Newsletter of Bromley Common Methodist Church Bloomfield Road, Bromley BR2 9RZ

To see ‘Common Ground’ in colour and for news updates please check our website.

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Please note that Alex will not normally be available on Fridays. Should you require a Minister during this time, please contact Rev. David Gillman on 01689 825129, or our Senior Steward,

Monica Killpack, on 01689 857490.

Over the past few weeks we’ve been requested as a church to take part in a ‘Growing Together’ exercise by the circuit to which we belong. It asks us to look at what we’re doing well, why are we doing those things, are there better ways that could be introduced, what hasn’t gone so well? Where do we want to be and how are we going to get there? What do we need and how long is it going to take? All of these questions needed to be applied to all areas of our church activity, from worship to the use of our facilities on a week day evening. When the exercise was introduced to the ministers of the circuit, I admit I approached it with some pessimism, even more work at a very busy time of year for many of us. Upon reflection, Lent demands us to take time out from our normal daily lives to take a long hard look at our relationship with God, to take it back to what is our ‘calling’. In the Old Testament, Moses was called by God to lead the people from Egypt. In chapter four of Exodus a picture is painted of Moses asking ‘please send someone else.’ In many of our chapels, our memberships are falling and often our congregations are tired. You all work very hard! Moses knew the task ahead would involve lots of persuasion and talking as a leader, and he knew that he just didn’t have it, he wasn’t a great talker. But God didn’t see that as an obstacle, he told him ‘I’ll help you speak and teach you what you need to say.’ Often a challenging task is accompanied by fear, which is sometimes the very thing that makes us stop and think and gets us going; maybe fear is a sign that we’re on the right track. My dad always maintained that we all need ‘a dream’ and there’s nothing wrong with having dreams and working towards them, but as Christians we must be prepared to put those dreams aside, and recognise that what God requires of us is something completely different. Each one of us has a calling and in a similar way to duty, it often involves more drudgery, imposition and lack of choice than glory. As we move towards Easter let’s look forward to something new and special. In God’s eyes being faithful and answering our calling is far more important than the end goal. We never stand alone; we have God and each other; let’s pray that God gives us the courage to serve him despite our weakness:

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Demanding Lord,

I am afraid of duties that seem unavoidable,

I am afraid of a calling that seems beyond my grasp.

I am afraid of risk, I am afraid of responsibility,

I am afraid that I don’t have either the ability or the stamina

for the job.

Even so, Lord, I give you permission to drag me out of my

comfort-zone.

I sign myself up to do both what I ought and what you want.

I might need a bit of help, Lord- you know that.

And I trust you to supply it, both divine strengthening inside

and human companionship alongside.

I trust it to turn up when I need it.

I trust you as both God of challenge and comfort.

Amen

Alex

Easter ServicesEaster ServicesEaster Services

Maundy Thursday - 17th April 2.15pm Communion Service at BCMC with Thursday Group 7.30pm Service of Dark and Light at BCMC, led by Rev. Alex Terrett.

Good Friday -18th April 9.30am Bromley Common Churches Together Service at St Augustine’s, led by Rev Katrina Barnes with involvement from other churches. 10.45 am March of witness along Bromley High Street: meet at one end of the Bromley High Street pedestrianised area (at the Metro Bank/Ethelbert Road junction ) for a march of witness along the High Street to the Market Square. The march will be led by the Salvation Army band and will be followed by a service in the Market Square. The organisers hope to have 600 Christians on the march.

Easter Day - 20th April 9.15am Holy Communion service led by Rev. Alex Terrett 10.30am Easter Celebration service led by Maggie Ayres

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The younger girls have been looking at The story of Jesus recruiting the first disciples (Luke 5:1-11) . Then they enjoyed doing some craftwork, making a picture of Jesus in a boat with some nets, fishes etc. They have also been painting

pots ready for planting, and making cards and gifts for Mothering Sunday. (Thanks to Sarah for sending photos) The older girls have been planning their Display item.

