This document is the September 2011 issue of the Catalyst magazine for Hayes Free Church (URC). It provides information on upcoming church services and events for September and October 2011. It includes the minister's letter discussing the importance of community involvement. It also provides summaries of recent church events, such as the Holiday from Home program, and looks ahead to upcoming activities of church groups.
1. Catalyst
THE MAGAZINE OF
HAYES FREE CHURCH (U.R.C.)
September 2011
2. HAYES FREE CHURCH
111, Pickhurst Lane, Hayes, Kent BR2 7HU
Sunday Services. 10.30 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.
We are a member of the United Reformed Church.
We believe in Justice and Peace.
Principal Contacts
Minister: Rev. Sue Powell Tel: 020 8462 2212
Church Secretary: Mr Alistair Wilson Tel: 020 8402 0026
Fabric Steward Mr. Chris Wood Tel: 020 8462 2444
Treasurer: Mr. Bill Michie Tel: 020 8658 4167
Lettings Secretary: Mrs Undine Connolly Tel: 020 8776 0108
Caretaker: Mr. Ian Jones Tel: 020 8313 1556
Church Website www.hayesfreechurch.com
Catalyst
Editor: Mr Richard Brown
Contents : - Items not covered by the diary of events.
Sunday Services; Preachers’ info 2 Church Caretaker; Security 13
Church notices; 3-4 The way things once were 13
Comments after Minister’s Letter 5 Recipe - HFC Cookery Book 14
Holiday from Home 6-7 Thank you note; Just a push 15
Prayer for the week 14th Aug 8 Creed from Urban Community 16
The HFC J&P Statement 8 Bexhill URC; Commitment for Life 17
Justice & Peace Group 9 Oxfam GROW; A Hymn 20
Notice board 10 - 11 Church Organisations IBC
It’s 101 for London Police 12
This month’s website - Oxfam’s food campaign
Have you really read your receipt for purchases made at Oxfam’s
shop? The receipt which I am reading right now has a statement
on it. “The System’s bust. Rising food prices, climate change and
complacent world leaders are letting people down. Join our GROW
campaign www.oxfam.org.uk/eat “
Turn to Page 20 for more information. Ed
Copy for the October 2011 edition needs to be handed in by
Sunday, 11th September.
Please submit items in good time.
You can leave copy in the “B” Pigeon Hole for Richard Brown to collect,
or hand it directly to him on a Sunday morning.
You can also e-mail copy to richardmbrown6@gmail.com
Thank You. Editor
3. Letter from the Minister
Dear Friends
“The word Community refers to a group of
people living together in one locality who
inhabit a culture of shared values.”1**
Do you remember how, in your youth, any adult was allowed to
challenge your behaviour? Now it would seem that we are all far
too scared to challenge anything – just in case...
Our Bromley community has recently suffered riots in the street
simply because those taking part do so, not because they
have a cause to fight for… The outcome of all this is that people
have lost their homes, their livelihoods, even family members and
friends.
In our society have we placed undue emphasis on the autonomy of
the individual? Is the word ‘community’ now old fashioned; do we
view ‘community’ almost as nostalgia for the good old days when
we knew who lived next door and along our street? Perhaps that
is what we have lost – the knowledge of our area, our street, and
who our neighbours are. Our local police have been busy recently
updating our local Neighbourhood Watch schemes – if you’re not
involved in yours, find out about it; be involved in community
events and find out what is going on in your area.
As Christians we are called to a realism based on the fact that
we serve a God who works in history, who looks to us to give hope
and refuge, and to work in this world, in the here and now, to-
ward justice and peace.
It is our job to be part of our community, working together with
others in Jesus’ name, and we ought to be seen as God’s people
involved in and caring about all those around us.
Together in Christ.
Sue
1
** ‘Christian Ethics and Pastoral Theology’ pg 108. Turn to page 5 ...............
1
4. Sunday Services
September 2011
4th 10.30 a.m. - Morning Service - Geoff Larcombe
6.30 p.m. - Holy Communion - The Minister
11th Back to Church Sunday
10.30 a.m. - Morning Service - The Minister
6.30 p.m. - Evening Service - The Minister
18th 10.30 a.m. - Morning Service - Martin Sweet, Spinnaker
5.30 p.m. - Evening Service - CTH at The Rosary
25th 10.30 a.m. - Holy Communion - The Minister
6.30 p.m. - Evening Service - Allan Evison
October 2011
2nd 10.30 a.m. - Morning Service - Rev. John Marchant
6.30 p.m. - Holy Communion - The Minister
Some notes on the visiting preachers.
v Geoff Larcombe is a local representative from the Bible Society.
