3 In One
Magazine
Ashford Common Methodist Church
Southville Methodist Church
United Free Church of Feltham
(Christ Church)
Including Ecumenical Parish News
MAY 2017
Ascension Day
(Thursday 25 May 2017)
-2Welcome to…
3 in One
MAY 2017
The friendly magazine for churches in Feltham
and Ashford Common:
Staines and Feltham Methodist Circuit
The Ecumenical Parish of Feltham
3 Traditions (Anglican-Methodist-United Reformed)
CALENDAR
MAY
Many thanks to this month’s contributors: Barbara McIntivey, Justin Camis, Jane
Fredjohn, Joyce Griffiths.
Articles printed in 3 in One may be re-printed, with attribution. Photographs
remain the copyright of the original photographer.
An online version of this magazine (with personal phone numbers and
addresses removed to protect privacy) is at www.sfmc.org.uk. The full
version is available by e-mail ([email protected]) in Word or PDF. Via
Joyce Griffiths [email protected]
© 2016.
The JUNE 2017 “3 in One Magazine” will be published on the 28TH MAY.
Items to Editor not later than the 21st MAY please.
Editor
Joyce Griffiths –: [email protected]
Printed and distributed by: The Griffiths Family
[email protected]
-3Dear Friends
Most of us have heard of Leonardo Da Vinci and would agree
that he was a genius. He was born in 1452 and he died on the
2nd May 1519. Throughout his life he studied music, painting
and poetry, but it was not until he was fifty fours years old
that he took up a career as an engineer. He put his skills to
good use and occasionally, as Master of Revels at the Court
of Milan he was required to produce something to amuse the guests. On one
particular evening the audience were somewhat bemused by the sight of little
figures floating around the room over the tables were the people were seated.
The secret was in the fact that the figures were hollow and were made of wax.
He filled each one with hot air and as a result they were able to float.
It was this principle that ultimately would be used in making hot air balloons
many years later. Leonardo had a simple rule that he passed on to other
scientists and engineers which was that, “Before you make a result a general
rule, test it by experiment two or three times to see if you get the same result
each time.” Often in his papers can be found the word, “Tested by experiment.”
I am glad that there have always been people like Leonardo who have had
inquisitive minds; who have been willing to experiment and to take risks in
order to find out more about our world.
God has given us the ability to explore His creation and the ability to harness all
that it contains for our own purposes. The opportunities are endless and it is so
exciting to hear about current research in so many areas of life. Yet it does us
good to remind ourselves that the gift of inquisitiveness and the gift of
comprehending what is found comes from God.
I am reminded of the conversation that God had with Job (chapter 38) where
God points out that there was so much that Job did not understand. We might
say that we have the answers to many of the questions that God posed, but the
fact remains that even today there are just as many questions to be explored and
the great thing is that God encourages us to continue the research. Along with
this goes the responsibility to make good ethical decisions and we should
continue to pray for our scientists and Government as they explore these
sometimes challenging issues. At the same time, I encourage you to explore
our world where you are in order to see God at work.
God bless.
Andrew
A QUIET DAY
“Hope and the Christian Journey”
Saturday 27th May 10.30am – 3pm
at Ashford Common Methodist Church
Saxon Road off Feltham Hill Road,
TW15 1LW
Please bring: a Bible and a packed lunch,
drinks will be provided.
If coming by car you might like to bring
a garden chair for sitting outside.
1st Session 10.30am – 12.15pm
Lunch 12.15pm – 12.45pm
nd
2 Session 12.45pm – 2.30pm
2.30pm – 3pm Holy Communion
RSVP to Rev Barbara McIntivey by 22.05.17
020 8890 2783
Email: [email protected]
-5-
EVENTS
Tuck in to change lives. Want to change the world over
breakfast? Then come and fill up at our Big Brekkie! We’ll
be serving up a delicious morning meal, and raising money
to help refugees.
SOUTHVILLE METHODIST CHURCH
SATURDAY 13 MAY 2017 10.00 – 12.00
RSVP Marilyn Woodley [email protected]
Sunday 14th May 2017 Joint Service @
St. Dunstan’s
Monday 15th May 2017 7.30pm-9pm Sponsored
Hymn singing at St. Dunstan’s Church
Donation £3.00 per person
Thursday 16th May 2017 2.30pm
Bring & Buy at the Home of Rodney and
Judith Nunn.
Friday 17th May 2017 7.30pm Quiz - £5 per
person. Bring your own drinks and nibbles at
St. Dunstan’s Church.
More details of these events will be publicised as they become
available or speak to Tony Fredjohn at Christ Church.
