Keep Calm Stay Safe Have Faith - The Fulwood Messenger - Fulwood Old Chapel
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The
Fulwood
Messenger
Keep Calm
Stay Safe
Have Faith
Fulwood Old Chapel
Unitarians
considering all sides
Hello from Maud Dear friends As I write, we are in the midst of planning for the re-opening of Fulwood Old Chapel for public worship. Often the re-opening of a chapel after a period of closure is a celebratory occasion with a special tea laid on and special guests invited to join with us. It’s sad – but right! – that this will be a much more low-key event. As we re-open we will be mindful of the many public health precautions required of us, and also of the possibility that this course of action may have to be reversed if there is a flare up of cases of COVID 19, either nationally or locally. We’re all different. Some have not found the isolation of the past three month terribly difficult. Others have really struggled with the isolation, leading to real feelings of psychological unwellness. So much of life is about getting the balance right between conflicting needs; in this case, the need to protect physical health and the need to protect psychological health. The committee didn’t take the decision to re-open the chapel decision lightly and we ask all who decide to attend services in person to take seriously the prevention measures that are being asked of us, these include: staying away if you feel unwell; being mindful of touching surfaces; liberal hand-washing or use of sanitiser; and wearing a face covering. It’s not terribly comfortable to wear a face covering, but it has been shown to provide a measure of protection to those around you, should you unknowingly be a carrier of the COVID 19 virus. I ask you to remember that taking these precautions are not about protecting ourselves, but about altruism – taking greater care than we might for our own sake – in order to mitigate against the risk of a second peak in transmission of this highly infective virus. I’ve never been a worrier about my health, but accounts by the Methodist minister at Stannington of her experience of COVID 19 illness didn’t make for pleasant reading, and I’d rather not catch it. However, more important is care and concern for others, remem- bering that it is possible to be a non-symptomatic carrier of this virus. Let’s bear in mind that in the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918 “It is estimated that about 500 million people or one-third of the world’s population became infected with this virus. The number of deaths was estimated to be at least 50 million worldwide.”1 The World Health Organisation’s website gives us the sobering information that in terms of deaths per million population, the UK is 4th highest in the world, with only the small countries of San Marino, Belgium and Andorra being higher. 1 website of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, USA Front cover Photo by Alexandra Gorn on Unsplash
This virus is still as nasty as it ever was and making decisions to be out and about can’t
be taken frivolously, but with due care and consideration for the wellbeing of all.
Can I suggest that we make a spiritual practice of mindfulness for the wellbeing of others;
a practice of doing something that we don’t particularly like doing in order to contribute to
the greater good of those with whom we come into contact. In my address on 28th June
I spoke about Mindfulness in how we consume the resources of our world both for our
own physical and spiritual health, and also for the physical and spiritual health of our
communities and of the Earth. I urge us all to adopt another practice of mindfulness –
about disease prevention – with the focus on the physical wellbeing of all the people
known and unknown with whom we come in contact. Let us join in it together as a spiritual
practice, and something we do gladly for the greater good.
With love and blessings to you all
Maud
Maud’s‘weekend’ is Wednesday and Thursday each week.
Her contact details are: 0114 233 1672 or 07802 603 480
or maudrobinson@gmail.com
Services in Chapel and on Zoom
During lockdown, shared services with Underbank will be conducted live in Fulwood Old
Chapel and broadcast simultaneously through zoom. Please contact Maud if you wish to
attend the service in person or online.
However, because of social distancing, numbers in Chapel will be restricted.
We ask that you do not come if you feel at all unwell. Following government guidelines,
everyone attending Chapel will have their temperature taken as they enter and will be
asked to leave if it is too high.
Masks must be worn and only people from the same household will be able to sit together.
Details of who is giving the service each Sunday can be found on the back page.
And were we ready?
Editor: Susie Ince
Little did I know when I was thinking up the title for the last
Messenger how apt it was going to be! -‘Are we ready for
what is to come’! Oh dear! … I don’t think we were?
The theme, of course, was the differing thoughts on Climate
Change and not about coronavirus. Unbeknown to us, that
was lurking quietly in the background ready to spring and
change our lives. How could we have dreamt that a virus
with flu like symptoms would lock down the world and wipe
out well over half a million people?
How life has changed! - Isolating, shunning friends, working from home, wearing face
masks and zoom! Oh yes zoom! Even the die hard ‘I hate technology’ have succumbed
to that - the only way now, it seems, to keep in contact with family and friends. It is
amazing how many people have taken to it and I am proud of you all. At last, I am no
longer considered the ultimate tech nerd of the congregation (or so I hope)!
But we have changed too in other ways. Petrified of catching the virus, we have become
wary and suspicious. The spontaneous hug, the welcoming shake of the hand, no longer
signs of friendliness. We hate the inconvenience, the lack of social contact, unable to go
out - stuck at home, alone or worse with someone who is driving you demented!
Yet there have been some who have quite enjoyed the idea, catching up on chores,
taking up new hobbies, enjoying the peace and the reduction in pollution and traffic.
Of course, social media has had a field day with people penning their thoughts and trying
their hand at poetry some of which I have included for you to read.
