seeking, may you find Him. Yours in Christ, Nichola

Family News Thank You 1 A big thank you to everyone for helping us celebrate our Golden Wedding Anniversary. Thanks for all the presents, cards, flowers and for donating ÂŁ300+ for the Four Homes of Mercy.

It was a very memorable time. God bless you all Joan & Tony Holmes Thank you 2 A huge thank you to the Junior church for their Nativity Presentation before Christmas. It was ably led by Tracey and her team, the young people did us proud.

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Thank you 3 A big THANK YOU to all children, parents, staff - past and present and church members who attended the Coffee Morning on 29th November where we celebrated 35 years of Pre-school. The support was fantastic and we were really pleased with the turn-out. We raised £294.60 for Pre-school funds.

Thankyou to all staff and volunteers for their continued support. Best wishes from the pre-school leader and all of the staff.

Jenny Hill

Thinking Day Thinking Day has been celebrated each year on February 22nd because it was the joint birthday of Lord and Lady Baden-Powell.

This is a day when greetings are sent and thoughts and prayers focused on Guides and Scouts in many different parts of the world. Since 1932 all members of the Guide movement have contributed money on this day to the Thinking Day Fund, so that practical help can follow up thoughts of friendship. This money is used to help guiding in many needy parts of the world.

Robert Baden Powell was born in 1857 - died in 1941 Olave Baden Powell was born in 1889 - died in 1977 Robert Baden Powell started the Boy Scouts in 1907, and because girls wanted to take part he started a club for girls in 1910 and they were called Girl Guides.

The Scouts celebrated their hundredth year in 2007. As guiding reaches its centenary year in 2010, Head Quarters want to celebrate the impact it has had on girls' and womens' lives, and on society in general, as about half of all women born in the UK get involved in guiding at some point in their lives.

Margaret Hillman- a member of Erdington Trefoil Guild 5

A day in the life of . . . . an Outreach Co-ordinator I work at Thinktank, the Birmingham Science Museum. Well, that’s not strictly true because as my job title suggests, I spend most of the week out of the museum.

A typical day might see me getting up as early as 5.00 am and heading to the museum to meet a colleague and then jumping in the van ready to go. What happens next depends on which school we are going to. It may be an infant school looking at recycling or healthy eating, or maybe a junior school that wants a show on forces and electricity or may be a secondary school wanting shows on space, cells or even the electromagnetic spectrum.

Once at the school the fun begins. Will the teachers remember that they have booked us? Where will we be presenting? How many children will we see? What time are the dinners ladies going to be needing the hall for lunch and will we be offered a cup of tea?

Once the first show starts it’s plain sailing doing what I love to do, teaching children about science and how it is used. Big demonstrations, lots of volunteers, storytelling and explaining complicated ideas in easy to understand ways that really connect with the audience. Science can be seen to be a bit dull and complicated to some but for those who have had a Thinktank outreach visit, hopefully their impression of science is that it’s fun, exciting and something they can do.

Once all the shows are done and the equipment is back in the van we head to Thinktank where I could be writing a new show, or previewing the latest planetarium experience or Imax film, or maybe even leaving early due to that early start at the van.

To get an idea of what I do, why not take a look at the Experiment of the month in the education section of the Thinktank Website www.thinktank.ac Laurence Butler 6

National Bramley Apple Week 1st – 8th February I know, I can’t believe it either, a national week to commemorate the humble Bramley apple - whatever next! Allegedly it is the country’s favourite, with its tart flavour generally used for cooking and use in pies. I was quite intrigued to learn that 2009 is the bicentenary of this apple marking 200 years since the pip which grew into the first Bramley apple tree was sown.

The story goes that a young girl called Mary Ann Brailsford who lived in Southwell, Nottinghamshire is believed to have sown some apple pips in her garden in 1809 one of which grew into the Bramley apple tree.

Unfortunately it isn’t known from where she got the original pips, however, the nature of sowing seed from fruit is that they often don’t mirror the original plant. So it is safe to say that the original fruit from where she took the pip bore little resemblance to today’s Bramleys.

By 1837 the tree was bearing its first fruit and in 1846 Matthew Bramley a local butcher bought the cottage complete with tree. A local nurseryman called Henry Merryweather recognised the commercial potential of the fruit and asked if he could take cuttings from the tree to type specimens. Mr Bramley agreed, with the proviso that the apples should be named after him.

So, why not celebrate the bicentenary by trying out an alternative to the familiar English Apple Pie Ingredients: Apple Gingerbread: 22g/8oz Bramley apple, peeled, cored and sliced Granulated sugar to taste 100g/4oz Golden Syrup 75g/3oz Butter 75g/3oz Demerara Sugar 175g/6oz Self Raising Flour 1 heaped teaspoon. Ground Ginger ¼ teaspoon. Ground Cloves 1 egg beaten 7

Method • Preheat the oven to 180℃, Gas Mark 4 and grease a 20x15cm baking tin.

• Place the apples in a saucepan with granulated sugar to taste and a little water, mix well then cook over a medium heat for about 15 minutes or until tender.

• Meanwhile place the golden syrup, butter and Demerara sugar in another small saucepan and heat gentle, stirring, until dissolved. Set aside to cool.

• Once the apples are cooked, drain off most of the remaining liquid then mash well and allow to cool.

• In a large mixing bowl, mix together the flour, ginger and cloves. Make a well in the centre of the flour mixture and then add syrup mixture and beat well.

• Transfer to the greased tin and bake for about 30 minutes until firm.

• Allow to cool in the tin for a few minutes before turning out. Cool on a wire rack.

Christine Rankin

Would you make a good Proof Reader?

