Our Vision

After the Lord Mayors Show…
A bumper issue last month is followed by a month in which I have only had a couple of items for inclusion in the newsletter. To make up for this, however, I have reproduced the contents of the first monthly e-mail newsletter from the Methodist Central Office. If you are connected to the internet you too can receive “The Buzz” or send articles for inclusion by mailing Roger Hutchings at rogerhutchings@methodistchurch.org.uk. I shall be more selective in future months.

WORLD CUP FINAL AT BOLSOVER:
Football

The World Cup Final will be shown LIVE (for free) on Sun 30th June straight after the morning service at Bolsover Methodist Church using a BIG SCREEN. All are welcome. Kick off is at 12:00am. Bring you own packed lunch if you require feeding (Note: alcohol will not be permitted).
Even if England do not reach the Final we'll still have a laugh!!! :) for more details please contact David Buckley 07779 793540

The new church slogan they say
Is, “We’re in it together,” in every way,
As the family of God in our daily lives
God our Father is with us and he revives,
Our hopes and faith when we feel low
For he is always there to help soften the blow,
Of our shattered hopes, plans and dreams
Can’t you do things my way he often screams?
For my ways are always the best
Throughout time they have stood the test,
From Adam right through to you
I’ve always been there, faithful and true,
The Holy Spirit is your guide through the days
Shaping and leading you in all my ways,
I have plans for you, only the best
Only if you follow me and let me do the rest.
“We’re in it together,” me and you
Whether in the secular world, or sat in a pew,
Now be strong in all you do whatever it is
For I’ll be with you, so consider this,
Keep your faith in me and trust me for all you are worth
That’s all I need from you through the Holy Spirit on earth,
Until such time as we share and whether
We are really and truly, “In it together”
Praise God.

My mother said to me, "If you become a soldier you'll be a general; if you become a monk you'll end up as the pope." Instead, I became a painter and wound up as Picasso.

Pablo Picasso

These stories from around Methodism are arranged under Our Calling themes, with contacts if you want to follow them up.

WORSHIP

We’ve got the highest population of retired people anywhere in Europe! We run a mid-week service for the potentially isolated and housebound. “The best day in the month”, they say. We arrange transport, stay seated throughout, and use large-print hymnsheets. We limit the service to 30 minutes for continence reasons, and have tea and cakes afterwards. Some carers come too. It’s midweek because families often visit at weekends.

This Methodist chapel with just 5 members has been revitalised by volunteer labour and renamed the Appledore Christian Centre. We’ve built an office in the church hall for the use of Caring All Together in Romney Marsh – a Christian charity working alongside Social Services in caring for the elderly. It’s also the office for the Anglican parish church, where Methodists share worship once a month. The chapel has a future.

LEARNING and CARING

Elmley holds about 900 prisoners. One prisoner’s young relative went into a children’s hospice, Demelza House, in Sittingbourne. He asked, “Is there something we can do?” – bearing in mind that the maximum any prisoner can earn is £10 a week. Well we (half the prisoners and some staff) raised £2,000 between us, with a sponsored staff/inmate football match, an ‘It’s a Knockout!’ and some regular giving. A hospice rep. came in recently to receive the money.

We (9 members) wanted to make our chapel more welcoming, so we’ve made it more directly accessible by re-shaping the porch – it improves disabled access too. There are 171 houses in the village, and we visited them all, with an invitation to have a look, and to come to our re-opening celebrations and Easter services. We were welcomed at every house. There were 50 present on Palm Sunday and more on Easter Day, two children have returned to Sunday School, and the new Friendship Club attracted 12 people, of whom 5 have not been worshippers. “To say we’re pleased is an understatement!”

THE BUZZ can be sent monthly to any e-mail address. If you want it, or if you have a story, just e-mail ‘Mailing’ or ‘Story’ to rogerhutchings@methodistchurch.org.uk

Empathy
I recently received this e-mail “chain letter” which even though I don’t like the idea of such letters the story it contains does deserve our consideration and thought:
To truly understand pain (difficulties) you must live through it. Let's see if
you send this back.
A farmer had some puppies he needed to sell. He painted a sign advertising the 20 pups and set about nailing it to a post on the edge of his yard. As he was driving the last nail into the post, he felt a tug on his overalls. He looked down into the eyes of a little boy. "Mister," he said, "I want to buy one of your puppies." "Well," said the farmer, as he rubbed the sweat off the back of his neck, "These puppies come from fine parents and cost a good deal of
money."   The boy dropped his head for a moment. Then, reaching deep into his pocket, he pulled out a handful of change and held it up to the farmer. "I've got thirty-nine cents. Is that enough to take a look?" "Sure", said the farmer. And with that he let out a whistle, "Here, Dolly!" he called.
Out from the dog house and down the ramp ran Dolly, followed by little balls of fur. The little boy pressed his face against the chain link fence. His eyes danced with delight.
As the dogs made their way to the fence, the little boy noticed something else stirring inside the doghouse. Slowly, another little ball appeared, this one noticeably smaller.   Down the ramp it slid.   Then in a somewhat awkward manner, the little pup began hobbling toward the others, doing its best to catch up...."I want that one," the little boy said, pointing to the runt. The farmer knelt down at the boy's side and said, "Son, you don't want that puppy.   He will never be able to run and play with you like these other dogs would."   With that the little boy stepped back from the fence, reached down and began rolling up one leg of his trousers.   In doing so, he revealed a steel brace running down both sides of his leg attaching itself to a specially made shoe. Looking back up at the farmer, he said, "You see, sir, I don't run too well myself, and he will need someone who understands."
The world is full of people who need someone who understands. Jesus said, "If you are ashamed of me, I will be ashamed of you before my Father."   Not ashamed? This is the simplest test . . . if you Love God, and are not ashamed of all the marvellous things he has done for you, send this to ten people and the person who sent it to you!   It's National Friendship Week. Show your friends how much you care. Send this to everyone you consider a FRIEND. If it comes back to you, then you'll know you have a circle of friends.