The Bargansky family, for example, were supposed to be having two weeks in Italy
during May. It was cancelled, of course but not to be defeated they went ahead and did
a virtual trip instead using the same itinerary but gleaning their info from the Internet. It
was great fun waiting for Judith’s tongue-in-cheek reports of that day’s adventure amply
illustrated with photos (downloaded and with the family superimposed). I have included
some extracts from Judith’s Facebook page for you to read.
But not every one has found ways to entertain themselves and some are still petrified to
step out into this very different world. My title for this magazine is Keep Calm, Stay Safe,
Have Faith - faith to know that we will come out of this - some with their God standing
by them - others with their faith firmly planted in their fellow beings.
From the Bubonic Plague, to the Spanish Flu, Cholera, TB and Polio, we have overcome!
Have faith my friends! … This too will pass!
Ledbury is a lively and picturesque market town, close to the
Malvern Hills. It is well-known for its black and white architecture,
its wealth of individual shops and its pubs, restaurants and cafes
serving delicious local produce. It is also well know for its Poetry
Festival - the largest international celebration of poetry and
spoken word in the UK. Surrounded by woods, orchards and hills,
poets from all over the world gather to perform, write, read and listen to poetry.
Contemporary literary titans stand alongside upcoming talents. On Sunday 5 July, there
was a Poetry of the Lockdown event as part of Ledbury Poetry Festival Online
The next poem has been taken from the competition.
What if its just Nature?
by Julie Sheldon
What if it’s just Nature What if it’s just Nature
Taking back control Giving us the time
Questioning the actions To be more understanding,
Of every living soul Generous and kind
What if it’s just Nature What if it’s just Nature
Asking us to stop Asking us to care
To think about our planet To think about each other
And treasure what we’ve got And sometimes just be there
What if it’s just Nature What if it’s just Nature
Slowing us right down Sending us this pain
Time to look around us Time to re-evaluate
And see what can be found Before we’re all insane
What if it’s just Nature What if it’s just Nature
Asking us to think Setting us a test
What is it that we really need? To try to save our planet
Love, health and food and drink Let’s do our very best!
https://www.poetry-festival.co.uk/lockdown-poems/
Lockdown
Poet Laureate, Simon Armitage’s new poem, Lockdown, moves from the outbreak of
bubonic plague in Eyam in the 17th century, when a bale of cloth from London brought
fleas carrying the plague to the Derbyshire village, to the epic poem Meghadūta by the
Sanskrit poet Kālidāsa. (The Guardian, 21st May)
And I couldn’t escape the waking dream of infected fleas
in the warp and weft of soggy cloth by the tailor’s hearth
in ye olde Eyam. Then couldn’t un-see
the Boundary Stone,
that cock-eyed dice with its six dark holes,
thimbles brimming with vinegar wine purging the plagued coins.
Which brought to mind the sorry story of Emmott Syddall and Rowland Torre,
star-crossed lovers on either side of the quarantine line
whose wordless courtship spanned the river
till she came no longer.
But slept again,
and dreamt this time
of the exiled yaksha sending word to his lost wife on a passing cloud,
a cloud that followed an earthly map of camel trails and cattle tracks,
streams like necklaces,
fan-tailed peacocks, painted elephants,
embroidered bedspreads of meadows and hedges,
bamboo forests and snow-hatted peaks, waterfalls, creeks,
the hieroglyphs of wide-winged cranes and the glistening lotus flower after rain,
the air
hypnotically see-through,
rare,
the journey a ponderous one at times,
long and slow but necessarily so.
Simon Armitage, Poet Laureate
(Submitted by Jane Moore)
Life’s Sting!
Sometimes it seems everyone else is having a normal happy time ….
by Tony McNeile'
‘Death, where is thy sting? Right here inside me and how it hurts !'
These words were written by a friend of mine in a workshop we ran on coping with
bereavement.
Yes, death has a sting but so too does life. Sometimes it seems everyone else is having
a normal happy time and we are the only ones who can’t pull life’s sting out of our hearts.
If only people could see the suffering but they don’t because it is hidden deep inside and
anyway who would listen?
I discovered over the years that everyone has been stung in the heart at one time or
another yet it is not talked about.
One of the most important forms of healing for these hidden stings is being able to talk
about them. But what is the point of talking if no one will listen ?
I read in one of my books that after the Ten Commandments the eleventh should be
‘Thou shalt listen’.
Listening is a great skill and nothing could be more healing than when someone is
prepared to listen, without immediately taking over and talking about their own troubles.
Often, we start to listen but are only waiting to compete with our own sad story. The
suffering soul then closes shop and the opportunity to heal has gone.
Everyone can be good at listening as well as talking. Everyone can help to pull a sting.
I am Tony McNeile a Unitarian
FORGE DAM CAFE IS OPEN!
Sue Hedges reminds us that the FORGE DAM CAFE is now open for 'take away' orders
following a risk assessment and a review of safe working practices. As restrictions are
eased,they will review what they will be able offer, but at present, you can certainly get
a cuppa and a bite to eat!
