magnet issue 84

No. 84 Winter 2008 £2.50

www.magnetmag.co.uk

Being humanA story of hope from the Cameroon

The narrow path of unpopularityGifted and talented

ISSN 1 363-0245

encouraging, enabling, equipping

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magnet Autumn 2007

2

features

4 The human condition:being truly human

7 The human condition:leaving the door ajar

10 The Liverpool nativity

12 A time for celebration

15 The narrow path ofunpopularity

magnetNo. 84: Winter 2008

Editorial Office:Magnet magazineMethodist Church House25 Marylebone RoadLondon NW1 5JRTel: 020 7486 5502 (Help Desk)E-mail: [email protected]

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Magnet magazine is a Christianresource produced by the MethodistChurch for men and women. Eachissue provides regular featuresincluding Bible study, a prayer focus,personal stories, worship material anda focus on world and justice issues.

Talking Magnet is available on tapeand is free of charge to those whoare registered blind or partiallysighted. For information, pleasecontact the editorial office.

Magnet is produced by a team ofvolunteers who form the editorial andmanagement groups.

Editorial Group: Sue Bloomfield, Liz Chick, TriciaCreamer, Jane Dowell, SamanthaFerris, Jordanna Gargas, PatriciaGoacher, Lynne Ling, AlaineSheppard, Gail Sheppard, JacquelineShirtliff, Sheila Simpson, HyacinthSweeney-Dixon.

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Opinions given in articles may notalways reflect the views of the team.Authors and photographers own thecopyright for their contributions. TheEditorial Office is happy to pass onany enquiries.

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Cover image:Aminata Kamaraoutside her home inKroo Bay Freetown.She is nine monthspregnant and due todeliver any day. © Aubrey Wade

16 The family crib

24 Lily’s family

26 The empty nest

32 Only as old as you feel

34 Reflections onretirement

35 All God’s children aregifted & talented

talking justice

8 Vivian’s story

bible study

23 The Seasons Of Life:A study taken fromEcclesiastes 3:1-8

prayer focus

22 Rachel is weeping forher children

worship

18 Mary’s story

debate

30 Children cannot do anywrong until we showthem how

Being humanin touch

28 Your letters

39 Diary datesIn your next issue

for meditation

5 John 1: 14

11 Christmas word

17 Epiphany

20 Christmas dream

8

17

27 Winter blessing

33 Persistent God

37 New candles

30

resources

13,14

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Hyacinth Sweeney-Dixon and Jane Dowell

We turn from the healing theme of peace andreconciliation of our last Issue to contemplate ourpresent state, that of being human. The humancondition is not about the condition of a specificindividual or group; it is about all of us, it about wherewe stand in relation to each other and to God. It isabout humanity’s dissociation from God and from eachother. For Christians, it is about the incarnation of Godin Christ Jesus proclaiming that God is with us in everysituation.

Through story, comment, worship and prayer the writersin this issue grapple with the different ages, conditionsand emotions of being human. It proclaims that theprocess of healing this dissociation from God and eachother has already begun. This winter issue Being humandeals with the love and the grace of God working in thelives and activities of very different people. It is evidencethat the repercussions of the birth of Jesus over twothousand years ago continue to be felt and experiencedtoday.

The front cover portrays just one aspect of humanity andthis image was chosen because of the woman'spregnancy, an aspect of life that we remember atChristmas time.

The debate ‘Children cannot do anything wrong untilwe show them how’ has already stimulated muchdiscussion; some of the articles and meditations reflectthe Christmas season and in others the intricate andunpredictable web of relationships woven in manyfamilies and communities is finely drawn. Perhaps, notsurprisingly, the term ‘the human condition’ meanssomething different to everyone we have spoken to!

Talking MagnetCall Methodist Church House 020 7486 5502 (HelpDesk) to request an application form for TalkingMagnet on cassette tape. This service is free of chargeto those who are registered blind or partially sighted.Talking Magnet is produced as a project by the Chester& Stoke-on-Trent District of the Methodist Church.

Una McLeanUna McLean started writing as soon as her pencil couldmake words on a page. She says that words havecolours and dance and move for her imagination tocapture and use. She is a Methodist minister in NorthWales who uses story telling as part of her preachingand teaching style.

The Orkney tapestriesIn the meditation image ’All paths lead home’ Leila Thompson uses herlandscape of Orkney to celebrate life and nature around her, thus evoking asense of time and space. The tapestries are woven on a large, extending,upright loom in the High Gobelins technique, using cotton warp at 8 warpsper inch. For the weft Leila mainly uses a mixture of Shetland wool, Swedishlinen and American cotton but likes to be able to experiment with othermaterials to achieve the most suitable effect for each idea. Drawing andplanning for a tapestry takes as much time as weaving, so each piece maytake between 2-4 months to complete.

Helen BellIn September 2003 Helen Bell, a probationerminister took up her first appointment in theAshton Circuit with pastoral charge of twochurches and the exciting opportunity to bethe chaplain at Rosehill Methodist CommunitySchool for two days each week. This level ofchaplaincy was then rare and it was the vision

of the whole Circuit that those hours of ministry in the school were animportant part of its mission. Helen shares her journey into school chaplaincyin ‘All children are gifted and talented’.

Donald EadieDonald Eadie is a retired Methodist minister, formerlya tutor in pastoral theology at Wesley College,Bristol, and Chairman of the Birmingham District ofthe Methodist Church. He now lives in a multicultural neighbourhood in Birmingham. For 15 yearshe has lived with a serious spinal condition and has aroom within which he offers a ministry of stabilityand availability. He listens to people who want toponder life and its meaning, search for a sense of direction and wonderwhat God is up to in the world and in our lives. Donald’s book ‘Grain inWinter – Reflections for Saturday people’ (Epworth Press) has been helpful tomany people.

Child Rescue Alert Child Rescue Alert was launched in the UK in 2006, as a groundbreakinginitiative to save abducted children from being murdered. The schemeworks by interrupting television and radio programmes with immediatenews flashes that a youngster has been snatched and is at risk of seriousharm or death. By joining with the media, police forces are able to spreadthe message to a vast cross-section of the public within moments, askingthem to keep their eyes and ears open and to call 999 if they have crucialinformation. Link Prayer focus p22

Talking points

Editorial

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THE INVITATION was to removeracist slogans daubed on thewalls of a railway bridge.

Members of the local Liberal andCommunist Parties planned aprotest for mid-day on a Sundaywhen the people of the Churcheswould be moving from worshipinto coffee and biscuits. Could we,would we change the time ofservices and take our place in thatneighbourhood ritual? We did andthe conversations that Sundaylunch time led not only to a publicChristian/Marxist debate but also to

deep and rigorous discussion ineach others’ homes. We talkedabout the ideological base fromwhich each developed their worldview, the political realities andethical issues to be wrestled with,also the nature of the humancondition.

We belonged to that generation inthe 1960s that lived and workedwith social hope, passionatelycampaigned for the removal ofapartheid in South Africa, fornuclear disarmament through CNDand for the homeless in Britainthrough Shelter. With MartinLuther King we dreamed dreamsand also confronted humanwickedness.

So what of the human condition?Thomas Merton was a Cistercianmonk and hermit, a wise andsensitive man who listened intentlyto those engaged in the strugglesfor justice and peace and enteredinto correspondence with them. Hediscovered that we contain theworld within us. ‘Most of us areslow to recognize, to confess thatthe evil, the sin and violence whichwe see in the world and in others isdeeply rooted in our own hearts.’1

Merton also discerned withinhumanity the marks of thetransformation of evil throughsuffering and love.

The relationship between our owninner and outer worlds is complex.We use noise and busyness toprotect ourselves from listening,fearing what awaits us in thesilence and solitude of thosedepths. Our tendency is to projectelsewhere the dark within us, thebits that we don’t like and findhard to accept. Only slowly andpainfully do we embrace thisperplexing interacting mixture ofgood and evil, light and shadow,creation and destruction asbelonging to the wonder and terrorof who we are. The wounds fromthe past may fester, disfigure andimprison but they may also beenfolded into our greaterwholeness, our deeper humanity.

Our first vocation is to be a humanbeing, to be fully human, it is forthis that we are born. It is to be realrather than religious, honest ratherthan heroic. The journey into ourhumanity includes befriending ourmany selves, our many inner voices,becoming aware of our capacity forlove and hate, for human kindnessand for cruelty, for truth telling andfor deceit and manipulation, forbeing creative and for beingdestructive.

THE HUMAN CONDITION:

being trulyhuman

by Donald Eadie

Only slowly and painfully do weembrace this perplexing interacting

mixture of good and evil

One man finds brief respitefrom the harshness of life

MIC

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magnet • words: John 1:14. Scripture quotations taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version Anglicised. Copyright ©1979,1984, byInternational Bible Society. Used by permission of Hodder & Stoughton Publishers, a division of Hachette Livre (UK) Ltd. All rights reserved. “NIV” is a

registered trademark of International Bible Society. UK trademark number 1448790; image: © Sieger Köder, The Birth of Jesus, Rosenberg Altar (excerpt)5

The Word became

flesh and lived for a

while among us.

We have seen his

glory... full of grace

and truth.

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enables us to fulfil our firstvocation. Many of us are bothattracted and scared by thehumanity of Jesus, we too easilylose him in religious language, intheological formulae and in certainways of studying the Bible.

Our testimony is not only that Godwas in Christ but also that God is inthe depths of our own humanity.Our body is ‘a hermitage when weembrace it as quite simply the placewhere I shall meet God – in the hereand now of my actual humanity.’5

To be human is to be drawn intothe heart of life, into the heart ofGod. It is to journey into the deeplove of God, the compassion ofGod.