Most of you know that I proof read our church magazine before it goes into print. Although I usually discover approximately 95% of the errors, there are always one or two which sneak in through the back door! I look forward to the day when I achieve 100% success … perhaps that will be when pigs fly!

Just as a fun exercise, I have made up ten sentences of my own illustrating typical errors that I come across when I am proof reading. Can you spot the deliberate mistake in every sentence?

1. When decorating your room, you should try to ensure that the color you have chosen will not clash with your furnishings.

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2. The day was drawing to a close and the setting sun shed it’s last rays of light as it sunk behind the horizon.

3. He looked at the bill and asked the waiter, “Are you sure this is correct?.”

4. We walked beside the sea collecting assorted shells while dodging the the gently breaking waves.

5. If your looking for a little black dog with a white patch over his eye, he’s over by the stream.

6. The total cost of the week’s shopping amounted to £69.57p.

7. Erdington Methodist Church is situated in Wesley road close to the railway station.

8. I'm not sure whose coming with us to the theatre this evening.

9. The only way to become a good pianist is to practice regularly.

10. Yesterday I drove to Lichfield Stafford, Manchester and Sheffield.

11. The mother of the prospective bridegroom tried on an outfit for the wedding which was in the sale.

12. I’m afraid there’s not enough hymn books for everybody in the congregation.

Answers on page 38

Salvation Army Band Concert The City Centre Citadel Salvation Army Band will be giving a concert in this church on Wednesday 20th May. Tickets will be £5 and will be available in due course. The evening is in aid of Erdington Recreational Trust and Bethlehem Baby Clinic. Mark your diaries now!

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Holiday Memories The scene is an idyllic summer’s day, the deep blue sea lapping gently against the golden shore. Across the bay the blue hills rest on the surface of the sea and overhead, an azure sky with a few white clouds. How restful is that when you feel tired? This is the picture which greets me each time I turn on my computer, and is a photo taken on holiday last June in Northern Ireland.

I was invited, along with a mutual friend, to stay with a couple we have known for many years who moved to the Ards Peninsla, Co. Down, a couple of years ago. I had never been to Ireland before so it was quite an adventure.

The rain, as we boarded the plane, had stopped by the time we touched down at Belfast Airport. The sun came out and stayed there for the rest of the week. Our friends, who live in a beautiful bungalow on the edge of the Strangford Lough, were wonderful hosts taking us all over to show us the sights. We visited Mount Stewart, a National Trust property with a huge, stunning garden with lakes, woods and fantasy stone statues on vast columns dotted around the formal gardens. We took in the wild coastline, the harbours, the villages and most spectacular of all, the Mountains of Mourne, which took one’s breath away, especially as it was our hottest day.

Our last day was spent doing the St. Patrick trail, visiting various sites where there were ruins of churches supposedly connected with St. Patrick and also visiting the St. Patrick Centre in Downpatrick. This new building opened in 2007 and has all the modern treatment to make it a place worth exploring.

Entering via the cinema, we were flown over the whole area where St. Patrick’s life was based, an amazing experience, one which made one’s stomach jump, as when going over a bridge too quickly!

We had some wonderful experiences but the one which has remained in my memory more than any was the time of family prayers each day. I have never stayed with people who were so committed to God, and their prayers were simple, heartfelt and deeply moving.

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We had a wonderful week, no doubt helped by the super weather. By the way, when we touched down in Birmingham, it was still raining!

Ann Tomes Charity concert in aid of Action for Children (NCH)

COPPERS for KIDS An evening of light choral and brass band music Saturday 28th February 2009, 7.30pm Birmingham Town Hall Performances by: Hereford Police Choir West Midlands Police male Voice Choir West Midlands Brass Band and Corps of Drums Second City Sound Ladies Chorus Tickets £17.50 c/o Diane Shingler 07525 734107 or directly from Birmingham Town Hall Box Office

A Big Thank You The Stewards would like to express their thanks to everyone who helped to organise and staff the various activities throughout the Christmas and New Year period. It was certainly ‘all hands to the wheel’ and well worthwhile.

Special thanks to all those who helped prepare the meals at church and clear up/wash up afterwards.

It was all very much appreciated.

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Sarah Malik named first salaried Youth President Sarah Malik was elected Methodist Youth President at this year’s Methodist Youth Conference. From January until September 2009 Sarah will work full-time to serve as an advocate and spokesperson for young people in the Church.

This new role is the first to be appointed in the Church’s new Youth Participation Strategy, launched at the Youth Conference in Northampton last month. The Youth Participation Strategy will also see 32 young people employed in new, part-time salaried posts as District Youth Enablers across the Methodist Church in Britain. It is the first time salaried positions have been specifically targeted at 16 to 23-year-olds in order that young people help guide the direction of the Church.

Gaza: Where are the Peacemakers?

by Ali Elhajj 01-08-2009 It has been over a week now. Over 600 Palestinians and ten Israelis have been killed (seven of them soldiers), and 3,085 Palestinians have been injured. 25 percent of the dead are non-combatants: women, children, and the old. In the fog of war, the only certainty is these numbers will rise.

By now every major organization has issued a position statement on the recent outbreak of violence, and the pundits have been practising their craft on the news channels for some time.

At the Christian-run Ahli-Arab hospital in Gaza, the wailing of the sirens is continuous, all the windows have been destroyed, the patients shiver in the winter air, and the hospital’s director is desperate for blankets. Fuel supplies are low, medicines and food are scarce, the equipment is antiquated, the patients are many, and the bombing never stops. It is cold and Gaza is in the dark.

