THE GREEN SOCK NEWS FROM THE SHROPSHIRE AND MARCHES CIRCUIT

ISSUE 19 AUG - SEPT 2016

CIRCUIT NEWS

Revd. John Howard Moves On pg. 7 Wesley Morris Accredited As Local Preacher pg. 5 Revd. Andrew Champley Retires pg. 4 Les Miserables Study Weekend At Church Stretton pg. 6 Her Majesty The Queen Thanks Leominster Youth Group pg. 8 Former MWiB President Jill Baker Talks Pilgrimage pg. 18

METHODIST CHURCH IN BRITAIN NEWS

Methodist Conference Calls For Post

Referendum Action pg. 3

President And Vice President Introduced pg. 20

Wesley Morris Accredited As Local Preacher pg. 5

GUEST WRITER In the Acts reading for Pentecost Sunday, Peter quotes some words spoken by the prophet Joel: 28 “Afterward I will pour out my Spirit on everyone: your sons and daughters will proclaim my message; your old people will have dreams, and your young people will see visions. Joel 2:28 (GNT).

I believe that God uses many ways to speak to us. Sometimes he even uses our dreams. In the Bible there are many occasions when God used the dreams of people to reveal something that he wanted them to know, the most (Cont. pg. 2)

FOLLOW

ME

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well-known of these in the Old Testament is Joseph’s story. Not only were his dreams prophetic, but he also had the gift to interpret his and others’ dreams. In the New Testament too we see God using dreams to speak to Joseph the father of Jesus to help him understand the situation of Jesus’ birth. About five years ago, God used a dream to speak to me, it was during a time of uncertainty in my life, I was questioning if I was being called to Ordained Ministry at the time. My role of the past three years working for the Church would soon be ending, so what were God’s plans for my future? I dreamt that I was in the woods close to home, and I could see no way out. There were trees everywhere I looked, and no path. A voice spoke and said to me, “Follow the way of the cross.” As I looked up a cross appeared on the tree directly in front of me. I walked to it and the cross disappeared, only to reappear on another tree, which I walked to. As I got to the tree the same happened again, and so it continued until I was out of the woods. As I stood on the top of the common looking out to the rising landscape in the distance, it became transformed into a radiance that I had never seen before. It was beyond words of description. I remember thinking this is wonderful, I must get my father to come and see this. With that the dream faded. When I awoke the following morning, my dream fresh in my mind, I then began to wonder if God was saying something to me. After several discussions with different people I spoke about it to a wise colleague at the Hospital where I am Chaplain. As we discussed it he started to unpack the dream. Follow the way of the Cross? Follow Jesus. Well I was already doing that. The glorious scene at the end? A glimpse of the glory of God, and the need to share that with others. The location of this dream? On my own doorstep. What was God saying to me? My mission field for you at this moment in time, is here. God speaks to us in many ways and we should, always be open to His prompting as we seek to serve Him. As we talk with God during our prayer time, may we be open to listen for His guidance, with our whole being. The Guest Writer for this issue is Chaplain Ruth Downes.

The views expressed in this publication are those of the individual writers and not necessarily representative of the Methodist Church.

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AFTER THE REFERENDUM: NATIONAL LIFE The United Kingdom, as a result of the referendum on 23 June 2016, has voted to leave the European Union. In this time of very significant change and uncertainty there is a need for leadership which seeks the common good and encourages people to work together, to respect one another and to uphold the dignity of all. The Methodist Conference believe that the British Isles are enriched by diversity and celebrates the contribution made by those who have come from other parts of the world. The Christian tradition calls for respect, tolerance, love of neighbour and hospitality to the stranger. All bear the responsibility of speaking and acting for healing, reconciliation, and mutual respect. The Methodist Conference abhors and deeply regrets those actions and words which incite hatred and lead to the victimisation of groups within society and notes with concern that such actions and words have been normalised in recent public discourse. Believing that racism is a denial of the gospel and that to stay silent when others are abused is to collude with those who seek to promote hatred and division, the Conference calls: On the Methodist people to challenge racism and discrimination. For a political debate which neither demonises any nor leaves the vulnerable (the foreigner, the immigrant and refugee) in danger of victimisation. On political leaders to work together for the good of the whole community putting the needs of the nation before party politics. On all those in positions of power and authority to hear the voices of those who have been marginalised and alienated and to respond to them in ways which offer real hope for the future. The Conference encourages the Methodist people to join the campaign to wear an empty safety pin as a badge symbolising solidarity against racism. RESOLUTIONS: 58/1. The Conference adopts the Report. 58/2. The Conference directs that this statement be sent to the Prime Minister and to national media and that it be read in all Methodist Churches as soon as possible with it then being made available for members of the Church to send to their own constituency MPs. For further information please contact Leigh Maydew, PA to the District Chair at: admin@wsmethodist.org.uk

