This document is a magazine from Hayes Free Church (URC) covering December 2014 - January 2015. It provides details of church services and events over the Christmas period, including a Christmas tree festival and Christmas day service. It also provides notices about church groups, including women's fellowship, prayer meetings, and a mothers and toddlers club. The back section lists flower arranging duties and contact details for notice sheets.
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: Mrs Mavis Righini Tel: 020 8462 1168
Treasurer: Mr. Simon Narracott Tel: 020 8462 2004
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; 2
Notes on preachers 3
Church Notices 3 - 6
HFC 80th anniversary notice 4
Women’s Fellowship; 6
Season’s Greetings 7
Women’s Contact Coffee
Morning; Fairtrade stall 8
No room 8 & 10
Christmas Tree Festival 9
Christmas Day - Nash College 10
Website of the month - Burgess 11
This month’s website: -
The website of the month, and for January, is the Burgess Autistic Trust.
Go to: burgessautistictrust.org.uk
Now, turn to Page 11 for more details. Ed
Copy for the February 2015 edition needs to be handed in by
Sunday, 11th January.
Enjoy your Christmas & New Year, but don’t forget......
- 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
Notice Board 2 - 13
Christian Aid - John. Curry 14
Open House Day 2014; & Infill 15
Beckenham Corale 16
Turkey pilgrimage 17
Hayes Philharmonic Choir;
A Christmas Cracker 18
URC Holiday Forum 19
The way things once were 20
Saints’ days in Dec & Jan 21
Church Organisations I B C
3. Letter from the Church Secretary
1
Dear All,
It was so lovely to see the church full at Remembrance
Parade; so many young people, really wonderful. I now am
looking forward to the Christmas Tree Festival, Advent and
Christmas. It is such a wonderful time of the year when
children get so excited but let’s pray the real reason for all
the celebrations is not forgotten. We celebrate Jesus’s
birthday, a very special Baby who brought love and hope into
our world. It would be lovely to see the church full on
Christmas day, with lots of people putting Jesus back into
Christmas. What better way to start the celebrations on the
25th.
I’m also looking forward to welcoming Sue back to church
after her 3 months sabbatical. To all those people who have
taken on a few more duties to help me along, thank you. If
there is something you would like to continue doing or you have
been wanting to volunteer for, do please let me know.
May you all have a happy and holy Christmas,
Mavis
4. Christmas & Sunday Services
December 2014
7th Sun 10.30 am - Morning Service - Rev. John Marchant
6.30 pm - Holy Communion - The Minister
13th Sat 6.00 pm - Compassionate Friends’ Service
January 2015
4th Sun 10.30 am - Morning Service - Major Cliff Kent
6.30 pm - Holy Communion - The Minister
11th Sun 10.30 am - Morning Service - The Minister
6.30 pm - Evening Service - The Minister
18th Sun 10.30 am - Morning Service - Jim Holman
5.30 pm - Evening Service - CTH at The Rosary
25th Sun 10.30 am - Holy Communion - The Minister
6.30 pm - Evening Service - Judy Davies
February 2015
1st Sun 10.30 am - Morning Service - Dr. Clive Timehin
6.30 pm - Holy Communion - The Minister
2
- The Minister
14th Sun 10.30 am - Parade & Gifts Service - The Minister
6.30 pm - Evening Service - The Minister
16th Tue 3.45 pm - Christingle Service - The Minister
21st Sun 10.30 am - Morning Service - Margaret Smith
6.30 pm - Evening Service - The Minister
24th Wed 6.30 pm - Holy Communion - The Minister
25th Thu Christmas Day
10.30 am - Morning Service - The Minister
28th Sun 10.30 am - Holy Communion with Beckenham URC
- The Minister
There will be NO evening service
Some notes on the visiting preachers.
See facing page
5. News of the Church Family
Announcements are welcome :-
BMD - Changes of address, etc.
Deaths: -
We regret to record the passing of Ruth Rees on 8
November after a long illness. We send our
deepest condolences to Christine, Andrew, Sarah and their families
at this sad time. Ruth Rees and her husband joined HFC circa 1960
after they had moved from West Wickham to Hayes towards the end
of 1959.
Your prayers would be appreciated for: -
Jim Pearson, Mike Duke, Jessie Martin, Tony Atkinson & Helen Hebbes.
