The COURIER. August/September United Reformed Church New Road, Brentwood

Transcription

1 The COURIER August/September 2014 United Reformed Church New Road, Brentwood

2 2 BRENTWOOD URC - The COURIER Aug/Sept 2014 BRENTWOOD UNITED REFORMED CHURCH New Road, Brentwood, CM14 4GD Church Office Church Foyer A Joint Pastorate with Ingatestone And Billericay United Reformed Churches MINISTER Vacant CHURCH Mrs Jenny Mayo SECRETARY MEMBERSHIP Mrs Gillian Tytherleigh SECRETARY TREASURER Mr Kees Maxey COVENANTS Mr Jim Bealey ORGANISTS Mr Tony Cheer Mrs Muriel Cantor HALL STEWARD Mrs Gillian Tytherleigh SERVING ELDERS Mr Jim Bealey Mrs Rosalie Brentnall Mr Tony Cheer Mrs Corné Van Staden Mrs Patricia Benham

3 BRENTWOOD URC - The COURIER Aug/Sept Dear Friends, I have always had a fascination with word pictures and Jesus was a specialist in painting with words. His parables are one example but the classic examples are what we know collectively as the I am sayings. These are a representation of our Lord s divinity and our relationship with him and although we may not comprehend or grasp everything he said if we ignore his teaching we do so at our peril. I am the Bread of Life. John 6:35:38 We all hunger for food to feed our physical bodies. We also possess a spiritual hunger. Jesus said he alone could satisfy that hunger inner longings of the human heart. He desires that we feed on him for all our needs. I am the Light of the World. John 8:12 It is our nature to struggle, grope and stumble our way through life like people in darkness. Jesus came to illuminate our lives. He came to light up our route to God and give us purpose to life s journey. I am the Door. John 10:7:9 Every house has a front door; a main entrance. The Kingdom of God has a door but only one. Jesus said that he is only entranced into God s Kingdom. We have to pass through him to be with God and to enjoy him forever. I am the Good Shepherd. John10:11

4 4 BRENTWOOD URC - The COURIER Aug/Sept 2014 An Eastern shepherd gave great care to his sheep. He not only protected his flock but also was willing to die to save his sheep from harm. Jesus declared his great love for us. He laid down his life to save us. With him, we can never be lost, but are safe in his fold. I am the resurrection and the life. John 11:25 Only Jesus could say these words. He proved his power and authority over death by rising from the grave. Following our confession that Jesus is our risen Lord, we share his life and we will live with him forever. I am the real Vine. John 15:1 A vine exists to produce fruit. Jesus calls us to be united with him. In this way we will produce fruit life-changing qualities that can only come when his spirit flows through us. I am the way, the truth and the life. John 14:6 Jesus said that he was the only way to the Father, to God. Jesus came from Heaven to show us the way to go their. Jesus never lied. He only spoke truth. He taught with authority about life now and life hereafter. On the cross Jesus died for our sins. His sacrifice gave us eternal life. Jesus is ever present and eternal. He is with us at all times totally for us and more up to date than tomorrow s newspapers. The following meditation by Helen Mallicoat speaks of that present presence. I was regretting the past and fearing the future. Suddenly my Lord was speaking My name is I AM He paused. I waited He continued, When you lived in the past

5 BRENTWOOD URC - The COURIER Aug/Sept With its mistakes and regrets, It is hard. I am not there. My name is not I WAS. When you live in the future, with its problems and fears, it is hard. I am not there. My name is not I WILL BE. When you live in this moment it is not hard. I am here. My name is I AM. Every blessing Ruth P.S. Over the summer period why not re-read all the IAM sayings in the context in which they are set and ask God to speak new things to your heart about his love for you. CHURCH FAMILY NEWS Tytherleigh and to her boyfriend Jake on their excellent graduation results. Also we send birthday greetings to Joshua Tsingano who will be 3 on 10 th August and to Jeremy Davidson who will be 8 on 17 th August. We can also offer belated good wishes to Taku Tsingano whose birthday was during July. Well done to all our young people who completed

