Issue 193 June 2021

Minister:

Pastor Steve Mayo

1 Oakview Close Leigh-on-Sea Essex SS9 4JN Tel: 01702 483827

E-mail: pastorstevemayo@gmail.com

Editor:

Mrs. Sue Spaull

Tel: 01702 521344

E-mail: sue.spaull@hotmail.co.uk

Inside this issue:

B e l f a i r s M e t h o d i s t C h u r c h W h e r e o l d f r i e n d s m e e t a n d s t ra n g e r s f e e l a t h o m e

N e w s l e t t e r

www.belfairsmethodistchurch.org.uk

Ministers letter Sunday Services June Other dates for June Letters Page Future events Regular weekly meetings

Our mission is to provide an open, welcoming and accepting, living place of Christian worship and service

in our community, in which we seek to serve and follow Jesus Christ.

Thought for the month

A belief is something you hold.

A conviction is something that holds you.

People generally have too many opinions

And not enough convictions.

My wife has just bought a hanging tomato plant which already has tomatoes on it as it was

cultivated in a green house. [actual plant pictured above!]

This got me thinking about the fruit we produce as Christians and what it takes for us to yield

good fruit. Here I don’t mean fruit like bananas or apples, but spirit fruit as described in

Galatians 5; spiritual fruit such as ‘Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

gentleness, and self-control.’ [Galatians 5:22-23 NLT]

But just as with tomatoes, if we have poor soil, we will yield a small crop, if any, of spiritual

fruit. So as Christians, we need to provide good ‘soil’ for our spiritual fruit to develop and

ripen. Our hearts need to be suitable places where good spiritual fruit can be grown.

A bad heart, equals poor or no spiritual fruit.

A good heart, equals good and bountiful spiritual fruit.

The Bible supports these truths. Luke 6:45 says; ‘A good person produces good things from the

treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil

heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart.’ [NLT] We can only produce from what

is in our hearts.

So how do we get a good heart? By going to the Gardener of our hearts, God. He can take out the things which so easily entangle and stop us producing spiritual fruit for Him. This truth is exampled in this illustration: ‘A minister would finish his morning message to his congregation. After preaching with passion and zeal, people would often comment positively on his service. One man would come and speak to him every week, but not to pass comment on his preaching, but to talk about his garden. This went on for some months until the minister went to see the man’s garden. It was completely dead. Nothing was growing there. You could see evidence of where the man had been trying, but to no avail. The minister didn’t know what to say, but before he knew what he was doing, he too was now digging the garden. ………………………………./2

- 2 -

The minister was somewhat confused with the evangelical benefits of digging over a garden, but the

man seemed so keen he didn’t have the heart to stop.

Then all of a sudden, the minister hit something hard under the ground. On further investigation, it

proved to be a WWII bomb. After the police and the bomb disposal team were called, it turned out that

the bomb had never exploded on impact, but had still spilt open and left shrapnel all over the garden. It

had been a German bomb that was made with a high content of lead, and this lead had actually

poisoned the soil in this man’s garden, leaving it dead for the past 60yrs or so. Once the shrapnel had

all been recovered, and the soil changed, the garden was back on its way to recovery.’

Maybe your heart needs digging over?

Maybe there’s things in your life you need God to remove?

If so, go to the greatest Gardener ever, God, and He will cultivate in you a good heart enabling

spiritual fruit to be produced.

Pastor Steve Mayo Email: pastorstevemayo@gmail.com Telephone: 01702 483827

The end of March figures, in last months Newsletter, signified a whole year of being under the cloud of Covid-19. As such, it was a good place to stop comparing the figures of 2021 with 2020.

We have been unsuccessful in obtaining any kind of covid grant, from Southend Borough Council because, although our lettings income has been drastically reduced, they took into account all our oth-er income i.e. your regular giving and donations. This seems a bit unfair, especially as everyone has pulled together to ensure our assessment, utility bills, insurance etc has been paid. Unfortunately, because our accounts run from 1st September to 31st August, they could only base their information on our accounts for 2019/2020 (comparing to 2018/19) which was only 6 months of lockdown. They appreciated that we were still under financial pressure but, as we do not have signed accounts for 2020/21 yet, this could not be considered. I am hoping that the council will still have some money in September, and that I can re-apply! At the end of April, our total available funds stood at £21,888.79.

Income for April 21 £1,959.57

Expenditure £791.68

Net £1,167.89

Many Thanks Tina

6th 11.00 a.m. Miss Susie King

13th 11.00 a.m. Rev. Norman Hooks

20th 11.00 a.m. Local arrangement 27th 11.00 a.m. Pastor Steve Mayo - Holy Communion

All these services are subject to Government rules and regulations and Methodist Church guidelines.