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REVD. ANDREW CHAMPLEY RETIRES

The retirement of Revd. Champley was marked by two services at the end of July. His final service, at Minsterley Chapel, preceded a Farewell Service at Bayston Hill. Revd. Champley’s retirement comes at the end of six years’ service in the Shropshire and Marches Circuit. His arrival in 2010 coincided with the amalgamation of several Circuits to establish the current Circuit where he has worked primarily in the Minsterley and Bishop’s Castle Clusters. More recently his role included working within the Ecumenical Partnership in Harlescott. Revd. Champley told the Green Sock of some of the positive changes and growth he has seen while serving the Circuit. He recollected some “very good times” at Pontesbury Chapel, where in addition to his ministry he and his wife Ruth have hosted several successful musical evenings. “The membership has increased and there has developed a strong connection with the community and that’s been very good.” he said. They will be moving to Revd. Champley’s home town of Morecambe. He remarked on changes at Kinnerton Chapel, which had faced potential closure saying, “Kinnerton has had some sort of mini revival where the people have come forward and taken an active role in it, which has been very encouraging.” Revd. Champley also praised the Vron Gate Singers who have contributed greatly to worship in the two Clusters. Revd. Champley set up and led regular Bible Studies at Bishop’s Castle and Minsterley Chapels. “I always felt that was something I could do, lead Bible study. Minsterley had a very loyal group with a quite mixture of churches there. I had quite a good response to that as well as the Prayer Meetings at Plealey, Asterley, Pontesbury and Minsterley,” he said, adding that he would miss leading the groups as well as assisting in the Holiday Club activities at Bishop’s Castle which he and Ruth did annually. In his final sermon Revd. Andrew drawing from the apostle Paul’s words to the Colossians (3:2), told the congregation gathered at Minsterley to question attitudes to worldly things. He said, “As Christians we need to view things in the way Christ sees them. As Christians we are called to reflect God’s values and not the world’s values.”

Among their many farewell gifts the couple received are paintings of two Shropshire views

they particularly love; one from the Manse.

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WESLEY MORRIS ACCREDITED AS LOCAL PREACHER

Among those who had advised Superintendent

Minister Revd. Richard Hall on what constitutes a

good sermon, were his mother, herself a Local Preacher and the Supernumerary Minister who had

overseen his training. From his mother he learnt to

“Stand up, speak up the shut up”, while the

Supernumerary advised, “When you prepare a sermon, you should prepare it to preach to yourself because that way you know you’ve always got an attentive

congregation.” Recalling such wise counsel during the Accreditation Service of

Wesley Morris at Minsterley Chapel in July, Revd. Hall affirmed the significance of

both sermon length and structure, he lent upon the old adage: “You tell them what you’re going to tell them, then you tell them, then you tell them what you told

them,” but then for the truest, most sound advice he could offer, he fixed upon the

words from Isaiah with which, in Luke 4, Jesus initiates his ministry:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good

news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year

of the Lord’s favour.”

Jesus came to announce Good News. The task of the preacher is to proclaim that

same Good News, Revd. Hall stressed. He went on to caution, “Preaching is a task which is appointed by God and which is impossible without the Spirit of God… If we

don’t believe that our preaching is anointed by God then we’ve really got no

business doing it.” Preaching is not a vehicle by which preachers bring their own

“good ideas”. Nor can the task be undertaken voluntarily. Turning to Wesley Morris Revd. Hall told him, “You’ve come through the long

process of hearing the call of God upon your life. Having put that calling before the

church and been tested and had that calling approved, we come tonight to affirm

that calling.” In proclaiming Good News preaching must bring hope and joy and renewed purpose to the church Revd. Hall said continuing, “Which is not to say that

preaching will always be well received or that it will always be welcome nor will it

be easy to do. Sometimes the messages that we are called to deliver will be difficult

to hear... Whether the message we have is easy or difficult, whether it is received rightly or with a sense of discomfort our preaching should always offer the

possibility of hope and new life in Christ.”

Following his accreditation Wesley Morris, who has encountered several setbacks

during his training spoke of being assured that he “would be a preacher one day”. Driving his perseverance were his faith and the assurance of God’s aiding presence.

“God was always there, he’s brought me through and now when I’m going out to

preach I want to give people the message that God is there for them.” he said.

Revd. Richard Hall and Wesley Morris

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LES MISERABLES STUDY WEEKEND AT CHURCH STRETTON Based on Victor Hugo’s book of the same name, Les Miserables the film formed the topic of exploration

over a weekend at Church Stretton Chapel.

