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CONTACT

Magazine of Erdington Methodist ChurchStation Road - April 2010

ContentsMinister’s Letter 3In CONTACT this month 5Family News 6Open Garden 7Memories of 174th & 186th 8Christian Aid Coffee Morning 8The Rev Jane Ashplant 9Sutton Park Circuit Network Notices 9A new Minister for St Chad's 10April’s Story, in many of our gardens 11Climate change again 13Handsworth Gang Show 2010 14An article from our Dronfield Friends 15When I went on a Ramble 16UNICEF put it right 17Cape Wrath 17Christian Aid Week (9-15 May 2010) 18Children’s Pages ~ EASTER 20Biblical quiz 23The Worst job in the World? 24April Fools’ Day 26Jon Venables 27Methodists raise over £70,000 29A Covenant Relationship 30What would you do to change the world? 31Scripture Cake 32Longevity? 32My summer in Chernobyl 33Rhubarb 35Viking funerals 36Easter Prayer 37Answers to Bible Quiz 38Answers to Easter Page 38April 2010 Regular Meetings 39Weekly Church Activities 40

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Minister’s Letter

Dear Friends

A group of teenagers could be heard loudly exclaiming outside the Easter egg display in a well-known chocolate firm –“But no-one believes in the little guy on the cross and I don’t believe in that reincarnation stuff either!” Tempted though I was to explain that Jesus (presumably “the little guy on the cross”) was not in fact re-incarnated but resurrected, I walked past, smiling at the bemused responses which the teenagers’ loud proclamations were getting from other passers-by. What are young people taught today in school and at home –and even in Junior Church?

So – here goes on what I should have said to that fascinating gang of teens blocking the path, causing consternation and being loud with their derisive comments on Easter and all its trappings.

Christians celebrate Easter with a joy which undergirds our faith, for it is the resurrection of Jesus – that is - the belief that God raised Jesus from death. It is not reincarnation (being born again as a different kind of species or person); it is not the reviving of a corpse (which could later die again); it is not about a ghost appearing (for this Jesus eats fish and can be touched by Thomas); nor is it an apparition (which happens in the minds of the beholders) – but it is a resurrection.

Jesus’ resurrection is a vibrant renewing of the person who died, such that he is recognized as himself – a uniquely special individual – but living in a renewed body. Many people find it hard to believe the resurrection. They tend to say, “That sort of thing can’t happen”, usually because science doesn’t go along with it. “Aha!” we then respond – science nowadays is shot through with all sorts of uncertainties and sees that life is far too mysterious for us to dismiss truly impressive events which happen to be unusual (like the creation of the world in the first place). Look at the strong reasons why huge numbers of very sensible and wise people actually believe the Easter story.

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Firstly, an unprecedented change happened to those close friends of Jesus: their hero and leader had been brutally killed in a rigged trial and apparently everything he stood for was lost, with real fears that his followers would be next. Yet within three days of his very public death, these friends are utterly transformed, speaking out with audacity and boldness and starting a vigorous and rapidly-growing community. Nor was there any trace of a grave with Jesus’ body in it. So a mighty conviction reverberated through Jesus’ followers and the Church was born – against all odds. The evidence is in the gospels.

Secondly, the astonishing conviction that Jesus had been raised from death by God began to whirl round the ancient world, growing stronger and firmer every day. It defied bitter persecution, out-lived and out-thought other great faiths which were popular at the time, and has gone on mightily ever since, with a strange capacity to renew itself whenever things get too stuck or settled, resisting the impetus to go stale.

Thirdly, vast numbers of people know it to be true because that belief alone can make sense of their experience. They know and would assert that, “Jesus lives alongside me” or put more simply “Jesus loves me – this I know” or in the words of the great Easter hymn “I know that my redeemer lives, what joy that assurance gives…” These people called Christians know Jesus, not as a sweet memory, not as a vague ghostlike creature, nor as a wish nor as a delusion, but as a vital force for good. So we do indeed celebrate the resurrection of Jesus – in all its delight, shock, purposefulness and mystery.

Christ is risen – He is risen indeed! May Easter joy fill you with hope and new courage

Nichola

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In CONTACT this month . . .We ask for your memories of Brownies

We hear about the commissioning of Revd Anugrah Daniel Ramble

We learn all about Narcissus!

We have a review of the Handsworth Gang Show

We have a couple of articles from our partners in Dronfield

We learn about the work of Christian Aid

Our children’s pages have an Easter theme

We test your biblical knowledge

What do you think the worst job in the world is? We have the answer and I can tell you now that it’s not for the squeamish!!

Peter gives us plenty to ponder upon and challenges us to think how we would change the world

We learn how to bake a ‘Scripture Cake’

and we learn about Rhubarb and Viking Funerals

All of life is here it seems . . . .

and much more . . . .

Hope you enjoy it - ed

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Family News

Letter from Albert & Cynthia WestonWe would like to express our sincere thanks to our friends at Erdington Methodist Church for the lovely basket of flowers and well designed card given to us for our Golden Wedding Anniversary. It was so kind of our friends to sign the card.

Fifty years is a long time to be together but I count my blessings that I have Cynthia to care for me as my health is not too good.

Again, many thanks and God bless you

Yours very sincerely

Albert & Cynthia Weston

Thank YouI would like to say a big thank you for all my cards, flowers and good wishes after my recent operation in January.