Booking for Services: Please see article “Back to Worship at Belfairs June 2021 Mike Spaull - Senior Church Steward (telephone: 01702 521344),

Other June dates for your diary

Please look at the website for up to date information or speak to the group leader for details regarding organisations.

ADVANCE NOTICE:

Saturday 24th July 2021 Annual Church Meeting at 10.30 a.m.

This meeting is open to all.

Sunday Services June 2021

Letters Page/Church family news

The newsletter will continue to be available on line and we will still deliver as we have

been doing to try and keep you up to date with the current situation at Belfairs. Stay well and keep safe Sue Spaull

SUNDAY SERVICES, ACTIVITIES, MEETINGS AND ORGANISATIONS Sunday Services have resumed but are still subject to government and Methodist Church guidelines. Please see article ‘Back to Worship’ for information regarding this. Please look at the website for up to date information or speak to the group leader of organisations, who will be able to advise Further regarding what meetings are taking place.

It seems as though there is a light at the end of this very long tunnel and I’m sure I‘m not alone in wanting to say a great big thank you to all those at Belfairs who have done such a wonderful job of supporting us at this difficult time. The “YouTube services” very new to me but a great blessing, the gifts, the letters, cards, puzzles and visits, (albeit through doors or windows) and phone calls which have all made such a difference. The magazine editing, printing and delivery keeping us up to date with church news. I know for one I am very grateful. It is a blessing to know we are all part of God’s family, but also that we are a part of the family at Belfairs. So thanks to all who have done such a great job. God bless you all Marion H.

Phyl celebrated her birthday in April (photo supplied by her niece, Julie)

Dear All Thank you for your lovely card and the very warm welcome you have given to my daughter, Helen and I from the first moment we stepped inside Belfairs Methodist Church. After a very difficult year it has been a great blessing to be able to join in worship together so close to our new home in Leigh. May the Lord bless you in all you do. With love from Wendy & Helen

Letters Page/Church family news cont.d /2

Hi Everyone, Who would have thought it! About to serve dinner, changed direction to do one little thing and I landed on the floor, breaking my hip and hitting my head in the process! But these things happen at the most unexpected times! I have been very lucky in so many ways - it wasn’t as bad as it could have been! My main concern was Peter - how would things work out - but I needn’t have worried - our marvellous daughter and son-in-law took over the reigns and worked out a system and now Peter and I have got to accept outside help and take some of the load from our family. We have managed very well long enough and help is now needed. I have been so well looked after in Shopland Ward. The nursing staff, doctors and auxiliaries have all been so kind, caring and patient and I couldn’t fault any of it - wonderful. All through this we have been very aware of the prayers and thoughts of our Church Family and other friends. I/we thank you all for the cards, texts and telephone calls you have sent in support of us all. It has been overwhelming and whilst in hospital I have been able to see the list of calls and texts that Susan has made and the cards too. It has really helped me through this testing time. A BIG THANK YOU TO YOU ALL. I have also been very fortunate to have had 2 visits from the Hospital Chaplain and I thank our Pastor Steve for getting in touch and putting this in place. It was so good to have a “substitute” Steve! Margaret Tomlin

Belated congratulations to Tina and Tony Gowers who celebrated their Ruby Wedding Anniversary in May.

To Matt Rayner

who celebrates his 21st Birthday On 21st June

Back to worship at Belfairs - June 2021 update Under the current guidelines, seating and service restrictions will still apply within the build-ing for the next few weeks, so can I remind you to continue to book your seat with me each week (telephone: 01702 521344) in order that I can ensure adequate space is still available for us to meet safely. The guidelines that I have shared over the last few months will still apply but if, and I mean if, restrictions are lifted on 21st June, we should be able to return to worship in the normal manner, which includes singing, books, and no major space saving seating. If when we are back to normal for worship, when attending church over the next few months if you would prefer to maintain reduced social distancing, please let me or the welcome steward know and we can try to arrange specific seating to accommodate your request. I fully appreciate some people’s reservations about ‘back to normal’ so please do not feel uncomfortable making any request. We are all here to worship our Lord and we need to do this in as comfortable set up as possible. Many thanks Mike Spaull - Senior Church Steward

Belfairs as a Rapid Covid Testing Site As many will now have noticed, the Covid testing site at Belfairs closed on Saturday 22nd May due primarily because many people now do home tests and the demand for these centres was declining. The team who used our premises over the last couple of months were very grateful to Belfairs for offering incredible premises and being most accommodating to their needs. They also enjoyed meeting many of the congregation on Sunday mornings, so the fellowship has been great. For Belfairs, it has been a good experience working with Southend Council who will keep us in mind should our premises be suitable for specific needs in the future.

