West Bridgford

Lent & Easter Edition March 2016

Issue 61

--- FREE ---

… sharing Faith, Hope and Love …

VO CE

Inside this

edition

A letter from our

minister, Paul

Details of our Easter

services

News from L’Arche

Nottingham

‘Awake, Awake, to

love and work’

Toilet Twinning

and lots more!

A letter from our minister Revd Dr Paul Hill

Dear Friends

Easter is on its way again. It is always celebrated when the emergence of new life in our gardens seems wonderfully to illustrate the new life of love and joy given to us because the tomb is empty and Jesus is alive. However, before the time of ecstatic joy of Easter Day, we must pass through the suffering, sense of abandonment and death of Jesus remembered on Good Friday. We glimpse what Jesus went through when we hear his words from the Cross: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me” (St. Matthew 27:46).

In her marvellous book, Our Sound is our Wound, Revd Lucy Winkett recalls the challenge from the theologian Gustavo Gutierrez that, rather than focussing on what Jesus said on the Cross, Christians should start reflecting on the fact that he spoke at all. Lucy Winkett comments: The fact that Christ cried out at the moment of his suffering is in itself teaching us about the nature of God in the midst of oppression and distress. As he was pinned to the Cross, Jesus did not remain silent. In the face of torture and injustice, Jesus was not silent (p63).

Lucy Winkett has much to say in her book both about the power of silence and speech, but the above quotation made me wonder if I could have faced such suffering. It also made me consider how willing I am (as a Christian, a follower of Jesus) to speak out against human cruelty and injustice today. This Easter, may we all know the joy of the Risen Lord in our lives, but, as followers of Jesus, may we seek to speak out and help, whenever and wherever possible, all those who have no voice or are crying out for new life. We do not have to look far to find people who need our care and support. Wondering where to begin? In this magazine you will find an appeal regarding Toilet Twinning, which, with your help, will help to change the lives of some of the poorest people in our world. Happy Easter

Paul Revd Dr Paul Hill

See overleaf for a full list of our Easter and Holy Week services,

including details of your opportunity to create a miniature Easter Garden.

Saturday 26th March, 10.00

Materials will be provided, but you are welcome to bring some

of your own!

Worship with us this Easter Our Holy Week and Easter services

20 March PALM SUNDAY PRAISE at 10.30 am

The worship will suitable for all ages and include children’s activities and a live Palm Sunday parade with donkeys.

24 March MAUNDY THURSDAY at 7.30 pm Worship to include Holy Communion.

25 March GOOD FRIDAY from 9.30 am

The Church will be open for prayer and reflection. Tea/Coffee and hot cross buns will be served in the Community Hall. There will be Easter activities available for children.

Revd Dr Paul Hill will lead a short act of worship at 10.30am

26 March HOLY SATURDAY 10.00 am – 12 noon

Come and build an Easter garden in the church foyer and/or your own miniature Easter garden to take home

5 April EASTER DAY

SUNRISE SERVICE with Holy Communion, 6.30am by the War Memorial gates Victoria Embankment

EASTER DAY ALL AGE PRAISE at 10.30 am to include Holy Communion

Please bring flowers to help transform the cross. There will be an Easter Egg hunt for children.

Kanduthat John Heard writes; Although this sounds rather like the name of a remote place in the foothills of the Himalayas, it is in fact something much closer to home. You may recognise it better as ‘Can do that’. These are words that are sure to gladden the heart of anyone who is seeking to establish a new project and they gave me great encouragement when I was looking for support with running a quirky new venture! Over a year ago now, in February 2015, I approached three local companies to ask them to quote for erecting a scaffolding structure inside West Bridgford Methodist Church. The first representative declined to visit the site, and the second took a sharp intake of breath, muttering something about ‘not what we usually do’. It was fantastic when Wayne from Empire Scaffolding turned to me and said, ‘Can do that’ and then immediately phoned a colleague to ask him come and look with a view to seeking professional help. Local choir leaders began by questioning my sanity when I told them that a Singing Christmas Tree inside the church was being planned, but quickly added, ‘Can do that’ and offered plenty of useful ideas and contacts, including some in the USA where such events have been held for many years. Their enthusiasm for the idea confirmed that we were onto something that was really going to be a popular form of outreach.

