FORTHCOMING EVENTS
August 31st, 2008Visit our Craft Stall @ Bishop Gore School Saturday 15th November 10 am - 4 pm. BRILLIANT GIFTS FOR CHRISTMAS - DON’T MISS OUT
SATURDAY 29TH NOVEMBER @ 7.30 pm THE BOXWOOD CONSORT, EARLY MUSIC QUARTET, presents music played on period instruments @ SKETTY METHODIST CHURCH, DILLWYN ROAD, SKETTY.
Tickets £6.50. Children under 12 years FREE. Ticket price includes light refreshments.
Tickets from 01792 299127
The artistes are Paul Brophy (Baroque violin and viola da gamba); Emma Bryden (Baroque cello); William Reynolds (harpsichord); Tim Soar (recorders). The music will range from the beginning of the 18th century and the “High Baroque” music of J S Bach and Handel, to the music written by Bach’s son C P E Bach and Mozart’s father, Leopold Mozart.
OUR SEPTEMBER NEWSLETTER - 2008
Sketty Methodist Church
Newsletter
September 2008
Rev John Wiseman
47 Sketty Park Road, Sketty
Swansea SA2 9AS
01792 203938
jwiserev@hotmail.com
Sketty Methodist Church
exists to share with all
* the glory of God through worship
* the love of God through service and
* the Spirit of God through friendship
Dear Friends From the Manse
I wonder what word or phrase has been uppermost in your thoughts over the summer? Perhaps it has been credit crunch, knife crime, Swansea City’s fixture list, the Olympic Games or maybe even the arrival of Sketty’s new minister! The one thing that has dominated my thoughts, words and actions over the past few weeks has been much simpler. It has in fact been a single word. Boxes. Where can I get them from, what can I put into them, where can I store them and finally over the past few days since I arrived here in Swansea and started unpacking, why didn’t I label them better!
The good thing about being invited to move house, to move job, to move community is that it is a chance to assess the baggage we carry along with us. Baggage that can be material, physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. It provides a chance to look through what is worth keeping and what isn’t. An opportunity to ensure we fill our “life boxes” only with things that are either useful or beautiful, hopefully both, whilst discarding those things that are useless and ugly which we have hoarded but which in truth have no value and actually hinder our lives and growth.
Over the past few months I have been caught in the middle of this process and cannot quite believe just how much non-helpful rubbish I have accumulated. It has been out with the old and in with….well who knows what new experiences, friendships and adventures my time here in Sketty will bring with it.
Marketing executives often encourage workers within their companies to think “outside the box,” the invisible mental barrier that limits what we think is possible to achieve. As members of this church here in Sketty and surrounding community, we need to think outside of the individual and communal boxes that say “we can’t, we shouldn’t, we mustn’t”. Instead we need to think big, to dream large, to set our sights, our vision, our aims high.
We need to live our lives in the same way that Jesus did, the original out of the box thinker who turned the conventions of his family, friends, community and world upside down and inside out just over 2,000 years ago. This man from Galilee who couldn’t be contained, constrained or classified in the box others tried to place him in but whose relationship with God and love for humanity allowed him to burst out of such restrictions and shower everyone he met with God’s unending grace.
Jesus thought outside the box by imagining a world where the last would be first and where one would serve one’s brother or sister. Jesus prayed outside the box by addressing God in that most intimate way as “Abba” or Father. Jesus acted outside the box by associating with and promoting as examples for others to follow people normally rejected and ridiculed by the religious leaders and hierarchy of the day.
For Jesus there is no box, only an overwhelming love for each and everyone reading this letter today.
As we start this new exciting part of our spiritual journey, I invite you as brothers and sisters in faith to join me in exploring how we can learn to think outside of the box, learn to see things as Jesus would see them and then, empowered by the Holy Spirit, begin to make a real difference in the life of this church and community in which we live.
It’s an exciting time in the life of this church. I look forward to being a part of the adventure.
Love and light John
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
Richard and Jayne would like to thank everyone for all their kind messages and very generous gifts. They have bought some garden furniture and are looking forward to having the opportunity to use it. Richard has also bought a new camera which will give him a lot of pleasure.
