Southey Street, CA12 4HH

NEWSLETTER

Photo: Joyce Ellis

May & June

2020

A Note from the Editor

Greetings to you all during this season of Easter. But a very different

Season. Normally our Newsletter informs us about all the forthcoming

services and events happening in the life of our church for the coming

two months, and reports on significant events that have taken place.

But this time there is very little to inform or report on!

However, it is a very special time in our Christian year as we celebrate

the joy, the peace, the hope, and the new life that the Resurrection

brings us. I am sure you will agree that we need, as a church, to

celebrate this season in whatever way we can – and also to share with

each other special things, many of them day to day things, that we

have experienced over the last few weeks. It was for this reason that I

invited as many people as possible to send in a photo (or photos!) of

things they would like to share and the reasons why they were special.

I am delighted to say that many people responded and have really

made this Newsletter your Newsletter! I hope you enjoy it. I certainly

did putting it all together. Please keep sending me your contributions as

I am sure that we shall not be quite back to normal for a little while yet!

Joyce

A New World.

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Romans 12: 12 There is a phrase doing the rounds at the moment and that phrase is

‘the new normal.’ In response to the COVID-19 pandemic this phrase

points towards that moment when coronavirus will be brought under

control in some way and we can look ahead to a brighter future. But it

begs the question - what do we mean by ‘the new normal’? What

should it look like and what will it look like?

A recent article commented, ‘Britons enjoying cleaner air, better food

and stronger social bonds say they don’t want to return to ‘normal’’. We

find ourselves counting our blessings and will have a fresh appreciation

for catching up with a friend for coffee, going shopping again without

the inevitable queues outside the store . . and we will walk the fells

again.

As I write we have just celebrated (a very different!) Easter and Holy

Week. Also, this Sunday’s gospel reading is John 20: 19-31. There are

2 aspects of these familiar accounts which chime with our current

situation and pick up on other words of the moment - ‘isolation’ and

‘lockdown’.

Firstly, on Good Friday, the rawness of Jesus’ final words on the cross,

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” express His own

experience of isolation. We note also the imposed ‘social distancing’ of

the disciple John and the women who can only look on as Jesus dies.

Rev Paul

and

Deacon Kina

Saunders

Secondly, did the disciples experience a ‘new normal’ post-

resurrection? In John’s gospel Jesus appears to them on the evening of

his resurrection. The disciples were in lockdown themselves ‘for fear of

the Jewish leaders.’ Their own lives were in danger. When Jesus

appeared to them, spoke with them and showed them his wounds

(Thomas had to wait a little later for this!) did the disciples get up on

Monday morning rejoicing in a happy ending to the events of Good

Friday and go back to normal? No! Life would never be the same for

them or for the world. Could this be understood as a ‘new normal’?

No doubt we have seen a number of rainbows displayed on windows.

Drawn mainly by children they symbolise the sun emerging amid a

rainy backdrop, ultimately serving as a reminder to stay positive. The

symbol of the rainbow has its roots early in Genesis and is symbolic of

a God who keeps His promises.

It’s all about hope. God is with us in this crisis and will remain with us

as we explore together with Him what the ‘new normal’ should look like

in our Churches, lives and our communities. Like those first disciples –

when we emerge from our lockdown what are we going to do

differently?

Peace be with you all,

Paul and Kina.

Church Family News

I am certain that one of the things that we have all missed over the last

few weeks is meeting with all our church friends on a Sunday morning,

and at other events during the week. The conversations over coffee

and tea on Sundays, and on other occasions, are when we catch up

with one another and hear each other’s news.

I am sure that we would like to take this opportunity to thank our

Church Friends and others who have been in contact with us, keeping

us in touch. I know it has been much appreciated by many. Particularly

we would like to thank all those who have sent us information about

weekly services etc by means of the post, by email or on line. They

have certainly helped us to feel connected with each other as we

worshipped in a very different way to the one we are used to.

Whilst most people say they are managing ok a few of our members

have had spells in hospital or have had hospital appointments.

