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ADDINGTON METHODIST MAGAZINE 1
Magazine
MARCH 2021
2021
2 ADDINGTON METHODIST MAGAZINE
March
ADDINGTON METHODIST MAGAZINE 3
Magazine
MARCH 2021
Circuit Minister: Revd Soon Cheol Choi choi_sc@hotmail.com
Tel: 020-8654 5481
Lay Pastor: Mr Bennie Harms bennieharms@croydonmeth.org
Tel: 07900-890 384
OUR MINISTER WRITES...
"Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax
collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: 'God, I thank you that I am
not like other people-robbers, evildoers, adulterers-or even like this tax
collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.' "But the tax collector
stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and
said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.' "I tell you that this man, rather than the
other, went home justified before God. (Luke 18. 10-14)
Dear friends,
By the time you read this letter, you may be journeying half way through Lent,
perhaps trying to keep your Lent resolutions, such as chocolate fast. Or, you
may not want to be under any more rules and restrictions this time, as we have
to live already under many measures laid out by the government. You may
have been fed up with all those new regulations and restrictions. It is not easy
to follow them up.
In terms of keeping rules, particularly religious ones, I don't think any of us
dare to say "I can beat Pharisees." They were very committed and loyal to the
law, which was set up for their religious life. Let alone fasting, tithing, and
keeping Sabbath, they also had various kinds of ceremonial regulations, which
no one found easy. And, they were very proud of those laws, and tried hard to
keep them in their everyday lives. And, that is exactly what this Pharisee is
talking about in this story. And, we see him giving thanks to God for what he
is, not like robbers, evildoers, adulterers, or tax collectors. He must have been
very proud of himself. It seems there is nothing wrong with him at all.
2021No. 722
Issue
4 ADDINGTON METHODIST MAGAZINE
But, the trouble is that he didn't know how he was, in terms of his relationship
with God, and he didn't know what it meant to pray to God, which had nothing
to do with self-righteousness. Praying is not telling God of 'how good I am'.
Rather, it is a time to ask God's mercy and forgiveness, for the things we've
done wrong in our lives. God wants us to pray, fast, and work, for His sake,
for His people around us, not verbally or hypocritically, but sincerely from
within our hearts.
In this respect, we see why Jesus approved of this tax collector's attitude in
praying, although he didn't approve of his way of life. This man's prayer was
very apologetic. He knew that he was wrong. Although he was asking God's
mercy, he knew that he didn't deserve it. 'Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner',
he prayed. This must be our prayer during Lent.
Lent is a time of self-denial, a time of giving up our sinful habits, and asking
God to forgive. Then, just as that tax collector walked home justified before
God, so we can walk away, knowing that we have been forgiven. That would
mean, in other words, 'we can start over'. We can re-build our relationship
with God, and with others. And, I believe it will give us hope, joy and relief.
So, I pray that we may use this time for being honest with God, and humbling
ourselves before Him, so that we may see how gracious and wonderful our
Lord's love is, as we journey on together towards the cross.
Every blessing,
Choi
March
ADDINGTON METHODIST MAGAZINE 5
CHOI’S SABBATICAL
Last year the Rev’d. Choi asked me to convene a Sabbatical Support group as
he was due to take a sabbatical later in 2020. However, it soon became clear that
it would be wise to postpone this until the spring of 2021. It is Choi’s intention
to begin his sabbatical in mid March and finish on the 12th July. Pastoral
arrangements have been made for the churches affected.
The Methodist Church along with other denominations require Ministers to
take a sabbatical for 3 months every 7yrs. It is not unusual for a holiday period to
be added to this time and Choi is taking advantage of this facility.
Sabbaticals are designed to provide time for further study and reflection and
space for new experiences. Choi had hoped to return to South Korea to continue
work which he started during his last sabbatical but this is proving problematic.
Bearing in mind the current situation a radical rethink and a flexible approach are
required and Choi has several options available to him.
We pray that Choi will find this a time of reflection and renewal. We give
thanks for his ministry and for those exercising pastoral ministry among us. We
also pray for our churches in this challenging environment.
God bless you and keep you.
Yours
Revd Pamela Clews
2021
6 ADDINGTON METHODIST MAGAZINE
OUR CHURCH MATTERS
We were able to watch JANET ELLIOT‘S funeral service as a ‘Live
Webcast’ from Croydon Crematorium on 23 February. We hold in our
prayers PAUL, MARIE CLARE, HELEN and the other family members.
