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CONTACT

Magazine of Erdington Methodist Church Station Road - June 2013

ContentsMinister’s Letter 3Gwendoline (Pearl) Galbraith 4One of my hobbies is Crochet 5More VISION information 6Lisa keeps running faster 7Saturday Prayer Ministry 8Worship Leaders 8Erdington Foodbank 9Museum of Methodism reopening 10An insight into Audio-Description 11Financial Matters May 2013 - The Vision Fund and all that ! 12An Indian Prayer 13Wisden 14River and Sky 15St Paul’s Cathedral 16Salad Day(s) Garden Party 18Songs of Stage & Screen 19Children’s Pages 20A weekend in Istanbul - part 1 22"A horse! a horse! my kingdom for a horse!". 26Advance Notice 27Grammar Tips 28Who prays today? 29A Scientist Visits the Scouts 30Canoldir Male Choir – Anglo Welsh Festival of Male Choirs 31City of Herefords’ Mayor’s Thanksgiving Service 32Don’t fool me! 32Young Methodists back Nicaraguan children - Street Child World Cup 33Festival of Talents 34£10,000 grant for Argentina flood recovery 35Religion 35SERVICE - The Withington Elephant 36Caribbean Night 2013 38June Regular Meetings 39Weekly Church Activities 40

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Minister’s LetterI wonder if anyone else has read the book about the “Somewhere Else” church in Liverpool? A few years ago, after most of the churches in inner city Liverpool had been closed, the Methodist Church decided to send a minister to work in the city centre but without a church. The minister, Barbara Glasson, found this to be a real challenge, spending many hours just wandering the streets, meeting people and discovering their needs as well as her own. Eventually she got together with a few people and started making bread on a regular basis. This bread-making has now evolved into the “Somewhere Else” church. It is an amazing story about quite ordinary people who have somehow joined together to meet each others needs – and in the meeting of those needs they have discovered God. While I was away on retreat last month I met the current minister of the church and he assured me that the work continues – I even have an open invitation to go and visit!

Who would think such a simple activity as making bread would lead to the starting of a new church? And yet there are quite a few stories in the gospels where Jesus uses bread in quite a fundamental way – the feeding of the 5000, teaching his disciples to pray “Give us this day our daily bread”, talking of himself as the “bread of life” and then passing round the bread at the Last Supper and saying “Take, eat, this is my body which will be given up for you”, and then being recognised by the disciples on the road to Emmaus when he broke the bread with them.

In Liverpool bread-making leads to the sharing of stories as the bread is kneaded and left to rise. Once cooked it is shared or given away. They only cook enough for one day at a time. Maybe we can learn from their experience. When we are engaged in even the simplest of tasks together we are able to talk in a new way. When we start to concentrate on someone else’s need often we find our own need being met along the way. And even in the very ordinary things of life God can break through and make each moment a holy moment. I wonder what simple tasks we could be sharing together in our community? Jane

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Gwendoline (Pearl) GalbraithA recent 90th Birthday celebration, prompted this trip down memory lane.

Pearl was born in Frankfield Jamaica in 1923 and later moved to Spanish Town where she grew up as one of nine children. Her father died when she was young and that made life difficult. She came to the UK on 9th September 1953 as part of the Windrush movement from Jamaica. Her brother, who had preceded her, was a bus driver and had suggested that she should come and join him in Orton Road, Birmingham. Apparently it was the size of the place and guess what, the weather that caused her the most trouble after she got here. Pearl and her brother were the only ones in the family to make the move across the pond.

Her first job after she arrived was as an orderly at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. She forgets whether it was Ward East 5 A or B. As with most people at that time she gave up her job when the family came along, although she later returned to work at Winter Warm the (electric) blanket maker in Hockley, where she stayed for about 25 years until she retired. In Jamaica, Pearl had been a dressmaker for ladies and girls, a skill that she would bring with her and use on a part time basis all through her life.

After she finally retired Pearl took on the Grandmother role doing the school collection. She also organised bus trips around and about, including a noteworthy trip to Drayton Manor Park, where I understand she did not go on any of the rides. During the time after school Pearl somehow found the time to be a teacher of cooking and dressmaking.

Pearl is a longstanding member of the Church Choir and takes part in all the activities.

Over the years Pearl has made several trips back westward to visit family. Her fist trip was in 1980, which was the last time that she saw her mother. She went again in 1998. Then in 2002 she went with her own family to Florida, which was the first time, not to visit her extended family in Jamaica. This was quite a different experience. More recently her 2010 trip to Canada for another family reunion was another big adventure.

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Pearl still lives independently doing everything for herself. Her family describe her as a woman of principle, a good grandmother, generous and caring and who always puts her family first.

Now that is an epithet to which we would all aspire.

Happy Birthday Pearl

One of my hobbies is CrochetI have been crocheting seriously from the 1970s when I discovered a pattern for a tank top in a weekly magazine that I liked. I had been shown by my Grandmother the basics as a child and hoped that I could remember what to do. I gathered together the materials that I required, a hook and several balls of ‘double knit ‘weight cotton. I started slowly, but the technique came back to me quite quickly, and as they say I was hooked. Over the years I have done a few projects, mostly for friends and family.

I will be having a stall at the Festival of Talents with a display of some of the items I have made in the past, along with books, magazines and patterns.

There will also be a few items for sale in aid of the Vision fund, and I will, I hope, be demonstrating this relaxing and enjoyable hobby.

