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272nd Edition
SHORT STREET UNITED REFORMED CHURCH Short Street, Hazel Grove, Stockport SK7 4AD
Secretary: Mrs J Moores3a Montagu Road
Offerton StockportSK2 5BZ
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- EDITORIAL KEEP WELL, KEEP SAFE AND KEEP IN TOUCH!
Once again, in order to ensure that it reaches all our readers, Ihave sent ‘Commercial Break’ to you by post.
Traditionally the July issue is ‘thinner’ as many of our readers are normally ‘on holiday’. and itwould appear that although many of you are still self-isolating at home, this Edition does haveless content. I am however, grateful to those who have kept in touch, and sent me messages,articles etc.
Please continue to send your contributions, remembering that some items in books, magazinesand newspapers are subject to copyright and I am unable to publish them. Hopefully we will soonbe able to let you know what is happening and when ‘normal service’ will be resumed. In themeantime, in order to keep in touch, Alison Termie is inviting those who can to join Zoom meetingsand telephone discussions and to go online to the Missional Partnership website.
Please put your thoughts, information, articles etc. in writing or let me have anemail.
Also, if you can, please do not leave your contributions to the closing date.‘Commercial Break’ is compiled over a period of two months and the printing isfinalised the day after the closing date.
Janet Parkinson,
Please keep in touch by phone, email or via the Missional Partnership wbsite www.ecdbmp-urc.btck.co.uk
Alison Termie says: I have not got every bodies phone number or email so ifthey would like to be in touch please do not hesitate to call on 01614277624
Also, we are reaching out to those who are not comfortable or equipped with computers and smart phones.
We now have a land line local call system for friends to call and receive a daily prayer, poem, meditation or Bible reflection recorded for you by familiar voices. Give it a try by dialling 0161 5094264 at the cost of a local call ( or free if you get local calls free ). There will be a rather American sounding welcome message that tells you to wait a moment and then the recording will start. We intend to keep these messages to under 10 minutes ......' thought for the day style '..... and hope you will enjoy.
The July Edition of ‘The Link’ is now available to view via the Missional Partnership website.
OUR NOTICE BOARDFrom Christine Barker
This is the display on our Church notice board. There is a prayer cross on the edge of the Memorial Garden for people to leave messages as our Church continues to be closed even for private prayer. This is something we have all beenencouraged to do by Alison, Dave and Synod.
Alison Termie is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: missional partnership meet up Time: Jul 16, 2020 10:00 AM London EVERY WEEK on Thu, 10 occurrence(s) FROM Jul 16, 2020 10:00 AM Join Zoom Meetinghttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/89957473045 Meeting ID: 899 5747 3045
To join this meeting by phone................. best if you have a free phonecalls package ................ call one of these numbers and when prompted add the meeting ID number possibly followed by the hashtag key ) 0131 460 1196 United Kingdom0203 051 2874 United Kingdom
ADDED TO EDITION AFTER CLOSING DATE.
Please note this information supersedes that given on a previous page
the prayer phoneline.
Can you change what we say about it to ...........
prayer and sunday service phoneline 0161 5094264
With apologies to those of you who are phoning in every day I have decided that with Annette going and many ministers busy getting their churches reopened after lockdown I am going to change the phoneline pattern. Now the prayerline will be refreshed on Monday, Wednesday and Friday with a short service being offered over Saturday and Sunday. I'd like to thank all our regular contributors, especially Tim Ashworth and Margaret Dexter Brown and hope they will continue to send us reflections as the months go on.
Alison
Dear friends, I was reading the other day the part of Genesis chapter 28 which spoke of Jacob’s dream at Bethel when he lay down to sleep and in his dreams, he saw a ladder reaching from heaven to earth and theangels, God’s messengers, going up and down it. And it made me think, isn’t sleep a wonderful thing and dreams sometimes a great healing as all the busyness and conflict of the day gets sorted and filed, made sense of and stored in the deeper regions of our memory alongside all the emotions that they provoke. As our logical practical brain goes to sleep so our imaginative, visionary brain isset free and maybe in that state, like the stairway linking heaven and earth God has a better chance to break through. Now I say ‘maybe’ because there are times when I think I need a Joseph on hand to interpret my dreams, for example the other night I dreamed that I was at the hairdresser getting a haircut….. nothing unusual about that in fact a few days before that’s exactly where I had been, until in my dream I looked at my hairdresser only to find it was Brian Jolly, our synod moderator! Now what isthat about! Then the following might I had the longest dream about leading the first service after lockdown at Marple URC. With risk assessment and cleaning cloths in hand I had set out all the chairs at 2m spacing when the people started to arrive, and in silence took their seats. But as the service proceeded every time I turned my back the whole congregation rearranged their chairs back to the old pattern and I had to start all over again moving chairs and putting markers on the floor. Then I asked David to play a quiet piece for reflection and the whole congregation started singing atthe top of their voice ‘he’s got the whole world in his hands’. Oh and there was much, much more including a row of children all eating Happy meals…….. and a mouse………….. Don’t ask!So I am not suggesting that every dream is a message from God or that sleep is always restful or restorative. But there is definitely a place in these weeks and months of Covid for dreams and visions. For giving the logical brain a rest and making space for our imaginations to be fired by God’s vision of His church in His world, which may be very different from the way we’ve always done it and some of the things that we hold dear. Please remember your Elders in your prayers as we navigate the next stage of our Covid journey. Every Blessing Alison.
