During January, one of the Church Stewards observed to me that the trouble with the Methodist Recorder is that it never has any news about the Birmingham District in it. I defend the Recorder, saying that I did not think that that was true. See today’s edition (1st Feb 07). On reflection I would want to add that we do have a District press officer, Rev Jenny Dyer, who in my experience does a splendid job with stories both in the Recorder and in local Newspapers – but this can only be done if Jenny is fed stories which leads me to where I want to go!

On the day that it has been announced when the final Harry Potter book will be published (I had better get to number six quick) I was reflecting on how much I enjoy a good story.

During the last year these have come at me in a number of ways. I guess most frequently on the radio. I listen to the Archers, that every day story of country folk, which is recorded in the BBC WM studios at the Mail Box, and of course it must be true for otherwise where are all those lorries bound with ‘Malcolm of Brookfield’ on the side. I also dip into ‘Book at Bedtime’.

Then it may be a close run thing between TV and the read word.

On TV it can be a film or a Detective or Hospital drama.

In the book line, well all sorts, this year supplemented by some stories I picked up in the United States, particularly a first novel by Kalisha  Buckhanon  ‘Upstate’. A story that unfolds in the correspondence between to  young black people growing up in New York. (ISBN 0-312-33268-8) Then book I was given to read on the journey out by Khaled Hosseini, ‘The Kite Runner’, which is a strong story of two boys growing up in Afghanistan.

But for some reason the stories I value most are those that are told to me of real people by others and sometimes by the person themselves.

Nearly a year ago I was at a party in the Radisson Hotel, it was an NCH ‘the children’s charity’ event.

Three stories.

The Radisson were hosting the party as sign of their commitment to our Birmingham Young Carers Group NCH. The young carer had already been to the hotel to bake cakes for the party in the kitchens, they were each to be treated to a weekend at the hotel with their families. Why? Well its what we do care for people says a member of the Hotel Staff.

I asked a young man at the party, what brought him to the party. Well I’m a successful businessman, I am married and have wonderful daughters. I’m very fortunate, and I am a Christian. One day I decided I wanted to do something to show how thankful I am for all this, and since our girls are the source of much of our happiness I decided to do something for children. I did a careful search on the web and eventually came to the conclusion that NCH were doing good stuff where it matters, and so I’ going to row the Indian Ocean, sponsored for NCH.

Young couple, so I asked the same question. O we adopted our children through NCH adoption services. (Now there a hot topic – the needs of the child are always paramount) Are the children with you? O yes those four over there. Four time you’ve adopted? No only once, they came together. Wow.

Well I guess in a funny sort of a way we are all in the story writing business. 

And what was it Jesus did when he wanted to teach the people, stories!

Bill Anderson

For those who do not read the Methodist Recorder, the news items can be found at:-

http://www.bhammeth.org.uk/RenewalofcovenantBalsallHeath.htm

http://www.bhammeth.org.uk/VisitofPresident.htm

Chair with Cedric, the NCH mascot

Launch of the Regional Training Partnership

(Press release)