being church newsletter 59
TRANSCRIPT
1
BEING CHURCH – Newsletter 59 May 9th, 2021
WESTBOROUGH METHODIST CHURCH Registered Charity # 1133833
Website: www.westboroughmethodistchurch.org.uk
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 01723 506926 (ansaphone)
Minister: Revd Graham Morgan
SUNDAY SERVICE – 9th MAY 10.30am Revd Graham Morgan – Service of Holy Communion
This newsletter is to keep us all in touch and to share information and any other items that may be useful or uplifting. ALL CONTRIBUTIONS WELCOME to the Church Office
2
PRAYER FOR THE WEEK - Sunday 9th May, 2021
Loving God, we rejoice in the hope that is at the heart of Easter: the rising, the new beginning, the
light of resurrection flooding over the shadow of the Cross.
We pray for the Church: that we may live and speak as people of the resurrection, showing by our
words and deeds the sense of joy and purpose that Easter brings. But we are too well aware that
the light of the resurrection is obscured from many by the deep darkness of their shadowland
existence. We pray for those bowed low by their weight of sorrow and despair through illness or
bereavement, through loss of self-confidence, guilt, shame or fear. We pray for those caught in
the cross-fire of conflicts and fearing for their future. We pray for those who feel hope snatched
from them by sad circumstances. For all such, we pray that their shadows be pierced by
resurrection light and hope spring newly eternal within them. Amen.
(Stephen Brown from “Seasons and Celebrations”)
PRAYER REQUESTS
MARGARET (who has been home briefly but is now back in hospital) ANNA (now at home) STEPHEN and family (From Isabel - Stephen’s back home, very sore and feeling sorry for himself, but otherwise healing nicely. Operation a success as far as we
know, they think they got it all).
Please pray for the situation in INDIA as they battle with a deadly wave of coronavirus
PRAYER HUB SCARBOROUGH
Prayer Hub Scarborough is available at
www.prayerhubscarborough.org and on Facebook, Twitter,
Whatsapp and Instagram - @prayerhubboro
With regular prayers, resources any personal prayers you have or wish to share, anything that you
feel is on your heart. Please do get in touch if you would like to know more
If you do not have internet access and would like to contribute a prayer please get in touch with
Lesley by phone or post.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to anyone celebrating at this time.
Birthday Wishes to:
BERYL (11th – Lance says it’s ‘two fat ladies’!)
MARK (12th)
If you have any remembrances, thanksgivings, celebrations or messages that you wish to share please let the Church Office know (Contact details on front page)
3
WEDDING ANNIVERSARY WISHES
to Beryl and Lance on the 15th May (67 years)
ALL WE CAN
Every Wednesday and Friday at 1.17pm, All We Can is sharing positive and
uplifting content on the theme of ‘Colossians 1:17 – All Things Hold Together’ –
a series of encouraging broadcasts that you can watch and join in with from the
comfort of your home. You can catch them on
https://www.facebook.com/allwecanuk
We continue to journey alongside in love, solidarity and support, learning more about how our
precious regular gifts help to transform lives. Build Back Better is the aim and the challenge. As
we begin to emerge from the latest lockdown, please start to consider how you might involve
others in raising funds.
The next One Mission Sunday will be on Sunday, 10th. October.
INDIA’S CORONAVIRUS CRISIS : URGENT SUPPORT NEEDED
India is currently in the grips of a deadly second wave of Covid-19 – please give generously to
help save lives today.
It is impossible to have missed the devastating news coming out of India over the past week.
With hospitals unable to cope with the ever-increasing number of cases, and oxygen supplies
scarce, the situation threatens to overwhelm the country’s health systems.
At the time of writing, India has recorded more than 20 million Covid-19 infections and over
225,000 deaths – however, the true impact of the virus is expected to be much higher, with many
cases and deaths going unreported.
