Leeds City Centre Churches Group

Transcription

1 Number 107 Spring 2011 Inside The naughtiest boy in Sunday School Parables for 2011 Mission Staff The Revd Adrian Burdon (Superintendent Minister) Telephone: The Revd Caroline Ryder (Chaplain to the Universities) Telephone: The Revd Pat Creamer (Counsellor, MIND) Telephone: The Revd Philip Bee (Director, Oastler Centre) Telephone: Deacon Jenny Jones Telephone: Mr Trevor Parker (Mission Administrator) Telephone: Chair of the District The Revd Dr Elizabeth Smith Telephone: Circuit Stewards Mrs Gwen Pridmore Telephone: Miss Marjorie Cossey Telephone: Local Preachers 1984 Mr R K Lolley 1986 Mrs P Goacher 1991 Mrs E Waller 1994 Ms J Aitchison On Note Deacon Jenny Jones Worship Leaders Mrs Ann Bailey Leeds City Centre Churches Group How often do you get Methodists, Baptists, Catholics, Anglicans, Salvation Army, Evangelical Alliance clergy, as well as invited laity, all in the same room grappling with what the church can do for the city? About every three months the Leeds City Centre Churches Group meets together, not only to plan citywide ecumenical projects like the Good Friday Act of Witness, the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Women s World Day of Prayer and Street Chaplains, but also to support and encourage one another in the work we are doing. Working for the church can be demanding and those demands often drive out good intentions to work closer ecumenically. With a new Chair (Margaret Halsey of the Leeds Church Institute) the group discussed many subjects, but it was quickly apparent that the most pressing issue for many at the meeting was a need to pray together for the City not as a one off, but regularly; not as individuals, but collectively; not as a maybe, but as a commitment. Like anything in the church it will require a bit of planning, but it is expected that very shortly a weekly time of prayer, followed by breakfast will be a regular feature in the diaries of anyone who is interested. It is really refreshing when you come away from a meeting feeling that it was God-driven. There was a renewed sense of purpose for this group and an extra sense of fellowship, openness and energy. I ask you to join with me in praying for all the churches, and all those doing ministry in all it guises in the city centre and to consider joining us when the prayer time is published. Jenny Jones Leeds City Centre Churches web site: leedscitycentrechurches.org.uk The Church with a Mission by Colin Dews is the story of Oxford Place from 1835 to Copies are available from the Church Office or from Marjorie Cossey at 3.00 each.

