Christ Church United Reformed Church NEWSLETTER. March March

Transcription

1 Christ Church United Reformed Church NEWSLETTER March 2017 March

2 Getting in contact Minister Rev Henriette Wentink Secretary Mr Stephen Gilburt Treasurer Mr David Fisher Bookings Secretary Mrs Pamela Mansley Property Committee Mr Philip Taylor Newsletter & website Mr Tom Boorman Serving Elders Miss Sylvia Coombs Mr Stephen Gilburt Miss Rosemary Milns Mr Philip Taylor Youth organisations Boys Brigade - Anchor Boys Miss Sue Bullock Boys Brigade - Junior Section, Company Section & Seniors Mr Tom Boorman Girlguiding - Rainbows & Rangers Mrs Tracy Rainbow Girlguiding - Brownies & Guides Mrs Vicki Stratton-Stubbs Adventurers (Junior Church) Miss Rosemary Milns Other activities Friendship Club Miss Sylvia Coombs Worship Group Miss Rosemary Milns You can also us at mail@ccurc.org.uk or visit 2 Christ Church URC Newsletter

3 Minister s Letter March 2017 Take heart! One Radio Four speaker recently made the comment, "Do not believe for one moment that 2016 was just another political year." He was part of a panel discussing current issues. The talk-show carried a tone of urgency, warning that the political shifts we are experiencing are very much here to stay. The hope that it will all blow over is gone. At some point, in one way or another, we will be caught up in or caught out by a new world order. Many among us are acutely aware of this. Many also remember the quote: The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing (Edmund Burke). Hence we see and hear demonstrations, proclamations and protestations everywhere. These are unsettling times. Former truths no longer seem to hold. Systems and establishments are crumbling down. Frightening times to grow up in; to find work; build a family; grow old in. I often try to imagine how life must feel without truly knowing some of the magnitude of God's loving care for us. Would not the world, and life itself, seem an even more threatening, scary and unpredictable place? It is nothing new for the world to be known as a dangerous place. Nor is it something exclusively experienced by a particular group of people. None of us, regardless of our race, gender or class is able to completely escape the dangers of the world. How important is it then, to know and grasp hold of the words of Jesus in John 16:33, "Take heart! I have overcome the world." Grasping hold; not in a despondent way or as our last resort (although there may be some of that too). Not in a way that March

4 Minister s Letter March 2017 continued... numbs our senses and allows us to close our eyes to what is going on around us. But alert and with eyes wide open. In the way we would grasp hold of the mast of a sailboat in severe weather, not to be swept overboard. Or how we would tighten our hold on a rope anchored to the rocks, to save us from plunging to our death. Grasping hold of the hope of life, the promise of a future. Jesus warns us, that in this world we will have trouble. It is life s reality. The question is: how we will respond to it? With despair and hopelessness? Or with faith and hope? As Lent starts, I pray that we all may be people who stand strong against the temptation to fall for the lies of the evil one. No matter what we see happening in the world around us. May we proclaim and stand in the hope of the promise God has given us in his Son Jesus Christ. Take heart! He has overcome the world! Yours in Christ, Henriette News of the fellowship Chris Trawin has been very unwell recently. After a spell in hospital he is now back at home and is recovering. Our thoughts and prayers are with Chris at this time. We also think of those involved in his care, especially his daughter Sasha. Let us remember all our church family in our prayers and caring. 4 Christ Church URC Newsletter

5 Open Doors Lent Group There will be a Lent group meeting at the Bush Hill Park URC Manse every Monday evening from 6:30pm to 8:00pm. A simple meal will be provided each week. During our table fellowship we will be thinking about and connecting with our persecuted sisters and brothers in Christ. The group will start on Monday 27th February and finish with an (early) breakfast on Easter Sunday morning. Please Rev Henriette Wentink on henriettewentinknl@gmail.com or call if you would like to attend. Places around the dining table are limited! The Breakfast Club The Breakfast Club is a Bible study and prayer group at Christ Church. It meets twice monthly on a Saturday morning between 9:00am and 10:30am in the Elders Vestry (enter the church through the side door on Christ Church Close). The next meetings are on 11th and 25th March. Do come and join us as we explore God s Word and enjoy some breakfast together! Lancaster Road URC Bible Study Group Everyone is invited to the Lancaster Road URC Bible Study Group, in Lancaster Road s Church Lounge on alternate Wednesdays from 9:45am to 11:30am. For dates and further details please see Lancaster Road s Contact magazine. March

