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Magazine of Erdington Methodist Church Station Road - May 2017 1

Contents From our Minister, Malcolm This is a time . . .

Christian Aid Week Pray for an end to poverty Firsts The quick way to get rid of mice Mid Summer Music Evelyn Ruth Mason Circuit News It’s a small world!

Ascension Day Altos Lament May Regular Meetings Tuesday Club Sunday Worship Weekly Church Activities

3 5 12 13 16 18 19 20 22 23 24 25 27 27 27 28

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From our Minister, Malcolm The other day my twin daughters told me that the sun is a star . . .

I wondered how far we could go with this science lesson. That also triggered a thought about a song which includes the lyrics:,"Hands that flung stars into space . . . to cruel nails surrendered." (Graham Kendrick). Maybe you find the same . . . one topic can lead the mind to another! Only minutes later I was hearing about a general election on the 8th June.

As humans we are daily bombarded with a plethora of stimuli . . . some which we just don't want to hear or react to . . . maybe we subconsciously remove it to the bin without even 'hearing' or processing it? The moment the 8th June was announced we perhaps heard the inner groans that until the date is past we are going to be bombarded with thoughts and reasons as to how we need to cast our vote. Whilst we may not wish to hear any further reflection and advice from those leading worship, we do not need reminding that Christianity of what ever brand would encourage us to exercise our responsibility by voting in a prayerful way.

My prayer for the coming months is something like this:

• May we daily never cease to wonder at the diversity and •

intricacy of planet earth.

As we reflect on the cosmos . . . the spinning world with other planets, circling the sun; May we be mindful of those hands that flung stars into space, who after being crucified have become for us the living Christ living in our hearts.

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• May we in our words and actions continually seek to empower those whose politics and policies work for peace and justice in a loving way so that we may glimpse what it is be resurrection people.

We know all too well there will be a multitude of challenges facing individuals, communities and countries. In the coming months let us not lose the ability to look up and look beyond to the bigger picture . . . so that we do not let ourselves be over constrained by day to day troubles and problems which although profoundly real are not the entire reality of being human. As an early Christian writer Paul says: ‘Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.’(Romans 12).

At Erdington Methodist Church Centre with others Churches in the Sutton Park Circuit, through our commitment to be open to God in worship and activities we support, can glimpse that glorious resurrection begun by the Son on that first Easter morning. We can, I sense, see the sun (stars) shining brightly despite the snags of human sin and failing.

I do so hope you will be able to join us to think further on these things on SUNDAY MORNING 18th June 2017 at STOCKLAND GREEN METHODIST CHURCH. There will be no morning service at Erdington that day.

With all good wishes, your minister and Friend, Malcolm 4

This is a time . . .

Reflections on the General Election The recent announcement of a General Election surprised just about everyone. We now face questions as Christian disciples, not only about how we should vote, but what we and our churches should be doing and saying during the campaign. In the weeks leading up to the election the Joint Public Issues Team will be offering reflections and balanced analysis, seeking to support local Christians and churches as they engage with the issues, and working to keep the things we believe to be important on the political agenda. In this, our first resource, we offer some reflections on key biblical themes that will hopefully help put the events of the last week into perspective.

Don’t give up!

For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. Colossians 1:16 “Oh no! Not again!” Was this your response to the news of the election? Voter fatigue, suspicion of the motives behind the election, or fear for the future of our country has led many people to feel fed up with politics.

As a Christian people we believe that, not only has our world and those who live in it been made by God, but the systems and structures that hold us together are part of God’s purpose too. We are made to live in community; a community that is ordered, 5

structured and works for the good of all. To turn our backs on the processes that establish the Government of our society, or to recoil from the opportunity to remind all of those involved of the messages and priorities of God’s Kingdom, is to abandon a key element of our identity as a Gospel people.