2 The Naughtiest boy in Sunday School! A little while ago I went home. No, I don t mean that I went back to the Manse where I live with my family. What I mean is that I returned to that place that was once a place I knew well, to people I once knew well. It was the place where I was baptised, where I was first nurtured and loved into the Christian community, where I first heard the call to preach. I was leading a World Church event in a little chapel in the suburbs of Manchester. At the end of the event, over coffee, I was sitting talking with an old lady who, in my memory had always been an old lady, but who in reality must have been younger than I am now when I first encountered her! She held in her hands, very tightly and yet with immense gentleness, a small book. It turned out to be an autograph book. It was not for film stars or footballers but for missionaries. Jenny, with joy and tears in her eyes, held out her book and invited me to see. The first autograph, from when Jenny was a girl, had started off the interest was of Gladys Aylward the legendary missionary to China. Gladys Aylward had come to a church near to where Jenny lived to tell her story. She had lit a flame of passion for mission which still glows in Jenny eyes and heart. The first autograph was followed by page after page of signatures of missionaries whose names would only be remembered by those who loved them, serving in places whose names we have now forgotten, from Ceylon to Matabeleland to Northern Rhodesia. The, to me, forever old lady had been quietly and graciously collecting and recording the names, hearing the stories, preserving the memory of men and women who have given of themselves to go out in mission across the world. And it was with great glee in her eyes, and a slight waver in the voice, Jenny asked me to be the most recent autograph in her book. Wow! My name is in the same autograph book as Gladys Aylward, and Josie Brown, and Edward Smethwick, as Frances Jones, as a whole crowd of saints of God who, hearing his call, went off to far and distant places at a time when to do so was a far bigger deal than when I went to Tonga. And Jenny had never left Manchester! Here was a lady whose world-view had been formed by the church and the mission and the men and women who went out and returned telling the stories of God in distant lands. Here was a lady who took part in making me who I am she was my Sunday school teacher for a little while. Here was a lady who had been watching and waiting and praying for me and with me for the past forty years even though I did not know it. And what a thrill, and honour, and privilege it was for me to sign her book. What a privilege to sit with Jenny for a while and hear her story, she remembered each and every signature, she remembered the people and she saw again their faces as she told their stories. As I retell this story to you I am challenged. I am challenged by Jenny s life of faithfulness. I am challenged by Jenny s prayerfulness. I am challenged by Jenny s life lived in the fullness of love. She told me that I was the naughtiest boy in her Sunday School class, she told me she had prayed for me to become a church member. She had sat at the back when I first preached and had held me in prayer when I was offering for the ministry. She prayed for me every day when Janet and I were overseas and continues to do so. She knew that somehow, somewhere, God would use the naughtiest boy in her Sunday school class! What a story, what a challenge! Tread carefully as you go, love deeply, pray without ceasing you never know what seeds you are sowing! Blessings abound! As we go to press Adrian is representing the British Methodist Conference at the Methodist Conference in Upper Myanmar. Communications between Myanmar and the rest of the world are not easy. Adrian s most recent blog entries (14th and 16th March) indicate that he has arrived in Mandalay (where the conference is taking place) and has already started on a busy round of meeting people. By the time you are reading this Adrian will have returned to Leeds. Since the beginning of this year each Sunday, as part of our morning worship, we remember a particular part of the world and the Methodists and other Christians living and working there. We are guided in our choice of country or region by the Methodist Prayer Handbook for 2010/2011 which for each of the days of the month (1 to 30 and the last day of the month ) lists several places and gives details of people and situations. In the plan on the back page of Life and Work along with the times of services and the names of preachers there is an item World Church which gives, briefly, the name of the place we are thinking about on that day of the month. 2 Life and Work 107

3 Our Church Family and Friends We look forward to The marriage of Tim Newman and Helen Yau at Oxford Place on Saturday 23rd April The exchange visit from Canada of the Revd Robin Wilkie during the month of August. We remember Ken Pridmore and Elsie Hippey who both died in December 2010, and the Revd Frank Pagden who died on the 10th March 2011 The Revd Frank T Pagden From the Leeds Methodist District web site The Revd Frank Pagden died on 10th March after a long period of illness. A supernumerary minister in the Leeds Wesley Circuit, and, as he said, 'an octogeranium', he was a great character, well-known in the District for the many years' service he performed as a very popular and witty religious broadcaster and producer on Radio Leeds. From Life and Work October 1984 Frank Pagden is known to us all as a producer with responsibility for religious broadcasting at BCC Radio Leeds. As he has recently moved to Boston Spa and needs to be placed on a Circuit within the Leeds District, he has happily chosen the Mission Circuit for his appointment. Frank was a sector minister with us until he retired and transferred to the Horsforth and Bramley circuit, now the Leeds Wesley Circuit. Circuit A tribute to Elsie Hippey who died on 16th December 2010 The Hippey family and the Freeman family came into membership at Oxford Place when their chapels were closed. When I became a Class Leader, Elsie s name was in my Class Book. A a Class Leader I distributed quarterly Class Tickets and collected Class Money. Elsie worked for the Electricity Board. She moved to Spen Lane with her mother when her father died. She was a regular attender at worship until her physical limitations made this too difficult. She continued to take a lively interest in the church and valued the connection with staff and members. Her witness in her home was on-going until her death. Carers who came daily to assist her found a house with a warm welcome, a listening ear, and a cuppa on cold mornings if there was time. It was a small haven for many, including Peter the gardener, Roger the house maintainer, Alan the private taxi driver. They all found a friend in Elsie. Elsie was generous to friends children and to their children, remembering birthdays, sending cards. Phoning took much of her time as she was registered as partially-sighted but she persevered. A small group of deafblind met weekly at the Willows in Horsforth for a social hour. Elsie became Treasurer and the members became her friends. This was her only outing apart from her numerous medical appointments. At the Eye Clinic, Mr Noble and his team enabled her to keep some sight in one eye, the Diabetic Clinic and Haematology saw her regularly. Over a period of years she offered to take part in several trials for medical research. Elsie s quiet personality will be gratefully remembered by many. Ken Pridmore Mavis Freeman Life and Work 107 3

