Contact201603

CONTACT

Magazine of Erdington Methodist Church Station Road - March 2016 1

Contents Minister’s Letter Vacancies Walk Through the New Testament Praying the Psalms Thank You Celebrating Samuel Wesley News of our Beavers The Last Vision Report !

Fircone Celebration Original Pronunciation Holiday Reading suggestions Semicolons Amazing Organ Concert March Regular Meetings Coffee Mornings Tuesday Club Sunday Worship Weekly Church Activities

Please see page 23 for details of our Easter Services 

2

3 4 5 6 6 7 8 10 14 16 19 20 21 22 23 23 23 23 24

Minister’s Letter Dear friends Spring is springing! When the days lengthen and the sun warms up, you can’t stop the flowers blooming, the trees budding, the grass growing. Why would you? Well, maybe I would like the grass not to grow so quickly! Growth. It’s a natural thing, cause and effect, designed by the Creator.

Last month I likened congregations to gardens and said that when they are healthy, both tend to grow. Although Jesus sometimes suggested that his followers would be few (Matthew 7: 14), his teachings more often show that he expected growth (Matthew 13: 1-8; 31-33, etc.). And this growth isn’t just in numbers. He expects that we will grow in character (Matthew 5: 43-48) and influence (Matthew 5:16) – what the New Testament calls Christlikeness (Philippians 3: 10-14).

The Bible speaks of the power of the Holy Spirit at work among us.

It speaks of the power that raised Jesus from the dead being at work in us (Ephesians 1:19-20), to enable us to be the people God has called us to be. Giving our lives to Christ is only the beginning of the adventure! If you once asked Jesus into your life, I hope you realise that was just the planting of a seed! Our calling is to keep growing: ‘they will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendour’ (Isaiah 61:3).

We grow in Christian character through many things. We need to keep in touch with God, whose power is at work in us, through prayer and Bible reading. We need to encourage one another, 3

spurring each other towards love and good deeds. We develop character when we endure suffering (James 1:2-4), and there are other ways, too: conferences, worship, study, fasting – the list is endless.

I invite you to think about the things that have enabled you to grow as a Christian, and give thanks to God for them. And as we journey through Lent I invite you to join with me in constantly seeking out things that will help us to grow in Christian character.

As we celebrate Easter at the end of the month, let’s also give thanks that - as far as we allow it - the resurrection power of God is at work in us. And all this, not just for our sakes, but for the display of God’s glory! Alleluia!

Your friend and minister Rev Paul

Vacancies We currently have vacancies for people to fill the following roles. If you think you can help then please speak to a Steward.

Representatives to: - Home & Overseas Missions - Methodist Women In Britain - Churches Together in Erdington

4

Walk Through the New Testament Well what a fantastic day we had.

Using actions and map visualisations we walked our way through the New Testament with David Brown from the Walk Through the Bible team.

It was entertaining, enlightening, challenging and great fun.

There was a great turn-out from the circuit and there was a definite buzz about Stockland Green.

The day started on a rather cold note (there were problems with the heating!) but we soon got warmed up as we did our actions and spoke the words that helped us remember the Intertestamental period and most of the New Testament.

Who’d have thought you could do all that in just a day!!

Many thanks to all the organisers and Stockland Green for hosting the event.

So everyone who went, I’ll start you off . . . 400 years - Silence, Malachi - Matthew . . . .

Over to you Nick Riley

5

Praying the Psalms The Psalms have been a wonderful resource to God’s people for thousands of years. They formed what has been called the ‘Prayerbook of Jesus’: he prayed them himself and quoted them on numerous occasions. All of us have found help from them at one time or another. Some of us use them every day. They help us find our place with God, they help us pray and they help us tell our story. They also contain some things we find unsettling, though, and can make us wince and cringe!

Across five Sunday evenings, from 13 March to 10 April, Rev Paul will lead a series of studies on the Psalms.

Venue: Stockland Green, 6.30 - 8.00 pm.

Do come along, and we’ll share insights and experiences together.

Thank You Thanks you to all who joined me and my family for my celebration on Sunday 17th January and made it such a happy occasion.

Marjorie Barnett

6

Celebrating Samuel Wesley Wednesday 24 February marks the 250th birthday of Charles Wesley’s younger son, the composer Samuel Wesley.

Sam was born in Bristol, probably in 4 Charles Street (now the Charles Wesley Heritage Centre - pictured) and moved with his family to London in the early 1770s.

As his talents blossomed he earned a reputation as ‘the English Mozart’ and the greatest organist in the land. He was also the first English musician to really discover the importance of the music of JS Bach and spent much time and energy actively promoting it.