Following a screening of the film a workshop led by

Mike Hallworth looked at several clips and examined seven key spiritual themes namely

Grace, Responsibility, Truth,

Compassion, Fellowship,

Darkness and Reconciliation.* Participants considered the

film’s synopsis, dissecting and

discussing the seven themes where prevalent. They reflected

upon aspects of relationship as evidenced through behaviours of characters in the film, through addressing the question,

“Who is my neighbour?” They looked at how the gifts God gives

are used in service to Him, questioned whether it is ever correct

to lie and compared conflict and loyalty, compassion and pity and grace and mercy. Barriers that prevent people living in

harmony were also deliberated alongside the meaning of: “To love another person

is to see the face of God”.

Delivering the Sunday morning sermon to close the weekend, Mike Hallworth drew parallels between Les Miserables’ troubled character Jean Valjean whose life

transformation begins with him meeting a bishop who reaches out to him, and the

demon possessed (Legion) man of Luke 8, rejected as unclean until he meets with

Jesus. In both cases, with both men there is an act of grace, through which it is

revealed that “Loving another person is as close as we get to loving God.”

Following the event participant Stella Jandrell commented, “I never realised how

spiritual Les Miserables was and what a lot of challenges and messages there are in

there, not even hidden but really obvious and how much God was in it from the beginning as well as the parallels to the Gospels.”

Impressed by the discussions Pam Rush added, “It

was just so different centring on the film and not

just the Bible. Then with the sermon, it made it a really good weekend.”

*The studies are based on a book by Methodist

minister Revd. Steve Mann “Will You Join in Our Crusade?” Circle Books, 2013. If you are interested in

exploring the course at your chapel, please contact Mike Hallworth at Belle Vue Chapel.

Mike Hallworth

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REVD. JOHN HOWARD MOVES ON

Many faces from the Circuit were among those gathered to say goodbye to District Chair, Revd. John Howard in July. Wellington Methodist Church hosted a Farewell and Commissioning Service led by the Revd. David Lavender. The lively congregation and guests on entering the hall were met with a sizeable screen displaying a slideshow of Revd. Howard engaged in

some of the many, varied activities he has led, collaborated on and been involved with during his time in post. In paying homage to Revd. Howard, a video message from Bishop Samuel of the Free Methodist Church of Rwanda praised his work with the Kibogora Hospital, establishing the Komera project which focuses on the PHARP peace-keeping initiative and the Pastor Training project. Offering heartfelt thanks he said of Revd. Howard, “We fell in love with him and he fell in love with us.” Revd. Steve Wild commended both Revd. Howard and his wife Mary for their hospitality having hosted hundreds of guest in their home. He presented Revd. Howard with a book of the letters of Bishop Francis Asbury, “Methodism’s American saint”. The Rt. Revd. Clive Gregory, Bishop of Wolverhampton spoke particularly of Revd. Howard’s ecumenical endeavours, specifically reaching unchurched youth through Wolverhampton Circuit’s Pioneer Ministries and the sabbaticals Revd. Howard spent in Rwanda and the West Bank. Chair of Interfaith Wolverhampton Harun Rashid applauded Revd. Howard’s personal interest in the Interfaith group, assisting with funding and galvanising the group. “John has been the most important person, without whose effort we would not have been able to do what we have done.” he said. Mr. Rashid highlighted Revd. Howard’s continued guidance and his intervention in organising a rally when shops in the city had been looted. Mrs. Beatrice Cloke, District Synod Secretary spoke of Revd. Howard’s spiritual leadership, strategic leadership, his heart for social justice and the priority of pastoral care that he has given to those he has worked with for themselves, their

Revd. John Howard bids the District farewell

Borderlands Rural Chaplaincy presented Revd. John Howard with a cap and staff at his final meeting with the group

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families and their personal concerns. In his sermon Revd. Dr. Neil Richardson considered the place of God in our modern world. He noted that today’s seemingly “decentralised” church has an “us and them” approach to humanity. He asked that we consider the consequences of this on outreach and evangelism. “Standing at the foot of the cross,” he said “we must all ask if there is something God is asking us to do. Be sure that one, it won’t be easy and two, you will be blessed.” While we in the Shropshire and Marches Circuit are sad to see Revd. Howard depart, he leaves us with many fond memories. We wish him every blessing in his new post as Methodist Liaison Officer in Jerusalem.

HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN REPLIES TO LEOMINSTER YOUTH GROUP

A letter and card were recently received from

Buckingham Palace, by the Junior Youth Club at Leominster Chapel. The children had made birthday cards for Her Majesty the Queen to celebrate her 90th Birthday, and sent them to the Palace. A Street Party was also held in the church hall which was attended by over 40 adults, where we enjoyed great food and singing some old favourites. The children led in the singing of the National Anthem. Sue Jones

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WEEK OF PRAYER REPORTS

As a contribution to the Circuit Week of Prayer, Ludlow Chapel set up the Zion Room as a prayer space for the latter part of the week - it is used earlier in the week for Mums and Toddlers. It was an interactive space and a lot of hard work resulted in a tranquil and worthwhile space, which was used well. There were specific focussed times of prayer at 10am, 1pm and 3.30pm on the Saturday.

