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COMPTON NEWS JUNE & JULY 2021

©Google free images Mayflower 400 celebrations 1620 – 2020

11th July 2021

Compton Methodist Church 2 Revel Road, Higher Compton Plymouth. PL3 5LF www.comptonmethodists.org.uk

Minister: Rev’d. Brenton Prigge Tel: 01752 656740 1

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Last date of submission for the August & September Compton News

Sunday 18th July 2021 Please send your articles to Karen Tel: 01752 778752 Email: comptonmethodists@outlook.com Or leave in Church pidgeon hole for collection.

Minister’s letter

May, 2021

Dear Friends As I write this, we are in what I would call “in between times”. The crisis is not over. Life is not what we would once have thought of as “normal”, by any means. Many people are still vulnerable and need to be careful. Not everybody is able to get out and about. Nor can we yet mingle freely. We are still not allowed to sing in church. And yet… and yet there are many signs of hope and positivity. Even as spring has gradually made itself known, days slowly but surely growing longer, brighter, and warmer, flowers blooming, trees turning green – even so our journey out of the “winter” of lockdown has been progressing slowly but surely, making life look ever so slowly brighter and warmer. We hope it is a taste of things to come. We hope and pray that the time is coming ever closer when we can meet and mingle more freely, share a cuppa after the service, and sing to our hearts’ content! I know we all long for that. Oh, how good it will be!

As a first step towards greater freedom, I have really enjoyed meeting some of you for a cuppa in your garden, or for a walk in the park. It has been wonderful to meet people face to face and just chat! I can tell people are hungry for connection, because since I put the offer out there, I have to admit that my diary has been choc-full – but I am not complaining – I am loving every minute of it. So as soon as I get back from leave (I am taking the first two weeks of June off) I would like to invite those of you who have not yet had a chance to sit (or walk) with me and have a chat over a cuppa – please do give me a call! And I encourage you to take the opportunity to think about whether you might do as I am doing – find others who may be hungry for company and a chat and arrange to meet in a garden or a park. I think you will discover, as I have been, that in reaching out to others, you yourself will be deeply blessed and enriched in meeting with others, especially knowing that where two or three gather in Christ’s name, you can be assured that the presence of Christ is right there with you, ministering to you in all His grace and compassion. I am reminded of Hebrews 10.24-25: “Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together… but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” The peace of the Lord be with you all! Brenton

SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP Hi Everyone, I would just like to thank the church family for their cooperation and understanding now that we have had to once again, revert to alternate Sunday morning attendance. We hope and pray that after the 21st June social distancing restrictions will have eased, and we can all worship together as one. Don’t forget the week you are not attending in person, you can either access services either via You-Tube for live stream services (Crownhill Methodist Church at 10.30 am) or Zoom when Brenton is preaching at Compton. In God’s Love Phil Lemin - Senior Steward

The Scout Group. All Group activities are taking place at our camps sites at Shaugh Bridge. Activities have included Tracking, Fire Lighting, GO coaching, Backwoods Cooking, Learning about conservation, naming the different trees, lots of outdoor games being played, young people are able to gain many of their outdoor badges. It's good to see many of the parents staying behind and volunteering to help out with the activities. Well done to all our section Leaders for arranging a good programme for the young people, long may it continue. Nigel Norris. Group Scout Leader.

We Remember HRH Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh. I had the privilege of meeting him on several occasions when I was working with his Award for young people. He started the Award nearly 60 years ago he was encouraged by the late Headmaster of Gordonstone School in Scotland where he attended, Founder of the School was by Kirtan. It was When His wife became Queen he went back to the School for a visit. It was there he was Challenged by his headmaster to start the Award; then it was for boys only. The Sections included Expedition, Skills, Physical, Service to the community; three Awards Bronze, Silver, Gold. When I was working as a Youth and Community Worker part of my role was to get young people involved in the Award alas open to Boys and Girls. It was a challenge to the individual they chose what they wanted to do for each section each award it was harder, Gold Award only was a week away on a residential course. The Award really brought the good out of young people, it gave them confidence and things to aim for in life. It was open to everyone from the age of 14 to 23 years. Things have changed throughout the years as the Award progressed. The number of young people that I have met throughout my work, young people from the Probation Service, young people from special schools, Young people expelled from mainstream school, it was just great working with these young people trying to get the good out of them. I could go on and on about the change I saw in them. I met Prince Philip on many occasions every two years; there was the General Council of the Award and Prince Philip was the Chairman of that Council, at lunch time he came around and met you, we were always told what to do when he came to you, and one occasion he said to me, “Don't worry all that 6