Worship in a Time of Isolation and Loss.
Revd. Alison TermieEast Cheshire and Derbyshire Borders Missional Partnership
Soundcloud version available on www.ecdbmp-urc.btck.co.uk
God our maker, Yours are the hands that traced the rainbow and hurled stars into spaceCOME GOD AND MEET US HERE
Christ our redeemerYours are the hands that blessed the children, that healed the sick and broke the Passover breadCOME JESUS AND MEET US HERE
Holy Spirit and comforterYou hold our hands when we need you. You breathe new hope and strength into our livesCOME HOLY SPIRIT AND MEET US HERE
God our maker, our redeemer, our comforter. You write our names on the palms of your handsYOU ARE OUR GOD WE ARE HERE TO WORSHIP YOU.
This period of isolation and the coming time of slow release from lockdown continues to affect usall, robbing us of our easy support structures; be it coffee with a friend, the busyness of work or hobbies, or the calm of familiar worship settings and the reliable presence of the fellowship. So when life hits hard, either personally or through our shared care for others, it is not surprising if we feel a little adrift. If sadness grows deeper, if hope and light seem hard to grasp, if we find ourselves with the psalmist saying …………….
Music Psalm 13 paraphrased by John Bell. Used with permission of WGRG Iona community
How long, O lord will you quite forget me?How long, O Lord , will you turn your face from me?
How Long, O Lord, must I suffer in my soul?How long, how Long, O lord?
How Long, O Lord, must this grief possess my heart?How Long, O Lord, must I languish night and day?
How Long, O Lord shall my enemy oppress?How Long, How Long O Lord?
Look now, look now, and answer me, my God. Give light, give light lest I sleep the sleep of death.Lest my enemies rejoice at my downfall, Look now, look now, O Lord. There is nothing in our hearts or minds that cannot be brought into the presence of God, So we pray.
Lord of love and grace, we come to you now with our minds and hearts and hands wide open, and in trust, and in need, we lay before you all the burdens that we carry ……………………….The people or relationships we have lost. The complex and competing needs of families, friends and our own selves, the feelings that overwhelm us. The things we hesitate to name. Heal us and hold us Lord, give us your peace in our hearts, your light for our path and faith enough to grasp your hand lest we sink. Matthew 8: 23-27 Jesus calms the storm. Then Jesus got into the boat and his disciplesfollowed him. Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the wavesswept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him,saying, ‘Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!’ He replied, ‘You of little faith, why are you so afraid?’ Then he got up and rebukedthe winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.
The men were amazed and asked, ‘What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!’
Reflection
Peace in the storms of life When the wind rises, the waves are high, and water is pouring over the sides of our boat. When the boat is being driven before a prevailing wind whose source is chaos and fear.When rocks loom up ahead and disaster for our inner being looms.
Jesus. Wake up!
Remind me that I am not alone, that you also have passed through this. That you are in the storm with me, and you know how I feel. Remind me that calm will come again; that your peace can come even in the eye of the storm. And that even that small respite can renew us, strengthen us and give us courage to go on.
Music John 14 paraphrased by John Bell tune: The Lark in the clear air. Used with permission of WGRG Iona community
Let your restless hearts be stillLet your troubled minds be restedtrust in God to lift your careAnd in caring trust in me.In God’s house you have a place-Were it otherwise, I would have told you;This I gladly go to prepareAnd make ready for you all.
Where I am and where I will beIs where you shall live forever;And the way to where I goI have walked among you here.I’m the way that never ends.I’m the truth that never changes.I’m the life that never diesBut delights to love you all.
