December/January 2017

Transcription

1 THE NEWS December/January 2017 The magazine of Potters Bar United Reformed Church CHRISTMAS SERVICES Friday 9th December at am - Nursery School Nativity Play Sunday 11th December at am - Toy & Gift Service Friday 16th December at 6.30 pm - Carol Service Saturday 24th December at pm - Welcome to Christmas Sunday 25th December at am - Christmas Celebration

2 The News - December/January 2017 Page 1 Dear friends As most people know by now our Minister, Revd Dr Nick Brindley is in Lister Hospital where he was taken by ambulance after becoming seriously ill whilst leading the Combined Morning Service at Brookmans Park on Sunday, 30th October. On that afternoon, Robert Hillyard, wrote to the Moderator, Andrew Prasad, telling him of Nick s very sad and unexpected illness, and in place of Nick s usual Message on this page, I give below Andrew Prasad s reply a few days later. I want to send my sincere sympathy to you all in the current situation, Nick s sudden and most serious illness was a huge shock, especially to those in the congregation on 30th October. Please be assured that both congregations, as well as Nick, Pam and his family, are continually in my prayers at this very difficult time for you all. We all understand that Nick is at the beginning of a long and difficult journey. At this stage, it is probably too early for doctors to give a clear picture of the future nor an accurate assessment of time-scales. I am glad that James Fields, Convenor of the Synod Pastoral Committee and Fredwyn Hosier, as contact person for the Synod Pastoral Consultants and a friend, have been in touch with you. Do be assured that other colleagues and I are here to offer sympathy and practical support and assist as necessary over the coming days and months. It is my intention to make an informal visit to both your churches as soon as possible (Andrew has already visited both churches), meanwhile I repeat you are ALL continually in my thoughts and prayers. Please share this message with the congregations. May God grant you his perfect peace at this difficult time. ANDREW PRASAD The last update from Pam Brindley is that there has been a slight improvement in Nick s

3 Page 2 The News - December/January 2017 Bethlehem Pilgrimage Written following a visit to the Church of the Holy Nativity in Bethlehem, when the poet noticed Arab Christian children walking through the very low doorway. To see the place where Christ was born You have to stoop so low! Through tiny door and gloomy cave The humbled pilgrims go, Then crouch to touch the silver star That marks the very place Where Mary bore the unique flesh, The fount of truth and grace... The chldren freely enter in, No need have they to bend; But we are old in years and sin, And need to comprehend That Bethlehem leaves no place for pride: The God of starry skies Has touched the earth in tender love - And cut us down to size! How vain the Christmas spending-spree, The over-lavish table! God works through simple souls who see A baby in a stable. Church Officers and Elders Minister: Revd Dr Nick Brindley Tel: Mob: Serving Elders Secretary David Ramsay Tel: Tony Corfe Janet Green Colin Lonsdale David Morris Janet O Connor Frank Palmer Elisabeth Parker David Ramsay Martin Willis Treasurer Letting Officer Robert Hillyard Tel: Colin Lonsdale Tel: Fabric Frank Palmer Warden Tel: Chairman Laurie Cahill-Smith Premises & Tel: Finance Committee

4 The News - December/January 2017 Page 3 Church Family I am very sorry to have to report that Gwen Kench has been diagnosed with breast cancer. She will be having a scan later this week to decide what treatment she will need. We send our love and prayers to both Maurice and Gwen. * * * * Rosemary is feeling a little better since starting her chemo treatment. She writes the following: I would like to thank everyone who prayed for me and my family at this difficult time. Also thank you for the love and support and the cards which has made all the difference to me * * * * Please note From January 1st, coffee will be served after the Family Service at noon. This will be for a trial period only. Chris & David Ramsay Christmas Cards As there is only one Sunday left, 18th December, for the posting of Internal Christmas Cards, it may be the year for you all to write just one card to all your friends in the church, which can be put on the board. The box will be put out on 11th for those of you who may have remembered but I did not mention it in the November News. Darkes Fayre was on my mind!! Sorry about that. New Year Prayer 2017 Lord of the Years, At the start of this New Year we ask for your presence, protection and guidance for every minute of every day of every month ahead. Thank you that we do not go into this New Year alone. Thank you for loving us so much that you gave us Jesus to lead us to you. May we commit ourselves afresh to serve you, to love you and to share your love with those who don t yet know you. May we make a difference for your Kingdom in In Jesus name. Amen