This election may lead us into unfamiliar territory where established attitudes, narratives and priorities might feel out of place. Rather than causing us to back away from the challenge, it presents new opportunities for a people of God to explore the priorities and values of our faith, and how these can be pursued and articulated within the election debate.

This is a time for God’s people to pray for wisdom, to seek God’s purpose and to proclaim God’s truth, to seek the Spirit’s help to live and speak with courage and clarity. How can we use our vote well? How should we use our influence for good? How can we remind everyone involved and affected by this election that there is a higher authority in our world than any earthly ruler?

You matter, we all matter Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. Philippians 2:3-4 Christians believe the straightforward truth that to be human is to be made in God’s image and therefore to have intrinsic worth and dignity. We are invited to love God with every aspect of our being, which means that our feelings, thoughts, concerns hopes and dreams matter.

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But in recognising our own humanity, we are also called to recognise the same intrinsic worth in others, and indeed, as people of the Gospel, to place others above ourselves.

As the election campaign unfolds, what are the underlying motives and intents of the various political stories that emerge and those who promote them? Are we being asked to embrace agendas that simply serve our own self-interest? Are policies being promoted that place the interests of some above the needs and wellbeing of others? Are those who seek our vote serving their own interests or seeking to promote the common good?

This is a time for God’s people to make our voices heard. What should we be saying? Who should we be listening to – and whose voices are being drowned out?

Disagreeing well Hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil. 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 What influences you? Sometimes we don’t even notice how ideas, events or opinions have an impact on what we believe or do.

Media coverage can affect the way we see things. The tone of some political debates and headlines recently has been unpleasant and divisive, a trend which may continue as the various parties compete for our attention and support.

One of the questions that we might ask as disciples of Jesus Christ is “what impact is all of this having on me?” As we think about our prophetic role as God’s people, we might also consider what the impact is on wider society as we become accustomed to slurs, insults and accusations.

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One of the key principles that we, as churches working together through the Joint Public Issues Team, have sought to embrace is to challenge narratives, assumptions and policies that seek to stigmatise and misrepresent others. During this election campaign, as a Christian people, what role do we have in challenging exaggeration, distortion and half-truth on the part of politicians and key media outlets? How do we guard ourselves and others against the harmful impact of such narratives and claims?

This is a time for God’s people to seek truth and expose deceit. In what ways can we challenge language and ideas that harm? How can we model wholesome and honourable ways in which people of different perspectives and opinions can respectfully discuss and debate their opposing views?

What (else) matters?

Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things Philippians 4:8 Brexit is likely to be the dominant issue of this campaign, even though Article 50 has already been triggered and individual MPs will have little power to shape the eventual agreement. But there is a very real danger that Brexit becomes the only issue, and that other important concerns and consequences are simply ignored or overlooked.

Our Scriptures remind us that we are not simply called to conform to the values and agendas of the world around us, but are to be a transformed and transforming presence in our society. We are invited to do more than simply respond and react to what is going 8

on around us. Instead we are deliberately to seek out and commend those causes and concerns that are defined by truth, righteousness, honour and those other virtues Paul identifies in his letter to the Philippians.

As Christian people, what role and responsibility do we have to raise concerns, either through the questions we ask of canvassers and campaigners, or in the way that we use our collective voice and influence?

This is a time for the people of God to reflect afresh on those virtues that our Scriptures commend as being worthy of our attention and priority. How should these be lived out in the life of our nation, and what should we expect of those who are appointed to political office in the light of this? What are the questions we should be asking? What are the issues we should be raising? What do we need to keep in focus as the election campaign moves forward?

Good Government?

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good, and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? [Micah 6:8] Much is being said about the need for strong Government and strong leadership. What do these ideas mean for us? Whilst a strong Government may be desirable or even necessary, there are models around the world which rightly attract widespread condemnation. A “strong� Government is not in and of itself a good thing. In modern democratic systems overwhelming 9

Parliamentary majorities reduce the need for Government to listen and respond to other opinions.