Change of Address:-
v Madeleine, Mark and David Twydell have moved to 115 Oakdene
Road, Poverest BR5 2AL. E-mail address twydellfamily@gmail.com
phone number to be advised
v John Curry moved to 23 Kingsleigh Walk, Bromley, BR2 OYE on 28
November.
His telephone number and e-mail address remain unchanged.
(Kingsleigh Walk is off Westmoreland Road and Stamford Drive).
Some notes on the visiting preachers.
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.
v Mrs. Margaret Smith is a Methodist Lay Preacher. She has led
services at HFC on a number of occasions.
v Major Cliff Kent belongs to the Regent Hall Branch of The
Salvation Army (the only church in Oxford Street, London). He
was formerly from the Thornton Heath branch of The Salvation
Army. He has conducted Sunday worship at HFC on many
occasions.
v Jim Holman is a Methodist preacher. He has conducted services
3
at HFC in the past.
v Judy Davies is well known to us. She has conducted services at
HFC on a number of occasions.
v Dr. Clive Timehin is a local preacher who comes from Bromley
Methodist Church. He is a member of the Methodist Council
Medical Committee. He has conducted Sunday worship at HFC
on many occasions.
6. Church Meetings
The next Elders’ meetings will be at 8.00 pm in the small hall on
Wednesday, 10th December, and then on Tuesday, 6th January.
The next Church meeting, will be on Sunday 25th January at 12.00
noon – after the morning service. There will be NO Church meeting in
December.
Women's Contact Group
We will be enjoying a lunchtime meal at The Conservative Club, 27
Elmfield Road, Bromley at 12.30 pm on the 1st of December . January
arrangements to be advised.
4
Sylvia Mack
Tuesday Prayer Meetings for December & January
Held at 10.00am at the following homes:-
December
2nd Martin Nunn’s. 9th Betty Coster’s.
16th Brenda Cordingley’s. 23rd & 30th NO meetings.
January
6th Martin Nunn’s. 13th Betty Coster’s.
20th Brenda Cordingley’s. 27th The Church.
Then in February: -
2nd Martin Nunn’s.
Please address any queries to Martin Nunn.
Saturday Fellowship
The December meeting will be on the 6th at 2.30pm at Barbara Jones’
home, for a seasonal miscellany. In January we will be meeting on
the 3rd at 2.30pm at the same place when Martin Nunn will lead a
Bible Study. .
You are welcome to join us.
Men's Group
There will be NO meeting in December. The next meeting will be on
Thursday 15 January at 8.00 pm and will be a meal in the small hall
arranged by Alistair Wilson.
Hayes Free Church - 80 years on
The very first Church meeting was held at the Hayes Parish Church
scout hut in mid January 1935.
Listen out / look for for announcements about
celebrations of this anniversary on the 10th & 11th of January.
7. Ministry of Flowers
Thank you to those who will be providing flowers in November.
A big thank you to those who kindly arrange the flowers when needed.
December
7th - Janet & John Moren 14th - Ann Barker
21st - Margaret
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 4pm 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.
Our CHRISTMAS PARTY and last meeting of term is on
December 5th at 2.15 pm.
We meet again in the New Year on January 9th at 2.00pm.
We look forward to seeing you.
May we wish everyone a merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
Judith Stoner - Secretary.
Bible Study Group
This Group will next meet in January.
Worship Group
The Wednesday Reflections Group will NOT be meeting in December.
We will then meet at 6.30pm on the 4th Wednesday of January.
Linda Michie
5
- i.m.o. Nell & Syd Williams
28th - Sue Powell
January
4th - Gill & Chris Wood
- i.m.o Matthew who
would have been 40
11th - Sue Powell
18th - 25th - Ruth White
- i.m.o her mother
8. Book Club
We meet on the first Thursday of the month at 8.00pm in the small hall.
Wendy Smith will be taking the lead. In January we will NOT meet.
Notice Sheets – December & January
December
7th & 14th Joan Smith 8462 3920
21st & 28th Brenda Cordingley 8462 3867
January
4th &11th Pamela Collison 8658 0748
18th & 25th Joan Smith
February
1st Brenda Cordingley
If you require items to be included in the notice sheets, please contact
the appropriate person by the previous Tuesday.
Women's Fellowship
Meetings are in the small hall at 2.00 p.m., unless otherwise stated,
on Tuesdays and finish about 3.30 p.m.