4 Our Charity of the Year This year we are supporting the Methodist Relief and Development Fund (MRDF) working in partnership with Voluntary Action for Development (VAD) in Uganda. The background to this was set out in an article in the Winter issue of Life and Work. In rural areas of Uganda, 50% of people do not have access to clean safe water. In 2002 only 4% of Uganda had access to safe clean water. Recently, MRDF has been working to overcome this by installing sealed wells and hand pumps, toilets, as well as encouraging the use of dish drying racks and general hygiene. The water table in Uganda is quite high because of the presence of Lake Victoria, the White Nile and the western rift valley lakes, however many areas of the country in the west are quite mountainous. There is a large hydro-electric power station on the White Nile at Jinja which allows Uganda to export electricity to Kenya, while many rural communities go without! By the end of 2009, 113 wells had been dug and 6 sets of school toilets and 165 household toilets had been installed. According to local data collected from GPs, this led to a 56% decline in the incidence of water-borne disease during the last three years. Since women and children are the main people in the family unit who have to collect the water, having a local safe water source means more time for tending their crops and livestock, or education in the case of children. Since the Jubilee 2000 campaign, education is free for all Primary School Children, although parents and carers still need to find money for school uniforms. Enrolment levels have increased by 30%, hence it is not unusual to have a school with 800 pupils, but only 20 staff to teach during three sessions each day like the one I visited. I visited Uganda back in I have fond memories of white water rafting on the Nile and sailing on Lake Victoria and Lake Bunyonyi near the border with Rwanda (the lake is not shown on the map). After chimpanzee searching in the Kibale forest we crossed the equator before reaching Queen Elizabeth National Park, then on to Bwindi forest to search for mountain gorillas and monkeys, and spent time at the district hospital volunteering in the clinic. During the next quarter Kath Harwood is supporting the project with her sponsored fast, and a Singing is Fun event, a book stall, coffee day, and Youth Choir concert is planned, dates will be published in due course. Paul Berry & Mavis Freeman Acknowledgements: The map of Africa showing Uganda and the world is provided by Wikipaedia Commons ( The detailed map of Uganda is taken from the Central Intelligence Agency World Factbook ( 4 Life and Work 107