He spoke at the Bible celebration supper in the spring of 2011.
v Martin Sweet, Spinnaker's Development Director, loves to inspire
children to think about and react to Bible stories, and consider
how Christian faith can relate to life today. He encourages
churches to get involved with their local school. Martin also
serves on the SACRE (Standing Advisory Council on Religious
Education) for both Southwark and Bromley local authorities, and
is a member of the Free Church Federal Council Education
Committee.
v Allan Evison is a lay preacher at Hayes Parish Church. He has
conducted worship on a number of occasions.
v Revd John Marchant is the assistant minister at Coney Hill Baptist
Church. He has conducted Sunday Worship at HFC on a number
of occasions.
Experience is that marvellous thing that enables you
to recognize a mistake when you make it again.
2
5. News of the Church Family
Announcements are welcome :-
BMD - Changes of address, etc.
On 26 June it was a pleasure to welcome Chris
and Sam Brittain who brought their four children,
Stanley, Lola, Archie and Buster for Baptism.
Deaths
We regret to announce that Grace Porter and one of our former
members, Daisy Priest, both died on 3 July. We send our deepest
condolences to both of their families.
Church Meetings
The next Church meeting will be held on Sunday, 18th September at
12.00 noon.
The next Elders’ meeting will be held on Tuesday, 20th September, at
8.00 pm in the small hall.
Women's Contact Group
The Contact Group will next meet at 8.00 pm on Monday 5 September
at Sylvia Mack’s home - 7 Dene Close
Sylvia Mack
Tuesday Prayer Meetings
Held at 10.00 am at the following homes:-
September 6th Martin Nunn’s. 13th Betty Coster’s.
20th Brenda Cordingley’s. 27th The Church.
Please address any queries to Martin Nunn.
Saturday Fellowship
We will meet at 2.30 p.m. on Saturday the 3rd of September at
7 Sedgewood Close.
There will be a Bible discussion lead by Martin Nunn.
All are welcome to join us.
Men's Group
The next meeting is on Thursday 15 September at 8.00 pm and will be
a meal in a local restaurant arranged by John Curry. Please contact
John for further details.
3
6. Ministry of Flowers
Thanks are due to those who will be providing flowers in September.
September
4th - Cath Brown 11th - Pat Marshall. Celebrating
50th wedding anniversary
18th - Win Browne 25th -
A big thank you to those who kindly arrange the flowers when
needed.
After the Sunday evening services, the flowers are distributed to
members and friends, bringing joy to the recipients.
Mavis Righini
Hayes Mothers’ & Toddlers’ Club
We welcome all babies and children under school age, accompanied
by their parents, grandparents or carers, to our club on Friday
afternoons between 2 and 4 pm during term time.
The fee is £1 per family – tea, squash and biscuits are provided.
This is a time when adults can meet up, while the children in their care
are busy playing with toys and activities in the company of other
children.
The Autumn term starts on Friday, September 9th.
A photographer is to visit in October - details to follow next month.
Do come and join us!
Judith Stoner - Secretary.
Notice Sheets - September - 1st Sunday in October 2011
4th Brenda Cordingley 8462 3867
11th & 18th Pam Collison 8658 0748
25th Joan Smith 8462 3920
October
2nd Joan Smith
If you require items to be included in the notice sheets, please contact
the appropriate person by the previous Tuesday.
4
7. Women's Fellowship
M eetings are in the small hall at 2.00 p.m., unless otherwise
stated,on Tuesdays and finish about 3.30 p.m.
The programme for September is:-
13th Service conducted by Martin Nunn
20th Quizzes
27th Hayes Ladies' Choir
October
4th "A Holiday in Spain", by Linda Jennings.
Note:
Jessie Martin has now retired from leading Women's Fellowship after
many years of devoted service. Thank you Jessie for all your hard
work. At our summer lunch, Jessie was presented with a beautiful
hydrangea in a pot to go on her patio.
