Methodist PostMethodist PostBoston Spa • Clifford • Bramham

November 2016

Boston Spa • Clifford • Bramham

November 2016

Minister’s Letter

Dear Friends,

I was recently listening to Sting’s album, from 2009, “If on a Winters Night”, and was curious about the song, “A Soul Cake” so went on line to look it up.

It comes from a medieval English tradition, more particularly in the counties of Cheshire and Shropshire and other places close to the Welsh borders, of “soul-caking” or “souling.”

Singers went about on All Souls Day, which is November 2nd, singing psalms and songs in remembrance of the dead and, in return, to beg for cakes. The songs, to be fair, were not very jolly, but rather doleful; Shakespeare refers to them in The Two Gentlemen of Verona, as “puling” (whining) but the act of giving alms, in the form of the cake, to the poor children of the parish, was said to release a soul from Purgatory.

The cakes are a lightly spiced,, rich in butter and egg and very often have a cross inscribed on the top. This practice may have been the origin of the modern Halloween trick or treating; I must say I prefer this older tradition.

November can be a melancholy month, with the night’s drawing in very fast, the strong westerly winds blowing, and the leaves accumulating deeply on the lawn. It does somehow seem to be a good time to remember our loved ones.

For more than a thousand years, people have been commemorating lost relatives and friends in some way at this time of year. On the 6th November at 6.00 pm, the Sunday closest to All Souls, I invite you to join with our friends at Wetherby Methodist Church for a service of thanksgiving and remembrance; to offer a reflective service of readings, music, prayer and thanksgiving and where, if you wish, you will have the opportunity to light a candle in memory of your loved one. Some of you will have had a letter from me about this already, but this is an open service and all are welcome to bring with you your memories and celebrations and to join with us.

If you fancy making the “Soul Cake” you will find a recipe on the next page, which come out a little bit more like shortbread rather than a ‘cake’; and I may have some with me on the 6th November.

The following Sunday, 13th November, is Remembrance Sunday when we remember those men and women who have fallen in war. There will be services taking place in both Boston Spa and Clifford Methodist chapels. But as we think about those wars, let us not forget that our servicemen and women are still in action today, in Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and other troubled areas of the world; please remember them, too, in your prayers. We pray for their safety and for the peaceful resolution of these and the many other conflicts around the world.

– 3 –– 2 –

Tony Barker & Sons ................................. 4Gents Hair ............................................... 9Franks & Son ........................................... 9Peter Norman Plumbing & Heating ........ 9Amanda Buch ......................................... 9Kate Mell Flowers ................................... 11Andrew Morgan Opticians ...................... 13The Central Garage ................................ 13Queripel and Kettlewell ........................... 16Gifted ....................................................... 16Skelf Frames Ltd ..................................... 16Kirby Builders Merchants ....................... 20Douglas Yeadon Hardware ..................... 21Vanessa Jude .......................................... 23Bobbins ................................................... 23Sandersons ............................................. 25Your Housing Group ............................... 26Spa Travel .................................. Back cover

Index of AdvertisersPlease support our advertisers

whenever possible.To advertise in future issues,

please contact Graham McGuireon 01937 844838.

Cover photo taken by David Vernon: These beautiful poppies were spotted in Boston Spa in a field between Churchfields and the river.As we wear Remembrance Day poppies on our lapel, let us unite against war and bring the world closer with peace and harmony.

In Flanders fields the poppies blowBetween the crosses, row on row,That mark our place; and in the skyThe larks, still bravely singing, flyScarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days agoWe lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,Loved and were loved, and now we lieIn Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:To you from failing hands we throwThe torch; be yours to hold it high.If ye break faith with us who dieWe shall not sleep, though poppies growIn Flanders fields.

John McCrae

In Flanders FieldsDuring the early days of the Second Battle of Ypres a young Canadian artillery officer, Lieutenant Alexis Helmer, was killed on 2nd May, 1915 in the gun positions near Ypres. An exploding German artillery shell landed near him. He was serving in the same Canadian artillery unit as a friend of his, the Canadian military doctor and artillery commander Major John McCrae.

As the brigade doctor, John McCrae was asked to conduct the burial service for Alexis because the chaplain had been called away somewhere else on duty that evening. It is believed that later that evening, after the burial, John began the draft for his now famous poem “In Flanders Fields”.

Ideas and contributions for

future issues of the Methodist Post always

welcome.For the December issue, please

send copy to: jovernon1@gmail.comby 10th November.

Thank you.

