The Magazine of the Launceston Area Methodist Church July-August 2021 Edition 210
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The Magazine of the
Launceston Area
Methodist Church
July-August 2021
Edition 210
1
Dear Friends
The recent fine weather has seen fields and gardens burst into life from
apparent dormant winter state and farmers urgently harvesting their
carefully nurtured early crops when the conditions are right. Rightly, we
see all this as natural and part of the rhythm of life. But do we take the
same thinking into the rest of life? There’s been a lot of talk about
“getting back to normal” in recent weeks - and disappointment at recent
government announcements delaying the lifting of some Covid-19
restrictions. But do we really expect to wake up one morning in July and
start acting as though it’s late March 2020? Hardly! The world, like the
seasons, must move on and we must adapt to new situations and
conditions. When we return to “normality” it must still be to go forward.
With that in mind, I’m going to relate a little of what five members from
the circuit encountered when we spent a weekend attending an online
version of the interdenominational Leading your Church into Growth
workshop. We were led by ordinary members and leaders from ordinary
British Churches of various denominations; they made plain that they
weren’t offering any easy or guaranteed mechanisms to manufacture
growth. First they reminded us of one of Jesus’ parables of a growing
seed in which “All by itself the soil produces corn - first the stalk, then
the ear, then the full grain in the ear.” (Mark 4:26-29) following the
parable of the sower, it begs questions about maintaining good soil
(circumstances) for seeds (the good news of the Gospel) to produce
fruit (changed lives which change the world for good).
They commented in a very down to earth way, “this is NOT just about
bums on seats, it’s about addressing the needs of the whole body that
goes with them”!
Over the weekend, we explored what the Leading Your Church Into
Growth team call Seven Steps - One plan. These are those steps:
Create a prayerful culture of Growth: Sounds obvious, but how often
do we slip into a prayer pattern which is more about asking God to put a
plaster on life’s ills rather than ask Him to change the world for good?
The Parable of the Mustard Seed and Yeast (Matthew 13:31-33) remind
us that a small amount of positive activity can effect a disproportionate
2
change for good!
Implement an effective strategy: If this sounds like “business speak”
remember every time we pray The Lord’s Prayer, we ask “May Your
Kingdom come” (Matthew 6.9-13)! We were invited to explore proven,
practical ways and effective resource to help our churches grow in depth
of discipleship and reach people of all generations so they come to faith
and make a difference in the wider community.
Practise fruitful evangelism: Which is just a word for sharing good
news. Jesus’ calling to his first disciples declares that instead of
catching fish He would teach them to gather in people (Mark 1:16-17).
How do we embody sharing good news into the pattern of our church’s
lives?
Develop Engaging Worship: When Moses encountered God, he was told
he was, “standing on holy ground” (Exodus 3:1-5). Recent months have
taught us afresh that worship that connects with life and offers a
genuine encounter with God is deeply attractive to a generation seeking
reality, purpose, truth and meaning.
Become an inviting and welcoming church: The life of our churches has
many opportunities for inviting others to become part of the family,
especially the last, the lost and the least. When, like the parable of The
Great Banquet (Luke 14:15-24), do we personally, actively, invite friends
and family to join in? We may be pleasantly surprised when we do!
Make a pathway for seekers to become disciples: Jesus’ Great
Commission is only tricky because it’s so clear - “Therefore, as you go,
disciple people in all nations” (Matthew 28:19). The task of making
disciples requires an intentional plan and appropriate, deliberate activity
- it’s the heart of what we’re called to do.
Begin a planned journey of growth: There’s an old saying, “If you make
no plans for growth, you make plans for no growth”. The early Church
took opportunities to seek to help more in quality of discipleship which
leads to a quantity of new disciples (Acts 5:12-16).
Leading your Church into Growth reminds us not to see these seven
steps as a prescriptive formula or a ‘Lego’ instruction book but rather
like a satnav, toolbox or a good friend for those searching for growth.
They invite us to seek a holistic pattern of more people (numerical
growth), becoming more like Jesus (spiritual growth), having more impact
in the community (missional growth).
I invite you all to examine these ideas, consider and plan what small,
simple changes your church might take to explore these steps and
embark on a journey of holistic growth. Then imagine how that might
begin to form a more positive pathway into God’s future for your church
and the community it serves!
Yours in Christ, David Miller.
3Coads Green
With no services at Coads Green chapel since Christmas Eve 2020
because of the Covid pandemic, several members of the congregation
were ready to return to live worship on Sundays, starting on May 16th
and 30th, with all the Covid restrictions in place. With no singing allowed
indoors, video clips were used for some of the hymns and the virtual
choir (seen on the zoom services over the last few months) sang 'Faithful
One' and 'Holy, Holy, Holy'. On one Sunday, the last hymn was sung
outside. The congregation were encouraged to look forward and think
about moving onwards.
On Trinity Sunday ice cubes, hot water and steam were used to illustrate
Father, Son and Holy Spirit; the 3 in 1. People drew around their hands
onto off cuts of material, cut them out and then they were hung over the
gates to the entrance of the chapel, making an eye catching 'Wave of
Hope' display.