6 Friendship Club Spring 2017 The next meetings of the Friendship Club will take place as follows, at 2:15pm in the Christ Church Hall. Monday 20th March Charities which we support (including short AGM) Monday 24th April Samuel Pepys - Joe Studman Monday 15th May Film London - Storm Patterson Further future dates will be announced in due course. There will also be tea, cakes and a chance for a natter! Everyone is very welcome to these friendly meetings. The Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. For more information please contact Sylvia Coombs on Correction to the February newsletter An item was included in the February newsletter (page 7) containing a number of Christmas greetings. It was subsequently spotted that greetings were received from both Ken and Mary Basham, not just Mary as printed at the time. Our apologies for the error! 6 Christ Church URC Newsletter

7 Induction of Elders At our Family Parade Service on Sunday 22nd January, Sylvia Coombs, Stephen Gilburt, Rosemary Milns and Philip Taylor were all inducted to serve as Elders at Christ Church for Please include Sylvia, Stephen, Rosemary and Philip in your prayers as they continue to serve in their important roles. Change of date for Christ Church AGM Please note that due to unforeseen circumstances the Christ Church Annual General Meeting will now take place on Sunday 23rd April 2017 at 12:30pm (following the morning service). This is a change to the date that was previously advertised. Because of this, the 2016 annual reports will now be published in the April Christ Church newsletter rather than this edition, and will still be presented at the AGM as planned. We apologise for any inconvenience caused by this change. Lancaster Road Winter Night Shelter Each Tuesday until 4th April Lancaster Road URC is hosting the Winter Night Shelter for the homeless. They cook dinners and breakfasts and provide beds for 12 guests to sleep overnight. If you would like to support the work of the Winter Night Shelter at Lancaster Road URC by way of a donation please visit give.net/wns where you can make an online contribution, or speak to Pamela Fisher. March

8 Lenten offering If you would like to make a Lenten gift this year, please pick up one of the Lenten offering envelopes (available at the back of the church) or speak to David Fisher, Church Treasurer. Please place the envelope containing your gift in the collection bag at any of our services, or hand it to David. Christian Aid Week Christian Aid Week this year will take place from Sunday 14th to Saturday 20th May. Christian Aid is a Christian organisation which believes that the world can and must be changed to one where everyone can live a full life, free from poverty. They work globally for profound change that eradicates the causes of poverty, striving to achieve equality, dignity and freedom for all, regardless of faith or nationality. Christ Church supports Christian Aid during Christian Aid Week each year by asking our church family to deliver and collect Christian Aid envelopes in the local area. If you are able to help with our collecting this year, please speak to Philip Taylor in person or by phone on On Sunday 14th May following the morning service, we will also be holding a fellowship lunch to raise money for Christian Aid Week, to which everyone is very welcome. 8 Christ Church URC Newsletter

9 This year s Women s World Day of Prayer will take place on Friday 3rd March. There will be a service on this day at 10:30am at St Andrew s Church, behind the Market Place in Enfield Town. Women s World Day of Prayer This year s service has been planned by the women of the Philippines on the theme Am I Being Unfair to You?. The same theme will be followed by women across the world on this day. Men are also very welcome to come to the service. Holiday at Home This year s Holiday at Home event will take place on Friday 5th and Saturday 6th May in the hall, from 10:30am to 4:00pm each day. Holiday at Home is a holiday club for adults and the programme will include craft activities, quizzes, Bible talks, musical items and entertainment. A cooked lunch and afternoon tea will be provided and the charge for each day is 6. For further information and to book a place please contact Rosemary Milns in or mail@ccurc.org.uk. Places are limited, so book early to avoid disappointment! March