-6-
News from
Ashford
Common
Our regular monthly coffee mornings continue to raise money for good
causes and we look forward to welcoming friends to the Church on
Saturday 6 May from 10.00 to 12.00. A selection of cakes will be
available along with unlimited hot drinks for £1.50 with all money raised
this month for the benefit of Christian Aid.
Our next coffee morning is planned for Saturday 3 June.
It has been good to welcome folk to our Easter services
recently.
On Palm Sunday the congregation was swelled by our BB
members returning from their weekend camp, who were
joined by their families.
Special services also took place on Good Friday and Easter
Sunday.
After the morning service on Sunday 21 May, we would like to
encourage you to stay on at Church and join us in the garden for a BBQ
lunch.
For May, we send warm birthday wishes to Justin Camis, Steven Mullet,
Ann Stephens, Nicola Jeffrey and Tony McKenner.
-7-
The Boys’ Brigade
7th North Surrey
Company
Over many years, probably around 25, we have established the weekend camp
as a stable part of our annual programme. This year a small group travelled, on
what was the warmest weekend of the year so far, to enjoy the great outdoors of
the Surrey countryside.
Boys spent time exploring the undergrowth and collecting valuable wood for
the fire, while on Saturday activities were slightly more structured with a
selection of team building and challenge activities.
At the beginning of June a group of Company Section boys, and their leaders,
will be heading off to Unite at Felden Lodge. The event offers the opportunity
for young people and leaders across England & Wales to meet, explore their
faith and enjoy a range of activities together.
As we move ever close to the warm summer evenings, we are looking forward
to combining all activities on a Monday evening from 6.30 to 8.00 at Spelthorne
School.
-8-
News from United Free Church
A DATE FOR YOUR DIARY!
SATURDAY, 1st JULY
Our Annual Barbeque at Woking Miniature
Railway (Mizens). Tickets £7.00 (children 1-15 £3.50). Advance booking
essential – further information from Joyce Griffiths on 020 8890 1978.
REV. ERIC DRAKEFORD was Minister at Hanworth Road Methodist
Church and other churches in the Circuit in the late 1950’s. Eric passed away in
April. He and his Wife, Margaret, had lived and worked in Canada for many
years. Margaret wrote to the Griffiths family as follows:
It is amazing that there are still people in Feltham who were there when we
were there. I don’t really remember Eddie Menday – not by name, anyway, but
if he was involved in the Boys Brigade, I certainly know who he is. And both
Alan Cuthbert and Sheila Newman, I remember very well. – Here we are, 55 or
so years later – and there are still people there that I knew! Please remember
me to them and thank them for their concern.
Eric turned 89 last November and was looking forward to having a big
celebration for his 90th later on this year – but it wasn’t meant to be. However,
he did very well to get to his 90th year with all the many health issues and
operations he went through over the years. He certainly was a fighter and
didn’t give up easily. We were all with him when he breathed his last – and it
was a very peaceful passing.
Thank you so much, Joyce, for keeping in touch with us over all these years. I
do so enjoy your letters and always look forward to hearing from you. It really
is nice to maintain a friendship with someone from Feltham where I first
embarked on the journey of being Eric’s wife - with much fear and trembling, I
might add!
Blessings Margaret.
NB Margaret was my father’s Secretary at the Council Offices after she and
Eric married.
Joyce Griffiths.
NEWS FROM SOUTHVILLE
BIRTHDAY GREETINGS to ORVILLE CALLENDER who has a birthday on the
7th May. His Wife DENISE celebrates her birthday on the 24th May.
-9-
A Brief Guide to Islam
Barbara McIntivey
Islam began in Arabia in the seventh century – the word Islam means
submission to God. In these days of terrorist activities committed by Isis –
described as ‘so called Islamic State’ it is hard to resist the idea that perhaps all
Muslims pose a threat. However the average Muslim is like the average
Christian basically wanting to live a good neighbourly life. The Muslim Council
of Britain has condemned the attacks and says terrorism has no place in Islam.
In multi-faith Britain it is helpful to have some understanding about other faiths.
I have always found it has stimulated me to think more deeply about what I
believe and how I live out my Christian faith. All religions are influenced by the
culture and norms of the surrounding society. The Islam I experienced in West
Africa appears rather different from that lived out in Saudi Arabia for example
in how women are treated and dress; but the beliefs and religious practices are
basically the same around the world and I offer here a brief introduction to
them.
There are five pillars of faith:
1. Belief in God (Allah) as the only god.
2. Belief in the angels of God.
3. Belief in the book of God and in the messengers and prophets who
revealed it. Though partly revealed in the Jewish and Christian
Scriptures it is fully revealed in the Qur’an written in Arabic.
Muhammad is the final prophet in a series that began with Adam and
includes Abraham, Noah, Moses and Jesus.
