Magnet issue 85

No. 85 Spring 2009 £2.50

www.magnetmag.co.uk

Thepower

and theglory

Drawn to icons Peace marches

The exercise of power

ISSN 1 363-0245

encouraging, enabling, equipping

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magnet Autumn 2007

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Features

4 The power and glory of icons

6 Celebrity power

10 Power of community:how the Cuban nationworked to survive

12 The clay jar

14 The exercise of power

magnetNo. 85: Spring 2009

Editorial Office:Magnet magazineMethodist Church House25 Marylebone RoadLondon NW1 5JRt: 0844 736 2524e: [email protected]

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Magnet magazine is a Christianresource produced by the MethodistChurch for men and women. Eachissue provides regular featuresincluding Bible study, a prayer focus,personal stories, worship material anda focus on world and justice issues.

Talking Magnet is available on tapeand is free of charge to those whoare registered blind or partiallysighted. For information, pleasecontact the Business Manager.

Magnet is produced by a team ofvolunteer editors.

Editorial Group: Sue Bloomfield, Liz Chick, TriciaCreamer, David Coleman, JaneDowell, Samantha Ferris, JordannaGargas, Patricia Goacher, Lynne Ling,Alaine Sheppard, Gail Sheppard,Jacqueline Shirtliff, Sheila Simpson,Hyacinth Sweeney-Dixon.

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Cover image: © Stephen B Whatley, a Christian artist livingand working in Londonwww.stephenbwhatley.com

16 Think globally, actlocally

24 Creative laughter

27 Building on the rock

Talking Justice

30 Peace marches – the fallof the Berlin wall

Worship

18 Silent Communion

Prayer focus

22 For the powerful andthe powerless

Bible study

23 A position of authority:a study on KingSolomon’s choice,wisdom or power

Resources

25, 26Debate

34 If we believe that powercorrupts and that themeek shall inherit theearth then Christiansshould not be workingin positions of power

The power and the gloryFor meditation

7 Power and glory

9 Good Friday dream

17 Easter morning

20 I ask God…to give youpower

29 Transformation

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33 Glory to you, O God

37 Helleborus Niger(Christmas rose)

In touch

39 Diary dates

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Gail Sheppard, Tricia Creamer and Jordanna Gargas

‘Power and Glory’ – two words linked together at theend of the Lord’s Prayer. Why? ‘Power’ at its most basiclevel is the source of energy needed for any movement.‘Glory’ could be described as moments when powerreflects the goodness and love of God. In this issue we’vetried to discover how power is used and when it mightbecome a moment of glory, and to find places wherepeople have recognised the power and glory of God intheir lives.

When artists portray a particular inspiration, who has thepower of the painting? Christopher Herbert exploreswhether it belongs to the painter, those whocommission, or those who admire it. We discover thatIcons, created to draw worshippers through to a point ofunderstanding, reveal the glory of God.

Money can be corruptive but our two articles on CreditUnions and Corporate Business seek to highlight the morepositive ways in which we can use money wisely. Successbrings fame though not always glory. Peter Kessler tells usof famous people who turn their energies to becomeGoodwill Ambassadors in troubled areas across the world.

Twenty years ago the Berlin Wall came down, initiatedby peace marches, a story told by Kerstin and Bärbel,who were students at the time. Living without oil nearlyruined the lives of the Cuban people but through hardcommunity action the Cubans survived to teach us allhow we in turn can change to live sustainably withoutthis raw material. Leadership wisdom is sought bySolomon in our Bible study, Liz Hudson’s meditationshows us the simplicity of being ourselves, and ChrisEyden encourages us to laugh.

The beauty and majesty of God can be revealed whenwe approach God without reservation. Revd Fraser Smithoffers a worship experience in which the power of wordsupon which we rely so much, is left behind.

Apparently powerless as Jesus appeared to be on thecross, his death and resurrection is the most powerfulevent of all time. Now we see, reflected, the total energyand love of God – empowering, not controlling. OnEaster Day, for you and for me stands power and glory. Alleluia!

Talking pointsLooking forwardWe welcome Lynne Ling as Business Manager. Shewas a volunteer management group memberbetween 1993 and 1999 and a volunteer editor from1999 until 2002. Her role now is to follow throughplanned changes to involve new ecumenical partnersand to promote and sell Magnet more widely. Anyhelp you can give in making the magazine known toyour friends, relatives and friends and in speaking

about Magnet to local groups and churches will be most welcome.Contact Lynne on 0844 736 2524 or email [email protected]

New websiteOne of the changes being made to broaden the appeal and reach ofMagnet is a new, content-driven website which will be more easily andregularly updated and will also allow users to share and comment onresources, including their own poems, prayers, hymns, meditations andphotographs. Do register with the existing websitewww.magnetmag.co.uk to receive regular news of these and otherexciting new developments.

Rt Revd Christopher HerbertRt Revd Christopher Herbert has retired as Bishop ofSt Albans after 14 years. He and his wife now live inFarnham, Surrey. He was the vicar of Bourne in1981 and so has now gone back to his roots. Helast wrote for Magnet in 2006 when he gave us athoughtful article on prayer. In this issue he leads usto think on the exercise of power by using a Dutchmasterpiece from the fifteenth century. It is entitled‘Descent of Christ from the Cross’ by Rogier van der Weyden.

Revd Fraser SmithRevd Fraser Smith is a Methodist Minister in Poole,Dorset, formerly from the United Church of Canada.Fraser’s background as a lecturer in the field ofcommunications has led him to search for newways of heightening the use of our senses in worshipthereby raising levels of perception when wecommune with God. He brings to our worship a freshapproach to the celebration of Communion as we are

encouraged to be without given words and listen instead to our innerresponse.

Alison JuddAlison, a past president of Women’s Network hasbeen living for some time now in the balmier climesof Barbados, as a mission partner with husbandRevd Les Judd. The weather conditions at sometimes of the year – particularly the hurricane season– are very difficult to deal with; by contrast, at othertimes they are very delightful, being able to leadworship at 7am on a Wednesday morning followedby a walk on the shore and a dip in the ocean. They are due back in 2009and will be glad to tell you much more about their visit. Alison has writtenthe bible study for us this issue and it can be found on p23.

Editorial

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can be venerated (viewed withprofound respect). In the act ofmeditation the true meaning ofwhat the icon represents becomesapparent and enables prayer.

On a visit to Cyprus in 1993 I firstbecame aware of icons. I did notlike them particularly but wasdisturbed, and at the same timefascinated by them. My curiositymade me begin to study them andwhen I learned to paint icons.

I became aware of the impact thatthis had on my prayer life. Untilrecently some Christians havethought of them as ‘gravenimages’ but Paul talks about Jesusbeing ‘the face of the invisible God’and therefore icons of Jesus may beused as a focus for prayer andenable a closer awareness of theglory of God.

The rules of icon painting are verystrict but strangely within thediscipline there comes a sense ofspiritual freedom and as one paintsone enters into meditation. Thebasic canons that are used are asfollows: eyes do not reflect thelight. It passes through them intothe kingdom of God; noses arelong because they breathe in theHoly Spirit; mouths are closed andears are rudimentary listening tothe word of God; fingers are long,pointing the way to Jesus.

The colours all have meaning. Redsignifies the blood of humanity orthe fire of the spirit; brown is thecolour of the earth from which allthings grow; green is new birth;orange represents revolution; blueis divinity; black is death; white ispurity and gold is everlasting life.The law of perspective as weunderstand it is reversed, for alllines meet not at infinity but in theeye of the beholder and spreadoutwards into the kingdom ofheaven.

Using these symbols to read an iconhelps us to a greater understandingof our faith. But initially it is only bychoosing an icon and using it during

the powerand the

glory in iconsDerek Bird, iconographer (painter of icons),

provides a deeper insight into the images we see

ICONS ARE INTENDED as aids to prayerand are often referred to as“Windows into the Kingdom”

which immediately suggests thaticons must have a hidden powerand mystery. The original icons,some of which date back to theSixth century, were painted, or‘written’, by iconographers who

believed that they were directlydictated to by the Holy Spirit. In theOrthodox Church icons are anintegral part of the worship butWestern Christians are alsobeginning to recognize just howevocative they can be, especiallysince they understand that iconsare not to be worshipped but they

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prayer times that one becomesaware of the spiritual impact that itcan have. For example in the OldTestament Trinity (A) we see threeangels under the oak trees ofMamre. In the Genesis story theyappeared to Abraham and Sarah.These figures represent Jesus in thecentre, the Holy Spirit on the rightand God the Father on the left. Onthe table is the cup. It is as if Jesus isasking his father to “let this cuppass from me”. When I saw theoriginal icon in Russia I realised thatthe footstools make an incompletetriangle and from where I wasstanding I felt as though I was beingdrawn into communion with theHoly Trinity.

The Mother of Tenderness (B)shows Mary gazing into thedistance and ‘pondering all thesethings in her heart.’ Jesus is toolarge to be just a baby but this is toremind us of his strength andpower. His left arm is out ofproportion and circles his motherand suggests God’s love encirclingthe world. Mary offers God’s son tous as our Saviour. The love andtenderness shown here is notexclusive but is extended to us aswell.

In the Presentation of Jesus inthe Temple (C) the Nunc Dimittis1

forms a good starting point for

meditation. Simeon is a huge figurereceiving the baby for blessing andsuggesting not just an old priest butalso a God-like figure. Anna standsin the background. Joseph presentstwo doves for sacrifice. On the altarcloth is a crucifix whilst behind wesee a stairway leading to heavenand on the left a building, perhapsrepresenting the Kingdom.

The icon of Christ Pantocrator(D) shows Jesus as judge but at thesame time He blesses us. There is afeeling of kindness, compassion

and mercy as well as judgement inHis eyes that penetrate to our soul.

Millions of Christians find thaticons lead them to a closerunderstanding of the nature ofGod. Hopefully these insights willhave given some idea of the powerand the glory that icons can inspire.