John Eadie

The Day of Prayer at Oswestry Methodist Church was very

successful. We had about thirty people come through the

doors - several were just drop-

ins who saw the sign that the

church was open. I had an opportunity to pray for a young

couple who had never been

inside the church before. For this reason, I have decided

to open the church on a Monday morning from 10 - 12 for people to drop by and pray.

Personally, the prayer

stations helped me to focus on prayer and who

Jesus is to me. I went

around each of the 'I ams'

of Jesus several times throughout the day. I

valued the 'silence' and time away more than I can

express. It was a wonderful opportunity to pray for not

only Oswestry Methodist and my other little chapels but also the surrounding community and Shropshire and

Marches Circuit. Revd. Neil Adam's Prayer Diary was well

received and is well used and Andrea Sheppick's

Reflection on the 23rd Psalm touched many people's

hearts. Revd. Heather Wilson

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Week of Prayer Reports cont. On June 7th Ellesmere Methodist Church invited people to drop by to pray between 9am and 6pm. Within minutes of the church opening people started coming in to pray. It was a privilege and pleasure to meet with so many people, to share with them in their hopes and fears and to offer them a quiet space to pray. Joyce Williams

WEM JUNIOR CAMPOUT AT THE DUTTON FAMILY FARM This is an annual event to which I look forward. Each year is different and has its highlights. Fortunately the weather this year was fine and all of us who visited the

farm were welcomed as warmly as ever by Andrew and Felicia Dutton, their sons,

Jedd and Peter and their extended family.

I arrived on Saturday afternoon in time to watch the bread, (on this occasion, pitta

bread, flat disc shaped loaves which cooked quickly on the barbeque,) being made

for the Communion Service. Forty one of us gathered in the marquee, ranging in age from six to nearly

ninety-one, to listen as Revd. Neil Adams, our minister based in Wem, led this

service for the first time. We sat listening to the familiar elements of the service

given in a simple straightforward form which all of us could appreciate and learn from. We

sang new songs and some more familiar,

before we ate bread dipped in the chalice

and celebrated Communion together.

Afterwards people stayed to eat the excellent supper provided, to talk with friends they

have known for years and others for whom

this was their first visit. That evening went far

too quickly! If you have not yet visited the farm, do try to come next year, even if it is only for a couple of hours. You will make

new friends, I am sure, and renew old acquaintances too. Thank you again to

Andrew and Felicia and all the helpers from Wem. Sue Matthews

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BETTISFIELD CHAPEL GARDEN PARTY

Bettisfield Methodist Chapel held a very successful Garden Party in July. The rain managed to stop in time for us to get the seats dried off and put out all the goodies. We had a lovely turn out of very generous people who managed to help us raise £738.97. This is our biggest sum ever and we thank you. We will be making donations to Hope House and the Elizabeth Svendsen Donkey Trust which achieves such good work with disabled children. After lunch we had to make haste to start our Summer Service, which followed by tea, went very well.

Our collection raised £119.00 for Methodist Homes. We would like to thank all who attended.

Revd. Heather Wilson and John Blanchard

ANY QUESTIONS? AT CHURCH STRETTON NETWORK Reconciling the conflicting demands on our countryside, the future of the National Health Service, enjoyable aspects of living in Shropshire, cuts to local public services... and of course the EU Referendum all featured among the topics debated at this year’s Any Questions? afternoon at Church Stretton Chapel. Among the panellists were Mike Hallworth, Jane Van Doesberg, and John Hughes. David Jandrell (centre) chaired the event.

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RE and Collective Worship in Primary and Secondary Schools From the Chair of the RE and Collective Worship Committee for Shropshire Council

It was a gloriously sunny morning on 17th May when I joined other delegates

representing the RE and Collective Worship Committees from some eighty Local

Authorities across the country meeting at Methodist Central Hall in London. The speaker at our last meeting had been Charles Clarke talking about the report

he had written with Professor Linda Woodhead from Lancaster University called “A

New Settlement: Religion and Belief in Schools”. The old settlement referred to the

1944 Education Act which required all schools to offer Religious Instruction and a broadly Christian Daily Act of Collective Worship. Since then, Religious Instruction

has developed into Religious Education and includes studying the Buddhist,

Christian, Hindu, Islamic, Jewish and Sikh faiths together with non-faith systems

such as Humanism. Society has changed considerably and our citizens represent a

very diverse range of cultures. In the 2011 census only 60% of people said they have any allegiance to the Christian Faith – 25% said they have no faith at all.

