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Cheltenham

United Reformed

Church

In Touch

September 2012

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Welcome to In Touch – the magazine of Cheltenham United Reformed

Church.

Cheltenham United Reformed Church is a joint Pastorate of the

3 United Reformed Churches in Cheltenham. This means that they share

a Minister – Revd Maz Allen – and indeed they work very closely

together in all respects. New readers, who may also be new to the area,

can be assured of a warm welcome at all 3 Churches:-

St Andrew’s United Reformed Church is situated in Cheltenham town

centre. It is a former Presbyterian Church built in 1885. Recent

renovations have retained its essential character whilst at the same time

delivering an impressive facility meeting the needs of the 21st Century.

Current membership is around the 100 mark.

Prestbury United Reformed Church serves the village of Prestbury to

the north of Cheltenham. It is a former Congregational Chapel built in

1866. Current membership is around the 20 mark. Services are normally

held at Prestbury on only the 1st, 3rd and 4th Sundays of each month.

The Church in Warden Hill is a Local Ecumenical Partnership (LEP)

between the Anglican and URC communities serving the large residential

districts of Hatherley and Warden Hill to the south of Cheltenham.

Sunday morning services currently alternate between St Christopher’s and

the URC Centre with a typical congregation of 85. Ministry is shared

between the URC Minister (Revd Maz Allen) and members of the

Anglican South Cheltenham Team Ministry of whom the Revd Jacqui

Hyde has particular responsibility for The Church in Warden Hill. The

Church in Warden Hill has its own church magazine – The Lantern – but

its activities and events are also publicised in this In Touch magazine.

The website of the Cheltenham United Reformed Church

(www.urcic.org.uk) and the website of The Church in Warden Hill

(www.tciwh.org.uk) are further sources of information about the

churches.

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Dear Friends,

You may or may not be fed up with hearing about the Olympics, but there

is no doubt that the UK’s ‘feel good’ factor has resulted in more smiles,

more cross-cultural unity and more pride in our nation than for many

years. I was fortunate enough to be in the Olympic Park on Super

Saturday – the day the UK won 6 gold medals. The fact that I went to the

swimming and had no knowledge of what was going on in other venues

made no difference to the atmosphere. I cheered and screamed for Team

GB even though two swimmers came fifth and two came last. Along with

everyone else, I also cheered the Chinese guy who beat the world record,

and Michael Phelps who won his last gold before retiring. What mattered

was being part of a bigger picture where appreciation could be shown to

all athletes regardless of nationality.

Is not this exactly what Jesus was meaning when he said ‘love your

neighbour as yourself? Jesus teaches us to look beyond self – or at least,

selfish desires – and to appreciate the good in others. Sometimes this

good is so hidden from us that we have a job to see it. At other times, for

example, on a Friday and Saturday evening in Cheltenham town centre,

even extremely intoxicated young people have a goodness in them which

is evident, often funny and usually deserving of a hug (though it is usually

the young person who hugs me).

I look forward to going to the Paralympics. I want to see whether Great

Britain can again show her generosity of spirit to those who have denied

themselves so much in order to take part. Olympians are a good example

for Christians: we too are asked to deny self for the sake of Jesus Christ.

Thank goodness we do not have to literally run a race for Christ – I

wouldn’t stand a chance; but to fly the flag for Jesus and God’s kingdom

values – yes, I hope I can manage that.

Yours in Christ,

Maz

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CHELTENHAM UNITED REFORMED CHURCH

In Memoriam: It is with sadness that we report the passing of Peter

Thorns. Peter died just short of his 90th birthday at Coldstream, Scotland.

Peter moved there recently to be near family. Our love and sympathy go

to Peter’s family.

Peter attended St. Andrews for many years and older members may

remember him as one of the founding group who produced and sold

Creative Cards. This was a very good source of income for URCiC for

many years while Peter was its treasurer and several of us met at Peter's

home about once a fortnight to make up the cards, which were being

sold all around the town and beyond. With failing health Peter moved

to Faithful House and was no longer involved with the cards although

he still took a keen interest in St. Andrews. Wendy Outram

Our prayers: we hold in our prayers those for whom we are concerned:

Eric Smyth and family, the family of the late Peter Thorn, the family of

the late Beryl Davis, , Brenda Manser, Hugh Crawford, Theo Webber,

Dorothy Austin, Mary Cummings, Brian Hall, Barbara MacGregor,

and Molly Rideout.

