Shirley Methodist Matters - One of 'Churches Together in Shirley' - Shirley Methodist Church, Croydon CR0 8SD
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Shirley
Methodist
Matters
A carpet of narcissus cyclamineus in
Hall Grange’s Wilderness bog garden
One of ‘Churches Together in Shirley’
1
SUNDAY MARCH 7TH LENT 3 REVD CHOI
SUNDAY MARCH 14TH MOTHERING SUNDAY CARYL RAPPS
SUNDAY MARCH 21ST PASSION SUNDAY BENNIE HARMS
SUNDAY MARCH 28TH PALM SUNDAY REVD JENNIFER POTTER
Sunday Morning services continue on Zoom until further notice.
You can listen to a recording of the morning service on
www.shirleymeth.org.uk any time from 7pm that day. To hear
the service on CD - contact Rosemary Jones 8656 1915.
Our Zoom services have been running for quite some
time but now you can join us by phone!
We have had quite a few people join our services
this way. Phone participants can hear the service but
obviously cannot see it – or indeed be seen.
Email smchurchzoom@gmail.com - you will get all the details
you need, including the standard rate phone number to dial and
the secure (private) Meeting ID which you will be asked to enter
on your phone using your keypad .
Please note - friends who do not have the internet were given
the secure phone details separately last month (delivered by
hand on a bright pink sheet of paper) so that we do not
compromise our internet security. It has been good to welcome
phone participants to the Sunday morning services.
Many thanks to all those people who are making
these different forms of worship available to us.
2
The weekly notices, including Revd Choi’s weekly reflection, are
on the website - www.shirleymeth.org.uk
Revd Stephen Day’s services are at 3pm each Sunday. See the
website (look under ‘services’) for the link.
There are many services that can now be followed. These have
been recorded from around the UK and even further afield.
Carolyn and Brian Sherrell recommend a 30
minute act of worship, “Reflections on the
Quay”, produced by BBC Scotland each
Sunday and available from BBC Catch Up
programmes on Mondays.
A message from Revd Pam Clews, Convener of
Revd Choi’s Sabbatical Support Group
Revd Choi will not be available from mid-March until 12th July
as he is due to take a sabbatical. Bennie will be giving
pastoral support to Shirley and Addington during this period.
The Methodist Church along with other denominations
requires Ministers to take a sabbatical for three months every
seven years. 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.
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.
3
“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, fasting, tithing, and keeping
Sabbath, they also had various
By the time you read this letter, kinds of ceremonial regula-
you may be journeying half way tions, which no one found easy.
through Lent, perhaps trying to And, they were very proud of
keep your Lent resolutions, those laws, and tried hard to
such as chocolate fast. Or, you keep them in their everyday
may not want to be under any lives. And, that is exactly what
more rules and restrictions this this Pharisee is talking about in
time, as we have to live already this story. And, we see him giv-
under many measures laid out ing thanks to God for what he
by the government. You may is, not like robbers, evildoers,
have been fed up with all those adulterers, or tax collectors. He
new regulations and restric- must have been very proud of
tions. It is not easy to follow himself. It seems there is
them up. nothing wrong with him at all.
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
4
But, the trouble is that he This must be our prayer during
didn’t know how he was, in Lent.
terms of his relationship with Lent is a time of self-denial, a
God, and he didn’t know what time of giving up our sinful
it meant to pray to God, which habits, and asking God to for-
had nothing to do with self- give. Then, just as that tax
righteousness. Praying is not collector walked home justified
telling God of ‘how good I am’. before God, so we can walk
Rather, it is a time to ask God’s away, knowing that we have
mercy and forgiveness, for the been forgiven. That would
things we’ve done wrong in our mean, in other words, ‘we can
lives. God wants us to pray, start over’. We can re-build our
fast, and work, for His sake, for relationship with God, and with
His people around us, not others. And, I believe it will give
verbally or hypocritically, but us hope, joy and relief.
sincerely from within our
hearts. So, I pray that we may use this
time for being honest with God,
In this respect, we see why
and humbling ourselves before
Jesus approved of this tax
Him, so that we may see how
collector’s attitude in praying,
gracious and wonderful our
although he didn’t approve of
Lord’s love is, as we journey on
his way of life. This man’s
together towards the cross.
prayer was very apologetic.
He knew that he was wrong.
Every blessing,
Although he was asking God’s
Rev. SC Choi.
mercy, he knew that he didn’t
deserve it. ‘Lord, have mercy
on me, a sinner’, he prayed.
Shrublands Foodbank are in great need of car driver.
