East Lincs

Link

The magazine of the

East Lincolnshire

Methodist Circuit

Summer 2020

picture of church door with food etc,.

Sutton on Sea MC laid out for socially distanced worship (2m rule!)

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The Superintendent Writes:

Dear Friends

Welcome to the Summer edition of East Lincs Link.

The past few months have been really strange and we are still not back to ‘normal’, whatever that was, and continue to face a ‘new normal’ with some distancing rules in place for the foreseeable future. In this edition are explanations as to why things have not happened, information on the future of the Circuit and some opportunities for the Circuit to grow going forward plus a request for you to tell us what you think.

Before all that I want us to think about the opening words of a hymn written by William Kethe (d 1594) - All People That on Earth Do Dwell.

Jesus through his life and teaching shows that ALL people matter. It was Jesus who healed the blind beggar by the roadside (Bartimaeus) - perhaps todays rough sleeper or Big Issue seller; Jesus who broke the racial taboos of his day and spoke to the Samaritan Woman by the well; Jesus who healed the socially outcast lepers, those who society shunned. Jesus loved and cared for all people and we his followers and disciples must do the same if we are truly to be his disciples.

The murder of George Floyd in America and the Black Lives Matter Campaign should make us aware of Jesus’ love for all people that on earth do dwell.

God Bless, Mark.

THE SCARIEST THING I EVER DID

It was our last day in Malawi. We spent the early morning packing cases and clearing up. We were ready to go to the airport. My case was made of a soft material which meant it was easily squashed. As one of the house-boys picked up my case there was a hisssss! He dropped the case, and there was another hissss! Everybody said, “David, it’s your case, you deal with it.”

We were staying in Ntchisi Forest: we had been warned about snakes and other dangerous things in the forest. During the packing process my case had been sitting on the floor with the lid open. I walked up to the case and made sure that I was standing at the back, by the hinge, with the opening away from me. S_l_o_w_l_y I began to open the zip … each time I leaned on the case it hisssssed! Eventually the lid was unzipped.

Carefully, I began to lift the lid … …. … I looked into the case … … … there, right on the top of my belongings, was … … … an aerosol container which had lost its protective cover!

Fear feeds itself. I was truly frightened that moment. We must prepare for the future with due care and concern, the anticipation is often worse than the reality.

David Fidler

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We may not have been using our buildings but the Methodist Church in East Lincolnshire has certainly not been furloughed! Here are reports from some of our churches on what’s been happening:

ALFORD Alford Methodist Church has a dedicated Pastoral Team and both before and throughout the 'lockdown' our members and friends have been contacted regularly by their Pastoral Carers. As must be reflected within our Circuit, the majority of our members and friends much prefer a chat over the telephone once or twice a week, but for those with email access an occasional email has also been appreciated. Members have discussed the services they have heard on radio or seen on TV, and those with Zoom and YouTube access have connected with a variety of services within and without our Circuit. Others have read through services as printed and taken out by members of the pastoral team.

Even better, especially for our very senior members, has been an occasional and always socially distanced doorstep chat, when letters from the minister and our LP Richard have been taken to them on a weekly basis. Similarly, we have taken out a monthly Newsletter, carefully compiled and printed off by Rachel. This has usually incorporated an appropriate and encouraging Bible verse, a Thought from a Minister, LP or Worship Leader and Bible Word Searches to tax our brains! Of course, what has been missing has been the Diary of Activities - the very opportunities so many are yearning for. The prospect of returning to church without the chance of socialising as we used to do does not sit well with our very elderly friends! If singing and refreshments are off limits, as is envisaged, our members and friends are wondering what meaningful worship will be possible?

As we have been reminded at Pentecost, the gifts of the Holy Spirit are available to us all. I believe our members and friends are sharing and caring for each other in all the ways available to them at this time of great concern and need. The Storehouse Church within Alford has been assisting people in the town, including some of our members, with meals, and our church donated funds to the Community Larder, raised from our 'simply recycled' card sales. Continues over

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I close with song lines which remind us of our need for one another and above all, the need we all have for God's Holy Spirit'. This line of a song from 'Funny Girl' (1964 Jule Styne) came to mind: 'People who need people are the luckiest people in the world'. Most of us will be thankful for the love, care and support of so many others and we count ourselves blessed and fortunate to be the members and friends of our churches (the Body of Christ), sharing their faith 'in the over-all and above all one God'. The last verse of Patricia Hunt's hymn (H&P 328) reminds us ' God's Holy Spirit still is here to guide our world today, and helps the friends of Jesus Christ in what they do and say'.

