The Minister's Letter

Friends,

Greetings, once more, in the name of Jesus!

One of the boons of modern times is probably the telephone, able to get you in touch with friends and emergency help so quickly! However, it can also be a pest. I have lost touch of the number of energy companies, insurance salespeople and double glazing people who feel that I can not do without their help and product! On top of that, we are plagued by someone who rings up, withholds his or her number, and then puts the receiver down when we answer! I certainly would love to meet him or her!

The last imbecile apart, most of the other calls seem to be motivated by the one thing I don't have - MONEY! Now there is an interesting aspect of our modern day society! Many people are motivated by it and, according to their philosophy; life isn't worth living without it. I have proved, like many of you, that it is quite possible to exist with very little money. I would, however, want to say that the Church can not run without it.

Sadly, due to the cost of living rises, our assessment will go up this year. Thanks to Circuit intervention, it will not be as high as it could be. However, be that as it may, we will still have to find more money to meet our outgoings. I know that many of you are on a very limited income, but can I commend to you the practise of tithing? This, of course, is very Biblical and practised by a great many Christians throughout the world.

Whatever one may feel about money, it pales into insignificance when we consider all that God has given us. Compared with many people in this world, we are rich beyond compare. Surely we should acknowledge that richness in our giving to Church and other appeals?

Christine joins me in wishing you all every blessing for the times ahead.

I am yours because I am His.

John

Activity Holiday for Children in Need

The London South East District of the Methodist Church has been running this holiday for more than 20 years and during that time more than 500 children have benefited. This year's holiday is from Sunday 28 July to Saturday 3 August at Carroty Wood Activity Centre. It is for young children who will be 10 or 11 years of age by 31 August and who are in need emotionally, financially or socially, and would benefit from a holiday of this kind. They do not need to have links with the Methodist Church. If you would like to nominate a child, please contact Viv Jarvis, or Derek or Linda Leach.

The holiday will cost around £7,000 for 24 children. A grant of £3,000 has been received from BBC Children In Need, but the balance has to come from Methodist donations. If you would like to support the holiday financially, please give your donation to Jill Tutthill, Viv, Derek or Linda. Cheques should be made payable to Methodist Church London SE WACAYP. There are leaflets about the holiday at the rear of the church. Derek will be pleased to answer any questions.

Conversations with St. Columba United Reformed Church

Please keep this matter in your prayers. Arrangements are still being made for a meeting between the Elders at St. Columba and our Stewards. These will only be exploratory, but let us hope that we can share a vision for God's work in our area. YOUR prayers are VITAL!

Wesley Guild

One of the special meetings in our church is the Guild on a Tuesday evening. They arrange a very stimulating programme, good company and convivial surroundings. At the recent Annual General Meeting they decided to meet in the months October to December and March to June. All they need now is YOUR support - how about it?

Spring Clean

This is to take place on Saturday 15 June, when everyone will be welcome to come along and help give our church premises a clean and a clear out. Do come and join us!

Special Date!

On Thursday 4 July, there will be a Circuit evening about Church growth. Some friends of Arthur Salisbury will be coming from Bedford to share their experiences. MAKE IT A "MUST BE THERE" EVENT! More details when they are available.

Evenings of prayer and praise

The latest in the series of prayer and praise evenings at River Methodist Church will be held on Saturday 8 June, starting at 7.30 p.m. and lasting about an hour and a half. These events, on the second Saturday of the month, are times of worship, prayer, sharing and ministry, and it is hoped they will be of great encouragement to all who attend. The guest speakers this month are Keith and Pat Lilley, both Methodist local preachers from the Bedford Circuit. Please pray for these evenings, come along and bring a friend.

ADVANCE DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

2 June - Queen's Golden Jubilee celebrations at Pencester Gardens. Picnic at 1 p.m. and a service at 3 p.m. There will be no Holy Communion service at London Road this evening.

14 July - 3 p.m. Port Sunday service at the Lifeboat Station, Cross Wall Quay.

20 July - Hospital Fete at Pencester Gardens.

4 August - 6.30 p.m. Circuit Service at River Methodist Church to say farewell to Elaine and Gordon Newton. There will be no Holy Communion service at London Road that evening.

11 August - 6 p.m. Churches Together in Dover "Songs of Praise" at De Bradelei Wharf. No Holy Communion service at Tower Hamlets that evening.