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
5
Elizabeth Smart writes: As a Church family we have
been saddened by the death
of Alan Youngs on
January 26th. Our thoughts
and prayers are with his family
and friends, especially his
As I begin to write the Family sister Ann and his brother
News for the March magazine, Peter. Alan had been a Local
we are thinking about the 90th Preacher since 1961 and had
anniversary of the Church on served in the Croydon Circuit
February 29th when Revd since 1967 when he took up
Leslie Griffiths will lead our his teaching appointment at
Zoom worship. During the Trinity School. As a Local
service we will be having Preacher he spoke from his
hymns written by Revd Pratt heart and by sharing his deep
Green - who wrote a hymn for Christian faith he was able to
us in celebration of our Golden support and guide others who
Jubilee – singing in our homes were seeking answers. Alan
rather than together of course. also mentored a number of
The plans made to mark this local Methodists training to
anniversary are on hold for the become Local Preachers. His
moment but when it is safe to encouraging and patient
do so will happen. manner was so much
appreciated; he always had
time for you. He had a pastoral
heart and really cared about
We send our love others. Alan undertook so
and congratulations many roles in the Church –
and love to Thelma Jackson in “No hands but ours” is
Hall Grange. She celebrated certainly something Alan took
her 100th birthday at the end seriously by helping with the
of February! gardening, church cleaning,
6
delivering church flowers, will bring joy and lift the spirits
leading house groups, making of all who spend time outdoors.
pastoral visits. Jose Riddiough Our prayers are with Margaret
recalls his kindness to her by Reed, Danuta Plummer and
driving her to Church and how Lambert Rae. We give thanks
he was always eager to help. for your prayers for Beth
In recent years, when it was Fairbairn, who is now on the
difficult for Alan to come to road to recovery –THANK YOU
Shirley, he really appreciated FROM BETH AND HER FAMILY.
having home communion We also hold in our prayers
brought to him by Lay Pastor Pastor Joan Morgan and her
Bennie. Bennie found it a family and for the Beacon of
privilege to be able to share Hope Church family following
this with him and something the tragic death of Joan’s son
that he will always remember. Josh. Please hold them in your
We pray that the memories you prayers in the days and weeks
all hold dear of Alan will live on following Josh’s death. Joan
and be a reminder of him in a has asked me to convey to All
very personal way. There is so the Church Family of Shirley
much we could say about him; Methodist Church these two
he was a very humble man and simple words: “Thank you.
a true saint. May he rest in All your prayers, love and
Peace and rise in Glory. support, are truly appreciated.
As we remember others, we God Bless.”
pray for the Hall Grange family
We pray for all who are
– the residents, staff and all
mourning the loss of loved ones
their families, giving thanks for
and we remember Robert and
the loving care that is given and
Alex Black and their families
received by each other, and for
and Akos, Joseph and Andrew
the staff and volunteers who
Abadoo. May they be
are working in the Wilderness
comforted by God’s unfailing
to restore and create a
love.
beautiful environment which
7
Alan was brought up a Methodist in
March, Cambridgeshire, and was
already a local preacher when he came
to Croydon in 1967. He joined Shirley
Methodist soon after he arrived as it
was conveniently located between his
‘digs’ in Ridgemount Avenue and his
place of work at Trinity School.
A number of Shirley Methodists knew
Alan because he was their sons’ English
teacher. Alan used to recall the wonderful welcome he received
from Verona Pendered when he first visited Shirley and so he
continued to attend. The last time he came to Shirley just over a
year ago was for Verona’s funeral.
Lindsey Macfarlane writes: I met Alan almost 20 years ago when I
came to work in the Croydon Circuit. Alan often arranged the
flowers at Shirley which he loved doing. He also loved being the
Secretary of the Local Preachers. He always had a kind and
encouraging word to say. He gave compliments but found them
hard to receive in a sense of humility that shone from his whole
character: a truly special gentleman.
Brian Cantrell writes: Alan always had a cheerful smile and
greeting. He was genuinely interested in one’s life and was
encouraging to lay members in any way they led worship.
Jean Beecher writes:
Over the years the Guild was privileged to enjoy some
memorable evenings given by Alan. These included ‘The Life of
John Newton’, ‘The Poetry of John Betjeman’, ‘The Works of John
Milton’ and ‘A Celebration of 400 Years of the King James Bible’
in 2011. Never one to do things by halves, Alan provided every
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member with a chart listing the significant dates in the life of his
subject. Talks usually concluded with short readings from their
works. They were the sort of evenings when nobody wanted to
go home. How fortunate we were to be given the chance to have
our Christian heritage brought to life so vividly.