Sue Turner

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More VISION informationThe project now has approval from the circuit and the promise of a grant as well. So we feel that we are moving on, and the Vision group is very busy with plans for fund-raising and applications for grants.

We begin to see some fruits from our hard work. After just over a year, and with funds raised for a new boiler as well, we have over £10,000 in the bank. Interestingly, just under a year since the savings boxes were given out, almost £1000 has raised from these! 43 boxes were given out and 23 of them have been handed in to be counted – and now continue to be filled. If this happened with the rest of them I am sure we could soon double that amount! Has your box been hidden under something else, forgotten and lonely? Or do you diligently save and then borrow it back again? Yes I am sure we have all done that. It will be encouraging to see some more boxes handed in.

Our next big effort will soon be here. The Festival of Talents should be a familiar name to you and noted on your calendars or diaries. By this time some of you will have bought a copy of the brochure which gives you all the details of the week end. They will be available each week and during the week for the groups which meet at church. Near the end you will find dates of other events up to Christmas including the Harvest week end.

There will be an afternoon tea in August, a Barn Dance on October 5th. and a Quiz Night, again, on November 16th.

Some of you have given us more ideas which are discussed and implemented as far as possible. Have you any different thoughts of ways we can make money – one off events, or something that can be done over a time such as the Talent Challenge, or a sponsored event. Lesley has an excellent idea but I think she is keeping it to herself for the moment in case her courage deserts her!!

Enjoy the Festival of Talents, and look out for the Donation Boxes!

Hilary Price6

Lisa keeps running fasterSutton Coldfield Observer 19th April 2013

‘Despite being a keen athlete at school I’d always been overweight as an adult. I first joined SE Fitness in January 2012, part way through my weight loss ‘journey’. I had lost about 3 stone at that point, but it was creeping back on and I certainly wasn’t fit. I think I really only signed up to satisfy myself that running wasn’t for me, but I’m still here 15 months later!

I remember feeling quite relieved at my first session that there were lots of people like me, of all shapes and sizes, and not everyone was a professional looking athlete. With the support of the leaders I progressed from the beginner groups, where I could just about run for a minute, into the ‘Run Fitness’ groups and felt able in October last year to tackle my first 10km run. A photo of me at that run made me realise that the time was now right to try and lose the rest of the weight. I hadn’t put any on since taking up running, so I knew if I could finally achieve a healthy weight then this time it would stay off. A combination of regular running & Weight Watchers means I have

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lost another 2 stone and now find myself in ‘Run Plus’, the group for faster runners and I’m both proud, and surprised, to be there.

I’m running about five miles, twice a week and feel quite frustrated when I can’t get out there to run. The social aspect of a running group and the support we give each other is really motivating. Chatting to the others means you can run a couple of miles without really noticing and there is always someone there to spur you on. If I can do it-anyone can!’

Lisa Porter

Saturday Prayer MinistryThis is a very valuable part of our church life. Sometimes one of our own members feels the need to go into the church and just be quiet or have someone to talk to. On occasions people who don’t any attend any church come into the coffee morning and wander into the church to find help. Currently we only have 3 people trying to fill the rota for this ministry, which means that they have to be available more than once a month. It would be really good if we could find one or two more to share this extremely rewarding task. Please speak to Margaret Curzon, Jean Shakespeare, Dot Evans or Jane to find out more.

Worship LeadersGodfrey Higgins is about to start another Worship Leaders’ course and needs to know fairly soon if anyone else would like to explore this ministry. We are fortunate to have our worship group at Erdington but we don’t have any other worship leaders. Could God be calling you or does he only call others? Speak to Jane or David Hewitt or give Godfrey a ring – 378 3520.

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Erdington FoodbankWe are up and running and busy.  We need continually to top up our stock.  We will do this by way of supermarket collections and donations but also need to top up in general. 

Our general list is below but right now we particularly need:

deodorantshower gelshampoofruit juicetooth brushesnappies 

You can bring donations to: 1. Six Ways Baptist Church, Mondays, 10-122. The Foodbank Warehouse at St Barnabas. Tuesdays 10-1

Thanks 

Gerard Goshawk (Six Ways Baptist Church)

∗ Milk (UHT or powdered) ∗ Tea Bags/inst coffee∗ Sugar (500g) ∗ Instant Mash Potato∗ Fruit Juice (carton) ∗ Rice/Pasta∗ Soup ∗ Tinned Meat/Fish∗ Pasta Sauces ∗ Tinned Fruit∗ Sponge Pudding (Tinned) ∗ Jam∗ Tomatoes (Tinned) ∗ Biscuits or snack bars∗ Cereals∗ Rice Pudding (Tinned)

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Museum of Methodism reopeningA museum telling the story of Methodism’s immense influence on Britain and the world is reopening in central London. Situated in the vast crypt of Wesley’s Chapel, the Museum of Methodism promises to take visitors on a journey of spiritual discovery.

The BBC presenter, Huw Edwards, narrates the museum’s seven-minute audio-visual presentation. The latest technology, including tablet computers, provides interactive access to major archival documents, including John Wesley’s sermons and Charles Wesley’s hymns.

The museum is pioneering the use of heritage to further the Church’s mission. In the telling of Methodism’s dynamic responses to poverty and social ills, it hopes to fire faith in our time.

As well as the exhibitions, there’s a meditative space, an examination of the hagiography that grew up around John Wesley and a display of the museum’s ceramics collection, made up of hundreds of mugs, plates and John Wesley figurines.

