Shirley Methodist Matters - 80p - Shirley Methodist Church, Croydon CR0 8SD
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Shirley
Methodist
Matters
One of ‘Churches Together in Shirley’
80p
1
ALL THESE SERVICES WILL BE HELD IN CHURCH AT 10.30AM
SUN 5 SEPT REVD CHOI HOLY COMMUNION
SUN 12 SEPT BENNIE HARMS
SUN 19 SEPT MONIQUE CHAMBERS
SUN 26 SEPT BENNIE HARMS HARVEST FESTIVAL
If you have not yet been back - please be assured that
the chairs are arranged with Covid safety in mind.
We shall continue to follow all Government guidance.
The services will also be available on Zoom.
You can watch on your screen or listen on your phone.
Get the link by emailing smchurchzoom@gmail.com
It will be the same link each week.
An audio recording will be put on the website by 7pm each Sunday.
Many thanks to all those people who are making
these different forms of worship available to us.
We will be collecting once more for Shrublands
Foodbank - please bring your gifts along on
Sunday 26 September. If you prefer to make a
monetary donation - please do this either by
cheque (made out to Shirley Methodist Church) or by bank transfer
(a/c no 60798711 Sort code 20-24-61) Please indicate clearly that
it is a Harvest Festival gift.
2
Dear friends,
After a very long year affected by Covid-19, I hope that it has
been possible for you to enjoy time with family and friends this
summer. I hope you may also have had the opportunity to relax
and enjoy a change of scenery on holiday.
September marks the beginning of the new connexional year and
presents several opportunities to connect with friends across the
Circuit and further afield.
We were not able to have a Circuit celebration of MHA Sunday in
June as we had hoped. Instead, we are invited to gather
alongside residents and staff at Hall Grange for a service of Holy
Communion at 3.00 pm on Sunday 5 September to celebrate the
work of MHA. Alongside participating in worship, you will be able
to look around the Wilderness to find out more about this project
www.mha.org.uk/news/latest-news/news_archive/reclaiming-
wilderness/ Envelopes will also be available for you to make a
donation to support MHA.
We are delighted to be able to gather on Sunday 26 September
when Downsview will host a Circuit social and service. Come
along from 4.30pm to share fellowship before worship at 6pm.
Our service will include space for thanksgiving and remembrance
because so much has happened since we last gathered for such
worship.
The Season of Creation (1 September – 4 October) will enable us
to connect with our neighbours, past, present and future, as well
as all of God’s creation. This year’s Season
of Creation has particular resonance as it
takes place in the run-up to the COP26 UN
Climate Change Conference in Glasgow
beginning on 31 October.
3
Resources for the Season of Creation are
available :-
www.jointpublicissues.org.uk/creation
More resources have been prepared by
Phoebe Parkin, the Youth President for
2020/21 under the heading “God’s world, our
home” www.methodist.org.uk/our-work/children-youth-family-
ministry. I encourage you to make use of these excellent resourc-
es. I pray that we may be blessed and inspired to encourage each
other to connect in fresh ways during the beginning of the new
connexional year.
God bless,
Saturday 18 September at 9-15am
Do join us in the Lounge. We meet with God through
prayer and the silence of our hearts. All are welcome.
Thursday 23 September 10.30am
We meet in the Lounge. We shall be considering
‘Unanswered Prayer’
Brian Sherrell
Please contact us if you would like someone - or
yourself - to be prayed for by members of our Prayer
Chain. Names are only taken with the consent of the
person concerned and stay on the chain for a week.
Elizabeth Smart 020 8777 2055 or via the
‘contact us’ form on www.shirleymeth.org.uk
4
Elizabeth Smart writes: Ella Webster has graduated
It has been good to be able to from the University of West-
share time with family and minster with a 2.1 degree in
friends again both to celebrate journalism. She is working at
birthdays and anniversaries the London Fire Brigade as a
and simply to just see each HR services assistant. We wish
other again. It makes us realise Ella every blessing for the
how important it is for our well future.
being to have this human We especially pray for all our
interaction. young people who have
We give received exam results and who
thanks for will be making decisions and
the safe choices for their future studies.
arrival of We pray that they will be
Seycha Rose supported and encouraged as
to Roslyn they make these plans and
and Daniel. guided with love and care so
She is a that they can achieve their
granddaugh- ambitions and find fulfilment.
ter to Yvonne Powlett and a Heather and Mike Tarling will
sister to Syon. soon be moving to Biggin Hill
We have two Golden Wedding and we wish them every happi-
anniversaries! Our magazine ness in their new home.
editors were married within a Jean Cooper from Hall Grange
week of each other! celebrates her 101st birthday
Congratulations to Kate and on the 29 August – we hope
Graham Marsden and she enjoys having
to Jenny and David her family with her to
Crook. May they con- make it a very special
tinue to enjoy many event.
more years together.
