Contact - February 2015

CONTACT

Magazine of Erdington Methodist Church Station Road - February 2015 1

Contents Minister’s Letter Alpha Rev Alex Dunstan Deacon Gail Morgan Wooden board Vision Events 2015 Memories of Brian Barnett – 19th November 2014 Valentine Dreams From my window Sonnet 116 by Shakespeare Saluting Free Trade Children’s Pages Singing at School the connexion A Drop of Life Go-ahead for major church credit union Snowball 100 Ways to get your church noticed: use photographs!

Paris terrorist attack Drop of Life February Regular Meetings Coffee Mornings Tuesday Club Sunday Worship Weekly Church Activities

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3 4 5 5 5 6 8 9 10 12 13 14 16 18 19 21 22 23 25 26 27 27 27 27 28

Minister’s Letter Dear friends ‘My cup overflows’, says Psalm 23, as David celebrates all that God has poured into his life. One of the characteristics of Christian life is overflow – to be so full of God’s blessing that you can’t keep it in.

The God of abundance loves to pour good things into our lives.

The New Testament speaks of Christians overflowing with joy (2 Corinthians 8:2; Philippians 1:26), with hope (Romans 15:13), with thanksgiving (2 Corinthians 4:15; 9:12; Colossians 2:7), and with love (1 Thessalonians 3:12). When we think of how he has lavished love upon us, even though life is sometimes far from easy, it is natural that these things should well up within us and overflow to others.

Many times I have been privileged to see people become aware of the love of God for the first time and become followers of Jesus Christ. They don’t need to be encouraged to tell people what’s happened to them – they can’t help it! They overflow: they just can’t contain their joy, their hope, their thanksgiving and their love.

Some Christians overflow with these things all their lives. Others of us find that a struggle: hard knocks come our way; other people find our enthusiasm uncomfortable, so we tone it down. Perhaps as we mature, we grow weary or even get a bit jaded. But it’s our Christian birthright that we overflow with good things! Jesus promised the woman at the well that the water he gave would be like a spring welling up within her to eternal life (John 4:14).

I encourage you to think: if you’re ‘overflowing’ with God, what makes you that way? How will you keep overflowing? If you aren’t overflowing, what will you do about it? Are you connected 3

to the Source, or have you allowed yourself to become detached?

Do you need to remind yourself of the reasons for the joy, hope, thanksgiving and love that are the birthright of all Jesus’ followers?

Do you need to ask God, as the woman at the well asked Jesus, ‘Sir, give me this water’?

May we all overflow with God, and so may our families and friends, our community and the world be blessed, and God glorified.

Your friend and minister Rev Paul

Alpha Many people enjoyed and benefited from last autumn’s Alpha course. The next Alpha course will be held on Sunday tea-times (5.00 - 7.00 pm) from 15th February to 19th April 2015. Each evening will start with tea and cakes. The venue this time will be Erdington Methodist Church. All welcome: invite your friends and family – anyone who would benefit from the chance to hear and discuss the basic questions of life and faith, either for the first time or as a ‘refresher’. Please fill in a booking form (available at church) and let Rev Paul have it as soon as possible.

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Rev Alex Dunstan We’re pleased to announce that when Alex finishes her initial training this summer she will be appointed as a Minister in the Birmingham Circuit, at Castle Bromwich Methodist Church, starting on 1st September 2015. It is a part-time post with lots of opportunities. Paul & Alex are thrilled about this, and pleased that they won’t have to leave the area! Please pray for Rev Alex as she begins this exciting part of her ministry.

Deacon Gail Morgan Gail completes her initial training this summer and has been stationed, from 1st September, to serve in Wallsend & Heaton, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Please ask her for more details! We assure Gail of our ongoing love and prayers as she prepares for this big move.

Wooden board Does anyone know about, or own, the pieces of wooden board on the choir balcony. They have been there for several years and appear to be redundant. They will be removed at some point in the not to distant future if they are not required.

Please talk to one of the Vision group or a Steward if you know about them.