A young British poet called Tom Roberts has just become a global sensation after
penning a piece about a father telling his son (speaking in itallics) the good things that
will hopefully come out of the Covid-19 pandemic. Within days, this poem had ‘gone viral’
and attracted over 20 million views in just 48 hours. The number continues to rocket.
https://www.thisisrms.co.uk/news-and-views/the-great-realisation-a-poem-by-tom-roberts-that-went-viral/
The Great Realisation, by Tom Roberts
''Tell me the one about the virus again, then I'll go to bed.
But my boy, you're growing weary, sleepy thoughts about your head.
'Please! That one's my favourite. I promise just once more.
Okay, snuggle down my boy, though I know you know full well
The story starts before then, in a world I once dwelled
It was a world of waste and wonder, of poverty and plenty
Back before we understood why hindsight's 2020
You see the people came up with companies to trade across all lands.
But they swelled and got bigger than we could ever have planned
We'd always had our wants, but now it got so quick.
You could have everything you dreamed of in a day and with a click.
We noticed families had stopped talking. That's not to say they never spoke.
But the meaning must have melted and the work life balance broke.
And the children's eyes got squarer and every toddler had a phone.
They filtered out the imperfections but amidst the noise, they felt alone.
And every day the sky grew thicker, til we couldn't see the stars.
So we flew in planes to find them while down below we filled our cars.
We'd drive around all day in circles. We'd forgotten how to run.
We swapped the grass for tarmac, shrunk the parks till there were none.
We filled the sea with plastic ‘cause our waste was never capped.
Until each day when you went fishing, you'd pull them out already wrapped.
And while we drank and smoked and gambled, our leaders taught us why,
It's best to not upset the lobbies, more convenient to die.
But then in 2020, a new virus came our way.
The government reacted and told us all to hide away.
But while we were all hidden, amidst the fear and all the while,
The people dusted off their instincts, they remembered how to smile.
They started clapping to say thank you, and calling up their mums.
And while the the cars keys gathered dust, they looked forward to their runs.
And with the sky less full of planes, the earth began to breathe.
And the beaches brought new wildlife that scattered off into the seas.
Some people started dancing, some were singing, some were baking.
We'd grown so used to bad news but some good news was in the making.
And so when we found the cure and were allowed to go outside,
We all preferred the world we found to the one we'd left behind.
Old habits became extinct, and they made way for the new.
And every simple act of kindness was now given its due.
But why did it take a virus to bring the people back together?'
Well, sometimes, you got to get sick, my boy, before you start feeling better.
Now lie down, and dream of tomorrow, and all the things that we can do.
And who knows, maybe if you dream strong enough, some of them will come true.
We now call it the Great Realisation, and yes, since then there have been many.
Here is another poem written as the coronavirus outbreak became a pandemic.The
author, O’Meara, suggests that there is a silver lining resulting from isolation and social
distancing. This poem soon went viral after everyone from Deepak Chopra to Bella
Hadid shared it across social media.
And the People stayed Home
by Kitty O'Meara (2020)
And the people stayed home - and read books, and listened, and
rested, and exercised, and made art, and played games, and learned
new ways of being, and were still. And listened more deeply.
Some meditated, some prayed, some danced. Some met their
shadows. And the people began to think differently.
And the people healed - and, in the absence of people living in
ignorant, dangerous, mindless, and heartless ways,
the earth began to heal.
And when the danger passed, and the people joined together
again, they grieved their losses, and made new choices, and
dreamed new images, and created new ways to live
and heal the earth fully, as they had been healed.
Life in Lockdown - Musings by Joy Parker, Underbank Chapel ● Feeling naughty in a work Zoom meeting knowing that from the waist down I was still in my pyjamas, then finding out that my male boss had done the same! ● Feeling cross when ancestry.com announced a free week from VE day just after my subscription had renewed and been paid! ● Having time to mow my own lawn – would this mean my neighbour would stop doing it now he’s seen me out there? ● Things being so quiet that I don’t vacuum in case I spoil it for the neighbours ● It’s so quiet on the streets I find myself driving really slowly, I’m even socially distancing from the car in front, 2 car lengths apart! ● Feeling lonely on VE Day when families were having BBQs and laughing in their gardens, I felt really alone for the first time ● Realising on VE Day that this must be what it was like in the war when people died but you couldn’t attend a funeral because your loved one was buried abroad ● Wishing they’d bring back rationing so I could lose weight instead of overeating - where were those promised food shortages when I needed them? ● Watching familiar films like ‘Mary Poppins Returns’, ‘Four Weddings and a Funeral’ and ‘Funny Girl’ and re-watching old favourites - ‘Bread’, ‘As Time Goes By’ and ‘Hi-de-Hi’. Heard on the radio that many people are doing this - strangely comforting! ● Getting tearful at just about anything, happy, sad, funny, very emotional ● Leaving my house in an unclean, untidy mess because no-one’s coming! ● Wondering why Extra Thick double cream isn’t just called Triple cream? ● My Grandson is in the Lower 6th form, he goes into the Upper 6th form in September – why isn’t that just called Year 12 and 13? Or 6th and 7th form? Strange. ● Heard on Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour, a woman talking about eating disorders during the Coronavirus said: “We have enough on our plates to worry about” - Ironic! ● Again on Woman’s Hour, a woman talking about the all-female Military Hospital set up in London in WWI said: “it was completely ‘manned’ by women”. For goodness sake, why are people still saying mannedt? Staffed by women! Staffed! ● Virgin workers in my street putting phone cables in dug through gas pipes so I had a masked man in my house early one morning checking for gas leaks. He was the only company I’d had in weeks. He stayed for 5 minutes. Elated! ● Don’t you just hate it when a candle burns down in the middle leaving lots of wax around the edge but no wick left to burn it? ● And finally , panicking because I don’t know what day it is!
