Rochford Methodist

Message from the Manse

Editorial

It was a very well-attended General Church Meeting this year with over thirty members present.

This year the main reports were printed in advance with only updates given during the meeting, which saved a good deal of time and allowed us to discuss Our Calling - the document that has been produced and endorsed by Conference as a statement of what it means to be a Christian.

Although it was produced by The Methodist Church, any church of any Christian denomination can use it to examine their own organisation.

The leaflet can be used at any level, right down to looking at our own lives and attitudes to see how well we measure-up.

Please don’t put your copy to one side and ignore it. To some of us it will confirm that we are really ‘living the faith’, to some it will show up our shortcomings. To others it will make us feel guilty that we are not ‘better’ Christians.

Just don’t be too negative about it, most of us are a lot better than we think we are and if we look carefully at our lives we can usually see that we are following the ideas contained in the leaflet, if only in a small way.

If you’re wondering what leaflet I’m talking about - it was the pink one that was stapled into the last-but-one edition of the Rochford Methodist. You know, the leaflet I told you to keep because you were going to need it!

The website planning is almost finished now. I would like to thank the people who have made suggestions. I can report that a very simple start is planned with an introduction to the church and a couple of photos on the Home Page.

The website will have a brief history, with possibly a more detailed text version available to download.

A list of preachers for each quarter will be included, along with a list of church activities. An internet version of the Rochford Methodist is a distinct possibility - your families on the other side of the world may even see it before you see it on paper! A few archive copies may be kept on the site over time.

Links are currently planned to the central Methodist Church and to other churches locally who have websites - Chalkwell Park, Leigh Wesley, and the Circuit site when that finally gets underway.

Other links will be to the American site I get the cartoons from and also to one of the websites (probably Streetmap.com) that allows a map of the area to be displayed and printed so that people from across the world can find out where we are. (For those with Internet access, have a look at www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=587585&Y=190780&A=Y&Z=1)

Note:

In the event, I have used Multimap. See http://uk.multimap.com/p/browse.cgi?pc=SS41AD&GridE=&GridN=&scale=10000&title=Rochford+Methodist+Church&cat=des

Any further suggestions will still be gratefully received.

The Table Tennis grudge match continues . . .

In the last issue of the Rochford Methodist Carole and Margaret referred to themselves as Old dogs.

This set us thinking that, if this is true, what kind of breed would they be.

Greyhound - quick and nimble (dream on)

Labrador - nice and friendly (could be)

Jack Russell - small and yappy (no comment)

French Poodle - pampered pets (definitely!)

Can you think of any other breeds that would be appropriate (sorry, no prizes)?

[My thoughts are along the lines of Afghan Hounds. Tall, athletic, elegant, with an aristocratic air about them and long shiny blonde hair. That’s nothing to do with the question, I just thought I would share my fantasy! - Dave]

What are Tiddlers?

We are starting our ninth year of collecting Tiddlers and it is easy to assume that everyone knows all about them, but recently we have been asked again - “What are Tiddlers?”

Well, it’s very simple really. Sometimes people get burdened down with that small change - 1p, 2p and 5p pieces - which clutter up their purses and pockets. We call them Tiddlers and invite you to put them to one side and, when you think you have enough, pass them on to us.

We use them to support Christian action for good causes at home and abroad, preferably via our national Methodist Relief and Development Fund.

For each of the last three years you have raised over £200 by these little Tiddlers, so we think it’s worth doing.

So far this year we have sent £25 to the Indian earthquake appeal and £20 to the Christian Blind Mission. In addition we were able to interest our Wesley Guild members in Christian Blind Mission and they also collected £40, which was very generous of them.

All of us have many calls on our funds and Tiddlers are not intended to be a major item in anyone's giving, just an almost painless way of utilising your small change to help people in real need.

So if you would like to support, we will be happy to receive your contributions from time to time and will keep you informed of how they are used.

Many Thanks

Thank You to all my friends at Rochford for your prayers, letters, cards and loving thoughts while I was away; your support was much appreciated during a difficult time.