1 The Hidden Ground of Love– Thomas Merton (Collins Flame)

2 Michael Wilson, a priest and adoctor

3 Silence and Honey Cakes– Rowan Williams (Lion Books)

4 Letters to Daniel – Fergal Keane (Penguin)

5 Author unknown

Donald is prepared to engage withpeople about these issues via [email protected]

This may be a troubling kinship butI cannot reject it.’ He concludes‘Our trade may be full ofimperfections and ambiguities butif we ignore evil we become theauthors of a guilty silence.’4

In all these things and more wemay discern the marks of aprofound humanity within whichsome see the humanity of Jesus.What has to happen, I wonder, forour churches to become trulyhuman communities, safe placesinto which we can bring the depthsof our humanity?

Our second vocation is to be afollower of Jesus Christ, to behuman in the way Jesus was, this

A friend wrote of his discovery of ‘afreedom within the prison ofillness, handicap or cell.’2 To behuman is to live this freedomwithin limitation, frailty andcomplexity. It is to dare to comeout of hiding from behind ourmasks, to be open and honest, tobe gentle, to let tears of laughterand joy stain our face, to own ourrage, to be passionate, to makemistakes, to recover ourplayfulness. It is to embrace pain,to become pain bearers, absorbingin our bodies evil, suffering, griefand shame willingly. It is to catch aglimpse of the passion of God notin the abstract but throughembodiment. It is to live withinwhat Rowan Williams calls ‘thevulnerability that is the heart oftransformation.’3

To be human also includes theacknowledgement of ourinterconnectedness with terribleatrocities. Fergal Keane provides ahaunting glimpse when reportingscenes of massacre in Rwanda. ‘Theragged peasants who died andthose who did the killing belong tothe same human family as I do.

Two heads are better than one

Creativity

MIC

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MIC

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To be human is to be drawn into theheart of life, into the heart of God

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To some the Kings Road inChelsea has a celebrity status!Designer shops and

restaurants thrive amongst the’nouveau riche’ residents,reminiscent of Betjeman’s ‘shiningones’. To others the road offers aset of shop doorways in which tosleep. All are part of our humancondition.

At Chelsea Methodist Church andPastoral Centre the church seeks tominister to those who come with awide range of needs. This is howsome see us.

Guest 1 “Michael, you could comeout where I sleep for a week, seewhat I live with, but you stillwouldn’t understand…you can gohome…I can’t.”

Guest 2 “You wouldn’t havewanted to know me then. I lied,

stole, I did many things…just tofeed the habit. You can go withsomeone to an appointment, likethe housing or detox clinic, but canyou stay with them…keep thedemons away…can you do that?”

Guest 3 “Michael, why am Ibarred? You’re supposed to be aChristian, the Bible says you’resupposed to forgive me, so forgiveme and let me in…”

Police officer “You know thisplace is the last hope for someguys. They’ve been barred frommost other projects; here they getto sit with people, get a shower,some clothes and food. We willsupport you, but remember ourbeing here may make them thinkwe’re harassing them.”

Guest 4 “I just wanted to writeand say thank you for everything

the centre has done for me, justthe dignity of keeping clean, otherpeople to support you… pass it onto the staff, it’s meant a lot.”

Many of us have been challengedby that deeply incarnate humancondition, discovering withinourselves the possibilities of howwe would react if we werehomeless. Volunteers and staffappreciate just how thin the layersof civility can be between peoplebut we are also witness to the actsof compassion between peopleliving on the streets. Volunteers andguests learn from one another andsomehow we manage to leave thedoor ajar to allow God in withoutour getting in the way.

MIC

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…but can you stay with them… keepthe demons away… can you do that?

THE HUMAN CONDITION:

leaving thedoor ajar

by Michael Sawyer, minister of Chelsea MethodistChurch and Pastoral Centre

Volunteers and guests working at ChelseaMethodist Church and Pastoral Centre

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Vivian sorts carefully throughher basin of maize and looksout across the land whereclusters of carrots, onions, yamsand beans are growing. This isher land and soon she will makeher regular trip to the market tosell her maize and vegetables.The proceeds will help her tobuy food and pay herdaughter’s school fees…

Ilive in the remote village ofWowo in the Ndu District ofnorth-western Cameroon. Like

many other women there, I worriedabout having enough food to feedmy family. I relied on my parents toprovide basic necessities.

Many people die, sickness causesproblems for families. They cannotwork on their farms, so they don’thave food.

In 2002 I attended a nine monthagricultural training programmerun by a local organisation thatreceives support from MethodistRelief and Development Fund(MRDF). I studied a variety of

talk

ing

just

ice

Vivian’sstory

of hopeCameroon’s rural population is dependent on subsistence

agriculture, but persistent farming on the land has led to poorfertility and low production, leaving many to live a hand-to-

mouth existence. The country has low levels of lifeexpectancy – 50 years for men and 51 years for women.

Malaria and HIV/AIDs are prevalent, and most people find itdifficult to pay for medical treatment.

Alongside this debilitating poverty, women in thesecommunities can face marginalisation. Restrictive legislation

makes it difficult for them to secure bank loans and theirproperty rights are limited, with the husband usually

managing land, which he can sell if he chooses. It is againstthis backdrop that Vivian shares her story of hope…

ISA

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courses, including bookkeeping,nutrition, land and livestockmanagement and fish farming. Thecourses emphasise farmingprocedures that use land in asustainable way. I also attendedclasses on HIV/AIDS, a keycomponent of the educationprogramme.

As part of my training, I worked onthe land owned by the localorganisation. The area incorporateswoodland with a variety of treespecies that students can use forresearch, a tree nursery, a medicinalplant nursery, a fishpond andgrazing land for cattle.

I learnt how to store maize, astaple food in the area.Traditionally, maize is laid out on acloth to dry where bugs crawl overit. I now use wood ash to keep thebugs away from the maize, which Istore in a shed. Being able to storeit in this way means it can be soldfor additional income later on inthe year when there is less maizeavailable. I also learnt how to maketerrace beds so that seeds plantedon steep hills are not washed awayby the rains. Before, I farmed in thelocal, traditional way and did notproduce enough to feed my family.

After seven weeks of teaching Iwent home to practise what I hadlearnt before returning to thecentre for two further seven weekcourses.

Not long after, I applied to thegovernment for my own piece ofland. Staff at the training centreadvised me on my rights andhelped me to complete the

paperwork. The organisation alsolent me money to pay for agovernment representative to travelto the land, a necessary procedure.

My application was successful and Iam now a landowner, no small featfor a woman in Cameroon, whereit is estimated that fewer than 10%of women hold land certificates. Itwas a surprise to other women andeven men who don’t have land. It isa great booster for me.

Not only do I own my land, butalso I was able to borrow moneyfrom MRDF’s partner to buyfarming equipment and somecows. I paid this money back withthe profit made from selling mycrops.

On a typical day I wake up at 5amand prepare food for my children.Then I send my nine year olddaughter to school, leaving mytwins in their grandmother’s care. Iwalk to my farm, which is 1.5 milesaway and spend the day tendingmy vegetable garden or crop field.

Sometimes I share what I havelearnt with the women’s groupHelp Yourself that I run. I explain

the importance of using manure toplant certain crops to keep the soilfertile, instead of setting fire to thewhole field, which is the usualpractice.

I would never have dreamt ofspeaking publicly before, but afundamental part of my training isthe expectation that I will pass theknowledge on.

Before, I struggled to send my childto school and sometimes worriedabout feeding my children. Now Ifeel free because there is food inmy family.

This first person account hasbeen written by us on Vivian’sbehalf, but is based closely on aninterview with Vivian conducted bythe Methodist Relief andDevelopment Fund’s ProgrammeOfficer for Cameroon

Methodist Church House 25Marylebone Road London NW1 5JRwww.mrdf.org.uk

I applied to the Government for my ownpiece of land… Now I feel free becausethere is food in my family

Vivian (centre) with herdaughter, sons and some of themembers of the group she runs

Vivian gladly accepts a receipt,which shows the repayment ofher loan

ISA

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THE CITY OF LIVERPOOL’S YEAR asEuropean Capital of Culturegot off to an early and, for

me, a wonderful and unforgettablestart. My wife and I joined anenthusiastic crowd of thousands ofnoisy Liverpudlians of all agesgradually and expectantlycongregating in the city centre, thegrandeur of St George’s Hall onone side of us, the Walker ArtGallery on the other. What had weall gathered for? Perhaps for thewonderful music of the Beatles, theLiverpool Sound. And yes, the

music on its own was worth beingthere to hear and sing along with –Lady Madonna, Imagine and muchmore. Perhaps to gaze from afar onthe famous sons and daughters ofLiverpool, returned for a brief onenight cameo as an inn keeper, ashepherd, a wise man. And yes,they were there, today’s celebritiesof stage, screen and soap.

What did we see and hear? Thetimeless Gospel story of the birth ofJesus told straight, surprising andthrilling me. The story was not

changed. What was changed wasthe social, political andgeographical context in which itwas set and told. Here was anasylum seeker Joseph, trying tomake his way in life and come toterms with and accept what washappening to his Mary, mattersthat were of God and beyond hisknowing and understanding. Herewere today’s politics of power, areal city and even a ferry ride acrossthe Mersey (surely a logisticalnightmare for a live event!) Norwas the significance of the birthfudged or watered down. Thathere is the Saviour of the world,offering hope to all humankind wasclearly and positively stated.