Linda Jennings, Marion Swanborough and myself are now jointly
following in Jessie's footsteps and leading Women's Fellowship. We
welcome ladies of all ages . Do come along for a friendly hour or so
and relax in pleasant company. We do have a very varied
programme with plenty to interest everyone.
Sylvia Mack
........... Continued from the Minister’s letter.
We already allow people to jeer at our faith, to ignore the simple
good sense of Biblical Justice, to seemingly disregard the basic
human need for love. When do we stand up and tell people of the
unrelenting and freely available love of God – no questions, no
strictures, simply limitless and free to all? When do we stand up
and question the behaviour of those who ignore basic justice and
the rights of the people to live in peace and harmony?
All right, you may well say that we are not strong enough, it’s too
dangerous, it’s not our job… but we surely don’t expect the
police to do it alone… do we? Government cut-backs to our police
force means that it is already overstretched – we cannot expect
others to do the job of being community for us.
5
8. Holiday from Home
T he first week in August saw the 3rd Holiday from
Home held at the church. A full programme of
different activities catered for the interests of the
many who attended, starting and ending each
day with light refreshments with a 2-course meal
midday setting us up for the afternoon activities. It
would have been interesting if each person
attending had been weighed on his or her arrival and subsequent
departure as the fare received each day was magnificent. I feel
Weight Watchers would have had some new members.
During the week it was great to renew
acquaintances from Beckenham and meet new
people from Hayes.
Activities, which were optional, consisted of quizzes,
with demonstrations from a dance group showing
dances from Serbia, Russia and Israel. At the end
those more nimble were able to join in. Costumes from the countries
were also shown.
In addition to making greeting cards, an arts and craft session enabled
decoration of porcelain cups and saucers with
many different designs and those involved keenly
await their return following firing in the kilns. Though
optional the men performed well in the Flower
Arranging later that day.
The following day commenced with ‘gentle
exercising’, a short time showing how to keep fit,
preventing ‘seizing up’ as so often is the case as age
creeps up on us. A talk by John Thompson on village
signs with a power point presentation kicked off the
afternoon followed by Roland on the piano and Dave
on the accordion leading a Sing-a-Long. No new
choir members were recruited but it was a very
rousing sound that hit the roof
Outing day weather wise was a bit of a damp
squib as we made our way to Hever Castle but
despite the rain it was enjoyable especially as
after the visit we went through the picturesque
countryside making our way to the Station Tea
Room at Shoreham in Kent for a lovely cream tea.
[Worth a visit 10.00 a.m. -4.30 p.m. including
weekends but excluding Mondays and Tuesdays however open Bank
Holiday Mondays]
6
9. The week ended with some informative talks from the Emergency
Services followed after lunch with a Farkle Party, something new to most
present.
There was a good spirit throughout the whole week with plenty of laughs.
Some were heard to say “When is the next one being
held.” but I’m afraid at present they will have to wait
until next year. Each person attending will receive
copies of photos taken as they engaged in the
activities as a reminder of this short holiday.
Without the organisers, helpers, cooks who provided
such filling meals, the various speakers and performers with people who
provided transport, in particular Allan Evison who drove the minibus, this
special week could not have taken place.
Many thanks to you all.
Mike Duke
Monday’s Tuesday’s
members members
were fair were full
of face, of grace,
Wednesday’s Thursday’s
members members
were full of had far to
woe, go,
Friday’s Saturday’s
members members
were loving worked hard
and giving, for their living,
And the member that is born on the Sabbath day
Is bonny and blithe, and good and gay.
7
10. A Prayer for the week 14th August
Based on Matthew 15: 21-28
O God of all,
we come many times to ask your help
and sometimes it seems that you turn away.
Our cries are unheard.
The hungry are still hungry.
Wars still wound and destroy.
People we love become ill and die.
So we read the story of the Canaanite woman and we cheer her on.
She shouted, and she knelt, and she argued, and her prayer was
heard.
And we will go on shouting for those who need your help;
and we will kneel and pray with all our hearts;
and we will argue and protest and make a fuss;
until our cries are heard, and the hungry are fed,
until peace comes and the sick are healed.
Our faith too is great and our resolve,
to keep on longing and praying and hoping
for what we believe is your will for all your children.
God, help us.
by Susan Durber
In the URC prayer book
"The HFC Justice & Peace Statement"
A few months ago I put something into Catalyst about the statement
we make inside the front cover of Catalyst that we believe in justice
and peace. I suggested that it was something to think about and
perhaps give a reason for that belief.
