Contact201610

CONTACT

Magazine of Erdington Methodist Church Station Road - October 2016 1

Contents Minister’s Letter Heard in a pew . . .

Wanted - Singers for a very special event Macmillan coffee morning Where two or three are gathered…

Thursday ‘drop in’ mornings Oddest Saturday coffee mornings for the organ fund Important Note about the next CONTACT magazine From Downton Abbey to the Developing World Donations to Church Organ Fund Children’s Pages What am I worth?

Extract from The Teacher Methodists Lead Community Sponsorship Why gardener Alan digs the Real Advent Calendar CGM Follow up Bible Studies October Regular Meetings Coffee Mornings Tuesday Club Sunday Worship Weekly Church Activities

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Minister’s Letter Dear friends Wow what a welcome! A big thank you! I am writing this on the train having just visited my mum in Northampton. She will be ninety nine in October. We spent the afternoon looking at family photos of some the many things mum has done since dad died over twenty five years ago. Life never stands still. Time flies by!

It has been a great joy to meet all three congregations and to worship in three very different buildings, all part of a warm and loving Methodist family. Your kindness, friendliness and loving welcome have helped us to settle into our new home. Many of you have asked how our twins, Chipo and Luyando have settled into their new school. They certainly seem to be adjusting well and most of the time are happily leaving the manse with a smile on their faces to meet new challenges and friends. I think they will be more adept than their dad at learning new names!

I am mindful that whilst we as a family are excited and enjoying discovering our new surroundings, others are struggling to make sense of what is going on in their lives. Within all our congregations are people who know firsthand how difficult life can be, either because of a personal illness or because they are walking close to family or a friend who is struggling.

Whilst our faith may never take away things that we would prefer to avoid, we do have a confidence that God in Christ will be with us. Praise God for each other and the way we can be agents (or instruments) of God to be alongside one another in difficult times.

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I look forward in the weeks and months ahead to explore together how we continue to respond to the Mission of God. As I get to know you… and you me … my prayer is that we can, in times of both joy and sadness, discern how we use our gifts and graces within and beyond our splendid buildings to proclaim the love of God. How can we best use all our resources to make disciples of Jesus and work for justice and peace? I also look forward as we continue life journey together to exploring and discovering fresh dimensions of understanding about the God we put our faith in.

Last but not least, a big thank you to those who have chosen to wear badges/sticky labels with their names… I have found this particularly helpful during communion… so that as we share bread and wine, I can call you by name. This helps me know your names and also hopefully makes the communion service more personal.

Wishing you every blessing in Christ, Your minister and friend, Malcolm

Heard in a pew . . .

Our lay preacher is from France, and occasionally amuses us with using words slightly out of context. One morning, coming to the end of a long sermon, he solemnly assured us: “Just a few more words, and then I will definitely decease.”

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Wanted - Singers for a very special event A copy of the note that will go into the Circuit Plan / Newsletter in December - ed It has been many years since Erdington has included Stainer’s Crucifixion as part of worship. After some conversation between Nick Riley and Barbara Rawson it was agreed to ask The Circuit if we could include The Crucifixion as part of a Circuit Service on Palm Sunday 2017.

This has been agreed.

Stainer conceived ‘The Crucifixion’ as ‘A Meditation on the Sacred Passion of the Holy Redeemer.’ It is written for tenor and bass soloists and chorus and interspersed with hymns to be sung by the congregation.

We need a large choir (at least 30) to make this Passion-tide cantata a memorable and moving experience. So would you please pray for us and if you have any kind of singing voice (shower singers will not be discouraged!) then we would like to hear from you as soon as possible.

Please speak to Barbara Rawson or Nick Riley to express an interest in taking part.

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Macmillan coffee morning Just in case you were all wondering why I haven’t arranged a Macmillan Coffee Morning for the end of September as is usual; I thought that I should let you all know that I haven’t forgotten. I’ve decided to hold it at one of the available Thursday coffee morning slots.

10th Nov

It will be on Thursday 10th November and I am hoping that we can all make it. I am hoping to arrange for some Macmillan Christmas cards and stocking fillers to be available for sale on the day, and would love lots of cake donations as well.

So, don’t forget put the 10th November into your Diaries.

Thanks Sue Turner

Where two or three are gathered…

A lady was describing the small attendance at her local church. ‘We were so few last Sunday that when the vicar began ‘Dearly beloved,’ I blushed.”

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Thursday ‘drop in’ mornings These continue monthly on the second Thursday of the month.

