Trinity Link May 2021 - Loughborough Trinity Methodist Church, Loughborough Methodist Circuit
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Trinity Methodist Church,
Loughborough
May 2021
Trinity Link
2
Deacon Jan Sutton
News from the University Campus
Dear Friends,
I hope you are all safe and well.
Even in ‘normal’ times, for many new
students their time at university is startling,
exciting, confusing, and joyful. But for some, this transition brings out
unexpected anxieties and vulnerabilities, which they do not necessarily
have the capacity to resolve on their own.
The National Further and Higher Education Policy Adviser for the Church of
England, Garry Neave, when speaking of university chaplaincy says:
“Pastoral care of students is about more than just helping with
an immediate personal crisis, however, it is also about helping
people to explore the wider world, and how they will
contribute to it and shape its values and character. It is also
true that chaplaincy is more than what one cynic has called
kind words and pizza.”
In these not so ‘normal’ times chaplaincy has, like circuit life, had to seek
new ways of engaging with those who are in need pastoral and spiritual
support. New ways of being and new ways of doing. The hymn by Peter
Sholtes comes to mind: ‘They’ll Know We Are Christians By Our Love.’
Zoom and Teams have come into play and we have also been able to meet
face to face in COVID-19 safe places across campus. Chaplaincy has
remained open for staff and students on campus and a candle is shining
brightly on the altar in the Chapel and will continue to shine as a symbol of
hope until this pandemic is over.
Each week, VC Bob and I have done a weekly campus walkabout to keep
morale up for the staff and students who are here. I am enjoying doing
regular shifts helping in the lateral flow test centre. Karen Ette and Chris
3 Watkins are experiencing an increase in those seeking support, the Bereavement Café has had to increase sessions offered. Chaplains have also been very busy providing meditation, positive thinking, and anger management courses. Presence ministry is beginning to grow again as chaplains wander around campus, and student groups are using the Chapel and Prayer Room for private prayer. As I shopped in Aldi yesterday, I bumped into four of our final year students who have just returned from the Easter break. During our brief conversation I said I was sorry they had not been able to have the ‘student experience’ this year. They said: “It’s okay, Jan, we’ve had different experiences, we now have closer relationships, we are thankful as a household we have been together and we have been given the gift of time to help others in our community.” This conversation reminded me of a wonderful book, full of inspirational thoughts, that I discovered just before the first lockdown, The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy. I can thoroughly recommend it! The boy is lonely when he first meets the mole. They spend time together gazing into the wild. The wild is a bit like life – frightening sometimes but beautiful. As they wander they meet the fox. The boy is full of questions, the mole is constantly hungry for cake. The fox doesn’t say much; he is wary because he’s been hurt by life, and the horse is the gen- tlest and biggest thing they have ever met. Both the book and the conversation with the students remind us to hear the questions being asked. Gaze at the wild – if we don’t we are in danger of missing the beauty. Be grateful to be given the gift of time to notice if someone is hungry for more than cake! Stay alert to what the silent might be saying – so many are hurt by life. Be gentle with yourself as well as others – will they know we are Christians by our love. I am blessed as a Deacon, being able to respond to God’s call here, just where I am. Every blessing. Deacon Jan
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Locally arranged events
around Christian Aid Week
include:
Saturday 1st May 7pm - Social Evening on Zoom – Hosted by Trinity
Methodist - a mix of comedy, music, and film clips with plenty of time
for chat.
Sunday 9th May – Morning Worship at Loughborough URC where
Anne and Martyn Speight will be talking about their September 2019
visit to Zambia with Christian Aid.
Sunday 16th May - Online morning Worship with a Christian Aid
theme, from Loughborough Baptist church.
Saturday 22nd May - 10am Coffee and Cakes. At Loughborough Bap-
tist church in whatever format Covid rules permit.
September - Fundraising Walk organised by Shepshed Christian Aid
group.