Prayer Lord save us! For we are perishing!We drown in a sea of government plans and statistics, Voices shouting such varied messages, lives pointing such different ways. Fears crowd in on us – The fear of the stranger, the invisible virus, the disaster round the corner;Fears for ourselves, for our families, for our communities, for our world.Lord, for all our scientific prowess, all our technological achievement, we know that naturecannot be controlled.Teach us humility before its power.Give us courage in the stormsAnd free us from the fear that binds us.That we may find our way to your point of stillness.To know creation as held in your hand And to stay with you to the end.
Blessing
May the God who dances in the storms and the sunlight keep you and cherish you in mercy and love.
RAINDROPS KEEP FALLING ……..
There’s not a lot that you can doOn a rainy day in June.
You can settle down with a good ‘Lee Child’Or perhaps a ‘Mills and Boon’.
You can watch those endless sports repeats,But you know how they all end!
You can do some dreaded houseworkOr sit down and phone a friend.
You can find a book to colour in,Or doodle an hour away.
You can sit and watch the rain come down,Eating dinner on a tray.
You can knit a wooly jumperOr maybe a teddy bear.
Some mittens or a beanie hatFor a tiny babe to wear.
You can listen to the radio,‘Yes’ the ‘Archers’ are still there,
You can watch a bit of tellyOr maybe cut your hair!
But here we are, it’s raining still,But now the month’s July.If I can occupy my time,Then maybe it will fly.
I’ll put away my raincoatAnd take a trip ‘outside;
With mask and gloves and rulerI just hope we’ve turned the tide!.
Janet Parkinson
GRANDMA’S HYMNS
Having just read Beryl Flannery’s story in the May edition of Commercial Break, I was reminded of mychildhood days at my grandparent’s house on Wellington Road. We also had a toilet (or lavatory as we called it) half way down the back yard, with no lighting. On dark, wintry nights, I was very
nervous about going out of the back door, past the shed and the dog-kennel, and into the lavatory. Our back scullery had a little windw, which was usually open, so I used to ask my Grandma to stand in the scullery and sing, so that I wouldn’tfeel too alone in the back yard. She always obliged, and, as she was a staunch Methodist, her choice of song was always a hymn.Now whenever I hear “Fight the Good Fight” or “Now the Day is Over” I think of Grandma, standing singing in the scullery, whilst I went warily down the back yard. Thank you, Grandma. You were a true friend!. Margaret M Jones.
MEMORIAL GARDENWe would like to make a list - which will be in the memorial book -of people whoseashes have been scattered in the memorial garden. We have quite a few names butdon't want to miss anyone out. Please see Margaret Harrop if you know of anyone,so we can make sure their name is in the book.
AT A DISTANCE
I have livedon Chatsworth
many years and many people passedwithout a spoken word
Now due to crisislife has changedWe speak / helloand how are you
At a distance friends been made Be safe.
Eunice Williams.
COLLECTORS CORNER - Please keep your contributions ‘till we meet again!’MARGARET HARROP COLLECTS –FOREIGN COINS (and old English). Due to a previous theft this box is now kept by MargaretKEYS Collection box in the church porch SPECTACLES for third world distribuition.
JANET PARKINSON COLLECTS-STAMPS (even the ordinary ones) - Please keep your stamps until we are able to pass them on to a charityPRINTER CARTRIDGES (not Epson)
And CHRISTINE BARKER CollectsBUTTONS - any colour, any size to recycle and make into button bracelets.
Dear friends,
We had hoped to be with you on Sunday 28 June, to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of my ordination at the old church across the road, on Saturday 28 June 1980. We had planned it to be a special occasion, along with our children and grand children – even a cake! But like many other best laid plans this year – weddings, anniversaries, special
birthdays and holidays – it was not to be. Covid had the last word.
We didn’t want the occasion to pass, however without sending a greeting, and our heartfelt thanks, to the members and friends of the former Hazel Grove and Buxton Road churches.We first visited Buxton Road as a young family in the spring of 1976. We were immediatelymade welcome. Less than a year later, with the encouragement of the minister Peter Holland and the support of the church, I candidated for the ministry. So when I was ordained at Hazel Grove on that day in June 1980, I was a bit overwhelmed by what I hadcommitted myself (and my family) to. It had all happened so fast. Now, as an old retired minister (and granddad) of 75, I recall with a smile how young and callow I was, and howmuch I had still to learn!
