Minister’s Letter
August 2015
Dear friends,
Right in the middle of the summer comes a feast day not associated with
a saint or the events of Jesus’ life or any great Christian doctrine. Those
who know the 1662 Prayer Books will recall that 1st August is called
'Lammas Day'.
The word is an Anglo Saxon corruption of Loaf Mass. On the 1st August
bread made from the first of the newly harvested wheat was used for the
sacramental bread in the Eucharist (Holy Communion). The celebration of
Loaf mass was discontinued at the Reformation. Cranmer only kept the
name in the Prayer Book as a reference point in his calendar. When
Harvest Thanksgiving was revived in Victorian days it was at or around
Lammastide. Only later was it linked to the secular celebration of Harvest
Home which was mainly an excuse to get drunk!
Lammastide reminds us of several important aspects of our faith.
1. The connection between faith and everyday life. When Jesus taught
about the kingdom he talked about everyday things familiar to his
hearers; a mustard seed, yeast, a field, pearls, a net, and to everyday
activities; sowing, baking, trading, fishing. When our mediaeval forbears
offered bread made from the first harvest at the mass where it became
the body of Christ they were linking their everyday life with their worship.
Whilst on holiday, I have been reading a book called Water From an
Ancient Well by Kenneth McIntosh: In one chapter, which refers to God
being our 'vision' the author reminds us that in God's Divine Presence '
"we live and move and have our existence" (Acts 17v28). Or to quote Carl
Jung "Bidden or not bidden, God is present. He is always in our everyday
lives, in what we do , whom we see, and what we say".' One should add
to that 'in all we encounter'; every part of God's creation is a reflection of
God the Creator. So, using that concept, how does your everyday life link
to your faith? How can you bring your life into the Church and the Church
into your life?
1
(go to page 2)
2
Minister’s Letter from p.1
2. Thankfulness. Because we have plenty we forget to be thankful. We
take things for granted. We need to be thankful for all the good things we
have. Eucharist means thanksgiving. As we receive the sacramental
bread, the body of Christ, linked to human endeavor, we are thankful for
all that God gives us and mindful of those in need.
3. The offering of the first fruits. At Lammastide the first fruits of the
harvest were offered to God in recognition of his gift, his grace, as a
response to his provision. ‘All things come from you, and of your own do
we give you.’ Stewardship is something that we often try to duck but in it
lays the renewal of the church. Stewardship, based on the faith that the
seed will grow, that the dough will rise, that the field contains buried
treasure, that the one pearl is worth all, will by God’s grace yield a rich
harvest. Easy to say, hard to accept, but undoubtedly this is the teaching
of Jesus.
So there you have it; three Lammastide messages, that our faith is
intimately connected with everyday life, that we should be thankful in all
things and that the first claim on all that we have is God’s because he is
the provider of all things.
With every Blessing
Rev Steve
BOSTON SPA METHODIST CHURCH
Services and Events - August 2015.
All are welcome to join us.
SUNDAY 2nd
SUNDAY
SUNDAY
SUNDAY
SUNDAY
10.30am Revd.Steve Jakeman
3.30pm Revd Amy Walters’ ‘Farewell’ at Tadcaster.
9th 10.30am Dr. Alan Bell
16th 10.30am Revd. Steve Jakeman HOLY COMMUNION
with Mrs. Barbara Hudson.
6.00pm Revd. Steve Jakeman REFLECTIONS
rd
23 10.30am Revd. Stanley Jackson
30th 10.15am Revd Mark Stennett’s ‘Welcome’ at Tadcaster.
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BOSTON SPA ROTAS AUGUST 2015
DOOR STEWARDS
FLOWERS
CHURCH STEWARDS
2nd
Peter & Margaret Smith
Frank Holliday
9th
Ken & Judith Grimditch
Norman Thomas
16th
Chris & Diana Mellor
Shirley Hurren
23rd
Ina Smart & A N other
Audrey Bullock
Joan Dyer,
Heather Grant
Pauline O’Melia,
Barbara Hudson
Bob Hutchinson,
Jean Walne
Joan Dyer,
Heather Grant
30th
Circuit Service at Tadcaster
SUNDAY SCHOOL HELPERS WITH WENDY WADE
No rota in August.