LETTERS
Dear Friends at Addington, I would like to thank all our
A belated huge thankyou for all friends at church who sent
the best wishes and support greetings and cards for
from all of you following a very Christmas. I am sorry that I
challenging few months for our have not been on the phone to
family, although compared to say this, but my hearing aids
many others we have been so are annoying and start to
lucky. squeak when anything gets
close to them. Hopefully when
Every day we count our lock-down is over I will be able
blessings and give thanks for to get to Mayday and get them
the wonderful friendship and fixed. Until then, know that I
support that is so freely given. keep you all in my thoughts.
I trust that, (apart from, -
socially distanced of course!-, Thank you to everyone who
'bumping into' many of you out helps with the Sunday zoom
and about locally, which is service. It is wonderful to see
always a joy, and our friends and join in the service
wonderful virtual services) it together. We hope that it will
won't be too long before we can not be too long before the
all meet again. church can open its doors
again and we can all meet
With love and thanks together again..
Sue, Carl and family xxx Joyce Fanshawe
March
ADDINGTON METHODIST MAGAZINE 7
SPOTLIGHT ON JANET ELLIOT
In the late 1980’s Lynn used have a regular spot in our Church Newsletter (as
we called it then) where she interviewed various members of our church. We
carefully kept these on file so they could be available as obituaries for the future.
The article below first appeared in June 1990 when Janet had just became a
Church Steward. The Senior Steward that year was Charlie Bryce, who died last
year - just as we went into ‘lockdown’. Once we are able to safely gather
together again, we are hoping to celebrate the lives of all those we have lost.
Janet Elliot was recently elected to College in Manchester. It took a while to
become one of our Church Stewards. get used to city life, but Janet kept herself
Such bravery should not go unnoticed so entertained, joining the Meth.Soc. and
we decided to find out a little about the helping to decorate an old persons' flat in
lady behind the legend! one of the new tower blocks.
Janet was born and brought up in After qualifying as a teacher Janet
Ashford in Kent. Her first taste of school came to Croydon to be near the bright
life was at St. Mary's C of E primary school lights of the city for a couple of years
which dates back to 1845, although Janet before returning to the country. Some-
assures us that she wasn't in the original thing happened however to upset those
intake! One of her most vivid childhood plans. At the first school in which she
memories is of the "carriage feast". Each worked Janet met Paul. They fell in love
day to get to Folkestone Technical High and married two years later. Janet never
School Janet would cycle to the station did get back to the country!
then go on the train with about 70 others. Janet and Paul started married life in a
There were 8 children in each carriage and garret flat in Streatham, moving to a
on the last day of term they each took house in Addiscombe after three years.
enough food for everybody and had to Eventually they moved here to Selsdon as
eat it all in the 20 minutes of the train Janet, being a country girl needed more
journey. Janet still always managed her space around her. After teaching for 12
tea! years Marie-Clare finally appeared,
Janet's family was very chapel orien- closely followed by Helen. Six years later
tated. Her father was a local preacher and Janet was lured back into the teaching
cycled off into the countryside morning profession, first as a supply teacher and
and evening to conduct services at the now as a part time teacher.
remote villages in the circuit. Her mother Janet joined Addington Methodist
sang lustily in the Methodist Church choir, Church via the Wives' Club (now the
and last but by no means least Janet was Thursday Group), was roped into the pan-
roped in to playing hymns at Sunday tomime "Babes in the Wood", then Marie-
School at the tender age of 12, she adds Clare started Junior Church and they have
however that they were very desperate! never looked back.
The transition from the countryside to
the city came as a bit of a culture shock for Lynn Fanshawe
Janet when she went to Teacher Training June 1990
20218 ADDINGTON METHODIST MAGAZINE
BELLS TRIBUTE TO JANET
Janet started playing handbells with a local group - the Wandle ringers in
Sanderstead. She always loved playing the bells and in 2002 decided to start a
new group based at Addington Methodist Church (while also continuing with
the Wandles). Janet personally bought most of the handbells, and taught the
group how to play. She led the group for 15 years, carrying on even after her first
stroke. Unfortunately, further strokes and the onset of Parkinson's Disease forced
her to take a back seat in 2017, although she would still often come to practices
and join in.