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In Sderot, an Israeli town not too far from Gaza, the lights are on but they do not extinguish the darkness. A 51-year-old resident of the city recently wrote these words: “People who don’t live in Sderot don’t understand the situation here, just as those who don’t live in Gaza don’t understand their situation. But I know they suffer and I know we suffer as well. At the end of the day there will be an agreement, so why do we have to go through this process of killing and shedding blood first? Why can’t we stop? Why do we need for them to suffer so terribly, and I have no doubt that they are suffering more than us.

We in Sderot are so sick of this and they must be saying the same thing…”

In Sderot, like in other cities in the Israeli South, the rockets fall as they have for some time now. The sirens wail at random, and residents are urged to run to their shelters in hopes they will make it in time. Sderot is 1.8 kilometers from Gaza. A rocket can reach Sderot in nine seconds.

Meanwhile, young Israeli men and women are on the way to Gaza. They are actors in a stage not of their making, victims of the past. The basest of them take vengeance in their anger, and the compassionate are caught between sympathy and duty.

In Gaza, hatred grows; the bombs cannot extinguish it. The old bury the young, the young watch the old whither, dignity is a memory, and peace but a forgotten shadow. The scale of the destruction and death is beyond imagination.

Hamas blames Israel for breaking the cease-fire by sending troops into Gaza on November 4th and for not complying with the conditions of the ceasefire or allowing significant levels of goods and humanitarian aid to flow into Gaza. How long, Hamas asks, can they show restraint while Gazans starve in the dark? Cease-fire or no cease-fire, the conditions are the same; what is the difference between a swift death or a slow one?

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Israel cannot be asked to live with an organization whose history includes dispatching suicide bombers to kill its citizens. Israel blames Hamas for the blockade and points out that Hamas has been firing rockets at civilians.

Around the world, pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli groups echo these arguments louder and louder every day. No one ever wins the rhetorical battles because no one can. It is wrong for an occupying power to starve a population and force it to live in poverty, and it is wrong to fire rockets at civilians forcing them to live in fear. Deep down each side acknowledges its culpability, but cannot show mercy. Both are blind in one eye while the other eye only looks in the mirror to see its own pain. Each side claims it must act because it, after all, is the victim.

Fear, hatred, death, uncertainty and fanaticism rule the day. For all these reasons, and more, I beg my brothers and sisters in Christ to undertake a revolution in thought which extends beyond entrenched racial and political dogmas, one that is grounded in the gospel of peace in Christ and one which propels the body of Christ to care for the sick and dying, for the fearful, and for those whom we call friend or enemy.

We must act in compassion to heal the sick and have mercy on those who are suffering–be they Israeli or Palestinian, Muslim, Christian, or Jew. The very believability of the gospel of Christ is at stake.

The battle for Gaza is ongoing and it will continue after the last round is fired. When Gaza emerges from the rubble, Gazans will remember those who came to them in their time of need. Will it be the representatives of radicalization and hatred that will rebuild Gaza, or will it be the voices of reason and compassion? Simply stated: we cannot afford to abandon Gaza.

We must also not forget Sderot and the cities in the Israeli South. For in them, as in Gaza, hatred grows as the rockets fall. We must do everything we can to engender compassion and build bridges of understanding. We must also be there to mourn with those who mourn and care for those in need.

We cannot allow ourselves the luxury of assigning blame, washing our hands of the world, or placing ourselves above it. Nor can we allow ourselves to be 14

held hostage by eschatological positions which offer no respite for those who bury the dead or care for the injured.

Now is the time to plead for peace and reconciliation, a time to end the madness and call for understanding. We may or may not be successful, but we cannot be silent. Our God was not silent in the face of our inequities, and while God could have judged us, instead he sent his Son to bridge the divide between God and humanity. If then we are created in God’s image and for God’s purpose, can we not then stand in the gap between Arab and Jew and beg for peace?

May God help us make this stand and forgive us if we do not.

Ali Elhajjis an Arab Christian who came to Christ from a Muslim background in . His ministry, The Bethlehem Christmas Project brings together American, Israeli and Palestinian Christians to deliver Christmas gifts to orphans, children suffering form post-traumatic stress, and children with special needs in the West Bank.

Northumbria Community Trust. Registered Charity No 1099503 www.northumbriacommunity.org 01289 388235

Powerpoint in Worship - a training day We are very excited to have Revd Dr Mike Bossingham visiting us on Saturday 14th February to deliver a course on using Powerpoint in worship. The day is open to anyone who would like to attend and will cost £10. Drinks will be provided but you will need to bring your own packed lunch. The day will begin at 9.30 am. If you would like to attend then please speak to a Church Steward.

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Coffee Morning for CONTACT Magazine The church has been very lucky to have had the help of Don Rawson and his work colleague David who have been physically producing the Church magazine ‘at cost’ for quite a while now. Since Don has retired we now have to find an alternative way to produce the magazine.

We have managed to find a competitive quotation for production of our 200 copies each month but, not surprisingly, this is significantly more than we have been paying.

This puts extra financial burden on the church and I would therefore encourage you to support the upcoming Coffee Morning on Saturday 14th February, 10.00 am to 12.00 noon.

It will cost a little over 80p per copy to produce each magazine so that is £160+ per month.

This CONTACT magazine is a valuable outreach to the local community especially, because it goes to all those who don’t attend our church on a regular basis and the magazine committee, as well as the Church Council, are resolved to keep it free to all those who would like one.

Please do your utmost to support us in this work.

Nick Riley - CONTACT editor

Fresh Expressions The Sutton Park Circuit of the Methodist Church is organising a series of seminars to investigate new forms of mission, called ‘Fresh Expressions’ on Saturday 7th March at South Parade Methodist Church. The day will be from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm and will cost £5. Look out for further information on notice boards around the church.

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Valentine’s Day – 14th February As another over-commercialised celebration approaches we have Miss Esther Howland to thank for sending the first Valentine cards in the USA and starting what has become an annual celebration with cards, gifts and surprises which are shared with those we love.

