Newsletter Date: (July & August 2020) Volume 1, Issue 9

Chelmsford Circuit

The 1-2-3 of Lockdown. 1 - Shock On March 16th and 17th I was in Welwyn Garden City for a two-day gathering of Superintendents of our Beds, Essex & Herts. Methodist District. When I arrived on the Monday ‘Coronavirus’ was something I could hardly spell and seemed a remote problem in China; by the time I left on the Wednesday it was already looking like lockdown was coming our way rapidly. That evening I cancelled a meeting where (ironically) a group of us were going to get together to discuss the practicalities of doing at online service broadcast from Trinity. By Sunday 22nd, although lockdown measures didn’t come into full force until the next day, we had already decided to be cautious and not hold any services across the Circuit. I’m so glad we didn’t underestimate what we were dealing with towards the end of that week. What strikes me now is the rapid development that took place in the course of that period, and the way in which there was a massive effort to conform and comply from all quarters of society, to the things we were being asked of. If you’d had to predict whether we could have done such a thing, I’m sure many might have declared it impossible! I want to thank all involved in our churches, especially those who shoulder responsibilities, for playing your part in coping with this shock and ensuring we adjusted so quickly – THANK YOU.

2 – Adaptation Over the coming weeks and then months, we suddenly and rapidly learnt how to do things differently.

Before we knew where we were, both parts of our Circuit managed to offer online worship with YouTube. We were suddenly given a new glimpse into the perspective of those who are permanently housebound or unable to easily get out. We were reminded that ‘doing things online’ is not possible for everyone. The telephone, printed material delivered and promoting good old fashioned tv and radio all needed to be in the minds of those who love to use social media or email (guilty m’lud). Zoom meetings, online Bible studies, email messaging and WhatsApp chat groups all followed. We found we could do the essentials of decision making in other ways. What this has reminded me of is how adaptable we have shown ourselves to be. Above all I have been reminded that even when so much of the familiar life of Church was stripped away, essential things remain: we still are able to worship God: we still seek to follow Christ; we still experience the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

3 - Uncertainty? As far as I can tell the big question hovering over all our work and life as a Circuit of Methodist and LEP Churches is: ‘What’s happening next?’ I think with hindsight we will probably be quite amazed at the way we reacted to the prospect of the lockdown. In a sense the speed with which it all happened was a reflection of the fact that there were few choices to be made. It was clear what was being asked of us and we got on with it. The easing of lockdown restrictions, however, feels much more complex.

Continued/………..

we still are able to worship God: we still seek to follow Christ; we still experience the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives

For a start as we’re all too aware it’s not been a quick process, in fact it is likely to continue to develop over many months if not years. Will we social distance (physical distancing actually!) at 1metre or 2? Will we be allowed to sing in church? How many people will need to continue to shield for their health and not be able to come back to church? How will we cope with new cleaning regimes?! Can we maintain our online worship and lead regular services? These and many other questions remain unanswered at the time of writing, but I suspect by the time the next Circuit Newsletter is published we will have come up with answers to many of them! In the meantime, remember that whatever we experience, however drastically things might change, lockdown has reminded us that God’s love and strength will always sustain and guide us through each and every day. With blessings to you all, Mark

Lessons from Gardening

I have been spending some time out in the garden in the last few weeks. I am by no stretch of the imagination, a gardener. In fact, I am known for killing plants simply by looking at them. But lock-down, coupled with the good weather we've been having, has meant more time to spend outdoors, which I love doing, not to mention the inspiration from seeing other people's garden pictures in the various WhatsApp chats :-). So, armed with garden gloves, off I went, with the inspiration to create a prayer garden. However, before I could even begin the beautification process, I realised that I needed to deal with the weeds that had grown amongst the plants, so I set off to deal with those first. I found it strangely therapeutic pulling up weeds, and there was also the satisfaction of seeing the transformation that was evident, even before I

