1

MINISTERReverend Henriette Wentink

33 Glentor RoadPlymouth, PL3 5TPTel: 01752 215456

E-Mail: minister@trinityurc1.plus.com

TREASURER Free Will & Gift Aid Officer

Mrs. Valerie Bott01752 768432

PUBLICITY OFFICERMrs Sarah NicholsonTel : 01752 794225

ORGANIST DIRECTOR OF MUSIC

David Stevens Tel: 07825653302

Secretary for receiving post and E-Mails

Mrs Mary Willis01752 666856

First contact for weddingsMrs Judy Beaumont

01752 707987

First contact for funeralsMrs Bernadette Massey

01752297482

HALL BOOKINGS email : trinityhallbooking@gmail.com

Tel: 07582905573

KEY HOLDERMr David WoolleyTel: 01752 778056

Our buildings are still closed but we must remember that the church is the people not the building. Wecan still contact each other by phone; by e-mail; face time; facebook; Whats app

We can still worship using radio, TV computers or tablets .

On August 2nd we will be having a form of worship on zoom .at 10.30am

The service provided by the URC will still be posted on our web page so you can listen to that as wellif you wish.

You can also sign up to receive the daily meditations from the URC just go to the web site URC.org.ukand click on Daily Devotions

Please remember in your prayers, all those whoneed our support at this time.Those who haveasked to be remembered are:-

John and Marilyn Crosswaite, Phyllis GearingVera Godfree, Joyce Eustace-Pedlar, Sandi andRoger Douglas, Mabel Stansbury, Doreen Lock,(Richard Lock's Mum), Caleb .Edna TinclerAmbrose Wright’s son Paul is getting stonger eachday.

Prayer;-Gracious God hold us in your loving carethrough the days and nights ahead, we lean upon thestrengh you give to us all Amen.

Our treasurer asks all those who usually give viathe collecting bag, whether they could pay theircontribution by standing order if they use internetbanking.

Details Trinity URC Sort code 20-68-10 Accountnumber 40899380

Thank you Valerie Bott Treasurer

If you have been putting your collection into theenvelopes each week, Valerie is willing to comeand collect them from you. Just give her a ringon 768432 and she will arrange a convenienttime

2

OPENING UP.

Since the end of March, we have all been living inwhat can be described as a holding place. Whatstarted with a total stand still for many has evolvedinto a strange sphere of limbo. Even those whocontinued to work in hospitals, schools, deliveryservices and other key jobs cannot escape anuncomfortable feeling of uncertainty.

The church is longing to leave this waiting room ofisolation and come together again for fellowshipand to worship God. The problem we are facing, asare many others, is putting safety measures inplace, working through pages of risk assessmentsand making sure that we are doing the right thing.Even before this process starts, the question arisesif opening up the building will give people whatthey desire or whether it will only highlight whatwe are missing?

How will people respond to being advised againstcoming to church due to age and health, to havinga booking system if they wish to come, queuing upto disinfect hands, being seated 2 meters apartwhich makes a meaningful conversation difficult, inorder to attend a brief act of worship withoutsinging or receiving Holy Communion? How willpeople feel when advised to leave promptlyafterwards instead of staying on for coffee? Arethere perhaps other ways in which we can connectbetter at the moment? Different ways serving avariety of needs? These questions andconsiderations are continuously discussed andreviewed by elders and others at Trinity and thewider URC.

As we continue to search and implement new ways,we are thankful that the Church as a Christian faithcommunity is still 'open.' We have seen God inplaces that we did not notice before. It enabled us tolive out our faith in our homes and nearbycommunities. We have, as such, experienced againthat God is everywhere. That we do not need to bein a specific building for God to meet us.

In the small online discussion group where we lookat the book of Acts in today's world, we wererecently reminded that in the Bible God comesclose to people in isolation. To Abram the desertdweller, to Joseph locked up in a foreign prison, toMoses herding sheep in the middle of nowhere, toElijah on a stormy mountain, to David hiding in acave, to Ruth the despised immigrant, to the

demon-possessed living among the tombs in thecountry of the Garasenes, to the criminal dying ona cross. God comes close to those who have beenforced into physical, mental and spiritualisolation.