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Beryl Davies - 1926 - 2012

An extract from the tribute paid by Revd Alan Willcocks at Beryl’s

Thanksgiving & Commendation service on 25th June 2012.

We looked back on the life of Beryl Davies and paid tribute to someone

whose death leaves a void in each of our lives. We remembered Beryl’s

faith, her sincerity and her sacrificial spirit. We recalled the kind of

person she was – mother, grandmother, great grandmother, neighbour and

friend. She was indeed a most courageous and committed person and most

of all a lovely Christian Lady.

Beryl and her husband Haydn married and lived in Shaftsbury and

although Shaftsbury isn’t a holiday resort, all their family descended on

them regularly. Beryl put them up, cooked and catered for them –

Auntie’s, Uncles, Cousins, Parents and In-laws. Beryl’s love and

commitment was not only for husband but also for her children, Moira

and Stephen. Beryl was a very industrious wife and mother, always

baking, cleaning and mending. She and Haydn moved to Cyprus with

Haydn’s work leaving the children in London and Bristol.

On their return to England Beryl and Haydn settled down in Warden Hill

and joined the URC church.

In 1985 Beryl was diagnosed as having MS, she depended on Haydn until

his death in 1992 when she had to become more caring for herself. It was

then that she sold her house and moved to her bungalow. Her last ten

years were a constant struggle, she suffered countless falls, each one

weakening her a little more but she continued to do things for herself.

Tribute must be paid to Moira for the devotion she showed to her mother

during the last years of Beryl’s life.

Beryl leaves her two children, their spouses and nine grand and great

grandchildren.

Brian Miles

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Sadie Smyth = Died 13th June 2012

An extract from the address give by Maz at Sadie’s funeral on 26th June

2012.

‘There is more happiness in giving than in receiving’ It is safe to say that

Sadie lived her whole life by that philosophy, wanting to give pleasure to,

and take an interest in others and never putting herself first. Sadie was

born in Belfast and was the 4th of six children. She had a happy

childhood though her father died young and her mother brought them up

single-handed. Sadie started work at 14 in a printing works and went to

Sandy Road Methodist Church.

Sadie met Eric when watching him play football, she was 15 and he was

18. They courted for six years and got married on 26 October 1949

initially living with Sadie’s mother. Their first two children were born –

Eric and Colin, and Sadie’s delight in being a mother began. Their first

home was in Dumury where Pam was born. Eric had a motorbike and

sidecar in which he managed to fit Sadie, three children and a dog. Their

next house was in Cherny Hill where Ian and Paul were born.

The family moved with Eric’s work to Hong Kong in 1968 and stayed

there for four years. During their time there Sadie was a wig inspector

and also taught English to Japanese, Chinese and Korean children. They

returned to the UK and to Cheltenham in 1971 moving to their home in

Salisbury Avenue in 1983. This is when they joined the URC church in

Warden Hill. Eric was soon running the youth club with Sadie’s help.

Over the years Sadie has helped at church fetes and many other activities

– Eric and Sadie ran raffles at most of the church events. Sadie worked at

the Spa shop where she became well known.

In 1990 soon after Sadie retired she was diagnosed with rheumatoid

arthritis. Tribute has to be paid to the family for being so supportive and

especially to Eric for not only being a loving husband but a devoted full-

time carer.

Sadie leaves 5 children and their spouses, 11 grandchildren, 5 great

grandchildren and two sisters.

Brian Miles

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Hospital Chaplaincy Volunteers

Training Course

Wednesday Mornings

19 September – 21 November 2012

Do you like meeting new people? Are you good at listening? Do you have

a personal belief? Can you accept and care for those who may have very

different beliefs or values from your own? Are you concerned for the well

-being of other people? Are you able to pray for people? If you answer

YES to most or all of these questions, you may want to consider

becoming a hospital chaplaincy volunteer.

The Department of Spiritual Care (Chaplaincy) at The Gloucestershire

Hospitals Trust is looking to recruit and train new volunteers to a variety

of different roles which will support the spiritual, religious and pastoral

needs of patients in hospital. These roles include visiting of hospital

wards, helping with activities for patients including those with dementia

and assisting with sacramental ministry.

It is not about proselytising or converting people to a particular set of

beliefs. Volunteers will be expected to offer and provide support to those

who want it whilst adhering to strict hospital guidelines.