A Plea for Innocence!
By Philippa Shewry
Please meet Zig.
Zig is a rescue cat of doubtful breeding and
dubious integrity, who has been dogged by false
allegations of his involvement in local crime.
Charges of murder, theft and affray have been laid
at his cat flap, all of which he strenuously denies.
As he points out, he is not the only cat in the
neighbourhood. All evidence is purely
circumstantial, and let’s face it, any feline could be
unfortunate enough to find himself with soft, downy
feathers attached, inexplicably, to his whiskers!
Zig, of course pleads his innocence and has
become a regular and enthusiastic follower of the
Fulwood and Stannington zoomed services.
He stumbled across Unitarianism in the early days of lockdown, as he relaxed on his sofa
one Sunday morning, as I took part in our streamed worship. Since then, he has attended
every week, without fail.
Voicing my pleasure at Zig’s new found spirituality, I was disappointed by my husband’s
somewhat uncharitable comment of ‘Well, he certainly has an awful lot of trespasses to
forgive’
- Amen!
A bit o’Yorkshire Fun t’keep us smiling
Rod (Cummings) is worried that we are all getting too depressed over coronavirus and
he wanted to cheer us up! So he would like to share a few jokes from ‘The Great
Yorkshire Joke Book (vol1) that he was given for Father’s Day!
A customer orders a coffee, takes a drink, then promptly spits it out. ‘Ere luv!, He shouts
at the waitress, “there’s muck in this coffee!”
“That’s reet luv,” she replies. “Twas only ground this mornin!”
Q. What did the dalesmen say when he heard the Tour de France was coming to
Youkshire?
A: Ther’es nowt so queer as spokes!
A west Yorkshire town disappeared off the map today - Police are looking for Leeds!Diary of a 70+ Kid in Lockdown
Purloined from Sue Toulson’s Facebook Page!
25th May
Gently sorting drawers (one or two a day..... let’s not go wild). Today I’m on a ‘travel’
drawer ( I have several of those!). Packed with REALLY useful gadgets - lots of them.
Five things for weighing suitcases?? An emergency plastic rain bonnet with peak - from
Woolworth’s. Tons of hotel freebies ... It’s getting like meeting old friends as I’m coming
across stuff I’ve thrown in from earlier drawers. I’m not a great clearer-outer it has to be
said - but I’ve binned three very large carrier bags of rubbish from five previous drawers,
so I’m not putting it ALL back ..
11th June
Still sorting through drawers (in fairly desultory fashion). Today I’ve discovered that I will
never need to buy another ear plug and have no less than six fold away raincoats/jackets
etc to add to the two I bought more recently. More importantly, I opened a letter informing
me that my annually-rolling-over Domestic & General insurance and repair plan has been
protecting my Hotpoint Double Oven for the last 16 years and will continue to do so. The
snag which occurred to me was that for the last 13 years I’ve been the owner of a Cannon
gas cooker. No Hotpoint anything. That was in my last house. That’ll teach me to read
letters properly!
15th June
Onto bedroom drawer no 17. (Only 16 to go). It’s an interesting drawer - and I cannot
believe the items which I used to consider absolutely vital to long-haul travel!! The snag
is that, although my frequent flyer days are over, I just can’t quite bring myself to throw it
all out ..... A few things have gone: toothpaste masquerading as concrete; travel mints
best before 2004; a mangled screwdriver. The rest, though?? Hmmm.
From then there are no more entries. It seems Sue lost the will to live!
Inner Peace
There is nothing more certain than that the world will continue to change. Accepting and
not resisting this, is the first and most important inner skill in this frenetically changing,
modern world. Life tests us every day to see how well we have developed this ability.
Equally, there is nothing more real than the inner space within each of us that never ever
changes. We may change our thoughts, our feelings, even our sense of who we are, but
we fail to visit the unchanging centre of our own self.
The ability to be in this inner space, where our peace is found, when all around would
prefer chaos and crisis, is the deepest spiritual change skill. It is the eye of the storm, it is
the oasis in the desert, it is the place where peace is power. Call in today. You'll be
surprised how much it can influence and change everything and everyone around you!
www.thoughtfortoday.org.uk.I don’t know
how to save the world.
I don’t have the answer
or The Answer.
I hold no secret knowledge
as to how to fix
the mistakes of generations
past and present.
I only know that without
compassion and respect
for all of Earth’s inhabitants
None of us will survive -
nor will we deserve to
Leonard Peltier
New
Poetry Appreciation Group
By Maud Robinson
Our Poetry Group has agreed to meet at 4pm on the final Thursday of each month. For
the time being, we will meet via Zoom.
On Thursday 25th June we had an excellent discussion of four poems on the theme of
Love, selected and introduced by Marie Fitzpatrick.