6
December
2nd Visit to Emmanuel Church (subject to confirmation)
9th Mark Ellison talks about Age UK
16th Christmas Tea, or Outing - (To be decided)
Details of further meetings were unknown at the time of going to press.
MINI-AMBULANCE
Members who use this service are asked to phone Marion Swanborough on
8462 3981 by 9.00 am on any Tuesday when they are unable to come to
the meetings.
As always, we welcome all ladies to our meetings. Please come along for a
pleasant afternoon. We do have a very varied programme with plenty to
interest everyone.
Marion
The Women’s Fellowship completed their
shoe-box project in November and with the
help of June Fox sent ten completed boxes
to Smile International. This was a very good
result which was enhanced by contributions
from the Church congregation. Thank you
to Diana Elvin who provided the initiative
and to everyone who contributed.
June wrote “. . .my thanks for responding so
enthusiastically to my plea given during my talk. You have seen the
happy faces via my photographs and you can be assured that your gifts
will raise many more smiles this year.”
9. Greetings
John and Margaret Robinson wish all
their friends at HFC every blessing for a
7
Happy Christmas
with peace and joy in the New Year.
We wish everyone at HFC
a Merry Christmas and
best wishes for a Happy New Year
Judith and David Stoner
Kate and Philip Sheardown
wish everyone at Hayes Free Church
a very happy Christmas and a
healthy New Year.
Denise Benbow wishes all friends at
Hayes Free Church
a Happy Christmas & New Year.
Richard Brown wishes everyone at HFC a
Merry Christmas and a happy and
peaceful New Year.
With many thanks for your contributions
to Catalyst throughout the year
10. Women’s Contact Coffee Morning
We will be holding the next coffee mornings
from 10.00am to 12.00 noon in the Small Hall
on the 13th of December and the 10th of January.
We are continuing to raise monies to contribute to
disaster relief funds in different parts of the world.
Thank you for your support throughout 2014.
We hope to see you at the Coffee Morning, and why not bring a friend?
Please note that the monies raised from the coffee mornings are
separate from those raised through the refreshments trolley after
Sunday morning services.
Barbara Jones
The Fairtrade Sunday Stall
We hold a fair trade stall after the morning service on the 2nd and 4th
Sunday of each month.
The stall will be held on the 14th of December. This will be the ONLY
time we will hold the stall in December. Then in January there will be
a stall on the and 11th and 25th.
Please continue to support your fair trade stall. Your support
throughout 2014 has been tremendous Thank you.
8
Richard and Barbara.
No room
Walter was just 9 years old and in the second year of primary school.
He really wanted to be a shepherd, with a flute, in the school nativity
play. His teacher, Mrs Smith, had other ideas however, and Walter
was not pleased.
On the afternoon of the performance the usual large audience of
Mums and Dads and assorted relatives had gathered in the school
hall, with the usual excitement. Will the children remember their lines?
Who will be sick before the end? Will the scenery keep up?
The moment arrived when Joseph came to the door of the inn, and
knocked on the door, fitted into the backdrop. Walter, the innkeeper,
answered gruffly, ‘What do you want?’ and opened the door. ‘We
are looking for somewhere to stay’.
“Look somewhere else’, said Walter, in a strong voice, ‘this inn is full up‘.
“Please, sir, this is my wife, Mary. She is pregnant and needs somewhere
to rest. Surely you have a small corner somewhere for her’.
Continued on page 10 .........
11. HAYES FREE CHURCH
CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL
IN AID OF DEAF ACCESS
FROM FRIDAY 28th NOVEMBER to SATURDAY 13th DECEMBER
The Festival will be open each day from 2.00 pm from 1 December to 6 December.
The Church will be open at service times each Sunday (10.30 am and 6.30 pm)
Programme of Entertainment for the Festival
NOVEMBER
Friday 28th Opening Concert - The Kaos Signing Choir
For Deaf & Hearing Children
They sang at The Opening Ceremony at The
London 2012 Olympic Games, and have
appeared at the Royal Albert Hall.
Plus items from Hayes Free Church performers.
9
All money raised will go to
Deaf Access in Bromley.
Registered Charity l050990
Admission charges: -
The Silver Lane 7 Jazz Band £8.00 and
The Velvet Harmony Choir £6.00.
Tickets from John Moren 020 8460 6726.
Father Christmas film & tea.
Children £2.00 Adults £4.00.
Tickets from John Curry 020 8249 3663.
