Greetings to all friends, members, and associates of Vicar Street Youg Men's Bible Class.
About seven years ago I opened a 'Vicar Street' page on my website. Unfortunately, due to technical problems, I had been unable to open the Vicar Street page for about eighteen months. SUDDENLY (9th August 2008) I succeded in opening it again!
Over the years a tremendous number of people passed through Vicar Street - both the church and the Bible class. In addition to this, many hundreds, have spoken at the meetings, and have been influenced by it. In the absence of an official 'web-site' site for the class, and in view of the closure of The Church on the 31st of August, I would like to offer anyone connected to add thoughts and recollections to this 'page,' Contributions, large or small will be appreciated, and we hope to compile something along the lines of 'Vicar Street Remembered' out of the contributions made.
The following headings of contributions might be useful.
* messages and greetings from 'old boys' , 'well wishers',and anyone with any kind of knowledge or contact with VSYMBC.
* bits of news about present or former members of the class.
*further stories about Bert or photographs relating to the class.
This 'page' will then give friends the opportunity to gather interesting and inspiring thoughts together, and if appropriate we will present the information in book form.
Please send contributions to david.monkton@btinternet.com (preferably not 'attachments') or to Alan Wedge. alananddoreen@gmail.com
Talk by John Mundon, and extracts from Inderjit's sermon given at the final service will be added soon.
Vicar Street remembered (5mins+!).
I feel very privileged to share some thoughts about Vicar Street today. I would like to open my brief talk with three personal experiences that took place here.
The first is that I was received into the Membership of the Methodist Church at Vicar Street. This has meant a tremendous amount to me ever since.
Secondly our mother died at the age of forty nine. It was in the late hours of a Saturday night that she died, and early next morning there was a communion service . We all came as a family and took communion together - and there was a tremendous sense in my mind that mom was here with us. I have never forgotten the sense of assurance found at that time.
The third experience was a much happier one. I was standing 'here' when my sister Esmée married David, and I was taking part in the service. Every bit of anxiety left her just before the main part of the service began because she looked down and noticed that I hadn't cleaned my shoes!
But I want to speak mainly about experiences shared with others, that have made the work here so special and significant.
For many of us the building that had the deepest spiritual meaning was the former stables, at the back of the church - especially at what was called 'The Fireside' meeting where there was always a clear cut call made to follow Christ. One Monday evening that moment of decision came to me. It has remained with me ever since and I know that this experience was also true for others.
The Fireside, the Friday night Bible study, the Class on Sunday afternoons, the holidays in Scotland - and many other events -all these things had a sense of discipleship, prayer and fellowship about them as well as a lighter side. We were all encouraged, for instance, to give a vote of thanks after the speaker had spoken on Monday evenings. We all took turns at leading the meetings, and taking part in mission bands. We were given a group of 'young men' (as they were called rather than 'youths',) to visit. My group had 8-12 names on it of young men living in the Gas works area!
How young we were!
A small group of us went to take services in Madeley, in Shropshire, well before the development of Telford New Town. Ken Collins, five years my junior, and Peter Thomas, younger still, aged eleven or twelve at the time, were with me. I remember the amusement in the congregation when Peter read from Paul's first letter to the Corinthians. 'When I became a man, I put away childish things.' Peter was still wearing short school trousers!
Although it was very much a male world, the women of the church made a very important contribution, providing vital hospitality and support. We have also been served well, as a church, by men and women ministers, who have given their great encouragement.
It was however the challenge that Bert kept in front of us that shone through.
Climbing Ben Nevis was an acted parable. Life's pilgrimage, Bert felt, had the element of hard climbing in it.
All of us benefited from his insights, prayers and guidance - both those who took up a local role in the church, and those of us who went into the ordained ministry.
He trained us to relate to a wide variety of people, many of whom we met at various times at the class. Jack Holden, the long distance runner, and Duncan Edwards read lessons from time to time, Leonard Wilson the Bishop of Birmingham, the former Bishop of Singapore during the time of the Japanese occupation came to speak to us once, and many students from Handsworth and the missionary colleges at Selly Oak. These personalities, and many others inspired us.
There were many other kinds of things however that we became involved in.
'Flood Street Frolics of 1950' was part of the celebration of the 25th Anniversary of the Class in aid of Overseas Missions. The concert party list read: Alan Davies, myself, John Nott, William Parkes, Alan Wedge, Tony and Malcolm Wesson, Arthur Whale and Cyril Woodhall, and an imaginary character named Walter Plinge. Ron Homer was stage manager, and Derek Shaw led the Orchestra.
There were two newly arrived West Indians who had joined the class who took part in that concert too. Their names were Henry and Gilbert. I believe they came here on the Empire Windrush.
They sang calypso hymns with Henry's Guitar. One they sang was - 'forgive me Lord and try me one more time.' I have never forgotten it. From this time onwards various friends of Afro Caribbean origin became part of the class. We are thankful for instance, for all Astley has been able to do and also for the ministry of Albert Gayle in the Methodist Church, and there are many others whose origins are far from these shores who have enriched our fellowship.
As we look at the class over the years, there has been a sense of different generations being involved here too.
Ernest Price, who was killed during the second world war, was the person who set the ball rolling one might say for the ordained ministry, because he had intended to become a Methodist Minister himself.
When Charlie Goodwin and I candidated for the ministry and were interviewed at the District Synod the Revd. William Christie, a supernumerary minister who had done pioneer missionary work on the Gold Coast caused an uproar when he said, in our support, that Vicar Street gave people a better training in preparation for ministry than Cliff College!
There is a group that I don't know so well of course who took over when several of us served further afield.
It was also a moving moment to be with Inderjit when he was made president of our Methodist Conference. Although it was around eighteen months after Bert's death, there was a sense in which many of us who were there thought of Bert being present and saying in that very distinct voice of his 'we're all very proud of you.' We also felt that this was Methodism recognising the distinctive role that this church has played in its spirituality.
A much wider circle of people will be remembered as we talk together after this service. My hope is that all here will at least contribute their names to the clip- boards around, and add appropriate greetings, and incidents that we can collect and share.
There has always been a great sense of belonging. There is also a bond which ties us to the unseen world, of those who have gone on before. We salute them too and remember all the contributions that they have made.
We give thanks to God today for all that Vicar Street has meant to every one of us. We all need to wait on God -allowing his Spirit to lead into whatever tasks he as for us in the future. Through Jesus Christ Our Lord.. Amen
For many years I have tried to keep just a few few moments every day around twelve o'clock as a very brief prayer time.I would like invite all who knew Bert, and those who never met him, to join with me wherever you are at twelve o'clock on January 13th.to commemorate Bert's birthday and pray for 'Peace in our local communities.' Bert, as as Dudley's first probation officer, and a Methodist Local Preacher for over 60 years, was greatly concerned with 'local' peace, as well as world peace. We might remember local concerns and tensions in our own land at this time, especially in the Dudley area - but wherever we may be. remembering especially all who help to hold societies together - Mayors,Councillors, MP's,Judges and justices of the peace, the Police and all their associate workers, Social workers, Probation Officers, all who work in our prisons - and all of whom Jesus would have said 'blessed are the peacemakers.'- David.
' May there be peace on earth, beginning O Lord with me.'
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