5 Page 4 The News - December/January 2017 ADVENT The first candle lit The first tiny doors Of Advent Calendars Tweezed open by eager young fingers... Christmas is coming! Hark! the glad sound Of whispered enquiries, Of rustling paper, The mounting tension Of excited children Probing and questioning Their exhausted mothers... How frenzied our work, Swept on by the sense Of growing momentum... Was R.L.S. right? Better to travel hopefully Than to arrive? Is the pleasure all here In anticipation, In imagination, In our expectation Of how good it will be? Advent is preparing... Not shopping-days only, Not spending on stomachs, But clearing the mind, And opening the heart In readiness for something deeper Than social fun and family reunion All may travel hopefully, But only those who go as far as Bethlehem Shall find arrival better than the journey By Arnold Kellett - A Methodist Minister His name is John Zechariah, Priest of God Had lived a godly life Was upright in the paths he trod And so was his dear wife. But they were both advanced in years And children had not come; Till one day he came home in tears For God had struck him dumb. But tears they were of joy, not grief, The angel Gabriel Had silenced him through unbelief At what he d had to tell. His faithful wife, Elizabeth Deprived of mother s joy Would feel the Holy Spirit s breath And have a baby boy! A son who would bring great delight Cause many to rejoice; And great he d be in God s pure sight And speak with holy voice. Because he d said, How can this be? The priest s voice, it was gone Until his new-born son he d see; And say, His name is John. By Nigel Beeton

6 The News - December/Janauary 2017 Page 5 Tuesday Friendship Pauline began the meeting with a lovely poem, followed by a prayer. We prayed especially for Nick, our Minister, seriously ill in hospital. Our speaker for November 1st was John Hyde, a voluntary worker for 37 years in support of the Tear Fund. This is a Christian Relief Charity for the poor and needy in many parts of the world. They are connected to 300 partners in 50 different countries, mainly developing communities. The charity helps people of all faiths and none, many without the very basic necessities of life. Our members were truly shocked to learn that over 780 million human beings in the world do not have access to clean water, and two and a half billion people exist without even very basic sanitation. John described how one in seven children go to bed every night hungry. The work of Tear Fund is very comprehensive, being involved with prevention of child trafficking for slavery, disaster relief work after earthquakes, hurricanes, drought and in war zones, to mention just a few. John illustrated his talk with some colourful slides of Chad a poverty stricken Central African Republic, a large proportion of which is part of the Sahel Desert a very harsh environment. We listened to the story of a family with four small children, struggling to survive a severe drought where all the crops had failed. The mother, Jumana makes baskets to raise money to feed the family. When the rains come the nearby river provides irrigation for growing vegetables, and the family can survive. This charity is run mainly by volunteers, so that money raised is for some of the poorest people in the world, and not used in administration costs. At the conclusion of the meeting there was an opportunity to purchase a selection of items in support of the work of Tear Fund, and we were happy to make a donation to John. When countries in the West have more than sufficient resources, it was humbling to listen to the story of Chad, and many other poor developing countries, at the same time thanking God for selfless people like John and Fiona Hyde, who have given so much over many years. Margaret Barton * * * * 15th November was a members evening and roughly 15 of us gathered to hear each others first jobs. Having left school at a variety of ages to continue in further education, or to start work commercially, there were quite a few typists, shorthand writers and junior clerks with many duties. We heard one member was a dispenser at a large Boots in Hampshire and another who joined a company involving research into the making of plastics. Telephonists and book keepers added their experiences, one for a time working at Arsenal Stadium. One member disliked training with Chartered Accountants, left and eventually was put in charge of the Royal Train and its dignitaries over the years. Another member worked for Shell Oil in the photographic unit of the P.R. Department. We also heard from a highly qualified nurse with hard training conditions, and someone who ventured into spot welding and testing. Everyone gave an entertaining, and at times comical, account of their first jobs and more! It was lovely to find the things many had in common such as, schools attended, the area we grew up in, the people we came across and the places travelled to such as London, Welwyn Garden City, St Albans and others further afield. Wages and bus fares were a subject for reflection! What a delightful evening we had with laughter and reminiscing. Thanks to everyone for being so entertaining - we all know each other a little better now. Margaret Hill

