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Welcome to the May issue of the Unity newsletter.
This issue’s contents are listed below. Thank-you all for your contributions.
Front page:
The cross at Easter – picture courtesy of Peter Chadburn.
If you have any pictures relevant to the time of year or some other event, please let me have them. Ideally a .jpg file.
Thanks, Lee
Every day, in every way, I am getting better and better.
[To be said 15 to 20 times morning and evening]
Emilie Coue
From Sue:
Dear Friends
I hope you have had a very Happy Easter.
As I write this, I am thinking about my service for the Second Sunday of Easter at Greenford for the other half of the Circuit. The Gospel for that day tells us of Jesus’ two post resurrection appearances to his disciples – once without Thomas, and once with him. What strikes me this year is not so much the so-called doubting but the place where the conversation with the disciples takes place – they are hiding behind a closed door in fear!
I read an article in “Thinking Faith” – a Jesuit online journal earlier where people were asked “Who was Pope Francis to you”? To me he was a man who tried to bring Christ into every situation. He said that his purpose – ass he saw it – was to have whatever conversation with each individual person he met that would bring that person closer to knowing or living with Jesus Christ. His was a ministry – a papacy –of encounter ….being among the people, being for the people. Yet Jesus’ disciples hid behind a closed door. Which are you most like? I know the answer for myself … and it is a challenge. Many a time I have wanted to be like Pope Francis … many a time I know that I don’t come close! The disciples are like me – loving Jesus, faltering, struggling to be effective … sometimes lacking strength, but … open. And therein is the hope – enormous Easter hope! Open to what?
Read again the passage set for the same Sunday from Acts: Acts 5:27-32
When they had brought them, they had them stand before the council. The high priest questioned them, saying, ‘We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and you are determined to bring this man’s blood on us.’ But Peter and the apostles answered, ‘We must obey God rather than any human authority. The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Saviour, so that he might give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses to
these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.’
The resurrection has only just happened and the disciples - no longer hiding – are out continuing God’s work – proclaiming the love of Jesus, and all that he taught. Proclaiming forgiveness and salvation! Proclaiming to all who are struggling, all who are sinning, all who are squabbling for power or riches that there IS another way to be!
Obedience to God has brought them into conflict with the authorities. Are there times when we should come into conflict with authorities in order to be obedient to God? In order to say something that will bring people just a little closer to knowing who Christ is?
Why are the disciples so different in the Acts passage? What is it that they are open to that has changed and encouraged them so much? They have received the Spirit – and the Spirit strengthens, gives wisdom, gives clarity.
Pope Francis was doing his utmost to be like the Spirit- filled disciples of Acts.
This Easter – this Pentecost – pray to God for more – and more – of his Spirit and open your closed doors so that you can move closer to Christ, and then bring others further on their journey towards him too.
With prayers and Blessings
Sue
I was born a female. I identify as a female. But according to Tesco’s sticky toffee pudding I’m a family of four.
Seen on a web page.
News of the Church Family
Please pray for HELENWORMALD who had a nasty fall at the end of March and bruised her face and broke some ribs. She has been in hospital for three weeks but is now just back home and having extra help from carers. Helen's husband BOB has felt lonely without her. We pray for him and also for their daughter KATE who has been visiting her Mum as well as helping to care for her Dad and rest of her family.
ELATRAIL is now recovering well from her recent surgery.
We were delighted to have BARBARAHAWKINS back with us in Church for our Good Friday service and thank Helen for bringing her. Barbara also enjoyed a visit from her family over Easter. We pray that Barbara will manage to get some physiotherapy at home rather than having to go to hospital for it.
Please also pray for healing for COLLEENHICKS who has had a fall and broken her wrist so is very limited in what she is able to do. She is being looked after in hospital.
We give thanks that ZARAJOUNEGHANI has recovered well from an emergency appendectomy and was able to join us in Church on Easter Sunday.
I am recovering well from my hip replacement and thankful to be able to start getting out and about and going on public transport, using one crutch.
Congratulations to FLEURHATHERALL who is celebrating a special Birthday this month!
It is always good to welcome back past members of Ealing Green Church. We are delighted that COLINANDMERLEPAIGE are with us from South Africa at the moment. It is really lovely to see you both. We hope you enjoy your stay.
We pray for all those mentioned as well as anyone else in our Church Family who may be struggling at the moment for any reason. We pray that they will be aware of God's presence with them and receive His comfort and strength for the days ahead.
Gill Hatherall
Letters, Emails and Texts.
FromGillHatherall FirstAidCourse
When I first mentioned, at a Church meeting at the end of last year, about having a First Aid Course at EGC about 12 people put their hands up as being interested in attending.
I did not have time to write down the names of those people.
Since then I have asked for names in the March and April Unity and in the service sheet on most weeks, if you wish to attend. I have only had two replies!! I will cancel this training session if I do not get more replies in the next few weeks.
So this is the last time of asking.....if you would like to attend......