Recently John Moren brought me a copy of the Magazine from Bexhill
URC, where John and Janet attend when down there.
It seems to give a very clear statement of the church’s aim and also
an interesting paragraph on the formation of the URC.
Has anyone else picked up the magazine from a church they have
visited while away – could we perhaps gather them and sometime
have a display to show us how other churches proclaim their belief’.
Brenda Cordingley
The Bexley URC statement is reproduced on page 17.
8
11. The Justice and Peace Group.
Even if we are no longer personally caught up in the
academic year, this is the time when, refreshed by the
holidays and watching everyone in education knuckling down to the
autumn term, we should perhaps give some thought to those issues of
peace and justice on which we want to concentrate in the coming
months.
The riots of early August certainly gave us much food for thought -
about the need to keep the peace, and exactly what is meant by
that; the issue of justice in relation to the offences committed and the
punishments meted out, (or proposed in national discussion); and the
wider social issues associated with these events.
But then there is another perspective - here we are concentrating on
the fate of, say, designer clothing and trendy TV sets while many
thousands in the horn of Africa lack basic food and shelter: where
and what are our priorities? We cannot concentrate on everything -
we must leave that to God - so where should we turn our individual
and our church's attention?
Perhaps we should include this question in our prayers as the children
set off for their new schools in their new uniforms.
Women’s Contact Coffee Morning 10.00 am - 12.00
We continue to raise funds for disaster relief causes.
Our next coffee mornings will be on the 10th of September.
We hope to see you there, and why not bring a friend.
Our cakes are to die for!! (Yum, yum)
Barbara Jones
The Fairtrade Sunday Stall
There will be a stall after the morning services on the 11th and 25th of
September.
Do visit the stall; we have restocked those favourite lines, and have
some refreshing summer goods for sale.
The regular items for sale are food and drink - all of very good quality.
Remember that by purchasing Fairtrade goods you are helping to
support communities in the world, and to give those communities a
chance to enjoy a better life for their families - standards which we
may take for granted here in the UK.
Please continue to support your fair trade stall. Thank you.
Richard, Barbara and Helen.
9
12. NOTICE
Commitment for Life VIVALDI’S GLORIA
HAYES PHILHARMONIC
The choice is yours
CHOIR
It is now that time of year when your
Our ‘Come and Sing
commitment for life envelope is attached
Workshop’ will be held on
to your copy of Catalyst.
Wed 14th Sept 2011
Please turn to page 17 for more details.
See the posters in the church and take the at 8.00 pm
information leaflets from the table at the at the Old Church Schools,
back of the church. 86 Hayes Street,
FURTHER INFORMATION FROM Hayes, BR2 7BA
CHRIS WOOD ON 0208 462 2444 (next to the car show-room)
For further details please
call 07989 192928
********
Events planner
HAYES FREE CHURCH From now on, a
CHARITY CHRISTMAS CARD SALE
*******************
new section will
Saturday, 29 October 2011 follow the diary. It
10am - 2pm gives notification
Refreshments Available
**************** of future events.
Fascinating Rhythms – on tour
HFC will be hosting a cabaret style evening on Friday 30th
September starting at 7pm.
Tickets , costing only £8, are available from Teresa Cheyne –
020 8777 6042 – and the money raised will go towards the
Mercia Sanson Mounthurst Development and
St Christopher’s Hospice.
Come along and enjoy the waitress bar service whilst being
entertained with music, dance and sketches.
10
13. BOARD
Minister's Surgery SONGS OF PRAISE
We are proposing to start a
Sue’s monthly surgery
Songs of Praise on the second
at the Church will be Wednesday of each month
held on the SECOND starting on 12 October from
Wednesday of each 3.00 – 5.00 p.m.
month in the small hall.
from 3.00 - 5.45 pm. The Hayes Community Bus is
available for those requiring
transport.
Help please This is an opportunity for you to
Your editor is looking for bring your spouse, family,
material for your page friends and neighbours for a
Catalyst needs you good sing-song followed by
tea and cakes.
Back to Church Sunday
11th September 2011
This is the BIG opportunity we have to invite spouses, relatives, friends
and neighbours to come to church.
First, pray about inviting people, then decide whom you will invite
and pray about them and inviting them. Then invite them.