7 Page 6 The News - December/January 2017 The Christmas Pageant by Joni Tad This is the month when schools and churches all over the country are holding their annual Christmas events. One of my favourite Pageant stories concerns Wally. As the story goes, Wally was nine that year, but was in a class of seven year olds. Most folk in town knew that he had difficulty in keeping up. He was big and clumsy, slow in movement and mind. Still, Wally was well liked by the other children in his class, all of whom were smaller than he. He was always helpful and a natural protector of the underdog. Wally fancied the idea of being a shepherd with a flute in the Christmas Pageant that year, but the director of the play, Miss Lumbard, assigned him to a more important role. After all, she reasoned, the innkeeper didn t have too many lines! So it happened that the usual large audience gathered for the town s yearly extravaganza of crowns and haloes, shepherds crooks and beards, and a whole stage full of squeaking voices. But no one on stage or off was more caught up n the magic of the night than Wally Purling. Then came the time when Joseph appeared, slowly, tenderly guiding Mary to the door of the inn. Joseph knocked hard on the wooden door of the painted back-drop. What do you want? Wally said, swinging the door open. We seek lodging / Seek it elsewhere, Wally looked straight ahead and spoke vigorously The Inn is full. Sir, we have asked everywhere in vain. We have travelled far and are very weary. Wally look stern. There is no room in this Inn for you/. Joseph put his arm round Mary Please good Innkeeper, this is my wife, and she is heavy with child and needs a place to rest. Surely you must have some small corner for her? For the first time Wally relaxed his stiff stance and looked down at Mary. There was a long pause long enough to make the audience a bit tense with embarrassment. A prompter whispered from the wings your next line is No, be gone! Wally automatically repeated No, be gone Joseph sadly placed his arm around Mary, and the two of them started moving away. Wally stood there in the doorway watching. Suddenly his eyes filled with tears, and suddenly this Christmas Pageant became different from all others. Wait Wally the Innkeeper suddenly blurted out. Don t go, Joseph and his face broke into a wide smile. You can have MY room! Many people in town thought the programme had been ruined. More, however, - the thoughtful ones considered it the most meaningful Pageant of all.

8 The News - December/January 2017 Page 7 Community Choir Concert On 3rd December, around 200 people including the choir visited our church to start us off to Christmas with a rousing carol concert. It was a very varied programme, beginning with Gospel Spirituals, the Humming chorus from Madame Butterfly, Simon & Garfunel, Abba, to name but a few. All very well known to the congregation where on occasions we all joined in. In the interval David & Pauline Morris provided tea, coffee and mince pies to the very large numbers and in the second half of the programme we had a Medley of Songs from Oliver, and the soloist Jill Sergiou sang O Holy Niight beautifully. We then finished by singing Carols including The Twelve Days of Christmas by months of your birthday which was very jolly. Thank you David & Pauline for arranging everything - you did a mammoth job very successfully. The Musical Director was Jill Knight and sadly this was her last concert as she wants to spend more time with her family. Isobel Smith was the pianist and she played beautifully for the entire concert.

9 Page 8 The News - December/January 2017 Darkes Fayre The Mayor & Mayoress open the Fayre with Tony Noah from Katombora Africa Stall Margaret B, Margaret H, Les & Doreen Fuller - Cake Stall Frank Palmer - Tombola Barbara, Suzanne & Mary More pictures and editorial on page 10. Margaret & Robert the Lion