At this conference our speakers were:

Baroness Butler-Sloss reflecting on her committee’s report called “Living with

difference: community, diversity and the common good” and Professor Adam Dinham, Goldsmiths, London University reflecting on his

committee’s report called “RE for REal: The Future of Teaching and Learning about

Religion and Belief”.

Some of the big issues for schools and Local Authorities are as follows: 1 Currently, each Local Authority writes its own Syllabus for RE in its schools;

should there be a single, nationally written syllabus for all schools for pupils/

students aged 5 to 16?

2 Should the legal requirement to hold a Daily Act of Collective Worship be repealed, and replaced by a requirement to hold inclusive times for reflection?

3 At present, parents can withdraw their child from RE and Collective Worship.

Should attendance under the new arrangements for RE and times of reflection be

compulsory with no right to withdraw? 4 What is the future role of Local Authority Committees for RE and Collective

Worship (SACREs)? Shropshire’s committee includes members from these faiths:

Baha’I, Baptist, Buddhism, Church of England, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Methodist

Church, Orthodox Churches, Pentecostal/Charismatic/Independent Evangelical Churches, Religious Society of Friends, Roman Catholic Church, Sikhism and the

United Reformed Church. There are also representatives from the Teacher Unions,

The British Humanist Association and County Councillors.

I would be very interested in hearing your views or coming to talk to your Church

fellowship. Henry White

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WEM METHODIST CHAPEL 90TH ANNIVERSARY

Wem Chapel celebrated its 90th Anniversary on the 4th and 5th June with a weekend of special events. On the Saturday Tom Edwards arranged a large exhibition of photographs, newspaper cuttings, memorabilia and old Preaching

Plans beginning with those of the former Wem Primitive Methodist Circuit (formed in 1878 from the Prees Green Circuit). Also on display was a copy of the builder’s account showing a contract price for the erection of the chapel of £3,770. Sunday began with around fifty people enjoying Full English

Breakfasts served in the schoolroom. This was followed by the Anniversary Service led by Revd. Heather Wilson. The congregation learned that the first Primitive Methodist chapel in the town was opened in 1823 by James Bourne (brother of Hugh) and Thomas Bateman (who later served on two occasions as President of the Primitive Methodist Conference). The second

chapel was opened in 1842 (according to the Religious Census of 1851), and the present chapel was opened on the 9th June 1926. Amongst the congregation for the Anniversary Service was Mrs Peggy Carson (a member of the Tommy family who had built the chapel), and Mrs Maureen Jones whose late husband, The Revd. Bob Jones, had been a United Reform Church Minister at Wem in the late 1980’s. The service included a musical item by the Wesley Anns choir and a Powerpoint presentation depicting scenes from the Church Family Day held the previous year. Fellowship continued after the service when the congregation were able to view the exhibition again whilst enjoying refreshments and a celebration cake baked and decorated by Mrs Sue Holland. Pat Edwards

Wem Mayor Mrs Rosemary Dodd who is a member of Wem chapel, and Mrs Peggy Carson looking at a copy of the builders account for erecting the chapel.

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MOORS CHAPEL ANNIVERSARY

LEE BRIDGES CHAPEL ANNIVERSARY

Revd. Heather Wilson had the privilege of taking Anniversary services at Moors Chapel and Lee Bridges Chapel in July. Lee Bridges Chapel celebrated 123 years while Moors Chapel celebrated 187 years.

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ELLESMERE METHODIST CHURCH NEWS

On Sunday 10th July Ellesmere Methodist Church celebrated their 108th Anniversary with a service conducted by Local Preacher Prof. M. Jackson. During the service Mrs Dorothy Davies, Local Preacher and Ellesmere Methodist Church Treasurer, received a certificate in recognition of 40 year of service as a Local Preacher. Church Members from the Lee Bridges Chapel joined with Ellesmere for the service and for light refreshments and fellowship afterwards. Messy Church, which took place the following Sunday, saw everyone who attended have a great time exploring the `Wonders of Creation`

from the depths of the ocean to the outer reaches of space, through art, baking and music. Praising and thanking God with Psalms and prayer. Joyce Williams

Revd. Stella Long and Mrs Dorothy Davies Church Treasurer, Presented a cheque for £214. 30 to Ellesmere Community Nursing Home. The money was raised from a concert give by Ellesmere Vintage Band.