In honour of this great musician, the New Room in Bristol will be devoting concerts to his music on Friday 26 February and Friday 11 March – both at 1.20 pm after the 1.00 pm communion service.

There will be further Samuel Wesley concerts throughout the rest of 2016 – see the New Room website for details.

7

News of our Beavers On Friday 13th November 2015 the Beavers from the 177th had two special visitors. Lesley Morgan had brought her guide dog Leon into our meeting due to the Beavers having a disability awareness programme for that evening.

After our meeting finished we held a cake & biscuit sale in the foyer and raised ÂŁ16 which was forwarded to the Guide dogs association.

On a sad note Lesley had to say goodbye to Leon in February and it would be nice for the Beavers to follow Leon's progress during his further training.

On Sunday 6th December 2015 our Church was the venue of the Tame Valley Beaver Christmas party which was organised by Lynn & Paul Turner from our Beavers. The event started at 1.30 pm with leaders from 7 different colonies within our district to await the 8

arrival of their Beavers. In total 94 Beavers attended this event which included 21 from the 177th colony.

We started off playing one massive big game together then the Beavers were split into 2 groups with one group upstairs having refreshments whilst the other played games in the hall which was then reversed half an hour later.

At 3.00 pm all the Beavers & Leaders were in the main hall to see the star attraction Conk the Clown and he kept the Beavers and Leaders entertained during his performance which lasted 90 minutes. All the Beavers and Leaders thought the show was fantastic. All the Beavers received a selection box before being collected by their parents.

On a final note visiting leaders spoke highly of how our church building had being transformed since the last time they had attended a meeting here.

9

The Last Vision Report !

We aren’t completely finished yet. There are small items to attend to as well as a noticeboard to go up in place of the one on the side wall. It is unbelievable that noticeboards have been such a problem. However, all we need now is a person with a strong drill! Nick has a smooth path to the organ with new carpeting on the stairs. The upstairs toilets are listed for a revamp soon.

We have been unhappy about the resin-bonded path and are waiting for a report on that with suggestions as to what can be done about it. In fact the surface was designed to be particularly safe for the elderly and children to use, and the residue of loose stones should not have happened.

You may be interested in a few figures! I am not including all the events at this time.

Moneyboxes Bookstall The 5p jar eBay sales Awards from outside charities

£2774 £900 £350 so far £2775 £206512

The Silent Auction Please enter into this if you can. There are opportunities for making an offer of a service or an item, but we also need people to bid for these items. More are going up all the time so please keep looking at the information. The idea is that the highest bid wins the item. Some have a reserve price to start from, and it is up to you to increase the offers. Please speak to Jan or Hilary if you need help. If you buy a service then the agreement will be between you 10

and the donor, and while there is no limit at the moment as to when this has to happen, the sooner the better.

The results of what is promised will be announced at the Coffee Morning on March 19th. This is our last fund-raising effort and we hope you will come along and make it a very successful occasion.

There will be the usual bacon baps, a raffle, a cake stall and donation boxes around !!

March 31st is the last day of the project and we are marking this with a drop-in during the day – times to be arranged. Much of the money raised for Vision came to support this idea and we need to start in a small way and, hopefully build it up. Most important will be a rota of people to run this, and we hope that some of you will be able to support this; more details next month.

Finally a big THANK YOU to everyone who has contributed in any way to the amazing success of the Vision Project – we know that involves most of you. You have been generous with your time and money, and we have appreciated your comments and ideas.

We feel that, socially and spiritually, the church family has benefited greatly from coming together at our various events, and comments from you have endorsed that; a very important byproduct of the project, which we hope will continue.

Hilary for the Vision Group

11

12

13

Fircone Celebration Creating beautiful works of art using a variety of materials, dancing, ambling, learning a foreign language and computing are just some of the activities thousands of 'Fircone' members have enjoyed during the last fifty years.

Volunteer Advisers encourage members to learn and develop their new hobby working in small relaxed friendly groups. The first group, which started on 14th April 1966 at Nechells Community Centre, was led by a man skilled in woodwork, who had suggested the idea during a discussion on loneliness at a meeting of Birmingham Retirement Council Charity. (Originally set up to help people make the transition from work into retirement).

By the end of 1966 B.R.C. had started a Choir, Gardening, Keep-fit and Car Maintenance groups. The idea was a success, 'Fircone' was born.

You are welcome to come to any of the special events which have been organised to make 2016 a Golden Jubilee Year of Celebrations.

