"IN TOUCH" issue 26, 10th March 2021 - Welshpool Methodist Church, High Street "Celebrating and Sharing God's Love" - Welshpool Methodist ...
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Welshpool Methodist Church, High Street
“Celebrating and Sharing God’s Love”
“IN TOUCH” issue 26, 10th March 2021
News and Updates
1. Good wishes - to all celebrating Birthdays this month, and to all who are not so
well at the moment. (Please continue to let us know of those with “special”
birthdays, ending in ‘0’ or 90+, and those who are unwell or in need of our prayers.
Also, if you have some good news, share it with us!)
2. Thanks – Vio writes “On behalf of the family I wish to express my grateful thanks to
all the many folks who have sent messages of condolences on the loss of John.
Throughout the year I have been supported by the thoughts and prayers of our
Church family, and, despite all its problems, feel blessed to belong to such a loving
group of people”.
3. Zoom events – weekly Sunday worship will continue this month, starting at
10.30am. Please join any time after 10am – there will be no admittance after the
service has begun. Joining details are as before: Meeting ID is 832 0179 8210, and
the password is 074440. The service on Mothering Sunday, 14th March, will be led by
Welshpool church, and on 21st March by Revd Jacquie. Weekly Quiz evenings
continue on Fridays at 7pm and Bible Reading alternate Thursdays 11th and 25th at
11am (joining details from Derek). Churches Together Lent Groups on the theme of
“Caring for Creation” continue on Wednesdays at 7.30pm (details from Janice).
4. ‘Caring for Creation’ – some more questions to ponder
* What are we doing in our locality to save the environment and care for creation?
* The Mammal Society estimates cats in the UK kill 27 million birds each year. Has
domestication of animals for our own purposes (food, agriculture, companionship..)
upset God’s natural balance? Is it selfish to keep a dog or a cat as a pet?
* How can we encourage people to take practical steps to reduce global heating
and their carbon footprint?
* What ideas could our church implement to lessen its carbon footprint?
* We are called to live more simply, that others may simply live. Are there any of the
changes to your lifestyle from the 2020 Coronovirus lockdown that you intend to try
to maintain?
5. Church Re-opening – the church will re-open, initially probably only for worship
and prayer, from the beginning of April (unless there is a spike of infections and
there is Government or Church guidance to the contrary). We look forward to
meeting “face to face” instead of via the screen!
6. Job Vacancies – from September 1st, we need to employ a Church Cleaner (this
position will be advertised nearer the time, but will probably be for 6 hours/week,
flexible, at a little above the minimum wage). We may also require a volunteer
Bookings Secretary. Further details to follow.Mothering Sunday, 17th March (from ‘A Brief History of Mothering Sunday’ - www.yesterday.uktv.co.uk) Mothering Sunday began as an explicitly religious event of the 16th century with no connection to mothers at all. The word “mothering” referred to the “mother church”, the main church or cathedral of the region. It became tradition that, on the fourth Sunday of Lent, people would return to their mother church for a special service. Their pilgrimage was known as “going a–mothering” and became something of a holiday event, with domestic servants traditionally given the day off to visit their own families as well as their mother church. One of the tastiest traditions of Mothering Sunday was the baking of a Simnel Cake. Often regarded as a purely Easter-related confection, this rich fruit cake is also tied to Mothering Sunday, as a bit of indulgence to make up for the general austerity of Lent (and became a traditional present to take home to your mother). Consisting of layers of cake and marzipan, a traditional Simnel Cake also reflects the religious overtones of the event by being decorated with eleven balls of marzipan, representing all the disciples of Jesus, minus Judas Iscarot. Despite its long existence in British culture, Mothering Sunday eventually fell out of fashion at the dawn of the 20th century, but a lady named Constance Penswick- Smith, the daughter of a vicar, thought the loss of Mothering Sunday was a great shame, and worked hard to rekindle interest, even writing a book whose title was “The Revival of Mothering Sunday”, and she also founded the Society for the Observance of Mothering Sunday. Her determination paid off, and the fading festival was restored to the culture of the country, only with much more focus on celebrating motherhood – due to American influence. The American Mother’s Day was invented by a woman called Anna Jarvis in 1908. Anna’s initial inspiration was a desire to honour her own mother, who had been a militant peace activist during the US Civil War. Her growing ambition to create a formal “Mother’s Day” for all American mothers was literally laughed out of the room at first, with officials jokingy saying that it might lead to a “Mother-in-Law’s Day”, but Anna wasn’t easily put off, and, in 1914 US President Woodrow Wilson officially signed Mother’s Day into existence. It was Anna Jarvis who inspired Constance Penswick-Smith to revive the more religiously-flavoured Mothering Sunday here in Britain, although the two separate events have since become combined in most people’s minds. Interestingly, Anna Jarvis herself was the first person to condemn the growing commercialisation of Mother’s Day, and started organising boycotts of the event she herself had created. One of her anti-Mother’s Day protests even led to her arrest for disturbing the peace, and she was particularly appalled by ready-made Mother’s Day cards, saying “A printed card means nothing except that you are too lazy to write to the woman who has done more for you than anyone else in the world.” Buying chocolates was also a no-no as well. “You take a box to mother,” she scoffed, “and then eat most of them yourself. A pretty sentiment!” (Our zoom worship on 14th March will be a reflective service for Mothering Sunday)
Somebody’s Mother
The woman was old and ragged and grey,
and bent with the chill of the winter’s day.