Bishop Sundo Kim, of Kwanglim Methodist Church in South Korea, will offer prayers during the special service on Saturday 25 May to mark the opening. His congregation of 85,000 have donated a substantial sum to the project. He said, “Methodism didn’t arrive in Korea until 1885 – the latest wave of a spiritual tide that began its rise in London over a hundred years before that. There’s a simple reason why we’ve invested seriously in this new museum. The story it tells of the power and the grace of God released through the ministry of John and Charles Wesley is our story too.  It’s what shaped our identity and challenges us to go on doing God’s work in our own day.”

The new museum will be open to the public from Monday 27 May (Monday-Friday 10.00am-4.00pm, then after the Sunday service until 1.45pm).

Methodist Church News Service10

An insight into Audio-DescriptionA visit to the theatre is an interesting and pleasurable experience for a sighted person. For the visually impaired it can be extremely frustrating as so much of the performance is missed. Now, with the introduction of audio-described performances and touch tours that has changed for the better.

Our first experience of audio-description was about ten years ago at the ‘Beldgrade’ in Coventry, the first theatre in the area to introduce the system. After much pressure from organisations for the blind the system was installed at the Birmingham Hippodrome during the last major refurbishment.

To get on a touch tour one has to book well in advance as numbers are limited. On arrival at the Hippodrome blind patrons and their carers are met by trained staff and assembled into small groups. The touch tour commences with a guided tour of the set on stage where the blind are encouraged to touch the scenery and handle the props so as to build a visual image of the set. Moving back stage there are racks of costumes and shelves of wigs, head-dresses etc which can be handled as the describers explain colours, materials and the characters who wear them building that all important visual image.

On returning to the foyer the blind patrons are issued with a set of ear phones which are checked by the audio-describers who ensure the users know how to operate them. The audio-description commences fifteen minutes before ‘curtain-up with a sysnopsis of the story and explanation of the lay-out of the set from the audience perspective. At any time during the performance when there is no dialogue the describer very quietly explains the action taking place on stage e.g. ‘he kissed her hand’ or ‘so and so exited stage left and slammed the door’ (blind people wouldn’t automatically know what caused the bang!) Changes of scenery, costumes, lighting etc are also described.

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We have always enjoyed visits to the theatre and now thanks to audio-description blind people can enjoy a performance to the full, laughing and crying in all the right places and knowing exactly what is taking place on stage making it a more fulfilling experience.

Pat & Bob Wilson

Financial Matters May 2013 The Vision Fund and all that !First of all very many thanks for the splendid efforts of the congregation over the last few months in reaching the £10,000 mark for the Vision Fund and at the same time raising the £14,000 for a new Boiler (fully paid for) and £ 4,000 for new lights in the hall (partially paid for). We are grateful for generous donations from the Circuit and the District towards the boiler and the initiative of Anthony Griffin in securing a grant of £2,500 from the local Community Fund for Erdington.

Over the coming months we have committed ourselves to raising a large amount of money (£245,000) for our Vision Project whilst at the same time keeping our normal Church Activities running smoothly. Discussions with members of Stockland Green who have just completed a larger effort reveal some pointers to help.

Firstly, we know that normal costs will rise e.g. the Circuit Assessment, heating, water etc and we hope there are no more nasty surprises like the boiler still to come but if we could secure as much stability as possible by raising our Giving through the Sunday Collections or Standing Orders this will enable us to concentrate our main efforts on the Vision Fund Events which are going so well.

Secondly, it is obvious that we are hoping to raise most of the money from external sources. This involves answering a lot of questions on lots of forms on which we have to try and convince the Grant giver that we are making lots of efforts on our own behalf. A frequent question is what amount have we got in pledges from our own members ? (e.g. if we have pledges from 5 members who think they can manage £100 in the next

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couple of years we can answer £500 in Pledges. There will be a “Pledge Form” available soon for anyone who is able to participate.

Thirdly, as we get further into the Project in order to help with the cash flow it would be useful for me to know if there are a few members who could be called upon in an emergency to give a short term interest free loan. Please have a word with me if you can help or want to know more

John Price (Treasurer)

An Indian PrayerQuite frequently I pick up a poetry book and dip into it. Today I came across this serene Indian prayer. It’s so good to be reminded of life’s blessings.

Barbara Rawson

Creator of life and light,we praise thee this day for the beauty of thy world,for sunshine and flowers,storm-cloud and starry night,for the radiance of dawn and the last smouldering calm of the sunset. We thank thee for physical joys,for the ecstasy of swift motion, for deep water to swim in,for the goodly smell of rain on dry ground,for hills to climb and hard work to do,for all the skill of hand and eye,for music that lifts our hearts in one breath to heaven,for the grasp of a friend,for the gracious loveliness of children, for all these thy sacraments of beauty and joy,we thank thee our Lord and God.

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WisdenNo not a typo. This is the name of the world famous Cricketer’s Almanac or the ‘bible of cricket’. It has been published every year in April, since 1864 making this year the 150th edition. Originally it was founded by the cricketer John Wisden to be a competitor to Fred Lillywhite’s ‘The Guide to Cricketers’. In the 1880s it was taken over by the Cricket Reporting Agency. Robert Maxwell was briefly at the helm in the 1960s. Paul Getty took control in 1993 and then sold it on in 2008 to Bloomsbury, strange bedfellow with Harry Potter.