That is why I wanted to say thank you to both churches represented by Short Street. When I joined the Stockport Team I was blest with two superb colleagues and dear friends in Jim Hollyman and the late, great Dick Brueseke. I learned so much from them. And my first charge was to be Hazel Grove and Union – Hazel Grove at an exciting stage in its life, having committed to an ambitious new building project. We had the joy of seeing this to its completion in 1986: the year of “Everybody’s Building.”
I look back on those six years as being an intensely formative, creative and challenging first ministry, which stood me in good stead for the rest of my ministry. In all this I’ll never forget, and am forever grateful, that I was given the trust, support and friendship ofthe lovely folk of Buxton Road, Hazel Grove , Union and the rest of the old Stockport Group. Also how you took Pauline and our three young children – now middle aged themselves! - to your hearts.
Beryl Atherton – who sadly died in June (her obituary appears elsewhere in this edition) - was the proud mother of our one time organist Ian Atherton. Reminiscing about those years a while ago she said to me, “They were good days.””
Many of the dear friends we made are sadly no longer with us, having joined the great “cloud of witnesses.” But we remember them all with deep love and thank God for them.
But God willing, we hope to see you all again on our next visit. Meanwhile, may God bless you, stay safe, and thank you, thank you all again.
With every blessing,
David and Pauline Greenwood
Enhancing research into Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in Childrenwww.alexhulmefoundation.co.uk [email protected] Together We Are Making A Difference
We also have new and stylish ways of showing your support for the Foundation in the form ofpens and small pin badges in the shape of the star icon from the logo for which we ask a
minimum donation of £1. Margaret Harrop can purchase these on your behalf.
Registered Charity No. 1146012 Website: www.alexhulmefoundation.co.uk E-Mail: [email protected]
Dave, Nic, Alex, Matt and Baxter – the Alex Hulme Foundation
July/August
Moving StoriesZIMBABWE
Mining destroys Communities and Eco-Systems
We don’t often think about how terribly destructive mining practices can be, not only for theenvironment, but also for local communities. In their rush to make revenues, governments oftenoverlook these considerations.
Mining is big business in Zimbabwe, with mineral exports responsible for 60% of the country’s exportearnings, and 16% of national GDP. The government has outlined ambitious plans to quadruple the sector’stotal value to $12bn by 2023, particularly focussed on platinum extraction.
However, the country’s lax licensing laws permit foreign companies to own 100% of a mine licence for anycommodity, save platinum and diamonds, in perpetuity.
Mining also severely impacts on indigenous communities and eco systems. Strip mining is particularlydestructive. Coal fires can burn for decades, releasing fly ash, toxic chemical and greenhouse gases, such asmethane. Coal dust inhalation causes black lung disease among miners and those living nearby.
Mine accidents kill thousands every year. Cardiopulmonary disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,hypertension, lung disease, and kidney disease have been found in higher-than-normal rates amongresidents who live near coal mines.
Toxic levels of arsenic, fluorine, mercury, and selenium are emitted by coal fires, entering the airand the food chain of those living nearby.
Christian Aid in Zimbabwe focusses on creating space for citizen and civil society participation in the miningsector through facilitating the Zimbabwe Alternative Mining Indaba (ZAMI).
This platform was used to advocate for the adoption of a declaration with specific recommendations, whichhave been presented to the government for adoption in the amendment of the Mines and Minerals Bill.
The programme increased participation of women and men in miningcommunities in monitoring the environmental impact of miningcompanies.
Your Support for Zimbabwe through Commitment for Life helpsempower these communities to stand up to exploitation and abuse
by the mining sector. Thank you for your support. Pic: Nicholas leClercq Unsplash
WHAT’S THE CONNECTION? What links these words? - i.e. blind …… ‘ date’ …… palm
call ……………………sign………………………………………….. up
down ……………………time………………………………………….… piece
Chrysler ……………………building…………………………………………. blocks
space ……………………centre………………………………………….. forward
parking ……………………zone……………………………………………. out
butterfly ……………………net……………………………………………… profit
ground ……………………breaking………………………………………. news
sheet ……………………lightening…………………………………… rod
stair ……………………well…………………………………………... dressing
glue ……………………stick…………………………………………… insect
full ……………………house…………………………………………… calls
blind ……………………eye…………………………………………… full
tall ……………………order…………………………………………… book
ear ……………………full……………………………………………. up
sesame ……………………seed…………………………………………… cake
rain ……………………fall…………………………………………… down
exit ……………………sign…………………………………………… post
cricket ……………………match……………………………………………. stick
football ……………………game……………………………………………. on
story ……………………book……………………………………………. stall
tree ……………………top……………………………………………. table
chair ……………………back…………………………………………… pedal
FREE WILL OFFERING SCHEME.