The street was wet with the recent snow,
And the woman’s feet were aged and slow.
She stood at the crossing and waited long
Alone, uncared for, amid the throng
Of human beings who passed her by,
None heeded the glance of her anxious eye.
Down the street with laughter and shout,
Glad in the freedom of “school let out”,
Came boys and girls like a flock of sheep,
Hailing the snow piled so white and deep.
Past the woman so old and grey,
Hastened the children on their way,
None offered a helping hand to her,
So meek, so timid, afraid to stir.
And then came another of that merry troop,
The loudest laddie of the group;
He paused beside her – then whispered low,
“I’ll help you across if you wish to go.”
Her aged hand upon his strong young arm
She placed, and so, without hurt or harm,
He guided her trembling feet along,
Proud that his own were firm and strong.
Then back again to his friends he went,
His young heart happy and well content.
“She’s somebody’s mother, boys, you know,
For all she’s aged and poor and slow;
“And I hope some fellow will lend a hand
To help my mother, you understand,
If ever she’s poor and old and grey,
When her own dear boy is far away.”
And “somebody’s mother” bowed low her head
In her home that night, and the prayer she said
Was “God be kind to the noble boy
Who is somebody’s son and pride and joy.”
A Prayer for Mothers (Nick Fawcett)
Loving Lord, we pray for mothers the world over, recognising both the joys and the
demands they experience – the privilege and the pressures, the hopes and the
fears, the pleasure and the pain that motherhood brings.
Equip them with the love, wisdom and strength they need. Amen.Sing Praises! Julia’s Choice of Hymns for weeks beginning 15th and 22nd March Now Thank we all our God (StF 81) is chosen for Mothering Sunday weekend. I like the line “Who from our mother’s arms has blessed us on our way” – in particular as all parents have to let go at various times as a child gets older and eventually leaves that comfortable sphere of the home, where we all have the mistaken belief we have the power to control the dangers they will meet. It reminds us to share the load with the Lord. Written in the 17th century and translated into English in the 19th, incredibly it was written during a time of disease and famine, of war and plague, in Germany in 1636. An archdeacon at 31, Martin Rickart was burying hundreds of people and working with communities, poor, hungry and devastated by disease, yet he was able to write “who keeps us in His grace and guides us when perplexed”. What a Friend we have in Jesus (StF 531) was written by Joseph Medlicott Scriven, who was born in County Down but emigrated to Canada aged 25, where he was living amongst a group of Plymouth Brethren. When his Mother became ill, he wrote a poem for her as encouragement and sent it back to his home. This poem was later revised and became the hymn we now sing. It was promoted by Ira Sankey amongst others. Joseph lost his fiancee to illness and devoted his life to his community. There are some lovely lines in this hymn, which concludes with the statement “You will find a solace there.” As we pray for our communities this Lent, these two hymns can give us lines to use as we bring our friends, neighbours and loved ones to mind, especially as we remain separated and unaware how the lives of those we no longer see day by day are unfolding. My best wishes, Julia. You Say... but God Says... (These words were sent to me by post this week, and I share them with you as I’m sure, like me, you will have been having some of these negative thoughts during this long year of lockdown. I hope being reminded that you are not alone will bring you some reassurance) You say God says Bible Verses I can’t figure it out I will direct your steps Proverbs 3:5-6 I’m too tired I will give you rest Matthew 11:28-30 It’s impossible All things are possible Luke 18:27 Nobody loves me I love you John 3:16 I can’t forgive myself I forgive you Romans 8:1 It’s not worth it It will be worth it Romans 8:28 I’m not smart enough I will give you wisdom 1 Corinthians 1:30 I’m not able I am able 2 Corinthians 9:8 I can’t go on My grace is sufficient 2 Corinthians 12:9 I can’t do it You can do all things Philippians 4:13 I can’t manage I will supply all your needs Philippians 4:19 I’m afraid I have not given you fear 2 Timothy 1:7 I feel all alone I will never leave you Hebrews 13:5