Yvonne is showing some progress - for how long we do not know. Her cancer cells were 564 when I arrived there; she has now had her eighth gruelling session of chemotherapy and the cells registered at 48 last week so that prayers seem to be answered.

I was fortunate to be able to attend three different Methodist Churches while there when my niece could relieve me on Sunday and I shared with what they call “Shut In” communion - which is exactly what it says - for carers and the sick.

My love thanks and blessings for the future

Sheila Webber

At a meeting of all the Circuit Stewards of the London North East District at Harold Wood on Saturday 24th March, the Chairman of the District, Ermal Kirby, unveiled early plans to rename and reorganise the Methodist Church.

These plans will be officially unveiled on 1st April and is expected to be widely reported in the religious media. Full details will appear in the Methodist Recorder and in the Connexional Mailing

As organisations like the Royal Mail have found, it is impossible to copyright the name of any organisation if it is made up of common words. As most people are probably aware by now, the Royal Mail organisation is now called ‘Consignia’, although the familiar trading names (Royal Mail, Post Office, etc) will still be displayed on the premises and vehicles.

One reason for the change to Methodism is a loophole in the charity laws which can be exploited to allow a big influx of funds.

The Methodist Church has found that its structure allows it to set up a public limited company that would own the whole Methodist Church and all its property.

Church members will be able to buy shares in the company and it is felt that many will gain a greater sense of ownership than they do at present.

Methodist committees are expected to be made up of people appointed by the new Board of Directors.

To allow the change, Conference this year will be asked to agree to the creation of a series of companies, including the new Methodist parent company - Methcentra.

Districts will be set up as subsidiary companies called Methdis… followed by an abbreviation of the name, so London North East will be Methdislonne.

This will be carried through to Circuits and local churches. So Southend and Leigh could be Methcirsleigh and Rochford Methchuroch.

This is also seen as an extension to the ‘corporate branding’ which started last year and which is described on the Methodist Church Internet site at www.methodist.org.uk/information/logos.htm. Amongst other things already laid down is the style of the Methodist Church logo (shown in the front cover of edition of the newsletter) including the official fonts (Franklin Gothic Book and Franklin Gothic Demi).

It is expected that within two years all churches and other parts of the Methodism will change their stationary and names to conform to the new standards.

Although their official name will change, the churches will display their trading name as ‘The Methodist Church’, followed by their location.

Existing Church Councils will become the local Board of Directors with the minister taking on the role of Managing Director.

The Church Council Secretary will become the new Company Secretary and will be encouraged to become professionally qualified. The expected increase in the Training Fund budget (to support the training of the secretaries) has been allowed for in the new District assessments for 2002.

So long as nobody sells their shares within five years, the charity rules allow substantial ‘tax breaks’ for Methodism and individual members.

Other churches are looking at the loophole and are trying to find ways of restructuring themselves to take advantage.

The Church of England have particular problems with their finances at present and are looking at a similar share scheme that could allow an immediate influx of money from its worshipping members.

After five years the tax breaks disappear and anybody will be able to buy shares in their ‘favourite’ church. This brings with it the possibility that a successful Methodist Church could make a takeover bid for the local Anglican church - something that would normally be unthinkable.

The issues around this are very complicated and this article can only hope to scratch the surface. If you want to know more, please click here.

Speakers to the end of this session:

Apr 2 Members afternoon with an Easter theme

        8 (Sunday) Anniversary Service led by Margaret Tomlin

        9 Brenda Farley

        16 No meeting (Easter)

        23 Lucy Woods

        30 Joy Hardwick

May 7 No meeting (Bank Holiday)

        14 Members afternoon

        21 AGM

As we draw to the close of the session, with our numbers staying around the 25 mark (that’s half our church membership!) the interesting meetings keep on rolling in.

On 27th February John Low took us on a musical trip based on the old radio programme The Way to Heaven’s Door. John talked about different composers and we enjoyed singing their hymns.

Chris Knowles from Containers of Hope told us about the organisation on 6th March. This was a very lively session and Chris was a very interesting speaker who really knew his stuff.

A fairly relaxed quiz evening on the 13th marked the last Social evening of the year, so Owen can now put his Guild feet up for a few months!