If you are not currently taking part in the Free will Offering Scheme, would youconsider doing so? Information and envelopes are available from Sandra Harrison,Margaret Harrop or any of the Elders. There is also an opportunity to Gift Aid yourdonation if you pay tax.
Jeremiah and Prophets in general:
I don’t know about you, but I think we sometimes read from scripture without really being able to put thosereadings into a context we can understand. Do you feel that? Especially the old testament? It was such along time ago, a different culture, a different mindset and a different country. I was musing on this the otherday, and some thoughts about Jeremiah came into my mind. I thought it might be nice for us to just have alittle look at Jeremiah’s life to put some of his thoughts and sayings into context, and then to have a look at thestatus of the Prophets.. Jeremiah was born sometime between 645 and 640 BC, and became a prophet when he was really quiteyoung around 627 BC, that is when he was in his teens. A precocious young man, I think we would havecalled him today. His prophetic message was extremely unpopular, even with his own family, and his firstprophecy in his home village of Anathoth caused a great deal of anger against him. He moved on, wasprobably forced to move on, to Jerusalem which was about an hour’s walk away from his home. In those earlyyears he belonged to a ‘Guild of prophets’…. Yes, even in those days there were Guilds, sort of trades unions,including ones for professional prophets; I wonder if they ever went on strike or picketed the synagogue and ifso I wonder what it would have achieved? In time, we are not sure when, he broke away from the guild andlaunched out on his own.As he grew into manhood he became more noticed, particularly during the reign of King Jehoiakan….. (Oh!Why can’t they be called Fred or Sam or even George or something). Jehoiakan reigned between 608 and598 BC and it was by this time Jeremiah had gained a really good knowledge of international affairs althoughwe are not really sure how. He certainly knew all about the political events which lead up to a famous battle ofthe time, the battle of Carchemish…….(Here we go again, never as simple as Bredbury or Hazel Grove!)Carchemish was a city in Northern Syria on the River Euphrates. It is where the King of Babylon, whom wehave mentioned on many occasions, one Nebuchadnezzar, defeated Egypt and took control of the wholeregion. Babylon therefore took over the mantle of the previous great power of the region, a turning point inpolitics, and a turning point in the prophecies of Jeremiah. He had a bit of a go against the King, and alsoagainst the Temple; and against the priests, in fact no one seemed to have gained his approval. I mean,dangerous stuff this, dangerous stuff indeed; look at the wrath and indignation when one of the bishops, ormoderators, of our time make a political statement. Oh the howls demanding the separation of religion andpolitics, the squawking and squealing of politicians who think no one else has a right to speak about ‘politicalthings’; but, at least in this country they are not in fear for their lives. Not alas true of everywhere, not true ofevery period of history, certainly not true in those days of Jeremiah, but he managed to find protectionamongst some of the noble families of Jerusalem which probably saved his skin.He became gradually more and more famous and when a new King, Zedekiah, came to the throne in 597 B.C.he became his trusted adviser. Jeremiah warned the king about the dangers of leading a revolt againstBabylon, it would, he said gain nothing, and it would lose a great deal. But no one listened and the inevitablerevolt broke out. Even then the king kept asking him for advice, even if he didn’t take it…… ah, a listeninggovernment perhaps!The king’s ministers were jealous; of course they were; look at the parallels in recent years in this country. Theearly time of Tony Blair’s Premiership; do you remember when he went on holiday leaving Peter Mandlesonas a spokesman, at a time when Mandleson was just an advisor, not even an MP. More recently the role ofDominic Cummings as adviser to Boris Johnson has been contraversial. Oh the jealousy amongst Ministersand back benchers……. as we say “What goes round comes round”. The ministers of Zedekiah were just like that, jealous of Jeremiah, they in fact wanted him dead, but theydaren’t kill him because of his favour with the King. They charged him with desertion and managed toimprison him in a pit-house where they were planning to starve him to death. They certainly knew how to deal
with government advisers in those days. The King rescued him and put him in a more appropriate prisonwhere he remained until King Zedekiah died in 587 BC. The following year (586 BC) the Babylonians overranJerusalem, it was the time of their great power, the sacking of Jerusalem, the beginnings of the great exile.There are a couple of things which people always think about Jeremiah during his time as advisor toZedekiah. The Babylonian empire was in the ascendency and Jeremiah appears wearing a cattle yoke,basically warning of the yoke of Babylon who have already, made attacks on Judea, have already stolenriches from Jerusalem and taken them back to their own lands. Jeremiah tells the people that Babylon willcontinue to dominate the region and that next time their conquest will be more terrible than ever, how right hewas. The Babylonian Empire was one of the harshest there has ever been. Jeremiah says it will be at least70 years before the riches are returned.