There are varying opinions as to the origins of Valentine’s Day. Some experts state that it originates from St Valentine, a Roman who was martyred for refusing to give up Christianity. He died on 14th February 269 AD. Legend also says that he left a farewell note for the jailer’s daughter, who had become his friend and signed it “from your Valentine”. Other aspects of the story say that Saint Valentine served as a priest at the temple during the reign of Emperor Claudius who then had Valentine jailed for defying him. Pope Gelasius set aside February 14th to honour St. Valentine. Gradually this date became the date for exchanging love messages and St Valentine became the patron saint of lovers.

Valentine Traditions: • In Wales wooden love spoons were carved and given as gifts on February 14th. Hearts, keys and keyholes were favourite decorations on the spoons.

The decoration meant, “You unlock my heart”.

• In the Middle Ages, young men and women drew names from a bowl to see who their valentines would be. They would wear these names on the sleeves for one week. To wear your heart on your sleeve now means that it is easy for others to know how you are feeling.

• A love seat is a wide chair. It was first made to seat one woman and her wide dress. Later, the love seat or courting seat had two sections, often in an S-shape. In this way, a couple could sit together – but not too closely!

Christine Rankin

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What do other folk believe?

Hinduism Supreme being - Hindus believe that Brahman (the universal soul) is present in all things. Though they also worship other gods such as Krishna, Vishnu and Shiva.

Creation story - Brahman is the creator God and the Divine Ground of all being. But he is no longer worshipped because his work is complete.

Worship - Hindu worship is an individual act of offerings to the deity. The tower at the shrine represents the journey to heaven.

Major festival - These are often linked to the solar cycles and the most important are Diwali, the festival of light and Naveratri, the triumph of good over evil The meaning of life - Hindus believe in a natural social hierarchy and over the years and a complex system of castes has grown up.

The afterlife - Hindus believe that the soul lives on and its next incarnation will be dependent upon how the previous life was lived. A good life leads to a better reincarnation.

Share the good things.

At our last Contact meeting the Committee talked about contributions to our magazine. We are always looking for stories to include. It doesn’t have to be long or special, except to you. So if you do anything or go anywhere that you enjoyed why not tell everyone about it.

Remember the old adage: A problem shared is a problem halved. A pleasure shared is a pleasure doubled.

Let’s have some notes of good things that you have done in the next editions of Contact. Then we can all go and enjoy the fun.

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Children’s Pages The Bible is divided into two main sections: The Old Testament which includes 39 books The New Testament which includes 27 books.

So how many books are there in the Bible altogether?

39 + 27 = Here are some of the books from the Bible: Acts. Psalms. Genesis. Mark. Luke. Ruth. Levicticus.

Romans.

Which ones come from the Old Testament and which ones come from the New Testament?

Unscramble the letters to find 6 books from the Bible: 1.MOSNRA _________________ 2.KLEU ____________________ 3.SCAT ____________________ 4.GNEESSI _________________ 5.SSAPLM __________________ 6.HUTR ____________________

a) b) c) d) e) f) g) h)

Do you know who … was given a beautiful coat of many colours? killed the giant Goliath? was a very strong man with long hair? married Boaz and had a son named Obed? was swallowed by a huge fish? was the first man on earth? was put in a basket in a river and found by Pharaoh’s daughter? was the wisest man that ever lived?

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To get you started ‌ the first word is HELP Can you find the Books from the Bible that are hidden in these sentences?

1. Weather forecast: Storm. Ark needs repairs.

2. Tips, alms, inheritances: all are taxable.

3. Man named Eugene. Sister named Judith. No further info.

4. He never went out without taking a walking stick.

5. After visiting Jordan, I elected to go home.

6. Is jam essential to a peanut butter sandwich?

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Colour the stained glass window of

Toadstools

Answers: 39 + 27 = 66 Unscramble the letters 1.Romans 2.Luke 3.Acts 4.Genesis 5.Psalms 6.Ruth Do you know who? a) Joseph b) David c) Samson d) Ruth e) Jonah f) Adam g) Moses h) Solomon Unjumble the message – Help carry one another’s burdens The Hidden Books of the Bible 1.Mark 2.Psalms 3.Genesis 4.Kings 5.Daniel 6. James 22

Are you idling or lazing?

I recently read an article in the October Saga Magazine entitled ‘Idling Is Hard Work’ by Keith Waterhouse and it set me thinking. He tells how, in his younger days, he was regarded by members of his family as a bit of an idler because he was a ‘pen pusher’ for a living instead of a manual labourer. The fact that he was successful at it passed off as good luck. No matter how much he tried to impress upon his family and friends that he was the ‘busiest bee in the hive’, they were unbelieving. So he went along with their idea that he was indolent.

He then went on to describe Jerome K Jerome who apart from writing Three Men in a Boat also wrote a book of essays, Idle Thoughts of an Idle Fellow and following the success of this, founded and edited a magazine called The Idler – the revival of the title used by Samuel Johnson nearly half a century before. A man who accused himself of gross indolence, but, as K.W. points out, he could not have produced a massive English Dictionary spending time in coffee houses. He goes on to describe P.G. Wodehouse similarly.

He says that indolence isn’t to be confused with laziness. Indolence is work avoidance. Laziness is work evasion. That is putting off till tomorrow what you hope will have gone away by then. Indolence knows perfectly well it won’t have gone away.

He goes on then to tell the story of a missionary in South America who encounters a lounger snoozing under his sombrero in a deserted town square.

“Come along, my man!” reprimands the missionary. “There’s plenty of work to do here, if only you look for it.”

“Not looking for it,” says the layabout.

