July / August 2015 - Belfairs Methodist Church

Belfairs Methodist Church
Where old friends meet and strangers feel at home
Newsletter
Issue 131
July/August 2015
Minister:
Rev. Julia Monaghan
1 Oakview Close
Leigh-on-Sea
Essex. SS9 4JN
Tel: 01702 483827
E-mail: revjuliamonaghan@gmail.com
Ministerial Co-worker:
Miss Anne Lane
14 Muirway
Benfleet
Essex. SS7 4LS
Tel:01268 565644
E-mail: annelane8@binternet.com
Editor:
Mrs. Sue Spaull
Tel: 01702 521344
E-mail: sue.spaull@hotmail.co.uk
Inside this issue:
Ministers letter
Sunday Services July/August
Other dates for July/August
Letters Page
Future events
Regular weekly meetings
Thought for the month
Go forward!
Look Upward!
Move Onward!
Rise Heavenward!
Leave behind things that are past.
Never mind skies overcast.
In the way which Jesus trod.
Day by day from earth to God.
Belfairs Birthday Book - August
Our mission is to provide an open, welcoming and
accepting, living place of Christian worship in our
community, in which we seek to serve and follow
Jesus Christ.
www.belfairsmethodistchurch.org.uk
As I write this editorial, I am getting ready for our holiday, a week cycling in Austria and then a week
recovering at the caravan in Norfolk. With all the activity of the first week, I am grateful that the
caravan is established, so that within an hour of arrival, we can be walking along the quay, enjoying
the peace and quiet.
This is very different from last year, when the caravan park deemed our old van past it’s sell by date
and required us to buy a newer model. There was so much junk to sort out that we had accumulated
over years of holidays there, that we found we were coming home for a rest. In the end we developed
2 piles, stuff that could be recycled and stuff that we were “sure we would find a place for.” The new
van arrived with fancy shower taps but less storage than the old one and we realized that we needed
to be far more rigorous and ruthless in getting rid of the clutter.
I can remember having a conversation with a nun, who told me that when you enter a monastery or
convent as a novice, the first thing that you do is begin to get rid of all the clutter in your life, both
material and spiritual. When my Dad was completing his national service in the air force, he said that
clutter, was what they called the interference that sometimes occurred on a radar set which made it
difficult to follow a track, and to see clearly where things were and where things were going.
Sometimes a crisis in your life helps you see things more clearly, as you begin to see which things
matter and which don’t. We can’t all become monks and nuns, and nobody willingly seeks a crisis to
sort things out, but we can take times of refreshment and breaks from the usual routine which give us
thinking space to assess what things are important and which things are not.
When Jesus was asked, what were the most important laws, he said, “Love God and love your
neighbour as yourself.” When we begin to get rid of the clutter in our lives, we begin to see that the
thing that really matters is love: to love and be loved is all. So in our rest and refreshment and in our
prayers, let us ask for clarity to see what is, and what is not, important in our lives and how we might
love more freely and completely.
……………………………../2
-2Loving God, set us free from the clutter that obscures our vision; that robs us of focus and peace of
mind; that distracts us from the task of loving you and those we have been given to love. For Jesus’
sake, Amen
Thank you, Father, for the rhythm of rest and Sabbath at the heart of creation. Bless those who are
on holiday now; may they be refreshed and recreated, and come home with new vision, energy and
contentment. Amen
Rev. Julia
In the stillness of a garden
The spirit is refreshed
The soul responds to beauty
And is richly blessed.
It’s where the heart finds healing
When weary and subdued
Through the peace and quietness
and calming solitude.
A garden is a sanctuary
A place where we may be
Alone with God to ponder on
Nature’s mystery.
To see in green and growing things,
In flower, bird on tree,
The mind behind the universe
In creativity.
Supplied by Doreen Brown
Circuit events
Saturday 18th July at 6.00 p.m. at Hadleigh
Methodist Church is Bryan and Credwyn
Tolhurst’s farewell BBQ and Barn Dance.
Come along and share in the BBQ, join in
with the Barn Dance or just sit and watch and
chat.
Please read the Circuit Newsletter, available
at the back of the church, for more details of
circuit events.
Sunday Services for July 2015
5th
11.00 a.m.
Rev. Julia Monaghan - Holy Communion
12th
11.00 a.m.
Rev. Anthony Windsor - Church Anniversary
5.30 p.m.
‘Songs of Praise’ - this will follow the anniversary tea at 4.00 p.m.
19th
11.00 a.m.
Worship Leaders - Parade Service
26th
11.00 a.m.