5
We remember members of our Richard were involved in the
Church family; we pray for life and mission of the the
Anthony and Lesley Vigurs, Methodist Church throughout
Andrew Moore, Gwen their marriage and their
Richardson, Akos Abadoo, Pam retirement in Bridport. Thelma
Harper, Sureya dos Santos and had a saying – ‘If you cannot be
Marcos and George Howard. beautiful, you can be useful’.
Our prayers are with all the Hall Her son Roy said that she
Grange family; residents, staff managed to be both! May she
and their families. Especially rest in Peace and rise in Glory.
the family of Thelma Jackson We continue to hold Roy,
whose funeral was held Eleanor, Nicola and the family
recently at Clapham Methodist. and the Hall Grange family in
Thelma and her husband our prayers.
Thank you Elizabeth for the way you keep us
all so well connected via the Family News.
Margaret King
After being a local preacher for 22 years, Margaret
has recently decided to step down. We give thanks
that she answered the call to preach. and for her
willingness to share her faith journey with others.
May God continue to bless her.
Margaret writes:
Having had speech problems from childhood, I would never have
thought that I could become a Local Preacher, or even read a pas-
sage of Scripture to a congregation. But God has certainly had
his hand on my life, and there were a number of incidents and
conversations which ‘spoke’ to me very strongly from the mid-late
1990s. I came on to the Preaching Plan in 1998, and loved taking
services from the word ‘go’. The studying was quite exciting and,
there were exams! Not easy in my late 50s, but I passed!
6
The training lasted 4 years and in April 2002, in a service here at
Shirley, I became a fully fledged Local Preacher. God had certainly
given me every encouragement and I felt His presence and His
peace throughout every act of worship I led. Not once did the old
speech problem affect my service and only once in 22 years did I
have to opt out of taking a service, and that was because of a
migraine. I am so very grateful for the wonderful opportunities I
have had to preach the Word of God, but I feel that the time has
come for me to ‘step down’. Thank you all for the wonderful
support you have given me over these very special years.
May God bless you all.
Roger Byard
Roger Byard’s 40 years service as a Local Preacher was formally
recognised recently. We are hoping that he will write an article
for the magazine shortly. What a wonderful achievement.
First Bennie and Jenny held a wonderful BBQ in
their lovely garden - a chance to meet 'off duty'!
Around 25-30 of us enjoyed delicious food, mainly
cooked by their son Ryan, and good company. The
weather was perfect too, and a great time was had by all. Roll on
the next one!
Then a superb PIANO RECITAL by Tau Wey. Around 60 people at-
tended - not just from our church but from other churches in the
Circuit and people from our local community. As ever we were
inspired by Tau’s brilliance as a pianist but surely the most amaz-
ing thing was the way he played Black Earth by Fazil Say by damp-
ing the strings inside the piano with one hand as he played with
the other! Truly wonderful!
And next is the FUN QUIZ on 11 September. Please come along -
you don’t need to be a Mastermind - promise! (see page 19)
7
We knew when Choi came to Shirley in 2017 that he was
intending to retire after his 5 year appointment but the time has
gone so quickly that it came as a surprise when the
announcement was made that 2022 would be his last year with
us. It has been a privilege to have him as our presbyter and we
fully intend to make the most of this next year.
We have also learnt that Bennie, our lay pastor, is going to retire
in 2022 as well. Bennie has been in the circuit for 9 years and we
have got to know him really well and to appreciate all he has
done for us.
We have been blessed to have had Choi and Bennie minister to
us and they will be hard to replace.
Over the next few months the Circuit Stewards will be preparing
a profile of our Churches and setting out what we are hoping for
in a minister. At the same time ministers who are moving
Churches in 2022 will be looking at this material and trying to
determine where God is calling them. It is a stressful time and we
ask for your prayers for everyone involved.
Rosemary Jones
Thank you to everyone who contributed to this report. Just a
glance at the list of contents tells you how much is happening -
and how blessed we are to have so many willing and talented
volunteers. A particular thank you must go to Margaret Chan for
compiling all the reports into such a professional document.
If you have not been sent one by email please contact
smc2020kate@gmail.com. If you would like to be on our email
list - and so receive the occasional church updates - please send
an email to the above address.
8
Did you see this article in the Advertiser?
A lot has changed since 1952, from great
technological advances to social and political
progress but for one Croydon couple one thing has
remained constant. Jean and Frank Brooks are the
perfect example of a generation that knew how to make things
last. Recently they celebrated their
69th wedding anniversary and until
just this year they had still been
using the same Hoover they
received at the time of their
wedding. In such a throwaway age
it is hard to imagine having
anything last so long, but for Jean
and Frank it was always important
to look after the things they had.
We look after our things. We don’t
throw anything away unless it’s
kaput.