But work pays you wages. You take your wages to the bank and place them in a deposit account. Soon you’ll be making interest.

“What’s interest?”

“It’s what the bank pays you for looking after your money. After 10 years you’ll be worth a small fortune,” “Then what?”

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“Why, then after 20 years if you keep on saving your wages, you’ll be able to live on your capital! You’ll never need to work again!”

“Not working now,” points out the layabout, and goes back to sleep.

The point of this article is that I’m sure there are quite a few of us who are acting indolent. Rather like the swan K.W. talks of riding placidly across the water but beneath the water is frantically paddling. In other words we may appear to be doing nothing apparent, but behind the scenes, we’re meeting the needs of many people we come across in our daily life. If that’s the case with you, keep on with the indolence.

Ann Tomes

The light of the world When I returned from skiing on the 11th of Jan I found that a most unusual topic had the popular newspapers full of righteous indignation. They were up in arms about the light of the world – the incandescent light bulb – the type of bulb that emits light because a filament of wire is heated by the flow of electricity.

For a number of years now the declared aim of our Government has been to phase out the incandescent light bulb in favour of lamps that use less electricity. Indeed it has been impossible to purchase the 150 watt version for a while now. Apparently last week the day had arrived for the demise of the 100 watt size. For those who have a particular need for this size of lamp with this degree of brightness, then for a short while it will be possible to buy a ‘halogen’ light enclosed within a traditional shaped bulb, but only for a transition period.

The incandescent light bulb has been lighting our houses now for about 100 years with more than 22 people claiming its invention. But it has come to prominence surprisingly recently. Apparently in 1931 only 32% of British homes used these new electric lights. Whether that was through choice or because they were not connected to the mains electricity is a figure not immediately available. But there were some who chose to remain with 24

candles and gas lamps because they found the use of electric lamps utterly unbritish.

The new low wattage replacement lamps last about five times as long and use about one fifth of the electricity of an incandescent equivalent, because they do not generate light using a heated wire. I have been using these lamps increasingly aver the last 25 years and apart from those that were faulty, the only ones that have worn out were those that burned from dusk to dawn outside my house. I am not claiming that these bulbs are without fault.

They do have disadvantages. The colour of the light can be harsh, they are not always dimmable and they need to be disposed of appropriately. But with a little time, effort and planning, all of these problems can be overcome.

Maybe like some daily newspapers, we had forgotten that this day was coming.

The world moves on all the time. Neither the positive nor negative changes are possible to count. Colour TV, photocopiers and mobile phones have arrived. Then there are the things that have by and large disappeared, cars with starting handles, checking, after biting an apple, to ensure that you were not leaving half a maggot behind, and who now even remembers CFC aerosols and all the fuss that their demise threatened?

Maybe as Christians we should be grateful that our ‘light of the world’ takes a slightly different view of the things in life that are important.

Peter Farley

The Cry of a Palestinian They stole my land, burnt my olive trees, destroyed my house, took my water bombed my country, imprisoned my father, killed my mother, took my job, starved us all, humiliated us all.

But I am to blame: I shot a rocket back.

So they stole more of my land, burnt my olive trees, destroyed my house, took my water, bombed my country . . . . . .

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2009 is a huge year Think Make Poverty History, Live8 and 2005, only bigger. Like 2005, when global poverty was high on the agenda at the G8 summit in Gleneagles, it’s a year of unprecedented opportunity. It’s our biggest chance of achieving a global answer to an urgent, global problem: climate change.

Because climate change costs lives, it makes life for people in the poorest regions of the world unbearable. It takes their jobs, their homes, and their food. It’s a man-made disaster for which the most vulnerable people are least responsible.

December 2009 is the key date, when governments meet in Copenhagen to finalise a massive climate deal. We need them to act decisively, and do all they can to stop global warming, and its devastating effect on some of the world's poorest people. That means cutting emissions drastically, and supporting those worst affected.

So this is our big moment, and we know the biggest change will happen if we work together – it always does. So keep buying stuff, volunteering in shops, donating and putting pressure on your politicians. And we'll keep working with people who are already fighting the effects of climate change.

Together we can push for a fair deal in Copenhagen.

We can change the way the world works, and make sure the poorest people get justice.

Just THINK BIG. from the Oxfam Website

Grace!

During the time the church was being persecuted in Rome, a Christian was thrown to the lions. As he waited to be eaten, he knelt down and prayed.

Looking up, he was surprised to see the lion also kneeling in prayer. Seeing the look of bewilderment on the Christian's face, the lion said to him "I don't know what you're doing, but I'm saying grace" 26

Platform2 - a life-changing experience Anthoney Williams was a small-time teenage crook. Now he is a Prince's Trust award nominee.

He tells Community Care magazine how he turned his life around after volunteering for Platform2, a project run by Christian Aid in partnership with Islamic Relief and BUNAC: ‘Young offender on free trip abroad’ sounds like a tabloid editor's dream. But for a young adult from a disadvantaged background what effect can such a trip actually have?

Take Anthoney Williams, a 21-year-old from Kent. Three years ago his CV consisted of burglary, carrying a weapon and attempted theft. His criminal record gave him a reputation among the local police.

Milestone Now, after 10 weeks of volunteer work in Ghana on a government-run scheme called Platform2, he's applying for jobs and hoping to get enough money together to get a place of his own.

‘I know it's the sort of thing a lot of people don't get to experience. I learned a lot about myself,’ says Williams.

His time in Ghana is a significant milestone on the road to recovering from the problems that clouded his teenage years. Originally from Gravesend, Williams moved with his family to the East Midlands when he was 14, but by 16 his life had taken a turn for the worse.

