Wesley News
Life at Wesley, our community and, #ThoughtsFromHuw
June: A Word from Richard
Dear Friends
Are we living at the start of a new ‘age of electricity’? Electrically powered vehicles are becoming increasingly common on our roads, solar panels on house roofs are everywhere and we don’t have to drive too far into the countryside before we see some wind turbines. The renewables revolution is beginning to catch on and technological advances in electricity storage will, I suspect, continue to add impetus to the move away from fossil fuels.
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 Mahler’s 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"‘ 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, ‘Blessed are the peacemakers’ and ‘if someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also.’ Whilst being put to death as an innocent man he prayed forgiveness for his executioners.