Heather (Neale) (Pastoral Co-ordinator, Alford Methodist Church).

BURGH LE MARSH

Greetings from Burgh le Marsh to friends across the Circuit.

Like everyone else we have found it very strange not to see family and friends over these past weeks. but we have been keeping in touch by telephone with our church family. E mail, letter, Zoom, radio and television have all given us opportunities to share in worship in a different way. It’s been interesting hearing people talk about listening in to on line services. Outreach for the 21st century?

On 18 June using Conferoo, a telephone meeting system which Rev Graham introduced the Stewards to, we held our first “Pause for Thought” which we shall continue to have on a Thursday at 10.45am, our Coffee Morning Service time. Thirteen people were able to share in our first meeting.

Rev Graham’s mailings have been appreciated and remind us of the need to ensure those who can no longer worship with us have some form of worship material to use at home.

It was with much sadness we learned of the death of one of our members, Bessie Crutchley. Bessie had served in various roles in the church AND her baking was delicious! In the light of the lockdown we weren’t able to share in her funeral service but know that her faith was very real to her and in the words of the hymn she chose, we believe she is now ‘In heavenly love abiding’.

Our thoughts and prayers continue for you all and we look forward to the time when indeed we do meet again.

Doreen Horn

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LOUTH As you may well be aware, Louth has been getting to grips with new technology and has been hosting it’s intergenerational Exalt service on Zoom for the last couple of months. It’s been great to reach out to people from across the Circuit and from even wider afield, and we hope to keep some of this activity going in the future. In common with all churches, our pastoral visitors and stewards have been doing a fantastic job in keeping in contact with people and distributing newsletters and service sheets etc. We’ve also taken up Pam Luxton’s challenge and are busy making face coverings to give away. Catherine Rolph

Louth—Lighthouse Reaching Out & Bringing Hope Obviously because of 'lockdown' the drop in centre has not been operational, but this has not stopped us from supporting our fellowship. We have been delivering weekly food parcels to several members and assisting the Salvation Army in preparing and distributing hot meals to the needy and the vulnerable in and around Louth.

We have also introduced a jigsaw library and have been regularly exchanging jigsaws amongst our community and have also supplied a range of mindfulness puzzle and colouring books, many with illustrations that highlight key bible verses. Hopefully we have been keeping people's minds active as well as feeding their spirit.

We’ve almost been overwhelmed by donations of clothes and bedding, (thanks to lockdown decluttering), but several volunteers have come and sorted stock out and we have been able to supply clothes to an increasing number of needy people. As we come out of lockdown we expect the need will grow. We have sent bedding, mens clothes, long-life milk and bread to the Hope Centre in Grimsby and a large selection of sleeping bags and a stockpile of bottled water were recently collected by the Nomads trust in Lincoln. We continue to help the women and families connected to the Ladies' Refuge.

We look forward to a time when we can again meet together. We thank everyone for their support whether it be in donations or in prayer and thank you for the trust you have placed in our hands as we strive to reach out into our community and bring hope.

Mark J Harrison (newly appointed Church Family Worker at Louth)

Continues over

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MABLETHORPE As you may be aware, nearly all our members are over 70 and most have underlying health issues so the vast majority are in isolation and only go out on very rare occasions. However, we are all keeping in touch with one another mainly by regular telephone calls but also by distributing various documents. In the weeks leading up to Easter and on Pentecost Sunday, we gave out palm crosses and service sheets for people to follow at home, and mid week, our Minister’s weekly update letter which usually includes material for reflection together with our Church newsletter, is put through people’s letter boxes or the few who are online receive these by email. Most folk either listen to Sunday services on the radio or watch them on TV but a few do watch services online. One group of 3 church members that I know take it in turns to prepare their own little Sunday service choosing the hymns and readings and then they inform each other by phone and try to go through the service at the same time in their own homes. Our Prayer Group is still fully active and Lynda who acts as secretary sends round prayer requests by text to all the group members. The prayer group is a wonderful means of outreach too as many of the folk we pray for have no connection with the church. We don’t have a united church effort to help the community because so many people are self isolating but a lot of church members are doing a lot individually to help their neighbours. Some are doing a bit of shopping or helping with prescriptions and other jobs, others have regular friendly chats over the garden fence and coming out to clap for the NHS on Thursdays became quite an event in my own street with people using different instruments each week and several dressing up in a series of different costumes to raise a laugh. I know of at least one church member who does telephone befriending and writes an occasional cheery letter to a care home resident, others make scones or cakes which they share, still others are actively involved with the local Food Larder and many donate food to it. One person I know has made delightful little rainbows as a symbol of hope and has given one to every church member. She is now making them for people further afield. Perhaps most importantly, most folk are using their time at home to pray more. Lockdown, whilst being traumatic for many in a huge variety of ways, has perhaps taught us to be more appreciative of the company of those around us, to take note of our surroundings – the plants, animals and birds in our gardens, to marvel at this wonderful world in which we live and to lay aside our busyness and to truly be still and spend more time with God our loving Father, thanking him for all his goodness to us and the knowledge that he is with us always in every situation to the end of time. Dot McMillan

