News & Views December 2017

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1 News & Views December 2017 Elmers End Free Church, Goddard Road, Elmers End, Beckenham, Kent

2 Services in December 3rd 11am Gift Service led by Junior Church & Brownies Organist Peter Dowling 10th 11am Morning Service led by Jenny Godber Organist Peter Dowling 6pm Carols by Candlelight Organist Jack Beeson 17th 11am Morning Service led by Rev. Bill Bowman to include Holy Communion Organist tba 24th 11am Morning Service led by Barbara and Eunice Organist Peter Dowling 2.30pm Crib Service Organist tba 25th 9.30am Morning Service led by Rev. Bill Bowman Organist tba 31st 11am Morning Service led by Dave Jordan Organist Peter Dowling Dates for your Diary 3rd Gift Service - we would be pleased to receive gifts suitable for any member of the family. 9th 9.30am Decorate Church. Please come and help if you can. January 7th 2018 Preacher will be Mr Alan Kienlan The Christmas Post Box will be in Church on the 3rd December and opened on the 17th December. 3

3 Pastoral Letter Dear Friends, Bah!! Humbug!! These words we associate with the character of Ebenezer Scrooge in the Charles Dickens novel, A Christmas Carol. This expression and calling someone a bit of a Scrooge are commonly used idioms to describe people who don t enter into the Christmas celebrations with much enthusiasm. Odd as it may seem, in days gone by some branches of the church used to try to obliterate Christmas from the Christian calendar. When Oliver Cromwell was ruler of England during the Commonwealth Period from enjoying Christmas was actively discouraged and celebrating it could land you in prison or the incurring of a heavy fine. The first Puritan colonists who sailed from England to America in the 17th century took their anti- Christmas ideas with them and a law was passed in Massachusetts specifically outlawing Christmas festivities. Markets and shops were ordered to stay open on 25th December and anyone taking time out to celebrate Christmas would be liable to prosecution and these kill-joy laws were rigorously enforced. Bah!! Humbug indeed!! you might say. Closer to our own times some politicians and local councils have tried to extricate Christ from Christmas and turn it into some secular meaningless mid-winter festival much as it was in pre- Christian times. Their reasoning is that a Christian Christmas might 4

4 offend non-christians. What nonsense!! Are we Christians offended by Jewish people celebrating Passover or Hanukkah or by Muslims fasting during Ramadan and celebrating Eid? Of course not, nor should we be. Every faith should be free to celebrate their sacred festivals - except Christians it seems in the eyes of some PC mad councillors and politicians. Would you believe in 2003 the Scottish Parliament even banned its officials from sending Christmas cards with a religious theme. What next!! Back at the time of the very first Christmas, King Herod nearly succeeded in annihilating Christmas once and for all when he attempted to kill the Baby Jesus. Jesus survived Herod s cruel wrath and he will survive the idiotic ideas of the politically correct today. God in Jesus came to Earth not to kill joy but to bring joy!! A joy and a peace that this world cannot give. To my mind the coming of Jesus into the world as a baby born in a stable in Bethlehem is the most amazing and totally correct reason for a celebration there has ever been. It is not just OK to celebrate it s right!! Jesus came to live and love, teach and heal, die and rise again all for us. He offers us life in all its fullness in this world and beyond. He shows us how to live together in harmony, to do justly and to treat others fairly. What s not to celebrate? It s good to eat, drink and party but the true celebration of Christmas is in paying homage to our wonderful Saviour and committing to follow his way of love. Come and join the celebration it s a very special day!! Marion and I wish you all a very Happy Christmas!! Shalom, Bill 5

