24 Sept Andrew. Dear Friends,

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1 24 Sept 2017 Dear Friends, This edition of the newsletter is being issued to coincide with Priory Methodist Church s harvest thanksgiving celebrations. (Willington s equivalent will follow two weeks later). The Church s celebration of harvest has changed over the years even in this area, which was once much more dominated by agricultural work than it is these days. We still sing harvest hymns some very familiar and traditional, others less so and create harvest displays to express our thanksgiving. We are now reminded of the global, as well as local, provision of our food. An appeal for donations to help people who are hungry or whose harvest has failed is quite common. In the past the harvest produce would have been distributed to needy people in the congregation or locality, or possibly auctioned for church or charitable funds (as happened in the chapel where I grew up). The harvest produce is now much more likely to be non-perishables for donation to the local Food Bank. What hasn t changed is the reason for our harvest celebrations. Our worship is still offered in a spirit of profound thanksgiving to God for our varied and plentiful supply of nourishing food and refreshing drink. This year s harvest celebrations are overshadowed by the tragedies and natural disasters which have affected people in different areas of the world. Beautiful Caribbean islands, which we think of as pleasant holiday destinations, have been laid waste by hurricanes. Places which supply us with exotic fruits and vegetables have been ravaged by storms, landslides and earthquakes which have claimed the lives of men, women and children. Our beautiful world may provide us with an abundant harvest of life-giving food, but it is also a place where the powerful forces of nature can destroy life in an instant. Whilst we are giving thanks for harvest, other people live in hunger, grief and despair. There are no simple explanations not even from the Christian faith for why some people have plenty and others struggle to survive. I certainly can t believe that natural disasters are inflicted by God on people as a punishment for certain behaviour. What sort of a God would that be? Since 1989 the Methodist Church has celebrated Racial Justice Sunday on the second Sunday in September, i.e. in the period leading up to the traditional time for celebrating harvest thanksgiving. (For a variety of reasons, the observation of Racial Justice Sunday has now been moved to February). One of the strap-lines associated with Racial Justice Sunday has been One Race The Human Race. This reminds us of a simple truth which it is so easy for us to forget that those of us who are fortunate to be celebrating the abundance of harvest are part of the same human race as those people who are hungry and thirsty, struggling and homeless. These people may be physically nearby or far away. As we celebrate harvest, let us remember them, feel their pain and respond to their need in prayer which is supported by generous action. May that response arise not simply from the awareness of our common humanity, but as a practical expression of our thanksgiving for God s generosity to us and in obedience to Christ s command to love our neighbours. Andrew

2 Page!2 News from the Pews Priory Marian and Keith Goddard are to be congratulated on their Golden Wedding on September 16 th. Emily Green was 21 years old on 14 th September. Pat Biswell celebrated her 90 th birthday on September 7 th. Joan Pinder has died and we think of her family at this time. Alan Carter died after a very short illness on September 3 rd. We send our love and prayers to Wendy, Helen and Andy at this time. We remember in our prayers members of the church family who are facing difficult times: We continue to remember Brian and Vonga Musa, and baby Annaya. Alan Davis who has health problems. Joy Winter, still recovering at home. Millicent de Souza has problems with mobility. Brenda Smith has had a hospital admission. Ellen Small has been unwell. Pauline Williams has had illness in the family. Bill Speed and Cath Appleby are both unwell. Elaine Leach is much better after her recent illness whilst on holiday. We think of Judith Greaves whose daughter is unwell. We remember those who find it very difficult to worship with us due to poor health or lack of mobility: Christine Mayes, Margaret Perkins, Harry Jennings, Ann Radnor, Stan Smith, Ivy Spencer, Fred Litchfield, Jamie and Hilary Attridge, Lilian Evans, Daphne Hobbs, Gwen Edwards, Stan and Edith Gaunt, Richard Butler, Lydia Quilty and Heather Baxter. Lord, give strength to those struggling with ill health or other problems. May they know your loving presence and be uplifted by it. Jane Hurst (Pastoral Secretary) Celebrations to come In 2019, Priory will be 50 years old - an opportunity to celebrate God s goodness to us, to give thanks for all that has been achieved in his name and to share memories of fellowship and friends. We want to have a series of events during the year to mark the occasion and also to encourage each other as we look to the future and the Leadership Team very much hope that as many people as possible will get involved. If you have any suggestions for special events, for preachers to invite or any other ideas to make this year special, please put them in the suggestion box in the vestibule or to prioryfeedback@gmail.com Please also let us know if you would be willing to help in organising any events the more, the merrier!