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SALTFLEET

We have been keeping in contact via phone calls and emails, everybody seems to be coping. We also have the village Facebook pages which we can also make use of. Some members are dropping food parcels off for Lighthouse Project and we then get them to Mark Harrison.

Lyn Bignell

SKEGNESS The current lockdown has kept us apart physically but in one way has brought us closer together. From the outset of the closure of our churches our minister, Rev Graham, in conjunction with our pastoral teams set up a ring round system so that every member of our churches are contacted each week to check they are OK. This has expanded as members exchanged telephone numbers and now, more are keeping in regular contact.

The lockdown has also made us review different ways in which to worship. The Circuit ZOOM services have offered opportunities for some of us but in addition, Graham has provided weekly services (hymns, prayers, readings and reflections) by email and post to all our members which have been gratefully received and much appreciated.

Many thanks to Graham on behalf of all the congregations in the south..

Neil Baxter

SUTTON ON SEA Our fellowship has suffered considerably from not being able to meet on both Sundays and Tuesdays each week. However, ‘impromptu’ pastoral and support groups have evolved through telephone and self-distancing visits, and often ‘gifts’ have been exchanged. Our Treasurer has had gifts of money from members for the Church delivered in these difficult times! We continue to deliver our monthly “Contact” magazine, “Word for Today” and our Minister’s weekly letter, utilizing the daily exercise allowance. Other communications are made through email with the understanding that messages are passed on to those without such access. Dave Richardson continues to look after and monitor the property a number

Continues over

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Usual Circuit Office opening hours are 8am to 4pm Tuesday to Thursday. However, I am working from home as much as possible so you can email eastlincs17.6@gmail.com or call 01507 354626 and leave a message and I will get back to you. Catherine

of times each week, and the grounds are kept in tidy order.

It is difficult to carry out outreach projects because of the age of our fellowship with many self-isolating and/or shielding. However, we are all aware of the requirements within the village, especially the newly formed ‘Food Larder’ in the hall in Church Lane. We encourage folks to try to participate in the Sunday morning Exalt worship via ‘Zoom’, although there was more interest in accessing the Zoom Circuit Pentecost Service. It seems that the favourite worship source is still the BBC Sunday morning service, followed by ‘Songs of Praise’ later on.

We look forward to being able to return to Church and just maybe pick up the remnants of our ‘Monday Night is Music Night’ programme – risk analysis permitting!

Graeme Thompson

Wainfleet

We have all been very busy in Wainfleet & Friskney since lockdown began as you can imagine. Trina has been delivering medication from the local surgery to Friskney residents. We have been meeting to keep up Parish Nursing data and to make sure that we are in contact with our usual clients. We are part of the ELDC well-being emergency team and have been shopping for the local community.

Sue has been exceptionally busy as the school/chapel Outreach Worker. She has been keeping in contact with the headmaster at Magdalen School Wainfleet and they have made sure that some of the particularly vulnerable children have been given food which we have been able to fund from Parish Nurses. Sue is also hoping to set up a foodbank for the summer holidays for vulnerable children at which Trina and I will assist.

Finally, we have been keeping in regular contact with our church members.

Alison, Polly, Sue & Trina—the Wainfleet Chapel & Parish Nursing Team

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Circuit Meeting News: from the meeting on 18th June 2020

This was held over the internet using Zoom.

