Picnic & Film Evening SPOTLIGHT The monthly magazine from Offington Park Methodist Church June 2015 In the heat of summer why not join us In this issue Picnic and Film Evening Ordinary or Precious? (James’ letter) Page 2 3 Opmc and Circuit Changes 4 Family Fun Day 5 The Story of Mary 6 Methodist Homes 7 Focus on Kiddlywinks for a COOL feel-good film suitable for all ages. RUNNING on Saturday 6th June 6:00pm Offington Park Methodist Church 20 Bring your own picnic Offington Park Methodist Church, South Farm Road, Worthing, BN14 7TN *Email: [email protected] Website: www.offingtonpark.com Car park entrance East end of Broomfield Road 2 Dear Friends, CHANGES —announced at AGM With the passage of Ascension Day, Pentecost and Trinity Sunday in May we come to ‘Ordinary Time’ in June — a label which stands in stark contrast to the words in Peter’s second letter: ‘To those who through the righteousness of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ have been given a faith as precious as ours.’ (2 Peter 1:1). I wonder if we see all that we have received, and continue to receive from God as precious. If we do then surely there is no such thing as ‘ordinary time’. At the Annual General Church Meeting on 26 April James announced that he has communicated to Shelagh Morgan, Senior Circuit Steward, that he and his family will not be seeking a further extension when their appointment concludes in 2016. In the next few months additional work will be undertaken to put together a profile seeking to appoint a new minister for OPMC with effect 1st September 2016. James, on behalf of the members, thanked retiring stewards Mike Powell, John Carr and Sue Head for their unfaltering support & organisation, their company and special individual personal gifts. Ann Delbridge & Alison Wright were appointed Year 1 Church Stewards. Jackie Brown and Doug Sibley are now Year 2 Stewards and Year 3 Stewards: are June Martin, Dorothy Burgess, Hilary Colbourn & John Bishop. It was also reported that a number of Circuit changes will impact on church life: Deacon Joan’s retirement; Andrew Reed taking on a superintendent’s appointment elsewhere. A feasible match was not found during the stationing process; Cornerstone discovered their roof is likely to need replacing at a sizable cost. Cornerstone’s congregation has passed responsibility for their ongoing mission to the Circuit Meeting for its consideration on 16th June. If agreed, Cornerstone will pause in its ministry whilst a way forward is discerned. For the following year a readjustment of Circuit responsibilities will take place i.e.: Revd Ian Suttie – Superintendent with pastoral charge of Southwick & Steyning. Oversight of Pathway management with Gill Powell leading Thursday & Saturday afternoon activities (additional 5 hours). Bob Boyce will work alongside Ian on the same hourly basis. Revd Graham Locking: Pastoral charge of Goring and Storrington. Joint responsibility for Cornerstone with Rev’d James Bamber. A new lay worker post will be created to assist Graham at Goring (15hours). Revd James Bamber: Pastoral charge of Offington Park, Lancing, and Shoreham. Katherine Suttie to work with James at Shoreham and Lancing (20 hours per week) and Gill Powell & Adam Cook to work with James at OPMC on the same hourly basis. Romy Petts & Debbie Stanwell wish to relinquish their roles as Congregational Representatives. The Chair thanked them both for their service in the past years. Replacements to be: Pauline & Alan Dockree, and, Matthew Earl. . Finance: Nick Skinner reported a small budgeted loss of £3-4k. Some of the reserves had been spent on improvements e.g. replacement main doors, office photocopier, new audio-visual equipment, totalling approx £15k. Offerings generally in line with previous year. Gift Day receipts down by 14%, but Gift Aid up slightly. A 5yr Financial Plan is in place with 6 months expenditure costs (approx £70k) held in reserve at all times. We would be using £30k over next 5yrs to maintain staffing levels. Overall, OPMC finances are on track. Within the adventure of faith there is no space for taking God’s gifts for granted, or undervaluing them. When we do the danger is that we lose our focus and direction as reflected in the following story. Many years ago a king had one beautiful daughter who couldn’t make