Manojkhurana - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0,

https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3953

4051

Over the following weeks I went on to receive offers of help from many friends and contacts who sensed that we were on the trail of something rather special and I was particularly grateful for the kindness of my wife, Monica, in allowing me to pursue this vision for a rather unusual undertaking. The vision and drive of those who agreed to help with the artistic and design aspects of the project– not strengths of mine! – was especially gratifying. Key individuals gathered teams of volunteers to plan for the use of 30 square metres of artificial conifer, the preparation of large glittery rosettes and the creation of twelve beautiful giant baubles; a task which kept mixed groups of young and old busy for several weeks. It was a case of, ‘If I can’t do that, I know someone who can!’ and there was great fun had by all. However, the project really got under way when church members and friends from the community met together in our hall on an October evening and the chorus of voices seemed to unite with a shared affirmation, ‘Can do that!’ At this point we urgently needed someone to design our publicity, and we required a volunteer to set up the ticketing website as we were just eight weeks away from the first event. There was on overwhelmingly positive response and others present were pleased to sign up on lists to help with catering, stewarding and countless other tasks that would be necessary. We all know that the final result was a memorable ten days in the life of our church, and one which made us lots of friends with local schools, choirs and the wider community. How wonderful to be part of a church where the prevailing attitude is ‘Can do that’ with a desire to serve others and spread the good news about the birth of Jesus in a relevant, uplifting and challenging way. Finally, there are three charities, ‘Equation’, ‘ClicSargent’ and ‘All We Can’ who now have an extra £1,300 each to enable them to say ‘Can do that’ to the families and individuals that they help, thanks to the team effort of everyone at the Singing Christmas Tree.

Toilet Twinning - April 2016 "In Cambodia you're more likely to own a mobile phone than a loo!" "Across the world 2.4 billion people (over 1/3 of the population) don't have somewhere safe, clean and hygienic to go to the loo!" Toilet twinning is a simple, quirky way to solve this serious problem and save lives! Throughout April 2016 the community at West Bridgford Methodist Church will be working together to raise money to 'twin' every one of the 15 toilets and 2 Nappy Changing areas in our building! For just £60 we can twin one of our toilets with a latrine half way round the world. For £240 we can twin with a school block. For each toilet we twin we will receive a personalised certificate with a colour photo of it's twin and GPS coordinates.

As a result, children will be healthier and able to go to school; parents will be well enough to work their land and grow enough food to feed their families.

"With better health and more ability to earn a living, men and women discover the potential that lies within them to bring transformation!" In order to raise this money we have arranged a comprehensive programme of activities throughout April, and details are on the next page, together with some other ideas for individuals.

Toilet Twinning - April 2016 COMMUNITY COFFEE MORNINGS (including Dancing Classes)

Saturdays 2nd, 23rd and 30th April 9.30am-12 noon COFFEE AND CAKE (No Dancing Classes)

Saturdays 9th and 16th April 9.30am-12 noon AFTERNOON TEA (with Jigsaws and Board Games)

Sunday 24th April 3.00pm-5.00pm FRIENDS TOGETHER (All Age Social Activities with optional lunch)

Thursday 14th April 10.00am-2.00pm Thursday 28th April. 10.00am-2.00pm CREATIVE CRAFT ('Drop-In' All Age Craft Sessions in school holidays)

Wednesday 6th April 3.30pm-6.00pm Wednesday 13th April 3.30pm-6.00pm In addition to these community activities we challenge YOU to raise money for this needy cause in other ways! For example:

Each group using the church rooms is encouraged to raise money (or contribute some/all of their subs) during the month of April

Invite some friends to share a simple meal in exchange for a donation to Toilet Twinning

Take a Collecting Box home and put some loose change in each time you ‘spend a penny’

If you have any other good ideas to share - please let us know! For more information, contact Jane Everett or Audrey Nicholson

“Awake, awake to love and work” Geoffrey Anketell Studdert–Kennedy (1863–1929)

Imagine the scene, writes Derek Hopewell. The vicar of St Paul’s Worcester is taking an early morning stroll by the side of the River Severn on a beautiful sunny morning in spring. Perhaps his thoughts were focussed upon his Palm Sunday message, recalling the people singing their ‘Hosannas’ as the Prince of Peace rode meekly by.

