Reports for April

On Sunday, 27 April, the focus of our Circuit Prayers is on Cuddington.

Dear All
We join Colin and Margaret as they share their story of how God has worked in their lives, and the joy they have found within the scriptures. As we celebrate our risen Lord this week, please pray for the lovely fellowship in Cuddington, and pray that we may also rediscover the joy of reading God's word, and recognise His presence in our lives.
Pete

Margaret writes:
I am writing this article on Easter Sunday. I am not at Church as Colin is unwell and so life is rather hectic at the moment.
As we celebrated our Diamond Wedding – 60 years – and looked back on that day, 26th September 1964 and gave thanks, I saw God's hand on our lives and God's faithfulness to us and our family during that time. God never fails us whether the journey is rough or smooth. The Bible has always been central to our lives and the yardstick to live by.
When you open the book of Psalms there is so much to guide us. Everyone knows Psalm 23 but did you know that God's names are enshrined in the verses? In Colin's Bible he has written them by each verse. Psalm 24, God as the King of Glory. Just 2 examples of the wealth of information about God our Heavenly Father. Things happen in our lives and so often difficult to understand and during our 60 years together tragedies happen and we question as to why but we have discovered the truth of the Bible that God is always there.
We have discovered over the years that saying that 'the family that prays together stays together'. Prayer is not confined to Sundays in Church but as we meet together to pray in the week and bring everything to God in prayer we not only worship and bring our questions to God but we become closer to God and each other. Spending that time the Holy Spirit leads us as to God's plan individually and as a Church.
I look over the years when God has been working at Cuddington and we have seen many lives touched and changed. Our numbers may be small at the moment but we still see lives being touched by the Power of God. We praise Him for the Afternoon Service on the first Sunday in the month which is an open service and all can share their experiences. We thank Rev Heegon Moon for his vision, help and support. Please pray for us. As we look further afield to our communities, nationally, internationally, and worldwide then the Word of God, prayer and worship come together and we see that we can make a difference whatever age we are, and see changes in our society. All things are possible with God!

Margaret and Colin Watts

On Easter Day, Sunday, 20 April, the focus of our Circuit Prayers was on Chinnor

Dear All
We are getting two for the price of one as both Ann and Ian share their experiences of moving into the village with us. So often our churches can be cold and unwelcoming, so it is refreshing to hear of the positive experiences encountered here. Please pray for the lovely folk at Chinnor this Sunday, and also for all those people in our communities who would love to go into church on a Sunday, but are afraid of what may happen when they step through our doors.

Pete

Ann writes:
I was born in Old Penshaw, an old colliery village in County Durham. After many moves throughout the country due to my husband Ian's work we have finally settled in the village of Chinnor to be close to our daughter Simone and her beautiful family.
After living in the village for several months, one day by complete accident I discovered the Methodist church, tucked away behind the frontal properties. This discovery struck a chord with me because of my Methodist upbringing and happy childhood memories and I decided I must go back, so, after several weeks I plucked up the courage to go. The welcome I received on entering Chinnor Methodist was overwhelming. Jane and all involved were so welcoming and I instantly felt at ease. I will never regret my decision to rekindle my faith with the people of Chinnor Methodist Church. I can honestly say that I never get tired of entering the church at Chinnor as the feeling of calm peacefulness never fades, especially in the chaotic, disaster-filled world of today. I regard the church as my second home, its people my wonderful extended family and I know of no better place to share my thoughts and prayers with the Lord.
The church at Chinnor has so much going on and it makes for a very busy life. Tots and Toys is a nursery group run by Liz which I was very involved in before Covid. Liz still keeps us busy with prep work for the kiddies' crafting and we're always more than happy to lend a hand. 'Exploring Faith' is a small group that meets on Tuesday afternoons, all manner of faith topics are tackled and discussed relating to today's challenges. We often screen videos of prominent people inside and outside of the church and review the contents, this can be very enlightening, additionally there's always tea and cake, a staple of Chinnor life. Bible Study via Zoom on Thursdays is always an event I look forward to. Our host Rev Richard Atkinson is such a wonderful man with a bottomless pit of knowledge but still keeps proceedings light and refreshing. The group are from several churches in the circuit, therefore my circle of friends has extended further.
We have some wonderful Ministers, Preachers and readers on our circuit, all different but all inspirational and I have a high regard for all and feel honoured in my role as Communion Steward to serve when needed. One of my happiest recent memories was of my Confirmation into the church, surrounded by friends and family, especially as my sister and her husband travelled from Co Durham, it was a truly wonderful day.
So, please rejoice with me in all that Chinnor Methodist Church and the community has given me over the last few years.