6 6 BRENTWOOD URC - The COURIER Aug/Sept 2014 Please remember in your prayers all those we have mentioned and any other members of our community who are in our thoughts at present. Tony Cheer NEWS FROM THE CHURCH SECRETARY Good News! You must all have heard by now that Revd. Ruth Mitchell, our interim moderator, was called to the ministry of our three pastorate churches by a joint church meeting held at Billericay URC on Sunday, 6th July. We are all delighted that Ruth will be joining us before the end of the year and preparations for her induction will soon be underway. At the time of writing Ruth is still on her sabbatical until the end of July but do watch out for further news as and when it becomes available. Pastorate Social - 7th June This was a very happy occasion held at the Mayflower Hall, Billericay, particularly when Ruth's name was announced to those present as our (then) candidate for the ministry of our pastorate. We enjoyed a delicious tea followed by quite a demanding quiz (for some of us at least!) and thank all our friends at Billericay church for their generous hospitality. Annual General Meeting - 7th September

7 BRENTWOOD URC - The COURIER Aug/Sept Please note that the AGM will be held on 7th September after morning worship. We are hoping that the accounts will be presented but if these are not ready they will be brought to a separate meeting. In the meantime I will be contacting all those who have responsibilities in our church life to ask them to present a report to the meeting if possible or to submit a written report if they are unable to attend. I will also be asking everyone if they are willing to continue with their present responsibilities so please give this some prayerful thought. It is particularly important that we know where we are at the beginning of a new ministry. We have produced a booklet of reports for the last few years but one disadvantage is that we don't have the opportunity to talk about our various activities or to thank those who contribute their time and talents throughout the year. There will be other items for discussion at this meeting so please try and attend if you possibly can. Papers will be available two weeks before the meeting. Brentwood Schools Christian Worker Trust Thanks to Margaret Gazely and Margaret Cheer who attended the AGM of the BSCWT on our behalf on 7th July. The Trust have sent me a copy of the reports presented at the meeting and if you would like to have a look at them do let me know and I can send them to you by e mail or supply a printed copy if you prefer. Harvest lunch?

8 8 BRENTWOOD URC - The COURIER Aug/Sept 2014 The May church meeting voted to hold a Harvest Lunch this year (28th September) instead of our usual Harvest Supper. However, to date only one person has volunteered to help organise this. Please consider whether you are willing to give some thought to this so that a decision can be made about whether to go ahead. Jenny Mayo Treasurers report for May and June 2014 The Sunday Collections are listed below. Envelopes Loose TOTAL Total for , , , Weekly Av for Total for May May 2014 per week Total for June June 2014 per week In addition, there are the standing orders. As these come in some cases by the calendar month - and in other cases by the week, the contribution comes to between 86 and 100 per week. These contributions have increased a little this year. None of these contributions include Gift Aid - which will add a further approximately 20% to the total. I would strongly urge any member who can to convert their weekly offerings to standing orders. The final total for PENHA Uganda, including Gift Aid, came to This is being used for the very important central costs of PENHA Uganda, including the auditing of

9 BRENTWOOD URC - The COURIER Aug/Sept its accounts. The two Ugandan volunteers, Elizabeth Katushabe and Louise Nassuna, are very grateful for this contribution. In addition, PENHA's sponsored walk in the Lee Valley has raised with some of the GiftAid already received though some more will be added on. Of that, Brentwood URC members contributed 214. Kees Maxey Brentwood URC Knitters We received some photographs from Jenny MacDonald on a recent visit she paid to the creche and day centre in the Nuwerus township. They show some of the children and older folk wearing hats they had just been given. We are not sure if they are our hats, but it is lovely to see the pleasure on their faces anyway. There are no meetings in August.

