FROM THE METHODIST MINISTER

Dear Friends,

In recent weeks we have been faced with sudden and unexpected problems with our buildings at the Methodist church in the village. Dry rot fungus, appeared, and the resultant inspection revealed a sad and sorry state of affairs in the chapel itself, with wet and dry rot, and death watch beetle. To deal properly with the situation would require large sums of money well beyond the resources of our small congregation. The trustees have decided that it would be a wrong exercise of our stewardship to attempt to raise the money that would be needed, and which would even then only deal with the immediate situation, leaving the prospect of a heavy, continual expenditure to maintain the chapel free from further incursions of worm and rot.

As a result of all this, we are proposing to engage in a scheme to convert the well-built schoolroom at the rear of the chapel into a chapel, and to abandon the use of the old chapel itself. We shall continue to use the old chapel for the time being, probably for at least a year or two, whilst the conversion process is undertaken gradually. We believe that the school hall can be made into a fitting and comfortable place of worship; this in itself will require the expenditure of a fair sum of money, but we believe that with the exciting and progressive scheme that we hope to produce, we can gain the support of many people in the area. We are looking forward to making this crisis a time of opportunity.

Yours sincerely,

DENIS GARDINER.

ROUND THE SOCIETIES

Christian Fellowship

The Harvest Supper - a personal impression.

The platform and hall were resplendent with the hues of autumn; the nut-brown of the cottage loaf, the twin sheaves of wheat, the mauves of the Michaelmas daisies and the russets of deciduous foliage. Trestle tables bravely held the weight of supper - hot, baked potatoes, beef, pickles, salad, fruit, cheese ... all these and conversation. too.

After supper the guest speaker rose to his feet, Rev. Christopher Donaldson, from Canterbury. His audience (perhaps, it was the cider) presumed a discourse on, say, " As ye sow, so ye reap " .. but what followed was a string of amusing, anecdotes on being a rector in Romney Marsh. I suppose, from the other side of the collar, we parishioners are a mixed variety of perennial crop! Not just "the right man for the occasion", but we reaped the harvest of his evident vocational sincerity. Later, vocal solos from Gilbert and Sullivan, violin pieces by a young man from Sheerness, two amusing musical sketches, Mr. Moore playing "Country Gardens" and community singing all underlined the humour and gaiety which pervaded the whole evening.

D.B.