With some not yet ready to worship in a building, it was decided to have
an open air service on Sunday morning June 13th. With blue skies
above, sunshine, birds singing and the shade of the trees in the chapel
field, an ideal setting was set. People soon started to arrive with their own
seating in hand and it was so good to see so many of all ages coming to
worship. This was an own arrangement service where we sang 5 hymns,
which were introduced by various people who said why it was their
favourite hymn. Comments included:
• The influence they had been given by their grandparents.
• How well the hymn 'Hear us , O Lord, from heaven thy dwelling place'
had been written.
• How we need to take notice of the words we are singing and how
powerful they can be.
4• How important it is to breathe at the right time when singing, otherwise
the words can have a completely different meaning.
• What the hymn means to them throughout each and every day.
During the service, others spoke of their experiences throughout the
pandemic by relating to how much more time they had spent together at
home and how they value the church family at Coads Green. The Bible
passage read to us was about the calling of the first disciples and later in
the service we were challenged to think about our calling and what we as
individuals have to offer. We are all very different but each one of us has
a gift that makes us special. Prayers of praise, forgiveness, commitment
and praying for individuals were made. Some stayed on after the service
and enjoyed their picnic lunches, with the children providing their own
entertainment.
Margaret Venning
South Petherwin
On behalf of us all at South Petherwin, I have been asked to pass on our
gratitude to the Editorial Team and to all those involved in producing and
delivering such an interesting and varied Spotlight magazine, during
these difficult times
All your hard work had been much appreciated and could not have taken
place without the articles sent in by the contributors and we are very
much looking forward to the forthcoming issues.
These have certainly kept our spirits up.
Mary Stoneman
Bridge
It has been so exciting to see everyone coming back together at the
Bridge and we have celebrated by giving the church a revamp. Lots of
volunteers came in over a two week period and together we cleaned,
organised and painted through the building giving it a much needed
freshen up after being closed for so long.
We have slowly been able to open up and restart more and more areas
of the church includeing our Woman's ministry, Chosen, who were able to
5meet in person in June for the first time in over a year.
Some of our house groups are also now back in person after months of
meeting on Zoom and we have been working our way through an
incredible series on the Apostles Creed. This has opened up lots of con-
versations and helped us all to dig deep in to the foundations of our faith.
The resources for this Creed bible study are available on the Bridge
Church website and are free for anyone who would like to use them both
personally or as a group.
We have also just finished our 'We are church' series on a Sunday
morning talking about the importance of the church family, remembering
that we have all been given gifts that are important to the church and how
we work together with a ministry mindset.
Moving forward into the summer we are excited to be re launching Wear
Love Out showing God's love to the community through random acts of
kindness. Our first planned project is to pack and deliver chocolate gift
boxes to some of the key workers in our community who have been
working so hard through difficult times.
We are excited that in July we plan to re-open our children's and youth
work. Our Shift XL Youth group has been expanding which is so
encouraging to see. Jordan Duke has been meeting with them online but
we can't wait to be able to do more and more with them as these young
people grow in their faith. Mark Blencowe and the team at Bridge Kids
are also working really hard to get everything ready to welcome young
children back in to the building. Mark has been streaming videos every
week for families to tune into but it will be great to see all their faces
again back in church.
Lastly June 2021 marks 5 years of our Bridge Church family and
restrictions allowing we hope to celebrate as a church family giving
thanks for everything we have seen God do and know he will continue to
do for hopefully many years to come.
Lucie Worth
Lifton
On Sunday 16th May we welcomed Rev David Miller who took our
service and met everyone at Lifton Chapel for the first time.
On the following Saturday church members met at the chapel to greet
Rev Jo Smart and her husband Andy as they were calling at the chapel
on their Circuit Prayer bike ride. We had all enjoyed coffee and home-
made biscuits in the Sunday School room with the tables spaced out in
6accordance with COVID rules. Rev Jo and Andy arrived on their bikes at
about 1.30pm when we all went outside where Rev Jo read the following
prayers for the chapel, and before they left Rev Jo gave everyone the gift
of a tiny silver angel to keep.
Dear Heavenly Father, please bless this place of worship and all those
who worship here.
Bless our community and protect them from any harm; may each person
experience your love and a sense of your nearness and comfort during
these difficult times.
Be with our school and all those who work there;
Be with those who work at the doctor's surgery and the pharmacy;
Be with the people who work at the Farm shop, the village shop and the
garages
And be with all the families who are home-schooling their children.
We also pray for all those who are living on their own and feeling lonely
because of lockdown.
Lord God you know and understand the anxieties and fears of people -
please be with them we pray. Amen
Father, in the times we are living, physical social distancing is a good
thing when it is necessary for human safety but we thank you Lord that
this distancing principle does not apply in our relationship with you. We
thank you Lord that we know you are watching over us twenty four hours
a day and seven days a week. You are always there for each one of us
and for this we are so grateful. Thanks be to God. Amen.