Bill Smart writes:
With effect from mid August, (when the tools do-
nated recently have been collected) Elizabeth and I
will be giving up as the TWAM collectors for Croydon. TWAM is a
really worthwhile charity and has been supported by SMC for
quite a number of years. You may remember the two very suc-
cessful Harvest Thanksgivings that we held in support of TWAM.
It would give us considerable pleasure if a volunteer from SMC or
the Croydon Circuit could be found to take over from us. I would
be willing to talk about what it involves. Here follows part of a
recent article which we hope you find of interest.
9
Training, tools and ‘much more’ equals success!
One of the great privileges for TWAM is working with groups
over many years and seeing them grow from small beginnings to
large enterprises. One such group is Skills Link Uganda that has
been working with TWAM since 2011. The founder of Skills Link,
Godfrey, tells us:
Youth unemployment and working poverty (not earning a
living wage) are persistent and growing challenges which
disproportionately affect our young people. Few children go
to school and almost none of their parents work. The threat
of life-long unemployment leads young people into crime,
sex-work and underage marriage
Skills Link stepped in with skills training in carpentry, mechanics,
tailoring, computing, hairdressing and much more. But Godfrey
tells us, that is not enough. He continues:
Many young people have the drive and energy to succeed, but
have limited experience of good management practices so
their businesses are stuck.
So TWAM supported them in offering training in business
planning, entrepreneurship and strategic thinking. This has
enabled hundreds of young people to break free from the cycle
of poverty. The work has expanded to help vulnerable women,
orphans and young people from
across Kampala.
Skills Link Uganda is a wonderful
example of how TWAM can work
with local communities
Go to twam.uk to find out more.
TWAM images twam .uk
10‘Sailing away, sailing away ‘…
As I write this my wife and I will be about to take a cruise … to
‘nowhere’. Seriously, we’re sailing on the Regal Princess from
Southampton on Saturday 21 August. The cruise is entitled Body,
Mind and Soul and features –
Ÿ Jenny Ryan – a professional quizzer who makes it her business
to know things (beware all who are going to the SMC Quiz night -
so are we!) We’re hoping Jenny will share her wisdom with us.
Ÿ Dr Ranj – who doesn’t know Dr Ranj???? The TV personality
with a difference. I’m hoping that his talk will help me see myself
‘in a whole new light’ with his fun, engaging and inspiring talk.
Ÿ Revd Kate Bottley who will share her relationship with
religion; making this talk a good one for the soul.
So, whilst I might not know where we’re going as we’re not
ACTUALLY docking in any ports, I do know what I’ll be doing.
There are a dozen or so different eating places on the ship, as
well as a well-equipped gym and running track. So, at least I
won’t be able to complain about missing out on my daily run.
Added to this is my trusty ‘library’ on my iPhone and iPad, as well
as a few new Sudoku, Tetris and Mahjong games so that I may
relax and enjoy ‘sailing away’.
Chris de Burgh’s song, ‘Sailing Away’, tells of a boy who while
watching ships leaving the harbour; is
‘dreaming of the wide world’. As they
disappeared he would read out the
names of the places they were sailing
to – places he’d never been to – and
he would dream of the wide world.
11On a recent holiday to visit some friends in Torquay (sounds as if
I’m always on holiday!) there were 5 cruise ships from different
companies at anchor in the bay because of Covid restrictions.
The only time they went sailing away was to avoid a storm one
weekend, but afterwards soon returned. And now, the
companies can resume business and the ships are, once more,
sailing away. The next few days are going to be exciting and
different. I hope to get some tips on how to win at quizzes so
that I’m ready for the ‘Fun Quiz Night’ on 11 September at SMC.
I’m sure the ‘Mind, Body and Soul’ cruise will be great. But the
sad thing about it is, it will all be over by the time you get to read
this blog! It will have all ‘sailed away’ except the happy memories
that Jen and I will be sure to have.
Just watch this space, because I’ll have so much to share with you
in my next blog you might wish I had sailed away with the Regal
Princess! In the meantime, I’m off to download more information
about the cruise; what else I’ll be able to do onboard and to learn
how to lose weight in a hurry because of the dozen or so eating
venues on the ship.
God bless.
Bennie ‘Sailor at Large’
Are you looking for something to do on a
Monday lunchtime?
Shirley Neighbourhood Care is looking for volunteers to help with
the Lunch Club at West Wickham & Shirley Baptist Church. The
club has its own chef so it’s more about serving the guests,
setting tables, clearing away and washing up.
If you are interested or would like to know more
please ring Suzy on 020 8662 9599.
12Steve Hunt writes:
March 2020 … ‘You must all stay
at home’. ‘We can’t go to
church’. Therein lies the
challenge! I started looking at
how we could use the Internet
to hold virtual church services.