Rev Steve

– 5 –– 4 –

The next Lunchtime Concert will take place on Friday, November 11th at 1pm.Light lunches will be served from noon. Concert admission is £5.

The very popular group 4 Shades Entente will entertain us once more.We shall not be able to have the concert in our own church

so it will be in St Mary’s Church, Boston Spa.

Please come and support this very special singing group.Judith England

Soul Cake Recipe (makes 14 large ‘cakes’)340g plain flour (sifted) 170g sugar 170g butter (softened & diced) 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon 1/2 tsp ground mixed spice 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg 1 egg (beaten) 2 tsp of white wine vinegar

(Preheat the oven to 200°C and grease 2 flat baking trays.)Thoroughly mix all the dry ingredients into a mixing bowl – sifted flour, spices, and sugar. Rub in the diced butter until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Add in the beaten egg and white wine vinegar and mix with a wooden spoon until a firm dough is made; cover it and put it in the fridge for 20 minutes. Flour a working surface and roll out the dough to 7mm thick and, using a large round pastry cutter, cut into rounds. Place these rounds on the greased baking tray and score a ‘cross’ on the top. Bake in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes at 200°C until slightly coloured. Serve warm or cold.

Enjoy! Rev Steve

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Home Fire Safety ChecksA partnership between

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Have you had a Home Fire Safety Check carried out in your home?Have you recently had a smoke alarm fitted in your home?

If not, would you like to know more and have some assistance?

Please contactRotarian Mike Bowers on 01937 844181or Rotarian Keith Black on 01937 844118

We are here to help, so give us a call!

– 7 –– 6 –

Door Stewards Flowers Church Stewards

6th Roger Tunnicliffe Ursula Turner Sheila Humphries Christine Tunnicliffe Bob Hutchinson 13th Bob & Wendy Wade REMEMBRANCE Joan Dyer SUNDAY Pauline O'Melia 20th Iain Vernon Angela Coleman Heather Grant Barbara Hudson 27th Peter & Margaret Smith Joan Dyer Bob Hutchinson Jean Walne

Sunday Coffee

6th Ken & Judith Grimditch 13th Men’s Group 20th Mike & Jean Henzell 27th John & Barbara Hudson Joy Ackroyd

November Diary Dates10.30am Sunday services will be held in the Lantern Room in the Village Hall

Sunday 6th 10.30am Revd Ken Marshall 6.00pm United Service at Wetherby Revd Steve Jakeman – Holy CommunionWednesday 9th 7.30pm Men’s Group – Jubilee Room, Village Hall Ted Clements: ‘Travels with a camera’Friday 11th 10.00am Methodist Women In Britain – Haxby (see p.19) 12 noon St Mary's: Light lunches to be served prior to... 1.00pm Lunch time concert (see p.5)Sunday 13th 10.00am Remembrance Day Service in the Lantern Room led by Revd Steve Jakeman, to be followed by: 11.00am United Service at the War Memorial followed by refreshments in the Lantern RoomTuesday 15th 2.00pm WFG: Christmas tree decorations – Clifford Methodist Church 10.30-1.15 Evergreens Luncheon Club – St Mary’sSunday 20th 10.30am Revd Steve Jakeman – Holy Communion with Jean Walne as Worship Leader 6.00pm United Service at Wetherby Revd Steve Jakeman – Reflections serviceTuesday 22nd 10.00am Methodist Women In Britain – Easingwold (see p.19)Sunday 27th 10.30am 1st Sunday in Advent – Mr Dennis Ashton with Molly Fowler as Worship LeaderMonday 28th 7.00pm Advent bible study group, at the manse (see p.15)Tuesday 29th 2.00pm WFG: Revd Don Tuttell – Clifford Methodist Church Wednesday 30th 3.30pm Messy Church – Main Hall, Village Hall

Other Regular GroupsMonday 5.00pm Senior Table Tennis – Jubilee Room, Village HallTuesday Evening Brownies – St Mary’sWednesday 9.15-11.15 Busy Bees (Mums & Toddlers) – Clifford Methodist Church Hall Afternoon Upholstery Class – Lantern Room, Village HallThursday Morning Pilates – Lantern Room, Village Hall Afternoon Upholstery Class – Lantern Room, Village HallSaturday 10am-Noon ‘Drop In’ for Tea or Coffee – Village Hall Café

Busy Bees

2nd Jackie Faulkner 9th Judith Grimditch 16th Wendy Wade 23rd Christine Mitchell 30th Jean Walne

Saturday Coffee

5th Brian & Jackie Marsden 12th Mike & Jean Walne 19th Angela Coleman Barbara Hudson 26th Heather Grant

Birthday Greetings

Women's Friendship Group13th: Shirley Hurren

Boston Spa Church RotasNovember

The Great Pie Bake-offAs many of you know, I have been baking fruit pies to sell for at least two years and, in that time, have handed over more than £300 for Oxfam, thanks to your generosity.