7.30 pm
Saturday 29th The Silver Lane 7 Jazz band 7.30 pm
Sunday 30th Pickhurst Junior School 6.30 pm
DECEMBER
Monday 1st Bishop Justus School 7.30 pm
Tuesday 2nd Velvet Harmony Ladies Choir 7.30 pm
Wednesday 3rd Wandle Ringers 7.30 pm
Thursday 4th Sing Choir (a Cappella Choir) 7.30 pm
Friday 5th Film “A Man Called Peter”. A true story starring
Richard Todd and Jean Peters. 1955
7.30 pm
Saturday 6th Beckenham Concert Band 7.45 pm
Sunday 7th Churches Together in Hayes with musical
accompaniment by Hayes School musicians.
6.30 pm
Saturday 13th Film Raymond Briggs “Father Christmas”
followed by tea for children
3.00 pm
HAYES FREE CHURCH
111, Pickhurst Lane
Bromley BR2 7HU
www.hayesfreechurch.com
Cheques should be made payable to: -
HAYES FREE CHURCH TREE APPEAL
Deaf Access
12. CHRISTMAS DAY
It was agreed at the October Church meeting that the gifts received
on the Christmas Day offertory should go to Nash College of Further
Education which is a day and residential college based in Croydon
Road, Coney Hall. It caters for over 80 young adults with physical
and/or mental disabilities including autism.
Originally the Shaftesbury Society ran Coney Hill School - a Nursery, Pri-mary
and Secondary school campus for children with spina bifida
and/or hydrocephalus. In the 1980s there was less need for young chil-dren
to be in boarding school but a great need for continuing educa-tion
for some post 16 year olds.
Nash House is now over 30 years old. It is administered by “Livability”, a
National charity formed from the Shaftesbury Society and John
Grooms, and does extremely valuable work in its 3 year course of
“Learning for Living”, including excellent facilities for information tech-nology
personalised for each student.
Extra funds are always needed to help pay for specialist equipment
and the “Friends of Nash” is a great support here.
Your donations to this College will be greatly appreciated.
Walter relaxed his stern features, and rigid posture, and looked at Mary.
There then followed a long pause. ‘No, clear off!’ whispered the
prompter from behind the scenery.
“No,’ Walter echoed, ‘Clear off!’
Sadly Joseph put his arm round Mary, and with bowed heads they
made as if to continue their journey. Walter remained in the doorway,
gazing after the desolate couple, with his mouth open and clearly
visible tears in his eyes.
“Hold it, Joseph!’ Walter cried out. ‘Bring Mary back here’. A huge smile
spread all over his face. ‘You can have my room’.
Some people thought that Walter had ruined the play, but most
thought it the best nativity play they had ever seen.
-----------------------
Thou didst leave thy throne
and thy kingly crown
when thou camest to earth for me,
but in Bethlehem’s home
there was found no room
for thy holy nativity:
O come to my heart, Lord Jesus!
There is room in my heart for thee. Emily E.S. Elliott, Rejoice & Sing 192
10
......... Continued from page 8
13. Website of the month: -
The Burgess Autistic Trust has been adopted as the Christmas Post
charity. The trust has also been highlighted as the website for the
months of December and January.
Jean Ritchie was “so pleased to visit this little known charity ... In
Holmesdale Road and to learn of their unique approach and aims.”
The following is taken from brochures and the trust’s website.
Here are some ways in which we can help: -
ü Post diagnostic support - Including a personal meeting.
ü Family Information Pack - Giving helpful written information.
ü Parent Training - learn more about the Autistic Spectrum.
ü Family Training - Including immediate and extended family.
ü Communication Support Service
ü Support in applying for Disability Living Allowance tor a child.
ü Follow on sessions - Giving information about related subjects.
11
14. Christmas Post
The September Church meeting decided that
the Christmas Post would be re-instated.
PLEASE note the LAST POST will be on
Sunday 14 December at 10.30 am.
The post will be distributed after
Carols by Candlelight on that evening.
Collections will start on Sunday 7 December.
It’s earlier this year.
John Curry
12
NOTICE
Thank you!
Grateful thanks to everyone who
helped to make the Christmas
Fair and Christmas Charity Card
Sale such a success.
An amount of £2,300 was raised.
15. 13
BOARD
BROMLEY ROCK CHOIR
on 20TH DECEMBER
at Hayes Free Church from 7.30pm
with mince pies and mulled wine during the interval.