Physically Wisden’s is an unusual small-paged book with minute printing and a bright yellow cover. The first editions had 112 pages, so presumably it was originally designed to fit into a pocket. Early editions also contained other miscellaneous sporting and non-sporting information including the rules of quoiting, the dates of the Crusades and the lengths of British canals. In the 1860s I doubt that there were many cricketing records to report. However, as the 2013 edition has 1,585 pages it is now probably too bulky for most pockets. Since 2006 a larger page edition has been available with standard sized print. There is even more information available on the Wisden’s web page. Now we all know the source of all those cricketing facts and figures that so enliven Test Match Special.

John Wisden (seated on the left in the picture below) was the original editor and an underarm bowler of note. It is reported that in one match he clean bowled an entire team during one innings.

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Another unusual feat attributed to Wisden, is the running of seven runs off one ball. He retired in 1863 and his book arrived the next year. Over arm bowling arrived in 1864. The two events may or may not have been related.

Wisden’s contains the current Laws of cricket; all the things, which we now take for granted but which have evolved over a long period of time. An ‘over’ was increased from four to five in 1889 and then to six in 1900. Then in 1922 an Australian over became eight. In 1947 with overs of both six and eight in the Laws it was decreed that either could be used by ‘prior agreement.’ The size of the stumps was fixed in 1829 and although the weight of the ball had been fixed since 1809 the size was not specified until 1884. Amazingly this was also the year when the number in a team was standardised at 11.

Interesting to relate this publication to other world events. It was in the 1860s that the first fish and chip shops were opened, the American Civil War was in full swing as was the British subjugation of the Maoris in New Zealand.

Inevitably with something as long running as this, the rarity of early editions means that they will command a high price. It has been suggested that a complete set should be insured for £250,000. Overall an interesting book, I wonder what its format will be in 2063?

Peter Farley

River and SkyMove our hearts with the calm, smooth flow of your grace. Let the river of your love run through our souls. May my soul be carried by the current of your love, towards the wide, infinite ocean of heaven. Stretch out my heart with your strength, as you stretch out the sky above the earth. Smooth out any wrinkles of hatred or resentment. Enlarge my soul that it may know more fully your truth.

A prayer of Gilbert of Hoyland, (died c.1170, Abbot of the Cistercian monastery of Swineshead in Lincolnshire)

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St Paul’s CathedralThe Dome of St Paul’s Cathedral dominating the City of London sky-line is a familiar sight. However, if I asked you about the interior you may have replied, ‘Well, I remember going there on a school visit, so it was a long time ago, but I do recall climbing the steps to the whispering gallery to see if it was true that my whisper by the wall could be heard by my friend on the other side.’ I know that up to twelve months ago that would have been my comment. However, while I was joining in the 40th anniversary celebrations at Erdington, one of my grandsons was making his way to St. Paul’s to join the Cathedral Choir.

St. Paul’s Cathedral School has about 240 boys and girls aged from four to thirteen but only about thirty boys are choristers. As they have to fit choir practice and services around normal lessons the choristers are boarders, but the others are day pupils. I wondered how my nine year grandson would get on in this strange environment, away from his home and family, but of course there was no need for me or his parents to worry, he was just full of the excitement of it all.

Before he could become a member of the choir he had to serve a time as a probationer and was given his black robe and ruff to wear to the services. First he learned to process and practised his singing then he joined the choir for Evensong once a week at first and more frequently as his confidence and ability increased. In November I was delighted to receive an invitation to St. Paul’s to see him made up to a full chorister.

As we walked down the nave, the family was met by a member of the school staff and we were escorted to seats reserved for us on the front row. After singing the first hymn the two probationers were led in by the head chorister and presented by the Headmaster to the Dean before the Head Chorister vests each in a white surplice. The new Choristers were each presented with a Book of Common Prayer and the congregation applauded. As the Head Chorister led the new Choristers to their places in the Quire a fanfare was played on the organ.

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Evensong continued and the Sermon was preached by Reverend Jo Udal. Afterwards we were taken round to the High Altar for photos before going into the school for afternoon tea.

On Christmas Day the choristers led the singing at each of the services and their parents and siblings were invited to join them and the staff with their families for a Christmas meal before starting their holiday.

Unfortunately, my grandson was taken ill at the end of January but, after a successful emergency bowel operation (thank you for your prayers) he was soon back at St. Paul’s studying the special music for the Easter services.

I was looking forward to looking after him for the second week of his Easter holiday when the other children had returned to their school, however, Baroness Margaret Thatcher died and an email arrived saying that her funeral would be at St Paul’s so the choristers would have to return for rehearsals and the service. My services were therefore not required!

Guess who sat glued to the television throughout that funeral service! I pressed the red button to see the mourners arriving and drink in the beauty of the cathedral. The cameras zoomed in on the monochrome designs by James Thornhill of the life of St Paul high up in the dome. (The originals deteriorated in the London smog and were repainted in1853). I was delighted when the cameras focused on the beautiful mosaics in the triangular spaces between the arches designed by Alfred Stevens and George Frederic Watts. During the service there were fleeting glimpses of the choir but it was not until they were singing the Requiem that my patience was rewarded and my grandson’s face filled the television screen. When I saw him a few days later he showed me his music copy of the Order of Service which I am sure he will cherish for many years.

Last year I visited Italy and saw a number of beautiful cathedrals but looking again at St. Paul’s it goes to the top of my list for its architectural design by Sir Christopher Wren and for its interior filled with wonderful works of art.