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11 Organ maintenance In December 2016 John and Keith Gunther, who have been maintaining our organ for many years, made their final visit to Christ Church. They are both looking forward to a well-earned (and long delayed) retirement as the firm, which was founded in 1791, is closing down. This brings to an end a long family association with the organ at Christ Church - their grandfather worked for Monks when the organ was first installed and the firm have been looking after it for most of its life. We are very grateful for their care and service over the years and wish John and Keith a very happy retirement. David Fisher March

12 Pictures of Jesus Tacitus Our knowledge of Jesus from contemporary sources, other than the New Testament, is limited. The Roman historian Tacitus briefly mentioned one Christus, who in the reign of Tiberius had been condemned to death by the procurator Pontius Pilate. Paul s letters The earliest written accounts that we have in the New Testament of events in Jesus s life are in Paul s letters to the early churches. These were written between around AD 50 and the probable date of his death in Rome in AD 65, along with Peter and other Christians on the orders of the Roman Emperor Nero. In 1 Corinthians 11:23-25 we have the first account of the words which Jesus spoke to his disciples at the Last Supper and which we regularly hear in our Communion services. The gospels The early Christians passed down stories of Jesus s life and teachings, initially by word of mouth. When those leaders who had known Jesus had died, and the expected second coming of Jesus had not yet materialised, these memories were written down in Greek. They provided guidance for new Christians and church leaders about the Good News of Jesus Christ, Son of God and Saviour of the World. Many stories appear in more than one gospel and in particular in Mark, Matthew and Luke, which are known as the Synoptic Gospels because of their similarity. Mark The earliest gospel is that of Mark. His mother lived in Jerusalem and it was in her home that the disciples met after the resurrection and possibly where Jesus ate his last supper with his disciples. Mark was probably the young man, wearing 12 Christ Church URC Newsletter

13 Pictures of Jesus continued... only a cloth, who followed Jesus into the Garden of Gethsemane (Mark 14:51-52). According to Acts 13:5, Mark accompanied his cousin Barnabus and Paul on the first missionary journey to Cyprus. In 2 Timothy 4:11 Paul mentions the help Mark has been to him. Mark was also a friend of the disciple Simon Peter who in 1 Peter 5:13 (written when Peter was in prison in Rome) refers to my son Mark. It was in Rome that Mark may have begun to compile his gospel although it did not appear until about AD 70. Many of the events he records could only have been told by someone, like Simon Peter, who was present and who was close to Jesus. Peter would have particular cause to remember the healing of his wife s mother and the later occasion when Peter denied knowing Jesus but Jesus still forgave him. From Mark we get the direct approach we would expect from stories related by an uneducated Galilean fisherman. In Mark 1:14-45 we read how Jesus called his first disciples, how he taught and the effect his teaching had on his hearers, his compassion in healing the sick in body and mind and his need for periods of prayer and quietness. It is also in Mark that we learn of occasions when Jesus was angry, surprised and tired. Matthew Matthew and Luke s Gospels made extensive use of Mark and were written up to 20 years later. They also added new material, much of which came from a written account of the teachings and sayings of Jesus. Matthew s Gospel was written primarily for Jewish Christians. References to Old Testament Hebrew scriptures aimed to March

14 Pictures of Jesus continued... show how Jesus s life fulfilled the prophesies of a Messiah who would come to save his people. The author selected and arranged Mark s stories. He added a number of the sayings of Jesus, the most famous of which are in the Sermon on the Mount (chapters 5 to 7). These had been found particularly effective and were well remembered by Jesus s followers. Luke With the growth of the early church the stories of Jesus were brought to a wider audience. Although many of the early converts were Jews, Christianity increasingly spread to non- Jews (the Gentiles), and to all classes of Roman society. It particularly appealed to the poor with its messages of equality and an afterlife. There were also Roman officials who wanted to learn more about a religion which gave its followers such courage and joy, despite the persecution because they refused to worship the Roman Emperor. One such official was Theophilus, to whom both Luke s Gospel and its sequel the Acts of the Apostles were dedicated (see Luke 1:1-4). Unlike the other gospel writers, Luke was a Gentile, probably a Greek from Macedonia, who joined Paul on his second missionary journey in Greece (Acts 16:9-10). In his letter to the Colossians (4:14) Paul refers to Luke as his dear doctor. In 2 Timothy 4:11 Paul mentions that Luke visited him when he was in prison in Rome. While Mark s Gospel was a powerful record written without regard to literary style, and Matthew s Gospel was written primarily for Christians brought up in the Jewish tradition, Luke aimed to meet the needs of an educated Gentile public. He wanted to show that Christianity was a religion of kindness, brotherhood and joy. One of the most attractive features of Luke is the emphasis on the breaking down of barriers between Jews and Samaritans and between Jews and Gentiles. 14 Christ Church URC Newsletter

