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Rev Andy Lowe4 Roundle AvenueFelphamPO22 8LQ01243 583523

Felpham Methodist Church118 Felpham WayFelphamPO22 8QL01243 855610 & answerphone

Felpham Methodist Church“Good News” Letter

www.felpham-methodist-church.org.uk

NAME PASTORAL VISITOR

April / May 2013April / May 2013

Dear friends,Dear friends,

I hope that you have had a good Easter, that in some way youhave been reminded of the love that God has for you and the lifeand hope that he has to offer you through the self giving of hisSon Jesus on the cross and his glorious resurrection.

My last letter to you started with an African proverb which says‘The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The next best timeis today.’

The letter included a letter we had received from Chris Azzaro, theArea President, about the situation in the Area regarding thefinances of the churches and of the Area which was making itdifficult for the Area to see how we could maintain the currentlevel of ordained Ministry.

The letter reported that at a meeting open to all here at Felphamthe overwhelming majority of people felt that we need to maintainthe present level of ministerial team if we are to continue thework we feel God has called us to do here but that that meant wehad to look at how we increased our income, not just this year butevery year - and we acknowledged that this may not be an easytask and we would not be in a position to know whether ourefforts were bearing fruit till later in the year. The Church Councilendorsed that view and sent a reply expressing that to the AreaMeeting which was held in mid March.

Similar views were expressed by the majority of churches at theArea meeting and, in the end, the meeting decided that it wouldtry to seek a replacement for me when I leave from the URCtradition. This would have the effect of maintaining a healthybalance of Methodist and URC ministry in the Area and also at thistime give us an opportunity to see if there is a positive responseto our efforts to improve the financial situations of all the churchesaround the Area.

What this means is that we now have to put our money where our

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mouths are. We, and the other churches in the Area, must showthat we will be able to pay the levels of assessment needed tosustain the current level of ordained ministry in the Area. If by theAutumn we are not showing an improved situation then it is likelythat at that stage we would then have to make the decision not toseek a replacement for me and then we would have to look atother ways to provide ordained ministry across the Area. Pleasedo what you can to help us in this.

On a different matter, but still related to the planting of trees,most of you will be aware that Ben, our Children and Familiesworker, is leaving at the end of March to take up an appointmentwith Aldwick Free (Baptist) Church.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the many generouspeople who have financially and prayerfully supported this projectover the last few years.

Ben has planted many new trees and has been doing much tonurture ones already planted by the work we have been doingwith children, young people and families over the last decade. Weare indebted to him for the time and energy he has put into thatwork as well as the help he has given in other ways such as theweekly notices, the website, and operating the sound and visionsystems.

Whilst we continue to look for ways to carry on the work that hehas been involved in, (ANY VOLUNTEERS FOR ANY OF THEABOVE?) what is more important is to thank him and God for allhe has done and to wish him well as he continues to fulfil God’scalling on his life. We will miss him, Stephanie, Darcie and Faith;we pray for them and their happiness in new surroundings (even ifthat isn’t too far away).

May God’s blessings be on them and on us all as we continue toplant new trees.

In Christian love, Andy

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Membership ServiceMembership Service

On Sunday 12th May we will be welcoming David and Helen intoMembership of Felpham Methodist Church during our morningCommunion service. If there is anyone else who would like toconsider becoming a member then please speak to me as soon aspossible so we can have a conversation about it.

Andy

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Lent CourseLent Course

On Sunday afternoons a group of us have followed the theme of‘Giving’ looking at subjects such as

God's giving to usOur giving to GodForgivingand with one session to come Giving to others.

We have had some interesting discussions, which have sometimeswandered into totally different areas concerning God and faith,and hopefully through them we begin to see with greater claritythat all our giving should be to God and that part of our giving toGod is giving to others through our giving of time, talent andtreasure.

Andy

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More on giving (but not from your pocket)More on giving (but not from your pocket)

Interestingly there is a drive at the moment in the churches topromote the giving or donating of blood and organs. Researchshows that about 10% of Christians have given blood in the last 4years compared to 4% of the general population and that almosthalf of all Christians are registered on the NHS Organ DonorRegister compared with 31% of the general population. Are youpart of that number? Do you see this as part of your Christiangiving?