Margaret Curzon

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Tuesday June 26th 2013

Salad Day(s) Garden Party

Do come and join us at

16 Emmanuel Road, Wylde Green

From 12.00 – 4.00pm

£3.00 including choice of salad and desert

Tea or coffee

See a little of

the ‘Orient – Nagaland – Rupert Bear

ALL WELCOME

Audrey & Mike Headley18

Kinstanding Methodist Church presents

Songs of Stage & Screen29th June 2013 - 7.30 pm start

Songs from Hair Spray, Sound of Music,

Les Miserables etc . . . . .

Performed by the Midlands Opera Co.

£8.00 per ticketincluding light refreshments

Contact Flo O’Connor0121 244 0782

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A weekend in Istanbul - part 1During April Michael and I went to Istanbul for a short break. We planned to take as many of the excursions as we could healthily cram in. Istanbul has a very long and varied history, parts of the city being pre-Roman (c.667 BC) through opulent Orthodox Christian Byzantium (324-1299) and the Muslim Ottoman Empire (1299-1922) to the modern secular state that is 21st century Turkey.

We arrived on Thursday evening at a very busy Ataturk airport which like Heathrow is 45 minutes from the city centre. Once all the people of our party had arrived we all tumbled into a coach that would be our taxi for the next 4 days.

The first thing that we noticed was the profusion of tulips in all the parks, on traffic islands and along the central reservations of the highways; tulips are the national flower of Turkey having been reintroduced in the 17th century and in April they have a tulip festival. Stylized tulips are everywhere. We had plenty of time to look at the flowers as like any modern city anywhere we had hit the evening rush hour. Our hotel was in the old town which was

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difficult for the bus to get to due to the amount of other traffic all doing the same thing at the same time.

After a pleasant evening with friends we slept quite well having set our alarms for 7 o’clock a completely unnecessary procedure because the local muezzin started up at 5 – sunrise! As we were close to several mosques the episode seemed to last forever but is probably no more than a few minutes in reality. They have a system which meant that each line is called by each mosque in turn before starting the next line and then off they go again. It’s quite musical and not at all intrusive. We had a 9 o’clock start to what was to be a very packed day.

We were taken to Sultanahmet Square where we looked at the Roman remains of the Hippodrome which had been the heart of the Byzantine city of Constantinople built by Emperor Septimus Severus in the 3rd century AD and extended by the Emperor Constantine. This square now holds some of the most important historical buildings in Istanbul and even in April was swarming with people. A schedule hiccup meant that we were unable to get right into the Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii) we did, however, go into the outer courtyard and were able to appreciate the

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architecture and learnt the history behind its building. We then visited the Haghia Sophia which means” the Church of Holy Wisdom” it was inaugurated by Emperor Justinian in 537 and turned into a mosque in 1453. It was established as a museum in 1923 to remove the constant claims between Christians and Muslims. A great deal of restoration has been done in modern times to uncover the beautiful Byzantine mosaics some which date back to the 6th century. The Muslim Prayer niche (mihrab) which indicates the direction of Mecca is still in place as are eight great wooden plaques with calligraphic inscriptions commemorating: Allah, the prophet Mohammed, the first four caliphs and two of the Prophet’s grandsons. There was a lot to see and take in, I was glad of the guide book that we had taken with us.

After a fish lunch we were taken to see the Basilica cistern which was for water storage in the time of Justinian (532). It still holds a small amount of water, though is capable of holding a lot more. It is stocked with carp that keep the water sweet. Water was bought to the city via the Valens Aqueduct from the Belgrade forest and mountains, an amazing 125 miles away. This aqueduct towers over the Bazaar quarter and a dual carriageway runs through four of its arches. We then went to a craft centre where we saw a

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demonstration of rug making and the types of wool and backing were explained. From here we were allowed into the Grand Bazaar which is a maze of small shops selling all types of items each little street specializing in a specific type of goods: leather, jewellery, rugs, household items, souvenirs, and fabrics. We had about an hour to do some shopping and hone our bargaining skills.

On our second day we were asked if we could gather for 8.30 so that we could get into the Blue Mosque which we had missed the day before. While we were waiting in the queue to enter the mosque we noticed lots of “stray” dogs and cats about. The guide explained that though Turks love animals the majority Muslim population does not allow pets indoors. There is a state scheme whereby dogs and cats are regularly rounded up and given health checks the dogs are visibly tagged so that you can tell it has been vaccinated and free from rabies. All these animals are well looked after and both the cats and dogs know where the best pickings are to be found.

The Blue Mosque is named for the mainly blue Iznik tiles which decorate its interior; it was built between 1609 and 1616 for Sultan Ahmet 1 by Mehmet Aga, the royal architect. There had been a great deal of hostility to the plans at the time as with six minarets it rivalled the architecture of Mecca. When we entered the mosque we were asked to take off our shoes and ladies were asked to cover their hair. I was wearing a sunhat but it was not considered adequate, I still had to cover up with a scarf. It was explained to us why woman had to have their hair covered and why they had to pray separately; it was so that the men would not be distracted by lovely hair or by a pretty face while praying. The pattern on the carpet is a grid of rectangles of equal size, enough for a grown man to kneel in prayer so everyone would have just the same amount of space regardless of who they were.