We can take great comfort from this. For it showsthat God is not confined to buildings but able tofind us in what we deem to be godforsakenplaces. As we look closer, it turns out that inthese places people are meeting a God of powerand might beyond human expectation orunderstanding. A God who reveals love and hopeand life by dwelling among us in Jesus Christ. Asustaining, comforting God moving among us inthe Spirit of courage and peace. A God who ispushing us to greater understanding; out of ourbuildings and leading us into places previouslyunnoticed, where God's Spirit is at work andinvites us to follow.

In our searching and questioning, our waiting andemerging, let us keep our trust in this faithfulGod.

Shalom,Henriette

COFFEE MORNING

On 18th July Henriette hosted a ZOOM coffeemorning and 37 attended via thier computers withConnie Hanley joining by phone .

Phyllis Gearing joined via her son-in lawscomputer in Somerset and she wrote “It was afantastic and wonderful surprise that I had onSaturday 11th July, a memory never to beforgotten. Thank you friends for being with meand joining in the joy of being together after mybeing unable to attend Church for the last 12months. It would have been so good had I beenable to speak to each of you separately. If I didhappen to miss anyone with a wave I doapologize also for being so emotional. God Blessyou all and I send my love and if and when Ireturn to Plymouth, we will meet again.”

If you haven’t got a computer do you have familywho could help you? We are having a Zoomsession for morning worship on SundayAugust 2nd at 10.30am .If you are usingsomeone elses computer they would have to askHenriette for the link to be able to join in.

3

ETERNITY IN THE HUMAN HEART

‘He has made everything beautiful in its time. Hehas also set eternity in the human heart; yet no onecan fathom what God has done from beginning toend.’ (Ecclesiastes 3:11).

The 60s hit ‘Turn! Turn! Turn!’ by the Byrds isbased on verses in this chapter: ‘There is a time foreverything, and a season for every activity underthe heavens.’ The different seasons of life are notrandom, for God is in control and His timing isperfect: ‘He has made everything beautiful in itstime.’

The verse goes on to say that God ‘has also seteternity in the human heart.’ This means that we allhave an in-built sense that there’s more to life thanwhat we can see, as we search for meaning in life.However, we can fill our lives with other things:career, pleasure, shopping and relationships. Whilegood in themselves, these things can neverultimately satisfy. It is only a relationship with Godthrough Jesus that truly satisfies. How does thischallenge us?

Firstly, we are to live for God in all that we do,knowing that it all counts for eternity. This includeshelping others find a personal relationship withJesus Christ for eternity.

Secondly, we accept that there is lots in the current‘season’ where it’s difficult to know what God isdoing: ‘no one can fathom what God has done frombeginning to end.’ However, we do know thateverything has consequences for eternity.

Finally, how can we be more aware of eternityevery day? Spending time with God in worship andprayer will bring us the true pleasure that belongs toeternity.

‘You made us for yourself, and our hearts arerestless until they find their rest in you.’ (St Augustine).

Canon Paul Hardingham

The story behind … JUST AS I AM

The hymn ‘Just As I Am’ must be one of the mostfamous in the world. Yet it was not written by aprofessional who was ‘aiming’ at a specific market,as many songs seem to be written today. Instead, itwas written by an artist in Victorian times.

Her name was Charlotte Elliott, and she was bornin Clapham in 1789. She grew up in a well to dohome, and became a portrait artist and also awriter of humorous verse. All was well untilCharlotte fell ill in her early 30’s, and slid into ablack depression. A minister, Dr Caesar Malan ofSwitzerland, came to visit her. Instead ofsympathising, he asked her an unexpectedquestion: did she have peace with God? Charlottedeeply resented the question and told him to mindhis own business.

But after he left, his question haunted her. Didshe have peace with God? She knew that she didnot, that she had done some very wrong things.So, she invited Dr Malan to return. She told himthat she would like to become a Christian, butwould have to sort out her life first.

Dr Malan again said the unexpected: “Come justas you are.” The words were a revelation toCharlotte. She had assumed that she would haveto put her life in order before she could hope to beaccepted by God. Instead, she realised that Jesuswanted her just as she was – and He would takecare of the sin. Charlotte became a Christian thatday.

14 years later, in 1836, Charlotte wrote someverses that summed up how it had been betweenher and Jesus that day. They ran:

Just as I am, without one plea,But that thy blood was shed for me,

And that thou bids’t me come to TheeO Lamb of God, I come! I come!