All We Can and the Methodist Church in Britain will be scaling up our response in India through
the joint Emergency Coronavirus Appeal, to provide vital support to vulnerable communities at this
most desperate moment.
Since April 2020, All We Can has supported more than 2 million people to stand firm in the face of
the pandemic through the Emergency Coronavirus Appeal, and the work of its long-term partners.
The Methodist family have also responded to the ongoing pandemic through grants given by the
Methodist Church’s World Mission Fund toward partner church Covid-19 responses.
As people here in the UK look forward to increasing freedoms, we must not forget about our global
neighbours who are currently facing the virus at its deadliest moment.
Please pray for the situation in India, and give generously to the Emergency Coronavirus Appeal,
to help save lives today. If you are able to support this Appeal, please see Colin. Thank you.
Thank you to all who have donated. Any further gifts will be gratefully received.
4
THY KINGDOM COME
13th – 23rd May 2021
Thy Kingdom Come is a global prayer movement that invites Christians around the world to
pray from Ascension to Pentecost for more people to come to know Jesus. This year's events
take place from 13th to 23rd May. In our circuit, we have a number of events taking place and
you are warmly invited to join us for some or all of these. Some events are virtual and others
are in person. Through Thy Kingdom Come, we join Christians from 172 countries around the
world in deepening our own relationship with Jesus, praying for others and praying for the work
of the Holy Spirit in our communities.
Prayer Journals/Family Prayer Maps
Free prayer journals and/or family prayer maps are being distributed in the circuit. The journal
includes a bookmark and can be given as a gift or used personally as a guide for prayer,
through readings, reflections and quotes. The prayer map offers interactive features and
creative ways of praying as a family. If you have not received a copy and would like one,
please email [email protected] or ring/message 07786 781236.
Virtual Prayer Room
From 13th May, our virtual prayer room will be open. This is an online space you can visit as
often as you want for as long as you want, 24/7. In the room will be lots of different ideas for
prayer, readings and images, as well as space to like and add comments. This will be available
at https://padlet.com/PrayerHubScarborough/prayerroom.
Prayer Walks
We will be hosting two special prayer walks during Thy Kingdom Come. These are based in
Scarborough, but you may want to organise your own (subject to Covid-19 guidelines).
Tuesday 18th May – 10am – Barrowcliff (Beginning at Wreyfield Drive Methodist Church)
Wednesday 19th May – 10am – Town Centre (Beginning at Westborough Methodist Church)
To join us at either of these walks, please register by emailing [email protected] or
ring/message 07786 781236.
10 Minutes of Prayer
Each night during Thy Kingdom Come, we will be having a short prayer gathering on Zoom
starting at 9pm. You are welcome to one or two or every one of our gatherings! For the log in
details, please email [email protected] or ring/message 07786 781236.
Social Media
Prayer Hub Scarborough (@PrayerHubBoro) will be posting special daily prayers and church
social media pages are invited to share these.
Tom – Community Lay Worker for Castle Ward and Barrowcliff
5
WORSHIPPING FROM HOME
NORTH YORKSHIRE COAST CIRCUIT SERVICE: These services can be accessed each week via the North Yorkshire Coast Methodist Circuit channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWbxG6b8fSphBbPQFMYJWpw
QUEEN STREET offers its weekly service here http://queenstreet.org.uk/worship
THE VINE AT HOME
The Vine at Home sheet is attached for your use. It is live-streamed
every Sunday Morning at 10.30am on Budleigh Salterton, Exmouth
and Lympstone Methodist Churches Facebook page. Click here. It is
then posted later onto The Worship Cloud Facebook page
THE DISTRICT is now producing online worship services once a month for circuits and churches to
utilise. As well as finding them used locally, you can also watch them on YouTube and Facebook, and all
the services are available to watch back on this page of the District
Website: www.yorkshirenemethodist.org/district-services/
ASCENSION DAY TO PENTECOST
A set of prayers entitled ‘Praying the Psalms from Ascension to Pentecost’ is attached or contact Lesley for
a copy.