Suggested invitation words are “My church is having a special
Sunday, would you like to come along?” A refusal is of the church,
not of the person making the invitation - you will not lose a friend by
asking.
There are special invitation cards which can be obtained from either
John Curry or Sue. These are in 2 parts. You can give one part to
the invitee (after filling out the date and time) and keep the other
half which reminds you to continue praying for the person holding
the other half of the invitation.
Try the 3 minute rule - after church each Sunday try to talk to
someone you would not normally talk to - for three minutes.
Do this before talking to your friends. By the time Back to
Church Sunday arrives, you will be used to doing this.
11
14. It's 101 for London's police
101 is a new Police phone number
As latest figures reveal that less than a quarter of 999 calls require an
emergency response. The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS), together
with other police forces in the south east, launched a new contact
number for the public on Monday 11 July.
For example, the public should call 101 to report a crime that has
already happened, seek crime prevention advice or make us aware of
local policing issues.
In London the new number is just one of the ways the Metropolitan
Police Service is modernising and improving our services while making
them more accessible to the public.
Only about 20% of 999 calls require an emergency response from the
police. You can also get in touch with your local (Safer
Neighbourhoods) policing team to discuss policing or crime concerns in
your area.
It will make crime easier to report and help the police to tackle crime
and disorder."
Commander Ian Dyson, City of London Police and ACPO lead on
contact management, said: "101 is a number to ring your local police
force. If it's an emergency call 999, if it's not call 101. This number
provides a universal, easy to remember 3-digit telephone number for
people living or working in London.
· Help communities to keep their neighbourhoods safe by giving
them one easy way to contact their local police and to report
non-emergency crime and disorder;
· Help the police to cut crime by making it easier for the public to
pass on information about crimes in their neighbourhoods and
allowing the police to take swift action.
Sheila Humphreys
Secretary, Hayes & Coney Hall Safer Neighbourhood Panel
The numbers to dial are: -
· 999 for emergencies
· 101 for information, advice and access to your local policing
teams. This number will replace 0300 for London.
12
15. Church Caretaker.
On Sunday evening 17th July a good number of members attended
the evening service and the supper organised by Margaret Tannock
to thank Colin Ramsell for his work these past 17 years as Caretaker.
Colin was presented with a cheque for £650.00 and his wife Alex
received a bouquet of flowers. We wish them both a long and Happy
Retirement
Our new Caretaker Ian Jones will commence his duties on the 26th
July and is contracted to 20 hours per week. There will be no
Caretaker on duty on Sundays or Mondays.
Ian will be opening up and setting up for all of the weekday hall lets
with the exception of the Guides, Senior Guides and the CA Group
who will be responsible for their own opening and locking up.
Ian will not be living in the flat so be prepared to see him working
around the building when you are attending your meetings. I am sure
he would appreciate a cup of tea of coffee if you are making one
any afternoon.
Do welcome him and make yourself known to him.
Alistair.
A little girl flying in an aeroplane during a storm,
said, when asked by a friend, “she is not
frightened because her daddy is the pilot.
“He is in control and will take her home.
“Don’t worry.”
Perhaps we should think of God, our Father, who
will take us home, when the need arises.
The way things once were
From The Nottinghamshire Almanac for September 1841.
GARDEN.
Take up all the potatoes, and prepare the ground and plant it with
savoys and brocoli (sic). Potatoes keep best during the winter in
clumps, that is, covered over with dry straw, fern and earth, to keep
from frost. Turnips sown last month should be hoed and thinned to a
foot apart. Draw earth to the stems of the cabbages, and earth up
the celery as it advances.
Passages transcribed as shown Ed
13
16. At the farewell reception for Colin Ramsell several people asked for the recipe
for the Courgette and Walnut loaf that was served. (See the recipe below.)
I am sure there are many wonderful cooks in the church and I just wondered
if there would be any interest in compiling a Hayes Free Church Cookery
Book to mark the 75th anniversary of the church next year.
If you think this is a good idea look out your favourite starters, main courses
and desserts as well as cake and biscuit recipes and hand them to me or
email them to: alistair.wil114@ntlworld.com
Alistair.
Courgette Loaf
Serves 8-10 1. Coarsely grate the courgettes, put them into a
250g (8 oz) courgettes sieve, and leave for about 30 minutes to drain.
