The Methodist Heritage Newsletter
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Hello DAVID, this edition of the Methodist Heritage Newsletter looks ahead to 'What's On' at the four Methodist Museums over the Christmas period and as we welcome in 2024.
Leaning in to the festive theme, our 'From the archives' this month is the story of a gift named 'The Golden Jubilee'.
I hope you enjoy this edition of the Methodist Heritage newsletter. Wishing you a Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year!
Yours Faithfully, Olivia Threlkeld
Methodist Heritage and Collections Officer |
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From the Methodist Museums Organise a trip with your church to your nearest Methodist Museum... |
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New Vacancy Learning and Community Engagement Officer at Wesley's Chapel, The Museum of Methodism & John Wesley's House Do you have a passion for bringing heritage to new audiences? This exciting opportunity could be for you. Application deadline: 22 December 2023 |
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This bulky folder of correspondence in the Methodist Missionary Society Archives complete with correspondence, articles, photographs, manuscript accounts tells the story of a gift from 72,000 children. I hope you’ll enjoy the story of the Golden Jubilee, the story of a gift.As a note in the folder explains: “To commemorate the fiftieth year of the J.M.C.D.S.O* medal, members of the J.M.A** presented a motor launch for use by the Rev. Ephraim Alphonse in Panama. “ “The Revd Ephraim Alphonse [was] a West Indian and a pioneer missionary sent by the Methodists of Jamaica, to work amongst the Valiente Indians of Panama. […] His work among the Valiente Indians consists of visiting the villagers in isolated coves and lagoons, preaching the Gospel, helping the villagers, taking sick people to hospital, and transporting materials needed for building churches, etc. Revd. Ephraim Alphonse has learned the language of those Valiente Indians, and was the first person to write it down. He has translated part of the Bible for them to read. |
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The only mode of transport is by boat, but the launch used, the 27 ft. Cusapin, is old and unreliable and frequently breaks down, so that long journeys often have to be postponed, and people in the remote villages disappointed.” The scheme was officially launched and announced in the At Home and Abroad issue dated October 1952. Each JMC was asked to subscribe 4d in view of raising a total of £1,000. This money was used to convert a lifeboat decommissioned from the P & O liner Chitral and given to JMA by the Company. 72,000 British children contributed. They managed to raise £1,136 - approximately £27,195 today. The boat was refurbished and equipped following the instructions of Revd Alphonse and on the 14 November 1953 it was officially named in a ceremony held at Kingston-on-Thames. |
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After it had been named at Kingston-on-Thames, the boat was taken to Liverpool and shipped to Panama where she arrived in December 1953 to the great delight of Revd Alphonse. In January 1954, Revd Alphonse was writing to Miss Margaret Shaw, who had coordinated the JMC’s effort at MMS: “I cannot describe how well suited the Golden Jubilee is for our work. […] I am really at a loss to know who to thank and what to say that will be most effective." This story is particularly well documented. Someone in the MMS offices of the time meticulously kept the meaningful papers and object (the folder actually contains the former plaque of the boat) that allow us to share the story again today.
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Around the Connexion Your heritage stories and news from around the connexion |
John Wesley blue plaque unveiled in Grantham
A crowd gathered to witness the unveiling of a new blue plaque in Grantham commemorating his visits and preaching in the town. Revd Andy Fyall (Chair of Nottingham and Derby District) and Ruth Cook (Treasurer of the Grantham Civic Society) were in attendance for this special day. |
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Providence Methodist Chapel Winner of National Church Award 2023
Throwleigh Providence Methodist Chapel, Plymouth & Exeter Methodist District, won the award in the category 'Open to Visitors' despite keen competition from churches across the UK. Providence Methodist Chapel had only four members a few years ago and faced closure - but dedicated volunteers and community spirit has led to over 1,750 visitors in 2022, giving the church a sustainable future. Read more about their story here. |
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Our Justice Journeys: Three Centuries of Striving for a Better World
Our Justice Journeys brings together papers from the 2022 Methodist Heritage conference celebrating the 250th anniversary of the birth of Hugh Bourne, alongside other essays touching on Methodist collections, histories, and work in the present day. Between them, they explore many different aspects and narratives of Methodist engagement with social justice, encompassing nearly three centuries of striving for a better world. Available to purchase here. |
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Share your Methodist Heritage
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Use the My Methodist History websites to share your stories, memories, photos, research and comments about people, places and topics... just about all things Methodist!
With sub-sites for Primitive, Wesleyan, United Methodist & Oxford, these community archives are treasure troves of Methodist History. |
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Can you share a 'What's On' item for our next issue? What heritage news could you share with the connexion? |
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The Methodist Church Methodist Church House 25 Tavistock Place, London WC1H 9SF Registered charity no. 1132208 |
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