The COURIER. December 16 & January 17

Transcription

1 The COURIER December 16 & January 17 United Reformed Church New Road, Brentwood

2 2 BRENTWOOD URC - The COURIER Dec. 16 & Jan. 17 BRENTWOOD UNITED REFORMED CHURCH New Road, Brentwood, CM14 4GD Church Office Church Foyer A Joint Pastorate with Ingatestone And Billericay United Reformed Churches MINISTER Ruth Mitchel CHURCH SECRETARY To be confirmed TREASURER Mr Kees Maxey COVENANTS Mr Jim Bealey ORGANISTS Mr Tony Cheer Mrs Muriel Cantor HALL STEWARD Gabrielle Crowther SERVING ELDERS Mr Jim Bealey Mr Ian Davidson Mrs Corné Van Staden 0 Mr Kees Maxey

3 BRENTWOOD URC - The COURIER Dec.16 & Jan.17 3 Dear friends, Whilst hunting down another book in my study I came across a little book I had not opened for several years entitled A Wayne in the manger it is a delightful book. On the back it says the book is For anyone who has ever attended an infant nativity play and cried silent tears of laughter and then there follows. What happens when Mary drops baby Jesus? Or when the Innkeeper invites Mary in but sends her husband packing? Or when the three kings refuse to hand over their gifts? A Wayne in a manger reminds us all that even the most famous story doesn t always end the way we expect! It is wonderfully fresh, as all too often we ve become bored with Christmas even before we hit December, because of the commercial side of it all. The book reminds us of the wonder of the most amazing story ever told. And perhaps challenges us to re look at it as through the eyes of a child. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it. Mark10:15 We need to recapture the wonder of what God has done for us in giving us the best and most precious gift ever thought of. A gift which has no price tag, no-one could

4 4 BRENTWOOD URC - The COURIER Dec. 16 & Jan. 17 afford to buy it but it is given to each of us freely and with love beyond our wildest dreams. JESUS. May God this Christmas, bless us each with a new sense of awe and wonder at the news that today in Bethlehem is born a Saviour Jesus Christ the Lord Every blessing Ruth P.S. Remember, if you take Christ out of Christmas all you have left is M&S CHURCH FAMILY NEWS I am afraid that most of the news of members is not very good at the moment. We have had one or two visitors to the church recently we hope that they have found a warm welcome with us and will return for future services. The children said they enjoyed it and want to visit again! We have two birthdays to celebrate in this issue of the magazine Bill crisp will be 84 on

5 BRENTWOOD URC - The COURIER Dec.16 & Jan.17 5 December 26 th and Jim Stratford will be 85 on January 11 th. Happy Birthday gentlemen. Anyone else who have not been mentioned are in our hearts and prayers, do let me know if I have missed out anyone or anything important. Rosalie Brentall TREASURER REPORT TOTAL Loose Envelopes Av p.w August Av p.w September Av p.w Kees REPORT ON OCTOBER 2016 EASTERN SYNOD MEETING This was kindly sent to us by Simon Mynott of Billericay URC. Deployment of Ministers The Moderator s address concentrated on the problem that Eastern Synod has more than its fair share of ministers and is more out of line than any other Synod. Possible solutions are likely to be brought to a Synod meeting next year. Pulpit Supply

6 6 BRENTWOOD URC - The COURIER Dec. 16 & Jan. 17 The recommended payment for a retired minister providing pulpit supply is 40 plus travel expenses at 25p a mile. Lay preachers should be offered travel expenses and possibly a small gift. The next lay preachers day at Westminster College is in March Billy Graham DVDs Two DVDs were available for churches produced by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association in the UK. Eco-Friendly Churches Rayleigh is one of three churches in the Synod to have achieved Eco-Friendly status. Area Partnership The merger of the South West Essex Partnership (which includes us) and the South East Essex Partnership will formally take place on 1 st January 2017 but the two are already holding joint meetings. Synod Day 2017 This will be held on 10 th June at Trinity Park, east of Ipswich, on the Suffolk Showground where there is on-site parking. Simon Mynott BURC KNITTERS The last meeting of 2016 will be held on Wednesday 30th November at 2pm in the William Hunter Room. Please try to come. There may be mince pies available!