“We are settling in to our new home, but there is still lots to do!
We have enjoyed our time in Sketty and look forward to seeing you all again before too long. If you’re in N.Wales, please look us up.” Richard and Jayne Hall
The new address for Richard, Jayne, Ruth and Catrin is:
Ty Newydd, Hawarden Road, Caergwrle, Wrexham LL12 9DB 01978 760660
Richard: hrichardhall@gmail.com Jayne: jayne.hall@ymail.com
(and not their previous email addresses)
A sincere word of thanks on behalf of our Stewards to all those who contributed to making the last services we held with Richard go so smoothly, and the commitment of the team who worked so very hard on the preparations at the Manse for John’s arrival. Thank you. Andy Vinstien
Mark and Fiona Evans brought their children, Finn (born 19.6.03)
Tegwyn (17.9.05) and Griffynn Reekie-Evans (13.2.08) for Baptism on 13th July. Mark (Pam Edwards’ son) grew up in our YPF. He and Fiona have been living in China and are now based in Dubai.
Debbie and Daniel Whitehouse brought Thomas Daniel for Baptism on his first birthday, 20th July. Daniel’s grandmother is Glenys Thomas.
Lord, look upon each helpless child
Before they know you’re there;
Surround them with protective love,
Enfold them in your care.
These joyful parents strengthen, Lord,
And help them to provide
A Christian home, where faithfulness
And patient love abide. (586 H&P)
Gareth Thomas and Nia Roberts were married in our church on 12th July by Deacon Margaret Crompton, with Richard as Registrar. Our love and best wishes go out to them and to their families.
Pat, on behalf of Nia, Gareth and all the family, would like to thank everyone who helped get the church ready and who cleared up afterwards. They much appreciated the support and good wishes of all their friends.
Caroline and Allan Archer have been blessed with a grand-daughter, Emily, born on 26th July to Daniel and Jane. Our best wishes go to them all.
Penny Francis and Darren Gregory were married in our church on 23rd August at noon by Rev Alf Austin. Penny is from Murton Methodist Church and we send our good wishes to them.
Mavis Evans (nee Vaughan - daughter of Idris Vaughan) will be remembered by some of us. Sadly Mavis died in August. She and her sister Joan were active members at Sketty until they moved away many years ago but, through the Sketty network all over the country, they kept in touch with what was happening here.
Arthur Griffiths has been receiving further treatment during the summer. We remember Arthur, his wife Cheryl and boys, with Merlin and Richard (Arthur’s parents) in our prayers.
Ann Kemp is also receiving further chemotherapy and our thoughts are with her, Phil and the family.
Sian Kirk graduated from Sheffield in French & Law; Kirsty Hayler in equine studies at Aberystwyth; and Beth Gallagher in Physiotherapy at Nottingham. Our congratulations to them all.
As mentioned last month, Elinor Kirk is to study Medicine at Southampton.
Birthday greetings in September go to
Holly Davies (on 4th)
Lily Hayman (15th)
Tegwyn Reekie-Evans (17th)
Daniel and Matthew Cuthill (27th)
Rachel Smith (28th)
WESLEY CLUB
Good news!! Wesley Club restarts on 8th September with a social evening and we would like to invite all ladies to come and join us.
We meet on Monday evenings at 7pm and, back by popular demand (and because we have some volunteers), is our cup of tea and a biscuit at the end of the meeting - which gives us a chance to chat and get to know each other.
We have a varied programme as usual, plus a trip to the Dylan Thomas Theatre and Swansea Museum
Wesley Club offers fellowship, friendship and fun. Please come. We’d love to see you. Pam
Folk Dancing classes will resume on 8th September. Anyone who would like to join us is more than welcome. We meet Monday afternoons from 2pm till 4pm with a break for a well deserved cup of tea! We look forward to seeing you!
Macmillan Coffee Morning: Yet another year has gone by and it is time for the Coffee Morning which Rosemary Blyth will be hosting on Friday 26th September from 10am till 12 noon, at her home. Everyone is welcome to come to help raise funds for this very worthwhile charity. We look forward to seeing you.