This is proving successful . While we have fewer people from the local community, there are more of our church members attending than on a normal Saturday morning, who appreciate a week day to meet friends and chat over a coffee. All are welcome to come and the refreshments and costs are the same as on a Saturday. At the moment the proceeds are alternating between the organ fund and general church account, but if anyone wants to run a morning for a different charity that will be fine, but speak to Hilary first.

These mornings will be reviewed at the next church council and hopefully a new list will go up later for 2017. It would be good if we could expand to twice a month, but this depends on people’s thoughts and offers to run these sessions (10 - 12).

Dates for the rest of this year are - Oct 13th, Nov 10th, (proceeds for Macmillan ), Dec 8th.

Thank you to all who have supported, and run, these mornings and filled the dates for this year!

Oddest The parish magazine was reporting on a recent parish away-day at the seaside. It said: ‘The results of our competition for the oddest item found on the beach were: First prize: Mrs Wainwright; second prize: The Vicar; and third prize, Mr Simpson.

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Saturday coffee mornings for the organ fund On November 12th we will be entertained by a ukulele group.

They call themselves The Ukulele Allsorts “…'cos we play all sorts of music and have all sorts of ukes” !!

The main group numbers around 20 + members and have performed in Symphony Hall, but a smaller group from them also plays at smaller functions. So we welcome 7 of them to play for us during the morning.

Important Note about the next CONTACT magazine Nick Riley, magazine editor, has had the audacity to go on holiday when the next ‘November’ issue is due. As a consequence the next issue will combine November/December and January and will be available mid November rather than at the beginning of November.

Please continue to send articles to Nick on his email (details on the back page).

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From Downton Abbey to the Developing World What’s the connection? You may ask.

Well, Hugh Bonnville, who played Lord Grantham leading the distinguished cast portraying the aristocratic characters in the most popular TV drama, visited India last summer as Wateraid’s ambassador, to see for himself how toilets change everything.

He said, ‘Here in the UK, it’s easy for us to take toilets for granted. But during my trip to India I saw first-hand how much they impact on every aspect of life. Without toilets, an astounding 569 million people – 44% of the population – are forced to defecate in the open. Worldwide it’s 946 million.

In Narai Ka Pura in Madhya Pradash, a village without proper sanitation, I saw barley fields where men, women and children relieve themselves – amid the crops they depend on for food.

This unhygienic environment means deadly diseases spread fast.

Relentless bouts of sickness keep people trapped in poverty, unable to work or support their families.

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Children are especially vulnerable. More than 140,000 die every year in India alone from preventable diarrhoeal diseases, and many more suffer from the resulting malnutrition and effects that last their whole lives.

Later in my trip we visited Mahadev Pura, where supporters like you have provided access to improved sanitation and safe water, making an astonishing difference.

Schoolchildren showed me games that teach them about hygiene, and the headteacher told me absenteeism through sanitation illnesses is a thing of the past. These kids have brighter futures simply because they now have loos and clean water.

It was overwhelming to witness the difference a toilet can make. Surely it is unacceptable that millions of people still do not have this basic necessity. Clean water and sanitation transforms lives; it is really that simple’ Inspired by Hugh’s trip? Wateraid are asking people to run, (but you could walk or cycle) with sponsors who support, to help change lives with safe water and sanitation.

Visit www.wateraid.org/running Extract (with permission) from Wateraid’s magazine ‘Oasis’ Ann Tomes

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Donations to Church Organ Fund Many thanks to all those that supported the BROC ‘Wonderful World of Disney’ concert and helping us raise another £200 towards our Organ Fund. Many thanks too to BROC and particularly Ethan for organising, rehearsing and performing the music (of which there was a lot!) - it was a fun and entertaining evening of music.

While I am mentioning making donations - did you know that it is possible to make a donation to the fund via the church website www.mine.org.uk ?

On the main menu (along the top of the main page) is a link marked ‘Organ Fund’.

If you click on this it takes you to a page which explains how to make a donation and the fees involved in doing so, (yes someone has to provide this facility and there is a small cost involved which is explained on the Organ Fund page) If you can’t make it along to one of our events or you would prefer to make a donation online then feel free to use this facility.

Every penny counts and your gifts are gratefully received to keep our organ running and supporting the wonderful singing that happens at Erdington each week.

Many thanks Nick 11

Children’s Pages

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What am I worth?

The other day I attended the funeral of an acquaintance, someone I had known as a retired architect who had obviously been successful. He was also a very competitive sailor and someone who had wanted his world to be just so. The man he had grown up with delivered the funeral oration. Reading between the lines they were probably both mates and competitors. However, I was amazed by what he revealed. This man who I had known had had level three Government security clearances, had built nuclear bunkers and had spent some years on the list of people who were not allowed to leave the country in case they were kidnapped!