Ann Fassom

and then Ian's Story:

I think it's fair to say that without the Methodist church in Chinnor my day to day life in Chinnor would be much less rewarding and fulfilled. My wife Ann's involvement with the church and its wonderful patrons has given me the opportunity to build a close circle of friends inside and outside of church life. I've played guitar for many years but not in an organised group situation so, when asked, I was more than happy to join in with the church band, that was about 5 years ago so I think I must have passed the audition. On average we play in services about 2 or 3 times a month. It can be challenging but great fun also, additionally we are called upon to play in united church services throughout the year. Playing music is a major passion in my life so, needless to say this is very fulfilling. As a consequence of playing in the church band many other musical opportunities have arisen outside of church life and, so, I find myself in several other musical groups.
I've always been adept at DIY and 'fixing' things so, from the first time I volunteered to repair a kiddy's toy for the CMC day nursery Tots and Toys I've found myself in regular demand. I get great satisfaction from being able to extend the life of things that the kiddies love but it doesn't stop there. With Christian groups associated with church I often find myself crafting props for their annual events as well as attending these events and lending a hand when and where required. I consider this my way of giving back to the church and community all that I've got from my association as a friend of the church. Never seeing these projects as a task, I always look forward to the next. Great thanks to Chinnor Methodists and its associates and all the wonderful people involved for opening all these doors to the opportunities that help keep me fulfilled.

Ian Fassom

On Sunday, 13 April, the focus of our Circuit Prayers was on Cheddington.

Dear All

Keith shares the story of the growth of his faith, and reveals how it mirrors that of so many of us, where milestones along the way are often difficult to pinpoint, but we know they are there somewhere. Please pray this week for the lovely people of Cheddington and also for those around us who are trying to make sense of their place in what can so often be a confusing world. We give thanks for the assurance that God offers us in what are difficult times for so many today.

Pete

Keith writes:
As in so many reality TV shows, be it dancing or cooking or even building a house, the participants are always asked 'What was the journey like'?
Having been asked to put together something for the Circuit, it made me think about my own journey in faith. If I was in a reality TV show and asked the same question, I would have to reply – solid, and in many ways unspectacular.
My wife Hazel and I were both brought up in Methodist families and from birth Church attendance was the norm every Sunday, usually twice and sometimes 3 times as we got older. Our fathers were both Society Stewards and even from a very early age I have known Hazel.
During those early years we did Sunday School, Scripture exams, anniversary days etc but it was not until my teenage years that I thought 'What is this religion all about'?
t was then that people came into my life that I started to make sense of everything. So slowly I began to understand the love of God through Jesus and started to take part in a preaching group that came out on a Sunday afternoon to take services in Herts and Bucks, including Waddesdon.
It seems that I have traveled full circle as we now worship in Cheddington after a 65 year gap!
I always envied friends who could put a time and date when they had a 'Damascus road' experience, but at a Youth weekend I listened to a prominent member of the World Council of Churches who said she felt like me, but knew in her heart the love of God and would try to express that love to all she met. That did it for me and has stayed with me till the present day.
In order to express that love I have always tried to engage with people as they come on to church premises which in many ways is the hardest step for them to take.
In the middle Sixties I emigrated to Canada with my friend and we started to attend a church with 2,500 members but no one to run the Youth Club! So we took on the challenge to show the love of God can manifest itself in many ways.
After nearly three years I thought that I had better come home but before I did I travelled around North America on a Greyhound bus and on many occasions I felt that God was with me in the most stressful of times.
After marriage in England, we worshiped in the same church in Essex for over 50 years, taking on many and varied roles, during which time we were involved in youth work and saw many of our young people find faith.
Our journey has now brought us to Hertfordshire and through the welcoming and supportive community in Cheddington we have found a real home, where although a comparatively low membership, the love of God shines out.

Keith and Hazel Nicholls

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On Sunday, 6 April, the focus of our Circuit Prayers was on Aylesbury.

Dear All
Peter shares his thoughts on the words of a poem that challenged him recently. Words, from perhaps a book, a poem or even a song, can sometimes strike a chord in our heads and set thoughts in motion that have the power to stimulate us and open our minds to all sorts of new ideas. This week please pray for the work at Aylesbury, that the Spirit may continue to move hearts and minds, and give thanks for all those who provide us with such a rich heritage of the written word, from the Scriptures through to paperbacks that inspire, guide and reveal life's story.

Pete

Peter writes:

Since becoming a Christian and member of the Methodist Church in my early teens, I have heard a lot of sermons! A common theme has been holding Jesus Christ as a role model with a challenge to follow his example more closely in the way we lead our lives.

I felt the same challenge at a recent funeral of a friend, when a poem was read that I had never heard before. Yet it was written in 1996, has had over 50 million views of an online video version, spawned a best-selling book and influenced lots of lives. The poem was called 'The Dash' and last year, (2024), the author, Linda Ellis, wrote an updated version which can be found on her website. But here is the original version I heard at the funeral. I wonder if you will find it challenges you, as it continues to challenge me?

Peter Green

The Dash by Linda Ellis
I read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on the tombstone from the beginning to the end.

He noted first came the date of the birth and spoke the following date with tears.
But he said what mattered most of all was the dash between the years.

For that dash represents all the time that they spent life on Earth.
And now only those who loved them know what that little line is worth.
For it matters not how much we own, the cars, the house, the cash.
What matters is how we live and love, and how we spend our dash.

So, think about this long and hard. Are there things you'd like to change?
For you never know how much time is left that can still be rearranged.
If we could just slow down enough to consider what's true and real,
and always try to understand the way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger, and show appreciation more,
and love the people in our lives like we've never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect and more often wear a smile,
remembering that this special dash might only last a little while.

So, when your eulogy is being read with your life's actions to rehash,
would you be proud of the things they say about how you spent YOUR dash?

www.LindaEllis.life