Elizabeth Grisdale is now in Cockermouth Hospital. Nigel has been

very unwell with the virus. He was at one point in intensive care at

Carlisle but we are delighted to report that he is now back home and

progressing well. It is likely to be a little while however before he is

back to full strength. Robert Else, who was in Whitehaven Hospital is

now at Nether Place. We send them our love and best wishes and wish

all of them well.

We think of all our housebound members and those others who are not

too well at the moment. We particularly send our best wishes to Hylton

Boothroyd and to Alan Smith. As always we especially send greetings

to Margaret Bamber, Greta Grave, Sylvia McNae and Adrian Thwaites.

We know that nationally our country’s Care Homes have been having a

particularly difficult time. Friends will be pleased to know that when Roy

was speaking to the Head of Home at Millfield recently, she was able to

report that all was well at the home and they fortunately had had no

cases of the corona virus. She also said that the staff had all the

protective clothing etc that they needed. All of which was very good

news to hear.

Joyce

Spring Awakening

Dave and Katie Low

The nicest photo of the last couple of weeks I think heralding Spring/

Summer but quickly gone.

(I received 3 photos of these trees in Fitz Park! Ed.)

Richard North

The Yew trees at Thornthwaite Church which merge into an arch to

mirror the doorway. They seem to form an “Outside Church”. Also love

the way the light falls on the branches.

Jane Holt

Ted Holt

Ted has worked long hours in the garden, catching up on so much

overdue - well quite neglected – work. Next 2 winters’ firewood is

cut, and the attached photo is with about half of the surplus for the

following winters! Not exactly a work of art! This all feels a poor

substitute for our annual trip to Italy!!

Bryn has refused (as usual) to be photographed, but enjoys at least

one good walk every day. He has really enjoyed being a “sun-dog”

but misses cuddles from so many people!

Jane has been trying to keep

up with Italian lessons on

Skype, and some gardening.

She has done some painting

indoors, but enjoyed the

remarkable weather to paint

in the garden, as in the

attached ‘Daffodils’ painting.

Dave Roberts

Brian Moffat

When the pattern of our lives is disrupted we are reminded that the

pattern of nature, the pattern of the seasons continues. Here is a new

beginning.

Barbara Neale

The following account made me feel quite joyful. Early on Easter

morning, as I enjoyed a cup of tea by the window, enjoying the view as

I always do, I saw a rabbit with her three babies come out from the

hedge onto the lawn. They stayed for several minutes, then mother

rabbit shepherded them back to the hedge and disappeared. They left

no chocolate eggs but I had at least seen a real Easter bunny, what a

treat! They are the first rabbits I’ve seen here in seven years!

A sundowner shandy

after a day’s work in

the garden.

A walk in the woods. Peaceful,

quiet, the song of birds,

sunshine hitting the bare

branches which begin to have

leaves. The beauty of such a

scene never fades. So this

photo is about all that, but it is

up to you to respond.

New Experiences

Helen North

1. This was taken just before the full 'lockdown' at Sally's B&B!

I love it because I'd always wanted to sit in a window of a B&B

having breakfast (this was just coffee!) in Keswick, as many people

do, watching the world go by!' Sally and Keith had closed at this

point of course. It was a real treat.

2. The seat with the amazing view which I hadn’t noticed before.

Roy Ellis

This Mallard has been visiting our garden for a few years. In the last

month she has come nearly every day. She comes right up to the back

door to ask for food. After eating she always goes and has swim and a

good wash in our pond. I always enjoy seeing her and she doesn't have

to stay 2 metres away from me!

Lloyd Graham

Ros Roberts

I've taken this picture of the centre of Applethwaite village showing our wondrous fridge, shop and garden centre. This has been set up by Stephen of Little Braithwaite Farm and Maria of Applethwaite Farm. Stephen lost 90 percent of his business overnight supplying Keswick hotels and restaurants with milk and orange juice, but is now supplying us with these plus eggs, butter, yoghurt and cheese. Maria is making cakes and jam and supplying plants . It's such a lifeline and such a social ( suitably distanced) centre. I just love the thought, kindness and imagination behind it all (especially that it's a 100 yards up the road !)

This one may not be

appropriate but I dressed

up for the Thursday night

applause just to lighten

the atmosphere and

cause a laugh.