On Thursday 30th July we will gather to discuss four poems on the theme of Courage,
selected by me. I may tweak this list closer to the date, but at the moment I think I will go
with the four poems listed below and will provide some reading notes closer to the time.
If you are interested in joining this small friendly group please send me an email at
maudrobinson@gmail.com. New members from Underbank or Fulwood chapels or
surrounding communities are very welcome to join us.
Possible poems for Thursday 30th July:
● The Ballad of Athlone ~ Aubrey de Vere
● Mother to Son ~ Langston Hughes
● It Felt Love ~ Hafiz – translation by Daniel Ladinsky
● Annunciation ~ Denis LevertovThe Barganski’s Italy by Rail 2020 (not!) Mid June the Barganski family were due to set off to tour Italy by train - a much planned and anticipated trip to mark the end of Anna’s GCSEs. Rather than just mourn the coronavirus cancellation, they decided to have a virtual holiday. Armed with a computer, pasta maker and Italian- set movies,they planned to do Italy in Sheffield and share their adventures and photo shopped photos on Facebook! Each evening they would taste the delightful dishes of Italy cooked in their own kitchen followed by a movie with, what else, but an Italian theme. We followed them as they step onto the sleeper train that ‘took’ them to Vienna where they did a day’s walking tour (courtesy of YouTube) In real life, they confessed to doing a small diversion in Sheffield to Bragazzis for Italian provisions and called in at La Scala for an Italian takeaway. Another virtual train trip took them from Verona to Lake Garda,(and yes! they made sure they were back home to watch Aida on TV) and from there to Venice where Steve had found them a fantastic apartment overlooking a small canal. (In real life, a drive over the equally beautiful Pennines to meet up with friends for an Italian 2 metre apart picnic and home later to pasta and ragu cooked by Ted and Anna for Father's Day). They spent a full day in virtual Venice though in reality they had fun with a 3D jigsaw of the skyline and a wonderful meal of pastissado de manzo con polenta e cavolo nero, e crostata alle mandorle. before exploring Florence, taking in the Duomo, the Piazza della Signoria, the Boboli Gardens. Anna's eyes were, needless to say, averted from Michelangelo's David. A day trip from Florence, took them to Pisa and Lucca through the glorious Tuscan countryside. It was hot, hot, hot! Not only in virtual Italy but in real life too, so a picnic of Italian sandwiches from Urban-Ita at Burbage and a paddle in a stream was called for before tea of spinach and ricotta tortellini with tomato and basil sauce and a comfy cose watching ‘Tea with Mussolini.’ I
Rome was the next stop with first a stroll via the city walking tours of Bookinghunter.com (evidently next best thing to actually being there) Such a busy day - climbing the Spanish Steps, throwing coins into the Trevi Fountain, discovering that the Pantheon has a hole in the roof to let in the light,and consequently needs drainage holes in the floor to let out the rainwater, and taking a (virtual) tour of St Peter's Basilica But the highlight, of course, was the Sistine Chapel, where Judith pondered on a theory that Michelangelo incorporated a study of brain anatomy into his painting of God creating Man In real life, Anna and Judith paid homage to Leonardo da Vinci by making a kit model of his helicopter design followed by fennel sausages, pan-fried broccoli and fresh bread for tea and, in the absence of proper Italian gelato, Ben & Jerry's, while watching the film, ‘To Rome with Love’. The following day Ancient Rome was the focus including a visit to the Colosseum. In real life they had a damp but lovely visit to Tatton Park, started a panoramic jigsaw of Rome (a work in progress), watched Gladiator and tried to recreate the best scenes with Percy, the hamster, in a cardboard arena; sadly, he seemed more escapologist than warrior! From Rome they took the trainto Naples.. It was so hot when they arrived snorkling at Gaiola Beach, followed by massive quantities of gelato seemed to be the best option. In real life, they consulted their Italian cookbooks in the relative cool of their kitchen and then finished the Rome jigsaw before watching Cinema Paradiso. The following day they braved the heat on a virtual long day trip, starting with a climb up Mount Vesuvius followed by visits to Pompeii and Herculaneum, though in real life, they consulted a book on, mosaic making before making Southern Italian lamb casserole (cutturiedde) for tea and the movie, of course, Pompeii. Another hot day with a cloudless sky encouraged them to take virtual ferry across the bay from Naples to Sorrento. First a stroll around the town, then a dip in the sea at the Bagni della Regina Giovanna. In real life, a day of odd jobs before relishing a proper wood-fired pizza. This brought their virtual holiday to an end! What an amazing couple of weeks it had been! No luggage, no queues, no sore feet or fighting for highly-sought-after entry tickets, no crowds, no budgetary restrictions, sleeping in their own beds every night,the best views of everywhere from the comfort of an armchair and … saving a huge amount of money ! The disadvantage, of course, as Judith quite rightly points out is that they haven't actually been away! The wheely backpacks given as Christmas remain sadly remain unused. At least they have avoided fevers and coughs and could smell the lovely aromas from their very own cooked Italian meals. What an amazing Italian adventure. Arrivederci, e buona fortuna
The View from my Window
By Jane Moore
The writing group has been meeting, under
Marie's excellent guidance throughout
lockdown and at the last meeting we wrote
about the view from my room - inspired by
the Grayson Perry art show when he asked
people to send in artwork with the same title.