For me, the most powerful andmoving moment of the wholeevening came with the depiction ofthe flight into Egypt. We werestanding on steps on the edge ofthe crowd, looking down on thestage and main central body of thecrowd. As Mary, Joseph and thebaby left the stage to make theirescape, the crowd naturally partedto let them through and as theymoved forward the crowd closedaround them, enfolding andprotecting them. At that moment Ihad a powerful sense of the Godwho accepts, welcomes, protectsand enfolds us in his love.

Here for me, in the Liverpoolnativity was the reality of theIncarnation, the timeless truth ofthe God of love made flesh, lightshining in our darkness, on thestreets of Liverpool.

Hands and feet frozen, we rushedhome to watch it again on TV!

The Liverpoolnativity

JAN

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AD

BETT

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The timeless Gospel storyof the birth of Jesus toldstraight, surprising andthrilling me.

Liverpudlians of all ages congregate in the city centre

Liverpool’s amazing year as European Capital of Culture washeralded one December evening as over the River Mersey and on to

the Liverpool streets there unfolded the story of the nativity toldfor today. The Revd James A Booth, Chair of the Liverpool

Methodist District, continues:

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11magnet • words: © From Watching for the Kingfisher by Ann Lewin © 2004 Inspire. Used by permission of Methodist Publishing House;

image: Today’s celebrities of stage, screen and soap perform in The Liverpool nativity © Church Times

Christmas word

When he was born,He couldn’t speak a word,

That Word made flesh.All he could do was cry

The human cry of hungerAnd the need for love.

He had to learn his wordsAt Mary’s knee and Joseph’s bench;

Words of the Kingdom valuesThat informed their lives.

And when he spoke,It was again Mary’s Magnificat,

Turning our expectations upside down:Good News of transformation.

God’s Word, and oursIf we too give it fleshAnd live Magnificat:

Meeting the human cry Of hunger and the need for love.

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ONE THING WE ALL LIKE is beingpart of a celebration andLiverpool showed this with

the magnificent turn out for theNativity play. Liverpool has shownthis throughout its year asEuropean Capital of Culture. Asexpected; an economic boom hashit the city and the whole ofMerseyside is reaping the rewards.Everyone got in on the act forLiverpool 08 or Hope 08 as termedby the church bodies puttingtogether a schedule of events forthe year.

The ‘Peoples Opening’ wasattended by a sea of thousandsoutside St Georges Hall on a crispwinter’s evening in January. Theculture year exploded into life.Many local artists took part in the40 minutes show with Ringo Starrperforming his new song ‘Liverpool8’. There were hundreds ofvolunteers in the background,working, as well as taking part in

the event. The atmosphere waselectric and the architecture was litup all around making it look like agigantic theatre. For most peoplethis grand opening ceremony ofcolour helped to set the standardfor the year to come.

‘Liverpool: The musical’ took placethe next day at the newly builtmulti-purpose Arena andConvention Centre. Local artistsand up-and-coming talentperformed side by side in a showexploring 800 years (both positiveand negative) of Liverpool’s historyin a two hour performance. All thestops were pulled out for bothevents. All the artists andvolunteers committed time and hadthe freedom to be a part of theseevents; all would expect to betreated with dignity and respect inthis time of celebration for all.

The multi-purpose arena hall was inprefect condition along with thefacilities for the main starperformers. The facilities behindthe scene however were less thandesirable. There was no heating

and the wings and backstagewaiting areas were open to thebitter winter cold. As volunteerperformers and backstagevolunteers we were not impressedwith our treatment in such asophisticated building. Teethingproblems were understandable butthis was not. What this helped toremind us of is that throughout theyear there would be events inwhich parts of the communitywould be pushed to the edge.However in all that we do, we willkeep striving for inclusivity for all.

The people of Liverpool andMerseyside have come together ina special year of celebration. Ashumans it is part of our makeup tocontinually seek unity. Throughoutthe year Liverpool has sought to dojust that. This was againexperienced as millions of peoplecame out to see the Tall ShipsParade in July. They lined bothLiverpool and Wirral sides of theRiver Mersey. I believe thatcelebrating is something that thepeople of Merseyside do best.

…this grand opening ceremony ofcolour helped to set the standard for

the year to come.

Liverpool: a time for celebration

Hyacinth Sweeney-Dixon, Ecumenical Racial Justice Officer, Merseyside

Left: Love and Joy GospelChoir from Liverpool andStavanger Gospel Choir fromNorway sang at the Hope 08Festival Hope Inspired at theMetropolitan Cathedral ofChrist the King Liverpool;below: Members of theLiverpool Welsh Choral, one ofthe many performers at theArena event.

HYA

CIN

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WEE

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-DIX

ON

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Resources…Books and resources reviewed here can be obtainedfrom your local Christian bookshop unless otherwisestated. Methodist Publishing House stock Inspire andEpworth titles and can be reached on 01733 325002 or at www.mph.org.uk

Twenty questions Jesus askedWhat is he asking you?Elizabeth Rundlebrf (2008) £6.99 ISBN 9781841015682

I didn’t realise that Jesusasked twenty questions ofhis listeners. He may haveasked more but ElizabethRundle has chosen thisnumber “to help us waitupon God”. Eachquestion initiated by Jesusdemands some responseand Elizabeth uses goodbackground knowledgeand recognisablesituations as illustrationsthus helping our understanding. It is her desire thatfaith is deepened and each chapter ends in a prayer ora reflection. It’s a book to keep close by as the chapterscan be easily read and reread first thing in the morningor over coffee.

The Tenderness of Conscience African Renaissance and the Spirituality of PoliticsAllan BoesakWild Goose Publications (2008) £12.99 ISBN9781905010516

Allan Boesak speaks from the Apartheidstruggle and the blossoming of hope forSouth Africa. He seeks to discover whetherthe continent of Africa has found a rebirthso proudly broadcasted by President Mbekiat his inauguration. He assesses the rise ofBlack Consciousness and Black Theology assteps towards democracy and asserts theneed for South Africa to be a serious playeron the world stage. He is very critical of the historic agenda of the majorworld organisations in their attempts to sort out Africa. He draws ourattention to the emerging economic power bases which are forging a gapbetween rich and poor countries as well as between the rich and poorwithin all countries, including Africa. In describing the role of the church inthe liberation struggle, he reminds us of God’s desire for justice and peaceand that “political passivity is the doorway to misuse of power”. Now sadlyand unfairly the efforts of Christians have been largely written out of theofficial political history and pressure has been brought to bear onChristians to agree to government policy where once they acted aswatchdogs. This, he argues, has created a vacuum which needs filling withthe hope of the gospel. This is an intelligently argued case for the church,which once gave rise to the protest movement that achieved much, toagain find its feet. All who are interested in the state of African politics orpuzzled by lack of progress in what was once called the Rainbow Nationwill find this a fascinating and challenging read.

Prayers for good times and grim Martin ManserMonarch Books (2008) £7.99 ISBN 9781854248619

Here is a collection of prayers which seems tocover most aspects of this life in which we findourselves; birth, school, work, family, illnessand death, aloneness and loneliness. There areprayers for other people, the church and ourrelationship with God. Each prayer has itsresonance in the psalms highlighting thedesire throughout the ages for communicationwith God. The unexpected becomes intriguingin the prayers entitled ‘paperwork’, ‘themidlife crisis’ or ‘waiting’. Produced as a

hardback, it is lovely to handle and the language is easy to access forpersonal or group use.

PunkMonk New monasticism and the ancient art of breathingAndy Freeman and Pete Greig24-7 TITLES (2007) £6.99 ISBN 9781842913307

This is the continuing storyof the 24-7 prayermovement and the effectof prayer on many of ourcity centres and beyond.Called the Boiler Houses,the community prayerrooms are a refuge formany who find a place ofsafety to express theirrelationship with God insurprisingly creative ways.They are inspired as theywait on God. The authorscompare the progress over a few years with theirdiscoveries about the saints and founders of themonasteries and see similarities in the pilgrim life livedat the feet of Jesus, being of service to all those whocross the threshold. There are astounding stories asthey rely on God to show them where to be and howto be. In London there is a prayer room on the site ofJohn Wesley’s first chapel. This is an extremely readableand inspiring book with suggestions of how to allowGod to lead us onward in the 21st century. It is basedon the community’s Rule, to be true to Christ, to bekind to others and to take the gospel to the nations.

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Resources…

Reviews by Sheila Simpson

Faith and FunA CollectionStuart FergusonDateline Publishing £9.95 Available fromStuart Ferguson, Globe Lane industrial Park,Globe Lane, Dukinfield SK16 4RE

Stuart Ferguson wrote the Advent worshipfor Magnet 76 and includes the hymns fromit in this collection of sketches, poems,hymns, dramas and extras. Written from acharacteristic Methodist perspective, wehave useful resources for services and

meetings delivered with wry humour. Stuart says“When I am at my funniest, I’m very serious.” Living inthe Manchester area, he is offering two hours ofentertainment of faith and fun. Contact him [email protected]

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Hillytown BISCUIT churchStory for children aged 6-9Ruth WhiterChristian Education £4.99 including postage & packingISBN 9781905893157. Available from Christian Education, 1020 Bristol Road,Selly Oak, Birmingham B29 6LB [email protected]

Nancy is eight and threequarters and painfully shy.Few children attend herSunday School so whenAniela and her family arrive,Nancy is excited. Aniela isPolish but is so extrovert thatlanguage barriers are noproblem. They becomefriends and explore thenether regions of the churchbuilding and eat biscuits! But

things go pear shaped when their parents fall out andNancy learns to take a Bible text seriously in order toovercome her shyness and to do what she feels is right.The ending is quite dramatic and involves a burst waterpipe! Ruth Whiter brings together some veryrecognisable characters and situations. This is her firstbook, illustrated by herself.

