The Easter magazine is now online. Please accept our apologies for the delay in its internet publication: this was caused by technical difficulties.

As always, the pages will be tidied-up shortly.

Friday, 13^th May, 7:30pm to 9:30pm at the home of Chris & Geoff Oldham: Slaters Barn, Whittingham Lane, Goosnargh (865989). All who have birthdays during May (and partners) are invited to join us for a chat over tea/coffee and cake.

Diane & Keith Schmuck are on a brief visit to the U.K. and will be joining us for the Birthday evening. If you would like to renew your friendship with them and have a birthday anytime during the year (sic), why not come along too? Don’t worry if you can’t meet them during this evening— we expect them to be at Church for the Sunday morning service.

Add your name to the list in the corridor so we know how many cakes to supply!

To ensure you obtain your choice of plants and hanging baskets at the plant sale on Saturday, 14^th May why not order in advance? Order forms are now available and will be in the hall after the morning Service. The sale will start at the earlier time of 1 o’clock and finish around 3 o’clock.

Not so organised? You will still have a good choice of plants on the day!

For the last few years we have been warned of financial problems within the church and have risen to the occasion sufficiently to get by— with a little help from the reserves.

This year we have a crisis which has led to our having to warn the Circuit that our contribution to the Circuit expenses would be reduced by £10 000 (£6 500 courtesy of our reserves) unless once more we responded generously to the situation.

We did not rise on this occasion so our belief that we support the smaller churches must be replaced by the realisation that they are subsidising us.

Please, as we start a new financial year, think again about your giving, bearing in mind that, just as your costs at home keep going up, so do the costs of keeping the Church functioning. Any shortfall in Circuit income will inevitably lead to increased responsibilities for Peter and Myrtle, leading to less time to be spent at Fulwood. We have already had to turn down an offer of more ministerial help because the Circuit cannot afford it.

In the last few years Churches Together in Fulwood and Broughton have had a Pilgrimage, i.e. a day out together to encourage and enjoy friendships often already made. Last year 100 people took part including ten from Fulwood Methodist Church.

This year we travel on 17^th September by two coaches to Rheged Centre, a very interesting and entertaining complex near Ullswater belonging to the Lake District Tourist Board.

We move on from Rheged at about 12.30 pm to visit Keswick, Grasmere and Rydal. We shall have a short service of worship together at Rydal Parish Church followed by a finger-buffet tea at Rydal Hall before leaving for the journey home at 6.30 pm.

The cost, including tea, is £15 and if we have a good number travelling there may be a refund. Further information may be had from Allan Clarke. Booking forms are on the porch table.

The April Methodist E-news contains an update on the Church’s campaign on the Gambling Act as well as the advice not to be tempted by quick and easy solutions on crime when voting.

The Methodist Church has published the following statement:

As Britain approaches the General Election, when people exercise their democratic right and responsibility to vote, we restate the Methodist Church’s conviction that political parties based upon racist policies are contrary to a Christian understanding of God’s love.

We ask all people, including all Methodists, to use their vote, and not allow others to make choices for them. We urge them to vote for the parties and candidates who reflect the values of Jesus of inclusivity, equality and justice for all.

We believe that the policies of extremist parties are divisive and damaging to individuals and to our society. We call on mainstream political parties to take seriously the threat extremist parties pose and the concerns to which they claim to respond. Political parties should not do this by mimicking their policies, but by countering propaganda with truth. It is particularly important to address issues of immigration, asylum and terrorism without legitimising extremist language and policies.

We rejoice in the growth of cooperation between people of faith across the country since the last General Election, notably between Christian and Muslim groups. We look for a longer term building of relationships, awareness and hope between all people of faith.

The Methodist Church website has resources on political extremism and the General Election. Churches Together in Britain and Ireland has also produced election resources.

Following an appeal by Helen for financial assistance for the education of young people in Malawi, there was a very generous response from the Church and from several individual members. As a result, she has been able to set up a fund which is making it possible for two boys from Cape Maclear (Smickey’s home village) to continue attending secondary school. Without this help, neither would have any chance of getting any education past primary level.

Sakondwera Phiri is 16 years old. Both his parents died many years ago, and he and his older brother have been brought up by female relatives. He thinks he would like to specialise in something to do with economics.

Sautso Tchale is 17, and has 3 brothers and 2 sisters. His father is a fisherman on Lake Malawi, but the family income is insufficient to pay for any education. When he finishes at secondary school, Sautso would like to go to university, but there are many obstacles to overcome before he can win a place.

Cynthia and I met them both when we visited Cape Maclear last Easter with Helen and Smickey. I remember what a good singer and dancer Sakondwera was! They are fine young men, and are determined to make the most of the education which your donations are making possible.

Sakondwera and Sautso have written letters to thank you and to give a little information about what they are doing. These appear on the noticeboard in the corridor.

If anyone would like to know more about Helen’s Malawi fund or would like to make a donation, please speak to me.

Stephen Grice