up her mind which offer of marriage to accept. She wanted to know who would love her more than he loved anything else and so devised a challenge. A race was to be held and the winner of the race would receive the honour of marrying the princess. The race would be open to every eligible man, regardless of his position. On the chosen day many men gathered at the starting line eager to complete the course in first position. Just before the race began the king declared that, not wanting anyone to run the race in vain, he had scattered some of his finest treasures along the course. Each runner was welcome to take as much as he liked. The race was begun and almost immediately the runners were confronted with gems and gold. One by one, rich and poor turned aside to fill their pockets, blinded by the immediate promise of wealth. They forgot about the princess – all except one who pressed on ignoring mere trinkets in comparison to the beauty of the princess. As we journey through ‘ordinary time’ may we treasure what we have received and press on with perseverance towards the goal which lies before us, putting God first as we journey. With love, James 3 4 THE STORY OF MARY (Part 2 of 5) We do not know a great deal about Mary’s future husband, Joseph, except that he was a direct descendant of David. He kept the laws of Judaism and was a well -respected and honourable man. He was a skilled carpenter, who taught Jesus his trade as well as providing spiritual guidance. Joseph observed the Holy Days and Hebrew Feasts with his family and went every year to Jerusalem for the Passover festival. Joseph was, in all ways, a good role model and a loving father to Jesus. MESSY FAMILY AFTERNOON We would love you to come along to Goring Gap on Saturday 20th June from 12.30pm until 4.30pm. Bring a picnic and have some fun and games with our Messy Church family and members of Epsom Methodist Messy Church. (If it's wet, we will meet at Church.) HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE! Offington Park Pre-school, one of our affiliated groups has been rated by Ofsted as outstanding. Congratulations to all the staff and management team. The marriage contract between Mary and Joseph was worked out with their families and Mary and Joseph would have become engaged, with a view to marriage at a later date. Although Joseph knew he was not the father of Mary’s baby, he was a kind and devout man who did not want Mary to suffer the disgrace that his rejection of her would inevitably cause. God had spoken to Joseph and told him about the child Mary was carrying and how he was to be called Jesus. Joseph decided to marry Mary and the ceremony went ahead in the usual way. Elizabeth played a role in the lives of both Mary and Jesus. Elizabeth was descended from a long line of priests as was her husband Zachariah, who was himself a member of the Jewish priesthood. Elizabeth was older than Mary and had been unable to have children, which, in those times, was not just a misfortune but seen to be a disgrace. While at the Temple in Jerusalem Zachariah received a message from God informing him he would have a son. This son would be great in the sight of God, be filled with the Spirit from his conception and his role would be to pave the way for the Messiah. Zachariah expressed confusion and asked for a sign so that he could believe what was said to him. When Zachariah came out of the temple he could not speak and remained this way until the birth of John. It was Elizabeth who gave shelter to Mary, while she herself was pregnant with John. Mary was a relative and, as an unmarried pregnant woman, would have needed somewhere to stay where she was safe and welcome. When they met, both women recognised they and their babies would be part of God’s plan to save humanity, although I’d doubt at this time they were aware exactly how this would happen. They would have supported each other during this time together. Please submit any items for the July/August issue by 17th June 5 6 OFFERTORY ENVELOPES Although Mary was chosen to carry the son of God, this came at a price. Firstly, she was disgraced by becoming pregnant before marriage. Then she had to give birth, away from home and all those she knew, in a strange place with only Joseph to help her. She would have been greatly puzzled at the wise men and