Elizabeth Livingstone

Thank YouA big thank you to Marjorie & Brian Barnett. For many years they have distributed flowers to members of our congregation and sometimes to people associated with our church who are in need of "cheering up".  They are now unable to carry on with this ministry.  We thank them for their dedication.

Norma Senior 

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A New ArrivalFor those of you who haven't heard yet, Anthony & Marion Griffin are very pleased to tell you that their daughter, Nessa, and her husband, Gary were safely delivered of a baby boy, Joel Anthony Patrick, on 9th February at Mulingar Hospital, Republic of Ireland. Samuel, now 2, is delighted (as we all are!) with his little brother.

Another New ArrivalCongratulations to Pat & Bob Wilson on the birth of their Great Grandson.

Open Garden Mrs Ann Tomes is opening her very special garden to visitors on Tuesday 15th June in aid of Erdington church funds. Opening times will be from 10.00 till 13.00 and 14.00 to 16.00.

There might be the odd plant for sale and refreshments will be available. However she says that if you would like to sit and linger over your cup of tea then you will need to bring a chair with you. She only has one or two of her own!

Please book the date in your diaries.  More details to follow.

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Memories of 174th & 186th

Helen Bott, ? Elizabeth Baizon (nee Coggins), Gillian Reid

Guiding is celebrating its 100th birthday this year, and I was looking through some old photos for a trip down memory lane with Perry Barr Trefoil Guild.This was taken in about 1974, and was at the Division Parade in Erdington.

Does anyone know who the Brownie who is 2nd on the left is?

To celebrate Guiding’s birthday we are asking you to share some of your memories of the 174th or 186th Brownies and Guides with Contact. Memories can be handed to any of the CONTACT team listed on the back page of this magazine.

Elizabeth Baizon

Christian Aid Coffee MorningThere will be a Coffee Morning on Saturday 15th May 2010, 10.00 am to 12.00 noon. Please do your best to support this event.

Norma Senior

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The Rev Jane AshplantMany of you will know that Jane is our new minister and she will be taking up this new post during August. The manse where she will live has been let now for a number of years and will need a little sprucing up before she can move in.

At the moment it appears that the current tenants will be moving out at the end of May. Therefore it has been suggested that we organise a working party 4th and 5th and/or 11th and 12th June to undertake the cleaning of the house and clearing of the garden.

Please look out for further information in the notices and a sign up list in the foyer.

Peter Farley

Sutton Park Circuit Network NoticesThe Women's Network of the Methodist Church aims to encourage, enable and equip women to participate fully in the life of the Church and in society.

World Vision Day at Blackwood Methodist Church on Friday 9th April 2010 - 10.00 am to 3.00 pm

Speakers will be Mrs Margaret Gardner (The Gambia) and Mrs Carolyn Bing (Zimbabwe)

The day will include a faith lunch - drinks will be provided.

Easter Offering Service will be at Streetly Methodist Church on Friday 7th May 2010 at 7.30 pm.

Speaker will be Sister Phyllis Thorne from Four Oaks Methodist Church.

All are welcome to our meetings.

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A new Minister for St Chad'sOn 4th March Revd Anugrah Daniel Ramble was Licensed by the Bishop of Aston to the Cure of Souls, Anglican Chaplain to the University of Aston and Assistant Curate for St Chad's in the Erdington Team Ministry and authorised to serve for St Chad's in the Sutton Park Methodist Circuit. A packed church with representatives of all the areas in which he will minister, gave Daniel an enthusiastic welcome in a service which was led with warmth and affection by the Bishop, the Rt Revd Andrew Watson who also preached the sermon on the theme of being and doing.

At the end of the Service came the Commissioning and some challenging words when the Bishop asked both the congregation and Daniel:-

As part of God's church here in Erdington and in the University of Aston, I call upon you to live out what you proclaim. Empowered by God's Holy Spirit, will you dare to walk into God's future, trusting him to be your guide?All By the Spirit's power, we will.

Will you dare to embrace each other and grow together in love?All We will

Will you dare to share your riches in common and minister to each other in need?All We will

Will you dare to pray for each other until your hearts beat with the longings of God?All We will

Will you dare to carry the light of Christ into the world's dark places?All We will

We welcome Daniel and his wife Judith to St Chad's and the life of the wider Circuit.

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April’s Story, in many of our gardensAs April approaches, I think it is true to say we all look forward to the cheerful appearance of daffodils in our gardens and parks. Their bright yellow positively shines following the gloom of winter, lifting our spirits and filling our hearts with gladness. We feel the warmth of the sun and the reflection of the sun’s rays in the daffodils makes our hearts sing. My garden is packed with daffodils, and although I hate the time when the leaves are dying back, I just love to see their brilliance, cheering the borders and beds. I really know that Spring is on the way.

The name Daffodil, from the genus Narcissus, is taken from a youth of legend. In the legend of Greek mythology, Echo and Narcissus is probably one of the best known, but worth telling again. We can learn a great deal about ourselves if we read the story rightly.

Echo, a wood nymph loved a youth named Narcissus, a beautiful creature loved by many but he, in turn, loved no one. He loved praise, attention and envy, and in Narcissus’s eyes, no one was worthy of him. Echo, a great talker, helped the adulterous husband of Juno to escape by engaging Juno in conversation. When Juno realised Echo’s treachery she cursed her by removing her voice, with the exception that she could only repeat what was said to her.

Echo often hid and awaited Narcissus, hoping for a chance to be noticed. One day she heard him approaching and he called out “Who’s here?” Echo replied “Here!” Narcissus called again, “Come”, and Echo replied “Come!” Narcissus called ”Join me,” whereupon Echo ran towards him and threw herself upon him.