• Following much discussion in CLT about the difficult financial situation many chapels find themselves in and issues with meeting the assessment, the Circuit Invitation Committee met via Zoom on the 10th June and reluctantly decided that the Circuit could not financially continue to sustain 3 presbyters. They therefore recommended that we do not enter the stationing process this year as would have happened given that Rev Phil Greetham’s extension comes to an end in 2021. This was agreed by the Circuit Meeting. Prayer and discussions will continue as to how pastoral ministry will be organised, but lay pastors are one possibility. Mark will take on Withern and Alford and Graham Phil’s other churches. Please pray for Phil and Glenda as they seek God’s will for the future, and for the Circuit as we find our way forward. For more on this item, please see Mark’s article on page 18.

• The re-opening of churches for private prayer is currently not recommended by the Connexion—please see Mark’s article on page 12 which addresses the question ‘why not’. More guidance is to be issued following the conclusion of the Methodist Conference and we will keep all churches informed. Property stewards, stewards and safeguarding officers will need to work together to undertake a risk assessment and follow all guidance when reopening is permitted.

• We are still in need of a Circuit Treasurer. Many thanks go to Michael May for his continued service as interim treasurer but this is not something he is prepared to continue indefinitely. Mark is happy to have a no obligation chat. Remember the promise of the covenant prayer—”I am no longer my own but yours—put me to what you will”. (!)

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How to Worship—online and elsewhere

For those who have access to the internet there are a variety of worship materials available along with many other resources on our circuit website:

https://eastlincolnshiremethodistcircuit.org.uk/

Louth Methodist Church are holding their inter-generational Exalt Services using Zoom every Sunday morning at 9.30am. You may encounter puppets and a few

child-friendly songs (with actions) but you can also find great worship (maybe learn some new songs?) and hear a thought provoking simple message. There’s also a chance to chat on-line to a small group of people afterwards if you wish. If you would like to come along, please send your email address to:

louthmethodists@gmail.com

and we will send you our weekly invitation.

The Circuit is hosting a service with a more traditional feel on the last Sunday of every month at 2pm, also using Zoom. Once again, email louthmethodists@gmail.com to take part. We aim to create service sheets for these which we will distribute as widely as we can so that those of you who have no internet access can follow along and feel part of

everything.

There are services broadcast on national and local radio, as well as the ever popular ‘Songs of Praise’.

Of course, we are all longing for the day when we can meet together again and the Circuit and churches will be following all relevant advice in order to do so in a safe way.

However, many of us feel that the Circuit has connected together in a new and special way which is something we should aim not to lose once we are on ‘the other side’.

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I was recently sent an email asking if we could advertise this book. I haven’t read it myself but if you’re stuck for something to read—and have already got your hands on a copy of Magnus as reviewed by David Fidler on the back page—then why not have a look at this. Do note the special discount for ministers and church staff!

order direct from sales@bookworm.retford.co.uk or 01777 869224

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Events are currently suspended due to Covid-19.

Future Events

• 22nd September Circuit Meeting, 7pm. At Louth/Zoom • 13th June 2021 Rearranged visit of Rev Jonathan Hustler

Rev Mark answers the question: “WHY DIDN’T WE OPEN FOR PRIVATE PRAYER?”

I know some people have been asking why many Methodist Churches didn’t open for private prayer.

The Rev Bruce Thompson writes:

The following is only guidance issued on behalf of the Lincolnshire Methodist District on the opening of premises for private prayer and the possibility of funerals again held in our buildings; the

Managing Trustees in each church are ultimately responsible for safety on their premises.

What you will need to remember primarily is that the pandemic is not over; the virus is as dangerous now as it was when we locked down in March. The health and safety of those with whom we come into contact through our worship, prayers or work remains the highest priority. No one should visit or attend the church if they have any symptoms of Covid-19. No one should be expected to open buildings, clean or even lead prayer or worship against their better judgment or will. We have many vulnerable people in our churches, both lay and ordained, and we have to remain mindful of their

well-being.

Some have already said that they will not be opening their premises for some time yet, that is their decision and we respect it fully. Some members have said that even if their building opens they would prefer to stay away until it is much safer to leave their home and gather in public places. We

understand that too.