For those of you who don’t see The Echo or the Leigh Times, thought you might like to see that Belfairs has made the news again!

The Sanctuary Café – Café for the Community. Wesley Methodist Church is excited to announce the opening of our new Sanctuary Café! Starting on Saturday 22nd May, the café will be open on Fridays from 8.30am-12pm and Saturdays 9am-12pm, serving teas, coffees, homemade cakes, biscuits and soft drinks. Making use of the large, accessible space in the church Sanctuary, the Sanctuary Café will provide a relaxed atmosphere for the whole community to enjoy; with a play area and buggy park for those with young children, a quiet space for private reflection and prayer, and a social space to meet up. We hope this new venture will be a welcome addition to

the community provision in Leigh and look forward to

welcoming you.

Please remember you are free to put your prayer concerns on the board at the back of the church. They will be printed on the weekly notice sheet for two months and then removed though you may put them back if the need continues.

Please add your name and date to the request on the white cards which are by the board. The church is always open on Saturday Mornings during 11.00 a.m. to 12 noon while the coffee mornings are in progress and you are invited to spend time there in quiet prayer or reflection. (This time is suspended during coronavirus) An up to date list of the family and friends of Belfairs who need our prayers will appear on the weekly Notice sheet. (not currently available)

What to Do When things go wrong, as well they might, The thing to do to put them right Is try the very best you can To activate a helpful plan That can create a little hope And thereby formulate some scope In cultivating quite a strong Defence whenever things go wrong.

A Simple Prayer I do not pray for fame or wealth But this, Dear Lord, I ask Sufficient courage for the day And strength for every task. I may not have unfailing health But this I pray You’ll give A cheerful spirit, loving heart As long as I may live. I do not pray for plans and schemes Or dreams that won’t come true But give me, Lord, undying faith And keep me close to You. Supplied by Peggy Grant

At all times it is of use to have a friend to whom you can pour out your heart without any disguise or reserve. John Wesley 1776 Supplied by Margaret Bailey

Money can buy medicine But it cannot buy health It can buy a house But not a home It can buy companionship But not friendship It can buy entertainment But not happiness It can buy food But not an appetite It can buy a bed But it cannot buy sleep It can buy a crucifix But not a Saviour It can buy a good life But not eternal life. Ed.

When an old man died in the geriatric ward of a nursing home in an Australian country town, it was believed that he had nothing left of any value. Later, when the nurses were going through his meager possessions, They found this poem. Its quality and content so impressed the staff that copies were made and distributed to every nurse in the hospital. One nurse took her copy to Melbourne. The old man's sole bequest to posterity has since appeared in the Christmas editions of magazines around the country and appearing in mags for Mental Health. A slide presentation has also been made based on his simple, but eloquent, poem. And this old man, with nothing left to give to the world, is now the author of this 'anonymous' poem winging across the Internet. Cranky Old Man What do you see nurses? . . .. . .What do you see? What are you thinking .. . when you're looking at me? A cranky old man, . . . . . .not very wise, Uncertain of habit .. . . . . . . .. with faraway eyes? Who dribbles his food .. . ... . . and makes no reply. When you say in a loud voice . .'I do wish you'd try!' Who seems not to notice . . .the things that you do. And forever is losing . . . . . .. . . A sock or shoe? Who, resisting or not . . . ... lets you do as you will, With bathing and feeding . . . .The long day to fill? Is that what you're thinking?. .Is that what you see? Then open your eyes, nurse .you're not looking at me. I'll tell you who I am . . . . .. As I sit here so still, As I do at your bidding, .. . . . as I eat at your will. I'm a small child of Ten . .with a father and mother, Brothers and sisters .. . . .. . who love one another A young boy of Sixteen . . . .. with wings on his feet Dreaming that soon now . . .. . . a lover he'll meet. A groom soon at Twenty . . . ..my heart gives a leap. Remembering, the vows .. .. .that I promised to keep. At Twenty-Five, now . . . . .I have young of my own. Who need me to guide . . . And a secure happy home. A man of Thirty . .. . . . . My young now grown fast, Bound to each other . . .. With ties that should last. At Forty, my young sons .. .have grown and are gone, But my woman is beside me . . to see I don't mourn. At Fifty, once more, .. ...Babies play 'round my knee, Again, we know children . . . . My loved one and me. Dark days are upon me . . . . My wife is now dead. I look at the future ... . . . . I shudder with dread. For my young are all rearing .. . . young of their own. ……………………../2