5 December 2017 Christmas at EEFC Our Christmas preparations begin on Advent Sunday with our Parade and Toy Service on Sunday 3rd December led by our Junior Church and Brownies. Please bring along a toy or gift to help needy families in our area. Our popular Carols by Candlelight service is on the evening of 10th December at 6pm followed by seasonal refreshments and fellowship. Then on Christmas Eve we have our Crib Service at 2.30pm when young people and adults will be made welcome to come along as we retell the Christmas story in action and song. On Christmas morning itself our family service is at the earlier time of 9.30am when all are invited to celebrate the joy of Christmas Day. Children are invited to bring a present to show. Our Christmas charity this year will be Cancer Research UK. Bill Christmas Customs Mince Pies In days gone by, mince pies traditionally eaten at Christmas were literally filled with minced meat, often lamb, but sometimes pigeon, rabbit, partridge, hare or pheasant as well as dried fruit and spices. Mince pies originally were not the round shape we know today but were in fact oval to represent the shape of the manger in which the Baby Jesus lay. The crust on top symbolised the swaddling clothes in which he was wrapped. Another tradition is that it was considered good luck to eat a mince pie on each of the twelve days of Christmas. It was also the polite thing to offer a mince pie to everyone who visited you over the festive season - thereby symbolically welcoming the Christ Child. Bill 6

6 Christmas Customs The Holly and the Ivy In pre-christian times in Western Europe both the holly plant and ivy as well as mistletoe were associated with the warding off of evil. They were used as decorations at Pagan/Druid Winter Solstice festivals. With the coming of Christianity, the holly and the ivy were turned into Christian symbols and were used in early Christmas celebrations. Christian meanings were attributed to each plant. The prickly leaves of the holly were used to represent the Crown of Thorns placed on Jesus head at his crucifixion. The red berries symbolised the drops of blood that fell from Jesus head as a result of the thorns. Ivy has to cling to something and this was seen to symbolise humanity s dependence on God. The idea of the holly representing the Crown of Thorns is alluded to in the famous carol. The holly and the ivy When they are both full grown Of all the trees that are in the wood The holly bears the crown. Bill Christmas Customs Christmas Trees The tradition of putting a decorated tree in our homes at Christmas time originated in Germany in the 16th Century. The custom is attributed to the Reformer, Martin Luther, whom we celebrated earlier this year. The story goes that Luther was returning to his home one cold starry night in December and as he was walking through a pine forest he looked up and was enchanted by the sight of stars twinkling through the fir trees. When Martin Luther got home he decided to try to re-live that 7

7 wonderful night in the pine forest looking up at the stars. So he cut down a small fir tree, brought it indoors in time for Christmas and decorated it with candles to represent the stars. The custom quickly spread all over Germany and it was brought to Britain by Queen Victoria s German husband, Prince Albert, in The lights on the Christmas tree are also a reminder that Jesus is, The Light of the World. Bill Live Alone Lunch Sunday 10th December pm at Emmanuel, West Wickham Emmanuel is holding a lunch for people who live alone on Sunday 10th December at 12.30pm. This will follow the traditional Christmas menu and all friends at EEFC who live alone are invited to come along. If you wish to attend the lunch please could you let me know by Tuesday 5th December and I will pass your name on to Emmanuel. Yes, there really is such a thing as a free lunch!! You will be very welcome. Bill 8 Top of the Pew 2017 Grand Final The final of Top of the Pew took place on Friday 17th November at Emmanuel URC, West Wickham. The teams were St Barnabas, Beckenham who narrowly defeated our team in the semi-final and last year s winners, St Joseph RC Church, Bromley. After a close fought contest the scores were even going into the last round St Joseph s triumphed again 63 to 59. It was a most enjoyable evening attended by the Mayor of Bromley, Cllr. Kathy Bance and her husband who handed over a cheque in excess of 1600 to Carers Bromley. The QM for the competition

8 was local TV antiques expert, Catherine Southon, whose warm personality and humour greatly added to the evening s enjoyment. Many thanks to Barbara for scoring. Thanks also to Anthony and Marion Bayley for organising the TOTP throughout the year. The draw for 2018 s competition will be made in early January. Who knows maybe EEFC s team can go one better and reach the final in 2018!! Bill Thank You Just wanted to say a big thank you to all the other lovely members of the church for my beautiful flowers. It was such a nice surprise, so kind of you, and very much appreciated.. Love to all at EEFC. Vicky xxx What Reminds You Of Christmas? A holly wreath hung on the door, or presents strewn across the floor, Tall Christmas tree with baubles bright, which fills our hearts with such delight. Carols sung out in the snow, A Snowman built with eyes aglow, Crackers pulled, a song to sing, Candles lit, and bells that ring. Roasted turkey, which tastes divine, Rich, fruit cake, with an iced design, No, the most important reminder of all, is the birth of a babe in a cattle stall Ernestine Northover 9