It is important to be aware of the fact that there is going to be a significant reduction in the capacity of our buildings. If the 2m rule is to remain in place, you will need to consider 4m diameter circles in which each person can sit or stand in the middle. Many of our buildings will therefore be unsuitable for ‘bubbles’ of such size. Consequently, we should continue to provide online worship and other

forms of worship material for those who cannot or choose not to go to their usual places of worship.

Please note that a willingness to put yourself at risk also puts those whom you come into contact thereafter at risk. Covid-19 is no respecter of persons, so it is our social responsibility to take all

necessary precautions to avoid contracting or passing on the virus.

Bruce

The Baptist Union also said, (there is) “the potential that it could lead to members of the church using the opportunity to gather together by arranging to come down at the same time thus creating a

covert meeting” (to use the phrasing from the BU website) Not that Methodists would do that. (!)

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Coronavirus

Coronavirus Is an infection Spreading among people And killing a lot

Lockdown Is the method Chosen by Governments To control the spread

Yet still people die In hospital In care homes Even at home Maybe alone

Where is God Believers ask Denied their gatherings Behind closed doors Where they feel His Presence

When will it end The media demands Spreading discord And disillusion

Yet here and there Throughout the land People are looking out For those nearby Who are in need Elderly, alone, frail Frazzled parents With energetic youngsters

That’s where God is Where He always is Not behind closed doors

But in the community Looking out for those in need And caring for them

Self Isolation - Wednesday

Its dark this morning The clouds are low Its wet outside Looks like rain

Its drizzling Its stopped Oh no its not Its raining

They say we should Stay at home Self isolate Keep away from others

I think I’ll follow That advice And besides Its raining again

Michael May

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Caravan Chaplaincy Update

Warm thoughts and wishes for you as you read this piece.

The pandemic has, like for many people, made it impossible for me to follow plans made in the past. Initially, with caravan park sites being closed and following the advice to work from home, it was a challenge to get through each day of lockdown. Times were made a little easier by morning and evening prayer on line with my sisters and brothers in the Methodist Diaconal Order, along with meetings and church services on Zoom and social media. The annual gathering of deacons - Covocation - was held in May via Zoom, but there is hope that we shall gather in person in October if possible. Webinars, on line worship and social media has come into its own during this period, and I'm sure will continue to be a tool when we are through this strange time.

With the advice some weeks ago to wear face coverings whilst in places where social distancing is impossible, It was a gift to be able to make face coverings and give them away as a small act of kindness. A blessing is placed with each face covering along with advice on how it must be used. At one point whilst waiting for a delivery of fabric, I joined the Scrub Hubs at Horncastle and Skegness to help make masks and scrubs. This has helped me tremendously to focus on something until I fully resume caravan chaplaincy ministry.

When speaking with the other members of the chaplaincy course, I have sensed the keen desire to continue with the preparation and to go out onto the park sites and be alongside the lonely and isolated.

I look forward to the time when we are allowed to meet together, and pray for good health, protection, and God's peace for everyone.

God bless, Deacon Pam.

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This article is taken from the connexion magazine and reproduced with permission:

A Radical Rural Choice

The Revd Shalome MacNeill Cooper tells how seven small congregations in the Shropshire and Marches Circuit have made difficult choices to follow God

Choices can be big or small. Some may have little effect and others result in real change in the world. John Wesley was faced with a difficult choice in his early ministry: whether to stay in the American colonies or return to Great Britain. He stated there was “no other way of knowing God’s will but by consulting [one’s] own reason and [one’s] friends, and by observing the order of God’s providence.”1 Like Wesley, we also face difficulties. So how do communities of faith make choices? And how do we know if the choices we make are our own or belong to the Holy Spirit? Responsible choices usually stem from asking difficult questions. Occasionally the answers may be uncomfortable truths, which bear their own solutions, if only we have the ability to perceive them.

More buildings than congregations

In the area where I minister in beautiful Shropshire, we have eight chapels but only seven congregations. One of our chapels does not have a congregation but it is a wonderful building. We decided the time had come to address some difficult questions about our chapels. Like other faith communities in the country, our membership is in decline. We have been waiting in hope for the seeds that were planted yesterday to bear fruit today, but over a two-year period we also asked ourselves what would indicate a chapel was no longer sustainable, and what would God want us to do if so? Would the signal to change be a lack of finances, declining membership or the loss of a key player in God’s story in our communities?