Mrs. Kathy McCullough/ Mr. Jonathan Logan
Other July dates for your diary
4th
Coffee Morning - Margaret & Peter Tomlin
9th
Thirsty For? at 7.00 p.m.
11th
Coffee Morning - Neeltje & Dave Charles
18th
Coffee Morning - VACANT - Help needed!! **
18th
Barbecue and Barn Dance at Hadleigh Methodist - Farewell to Bryan & Credwyn Tolhurst
23rd
A.C.T.I.O.N. at 2.00 p.m.
25th
Coffee Morning - A.C.T.I.O.N.
26th
Youth camp leaves at approximately 10.00 a.m. for Bexhill
**Help is needed to run the coffee morning on 18th July. If no-one comes forward there will be no
coffee morning held on that day.
Sunday Services for August 2015
2nd
10.30 a.m..
United Service at Highlands Methodist - Rev. Julia Monaghan
9th
11.00 a.m.
Mrs. Maureen Gutteridge
16th
11.00 a.m.
United Service at Belfairs - Rev. Julia Monaghan - Holy Communion
23rd
11.00 a.m.
Rev. Julia Monaghan
30th
11.00 a.m.
United Service at Wesley Methodist - Susan Sayers
Other August dates for your diary
1st
Coffee Morning - VACANT - Help needed!! **
8th
Coffee Morning - Jan Andrews and Anthea Meek
13th
Thirsty For? at 7.00 p.m.
15th
Coffee Morning - Mike & Sue Spaull
22nd
Coffee Morning - Margaret & Peter Tomlin
29th
Coffee Moring - VACANT - Help needed!! **
**Help is needed to run the coffee morning on 1st August and 29th August. If no-one comes
forward there will be no coffee mornings held on those dates.
**Advance Notice
Saturday 5th September - Welcome Service for new Superintendent Minister, Rev. Peter Moorhouse
and also Rev. Michael Moon at Thorpe Bay Methodist Church at 3.00 p.m. with our Beds, Essex &
Herts District Chair (Rev Anne Brown) preaching.
Letters Page/Church family news
Please note that the final day for
items for the September newsletter
is Sunday 16th August. This is so
the newsletter can be produced by
Sunday 23rd August as we have no
service at Belfairs on Sunday 30th
August (when the newsletter would
normally be issued).
Belfairs Youth Camp
Thank you to all who have supported the sponsored food lists in the front foyer. This is greatly
appreciated. There are still some items that can be sponsored and we would appreciate your
continued support.
We will be thinking of you as we tuck in at meal times!!
Youth Camp Staff
Barry, Andrea, Mike, Sue, Steve, Janice, Jan (Julia, Sam)
Affinity Lunch
Sunday 13th September 2015
Following the article in last months newsletter, we have had positive feedback to this event. We
have booked 25 places at Affinity Restaurant for Sunday 13th September at 1.00 p.m.
We will need to keep a list of reservations at which time a £5.00 non returnable deposit will be
required, the balance of the cost payable on the day of approximately £10.00. You will also
need to pay for your own drinks at the restaurant.
The list will commence on Sunday 12th July, so please see Sue Spaull to book your place.
We look forward to this time of fun, food and fellowship in the Belfairs tradition, but with someone else doing the cooking and clearing up for us!
Sue Spaull
Church Anniversary 2015
The Church Anniversary this year will be held in a different way to usual. Due to our Minister
being on holiday in July, we are unable to hold the normal Anniversary events over 1 weekend.
Therefore, this year, we will be running it over two days – one in June and one in July.
Having held our Gift Day and clean-up day, we now move onto the second part of our Church
Anniversary.
On 12th July we will be holding our Anniversary Service at 11.00am. This will be led by Rev
Anthony Windsor. This will be followed at 4.00pm in the Fellowship Hall by an Anniversary Tea
and at 5.30pm we will hold a ‘Songs of Praise’ service. If you have a favourite hymn/song you
would like to include in this service please let Mike Spaull know as soon as possible. We will try
to include all requests in this service.
We look forward to seeing you and to enjoying fellowship
together in the service of our Lord.
The Leadership Team
Please remember you are free to put your prayer concerns on the board at the back of the church. They
will be printed on the weekly notice sheet for two months and then removed though you may put them
back if the need continues.
Please add your name and date to the request on the white cards which are by the board.
The church is always open on Saturday Mornings during 11.00 a.m. to 12 noon while the coffee
mornings are in progress and you are invited to spend time there in quiet prayer or reflection.
