Pathway. Yours in Christ, Revd Tim Meachin. Newsletter of Broadstone United Reformed Church October / Novemeber Dates for Your Diary

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1 Pathway Newsletter of Broadstone United Reformed Church October / Novemeber 2016 Dear Friends Deep underground, on the Swiss-French border, two beams of sub atomic particles travelling at close to the speed of light, regularly collide and create conditions similar to those just after the Big Bang. When the collider was recently upgraded press hype wrongly caused some folk to become frightened with speculation about black holes and the prospect of the end of the world. The outcome of this was that many people realised that they were, after all, interested in big questions. I once marked a Chemistry exam in which a student answered a question about the formation of crude oil by admitting that he did not know how but that perhaps God did it! Science will continue to explain, in ever more detail, how the universe works. We will continue to search for answers to big questions. Albert Einstein once said We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them. I believe that the word of God in the New Testament does exactly this by inviting us into a relationship with God within which we can tackle the big questions. As a fellowship of Christian people we have answers to these really big questions about personal worth, good relationships, stewardship of creation, right, wrong and the liberation which comes with forgiveness. I am constantly encouraged by the conversations instigated by my pupils who want to know what really matters. I am equally inspired by young people who see beyond the narrow and transient aspects of human life such as nationality and recognise the fundamental values summarised by Robert Burns in his famous poem: In This Issue: Area Synod Meeting at BURC Prayer for Autumn Days Church Life in pictures Not just at BH18 9AB Minute for Mission Sept 2016 Children of Fiji and more... Then let us pray that come it may, As come it will for a' that, That sense and worth o'er a' the earth, May bear the gree an' a' that. For a' that, an' a' that, It's comin' yet for a' that, That man to man the warld o'er, Shall brothers be for a' that. Translated: Then let us pray that come it may (As come it will for a' that) That Sense and Worth over all the earth Shall have the first place and all that! For all that, and all that, It is coming yet for all that, That man to man the world over Shall brothers be for all that. The language may be gender specific but the aspiration is clear The challenge for all of us is to be bold in sharing Gospel truths and living out their consequences. This starts with our common experience as a gathered people worshiping together, discussing and deciding how to develop our common life at church meetings and showing, by our own commitment, that what we treasure matters. Yours in Christ, Revd Tim Meachin Quiz Night Bonfire Party Shoebox Sunday & Family Worship Mix followed by Roast Lunch Family Pop-In Advent Service of Remembrance Dates for Your Diary 29 October 7pm 5 November 6pm 20 November 10.30am 12.15pm approx 26 Nov 27 Nov 4.30pm

2 FAMILY NEWS We remember in our prayers those who are or have recently been unwell and/or in hospital: Ann Blendell, Peter Carter, Eileen Goodbody, Pat Harding, Cecil Lawrence, Ann Longley, Tony McKeer, Gwyneth Maling, Revd Charles Meachin, Val Rowberry and Tom Price. We pray for the family of Penelope Holman who passed away on 2nd September. An appreciation of Penelope appears on this page Congratulations... to Revd Betty Williams, Mrs Val Sykes, Mrs Anna Venable, Mrs Ruth Crumpler, Mrs Jean Vincent & Mrs Linda Skakich, all past members of Lytchett Minster URC and to Revd Charles Meachin, Revd Barbara Meachin & Mrs Ann Shield on becoming church members in September. to Jemma Younghusband (Mick & Val Rowberry s granddaughter) - photo on page 4 - who was named as Shepway Sports Trust Secondary School Teacher of the Year 2016 [The Trust is a charity that promotes high quality competition, sporting and coaching opportunities.] Janet Stead Many of our congregation will remember Janet Dulcie Stead, a member of long standing, who joined the church in 1977, and sadly died on 18th July Janet had not been able to worship with us for several years due to increasingly debilitating dementia. Janet and Mike, her husband of 59 years, moved to Hebden Bridge, Yorkshire earlier this year, where their daughter Tricia lives. Janet s funeral was in Ellard, near Hebden Bridge, on 27th July. Three of Janet s grandchildren gave tributes at the funeral, focussing on the qualities of the Grandma that they knew and loved, characteristics that we would equally relate to, in the Janet that we knew. Common themes of their tributes, with anecdotes from their childhoods, were her youthful energy, kindness and selfless care for others. Janet loved her music and concerts and three pieces of music were played at the funeral, pieces that Janet would have enjoyed. Janet and Mike came to a number of the Broadstone Music Series concerts, when they were able. Continued right Penelope Holman We were all saddened by the death of Penelope, a lady who spent so much of her life quietly and unassumingly looking after others. Penelope was born in 1941 in Woodfalls, 8 miles south of Salisbury. She recalls the difficulties living at Woodfalls Farm where there was no electricity and where in winter the pump supplying water would freeze. When the family moved to Downton she began to attend La Retraite Convent school in Salisbury. Then after leaving school she trained as a Nursery Nurse at St Thomas Hospital in London and began her first job working at the maternity unit in Odstock Hospital followed by a year as a private nanny. She didn t find either of these sufficiently satisfying and so she returned to St Thomas to work with children with physical and emotional problems. While she found this work fulfilling she didn t like living in London and so she moved to Broadstone to work at the Montacute School, where she spent the rest of her working life. There she began to work with under 5s with severe learning difficulties and disabilities. Penelope was able to make a real difference in the lives of the children, working also with the parents through home visits. Along with other staff she would sometimes spend the weekend at school with the children to give the parents a break. When Penelope retired she began to work with the WRVS at the hospital and help at the Age Concern shop. She also started a Knit and Natter Group at Wimborne Library and set up sugar craft demonstrations for the U3A. Penelope s care for others was underpinned by her Christian faith. She was an Elder and involved in many aspects of the church s work. However it was her pastoral work which stands out as an example to us all of Christian care and love. David Holland Janet s paintings often featured in our local art exhibitions and one member remarked to me that she has one of Janet s pictures on display. Janet was often to be found in her garden, from which she got much enjoyment, or quietly knitting. I remember, in times past, the Janet who dutifully typed so many weekly notice sheets and monthly diaries (and who I therefore saw weekly when I was church secretary). I will fondly remember Janet in her cheerful days, always ready to help whenever she could. Martin Casey Eileen and George Goodbody are very grateful for all the prayers, caring concern and beautiful flowers from all at Broadstone U.R.C. They are a great comfort to us. Please continue to Pray for us. Thank you. Eileen and George.

