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Magazine of Erdington Methodist Church Station Road - February 2017 1

Contents From our Minister, Malcolm *NEW STEWARDS URGENTLY REQUIRED FOR SEPTEMBER 2017* Sharon Sherrett says thanks Changes in our Uniformed Groups News from the Beaver Colony Alice’s African Adventures Legacy Caring for others helps YOU How will you express love this Valentine’s Day? Thank You Your help needed Organ Fund Activities for 2017 Exam Answers - always good for a laugh!

February Regular Meetings Coffee Mornings Tuesday Club Sunday Worship Off to the vet . . .

Weekly Church Activities

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From our Minister, Malcolm One of the great joys of our first Christmas in Erdington was to preside at the Christmas midnight communion at Erdington Methodist Church Centre. It’s reflective ethos was in contrast to the vibrant Carol service wonderfully led by our Group Scout Leader (Gerald) on a Friday evening in December … the church was packed with young people and their parents/carers. Then there was the Christingle service and the joy of Osborne Road School holding their Christmas nativity (with a twist!). Thank you to all those that made these times of worship so special.

No less special have been other times when we have been led in worship by our children and young people. We are so blessed at Erdington that we have children and young people who are ready and willing to be involved in worship. I know from conversations that we may have differing views about how we best support and encourage our young people, so that we build for the future. As your minister, I have a question: How do we interpret Mark 10 in our nurture of young people?

13 People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.’ 16 And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.

I would welcome further discussion about this for I am aware that those who are part of Erdington Methodist Church will interpret 3

the practical outpouring of this in differing ways. Please do speak to myself or a Steward should you wish us to arrange a group conversation.

You will have already observed that when children and young people are present in worship, I involve them fully in practical ways. I am of the opinion that young people often understand more than they are given credit for. For me this has been borne out by my experience as a full time School Chaplain‌ and affirmed by the response we have been able to observe ourselves.

Hence, for me if we chose to invite the children to be part of the Sunday congregation it is right and proper to involve them fully‌ remembering that the culture they will be experiencing will sometimes be alien to an older congregation. That may need to shape a different way and outward expression of worship. So another question I have is: How do we best accommodate this so that all can leave the church considering they have been able to worship in Spirit and in Truth (John 4 v 23 and 24) In closing as I wish you every blessing, I would like to remind you about the 24 Dispositions that I introduced last autumn. Try Google or go to https://www.faithmakesadifference.co.uk/ dispositions. You will see that these Dispositions are familiar in many schools in Birmingham..and something which in my opinion Birmingham can be very proud. As we journey through 2017, I leave you with another question: How may we draw on these Dispositions as we seek to share the gospel and grow in Christ?

(Maybe an opportunity for another group conversation?)

Your minister and friend, Malcolm 4

*NEW STEWARDS URGENTLY REQUIRED FOR SEPTEMBER 2017* There has been a team of 6 church stewards for a long time until recently, but it has always been difficult to encourage members to take on this role. Often it means that the same people have held this office, on and off, for many years. Since last September there have only been 4 of us, and this was difficult particularly over the Christmas period, with so much going on. Certain things either did not get done, or were hastily arranged by email. So if you are bored already with this article PLEASE read on, we really need YOUR help.

At present, of the four of us, 2 have full time jobs and either have a young family or other important commitments. The other 2 are elderly (sorry Sam A!) and also have a lot of other commitments.

At least one of us is due to retire this year, maybe more, so we will be seriously looking for 3 or 4 new stewards to join the frail members left!!

You do need to be a church member and you would be expected to attend three church councils and one general church meeting each year. The Methodist church website has a lot of information about the role of a church steward, and I have copied some of it here.

Remember that you will be part of a team and not required to be on duty all the time. However if you read the following you will appreciate that with no, or not enough stewards, the church family will suffer, and the church will not be able to function properly.