added any flowers. As I set out tackling the various weeds, something caught my attention: I noticed amidst some of the plants that weeds had taken root. I tried my best to pull up the weeds as best as I can without damaging the plant that looked not dissimi-lar to the weeds. As I did so, I found myself thinking about the parable in Matthew 13:24-24 in which Jesus talked about the wheat and tares growing together, and cautioned against pulling up the tares in case the wheat also got pulled up. In

that moment I knew exactly what was meant because I could see that if I continued pulling up the weeds, I was in danger of also pulling up the plant, so I let them be. I began to think about life and how sometimes there are things that can't be resolved because there is a danger of doing more harm than good. A saying, which my mom frequently used “spoil your nose to spite your face” came to mind also. Sometimes, we have to make tough decisions that may look like mistakes or accepting the negative, in order for life to go on as best as possible. I was also reminded that God can speak to us through everyday events, like gardening. So next time you go out into your garden, listen out for what God might have to say to you. Happy Gardening!

Ramona.

Very proud of Sheridan!. After 3 years of tremendously hard study and 100 hours of voluntary placement work, a long awaited certificate for her

Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling (level 4) is finally here!

That put a big smile on her face! Just hope she'll be able to work counselling in around Coronavirus limitations before too long. I'm sure such support and help will be desperately needed in the future...

Mark

An old world swallow tail butterfly.

Sitting in the garden as we have been able to do, we managed a good picture of the above. When we first saw it, we thought it was a Brimstone Butterfly which would have been quite a success, as we were involved in a planting scheme of buckthorn trees about six years ago. We were giv-en the trees to plant in the village because the caterpillars feed on the young leaves. We put them in at the Parish Church hoping that being near the river there was more chance of success, as they might get watered, and the ground there retains more moisture than elsewhere. I don’t know how to encourage old world swallow tails, maybe Rev Tony does, he knows a thing or two about lepidopterology. Going back to the Parish Church, whilst the doors remain locked like everywhere else; there is currently a huge problem with people flocking to this picturesque riverbank setting. On arrival the village centre is filling up with thoughtlessly parked cars, whilst the graveyard is being used as a substitute park and beach. Many people are launching small boats and themselves into the water, then picnicking and sun-bathing; forgetting their proximity to a place of worship, and the implications of being in a burial ground. How different this picture is, from the one Luke’s Gospel relates in chapter 5: the people crowded around Jesus, listening to the word of God (as opposed to the “boom box”). Jesus spots the opportunity of some unused boats and persuades Simon Peter to take him in a boat out from the shore. Jesus formally sits down to address the crowd from the small craft, suggesting the receptivity of the people and the recognition of Jesus authority. Or perhaps, we are seeing an early form of social distancing? Like the butterfly coming unannounced seemingly from nowhere, “taking the brakes off” lock-down will give our Circuit Churches a chance to test the receptivity of the communities they serve: Luke 5:11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.

John Clemo

‘The water flowed back & covered the chariots & horsemen - the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed the Israelites into the sea. Not one of them survived. But the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right & on their left.’ Exodus 14:28-29. Dear Friends How thrilling it is to think that amongst His many other titles - 198 in total - that Jesus is our ‘Mighty God,’ the God who, come what may, reigns supreme over all. Take great comfort from the fact that the particular Pharaoh associated with the dramatic tale of the parting of the Red Sea & all the other Pharaohs who had presided over Israel’s 430 year captivity before him, did so on the basis of God’s say so & not their own. Which perhaps puts a different complexion on the appointment of current world leaders & those closer to home, doesn’t it? Leaders, take careful note, through whom God’s great purpose for us & for His world will ultimately be served. Regardless of wheth-er they are for Him or against Him. Here’s how Romans 13:1 puts it - ‘For there is no authority except from God & those that exist have been instituted by God.’ ESV. Or as Colossians 1:16 further clarifies - ‘All things were created by Jesus & for Jesus.’ Nb. Imagine being in a state of lockdown for almost four & a half centuries? A period of close quarter confinement & isolation where there appeared to be no end in sight? More reason to imagine that God had long since given up on you, than not, surely? Yet, truth to tell, He had never once failed to take into account His beloved Israel’s plight, had He? Never once given up on the idea of rescuing them from the hand of their oppressor. Never once abandoned His plan & indeed His promise to abundantly redress the balance of those seemingly lost & wasted years. That day, not far beyond their long awaited hour of deliverance, when He would - ‘Bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning & a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.’ Isaiah 61:3. NIV. No matter how long the waiting, how hard the going, how challenging & how desperate at times the way, God’s children will never be denied the blessing of the glorious future He has always got in mind for them. A future He is always in complete & perfect control of. A future He will never fail to bring to pass, not only because of who He is but also because of the fact that He loves us to that extent. As the hymn writer would remind us - ‘From life’s first cry to final breath, ‘Jesus’ commands my destiny.’ When God eventually called time on Israel’s situation, Pharaoh was utterly powerless to stop them. Completely impotent to prevent their escape. An escape which took them via the way of the ‘apparent impasse’ of the Red Sea. God’s chosen route to freedom.

