Magazine - SEPTEMBER 2020 - Croydon Methodist Circuit
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ADDINGTON METHODIST MAGAZINE 1
Magazine
Harvest of the Woods
SEPTEMBER 2020
20202 ADDINGTON METHODIST MAGAZINE
SeptemberADDINGTON METHODIST MAGAZINE 3
Magazine
SEPTEMBER 2020
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 SUPERINTENDENT WRITES...
Dear friends,
I don’t know about you but I am finding this moment in time quite tricky to
navigate. On the one hand, we are given the freedom to move around and
engage in activities which weren’t possible several weeks ago; however, on
the other hand, I find myself making decisions about what to do – for my
wellbeing and that of others. Some of us may be facing significant decisions
about study, employment and finance which have major longterm
consequences.
During the last couple of months leaders within our churches have been
wrestling with risk assessments to consider the re-opening of church buildings
for private prayer, Sunday worship and other activities. I salute leaders in all
our churches for the diligence and care they have taken when conducting these
risk assessments. I have met with senior stewards and property stewards from
all our circuit churches on several occasions and have been impressed by the
depth of engagement with the complex issues we are facing. We have been
grappling with the implications of Connexional guidance – based on
government guidance – which has changed frequently, sometimes weekly,
making it difficult to keep up to date. I know that all churches have consulted
their members about reopening, or are in the process of so doing, to assist
decision-making by the Church Council as the managing trustees.
From the beginning of September we anticipate gathered Sunday worship
taking place in five churches and so I have prepared a Preaching Plan for the
first time in several months. For the next few months I expect to produce a
monthly Preaching Plan to give us flexibility. We anticipate that online
worship – Zoom and YouTube – will continue alongside gathered Sunday
worship. Please note that the YouTube services will be livestreamed on
2020No. 717
Issue4 ADDINGTON METHODIST MAGAZINE
Sundays at 3.00 pm, beginning on Sunday 30 August, allowing me to lead
worship in church on Sunday mornings and then offer YouTube worship in the
afternoons. I hope that you will feel able to continue to experience and find
support, inspiration and encouragement from Sunday worship, whether in
church or online, as is appropriate to your situation.
You will be aware that all of our churches have been struggling financially
during the past few months with limited giving from members and no lettings
income. The result is that some churches have been unable to pay their circuit
assessment in full; the circuit is thus needing to consider means to reduce
circuit expenditure, especially since we have no certainty about finances going
forward. Based on proposals from our circuit stewards, last month’s Circuit
Meeting agreed for an independent HR consultancy company to conduct a
review into the roles of our three circuit lay employees. The circuit stewards
will bring the findings of the review, and proposals stemming from it, to the
Circuit Meeting next month. I would ask you to hold in your prayers everyone
involved with and affected by this process.
I conclude with a lament which is part of the Connexional resource Beyond
Exile: A service to celebrate a return to public worship. We may find some of
our own recent experiences reflected in this lament.
God bless,
Steve
SeptemberADDINGTON METHODIST MAGAZINE 5 MARKING LOSS – A LAMENT We thought we knew how the world was meant to be. Day followed night, every week had a Sunday and that was the day for church. How can we sing the Lord’s song in a strange land? We thought we knew how the world was meant to be. We made our plans, held our meetings, kept the roof on the church and the show on the road. How can we sing the Lord’s song in a strange land? We thought we knew how the world was meant to be. We would see col- leagues, friends and loved ones again, and we would embrace, laugh and share stories as we always have. How can we sing the Lord’s song in a strange land? And now, we know something new. We know that the world is not ours to control, and that our plans are confounded by the smallest microbe. God is teaching us a new song, for a new land. And now, we know something new. We know that church is not committees, agendas and buildings, it is us, in homes, streets, hospitals throughout the world. God is teaching us a new song, for a new land. And now, we know something new. We only have today with those we love, today is the day to say, ‘I love you’, to mend an argument, to hold on tight. God is teaching us a new song, for a new land. 2020
6 ADDINGTON METHODIST MAGAZINE
S W
September Worship
EPTEMBER ORSHIP
10:30am from 3pm each Sunday
MORNING SERVICES INTERNET SERVICES
Come back to church! Use your laptop or Smartphone
6 Mrs Caryl Rapps A
There will be a
13 Mr Habib Nader
CIRCUIT SERVICE
From STEPHEN DAY
20 Rev Soon Cheol Choi †
Available on YouTube see
www.croydonmeth.org
27 Mr Bennie Harms
Note: Services which include the sacrament of Holy Communion are marked †
PRAYER LIST
Prayer List
Week beginning:
September 6 Ministers in new appointments
13 Our Lunch Club helpers
20 Huntingfield Preschool
27 Methodist Women in Britain
SeptemberADDINGTON METHODIST MAGAZINE 7
WELCOME BACK TO CHURCH
We will re-open our church on 6th September.
But we must follow Government and Methodist Church rules to
ensure safety:
1. We must all wear FACE COVERINGS (same as shops & buses).
2. You must sign in and give your phone number or email (for track
& trace)
3. We must keep a safe distance apart - so there must be 2 empty
seats between you and the next person EXCEPT for families and
couples who can sit close together.
4. We must not shout or sing.
5. Extra precautions for Holy Communion (on 20th September)
Because of social distancing we will only be able to accommodate
about 30 people in our church. We will therefore operate a
BOOKING SYSTEM (like a theatre).
PLEASE TELEPHONE 020-8651 2504 by 6pm Saturday to book
seats in church for your party (single, couple or family).
If you have not booked we will try to fit you in, but we are not
allowed to exceed our safe capacity.
We can only hold reservations until 10:30am - so DON’T BE LATE.
WHEN YOU ARRIVE PLEASE WAIT OUTSIDE
A steward will help you sign in and show you to your seat(s).
PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN PEN TO SIGN YOURSELF IN
20208 ADDINGTON METHODIST MAGAZINE
OUR CHURCH MATTERS
We are saddened to hear that DAPHNE PARKIN passed away
peacefully at Beechwood House on 25th August, in the presence of
her daughters JENNY HALLIDAY and KATHRYN FISH. We hold them
in our loving prayers.
We are sorry to hear that JANET ELLIOT is unwell and has been
taken into hospital. We have no further details, but we will continue
to hold her and PAUL in our prayers
We are sorry to hear that MICHAEL ROBERTS is ill. The doctor has
told ANNE that they must self-isolate for 3 months.
We are sorry to learn that BENNIE HARMS has been unwell and
hope that he will soon be fully fit again.
Sadly my husband Roy passed away in July this year. We knew he was
ill but had not expected him to leave us so quickly. His passing was very
peaceful and Heidi and I were with him at the end.
He was made very welcome by all at the church and made many friends
whilst we lived in Selsdon. He particularly enjoyed hosting the Garden
Parties for members in the summer months once we moved away to
Crowborough. Thank you for all your kind words of condolence.
Shirley North
SeptemberADDINGTON METHODIST MAGAZINE 9
CONCERNS
ENCOURAGING PRAYER
Over the past nine months two mem- I was sent an article by a friend at
bers of my health walking group have Shirley Methodists entitled ‘Where are
contracted cancer, and from the moment you God? ‘ It was written by the Revd
I heard, each night after I completed my Louise Cadre. I hope the lady won’t mind
bible study included them in my prayers, but I thought I would conclude my article
sadly over the past few month' they have with part of the last two paragraphs, of her
both died. article:
I had the feeling of failure, that I am "... but it is encouragement we need
not much of a Christian; that despite to continue to pray for those we know in
prayers. I had let them down. A recent difficult circumstances. Praying for
visit to my friends Brian and Marcia I told someone isn't just a matter of naming
them what I have just told you and they them [though that is a start, for sure!} but
said to me that I shouldn't blame myself keeping them with you in God's presence
because God may have his reasons the for working through some of the details they
way things have turned out for my two face and praying for the Lord's work in
former walking colleagues. those details.
At the time of writing it is just a week It does make a difference; God some-
or so from Easter, and my bible readings times moves dramatically, sometimes
have covered Matthew Chapters 7 and 8 gently, often patiently, and when I hear
and verses 7 and 8 of Chapter 7 includes stories of change in people's lives it is
the words "Ask and you will receive; seek immensely encouraging. The days are
and you will find; knock and the door will long at the moment let’s take a chair out
be opened to you. For everyone who asks into the garden, and be still for awhile,
will receive, and anyone who seeks will read a bit of the Bible and remind our-
find, and the door will be opened to him selves that God is God and pray for
who knocks". I wonder why my asking did someone. It could make an enormous dif-
not achieve anything. Chapters 7 and 8 ference to them"
are worth a read if you can find the time. What a wonderful collection of words
the Revd Louise has put together, if you
would like to see her full article please
have a word with me.
202010 ADDINGTON METHODIST MAGAZINE
'OWLERS ’OWLERS
Jokes and Puzzles from Hoot & Screech
Hi! September has arrived and the schools will be opening.
It will be nice to be back with your friends after such a long
lock-down. The last few days of August have been very windy and
today we found a fallen tree blocking a path into the long field. Lots
of other bits of trees as well. Hope that the return to school goes
well. The jokes this month start with the letters U and V.
Hoot & Screech
The Beautiful Game
'I've seen them on television on a Sunday morning most days of the week.'
JACK CHARLTON
'We probably got on better with the likes of Holland, Belgium, Norway and
Sweden, some of whom are not even European.' JACK CHARLTON
"It was end-to-end stuff at both ends" JACK DEARDEN
"Will Chelsea qualify with ease? I think they will, but it won't be easy"
JAMIE REDKNAPP
"Most goals are scored between the posts" JAMIE REDKNAPP
"When you play for England you're all representing that curry... er, your
country" JAMIE REDKNAPP
Jokes UNDERCOVER ? Spy hidden under your duvet !
UNPLUG ? Before you drive an electric car !
VAGABOND ? Used to tie up a tramp !
VAMPIRE BAT ? Used by vampires who play cricket !
VULGAR FRACTION ? A fraction with bad manners !
SeptemberADDINGTON METHODIST MAGAZINE 11 SPOT 7 differences 2020
12 ADDINGTON METHODIST MAGAZINE
LAYWORKER’S LIST
THIS ISSUE
Like our own Bennie, Lindsey is
not well, so we don’t have a Our Superintendent Writes.............3
Layworker’s Letter this month. We Marking loss – A lament................5
hope she soon feels better. September Worship.......................6
Prayer List......................................6
Face to face meetings are currently Welcome Back to Church...............7
suspended due to the global Our Church Matters........................8
pandemic situation. However some Concerns........................................9
events will be taking place online and ’Owlers........................................10
other activities. We ask that you pray The Next Magazine .....................12
for blessings on our community as we Layworker’s List...........................12
live in a different way.
Prayers please:
on Monday for Children and those who
are vulnerable
on Tuesday for Families and carers.
on Wednesday for Guides and Scouts
on Thursday for Girls' & Boys' Brigade
on Friday for Young People, Schools &
Futures
on Saturday for Special Occasions and
Celebrations.
on Sunday for All Ages and Community.
THE NEXT MAGAZINE ...
… will be published on the last
Keep an eye on the Circuit Website for Sunday in September. Contributions to
the Editor, Joyce Fanshawe, two weeks
the latest news 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
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SeptemberADDINGTON METHODIST MAGAZINE 15 2020
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