Please also note the Thy Kingdom Come events being led by Tom Clayton, our lay worker. Contact him at
[email protected] or ring/message 07786 781236.
CONNEXION Methodist Connexion are providing a weekly service sheet (Contact Lesley for copy)
DAILY HOPE offers music, prayers and reflections as well as full worship services from the Church of
England at the end of a telephone line. 0800 804 8044 – set up particularly with those unable to join
online church services in mind.
Join the President and Vice-President live on Facebook for their weekly chat and prayers at 12:45 pm every Monday
TELEVISION
BBC 2: Songs of Praise at 1.15pm
Circuit Sunday Services are available on CD
(audio) and DVD (video)
Please contact Graham or Emma via email or
telephone. Thanks to Hilary at South Cliff who
prepares these.
RADIO
Radio 4: Sunday Worship at 8.10am
Something Understood at 23.30
Weekday service at 9.45am LW
Radio York: Sunday Worship 8.00am
Premier Radio
If you would like the complete ‘Worship from Home’ document please contact Lesley.
6
WORSHIP AT WESTBOROUGH FOR MAY
10.30am May 9th – Revd Graham Morgan – Holy Communion
Order of Service – (Please be aware there may be some differences in verses/words to StF)
Welcome Prayer Hymn John 15:9-17 – Brian Sermon ‘Jesus loves you’ Hymn Intercessions Flute – Fiona Holy Communion Hymn
SERVICES planned for 10.30am at Westborough for May
MAY16th – Revd Nigel Spencer
23rd – Revd Pam Ward
26th – Wednesday 10.30am Midweek Holy Communion, Revd N Spencer
30th – Mrs Patricia Mollon
READERS
Please contact Colin if you can read at morning worship during MAY.
MIDWEEK HOLY COMMUNION
A service of Holy Communion will take place on Wednesday, 26th. May at 10.30 a.m. led by the Reverend Nigel Spencer
7
WESTBOROUGH CHURCH SERVICES - GUIDELINES
There will be stewards to guide you through the set up and maintain the stringent hygiene regimes
– please follow their advice.
YOU SHOULD FEEL SAFE AND COMFORTABLE IN WORSHIP.
Sunday 9th May at 10.30am led by Revd Graham Morgan Service of Holy Communion
ENTER using the right hand side FRONT ENTRANCE door if you are able. Leave the ramp entry
for those who need to use it. Doors will not be open before 10am.
WEAR A MASK (which should cover your mouth and nose)
SANITISE your hands
MAINTAIN 2M SOCIAL DISTANCE from people outside of your household/bubble
FOLLOW THE ONE-WAY SYSTEM in place within church
HOLY COMMUNION. The elements will be prepared using strict hygiene guidelines. Wafers are being used. They will be brought to you at your seat by stewards wearing masks and gloves. Please slide a single wafer off the plate using one finger.
BIG QUESTIONS?
Join us for our next Alpha Online session on
Monday 10th May at 7pm as we look at our next big question 'How Can I Have Faith?'. Everyone is
welcome to join for any session as we explore life and faith together. For more information or to register,
email [email protected]
8
ALL SCOUT GROUP SECTIONS ARE NOW MEETING AGAIN
(outside where possible and following covid guidelines)
Here is a selection of their activities over the past few weeks.
COBRA CUBS enjoying tracking at the beach.
DERWENT BEAVERS
Planting holly cuttings
for ‘Earth Day’.
EXPLORERS
‘Ready, Steady, Cook’ competition
SCOUTS – firelighting in Raincliffe Woods
PANTHERS – sandcastle building and Investitures
WHARFE BEAVERS – bark rubbings in Falsgrave Park
9
COBRA CUB SCOUT LEADER NEEDED
Thursday evenings
Cubs aged 8 – 10+
Due to changes within our Leadership team
the Scout Group has a vacancy for a Cub
Section Leader and if possible, an additional assistant Leader too. We will
need to appoint any new Leader by September, but it would be very
beneficial for anyone interested to be able to attend some meetings this term to help with a smooth
transition. Currently our sections are meeting again, predominately outdoors, under the covid guidelines
and following Scout Association approved risk assessments.
