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CONTACT

Magazine of Erdington Methodist Church !

Station Road - September 2014 1

Contents

" Minister’s Letter! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

What they say! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

Alpha! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

Season of Invitation! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

Family News!! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

Vision Update! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

Our Fund-raising continues!! ! ! ! ! !

Listen up! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

Vestry team! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

News from our Beavers! ! ! ! ! ! !

Mystery music! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

Messy Church Discipleship Day! ! ! ! !

World Humanitarian Day! ! ! ! ! ! !

Presumed consent! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

Children’s Pages! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

The World’s Biggest Coffee Morning! ! ! !

What's the World's Biggest Coffee Morning about?!

A possible prayer for the more mature! ! ! !

Millions of us rely on church community support!!

Gaza, Israel and Iraq! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

The story behind . . . Abide with me!! ! ! !

When Adam met Eve! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

Shetland!! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

Volunteers have a longer, happier life! ! ! !

July/August Regular Meetings!! ! ! ! !

Weekly Church Activities! ! ! ! ! ! !

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Minister’s Letter

" Dear friends!

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It’s amazing that Alex and I have been here with you for a year already! We have been very impressed with the welcome we have received and how friendly people are. We’ve made some good friends and there are still lots of people we want to know better! We look forward to those friendships growing.!

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And talking of growing, when you move house it’s always interesting to see what comes up in the garden through the first year! We’ve had some lovely surprises (and some weeds!), and the garden has obviously been well planned and looked after in the past. It reminds me how good it is to plan and to work with a long term view, towards something that will mature and be fruitful for many years.!

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This year has also been an opportunity to see what is happening in the community and in the churches and to discern what God is doing. It’s important to take stock from time to time, as Nehemiah did when he surveyed the area before rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls and as Paul did before he preached in Athens. If we don’t do that, we can end up in a flurry of busy-ness but achieving nothing, like a person running aimlessly or a boxer who flings punches into the air – exhausted and with nothing to show for our efforts. (Sorry about all the mixed images!)!

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There is enormous potential before us. The soil is fertile! There are different opportunities in Stockland Green, in Erdington and in Witton, and each church is responding to those opportunities in its 3

own way. To direct our energy effectively we need to know why we are here – what is God’s plan, and what does God want us to do? There are many places in the Bible where we are told this, but in the broadest terms I think God’s plan is set out most clearly in Ephesians 1:9-10 – ‘to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.’ Just imagine what that will be like! It will mean a world united in love at last, an end to the rivalries and hatreds that cause unrest and war. History shows that we can’t bring this about ourselves, but with God all things are possible.!

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As the summer holidays draw to a close, please join me in renewing our dedication to joining in with the will of God – to seeking God’s will for ourselves, for the church and for the wider community. Let’s renew our intention to live fully under his lordship, to help people to know Jesus Christ and to live in relationship with God. !

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Your friend and minister!

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" What they say

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Rev Paul!

When my older brother was very young, he always walked up to the church altar with my mother when she took Holy Communion.

On every occasion, he tugged at her arm and asked, "What does the priest say when he gives you the bread?" Mum would always lean over and whisper something in his ear. Imagine his shock many years later when he learned that the priest doesn't say, "Be quiet until you get to your seat."!

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Alpha

Have you booked your place on the Alpha course yet?!

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We shall be running an Alpha course at Stockland Green in the Café on Sunday evenings from 14th September, with the exception of 2nd November when we shall be having the annual Saints in Light service.!

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We begin each evening with tea and cakes at 6.00 pm, followed by a video and opportunity to discuss and finishing by 7.45 pm. It will also include Saturday 25th October, from 10.00 am – about 3.00 pm. !

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Many millions of people across the world have benefited from Alpha. It is intended for people who aren’t yet Christians, and for Christians who want a refresher. Many Christians have been enormously helped by it and look upon it as a wonderful time of fellowship, encouragement and teaching: they have discovered new heights of faith through it. Friends from Stockland Green and Witton will be there as well. So if you haven’t booked, please pick up a form at church and return it to Rev Paul asap – places are limited so it’s first come, first served!!