7 BRENTWOOD URC - The COURIER Dec.16 & Jan.17 7 We resume on Wednesday 4th January, continuing on 18th January in our usual twice monthly arrangement, with February meetings falling on the1st and 15th of the month. With renewed thanks to all who contribute to our efforts by knitting or donating wool. Muriel Cantor MOVING STORIES..198 Linda Mead is the Commitment for Life co-ordinator. The programme gives churches an opportunity to be involved in global justice and development through campaigning, fundraising and worship. She is a lay leader of the URC in Britain, said the call of the times is for Christians to help lead the way in living more simply amidst climate change. Yanoun My watch tells me it is just after 2am as I lie awake listening to the unmistakable sound of a digger moving rock after rock, being the only noise breaking the silence in the early hours of this

8 8 BRENTWOOD URC - The COURIER Dec. 16 & Jan. 17 September morning. Every once in a while, the sound of the digger is overpowered by the sound of barking dogs, brought down from the hilltop by the wind. With the darkness as shelter, the invisible work on the hilltop continues. It is impossible, after sunset, to know for sure what is happening amidst the houses and barns little more than a stone s throw away from my bedroom. What will be changed when the first sunbeams strike the olive trees? My bedroom is located in the tiny Palestinian village of Yanoun, a half hour drive South-East of Nablus in the Northern part of the West Bank. In 2002, armed settlers came down from the hilltops to the small village in the valley and threatened the villagers, who were forced to leave. They were only able to return when an international presence made it safe to do so. Since 2003, EAs, through the EAPPI programme, have been in the village providing protective presence. One of the women in the village recently told us: I feel safe at night when I see that there is light in your house. The harassment from the settlers has decreased in the last decade, but building continues on the hilltops above and around Yanoun, gradually extending into more and more of the land of Yanoun village. But Yanoun is not a special case. After the six-day war in 1967, when the West Bank came under Israeli occupation, more than 250 illegal Israeli settlements and outposts have been built in the occupied territories. In 1993, the five-year interim plan agreed through the Oslo Accords divided the West Bank into three areas of jurisdiction, A, B and C. Area C which is predominantly rural with villages dotted throughout, accounts for 60 per cent of the West Bank.

9 BRENTWOOD URC - The COURIER Dec.16 & Jan.17 9 By a complex set of legal, military and administrative regulations the Israeli occupation authorities ban Palestinians from making use of 70 per cent of this area. It is in these areas that Israeli settlements are to be found. To try to get a greater understanding of the impact of the ongoing settlement and outpost expansion we visited a local contact, Ahmad*, in the village Bruqin, which is close to Yanoun. Ahmad took out a large map and some smaller satellite photos. On the map we could see the village and all its buildings and facilities, including a girls school on the outskirts of the village. The map reveals the planned extension of the illegal Israeli settlement Bruchin. With the information from the map it is easy to imagine what the future might look like if, or indeed when, the proposed developments are complete. The map is published by Israeli authorities and identifies where the 550 new housing units are to be built. Taking the outer security zone into consideration the girl s school will be on the border of the settlement, Ahmad tells us. The land that will be used to extend the settlement is village land used for the growing of olives. With this explanation, we can identify some patterns in how settlements are expanding. Bruchin settlement was

10 10 BRENTWOOD URC - The COURIER Dec. 16 & Jan. 17 established in 1999, not as a residential area, but rather a military camp. However, shortly after its establishment, housing units for civilians were added. According to the official 2014-map, the military camp is gone, leaving a fully expanded residential settlement in its place. In other cases, Israeli settlers establish outposts or occupy Palestinian houses, an activity deemed illegal by international as well as Israeli law. In both cases the military is regularly deployed to protect these settlers, even though their actions are technically illegal. The presence of the military necessitates development of infrastructure to cater for the needs of the soldiers services, recreation, food etc, all of which are developments that foster further settlement expansion. Back in Yanoun and still lying awake at 2.00 am listening to the bulldozers busy at the outpost, I ask myself: What are they doing on the hilltop? My curiosity and sense of despair leads me to ask: Is there no end to this? How much Palestinian land is to be stolen and what will this lead to? *The names in this article have been changed. The Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme for Peace in Palestine and Israel. Yanoun team. BRENTWOOD FOOD BANK For the last few years we have donated our harvest offerings to the Brentwood Food Bank but their need goes on all the year round and some church members have asked if we could have collections during the year as well.