Jan Payne 5

Vision Events 2015 In the December article it was announced that we needed another £20,000 to reach our original target of £245,000. The good, even amazing news, is we are now only £5,000 away from that target!

The bad news is that some costs have risen and extra items added, so there is still a significant sum to raise. We have done really well and are still sending off new applications, as well as some reapplications. We are confident that we will be able to implement all that we want to, and in a shorter time than 4 years which was first envisaged. The events that have been organised have not only raised money but people have commented how they have enjoyed them and feel they help to bring the church family together – events including food being very popular!

Sponsoring Events Details about this have been handed out, but please ask if you want further information. Briefly decide what you want to do as an individual or a group. It may be a challenge, only taking a few hours, or it might take months.

There will be a list in the foyer, where we would like you to add what you are doing. We don’t need facts and figures, and obviously money won’t be collected until your task is complete; there will be a ‘wind up’ date in August.

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Photography Competition There are 6 classes and you can enter all or only one, whatever you like, but only 1 entry per class will be accepted – all to be on 6 x 4 and printed on photo paper.

The classes are :landscape, winter, buildings, animals, night scenes, macro shot (close up) Cost for entering is 50p each or £2.50 for all six.

Children 10 and under - up to 3 photos of your own choice – 20p each or 50p for 3.

Now is the time to get started –all entries to be in by August 31st.

Final judging will take place before the coffee morning on 17th October.

Further practical details nearer the time.

Hilary for the Vision Group

Women's World Day of Prayer prepared by Christian women of the Bahamas Friday 6th MARCH at 2.00 pm Stockland Green Methodist Church EVERYONE WELCOME Refreshments will be served after the service

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Memories of Brian Barnett – 19th November 2014 I got to know Brian over 20 years ago. I had just joined Scouts and now had the opportunity to learn to canoe, and it was Brian who took on the task of teaching me. Over the years Brian was my teacher, mentor and most importantly my friend.

Many times he told me how he had started the canoeing section of the scout group by building his first canoe in the troop out of canvas and wood. Luckily for me the group had moved on to nice solid plastic kayaks for me to bash around the swimming pool, to scare the ducks at Kingsbury Water Park and then finally go on to the River Severn for Brian to see if I had listened enough to pass my one star.

Brian was a firm but fair teacher, always keen for the skills to be done correctly before moving on to the next one. One of my strongest memories of Brian was when he spent literally weeks helping me to learn to roll. His patience was magnificent and his knowledge of the sport to talk me through the processes and to demonstrate time and time again how to move the paddle and hips to get the kayak back up again will stay with me forever.

My time on the water with Brian was always good fun, hours spent playing and practising on the lake, taking part in some very silly games, running amazing rivers whilst avoiding the wildlife and the inevitable swims when things went wrong.

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Eventually Brian decided he needed to choose some successors to keep the club going, and luckily for me asked if I would be willing to help. Brian became my mentor as I went from learning to look after myself to teaching other scouts and looking after them.

Brian never gave up his passion for canoeing even after I had qualified and, when he should have been taking it easy, he insisted on helping both at the swimming pool and on the lake. Even when he stopped driving he still came to the park every Wednesday to offer advice, have a chat and just see how the club was doing.

Brian started the canoeing club; he kept it going through love, determination and dedication over many years. It’s now the turn of others, myself included, to keep the club going and to offer the opportunity to learn to paddle to as many people as possible.

Brian’s legacy will be the continuing fun and joy we all have when messing about on the water, come rain, wind and the occasional sunny day.

Laurence Butler

Valentine Dreams A young woman woke up one morning and told her husband, "I just dreamed that you gave me a pearl necklace for Valentine's Day. What do you think it means?"

"You'll know tonight," he replied with a smile. Sure enough, that evening the man came home with a small package and gave it to his wife. Delighted, she opened it, only to find a book entitled ‘The Meaning of Dreams’.

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From my window Some years ago I redesigned my garden, replanting in the hope that in years to come I would reap the benefits of my labours.