SATURDAY COFFEE
1 Heather Grant
8th Brian & Jackie Marsden
15th Mike & Jean Henzell
22nd Mavis & Kath
29th Angela & Barbara
st
SUNDAY COFFEE
2 Ursula Turner, Eva Mills
9th David & Barbara Parrot
16th Chris & Roger Tunnicliffe
23rd Mike & Jean Henzell
30th Ken & Judith Grimditch
nd
CHURCH CLEANING ROTA
August 3 - Dennis & Carmen Ashton
August 17 & 31 - Diana & Chris Mellor
BRASS CLEANING
July 28 - Angela & Mavis
August 11 - Mary & Norman
August 25 - Audrey & Dennis
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BOSTON SPA CHURCH FAMILY - August 2015
Birthday Greetings
9th Hannah Kilvington
28th Emma Williams
Please Pray for:
• Friends, near and far, who suffer ill health, loneliness
or bereavement.
• Christians and people of faith in our community.
• Refugees and all who face daily persecution.
• Our Circuit Ministers, Local Preachers and Worship Leaders.
Give thanks for:
•
•
•
•
Our church and all its activities.
Birthdays and all celebrations.
Doctors, Nurses, all Health Workers,
All who work to maintain peace here and abroad.
David Bull, Catherine and Simon want to thank you
for your support, love and prayers during their recent bereavement.
“Our beloved Angela is at peace, but we shall miss her for ever.
Your kindness and help are much appreciated - thank you again.”
Forthcoming Events
“AN EVENING WITH ROGER DAVIES” - Friday 2nd October
at Boston Spa Village Hall - 7.30pm.
Come and enjoy a relaxing evening
with one of today’s most engaging song writers.
COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL in December. Details to follow.
Do come and support us.
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Title page - Summer Sun at Whitby
Summer suns are glowing
Everything rejoices
Over land and sea;
In the mellow rays;
Happy light is flowing,
All Earth’s thousand voices
Bountiful and free.
Swell the psalm of praise.
A once well-known hymn, its author, William Walsham How, wrote some
50 hymns. Educated at Shrewsbury Grammar School, he spent most of
his life in the Shropshire and Welsh border area as a clergy man.
Following a period of 10 years as Suffragen Bishop of London he was
appointed Bishop of Wakefield in 1889 where he became well-known and
respected for his work amongst the factory workers and the poor of
industrial West Yorkshire.
AWF
Our local advertisers – Support them when you can
Front Cover
E Gifts, Gents Hair, Plumbers,
Optician.
F Removals, Florist
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I Orchard House
over 60’s Accommodation.
A Plumbing & Heating,
Funeral Directors
B Physio & Sports Injury clinic,
Gym. for Parents & Children,
Hardware
C Picture Framers, Car Servicing.
D Accountants, Supershop, Alterations.
5
6
Action for children ……….
This weekend – as I write to try to meet the deadline – is Action for
Children weekend, when we think of the work begun by Revd. Thomas
Bowman Stephenson in 1869 and of the continuing need for help for
vulnerable and neglected children and young people today. Stephenson
was a Wesleyan minister; after being in Norwich, Manchester and Bolton,
he came to Lambeth in 1868. In London, he was shocked and moved by
the plight of children living on the streets. ‘There they were’, he said,
‘ragged, shoeless, filthy, their faces pinched with hunger and premature
wretchedness, and I began to feel that now my time was come. Here
were my poor little brothers and sisters, sold to hunger and the devil, and
I could not be free of their blood if I did not do something to save some
of them.’
With two Methodist friends, Stephenson had the idea of a home for young
boys, where they would be safe from poverty and crime. They moved
quickly, and within three months the first two boys were admitted to The
Children's Home – on 9 July 1869. Stephenson and his friends bought 8
Church Street, a disused stable, for the first home. Wealthy lay
Wesleyan Methodists also provided support. In 1869 the project became
the charity National Children’s Home. (Incidentally, Stephenson also
founded the Wesley Deaconess Order in 1890.)