15 Pictures of Jesus continued... Luke s Gospel gives a prominent place to women and stresses how much Jesus cared for the poor and outcasts. He explains how Jesus found the strength and inspiration he needed for his mission through prayer and meditation. It is only in Luke s Gospel that we can read about the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), the Lost Coin and the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:8-32) and the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31). John The Gospel of John was probably written about AD 100. The author is generally considered to be either a follower of the disciple John, who it is thought lived to a great age, or an early Christian leader in Ephesus. John s Gospel seems to be very different to the others. It is not that it contradicts what they have written, but that John selects and emphasises different aspects of the gospel story. John s readers would have already had Mark s factual account - John gave them an interpretation of that record. The stories that John does tell, such as when Jesus met the woman at the well in Samaria and asked her for water (John 4:5-30), do not merely record the facts but are related to show that Jesus cares about people s spiritual and material needs. It is from John that we get pictures of Jesus as the Word of God, the Bread of Life, the Water of Life, the Light of the World and the Good Shepherd. John 20:21 summarises what the Good News of Jesus is about: But these have been written in order that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God and that through your faith in him you may have life. Stephen Gilburt Edited and abridged from address at service on 15th January Hear the original address at March

16 Boys Brigade Swimming Gala On Saturday 21st January, the Boys Brigade s North London Zone Swimming Gala was held at Southbury Leisure Centre. The competition was open to members of Enfield, Inner North London and Barnet Battalions. As well as an overall competition, there were also competitions for the Junior Section, Company Section, Intermediate and Seniors age groups, as well as certificates and medals awarded to individual winners of races. After a fun and competitive evening of swimming, the 10th Enfield won the Junior Section age group and the 1st Barnet completed a clean sweep in rest of the North London event. The Enfield Battalion trophies were won by the 10th Enfield (Junior Section), 3rd Enfield (Company Section), 2nd Enfield (Intermediate, Senior and overall winner). Well done to all who took part! Boys Brigade Quiz Night The 3rd Enfield Boys Brigade would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who supported our Quiz Night on Saturday 28th January There were around 80 people in attendance and we are delighted to report that the quiz raised around 400 for Company funds. The money raised will enable us to continue providing a variety of activities to the young people in the 3rd Enfield each week, as well as to support other activities we do such as trips, days out and camps/residentials. 16 Christ Church URC Newsletter

17 Boys Brigade Quiz Night continued... The quiz was won by table 4, which amongst others included some of our friends from the 1st Enfield Company. Well done to the winning team - despite their allegiances! Boys Brigade Pirates Fun Day On Saturday 4th February, Anchors and Juniors from Enfield and Inner North London Battalions came together for a Pirates Adventure Fun Day at Winchmore Hill Baptist Church (10th Enfield HQ). Around 60 young people took part, with the young people taking part in activities in their age groups including pirate-themed crafts, crazy golf, team games, a quiz and food. At the end of the event everyone came back together, where there were prizes for the best fancy dress and certificates for the winners of the quiz and the team games. A great time was had by all! March