10 The News - December/January 2017 Page 9 A f r i c a Another day has dawned. Another Darkes Fayre has been and indeed gone but this time, one with a special unique slant, an emphasis on Africa and, more particularly, Katomboro, so recently the other end of a link between ourselves and the United Church of Zambia. The talents of our membership were brought in to play, to stage yet another very successful event on Saturday 26th November, staged again this year throughout the building, with every part of it pressed in to service to house a stall, sideshow, cafeteria or snack bar. The initial result of 8500 with visitors paying their 1.00 entrance fee, is a tremendous testimony to the skill of all of us involved in however small or large a way. Most satisfying was to see the happy smiling faces of visitors and helpers alike and that made all the hard work worthwhile. We had our usual spread of stalls and sideshows, fun games for the children and produce aplenty, an excellent Kraal Cafe with tables set ready to receive the superb variety of lunches, and many a game of chance. The introduction, after an absence of a few years, of the Snack Bar, helped swell the funds. Again this year we had choirs from two local schools., organised on our behalf by ACT 4, entertaining their family, friends, and the rest of us, with the African theme played out with many a drum beat. These certainly added a real buzz to the Fayre with so many children singing their hearts out. A special tribute must be paid to The Mayor, Councillor Pete Rutledge, accompanied by Mayoress Counsellor Jane West, who formally opened the Fayre and who spent so much time with us, visiting every part of the Fayre. A big pat on the back to everyone and especially to Noah, who had come all this way from Katomboro to see how it s done, and contributed so much in energy and enthusiasm.. Share because we care Frank Palmer Grannie? The little boy came home from his first day at Sunday School and informed his mother that his Sunday school teacher was Jesus grandmother. Astonished, the mother demanded: What on earth makes you think that? Easy, said the little boy. She never stops talking about Jesus.

11 Page 10 The News - December/January 2017 Darkes Fayre Pope Paul School sang for us. Pam Coombe cooked all the hot food Joan Gooding with Noah Gift Stall Stephen Jones, our Musical Director with 3 Hillyards & Emma Brown I thought you might like to see Gabriela s response to the ready to roll series. You are a great church, it's clearly visible especially now when you go through the hard time with Nick and his family. What a witness. Love Gabriela Well it was certainly a different day, being under new management (Tony), but I didn t see many signs of the spirit was willing, but... Everyone seemed pretty fired up and ready to go. And we did it (as usual) largely under our own steam even down to the putting up and taking down. I can only echo Gabriela you are a great church and all of us working together was fun, wasn t it? The 8500 is the usual headline figure which will come down as we deduct expenses etc. David quoted 6000 in church, but from experience it may end up a bit lower. Robert Hillyard

12 The News - December/January 2017 Page 11 Diary for December Thu Church Meeting Fri Charity Lunch Choir Practice Sat Community Choir Sun Family Service led by Anne Walton Evening Worship and Holy Communion led by Roger Taylor Fri Nursery Nativity Sun Family Toy & Gift Service led by Anne Walton Mon CHOIR PRACTICE Tue Town Carols at St Mary s Church The Walk, Potters Bar Wed Elders Meeting Fri CAROL SERVICE LED BY COLIN LONSDALE Sun Family Service and Holy Communion led by Roger Taylor Tue Tuesday Friendship Christmas Party Sat Welcome to Christmas led by Janet O Connor and Tony Corfe Sun Christmas Day Service led by Tony Alderman

13 Page 12 The News - December/January 2017 Rotas for December Duty Officer & Stewards 4 Dec Michael Deller... Joyce Hickson, Margaret Hill 11 Dec Jennifer Cameron... Elisabeth Parker, Marian Poulton 16 Dec CAROL SERVICE AT Dec Mary Deller Dec VOLUNTEERS PLEASE 1 Jan Frank Palmer... Marian Poulton, Frank Green Preparation of Communion 4 Dec Gay Potter, Janet O Connor 18 Dec Margaret Hill, Joan Gooding 1 Jan Janet Green, Eileen Porter Communion Servers 4 Dec Not needed 18 Dec Mary Deller, Robert Hillyard, Janet Green, Janet O Connor 1 Jan Not needed Flower Rota (Albert Waite) 4 Dec Tuesday Friendship 11 Dec Flower Fund 16 Dec Carols 18 Dec CHRISTMAS 25 Dec 1 Jan Joyce Hickson Coffee Rota 4 Dec Mary Deller 11 Dec Chris & David Ramsay 18 Dec Ellisabeth Parker, Margaret Hill 25 Dec CHRISTMAS 1 Jan Joan Gooding Vestry Elder 4 Dec Tony Corfe 11 Dec Martin Willis 18 Dec Janet Green 27 Dec Frank Palmer 1 Jan David Ramsay Charity Lunches 2 Dec Janet O Connor, Margaret Hill, Albert Waite 6 Jan Margaret & Robert Hillyard, Daphne Maclean, Jean Morse 10 Feb Mary Deller, Heather Rae, Marian Poulton, Frank Green

