The Magazine of The Trinity Methodist Church, Shifnal Vol.100: Easter 2015

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Those of us who knew Pat will miss her, but I wonder how many of us knew just what a talented woman she was. She was born in 1935 in Shifnal and in her 79 years she devel-oped many loves. It was suggested that the greatest of these was shopping, which she even managed from her hospital bed! However it was her caring loving nature which was so often expressed through this: very often she shopped with others in mind. She married Ted Francis in 1957. Her sisters and their families and the family she and Ted raised were unknown to most of us at Trinity but the sense of belonging to a close, loving family came across strongly to us strangers. Some years after her loss of Ted in 1996 she made room for David Lea in her life and for a few years her joy was replenished and she came closer to her God. They had a number of ad-ventures together despite her increasing illness, and throughout her suffering she always had a warm, gracious smile for any one of us. But what about these talents of which many of us were so ignorant? Well, she was a competent player of both the cornet and tenor horn. She loved sing-ing, being a member of Shifnal Chorale for many years. But her creativity ex-tended well beyond that. Her art work varied from abstract through land-scapes to portraits, in both oils and watercolour as well as other media. Her attention to detail is shown on one story. When taking part in an art event at one of Shifnal's Arts Festivals she noticed that she had failed to apply a hinge to a door. Despite the painting being already mounted and framed she carefully took everything apart, painted in the missing hinge, remounted and reframed it. With that attention to detail and her evident skill, it's not surprising to hear that she did some work on commission. She moved into the field of photography - yet another way to show her creativi-ty. Craftwork and dressmaking, as well as dressing up, were amongst her other skills, and her glorious jackets brought pleasure (and envy!) to many. Another story reflects this skill as well as her relationship with her fellow workers. Not all of us would be able use our boss's desk, being the largest surface available, to cut out a wedding dress. But then that is the sort of relationship she cultivated with all she worked for and with. But we haven't finished yet. Baking, another of her loves, as no doubt David will testify. We have celebrated her life and the above only reflects a part of it. We miss her and thank God for her. Our condolences go out to her family and all who have loved her.

The youngsters attending Bread Church at Trinity this month surpassed themselves and when everyone sat down to lunch later in the day their efforts were there to be enjoyed by everyone. Well done! There will be no Bread Church on the usual date of the last Saturday of the month (28th March) but there will be a special Bread Church Baking Morning on Wednesday 8th April in the School break instead. Everyone welcome! Come along and bake your own bread! No charge for materials.

Front Cover Photograph: Maddocks Farm , Shifnal . Preparing ground to sew lettuce.

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Dear friends, And very early on the first day of the week, they went to the tomb when the sun had risen. And they were saying to one another, “who will roll away the stone for us from the door of the tomb?” (Mark 16:2,3) Dearly beloved in Christ it took me by surprise as I was meditating on these verses and also the following verses. There was very little faith in the hearts of these women. They were com-ing to anoint a dead Jesus in a closed tomb. And the big question within them was, “Who will roll away the stone?” It is also sad to read that the disciples were not waiting in anticipation of great joy for something wonderful to happen on the third day as Jesus had told them. But on the other hand, we see there was a group (the Pharisees) who believed that something might happen. They informed the Roman officials and said, “Look, this prophet said that on the third day He was going to rise from the dead. We want to make sure His tomb is sealed off. Station some guards to prevent anybody from entering the tomb.”

The women reported to the disciples that Jesus appeared to them. According to verse 11, we see that the disciples did not rejoice or accept the report. Sometimes as a church, we portray such attitude. When God meets us and does something for us, we totally miss it! Later, Jesus appeared to two disciples and the two went away and reported it to the others, but nobody believed them either. Yes friends, Jesus knew the hardness of their heart, but the scripture points out that, He dwelled among them for 40 days healing their doubts and hardness of their heart. He also moulded and used them as worthy vessels to establish His Kingdom. There are times we too can get discouraged and might have backed away from the front line ministry – Evangelism. So let this Easter bring about a resurrection hope and experience in our lives. God can take us from where we are and make something out of our life. Regardless of what has happened in our past, God wants to use us as a worthy vessel for Him. May the RISEN CHRIST Bless and enable us to experience His RESURRECTION POWER in our lives. GOD BLESS YOU.

Hendry Ponniah

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Henry Hart Milman was an intellectual of some stand-ing which he put to a variety of uses. He was the son of Sir Francis Milman and a wife whom history seems reluctant to mention! Perhaps the role of Sir Francis as physician to king George III and his being given a baronetcy overshadowed any lesser mortal. He had at one time considered giving up medicine to enter the church. So this is the environment into which Henry was born on 10 February 1791 in London and no doubt contributed significantly to his character and fu-ture.

He was sent to Eton, then following in his father's foot-steps, Oxford. There he excelled. His poem Apollo Belvidere won him the Newdigate Prize and an essay Comparative Estimate of Sculpture and Painting won him the English prize. (I don't even understand the ti-tle!) He was ordained in 1816 and in 1818 he became priest of St Mary's in Reading. I wonder what it was like to have such an intellectual pastor!?

Three years later he became professor of poetry in Oxford. I presume that in that capacity he delivered the Bampton Lectures on The Character and conduct of the Apostles considered as an evidence of Christi-anity. He was made rector of St Margaret's, Westmin-ster by Sir Robert Peel, then Canon of Westminster and finally Dean of St Paul's where you can find his tomb. He died on 24 September 1868. Some illustri-ous career, but there is more.

