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The Methodist Church
Sidwell Street Exeter
Services 10.30am every Sunday
and 6.30pm on the first Sunday of
the month.
Our Monthly News
May 2017
Church Website : www.sidwellstreetmethodist.org.uk
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ!
One day on my day off I decided to pull out weeds in a corner of
the garden because it looked like a bush with all kinds of weeds
with a few small trees (the small trees must have names but I
do not know their names). So I trimmed the trees back as short
as I could and I pulled the weeds out clean as possible. Since
then, I have repeated doing it once or twice, and I felt the
satisfaction of seeing the corner of the garden clean and tidy.
I’d forgotten what I had done until recently. On a sunny day, on my day off, I went
outside to the edges of the garden, which were full of greenery and flowers, to find
out what they were. Once in the past I’d made a lot of effort to learn the names of
the flowers, especially wild flowers, and their characteristics. While I was looking in
the corner of the garden I tried to recall the flowers, and I
realised that there were flowers there with which I was
unfamiliar (I still do not know what they are); but there were
raspberries, lettuce, and some others; plants which were
growing up and making a beautiful sight. As I am a novice
gardener with only a little experience in gardening, I did not
know what plants, flowers or trees were growing in the corner of
the garden. As this is my first year of living in the manse I haven’t yet seen what
plants or flowers are going to be blossoming through the spring and summer. So, I
have decided not to pull out anything unless I am very sure, until I can see and know
what they are this summer.
Contd. overleaf
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I believe we who follow Christ may be similar to the plants or flowers in our garden.
For as Jesus said, “For the tree is known by its fruit” (Mat. 12:33), we may be known
as the followers of Christ or Christians when we bear fruits of the
Spirit. And like the flowers and plants grow and make blossom
according to their seasons, we will eventually know what fruits
we bear in the harvest time. Jesus warns in the parable of weeds
among the wheat (Mat. 13:24-30), until his harvest time the
harvester will let grow all whether they are the weeds or the
wheat.
I believe this is a good season for self-reflection; on seeing ourselves, as we have
seen the risen Lord, in each other, and rejoicing together, after spending six weeks
of Lent, passion and Easter Sunday.
God bless, Yangsun
Appreciation
Honor & Ralph Collier appreciate the flowers, cards and kind thoughts they
received from their friends in Sidwell Street, following the death of their daughter,
Mary. She had fought long and hard against her illness and eventually slept away
peacefully, surrounded by love and care in her local hospice. They thank God for
that and also for the same good work that is done here in Exeter.
Sheila Spencer is another member of Sidwell Street who
wishes to thank all those who sent cards, good wishes and
flowers, following her recent operation. Her recovery is
progressing well and hopefully the periods of pain and
discomfort are now a thing of the past.
Mary & Richard Euridge write ‘ We would like to thank all our friends at Sidwell
Street for their cards and good wishes for our Golden Wedding on 18th March.
We had a wonderful celebration with family, friends and in church the following
day. Thank you very much’
Thank you for sharing your cake too, Mary, it was delicious!
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Church Family News
We are pleased to learn that Ann Weeks is making satisfactory
progress following her surgery in the RD&E Hospital. We hope
she may be at home by the time this edition of Update is
printed. Betty Hicks has progressed from the RD&E to
Whipton Hospital where the physiotherapists
are helping her mobility. Anne Sparks has settled
into Parkland House as a resident extremely
well. We remember all these folk, plus any others
who are unwell and their carers in our prayers
Congratulations to the new Mrs Folland,
whom we know as Julia, seen here with
her sister, Sarah Peek on the occasion of
Julia’s marriage to Paul at Whitchurch
Parish Church in Cardiff on 20/04/17.
Janice & Bob Price are delighted to have
a new grandson Rafe John Hedley Price,
born to their son Mark & his wife. No
doubt Bob has his rugby training
planned already! David and Ronnie
Tanner will be celebrating 40 years of
marriage on Sunday, May 14th, the day of
the Church Anniversary. They hope
friends will be able to join them after the morning service and
enjoy a piece of cake with their tea or coffee.
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Our Property & Our Future
Over the years the process of maintaining our large Edwardian grade ll* listed building has been managed by many hours of voluntary labour doing routine maintenance and employing professionals to carry out high level and often very specialist work. With the years reducing the capabilities of the volunteers and without another generation to
take over, Church Council has for many years been seeking a way forward and has considered many possibilities over the last twenty years. What was never in doubt was our desire to keep the church family together. Over a year ago an offer was made by Exeter network Church (ENC) to purchase our premises, at less than market value and to take over the responsibility for all maintenance and running costs, whilst allowing Sidwell Street Methodist Church to continue worship and church based activities in the premises at no cost. ENC is a Bishop’s Mission initiative (Anglican), a church of over 400 people who have active work amongst students and also the less well off people in our society. Sidwell Street is a perfect location for them instead of renting different premises across the city. When we heard their main Sunday worship takes place on Sunday afternoons, not in the mornings, we knew God’s guiding hand was at work to bring this union about. The reason to purchase at less than market value leaves ENC with finance available to improve the side access and to modernise some of the ancillary buildings. They have no plans to alter the sanctuary area and any future plans would all be controlled by the listing on the property. Sidwell Street required permission from Church Council, Exeter Coast & Country Circuit Meeting, Plymouth & Exeter District, The Methodist Council and to satisfy the Charity Commissioners in order to sell the property at less than market value. We are currently at the final permission stage. Contd on next page
5
Once permissions have been granted we shall begin the process of drawing up contracts and local agreements regarding the purchase of the property and arrangements for sharing the premises & equipment. The main contract will involve a ‘reverter’ clause that returns the property to Methodism at the original purchase price should ENC cease to use the premises.
