Wesley News
Life at Wesley, our community and, #ThoughtsFromHuw
May: A Word from Richard
At the Worship Together service at Sheriff Hill on Sunday 17th April we listened to Joan Stewart, her husband Bob and sister, Carol, talking about their work as volunteers with the Street Pastors in Newcastle. They are part of a team of volunteers who take it in turns to spend Friday and Saturday evenings between 10pm and 4am patrolling the streets around the Bigg Market and the Quayside where thousands of party goers flock to each weekend. Street Pastors1 were established in London in 2003 and operate now in many towns and cities across the UK. They provide help and support for revellers who find themselves vulnerable or in trouble. Street Pastors work closely with police, emergency services and night club door staff. The work of Street Pastors is highly valued by all these agencies.
April: A Word from Richard
Dear Friends
A few years ago I had the very great pleasure to be present at a performance of Mahlerโs 5th Symphony at the Sage, Gateshead. I came somewhat late to an appreciation of classical music and in my 50s I have enjoyed discovering something of the rich musical heritage of the great classical composers. In this digital age the music, either on disc or on line, is more readily available and more affordable than ever before. But nothing beats the experience of watching and listening to an orchestra perform a great Symphony live.
March: A word from Richard
Dear Friends
Life is full of mysteries, here are just a few:
If money doesn't grow on trees then why do banks have branches?
In a cinema which arm rest is yours?
Why are there no 'B' batteries?
When does it stop being partly cloudy and start being partly sunny?
Stephen Hawking, the world renowned theoretical physicist and cosmologist, in an interview to mark his 70th birthday, stated that as far as he was concerned, women were a complete mystery. Many women might say the same about men!
January: A word from Richard
Dear Friends
It snowed on the 14"โ January. It wasn't a snowstorm of epic proportion but it was enough to bring traffic to a halt in Heworth and Windy Nook. I was attempting to make my way from home to Wesley for the 9.30 prayer meeting and found myself trapped by the ensuing grid lock. I didn't make it to Low Fell and eventually at 10am l turned round at Windy Nook School and headed home.
December: A word from Richard
Dear Friends
Jesus was born into a troubled, fractured, politically and ethnically divided world. We recognise from his life that he was the fulfilment of ancient prophecy that foretold the coming of the Prince of Peace. Throughout that life he taught about peace and lived a peaceful life whilst remaining aware and alert to those people and forces that sowed division, hatred and injustice. He said, โBlessed are the peacemakersโ and โif someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also.โ Whilst being put to death as an innocent man he prayed forgiveness for his executioners.
November: A word from Richard
Dear Friends
One of my favourite films ever is The Great Escape. It is a while since I watched it but my memories of the film are that it is tense, exciting and hugely enjoyable. Although it is somewhat worrying that what is essentially a sad story from the 2nd WW can be turned into an โenjoyableโ film.
October: A word from Richard
Dear Friends
Itโs been a bumper harvest in the Nether House garden this summer. I continue to harvest more fruit and vegetables than I really know what to do with. The kids are fed up with โgiftsโ of courgettes, rhubarb, broccoli, strawberries and apples; the freezer is stocked and still there is more. My brother in law tells me his harvest of wheat and barley is the best he has ever known. Last week a farmer in Lincolnshire registered a world record yield of wheat. All this because we have had what we might term a Goldilocks growing season, not too wet, not too dry, not too cold, not too hot, but just right. There has been enough moisture for crops to fulfil their potential and enough sunshine to ripen them and allow harvesting to be completed.