3 Page!3 Gathering the Harvest It must be about 60 years since I joined a youth group for a trip to the Holy Land where we swam in Lake Galilee, watched a wedding and took part in the grape harvest. A harvest of a different kind is recorded in the story of Ruth, who returned to Bethlehem with Naomi, her mother-inlaw, at the time of the spring barley harvest. They were both widows and were in search of food. Ruth went to the fields owned by Boaz, a wealthy kinsman, to glean the barley left behind after the harvest; Boaz encouraged her, for she would be safe in his fields, and told his men to drop extra sheaves for her to gather. Once the harvest was over, it was time to thresh the crop. Boaz was a good steward and master and stayed overnight with his men on the threshing floor. One night, Naomi instructed Ruth to go and lie at his feet and when he awoke, she told him that he was her kinsmanredeemer. Barley was a staple food for the Hebrews; it was less expensive than wheat, could ripen in as little as days and could grow in diverse soils and r e s i s t d r o u g h t. H o w e v e r, i t w a s considered an inferior crop when compared to wheat; the Midianites referred to the Israelites scornfully as cakes of barley and even today, Arabs use the term in references to Israelite. Barley was also synonymous with first fruits; the Jewish festivals of Passover and the Feast of the Unleavened Bread both occurred near the barley harvest and the people were required to present a sheaf of the first grain to their priest as a thanksgiving for the harvest. Just as the first fruits are a pledge of a full crop to come, so the first fruits of the Holy Spirit are for Christians the pledge of our full adoption as God s children. We give thanks for the harvest of food and for the fruits of God s spirit within us. Vallib Under the Levirate Law, the kinsmanredeemer had the responsibility of marrying the widow. This was a way to provide for widows and to ensure that property stayed within the clan or tribe. Boaz sent Ruth away with a large quantity of barley, negotiated with another kinsman who had a claim but did not want to take the responsibility and then married Ruth. They had a son called O b e d a n d R u t h b e c a m e g r e a t grandmother to King David and an ancestor of Jesus all as a result of gathering the harvest!

4 Page!4 The Common Good: Confessions of an OAP First time Greenbelter. Earlier in the year, my daughter asked if I would like to go to Greenbelt with her. As I hadn't been out much, I said yes. As the end of August approached, I began to wonder what I'd let myself in for. I didn't have much of an idea what Greenbelt is: I knew it involved a lot of camping, and portable loos, but that was about it. So on Friday 25 th August, we went up the A6 towards Kettering. Signs appeared directing us to the Festival site at Boughton House and about 2 miles off the road we came upon volunteers directing us to the car parks. We left the car, heading for the Box Office where we p i c k e d u p o u r w r i s t b a n d s a n d programme, then got on the 'taxi buggy' queue. We passed fields of camper vans and caravans, tents and rows of loos, where those who stayed onsite all weekend could be seen putting up the tents. On arrival at the main site, we headed towards the marquees to listen to Dave Tomlinson s talk I believe God is human, it's the rest I'm not sure about. He was talking about the church needing to stop in-fighting, and think about the rest of the world. He is a vicar in Holloway, London, but is seen as controversial by the establishment. However, he had a lot to say to all of us. Afterwards, we went to his book signing of Black Sheep and Prodigals An early start on Saturday saw us arrive at the site while some campers were still eating their breakfast. We went to the Glade Big Top to hear John Bell talk about Rampant Heterosexualism. Although he focussed on the difficulty many have accepting people of different sexualities, he went further and challenged the undertones of the established church being so male dominant, even in the 21 st Century. He identified tragic examples of people within church environments being cast out of the community because some people were unable to accept others as God created them. He reminded us that we are all unique and made in God's wonderful image which should be celebrated, not curtailed. We also went to a Laughter Workshop, Sign Language workshop, heard folk singer Kate Rusby and then ended the day with a debate called All are welcome: Terms and Conditions Apply. This left us feeling as if we had eaten a large portion of humble pie, as so many of us had forgotten that everyone has a part to play. On Sunday, we arrived even earlier, in order to get a place for the Holy Communion in the Big Top. The bacon butty helped us fill the time before the service started. The theme for the service was Bring a Body (meaning we should bring the body we have). We had hardly started singing and signing To God be the Glory when I found myself very moved, but more was to come. The l e s s o n w a s r e a d b y s o m e o n e i n Plymouth, who was too sick with ME to get out of bed; prayers were said by people from Livability (a charity for those with learning difficulties). The 'sermon' was given by a 14 year old girl with cerebral palsy. She spoke through a communication device like Stephen Hawking, but she said hers sounded better!