Therefore he probably lived his life always planning what he could say to people because often it would probably be better to just not to go there.

We had a similar occurrence here in church a few years back. The funeral oration revealed that the man, about whom I knew nothing, had been a research chemist and much else besides. But for this man there was no Official Secrets Act and therefore no reason for me not to know. He had just stood in the corner drinking his cup of tea saying very little to anyone whilst his wife socialised. We were all the poorer as a result.

Whist I was still a manager I remember that one of the things that I had been taught was to encourage peoples’ strengths. I had constantly praised my children and now praise my grandchildren in an effort to build their self-esteem, even more important for the ‘social media’ and ‘neo-grammar’ age.

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But obviously not everyone is as tuned in to the import of this as I am/was. I can vividly recall saying at house group one evening ‘We should encourage everyone not to let your insecurity show because this hinders communication’. In response I was roundly berated, by an assertive, domineering character who opined that this was not the way to deal with shy individuals because it just made matters worse. Rightly or wrongly this didn’t stop me from believing it. Many years before I had been involved with some management role-play and being told that if I could screw myself up to be a bit more assertive it would be much better: allowing too much of my own insecurity to show.

Rev Nichola Jones always appeared to run her life on two tracks.

Firstly, everyone has a worthwhile story to tell and it is up to you to find it. Secondly, if you want someone to do something you have to ask him or her personally. For both it is necessary to communicate that what you are saying is important.

Unfortunately self-denigration appears to be part of the English psyche. What I do is not good, has no value, no one will want to listen to what I have to say and I don’t know why I bother. As Christians we have even less reason to allow such attitudes to dominate our lives than other people. Jesus taught us that God created each one of us uniquely. We are all different, our worth is known and we are all equally loved.

What can we do about this here in Erdington? Maybe the place to start would be to ensure that, in the future, after we have attended a funeral, we have no cause to say ‘you know I never knew that’.

Peter Farley 15

CHRISTMAS EXTRAVAGANZA Everyone is welcome to a Coffee Morning at Erdington Methodist Church 10.00 am to 12.00 pm on Saturday 3rd December

Tasty bacon butties will be on sale !

Take time to browse around an assortment of stalls There will be a number of prizes to win in the raffle.

There will be Handbell Ringers who will play a selection of seasonal music

and a Singing Group will sing a variety of Christmas carols

Proceeds towards the church organ fund 16

Extract from The Teacher Below is a short extract from a story written by a school teacher (name unknown).

I would like you all to make me a promise. From now on, on your way to school, or on your way home, find something beautiful to notice. It doesn't have to be something you see, it could be a scent perhaps of freshly baked bread wafting out of someone's house, or it could be the sound of the breeze slightly rustling the leaves in the trees, or the way the morning light catches the autumn leaf as it falls gently to the ground. Please look for these things, and cherish them. For, although it may sound trite to some, these things are the stuff of life. The little things we are put here on earth to enjoy.

The things we often take for granted. We must make it important to notice them, for at any time...it can all be taken away.

During this morning’s worship, one of the wonderful hymns that we sang was ‘I sing the almighty power of God’ written by Isaac Watts, number 107 in STF. It was when we sang verse 4 that I found myself thinking of the teacher’s sound advice.

Lord, how your wonders are displayed Where’er I turn my eye, If I survey the ground I tread, Or gaze upon the sky!

Barbara Rawson – 18th September

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Methodists Lead Community Sponsorship The Methodist Church in Birmingham and Birmingham City Council made a landmark announcement on Saturday, 12th September that the city council will be the first local authority to support the community sponsorship of Syrian refugees.

The Methodist Network, led by Rev David Butterworth, will be sponsoring a family of four - with the support of the city council and the Home Office - as part of the council leader's commitment to welcome 500 refugees over the next five years.

Cllr Zaffar said: "I welcome the offer of the Methodist Network to sponsor a refugee family and I have written to the Home Office confirming the city council's support. At this stage we are treating this as a pilot scheme as we need to monitor how this works before committing to further sponsorship applications, but this is a great first step.

"What is happening in Syria is a human catastrophe and it is only right that we do all we can to offer shelter to people fleeing for their lives, something Birmingham has a proud history of. We will continue to work with partners to ensure refugees coming to Birmingham are settled and able to integrate into the city and start a new life here."

Methodist Minister the Rev David Butterworth commented: "To be able to provide a safe welcome to a refugee family is a wonderful privilege. The Methodist Church has worked very closely with Birmingham City Council to arrive at this point. We have also been supported greatly by CitizensUK, and by the National Refugee 18

Welcome Board and locally encouraged by the Progressive Jewish Community and Sisters of Mercy Birmingham and not least by the Home Office.