Continued……..

A route to freedom that had been almost 500 years in the making. How often, I wonder, does it turn out to be the case that the very thing which appears to be preventing us from realising God’s good & perfect will in our lives is, in His Almighty hands, actually the very thing that accomplishes it?! And, by the very same token, the snare that results in the enemy’s complete & utter destruction? A truth nowhere better illustrated than at Calvary. The place where the sting of death was removed, the price of our sin was paid, forgiveness ran full & free & the armies of hell were rendered powerless & in-effectual, for ever!

With love from us all here at Christ Church, Coggeshall, John.

Hello, my name is Michael Rolph. I am a retired Prison Governor and also a Christian poet. I have recently moved to Braintree from the Clacton area. I am very keen to share my testimony and my poetry. I have given many recitals at several venues around the Clacton area, including:- St Johns church - St Marks church - The Salvation Army -Bursville Fellowship Group - The Pier Avenue Baptist Church - Holland-on-sea Methodist Church and a few non church groups. I have also given recitals at numerous churches further afield and also on B.B.C. Radio Essex. However, I have not felt able to give any recitals since I lost my dear wife nearly three years ago. But I believe that it is now time for me to return to sharing the gift God has given me. I wonder if you would be interested in hosting a poetry recital evening (or, indeed, at any time to suit you)? I make no charge for the recitals - but some churches have used them as fund raising events. My poems are about all sorts of things, some serious, some humorous, some true and marvellous. However, The majority of my poems are Christian based. I attach a few samples of my poetry. If you believe this may be of some interest to you and your congregation and you wish to know more, then please contact me on 01376 785836. my mobile 07505 472583, or 2bevmick@gmail.com God bless Michael

(Michael has kindly given me some poems and I will be printing one in each newsletter)

A PERFECT DAY

UP AT 7 GET DRESSED HAVE SOMETHING TO EAT, THEN INTO THE CAR AND AWAY WITH THE WIFE, THE DOG AND A PICNIC PACK - AND A BALL WITH WHICH WE ALL PLAY WE HEAD FOR A PLACE THAT I KNOW OF - THAT’S QUIET AND OUT OF THE WAY THERE WE CAN ENJOY THE SIGHTS AND THE SOUNDS OF NATURE’S CREATURES AT PLAY. WHEN WE ARRIVE - WE GO FOR A STROLL, THE DOG CHASES AFTER THE BALL. THEN WE LIE IN THE GRASS-CLOSE BY THE TREES - JUST CONTEMPLATING IT ALL. WE THEN CHATTER AWAY- AND EACH HAVE OUR SAY – TOGETHER WE PUT THE WORLD RIGHT. A CHILD RUSHES BY - HIS KITE IN THE SKY - IN HIS FACE IS JUST UTTER DELIGHT. WE GET UP ONCE AGAIN - AND WANDER OFF- DOWN THE PATHWAY THAT LEADS TO A LAKE. THE DOG RUNS AROUND WITH HIS NOSE TO THE GROUND LOOKING FOR MISCHIEF TO MAKE! THE LAKE IS A PICTURE - FRAMED BY FLOWERS AND REEDS -ABOVE IS A CLEAR SUNNY SKY. AND JUST LIKE A HELICOPTER - HOVERING NEAR - A BEAUTIFUL BLUE DRAGONFLY. ON THE LAKE WE SEE DUCKS, A GREAT CRESTED GREBE – AND A HERON THE WIFE KNOWS AS JAKE FOR HE REMINDS HER, SHE SAYS. OF A WISENED OLD MAN AS HE WAITS FOR THE FISH HE CAN TAKE. WE STROLL ROUND THE LAKE TO THE STREAM THAT RUNS IN, FROM THE BRIDGE WE PLAY ‘POO STICKS’ TOGETHER. A KINGFISHER DIVES FOR A FISH THAT HE SEES - A POEM OF COLOURFUL FEATHER. THE DOG SEES THE ‘POO STICKS’ AND OF COURSE HE LEAPS IN, CREATING A TERRIBLE FUSS. HE BOUNDS BACK WITH HIS PRIZE, DELIGHT IN HIS EYES AND SHAKES WATER ALL OVER US.