YOU are blessed! (author unknown) If you own a Bible you are abundantly blessed. About 1/3 of the world does not have access to one. If you wake up each morning with more health than illness, you are blessed to rise and shine to live and serve in a new day. If you have anyone on the planet, just one person that loves you and listens to you, count this a blessing. If you can freely attend a church meeting without fear, then you are more blessed than over 1/3 of the world. If you pray today or any day, you are blessed because you believe in God’s willingness to hear your prayer. If you pray for someone else, you are blessed because you want to help others also. If you have food in your refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof over your head, and a place to sleep, all at the same time, you are rich in this world. If you have a brother or sister in Christ that will pray with you and for you, you benefit from a spiritual unity, bond and agreement, which the gates of hell cannot stand against. If you have an earthly family that love you and support you, you are blessed beyond measure. If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, or some spare change in a dish some where, you are among the world’s wealthy. If you can go to bed each night, knowing God loves you, you are blessed beyond measure. If you can read this message, you are more blessed than about 1/3 of the world who cannot read at all. If you have never had to endure the hardship and agony of battle, imprisonment, or torture, you are blessed in indescribable measure. If you can hold someone’s hand, hug another person, touch someone on the shoulder, you are blessed because you can offer God’s healing touch. If you can share a word of encouragement with someone else, and do it with His love in your heart, you are blessed because you have learned how to give. If you have the conviction to stand fast upon His Word and His promises, no matter what, you are blessed because you are learning patience, endurance, and tenacity. If you hold your head up with a smile on your face and are truly thankful, you are blessed, because most people can, but many will not. And in the words of that old hymn: When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed, When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost, Count your many blessings, name them one by one, And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done. Count your Blessings and Be Thankful to your Lord!
From Julia: Missing the bus! X75!
How nice to be able to join the zoom worship and quiz each week, but oh, I do miss
coming on my Monday morning bus to Welshpool! We rode a bus once or twice
last summer, whereas we would take the bus everywhere possible before lockdown
in March 2020. Our drivers were always so considerate and friendly. Most would
know exactly where each traveller got on and off. I see many buses going up and
down but so few of us are travelling just now, with our destinations closed or denied
us.
I miss the regulars, who greeted the Monday acquaintances by name. I recall how
that weekly 2hr.20min. journey from Llanidloes to Shrewsbury (and return) was the
social occasion and weekly meeting day for groups of sisters and school freinds.
Then there was the nonogenarian who travelled out from Shropshire to eat lunch at
his regular country pub deep in mid Wales. He said it was a lovely drive out and so
easy door to door from his home. For some of these fellow travellers, their lives will
have been reduced to four walls and the view from the window. I’m not sure how
to discover the current health of any of them.
Then on the shorter journeys on the same route were college students, workers,
shoppers heading to Newtown or Welshpool, the two ladies who volunteered in
charity shops, those going to doctors appointments, the grandparents calling on
family for lunch, the mother with her little ones heading off to the park – and finally
me, carrying my music folder.
Not only do I miss my choir morning, which includes the joy of singing and the
fellowship, I miss too browsing for odds and ends in the various little shops around
Welshpool – and I miss those folks on the bus. They didn’t really ever become my
best buddies but peopled my days and helped to kick start the week on Monday
mornings in a really nice way.
I like public transport and hope it won’t be too long before our sight-seeing trips
can restart when restrictions are lifted, and my weekly trip to Weshpool can resume.
Quips and Quotes (from “What Did I Come Upstairs For?”, Judith Merrell & Anna Caddy)
“Grow old along with me! The best is yet to be....”