Mrs Dorothy Davies celebrates 40 years as a Local Preacher

WYSON CHAPEL ANNIVERSARY

Wyson Methodist Chapel held

two special services on July 3 to celebrate 171 years of

fellowship, devotion and

worship. The first service, led by

Anglican Revd. Sian Harris, included the Anglican practice of

clipping the chapel which

involved the congregation

standing around the chapel Revd. Sian Harris

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KEEP UP WITH THE CIRCUIT VIA SOCIAL MEDIA

Shropshire and Marches Website: http://www.shropshireandmarches.org.uk/ Twitter @SHROPMETH Belle Vue & Greenfields https://www.facebook.com/ShrewsMethodist Twitter @SHREWSMETHODIST Wem https://www.facebook.com/Wem-Methodist-Church-122496981110934 Ludlow https://www.facebook.com/LudlowMethodistChurch Twitter @WESLEYSLUDLOW Melville https://www.facebook.com/melvillechapelfarlow/ Bishop’s Castle https://www.facebook.com/Methodist-Bishops-Castle-536910069791486/ Tenbury & Wyson (Teme Valley) https://www.facebook.com/Wysonmethodistchapel/

building, holding hands whilst Revd. Harris

offered words of blessing and prayed for

the chapel. It is effectively giving the chapel a hug!! The second service was a

Songs of Praise which was led by our very

own minister Revd. James Eaton-Challinor.

We sang twelve hymns joyously and with

faith. In between the two services we had a

cream tea which was thoroughly enjoyed by all. Martin Robinson was also in

attendance and provided the musical accompaniment. Thank the Lord for times like this. Alleluia! Joan Bridgwood

Revd. James Eaton -Challinor

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YOUTH WITH A MISSION AT CHURCH STRETTON CHAPEL Annette Jandrell’s presentation on Youth

With A Mission (YWAM) at Church

Stretton Chapel in May, shed light on this

Community Development organisation

which addresses undernourishment in the poorest communities. She stressed

that while evidence of progress in

tackling undernourishment exists and

there are still many problems to overcome, most deaths from starvation

are preventable and all illness due to

undernourishment is treatable. Focussing

on undernourishment, Annette said, is the first step to enriching lives in the underdeveloped world as a whole and tackling poverty across the board.

She explained how YWAM are working with community groups to develop trade,

advance education (particularly that of women) and promote literacy, specifically using Christian literacy materials. Issues such as family fragmentation through for

example drugs, external conflicts and violence, trafficking and injustice are being

combated through a range of family ministries including the provision of drug

awareness ministries to addicts and the vulnerable. “Community Development is about working with

communities to enable them to move towards God’s

intentions. It is about breaking dependency,

empowering and honouring people and allowing communities to choose and control their own

development.” she said.

She shared her experience of running a YWAM

School of Community Development in Togo, over a

three month period during which a group of young people from Cameroon, Ghana, Senegal,

Burkina Faso and Nigeria along with local

students, explored expressions of community

using Biblical foundations. Through studying community development dynamics they learnt

of ways community development can be

implemented to create primary health care

schemes and confront justice and reconciliation issues in their home communities.

Annette Jandrell

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TO BE A PILGRIM - Jill Baker Prior to her recent appointment as Vice-

President to the

Methodist Church in Britain (2017/18),

former Methodist Women in Britain (MWiB) President Jill Baker presented a

seminar and series of workshops on the

subject of pilgrimage. Returning to her

home town of Beckminster to present To Be a Pilgrim, granted Jill an occasion

to talk about her personal physical

journey as well as discuss diverse forms

of pilgrimage and their influence upon Christian pilgrimage, that is, our journeys and our lives with God.

She delineated a brief history of Christian pilgrimage, with its beginnings around

300AD, traced to St. Helen mother of Roman Emperor Constantine, who at his

behest, travelled to Jerusalem in search of the actual cross upon which the Lord Jesus was crucified. St. Helen’s pilgrimage, visiting the Christian sites, gave

authenticity to the places she visited including the site of the Nativity.

Jill Baker explained how since that time, the concept of pilgrimage has altered

alongside a changing landscape; the emergence of Islam, and the Crusades, the objection of Martin Luther who suggested the dissolution of pilgrimages (why do we

need to travel to find God when God is everywhere?), the development of the

spiritual pilgrimage and pilgrimage becoming a form of penance.

Following this Jill Baker considered whether making a physical journey was a

necessary prerequisite to pilgrimage. She felt that at the heart of Christian pilgrimage was a restlessness, a sense of being incomplete and a dissatisfaction

with being “stuck at where we are” and wanting something more. She noted “the

idea that however long you have been a Christian or known Jesus, that knowing

there’s always something more, an awareness of that restlessness” as an impetus to pilgrimage whether this leads to a physical pilgrimage or spiritual pilgrimage.

She asked her audience: Do you need to ask God to give you a sense of

restlessness?