Just as I am, tho tossed about

With many a conflict, many a doubtFightings within, and fears without,

O Lamb of God, I come! I come!

Charlotte could not have dreamed that 150 yearsinto the future, her verses would be sung bymillions of people all over the world, as theyresponded to the Gospel presented at many greatBilly Graham crusades, and made their wayforward to do just as the hymn describes – tocome to Jesus Christ, despite sin and fear anddoubts, to come ‘just as I am.’

From Parish Pump

4

CONGRATULATIONS

Michael and Andrea Middleton have been blessedwith their tenth Grandchild. Winston Michael Stoffell was born at 5.20 am onthe 1st July 2020 weighing in at 8lbs 9oz.New parents Kate and Chris, who were married atTrinity in December 2013, are delighted.All the family thank God for Winston's safe arrivaland trust he will be blessed with a contented andhealthy life, full of love and laughter.

CROOKALL'SGRAND-DAUGHTER'S WEDDING.

It is now 10 years since we were members ofTrinity but we still continue to have deep feelingsfor it and of course for Plymouth having lived therefor 35 years.

On 11th July, at the end of lockdown, we weretaken from Malvern to Christ Church, Durham byour son Peter for the marriage of Esther to LukeWest. Esther is Joanna's eldest daughter. With therestrictions on the number of people allowed therewere 16 people at the ceremony but it was a trulymemorable event. The service started with all thelegal questions and answers and the couple thenwent to a separate room to complete the paperwork.In the 30 minutes or so we in the congregation weretreated to lovely photos of the young couplegrowing up from babies to the present day. Theyreturned and the proper religious service was donebeautifully with prayers and readings by family anda talk from the minister. There were a couple ofrecorded hymns shown on the screen with thepeople singing them so we escaped the rule of nosinging.

The reception was at a friends house, with a largelawn on which there were 4 gazebos, reasonablyseparated, for Bridegroom's family, Bride's family,the Crookall three and one for the Bride andGroom. We all enjoyed fish and chips followed bywedding cake and a drink of Prosecco and of coursethe essential speeches.

Luke and Esther West are now settled in a smallhouse in St. Albans and we hope their lives willcontinue happily.

Richard and Monica Crookall.

PICTURE QUIZ 1

There will be various photos with questionsthroughout this edition. The answers will all be givenon the back page so its just a bit of fun for you to seehow many you can answer without looking

A Where is this?B What is it the boundary of?C What is the date on it?

THE WALKING GROUP

Since groups of six were allowed to meet upoutdoors, we started in May with a walk to ThornPark where we were able to chat in the shade underthe lovely trees. Continuing down to Mutley Parkrediscovering the Victorian urinal which waspartially obscured by bushes .

Numbers have increased since the first walk butsince we get spread out the twos and threes getseparated because of different walking speeds.

Subsequent walks, organised by Valerie Bott andYvonne Greener have taken us to Efford NatureReserve. At Crownhill Fort we walked around theperimeter of the fort where the path was quite narrowat times and ran around the surprisingly deep moatso this was not a path for those who are not happywith heights !

We have enjoyed exploring different areas ofCentral Park where there were small picnickinggroups, lots of small children, dog walkers and pairsof walkers. On our second visit, albeit a rather dampwalk we were delighted to discover the main cafeopen, so we were able to sit outside with a drink at

5

the conclusion of our walk.

We were entertained by two little boys duly kittedout in waterproofs.The younger one who wasprobably around the age of two threw himself fulllength into a large puddle as if it was a paddlingpool .Both enjoyed stamping in the puddles. Wewere all rather damp too by the time we got back tothe car park.

We had a lovely walk to Tamerton Foliot viaWhitleigh woods and most recently walked fromMilehouse P&R car park through Central Parkdown in to the City Centre finishing on The Hoe atValentis, next to The Clock garden which waslooking a bit sad not having been planted up thisyear. The sun was shining and we could enjoy thebeautiful view of the Sound as the 9 walkers had arest and a coffee in the company of John and ChrisP, Stephanie and Pam who had all walked fromother directions. We were delighted when Judy B.arrived too. Needless to say we were scatteredbetween different tables.

Future walks planned are to Devonport Park andFord Park Cemetery for details contact Valerie on768432

Penny Watson

YOUR ‘CORONA BUBBLE’

So, you’ve been teaming up with others outsideyour immediate household. How it is going withthem? As bubbles hopefully get bigger soon, hereare some ‘types’ of people whom you mightconsider adding….