I made curves where there had been straight lines and for my choice of plants I wanted a variety of shapes, comprising of evergreens in a range of colours for different seasons, with varying heights and structures. There would be deciduous shrubs, some with blossom for spring and others with autumnal colours to dazzle the eye. Perennials and ferns were to be a later addition.

Little did I know then how much I would come to appreciate and enjoy my choice of plants in the years to come.

In mid December whilst being house-bound for a while, I have blessed the garden with its plantings for winter. The skies have been gloomy for days but the shrubs in the garden have come into their own.

The variegated holly shines as if taking centre stage in a spot light and the tall golden bamboo shakes its vibrant stems in the breeze in defiance of the leadening sky.

At the end of the garden against the dense holly hedge I placed my old terra cotta chimney pot on which stands a large plant pot of the same material so that it looks as one. It stands as a sentinel. What makes it look so amazing is the Japanese Grass within the pot which in late autumn and early winter is brazen enough to take on the same vibrancy as the pot itself, its bronze colouring aflame when the low winter sun catches it. Then in late winter/early spring it turns gold to beige, but in spring and summer its lime green waving foliage provides movement and light. In spring when the new grass has grown to 20cms (3-4 inches) it resembles a 10

‘punk’ hair do and I am sorely tempted to paint a rather ‘surprised face’ on the pot, but as yet I have resisted the temptation to get the paints out! On a very windy day it resembles a bad hair day, blowing whichever way the wind will take it!

The moment I have been waiting for has now arrived when the contorted hazel, looking sick all summer long because of its contorted leaves, suddenly comes into its own. The leaves turn from green to gold, red, bronze and all the various hues between.

Then with the first frosts they plunge to earth overnight to lie in a glorious vibrant carpet, a rich habitat for all the invertebrates which will provide winter food for blackbirds and other ground feeders.

What is left on the tree apart from the attractive twisted twigs and branches are the hundreds of budding catkins awaiting the longer warmer days of spring. This tree always reminds me of resurrection; that although the autumn seems a rather sad time and the winter can appear long, cold and often dull, spring is really only a few short months away Nearing the end of January the carpet of snowdrops will begin to appear beneath the tree where the first warmer rays of sun hits and the year’s cycle begins all over again bringing with it the joyful anticipation of gardening once more, which I love.

Ann Tomes

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Sonnet 116 by Shakespeare Chosen with Valentine’s Day in mind Let me not to the marriage of true minds Admit impediments. Love is not love Which alters when it alteration finds, Or bends with the remover to remove: O no; it is an ever-fixed mark, That looks on tempests, and is never shaken; It is the star to every wandering bark, Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken.

Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks Within his bending sickle's compass come; Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks, But bears it out even to the edge of doom.

If this be error and upon me proved, I never writ, nor no man ever loved.

Here we read of the constancy of true love. Sometimes, however, acrimonious relationships or the passage of time resulting in the loss of the bloom of youth, cause love to steadily crumble and wither away. True love, however, is a marriage of the minds which is capable of surviving any crisis. In Shakespeare's own words, “Love is not love which alters when it alteration finds”. True love remains unshakeable "even to the edge of doom" i.e. even in death.

In the final two lines Shakespeare comments that if it could be proved his views are incorrect, then in his opinion, no one has ever truly loved.

Barbara Rawson 12

Saluting Free Trade This month we can celebrate two decades of the Fairtrade movement, founded back in 1995. Recent research showed that 78 percent of the UK public now recognise the Fairtrade Mark, which stands for the world’s largest and most recognised fair-trade system. Its aim is to secure a better deal for farmers and workers.

Based in Bonn, Germany, it sets international standards, organises support for producers around the world and promotes trade justice internationally.

The work of building a market for fair-trade products is carried out by national Fairtrade organisations across the world. There are such organisations not only in Europe but also in India, South Korea, Hong Kong and Kenya.

An independent company runs the Fairtrade certification system, ensuring that the relevant social and environmental standards are met for new raw materials and products.

