Branching Out magazine
Letter from the Manse
I wonder if you heard the Radio 4 programme ‘What’s the point of Methodists?’ in September... The programme looked at how Methodism has changed and if there is a future for the Methodist Church. It covered a tour around Wesley’s Chapel in London, our links with the Anglican Church, historical attitudes to alcohol, hymn singing… and Margaret Thatcher (it is still on BBC iPlayer if you want to listen… well it was at the end of September!). It was prompted by a report taken to the Methodist Conference this year highlighting the significant drop in the Church’s membership over the past 10 years; in the past 10 years the Methodist Church has lost 100,000 members.
Every day, on average in the Methodist Church, there are 16 deaths to 7 new members. Eight members transfer out. Ten members transfer to other churches and 11 members ‘cease to meet’.
Specifically in the Sheffield District, in the past year, 227 members died and we gained 86 new members. This means, there are 2.6 deaths (please don’t ask how 0.6 of someone dies!) to every new member. Depressing isn’t it?
The report is not easy or comfortable reading and as someone who never understands numbers, even I know those statistics are worrying. These numbers are not to depress you, but to show you the realistic difficulties facing the Methodist Church at the moment. I love the Methodist Church, I am proud to be a Methodist and it would break my heart to see the Methodist Church disappear. I’m in this job for life (well almost…ordination pending) and I want to serve the Methodist Church for the rest of my life. So what do we do?!
In the new release that went out with this report was this statement: “…although Methodist membership is in general decline, there are some areas of growth, particularly where churches are trying something new.” The last part of that statement fills me with some sense of hope and actually gives the Methodist Church a challenge. Because if a church trying something new equals growth, it seems a simple solution doesn’t it! It seems simple because we at Wisewood are already doing this - Variety Church, Café Church, Chippy Church, Community Choir, the beginnings of the small groups… just to name a few! These are all new things and they are growing and developing in their own way. The move away from tradition and the concept of change is a scary one, but actually if we don’t take any risks now then there might not be another chance to take a risk at a later point.
I’m writing this on the afternoon after Harvest Variety Church. At each Variety Church we take the risk of doing something different, exploring a theme in a different way, through Bible study, music, craft, reflection stations and other risky (and exciting) ideas that we come up with. Today we took the risk of baking bread, making nature collages, learning the harvest samba, exploring the parable of the sower through godly play and... we took a big risk doing communion differently… but all in all, we still celebrated Harvest. We still have thanked God for this world, sang good harvest hymns and collected food for the Share project at Parson Cross. We just did it slightly differently! Each time I take a Variety Church you all astound me, because not only do you enter into the Variety activities, but the atmosphere you create across the whole of the Church is amazing and everything bursts with joyful God filled creativity and activity. The Church has an amazing vibe and buzz about it. That feeling is created by God working through you, through Variety Church! So again… doing something new is the obvious solution isn’t it? Because you are AWESOME at doing these ‘new’ things. This means we will continue to try to do new things in worship, to take risks and to hopefully follow where God is taking us, because, ultimately, it isn’t about us or what we want from church, it is about doing what God wants and serving God as best as we can… Do you remember the Covenant prayer? We offered all of ourselves to serve God, as God chooses. So don’t let the statistics depress you, be empowered, encouraged and excited that God is moving and at work in new (often risky) ways. As I’ve been writing, my mind has started singing a chant I learnt at Queen’s by John Bell:
Behold, behold, I make all things new,
Beginning with you and starting today.
Behold, behold, I make all things new,
My promise is true, for I am Christ the way.
© WGRG, Iona Community, 1995.
Behold, you the people of God!
God makes all things new, beginning with YOU!
And beginning through YOU!
So shall we start and be risky today?