Kingsway Publishingwww.kingsway.co.uk

It is worth checking out the new website for KingswayPublishing. They are in the middle of revamping thecompany by absorbing others such as Survivor Records,Songs of Fellowship and Children’s Ministry. This shouldmake it easier for the customer to access all theirresources. If you register you are eligible each month todownload one free copy of sheet music for a song. Theyhave over 2000 MP3 downloads and 1300 sheet musicdownloads as well as books, CD’s and song books.

A Celebration of Banners Edited and compiled by Ruth Wood and PriscillaNunnerleyRochart (2008) £12 plus post and packaging ISBN 9780955858208Available from Priscilla Nunnerley, 9 Chestnut Court, Chestnut Lane,Amersham, HP6 6ED

With the resurgence of knitting and needlecraft many churches haverevived the banner making group producing hangings for decoration andfor special occasions. Many have also found fellowship and fun! Thiscollection from all over the United Kingdom and many parts of the world isa picture book of colour, texture and faith. Each banner is accompanied bya short description by the makers about its’ significance and how it cameto be made. Some are very simple with stick-on felt figures and letters,

whilst others are more designer conscious andintricate. One was made in an hour. All addsomething meaningful to the worship area.From Canada comes a wall hanging made bymen and women, fabric painting onto squaresand arranged to represent the sky, the earthand the sea. Similarly eye catching is apatchwork quilt hanging of creation made bychildren from an Aids Orphanage in Kwa ZuluNatal. It is a wonderful, inspiring, beautifullyproduced collection designed to spur allpotential banner makers into action.

The Meaning is in the Waiting The Spirit of AdventPaula GooderCanterbury Press (2008) £8.99 ISBN9781853119088

How valuable is Advent? How good is it to wait?Where is the anticipation? Paula Gooder writeseloquently and with relevance on the approachto Christmas using the traditional candles withtheir traditional meanings. The long wait ofAbraham and Sarah until the fulfilled promise,with all the anxiety and manipulation of events,give us much to identify with in our own humanfrailty. The stories of the prophets, John theBaptist and finally Mary all add to the picture of waiting. “The waiting is inthe meaning” from R S Thomas’ poem makes the waiting as important asthe arriving and the meaning of the arriving the most important. It can beused either in sections or daily, a journey led imaginatively and thoughtfullyby the author.

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I’D LONG HELD ASPIRATIONs to serve asa jury member, so when asummons came through the post

requiring me for jury service, I wasover the moon. Visions of excitingcases (a cause célèbre, charmingconman exposed, or crime ofpassion) passed through my mindin glorious detail. The reality couldnot have been more different.

Having finally been allocated to acase that lasted longer than half aday, I was keen to consider thecase, discuss the matter in detail aswarranted and deliver a fair verdict.My fellow jurors had no suchdesires. Their main concern was toget out of the jury room as quicklyas possible and having alreadymade up their minds as to the guiltof the defendant, proceeded totake a vote before any discussiongot underway.

All, apart from two members(myself being one), considered thedefendant guilty. The discussionthat then ensued concentrated onchanging our minds and seeking tojustify why such a verdict should begiven at that juncture, rather thanexamining the evidence beforemaking our decision. It was notlong before one individual folded.

Although the judge indicated hewould accept a majority verdict, my colleagues wanted to bring aunanimous decision. Murmursabout wanting to get home andnot wanting the matter to extendover the weekend were made,putting pressure upon me tocapitulate also.

Sending silent prayers to Godseeking his wisdom and strength, I managed to stand firm and insistthe matter be discussed and theevidence examined before reachingour verdict. I was amazed that theother jurors had so quicklyforgotten, or were deliberatelyreneging upon their oath.

As a Christian, I felt obligated tohonour my vow, to do my part inensuring that a just decision(whether guilty or not guilty) wasreached. I held firm, raisingobjections, pointing outdiscrepancies in the evidence andsuggesting we return to court forclarification regarding certain legaljargon that had been used.

Amazingly, having soughtclarification, people who werepreviously adamant the defendantwas guilty, now felt unsure. Insteadof making a decision based onpersonal prejudices, or majoritypressure, the evidence was lookedat and the judge’s explanation of aparticular term duly considered.

The new approach meant that afterobjective analysis and pertinentdiscussion, only one verdict couldbe delivered − “not guilty”!

Perhaps I (like Esther in the Bible)had been called at that particulartime and served on that particularjury for the sake of the defendantbut more importantly, I believe asChrist’s disciple I was given both atest and an opportunity – a test asto whether I would take up mycross and follow Christ on thenarrow path of unpopular opinion,and an opportunity to speak outboldly in an unjust scenario,influencing the situation for good.

The narrow pathof unpopularity Carol Hind tells how the persistence of one juror positively influenced the final decision of a jury

I believe as Christ’s disciple I was givenboth a test and an opportunity… I wasover the moon. Visions of excitingcases passed through my mind inglorious detail

Old scales on thejustice and peacetable in Iona Abbey

JAN

E D

OW

ELL

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CHRISTMAS with its story ofsuch simplicity and wonderprovides parents with a

perfect time to introduce even theyoungest child to Christianity. Thatfirst wonder stays with us all ourlives and most of us became awareof it through the family crib.

Forty years ago when our childrenwere small we were unable to finda crib that had the childlikesimplicity we were looking for, so Itried to design one. For severalyears I made a different one andeach Christmas they got better. Asa family we loved these cribs andfriends too were verycomplimentary.

Then in the mid-seventies myhusband’s business collapsed. He

ceased trading in November; wehad no savings and were almostpenniless. I thanked heaven for thefamily allowance, our only income.I remember my main worry wasthat I would have to tell the fourchildren that Father Christmas toohad run out of money. Friends andneighbours helped in so manyways; we were offered free breadand milk by baker and milkman. SixChristmas cards for each of thechildren to take to school wereposted through the door by acomplete stranger on the morningthey had to take them.

We all set to and made onehundred very simple Nativity sets –Mary, Joseph and baby, a shepherdand three kings. We used oursheets and curtain linings sprayedgold. One friend used the BachChoir to find buyers and the cribsall sold for £5 a set. We had awonderful Christmas. It was to benearly thirty years before thecurtains were replaced!

Over the following years I refinedthe figures and added animals and

stables, above all, always trying toconvey the essential gospel story, tomake the crib scene bothdecorative and contemplative. Ihave tried to show the poverty ofthe Holy Family, the joy of theshepherds and the majesty of theMagi as they come to pay homageto Christ.

I worked extremely long hours formany years, helped by the childrenand by my husband who was nowworking full time. We went to fairsall over Britain establishing a largecustomer base. Our children havelong since left home and we areboth in our seventies. We still makeabout a hundred sets a year andincreasingly sell them over the web,sending our Christmas cribs all overthe world. Children who grew upwith them now buy them for theirown children and they are lovedand cherished by many hundreds offamilies.

Thefamily

cribIn desperate times Joan and David Kottler

turned to the Christmas story for help.

… my main worry was that I would haveto tell the four children that Father

Christmas too had run out of money

Joan Kottler, The Pheasantry,Cogenhoe, Northampton NN7 1LS

www.christmascribs.com

JOA

N A

ND

DA

VID

KO

TTLE

RJO

AN

AN

D D

AV

ID K

OTT

LER

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EpiphanyJesus,

may we not hoard,but freely give

the gold of our hearts,the myrrh of our grief,the frankincense of our dreams,

to You.

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This act of worship can be led by aleader and several readers. An

Advent ring or five candlesshould be used.

Preface to worship

The journey we make through Advent isone of the most amazing journeys of the

church year. It encourages us to look backand recognise God who is with people

through the ages, it encourages us to look atwhere we are now, to consider human nature and

to prepare for the greatest gift given to humanityin the form of the Christ. Throughout the journey

we encounter ordinary people whose livesare caught and woven into an

extraordinary story and an eternal plan. Inthis worship we are encouraged to consider

human nature and ordinary lives used inextraordinary ways.

Opening prayerThroughout the ages – GodFound in creation and creativity,

Expressed through the words ofthe prophets,

Promises made and kept,Heard in a child’s first crying breath,

Reflected in every breath, every life,Meet with us as we explore yourcontinuing presence among us. Amen.

Hymn

Family Matters

Mary’s story: Luke1:26–38I was sweeping out

the house, helping mymother while she went

to feed the chickens in theback yard. I was involved in

doing a good job anddidn’t hear him come in,so it was with quite a

start that I found himstanding there,

watching me. I thought he was looking for directions,our house being at the edge of town many strangersstopped to find their way, but he only smiled when Iasked him.

I felt uneasy – not frightened – just uneasy at hispresence and I told him so. The smile didn’t change ashe greeted me by name, told me I was favoured byGod and unfolded the divine plan – a baby. I wasshocked, what did he mean? I wasn’t even married,betrothed but not yet a wife! Just what was hisintention?

“My mother is only outside and my father and brotherswithin shouting distance and I have my broom!” I heldit in front of me.

He smiled and told me not to worry, but I felt no suchanxiety, just a warmth of being enveloped in a love somuch bigger than anything I had ever known. This was ofGod, I was sure of that. I sank to my knees in acceptanceof God’s will. When I looked again he had gone.

Now though, I am frightened and worried and anxiousand all of those other dreadful feelings at once. I knowwhat they’ll say about me, how the fingers will point,and poor, poor Joseph, what will he think? What willhe do?