5 Some of Paul s pictures taken in Uganda in 2004 Life and Work 107 5

6 Liz Our District Chair writes... Each month the Chair sends out a letter for publication in church magazines. As Life and Work appears quarterly, then it maybe some time before the Chair s letters appear on this page. Occasionally we will omit a letter that, in the Editor s judgement, seems out of date. This year marks the 400th anniversary of the publication of the King James Bible. In 1611 this made the Christian Bible available in English for those with the education to read it, and for many more who heard it read aloud in their own language in parish churches. It is right that we celebrate the King James version of the Bible as a volume of English Literature, as well as its sacred and iconic status as a Holy Book and as the Word of God. Even amongst Methodists, I suspect that we will understand these phrases differently, but it is helpful to be reminded that most of us only ever have access to a translation of our Book of Faith we do not, generally speaking, work with the original Hebrew and Greek texts. Under the umbrella of Biblefresh and the specifically Methodist emphasis on Deepening Discipleship we will focus throughout this year upon opportunities to share the good news of God s word in a number of ways some novel, some more traditional. We will do this as a district, in local churches and circuits, as well as sharing in co-ordinated activities of the wider church. British Methodists will be writing by hand the whole of the Bible. This district and each circuit in it will share in that task, involving as many people in our wider communities as possible. Each circuit has been asked, in addition, to prepare a visual presentation for May Synod, when we will welcome Revd. Dr. Peter Phillips, Director of Research at the Centre for Biblical Literacy and Communication at St John s College, Durham. Parables for 2011 Jesus told a story about the Kingdom of God being like buried treasure [Matt. 13:44] If any one of us stood in a field with a metal detector and picked up a very strong signal of something buried at our feet, then dug into the earth and found a hoard of gold coins and artefacts, I don t think we would walk away and leave it there! Where is your Bible? Do you need to dig it out, dust it off, or buy a fresh translation? Are you ready to be transformed by the treasure to be found within its pages? The kingdom of heaven is like a public library? Many of the brief stories that we hear coming from the lips of Jesus in the gospels are about the significance of small things: a precious pearl, a lost coin, a grain of wheat, and some of the stories are about small things that grow into much larger things. There is an underlying message here about God s Way being one that maximises potential; these stories point to an implicit generosity within all of creation. So, in 2011, what sense do we make of the mustard seed that grows into a tree with spreading branches that offer shelter to the birds of the air? Or how do we read of the small amount of yeast that leavens whole batches of bread? We can always make connections with these stories in a variety of ways. They might speak to us of the shelter and generous hospitality we are able to offer within the communities in which we serve; they might also challenge us to think afresh about how those wider communities function, and how deep human needs are met or exacerbated by the dominant values of our age. We might want to ask where in our communities, other than on church premises, people of all ages and backgrounds can encounter one another, find shelter, continue their journey of life-long learning, access resources and maximise their potential. The one place in many of our communities where all of this happens is the local public library. Local libraries offer safe space to people of all ages, even if they have very little spare money. They are or can be family-friendly spaces. Local libraries are currently under threat amidst public spending cuts what does this say to us about the priorities and challenges of Big Society. Might we tell a parable that begins: The kingdom of heaven is like someone who so loved books and the thirst for knowledge, that they opened a public library so that others might have free access to these treasures, and journey to amazing places in their own hearts and minds Perhaps your parable would be different, but the point about parables is that they should change the way we live. How do you support your local library? A Sure Foundation? Within one week, I have been present at four services of dedication of buildings. In three cases, significant parts of existing premises have been redeveloped to be more community-friendly and flexible for either worship or community activities, the fourth was the dedication of a new chapel as part of chaplaincy provision at the new Pinderfields Hospital. On such occasions we reflect again upon what it means to be church in particular contexts, and analogies are drawn between the fabric of the building and the people who worship and serve in that place. I have been particularly struck by the aesthetic quality of each of these building developments, but we are also reminded on such occasions of the importance of sound foundations without which the more decorative aspects may be a foolish extravagance. Within the same week, and linked with the WYEC Church Leaders Prayer for Ash Wednesday and Lent, I was part of a conversation between church leaders and others, where the churches, and more widely the faith communities, were acknowledged [by others] to be the foundations of our communities. The prayer has attracted some media attention. It even became the subject of a comment stream on the blog site of an national newspaper! It can be found on the District website. It is offered as a gift at a time when we are called to attend to those things that matter most to us, in the midst of the threat of cuts, and our fear that the effects will be felt most acutely by the poorest and most disadvantaged people within our communities. As churches we are called to stand in (Continued on page 7) 6 Life and Work 107

7 (Continued from page 6) some challenging places alongside those making difficult decisions, as well as those who may feel that life is crumbling around them. What are the foundations upon which we build? How do we keep them strong so that they can bear the weight that we and others require of them? The wise person, said Jesus, builds their house upon the rock, so that it will withstand the storm around it. In the context of earthquakes and tsunamis we have watched helplessly as whole communities have been physically destroyed. Our prayers must be for those in Japan and New Zealand as well as for our own communities. They perhaps offer us a different perspective upon the value of the life that we share together. Throughout 2011 the Bible will be given a special focus. Because of this Liz has taken as her theme for the year Parables for 2011 Holy Week at Oxford Place 18th April (Monday) 4.00pm-6.00pm Pause, Ponder and Pray 19th April (Tuesday) 4.00pm-6.00pm Pause, Ponder and Pray 20th April (Wednesday) 4.00pm-6.00pm Pause, Ponder and Pray 21st April (Maundy Thursday) 4.00pm-6.00pm Pause, Ponder and Pray 7.30pm Holy Communion 22nd April (Good Friday) 2.30pm Service of Worship Easter Day at Oxford Place 24th April (Sunday) 8.30am Easter Morning Holy Communion 10.30am Easter Day Holy Communion Through Pause, Ponder and Pray we offer time and space to the people of Leeds, a time to step aside from busy lives full of care and concerns, financial worries, job losses, and sometimes frightening world events and natural disasters. Life and Work 107 7