Janet will be remembered for her joy in bell-ringing and the fun and laughter
she brought to practices and concerts. During practices she would often break
away from musical comments to regale with us an amusing anecdote or two -
there was always much laughter. Janet loved music, and had some strong views
on pieces she liked or disliked - for example, 'Stranger on the Shore' was a
favourite, but Pachelbel's Canon got short shrift! She devoted much time and
effort to the group, even though she was also a mainstay of many other Church-
based groups.
She leaves a legacy of many fond memories and a well-established bell-
ringing group who have inherited her love of bell playing. She will be much
missed.
The Handbell Group
MarchADDINGTON METHODIST MAGAZINE 9
BENNIE’S BLOG BENNIE'S BLOG
The View from the Donkey
"At this point", the interviewer said, to talk about "Brother Ass". He was refer-
and paused as if deep in thought, and ring to St Francis who in his practise of
then continued, "We are all aware that this asceticism used to refer to his body as
is the time of the year, in churches all over 'Brother Ass' - with particular reference to
the world, when believers practise what is encompassing everything he wanted for
known as 'Lent '. What does it mean? himself and undertook because of love of
And I understand, you give up something self rather than love of God and his fellow
for 'Lent', what are you giving up?' human beings. St Francis' belief was that
of a life aimed at total spiritual transforma-
I wasn't sure how to respond. How do
tion, with a threefold vow enabling one to
you explain something as deeply per-
be open to God, humble before God, and
sonal as 'Lent'? As to 'what was I giving
ready to be used by God. This vow could
up?' That's not such an easy answer either.
therefore only be kept through absti-
Lent is an important season in the year nence, discipline and self-mortification at
for Christians - a time of self-reflection and various levels. But I am not St Francis,
self-examination where we confess our even if I could emulate his beliefs in my
failings and resolve to live a godlier life life and daily practise.
based on the teachings of Jesus Christ. It
So, I enter into this time of 'Lent' in
lasts for just over six weeks leading up to
many ways like a donkey or resembling a
Easter. I grew up in a church where we
donkey. I must recognize that God is
practised what was called 'Self Denial'
requesting of me, my presence, so that I
and you were supposed to put aside the
might be used of Him. His plan for me is
monetary value of what you'd given up so
that I would let Him be Lord of my life.
that you could make a 'gift' on Easter
And just as they laid their cloaks on the
Sunday. Years later, we were taught to
donkey used by Jesus on Palm Sunday, so
give to the OWSOMS Appeal (which
I too need to clothe myself in the fullness
means One Week's Salary On Missionary
of Christ. Allowing the Spirit to lead me
Service) and the money was used for
and to follow obediently. Be humbled in
developing the work of the church in
such a way, that as I lift Jesus up (and let
places where they weren't as affluent as
Him ride on my back, as it were) others
we were. Moreover, the practise of
will see Him more clearly and…I need to
OWSOMS was also carried out in poorer
serve Christ faithfully that He might be
countries and places as well.
glorified…for He alone is worthy!
I was glad that I was one of a group of
Jesus wants to make a triumphal entry
people being interviewed and somebody
into the lives of those around you …will
else continued to answer the questions. I
you take Him there?
did breathe a sigh of relief. But it didn't
stop me thinking about 'the giving up' bit. And I gave up all fizzy drinks AND
I must admit to feeling quite challenged chocolates AND social media.
by the practise of 'giving up something'. God Bless,
It would be very easy for me to glibly say
I've given up chocolates, or canned drinks Bennie Harms
or something similar and not be practising
any form of self-denial. I have a friend, Lay Pastor - Addington and Shirley
from my early days in ministry, who used Methodist Churches
202110 ADDINGTON METHODIST MAGAZINE
M W
March Worship
ARCH ORSHIP
Currently London is ‘locked down’, and we need to STAY AT HOME to keep
us all safe and avoid spreading the virus (even if you have been
inoculated),so we will offer Zoom services at 10;30am each Sunday.
If you would like to join us (from your own home, using your laptop or phone)
just send an email to addmethzoom@gmail.com This will generate an
automatic reply which gives you the address for the next Zoom service.
7 March - Zoom service led by Mr Bennie Harms
14 March - Zoom service led by Rev Jennifer Potter
21 March - Zoom service led by Mrs Doreen Ridden
28 March - Zoom service led by Mr Bennie Harms
A Croydon Circuit Service by Rev Stephen Day is available on YouTube
every Sunday afternoon until further notice.