9 Letter from the Moderator Dear Friends, Fake news has been named Word of the Year by Collins Dictionary and will be printed in the next edition. The phrase, which is often used by Donald Trump, has seen a 365 per cent rise in use since It is often defined as false, often sensational, information disseminated under the guise of news reporting. There s a lot of it about and even if everyone spots it and dismisses it, it still manages to sow doubt causing us to question nearly everything in order that we may find a lie. Of course, questioning can be healthy as our attitude to sexploitation in the workplace attests to. But I ve also seen comments on videos from war-torn countries that suggest the news is fake and dead children and grieving mothers are just actors. Evil is made even worse by the denial of its existence. As Christians, we believe in the good news which claims to tell a truth that can seem to contradict what we know to be scientific truth: some two thousand years ago, an angel appeared to a young Jewish girl and told her that she would carry the son of God. The baby grew up preaching and teaching, making the blind see and the lame walk amongst other things. Then at thirty-three years old, he was crucified and, three days later, he rose from the dead. To us today this might be considered fake news. But this is real news. And it is real, not just because of historical evidence from Josephus or Pliny but because of Love. Philosophers and biologists will say that love is just a concept or an evolutionary quirk. Society doesn t seem very interested in talking about it. And so, the news, fake or otherwise, is dominated by evil. But the good news is that Love came down at Christmas. The power of love here on earth is immense. We cannot buy love because it must be a gift given freely. When we are embraced in love, we know it is because others truly care for us, not because of a good they hope to get from us. We are secure because we know 10

10 that we are cherished by others for what we are. God s gift to us is a gift of love. God so loved the world that He gave.so says John s Gospel. It is a giving love, a generous love. It is grace love, gift love; free and unconstrained. God doesn t make a list and check it twice to find out who s naughty or nice before He gives His Christmas gift. His gift is free and undeserved and unsolicited and unlooked for love. The love-gift of God is ours. We need only take it by faith in Jesus Christ. That s the message of the Scriptures. That is the good news for Christmas. The greatest gift ever given, offered free, unconditionally to all who believe. At this time of year, people head to midnight services only in part because it s something to do or they re drunk or they do it because it gives them a lovely feeling. Carols have the best-known tunes. By candlelight, the church glows. But here must also be a transformation of the heart and there generally is. Charity will be provided this year, as every year, by millions of Christians because love is tangible. It is a full stomach (a Christmas day lunch at church for those on their own). It is a bed for the night (in the Winter Night shelter). It is a friendly phone call or even just a smile. We do this big Christmas festival thing for a reason: because Love teaches us to walk the way of the Christ-child in humility and service. Some people have found 2017 disappointing and depressing. But then evil trades in doubt and we should resist it. The fake news is that humankind is lost. The good news is that, because Love came down at Christmas, it can be saved. Come, Lord Jesus. Be born in us this Christmas. With Advent and Christmas blessings, Nicola 11

11 Christmas Giving Christmas is for giving And for showing that we care, For honoring the Christ Child With the loving gifts we share. The wise men gave of riches; The shepherds, faith and love. Each gift, in its own measure Was smiled on from above. Let every gift be treasured; Not always size or price Determines the extent of love And willing sacrifice. Handsome gifts with festive trim Bring smiles of sweet content, But modest gifts of humble means are ofttimes heaven sent. Whether it be large or small Each gift will share in part The message of true Christmas joy If given from the heart! Iris W. Bray 12

HAYES FREE CHURCH CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL 2 nd 10 th December 2017 in aid of BROMLEY Y Bromley Y is a long established local charity offering free therapeutic support to young people between the ages

NB The church will NOT be open on Sat 2 nd December until 7.00pm. Saturday 2 nd December 7.30pm OPENING CONCERT: Croydon Guitar Club Entertains Sunday 3 rd December 6.

30pm to start of concert Tues 5 th December NO EVENING EVENT Tree viewing 2.30 4.30pm Wednesday 6 th December 7.30pm Concert: The Wandle Ringers Tree viewing from 2.

30pm to start of concert Fri 8 th December 7.00 for 7.