others who travelled to see her baby and would have thought about the words God had spoken to her and what this might mean for her son. Sue Head Part 3 will be in the next Edition of Spotlight Just under sixty of our members use the offertory envelope system, and for the tax year just ended, they gave a total of £21,473. We say thank you for their regular support. The new envelope year starts in June, and envelopes will be ready for collection in the Church Entrance Hall from Sunday, 17th May onwards. Envelopes can be a helpful way of organising your Church giving, and if anyone would like to start using this system, please contact Mary, the Stewards or me. Mark Phillips, Envelope Secretary METHODIST HOMES M ethodist Homes Sunday will be celebrated at Offington Park on 14th June this year, and on this day, we will be distributing envelopes for donations, to be returned as soon as possible either to me or the church office please. OFFERTORIES MHA’s mission is “to improve the quality of life for older people, inspired by Christian concern”. Although the work has changed a great deal since the start in 1943, the need is as relevant today as it was then. Your gift will help to ensure that MHA can continue to offer additional support and alternative therapies. Newer services such as “Live at Home” schemes are increasing, as well as growth in the residential homes, especially for people living with dementia. The nearest Home to us is Greenways in Bognor Regis. I commend this charity to you as fundraising really does make a difference to the quality of life for our older folk. April 26th £ 317.66 May 3rd 10th 17th £ 615.44 446.27 583.25 A total of £804.50 was collected for the DEC Appeal for Nepal Please could those who hold Bungalow Collecting Boxes return them for the annual count, again either to me or the office. Please remember opportunities for Gift Aid if you are a taxpayer Thank you for all you give - both financially and with service Thank you to all those who continue to support this worthy cause. Terry Atkinson 7 8 FAMILY NEWS OFFINGTON PARK DIARY JUNE 2015 Dedication Dylan Grant Stephen Hopkins, son of Grant Hopkins and Abigail Withers Mon Tue 7:00 Offington Bells 2 10:00 Tuesday Chat 1 We welcome him into the family of God’s church - may he grow In grace day by day 12:00 Tuesday Lunch & Social Club 1:30 Minibus Shopper Wed 3 Congratulations Thur 4 11:00 Bible Fellowship To Sue and Mark Jacobs on the birth of a daughter, Phoebe Nerissa on 20th May Sat 6 6.00 Film & Picnic Evening Sun 7 8:00 Rev James Bamber Deaths Driver: Martin King Sign 7: John 11:17-46 - Joy Holy Communion 10:30 Deacon Joan Cole Michael Webb, Deirdre Williams, Beryl Newson, John Hale 6:00 Rev Ian Pruden We give thanks for their life and send our thoughts and prayers to their families and friends Mon Tue 7:00 Offington Bells 9 12:00 Tuesday Lunch & Social Club 8 Prayer Book 8:00 Tuesday Group We have many friends unwell at this time – please check the Prayer Book for their names and uphold these people in prayer. The Prayer Book is kept in the Church foyer and you are welcome to add prayer concerns at any time. Please ensure the people mentioned are happy for their names to be added. Mainly speaking just a Christian name will suffice as we need to be aware of how we use personal information. The prayer Book is then received in Church each Sunday with our offerings. Thur 11 11:00 Bible Fellowship Fri 12 Sat 9:30 Minibus to RHS Wisley (fully booked) 10:15 Oasis Driver: Martin King Members Evening Meal 1: Luke 5: 27-32 - Bo Driver: Martin King Over to You 13 All day Worthing String Quartet Workshops 1:30 Open Garden - Jack & Ann Delbridge , 13 Broadview Gardens, -5:00 High Salvington. Refreshments 62 years in Scouting After 62 years in Scouting, Richard Taylor has retired from office as Group Scout Leader. In 1953 eight-year-old Richard became a Cub at Purley, where he passed through Cub Scouts and Senior Scouts and eventually became Assistant Scout until 1968, when he moved to Lancing and became Assistant Scout Leader of 1st Lancing. On moving to Worthing, Richard continued Scouting at Lancing until 1991 when he was asked by the District to start a new Group at Offington Park. He formed the 10th Worthing Group as Group Scout Leader with Colin Green as Cub Scout Leader. For 24 years