editorial - Methodist Church in Shetland

EDITORIAL
W
hat does Christmas mean to you? Do you think of
it as the busy season of parcels and presents, cards,
candles and carols, school concerts and Santa sacks, family
gatherings and visiting friends – a time perhaps of increased
activity, even panic, as we’re reminded how few days are left
until it finally arrives?
Some years ago I wrote a poem entitled “Christmas Means What?” on this very
topic. It catalogued all of the above facets of Christmas and more. However,
the poem ended with this thought:
“But does it mean
MORE?
If it does not mean more,
We see but the spin-off,
The shadow alone,
And do not discern
The essence, the core.
For Christmas means wonder,
Christmas means awe,
Christmas means new life
And starting again;
For into the clamour
And into the din
Of this frantic existence,
A BABY WAS BORN!”
Yes, and that Baby, that very special Baby, was destined to turn this world’s
values upside down and to bring health and healing where there is hurt or
sadness. Thank God for the priceless gift of His own precious Son!
May the joy of this Christmas be yours.
Louis
Page 1
FROM THE MANSE
T
he occasional mention of Christmas is becoming a more frequent
experience! Preparations for sending greetings and letters, cards and gifts,
with their associated lists of others we should consider doing something for,
is getting underway.
In our Churches we are giving thought to decorations, nativity scenes, lights
in the darkness and the hopes for well known Christmas carols. This delightful
season of celebration will be a joy to many. It will be tinged with sadness
for some of us as we remember with thanksgiving those who are no longer
with us. The disappointment which health can bring takes the edge of the
festival for some, and there are others who find the Christmas period a time
of anxiety, and look forward to the New Year.
Sometimes it can seem as if our Churches, our Christian story, our witness
and worship are very much on the margins of Christmas for many people.
What is the heart of our message and mission ? The hymn writer and one of
the founders of the Methodist Church, Charles Wesley, tried to capture the
mystery at the centre of it all.
“Let earth and heaven combine,
Angels and men agree,
To praise in songs divine
The incarnate Deity,
Our God contracted to a span,
Incomprehensibly made man.”
God Bless you all this Christmastime
***********
Jeremy
The most important part of Christmas is the first six letters!
The hinge of history is on the door of a Bethlehem stable.
- Ralph W. Sockman, (19th century Methodist Pastor)
Page 2
A PRAYER OF HOPE
A PRAYER OF HOPE
Everlasting Father
thank You for Your
gift of hope;
the indescribable gift
of Your Son.
Wonderful Counsellor,
shine Your light again
this Christmas.
Teach us to champion
peace and justice.
Prince of Peace,
help us to build
Your Kingdom,
for the sake of the poor,
the weak and the broken.
Amen
Page 3
A WONDERFUL BLESSING FOR SHETLAND THE VISIT OF REV KEN AND MRS MARION HOWCROFT
R
ev Kenneth Howcroft, our President, came to Shetland with his wife
Marion from 20th to 24th November. He spoke at our open meeting
in Lerwick where some were present from other denominations. We were
encouraged by good stories from around the Connexion and to learn about
his ministry in Rome.
Page 4
by Jeremy Dare
On Friday a fine bright day accompanied a visit to Haroldswick Methodist
Church to meet with friends there who kindly provided lunch. The afternoon
saw a visit to East Yell Chapel and tea with a couple from there. On Saturday
Ken led an open study day for our local preachers, attended by a number of
members, from various parts of the District. The overview of Mark’s Gospel;
engaged us all, and we look forward to the commentary being available one day!
After the study day, Ken visited Rev Leonard Bridgeman, who is living at
the Walter & Joan Gray Care Home in Scalloway. Following this he visited
Leonard’s wife, Rosemary, at present in the Gilbert Bain Hospital, Lerwick.
On Sunday morning, Ken took a Holy Communion Service in Lerwick and
preached at a District Service in the evening at Scalloway. Refreshments and
fellowship around these events made these special occasions a joy to participate
in. We are very grateful to Ken and Marion for their ministry and encouragement.