More about our packed weekend in the next magazine

Sue Turner

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"A horse! a horse! my kingdom for a horse!".Last year a story in the news fired worldwide interest - the discovery of skeletal remains beneath a parking lot near Leicester Cathedral. They were believed to be those of King Richard III. The bones were carbon dated to a period from 1455-1540 and recent DNA testing confirms they matched that of descendants of the monarch's family.

Richard III died in 1485 while engaged in The Battle of Bosworth. In his play Richard III William Shakespeare immortalised him as a thoroughly evil man who introduces himself as:

"Deformed, unfinished, sent before my time / Into this breathing world, scarce half made up / And that so lamely and unfashionable / That dogs bark at me as I halt by them"

Historical records accuse the monarch of plotting to kill the Princes in the Tower [his nephews] in order to gain accession to the throne himself. But Richard was loyal to his brother, King Edward IV and the likelihood that he would kill his brother’s sons was, to say the least, questionable.

A number of manuscripts which belonged to Richard III exist today. Among them is a prayer book and a guide on how to be a good king. These indicate he was a devout and courteous monarch – all grist to the mill in discrediting Shakespeare’s damning portrayal of him.

On first viewing of the facial reconstruction of King Richard’s skull, a prominent member of the Richard III Society commented: "It doesn't look like the face of a tyrant. I'm sorry but it doesn't.” Portraits were painted of him after his death, many of them deliberately designed to make him look a villain. The recent facial reconstruction made possible from 3D scans of his skull, however, shows a remarkably good likeness. Here he looks gentle and quite pleasant.

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The significant question remains - has history maligned this man? On one hand the Richard III Society presses on in its attempt to prove Richard III was a popular, respected king. On the other hand, Richard came from a highly ambitious family who would stop at nothing to achieve their aims. This attitude would almost certainly have been passed on to Richard even if it called for murder.

One wonders if historical records may have to be adjusted some time, but until there is concrete proof of Richard III’s innocence or guilt, we will never know the truth. His reign was short, just two years, yet he is one of this country’s most contentious monarchs.

Barbara Rawson

Advance NoticeFOUR OAKS METHODIST CHURCH

14th December - 6.30 pm

CHRISTMAS EXTRAVAGANZA

with artistsRICHARD LLOYD OWEN – HANNAH KIRK

PETER BAILEY (piano)

The first half of the evening will be in concert form. The second half will consist of Carols with audience participation.

No ticket sales but there will be a retiring collection

All in aid of Action for Children in Palestine

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Grammar TipsSome months ago I read a newspaper report that at a jobs’ fair most of the jobs on offer went unfilled because the applicants’ grammar was not up to the required standard! I’m far from perfect (I know that’s very hard to believe!) grammatically; but some bloopers drive me mad. Why, when the English language is supposedly a dynamic one i.e. constantly changing should grammar be important? Well, to start with, if you are seeking a job a good command of your own language’s grammar is surely a most useful attribute and one which a potential employer would value, (assuming, of course that the potential employer has a sound grasp of grammar!) Another reason is to avoid appearing to be uneducated, lazy, or just plain ignorant to those who do know their grammar. The most telling reason though, is to avoid driving me and other GOP (see below) to apoplexy.

Here are a few ‘bloopers’:-The greengrocer’s (that could be greengrocers’ if there is more than one and, actually there are thousands!) apostrophe. For example, apple’s, cabbage’s, green’s and so on. People think that an apostrophe is necessary to make a word plural; it’s not. I’ve seen pansy’s for sale, coffee’s on offer, best meat’s and pie’s at best prices.

Another use (or misuse) of the apostrophe is with the word its. People correctly think that the apostrophe indicates possession. However, it’s does not. It’s is short for it is and should never be used to indicate possession. For example; the dog had it’s lead on means the dog had it is lead on. Doesn’t make sense does it? It’s raining hard means it is raining hard - that makes sense; but its raining hard doesn’t. The word its bucks the grammatical rule of possession but it’s very easy to understand. All you have to do is read it’s as it is and it will all make sense.

The letter H as in HD should be pronounced aitch, softly not harshly as in hedge, or haircut. Look up aitch in the dictionary if you don’t believe me.

I’ve mentioned the ‘me’ word before. Why on earth do so many people say something like,’ Me and Tom went to the party last night’? If only you went to the party, would you say, ‘Me went to the party last night’? Surely not; you

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would say, ‘I went to the party last night’. So, if Tom went with you, remembering the courtesy of putting yourself last, you would say,’ Tom and I went to the party last night’. It really is not difficult. Perhaps it’s a reflection on society of always putting ‘me’ first.

There are many more bloopers available; but as I started with people seeking jobs, I’ll just mention the word unemployed. This word is an adjective i.e. a word to describe another one. The BBC always gets this wrong when they refer to the unemployed. I always shout at the television, ‘the unemployed WHAT’. They should say,’ unemployed people or unemployed men, or unemployed women or unemployed gerbils…..’

I have probably made a few grammatical errors in writing this. If you do find any will you please donate £25 for each one to the Vision fund.

GOP - Grumpy Old Person/People

Anthony Griffin

Who prays today?Research by the Church of England has found that six out of seven people still believe that prayers can be answered, despite a dramatic drop in formal religious observance in the UK.

Only one in seven people insist that they would never resort to prayer. Teenagers are less likely to reject prayer than their parents - with only 9% of 18-24 year-olds saying they would never pray, compared with 17% of those in their late 50s. The proportion of people in England and Wales who classify themselves as "Christian" in 2011 fell to 59%, from 72% in 2001. When asked what they would pray for 31% said peace in the world; 27% said an end to poverty and for family members, with only 15% mentioning praying for guidance or healing for themselves.