3 Church Life in pictures... For our Harvest Supper evening, we had a very interesting talk about Water Aid given by Hazel Taylor (right), who is the local liaison officer for volunteers. We learned some shocking facts about the lack of clean water. Did you know that about 900 babies die every day? Harvest Sunday was also a special celebration. The flowers in the church were, as usual, beautiful and the pedestal, complete with traditional corn bunches, as shown left. Although we had a collection for Water Aid, donations of food were made and these will go to Poole Foodbank. In the Hall after the service, we were treated to free chocolate! Now that doesn't happen often! Text and photos by Pat Johnson Harvest Family Pop-In Photos by Emily Meachin

4 Above, the six members of our sister church in Lytchett Minster who came into membership of our church in September. They are (L to R): Revd Betty Williams, Mrs Val Sykes, Mrs Anna Venable (back) Mrs Ruth Crumpler, Mrs Jean Vincent and Mrs Linda Skakich. (above) Jemma Younghusband (Mick & Val Rowberry s granddaughter) with her award (for details see page 2) Area Synod Meeting, September 2016 held at Broadstone URC 1 Thessalonians 1: 5 For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. How can we make disciples? How are we going to evangelize and rebuke unholy spirits? How can we revive the church? How are Scripture prophecies going to be fulfilled? Just how?? With God s authority, the true Word of Scripture and the power of the Holy Spirit and prayer, we can.as we are true believers in Jesus the Son of God, Lord and Saviour, redeemer to all who repented, he has given us the victory and authority to build up God s Kingdom. A group from church attended the Area Synod meeting at Broadstone URC in September to discover more about God s calling, the future vision of the church, making disciples and the coming of God s Kingdom. Firstly, the moderator invited us to pray for the working of the Holy Spirit for the making of God s Kingdom. Afterwards, she introduced the evening with the theme we were going to be exploring. One of the themes was How can we make disciples? Vision2020 was one of the ways we can follow to succeed in this matter. Vision2020 is a ten year strategic framework for mission, adopted by General Assembly in It formed by the ten statements of our mission and purpose and the ways by which we know we are achieving them. They sum up what we believe God is calling us to be and to do, as local churches and as a denomination. The key idea of Vision2020 is that, on a regular basis, local churches look at their mission priorities and do so in a context of prayer and discernment. We believe it is important to do this because all of us are called to be witnesses to the life and work of Christ in our communities. There are ten priorities in vision2020 and churches are invited to identify one or two mission priorities which are particularly pressing or relevant to their context. No one is asked to work on all 10 priorities. One of the marks of a healthy church is to do a few things and to do them well. (source: After a very in-depth discussion regarding lots of different solutions, concepts and subjects including same-sex marriage, God s vocation, the church s future vision, church ministry candidate, churches finance etc. we had an opportunity to ask questions and explore the true meaning of making disciples and ultimately discern the future vision of the church. This relates to a famous quote from Bishop T D Jakes I would tell your generation, wherever you are on the totem pole - whether you're halfway there or at the bottom, don't despise small beginnings; small beginnings get you ready for great things. If this sounds like something you are called to, making disciples for the coming of God s Kingdom. I do really encourage you to attend these Area Meetings which are facilitated 3-4 times a year by the Wessex Synod. Please speak to your Elder if you feel called or if not we ask for your prayers. Saz Holland