Fighting and burgling ‘I started hanging around with the wrong people, fighting and burgling. I was spending all my money on drugs and partying, trying to get a reputation - but it wasn't the reputation I wanted.’

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The recent trip to Ghana has helped with Williams' confidence, but he had already started turning his back on his old life when he left his family to move back down to Kent, aged 19.

After several months on friends' floors and sleeping rough, he finally got a hostel place in November 2007. Since then he has volunteered in a primary school and with older people, and as a result he had been nominated for a Prince's Trust award and for a young volunteer award before he even heard about the Ghana trip.

What's the catch?

Yet when information about the project first came through Williams was sceptical. I thought, this is weird, there must be a catch, but I couldn't see anything in the small print. I went to the interview, got accepted, went to the briefing and realised that, no, there wasn't a catch.

I knew it was going to be different, because it would be my first time out of the country. I didn't know what to think, I just decided to go there and take it all on the chin, whether or not it was OK. Platform2 is funded by the Department for International Development and co-run by the charities Christian Aid and Islamic Relief, and volunteer organisation BUNAC. With £10m to fund the project for three years, the plan is to send 2,500 18 to 25-year-olds from disadvantaged backgrounds to Africa, Asia and other destinations.

Accra adventure Williams’ project was a few hours’ drive from the Ghanaian capital, Accra.

‘The first week in the city was like a holiday, learning about the country, but when we went to the village we discovered how undeveloped it is.’

It was very basic. Some of the houses didn't have electricity because they couldn't afford it, the roads were full of holes and there were kids everywhere wearing dirty clothes with holes in.

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It's eye opening, making you realise how lucky you are to have what you have.

Roads and logs The working day focused on manual work, such as road levelling and log piling, as well as teaching children in the local school.

Outside those hours, the volunteers were expected to live life alongside the locals, growing food and dealing with livestock as part of the village, something that left an impression on Williams.

I've learnt that money is not as important as people make it out to be,’ he says. ‘And I've learnt that I'm lucky to have what I have, to have a family I'm so lucky not to have malaria, lucky to have a dishwasher, a real cooker, electricity and water.’

Village collection Having returned from the trip in October, Williams was inspired to collect clothes, shoes and books to send to the village. He's also been promoting the project in the media and with friends (he says there are ‘loads of people’ who want to do the project).

And on a personal level, the trip has helped to refocus Williams on properly settling in Kent, taking a course through the local Jobcentre and finding work again. ‘My family is really happy for me,’ he says.

I don't think they've ever been proud of me before. I just want to get a bit of work so I'm doing something during the day and I don't fall back again. from the Christian Aid Website

What does it mean to be a church member?

There will be an open evening at Stockland Green Methodist Church for all those from our Station Road and Stockland Green churches who are asking this question. The evening is on Tuesday 10th February and begins at 7.30 pm.

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Inner Strength If you can start the day without caffeine or pep pills, If you can be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains, If you can resist complaining and boring people with your troubles, If you can eat the same food everyday and be grateful for it, If you can understand when loved ones are too busy to give you time, If you can overlook when people take things out on you when, through no fault of yours, something goes wrong, If you can take criticism and blame without resentment, If you can face the world without lies and deceit, If you can conquer tension without medical help, If you can relax without liquor, If you can sleep without the aid of drugs, If you can do all these things...

Then you are probably the FAMILY DOG! Anonymous

Baptism A vicar was officiating at the baptism of the youngest son of a Duke.

‘What is the baby’s name?’ he enquired. ‘His name is George Edward David Anthony Carrington-Smith de Winters Cunningham Digby Cecil Barrington’.

The Duke replied.

The vicar looked pensively at the font for a moment and then said ‘Do you think that the butler should be asked to fetch another bucket of water!’

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Illogical Instructions Have you ever stopped to think what some of the signs and instructions that we see and hear actually mean?

Take for example the sign that says ‘Let other people off the train first’. If we all did that no one would actually ever get off the train until someone disobeyed the instruction. Alternatively, how often have you stood on a station and heard the announcement ‘Please stand behind the yellow line at all times?’ If we all did that how would we ever get onto the train?

Then there are the dichotomy instructions. We all teach our children to ‘look both ways.’ Given that no men and very few ladies actually do have eyes in the back of their heads, how are they supposed to obey that particular parental instruction? In similar vein, at Fountains Abbey after visitors have driven down the long drive to the car park they find a sign which says ‘Use both car parks’.

Lastly there are those signs that are, frankly, a bit silly. They call to mind those instruction booklets that have been translated into English and arrive with some electrical goodies. For example the warning label on a 'widget' which uses only one battery - ‘Do not mix old and new batteries’. Similarly an instruction seen in a toilet - ‘Restroom closes 15 minutes before closing’.

Or a label on a pack of chillies - ‘Half a pack is one of your five a day fruit and veg’. I can think of tastier ways to achieve my daily total. Then the label on a pack of putty which says, ‘Painting should be carried out within 28 days’ then later adding ‘Allow 28 days for the surface to harden before overpainting’.

But my all time favourite is the one I first pointed out to my children years ago, ‘Slow plant crossing’! I, of course, am of the generation which would think ‘Ah a Triffid’. My thanks to New Scientist for some of this.

Peter Farley 31

Methodist Church lends support to Christians in North Korea Many people aren’t aware that there are Christians in North Korea, let alone that The Methodist Church has been working with them.

This month, The Fund for World Mission will grant £5,000 to help the Church in North Korea run a food production company to help people there.

The Methodist Church in Britain will be joining in the Global Day of Repentance and Prayer for North Korea on January 14, using Day 22 of the Prayer Handbook.

Steve Pearce, Partnership Coordinator for Asia and the Pacific, said: “Times are particularly hard for all the people of North Korea at the present time.