Angrily, Narcissus threw her off, shouting, “I would rather die than you should have me”. Echo, broken hearted, ran away to the mountains yearning for a love that would never be returned. The grief killed her and her body became a mountain stone. All that remained was her voice which replied in kind when others spoke.

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Narcissus attracted many nymphs, all of whom he entertained for a while but then grew tired of them before they too, were scorned and refused. The gods grew tired of this behaviour and cursed him. They wanted Narcissus to know what it was like to love and never be loved in return, so they made it so that there was only one whom he would love, someone who was not real and could never love him back.

One day Narcissus came upon a pool of water, he bent down and gazed into it and caught a glimpse of what he thought was a beautiful water spirit. He did not recognise his own reflection and immediately fell in love with it. He bent down to kiss the vision and as he did so the reflection mimicked his actions. Taking this as a sign of reciprocation, Narcissus reached down to draw the spirit to him. The water displaced and the spirit was gone. He panicked; his love was gone. As the water became calm so the spirit reappeared. “Why, you beautiful being do you shun me? Surely my face is not one to repel you? The nymphs love me and you look favourably upon me.” Again he reached out his arms and his love disappeared. Afraid to touch the water again, Narcissus lay still by the pool gazing into the eyes of his vision.

He cried in frustration. As he did so Echo also cried. He did not move, he did not eat or drink, he only suffered and pined away. Narcissus, like Echo, died with grief. His body disappeared and where his body once lay, a flower, believed to be the daffodil, grew in its place. The nymphs mourned his death and as they mourned, so did Echo. * * * * *

The story of Echo and Narcissus is used as a warning to those who love someone that cannot return that love and is often used as a basis for understanding the implications of a condition known as Narcissistic Personality Disorder or Borderline Personality Disorder. (You can read more about this on line http://www.echo.me.uk/legend.htm)

Ann Tomes

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Climate change againThe recent revelation that the claim by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) that Himalayan glaciers would all be melted by 2035 was based on flawed evidence has led to a renewed feeding frenzy by climate change skeptics. They have also found other evidence of inaccuracies, which has added fuel to their flaming zeal. For example the Dutch Government has recently admitted that their original claim of 55% for the country being below sea level should actually read 55% is at risk of flooding, only 26% is below sea level. This is indeed a significant change but doesn’t seem to me to materially alter the fact that many Dutch people are at risk if sea levels rise.

I don’t have a particular axe to grind about climate change and I certainly don’t belong to the hair shirt brigade. I do though accept that something is happening and that we need to alter our behaviour to attempt to minimise the chance of a global catastrophe. I have seen enough glacial retreat on skiing holidays to know that something is afoot. However the threat of climate change is not the only reason to change how we live our lives. Climate change scientists would have us believe that one of the largest sources of CO2 is the burning of oil. Now even taking into account the possibility of new oil reserves around the Falkland Islands the world is approaching the time when there will no longer be enough of the black stuff to go round and then the price really will start to rise.

However one of the good things about this whole debate concerning climate change is that it gives us all a golden opportunity to review how we live our lives. We are able to say, without any controversy or doubt, the world will soon be running out of oil, the price will become higher than I would want or am able to pay and therefore what can I do now to reduce my dependence, in the future, upon this disappearing resource. So we can plan to change our lifestyle without having to admit, with damage to our pride, that in the past we may have got it wrong and we just might have been short sighted or greedy.

Peter Farley

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Handsworth Gang Show 2010

Now in its 57th Year, I was really looking forward to the ever popular Handsworth Gang Show. I had thoroughly enjoyed the 2008 Gang Show and the latest show was equally impressive.

This year’s Show included music and dance from the 1930’s right up until the present day and so there was something for people of all ages to enjoy. It covered everything from Hollywood to Bollywood with great singing, acting and comedy from the 100 strong cast of Children and Adults.

I particularly enjoyed seeing Alan Baizon dressed as Bob the Builder running across the stage carrying a gigantic fish and many other props. There was also a really clever sketch called ‘If I were not upon this stage’ which was very funny and performed with expert timing. My other favourite sketches included ‘Les Miserables’, ‘Back to the Future’ and the ‘Blues Brothers’.

I was very impressed with the great singing and acting but for me the most uplifting aspect was seeing the obvious enjoyment that the children and all others in the cast were getting from taking part in this extravaganza. In an age where we frequently hear that there is nothing for youngsters to do these days, it was an absolute joy to see youngsters enjoying themselves in such a positive way. Some of them looked too young to be on stage but the experience that they have gained will build their self confidence and stand them in good stead for the rest of their lives.

It is hard to believe that the first Handsworth Gang Show took place in 1953 (before I was born) but with the obvious enthusiasm and hard work of the Production Team and everyone else involved, the Gang Show looks set for many more years of continued success. Long may they keep ‘riding on the crest of a wave’. Ian Rossiter

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An article from our Dronfield Friends

ONLY Paul Scholes understands how hard it was for Nicola Minichiello to qualify for the Olympics.

A rare eye condition left the World Championship gold medallist battling the odds in a gruelling bobsleigh qualifying campaign.