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From the Methodist Church Website : Church stewards have been around since the 18th century when John Wesley recognised that ministers, who because of the itinerant nature of their role, are often unable to oversee every matter in church life. And so, the role is tightly woven into the DNA of the Connexion.

While church stewards are responsible for practical things, such as looking after local preachers and ministers who are visiting their church, making sure the offering is taken and announcements are made, that's not where it ends! There are also responsibilities, which have more of an overarching reach. For example, church stewards focus on fostering unity within the church and 'talent spotting' those with potential, encouraging them to become involved in leadership roles. They also make sure that any new policies, which are made, by Synod and the Church Council, are communicated to their congregation, ensuring that decisions are upheld and acted upon.

Some of the responsibilities church stewards have are...

• Contacting the visiting local preacher before the service to fill

• • •

them in on the traditions and customs of their church. For example at what point in the service the offering is taken and if the children leave during the service to attend their own activities.

Welcoming the preacher before the service.

Looking after the local preacher/minister when the service is over.

Working with others.

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• Collaborating and cooperating with those who are also involved

• • •

in the Sunday service, for example worship leaders, organists, crèche and Sunday School leaders to ensure that the service runs smoothly.

Greeting all churchgoers.

Organising an alternative service Attending official church meetings.

These include the Circuit Meeting, the Church Council and the General Church Meeting ( as well as regular stewards’ meetings, essential for oversight of the life of the church and keeping on top of what needs to be done.)

Maybe some of this sounds daunting, but with a strong stewards’ team it won’t seem so arduous. So please give this matter some serious thought. If you would like to offer with a partner or friend we would be most grateful. Please don’t wait for us to twist your arm later on, but speak to one of the stewards when you have given this some thought and prayer, and we will happily be overwhelmed by your generous response!

Thank you.

Hilary Price, for Nick Riley, Sam Appiah and Sam Okyere

Sharon Sherrett says thanks There is a lovely letter from Sharon (for those who knew her) on the noticeboard in the Foyer. You all obviously made an impression on her. She is now living in Elgin, Scotland.

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Changes in our Uniformed Groups "I wanted to take the opportunity to let you know about some changes happening within the Scout section leader team.

2017 will be my 25th year of being a leader, and the last dozen or so have been as ‘the scout leader’. It’s time for a fresh approach so I’ve taken the decision to step back a little. I’m not leaving completely, and will still be with the scout section as an assistant leader, but I’m in the process of handing over to a very capable pair of hands in Paul Harris, who has agreed to take on the Scout Leader role.

Paul is currently an assistant leader, so many of you will know him already, and our other assistant scout leaders, Laurence, Jack and Andy are still part of the team too.

We will complete the handover process over the next few weeks so that Paul will ‘officially’ take over after February half term. It’s very much business as usual and I hope you will give Paul your support going forward.”

Lisa Porter

News from the Beaver Colony Is she or is she not?

Will Olivia from the Rainbows be joining the Beavers this year?

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Alice’s African Adventures I have recently returned from my twelve week ICS placement in Burkina Faso, and have been able to reflect on my time there with a nice cup of tea and a roast potato (or ten). I wanted to take this time to write to you to thank you again for supporting me throughout the fundraising part of my placement. Thanks to your generous donations we were able to achieve so much as a cohort and future volunteers will be able to achieve so much more.

Whilst in Burkina Faso I was placed to work with a women’s association, Kabeela, based in the small rural village of Guiloungou. Kabeela’s mission is to achieve long-lasting development for communities containing the most marginalised and vulnerable populations. As a community organisation they aim to liberate women through providing them with income generating activities, language lessons and professional training, as well as raising awareness on human rights, health and environmental issues.

I volunteered in a strong team of twelve, six of which were from the UK and the others from larger cities in Burkina Faso. When we arrived, Kabeela had become dormant after not having any support from ICS volunteers for a whole year. In the first week we met with the women and staff of Kabeela to see what 9

they wanted and needed support with. They wished for all their activities to be set back up, for us to introduce new activities, and they wanted us to raise awareness on the subjects of FGM and the benefits of Breastfeeding. We were able to achieve this and so much there during our time with them.