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" " Season of Invitation

Rev Paul!

There are lots of people around who used to attend church regularly but no longer do so. For whatever reason, they stopped coming and now find it difficult to come back. Others have never been but would like to come. Those of us who come regularly 5

would be surprised how anxious many people are about stepping through the doors on a Sunday morning. They don’t know if they’ll be welcome; some people think there’s an admission fee, or that they’re only allowed in by invitation. The evidence is that many of them would come if they were invited.!

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Of course, you can invite people to any service, but this autumn we’ll be having a Season of Invitation – a series of services to invite people to. !

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They will include Back to Church Sunday (28th September), the Harvest Festival (19th October), Remembrance Sunday (9th November) and our Christmas services, and there will be special invitation cards for you to give to people. Of course, we want people to come to God, not just to Church, but sometimes coming to Church is an important step along the way to God.!

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Almost certainly, you know people who used to come to this church or another church, but don’t come now. Perhaps you know people who tell you they’ll get along ‘one day’ - but have never managed it yet! They may be friends, neighbours, family, colleagues…. You’ll hear more about the Season of Invitation in September but please pray about who you can invite to come with you. Whether they accept an invitation or not is up to God who works in people’s hearts. If they accept an invitation, let’s praise God. If they don’t, let’s leave that with God. But let’s make sure we offer invitations to people.!

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Rev Paul!

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Family News

Just in case you have missed the 'thank you' card in the Foyer I have asked Nick to publish these photos in Contact. In my excitement to take the photographs I forgot to put the cushions,which I also bought, on the chairs!!

I was staggered to receive such a generous gift of money on my retirement from the post of Caretaker.

I could have spent it in so many ways but I decided to buy garden furniture as there was nothing to sit on in our garden after a disastrous accident the year before last. Becci and I were seated on our last remaining wooden bench with our lunch enjoying the early sunshine when the bench gave way, on Becci's side I might add, and we found ourselves on our backs but still in a sitting position. As Poppy and Eric had a feast of sandwiches and crisps we lay there helpless with laughter. I had very specific ideas about what style of furniture set I wanted to suit our small garden and this set of four and a matching bistro set was exactly right. It has been well used during this lovely summer and I thank you all once again for your generosity.! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

Lesley Morgan!

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Vision Update

By the time you read this you will already know the good news – that the project, we have all been working so hard to fund, is now underway! !

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The original 5 stages have now been amalgamated into 2/3, with a large part of the work happening in the first stage. This should be completed in 10 weeks, or close to that. In that time we will have a new entrance with steps and disabled ramp, upgraded frontage with the fused glass windows, landscaping, signage, new wall and railings with a community seat and noticeboard. !

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The side wall will be rendered, present cross at the end of the cloister moved there, a new noticeboard and further signage. Inside, the foyer will be extended into the back of the church, and the dividing screen and sliding glass doors installed. !

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As well as that, the rest of the windows on the Wesley Road side will be replaced with double glazing. !

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Our Fund-raising continues!

Thank you to all who supported the Afternoon Tea where we raised £317.50, which is a super result.!

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Sat September 6th – Canoldir Men’s Choir at Stockland Green at 7.00 pm Half the proceeds is for ‘Vision”. Tickets are on sale at £10 so please ask Marion, David or Hilary!

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Saturday Sept 13th we are running an extended coffee morning from 10.00 am till 1.00 pm. Jo McArdle ( Bags Galore and More) will be there mainly with jewellery, but some bags too. There will be an extended book stall and a cake stall. Offers of home-made cakes will be very welcome, to have as big a variety as possible, and there will be a Raffle with a variety of prizes.!

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We have now raised £203,100 towards the total of £245,000!

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So there is still £41,900 left to raise. Every effort, donation and grant will reduce that sum.

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" Listen up

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Hilary for the Vision Group!

While giving a sermon one Sunday, two teenage girls at the back giggled and disturbed people. Finally I interrupted my sermon and announced sternly, "There are two of you here who have not heard a word I’ve said." That quieted them down. When the service was over, I went to greet people at the front door. Three adults apologised for going to sleep in church, promising it would never happen again.!