1 Nunc Dimittis is a canticle or song and means ‘glad todepart’. Simeon, an old man who lived in the temple inJerusalem and had waited all his life to see the Messiah,saw the baby Jesus and was glad to depart. The versescontaining the canticle can be found in Mark 2: 29 -32

In the act of meditationthe true meaning ofwhat the icon representsbecomes apparent andenables prayer.

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Opposite page: Jesus appearing to MaryMagdalene; Clockwise from top: Old TestamentTrinity; The Mother of Tenderness; Presentationof Jesus in the Temple; The icon of ChristPantocrator.

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Why did the UNHCR (UnitedNations High Commissioner forRefugees) enlist GoodwillAmbassadors?We are a UN Agency, with thebroadest network of field offices,330 in 110 countries. We are awareof the needs on the ground; it is amatter of translating that awarenessinto fundraising. UNHCR has donethis outreach for a long time. Wehave a modest programme; we onlybring on people who want to workwith us willingly at their own

expense. We require them to paytheir own bills; aircraft tickets andaccommodation, so they really haveto be dedicated to the cause ofrefugees. They can’t join us ifthey’re a struggling celebrity lookingto boost their visibility; they reallyhave to participate too.

Who have you enlistedrecently?Khaled Hosseini (author of the ‘TheKite Runner’); the Spanish newsbroadcaster Jesus Vazquez AdeleImam, and Luol Deng, the Britishbasketball player who is tipped tobecome captain of England’s 2012Olympic team and who grew up inSudan before he himself became arefugee. They want to help us as avoice of the voiceless.

How did Angelina Jolie becomeinvolved with the programme?In 2000 Angelina Jolie was filmingTomb Raider in Cambodia andwhile she was there, she had achance to learn more about therefugee situation and becomefamiliar with the refugee groups.When she was back in America,she called up and asked if she

could come to our office for abriefing.

Do you approach possibleAmbassadors?They might approach us or wemight approach them, but again,we can not offer to fly individualsand their entourages around theworld. Once they get to Pakistan,for example, we can certainlyorganise a lift up to the refugeecamps but at the end of the night,they are on their own. It’s not aposh programme, it’s one thatgives people a real chance to seeanother side of the world andanother side of life of others whoare victims of persecution andwhose stories are not told.

Can they make directrepresentations to Government?We don’t own them; they are ableto speak on their own, but theUNHCR guideline is: speak aboutyour area of responsibility but

Celebritypower

One of our newest editors Jordanna-May Gargasinterviews Peter Kessler to find out why we needGoodwill Ambassadors and how they are chosen

we can certainly organise a lift up tothe refugee camps but at the end of

the night, they are on their own

International film actor anddirector Ben Affleck usingsome leisure time whilst on agoodwill visit to DR Congo

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Power and glory‘Power’ is not oppression;with victims meekly bowing,or fleeing for their lives.

Power is foot-washing,love enabling love,talents releasedand new life reaching upwards.

The power is yours, eternal Christ.

‘Glory’ is not flamboyant show,jewels sparkling,processions of majesty and pomp,marble halls and kneeling multitudes.

Glory is a child laid low in manger,a listening teacher and a shy healer,a criminal’s cross and borrowed graveand an unproved resurrectionbuilt alone on questing faith.

The glory is yours, eternal Christ.

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Angelina Jolie on World RefugeeDay. It is a good way of bringingUNHCR senior management,Government officials and GoodwillAmbassadors together. Because ofthat celebrity factor, it gives UNHCRa chance to project itself. We havebeen working recently with theAmerican actor and director BenAffleck, who does awarenessraising around the DemocraticRepublic of Congo displacementconflict, so he has recently been inGoma and Uganda filmingrefugees.

Do the Ambassadors give theUNHCR financial support?We are entirely funded by voluntarycontributions. We have to getdonors and the corporate sector tocontribute to our work. TheGoodwill Ambassador makespeople react!

Angelina was fabulous in 2001 inthe wake of 9/11. She saw howthere was a crisis building in thePakistan/Afghanistan border andshe helped kick start UNHCRpreparations to assist any refugeesthat might flee and also to assist anyrefugees who might want to legallygo back to Afghanistan. She gave alarge donation and that spurredindividuals to contribute to thatparticular programme themselves.

Would you like the Ambassadorprogramme to develop?Essentially, the Ambassadors bring ustremendous access and outreach toa different level of readership andnews outlets. The programmecreates curiosity amongst peoplewho may not normally followforeign news and that’s vital. Theseare people who play an importantrole in their own chosen careers butnot really knowing much about us.This brings them closer. I would lovea bigger programme but then wewould run the risk of having morepeople but less dedicatedAmbassadors. We have a handfulwho take time out of their ownschedules to spend time with therefugees, and us and that’s personal.

Peter Kessler is Senior ExternalAffairs Officer for UNHCR. He hasworked in Bosnia, Africa, Kosovo,The Middle East and Timor.

UNHCR is an impartial humanitarianorganisation mandated by theUnited Nations to lead and co-ordinate international action for theworld-wide protection of refugeesand the resolution of refugeeproblems. Based in Switzerland,UNHCR has two basic and closelyrelated aims: to protect refugees andto seek ways to help them restarttheir lives in a normal environment.

please, do not criticisegovernments. The UNHCR can, wehave issued statements criticisingGreece for their policy on notrecognising refugees, the Ukrainefor returning refugees to countrieswhere their lives may be in dangerand similarly Iran. We have alsocriticised America and Switzerlandfor their approach to asylumseekers and their discriminatorypractices prompted by minorityparties. We only ask that theAmbassadors speak about theirawareness of the refugees theywork with.

What power do they have?In the national environment, theGoodwill Ambassador helps bygiving us entrée. We have hadnumerous occasions inWashington; such as events withColin Powell, Condoleezza Rice and

Ben Affleck in his role asGoodwill Ambassador takes abreak whilst filming ‘GimmeShelter’ on behalf of theUNCHR; one of the refugeecamps in DR Congo.

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magnet • words: © Tricia Creamer. Used with permission; image: Copyright Mary Fleeson from 'Life Journey'. Published by Eagle Publishing Limited

Good Friday Dream

I looked down the road andsaw you dying.

I heard your pain and feltyou crying.

I trembled inside, myfootsteps faltering.

I untied my life, foundhidden bruising.

I tested old wounds,exposed new suffering.

I dared to draw near, thedarkness beckoning.

I whispered for help - caught understanding.

I gave you my story: Youtook it, enfolding.

Gently, you blessed me,recklessly kneeling.

I took myself home towork at my healing.

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At first it was tough time – the“Special Period”. Cuba had beenheavily reliant on the Russians fordecades, and American embargoesmeant that the government couldnot pick up new trading partners.As oil supplies ran out, tractors andlorries ground to a halt, electricityblackouts became commonplace,food started to become scarce andCuba became the first industrialisedcountry to face a ‘Peak Oil’ crisis.

The remarkable story of how theCuban people coped with thisemergency is told in the film ‘ThePower of Community: How CubaSurvived Peak Oil’ (2006). It chartstheir transition from a country usinghighly mechanized, intensive

farming methods, previouslydependent on pesticides, to a muchmore localised, low-tech economy.The surprising conclusion is thatalthough the changeover was hardwork, the outcome was not at allbad.

Food was the key to survival. Largestate farms were split into smallercooperatives – ‘service co-ops’ –where credit seeds and other itemswere exchanged. Small homes werebuilt in rural areas and peopleencouraged to move to assist withfood production for themselves tosell at local farmers markets.Organic growing methods wereintroduced; every scrap of availableland, roof tops, patios, car parks, intowns and cities was transformedinto productive urban gardens,supplying local markets, communitycentres and schools with fresh fruitand vegetables. Meat and dairyproducts, heavily dependent onfossil fuels, soon diminished. Bynecessity the Cuban people adoptedhigh fibre diets, using fresh produce.Land used for the oil-for-sugarprogramme was used for growingfruit and vegetables. The soil, weakfrom pesticides was gradually‘healed’ with compost. Bio-fertilizersand bio chemicals replaced mostchemicals.

WHEN THE SOVIET UNION

COLLAPSED in the early1990s, Cuba, losing 80%

of both imports and exports, founditself out on a limb. Isolated andsuddenly starved of economic aidand imports – not least their supplyof Soviet oil – the Cubans had torethink their way of life.

The power ofcommunity

Harriet Stewart-Jones explains how the Cubannation worked as one community to survive

The Power of Community: HowCuba Survived Peak Oil’ (2006)DVD cover

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Transportation, a secondary worry,was creative:• old US cars became taxis for 6-8

people, stopping as needed;• canopies and steps were added

to trucks/open dump truck busesfor protection

• 1.2million bikes were purchasedfrom China; half a million werealso made in Cuba

• ‘Camels’ – converted semi-truckflatbeds into bus-like vehiclesholding 300 people

• government vehicles pickedpeople up as needed

• horses and mules plus horse orbike drawn carriages were used

• convenience for individuals wassecondary to use of energy

Education was and still is, free; fiftynew universities were created toavoid the need for transport.Cuba's focus on health earnedthem a world-wide reputation;teams of Cuban doctors have beensent throughout the world to trainand assist. Each community has adoctor, 60% of whom are women.

The transition involved muchhardship as Castro’s leadership,although well meaning, wasruthless; and life in Cuba is stilldifficult. But today the average lifespan is higher and the infantmortality rate is only just lowerthan in the US. The focus of three‘C’s : Community, Cooperation,Conservation has been the key toCuba’s survival. Change andsacrifice was based on what wasgood for the community, not solelyon the needs of individuals.

So what can we in Britain learnfrom the Cuban example as weface the twin challenges of Peak Oiland climate change? Although it isunlikely that our Peak Oil crisis willbe as sudden and unexpected asCuba’s there’s no doubt that it willarrive. And we have the greatadvantage that we can plan for it.