8 April May June 3 Lent Holy Communion The Revd Adrian Burdon Benin 10 Lent Mrs Patricia Goacher 6.30 Reflective Worship Chile 17 Palm Deacon Jenny Jones 6.30 Time to Talk India 24 Easter Day 8.00 Holy Communion The Revd Adrian Burdon Papua New Guinea Holy Communion The Revd Caroline Ryder Solomon Islands Sundays 1 Easter Holy Communion Mr John Witt The Revd Caroline Ryder British Conference 8 Easter The Revd Adrian Burdon 6.30 Reflective Service Kenya 15 Easter Mr Rob Lolley 6.30 Time to Talk Israel/Palestine 22 Easter Mrs Patricia Goacher Japan 29 Easter The Revd Caroline Ryder France 5 Easter Holy Communion The Revd Adrian Burdon Nigeria 12 Pentecost The Revd Caroline Ryder 6.30 Reflective Service Leeward Islands 19 Trinity Sunday The Revd Adrian Burdon 6.30 Time to Talk Sri Lanka 26 Ordinary Mr Rob Lolley Central Europe The Sunday Service is for all ages. On most Sundays a number of people are involved in the service. The above plan normally only gives the name of the preacher. Each Sunday we are invited to remember the Methodists and other Christians in a particular part of the world. Except during school holidays the Junior Church engage in a separate activity for part of the time. Tea and Coffee are served after the service. Time to Talk is an informal worship service in the Lounge Café. Easter at Oxford Place Full details will be found on the previous page. The Leeds Methodist Women's Luncheon Club meets on second Wednesday of each month from October to May at Devonshire Hall, Cumberland Road, Headingley. Threecourse meal followed by a speaker. Come and enjoy food and fellowship, a warm welcome awaits you. Further details Mrs S Maude Weekday Worship at Oxford Place Wednesday 12.30pm Service of Holy Communion Oxford Place Anniversary Sunday, 9th October am Anniversary Service Preacher: Mike King, who leads the Connexional Team for World Church Relationships Dates April am Women s Network Speaker: Mr William Bell, Christian Aid Advocacy Officer for Israel and the Palestinians am Reading the Bible for a turbulent world with the Revd Neil Richardson (at Colton more information on page 7) pm Leeds Mission Management Committee May pm Women's Network Summer Supper at Batley Methodist for 7.00 Church With Sisters in Harmony 8 Church General Meeting (following the morning service and preceded by lunch) June pm Women's Network District Summer Festival at West Wakefield Methodist Church Speaker: Revd Julie Hulme (Connexional Network President) 30 Methodist Conference begins (Southport) Please let the Editor know of any dates that might usefully be included on this page. Deadline for the Spring issue is12th June LIFE AND WORK of the Oxford Place Methodist Centre is published quarterly: Winter (January), Spring (April), Summer (July) and Autumn (October) by Leeds Methodist Mission. Correspondence and contributions should be addressed to: The Editor, Life and Work, Oxford Place Methodist Centre, Oxford Place, Leeds LS1 3AX. Telephone: (0113) (office hours) or may be sent by to kenneth.tait@btinternet.com (Text attachments are preferred in plain text, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Publisher, RTF, or Open Document format. Images and pictures can be accepted in most formats.) Please visit our web site at Oxford Place Church is in the Leeds (Mission) Circuit (Registered Charity No: )