A Letter from our Minister.....

Dear Friends,

I suspect that God will be hearing a great deal from the human population during June and July. I  was asked by my barber if I would be praying for our team and when I said ‘No’ he seemed to think it was a dereliction of my duty as a minister.  Perhaps it would be if I was a vicar in the Church of England but of course I am not.  You may at this point be wondering what I am talking about.  Well, take a look out of your window and I dare say you will be able to see a flag of St George either on a house or on a car driving by.  Yes, I am talking about the World Cup.

I wonder what God will make of all the prayers offered to him during this time?  I wonder too what God makes of the general level of hysteria too? Perhaps God is just pleased people are acknowledging him and pleased too that people are channelling their patriotism into scoring goals rather than killing each other.  I’m sure God will delight in the skill and physical prowess of the sportsmen who, made in the image of God will provide us with a glorious spectacle.
 
Sir Alex Ferguson was once asked if he prayed and he replied that he prayed every night for his family.  Did he pray for his team before a match? ‘ No’ came the reply ‘that is wrong. After all, what about the other team?’  Even Sir Alex Ferguson recognised that the cause of his team was not important enough for God.

But it does lead me to ask the question, what is it ok to ask for and what is it not ok to ask for?  Where do we draw the line between making good and legitimate requests to God and requests that are self centred and do not take into account other people?  There is no easy answer to this.

Perhaps we should get away from prayer as simply making requests to God but instead see prayer as a conversation with God.  Sharing with God things that are important to us, telling him about ourselves and what motivates and interests us (even if it is football).  After all we as Christians have been invited to have a relationship with God as we would with a friend or family member and it would be strange if the only conversation we had with our friends or families was a series of requests.  We would be considered rather demanding and probably quite annoying!

I remember when I was on a school residential week away I found a  badgers sett, something that really excited me.  But then the night before my Dad was due to visit I twisted my ankle quite badly and was in quite a lot of pain.  The next day Dad arrived and as I limped towards him I burst into tears. Eventually after I had stopped crying and Dad had wiped my tears I took him to see my badgers sett and we shared in my excitement together.  That to me is a good picture of our relationship with God at its best.  A relationship in which we can share our joys and our sorrows.

And if England win the World Cup I shall certainly be telling God all about it………….

God bless,  Jonathan

SUMMER SOLTICE

June, of course is the month of the summer solstice, the month of the Sun.  Sol + stice come from two Latin words meaning ‘sun’ and ‘to stand still’.  As the days lengthen, the sun rises higher and higher until it seems to stand still in the sky.   The Summer Solstice results in the longest day and the shortest night of the year.  The Northern Hemisphere celebrates in June, and the Southern Hemisphere celebrates in December.

While the Druids worship at Stonehenge and elsewhere, here Is a
Christian alternative that honours the Creator rather than the created.

            Canticle for Brother Sun
                        Praised be You, My Lord, in all Your creatures,
Especially Sir Brother Sun,
                        Who makes the day and enlightens us through You.
            He is lovely and radiant and grand;
            And he heralds You, his Most High Lord.
                                                            St Francis of Assisi

Finances for April 2010

Offertories (loose cash, envelopes and standing orders)                     £2405.11
Gift Aid (1/12  of money received from last tax year)       
                                                                                                            £  632.69
Circuit assessment (1/3 of quarterly payment)
                                                                                                            £2524.33

Thank you to everyone for an excellent response to the Church Anniversary Appeal.
At present we have £7,166 – this is made up of money from the gift envelopes plus donations from the Uniformed Organisations and other church groups who do not pay a regular rent charge.
 
Janice

SMILE LINES—Know your spouse

While attending a Marriage Seminar dealing with communication, Tom and his wife were told by the instructor “It is important that husbands and wives know the things that are important to each other”.

He addressed Tom.  “For instance can you name your wife’s favourite flower?”

Tom leaned over, touched his wife’s arm gently and whispered , “It’s self-raising, isn’t it?”

