CHURCH MEETING HOLIDAYS

Transcription

1 LETTER FROM YOUR INTERIM MODERATOR: / 2012 Greetings Friends, May the grace and peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. I ve missed seeing you all in recent weeks, it has not been possible for me to get over to The Hyde as my health issues have greatly slowed me down. This doesn t mean that I ve forgotten you I ve missed you and being actively involved in your activities but you can be assured that you are all in my prayers. CHURCH MEETING ALL CHURCH MEMBERS are reminded that on Saturday, 7 th July at 9.30 a.m. for 10 a.m., we will be holding our Church Meeting. At 9.30 a.m. we will serve Croissants and Tea or Coffee, without charge. Please make every effort to attend as there will be important matters to be discussed Chris Mortimore Church Secretary Having slowed down somewhat has left me with time to count my blessings. I have had time to reflect on what a loving and generous God we serve. Times of service even in the smallest of actions can have a wonderful and far reaching spin off. There is great satisfaction in sharing in the service in our own church, the wider church and the community and I have been impressed with how the congregation at The Hyde pull together to make things run smoothly, some of you doing mammoth tasks others using their skill and energy to complete smaller challenges they all add up to make a living vibrant fellowship. On a more personal note I thank Chris and Sheila for bringing the good wishes of the fellowship at The Hyde to my wife, Janet, and I on the occasion of our Golden Wedding. This you will agree is quite a milestone but something that we have only achieved with the love, encouragement and support of our family and many friends. I trust you will all enjoy a break from routine during the summer HOLIDAYS On behalf of the Church, may I wish all of you, including our distant readers, a very happy and refreshing holiday time. Our greetings go to Family and Friends who may be far away with whom you will meet. Wherever you go, enjoy yourselves and for those of you at The Hyde, please come back refreshed and renewed. Chris Mortimore, Church Secretary ============== May God richly bless you all. Douglas Hogge Interim Moderator

2 PREACHING PLANS for - and st July a.m. - Mr. C. Mortimore and Elders 8 th July a.m. Mr. Allan Down 6.30 p.m. - Communion Mr. C. Mortimore 15 th July a.m. - Communion The Elders Mr. Douglas Hogge 22 nd July a.m. - Rev. Phillip Stewart 29 th July a.m. - Songs of Praise Mr. R. Day 5 th Aug a.m. Mr. C. Mortimore and Rev. John Hawkins 12 th Aug a.m. - The Elders 6.30 p.m. - Communion Mr. C. Mortimore 19 th Aug a.m. - Communion The Elders Mr. C. Mortimore 26 th Aug a.m. - Ms. Toni Anthony SEPTEMBER nd SEPT a.m. - Mr. C. Mortimore and Rev. John Hawkins PREACHING ENGAGEMENTS FOR CHRIS MORTIMORE Please pray for Chris as he leads worship at the following venues during AND 1 st July a.m. - The Hyde 8 th July a.m. - Chesterfield Road 6.30 p.m. - The Hyde 5 th Aug a.m. - The Hyde 12 th Aug a.m. - Chesterfield Road 6.30 p.m. - The Hyde SEPTEMBER Sept. 2 nd a.m. - The Hyde DIARY FOR AND 2012 Wed. 4 th p.m. - Lunchtime Service 7.30 p.m. - Elders Meeting Fri. 6 th a.m. - Toddler Group Sat. 7 th a.m. for a.m. Church Meeting Wed. 11 th 1.15 p.m. - Lunchtime Service Sat. 14 th a.m. - Joint Church Council Wed. 18 th p.m. - Lunchtime Service Thurs. 19 th p.m. - Community Event Rushgrove Park Fri. 20 th a.m. - Toddler Club Wed 25 th 1.15 p.m. - Lunchtime Service Fri. 29 th a.m. - Toddler Club Wed. 1 st p.m. - Lunchtime Service 6.30 p.m. - House Group Party Wed. 8 th p.m. - Lunchtime Service Sat. 11 th p.m. - Cream Teas Wed. 15 th p.m. - Lunchtime Service Wed. 22 nd p.m. - Lunchtime Service Wed. 29 th p.m. - Lunchtime Service SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP During July and August, several of our morning services will be led by some of our Elders. Please pray for our elders as they plan each service and then lead us in our worship. Chris Mortimore *************************** Trust the past to the mercy of God, The present to His Love, The future to His providence. St. Augustine