If these plans come to fruition, just as in a marriage, we shall have to make compromises, not everything will stay exactly the same, there will be little things that irritate, but looking at the bigger, long-term picture these are minor things compared with the benefits we shall gain – to be released from the physical & mental work in managing the property and able to concentrate on the work of God. We ask for your prayers for all those involved in both the decision making and the negotiations.
Action for Children (AfC)
Please make every effort to support and bring
your friends to our Coffee Morning on Sat. 6th
May from 10.00am to 12 Noon. It will be held in
the Church vestibule and there will be Cakes and
Books for sale. Contributions for these stalls would
be most welcome.
The League of Light boxes ( in aid of AfC) will be
collected during May. If you pay tax would you please consider using Gift
Aid. The necessary form can be supplied. New collectors are always
welcome. It doesn’t involve asking anyone for money, just keeping a box at
home for any small change you can spare. To borrow a well known
marketing phrase ‘ Every little helps!’. Please see Janice Price about
contributions for the stalls or about the collecting boxes or gift aid.
6
Company & Craft
At our monthly meeting in the Reed Hall
on Friday 5th May we shall continue to
complete the embroidery on our tee
shirts. On Friday 2nd June, we shall be
instructed by Alma Harding on how to
construct a tray box, another activity
which will stretch over two months. Our
meetings are held from 2.30 pm until
4.30pm, the cost for the afternoon is £2.00. We have a lot of fun, welcome
new people and of course the afternoon wouldn’t be complete without tea
and biscuits!
Tuesday Fellowship
Come and join us on Tuesday afternoons in the Reed Hall from 2.30pm. A
speaker, some worship, good fellowship and a warm welcome - here’s the
programme for the next few weeks.
May 2nd ‘A Dip into France’ with Heather & Chris Gould ( also Bring & Buy)
May 9th ‘ John Wesley - Founder of Methodism’
May 16th ‘Methodist Women in Britain’ with Mrs Jean Mann
May 23rd ‘World Church News’ from Mrs Sally McClelland
May 30th ‘Fairtrade’ with Mrs Janet Lee
June 6th Visit to Crediton Flower Festival + Cream Tea
Update Publication
Please note the June edition of our Update magazine will not be available
until June 4th, , rather than the last Sunday of May. This is to allow our editor
a little time off! Articles for publication by Saturday 28th May please.
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Men’s Group
The last meeting of this session will be held on
Wednesday 10th May , when the MEN (not the
ladies this month!) meet for their Annual Dinner.
Meet at The Toby Carvery, Lympstone, formerly
the Nutwell Lodge at 7.00pm for 7.30pm
If you need a lift please contact John Sparks on
telephone 01392 216549 or 07804 777036
Or email John at jandas4@icloud.com
Church Anniversaries
A family service to celebrate our church anniversary (112 years) will be held
on Sunday 14th May at 10.30am, when our preacher Mr David Bennett will
be travelling from Gloucestershire to take our service. David’s parents
worshipped at Sidwell Street many years ago and David attended the youth
club here, so no doubt he will be sharing some of his memories with us. The
following Sunday 21st May at 6.30pm, Topsham Methodist Church will be
the venue for a Circuit Service to celebrate their witness over 150 years. You
will receive a warm welcome at each of these services
Can you help with accommodation?
Stewart Barr writes ‘ A colleague and friend of mine
from the university, who attends Belmont Chapel is
seeking temporary accommodation for a husband
and wife from Brazil from now until September
while they study in the city. Rodrigo & Cara have
never been outside Brazil before, so if you could
host & befriend this young couple and in return
receive a reasonable recompense, I could give you more details’
Stewart
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CHURCH CONTACTS
The absolute deadline for the June edition of Update will be lunchtime on Tuesday 30th
May but the editor would prefer articles by Saturday 27th (a week later than normal)
Minister Rev Yangsun Yi 275070 yangsun.yi@methodist.org.uk
Worship Leader Stewart Barr 425415 S.W.Barr@exeter.ac.uk
Circuit Steward and
Hon. Treasurer
Margaret Fogarty 467354 fogarty48@btinternet.com
Senior Steward Valerie Peek 461201 valerie.peek24@gmail.com
Church Secretary Anne Edwardson 436016 anne.edwardson@talktalk.net
Website Admin and
Community Garden
Jenny Elliott 493596 jen_elliott@hotmail.com
Junior Church Mary Mayers 422289 MayersWCA@aol.com
Organist & Choirmaster Wensleigh Palmer 876690 251846 musicunlimited.exeter@virgin.net
Hall Bookings Bryan Vincent 270145 bryleen-66@hotmail.com
Property Secretary
Property Chairman
Chris Gould
Bob Price
432909
437075
heatherandchrisg@outlook.com
rhandjap@hotmail.com
Catering Janice Price 437075 rhandjap@hotmail.com
Company & Craft Sheila Spencer 466023 sheila.spencer1@virginmedia.com
Badminton John Sully 460889 j.sully1@blueyonder.co.uk
Boys’ Brigade Glenn Bearne 01363 84451 glenn.bearne@btinternet.com
Men’s Group John Sparks 216549 jandas@blueyonder.co.uk
Wednesday Mornings
and Safeguarding
Jenny Elliott 493596 jen_elliott@hotmail.com
Tuesday Fellowship Ronnie Tanner 669355
Youth Contact and
Safeguarding
Bob Price 437075 rhandjap@hotmail.com
Weekly Notices - see
weekly sheets for
details
Heather Gould
John Sully
Graham Bulford
432909
460889
205140
heatherandchrisg@outlook.com
j.sully1@blueyonder.co.uk
gbulford@blueyonder.co.uk
Monthly Update Margaret Fogarty 467354 fogarty48@btinternet.com
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