An additional role Alan carried out at Shirley was collating the
weekly Church Notice sheet. When he retired from that role he
continued to write the Prayers for the back page of the Notice
sheet. As we look forward to gradually returning to normal life,
including Shirley Methodist reopening and seeing each other once
again, here is a short prayer Alan wrote which reflects his love for
his friends at Shirley:
We thank God for the gift of this Church;
For the joy of our worship
And for the uplift and inspiration
Of our fellowship with each other.
In His Name,
Amen
Alan’s Funeral and Thanksgiving Service will be held at Shirley
Methodist Church on Friday 5th March at 2pm.
Due to the current restrictions, there will be very few attendees -
only family members and those who are contributing to the
Service.
It will be possible to join on Zoom, and so if you would like to
attend this way please contact Elizabeth Smart who will send
you the link. 020 8681 0057 bandesmart@btinternet.com
9On Hall Grange & MHA
This has been a difficult last Short devotional, Covid-secure
eleven months for Hall Grange services are held each day by
and for MHA more generally the Chaplains. Rev Jennifer
but it is also a time in which Potter is one of these chaplains
MHA has enjoyed a raised And has been able to conduct
profile in the media. The Chief one Sunday Service a month.
Executive, Sam Monaghan, has On 7th January 7th a Covenant
been interviewed frequently on Service was held. Activities are
radio and television and two organised daily by the
senior MHA staff currently sit Coordinators though no outside
on working groups of the musicians or entertainers have
Department of Health and been able to come into the
Social Care relating to testing Home.
for visitors to Care Homes and Sunday January 17th saw the
on vaccines. vaccine rolled out for residents
As of 27th January 71 MHA and members of staff who
locations had active cases with were on duty or able to come
127 residents and 161 staff in. Other staff had been able to
affected. Four staff across the get their vaccinations at
country have died in recent Croydon University Hospital
weeks. Hall Grange since mid-
has hardly been December.
affected in this As we hear in the
latest round – a few news, as long as
staff have tested infections keep
positive but the dropping, there is
regular testing has the hope monitored
meant this has been visits will begin again
picked up quickly as soon as
and people isolated. possible.
10Hall Grange is gaining a few and woodland pathway edging.
new residents again, though A hedge was planted along the
only slowly -meaning that it is rear boundary which involved
currently below capacity. lifting, carrying and planting
All staff were very appreciative 200 bare rooted small trees (60
of the gift tokens they received to 80cm tall). In addition five
from the Circuit for Christmas hibernacula were completed in
and would like to say a very big, order to welcome five
‘thank you.’ It has been and hedgehogs!
continues to be a testing time
for the staff and this acknowl-
edgement of their efforts
makes a real difference.
We long for the day when
volunteers can return to Hall
Grange and the local communi-
ty can come and wander
through the Wilderness. Well A home ready for a hedgehog!
An upturned plastic pot buried
wrapped-up residents have (under leaves) in a hole dug and
been able to go for walks and sloping down for them to enter.
use the information guides A set number of volunteers is
around the paths. Spring allowed to work each session
flowers are coming through and it’s necessary to book a
and bringing a beautiful place a few days in advance.
glimpse of colour.
The wildlife cameras in the
During February, planned activ- Wilderness have captured
ities for the Wilderness volun- visitors to the new bird boxes –
teers included blue tits, wrens and nuthatches
preparing and plant- have all been seen. The most
ing the rockery, tree appreciated, as well as
removal and prun- intimidating presence, is of
ing, building fencing some beautiful great spotted
for the bee project woodpeckers.
11The View from the Donkey
“At this point”, the interviewer that you could make a ‘gift’ on
said, and paused as if deep in Easter Sunday. Years later, we
thought, and then continued, were taught to give to the
“We are all aware that this is OWSOMS Appeal (One Week’s
the time of the year, in Salary On Missionary Service)
churches all over the world, and the money was used for
when believers practise ‘Lent ‘. developing the work of the
What does it mean? And what church in places where they
are you giving up?’ weren’t as affluent as we were.