FOREST CIRCUIT WOMEN’S NETWORK

A MUSICAL EVENING

ON

SATURDAY 12TH JUNE

AT

7.00PM

AT

SOUTH CHINGFORD METHODIST CHURCH

REFRESHMENTS

COME AS PERFORMER

                 OR
 
             AUDIENCE—ALL WELCOME

HEADLINES FROM THE ANNUAL CHURCH MEETING

Prior to the meeting a booklet of reports from the following committees, sections and organisations that make up our church life was printed and distributed;-  Church Stewards, Publicity, Finance, Resources, Pastoral, Outreach, Pilgrims Way, Scouts and Guides, Amnesty. Junior, Home and World Missions. Network, Methodist Homes, Action For Children, Wednesday Fellowship, Bazaar, Wesley Guild, Bowls, Christian Aid and Sunday School.

This year for the first time the meeting, chaired by Rev Jonathan Mead was held after a shortened morning service.  A brief summary of the meeting is printed below. Detailed minutes will be published in due course.   if you want further information or clarification please speak to a Church Steward.

· This year marked the end of the first phase of Pilgrims Way which had looked at the premises in the context of our mission.  Plans had been drawn up for changes to the premises.  Decisions could not be made as there is no estimate of its cost.

· Jenny Laing a student in Youth and Family Work was introduced to the congregation though her placement at Winchester Road has yet to be finalised.

· The Financial report showed that there is currently no problem as our income and expenditure just balance.  The meeting acknowledged the importance and the workload of the Treasurer and accepted the need to find someone to help her or take over in the future. 

· The Stewards and other officers were thanked for their work throughout the year.  As nobody had come forward to serve as a Church Steward for the coming year/years Carole Merriman will extend her appointment as chief steward for a further year.  The only way the Stewards could ensure that the church was open for worship each week was for members of the congregation to act as ‘assistant stewards’ as needed on a Sunday.  Five members agreed  to help when needed during the coming year.

· It was agreed to hold the next annual meeting on a Sunday and April 3rd was fixed.

Service of Celebration

for the work of

Nigeria Health Care
Project

Saturday 19th June 2010
 2.00pm

Wesley’s Chapel
City Road, London

His Eminence
Dr Sunday Ola Makinde
Prelate of Methodist Church Nigeria

The Revd The Lord Leslie Griffiths
Dr Richard Vautrey
Vice President of the
Methodist Conference

London Nigeria Fellowship Choir

 WELCOME

On Sunday the 9th May we were pleased to welcome Rachel Lampard and Steve Walker with their children Ben, Martha and Toby into our Church family.

 They have transferred their membership from Hinde Street Methodist Church.  We hope they will be very happy worshipping with us. 

The Hamilton Portrait
of John Wesley

Are you one of those people who hate having your photograph taken?  John Wesley said that he disliked having his portrait painted though in old age, when he was famous and no longer regarded as a troublemaker, he agreed to having his likeness painted. There are about 23 portraits of Wesley painted from life scattered around the world.

The picture shown here was painted by William Hamilton, who according to the impatient Wesley’s Journal  began work on Saturday 23rd February 1787.
I yielded to the importunity of a painter, and sat for an hour and a half, in all,  for my picture. I think it was the best ever taken,  But what is the picture of man above fourscore (he was 84).

The picture was commissioned by James Milbourne, a trustee of the ‘New Chapel’ (Wesley’s Chapel), who owned a picture framing and engraving business in The Strand, London.  He sold many copies of an engraving of this portrait.  In 1852 his grandson sold the business but kept the portrait   Around  twenty years later he gave the picture to the National Portrait Gallery (off Trafalgar Square).   It was stored away and rarely shown to the public for over a hundred years because they had other better portraits. Recently one of James Milbourne’s descendents who was researching her family history asked to see the picture.  It was taken out of store and the family paid for its cleaning and renovation.  The Gallery was persuaded to entrust the picture to Wesley’s Chapel under the terms of their wider access policy.  Since January 2009 it has been hanging over the fireplace in  John Wesley’s study at 47 City Road, the room where it was probably painted, on permanent loan from the nation.  Wesley is shown standing in a pulpit preaching with his hand upon a Bible.