This was my offering:
The View from my Window
I see holes 6 and 14 through the bare trees.
Patches of green drying out after the long
muddy winter. I strain to see if anyone is on
them, even walking, and remember my last
paltry efforts at swinging and hitting a stationary ball in the rain soaked grass and mud.
Slowly, oh so slowly, the gaps fill in, it is as if we see every bud and leaf unfurl and grow,
the grey turns slowly green. The hedges that once looked dead and brittle now soften
and thaw. Have we ever seen such green?
The blossom in our gardens, gardens which fan out either side of us in regimental
oblongs, swells, fighting to fill the space between the branches and looks like giant
puffballs of white and pink.
Slowly, like a slow release camera, the plants dare to poke out their first leaves of spring,
“Is this summer?”
They are convinced with the blue skies and warm temperatures. A late frost catches
many out and burns them every bit as if the sun had scorched and dried their tender
shoots.
Suddenly it is all green, the lime turning to bottle, the whites and purples and blues
arriving to change the pattern.
How often a day have I looked out of the kitchen window these past 12 weeks? 5 times
a day? Ten? Did I notice that increasing birdsong before? Did I know that the blackbird
sat in the tree overlooking our garden and sang quite so loud?
I watch my husband, digging, composting, planting, constructing, weeding, pottering,
sitting. The garden is transformed in to cottage garden at the front and veg plot at the
bottom, the jewel flowers have arrived and neat beanpoles, roses are blooming and the
hedge requires a first trim. Spring has turned to summer.
I could have made a film of this time or a flip book, which would simultaneously have
looked all the same but entirely different.
If you would like to join the Writing group, please email Marie Fitzpatrick on
m.c.fitzpatrick@hotmail.co.ukImagine Imagine you were born in 1900. When you're 14, World War I begins and ends when you're 18 with 22 million dead. Soon after, a global pandemic, the Spanish Flu, appears, killing 50 million people. And you're alive and 20 years old. When you're 29 you survive the global economic crisis that started with the collapse of the New York Stock Exchange, causing inflation, unemployment and famine. When you're 33 years old the nazis come to power. When you're 39, World War II begins and ends when you're 45 years old with 60 million dead. In the Holocaust 6 million Jews die. When you're 52, the Korean War begins. When you're 64, the Vietnam War begins and ends when you're 75. A child born in 1985 thinks his grandparents have no idea how difficult life is, not realising they have survived several wars and catastrophes. Today we have all the comforts in a new world, amid a new pandemic. But we complain because we need to wear masks. We complain because we must stay confined to our homes where we have food, electricity, running water, wifi, even Netflix! None of that existed back in the day. But humanity survived those circumstances and never lost their joy of living. A small change in our perspective can generate miracles. We should be thankful that we are alive. We should do everything we need to do to protect and help each other. Thank you! Thank you very much to Aureole and Clive Sargent, who provided a large number of vegetable and bedding plants which Janet and Peter (Rowson) distributed as best they could to members of the Chapel. This was as a way of thanking the chapel for the pleasure that Aureole and Clive had had from the box of books that the Chapel had placed in the chapel garden for the community to borrow during lockdown. We all thought it a most generous response and are now benefiting from their kind gesture.
Mayfield Women’s Institute and Coronavirus
(afiliated to SYFWI and NFWI)
President:
Denise Powell
Tel: 0114 2301170
Secretary
Kathy Farbrother
Tel: 0114 2304720
We, of course, have been unable to use the church facilities for our usual monthly meetings
and are looking forward for life to return to a more normal pace and start meeting up with
friends and relations once again - whenever and however that will be.
We do hope that you are all keeping well under these difficult circumstances. The
uncertainty of this situation can be scary and affect our mental health. It is normal to feel
vulnerable and overwhelmed as we read news about the outbreak, especially if you have
experienced trauma or a mental health problem in the past. While social media can be
invaluable for staying connected, it can also circulate a great deal of scaremongering and
untrustworthy information surrounding the virus. You can hide content and unfollow pages
that are making you feel uneasy alongside stopping news notifications on your phone.
Meanwhile the ethos of the WI remains the same:
Our key messages
We are a dynamic organisation with a diverse membership. Our three key messages
bring together the WI’s defining characteristics and explain our vision.
The WI is here to inspire you
We are about inspiring women through experiences, knowledge and skills. These are
passed down through generations and updated every day.
The WI is everything you want it to be
Whatever your reason for joining, we offer all kinds of opportunities to all kinds of women.
For some it’s a chance to meet people and catch up with friends. For others it’s a way to
learn new skills and campaign on issues that affect the wider community.
The WI is what you make of it
WIs come in all shapes and sizes and our members can be involved in the way that suits
them. This can mean joining a local WI or setting up a new group with other like-minded
women. Others may prefer to be Associate members with the opportunity for local WI
involvement.
For further information regarding Mayfield WI please contact us, we will be delighted to
speak to you. (Contact details above)A Meditation for those who know not The How
[inspired by UU minister Erik Walker Wilkstrom's book : Simply Pray] by Ernest Baker
How may I pray? I can seek to know myself better - a little,
If I open myself to it.
