Parish News and Events
Charlotte Collins writes
“If you walk backwards all you see is where you’ve come from” (anonymous)
It is with great sadness that the Methodist Fellowship in Bledlow announces the closure of the chapel which has held the faithful worship, witness and service of generations for nearly one hundred and forty years. The chapel will close at the end of December with a service of Thanksgiving to commemorate and celebrate that witness as we look to God’s future.
The decision to close a chapel is never taken easily, nor lightly, but rather after much soul searching and prayer; taken by a membership who have listened bravely to God’s call to move on into the unknown trusting in their Master, Friend and Lord who, on earth, had nowhere to lay his head (Luke 9.57-62).
This story from Luke is instructive. As Jesus travels with his companions (as he always does) along the road he is met by those who are keen to respond to his call but only on their own terms: “Lord, let me first……….” Their requests are reasonable enough – to bury a father, say farewell to a family, but Jesus is adamant “No-one who puts his hand to the plough and keeps looking back is fit for the Kingdom of God”. Their requests illustrate that their walk with God would have been focussed primarily on the past, on what has been, rather than with eye, ear and heart for God’s tomorrow.
The closure of the chapel does not take place in a vacuum. Some have already pronounced last rites on the Methodist Church in Britain! ‘The Times’ and several other daily newspapers recently quoted the results of a survey which suggested that Methodists would consist of just 3,600 church goers by 2050. Such dire predictions take no account of the far reaching, risk taking new ways of ‘being church’ that are currently gaining strength across the Methodist Connexion. Wherever congregations sincerely grapple with what it means to be God’s people in rapidly changing times there is every sign that as grains of wheat fall to the ground and die, (chapels close or are refurbished or reshaped for mission) so they bear much fruit (John 12.25-28).
It is of course far too early to know what the fruit of the closure of the Bledlow chapel might look like, other than the release of resources for the furtherance of God’s kingdom, but we are people who celebrate all the fruit that this chapel has borne over the years and who firmly believe in the promise of new life through death, and transformation beyond the grave.
Without a doubt the Methodist Church is going through a time of transition. Transitions are often messy, seldom straightforward. In his farewell address as President of the Methodist Conference, Martyn Atkins had this to say about the place in which the Church currently finds itself:
God is preparing British Methodism for both death and renewal. These profound Gospel themes run together, often in the same community, and an obedient Church will therefore be open to both and proper ministry today involves facilitation of both death ad renewal (3 July 2008).
Martyn’s challenge to rediscover ourselves as “belonging to a missionary movement”, as a people who are “passionate about justice, who love mercy and seek to walk humbly with God” is a timely call to all who seek to travel the unknown road with Jesus at their side. Words such as ‘renewal’ and ‘mission’ do not fall easily on every ear and may require re-packaging in order to receive a hearing. ‘New life’ and ‘new growth’ can soften the sound (and who wouldn’t sign up to these?) but the reality of loss and cost are the same, and at this time are keenly felt by the members at the chapel.
I am reminded of a Wesleyan hymn:
All praise to our redeeming Lord,
Who joins us by his grace,
And bids us, each to each restored,
Together seek his face.
He bids us build each other up;
And gathered into one,
To our high calling’s glorious hope
We hand in hand go on
And if our fellowship below
In Jesus be so sweet,
What highest of rapture we shall know
When round his throne we meet!Charles Wesley (1707-88)
To be open to both death and renewal is our calling. It is at the heart of the gospel we proclaim. This is our path and this is God’s promise. We seek to walk forward with open minds and hearts stirred by the Holy Spirit within and ever attentive to the cries of the world without.
Charlotte Collins
Bledlow’s Methodist Minister
The Parish Cookery Book
In addition to over 100 favourite recipes submitted by members and friends of our parish, the book also features over 50 photographs taken within the parish and includes some prayers, amusing anecdotes, poems, quotes and a number of comical sentences which have actually appeared in church magazines and bulletins, or were announced in church services....so it’s not just food!
At £7 per copy, the book is now available.
Please contact Ann Beaton (01844) 343832 for more information.
Our sincere thanks to everyone who contributed in any way to this book - it is very much appreciated.
The three churches in our parish will benefit from the sale of the Cookery Book. Thank you.
Cookery Book MAIL ORDER
Please send your name and full postal address with a cheque for £7.50 (which includes postage and packing) made payable to BLEDLOW PCC to:-
Colin R Lees, Rannerdale, Bledlow, HP27 9QS.
Please allow 28 days for delivery. ■
The Late Margaret Humphreys
Holy Trinity Church, Bledlow is pleased to acknowledge with thanks receipt of a gift of £1,000 from Margaret’s estate.
Margaret was a regular attender throughout her active years, both at Holy Trinity and St Mary’s, Princes Risborough, in the choirs, and latterly received Holy Communion at her home in West Lane and at Cherry Tree Nursing Home. ■
It’s Here! What is? ‘BACK TO CHURCH SUNDAY’
When and Where? 6.00pm at SAUNDERTON CHURCH on 14th SEPTEMBER 2008
Back to Church Sunday (BTCS) is a project which Churches across the country, including those in the Oxford Diocese, have pioneered with success. The idea is to invite those in parishes (we are concentrating this year on Saunderton) who have had some connection in the past with our Churches, to come to see what they are missing. Also welcome are those of you who have never been Church attendees.