He was recognised as a dramatist. He wrote tragedies like Fazio (or the Italian Wife) and Ann Boleyn. His work Samour, the Lord of the Bright City was based on a British legend. None of these, I guess, are much performed today. Then we have his poems like The Fall of Jerusalem, The Martyr of Antioch (used by Sir Arthur Sullivan) and Belshazzar; he published three volumes of poems at least! Then we have from San-skrit and Greek. He wrote a History of the Jews, a his-tory of Latin, and a history of Christianity. He even ed-ited Gibbon's Decline and Fall … to list but a few. Then of course he had time to write hymns! This par-ticularly popular passion hymn is remarkable when you consider that he was somewhat averse to the mi-raculous, since this reminds us graphically of what is probably the greatest miraculous event of all history. See what I mean: imagine him as your pastor: would you be on the same planet!?

The hymn has been set to a number of tunes: Hebron by Lowell Mason, St Drostane by John B Dykes, Truro by Doctor Charles Burney of Shrewsbury, but the one we use most is William A Monk's Winchester New. William Monk (1823-1889) was the first editor of Hymns Ancient and Modern having been a singing teacher at such establishments as King's College.

Ride on, ride on, in majesty! Hark! all the tribes Hosanna cry; O Saviour meek, pursue Thy road With palms and scattered garments strowed.

Ride on, ride on, in majesty! In lowly pomp ride on to die! O Christ! Thy triumph now begin Over captive death and conquered sin.

Ride on, ride on, in majesty! The wingèd squadrons of the sky Look down with sad and wondering eyes To see the approaching sacrifice.

Ride on, ride on, in majesty! Thy last and fiercest strife is nigh; The Father, on His sapphire throne, Expects His own anointed Son.

Ride on, ride on, in majesty! In lowly pomp ride on to die; Bow Thy meek head to mortal pain, Then take, O God, Thy power, and reign.

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You may think that these are inextricably linked – and I think you’d be right. Fruitfulness in the Christian life comes through prayer, which is simply talking and listening to God. (I don’t know why I say “simply”: some-times it seems to be the hardest thing in the world, especially the listening!). By the time you read this the “season of prayer” in our circuit will have come and gone, and I hope that you were able to get to at least one session. They gave opportunities to explore prayer and means of praying: after all, we don’t all like the same foods so why do we sometimes think we all have to pray in the same way? I hope you will have been encouraged to try different ways of praying and that your prayer life has been enriched as a result: even if you didn’t manage to get to any sessions have a word with Brian Foster, who was part of the planning group, and he may

be able to give you some ideas. Not everything will be to your taste; but if the experiment itself helps you to think more seriously about what we’re doing when we pray it will have been worth the effort. So now we are about to embark upon “Fruitfulness” – or to be more specific “Fruitfulness on the front line”. Over eight preaching ses-sions we will explore what it means to be fruitful where we are: what is our “front line”? Who are the people we meet there? How best can we com-municate the good news about the love of God in Jesus to our neighbours, families, friends? Notes on each sermon can be made available if you have to miss one (or more): Two of the

sessions will be an afternoon tea which we will share with Al-brighton. Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit. Apart from me you can do nothing.” May these two areas of focus help to stimulate our faith, our prayers and our witness. Sandy Hughes

District Council met on Tuesday 10th February 2015 at Donnington Methodist Church to meet the Reverend Rachel Parkinson as the choice of the District Nominations Committee for the Chair of the Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury Methodist District from September 2016. The opportunity was taken, through discussion and questions, for the group to get to know and listen to each other. Rev. Parkinson left the room briefly while the extended District Council voted. On her return, they were delighted to report that Reverend Parkinson has been unanimously nominated for the post of District Chair from September 2016. This being subject to approval from Synod and Conference. Ms. Parkinson is currently Superintendent of the Leicester North circuit; she previously served as a presbyter in the Thirsk & Northallerton circuit, so brings both urban and rural experience. She has exercised a significant public ministry in her current appointment as a broadcaster on both BBC Ra-dio Leicester and BBC Radio 2 and has served the Connexion as a member of the Faith & Order Committee's Liturgical Resources Subcommittee and as one of the team responsible for worship at the Conference.

Reverend Rachel Parkinson

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Open The Book and Oasis Share a Bible Story At the beginning of February, the "Open the Book" Team, took another Bible story in to our local pri-mary schools. This month, the story was, "The Storm on the Lake". Jesus is in a boat with his disci-ples, crossing the lake to Gerasenes, and as they sail he falls asleep. A furious storm blows up and the disciples are afraid they will drown. They waken Jesus who calms the storm and asks them why they are so afraid and, "where is your faith?" (Luke 8 v 25). The disciples are amazed and wonder who Jesus is when he commands even the winds and water. If you have walked past Oasis, located at no.1 Shifnal Shopping Centre, during the past few weeks, you will hopefully, have noticed the wonderful display of this story in the window. This was designed and arranged by Alison Greenwood and Jacky Butlin. It has really brightened our window and hope-fully encouraged children to talk about the Bible stories they are hearing about through the "Open the Book" Team. If you are interested in learning more about "Open the Book", please speak to Ann Lane. A quick reminder that Oasis is open Monday to Friday from 11.00am - 3.00pm, and on Saturday from 11.00am - 1.00pm. We are also open on Thursday afternoons from 3.00pm - 4.30pm when the Shropshire Fairshare Credit Union have a service point in Oasis. Call in and buy from our range of Christian books, gifts and cards or just pop-in for a chat - we will be delighted to see you!

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Pictured after the lunch are (L-R) David Senior (Christian Aid, Shifnal Co-ordinator);

Peter Kelsall, Christian Aid; Father John Pascoe, St Mary's Church, Shifnal: Revd. Keith

Hodson, Beckbury Group Ministry; Revd. Hendry Ponniah, Trinity Methodist Church.

The first of the Lent Lunches held at Trinity raised £225.57p for Christian Aid. It was a tremendous start. The following Wednesday it was the turn of St Mary's Church to provide the soups and there was a visit from Peter Kelsall of Christian Aid who spoke about the Israeli/Palestinian conflict and how Christian Aid is making a difference.