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Vestry team

Have you ever wondered what goes on in the vestry before a service?? Well, there’s the basic hospitality of welcoming the preacher and making sure that he or she has everything they need and that they are prayed with. There are some practical jobs to be done in the worship area – putting hymn numbers on the board, checking the sound system, making sure there’s a hymn book and a glass of water in the pulpit, etc. We have a rota of people who do these things and if you would like to help with any of these jobs, please ask one of the stewards about going on the rota. They’ll guide you through what happens and how to do it.! !

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News from our Beavers

On Saturday 24th May Eight older Beavers from the 177th left Erdington by minibus to travel to Kinver Scout Camp on our first ever Beaver Night's Away under canvas sleepover. The Beavers were accompanied by Ahmeek, Silver Beaver and Red Beaver and it wasn't long before we arrived at the camp site where we saw our Cubs, Scouts, Explorers and Leaders who had left on the Friday night. Although the weather was not kind, rain, dull and lots of mud, this didn't stop us from being shown around the camp site at Kinver and meeting other Scouts who were camping on that weekend.!

" After dinner we joined in with our other sections and played a wide game which the Beavers enjoyed. We cooked marshmallows on the open fire with a bit of help from the leaders, however the 11

day went so quick and the Beavers went off to sleep in their tent just before midnight.!

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Next morning at 7.00 am the Beavers started to stir and after having a wash and getting dressed they were ready for breakfast. !

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A visit was made to the Camp Shop on site to purchase some goodies. Most Beavers got themselves a Kinver Badge. A visit to the adventure playground was followed by pond dipping. !

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After lunch the Beavers went on yet another walk this time to the Rock Caves. However we arrived back at camp and sadly it was time for the Beavers to leave the site and return back to Erdington very tired.!

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The Beaver's all agreed that they enjoyed their first Camping experience as a section and will be looking forward to going on camp with the Cubs in the near future. !

" Mystery music

A friend of mine, a professional organist, was asked to play for a wedding. Unfamiliar with the church’s organ, she went to the sanctuary to practice. Curious about a small keyboard that slid out from under the two regular keyboards, she tapped out a couple of bars of a simple tune but heard nothing. Then she played a few more notes, but still no organ music.!

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Just then a man came running into the church, shouting, "Who’s playing ‘Three Blind Mice’ on the church-steeple bells?" She had been operating the carillon. - made me chuckle - ed!

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Discipleship Day with

Lucy Moore "

Explore how to take Messy Church participants on a journey of faith and deepening discipleship!

For leaders and helpers of Messy Church - plan for your whole team to be there!

Saturday 6th December 2014 9.30 for 10am – 3pm

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Christopher Whitehead Language College, !

Bromwich Rd, Worcester, WR2 4AF! £5 each, payable on day !

Cash or cheques to Birmingham Methodist District!

Bring your own lunch, drinks provided!

Register by 17th November with Michele Simms: bhamdee@mac.com! including full names, church & Circuit!

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World Humanitarian Day

As I was driving to work one morning I caught an item on the Today program about an event scheduled for Wednesday 19th August: the laying of a wreath in Westminster Abbey to mark World Humanitarian Day. This is a world day inaugurated by the United Nations in 2008 to remember those people who face danger whilst they are working for the good of others. It owes its genesis to the bomb, which exploded at the Canal Hotel UN headquarters in Baghdad on 19th August 2003, killing at least 22 people, including the Sergio Vieira de Mello, UN special Representative.

Zarqawi the al-Qaeda leader claimed responsibility. He justified his action on the grounds that de Mello had been responsible for the independence of East Timor and therefore was guilty of theft from the Islamic Caliphate.!

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The recent crises in Gaza, South Sudan and the Yasidi people in Iraq are just the latest world events where aid workers deliberately put themselves in harms way to try and assist others in a worse plight than themselves. The UN has launched a new website, “More People Than Ever Before Need Our Help� to highlight the estimated 108 million people who are in need of humanitarian assistance. !