We need to reflect not only on the power and strength of any given authority, but also its nature and virtue. Our Scriptures remind us that not only has God called for good and righteous leadership, but has also showed us what that looks like. The verse from Micah is only one example, but it commends a model of leadership that acts justly, loves mercy and walks humbly before God. Our Scriptures and traditions provide us with rich resources that describe to us the values and priorities of God’s Kingdom and repeatedly remind earthly rulers and citizens of their responsibilities before God. As Christian citizens, we are not simply called to promote and defend our own opinions and concerns, but to be open to God’s Spirit and to embrace the goodness and truth that is revealed in God’s word.

This is a time for Christians to recognise that God has spoken into every era of history, and that our Scriptures have much to say about a good and wholesome society. What does good government and good leadership look like in the context of our national and global situation? How does God’s word define goodness? How can we promote and affirm this in the emerging election debate?

What does the Lord require of us?

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Preparing for the future Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Romans 12:17-18 It might seem hard to believe right now, but in just a few weeks the election will be over. Will it be business as usual? There is a danger that whatever the outcome, the average person might well see this as the moment to leave the politicians to get on with it. But these verses are a poignant reminder that seeking to do what is right is not simply a one-off decision but an ongoing responsibility that requires care and effort.

God’s people are called to be a prophetic voice in society. Once the election is over, the task of government will begin. Whatever mandates our politicians might believe themselves to have, as a people of God we also have a responsibility to seek what is good, to speak out for what is right and to challenge what we recognise as harmful and unjust. Whatever the shape or form of our new Government, Christian citizens will have a role to play in seeking to influence and shape the kind of society that we all live in.

This is a time for Christians to think beyond the immediate events of the election campaign and to determine to stand for truth, justice, peace and well-being throughout the next parliamentary term and beyond. What is God saying to us through current events and the opportunities and challenges that we know await once the election is over? How should we be preparing for this? How do we commit to continue engaging with our elected politicians?

For more information and resources visit www.jointpublicissues.org.uk/general-election-2017/ 11

Christian Aid Week Christian Aid Week this year is 14th - 20th May 2017. Your Christian Aid gifts go to help people like Nejebar.

Nejebar fled Afghanistan with her family after the Taliban threatened to kill her husband, Noor, who was a teacher. It wasn’t an idle threat - the Taliban first blinded, then murdered, another member of their family. ‘The last days and weeks in Afghanistan were the hardest,’ says Noor. ‘When I went to work, my heart was beating harder. I didn’t know if my family were going to be alive when I got back.’

Nejebar’s family are stuck in Greece. When the family arrived at the refugee camp in Greece, they thought they would only stay for 10 days. But they’ve been there six months now and there’s no end in sight. The only protection they have against the wind and rain is their tent. There’s no school for their children. Five-year-old Sudai, their youngest, is ill, but Nejebar and Noor don’t know what’s wrong with him because they can’t communicate with the camp’s doctor, who is Greek.

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Everyone should have a safe place to call home.

Nejebar is the rock at the centre of her family, holding them together throughout all this uncertainty. She has even welcomed Faraidoon and Farzad into the family, two brothers who don’t know where their parents are, or if they’re even alive.‘We still have some hope for our children’s future,’ says Nejebar. ‘We only want a peaceful life. We want our children to go to school. The most important thing is our children.’

Please give generously this Christian Aid Week to support people Like Nejebar and her family.

Pray for an end to poverty Creator God, You loved the world into life.

Forgive us when our dreams of the future are shaped by anything other than glimpses of a kingdom of justice, peace and an end to poverty.

Incarnate God, you taught us to speak out for what is right.

Make us content with nothing less than a world that is transformed into the shape of love, where poverty shall be no more.

Breath of God, let there be abundant life.

Inspire us with the vision of poverty over, and give us the faith, courage and will to make it happen.