14 The News - December/January 2017 Page 13 Diary for January 2017 Sun Family Service led by Anne Walton Fri Charity Lunch Choir Practice Sun Family Service Tue Tuesday Friendship Round the Caribbean With David and Pauline Fri Choir Practice Sun Family Service and Holy Communion Fri Choir Practice Sun Family Service Fri Choir Practice Sun Family Service 4th February 2017 Once again Pam & Brian Coombe have kindly agreed to cater for our Annual Dinner, so please put this date in your diary. We are so very grateful to them for taking on this huge task once again I think this is their 22nd year More details will follow at a later date

15 Page 14 The News - December/January 2017 Rotas for January Duty Officer & Stewards 1 Jan Frank Palmer... Marian Pouloton, Frank Green 8 Jan Robert Hillyard... Janet O Connor, Margaret Barton 15 Jan Michael Deller... Margaret Hillyard 22 Jan Mary Deller... Joan Gooding, Joyce Hickson 29 Jan Tony Corfe... David & Chris Ramsay 5 Feb Janet O Connor... Elisabeth Parker Preparation of Communion 1 Jan Janet Green & Eileen Porter 15 Jan Margaret Hill & Chris Ramsay 5 Feb Janet O Connor Communion Servers 1 Jan Not needed 15 Jan Mary Deller, Janet Green, Frank Palmer, David Ramsay 5 Feb Not needed Flower Rota (Barbara Corfe & Jean Morse) 1 Jan Joyce Hickson 8 Jan Tony & Barbara Corfe 15 Jan Margaret Barton 22 Jan Flower Fund 29 Jan Kathy Howe 5 Feb Albert Waite Coffee Rota 1 Jan Joan Goodiung 8 Jan Heather Rae & Geoff Peterson 15 Jan Elisabeth Parker, Margaret Hill 22 Jan Chris & David Ramsay 29 Jan Margaret & Robert Hillyard (Joint Service) 5 Feb Chris & David Ramsay Vestry Elder 1 Jan David Ramsay 8 Jan Janet O Connor 15 Jan Colin Lonsdale 22 Jan Frank Palmer 29 Jan Elisabeth Parker 5 Feb Janet Green The News Editor: Janet O Connor 8 Heath Road, EN6 llq Tel: Assistant Editor: Mary Deller Tel: All copy must be in the hands of the Editor by 15th of the preceding month The next issue of The News will be available for collection on Sunday 29th January 2017 Charity Lunches 6 Jan Margaret & Robert Hillyard, Daphne Maclean, Jean Morse 10 Feb Mary Deller, Heather Rae, Marian Poulton, Frank Green