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The traditional 'New Year's Day Walk' was again well supported. Setting off from Church the group headed out of Shifnal towards Beckbury leaving the road just beyond St Andrew's School and taking to the footpath leading up and over Lodge Hill. The weather was kind and outward bound the footpaths were good. Once past the turn for home the footpaths were a little more tricky but spurred on, by the thought of tea awaiting their return to Trinity, the walkers made good time. Once back at Church the atmosphere told of a good start to the new year.

No clues except one completed entry- “SHREWSBURY” and the title of the challenge -

“Think Local”.

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"Ladybird Tots and Toddlers continues to go from strength to strength, offering a place of companionship and support for children and their carers alike! With the extra housing in Shifnal this group is more and more in demand and such a critical place for people new to the area to find out about Shifnal and make those all important new connections into the community.

We had great lead up to Christmas last term and are especially grateful to all the wonderful people at the Methodist church who put on a Christmas meal and nativity story. As always we ex-tend our thanks to Alison and Rita. Their smiling faces as they serve tea and coffee are very much appreciated." Nikki. Ladybird Tots and Toddlers

Just as the minister began his Christmas Eve service, the electricity in the church failed. The ushers found some candles

and placed them around the sanctuary. Then the minister shuffled his notes, and said, “Now, where was I?”

A tired voice called out, “Right near the end!”

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St David was born! Well that much is certain, but when? There is a range of some 50 years possible from 462 to 512. And yes - he was born in Wales but where is also indeterminate, probably south Wales. What is certain is that he died and that was March 1

st 589. Some leg-

ends claim that he was over 100 years old.

What we know or think we know is due to Rhygyfarch who was Bishop of St David's from 1091, so we may have some 500 years or so of legend turning into fact. He claimed to have used documents found in the vaults of the cathedral. Howev-er, what was written there may have been influenced by re-sistance of the Welsh churches to new Roman rites until the 8th century. You may remember that the Synod at Whitby had established the practices of the Roman Church over the Ionian Church in Northumberland in 664. Rhygyfarch is thought to have been trying to re-establish some sort of independence from those practices for the Church in Wales and to establish a cathe-dral of equal status to Canter-bury, and he may have used these documents for this pur-pose. St David's recorded visit

to Jerusalem to be anointed by the Patriarch as an archbishop may fit into this category.

Anyway St David had a reputa-tion as a teacher and preacher not just in Wales but in Brittany where at least three place names are inspired by him. However he is probably most credited with attacks on Pelagi-anism, the belief that original sin did not taint human nature. It had come to mean that humani-ty could earn salvation by its own works (although it is doubt-ful whether Pelagian ever meant that). In particular a sermon on this in Llanddewi Brefi was nota-ble since it was reported that as he preached the ground on which he stood rose up into a small hill. A white dove landed on his shoulder as he spoke and not surprisingly that has become his symbol. It has been com-mented that such a miracle was the least necessary considering the number of hills already avail-able in that region! So why has the leek been associated with him? Apparently that has more to do with Shakespeare's Henry V!

St David's rules for monastic life were significantly ascetic: only water to drink, no beer or wine; only bread to eat with salt and

herbs; no meat; evenings devot-ed to prayer, reading or writing; no TV, even! They even had to pull the plough themselves – no draught horses or oxen. No pos-sessions were allowed, even to say “my” anything was consid-ered an offence.

Rhygyfarch attributes the foun-dation of Glastonbury Abbey to St David, but later scholars con-sidered that he only rededicated the abbey. But there is some evidence that he may have do-nated a travelling altar which included a rather large sapphire. It is reported that he had had a vision or dream in which Jesus had informed him that He had dedicated the church to his mother and did not need human hands to re-dedicate it, so he commissioned an annexe in-stead. Records indicate that a sapphire altar was amongst ar-tefacts confiscated under Henry VIII's orders during his dissolu-tion of the monasteries.

When David died the monastery was reported to be filled with angels come to receive his soul. In the sermon on the preceding Sunday he had exhorted the faithful to do the little things of life. In Welsh of course, and this is still a Welsh saying today.

5 4 9 8 3 2 4 9 1 4 3 1 9 2 7 2 3 9

2 8

8 6 9 2 4 1 3

If you get stuck the Sudoku solution can be found on page 19.

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The RLC is a Commission of the Evangelical Alliance, comprising Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Open Doors UK and Release Inter-national. The RLC, launched at Westminster, calls on the British government to intervene to prevent religious cleansing and violent per-secution. These groups, which have been working for decades to raise awareness of persecution is-sues, will be collaborating under the banner ‘One voice for the per-secuted Church.’

The Most Reverend and Rt Hon Justin Welby gave the keynote ad-dress at the launch. Highlighting the persecution of Christians in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia and Pa-kistan, attacks against Jews in Eu-rope and the firebombing of mosques, he told an audience of parliamentarians and church lead-ers: ‘That quiet creeping removal of freedom that creates a climate of fear and animosity is why we must speak out. We must speak out in solidarity. Silence is not an option.

