Heroes

 

I expect most of us could produce a list of Heroes.  On my list would be a number of well known names but at least one hero would evoke the response ‘Who’s he?’ if the reader didn’t live in Timsbury or the surrounding area.  Indeed the person might not have been known to some in Timsbury as I think he was a quiet hero.  Who am I talking about?  I am talking about our former organist, Albert Bridges, known to most of us as Bert…. even though he didn’t like that short name.

I have chosen him for two reasons.  One, for his commitment.  He played the organ for well over 50 years.  That was his priority on a Sunday and for many years he played at both morning and evening service.  Secondly, I have chosen him becasue even when his sight became very limited he was still prepared to play the organ from memory as long as he was nudged in the back during the last verse!  What could have prevented him from his Christian service didn’t fully stop him.

Another hero of mine is much better known….. Martin Luther King.  Apart from his work in the Civil Rights movement and being prepared to do and say things that put him at risk he was also a great orator.  His ‘I have a dream’ speech is possibly one of the best known speeches in history but I also take much from his ‘What is your blueprint’ speech.  In it he is trying to impress that we should be the best of what we are…. I quote:

‘If it falls to your lot to be a street sweeper, sweep streets like Michelangelo painted pictures, sweep streets like Beethoven composed music, sweep streets like Shakespeare wrote poetry.

So from thinking about my heroes I would ask us to reflect on our commitment to the Lord especially when life gets more difficult for us…. is there still somethihng we can do?  Are we risk takers?  Are we being the best of what we are as Christians?

I think these questions are pertinent as once again we have to give serious thought to the future of our Church.  If we are to ‘go forward’ we will need more commitment and people being the ‘best of what we are.  People who are prepared to take risks for Jesus.

A special meeting will be held on 12th June at 7:15 to discuss this and we hope all members will attend and share their thoughts and ideas.

Meanwhile as the prophet Micah wrote ‘let us do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with our God’.

We must continue to pray and Blessings to you all.

Margaret

Eric’s Spring Message

Eric Barge, Chairman of the Trustees of Tabor
Eric Barge, Chairman of the Trustees of Tabor

 

Dear Friends

At this time of the year, most of us have had enough of short days and long winter nights and we are looking forward to the start of Spring. The good news is that Spring is not far away now.

Behind us are the cold dark damp days of the Winter season and the early sign of Springtime are in evidence.  Hazel catkins in the hedgerows, bright yellow daffodils and the new green leaves and greenery on display in the woods and trees. Overhead the noisy rooks are busy sorting out their nesting spots!

I always look forward to St David’s day each year (1st March) with its links with the daffodils and for the fact that the Winter months of January and February are behind again by then!

Mothering Sunday is always a very special time for all of us (26th March this year) and our booked preacher for this time is Mrs Jean Auckland.

We all look forward too, in anticipation, to the Easter Season, I’m sure, and to all the things we associate with Easter time. Our morning service on Easter Day this year (16th April 11:00 a.m.) is to be lead by Mr Ken Milwood of Bristol.

Two weeks later, on Sunday 30th April, we celebrate once again our chapel anniversary. This year at Tabor we mark 156 years as a Church and 87 years as a free (independent) Church – facts well worth celebrating! Please share in these special occasions if you are able.

Meanwhile… greetings to you all, – and Best Wishes, especially to those who are feeling a bit under the weather at the presen.

A VERY HAPPY EASTER TO ONE AND ALL!

GOD BLESS

Regards

Eric

Margaret’s Christmas Message

I bought a card recently: on the front was the picture of a family, mother, father, two sons and a daughter. They were sitting around and the caption read “Look, it’s been a whole five minutes.  Can’t we get our ‘phones out yet?”

I think that pretty well sums up what life is like for many at the moment, for individuals and for families… many always have a piece of technology in their hand….many walk around heads bowed, not looking at anyone else but at their ‘phones.

Statistics tell us that fewer families now eat their meals together at the table, the settee is the more favoured place and food is eaten whilst watching TV. For many interaction with others is limited and maybe in some cases there is only concern for one’s own needs.

The shops are reminding us that it won’t be long ’til Christmas. Whilst shopping the other day in a big store I did find some Nativity sets amongst the candles, santas, chocolates etc. and was pleased that Jesus was getting a look-in!

In our Advent and Christmas worship we will celebrate through music and the Word that God interacted with the world over 2000 years ago and continues to do so “where meek souls will receive Him”. God did not ignore the world’s needs but came in his Son Jesus Christ to bring light to a world in need. Jesus’ ministry was spent interacting and considering others and we know that in an act of selfless love he gave himself for us on the Cross.

Christians know the Christmas story so well: many could recite the Christmas scriptures word for word and sing the carols without a hymn book. I hope this Advent and Christmas the amongst the familiarity we will all fell that “a wondrous gift is given”and that he will “enter in and be born in us” again. So that as we approach another year we will be even more ready to interact with Him and our fellow human beings serving in a world where there is much darkness. We pray and trust that the “men of strife” will “hear the angels sing” and “listen to the news of love which makes the heavens ring”, and that a real and lasting peace will come to our world.