10 10 BRENTWOOD URC - The COURIER Aug/Sept 2014 We resume on 3rd September and meet after that on the 17th of the month. All are very welcome to visit or join us in what is always an enjoyable occasion for fellowship and some knitting as well. Muriel Cantor Church Cleaning Week, 18 th to 22 nd August 2013 The summer holiday period in the church building is fast approaching and the Work Group is drawing up the list of tasks that are best completed in August whilst the building is unoccupied. The list comprises those jobs that are not covered by our church cleaners with their regular rota and includes cleaning chairs, spring cleaning the kitchen, cleaning the paintwork in the high traffic areas, etc. None of these tasks require great physical effort; the harder jobs such as repainting will be carried out by the Work Group!! The usual schedule will be to work from 9a.m. to 12 noon from Monday (18th) to Friday (22nd) but there may be one or two days when some of the Work Group will be there in the afternoon in order to complete the painting started in the morning. If you can spare an hour or two during the week your time would be much appreciated. For planning purposes a list has been placed on the notice board so you can indicate when you could possibly attend. I would add that the coffee breaks with the usual choice of cakes and biscuits are also much

11 BRENTWOOD URC - The COURIER Aug/Sept appreciated and are an opportunity for stimulating conversation and discussion! We have a fine building for our worship and other activities thanks to the hard work of our predecessors, lets together endeavour to pass on this heritage in as good condition to those who will follow. Hope to see you during the Week. Bill Crisp Through a glass darkly For now we see through a glass, darkly 1 Corinthians 13 V12 I woke from a dream, not a vivid, full coloured dream; but a muted, shadowed vision. It was a gathering of old university friends, not as we are now but as we were thirty years ago, a memory not full of life but glimpsed shadows. The soundtrack, an echo of remembered laughter and gay, carefree conversation. Even the place of the meeting was not a concrete physical reality but an amalgam of jostled memories; a favourite place on campus, a jolly pub in the city, a seat on a patch of sun lit grass outside a lecture hall. Unbidden, a phrase from the Letter to the Colossians sprang to mind, one that that had been read at our wedding, of seeing our current world through a glass darkly. Recollection of one of Colin Gunton s last sermons flowed from my reflection on that passage, He spoke of a

12 12 BRENTWOOD URC - The COURIER Aug/Sept 2014 piece of writing by CS Lewis, who talked of heaven as being like earth but so much more so, the light more vivid, the grass greener, the sunlight brighter. We know we live our lives through a glass darkly. We cannot know God s plan, his intentions for us are beyond our comprehension. We seek meaning and structure in our lives and yet what we live now is but a shadow of what will be in heaven. By one of those strange coincidences that invade our consciousness, Colin spoke in the same sermon about the philosopher Michael Polanyis, who I had studied at university. Colin had, a few days before the sermon, been at a conference that talked about his philosophy. Polanyis was both a relativist and a Christian. What had caught Colin s ear was the comment that we have to develop a frame of mind in which I may hold firmly to what I believe to be true, even though I know that it may conceivably be false. We believe absolutely and passionately in our God and in his son Jesus Christ, but both intellectually and spiritually we must, as I suppose, a tenant of our faith, understand that we may be wrong, That is because we see the world and God, through a glass darkly. Search as we might we can never find that Plato s perfect table. We can never know, absolutely, God s path for us, nor even, dare I say it, of his existence. We believe absolutely in his being, but it is through a glass darkly. Like my melancholy reverie sad not because of its content which was full of fun, fellowship and fond memories; but because it was a dream; our lives can

13 BRENTWOOD URC - The COURIER Aug/Sept never be fully complete, fully real until we enter the kingdom of heaven. We make the best of our lives as they are today, in the shadow of God s grace, but knowing we live them through a glass darkly. Sacred Space revisited Ian Davidson It is now five years since Jenny Mayo and I started Sacred Space. It has been an oasis of peace, a muchappreciated time for prayer, for us and for the very few others who have attended. It has consisted of very brief opening prayers and a Bible reading, followed by at least 30 minutes of silence, ending with a psalm and a closing prayer. We originally chose the evening time because we hoped it would be a resource for people at work during the day and twice a year we delivered leaflets about it (and about all our church s activities) to all the surrounding houses. For the past year or two we have never been more than four, although in previous years we did attract a few more people. We would now like to move it to the beginning of the day instead of the end. We propose Thursday mornings between 9.30 and 10am. We also propose, on the one hand, to simplify it so we only need a circle of chairs and central candle and, on the other hand, to hold it every week so people know they can just drop in and not have to check which Thursday it is.