4 September - Welcome service for Eileen and John Johnson.

Church Family News

Edna Tutt celebrates her 92nd birthday today (Sunday, 2 June). We send her our love and best wishes.

We congratulate Andy Goldsack who will become Assistant Head Teacher at Parkside Primary School in Canterbury in September. We wish him well. The staff and children at Charlton Primary School will miss him!

News that the first lay secretary for Local Preachers had been appointed by the Methodist Church since the Primitives and Wesleyans combined in 1932 was interesting enough. But when we heard the person appointed was Peter Relf, we were even more interested - and proud. For Peter grew up here at London Road. He has sent us this message: "The whole journey started at London Road with Sunday School, Junior Church and the Wesley Guild before becoming a Local Preacher 'on note' at the age of 17. I had no idea where things would lead 40 years on. In fact, 40 days ago I also had no idea what the Lord had in store! Thank you, friends at London Road, for giving me such a helpful start!" We send our congratulations to Peter, and we remember him in our prayers as he prepares to take up this new responsibility.

Don't forget to watch Songs of Praise on BBC 1 on Sunday 23 June when it comes from the Kent and Canterbury Hospital. Watch out for Dorothy Cloke, Kath Hogg and Marion Scrivener.

We remember the families of Naomi Sharp, Doris Smith and Cyril Hopper as they mourn their loved ones. Hilda Driver is now home, but still not enjoying the best of health, likewise Brian Gammon who has decided to retire as a Circuit Steward. We certainly owe him a great debt for all his efforts on our behalf. Margaret Machin, Betty O'Connell and Ruby Wahlers are home after their spells in hospital for operations. We keep Sadie Gledhill and Cliff Evans (Tower Hamlets), in our prayers as they recover from surgery. We continue to pray for all those who are unwell in their own homes, or in residential homes, especially thinking of Margaret Craven, Maud Green, Molly Hodgson, Ann Kennedy, Edie and Winnie Seelly, John Bates and Ossie Hodgson at this time. Alan Sugden has been in hospital in Calais after being taken ill during a day trip to France.

Reflection and Witness Book

If you have been able to borrow the book for a week and feel you can contribute a prayer, poem, witness statement, memory, photograph or drawing, it's NOT too late. We are still in centenary year! I would be pleased to accept any more contributions - perhaps some things from the 1990s or 1980s. Linda Hayward

Feast of Life

Congratulations to all those who took part in the Feast of Life musical the other week. It was so successful that another performance has been arranged at St. Radigund's Church at Capel on Saturday 8 June, at 7.30 p.m. Tickets are £2, or £1 for students, available at the door. Those who attended the two performances last month were invited to sign the Christian Aid petition for Fair Trade and a lobby is taking place in London on 19 June.

Home Missions

Thanks to the faithful few who attended the Home Missions coffee morning, and a special thank you to Doreen Hallybone for her help setting up and helping. We raised £68 for the Missions Fund.

Ecumenical Service

This takes place at Canterbury Cathedral on Sunday 9 June 4.15 for 6.30 p.m. The second of the practices for those who would like to be in the choir is this Wednesday, 5 June, at 7.30 p.m. at St Mary's Church.

In your personal prayers, please remember...

those of our church family who are ill, suffering the problems of age, and those who are housebound or in residential care, including Alan Sugden, Evelyn Tutthill, Daphne Gretton, Ann Kennedy, Marion Scrivener, Ossie Hodgson, Margery Bones, George Craven, Eileen Ward, Gwen Bates, Ruby Wahlers, Rosemary Richards, Sonny and Vi Mills, David Morris, Mary Bond, Hilda Welburn, Maud Green, Sue Moat, Peter Burton, John Bates, Eileen Smith, May Griffin, Olive Morris, Ron and Irene Sutton, Doris Barker, Eileen Tolhurst, Anne Taylor, Myra Strelow, Doris Greenfield, Wally Watts, Jessie West, Edith and Winnie Seelly, Betty Allen, Keith Button, Eva Buttifint, Peggy Heritage and May Lancaster;

those away from Dover, including Vron Tutthill, Sarah Atkins, Lisa Speakman, Andrew Booth, Robert Dunstone, Hazel Griffiths, Sid and Jayne Robbins and Henry and Sterling, Joyce and Alan Norman, Alan and Stephanie Warrell, Malcolm and Jennifer Cleaver, David and Rachel Cloke, Angela and Neil Baker, Andrew and Cath Powell, Edna Tutt, Christina Edge and Reg Payne;

those who mourn including the families and friends of Gwen Goff, Doris Smith, the Rev. Nigel Booth, Cyril Hopper, Naomi Sharp, Joan Walker and Sylvia Reeves.