Diane Northey
Boyton
It is with great sadness that we report the passing of Terry Colwill, a great
friend and fellow Christian. Terry was a lifelong member of Boyton
Chapel and dedicated himself to all aspects of Church life. He was
devoted to his family, faithful to God, loyal to his friends and always
available to anyone who needed help. He will be greatly missed. We
send our condolences to Agnes and her family.
Agnes had been very unwell since Terry’s death and has been in
hospital. Please remember her and her family in your prayers.
From friends at Boyton Chapel
7Praying for our circuit
O
n Saturday 22nd May, Andi and I left our home and commenced
our cycle around the Launceston Area Methodist Circuit so we
could pray for our chapels and the communities in which they
serve. This was a ride that was scheduled to take place in January but
due to restrictions was postponed.
We were very blessed to have good weather, particularly when Friday
and Sunday were not suitable conditions to cycle in. We reached St
Paul’s at Upton Cross first and then cycled on to Lewannick, where they
have just opened their new Café Central. We cycled on from there to
Wesley Cottage and by then the sun was starting to come out. Polyphant
was our next stop where we were met by Revd. Doreen and several
members. We prayed together and blessed a shrub that had been
planted in memory of Owen Withers. From here it was a race between
8Revd. Doreen and ourselves to Pipers Pool! We arrived first, taking the
small back lanes. Some of the other members joined us and then we were
on to Boyton. When we arrived at Boyton Revd. David and Liz were inside
with the doors open. Revd. David was playing the organ, which was lovely
to hear. We prayed together before all of us departed to Yeolmbridge
where we were met by a couple of Coads Green chapel members who
were out that way. From here we travelled to Lifton and had a very warm
welcome by Revd. Cathy and several members who joined us out in the
sun to pray together. Checking the time, we needed to get going and
make our way to Central arriving exactly on time to join in prayers with
Revd. David and several members. From here we travelled to the Bridge
and then on to Tregadillett, Revd. David meeting us at both churches. We
were now on the homeward stretch and so we travelled to South
Petherwin where members were waiting for us in the chapel grounds.
From here to Trebullett where a number of members welcomed us with a
round of applause and ice-cream! This only meant one more chapel to
cycle to – Coads Green! We arrived around 15 minutes later than
scheduled, to another round of applause by several members who were
gathered there as well as a homemade “well done” poster and bunting
that had been put up. All those we met were given little angels as we
prayed for the “army of angels to protect us all as we serve God in the
places he has put us.” Over all we travelled just over 55 miles…but this
was on an e-bike!
We were very grateful to all those who turned out and for their prayers
and the warm welcome they gave us. To date, we have managed to raise
just over £2590 for the circuit, so a huge thank you to everyone who
contributed. If you would still like to give then please write a cheque out to
LAMC and send it to the circuit office.
May the Lord bless you and keep you, may He make His face to shine
upon you and give you peace.
God bless,
Jo & Andi
9METHODIST WOMEN IN BRITAIN
LAUNCESTON AREA CIRCUIT
EASTER OFFERING 2021
O
ur Zoom Service on 18th April was very successful with more than 40
devices logged on. Donating to the Methodist Church World Mission
Fund was different than in previous years and the choice was given of
donating via Just Giving or in the traditional way by envelope.
I am pleased to report that our donations, although understandably slightly
less than in previous years, continue to reflect the generosity of the church
members in the Launceston Area Circuit.
The total donated by cash or cheque amounted to £906.50 and there was
about £200 donated via Just Giving. It became very difficult to be exact
about the amount of online donations as many came as anonymous - no
message saying the circuit and district numbers. This is understandable as
the message box on the Just Giving Donate screen appeared and disap-
peared so quickly that it wasn’t easy to type in the numbers.
I would say that we are 95% sure that the total cash and online donations
amounted to £1106.50 which, although less than in 2019, is still a very
generous amount in these difficult times of the Covid pandemic.
The Launceston Area Circuit MWiB Committee wish to thank all of you who
came to the service and made it such a success and also for all your most
generous donations. We pray that we will be able to hold our 2022 Easter
Offering Service in the traditional way.
Jill Price
When we feel shaken (Luke 10:42)
Faithful Father,
When we feel shaken by the events of the past; when we don’t know quite
how to go forward; when our confidence in what we thought we could
control is undermined; remind us that one thing is needed – to sit at your
feet and listen to You.
You are our security. You will never fail those who belong to You through
faith in Your Son, Jesus.
As we take time to listen to You, Lord, and to meditate on Your Holy Spirit-
inspired Word, may we know Your peace – and Your good plans for us. In
Jesus’ name, Amen.
By Daphne Kitching
10Henry Venn of the Church Mission Society
M
ost Christians in the UK have heard of the Church Mission Society or
CMS. Far fewer have heard of the Revd Henry Venn (1796-1873),
whose father, the rector of Clapham, founded CMS in 1799, and who
himself became the greatest missionary strategist of the 19th century.