Two years later he was again persuaded to sit, this time for a more famous painter At the earnest desire of  Mrs T——, I once more sat for my picture.  Mr Romney is a painter indeed .  He struck off  an exact likeness at once , and did more in one hour than Sir Joshua (Reynolds) did in ten. (Journal Mon 5th Jan 1789.  This portrait by George Romney, which is a finer picture is on display at the National Portrait Gallery, and is probably why the Hamilton  portrait stayed in the basement.

HIGHAMS PARK BAPTIST CHURCH

OPEN GARDEN DAY 2010 AT CONNAUGHT COURT
CONNAUGHT AVENUE, NORTH CHINGFORD

Once again we have set the date.  Once again we are contacting the indigenous Chingford elephants (African please, not the Asian variety soon to gather in London).

Once again - most importantly we are asking you to reserve the date and clear your cupboards and drawers of all those things you never use but which are good enough for someone else to buy.

The date is JUNE 19th, the time is 11am until 3pm.  We hope that the later date will mean we have some sunshine.  It does, however, mean that the availability of bedding plants will be over.  Instead we may have some perennials etc. to take their place.  ‘May’ because it depends on you bringing cuttings, dug-up clumps, seedlings—in fact anything that will survive the transfer via Connaught Court to another well-tended garden in E4.  Possibly there will be also some nursery plants.  We would remind you that the whole event is for Christian Aid and the garden stall could be a great profit-making area.

We shall, of course, have the usual marquees for the sale of all miscellaneous items you are going to provide and a Barbeque Lunch will be laid on.  Plans for all this are well advanced and tickets will be available in good time  It is a book-in-advance lunch which will be served from 12 noon until 2.00pm.

And the cost of all this?  So that you will have time to save up for the great day we would like you to know that as in 2009, entrance will cost 50p and entrance and lunch £5.00.

THE ALPHABET OF LIFE

                Although things are not perfect
                Because of trial or pain
                Continue in thanksgiving
                Do not begin to blame
                Even when the times are hard
                Fierce winds are bound to blow
                God is forever able
                Hold on to what you know
                Imagine life without his love
                Joy would cease to be
                Keep thanking Him for all the things
                Love imparts to thee                  
                Move our of ‘Camp Complaining’
                No weapon that is known
                On earth can yield the power
                Praise can do alone
                Quit looking at the future
                Redeem the time at hand
                Start every day with worship
                To ‘thank’ is a command
                Until we see Him coming
                Victorious in the sky
                We’ll run the race with gratitude
                Xalting God on high
                Yes there’ll be good times and yes some will be bad,  but
                Zion waits in glory... where none are ever sad!
                                                                                                         Cindy Blackamore. 1994

MORE WINCHESTER MEMORIES

From Sue Robinson (nee Susan Cozens)

I had lost touch with Winchester after my Mother (Betty Cozens) died in 2002 until recently when I discovered a member of our church was friendly with Mary Burgoine and she passed a few copies of Winchester News for me to read.  Having read Brenda Dowsett’s and Jean Wainwright’s articles about the “old days” I thought I would add some of my memories of my youth at Winchester.

Living round the corner from the Manse, which was then situated in The Avenue, was quite useful.  Before we had a car we would pile into Gerald Lansley’s old Ford, for Church and Sunday School.  When a new Minister arrived my mother would take a pie and some home grown tomatoes to welcome the family.  When we heard C.V. Corner had three sons it was a must for me to welcome them as it was when Wilfred Robinson came with two sons!!!!  I eventually married, the eldest, Philip!!!!

We attended church mainly three times in the day in our younger days – Morning School where we collected stars for our attendance ending up with a gold star, (what an achievement). This was led by Cliff Taylor.  Normal Sunday School was in the afternoon and as Jean says was huge.  I remember being in the Beginners in the small hall off the old Memorial Hall passing round the red Pillar Box for our farthings!!

I, too, remember the Young Peoples Fellowship (YPF) with Stan Pettit and Jack Bootle. I believe this formed the basis of our Youth Group of which after we were married we had several reunions - now we keep in touch by Christmas Cards!!