We shall be issuing personal invitations to many living across Saunderton to let you know that we shall be offering a normal Evensong Service at Saunderton Church at 6 o’clock on Sunday, 14th September. The hymns and readings will be familiar and the Service will be much the same as the usual Evensong.
You will receive a warm welcome beforehand and light refreshments afterwards…..and meet new neighbours and friends.
WHY NOT GIVE IT A TRY??
We look forward to seeing you at 6.00pm on 14th September.If you have any questions please speak to our Team Vicar or one of the Churchwardens (telephone numbers are shown on the inside front cover).
Parish House Group
We intend to run a House Group in the Parish this autumn. This is an opportunity for an informal gathering of, say, half a dozen to join together for prayer, to read Bible passages and discuss them, and to talk on particular issues etc, in a relaxed atmosphere.
The Group will meet fortnightly at the home of Amanda Day, The Willows, Skittle Green on a Monday or Thursday evening (to be decided).
We hope you will wish to join in. If so please speak to Amanda on [01844] 274041 or the Rev David Dewick. Thank you. ■
Bledlow Fête 2008
I am delighted to report that the Fête this year again raised approximately £7000. It was a magnificent effort and our thanks and appreciation go to everyone who contributed in so many ways to making it such a success - it was a great village occasion and the weather remained pretty kind to us all day. The only blip was finding the 3 marquees upended and blown against the hedge by ferocious overnight winds when we went to clear up on Sunday morning.
The PCC has approved the following donations from the proceeds:-
Bledlow Pre-School £300
Bledlow Cricket Club £400
Bledlow Village Hall £200
Saunderton Hostel £400
Risborough Lighthouse £200
Chiltern Air Ambulance £100
Bledlow Methodist Chapel £400*
The balance will be used for the maintenance of the three Grade 1 listed churches in Bledlow, Saunderton and Horsenden.
* Although the Methodist Chapel is to close in December 2008, this contribution is to cover their Assessment payment for the year
The Fête Committee will be re-forming in the autumn, but with some new faces as a few of us are stepping down after a good number of years service. I send my personal thanks to all the friends who have worked so hard and with such good humour on the Committee over these last few years. I'm sure Bledlow Fête will continue to go from strength to strength in the years to come!
Mary Abbis
The whole community, I am sure, extend their thanks and admiration to Mary and all the members of the Fête 2008 Committee for their hard work during the past 12 months. The Fête was a fantastic success which is a reflection of their efforts.
A special ‘thank you’ to Lord Carrington for the use of his field for the event, and to the members of MFU, the rock band, who gave of their services free! Well done, everyone! CRL
Bledlow Fête Draw Winners
First Prize: William Irons
2nd Prize: Sally Furniss
3rd Prize: Clare Skilbeck
4th Prize: Sally Furniss
5th Prize: Jane Leslie
6th Prize: Jill Thomas
7th Prize: J Wright
8th Prize: Bethan Griffith
9th Prize: Izzie & Angela (Coram Stables)
10th Prize: H Brazier
The Progressive Supper was a Fabulous Success
Forty-eight people joined together on Saturday 5th July to enjoy themselves at various homes around the Parish, making new friends and consuming delicious home-made food!
Thank you very much indeed to all our hosts who provided excellent food and entertained their guests to aperitifs and nibbles, a main course, desserts or coffee and chocolates during the evening. The Old Rectory at Saunderton was full at the start of the evening with those eager to know where they were going to eat and, at the close, The Rectory at Bledlow was overflowing with people chatting to those they had got to know during the course of the evening. Many new acquaintances were made and faces put to names! It was obvious that a good time was had by all.
A fantastic profit of £600 for the church funds was made on the evening – THANK YOU TO EVERYONE who contributed to this tremendous result, but particularly to Ann Beaton and the Social Committee for organising and making the evening such a resounding success. ■
Stayings and Goings in the Risborough Team
We are very pleased that the Rev James Tompkins, currently Curate in the Team, has been appointed Team Vicar of St Dunstan’s. Monks Risborough, in succession to the Rev Can Andrew Maynell. James has firmly established himself over the past few years and we look forward to his Ministry in our Team on a broader basis. James will probably be licensed by the Bishop of Buckingham early in October. We wish James and his wife, Ann, every blessing and happiness.
It is with great sadness that we have learned of the decision of the Rev Dr Paul Fiske to resign on health grounds as Team Rector of Princes Risborough. Paul has served his Ministry there and in the Team for some 11 years and has overseen considerable change. Paul is likely to leave us in October and, as we give thanks to Almighty God for his Ministry and his friendship among us, we wish him and his wife, Susan, a long and happy retirement. DRD
For inclusions in the parish magazine
The Parish Messenger
The Magazine for the Parish of Bledlow with Saunderton & Horsenden
Please submit to
Colin Lees ~ EDITOR
Email:
Copy Deadline: 10 am ~ 10th of the month - this is the ABSOLUTE DEADLINE, but it would be appreciated if, where possible, items could be submitted earlier.