The First Aid Training Course at Ealing Green Church , run by the Red Cross, on Thursday 12th June 7 30- 9pm in the parlour.
PLEASE let me know by email
gillhatherall@gmail.com by Sunday 25th May.at the latest.
The course is free as the Red Cross feel that it will benefit the community.
I am now opening this invitation up to the folk at Kingsdown, so as space is limited in the parlour to 20 people. It will be first come first served, DO NOT DELAY!! - BOOK NOW TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT!
Thankyou
Gill
I never saw an ugly thing in my life; for let the form of an object be what it may, - light, shade and perspective will always make it beautiful
John Constable
Well, we are in to spring, or is it summer?
Through April we had a wonderful week of warm weather, then it went cool, then cold and now is going back to a mini heat wave. It seems as if the seasons can’t make up their mind. Last year we were all freezing and soaking wet in the coolest spring for years. Change is something we are having to get used to!
I have also witnessed this with my bees, although I can’t really call them ‘my’ bees as they have a life and a mind (a collective one if you will) of their own. A few weeks ago (the warm week!) I received a call from our neighbour telling me he had a swarm in his garden. One of my hives had decided it was time to go. They congregated, frustratingly for me, in a tree branch in his garden from which I could see, but couldn’t get near them. Eventually they flew off and I lost them.
Today, as I was coming out of the shed, I looked up and noticed a swarm about 10-15 feet up in an old pear tree. I don’t think they were from my hives and I decided to see if I could catch them. Balancing precariously I managed to get them over several sessions into an old water cooler bottle and thence into a small portable hive, known as a nuc. Shortly later I noticed that the swarm was back up in the tree and the nuc was empty. I had clearly not managed to capture the queen. Again, balancing precariously I managed to repeat the whole process and get most of the bees back into the nuc. This time, it seemed, I had managed to get the queen and the rest of the bees slowly trooped into the nuc, the loud buzzing noise decreased then stopped altogether. They seemed to be happy in their new ‘home’ –for now. If it had been cold they may not have survived. This week it will be warmer, so hopefully . . .
It’s Christian Aid week this month and Ascension Day, two things to consider –and Gill’s appeal (see previous page). Apart from that it’s time to prepare for the summer. If you have any suitable pictures for the coming months, please don’t be backwards about coming forwards.
And could you consider helping sort out the stage one Saturday– see the back page.
God bless you
May Day Breakfast
When I was growing up in Ealing Green Church, on every May 1st we would celebrate with May Day Breakfast.
Looking back now , I guess it would probably be described rather a pagan festival but on those days we weren't so "PC" ! We would gather in the Garth (the Church Garden), process into Little Church holding bunches of flowers aloft, and have a very jolly service with lots of happy hymns.
After that we would troop into the Parlour for May Day breakfast. Everyone had brought an egg which Carrie Hardman( a formidable but much loved "boss" of all things concerning the kitchen) would boil in a large saucepan. You had no choice of "soft " or "hard " boiled egg- you ate what you were given, with bread and butter and much tea. After a while, a Councillor would rise, unfurl a scroll and proceed to read, in verse, a long speech extolling the virtues of a certain member of Church. Towards the end, everyone had usually guessed his or her identity and a great round of applause ensued, while the blushing recipient (the Bunster) stood up to receive The Bun.
This was a large round fruit bun about 18 inches in diameter which was then cut up and shared. All this happened very early, so that people could leave and get to work on time, probably around 7am. Happy Memories! Helen
A 67 year old woman, named Dorothy Fletcher once had a heart attack on a plane. When the stewardess asked if there was a doctor on board, 15 people stood up.
They were all on their way to a cardiology conference. Dorothy survived!
Saturday, 5th July, 11am University
Join Rev’d Alan G Wardlow, President of the Methodist Church in Ireland and Deacon Richard Goldstraw for a quiet day of reflection at The University of Roehampton Chapel.
It will be a gentle day spent thinking about Psalm 23 and includes Holy Communion. There will be a time of silence in the day. Lunch will be provided by the Circuit and everyone is very welcome. your calling Logan 020 margaret@rhmc.org.uk.
Please book your place by calling Margaret Logan on 020 8568 9975 or by email at margaret@rhmc.org.uk
For
Ascension Day May 25th
The Feast of the Ascension of Jesus Christ commemorates the Christian belief of the bodily Ascension of Jesus into Heaven. It is one of the feasts shared by most Christian churches, ranking with the feasts of the Passion and Pentecost. Fit follows the account of Acts 1:3 that the risen Jesus appeared for 40 days prior to his Ascension.
Ascension Day is traditionally celebrated on a Thursday, the fortieth day of Easter, although some Christian denominations have moved the observance to the following Sunday, sometimes called Ascension Sunday The day of observance varies in many Christian denominations, as with Methodists and Catholics, for example.