I am now selling them for much needed church funds and the Development Fund and have, so far, raised another £250. I hope to continue as long as the fruit and my energy last out. I am very grateful to my customers, and hope you will continue to enjoy them!

Judith Grimditch

– 9 –– 8 –

November – Sunday Worship 6th 10.30am Revd Don Tuttell13th 9.30am Mr David Mountain20th 10.30am Mr Joseph Kwallah27th 10.30am Revd Steve Jakeman – Holy Communion

CLIFFORDMETHODIST CHURCH

The church is a bit tucked away at the end of Nursery Way,or from the High Street, where a blue noticeboard points the way

Schoolroom cleaning – Margaret Suggate

Door Stewards Flowers Vestry

6th Ros McCall, Julie Norman Catherine Catton Alison Smith 13th Carol Smith, Margaret Suggate Ros McCall Michael Whaley 20th Sheila & Katy Biercamp Alison Smith David Barrow 27th Catherine Catton Joyce Forth Jason Turner Hazel Greenwood

Thoughtfor the Month

“The Christian does not think God will loveus because we are good, but that God will

make us good because He loves us.”C S Lewis

AN EVENING OF MURDER & MYSTERY will take place in the Schoolroom, Clifford on Friday 11 November at 7pm. Ticket price of £7.50 includes a 2 course meal. Hurry to get your ticket from Kathryn Whaley on 01937 845692.

REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY – 13 NovemberPlease note our morning service will commence at chapel at 9.30am and will be followed by an ecumenical service at the War Memorial at 10.50am with a minute's silence at 11am.

Happy Birthday

Alison Smith, Yaris Salou,Michael Whaley

Amanda Buch M.C.S.P., BSc(Hons)CHARTERED MUSCULOSKELETAL PHYSIOTHERAPIST

Registered with the Health Professions Council

Physiotherapy & Sports Injury ClinicNow at TrainFX Health Club, Thorp Arch Estate, Wetherby LS23 7BJ

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Evening and weekend appointments availableRegistered with BUPA, PPP and all major insurance companies

Mulberry Cottage, New Mill Lane, Clifford, LS23 6HN Tel: 01937 843935

PETER NORMANPlumbing & Heating Limited

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We also have a ladies salon

Old and new customersvery welcome. Give us a try –

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Tel: 01937 843830Mobile: 07802 762958REGISTERED GAS SAFE

Franks & SonPlumbers, Heating EngineersGas & Oil Installation

– 11 –– 10 –

Christmas Tree FestivalChristmas is coming; the goose is getting fat...So goes the old nursery rhyme; you know the one that gets repeated as we enter the run up to Christmas. Well at Boston Spa Methodist Church, again we are planning a different kind of run up to Christmas; with plans for our 3rd Christmas Tree Festival well under way. Last year the church was dressed resplendently, by both community organisations and local businesses, each decorating their own tree to represent themselves. Live music, which is already celebrated in the monthly concerts at the church, was also in abundance with concerts by various musicians taking place throughout the five-day event.

This year however, as we take back the majority of our re-ordered building, the plan is to make it bigger; with different things going on for you to enjoy. The Christmas Tree Festival will be held over 5 days, opening on Wednesday 7th December at 2:30pm, and closing on Sunday 11th December with a Festival Community Carol Service at 6:30pm.

Other delights, over the period, will be a celebration of Christmas with John Townend playing our famous ‘Harrison’ organ on the Friday afternoon at 3pm.

We are also delighted, this year, to welcome Collingham Training Band, who will play from 5-6pm on Friday afternoon. Whilst on Saturday morning Collingham Brass Band will play Christmas Music from 10.00-11.30am.

Wetherby Folk Chorale will return to entertain us on Saturday afternoon at 3pm, with not only singing and Christmas readings, but also a special production of a ‘school nativity’ play; warts and all! The festival team are in discussion with other artistes; so please keep an eye on the website for further information.

These performances are free, but we will have a very special concert on the Friday at 1pm, which will cost £5, and this year the performer will be Emma James, the very

popular and talented singer and entertainer, who will provide an excellent Christmas programme.