(Event advertised in September’s Catalyst)
How about buying a ticket as
a Christmas present.
The cost of a ticket will be the same as last year - £10 and the money
collected will go to provide equipment which will enhance the lives
of the students at
Nash College who join us in Church on Sunday Mornings.
I will have tickets for sale so please see me.
Margaret Tannock.
Giving to Charities.
A lot of us receive many requests through the post asking us to
support this , that and the other charity. It can be quite galling
when we already have charities we like to sponsor in one way or
the other.
I suppose ‘Commitment for Life’ where the URC supports a number
of projects each year throughout the world can be considered
in the same light.
If you wish to make a donation and have forgotten to do so
please make use of the envelope stapled to the rear page of the
November Catalyst or if unable to find it see me and I will provide
you with one.
Many thanks -Mike Duke
16. From the supplement to the Christian Aid London Newsletter
for autumn 2014
14
Keep calm and
Curry on, John
When John Curry
volunteered to be his
local Christian Aid
coordinator, he had
no idea that he would
be doing the job for
the next 34 years.
As a long time
Christian Aid supporter,
John felt that taking
on the role was
something he was
willing to do. And
after three decades of
organising, envelope delivering and door knocking, his dedication
has been rewarded with a Christian Aid Long Service Award.
This new award was launched at this year's annual post-Christian Aid
Week Thank You Tea, in recognition of the hard work of our volunteers.
Along with two other Supporters, whose stories we will feature in future
editions, John was presented with the award to acknowledge his
service, and to inspire others to get involved.
John's involvement with Christian Aid goes back even further than his
34 years as a coordinator. In 1967 and 1968, while an elder of Hayes
Free Church in Bromley, he organised successful sponsored walks for
the Upper Norwood Council of Churches, raising more than £1,000 - a
huge amount of money in those days.
The annual Christian Aid Week collection in Bromley is a huge logistical
operation, involving 21 churches. John personally organised 30
collectors in 28 roads, covering more than 1,000 homes, and raising
nearly £1,200.
... John has seen a shift towards more event-based fundraising, such as
a quiz night and coffee mornings.
... John said that, motivated by his belief in helping those less fortunate,
he will continue to post that famous red Christian Aid envelope
through the doors of Bromley for as long as he is able to do so.
If you would like to nominate someone for a Long Service Award,
please contact your regional coordinator, Julia Wensley,
on 020 7523 2321.
17. Open House Day September 2014
------------------
Open House Day is a great opportunity to visit many buildings that are
not usually open to the public. This year we thought we would
concentrate on Westminster
We wanted to visit the old Admiralty Building in Whitehall, which
included entry to the Admiralty Arch at the end of the Mall, but there
was a very long queue there. After we had called in at the
Banqueting House in Whitehall for refreshments, we proceeded to
Bridge Street by Big Ben to visit Portcullis House. We found the
entrance round the corner on the Embankment, where the queue
was not unduly long and seemed to be moving steadily.
Portcullis House is a large modern building above Westminster
Underground Station. It was officially opened by the Queen in 2001.
Hopkins Architects had the difficult task of designing a building that
would fit in with the Gothic style of the Houses of Parliament and also
blend with the old Scotland Yard building on the other side. Hopkins
was also responsible tor designing the Underground station below the
building. Portcullis House contains offices, committee rooms,
restaurants etc. for MPs and is not usually open to the public. The
rooms are arranged around a glassed-over courtyard with fig trees.
On the walls of the galleries are portraits of famous politicians like Ian
Paisley, Tony Benn, and Tony Blair. The outside of the building is
distinctive with tall chimneys which are part of the air-conditioning
system.
In one of the committee rooms we heard a fascinating talk by the
clockmakers who are responsible for maintaining and winding over
700 clocks in the Houses of Parliament (including Big Ben).
Portcullis House struck us as a very successful modern building. Not
surprisingly, Hopkins Architects have received many important
commissions, like Glyndebourne Opera House and the Olympic
Velodrome.
We recommend you put it on your list for Open House Day 2015.
15
Judith and David Stoner
A couple of news headlines.
