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CONTACT

Magazine of Erdington Methodist ChurchStation Road - September 2009

ContentsMinister’s Letter 3In CONTACT this month 5Family News 6Rambling Weekend 8Taster House Groups 8Harvest Supper Quiz 8Harvest Festival 8Action for Children 9The Proposed New Hymn Book 11Assisted Suicide 12Property - Security 14Book Review 15To Celebrate 100 years 16Southpaw? 17Barn Dance at Kingsbury Methodist Church 18West Midlands Police Male Voice Choir 18Another Barn Dance 18Children’s Pages 19Methodist President: Church must make the world a safer place 21When in Rome .............. 22Heimlich Manoeuvre 25Studying in the UK 26Methodist leader 'appalled' at atrocities in Pakistan 27Date for your diaries 28Raspberry Jam Outreach 29La’s Orchestra 29VBS (Vetting and Barring Scheme) 30Progress? 31The Lake District 32Christians urged to pray as Church leaders arrested in Fiji 34Apollo 11 – July 16th 1969 35MRDF & Harvest 36Children’s Pages Answers 38September 2009 Regular Meetings 39Weekly Church Activities 40

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Minister’s Letter

Dear FriendsRecently a group went to visit the National Memorial Arboretum in nearby Alrewas and had a stunning day. The grounds are extensive, 150 acres of trees and gardens planted by groups in remembrance of their colleagues and friends: all the armed forces, groups and commando units; prisoner of war gardens with gates like the entrance to the camps; police and fire crews, RNLI; all kinds of groups who want to remember their colleagues and friends and even a garden for parents whose babies died at birth.

It is beautifully set out, with clear paths and map, cafes for refreshments, free entry to the grounds, buggies and scooters for the less mobile to hire and even a small train which moves along slowly, with a commentary explaining the gardens and their significance. It is a place well worth a visit.

The sculpture at the heart of the arboretum is massive and deeply moving: a tribute to those who have died since the Second World War. Climbing the flight of steps slowly, the size of the two semi-circular walls grows till one stands in an open area with two magnificent sets of sculpture. “The Stretcher-bearers” are carrying a fallen comrade who is greeted by a woman with outreached arms, with a small child burying his head in her skirt and behind them is another medic tending an injured soldier. It is unbearably realistic.

On each of the massive walls are the names of those who died: list after list pours down the 25 foot high walls, on and on. And then, as the group stood in silence, a noise could be heard, persistent and regular. Walking round the other wall it became apparent - there was a young man on the top of a high scaffolding engraving the names of the fallen for 2008 – a list that went on and on – freshly engraved. And looking round the curving walls were all the empty spaces for the next thousands … … Someone said very loudly, with a catch in their throat, “Do we never learn? When will disputes between nations be resolved without killing and slaughter?”

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“Blessed are the peace-makers” – what did Jesus mean when he said that to the crowds gathered to hear him on the side of a lake in Galilee? Well, Abuna Chacour, the remarkable Melchite priest who is now Archbishop of Galilee and the country, explains that peace-making is very very hard work, for to make peace requires commitment, sacrifice and determination, love and grace too. If it is hard to ”keep the peace” in your family, how much harder it is to make peace between distraught members of the community who carry grudges, are surly and rude, never mind disagreeable neighbours and resentful ex-friends. When you think of some people you know and their attitude, no wonder wars are fought!

The church too has its share of folk who don’t talk to others because of a slight from years ago or because of a misjudged remark which is taken out of all proportion and never forgotten. How tragic and awful it is – and how God must be weeping at our foolishness, sinfulness and selfishness.

Holy Communion becomes for Christians the central place where forgiveness for the past is declared and accepted; sins are confessed and God’s grace affirmed. For here, we remember that Jesus died for us and our wretchedness and offers us love, encouragement, pardon and - hope for tomorrow. When we kneel at the communion rail, we stretch out our hands to receive and, wonder of wonders, that tiny piece of bread and the little sip of wine become for us the life-giving strength of Christ. No one is turned away, all are welcome. We kneel together and we stand as renewed people, leaving the past behind and looking towards a new day.

May the receiving of communion be for you a blessing and an inspiration, a remembering and a commitment, the time when you make promises anew and serve the risen Lord and the people round about you, with gladness and with joy.

The sculpture in the Arboretum has one other special feature – a shaft of sunlight pours through a chink in the wall on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. Christ, the risen and glorious one shines upon us too and in his radiance and light we walk in hope for a new day and a bright tomorrow.

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With my prayers

Nichola

In CONTACT this monthWelcome to our September edition of CONTACT. Thanks for your feedback about my ‘In CONTACT’ section. Most people I spoke to liked it so here’s this month’s highlights.

In this month’s magazineWe celebrate 50 years in Local Preaching and a 100th Birthday.

Nicki Phelps shares some of her experiences working for ‘Action for Children’

There’s a change of mind!

Some difficult issues to ponder from our resident ‘thought-meister’ Peter Farley

We have another poem from Lesley Champken

A summary of what our new Methodist President had to say in his address to conference

We hear about more holiday experiences

Pat Wilson shares her thoughts about another of our National Parks

We have news from the wider Methodist Church and stories about the work of MRDF in India

I hope you find something that interests you - and perhaps it will inspire you to write something - we are always open to new voices.

The editor5

Family News

David at 50!On Sunday 2nd August the Sutton Park Circuit recognised that David Hewitt had been a Local Preacher for 50 years with the presentation of a certificate. David felt the call to preach and went to the training class run by the then minister at Station Road, the Rev Dennis Cope. Another member of that group was Pat Padley. The discussions there must have been interesting. He was given his note to preach at the age of 16 and was fully accredited in 1959. Helen Griffith, from Queen’s College, who was preaching at that time asked what was the likelihood of someone being given a note to preach aged 16, now.

Congratulations David we hope that we will continue to worship under your guidance for many more years.