The final Devotional evening on the 20th was our annual Missions Evening when Hugh Beehag told us about the work of the Christian Blind Mission

Sue’s turn for a break was on the 27th when her dad told us about the City Churches he had visited during and after his working life.

Just to finish up the year, our last regular meeting (Dave and Val’s last evening for the year) will be on 3rd April when Glynis Busby from H.O.P.S – the holiday playscheme for disabled children will be along

Apr     3     H.O.P.S

           12     Maundy Thursday Service (everybody welcome - including non-members)

           21     AGM and Supper (at 7pm)

 May     8     Guild Rally at Billericay (8pm)

“Bad news, I'm afraid,” my Son-in-law, Alan greeted me at 6 am that morning. “3 inches of snow, and it's coming down fast.”

“Can't we go then?” I asked in alarm. “I think we'll risk it,” Alan replied, “it might improve as we go further South, and if not we can drop you off home and return to Cambridge.”

At that time I did not know where we were going; it was my Christmas surprise, thought up by my daughter Pamela. We did manage to get to Folkestone, however, in spite of the weather and imagine my surprise when I discovered we were going to Le Touquet

We went via the Euro tunnel to Calais then drove through Boulogne and down a road running parallel with the Atlantic to Le Touquet.

Fortunately it had only snowed a little in France, but I was amazed that one can get as far away as Le Touquet and back home in one day and have six or seven hours there. All I knew about Le Touquet was that one of my husband's ancestors had founded it as a seaside resort about 1900.

We thought we would not mention this fact to anyone there in case they resented an Englishman going over there and taking matters into his own hands.

Imagine our surprise, therefore, when we soon discovered, quite by accident, a road sign saying “JOHN WHITLEY AVENUE”. Alan took a picture of Pamela and I standing behind it and close by we saw an estate agent’s window prominently displaying a photograph of a “JOHN WHITLEY APARTMENT”.

We had lunch in a charming restaurant, which a lot of our English ones would do well to emulate. Then we walked past beautiful houses and villas amidst lots of trees, towards the main shopping centre.

Another surprise awaited us here when we found yards and yards of good red carpet laid along the front of all the shops so people would not slip on the wet pavement, although it had only snowed a little there. Beautiful little boutiques they were, filled with exquisite goods artistically displayed, which we wish we could have afforded.

The shop buildings themselves had ornate structures built above them with turrets and gables, looking like miniature chateaux. We parked a while along the sea front - no parking meters anywhere. Parking was also allowed both sides of the main streets with the shops and, again, no parking charges, hence no traffic wardens.

It got dark early as their time is an hour ahead of ours, so we then went to a little museum where we were thrilled to find a booklet on sale in which John Whitley was again mentioned. We have not yet, however, translated it into English I hasten to add.

We felt the need of a meal before we set off back to Calais so we went into one of the smart restaurants in the main street (or should I say “boulevard”?) where the waiters spoke English. When the proprietor heard we were English he came to talk to us so I explained why we had taken the trip.

“Oh yes,” he replied eagerly, “Everyone who lives in Le Touquet knows of John Whitley; you can ask anybody about him. He was a financier who came and bought all the land around, then he designed properties to go on it, as he was an architect. There is a block of flats named after him, by the golf course.”

He then went on to tell us that he had lived in England for two years to learn the language and had stayed in Newmarket. It then transpired that he knew a lady called Wendy Millbank who Pamela also knows. What a small world. He and Alan exchanged business cards.

We had an uneventful journey home, apart from getting lost a couple of times leaving Le Touquet in the dark. But the darkness had its advantages; every tree in the main part of Le Touquet was lit up with hundreds of lights; all the shops and hotels were beautifully decorated and illuminated.

In the sky there was a man-in-the moon surrounded by dozens of glittering stars. What a send-off. Magnifique! And so was Alan for his excellent driving 300/400 miles that day and what a wonderful idea it was of Pamela’s. We only wished my husband could have been with us to share it.

A basketball in my hands worth about $40. A basketball in Michael Jordan’s hands is worth about 40 million. It depends on whose hands it’s in.

A cricket ball in my hands is just a cricket ball. A cricket ball in Courtney Walsh’s hands are worth about 6 wickets per match. It depends on whose hands it’s in.