11 BRENTWOOD URC - The COURIER Dec.16 & Jan Christmas is a time when most of us enjoy a few treats and the Food Bank have added these to their list at present. Peter and I will be delivering our family collection around the 12 th December and if any church members wish to contribute anything we will happily include this as well. I have a list of needs and suggestions from the Food Bank. accept money. Do let me know if you would like a copy and bring any donations you wish to give to the church by 11 th December. This is not an official church collection and we cannot Jenny Mayo Ps: Do check the list, many of our families do not have gas/electric to spare for making of food in winter by using ovens etc. COMMUNITY LINKS CHRISTMAS APPEAL Community Links is the organisation in Newham, East London who have received the donations given at our Toy and Gift service every December. They collect toys to give to underprivileged children as young as two months and as old as 16, who would otherwise go without on Christmas Day. Children and families are referred by a variety of

12 12 BRENTWOOD URC - The COURIER Dec. 16 & Jan. 17 east London caring agencies and family support groups, ensuring that the Appeal helps those most in need. All toys need to be new and unwrapped and should not promote war or violence. Gifts can include story books for all ages, craft sets, jigsaws, stationery, dolls and accessories, cars and car sets, boxed board games or 5/ 10 fashion or sports vouchers as an example but there are many other options. Wrapping paper is also welcome.

13 BRENTWOOD URC - The COURIER Dec.16 & Jan This year they are unable to make use of second-hand gifts and if you wish to give cheques please make them payable to Community Links and not to the church. Jenny Mayo THE MONDAY GUILD The Monday Guild met on October 10 th when Peter Mayo gave a very interesting presentation about some of Brentwood s history. Items included The Story of Ellen Wilmott of Warley Place, the White Hart coaching inn and Warley Barracks. For the November meeting we were pleased to welcome Mrs. Beryl Hunt who gave an entertaining talk about her wedding day. The next meeting of the Monday Guild will be on December 12 th at 2.30 pm and the first meeting of 2017 will be on January 9 th Eileen Goult BRENTWOOD SCHOOL WORKER TRUST accompany her. The annual Celebration and General Meeting of the Brentwood School s Worker Trust took place on 26 th September at Shenfield High School. Margaret Gazely is the representative for our church and she asked me to

14 14 BRENTWOOD URC - The COURIER Dec. 16 & Jan. 17 Ian Kemble, director of the Schools Worker Trust has now been in the job for ten years and had a three months sabbatical in the Summer. Ian welcomed all those present and led the opening worship. This was followed by a presentation by the staff and volunteers of some of the work which has been going on during the year. These activities included leading school assemblies, school lessons and projects, after school clubs, individual support for young people with difficulties or problems and prayer and prayer partners. One project which has been very much appreciated has been visits to year six classes in Junior schools to help children cope with the change to secondary school. Again, I was very impressed by the commitment and enthusiasm of all who were involved. Other items included a report from the chair of the management committee, Sally McMahon, and then the Financial report. The trust is supported by contributions from churches, including ours and by individual donors. The next item was Looking Forward, in which the Chair of Trustees, Jeff Fair, spoke about plans for the coming year. Elections for new members of the management committee followed and then closing prayers. Altogether an optimistic meeting. If you would like to know more the Trust produces a News Sheet from time to time so look out for the next issue. Margaret Cheer LIGHT THE WAY THIS CHRISTMAS

15 BRENTWOOD URC - The COURIER Dec.16 & Jan Christian Aid was founded 70 years ago to support the thousands of refugees in the wake of the Second World War. It is returning to that original mission in this year s Christmas Appeal. There are millions of refugees worldwide with no safe place to call home. We are particularly conscious of those from Syria and the Middle East and many of us will already have supported one of the many organisations, including Christian Aid, which are trying to ease their plight. But this Christmas, for its Christmas Appeal, Christian Aid is turning the spotlight on the Democratic Republic of Congo, a forgotten country where conflict, poverty and displacement will leave millions of families struggling to find safety. Celestin is a priest in Congo and he has known great darkness. First his bishop was murdered, then he witnessed nine priests being killed by rebels so he fled for his life. Not to another country but to a safer part of his own country where, with Christian Aid s help, he runs a kind of sanctuary for other survivors of violence. The local families there show great generosity to the newcomers, but they are poor people. Celestin s community helps the refugee families to rebuild their lives. We, in Brentwood United Reformed Church, will play our part by our giving over the Christmas period, and especially at the Carol Service. Special envelopes will be available from 4 th December.