Stephenson was determined not to create another workhouse. He
wanted it to be a home: Mr and Mrs Austin, who were first appointed to
run 8 Church Street, were named ‘Father’ and ‘Mother’. By January
1871, the neighbouring house had been taken over, and 29 boys lived at
the Home.
Over the years the emphasis has expanded to cover other needs of
children and the name has changed to Action for Children. In the UK, AfC
estimate that one child in every ten is neglected – not fed, not washed,
not clothed properly, not schooled, not loved. One child dies every week
at the hands of an adult they should be able to trust.
Jesus always had time for children – he healed, he accepted, he loved, he
blessed. He held them up as an example of the attitude God wants us to
show towards him. There’s a call for us there, and a lesson too.
Dennis
7 Grace for Greece?
I saw the most wonderfully Christian response from a non-Christian on Facebook
this week. .I had posted something about the Greek debt crisis, suggesting that
Greek debt be forgiven, mainly on the basis of previous debt-cancellations other
countries have enjoyed and because austerity has caused so much suffering in the
lives of the Greek people. The response from several people was pretty strong.
Their concerns were overlaid with a quasi-righteous sheen that referenced
“responsibility and hard work” a lot, perfectly exemplified in one comment: "So we
can basically just carry on and get bailed out one day because people's lives
matter?" A smart, decent, reasonable and, in this case, wrong friend asked in a
comment. Before I had a chance to respond, another of my friends answered: “I
would certainly hope so, yes.” He’s not, as far as I know, a Christian, but he
expressed perfectly not just the beauty of a social safety net, but the principle of
grace I believe in.
I know, I know. That’s a big leap. Can we really apply the logic of God’s grace to
international economics? And if we do, am I saying that we should go on incurring
debt so that grace may increase? By no means!
But does God continue to forgive our debts, if we are in Christ, no matter how many
more we incur on a daily basis? Yup. And does Jesus teach us to pray for God to
forgive our debts – the image he uses for sins in the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6 – as
we forgive our debtors? Why yes, yes he does. Does he tell us to lend without
expecting anything back? Sure. Does he tell us to forgive and forgive and forgive
those from whom we could legitimately extract payback? Awkwardly, he does.
Now naturally I’m not suggesting anything as radical as applying the principles we
believe God asks us to adhere to in our lives and that He applies to the salvation of
our souls to something as important as economics. That would be ludicrous.
Religion should be kept in churches and to Sundays, no?
But I will say that this week the IMF – not noted for its left-wing leanings or graceoriented approach to economics – suggested that Greek debts be forgiven. I will
also say that Joseph Stiglitz, a Nobel Prize-winning economist, wrote this week that
austerity was having "catastrophic consequences" for Greece and that: “Almost
none of the huge amount of money loaned to Greece has actually gone there. It has
gone to pay out private sector creditors – including German and French banks.
Greece has gotten but a pittance, but it has paid a high price to preserve these
countries’ banking systems.” Which, even if you’re not as ardent a fan of applying
grace to public life as I am, puts a different spin on the rhetoric of ‘lazy Greeks’
needing to ‘work harder and stop sponging off Germany’ that you may have heard
this week.
8(go to P.9)
‘Grace for Greece?’ continued from page 8
More relevant – and poetic, really, is the fact that in 1953 Greece was one of the
countries that agreed to cancel 50 per cent of Germany’s debt. Syriza, the party
many in the EU would like to oust from power regardless of the wishes of the Greek
people, was long ago suggesting a similar process for Greece. A few years before
its debt was cancelled, Germany had killed over 10 million people. Greece, on the
other hand, has overspent on things like public services that help the poor, so you
can see why the EU has had to be harsh with it, rather than consider the idea.
Knowing that fact about Greece and Germany makes me think of Matthew 18: 2135. And hey, I’m not saying God has a definite opinion on a Greek bailout. But when
economists and the IMF are saying the jury is at least undecided on the
“stewardship and practicality” argument for being harsh with Greece – and others
are calling it a programmatic attempt to destroy the welfare state in that country and
beyond in favour of private profit, which I believe the prophet Amos might have an
opinion about – maybe we could instead try patience and grace with the likes of
Greece? I certainly hope so.
