The Messenger
Lanesfield Methodist Church Magazine
To
those who see Lanesfield Methodist
as
their Church and to those who use our premises
Dear
Friends
One
of the things that I am proud of is the way that our church buildings are used
all the time by so many groups and individuals. Community groups meet, serving
young and old, and the church, like a huge umbrella, provides shelter and a
place to build friendships and to develop our talents and help people in need.
I
am also immensely proud of our rich cultural diversity and all that brings to
our life together. We as a nation are like
There
can be no room for prejudice that undermines our life together, nor can we adopt
attitudes which make newcomers feel unwelcome. Such attitudes are fundamentally
opposed to our ethos as believers in a God of love who calls us to love our
neighbours. We need to work hard to maintain the harmony which will speak louder
than words to the world around us.
Because
there is so much going on, inevitably, as in any family, there are points of
potential dissatisfaction. Sometimes lines of communication break down and
misunderstandings take place. Being a
Some
simple things can assist the smooth running of our community. Please ensure you
leave your rooms as you would wish to find them, clean and tidy. Please be
patient with others and make allowances for each other. Make sure your group is
represented at planning meetings to coordinate various fund raising activities
and to pass information back and forth. Our
I
would like to thank all those who serve the church and the various user groups,
in giving of their time, effort and financial support. One of our greatest
challenges is to raise the £30,000 each year to cover our costs. The members of
LINCS (Lanesfield in Christ’s Service) deserve our grateful thanks and
appreciation for all their tireless work in planning events over the past years
to help us meet our financial obligations. With LINCS disbanding, meeting our
annual bill will prove much more of a struggle and therefore will require each
of us to dig deeper.
We
have much to be proud of and much to be thankful for as a community. But we
cannot be complacent, we have to work at each and every aspect of our life
together, belonging is both a joy and a responsibility.
May
God continue to bless us,
Your
minister and friend
Steve
(Revd. Steve Singleton)
FOR
PRAYER
Please pray for those who are house-bound, including Mary Newell, Audrey Wigg, Vera Spittle, Dorothy Turley and Ken Mobberley.
Please
pray for those who are not well and their carers, including Harold and Jeremy
Newell, Mick and Margaret Lloyd, Mary Davies, Sylvia Griffiths,
Sid Cole, Stephen Podmore, Ann Whitehouse, Anna Clutton, Alan Crowe, Alan
and Allison Fisher, Rachael Meese, Les and Jean Woodberry, Barry Showell, Neil
Harris, Betty Bowen, Ray Whitehouse, Gemma and Jodie Simner, Vera Stuchfield,
Ken Nash, Elijah Bailey, Margaret Cresswell, Sheila Tucker, Iris Thorne, Dorothy
Baines, Madeline Cunneen, Jane Reynolds, Dorothy Roberts and Alan Barker.
Please pray for those who have lost a loved one recently, including the family and friends of Etty Messam on the loss of her mother.
Becoming a member of the Church!?
I
wonder if YOU have given
this any thought; that is if you are not already one. (And if you are maybe you
need to be reminded of what it means!)
Why?
You may ask. The answer is that becoming a member of the church is meant to be
an indication of your journey of faith and your commitment to God and His
people. It is not about joining a club, nor is it about having all the answers
to the questions of life. It is about accepting responsibility and saying Yes to
God, even with your unanswered questions.
What
does it mean in practical terms? Well, it means accepting an obligation to
worship regularly, to support the church in practical and financial ways and to
be willing to serve in positions of responsibility in the life of the Church. In
fact, by law, you have to be a church member to hold any official position in
the Church. (Note: you cannot be on the Church Council unless you are a member
nor can you vote on important issues in the Church’s life.)
In
the past, becoming a member of the Church meant being able to receive communion.
Like confirmation in the Anglican Church, membership was and still is about
taking upon ourselves the promises made on our behalf by our parents at our
baptism. We renounce evil, confess our faith in Jesus and commit ourselves to
serve him in the Church and in the world. While we have a new approach to
communion, in that all are welcome to the Lord’s table, we still invite YOU to take this step of faith and commitment.
If
you would like to discuss this, please talk to me. I would like to arrange a
short course in the near future for those who may be interested in learning
more.
Steve
CHURCH
NEWS
It
seems ages since my retirement day,
but
can I express my sincere and grateful thanks
for
all the good wishes, cards and presents.
It
was good to share this event
with
friends and colleagues
who
have been part of my working and social life.
Once
again many thanks to everyone.
Best
wishes Anthony.