Not that Henry Venn ever became a missionary himself; after Cambridge he
served his curacy at St Dunstan’s in Fleet Street, and then an incumbency at
Drypool in Hull, before becoming vicar of St Johns, Holloway in 1834. But
Henry Venn’s parish-based ministry did not obscure his passionate interest
in overseas evangelism, and in 1841 he accepted an invitation to become
the honorary secretary of the Church Mission Society. That decision was to
shape the history of overseas missions, and to make CMS into the most ef-
fective force in Britain for delivering effective overseas mission.
For Henry was an outstanding administrator, and his wisdom and manage-
ment of the missionaries enabled CMS to grow and flourish. When Henry
first began work on CMS, it employed 107 European clergy and nine local
indigenous people. When he died in 1873, there were 230 European clergy
and 148 local people in service.
After his resignation from St Johns Holloway in 1846, Henry devoted himself
almost exclusively to the work of CMS. He was directly responsible for send-
ing out 498 clergymen, all of them chosen by him, and with most of whom he
continued in regular correspondence. He also established eight or nine bish-
oprics for the supervision of CMS missionary clergy and was usually involved
in the appointments made.
Henry and a missions colleague in America were the first to use the term
‘indigenous church’, and they were way ahead of their time in seeing the ne-
cessity for creating churches on the mission fields that in time would become
not only self-supporting, but also self-governing and self-propagating. In fact,
Venn wrote with enthusiasm on this "euthanasia of missions," meaning that
missionaries were only ever meant to be temporary, and not permanent.
All in all, Henry Venn’s exposition on the basic principles of indigenous Chris-
tian missions was so powerful that much of it was later adopted by the Lau-
sanne Congress of 1974.
But alongside Venn’s passion for evangelism was his concern for social jus-
tice, and he frequently lobbied the British Parliament, especially the closure
of the Atlantic slave trade.
In 1873, when he was 76, Venn died at his home in Mortlake, Surrey. He is
buried in the churchyard.
From Parish Pump with Permission
More about the CMS and its founder members such as William Wilberforce,
John Venn, and John Newton can be found at
https://churchmissionsociety.org/about/our-history/
11Farewell to Chris and Janet Tomlinson
T
wenty years ago for those who can remember, Rev Chris Tomlinson
retired as Superintendent of The Launceston Methodist Circuit.
Chris and Janet had arrived in 1996 and made their home in the
manse at Coads Green, Chris being superintendent of the North Hill Circuit.
It was a special appointment as Chris had the responsibility of amalgamating
the Launceston and North Hill Circuits. Not an easy assignment, with care
not to step on too many toes, however Chris achieved this with much care,
love and charm.
After years of travelling the world, Australia, Mission work in Asia, Army
Chaplaincy in Europe, they must have enjoyed living and ministering to the
people of North Cornwall as after retirement they moved all the way to St
Dominic in East Cornwall. As with all ministers and wives Janet has become
well practised in moving house and becoming involved with new
communities. The people of Callington have gained from having a
Supernumerary and Launceston have been able to call on Chris to take
many “special” services living close by.
Chris and Janet are now on the move again, going up north to be close to
the family and downsizing and back to Janet’s roots. We will miss them but
like to wish them well and send them on their way with God’s blessing and
invite them to holiday back in sunny Cornwall .
Bernard Tucker
G7 Presentation
J
ust over a month ago we learned that Launceston had been chosen to be
a 'hub town' during the G7 weekend and that our theme was to 'medieval
heritage'. Wow! What an opportunity to remind people of the centrality of
the Christian faith in the culture of Cornwall during the past two thousand
years. A small group of us from Churches Together in Launceston got
together and came up with the idea of having a 'medieval monk' tell the story
of our heritage, using worship music with a link to each period of history. A
script was quickly put together and Mike Stearns from the Christian bookshop
volunteered to be the narrator-monk. Mike Carpenter volunteered to produce
the music for the more contemporary items and to oversee the 'technics' and
Sheila Burt and Steve Parsons agreed to sing and play the more traditional
hymns. They all deserve gold medals because there was no opportunity to
gather and practice. Everyone had to just turn up and 'do it'!
It could have been a disaster but it was not! The weather was kind to us -
warm and sunny but not too hot and a nice little crowd gathered to enjoy the
12performance and to sing. Oh what joy to sing worship after the restrictions of
the last year, and social distancing was not a problem. It wasn't a 'polished
performance' but it was a joyful witness to our faith and to the ongoing
relevance of the Christian Gospel. If you'd like a repeat performance in your
own community just let us know!
Doreen S-D.
Christian Aid
Christian Aid Week took place in May when the
theme was Climate Change. Atim Henshaw from
Christian Aid spoke at the Sunday Zoom service
whilst Rev David Miller took the service at Central.
We raised £868.30 in the Launceston Area. Thank
you to all who contributed.
This was closely followed in June by the G7 “Wave of Hands”. Churches in
the Circuit made hands from pieces of material and they were hung on the
railings at Central over the G7 Summit week-end. Thank you to all those who
made hands and to Jenny Cook along with her helpers, Maggie Macoun and
Julia Boundy from Central who organised the hanging of them as well as the
press photograph.