A tennis racket is useless in my hands. A tennis racket in Pete Sampras’ hands is worth a Wimbledon Championship. It depends on whose hands it's in.

A rod in my hands will keep away a wild animal. A rod in Moses’ hands will part the mighty sea. It depends on whose hands it's in.

A sling shot in my hands is a kid’s toy. A sling shot in David’s hands is a mighty weapon. It depends on whose hands it is in.

Two fish and five loaves of bread in my hands is a couple of fish sandwiches. Two fish and five loaves of bread in God’s hands will feed thousands. It depends on whose hands it is in.

Nails in my hands might produce a bird house. Nails in Jesus Christ’s hands will produce salvation for the entire world. It depends on whose hands it’s in.

(Brought back from the Caribbean by Sheila)

RDCF (Rochford District Christian Fellowship

Mike Sims

We have enjoyed a number of ecumenical events together over the last few months.

It was very good to see our Church building full for the celebration of Christmas on 3rd January. In all 12 different churches, including our own, took part in a variety of different contributions.

Rev Bill West from Elim “topped the bill” (as it was unfair to put another church group on after his entertaining mix of poetry and music!). A special collection was taken and £81 was sent to the Southend Emergency Night Shelter from us.

The attendance at the service for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity on 22nd January was a little disappointing. Unfortunately the weather was pretty foul that evening. However, it was a very good service with many churches represented and taking part.

Some of our members have attended the ladies’ and gentlemen’s breakfasts arranged by 3 of the local churches. The food offered is quite excellent, with the men getting the “full English” spread.

The purpose of these events is very much geared towards evangelism. The hope is that a Christian will take along a non-Christian friend to enjoy the food and then listen to message given by a specially invited guest speaker.

Our church hosted the Lent Lectures again this year. A series of five talks on the Journey to the Cross, taking us to some of the places where Jesus walked during the final week of his life before his crucifixion.

Each week a different place was covered by one of our local Ministers.

This will be followed by the annual Stations of the Cross which will be held at St Teresa’s Catholic Church on Monday 9th April.

Looking ahead to other events planned or sponsored by the RDCF, our next united service will be for Christian Aid Week and will be held on Sunday 13th May, 6.30 pm at St Andrew’s, Rochford. Once again, we will be handing out the envelopes a couple of weeks before with the hope that you will fill them, then attend the evening service on 13th to hand them in.

We will not be having a Pentecost March of Witness this year, but the RDCF choir, imaginatively named Churches in Harmony will be performing on Saturday 9th June. Several of our church members are involved, so do come along and support the event.

Music at Highlands

Once a month (usually on the first Saturday) there is a concert at Highlands Methodist Church.

This current session ends on 7th July and has been as varied as the Southend Band, the Westleigh School Choir, Brian Giles and the Thameside Stompers, the South Essex Youth Chamber Orchestra, as well as concerts by sopranos.

The remaining concerts are:

7 April Leigh String Quartet

5 May Rug Opera

2 June Rosemary Pennington and Roger Humphrey

7 July The Claire Singers

 

All concerts start at 7.30 pm and the tickets are £4 (£3 for concessions). If you want more information (especially to find out what a Rug Opera is!), phone Southend 558381, or 479195 or 473512.

Lent Lectures -

Journey to the Cross

As Mike says in his article, the annual Lent Lectures are taking place at Rochford Methodist Church. With the series being called Journey to the Cross, they have been fascinating and thought-provoking.

Our own minister, Margaret Deans started the session with a talk about ‘Bethany’ and the circumstances surrounding the story of Martha and Mary. Well, which of the two are you like, and which do you sympathise with?

John Stanton stepped in for David Williams, who was not well. John talked about Gethsemane and in typical John style brought the story to light. A slide of Jerusalem at the time of Jesus set the scene for the next few sessions, as he became a tour guide for the night.

It reminded me of the old saying - ‘I like the radio because the pictures are better than the ones on TV’. John’s mental pictures were superb!