Once a week the women received a French Lesson. In Guiloungou the majority of the women only speak ‘Moore’. By teaching them French, we are giving them the skills to be able to communicate with the wider community, future volunteers and trade partners.

Alongside this the staff of Kabeela were taught English and IT skills so that they will be able to fill out applications for partnerships and funding without having to rely on the help of ICS volunteers.

The women were also keen to have the Theatre Club set back up. Theatre Club allows the women to discuss issues important to them, whilst boosting their self-esteem and having fun. During our time at Kabeela we discussed the issues of FGM, forced marriage, AIDS and celebrated the International Day of the Rural Woman in our Theatre Club sessions.

We were also able to educate over 500 people on the subjects of FGM and Breastfeeding throughout our time in Burkina Faso.

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Our biggest achievements with Kabeela were with our Income Generating Activities and with our Moringa Tree Project. The Moringa Tree Project focused on improving the quality of the Moringa Tree Nursery in the Kabeela garden. When we first arrived we noted that the trees were looking unhealthy and uncared for, so we started up a project to find a permanent water source for the women to be able to water the trees. After six small weeks we had organised for a well to be built in the Kabeela garden. This was also important as the women use the Moringa leaves in their Income Generating Activities, to produce Moringa soap and powder. These activities provide the women with products that they are able to sell, and therefore gain an independent income. The women are able to produce Moringa Soap in large quantities, which we were able to help them sell both locally and internationally (UK and Belgium) during our time with them.

Our main focus throughout our whole placement was to make everything we did sustainable. We just hope that the future volunteers, staff and women will share our passion and hard work to make sure that Kabeela continues to grow, rather than becoming dormant.

Thank you again, we couldn’t have done all this without your support, Alice Walker – Shakespeare

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Legacy This week we received an unexpected and sad phone call. The wife of a man whom I had taken over from at Dudley Road and then worked with for six or seven years made contact because he had wanted her to tell me that he had died and by implication would I come to the funeral. We have exchanged Christmas cards every year since he left, but we have had no other communication since they had moved to Newcastle upon Tyne.

As we all get older thoughts about dying come more and more frequently. I know personally that I never really thought about my death until I was 40. At that point it reduced me to tears because I suddenly knew that this life was transient and that at some time I would have to leave all of this behind.

We now have friends who are not well. The man with whom Allison, Tim and I learned to ski with in Scotland is, sadly, with us in body only. Moya and I continue to be thankful for all that we have, including continuing excellent health, other than aching joints and increasingly weary heads.

Whilst Moya and I were travelling the other day we were listening to the BBC news programme iPM. We heard the tale of a lady who had died and the last friend that she had had, only discovered about her death by chance four years later. As each of us wander through life we really have no idea what legacy we will leave behind with the folk that we meet on a day-to-day basis. There are, of course, all the trite management saying such as “don’t tread on too many people on the way up because you never know you might meet them on the way down”.

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But legacy is all about people. For example I was not to know that the man who had been my assistant at Dudley Road and who was appointed in my place after I left would later take over the pharmacy at Sandwell Hospital, where I had become the dispensary supervisor. Fortunately we must have done something correctly because we have been sharing Chinese suppers ever since.

In January Don and I went to the Royal Society in London. We were successful in the ballot for tickets to hear Stephen Hawkins deliver the annual Reith Lecture for the BBC. This is a man who, since his time as an undergraduate has been afflicted with a progressive neurological condition, which means that now his only means of communication is the twitching of his right cheek muscle.

And yet this man, who is almost completely paralysed, was still able to do what Lord Reith bequeathed to us all in the BBC charter to inform, to educate and to entertain. A man content in his own skin and confident about the legacy that he will leave behind.