Treasuring the dignity of each and every human must mean that we treasure their right to religious be-lief – even when we profoundly dis-agree with them.’ The RLC is pressing the Depart-ment for International Development to make religious freedom a strate-gic priority. It is calling for a special envoy on Freedom of Religion or Belief with-in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) to report back on per-secution worldwide. It wants the FCO to produce an annual report to demonstrate the steps taken by the UK Government to promote religious freedom. ‘A staggering 76 per cent of the world’s population live in countries with high restrictions on religious freedom,’ said Mervyn Thomas, the CEO of Christian Solidarity World-wide. ‘The vast majority of those facing persecution are Christians. The situation is simply too im portant for the world to ignore.’ Launching the Religious Liberty Commission, he added: ‘Our pur-pose is to amplify the cries of the persecuted so the world can no longer ignore them.’ According to the RLC, Christians are subject to violence, intimidation and discrimination in more than 50 countries. Some are murdered be-cause of their faith. ‘In the very birthplace of Christianity, the Mid-dle East, the Christian faith is in danger of extinction,’ said Mervyn Thomas. Evangelical Alliance General Direc-tor Steve Clifford called on Chris-tian leaders from all denominations

to adopt the International Day of Prayer for Persecuted Christians (IDOP) as an annual event in the church calendar. ‘We must make sure that the plight of the persecut-ed church is heard,’ he said. And the RLC urged the media to give greater importance to perse-cution issues – especially where there was evidence of religious cleansing. A victim of persecution in Eritrea, one of the world’s most repressive regimes, described the attacks there against Christians. The Rev Dr Berhane Ashmelash said: ‘Today in Eritrea, Christians are being persecuted. Many are impris-oned and regularly subjected to starvation, heavy labour and soli-tary confinement. Prison could be an underground pit or a metal ship-ping container. Torture is frequent. People are tied by both hands and legs and hanged on trees for hours or days. One form of hanging is the “Jesus Christ” which looks like a crucifix. I was arrested and tortured with ‘Number 8’: they tie your arms and put a log under your knees. Many years later, I still feel a numbness on the back of my hand. ‘We strongly call for the internation-al community to put pressure on Eritrea for the immediate release of all prisoners of conscience.’ The Archbishop of Canterbury said he welcomed the coordination of voices speaking out against perse-cution under the one banner of the RLC, adding: ‘I echo warmly the RLC’s encouragement for religious and political leaders to speak out in unison against any violation of free-dom of religion.’

The Most Reverend and Rt Hon Justin Welby

You are a cyclist in a cross-country race. Just before crossing the finish line you overtake the person in second place! What place did you finish in?

Please add the following numbers in your head.

Start with 1000.

Add 40

Add 1000

Add 30

Add 1000

Add 20

Add 1000

Add 10

Brain Teasers For Answers

see page 14.

But don’t rush!

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The Shifnal Society’s AGM, followed by its traditional Cheese & Wine Evening was held on 27

th February and

proved to be both a convivial and an informative event. The Annual Report, presented by Chairman, Bob Vincent, was a pleasant reminder of the past year’s full and varied programme, with the equally pleasing prospect of more of the same for the year ahead. However, the Chairman warned members that such a programme is only possible provided that there is a Committee willing to organise these events. The Committee is in need of new blood and if this does not happen in the very near future, there is a real danger that The Shifnal Society may struggle to sur-vive. The Chairman was sorry to report the recent death of Cliff Bennett, a former long-serving Committee member. The Society has suffered several sad losses during the year with the deaths of Dorothy Marsh, Philip Moore, Ray Nott and Dr Sylvia Watts. The membership agreed to a dona-tion of £250 to the Shifnal Local History Group, to part-fund the cost of reprinting Sylvia’s excellent ‘History of Shifnal’. This donation will help to ensure that her work continues to be available to all those interested in the his-tory of our town. Guest Speaker for the evening was Chris Raine, Chair of the Shifnal Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group. Chris

updated members on the Plan and urged them to visit the new website, www.shifnalplan.co.uk, which sets out a vision for the future of Shifnal up to 2026. This vision takes into account the existing character of the town and seeks to ensure that all future developments within Shifnal enhance, rather than detract, from this. The evening concluded with a delicious buffet organised by Alison Harris and her team of volunteers. Proceeds from the evening will be donated to the Severn Hospice. Visitors are most welcome to join us, as our spring pro-gramme commences. George Ross will present ‘A Whis-tle-Stop Tour of Jordon’ on 26

th March, Mac Joseph will

reminisce on the 1950s and 1960s with ‘Do You Remem-ber?’ on 23

rd April, and David Carrington will enlighten us

on ‘A History of the Humble Apple and its Varieties’ on 28

th May. All these meetings will be held at Trinity Meth-

odist Church and commence at 8 pm. Further details can be obtained on 463348 or on http://www.2shrop.net/shifnalsociety/

Pam Vincent

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Thursday 2nd April, Maundy Thursday 7.00pm A service here at Trinity to include an informal communion.

Friday 3rd April Good Friday 10.30am Open-air service outside Katrina’s, followed by the distribution of hot cross buns.

Sunday 5th April, Easter Day 7.30am Communion at Trinity led by Rev Hendry Ponniah 8.45am approx Breakfast – details later. 10.30am Easter celebration led by John Parkin.

Wednesday 8th April 9.30am Bread Church at Trinity. Come bake!

Wednesday 20th May 7.30pm Annual Church Meeting

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Brain Teasers

(Methodist News Service)

People who are being supported by the disability benefit ESA (Employment and Support Al-lowance) can have their benefits sanctioned (stopped for a period of time) if they fail to engage with certain activities. This only applies to those in the Work Re-lated Activity Group (WRAG) - a group for whom an assessment has deemed that they are nei-ther fit for work nor unable to work, but able to move into em-ployment with support.

In January new data revealed that that benefit claimants judged as unfit to work due to mental health problems were more likely to have their benefits stopped by sanctions than those suffering from other conditions.

Policy advisers for the Methodist Church obtained the data using Freedom of Information Re-quests to the Department of Work and Pensions. It shows that people who receive ESA because of a long-term mental health problem are being sanc-tioned at a rate of more than 100 per day. In March 2014 (the last month for which data is available) approximately 4,500 people with mental health prob-lems who receive ESA because of mental health problems were sanctioned.

Paul Morrison, Public Issues Policy Adviser for the Methodist Church, said: "We believe that the number of people with men-tal health problems who have their benefit stopped due to be-

ing sanctioned is in fact a great deal higher than 100 a day. Not included in these figures are people who receive ESA due to a physical illness, but who have a higher risk of mental health difficulties."