Robert Browning 1812-1889, English poet
“Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty”
Henry Ford 1863-1947, American businessman
“We are always the same age inside”
Gertrude Stein 1874-1946, American writer
“Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional”
Chili Davis 1960-present, Jamaican former baseball player
“It’s sad to grow old, but nice to ripen”
Brigitte Bardot 1934-present, French actress and model
“There was no respect for youth when I was young, and now that I am old,
There is no respect for age – I missed it coming and going”
J.B.Priestley 1894-1984, Engish writerFrom Pat P: “Why Teachers Drink?!” The following questions were set in a recent science examination paper, and these are genuine answers from 16 year olds. They’ll make you smile – or despair! Q. Name the four seasons A. Salt, pepper, mustard and vinegar Q. How is dew formed? A. The sun shines down on the leaves and makes them perspire Q. What causes the tides in the oceans? A. The tides are a fight between the earth and the moon. All water tends to flow towards the moon because there is no water on the moon and nature abhors a vacuum. I forget where the sun joins the fight Q. Explain one of the processes by which water can be made safe to drink A. Flirtation makes water safe to drink because it removes large pollutants like grit, sand, dead sheep and canoeists Q. How can you delay milk turning sour? A. Keep it in the cow Q. How are the main parts of the body categorised (e.g. The abdomen..) A. The body is consisted into 3 parts – the brainium, the borax and the abdominal cavity. The brainium contains the brain, the borax contains the heart and lungs and the abdominal cavity contains the five bowels: A, E, I, O, U Q. What happens to your body as you age? A. When you get old, so do your bowels, and you get intercontinental Q. What happens to a boy when he reaches puberty? A. He says goodbye to his boyhood and looks forward to his adultery Q. Name a major disease associated with cigarettes A. Premature death Q.What are steroids? A. Things for keeping carpets still on the stairs Q. What is the fibula? A. A small lie Q. What does ‘varicose’ mean? A. Nearby Q. What is a seizure? A. A Roman Emperor Q. What does the word ‘benign’ mean? A. Benign is what you will be after you be eight Q. What is artificial insemination? A. When a farmer does it to the cow instead of the bull Q. What is the most common form of birth control? A. Most people prevent contraception by wearing a condominium
Puzzle time – two puzzles sent in by Betty H What are these well-known ships? 1. In 1912 she struck at iceberg in the North Atlantic 2. On which Horatio Nelson died 3. Mutiny on her when Bligh was captain 4. On which the Pilgrim Fathers sailed to America 5. The Royal Yacht 6. A musical 7. Capsized in the English Channel in 1987 8. The first steel-armoured battleship 9. Francis Drake sailed in her against the Spanish Armada, now in Brixham 10. Very fast clipper, now at Greenwich 11. Shirley Temple’s ‘Good Ship’ 12. Large vessel wrecked between the Scilly Isles and Lands End 13. One of Christopher Columbus’s three ships (initials S M) 14. First ship torpedoed and sunk by German submarines in World War ll 15. Henry VIII’s salvaged ship, now at Portsmouth 16. Designed by Brunel, the first large steamship constructed of iron, now at Bristol 17. Argentina’s warship destroyed in the Falklands War, 2 May 1982 18. Jason’s legendary ship in which he sailed to find the Golden Fleece 19. Capt Cook explored the coasts of New Zealand and Australia in her 20. Legendary special ship condemned with her crew to sail forever English Coastal Towns (anagrams) 1. BECOMMERA 2. NOSEYBRUSHES 3. THRAPROPNER 4. BILTONGRIND 5. CLOPKLOBA 6. DRABSOTISAR 7. MARSENHIGH 8. SERNESHES 9. NEWSAGA 10. TESTOWOLF 11. WADPOST 12. LATHTILOPMENT 13. LOOFESTENK 14. WEFOY 15. REBOATUNES 16. OMOBLOWACE 17. MENUTIGHTO 18. MEHIENDA 19. CRESTOPHEEL 20. BUGLEHARD Answers to ‘Sweets and Confectionary’ puzzle, issue 25 1. Nougat 2. Rolo 3. Toffee 4. Butterscotch 5. Humbug 6. Truffle 7. Pear Drop 8. Turkish Delight 9. Lollipop 10. Chewing gum 11. Rock 12. Easter Egg 13. Pontefract cake 14. Marzipan 15. Gobstopper 16. Dolly Mixtures 17. Marshmallow 18. Barley sugar 19. Candy Floss 20. Gingerbread Man Thanks to those who have contributed to this issue. Please keep your items coming - all contributions welcome. For Issue 27, out on 24th March, please send to rhodes4144@gmail.com, tel. 850514, or to ‘Brynteg’, Castle Caereinion, Welshpool, SY21 9AS, by 20th March. Cake orders to Gwen 555988 or Janice 850514.
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