Don’t forget to check our website: www.1stbromleygirlsbrigade.co.uk

Sainsbury’s Active Kids Vouchers Once again, we at Brigades are collecting Sainsbury’s Active Kids vouchers. Last year we managed to acquire three table tennis sets. Could we ask you to collect the vouchers for us again? There will be a box in the foyer to collect them. Please ask your family and friends to help. Many thanks - Brigade Leaders

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Anchor Boys We have completed our topic of the Winter Olympics and a little bit on Russia. The boys made polar bear mascots for the Olympic Games. (see photo on next page) We are now designing our Faberg eggs ready for Easter. The boys will be designing them using the materials put in front of them. Over the next few weeks we shall be thinking about the World Cup and the countries that will be playing against England. We shall also be rehearsing for our display. Three of our boys, Thomas, Ben and Jude, went to the Anchor Boy activity afternoon at the 11th Company in Chislehurst. There were 58 boys in total. The theme was based around David and Goliath. The afternoon finished with some of the boys acting out a story and then all watching a cartoon version of the story. Maggie Draper Junior Section: Over the last few weeks the boys have been working on their badge work with figure marching, bible studies and pancake making - although I didn't see much of the maple syrup left over! We will continue this over the next few weeks with nights themed around musical instru-ments, mothers day and then preparing for our annual display which is in May. So please mark your diaries now for a fun packed Saturday's entertainment.

Andy Butler | Leader brigades@bcmc.org.uk

From the Company Captain:

The money raised during our activity day in the autumn was just over £400. This has now been sent to Argentina to be spent supporting the ‘Hogar el Alba’ orphanage where Ceri Arkins has been working for the last few months. We have been preparing for our annual display which will take place this year on Saturday 10th May at 6:30pm. All boys and girls in the brigades spend a good deal of time preparing for this annual event. I hope all boys, their parents and as many church members as possible will be able to attend. The theme of this year’s display will be ‘Teamwork’. We are also looking beyond the display to taking the boys camping in June when we hope the weather will be warmer. Dates for your Diaries: 13th April Parade 10th May Brigades Display Day 26th June Open Evening

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Here are Anchor Boys Mark, Oliver, Ben and Jude holding the polar bear mascots they made for the Winter Olympics, as mentioned on page 5.

(thanks to George Luxford for the photo)

Jump into the Fun with

Kreative Kangaroos

Easter Craft and Bible Club Thursday 10th

April from 2pm to 5pm All children age 5 to 10 welcome

Cost: £3 per child, £5 for two in one family To book a place, please email:

cgeditor@bcmc.org.uk

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Congratulations to the Widmore Guitar Ensemble (pictured right last year), as once again they have won their class at the Bromley Festival and were awarded a Distinction. The Festival was held at St Peter and St Paul’s Church in Bromley. This year they played ‘A Time for Us’ by Nina Rota and ‘Musha Study’ (based on Zimba-bwian dance rhythms) by John Williams. Well done to leader Paul Brown and his play-ers: Sheila, Garth, David, Peter, Cheryl, Jenny, Nigel, Owen, Derek, Janis and Maggie.

Sporting achievements by the Butler family Well done to Isaac Butler, who is part of the Bromley Valley Men’s Acrobatic Gymnastics team (pictured right) . The team came second in the London region recently and will go on to represent London at an inter-regional competition to be held in Southampton. A mention, too, to Isaac’s mother Kris and brother Cameron who competed for the Coney Hall Cosmonauts trampolining team on 23rd March. Results are unknown at the time of writing.

Congratulations, too, to Alan Goldsworthy and his Top of the Pew team members. In a fascinating competition on 16th March they beat a very good team from Cornerstone Christian Centre 68-41. Thanks to Michael Ungemuth, who was one of the scorers, to quiz master Tim Bellenger, and to Cornerstone for their hospitality.