Maybe you would like to consider taking on this appointment or know someone in your family or circle of
friends that might be interested. In a big Group like Westborough there are many experienced Leaders who
would be willing to guide and help out while the new Leader/s find their feet. A full training scheme is
available, with a huge library of information on programmes, the award scheme, games, activities available
online via the Scout Association websites. Being a Scout Leader is extremely fulfilling, rewarding, fun and
provides a great sense of satisfaction as you see young people develop new skills, friends and
achievements as they progress through the Movement.
If you are interested in helping the Group in this way please get in touch with me, I will be happy to have an
informal chat and answer any questions that you may have. Please note you must be over 18 and be
willing to complete a DBS application.
We are a Church sponsored group based at Westborough Methodist Church. We provide exciting and fun
activities for young people from the age of six up to 18 with a total membership of over 100.
I look forward to hearing from anybody who might be interested in taking on this important role.
Michael Streets [email protected]
Group Scout Leader Tel 07703653087
2nd Scarborough (Westborough) Brownies
We are very pleased that Norma Patrick (who was a previous Brownie
and Ranger leader at Westborough) has volunteered to once more take
over the running of the Brownies here at Westborough. Together with
Laura she will re-start Brownie meetings as soon as she has got up-to-
date with the changes since she was last with us. We are very grateful to Norma for stepping up
and wish her all the best. We also wish all the best to Bethan (the previous leader) as she moves
to Ilkley and thank her for running the Brownies over the last few years.
10
WANTED FOR SHOEBOX APPEAL 2021 - Unwanted wool for shoe box knitting
If anyone has wool to spare I have lots of ladies knitting items
for the 2021 shoebox appeal. I would be grateful for any
spare wool you may have. I can collect please phone the
Church Office.
Can I please thank those people who have already given to
me it is really appreciated. This year’s boxes from
Scarborough went to Croatia but sadly they did not get there
till February due to covid Thank you for your continued support
Bonnie
CIRCUIT NOTICES
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
Colossians 4: 2 THROUGH THE ROOF is an organisation that seeks to help churches become positive about disability inclusion. You can access their free resources and support, or sign up to appear on their map of disability-friendly churches. BUS STOP NEWS
The latest Newsletter is available. If you would like a copy please contact Lesley.
“The mission of Westborough Methodist Church is to offer the love of God,
and to share our Christian faith, by meeting the needs of all people through
pastoral care and service.”
11
THE GREAT GET TOGETHER 2021 Hello Everyone,
It is time for us to stop ‘languishing’ and to look forward to once again enjoying our
Favourite Things. The Great Get Together 2021 will launch May 1st on Facebook and
we would love you to take part and assist by sharing this email widely and liking our
Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TheGreatGetTogetherScarborough/
This year’s events include:
• An online conversation where people can share stories and pics about their favourite Yorkshire Coast people, places and things.
• Two free to enter competitions with prizes worth £600 around the same theme.
• A garden party planned for Sunday 27th June 2021 in The Crescent Gardens Scarborough 1pm till 4pm. Full details below:
The Great Get Together 2021- Our Favourite Scarborough, Whitby and Filey Things
The Great Get Together 2021- Our Favourite Scarborough Things
The late Jo Cox MP believed that ‘We are far more united and have far more in Common than that which divides us’.
The Great Get Together is an annual event which takes place across the UK each June to commemorate Jo and to
celebrate her belief in our communities. In Scarborough we have celebrated The Great Get Together for each of the
past four years . For the first three years we held a Garden Party and last year an online event and competition. This
year we are intending to do both and given the year we have had we would love you to join us in thinking about the
favourite people, places and things we have missed, or are most looking forward to once lockdown is finally ended.
