newsletter
Old Meeting House – October 2024
Founded 1662 Built in 1702
OLD MEETING HOUSE YARD MANSFIELD NG18 1QR
UNITARIAN AND FREE CHRISTIAN
Service each Sunday
11.00 am (in the Chapel and via Zoom)
Minister
Rev Mária Pap 24 St John St
Mansfield NG18 1QJ Phone 07486 062320
Chairperson Mr Paul Frost 07967006861
Deputy Chairperson Mr Neil Fisher 01623462833
Secretary Correspondence 24 St John St
Mansfield NG18 1QJ
email to:
David Brown at: 164daviv@gmail.com omhmansfield@gmail.com
Treasurer
Miss Christine Wright 20 Forest Avenue Mansfield NG18 4BX 01623486243
Lettings
Mrs P Smith 07870 397073
Committee Members
Mrs Ann Binch, Mr David Brown
Mr Peter Faulkner, Mrs Edwina Higgins, Mr Michael Higgins, Mrs Pauline Smith Mr David Wright Mrs Catherine Wycherley
SUNDAY SERVICES STEWARDS FLOWERS
Oct | 6th | Rev Mária Pap | Mr N Fisher | In memory of Yvonne Brown |
Oct | 13th | Rev Mária Pap | Mr D Brown | Mrs V Brown |
Oct | 20th | Rev Mária Pap | Mrs A Binch | Mrs J Hacking |
Oct | 27th | Jenny Burroughes & Martin Davies | Miss C Wright | Mr P Randall |
CHAPEL OPENING – SATURDAYS
Oct | 12 | 10:30 am–12 noon | Mr N Fisher |
Oct | 26 | 10:30 am–12 noon | Mr N Fisher |
COFFEE MORNINGS – Saturdays, 10 am - noon
19th – with Poetry Group postponed to 9th November
26th– with Halloween Party for the children & young at hearts
Special Event
26th, Saturday at 7 pm - Frog Race with Fish and Chips - Charity Fundraiser Evening in Aid of Teenage Cancer Trust
Advanced Dates for your Diary:
Sunday, 10 November – Remembrance Sunday
Saturday, 23 November –Children in Need Coffee Morning
Ministerial Musing - Improbable Truths
”When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.” – Sherlock Holmes
Several years ago, when we moved to Mansfield, one of the things which struck us was the presence of disabled people everywhere. They were shopping, strolling around, and attending events, taking part in the everyday life of the town, of their communities. It was great to see that they are leading as “normal” a life as possible – though if asked to explain normal, I would be in quandary to define what it is. In this instance perhaps I would say able-bodied, but I am aware that we carry within us many infirmities which are not visible to the eye.
It came as a surprise to us, because back home disabled people are almost ”hidden”- as if a physical infirmity is something to be ashamed about; you very rarely met them outside and the institutions are just starting to make the necessary arrangements for access to buildings, for their integration in society.
This situation opened our eyes to the fact that it took a long time here and it will take quite a long one everywhere else for the recognition of disabled people as full and competent members of our societies, for welcoming them and giving them the space, the support, the love they deserve; a recognition that despite their disabilities they are “one of us.” But if we or the society at large is slow on the uptake, disabled people take the lead in teaching us about our common humanity, about vision
and courage, about gratitude, about challenging the impossible and showing to us all improbable truths.
The Olympics and Paralympics Games came to an end and I do not know if you noticed that Charlotte Henshaw, a Mansfield Paralympian won two gold medals a couple of weeks ago in Paris.:)
Those who watched the Paralympics will surely understand the Sherlock Holmes quote – both in terms of impossibility and improbability. We were treated to a lesson about the unquenchable human spirit, which endures and overcomes the infirmities of the body to start life anew, to find meaning in each and every day, to dream and soar above the pain, the disillusionment, the challenges. In many of these sports the participants’ infirmities made it look almost like an impossibility to have a go at it, yet they did it. They eliminated the impossible from their dictionary and proved us that the improbable, that which by sheer human reason could not have happened – did happen.
All the achievements of those participating in the Paralympics, whether they won a medal or came last is a proof that we can overcome almost impossible hardships and heartbreaks, that we can live out and we can bring about improbable truths if we set our mind, our heart, our will to do so.
Many things in our life seem at times almost impossible: like keeping our act together or keeping our sanity, when difficulties assail us; reaching out to others when we don`t feel like human company or asking for help when we need it; in the effort to go on with a task that is more bother than joy; struggling to be present and supportive of our
communities, for what we deem to be a poor return; keeping our hope and working for a better, kinder world, which does not seem to materialize even when we go the second mile– so many instances when the most understandable human reaction would be to hide, to turn away, to give up.
And yet more times than we realize, we go on and make the improbable happen – against all infirmities of body or mind, against tiredness and disillusionment, against fear and differences, and everything that seems to challenge us. We do it because there is a compulsion, a dream, a vision, a love of Life, an indestructible core that will not let us go.