Cuba underwent a hugetransition. In Britain the ‘TransitionNetwork’ is a new nationalorganisation that aims to inspire,

support, and train communities inexploring the transition from oildependency to relocalisedeconomies. All over the UK, infront rooms, church halls andmeeting rooms, people are gettingtogether to plan how theircommunity will cope with lessreliance on fossil fuels. It is anexciting challenge and a reason torediscover community values thatare much, much more preciousthan the empty promises of ourcurrent consumerist lifestyles.

As the era of cheap oil ends, wherewill our food come from? How willwe heat our houses? How will weget about? Do we have the skillswe will need?

Different communities have comeup with different solutions. InLewes, Sussex, a group have set uptheir own currency to promote thelocal economy; in Totnes, Devon,there are workshops on how togrow fruit, bake bread and usewood fuel efficiently; in Bristol theyare working on an Energy DescentAction Plan for the city.

Harriet Stewart-Jones is a freelancebook editor and global povertycampaigner with the charity“RESULTS”

What is Peak Oil?

“Peak Oil” refers to the point in time at which themaximum rate of global oil extraction is reached,after which the rate of production declines.

It is generally believed that we are now close toglobal Peak Oil. Although this doesn’t meanwe’re running out of oil – approximately half ofall oil that was laid down in the earth has beenextracted – it does mean that we are running outof cheap oil. We have picked the low-hangingfruit. Inevitably a gap between supply anddemand will emerge. There will be less to goaround just as more and more countries wantmore and more to fuel an industrial andconsumerist lifestyle. Our demand for unendingeconomic growth becomes unsustainable.

For more information see www.transitiontowns.orgOr: Rob Hopkins, the Transition Handbook: From OilDependency to Local Resilience. Green Books 2008. ISBN 978 1 900322 18 8

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“I am a clay jar:Unglazed, un-phased by the passing of the days while I stand in this house.I am just a clay jar; not elegant, graceful, ornamental,But functional, useful, made for a purpose – and here.I have stood in this house – it seems like forever, for here time is meaningless.I stand to be filled and refilled, week after week. Month after month.So that others may draw from my storeAnd from my fullness take refreshment, comfort, strength.But I can only give as I am filled –For I am just a clay jar, for storing water in a small house in a small Galilean town.

And the day is coming when I will be empty, with nothing left to give.It has all been taken from me and I am desert dry.Then there is shame and despair without;The hollow celebration of a party which is unknowingly close to its end.Then there is a vacuum within;I am poor in spirit, mourning what is no more,Full of need, my own and others.An empty clay jar.

Till the hand of the Lord is upon me.Then miraculously, I am brim-full, bubbling over,Not just with the water of lifeBut with the pure wine of HeavenRed, smooth, rich,Like blood….I am full of wine that infuses the brain,Lifts the spirits, heightens awareness,Steadies the nerve, deadens the pain,Looses the tongue And sets the rafters ringing, and the bridegroom singing –With the guests inside, and the neighbours outside –Singing songs of joy with the very angels of the Lord.

I am a clay jar.Unglazed, un-phased by the passing of the days.Not elegant, not graceful,But full of grace, full of treasure.A gift from God himself to share with those who are suffering and sad.Shalom.”

Liz Hudson 2004/October 2008

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Similarly, there is no limit to howGod can change the future with,and for, others. What makes thedifference between those whorespond and those who don’t maysimply be the awareness of God’stouch on our own lives, and beingfilled with the power of the HolySpirit.

*‘Spirit of the living God, fall afreshon me’ hymn written by DanielIverson

The article and themeditation canbe read or usedindependently ortogether.

‘SPIRIT OF THE LIVING GOD, fallafresh on me’.* Thisheart-felt cry will surely be

recognised by anyone who hasaccepted Jesus’ call to love andserve him in the world, and thenended their day, either feelingirritable with colleagues anddisappointed in their ownbehaviour after a bad day at theoffice, or overwhelmed from sittingalongside someone suffering in apersonal nightmare. Our natural,first reaction to the ‘slings andarrows of outrageous fortune’ (lifeas expressed by Hamlet) is: “Help!”perhaps followed by, “Why is it myproblem?” “What can I do aboutit?” or, “What comfort,encouragement, support can Ioffer?” or even: “If I say or dosomething clumsy, will it just makethe situation worse?”

Rarely does a day go by when,amongst the joys and pleasures, wedon’t encounter some piece ofbureaucratic nonsense or grossinjustice that leaves us bewildered,angry and eager for change. Then,we experience an over-riding urgeto respond and to get involved, bypainting a placard, signing apetition, or writing to The Times ora government department. Butoften, through inertia, distractionor the pace of life, the momentpasses, and on that occasion atleast, we don’t do anything.

Fortunately, others do. So thateveryday, in families, businessesand communities, there arecolleagues, churches and friendsworking together in kindness andconsideration to solve problemsand change the immediate world insmall ways for the better. All overthe world, people campaign forgreat causes, or work in deprivedplaces, or encourage individuals totake the first step, or the next stepand to keep going, until a struggleis over and a victory is won.

Everyone has a part to playsomewhere in that activity; a cause,a day, a place, a time, to dosomething for the Kingdom of God.

And maybe I’ve had my momentstoo. Probably, they were mostlyimpetuous and unpremeditated,because if I stop and think toohard, I can usually find at least 10rational reasons to do somethingelse less challenging and unusual,more urgent or more personallyrelevant. But thankfully I canremember one or two occasionswhen I have risen to the challengeof God’s love for me, to help makethings better for others; and bygrace, there will have been othertimes when I have done so withoutrealising it. But whether I wasaware or not, I believe that theprompting and the response weresigns of the Holy Spirit at work,albeit with a very simple tool.

There is no limit towhat a craftsman,(say a carpenteror potter) cancreate withthe simplesttools.

The clay jarLiz Hudson explains the thinking behind her prayerful meditation‘The Clay Jar’ which recognises the ability of us all to bring changeto ourselves and others simply by being who we are.

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SOME TIME AFTER THE YEAR 1435,one of the greatest paintings inthe world came into existence.

The artist was Rogier van derWeyden (c1400-1464) and he hadbeen commissioned by theconfraternity of theArchers of Louvain tocreate it (if you lookcarefully, you cansee a smallcrossbow ineach of theupper corners ofthe painting).

The more youlook at the painting,the more powerful itbecomes. Look at thefigure of Christ, being held byJoseph of Arimathaea and

Nicodemus. The body isanatomically correct, the bloodbeginning to congeal around theopen wounds. Notice that Christ’sright arm, in the way it hangs

down, is echoed by the rightarm of Mary; Christ’s left

arm is echoed byhers. She is,

literally, ‘com-passionate’. Onthe right of thepainting, MaryMagdalene is

contorted ingrief; the alabaster

jar of ointmentbeing held close to her

is her saintly symbol. Onthe left of the painting, John theEvangelist is helping to support the

Virgin Mary as she swoons in grief.By John’s feet and close to Mary’sright hand is a skull: the symbol ofAdam, of death, of Golgotha – the‘place of a skull’.

There isn’t the time to go intomore detail about the painting, butits power is remarkable. How isthat power conveyed? It is partlythe subject matter: Christ, the Sonof God, in his death, is completelyvulnerable: he has no control of hisown body; he is in the hands ofothers; they can treat his corpse asthey wish. The power of thepainting is also conveyed by therange of human emotionsdisplayed by each of the mourners,from the deathly faint of the VirginMary, to the quiet, downcast,solemnity of Joseph of Arimathaea.And the power is also conveyed bythe extraordinary device that Rogiervan der Weyden has used, ofpushing the scene forward to thevery edge of the stage. The figuresare like a carved sculpture whichhas suddenly come alive. Morethan this, the power of thepainting is created by Rogier vander Weyden’s extraordinary skill asan artist – look at the folds in theclothes, the brocade overcoat ofNicodemus, the detail in theheaddresses.

It is important to realise that thispainting was created as analtarpiece, that it was designed tofit just behind the altar – so thatwhen the Mass was beingcelebrated, the bread of the Mass(the ‘body of Christ’) was echoedby the dead and exposed body ofthe crucified Christ in the painting.At the Mass, the painting made apowerful theological statement.

Now, this article is supposed tobe about power – and how suchpower might or might not beexercised by Christians. But I wantto continue to use the painting as akind of meditative parable. When itwas first commissioned by themembers of the Louvainconfraternity, we can be prettycertain that the members of thatgroup would have been amongstthe most wealthy and influentialpeople of their city – people

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The exercise of power

Rt Revd Christopher Herbert helps us to look at the exercise of powerthrough the Dutch masterpiece ‘The Descent of Christ from the Cross’

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There can be no denying that heexercised power: the power to heal,the power of the storyteller, the powerof the teacher. But what he did was totreat that power with immense care.

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wielding real power. They wouldhave been careful in their choice ofpainter, for his status would havereflected on them. The artist,Rogier van der Weyden, washimself in a position of somepower – he could have refusedtheir commission, though, like allartists, he would have had toweigh up the financialconsequences of doing so.

The painting now hangs in thePrado in Madrid because it wasbought by Mary of Hungary (1505-1558) from the confraternity, andlater the painting was acquired byMary’s nephew, Philip II of Spain(1527-1598). He, in turn, displayedthe painting in the Escorial, a kindof monastic palace near Madrid –and, eventually, it came to thePrado. In other words, some of themost powerful people in the worldwanted to own the painting and,no doubt, if the Prado ever wishedto sell it (heaven forbid), thewealthiest and most powerfulcollectors in the world wouldscramble over each other to get it.

The painting, then, is animmensely powerful piece of art. Itunashamedly draws our attention,as the viewers, to the truthsof the Christian faithand to the truths ofGod’s love; and yet,at the same time,it cannot beentirely divorcedfrom all thepower thatsurrounded itsmaking or itspossession. It has, ofcourse, been ripped fromits original context – it wasdesigned for an altar, for use in

worship – and now hangs on thewalls of one of the greatest artgalleries in the world.