“It was a pretty intense time,” said Nicola. “In the space of five days I went from full vision to losing 80 per cent of sight in my left eye. A hole formed in the back of my eyeball and fluid leaked in so I couldn't focus properly. It wasn't injury or illness, just a random occurrence. Manchester United player Paul Scholes had the same problem at the end of 2005. I remember people wondering what was going on with him when he couldn't play. He could tell you exactly what it's like when something you take for granted like your sight is suddenly compromised. I had two sessions of laser surgery over Christmas that got rid of half the fluid. I then raced back to the circuit to finish qualification."

Nicola's vision has not fully returned yet but she is confident of placing a medal from Vancouver next to the world gold she picked up at Lake Placid last year.

"I've got total trust in my team," she said.

Nicola Minichiello, Driver of the Women’s Bobsleigh in the Winter Olympics grew up in Dronfield. With her Brake team mate, Gill Cooke, their bobsleigh crashed at 140kph (70mph) at curve 11 in the finals of the Women’s Bobsleigh event sending them sliding trapped inside the bobsleigh until it came to a stop. Fortunately they were able to climb out suffering only minor injuries.

Nicola Gautier, born 1977/8, lived with her mother, brother Andrew and younger sister, Amanda in Dronfield. Nicola attended St. Paul’s Sunday School for some time and was also in the Girls’ Brigade.

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!

She married Tony Minichiello, Australian coach to Sheffield’s heptathlete, Jessica Ennis.

It was only at Christmas that Nicola had laser treatment for a serious eye problem which restored most of her vision to normal.

To our shame, as a town, her memories of her earlier years in Dronfield are dominated by episodes of bullying and name-calling because of her family circumstances. Sheffield is now her home base although her mother Yvonne still lives in Dronfield.

Nicola trained as a teacher and now works as a Youth Sports’ Trust mentor helping youngsters taking part in athletics.

Greg Gobere

When I went on a Ramble

The best bit was climbing the stiles. There were lots of of them.

The worst bit was the mud because I nearly lost my boots.

The funniest bit was when Nick dropped his apple and it rolled into the water.

The saddest bit was when we found a fox’s tail and a dead swan.

I enjoyed the ramble.

by Anjali Churcher (age 6)

The above proves that rambles are open to all ages - why not come and join us. Meet at Church at 9.30 am on the first Saturday of each month. Bring some strong shoes and some water-proofs might be a good idea - ed

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UNICEF put it rightSome will have seen the current adverts on the telly for this UNICEF campaign. The ads tell the story of six children in the developing world who are denied their chance of going to school. Various reasons are sighted but in reality they come down to family poverty with or without the loss of one or both parents. Either the family need an extra breadwinner or the school is too far away or too expensive. Sometimes there is also the cultural complication of prejudice against educating girls.

The Millenium Development Goals (MDG) which were agreed with much fanfare by world leaders in 2000 included the following - Ensure that, by 2015, children everywhere, boys and girls alike, will be able to complete a full course of primary schooling. The MDG were supposed to be achieved by 2015. The UN secretary general has called on world leaders to attend a summit 20-22 September this year in New York to boost progress towards meeting the MDG.

Find out more about what UNICEF is doing to try and ensure that all children have a full primary education at http://www.unicef.org.uk/putitright/

Peter Farley

Cape WrathI am happy to tell you that I now have successfully uploaded an outline map of the route I will be following from Mallaig to Cape Wrath onto my new JustGiving page. If you go to justgiving.com and put in Peter Farley. I am the one in the green shirt, there are two Peter Farleys. As the date approaches, hopefully, my pages will become more informative.

Peter Farley

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Children’s Pages ~ EASTER1. What is the date of Easter Sunday this year? 2. What is another name for Shrove Tuesday? 3. What is Ash Wednesday? 4. Why is it called Ash Wednesday? 5. What does Maundy Thursday celebrate? Place these special days in order

Maundy Thursday 

 Good Friday

Palm Sunday

Shrove Tuesday

Ash Wednesday

Easter is really for Jesus, Who died and then rose from the dead.

We must always remember the love Jesus showedAnd all of the things that He said.

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EASTER FUN JOIN THE DOTS BY COUNTING IN THREES

1. A man wanted an Easter pet for his daughter. He looked at a baby chick and a baby duck. They were both very cute, but he decided to buy the baby chick. Do you know why? The baby chick was a little cheeper!

2.What did the rabbits do after their wedding? Went on their bunnymoon!

3. Did you hear about the lady whose house was infested with Easter eggs? She had to call an eggs-terminator!

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EASTER ALLITERATIONSAlliteration is what happens when the words in a phrase or a sentence begin with the same letter and sound. Alliteration is used to make writing more interesting. It is also used to write tongue twisters. Here is an example of an alliteration using the word bunny and its beginning b sound.

Bouncing bunnies bring bountiful treats.Use the dotted line to have a go at writing alliteration. A dictionary might help you find words.…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

COLOUR THE PICTURE

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Biblical quiz

1. Dinah was Jacob’s daughter by which wife?

2. Which of Lazarus’ two sisters was busy preparing a meal while the other listened to Jesus?

3. What was the occupation of the man whose family Paul baptized at Philippi after an earthquake?

4. In Genesis, Nahor was the brother of which patriarch?

5. What did Abraham’s wife do when she heard she was to have a son in her old age?

6. Which two sons covered up Noah’s nakedness after he became drunk?

7. Whose mother sang a song know as the Magnificat?

8. In which chapter of his Gospel does Luke recount the Parable of the Prodigal Son?

9. Who was the mother of Timothy?

10.Who was King Saul’s eldest son?