An up to date list of the family and friends of Belfairs who need our prayers will appear on the weekly
Notice sheet.,
I wish you Summer mornings
With birdsong on the breeze
And summer nights of quiet peace
With moonlight through the trees
I wish you autumn splendour
With russet, red and gold,
A harvest of your very own
As memories unfold.
I wish you sweet contentment
As winter brings a chill
The comfort of your hearth and home
And love to warm you still
I wish you springtime glory
As earth awakes anew
May every season of the year
Hold happiness for you.
Supplied by Doreen Brown
Methodist Prayer Handbook 2015/2016
If anyone would like a copy of the new Methodist
Prayer Handbook, please could you let me know
by the end of July.
This year the book is titled Pilgrims on a
Journey. It commences September 2015 and the
cost is £3.75.
Many thanks,
Jackie Heinrich
“Music is Magic”
As many will remember, the Musicman project runs here at Belfairs on Monday’s (and at other
churches around the area on other days) during the day and David Stanley (the brains behind the
project) with the aid of the Southend Mencap team booked the London Palladium for a show of a
lifetime.
Quite a few people from around the circuit went to London on Sunday 21st June to witness and
thoroughly enjoy this vision. WOW, what an evening, along with the students at Mencap, the staff
from the various arms of the project and other helpers provided a truly amazing evening of music.
I can keep adding words to explain but if you weren’t there, I’m sorry you really cannot appreciate
the genius and talent that was given to the audience that night.
A short musical “From the Asylum to the Palladium” about Joe Derado (the former president of
Southend Mencap) was written by David Stanley and Jenny Hitchcock, this was performed in the
2nd half of the show and was brilliant. “From the Asylum to the Palladium” begins with the sad
historic reality that many people were shut away from society simply because they were different.
Recent decades have witnessed a dramatic shift in our perception and understanding but for some
people the struggle for equality and community care continues. For others, it has moved on to a
fight for free choice, recognition, respect and opportunity. With support from guest soloists, choir
and orchestra, students from The Music Man Project tell this incredible journey on behalf of us all
– from patients living in large hospital institutions to performers on a world famous stage.
We at Belfairs last year were privy to a preview of ‘English Rose’ a song from the musical and it was
so good to hear it in its final setting. With the aid of professional musicians this musical and the
whole evening lived up to its West End tag. The whole evening was recorded and a DVD will be
available later this year (see the order form in this issue). I’m sure the DVD will be great but
nothing quite like actually being there but I hope some of you will want to purchase this to enjoy
the evening.
Mike Spaull
P.S. There is also a ‘Music is Magic’ charity single available and also an E-book (please see other
article for more details).
PRESS RELEASE: “Music is Magic” Charity Single
Unique music education service The Music Man Project releases charity single “Music is Magic” to
mark its West End debut at the London Palladium on Sunday June 21st
“Music is Magic” features almost one hundred singers with learning disabilities and includes a solo from
an adult student called Michelle, who could not even speak before studying at The Music Man Project.
After just two years she is a recording artist and performer at the London Palladium – a feat which
demonstrates just how life-changing music education can be for people with additional needs.
“Music is Magic; it opens up your heart
Feel it and use it, it touches every part
Of the world we hold dear, bringing loved ones ever near
‘Cause Music is Magic to me”
The song was written by The Music Man Project founder,
David Stanley with lyrics by David Stanley and Jenny
Hitchcock. It was arranged and recorded by Al Steele.
The Music Man Project is the UK’s only permanent full time
music education service specifically for children and adults
with learning disabilities. It serves 3 year olds to 70 year
olds and provides education, enjoyment and inspirational
performance opportunities for everyone, regardless of their
needs. Since starting in 2012, The Music Man Project has
been commended by the Prime Minister, described as outstanding by OFSTED, and shortlisted for the BEST SEN
Resource category at the Music Teacher Awards for
Excellence. Following a recommendation from the Prime Minister, The Music Man Project aims to
extend its impact to other communities around the country, with the long term aim of establishing a
National Special Music Education Service, based on the local model run by charity Southend Mencap.
Hot on the heels of the charity single email I sent last week, the Music is Magic E-Book is now also
available to download from Amazon at a very reasonable £1.99.
The link to the E-Book is below so please could you all again be so kind and forward this onto all your
contacts to help spread the word?
