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Celebrating Mavis

26/8/2012

After the service today we celebrated a very special birthday for Mavis, who has been attending our church since she moved to the village in 1946. A lovely cake was made and she blew out her number candles. Many regular members and visitors helped her mark the occasion. Mavis herself says that every day is a bonus and she still enjoys organising the chapel and living in her own home.

Today was the last service Derek conducted as our minister before he retires again! The well attended service was followed by a bring and share lunch which allowed people to say farewell and thanks. A presentation of some theatre ticket tokens, book vouchers as well as a "more tea vicar" mug was made, in recognition of all the work that Derek has patiently and quietly undertaken during his three years of looking after us all so well. It is the first time we have had a minister who was solely responsible for just our church and we have been blessed with his ministry. He will be solely missed by the congregation as well as his future presence being noticably absent at the many events he has always made a consistent effort to attend. A lovely spread was put on as a result of all of us bringing some food and a merry time was had by all.

This September promises to be a coffee morning with a cake feast as well. It will support the work of our own methodist relief fund exists to bring about significant and long term change in some of the world's most marginalised communities, and to empower people to change structures that are oppressive and unjust. With perhaps the longed for indian summer finally around the corner perhaps you can come and discuss the summers events over a cup of tea and coffee now that the children, students and teachers are back at school.

Click this image to access more information directly from the MRDF website.

Farewell to Rev. Derek Shaw

19/8/2012

Bernard Wheeler 1942 - 2012

10/8/2012

Bernard Wheeler’s funeral was held on Friday August 10th in the Chapel he had attended until his very recent move. Family and friends filled the church and paid tribute to him. Born and bred in Whitacre, he was a faithful member of the Church for many years and we shall miss him greatly. After a service of thanksgiving for his life, at the Methodist Church, led by Rev. Derek Shaw, he was buried at St Giles. A collection was made for Walsgrave Hospital, where Bernard was cared for during the last 2 weeks of his life. We continue to remember Christina, Deborah, Darren, Laura, Jake, Heidi and Steve in our prayers.

Bernard Wheeler was born in Whitacre on February 25th 1942. He lived with his 3 brothers and 1 sister at Glenroy Cottage, Ridley Lane. Later the family moved to Coton Road.

After attending Nether Whitacre School he moved to Kingsbury Secondary. At weekends and evenings he worked at Jarman’s Farm cleaning out the cattle sheds but when he left school he went to work for the local builder Whiteheads. When they finished Bernard went to work at Lea Marston Leisure Centre, and was in the kitchen there for 11 years before he became too ill to work. He had many health problems and was in a wheel chair for the last years, but never complained.

He met his wife Christina through a penpal organisation. When they met they immediately “clicked,”as Chris says and were soon married. They had nearly 47 years together and had 2 daughters Deborah and Heidi. They enjoyed cycling and were familiar figures on their tandem, travelling miles, often with Deborah behind them. After their wedding they moved to the opposite side of Coton Road and were there until earlier this year.

Bernard attended Sunday school at the Methodist Church and all the important dates in his life were celebrated there. Although he and Chris had moved to Kingsbury, they remained members at Whitacre and will be sorely missed by us. His faithful support and gentle humour cannot be replicated.

Circuit Ramble

5/8/2012

Once again we welcomed many members from the Birmingham District Methodist Circuit to an afternoon ramble around our local delightful village countryside with a service of Praise afterwards at 6pm. The weather could have been better and perhaps the Olympics were a bigger draw for some but those that made their way along the walk enjoyed themselves espeically meeting the little alpackers who were pleased to see us regardless of the rain. A packed service afterward, led by our soon to be incumbent minister Rev Mike Crockett, raised the roof with the singing of new and old favourites songs of praise.

August Coffee Morning

2/8/2012

This summery August month we raised £100 to support a charity called HOST UK, which finds host families for international students visiting Great Britain. HOST UK promotes international friendship and understanding by arranging for international students studying in the UK to spend a day, weekend or Christmas in a British home. A good turnout saw a near full house discussing topics such as the ongoing olympics with the opening ceremony being much discussed. The recent passing away to peace of our long standing member Bernard Wheeler who died early this week after a very short illness was on many peoples mind. Our thoughts are with his family and he will be remembered by many.

Click the logo here to find out ore about Host UK direct from their website

Much discussion continues... many remembering Bernard Wheeler

Celebrating Mavis

Farewell to Rev. Derek Shaw

Bernard Wheeler 1942 - 2012

Circuit Ramble

August Coffee Morning

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