I was glad that I was one of a
group of people being
interviewed and as somebody
else continued to answer the
I wasn’t sure how to respond. questions I breathed a sigh of
How do you explain something relief. But it didn’t stop me
as deeply personal as ‘Lent’? As thinking about ‘the giving up’
to ‘what was I giving up?’ That’s bit - I felt quite challenged by
not such an easy answer either. the practice of ‘giving up
Lent is an important season for something’. It would be very
Christians – a time of self- easy for me to glibly say I’ve
reflection and self-examination given up chocolates or fizzy
where we confess our failings drinks.
and resolve to live a godlier life St Francis who practiced
based on the teachings of Jesus asceticism used to refer to his
Christ. I grew up in a church body as ‘Brother Ass’ - giving
where we practised ‘Self- up things for the love of self,
Denial’ and you were supposed rather than love of God and his
to put aside the monetary fellow human beings. St
value of what you’d given up so Francis’ belief was that of a life
12presence, so that I might be
used by Him. His plan for me is
that I would let Him be Lord of
my life. And just as they laid
their cloaks on the donkey used
by Jesus on Palm Sunday, so I
too need to clothe myself in the
fullness of Christ, allowing the
of total spiritual transformation. Spirit to lead me and to follow
He made a threefold vow: to be obediently, to be humbled in
open to God, humble before such a way, that as I lift Jesus
God, and ready to be used by up (and let Him ride on my
God. back, as it were) others will see
Him more clearly and … I need
This vow could only be kept to serve Christ faithfully that He
through abstinence, discipline might be glorified… for He
and self-mortification. But I am alone is worthy! Jesus wants to
not St Francis, even if I could make a triumphal entry into the
emulate his beliefs in my life lives of those around you … will
and daily practice. you take Him there?
So, I enter into this time of And I gave up all fizzy drinks
‘Lent’ in many ways like a AND chocolates AND social
donkey or resembling a media.
donkey. I must recognize that God Bless,
God is requesting of me, my
Bennie Harms
*************************
It was Palm Sunday but because of a sore throat, 5 year-old
Sammy stayed home from church with a babysitter. When
the family returned home, they were carrying several palm
fronds. Sammy inquired as to what they were for. “People
held them over Jesus' head as he walked by”, his father re-
sponded. “Wouldn't you just know it?” Sammy complained,
“The one Sunday I don't go to church and he shows up.”
13By the end of this month, we shall have had a whole year when our
normal activities of going out and about, attending church, meeting
up with friends in cafés and restaurants, visiting theatres and art
galleries, and going on holiday have been severely curtailed. Instead
we have spent most or all of the year confined to our homes, ‘meet-
ing’ others through a phone call or on a screen or having a distanced
exchange when we’ve spotted someone we know in the street.
So how have people been spending this unexpected ‘time on our
hands’?
Leslie Griffiths writes:
For a few weeks, one of the few events that gave structure to the
passing days was the emptying of our bins. In our neck of the
woods, this happens on a Wednesday and can be a very compli-
cated matter. So lockdown gave us the whole of Tuesday to be
sure we had the right bins on the pavement ready for collection.
A blue-topped bin, two black tops, a brown horticultural recepta-
cle and a food-waste little ‘un need to be put out in varying com-
binations. Working it all out ensured that
our brain cells were kept alive. I wish I
could bottle the downright sense of eu-
phoria that we got every week when our
calculations were validated by the bin
men.
Soon, however, we needed greater stimulus, more varied action
points, to help us maintain a sense of the passing of time. Over
the months we’ve developed a brilliant aide-mémoire in the form
of takeaway meals. It was a field waiting to be explored. At the
end of our road, all within two hundred yards of our front door,
there’s a string of eateries offering a magnificent range of mouth-
watering options. And we’ve taken them into the bosom of our
hebdomadal arrangements.
14Every Tuesday evening, I visit the kebabery. Neither Margaret nor
I are natural burger-eaters but the Delight offers a product that
far surpasses Burger King and pushes MacDonalds into a lower
league. We have it with cheese, salad and their special burger
sauce. A little team of Turkish gentlemen deal with orders and
I’ve got to know them all. Each seems to have about a dozen
words of English and, confusingly, none seems to have the same
twelve as any other. We’ve all become friends and manage
somehow to discuss the weather, Anatolia, the sixth form studies
of a nephew and, of course, the pandemic. To achieve all this
with such limited vocabularies involves cross-stitching, switch-
overs, gesticulation and a series of facial contortions ranging
from a simple beam to a heavy frown. They now greet me as “Mr
Tuesday” and frequently ask after “Mrs Tuesday” and, indeed,
how “young Mr Tuesday” is making out (a reference to my intern
who comes once a week to help me with my office work). When,
in my parliamentary role, I
was asked to nominate a
kebabery for an award, I had
no hesitation in putting my
four Turkish delights forward
for consideration. I’d love
them to win something.
Friday lunchtime sees me at
the Fried Chicken outlet. This is run by a Sri Lankan family. Their
chicken wings are out of this world. We began by having eight
each (no chips, no fizzy drink, just wings) but found that too
much. Our lunch consists of half a dozen beautifully spiced, oh-
so-tender, melt-in-the-mouth pieces of cluck-cluckery. We love
them. This arrangement has only come about in more recent
times and I have yet to get a real conversation going with the
man behind the counter. I’ve identified cricket, the weather, Sri
Lanka and, of course, the pandemic as fruitful topics to explore.