Great North Run
I am pleased (at least I think I am) to have been accepted to run in the above event. It is held in Newcastle on 5th Oct and I have to run just over 13 miles. My charity is of course the British Heart Foundation. If anyone is prepared to sponsor me, even for a very small amount as it all adds up, I would be very grateful. Mum has the necessary form. In any event I would be grateful if you would remember me in your prayers on the 5th.
Thank you. Ceri Chaplin
News of “The Sketty Madcaps” who have been rehearsing some short one-act plays and are going to perform two of these on two repeat evenings
on Friday 26th and Saturday 27th Sept at 7.30pm in the church hall.
The evening opens with the first play which is “Somewhere Over The Cowsheds”.
During the interval following this, a two-course supper will be served after which the second play entitled “The Last Bread Pudding” will be performed.
The plays are very light-hearted - and if you think the Pantos are good then you’ll find that these are better still!
This is the group’s premier performance under the title “Food & Farce” and tickets are restricted due to seating arrangements…..so don’t delay!
Tickets are available from John Dumelow…. and are reasonably priced at £7 (inclusive of supper)
(Stop Press: We look forward to Sketty Madcaps performing “Fancying Sheep” in the morning service on 2nd November.
Jan Chaplin tells us it has a challenging message. More in the October Newsletter!)
Gift Aid
The Church Council recently voted unanimously to go ahead with the new building scheme. This is a very big financial commitment for a church of our size and we all need to re-evaluate our “giving” to try and make it happen. If you are a taxpayer and you haven’t been using the gift-aid scheme, then your gift could be worth a lot more. The gift-aid scheme allows us to claim back the income tax (at basic rate), increasing the value of the gift by more than a quarter. If you are a higher rate taxpayer then you can also claim back the higher rate tax on gift-aided donations for yourself.
There is no reason why every single gift to, or through, the church from a taxpayer should not be “gift-aided” and the tax claimed back. We have been streamlining our accounting procedures to make this more manageable and now it is up to you to take advantage of this.
There are two methods of managing gift aid:
The one that is simplest for us to administer is for you to sign a gift-aid agreement with the church that says that all future donations you make are to be considered as gift-aid. This means that as long as we can trace the gift back to you as an individual, in the accounts, then we can claim the tax back. Most people who do this either also join the envelope scheme or set up a standing order from their bank account. This allows the weekly offering to become part of the scheme automatically. These envelopes are the little square blue ones that you see people putting into the offertory plate. NB: There is no commitment on your part to give a particular sum of money each week or to use all the envelopes.
The second method involves filling in the details on one of the larger gift aid envelopes that are available in the pews, and putting your offering into it. As far as the Inland Revenue is concerned, each envelope is a separate agreement and all the details have to be filled in each time.
For extra collections and donations, such as communion offertories or donations to the building fund (smarty tubes etc), then fill in a gift aid envelope from the pew. Remember, if you have not signed a gift-aid agreement with the church, each envelope becomes such an agreement in its own right and has to be filled in completely. If you have signed an agreement, all that is necessary is for us to be able to trace the gift back to you as an individual, so just your name and postcode is sufficient, providing no one else with the same name lives at the same postcode.
By the first Sunday in September there will be a supply of envelopes and pens, within reach of every seat in the church.
Please support us by considering an increase in your giving and, if you are a taxpayer, by making sure your gifts are made eligible for gift aid. If you wish to sign a gift-aid agreement then please see one of the Gift Aid secretaries – either Les Want or Jon Hopkins
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Used Postage Stamps
I am still collecting used postage stamps of all kinds (not just Chrismas ones) for charity. There is a box in the front porch, or you can just give them to me. I take them periodically to the Christian Aid shop. David Gedrych
REDEVELOPMENT FUND-RAISING:
The Book Sale in June raised £250; the Barn Dance on 21st June was not only very enjoyable but raised £164; and the Strawberry Tea Dance in July raised £102. Thank you to all involved.
Saturday 20th September:
Secondhand Book Sale 10am-1pm.
Ian and Susan Glen would be grateful
for offers of help to set this up
on Friday afternoon/evening, and then to assist on Saturday.