I, who know nothing beyond an
uncomprehending universe? If I listen - truly listen,
I may transcend my mere thought
'Big Daddy in the Sky' and understand more clearly
is no longer there for me.. that which... Is… to all eternity.
What is the point? And I may come to realise
How do I build relationship I am not alone in all this,
with nothing, with no thing? and open myself to the wider world,
in all its pains and travails;
Or do I just commune yearn for its release,
With my unconscious mind? whilst yet recognising
it is not in my power,or my necessity,
'Some questions are... Unedifying', Single-handedly to make it whole.
says Buddha.
So may I return, to my everyday,
[ pause ] Renewed, refreshed, reawakened,
I could name my blessings -If I try; restored... to my self,
No bad thing. for the living of these days.
So may it be
Remembering Hiroshima
On 6th August, it will be 75 years since the US Air force dropped the first atomic bomb
on the Japanese city of Hiroshima. It was Monday morning; people were on their way to
work. Above them, in a B-29 bomber was approaching. At 8.15 am the plane approached
its target - the unusual T-shaped Aoili bridge and released the bomb. 43 seconds later
the bomb exploded by which time the aircraft was already 11.5 miles away.
70-80,000 people were killed instantly by the bomb and 90% of the buildings in city were
either burned or collapsed. Many others died from radiation related injuries and, by the
end of December 1945, it is estimated 140,000 people had lost their lives.
The world is increasingly nervous of rogue states making an atomic bomb yet we are
using nuclear power more and more. For better or worse, the atomic genie has been let
out of the bottle,
At the service on 9th August, Robert (Ince) will be remembering the event and talking
about his visit to the beautiful Hiroshima Peace Gardens, the survivors he had the
privilege of meeting and what we can learn from this dreadful atrocityFarewell Obituaries Eric Timmons It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Eric Timmons who, for many years was the Chapel’s organist. Eric was 90 last year. For many years he identified as a Methodist, having been brought up in that faith, but over the years, along with Dora,his first wife, he became uneasy with formalised religion. He found it harder and harder to accept that there is an afterlife prepared by an omniscient and omnipotent force. He believed that we live on through the existence and memories of those who remain; people who, in turn, pass on these things, and at every iteration the world improves. Dora had experienced Unitarianism in her early life and together they found in Unitarianism the friendship, acceptance of all beliefs and openness they sought. Eric and Dora had 3 children, Joan, Andy and Paul. After Dora’s death he married Joyce and then when she died in 2008, Ann. Sadly in 2010 he had a stroke which paralysed the right side of his body and affected his speech. He never really recovered and following several minor strokes he finally had to go into Lower Bowshaw View Nursing Home for the last three years of his life. He died on Easter Sunday, 12th April. Unfortunately, because of the lockdown they could have only a private crematorium service with only Ann, Joan, Andy,Paul and, representing the grandchildren, Beth, being present. Maud took the service. It is hoped to have a memorial service for him at some later date, maybe around Harvest Festival - a service that Eric loved the best! David Dawson We are sad to announce that after a period in hospital, David Dawson died on 9th May. David was a lifelong Unitarian, active in the Bradford congregation, the District Association, and nationally in several societies. He was President of the General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches (2006-7) and later made Honorary Member of the Assembly. But most of all we will remember him for the hymns he composed and arranged in our Unitarian hymn books. Judith Whitham In the last messenger we announced that Judith Whitham had sadly died last December. We have now received a a very generous donation in memory of Judith which we have been asked to put towards the upkeep of the chapel garden - a place where she loved to sit. We will be delighted to do so. Thank you!
News of Friends
Judith Leeson is delighted to announce that her
daughter, Sarah, and her fiancé, Tim, have become
the proud parents of a beautiful baby boy, Harry
Oliver Wells. He was born on 26th February. Judith
says she is over the moon to now be the grandma of
a grandson as well as a granddaughter.
We have missed many birthdays during lock-down
and our apologies but we would like to give special
belated birthday wishes to Philip
(Cooper), He, celebrated his 97th
birthday a few weeks ago. What
was expected to be a quiet day
turned into quite a party with carers
visiting and people popping round
to wish him a happy birthday through the window. Happy belated
birthday Philip!
Fllowers in Chapel on 2nd August will be from Sue Hedges whose birthday is 5th August.
Others who are celebrating their birthdays in July and August are Robert (Ince) Sheila
(Ellis) Steve (Barganski), and Jean (Lee). Happy birthday to you all.
Some may remember Margaret Sanderson who, up until some five
years ago, was part of our congregation but left Sheffield to go and live
with her family near Gainsborough. She heard about the coffee
mornings and asked to join in but had no idea how to go about it. So we
spent a lovely hour talking over the phone while I guided her though
what to do on her laptop. Apart from a couple of hitches, in no time at
all she was up and running. It is so lovely that she can now join in and
chat with friends that she hasn’t seen for a long time.
We are very sorry to hear that Sheila (Ellis) did a dramatic dive in her
garden the other week and ended up in hospital. But it wasn’t her cuts
and bruises that kept her in but a slight bout of pneumonia. She is now
out and re-cooperating at her daughter’s. From all accounts she is
thoroughly enjoying all of the attention! Keep smiling Sheila!