TOWER HAMLETS

Our Sunday School Anniversary was celebrated on 26 May. The children, with the help of Shara and David, wrote the service based on the history of the Sunday School. This was well presented and enjoyed by everyone. Win Moon presented prizes to the children. They continue to meet each Sunday at 11 a.m. and are always pleased to welcome any children who wish to join them.

The Women’s League is on Mondays at 2.30 p.m. All ladies will be very welcome. The programme for June is 3 – No meeting; 10 – Rev. John Lines; 17 – Rev. John Churcher; 24 – Members' Afternoon.

The Fellowship will meet on Tuesday 25 June at 7.15 p.m. at Flat 3, Gregory House, East Street.

Please remember in your prayers Emma and Cliff Evans, Sadie Gledhill, Mary Page, and our members in residential homes, May Lancaster, and Edie and Winnie Seelly.

SHEPHERDSWELL

A Jubilee Service is being held on the Green today, Sunday 2 June, at 10.15 a.m.

Next Sunday, 9 June, will be the last service when the Rev. Gordon Newton will be preaching at St. Andrew's. The ecumenical service is at Canterbury Cathedral at 6.30 p.m. There is no Village Praise this month.

The coffee morning is at 2 Church Hill from 10 a.m. to 12 noon on 19 June and is in aid of Cystic Fibrosis. Everyone is welcome.

JUNE ROTAS

MINI-BUS: Sunday 2 June – Graham Tutthill; 9 – Shirley Carr; 16 – Margaret Tutthill; 23 – David Galley; 30 – Colin Hadden.

FLOWER ROTA: Sunday 9 June – Mr. Brian Jacobs; 16 – Mrs. Kath Hogg; 23 – Mrs. B. Wood; 30 – Mrs. Doreen Hallybone.

PREACHERS: Sunday 2 June – 11 a.m. Favourite Hymns; 9 – Mrs. Elaine Newton; 16 – Rev. John Lines, including Holy Communion; 23 – Mrs. Rae Smith; 30 – Mrs. Daphne Tutton.

WOMEN’S OWN: Mondays at 3 p.m. 3 June – no meeting; 10 – Rev Gordon Newton; 17 – United Women's Meeting at 2.45 p.m. at Temple Ewell; 24 – Sue Brockman; 1 July – Sheila Lloyd from Operation Sunshine. Everyone is invited to come to this meeting, and donations of soap, toothpaste or candles would be welcome.

MINI-BUS DRIVERS FOR WOMEN’S OWN: 10 June – Colin Hadden and Valerie Bowes; 17 – Peter Hogg and Ken Vincent; 24 – Ruth Edwards and Brian Jacobs; 1 July – Judith Jacobs and Valerie Bowes.

CUBS: Mondays from 6 to 7.30 p.m.

METHODIST AMATEUR DRAMATICS (MAD): Mondays at 7.45 p.m.

MOTHER AND TODDLER GROUP: The group meets every Wednesday at 1.15 p.m.

SOUP AND SANDWICHES: Wednesdays at 6 p.m. 5 June – Blossom Wright, The Ark; 12 – Brian Wimsett and Ken Hammond; 19 – Louise Gilbert and Lisa Dawn; 26 – Jill and Ellie; 3 July – Linda and Derek Leach, 10 – Peter Hogg, Nora Watson and Clarice King.

GIRLS’ BRIGADE: Thursday evenings – 6 to 7 p.m. Explorers (aged 5 to 8 years); 6 to 7.30 p.m. Juniors (8 to 11 years); 7.45 to 9 p.m. Seniors and Brigaders (11 to 14 plus).

LADIES KEEP FIT GROUP: Thursdays at 7.15 p.m.

Items for the July and August edition of "The Messenger" should be handed to Graham Tutthill by Sunday 23 June, please.