The kind neighbours: They are the one whom youinstinctively think of when you hit a domesticcrisis, like running out of milk or needing a lift tothe station. Such people are treasures, and wellworth befriending.

The cheerful friend: They are wonderful beaconsof light just now. They face the coronavirus threatwith calm and optimism, helping you deal withyour fear that nothing will ever be ‘right’ again.

The VERY clean friend: She’s been making facemasks for months now and is generous in offeringthem to one and all. She has stockpiled sanitiser andcan measure social distance to the centimetre at aglance. In these uncertain times, she is the oneperson you KNOW will never give you the virus.

The long-time friend: You’ve been through so muchtogether already, from college to pre-marriage daysto that disastrous holiday in Spain. You can’t not gothrough coronavirus together now! Your old friendswill help you keep the current crisis in perspective,as they can be relied on for a ‘remember the goodold days’ session.

From Parish Pump

PICTURE QUIZ 2

A. Who is this?B.Where is she?C..What is behind her?

PICTURE QUIZ 3

.

A.Who is thisB What is behind her?C Where is this?

6

TALKING BETTER WITH YOURHANDS

Do you move your arms about when you speak?Probably you do – at least sometimes. Gesturingwhile we speak has been common behaviour forthousands of years, but it has been less clear as toWHY we do it.

Now a study by scientists at the University ofConnecticut has found that there are changes in thesize and shape of our chests when we gesture.These changes affect our speech in both tone andvolume.

Because of the way our bodies are made, our handmovements influence our torso and throat musclesand our gestures are tightly tied to amplitude. So,that means that, rather than just using your chestmuscles to produce air flow for speech, movingyour arms about as well can add acoustic emphasisand improve your overall communication.

From Parish Pump

125 YEARS OF THE PROMS INLONDON

It was 125 years ago this month, on 10th August1895, that the Proms (Promenade Concerts) beganin London.

In fact, the idea of promenade concerts went backto 1838, referring to outside concerts during whichthe audience could walk about – but in the formintroduced by Robert Newman at Queen’s Hall inLangham Place, London, the promenaders werestanding members of the audience, and this usagehas persisted. Henry Wood – also a talentedorganist – was the original conductor, and his namebecame firmly attached to the annual series ofconcerts. He was knighted in 1911.

The concerts have been sponsored by the BBCsince 1927, except for 1940 and 1941, when therewas fear of bombing, and in fact Queen’s Hall wasbombed in 1941, with the concerts moving to theircurrent home at the much larger Royal Albert Hall.

The Proms have now become a huge summermusical festival lasting for eight weeks and withmany innovations. The Last Night in particular hasbecome a traditional feature of British life andcelebration of Britishness. The Proms have beendescribed by Czech conductor Jirí Belohlávek as“the world’s largest and most democratic musicalfestival”.

In the current coronavirus crisis, the Proms willcontinue, but in a much-changed form – “not as weknow them, but as we need them”, say theorganisers.

Tim Lenton

PLEASE, PLEASE, STOP BUYINGCOMPOST WITH PEAT IN IT

So says the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds(RSPB). The large-scale removal of peat from bog“is destroying one of our most precious wildlifehabitats. It takes centuries for a peat bog to formwith its special wildlife – modern machinerydestroys it in days.”

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL CHARITYSHOPS

Are you feeling the financial squeeze just now, butstill enjoy shopping? Why not visit some of yourlocal charity shops?

Never have charity shops needed you so much.Coronavirus has meant a huge drop in donations, andmany charities face huge financial shortfalls.

The good news is that charity shops are well worthvisiting this summer. Vast amounts of clothes andhousehold items were donated following thelockdown this Spring. Grounded at home, peopledecided to declutter and clear-out!

The result is that, as a spokeswoman for Oxfam says:“People can expect to find some really greattreasures to buy.”

It should be very safe to shop, for as Julie Byard ofCancer Research UK, explains, the charity shops putall donated items into isolation before putting themon the shelves. She adds: “We’re grateful for alldonations and to everyone who volunteers and shopswith us.”

From Parish Pump

7

I’m dyslexic, and recently attended a Zoomconference about the disorder with a friend.The speakers asked us to share a personalexperience with the group. I told them stressaggravates my condition, in which I reversewords and letters when I’m tense. When Ifinished speaking, my friend blurted out: “NowI know why you named your daughterHannah!”