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The remembrance in Westminster Abbey starts at 5.00pm with Evensong followed by the wreath-laying ceremony at the Memorial for Innocent Victims at 6.00pm. In addition, apparently there are moves afoot to have a permanent memorial somewhere in the Abbey. It was suggested that this would be in the Cloister where it will be open to all.!

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You can access further information at “worldhumanitariandy.org� via Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn. !

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Maybe it should feature more in our church life next year?!

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" Presumed consent

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Peter Farley!

what happens to your body when you die?!

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Traditionally, organ donation in the United Kingdom has been entirely voluntary. However in December 2015 the law in Wales is changing to an 'opt-out' system. Anyone who is over the age of 18 who has been resident in Wales for more than a year will be presumed (or 'deemed' in the terminology of the legislation) to have given consent, unless they opt out specifically.!

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Advocates of presumed consent believe it has the potential to save many lives. But, although most Churches are strongly in favour of blood and organ donation, the majority of Churches in Wales had deep concerns about presumed consent becoming the law in Wales.!

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With similar legislation already under discussion in Northern Ireland and Scotland, the Joint Public Issues Team has produced Sharing the Gift of Life, a free downloadable information resource and study guide. People are invited to use it for personal reflection or to support a group discussion. http://methodist-news.org.uk/ BVI-2QEHK-3A7QYC-180II8-1/c.aspx!

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The World’s Biggest Coffee Morning

I will be holding a Macmillan Coffee morning on Saturday 27th September between 10.00 am and noon.!

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Any donations of cakes and raffle prizes would be appreciated.!

I will also need help in the Kitchen and selling cakes on the day, all help gratefully received.!

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Please help with this worthwhile cause.!

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Thank you. !

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Sue Turner!

" What's the World's Biggest Coffee Morning about?

The World's Biggest Coffee Morning is Macmillan Cancer Support's biggest fundraising event. We ask people across the UK - and sometimes further afield - to hold a coffee morning where donations on the day are made to Macmillan. In 2013 154,000 people signed up to coffee morning, raising a record £20 million.

This year we want to raise even more money to help change the lives of people affected by cancer.! !

How did it start? !

The event started in 1990, when a local fundraising committee decided to hold a coffee morning where people came along to meet and mingle - as they might ordinarily do - but donate the cost of their coffee to Macmillan in the process. The idea seemed such a simple, yet effective one that they suggested the model be taken up 18

nationally. The first National World’s Biggest Coffee Morning was in 1991, when 2,600 people registered to hold coffee mornings across the country. Since then it has raised over £113 million in total for Macmillan Cancer Support. !

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What's it all for?!

One in three of us will get cancer and it’s the toughest fight most of us will ever face. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer, you’ll want a team of people in your corner supporting you every step of the way. Macmillan’s ambition is to reach and improve the lives of everyone affected by cancer in the UK, by providing them with medical, emotional, practical and financial support. !

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That’s why we need your help. !

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By making time to get together at a Coffee Morning and raising money for Macmillan, you’ll be making time for Macmillan to help families affected by cancer. !

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On the following page is an old favourite recipe taken from the Macmillan coffee morning website !

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Chocolate Orange Cake !

Preparation time 20 minutes Cooking time 50 minutes Serves 8-10 !

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Ingredients !

1–2 tsp bicarbonate of soda dissolved in 180ml water 125g butter, softened 200g caster sugar 2 eggs, large 1tsp vanilla extract 250g plain flour ¼ tsp salt 1 whole orange 200g dark chocolate, chopped !

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How to Prepare !

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C/ fan 160°C/gas mark 4. Grease and line the base of a 20cm tin with baking paper. Dissolve the bicarbonate of soda in the water and set to one side.!

2. Cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs and vanilla and beat well until fully combined. Then add the flour and salt to the mixture and fold through until you have an even consistency.!

3. Roughly chop the whole orange into chunks by hand and then blitz in the food processor, skin and all. The consistency should be similar to a chunky marmalade. Add this to the cake batter along with the water and bicarbonate of soda, and stir.!