Answering these questions was difficult but in the spirit of Acts 2:44, “All who believed were together and had all things in common”, on 15 July 2019 we voted to merge all seven congregations into one society; and on 1 September 2019 we amalgamated to become Rea Valley Methodist Churches. It has one church council, one bank account, one membership list/community roll and eight worship locations. Continues over

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Whilst this was a big decision, it was based on previous smaller, discerning choices. We believe that Jesus’ vulnerability was his great strength, and so we too should embrace our own vulnerability. Our eight chapels chose to be vulnerable to each other – and this is an ongoing choice we make at every worship service, church council or gathering.

Our decisions were also based on hope rather than fear, because Scripture tells us, “Do not be afraid”. Decisions based on fear tend to reflect our own thoughts and wishes, rather than God’s desiring.

Clustering together As creatures of habit, it is easy to do the same things and wonder why outcomes do not change. We knew we needed to be innovative whilst maintaining local priorities; to move past seeing success merely as numbers and more as God-in-relationships.

And while it is usual to say “The Church of God has a mission”, it is better theologically to affirm that “The God of mission has a Church.” So we chose to see The Constitutional Practice and Discipline of the Methodist Church as a connexional permission-giving pathway for mission. We decided to cluster together and organise travel to different chapels for worship services. We also have a ‘cluster’ service every three months in our building that does not have a congregation. Coming together in this way has fostered better relationships, helped the chapel coffers, and made worship more vibrant with congregations of twenty worshippers rather than four. We also decided to make relationships a priority and shift our focus from fundraising to a spirit of tithing resources of money, talent and time. We agreed that sharing resources should not be seen as ‘richer’ churches saving ‘poorer’ ones from closure, but as a group endeavour. It has allowed our network of chapels – each unique to its own context – to offer expressions of faith across the locality we serve.

This may seem a very rosy outcome but it was not an easy one: the choices have been difficult. There were passionate objections and reluctant agreements, sleepless nights and all-consuming prayer; we have struggled to make hope-based decisions and quell fears. But, our choices were made together and we have grown closer. It is still early days and we will continue to explore and question, wrestle and discern, answer and make choices, in Wesley’s words “observing the order of God’s providence”, one choice at a time.

This article is taken from the connexion magazine and reproduced with permission:

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1. From a recollection written in a letter of 1 May 1736 by Benjamin Ingham from Georgia, North America. Ingham is recounting a conversation in London with John and Charles Wesley and a Mr Salmon, who explained to him how they came to decide to leave England for the American colonies. Ingham made reference to being called of God, and this was their reply. Source: Heitzenrater, Richard P., Wesley and the People Called Methodists, 2nd edition, p. 65.

Revd Shalome MacNeill Cooper from the connexion, the free magazine of the Methodist Church, www.methodist.org.uk

To receive a free copy, visit www.bit.ly/the-connexion

This article is taken from the connexion magazine and reproduced with permission:

Time Travel Allowed!

You may have wondered what

a Circuit Administrator would

find to do whilst normal

Circuit activities have been

mostly suspended.

Fortunately (or maybe not!) I

had some annual leave left so

I’ve been able to use this up

and work less hours. It’s also

given me the opportunity to tackle a project that’s been on my ‘to be done

one day’ list ever since I took on the role of administrator last August and

that is to unearth the secrets of the bulging Circuit safe and the filing

cabinets full of old paperwork. It’s been a work of many weeks but I now

have a record of all the material held at Louth generated by our churches

over the last few hundred years. In the process I’ve managed to clear out

several bags of rubbish – I wonder how many treasurers have seen the rule

about retention of documents and know that invoices etc should be

disposed of after 7 years? Not many it would seem! I’m happy to pass on

the rules to anyone interested.

Along with an incredibly tedious amount of paperwork relating to sale of

property in one form or another, I’ve come across some fascinating little

glimpses of the past. Charity commission paperwork for Grainthorpe in

Oldest document held—1666 land transfer

Continues over

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1882 talks about the need to retain a special pew for a benefactor and his

descendants (hardly compatible behaviour with Luke 14!). Withcall met in a

certain farmer’s house. Presumably the farmer was an Anglican as one Sunday,

some special Methodist Service led to him being the only one at the Anglican

church, and he was so annoyed that he refused permission for them to meet at

his house again. The Withcall church then seem to have taken up residence in

a railway ticket office.