2 eggs 2. Beat the eggs until light and foamy. Add the
sunflower oil, sugar, vanilla essence, and
125ml (4fl oz) sunflower oil, courgettes and mix lightly until combined.
plus extra for greasing 3. Sift flour, cinnamon, and salt into a large bowl.
250g (80z) caster sugar Make a well in the middle, pour in the
courgette mixture, and stir to mix thoroughly.
¼ tsp vanilla essence
Stir in the chopped walnuts.
375g (120z) self- raising
4. Pour the mixture into the greased loaf tin and
flour
bake in a preheated oven at 180deg C (350F,
1 tsp ground cinnamon ½ Gas 4) for about 50 minutes until firm. Turn
tsp salt out and cool.
60g (2oz) walnut pieces, Cook’s Tip. For best results, the courgettes
coarsely chopped should be thoroughly drained. Press into the
* 1kg (2lb) loaf tin sieve with your hand or the back of a spoon to
extract the excess juices.
Sign on motorway garage: "Please do not smoke near our petrol
pumps... your life may not be worth much, but our petrol is."
14
17. Just a short note to thank
all of you for sending get
well wishes over the
many weeks I have been
out of action. From
cards to flowers to visits,
all have been very wel-
come, and it has been a
great boost to me to
know how much care
there is in our church.
Sue
Just a push
Old but funny!
A man and his wife are awakened at 3 o'clock in the morning by a
loud pounding on the door. The man gets up and goes to the
door where a drunken stranger, standing in the pouring rain, is
asking for a push.
"Not a chance," says the husband. "It is 3 o'clock in the morning." He
slams the door and returns to bed.
"Who was that?" asked his wife. "Just some drunk guy asking for a
push!" "Did you help him?" she asks. "No. I did not. It is 3 o'clock in
the morning and it is pouring with rain outside!" His wife said, "Can't
you remember about three months ago when we broke down
and those two guys helped us? You should be ashamed of
yourself!"
The man reluctantly gets dressed and goes out into the pouring rain.
He calls out into the dark, "Hello. Are you still there?" "Yes," comes
back the answer. "Do you still need a push?" calls out the husband.
"Yes! Please!" comes the reply from the darkness. "Where are you?"
asks the husband. "Over here on the swing!" replies the drunk.
15
18. "Creed from an Urban Community in Britain"
We believe in God who made the world,
loves it and laughs at it.
Who created human beings each to be different
and asked them to get on with each other,
Who took the risk of leaving us alone,
knowing that one day our differences
might become a threat to the earth's safety.
Who trusts us with full knowledge of our frailty.
We believe in Jesus Christ, who came among us insignificantly,
Who grew among us uneventfully, who walked among us incognito;
Who to change the world, became redundant and called others to
do likewise;
Who befriended those whose company would discredit him,
Who pardoned those who were hopeless cases,
Who spoke the deepest truths in the language of the living room,
Who contradicted common sense
by accepting the cross and taking on the grave
and was liberated on the third day.
Who calls us now, as then, to a life which is absurd
by the standards of the world.
We believe in the Holy Spirit through whom God surprises,
disappoints, cajoles and questions us;
Who is the bringer of strength and source of humour,
Who leads us to discover the truth we avoid,
Who is a paradox... ever present yet predictable;
And we believe that the foolishness of God is wiser
than the wisdom of the world
And we rejoice that God has made it so.
Source Unknown
from: A Place for Us - compiler and editor Geoffrey Duncan
16
19. BEXHILL UNITED REFORMED CHURCH
A church with Welcome and a Clear Christian
message
Our aim is to be a welcoming Community Church and the local beacon for
communicating God's Word through Preaching, Prayer, Pastoral Care & Social
Fellowship, and to be The Church in the area.
Here you can come to worship God with us. You can meet with Jesus Christ,
who is head of the Church, because he lives in the hearts of his people. Here
you can find companionship & build lasting relationships with us, & much more.
The Minister and Elders are available to help you. Notify the Minister for prayer
support through the 'Prayer Chain'. For a visit or to leave a message, please write
in the 'Contact Book' to be found in the church.
Although we belong to one of the smaller mainstream denominations, the URC
plays a dynamic and challenging part in the British Christian community. It has
brought together English Presbyterians, English, Welsh and Scottish
Congregationalists, and members of the Churches of Christ, through unions in
1972, 1981 and 2000. 100,000 people make up 1600 congregations, with
nearly 800 ministers.