Jeremy Dare
******
LAUGHTER - THE BEST MEDICINE
The theme of a Sunday morning sermon was that “every blade of grass held
a sermon”. The next day the minister was mowing his lawn when a passing
parishioner said: “That’s the ticket, minister –keep ’em short!”
***
A six year old girl was visiting a residential home in Perthshire. The little girl
looked at a very old lady and said: “Are you very old?” After a pause the lady
smiled and replied: “No, I wouldn’t say that I was old, but I must admit that
I’ve been young for an awfully long time.”
***
At a school Nativity Play, three six year olds were cast as Kings. Presenting their
gifts, the first said: “Gold”, the second: ”Myrrh”, and the third:
“And Frank sent this.”
Page 5
REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY
O
ur Churches hosted some Remembrance Sunday Services and we shared
with other Churches as well..
Over 1 million Commonwealth Service men and women were killed during
the First World War and the losses were felt here in Shetland and in almost
every town and village in the UK. In this centenary year, Fair Isle school has
produced a super DVD which is a very poignant tribute to those who were
lost in the Fair Isle community.
The picture above is of a very special display on the communion table of our
Fair Isle Church. Fiona Mitchell blessed us all with this moving arrangements
of the Cross, poppies, candles and a representation of the barbed wire to help
our reflection on the awful conflicts.
Page 6
Lest We Forget
In a Remembrance Service in the East Yell Chapel, the congregation reflected
on the high cost in lives of all wars, especially thinking of the 1st World War
in this year marking the centenary of its outbreak. This was emphasized most
movingly as David Robertson read the Roll of Honour. A poppy wreath,
designed and made by Rae Thompson, was then placed on the communion
table.
The significance of the poppy was captured so vividly in the familiar words
penned by a young Canadian doctor and artillery commander, Major John
McCrae, during the thick of the fighting at Ypres in 1915.
IN FLANDERS FIELDS
“In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place, and in the sky
The larks still bravely singing, fly,
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the dead, short days ago
We lived, fell down, saw sunset’s glow,
Loved and were loved, but now we lie
In Flanders Fields.”
*******
Jesus said: “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s
friends.”
John Ch 15 v 13 (NRSV)
Page 7
A SENSE OF BALANCE by David Monkton
A
keen cyclist recently twittered: ‘If you want to keep your balance on a
cycle, you need to go forward.’ When you apply this to life as a whole, it
is a profound remark.
Balance is an extremely important thing. There has to be some kind of balance
in everything that we do. Sometimes there is lots of talk and no action. How
easy it is when this happens to lose any real sense of balance. Without action
so many of our theories about how we should live become irrelevant, because
they have never been tested.
There are times when we feel in the doldrums. There is no wind in our sails.
This often happens in times of stress and trauma. It may take some time to get
a sense of balance and forwardness going again.
There is however a kind of healing in ‘getting the balance right’ as we start
going forward. I’m reminded of the words of Jesus where he says to the man
who is sick, waiting at the Pool of Bethesda for a chance to be healed: ‘Take
up your bed and walk.’ Although Jesus gives the command, the healing action
has to be performed by the man himself.
Sometimes, for all of us, healing comes as we go forward in faith. We too,
need to take up our beds (or mattresses!) and start going forward. Getting
the ‘balance right’ or ‘healing’ cannot be separated from the action of actually
making a move forward ourselves, however great or small.
May we all go forward ‘in faith’ whatever our outlook may be. There is that
idealistic opportunity or practical task that we feel we ought to venture into.
Seize the moment, and in working a new venture out, may we find blessings
that will bring a sense of wholeness to us all.
******
“What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but do not have
works? Can faith save you? If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food
… and you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? So faith by
itself, if it has no works, is dead.”