Amen 13

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Firsts Recently my world seems to be filled with firsts. Nothing frightfully important just the inconsequential little things that make up a life. To celebrate Moya’s birthday we went en famille to Center Parcs at Longleat. That was newness in itself. But for those who don’t know, as I didn’t, Center Parcs are holiday organisations, which aim to cater for families by providing a huge range of indoor and outdoor activities from archery to woodcraft.

The list of activities is amazing and as the weekend that we were there was the first weekend of the holiday season all were available. One of my longstanding ambitions has been to ride on a zip wire, so that had to be included. Unfortunately, the only way to get to the zip wire was via the aerial balance trail and this was much more of a challenge. But it all ended happily ever after. I screamed my way across the boating lake at what seemed like 50mph but was probably nearer to 5mph, so two firsts in one.

The only thing that comes for free at Center Parcs is the swimming and we did a lot of that. This is probably the main attraction and consists of a heated indoor/outdoor pool. And it was here, much to the surprise of my children that I had my second/third first. I had never been down a water slide. I was accompanied in the queue and instructed how to launch myself, feet first and shoulders back, into the ‘abyss’ when the signal light turned green.

Unfortunately no one though to tell me that at the bottom it is best to hold your nose otherwise you get a sinus full of water.

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Then on an entirely different level the following Saturday as part of the same celebration we agreed to have lunch with Moya’s brother.

He lives in Milton Keynes so we arranged to meet half way and he suggested a place just outside Lutterworth.

As a child I remember being fascinated by the story of Frank Whittle, the man who created the jet engine. I expect that my interest was enhanced by the fact that whenever the story of the engine’s development was shown on the telly they always included the bit of film where it blew up unexpectedly. What I had forgotten or omitted to learn was that this development took place in a factory just outside Lutterworth. All my childhood memories came flooding back as we passed a life size replica of the first British jet plane standing up above a traffic island as we drove into the town.

But my first was at the restaurant and had nothing to do with the jet plane. On the specials board was raspberry soufflé and I cannot remember ever eating a sweet soufflé before, so another first. A very rich end to what was a convivial birthday meal. Maybe I will attempt to make it at home one day. But not when someone is coming! On a more prosaic note, my after lunch tea come on a tray with an egg timer and the message that my tea would be brewed when the timer had run through, another first.

In a previous life, when I ran a department, I went through a phase of putting up A4 posters of trite management truisms on a notice board where both the pharmacy staff and the visiting hospital staff could see. The one I liked best was “you only get one chance to make a good first impression”. While I was listening to Glyn Constantine preach on Palm Sunday he talked about Jesus preparation for Easter and for some reason I though about that trite 17

truism. Christ died for each of us that morning and took our sins onto himself so that with God we get as many chances as we need to make a good first impression.

As Stainer’s Crucifixion says: O come unto me, by the woes I have borne, by the dreadful scourge and the crown of thorns, by these I implore you to hear my cry, is it nothing to you?

O come unto me, this awful price, redemptions tremendous sacrifice, is paid for you. Oh why will ye die?

Peter Farley

The quick way to get rid of mice Three churches in town were overrun with mice. The minister of the first church trapped them, thereby starting a bitter row among his congregation about showing compassion towards God’s creation.

The minister of the second church humanely trapped the mice and then set them free outside. Three days later the mice were back.

The minister of the third church humanely trapped the mice and then carefully baptised them. They have not been seen since. from the Parish Pump Website 18

Mid Summer Music As part of our Organ Fund raising we are in for a real treat at the end of June and the beginning of July. On three consecutive weeks we have three marvellous concerts to fulfil many and varied tastes.

On the first (June 17th) I am once again joined by the marvellous Catherine Mason to present another Organ and Voice concert. I’ll be busy over the next couple of months digging out some well known and unusual organ pieces to hopefully provide another wonderful evening of music.

On the following Saturday we are visited by The Coleshill Youth and Beginners Brass Bands. I have heard these bands on a number of occasions and they are well worth a listen as they celebrate another year of making music. (I might be a little biased as my Niece plays in the Youth Band and the Senior Band too!) You may even get to hear Olivia and I play a little something together too definitely one not to miss.

