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PARISH POSTBAG
What has our Professor been up to? I was reading the Daily Telegraph on Wednesday 27th August when a headline caught my attention. It was titled “Secrets of Wesley’s journals decoded”. The first paragraph intrigued me as it read “The journals of Charles Wesley, the co-founder of the Methodist movement, have been decoded after a nine year project to unravel the hidden messages within his complex personal shorthand”. That was enough to stimulate my attention so I continued to read and lo and behold our curate, the Rev. Prof Kenneth Newport, was the instigator! He is pro Vice Chancellor of Liverpool Hope University and has deciphered more than 1,000 pages written 250 years ago by Charles Wesley between 1736 and 1756.
It was evident from Kenneth’s research that Wesley was opposed vehemently to any formal break from the Church of England (he was of course an ordained priest). Kenneth remarked “He was very much opposed to separation regarding the Methodist societies that had sprung up. Wesley said he would remain with them as long as they remained in the Church of England. Charles Wesley’s opposition to the split is disclosed, despite his brother John, with whom he co-founded the Methodist Church, being credited with setting in motion the move towards a break.
The decisive split between the Church of England and the Methodists is usually dated to 1795 – seven years after Charles’s death and four years after that of John. Kenneth located in Charles Wesley’s volumes details of his fears over the possible “encroachment” of Islam into Western society. He also studied journals from copies of the originals held at John Ryland’s Library, Manchester, and discovered that much of the writing is in idiosyncratic personal shorthand. His research was printed in all the quality national newspapers and he also had a slot on BBC Look North television and a number of radio interviews. Courtesy of “The Daily Telegraph” and by kind permission of The Revd Professor Kenneth Newport.
More medals to be awarded Without many people knowing, a tremendous amount has been going on behind the scenes during the Interregnum. I know for a fact that whoever I shall nominate will not thank me for the following adulation! Firstly, is Evelyn Weston, a full time school administrator and Church Warden, who arranged the visiting clergy to conduct the Services at 8.00 a.m., 10.30 a.m. and 6.30 p.m. on Sundays, and mid-week as well. This must have been a time-consuming task, and it went so smoothly. Don’t forget this was for a year. Another plaudit goes to Sheila Wrigley who did numerous home visits to provide Holy Communion to our members of the congregation who could not attend. Of course it must be appreciated that the clergy would normally undertake this big responsibility. I also remember Michael Collier and Norman Fort who were totally involved with the appointment of a new vicar. Also David Morlidge and once again Evelyn Weston the current Church Wardens for continuing the good work of their predecessors. Also, for Revd. Kenneth for bearing the responsibility of being the only “resident” clergy. I am reminded of all the athletes who arrived home from Beijing without formal awards but who were members of a very successful team and who supported each other. This is what I feel about the all those anonymous members of our congregation who gave time and effort during the Interregnum. I’m sure everyone will join me in thanking them for their sterling efforts.
A wedding anniversary. Congratulations to Dorothy and David Morlidge who, on the 17th August, celebrated their Ruby Wedding anniversary A Daughter is born
Make magnanimity a habit Indulge yourself by being generous - help someone out - perform an act of kindness - offer a compliment. The person who will feel most uplifted by you having done so is…….you.
Postman David |
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British Summer Time ends at 2.00 a.m. on Sunday 26th October 2008. Please remember to turn your clocks BACK an hour. |