I wasn’t a member of the MAYC Youth Club but did belong to the “Knights of the Round Table Club”, a younger group which led to the older Youth Group.  I remember learning sword dancing led by Winnie Gasson.  We would perform dances at the yearly Garden Party in the Hodgson’s garden

I remember Anniversaries – Sunday School, JMA, Harvest and Toy Service.  We would form a junior choir led by Mrs Dankworth and Mrs Tysoe and there was no mucking about with them in charge.  The rehearsals were held in the little room off the old Minor Hall.

I also remember the Dramatic Society of which my father (Jack Cozens) was a member. I think I still have some of the scripts of the plays he was in such as Admirable Chrighton.  I also remember the Operatic Society rendering many Gilbert and Sullivan operettas.  My grandfather (Bert Brand) played many a leading part.

Many of my memories are the same as Jean’s as we are the same age.  I remember us collecting for JMA going round with our books to the vast number of Sunday School Teachers for our money – they must have blessed us!!  Jean and I together with Jill Garrard ended up counting the money with Kath Barnes.

We had two very enjoyable Circuit Youth weekends away at High Leigh in Hoddesdon arranged by John Myers from Matthews Memorial Church and Phil’s father Wilfred Robinson.  Phil found the agenda’s in his fathers archives after his death.  The first year away we slept in the old part of the building and discovered some chamber pots in our cupboards so for fun had a parade of them on our heads along the corridor led by Pat Blake and Lorely Ballard.  We did learn too!!

I probably could go on.  Winchester Road was certainly the start of my spiritual life which has been passed to my eldest daughter, Sarah, who is very much involved with work in her church, even though it is Anglican!!  Her eldest son, Jack, is now a choirboy and very proud of it!!

To all those who remember Phil and I best wishes to you all.

WESLEY GUILD

PROGRAMME

MONDAY 14th June at  8.00pm

Rev Eleanor Jackson

Something, nothing and everything

CITY OF LONDON WALK

Mary Burgoine will be doing a “sponsored walk” on Saturday the 3rd of July.
  It starts at Wesley’s Chapel and finishes at Westminster Central Hall. 
It starts at 10.15am and the distance is 5 miles.

Discover the history of Action for Children
with this historical walk.

She would welcome any energetic people to join her. 
Please see her for further details.

BARN DANCE

Saturday 19th June

at

Winchester Road Methodist Church

7.00pm-10.00pm

Cost £3.00 per adult
£7.00 per family (2 adults + 2 children)

Booking essential
ring
Care 020 8523 5955

Are you a crack-pot?
A water bearer in India had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole, which he carried across his neck.  One of the pots had a crack in it, while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water to the house.  The cracked pot arrived only half full.
For a full two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots full of water to his house.  Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishment, perfect for which it was made.  But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do.
After two years of spilling water, it spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream.  "I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you.  I have been able to deliver only half my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house.”
The bearer said to the pot,  "Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side?  That's because I have always known about your flaw, and I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you've watered them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table.  Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the house."
In life, we're all cracked pots. But our weaknesses need not destroy our lives.  God only ever has imperfect people to use.  Despite our flaws, God can still bless us and make us fruitful for him.

SMILE LINES—CONTENTMENT

Adam and Eve had an ideal marriage.  He didn’t have to hear about all the men she could have married and she didn’t have to hear about the way his mother cooked.

SILENCE IS GOLDEN—A FAIRY STORY

Once upon a time there was a Prince, who through no fault of his own was cast under a spell by an evil witch.  The curse was that the Prince could only speak one word each year.  However he could save up the words so if he did not speak for a whole year then the next year he could speak two words.

One day he met a beautiful princess and fell madly in love.  With the greatest difficulty he decided to refrain from speaking for two whole years so that he could look at her and say “My darling”.  But at the end of the two years he wished to tell her that he loved her.  Because of this he waited three more years without speaking (taking the total number of silent years to five).

But at the end of five years he decided he had to ask her to marry him.  So he waited another four years without speaking.

Finally as the ninth year of silence ended his joy knew no bounds.  Leading the lovely Princess to the most secluded and romantic place in the royal garden the Prince heaped a hundred red roses on her lap, knelt before her and said huskily “My darling, I love you.  Will you marry me?”

The Princess tucked a strand of golden hair behind her ear, opened her eyes in wonder, and said “Pardon?”