Details on www.croydonmeth.org
PRAYER LIST
Prayer List
Week beginning:
March 7 Worship Leaders
14 Our Pastoral team
21 Youth workers
28 Our Bible Readers
MarchADDINGTON METHODIST MAGAZINE 11
ZOOM BY INTERNET
If you have a ‘smartphone’ or a ‘laptop’ or a ’tablet’ with an Internet
connection, joining a Zoom service is very simple. You need an INVITATION
from the person who is in charge (the preacher or a helper). This is an email
which gives you the time you should join and the electronic address you should
use. Normally this will appear in blue, and will look like a fairly lengthy email
address. Just click on that address, and wait for things to happen, then just follow
the instructions that appear on the screen.
Remember that this is a live meeting (not a recording) so you will need to be
on time - preferably 5 minutes early. If you are too early you will get a message
advising you to wait until the organiser lets you in.
As other people join you will see their pictures in small boxes, with their
names underneath. You can also hear them as long as they are not ‘muted’.
Normally people are initially muted, so they (including you) can only be heard if
they ‘unmute’ themselves - by clicking the microphone icon (which is usually at
the bottom of your screen).
ZOOM BY PHONE
The Zoom services can also be reached via landline or mobile telephone.
Your phone company will charge you per minute unless you have ‘free weekend
calls’. You’ll hear everyone who is there and you will be able to talk to them, but
you will not be able to see each other.
We, as a Team, are anxious that we have contact with you in this way and
look forward to you joining the services by phone if you don’t have Internet.
Dial any one of these London numbers:
020 3051 2874 or 020 3481 5237 or 020 3481 5240 or 020 3901 7895.
If the line is busy, try the next number. When they ask for your Meeting ID enter
818 9434 6899 followed by ‘#’
For example::
Dial - 020 3051 2874
Response - " Enter your meeting ID then ‘#'
Type - 818 9434 6899#
Response - " Enter your participant number, or enter ‘#'
Type - #
Response - 'You have joined the meeting your host will let you in"
If you cannot join the meeting, please make contact with me after the service
(sorry if you miss it) and I will help you (over the phone) to get onto Zoom and
enjoy the services thereafter.
Bennie Harms
202112 ADDINGTON METHODIST MAGAZINE
CONCERNS
WHAT IS THERE IN A HYMN AND A PRAYER?
The past two months of not having
written any "Concerns" articles I think are
the first I have missed in over the past 25
years of writing for the Church Magazine,
but the difficult past twelve months of
Lockdowns, Self Isolations, Bubbles, Cov-
id--l9, Vaccinations has had it's effects. I
am pleased to say that the one thing
which went straight forward was the
Covid 19 vaccinations, all very quick and
efficient.
My last article which was in the
Christmas 2020 Magazine "What is there
in a hymn and a prayer?" This came as a
result of my best man Brian and his wife
Marcia sending me a letter containing I do hope you will find this useful par-
"Useful Thoughts" which included a won- ticularly in these difficult times.
derful daily prayer which I have been
reading out to myself almost every day
since I received it, and I thought I would Ken Dudley
draw your attention a slightly briefer ver-
sion emphasising the useful thoughts
MarchADDINGTON METHODIST MAGAZINE 13
Addington Methodist Church
Huntingfield
Supports ‘The Vine’ Food Bank in New Addington
Run by The Salvation Army.
There is a greater need for help due to the ongoing
pandemic. To help us help others there will be
a collection point in front of the church on
Saturday 6th March
10:30 – 12:30pm
TINNED & DRY FOOD and TOILETRIES
202114 ADDINGTON METHODIST MAGAZINE
Activities are organised daily by the Coor-
SPOTLIGHT dinators though no outside musicians or
entertainers have been able to come into
On the Home.
Hall Grange & MHA Sunday 17th January saw the vaccine
rolled out for residents and members of
staff who were on duty or able to come in.
This has been a difficult last eleven Other staff had been able to get their vac-
months for Hall Grange and for MHA cinations at Croydon University Hospital
more generally but it is also a time in since mid-December.
which MHA has enjoyed a raised Currently there is no visiting for the
profile in the media. The Chief residents at Hall Grange but, as we hear in
Executive, Sam Monaghan, has been the news, as testing is rolled out more
interviewed frequently on radio and broadly and as long as infections keep
television and two senior MHA staff dropping there is the hope that some pro-
currently sit on working groups of the vision may be able to be made before too
Department of Health and Social Care long. If Hall Grange continues to have no
relating to testing for visitors to Care new positive cases the plan is to reinstate
Homes and on vaccines. monitored visits from the 18th February.