In preparing and prioritising for physical pilgrimage, what you take in your rucksack is important. Too much of things you don’t need will burden you and weigh you

down just as pain, grief, guilt, fear, hurt, unforgiveness and other negative emotions

will hinder a spiritual pilgrimage, Jill stated before turning attention to the journey.

Pilgrimages sometimes involve journeys that follow another’s footsteps, the footsteps of the Apostle Paul or Jesus for example. The journey can be along a

familiar or unknown path, alone or with others, (we have the concept that as a

Former MWiB President Jill Baker

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Christian you travel your Christian journey alongside fellow Christians,

part of a body and with God) present, past and future or an “in

between” transitional or liminal experience, Jill explained adding “In life we are called to be journeying. So many hymns talk about this.

Pilgrimages are affected by the times and tides, you

may need to hold onto somebody else while on

your journey. Part of the journey may require us to travel in silence.”

Whilst journeying along the pilgrim path, pilgrims

experience what Jill Baker terms the Sacred Centre.

“This is a spiritual encounter with God which may take a variety of forms and may (or may not) be the

arrival at the destination. Arriving means to be fully

present, allowing emotion to envelope you. This may involve touching, kneeling,

smelling, crying, without embarrassment. These are moments where we really encounter God.”

Returning from a pilgrimage the traveller’s expectation is transformation. Jill

concludes, “The encounter changes the pilgrim in some way. Some of this may (and

should) be shared with those to whom the pilgrim returns, but some of it may be an intimate experience which is inwardly treasured and which resources further

journeying. For, every journey's end is also a journey's beginning.”

CONTINUE ON THE JOURNEY

Leading devotions at MWiB To Be A Pilgrim event, Revd. John Howard told the women, “I

wanted to lead devotions in order also to say

goodbye to the women of Wolverhampton

and Shrewsbury. I have been delighted over the eleven years, in the way they have worked

together. They still get very significant

numbers coming to events. One thing I will

always remember is the Dalit Conference in Codsall, I am still reflecting on some of the things said then and the issues that were raised.”

He went on to encourage them with: “I want to say continue on the journey

because you’re doing a good work. Don’t be afraid to send invites out to those

groups that never send anybody to MWiB. Encourage them to come as it will be time well spent.” He urged them to continue with their programme which upholds

and offers spiritual nourishment. “Faith gives us the opportunity to be at one with

Christ. That relationship with faith is about us moving on and we each need to find

the ways in which God is taking us to different things. Being a pilgrim is a privilege

and a pleasure.” he said.

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PLACES OF WORSHIP URGED TO TIGHTEN SECURITY Following the murder of Father Jacques Hamel in France, Deputy Assistant Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, Neil Basu QPM, has issued a letter for the attention of all church congregations in the UK. The letter details advice and guidance on personal security and security for places of worship. To read more on this go to: www.methodist.org.uk/news-and-events/news-releases/letter-from-police-deputy-commissioner.

PROGRESS REPORT ON PAST CASES REVIEW ISSUED A year after the apology to survivors and victims of abuse, and the publication of Courage, Cost & Hope - the report on the Past Cases Review (PCR), the Methodist Church has given an update to the Methodist Conference, the supreme decision-making body of the Church, about its work over the past 12 months. To read more go to: http://www.methodist.org.uk/news-and-events/news-releases/methodist-church-issues-progress-report-on-past-cases-review.

News From the METHODIST CHURCH OF GREAT BRITAIN

CHRISTIAN AID COFFEE MORNING AT WELSHAMPTON Many gathered to enjoy a lovely social event and over £130 was raised for Christian Aid. Gill Cartwright

INTRODUCING THE PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT OF CONFERENCE

2016/17 Revd. Roger Walton and Rachel Lampard were inducted as President and Vice-President as the first items of business at the Methodist Conference in June. President Revd. Roger Walton grew up in Pudsey, West Yorkshire, and started attending a Methodist