Last year over 30 trees where displayed; this year we are expecting to have more! Once again turning the church building into a magical space in which to enjoy the trees, celebrate, and remind ourselves of the real reason of Christmas.

Food, of course, plays a major part in any celebration and this is no exception; light lunches will be served, along with delicious cakes, mince pies and many other delights!

On Sunday 11th December, at 10:30 in the morning, we will come together to celebrate in a "Messy Christmas", and the Festival will close on the Sunday evening with a Community Festival Carol Service; both led by the Revd Steve Jakeman.

If you can help in anyway; baking, setting up, clearing away, serving in the kitchen or stewarding in church please contact Sheila Humphreys on 01937 844988 or Sue Jakeman on 01937 842156.

But most of all please come and join us over the Festival period; bring friends and family to share in the fun! To keep up to date with what's going on:

‘Like us’ on Facebook:www.facebook.com/bostonspamethodistchurch?fref=ts

or log onto our website http://bostonspamethodistchurch.org.uk/events-and-activities/

Sue Jakeman

Bespoke flowers for weddings, parties & functions, birthdays & annive r sa r ie s , business contracts, funerals & sympathy, Or.... ‘just because’.

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Sue and Sheila put the finishing touches to last year's display

Concert – Wetherby Choral SocietySaturday 12th November, 7.30pm St James’ Parish Church, Wetherby

Patrick Lee – SACRIFICES v Mozart – Mass in C MinorDetails/tickets: wetherbychoral.org.uk

– 13 –– 12 –

Our granddaughter, Ellie, has spent 12 weeks in the summer working in Ghanafor the International Citizenship Service. This is a government schemewhich supports a charity working to help raise people out of poverty

through trade. These are some of her experiences. Eva Mills

I was working in Bolgatanga, a town in the Upper East region of Ghana – the second poorest region in Ghana. I was part of a teamof twelve, six from the UK, and six Ghanaian volunteers. We lived in host homes, so we fully integrated into the community we were trying to help. My host mother was a restaurant owner called Cinderella Takora. My counterpart Ella and I were very lucky – we were the only ones who had a flushing toilet and a working shower – although no hot water!

Bolgatanga is renowned for its vibrant craft sector, with a lot of people in the region working in fabric weaving, smock making, leather working and, most predominantly, basket weaving. This gives us the famous ‘Bolga Baskets’.

TradeAID is the Partner Project I worked with, and previous ICS volunteers have worked hard to help promote Fairtrade within the community. To do so, they helped Bolgatanga achieve Fairtrade Status, through achieving a number of goals:

1. Establish a partnership agreement with a UK Fairtrade Town2. A resident cooperative exists that sells into the Fair Trade market3. Fair Trade is promoted throughout community organisations4. An annual event is held to promote local business and Fairtrade at regional, national and

international levels5. A Steering Committee is set up to coordinate Fairtrade status, monitor, implement, and

promote future eventsAs a result of these achievements, Bolgatanga was awarded Fairtrade town status in 2015,

making it the second in Africa, and only the third in the developing world. This is a significant step for the Fairtrade Town movement, and led to Mr Nicholas Apokerah (the director of TradeAID) speaking at the most recent International Fairtrade Town Conference.

Our work, among a huge range of other things, was mainly focused on ensuring the credibility of Bolgatanga as a Fairtrade Town, and promoting it to the craft groups working there. To do this, we created a Fairtrade Logo for the town, which was then put on a signpost we erected on the main road into Bolgatanga; we also wrote the Fairtrade story of the town, which was then put on the website we created telling the town’s story. We went on URA radio, a local radio station, and promoted Fairtrade to an audience of 500.

Other things we did included:• Piloting an apprenticeship scheme• Marketing Training with three of the craft groups• Product diversification training with some basket weavers• Bolgatanga International Craft and Art Fair – promotion, finding registrants, steering

committee meetings

Overall, this experience has been a huge learning curve – it has shown me so much about other cultures, about international development, and about myself. I have loved every second and am so proud of what I and my whole team have achieved!

If you want to find out more about Bolgatanga as a Fairtrade Town, check out this website: https://bolgafairtrade.wordpress.com/ If you would like to make a donation to BICAF – the fair that allows Bolga to continue being a Fairtrade Town, please go to this website (thank you so much!!!) https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/tradeaid-integrated Ellie Brown

Ellie’s experience in Ghana

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On Friday 30th September, Boston Spa Church met to celebrate together the glorious food that is the gift of our Creator at their Harvest Super.

A wonderful chicken casserole was the main course followed by apple pie and a cheese board, which caused the cheese fanatics amongst the members present to groan with delight.