According to the DWP data, the most common reason for being sanctioned is that a person has been late or not turned up for a Work Programme appointment.

"Sanctioning someone with a mental health problem for being late for a meeting is like sanc-tioning someone with a broken leg for limping. The fact that this system punishes people for the symptoms of their illness is a clear and worrying sign that it is fundamentally flawed," said Mr Morrison, who is also the author of a report on the sanctions re-gime. "Churches have increas-ingly seen people in desperate need because they have been sanctioned. The suffering and injustice we have seen caused by the sanctions system de-serves serious scrutiny."

Paul Farmer, CEO of mental health charity Mind, said: "We're very concerned about the num-ber of people having their bene-fits stopped. This causes not just financial problems but add-ed emotional distress. It's unjus-tifiable that people with mental health problems are being sanc-tioned disproportionately com-pared to those who have anoth-er health problem.

"Stopping benefits does not help people with mental health prob-

lems back into work. In fact, it often results in people becoming more anxious and unwell and this makes a return to work less likely. Sanctions are based on a false assumption that individuals lack motivation and willingness to work, but it's the impact of their illness and the environment in which they are expected to work which actually present the toughest challenges. That's why they should only be used as a last resort, when someone simp-ly refuses to engage."

These figures, and other new data on the sanctions regime, will feature in a report that is be-ing launched this spring by a co-alition of major churches, includ-ing the Methodist Church, the Church of Scotland and the Church in Wales.

The Revd Sally Foster-Fulton, Convener of the Church and So-ciety Council of the Church of Scotland, said: "With others in the Scottish Leaders' Group on Welfare, we are, sadly, well aware of the negative impact of sanctions on vulnerable people, often left with no income and no security and no way out of the deeper hole they have fallen through. We welcome the publi-cation of the report. It is im-portant that we highlight these facts and begin to counter this troubling trend. We will used the new data in our 28 February conference looking 'Beyond Food Banks', for which sanc-tions are a key trigger."

See page 11 first!!!

Answer: Second Place. If you pass the person in sec-ond, you take second place, and they become third.

Adding the Numbers

Answer: Many will get 5000. But the actual answer is 4100!

You are in a room that has 3 switches and a closed door. The

switches control 3 light bulbs on the other side of the door.

Once you open the door, you may never touch the switches

again.

How can you definitively tell which switch is connected to each

of the light bulbs? Answers to editor@trinitytrumpet.co.uk

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Cream Cheese Mould This is a traditional Easter des-sert in Russia. It takes a while to make (be warned!) but is worth the time and effort. Recipes vary: this is a simple one, but you need a 2 - 3 pint fancy mould and some muslin.

Serving 8 – 10 people:

1l b/400gm cream cheese 4oz/100gm unsalted butter 5oz/ 125gm white sugar ¼ pint/125gm soured cream or single cream with ½ tbsp. lemon juice 6oz/150gm almonds 4oz/100gm chopped mixed can-died peel 12oz/300gm large raisins or seedless raisins To serve you will need more soured cream, sweetened with a little sugar. Sieve the cheese (this makes it easier to handle) Blend the cheese with the creamed butter, sugar, soured cream, chopped or flaked blanched almonds (you can leave them whole if you prefer)

Beat thoroughly Add the peel and raisins Line the mould with muslin to absorb excess moisture and put the mixture in Put more muslin over the mix and add a weight Leave for at least 12 hours in a cool place (the flavour will im-prove if you can keep it another day before serving it) Turn the mix out and serve with soured cream and sugar, or a yeast cake.

Easter Bread This is a traditional Greek bread. You will need a saucepan and a baking tray. It’s a good idea to read the whole recipe before starting! To serve 5 very hungry or 10 ordinary people: Good 1 and a half oz yeast 6oz/150gm sugar Approx. ½ pint/250ml milk or milk and water 1lb 8oz/600gm plain flour 4oz/100gm butter or margarine 4 egg yolks Pinch salt 8oz/200gm chopped mixed can-died peel 3oz/75gm chopped blanched almonds 5 eggs Red colouring 2 tbsp honey 2 tbsp water

Cream the yeast with 1 tsp sug-ar Add tepid milk and a sprinkling of flour Leave in a warm place for about 20 minutes until the surface is covered with little bubbles Cream the butter and the re-maining sugar Add the 4 egg yolks Work in the flour (sieved with the salt) and the yeast liquid un-til a soft but pliable mixture is formed Add the peel and knead until you have a smooth dough Return the mix to the bowl and cover with a cloth Leave in a warm place for 1 hour until the dough has dou-bled in size Knead it again and form it into 3 long equal strips Plait loosely to allow the dough to rise Lift onto a warm, greased bak-ing tray and cover with the chopped almonds Leave to rise for about 20 minutes, making 5 indentations to receive the hard-boiled eggs Bake for 40-45 minutes in a hot oven – gas 6 – 7, 210-225⁰C, reducing the heat to gas 4 -5, 155⁰C after 20 minutes or so Meanwhile, hard-boil the 5 eggs in a pan, adding red colouring. Put the unpeeled eggs into the indentation you made in the bread. Serve brushed with honey (diluted with a little water, if wished)

Can you find your way through the maze? Try the easier one on the left first and then the more difficult one on the right. For Members of the Trinity Reading Group “ Go Algernon , go!”