Answers on page 38

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The Worst job in the World? In January, WaterAid hosted a film screening of “The worst job in the world?” and launched a new international report that calls for the eradication of the degrading practice of manual scavenging in India.

More than one million people in India, mostly women, are manual scavengers who physically remove human excrement from latrines with no protective equipment; a clear violation of their human rights. The vibrant face of modern India has an ugly stain – the practice of manual scavenging. A section of society continues to be forced to work in stinking sub-human conditions by a centuries-old custom, even though it was made illegal in 1993.

WaterAid is supporting local parter Safai Karmachari Andolan to eradicate this deplorable practice and identify alternative livelihoods for scavengers.

In Ethiopia, WaterAid’s geological surveys found water but the source was impossible to reach with drilling machinery. The Ethiopian community are literally building their own path out of poverty.

The men, women and children disfiguring the hillside near Terate in Konso, southern Ethiopia, are not a typical African road gang. The road they are building is for themselves.

Swathes of East Africa are devastated by drought, and the continent is seen as the most vulnerable to climate change, least responsible for causing it, and least able to afford the costs of managing it.

When WaterAid said it had found a promising site for a well inside Konso’s concertina of hills with no way of getting the drilling machinery to it, the villagers said that was not a problem. They would build an access road themselves.

Women have to walk to collect water from rivers which, in a rainy season can take 5 hours: in a dry season it can take 24 hours. Hunger is widespread in Konso because the spring harvest has been poor in the past 2 years due to

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low rainfall. Shortages of clean water can be just as devastating to human health because they let dangerous pathogens spread across homes, food and fingers. If WaterAid finds a little water at the end of the new road near Terate it will set up a handpump, but if it finds a lot it will built a generator-powered system to pipe it to the village. That should transform the health of its people and liberate its women from the drudgery of water collection.Ethiopia…the facts… Over 73,000 children die every single year from diarrhoeal diseases caused by unsafe water and poor sanitation.

Last year WaterAid helped 71,000 people to gain access to safe water and 65,000 to sanitation.

Blind singers, Amadou and Mariam are singers from Mali who have played packed venues from Bamako to Glastonbury. They have that magical combination of passion, charisma and something to say, not only entertaining people, but connect with them to make things happen. They believe in singing songs relating to life which is why they wanted to be linked closely to WaterAid. They remember their childhood when sanitation was non-existent. They have seen some improvements in Mali brought about by WaterAid following their launch of the End Water Poverty campaign in 2007. Album sales have rocketed and tours have taken them around the globe, and their passion for WaterAid’s cause remains undimmed.

Amadou says, “Ensuring that people have safe, clean water and sanitation is nothing less than fighting for the wellbeing of humanity. In some villages in Africa we have travelled to we know that many diseases, particularly blindness, come from dirty water.” So they support WaterAid’s fight for clean water and sanitation, especially for disabled people. Their commitment and energy is invaluable, but you don’t have to be international stars to raise awareness or break taboos.

At the UN Millennium Summit in 2000, the United Nations – all 189 member states – agreed on 8 Millennium Development Goals with the aim of halving world poverty by 2015. But the importance of sanitation was completely overlooked. After thousands signed a WaterAid petition to the

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UK Government, an amendment was finally made committing the world to halving the proportion of people living without access to sanitation by 2015. Now, with just 5 years left, time is running out. In Africa, at the present rates of progress, the sanitation target will not be met until 2108 – almost a century too late. The future of millions of people worldwide depends upon what governments decide.

Take action today. Log on to www.wateraid.org/campaigns

Compiled from WaterAid’s Magazine “Oasis” by Ann Tomes

April Fools’ DayIn 1957 Panorama, a TV programme, fooled millions of Brits into believing that spaghetti grows on trees! The show announced that thanks to a very mild winter and the virtual elimination of the dreaded spaghetti weevil, Swiss farmers were enjoying a bumper spaghetti crop.

In 2002 Tesco published an advertisement announcing the successful development of a genetically modified whistling carrot with tapered air holes in their side. The extraordinary carrots would start to whistle once fully cooked!

In 2006 The Daily Express claimed that biscuits were being mixed into tarmac to help make roads safer. "Scientists yesterday revealed that broken biscuits are in fact the perfect material to help resurface roads... Years of experimental research revealed that crushed-up ginger nuts are the best biscuit for a road's sub-base, as they are more porous and allow water to drain away."

Thanks to Google for the above!

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Jon VenablesSeventeen years ago the country woke up to the murder of a two-year-old boy in Liverpool, James Bulger. The CCTV pictures of him being led away through the Bootle shopping mall were everywhere. His brutalised body was found later on a local railway line where he had been beaten to death. How could anyone murder such an innocent child? Then when it was discovered that the perpetrators were ten year olds the spasm of national guilt was almost palpable. What had we done as a nation that children could be allowed to grow up with a view of the world, which would in any way make such behaviour acceptable?

The two boys who abducted and murdered James Bulger, Robert Thompson and Jon Venables were convicted and sent to a Secure Unit for an unspecified period. Children who are sent to such centres are exposed, probably for the first time, to a strict regimen of discipline from concerned adults where they would have been made to face up to the consequences of their actions. Because of the way that such units operate reoffending rates are lower than in other parts of the penal system. Both of the boys apparently progressed well with Jon being successful with his A level studies. When the two boys were of an age to progress to an adult prison it was decided, after much heart-searching that because their behaviour had improved so much it would be in their best interests if they were released under licence. As the supporters of James Bulger’s family had made threats to the lives of the two youths, to facilitate their release they were both given, at considerable expense, new identities. At the same time injunctions were put in place to prevent press coverage of their new lives. It should be remembered that if the normal due process of the law had been followed at that time of the original trial then new identities would not have been necessary because the children would only ever have been identified as child A and child B. And so they disappeared from view.