3 MONEY MATTERS OFFERINGS DURING MAY 2012 MAY 2012 May 2012 Cash Envelopes Total 6 th May th May th May th May TOTALS , THE COMMUNION OFFERINGS DURING AND. The next months of July and August Communion Offerings will be for a local project, the Nutmeg Community. Darwin Bernardo founded the charity in Barnet which aims to Unite, Educate, Inspire, and Create through inspirational workshops and community forums with young people. He also encourages them to engage in positive activities and to discourage the carrying of knives. Darwin has been selected to be a Torch Bearer for the Olympics for his achievements in holding events and raising awareness of the needs of young people in Barnet. He is helping the youngsters of the local community and our contributions will go towards supporting his activities. Please help Darwin in this most encouraging venture for the young people of Barnet. The Olympic Torch will come through Barnet carried by Darwin! We are very grateful to members of our Church who have given donations for our flowers this month. It makes a real difference to the feel of our Church and enhances our worship. We thank the following for their donations during AND. MR. & MRS MAYCOCK MR. H. THOMPSON MR. & MRS. DAY MR. & MRS EDDISFORD MRS. L. O NEALE MR. & MRS THEURI MR. & MRS C. THOMPSON We also thank our team of flower arrangers:- Pam Maycock Vivien Crispe Sheila Mortimore Susan Day Christina Eddisford TREASURES FOUNDATION If you forgot to bring your Project Pots for Treasures Foundation which is our current project, on Sunday, 1 st July, please return them next week. Chris Mortimore

4 OLYMPICS This letter was received from The Parish Church of Kingsbury Holy Innocents The Rev d Clive Morton You will be aware that the Olympic Torch will pass through Brent on Wednesday, 25 th July. We at Holy Innocents Church are on the route quite near the hand over point for Barnet. It is hoped that churches along the route will be open and welcoming to the local people who will line the street. Our church will be open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., we hope to have refreshments, a flower display and a visit from the Prayer Bus. We would like to invite you and your congregation to join us; if possible to provide a display and/or refreshments. For more information please contact Rev d Angela Hopkins at:- ahopkins762@btinternet,com Tel: Mobile: COMMUNITY EVENT RUSHGROVE PARK THURSDAY, 19 TH 4 P.M. On the above date, place and time, there is to be an Inter-Faith Community Event which is intended to bring the various Faiths together in a Social Gathering. There will be food and activities, so please give this event your support. Chris Mortimore ************************ HYDE-DE-HI The next meeting will be held on THURSDAY, 5 TH This meeting will be our annual lunch and outing so please make a note in your diary. Come and enjoy the ride If anyone is interested please contact the Rev d Hopkins on the details given above or go along and watch then enjoy the flower display and refreshments. Come and enjoy the food Come and enjoy the company

5 ANOTHER DATE FOR YOUR DIARY BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS DURING AND CREAM TEAS SATURDAY 11 th AT 67 WAKEMANS HILL AVENUE FROM 2.30 P.M. TO 5 P.M. COME ALONG ANY TIME MARY GLORIA PAM SHEILA JOYCE COLIN JIM KOFI TABITHA JOSHUA CATHERINE MERCY JESSICA LUKE FRANK DENISE SCONES, BUTTER JAM AND CREAM 2.00 PER PORTION STRAWBERRIES AND CREAM 1.00 PER PORTION PLUS TEA, COFFEE OR COLD DRINK. PROCEEDS RAISED FROM THE CREAM TEAS WILL GO TOWARDS THE CURRENT CHURCH PROJECT FOR THE TREASURES FOUNDATION. ************************************* ***************************** MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR Well, we have had the Jubilee, we are now half way through Wimbledon and looking forward to the Olympic Games. There are some people who I know have been able to get tickets for some of the events whether they are the tickets are for the events they wanted is another matter!! I expect most of us will be watching the events on television and I hope the televising gives us the games we want to see. If the weather stays as it is at the moment it will be good, with perhaps more sun than rain!! Have a good summer. The Messenger will be back in September. May I have material for the September issue by no later than Sunday, 26 th August. Thank you. THERE WILL BE NO COFFEE MORNING AND LUNCHES OR MEN S BREAKFAST DURING AND NEWS Thomas Rochester, who attended The Hyde until he was 10 years old, the son of Caroline and Clive and grandson of Chris and Sheila Mortimore, has gained a First Class Honours Degree in History. Thomas has now been awarded a scholarship for a Masters Degree. Caroline and Clive must be very proud of him.