For more information about any of these events or how to donate
please contact Anne or Martyn Speight Tel 01509 213137 or Email -
annep.speight@outlook.com
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Crossword clues (may 21)
Down
Across 1 Healed (Luke 7:21) (5)
1 Sense of right and wrong (1 Corinthians 2 Central space in a church (4)
8:7) (10) 3 Co-founder of Spring Harvest and Gen-
7 Coming (John 11:17) (7) eral Secretary of the Evangelical Alliance
8 ‘All I have is — , and all you have is 1983–97, Clive — (6)
mine’ (John 17:10) (5) 4 Moses killed one when he saw him
10 Smarten (Acts 9:34) (4) beating a Hebrew labourer (Exodus 2:12)
11 Hold back (Job 9:13) (8) (8)
13 Member of the Society of Friends (6) 5 Bravery (Acts 4:13) (7)
15 At ague (anag.) (6) 6 It interrupted Paul and Silas singing
17 Citizen of the Greek capital (8) hymns in a Philippian jail (Acts 16:26) (10)
18 So be it (Galatians 6:18) (4) 9 Transgression (Psalm 36:1) (10)
21 Twentieth-century poet and dramatist 12 Irish province in which Dublin is situat-
who wrote Murder in the Cathedral, T.S. ed (8)
— (5) 14 Same hit (anag.) (7)
22 Empowers (Philippians 3:21) (7) 16 ‘The Spirit of God was hovering over
23 Imposing (1 Samuel 9:2) (10) the — ’ (Genesis 1:2) (6)
19 Author of the immortal stories of Win-
nie the Pooh, A.A. — (5)
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Green Living To Help Save our Planet
Climate Change right now is taking centre stage with America and China planning
discussions and preparations underway for world leaders meeting at the COP26 in
Glasgow in November. Our government is planning for carbon emissions to fall by
almost 80% by 2035.
There are various TV and radio programmes and social media coverage to enable us
to understand more what we can do in our daily lives - Green Living. We are being
told and shown about the devastation climate change is causing but also the many
successful projects worldwide to help combat destroying our amazing planet. This is
great but we all need to take action - now. Even small changes to our lifestyle count.
So how can we help reduce Climate Change? Some suggestions are well within our
capability, here we have a few:
1. Urge government to take bold, ambitious climate action now.
2. Use energy wisely.
3. Use renewable energy where possible.
4. Eat for a climate-stable planet.
5. Start a climate conversation.
6. Reduce transport emissions.
7. Consume less, waste less.
8. Invest in renewables and divest from fossil fuels.
9. Get involved in local climate action.
10. Get politically active and vote.
Just as a matter of interest, can anyone cast their minds back 40 years or so, and
compare our climate then to now? My thoughts re the lack of rain in April this year
are certainly not the normal for then or for many other years since. Whatever
happened to April showers?
Finally, good news for coffee drinkers! Scientists from the Royal Botanic Gardens,
Kew, say a ‘forgotten’ coffee plant that can grow in warmer conditions could provide
a great tasting coffee like Arabica coffee, because as temperatures rise, good coffee
will become increasingly difficult to grow.
Please send your thoughts and comments to the editorial team or write an article
for our next edition.
Shirley Buckley.
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500 words by Maureen Leafe
Loughborough born and bred - a town which has changed so much over the
years. Burleigh Hall farm, where my Dad worked now the University - my
primary school now a medical centre - the family house where I spent my
early years now gone to make way for Currys car park and the church where
I attended from an early age, Swan Street Methodist, closed and demolished
to join with others to become Trinity..
I was a ‘Rosebud’ and started my education at Rosebery Primary School
where one of the teachers taught us many crafts including knitting which is
my main hobby today! I was absent for many weeks in Junior School with
rheumatic fever but was fortunate to pass the 11 plus exam and offered a
place at Loughborough High School. It was always my aim to be a Primary
School teacher but a change of career took me to Westminster Bank working
as a clerk/ cashier in Loughborough, eventually becoming Chief Cashier.
From an early age I was part of
Swan Street Sunday School
attending both morning and
afternoon. The highlight of the
year was the Sunday School
Anniversary where we all sat
‘prim and proper’ in our new
clothes singing to our hearts
content. One year I was asked
by the Sunday School
Superintendent, Mr Bram Sharpe, to sing “ Jesus wants me for a sunbeam” -
I was a bit concerned to see my Mum & Grandma in the congregation with
tears on their cheeks - I thought I had done something wrong!