18 Guides Thinking Day Our Family Parade Service on Sunday 12th February was a celebration of Guides Thinking Day, and was led by the leaders of our Girlguiding groups along with Rev Henriette Wentink. In the Girlguiding movement, World Thinking Day is celebrated annually on 22nd February, and is where members think about their fellow members in all the countries of the world, the meaning of Guiding, and its global impact. The theme for World Thinking Day in 2017 is Grow, with the service itself themed around growth and growing our children. During the service there was also the opportunity for those who are or previously have been a part of Girlguiding to renew their promises. Congratulations to the below girls and young ladies who were presented with awards: Rainbows Golden Rainbow - Ava Enthusiastic Rainbow - Maia Bubbly Rainbow - Beth Best newcomer - Olivia Brownies Friendship Award - Aoife Commitment Award - Savannah Super Brownie - Sophie Guides Guide of the year (winner) - Leyla Guide of the year (second) - Sasha Guide of the year (third) - Teagen Rangers 2017 Thinking Day Awards - Georgia, Katherine, Karis, Grace, Samara 18 Christ Church URC Newsletter

19 Guides Thinking Day continued... Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Awards Congratulations to Georgia Dixon, Tamzin Turnbull- Forward, Samara Haslam, Grace George, Charlie-Rachel Freeman-Grantham and James Rainbow, who were all presented with Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Awards on Friday 10th February! The group will now start work on their Silver Awards and we send our best wishes as they do so. March

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23 Bush Hill Park URC Lent Bible Study This Lent, ahead of the JustOne event at the Emirates in July, we will look at J.John s Natural Evangelism course. The act of sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ is called evangelism. Evangelism is the cry of Jesus as he weeps over lost people. The gospel is not something we come to church to hear, it is something we go from church to tell. The Natural Evangelism Course is a six-session course, which provides a simple, yet insightful training programme for anyone wanting a more effective friendship evangelism. The course has been tried and tested through J.John s own experience of preparing hundreds of churches for mission on six continents. We will meet every Tuesday in Lent, starting on Tuesday 7th March, 8:00pm at Lisa Hamblin s house, 130 Clive Road, Enfield, EN1 1RF. The titles for each session are: The Why of Evangelism; What is the Good News of Christianity?; What is Friendship Evangelism?; This is My Story; Demonstrating the Good News; and How Can We be Empowered for Evangelism? It would be lovely to have a full house, everyone from the pastorate and beyond is welcome to join us. I hope to see you there. Lisa Hamblin If you missed out on any of the JustOne meetings at Christ Church or Lancaster Road, this is an opportunity to catch up along with friends from Bush Hill Park URC. For more information, contact their office on or office@bhpurc.org.uk. March

24 Prayer diary March st - Start of Lent: Pray for forgiveness in the run up to Easter. 2nd - Pray for the local businesses on and around Chase Side. 3rd - Pray for the Rangers as they meet in the hall today. 4th - Pray for those who are seeking new employment at this time. 5th - Give thanks for the ultimate sacrifice made by Jesus Christ as we celebrate Holy Communion this morning. 6th - Pray for the Open Doors Lent group, which Henriette is leading over the coming weeks. 7th - Pray for the residents of Monks Road. 8th - Pray for a lasting solution to the conflicts in the Middle East. 9th - Pray for our friends from Palmers Green, Ponders End and Winchmore Hill URCs as they undertake the process of looking for a new minister. 10th - Pray for the Guides as they meet in the hall today. 11th - Pray for the Breakfast Club meeting this morning. 12th - Pray for the Adventurers and that more children will be encouraged to join the group. 13th - Pray for the Anchor Boys and Junior Section as they meet in the hall this evening. 14th - Pray for the continuing work of the Winter Night Shelter at Lancaster Road URC. 15th - Pray for the young people in our church fellowship. 16th - Pray for Henriette, our minister. 17th - Pray for the Rainbows as they meet in the hall today. 18th - Pray for the work of Thames North Synod as they meet today. 19th - Pray for The Worship Group as they lead our time of worship this morning. 20th - Pray for the Friendship Club s meeting and AGM today. 21st - Pray for the work of the 1st & 3rd Enfield BB Bugle Band, as they meet to rehearse this evening. 22nd - Give thanks to God for new life, as spring begins this week. 24 Christ Church URC Newsletter