Maze Craze

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Welcome To Shifnal

Shifnal's three churches are working together to deliver a wel-come information pack to all new households. As Shifnal's popu-lation grows helping people discover opportunities available to them in the community becomes a significant task. Because our three churches are involved with the delivery of many opportuni-ties in the town it seems an obvious way to be of assistance to newcomers. To cover all opportunities would be a near impossi-ble task so it will also point them to other information sources including Trinity's website. The packs consist of a quality printed cover in which A5 leaflets are be inserted. These can be changed as needed. There is in-formation about the churches themselves as well as all of the other groups we are involved with such as Live at Home, Say Yes, Open the Book and Oasis. Organisations using our facilities will also be included, and have the opportunity to include copies of their own flyers. At appropriate times special events will be included. Copies are available in the three churches for people moving into the area (please do not take one if you already live here!) and estate agents have some to hand out to interested buyers. Then comes the personal visit to each new home from pairs of representatives from the churches, each pair consisting of mem-bers from different churches. This of course is where we will need a continuous supply of volunteers as new estates are de-veloped over the next 10 years or so. This does not mean that you sign up for 10 years! Volunteers can retire whenever, and new ones can be introduced. However for the scheme to work we do need at least 2 volunteers from each church to keep the burden light enough and to maintain participation from each church. Initially 2000 packs have been ordered. The first deliveries be-fore Easter were to Thomas Beddows and Aston Fields. As com-pletion of these two developments continues another, we believe of around 400 homes, is beginning opposite Thomas Beddows, and let us not forget the development proposed for Haughton. This is a huge opportunity and responsibility offered to us. It is a huge challenge to all churches in the area, with Telford reported to double its population over the coming decade or so reaching city-size status, and closer to home planning permis-sion has been made to double the population of Priorslee. There is work to be done. The very least we ask of you is your prayers and please consider whether you can help with the practicalities.

Shifnal Forward is a partnership be-tween Shropshire Council, Shifnal Town Council and the wider Shifnal community which has come together to assist in the delivery of Shifnal’s local priorities and maximise, through on go-ing consultation with the wider commu-nity, the potential benefits from devel-opment contributions. Chaired by the Rev Preb Chris Thorpe, the Steering Group consists of local community representatives, Action Group leaders and local councillors. The four Action Groups, (Planning & Environment, Economy & Tourism, Health & Wellbeing and Transport) re-port to the Steering Group and cover all aspects of community life. Shifnal Forward is open to everyone, community group or individuals and if you have an interest in what is happen-ing in Shifnal, want to help bring about improvements to our town, or want your views about Shifnal’s future heard, come and join us. You will be most welcome. Meetings take place on the second Thursday of each month and are held in Trinity Methodist Church starting at 7 pm. Upcoming dates are: 12 March 2015 – Action Group meeting 9 April 2015 – Steering Group meeting 14 May 15 - Action Group meeting Contact Shifnal Forward on Facebook, through shifnalforward@gmail.com or by ringing 07941 453057.

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100 years ago “Der Tag!” According to Edgar Wallace: “all Germany is talking about it”. Talk of this mysterious attack would in-volve a tap on the nose and an end of the conversation. What was this mystery? It was the use of three huge, im-posing, terrifying balloons which will sweep across the me-tropolis and drop their deadly load in the heart of the world city. The Zeppelins! A fearful notion which should have struck fear into the British populace. The only defence would be our infant air-force which according to American sources was the “finest air organisation in the world”. How-ever, again according to Edgar Wallace, the machine guns fitted to the top of the balloons were in fact fakes. Not the immediate threat as was supposed but they were used in attacks on Britain especially along the south east coast. Although not fully recognised by the German command, U-Boats were proving to be increasingly successful. U-35 commanded by Waldemar Kophamel ap-peared in the Channel in March sinking 4 vessels in two months: collier SS Blackwood 18 miles off Dungeness en route to Le Havre and on the same day the trawler Gri Nez sunk 20 miles off Beachy Head. The following week they sank SS Hyndford unloading grain to a lighter for London. A month later U-35 sank a Norwegian timber ship bound for the Tyne some miles off Edinburgh. Some 42 vessels were sunk up to the end of March another 39 in April giving a total for the first 4 months of 81. Just 15 had been sunk in 1914.

U-boat 35

A national day of intercession was held on January 3

rd. The

Shrewsbury Chronicle reported the event at St Chad's at some length, emphasising that similar events were taking place in the many non-conformist chapels at the same time while the Roman Catholic Cathedral held a special votive mass. However what was notable was the reporting of the prayer. It was described as a common humble prayer in-volving thanks and a petition that “out of the confusion and miseries of war there may arise a clearer perception of the true relationship between right and might”; not wishing that our enemies be crushed, but that “their eyes” as well as our own, “may be opened to know what is true”. There was a call for repentance and that “we may learn to understand and respect one another”; plus a speedy victory for our cause, forgiveness of our enemies (viewed from both sides), pity for those that suffer and reward for those who show mercy for their enemies. If I may say so: an incredibly enlightened view of of the horror which had overcome us. That horror was illustrated by a letter from an officer from Newport. He describes how they landed at Ghent then marched 28-30 miles “before stopping for grub”. The last of the troops left Ghent just 15 minutes before the German advanced troops entered the town. He describes the generosity of the “good people of Belgium”, “they would give us anything they could: coffee, apples, pears, bread and butter”. They encountered the Germans on the road between Ypres and Menin, which