he has worked tirelessly to bring the 10th Worthing Group to the healthy position it is in today. Driver: Martin King 9 Sun 14 10:30 Mrs Pam Frost & Holy Communion Rev Tim Ross 6:00 Rev James Bamber + Taize Worship Leader: Gill Powell Mon 15 Tue 16 12.00 Tuesday Lunch & Social Club 10 7:00 Offington Bells Drivers: David Barnes and Chris Lance Wed 17 10:30 Service of Midweek Communion Thur 18 11:00 Bible Fellowship 2:00 Reflections Meal 2: Luke 7:36-50 - Adam Sat 20 10 - 12 Coffee Morning Worthing Churches Homeless Project Sun 21 10:30 Rev John Jennings Worship For All 6:00 Rev James Bamber + Worship Leader: Caroline Cooper Holy Communion CHURCH STEWARDS June Martin 531743 Hilary Colbourn 211942 John Bishop 213649 Dorothy Burgess 214969 Douglas Sibley 202509 Jackie Brown 522669 Ann Delbidge 263818 Alison Wright 237668 CHURCH OFFICERS Church Treasurer Nick Skinner 767072 Church Council Secretary Michele Funnell 205268 Property Co-odinators Hilary Colbourn 211942 Jack Delbridge 263818 Sunday Worship at 10.30am & 6.00pm (unless other wise adver tised) Early morning communion: First Sunday of month at 8.00 For details see The Diary on the centre pages Mon 22 7:00 Offington Bells Tue 23 12 Tuesday Lunch & Social Club Driver: Martin King 8:00 Tuesday Group AGM Thur 25 11:00 Bible Fellowship Meal 3: Luke 10: 38-42 - Joy Fri 10:15 Oasis Memorable Quotes 7:30 Jubilate All Worthing Horticultural Society Summer Show 6:30 Quiz Evening 10:30 Mrs Joy Barnes 6:00 Mr Adam Cook 2:30 - 5:30 Open Garden - Betty Marris, 14 Rogate Close. Refreshments Sat Sun 26 27 28 29 7:00 Offington Bells Tue 30 12 Tuesday Lunch & Social Club Driver: Martin King Uniformed Groups 2nd Worthing Brownies Mon 6.15 13th Worthing Brownies Thur 6.15 10th Worthing Scouts Mon 7.30 10th Worthing Beavers Thur 5.15 12th Worthing Brownies Tue 6.00 10th Worthing Cubs Thur 6.45 12th Worthing Guides Tue 6.30 13th Worthing Guides Fri 6.30 Rainbow Guides Wed 5.00 Fri 5.00 Other Regular Meetings Offington Bells Mondays as arranged Jubilate Choir Alternate Fridays 7.30 Oasis Discussion Group for women 2nd & 4th Friday of month 10.15 Tuesday Group 2nd and 4th Tuesday of month 8.00 Reflections 3rd Thursday of the month 2.00 - 3.00 Home Groups Details from Church Office On the third Wednesday morning of each month there is a short Communion at 10.30 in the Quiet Room — all welcome Messy Church Second Tuesday of month 5.00 - 6.00 For further details see The Diary on the centre pages July 2015 Wed 1 1:30 Minibus Shopper Thur 2 11:00 Bible Fellowship Weekly Meetings Getaway Club for Toddlers & Carers Mon & Wed 10.15 Keep Fit Tues 11.15 Lunch Club Tues from 12 Bible Fellowship Thur 11.00 Short Mat Bowls Thur 2.00 Badminton Fri 2.00 Youth Clubs Wednesday 7211 6.00 SYC 7.45 Thursday Kiddlywinks (4-6 year olds) 3.30 Healing Service Mon Minister Revd James Bamber 01903 260356 Church Office 01903 205722 Church Administrator Mrs Mary Pirie 01903 205722 Lay Worker Adam Cook 01903 217588 Youth and Children’s Worker Mrs Gill Powell 529664 Spotlight Editors Alan and Pauline Dockree 01903 502586 [email protected] Meal 4: Luke 11: 37-53 - James 11 12 Helen Bush OPEN GARDENS 2015 Helen’s longevity was a source of surprise to her as her mother died aged 60 of TB and her Father died aged 69. Jo, a cousin now living in Cambridge, Southern Ontario, wrote: Morvyth, as she was known in the family, liked to be in charge, and in her chosen profession was able to do so naturally and with compassion. Indeed she selected this venue for this service. Interestingly Morvyth means hardworking and Helen was certainly that. Helen was an only child born on 30th September 1921, and was educated at Methodist schools in Penzance and Bury St Edmunds. Her mother was one of Jo’s father's older sisters, but distances were such that although the cousins always knew of each other they did not see much of one another as they were growing up. Morvyth was four years older than Jo who recalls how as Helen progressed in her noteworthy nursing career many of her colleagues became like family to her, especially those who during WW2 had been Army Nurses as Helen had been. Helen became a Nursing Tutor at Westminster and worked as well as in Australia and Canada. She must have helped many nursing students with their chosen career. She was commissioned as a Sister of the Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service Reserve (1946 – 1951). After Jo and her husband, Michael, emigrated to Galt, now Cambridge, in Southern Ontario in 1956, they enjoyed many visits from Morvyth over the years; for a number of years she did a lot of travelling. She enjoyed seeing their three daughters grow up and get married, attending each girls' wedding, and as years advanced with fewer relatives left, Helen often said to Jo that they were the only family that she had. On our trips to England we were happy to have short "catch up" visits with Morvyth. Morvyth always enjoyed music, in particular she enjoyed singing in her church choir as long as she was able to do so. As she passes on may there be music to accompany her along the way. Saturday 13th June Ann and Jack Delbridge 13 Broadview Gardens High Salvington Tel O1903 263818 1.30pm - 5pm Tea/Coffee/Cakes Sunday 28th June Betty Marris 14 Rogate Close Worthing (Tel: 01903 262074) Please park in Rogate Road 2.30pm - 5.30pm Refreshments Sunday 5th July John and Christine Bishop 35 Balcombe Avenue Worthing (Tel: 01903 213649) Parking in Wiston Avenue 2.30pm - 5.30pm Refreshments In loving memory, Jo (Jocelyn). ALL WELCOME! 13 14 Helen Bush Plus news of events and Church family When Helen retired from the choir at Offington Park Methodist Church she was presented with a memento in the form of a picture signed by the other choir members – it was something that meant a lot to her. Faith was Helen’s bedrock – she enjoyed hearing the Psalms read to her – their raw faith perhaps something she could identify with. She also valued receiving visits from the Home Communion team whenever she was able. She was for many years a woman of incredible resilience and strength who stood up for what was right, who didn’t just talk about being a Christian but lived it. When she finally moved from her home she donated a bed to a local man who had been homeless and was being rehoused. While at home she delighted in her many houseplants and flowers. Sadly in later years Helen’s health deteriorated. She had a knee replacement and breast cancer in 2007 and she moved to Rotary Lodge in 2008. This was a stepping stone to Linfield NH for the extra care she needed in 2010 due to sight loss and memory problems. Helen knew who was ultimately in charge of her life – back to the Psalms – the One who neither slumbers not sleeps – the One who could be trusted no matter what, the One who notices each person - precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants, the One who has I believe already welcomed Helen home. Because of her faith, though death brings sadness it does not bring hopelessness (‘we know that we have passed out of death to life.’ 1 John 3:14). I pray that we may be inspired and encouraged by her example to put our faith into action and trust in the one who says, Do not be afraid – with me you will arrive. James 15 16 THE CLEANING GENIE TRUSTWORTHY AND FULLY INSURED LIN BARKER DOMESTIC CLEANING [email protected] 01903 501065 07714 871092 60 THE BOULEVARD WORTHING BN13 1LA This space could be publicising your business or programme Would you like a man about the house, both inside and out, who is genuine and honest? If so please contact me on 07859 330239 (any time) or 01903 415634 (after 6 p.m.) At only £30 for this half page in 5 issues Or £60 for the year (10 issues) You can reach more than 250 readers I am willing to do any minor maintenance/jobs including plastering, rendering and decorating Stain treatment on fence panels, sheds and decking, etc. I am Ian (semi-retired) Free estimates for all and reduced rates for senior citizenson! It is a real bargain 17 18 UNCHARTED JOURNEY Interfaith stories In his book, Uncharted Journey, Anglican missionary in India, Roger Focus on Hooker, relates how he had made friends with his Hindu and Moslem neighbours and joined them at their places of worship. It is one of those books which changes your attitude for life. Before reading it, Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism, Sikhism and the like had been for me just subjects you studied if necessary and at arm’s length. Now I realised that befriending people of other faiths was not something you did to rescue the perishing from their misguided ignorance, but to recognise that we all have