For further information and an application form, please contact Reverend

Mark Read on 08454 22 6200 or mark.read@glos.nhs.uk

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In Touch Printing - Volunteers Required

The Church in Warden Hill has very kindly offered the Church Council

the use of their all singing/all dancing photocopier for producing the

Church magazine in-house. If we accept this offer we would save at least

half the cost of producing the magazine.

Before the Church Council discusses this topic we would need to have

names of at least 4 volunteers who would be willing to offer half day in

the last week of the month to photocopy the magazine in readiness for

distribution. It will only need 2 volunteers each month and there are 10

copies each year but having 4 volunteers would mean that each team

would only be required for five half days in the year. Full training on the

use of the machine would of course be given.

If you are interested please could you contact Ann Lewis.

Congratulations:

Congratulations to Richard and Geoffrey Hall who did brilliantly in their

finals this summer at Durham and Oxford and who have now graduated

from University as M.Math and M.MathCompSci respectively (although

Geoffrey doesn’t get his ceremony till next May). Both are starting work

in the ‘real world’ - Geoffrey here in Cheltenham and Richard in Durham.

We wish them well in their future lives.

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General Assembly 7th- 10July 2012 – Scarborough

What is General Assembly?

Every 2-years, each URC Synod nominates ministers of Word and

Sacraments, Church Related Community Workers (CRCWs), and lay

people to attend General Assembly. The URC is a bottom up Church so

this meeting ensures that a mixture of local church’s views are represented

and used to formulate church policies and decisions. This year Maz Allen

and Julie Jefferies were delegates and Emma Jefferies was a delegate of

Children’s Assembly, which was running concurrently.

What were the main topics of discussion?

Two new churches were formally received into the URC – Heston Asian

URC in West London and Bournemouth International Church. Both are

mission projects of the church and are thriving. Rapturous applause for

the jubilee ministers – those ministers who were celebrating more that 50

years of ministry – including our own Rev Jack Garside.

Budget cuts - General Assembly accepted the recommendation of Mission

Council (a body also made up of lay and ministers representing all

Synods, that meet to deal with church business between assemblies and as

instructed by General Assembly). General Assembly asked six

committees to cut their budgets to a total tune of £600,000. This had wide

reaching implications for Education and Training, the length of General

Assembly, no Youth or Children’s workers at a national level.

Changes to ministers’ pension benefits – URC ministers wishing to

receive a full pension will must work until the age of 68 in the future.

Recognising the reducing number of adults aged 20 to 40 in the URC and

the concerns of the URC Youth Assembly 2012: Assembly asked

Mission Council to address these issues and consider how to improve the

integration of this age group at all levels of the URC.

One of the most contentious debates was regarding the resignation of

Lawrence Moore as Moderator Elect. The bottom line is that the Mission

Council meeting at which acrimonious words were exchanged, was held

in ‘closed session’ meaning that Assembly could not be given any

information. This continues to lead to speculation as to what happened:

whether it was all to do with the collapse of the Zero Intolerance

campaign or whether something else was going on. We will never know.

However, Assembly instructed a facilitation group to be set up to bring

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about a reconciliation process which includes pastoral care of Lawrence

and the other Mission Council members concerned.

The URC’s Treasurer (who was voted in as Lay Moderator-Elect) stressed

that members of our churches should aim to give 5% of their income after

tax to the church. This is a difference in wording from previous pleas.

Before, it was ‘5% of disposable income’. This new stewardship

campaign is asking for more, for the obvious reason that the denomination

cannot sustain its commitments to ministry and mission with present

giving trends. This is an issue for us. We are being called to make

sacrificial giving our priority. Please work out what 5% of your income

after tax (and before you have paid the bills) actually amounts to and

seriously consider trying to meet that target. Remember, not all of your

increase goes to the M&M (Mission & Ministry) Fund: it goes to your

own church’s mission commitments, which includes paying its M&M

quota.

An important resolution passed was to give each local church the

authority to decide itself whether or not to register its building to hold

civil partnership ceremonies. The Anglican, Methodist and Baptist

denominations said ‘no’ but, being the URC, we are leaving the decision

to the local church. Sadly, this discounts Warden Hill. Prestbury and St.

Andrew’s church meetings must decide what their policy is going to be.