14 14 BRENTWOOD URC - The COURIER Aug/Sept 2014 We tentatively propose to start on 23 October but would value a discussion about the whole matter at the Church Meeting on 7 September. The Annual Pastorate Quiet Day Saturday 6 September at Little Baddow URC. The Quiet Day is an opportunity to step aside from our ordinary daily lives. We meet over coffee from 10am. The pattern of the day will be a reflection from me on a Bible passage and then time for each of us, on our own, to walk or sit and think or pray. This pattern will be repeated several times. We will have time to chat over our sandwiches (bring your own). The day will close at 3.30 with a simple communion service. I have always found the Quiet Day to be at just the right time of year when the summer break in so many activities is over and a new year is beginning. A good time to take stock! Bring a Bible. Sheila Maxey SOMETHING FOR THE JUNIORS Well done to all our young people who have completed their school year! Wow a full year has gone again and so all of you

15 BRENTWOOD URC - The COURIER Aug/Sept are also a year older and maybe wiser! We hope you have a fantastic summer whatever your plans are and may God keep you safe wherever you may be. We hope to see you during the summer and catch up on all you are busy with!

16 16 BRENTWOOD URC - The COURIER Aug/Sept 2014 A personal report on the 2014 General Assembly of the United Reformed Church

17 BRENTWOOD URC - The COURIER Aug/Sept We met in St David s Hall in Cardiff, right in the middle of the shopping area about 300 of us. The largest group were local church people representing the 13 synods. Then there were the conveners of national committees (like me), a row of young people who spoke often and well, ecumenical guests from the Church of England, the Methodist Church, the Church of Scotland, and many other churches, and a few international guests, such as from Germany and Korea and Canada, and a number of staff from Church House. This year s moderators were David Grosch-Miller and John Ellis both well over 6 feet tall and the platform party consisted of them, their chaplains, the clerk (who makes sure we keep to our constitution), the outgoing General Secretary, Roberta Rominger, and the minute secretary. But the platform was so extensive that they could sit to one side and our eyes could rest on a huge table in cross form, covered with white cloths. At the crossing point was a large, wide necked pot full of water which suggested a well to us, surrounded by pots of wellwatered, brightly coloured chrysanthemums. Nearer us the huge Assembly Bible stood open throughout the sessions and in front of that a chalice and a plate with bread on it. The theme was about digging deeply to reach God s refreshing Spirit, and about thirsting for God and so there was also a watering can standing by the table.

18 18 BRENTWOOD URC - The COURIER Aug/Sept 2014 It was, on the whole, an inspiring Assembly forward looking, challenging us all to risk taking. We had a good long session under the heading What is the Spirit saying to the URC, based on an excellent report from the Faith and Order Committee. We so often talk about the reality of decline in our churches - but now let s talk about the reality of God which is much more important. And there were plenty of stories of God at work. One church, with 9 members, anxious about its M&M (Mission and Ministry) contribution agreed that each member would pop a pound into a pot each day for a year. At the end of the year they could not only pay their M&M but had money over for a new boiler. Another church had set up a Work Club because the local job centre had closed. There a few members with their lap tops help people look for jobs, write CVs, get advice and encouragement for interviews - and a warm welcome with free tea and coffee. Food banks were a big topic because so many of our churches are involved with them all over the country and mostly ecumenically and the same with street pastors. We had a difficult discussion about how we, as a church, respond to the question of same-sex marriage. An excellent booklet called One plus One: thinking together about marriage had been produced by the human sexuality task group. A lengthy discussion centred on a proposal that would allow those local churches who want to offer same-sex marriage to do so while respecting the position of those which would not. It was good but painful to hear the stories of some of the