The North Korean population is cut off and isolated from the rest of the world and dependent on the regime for their needs. Food is scarce for many – there are problems in the supply of humanitarian aid.

“Christianity is treated as ‘a bad element’ in this socialist country. Christians have been beaten, arrested, tortured, or killed because of their religious beliefs but local sources estimates the number of underground Christians to be at least 200,000, maybe many more, and many of them are imprisoned for their faith.

“Raids are made regularly, both in North Korea and China, to arrest refugees and those helping them.”

The British Methodist Church and the Ecumenical Forum for Peace, Reunification and Development on the Korean Peninsula have been developing common projects with Church representatives from North and South Korea, North America and Europe.

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Prayer: Loving God, who cares for each of us on this varied and fragile planet, we pray for your people in North Korea and ask that they may be fed and warm this winter. We give thanks for our partnership with the South Korea Methodist Church and the opportunity to work with them in the Ecumenical Forum, for our opportunities to offer what help we can through the Fund for World Mission and for the faith of Christians in North Korea. We ask for your hope and love to grow throughout the Korean Peninsula, Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

Longevity I noticed a report in my newspaper not long ago that, the musical, Les Misérables has now grossed over £1.0bn. In fact the show opened on the 8th of October 1985 to critical reviews, 'pretentious, too confusing and too long'. So, surprisingly, it will soon be the longest running musical in the West End. The Lloyd Webber musical ‘Cats’ closed on its 21st Birthday but at the moment Les Misérables seems set to continue.

But this made me stop and think. Firstly, about 'The Mousetrap' which has been running in the West End since 25th November 1952. Apparently when Queen Mary was approaching her 80th Birthday the BBC asked her what she would like to celebrate the event she responded, ‘an Agatha Christie Play,’ for which the authoress penned the 30 minute play 'Three Blind Mice' which eventually became The Mousetrap.

Then I went on to think about other long running events. Recently, I noticed the report on the news of a man who had had a surprise 100th Birthday party at work. The man Buster Martin was born in France but came to England as a baby and lived in an orphanage in Cornwall until 1916.

During his working life he has tried the Army, the Navy and market trading.

He now cleans vans for Pimlico Plumbers because it saves him 'sitting at home in a wheelchair'.

A little research on the Internet revealed that on the 30th August 2006 a church in Maesbury, a village between Llanymynech and Nesscliffe, which 33

was erected from a kit of parts in four days at a cost of ÂŁ380 plus fittings and fixtures, celebrated its centenary.

So this brought me back to the Christian Church, which has now entered its third millennium. Maybe one could go even further back and talk about the land that God gave to the Israelites when they stopped being nomads and became a pastoral people. All of the longevity that I have outlined is only possible because along the way there has been growth, change and development. In the shows, plays, careers and buildings, nothing, except the basics, will have remained the same. When Jesus was alive in Palestine his followers thought of him as a real man. It took the following 300 years for the Church to realise the profound mystery the he was both wholly man and wholly God. Paul told slaves to obey their master. It was another 1,500 years before we decided that slavery was wrong.

The list could go on beyond the space available in Contact. But I close with a thought. Your life will have changed beyond recognition in the last thirty years, has your religion changed with it?

Peter Farley

Letter to Churches about Christmas in Bethlehem from a Jewish visitor Last year I visited Bethlehem. I was warned that it would be dangerous for a Jew to visit a town in occupied Palestine, that ‘the Arabs’ were my enemies but I had to find out for myself.

Bethlehem is now a town surrounded by a 10 metre high wall, punctuated with watch towers, brimming with the latest electronic gadgets. The International Court of Justice ruled in 2004 that this wall is illegal, but without international commitment to enforce this ruling, it has no effect on the ground.

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Israel has decorated the outside of this huge monstrosity with a saying ‘Peace be with you’.

Strangely when I tried to photograph it, a very angry Israeli soldier made me delete the image.

This was the only time I knew fear in this town.

What I learnt in Bethlehem is that the Palestinians live in a ghetto, like Jews once did in Europe, and that the Jewish state occupies their land, and destroys their hopes and future.

The wall is not there to prevent suicide bombers, because it is not on the border, and anyone determined enough would be able to find a passageway out of the walled city. What the wall actually does is deny Palestinians freedom of movement, a right that everyone takes for granted.

People cannot visit their relatives, their schools, their hospitals, or their fields, without asking for permission and leaving the city means passing a checkpoint where bored young soldiers abuse their power. Permission is a privilege denied more often than allowed. The economy has been all but ruined. As a Jew, brought up to believe that our people were chosen to be ‘a light unto nations’, I could only see and despair at the destruction of a Jewish sensibility. As a human being and as a Jew I feel the need to challenge the silence surrounding this abhorrent situation.

As a Jewish dissident, I find the silence of the majority of Christians about the situation in ‘The Little Town of Bethlehem’, particularly at Christmas, difficult to fathom. To be silent is to be complicit.

Crime flourishes in dark places. That is why it is important to throw a light onto this dark place.

I encourage you to tell the world about the oppression and restriction that is the legacy of ‘The Little Town of Bethlehem’. Perhaps the Israelis will not like this, but they need to be reminded that they have the solution in their hands. They can tear down the wall, they can actually treat non-Jews like 35

equals and dispense justice, not ascendancy. To sanction the Jewish state to commit these crimes, means that this state is held to a lower standard than others, thus enshrining anti-Semitism, the treatment of Jews as different and of lesser capability precisely because they are Jews. . A true friend of Israel is not one who can tolerate this corruption. A real friend is one who tells you the truth.

It is time that the Christians of the world supported their own coreligionists, many of whom are fleeing impossible lives in their once Holy Land, and stopped finding excuses for this barbaric occupation.