If you are struggling with debt, help is at hand. Christians Against Poverty have a debt centre based at Hope Church. We can help you with your debt. If you need a free personalised service call: 0800 328 0006 Tim Bower Centre Manager - Bromley Christians Against Poverty, 07753 225 475

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And a Good Friday was had by all (written by Bruce Dawe)

You men there, keep those women back

and God Almighty he laid down on the crossed timber and old Silenus my off-sider looked at me as if to say

nice work for soldiers, your mind's not your own once you sign that dotted line Ave Caesar

and all that malarkey Imperator Rex

well this Nazarene didn't make it any easier really - not like the ones

who kick up a fuss so you can do your block and take it out on them.

Silenus held the spikes steady and I let fly

with the sledge-hammer, not looking on the downswing trying hard not to hear

over the women's wailing the bones give way the iron shocking the dumb wood.

Orders is orders, I said after it was over

nothing personal you understand - we had a drill-sergeant once thought he was God but he wasn't

a patch on you -

then we hauled on the ropes and he rose in the hot air

like a diver just leaving the springboard, arms spread so it seemed

over the whole damned creation over the big men who must have had it in for him

and the curious ones who'll watch anything if it's free with only the usual women caring anywhere

and a blind man in tears.

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Christine Morris (1931-2014) On 6th March, a Thanksgiving Service for the life of Christine Morris was held at our church. Christine was baptised at Bromley Common Methodist Church and remained a devoted member throughout her life. Christine had two sisters, Jill (Barkway), the youngest of the three and June, the eldest. Their parents were members of the church and their father was in the church choir. Christine was a choir member for many years and she, with Jill and Dennis, continued to lead the singing in church until very recently. In her early years, Christine lived with her family in Clarence Road and, along with her sisters, attended Raglan Road School. After leaving secondary school at the age of 14, she worked for Prings Chemists in Swan Hill, later training to be a nursery nurse. She and her older sister, June, worked at the Draycott Day Nursery in Southborough Lane. Following the Nursery’s closure, Christine worked for some time as a nanny, but, preferring to live at home, found work in the accounts department of the Kodak photographic company, based in London. However, her sister Jill tells us that her most loved job was her last one: working in the Baby Unit at Farnborough Hospital (now the PRUH) where her great niece, Georgina, is currently a nurse. Here, she was clearly able to demonstrate the caring side of her nature that all who knew her appreciated, and she is remembered by many for her kindness to the new mothers she helped. During the Thanksgiving Service, we sang ‘O love that wilt not let me go’, ‘Just as I am’ and ‘Love Divine’, and heard the reading 1 Corinthians 13. The service was led by Alex, and Andrew played the organ. Christine’s nephew, Stephen Barkway, read a loving tribute from Jill Barkway and added his own tribute to his much loved aunt. His words sum up Christine’s character for us all: “Could anyone have been born with less of an ego than Christine? This was her kind of love and tenderness, quietly, quietly giving. Quietly she gave to our grandparents, and quietly she gave to her sisters - to Mum in particular, whose needs she had always placed before her own. She had never been more than one loving arm’s-length away. It’s difficult to remember Christine ever raising her voice - except, of course, when it was to sing in the choir, which she did here for many years as a proud, front row soprano. She was remarkable in her selflessness and will be remembered for her gentle, thoughtful kindnesses. ‘Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth’. Amen”

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Our love is with, and our prayers are for:

Gynette Sumners, who is pleased to be back home again, and is showing some im-provement. We continue to hold Gynette and her family in our thoughts and prayers. Ray White, who has completed another session of chemotherapy and reports that the side effects have been ‘minimal’. We pray that his treatment is effective.

We continue to pray for: Ceri Arkins, Jill and Dennis Barkway, Gwen Bayes, Dennis and Kath Fenlon, Judith and Alan Goldsworthy, Norah Griffin, Pat Hards, Evelyn Payne, Martin Pollock, Michael Thair, and Barbara and Tom Williams. All our members and friends who are facing problems or difficulties at this time.

May God be with you all.