Having enjoyed the gastronomic delights provided, a picture quiz challenged the minds, as we strove to identify the faces of celebrities, and identify the board games pictured on another sheet.

The winning table was presented with a large bag of chocolates, which they very kindly shared with everyone else.

Our grateful thanks go to all those who organised, prepared and cooked food, or had anything else to do with making the evening a success.

from our Roving Reporter

– 14 – – 15 –

We have had an interesting time over the past two months, learning about God in Messy Church in story song and crafts.

In September we celebrated the beautiful world that God provides for us and the food that we have to feed our bodies. We also considered how God’s Word in the bible feeds us and helps us to become more like Jesus.

While we thought about this message, we made Cress Heads, bread, pasta pictures of beautiful places and vegetable and leaf printing which reflected the wide variety of food. Probably the favorite activity was making soil sculptures, as we thought about the good soil.

In October we considered the theme of Messy Souls, because after all we are all messy people, we all fall short of God’s wish for our lives. We talked about how we get things wrong, hurt people, fight, become prejudiced, full of pride and all sorts of other things. We discussed how these attitudes can lead to war, and we thought about all those who had died in the war. We also learnt how God understands our suffering, and how He wants us to be people who love others and work for peace.

We made poppy crosses and peace sculptures, practiced origami by making peace cranes. This idea was started by a young Japanese girl who was badly affected by the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima. Sadly, she died, but every year on Hiroshima Day thousands of peace cranes are suspended from the tower in Hiroshima Peace Park.

We also turned “swords into plough shares”, or at least made them into objects of peace. We made memory-boards too and tried to make oil and water mix, because we are called, like Jesus, to be peace makers.

All of our sessions end with a time of worship and with the sharing of a meal.Our next meeting will take place on the 30th November and is all about Advent

and the real meaning of Christmas. Why not come and join us, everyone is welcome, and make an Advent Candle, to help you prepare for the coming of Jesus.

If you would like to know more about Messy Church, speak to the Messy Church team, Joan, Pauline, Heather, Gerald, Sue, Angela, Judith, Jean or Revd Steve.

The Messy Church Team

A Happy Harvest

Monday 28th November2.30pm Clifford Methodist Church7.00pm Boston Spa Manse

Monday 5th December2.30pm Clifford Methodist Church7.00pm Boston Spa Manse

Monday 12th December2.30pm Clifford Methodist Church7.00pm Boston Spa Manse

Monday 19th December2.30pm Clifford Methodist Church7.00pm Boston Spa Manse

Our Advent study series this year is ‘Little Town – Big Story’, and again our studies will be led by Revd Steve & Sue Jakeman. Each of the four sessions will be run twice

on each Monday, in the afternoon at Clifford and in the evening at Boston Spa, so if you can’t make one you have the chance of attending the other.It promises not to be too heavy and everyone is welcome to join us.

Tel: 01937 842156 for details.

An Advent Bible Studybased on the hymn

‘O little town of Bethlehem’

– 16 –

Queripel and KettlewellChartered Accountants, Chartered Tax Advisersand Registered Auditors

Preparation of AccountsTax Returns v Tax Advice v Tax Planning

Phone Paul Queripel on 01937 541770The Barn, Hall Mews, Boston Spa, LS23 6AA

– 16 –

Fine and exclusive gifts for all occasions.Free gift wrapping service

Open Monday–Saturday, 9am-5pm

Gifted

182A High Street, Boston Spa, LS23 6BT Tel: 01937 541600www.giftedbostonspa.co.uk info@giftedbostonspa.co.uk

SKELF FRAMES LTDPicture framers with over 18 years’ experience

Unit 15a, Station EstateTadcaster LS24 9SGTel: 01937 530623www.skelfframes.co.uk

Also find us at Wetherby market every Thursday

– 17 –

Season of mists...Once again summer has been and gone and the harvest is in. The colours of the trees tell us that autumn is here, and the weather confirms it. Already the shops are looking forward to Christmas. As I write the clocks have not yet been put back, but that will happen soon. Soon afterwards it will be Remembrance Sunday, and then the first Sunday in Advent, and then Christmas will come.

The church and the lectionary lessons see Advent as a crucial time for us; it’s a time for preparing ourselves so that we are ready for Christmas. It is also a time when we wait with eager anticipation for the coming of Jesus. We know well enough that there is a lot of household and family preparation to do – cards to write and send, presents to choose and buy, meals to plan and buy for, perhaps a tree to collect and dress, decorations to put up. In addition to all these home and domestic jobs there are events at church to work for and to help to bring about.