They also need to decide on a policy as regards the blessing of a civil

partnership, where a same-sex couple have had a civil ceremony and are

seeking God’s blessing in a church. These two items will come up at

church meetings this year so please consider your own position/views

carefully.

A walk of witness was held on Sunday morning from St. Andrews URC

Scarborough to the town hall where we met the local MP and handed over

a statement of concern regarding the social impact of poverty and

inequality in the UK. In brief, we called on the Government to expedite

reforms to tax law to ensure tax-avoidance is outlawed; introduce a

financial transaction tax; continue to provide legal aid and debt

counselling funding from Central funds.

Moderators Elect are: Revd. David Grosch-Miller (2014-16) and Mr. John

Ellis (2013-16).

Julie Jefferies & Maz Allen

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St Andrew’s News:

St Andrew’s Communion Offering for September Communion and

Harvest Offerings - The Windermere Centres - Wateraid

The Windermere Centre

The Windermere Centre is the URC’s residential centre in the Lake

District. It’s actually more than that: it’s also a conference centre, a retreat

centre and a hotel. As well as courses on topics like Bible study, worship

and prayer, there are also courses on a variety of arts and crafts and outdoor

activities. The Centre can also be used by churches, groups and committees

to run their own programmes or meetings. As a hotel the Windermere

Centre is ideal for holidays in the Lake District. All 21 rooms have en-

suite facilities and bed-and-breakfast, half-board and full-board stays are

available. Since May this year the Centre has been running online study

courses. The Old Testament course is now complete and available, and the

New Testament course will be available soon. More information on the

Windermere Centre is available from their website: windermere.urc.org.uk,

email windermere.centre@gmail.com telephone 015394 44902, address

Windermere Centre, Lake Road, Windermere, LA23 2BY.

Wateraid

We also ask you to extend your generosity a little further this month with

your support for the offering at this year’s Harvest Thanksgiving service on

Sunday 30th September, which is for Wateraid, the charity the church has

supported before and which a number of us support individually. Wateraid

is the topic of the illustrated talk at the Forum on 25th September, so you

can learn a lot more about what it is achieving by coming along at 2.30pm

in the Garden Room.

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BIRTHDAY TEA

For all with birthdays July, Aug and Sept tea at Maz’s Manse 19 The Oaks, Up Hatherley

Sat. 1st Sept. 3-5pm.

Pensioners’ Forum – Wednesday 5 September – ‘Warm & Well’

Come along on Wednesday 5th September and find an easier way to keep

warm this winter for you, your friends and family. Warm and Well offer:

Free, impartial energy advice

Information on the best deals and grants available

News about how you can refer a friend or relative.

Did you know:

Health problems can be made worse if you don’t keep warm

enough

Poor insulation means heat leaks out of your roof, your walls, your

windows and doors – even up an open chimney.

With ever-rising heating bills, you need to do as much as you can to

stop the heat leaking, otherwise it’s like throwing money away. If a

home is too cold, people of any age with health problems are at

increased risk. Breathing problem (such as asthma), heart attacks

and strokes can get worse if people are too cold for too long.

The coffee bar will be open from 10am and the talk will begin at 11am.

Please invite your friends and neighbours.

Ann Lewis

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Pensioners’ Forum

at

St Andrew’s United Reformed Church

(near Queen’s Hotel)

Programme for 2012

Meets on the 1st Wednesday of the Month

You are invited to the following Talks 11.00am – 12 noon

Wednesday 5 September ‘Warm and Well’

Getting ready for Winter

Wednesday 3 October Acupuncture Julian Kingscote

Wednesday 7 November Safer driving with age (SAGE)

Garry Handley

Wednesday 5 December Management & Prevention of Falls Will Carr, St Paul’s Centre

FREE ENTRY – ALL ARE WELCOME

Coffee Bar open from 10.30am – 12 noon

Coffee/Tea 50p

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St Andrew’s Christian Bookshop

The shop will be open from 10am – 2pm Monday to

Friday, offering a selection of books, cards, music and

gifts.

Do come along and have a browse! We’d love to see you.

Kay

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HELP!

Do you enjoy meeting people? Do you like reading books? Do you

have a spare hour or two? I would love to hear from you as I need help

in the bookshop.

Please speak to me if you can help.