Other future plans:
Saturday 4th October 10-12 noon: There will be a table top sale in the Victoria Hall Mumbles when we will sell preserves etc.
This is a Circuit event and there is a combined cake stall, the proceeds of the cake stall, raffle and refreshments, will be shared amongst all participants.
Saturday 15th November: we have booked a table in the Bishop Gore Craft Fayre, and will sell any item which has been hand made - preserves, toy bags, cards, bookmarks …….
Saturday 29th November: A Concert given by The Boxwood Consort in our church. This is a relatively newly-assembled group playing 18th century Baroque music on violin, cello, recorder and keyboard. Some of the members have been or are involved with Hemiola. There will be more details later.
NETWORK NEWS
There will be a Coffee Morning
on Monday 1st September from
10 until 12-ish in aid of the new
Network Project – agriculture in Cameroon – IN THE HALL Tickets £1. Bring and Buy Stall; Quizzes; Games
On Friday 12th September at 2.30 pm at Murton everyone is invited to the commissioning service for Margaret Bizzell.
Margaret will be Women’s Network South Wales President for the next three years. The address will be given by Rev Dr Stephen Wigley. The service will be followed by tea.
Please could anyone willing to bake cakes let Janet Neilson know as soon as possible. Arrangements can be made to collect them if you are not able to attend the service.
At the Church Council (26th June) it was agreed that the Worship Consultation committee’s convenor would be Win Hawkins, and would comprise Pat Thomas, Pam Tucker, Jan Chaplin, Andy Vinstien, Bob Charnley, with Quentin Hawkins as adviser. Its terms of reference would be to look at worship throughout the church year and at planning particular services.
Our Harvest Festival will be held on 19th October and it is hoped to arrange a Harvest lunch or supper.
The Chapel Anniversary will be on 7th December.
Christmas: 21st December: 10.30 Family Service in which the Adventurers participate; 6.30 Carols by Candlelight followed by Just Desserts.
24th December 6pm Family Communion Service, preceded by tea.
Rev Stephen Poxon was made President at the Methodist Conference in July. He, and Deacon Myrtle, are known to quite a few of us at Sketty following their time at Cathays Church, Cardiff from 1985-1996. Stephen spent the first 6½ years of his ministry in Jamaica and went from Cardiff to Fulwood Church, Preston until 2000 when he became Chairman of the North Lancashire District. Myrtle continued to minister at Fulwood and in 2004-5 became Vice-President of Conference.
The Vice-President of Conference this year is Mr David Walton, a Local Preacher, life-long Methodist and a member at Monton, Eccles. David is a partner in a firm of solicitors, and has just completed an appointment as Chairman of the Euro-American Lawyers’ Group. He is also Chair of the Connexional Law and Polity Committee.
MISSION MATTERS
From 1st September 2008, the Fund for Home Mission will be known as The Mission in Britain Fund. The Fund for World Mission will be known as The World Mission Fund.
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The collection at the Circuit Service on 20th July for Tong-Len amounted to £250.
COMMUNION OFFERTORIES:
In June these amounted to £95 for the group which produces the Methodist Recorder and other Methodist publications on tape for the vision impaired.
Those in July of £145 were donated to the Disasters Emergency Committee (www.dec.org.uk)
The donations in August to the Anthony Nolan Trust will be reported in the October NL continued…
Our Communion collections in September will be for Tong-Len the charity with which Michael Blakey was working in India before he was so tragically killed on 26.11.06. Tong-Len provides education and healthcare in the region of Dharamsala, north India, to help displaced communities achieve a secure and sustainable future.
All the funds received into the Michael Blakey Memorial fund have now been spent on the two parcels of land on which it is planned to build the centre in his name. Donations received now are being directed towards the building of the hostel to accommodate fifty children whilst they attend the school.
The web site is: www.tong-len.org
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Thank you! Rosemary Blyth and Chris Hartley would like to thank all those who generously sponsored them for the ‘Race for Life’. A total of £300 was raised for Cancer Research.
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Why Bother With Fairtrade and Traidcraft?