WE RETURN TO THE CAR TO COLLECT THE PICNIC. WE SPREAD IT OUT ON THE GRASS. TOGETHER WE EAT, INCLUDING THE DOG, ENJOYING THE SUMPTUOUS REPAST. OUR TUMMIES ARE FULL, THE SUN’S RAYS ARE WARM, SATISFACTION LEVELS ARE DEEP. WE LAY DOWN TOGETHER - TO LET THE FOOD SETTLE – AND OF COURSE ALL FALL FAST ASLEEP. WHEN I OPEN MY EYES, MUCH TO MY SURPRISE, GRAZING REMARKABLY NEAR IN A SMALL GENTLE BREEZE - JUST INSIDE THE TREES -ARE A BEAUTIFUL FAMILY OF DEER. WELL THIS IS JUST BLISS - THE WIFE MUST SEE THIS - I QUIETLY TURN ROUND AND CAPTURE HER ALREADY WATCHING - ONE HAND ON THE DOG – HER FACE IS A PICTURE OF RAPTURE. I WON’T SAY THIS IS HEAVEN, BECAUSE I BELIEVE HEAVEN IS BETTER THAN THIS. BUT IT ALL STILL BRINGS MY THOUGHTS TO MY GOD, THIS PICTURE OF MY EARTHLY BLISS. ALL OF THIS REINFORCES MY FAITH - IT’S NOT JUST THE WAY THAT I FEEL. WHEN YOU SEE - AND ENJOY - HIS CREATION - HOW CAN YOU DOUBT GOD IS REAL?

MICHAEL ROLPH.

REFUGEE SUPPORT IN

BRAINTREE DISTRICT

Newsletter 4: May 2020

Dear friends and supporters,

In this time of much anxiety and restricted activity, we are delighted to bring you some good news about our two families. In addition to future newsletters, we are also looking into the possibility of making a short video for use in meetings and church services.

1st Family

Our first family are settling in well. A group of local ‘befrienders’, working in co-operation with Essex Integration staff are providing contact several times a week. We have used some of our funds to provide them with a broadband connection and a laptop. Their two primary school age children are receiving lessons on-line. Formal ESOL* lessons are also now able to be received on-line and the family are receiving English practice from members of the steering group and informal conversation from befrienders, now via the wonder of ‘Zoom’!

2nd Family

Our second family are very happy in their new home. As with the first family, a broad-band connection and a new laptop has meant they too are receiving friendship and English practice three times a week from befrienders, in addition to online ESOL* lessons. They are a young family and are making great efforts to settle in. Their three-year old son was thrilled to be taken on a shopping trip recently to buy some essential clothes and new shoes at a local supermarket! It was a joy to meet the family via Zoom a few weeks ago. We have also bought them a pushchair and a car seat from our funds.