- 2 -

And I think of the years . . . And the love that I've known. I'm now an old man . . . . . . .. and nature is cruel. It's jest to make old age . . . . . . . look like a fool. The body, it crumbles .. .. . grace and vigour, depart. There is now a stone . . . where I once had a heart. But inside this old carcass . A young man still dwells, And now and again . . . . . my battered heart swells I remember the joys . . . . .. . I remember the pain. And I'm loving and living . . . . . . . life over again. I think of the years, all too few . . .. gone too fast. And accept the stark fact . . . that nothing can last. So open your eyes, people .. . . . .. . . open and see. Not a cranky old man . Look closer . . . . see .. .. . .. .... . ME!! Supplied by Tina Gowers

The Cross It’s the picture of violence Yet the key to peace A picture of suffering Yet the key to healing A picture of death Yet the key to life A picture of utter weakness Yet the key to power A picture of capital punishment Yet the key to mercy and forgiveness A picture of vicious hatred Yet the key to love A picture of supreme shame Yet the Christian’s supreme boast.

The answers appear later in the magazine Supplied by Neeltje Charles

THE RICH FAMILY IN CHURCH

I'll never forget Easter 1946. I was 14, my little sister Ocy was 12,and my older sister Darlene 16. We lived at home with our mother, and the four of us knew what it was to do without many things. My dad had died five years before, leaving Mom with seven school kids to raise and no money. By 1946 my older sisters were married and my brothers had left home. A month before Easter the pastor of our church announced that a special Easter offering would be taken to help a poor family. He asked everyone to save and give sacrificially. When we got home, we talked about what we could do. We decided to buy 50 pounds of potatoes and live on them for a month. This would allow us to save $20 of our grocery money for the offering. When we thought that if we kept our electric lights turned out as much as possible and didn't listen to the radio, we'd save money on that month's electric bill. Darlene got as many house and yard cleaning jobs as possible, and both of us babysat for everyone we could. For 15 cents we could buy enough cotton loops to make three pot holders to sell for $1. We made $20 on pot holders. That month was one of the best of our lives. Every day we counted the money to see how much we had saved. At night we'd sit in the dark and talk about how the poor family was going to enjoy having the money the church would give them. We had about 80 people in church, so figured that whatever amount of money we had to give, the offering would surely be 20 times that much. After all, every Sunday the pastor had reminded everyone to save for the sacrificial offering. The day before Easter, Ocy and I walked to the grocery store and got the manager to give us three crisp $20 bills and one $10 bill for all our change. We ran all the way home to show Mom and Darlene. We had never had so much money before. That night we were so excited we could hardly sleep. We didn't care that we wouldn't have new clothes for Easter; we had $70 for the sacrificial offering. We could hardly wait to get to church! On Sunday morning, rain was pouring. We didn't own an umbrella, and the church was over a mile from our home, but it didn't seem to matter how wet we got. Darlene had cardboard in her shoes to fill the holes. The cardboard came apart, and her feet got wet. But we sat in church proudly. I heard some teenagers talking about the Smith girls having on their old dresses. I looked at them in their new clothes, and I felt rich. When the sacrificial offering was taken, we were sitting on the second row from the front. Mom put in the $10 bill, and each of us kids put in a $20.

………………………………../2

- 2 - As we walked home after church, we sang all the way. At lunch Mom had a surprise for us. She had bought a dozen eggs, and we had boiled Easter eggs with our fried potatoes! Late that afternoon the minister drove up in his car. Mom went to the door, talked with him for a moment, and then came back with an envelope in her hand. We asked what it was, but she didn't say a word. She opened the envelope and out fell a bunch of money. There were three crisp $20 bills, one $10 and seventeen $1 bills. Mom put the money back in the envelope. We didn't talk, just sat and stared at the floor. We had gone from feeling like millionaires to feeling like poor white trash. We kids had such a happy life that we felt sorry for anyone who didn't have our Mom and Dad for parents and a house full of brothers and sisters and other kids visiting constantly. We thought it was fun to share silverware and see whether we got the spoon or the fork that night. We had two knifes that we passed around to whoever needed them. I knew we didn't have a lot of things that other people had, but I'd never thought we were poor. That Easter day I found out we were. The minister had brought us the money for the poor family, so we must be poor. I didn't like being poor. I looked at my dress and worn-out shoes and felt so ashamed--I didn't even want to go back to church. Everyone there probably already knew we were poor! I thought about school. I was in the ninth grade and at the top of my class of over 100 students. I wondered if the kids at school knew that we were poor. I decided that I could quit school since I had finished the eighth grade. That was all the law required at that time. We sat in silence for a long time. we girls went to school and came home, and no one talked much. Finally on Saturday, Mom asked us what we wanted to do with the money. What did poor people do with money? We didn't know. We'd never known we were poor. We didn't want to go to church on Sunday, but Mom said we had to. Although it was a sunny day, we didn't talk on the way. Mom started to sing, but no one joined in and she only sang one verse. At church we had a missionary speaker. He talked about how churches in Africa made buildings out of sun dried bricks, but they needed money to buy roofs. He said $100 would put a roof on a church. The minister said, "Can't we all sacrifice to help these poor people?" We looked at each other and smiled for the first time in a week. Mom reached into her purse and pulled out the envelope. She passed it to Darlene. Darlene gave it to me, and I handed it to Ocy. Ocy put it in the offering. When the offering was counted, the minister announced that it was a little over $100. The missionary was excited. He hadn't expected such a large offering from our small church. He said, "You must have some rich people in this church." Suddenly it struck us! We had given $87 of that "little over $100." We were the rich family in the church! Hadn't the missionary said so? From that day on I've never been poor again. I've always remembered how rich I am because I have Jesus! …..Eddie Ogan Copyright 2014 Mike Atkinson by way of ‘Christian Voices” (christianvoices@att.net) Supplied by Charmaine Brown