Sally Lunson

Lockdown has been a relaxing time for me. I have no B&B to manage,

no TLC to coordinate and no social activities with others to attend. I've

loved being able to go out in the wonderful weather we've had, walking

and cycling and appreciating the beauty of the town I came to live, work

and eventually retire in. It has also been a great pleasure to do odd

jobs for friends and neighbours who are more restricted than me.

Collecting prescriptions, delivering daily newspapers, making and

delivering home made cakes and cookies to key workers and those

who'll appreciate them locally.

I was also able to help walk a friend's dog on one of my walks up

Latrigg. Trying to take a selfie on a windy day with an excited dog was

tricky and I laughed out loud at such shenanigans. A very happy

memory!

Arthur Ibbotson In a letter Arthur thanks everyone involved for the Easter services which he

enjoyed. He continued:

Also I had a very unexpected call from my nephew, who lives in

Australia, Professor Michael Ibbotson. He is a Mental Studies Research

Teacher. He should have been coming here to lecture in Sheffield and

Edinburgh but all that has been cancelled now. He lives in Melbourne

and he said they were having some very bad weather. I told him what a

very good spell we were having.

I do enjoy sitting out in the garden. All the lovely flowers coming out:

magnolia and rhododendrons.

Helen Dalzell

I chose this because Tom is a true example of living your faith. I am

overwhelmed by how so many people are trying to make this world

a better place and make others happy, and Tom is a complete

inspiration of this. At 99, he shows us that none of us are too old to

do our bit and, as his now no 1 song explains,( a song my Dad who

was born just a few years before Tom, very much felt was a hymn)

if we do try to make things better, 'I believe we never will walk

alone'.

Anne Hasson

Worship Consultation by Zoom! It was so great to be able to see

each other again and to talk about worship as a church, both now

and in the future.

Signs of Hope & New Birth

Christine Metcalf

This is a seed I planted a month ago and hope by the time it fruits we

will meet again. Whilst the weather if lovely for walking I like many

others could do with some overnight rain for my garden.

Helen North

Being a bit of a fan of Herdwick sheep, I couldn't have asked for

anything better than being able to witness the birth of a Borrowdale

herdy lamb on one of my cycle rides around Derwent Water. Such a

special and wonderful 'new life' moment

Sue and Lloyd Graham

This photo was taken in the grounds of Christchurch, Penrith and

seemed to represent peace and hope.

Ros Roberts

In the absence of seeing both friends and family over Easter this very simple arrangement of the palm cross and a few daffodils from the garden became a symbol I loved. I was able to send it to the children and friends. I very much appreciated how some friends had improvised cards ....one homemade and one developing a fox as a symbol of Easter !

Food for Thought

Sheila Files

Hasn’t it been a wonderful Spring? During the weeks of lockdown, the

world has been transformed. Our gardens and countryside are full of

blossom and colour. The birds are busy building nests and singing

loudly while they’re at it, the fields are filling up with a variety of breeds

of sheep and their lambs, and the sun is lovely and warm.

Noticing all these wonderful things on our daily walk or while in the

garden, reminded me of the following poem which was one I studied

for GCE very many years ago! I have forgotten a lot from that time, no

doubt, but this has remained with me, and seems particularly apt in this

season.

God's Grandeur is a sonnet written in 1877, the year Hopkins was

ordained as a Jesuit priest. It explores the relationship between God

and the world of nature, how the divine is infused in, and refreshes it,

despite the efforts of humans to ruin the whole show. No matter what

man throws at nature, it is never completely spoilt. It comes back; it

always returns.

God’s Grandeur - Gerald Manley Hopkins, 1844-1889

The world is charged with the grandeur of God.

It will flame out, like shining from shook foil;

It gathers to a greatness, like the ooze of oil

Crushed. Why do men then now not reck his rod?

Generations have trod, have trod, have trod;

And all is seared with trade; bleared, smeared with toil;

And wears man’s smudge and shares man’s smell: the soil

Is bare now, nor can foot feel, being shod.

And for all this, nature is never spent;

There lives the dearest freshness deep down things;

And though the last lights off the black West went

Oh, morning, at the brown brink eastward, springs-

Because the Holy Ghost over the bent

World broods with warm breast and with ah! Bright wings.