· Stolen Painting Found by Tree
· Stadium Air Conditioning Fails--Fans Protest
19. ISTANBUL AND THE
SEVEN CHURCHES OF ASIA
with the Revd Bill & Mrs Marion Bowman
5-15 May 2015
For further information:
Tel: (020) 8777 1150
wfbowman@hotmail.com
11 days visiting lstanbul and the Seven Churches
of Revelation, departing from Gatwick
----------------------------------------------------
It is now only 6 months until our pilgrimage to Turkey takes place from 5th to 15th
May 2015. There are still some places left so if you have been considering coming
but have not as yet booked now is the time. Please ask either of us for a booking
form and brochure or any other details you may wish.
Did you know that the majority of Paul’s epistles were written either to or
from churches in what is now present day Turkey?
Did you know Paul’s home town, Tarsus, is in Turkey?
Did you know that much of the story of the Acts of the Apostles takes place
in Turkey?
v Did you know that Luke, the writer of the Third Gospel as well as the book
of Acts, was a doctor from the city of Troas in Turkey?
v There is much more to learn of Turkey’s place in the nurture of the Christian
Gospel and spread of the early Church.
We would love your company on what we are sure will be a memorable trip.
17
Marion and Bill Bowman
Emmanuel URC West Wickham
20. HAYES PHILHARMONIC CHOIR
Christmas Celebration
As well as our own Christmas Tree Festival, another great Hayes
tradition is the Christmas Concert given by Hayes Phil, taking place
this year in Hayes Parish Church
on Saturday 20th December at 7.45pm.
There really is something of the feel of a village celebration, such as
might have taken place in the years running up to the First World War.
This will give you another chance to sing some well-loved carols in the
immediate run-up to Christmas, as our carol service will have taken
place by then – and also to enjoy the choir’s mix of unusual carols,
many of which deserve to be better known. Amongst these there
may be carols that were once sung widely in this country; perhaps
one or two of the wonderful jolly eighteenth century village-church
pieces known as West Gallery music, and maybe carols from
overseas.
This is a very special kind of Christmas celebration and here it is in
Hayes, right on your doorstep – don’t miss it! You can also do your bit
for Churches Together in Hayes by attending, since the charity to be
supported this year is the Stewardship Challenge of the Parish Church.
Tickets cost £7 (£2 for children) and are available on the door, or by
ringing 07989 192928.
Thank you and Merry Christmas!
Bromley Central Library
presents
A CHRISTMAS CRACKER
with THE NEW ENGLISH SINGERS
and SPECIAL GUESTS
directed by ADRIAN BOYNTON
A wonderful programme of seasonal music spanning six centuries
THURSDAY 18 DECEMBER
12 noon
Tickets £5 from the Information Desk on Floor 1 of the Central Library
For more information please call 07961 348697
--------------------------------------
Adrian Boynton introduces some very talented young musicians who
put a lot of work into making these concerts so enjoyable.
Do come and support this special "Christmas Cracker."
Ruth White.
18
21. URC HOLIDAY FORUM
Sat 22nd– Fri 28 thAugust 2015
Fun, faith and fellowship
The Christian Church in a
world of many faiths
Theme leader Revd. Peter Colwell
Deputy General Secretary of Churches Together in England and Wales
Worship and music led by Revd. Ray Stanyon
and Mrs Vicky Piggott-Genge
Hayes Conference Centre, Swanwick, Derbyshire
Book via bookings@urcholidayforum.org.uk or direct to Colin
Ferguson, 20 Matlock Road, Caversham, RG4 7BS. Main cost is £440
(all meals etc) but we do have a bursary fund to help and children are
on a sliding scale. There is an early booking discount of 5% for
bookings and full payment received before the end of January 2015.
Any questions contact Colin colindf@btinternet.com or see our
website www.urcholidayforum.org.uk
If you can’t come yourself, could your church
sponsor someone who needs a holiday?
19
23. Saints’ Days in December & January.
---------------
There are few days for major saints in these two months. However,
there are a number of crucial events which took place, and these
have been included.
December
25 CHRISTMAS DAY
26 Stephen, Deacon, First Martyr. Patron of altar servers and
bricklayers, stonemasons and general builders.
