Message from Rev Roy Burley- our Minister

Strange Times 

We live in strange times with restrictions on when and how we can meet for worship and fellowship; strangely for this Church, there will be two minister’s for one year. It seems strange, in one sense, that after three years in the Circuit, I am writing this as an introduction to Gladys and me. I look forward to working with you and getting to know you. However, here goes, I was born in Plymouth, but quickly escaped across the border to Cornwall, therefore, I count myself as a Cornishman, and a Cornish flag has been with me for a good part of the last twenty years. I have a sister, Elaine, but sadly, both sets of our parents have now passed away. I am married to Gladys, a Bradford lass, who is quite ‘crafty’ as she makes and sells her home made cards and we have a daughter Rachel, who is currently a Methodist Minister in Brampton (Carlisle), she is married to Steve and we have two grandchildren David and John

My first job from school was as a Radio Operator in the Royal Navy for eight years, with a few different jobs before training to be a Methodist Minister at Wesley College, Bristol (now closed). My section of churches were in Orrell (near Wigan), which I had only heard of because of the rugby team. My main church (I had four) was right on the Wigan/St Helens border, so the big question was “Are you Wigan or St Helens?” I tried to remain neutral.

I joined the Royal Army Chaplains Department in June 2001 and was posted to different parts of the country (and abroad): Paderborn (Germany), Thirsk, Catterick, Tidworth, Blandford Forum, Hadleigh (near Ipswich) and Okeham (in Rutland). I have been deployed on operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and on the Green Line in Cyprus, where Gladys and Rachel were able to join me for R&R. My commission with the army ended in 2017, when I came to this Circuit, to look after Brookhouse, Quernmore, Roeburndale and Wray. 

I have a keen interest in history, which is focussed currently on an MPhil in Army Chaplaincy History 1795-1820, which is entitled, “An age of negligence? British Army Chaplaincy, 1796-1844,” . I am good at boring people with my research. I am due to go on a deferred Sabbatical during May to July 2021 inclusive, which will include a study period at Spurgeon’s College, near London, with the Principal being a great Army Chaplain friend...

 The system workis well: customers ring 417662 to place orders, collecting them from the bench in our drive. 

If you prefer, we could drop things off on doorsteps as part of our daily exercise; please, keep the orders coming! 

We are still ordering from Traidcraft and have most things you would find on the stall. We can order anything shown as available on their website: https://www.traidcraftshop.co.uk/  

We could pop a price list  through your letter box to remind you what we normally stock.  and it can be here can be here within a week or so. Please don't worry about payment; we will continue running accounts "on tick" up till Christmas! 

It is important to keep Traidcraft's business running during this difficult time.  

Fairtrade is a crucial lifeline, it helps thousands of producers and communities across the world .  

Update: A big thank you to all who continue supporting Fairtrade by placing and collecting big and small orders from our home.

To encourage more of you to do so, here is a breakdown of what we can offer at present: 

What is available on the (virtual!) Fairtrade stall?

• Until at least March 2021:                            While stocks last
• Cafedirect instant  3.90                               Coconut milk 1.80
• Machu   Picchu ground 3.50                        Earl Grey tea bags(50) 1.90
• Breakfast blend tea bags 2.30                    Strawberry jam  2.20
• Decaffeinated  3.20                                     Cookies (ginger/choc/raisin) 1.50
• Camomile 1.80                                            Fairbreak cookies  1.20
• Green 1.80                                                  Cheesy oat biscuits 1.80
• Loose leaf tea 1.70                                      Poppy seed biscuits 2.00
• Divine cocoa 2.40                                        Brazil nuts  3.20
• Drinking choc   2.70                                     Mango  2.30
• White/brown rice (1kg) 3.10                        Salted nuts 1.40
• Penne pasta 1.90 90g                                choc bars: Ginger& orange/ 
• Honey set/clear  4.70                                  Mint cream/Milk/Dark mint 2.20
• Organic marmalade  2.20                           Dark caramel (35g) 90p
• Peanut butter  2.50                                      Fruit & nut muesli 3.40
• Raisins 2.80                                                Tissues  1.30
• Sultanas 2.85                                              Outdoor gloves (M/L) 4.00
• Mixed fruit 3.10                                            Gardening gloves (M/L) 4.10
• Dates   2.85                                                Soap (orange & honey) 1.35
• Apricots  1.60                                             Washing up liquid 1.80
• Walnut halves  3.20                                      A range of bamboo socks 5.00
• Cashews  3.20 
• Almonds  3.65 NB.                                     We could continue to stock some of 
• Chocolate fingers 1.60                               the above items if demand was regular
• Apricot and raisin bar 70p 
• 35g Divine choc:                                          Anything else from the current catalogue 
• Cappuccino/orange 90p                               or the online traidcraftshop can be 
• 500g tub Cafedirect 17.00                            ordered at any time. 
• Toilet rolls 2.25    12.00                                Just ring (01524) 417662                             
• Toilet rolls 2.25 
• Kitchen rolls 1.70                                         Temporarily unavailable:
• Rubber gloves 1.35                                      Sugar  1.30
• Handwash 3.50                                            Exotic fruit muesli 3.40
• A variety of cards 1.00                                  Decaff instant coffee 4.20

Please be aware that transfer of items is carefully managed to reduce risks passing Corvid-19. Washing your hands before and after handling newly acquired goods and cleansing the goods themselves is advised by the government & NHS.