Supplied by Tina Gowers

I’m taking on Swim22, from 22 July 2021– 22 October* in support of Diabetes UK. I’m going to be swimming virtually across the English Channel (22 miles). And, by getting sponsored for every length I swim, I’ll also be helping to change the lives of people living with diabetes. Diabetes is something I hear a lot about, having a close friend as a Nurse specialising in Diabetes, and the huge challenges and big lifestyle changes people have to make. My uncle (dad’s brother, Barry) had diabetes all his life and was always supportive of funding for Diabetes as well. I know this is a long way off, but if you feel you can, at any point, please do consider sponsoring me.

https://swim22.diabetes.org.uk/fundraising/annetta2020 *PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGE OF DATE (subject to COVID) We have made the decision

to make sure everyone has the time to prepare for, take on, and complete the challenge together – safely and confidently. Although some pools in England may start to re-open on 12 April, the easing of coronavirus restrictions across the UK may change or differ. That’s why we hope the new start date of 22 July will allow people throughout the country to dive into Swim22 at the same time, together.

Thank you Annetta Spaull (Alternatively, if you would rather make

donations via cash or cheque, please pass these to Mike or Sue Spaull and we will make sure they go to the correct place. Thank you.) Thank you to all those who have sponsored Annetta so far, to date she has raised £350 and is now aiming for a minimum of £500.

A few of the images that our Daughter, Annetta has sent us during this Covid epidemic. Hopefully they will brighten your day as they did ours. Mike & Sue Spaull

Tel.No. 01702 478698 www.lrbc.org.uk Registered Charity No. 1169192

BELFAIRS METHODIST CHURCH Eastwood Road North, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex.

REGULAR WEEKLY MEETINGS - SOME MEETINGS SUSPENDED UNTIL

FURTHER NOTICE - Please contact respective meetings

SUNDAY SERVICES 11.00 a.m. (6.30 p.m. as announced)

9.00 a.m. Early morning communion followed by breakfast (3rd Sunday as announced) 10 O’clock Club 10.00 a.m. (except 3rd Sunday Parade Service)

MONDAY 5.30 p.m. Boys’ Brigade Anchor Boys

6.30 p.m. Boys’ Brigade Junior Section 7.30 p.m. Boys’ Brigade Company Section

TUESDAY 8.00 p.m. Badminton Club

WEDNESDAY 10.00 a.m. Parent & Toddlers

5.30 p.m. Girls’ Brigade Explorers 6.30 p.m. Girls’ Brigade Juniors 6.30 p.m. Girls’ Brigade Seniors & Brigaders

THURSDAY FRIDAY

SATURDAY 10.00 a.m. ‘Open House’ Coffee Morning

MONTHLY MEETINGS Mid-week Communion 10.00 a.m. 2nd Thursday Thirsty For?? 7.00 p.m. 2nd Thursday A.C.T.I.O.N 2.00 p .m. 4th Thursday House Groups 7.30 p.m. 2nd Tuesday ) Please speak to ‘Seekers’ Discussion Group 2.00 p.m. 3rd Wednesday ) Stewards for ) more details.

July Newsletter Deadline: Articles are welcomed at any time, but the deadline for last minute items is 20th June 2021. Articles can be e-mailed to sue.spaull@hotmail.co.uk or posted to Belfairs Methodist Church Thank you

TIMES OF MEETINGS MAY CHANGE TEMPORARILY IN ORDER TO MEET COVID GUIDELINES.