E-book: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Music-Magic-Story-Man-Project-ebook/dp/B00ZJOUZZC/
ref=sr_1_14?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1434353378&sr=1-14&keywords=Music+is+Magic
Kind regards,
Marc Owens
General Manager
The Treasurers would like to thank everyone who contributed to the Gift Day when the sum of
£3928.00 was raised (at time of writing). The money has not only enabled us to clear the kitchen
project but also gives us enough to cover some upcoming repairs and maintenance. As a point of
interest, during the 26 months between November 2012 and January 2015 we have spent £62,000
in major expenses i.e. replacing the fellowship hall roof, replacing the kitchen, upgrading and
checking all our electrics, replacing gas heaters for electric heaters and supplying heaterguards. Amazingly, with all the giving, fund raising, fayres, donations etc. we have been able to
replace this money into our church accounts. A HUGE thank you to everyone.
Tina Gowers
Although the kitchen project fund has now been completed we are going to continue to run the Kitchen
Pounder Scheme until the end of the year. All further monies raised will go directly into the Property
account which covers major property expenses and general repairs and maintenance.
Tina Gowers
The Property Committee and Leadership Team would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who
turned out and helped at the clean-up and odd job day in June. The weather was good to us so we
were able to clear a lot of the car park and church perimeter (the block paving at the front of the
church still needs doing if anyone is feeling energetic!). Plenty of cleaning went on in the church too
with windows washed, brass cleaned and window sills and pews polished. Hopefully I’ve thanked those
who helped individually but I apologise if I’ve missed anyone. A special thank you to Phil & Maureen
who ran the coffee morning and plied us with toasted teacakes and scones with jam & cream.
Tina Gowers
News release
28 May 2015
Church issues ‘full and unreserved apology’ to abuse survivors
The Methodist Church in Britain has today published the report of an independent review of
past safeguarding cases related to the Church from 1950 to 2014.
Speaking on behalf of the Church, the Secretary of the Methodist Conference and General
Secretary the Revd Dr Martyn Atkins has issued a full and unreserved apology to survivors and
victims of abuse in response to the report:
“On behalf of the Methodist Church in Britain I want to express an unreserved apology for the
failure of its current and earlier processes fully to protect children, young people and adults
from physical and sexual abuse inflicted by some ministers in Full Connexion and members of
the Methodist Church. That abuse has been inflicted by some Methodists on children, young
people and adults is and will remain a deep source of grief and shame to the Church.
“We have not always listened properly to those abused or cared for them, and this is deeply
regrettable. In respect of these things we have, as a Christian Church, clearly failed to live in
ways that glorify God and honour Christ.
“I am certain that the Methodist Conference will want to resolve to do all in its power to
improve its systems to protect children, young people and adults from abuse within the life of
the Church and on Church premises, and to review them diligently on a regular basis.”
The independent Past Cases Review considered all safeguarding cases for which there were
written records and those recalled from memory by ministers and members of the Church going
back to 1950. These included cases that occurred within a church context as well as those which
were reported to the church as a matter of pastoral concern but which occurred away from the
church.
In each identified case, the Church’s response was reviewed on whether it had been safe,
pastorally appropriate and compliant with current legislation and policy. Where possible and
appropriate cases have been referred to the police or other remedial action has been taken. The
aim of conducting the review and writing the report has been to learn the lessons of the past so
that safeguarding work within the Methodist Church is of the highest possible standard and the
Church is safe for all.
………………………………../2
-2The Methodist Conference, meeting in Southport from 25 June to 2 July, will discuss the
findings of the Past Cases Review and will be invited to establish an implementation group to
take forward the report’s 23 recommendations.
About the Methodist Church
The Methodist Church is one of the largest Christian churches serving Great Britain, with
nearly 209,000 members and regular contact with 512,000 people. It has 5,023 churches in
Great Britain, and also maintains links with other Methodist churches with a worldwide
total membership of over 80 million. Its activities, both alone and with ecumenical and
secular partners, are based on four aims known as Our Calling:
• To increase awareness of God's presence and to celebrate God's love
• To help people to grow and learn as Christians through mutual support and care
• To be a good neighbour to people in need and to challenge injustice
• To make more followers of Jesus Christ.
For more information contact:
Anna Drew
Lead Media Officer
Methodist Church House
25 Marylebone Road, London NW1 5JR
T 0207 467 5191
M 07881 783812
F 020 7467 5229
E drewa@methodistchurch.org.uk
Thirsty For?? – August 2015
For Thirsty For?? in August (Thursday 13th August), rather than our usual meeting we are looking to
watch a film “God’s not Dead” released in the USA back in early 2014 and has recently reached our
shores for viewing. The film is just under 2 hours long and we will start the film at just after 7p.m..
Refreshments will be available through the evening and if people want to spend some time afterwards discussing what they see, then that’s not a problem.