On July 7th we are visited for the third or fourth time, I think, by the pupils of Jo Dwyer who will entertain us with a great variety of songs from the shows. Please do your best to support them in their learning and give them the opportunity to sing in front of an audience.

What a feast of music! Please put them in your diaries and we hope to see you at as many as you can make.

Nick Riley 19

Evelyn Ruth Mason Some of you may remember my parents, Hedley and Evelyn Mason, as they always came to Church when they visited and enjoyed the fellowship.

Those of you who knew her may well be surprised to hear that my Mum celebrated her 100th birthday on April 19th with an afternoon tea party at The George Hotel, Hathersage with her immediate family.

Mum was born to Ruth & Charles Staton at Beighton, Sheffield in 1917. She survives an older brother, Rowland, and younger sister, Marjorie. The family moved from Beighton to Duckmanton in 1933 to run the village shop over which they lived. Later Charles bought the Little Shop on Rectory Lane, Duckmanton which Mum was in charge of.

The family were lifelong Methodists and Mum’s father, Charles, was a local preacher. He was also the founder of the present Duckmanton Methodist Chapel opened in 1939.

Mum met Dad who lived in the village and they married on Valentine’s Day in 1940. They were both deeply involved in Duckmanton Methodist Chapel for many years and held various offices as well as using their talents on the piano and organ to the full. Sunday School anniversaries were not to be missed with a full platform and chapel.

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Mum and Dad had two children – Ian who married Anne Barnett and Marion who married Anthony Griffin and had 5 grandchildren – Garry, Suzanne, Martin, Alison who died at 19 years of age and Nessa. Evelyn now has 8 great grandchildren – Stacey who works in Changsa, China, so was unable to come to the party but was able to speak to her on face time, Ryan, Zach, Freya, Sam and Joel (Nessa’s sons), Thomas and the youngest Emélie Ruth (Martin’s children) who was born in Mum’s 100th year in January this year and is to be named after her.

Mum has always been an accomplished pianist and used her skills to the full at Chapel, the Mission Choir in Chesterfield and schools.

She played the piano for the children at New Bolsover Primary School for 16 years and also at New Bolsover Girl’s School and Welbeck Road Boy’s School at Bolsover, Derbyshire.

Mum and Dad moved from Duckmanton to Hasland in1983 and had many happy years there before moving to Moorland House Methodist Home in Hathersage in 2013 so that Mum could have help caring for Dad who died on 20th March 2014 a month after their 74th Wedding Anniversary.

Mum continues to live at Moorland House, still playing the piano for the choir and services and attending meetings, the prayer group 21

and knitting baby clothes for EmĂŠlie. She enjoys reasonably good health and likes to go out with family when she can.

Marion Griffin (a proud daughter!)

Circuit News In light of the fact that we are not going to fill our third appointment we are going to put in place cover for FalconLodge, Kingsbury and Streetly as follows:Rev Alan Smithson: Rev Malcolm Oliver: Rev Stephen Froggatt: Rev Stephen Willey:

SouthParade, Streetly & Superintendancy Erdington, Stockland Green & Witton Blackwood, Four Oaks & Kingsbury Boldmere, Falcon Lodge,Kingstanding & Nechells

Deacon Marilyn Slowe will be working alongside Rev Stephen Froggatt at Blackwood & Four Oaks.

This is now part of an ongoing Circuit strategy to develop ministry within the Circuit over the next ten years.

We recognise that all churches are going to be affected by these changes and we appreciate your ongoing understanding and prayers for the life of the Circuit.

Thank you.

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It’s a small world!

We sometimes say, ‘It’s a small world.’

And sometimes events make it seem so.