James 2: 14-17
Page 8
Preachers this Quarter
Mrs Audrey Alfa of Ireland
Rev Nigel Barton
Mrs C.Barton
Rev John Best
Mrs Yvonne Clark of Scalloway (On Trial)
Dr Bruce Cleminson of Scalloway
Sister Elizabeth Colley
Rev Jeremy Dare
Mrs Alma Duncan of Walls
Mrs Joy French of Ollaberry
Mrs Rosemary Macklin of Scalloway (On Trial)
Mrs Shyrleen Pottinger of Scalloway
Mrs Thelma Pottinger of Scalloway (Scalloway Mission Group)
Mr Laurence Sutherland of Scalloway (On Trial)
Ms Val Turner
Mrs Sylvia White of Nesting
OTHER SHETLAND PREACHERS:
Rev Alan Catterall (Congregational; Church)
Mr Aubrey Jamieson
Mr Maynard Love
Mrs Morag Lyall (Baptist Church, Lerwick)
Pastor Gwyn Stoyle (Baptist Church)
Rev Magnus Williamson (Church of Scotland)
Mr Paul & Mrs M.Williamson (Gideons)
Mr William Young
VISITING PREACHERS:
Mrs Linda Crossley (President, Methodist Women in Britain)
Ms Gillian M Dascombe (Vice President of Conference)
Rev David Gamble (Chair of Methodist Council)
Page 9
2015
LERWICK
(HP,SHF)
January
Februar
4
11
18
25
11.00am
Dare Cov
Turner
Cleminson
Dare
1
Colley
6.15pm
Dare HC
-
-
-
Dare H
IRELAND
4.00pm
Dare Cov
-
-
-
Dare
EAST YELL
10.45am
LA
Catterall
2.45pm
Dare Cov
Williamson
2.45pm
LA
HAROLDSWICK
3:00pm
-
Catterall
11.30am
Dare Cov
Williamson
11.30am
-
BURRA
2.30pm
-
-
-
-
-
NORTH ROE
(HP,JP)
(HP,JP, CMP)
(HP,CMP)
(MHB)
10:30am
-
-
-
-
-
(CMP, MHB)
3:15pm
-
White
-
Dare Cov
-
FAIR ISLE
11.00am
Best
CofS
Best
CofS
Best
SCALLOWAY
10.45am
Cleminson/
C Barton
Cafe Church
Sutherland /
Williamson
Messy
Church
6.00pm
Barton Cov
LA
Barton
LA
Lyall
11.00am
LA FS
Cleminson
Barton US
Barton Cov
LA FS
-
(HP)
(CMP)
WALLS
(SOF, CMP, HP)
6.00pm
-
Barton
-
-
WHITENESS
11.00am
LA
Love
LA
Catterall
VIDLIN
10.30am
LA
-
Colley
-
12.00pm
-
(MHB,CMP)
(MHB,MP)
Barton
T Pottin
Barton 6.0
White
CofS
-
CofS
-
Barton Cov
-
French
-
-
LA
-
Duncan
-
3.00pm
-
-
-
Barton Cov
-
TRESTA
11.00am
Barton Cov
-
French
-
Dare
WESTERSKELD
10:30am
6:00pm
-
-
-
-
-
(CMP,MHB,CHPCM)
-
WMG
-
Stoyle
-
CULSWICK
3.00pm
-
-
-
-
-
NESTING
11.00am
SANDNESS
10.45am
GRUTING
(HP,MP)
(MHB)
(MHB)
(MHB)
(MHB)
-
CMP - Complete Mission Praise
HP - Hymns & Psalms
JP - Junior Praise
SHP - Songs & Hymns of Fellowship
CHPCM - Collection of Hymns for the use of th
FS - Family Service HC - Holy Communion LA - Local Arrangement US - United S
Page 10
ry
March
8
15
22
1
8
15
22
29
Colley /
Crossley
Dare
Dascombe
Dare/Gamble HC
Love
Dare HC
LA
S Pottinger
FS
HC
-
-
-
Dare HC
-
-
-
-
e
-
-
-
WMG
-
-
-
Alfa
Dare HC
White 2.45pm
Colley
2.45pm
Stoyle
2.45pm
LA
French
Dare HC
2.45pm
Dare/Gamble
2.45pm
Dare HC
White 11.30am