Here in the UK, the Fairtrade Foundation is an independent organisation that provides independent certification that licenses use of the Fairtrade Mark on products in the UK. The Foundation was established in 1992 by CAFOD, Christian Aid, Oxfam, Traidcraft and the National Federation of Women’s Institutes (to name just a few). from the Parish Pump Website 13

Children’s Pages

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Singing at School I came across a very nostalgic piece on the web before Christmas that took me back to my Primary School days at Sir Josiah Mason Orphanage, now Yenton Primary School, under the headship of Mr George Shillito: a Methodist local preacher. I travelled there every morning from Salford Bridge on the No 2 tram and went back to Gravely Hill for my lunch.

Whilst I was researching this piece I came across the web site of Yenton Primary School. This contains a memories page where previous pupils and their parents are encouraged to write about their time in the school and I paused to consider what my memory would be? I have lots of memories involving Mr Shillito: mental arithmetic classes (three – plus six – times 12 – minus nine – divide by 11 etc) and taking two assemblies to tell the story of the house on the sand and the house on the rock.

There is, however, only one really standout moment for me and it was in one of the original Orphanage classrooms. I was at the improving reading stage and my class teacher had leant me a book to take home. The only thing I remember about the book is that it was about a circus; it had a red cover, was the biggest book ever and it filled my satchel. But whilst I had this book at home, suddenly I realised that I could read in my head without saying the words. At that moment my life changed for ever.

But enough of my memories, back to the web piece, which triggered these words, it was entitled ‘Singing Together’ about a radio program that ran for fifty years, initiated at the end of September 1939 after the evacuation of children away from the major cities had started. It was decided that the BBC should 16

broadcast a singing program on the wireless so that wherever they were children could switch on their radio and sing. The piece mentioned that the programme was broadcast at 11.00 am on a Monday morning and that in itself raised a memory.

Our form teacher would bring out the speaker from the stock room and ceremonially plug it into the socket in the wall at the appropriate time and we would then be cajoled into singing from the song sheet ‘Clementine’, ‘Cockles and Muscles’, ‘The Vicar of Bray’ and ‘Michael Finnegan’. As the period progressed the voice from the speaker would encourage us to stand up or sing louder and we not knowing any better, would assume that they could hear, and oblige with a bellow. The songs would sometimes form part of the following lessons and I have a vague recollection of being told about the changing fortunes of the Vicar of Bray.

The web page tells me that the programme lasted 20 minutes.

Apparently each program always included a song with a rousing chorus, a song with a beautiful melody and a nonsense song. The transmissions went on until the mid 1990s when the National Curriculum in effect, squeezed it out. I wonder how many children now have the opportunity to sing as we did. ‘Not enough’ Garth Malone would say I’m sure.

Apparently the programme went out live, because recording was too expensive and unfortunately the Radio archive only contains three episodes. Shame! Happy days.

Peter Farley

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Gosh - I remember Singing Together too. I can remember learning songs like ‘Kookaburra sits in the old gumtree’ and ‘Donkey Riding’. Thanks Peter for the trip down memory lane. - ed

the connexion the connexion is a new print magazine for the Methodist people.

The first issue brings you news of people and projects in these islands as well as North Korea and Sri Lanka, showing how vibrant Methodism can be. It has a primary theme of evangelism (the 'e-word') and ways that Methodists can refocus on an area that many find problematic.

A range of Methodist office holders will soon be receiving three copies in the post (if they come through the letterbox already), with a request to pass two of these on. If you don’t get a copy, look out for someone who did!

The magazine has been produced in response to calls from many Methodists for improved communications and more news about what is happening across the Connexion.

Two more issues will be published in 2015 -issue two in April and issue three in September.

You can download a copy by following the link off the scrolling header on the Methodist Church Website.

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A Drop of Life Elsewhere in CONACT you will see a full page advert for Severn Trent Choir’s ‘Drop of Life’ concert.

Many of you will already know that I work for Severn Trent and am a member of Workplace Choir. The concert is a charity one to raise money for Water Aid which we have highlighted in this magazine before.