But Advent is – or should be – far more than a time of domestic and church preparation for Christmas. It should also be a time of personal and spiritual self-assessment, as we wait to celebrate the coming of Jesus into human life, with all that that meant and still means. The problem is that the mechanics of preparing for and celebrating Christmas can squeeze its true importance out of our programme; there just isn’t enough time for everything.

There was no room in the inn, not enough space in the structures of society for Mary, Joseph and the baby at that first Christmas. That hasn’t changed. But will there be room for Jesus in our hearts and lives this Christmas? Can we make time to prepare for him to come to us where he wants to be? Dennis

Boston Spa Treasurer’s ReportAt our October Church Council meeting I presented the Church accounts to 31 August 2016. These were just for the Church entirely separate from the Building Development Project. The accounts showed that expenditure exceed our income by £6347 a not unexpected result as it was in line with predictions at the Church Council on March.

My budget forecast for 2016/17 shows that in order to balance the books we need to raise a further £8785 (£170 per week) from Fund Raising, Donations or additional Collections. This is in addition to any shortfall on the Building Scheme. Quite a depressing picture.

However on a brighter note we have been very generous with our giving since September donating to All We Can:

Harvest Collection – £315.00 Harvest Supper – £180.00Gift Aid & GASDS – £123.75 Haiti Appeal – £126.25

A total of £745.00The next year will not be easy financially but I hope that once the Church is

completed we can then start to use our new facilities for the benefit of the church and wider community and see some improvement in our finances.

Anne Hovell, Treasurer

– 19 –– 18 –

Building Project Update More good news! The Christmas Tree Festival will take place in Church from Wednesday 7 until Sunday 11 December 2016. Our chapel will be completed by then. We shall have access to the kitchen so that we can provide refreshments to visitors to the Christmas Tree Festival. The first service of worship will take place on Sunday 11 December 2016.

The new entrance may not be in use by then but we will still be able to enter by the present entrance which, by December, will be updated with new glass doors. After months of waiting, we are nearly ready to have our newly enhanced church back in use.

We are really looking forward to holding our “Open Weekend” from Friday 20 – Sunday 22 January 2017. The weekend will open on the Friday evening with a concert by Rick Wakeman. Indeed, posters have already gone up advertising “An Intimate Evening with Rick Wakeman” which will be the start of the Grand Open Weekend. An open day for people to have a look around the building will take place on the Saturday and a Circuit, Civic and Ecumenical Service of Celebration and Thanksgiving on the Sunday afternoon at 3pm.

To celebrate the 170th Anniversary of the Church, Rev Roger Walton, the President of Conference has been invited to lead worship on Sunday 30 April 2017 at 10:30am.

We are drawing ever nearer to the completion of the building enhancement, and excitement is rising as we contemplate being back in our chapel once more. Maybe not so much an end to the project as a new beginning on the horizon. Even though I have been involved in this project since its beginning, I still find it absolutely amazing that plans were drawn from our ideas, and that those plans were transformed into a work schedule to be carried out by workmen and that all that work has now been translated into reality to be seen in our “new” church. We are indeed blessed.

The Fundraising Team is continuing its excellent work in raising funds for the Building Project and also for the refurbishing of the cottage and general upkeep of the Church and we are most grateful to them for all the work they are doing.

The list of events planned so far is printed below.

v Wednesday 7 – Sunday 11 December Christmas Tree Festivalv Friday 20 January 2017, 7:30pm – An Evening with Rick Wakeman v Saturday 28 January 2017 – Burns Supperv Saturday 25 February 2017, 7:30pm – Evening Concert Knottingley Concert Brass Band v Saturday 3 June 2017 – Spring Fair – Wetherby Town Hallv Ongoing – Pauline O’Melia’s Church feature cardsFurther details for each event will be available nearer the time. If you would like to

organise a fundraising event – or would like help from the fundraising team to carry out your idea – do get in touch. If you can help at any of the events, please let the team know.

There are many exciting functions planned for the Spring and early Summer and the Fundraising Team will be letting you know all about them nearer the time.

As always we ask you continue to support our building project with your prayers. Your ongoing support and prayers are invaluable as we look ahead with eagerness to the completion of our project.