was in full view of a gun emplacement. He says that if you look at a map it is a straight road (probably a bit like a shooting gallery!) and for 15 days they were under constant attack. “Our name we gave to that road was 'Hell'”. They were ordered to attack a small village which according to an aircraft spotter report was occupied by a couple of Ger-man Army Corps – no problem for a whole battalion. They dug trenches and attacked making good progress when suddenly some-one shouted something in English like “Here's a present for you”. A bomb was thrown and 8 men were dead. After hard fighting there was a cheer as the Germans fled and their trenches were taken. After that en-gagement, out of 220 officers and NCOs, just 1 officer and 80 NCOs were left, and that's not counting the men of other ranks that lost their lives. This is how it was and that was just the beginning of his experience. On the back of this commerce didn't miss an opportunity. Letters purporting to come from frontline soldiers asked for Zam-Buk to ease their feet from marching or for hands from digging, even rather than their tobacco allowance! In contrast a Mrs Harley of Condover organised fund raising by Shropshire ladies sufficient to present a Red Cross mo-tor field kitchen for use on the front. Pictures suggest it was more an ambulance than a kitchen, but perhaps that term had not yet come into use. A song to be sung by the troops was written by Ray Fran-cis A Allen of Moel Brace to the tune of “We're coming home father Abraham” entitled “A Song of Lord Kitchener's Second Million”. It's chorus reads: We are coming, we are coming; as our fathers came of yore; Lord Kitchener we're coming, close on a million more. Somehow it leaves a sad-ness in your heart. Life went on pretty much as before in Shifnal; the Guardi-ans of the work house continued their meetings as did the parish council. The inmates of the work house were loaned a gramophone for their enjoyment. The courts had their usual cases but there was one taking advantage of the sit-uation. A Shifnal man with a horse dealer from Crewe were accused of fraud. Pretending to be government buyers they had stopped a horse rider on the Hem; after haggling and use of fraudulent pressure as government officials they had purchased his horse for £50. Meanwhile there was news from Paris that the war could be over by March. Well, by April the list of casualties, killed and injured, con-tinued to grow. Only those of the King's Shropshire Light Infantry are recorded in the Shrewsbury Chronicle, but from a short quarter of a column each week it had grown to a column or column and a half. To begin with they had pic-tures of the casualties but I guess that soon became im-possible. Those killed may have seemed to be only a cou-ple each week, but this was only one tiny fraction of the total. However as the other casualties grew in that first win-ter it soon becomes obvious that the main culprit was be-coming frost bite rather than the bullet. For a time, frost bite was claiming as many as 1/3 of the casualties in the trenches. A few local men returned for treatment, some never recovered without amputation. Two privates, one from Shifnal another from Norton, were listed with frost bite. Others were suffering from different kinds of sickness. Do any of us really have any idea what suffering these men must have experienced? – the awfulness must surely be beyond our willing imagination. Then as Easter ap-proached, another theatre of conflict had opened: The Dardanelles.

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Shifnal TG has enjoyed an excellent start to 2015 with lively meetings in January and February. The first speaker of the year was Lynne Truss who regaled mem-bers with stories – some funny, some sad – of her life as a female vicar. Some in the audience remembered her well, as before training for the priesthood Lynne had been a nurse and had given some of their children their first ‘jabs’.

In February, Hazel Davies of Shifnal Flower Club came to demonstrate a simple flower arrangement that all could then reproduce for themselves. Chat and laughter filled the Village Hall as everybody cut and trimmed flow-ers and greenery and attempted to copy Hazel’s expert technique. Hazel went round giving welcome advice and assistance, and by the end of the evening members

were pleased to be able to take home some very attrac-tive arrangements.

The Public Affairs Group resumed its meetings in early February and was delighted to find that the topic it had suggested (that of restricting the advertising of gam-bling) for a possible national campaign had been adopt-ed by HQ for discussion at the National AGM. Group organiser and Guild Treasurer Judy Owen, Guild Chair-man Barbara Bushell and Press Officer Alison Harris will be travelling to Glasgow in June to represent Shifnal and to present the proposal.

Shifnal members have many events to look forward to in the rest of 2015, the first of these being the Federation Dinner in mid-March at Shrewsbury Town Football Club. Coming up in the next few months are:

April 21st Talk on ‘Tudor Banqueting’

– with tasting! April 23

rd Fund-Raising Coffee Morning

at a member’s house May 2

nd National TG Roadshow

at Burton–on-Trent May 12

th Federation One-Day School

at Broseley May 19

th Discussion Evening:

the mandates at the National AGM June 16

th Talk on ‘Our Finest Hour:

1914 – 1945’ June 24

th Visit to the ‘Walled Garden Project’

in Shifnal July 21

st Guild 48

th Birthday Lunch

at Shifnal Golf Club

Do come and join us! - your first visit is free. For more information and details, please con-tact shifnaltg@hotmail.co.uk or 01952 460782. You can also see some of what we do by going to www.facebook.com/shifnaltg.

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MEN WANTED!

Preferably, 5 tenors and 5 basses. Shifnal Chorale has increased its membership steadily over the last few years and now we need to improve the balance of the whole choir by en-larging the two male sections accord-ingly. If you have had a secret yearning to sing, or if you know you can carry a tune, why not give it a go. Rehearsals are in the Methodist Church at 7.30pm on Mondays there won't be an audition, music is provided and you just sit in the men's sections and have a go. The most interesting thing about the Chorale is that we sing music from very different styles throughout the choral year., springtime means a classic work by one of the great com-posers e.g. Mozart. This spring it's a new work by an up and coming Nor-wegian composer, Ola Gjeilo (Ye-lo) called Sunrise Mass, which is beauti-fully flowing with some lovely tunes. Summer is fun and razzmatazz with love songs comic songs and music from stage shows. Autumn is similar to summer with a few tweaks to the programme and finally a very tradi-tional Christmas concert usually with a brass band and community carols. We hope to welcome some enthusi-astic Shifnal men into our midst quite soon and as rehearsals finish at 9.30pm there is still time for a swift half in a local pub to quench your thirst and relax after a good vocal workout.