Peter FarleyEvelyn at 100!On Sunday the 19th July our worship was followed by a bring and share lunch organised to celebrate the 100th birthday of Evelyn Lonsdale. Most of the congregation stayed on and as is usual at such events there was food aplenty.

Evelyn was someone I remember as a Sunday school teacher, an active member of the drama group and someone who always seemed to be in the vicinity of the kitchen. She was also a member of the church group who went camping every year at Bodymoor Heath Farm.

If my recollection is correct she and her husband Harold owned a holiday cottage/caravan in Wales and I remember her telling me on one occasion about the problem of early morning journeys in the winter in a Morris Eight which had no heater. Blankets and hot water bottles were the order of the day. Also there was no effective means of easily keeping the windscreen clear of condensation. Harold, like many other drivers at the time, had installed a small electric heater on the front window immediately in front of

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the steering wheel, which effectively kept enough window clear to allow for safe driving. A situation that is now almost beyond comprehension when so many new cars arrive with air conditioning.

Maybe you have recollections from such times and maybe Evelyn was part of them. Would you like to share them through Contact?

Peter Farley

Thank youA very big thank you to Margaret Hillman and her helpers for organising my 100th Birthday Party. Thank you also to all you lovely people who celebrated with me. I had a lovely time contacting most of my family and friends.

Thanks to your generosity I have sent a cheque for £350 to Water Aid.

Evelyn Londsdale

Irene BeckOver 200 letters and cards was the response to Irene’s illness and passing from this world. Much as we loved her, we were amazed at such a response to her passing ‘into the eternity of God’s Love.’ It appeared that He had bestowed on her gifts of love which few of us had recognised throughout her humble, unrecognised ministry.

Thanks be to God for such a mother and lover of those who were in need of help.

Rev Keith M Beck

Thanks for CampI had a good time at camp. Being my first time there I enjoyed my self lots and learned lots of new things.

Alastair Rabin

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Rambling WeekendAt the end of September the ramblers are planning to spend the weekend at the YHA at Nottingham Sherwood. It is a modern hostel with double rooms as well as dormitories. There will be lots of fairly flat walking and we would love to have every one join us if possible. Speak to Margaret or Jan if you are interested.

Taster House GroupsThe organising committee has met and discussed the questionnaires that you returned.  Details and recommendations for the way forward will be presented to the Stewards at their September meeting.

We were very encouraged by the response to this project with 48 people attending some or all of the sessions.  The comments received were very positive and obviously the meetings were enjoyable and helpful to most who attended. 

There are 29 people who wish to belong to a more regular house group and these may be monthly or 2/3  sessions (such as before) throughout the year. 

There will be further information next month.                                                                                            Hilary Price, Moya Farley, Marion Griffin

Harvest Supper & QuizOur Harvest Supper this year will take place on Saturday 19th September starting at 6.00 pm. Tickets will be available shortly from the stewards and will cost only £3.00 for adults and £1.50 for children.

Harvest FestivalOur Harvest Gifts this year will go towards Sinking a Well! We do want your normal Harvest Gifts too - like ‘home-grown’ produce (which you have grown yourself please) and also tins and packets of food which will go to Birmingham City Mission.

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Action For ChildrenI am very pleased to announce that the total collected for Action for Children over the weekend of 11th/12th July was £297.69.

The envelopes contained £135.69 of which £95 was gift aided and the Saturday Coffee morning raised £162.00 which was given directly to Nicki Phelps for direct use with the children that she works with at Ty Hapus, in South Wales. Very many thanks to all who helped over the weekend and for your very generous donations.

Nicki has very kindly written for us about her work at Ty Hapus and how the money will be put to use in her respite care home.

Life at Action for ChildrenMy name is Nicola Phelps and I have worked for Action for Children for the past 10 years. You may have noticed that what is now Action for Children Sunday used to be NCH Sunday. This is because in September 2008 NCH was rebranded to the new name. This was to move away from the idea of NCH as children’s homes and move towards a more current, up to date, image of the charity as one which deals with today’s issues facing children and young people and provides a huge range of services to children and families.

Action for Children at present is running various national campaigns, the first of these being “Stuck in the middle” which focuses on the struggles for children between the ages of 6 and 11 which is a time usually thought to be uneventful in a child’s life. The work that Action for Children does acknowledges this as an important time for children growing up and into teenagers. This is reinforced by the new strap line of “as long as it takes” which shows that Action for Children are going to be supportive for as long as is needed.

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The second major campaign is “Growing Strong” which focuses on children into strong and confident people able to cope with everyday stresses and strains and offers support to those who are struggling.

The newest campaign is “step inside our shoes” which is centred on giving young people a voice and an opinion about knife crime and trying to express these views to government.

Alongside these national campaigns Action for Children does a lot of work with local authorities and provides services to children and families.

I work in a project that provides overnight short breaks for children and young people who have multiple disabilities. The project is called Ty Hapus which in welsh means “happy house”. We try to make it so. Ty Hapus is not a hospice, the children who attend are not ill, they are normal children who are struggling with their disabilities and need some help. We are very supportive for families who find it hard coping with the constant care needs that a child with disabilities has.

At Ty Hapus we always see the child before the disability. We believe that each child deserves the same opportunities and chances to be a child, to make friends their own age and to go out and have fun like other children do. We have a staff team of 15 staff who work really hard to make this happen. We try our best to do activities that maybe are too difficult for families to do but we will always have a try and give those children the best stay with us that we can.

I really do feel lucky in my work, I never dread going to work and I feel it a privilege to have met and made friends with so many wonderful children and their families.

Nicola Phelps

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The Proposed New Hymn BookWhen I first heard that a new hymn book was being considered I was not over excited. I imagine I wasn’t alone in wondering if it was necessary. After all there is a range of hymn books and we have both Hymns and Psalms and part of Songs of Fellowship, and Hymns and Psalms is a relatively new book. (Actually it is a quarter of a century old—a lifetime for some who use it!). So we have more than enough hymns to choose from and in any case we can’t afford to buy more; so ran my narrow, prejudicial thinking.