Chris and Julia Gaunt
13Christianity & Sport
R
emember this? When England last won the Foot-
ball World Cup the final took place at Wembley,
55 years ago this month, on 30 July 1966.
England’s opponents were West Germany who scored
first, but goals from Geoff Hirst and Martin Peters
seemed to have given England victory when, with
seconds to go to the final whistle, Germany equalised.
Early in extra time, a shot from Hurst hit the underside
of the crossbar and appeared to bounce out of the goal.
The Russian linesman, however, ruled that the ball had
crossed the line and England were ahead. At the end of
extra time, with spectators running on to the pitch and
BBC commentator Kenneth Wolstenholme intoning
“They think it’s all over…”, Hurst completed his hat-trick to leave England 4 -
2 winners.
But how do Christianity and sport relate to each other?
Sport arouses passion and commitment like few other things in life. Banners
unfurled at some football grounds by devoted supporters proclaim the club
as being ‘their religion’. High profile competitors in many sports are now
much more open about their faith. It is common to see players running onto a
football pitch making the sign of the cross. Others will celebrate goals by
revealing T-shirts with Christian messages. The Bible describes play as one
of the good things of life, like eating and sleeping. Those who believe in
Jesus Christ and follow his teaching will enjoy an eternal relationship with
God and will be with him in heaven after they die. The Bible doesn’t describe
exactly what heaven will be like, but there are clues. For example, Zechariah
says ‘men and women of ripe old age will sit in the streets… the streets will
be filled with boys and girls playing…’ So heaven’s streets will be places of
fun and relaxation. We believe that God has made this world and heaven for
humanity to enjoy and take care of. There is rarely conflict between enjoying
sport and following the Christian faith. One example where an issue arose
was at the 1924 Olympic Games where the devout Christian runner, Eric
Liddell, refused to compete in a heat for the 100 metres because it was being
staged on a Sunday.
When Jesus Christ lived, 2,000 years ago, his homeland was occupied by
the Romans. Games were a significant part of their culture. Paul, one of the
leaders of the early Church, acknowledged the popularity of these games by
referring to them in his letters in the New Testament. He urged Christian
leaders to stay physically fit but to be even fitter spiritually. He wrote of
following Jesus being like getting ready for a sport event and of the Christian
life being like running a race where there is an amazing and everlasting prize
for every athlete. He urged Christians to ‘run with perseverance’ and to spur
each other on.
14The Christian origin of professional clubs
Many famous sports clubs have Christian roots. The Premier League football
clubs Manchester City, Everton, Tottenham and Southampton began as
church teams in the 19th century. They were started by Christians who
believed that sport would benefit working men in deprived areas and help
develop positive characteristics such as teamwork, self-reliance and
friendship. Many churches have sports clubs associated with them ranging
from aerobics and badminton to football and gaming.
The Visual History of Britain from 1900 to the Present Day by R G Grant
www.christianity.org.uk
Cornwall Methodist District Environment Statement
T
he following was presented in the Spring Synod Environmental
Representatives Report 2021. Was it adopted? Or how can we set
about adopting it?
1. As a Methodist District we affirm that care for Creation, a just sharing of
the world’s resources, and a concern for the environment are fundamental
Gospel commitments.
2. We believe that God created and continues to create the whole universe,
sustains and nurtures Creation, and wills to redeem the whole of Creation.
3. We believe that God, entrusting Creation to our care, calls us to be
stewards of it; calls us to be partners in God’s ongoing creative, renewing
and redeeming activity; commands us to act justly and in righteousness not
only towards our fellow human beings but to all Creation, now and for future
generations.
4. We affirm that Christian mission includes caring for God’s earth and all
Creation. It includes acknowledging humankind’s responsibility, sharing in
putting right the relationships within God’s Creation that have gone wrong,
and working within the church and with partners outside the church to grow
towards justice and good stewardship as envisaged in the biblical vision of
the world as it is meant to be.
Thus we will seek, as a body of people committed to caring for God’s crea-
tion:-
• to acknowledge that we are facing climate and ecological crises
• to reduce our carbon footprint, becoming Net Carbon Zero by 2030
• to improve efficiencies of finite natural resource use in all of our
operations, improve recycling and minimise waste
• to adopt every opportunity to care for all species in the way we manage
our property
• to encourage and work with all people to adopt these aims.
15BIBLE IN ONE YEAR
‘Bible in One Year’ is a daily Bible reading plan that takes you through the Bible
in 365 days a. It is written by Nicky and Pippa Gumbell, leaders of Holy Trinity
Brompton (HTB) in London and pioneers of ‘Alpha’. They first introduced the
Bible in One Year commentary in 2009 as a daily email for their congregation
members. It has since grown into an app, podcast and website with a global
following of more than 3 million. Why not join them today as they take you
through every chapter and verse of the Bible, sharing their thoughts and prayers,
and setting you up for the day ahead. Readers can read along or listen to the
audio and choose from Classic version (25 minutes) or a shorter Express version
(10 minutes). A Youth version is also available.
See www.bibleinoneyear.org for further information.