4. Add the chocolate and stir through to combine. Pour the mixture into your prepared tinand bake in the oven for 45–50 minutes until a skewer comes out clean when inserted.!

5. Once baked right through, remove from the oven and allow to cool fully on a wire rack. Serve and enjoy. !

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A possible prayer for the more mature

" Almighty God you know that I am growing older.

Keep me from becoming too talkative, from repeating all my jokes and anecdotes, and particularly keep me from falling into the tiresome habit of expressing an opinion on every subject.

Release me from craving to straighten out everyone's affairs. Keep my mind free from recital of endless details. Give me wings to get to the point.

Give me the grace, dear God, to listen to others as they describe their aches and pains. Help me endure the boredom with patience and keep my lips sealed, for my own aches and pains are increasing in number and intensity, and the pleasure of discussing them is becoming sweeter as the years go by.

Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally, I might be mistaken.

Keep me reasonably sweet. I do not wish to be a saint (Saints are so hard to live with), but a sour old person is the work of the devil.

Make me thoughtful, but not moody, helpful, but not pushy, independent, yet able to accept with gracious favours that others wish to bestow on me.

Free me of the notion that simply because I have lived a long time, I am wiser than those who have not lived so long. I am older, but not necessarily wiser!

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If I do not approve of some of the changes that have taken place in recent years, give me the wisdom to keep my mouth shut. God knows that when the end comes, I would like to have a friend or two left.!

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church community support

10 million adults a year in England use community services from their local churches. That is more than half of all who access these services. Recent research by the Church Urban Fund, CUF, has found that these community services range from food banks, luncheon clubs and night shelters along with relationship courses, financial advice and even access to computers and the internet.!

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That’s excluding the millions of us reached by regular and other church services such as baptisms, weddings and funerals. In a foreword to the recent Theos/Church Urban Fund report Good Neighbours: How Churches Help Communities Flourish, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby said: "This report demonstrates the scale and nature of that love for neighbour in practical action. It shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone that the Church is part of the solution for building community blessing at every level."!

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The Rev Paul Hackwood, Executive Chair of CUF, said: “I am delighted that this report shows that churches are providing such a huge and significant part of the answer.”!

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from the Parish Pump website!

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Gaza, Israel and Iraq

Methodists called to pray!

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The situations in Gaza, Israel and Iraq dominate the news and papers, capturing our attention and prompting our compassion. In response the Revd Ken Howcroft and Gill Dascombe, the President and Vice-President of the Methodist Conference call on all Methodists to urgent and informed prayer, commending all the peoples of the region to the care of Almighty God, and regular prayer for the needs of the Land of the Holy One.!

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Methodists are not alone in this task. Christian Aid have provided a prayer for the region; an appeal for funds to help in the situation; and a call to sign a letter to the Foreign Secretary asking for Britain to take some action. These can be found on Christian Aid's website.!

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Holy God,! holy and strong in love,! holy and immortal.have mercy on us! and on all in the land called holy.!

Where fear brings despair, let there be hope.!

Where the urge to defend others brings violence,! let there be love.!

Where the causes of conflict and the means of reconciliation! are beyond our comprehension,! may the peace of the Lord, which passes all understanding,! guide everyone's hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.!

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Amen.!

The story behind . . . Abide with me

" One of the most famous hymns in the world came out of Brixham, near Torbay, Devon, in 1847. In those days it was a poor, obscure fishing village, and the vicar was the Rev Henry Francis Lyte. !

It was a discouraging place to be a pastor, but Henry felt that God wanted him there, and so he stayed, though it was lonely work, and he suffered constant ill health. By the time he was 54, Henry had contracted tuberculosis and asthma, and he and his family knew he was dying. It would have been so easy for him to look back on his life and feel a complete failure. What had he ever much accomplished? And yet – and yet – Henry knew that in life it is not worldly success that matters, but how much we respond to Jesus Christ, and how much we follow him.!

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In September of 1847 Henry was preparing to travel to the south of France, as was the custom for people with tuberculosis at that time.

One day before he left, he read the story in the gospel of Luke about the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. They were met by Jesus on the day of his resurrection, and they invited him to stay with them because it was getting late. “Abide with us”, they said “for it is towards evening.”!