On August 11th I went to the presentation given by two members of the Music Resource Group which transformed my thinking, and I came away very encouraged and excited by what I heard. A huge amount of effort is being made to ensure that previous mistakes are not repeated, to keep the best of the old and introduce the best of the new, while being sensitive to ‘gender, race and ethnicity’; as well as ensuring that the integrity of Methodist theology is maintained and that the music is suitable for the general range of voices!

Members of the, 18 strong, committee are going to great lengths to ‘get it right’ this time and are very sensitive to the general criticisms of generating a new hymn book. They are aware, as we are, that of the approximately 800 hymns in H & P only a small fraction are used, effectively wasting effort and money. About 300 of the original hymns are likely to be included and much discussion, consultation, sifting and voting has gone into this. We all know that there have been awful hymns printed in the past, from the rivers of blood and gathering at the fountain of the late nineteenth century, through to some of the recent repetitive, even trashy hymns that Songs of Fellowship contain. Many previous hymns seemed to have little to do with Jesus’ teachings and proclaiming God’s love for all. I never could get my mind around ‘Jesus wants me for a sunbeam’! I can’t imagine that the Cross and Resurrection happened for us to be little sunbeams in our next life. Personally I don’t see myself in the guise of a sunbeam!

The two members of the group had brought draft booklets of a selection of suggested hymns to be included. They invited questions and did their best

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to answer these throughout the evening. They were musicians, as well as ordained ministers, and provided accompaniment on piano, guitar and flute. I had sung one of the items before but the others were all new to me. One of them was not a new hymn but had not appeared in our books before. I liked all the ones we sang and two particularly appealed to me. They had good tunes (important to me) and very meaningful words (hopefully important to everyone). If this is a sample of the content of a new hymn book then I am all for it.

Prices were mentioned but not yet fixed and there will be a CD issued as well. Whether we buy copies for Erdington will rest with the church council. I suspect that some of us will be happy to buy our own copy. My hope is that when this time comes that those concerned with decision making will take an informed and forward looking view. Most of all I hope that decisions will be made without prejudice as mine now will be.

Hilary Price

Assisted suicideWhen we came back from Scotland in June the papers were full of comments about assisted suicide. Attempts by Debbie Purdy to clarify the legal position of those offering assistance to people committing suicide had failed and now the Lords were to debate changes to the law, which would allow doctors to prescribe to assist suicide. In the end as with Debbie’s clarification the Peers voted down the proposed changes. Subsequently we have had the case of the double suicide of Sir Edward Downes the conductor (85) and his wife Lady Joan Downes (74).

There are people on both sides of the debate about assisted suicide who believe passionately that they are right. On the one side proponents champion the right of a person to decide the time and manner of their own death and that this does not necessarily represent the beginning of a slippery slope towards euthanasia. On the other side opponents claim just as vociferously that any compromise over the sanctity of life is a step too far that will inevitably lead down the slippery slope to euthanasia. At this point

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it is important to differentiate between assisted suicide, in which the doctor prescribes the lethal drugs leaving the patient to undertake the final act themselves and euthanasia, in which the doctor both prescribes and administers that fatal treatment. The nation’s response to Debbie Purdy has involved the great and the good of the land and they also are divided. For example the BMA at its annual conference voted to change its stance from neutral to opposition. Later the GNC moved from a position of opposition to one of neutrality.

During the debate in the House of Lords the contribution of Lady Campbell of Surbiton, a lady who needs a ventilator to breath during the night, was very revealing. She said, "I tick every box of Lord Falconer's [criteria] to die. I could go tomorrow and, believe me, I would have no trouble in persuading two doctors. Three years ago two doctors persuaded me it was time for me to go on my way." She said disabled people, apart from a small number, did not support assisted dying. Assisted dying was "to abandon hope and to ignore the majority of disabled and terminally ill people." Her speech also included the claim that "If this amendment were to succeed I believe it will place a new and invidious pressure on disabled and terminally ill people to think they are closer to the end of their lives,"

To me assisted suicide falls into the “until you have been there you cannot possibly know” category of experiences. I believe, as fundamentally as I believe anything, that it is wrong to kill anyone. But equally, something seems to be wrong when we leave people to suffer untreatable and incurable physical or mental agony, neatly avoiding the issue of senility.

In all eventualities we do have to prevent any change in the law becoming, over time, an easy route to the family silver. If a green light is given to assisted suicide then the attitude of people with disabilities, incurable conditions, persecution complexes and any elderly people who are beginning to find life difficult for themselves or their families and or those who just have a low self-esteem will begin to change. They will begin to ask themselves should they just end it all because they are becoming a burden to

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their family, friends and the world in general? For such people the step from the right to die to a duty to die will be very small and very attractive.

Alternatively some people would look on such a step in a positive, bold, self-sacrificial way as being an easy route to assisting the following generations. There is also a third scenario where those who are mentally robust but are not feeling overly generous who might begin to look at their doctor in a new light and wonder whether they are being lined up for assisted suicide?

Do you have an opinion about assisted suicide? Let Contact know and more importantly let other people know. Every time someone goes to Switzerland to die this issue raises its head and says ‘I am still here’ and the perception that ‘Dignitas’ is setting the UK agenda will grow. Interestingly ‘Dignitas’ is not without its critics and has been likened to a production line of death, being concerned only with profit.

In the most recent case brought by Debbie Purdy five Law Lord’s have ruled that the Director of Public Prosecutions must specify when a person is likely to face prosecution for assisting with a suicide, both in the UK and overseas. Following on from that ruling Debbie has now opened a new campaign saying that she wants the right to die in the UK. So now, even more than before, it is important that you think about this issue. As Nichola has often been heard to say “to be silent is to be complicit”.