Is the power of the paintingsomething to be despised? I thinknot, though we must never forgetthat, from time to time, in thehistory of the Church, imagebreaking has come into existenceand has been applauded. Idolatry isalways a danger to be guardedagainst. Is the power of thepainting, then, to be applauded? Ibelieve so; it takes us, through itsvirtuosity and beauty, closer to theheart of Christ’s life. Is the powerof possession to be approved?Well, in my view, a painting of thisgreatness is such that it ought notto be kept for the eyes of the élite,

watched, not least by those of uswho have leading positions in theChurch.

But at this point, we need tolook at Jesus of Nazareth. Therecan be no denying that heexercised power: the power to

heal, the power of the storyteller, thepower of the teacher. But what hedid was to treat that power withimmense care. He went into the hillsto pray. He asked that people shouldnot broadcast what he had done. Hispower, ultimately, was mademanifest in his powerlessness on thecross – and that is the humblingparadox of God: love, the mostpowerful force in the world,is at its most potentwhen it is givenaway.

Rogier van derWeyden, havingspent hugeamounts of timeon the paintingof the Depositionhad, one day, tosee it leave hisworkshop. It was nolonger under his control. Ithad a power which was let loose inthe world – a power to transform andchallenge and remake those whosimply gazed at it...

© Christopher William Herbert, 2008

it is for all people.The questions concerning power

roll on: Who had the most power?Those who commissioned it? Orthe painter? Who has the powerover the painting now? Whoseinterpretation of it will be mostpersuasive?

There is much naive debateabout power in Christian circles, as

though power in itself is entirelybad. But what I have

tried to illustrate,through this very

brief study, isthat power is acomplexphenomenon.Without theexercise of

power, thispainting would

not have come intoexistence. What is clear

to me, however, is that it is theexercise of power which has to be

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WHAT IS A CREDIT UNION? It isa lifeline, a Godsend, “avery present help in

trouble” for the members, thepeople who have come together tosupport each other financially. Theydo this through the deliberatepractice of thrift; saving regularlyand borrowing when in need. Avery moderate rate of interest ischarged; for example, if a memberborrowed £100, agreeing pay backin modest instalments during oneyear, she would pay only £112.

One particularly successful model,founded and run by volunteers is tobe found in North Wales. The MoldCredit Union was begun aftercommunity development officersappealed for volunteers. Most ofthe first volunteers were churchand chapel goers who saw a wayof helping those less fortunate thanthemselves. In our area banks wereclosing and those remainingdemanded a deposit of £50 toopen an account. The most needywere excluded from the banks butit would cost them only £1 to join acredit union.

The good intentions have worked.We have seen a woman weepingbefore our collectors. Her loan fromthe credit union was slowly beingrepaid when a disaster struck. Thennot only was she unable tocontinue repayments over theagreed term but also she actuallyneeded more help. A new loan wasnegotiated. It would entail a muchlonger time in which to repay butthe woman was once again incontrol.

Over the ten years since the MoldCredit Union started it hasflourished partly because foundermembers deposited more than theyhave borrowed in order to supportthe community in this worthwhileenterprise. From an initial £45assets have grown to £850,000 asit teamed up with neighbouringunions to form the All FlintshireCredit Union within whichmembership has grown from 25 to1,800.

One of our greatest joys has beento see a collection point being setup in a troubled housing estate bypeople who actually live there. Theother is the ongoing delight ofknowing that we are loving ourneighbours as ourselves. We seefamilies thriving and we make newfriends amongst like mindedpeople who want to serve theircommunities. Think globally andact locally, love God and love yourneighbour, it’s all there in workwith a credit union.

Think globally,

act locallyFreda and Jim Hynes put their faith into

action in a very practical and positive way

Although members of credit unionsmay come from a full range ofincome brackets, theencouragement and practice ofthrift is especially useful to peoplein financial distress. Membership ofa credit union empowers them bygradually giving them more controlover their borrowing. We knowfamilies beleaguered by bills whoseloans used to settle utility bills havetaken great weights off theirshoulders. The small regularamounts of repayment andcontinued small regular savings arehardly noticeable compared withthe demands made by loan sharksfrom whom they had previouslyborrowed.

Credit unions are safe, legal andsupervised by the Financial ServicesAuthority. Few have salaried staff,most are administered by lay

volunteers within theprotective framework ofABCUL, the Association of

British Credit UnionsLimited.

love God and love your neighbour, it’sall there in the work of a credit union.

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Easter Morning

Do not cling …Let me be bigger than yourHeart can hold.Rise with me to a Larger vision.

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…we are invited to feelat a very profound levelboth the sacrifice andthe blessing that this mealrepresents.

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The table is set, the lights are dimmed, candles burnsoftly, soothing music plays in the background; thecongregation gathers.

The minister/leader explains the nature of thecommunion service:By celebrating the communion service solely throughactions, we are given an opportunity to explore themeaning of this most sacred Christian sacrament in anew and challenging way. In shifting our emphasisfrom the auditory to to the kinetic (movement), we areinvited to feel at a very profound level both thesacrifice and the blessing that this meal represents.

Sing together a simple Taizé song, (repeated)Example: ‘Bless the Lord my Soul’

Bless the Lord my soul,And bless his holy name.Bless the Lord my soul.Who leads me into light.

Prayer of approach: Eternal God, we gather in this special place set apartfor the worship of you. We bring our hopes and ourfears, our joys and our sorrows.Open our hearts and ourminds to the blessing ofyour compassionate andcourageous spirit. Touchus, we pray, where weneed to be touchedthrough this blessed actas we commune withyou and with oneanother. Amen

Bible passage: Matthew 26: 26-29 (Read aloud.)

Sing: ‘Oh Lord hear my prayer’

Oh Lord hear my pray’r.Oh Lord hear my pray’r:When I call answer me.Oh Lord hear my pray’r.Oh Lord hear my pray’r:Come and listen to me.

suggested music during communion: ‘My Peace’ (Taizé)continuous repeat.

Silent Communion

The presiding minister comes forward and with a slowand purposeful opening of arms draws attention firstto the elements – the bread and the wine and then tothe people who will share it.

The bread (loaf) and the wine (chalice) are thenbrought into the midst of those who will receive them(eg carried round ) allowing time to reflect not only onthe elements themselves but also on the significance ofthe act into which they are about to enter.

Slowly and purposefully the loaf of bread is raised andbroken before it is returned to the table; there is a timeof personal prayer and reflection.

In the same way the cup is thenheld up for all to see before it

is replaced on the table.

In each instance, theopportunity is being

offered throughtimes of

silence forindividualsto enter

into themeaning of

this gift and torelate to it in a very

personal way.

Revd Fraser Smith offers a short service of HolyCommunion conducted in silence, empoweringpersonal interaction.

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Sharing the elements:

Following a silent prayer by the presiding minister, agesture is made inviting people to come forward andto receive the elements. (it is helpful if it is arrangedbeforehand that the first people to partake will knowto tear a piece of bread themselves from the loaf andto dip it into the chalice (intinction) before consumingit. Having done so the others will do likewise)The minister is served last, when all others havepartaken. The silence is broken for the first time as theLord’s Prayer is said by all.

Sing: ‘Gloria’

‘Gloria, Gloria in excelsis deo, Gloria, Gloria, Alleluia, Alleluia’

(Can be sung as a round ifwell known or practicedbefore the service.)

Final Prayer andBlessing:Thank you God for thistime of peace that wehave shared with oneanother and with you,for the opportunity to listenagain for your still small voice;for the silence necessary to feel thepower of your presence both with us,and within us;You have blessed us with the presenceand the power of your son cominginto our world,into our lives.

Now, Lord, send us forth tolive as blessings to others inhis name in your world.

Amen

Revd Fraser Smith

Alternative version without a presiding minister: For small groups wanting to do this type of servicewithout an ordained minister present the following issuggested:

The Agape is a fellowship meal, one of the ancienttraditions of the church, stretching back to the periodof the early church community when there was noinstitutional church. Sometimes an Agape is a goodway to express unity in Christ and the fellowship offaith community. It is sacramental in that every sharedmeal can be called sacramental; it is a celebration ofthe ministry of God’s people – all God’s people – andcan be led by lay people.

• Use all the above words and prayers or createyour own.

• Decide in advance what sort of meal you wouldlike. Use oatcakes/biscuits/grape juice/water orsomething more special according to theoccasion.

• Follow the patterns of reflection and silence asabove.

• Pass and share to each other in community.

This service has been used successfully as it is printed.The following variations could be used to vary or enrichthe experience for the group known to you:

• Prepare the people slightly in advance so thatthey are aware of their participation in a differenttype of worship eg: a few hours or the daybefore the service

• write the short Bible passage on a scroll; pass itround to be read

• choose music without words; keep the musicalmost imperceptible

• people are sometimes unnerved by silence; ifappropriate have a short period with no music

• add any visual/physical aids; for example:pebbles, well chosen Powerpoint pictures, dancemovements.

• allow time/space afterwards for any expression offeelings/reactions

Suggested Music: From ‘Your Favourite TaizéCollection: St Thomas’ Music Group’ directed byMargaret Rizza© Ateliers et Presses de Taizé. Reprinted withpermission of Calamus, Oak House, 70 High Street,Brandon, Suffolk, IP27 0AU

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I ask God from the wealth of hisglory to give you power throughhis Spirit to be strong in yourinner selves, and I pray thatChrist will make his home inyour hearts through faith.

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was commissioned for St John's, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. The series was completed three years later when the artist, Iain McKillop, was asked to add anotherpainting, The Risen Christ, to the group. All the paintings are on view in St John's every day of the year between 9am and 5pm

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LOOKING AT the Time magazinelist of the world’s mostpowerful people of today, it

was good to see amongst the allthe many politicians and worldleaders the Dalai Lama and thepatriarch Bartholomew 1 of theEastern Orthodox church. These arepeople who do not court wealthand power and yet are able toinspire and move many millions ofpeople the world over.

Do you remember the ‘classsketch’ from the Frost report of the1960s? I remember beingconvulsed with laughter all thoseyears ago and even today, lookingat it again on an internet site, it isstill just a funny.