Colley
11.30am
Stoyle
6.00pm
-
French
Dare HC
11.30am
Dare/Gamble
6.00pm
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
FS
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
French
-
Catterall
-
Dare
-
LA
-
CofS
Best
CofS
Best
CofS
Best
CofS
Best
Cafe Church
S Pottinger /
Cleminson
Messy
Church
Macklin/
Clark
Messy Church
l
Dare HC
Barton
Cleminson
LA
Gideons
Barton
Dascombe
DS
Williamson
S
Colley
Sutherland
Turner
Dare FS
Barton
Duncan
Barton HC
Catterall
Prayer
-
-
-
Barton
-
-
-
Cleminson
Love
Barton Cov
Love
Dare
LA
T Pottinger
Young
-
Barton Cov
-
Clark
-
Barton
-
T Pottinger
t
n/
nger
00pm
e
e
Williamson /
T Pottinger /
Cafe Church
Barton
C Barton
CofS
-
CofS
-
CofS
-
CofS
-
Young
-
LA
-
Turner
-
-
Clark
Barton Cov
-
Young
-
Catterall
-
Williamson
-
-
-
Barton
-
-
-
-
Stoyle
-
Jamieson
-
Barton
3.00pm
-
Young
-
at Walls
-
Colley FS
-
-
-
Colley FS
-
-
Barton Cov
-
Duncan
-
White
-
Barton
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
MHB - Methodist Hymnbook
MP - Mission Praise
he People Called Methodist
SOF - Songs of Fellowship
Service
Cov - Covenant Service DS - District Service
Page 11
LECTIONARY: JANUARY-MARCH 2015 YEAR B
JANUARY
5th
Jeremiah 31:7-14
Ephesians 1:3-14
Psalm 147:12-20
John 1:(1-9), 10-18
11th
Genesis 1:1-5
Psalm 29
Acts 19:1-7Mark 1:4-11
18th
1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20)
1 Corinthians 6: 12-20
Psalm 139: 1-6,13-18
John 1: 43-51
25th
Johah 3:1-5Psalm 62: 5-12
1 Corinthians 7: 29-31
Mark 1: 14-20
FEBRUARY
1st
Deuteronomy 18:15-20
1 Corinthians 8:1-13
Psalm 111
Mark 1:21-28
8th
Isaiah 40:21-31
1 Corinthians 9:16-23
Psalm 147:1-11, 20c
Mark 1:29-39
15th
2 Kings 2:1-12
2 Corinthians 4:3-6
Psalm 50:1-6
Mark 9:2-9
22nd
LENT
Genesis 9:8-17
1 Peter 3:18-22
Psalm 25:1-10
Mark 1:9-15
MARCH
1st
Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16
Psalm 22:23-31
Romans 4:13-25Mark 8:31-38
8th
Exodus 20:1-17
1 Corinthians 1:18-25
Psalm 19
John 2:13-22
15th
Numbers 21:4-9
Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22
Ephesians 2:1-10John 3:14-21
22nd
Jeremiah 31:31-34
Psalm 51:1-12
Hebrews 5:5-10John 12:20-33
PALM SUNDAY
29th
Isaiah 42:1-9
Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29
Hebrews 9:11-15Mark 11:1-11
Page 12
SHETLAND CAROL by George P S Peterson
Da mőn an stars comes oot ta see,
Glansin strips across da sea;
Da mirry dancers far up high
Fans across da nordern sky –
Hushed an calm da sea lies quiet,
Gently breathes dis Holy Night!
Hark! A distant snjirkin oar!
Gently lays he tő da door.
Da coo leaves showin on her cőt;
Da calf lats faa da sweet kail rőt.