But Jeremiah has a rival; another prophet named Hananiah is contradicting him, saying that the rule ofBabylon is nearly over, that everything will be restored in less than two years; telling the people what theywant to hear. Optimism in the teeth of brutality; not always a great policy; appeasement, in the face of fascismfor instance, and in fact more recently, certainly never works. Jeremiah mildly rebukes Hananiah, saying thathe hopes that Hananiah is right, but fearing that he is not. He points out that the prophets of old had predictedwar, starvation and disease and he fears that time is upon them.Hananiah breaks Jeremiah’s yoke as a symbol that Babylon is broken…but then Jeremiah appears in a newyoke, and this time an unbreakable one of iron.Maybe I just like a good story, but I have always liked to read, and ponder upon, those incidents in Jeremiah’slife.Two prophets disagreeing…so how do we tell which one is right? Well, in hindsight it is easy to tell….Jeremiahwas absolutely right; Babylon overran Jerusalem in 586 BC, and this time they did a mighty good job of it.They plundered, murdered, tortured and forced all the important people into exile in Babylon where they couldbe watched and controlled. Jeremiah was right, but not everyone spotted it at the time; it was a harshmessage which people did not want to hear. Would we have spotted it at the time? Would we have preferredthe optimism of the false prophet to the realism of Jeremiah?Just to very briefly tidy up the rest of his life, Jeremiah was, if you remember, placed in prison when we lefthim before my diversion. He was rescued from prison and placed in the care of Gedaliah, Babylon’s Governorof Judea, and when this Governor was assassinated, the remnants of the Judean people, against Jeremiah’sadvice, fled to Egypt and carted him off with them. We know that he lived in Egypt for many years.So, where do we stand with prophets? What exactly are prophets? Well God’s prophets may be regarded as God’s messengers, that is how Jesus referred to them. So, whatwas the importance of messengers in those days. We need to know a little bit more about the importance ofmessengers to put this into perspective.In those days, before the instant communication of telephones, emails, text messages, and the manycommunications systems available today, before even the good old snail mail of the postal service,communication was either face to face or by messenger. This meant that messengers had a very specialplace in society; the messenger was the representative of the person who had sent them. Because the personsending the message could not be there in person, then the messenger was there in their place, to fullyrepresent them. We might say that because God cannot be here to meet us face to face, then themessengers, the prophets, were, and possibly are, here in his stead. In those days a messenger demanded the same respect as the person whom they represented; their wordswere the words of the person who had sent them, therefore their respect should be like the respect for the onewho had sent them. God’s true messengers should command the respect that is given to God; their words arethe words of God.I remember as a youngster reading a story about the days of chivalry. A messenger rides up to a castle todeliver a message from the great leader who is laying siege to the castle. The person in charge of the castlerefuses to listen and orders a crossbowman to shoot the messenger dead. This was regarded as the mostheinous of crimes, the very lowest to which the intended recipient could fall. By shooting the messenger theyhad taken a shot at his master, as if in person.By analogy, there are those in the world today who will not listen to the messengers of God, but will attackthem and even shoot them dead. By their actions they are attacking the messenger’s master; shooting at themessenger’s master; shooting at God.But those who will listen to the true messenger are actually listening to the person who has sent them. Themessenger has been given importance by the sender of the message.
By the same token it used to be said that the person who hears the message from the messenger is of equalimportance to the messenger. Note that is the person who not just listens, but who hears; they are givenimportance by the message, by the messenger and by the person who sent the message.Does this mean that the people who read the scriptures, and take in the words, are of equal importance to thepeople who wrote those words. Certainly they are given importance for “hearing” the message, by themessenger and by the sender of the message.To read the words of the messengers and to seek understanding is the same as “hearing” the messenger indays of old. Jeremiah’s message was ignored….it was made worthless by people not hearing it.Our greatest messenger is, of course, Jesus himself; Jesus the Christ, the anointed one; the one after whomour faith is named; the one whose message is greater than any. Yet his message is also worthless to thosewho do not “hear” it.