Most of us are familiar with fair trade. But there’s truth in the old adage that familiarity breeds contempt. Take a moment to consider the implications: for NON-fairtrade products, we do not know whether producers work in safe conditions, are paid enough to live on or have any chance to develop their communities.
Through the support of thousands of Christians, the Fairtrade movement has seen huge growth but with this success comes competition for Traidcraft.
Here are some answers to frequent observations and statements:
“I buy Fairtrade products in supermarkets because it’s cheaper”
Price variation in different types of shops is normal. Supermarkets sell high volumes so they can afford to make very little (sometimes even a loss) and their running costs are proportionately much lower.
“I can buy Café Direct cheaper in the supermarkets”
Café Direct is not a Traidcraft product. Traidcraft is a re-seller which then has to deliver it to Fair Traders.
However, if you buy it from a Traidcraft Fair Trader (instead of a
Supermarket) all of the profit goes to two dedicated Fairtrade organisations: Café Direct and Traidcraft.
“I can buy Traidcraft products cheaper in supermarkets”
Traidcraft Fair Traders can offer a wider range of Traidcraft products than Supermarkets, but Traidcraft cannot control the prices that supermarkets set, especially if they have the products on special offer.
“Why should I buy from a Fair Trader stall?”
The money earned by Traidcraft is invested in existing fair trade producers and in continuing to pioneer new developments. Super-market profits go to shareholders and in fact, supermarkets would not have access to fair trade products if organisations like Traid-craft did not invest and develop new areas of fair trade.
“Why does Traidcraft sell to supermarkets?”
Traidcraft exists to help poor producers trade their way out of poverty and if it did not sell to supermarkets it would not be maximising the opportunities for its producers. Supermarkets can access a far greater number of consumers and make it easy for their customers to buy fair trade products.
The new Traidcraft Catalogue is available and the next Traidcraft Stall will be on Sunday 14th September.
Pat Thomas (539521) (patriciamthomas@ntlworld.com) can also let you have more details about the work of Traidcraft and also their “Meet the People” Tours in 2009.
Christian Aid Tea Time - Christian Aid is asking people across the world to get together, put the kettle on and help give poor communities that chance to work their way out of poverty.
Cytun has arranged, via Wayne Evans, to invite all for a “cuppa and a piece of cake” at 4pm on Friday 19th September at Sketty Baptist Church Hall, Carnglas Road. Admission Free - Donations to Christian Aid.
Swansea University Theology Public Lecture:
7pm Tuesday 30th Sept, James Callaghan Lecture Theatre.
“He comes to us as one unknown” – discussions on the historical Jesus in more recent scholarship, by Dr James Carleton-Paget, Senior Lecturer in New Testament Studies at Cambridge University and Fellow and Tutor at Peterhouse, Cambridge.
15 Years Ago: September 1993 by Caroline Crimp Rev John Atkinson hopes everyone has enjoyed the summer and looks forward to the start of the new Methodist year. Thoughts with sick and recovering members: Megan Davies, Lynda Atkinson and Margaret Ball, and best wishes to those moving into new homes: Avice Phillips, Melanie & Andrew Fellayn, and welcome to Sheila Collingbourne now back in Swansea. Congratulations: to the young people on their A level results enabling them to go on to the University of their choice, Stephanie Wood, Kathryn Davies, Andrew Davies, Ian Jones, John Hartley, Ceri Chaplin and Adrian Cuthill – also passing A levels Lynne Hayler; and Chris Hartley going on to do a BEd in Primary Education ….. David Agarawal, James Evans, Andrew Blyth and David Lamb on obtaining their degrees, and Jonathan Sykes starting as a medical physicist in Withington, Manchester ….. Kate & Will Hawkins (xPortland Bay) 65th Wedding Anniversary ….. Gareth Williams & Sandra Donnelly, Elizabeth Clarkson & David Mitchell on their marriages, and Caroline Rees & David Jackson on their engagement.
continued…
Forthcoming events: Visit of the President of Conference, the Rev Brian Beck, at the Circuit Service on 19th Sept; Flower Festival and Harvest celebrations 23rd -26th September & 2nd October….. thanks to those who helped out at the summer all-age Sunday School and welcome to Gwen Dumelow and Pauline Littler joining the Sunday School Staff.