Peter Farley

Property - SecurityOn Saturday 18th July about £50 was stolen from the kitchen servery counter during a Saturday Coffee Morning.

As Property Steward I write to remind you that our premises are open to the public. Therefore you should at all times be mindful of the security of your own and any church property for which you are responsible.

Peter Farley 14

Book ReviewThe Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama

In this sequel to his autobiography, “Dreams About My Father”, Senator Obama (as he was then) writes about his unique approach to American ideals and politics. One of the blessings of this particular President is that, unlike many Americans, he has lived overseas – born Hawaii, he lived for a few years of his childhood in Indonesia. This has given him a wider worldview than some more recent occupants of the White House. He also can see, as an ordinary family man, the stresses of most middle-class Americans, struggling to balance work and quality family time.

President Obama tackles issues of faith, race, values, the organisation of the American political system and recognises the need of opposing political parties to work together for the good of the nation and the whole world, rather than indulging in point-scoring from each other. (Perhaps an issue his British fellow-politicians might take note of).

His views, while not pleasing everyone, are refreshing, honest and wisely thought out. On the subject of abortion, for example, he thinks that it should be available to women, but so should relationship counselling and contraception to avoid women needing abortion in the first place.

The book is filled with delightful and personal anecdotes from family life (“When it comes to my daughters, no-one is buying my tough-guy routine”) and the senatorial campaign trail. One man approached Obama in an airport queue to discuss stem cell research. “These are the stories you miss, I thought to myself, when you fly on a private jet”.

I get the feeling Barack Obama would rather travel among his people.

Elizabeth Bibbings - Dronfield Methodist Church

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To Celebrate 100 yearsLast month Lesley Champken shared her thoughts about Joseph Lawrence Dodd and the remarkable man that he is. This month Lesley shares her poem in celebration of his 100th birthday . . .

Skipper Joseph Lawrence Dodd.19th of July 2009.

In 1909 Joseph Laurence Dodd was born,He was a happy childWith a brother and sister dear,Playing by his side.

Chorus 100 years ago today Was born a special man, Happy Birthday Skipper Dodd Happy Birthday from us all. The memories of his childhood,Remain quite bright and clear.Of Grand Father in a frock coatArriving at the door. As a youngster he joined the Boy Scouts,Of the eleventh he was proud.He camped and cycled to many a placeAnd friends he made so dear.

He gave his life to the Lord,And worked for Him always.He taught in Junior church,As well as singing in the choir.

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He was there at the beginning,Of the Church and 210 Scouts.His life became an example,Of doing his best for all.

He met the love of his life,Who later became his wife.She the Guide Captain…And he was Skipper Dodd.

Now in his later years,And an inspiration he still is.His poems and hymns you see,Are in a book to buy.

There’s not enough pages in one book,To hold all his wonderful poems.A second volume may need to be done,So as to share all the loves of his life.

So here we all stand today,With hearts so full of pride.To Salute this special man,Who has touched so many lives.

Created by Lesley Champken Pype Hayes United Reformed Church

Southpaw?Recent research published in the Journal of Animal Behaviour has suggested that female cats are mainly rightpawed and male cats are mainly leftpawed.

Bet you didn’t know that!

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Barn Danceat Kingsbury Methodist Church

Saturday 26th September, 7.30 pm to 10.30 pm

(£7 adults, £3.50 children)

Ploughman’s Supper & Puddings

Tickets are available from:

Pam Page 01675 466943Joyce Maxted 01827 50853

(Access to the car park via Barlow Court next to the Co-op on Tamworth Road B78 2HH)

West Midlands Police Male Voice ChoirConcert at Stockland Green Methodist Church

Saturday 3rd October

Admission is £6.00 for adults and £4.00 for children

Tickets will be available nearer to the date

Another Barn Danceat Stockland Green Methodist Church

Saturday 28th November - details to follow

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Back to School ~ Thinking caps on!

Can you find missing numbers?

2 5 8 11 __ __ 20

1 2 4 7 __ 16 __

1 4 9 __ 25 __ 49

1 1 2 3 5 8 13 21 __

Some of the letters of the alphabet are missing from the circle. Use the missing letters to find something to eat.

Try to work these out1. 101 = D 5. 7 D in a W2. 24 = H in a D 6. 4 S to a S3. 3 = B M 7. 7 W of the W4. 28 = D in F 8. 12 S of the Z

Why are some of these letters above the black line and some below?

A E F H I K L M N T V W X Y ZB C D G J O P Q R S

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A farmer is taking a duck, a fox, and some corn seed to the market. He comes to a deep, fast moving stream. Though he has a boat, it is small and can only take the farmer and one piece of cargo at a time. The fox can’t swim and the stream is moving too fast for the duck.The farmer knows that if he takes the corn seed first and leaves the duck and the fox alone, the fox will eat the duck. But if he takes the fox across first, the duck will eat the corn seed. If he takes the duck first, and then the fox, the fox will eat the duck when he goes back for the corn seed.So he sits there scratching his head. What would you advise the farmer to do?

And Finally . . .

•Ted Stin loves his work. Part of his job is to look for holes and fill them in. Rearrange the letters in his name to find out his job.•What animal can jump higher than a house?•If you overtake the second person in a race, which position will you be in?•What word looks the same upside down and backwards?

Answers can be found on page 38

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Methodist President: Church must make the world a safer place

In his inaugural presidential address to the annual Methodist Conference, Revd David Gamble spoke of the need for the Church to be a ‘safer space’ for people from every walk of life.

David spoke particularly of the importance of supporting the survivors of abuse, affirming his commitment to making the Church and the world a safer place. He said; “When I’m talking about creating safer space I’m talking about places, situations, moments, relationships, occasions where and when people feel accepted as they are, able to tell their story, not judged and not put at unnecessary risk.”

David was inducted as the President of the Methodist Conference as the first order of business at opening of the Conference in Wolverhampton. He will serve for one year, representing the Church and meeting people across Britain.