I have no idea what legacy my colleague will leave behind in Newcastle on Tyne; it is a long time now since we have talked. But as we walked to the cemetery I fell in with two of his young nephews and one said to me ‘he was a good man and I loved him’ and you cannot ask for a better legacy than that. Similarly, later, over the food the members of the Book Club, which included his wife, waxed eloquent about his baking.

We have reached that part of the lectionary year where we begin to think about Easter, about the death of Jesus a man who gives every impression that he was quite happy in his own skin. He left us a legacy of knowledge and the power to carry it onwards.

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As Malcolm said at the Covenant service, he offers to write God’s ways on our hearts.

David Hewitt has been heard to say that people sometimes ‘Love God and do as they please.’ Jesus, however told us to Love God with all your heart and mind and strength and love your neighbour as yourselves. Maybe that’s something we can all put into action.

Peter Farley

Caring for others helps YOU Looking after your grandchildren, or providing emotional support to others, can help extend your own life by up to five years, according to a recent study.

Grandparents who provide occasional care for their grandchildren live, on average, five years longer that those who do not. And childless people who provide occasional care for others in their social network live on average three years longer.

The study, at the Max Planck Institute for Human Development in Berlin, concluded that a ‘moderate level of caregiving involvement does seem to have positive effects on health.”

from the Parish Pump Website

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How will you express love this Valentine’s Day? Valentines’ Day reminds us of the importance of expressing our love to those close to us. But how can we go beyond simply flowers and a card? Jesus says: ‘A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another’ (John 13:34). How can we express love in our everyday relationships like Jesus i.e. spouse, children, neighbours or work colleagues?

Listening - We need to listen to others, just as Jesus did. He asked questions of people and waited for them to process their answer.

According to James, ‘everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry’ (James 1:19). How well do we listen to others? When with somebody, do we find ourselves already thinking of what we want to say before they’ve finished speaking? Listening takes time; you can’t rush it!

Touching - Jesus reached out to touch the untouchables in his world, including lepers, the sick and children. This was completely out of character for rabbis of his day. One survey has suggested that we all need at least 8-10 meaningful touches a day to maintain emotional health! A warm handshake, touch on the arm or hug can be of real value. Of course, it should be appropriate touch – helpful for the other person, not just for ourselves.

Speaking - Jesus’ conversation was always full of grace and truth (John 1:14). Do we speak words of grace, by offering comfort, 17

giving encouragement or expressing care and concern? However, we should also be ready to speak words of truth, in asking for forgiveness, seeking reconciliation or addressing conflict. As Paul urges us, don’t avoid: ‘speaking the truth in love’.

Where is the challenge for us in expressing love this Valentine’s Day? from the Parish Pump Website

Thank You I would like to thank you all for your prayers, cards, flowers, phone calls and hospital visits while I have been ill. You have helped me through what was a tough time.

After City Hospital I went to Perry Trees for two and a half weeks.

Two days after going there a friend who I haven’t seen since moving to the village came for rehab. We began talking about our families. One of her granddaughters worked in stained glass. She asked did I know the Methodist Church on Station Road? The rest is history, as they say.

My friend's elder son (Rosie’s father) started at Osborne Road Infants School the same day as our daughter Fay. This is how we first met. One day my friend brought her son to visit me and he brought Rosie and her fiancé and one of her sisters. As they were going Rosie turned to me and said please say hello to everyone at church. This was a few months ago. Apologies for being so late.

Thank you all once again - Audrey Branwood 18

Your help needed A close friend of mine's family worship at Streetly Methodist.

They've been working with a charity that match volunteer families with lonely elderly people. Every Sunday these elderly people go to a different home for a cake and tea (or it may be lunch generally, I'm not sure). Apparently it is going well in Streetly, but they have a long waiting list in Erdington of elderly people with nowhere to go. Apparently the Sutton and Streetly based volunteers believe Erdington is too far to pick people up from so they are trying to reach out to see if they can make a similar connection at our church. I think they would like either some volunteers (hosts typically do so twice a year) or drivers happy to deliver the elderly people.