16 The News - December/January 2017 Page 15 The Acts of the Apostles - the Church goes Worldwide In the study this month we follow the developing church as it grows geographically beyond 'Palestine' and beyond the Jewish peoples who live there, and reaches out to all mankind. Now look through the notes that you made on chapters 9-12 and re-read the text as a whole, then we are ready to start! So, Chapter 9. The last time that we met with Saul he was standing observing the death of Stephen and ' was consenting unto his death '; as we enter the current narrative Saul is ' incandescent' (to use a current word!) about the growth of the Good News and has received permission from the Jewish priesthood to stamp it out by all means possible, and he is given permission to take (and kill) any believers that he could find. He sets off for Damascus which is to the north of Galilee. By now we all know the importance of Damascus - a key town situated in Syria. On the way he is confronted by Jesus himself, and the conversion moment that follows is a thrilling one that all our world knows about today! The action of Ananias is also thrilling in that he does what he is told to do in a vision, something seemingly very dangerous. After Saul gets his sight back he goes straight to the Synagogue to tell of his experience and proclaim that Jesus is indeed the Son of God, the most high. The Good News! Next, Saul goes to Jerusalem to meet the disciples who similarly have a difficulty in understanding the change in him. It is worthy of note here that Barnabas vouches for Saul. The Damascus experience that Saul had was total, in that he went and preached the good news boldly, expanding the target peoples to the Greek speaking Jews, then north to the Jews in Samaria, to Caesarea (the Roman town) then back to his home town of Tarsus. The text records that 'the Holy Spirit strengthened the church as it grew in numbers and lived in reverence for the Lord'. Is there a message here for us? At the end of chapter 9 Luke switches the readers' attention to Peter. Peter travels northwards taking the Good News of Jesus' resurrection and of life in Him. Peter goes to Lydda, heals Aeneas, then goes to adjacent Joppa and raises Dorcas, then lodges with the tanner, Simon. Onward to chapter 10! God now reveals to the Church that the Good News is universal in that it applies to all mankind. Notice how this happens because Jewishness was for the Jews, only. Peter is 'told' first by a series of remarkable events, and he speaks thus 'I now realize that God treats everyone on the same basis (or equally) and that anyone who worships Him and does what is right is acceptable to him, no matter to what race he belongs' and he ends with 'everyone that believes in Jesus will have his sins forgiven through the power of His Name'. This revelation was then confirmed to all the listeners by the Holy Spirit coming upon them 'in power'. This truth continues into chapter 11, as Peter now returns to the mother church in Jerusalem and recounts this guidance. The framework here is that a man- made sign is not important but belief in the Lord Jesus as the Christ is. So, all people have the opportunity to repent and live! Other believers too had travelled both northward and westward spreading the Good News and proclaim it as universal for all mankind. Notice that the church at Jerusalem sends our friend Barnabas to meet with the new converts and to confirm their teachers' message as a true one, as they too had received the Holy Spirit. Barnabas urges them to 'be faithful and true to the Lord with all their hearts'. He himself is described as being a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and capable of bringing people to the Lord. Is this another message for us? Chapter 11 concludes with Barnabas travelling to Tarsus to meet up with his friend, Saul and together they go to the city of Antioch, to the Church that Saul was instrumental in setting up, and it is here that they are first labelled 'Christians'. This monthly read ends in Chapter 12, where the Roman Governor, Herod Agrippa II, seeks to regain control of men s hearts by setting the Jews upon the Christians this was a period of persecution for the new church. Herod has John s brother, James, killed and

17 Page 16 The News - December/January 2017 The Acts of the Apostles - the Church goes Worldwide then seeing that this pleases the Jewish leaders, has Peter imprisoned probably intending the same fate for him too. Peter is miraculously set free, notice where Peter goes next and the people involved. They are Mary (not the mother of Jesus), John Mark, and Rhodda, and Peter s instruction is to 'go and tell James' (Jesus brother). The Chapter ends with Herod going back to the garrison town of Caesarea, getting involved with a dispute with the citizens of Tyre and Sidon and being struck down dead. Read why. Our study, and chapter 12, ends with two valuable statements :- meanwhile the word of God continued to spread and grow' and 'Barnabas and Saul returned to Jerusalem taking John Mark with them' In our read this month we see the basis of our belief laid down clearly, that its acceptance was sealed with the granting of the Holy Spirit on the believers, and that this Good News of the Gift of God was universal in that it was for al mankind. Now give thanks for the Good News that you also know. I wish you well in His service. This is the month of Christmas, a time full of festivities, blessings, and the solstice. The December Newsletter covers two months so the February issue will be the next one. I ask you to continue with our study through the holiday period but suggest we do six chapters only, so please read chapters 13,14,15,16,17 and 18 over the eight+ weeks, again one chapter a week, with a notebook, in a Quiet Time, and soak up the next events. I wish you a good Christmas time, make some resolutions for 2017, and enjoy a good Bible study! See you in February! Geoffrey Peterson Senior Moments A group of seniors were sitting around talking about all their ailments at Starbucks. "My arms have got so weak I can hardly lift this cup of coffee," said one. "Yes, I know," said another. "My cataracts are so bad; I can't even see my coffee." "I couldn't even mark an "X" at election time because my hands are so crippled," volunteered a third. "What? Speak up! What? I can't hear you, said one elderly lady!" "I can't turn my head because of the arthritis in my neck," said one, to which several nodded weakly in agreement. "My blood pressure pills make me so dizzy!" exclaimed another. "I forget where I am, and where I'm going," said another. "I guess that's the price we pay for getting old," winced an old man as he slowly shook his head. The others nodded in agreement. "Well, count your Blessings," said a woman cheerfully... "Thank God we can all still drive."