Esme (Wall) was scooped away to be with her daughter and family on
the east coast at the beginning of lockdown. Unfortunately she had a
stroke and although now back home, is finding it very hard to talk and
her hearing has been impaired. Keep your chin up Esme - coming up
to 95 you are the congregation’s super woman!Activities in the Chapel
Please note: activities are in lockdown for the time being
although some may be doing it by zoom.
Please get in touch with the contact concerned
ABBEYDALE SINGERS: Rehearsals Thursdays at 7.30pm. For more details please go
to their website www.abbeydalesingers.org.uk
BALLET with LMW DANCE: Fridays (Term Time).
2 - 4 years: 4.00pm - 4.30pm / 5-7 years: 4.35pm - 5.05pm..
Contact Lisa: 07932509250 or email: enquiries@lmwdance.co.uk
BREAST FEEDING SUPPORT: Thursdays 9:30am
Contact Amy Wilson: 07342065746 or Sharrow Family Centre:2930018
CREATIVE CRAFTS GROUP: First Wednesday in the month 10am - 12 noon
Contact: Anne Rayner at anne@arayner15.plus.com.
EXERCISE FOR EVERYONE: Mondays 10 - 11am (Exercise to music for 60+)
Email Beccy Ross at simplybfit@outlook.com or call 07539 649 165
FULWOOD TOWNSWOMEN’S GUILD: first Thursday in every month at 2pm..
Contact Pauline Wragg on 0114 2305995 / 07732498282 or paulineawragg@me.com
FULWOOD WRITING GROUP: Usually last Monday in the month 7.30pm.
Contact Marie on email: m.c.fitzpatrick@hotmail.co.uk
MAYFIELD WOMEN’S INSTITUTE: every 2nd Wednesday at 7.30 pm
0114 2295948 (Elaine) 0781 2389195 (Helen) email: helensweet138@yahoo.co.uk
MINDFULNESS@LUNCHTIME - Every Friday 12.15 - 2pm. Contact Rev Maud
Robinson: 0114 233 1672 07802-603 480 or maudrobinson@gmail.com
PILATES: Exercise for all ages and levels £10/class payable in 6 week blocks.
Taster sessions also available..
Mondays and Tuesdays : 12.50-1.50 / 2.00-3.00 /3.10 - 4.10pm / 4.20 - 5.20pm
Contact Caroline on 07817 220324 or email: carolinenorth1@me.com.
website www.pilatescarolinenorth.co.uk
USE IT OR LOSE IT: Exercises for the over 60’s with Jo.Fridays 10.30 am - 11.30 am.
£6 per session. Contact Jo on 07975715361 or email: trainwithjo@outlook.com
YOGA: Classes - Mon: 6 - 7.15 pm Contact Leslie on 07888681274 or email
unwind@yogasheffield.comFor Personalised Ceremonies please contact
Rev Maud Robinson on 0114 2331672 or maudrobinson@gmail.com
~~~~~
To hire the Chapel or Old Schoolroom please contact
Janet Rowson on 0114 2365894 or janetpeterrowson@gmail.com
~~~~~
To advertise or submit an article for the Messenger
please contact Susie Ince at focmessenger@outlook.com
Chapel Officers and Committee Members
Minister 0114 233 1672
Rev Maud Robinson maudrobinson@gmail.com
Works Fri- Tues 07802-603 480
Chair Jane Moore 0794 617 9554 janewm58@yahoo.ca
Vice Chair and 0114 236 5894
Janet Rowson janetpeterrowson@gmail.com
Booking Sec 0771 367 9365
Treasurer Peter Rowson 0114 236 5894 janetpeterrowson@gmail.com
Secretary Tim Simkins 0114 230 2656 t.j.simkins@btinternet.com
Nigel Hopkins 0114 230 6662 ncgh@btinternet.com
General. Elizabeth Cumming 0114 230 2703 lizzi.cumming@gmail.com
Committee.
Rod Cumming 0114 230 2703 rod@irod.co.uk
Members
Caroline Thorpe 0114 281 8337 carolinethorpe54@gmail.com
Warden Roger Newton 0124 641 7323 rogernewton12@talktalk.net
Housekeeper Elizabeth Cumming 0114 230 2703 lizzi.cumming@gmail.com
Organist Marie Fitzpatrick 0114 230 1162 m.c.fitzpatrick@hotmail.co.uk
Editor, Web & Publicity Susie Ince 0787 9621263 focmessenger@outlook.com
Safe-Guarding Jon Clennell 0114 236 0317 jonclenn@btinternet.com
Officers Caroline Thorpe 0114 281 8337 carolinethorpe54@gmail.comSunday Reflections
in Chapel (by invitation)
& on zoom
July Leader
5th Rev Maud Robinson
12th Ed Fordham
19th Peter Rowson
26h Rev Maud Robinson
August Leader
2nd Rev Maud Robinson
9th Robert Ince
16th Patrick Timperley
23rd Rev Maud Robinson
30th Philippa Shewry
Email maudrobinson@gmail.com for more details
Fulwood Old Chapel
8a Whiteley Lane, Sheffield S10 4GL
- a unitarian meeting place -.
www.fulwood-old-chapel.org.ukYou can also read