Da hens peeps furt fae cosy wing
Ta hear da Holy Midder sing!
Up abőn da Star o Grace –
Sent fae Gőd ta mark da place –
Shades doon trow da girssie lum.
Shht! Everything is faaen dumb!
Da moose leaves skrufflin ida hye
Ta hear da Holy Infant’s cry!
Oh! Praise an Glory noo on high!
Lift up your voices ta da sky!
Dis Babe at draas His first sweet breath
Is come ta save wis aa fae death!
Lay by, O Men, your quarrels sair!
Sing Praise an Glory evermair!
Page 13
NORTH ROE NEWS
T
he Chapel at North Roe desperately needs new windows, and having applied
for a grant, the package includes passing on something of the Kirk history to
the younger generation. So – how to do this without being boring?
With a pool of ideas, the October Holiday Kids Club took on a life of its own, by
delling into the past for some 200 years, and re-living the Kirk’s history through
practical activities, drama and games.
An initial story set them away to the North Haa beach, with boots, buckets and
spades, to bring back sand for the mortar to build a kirk, as did the women and
bairns long ago. Filled full, even peerie buckets are very heavy to carry back to the
present day kirk. Once there, under the eye of “Paul the Builder”, mortar was mixed,
and the building of the first Kirk in North Roe was under way (model size!), Small
groups of bairns took turns to select stones which had been collected, and fit them
into the growing walls, using peerie trowels, tailor made from dessert spoons. The
kirk was completed by 2pm on Thursday 16th October, OR by 1828 in true history!
Page 14
by Joy French
The day’s programme included learning about everyone’s great desire to learn to read
and write; about the many small schools and “Sabbath Schools” where adults were
in the class too; about writing the alphabet and drawing the appropriate picture on
slates, rescued from the old roof!
They learned how the peerie Kirk was battered by storms, roof holes mended, extended
to accommodate a 200 congregation, a manse added, but after a very bad storm “our
church is in ruins”. A new Kirk was needed. So fifty years on, in 1878, a new Kirk,
which is the current building, was completed.
They enjoyed games which generations have played, and in a craft session, made a
book shelf of books of the Bible, 66 in all, out of match boxes, a task which many
Sunday School scholars have made in the latter part of the last century.
The day ended with a trip to the Isbister cemetery to find a grave stone with Christopher
Nicolson’s name on it. WHY? Because he was the younger brother of John Nicolson,
who brought the Methodist way to Shetland. In his turn Christopher, now with a
home in North Roe, asked his brother to come North with the Good News, which
he did in 1822!
Christopher and his wife surely helped on the cause by having 11 bairns in the family!
In fact he was uncle, several times removed, to two of the regular members of our
present day congregation.
Following the Kids Club, with all this in mind, the interest has been so great, that we
have followed up with an informal evening at the Kirk, entitled “Kirky Connections”,
where folk came to share their family trees, memorabilia from the past, photographs,
etc, round the table with a cuppa.
By the time this arrives on your doorstep we l hope to have had a Christmas Crafts
Kids Club, a Service of Baptism for mother and baby daughter, and our Annual Carol
and Nativity Service on 14th December.
So Happy Christmas and Best Wishes for the New Year to you ALL
From All at North Roe Chapel
******
PRAYER: “It is a good thing to let prayer be the first business of the morning and
the last in the evening.”
(Martin Luther)
“When life knocks you to your knees – well, that’s the best position in which to
pray, isn’t it?” (Ethel Barrymore)
Page 15
VISIT OF JOHN HOWARD
R
ev John Howard, the Methodist Minister currently serving our Church
as Chair of the Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury District, came to
Shetland in October with his wife, Mary. When I’m down in England
they very kindly offer me accommodation and transport for some of the
connexional meetings I attend.
During their visit here, John gave presentations and responded to questions
and comments at meeting in Walls, East Yell and Lerwick. He also preached
at two of our Churches on the Sunday.