I have provided a synopsis of the film below:
Present-day college freshman and devout Christian, Josh Wheaton, finds his faith challenged on his
first day of Philosophy class by the dogmatic and argumentative Professor Radisson. Radisson begins
class by informing students that they will need to disavow, in writing, the existence of God on that
first day, or face a failing grade. As other students in the class begin scribbling the words “God Is
Dead” on pieces of paper as instructed, Josh find himself at a crossroads, having to choose between
his faith and his future. Josh offers a nervous refusal, provoking an irate reaction from his smug
professor. Radisson assigns him a daunting task: if Josh will not admit that “God Is Dead,” he must
prove God’s existence by presenting well-researched, intellectual arguments and evidence over the
course of the semester, and engage Radisson in a head-to-head debate in front of the class. If Josh
fails to convince his classmates of God’s existence, he will fail the course and hinder his lofty
academic goals. With almost no one in his corner, Josh wonders if he can really fight for what he
believes. Can he actually prove the existence of God? Wouldn’t it just be easier just to write “God Is
Dead” and put the whole incident behind him? The film weaves together multiple stories of faith,
doubt and disbelief, culminating in a dramatic call to action. The film will educate, entertain, and
inspire moviegoers to explore what they really believe about God, igniting important conversations
and life-changing decisions.
If you would like to join us for this session, then I look forward to welcoming you.
Don’t forget, Thursday 13th August 2015, 7p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.
Mike Spaull
Thirsty For??
B B C S O NG S OF PRAI S E
‘B I G S I N G’
Sunday 13th September 2015 at the Royal Albert Hall commencing at 6pm
The ‘Big Sing’ is a BBC event under the banner of Songs of Praise. Tickets will go on sale Monday 8 th
June. The cost of admission is not yet known but anticipate, including the coach, the overall cost is
likely to be in the region of £30 each. In recent years purchasing tickets for good seats has become very
difficult. Hopefully we’ll be more fortunate this year, but if it is not possible to get seats in the stalls or
loggia boxes, will not proceed. We usually leave Thorpe Bay about 3pm and arrive back about midnight.
Various pick ups are arranged along the A13. If you are interested in attending the ‘Big Sing’ please
complete and return the slip below.
Derek Matthews (01702 582994)
Email address: derek.matthews@blueyonder.co.uk
Please detach and return to
Derek Matthews, 7 Weare Gifford, Shoeburyness, SS3 8AB
‘B I G S I N G’
Sunday 13th September 2015 at the Royal Albert Hall
I would like …………….tickets
Name………………………………………………………………….
Address……………………………………………………………….
……………………………………..……………………………........
Telephone…………………………...email address…………………….......
Signed…………………………..………………... Date………..……………..
There will be copies of the order form for tickets in the front foyer. Ed.
BELFAIRS METHODIST CHURCH Eastwood Road North, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex.
REGULAR WEEKLY MEETINGS
SUNDAY SERVICES 11.00 a.m. (6.30 p.m. as announced)
10 O’clock Club
9.00 a.m. Early morning communion followed by breakfast
(3rd Sunday as announced)
10.00 a.m. (except 3rd Sunday Parade Service)
MONDAY
5.30 p.m.
6.30 p.m.
7.30 p.m.
Boys’ Brigade Anchor Boys
Boys’ Brigade Junior Section
Boys’ Brigade Company Section
TUESDAY
2.00 p.m.
7.00 p.m.
8.00 p.m.
Indoor Bowls Club
Junior Badminton Club
Badminton Club
WEDNESDAY
10.00 a.m.
5.30 p.m.
6.30 p.m.
6.30 p.m.
Parent & Toddlers
Girls’ Brigade Explorers
Girls’ Brigade Juniors
Girls’ Brigade Seniors & Brigaders
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
10.00 a.m. ‘Open House’ Coffee Morning
MONTHLY MEETINGS
Mid Week Communion
Sunday Monthly Lunch
Men’s Supper Club
Thirsty For??
A.C.T.I.O.N
House Groups
‘Seekers’ Discussion Group
9.00 a.m.
1.00 p.m.
7.30 p.m.
7.00 p.m.
2.00 p .m.
7.30 p.m.
2.00 p.m.
2nd Wednesday
2nd Sunday (Oct—June)
1st Thursday (Oct—May)
2nd Thursday
4th Thursday
2nd Tuesday
) Please speak to
3rd Wednesday ) Stewards for
) more details.
September Newsletter Deadline:
Articles are welcomed at any time, but the deadline for last minute items is 16th
August 2015
Articles can be placed in the box in the foyer or e-mailed to sue.spaull@hotmail.co.uk
Thank you.