The following introduction was taken from Bible in One Year, day 162
GOD EVEN USES YOUR MISTAKES
Introduction
Handley Moule, when he was Bishop of Durham, had the task of visiting the
relatives of 170 miners who had been killed in a mining accident. While he was
wondering what to say to them, he picked up a little bookmark his mother had
given him. As he held it up, on the reverse side of the handwoven bookmark
there was a tangled web. There was no rhyme, no reason, no pattern, nothing.
But on the other side it said, ‘God is love’.
The world sometimes seems to us like a tangled web. Often we cannot work out
what is going on or why we are suffering in the way we are. But the claim of
Jesus and the Scriptures is that behind it all is the love of God. Even though
things may seem very difficult for us to understand now, God is working out his
loving purposes in the world.
God can weave a pattern from the threads of our lives – including the suffering,
heartaches and even our mistakes and make something beautiful. The apostle
Paul tells us that ‘in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who
have been called according to his purpose’ (Romans 8:28). Reflect today on the
fact that, even though your situation may be challenging, God is weaving his
purpose for your life.
Job said, ‘You gave me life and showed me kindness, and in your providence
watched over my spirit’ (Job 10:12). Everything that happens in this world is
within the sphere of God’s working. ‘Providence’ means God’s foresight: the way
he anticipates and prepares for the future. ‘Providence’ is the way God guides
and steers human history – he is present and active in the world – sustaining it
and ruling it.
It is also the way he guides and steers your life personally and individually. God
has a specific, unique destiny for you. Sometimes this thought worries people:
that they might somehow mess things up and miss out on God’s purpose. But
that isn’t the case. Even your mistakes he uses for good. In all the circumstances
of your life and the events going on around you, you can trust in the providence
of God.
© Bible in One Year, day 162, 2021
16Lectio 365 is a free daily devotional resource that
helps you pray the Bible every day. Written by
leaders of 24-7 Prayer, this resource helps you
engage with scripture, fix your eyes on Jesus,
and connect with God in prayer. Inspired by
Lectio Divina, a way of meditating on the Bible
that’s been used by Christians for centuries:
follow daily Bible readings, thoughts and prayers
that follow a simple P.R.A.Y rhythm:
P:ause to be still.
R:ejoice with a Psalm and R:eflect on Scripture.
A:sk for God’s help
Y:ield to His will in your life.
READ OR LISTEN, DAILY Lectio 365 content is available in written and audio
format, and devotionals can be downloaded a week in advance to be read or
listened to later. Content remains available in the app for 60 days. Download
Lectio 365 on App Store (Apple) or Google Play (Andro id)
The following devotional (24/5/21) is based on John Wesley:
...Today we’re celebrating the life of the English revivalist and the founder of
Methodism, John Wesley.
It was his encounter with the Holy Spirit on this day in 1738 that triggered ‘the
greatest British spiritual awakening for perhaps a 1000 years’....Today we are
thanking God for the extraordinary example of John Wesley a pioneering hero
of Mission.
PAUSE
As I enter prayer now, I pause to be still; to breathe slowly; to re-centre my
scattered senses upon the presence of God.
Pause and pray
Prayer of Approach
God of rescue and restoration, thank You for Your great and beautiful mission
in the world. Here I am Lord, fill me with Your Spirit and send me.
REJOICE AND REFLECT
I choose to rejoice in God’s faithfulness today, joining with the ancient praise
of all God’s people in the words of Psalm 40...
I have not kept the good news of your justice hidden in my heart;
I have talked about your faithfulness and saving power.
I have told everyone in the great assembly of your unfailing love and
faithfulness.
17Psalm 40:10
Pause and pray
As a young man John Wesley was a deeply committed Anglican Priest; but
one given to crushing legalism. Unsure of God’s love, he compulsively
ranked and graded his spiritual performance in an attempt to gain God’s fa-
vour.
After a spell as a missionary to the American colonies ended in burnout and
disgrace, he returned to England exhausted and depressed.
Reluctantly, he agreed to attend a Moravian worship meeting in Aldersgate
Street, London, where he met with God in a way that transformed him. In his
own words, he later described his ‘Aldersgate Experience’…
‘In the evening I went very unwillingly to a society in Aldersgate Street…
About a quarter before nine, while [the preacher] was describing the change
which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely
warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone for salvation, and an assur-
ance was given me that he had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved
me from the law of sin and death.’**
Legalism fell away, replaced by a deep assurance of God’s love for him, and
a burning passion to share that love.
Wesley preached about the need to personally encounter Jesus – a mes-
sage which barred him from most Anglican churches. So, he took the deeply
radical step of preaching not from a pulpit but out in the streets and fields.
Joining with other revivalists, he called the nation’s poor to follow Christ –
which they did in their tens of thousands.
In his lifetime he travelled 250,000 miles on horseback to teach all over the
country. He preached around 40,000 sermons and planted radical communi-
ties of prayer, mission and justice across Britain.
John Wesley was a champion of the poor and a campaigner against the
slave trade. Disregarding hierarchies of class and sex, he trained non-
ordained men and, radically for his day, women to disciple the many people
coming to Jesus.