As part of the United Reformed Church, we are called to be God's people,
transformed by the Gospel, making a difference in today's world.
Commitment for Life
“Money’s too tight to mention” is the opening line sung by Mick Hucknell of the
band Simply Red, which paraphrases our modern life where however much
we own there is always something else ‘we must have’.
The recent unedifying spectacle of people rampaging through our streets
burning and looting had no better reason than society’s ideal of spend,
spend, spend, or in their case steal, steal, steal. I guess very few of those
mindless individual’s stole to feed themselves or their families.
But the one thing the journalists forget to tell us is that the looters represent a
very small minority and we the silent majority need to put ourselves above
the immediate social problems in England.
We at HFC have, over time, done a remarkable job with Commitment for Life,
which along with Christian Aid is the U.R.C’s major recipient of your generous
donations to support people with a genuine need; who have just the most
basic essentials to survive. Money is too tight to mention, but we in Hayes are
amongst the luckiest in the U.K. We are the lucky few born in the right place.
That is how thin the line is between a Mum and Dad in Hayes and a couple in
Bangladesh, which has momentarily slipped from our newsreels but the
problems there are huge, the need is immense BUT YOU CAN HELP every
penny is needed, I know you care, Gilly and I have experienced your Love
over the last few months (for which we thank you). Please give what you
can for the needy, worthy people of Bangladesh.
With thanks - Chris Wood
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20. September 2011
1st Thu
2nd Fri
3rd Sat 2.30 p.m. - Saturday Fellowship Page 3
4th Sun 10.30 a.m. - Morning Service - Geoff Larcombe
6.30 p.m. - Holy Communion - The Minister
5th Mon 8.00 p.m. - Women’s Contact Group Page 3
6th Tue 10.00 a.m. - Tuesday Prayer Meeting Page 3
7th Wed
8th Thu
9th Fri 2.00 p.m. - Mothers’ and Toddlers’ Group Page 4
10th Sat 10.00 a.m. - Women’s Contact Coffee Morning Page 9
Back to Church Sunday Page 11
11th Sun 10.30 a.m. - Morning Service - The Minister
Followed by the Fairtrade Stall
6.30 p.m. - Evening Service - The Minister
12th Mon
13th Tue 10.00 a.m. - Tuesday Prayer Meeting Page 3
2.00 p.m. - Women’s Fellowship Page 5
14th Wed 3.00 p.m. - Minister’s Surgery Page 11
8.00 p.m. - Hayes Philharmonic Choir Page 10
15th Thu 8.00 p.m. - Men’s Group Page 3
16th Fri 2.00 p.m. - Mothers’ and Toddlers’ Group Page 4
17th Sat
10.30 a.m. - Morning Service - Martin Sweet, Spinnaker
18th Sun 12.00 Noon - Church Meeting Page 3
5.30 p.m. - Evening Service - CTH at The Rosary
19th Mon Today is the first of the Scottish Autumn days
10.00 a.m. - Tuesday Prayer Meeting Page 3
20th Tue 2.00 p.m. - Women’s Fellowship Page 5
8.00 p.m. - Elders’ Meeting Page 3
21st Wed
18
21. September 2011
22 Thu Today is the start of Autumn in the UK
23rd Fri 2.00 p.m. - Mothers’ and Toddlers’ Group Page 4
24th Sat
25th Sun 10.30 a.m. - Holy Communion - The Minister
Followed by the Fairtrade Stall
26th Mon
27th Tue 10.00 a.m. - Tuesday Prayer Meeting Page 3
28th Wed
29th Thu
30th Fri 2.00 p.m. - Mothers’ and Toddlers’ Group Page 4
7.00 p.m. - Fascinating Rhythms on tour Page 10
October 2011
1st Sat
2nd Sun 10.30 a.m. - Morning Service - Rev. John Marchant
6.30 p.m. - Holy Communion - The Minister
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
9 October HARVEST FESTIVAL, CHURCH PARADE and LUNCH
13 October BIBLE IN VOICE & VERSE - Bromley Central Library
29 October CHARITY CARD FAIR
12 November CHRISTMAS FAIR
13 November REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY and CHURCH PARADE
27 November CHURCH MEETING 12.00 noon
2-11 December CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL
10 December CRAFT FAIR
11 December CHURCH PARADE
18 December CAROLS by CANDLELIGHT
19
22. Oxfam GROW Campaign
GROW is an Oxfam campaign and a movement of individuals who
care and act.