4. Belief in the Day of Judgement and Resurrection at the end of time
when all will be raised from the dead, judged according to their faith
and deeds, and either sent to the fires of hell or the gardens of paradise.
5. Belief that God is responsible for everything that happens both good
and evil. The individual is still responsible for his or her own actions.
There are five pillars of worship:
1. Shahada: a person becomes a Muslim by saying: I testify that there is
no God but God, and that Muhammad is the Messenger of God.
2. Salat: Formal prayers performed at five specified times a day facing
Mecca after ritual washing.
3. Zakat: An annual obligatory charitable contribution.
4. Saum: The month long Ramadan fast when Muslims do not eat or drink
between dawn and dusk – a time of spiritual renewal.
5. Hajj: The pilgrimage to Mecca undertaken if possible at least once by
all Muslims.
-10All who can manage it attend worship around midday on Fridays at the local
mosque (masjid in Arabic). The Imam for Sunni Muslims is the one who leads
the formal prayers and the Friday sermon is most often given by an appointed
imam. It is usual for women to worship in a designated place out of sight of the
men.
In 2015 Muslims were 24.1% of the world population. The great majority are
Sunni about 85% with 10% Shia (or Shi’ite). The difference between them is
that they disagree about who are the legitimate successors of Muhammad. Sufis
are Islamic mystics who come from both sects. A number of movements to
reform Islam have originated in 20th century some limited to one country others
having a wider influence; most are Sunni movements such as the Wahhabis and
the Muslim Brotherhood. The Ahmadiyyas are a 19th century offshoot from
Sunni Islam who recognise a later prophet, Ahmad, and who are therefore not
considered by most Muslims as true Muslims.
News from the CIRCUIT
CIRCUIT WESLEY DAY
SERVICE
SUNDAY, 21ST MAY
STAINES METHODIST
CHURCH
at 6.30 p.m.
PREACHER
Rev. Barrie Tabraham
Author of the book
“The Making of Methodism”
-11-
CHURCH ACTIVITIES
ASHFORD COMMON
MONDAY
Boys’ Brigade Anchor Boys
Boys’ Brigade Junior Section
TUESDAY
Oasis Prayer Time – church open
Music
THURSDAY
Boys` Brigade Company Section
SUNDAY
Sunday School
SOUTHVILLE
1st & 3rd
TUESDAYS
www.southvillemethodistchurch.co.uk
House Group /Discussion Group
8.00 p.m.
at Marilyn’s home [email protected]
2nd
TUESDAY
TALC (Tuesday Adult Leisure Club)
Details from Robina Howliston.
12.00-1.00p.m.
6.15 p.m.
10.30 a.m.
2.00-4.00
UNITED FREE CHURCH (Christ Church) www.ufc-feltham.org.uk
* 1st
Feltham History Group - church
8.00 p.m.
TUESDAY
Website: www.feltham-history.org.uk
*3rd
WEDNESDAY
Feltham Townswomen’s Guild – hall
7.45 p.m
Enquiries: phone Letitia on (020) 8894 3457
3rd
THURSDAY
Thursday Fellowship
- Further details
from Rodney and Judith
2.30 p.m.
*Independent groups meeting at Christ Church
ST DUNSTAN’S
www.stdunstansfeltham.org.uk
MONDAY
Drop-in
10 - 12
THURSDAY
WOT (Women on Thursdays-monthly)
See also weekly notices or phone the parish office on 020 8890 2011
-12-
Where to find us…
ASHFORD COMMON METHODIST CHURCH
Saxon Road, (off Feltham Hill Road), Ashford Common
Minister (Part-time): Rev Barbara McIntivey
 020-8568 8810 [email protected]
Church Contact: Mrs. Kait Hole
[email protected]
Sunday services: 10.30 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.
SOUTHVILLE METHODIST CHURCH
Tachbrook Road/Bedfont Lane, FELTHAM
Minister (Part-time): Rev Barbara McIntivey
 020-8568 8810 [email protected]
Church Contact: Mrs. Maggie Netto
[email protected]
Sunday service: 10.30 a.m.
UNITED FREE CHURCH OF FELTHAM (Methodist/URC)
Christ Church, Hanworth Road, FELTHAM, TW13 5AB
Minister (Part-time): Rev Peter Clark
01784 437973
[email protected]
Church contact: Mrs. Joyce Goodall
[email protected]
Sunday Services: 10.30 a.m. (except 1st Sundays)
ST. DUNSTAN’S (Church of England)
39 St Dunstan’s Road, FELTHAM, TW13 4JY
Vicar: Rev Anne Dollery ([email protected])
Parish Office 020- 8890 2011 [email protected]
Sunday Services: 9.00 a.m. 10.30 a.m.