May I
say a very big thank you for my Birthday Cards
on
the occasion of my 80th Birthday.
Kind
regards Roland.
Congratulations
to Sara Hall and Jonathan Davis
on
their engagement.
They
have arranged their Wedding for
6th
August 2011 at 2.00 pm
at
Congratulations
to Daniel Clarke
on
winning the BB Battalion
over
15 Table Tennis Tournament.
The
band became
West
Congratulations
to all
for
their hard work and dedication.
A
VISIT TO THE PHARMACIST
Jack,
aged 92, and Jill, aged 89, living in
Jack
addresses the man behind the counter: “Are
you the owner?”
The
pharmacist answers, “Yes”.
Jack:
“We’re about to get married. Do
you sell heart medication?”
Pharmacist:
“Of course we do.”
Jack:
“Do you sell medicine for
circulation?”
Pharmacist:
“All kinds.”
Jack:
“How about medicine for
rheumatism?”
Pharmacist:
“Definitely.”
Jack:
“Do you sell
suppositories?”
Pharmacist:
“You bet!”
Jack:
“How about medicine for memory
problems and arthritis?”
Pharmacist:
“Yes, a large variety. The
works.”
Jack:
“What about vitamins, sleeping
pills, Geritol, allergy creams?”
Pharmacist:
“Absolutely.”
Jack:
“Everything for heartburn and
indigestion?”
Pharmacist:
“We sure do.”
Jack:
“You sell wheelchairs and
walkers and canes?”
Pharmacist:
“All speeds and sizes.”
Jack:
“Do you sell adult
incontinence pants?”
Pharmacist:
“Sure.”
Jack:
“Then we’d like to use this store
for our wedding presents list.”
Submitted
by Dennis Winning
HELP
NEEDED
NETWORK
EASTER OFFERING 2010
This
year’s Easter Offering dedication service was at Codsall on 25th April.
Unfortunately due to errors on the Circuit Plan it was not as well attended as
last year. However, the service entitled “Companions in faith, hope and
love” was well presented with David Lavender being the speaker. Fellowship
continued after the service with tea and slices of the Love Feast cake baked by
some ladies of the circuit. (This recipe was adapted from the Middlesmoor
Lovefeast Bread used in the Yorkshire Dales at the time of John Wesley, and is
still made today.)
On
behalf of Margaret Cresswell I would like to thank all of you who donated
through the Easter Offering Envelopes. £142.00 was given from Lanesfield. This
money is sent to The Methodist Fund for World Mission, where it is used WORLD
WIDE to alleviate poverty. Our thanks go to Margaret who over many years has
worked tirelessly for Women’s Network, and just now we send her our prayers
and best wishes during her illness.
Pat
Arnold
ALONG
THE GRAPEVINE
Summer
2010
Everyone’s
always welcome at the Grapevine Drop-in Centre, Thursday mornings 10am-12pm,
free admission, followed by optional Pause for Thought in the church.
We have had a busy Spring first with the AGM in March, marking the 7th anniversary of the start of Grapevine in 2003, then a live music session by the Jazziatrics, a pub lunch at the Horse & Jockey, a second visit from the Retired Greyhound Trust, a presentation from Wiltshire Farm Foods, and close-up magic and fun from top magician Chris Congreave.
MAGICIAN
CHRIS CONGREAVE
 |
Our normal Grapevine takes place in between these special events, so do come and
join us for a cuppa and chat, game of cards or triominoes, bargain hunting on
the table-top sale, and many other impromptu items to interest and amuse you.
At
the Summer Fayre on Saturday 19th June Grapevine will
once again be presenting Pig Racing, featuring Wolverhampton City Radio
presenter Jon Fisher, a.k.a. Fish, whose “Sunday Service” can be heard every
Sunday morning on 101.8FM or online at www.wcrfm.com
Grapevine
is warm and friendly, and open to anyone, regardless of age, race, creed or
culture, and we have plenty of room for more, in fact we do actually NEED more
members! And if you fancy
volunteering a couple of hours a week, why not give it a whirl : it can be
personally so rewarding to help bring a bit of sunshine into people’s lives in
your community!
For more information call Winifred on 01384 250574
“GENTLE
LINE DANCING”
A fundraising activity for the Grapevine Centre
Absolute
beginner level, nothing too strenuous, dancing to easy-listening music, all
welcome.
Every
Tuesday starting at 11.30am and ending around 12.30pm, with the last half hour
for a drink & chat.
Tea,
coffee and soft drinks are on sale, all profits to the Grapevine.