God Bless, Katie
P.S. Our next Variety Church is 21st December at 10:30am which will be a Christmas/Christingle Celebration and will be followed by our Carol Service at 4:00pm. Conference Report and News Release referred to: http://goo.gl/fXt5mk http://goo.gl/XROOeK
DYFerence Weekend Away
DYFerence is the Sheffield District’s Youth Forum, drawing together young people involved in the life of the churches in Sheffield and its’ neighbouring circuits. Just over 40 young people aged 11-18 (not to mention 20 or so leaders!) descended on Glenbrook Activity Centre from 19th to 21st September 2014 and the first job was to assign everyone rooms, or tents for the brave people who decided to camp… Wisewood Methodist was well represented by leaders, with Becca, Katie, Harry and Wendy all getting involved. We also had distinguished guests from 3Generate (the Methodist Youth Assembly for the whole nation) and the current Youth President Megan, as well as others coming to run a workshop here or there – Peter Hurley from PXI brought his circus skills and Katrin Hackett from the admin office brought her organisational skills (and some fab moves on the dance floor at the Saturday night disco..!). The weekend kicked off with some games, a ‘Connect’ (worship) session and hot chocolate before bed. Saturday was the busiest day, with workshop options in three streams – Explorative, Creative and Active.
Exploration workshops focused on some bigger issues, such as being happy, discerning gifts, stress, relationships, religion, miracles and magic!
Creative workshops gave a chance to participate in arts and crafts, scratch choir, presentation skills and circus skills.
The active stream made the most of the on-site facilities, including an assault course, climbing wall, tunnel system known as the ‘Black Hole’ and games and sports on the field.
The young people chose two explorative workshops, then were free to drop in and out of the creative and active stream as they wanted to. Saturday evening, everyone came back together for the Big Questions time: an opportunity to ask a panel of leaders their opinions on a range of issues, from the silly to the serious. This was one of the most popular activities as everyone could ask what was important to them anonymously and hear their questions taken seriously. Then we had a BBQ dinner around the campfire, followed by a load of silly campfire songs, some led by adults and a number taught by the young people themselves. We also had a non-alcoholic cocktail bar that was extremely popular and an open-mic session, while the upstairs meeting room was transformed for the disco! This was great fun, with kids and leaders together sharing each other’s classic disco songs and having a good time together, with the odd kazoo thrown in for good measure! Sunday dawned bright and early with the most sunshine of the whole weekend (perfect for drying tents). After persuading everyone to get up for breakfast, we shared a more relaxed time all together to meet the Youth President and reps and learn what they do. This was followed by a collaborative worship session focusing on the four types of love through stories, loom bands, loveheart sweets, family trees and a cupcake love feast, led by Katie and two student ministers from our Sheffield Circuit. After lunch, it was time to pack up, clean up, motivate the young people to wield a hoover and play some last games of rounders before parents arrived to take them all home again. It was a great weekend, full of action and new friendships for most of us, youth and leaders alike. I was reminded that I work with a great team of people! I very much look forward to the next DYFerence weekend. Becca Byde, Community Worker.
Sheffield Castle
Approximately 15 years ago, I was taken on a tour of the remnants of Sheffield castle, which lie under the recently closed Sheffield market on Exchange Street. I was expecting to see a few stones here and there with possibly with footings of some walls but little else. I was amazed to find walls several feet high and spreading over quite a large area below the former market place and the remains of towers amongst other structures. Although my memory possibly deceives me, I do recall coming away almost shocked by the amount of remnants remaining. Subsequently, further research has revealed more castle remains stretching over a much wider area. The Castle market is to be demolished next year and the castle remains will be eventually open to the public following the creation of a park like environment on the site.
However, excavations between 1927 and 1929 revealed that this was not the first castle on this site. Remains of an older Anglo Saxon castle were discovered and also an early, wooden, Norman motte and bailey castle, similar to the one next to Bradfield church.
The Sheffield castle was in a good defensive position, on a small hill, being partly surrounded by the rivers Don and Sheaf. A moat was built on the other sides. The motte and bailey castle was probably built in the early 12th century, by the Norman William de Lovetot. However, this structure was replaced by a stone building, in 1270, following the Baron’s War.