Speaking of climate change as ‘the biggest issue facing our world today’, he said, “In the face of what is happening to this planet as the direct result of how we live, do we just give up, or is there a word of hope and are there possibilities to turn the tide and make this planet a safer space? Christians and churches need to be fully involved, and have things to offer in making our world a safer space.”

David also called for greater openness and understanding between people of different perspectives, traditions and faiths, commenting that, “If we really listen to people’s different perspectives we may come to a fuller and richer understanding ourselves. We can challenge and be challenged if there is

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respect between us. Not to seek to cast out those who think differently, but to listen, to understand and to grow.”

People can follow David’s travels on the President and Vice President’s blog (www.methodist-presandvp.blogspot.com).

from the Methodist Church Website

When in Rome ..............Earlier this Summer, Christine and I went on a long weekend to Rome to celebrate her birthday. We booked everything on the internet which entailed hours of searching for cheap flights and, more importantly, a decent hotel within walking distance of the main tourist attractions. We settled on the Hotel Colloseum and an early morning flight with Ryanair from East Midlands airport.

We landed at Ciampino Airport bang on time (as Ryanair do like to tell you) and immediately boarded a shuttle bus for the 10 km journey to the Termini Railway Station. A short walk then saw us arrive at our Hotel where we dropped off our Rucksacks and began to explore this unbelievably beautiful City.

Although we were only a few minutes from the Colloseum, the first sight that we came to was the Trevi Fountain. I had heard about this and had seen it in Dan Brown’s film ‘Angels and Demons’ but it was far more spectacular than I could have imagined. It was a glorious hot summer day and the fountain was inviting me to jump into it. However, I resisted the urge and we

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simply sat on the steps in front of the fountain and marvelled at its power and beauty. We also climbed the Spanish Steps and enjoyed the views over to St Peter’s Basilica.

The following day we went up to the roof terrace at our hotel and enjoyed a spectacular view over Rome which included the Colloseum. We then made the short walk to this amazing amphitheatre which is the largest ever built in the Roman Empire. Capable of seating 50,000 spectators it was used for gladiatorial contests and other public spectacles. The building is one of the greatest achievements of Roman Architecture and is still remarkably intact. Seeing it close up was an awesome sight and one which I will never forget.I was, however, a little disappointed with the many Roman Centurians standing outside for tourists to photograph as they were smoking and using Mobile Phones! I knew that the Romans were ahead of their time but surely not this far ahead. The inside of the Colloseum was equally spectacular and I stopped for a minute to reflect on some of the ‘entertainment’ that had taken place there all of those years ago.

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From the Colloseum we took a short walk to the Roman Forum which is the central area around which Roman Civilisation developed. The oldest and most important structures of the ancient City are located here. The Forum was in the shadow of the Colloseum but this vast site contains various monuments in different states of ruin. We wandered for hours amongst the gardens and ruins but it was incredibly hot and by now we were definitely flagging.

On our last day we used the excellent Public Transport and caught the bus to the Vatican City. There were five Priests on our Bus and I was surprised to see them taking tourist type photos outside the Vatican when we arrived there. Entry to the Vatican is free on the last Sunday of each month and, as luck would have it, we had timed our visit to coincide with this. The Vatican was most impressive and Christine really enjoyed seeing the Swiss Guards and the Sistine Chapel.

From the Vatican we walked past the Castel St. Angelo and stopped for lunch at a Cafe by the River. We began talking to a couple on the next table who had seen the Pope at the Vatican that morning and we realised that he must have appeared whilst we were in the Sistine Chapel!

Despite this disappointment, Rome is definitely one of the most beautiful and enchanting places that we have ever visited. Highly recommended.

Ian Rossiter

Thanks to Ian and Christine for sharing a little taste of their holiday with us - did anyone else go on a holiday worth remembering this year - perhaps you would like to share your experiences with our readership - ed

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Heimlich ManoeuvreWhilst I was away on holiday in Scotland I had the merest brush with death. Thankfully it started and was over before I had time to appreciate what was going on.

We were sitting in the Old Post Office of Marypark with Moya’s sister, her husband and their two dogs eating a typical Scottish lunch of soft rolls filled with ham and mustard. Something that the pup did made me heave with laughter, not something that I do very often any more and a piece of soft roll went down the wrong way. Suddenly Moya couldn’t tell whether my heaving was due to my continued laughing or because I was choking. After a few breaths it became apparent that I really was choking and her nurse training came to the fore. I was grasped in the way she had been taught and every time I tried to cough I found myself lifted bodily off the ground. By the third or fourth attempt the little ball of soft roll had popped up into the back of my throat and thankfully my breathing started to return to normal.

What did she do? Well it is called the Heimlich Manoeuvre, first aid for choking.

Stand behind the person. Wrap your arms around the waist. Tip the person forward slightly. Make a fist with one hand. Position it slightly above the person's navel. Grasp the fist with the other hand. Press hard into the abdomen with a quick, upward thrust — as if trying to lift the person of the ground.

So easy and so effective. You can also do it on yourself if you are alone by placing your own two hands in the appropriate place and then leaning violently into the back of a chair (or similar piece of furniture)

Heimlich Manoeuvre is much easier then an emergency tracheotomy, which in turn is much better then leaving someone to turn blue and die.

If you are ever confronted with persistent choking that even Heimlich won’t shift then a small, side-to-side incision in the groove below the Adam’s apple

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and held open with a biro-sized tube could mean the difference between life and death whilst waiting for the Paramedics to arrive.

Suddenly having been there it all has meaning.

Peter Farley

Studying in the UKI am a normal international student in the UK and I am from China. I am glad I have the chance to tell you my experiences of Britain, especially Scouts.

You may ask me, “Why did you choose to come to the UK for study?” I would say it is a great country in the world; the quality of education is good; and most people are very nice and friendly. I have had a good time here and have made many new friends who come from different countries, which make my life much different from before and learn and understand many different cultures.

