AUGUST 2018
Ministerial Musings
Toward a Tentative Hermeneutics of Pew Scribbling
A couple of weeks ago we had a big cleaning in the church. A cleaning
is always a good opportunity to rediscover well-known features as well
as to discover forgotten corners, which tend to be overlooked in
normal circumstances.
Besides realizing that we are all “hoarders” and the church setting is no
exception, once you get down to the brass tacks, you end up with all
kinds of surprises.
The history of the building is proclaimed throughout by the
inscriptions, the glass-stained windows, the memorial plaques which
are visible and ever-present reminders of our past and our roots. But
alongside this official and sanctified history, there exits another one,
unofficial and I guess considered by many, highly reprehensible. This,
though it is on display, is not shown to visitors and besides they rarely
spend enough time in the chapel to spot it. Even members of the
congregation may miss it, if they do not have a previous link with the
church or are not looking particularly for it.
What I am talking about are the carvings on the pews, mostly in the
choir-stalls, where the children and youth of the Sunday school used to
sit.
In the course of the cleaning, one member of the congregation
discovered with delight his initials alongside other scribbling which set
off a chain of memories.
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This made me think about the hermeneutics – interpretation – of these
signs. Some would consider it vandalism and would deplore the lack of
education and parental supervision which made this possible. Some
would be more generous and would come up with the oft used
bromide that children will be children. And perhaps some would look
at it as one of our most universal characteristics: to make our presence
felt, to leave something behind us.
Our human history is a long and ongoing process of leaving signs of our
passing: in stone, on wood, on paper, on canvas or whatever material
may be at hand. We want them to be visible, to endure and to proclaim
even long after we are dust and ashes, that once upon a time we have
been here.
And we are so preoccupied with leaving our mark for all to see, that we
tend to forget that our really enduring imprints are not visible. We
make them consciously but mostly unconsciously on all who come into
our life and sometimes even on those whose existence is unknown to
us.
Some are fortunate and blessed enough that the work of their hands
and souls defy time. They are beacons, whose light shines through
centuries or even millenniums and we struggle until this day to live up
to their example. But for most of us, this kind of immortality is outside
our reach. What we can hope for at the most is that our visible and
invisible signs may outlive us and be a comfort for those whom we
leave behind.
So think about your life`s official and unofficial history. Think about the
imprints your family, your loved ones, your community left in your life
and made you the person you are today. Think about what you mean
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for them and what marks you wish to leave behind. It is never too early
or too late to look for an answer. But let it not be on the pew!
See you at the OMH.
Mária
P.S. I know that everything is open to interpretation, but I wondered
about those carvings and here is mine for what it is worth: the initials
denote a short sermon and a presumably vigilant minister. The whole
name, carved with loving dedication means for me a long and boring
service, with a preoccupied minister and a convenient pillar, a perfect
structure to hide childish misbehaviour from parental eyes. For
historical accuracy and detailed explanations, all inquiries should be
addressed to Peter Faulkner.
-o-O-o-
“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!”
Dear Friends!
It is with a full heart that I echo the words of the apostle. July 14th goes
down in the world as a life changing event for a country, which then
had repercussion over the whole of Europe. For us it was, and I hope
will remain, a milestone in our common journey. The Induction Service,
for which many of you worked so hard, proved to be an uplifting and
joyful event, an occasion to show with pride our legacy and our
community to friends and guests. I do hope that our common ministry
will be a fruitful one in which everyone will find its calling and that
together we will extend it beyond our congregation, proclaiming to the
larger world our presence, our values and our hopes for tomorrow.
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Thanks be to God for all who made the Induction a memorable
occasion for everyone. Thanks be to God for all of you. Thanks be to
God for the gifts you bring to our community: your love, your
dedication, your work, your life. Thanks be to God for the OMH, for all
it represents for us and for all the possibilities the future holds.
May the gifts and blessings freely given to our community return
amplified in the life of each of us!
Those who were unable to attend will be able to get a “flavour” of this
special event thanks to Mark Hare`s beautiful photos, which will be
available in the nearby future.