They contacted me as a starting point to make contact a couple of months ago and it completely slipped my mind to do anything about it. Turns out they are VERY keen to make contact as I was asked again. I've copied below the original email I received.

Ethan Cruxton "It seems that in Sutton Coldfield. There is an excess of volunteers to be hosts, whereas in Erdington there is a queue of people who want to be invited, some of whom have been waiting for 5-6 years! The sticking point tends to be drivers because they need to commit to more-or-less once a month, whereas the hosts only need to be available twice a year. However, it is also partly due to the fact that willing drivers from Sutton think Erdington is too far away to pick up guests from. We all found that incredible. We will put it to our own church members but intend to talk to Erdington Methodist Church too. I did wonder whether Ethan and 19

Philippa might consider being hosts. Then I remembered that Broc is on Sunday, so probably not. However, you might still consider mentioning it in case they know of anyone else who would be interested.

They can find out more at www.contact-the-elderly.org.uk or email Pamela Walker pamela.walker@contact-the-elderly.org.uk"

Organ Fund Activities for 2017 Get prepared for another fun-packed year of fund raising for the Organ. We are doing well, having raised ÂŁ3824 so far. We need ÂŁ5000 to do the urgent repairs so lets make a big push this year.

There are three upcoming Coffee Mornings on 11th February, 18th March and 20th May. We are organising a quiz for March 18th - starting at 7pm A Barn Dance probably during May I hope to do another Organ Concert with Catherine Mason on June 17th Jo Dwyer is returning with her pupils for a concert on 1st July We are hoping to get the Ukulele group which everyone enjoyed so much at one of our Coffee Mornings to give us a concert in the Autumn. And Much More . . .

Nick Riley 20

Exam Answers - always good for a laugh!

The following real life answers to various exams explain why teachers need long holidays.

What is a nitrate?

Cheaper than a day rate.

What was Sir Walter Raleigh famous for?

He is a noted figure in history because he invented cigarettes and started a craze for bicycles.

Name one of the early Romans’ greatest achievements.

Learning to speak Latin.

Name six animals which live specifically in the Artic.

Two polar bears. Four seals.

Assess Fashion House PLC’s choice to locate its factory near Birmingham. Is Birmingham the right location for this type of business?

No. People from Birmingham aren't very fashionable.

How does Romeo’s character develop throughout the play?

It doesn’t, it’s just self, self, self, all the way through.

Name the wife of Orpheus, whom he attempted to save from the underworld.

Mrs Orpheus.

Where was the American Declaration of Independence signed?

At the bottom.

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State three drawbacks of hedgerow removal.

All the cows will escape. The cars drive into the fields. There is nowhere to hide.

What is the meaning of the word varicose?

Close by.

What is a fibula?

A little lie.

Why would living close to a mobile phone mast cause ill health?

You might walk into it.

Where was Hadrian’s Wall built?

Around Hadrian’s garden. from the Parish Pump Website

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February 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.

5th 12th 19th 26th

HOLY COMMUNION - Rev Malcolm Oliver Angela Constantine ALL AGE WORSHIP - Rev Malcolm Oliver Yvette Morgan

Off to the vet . . .

In his younger days our golden retriever Catcher often ran away when he had the chance. The vet’s surgery was about a mile down the road, and Catcher would usually go there. The nursing staff knew him and would call me to come pick him up. One day I called the vet to make an appointment for Catcher's yearly vaccine.

"Will you bring him," asked the receptionist, "or will he come on his own?"

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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 : Paul Harris 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 2017 CONTACT to any of the Editorial Team (Peter Farley, Christine Rankin, Ann Tomes & Nick Riley) by 15th February 2017 at the latest please, or alternatively email me: nickriley@blueyonder.co.uk with the word ‘CONTACT’ in the title.

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