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Oh God, you’re ace and you blow me away;
Your fame explodes, sets the tone on everything you say.
Stars burst beyond scientists’ prying eyes –
So much we don’t realise!
And you get kids to sing you songs;
Unqualified praise from the amazed
Blows the curse from your enemies’ twisted lips,
When the kids sing you songs!
I peer through the smog,
Try to wrap my head round the size of it all:
Just how big are you, God. How big are your hands?
The moon, the stars, placed just the right place,
The planets pushed just the right pace.
Just how big are you, God? How big is your heart?
How come you notice me, care for this lowlife?
This lonely life, the other end of space?
Psalm 8 v. 1-4
taken from The Street Bible – Rob Lacey
Coming Events
Services: 10.30am & 6.30pm Adventurers: 10.30am
At 6.30pm we are joined by our friends from Bethel URC
Please stay and have coffee with us after the morning service.
There is an induction loop for those with hearing aids.
There are large print versions of hymns at the door.
At evening service the collection plate is placed in the vestibule for your offerings as you enter church.
In term-time:
Monday 2pm Folk-dancing resumes 8th Sept
Tuesday 2pm Banner-making Group
5.45 – 6.55 Beavers & Cubs, 7 – 8.30 Scouts
Wednesday 6.15-7.30 Brownies (restart on 10th Sept)
7.30 Sketty Madcaps
August
31 Sun 10.30 Martin Gregson
6.30 Rev Kim Fabricius: Communion
September
1 Mon 10-12 Coffee Morning IN THE HALL, for South Wales Women’s Network Project (see p.12)
7 Sun 10.30 Rev John Wiseman: Communion
6pm (note time) Circuit Welcome Service for Rev John Wiseman at Brunswick.
8 Mon 7pm Wesley Club Social Evening – Beetle Drive
11 Thu 7pm Circuit Meeting
12 Fri 2.30 @ Murton, Margaret Bizzell’s Commissioning (p.12) 14 Sun 10.30 Quentin Hawkins Traidcraft stall
6.30 Rev John Wiseman
15 Mon 7pm Wesley Club: Joyce Williams – Buckingham Palace
Garden Party.
16 Tue 6.30 Redevelopment Project committee meeting
18 Thu 7.30 Church Council Meeting
19 Fri 4pm Christian Aid Tea Time @ Sketty Baptist (see p.16)
20 Sat 10-1 Second-hand Book Sale (see p.11)
21 Sun 10.30 Rev John Wiseman
6.30 Rev Alf Austin: Communion
22 Mon 7pm Wesley Club: Sue & Tim Brown’s Trouble Spot Travels
25 Thu 7.30 Dunvant/Killay Hse.Gp. @ J. Neilson’s
26 Fri 10-noon Macmillan Coffee Mng.@ Rosemary’s (see p.7)
26 & 27 Fri & Sat Sketty Madcaps one-act plays (see p.8)
28 Sun 10.30 Rev Howard Long: Family Service
6.30 Rev Muduma Francisco
29 Mon Wesley Club: no meeting on Monday because of visit on 2nd
October
11 & 12 Circuit Missions Weekend at Murton
16 Thu 7.30 Pastoral Meeting (date to be confirmed)
19 Sun Our Harvest Festival
Items for the October Newsletter, due out on 28th September, to Jean Kirkwood, 202679 by Wednesday 17th September, please.
Jean’s email: jeankirkwood@aol.com
Rev John Wiseman’s tel.no. 01792 203938
Our Sketty website: www.skettymethodist.org.uk
Church Stewards:
Andrew Vinstien 582569, Ian Hartley,
Sandra Cuthill, Mike Whitehead,
Win Hawkins
This Newsletter is available on tape for the vision impaired, and some of our services are recorded for anyone unable to attend whether regularly or on a particular Sunday. For either or both, please contact Jean Kirkwood.
Monday 1st Sept: Network Coffee Morning IN THE HALL (see p.12)
Saturday 20th Sept: Secondhand Book Sale 10am-1pm (p.11)
Friday 26th & Saturday 27th Sept: Food & Farce (p.8)