On December 10th at 3pm we will be offering a Christmas tea to anyone who would like to come and as part of that Christmas tea we will take the opportunity to let others know of the true meaning of the season. The Christmas message was given to shepherds and astrologers, to rich and poor. WE too will interact with all.

I wish you all a blessed Advent and Christmas and may you continue to know and show the Saviour’s love in 2017.

Blessings

Margaret

More Quarterly Messages:

Walk The Talk

Where can we turn for some Good News?

A Christmas Message

Always Say A Prayer

Margaret from Tabor Writes…

I expect many readers are watching “The Great British Bake-Off”.

Although the bakers have access to a number of appliances, it is mainly their hands that they use, and what creations we see, especially when it comes the the “showstopper” part. Amazing end products! Perhaps we would wish to be there to sample!

Hands are used in many creative ways.  We only have to think of the work of artists and sculptors and the work of surgeons to name but a few.

Some of you will be familiar with the story of a sculpture that was damaged in a German church in World War 2. The church was rebuilt after the war and the sculpture of Christ was placed back at the front but minus its hands, which had been damaged in the air raid. One day a visitor, an American sculptor, came to the church and offered to sculpt some new hands. The church thanked the man for his offer but declined. Their reason was that when they looked at the image without hands they were reminded that they were the “hands of Christ” in the world.

Years ago when I attended Sunday School we used to sing a hymn “Jesus hands were kind hands doing good to all”. Jesus used his hands in many amazing ways, e.g. he used his hands to heal and to welcome outcasts, and finally his hands were nailed to the cross in an amazing act of sacrificial love, taking upon himself the sins of the world.

Whether we are people of a faith or people of no faith we can all use our hands to be creative, to touch lives and to make a difference. I recall how Princess Diana made a difference when she shook the hand of an Aids sufferer and touched lepers. A former Japanese prisoner of war shook the hand of the soldier who had cruelly treated him, thus offering the hand of forgiveness.

As we seek to use our hands creatively, to make a difference and to show gestures of friendship may we all be blessed.

Margaret

Autumn and Harvest

Autumn and Harvest

Eric Barge, Chairman of the Trustees of Tabor
Eric Barge, Chairman of the Trustees of Tabor

Dear Friends

“Time and Tide wait for no man” is a quotation familiar to all of us – and a saying we all know to be true!

Way back in history it was King Canute who tried to sort out ways of holding back the tide.  For each and every person, of every generation, sorting out ways of holding back the “March of Time” has been a considerable challenge.

As I write these notes, we have reached the middle of August and the Summer holidays are well under way.  However, it won’t be long before September arrives and with it the start of the Season of Autumn – the “Season of Mists and Mellow Fruitfulness”!  It’s a lovely time of year,  with the changing colours of the leaves and all the other changes we see around us in nature.

One of the “Highlights” of the Season is Harvest Festival time, and Tabor’s Harvest Festival, this year on Sunday 2nd October. Our morning service will be taken by Liz Richardson, and in the evening at 6:00 p.m. we welcome as our guests the Paulton Concert Band, and the congregations of the Timsbury churches, for our United Harvest “Songs of Praise”.

I am quite sure we are all looking forward to sharing together in our Annual Celebrations – “Come, Ye Thankful People Come!”

As in recent years, we will conclude the day with a Harvest Supper in the schoolroom downstairs.  Arrangements and fuller details will be available in the near future.

At this time, we send greetings to everyone … especially to those who are feeling in need of a “lift” at the moment.

Regards

Eric

Tabor Ringers Report October 2016

Tabor Handbells

TABOR RINGERS

After a break for Summer Holidays The Tabor Ringers are back in action and what a fantastic welcome they received when they recently played at Pine Lea Day Care Centre in Midsomer Norton.  Under the leadership of Miss Angie Poole the bells and chimes played well known tunes which the audience sang along to with gusto.  Not only sang but when the Can Can was played arms and legs were being twirled around and flung in the air

 

The Community singing led by Mrs Lynda Lye also brought a practical demonstration when The Music Man was sung.  Make believe pianos, trombones, drums etc were being played.  Lambeth Walk was well remembered as were the other songs.

Humorous recitations/anecdotes, which brought forth laughter and amusement, were recounted by Mrs Dianne Carter.   All in all a very enjoyable afternoon was had by all.

 

The Tabor Ringers have been booked again to return at the end of November and this is the start of a very busy season.  Bookings for the remainder of the year include Keynsham Day Centre, Manor Farm Care Home at Radstock, Whitehaven Care Home Midsomer Norton, a Concert at Kilmersdon, The Laurels Care Home Timsbury, culminating in taking part in The Carol Service at our own Church – Tabor Independent Methodist in Timsbury.

A couple of engagements have been booked for 2017.

If you would like us to visit your group please contact Mrs Brimble on (01761) 470891.

Dianne Carter

Playing Member.

Walk the Talk

Margaret, Trustee of Tabor
Margaret, Trustee of Tabor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am sure many of you will have seen the recent TV series in which Paul O’Grady spent time with the Salvation Army and joined in with much of their work.  Paul spent time with the homeless, addicts, the terminally ill and refugees in Greece.