Recently, we are told, Jon Venables broke the terms of his licence and is back in prison, presumably still under his new identity. Even more recently I have noticed a scandalised headline claiming that he is not to be prosecuted. It is an interesting question to pose but as a 27-year-old adult who has lived a secret life, with constant supervision, for almost ten years and who has now

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gone astray, is he still entitled to the anonymity, which was granted to him all those years ago? Presumably the threats to his life are as real now as they were then, maybe even more so if he is in prison. So a very good case can be made for the maintenance of his disguise. Also given the current news frenzy about this case it would be impossible for him to have a fair trial for his new offence if his details are leaked. The result of that would be that any new victims would perforce go without their ‘justice’.

There are those who would say that one of the foundations of our civilised life is an orderly process of law and order, which takes into account public opinion without pandering to easily roused emotions of retribution or the justice of lynch mob. This is perhaps a moment to recall that the oft-quoted Old Testament maxim an eye for an eye was a civilising statute. What Moses was actually saying was that equating the punishment with the crime was the maximum that the victim should expect, rather than this was the victim’s right and that the punishment should not become part of an ever increasing cycle of violence.

The other side of the argument is also relevant. At what point is it appropriate to say to someone like Jon Venables, you are now an adult and you must live with the consequences of your actions? I suppose that the answer to that question would need to contain a consideration of what sort of person he is now and how damaged he had become by the age of ten. Does he have the self-awareness and personal empathy to understand what he actually did then or was supposed to have done recently? We must also bear in mind that maybe someone has discovered who he is and set him up.

A third factor which unfortunately needs consideration in our retribution eager society, is that some will seek to use the apparent failure in this case to claim that such rehabilitation efforts are a waste of taxpayers money and that criminals should just be locked up. However, as Christians we have to believe that everyone, especially a child, is entitled to another chance. After all Jesus said suffer the children to come to me and forgive seventy times seven.

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So to recap, Jon Venables may have his freedom but he will never be free. He might have a new life in a new suite but every night he must go to bed remembering what he did. Secondly he may have his freedom but how free is free when he has to report to his Probation Officer every time he changes his address, his job, his college and his girlfriend. Thirdly even Nazi war criminals were entitled to a fair trial, how much more should that apply to a child of ten. What he did 17 years ago as that ten-year-old child was wrong but that really has almost no relevance to what he may have done last month as a 27-year-old adult.

Finally I heard an interview with the solicitor who was given the brief to act for Jon Venable’s defence. Apparently after the initial questioning when Jon admitted what he had done his final comment as his lawyer went out was ‘Please tell his Mum I’m sorry’. Peter Farley

Methodists raise over £70,000A Methodist fundraising appeal has raised £74,432 to help victims of the floods which struck Cumbria in November.

The floods destroyed businesses and homes in the county, particularly in Cockermouth, which was badly hit by the devastation.

The Revd Richard Teal, chair of the Cumbria District, said, “This money will make an enormous difference to people. Cockermouth has been going through a sense of bereavement. All the media attention has subsided and people are left with the reality of it.”

Cockermouth Lorton Street Methodist Church is opening from 10am to 12pm, six days a week to offer people free coffee and advice. The Mana Credit Union is also using the church as a base to help people with debt management.

from the Methodist Church News Service

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A Covenant RelationshipMethodist President and Vice-President affirm Commitment to a Covenant Relationship with the Church of England

The president and the vice-president of the Methodist Conference addressed the Church of England’s General Synod last month, expressing the Methodist Church’s commitment to a covenant relationship with the Church of England and answering questions from synod members in a discussion following their address.

The Revd David Gamble and Dr Richard Vautrey said that the Covenant was a “serious, deeply committed relationship” and “not an irrelevant extra”. They said that responses to the challenges of the Covenant should be driven by a desire for mission.However, the president’s comment that attracted the most attention was that the Methodist Church is “prepared to be changed and even to cease having a separate existence as a Church if that will serve the needs of the kingdom".  This follows the Anglican-Methodist Covenant signed in November 2003, which was approved by Methodist Conference, after debate and votes at all district synods and circuit meetings.

Following media attention and to clarify matters, the president and vice-president joined with the Revd Dr Martyn Atkins, general secretary of the Methodist Church to send out a pastoral letter to all Methodist people.  You can read the full text of the letter by visiting the Methodist Church website at www.methodist.org.uk

from the Methodist Church News Service

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What would you do to change the world? My attention was drawn recently to a request thrown out by a commentator, probably after some part political discussion, ‘And what would you do to change the world?’

It made me stop and think. It is too easy for each one of us to sit and grouse and blame others for our current situation. I remember years ago having a discussion with a personal development consultant. The only thing that I can remember him saying other than to the effect ‘I don’t know why you are here’ was that ‘no one has a monopoly on wisdom’. I carried that with me for years whenever work got tough.

It is also relevant to our current political and financial situation. So given the magnitude of the problems with UK.com and that still no one has the monopoly on wisdom what would you do to save our country and change the world?

Answers on a post card please, to a member of the Contact editorial committee.