A message from Jill Barkway: June and I and all our family would like to thank everyone for their kind concern over the past stressful time. Your prayers and condolences have really wrapped us round with great comfort and will do so in the difficult days ahead. Thank you again. Jill Barkway

New Eltham Methodist Church drama group will perform ’The Music Man’ From 24-26 April at 7.30pm Tickets £8 & £9.50 from 020 8851 9881 www.neosproductions.co.uk

Phoenix Drama Group will perform ‘At the Sign of the Crippled Harlequin’ Monday 7th to Thursday 10th April at 8pm at Petts Wood Methodist Church Hall. Tickets £6 including refreshments from 01689 833366 (or from Chris Bate). Please see poster in Welcome Area for more information or go to website: www.phoenixdramagroup.co.uk

Annual Church Meeting

Sunday, 13th April at 3.00pm Followed by a

‘Bring and Share’ tea. Please do your very best to come to

this meeting. We have important decisions to make regarding the future direction of our church.

It is very important that everyone’s views are heard.

This meeting is not just for members :

it is for EVERYONE!

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April 10th Kreative Kangaroos 2pm-5pm 13th Annual Church Meeting, followed by Bring and Share Tea 3.00pm 15th House Fellowship at 21, The Avenue 8.00pm 17th Maundy Thursday Service 7.30pm 18th Good Friday (for services see page 3) 28th Bubbles Group first meeting after Easter 10.00am 28th Bible Study Group first meeting after Easter 2.15pm

May 7th Circuit Leadership meeting at Chislehurst 2.00pm 10th Brigades Annual Display 6.30pm 20th House Fellowship at 21, The Avenue 8.00pm

June 17th House Fellowship at 21, The Avenue 8.00pm 17th Circuit meeting at BCMC 7.45pm 26th Brigades Open Evening 6.30pm

April 3rd Birds of Kent

- Mr Brian Nobbs 10th Beatrix Potter

- Mrs Judy Davies

17th Maundy Thursday Communion

- Rev. Alex Terrett

(Normally meets at 2.30pm)

Advance Notice Plans are already underway for next year's METHODIST TALENTS FESTIVAL which will be held on 7th March 2015 at Shirley Methodist Church. It is hoped that the syllabus will be available for distribution in June 2014. Many popular classes from previous years will be included and also some new ones. One of these will be "A Photography Portfolio" to consist of four black and white OR colour prints, maximum size 7" x 5" illustrating "Weather". Reach for your camera and start snapping RIGHT NOW!

Joan Ungemuth, Co-ordinator for Bromley Common

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Please ensure that Chris Bate has all information for the May issue of Common Ground on or before 16th April.

Sunday, 6th April - Passion Sunday 10.30am Rev. Barbara Calvert 6.30pm Service at Orpington, Rev. David Gillman Prayer, Music, Contemplation

Sunday, 13th April Palm Sunday 10.30am Rev. Alex Terrett, Parade Service 6.30pm Service at Orpington, Rev David Gillman, Holy Communion

Thursday, 17th April - Maundy Thursday 2.15pm Rev. Alex Terrett, Communion with Thursday Group 7.30pm Rev. Alex Terrett, Service of Light and Darkness

Sunday, 20th April Easter Day 9.15am Rev. Alex Terrett, Holy Communion 10.30am Maggie Ayres 6.30pm Service at Petts Wood, Rev. Ushewokunze, Holy Communion

Sunday, 27th April - Second Sunday of Easter 10.30am Chris Price 6.30pm No evening service in Circuit

(For details of Good Friday worship, see page 3)

I was the one who waited in the garden doubting the morning and the early light. I watched the mist lift off its own soft burden permitting not believing my own sight.

If there were sudden noises I dismissed them as a trick of sound, a sleight of hand. Not by a natural joy could I be blessed or trust a thing I could not understand.

Maybe I was a shadow thrown by some who, weeping, came to lift away the stone, or was I but the path on which the sun, too heavy for itself, was loosed and thrown?

I heard the voices and the recognition and love like kisses heard behind the walls. Were they my tears which fell, a real contrition? or simply April with its waterfalls?

It was by negatives I learnt my place. The garden went on growing and I sensed a sudden breeze that blew across my face. Despair returned but now it danced, it

danced.

The Resurrection a poem by Elizabeth Jennings