Autumn is upon us again – a reminder of past harvests and those which are yet to come; a reminder of riches around and in us; hidden stores of courage, determination, of love, of gratitude if we can just see the blessings of our life. If we can just see that with everything that challenges our mind, body and soul as individuals and as a community, with everything that challenges our common humanity we still can overcome the impossible and if we so wish, make the improbable happen. Will we?
See you at OMH and/or via zoom! Mária
Pastoral News
Helen Edwards has got the date for her pacemaker for 15th October. Our prayers and good wishes are with her and we hope everything goes smoothly!
Dave Guilor is much better; his dizziness has been attended to, so now he can drive again. He still feels shaky from time to time, but sends his good wishes and hopes to visit us soon!
It was great to welcome back Eric and Alistair to one of our services. Alistair`s hearing problems are not yet sorted, but otherwise he is well. He is still at Poppy Court but hopes to get a bungalow soon.
Joan Tedds had issues with zoom lately and she was not able to join our services, but she is confident that given a little time she will be coming in person. We are looking forward to that!
Birthdays in October: 3rd – Christine Wright; 16th – Elaine Brydges; 22nd –Paul Frost; 25th – Pauline Smith. Happy birthday to them all!
Wedding anniversaries:17th – Margaret and Roy Wain’s 60th wedding anniversary; 21st – Michelle and Paul Frost; 25th – Ruth and David Burton. A very happy wedding anniversary to all three couples and special congratulations to Margaret and Roy!
NOTICE re zoom: Sunday Services: Meeting ID: 867 1276 0925; under other events offered virtually you will find their appropriate ID. The Passcode for all meetings is OMH.
Upcoming events:
Interfaith Group Meeting on Wednesday, 2nd October at 5pm (postponed from the last week of September). Among various subjects, we will discuss the preparations for the Interfaith Service in November.
If you wish to attend/ would like more info, please get in touch with Lynn.
A Singing Celebration of Harvest –Sunday, 6 October at 3 pm – in person only
We are delighted to welcome back The Forest Singers for our Harvest Service. The choir is sponsored by Nottingham County Council`s Local Communities Fund and additionally to this concert they will feature at our Christmas Carol service, too!
Do come along and bring your family and friends!
For Harvest Sunday we ask for donations of non-perishable goods – especially tins of baked beans, spaghetti, potatoes, tinned cold meat, soups, UHT milk, tea/coffee, cartons of juice for the Foodbank – as well as fruits and vegetables - which will be taken as usual to our members and friends, who cannot attend chapel. Thank you!
Women`s League – Wednesday, 9th October at 2 pm
Topic: AUTUMN – an opportunity to share your thoughts, memories or favourite poems and music on what this season means to you. The meeting is in person and via zoom, followed by discussion and tea. Open to all.
Meeting ID: 889 7773 4326
Saturdays
EMU AGM –12 October at 2:30 pm, Belper Unitarian Chapel
It will be hosted by our friends from the Belper congregation and those attending, besides meeting old friends, will get a chance to meet Kieren Mardle-Moss, student minister at Belper Unitarians. If you wish to attend, please let Maria know by Sunday, the 6th!
The Coffee Morning with Poetry Group meeting planned for the 19th is postponed to 9th November. The topic: Nursery Rhymes – remains; please, bring at least two in case of overlap, or you can make up your own! As usual everyone is welcome with/out a contribution!
26 October, 10 am – noon - Coffee Morning & Halloween Party for Children, Youngsters and Young at Hearts. Come in costume for a wickedly good time! Let us be scared together!:)
26 October, from 7 pm – Frog Race with Fish and Chips at OMH This will be a charity event with a fun race, food and raffle organized by Jenny Burroughes and Martin Davies in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust. Fish and chips will be provided – please bring your own drinks and glasses. Tickets: £15 – Adults; £10 - Children under 12.
A short explanation of the race from Jenny: Frog racing needs teams of two. One member of each team stands at the far end of the large school room and holds onto a rope in each hand. The other end of the ropes runs along the floor to the 2nd team member who will be at the near end of the room. This team member will have the ‘frog‘ on his/her end. When the adjudicator says ‘Go’ each of the second team members
in conjunction with the 1st team member makes the frog jump to reach the far end. To make the frogs jump each team member waves their arms up and down.
We hope you are intrigued enough to join us and support a great cause!
Congregational Service on 27 October – led by Jenny and Martin on the theme of “Memories.” They welcome contributions by the 20th, please!
Weekly activities @ OMH - New attendees are very welcome! Stay & Play for under 5`s on Tuesdays - 9:30-11:30 am (term time) Yoga Group – meets every Tuesday at 2 pm in the big schoolroom.
Friday`s Friendly Space –2-4 pm in the JH White room with arts and crafts, board games, refreshments and good company!