Jackie Marsden

Methodist Women in Britain, Tadcaster CircuitFriday 11th November – District Committee Meeting at Haxby Methodist Church, York.10am coffee for 10.30am start. Afternoon speaker: Revd. Julia Skitt

Tuesday 22nd November – An Advent Day at Easingwold Methodist Churchled by Revd Elizabeth Cushion. Coffee at 10am

– 21 –– 20 –

YOUR LOCAL INDEPENDENT MERCHANT

KIRBY BUILDERSMERCHANTSSpecialist supplier of natural landscaping materials

including natural stone paving, decorative aggregates, hardwood sleepers and timber decking

Inglebank, High Street, Boston SpaTel: 01937 843493

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v Reclaimed Building Stone

v Logs and Kindling

v Bricks, Blocks, Sand and Cement

v Driveway Block Paving

v Timber, Plywood and Fencing

v Insulation, Plasterboard and Plaster

v Clothing, Tools, Fixings and Fasteners

DOUGLAS YEADONHARDWARE of BOSTON SPA

for all your DIY and household needs

169 High Street, Boston SpaTel: 01937 842338

www.douglasyeadonhardware.co.uk

Hurricane Matthew hits HaitiHurricane Matthew hit the west coast of Haiti on Tuesday 5th October with devastating effect, leaving thousands displaced. Please continue to hold the people of Haiti in prayer at this time.

Jesus, we see you calming storms –storm tossed seas and stormy lives.Extend your power and grace again,especially upon these most recent storm victims.

Speak peace and healing over bodies and spirits broken by the chaos.Jesus, speak peace.

Speak peace and hope over families and communities devastated by sudden loss.Jesus, speak peace.

Speak peace and unity over diverse groups of peopleso they would come together for greater provision,just distribution, and effective rebuilding.Jesus, speak peace.

Speak peace and protection over rescue workersas they reach out to those who are suffering.Jesus, speak peace.

You are the Prince of Peace.You are the Resurrection and the Life.You are strong to save.Our hope and trust are in you. Amen.

– 23 –– 22 –

A bible, a tandem and a rusty nail~ Recollections of a Local Preacher 11 ~

Love is support and to support is loveAmongst the many aspects of proclaiming the gospel and leading worship that the preacher values most is the support given from three particular sources – that by the family, by the congregations and most assuredly by God. Without these the preacher would be ‘a resounding gong or a clanging symbol’ (to adopt Paul’s words in 1Corinthians 13), for support is the very essence of love.

I believe that this support has, to some extent, to be earned and cannot be assumed. Prayer is its essence; prayer for the congregation and for oneself, in the realization that one cannot ‘go it alone’. Just as the words ‘I love you’ said earnestly have such depth of meaning, so the sincerely meant, ‘help me God’, are the prelude to the power of the Holy Spirit at work in the preacher. Fine words eloquently spoken may excite the eardrums of the listeners, but their interpretation in the mind of the receptive hearer is surely the work of God’s Spirit.

Congregations are very tolerant. People may readily criticize a poor sermon or the person who does not use his or her voice well or chooses hymns which are difficult to sing, but it takes a great deal to persuade most to give up on a preacher. Having said that, I do remember that at one church a lady said to me before the service, “I’ve never heard you preach before but if you never see me again, you will know what I thought”; that really put me off and I got thoroughly tied up by thinking about what impression I was making rather than concentrating upon the worship and the rest of the good people there. What she learned from my text from Ecclesiastes I will never know, for indeed, I never saw her again!

Sometimes a worshipper has gone to sleep. I never minded if they closed their eyes at the onset of the sermon, but if it happened later on then I felt I was missing the point, particularly if that person was not alone; it was time to draw the sermon to a close.

I do recall an amusing, alarming or in a sense sad occasion when I terminated the service after about fifteen minutes. A regular member of the church stood on the pew to sing the first hymn; not something that I had experienced before. The local church showed its love through tolerance and being familiar with this behaviour explained to me later that, ‘well, there is a full moon’. Ignoring these antics, I carried on and at the second hymn the same procedure was accompanied by an explanation that he could not read the words and needed the extra light afforded by the 100 watt bulb that shone forth from the lamp directly above him. I decided that it was not appropriate to proceed and announced the collection at which he, with no anger or apparent concern, ignored the proffered plate and hurled coins at me causing me to duck behind the pulpit. I did close the service at that point but I marvel and respect the congregation for their understanding and support given to him by accepting him as a valued member of their community.