What have we “heard” today? Eddie Allman
NO CHIPS !!
I’ve just been watching a flock of birds High up in the sky.
Mums and dads, teaching their young How to soar and fly.
My garden feeding station seemsMuch busier these days.
Probably ‘cos the chip shop’s closedAnd they’re finding other ways..
To feed themselves now thoughtless folkAren’t dropping food on pavements
But having it all deliveredAnd binning all the remnants
It’s been a delight in lock downWatching them come and go.
Sparrows, finches, bluetitsEven a woodpecker and a crow.
There’s starlings, blackbirds, jackdawsSeen a seagull too!
There’s a pair of collard dovesAnd of course, a pigeon or two!
They line up on the greenhouseAnd form an orderly queue.
They seem to social distance,A bit like we should do.
They’ve eaten me out of house and homeBut I don’t begrudge them that.
Without their daily presenceLock down would be flat.
I hope they won’t desert meWhen the ‘open’ signs appear,I’d like to think my little friends
Will keep on coming here.
I’ll carry on with their suppliesVary their diet too,
‘Chips with everything’ they say.Not in my garden, thank you!
Janet Parkinson
There’s something lurking behind the shedIt seems to want to escape.Its Margaret Harrop’s potato plantTrying to reach the gate.
She says she hasn’t fed it.Is the greenery just for show?,Or are there lots and lots of spudsJust lurking down below?.
MORE MUSINGS FOR THE SUMMER
Well, it’s here; here for us all to see; here following something like 19 weeks of lockdown for those of us vulnerable. I refer, of course, to full release from home. Here as summer reaches its final throws and begins to look towards autumn, I can join the rest of you in avoiding shopping by my choice, or queueing in the rain.
I have to confess that I did fetch my medication from the Pharmacy last week, even though I shouldn’t have. Armed with a washable mask and disposable gloves, I briefly ventured out into what has become a frightening world. Queues outside the newsagents come Post Office and a one out, one in policy. There were always queues at peak times, but inside, in the dry, not standing at a sociably acceptable separation out in the pouring rain. Queues everywhere, a strict policy of two only in the pharmacy, and stencils of socially distanced feet outside in the rain for everyone else to queue on the pavement.
A woman, who I swear would have put real fear into many a professional wrestler and boxer, managing the one out, one in policy at the local supermarket. I shall continue with on-line deliveries whilst she remains there, I wouldn’t be brave enough to argue with her.
What a terrifying world we live in these days yet, even with the downpours and gales, the flowers are doing really well in the gardens, and Pat has had several vases of mixed border flowers in the house. Hanging baskets, not done to our usual method, are doing absolutely splendidly, especially the one with the black petunia. Thankfully we have been able to utilise the garden during our 19 weeks.We have had a good crop of currants (black and red), Josterberries, rhubarb and peas, some of which have been used in our meals and some have gone into the freezer. The gooseberries which looked like a superb crop, for the first time I can remember, got powdery mildew and were lost. Wealso had some nice cherries from the miniature tree I grow in a tub, and the apple and plum harvest is looking good, also from miniature trees. Broad beans are a bit disappointing, but runner beans arelooking good, and there is a lot of blossom on my autumn raspberries. The miniature courgettes (fruit not plants) are beginning to produce. We use some of them raw in salads instead of cucumber,hence we grow the smaller ones. A tip if you have large ones, if you want to freeze them it is best tograter them, they are much more usable then. I use them to make my own version of ratatouille which is delicious. Growing some of our own vegetables, herbs, salads and fruit gives me exercise, fresh air, and definitely tastes better that some of the bought equivalents. I don’t mind queueing in the rain to pick these.
But back to the shops; is that what life is going to be like from now on? I don’t mind wearing a mask and gloves just providing I can get into the places. The first things we will do after release is visit the garden centre, the things I have run out of and can’t get on-line are incredible. Not quite the first thing, Pat has made a hair appointment for August 1st , the day of release, and a nail
appointment is soon to follow.( I bought some clippers and Pat did my hair, but won’t let me near hers).
I must say that one supermarket has been wonderful (The orange one) and after having major trouble with our usual one we changed to them; they knew we were on lockdown and have put themselves out to make sure we have had regular deliveries. Likewise our local butcher. You certainly know who your friends are at times like these and know who to patronise in future.
Whilst it has become commonplace to praise front line and key workers, and quite right of course, but there are people who have done a wonderful job who seem to miss out on praise. The refuse collectors, postal deliveries, newspaper deliveries, the delivery staff who bring round on-line purchases and so on. Wonderful service from all of them.