Catholic parishes in a number of countries that do not observe the feast as a public holiday have obtained permission from the Vatican to move observance of the Feast of the Ascension from the traditional Thursdayto the following Sunday, the Sunday before Pentecost. Similarly, the United Methodist Church allows the traditional celebration on Holy Thursday to be moved to Sunday. This is in keeping with a trend to move Holy Days of Obligation from weekdays to Sunday, to encourage more Christians to observe feasts considered important!
The switch from Thursday to Sunday was made in the 1990s by various denominations. It is interesting to note thatWestern Christianity and Eastern Christianity usuallycelebrate Ascension on different dates, but 2025 is one time when the two churches coincide and both celebrate on the 25th May
How to kiss a girl
From all the way back in 1911. I found this and was intrigued – and read it through. It was only when I got to the end that I realised what it was and had a good laugh. Don’t jump to the end. It will spoil the fun.
Collection Point
We are a partnership of people, churches and local organisations committed to ending poverty worldwide.
churches and local organisations ending poverty
We are strongly committed to inspire and encourage churches and individuals to hold poor communities in prayer.
7daystomakeadifference
With seven days, there are so many ways to fund lasting change. Christian Aid Week, what will you do?
inspire and individuals hold poor makeadifference are so ways to fund lasting change. Aid Week, you
With your support, we can fund vital training, so communities can fight the effects of the climate crisis.
'Climatechangehasbeen Meet Aurelia
With vital training, of the 'Climatechangehasbeenkillingourcrops,andthisis
An inspirational farmer and community leader. Aurelia and her family belong to the Indigenous Q’eqchi’ community of the Alta Verapaz region.
The climate crisis and industrial plantations have changed Q’eqchi’ land dramatically. heatwaves, savage storms and unpredictable seasons are ravaging farms. agriculture is taking over the last of the region’s natural resources to feed the world’s richest countries.
Many of the vital crops that Aurelia depends on are withering and dying before her eyes.
Familylife
When Aurelia was two years old, her father, Ricardo, brought her to the land that she now calls home.
Aurelia her family the Indigenous the Alta changed Gruelling farms. Industrial agriculture is over of the region’s o on are withering years her calls home. This
We were fortunate enough to meet Ricardo and hear him talk about how the Alta Verapaz has changed over five decades.
“I came to this community when I was 25 years old, I’m 78 now. This was a forest with different types of trees. You could really feel the freshness of the environment while walking through the mountains, under the shade of these trees.” - Ricardo, Aurelia’s father.
Climateandfarming
Aurelia’s farm, first and foremost, feeds her family. She tries to grow a range of crops so she can provide them with a balanced diet that contains the vitamins and minerals they need to thrive. In this way, Aurelia can protect her loved ones from malnutrition and ill health. But as increasingly intense conditions kill her crops, Aurelia’s ability to safeguard her family slips away.
Aurelia’s observed many impacts of the climate crisis, including extended dry seasons, the degradation of soil, contaminated water and a decreasing diversity of plants and crops.
“There was a prediction this would happen in the future, but it has come earlier. This is very worrying for our kids and especially our grandkids.” - Aurelia.
Concerns
Guatemala’s dry and rainy seasons dictate that farming families like Aurelia’s must carefully plan how and when to use their harvests.
It’s essential that they build reserves to sustain them through lean periods. A pressing concern is that smaller yields will result in smaller reserves, leaving people exceptionally vulnerable to hunger in between harvests.
Fundingandpartnerships
When Aurelia discovered the work of our partner, Congcoop, she put herself forward to attend the specialist agricultural training on offer, along with 22 members of nearby communities. With funding from Christian Aid, Congcoop supports communities to return to Indigenous farming practices and adopt agroecological approaches that conserve their land, culture and
livelihood. Agroecology, put simply, is farming in a sustainable way that works with, not against, nature. It’s the application of ecological principles in farming – a blend of ancient and modern wisdom.
By working with Congcoop, Aurelia’s gained the skills and knowledge to cultivate native seeds that are better suited to the changing climate. She’s producing her own organic fertiliser, creating nurseries, constructing rainwater collection systems, and making nutritious food and medicine for her chickens.
Thanks to Aurelia’s evergrowing knowledge base, she’s now cultivating cacao, sugarcane, cinnamon, corn and pineapples. It’s steady progress that holds promise. Aurelia’s resolute hope has also inspired her to develop and lead other activities in her community, including producing chocolate, establishing a farmers’ market, and fighting for women’s rights.
“Aurelia’s community is unbelievably impressive. There’s no electricity, water or phone signal, but this hasn’t been a barrier for the women. They are very proactive, and I think that’s because Aurelia has become a role model for them. Many are showing up at meetings they didn’t previously participate in and selling their cocoa balls and other products. They’re not dependent on Congcoop –they mobilise themselves.” - Gladys Mucu Choc, Congcoop Territorial Facilitator.
Your support is urgently needed to ensure we can be there for Indigenous families who are bearing the full force of the climate crisis.
Together, we can be more like Aurelia, and put the unstoppable power of hope into action, because a brighter, fairer future is possible Please give generously