Kay

Some wives like to sit and sew, others love to knit,

Some attend the Tuesday Guild or classes to keep fit,

My wife simply loves to cook which suits me very well,

Except the cooking’s not for me it’s for the church to sell.

Homemade marmalades and jams, spicy chutneys too,

There are jars in almost every room, still she produces new,

The marmalades are tangy and really worth a try,

The fresh fruit jams are just as nice, I would not tell a lie,

To try her chutney is a must, the flavours are divine,

I recommend her pickles with a little cheese and wine,

The reason for this little ode is just to let you know,

Preserves to help St Andrew’s are always on the go,

You’ll find them on the Saturday stall but if you can’t be there,

Ring Margaret H and we’ll find a way, there’s no need to despair.

Anon

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Knit and Chat Group - More information from Donna Sutherland

The next meeting is on Thursday 20th September at St Andrew’s at

1.00pm.

Footsloggers:

Friday 19th October - Footsloggers Walking Group.

Details of the walk to be led by Jill &

Robert Glen are to be found on Church

Notice Boards nearer the time. All are

most welcome.

Wednesday Women Group - Wednesday 5th September - St Andrew’s

at 7.30pm. Kay Boulton - ‘Film night’. starting at 7.30 pm. All are

welcome.

Doors open 7.15pm. The Wednesday Women program is normally held

on the first Wednesday of the month at St Andrew’s. All meetings start at

7.30pm with a charge of £2.00 per event.

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An Appetiser based on Eggs and Water

Yes, after our summer break we restart the Forum meetings in September.

I know, you’re saying to yourself “summer, what summer?” Surely you

remember those five days in July? Well that was it! The new programme

of talks and teas will be available shortly, and we shall be enjoying

afternoons with topics as varied as eggs, water, James Bond, mayoresses

and strippers and teasers. (Fitzroy took a sudden interest in that last one

and now he’s gone off for a cold shower, tut, tut!).

The first meeting is onTuesday 11th September, when Maz Allen will be

explaining why it is sometimes a good thing to put “All Your Eggs in One

Basket,” and she will bring some lovely examples to prove it - but

definitely no chickens! Our meeting on 25th September is entitled

“Water,Water Everywhere......”, all about water, or rather the lack of it,

and the clue is in the rest of that Coleridge quotation.* David Gregory

will be giving an illustrated talk about Wateraid, a charity that is bringing

clean water to hundreds of millions of people around the world who either

have no ready access to water or have to cope with dirty or disease-

infected water. It is no coincidence that the St. Andrew’s Harvest Festival

offering on the following Sunday, 30th September, is for Wateraid.

The Forum meets on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at

2,30pm in the Garden Room at St. Andrew’s. Interesting talks, tea and

biscuits (and a chance to catch up on the latest gossip) - that’s the Forum.

See you there!

Keith Norcott

*Just in case it’s slipped your mind, “Water water everywhere, nor any

drop to drink.”

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Eco Church

Freecycle: Have you any useful items you no longer need that might be of use to

someone else - please let Ann Lewis know with full details of the item and

please leave your telephone number so we can get back to you.

A Yogurt Maker and Coffee Maker - Electrical, and Anthony Worrell-

Thompson Juicer (3 items). Phone Carol Drummond

Gents Bicycle and Office Supplies (folders & guides) (free of charge) . Phone Tony Jeans

The Butterfly Garden

The Butterfly Garden is an educational, therapeutic and recreational

scheme, based initially on gardening, but now offering so much more. It

is a project for people of all ages dealing with disablement of any kind

and is based at Dundry Nursery, Bamfurlong Lane, Cheltenham, GL51

6SL.

They have secured full waste management and carriers licences for the

project and have a very effective recycling programme for horticultural

plastic and cardboard e.g. plastic flowerpots etc, so don’t put them in your

green bin but take them to the Butterfly Garden. They also collect old

video tapes which they take to pieces, rewind the tape and sell it for

garden ties. Aluminium cans are also welcome which are sold on and the

money put back into the Charity. You can find out more on

www.thebutterflygarden.org or why not call in, visitors are always

welcome.