15We now know each other well enough so that, every time I pass
the shop, I peer in through the window, catch his eye, and we
exchange a beam a greeting that warms the cockles of my heart.
And so to Saturday
evenings. Chinese this
time. The counter is run
by a teenage young
woman with all the
characteristics of
Brunhilda. I wouldn’t
want to bump into her in
an alleyway after dark.
She runs the orders -
both over-the-counter and delivery - in a rigorous manner and
has a face to match. She takes no prisoners. From the moment I
had dealings with her, I knew she represented a challenge. I was
determined to get her to smile. It’s taken a long time. The first
step was getting her to recognize me. Then she needed to
become familiar with my order. It never varies. King prawn fried
rice with (more) king prawns, spring onions and ginger.
Those steps were successfully achieved. She now acknowledges
my arrival and shouts my order through to the kitchen without
my opening my mouth. Of late, I’ve been asking some timorous
questions of an unthreatening nature and slowly, oh-so-slowly,
she now manages to raise her eyes and offer a friendly word or
two. The culmination of this, the clinching moment, was reached
just a week or two ago. I needed the courage of an ox as I
entered the shop to wish her a happy new (Chinese) year. Lo and
behold. The face broke into a gorgeous smile. I punched the air.
Victory was mine. I carried my prawns home in triumph.
16Margaret King writes:
At the end of March 2020, I decided to undertake something for
which I had thought I would never find the time – to read the
Bible from beginning to end. With the tragedy of Coronavirus
taking a hold everywhere, and the consequent restrictions
required, I would have all the time in the world! I consulted my
daughter, Rachel and she recommended the course to take. It
was prepared by Nicky Gumbel, vicar of Holy Trinity Brompton
Church in London, and pioneer of the ‘Alpha’ course.
So I went to my computer and downloaded the plan to use, in
order to read the Bible in one year. This could be started at any
time. I started right away and, all being well, I shall have
completed the project by early April 2021. It has been a very
special thing to do each day, covering 2 or 3 chapters (as set out)
and occasionally 4 in the Old Testament (some chapters being full
of unknown names, never to appear again!) It was clearly
thought that readers might wish to skip some of these! Also I was
to read a Psalm each day, and by the time I finished reading all
the other books in the Bible, I would have read the book of
Psalms two and a half times through!!
As you know, there are some very beautiful Psalms. The
connection between the Psalms and some of the other Old
Testament readings I found quite remarkable. Much of the Old
Testament was difficult to read, (please don’t ask me any
questions about it!), with for example a lot of slaughter of
humans and of animals. Of course there are some lovely and
familiar passages such as Micah 6 verse 8. I love these words.
17I was excited to move on to the New Testament which, on the
whole, is so much more familiar to us than the Old. From the
birth of Jesus, to His teachings, parables, healings, often in the
presence of His disciples – to the Crucifixion of Jesus and His
glorious Resurrection. I have enjoyed the Gospels, the Acts of the
Apostles, Paul’s letters to the Romans and to the church in
Corinth. As I write, I am starting today on the second letter to the
Corinthian church. Strangely enough, and remember that this
course could be started at any time, part of my reading on the
14th February happened to be 1 Corinthians: 13. I am sure you all
know well this beautiful chapter, all about love and frequently
used at weddings. How truly amazing that I was to read it on
Valentine’s Day!!
Even if much of the detail of my daily readings is already, or will
be, forgotten, reading the Bible in a year continues to be very
special during these difficult times, and will have given me a
great over-view of this truly wonderful Book.
May God bless you all and keep you safe.
if you would like to take on
Margaret’s challenge too, there
is a new Bible In One Year app
available for 2021.
There are three editions:
Classic – the whole Bible, with daily readings, thoughts and
prayers
Express – just 10 minutes a day
Youth – a remix of the Express edition for 13-18 year olds
All are free to download onto Apple or Android phones.
bibleinoneyear.org is 20
18Ann Hatherill writes:
Today is 8th February. It is day 322 counting from the beginning
of the first lockdown. Before then there were plenty of answers
to that question with friends near and far and easy access to
buses and trains to go almost anywhere we wanted, as well as
local groups and activities.
I looked out of my window yesterday, with snow on the ground
and birds coming and going. Oh to be a bird, I though, just fancy
being able to flap your wings and go wherever you wanted.
I’ve never been a great TV watcher but do follow some
programmes on my iPad from BBC, ITV, Channel 4 or 5, propping
it up on the table while I knit or sew - nor am I a great reader.