Parish Pump Website

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A Scientist Visits the ScoutsA couple of the Scouts have written articles about when a colleague of mine from Spire Little Aston Hospital came to talk them. This was as part of their 'Community challenge' where they learn a bit about how one aspect of their community works.

If any church members have interesting jobs or hobbies they feel they can share with us, we are always happy to receive visitors on a Friday evening!

Lisa Porter

I am a scout at Erdington Methodists Church and I am writhing to achieve my community badge so I shall be writing about a Biomedical Scientist who came to visit us.

His name was Steve and he was wearing a large white lab coat and if you don’t know what a biomedical scientist is, it is a scientist who specialises in how the body works and how to stop disease so biomedical scientists are very useful in the modern word today.

Steve  brought several medical objects in to show us, to help us understand more about his work. The first thing was a couple of agar plates (or petri dishes). They were circular see-through dishes containing a special medium that bacteria can grow on which are used in laboratories to study bacteria forms and the way that they grow. The 2 agar plates that he brought in to show us were of finger dabs showing bacteria growth on fingers before and after hands had been washed. They clearly showed that there was much more bacteria on the unwashed finger dabs and it makes you realise how important it is to wash your hands.

He also brought in a bag of human blood and told us about blood transfusions. People need blood transfusions when they have lost blood from an accident or operation or an illness. They collect blood and keep it all in blood banks but its really important to check that the patient has the same blood type as the donor. All the blood comes from people who donate

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their blood for free to help save lives. I think this is good and maybe I will donate blood when I am older.

Steve showed us some microscope slides of cancerous cells developing over time. Some biomedical scientists work in research laboratories looking for cures for diseases like cancer and some work in pathology labs where they test out samples from patients to see if they have cancer or other diseases.

It was very interesting to meet him as my brother is learning Biomedical Science at university. Now I know a lot more about what biomedical scientists do.

Sam Mannion

At the scout meeting we had a biomedical scientist come in. It was a lot of fun. We looked and felt some plasma and some ecoli. It was great.

Alastair Rabin

Canoldir Male Choir – Anglo Welsh Festival of Male ChoirsAt Birmingham Town Hall at 7.00 pm Saturday 1st June 2013 Canoldir Male Choir’s Annual Concert this year will involve nine other male choirs, of which seven will be from Wales, and this will form a massed choir of 350 voices.

The sound and quality from such a large choir will be amazing so book your tickets as early as possible - available from Harold Jones - a member of Stockland Green Church (354 1685)

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City of Herefords’ Mayor’s Thanksgiving ServiceOn Sunday 14th April a group of thirteen of us were welcomed by The Right Worshipful Mayor of Hereford, Councillor Brian Wilcox JP, 631st Mayor of the City of Hereford.

As Brian was one of our Youth Group members quite a few years ago, and has never forgotten the years he spent with us and the help he received, he sent us invitations to be present at his Thanksgiving Service, combined with Evensong at Hereford Cathedral and which marked his 2012 – 2013 term of office. A very full Cathedral congregation heard the Mayor’s Chaplain refer to Brian’s years at Stockland Green Methodist Church and also included his name known to us ‘Tatty’.

In the morning Brian arranged VIP treatment with a guided tour of the vaults of the Town Hall and sight of the ancient City Documents going back as far as Richard I, 9th October 1189.

Following the afternoon service and the tea that followed, when everyone else had left, we all gathered again in the Mayor’s office and reflected on the years at Stockland Green with much appreciation and lots of laughter. When I left at 7.00pm the ‘meeting’ was still under way!

We are all most grateful for a memorable day and the sincere friendship shown to us by Brian and especially remembering his wife Linda.

Harold Jones

Don’t fool me!A three year old put his shoes on by himself. His mother noticed the left was on the right foot. She said, "Sam, your shoes are on the wrong feet." He looked up at her and said, "Don't kid me, Mum, I KNOW they're my feet."

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Young Methodists back Nicaraguan children in Street Child World CupStreet children in Nicaragua will have the chance to compete in 2014's Street Child World Cup in Brazil with the support from children and young people of the Methodist Church in Britain.

Young Methodists in Britain have pledged to back two Nicaraguan teams – a girls’ football team and a boys’ football team – in partnership with the Methodist Church in Nicaragua and the Methodist Church in Brazil. They aim to raise £30,000 by taking part in sponsorship events aimed at opening their eyes to the lives of street children. A fundraising pack is available to help you. Sunderland Samba Football Club, a Methodist-sponsored community football project, is organising a street sports taster day on 1st June at Ewesley Road Methodist Church to help reach the target.

Street Child World Cup is a global movement for street children to receive the protection and opportunities that all children are entitled to. Ahead of each FIFA World Cup, the Street Child World Cup unites street children from across five continents to play football. Through football, art and campaigning, the movement aims to challenge the negative perceptions and treatment of street children around the world.

Methodist Youth President Hayley Moss said, “Methodist children and young people see sport as mission. It can be transformational and a force for good. Sport connects people. Supporting the Street Child World Cup gives children and young people an opportunity to see that their actions can really make a difference. We will speak out against injustice, raise money, and develop cross-cultural relationships.”