Geoffrey was born in the vicarage in Quarry Hill, Leeds, a very poor district said to be one of the worst slums in the north. His father, Rev. William Studdert – Kennedy was an Irishman who like so many more of his kind crossed the Irish Sea and eventually became vicar of St Mary’s Church in Leeds.

Unfortunately, his first wife died leaving him with five young children to look after. The widower, worried about the future of his young family, after a suitable interval, sought a second. He found her in an 18 year old girl, Joan Anketell of Couny Clare. Hence Geoffrey’s unusual Christian name.

Young Geoffrey’s love for the poor had its relationships he gained whilst living amongst them in this poor district of Leeds. He was educated at Leeds Grammar School and Trinity College Dublin. Whilst at Leeds Grammar School he formed a close friendship with J.K. Mozley, who subsequently became Canon and Chancellor of St. Paul’s and became one of the prominent figures in the theological world of his generation.

In 1926 he published a book “The Impassibility of God”. The book asked whether God is personally concerned, divinely involved, in the sufferings of mankind, or whether He is ‘impassible’, beyond the reach of feeling.

The great question being asked was whether God cared and if He did care how did He show it? These questions boiled in the mind of Geoffrey when the mass slaughter of the First World War gave to it a terrible urgency. There is little doubt that the same questions are being asked at the present time.

After attending Ripon Clergy College Geoffrey became curate at Rugby Parish Church. Soon after this his father became ill. He returned as curate in his father’s parish. Whilst back at Leeds he fell in love with Emily Catlow, a girl he had known for some time and who was a friend of the family. He was married in 1914 in St Mary’s Church Leeds by his good friend J.K. Mozley.

Another phase in his life began when he was offered the living of the small down-town church of St Paul’s Worcester. Other offers came at the same time but the reason he chose Worcester was typical. He said to his wife, “St Paul’s has the smallest income and the poorest – go and look at the house and if you think you can manage it I will accept.”

Three months after Geoffrey had gone to Worcester, the First World War began and this led to his becoming a Chaplain. After an interview at the War Office he was appointed Chaplain to the Forces. On Christmas Day 1914 he found himself in a French village contemplating four hundred troops drawn up in the sluicing rain waiting, no doubt, with mixed feelings, for a service. Soon afterwards, in a letter to the people of St Paul’s he described the scene. “I hurried in to my robes and went to the middle of the square. There was, of course, no instrument, and I thanked God for a voice like a fog- horn . But once we started on ‘O come all ye faithful’ no instrument was necessary. They sang with all their might.

Then the glorious part came. I went to a shed in the farmyard, and the communicants came to me. No lights, no ritual, nothing to help but the rain and the far-off roll of guns, and Christ was born in a cattle shed on Christmas Day”.

When a certain vicar was very keen to become a chaplain he was advised to see “a certain Mr Studdert-Kennedy, now so famous, who had by the magic of his personality got at the heart and mind of men.” Geoffrey was asked about spiritual work and he replied that there was very little, instead he recommended, “Take a box of fags in your haversack and a great deal of love in your heart, and go up to them, laugh with them and joke with them. You can pray with them sometimes, but pray for them always”.

This is how Geoffrey went about his work. Bringing comfort to people caught up in that terrible conflict; distributing cigarettes (Woodbines) out of one haversack and New Testaments out of the other, singing well known songs, telling jokes, helping them to write letters to their loved ones back home. Always handing out more and more Woodbines, (earning his nick name Woodbine Willy). The people he really cared about were the ordinary men, who, in their tens of thousands, were suffering so terribly.

Having witnessed the appalling tragedy of the First World War he must have thought back to his discussions with his friend J.K.Mozley when a young man, “Does God Care?” The answer came to him that God is personally involved with the sufferings of humankind. No vague “one above”. He was not indifferent to the fate of His creation. He was immanent, pervading all things, involved with all things. And for Geoffrey His self-identification with our suffering invested that suffering with a mysterious dignity and significance.

In 1917 Geoffrey won the Military Cross after running into No-Man’s- Land to provide comfort to those injured during an attack on the German front line. After the war he also worked for the Industrial Christian Fellowship and this involved him in public speaking tours all over Britain.