I’ve been struck by just how many churches and chapels there were. We have

records on churches in 70 different towns, villages and hamlets and as a fair

few of those actually boasted more than one chapel, that’s quite a lot of

congregations. Some of these places today only have a couple of houses, but

presumably when many people worked on the land and the only transport was

your feet, places of worship needed to be close by. Times change, people

move, and so most of these churches are now just memories. The church, of

course, must change to meet the needs of people in every generation and if

that means finding new ways to be church and to reach out, then that’s what

we must do. The past is a great place to visit, but we can only live in the

present and plan for the future!

Catherine

Circuit Staffing and the way ahead

The Circuit Meeting on Thursday 18th June decided, following a financial report by the Interim Circuit Treasurer and recommendation from the Circuit Leadership Team (CLT), to reduce the number of Presbyters in the Circuit from 3 to 2 with effect from September 2021.

There are already discussions taking place as how to cover the Pastoral Oversight of chapels and we will be looking at recruiting Local Pastors through the District Lay Pastor Programme; if this is a role you feel you would be interested in please speak to the Superintendent (Rev Mark Sherman).

The Circuit Leadership Team have also set up two focus groups, one to look after Property and Finance and the Outreach and Pastoral Support. The Property and Finance Group will do what it says on the tin, look after properties managed by the Circuit and undertake financial planning.

The Outreach and Pastoral Group will look after Spiritual Growth and development as well as being concerned for the Wellbeing of people across the

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staff and members in all the Chapels.

This Group is already looking at Holy Habits, a discipleship programme, and will also be looking at Mission Shaped Ministry Training.

What is Holy Habits?

Holy Habits is an initiative to nurture Christian discipleship. It explores Luke’s model of church found in Acts 2:42–47, identifies ten habits and encourages the development of a way of life formed by them. These resources, which include an introductory guide, have been developed to help churches explore the habits in a range of contexts and live them out in whole life, missional discipleship.

What is Mission Shaped Ministry

“Mission shaped ministry is a brilliant space to reflect on mission in today's world with others who are creatively thinking about sharing Christ in a range of contexts and situations. It's even better if you attend it with some others from your team so you can dream and reflect together!”

Jonny Baker, Pioneer Leadership Course, CMS

‘Mission Shaped Ministry’ is a one-year, part-time course which equips, resources and supports those pioneering souls who are beginning or already running a Fresh Expression of church.

The course provides the opportunity for individuals or teams to enrol and learn side-by-side as part of a supportive community – becoming more mission focused and reflecting on what that means for their lives and ministries. The course is ecumenical and open to all – so if you are interested in going deeper in your FX journey then we reckon this course will be right up your street.

Which Course / Programme might you be interested in?

Both these courses / programmes could be delivered by both face to face meetings and using the internet technology many have become used to in recent months.

Please let Catherine in the Office know what you think.

We are at a crossroads: either fewer people have to pay more or we have to spread the financial burden among more people and that means making more disciples, which is it to be?

Mark

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You are welcome to send in articles, poems, news items etc at any point to: eastlincs17.6@gmail.com

Magnus by George Mackay Brown

If I was prone to superlatives I would say this novel is compelling, but as I am not I will just say that it is one of only three I have read more than once. It is the only one I have read more the twice! The book I want you to read is Magnus, by George Mackay Brown. His family

attended the Church of Scotland in Stromness (I knew several of them when I lived there). He left the CoS, but later converted to the Catholic Church. As poet, story-teller, Orcadian and Catholic, he took particular interest in the life and death of St Magnus.

Magnus Erlandsson and his cousin Haakon Paulsson, became joint Earls of Orkney, each ruling half the Islands. But families being what they are, this soon reduced into outright war. The novel tells their story from the time both boys started school to the day Haakon’s men killed Magnus, and the events which led to his sanctification. The principle theme of the novel tells how Magnus tried to understand and fulfil his secular duties while at the same time wrestling with his desire to be a priest.

All the major events in this novel are historically true. The text has a poetic style and poetic language which makes it easy to read. George paints vivid pictures throughout the story; the Battle of Menai Strait is both startling and scary. There are surprises within the story which I will not divulge but promise that they will make you think.

GMB’s book Beside the Ocean of Time (1994) was shortlisted for the Booker Prize and judged Scottish Book of the Year by the Saltire Society. I consider Magnus to be the better book. His Six Lives of Frankle the Cat is an excellent collection of short stories for children (and adults who like cats).

Review by David Fidler

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