The Street Child World Cup is a joint venture with the Amos Trust (that founded Street Child World Cup in 2010), Momentum Arts (which led the arts programme in Durban 2010) and Action for Brazil’s Children (who will host the event in 2014). Methodist Church News Service

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ERDINGTON METHODIST CHURCH

Festival of Talents

SATURDAY JUNE 8th 10pm – 4pmSUNDAY JUNE 9th 12noon – 4pm

BROCHURES ON SALE - £1 Draw on Sunday 3.30 for

the lucky number!

COFFEES LUNCHES

TEAS

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MUSIC FLOWERSART

£10,000 grant for Argentina flood recoveryThe Methodist Church has agreed a grant of £10,000 to assist urgent recovery work in Argentina following last month's torrential rain.

Floods, which hit the cities of Buenos Aires and La Plata in early April, killed more than 50 people and left many homes inundated with up to two metres of water. Many thousands of families living in the poorest parts of both cities have been badly affected. The grant from the World Mission Fund has been sent to the Methodist Church in Argentina (IEMA), which has a strong presence in both cities.

IEMA's children's home in La Plata was severely affected by the floods. The home provides an extended social service to hundreds of families around it, and support for hundreds of street children whose lives have now been made more precarious by the floods.

The money from the World Mission Fund will be used to purchase furniture and equipment that have been lost and enable the immediate recovery of the services offered by the home.

A unique aspect of the World Mission Fund is its ability to give emergency grants to overseas partners. This often means the Church can be the first to respond, showing concern, care and practical support to people living in other parts of the world.

Methodist Church News Service

ReligionSome people have just enough religion to make them feel uncomfortable.

John Wesley

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SERVICE - The Withington ElephantFrom: Withington Methodist Church in South Manchester

Needles and Yarns is a craft group that meets every fortnight at Withington Methodist Church in South Manchester. Its members are from the church and the wider community. Their needle work skills range from professional to "a bit rusty". Sometimes members bring their own knitting; sometimes the whole group engages in a project. Generous friends have donated wool, patterns and even a knitting machine. And it was the machine that provided the inspiration for the group's last major project: The Withington Elephant. The life size multi-coloured pachyderm now proudly stands in the church porch alongside a sign which reads: "Elephants never forget. Don’t forget God.

The Revd Jane Wild said: "It took five months to knit and several hours to construct and sew together, but everyone agrees it was worth the effort. It is impossible to say how many people were involved in the project. The core group were the members of Needles and Yarns, but anyone who came through the busy coffee bar area was invited to knit a little. At first, many refused, but as time passed they were tempted to have a go and almost without exception participants were not satisfied with just one go. As people knitted they were invited to offer a prayer or to think about their spirituality. Lots of amazing and moving conversations took place."

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The elephant was named Advent at the Church Christmas Fair and provides a talking point within the community of Withington and beyond: a full-sized multi-coloured elephant is visible to the many buses stopping outside the church.

The group also knitted dozens of mug-hugs for Fairtrade Fortnight. Group co-ordinator, the Revd Jane Wild, said: “We’re having a break from a large project for the moment but I am sure we’ll start something major soon.”

from The Buzz - a Methodist newsletter which is a great resource that brings the whole Methodist Connexion together and allows us to share what's happening in our districts, circuits, churches and church groups.

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Musical entertainment and lots of food

CaribbeanNight2013

COME AND PARTY!

Saturday June 15th 2013

Food served at 7.30 pm

Tickets: £8 for adults and £5 for children [5-14yrs]

St Chads ChurchStoneyhurst Road, Erdington, Birmingham, B24

Tickets 07931 447 730

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June Regular Meetings

Coffee Mornings Each Saturday 10.00 am to 12.00 noon

Tuesday Club Every 4th Tuesday in the month at 2.30 pm

Sunday Worship All worship starts at 10.30 am unless stated otherwise below

2nd John Rutherford

9th HOLY COMMUNION - Rev Jane Ashplant FESTIVAL of TALENTS - Rev Jane Ashplant - 4.00 pm

16th ALL AGE WORSHIP - Bob Dauncey

23rd Glyn Constantine

30th Jane Cudjoe

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Weekly Church ActivitiesSunday 10.30 am MORNING WORSHIP and

Young Church

Tuesday 9.30 - 11.30 am9.30 - 12.30 pm2.00 pm

Stay and PlayPre-School : Karen HomerTuesday Afternoon Meeting : Ann Tomes (4th)

Wednesday 9.30 - 11.30 am9.30 - 12.30 pm12.30 pm

Stay and PlayPre-School : Karen HomerLuncheon Club - (1st and 3rd)

Thursday 9.30 - 12.30 pm Pre-School : Karen Homer

Friday 9.30 - 12.30 pm5.00 - 6.15 pm6.15 - 7.45 pm7.45 - 9.15 pm7.45 - 9.15 pm5.30 - 6.30 pm5.00 - 6.30 pm7.30 - 9.00 pm

Pre-School : Karen HomerBeavers : Lynn TurnerCubs : Elizabeth BaizonScouts : Lisa PorterExplorers : Caroline JoyceRainbows : Debbie BarnettBrownies : Lesley CarterGuides : Helen Rainsford

Saturday 10.00 - 12.00 noon10.30 - 11.30 am

Coffee Morning : Lesley MorganChurch open for prayer : Margaret Curzon

Please hand any items for the July/August CONTACT to any of the Editorial Team (Peter Farley, Christine Rankin, Ann Tomes & Nick Riley) by 15th June 2013 at the latest please or alternatively email me: nickriley@blueyonder.co.uk with the word ‘CONTACT’ in the title.

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