Before lockdown, being a retired Maths teacher, I have always
had Maths pupils for lessons over the winter months which has
provided me with extra income but, more importantly, kept my
brain working and given the company of young people in the
dark evenings. This was possible again, with masks and keeping
apart from September - December but now paused again.
Back to my question. At other times in the last year I have
finished cross stitch items requested by friends and in the
Autumn was able to get them framed. Two friends wanted Aran
jumpers so I’ve made them and one for myself.
So what next? Lots of odd balls of wool in a va-
riety of colours so using them I knit
hexagons of different colours, sew them
together and then crochet a border round the
edge using the small balls of wool which are
too small for a hexagon. That latest one is re-
quired for a king size bed so a long way to go!
19Milton Moore writes:
During lockdown I decided to become actively involved in my
community in Shirley by volunteering to become Acting Secretary
of Spring Park Residents’ Association (SPRA), a well-established
local group which is celebrating 90 years in 2022.
I was keen to get to know my community, especially as I am now
spending more time here. Joining the SPRA committee gives me
the chance to get to know others who are very familiar with
Shirley, and I hope to give back or add something to my area to
enable others to benefit in some way.
My new responsibilities include
communication – gathering and collating
information sent to me and disseminating
details of local activities and important
notices to other Executive members,
trustees, road stewards and those looking for information in the
monthly SPAN magazine and on the SPAN website.
SPRA has over 2,500 member households, representing over 70%
of Spring Park’s residential properties (which includes a number
of Shirley Methodists living in the ‘right’ part of Shirley!) SPRA
seeks to protect and enhance the area’s amenities by monitoring
planning policies, reporting local road issues such as defective
pavements and potholes, organizing regular clean ups of local
green areas, and supporting local groups and schools.
Currently SPRA is concerned with two issues which impact local
residents. It is actively involved in the current review of Croydon
Council following its declared bankruptcy and the emergency
S114 notice late last year. We have also engaged with the
community of Shirley to seek their support and to mobilise on
behalf of the interest of families and residents to prevent Shirley
losing its library.
20Committee membership involves meetings! SPRA’s executive
committee meets monthly, normally held at a local school in
Shirley but since held virtually since March 2020. I look forward
to getting back to normal.
Some nine months after joining the SPRA committee, I find this
voluntary activity is one of the most rewarding roles I have done
in the later part of my working life. I saw it as the community
called and I was most pleased to answer that call.
Milton has taken up another voluntary role during the past year,
being elected as a Board member for South London and Maudsley
NHS Trust. Maybe he could tell us about his work with SLaM at a
later date.
Below are some suggested prayers themes for
your prayer time.
Pray for a member at church who you
know is shielding and unable to get out.
Please pray for all the heath care workers
who give so much of themselves in caring
for others.
Let’s give thanks for the work of scientists
working on vaccines.
Please pray for Choi and Bennie as they
give pastoral support in these difficult times.
Please continue to pray for all the residents and staff
at Hall Grange
Pray for the opportunity to speak with your neighbours to
see if you can help, especially those living on their own.
Brian Sherrell
21Here is the second of Tau’s recordings of his recital pieces which he
had prepared for his 2021 recital programme but has been
cancelled. They were recorded at Shirley Methodist. Thank you, Tau.
Tau Wey writes:
The continuing hiatus of the repeated 840 times in a
concert scene around the performance. Some of my poor
country gives me good reason students had to play this a few
to continue with my lockdown- years ago in a concert I
series of musical essays and organised!
recordings. French composer Eschewing the staid concert
Erik Satie was an enigmatic halls, Satie lived in Monmartre,
personality. Instead of writing Paris, and found an artistic
sonatas such as the one by home in its lively cabarets. I
Edvard Grieg in last wonder if there is
month’s video, he any similarity to
preferred to write John Wesley
short and what appear preferring open-
like nonsensical pieces. field preaching in
Readers will probably the pits to the
be most familiar with pulpits of the
his Trois Gymnopédies, Church of England.
which are three calm and Interestingly Satie did have a
serene miniatures with religious side to his work, being
memorable melodies. involved with the Rosicrucian
But what about the rest of his Order for a period in his life.
oeuvre? Satie loved breaking The piece I have recorded for
rules. He was a musical satirist this month’s video shows yet
and loved mocking the another side of Satie. It is a
establishment. One such joyous and alluring waltz, full of
baffling piece is his Vexations. It beauty and simplicity.
is a curious-sounding piano https://bit.ly/39YCU6T
piece, which he wanted to be
22The 2021 Fairtrade Real Easter Egg range has moved online as
supermarkets have failed to make space for the UK's only egg
which shares the Easter story, supplied to supermarkets since
2010. Last year, with Easter at the start of lockdown, the super-
markets had a disastrous time as people stayed away from high
streets. This year, supermarket buyers were told to cut brands
and this has included The Real Easter Egg.