16 16 BRENTWOOD URC - The COURIER Dec. 16 & Jan. 17 Christian Aid estimates: 280 could buy mattresses, clothes and soap for a family fleeing violence in the Congo. 120 could pay for medical care and counselling for a woman who has survived sexual violence, helping her to come to terms with her ordeal. 50 could provide seeds and tools to help a family forced out of their home to grow food to feed themselves. And so we can help to light their way and the words of the prophet Isaiah can, in a small way, be fulfilled: The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light. Sheila Maxey Christian Aid representative SOMETHING FOR THE JUNIORS.

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19 BRENTWOOD URC - The COURIER Dec.16 & Jan Prayer Calendar for December 2016 and January 2017 Week beginning : December 4 th The Wednesday Luncheon Club (Christmas Lunch this week) Brentwood Methodist Church (Sharing Advent Meetings with us) People who work in the retail sector December 11 th Our Junior Church (involved in our worship today) Coffee Shop (Christmas event Friday

20 20 BRENTWOOD URC - The COURIER Dec. 16 & Jan th ) People in need in inner city areas (Gift Service today) December 18 th The Church worldwide as it celebrates Christmas Christmas events in this church Children and families known to us December 25 th People in need or under stress at Christmas Our 3-church pastorate Youth Work in the URC (Youth Assembly from 27 th ) January 1 st The life and mission of our church in 2017 Our Minister, the Elders and other leaders Those who are persecuted for their faith January January January January 8 th A more peaceful world and peacemakers Prisoners and the prison service BSCWT and its work in schools 15 th Christian Unity (Week of prayer for unity begins Jan 18 th ) Churches Together in Brentwood PARC, our Commitment for Life project. 22 nd People in need in our area Those who are living under oppression Those who use our building 29 th Refugees and asylum seekers The Brentwood Food Bank Students and Colleges

21 BRENTWOOD URC - The COURIER Dec.16 & Jan DUTY ROTAS DECEMBER 2016 Flowers Vestibule 4th Vacant Corne Van Staden 11th Christmas flowers Mary Tate 18th Christmas flowers Carolyn Rudkin 25th Christmas flowers Service at Methodist Church Vestry Steward Notices 4th Bill Crisp Eileen Goult Steve Burns 11th Stan Francis Rosalie Rosalie Brentnall Brentnall 18th Kees Maxey Jenny Mayo The Cheers 25th Service at Methodist Church Reader Service at Methodist Church Service at Methodist Church Prayers of Intercession 4th Sheila Crisp Ian Davidson 11th Linda Hanna Jenny Mayo 18th Jenny Mayo Jim Bealey 25th Service at Methodist Church Service at Methodist Church 4th 11th Coffee Gabrielle Crowther Linda Hanna

22 22 BRENTWOOD URC - The COURIER Dec. 16 & Jan th 25th Eileen Goult Service at Methodist Church CHURCH CALENDAR DECEMBER 2016 Sunday 4th 10 am Worship Group Monday 5 th am Advent Course at Brentwood Methodist Church Wednesday 7th am Lunch Club Carol Service all welcome Friday 9 th 6 pm Decorating the church and Take-away supper Sunday 11th 10 am Junior Church Toy and Gift Service Monday 12 th am Advent Course at Brentwood Methodist Church 2.30 pm Monday Guild Wednesday 14th 9.30 am Sacred Space Friday 16 th 9.45 am Coffee Shop Christmas Sunday 18th 10 am Mrs Beryl Hunt 6.30 pm Candlelit Service of Readings and Carols Monday 19 th am Advent Course at Brentwood Methodist Church Wednesday 21st 9.30 am Sacred Space 6.30 pm Celebration Saturday 24 th pm Christmas Eve Communion Service Rev Sheila Maxey Sunday 25th 10 am Christmas Day Family