A teacher gave her young class a lesson onZoom. It was about the magnet, and what itdoes. The next day in a short test, sheincluded this question: “My full name has sixletters. The first one is M. I am strong andattractive. I pick up lots of things. What amI?” When the answers were sent in, the teacherwas astonished to find that more than halfher students had answered the question withthe word: “Mother.”

Following last months article from Audrey Milfordabout old food prices, Sue Stevens has sent this

FOOD IN THE FIFTIES

A takeaway was a mathematical problem A pizza was something with a leaning tower Bananas and oranges only appeared at Xmas All crisps were plain: the only choice we had waswhether to put salt on or not. A Chinese chippie was a carpenter Rice was a milk pudding and never part of ourdinner A Big mac was something we wore when it wasraining. Brown bread was something only poor people ate. Oil was for lubricating. Fat was for cooking. Tea was made in a teapot using tea leaves and nevergreen Coffee was Camp and came in a bottle Cubed sugar was regarded as posh Only Heinz made beans. Fish did not have fingers in those days Eating raw fish was called poverty and not sushi None of us had ever heard of yoghurt Healthy food consisted of anything edible. People who did not peel potatoes were regarded aslazy Indian restaurants were only found in India Cooking outside was called camping Seaweed was not a recognisable food. Sugar enjoyed a good press in those days and wasregarded as "white gold" "Kebab" was not a word never mind a food Prunes were medicine Surprisingly muesli was about - it was called cattlefeed. Pineapples came in chunks in a tin - we had onlyever seen pictures of a real one. Water came out of a tap: if some-one suggestedbottling it and charging for it they would havebecome a laughing stock. The one thing we never had on our table in thefifties was elbows and mobile phones

WHEN TOURISTS GET LOST

Have you ever got into trouble while abroad? Thetrue story is told of a group of tourists who wentto Israel some years ago and arrived in Jerusalemvery eager to see the sites of the old city.

Four members of the group were so engrossed intaking pictures of each other by the Wailing Wallthat they ignored the summons from the tourgroup leader to go back to the bus. A little whilelater, they realised that they were all on their ownin Jerusalem. That’s when their problems started.

The four tourists decided to head back to theirhotel. But no one could remember the exact nameof the hotel. So, they hailed a taxi, and asked it todrive around Jerusalem looking for the hotel. Anhour or so later, the driver gave up and demandedpayment.

That’s when they discovered that they did nothave enough money to pay the driver.

So the driver took them to the police, whodemanded some identification. That’s when thefour tourists remembered that they had left theirpassports in the hotel safe…

Some hours later, the tour guide tracked down themissing tourists. They greeted her with tears ofrelief as she provided the police with theirpassports, paid their debt, and prepared to leadthem safely back to their hotel. The police gavesome parting advice to the tourists: “From nowon, you stay close to your friend!”

Stay close to your friend. It’s good advice for allof us. If your life is going in the wrong direction,if you have run up debts of wrong-doing, if you

8

feel lost and alone, you need to take action. Youneed to stop going on like this. Turn around and goin another direction. The Bible calls this action of‘stopping and turning around’ repentance.

Repentance is when you stop one direction, and youturn to God. For the good news is that there is aheavenly tour guide on whom we can all call. OnlyGod can save us from the mess we are in. He sentus His Son to forgive us our sins, to provide us withan identity, and, if we walk with Him, lead ussafely through life. As the Bible says: “The wagesof sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal lifethrough Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

From Parish Pump

SPLASH!

For the past two years our bird bath has beenmonopolised by a beautiful, but belligerent pigeon.He perched on top of the clothes pole at the end ofthe garden and was prepared to attack anythingsmaller than a golden eagle if it threatened to sharehis amenity.

But nature will indeed take its course. Last week,Mister pigeon was missing from his lofty perch.Instead, he was strutting backwards and forwardsalong the garden wall under the admiring gaze of aneven more beautiful Ms pigeon.

They exchanged a bit of wing fluttering, did a bit ofbilloing and cooing then Ms pigeon descended tothe side of the bath, checked out the area forpredators, primly tested the water with her clawand plunged in. For the next five minutes or so, she had the time ofher life; fluttering, preening, splashing; scatteringwaves of water like a feathered tsunami.