Essex Integration

The awarding of the new contract with the government has (no surprise) been post-poned. Any potential resettlement of further families has been halted during this period and should restart shortly. Eddie Campbell of Essex Integration told us recently that Braintree District Council are delighted with the work done so far by Refugee Support in Braintree District. With its approval and your financial and prayer support, we look forward to the possibility of welcoming a third family at some point.

Do feel free to share this newsletter with your friends.

Best wishes,

David Brett

RSBD Co-ordinator

I never was very good at keeping still. My parents must have found me very trying! I remember being encouraged in various activities which were supposed to keep me in one place. Knitting didn’t work, and neither did sewing, as I was for ever going wrong and having to go in search of someone to help. ............I would be sent round to my grand-mother’s house, to give my long-suffering parents a break – grandma was always busy, looking after my disabled grandfather, or doing the washing (all by hand) or brushing the stairs – again, by hand....... and the minute I appeared to be fidgety, I would be given another task to do. Being in ministry was ideal for me – never a dull moment! - but this time of “lockdown” has been some-thing of a challenge, and at times I have felt imprisoned. Maybe, just maybe, it is helping me to slow down just a little, and learn, as the apostle Paul wrote in his imprisonment, to be content. I still have “a round tuit” list – I will get around to doing the things on the list one day maybe – but I have attacked box-es of paper and sorted out cupboards. More importantly, I have phoned friends – those friends from years past on whose Christmas cards I write every year, We must get in touch soon ......... Those conversations have led to tears and to laughter, and to the revival of many memories – and a renewed enthusiasm to get back to that item on my list which says “Write my life story”. Perhaps today I will start Chapter One........

My blessings to you all – and keep safe. Revd Sue

CHESS Homeless is awarded the Queens Award for Voluntary Services 2020.

Many folk around the Chelmsford Circuit support CHESS which is the local homeless charity. There are a number of current and former CHESS volunteers amongst our congregations. You will be thrilled to learn that CHESS has been awarded the Queens award for voluntary service this year – a great honour and recognition of what they have achieved since their humble beginnings almost 25 years ago. The award is the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK. Only 230 charities, social enter-prises and voluntary groups receive this award each year which aims to recognise outstanding work by volunteer groups to benefit their local communities. CHESS CEO Rob Saggs says ‘This award is all about teamwork. Volunteers carry out a significant part of our organisational activities. Putting it simply – CHESS could not operate without the support of our volunteers and we are eternally grateful for their commitment to our five key services:

Outreach to five local authorities Winter Project All year-round night shelter with 8 bedrooms and a disabled facility A further 23 bedsits in shared accommodation Opportunities for training and employment

This award is an incredible recognition of the huge amount of work and effort put in by all of our volunteers and staff. We would not be able to carry out our mission without their involvement and commitment and are delighted to receive this award on their behalf." We look forward to the opportunities that this award may bring, enabling us to carry on our work with the homeless. Already there are plans to significantly increase the number of bed spaces across Chelmsford and Essex as well as the opportunities this award will present for Government and

Local Authority funding. CHEES want to send a big thank you to everyone who has supported us in some way over the years.

Partnership with our volunteers has been key to making this happen and we are delighted. You can read more about the award on the CHESS website www.chesshomeless.com .

THE STORY SO FAR

Sheridan Pengelly

God has always used stories to communicate with his people. Perhaps like me, you will remember with fondness the old Sunday school hymn;

God has given us a book full of stories, Which was made for His people of old,

It begins with the tale of a garden, and ends with the city of gold.

There are many things that quarantine has restricted for everyone - one of those is travel. Not just travel to nearby places but also the journeys we may have taken to places further afield. Perhaps travel has been difficult for you for other reasons. Stories enable us to take those journeys and experience them through someone else’s eyes. Books give us a way of being able to find out about a different place or community and place ourselves in their story. So, fancy a trip around the world? I came across a website https://taleaway.com/ which suggests a book to read for all the countries of the world listed. Some are fiction, but not all. Following this discovery, I concluded that if I could not travel in the conventional way I could travel through the pages of a book (and probably learn more - at less expense!). So far I have travelled to Egypt via Spain and Morocco and am currently in the sugar plantations of Barbados.