Not infrequently a quick prayer is said in desperation. It was the Sunday School Anniversary, the children were excited and I walked into the church only to be greeted

by the organist with the words, I’m not going to play if HE bangs THAT thing – and she meant it! At the side of the organ stood a boy and drum. The drum was large and HE was small and I was caught up in the middle. My quick prayer was answered. I explained to the lad that his playing would be heard better if he stood at the back of the church as his drum would not then be drowned out by the organ. He dutifully moved the instrument to the rear and the service proceeded with the accompaniment of an irregular boom from the back of the chapel which bore no relationship to the rhythm of the music.

The same degree of tolerance has been exhibited by my family as usually, when I was preaching, Sunday mornings were stressful for all of us. I was, a little tense and maybe not as thoughtful as I might have been. But the prayerful support upheld me and lunchtimes were quite different now that the pressure was off. I thank God, my family, fellow preachers and congregations for sustaining me for more than 60 years. And finally, in a more serious vein…..

Arthur

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Here is John's story...Those of you who know a little about me will be aware that four years ago I had a bit of a health scare. Initially I thought what I had was a continually blocked ear following a summer holiday at the Devon coast, but this wouldn’t clear with antibiotics, and I then went on to increasingly suffer dizzy spells, balance issues and odd sensations on one side of my face.

After various visits to doctors and specialists, plus some time in an MRI scanner, I was diagnosed with an acoustic neuroma. This is a (thankfully benign and non-heredity) brain tumour in the ear canal, with the potential for a number of interrelated physical and psychological symptoms and effects, such as single-sided deafness, tinnitus, facial palsy and facial weakness, eye problems, balance dysfunction, vertigo, dizziness, fatigue, cognitive impairment, anxiety and depression.

Fast forward a few months and I was being operated on at a private hospital in Birmingham, when I had 99% of my tumour removed. As a result I now have balance issues and total hearing loss on one side, plus suffer the occasional fatigue and loss of concentration. Despite this, I am probably as fit, healthy and active as I’ve ever been – what I call the ‘new normal’.

During the period of my initial diagnosis and following, I was supported by my family and friends, and also a small charity called ‘BANA’ (the British Acoustic Neuroma Association). As the type of tumour is relatively uncommon, it was like being in a very select club, although to be honest, one I’d prefer not have joined!

I came back from stopping with my parents, Roger and Chris, whilst seeing the 2012 Tour De France ‘Grand Depart’ in Yorkshire, inspired to take up cycling. Unfortunately, neither the bank balance of my ‘pocket money fund’, nor my better half, would go along with me on that! As an alternative, I took up running, mainly to get and then keep fit, where I gradually upped the mileage, as well as doing various fitness classes.

I’d always intended to try and give something back to BANA, and a few months back found myself entering for my first half marathon, the Cheltenham Half, which took place at the end of September. I didn’t go into it with the intention of getting a

particular time, simply to enjoy it (if that’s possible?!) and to raise some money for BANA along the way.

As you might expect, I was pretty chuffed to make it across the line in what I’m told is a respectable time for a first timer of 1 hour 54 minutes and 5 seconds, and to raise over £1,200 for BANA in the process. I was amazed by people’s generosity, with family members, friends, colleagues, work contacts and clients, and even some people I don’t even know, all donating to my cause.

It does feel a little like ‘after the Lord Mayor’s Parade’ in the weeks following the event, so I’m looking to run some other events in the near future (Shush! Don’t tell my wife Kathryn!).

One of these is going to be with Ben, a fellow acoustic neuroma beater, perhaps the Stroud trail half marathon next year. Ben and I were initially in contact when we were both diagnosed with our tumours at around the same time, re-establishing contact recently when we found out we were both taking part in different running events for BANA on the same day.

When we run the event together, we’re looking on it as being a celebration of what we’ve been through, the place we’re both at, and life in general. Whilst some of my ‘bits’ are now missing or no longer work, I am chuffed to have come out of my experience so well, and do feel blessed. Notes About BANA - https://www.bana-uk.com//about/about-bana

Donate to BANA - https://www.bana-uk.com/about/donate/ John Tunnicliffe

Some people will remember our son John who grew up in Sunday School and Youth Clubs before leaving Boston to go to university. He also appeared in all the shows and pantomimes including playing the title role in “Oliver”.

John now lives in Gloucestershire with his wife Kathryn and daughters Martha and Annie. Four years ago John had a health scare when he was diagnosed with an acoustic neuroma – a tumour in his ear in his case very close to the brain stem. We were and still are very grateful to the skill of his surgeon and the care of the nursing staff at the hospital in Birmingham where John was treated.

Chris Tunnicliffe

Church family news...

– 27 –– 26 –

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Boston Spa Methodist Church presents

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Friday 20th January 2017 at 7.30pm

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