Mr pigeon was back on top of his clothes pole,keeping watch. Proudly puffed up, looking onbenignly as his new friend made herself totallygorgeous, and nicked all his bath water.

They flew off together, and I haven't seen themsince. However, if I see, in a few weeks' time, Mr.and Mrs. Pigeon with a couple of youngsters liningup on the garden wall with bath towels, I'll let youknow.

Bill Elliot

FEWER YOUNG MEN DIE

Ironically, lockdown actually saved a number oflives. Recent five-year averages have revealedthat the death rates for young men aged 20 to 24plummeted by more than 30 percent this spring.

Of course, mortality rates across the populationrise steadily with age, but there is normally asignificant spike for younger men. But it seemsthat coronavirus has smoothed out the curve,because fewer young men have been dying in caraccidents, or from alcohol-related or risk-takingincidents.

So something good came out of fewer drivers onthe road, and all the bars, pubs and clubs beingshut: far fewer admissions to accident andemergency units.

THE WAY I SEE IT:

What have you missed most during lockdown?

It’s a good question, because it is about the thingsthat make us tick. When I examined my list, Ifound obvious things – going to church, live sporton TV, meeting up with friends for a coffee or abeer.

But as I thought more deeply about it, I realisedthat what I missed most was TOUCH. For nearlyfour months I have not touched another humanbeing!

That is an astonishing deprivation. When a babyis born, its first experiences are all of touch. Thestrong hands of the midwife, mother’s excitedand loving embrace, tiny hands reaching out tofeel mummy’s face. We touch our way into life.

And then it goes on. Holding hands with friends,being hugged by grandma, your first serious kiss,and perhaps a last tearful one at the end of amuch-loved life.

We greet each other with a holy kiss, the Biblesays. And why not?

Sight, smell, hearing and touch. Four senses. AndI think lockdown has taught me that the greatestof these is touch!

Canon David Winter

9

I never thought the comment, “I wouldn’ttouch you with a six-foot pole” wouldbecome national policy, but here we are!

Continuing our look at wild flowers by KirstySteele, a retired teacher and active church organist

THE STATELY ROSEBAYWILLOWHERB

If wildflowers were to compete in terms of height,Rosebay Willowherb would have to be one of thecontenders for first prize. By mid- to late-summerits height can reach four feet or so [120cm] withpyramids of pinkish-purple flowers cheering up themost unlikely places, for it is happy to grow onrailway cuttings and embankments and amongstruined buildings and disturbed ground. And even in Central Park. as this photo taken fromthe bottom path along by the cemetry shows.

During the Second WorldWar, Rosebay Willowherbwas often one of the veryfirst plants to cheer upLondon’s bomb-sites, andeven ground that had beencleared by fire, resulting init having another, but farless attractive name –Fireweed.

Spring flowers tend to havewhite or yellow petals – snowdrops, primroses,daffodils, wood anemones and celandines. Thistrend is abruptly changed when bluebells make anappearance. By midsummer however, warmercolours have made an appearance, and RosebayWillowherb is no exception. The flowers, with deeppink petals intercepted by purple sepals account forthe first word of the name, while the leaves, whichgrow in spirals around them, are responsible for‘Willowherb’ being added, as they become narrowat each end, and therefore resemble [loosely!] thoseof a willow tree.

In the times of Queen Victoria this wonderfulplant was a treasured addition to many gardensand it was not nearly as abundant in thecountryside. However, Mother Nature soon dealtwith that! Once the flower is pollinated, seedcapsules form. When ripe, they split to releasemany, many billows of seed, all ready to be blownfar and wide by autumn winds.

So, we now have a plant loved by many, oftenfrom a car or train. But while the size and vibrantcolour mean it cannot hide, the fluffy seeds tell usthat autumn will not be far away.

10

The following was sent by Valerie Bott from her former Church’s newsletter.

Some food for thought especially for those who may be struggling at the moment

Me Hey God

God Hello...

Me I’m falling apart. Can you put me back together?

God I would rather not

Me Why?

God Because you aren’t a puzzle

Me What about all the pieces of my life that are falling down onto the ground.

God Let them stay there for a while. They fell off for a reason. Take some time and decide if you needany of the pieces back.

Me You don’t understand! I’m breaking down!