The book I particularly wanted to share with you is about the tiny kingdom of Bhutan. ‘Married to Bhutan’ is the autobiography of Linda Leaming who visited Bhutan as a tourist and never left, eventually marrying a citizen of Bhutan.

The country is tiny, measuring roughly 100 by 200 miles and sits between the superpowers of China and India, nestled in the southern slopes of the Himalayas. Bhutan is remote and nearly inaccessible. It’s unspoiled environ-ment, is rich in natural beauty, exotic plants and animals.

Linda describes herself honestly as a tourist rather than a backpacker and admits to enjoying the luxury of a hotel with fluffy white bathrobes and room service. She was used to all the luxuries and convenience that life as a citizen of the US can offer. So why did she feel such an attraction to this place where she ended up living in a home without running water? Linda describes a place where

people are genuinely content with very few material possessions. The government is guided by a philosophy of “Gross National

Happiness” which underpins their other policies. The majority of the population are Buddhist and it is this together with the natural isolation that perhaps lead her to reflect; ‘The mental energy here, the level of awareness that comes from paying attention, from having less stuff around and having less on our calendars, is formidable. When you’re occupied every minute of the day, there’s simply no time for that kind of awareness.’

As I read this, it occurred to me that the time in quarantine offers us an opportunity to ‘be a little more Bhutan’, to develop a greater awareness of what matters.

A chance to reflect. What have you become more aware of now that you have more time, or at least less distractions? How could we measure the ‘Gross Happiness’ of our homes? Our church-es? Our nation? Our planet? What needs to change in the future to ensure that everyone experi-ences more happiness in these contexts? God’s desire is for us all to be happy – what advice does the Bible offer about finding more happiness?

Ask and you will receive, so that your happiness may be complete. John 16:24

http://www.forastateofhappiness.com/how-is-gross-national-happiness-measured-in-bhutan/

Circuit Administrator: Karen Murrell.

Email: chelmsford.circuit@gmail.com

https://www.facebook.com/chelmsfordcircuit

http://www.chelmsfordcircuit.co.uk

‘Share your news’ Deadline for Sept/October

to Karen by Mid August latest please.

A big thank you to all those who have contributed to our newsletter. It’s very much appreciated and good to read so many messages.

WEEKLY PRAYERS AT 7PM

Join us for prayers and quiet contemplation.

Mondays with Rev. Barry Allen—Barry Allen’s Facebook

Wednesdays with Deacon Ramona—Ramona’s Facebook

Friday with Rev. Mark Pengelly—Mark’s Facebook

(Subject to holidays and day’s off. These will confirmed each week on

Individual Facebook and The Circuit Facebook Pages.

https://www.facebook.com/chelmsfordcircuit/

Do you know someone who is not online but who might appreciate hearing a prayer and to catch up on Church news? We offer a free phone service, updated each Thursday. Find out more and download a print and cut sheet to hand out in your community here:

Dial-a-Prayer

FREE phone lines for prayers and news from the Methodist Church Listen to a prayer: 0808 281 2514 Listen to news: 0808 281 2478 Content is updated weekly on Thursday afternoon

This is my Father’s world, And to my listening ears

All nature sings, and round me rings The music of the spheres. This is my Father’s world:

I rest me in the thought Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas;

His hand the wonders wrought.

This is my Father’s world, The birds their carols raise,

The morning light, the lily white, Declare their maker’s praise.

This is my Father’s world: He shines in all that’s fair;

In the rustling grass I hear Him pass; He speaks to me everywhere.

In the late 1800's, a pastor named Maltbie Babcock liked to hike. He wrote the timeless hymn THIS IS MY FATHER'S WORLD based on the beauty around him on those hikes from Lockport New York. He'd often say "I'm going out to see my Father's world.

(Thanks Mike Shelbourne—taken from your FB pages!)