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“Abide with us - for it is toward evening.” These words struck a chord with Henry, who knew that it was getting ‘towards evening’ in his life. So he sat down and wrote this hymn as a prayer to God – (the following are just some of the verses)!

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Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;!

The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide!!

When other helpers fail and comforts flee,!

Help of the helpless, O abide with me.!

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Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day;!

Earth’s joys grow dim; its glories pass away;!

Change and decay in all around I see;!

O Thou who changest not, abide with me.!

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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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Shortly after Henry wrote that hymn, he preached his last sermon.

He was so ill he practically crawled into the pulpit to do so. A few weeks later, in Nice, France, he died, and so of course he never knew that his hymn would go on to become world famous.!

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from the Parish Pump website!

" " When Adam met Eve

The topic for my class was palindromes, which are, of course, words or sentences that are the same read forward and backward.!

I asked the question ‘What is the first thing Adam said to Eve?’ !

I was expecting ‘Madam, I’m Adam’, but one student had a better reply: "Wow."!

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Shetland

For a number of years now we have talked about a holiday on Shetland. The recent ‘Shetland’ detective series on the telly only reinforced our determination. So in the spring we decided that this year would be the year and it became a holiday full of surprises.

We decided that we would fly, self-cater and hire a car. Amazingly the price of a flight from Birmingham to Sumburgh, the Shetland airport via Edinburgh was almost exactly the same as the short hop across the sea from Inverness. The economics of the aviation industry never fail to amaze me.!

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Shetland is a destination of contrasts. It is a group of islands with a population of about 22,000 of whom the vast majority live on the Mainland, as the central island is called, with about half in and around the capital Lerwick, with the accent on the ‘er’. There are recent and new houses everywhere, all built to take advantage of a local view, but as we drove round we kept on asking what do all of these people do? Presumably in one way or another they live off the oil. The North Sea oil comes ashore at Sullem Voe and the Island Council makes a small charge for every barrel of oil that comes ashore. Therefore the public services are well funded, with more leisure centres per head of population than anywhere else in the UK. During the short time we were there it was apparent that the local population were beginning to question how the economy would fare after the oil had gone. There were signs everywhere proclaiming ‘save our local schools’, presumably the writing is on the wall for both sides of the argument. !

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Tourism already plays a small part in the islands economy. The day we spent in Lerwick doing the shops and seeing the sights there was a cruise ship in the harbour. !

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" " " " " " " " " " " " " " As we walked down the main street there were north Europeans everywhere, acting like ‘grockles’: stopping in inappropriate places to take photos, crowding out the shops and generally making a nuisance of themselves, all excused because they were spending loads of money. When we asked a shop assistant for suggestions for a tourist free lunch we were directed to the local Community Centre, which at a distance of about 200 yards or so inland was too far from the sea front for the tourists to venture. This was also a place of contrasts. There were two dining areas in what can only be called a canteen; one area for the elderly and infirm, presumably a bit like a day centre and a second alongside for everyone else; mums with toddlers, teachers having a working lunch and professionals escaping for a few minutes peace over the days special, chicken korma. !

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There are things worth going to see, on this group of islands, other than the views and the birds, but if more people are to be encouraged to move away from the Lerwick sea front there will need to be a little more investment in tourist infrastructure. One day in the west Mainland we struggled to find a place for lunch. So be warned, if you decide to visit, a thermos flask might be in order. !

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From our visit to the new museum and cultural centre in Lerwick on our first day we learned that there is a significant Methodist presence in Shetland. Apparently under the influence and Presidency of Adam Clark, Methodism established a mission to Shetland, which was very successful, making it the second church group after the Church of Scotland. One of the exhibits in what can only be described as a very interesting museum, if that is not a contradiction in term, was the portable harmonium that the preacher took round with him/her whenever necessary, to use at each service.!