God No - you don’t understand. You are breaking through. What you are feeling are just growingpains. You are shedding the things and the people in your life that are holding you back. Youaren’t falling apart. You are falling into place. Relax. Take some deep breaths and allow thosethings you don’t need anymore to fall off you. Quit holding on to the pieces that don’t fit youanymore. Let them fall off. Let them go.

Me Once I start doing that, what will be left of me?

God Only the very best pieces of you.

Me I’m scared of changing.

God I keep telling you - YOU AREN’T CHANGING!! YOU ARE BECOMING..

Me Becoming who?

God Becoming who I created you to be! A person of light and love and charity and hope and courageand joy and mercy and grace and compassion. I made you for more than the shallow pieces youhave decided to adorn yourself with that you cling to with such greed and fear....Let those thingsfall off you. I love you. Don’t change!.. Become! Become who I made you to be. I’m going tokeep telling you this until you remember it.

Me. There goes another piece

God Yep let it be.

Me So I’m not broken

God Of course not!. - but you are breaking like the dawn. It’s day. Become!!!

Author John Roedel

Talking of changes, as Ruth, Ian and Janette are taking some time to rest from the eldership, the pastorallists have changed for some people.Please find on the next page the names of members and friends of Trinity and who you can contact asyour elder.

11

Who is my Elder

Judy Beaumont

Bott, Valerie & TonyCrosswaite, Marilyn & JohnFull, Isobel & IanGbeve, BenjaminGearing, PhyllisMacdonald, SandraMcFarlane, Mary & MichaelMiddleton, Andrea & MichaelNicholson, Sarah & AndrewPhillips, Margaret & KenStrachan, Lilias & EllisWatson, Penny

Jill Stidson

Eustace-Pedlar, JoyceFlynn, Sue & DavidGodfree, VeraGreener, YvonneHanley, Constance (Connie)Massey, BernadetteO'Sullivan, JillPasmore, Natasha & MatthewPengelly, Helen & DesRowse, RichardStansbury, MabelWebb, MyrnaWoolley, David

Penny Watson

Adams, FionaAllman, Libby & RichardDuncalf, JanetteGrosch, NatalieGrosch, Lindsay & PaulHill,Gillian & RichardStidever, Sue & PeterStidson, JillWastnage, AudreyWillis, MaryHenriette Wentink

Bernadette Massey

Allen, DorothyAppleton, MarinaAvent, DeniseBurgess, JeanCampbell, BarbaraHadden, EnaHanemann, SilkeLaw, GillianLock, Debbie & RichardMilford, AudreyPopplestone, MargaretRunnalls, Carol & GrahamTincler, EdnaVeal, ShirleyWarren, Liz

Mary McFarlane

Hamilton, Elizabeth (Betty)Hamilton, ElizabethLongbottom, JoyPasmore, Chris & JohnRogers, GwennoTaylor, Emily & DanielTudor, Fiona & JeremyMargaret Osborne

Debbie Lock

Chadbourn, Alison & BobMakin, Chris & JohnMcLean, EvelynPilgrim, Jenny & DerekShotter, JoanStephens, Sue

David Woolley

Barribal, MichaelHarding, RonHawkins, JohnHill, PaulHutchings, JonathanHutchings, NormanKing, PeterMays, PeterPun, Rebecca & Matthew

Henriette Wentink

Corless, StephanieRichards, JohnSeymour, Jacquie

Chris Pasmore

Behan, KathrynBogue, Pat & DavidGodfree, BarbaraGoodsell, Fiona & ChrisGoodsell, KatrionaHawtin, Julie and AlexSprague, MartinWorley, Avril

Mary Willis

Beaumont, Judy & RogerBray, Ruth & TerryCouldwell, JaneCriddle, DanielCriddle, Ruth & IanWilliams, JulieWilliams-Arnold, HarryStevens, David

12

DAILY HOPE PHONE LINE clocks up two million minutes

A free phone line offering hymns, prayers, andreflections to tens of thousands of callers afterchurch buildings closed because of the coronavirusis to continue despite moves to ease the lockdownrestrictions.

Daily Hope, launched by the Archbishop ofCanterbury, Justin Welby, in April, has nowreceived 173,000 calls from over 37,000 people –with calls topping more than two million minutes.

The service – which is available 24 hours a day on0800 804 8044 – was set up as a simple new wayto bring worship and prayer into people’s homes,especially older people and anyone unable to joinonline church services.