Finally, his health broke down. Several factors contributed to this. First of all he had suffered from asthma all his life, then he was gassed while working in the trenches during the war and on top of this he was a chain smoker. All these things contributed to his early death at 45 in 1929. At his funeral people placed Woodbine cigarettes on his coffin and his grave as a mark of respect and love. The following is a tribute given by Archbishop William Temple:

“If to be a priest is to carry others on the heart and offer them with self in the sacrifice of human nature - the Body and the Blood- to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, then Geoffrey Studdert-Kennedy was the finest priest I have known”.

Circuit Service Sunday 8th May 10.30am

West Bridgford Methodist Church

Please come along and take part in the worship. During this special service we shall give thanks to God for Paul, Joan and

Richard (Hill) who are leaving our circuit this summer.

They invite you to stay for tea/coffee and cake after the service.

PLEASE BOOK THIS DATE IN YOUR DIARY

Christian Aid – International Evening An International Evening was held at the church on Saturday, 6 February. A variety of activities were on offer to help people become more aware of our global family. There were quizzes to test knowledge of national flags, capital cities and famous buildings. Craft activities from around the world like Japanese origami, Chinese New Year, National Dolls, Scottish Burn’s night, Indian henna painting etc. all provided great fun. The evening incorporated a buffet meal with foods from around the world, which surprisingly proved very popular with nothing left!

We ended with a short worship incorporating a few inspirational words from Nick Thorley, the regional Christian Aid coordinator and some excellent African drumming! We left happy, full and hopefully just a little more aware of the beauty and the challenges for people of different cultures around the world. Our thanks to the many local shops and restaurants that contributed to the food and also to participants to the evening.

The theme of the event was successfully developed further in Soul Café the following Sunday and thanks to your support we raised over £300 for Christian Aid work.

Steve and Audrey Nicholson

Christian Aid Week 2016

Sunday 15th - Saturday 21st May

Fighting For A World Free From Poverty The focus for 2016 is Bangladesh - where desperate, vulnerable people live (exist?) on temporary silt islands in the middle of a dirty river because they have no land, few assets and no savings!

Just before Christian Aid Week 2015 Audrey and Steve Nicholson took over the role of 'Christian Aid Coordinators' at West Bridgford Methodist Church and we managed to raise a reasonable amount of money for Christian Aid through an Information Evening, Community Coffee Morning, Christian Aid Envelopes and House-to-House collection

Thank you to everyone who helped in 2015 -your efforts were very much appreciated!

However - feedback from 2015 indicated very strongly that less and less of our congregation think that House-to-House collecting is either what they want to get involved with OR -in present times-the most effective way to spread the message about Christian Aid throughout our community and raise the maximum amount of money to support their work!

So - during April and May 2016, as the new Christian Aid reps, we will be trialling some new initiatives, alongside some 'old favourites' to support the work of Christian Aid!

► Our Scouts will be taking up 'The £5 Challenge' and donating their profits to Christian Aid (More details to follow)

► Proceeds from the West Bridgford Social Singers concert on Saturday 7th May will be given to Christian Aid. Tickets £5

► The Community Coffee Morning on Saturday 14th May will donate their proceeds to Christian Aid

► Members of our congregation, young people's groups and community groups will have an opportunity to learn more about this year's Christian Aid focus and be invited to talk to their family, friends and neighbours about the work of Christian Aid and encourage them to make a donation

► The familiar Christian Aid envelopes will be delivered (but not collected) to houses in our local area and people will be invited to make their donations to Christian Aid in new ways

► We will host an Afternoon Tea at the church to raise money for Christian Aid on Sunday 22nd May

Please support these events and feel free to offer feedback - we will listen!

Audrey & Steve Nicholson

A Very Happy Birthday

January 30th at 3:45pm – more than 30 signed the papers, there was a beautiful cake (there is always food involved in L’Arche), “Happy Birthday” was sung and the L’Arche Nottingham Project, was born, 10 years after the seed was sown. We are now an official part of the L’Arche UK family! We are a very different kind of L’Arche Community because we are not based around a house, but made up of two groups, each meeting weekly, a friends group meeting every month and the local committee (of which both Steve Nicholson and Marion Merry are members). This is a new beginning; the future is really exciting as we pray about growing our community. You would be very welcome to be part of the story: speak to Helen, Louise, Caireen or myself.

Rev Marian Crawford

Visit of Rev Steve Wild, President of the Methodist Conference 2015-2016

Roger Johnson writes Having just completed a series of bulletins on evangelism, I felt it was fitting to focus on what makes a natural evangelist.