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One of our days took us up to the far north, across Fetlar to Unst with lunch planned at Foords chocolate experience cafĂŠ. This is run by a couple who emigrated from Sussex in 2004 and now sell delicious home made chocolates quicker than they can make them during the brief tourist season. The macaroni cheese was good as well. Apparently the average wind speed in Unst is 65mph and the maximum recorded is 193mph. With the long winter nights and the frequent power cuts living their dream must sometimes be difficult.!

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Just around the corner from Foords cafÊ was another amazing discovery, the UK’s most northerly church, the Haroldswick Methodist Church. Built largely by volunteer labour it opened in 28

1993, with a bell tower added in 2001 for the original 1867 bell. The south-eastern corner of the worship area is mainly glass allowing in lots of light, very important beyond the 60o latitude, but also providing the congregation a view across the coastal plain to the North Sea beyond; beats Station Road any day.!

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I could rattle on all day about what was an amazing experience.

However I will make two final points. Firstly it is the only place I know where the road to and from the airport runs across the runway, with red flashing lights and two men in little booths to control the traffic when necessary. Secondly it is a very small island community where almost everything has to be brought in.

The positive outcome from that is that it is similarly difficult to get things out. When we booked our hire car the lady on the phone, who had taken no money from me, said ‘right that is booked, call in at the office sometime, when you get here and pay the bill. I will send you a text the day before you arrive to tell you which car we have allocated. The car will be at the airport and the key will be under the mat’. !

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If you want a holiday, off the beaten track, without any of the privations that usually go with such a venture then Shetland must be up there with the group leaders. !

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As one of the travel guides would say – ‘worth a long detour to visit’!

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Peter Farley!

Thanks Peter - We’d love to hear what you got up to on your holidays too - why not write a short article for the next CONTACT - ed!

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Volunteers have a longer, happier life

" Volunteering may be as helpful to you as it is to the people you help: a recent study has found that it may well improve your health and make you happier.!

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People who volunteer report having lower levels of depression and higher levels of well-being than average, while some research even suggests that it promotes a longer and healthier life.!

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A review of 40 papers on the subject by researchers at the University of Exeter has found that volunteers were a fifth less likely to die within the next four to seven years than average. They have lower depression and higher levels of well-being and life satisfaction.!

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Volunteers often say they want to ‘give something back’ to their community, but experts say they struggle to explain the benefits that volunteers apparently receive. An estimated 22.5 per cent of people in Europe devote part of their spare time to volunteering, compared with 27 per cent in America and 36 per cent in Australia. !

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As St Paul wrote to the Galatians, “So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” (Gal. 6:10)!

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from the Parish Pump website!

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September Regular Meetings

" Coffee Mornings

Each Saturday 10.00 am to 12.00 noon!

" " 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. ! 


" 7th! ! ! !

14th!!

21st!!

28th!! !

HOLY COMMUNION - Rev Paul Dunstan!

Circuit Service at South Parade at 6.00 pm!

Nikki Murcot!

Gail Morgan!

BACK TO CHURCH SUNDAY - Rev Paul Dunstan!

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Weekly Church Activities

" Sunday

10.30 am

MORNING WORSHIP and Young Church

Tuesday

9.30 - 12.30 pm 2.00 pm

Pre-School : Karen Homer Tuesday Afternoon Meeting : Ann Tomes (4th)

Wednesday

9.30 - 11.30 am 9.30 - 12.30 pm 12.30 pm

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

Thursday

9.30 - 12.30 pm

Pre-School : Karen Homer

Friday

9.30 - 12.30 pm 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

Pre-School : Karen Homer Beavers : Lynn Turner Cubs : Elizabeth Baizon Scouts : Lisa Porter Explorers : Lucy Porter Rainbows : Debbie Barnett Brownies : Lesley Carter Guides : Helen Rainsford

Saturday

10.00 - 12.00 noon 10.30 - 11.30 am

Coffee Morning : Lesley Morgan Church open for prayer : Margaret Curzon

Please hand any items for the October CONTACT to any of the Editorial Team (Peter Farley, Christine Rankin, Ann Tomes & Nick Riley) by 15th September 2014 at the latest please or alternatively email me: nickriley@blueyonder.co.uk with the word ‘CONTACT’ in the title.

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