It makes a mockery of the classsystem in Britain but is equally asrelevant to the caste system inIndia, the old money and nouveauxriche in America, in fact the richand poor of almost any country inthe world.

For those who don’t remember(or are too young to remember) thesketch shows three men of variousheights, tall, medium and short.They are discussing looking downon people and looking up to others.

Wealth, and position are all partof the package for where someoneis in society. You are defined not bywho you are but by what you have.

Surprisingly some of the mostpowerful and inspirational peoplein the world have been those whohave nothing.

Jesus Christ came from a veryhumble background, having beenborn in a borrowed stable, andbeen brought up in an obscurevillage to the north of the countryin which he lived. His youngmother worked hard to care for herfamily, his father was a carpenter, alowly but honest trade, and untilhe was thirty Jesus lived at homewith all the family

Powerful or powerless?

Prayer

Almighty God, the father of allGive us the courage to follow the example set by your son Jesus Christ. Help us to see what is wrong in our society and be prepared to stand up

and speak out against injustice to our fellow human beings.Help us to fight for all to enjoy good health care, have a living wage and

the opportunity to fulfil their potential. Give the powerful the compassion and wisdom to help those whose power

is small and build them up to a level place so that all may share thewonders of your world with equal measure

pray

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Here was a man who seeminglyhad no power of any kind yet hiswords and deeds were knownthroughout his native land and arestill talked about today.

Here was a man who spoke upfor the tax-collector, the prostitute,the mentally impaired, the sick, thedowntrodden, children and thosesimply in need.

Here was a man who could havehad the world at his feet, but thetemptations in the desert tell of hisunwillingness to take the easyoption.

He could have had all the powerin the world yet he chose to bepowerless, he chose the way of thecross and broke the power overdeath.

Jesus Christ, powerless yetpowerful.

For more information on thepowerful people go to TimeMagazine list of top 100powerful people in the worldtoday. www.time.com/time/time100

Sculpture at Aldeburgh inSuffolk. The words read: ‘I hear the voices of those thatwill not be drowned’ – PeterGrimes, by Benjamin Britten

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IT IS SAID that when a person is putin a position of authority, he orshe will soon be tested by their

subordinates to see how far theycan go before the new leaderestablishes control.

This was Solomon’s experiencewhen he first became king. Hisdying father, David, had advisedhim, ‘Be strong, be courageous,and keep the charge of the Lordyour God.’ (1 Kings 2:2b-3a). Hehad also warned him aboutpotential rivals, but reassured himwith encouraging words: ‘Act…according to your wisdom (2:6) and‘…you are a wise man; you willknow what you ought to do.’ (2:9).

Solomon’s half-brotherAdonijah, who had alreadyschemed unsuccessfully to claimthe throne for himself, made asecond rival bid for power, this timeinvolving Bathsheba. Solomon dealtruthlessly and decisively with thisand other tests of his authority, but

it would seem that his confidencehad been shaken. Did he evenbegin to doubt his mother’strustworthiness?

Solomon’s responseSolomon turns to God. He offerssacrifices at his favourite altar atGibeon. That night he has a dreamin which God in effect offers togrant him his deepest wish.Solomon remembers his father, andperhaps recalls his encouragingwords ‘you are a wise man.’ But hedoesn’t feel very wise. He feelsinadequate for the task of rulingover such a vast number of God’speople. He feels like a vulnerablechild who doesn’t know which wayto turn (3:7). He asks God forwisdom so that he will know howto govern and ‘discern betweengood and evil.’ God grantsSolomon his request. 1 Kings 3:16-28 records the dramatic evidenceof this.

Read some of Solomon’s wiseadvice about life-style, money andrelationships in the book ofProverbs: ‘The fear of the Lord is thebeginning of knowledge; foolsdespise wisdom and instruction.’(Proverbs 1:7).

Ponder• In your experience, does God

help you with difficult decisions?• What one spiritual gift would

you like God to give you? (1 Corinthians 12:4-11)

• God gave Solomon a discerningmind and the riches and honourhe did not ask for. How has Godshown similar generosity to you?

Pray for those in positions ofleadership in your church, yourcommunity and the world, especiallyPresident Obama in his new role aspresident of the United States ofAmerica, that they might honourGod and receive wisdom.

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A position of authorityA bible study taken from 1 Kings 3: 5-12 by Alison Judd, a past president of Women’s Network, nowworking in Barbados as mission partner with her husband Revd Les Judd

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March 13th is Red Nose Day2009 when people usecomedy and laughter to raisemoney for Comic Relief.(registered charity 326568(England / Wales); SC039730(Scotland)

• Comic Relief’s vision is tocreate a just world, freefrom poverty

• Comic Relief spends all themoney raised givingextremely poor anddisadvantaged people inthe UK and Africa ahelping hand to turn theirlives around.

The Comic Relief promiseComic Relief is able topromise that for every poundthe charity gets directly fromthe public a pound goes tohelping transform the lives ofpeople living with povertyand social injustice.

If Red Nose Day raises £50million, Comic Relief willspend at least £50 milliondoing just that. It can makethis promise because itsoperating budget is coveredin cash or in kind from alltypes of supporters likecorporate sponsors anddonors, suppliers, generousindividuals and government(including Gift Aid) as well asfrom investment income andinterest.

Go on… do somethingfunny for money…

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We don’t very often thinkof God laughing. I have adrawing of Jesus

laughing and some people find ithard to deal with. I don’t knowwhy? I think laughter’s the mostwonderful thing. It’s often the signof such joy and pleasure. It can be agreat antidote when we’re feeling abit down. It can be a sign of reliefand it can pull us from ourpedestals when we take ourselvestoo seriously or get a bit pompous.Laughing at ourselves can make useasier people. I think when we canlaugh at ourselves it means we canforgive ourselves for being theimperfect beings that we all are;this in turn helps us to be moreforgiving of others. Laughter canhelp us to deal with life’s absurditiesand even cruelties. Humour oftencomes out of adversity. They saythat Jewish people even made jokesin the concentration camps.Laughter can be redeeming. It canhelp us to cope with the things thatare done to us.

The people who make us laugh canvery often help us to get aperspective on things. Theythemselves often battle withanxiety and sometimes tragedy.They understand our worries and

predicaments. Some of the greatestBritish Comedians of the twentiethcentury were often depressed andunhappy people and yet they couldhave us rolling in the aisles as theyhighlighted the absurdity of ourlives.

But laughter can easily turn intoderision and derision can be cruel.The laughter which mocks andbullies isn’t real laughter. It’s thelaughter of the pantomime villainwhich is always just a little mad.Laughter can also be a cover. It canbe the nervous laughter whichmasks real fear and insecurity butthat too is never funny.

Laughter that tells the truth aboutthings, which pricks the balloon ofpomposity and power and lifts usup to delight in ourselves and eachother is I believe, at the heart ofGod. I think Jesus did a lot of it. Ifhe didn’t he’d never have been aspopular as he was. What aboutthis: ‘In the beginning God laughedand it cascaded down the ages andcreated all things on the way. Andso can we ‘laugh with him’ as wellas weep’?

Revd Chris Eyden © Unique.Used with permission.

Creativelaughter

Chris Eydentalks us through

the ways inwhich laughter

can enable aclearer

understandingof ourselves

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Resources…

MessengerStory for TeenagersPaul KercalDarton Longman & Todd £7.95 ISBN 9780232527520

Messenger is quite unlike anything I have ever read. Itis written in text speak, the language of the computerchat room, into which people are invited to join in theconversations. Five school friends are in the midst ofcrises. Who can they trust? How can their best friendsact so cowardly? Will one of them survive the familyrows? This isn’t a world for adults. It seems like aforeign country and yet with the timely intervention ofthe mysteriousMessenger, afeeling of calmsettles on thegroup dispellingthe angst.Teenagers wouldappreciate it forthe story line aswell as the style.

Could it be Dementia?Losing your mind doesn’t mean losing your soulLouise Morse and Roger HitchingsMonarch Books £7.99 ISBN 9781854248251

Dementia is not an easysubject to talk or writeabout. In fact the authorcompares it to cancer twentyyears ago. This extremelywell written and accessiblebook of practical help andreassurance comes fromauthors with a knowledgeand experience of PilgrimHomes, a 200 year oldcharity for elderly Christians.The tone is positive and hopeful. There areexplanations of what is happening in the brain andsuggestions on how to look after it, all gleaned fromthe latest scientific research. For me, this book stressesthe need of company for everyone especially thosewho suddenly find themselves with impaired memoryor confusion. There are examples of how people arealready offering hospitality and care from within theirchurch families. The value of the individual should notdiminish according to their ability to cope and thestrength of this book is its emphasis on inclusion andparticipation. I recommend this to all trying to come toterms with this hidden and misunderstood disease.

LentwiseSpiritual essentials for real lifePaula GooderChurch House Publishing £4.99 ISBN 9780715141656

This is another resource to consider for yourLent study group. I like it because it is thoughtprovoking without being too academic andexclusive. Paula Gooder looks at fivenecessities for the journey of faith usingpassages from John’s gospel with enoughmaterial for ninety minutes worth of discussion and worship. Each passageis given a slight makeover by the author directly from the Greek with aninsightful explanation which adds to the themes of the discussions likefinding direction, keeping going, gaining wisdom, finding security andenjoying refreshment. She writes of it as “stocking up the spiritualessentials”.

Great RevivalistsStories of many of our heroes from 1700 to thepresent dayJohn PetersCWR £9.99 ISBN 9781853454820

There are two ways to read this book. Firstly as ahistory of those who were the focus of revivalover the last three hundred years throughout theUnited Kingdom and beyond. Many well knownheroes and heroines are included; George Whitfield, Rees Howells, DrMartyn Lloyd-Jones, Robert Murray McCheyne, the Wesleys to name but afew. Although their stories are interesting, the study of how God hasimpacted on certain places and at certain times is much more revealing.John Peters has highlighted five common denominators that include anintense presence of God, beginning in the church and spreading intosociety. He finds that revival is seasonal and has an ending, that it isrefreshing and very surprising. Seemingly simplistic, the historical evidenceshows the amazing powerful way in which people are changed. This bookto me is like an antidote to those who claim that God is dead and wouldbe of interest to those who look for change.