5 Not just at BH18 9AB... Reproduced with permission Prayer for Autumn Days God of the seasons, there is a time for everything; there is a time for dying and a time for rising. We need courage to enter into the transformation process. God of autumn, the trees are saying goodbye to their green, letting go of what has been. We, too, have our moments of surrender, with all their insecurity and risk. Help us to let go when we need to do so. God of fallen leaves lying in colored patterns on the ground, our lives have their own patterns. As we see the patterns of our own growth, may we learn from them. God of misty days and harvest moon nights, there is always the dimension of mystery and wonder in our lives. We always need to recognize your power-filled presence. May we gain strength from this. God of harvest wagons and fields of ripened grain, many gifts of growth lie within the season of our surrender. We must wait for harvest in faith and hope. Grant us patience when we do not see the blessings. God of geese going south for another season, your wisdom enables us to know what needs to be left behind and what needs to be carried into the future. We yearn for insight and vision. God of flowers touched with frost and windows wearing white designs, may your love keep our hearts from growing cold in the empty seasons. God of life, you believe in us, you enrich us, you entrust us with the freedom to choose life. For all this, we are grateful. Submitted by Saz Holland Read more at prayers/guidance/prayer-for-autumndays.aspx#qdrq103c66p3hh6q.99 Evaline Nott Evaline, with her husband Vic, became church members in October 1983 when they moved from Bristol to Broadstone.In later years Evaline was cared for at Chalgrove Care Home where she died peacefully aged 93 years. She faithfully worshipped at BURC each Sunday and supported Vic when he was church treasurer, and also will be remembered for her dedication in fund-raising for UNICEF. Members, neighbours and friends joined her daughters Maureen and Heather and their husbands to remember her in a service led by Revd. Martin Ambler.

6 Minute for Mission Sept 2016 Children of Fiji Children of Fiji is a registered charity whose declared aim is to advance education, health and welfare and to relieve poverty of children in Fiji. The charity was set up in the year 2000 by Peter and Margaret Long, a couple who live near Dorchester. They were both teachers who took early retirement to work on their charity full-time except for two months of the year when they mark A-level papers which provides an income to fund their travel and accommodation costs for visits to Fiji. All the money raised for the charity therefore goes towards funding their many projects. Looking on their website I was amazed at just how much they had achieved over the last 16 years; work that has been recognised both in this country and in Fiji. In December last year they each received an MBE from Prince William in a ceremony at Winsor Castle in recognition of their work to help disadvantaged children in Fiji. Their work was also officially recognised in Fiji with an Honorary Order of Fiji Award, given by the President of Fiji. I would just like to mention two of their current projects. Many families in Fiji are struggling and parents are often unable to afford to buy shoes for their children. These children might live miles from their school and have to walk barefoot on rough ground to get there and back each day. As a result many children suffer from sores and i n f e c t i o n s. Children of Fiji are therefore providing shoes f o r t h e s e children. Many schools and kindergartens do not have any basic first aid resources to deal with minor ailments. Small injuries can often become infected and lead to further complications. They have decided therefore to produce 'Children of Fiji' First Aid boxes (containing such things as plasters, bandage, antiseptic cream, antiseptic wipes and eyewash). Our communion offering in September will support this on-going valuable work which is making a real difference to many poor children in Fiji. Saz Holland and Ian McDonald Weekly Activities Sunday Tuesday Items for Items the for December the June/July 2016/January issue 2017 of issue Pathway of Pathway should be given to Jim Tudor by Tuesday 24 th May am Morning Service and Junior Church Holy Communion celebrated 1 st Sunday in the month 6.30 pm Evening Service - 4th Sunday only Worship and The Word': informal praise, worship and discussion pm Oasis House Group (3 rd in month) Wednesday 10.00am Yarn with Yarn Craft Group (alternate weeks) 2.00 pm Toddler Group Thursday am Saturday should be given to Jim Tudor by Tuesday 22nd November 2016 Ladies Open House (2 groups) (alternate weeks) 2.30 pm Women s Network - at Methodist Church 8.00 pm Music Group Points of Contact Minister: vacant Tel: minister@broadstoneurc.org Church Secretaries: Mrs Isobel Evans & Mrs Janet Meachin secretary@broadstoneurc.org Organist: Mr Martin Casey music@broadstoneurc.org Treasurer: Mr Martin Sales treasurer@broadstoneurc.org 7.00pm pm Friday Get-Together (alt weeks) Editor: Mr Jim Tudor pathway@broadstoneurc.org pm Pop-In Express (2nd in month) Web: Monthly Church Meeting - contact Church Secretary for details. Twice-monthly Home Groups - see weekly news-sheet for details.