21

Sunday School at the age of seven, when his family moved house to another part of the town. He became a Christian at 16 and reconnected with the Methodist Church, becoming a local preacher at 18 and offering for ministry whilst at Newcastle University. Further studies included a BA in Theology at Birmingham University, followed by an MA in Theology under the tutorship of the Revd. Frances Young - to win the Theology Department's commendation. Roger trained for the ministry at the Queen's College, Birmingham, and served Circuits in the West Midlands, Liverpool and St Albans. For ten years Roger was Director of the Open Learning Centre, and for eleven years Director of the Wesley Study Centre, Durham. He is currently Chair of the West Yorkshire Methodist District. Roger has studied and written several books about learning and discipleship, including The Reflective Disciple (2009) and Disciples Together (2014). "Becoming President of the Conference is a wonderful gift and I am deeply honoured," Roger said. "I owe so much to the Methodist people and have learned the way of Jesus in this Church. I hope to encourage us to continue to be a learning, loving and outward-looking community for transformation of the world." Roger is married to Marion. They have two married children, Laura and Andrew, and three grandchildren, Chloe, Lucy and Thomas. Vice-President Rachel Lampard is the daughter of a Methodist minister, and so spent her childhood moving around the country. Her early memories are of sitting at the kitchen table with her family, discussing religion and politics. These twin passions have continued throughout her life. Growing up in London in the 1980s, Rachel was deeply affected by increasing homelessness. She began her career working for housing charities, including the Catholic Housing Aid Society, leading their policy and campaign work. Rachel started working for the Methodist Church in 2000 as the Secretary for Parliamentary and Political Affairs. Since 2008, she has been the Team Leader of the Joint Public Issues Team, an ecumenical collaboration between the Methodist Church, the Baptist Union, the United Reformed Church and the Church of Scotland, enabling the denominations to campaign and speak out on issues of poverty, climate change and peace. In 2006 Rachel was appointed as a Commissioner with the Gambling Commission, which is responsible for regulating the gambling industry in the public interest. She focused particularly on protecting children and vulnerable people. Rachel is married to Steve, and they have three children, Benedict (10), Martha (7) and Toby (7). They attend Winchester Road Methodist Church in, East London, where Rachel and Steve led the Biscuit Club junior church for teenagers. Rachel says, "Methodists care about God's world. I'm excited by how Methodists, inspired by God, get stuck in and have such a passion for justice."

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WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

Contact: media.smcircuit@gmail.com

“ Let us not become

weary in doing good, for

at the proper time we

will reap a harvest if we

do not give up. ”

Galatians 6:9

Email items for OCT/NOV issue to: media.smcircuit@gmail.com by 20/09/16

BLACKWOOD CHAPEL

IS HOSTING A MOODY AND

SANKEY EVENING on 14 August at 6:30 With singers David and Frances Morris

Chaplain David Gwatkin

will be preaching

ELLERDINE HEATH CHAPEL Will be hosting a

Celebration for VJ day

on

14th August At

9:30am All Welcome

GREEN CHAPEL ANNIVERSARY AND TEA on AUGUST 21 at

2:30pm

23

WELSH END CHAPEL

will host a concert

by the

'ELLESMERE VINTAGE BAND'

on 15th September at

7.30pm

Admission £6.00 at the door, to include a

draw and refreshments.

A SPECIAL CHAPEL

ANIVERSARY

is on

Sunday 18th September

at 2.30pm conducted by Revd.

Ann Evans. All welcome

BETTISFIELD CHAPEL

Harvest Festival Service

11.00am Sunday 11th September

With a lunch after the service then the

produce auction led by our friend Ken

Muir, all are welcome to join us for the

celebration of our countries harvests.

Llanymynech Cluster Harvest

Service

& Faith Lunch

Sunday 9th October 11am

Maesbrook Village Hall Tickets £4 each or £10 for a family of 4

From Ruth Woolley 01691 662407

email ruthwoolley@btinternet.com Money raised will be donated to League of Friends, Robert Jones & Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital,

Oswestry

24

15 ELLESMERE VINTAGE BAND CONCERT Welsh End Chapel 7:30pm pg. 23

17 INTER-CHAPEL QUIZ Bettisfield Chapel

6:00pm 18 ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION Welsh End

Chapel 2:30pm pg. 23

18 HARVEST SERVICE Bishop’s Castle Chapel 10:30am

OCTOBER

9 LLANYMYNECH CLUSTER HARVEST Maesbrook Village Hall 11:00am pg. 23.

For full details of service across the Circuit, please consult the Circuit Plan or contact individual churches directly.

COMING EVENTS:

AUGUST

6 HERMITAGE CENTRE OPEN DAY Belle Vue Chapel 10:00am - 1:00pm pg. 22 14 CELEBRATION FOR VJ DAY Ellerdine

Heath 9:30am pg. 22 14 MOODY AND SANKEY EVENING

Blackwood Chapel 6:30pm pg. 22

14 VJ DAY CELEBRATIONS Ellerdine Heath Chapel 9:30am pg. 22

15-20 BROCKTON HOLIDAY CLUB Bishop’s Castle pg. 23

21 ANNIVERSARY AND TEA Green Chapel 2:30pm pg. 22

21 CAMPOUT BBQ Marton House Farm 12:00 noon.

SEPTEMBER

4 NEW MINISTERS’ SERVICE Bayston Hill 10:30am

6 CIRCUIT MEETING Bayston Hill 7:00pm 10 COFFEE MORNING Brockton Chapel

10:00am-12:00

11 HARVEST CELEBRATION Bettisfield Chapel 11:00am pg. 23

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