stuff it's my lunch time and I am off duty now.” He was very easy to talk to, he was listening to whatever you were saying to him. I remember him coming to Plymouth to visit young people and leaders, at Notre Dame School and then at Ivybridge Community College, about ten years ago he paid a visit to the Ten Tors Challenge event at Okehampton Army base, he was the Patron of the challenge event, he said to me on meeting him, “I hope you have put a Award team in for this event.” ( Yes Sir. ) Prince Philip always attended the Gold Award Presentations for young people at the palace and spent a lot of time talking to them and asking them what they did to gain their Gold Award. The Award Scheme spread out to other Countries called the International Award, or the President’s Award. The Gold Award Presentations are now held at St. James's Palace, Prince Edward now taking on that role of Prince Philip. I still get a lot of communications from people who I worked with from many countries. It was partly my involvement with the Award that I received my MBE Award. I know his legacy with the Award will live on with his Son, Prince Edward who gained his Gold Award. Nigel Norris MBE.

Reach out Use whatever you have to enrich the lives of others and you will soon find your own cup running over with joy. © God’s Little Book of Calm – Richard Daly Ref. Luke 6:38 7

Inspirational Quotes Vision is the art of seeing things invisible. Jonathan Swift Be not afraid of growing slowly; be afraid only of standing still. Chinese Proverb You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give. Kahlil Gibran We can do no great things - only small things with great love. Mother Teresa Wisdom is the best guide and faith is the best companion. Dalai Lama

Slogans So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. ~ 1 Corinthians 3:7 When my son, Danny, was a little boy, I was helping him with his spelling words for school. One word on the list was “turkey.” For some reason, he had a hang-up on only this particular word. He spelled all the other words with ease. I ended up singing a song to the Mickey Mouse theme, “M-I-C-K-E-Y,” but put in the letters, “T-UR-K-E-Y” and with that, he learned to spell the word. Advertisers learned long ago that a great little song or slogan helps one to remember the product. I can still recall the telephone number of a plumber and a flooring company only by their short songs. I know that “What’s in your wallet?” is Capital One, and “Don’t leave home without it.” is American Express. I know that M&M’s, “Melt in your mouth, not in your hands,” and “We know a thing or two because we’ve seen a thing or two” is Farmers Insurance. How would I know this when, most of the time, I fast-forward through commercials? I guess in the one or two times I heard them, they stuck in my head. I have even seen ministries and churches use slogans to bring people into the doors. It’s not necessarily wrong to employ these types of advertising strategies to lure people to God, but unfortunately, attracting them for one visit and keeping them to grow roots is a whole different story. Usually, most companies believe that if the consumers try their product once, they will return to be a regular purchaser. That is the best strategy of all. 9

When we sow our seeds of Christ, we want the message to fall into good soil. We want it to grow roots. We can water and fertilize it in several ways. “Be all that you can be” (United States Army) by keeping well grounded in Christ. “Obey your thirst” (Sprite) by quenching yourself daily in God’s word, and “Just do It!” (Nike). “The greatest tragedy is indifference” (Red Cross), so “Care enough to send the very best.” (Hallmark) “All you add is love.” (Ralston Purina) The real thing is not Coke but Christ. After we have done our job, the growth is up to God. Sow your seeds and tend the young plants with God’s love, making them feel welcomed, accepted, and cherished. Once they taste and see that the Lord is good they will be like David who said, “I was glad when they said unto me, ‘Let us go into the house of the Lord.’” Help me, Lord, to sow your seeds of love. Please help me to work the soil, and bring nourishment to allow roots to take hold. In Christ, I pray, Amen. ~ Jenny Calvert Submitted by Fred

Count your Blessings - Ratio 1:100 For every one thing that goes wrong in our lives, we have more than a hundred blessings. ©God’s Little book of Calm – Richard Daly

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GUIDEPOST

Invitation to the Annual Church Meeting 7/7/21 Dear Members and friends of Compton, You are invited to our Annual Church Meeting, sadly long overdue because of the covid situation. Currently the Church Council comprises of:* Churh Appointed Members Treasurer - Pam Missen Secretary - Lesley Kerslake Responsibility for the Plan - Maggie Pue * Possibly 6 stewards * 8 Church Elected Members who oversee specific areas of Church life. As you will see from the list opposite the Church Council has lots of opportunities for new members. Volunteers are also needed to be door stewards, and to train on the IT. Do you think you could help in any way? If so, please speak to one of the Stewards. At recent Church Council Meetings, Brenton has invited us to think about life at Compton over the next few years. What hopes and dreams do we have for the future? As society opens up again, things are going to be very different. We will need to think about our shared Christian life as we worship and work from Compton Methodist Church. How do we move forward in the task the Lord has given us? How do we share the love of Jesus with our neighbours? What could we do differently in the future? Please dream and pray about the future. What does God want us to do together? Chat to other Church folk and share your dreams and visions. Please come to the meeting and play your part in the discussion.