Bennie was doing the same
thing and we both focused in on Zoom as something we could
use to bring people together on a Sunday to worship.
For the first couple of months Bennie valiantly ran the entire
‘show’ – preparing the PowerPoint slides, acting as Zoom Host
and conducting the service too. A lot of work; especially when
video clips were pre-recorded by readers and contributors and
then played by Bennie during the service. Bennie did brilliantly
but, quite understandably, he found it a huge pressure to
maintain week after week. So we formed a small team to take
on the role of Zoom Host.
This quickly became known as ‘Mission Control’; Ray Roberts,
Graham Marsden and myself took this over on a rota basis. For
much of Spring 2020 we welcomed not only our own members
but also those of Addington Methodist Church, with a virtual
congregation ranging between 30 – 40 most weeks. The slide
preparation went back to David Tayler & Bhu Kalsi and some very
large PowerPoint files were transferred via The Cloud. It is
important to also mention the music, played from home by Tau
& David, allowing everyone to sing along to the hymns – albeit on
‘mute’. These Zoom services with everyone joining from home
were wonderful, not only for the formal worship, but also for the
informal chat before and after the services. Very important
when direct contact with family and friends was not possible.
13Throughout this time Ray, Graham and myself were learning as
we went along. We all discovered just how stressful it could be -
clicking the slides at the right time (not at all easy if it is an
unfamiliar hymn!) and making sure people were muted/un-
muted at the appropriate times. The positive side of this was
working together to compare notes and improve our techniques
and learn from each other’s experiences. We certainly had our
moments!
Eventually, a limited return to church was possible, bringing a
new challenge – how to include Zoomers in attended services?
We experimented with various ways of ‘broadcasting’ to Zoom
from church; starting with laptops, camera and microphones
perched precariously in front of the lectern. Not pretty, but it
worked – most of the time! We have evolved this to using Ray’s
and Graham’s video cameras (thanks guys!) from the back of the
church with audio fed into Zoom directly from the church
microphones. A lot to set up and manage each week, but worth
it to allow those still unable to attend to be part of the
congregation.
We see this ability to welcome people remotely to be an
important facility and one which should continue. So I am
pleased that the church has agreed to purchase a wall-mounted
camera for regular use. This has just been installed. The Zoom
team looks forward to learning how to use it – wish us luck!
Do you remember last year we had a wonderful entry in
the competition - Monty Don and his dog! Would any-
one like to organise this years entry? The Festival is in
early November. The Scarecrow can sit in our lovely
new garden and be part of this community festival. Why
not chat it over with a friend - and volunteer!
14Jenny Crook wrote this article for the Annual Church Report - it
seemed a good idea to print it here - with a couple of additions.
Over the past year or so, and especially when we could not meet
on church premises, keeping in touch in different ways has been
important to our church community. This included continuing to
produce this monthly magazine - to share news, to entertain and
sometimes to make us think!
But there have been some changes!
Pre-pandemic much of SMM’s content promoted forthcoming or
reported on past events. When these events stopped we had a
bit of a problem! What to write? We know other church
magazines simply ceased publication. We had to look elsewhere -
and be creative! We need not have worried - our core of regular
contributors - Elizabeth Smart, Bennie Harms, Jean Beecher and
Leslie Griffiths were on hand. However more than thirty Church
members have written an item for us during the past year! Some
were approached - others simply sent us articles. And no arm-
twisting was needed! A few have sent several pieces. Besides
factual contributions, we’ve received short stories, poems,
photos, quizzes and even piano recitals. We wanted SMM to be a
source of positivity, entertainment, news and encouragement -
with everyone’s help I think we have managed that. Thank you
The biggest difference is the use of colour – we feel this has
really improved our ‘look’. During the Lockdowns just a few hard
copies were printed (for those without internet access). Most
people read SMM on our website. Since we reopened, most
have continued to read on line so just a few hard copies have
been printed. The price had to increase by over 250% - from 30p
to 80p to cover the cost of colour printing. But of
course reading the magazine online is always free!
Please continue to send us your items for SMM –
we’d love to hear from you!
15No snowdrops! No daffodils! No rhododendrons!
No blossom! No azaleas! No lilies of the valley! No poppies!
However Adam, and his trusty team of
volunteers are working hard to make sure
there will still be plenty to enjoy as the
seasons change.
Why not bring a friend - and a picnic?
We saw a deer just a few weeks ago! And
you never know - you might even spot
some Flower Fairies - thanks to our
talented volunteer Susanne Haynes.
Booking is needed on weekdays - Monday
(all day from 10am to 4pm); Tuesday and
Wednesday afternoon from 1.30 – 4pm.
You can book by emailing
thewilderness@mha.org.uk
BUT on Saturdays - you can simply turn
up! The garden is open from 10am. The
last entry is at 3.30pm.