Once I was old enough I joined Girls’ Life Brigade ( now GB) and took part in
many activities not only at church but with the other four companies in town
- parades, displays, sports day, trips to the Albert Hall Rally in London and of
course camp - Isle of Man, Isle of Wight, Kent, Devon but the most
memorable was two weeks in Jersey. To take over sixty girls by train & boat
to this sunshine island in the mid sixties must have taken some planning.
9 In my teens we moved to Shepshed where my parents had a ‘Dairy Shop’ and I received a wonderful welcome at Field Street Methodist (now Christchurch) where I joined in many activities including the choir. As there was no youth club there I was back to Swan Street for the Cygnets MAYC meetings. It was there, like many couples, that David and I met. When Swan Street closed we moved with everyone to Leicester Road Chapel where we were one of the last couples to be married there before the move to Trinity . Once Trinity was open I was involved with Sunday School, Girls’ Brigade and we both helped with the Youth Club. Saturday nights saw teenagers queueing in Royland Road to be sure of a place at the upstairs hall disco! Every night the building was used for some youth activity. It was later when Kathryn & Darren were born that we took a break. When Kathryn joined GB I stayed to ‘ help’ but soon found myself back as an Officer and eventually took over as Captain for many years. By then Darren was in B.B. so there were many events to support and be involved in. Later when the children were more independent I took a ‘temporary ‘ job at the British Gas Showroom in Loughborough as a cashier supposedly for six months but stayed for seven years. My next move was to Leicester Showroom as Chief Cashier for four years - so much for a temporary post! Over the years at church I have been a Steward, Pastoral Contact, Communion Steward, Reader, catering for all types of events, choir member, part of the collection counting team, and joined with others for ‘Daphne Trips & holidays ‘. There is so much to get involved with - never a dull moment and always someone just a phone call away - a wonderful fellow- ship at Trinity where I have made so many friends - friends for life!
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11 Memories—by Margaret Scutchings. With COVID we have lots of time to reflect on many things in our lives. Memories of times past and Jack and I have been thinking about our time as youth workers within Trinity. I know that several of you will be able to join us on this journey because you too were part of it. These are just a few of ours. We were both youth leaders over a period of thirty six happy years, many of those spent at Trinity. Once we started a youth club we needed to invent a name and the one chosen was “Typic”. “Trinity young people in Christ”. Along with Typic we had a strong BB, GB, Junior Church and a Junior youth club. Our youth club evenings usually consisted of a period of free time, organised activities concluding with an epilogue. One evening we visited a small farm in Thringstone, and to our amusement some members were encouraged to milk a goat, you can imagine the laughter it caused. The owner was a friend of Sue Williams and was very brave to invite us all. Another visit was to Ashmount School where we met with the Down Syndrome and disabled young people who attended the school. This caused embarrassment plus hysterical laughter because some of the young men flung their arms around the girls in welcome. We invited them back to join us for an evening later in the year. They were very pleased to accept and we enjoyed another evening together. We had a trip out to the Power Station, went on walks , had competitions and speakers on various subjects. One of the speakers we invited was Neil Stevenson, Jack’s walking friend . Neil also took us on walks but what we remember is that on one evening in a discussion he asked the question “Do you think you should EARN your pocket money” which caused quite a stir and much debate. After a while we decided to try a sleepover which became an annual event. On one occasion we decided to organise a midnight walk. We sort advice from the Police regarding safety etc. We were advised to go to Woodhouse
12 Eaves where we arranged to leave our cars at the local pub and then make our way to the Outwoods. Whilst in the Outwoods we suddenly came across a man, with a very bright light shining on a pegged down white sheet on the ground. He must have had the shock of his life when suddenly being surrounded by 42 excited youngsters and Leaders. We explained ourselves and he kindly entertained us, answered various questions on Moths and why he did such a thing. I suspect he related that tale many times over. Sunday morning was always a Youth Service by one of our Ministers and was extended to all youth groups. To end it all the Youth Leaders all went out to Sunday Lunch. After our first sleepover we leaders received a Letter to thank us and to say two members felt the Weekend was the best in their lives and please , please do more. I still have that letter . We also had recollections of John Williams who was a minister who served alongside Donald Wilkes, and his wife Sue, who organised an Edwardian evening to which the church and families were invited. This began with a meal served by club members, dressed in black trousers, white shirts and gloves in a very highly decorated hall. The meal was followed by a Cabaret which began with a humorous version of Sweeney Todd. The audience were encouraged to come in Edwardian dress and it proved to be a very successful evening. Time came for John and Sue to move on in Ministry and before leaving they decided that the Youth work of the church should appoint a Coordinator to oversee all the youth work. They persuaded me to take on that work and I was duly appointed. We then had regular sleepovers for all the youth organisations which were very much enjoyed and it was good for all the groups to work together. I hope our memories have stirred up good ones for some of you and for others a smile to remind you of your own younger days. “Sometimes you will never know the true value of a moment until it becomes a memory.”