Jonty Langley is a writer and commentator who also works for a mission agency. (Gerald P)
Be Still and Know The title of the first in a recent series of devotionals
produced by Dr. Micha Jazz for Premier Christian Radio
“ After telling everyone goodbye, Jesus went up into the hills by himself to pray.”
(Mark 6;46).
Dr. Micha writes
I never tire of my young nephews. They pay the greatest attention to you
and then mimic all that you do. This can be either flattering or
embarrassing if what they mimic places you in a bad light. They copy the
good and the bad indiscriminately.
Jesus, although human and divine, needed to seek out times of prayer
alone with God. He ministered generously and widely on a daily basis
throughout an amazing three years, yet recognised his own need to pull
aside and make space to be alone with his heavenly Father. It therefore
comes as no surprise that we will constantly fail to find sufficient grace to
continue in God’s ways if we fail to draw aside and take some time with
God.
9 (go to P.10)
‘Be Still and Know’ continued from p.9
Prayer can so often be reduced to little more than a swift recitation of a
shopping list of requests laid at Jesus’ feet in the hope and expectation
that God will do something constructive in response.
Many of these listed items are forgotten as soon as they have been
presented. Once listed we so often rise to return to the hurly-burly of life,
having taken no time to allow God to speak to us and refresh us with His
spirit.
There is no surprise here since the word ‘pray’ does mean to entreat or
earnestly ask for. Yet there are other aspects of prayer when we are to
bring ourselves before God simply to sit and gaze on his lovely countenance. This practice is increasingly difficult in a world in which we are
surrounded by distractions. However, without finding that space and
taking that time, we will become increasingly absorbed with these
distractions and lose sight of God and lose touch with his peace. Yet, as
we wait upon God we become self-aware and reflect upon those things
we have done well and those things where we have perhaps let God
down.
We are invited by God to make a judgement about how we might better
represent ourselves as His servants going forward.
QUESTION
How would you describe your
current experience of prayer?
PRAYER
Lord Jesus,
Teach me how to pray.
Take these moments to do nothing
else but stop, be still and contemplate
the person of Christ
A number of booklets containing the material from Premier appeared recently on the table just inside the entrance by the kitchen. (Gerald P.) * * * * * * 10 Building Project Update As you know the plans have gone out to tender and as I write this update we are
eagerly awaiting the quotes from contractors. When these have been received they
will be analysed and a report prepared to take to Church Council so that the Council
may give its approval for the contract to be accepted and for the build phase to
begin.
Fantastic news from the Grants team! To date we have now received £71,500 in
grants from Garfield Weston, Liz and Terry Bramall, the Laing Trust, George Martin
Trust and other grant providers. A further £105,000 has been received from Circuit
and District grants and as part of a legacy. We have successfully reclaimed 12
months VAT totalling £3,679 from the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme.
We are still awaiting decisions from other grant providers whom we have applied to.
A huge ‘Thank You’ to the Grants team for all their hard work.
Our spirits are raised now that our Redevelopment Project is seen by Grant
Providers as “a most worthwhile scheme”, and that our vision for building a place
which is a flexible and welcoming resource where Church and Community meet is
coming closer to becoming a reality. We have also raised over £22,774 from our
own fundraising events; most recently: Plant sale - £230, “Race to the Beach” bike
ride at Morrisons - £460. The Barbecue and Blues Night with the Blue Kings
attracted many supporters from the local community and raised £587.
Thank you so much to everyone who has supported the Redevelopment Project in
so many ways and who have been generous in their giving. With your continuing
support and prayers we shall realise our vision. Fund raising is continuing and the
team has already planned some events but if you would like to organise and event
please let Sheila Humphreys know. We are trying to plan events to suit a range of
tastes so that the community will come along too.
Jackie M
Forthcoming Fundraising Events
Friday 2nd October An evening with Roger Davies, Folk Singer in Boston Spa Village Hall.
December Community Christmas Tree Festival - details to follow.
Saturday 23rd January 2016 Burns Supper in Clifford Village Hall.
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‘RACE TO THE BEACH’
‘Didn’t we have a lovely time the day we raced to Sandsend!’