16One of the Fairies is by the rockery - and can you spot any others
hiding in the log pile! The author of the Flower Fairy books,
Cicely Mary Barker was a Croydon resident and may well have
visited The Wilderness before writing ‘Shirley Poppy’.
We were all of us scarlet, and
counted as weeds,
When we grew in the fields
with the corn;
Now, fall from your pepper-pots,
wee little seeds,
And lovelier things shall be born!
You shall sleep in the soil,
and awaken next year;
Your buds shall burst open; behold!
Soft-tinted and silken, shall
petals appear,
And then into Poppies unfold—
Like daintiest ladies, who
dance and are gay,
All frilly and pretty to see!
So I shake out the ripe little seeds,
and I say:
‘Go, sleep, and awaken like me.’
17The Circuit’s final farewell to Lindsey
and Alistair Macfarlane took place at
our Church on Sunday afternoon, 25
July. More than 50 members from
the Circuit’s churches gathered,
firstly to share fellowship over tea
and cake and then to share
memories and pay tribute to the
huge contribution made by both of
them over the past decade and a
half.
We heard not only about what Lindsey and Alistair have done for
our children and young people in the churches and youth groups
but also about the massive support they have provided to
individuals and families, quietly and constantly. Their children,
Esther and Daniel, were not present that afternoon but were
clearly much loved and appreciated throughout the Circuit. We
also heard that the Macfarlanes’ influence spread much further
than Croydon. “Do you know someone called Lindsey/Alistair
Macfarlane?” was asked of Methodists visiting places as far away
as the Isle of Wight and Devon when they said they came from
Croydon. So farewell and God speed to the Macfarlanes as they
move to a new life in Haverfordwest.
The late Alan Youngs’ faith books were on display at
our Church on 24 July for people to take their pick.
Thanks to just over 20 visitors, including a number of
the Circuit’s local preachers, £156 was donated by
those taking books away. This is being shared equally between
Christian Aid and Shirley Methodist. The remaining books have
been taken to Book Aid Charitable Trust in Sydenham.
18Saturday 11 September 6pm
The return of a SMC favourite
Tables of up to 6 people
Come as a team – or join others on the night
Bring snacks and drinks if you like (soft drinks only please)
Coffee tea and biscuits will be served
This is part of the fund-raising for our heating project
so we will be asking for donations on the night
So we have an idea of numbers contact Kate Marsden
07801 235231 smc2020kate@gmail.com
CHURCH REPRESENTATIVE REQUIRED
Shirley Methodist is a member of Churches Together in Shirley (CTIS)
also comprising St John’s, St George’s, All Saints’, West Wickham
and Shirley Baptist, Our Lady’s, Church of God Apostolic, Shrublands
Christian Fellowship and Longheath Baptist. In normal times a 30
minute prayer meeting takes place every month at one of the
churches followed by a Council Meeting (once a quarter) where
representatives of the churches discuss future events such as the
annual service for Christian unity, Ecumenical Bible Studies and a
Quiet Day.
Representatives from our church and St John’s also meet twice a
year to discuss working together and joint services.
Elizabeth Smart has represented us at both CTIS and the SMC/St
John’s Link Group for several years and we thank her for her devoted
service. We are now seeking a successor for Elizabeth. If you are
interested or want to know more please contact Jonathan Baxter on
020 8777 3158 or jandjbaxter@talktalk.net.
19Leslie Griffiths writes:
A number of us who are members of the Parliamentary Assembly
of the Council of Europe, men and women from all political
parties and both Houses of our Parliament, were recently asked
to become “godparents” to prisoners being held in Belarus jails.
All our “adopted prisoners” had been arrested on spurious
charges after they’d taken part in the demonstrations that
followed elections held there exactly a year ago. There’s
widespread agreement that these elections were rigged in favour
of Alexander Lukashenko, the dictator who has ruled his country
with an iron fist for the last 27 years.
The prisoner allocated to me was a 16-year-old boy named
Mikita Zalatarou. He’d been arrested, thrown into prison and
kept for long periods of time in solitary confinement. He suffers
from epilepsy and he has been deprived of his regular
medication. He’s not allowed to receive visitors. The limited
information that comes our way reveals
just how brave he is. When he resisted
forcible treatment at the hands of his
guards, they reported him to the prison
authorities and this led to an extension to
his sentence. He now faces over six further
years in a “colony.” Images of the Gulag
spring to mind. Here I am with my
declaration of support.
Since then I’ve sent messages and even done a TV interview on
his behalf for a group of Belarusian exiles working to draw the
attention of the outside world to what’s happening in their
beloved homeland. It was so hard to know what to say. I didn’t
want to make life more difficult for him than it already is. I
addressed my remarks to Mikita’s dad. He’s the father of two
20sons. So am I. I tried to pitch
my remarks at the level of that
common bond we share. I of-
fered my greetings and ex-
pressed my sadness to Mikita’s
whole family as they deal with
this dismal situation. Mikita
had his 17th birthday in prison.