We at Erdington are hosting the first of three exhibitions to be held during the year. Fircone members' work will be displayed in the church from Saturday April 9th until Sunday April 17th from 10.00 am until 4.00 pm Saturdays and weekdays, 2.00 pm until 4.00 pm on Sundays.

14

Both Saturday Coffee Mornings will be run by Fircone with stalls in the hall from 10.00 am until 1.00 pm The Lord Mayor of Birmingham is coming to open the Exhibition on Saturday 9th April.

On Tuesday 12th April a Concert by the Fircone Choir will be here as part of the Tuesday Club programme and all are invited to attend.

Throughout the week there will be a variety of Fircone activities forming part of the exhibition.

Admission is Free - Donations for Fircone and Erdington Methodist Church.

15

Please visit our website www.firconebirmingham.org.uk or phone 0121 643 1032 for more information.

Reg.Charity No:241670 Patron: The Rt.Wor. The Lord Mayor of Birmingham

Original Pronunciation Some may have heard the discussion on the radio recently about Shakespearian plays being produced with ‘Original pronunciation’ rather than using current pronunciations. During this discussion I was reminded that we will soon arrive at the 400th anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare on 23rd April 1616.

Very little is known about his life, as is common with many people from long ago. Records are lost and even if birth, marriage and death records still exist are hard to piece together. Proving that someone as famous as Richard lll was buried in the Leicester car park demonstrates the scale of the problems. We have only just entered the age when you only lose touch with friends when you choose to rather then when you change school or move to another town.

It is suggested that Shakespeare was born 26th April 1564. He attended Stratford Grammar School 1571 to 1579 but there is no record that he went on to the university. In 1582 he married Ann Hathaway when she was expecting their child.

For the next seven years there are no discovered records at all although rumours abound. Maybe he fled to London to avoid a 16

poaching charge. Perhaps he was employed as an apprentice butcher and a lawyer’s clerk. But most intriguingly he may have undertaken a ‘Grand Tour’ of Europe and visited Venice. The only basis for this claim is that his representation of Venice in his plays appears to be real and current for the time, rather than as reported.

By 1592 he is in London and producing plays with a sufficient audience to warrant a written review, it was not a very flattering piece, but it was written by Robert Green, already an established playwright and therefore one of his rivals. By this time it is believed that he had already written Henry 1st and Richard 3rd.

In 1596 he reapplied for a coat of arms ‘Not without right’. Then in 1598 he must have felt as if he had finally arrived, because he published a play under his own name. This indicated that was sufficiently recognisable for his name to be an aid to the success of the play ‘Love’s Labours Lost’. This is the tale of a king and three noblemen who set out to foreswear the company of ladies for three and who stumble across a princess and her three ladies. You can imagine the mayhem that ensues in a Shakespearean comedy.

By the turn of the century he was becoming increasingly wealthy.

He owned a 12.5% share of the original Globe Theatre in London, the second largest house in Stratford as well as property in London (owned for the sole purpose of rental income).

Shakespeare moved on into the reign of James 1st and it is suggested that Macbeth was a tribute to the new King. His collected sonnets were published in 1609, although they had probably been written throughout his life.

17

He died, maybe unexpectedly, one month after signing his will in which he declares he is in good health and left his second best bed to his wife. Years later the vicar of Stratford wrote saying that he fell ill after a night on the town.

But returning to my opening comment, original pronunciation.

You may well ask how can we know how the language sounded in an age where there were no sound recording and why is that important. Apparently the emergence of the middle class as a social group led to more people being anxious to avoid the social blunder of not doing or saying the right things. To help them achieve this, books of etiquette and pronunciation were published, such as Ben Johnson’s ‘Guide to Pronunciation’. The spelling in the early Folios is idiosyncratic but more importantly some of Shakespeare’s jokes don’t work in current English because our pronunciations of the words preclude the rhyme and or the pun.

The two examples of lost similarities in pronunciation were loins and (family) lines in ‘Romeo and Juliet’ and hour and whore in ‘As you Like It’. These rhymes, which when understood, increase the contextual understanding of humour involved.

Maybe as Christians we should be used to this, arguing over whether we prefer the language of the King James or the Jerusalem Bible or even the freedom of expression in The Message Bible. But whether it is Shakespeare or the Bible we will only get the best from either/any when we readily understand the context in which it was written; in a pastoral society no one worries about the sheep that is not lost. A loving God is concerned with the one that is lost, which in the context of the grumbling Pharisee can be seen as a very barbed comment.

Peter Farley 18

Holiday Reading suggestions As people are thinking about their holiday plans at this time of the year I thought I would recommend some books I have recently read and enjoyed. They are on the website www.goodreads.com and I used their information with a few personal comments.