As of 27th January 2021, 71 MHA Hall Grange is gaining a few new resi-
locations had active cases with 127 resi- dents again, though slowly and this
dents and 161 staff affected. Four staff means that it is currently below its
across the country have died in recent capacity.
weeks. Hall Grange has hardly been
affected in this latest round - a few staff All staff were very appreciative of the
have tested positive but the regular gift tokens they received from the Circuit
testing has meant this has been picked up for Christmas and would like to say a very
quickly and people isolated. big, 'thank you.' It has been and continues
to be a testing time for the staff and this
Hall Grange residents and the Wilder- acknowledgement of their efforts makes a
ness Project both entered the Shirley real difference.
Scarecrow Project at the end of last year
and the Wilderness received two prizes We long for the day when volunteers
for their Autumn Watch entries. Work on can return and the local community can
the Wilderness continues and some new come and wander through the Wilder-
trees have been planted. Well wrapped- ness.
up residents have been able to go for
walks and use the information guides
around the paths. Spring flowers are
coming through and bringing a beautiful
glimpse of colour.
Short devotional, Covid-secure serv-
ices are held each day by the Chaplains.
As Rev Jennifer Potter works at Hall
Grange, she has been able to conduct one
Sunday Service a month and on the 7th
January a Covenant Service was held.
MarchADDINGTON METHODIST MAGAZINE 15 Green Care Activities with residents organised by Marco Members of Shirley Methodist Church sing Carols at Hall Grange 2021
16 ADDINGTON METHODIST MAGAZINE
'OWLERS ’OWLERS
Jokes and Puzzles from Hoot & Screech
Hi! everyone. We hope that you are all coping well with the
lock-down. It is good to hear that things will get better over the next
few months. Going back to school, being able to meet with friends
outside for a chat, some sports starting again, and perhaps the
weather getting better. But it all depends on the numbers of victims
going down. So we will keep our fingers crossed and hope for the
best. The jokes this month all begin with C.
Hoot & Screech
The Beautiful Game
Celtic manager Davie Hay still has a fresh pair of legs up his sleeve
JOHN GREIG
'A contract on a piece of paper, saying you want to leave, is like a piece of
paper saying you want to leave.' JOHN HOLLINS
'Our first goal was pure textile.' JOHN LAMBIE
'In terms of the Richter scale this was a force 8 gale.' JOHN LYALL
'We are offered players every single day. We get five or six a week'
JOHN McCLELLAND
Jokes CAROUSEL ? Car that goes round in circles !
CAT BURGLAR ? Burglar who steals cats !
CATERPILLAR ? Where a cat sleeps !
CAULIFLOWER ? Dog with a bunch of roses !
CRIME WAVE ? Where robbers go to surf !
MarchADDINGTON METHODIST MAGAZINE 17 SPOT 7 differences 2021
18 ADDINGTON METHODIST MAGAZINE
LENT GROUPS
THIS ISSUE
This year the Lent Groups for
Churches Together in Selsdon & Our Minister Writes........................3
Addington (CTSA) will be on Zoom Choi’s Sabbatical............................5
and will use the book written by the Letters............................................6
pastor at Selsdon Baptist Church, Our Church Matters........................6
Trevor Neill. The book Bridging the SPOTLIGHT on Janet Elliot..............7
Gap - Identifying & Overcoming The Bells Tribute to Janet.......................8
Church's Hidden Divisions is really Bennie’s Blog...............................9
interesting and also one which I feel March Worship............................10
is pertinent at this time. Prayer List....................................10
Zoom by Internet.........................11
To find out more information and to Zoom by Phone...........................11
sign up please click this link: Concerns......................................12
https://forms.gle/8j4ppBKCWnhue Spotlight......................................14
QoB8 ’Owlers........................................16
The Next Magazine .....................18
Linda White Lent Groups.................................18
THE NEXT MAGAZINE ...
… will be published on the last
Sunday in March Contributions to the
Editor, Joyce Fanshawe, two weeks earlier
please.
Phone: 020-8651 2504, or e-mail:
david.fanshawe@physics.org
If you have an email address we can
send you a ‘link’ to download the maga-
zine onto your PC or smartphone.
Or you can DOWNLOAD it FREE, from
the Circuit website (Addington page):
www.croydonmeth.org
MarchADDINGTON METHODIST MAGAZINE 19 2021
20 ADDINGTON METHODIST MAGAZINE
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