27 John, Apostle and Evangelist. Patron saint of friendship
28 The Holy Innocents. According to the Gospel of Matthew, Herod
ordered the execution of all young male children in the vicinity
of Bethlehem, so as to avoid the loss of his throne to a newborn
King of the Jews whose birth had been announced to him by the
Magi. (Taken from Wikipedia)
January
1 The naming and circumcision of Jesus
25 The conversion of Paul
December 26. Saint Stephen's Day
THE COLLECT
GRANT, O Lord, that in all our sufferings here upon earth, for the
testimony of thy truth, we may steadfastly look up to heaven, and
by faith behold the glory that shall be revealed; and, being filled
with the Holy Ghost, may learn to love and bless our persecutors
by the example of thy first Martyr Saint Stephen, who prayed for
his murderers to thee, O blessed Jesus, who standest at the right
hand of God to succour all those that suffer for thee, our only
Mediator and Advocate. Amen.
THE EPISTLE - Acts 7.55-end. THE GOSPEL - St. Matthew 23.34-end
December 27. John The Evangelist's Day
THE COLLECT
MERCIFUL Lord, we beseech thee to cast thy bright beams of
light upon thy Church, that it being enlightened by the doctrine of
thy blessed Apostle and Evangelist Saint John may so walk in the
light of thy truth, that it may at length attain to the light of
everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE EPISTLE - 1 St. John 1.1-end. THE GOSPEL - St. John 21.19-end
-------------------------------------
Text from The Book of Common Prayer, the rights in which are vested in the Crown, is
reproduced by permission of the Crown's Patentee, Cambridge University Press.
--------------------------------------
All information (unless otherwise stated) taken from the Church of England website
21
www.churchofengland.org
24. December 2014
1st Mon 12.30 pm - Women’s Contact Group Page 4
2nd Tue 10.00 am - Tuesday Prayer Meeting Page 4
2.00 pm - Women’s Fellowship Page 6
3rd Wed
4th Thu 8.00 pm - Book Club Page 6
5th Fri 2.15 pm - Hayes Mothers’ & Toddlers’ Club Page 5
6th Sat 2.30 pm - Saturday Fellowship Page 4
22
7th Sun
10.30 am - Morning Service - Rev. John Marchant
6.30 pm - Holy Communion - The Minister &CTH Page 9
The Christmas Tree Festival ends today
8th Mon
9th Tue 10.00 am - Tuesday Prayer Meeting Page 4
2.00 pm - Women’s Fellowship Page 6
10th Wed 8.00 pm - Elders’ Meeting Page 4
11th Thu
12th Fri
13th Sat
10.00 am - Women’s Contact Coffee Morning Page 8
3.00 pm - Children's Film “Father Christmas” Page
6.00 pm - Compassionate Friends’ service
- The Minister
14th Sun
10.30 am - Parade & Gifts Service - The Minister
- Followed by Fairtrade stall Page 8
10.30 am - HFC Christmas Post LAST POST Page 12
6.30 pm - Evening Service - The Minister
15th Mon
16th Tue
10.00 am - Tuesday Prayer Meeting Page 4
2.00 pm - Women’s Fellowship Page 6
3.45 pm - Christingle Service - The Minister
17th Wed
18th Thu
19th Fri
20th Sat
7.30 pm - Bromley Rock Choir Page 13
7.45 pm - Hayes Philharmonic Choir concert
- Hayes Parish Church Page 18
25. December 2014
21st Sun 10.30 am - Morning Service - Margaret Smith
6.30 pm - Evening Service - The Minister
22nd Mon
23rd Tue
24th Wed 6.30 pm - Holy Communion - The Minister
25th Thu Christmas Day
10.30 am - Morning Service - The Minister
23
26th Fri Boxing Day
27th Sat
28th Sun
10.30 am - Holy Communion with Beckenham URC
- The Minister
There will be NO evening service
29th Mon
30th Tue
31st Wed
January 2015
1st Thu New Year's Day
2nd Fri
3rd Sat 2.30 pm - Saturday Fellowship Page 4
4th Sun 10.30 am - Morning Service - Major Cliff Kent
6.30 pm - Holy Communion - The Minister
5th Mon
6th Tue 10.00 am - Tuesday Prayer Meeting Page 4
8.00 pm - Elders’ Meeting Page 4
7th Wed
8th Thu
9th Fri 2.15 pm - Hayes Mothers’ & Toddlers’ Club Page 5
10th Sat 10.00 am - Women’s Contact Coffee Morning Page 8
Hayes Free Church was founded in 1934 Page 4
11th Sun
10.30 am - Morning Service - The Minister
- Followed by Fairtrade stall Page 8
6.30 pm - Evening Service - The Minister
12th Mon
26. January 2015
13th Tue 10.00 am - Tuesday Prayer Meeting Page 4
14th Wed
15th Thu 8.00 pm - Men’s Group Page 4
16th Fri 2.15 pm - Hayes Mothers’ & Toddlers’ Club Page 5
17th Sat
18th Sun 10.30 am - Morning Service - Jim Holman
5.30 pm - Evening Service - CTH at The Rosary
19th Mon
20th Tue 10.00 am - Tuesday Prayer 21st Diary Wed
here
Meeting Page 4
22nd Thu
23rd Fri 2.15 pm - Hayes Mothers’ & Toddlers’ Club Page 5
24th Sat
February 2015
1st Sun 10.30 am - Morning Service - Dr. Clive Timehin
6.30 pm - Holy Communion - The Minister
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
There were no further dates at the time of going to press.