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Dear Friends at Trinity,
First of all we would like to
thank all involved with the Quiz
on Easter Saturday, we enjoyed
being part of this event, it was
lovely to be able to catch up
with friends in Loughborough
and a little further afield.
The big news here is that
we now have the keys to
our new home and are
busy moving in and turn-
ing the house into a
home. We have some ex-
tensive outbuildings which
require quite a lot of reno-
vation to make them into
useful spaces, but we are
looking forward to the challenge.
Unfortunately we have to wait a few weeks for the internet to be connect-
ed so I am going to be very limited with my online activity until the end of
April, as I will have to travel elsewhere to be able to read emails, etc.
Due to the current restrictions we are still waiting to start our Integra-
tion Course, but hope that will come along soon, in the meantime we have
plenty to keep us busy with the
house, we have wonderful
views all around and quite a bit
of ground to develop as a gar-
den as you can see from the
attached photos.
All the best to you all,
Liz & John Marriott14
The Earth is the Lord’s
- Time for Reflection O Lord of majestic moun-
tain and roaring sea,
“I have a dream”, a man once said,
“where all is perfect peace; O Lord of astonishing
Where men and women, black and white, beauty and outlandish
Stand hand in hand, and all unite loveliness,
In freedom and in love.”
O Lord of the minuscule,
But in this world of bitter strife the overlooked and the
The dream can often fade; never seen,
Reality seems dark as night,
We catch but glimpses of the light O Lord of the
Christ sheds on humankind. extraordinary and the
everyday,
Fierce persecution, war , and hate
Are raging everywhere; Open our eyes to see your
God calls us now to pay the price presence,
Through struggles and through sacrifice
Our ears to hear the
Of standing for the right.
whisper of your voice
So dream the dreams and sing the songs And, realising you in every
But never be content:
place and every moment
For thoughts and words don’t ease the pain:
Unless there’s action, all in vain; of our existence,
Faith proves itself in deeds. May we live with justice,
peace, care and hope.