23 BRENTWOOD URC - The COURIER Dec.16 & Jan Service at Brentwood Methodist Church DUTY ROTAS JANUARY 2017 Flowers Vestibule 1st Christmas Moses Tsingano Flowers 8th Eileen Goult Rosalie Brentnall 15th Service at Brentwood Methodist Church Service at Brentwood Methodist Church 22nd Jenny Mayo Margaret Gazely 29th Margaret Cheer Jenny Mayo Vestry Steward Notices 1st Clive Rudkin Eileen Goult Steve Burns 8th Stan Francis Carolyn Rudkin Rosalie Brentnall 15th Service at Brentwood Methodist Church Service at Brentwood Methodist Church Service at Brentwood Methodist Church 22nd Moses Tsingano Stan Francis Stan Francis 29th Mary Tate Stuart Crowther Non-serving Elder 1st Reader Jenny Mayo Prayers of Intercession

24 24 BRENTWOOD URC - The COURIER Dec. 16 & Jan. 17 8th Moses Tsingano The Cheers 15th 22nd Service at Brentwood Methodist Church Linda Hanna Service at Brentwood Methodist Church 29th Jim Bealey Clive Rudkin 1st 8th 15th 22nd 29th Coffee Sally Bealey Mary Tate and Sheila Crisp Service at Brentwood Methodist Church Gabrielle Crowther Linda Hanna CHURCH CALENDAR JANUARY 2017 Sunday 1st 10 am Rev Ruth Mitchell Wednesday 4 th 9.30 am Sacred Space Sunday 8th 10 am Rev Eric Baldwin Monday 9 th 2.30 pm Monday Guild Wednesday 11 th 9.30 am Sacred Space Wednesday Lunch Club resumes Sunday 15th 10 am Service with Holy Communion at Brentwood Methodist Rev Jason Vinyard Wednesday 18 th 9.30 am Sacred Space

25 BRENTWOOD URC - The COURIER Dec.16 & Jan pm URC Knitters Sunday 22nd 10 am Rev Ruth Mitchell Wednesday 25 th 9.30 am Sacred Space Sunday 29 th 10 am Rev Birgit Ewald with Neil Thorogood and Sam White. Pay What You Can Exploring Advent in Word and Image December 2016 This year, our advent retreat is a chance to delve into the Advent narrative, and to engage with it creatively through art and story-telling. We are thrilled to have members of staff from Westminster College leading the event. Everyone is welcome - come and join in! You will have opportunities to reflect on the Bible texts, and to learn more about story-telling, as well as how artists have expressed the Advent story visually over the years.

26 26 BRENTWOOD URC - The COURIER Dec. 16 & Jan. 17 Then you can make your own explorations, generating words and images to tell the story. You don t need to be an expert, either theologically or artistically - you just need to be interested and willing to have a go. Neil Thorogood: Neil was ordained in 1992 and has served pastorates in West Yorkshire and Hertfordsire, and currently serves as Principal of Westminster College. He has used art extensively in worship and teaching, and has developed his own art. He works mainly in oils on canvas, and charcoal on paper. He teaches an MA module on the ways in which the visual arts and theology interact and benefit each other. Sam White: Sam is an experienced preacher and storyteller, who has worked with both adults and children in church life. She enjoyed sharing stories with her own daughters when they were growing up, and her fondness for amateur dramatics and signing has given her a lively enthusiasm for bringing texts to life. She enjoys multi-sensory worship and using movement as an expression of faith and connectivity with the divine. Sam is an ordained minister in the United Reformed Church and has been Director of Pastoral and Church Programmes at Westminster College since The Windermere Centre Lake Road Windermere LA23 2BY windermere.centre@gmail.com

27 BRENTWOOD URC - The COURIER Dec.16 & Jan THE COURIER The next issue of The COURIER for Feb.March 2017 will be available on Sunday the 29 th January All articles and content for publication of the COURIER should be sent to Corne Van Staden hcvstaden@gmail.com If you have articles for inclusion please ensure that these are ed to Corne as early as possible during the week commencing Monday the 16 th January 2017 and before the final deadline of Sunday the 22 nd January EDITOR Corne Van Staden PRINTING Stan Francis COLLATION & DISTRIBUTION Mr Jim Stratford and Team

28 28 BRENTWOOD URC - The COURIER Dec. 16 & Jan. 17 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. 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