This new castle was an important feature in the landscape and Mary, Queen of Scots was kept prisoner there, in the 16th century, by the powerful Earl of Shrewsbury. It survived into the 1600s until the Civil war. During the war it became a royalist stronghold and consequently, when the war ended, it was demolished by the Parliamentarians.
The demolition started in 1649 and some of the stone work was taken away to construct other buildings, until it was eventually filled in and built upon. Bombing during the Second World War damaged some of the remains and others were removed when Castle Market was constructed. I will not be the only one who is looking forward to the castle unearthing and it may well become the most significant tourist attraction in the city centre. If you wish to find out more then try the website of Friends of Sheffield Castle - http://friendsofsheffieldcastle.org.uk
Ray Battye
Shoeboxes - Operation Christmas Child
Now that Autumn is here, many people’s thoughts turn towards Christmas. Before the Advent season comes Shoebox Sunday. This year the service will be held on Sunday 23rd November and will be conducted by our own minister Rev. Katie Leonowicz. There is a display, in the reception area of items suitable for shoeboxes and leaflets giving more details. Patterns for suitable items, both knitted and sewn, will also be available. Please help yourself if you can use any of the patterns.
The Knit and Chat group are working hard to produce sets of hats, scarves and gloves which will be available after the morning services, from the end of October. If you are unable to fill a shoebox, items that can be used as “fillers” are always very acceptable, i.e. hats, scarves, gloves, toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, pens, pencils, writing books, colouring books (with no words), coloured pencils, felt pens, sweets and small toys (not hand made). If you are in need of an empty shoebox, please contact me and I may be able to supply one. Filled boxes can be left in the outer office at any time.
I pray that you will be able to help this worthwhile cause in some way, however small.
Enid M Bishop
Account Information Year-End August 2014
I was asked by the Annual Church Meeting to give details of our Church funds and their purposes. The year-end seemed an appropriate time to do this, so here it goes...
General Fund (Housekeeping Account)
Purpose: Specifically for the day to day running expenses of our church e.g. assessment, utility bills, insurance, stationery etc...
Status: Fund at 31 August 2014 £34,668 / Income for the year £47,777 / Expenditure £43,896
The fund total is well in line with our reserves policy representing 9 months’ expenditure and shows a wonderful surplus of £3,881. However we must be aware that costs are forecast to increase (the assessment alone by 8% this year) and income decrease.
Maintenance Fund
Purpose: To keep our premises in good order, meeting all statuary requirements, particularly with regard to DDA Act, Fire Regs, Health and Safety, Hygiene Regs, insurance standards and above all to make God’s house a suitable environment from which to preach the Gospel and carry out His work. The fund covers normal repairs, not major projects. This last year the fund paid for the rewiring of the worship area and two sets of new chairs, together with routine maintenance work. Income last year was from the Christmas Fayre, May Market and bank interest.
Status: Fund at 31 August 2014 £19,673 / Income for the year £2,575 / Expenditure £12,294
Benevolence Fund
Purpose: A restricted fund used to give donations and grants to charitable organisations and individuals (mainly local) in sudden need of support. Income mainly from collections taken during Communion services.
Status: Fund at 31 August 2014 £1,615 / Income for the year £662 / Expenditure £1,018
Strategy Fund
Purpose: To try and build up funds for major repairs and renewals when large amounts are needed at comparatively short notice e.g. church heating, hall roof (we keep patching up leaks from the hall roof) etc... We recently had a rough estimate for both these items of approx. £109,000. The main church roof itself is also nearing it’s predicted lifespan. Income is mainly from small bequests, gifts given in memory, collections at funerals and bank interest.