6 OUR SPOTLIGHT THIS MONTH This month s SPOTLIGHT falls on CHARLES AIDOO It all started on Wednesday 17 th May In Ghana, Charles Aidoo entered the world to James and Rose Aidoo. This month s profile is one of the youngest and one of the most special. The earliest memory Charles has is of moving to Liberia at 6 months old, then back to Ghana at a year old, due to war breaking out. He remembers sitting in an army helicopter and remembers people being carried on stretchers. When he was 2 he moved to the Ivory Coast and spent 4 years here, where French became his first language. He was also introduced to his brother and sisters around this point. Charles has a lot of half siblings who live in different countries. Being young he just took this in this stride. He actually calls Rose (his mum) auntie because his half brothers and sisters called her this. So Charles just formed the habit and it s stuck. Charles never even queried this until someone at church did - then Rose explained why! Ghanaian was spoken in the home, but French was the language spoken on the Ivory Coast. Charles went back to Ghana at the age of 6 due to his dad being a diplomat: as we know from the Hutagalungs, a diplomat s job is likely to move him every four years. Back here, he still attended a French school but spoke Ghanaian at home. Having to move at ten again thanks to dad s job, Charles realised as a family they were fairly well off: it was hard to adapt; watching friends who clearly didn t have as much as they did, whether it was clothes, shoes, smaller houses, not having a maid as Charles family did. Charles watched his friends having to work or earn things Charles was given; this meant Charles felt they were mentally and physically more developed than him because of the independence the experience gave them. One interesting story Charles told me was of Rose advising him not to go to a friend s house if invited for dinner. This was because it was felt unfair to eat food offered by a family that had less than Charles. He was encouraged to invite them to his instead. School life was very different in Ghana in the 90 s than to school here. At the age 6-10, it was normal for a teacher to beat you, usually with anything the teacher could grab. It was a Roman Catholic school so possibly even more strict. They were strict even on the little things, whispering in class, not sitting where you were supposed to... If Charles hadn t done his homework, he would wear two pairs of shorts so the beatings wouldn t hurt as much!! Charles family attended the Methodist church: it didn t leave an impression at that age but Sunday school was fun. His mum also made him join Boys Brigade. Charles often found himself cutting classes and going to the arcade with the money he was given, even though mum thought he was at BB. Charles thinks his mum made him go as she thought he looked cute in the uniform!!