A free
activity/story
book
with every
Easter Egg
The 2021 Original Real Easter Egg includes a new 24 page Easter
story activity book. It features a rainbow design to remind us of
the importance of working together, in amazing and inspiring
ways, for the common good. It costs £4.50 and is delivered in
multiples of six or as singles.
Reviewers have placed The Real Easter Egg above eggs from
Hotel Chocolat, Green and Black's and Ferrero Rocher!
Order your eggs now
You can order direct from www.realeasteregg.co.uk
or call 01948 831 043.
23According to Age UK, the charities to find suitable older
number of over-50s who are dogs in need of forever homes
experiencing loneliness is set to and then gives users their own
reach two million by 2025, a 49 CareDogs companion, a
per cent increase in ten years. volunteer who will help support
They say that, of people aged this rehoming process as well
55 and over, 1-in-8 only get to as providing weekly dog
speak to someone on no more walking, company and
than four days a week. friendship.
CareDogs is a charity recently CareDogs
launched in Croydon aiming would like to
to reduce social isolation and hear from
loneliness for the over-55s – people who
by using dogs. Spending time have a few
with a pet can reduce anxiety, hours to spare a week to be a
stress and boosts mood. Caring CareDogs companion
for a pet also gives purpose to a volunteer. The charity is looking
person’s day and a sense of for local volunteers of all ages
achievement; giving owners (18+) to encourage
someone to share their routine intergenerational friendships
with, especially in later life. A within communities.
furry friend could be life- Whether you are or you know
changing for a lonely older of someone interested in
person. adopting an older rescue dog,
CareDogs helps to facilitate and or you might consider being a
support the adoption of older companion volunteer,
rescue dogs (aged 7+) by older CareDogs might be able to
people looking for a help.
companion. It works with dog https:/caredogs.org.uk
24Riddles - brain teasers - testing logic and language!
Have a go!
1. What is always in front of you but can’t be seen?
2. What can you break, even if you never pick it up or touch it?
3. What question can you never answer yes to?
4. What is so fragile that saying its name breaks it?
5. What has 13 hearts, but no other organs?
6. What can fill a room but takes up no space?
7. The more you take, the more you leave behind. What are
they?
8. What has a head, a tail, is brown and has no legs?
9. Can you name three consecutive days without using the words
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, or
Sunday?
10. What belongs to you, but other people use it more than you?
11. What has six faces, but does not wear makeup, has twenty-
one eyes, but cannot see? What is it?
12. This is as light as a feather, yet no man can hold it for long.
What is it?
13. The more you take away, the bigger I become. What am I?
14. If you have me, you want to share me. If you share me, you
haven't got me. What am I?
15. I can be cracked, I can be made. I can be told, I can be
played. What am I?IGHTER NEWS
(Answers on page 31)
25Tau Wey writes; fine here and life was
going on as usual.
The coronavirus
pandemic has However, their pic-
changed our lives so ture of Britain under
much. The UK has Covid-distress was so
been particularly fixed that no matter
hard hit. We have what I pleaded, we
become used to the ‘new nor- each were entrenched in our
mal’: wearing face masks, little worlds.
working from home, attending The media coverage in Taiwan
church on zoom, and not be- has reported extensively on
ing with friends and family. Be the pandemic in the UK.
it due to the Blitz spirit or the Stories of hour-long queues
British stiff upper lip, we ‘keep outside supermarkets, only to
calm and carry on’. then arrive at empty shelves,
Some months ago, as I have been repeatedly circulat-
chatted to friends in Taiwan ed. That, in addition to stories
(where Covid-19 was virtually that Covid-hit individuals have
non-existent), they mentioned had no choice but to fend for
that they ‘felt for the hardship themselves at home, have
being endured’. For a moment nurtured the image that the
I was puzzled. Who were they NHS, and indeed the country,
referring to? Only a few is on the brink of collapse.
seconds later did I realise that And so at regular intervals I
they were referring to me in would receive concerned
coronavirus-Britain. messages from friends and
family in Taiwan expressing
As someone who didn’t feel I
alarm, asking ‘do we need to
was living through adversity, I
send food parcels’ and ‘are
felt the need to assure my
you going to repatriate to
friends that whilst not every-
Taiwan’?