Lord, give us vision, make us strong,
Help us to do your will; Amen
Don’t let us rest until we see
Your love throughout humanity
Uniting us in peace. Helen Kirk, Chester and Stok-on-
Trent District Chair
Words copyright Estate of Pamela J Pettitt
(1954-2005)
Thank you to Elizabeth Wilkes15 500 words, well 650. Ian Lowe. BADOTSA. Approximately 15 years ago, after ending my day-to- day involvement with the 1st Loughborough Boy’s Brigade, I found I missed the Bugle band aspect of BB. Whilst searching online I found the Boys’ Brigade Steadfast Association, a group of like minded past and present BB members, keeping in touch with each other through the Association, reminiscing about BB and all the experiences they had along the way, as well as helping to promote current BB and GB companies, physically and financially, through gifts or grants. The Steadfast Association also has a national, marching Bugle Band, The Bugles and Drums of the steadfast Association, BADOTSA, (there is also a National Brass Band) I attended my first practice day in Sawston, Cambridgeshire, and have been a member of the band since, playing a Bugle. In coming together for practices or events the Band hope to keep alive the skills that the members were taught as youngsters, and to use them to promote BB/GB. Many of you, who have attended the Saturday Coffee mornings, (remember them?) will have seen us at Trinity, having a practice day. We try to hold a practice day once every two months, or more frequently if we have a major event we are attending. Our practice venues move around a little, we could be at BB HQ at Feldon, Centre Parks at Woburn, Steam Railway Museum at Swindon, a TA centre at Worcester, RAF Halton Buckinghamshire, one of the numerous church halls around the country, or a school at Sawston, Cambridgeshire. A typical practice day will involve tea/coffee and cakes on arrival, a massed band warm up, followed by splitting into sections to learn/fine tune/ remember past tunes. A full band section before lunch. Lunch could be a trip to the local chip shop, sandwiches, a full Sunday dinner, or soup and puds – thank you Trinity. The band would return to sections and conclude with a
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massed section before home time. Most of our practice venues have a large
outdoor area so the afternoon session would probably be ouside which
would allow us to get some marching practice to keep us active.
We have members from all over, Scotland, Wales, England, an enthusiastic
group of 5 from Guernsey who attend most practices and events, and Ian
Thompson, an ex-BB Boy from Scotland who has lived and worked in
Germany as a music teacher and choir master for some 40 years and has just
retired, who flies over to most events.
To date I and my daughter Alex, (she joined in 2014, and plays a bell lyre,)
have attended many events, including the BB Brigade council in Dublin, a
national BB celebration event at Chatham Dockyards, and a Beating Retreat
at Edinburgh castle, twice. In 2008, we played at a BB125 Anniversary event
at the Great Central Railway Quorn. We have also enjoyed the Civic Parade
at Bexleyheath, a Battalion District event in York, a Lord Mayor’s parade in
Norwich, The Lord Mayor’s Parade in Central London, four times, a 5-day
tour of Flanders in 2014, and a five-day tour of Normandy in 2019, as well as
many smaller events supporting BB/GB companies around the country.
Unfortunately, due to the current health
situation we have not had any physical
meetings for 18 months now. However
thorough the wonders of electronic
communication we have been having
monthly bugle and Bell lyre practice sessions
online, which is great. We can follow the
music and the instructor and just have to
remember to switch to mute at the
appropriate time. We as a band are hoping
to be accepted to attend the Lord Mayor’s
Show in London in November, BBC 1, 13th
November. This would be our 5th time
parading and hopefully, we will resume
practices in July.17
Christian Aid Week - 10 to 16 May
Standing together with our most marginalised global neighbours, of all faiths
and none, is what Christian Aid has now been doing for over 75 years.
Donations, especially during Christian Aid Week, make this possible.
Christian Aid describes the impact of
Climate Change as probably their
greatest ever challenge as it is often
felt hardest by those communities
that have the least and which need
sustaining the most. The picture,
from Kenya, show Florence who used
to walk many miles to get water but
who can now grow onions using
water from a new earth dam
Christian Aid has helped her village to
build.
This year, with no House to House
Collection in Loughborough, donation
to Christian Aid can be made either
on-line with an E-envelope at https://envelope.christianaid.org.uk/
envelope/lough or (from 9th May) by phoning Anne or Martyn on 01509
213137 and requesting a traditional giving envelope.
Another way of supporting Christian Aid is through the Coffee Morning and
Children’s Decorated Cupcake Competition at Loughborough Baptist Church
between 10am and noon on Saturday 22nd May 2021. Coffee and cakes will
be on sale in a Covid compliant way. Alongside there will be a fun
competition for children to enter cupcakes they have decorated (on either
bought or self-baked cakes). Phone Jean Bates on 0116 2606723 for details.