Severn Trent Choir were winners of a competition run on television – I’m not allowed to tell you what the programme was called nor who the celebrity who headed it was (for fear of being taken to task by the production company over intellectual property rights) but I’m guessing many of you already know anyway. We have invited all the choirs which appeared in both of the series to join us in what should be a fantastic evening’s entertainment.

Workplace Choirs include: Severn Trent Birmingham City Council Lewisham & Greenwich NHS P & O Ferries Manchester Airport Citi Bank Cheshire Fire & Rescue

Details of when and where it is are on the flyer on page 25.

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As a choir member I am able to get tickets at a reduced price of only £9.50! Many of you who have visited Symphony Hall will know that this is a very competitive price and there are limited numbers at this price (NB these are stalls tickets).

If you would like tickets then please speak to me – I’ll need the cash up-front I’m afraid.

Even when our ‘Earlybird’ tickets are sold you can still order them through me and avoid the ticket agent costs you incur if you book them online at only £11.50.

Before you ask – the unnamed celebrity will NOT be at the concert – so don’t buy a ticket expecting that! Our guest presenters, however, are Carrie and David Grant of Fame Academy and Pop Idol fame.

WaterAid UK is a member country of WaterAid, an international non governmental organisation. Their mission is to transform lives by improving access to safe water, improved hygiene and sanitation in the world’s poorest communities.

So get your tickets quick, before the price rise, and I think you will have a very enjoyable evening with excellent singing and enthusiastic workplace choirs.

Nick Riley

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Go-ahead for major church credit union Fair returns to savers, fair interest rates on loans and the aspiration to be a flagship credit union are among the aims of the Churches’ Mutual Credit Union Ltd (CMCU) which has recently received formal authorisation from the regulatory authorities. CMCU plans to begin to offer its services from February 2015.

CMCU has been formed for and with the help of the Church of England, the Methodist Church of Great Britain, the Church of Scotland, the Scottish Episcopal Church and the Church in Wales.

It is expected that, in due course, it should become a significant financial resource to the church and individuals throughout England, Wales and Scotland. It is hoped that CMCU will enable “a virtuous re-cycling of money within the church community, through a combined portfolio of savings and loan products.”

At first, churches and individuals (notably ordained ministers, licensed lay ministers, elders, employees and trustees of churches and church charities and the charities themselves) will be able to become members and benefit from the financial products. It is estimated that at least 60,000 individuals plus churches and church charities will be eligible to join CMCU. This will enable savings and provide loans to individuals for essential items and to churches for mission projects and equipment. The Financial Services Compensation Scheme covers deposits up to £85,000.

CMCU plans to offer a range of loan products which will be a major funding stream for the dividend that will be paid on savings products such as ISAs, instant access and regular (monthly) savings 21

accounts. These products will include a competitive car loan scheme.

Once the credit union has built up an established track record, it is intended that CMCU will be open to all church members and extend its denominational base. CMCU aspires to become an example of best practice in the sector and aid the Church’s involvement in a critical area of national life for renewal and transformation. from the Parish Pump Website

Snowball I made myself a snowball As perfect as could be.

I thought I'd keep it as a pet And let it sleep with me.

I made it some pyjamas And a pillow for its head.

Then last night it ran away, But first it wet the bed.

Shel Silverstein

Submitted by Barbara Rawson

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100 Ways to get your church noticed: use photographs!

It’s widely accepted that images can say more than words. The huge billboards beside our main roads, the TV adverts with great production values, and the charity appeal with photos of needy families all use images to engage our emotions. Statistics show that more people click on Twitter and Facebook links that include images. Yet our churches often seem resolutely committed to words – in long sermons, bureaucratic reports or text-heavy web pages.

One easy way of promoting what your church does is to have a steady supply of photos of regular activities and special events.

Photos can be used in displays inside your church, in parish magazines and websites, sent to your local media and shared quickly on social media. Why not recruit someone in your congregation who could do this for you?