5 Page 5! She talked about being confined to a wheelchair because of someone's mistake, but she forgave them. It was obvious that God can still use her, and others like her. There was not a dry eye in the house (or field). Communion was shared in groups of 20, and it was wonderful to receive from people you had only just met. An estimated 10,000 were at this service all ages, genders, abilities everyone had a valuable part to play. We spent time around the various charity tents, then went to Beer and Hymns at The Jesus Arms. It is amazing to worship God through singing hymns in a big crowd, and I had a glass of Crazy Goat Cider while my daughter had a glass of Jonah and the Ale. When the leader said we would miss out Love divine, he was not popular, so we sang it after he had finished, then we went on to And can it be, all in harmony of course. We even sang a couple of Christmas carols. On Monday, we went to see John Bell again, this time for a Big Sing. Using music from the Iona community, John taught us to sing a number of pieces in harmony. This made everyone weep again. Music is such a powerful tool in worship, and everyone could take part. Later we went to another seminar led by John Bell, this time called Trumping and Brexiting for Jesus. John was very clear on his theological views on the political climate in He spoke forcefully about things that we can do to make our voices heard against the 'goddess of austerity. All in all, I need to thank my daughter for looking after me so well and to thank Greenbelt for being such an inclusive event. Although we only did a fraction of the sessions that were on offer, I have gained a new openness to other people in all their differences. They should be allowed to contribute their talents to the life of the church, and not be put in a corner as a 'token' disabled or made to feel their difference is not acceptable. If I believe God loves me the way I am, then He also loves others the way they are, and this should be celebrated. Do talk to me if you are interested in hearing more. Marian Knights Priory & Willington News - 24 Sept 17 No 450

6 Page!6 Food and Fun Club We have made a promising start to this new Priory venture; a total of 11 families have attended one or both sessions, most referred to us via the Foodbank or because the children receive free school meals. These are families who really struggle, especially during the school holidays when there are no free lunches and time needs to be filled with little money for outings. Regular activities for younger children also stop, so families can feel isolated. Please pray for these families and for our future plans. If you feel able to help in any way in October, please speak to Carmen Rowe, Marian Knights, Susanne Edwards or Liz Little. It has been great getting to know the families and we hope to build up these relationships as we have our next session in half term, on 24 th October, and then plan ahead for Christmas. So far, the sessions have included a time for play and craft activities, an extract of a video with a brief Christian message and then lunch and chat together. A Kiwi Paraphrase of the Lord s Prayer Eternal Spirit, Life-Giver, Pain Bearer, Love Maker, Source of all that is and shall be, Father and Mother of us all, Loving God in whom is heaven: The hallowing of your name echo through the universe! The way of your justice be followed by the peoples of the world! Your heavenly will be done by all created things! Your Commonwealth of Peace and Freedom sustain our hope and come on earth! With the bread that we need for today, feed us. In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us. In times of temptation and test, strengthen us. From trials too great to endure, spare us. From the grip of all that is evil, free us. For you reign in the glory of the power that is love, now and for ever. Amen From A New Zealand Prayer Book Priory & Willington News -24 Sept 17 N o 450

7 Page!7 A Declining Church? In the latest edition of Connexion magazine, Graham Horsley writes about the challenges facing the Methodist Church as, for the first time in 200 years, the membership fell below 200,000. He quotes the new President, Rev Loraine Mellor, who urges us to change the shape of our church through a renewed focus on God-centred worship, generous hospitality and being unafraid of failing in evangelism. She told Conference, I know I am part, at present, of a declining Church, but I am not part of a declining gospel. The gospel of Jesus Christ is here to stay, but has the time not come for us to be radical in taking risks in order that we can grow? Because, you see I don t believe that God is done with us just yet. We are all challenged to contribute to a vision for growth. Graham Horsley suggests that there are 4 categories of churches: Churches which are strong enough and healthy enough to reproduce new churches Churches which are already healthy and need to grow Churches which are currently in decline but can be renewed into growth Churches which are beyond the point of growth, but still meet a vital spiritual need for those who attend Where are WE in that list and what should we be doing about it? A Church without God A man, down on his luck, went into a church which catered to the uppity. Spotting the man s dirty clothes a steward, worried about the church s image, went to the man and asked him if he needed help. The man said, I was praying and the Lord told me to come to this church. The steward suggested that the man go and pray some more and possibly he might get a different answer. The next Sunday the man returned. The steward asked, Did you get a different answer? The man replied, Yes I did. I told the Lord that they don t want me in that church and the Lord said, Don t worry about it son; I ve been trying to get into that church for years and haven t made it yet. Are we REALLY welcoming to everyone?