There is a short video on our web-site which offers an example of why
the campaign is so important so please share it with your friends –
either online or face-to-face. Simply ask people to have a look.
Whatever you can do you’ll be raising awareness of our broken food
system – and what can be done to fix it. If you haven’t already, join
us or learn more about the campaign to fix the System.
The global campaign is growing into something massive; soon, with
your help, we'll be taking on businesses and governments.
Your school can get involved by learning and thinking about the issues,
and taking action to help create a world where everyone has
enough to eat.
We will have a range of inspiring new active global citizenship
resources to help 7-14 year olds learn about food- available from
September 2011.
These resources will cover 3 topics: Growing, Selling and Eating.
A Hymn
Let His Dawn Light New Horizons When the storm clouds of Good
When a blind man came to Jesus Friday
asking for the gift of sight; drained the light out from the sky,
in those first few anxious moments broken ones who followed Jesus
he could only see faint light. could not see the reason why.
Then the full truth dawned upon Only with the dawn of Easter
him, could their heads be lifted high.
broke through his eternal night.
When our lives are drowned in
When a widow, lost in grieving, darkness,
knowing that her son was dead, when our faith is under strain,
followed, weeping, to his burial, we can also look to Jesus,
Jesus saw what lay ahead. give to him our fear and pain.
With compassion he approached Let his dawn light new horizons
her, as our hope is born again.
raised the boy up from his bed.
(Marjorie Dobson, England)
Metre: 8.7.8.7.8.7.
Collection at the CTH Open Air Service 17th July
Just to let you know that the collection for the East African Emergency
Appeal amounted to £263.
20
23. CHURCH ORGANISATIONS
Day Organisation Contact Phone
Sunday
10.25 am Sunday Club Mike Duke 8462 5103
Weekdays
9.15 - 12.00 pm Pre School Group Jayne Carvell 07913 299773
Monday
2.30 & 7.30 pm West Wickham Carol Crouch 8462 3642
Arts Association
5.45 pm Brownies Sarah Humphrey 8249 9982
6.30 pm Cubs Brenda Petts 8325 3956
8.00 pm - 1st Women's Contact Sylvia Mack 8462 1938
Mon monthly Group
Tuesday
2.00 pm Women's Fellowship Linda Jennings 07778 238587
7.00 - 8.00 pm Weight Watchers Area Office 0845 345 1500
7.15 pm Scouts Paul Hasling 3236 0083
Wednesday
5.00 pm Rainbows Tania Venables 8462 9759
6.00 pm Beavers Brenda Petts 8325 3956
6.30 pm Worship Group Bill Michie 8658 4167
6.45 pm Slimming World Val 0750 6015064
7.30 pm Explorers Tom Strachan 07745 813 295
Thursday
2.30 pm - See Justice & Peace David Stoner 8462 3023
Catalyst Group
5.30 pm Brownies Stevie Blair. 8325 3469
7.00 - 8.30 pm Senior Guides Kerry Sullivan 8777 3139
8.00 pm - 3rd Men's Group Bruce Tannock 8325 6264
Thu monthly
Friday
9.00 - 12.00 pm Coffee morning during term times
2.00 pm Mothers & Toddlers Judith Stoner 8462 3023
6.30 pm Guides Teresa Cheyne 8777 6042
7.30 pm Choir Martin Nunn 8462 5918
Saturday
2.30 pm Saturday Fellowship Martin Nunn 8462 5918
24. Final Thought
It’s easy to be happy. All you need
Is to add up your assets: strength and health
(Well more or less), a home, a life to lead,
An interesting job, sufficient wealth
To keep me comfortable, things to do --
Like books to read, a garden to be -- well,
Not dug, but cultivated -- one or two
Good friends, a voice, etcetera. To spell
My various interests and pastimes out
In detail here would take too long. But think
Of these, put all your discontents to rout,
Let all those fears and lacks and wants just sink
From consciousness. It’s easy: just thank God,
Forget the rest. Except I don’t. How odd!
W. S. Beattie
This year, the image on this page was a visual variation of this scene -
to challenge how we see things, and to help us appreciate how
different people may actually see the world around them.
From next month, the image will revert to one which will compliment
Final Thought.
Editor