With gratitude,
Máriá
-o-O-o-
SUNDAY SERVICES FLOWERS
August 5th 6-30 pm Rev Máriá Pap Vacant
August 12th 10- 45 am Rev Máriá Pap Mrs M Hibbert
August 19th 10- 45 am Rev Máriá Pap Mrs J Ryder
August 26th 10- 45 am Congregational Service Ms A Perry
STEWARDS
August 5th 6-30 pm Mr R Wain
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August 12th 10-45 am Mrs J Tedds
August 19th 10-45 am Mr N Fisher
August 26th 10-45 am Mr P Frost
-o-O-o-
SATURDAY COFFEE MORNING ROTA CHAPEL OPENING ROTA
August 4th Mrs A Binch Mrs J Tedds Mrs L Walton
August 11th Miss C Wright Mrs C Wycherley Mr D Wright
August 18th Mrs M Wain Mr R Wain Mr T Williams
August 25th Ms A Perry Mrs M Sharpe Mr N Fisher
-o-O-o-
DIARY DATES FOR AUGUST
August 1st Women’s League 2-30 pm
August 3rd Words, Music and Silence 11-45 am
August 5th Heritage Planning Meeting 5-00 pm
August 7th Derek Taylor Yoga Group 6-30 pm
August 8th Meditation 7-15 pm
August 14th Derek Taylor Yoga Group 6-30 pm
August 21st Derek Taylor Yoga Group 6-30 pm
August 27th “At Home” with Mrs Binch 2-00 until 5-00 pm
August 28th Derek Taylor Yoga Group 6-30 pm
August 31st Cheque Presentation - Hospice 6-30pm
CONGREGATIONAL SERVICE
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This month’s Congregational Service will be at 10.45 am on Sunday,
26th August, and will be led by Roy Wain. You are invited to share with
us a book that you have read more than twice
-o-O-o-
HERITAGE PLANNING MEETING
Plans are well in hand for the next Heritage Weekend on 7th –9th September
2018 and the next Working Group will take place on Sunday 5th August at
the earlier time of 5pm. This will be just before the evening service and
everyone is welcome to come along with their ideas to make this another
successful event in our calendar. There will be an Art Display as well as our
other themes, so if you or a friend would like to exhibit some work, framed or
not, please let us know and bring it by August 30th along with your photos of
Within a Mile of the Old Meeting House. Further details about the speakers
and a timetable of the events during the weekend will be on the noticeboard
in the big schoolroom by early August when our posters and flyers will be
available for you to distribute. The week-end will end with a Musical Concert
at 3-00 pm on Sunday Afternoon.
-o-O-o-
SECURITY and KEYS
Due to new security features in the Chapel we would like to update our
record of key holders. Can you please let Michael Higgins or David
Brown know what keys you hold.
If you have any keys, in particular keys to the safe, which you no longer
need to have, please hand them back to David Brown or Christine
Wright. Please reply by 31st August 2018.
AT HOME
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An “At Home” will be held on Monday, 27th August, at the home of
Ann Binch, 14, Long Meadow, Farnsfield. Teas and cakes will be served
from 2-00 pm until 5-00 pm to raise funds for the OMH Restoration
Fund. There will also be a Bring and Buy Stall.
Entry £2.50.
-o-O-o-
SPONSORED WALK
The Sponsored Walk (7th May 2018) in aid of the John Eastwood
Hospice realised £1271 – a magnificent sum as we had fewer walkers
than in previous years. Thank you to all who took part! The cheque
will be presented at the Hospice on Friday, 31st August at 6-30 pm – all
walkers are invited to join in this event.
-o-O-o-
NONAGENARIANS
Our oldest Chapel Member, Dorothy Allen, will be celebrating her
ninetieth birthday on Saturday, 11th August. Derek Smith will achieve
his ninetieth birthday on Thursday, 23rd August. Congratulations to
these two long livers.
-o-O-o-
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Priceless Mementoes
Alistair Hamilton
“Tell me about the old days Gramma” said the young boy,
On the floor beside her lap.
“Tell you about the old days” Gramma said.
“Well we lived in the country, like everyone else we had a
large family, 4 boys, 4 girls (I was the last one in.)
We had no TVs no Computers, we washed clothes in a tub.
Times were hard, yes, but neighbours supported each other.
You could leave your doors unlocked. No one had anything to
pinch. No ATM no plastic cards.
When we wanted an item we saved up.
We walked to school and the shops. We grew a lot of our food
in our allotments, so we always had fresh food.
We planted and Mother Nature helped out. No man-made
fertilisers.
Our cats kept the mice population down. We never got fat and
flabby. We were out in the countryside, with our dogs. We
always were awakened by the dawn chorus. And after an
early morning shower, we may see a rainbow.
And at the end of the days the Moon and stars would light
your way home after an evening stroll. Any way speaking of
memory lane, my boy, when I exit the planet, I will have a lot
of memories to take with me, the memories money can’t buy.”
The young boy said, “Thanks for sharing those memories with
me now I know why they call them “Priceless Mementoes”.