But for now he is not my main concern. I have to facethe family first and break the news to Mother andFather, they are to be grandparents. I’m not entirelysure this piece of news will be greeted with thegreatest jubilation!

Joseph’s tale: Matthew 1:19–24Angry is a big enough word for what I felt when shetold me. That stuff and nonsense about angels! I feltbetrayed, hurt beyond words, alone, exposed, hurtingdeep inside, bereft, abandoned, washed out and as ifthe rug under my feet had been jerked away by somedivine joker!

I wanted out, to get rid of her, pretend I never knewher, do it quietly, even though I didn’t want her to behurt. Conspire to keep things quiet and end the wholebusiness here and now.

It was an exhausted sleep when it eventually came, butwith the dawn my mind had cleared and I knew that I

Mary’s storyAn act of worship for Advent written by Una McLean

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would stay with her. I would marry her for the baby’ssake, give it a name and her a home. I would do it forthe sake of a child who had done nothing wrong butjust chosen a womb to prepare for life.

Hymn

Meditation: It was ever thus Each reader lights a candle at the end of each stanza;an advent ring may be used.

In an impoverished estate, with UPVC windows andbright facades,A girl is caught because of a desire to be needed,Fingers point and accusations fly.She did it to get the money, trap the boy, escape fromhere.

A candle is lit

Lord, we remember the many young people, youngadults and older people too caught in the trap ofpoverty, addiction or abuse and their need to be lovedand cared about. You came to show love in action.May your church family reflect your acceptance ofothers.

Response Come, O come Immanuel.

Amongst other pot-bellied and stick-limbed children,A girl is caught, beaten and brutalised,The gossips point and disbelieve her story.She must be the one to blame.

A candle is lit

Lord, we remember those caught in areas of politicalunrest, tribal disharmony and civil strife; those with nofood, poor shelter and where clean water is scarce anddisease is rife. You came to show love in action. Mayyour church family reflect your willingness to act onbehalf of others.


Where money is no object and anything is possibleA girl is caught through experimentation.Her family hang their heads in shameAnd shuffle her off to some distant relative to hideuntil it’s over.

A candle is lit

Lord, we remember the countless thousands who liverough on the streets and in roofless hostels in ourtowns and cities, those who have left home and familybecause of abuse, those who have run away to find abetter life only to find themselves adrift in a sea ofindifference. You came to show love in action. May

your church family reflect your desire to protect andcare for others.

Response: Come, O come Immanuel.

In a small town with dusty roads and little hopeA girl is caught, the fingers point accusingly,The gossips laugh at her talk of angels,They always know better!A friendly aunt, a loving fiancé…

A candle is lit

Lord, we think of the many occasions when gossipabout others has been spread bringing pain and distressin its wake. We recall the part we have played in passingon the message ‘out of concern’ when our words haveadded to the burden rather than lifting it. You came toshow love in action. May your church family reflectunconditional love and caring concern for others.


Then later, in the journey through the pain and bloodA new face enters the world and greets life,With eyes full of the knowledge and wisdom of the ages.A child is come, Immanuel.

The centre candle is lit

Lord, you came in a human form we could understand,showing us love in action. During this journey ofadvent let us concentrate on the real meaning of lightentering the world and on ourselves as reflections ofthat light, Through our living reactions and actions mayothers know this Light of the World for themselves.


Hymn

Blessing:As we travel to meet the celebration of your birth,Guide our thinking, our sharing, our journey,Open our eyes to see you in other people, othersituations,Open our hearts to receive and share your love. Amen

A selection of appropriate music:Born in the nightHymns and PsalmsGod’s Surprise & Heaven shall not waitWild Goose Worship Group1987Candle in the windowComplete Come and Praise, BBC 2000Let it be to me & This ChildMake Way Music 1988 from The SourceMeekness and MajestyKingsway’s Thankyou Music 1986 from The Source

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Christmas dream

Among the shadows of a low-roofed stablethe child was born.No midwife regularised his arrival.He was hungry and cried.His mother held him close to feed him;he slept, eventually, and dreamt:

and into the shadows merged the hazy lightsof a distant glory:echoes of laughter, snatches of song,flashes of colour,glimpses of kingship, rumours of community.

Dream on then:time enough forconflict in desert places,homelessness and pressing crowds,loneliness in the garden,betrayaland pain.

Dream on of times to come:boyhood delights and developing craftsmanship,friends to share the journey,mornings of solitude and prayer;Hands stretched out, diseased, desperate to touch –withdrawn, with wonder, whole;love expressed in death,new life at Easter –work ahead.

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THE CHRISTMAS STORY is mostly avery happy one. Even thoughthe holy family are refugees

and their baby is born in poverty,the wise men and the shepherdscome with presents for the babyking and all is calm, all is bright. Not so a few days later when ‘A voice is heard in Ramah,weeping and great mourning.Rachel is weeping for her childrenand refusing to be comfortedbecause they are no more’ Matt 2:18

It is ‘Holy Innocents ’day, 28December, when all the boys undertwo years of age in Bethlehem andits surrounds were put to deathbecause Herod was so afraid for histhrone.

Rachel’s cries are the cries of somany people, men and womenaround the world who have losttheir children.

Some have lost them throughillness, some have lost thembecause they have run away, some

have lost them because they havebeen abducted by the governmentof a brutal regime, some have lostthem to unscrupulous traffickers ofwomen and young children.

Even today there is much weepingfor the lost children of this world:• In the earthquake in China last

summer a whole generation ofchildren was lost, due to the‘one child per family’ policy

• The Mothers of the Plaza deMayo are Argentinean mothersand grandmothers who, withtheir white handkerchiefs, visitthe Plaza every Thursday and

For further information

Compassionate friends: Thosewho need to talk to someoneabout the loss of theirchild, grandchild orsibling should callour Helpline on 0845 123 2304.53 North Street, Bristol BS3 1ENUnited KingdomInformation and [email protected]

Also see Talking points p3

Rachel is weeping for her childrenGail Sheppard

Pray for

• Bereaved parents as they live with their grief; may they find comfort.• The mothers and grandmothers of Argentina that they might find some

answers and feel at peace.• Parents whose children have run away, because of a family rift, that they

may make contact and begin the healing process.• Parents whose children have been taken from them for purposes of

trafficking that they may be given support and love when they need it most.• The children of this world, so that they may know God’s love and care for

them in their difficult situations.

pray

er f

ocus

show photographs of their lovedones who simply disappearedunder a military regime. Theyconstantly put pressure on thegovernment for answers as theyparade around the Plaza eachweek.

• The McCann family, whosedaughter Madeleinedisappeared from their holidayhome in Portugal in May 2007,has highlighted the plight ofmissing children.

The mothers of the Plaza deMayo with Néstor Kirchner thePresident of Argentina

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THIS PASSAGE presents series ofcontrasts that contain all thepain and joy that is life,

bounded by life’s bookends of birthand death. The contrasts (otherthan ‘a time to be born and a timeto die’) offer us a choice, and it is inmaking those choices that we learnwisdom of life, and begin to knowourselves and God better.

There is so much in these 8 verses –let us just focus on one ‘contrast’from verse 6, using the words fromthe Message: “A time to searchand a time to count your losses; atime to hold on and a time tolet go.”

Having gained something we tendto want to keep hold of it. Yet weknow that some of our mostprecious possessions are those thatwe have to let go.

As parents, we know there comes atime when we have to begin to letgo of our children, begin to allowthem to make their own decisionsand even to make some of theirown mistakes.

It is the same for relationships.People grow and change, yetsometimes we just don’t knowwhen to let go and move on. So itis with our material possessions. Wehoard, yet logic tells us we don’tneed it, but we keep it, just in case!

Hanging on to things means wehave to find somewhere in ourhearts, mind and homes to keepthem. That causes us to becomecluttered and full, tired and lifeless.We are no longer open to what lifehas to offer. We have made ourchoice and now we have to livewith it!

Perhaps what we need to be doingis only hanging on to those thingsthat are truly precious and give uslife and joy, whilst letting go of thatwhich confines us and causes usgrief. Letting go, not only in ourpersonal life, but also in the life ofthe church and of the widercommunity.

Pause for thought:• In my life is there something

that is weighing me down – canI let it go and let God?

• In the church and in the widercommunity what are the thingswe need to value and affirm?

• What are the things we need tolet go of and lose?

Let us prayLord of life, give me the courage to

let go of that which causes youand me grief and pain.

Give me the patience to hold on tothat which cannot be let go andto that which brings joy and love.

In all things give me the wisdom toknow the difference. Amen

TheSeasons of LifeA study taken from Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 written by Debbie Hodge whoworks for Churches Together in England

bibl

e st

udy

Watercolour byKjell Walfridsson,a Swedish formersocial worker, wholives withParkinson’sdisease, paints,writes poetry andmakes music.

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LILY’S FAMILY

LILY’S FAMILY AT CHRISTMASSheila makes the Christmas cake to a recipe which is handed downthrough the generations. Glenys makes the Christmas pudding andall the family stir it. This takes about a week – each member of thefamily stirs the pudding and writes their name into the Pudding Book.The book has been going for the last 30 years.

GLENYS has three children Claire, Abbie & Sam

My Sam is eight years younger thanmy daughters. His dad left whenhe was 18 months old and mysisters acted as extra mums forhim. At 18 he had saved hismoney to buy a motorbike butafter only 2 weeks he had avery bad accident: he receivedsevere head and spinal injuries. Itwas a huge change to his life, butthat didn’t stop girls liking him!

In 2007 Glenys was diagnosed with a braintumor and was given between 1-5 yrs to live.Even with this diagnosis and the treatment, shehas remained astonishingly positive and happy.