In Christian love,

Andy

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Finance and PropertyFinance and Property

The general church meeting, held after the Covenant Service,discussed Felpham’s response to the letter from the AreaPresident expressing the need for ever increasing Assessments, ifthe number of ordained Ministers is not to be reduced when ourown minister leaves next year. All churches in the Area are facingfinancial constraints and there is a need to increase PersonalGiving. Our own church has responded with the view that wewould not like to see a reduction in the number of ministers andwe will try to raise our Personal Giving but at this stage we areunable to commit ourselves to raising sufficient funds to meet theincreasing Assessments. We will have a clearer idea of whether wehave been successful by the summer. The Area are trying tomaintain the current level of ministers but will review the positionby December, when all the churches will have reported on whetherthey have been able to increase Personal Giving to a levelsufficient to meet the cost involved.

The latest Personal Giving figures for the six months to the end ofFebruary show £15,235 (£15,527 last year). There is evidencethat some of our members have increased their Personal Givingand no doubt others will respond in the next few months. Noteveryone is in a position to increase their Personal Giving but allof us should be praying about this issue and the level of ourcommitment to the church both in time and money.

Ben Lander our Children and Families Worker left us on 31st Marchat the end of his three year contract. His employment, and SteveSwann's before him, has only been possible because of the verygenerous financial support received from our congregation andthe Area. Our thanks to all of you who have contributed to thesuccess of this seven year project.

Michael TaylorChairman

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Baptism and First StepsBaptism and First Steps

It was good to welcome Joey Small into our church family at hisBaptism in March. Sammi and James were so pleased with theirwelcome, and for us it was really special to see a young personwho had grown up in our church come back for her own child'sBaptism and to welcome them back into our larger church family.Please continue to pray for the family and Godparents that theywill continue to walk in the way of our Lord and to find a “Home”within our church.

On April 7th we welcome Riley Jay Cardy for Baptism in our churchduring the morning all age worship. Please pray for him, for hismother, his extended family and his Godparents and help them tofeel welcome and “at home” in our larger church family.

Gill Wilkinson

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Toddlers' NewsToddlers' News

Toddlers are going well. We now have 100 families on theRegister, with an attendance on both Monday and Friday ofbetween twenty and thirty families – sometimes more.

Our themes for this term have been: Painting, Making Mothers'Day Cards, Paper Plate Faces (which had Red Noses on), EasterCraft and Easter Cards. We welcomed into our fold two new babies: Emma, a sister forHarry, and Arlo, a brother for Betsey. We congratulate bothfamilies on the safe arrivals and we look forward to more pattersof tiny feet in the near future. We broke up for Easter on Friday 23rd and Monday 25th March.When we were very sad to say farewell to Ben and his family, witha few goodies to eat. We thank Ben for all the hard work he hasdone for us which has been very much appreciated by everyone atToddlers. Everyone will be welcomed back to Toddlers on Monday 15th andFriday 19th April.

For and on behalf of all the Toddler StaffMarilyn Jones

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Rocky RoadRocky Road

Thursday 6:00 – 7:15pm

Any children from reception class to year 5 are very welcome toattend.

The term ended on March 21st when the older group (age 7-10)learnt about the Last Supper and what that means to us now.They even had a symbolic washing of Don's feet which, hopefully,made them think more closely about the story and its meaning.The younger group (Reception to Year 2) learnt about the story ofPalm Sunday and made Palm leaves to help them recreate thescene of Jesus riding into Jerusalem. There was much enthusiasmas they cheered the donkey and rider on its way, so we do praythat they learnt something from this.

We completed the story of Good Friday and Easter on Good Fridayafternoon when we held a children's activity afternoon. On thatafternoon we told the whole Easter story and made Eastergardens and other craft so that all children who attended willknow something about the importance of the Easter festival andnot just think it is about chocolate and chicks!

At the end of our session we invited parents to spend a fewminutes with us while we said goodbye to Ben. The children saidwhat they had enjoyed about his time with us and spoke theirown prayers for him. The previous week Ben had used the words

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of the song “God's love is Big” where it says “Since before theworld began, God knew me and had a plan, for my life and howI'm gonna be” to explain to the children why he was leaving andwe sang that song again just to remind ourselves that it was Godthat led Ben to us and now He has decided that Ben needs tomove to another church to help other children. We then presentedBen with some “Emergency rations” (chocolate, crisps, Coca-Cola)to help him in his new job. The children all drew a picture ofthemselves which we stuck in a card to remind Ben of some of hiswork with us.