7 Charles story continued... At the age of ten, Charles came to the UK, on the 6 th August 1999, again due to dad s work. Charles takes up the story: It was surreal. In Ghana it would be unusual to see a white person except in films. I felt white people were rare, so I was amazed to see so many!! The weather also amazed me. It rained the day I got here and for the next three days. I d never seen so much. But you felt you knew you were here - I felt they d cleaned the roads for us - everything felt and looked perfect. A boy called Fabio living opposite me came and said hello. I wanted to be a friend and to learn to speak English like him. I pretended I was good at it even though we d only had a few English lessons in Ghana. I had to ask him what he was saying four or five times before I could understand him! I don t see him now since he moved, but his friendship left a lasting impression in those first months we were here. The first Sunday of being in England we came to The Hyde, and we ve been here ever since. There s more of a god fearing element to attending church in Ghana, and to be seen to be attending church was really important to my mum. Brian Clarke was the minister when I arrived. I suppose I was quite young back then, I don t remember much of his four children. Brian made an impression because of his guitar and his ponytail! At this time I was also friends with Thomas Rochester. Charles dad went back a year after as his job took him back to the Ivory Coast, but Rose felt they were moving Charles about too much. They stayed here, whilst dad moved again. Charles feels their living this distance apart was what led to his mum and dad separating. It s interesting watching other diplomat s children like the Hutagalungs. I wondered whether Johannes and Christina may end up staying here the way I did. Charles went to Oliver Goldsmith school in Year 6, then onto Kingsbury High; most of my primary friends went with me. There were no teachers beating you or yelling at you, but it took a while to get used to this. Some things were seen in Ghana as showing respect to an adult: I d put up my hand to answer a question then stand to give my answer - the other kids would look confused as to why I was standing! I had another boy who could speak French who helped me a lot to settle in because we could chat. My English was still mediocre at this point. School is the best way to learn a new language, you have to make an effort to make friends and to do that you must learn to communicate. I remember the teacher at Oliver Goldsmith didn t want me there initially because she thought it would be too hard to teach me English: I think she was new to teaching overall English wasn t so hard to pick up. Kingsbury High School was still the best years of my life. I didn t want to go at the time but, looking back it really was nice and relaxed and easy. I was quite academic. Mum was always conscience of making me study; I was absent from school very little. I did French GCSE two years early. I got good results; there were more distractions when I sat a-levels so my grades weren t so good at that point. This was at the point friends got their National Insurance numbers and took jobs and I wondered where s mine? When I tried, I was told I didn t have the right to one, which got me down.

8 Charles story continued... My parents had separated at this point. Also universities were saying I d have to attend as an international student. Paying international students fees which are much more expensive, so this wasn t an option. These distractions took me away from my studies. Unknown future worried me - my low grades meant a career in dentistry wasn t possible. All my friends were moving on with their lives without me and I was still home not doing much. Church came in here: it was about now Jim came to me and asked about being the Church Treasurer and an Elder. I said yes to being an Elder straightaway, but I ve never known why. I thought if people nominated me I felt people would see something in me, even at the young age of 18. I remember sitting in Elders meeting thinking what am I doing here? This was answered: I went to a training course with Lena Ding and the trainer at the retreat happened to have experience helping people with immigration issues. We took his number, got back to church, and found Jim knew of him. He advised that we should see Puck Deraadt. Cathy, Jim, mum and I went to visit her and she eventually introduced us to the solicitor who would take our case. Looking back, I feel God planned this journey from eldership to solicitor. Most of my adult life has been about securing indefinite leave to remain in There were times when things were financially very difficult. I have never claimed benefits. Cathy and Jim would have work for me then and pay me well above the going rate for the job! They were immensely helpful. I worked at a dental practice run by a family member on weekdays for a year in Croydon as well: those kindnesses helped. There were times that the whole thing felt hopeless, there were some dark days when mum and I had no idea where we would be in the world, where we would live, if we d have to leave our friends here. We also had to move because we couldn t afford the rent, and had to move to a smaller place but we re moving again shortly, back into our own place rather than somewhere we have to share with others. It was a special moment to learn that Charles and Rose had been given leave to remain: there s many in the Church who ll remember this. It meant getting his National Insurance number, and the right to work. Charles now works at M. and S. and started a few months ago. Having a fulltime wage is great. Oddly, the job is draining but he s still very thankful to have a job at all! Hopefully I d like to be an accountant in the next ten years. I m finishing the first year of a course now: the first year has been easy ish thanks to my experience as treasurer and with Lena s help. This foundation course is three years and then accountancy itself will be several more. I can finally say my life is where it should be now. I probably wouldn t be here still living this life if it wasn t for this church and its members. I m definitely grateful for your support. Love life wise, I did have a girlfriend. Let s just say mum (auntie) is very happy now I m not with her anymore!! It was hard to focus on a relationship whilst the court case was going on. Right now I can say that I m happy: everything has its time. Thank you, Charles for your very interesting story. Let me know if there s someone who you d like me to ask for a profile. Maria682639@yahoo.com

9 The Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden: and there he put the man he had formed. The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. To true gardeners, their work is a labour of loving creativity... See how the lilies of the field grow. Not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed like one of these.