This is a story of life: divorce, illness, disability, single parenting and separation. There is nocomplaining, no railing against God, no self pity. Starting back in the First World War, this

family – like many others – continues to pull together, upholding and passing down positivevalues of faith for living which are deeply embedded. Researched by Tricia Creamer.

SHEILA: My dad had the most wonderful senseof humour – he was the life and soul of parties.He was musical, playing both guitar and banjo.Family events with his brother and sister werealways loud and fun. George Formby ruled!

Being the youngest I spent many days walkingwith him in the tiny Shropshire village of Abdon,visiting friends and neighbours many of whomrelied on him. His input at our local tiny churchwas immense; he was the bell ringer, so as afamily we never missed a Sunday.

WENDY lives in Ghana and comes home often to the family.

I believe our positive family attitude stems from mygrandma who introduced her children to religionat an early age. My mum, Lily continued goingto church with my dad, where she arranged theflowers. Now an energetic 95 year old happilyliving alone, she helps in her local Methodistchurch; it’s a great support for her.

Prayer has given us the confidence to know thateverything will work out fine, and it always has.Smiling, laughing and having fun are parts of all ourpersonalities. I think the most fun I ever have is when I holiday withmy mother and sisters; we laugh from breakfast to bedtime!

LILY is 95. Lily’s father Fredwas killed in the war of 1914,

leaving her mother to raise Lily,with another child on the way.

She was faithful to the task, involvingthem all in the local church and Sunday school.When Lily and her sister both got married in themid 1930’s Lily’s mother found a new partner,Tommy, a friend of Lily’s husband, Roy.

For me Tommy was like a lovely brother,a friend of my husband’s, in the samecycling club and the same age as hewas. He did not move in as a lodgeruntil my sister and I were married andmy mom had a spare room. He wasunmarried and they became partners.

Lily and Roy were married for 48 years andhad three daughters – Wendy, Glenys andSheila.

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JOACHIM is Sheila’s son. He has written abouthis second cousin, Holly.

I am the oldest under 18 year-old in our family.Holly is my second cousin, and I get on with herlike a sister. She’s bright and talented. As she hasgrown up I can see her becoming a sophisticatedperson, with nothing but success in her path.Being so close to her, I intend to be there for heras she makes her way through the world.”

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SPENCER: After her divorce from her firsthusband, Glenys married Spencer. He writesabout his step-daughter, Claire.

Claire was 12 when I met her mum. It was adifficult time for both of us. But we workedthrough and gained greater understanding andmutual respect for one another.

When she married I was surprised but so pleasedwhen she asked me to give her away. I wasnervous and really wanted to make a goodspeech for her big day. She and her husband nowhave three lovely children. I am very proud ofClaire.

HOLLY, Billy, Niamh, and Poppy are Lily’s greatgrandchildren, Holly (12) tells us her thoughtsabout her cousin Billy (8)

He’s a lovely cousin, bit shy, but makes peoplesmile. He’s got blonde hair and I think he lookslike the milky bar kid. He likes sport, especiallyfootball and supports Liverpool but I supportChelsea so we argue about who’s best. He is also agood swimmer and diver and a very fast runner – fasterthan me; he’s funky.

SAM: I remember being at first school, cominghome for lunch and it always being ready forme to eat. Whatever I did, mum always had asmiley face there behind any reprimand and Iknew she loved me. She encouraged me to domy best in everything.

When I was paralysed in 1996 in the motorcycle crashmy mum really showed her true colours, visiting daily with my dadeven though the spinal hospital was an hour away. During thedifficulties I have faced since, she has been a fantastic support. I haveoften been low or upset, but she is always so cheerful and happy, thatshe manages to make me feel better and see the positive side of life.

MAY m FRED (Fred killed in war in 1914)

LILY m ROY MAIDIE

WENDY GLENYS SHEILAm/d (now lives with SETO) m/d (now married to SPENCER)

CLAIRE ABBIE SAM JOACHIM

BILLY NIAMH POPPY HOLLY

THE FAMILY TREE

The names of people who madecontributions are in BOLD

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TEENAGERS! They crash aroundthe house with their mess andtheir noise, they eat you out

of house and home and leave yourradio set to Radio One, so thatwhen you turn it on expecting thesedate tones of Radio Four you arenearly blasted out of your mind.You trip over their trainers and findstrange bodies asleep on your livingroom floor. In short, you feel yourhouse is not your own.

And then they are gone. No matterhow much you have longed for thismoment, or planned everythingyou would do when finally that

responsibility is over, you may feel adevastating sense of loss. For some,this feels like a bereavement, andthis is a word often used by parentswhen describing their feelings ofgrief when their children leavehome.

It is not surprising if you considerthat you are not only losing theirvibrant (if trying!) presence, you arealso saying goodbye to an era andlosing one of your main roles. Evenif you have a thriving career, youcan feel totally redundant becausea large part of your identity – beinga hands-on parent – has beensuddenly removed.

Fathers tend to react in one of twoways. “I don`t understand my

wife”, one remarked to me. “It`snot as though our daughter isdead”. No, but some men, likeGraham Taylor, the former Englandfootball manager, fall apart withgrief, though it has to be said thatthey are in the minority.

There are helpful and constructiveways of dealing with thesepowerful emotions. Keep in touchwith your children – but don`tphone too often! In these days ofelectronic communication, sendinga regular letter, the occasional card,articles or snippets of interest frompapers or magazines will all help tokeep the bond intact.

Try to fill the gap in your own life.A new hobby, maybe even a courseat college or an evening class canopen new avenues of interest andexcitement. Some parents evenenrol on a degree course and it`snever too late to start a new career.

And if you let them go, I canpromise they will come back toyou. I know, I was a grief-strickenempty-nester and now I’m theproud granny of two babies and Ihave a wonderful new adultrelationship with my children.Nothing is lost and everythinggained. “All in the end is harvest.”

shelley Bovey is the author of TheEmpty Nest: When Children LeaveHome

The emptynest

Facing up to our children growing up and leaving home by Shelly Bovey

you are also saying goodbye to an eraand losing one of your main roles

I have a wonderful newadult relationship withmy children. Nothing islost and everythinggained. “All in the end isharvest.”

LIN

DA

JO

NES

Pandora,HarperCollins,London, 1995ISBN-13: 978-0044408987

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Winter blessing

When sleet blinds you,hail drowns out voices,and snow hides your path,

may you discern in each flakea star, image of the onethat guided the Magi,

and find that in the painof birth, death or change

there is a lightto guide you.

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With reference your Editorial inthe Autumn issue of Magnettogether with the contents ofpublication. I did find inspirationand enhancement as the subject ofPeace and Reconciliation ispoignant, a subject with which Ihave been closely involved forsome years. I paint Peace Crosseswith watercolour flowers which arenow despatched worldwide toareas of conflict, social unrest andto the sick and bereaved. Some, inlarge ornate frames are to befound in Cathedrals, churches, localschools and other establishments.George Walter Cater MBE

I have been a member of theCorrymeela Community for over 40years involved in all the work of theCommunity in many parts of theProvince and in my own community.The project you covered (Autumn2008 Magnet Peace &Reconciliation Page 8) is not aCommunity project but one thatuses our facilities. I have just

This is just a note ofappreciation from an elderlyhousebound Methodist for theAutumn edition of Magnet. Ifound something to interest orinspire me on every page. I havesent it onto a daughter in law whoI think will be interested. Thanksand God bless you all.Mrs Vera Curnock

Thank you to all ourcontributors. Whatdo you thinkabout thisissue’s themeand articles?Please write tothe editor at MagnetLetters Page,Methodist ChurchHouse, 25 MaryleboneRoad, London NW1 5JR no laterthan 3 December. The editorreserves the right to select andedit letters. Opinions expressedare not necessarily the opinionsof the editor.

returned from a weekend where themembers, around 150, are strugglingwith what is our role in the new so-called peace but where sectarianism isstill a major problem. Indeed researchhas shown it is alive and well especiallyin the churches. We do so much morethan having family or youth groups fora holiday, which does happen in thesummer but they are holidays with adifference. Diversity in many ways isexperienced and discussed.Ada Kertchie, Corrymeela Community

The Corrymeela Community is anindependent organisation, a charityand a community that has been aroundfor over 40 years and running its owncross-community, school, youth, andfamily programmes both at the Centrein Ballycastle as well as throughoutNorthern Ireland. It is an ecumenicalcommunity encompassing all ages,backgrounds and traditions, committedto the healing of social, religious, andpolitical divisions in Northern Irelandand throughout the world.I McDonagah (Coleraine) yo

ur le

tters

issue 84 20/10/08 10:51

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magnet Winter 2008

30

The poet Wordsworth writes:The soul that rises with us …Cometh from afar, not in entire

forgetfulness,And not in utter nakedness,But trailing clouds of glory do we

comeFrom God who is our home:Heaven lies about us in our

infancy!Shades of the prison-house begin

to closeUpon the growing boy.

From Ode: Intimations ofImmortality written March 1802 −March 1804

A child enters the world to beparented by imperfect people. Theraw material that is the child isaffected either favourably oradversely by the people and thecircumstances surrounding it. Achild ‘…trailing clouds of glory’cannot do wrong until it has an

awareness of right and wrong. Thisis learnt; it varies from family tofamily, generation to generation,culture to culture, religion toreligion.

Right and wrong is something onearrives at with perception. Babieshave the basic need to be lovedand to be comfortable thereforethey discover how to fit into theirbirth community so that theseneeds are met. We don’t comewith ready made behaviourpatterns but with a desire tosurvive in the community intowhich we are born. We learn how to fit in.