Ah well, back to the next supermarket order…….. God bless all of you queueing in the rain.
Eddie Allman
LET’S GET QUIZZICAL!
‘Oranges and lemons say the bells of……………………………………………………...…….
Coal is composed of what element?……………………………………….…………………...…
What is a baby swan called?………………………………………………….………………….
Which 20th century English poet’s middle name is Chawner?………………………………...
Elijah Wood plays which Hobbit in ‘The Lord of the Rings?……………...…………………...
Into which bay does the US river Susquehanna flow? …………………………………...….
What word can follow pencil, suit or nut? ……………………………………………………….
Which Royal dynasty followed the Tudors? ……………………………………………………
Who wrote the ‘Swallows and Amazons’ books?………………………………………………
What is the collective name for toads? …………………………………………………………...
In snooker, which colour ball is worth four points? …………………………………………….
In Beatrix Potter’s ‘Tale of Mr Tod’, what is Mr Tod? ………………………………………….
Where in the human body is the Labyrinth? ……………………………………………………..
In what kind of place was Oliver Twist born? ………………………………………………...….
What is UNESCO short for? ……………………………………………………………………….
Whose motto is ‘Nations shall speak peace unto nations’ ? …………………………………
Which poet wrote ‘The Waste Land’?. ……………………………………………………………
In which country are the Southern Alps? ………………………………………………………...
What is the principal ingredient in the Indian dish dahl? ………………………………………
What part of an animal’s body is its carapace? ……………………………………………….
What is the highest mountain in Africa? …………………………………………………………
When was the battle of Agincourt – 1415, 1515, 0r 1615? …………………………………..
In which sport is ‘nose riding’ a manoeuvre? …………………………………………………….
Which literary family lived at Haworth in Yorkshire? ……………………………………………
What was Pinocchio originally made of? ………………………………………………………...
What Home Guard platoon does Captain Mainwaring command? …………………………...
What breed of owl is Harry Potter’s ‘ Hedwig’? ………………………………………………..
Where do mice that are proverbially poor, live? …………………………………………………
What is the largest organ in the body? ………………………………………………………….
Which bear raises money for Children in Need? ……………………………………………...
Where did Moses receive the Ten Commandments? ………………………………………….
ANSWERS IN THE NEXT EDITION
Rr
TOP TIPS (Could this be a new feature for the future?????????)
While in lockdown I have found a few tips for gardening etc
1. House Plants - Put the skin of a banana in a jam jar with lid on, full of water and leaveovernight - use water as plant fertiliser for house plants.
2.Use coffee grounds out of a coffee machine round plants - slugs don't like it and it also feeds the plants.
3.Tea bags - get a used tea bag and split open - plant a seed in it (keep it moist not wet) when seed starts to sprout, put in a pot (leave in the tea bag) and watch it grow.
4. I've also started seeds off in soil inside an egg shell and when it sprouted, I squashed the egg shell and put it all in a pot. Also put egg shell bits round plants in the garden - theslugs don’t like them. Margaret Harrop
2021!!!
Lets hope 2021 turns out to be better than 2020!. If you would like to plan ahead, Margaret Harrop now has ……
calendars for sale. Only a few designs yet but hopefully more will come in . Let me know what pictures you would like. They usually have , cats or kittens, dogs or puppies, cottages, bikes, cars, fish, horses , flowers, etc etc, and they even have sister, mother, friend on, Long ones (usual type) £1 each
If you would like to order a square calendar, calendar and diary or calendar with just numbers on or even a diary ,,,,, small, oblong (hard or soft back) square, A5 size, please let me know either by email, text, letter or phone call (leave a message if I'm out) if possiblebefore the end of August and I will get them for you.
AND FINALLY ---
Congratulations and good luck to all our young people who willbe restarting school in September. To those who will be startingtheir new subjects at exam level, to those who will move up todifferent school and college levels and to those who are going backinto a higher year. We hope that lock down has not been too hardfor you and that you can all continue with your education next term.(and well done to all those who have been home-schooling you all)
DATES FOR YOUR DIARYSadly once again I cannot share any Short Street dates with you, however, I hope that the next Edition will be looking a bit more ‘normal’. .
SO….
DEADLINE
Your articles for the Next Edition must be with the Editor by 27th September, 2020 Please note that it would be extremely helpful to have any reports, articles etc. before this date where possible as ‘Commercial Break is compiled over a two month period. .