It is with some sadness that we say farewell to Karen as she retires from youth work and her role as our professional at SAY YES; She has established the embryo of projects at Shifnal and Norton. The work at Albrighton has developed but the Sunday evening work in Shifnal has foundered for the time being - partly from a lack of young people but also from a shortage of volun-teer workers. Indeed what she has established does still depend on sufficient volunteers. SAY YES are looking to appoint another worker and with the de-mise of even more county youth worker posts in Shropshire we have some hope that our post will be filled. Funds are sufficient for at least another 12 months. But this leaves us with challenges. The long term success of SAY YES depends upon financial support: we expect to be making an appeal for gifts in the near future. Secondly we do need more committed volunteers just to focus on the work in our own premises, (the club on Tuesdays 6-7.30). But that need extends across the area SAY YES covers. Thirdly there is a need for a Methodist in a more administrative role on the SAY YES executive. Currently the majority are Anglican with one Catholic. Methodist representation is needed. So a number of things to pray about, not forgetting the appointment of the new worker. But having said all that we extend our very grateful thanks to Karen for all her work and wish her well as she moves to be nearer her family.

The Sudoku puzzle can be found on page 10.

1 5 4 3 9 7 6 2 8 9 7 2 8 1 6 3 4 5

6 3 8 2 5 4 9 1 7

4 8 7 6 3 5 1 9 2

5 1 6 7 2 9 8 3 4

3 2 9 1 4 8 5 7 6

7 4 1 5 6 3 2 8 9

8 6 3 9 7 2 4 5 1

2 9 5 4 8 1 7 6 3

Nature has its special seasons With a reason, their own purpose. Times of renewal, growth and rest, Examples for us, the way that's best. No need to be always ruled by the clock, Get off the treadmill, take stock. Have the space, reduce the pace, An emotional holiday, Time spent well, another way! Time moves on, is not repeated, Easy to miss out and be cheated Of what could have been, then regret Look back and grieve, with regret. Time is precious, it moves along, Needs to be used fully, through life's song. Working, working, all for money, No time to enjoy a taste of honey. Modern man ruled by the clock, Becomes an automated flock. Human machines with their "pcs" Some addicted with unease. Time may seem long or may seem short, Reassessment helps to abort Unnecessary "things" in the routine, Why they are done, seen or unseen. We have the choice to stand and stare, Maybe opportunities out there. To stop and be aware Of all around, how we spend our time, Be ourselves, do what is fine. Daphne Wiggett

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Is our world just getting too com-plicated? Every time something is changed “for the better” there is the chance that it has other unde-sirable effects somewhere else. “Solve my problem and hang the possible problems it causes” seems to be the mantra for so many situations from the interna-tional to the local. Doesn't some-one somewhere say, “But what might happen if?” Who was it that helped to put Sa-dam Hussain in a position of au-thority? Rumour, or perhaps more than rumour, is that the CIA were involved: after all the West want-ed a friend in the oil rich lands of the Middle East. Is that what was behind the Americans, the British and the French agreeing to carve out land, admittedly historic land, for the new Israel: a friend in the Middle East? How these things have backfired! Didn't someone say, “But what might happen if?” As an example of something at the other end of the scheme of things are our local road works on the M54. The work force need protection of course, but a 40mph speed limit actually puts motorists at greater risk. Normally joining a motorway with a 70mph limit gives a good 20 to 30 mph mar-gin for a motorist to adjust to the traffic flow and slide in safely. But at 40 mph the margin is much smaller - around 5 mph to adjust to the traffic flow on a busy motor-way; a very narrow margin of er-ror to find that gap. To stop, as some have found to their cost on the very busy A1 in Yorkshire pulling out of a lay-by, is fraught with danger. I'm not sure what the health and safety people make of it all. Simple solution: close that stretch of motorway! Uhm!? - then you have impossible congestion on the adjacent roads which were

never designed to take that vol-ume of traffic. Does any really ask the question, “What will happen if?”? Recently the M1 was closed, once for road works another time for an accident. As a result the M25 was at a standstill and lorry drivers were running out of driving time on the M40 and were having to pull off on hard shoulders near service stations since lorry park-ing was full. Delivery schedules were all to pot, transport was in the wrong place for the next day, customers were inconvenienced and costs went up. A graphic ex-ample of the knock-on effects of one incident. Didn't someone say, “What might happen if?” Our civi-lisation balances on such inci-dents. How about the glut of milk? Ap-parently the climate last year meant that throughout Europe grass grew well resulting in a large increase in production. At first the customer rejoiced as con-tinental milk undercut home pro-duced milk. British dairy farmers lost money on every pint they pro-duced, some saw the end of their business. What happens when there is a hot summer? - shortage of grass, shortage of milk! Isn't there someone saying, “What might happen if?” Isn't this the role of government? Have they never heard of someone called Joseph? What we seem to lack amongst our leaders are those who have the gift of foresight (rather than my gift of hindsight) who can see their way through the tangled web of the interconnection of 21st cen-tury civilisations. Our politicians are in full swing trying to capture our votes, often with hollow rheto-ric, or with their fingers crossed

behind their backs. It would be refreshing to hear one of them say, “We don't know!” I guess it wouldn't attract many votes but at least it would be honest. It's as if that animal we call civili-sation has become too complex for anyone to control it – a char-acteristic of previous civilisations which have passed into history. Today we have technology to help in planning and forecast the results of “what might happen if”, but all that seems to do is throw up so many alternatives that we can't even be certain of tomor-row's weather. So where is the leader, the intellect, able to guide us through the fog of over-information, avoid the deliberate suppression of information that does not support his or her ideol-ogy, explore the likely knock-on effects of individual decisions, seek solutions that represent jus-tice, fairness, compassion, true understanding of people's needs in a class other than his or her own? We must vote otherwise extrem-ists may gain power by default, but who is worthy of our vote. However just be aware that pun-dits are telling us already that Alex Salmond will hold the bal-ance of power after the next elec-tion with a large number of SNP MPs ready to do deals with a par-ty seeking a majority! This is de-mocracy! Did our leaders both potential and actual ask “what will happen if we don't keep faith with our promises to Scotland”? Are any of our potential leaders even now asking the question “What if? The least we can do is pray for those who will resume the reins of office as our servants to lead us, and vote.