Initially children are not troubledabout right or wrong. This can leadto the inappropriate challenging /crossing of accepted boundaries.We thus observe the “shades ofthe prison-house” beginning to

close as children watch, learn andcopy behaviours of those aroundthem, some good and some not sogood.Jane Dowell

Jesus said “If you put a stumblingblock before one of these littleones who believe in me, it wouldbe better for you if a greatmillstone were fastened round yourneck” Matthew 18:6

We sometimes set children up tofail when we give them impossiblechoices and expect them tosucceed in the choice they makewithout them having either theexperience or the social / moraltools to deal with the situation. Ifthey don’t succeed ie make whatwe consider to be the right choice,the words ‘naughty’ and‘disobedient’ soon creep in.Mother of 3 small boys

“Children cannot doany wrong until weshow them how”

your

deb

ate

For

Let’s do this quiz together

We sometimes setchildren up to fail when

we give them impossiblechoices and expect them

to succeed

JAN

E D

OW

ELL

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The pure, newly born childbeginning to take in its newenvironment grows and developsas a full and rounded human beingthrough its relationship with theadults who will care for it.A child without human contact willnot know what it is to be fullyhuman which includes the capacityto make choices. In the process ofmaking choices a child learns whatis right and what is wrong.

Laws teach all of us what is rightand wrong. A child growing up in aworld that is governed by law,whether religious or secular, usesthe legislative material to informthem of right and wrong. Childrenbehaving in ignorance, cannot becalled bad because they havetransgressed when they did notknow they were doing wrong.(Romans 5:13 “sin is not reckonedwhen there is no law.”)

Human beings have been given thepotential for making choices and aregifted with blessings as well ascurses. When our choices take usdown a wrong route we have otherhuman beings who help to restoreus. Human beings are more likely tosearch for the good in children ratherthan teaching them what is wrong.

It is not easy to definitively say thatall wrongdoing is learnedbehaviour but we can say that evenas small children we make choiceswhich usually are the right ones.

When they prove to be the wrongchoices we have learnt from them.It is then up to the child, as it is tothe adult, to decide what they donext time round!Margaret Sawyer, London

“Trailing clouds of glory do wecome from God who is our home”wrote William Wordsworth;inferring that children are born in astate of purity. This is not so.Infants carry potential for evil aswell as good. Babies come into theworld as typical human beings,fighting for life and demanding tobe fed. As they grow they attempt,craftily to manipulate their parentsso they can have their own way.

Good parents will not suppress thissurvival instinct but lovingly temperit, teaching and guiding the childuntil it develops those qualitieswhich enable it to become acapable, caring social being.Dorothy Woo, Sheffield

For the first ten weeks of ababy’s life, its activities arecontrolled by the reflexes which arein its brain from birth. However,during these first ten weeks, thebaby’s cerebral cortex hasdeveloped, under the influence ofthe baby’s experience of life, from ablank sheet to a powerful thinkingmachine.

The consequence of this is that,around week ten, the baby’s cortexis powerful enough to rebel againstthe rule of the reflexes. Consider,for example, the baby’s instinctivereflex to turn and look at anythingpassing in front of it. After ten

weeks the cortex is powerfulenough to fire a signal along a newconnection to jam the signalcontrolling this reflex. For amoment the baby’s gaze is stuck.But with the reflex turned off, thebaby’s cortex seizes its moment andtakes control. From now on, everytime the baby turns its head, it isbecause it wants to.

So if at some later time the babydoes the wrong thing of turning itshead to look at the sun, then it isbecause the baby wants to,perhaps because of curiosity.One question remains, is thisevidence for or against the motion?My feeling is that it is against.Inspired by the documentary film,‘Body Story’ 2001Keith Austin, Sheffield

Against

The motion in our next issue is, ‘If we believe that power corrupts and that themeek shall inherit the earth, then Christians should not be working in positions ofpower.’

Instead of a debate in the Summer 2009 (Heroes and Heroines) issue, we are askingyou to nominate a modern day or everyday saint and tell us why. What qualitiesmake them so? Are the gospel saints still appropriate in the 21st century? Thedeadline is Friday 27 March 2009 by post to the editorial office or via the website.

have your say… by December 3rd

As they grow they attempt, craftilyto manipulate their parents so theycan have their own way.

KIN

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AFEW MONTHS AGO I waschatting with a good friendof mine when the subject of

birthdays came up.“Wow!” said Jane.

“I didn’t realise you were twelveyears older than me.” I looked at Jane, brimming with theconfidence and enthusiasm of awoman in her mid-twenties, andfelt positively old.

“Oh well,” I replied, trying tosound as up-beat as possible,

“you’re only as old as youfeel, aren’t you?”

Jane, six months pregnantand running around after a

lively toddler, hesitated forjust a moment. “Yes,” she

sighed, “and these days, when Icrawl out of bed in the mornings,

I feel like I’m ninety.”

And that’s just it, isn’t it?Whatever people see on theoutside is rarely how we feel onthe inside. Perhaps you sufferfrom the same illusion as I do?In my mind, I am still the samegirl today that I was when Iwas 18 years old. It’s onlywhen I look in the mirror or

do a heavy morning’sgardening that I have torecognise that I’m no longer asyoung as I was! It took me awhile to realise that the same istrue of almost everyone I meet,and that inside every woman is agirl.

Picture the scene: a busy youngmum slips late into church. There’sa baptism party today so she has tosit right at the back, next to a lady

who must be in her eighties.They’ve smiled at each otherbefore, but never spoken.

After the service the ladyintroduces herself as Eve. Theybegin by chatting about theservice, and before they know itEve is telling how she came to faithin the revival that hit the localchurches sixty years ago. She tellshow she served in the mission fieldin Africa; how she got married andreturned with her husband toEngland to raise her three boys.She tells how she started a mums’group to encourage other youngwomen to grow in their faith andhow (she giggles as sheremembers) she was once arrestedfor protesting outside the localcinema, because it was screening afilm she thought blasphemous. Shesays she’s not so active these days,

but that every morning as thechildren and parents pass on theirway to school she waves, and praysfor each one. They talk until aftereveryone has left for coffee and theorganist has packed his musicaway. Finally Eve says she must go– her taxi will be waiting.

That, for me, was when the pennydropped. No longer did I see awhite-haired lady on the back row,but an amazing woman of God, awoman with a girl inside, just likeme. And the next week, as Iscanned the faces around me, Iknew that behind every face ofevery man and woman was a story,if I could just take the time tolisten, and that it isn’t how old youare on the outside that matters, buthow young you are on the insidethat really counts.

Only asold as

you feel Jacqueline Shirtliff

…she was once arrestedfor protesting outsidethe local cinema, becauseit was screening a filmshe thoughtblasphemous.

MA

RK H

OW

ARD

issue 84 20/10/08 10:52

magnet • words: Marjorie Dobson © Stainer & Bell Ltd, from Multi-coloured Maze, reproduced by permission; image: Leila Thomson tapestry All paths lead home photo © Charles Tait Photographic Limited

Persistent God

Persistent Godyou are no respecter of old age

and you never have been.You called so many peoplelong after others had assumed their useful lives were over.

Abraham was asked to move to a new countryand take on a new name.

Sarah had her child long after it was thought possible.Moses grew tetchy and weary leading rebellious people

on a wilderness journey.Elizabeth was far too old to be the mother of John the

Baptist,but that didn’t stop you from choosing her.

And how rapidly Mary must have agedas she realised what was happening to her son, Jesus.

Never-ageing God,When growing old in your service

seems to be a very tiring process,Help us to remember the challenges you gave

to these older people.

Teach us that we are never too old for new experiences.Forgive us when we use our world-weariness

to dampen the enthusiasm of youth.Remind us that though we may be lacking in energy,

they are not.Keep us young in heart and spirit, even if our bodies

protest,for your world is a place of active love

and all of us can be involved in that,whatever our age.

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by Jane Dowell

“YOU CAN’T RETIRE, you’ve so much yet todo here.” So said the head teacher atmy appraisal 5 years ago.

Yes – there is still much to do, but not only ineducation and not separate from my husband, asworking life usually was. Here we are now, inretirement, part of a community working to createL’Arche homes in our locality for people withlearning disabilities and continuing to give respitecare for two lovely young ladies. We are fair tradeagents and I do the occasional supply teachingwhich enables us to travel, for the first time in ourlives, to places which enrich us and give us resourcesto work for justice and fairness in ways we couldnever have dreamed possible.

Then there is our continued involvement in thechurch, gardening, reading (the bliss of readingwhat we like, when we like!) and having time andspace to develop our creative interests.

by Peter Gambles

ALTHOUGH WE ARE TOLD by theexperts to prepare forretirement, how many of us

give it very much thought?

The DVLA however had notforgotten my advancing years! Ireceived a letter pointing out that mydriving licence was due to expire and

I would have to apply for a new one.In future I would need to renew it every

3 years! I had to answer numerous questions and if Iwished to drive a minibus I would need a medical. AmI really about to fall apart? It then hit home − I hadnearly reached my three score years and ten. Should Iorder a Zimmer frame and expect people to help meacross the road? I don’t feel old but it seems thatothers have a different opinion. So how do I feelabout retirement from PAID employment? After all I

have been working for some 50 years. Perhaps Ishould ask my wife how she feels. There are still thevarious voluntary jobs I already do and I seem torecall that more men (why just men?) are required onthe grass cutting rota at my home church. Thechurch lawn mower is a sit-on one with a steeringwheel, really an old boy’s toy that has to be drivenon the public highway as it is garaged a shortdistance away. My wife reminds me of the list of jobsrequiring attention – does one really go back to1964? I hope retirement will be a time when we cando more things together. I enjoy walking, I have agreat interest in computers and transport and I hopeto take time to catch up with reading.