"We hope that this family will be the first of many fleeing wars and horrors abroad that the Church can provide with sanctuary and love. We will be working alongside Birmingham City Council and the Home Office to provide support for further families and encouraging other organisations to join the Community Sponsorship scheme."

Immigration Minister, Robert Goodwill, said: "The response of the British public to the refugee crisis has been one of overwhelming generosity and many have been moved to make kind offers of assistance. We are on track and delivering our commitment to help 20,000 of the most vulnerable Syrians displaced by the conflict.

"The Community Sponsorship scheme is helping bring communities together to support these often traumatised families as they rebuild their lives, and begin to contribute to and thrive in our country.

"I am delighted to hear that the Methodist Church is taking part in the scheme, with the full support of Birmingham City Council, and I wholeheartedly encourage other organisations that can help to offer their support." from the Methodist Church News Service

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Why gardener Alan digs the Real Advent Calendar

Alan Titchmarsh has welcomed the launch of the 2016 Real Advent Calendar, describing it as 'a great idea'. Each Real Advent Calendar comes with a free 28 page copy of the Christmas story in the box, 24 Fairtrade chocolates and sales of the calendar support charitable causes.

David Marshall, from The Meaningful Chocolate Company which makes the calendars, said: "Three years ago we saw survey research which showed that knowledge of the Christmas story was fading.

Among 5-7 year olds, 36% didn’t know whose birthday was celebrated at Christmas.

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“Among adults, less than 12% knew the full nativity story and 51% said that the birth of Jesus was irrelevant to their Christmas. As a result of this survey we launched The Real Advent Calendar hoping to help adults and children engage with the Christmas story for the full 24 days of Advent.”

More than half a million Real Advent Calendars have been sold, which means over a million people have read the Real Advent Calendar Christmas story, many for the first time. This year the story is illustrated by award winning artist Alida Massari and includes activities and challenges.

From the charitable donations, the calendar has helped equip a baby clinic in Kenya and supported charities such as Traidcraft Exchange and The Children’s Society.

Alan Titchmarsh said: "The Real Advent Calendar is a great idea.

Not only does it raise money for good causes and is made from Fairtrade Chocolate but is also tells the Christmas story."

Delivery is free on orders of at least one case of 18 calendars if made by 1st November. Schools receive a 10% discount for each case ordered in October. Free resources for schools and churches are also available online. Visit www.realadvent.co.uk If members would like to buy a Real Advent Calendar then please let Nick Riley know as soon as possible and he will put a bulk order in. They cost £3.99 each if we order 18 — ed

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CGM Follow up Bible Studies By the time you read this, Celebrating God’s Kingdom will have happened and hopefully it will have kick-started our Circuit and Church into an exciting new Methodist year.

As a follow-up there will be bible studies on the following dates - it would be great if you can attend all or some of them.

They will be led by our minister Rev Malcolm at church and all start at 7.30 pm - lasting for only about an hour.

Dates are: Wednesday 19th October Wednesday 26th October Thursday 3rd November Thursday 10th November If you would like to help with these meetings then we will need some light refreshment (tea/coffee and biscuits) as people arrive.

Please speak to a steward if you can help in this way.

Many thanks Nick Riley

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October Regular Meetings Coffee Mornings Each Saturday 10.00 am to 12.00 noon

Tuesday Club Every 2nd Tuesday in the month at 2.00 pm

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

2nd

HOLY COMMUNION - Rev Alan Smithson

9th

Angela Constantine

16th

ALL AGE WORSHIP - HARVEST FESTIVAL Rev Malcolm Oliver United ECO Service at Streetly Methodist Church - 6pm

23rd

Young Church lead us (Local Arrangement)

30th

Godfrey Higgins

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Weekly Church Activities Sunday

10.30 am

MORNING WORSHIP and Young Church

Tuesday

2.00 pm

Tuesday Afternoon Meeting : Margaret Hillman (2nd)

Wednesday

9.30 - 11.30 am 12.30 pm

Stay and Play Luncheon Club - (1st and 3rd)

Friday

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

Beavers : Lynn Turner Cubs : Elizabeth Baizon Scouts : Lisa Porter Explorers : 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 November/December/January CONTACT to any of the Editorial Team (Peter Farley, Christine Rankin, Ann Tomes & Nick Riley) by 31st October 2016 at the latest please, or alternatively email me: nickriley@blueyonder.co.uk with the word ‘CONTACT’ in the title.

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