Stories sent to the Archbishop from across thecountry share how the service has brought comfortand support during these difficult times. Many whowrote in said they had recommended the line toothers.

The service, set up by the Church of Englandnationally, has also been supported by Connectionsbased at Holy Trinity Claygate in Surrey and theChristian charity Faith in Later Life.

Archbishop Justin said: “Daily Hope has been alifeline for tens of thousands of people in the lastfew months.

“We’ve heard stories of people using it who areregular church attenders and those who aren’t.That’s a testimony to the vital importance of DailyHope.

“I have been praying for those who have used thephone line, and written to us, that God would bringthem comfort, not just at this time but in the weeksand months which follow.

“The Church will continue to look to serve olderpeople, and those who can’t easily get out to achurch building.

“I look forward to seeing how Daily Hope can gofrom strength to strength as lockdown restrictionsare eased.”

Carl Knightly, chief executive of Faith in LaterLife, added: “During the months that lockdown has

been in place, I am delighted that the Church hasbrought words of comfort and hope to tens ofthousands of people and I look forward to thatcontinuing.

“And while measures begin to ease and churchbuildings begin to reopen, it’s important that weremember the millions of people who may bevulnerable due to their health or their age, and whomay be reluctant to return to their place of worship.

“Therefore, I’m pleased to continue supporting thefree Daily Hope telephone line and delighted thatit will remain in place. I hope church leaders,church members, and indeed all who are aware ofthe phone line, will keep sharing this importantinitiative with others.”

Callers to the line are welcomed with a short newgreeting from the Archbishop before being able tochoose from a range of options, including hymns,prayers, reflections and advice on COVID-19.

New material to the service continues to beupdated, including mental health reflections voicedby Pam Rhodes which started this week and plansfor holiday at home material in August as well asprayers from the Mothers Union.

SOME MISCELLANEOUSOBSERVATIONS ON MODERN

LIFE…

If at first you succeed, try to hide yourastonishment.

You must have learned from others' mistakes. Youhaven't had time to think all those up yourself.

People like criticism – just keep it positive andflattering.

Junk is something you throw away about threeweeks before you need it.

Hospitality is making your guests feel at home,even if you wish they were.

Some people are like blisters. They don't show upuntil the work is done.

Going to church doesn't make you a Christian anymore than going to a garage makes you amechanic.

13

Editor Jill StidsonTel: 01752 249337email jillstidson@blueyonder.co.uk

Here are the answers to last months Bible bookspuzzle, showing how some words were split andin the order that they appear in the text.

A mos; mark; lu,ke; john; jo.El; judges; job;he brews; es.Ther; act.S; jam,es; ruth; rom ans; t it us; m at the w; genes is; Phi lemon; Chronicle,s; Daniel; na hum; hose a; lamentations; revelation; Timothy;Samuel; numbers; mal.A ch; pete r; exodus;king s

Picture Quiz answers

1.A The end of Torr Road on the wall ofSungates

B It is a city boundary stoneC. Dated 1896

2.A Penny WatsonB. Efford Nature Reserve

C. A sound shield to eliminate traffic noise toallow you to hear the bird song.

3.A Yvonne GreenerB. A Victorian Urinal

C. In Thorn Park.

Phyllis Gearing sent this prayer which she wroteduring the war whilst in the air-raid shelter at thebottom of their garden. She feels it is stillapplicable today

With His peace in our heartsMay our fears depart.Tho the power of Heaven be shakenShould our fears become dimTake shelter in HimUntil the all clear signal is given

Morning Prayer

When morning in russet and saffron cladIs mantling the hills in a dew-soft plaidTo the song of the moorland two-wings gladLet my heart upraise;

When light creeps in through the chinks of thedoorWhen the mist ascends from the mountain floor,When the ocean shimmers like burnished ore,Let me give thee praise.

O God of the morning, Christ of the hills,O Spirit who all the firmament fills,O Trinity blest who all goodness wills,Keep us all our days.

From Prayers of the Western Highlandersas given in Parish Pump.

Have you enjoyed reading this edition of Tidings? We used to print 150 but now printa lot less as several read it on line. However there must be folk who used to get a copythat we do not know about so why not pass yours on when you have read it?

Follow us on twitter Like us on facebook@TrinityURCPlym CCL Licence No : 217438 Trinity URC Plymouth

14