Fortune's Rocks by Anita Shreve Everywhere hailed for its emotional intensity and unflagging narrative momentum, this magnificent novel transports us to the turn of the twentieth century, to the world of a prominent Boston family summering on the New Hampshire coast, and to the social orbit of a spirited young woman who falls into a passionate, illicit affair with an older man, with cataclysmic results.

For me all her books are a very good read, and this one has a surprising twist at the end.

The Italian Matchmaker by Santa Montefiore Gianluca has to admit his life is empty. His high-pressure City job, his seven-figure income, his glossy girlfriends – all have long ceased to satisfy him . . . In search of serenity and a deeper purpose to his existence, he flees to Italy. But life on the sun-drenched Amalfi coast is not as peaceful as Luca anticipates He meets a woman whose dark eyes are heavy with sorrow and a solemn little boy with an incredible secret.

A really good holiday read, and difficult to put down. Like Anita Shreve a prolific writer, and I have enjoyed all the books I have read.

19

The Girl in the Photograph by Kate Riordan The Girl in the Photograph is a haunting and atmospheric novel that tells the tales of women in two different eras – the 1890’s and 1930’s – and how their lives seem to be entwined by fate. Kate Riordan’s novel is a beautifully dark and beguiling tale, which will sweep you away. It will appeal to fans of Kate Morton and Daphne Du Maurier's Rebecca.

A very compelling story and I would agree with the comparisons made.

I have also enjoyed Kate Morton’s books and those of Rachel Hore, also found on the above website.

Hilary Price

Semicolons There have been quite a few occasions when people have told me they have difficulty in fully understanding where semicolons should be used. I think it is true to say that semicolons are often more difficult to master than other punctuation marks such as commas and full stops.

The purpose of a semicolon is to create a break between two related main statements. The break must be longer than a comma but not as final as a full stop. It can separate clauses (statements) joined with ‘conjunctive adverbs’ i.e. words that join separate clauses into one sentence, e.g. also, besides, consequently, finally, however, moreover, indeed, instead, likewise, meanwhile, therefore, then.

20

This is by no means an exhaustive list.

Here is one example: Jack really wanted a pair of Nike trainers; however, he had to settle for a pair of Reebok’s.

Certainly, two short main sentences can remain unaltered – nothing wrong with that - but a semicolon can bring them together.

It is important to avoid inserting a capital letter after a semicolon unless it is a proper noun, e.g. the name of a city.

Another feature of semicolons is their ability to separate items in a list: I must do some shopping and buy two or three Jaffa oranges; potatoes; vegetable soup; and gluten free sausages.

Some people avoid using semicolons and I can understand their reluctance in this respect. When used correctly however, they are useful.

Just a small point of interest - George Orwell detested them.

Barbara Rawson Contact Proof Reader

Amazing Isn't it amazing that we are all made in God's image, and yet there is so much diversity among his people?

Desmond Tutu 21

Organ Concert As Vision draws to a close then so we ramp-up to start raising money for our church organ. Our first fundraising event will be on Saturday April 9th at 7.30 pm. Nick Riley will be playing some of his, and hopefully your, favourite organ music.

Guest Catherine Mason will also be singing some well known songs. It should be varied and we hope that it will be a thoroughly enjoyable evening.

Tickets will be available from Nick soon at ÂŁ6 and will include light refreshment.

Unlike Vision, it is unlikely that we will get many grants to help with our fund raising so your support will be very much valued.

Look out for posters appearing soon.

Some exciting concerts are being planned for the coming months with guest artists from far and wide. We are also hoping to be doing music-themed Coffee Mornings and Barn Dances have music too! Watch Contact and notices for further news.

Nick Riley

22

March 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.

6th

HOLY COMMUNION - Rev Kathryn Darby

13th

Angela Constantine

20th

ALL AGE WORSHIP - Rev Stephen Willey

24th

MAUNDY THURSDAY COMMUNION at Erdington 7.30 pm

25th

GOOD FRIDAY - Walk of witness outside the Co-op - 10.30 am

27th

EASTER MORNING HOLY COMMUNION at Stockland Green followed by breakfast - 8.00 am HOLY COMMUNION - Rev Paul Dunstan - 10.30 am

23

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 (2nd)

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 April CONTACT to any of the Editorial Team (Peter Farley, Christine Rankin, Ann Tomes & Nick Riley) by 15th March 2016 at the latest please or alternatively email me: nickriley@blueyonder.co.uk with the word ‘CONTACT’ in the title.

24