I am glad I am a volunteer of Scouts. People are very nice here. Cubs are very dynamic. Leaders are very friendly. It is a very organised institution for organising activities or events for children and teenagers. Through the activities of every Friday with cubs, when I helped the cubs to do the activities, they helped me to learn more about the culture of English people and have fun with these lovely children.

Many thanks to Elizabeth for inviting me to write some experience about the UK. I am enjoying the one year I am studying here and will share my experiences with other people when I return to China.

Sara Guo

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Methodist leader 'appalled' at atrocities in PakistanRevd Dr Martyn Atkins, General Secretary of the Methodist Church in Britain, has expressed deep concern over violence against Christians in Pakistan.

Over the last week in Pakistan many acts of violence have been committed against Christians, including the burning of 47 homes in the village of Korian and 100 homes in Gojra City. More than 290 families have been made homeless and at least nine people have died in the violence, which has arisen as a result of religious tensions between Christians and Muslims.

Martyn said: “I am appalled at the atrocities that have taken place in recent days in Pakistan. People of all faiths have been deeply troubled by these acts, which represent personal disaster for very many families who have lost relatives, homes and livelihoods. It casts a shadow on all people of faith, both Muslim and Christian, who know that such violence should never be a part of religious life.

“I welcome the care and compassion shown by many Muslims to their Christian neighbours, taking them into their homes for safety and making efforts to rebuild peace in the communities.”

The Methodist Church in Britain has made an initial solidarity grant of £10,000 through Church World Service to provide emergency relief supplies such as food and shelter.

Martyn joined with Revd Samuel Kobia, General Secretary of the World Council of Churches, in calling on the Pakistani government to take action to stem the violence. He said: “These recent riots are a matter of serious concern and it is the responsibility of the State to provide security to all its citizens and to call on all people of faith - especially local and national leaders - to focus their efforts on building peace rather than seeking reasons for further disunity.

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“Our message is clear: acts of violence targeted at a religious minority are always wrong. When they do occur they must be investigated diligently and the perpetrators must be brought to justice.”

Martyn also called on Christians to pray for the Church in Pakistan over the coming weeks and commended the following prayer for use in churches and prayer meetings:

Merciful God, Whose loving heart yearns for peace and justice to flow freely in all communities, be with all the people of Korian and Gojra in these difficult times. May those who have lost relatives and friends be comforted; those who have lost their homes be sheltered; those who have lost hope find peace. We pray for faith leaders, both Christian and Muslim, and for national leaders in Pakistan and in Europe. May they work consistently for peace and keep justice constantly in view. We pray for ourselves, that we may play our part in expressing your love for the whole of creation in all we do and say this day. Amen.

Date for your diariesSaturday January 9th 2010 is two whole days after my 50th Birthday (surely young Nick can’t be that age!!)

To celebrate I would like to invite you all to join me in a Barn Dance/Party at Erdington. There will be tickets (so that I have an idea of numbers and I can prime SOGI for producing the Baked Potato Supper).

The evening will start at 7.00 pm.

Put it in your diaries now - I’d be very happy to see you all there.

P.S. You don’t have to be able to Barn Dance - most of us who normally have a go can’t!!

Nick Riley

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Raspberry Jam OutreachMy daughter, Elizabeth Bibbings, is very successful at growing raspberries.  At her church, in Dronfield, Syd (90 year old) uses her raspberries to make jam which he sells in aid of various charities sponsored by the church. 

One lady contacted Syd to ask him to let her know when the jam was ready, so Syd phoned and left a message on her answer phone.  Later that evening Syd received a phone call in response from a man, a total stranger, saying he believed Syd was trying to contact Elsie to let her know the jam was ready. 

Syd thanked the man and was about to ring off when the man said,  "Actually, my wife and I would like 3 pots please".  Delighted, Syd thanked him and told him that he also made marmalade, so the man also ordered a couple of pots of that too.

He eventually rang off, not before asking if Syd minded if he rang again when they needed more. Syd said it was the first time a wrong number had landed him a 'bulk' order. Now that's what I call 'outreach':  who knows what may happen from now on.  Syd has sown the seed, let's hope God waters and feeds it.  I'll wait to see if the couple ever turn up to church.  Ann Tomes

La’s OrchestraI have written about Alexander McCall Smith before, he of Speedy Motors fame. Over the summer I read one of his latest offerings “La’s Orchestra Saves the World”. If you want a quiet read for a winter evening this would be a wonderful choice. He has the ability to keep you on tenterhooks until you get to the six lines on the last page.

Peter Farley

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VBS (Vetting and Barring Scheme)In the middle of July Phillip Pullman, the author of the Dark Materials trilogy and several other children’s authors announced that they were not willing to register with the Vetting and Barring Scheme and therefore would no longer be visiting schools to talk to children. The VBS was set up after the Soham murders to ensure that everyone who had access to children, however tangentially, had been checked.

A VBS check is quite different to a CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) check and I believe that this differentiation is very important. I have no problem with CRB even though it can be bureaucratic and long-winded. Such checks are needed to protect our children. But I am not sure about VBS. The rules of VBS are that registration is required for everyone who has contact with children at least once a month. At the moment this is irrespective of whether this is the same children or a different group of children. Indeed the man in charge of the Soham enquiry which led to the VBS has suggested that this part of the regulations need to be revisited and that all arrangements need to be proportionate and not an over reaction.

It has been estimated that as currently constructed, after five years the VBS database will contain over 11 million people who have each paid £64 to be registered.

What is the problem I hear you ask? Isn’t anything that makes our children safer to be encouraged? To me the answer to that question is a maybe at best. Society as we know it only works because we trust that it will. You trust that the milk you drink is not contaminated. You trust that your toothpaste is not poisoned. Indeed we all trust all sorts of things that we really shouldn’t. The current VBS smack to me of box ticking and back covering whereas what is needed is that the person in charge need to act with integrity and responsibility and apply some common sense. Those who have the opportunity for regular unsupervised interaction with children such as the dinner lady or a parent who is volunteering to listen to reading need a CRB check. But what opportunity would a regular visitor to a random school have to interact with an individual unsupervised child?