Books and resources reviewed here can be obtainedfrom your local Christian bookshop unless otherwisestated. Methodist Publishing House stock Inspire andEpworth titles and can be reached on 01733 325002 or at www.mph.org.uk

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Resources…

The Moon in the Mango Tree Janet Clarke (2008) Church in the Market Place PublicationsISBN 101899147659£4-includes a contribution to Christian AidAvailable from Janet Clarke, 36 Holmebank West,Chesterfield S40 4AS

A West African story foreveryone over 7! Two ten-year-old girls fromcontrasting cultures meetat the compound watertap. From then on theirlives are intertwined. Theyhave the kind of fun thatonly Africa can supply butalso come up against bigquestions that evengrownups can’t answer.The line drawingillustrations help to give atmosphere to this well-presented book which, because it is seen through theeyes of ten year olds may seem naïve, but hints at thebig issues beyond.Mary Jefferson

Hit the Ground KneelingSeeing leadership differently (2008)Stephen CottrellChurch House Publishing £7.99 ISBN9780715141625

Stephen Cottrell, Bishop of Reading, introducesthe reader to the story of the trees from Judges9 verse 8 to 15; a conversation amongst thetrees as to who should be the leader. He refersback to it again towards the end of the bookwhen the significance becomes clear. ForStephen, leadership can take place can take place anywhere, in the workplace, in the church, on the sports field or in the family but what makes agood leader? Is the decisive macho, crisis management expert, open-to-alltype of leader, the best for the company, the family, the church or thesports team? Using much of what he has learned over the years from hisown experience and others, he thoughtfully drip feeds us with his owntopsy-turvy brand. He suggests that sometimes it’s important to “state theobvious” and sometimes “too many cooks” are a good thing. Who wouldhave thought that the contemplative visionary with a clear goal whodoesn’t mind getting it wrong might be a good leader! It’s such a breath offresh air in this so called highly efficient, highly technological age, writtenfor all who have ambitions to lead.

The Weeping Redwood TreeKevin Scott £3 ISBN 978095599017Church Path Publishing, Church Cottage, Church Path, Rotherfield, East Sussex TN6 3FD or [email protected]

Only twenty pages long and at its simplest,described as a conversation between an old tiredpreacher and an ancient revered redwood treesurrounded by the natural world. In essence it is abattle for the old man’s soul, peeling away thelayers of all that he considered vital to his faithand discovering what is truly the creative nature ofGod. There is anger and confusion and finallytears. This little book may be for those who findthe present bewildering. I needed to read itthrough more than once to first come to termswith its challenge to my own entrenched belief system and to perceive alittle of what the author was intending. A rare thing!

How sweet the name (2008)CDDevon Brown and friendsChristian Music Ministries £12.99 from 325 Bromford Road, Hodge Hill,Birmingham B36 8ET or www.cmm.org.uk

This is a collection of songswhich feature a number ofsolos from Roger Jonesproductions. A tenor voiceof warmth and sincerity,Devon Brown is joined bythe singers of the company.Many of the lyrics arefamiliar hymns like “O lovethat wilt not let me go” by George Matheson but setto Roger Jones music. Devon sings two of his owncompositions about his caring and wonderful Godaccompanying himself on the piano. My favourites are“He who dwells in the shelter of the most high” basedon Psalm 91 from the Psalm Collection, a wonderfularrangement slightly minor in key which Devon singswith such sweetness and “The Lord’s my shepherd” ina slow jazz idiom. I love the trumpet solos. If you areunfamiliar with the work of Roger Jones, Devon andhis friends give a welcome taster.

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“Without beinginvited by thecompany, it is

unlikely I would have ever gone tothe theatre”… These are the wordsof Oswald Hamilton, InjectionMoulding Supervisor for AcmeWhistles. Acme is located in innercity Birmingham, on the edge ofLozells – an area with a rich diversityof people - unfortunately madefamous in recent decades not forwhistles, but for riots and shootings.

Acme’s Managing Director,Simon Topman, is keen to ensurethat the workforce is representativeof the surrounding communities.This means that the majority ofemployees are from black andethnic minority communities and,in the past, few have had any linkswith the theatre. As an enthusiasticmember of the BirminghamRepertory Theatre Board, Simonsuggested that things could bedifferent.

Members of Acme’s staffwere invited to attend threemajor productions at theRep. They played animportant part inmarketing theprogramme anddistributinginformation to localbusinesses and

places of worship. The result was agreat success, with an audiencesurvey indicating that 25% ofattendees were first-time visitors.

Today, Acme has its own internalbox office and a theatre club set upin the factory rest area. Every year,people from the surrounding areacome to the factory to see aperformance put on by the staff.

The founders of the John LewisPartnership had the vision of “asuccessful company powered by itspeople and its principles”.Members of staff at John Lewis(and Waitrose) are partners andcompany profits are sharedbetween them. Sports facilities,health and welfare benefits are

offered by the company to

all partners. The company has highsocial responsibility targets andconsistently scores over 95% onthe Corporate Responsibility Index.

Like John Lewis, the founder ofGrundfos Pumps was committed tocommercial activity with principles.With great foresight, he set up afoundation to take 85% of theprofits and plough them back intoresearch and development.Grundfos now operates 58companies in 43 countries. Itsmission statement says that thecompany exists to contribute to “abetter quality of life and a healthyenvironment” through thedevelopment and sale of pumps.The annual Grundfos Prize is givenfor innovative and foresighted

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Buildingon therock?

Corporate power is often seen as nothing morethan greed and financial gain at all costs. RevdStephen Willey, a workplace chaplain, explainsthat it isn’t always the case. Companies can, ifthey try, work with their employees and thecommunity and not against them.

Corporate officeblock inBirmingham

The Northern Rock failure reflected an international failure to rein in

greed and corporate ambitionIS

TOC

K

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engineering and scientific solutionswhich are useful to communities.

Corporate business has thepower to make a profounddifference for good. With solidfoundations small companies orlarge multinationals can enrich thelives of employees, communities

and the wider world. Whereas John Lewis and

Grundfos are legally securedagainst attempts by others to profitfrom their share prices andattempts to sell John Lewis havecome to nothing in the past, thestory of Northern Rock, Halifax andBradford and Bingley is verydifferent. Once mutual societies,the mutuality was lost whenmembers sold their ownership forone-off payments and shares. Asbanks with much more power tolend and borrow than mutualsocieties, they became vulnerableand they all fell, built on the sandsof toxic credit.

Northern Rock sponsored manycharities and sports clubs, but itfailed because of a systemicproblem deep within internationalfinancial markets, where complexfinancial instruments and a lack oftransparency made it very difficultto know how healthy a companywas.

The Northern Rock failure

CorporateResponsibility(CR) indexBusiness in theCommunity’s CRIndex is the UK’sleadingvoluntary benchmarkof responsiblebusiness. It helpscompanies to

integrate and improve responsibilitythroughout their operations by providing asystematic approach to managing, measuringand reporting on the way business impacts insociety and on the environment.

reflected an international failure torein in greed and corporateambition. Perhaps this was linkedto a belief that the market was all-powerful – like God! RowanWilliams, Archbishop ofCanterbury, refers to such idolatryor unbridled capitalism as adangerous form offundamentalism.

In the space of three months BPand Shell have been known tomake a combined profit of £7.2billion (that’s 3.3 million an hour).In 2008 Tesco’s annual profits werestated to have hit the £2 billionprofit mark for the first time. Whatcan we say? Is this unbridledcapitalism? Do we want a part ofthose profits? Hugely profitablecompanies generally have clearstatements of corporateresponsibility, but unlike Grunfos orJohn Lewis, they are less focusedon the power of investment andmore focused on the power ofconsumerism and profit.

Companies too focused onprofit rather than investment areaggressive consumers. They see thepotential for profit from theconsuming of fertile lands, diverserain forests, local facilities, humanlives and the planet’s resources. It ispossible for market fundamentalists(individuals, societies andcorporations) to become bloated,sick and broken, yet still have aninsatiable appetite driving them toconsume ever more.

These days, almost every largecompany has a corporateresponsibility policy. No company isperfect – including the ones I’vementioned positively in this article.There are companies which investmuch of their profit, time andenergy in the communities theyrelate to, the staff they employ andin products designed to improvelives and the environment. Bearingin mind that financial returns arereally not everything, if you and Iinvest in our families, ourcommunities and in suchcompanies, there is a possibilitythat when we are old and frail ourworld will be enriched, kinder andlooking after us quite well!

John Lewisstore, London

JOH

NLE

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RTN

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IP

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magnet • words: © Ros Murphy. Used with permission; image: Resurrection Spiral by Zam Walker. Used with permission.

Transformation

God’s inexplicable power transformsthe crucified ‘defeated’ Jesus,the broken recipient of humanity’s worst hatredinto the glorified risen Lord,beyond the scope of human evil,calling us into his realm of love.

God’s inexplicable power transformsvery ordinary powerless people,even those burdened with wrongs,inflicted by self or othersinto glorified wholenessif we come with open hearts.

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Lifestyle

Bärbel: I was a music student. Wehad to take politics – Marxism andLeninism – and get a higher gradein this than in our main subject. Iused to do my knitting duringthese seminars and ended up witha lower grade! But I was okay andbegan to play my violinprofessionally in 1987. I playedmany times in the Leipzig churches;sometimes peace prayers were saidduring the concert.

Kerstin: In the late 80’s webecame aware that people weremeeting in Leipzig. Even before thedemonstrations we knew thatpeople met at St Nicolai’s onMonday nights at 5 o’clock,though nothing was happening inour area. Before I became a studentI heard things like, ‘You should seewhat is all this about.’ But I wasalso told, ‘Oh no, you cannot gothere because you would never getto university.’ That was the fear. Togo to university you had to have allthe right boxes ticked. If you didsomething they didn’t like, youwere put on the List, a file wasmade about you. You had to becareful.