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You are invited to

Our Harvest Festival

on

Sunday 30 September

at 11am

followed by

a ‘Bring and Share’ Lunch

All are welcome

Donations of tins and dried goods will be gratefully received

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TAI CHI QI GONG

Lida - e mail: lida@blueyonder.co.uk

QI GONG

At St Andrew’s

with

LIDA VLČEK

NEXT SESSIONS

Thursday at noon

6th and 13th September; 4th October 2012

NOTE LATER START TIME

Cost £5.00 per session

Future sessions to be announced

Gentle exercises especially geared to the needs of older people

Based on Chinese traditional practice

Promoting self healing and self regulation of the body

New members welcome – call Lida for information

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News from Prestbury URC

Bric a Brac Sale / Coffee Morning – Saturday 1st September 10.30 –

12noon

Please join us for a Bric a Brac Sale which will be combined with our

monthly coffee morning at the Church on Saturday 1st September from

10.30 to 12.noon. Donations of good quality items would be very much

appreciated – please contact Fiona Hall . There will also be the usual mix

of teas, coffees, cakes & good company! It would be great to continue to

see the familiar faces but also to see some new ones.

Reading Group – ‘David Copperfield’ - Wednesday 5th September

7.30 start

The next meeting of the Reading Group will take place at 7.30pm on

Wednesday 5th September at Prestbury URC. To celebrate the anniversary

of Charles Dickens' birth, the book we will be discussing will be 'David

Copperfield'. New members and/or past members would be most

welcome. For any further information contact Mary Cummings

Sunday 23rd September – Harvest Festival and Lunch

The Elders and Congregation extend a special invitation to all Elders from

St Andrews and all Elders and Council Members at the Church in Warden

Hill to join us for our annual Harvest Service and for lunch afterwards.

We would also like to invite any of our old friends who have not been to

Church for a while to come along as well and catch up with all the news.

During the service gifts of tinned and dried goods will be accepted for the

Food Bank project. If anyone who is coming for lunch has any special

dietary requirements please email prestbury@urcic.org.uk

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News from the Church in Warden Hill - URCC

Saturday 15th September

At Warden Hill URC Centre

at 2.30pm (doors open at 2.15pm)

For copyright reasons the name of the film cannor be

published here—Please contact Tony classic.films@urcic.org.uk for

details

‘Free entry ­ Family and Friends welcome

Refreshments available

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Date Subject Speaker

5th September Beetle

12th September AGM

19th September Safe at Home Martin Hewitt

26th September Things you were dying to know

Jeremy Clutterbuck

3rd October Bingo

Senior Club program at SC’s on Wednesday’s at 2.15pm

Saturday 22nd September

At Warden Hill URC Centre

at 2.30pm (doors open at 2.15pm)

For copyright reasons the name of the film cannor be

published here—Please contact Brian community.films@urcic.org.uk

for details

‘Free entry ­ Family and Friends welcome

Refreshments available

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The Health Clinic built at Gatondo with the Kenya Projects UK Appeal Fund in 2009

Kenya Projects UK Appeal

Are you able to donate one tube of toothpaste to our project? When the

team go out to the children’s homes in December, we always give each

child a ‘goodie bag’. We have already collected over 100 tooth brushes

and now I am asking if you would like to give one 75ml tube of toothpaste

– not the large tubes, thank you. There will be boxes at each church.

Thank you in anticipation!

Maz

Help with accommodation:

Single Christian man urgently seeking accommodation from mid-

September. If you can help, please call Malachi Stone on 07737893988

or email malachistone@yahoo.co.uk

Fiona

************************************

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Cheltenham Cantilena Orchestra Concert - Sunday 16th September

3.00pm Cheltenham Town Hall

This annual charity concert is popular with adults and children. It is held

in an informal atmosphere seated around tables, and there will be choirs

and dancers from local schools taking part.

The exciting programme features show, film and dance music from USA

and will include:

Symphonic suite from Porgy and Bess - Gershwin

Dances from Rodeo - Copland

Music from On The Town - Bernstein

Wizard of Oz selection - Allen

Tickets £12 (£5 under 16) from Town Hall Box Office 0844 576 2210

www.cheltenhamtownhall.org.uk

The concert is generously sponsored by Endsleigh Insurance.

All proceeds will go to charity, to be shared between Kenya Projects UK

and British Heart Foundation

Kenya Projects Uk (charity no 1129255) was founded by Revd Maz Allen

of URC, and supports St Stephen’s Children’s Home and Utugi Boys’

Home for street children in Embu, Kenya, and the Gatondo Health Clinic.

Currently we are raising funds for a bore hole to supply clean water to the

Health Clinic, and to provide a carpentry workshop for the Utugi Boys’

Home.