Lesley Kerslake 12

Current Church Council and Vacancies Jean Quant - Spiritual Growth Nigel Norris - Youth Groups and Property Ken Harvey - Catering Karen Wills - Mission and currently lots of the Communications and publicity work

Vacancy for Communications and Publicity Responsibility for/overseeing Notices to hall users. Banners. Website. Preparing information for weekly notices and Compton News. Posters and Leaflets. Advertising on Radio and in newspapers. Vacancy for Focus on Adults Responsibility for/overseeing: Short Mat Bowling Group, Coffee and Craft, Lunch Club, Guided Walk Group, Evangelical Team Vacancy for an Administrator Maintaining records of CRB and Safeguarding checks, GDPR, Key Holders, photocopier, miscellaneous church paperwork. Volunteers needed to learn on IT and sound desk

Current Church Stewards - need one or two more! Phil Lemin - Senior Steward Ken Harvey Lesley Kerslake Nigel Norris Monica Wood For full details of all the Church Appointed Officers please see the notices on the table on the back, with the nomination slips. If you are going to nominate a Church Member for a particular role, PLEASE DISCUSS IT WITH THEM FIRST, fill out the slip, then your nomination will need to be seconded, and put it in the sealed box. Box will be opened Sunday 27th June. Lesley Kerslake Church Secretary 13

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Performing Arts Mission – Update for Churches 24th May 2021 Dear Churches, I am just wanting to make contact with all the churches to give you an update on the work of the Performing Arts Mission / what I am up to! It was a very full-on time in the lead up to Easter – I do hope that all church members that wanted to were able to watch the filmed Easter passion presentation, Come and See… I managed to drop memory sticks, as well as some DVDs copied for private use, to all Ministers / Local Preachers who requested them, so I’m hoping that they reached anyone that needed them. I have found, during these strange times, that communication is tricky – I’m sure this is the case for all churches. Please do always contact me if you need any information on what is available, or to invite me to work with you in any way. Mayflower 400 – Churches Together in Plymouth service / drama on the Hoe I am thrilled to have been requested by CTiP to create a new drama for the special service on the Hoe on Sunday 11th July, 10.30-12.00. This is a wonderful opportunity – we have been offered the use of the stage that will be used for the official Mayflower 400 celebrations. I have written a drama, which will be performed by myself and Steph Reese (2nd Narrator in Come and See…) I will also be gathering a group together to create a series of tableaux to enhance the narratives – if you are agile and motivated (and have some experience of performance) and would like to be a part of this important piece, please get in touch asap. The themes of the drama are freedom to worship and church unity – very important themes currently. Please do pray for this event and come 16

along if you can – though, hopefully the service will be available online after the event. Please note that there is no pressure from the circuit to attend, however, please let people know, so that individuals can attend if they wish. Several churches are considering having their regular service earlier, to enable people to attend if they wish – do make arrangements that suit your church and contact me if you need further information before I send it / if it is not yet available on line… If you would like information about the official Mayflower 400 event taking place over the weekend / to book tickets, click on this link: Mayflower 400 Four Nations Ceremony | Plymouth | Mayflower 400 | Mayflower (mayflower400uk.org) My understanding is that access for the morning service will be free / no tickets needed – then they will clear the Hoe (not sure how long that will take!) and let people back in for the official event. Information is being confirmed all the time, so please do keep your eyes open / follow the PAM Facebook page / contact me for more information! PAM Website I have been working on creating a website for PAM – to help to make information more easily accessible. I am working on the final edits and will have an official ‘launch’ soon… Circuit Worship We are blessed in our circuit to have several Singer / Songwriters, as well as musicians and worship leaders. I have tried to include people across the circuit in the filmed events / services as much as possible under the circumstances. I have been in discussion with Rev. Brenton about the possibility of having more circuit worship and getting 17

together a group of our gifted singers and musicians to create and try out new worship to share across the circuit. Please do put anyone in touch with me that you feel would like to be a part of this group – then I can arrange an initial vision meeting and take it from there… Church Visits Although I am keeping myself very busy writing and creating, I am aware that I am still mainly working at home; as churches start to open and look to a way forwards, I would love to be able to start to visit again and have conversations about how I can best support congregations at this time. Please do get in touch if you would like a visit / some creative input in a service or event. I look forward to hearing from you! God bless, Anne xx Anne Middleton Performing Arts Mission Enabler (PAME) Plymouth and Devonport Methodist Circuit anne.middleton@live.co.uk 07748 595 178 www.facebook.com/performingartsmission www.facebook.com/piggyandwoof YouTube – Performing Arts Mission