Here’s a picture of him behind
bars – you can see from it just how brave he is. And here’s the
latest message he sent to his dad and which has been sent on to
me. It quite breaks my heart:
I will not write asking for an appeal. It makes no sense. Yes, I’m
sick. And the cell is killing me. But I don’t want to die here. Dad,
why is that? If I have to die, I want it to be under the sun, in the
war, for you, for my mother, for my brother, so that it’s not in
vain….
To which his dad wrote:
I’m in shock. He is only 17. No appeals, no petitions … The regime
will fall one day and all our heroes will be with us again. We will
hug everyone …. And some will be able to remember. LONG LIVE
BELARUS!!!
Together with some of my
fellow-godparents, I was
invited two or three weeks
ago to a meeting with Svet-
lana Tsikhanouskaya, the
person commonly believed
to have been the real win-
ner in last year’s election. She had just left Downing Street where
she’d met the Prime Minister. And she went from our meeting in
parliament to a large gathering of Belarusian exiles living in Brit-
ain. Here are some of us who met on that occasion.
21We met the day after the Belarusian athlete, Krystina
Tsimanouskaya, had left the Tokyo Olympic Games under duress.
We’ve since learned that she’s been granted asylum in Poland.
And on the very day we gathered together for our meeting, we
were told Vitaly Shishov, the head of a Belarus exiles’ group in
Ukraine had been brutally murdered in Kiev. It brought home to
all of us just how brave are the people who work so hard and
fearlessly for a better future for their beloved Belarus. Svetlana
Tsikhanouskaya cannot be unaware of the dangers that face her.
Every single day.
All this makes me feel utterly helpless. In all this, there’s almost
nothing I feel able to do. Not for my “godson.” Nor for his dad.
Nor the rest of his family. Nor the untold numbers of others who
are going through this dark time together. But I won’t forget
them. I won’t stop praying for them.
How long, O Lord, how long?
Margaret King has arranged for
this lovely bench to be placed in
our garden - in memory of her
husband John. How appropriate
this is as he did so much for the
church - and its grounds for so
many years.
Thank you to all of you who
have brought plants along on a
Sunday - and to those friends who have planted their contribu-
tions ‘secretly’ giving the gardeners a lovely surprise! We would
love to have even more easy to grow perennials so please bring
anything you have as you tidy up your garden for the autumn.
Just leave them in the porch or phone Kate 07801 235231.
22Mary Mueke-Osafo writes:
Before the pandemic I regularly attended church with my family
but you have not seen me too much of late - being a clinical
pharmacist - Covid changed everything. Whose life has not been
changed in one way or another because of COVID-19? Isn’t it
hard to recall that it was only in December 2019 that the first
case of this new coronavirus was reported in China. Very rapidly
death became our daily news, funeral homes became even more
lucrative, office buildings and shops became ghostly quiet. We
hang on the mercies of God more than ever.
As governments struggled to contain the virus, scientists were
rushing to find treatments that worked against Covid-19.
Infections surged worldwide, new, highly transmissible
variants were circulating; bringing fear and a sense of
hopelessness.
Soon we had a silver lining of hope! Scientists had worked extra
hard to save the world. The news came that we were all hoping
for; a cure or a prevention had been discovered. There were
mixed feelings - many were afraid to take the vaccine. World
leaders had to set examples including Her Majesty the Queen.
The vaccine rollout began and all NHS front-liners (including me!)
were stretched to the limit. I am a deputy lead in South East
London vaccination centres; controlling the flow of the Covid
vaccines. So you can guess just how busy I have been!
As clinical pharmacists, my team are
heavily involved in the reconstitution of
the very sensitive vaccines - involving a
lot of calculations and careful
measurement. It is important to ensure
every reconstituted bottle has an expiry
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23date (they expire within 6hrs - particularly so the Pfizer Biontech
Vaccines). And it is essential that the vaccines are stored at the
right temperature. I was also involved in the health checks for
ineligibility and ‘drug to drug interactions’ (some drugs can badly
interact causing life threatening symptoms). I have also been
very involved in writing protocols and working hard, hand in hand
with GPs. Along with so many others my job changed so much –
as did the hours! Some days they are from 7am to 8pm.
As a mother of two daughters, Ashanty and Caitlin, I have been
concerned by the challenges and restrictions posed by the
pandemic on our young people. Having to make rapid lifestyle
changes, taking protective measures, doing home-schooling and
having to self-isolate has been so stressful and frightening for
families. I remember going to work and being the only one in the
bus and the train - I felt wounded, emotional and tearful. Like so
many others I knew I was putting my life and that of my loved
ones at risk. Then the worst happened – the girls fell ill with
Covid. I couldn't stop blaming myself. I had such a sense of guilt.