We will miss Ben and his leaving does mean that the number ofadult leaders is reduced even more, and so, if any of us are onholiday, the adult numbers would be at such low level that wemay have to consider not holding Rocky Road that week. So, ofcourse, our plea is for anyone who feels they could give up evenone Thursday evening a month to be on a rota for helping wouldbe greeted with much enthusiasm and many thanks (and possiblya chocolate biscuit!) It is tiring, it is noisy at times, but most of allit is extremely rewarding as we see the children grow in theirknowledge and love of our Lord Jesus.

Having spoken about needing adults, we must say a special thankyou to Charlotte and Emily who have worked with us and thechildren. It is good for the children to have young role models andfor us to have their energy and commitment.

We start again on Thursday April 18th when we will have a greatprogramme for the next term with all the usual activities, storiesand craft. (We will not be meeting on May 2nd as the church andhall are needed for elections.)

Gill Wilkinson

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Christian Aid WeekChristian Aid Week12-18 May 201312-18 May 2013

Another May and another reminder that Christian Aid week willsoon be upon us again. Can you help, please? The more friendswho come forward to help makes the job so much easier. Ifanyone feels able to volunteer to help me organise thiscollection, I would be most grateful to hear from you!

Instead of walking the road on your own why not enlist a friend towalk with you – in the past we have found it to be an easier way.Your time is only required for a few hours in 'that' week and it willhelp to make a difference to so many people who do not havewhat we freely enjoy.

Please think about what you can do to help – it was what we havebeen commanded to do for those less fortunate than ourselves.My prayers are for a good response. Thank you!

Ivy Harding (583079)

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What's On in What's On in AprilApril 201 20133

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Day Date Time Event Venue ContactTue 2 19:30 House Group J HallWed 3 09:30 Holy CommunionThu 4 19:30 Worship ConsultationSun 7 09:00 Holy Communion Rev A Lowe

10:30 All Age Worship + Baptism Rev A Lowe

Tue 9 12:00 S & S lunch

Wed 10 09:30 Holy Communion12:30 Teddy Bear Service19:30 Guild – Social D&R Gillett

Sun 14 10:30 Holy Communion Rev A Lowe15:00 RMC

18:00 Contemporary Praise LUC19:30 JAFFA

Mon 15 13:30 Toddlers20:00 Everywoman: Chichester Festival Theatre R Rowbottom

19:30 House Group J HallWed 17 09:30 Holy Communion

15:15 Messy ChurchThu 18 18:00 Rocky RoadFri 19 13:30 Toddlers

19:30 U-TurnSat 20 10:00 Table Sale HallSun 21 10:30 Morning Worship K John

with Junior Church / Breakfast Club19:30 JAFFA

Mon 22 13:30 ToddlersTue 23 10:15 Coffee StopWed 24 09:30 Holy Communion

24 19:30 Rev J Searle

Thu 25 18:00 Rocky RoadFri 26 13:30 Toddlers

19:30 U-TurnSun 28 10:30 Morning Worship Rev G Upton

with Junior Church / Breakfast Club20:00 Everywoman: Basic Family History A Wolforth

Accreditation Service for J Stroud & J Colenutt as Local Preachers

Guild Literary: "Monday scribbler – experiences of a freelance writer"

What's On in What's On in MaMayy 201 20133

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Day Date Time Event Venue ContactWed 1 09:30 Holy Communion