thing was perfect, we are all
26it also made me realise that In public discourse, and indeed
the media often gives us a in chats with neighbours, so
partial world-view. Yes, some often our first response to the
supermarkets did have word ‘Africa’ is ‘poverty’. ‘I
queues, and some products have a duvet I don’t need …
sold out quickly during surely someone in Ethiopia
Lockdowns as seen by all my needs it’, are words that I
Taiwanese counterparts on recall from a real life
their social media and news. conversation. Translated to
However, on the whole people the current discussion, it
have enough to eat during this would be ‘I have a spare bag of
pandemic, and in good British rice, let’s send it to the poor
fashion we continue to drink folk in England’.
tea, have a chat with friends, Whether it’s the Taiwanese
read a good book, and do people’s response to us here
whatever it is that we each in Britain, or the West’s aid
enjoy doing. I suspect this relationship with developing
didn’t get reported on much. countries, this personal
This episode has led me to experience has given me a hint
rethink the ethics of giving, as to the genuine mutual
and what is understanding that
required to is needed in order
better serve to better support
others. each other.
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.
Margaret King 8777 3770 Elizabeth Smart
8681 0057 or via the ‘contact us’ form on
www.shirleymeth.org.uk
27If you are a pie eater or a hat UK, also celebrate National
wearer you probably know that Poetry Day in October.)
1st- 7th March is British Pie Each year, UNESCO centres on
Week and Wear a Hat Day falls a particular poet and his or her
on 26th March. Other notable works, often focusing on poetry
days /weeks this month which written in a minority or even
are more familiar to the rest of rare and endangered language.
us are Mothering Sunday (14th In order to spread the word,
March), Palm Sunday (28th promote and encourage the
March) and of course the genre, poetry recitals and
Saints’ Days – David’s on 1st similar events may be held in
and Patrick’s on 17th. schools, cafes, community
Appealing to the sustainably- spaces in recognition of the
minded is 18th March - Global day.
Recycling Day but they might
be horrified by National Old
Stuff Day - getting rid of the old
and buying something new
(2nd March).
The literary- minded will delight
at two special days catering for
their interests – World Book
Day (4th March) and World This year, Amanda Gorman’s
Poetry Day (21st) recital of her poem, The Hill
We Climb, at the Inauguration
Initiated by UNESCO, World of President Joe Biden, was an
Poetry Day takes place on the inspiring, unmissable perfor-
same day in March every year. mance of the written word:
(Just to complicate matters, https://www.youtube.com/watch?
some countries including the v=Jp9pyMqnBzk
28To celebrate World Poetry Day on 21st March,
here are two poems for Lent. There’s a third poem on the next
page, about learning lessons and doing better.
L is for the Life he gave
E is for Eternal life in heaven with God the Father
N is for Never losing faith
T is for Trust that He will come again
Silent God
Edwina Gately
29TIME OUT
By Shirley Fry
It had to come
This time of plague
We were too vague
On global warming
Ignored the warning
Nor did enough
To rebuff
The profiteers
Too many fears.
What’s there for me our constant plea?
No thought of others, our sisters, brothers.
We’re in disgrace our human race!
What must we do when this is through?
Be more caring
Be more sharing
This time of testing
and of resting
Reassessing
A time to think
Back from the brink
A second chance
To join the dance
Leave selfish ways.
These precious days
We’ll volunteer to do our most
For those who can’t we’ll shop and post
Keep our distance, smile and wave
That is the new way to behave
Keep our chins up as we say
“With luck we’ll live another day”.
And when at last this trouble ends
We’ll know the value of true friends.
(Association for Church Editors)
30Personal shopping – our volunteers are regularly making
individual shopping trips for clients.
Telephone befriending – more than 40 of our clients are
benefiting from a regular call from volunteer phone buddies.
Tel 020 8662 9599
Email sncs@shirleyneighbourhoodcare.co.uk
ANSWERS
1. The future
Each month’s magazine will available at 2. A promise
www.shirleymeth.org.uk. 3. Are you asleep
If you know someone who would like to yet?
read our magazine but does not have 4. Silence
the internet - maybe you 5. A deck of cards
could print off a copy and 6. Light
post it … or pop it through 7. Footsteps
their door. 8. A penny
9. Yesterday,
We are always very grateful
Today, and
for contributions.
Tomorrow
10. Your name
Kate Marsden will be the next editor 11. A dice
katemarsden747@gmail.com 12. Your breath
jenny.crook@blueyonder.co.uk 13. A hole
14. A secret
APRIL’S magazine will be on the 15. A joke
website on Sunday 28th March.
Please send contributions to Kate by
Sunday 21st March.
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