ASK
Is there someone I know who I’ve felt afraid to talk with about Jesus? Or a
situation where I’ve felt afraid to stand up for Jesus?
God, I am inspired by John Wesley’s example for whom no person or place
was off limits to the gospel. I ask You to give me extra courage today.
Pause and pray
The slave trade did not end in Wesley’s day. It is estimated that more than
40 million people are in slavery today.***
Lord, I take a few moments now to pray for the lawyers, the police and the
18counsellors who are fighting to free people from slavery today.
YIELD
I am struck by the fact an evangelist as successful as John Wesley first en-
dured disappointment and shame during his mission in America.
Returning to England, it would have been easy for him to give up, but he did-
n’t. In dragging himself to the worship meeting at Aldersgate, even when he
didn’t feel like it, John Wesley kept himself open to God.
When I endure setbacks and disappointments, how do I respond? Do I with-
draw from God or from my church community?
Pause and pray
Yielding Prayer
Lord, when disappointments and setbacks come – and I know they will – I
choose not to withdraw from You or my community. I choose to continue to
show up and open myself to You.
Yielding Promise
And now, as I prepare to take this time of prayer into the coming day, the
Lord who loves me says in Matthew 28:
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of
the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 28:19
Closing Prayer
Father, help me to live this day to the full,
being true to You, in every way.
Jesus, help me to give myself away to others,
being kind to everyone I meet.
Spirit, help me to love the lost,
proclaiming Christ in all I do and say.
Amen.
*Pete Greig, Dirty Glory, p269
**John and Charles Wesley, Selected Prayers, Hymns, Journal Notes, Ser-
mons, Letters and Treatises, (1981) p20
*** https://hopeforjustice.org/modern-slavery/
© 24-7 Prayer www.24-7prayer.com
1940 Days of Rain?
We’re probably all hoping for a bit of summer sun. But
what if it rained non-stop for 40 days?
Well, 15 July is St Swithin’s Day and, according to
traditional folklore, whatever the weather is like on St
Swithin’s Day - whether rain or sunshine - it will
continue for the next 40 days and 40 nights. But where
does this legend come from and is there any truth to
it? The old poem goes …
“St Swithin’s Day, if it does rain
Full forty days, it will remain
St Swithin’s Day, if it be fair
For forty days, t’will rain no more”
Swithin was a man born in or around the year 800, who became Bishop of
Winchester. Unlike other religious figures, he asked not to be buried in a
prominent place within Winchester Cathedral, but outside in a simple tomb
"where the sweet rain of heaven may fall upon my grave". The legend says
after his remains were moved inside there was a great storm and it rained for
many weeks after.
No one takes the prediction literally - in fact, few take it seriously - and there
is definitely no statistical evidence to support the claim. Weather experts say
that since records began in 1861, there has never been a record of 40 dry or
40 wet days in a row following St Swithin’s Day. So whether you like 40 days
of rain, or 40 days of sun sounds more up your street, neither is likely to
happen!
We are reminded of 40 days of rain in the book of Genesis. At the time of
Noah, the evil deeds of the people on earth had reached such an extent that
God had no more patience with them. Therefore, God sent the rain that
lasted for 40 days, drowning everything on the face of the earth. Only Noah
obeyed God’s commands and took his family to build the ark and assembled
all manner of living creatures. Then his family of eight survived the
destruction and received God’s blessings. The historical event left us a lot to
reflect upon, and Noah is an exemplar for us to imitate. Then why did God
call upon Noah to build the ark?
In God’s eyes, Noah is just a man and no matter what God instructs him to
do he will do so accordingly. It means he will do whatever God tells him to do.
God wanted to find someone like this to work with Him, to complete what He
had entrusted, to complete His work on earth. When Noah followed God’s
instructions, he didn’t know what His intentions were. He didn’t know what
God wanted to accomplish. God had only given him a command, without
much explanation, and he went ahead and did it. He didn’t try to figure out
God’s intentions, nor did he resist God. He just did it with a pure and simple
heart. Obeying and listening to God’s word were his conviction for doing
20things. That was how straightforwardly and simply he dealt with what God
entrusted. The essence of his actions was obedience, not resisting and,
moreover, not thinking of his own personal interests, gains or losses. Fur-
thermore, when God said he would destroy the world with a flood, Noah did
not ask Him how he was going to do it, he simply did as God instructed. He
started work on the ark with an attitude of wanting to satisfy God. He wasn’t
doing it to help himself avoid the disaster, he simply just obeyed, listened
and did it accordingly.
From God’s word, we can see that Noah treated God’s commission with a
pure and obedient heart. Noah didn’t give any consideration to whether he
would gain or lose prospect, nor did he have any doubt about God’s word.
He just did whatever God commanded. Even though he suffered the scorn
and ridicule of others, his faith in God never wavered. Finally, Noah and his
family survived and inherited God’s blessings.