There are usually two problems with church photos. What often happens is that photographing events or activities isn’t thought about until they are happening. Grabbing the nearest mobile phone or iPad might give you images you can share via social media, but you might then discover they aren’t sharp enough to be used in your parish magazine or to be sent to the local media.

A digital SLR or compact camera will usually produce better results.

The problem of quality is often compounded by the content of the photo. Many amateur photographers simply click away during a 23

worship service or family activity, often only capturing the backs of other people’s heads. Churches can also be quite dark, and most built-in camera flashes can do little to brighten up the scene.

People sometimes forget that good photos are usually set up by the photographer. Look at the photos in your local paper. Many will have been staged in some way that helps to illustrate what is happening. Some church photographers are aware of this and ask people to go outside, which helps with the lighting issue.

Unfortunately they often ask a group to stand in a line in front of the church. In many cases they capture a lot of sky, building or grass too. Although the people are smiling, they are so far away that it’s difficult to make them out. The advice to any amateur photographer should always be to go as close as you can.

The best photo of the summer fayre isn’t necessarily the one that shows a panorama of all the stalls and people milling around them.

Neither is it the one of the Lord Mayor, vicar, and the six organisers of the fayre standing in a line. The best photo is actually the closeup of two children licking ice creams in the sunshine, as it communicates something fun and family-friendly.

In many churches there are enthusiastic amateurs with decent SLR cameras who might enjoy the challenge of producing high quality images for a variety of outlets. Give this person some ideas about which events and activities to capture first. In time this person can build up a library of images that can be used in a variety of ways by your parish magazine editor, webmaster and Facebook administrator.

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Video images can be even more powerful. You may want to recruit a separate person to video church events or activities. It would be great if they were prepared to do some filming and edit footage together to produce a welcome DVD that could be given to newcomers. But even raw footage of your latest big event or regular activities can be added to the church website, circulated via social media or used on a video display board.

This is an extract from the book ‘100 Ways To Get Your Church Noticed’ by Neil Pugmire, published by Church House Publishing.

For more information, or to buy a copy, see www.getyourchurchnoticed.com Article from the Parish Pump Website

Paris terrorist attack The Methodist Church fully supports the statement below, issued by the Council of Christians and Jews concerning the Charlie Hebdo terrorist attack on 7th January 2015.

"The Council of Christians and Jews wishes to express its horror at the terrorist attack on the offices of the Parisian magazine Charlie Hebdo, and joins with those organisations of all faiths which have offered deepest sympathy to the families and friends of those murdered. In these unstable times, we offer our prayers for all victims of terror throughout the world and look with hope to those working for peace and justice."

Methodist News Service 25

Drop of life

Drop of Life

A

concert for World Water Day

Featuring the nation’s favourite workplace choirs as seen on TV: Saturday 21st March 2015 7:00pm Symphony Hall, Birmingham

Severn Trent

Birmingham City Council

Lewisham and Greenwich NHS

Hosted by:

P&O Ferries

Carrie & David Grant Tickets: £11.50 plus transaction fee* Concessions available

Cheshire Fire & Rescue Service

Manchester Airport

Box office:

0121 345 0603 www.thsh.co.uk

*£3.00 transaction fee, plus £1 postage, will be charged on all bookings except purchases made in person at the Town Hall or Symphony Hall Box office.

WaterAid registered charity number 288701 (England and Wales) and SC039479 (Scotland)

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Citi

February 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. 
 1st

EDUCATION SUNDAY - HOLY COMMUNION Rev John Ingyon

8th

Local Arrangement

15th

ALL AGE WORSHIP - Rev Paul Dunstan

22nd

Alex Dunstan Circuit Service at South Parade Methodist - 6.00 pm

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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 : Margaret Hillman (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 March CONTACT to any of the Editorial Team (Peter Farley, Christine Rankin, Ann Tomes & Nick Riley) by 15th February 2015 at the latest please or alternatively email me: nickriley@blueyonder.co.uk with the word ‘CONTACT’ in the title.

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