Thanks

Peter Farley

printed with kind permission of the artist - Keith Reynolds

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Scripture Cake

Book Chapter Verse

4 ½ cups 1 Kings 4 22

1 ½ cups Judges 5 25

2 cups Jeremiah 6 20

2 cups Samuel 30 12

1 cup Nahum 3 12

1 cup Numbers 17 8

2 tbsp Exodus 16 31

6 Isaiah 10 14

Pinch of Leviticus 2 13

½ cup Judges 4 19

2 tsp Amos 4 5

Season to taste 1 Kings 10 10

Follow Solomon’s prescription for making a good child Proverbs 13:24

If you follow the readings, you have all the ingredients for a cake!

Longevity?You can’t do anything about the length of your life, but you can do something about its width and depth.

                                                            Evan Esar

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My summer in ChernobylOn April 26th, 1986 there was a huge explosion at a nuclear power plant at Chernobyl, on the border between Ukraine and Belarus. Many tons of radioactive materials were thrown into the air, with around 70 percent of the substances landing in Belarus, and the other 30 percent was carried around the world.

Even though this disaster happened over 20 years ago, the effects are still very clear today with thyroid cancer increasing by more than 100 times in children, and there has been a huge increase in other types of cancer, heart disease, respiratory problems and birth defects.

Since the disaster, many charities have been created to help the children who live in the surrounding areas of Chernobyl to give them a better standard of life, and hopefully help with their health issues. I am sure many of you are already aware of such work that goes on, and will have seen some of the children who come over to live with different families, one of these families

being my own.As I have grown up, the Chernobyl Children’s project has been a big focus in our family life and the different ways in which we could help it, such as fundraising and having a girl stay with us, but I decided to go one step further and actually go out there myself to help the children that are too poorly to come over here themselves. Every summer, 120

disabled Belarusian children leave their orphanages for three weeks of fun at a holiday camp in an uncontaminated part of the Belarusian countryside. Along with these children 10 English volunteers fly over to make sure that the children have the best time possible, and this summer I was among those volunteers.

The children, aged from around 4 up to 25, have a huge array of disabilities. This can range from mental disabilities such as downs syndrome or autism, to physical disabilities such as cerebral palsy. The only similarity that these children have is that they are all orphans. The cost for a child to go over to this summer camp is £120, which the government pays for until the child

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reaches 18, but once they are older than 18 the charity which I went with pays for them. This holiday is so important for the children, and becomes something that they look forward to all year round! If it was not for the charity these children would not be able to experience things that your own children or grandchildren take for granted, such as painting, colouring in, running around outside, and just playing like any normal child should be able to.

Before I went over to Belarus each of the volunteers was sent an email asking for items to take over. We had no art materials, toys or games, so literally anything I could find that was suitable for children I collected to take over. Trying to find toys for 100 children of all age groups is a struggle, and by the time I had finished, there was hardly any space left for my clothes in my suitcase. Along with there not being any toys for the children, they also didn’t have any toiletries. For the 6 weeks that the children were there the carers only have one bottle of shampoo for all of the children, so we all stocked up on shampoo, soap, painkillers, plasters, and anything else we could get out hands on.

The children arrived on the 21st of July, and even though I was a little nervous and apprehensive about meeting them, as soon as the children got there all of my fears dissolved. There was no time to be worried and as soon as they got off the coach the hard work started. Our days started at half 7 in the morning when we had to be up helping the carers to change the children, and we worked through till 9 at night. The last hour of the day was a disco, which the children absolutely loved, and by the end of the few weeks I had learnt my fair share of Russian songs. Every minute that we spent with the children was special, and even though there was a huge language barrier this never posed a problem, as they usually ended up laughing at our very poorly pieced together Russian.

The one thing that I struggled with most over in Belarus was the lack of knowledge the carers had about the children’s illnesses. There were three teenage boys in wheelchairs that have stuck in my mind the most, as mentally

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they were all very able, but just did not have the use of their legs. If these boys had lived in England they would have been living independently, but instead they would spend the rest of their lives in institutions for disabled people. Another little girl needed a wheel chair, but the orphanage could not afford to buy her one, so instead she had to use a walker that was too small and meant her legs dragged on the floor. For the lucky children that did have

wheelchairs they were all in a very poor condition. For example, one child had to share his wheelchair with another boy, and even though both of them were about the size of a two year old, the wheel chair was supposed to be for an adult so it had a piece of string over the front so the child did not fall out.

I loved my time over in Belarus and will be returning next year, but this time I hope to be able to raise enough money to take over wheelchairs, walkers, splints, and special boots to help some of the children walk. The children are in desperate need of such simple things that we take for granted, and knowing that we can make a difference to just one child is such an uplifting feeling!

Jessica Davidson

Rhubarb What did you think when you saw the title of this piece? Was it an image of the long red or pink stalks or a memory of a bowl stewed rhubarb and custard or a portion of rhubarb crumble with cream. To a smaller group, mainly thespians, rhubarb is the word used when they are pretending to chat amongst themselves in a stage crowd scene.

Records of the cultivation of Rhubarb in China go back over 5,000 years. The rhizome or root contains the anthroquinones, emodin and rhein, which are very effective laxatives. These compounds are also found in the stem and leaves but at much lower concentrations. When the rhizomes first arrived in Europe, because of the distance that they had been transported they were more expensive than cinnamon and saffron.