important things to learn from each other. I shared “Uncharted Journey” with my friends in the Sunday evening fellowship group at the Bo Government Hospital in Sierra Leone. With 12 different nationalities and almost as many denominations they were equally enthusiastic about it so we decided to invite some Moslems to join us for dialogue. My friend Dr Chundrigar, arranged for his teacher friends at the Ahmadiya secondary school to join us for the first of many evenings of Christian - Moslem Dialogue, which continued every 3 months alternating between the Ahmadiya School led by a Christian and at one of our houses led by an Ahmadiyan. We learnt a lot about our own faith as well as our new-found friends’ faith. Both groups acknowledged they wanted to convert the others to their own faith but that was because their faith was the most precious thing they possessed and they wanted to share it with others. We also occasionally had Christian-Bahai dialogue with a Sierra Leonean colleague of mine who had converted to the Bahai faith while she was studying in Germany. When I moved to the Methodist Church hospital at Segbwema, I introduced the idea of Christian-Moslem dialogue to the Sunday evening fellowship for student nurses led by my friend Patrick Kamara, our chief nursing tutor. Both Christians and Moslems started the meetings with prayer and I discovered that they were all equally fluent in the Lord’s Prayer (in English) and the Al Fatah (its Moslem equivalent) in Arabic. As one of the students was a Jehovah’s Witness we included a Christian- Jehovah’s Witness dialogue on one occasion. Back here the circuit Justice and Peace group is looking into inter-faith dialogue in our circuit, with the blessing of the minister in charge of inter-faith matters of the Methodist Church, see the Pentecost 2015 leaflet. Jenny Gibson Circuit Justice and Peace Group. Do you have a story citing interfaith experience? We would love to hear from you. The Kiddlywinks Club The Kiddlywinks club is now 7 years old, having started in the summer term of 2008. We currently have 13 names on our register and enquiries about 2 or 3 soon to join. Our numbers did peak at 21 children at one point, but this was just a little too many for the space available to us and we try to aim for up to 18 members as our maximum. As with so many children’s clubs, our numbers do fluctuate, particularly since we say ‘goodbye’ to our older children when they turn 7. However, many of our leavers do progress onto the 7 to 11s youth club that meets on Wednesday evenings. Although we are advertised as catering for children of 4, 5 and 6 years of age, we have also welcomed a couple of 3 year olds who were so keen and ready to join, that we simply couldn’t refuse! Our meetings take a similar format each week beginning with ‘free-play’ activities from 3.30 – 4pm, followed by snack time and news, games, craft, story and prayer to end at 5pm. Each term we focus on a particular theme with a growing display to match. Last term we looked at many of the parables of Jesus and collected God’s ‘treasure’ into a large treasure chest each week. This term we are looking more closely at the character of Jesus and building up the ‘Awesome Jesus’ cross on the display. As far as leaders and helpers are concerned, we have a rota system with at least 3 adults present each week to help share out the various tasks of setting up, running games, serving snacks, washing up, supporting the children and tidying up afterwards. We are also blessed at present with two Worthing High students who are working towards their D of E certificates and so assist us on a regular basis and are a great example to the little ones. We enjoy running the club every week of term and do get some lovely feedback from parents and children alike: One parent recently told us that their child cries in the holidays when Kiddlywinks is not on and that all the crafts they have completed at the club are displayed proudly around the house! As for the children, they have recently started pleading to say their own prayers at the end of each session! Thank you for your prayer support – it is much appreciated. If you would like any further information please contact me via the church office Tel: 205722. Claire Bamber 19 20
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