When we encounter difficulties, it’s hard to keep faith in God. All we have,
including our lives, are bestowed by God so, as followers, we should simply
obey Him just as Jesus taught us, “Truly I tell you: unless you turn round and
become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of Heav-
en.” (Matthew 18:3). Sometimes, we don’t know God’s intentions behind the
circumstances He arranged for us. But as long as we follow and seek Him all
along with an honest and pure heart like little children, one day His intentions
will be revealed to us, and He will make the best arrangement for us.
www.bbc.co.uk/newsround
www.rainbowtoken.com
LAUNCESTON COMMUNITY
TOY LIBRARY
For families with children from
0-5years will meet in
CENTRAL METHODIST HALL
on Fridays from
2.30 to 4.30 pm
You can borrow 2 items for 2 weeks
at a time, toys and/or story sacks
The cost is just £5 for a 4-month period
Any questions? toys@lamc.org.uk
21KEEP CALM – it’s almost the END OF TERM
T
each people to live disciplined and successful lives, help them do what
is right, just and fair...insight to the simple, knowledge and discern-
ment to the young...fear of the Lord is the foundation of true
knowledge’ Psalm 62:5-8 (ESV).
As we approach the end of another school year we remember our young
people as they look forward to the long awaited summer holiday and prepare
to transition to their next stage of education or employment. With the closure
of schools, colleges and universities during the Covid-19 crisis, many have
been seriously disadvantaged – especially those with problems at home, who
could not access the online help they needed and found it hard to learn. We
prayerfully remember those who need extra support because their families
are facing financial crisis, are exposed to harm, or where mental health
problems are a concern and we remember too the headteachers and other
staff who need special grace and wisdom as they seek to reach out to them.
‘Holy Spirit, please be with teachers everywhere. Put your righteousness in
their hearts and Your words on their lips to share with the children in their
daily care. May classrooms not only fill students with knowledge but also
wisdom, discernment, and integrity. Amen.’
(World Vision Prayer)
SUPPORTIVE RESOURCES: www.prayforschools.org;
www.prayerspacesinschools.com
22EXAM BLUNDERS
As our students await the results of their
assessments, you may enjoy these gems
taken from Religious Studies school exam
papers, as sourced from the book ‘You’re only
Young Once’, © TLM Trading, 1988
• The first book of the Bible is called
Guinnessis.
• God’s people were called the Israel Lights.
• Samson slayed the Philistines with the axe
of the Apostles.
• David was a Hebrew king skilled at playing the liar.
• When Mary heard that she was to be the mother of Jesus, she sang the
Magna Carta.
• Judas Asparagus was the disciple who wasn’t very nice.
• The epistles were the wives of the apostles.
• St Paul cavorted to Christianity after seeing the bright light.
• Salome, a wicked girl, danced before Harrods.
• The last book of the Bible is called The Book of Revolutions.
• God created the world and then he created Adam and Ebay.
• The first five books of the Bible are Genesis, Exodus, Laxatives,
Deuteronomy and Numbers.
• In the first book of the Bible Adam and Eve were created from an apple
tree.
• Some angels told Abraham that he would bear a son, his wife Sarah was
listening behind a door and she laughed loudly.
• Joseph gave refuse to his brothers when they had a famine in their own
country.
• David fought Goliath who was a very tall philatelist.
• Solomon had 300 wives and 700 porcupines.
• The Philistines are islands in the Pacific.
• Judaism has one big God named ‘Yahoo’.
• The masculine of vixen is Vicar.
• Moses led the Hebrew slaves to the Red Sea, where they made
unleavened bread which is bread made without any ingredients.
• The end of the world will mark a turning point in everyone’s life.
23If you would like to share on the circuit website something special that
happened at your church send details to David Rogerson
david@lamc.org.uk
Or post to Glebe House, Lezant, Launceston PL15 9PP (01579 370412).
Items need to be brief and a photo would be good giving a
snap shot of what is happening in your church.
Editorial Team:
Marion Allen, Pauline Daniel, Elaine Shillaber, Joanna Harley & Margaret Stephens
Collator: Richard Wright.
Production & Distribution Assistance: David & Joanna Harley,
Leighton Penhale, Sally Harvey and Philip Smith.
All articles for the September issue to spotlight@lamc.org.uk or by post/hand to the
Circuit Office no later than 15th August 2021.
Items submitted after this date may be withheld or used in a subsequent edition.
Please ensure items are clearly marked for Spotlight and include contact details.
Whilst every effort is made to print forwarded material, its inclusion cannot be
guaranteed. All items are printed at editorial team discretion.
Websites: www.lamc.org.uk www.central-methodist.org.uk
Launceston Area Methodist Circuit - Registered Charity no: 1138314
Contact Information:
Revd David Miller Tel: 01566 776603. Email: david.miller@lamc.org.uk
Revd Jo Smart Tel: 01566 782921 Email: jcsmart@me.com
Pioneer Mr Sam Beazley Tel: 07540 107655 Email: sam.beazley@bridgechurchuk.org
Circuit Office, Mr Richard Wright, Dingley Hall, Castle Street, Launceston, PL15 8BA.
Tel.: 01566 772797 Email: circuitoffice@lamc.org.uk Office open Tue.and Thur 9.30 am to 1pm
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