Status: Fund at 31 August 2014 £87,463 / Income for year £1,364 / Expenditure nil
Special Purposes Fund
Purpose: For use in mission and outreach in the local community. For the next 2 years it will fund our Layworker. The income this year was mainly Gift Day - £5,494, with the associated Gift Aid and bank interest. Funds needed for our Layworker are £20,770 per year plus running costs of £1,000 per year. We need our Gift Day next year to be at least £5,000 to complete the funding.
Status: Fund at year end £42,873 / Income for year £6,481 / Expenditure £22,381
As you see we are currently in a fortunate position here at Wisewood to have necessary funds to meet anticipated expenses. I’m sure you all appreciate, as much as I do, the work that our Layworker Becca has done during the year. We are particularly enjoying the newly formed Community Choir and we pray that God will continue to lead us in this and other community activities.
Di Bowns
Readings in the New Testament
Matthew Chapter 18:
v. 1-5 present an age old problem, the constant fighting amongst people to be the boss. This applies to all levels in society, family, friends, school, work and even countries. There is the constant struggle to beat someone else. Jesus turns this conflict on its head, the better fight is to not fight, take a back seat. He takes a child and the challenge is not to be a child, but to have an open mind like a child has and to be ready and open to receive the message of the Kingdom of Heaven.
v. 6-9 has two messages. First, that causing another person to turn from their faith, or to commit sin, is one of the worst things that we can do. Being thrown into the sea to drown is a better option than to have the guilt of causing someone to stray. Jesus then goes on to tell people that in order to follow His ways, even the parts of their bodies which cause them to sin should be removed. It is fair to think that Jesus is using colourful language to make a point. I am not expecting to see one legged or one eyed people around church, just people who are striving to follow Jesus’ ways.
v. 10-14 This was an agricultural society, sheep were everywhere, so it is not surprising that Jesus uses them so often as an illustration. People would understand the message because they understood sheep. The story of the lost sheep, and in other places Jesus refers to other lost items, is so very true. Just think how much energy you spend in looking for things. Often for things of little value which could so easily and cheaply be replaced. We are determined to find the object, it is almost a battle. For the time of the search, this is the most important object to us. Jesus says that God also places great store by the recovering of a lost soul.
v. 15-20 is a challenge to us. How would we treat a friend or relative who was doing wrong to us? Jesus does not allow us to let it fester and eat away inside us. This way causes long term upset and division. Jesus’ way is to confront the matter and challenge the offender. Most times this will clear the air and resolve the problem so that life can return to normal. Beyond this is what to us would be difficult, but necessary to achieve a resolution of the problem. Use others to discuss and advise. Jesus prefers these others to be in the church because they should be motivated by love. He then develops this somewhat by stating that the putting together of minds can achieve great things. There are so many examples of this that you have all probably experienced this. Learn to listen to others and value what they say, but always take their and your answers back to compare them with the will of God. Ask yourself, ‘What would Jesus say or think?’
v. 21-35 is a well-known story. The first servant is forgiven a great debt. He is relieved that a terrible burden has been taken away, but his response is terrible itself. He rapidly forgets what has happened to him and goes to seek repayment of a much smaller debt, which he refuses to forgive. The intro to this section in 21-22 is a guide to what Jesus is saying. He does not mean that the way to treat those who upset us is to keep a careful account, keep counting until you have forgiven them 70 times 7 (that is 490 times). He means that you should so wholly forgive that you also forget. You do not remind them, it goes away. That is forgiveness, anything less shows a loss of love.
David Battye
Letter from Derek Clayton
More of a history, really, though I hope you can spare a few minutes to read on... Many years ago, as one of a group of “lads and lasses” I attended Wadsley Chapel, as it then was, on a regular basis. I have wonderful memories of a time when we attended a multitude of “socials” aimed at raising cash for the “Building Fund”, joined the Scouts and celebrated Christmas not only attending the Chapel but by touring around the village singing the local carols, ably led by choir master “Pa” Garrett (forgive me John!!). The Chapel then was at the centre of my life as it was with many of us. Only fair here to mention also Mrs. Hutchinson (Dorothy and Kathleen’s mum) who was a wonderful example in many ways to us all. Unfortunately, the group was split up by National Service when we were “called up” to serve in the armed forces. All the lads were then 18 years old so we all went together (3 of us to the Army and 3 to the Air Force and to all parts of the world. Sadly the Chapel became only a small part of our separate lives.