Celebrating Family Events

Roy and Joyce

Celebrating our daughter Julie’s 50th birthday. Linking Keswick with

Gloucester and Horsham using ZOOM technology.

(LtoR clockwise: Andrew, Julie, Amy, Emma, Ben, Marc, Joyce and Roy)

Distance brings separation from family and in the present situation we

are all too well aware of separation, the loss of social contact, isolation,

and the pressure on the NHS and carers. Yet in the middle of all this

we have Easter. A dark and anxious time after Good Friday and then

light and celebration on Easter Sunday.

In the photo we have the cross, yet there is colour, there is blossom,

the smiles of children and the new life of a baby.

Brian

This is a photo not

taken by me but sent

out by my daughter

from the USA on

Facebook. So by the

marvel of modern

technology I see my

grandchildren at

Easter..

Anne Hasson

Sophie at work!

Sophie in her new hi-vis jacket and screens ready to check your

shopping through the tills at Booths. She's still at uni (at home) so is

just working on Saturdays.

Enjoying the View

Wendy Mitchell Here is a photo from Walla Crag last weekend. It was a perfect walk

and a good way to forget the current problems just for a couple of

hours. (Wendy works as a receptionist at Keswick Medical Centre. ed.)

Further Food for Thought

David Hasson

We fell asleep in one world and woke up in another.

Suddenly Disney is out of magic,

Paris is no longer romantic,

New York doesn't stand up anymore,

the Chinese wall is no longer a fortress,

and Mecca is empty.

Hugs and kisses suddenly become weapons,

and not visiting parents and friends

becomes an act of love.

Suddenly you realize that power,

beauty and money are worthless,

and can't get you the oxygen

you're fighting for.

The world continues its life and it's beautiful.

It only puts human in cages.

I think it's sending us a message:

"You're not necessary.

The air, earth, water, and sky without you are fine.

When you come back, remember that you are my guests.

Not my masters." ~ Francesca Melandri, Italian author, currently quarantined with the rest of her

country

Poster: Amy Ellis

Christian Aid Week

There will be no house to house or street collections during Christian

Aid Week this year. These collections may be transferred to the

Autumn. However, Christian Aid say they think that it is more important

than ever that we come together as a community to worship. They are

encouraging us to have a service which will obviously be around the

impact of the coronavirus in the poorest countries of the world. We will

be encouraged to support the work being carried out by Christian Aid in

those countries.

Hence, our printed service for 10th May, the beginning of Christian Aid

week, will be our Christian Aid service, which Joyce will be putting

together from resources provided by Christian Aid. It will be on the

Church website and be sent to those on email. It will also be posted to

those of you have been receiving the service mailings from David.

Meanwhile you can donate to Christian Aid via their website

www.christianaid.org.uk.

Roy Ellis

The Foodbank is working normally (but without those volunteers who are over 70). Their greatest need is still for donations of food. Many people have made monetary donations but the Foodbank is now finding it difficult to buy food at present. If you wish to donate any food items, please ask someone to leave them in my garage at 38 Briar Rigg and Penny Duttson from St Johns will deliver them to the Foodbank. Or, if you shop at Booths, you can buy something particularly for the Foodbank and leave it at the Booths' collection point.

Roy

Services for May

Printed Worship Facebook Preacher

May 3 Rev Keith Rushton Rev Paul Saunders

May 10 Rev Joyce Ellis(C.Aid) Jackie Davies

May 17 Rev Dr Lindsay Gray Rev Paul Saunders

May 24 tba Deacon Kina Saunders

Minister: Rev Paul Saunders 01900 823273

superintendent@westernfells.uk

Deacon: Kina Saunders 01900 823273

deacon@ westernfells.uk

Church Outreach Worker: Fiona Crouch

fi.crouch@outlook.com

Senior Steward: Helen North 017687 78025

helen.north1@googlemail.com

Editor: Rev Joyce Ellis 017687 73340

joyce.ellis@zen.co.uk

The deadline for the next newsletter, which will be for July & August,

is Sunday 91h

June. Please keep your photos coming in!

Church Website www.keswickmethodistchurch.org.uk