Admission £2.50.
Non-dancing
spectators are also welcome; come along and enjoy the music
and
watch the dancers as they have fun learning the steps!
Admission £1.
or
on Myspace :
www.myspace.com/janstraycat
New
members are always welcome : contact Jan Brookfield on 01902 672793
WORLD
CUP FUN DAY
Saturday
19th June 2010
from
11 am
Come
along and enjoy the fun.
Bring
your family and friends.
Donations
needed please:
Good condition toys and books
Filled
jars
Bottles
Gifts
etc
etc
Do
buy a balloon for the
Friends
of the Youth
balloon
race
£1
per ticket.
MUSIC
FESTIVAL WEEKEND
3rd
- 5th July 2010
Saturday 3rd July:
Concert by the Marston Singers.
Tickets £6.00 inclusive of supper
Sunday 4th July:
10.30 am Rev. Ian Heath
6.00 pm Rev. David Wheeler
Musical items by the choir
Monday 5th July:
Songs of Praise led by Rev. Jean Spragg
You
are invited to place Remembrance posies On the window-sills
I
AM THANKFUL
For
the wife who says it’s hot dogs tonight,
Because she is at home with me and not out with someone else.
For
the husband who is on the sofa being a couch potato,
Because he is at home with me and not out at the bars.
For
the teenager who is complaining about doing the dishes,
Because it means she is at home not on the streets.
For
the taxes I pay,
Because it means I am employed.
For
the mess to clean after a party,
Because it means I have been surrounded by friends.
For
the clothes that fit a little too snug,
Because it means I have enough to eat.
For
my shadow that watches me work,
Because it means I am out in the sunshine.
For
a lawn that needs mowing and windows that need cleaning,
Because it means I have a home.
For
all the complaining I hear about the government,
Because it means we have freedom of speech.
For
the parking spot I find at the far end of the parking lot,
Because it means I am capable of walking.
For
my huge heating bills,
Because it means I am warm.
For
the lady behind me in church who sings off key,
Because it means I can hear.
For
the pile of laundry and ironing,
Because it means I have clothes to wear.
For
weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day
Because it means I have been capable of working hard.
For
the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours,
Because it means I am alive.
And
finally, for too much e-mail,
Because it means I have friends who are thinking of me.
By
Tim Judd, heard on Good Morning Sunday, 2009
Submitted
by Vida Dugmore
REMEMBER
Growing
older is mandatory
Growing
up is optional.
We
make a living by what we get.
We
make a life by what we give.
God
promises us a safe landing,
not
a calm passage.
Submitted
by Madeline and Pat Cunneen
NEWCOMER
NEW
SENIOR STEWARDS
At
the
I
am very disappointed to say that I think we have failed. If you refer back to
the September 2008 Messenger, we stated that our theme was going to be
‘Communication’, and that we were going to concentrate on improving
communications within the church, hoping that everyone will be more aware of the
different aspects and activities within the church.
Why
do I think we have we failed? One reason may be that
we are not always available ‘on the doorstep’ as we live a 30 minute
journey from the church. Other reasons? The Messenger is only produced four
times a year, but this edition contains only 16 pages. In March we updated the
church website and asked each organisation to send details of what they would
like included on their page - only the Girls’ Brigade and Action for Children
have responded.
I
wish the new senior stewards the very best in enhancing the work of
Ann
Latham
MINISTER
Rev. Steve Singleton
01902
681281
minister@lanesfieldmethodist.co.uk
SENIOR STEWARDS
Ann
and David Latham
01785 710866
annlatham@lanesfieldmethodist.co.uk
davidlatham@lanesfieldmethodist.co.uk
seniorsteward@lanesfield.co.uk
PASTORAL SECRETARY
Mrs. Pat Arnold
01902 495478
LAY
WORKER
Mrs. Glynis Davis
layworker@lanesfieldmethodist.co.uk
ADMINISTRATOR
Mr.
Steve Parker
office@lanesfieldmethodist.co.uk
ORGANIST
AND CHOIR MASTER
Mr. Barrie Shinton
01902 895005
BOYS’
BRIGADE CAPTAIN
Mrs. Jean Clemson
01902
333741
bb@lanesfieldmethodist.co.uk
GIRLS’
BRIGADE CAPTAIN
Mrs. Julia Rivett
01902
458907
gb@lanesfieldmethodist.co.uk
BAND MASTER
Mr. Neil Woodberry
01902 829410
band@lanesfieldmethodist.co.uk