25 Prayer diary March 2017 continued... 23rd - Pray for our friends from Spirit and Life Baptist Church, who meet to worship in our church on Sunday afternoons. 24th - Pray for the Brownies as they meet this evening. 25th - Pray for today s Christ Church. 26th - Give thanks for mothers around the world as we hold our Mothering Sunday Family Parade Service today. 27th - Pray for the Company Section and Seniors as they meet in the hall this evening. 28th - Pray for the external groups who use our premises. 29th - Pray for all those in our church who do so much work behind the scenes. 30th - Pray for the work of missionaries around the world. 31st - Give thanks to God for our friends and families. April 2017 newsletter The April 2017 newsletter will be published on Sunday 26th March. Items intended for inclusion in this issue should be with the Editor, Tom Boorman, by Sunday 12th March. Any late submissions may be held over to the following issue. Please contact Tom with any items to be included in future issues. Items can be received either in paper form at Sunday worship, by to mail@ccurc.org.uk or by phone on The newsletter is published monthly (except for combined issues in July & August and December & January). Back issues dating back to 2007 can be found on our website. Please note that views expressed are not necessarily the views of the whole fellowship, nor are they representative of church policy. March

26 Church diary March 2017 Sunday 5th March 11:00am Mr Tom Boorman Holy Communion (offering for the Communion Fund) Duty Elder - Rosemary Milns Saturday 11th March 9:00am to 10:30am Breakfast Club (Bible study and prayer group) Sunday 12th March 11:00am United Service at Lancaster Road URC to celebrate their Church Anniversary (no service at Christ Church) Sunday 19th March The Worship Group Duty Elder - Stephen Gilburt 11:00am Monday 20th March 2:15pm Friendship Club Charities which we support (including short AGM) Saturday 25th March 9:00am to 10:30am Breakfast Club (Bible study and prayer group) Saturday 25th March Christ Church 11:00am to 2:00pm Sunday 26th March 11:00am Rev Henriette Wentink Family Parade Service (Mothering Sunday) Duty Elder - Rosemary Milns Wednesday 29th March Elders Meeting 8:00pm 26 Christ Church URC Newsletter

27 Church diary April 2017 Sunday 2nd April 11:00am Mr Terry Silvey Holy Communion (offering for Shanthigramam) Duty Elder - Philip Taylor Sunday 9th April Mrs Michaela Lawrence Palm Sunday Duty Elder - Stephen Gilburt 11:00am Key future dates Church Meetings Sunday 23rd April (AGM - please note change of date), Sunday 4th June (both 12:30pm) Elders Meeting Wednesday 29th March (8:00pm in the Elders Vestry) Pastorate Joint Elders Meeting Thursday 16th March (7:45pm for 8:00pm at Lancaster Road URC) Christ Church Saturday 25th March (11:00am to 2:00pm) Holiday at Home Friday 5th and Saturday 6th May (10:30am to 4:00pm) March

28 Regular activities at Christ Church SUNDAY 11:00am 11:00am Morning worship (Holy Communion - first Sunday) (Family Parade Service - third Sunday) (regular service - other Sundays) Adventurers (children aged 3 upwards) MONDAY 2:15pm Friendship Club (once monthly - see diary) 6:00pm to 7:30pm Boys Brigade Anchor Boys (boys aged 5 to 8) 6:00pm to 7:30pm Boys Brigade Junior Section (boys aged 8 to 11) 7:30pm to 9:00pm Boys Brigade Company Section (boys aged 11 to 15) 7:30pm to 9:00pm Boys Brigade Seniors (boys aged 15 to 18) FRIDAY 5:00pm to 6:15pm Rainbows (girls aged 5 to 7) 6:00pm to 7:30pm Brownies (girls aged 7 to 10) 7:30pm to 9:00pm Guides (girls aged 10 to 14) 7:30pm to 9:00pm Rangers (girls aged 14 to 20) SATURDAY 9:00am to 10:30am Breakfast Club (twice monthly - see diary) For details of other special events and activities please see the diary. Christ Church URC is a part of the North Enfield Group of URCs and the North West Enfield Group of Churches. Motto: Enter to worship, depart to serve. Mission statement: Christ Church URC aims to provide through its worship, work, witness and mission an effective contribution to the spiritual and social welfare of the Church family and the wider community. Address: Christ Church URC, Chase Side, Enfield, EN2 6NJ 28 Christ Church URC Newsletter Cover image istock.com/donkurto