Heritage Open Days 2024 - Paul Frost, Chairperson
On the weekend of 14-15th September we celebrated another successful Heritage weekend opening at the OMH. Months of preparation and organisation by the working group and our Minister came to fruition in interesting displays and exhibitions, informative talks from outside speakers and lots of fun and friendship for friends of the OMH community, young and old. The success came in the wake of the honour of Mansfield Old Meeting House being the only place of worship other than a cathedral to be included in the 30th Anniversary Gallery of the national Heritage Open Days organisation.
As your chairperson I was happy to welcome the Deputy Mayor of Mansfield, Cllr Craig Whitby, who had never visited us before and was suitably impressed, staying for all the events on the Saturday.
I welcomed visitors in the chapel for the morning events and Vivienne Brown introduced David Burton, who opened our event with a fitting and heart-warming speech introducing our theme of “Routes, Networks and Connections”.
Liam Skillen of CEE Notts gave an interesting talk on Central & Eastern Europeans in Mansfield from WW2 to the present day, a companion to the “Chasing Shadows” travelling exhibition on the subject which we hosted in the large school room. We wish Liam and colleague well in their continuing oral history recording project.
We were served a delicious Hungarian dish for lunch courtesy of the culinary talents of our Minister’s husband, Laszlo, which went down very well in both original and vegetarian versions and we had some Hungarian cakes made by the Hungarian mums! Christine, Ann and Pat helped with drinks and supervised a successful cake stall, raising over a
£100 on the day.
Saturday afternoon saw a Power Point presentation from Steve Cree on Mansfield’s Sister Cities around the world. Steve was welcomed and introduced by Neil Fisher, our deputy chairperson and his talk was both informative and interesting. It would be great to see a revival of the Sister Cities Association, perhaps a task for future generations!
A recorded talk on Mansfield MA (USA) from Andrew Tedesco of the Historical Society in the American city was offered, along with Kath
and Peter Faulkner`s DVD about the pilgrimage to the WW1 graves of the fallen heroes of the OMH.
Tours of our chapel buildings were given, and people also had a go at a local historical quiz that I had put together around the themes of the day. On Sunday, Rev. Maria’s service concentrated on the key themes of Routes, Networks and Connections and we had a shared lunch, though we were not blessed with as nice weather as Saturday (which had allowed the children to enjoy playing in our grounds).
We are grateful for the donations of cakes for the stall, prizes for our quiz and for all the support received!
As chairperson I would like to offer heartfelt thanks on behalf of all the congregation and friends of the OMH for the effort, time and sheer hard work all those involved put into making HOD 2024 a success!
Note from Stewart Swift “Dear Rev Mária,
Thank you so much for printing my poem (Summer Trees). One is unsure if you wish another? I wrote one for the Harvest Service, entitled “The Gathering.” The poem is a celebration of the harvest, which has its roots in pagan times. Another word for gathering could be: congregation – and thus the people will gather.
My thanks to yourself and the Poetry Group for making me welcome!”
P.S. Stewart will read his poem at our Harvest Service!
Deadline November issue: 20th October; materials to Maria, please.
Life at the Old Meeting House
Each Sunday there is a Service of Worship at 11.00am – in person and via zoom, with meeting ID’s and Passcode published previously on our Facebook and sent by email.
Women`s League –first Wednesday of the month at 2pm – in person and via zoom.
A Yoga Group Meets every Tuesday at 2.00 pm.
A Stay and Play Group for under 5`s meets on Tuesdays, 9.30-11.30 am (Term Time)
Friday`s Friendly Space, 2-4 pm with crafts, games, refreshments.
Coffee Mornings on previously announced Saturdays from10.00 am – noon in person, with those on Zoom joining at 11.00 am; various programmes and talks on offer.
Once a month the Coffee Morning is offered with Children`s Space from
10.00 am until 12.00 noon.
Interfaith Group – meets on the last Wednesday of the month at 5pm.
The Meeting House itself is usually open for Visitors and/or private prayer on the second and fourth Saturday10.30am until 12.00 noon. For changes and updates consult our Noticeboards at OMH and on Stockwell Gate, or
find us on social media:
Facebook:
Mansfield Old Meeting House
Instagram: omhmansfield
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Visit our website at:
Who are the Unitarians?
A worldwide spiritual community which encourages you to think for yourself;
Unitarians affirm that:
Everyone has the right to seek for truth and meaning for themselves.
The fundamental tools for doing this Are your own life experiences, one’s own Intuitive understanding, and the promptings of one’s own conscience.
The best setting for doing this is in a Community that welcomes you as you are – beliefs, doubts, questions and all- but which also stimulates and challenges you.
They are called ‘Unitarians’
Because of their traditional emphasis on the unity or oneness of God.
Today Unitarians affirm the essential unity of humanity and creation.