12 HAYES FREE CHURCH CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL 2 nd 10 th December 2017 in aid of BROMLEY Y Bromley Y is a long established local charity offering free therapeutic support to young people between the ages of 0-18 years, and to their families. The church will be open for services at 10.30am and 6.30pm on both Sundays. During the festival it will also be open daily to view the trees as shown below. NB The church will NOT be open on Sat 2 nd December until 7.00pm. Saturday 2 nd December 7.30pm OPENING CONCERT: Croydon Guitar Club Entertains Sunday 3 rd December 6.30pm Evening Service with Pickhurst Junior Academy Tree viewing pm Monday 4 th December 7.30pm - Bishop Justus School Concert Tree viewing from 2.30pm to start of concert Tues 5 th December NO EVENING EVENT Tree viewing pm Wednesday 6 th December 7.30pm Concert: The Wandle Ringers Tree viewing from 2.30pm to start of concert Thurs 7 th December 7.30pm Chamber Concert: Bromley Youth Music Trust (featuring string quartets and Cello Massif) Tree viewing from 2.30pm to start of concert Fri 8 th December 7.00 for 7.20pm Film: The Shop around the Corner (1940) (relive the cinema experience of the 1940s in the company of James Stewart and Margaret Sullavan) Tree viewing from 2.30pm to start of film evening Sat 9 th December 7.45pm Concert: Beckenham Concert Band Tree viewing from 2.30pm to start of concert Sun 10 th December 6.30pm Evening Service: Churches Together in Hayes with musicians from Hayes School Tree viewing pm All the money raised will go to Bromley Y:

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14 Our Church Finances Many of you will know that our finances are not healthy and we survive hand to mouth. There are a variety of reasons for this. Members have moved away or died. The rising cost of electricity and gas - nearly double in 2 years. The poor condition of the buildings with many repairs outstanding. Other costs have continued to rise. It has become apparent over recent months that the situation is getting worse and action must be taken. There are various ideas being planned to help the situation, and the first is to ask for your help The Church s average weekly income and expenditure, taken from the 2016 accounts, may be summarised as follows: Weekly Income Self Assessment (Envelopes) Collection Playgroup letting Weekly Expenditure Ministry & Mission Fund Pulpit (Ministers) Organist Cleaning Utilities Insurance Weekly Shortfall As even the poorest mathematician can see our accounts do not balance and this figure does leave any extra for repairs or 15

15 maintenance costs. It is only due to the generosity of kind people who have given donations and by fund raising that we can cover our costs but these cannot be considered regular income. The Church is very grateful to these donors and the members who have supported and organised the fund raising events. There is a shortfall of per week which we need to bridge if the church is to carry on its Ministry and Mission at Elmers End. With this in mind we are seeking your help. If, for example, on a weekly basis 5 people gave an extra more people gave an extra 5.00 and 10 more people gave an extra 2.00 and 10 more people gave an extra this would produce an extra per week. As from 1st April 2017 Gift Aid can be claimed on the money in the collection bag. If you are a tax payer and would rather use the freewill offering envelopes please speak to Barbara. Please prayerfully consider increasing your regular giving to the church. Barbara Church Treasurer. 16

16 Brownies and a Writers Badge One of our Brownies completed her Writers Badge. We were very impressed with this poem she wrote. Katherine Brownies To become a brownie you need to keep your word, Have a good turn every day, Doing your best on any occasion, Being truthful whichever way, Helping other people whatever they re like, Lending a hand here and there Starting to develop some of your beliefs, Loving our God anywhere. Do you want to be a brownie? By Nehara 17

17 January 2018 News & Views Any articles or news you wish to include in the January 2018 edition of News & Views should be with Barbara by Sunday 31st December If you would like to your article please send to Weekly Activities Brownie Guides Monday 6.30pm Leader Miss Katherine Bayley Telephone: Langley Pre-School Monday Friday Please contact Mrs Jenny Jupp Telephone: E.mail: News & Views Editor Mrs Barbara Heppell Distribution Miss Katherine Bayley 18

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News & Views May 2015

News & Views May 2015 Elmers End Free Church, Goddard Road, Elmers End, Beckenham, Kent The shared ministry of Elmers End Free Church & Emmanuel URC, West Wickham Minister Rev. Bill Bowman B Th. FCIBS