If we are facing in the right direction, all we have to do is keep on walking

Buddhist proverb

(Can also be applied to our Christian faith.)

THE DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION ACT AND CHURCHES
We have all heard of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) and it’s requirements to be in place by 2004, but a couple of weeks ago the district organised a training day with this as the theme. The “experts” on the day included two wheelchair bound young people who could give first hand experiences of entering a church and the reception they received from the members there.
A ramp to the door is only a small part of the requirements to be put in place, there is also need for

a space for the wheelchairs (not just stuck in a corner somewhere!) and also space for carers to sit with them.

an attitude when talking to wheelchair users – yes to them not about them to their carers – and being able to sit with them to talk at their level.
Wheelchair users are not the only “disabled” we are likely to meet in church (Statistically, more than one in three people are likely to fall within the scope of the Act at some time in their lives!!!) so we need to take into account the partially sighted or blind (and guide dogs), the deaf, hyper active children and the mentally disturbed. An organisation called “Through The Roof” (Mark 2:4) has produced a lot of information on the subject – including Roofbreaker Guides (a copy of which is available in the circuit office) to give you an idea of what to do for 10 groups of “disabled” in church. The following is Through The Roof’s summary of where we are (or should be) today:

Introduction

The DDA is being introduced in stages and by now all churches should have implemented part III of the Act, which requires all who provide goods or services to make reasonable changes to include people with a disability. Most church activities are included in the scope of the Act.

Does this mean my church?

It certainly does! Remember that services means the sort of thing that a plumber, theatre or restaurant would provide – not our worship “service”. In this context then we are service providers, and it makes no difference to the Act that we provide it free of charge!

Since December 1996, it has been unlawful to treat people with a disability less favourably for any reason related to their disability.

Since October 1999, we have had to make “reasonable adjustments” for people with disabilities, such as providing extra help or changing the way in which we do things to make them more “disabled-friendly”.

From 2004, The requirement to make “reasonable adjustments” to the physical features of our premises to overcome physical barriers to access comes into force. This is where the ramps, loop systems and toilets for the disabled are needed.

How do we make sure that we don’t discriminate?

Churches need to consider their approach towards people who are disabled. The responsibility rests not just with leaders, but with everyone. A Church is more likely to comply with the Act if:

The church council establishes a positive policy to include people with disabilities in all its activities – and making sure that all members know this.

The church council monitors and makes sure that this policy works in practice.

Decision makers confer with people with disabilities and organisations before making changes.

The church council reviews regularly that all the services are accessible to people with disability.

In all cases, it is essential to make sure that the dignity of a person who is disabled is respected when services are provided. They are entitled to be asked about how they might be best served and given the opportunity to make the same choices as all of us.

CIRCUIT DIRECTORY 2002
Last year I experimented with the circuit directory – taking out of the plan the names and addresses of church officers except for a few who were directly concerned with arranging Sunday worship and the main contacts with the community. I have not had any adverse comments with this arrangement and so I will be repeating the directory again this year. If you are in the directory – please let me know via your church council secretary if the entry is correct (or if your position has been taken over by someone else – Who?). I will be sending copies of the 2001 entries to church council secretaries in the next few weeks so that they can check and update them for me before I go to press with the new directory which will be available at the beginning of September. Thank You, David

Other Events Notified

Our Anglican friends invite us to “A Party In The Park” (Chatsworth Park that is) on Saturday 22 June to help celebrate the 75th anniversary of the diocese of Derby. The Archbishop of Canterbury will be preaching at evening worship. The day is from 11 am until 6 pm and entry is ticket only (should be available from your local Anglican Church) - £4 each. Further details in the circuit office.

Youth for Christ are organising two weekend training conferences in July. If anyone would like details – check in the circuit office.

To commemorate the life of Herbert Silverwood, the Cliff College Development Scheme Appeal have organised an open day at Birthwaite Hall Farm (in the Barnsley circuit – for directions contact the circuit office) on Saturday 27 July.
There will be guided Farm walks at 11 am, 3 pm and 7 pm and refreshments served 10 am – 12 noon, 2 pm – 4 pm and 6 pm – 8 pm

Circuit Meetings and Other Church Events

June 2002

10 Sisterhood Anniversary Rally                                 Brimington Common
10 Circuit Prayer Meeting                       7.30 pm        Brimington Common
13 Summer District Day (Network)        11 am           Victoria Hall Sheffield
15 Men’s Breakfast Meeting                   8.30 am        Staveley
21 Circuit Prayer Meeting                       7.30 pm        Bolsover
22 A Party In The Park                                                 Chatsworth
28 Local Preachers Meeting                  7.30 pm        Bolsover

July 2002

   1 Circuit Prayer Meeting                       7.30 pm        Duckmanton
12 Circuit Prayer Meeting                       7.30 pm        New Brimington
13 Children’s Event                                                      Rotherham Circuit
15 Sisterhood Anniversary Rally            2.00 pm        Staveley
20 Men’s Breakfast Meeting                   8.30 am        Staveley
27 Open Day at Birthwaite Farm

Our Vision

June 2002 No 12

WORSHIP

LEARNING and CARING

Introduction

Does this mean my church?

How do we make sure that we don’t discriminate?

Other Events Notified

Circuit Meetings and Other Church Events

June 2002

July 2002