The blame wrapped round me but I just had to bear the
unbearable and plough on. There have been such remarkable
stories of human resilience, ingenuity, and creativity. Together
we are all achieving some hope.
A vast number of vaccine doses have been given to a huge
number of people, but this is only a fraction of the world’s
population. While the vaccine offers a glimmer of hope for a
return to normal, there is still a long way to go. As countries lift
restrictions, we look back at
a year that changed the world
forever.
‘The pandemic has taught its les-
son to almost everyone, including
those who didn’t get sick and
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didn’t lose their loved ones’.
24In March 2019 a cyclone swept through Malawi destroying
everything in its path. But from this tragedy came hope: a young
woman called Janet surveyed the pile of muddy bricks - all that
was left of her home - and decided she needed to make plans to
give her family a future. She and some other women saw the
baobob trees still, amazingly laden with fruit. Their plan was
simple - to set up a baobob juice making business. Getting
started was easy - but making a business succeed was not. This is
where Christian Aid’s local partner Eagles Relief and
Development stepped in. The business has made sufficient profit
for Janet to secure her family’s future and build in some
resilience against climate change. 188 jobs have been created
and the original group of women have seen a tenfold increase in
their income.
Janet has also benefitted from the encouragement and friendship
offered by the Makande Womens Group. After the birth of her
third child Janet says she and the baby were showered with gifts
and with love. ‘This was the turning round of my story - I want my
life and my family to inspire others’.
As we celebrate Harvest Festival together later this month we
give thanks to Christian Aid - and particularly to the partnership
in Malawi who helped families to put food on their tables and
send their children to school.
Did you know you can buy baobob
juice here? It is considered to be a
‘superfood’ offering high levels of
oxidants and vitamins. It is very
popular in smoothies!
25A short precis of the report for local churches about the
business of the 2021 Methodist Conference. For the full
report go to www.methodist.org.uk/conference2021.
On 26 June Revd Sonia Hicks was elected
and inducted as President of the Conference and
Barbara Easton as Vice-President. In her Conference
address Revd Hicks focused on her theme for the
year: God’s Table: an Invitation for All; reflecting on
the racism and marginalisation she and her family
have experienced and how the Church can respond Methodist.org.uk
to injustice and division in society today.
All We Can
Since September 2019 All We Can has had a transformational and
measurable impact. It has partnered 22 local organisations in 6
countries. A significant portion of the charity’s workload this year
was spent responding to the impact of COVID-19.
Marriage and Relationships
A report on marriage and relationships, God in Love Unites Us, was
received by the Conference in 2019 and the District Synods were
asked to consider the provisional resolutions and report back to the
2021 Conference. The results of the Synod votes showed 29 / 30
Synods confirmed support for the provisional resolutions. Thus
Conference confirmed the provisional resolutions on the principles
or qualities of good relating, understanding of cohabitation and
same sex marriages conducted on Methodist premises or by
Methodist office-holders.
Notices of Motion
The Conference expressed its support for the following campaigns:
Ÿ Changes to Social Care - work led by MHA to #FixCareForAll;
Ÿ The situation in Myanmar;
Ÿ The recent cuts to the foreign aid budget;
Ÿ The change to immigration rules, and their impact on refugees;
Ÿ Climate justice as we approach the COP26 climate
change conference in November.
26Strategy for Justice, Dignity and Solidarity
The Conference adopted a far-reaching Strategy for Justice, Dignity
and Solidarity, which will see ‘a profound change in the culture,
practices and attitudes of the Methodist Church’. The
recommendations include a celebration of the richness of the
Church’s diversity and opportunities to learn more of, and to be
changed by, God through encounter with each other across the
Church. Comprehensive training on topics of racism, gender,
disability and LGBT+ awareness will be mandatory for anyone in a
leadership role.
Climate Change and Fossil Fuels
The Ethics of Investment Committee reported on the further work
undertaken in respect of investment in fossil fuels. In the light of
this the Central Finance Board is advised to withdraw investments
from a number of companies, which are believed not to be aligned
with the Paris Agreement goals.
Holy Communion and online worship
The Conference agreed to adopt a three year period of active
discernment on this issue, during which churches will be
encouraged ‘with reverence and joy’, to reflect upon what it might
mean to celebrate the Lord’s Supper online.
Budget
The Connexional Treasurer, the Revd Tim Swindell and the Director
of Finance Matt Tattersall said that there is a deficit in the pension
scheme and a fall in income over the previous year which has led
the budget to be further revised. The Conference adopted a
resolution asking for churches, Circuits and Districts to give,
according to their ability, towards a target of 15% of their reserves
to address the situation.
The Methodist Conference will meet next in Telford from 23-30 June
2022
27For so many September means a new start, a new term, a new
course, new friends, a new school, a new flatshare, and in many
Methodist churches a new minister.