24
25th Sun
10.30 am - Holy Communion - The Minister
- Followed by Fairtrade stall Page 8
12.00 Noon - Church Meeting Page 4
6.30 pm - Evening Service - Judy Davies
26th Mon
27th Tue 10.00 am - Tuesday Prayer Meeting Page 4
28th Wed 6.30 pm - Worship Group Page 5
29th Thu
30th Fri 2.15 pm - Hayes Mothers’ & Toddlers’ Club Page 5
31st Sat
27. CHURCH ORGANISATIONS
Day Organisation Contact Phone
Sunday
10.25am Sunday Club Mike Duke 8462 5103
Weekdays
9.15 -12.15pm
Pre School Group
12.15 -12.45pm
P/School lunch club
Jayne Carvell 07913 299773
Monday
5.45pm Brownies Sarah Humphrey T.B.A.
6.30pm Cubs Brenda Petts 8325 3956
8.00pm - 1st Women's Contact
Group
Sylvia Mack 8462 1938
Tuesday
10.00am Prayer Meeting Martin Nunn 8462 5918
2.00pm Women's Fellowship Marion Swanborough 8462 3981
7.00pm Scouts Paul Hasling 3236 0083
Wednesday
3.30pm - 4th Messy Church Mavis Righini 8462 1168
5.15pm Rainbows Jenny Longman 07730 574962
6.00pm Beavers Brenda Petts 8325 3956
6.30pm - 4th Reflections Group Bill Michie 8658 4167
8.00pm Explorers Tom Strachan 07745 813 295
Thursday
5.30pm Brownies Stevie Blair. 8325 3469
7.15 - 8.45pm Rangers Georgina Chappell 07983 471308
8.00pm - 1st HFC Book Club Wendy Smith 8462 1779
8.00pm - 3rd Men's Group Bruce Tannock 8325 6264
8.00pm - 2nd,
& 4th
Ignatian Spirituality
Group
David Hawthorn 8249 7188
Friday
9.00 - 12.00pm Coffee morning during term times
2.00pm Mothers & Toddlers Judith Stoner 8462 3023
6.30pm Guides Teresa Cheyne 8777 6042
Saturday
2.30pm - 1st Saturday Fellowship Martin Nunn 8462 5918
NOTE: - Some of the organisations meet once or twice per month.
This is indicated by 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th. The numbers relate to which
week day of the month, NOT the calendar date.
28. Final Thought
George’s Christmas Card
George MacLeod (Lord MacLeod of Fuinary)
was the founder of the Iona Community. George
died some years ago, but I still have with me the
Christmas card which he sent to his family and
friends in 1989.
It was an unusual card to say the least, ..... a
plain postcard on which was printed a short
message.
The words reflected a great deal about George
MacLeod — one of the truly prophetic Christian
voices of the twentieth century.
These were the words on the Christmas card:
IF YOU WISH TO GO WELL IN JANUARY THEN:
A EVERY SUNDAY MORNING READ
ST MATTHEWS GOSPEL CHAPTER 5.
B EVERY SUNDAY EVENING READ
ST MATTHEWS GOSPEL CHAPTER 6.
C EVERY MONTH TAKE COMMUNION AT THE
NEAREST CELEBRATION OF COMMUNION
REGARDLESS OF THE DENOMINATION OF THE
CHURCH. CHRIST HAS ONLY ONE CHURCH
AND YOU ARE A MEMBER OF ITS BODY BY
REASON OF YOUR BAPTISM.
D READ NOW COLOSSIANS 3.1-17.
Have a good Christmas
GEORGE