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In opposition to my comment the chief executive for Barnardo’s says that VBS is good because children so readily transfer the label of ‘trusted adult’ to someone that they have seen in their school.

Regulations are never going to be a substitute for common sense. All that they do is increase everyone’s anxiety. It makes parents more anxious because they come to believe that anyone who speaks to their children is potentially up to no good. It makes those in authority over children anxious because maybe there is some regulation that has not been applied properly. These then set everyone off on a downward spiral of less and less trust requiring more and more regulation and everyone becoming less trustworthy. Indeed Samuel Johnson once said that it is better to have been cheated then never to have trusted.

Somehow we need a system that balances all of the needs of a child. It needs to allow children to interact normally with a wide range of adults for their own personal development. It also needs to take into account the fact that when children are abused or murdered the assailant is most likely to be family or close friend and not a transient stranger. The case of baby P is the current example. Lastly but most importantly it needs to offer protection to this group of vulnerable and valuable people.

It is a long time since I was the parent of a small child, what do you think?

Peter Farley

Progress?Long ago when men cursed and beat the ground with sticks, it was called witchcraft. Today . . . it’s called Golf!!

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The Lake DistrictFollowing on from our ‘favourite National Park’ theme from last month I asked Pat Wilson to write about The Lake District - ed

A few weeks ago when I was asked to write about The Lake District National Park I thought, “Where do I start?” Then I got to thinking about Cockermouth, my birthplace and the journey we make regularly to get there. Cockermouth is just outside the Park but has always been marketed as the ‘Western Gateway to the Lakes.’ The boundary is about a mile out of town.

The town is situated at the confluence of the rivers Cocker and Derwent, the Cocker flowing into the Derwent, hence - Cockermouth. In the sixties it was designated as a ‘Gem Town!’ It was considered to be of such importance to the national heritage that it aught to be preserved.

The main part of Cockermouth is of Georgian origin and is a conservation area with lots of listed buildings which is why it is so full of character. As a result, the Main Street, Market Place and the streets leading off have been lovingly preserved and any new development must conform to the strict planning regulations. Consequently the old part of the town must look as it did when William Wordsworth, Cockermouth’s most famous son, was growing up there.

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The house on the Main Street where I was born (now Boots the Chemist) was dated 1634.

With the advent of the M6, The Lakes became more accessible and Bob and I have certainly made good use of it as a quick and easy (mostly) way to ‘go home.’ I still get a thrill when I leave the motorway at Junction 36 and turn left onto the Kendal By-Pass and head for the hills. It is the most scenic journey that I know and one I will never tire of. The drive cuts straight through the centre of the National Park for about 40 miles and seduces visitors with the most breathtaking scenery.

The road passes through the outskirts of Windermere and runs alongside the lake to Ambleside giving way to breathtaking views of the Langdale Pikes. Travelling on we reach Rydal Water and Grasmere both made famous by association with William Wordsworth and his sister Dorothy.

The road takes us even further into the National park, up and over Dunmail Raise dropping down the winding road to Wythburn and Thirlmere which supplies Manchester with water. We drive along with the lake on our left and the mighty Helvellyn at 949m towering above us on the right heading towards Keswick and Derwent Water. Leaving Keswick behind we have a magnificent view of Skiddaw at 931m the third highest peak in the National Park and my favourite mountain. We join the A66 for the final leg of our journey to Cockermouth passing the most northerly lake - Bassenthwaite.

Strictly speaking there is only one ‘lake’ in the National Park which is Bassenthwaite Lake. The rest are either a mere, a water or a tarn. Look at the map if you don’t believe me!!

Pat Wilson

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Christians urged to pray as Church leaders arrested in FijiThe British Methodist Church is calling on Christians to pray for the Methodist Church in Fiji following the arrests of seven Church leaders by Fiji’s military government.

Earlier this week the church leaders, including the general secretary and two former presidents, were arrested and held for questioning in relation to the Church’s annual Conference, scheduled in August. The government has banned the Conference from taking place, concerned that the Church’s discussions will be politically focused. Those arrested include the General Secretary of the Church, Revd Tuikilakila Waqairatu, the Church’s Finance Secretary, Viliame Gonelevu and two former Presidents of the Church, Revd Manasa Lasaro and Revd Tomasi Kanailagi. Revd Tomasi was a senator in the previous government.

Christine Elliott, Secretary for External Relationships for the Methodist Church in Britain, said; “It is clear that Colonel Frank Bainimarama is making a strong statement about who is in power. The Methodist Church is the largest faith group in Fiji, holds a significant amount of power amongst the people and has considerable influence over voters. The leadership of the Church is determined to stand against the government and has lobbied the UN regarding religious freedom and human rights.

“It is important that we hold our brothers and sisters in Fiji, their government and all in the islands in our prayers during these challenging times.”

The government’s action effectively ensures that the Conference will not go ahead even if the Church excludes the two former presidents and agrees to refrain from any political discussions. The Methodist Church is the largest faith group in Fiji and Church leaders have insisted that the Conference will take place regardless of the ban. The ministers were treated well, have now all been released on conditional bail and are required to surrender their travel documents.

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Prayer for Fiji

God of power and strength, You make foolish the wisdom of this world.You call upon us to find your strength in our weakness.You offer us your guidance when all is in confusion.

We ask your protection and guidance for Church leaders in Fiji,Your wisdom for the Fijian Government,Your peace and stability for the people of Fiji.

Amen

Apollo 11 – July 16th 1969It would be wrong for me to let the anniversary of the first manned landing on the moon to pass without a comment. “One small step for (a) man, one giant leap for mankind” is probably one of the world’s most famous quotations.