19:30 Annual Church MeetingThu 2 07:00 Local Elections HallFri 3 13:30 Toddlers

19:30 U-TurnSun 5 09:00 Holy Communion Rev A Lowe

10:30 All Age Worship19:30 JAFFA

Mon 6 13:30 ToddlersTue 7 10:15 Coffee Stop

19:30 House Group J HallWed 8 09:30 Holy Communion

12:30 Teddy Bear Service19:30 S Rixon

Thu 9 18:00 Rocky RoadFri 10 13:30 Toddlers

19:30 U-TurnSun 12 10:30 Holy Communion inc. Membership Service Rev A Lowe

18:00 Contemporary Praise FMC19:30 JAFFA

Mon 13 13:30 Toddlers20:00 Everywoman: “One man's back garden” S Endicott

Tue 12:00 S & S lunchWed 15 09:30 Holy Communion

15:15 Messy ChurchThu 16 18:00 Rocky RoadFri 17 13:30 Toddlers

19:30 U-TurnSun 19 10:30 Morning Worship M Thompson

with Junior Church / Breakfast Club19:30 JAFFA

Mon 20 13:30 ToddlersTue 21 19:30 House Group J Hall

19:30 Men's Supper Group M UptonWed 22 09:30 Holy Communion

22 19:30 Guild devotionalThu 23 18:00 Rocky RoadFri 24 13:30 Toddlers

19:30 U-TurnSun 26 10:30 Morning Worship

with Junior Church / Breakfast Club19:30 JAFFA

Mon 27 13:30 ToddlersWed 29 09:30 Holy CommunionThu 30 18:00 Rocky RoadFri 31 13:30 Toddlers

Guild Social responsibility: "How Age UK can help you"

G Craghill

Table SaleTable Sale

The next Table Sale will be held atFelpham Methodist Church Hall

at 10:00 – 12:00on Saturday 20th April

Many stalls, free parkingLight refreshments

Admission 20p

This will be the last Table Sale before September,so come & get your b argains!

To book a table £5phone 583114

Ann Moore

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Coffee StopCoffee Stop

If you enjoy a good cup of coffee – come, relax, and have a chatat

Coffee StopFreshly brewed coffee or tea

and a choice of home-made cakes.All for £2-00p.

Coffee Stop is held once a month on a Tuesdayat Felpham Methodist churchbetween 10:15 and 12:00.

DatesDatesApril 23rd

May 7th (in aid of Christian Aid)June 25th

July 7th (special midsummer treats)

Pam North

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GuildGuild

Meetings on Wednesdays at 7:30pm.

Apr 10th Social Doris & Roland Gillett

Apr 24th Literary: "Monday scribbler – experiences of a freelance writer"

Rev John Searle

May 8th Social responsibility: "How Age UK can help you"

Susan Rixon – Activity Centre Manager of the Tamarisk Centre

May 22nd Devotional

John Searle

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Easter Offering Dedication Service 2013Easter Offering Dedication Service 2013"Beyond the harbour wall" "Beyond the harbour wall"

Speaker: Rev John SearleAt 3pm on Sunday 12th May

at Littlehampton

The Service has been devised by a group of Methodist Women,featuring the example of the Celtic saints who spread the gospelby sea "beyond the harbour wall".

We are invited to reflect on our own experiences of UNCERTAINTY,when we do not know where our journey in life is taking us andwe step out in faith into the UNKNOWN.

Tea and Cake to follow. EVERYONE – men and women – areinvited. Please arrange to share transport.

John Searle

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Men’s Supper GroupMen’s Supper Group

The next gatherings will be on Tuesdays 21st May and 16th July2013, and will be at The Elmer Hotel at 7:30pm. They areinformal evenings with no business, just a group of like mindedguys getting together for enjoyable food, drink and goodcompany. If any gentlemen who do not already come along, andfeel that this is something they would enjoy, please contactMaurice Upton on 01243 584680.____________________________________________________

EverywomanEverywoman

We continue to meet fortnightly on Monday evening and, althoughthe weather has been rough, we have had a good turn out tomost of the Winter session meetings.

We have just had a lovely day at Westergate Methodist Churchwhere we joined in with ladies from Selsey, Rustington,Littlehampton, Bognor Regis and our group here at Felpham.Margaret Thompson led our devotions 'A Journey Towards Easter'which everyone felt was a good time of thinking about the weeksahead as we journey on our individual ways through Lent.

Our programme for the next two months are as follow:

April 15th Rupert Rowbottom talking about the work at theChichester Festival Theatre

April 29th Ann Wolforth talking about Basic Family History

May 13th Sylvia Endacott talking about Hotham Park 'One man'sGarden'

As always we extend a warm welcome to any visitors – if yourequire a lift arrangements can be made to help in that way.