The turning point – May1989 local elections

Bärbel: The local elections wereevery four years. This was mysecond election. Many parties wereon the election sheet and I knewthat my friends voted foreverything except the main party,but the main party still won; thatwas it for me. I was 23 by then. I was so frustrated, and I wasn’t

alone. People tried to leaveover the border. After 40

Twenty years ago people inLeipzig prayed and marched

for change: the Berlin Walland all that it represented

came tumbling down…

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Peace marches for

freedomEast Germany 1989

talk

ing

just

ice

During the mid 80’s Bärbel lived inLeipzig, studying to become aprofessional violinist. Kerstin wentto medical school in Dresden and isnow a full time GP. Before talkingtogether for this article they hadnot spoken much with other EastGermans about this period of theirhistory. Together they tell thestory of the peace marches andthe fall of the East Germangovernment.

The Peace Prayers startedin St Nicolai Church,Leipzig in 1982 becauseof the push from NATOto build more missiles.In 1989, everyMonday evening,prayers formed thebasis for peacefulpolitical protests.

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years of the same, stagnatinggovernment, we wanted change.

The thinking people were talking :musicians, writers, poets, Christianfamilies, church leaders – all wereusing a hidden language behindtheir texts, but we knew what theywere talking about. Both myparents were musicians and I wasproud of their connection.

Kerstin: Because the peace prayerswere against the building ofweapons, the church adopted theWeapons into Ploughshares logofrom the sculpture outside the UNbuilding in New York. I knew thelogos were being worn, but it wasan absolute no-no. Some peoplewore them on their jackets.

September 4th –November 9th

Bärbel: On 4 September 1989,after the prayers, there was a smalldemonstration outside the church.About 100 people stood withprotest posters saying: ‘STASI out!’and ‘Travel Freedom.’ They werestopped, surrounded and takenaway in police cars.

Three weeks later 10,000 peopledemonstrated outside St NicolaiChurch. Wonneberger andChristian Führer, founders of theMonday night peace prayers, calledfor peaceful demonstrations only.

On 2 October, the demonstrationwent round the ring road for thefirst time. It was stopped bybarricades, water and helmetedpolice in black uniforms; 18 peoplewere arrested and taken intocustody. Later that week smalldemonstrations were beaten down.It was the week of the state’s 40thanniversary celebrations.

By 9 October 70,000 peoplegathered in Leipzig. Three churcheswere opened for the prayers. Thiswas my first demonstration. Wemarched peacefully along thewhole ring road. It was so excitingbecause previously we had had toshout the communist slogans. Noweveryone was shouting: ‘Wir sinddas Volk! (We are the people!). Weare the nation. Free elections foreverybody.’ The sound echoedthrough the whole town of Leipzig.Everything else was quiet. We weresurrounded by the army and thepolice. They had prison cars ready.It was the first time they didn’t doanything.

I went to two moredemonstrations. On 16 October150,000 joined the march, and forthe first time East German newsbroadcast the protest. My parentsmarched, too. Older people whohad been frightened of the Stasilost their fear. They gave up andwent. That’s how the peoplechanged it round.

We did see pictures of governmentviolence, people being beaten withblack sticks. But they couldn’t crushit.

Kerstin: Many towns now joinedin and it got bigger and bigger. I joined the marches near the endof October. My family marched too.We marched right round the townin peaceful opposition. The causewas so big and the people were nolonger afraid.

Bärbel: I didn’t go to Berlin. Wecouldn’t believe it was happening. I didn’t know it was actually a falsecommand. There was a documentabout free travel for everybody andit was simply announced. Everyonethought, ‘We can travel now. Let’sgo to the wall!’

No one could stop them. Therewere not enough forces. That was9 November. It all came down andthe whole thing was free.

A visit to the school class by two soldiers fromthe NVA: the National People’s Army (NationaleVolksarmee); Bärbel aged eight playing at theend of term concert. The scarf shows that shebelongs to the ‘Young Pioneers’ organisation.

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Bärbel: The difference of thinkingbetween the two countries washuge. They had been divided for 40years. I liked the democracy, thefreedom to think out loud, theavailability of books from othercountries and the freedom totravel. I liked the exchange ofmusicians and orchestras fromother countries, which we’d neverhad before. Nevertheless, in the year 2000 thesalaries of musicians from formerEastern Germany were still 15%less than the rest of the country.

Kirsten: ‘After 10 years we forgetthe bad things and remember thegood. Some people lost their jobs.There is a new generation but thereare still differences, stigmas.Consumerism was very scary. Youcould buy more. We used to beable to buy all the same and wewere all equal. Our standard ofliving had been okay. We knewhow to get on together. We couldtalk to each other on the samelevel. It was easier than in a towntoday. Everything is nowcompetitive and people have

expensive cars that they didn’thave before.

Both agree: ‘Because we couldtravel we were very interested ineverything about West Germany,but many were not interested inus at all. Sometimes we wish wecould change it back: we hadvery good neighbours and agood community spirit. Westood together. There was notmuch to buy, but we hadenough. We had a luckychildhood.

Peace prayers continued at StNicolai Church; years laterMonday demonstrations wereheld in protest against the Iraqwar and against social securitychanges.

STASI: The Ministerium fürStaatssicherheit (Ministry forState Security), commonlyknown as the Stasi (abbreviationGerman: Staatssicherheit,literally State Security), was theofficial secret police of EastGermany.

Life after reunification

St Nicolai Church, Leipzig.The pillar was built as areplica of one from theinside of the church and is amemorial to those who were killed during thepeaceful protests.

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magnet • words: Revd Dr Adrian Burdon © Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes. Used with permission; image: Jesus appears to his disciples © Andrea Jeavons. Used with permission.

33

Glory to you, O God:Your love brought Christ to birth,Your love led Christ to the cross,

Your love raised Christ from the tomb,And it was good!

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THE FOLLOWING RESPONSE camefrom a Wednesday eveningFellowship Group, St

Cuthbert’s Parish Church,Kirkcudbright, Dumfries andGalloway. The group compriseseleven folk from a variety of churchbackgrounds; including Church ofScotland, Church of England,Presbyterian, Congregationalist andMethodist. In recent weeks theyhave been discussing the Beatitudesand spent one evening debatingthe above motion. Brief results oftheir debate are as follows:

Do we believe power corrupts? The lust for power can corrupt, andpower can tend towards corruptionbut corruption is not inherent inpositions of power. Corruptionoccurs when power is abused.

Jesus had tremendous power, but,though he was accused of manythings, he wasn’t found to becorrupt. There are people inpositions of power who areincorruptible just as there are thosewho are corrupt. We do notbelieve that power necessarilycorrupts.

Do we believe the meek shallinherit the earth?In many people’s eyes meeknessand weakness are synonymous.True meekness requires greatstrength of character. We felt thatPeterson’s interpretation of thisbeatitude in The Message, ‘You’reblessed when you’re content withjust who you are – no more, noless. That’s the moment you findyourselves proud owners ofeverything that can’t be bought,’was a more helpful way ofunderstanding this difficultKingdom value, and therefore,though it is hard to understand,we do believe the meek willinherit the earth.

Should Christians be working inpositions of power?A good leader is one who leadswith faith and integrity, rather thanbeing out for what they can get. As accountability tempers power,and ultimately a Christian’saccountability is to God then thereis no reason why they shouldexempt themselves from positionsof power.

If we all, whether in positions ofpower or not, put the best ofourselves into whatever role weundertake, then we will have apowerful effect on people andsociety. We are called to be ‘saltand light’ if we are not in it, thenwe can’t win it. Or put anotherway, if Christians are not in everypart of society then the values wehold, and the truths we believe willnot be told. Preach the Gospel andif you have to – use words. Yes.

Andy, Elizabeth, Lesley, Margaret,Marian, Marjorie, Neil, Peter, Ray,Rene.

Footnote:Part of their discussion was aroundInitiatives of Change (formerly TheMoral Re-Armament). It is aninternational network of peopleworking for reconciliation, justiceand the healing of history. Itencourages individuals to liveaccording to their highest secularand religious values. It has nomembership, no subscription andminimal formal organisationalstructure. There is a role foreverybody, everywhere.

The editorial group have decided topublish the letter edited onlyslightly and feel it gratifying to seethat such a diverse group withdifferent doctrinal backgrounds candebate and discuss the issuesposed in our magazine.

This is after all what Magnet setsout to achieve: an open forum andthought provoking ideas, whichcan be discussed and debated andused in worship as the readershipsees fit.

If we believe that powercorrupts and that themeek shall inherit theearth then Christiansshould not be working inpositions of power.

your

deb

ate

DA

VID

CO

LEM

AN

If we all, whether in positions of poweror not, put the best of ourselves into

whatever role we undertake, then wewill have a powerful effect on people

and society.

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Yes, power corrupts and adictionary definition of meek is:“gentle of temper; submissive.” We find it difficult to imagine aperson in power being submissiveor even gentle.

But power can be freed fromcorruption by Christian influence. Itwould be wrong to believe thattrue Christians, working inpositions of power could not standout against corruption and make adifference.

Gentleness, allied with intelligenceand decisive action can earnrespect and support, whereascorrupt practices are discerned andcondemned.

Submission can be a valuable assetwhen the powerful must negotiatewith others. How else could rightdecisions be made?

For the sake of the world we needgifted Christians to use their talentsin positions of power.

Dorothy Woo, Sheffield

‘Meek’ does not mean ‘feeble’Power may corrupt but it may not –as the lives of innumerableChristian leaders show. We have tobe alert to the danger.

If we truly seek to obey God’s will,he may lead us into positions ofpower and sustain us in thosepositions. If we turn away fromthose positions then the devil willsoon find someone else to takethem on! So I would vote againstthe motion – having been in a

position of power myself asChairman of a district council.

Jean Hanmer, Bristol

Power certainly can corrupt, ashistory shows, but Christians whohold power should surely beexpected to bring Christianinfluence to bear in all decisions,within the bounds of the way inwhich we have organised oursociety.