I have always admired the work of the Salvation Army where Christian belief is very much put into practice.  The letter of James says “faith without works is dead”. We should all think about how we “walk the talk”.

As I write this it will soon be Christian Aid week when Christians will think particularly about the plight of many people in Bangladesh. I hope that Tabor will be able to contribute towards that work.

Much nearer to home, of course, is the opportunity for us to all put our faith into practice by supporting the local Food Bank.  Sometimes our collection bin has little in it. It would be good if Tabor Methodist could increase its giving in this area. Peoples’ lives can change in an instant and often through no fault of their own.

When Paul O’Grady was in Greece working with the refugees, one passer-by became very vociferous, telling the refugees to return to their own country. The Captain who was with Paul commented that she hoped that if something happened in the UK forcing many to leave, we would be welcomed elsewhere. Paul himself commented “these are human beings.” All who are in need are “God’s children” and by helping them we help Christ.

I always recall the words written above the place in Mother Teresa’s home to which the dying were brought … four words: “the body of Christ”.

With Blessings

Margaret, Trustee of Tabor

Tabor Handbells Report: April 2018

 

Tabor Ringers, based at Tabor Independent Methodist Church Timsbury. have begun a new year of engagements.

The first engagement this year was a sad occasion, when the group played at the funeral of a former founder and playing member.  Eric Brimble resigned from the group in January 2017 due to illness.  Both Eric and his wife, Freda, were founder members and Freda was secretary for many years.  Freda decided to retire at the same time as Eric and they were presented with an engraved crystal glass bell and a framed photograph of the group.

The week following Eric’s funeral the group had a return trip to The Good Companions club based at St Philips and St James Church in Bath.

The Concert planned at Pine Lea Midsomer Norton had to be cancelled because of adverse weather conditions.  A couple of the ringers were snowed in, in their village and another one was stuck in Minehead.  It is hoped a later date can be arranged.

The group are taking the advantage of a gap, for a few weeks, in engagements to learn new music, which we are planning to roll out for our Spring/Summer Season.

The diary is beginning to fill for the rest of the year and especially during December, our busiest season.

Further information, either about how to join the group or for bookings please contact our Secretary Mrs Ruth Bailey (01761) 752049

Dianne Carter

Playing Member.

Where can we turn for some Good News?

Eric Barge, Chairman of the Trustees of Tabor
Eric Barge, Chairman of the Trustees of Tabor

Dear Friends

I wonder if you feel despondent when you listen to the News each day on the radio or television, or read the stories in the newspapers.   Most bulletins seem to be so full of bad news these days – there’s only very rarely a story or incident to make us smile, or lift our spirits!

I expect that, like me, you’re constantly looking for an ‘antidote’ to all the sadness around and the various other problems. These stories can be national, international or sometimes of a local nature. Problems, perhaps within or our own village or street, our Church Family or even within our own families. I know, sadly, that none of us seem to be exempt.

‘Where can we turn for some good news?’ I think I can hear you ask.

Let me try and offer a couple of brief and simple suggestions which I hope may be helpful.

Firstly , we’re in the early days of Spring which I always find encouraging – the days are longer, the flowers are blooming with colour and there’s a little warmth in the sunshine once again.

Secondly, we are in the season of Lent now in the Church Calendar; we can always be inspired by the fact that Lent always culminates in the wonderful season of Easter-tide! Easter is a great time for everyone, young and old alike, and a marvellous time especially for all Christian believers! It forms the true basis of our faith and beliefs and should be the ‘highlight’ of our year!

So, please take time again in the course of the next few days/weeks to reflect on your faith once again, and look forward in prayerful hope towards the Easter Season and the Glorious Resurrection Joy it brings.

With best wishes to you all – especially those not well at present.

Greetings and a very Happy Easter.

Eric

A Christmas Message

I expect some of you will have seen the programme on TV entitled ‘Hugh’s war on waste.’ The River Cottage chef has been campaigning to get people to throw away less and trying to get the public and supermarkets to buy and sell vegetables that are not ‘perfectly shaped. If you saw the programmes you will recall the mountain of parsnips that had to be thrown away because they weren’t perfect enough for the retailer and the field of cabbages that was destroyed because the leaves didn’t meet the specifications. I am sure we would all agree that this is a terrible waste when many people in this country struggle to put food on the table.

It will soon be Christmas when we celebrate the birth of the Christ-child who grew into a man, who ministered among and to those who were not ‘perfectly shaped,’ holding out his hands to them and inviting them to dine with him. He ate with `tax collectors and sinners’ and for not perfectly shaped humankind he died on the cross.

We know that over 2,000 years later we are loved just as we are and we will never be rejected by God. We are held in the palm of his hand…whoever we are, whatever we do, wherever we are on life’s journey, God is with us.

At Christmas we hear these words ‘A virgin will become pregnant and have a son and he will be called Immanuel’ (which means ‘God is with us’) What a wonderful gift this Christmas time.

I trust our Advent worship and Carol Service will be a spiritual time for us all.

I wish you a happy, peaceful Christmas and every blessing for 2016.

Margaret

Trustee of Tabor