The transport interest has been stimulated as we cannow travel throughout the country on buses free ofcharge. Does it matter, when you are retired, if thejourney takes a week to get to Cornwall and involveschanging buses numerous times? Retirement fromPAID employment is going to be a new challengeand if I am honest I am looking forward to it with alittle apprehension!

And yes, if Iinclude the taskof being aMagnet editor,life is full.Without a settimetable, sorigid withineducation, choices must be made and the diaryorganised but not filled for the sake of filling it. Afriend, so different from me, at the same stage in life,reminds me to take space to sit and think, to slowdown and wait on God. But, as the Head said, there isstill much to do: joy of all joys, we are grandparents of(by the time you read this) eight grandchildren. Theyhave all arrived in the space of eight years overflowinginto our life with fun and laughter and unrelentingyouthfulness.

Retirement has indeed given us space to live anotherlife and pause and give thanks for it.

A space to live another life

On the buses

Retirement reflectionsAn anticipation and a reality

CO

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AFEW MONTHS AGO I was giventhe invitation to attend acircuit meeting. These can

often be dull and laborious, withdiscussion about finance and howwe can revitalise the churches webelong to. What a surprise to seethat the invitation asked me toattend Rosehill MethodistCommunity School.

I went along and prepared for aheavy evening as I was met at theschool door by a teacher andseveral eager young faces. Theyoungsters were lined up in twosawaiting the arrival of their guests.They were very excited anddesperate to show me around.From the first moment I met themthey were chatty and animated,obviously very proud of their schooland especially of the ReverendHelen Bell, It was a delight to seewhat can be achieved in a deprivedarea with a little help from peoplewho are committed to the well-being of the school and its children.

The Revd Helen Bell, the schoolchaplain, continues the story

“All God’s children are giftedand talented” is the school mottoat Rosehill Methodist CommunitySchool. But it’s more than the kindof seldom-used stuffy Latin sayings

All God’s children are gifted and talentedGail Sheppard meets Revd Helen Bell, chaplain of Rosehill School

of two schools – Hurst InfantSchool and Hurst Methodist JuniorSchool. Over the past five years wehave done a lot of work to bringthese two separate schools andstaffs together, enjoying the new

of my school days – this is theethos by which everyone at Rosehillworks and learns; it permeatesevery aspect of school life.

Rosehill is a two-form entry (up to440 children), voluntary controlledprimary school in Ashton-under-Lyne near Manchester. The presentschool building was opened fiveyears ago after the amalgamation

Some of their little lives are verycomplicated and difficult and school istheir safe and stable place.

HEL

EN B

ELL

The schoolmotto

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36

building with all its many facilitiesand getting used to being school ina new location and in a newbuilding.

Working at Rosehill is a completejoy, although the ministry can bevery challenging at times. A highpercentage of our children live insome of the most deprivedhouseholds in the country and aquarter of our children are on theSEN (Special Educational Needs)register. Some of their little lives arevery complicated and difficult andschool is their safe and stableplace. The whole school staff andthe governors wanted to create anatmosphere at Rosehill that willshow each child that she/he isspecial, precious and unique. So wedevised an ethos map, setting outour aims and how we were goingto achieve our goals in every aspectof school life. This ethos mapcontinues to be a living document,used, revised and constantlyupdated.

The school motto “All God’schildren are gifted and talented”draws inspiration from theDepartment of Education’s “Everychild matters” initiative and

strongly echoes the school’sMethodist heritage.

Not all children are academicallytalented but they are all good atsomething, whether it’s being agood friend, making people laugh,excelling at sport or in someparticular hobby. The key is todiscover that gift and to celebrateit! We have a praise assembly eachFriday to applaud the children intheir giftedness, giving them heapsof praise and affirmationthroughout the week.

Of course all children needboundaries and rules for theirbehaviour and our golden rulessystem ensures that everyone singsfrom the same good behaviourhymn sheet! This all draws on thetheological understanding that weare created in God’s image, offorgiveness, restorative justice,reconciliation and new beginningswith God.

As the school chaplain I’m not onlythere for the children, but for thewhole school community. Thechaplaincy is a real team effort withan army of volunteers, includingparents and church folk from rightacross the Ashton Circuit whospend time in school each week.

They help out with a wide range ofactivities – hearing children read,running lunchtime and after schoolclubs, being a school pen pal orteaching the children to knit(there’s a surprisingly long waitinglist for this club!). I am totallyindebted to these faithful,committed folk who week afterweek give up their time to comeinto school. Their very presencesends an important message to allthe children – you are special andwe enjoy spending time here withyou at Rosehill. I know too that thebenefits to the volunteers areimmense!

Working at Rosehill is an enormousprivilege. It’s simply a great place tobe! Most of the time, it feels likebeing part of an enormous,exuberant, excitable andcomplicated family, with all thehighs and lows of family life.Sometimes of course we makemistakes, but in all things we arecommitted to constantly remindingthe children that “All God’schildren are gifted and talented.”

… it feels like being part of anenormous, exuberant, excitable and

complicated family, with all the highsand lows of family life.

The key is to discover that giftand to celebrate it!

issue 84 20/10/08 10:52

magnet • words: Ros Murphy. Used by permission; image: Johan Swanepoel/123RF

New candles

New candles,satin-smooth, unmarked.Anonymous.Untouched by life.Beautiful in unsullied innocence?

Burning candles.Dribbling wax.Marring pristine beauty?But, characterful.Individual.Enhanced by the ravages of use.

So with old faces,etched with life.No longer satin-smooth anonymity,But characterful.Pages of life’s journey.Beautiful images of God.

37

issue 84 20/10/08 10:52

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issue 84 20/10/08 10:52

39

magnet Winter 2008

The power and the gloryIn the next issue the debate is’If we believe absolute powercorrupts and that the meekshall inherit the earth thenshould Christians be working inpositions of power?’ This iswhat The Power and the glorytheme will explore. Is powergood or bad or is what peopledo with power the real issue?We all have power within us but sometimes we don’t knowits strength until we are tested. Many of the articles willaddress these topics and challenge our thinking aboutpower. We focus on icon painting and learn much aboutthese wonderful images of holy people. These are notmerely works of art, they can become guides to spiritualthinking. We focus our prayers on the powerful (nationalleaders) and the powerless (those in living in poverty oftenunder tyrannical powers). If these topics interest you thendo read our spring issue. We value your opinions so let ushave you views for the letters and debate pages.

In your next issue of magnet…

Diary DatesNovember9 Remembrance Sunday16 Prisons Sunday23 Women Against Violence Sunday30 St Andrew's Day (Scotland's National Day)30 Start of AdventDecember1 World Aids Day21 Winter Solstice shortest day of the year25 Christmas Day (Bank holiday/Public Holiday)26 Boxing Day/St Stephen’s Day31 New Years Eve/Hogmanay [Scotland]January 20091 New Years Day6 Epiphany and Covenant Sunday18 – 25 Octave of Prayer for Christian Unity25 Burn’s Night [Scotland]26 Chinese New Year27 Holocaust Memorial Day31- 8 February

Poverty and Homelessness Action WeekFebruary2 Candlemas8 Education Sunday14 Valentine’s Day24 Shrove Tuesday25 Ash Wednesday beginning of LentMarch1 St David’s Day [Wales]6 International Women’s World Day of Prayer8 International Women’s Day17 St Patrick’s Day [Ireland]22 Mothering Sunday29 British Summer Time begins29 Passion SundayApril5 Palm Sunday9 Maundy Thursday10 Good Friday12 Easter Sunday13 Easter Monday23 St Georges Day [England]May3-9 British Red Cross Appeal Week10-16 Christian Aid Week19-23 World Federation of Methodist & Uniting Church

Women European Methodist Women’s seminarthemed ‘Be Salt Be Light’ at the Erskine BridgeHotel, Glasgow. The full programme will includespeakers, Bible studies, workshops and skillssharing, plus various forms of worship, earlymorning prayers. Alison Adam will lead themusic. The cost will be about £325 per person.More details and booking forms from Jill Baker,the Unit Correspondent, (before 16 January2009) on [email protected].

Where is… My God?

Is my God here with me, sleeping in my box?

The ice and wind howling around, outside my box for the night.

I have no mountains valleys or fields to see my God like you,

Only tower blocks and slums with people running through.

Is my God here with me, lonely and oppressed?

Sick in pain without a home, no food or place to rest.

I had a friend who had one arm, poor and homeless like me.

She said

"God is with us both, sleeping here, under this tree, too!"

I went to church the other day but I just couldn't get in.

The people were in their Sunday best and didn't see me waiting.

It was the church where I used to go but no one would remember

that.

I’m just that old tramp and they would rather take in the cat.

Where is my God? Can I find God in you?

Or are you only seeing God in the early morning dew?

God is outside with us! Feeling the frost and the snow.

Not locked up behind church doors or hanging on church walls.

God is Life and Life is God!

So minister to us, too!

For we are outside the church

And feel, the same, as you.

Hyacinth Sweeney published by Feather Books 1999 used with

permission.

issue 84 20/10/08 10:52

Offer

ing

2009Easter

The

The Easter Offering Service is prepared by Women’s Network with the help of Mission Education. This act of worship enables the whole Church in Britain and Ireland to give to the work of the 61 Methodist Partner Churches overseas.

Please give generously to support the Fund for World Mission

22 ye

ars of encouraging enabling equ

ippin

g

Way © Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes 2008

Subscriber’s name

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