8 Page!8 It s that time again! Christmas is approaching, a good time to turn our thoughts to those in many parts of the world who never receive presents. Once again, Priory will be sending shoeboxes filled with gifts via International Aid Trust. Will you fill a box and bring it to worship on 19 th November? All you need to do is to cover a shoebox with colourful paper and fill it with gifts suitable for a child or a pensioner. Leaflets are available in the vestibule giving further details of what can be included and of the age ranges. It s great fun filling a box, even more so as we picture the excitement when it is opened and know that it will be treasured for many years. What a wonderful way to share God s love at Christmas, not just to friends and family but to those in real need. The harvest is here: earth s bounty we bring! And as we draw near, God s mercies we sing. From green house and garden, allotment and store: these love-gifts we offer and praises outpour. A harvest we bear our talents and time. A calling to share: such is God s design. As people of Jesus we honour his name; through our love for neighbour his love we proclaim. God s harvest shall come, when all is fulfilled: Death s forces succumb and violence be stilled. Then all that has breath in Creation restored shall bow down and worship: one harvest, one Lord! Dominic Grant Singing the Faith 128 The Minister at Harvest Festival had arranged all the vegetables in front of the altar. He asked the children if they could name them and they duly identified the potatoes, cabbage, carrots, broccoli, and swede. So he asked if they could use one word to cover them all. A little boy held his hand up and replied, " Gravy".

9 Page!9 Save the Date! Nov 4 Mid-week Worship at Priory Wednesday 27 Sept noon Marian Knights 4 Oct noon Jeremy Arthern, Holy Communion 11 Oct noon Liz Little 18 Oct noon Andrew Hollins 25 Oct noon Jeremy Arthern, Holy Communion 1 Nov noon Marian Knights Priory & Willington News This is the newsletter of Priory Methodist Church, Newnham Avenue, Bedford and Willington Methodist Church, Chapel Lane, Willington. Opinions expressed are those of the contributors and not necessarily those of the two Churches or the Methodist Church. The next edition will be published on 5 th November. Please pass contributions to Liz Little (347966) or Ann Sewell (347381) by 24 th October or to Liz (LizLittleBedford@gmail.com) by 27 th October.

10 Page!10 As we think of harvest at this time of year, there is a lovely story in the Bible about Ruth she has a book all to herself! She was in a really difficult situation, but helped herself and her mother-in-law by collecting food as the harvest was being gathered. There is a happy ending to her story; why not read it? Can you find 20 harvest mice hiding in the fields as Ruth collects grain? Which route should Ruth take to collect most ears of grain? Greetings to Jake Field - enjoy your day! Q: What kind of man was Boaz before he married Ruth? A: Ruthless!

11 Page!11 Our Worship Together Priory Sunday 1 Oct 10.30am Traditional Informal Andrew Hollins, Holy Communion Helen Boshier 6.30pm Charlie Connor 8 Oct 10.30am Traditional Informal Glynne Rowlands Andrew Hollins, Holy Communion 6.30pm Local Worship 10.30am Worship Together Craig Gaffney 15 Oct 6.30pm Andrew Hollins, Holy Communion 22 Oct 10.30am 6.30pm Traditional Informal Local Worship Anne Foley Jim Ragless 29 Oct 10.30am 6.00pm Traditional Informal Chris Fox Thea Lee Circuit Healing Service at Trinity, Biggleswade 5 Nov 10.30am Traditional Informal Wendy Evans-Wood Keith Lilley 6.00pm Joint worship at Cardington CDs of Sunday morning worship at Priory are available on request from Steve Gordon. Please see Steve in person, call or stevegordon54@msn.com A copy will be left in your pigeonhole. Donations to cover costs would be welcome. Willington Sunday 1 Oct 10.30am Café Church Pat Lilley 8 Oct 10.30am UNITED HARVEST FESTIVAL Charlie Connor 15 Oct 10.30am Michael Carr 22 Oct 10.30am Local Worship 29 Oct 10.30am 4.00pm 6.00pm Charlie Connor, Holy Communion Songs of Praise at Kempston East Circuit Healing Service at Trinity, Biggleswade 5 Nov 10.30am Café Church Brenda Ballantine

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