19 BRENTWOOD URC - The COURIER Aug/Sept speakers in that session. As a result it was agreed that the proposal and the booklet would be sent to every local church and synod and responses invited. A decision would be taken at a future Assembly. We had another difficult discussion - financial this time about how we are to fund the training of ministers. In an austerity drive it had been proposed that funding should be sought from churches which send ministers for training, or from synods in gratitude for the ministry they receive. But Assembly was not having it: the payment of ministers and the training of new ministers has always been the first call on the churches through the M&M fund and that is how it should remain! So back to the drawing board and perhaps an increase in M&M. Maybe we too should consider the pound a day pot. In a session on how we, as a church, commemorate the First World War we had a speaker from our German partner church in the Palatinate. We heard how some of our churches are researching the names on their war memorials, bringing those long-dead young men alive again through talking to their descendants or looking up records. Many churches have been very successful in planting poppies in fact they are out too early. We were urged, as churches, to consider our particular witness and how we use language - did those young men give their lives or were they taken

20 20 BRENTWOOD URC - The COURIER Aug/Sept 2014 from them? Heroes or victims? At the end of that session a tall vase of large red and white poppies was placed by the table. The Bible studies were led by some of our young ministers and were wonderful. The readings were unusual and thought-provoking. For example, Ecclesiastes 11 is all about casting your bread on the waters, taking risks, and has the particularly challenging verses: Whoever observes the wind will not sow; and whoever regards the clouds will not reap. Just as you do not know how the breath comes to the bones in the mother s womb, so you do not know the work of God who makes everything. So - let s just get on with it and trust God for the outcome! Sheila Maxey COMMUNION AIMS FUND COLLECTION August Little Havens Children s Hospice Little Havens cares for children with life-threatening and lifelimiting illness, from all over Essex and outer London. They receive one-to-one specialist care, surrounded by their families, in a home-from-home environment. Currently they are caring for 120 children, who stay regularly throughout the year.

21 BRENTWOOD URC - The COURIER Aug/Sept Another 130 families are being supported by a bereavement and family support service. Nearly 500 volunteers help to deliver services on a daily basis. September 2014 is for the Moderator s Benevolent Fund The fund is used to bring particular help to people who find their resources stretched at times of need, sometimes for family reasons, and often because of ill health. Our gifts enable the Moderator to show the love and care of the synod to people going through times of difficulty. Monday Guild Stan Francis At our June meeting we were delighted to welcome back Mrs. Margaret Brehaut as our speaker. Her subject was What s in my travel case? She arrived with several large bags and bundles. She unpacked the items in her bags, laid them out one by one and talked about each of them. Some were vintage garments, family heirlooms, and some were clothes that Margaret had worn herself. We saw first a smock with initials embroidered on the collar, which could have been worn by the farmer or his wife to put on over their everyday clothed to protect them when they were harvesting to go with it there was a big floppy hat to protect against rain or sun. She also showed us some Victorian ladies underwear and a beautiful vintage evening coat (modelled by Margaret Gazely). A bridesmaid s dress that Margaret had worn had an eighteen inch waist and we also saw her very elegant

22 22 BRENTWOOD URC - The COURIER Aug/Sept 2014 wedding dress. And of course, to finish with, her Mayor s hat. Thank you Margaret, for an enjoyable and entertaining afternoon. At our July meeting we had another nostalgic afternoon when Jim Stratford brought excerpts from a record that the BBC had brought out to celebrate the first fifty years of their broadcasts from 1922 to We heard the first announcement from the new station and also news of other memorable events. We were also reminded of many of the BBC s regular and popular shows, including In Town Tonight, ITMA, Have a Go and The Goon Show. Many thanks to Jim for preparing the programme and giving us another entertaining afternoon. Our new season starts on 8 th September, We shall be pleased to see any new members or anyone who would like to join us now and again. We are grateful to all the speakers who have joined us during the year and also thanks are due to members of the group who have supported our meetings so well. Flowers DUTY ROTAS AUGUST 2014 Vestibule 3rd Silk flowers Patricia Benham 10th Silk flowers Carolyn Rudkin 17th Silk flowers Ian Davidson 24th Silk flowers Carolyn Rudkin Margaret Cheer