Perhaps in the twenty first centuryChristians ought to strive toestablish true democracy aspractised in the early Greek cities.Our present representativedemocracy allows power to beused and abused by just a few.

The logistics of creating truedemocracy, in which we can all playan equal part, would betremendously difficult. It wouldhowever be a worthy challenge,not just for Christians but also forhumankind.

Don Cole, Leeds

‘For the good of our Lord, theChurch was always on the side ofthe strong.’ These words arespoken by the priest in the film‘Aguirre, the Wrath of God’, whichwas made in 1972 by WernerHerzog. The film tells the story ofan expedition in Peru in the 16thcentury. The men in the expeditionmutiny and injure the leader. Theleader’s wife asks the priest to helpher husband. The priest refuses andthe quotation above is hisexplanation (justification?).

I feel common sense weighsagainst the motion as does thequotation from the film. Howeverthe quotation, by its extremebluntness, sows doubts,encouraging us to feeluncomfortable with our commonsense.

Keith Austin, Sheffield

Instead of a debate in the Summer 2009 (Saints and Heroes) issue, we are asking youto nominate a modern day or everyday saint and tell us why. What qualities makethem so? Are the gospel saints still appropriate in the twenty first century? Thedeadline is Friday 27 March 2009 by post to the editorial office or via the website.

Looking ahead to Debate for autumn issue ‘Visions’: God no longer speaks in dreamsand visions.

have your say…

Perhaps in the twenty first centuryChristians ought to strive to establishtrue democracy as practised in the earlyGreek cities. Our present representativedemocracy allows power to be used andabused by just a few.

PERM

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FOR MOST PARENTS the introductionon a wide scale of mobilephones to young people has

brought tension and dividedloyalties. On one hand they feelcomforted that contact could bemade with their child in anemergency and to a certain extentkeep tabs on them. Alternativelythere is the worry that they will lose,or have stolen, that expensive pieceof latest technology. Little didparents realise that this small,flashing, silver object would be thecause of the latest increase inbullying, known commonly as‘happy slapping’.

‘Happy slapping’ takes the form ofa group of young people waitingfor their victim, then beating,slapping, punching and kickingthe victim while bystanders takephotos or video images on theirphones using the camerafacility. These images are thendistributed round the school,community, club or groupthe victim attends. The

intention is to follow up this ritualhumiliation and ensure that any lastremaining threads of self-respectdisappear completely.

Some of these images have beenknown to appear on internet basedmessage systems used by manyyoung people. Imagine your mosthumiliating, painful, embarrassingand potentially life-threateningmoment, being used as youngpeople’s entertainment, withrecourse for further bullying.

A survey completed by Action forChildren (previously NCH) in-conjunction with Tesco, showed that97% of 12-16 year olds owned amobile phone. Mobile Youth 2004reported that four million youngpeople own camera enabled mobilephones. W2F Mobile Youth, 2005,project that this figure will doubleby 2007.

While some young people are thevictims of assault, many youngpeople are the victims of bullying,without knowing who theperpetrator is. Abusive words andtext messages arrive on their mobilephones, making threats that arefrightening and disturbing.

One young girl describes her ordeal:“It would always come through lateat night when I was in bed. Theysaid things like they were watchingme, that they were watching thehouse. They said that they wouldhurt my little sister. They also madecomments about my appearance, soI knew they could see me each day.I’d look around the classroom andtry and work out who was doing itto me. I’d watch people on the bus,always looking over my shoulder. I couldn’t think who could have gothold of my mobile number, as I wascareful who I gave it too. I didn’t tellmy friends, in case it was one ofthem. I became paranoid,withdrawn and irritable with myfamily. Eventually I stopped eating. I just felt so alone and frightened.”

Young people must not suffer insilence. Action for Children andTesco Mobile have launched awebsite www.stoptextbully.com.Action for Children have a websitefor adults and childrenwww.actionforchildren.org.uk.Childline and NSPCC have maderecent announcements that theywill combine to make oneorganisation in the New Year. Thecurrent web page for Childline iswww.childline.org.uk. This site isfull of helpful pages for youngpeople with problems. There arepages where young people can askfor advice but most importantlythey will realise that they are notalone.

Education and awareness are thefirst steps in taking the ‘slapping’out of ‘happy slapping’ and makingyoung people feel safe.

Source: Magnet editorial office

Happyslapping

There’s nothing happy about these bullyingtactics in the modern era. Can we help our

young people to feel safe?

“They said things like theywere watching me, thatthey were watching thehouse. They said that theywould hurt my little sister.They also made commentsabout my appearance, so Iknew they could see meeach day.”

ISTO

CK

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magnet • words: © Donald Hilton, from No Empty Phrases (1999) with permission of Christian Education; image:istock

37

Helleborus Niger

The Christmas rosenever flowers at Christmasunless you cushion it with care,hype-up its promise,and bed it down with close-strewn hayas in a manger.Its pristine glory comes much later:March or April; Easter-time,and so belies its name.

And so it wasthat only later;after the messy stable and the bloody cross,by resurrection hindsightwe beheld his glory.

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All Age Event Presidency:

Inderjit BhogalMinister, Theologian, Race

Equalities, Interfaith

Bible Studies:

Judith RossallMinister, Director of Learning &

Development SouthernTheological Education &

Training Scheme

Seminars & Workshops:

Linda BandelierMinister & International

Story Teller

Graham WardHead of Arts, Histories and

Cultures Manchester University& Professor of Contextual

Theology and Ethics

Michael SymmonsRoberts

Poet

Doug SwanneyManager Discipleship & Ministry

Prayers & Reflection:

Michaela YoungsonMinister, writer

The Hayes Conference Centre THE METHODIST SCHOOL OF FELLOWSHIP25th July – 31st July 2009 www.methodistschooloffellowship.org.ukAn experience to support growth in [email protected], ministry and mission. Tel : 01676 533157

Image Jacques Iselin, The Elements of the Holy Communion from the Methodist Church Collection of Modern Christian ArtCopyright: Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes, used by permission of Trustees of the Collection.

Sharing Stories discovering faith in the contemporary world

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issue 85 9/1/09 14:58

Creatively reflecting powerful symbolsYou may have noticed the beautiful image used in the inside backcover of the Winter issue, ‘in your next issue’. The image is asmall banner created by Anne Morecroft. She worked as adressmaker for many years and hasalways been interested in thecreative arts particularly usingmaterial and embroidery. She wasgiven a craft DVD a few years agowhich explained how to do ‘stainedglass patchwork’. As she has arthritisin both hands small pieces are allshe can cope with but she isfurnishing the quiet room at herlocal church with small banners foreach changing season. She hasrecently made a pulpit fall for anewly built church in her circuit.

39

magnet Spring 2009

The summer issue of Magnetis all about saints andheroes.

Many of us have a hero,someone we look up to andadmire, perhaps even try toemulate. Traditionally thesaints fulfilled this role. Howmuch do they do so today,and what qualities shouldwe look for in a modern-day saint? Don’t forget tojoin our debate and nominate your saint for thetwenty first century.

And do you have a Bible hero? We ask a number ofprominent Christians the same question. Who do theychoose? We bring you inspirational stories of peoplewho are heroes in their own communities, and StellaBristow writes our worship for us, celebrating theheroes we all know who do so much to make theworld a better place.

All this, and more. We hope that this edition ofMagnet will inspire and encourage you, so that at theend we can say, “Yes, we can all be heroes.”

In your next issue of magnet…

Diary Dates

March 1 St David’s Day17 St Patrick’s Day6 International Women’s World Day of Prayer.

Prepared this year by the women of Papua NewGuinea

6-8 Creative retreat – living reflectively. Time with Godon a Lenten retreat. An opportunity to trysomething different, in the company of gentle andencouraging leaders. Leader: Maureen Stringerand team. £115 fully residential; £65 non-resident. Contact: Guy Chester Centre, Trainingand Spirituality Office, Chester House, Pages Lane,Muswell Hill, London N10 1PR. Tel: 020 88838204 e-mail: [email protected]

8 International Women’s Day13 Red Nose Day 2009 when people use comedy

and laughter to raise money for Comic Relief.Comic Relief’s vision is to create a just world, freefrom poverty. Comic Relief spends all the moneyraised giving extremely poor and disadvantagedpeople in the UK and Africa a helping hand toturn their lives around

14 Listening well (B) communication skills for pastoralvisiting. Learn how to set up and be involved inpastoral visiting groups. Speaker: Liz Gamble. £50.Contact: Guy Chester Centre (see 6-8 March)

April 5 Palm Sunday 9 Maundy Thursday12 Easter Sunday13 Easter Monday17-19 Women’s Network Conference. Venue: The

Hayes conference centre, Swanwick, DerbyshireTheme: Think of a world… For more informationcontact Women’s Network office at MethodistChurch House

21 Returned Mission Partners Annual meeting.11.45 start at Methodist Church House. Bringpacked lunch, drinks provided. Speaker: MichaelKing (Team leader – World Church relationships)

23 St Georges Day

May 3-9 British Red Cross appeal week10-16 Christian Aid Week 19-23 World Federation of Methodist and Uniting

Church Women European Methodist Women’sseminar. Theme: Be Salt Be Light; Venue: ErskineBridge Hotel, Glasgow.

Talking MagnetCall Lynne Ling on 0844 736 2524 or [email protected] to request an application form forTalking Magnet on cassette tape. This service is free of charge tothose who are registered blind or partially sighted. TalkingMagnet is produced as a project by the Chester & Stoke-on-TrentDistrict of the Methodist Church

issue 85 9/1/09 14:58

Offer

ing

2009Easter

The

The Easter Offering Service is prepared by Women’s Network with the help of Mission Education. This act of worship enables the whole Church in Britain and Ireland to give to the work of the 61 Methodist Partner Churches overseas.

Please give generously to support the Fund for World Mission

22 ye

ars of encouraging enabling equ

ippin

g

Way © Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes 2008

Subscriber’s name

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Magnet issue 85

Documents

Transcript of Magnet issue 85