Mayflower 400 Four Nations Ceremony The Mayflower 400 Four Nations Ceremony is the UK’s flagship Mayflower 400 event, and marks the closure of the international Mayflower commemorations. Having been postponed from the original anniversary date of 16 September, due to the pandemic, this major event will now take place on Sunday 11 July on the biggest stage Plymouth Hoe has ever seen. The ceremony is the UK’s flagship Mayflower 400 event and a grand finale to the commemorations. The 70-metre stage will host an epic production which tells the story of the Mayflower Pilgrims' journey in search of religious freedom and explores the impact of this on the world. A massive array of singers representing choirs and schools from throughout the region will be accompanied by the full concert orchestra of HM Royal Marines Band Plymouth. Together they will perform brand new music, accompanied by actors on stage and bespoke film footage all narrated to tell this unique story. The script and lyrics have been written by Nick Stimson, associate director at the Theatre Royal Plymouth, with music by Chris Williams. For the first time ever, this commemoration event will include leading representatives of the Native American Wampanoag tribes, who have historically been excluded from the narrative despite having been greatly affected by the Mayflower's arrival and subsequent European settlement. All four nations involved in the story – the UK, USA, Netherlands and the Wampanoag tribes – will be represented by high-ranking dignitaries who will speak during the ceremony and reflect on what the historical voyage means for the world today.

Ticket information The event is being ticketed to safeguard against Covid-19 precautions, with all tickets free. Tickets must be booked prior to entry. Gates will open at 1pm on the day, with the ceremony taking place from 3pm to approximately 4.30pm. There will be activity taking place on stage from 2pm, food and drink stands and toilets. Visitors are welcome to bring their own food and drink with them, as well as blankets or camping chairs, as seating will not be provided. Free tickets are available to book now at: eventbrite.co.uk/e/mayflower-400-four-nationsceremony-tickets-153192383543 Everyone over the age of two years will need a ticket and a maximum of six tickets can be booked per transaction. More information and full FAQs are available on the Visit Plymouth website.

John Wesley was touring the north of England – and generally being disapproved of – when he arrived at a Newcastle inn around ten in the evening. Some to whom we spoke at our inn were very attentive, “he wrote. “But a gay young woman waited on us, quite unconcerned. When we went away, she fixed her eyes, and neither moved or said one word, but appeared as much astonished as if she had seen one risen from the dead.” When you speak of God, you needn’t concern yourself overmuch with who is or isn’t paying attention. God knows who He wants to hear your words. © The Friendship Book/A thought for each day 2020

Old Man Old man, I saw you today sitting alone – muttering dark thoughts; grey hands fumbling with tattered coat, adjusting string, doing up pins, watching . . . waiting . . . for what? For whom? Jumbled words, mumbled movements make up your day – what do you think as the world avoids you? Do you care that no one dares meet your eye fearing less he finds the real you? All I know, as I watch you shuffle away, is that He whom I’m supposed to follow would not have passed by without smiling on you and making you clean. © Jane Rose/100 Contemporary Christian Poems

Absent Friends A little old lady received a home visitfrom a church worker who asked her how she was feeling. ‘I’m worried sick,’ replied the old lady. ‘Why’s that?’ asked the church worker. ‘You’re in good health, aren’t you?’ ‘Yes.’ ‘Then why are you so worried?’ ‘Every close friend I ever had has already died and gone to heaven,’ explained the old lady. ‘And I’m afraid they’ll all be wondering where I went!’ Seagull Attack Two old men were sitting in the garden of their nursing home when a seagull flying overhead pooped on the bald head of one of the old men. The nurse who was in attendance said urgently, ‘Don’t worry, I’ll run and fetch some toilet paper.’ As she hurried off, one man turned to the other: ‘Is she crazy or what? By the time she gets back with the toilet paper, the bird will be miles away!’ Marriage Vows An elderly couple were having their first major row after thirty-six years of marriage. ‘When we got married, you promised to love, honour and obey,’ the wife said. ‘I know,’ said the husband, ‘but I didn’t want to start an argument in front of all those people.’ © The Book Of Senior Jokes – Geoff Tibballs 22

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