I will be visiting the projects with a group (all self-funding their trip) in

January 2013. For any further information please contact me, and please

support this concert.

Thank you! Wendy Price

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Stop Press….

Letters……..

Susan Nuttall - Update: 15 August 2012

Dear friends,

Today I had my last (15th) Radiotherapy treatment and have been

fortunate to have had no side effects. I’ve been warned there could be

some mild delayed discomfort or tiredness, but am feeling fine!! My sister

Mary and I went out to lunch to celebrate. It will be good to have some

time without hospital appointments, scans or treatment and to lead a more

normal life!

In 6-8 weeks time I will have a check up with the oncologist, and also

during the autumn with the surgeon and with the chest physician who

diagnosed and treated the earlier lung infection. They will continue to

monitor me and check there is no recurrence of cancer. I have had

excellent care through the year from a great many NHS staff, and am very

grateful to them all.

I am also very mindful of all the thoughts and prayers and concern of my

family and of so many friends and prayer groups that have enfolded me in

love through difficult and anxious days, and thank God for you all and for

my present recovery.

Hopefully I will now be able to join some group activities in Broadway. I

have booked a holiday in North Cornwall with my friend Anna

(incidentally celebrating 60 years of friendship since we met at the Selly

Oak Colleges in September 1952). At the end of September I am to share

in leading a service at Broadway URC celebrating the 40th Anniversary of

the United Reformed Church and the church traditions that came into the

union, exploring our roots in readings and hymns. I had already decided

before my illness that I would not return to leading full services.

With renewed thanks and love,

Susan

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Saturday 20th October

At Warden Hill URC Centre

at 2.30pm (doors open at 2.15pm)

For copyright reasons the name of the film cannor be

published here—Please contact Tony classic.films@urcic.org.uk for

details

Free entry ­ Family and Friends welcome

Refreshments available

Advanced dates:

Saturday 6th October - Last Night of the Proms - St Andrews at

7.30pm. Proceeds for the St Andrew’s Redevelopment Fund.

Saturday 6th to Saturday 13th October - Literature Festival - St

Andrew’s - (all day) from 10am.

Saturday 13th October- ‘Voices to Go’ - St Andrew’s at 7.30pm.

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Administration

For many months now, the In Touch and other interesting articles are

made available for you to read on the church website:

www.urcic.org.uk, thankfully uploaded each month by our webmaster,

Fiona Hall.

Should you wish not to receive your paper copy of In Touch (to save

paper) and / or would like the Church notices sent to you by email,

please feel free to email the church office with your request.

The In Touch Coordinators currently for respective churches are as

follows:

Prestbury URC

Please see Ian Brooks directly or forward contributions via e-mail

(ibrooks4@me.com). . Contributions most welcome.

The Church in Warden Hill

Please see Carole Pennington or Brian Miles directly or forward

contributions via e-mail: magazine@urcic.org.uk or to church office,

office@urcic.org.uk. Likewise contributions very welcome.

St Andrew’s

Please see John Standring directly or forward contributions via e-mail:

magazine@urcic.org.uk or to church office, office@urcic.org.uk.

***************************************

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29

Cheltenham URC - Prayer

The Oasis - St Andrew’s

Every Monday and Thursday, for just half an hour, starting at 12 noon

there will be an opportunity to pray for the work of St Andrew’s Church

and all the activities that go on here each week.

Let’s encourage one another as we meet together to bring our prayers to

God.

The Church in Warden Hill (St Christopher’s)

Every Weekday: Morning Prayer at 8.00am.

Tuesday: Holy Communion & Morning Prayer 10.30am.

2 Sept

Song of Songs 2:8-13, Psalm 45:1-2,6-9, James 1:17-27, Mark 7:1-8,14-15,21-23

Upper Leckhampton area, Churches and Schools Geriatric Care Housebound members Prayers for the World

9 Sept

Proverbs 22:1-2,8-9, Psalm 125, James 2:1-10,14-17, Mark 7:24-37

Leckhampton area, Churches and Schools Sue Ryder, Star College Hospice care Church organists

Prayers for the World

16 Sept

Proverbs 1:20-33, Psalm 19, James 3:1-12, Mark 8:27-38

Warden Hill area, Churches and Schools Senior Citizens, WH Elders and Lay Readers Prayers for the World