For more information about Christian Aid visit www.christianaid.org.uk or
speak to Anne or Martyn.18 Homechurch Homechurch has been able to continue in various ways over the last year. Several of our church family have enjoyed receiving copies of the notes for personal reflection at home. Some people have been able to meet through the wonders of Zoom ; catching up with one another and discussing bible passages or topical themes. Several of us looked at “newspaper covers” from gospel times in December. Also last year we had a short series re- flecting on the characters and themes within the book of Ruth. Then, ear- lier this year many of us joined in with the Lent Course Woven, using our zoom time for further discussion. We are continuing on zoom at present and may even be able to meet again in a garden before too long. Groups take place fortnightly on various days and at different times : for instance Wednesday morning, Tuesday and Thursday evenings. You are very welcome to join us to try out one or more groups or by asking for the notes to use in your own home. Looking ahead, in May we meet during weeks beginning 9th and 23rd and we shall be looking at Metaphors for God. Rev. Andrew Lomax is preparing material especially for this, following an earlier intriguing exploration of God as Weaver and as Investor. For weeks beginning 6th and 20th of June we are hoping to use material provided by the Methodist church’s Bible Month, which this year is looking afresh at the gospel of Mark with the themes Identity and Mission, Mis- sion and Boundaries. Do join us occasionally or on each of our homechurch weeks. Email colinlamb1@hotmail.com or phone 01509 237841 for details of venues, times and the contact person for each of the homechurch groups. Colin Lamb
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Rise to the Moment by Hannah Bristow
This year is an im-
portant year for climate
negotiations. In June,
world leaders are
meeting in Cornwall for
the G7 Summit. In
November, heads of
state and international
organisations will be
attending COP26 in
Glasgow. It’s a decade-
defining opportunity to
make a stand for cli-
mate justice, to hold
our leaders accountable
and to think about what
we, the Church, could
The entire route – check it out at www.yccn.uk do together.
The Young Christian Climate Network (YCCN), of which I am a member, are
an action-focused community of Christians in the UK aged 18-30, choosing
to follow Jesus in the pursuit of climate justice. We are organising a 750-
mile Relay to COP26, walking in stages from Cornwall to Glasgow to raise
awareness of COP26 and spark conversations around climate and creation
care theology within local churches and communities across the UK. Along
the way, church leaders will hold services and events at key cities and join
us in praying for climate justice. The symbol of the Relay is a boat, a
representation of our hope that we would #RiseToTheMoment and set sail
towards a just future.
We would love anyone who feels able to sign up and walk with us as we
make a stand for climate justice. We’re also encouraging churches to sign
up together, both to walk with us and to get involved in planning and
hosting local events and providing accommodation for the walkers in their
area.20
In the Midlands the relay will come from Birmingham, passing north-west of
Loughborough around the August bank holiday (30th/31st) before heading
into Nottingham, so there are a couple of relatively local options for you to
get involved in walking part of the route!
This Relay is open to all, regardless of denomination or creed, age, ethnicity,
or gender identity. It is also completely ecumenical: an opportunity for all
Christians to raise our collective voice in support of ambitious change so
that the love of Jesus might be shown in our local communities, nationwide
and to our global neighbours.
To find out more information or to sign up to participate please visit
www.yccn.uk or contact me at hbristow96@gmail.com with any questions
you may have. This relay is ambitious, and we know it’s going to be a huge
team effort, so please also spread the word to anyone you know who might
want to get involved!
Trinity’s Worship during May
In the Building
2nd Roger Latham
9th check with Andy and Rachel
16th Rev John Pugh
23rd check with Andy and Rachel
30th Rev Andrew Lomax—Holy Communion
12th Church / Trinity Methodist Church Facebook Page
2nd Rev Andrew Lomax ‘Love Feast’
9th Rob & Liz Newton
16th Karen Wormald
23rd Dorothy & John Pipet
30th Eleri & David Bristow
6pm every Sunday evening prayers with the circuit ministers
8.15pm every Friday evening devotions with the Bristow’s21
BB is Back!
When BB last met on December 16 2020,
we did not think we would not meet again
until 14 April 2021. This time we hope
that we shall meet on Wednesday
evenings for the rest of this term and then in the 2021/22 session without
the stops and starts we have recently experienced.