We have just welcomed Steve Wild, the President of the Methodist Conference for 2015-2016, and there is only one place to start – with Steve himself.

I remember Steve speaking at a venue of Easter People in Southport saying that the people who clean up after one of his events have a real nightmare – they have to sweep up all the ‘H’s he has dropped during his talk. Yes, he’s a Northerner and proud of it. He is renowned for his bone-crushing hugs delivered to all and sundry. Words which describe him would include ‘effervescent’, ‘extravert’, ‘humourous’, ‘deeply compassionate’ and ‘infectious with the gospel’. This is a man who can turn any conversation into a presentation of the gospel and still keep his listeners excited. When Steve was elected as President of the Methodist Conference for the current Church Year, there were shrieks of joy from evangelicals and non-evangelicals alike because he is there for everyone. For one year he has had to stand back from being chair of the Cornwall District and travel the country, and the world, as the most visible church leader in Methodism.

I first met Steve during his days as Director of Evangelism at Cliff College and as a speaker at Christian conventions like Easter People and ECG. My next meeting of significance was in a lift at Methodist Church House in London after I had been appointed as Evangelism Enabler in the Nottingham and Derby District. There I stood with Steve and a number of other top evangelists thinking to myself, ‘what am I doing here?’ But Steve was so supportive and encouraging that I soon felt at home, even though I knew I had tons to learn. Some would call Steve a traditionalist.

Indeed his passion for Methodism and for traditional styles of worship and evangelism is enormous but I have to say that there aren’t many ministers and preachers who stand at the front of the church holding a cross in one hand and an iPad in the other and who take a photo of the congregation with their smartphone.

So, what are the qualities of a natural evangelist like Steve? I think the answer to that question can be found in the gospels by looking at Jesus and comparing him with those around him, especially the religious elite (the Scribes and Pharisees).

Jesus Scribes and Pharisees

Passion for People Passion for orthodoxy

Inclusive – the gospel was for everyone

Exclusive – only for Jews who conformed to their standards

Persistent and patient – see how he worked with his disciples

Intolerant – had no time for those who opposed them

Self-effacing – pointed people to God the Father

Self-seeking – liked to stand on street corners and show off their

piety

A natural evangelist will seek to demonstrate all the qualities shown by Jesus. Unlike some of the personalities who grace our TV screens, Jesus’ focus was primarily on the Kingdom of God and offering all people a place in that Kingdom, no matter what it cost him. He sought no reward, only the joy of seeing people saved.

St. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 12 that we should expect that some people in any church community will be evangelists. The trouble today is that we struggle to identify who they are. Take a moment to reflect upon your own church. Who are your evangelists? You may say ‘that’s the minister’s job’ – but is it? If your church, or any church for that matter, is to grow spiritually and numerically, all the gifts listed in Paul’s letter need to be identified and encouraged.

“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? Now eagerly desire the greater gifts”.

1 Corinthians 12:27-31

A leading Methodist, who I will not name, once said, ‘I thank God that Steve Wild is in Methodism, but I also thank God there’s only one of him’. That was not a criticism of Steve, far from it, but a recognition that he is one in a million. We may not all have Steve’s personality and natural gifting, but we can all aspire to be evangelists in our own way with the gifts God has imparted to us.

Blood Donor sessions at church

We are pleased that our church is used for these regular sessions. Please attend if you can on one of the following dates:

Monday 21st March, Monday 11th April or Monday 25th April

Community Choir A new name - and a new leader!

After an initial period, there have been a few changes at our community choir. The choir is now being led by Gill Cubitt, as Chris Ebbern has left to take up new work. We wish him well in his new venture, and would warmly invite anyone who enjoys a good sing to come along.

We have decided to change the name to Singing Together, which reflects the friendly nature of our group. Do come along on a Thursday afternoon from 2.30 to 3.30, followed by refreshments. There’s a small charge of £3.00 each week.

For further details, please contact Gill Cubitt or Jane Everett, 0790514661

Our new church website

You can find lots of information, resources and news at www.wbmethodist.org.uk

You can also find recordings of recent sermons and copies of ‘At A Glance’ and ‘VOICE’ in case you can’t get to church.

West Bridgford Methodist Church

@WBMethodist