23 BRENTWOOD URC - The COURIER Aug/Sept st Silk flowers Margaret Gazely Vestry Steward Notices 3rd Gillian Tytherleigh Stuart Steve Burns Crowther 10th Jim Stratford Stan Francis Rosalie Brentnall 17th Jenny Mayo Patricia The Cheers Benham 24th Clive Rudkin Sheila Maxey Stan Francis 31st Rosalie Brentnall Clive Rudkin Jenny Mayo Reader Prayers of Intercession 3rd Bill Crisp Clive Rudkin 10th Stan Francis The Cheers 17th Ian Davidson Jenny Mayo 24th Kees Maxey Kees Maxey 31st Gillian Tytherleigh The Bealeys 3rd 10th 17th 24th 31st Coffee Rosalie Brentnall Patricia Benham Sally Bealey Mary Tate Elaine Austin

24 24 BRENTWOOD URC - The COURIER Aug/Sept 2014 CHURCH CALENDAR AUGUST 2014 Sunday 3rd 10 am Henriette Wentink (from Westminster College) Sunday 10th 10 am Mrs Beryl Hunt Sunday 17th 10 am Revd. Sheila Maxey with Holy Communion Monday 18th Start of Church Cleaning Week Sunday 24th 10 am Henriette Wentink (from Westminster College) Sunday 31st 10 am Barbara and David Clark (from The Gideons) If you cannot do any of your duties on the rota please swap with somebody else and let Jenny Mayo or Rosalie Brentnall know. DUTY ROTAS SEPTEMBER 2014 Flowers Vestibule 7th Tina Farmer Rosalie Brentnall 14th Sheila Crisp Muriel Cantor 21st Rosalie Brentnall Mary Tate 28th Harvest Team Sally Bealey

25 BRENTWOOD URC - The COURIER Aug/Sept Vestry Steward Notices 7th Jim Bealey Sally Bealey Steve Burns 14th Bill Crisp Rosalie Rosalie Brentnall Brentnall 21st Ian Davidson Eileen Goult The Cheers 28th Mary Tate Jenny Mayo Stan Francis Reader Prayers of Intercession 7th Charles Steynor The Bealeys 14th Rosalie Brentnall The Cheers 21st Ian Davidson Jenny Mayo 28th Bill Crisp Ian Davidson 7th 14th 21st 28th Coffee Gabrielle Crowther Linda Hanna Eileen Goult Sheila Crisp CHURCH CALENDAR SEPTEMBER 2014 Saturday 6th Pastorate Quiet Day at Little Baddow Church led by Revd. Sheila Maxey

26 26 BRENTWOOD URC - The COURIER Aug/Sept 2014 Sunday 7th 10 am Revd. Sheila Maxey am ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Monday 8th 2.30 pm Monday Guild Sunday 14th 10 am Revd. Ruth Mitchell with Holy Communion Sunday 21st 10 am To be confirmed Sunday 28th 10 am Revd John Hickmore Harvest Festival followed by Harvest Lunch? THE COURIER The next issue of The COURIER for Oct/Nov 2014 will be available on Sunday the 28 th September All articles and content for publication of the COURIER should be sent to Corne Van Staden corne.vanstaden@essex.gov.uk

27 BRENTWOOD URC - The COURIER Aug/Sept If you have articles for inclusion please ensure that these are ed to Corne as early as possible during the week commencing Monday the 15 th September 2014 and before the final deadline of Sunday the 21 st September EDITOR Corne Van Staden PRINTING Stan Francis COLLATION & DISTRIBUTION Mr Jim Stratford and Team BRENTWOOD UNITED REFORMED CHURCH New Road, Brentwood, CM14 4GD SUNDAY WORSHIP 10:00 am Family Worship with Creche and Junior Church Holy Communion is usually celebrated at Morning Worship on the last Sunday of each month. Details of preachers and special events are given in the COURIER.

28 28 BRENTWOOD URC - The COURIER Aug/Sept 2014 EACH WEEK: Brownies: Contact Jane Gutteridge WEDNESDAYS: 12:00pm Luncheon Club FRIDAYS: 09:45am 11:45am Coffee Shop 12:00pm - 01:00pm Christian Aid Lunch 01:00pm 01:30pm Ecumenical Prayers