The time has come to grasp the nettle and show the world that the people of Bethlehem are not forgotten.

Diana Neslen

Accounting for taste An accountancy firm was interviewing graduates to join their firm. The first applicant was an accountancy graduate. They called him in and asked him ‘What is two plus two?’ He answered, ‘Four’. They said they would call him if he was selected.

The second candidate was a maths graduate. At the end of the interview she was asked the same question, ‘What is two plus two?’ She replied, ‘Four’.

They told her that they would call her if she was selected.

The third applicant had just graduated in philosophy. Given her lack of appropriate qualifications, the interview did not go well. When at the end she was asked ‘What is two plus two?’ she thought, ‘Hey? I’ve got nothing to lose.’ So she replied, ‘Can you tell me what you want it to be?’

She was hired on the spot!

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Candlemas One evening whilst I was away skiing the town put on quite a generous firework display. When I asked over the dinner table what the celebration was for, the answer was the Orthodox Christmas, which is celebrated on January 7th.

This made me think about all of the other customs that are associated with Christmas but pass unnoticed or at least unremarked. We remember 12th night because we have to take down our decorations, but how many remember why? In the pre-Christmas era people believed that tree-spirits lived in the greenery (holly, ivy etc) with which they decorated their houses.

The greenery was brought into the house to provide a safe haven for the tree-spirits during the harsh midwinter days. Once this period was over it was necessary to return the greenery back outside to release the tree-spirits into the countryside once again. Failure to do this would mean that vegetation would not be able to start growing again (spring would not return), leading to an agricultural disaster.

Another tradition that we often ignore is Candlemas, which occurs 40 days after Christmas. This is remembered as a feast day because according to Jewish tradition forty days after the birth of a child the mother completes her purification and a firstborn son is redeemed to release him from his obligation to serve in the Temple. It was on this day that Simeon recognized that Jesus was the Messiah with the words, ‘Lord, now you let your servant depart in peace according to your word.

For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared before the face of all people, a light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of your people Israel.’ But why Candlemas? Because on this day, which falls halfway between the longest night and the spring Equinox all of the candles that were to be used to light the church during the next 12 months were brought in to the church to be blessed, hence the Mass of the Candles. But for some, following the Jewish tradition, the Christmas season lasted for 40 days, until 2nd February 37

Candlemas Day. This then becomes a day to remember that Jesus brought light into our dark world.

Peter Farley

Fund Raising 2009 In addition to the magnificent sums raised over Christmas and New Year you may be interested in our charity giving since then.

1. Xmas Day lunch - £89 for The Disabled Cub of Bethlehem - due to kind donations 2. Covenant Sunday lunch made £80 profit ( again due to a generous donation) for Gaza Al Ahli Hospital 3. Covenant Sunday United service -special emergency collection for Gaza Al Ahli Hopsital where Suheila Tarazi is Medical Director raised £487.60 4. Coffee morning at Stockland Green to buy equipment for the Burns Unit at Gaza Shifa Hospital (due to Israeli bombardment using phosphorus bombs there are horrific burns being treated) £467 was raised but this is continuing to rise due to further donations.

Thank you to everyone for your continuing generosity

Answers to ‘Would you make a good Proof Reader?

1. colour 2. its 3. “Are you sure this is correct?” 4. the is repeated 5. you’re 6. £69.57 7. Road 8. who’s 9. practise (‘practice’ is the noun; ‘practise’ is the verb) 10. Lichfield, Stafford 11. The mother of the prospective bridegroom tried on a wedding outfit which she found in the sale. 12. there are 38

February 2009 Regular Meetings Coffee Mornings Every Saturday 10.00 am to 12.00 noon 14th - CONTACT Magazine fundraiser

Women’s Hour Meetings Meetings on Mondays at 2.00 pm each month

Tuesday Club Every 4th Tuesday in the month at 2.30 pm

Sunday Worship All worship starts at 10.30 am unless stated otherwise below 1st

HOLY COMMUNION - Rev Keith Webster

8th

Mr Glynn Constantine

15th

ALL AGE WORSHIP - Rev Nichola Jones

22nd

Ms L Cox

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Weekly Church Activities Sunday

10.30 am

MORNING WORSHIP and Young Church (with crèche : Margaret Hillman)

7.30 pm

House Group : Hilary Price (3rd Sunday)

Monday

2.00 pm

Women’s Hour :

Tuesday

9.30 - 11.30 am 9.30 - 12.00 noon 2.00 pm

Stay and Play Pre-School : Karen Homer Tuesday Afternoon Meeting : Valerie Long (4th)

Wednesday

9.30 - 11.30 am 9.30 - 12.00 noon 12.30 pm

Stay and Play Pre-School : Karen Homer Luncheon Club - (1st and 3rd)

Thursday

9.30 - 12.00 noon

Pre-School : Karen Homer

Friday

5.00 - 6.15 pm 6.15 - 7.45 pm 7.45 - 9.15 pm 7.45 - 9.15 pm 5.30 - 6.30 pm 5.00 - 6.30 pm 7.30 - 9.00 pm

Beavers : Lynn Turner Cubs : Elizabeth Baizon Scouts : Lisa Porter Explorers : Caroline Joyce Rainbows : Louise Rawson Brownies : Lesley Carter Guides : Helen Rainsford

Saturday

10.00 - 12.00 noon Coffee Morning : Lesley Morgan 10.30 - 11.30 am Church open for prayer : Margaret Curzon

Please hand any items for the March CONTACT to any of the Editorial Team (Elizabeth Baizon, Peter Farley, Nichola Jones, Christine Rankin & Nick Riley) by 15th February 2009 at the latest please or alternatively email me on nickriley@blueyonder.co.uk 40