We meet again on Wednesday 14 April, following all the BB and Trinity
Covid regulations, so our meetings are not “normal” as there are activities
we cannot do. The Band will, hopefully, start to meet later as, again, there
are Risk Assessments to be done and rules regarding the playing of Bugles
to be followed.
We were not able to hold Camp in 2020 and have decided not to hold Camp
in 2021 as the Covid situation and rules are not clear at the moment. We
look forward to Camp in 2022, in Headlands, Ringwood, Hampshire.
However, during the lockdowns, we have kept in touch with our Boys by
distributing the weekly BBatHome activity sheets which Brigade
headquarters have produced and are really excellent. We have received
some positive feedback from our Boys.
Now that we are up and running again, we have room for more Boys to join
us. Anchor Boys (5 – 8, years 1,2,3) and Juniors 8 (8-11, years 4,5,6) meet
at 6.15pm on Wednesdays and the Company/Senior Section (year 7+)
meets at 7.30pm. We shall be holding the Company Supper and Awards
evening in October. Please spread the word that BB is Back!
Bobby Peach.22
Spring on the Farm
By Chris Lincoln
Farming is difficult at the moment due to
Brexit and new rules and regulations. So
diversity is needed. Hence Tom and Tess
(son and daughter in law) have a very
small flock of 5 Herdwick ewes and a ram
who have already produced several
lambs. In addition they have also bought
about 30 lambs of just a couple of days
old to nurse and then wean. These are
often 1 of triplets because a sheep only
has 2 teats
or they are
born sickly
and need
nursing. Tom
and Tess have
two children,
Harry 3 and
Sophie 10
months who
already
"Help"
around the23
animals and crops. Harry likes bottle
feeding the weaker lambs and I was
allowed to have a turn too!
Ride for Tomorrow
At the time of writing, I am halfway through
‘Ride for Tomorrow’, a challenge set by the
British Red Cross to cycle 410km in April. All
the money raised through sponsorship will go
straight to their Disaster Fund. 410,000 people
have lost their lives over the past decade in
climate disasters. Most new disasters responded to by the British Red Cross
are caused by the changing climate, and the number of these is only
increasing. The Disaster Fund means the response from the Red Cross can
be immediate, providing the specific, tailored support people need in that
moment, wherever and whenever a disaster occurs.
Please consider sponsoring my ride – you can donate on my fundraising
page: https://ridefortomorrow.redcross.org.uk/fundraising/hannahs-ride-
for-tomorrow-challenge
Thank you for your support!
Hannah Bristow24
Crown of Thorns
A poem which came into being as we put together an ‘empty tomb’
structure to be outside Trinity on Good Friday together with the cross
with its crown of thorns
A crown of thorns
Red with blood, His Blood.
And from the bloodied body
New life comes
For Him and for us.
An empty tomb
Waiting in anticipation
For use at the appointed time:
Anticipating the Lord of Life
In His death bringing life abundant.
An empty cross
Used that day with evil intent.
Yet from this cross and tomb
Our Resurrected Lord would rise
With new life for Him and us.