Here’s a poem that may well ring true with you!
Twas the Night Before School Started
Twas the night before school started
when all through the town
the parents were cheering
it was a riotous sound.
By eight the kids were washed
and tucked into bed
when memories of homework
filled them with dread.
New pencils, new folders, new notebooks too,
new teachers, new friends, the anxiety grew.
The parents just giggled
when they heard of this fright
and shouted upstairs
GO TO BED - IT'S A SCHOOL NIGHT!
28Carol Rawlinson has sent us a quiz!
SURELY SHIRLEY
1. WHO PROPAGATED THE SHIRLEY POPPY?
2. HOW MANY JAMES BOND THEMES HAS SHIRLEY BASSEY
RECORDED?
3. WHAT NUMBER ‘A’ ROAD RUNS THROUGH SHIRLEY?
4. WHO WROTE THE NOVEL - SHIRLEY?
5. SHIRLEY McLAINE HAS A BROTHER WHO IS A FAMOUS ACTOR
- WHO IS HE?
6. WHICH SPORTS PERSON HAD THE REAL NAME -SHIRLEY
CRABTREE?
7. WHAT IS NOW ON THE SITE OF THE OLD SHIRLEY POPPY PUB?
8. WHICH SHIRLEY HAS A COCKTAIL NAMED AFTER HER?
9. IS THE CURRENT SHIRLEY WINDMILL A POST MILL, A TOWER
MILL OR A SMOCK MILL?
10. IN WHICH FILM DOES A DISCONTENTED HOUSEWIFE FIND A
NEW LIFE IN GREECE?
11. BENNETTS AVE IS NAMED AFTER JOHN BENNETT - A LOCAL
BUSINESS MAN WHO MADE WHAT HOUSEHOLD IMPLEMENT?
12. WHICH SHIRLEY WAS PART OF THE ‘GANG OF FOUR’? WHO
FOUNDED THE SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY?
13. WHICH ARCHITECT DESIGNED ST JOHNS CHURCH (AND THE
ALBERT MEMORIAL)?
14. THERE ARE 2 OTHER SHIRLEYS IN ENGLAND - WHERE ARE
THEY?
15. WHICH SHIRLEY STARRED IN GOLDFINGER ? Answers on
last page
29Saturday 18 September 9.45am – 12 noon
September … gateway to the autumn season.
Time of harvest and vibrant colour.
Time of letting go, as the trees begin to lose their leaves.
Time of preparation as colder days draw near.
Today we’ll spend time in stillness.
Tuesday 5 Oct 9.45 -12 noon
Broken pots, broken dishes, broken bodies, broken lives.
A morning to explore fragility and brokenness
An opportunity to seek the beauty, the remoulding and
the healing which God brings.
Both these events are being held at
St Christopher’s Church, Warlingham, CR6 9EQ
They are led by Jane Hoskins who is a Retreat and Quiet Day
leader, and a musician. She has a passion for seeking stillness for
prayer and contemplation. ‘Seeking Stillness’ offers a gathering
time with some input on the theme and a silent space to pray,
contemplate or just ‘be’. Booking is essential - good Covid
practice is followed. For further information and to book your
place, please email j.hoskins233@btinternet.com or ring
07398 290969.
30ANSWERS
1 REVD WILLIAM WILKS
2 3
3 A232
4 CHARLOTTE BRONTE
The magazine can be read on line 5 WARREN BEATTIE
www.shirleymeth.org.uk. as well 6 BIG DADDY
as being available at church. 7 MCDONALDS
Thank you to all our contributors. 8 TEMPLE
9 TOWER
Jenny Crook will be the next 10 SHIRLEY VALENTINE
editor. 11 BROOMS
katemarsden747@gmail.com 12 WILLIAMS
13 GILBERT SCOTT
jenny.crook@blueyonder.co.uk 14 WEST MIDLANDS AND
SOUTHAMPTON
The next magazine will be 15 GOLDFINGER
published (and be on the website)
on Sunday 3 October.
Please send contributions
to Jenny by Sunday 26
September
Shrublands Foodbank is in great need of car drivers.
Volunteers to do Friday deliveries to people who cannot get
to the centre themselves. Can you help? Or do you know
someone who might be able to?
Email: info@shrublandstrust.org Tel: 020 3441 7887
31Shirley Methodist Church
one of ‘Churches Together in Shirley’
As followers of Jesus Christ, our mission is:
to honour God by our daily living as individuals
and our corporate life as a church
to offer God worship which is both lively and
dignified
to offer welcome and care to all, regardless of
age, status, gender, ethnicity, social class, sexual
orientation, ability or disability
to stimulate one another to grow in our faith
and develop our discipleship
to work with our fellow-Christians in Shirley to
serve our neighbours and share with others our
experience of God’s love
32You can also read