Harvey Reed of St Thomas’, Hullbridge, took us through the Temple and explained the layout, the temple furniture and the rituals. So that’s where the veil of the Temple was! Another interesting and informative evening.

Tony Thomas of the Rochford Community Church led the fourth session entitled Pilate’s Palace. He pulled together the gospels and how they fitted together to tell the story of the trials of Jesus. We were told about the four Herods in the Bible and given an insight into the Pilate family history.

It was the first time I ever knew that Pilate was from a Spanish family (the Pilati family) and it left me with an intriguing thought (for me, at least) concerning the way we pronounce Pontius Pilate. Usually it is pronounced ‘Ponshus Pilot’ but if it is really the Latin version of the Spanish name, then surely it should be ‘pont-e-us pee-lar-tay’?

Anyway, you’ve still just got time to come along on 4th April to catch the last in the series when the Pastor of Hullbridge Free Church, Brian Gibson, will tell us about Golgotha.

The structure of the evening is quite simple, we start at 8 pm sharp with a short time of worship and then on to the subject in hand. After a chance to ask questions, we finish with another hymn and prayer.

Before we go home, we have the chance to talk to old friends, and make new ones, over refreshments. Guild members will feel right at home!

Come along - there’s no charge and it’s well worth the money!

Easter People Moving On

Easter People is an annual event where Christians of all denominations and all ages get together. This year it is taking place between 17th and 22nd April and is organised by the Rob Frost Team.

The core activities are Bible Studies, Worship, Arts, Leadership Training, and Preaching, as well as special streams for youth and students. With nearly 13,000 people taking part, the activities are led by the best in their field.

The events usually take place at a seaside resort and a different place is used each year. With the numbers expected this year they just can’t find the accommodation so Easter People is being held in three, yes three, places - Llandudno, Scarborough and Torquay.

The theme this year is Moving On - moving on from where you are to where you ought to be.

One description is

“Moving on with Jesus Christ . . . A ‘Pilgrim’s Postmodern Progress’. Travelling the journey of faith. Becoming a contemporary disciple. Finding fellow-travellers. Reaching the final destination.”

They promise ‘worship to inspire you, ministry to refresh you, relevance to challenge you, inter-action to involve you’ and featuring an emerging generation of ‘dynamic young leaders’.

If you are interested, Dave has a booking form. The cost of attending the event is £55 if you book before 12 April or £60 if you just turn up. Concessions (Children over 5, students, unemployed and Senior Citizens) are £27, while children under 5 are free - but they still need a pass. Accommodation is extra and details are sent when you have paid.

Group bookings are welcomed - and encouraged by a special discount for the Group Leader.

You can also make a credit card booking over the phone on 020 8288 1961 and you will need to be prepared to provide names, addresses, pass type (Adult, Concession or under-5) of people you are booking for, and their denomination.

All you have to do then is to divulge your credit card number to a complete stranger in the usual way!

Children from 0-10 also need to specially register if they are to take part in the Kids Morning and Evening Groups.

You can also book via the Internet at www.robfrost.org/epbook.html

If anybody does go, or has been to previous events, would they please let Dave know. If you’re worried that you might be asked to produce an article for the Rochford Methodist, you would be dead right!

Church Chuckles from America

Bertha Belch, a missionary from Africa will be speaking tonight at Calvary Memorial Church in Racine. Come tonight and hear Bertha Belch all the way from Africa.

Announcement in the church bulletin for a National PRAYER & FASTING Conference. "The cost for attending the Fasting and Prayer conference includes meals".

Today the pastor will preach his farewell message after which the choir will sing "Break Forth into Joy"

FJ Page

Heather Sims

Well, first of all I must start with an apology to those of you who thumbed through the last edition of Rochford Methodist looking for the F J Page, because there wasn’t one.

We have been very busy doing all sorts of unusual things since Christmas. Many of you saw the results of the children’s attempts at pottery which I thought were fantastic. I’m also very jealous of them because I’m useless at anything like that. I was also very surprised (and relieved) to see that the pottery text on the wall in the Sunday School has not fallen to pieces either.

We’ve introduced a Member’s Morning occasionally in our programme. This means that one of the young people is in charge of leading the morning as they choose. So far, James Mortlock and Matthew Garner have risen to the challenge and led a morning. Well done to both of them. Paul Isaacs is next to have a go.