Ivy Harding

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Retreat DayRetreat Day

Saturday 25th May 2013at

Emsworth Methodist Church from 10 am to 4 pm

to be led by Rev Gina Upton

Come and discover yourself while relaxing in a tranquil setting.Make time to reflect and refresh.

MEDITATING IN DIFFERENT WAYSMEDITATING IN DIFFERENT WAYS

Drinks supplied Please bring own lunch Cost £5-00p

Please sign up on form in Welcome Room if you would like tocome along.

Transport to leave our Church at 9:30 am

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Appeal For Replacement EditorAppeal For Replacement Editor

Obviously my last appeal can't have be en that great! - but,again, in view of my hoped-for house move some time this year, Iwould be grateful if someone felt able to take over from (or atleast, for a time, shadow) me as editor of the Good News Letter. Iwould be pleased to brief any volunteer on what is needed as thetask is currently conceived – but also (after over 2½ years in thejob) would be very receptive to any new ideas or approacheswhich would benefit the church. Please contact me if you thinkyou can help!

Garth Wilkinson

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Saint-HeartedSaint-Hearted

©Geoffrey Winch

(Saint Richard, Chichester Cathedral –

Bronze Statue by Philip Jackson, 2000)

Bareheaded but unmoved by storm

or fervent sun – so steadfast your cross-

clasped robe never stirs – but your back

is turned to your church, and in one hand

you clutch a scourge. There’s uncertainty here

until we note, whatever the weather,

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© Phillip Capper 2008

the sternness in your eyes translates as bliss;

prayer constantly proceeds from your lips,

and you keep your right hand raised

blessing all who pass

with equal measure whether

faithful to your own God

or loyal revellers of Wests Bar;

peregrine pilgrims; pantheists or pagans;

long-time adherents of Minerva and Neptune,

retail shopping communicants getting their fix,

or those of no faith whatsoever – an ever-

increasing number – but, whether

blessed or not, that scourge of yours

is just too much for the faint-hearted.

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Food for thoughtFood for thought

© Ray Walter (sorry Geoff!)

It could be hamor a leg of lamb;

We might have vealfor a different meal;

Sausage in pastry is very tastyand chicken in pie

can satisfy;Venison is dear(!)

and goes well with beer;A piece of fish

makes a pleasant dish;Skate or hake

or a salmon bake;Boiled squid

cost several quid;but, for relief

we could have beefand then of course,it could be horse!

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CContactsontacts

Church Council Secretary Susan Taylor 821610

Everywoman Ivy Harding 583079

First Steps Gill Wilkinson 582696

Finance & Property Chair Michael Taylor 821610

Flowers Joan Bentley 862212

Gift Aid Elaine Butt 587535

Guild Coordinator (Acting) Andy Lowe 583523

Hall Bookings Phillip Stapleton 583234

House Groups

Tuesday Maureen Flint

Ivy Harding 583079

Thursday Michael & Susan Taylor 821610

Junior Church Chris Shelton

Men's Supper Group Maurice Upton 584680

Newsletter Editor Garth Wilkinson

Pastoral Secretary Jan Hall 583557

Safeguarding Pam North 823708

S&S Lunches Joyce Peirce 542156

Toddlers Jean Taylor 582250

Weekly Notices Chris & Sarah Shelton

Worship Co-ordinator Joyce Stroud 586815

1st Flansham Brownies Mrs Scott 822111

2nd Felpham Rainbows Mrs Daymond

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Leadership TeamLeadership Team

Rev. Andy Lowe 583523Minister

Jill Bailey

Pam North 823708

Susan Taylor 821610

Gill Wilkinson 582696

The deadline for contributions to the June / July 2013Good News Letter (to be published on Sunday 2nd June

2013) is Mon day 13 th Ma y 201 3 latest!! The editorapologises for having to bring this forward by a few days

owing to absence during early and late May.

Publication on Church Website Publication on Church Website

This Good News Letter is available on the Church website athttp://www.felpham-methodist-church.org.uk/newsletter.html. Forthese web editions, all personal contact details (e.g. phonenumbers, addresses, e-mail addresses) have been removed,except where specifically agreed otherwise.

If you have any comments about items in this newsletter, or havean item you would like printed, please let the editor know eitherby e-mail, or in writing in the pigeon hole for Garth Wilkinson inthe church coffee lounge.

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