At those meetings he gave most interesting illustrated talks on his time spent
during a sabbatical with the ‘Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in
Palestine and Israel’. His role, after training, was that of an independent
observer and reporter, monitoring and reporting any violations of human
rights and international humanitarian law.
Page 16
by Jeremy Dare
The volunteers offer protection through their non-violent presence. In
addition they support Israeli and Palestinian peace activists and undertake
advocacy work including public speaking in the UK and Ireland.
John worked with a team of volunteers from various parts of the world. He
lodged in a West Bank Palestinian village observing people from both sides at
check points and separation barriers and also where Israeli settlements are a
sourse of tension.
******
MARRIAGE CONGRATULATIONS
Paul Voysey and Angela Blades were married in Lerwick on the 24th October.
We wish them God’s blessing as they enjoy their married life together.
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******
The vicar was trying to organise a Nativity Play for Christmas and was getting
little support. One lady said: “Can’t we have it another time when we’re not
so busy?”
Page 17
IN MEMORIAM
Kenny Moncrieff
The funeral and thanksgiving for Kenny was held at the Whiteness Hall on
Saturday 11th October. We remember Kenny as a Christian young man who
coped with so much yet gave so much to those around him. He is remembered
for his courage and strength of character in coping with his declining health.
Kenny will be missed by his family and friends, to whom we offer our sympathy
and prayers. He will be thought of as a man who was kind, friendly, helpful
and polite, who was always interested in others and concerned for their welfare
Williamina Irvine
The funeral and thanksgiving service for Williamina was held at Lerwick
Methodist Church on Tuesday 11th November. Born and brought up in
Whalsay, she trained for secretarial and book-keeping work. This led to her
employment locally, also in Bahrain and Germany when she moved with her
husband who had work abroad. Vaila and Alan each read poems at the service
and Williamina was remembered with gratitude for her love and care for her
family.
Joan Ward
Thanks to God were given for Joan at Burra Methodist Church on Friday
14th November. The Church was full, and the back room too, as several
members of her family offered their recollections and appreciations. Joan
was such an enthusiastic leader in our Church in Burra, always there first and
ensuring everything was ready for services and meetings. Her warm welcome,
hospitality and support have been valued by many. She loved her family and
was very special to each of them. This fine Christian lady who was blessed and
cherished by the care team at the Walter and Joan Gray Care Centre in recent
months has gone to glory. In our thanks to God for her we offer our sympathy
and prayers for the family and Joan’s friends.
Page 18
ENDPIECE....
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
8th February 7pm Nesting: Ash Wednesday Service
11th February 7pm Lerwick: Worship Leaders L & D Meeting
13th - 15th March: Visit of Mrs Linda Crossley. President of MWIB(Network)
14th March 11am Lerwick: District Event for All (Coffee 10.30 & Lunch provided)
21st March: District Synod
20th - 23rd March: Visit of Ms Gillian Dascombe, Vice President of
Conference
23rd March 7pm Tresta: Local Preachers Meeting
27th - 29th March: Visit of Rev David Gamble, Chair of Methodist Council
******
A Peerie Poem written many years ago for the Sandwick/Cunningsburgh
Anchor Boys to be recited at their Christmas Social:
“I’m not a Shepherd or a King
I haven’t got a gift to bring
I cannot travel very far
And anyway there is no star.
But Jesus isn’t far away,
Or long ago, He’s here, today
And the greatest gift that I can give
Is all my heart, and all my love”
Page 19
AND FINALLY……
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Next issue of “Contact”
Please send your contributions by 16th February 2015 to
Louis Johnson, Midgarth, East Yell, ZE2 9AU
email: ljohnson4@btinternet.com Tel: Tel: 01957 702392
If you need a minister, please get in touch with:
Rev Jeremy Dare,
Wesley Manse, 9 Hillhead, Lerwick, ZE1 0EJ
tel: 01595 692874
Rev Nigel Barton,
Burnside, Houl Road, Scalloway, ZE1 0UA
tel: 01595 880204
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