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Rhubarb stalks, when cooked, are very acidic because of their oxalic acid content. So it was not until sugar became plentiful and cheap in the 17th century that people began to think about stewing the stalks for puddings, jams and crumbles. It is the high levels of oxalic acid in the leaves that has led to the perception that they are toxic. In fact you or I would have to consume several kilos of leaves before it became remotely poisonous.

Because rhubarb was originally cultivated for the rhizome rather than the stems it is classified as a vegetable. However, as the root is now rarely used, other than to ensure that the stalks appear again next year such a classification is probably not very helpful.

Why am I telling you all of this? Well on the 26th February Yorkshire Forced Rhubarb, grown in the Rhubarb Triangle, bounded by Bradford, Wakefield and Leeds, became the 41st British food to be granted Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status within the European Union. So now if you see goods described as Yorkshire Forced Rhubarb you can be sure of where it comes from. As such it joins other British produce such as Swaledale Cheese, Cornish Clotted Cream and Arbroath Smokies, which are similarly protected. It also joins other foods from across the EU, which enjoy protection from supermarket impersonation such as Roqufort Cheese, Balsamic Vinegar of Modena and Palma Ham.

Who says the EU is good for nothing?

Viking funeralsSome may have followed the case of the Hindu man from Newcastle who on 10th Feb 2010 obtained a Court of Appeal ruling that the 1902 Cremation Act does not in fact preclude him from having his body cremated on an open-air pyre. Until that time it was believed that such a pyre was only legal with an urn of ashes rather than a body.

So now if you fancy a grand send off you could have a boat built and have your body floated off into the night with all the accompanying pyrotechnics.

Peter Farley36

Easter Prayer

When everything was darkand it seemed that the sun wouldnever shine again,Your love broke through.

You love was too strong,too wide,too deepfor death to hold.

The sparks cast by Your lovedance and spreadand burst forthwith resurrection light.

Gracious God,We praise You for the light of new lifemade possible through Jesus.We praise You for the light of new lifethat shone on the first witnesses of resurrection.We praise You for the light of new lifethat continues to shine in our hearts today.

We pray that the Easter light of life, hope and joy,will live in us each day;and that we will be bearers of that lightinto the lives of others.

Amen

Michaela YoungsonSuperintendent Minister of the Ealing Trinity Circuit

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Answers to Bible Quiz1. Leah

2. Martha

3. Jailer

4. Abraham

5. She laughed

6. Shem and Japheth

7. Jesus’ mother

8. Chapter 15

9. Eunice

10. Jonathan

Answers to Easter Page1. 4th April2. Pancake Day3. Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent and falls

between February 4th and March 11th, six and a half weeks before Easter.

4. Lent is a time when people are sorry for the wrong things in their lives and they ask God for forgiveness, and ashes are signs of sadness.

5. It is the day when Jesus had his last meal with his disciples

Correct order for special days

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Shrove Tuesday

Ash Wednesday

Palm Sunday

Maundy Thursday

Good Friday

April 2010 Regular Meetings

Coffee Mornings Each Saturday 10.00 am to 12.00 noon

Women’s Hour Meetings Meetings at 2.00 pm each month

Tuesday Club Every 4th Tuesday in the month at 2.30 pm

Sunday Worship All worship starts at 10.30 am unless stated otherwise below

1st MAUNDY THURSDAY - Rev Nichola Jones - 7.30 pm

2nd GOOD FRIDAY - Churches Together in Erdington hold an open-air service on Erdington High Street - by the Co-op at 10.30 am

4th Easter Morning Communion at 8.30 am at Stockland Green Methodist EASTER MORNING WORSHIP - Rev Nichola Jones

11th Rev Gillian Le Boutillier-Scott CIRCUIT CHURCHES TOGETHER MEETINGS SUNDAY SPICE - at Kingstanding Methodist - 6.30 pm TRADITIONAL EVENING SERVICE at South Parade Methodist - 6.30 pm

18th ALL AGE WORSHIP - Liz Topliss

25th GENERAL CHURCH MEETING - Rev Nichola Jones

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Weekly Church ActivitiesSunday 10.30 am MORNING WORSHIP and

Young Church (with crèche : Margaret Hillman)

7.30 pm House Group : Hilary Price - (3rd Sunday)

Monday 2.00 pm Women’s Hour :

Tuesday 9.30 - 11.30 am9.30 - 12.00 noon2.00 pm

Stay and PlayPre-School : Karen HomerTuesday Afternoon Meeting : Valerie Long (4th)

Wednesday 9.30 - 11.30 am9.30 - 12.00 noon12.30 pm

Stay and PlayPre-School : Karen HomerLuncheon Club - (1st and 3rd)

Thursday 9.30 - 12.00 noon Pre-School : Karen Homer

Friday 5.00 - 6.15 pm6.15 - 7.45 pm7.45 - 9.15 pm7.45 - 9.15 pm5.30 - 6.30 pm5.00 - 6.30 pm7.30 - 9.00 pm

Beavers : Lynn TurnerCubs : Elizabeth BaizonScouts : Lisa PorterExplorers : Caroline JoyceRainbows : Louise RawsonBrownies : Lesley CarterGuides : Helen Rainsford

Saturday 10.00 - 12.00 noon10.30 - 11.30 am

Coffee Morning : Lesley MorganChurch open for prayer : Margaret Curzon

Please hand any items for the May CONTACT to any of the Editorial Team (Elizabeth Baizon, Peter Farley, Nichola Jones, Christine Rankin, Ann Tomes & Nick Riley) by 15th April 2010 at the latest please or alternatively email me on nickriley@blueyonder.co.uk

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