The flight to the moon was not without its costs and those who went knew that they had a significant chance of not coming back. At the same time the endeavour, born in the depth of the Cold War, did bring some benefits in its wake - polycarbonate the clear plastic glass substitute being the one that always comes to mind.

Such a huge focus on a specific achievement will always obey the law of unintended consequences. The existence and precision of our satellite navigation systems result directly from the deployment of intercontinental ballistic missiles. Now we are beginning to plan the greater venture of travelling to Mars I wonder what unintended consequences that that venture will bring?

More importantly we, as a church, have demonstrated what we can achieve if we single-mindedly focus on a particular task. What unintended consequences have you noticed? Peter Farley

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MRDF & HarvestEach year The Methodist Relief & Development Fund produces material on a specific Harvest Theme. Their theme this year is ‘Enriching Harvest.’ Here are two stories from India which highlight how MRDF is entering into partnerships to enrich lives.

Enriching harvests, enriching lives Scavenging, cleaning latrines – that’s all people from India’s Dalit caste were traditionally seen as fit for: they were the lowest of the low, ‘untouchable’. But with MRDF support they are investing in their future.

Caste discrimination is illegal now – but centuries of prejudice still affect Dalit communities: they have great trouble getting sufficient food, education or decent employment. A government scheme gave Dalit people land, but this alone was useless. The land was covered in thick bush and too dry for food crops; the investment needed to make it useful and begin farming was beyond reach. They had land, but were still hungry.

However a community group in southern India could see how to make this land work. They asked MRDF to help them set up co-operatives, provide training and offer small loans. By working together, and pooling funds to hire machinery when necessary, groups cleared the land and built terracing and trenches to retain water. They also learned low-cost techniques to enrich

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the soil and improve yields so that with just a tiny start-up loan, a family could start producing food.

Season by season the returns increased and families have seen things they never dreamed possible: enough to eat, children at school, brick houses to live in and electricity and water in their villages. Neither the land, nor the loans, made these small miracles possible on their own. But with hard work, enterprising ingenuity and constant reinvestment, people have grown what they had – enriching not just their harvest but their lives and futures.

Affordable first fruits Gangadevi couldn’t afford all the chemical fertilisers and pesticides she thought she needed to grow crops. Nor could she use them safely without protective clothing or being able to read the instructions. But through MRDF support she and the other women in her self-help group learned to use worms to quickly and safely turn household waste into compost. They also learned how to plant different types of crops together to get the best use of the land. With these and other techniques the women have seen their first ever harvests – all produced without harsh chemicals. As well as feeding their families they are able to sell some produce, including chillies, to repay the loans they received and save for the future.

from MRDF material for Harvest

It is good to have an end to journey toward;But it is the journey that matters, in the end.

                                       Ursula K Leguin (1929)

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Children’s Pages AnswersMissing Numbers

14 and 17 11 and 22 16 and 36 34 - because 1+1=2 1+2=3 2+3 =5 3+5=8 etc

Missing letters – BREAD

1) 101 Dalmations 2) 24 Hours in a Day 3) 3 Blind Mice 4) 28 Days in February 5) 7 Days in a Week 6) 4 Sides to a Square 7) 7 Wonders of the World 8) 12 Signs of the Zodiac

The letters above the line are all straight and the letters below the line are all curvy. (Try this one on your friends)

The Fox and the Duck

The farmer should take the duck first leaving behind the fox and the corn seed. He should then come back for the fox but since the fox would eat the duck, he should take the duck back with him to the other side. He should leave the duck there and take the corn seed to the side where the fox is. He can now comfortably leave the fox and the corn seed and go fetch the duck.And Finally . . . Ted Stin is a dentist Any animal . . . A house can’t jump Second, since you overtook the second person, you are in their place now. SWIMS

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September 2009 Regular Meetings

Coffee Mornings Every Saturday 10.00 am to 12.00 noon

Women’s Hour Meetings Meetings on Mondays at 2.00 pm each month

Tuesday Club Every 4th Tuesday in the month at 2.00 pm

Sunday Worship All worship starts at 10.30 am unless stated otherwise below

6th RACIAL JUSTICE - Rev Nichola Jones HOLY COMMUNION

Circuit Service at Four Oaks Church - 6.00 pm

13th Godfrey Higgins

20th HARVEST FESTIVAL - Rev Nichola Jones ALL AGE WORSHIP

27th John Harrison

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Weekly Church ActivitiesSunday 10.30 am MORNING WORSHIP and

Young Church (with crèche : Margaret Hillman)

7.30 pm House Group : Hilary Price - (3rd Sunday)

Monday 2.00 pm Women’s Hour :

Tuesday 9.30 - 11.30 am9.30 - 12.00 noon2.30 pm

Stay and PlayPre-School : Karen HomerTuesday Afternoon Meeting : Valerie Long (4th)

Wednesday 9.30 - 11.30 am9.30 - 12.00 noon12.30 pm

Stay and PlayPre-School : Karen HomerLuncheon Club - (1st and 3rd)

Thursday 9.30 - 12.00 noon Pre-School : Karen Homer

Friday 5.00 - 6.15 pm6.15 - 7.45 pm7.45 - 9.15 pm7.45 - 9.15 pm5.30 - 6.30 pm5.00 - 6.30 pm7.30 - 9.00 pm

Beavers : Lynn TurnerCubs : Elizabeth BaizonScouts : Lisa PorterExplorers : Caroline JoyceRainbows : Louise RawsonBrownies : Lesley CarterGuides : Helen Rainsford

Saturday 10.00 - 12.00 noon10.30 - 11.30 am

Coffee Morning : Lesley MorganChurch open for prayer : Margaret Curzon

Please hand any items for the October CONTACT to any of the Editorial Team (Elizabeth Baizon, Peter Farley, Nichola Jones, Christine Rankin, Ann Tomes & Nick Riley) by 15th September 2009 at the latest please or alternatively email me - nickriley@blueyonder.co.uk

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