What’s the point of this letter? Briefly, that on demob, we went out separate ways. I married a local Stannington girl and was very happy for 59 years with one exception: that she was a committed member of the Church of England whilst I continued to look to Methodism. So she went to church with my blessing while I didn’t. Though I never forgot...
My wife died very recently leaving me a very “broken” person. It seems on reflection that I was “called” back to the chapel of my youth (there is no other way to put this) to find the solace that only God can provide. I have been so happy to be welcomed back to the fold as it was by old friends of 60 years ago and a host of people who have introduced themselves since. What a wonderful congregation! Many thanks to you all. You have restored my faith. Thanks again,
Derek Clayton
Musical notes
Those of you with long memories will remember that at this time last year I wrote an article all about the marvellous Henry Wood Promenade Concerts. It would have been easier for me to reprint this article for your delight, frustration or disinterest but I shall not do it. Suffice it to say that what I said then has been reinforced over the past three months by this year’s concerts (a copy of last year’s article can be obtained if you are desperate!). Of the concert that I saw this year on TV one thing I noticed: some of the Promenaders are beginning to show their age. Familiar faces from 20 or 30 years ago still manage to get themselves on the front row although I’m sure that the much younger Prommers are working their way forward. To stand and listen to music for 3 hours or more is no mean feat and we salute them all. Of course, for many, the Last Night of the Proms is the highlight. Hair is let down!
To join in the singing of the familiar national items with plenty of flag waving and other less musical noises is exciting for all including those in other places i.e. Glasgow, Belfast, Swansea and nearby Hyde Park. Land of Hope and Glory and Jerusalem explode in an incredible volume of sound and everybody feels better for it (well, most people do). The other song that produces this reaction is, of course, Rule Britannia. Thomas Arne who composed it in 1740 would, I imagine, be astonished at the amazing enthusiasm - not only by the natives but those waving flags of many nations and, this year, even a small kangaroo!
It is always of interest to see who the appointed singer of the verses will be. This year, soberly dressed Roderick Williams made an impressive job of it, but there have been many different displays over the years. Way back in the days of black and white TV there was the formidable blond contralto Constance Shacklock, a great opera and oratorio star who also did a stint as Mother Superior in ‘The Sound of Music’. Incidentally she was also President of the Sheffield Teachers’ Choir for many years. Or... who can forget Bryn Terfel doing the honours dressed in a Welsh Rugby Union shirt and carrying the iconic oval ball. Then, there was my distant relative, Leslie Garrett (known to the family as ‘our kid’) in her Union Flag dress - she also did a stint as Mother Superior! So many different interpretations but how the Prommers love to join in ‘Rule Britannia’.
But, more seriously, this year the conductor made a plea that it is imperative for all young people at school to be exposed to the influence of good music - it opens up to them so many aspects of life: confidence, discipline, teamwork... and he was right. Happy listening.
John Garrett
Family news
We extend our sincere sympathy to the bereaved families of Norma Kaye, Frank Norton, Adrian Ollerearnshaw, Les Seaton and Audrey Tilbrook.
On a brighter note Rebecca Ollerenshaw was married in our church to Peter Bullock. We wish them every happiness in the future.
Only one big birthday: Brian Butler has become 80 years young.
Our athletic Senior Steward Hilde Storkes completed the Great North Run in a time of 2 hours 7 minutes and 4 seconds. Well done Hilde.
Joe Storkes has commenced an acting course “Actor Training at Poor School”. We offer him our best wishes.
If you have any items of family news do not hesitate to contact me. Enid Bishop