23 Sept

Proverbs 31:10-31, Psalm 1, James 3:13-4:3, Mark 9:30-37

Up Hatherley area, Churches and Schools Pre-school education St Andrew’s Elders Prayers for the World

30 Sept

Esther 7:1-6, 9-10, 9:20-22, Psalm 124, James 5:13-20, Mark 9:38-50

Shurdington area, Churches and Schools Chargrove Lawn, Local GP practices Playdays

Prayers for the World

7 Oct

Job 1:1, 2:1-10. Psalm 26, Hebrews 1:1-4,2:5-12, Mark 10:2-16

Benhall area, Churches and Schools URC Moderator, Officers and Staff Urchins Groups in WH and Prestbury Prayers for the World

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SEPTEMBER DIARY 1 Sat 10.30am P Coffee Morning and Bric-a-Brac 3.00pm Hath Birthday at the Manse 2 Sun 10.30am P Revd Robin Littlewood Family Worship 10.30am SC Family Service with Carole and Celia 11.00am SA Revd Maz Allen Communion 6.00pm SC Holy Communion 6.00pm SA Revd Maz Allen 4 Tues 10.30am SC Tuesday Prayers and Communion 2.00pm SC Mothers Union 5 Wed 11.00am SA Pensioners Forum 2.15pm SC Senior Club 3.15pm URCC “Toast” returns 7.30pm P Reading Group 7.30pm SA Wednesday Women - Film Night – West Side Story 6 Thurs 12noon SA Qi Gong 8 Sat 1.00pm SA Wedding 9 Sun 10.30am P No service 10.30am URCC Revd Maz Allen Family Communion 11.00am SA Kay Boulton 6.00pm SC Choral Evensong

11 Tues 2.30pm SA Tuesday Forum 12 Wed 7.30pm SC Ladies Group 7.30pm URCC Worship Group Meeting

13 Thurs 12noon SA Qi Gong 14 Fri 10.30am Bible Study at Cleeve Hill Nursing Home 15 Sat 2.30pm URCC Classic Film “Passport to Pimlico” 16 Sun 9.30am SA Jump4Joy 10.30am P Morning Service – Martin Clarke 10.30am SC Revd Nick Davies Communion 11.00am SA Revd Maz Allen 6.00pm SC Choral Evensong 3.00pm TH Concert for Kenya Projects (UK) in the Town Hall

17 Mon 10.00am Footsloggers 19 Wed 9.15am SC Little Shepherds re-starts 20 Thur 1.00pm SA Knit and Chat 22 Sat 2.30pm URCC Community Film “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” 23 Sun 10.30am P Revd Maz Allen Communion, Harvest, Lunch 10.30am URCC Revd Jacqui Hyde 11.00am SA Roy McBane 6.00pm SC Choral Evensong

25 Tues 2.30pm SA Tuesday Forum SC Start of Christianity Basics Course

26 Wed SC Ladies Group Outing

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SEPTEMBER contd

30 Sun 10.30am P No Service

10.30am SC Revd Jacqui Hyde Communion

11.00am SA Revd Maz Allen Harvest and Lunch 6.00pm SC Choral Evensong

OCTOBER DIARY 4 Thurs 12noon SA Qi Gong 7.30pm Manse Church Council meeting 6 Sat 10.30am P Coffee Morning 6.30pm Tewkesbury Band Last Night of the Proms 7 Sun 10.30am P Kay Boulton Family Worship 10.30am URCC Family Service and Harvest 11.00am SA Revd Maz Allen 6.00pm SA Revd Maz Allen Communion 6.00pm SC Choral Evensong

WEEKLY EVENTS

Mon 9.30am SA Mah Jong

10.00am P Prestbury Urchins (not summer

holidays)

4.30pm WH SC Rainbows (term time only)

Tue 10.00am SA Parents and Toddlers

7.30pm WH SC House Group

Wed 9.15am WH SC Little Shepherds (term time only)

2.15pm WH SC Senior Club

3.15pm WH

URC

Toast (term time only)

7.00pm WH SC Bellringing

Thu 10.00am SA Coffee Bar

5.30pm WH SC Beavers (term time only)

6.00pm WH SC Brownies (term time only)

6.45am WH SC Cubs (term time only)

Fri 10.30am Bible Study (term time only)

Sat 10.00am SA Coffee Bar