Colin Lamb25 Let us Pray Lord God, we come before you as Easter People, celebrating your victory over sin & death and bringing us into new life in you. As we reflect on the empty tomb we are overwhelmed by your sacrifice; willingly giving your all to set us free from our sin. We re-visit the garden where you re- vealed yourself in resurrection, surprised again by your great love as we celebrate your life over death turning our fear into courage and doubt into faith. We bow down and worship you our living Lord. We are filled with joy and wonder at such extravagant goodness and how you continue to work through us bringing new hope and growing faith. May we encounter you afresh like those on the Emmaus road. Visit us again and bring us to a fuller realisation of yourself. Forgive us when we fail to trust you and become overwhelmed by trials and life’s circumstances. Help us, despite our uncertainty, to hold on to your great truth and promises that you are always with us, surrounding us with your comfort and guiding us by the power of your Holy Spirit. Lord, we give you thanks that you are with us every day, that you shared our hu- manity, our joys and sorrows. We rejoice in the church which spreads your Good News, following your great commission to make disciples and bringing healing and hope into a needy world. We know you as our Lord and Saviour, a God who cares and loves each one of us. Lord, we bring before you those who are struggling at this time due to the covid pandemic, particularly those known to us personally. Lord, many are finding life hard financially, physically and emotionally. Show us how to support them and share your love to bring them hope in their distress. We pray for all organisations that are working tirelessly to help others: give them strength and blessings as they carry out their work. We pray for the vaccination rollout worldwide, that wealthy governments would work together and show generosity in sharing their supplies. We pray for those grieving the loss of loved ones, now feeling lost and alone: draw close to them and surround them with your loving care. As Easter people, empower us again with another Pentecost: set us ablaze with love for you. Inspire us to live and serve you: give us an unshakeable confidence that whatever happens, your will shall be done and your kingdom come. We pray these things In the name of the risen and victorious Christ, Amen
26
A view from the Lifeboat
The Secret Diary of
Granville Mercy aged 68
Real life coming back
Monday 29th March 2021 “Meet another household outdoors or rule of
six”
It wasn’t until Easter Tuesday that we first met up with friends at their
house. The table and chairs, socially distanced of course, had been set out
in their front garden as a wide overhang of the roof provided good shelter
and we needed it! Served with hot drinks and cake, and blankets around
our legs we sat chatting. The sky became darker, then the snow came. Not
being deterred we continued chatting, after putting our hoods up (we
were already wearing hats and scarves!) until it became too cold to sit out
so we called it a day and came home.
The following day Debra’s sister and husband came over to our house. It
was really good to see them after such a long time but it did seem strange
sitting outside in winter coats and scarves, of course I had a hat on too.
It was Friday 9th April and I was looking forward to having booked in to
visit Calke Abbey. We knew it would be busy because it was still the school
Easter holidays. We quickly forget what it was like being around a lot of
people, whilst trying to maintain the two-metre rule of social distancing.
In all it was nice to be able to visit a National Trust park again. It was whilst
we sat having our picnic lunch that I received a phone call to say that
Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh had died that morning, which was so sad
and being only weeks away from his 100th birthday. Looking back, it was a
good visit and good to get out into the countryside again.
Another first for some time due to Covid-19 restrictions Andy and I were
able to go walking once again. What a fabulous morning it was, the sky27
was blue with not a cloud to be seen, the sun was shining, you could feel its
warmth and as we walked into a field the ground was rock hard. No chance
of muddy boots on this occasion, only dust.
After a very pleasant coffee stop in Quorn, we made our way back via Barrow
and along the canal to Bull in the Hollow farm.
Looking back towards Woodthorpe
Looking along the Grand Union Canal from Bar-
row.
In past walks we have seen Kingfishers flying
along this stretch of canal.
Further along the canal is Pillings Lock.
In conclusion it has been so good be-
ing able to meet up again with family
and friends. Enjoy your own reunions
however great or small they are.
Granville28
Join us for worship at the 12th Church
The live streaming of services through the 12th Church and the Trinity
Methodist Church Facebook site will continue at 10.45am every
Sunday morning,
followed by coffee at 11.30am.
https://www.facebook.com/TrinityMethodistChurchCentre
https://www.facebook.com/TwelfthChurch/
Worship in Trinity
We are meeting for worship back in the
building at Trinity Methodist Church.
Due to social distancing measures only 30
people will be able to attend, in addition to
those helping to facilitate the service.
Please contact Andy or Rachel Thorpe 01509
239967 aandrthorpe@ntlworld.com
to check availability.
Please see the list of services on page 20 for further details
LINK Deadlines
Thank you for all the wonderful submissions to the LINK magazine, please
keep them coming.
For the past year the deadline for articles has been fairly flexible but due to
other commitments I am going to have to be very strict with the next two:
The deaadline for the June edition is May 15th
The deadline for combined July/August edition is June 15th
Articles can be emailed to Trinitylink1@gmail.com or elizlomax@gmail .com
or delivered to the manse.
I’m looking forward to reading all of your articles, make sure you get them in
on time! Many thanks, LizYou can also read