When my daughter Elizabeth came to stay with me last September she left with me a colourful and inspiring ‘Welcome’ leaflet from one of their churches, Eaton Bray Methodist Church, and it greatly impressed me. It told the reader of the church’s activities for all ages and its role in their community. It was illustrated with colourful photographs of various activities and events.

I commented, ‘How can a small church of thirty members produce something as warm and inspiring as this? All we do is present visitors with a small typed black and white welcome with a form to fill in if they would like a visit.’

I took it to show the Pastoral Committee who were also impressed and they in turn presented it to Church Council who agreed it was certainly a colourful three-fold resume of what Eaton Bray Methodist Church was about, serving their community.

Well, of course, as you well know, if you ask a question which involves some work, it will inevitably come back to you to do something about it! So I set to work, involving help from various people who I knew to be good at photography and we now have our own warm, colourful, and inspiring ‘Welcome Leaflet’.

Whilst talking to a member of Eaton Bray’s Church about the impact their leaflet had had on me, Elizabeth discovered that their literature was produced some years ago at a time when a certain 23

Rev Nichola Jones was their Minister. Elizabeth informed them she was also our Minister some ten years ago. (Incidentally, during her ministry with them, they also had new toilets and kitchen – interesting, eh?!)

I have sent a copy of our new leaflet to Nichola to show her we didn’t stand still after she left our Circuit. So it seems we have almost gone full circle and it really is a small world after all.

Ann Tomes

Ascension Day 40 Days with the Risen Christ - 25th May 2017 40 days after Easter comes Ascension Day. These are the 40 days during which the Risen Christ appeared again and again to His disciples, following His death and resurrection.

The Gospels give us little of Christ’s teachings and deeds during those 40 days. Jesus was seen by numerous of his disciples: on the road to Emmaus, by the Sea of Galilee, in houses, etc.

He strengthened and encouraged His disciples, and at last opened their eyes to all that the Scriptures had promised about the Messiah. Jesus also told them that as the Father had sent Him, He was now going to send them - to all corners of the earth, as His witnesses. from the Parish Pump Website 24

Altos Lament author unknown, but definitely must be an alto.

It’s tough to be an alto when you’re singing in the choir.

The sopranos get the twiddly bits that people all admire.

The basses boom like loud trombones, the tenors shout with glee, But the alto part is on two notes (or if you’re lucky, three).

And when we sing an anthem and we lift our heart in praises The men get all the juicy bits and telling little phrases.

Of course the trebles sing the tune – they always come off best; The altos only get three notes and twenty-two bars rest.

We practise very hard each week from hymn-book and the psalter, But when the conductor looks at us our voices start to falter.

Too high! Too low! Too fast! You held that note too long!

It doesn’t matter what we do – it’s certain to be wrong.

Oh! Shed a tear for altos, they’re the martyrs and they know, In the ranks of choral singers they’re considered very low.

They are so very ‘umble that a lot of folk forget ‘em; How they’d love to be sopranos, but their vocal chords won’t let em!

And when the final trumpet sounds and we are wafted higher, Sopranos, basses, tenors – they’ll be in the Heavenly Choir.

While they sing “Alleluia” to celestial flats and sharps, The altos will be occupied with polishing the harps!

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Comment: This poem, has resided in my piano stool for goodness knows how many years and it still gives me a smile when I read it, for I am an alto.

Should I have the good fortune to be ‘wafted higher when the final trumpet sounds’, I would love to be in that glorious Heavenly Choir singing all those beautiful melodies that have constantly eluded me.

Ah well … I guess I’ll have to settle with polishing the harps!

Could be worse couldn’t it!

Barbara Rawson

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May Regular Meetings

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.

MAY 2017 7th

VOCATIONS SUNDAY - HOLY COMMUNION ANNUAL CHURCH MEETING & FAITH LUNCH Rev Malcolm Oliver

14th

CHRISTIAN AID WEEK - Nigel Jones

21st

ALDERSGATE SUNDAY - Bob Dauncey

28th

Yvette Morgan


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

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