You can take part by letting us know what are the favourite things you are most looking forward to and why? Just a
few lines that will not cost you anything. The idea is that we will then feature your words and possibly a related
picture, or some other media, to help us showcase our free competitions and our Great Get Together event. We
think your contribution will also help us share hope and optimism and a sense of pride in our people, our town and
the whole Yorkshire Coast area. This is an opportunity to give some much needed publicity to people, places,
businesses, and activities on the Yorkshire Coast. Feel free to choose somewhere, someone or something. that is
well known, or less well known; what matters is that it is special to you. Please respond direct to our Facebook page,
or if you prefer email to [email protected] and please encourage your friends colleagues and family to
also take part.
• If you do respond we will publish your contribution on Facebook at some point during the campaign which launches on May 1st.
• Enter our competitions and give yourself a chance of winning one of the £600 worth of prizes. Closing date Sunday June 13th at Midnight.
For full competition details go to http://dfpwebsites.co.uk/gettogether/
• Please also join us in The Crescent Gardens on Sunday 27th June where you will be hosted by Scarborough Girl Guides and Scarborough Museums Trust to an afternoon of activity, refreshment, good company and entertainment.
To find out more please visit and like our Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/TheGreatGetTogetherScarborough/ where you can also look at some of the great
contributions we received last year.
12
A WORD IN TIME BIBLE STUDY Romans 16:3-27
These bible studies are available daily using the link below.
https://www.methodist.org.uk/our-faith/the-bible/a-word-in-time/
I want you to be wise in what is good, and guileless in what is evil (v. 19)
Background
Imagine! Paul has been a Christian apostle for 20 years or so. He is currently lodging in Corinth, in the house of Gaius. He is surrounded by his close team (named in verses 21-23). He has just completed his long tract for the church in Rome (which finished at Romans 15.33). Paul’s next task is to send a short note to the church in Ephesus (which is what Romans 16 is); and he decides also to include with it a copy of what he has composed for Rome. (We wonder what his scribe Tertius thought about that.)
Paul is a brilliant pastor. He remembers so many names in the church in Ephesus; and affirms each of them warmly (verses 3-16). They had shared so much together. Epaenetus, for example, was Paul’s first convert in Asia. And Andronicus and Junia, a married couple, were Jews who had become Christians within a year or two of Jesus’s death and resurrection - before Paul himself. They had shared time in prison with Paul. They were both apostles (meaning, in their case, people authorised to preach in their own congregation and in houses and nearby villages where groups of Christians gathered).
Paul was jealous for the reputation of his beloved Ephesians ("Your obedience is known to all" verse 19). His deep love for them entitled him to be furious about a threat to their wellbeing. Some visiting Christian teachers, smooth-talkers all, had peddled ideas contrary to Paul’s teaching. With their flattery they were unsettling some of the simple souls. Divisions were appearing. That was totally unacceptable. The self-serving visitors must be ostracised. Paul’s prayer for the whole congregation is that they be expert (‘wise’) in goodness and innocent of evil. Their struggle was not about legitimate differing opinions in the Church: it was a struggle between God and Satan. But Paul’s faith and hope are strong. The God of peace (building in Ephesus a united and harmonious fellowship in Christ) will swiftly win this battle (verse 20).
Verses 25-27 are a doxology that may originally have been added to the letter to Rome or to Ephesus or both.
To Ponder:
• The modern Church wants to be hospitable to all and inclusive. On the one hand there are authentic differences of opinion between faithful Christians in each congregation. Struggle as contemporary Christians do to achieve this, it is essential to talk and listen to one another patiently, courteously and with open minds and hearts. On the other hand the Church can be subverted by ideas and values that contradict the gospel itself. How does your congregation identify these? And what responses are appropriate?
The Revd David Deeks is a retired Methodist minister. He has always focused on theology
and spirituality as practical themes.