Following the two house group meetings on the subject of angels, I was surfing the net and found a children’s Christian website. One of the main subjects that was being looked at was children’s experiences with angels, so I decided to have an F J Club morning on this topic. It was very interesting to hear their views and it certainly seemed to heighten their awareness of supernatural power whether they believed in angels or not. It also served as a good opportunity to warn the older members of the dangers of the occult.

Also while I was surfing the net, I came across a website of a Church in Bonkle in Scotland. The Sunday School were inviting other Churches to print off an Easter picture and enter their colouring competition. Our young people, once again, did some excellent work and I sent them off to Scotland. I had a very nice email from the Sunday School Superintendent of the Church saying how pleased he, and their Sunday School were to receive the entries and the competition would be judged at Easter. They were particularly pleased as they were the first entries they have received via their advertisement on their web site. I told him that we are hoping to have our own web site soon so he is going to keep a look out for it.

Our latest project is a collage that we hope to display in the Church at Easter. Tom Mortlock took over last week to design the picture and get it started. Thanks to all of you who gave us materials to use.

I think that is all the F J Club news for now but as always, please keep us all in your prayers.

Rochford Methodist Word Puzzle

What goes on at Rochford Methodist Church?

Sunday

11.00 am FJ Club

11.00 am Morning Service

6.30 pm Evening Service

Monday

9.00 am - 1.00 pm Schizophrenia Support Group

2.30 - 4.30 pm Women’s Fellowship

7.30 pm Private Table Tennis Group

Tuesday

9.30 - 11.30 am Happy Hands Toddler Group

12.30 - 2.30 pm Happy Hands Toddler Group

3.30 - 7.30 pm Hildale School of Dancing

8.00 pm Wesley Guild (Oct-Mar)

Wednesday

9.00 am - 8.00 pm Schizophrenia Support Group

8.00 - 10.00 pm Fuchsia Society (4th Wednesday of month)

10.45 am RDCF Ecumenical Bible Study (1st Thursday of month)

3.00 - 7..00 pm Hildale School of Dancing

7.30 - 9.30 pm Table Tennis

Friday

10.00 am - 9.00 pm Schizophrenia Support Group

8.00 pm Rochford Floral Group (2nd Friday of month)

9.00 am - 4.00 pm Hildale School of Dancing

The premises are available for use outside the above times but the general rules of Methodism apply - no alcohol is allowed on the premises. Contact us by clicking here.

And don’t forget:

The House groups meet each month. Listen out for the dates and venues.

April

1st     Margaret Deans (S)

          Local Arrangements

8th     Women’s Fellowship Anniversary

          Margaret Tomlin

          George Thompson Brake

15th   Easter Day

          Roger Thomas

          Margaret Deans (S)

22nd Local Preachers Sunday

          Margaret Deans (NOT S!)

          Jane Fulford

29th   Maureen Kelly

          Louise Attwood (S)

May

6th     Ruth Taylor

         Catherine Bowstead

13th  Church Anniversary

         Nick Jones

         Margaret Deans

20th  Arthur Circus (S)

         Martin Pomfrett

27th  Local Arrangement

         Margaret Deans (S)

       

Dates for your diary:

April

1     Olivet to Calvary, Benfleet Choristers

7     Music at Highlands, Leigh String Quartet, 7.30 pm

9     Stations of the Cross, St Teresa’s, 8pm

17-22 Easter People, ‘Moving On’

May

5     Music at Highlands, Rug Opera, 7.30 pm

8    Guild Rally, Billericay

13  Christian Aid Week service (RDCF), St Andrew’s, Rochford, 6.30 pm.

24  Circuit Service for Ascension Day, Rayleigh, 8pm

26  Westerley Open Day

June

2     Music at Highlands, Rosemary Pennington & Roger Humphrey, 7.30 pm

4     Testimony Service for Louise and Mark Attwood, Trinity

9     NCH Sea Walk

9     Churches in Harmony concert (RDCF)

July

7     Music at Highlands, The Claire Singers, 7.30pm