On Saturday 27th June, two exercise bikes were ridden, by teams of cyclists, on a
virtual route displayed on a large Map,
all in the foyer of Morrison’s Supermarket in Wetherby.
Buckets were ‘shaken’ by willing volunteers to collect money towards our building
redevelopment fund.
A fun time was had by all who took part,
and there were many quizzical looks and laughs from the shoppers
to see Rev Steve in his Edwardian style swimming costume!
A notice board displayed the Plans for the redevelopment at Church
and details of all the Church Activities.
It was a great to be making ourselves known in the Community;
a bonus was the magnificent sum of £465 raised for our fund.
A big ‘thank you’ to all who took part.
12 Clifford Methodist Church
Minister - Revd. Steve Jakeman
SUNDAY WORSHIP at 10.30am
The church is a bit tucked away at the end of Nursery Way,
or from the High Street, where a blue noticeboard points the way.
AUGUST 2015
2nd Mr. Dennis Ashton.
9th Revd. Steve Jakeman CAFÉ STYLE WORSHIP c/w HOLYCOMMUNION.
16th Mr. David Mountain.
23rd Revd. Dr. Colin Cheeseman.
30th Revd Mark Stennett’s ‘Welcome’ at Tadcaster Methodist Church.
nd
2
9th
16th
23rd
30th
Door Stewards
Margaret Suggate
Catherine C, Ros M
Sheila & Katy B.
Keith & Carol Smith
Ron & Mavis Rogers
Flowers
Mavis Rodgers
Catherine Catton
Ros McCall
Barbara Shaw
Joyce Forth
Vestry
Carol Smith
Barbara Shaw
Jason Turner
Michael W.
David M
Schoolroom cleaning - Catherine Catton
August 9th - Café Style Service followed by a meal in the schoolroom.
No charge but donations welcome. All welcome to join us.
th
August 30 - United Service at Tadcaster at 10.15am (no service at
Clifford) to welcome Revd. Mark Stennett, our new Circuit Minister,
with Revd. Stephen Burgess, Chair of the York & Hull District.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:Katy Biercamp, Joyce Forth, Mary Ford, Stuart Haigh, Julie Ainstey.
Help!
We always need people to offer help on all our rotas, but particularly with
cleaning the schoolroom. If you are able to do at least one month per
year, individually or in pairs, please speak to Ros.
All info. for September to Ros before 8th August please.
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Christians who suffer torture and murder by ISIS are like the first century Christians
who were "besieged by persecution", according to the Pope.
Describing violent atrocities carried out by Herod who put James, brother of John to
the sword and seized and jailed Peter, Pope Francis said "terrible, inhuman and
inexplicable persecution" is unfortunately still present in many parts of the world.
Speaking on the feast of the apostles St Peter and St Paul, he said this persecution
even today takes place often "under the eyes and in the silence of all".
He said the courage of the apostles and the first Christian community in continuing
the work of evangelisation without fear of death and martyrdom in a pagan empire
was "a strong call to prayer, faith and witness" for believers today.
In his homily the Pope said: "How many forces in the course of history have tried,
and still do, to destroy the Church, from without as well as within, but they
themselves are destroyed and the Church remains alive and fruitful."
He said Christians were duty-bound to evangelise. "A church or a Christian who
does not give witness is sterile, like a dead person who thinks they are alive, like a
dried up tree that produces no fruit an empty well that offers no water."
And the strongest weapon for the Christian was prayer. "A Christian who prays is a
Christian protected, preserved and supported, but especially not alone," he said.
"Prayer is the encounter with God, with God who never lets us down, with God who
is faithful to His word, with God who does not abandon His children."
The forces of evil such as ISIS will not prevail, he predicted.
"How many forces, throughout history, have tried - and try - to destroy the Church,
both from outside and from the inside, but they are all destroyed and the Church
remains alive and fertile!" This was because "the Church is not of the Popes,
bishops, priests and even of the faithful, it is only Christ. Only those who live in
Christ's Church promote and defend the sanctity of life, the example of Peter and
Paul." There is no force capable of defeating those with the power of faith, he said.
Gerald P.
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