cheltenham united reformed church 2015.pdfthe magazine of cheltenham united reformed church, a joint...

Cheltenham United Reformed Church

November 2015

‘Through Faith, Fellowship and Care We Affirm that Jesus Is Lord’

CHELTENHAM UNITED REFORMED CHURCH www.urcic.org.uk

Minister Revd Maz Allen 01242 238273 [email protected]

In Touch November 2015

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Welcome to ‘In Touch’ –

the magazine of Cheltenham United Reformed Church, a joint pastorate of the three United Reformed Churches in Cheltenham, sharing a Minister, Revd Maz Allen. The three churches work very closely together, sharing this magazine, the website and all activities.

St Andrew’s United Reformed Church is in the Montpellier district of Cheltenham town centre. A former Presbyterian church founded in 1885, it became United Reformed on unification in 1972. Recent renovations now offer an impressive facility meeting the needs of 21st century Cheltenham.

Prestbury United Reformed Church is in the heart of Prestbury village on the northern edge of Cheltenham. A former Congregational chapel built in 1866, becoming United Reformed on unification in 1972.

The Church in Warden Hill is a Local Ecumenical Partnership (LEP) between the Anglican (St Christopher’s) and URC communities of Hatherley and Warden Hill in the south of Cheltenham. Ministry is shared between the URC Minister, Revd Maz Allen, and members of the Anglican South Cheltenham Team Ministry. Both the Anglican and URC buildings are regularly used for worship.

For other information about the Church in Warden Hill please see ‘The Lantern’ or visit www.tciwh.org.uk

Jesus said:

“For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.” (Matthew 18 v20 NRSV)


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News of the Church Family

We are invited to pray for: Bob Neil, Rosy Pearson, Ernest Marvin, Tony Gledhill, Martin Clarke, Val Codling, Geoff Harmsworth

Our Congratulations go to: Mary Zakotti on the arrival of her second great-grandchild, Jasmine.

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Obituary: BETSY STALLARD Betsy was born in Dundee in 1917. During the Second World War she joined the Nursing Service and after training, was posted to Raig Moor, Inverness. She was there for the remainder of the war. However, she didn’t remain as a ward nurse. She soon got posted to the laboratories because of her education. It was here that she met Sam. They were married in 1954. During their engagement, Sam had found work at Cheltenham Hospital. When they married, Betsy and Sam first shared a house in Tewkesbury and Alistair was born. Soon, the family moved into their new home in Charlton Kings. Betsy had been a church-goer all her life, and when she came to Cheltenham she soon got involved with St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, as it was then. She was secretary and treasurer of the Evening Guild and she worked hard in the life of the church, for which we are eternally grateful. As a widow, Betsy eventually moved into Faithful House in 2006 and enjoyed it from the start. She moved to St. Faith’s when she became very poorly, and then only for the last three weeks of her life. This did include her 98th birthday however, which she enjoyed. We give thanks for the life and faith of Betsy Stallard.

Maz


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Our Minister Writes:

Dear Friends, This month we commemorate those who have died serving their country. Remembrance Day began as a day on which to remember the dead of the First World War. In time the fallen of the Second World War were added to those remembered, and gradually those who have died in more recent conflicts such as those in Northern Ireland, Korea, the Falklands, the Gulf War, Iraq and Afghanistan have been remembered. There has been only one year since 1945 in which no one was killed on active service. This was 1968. The list of names is increasing rather than decreasing. If we enter the Syrian conflict in ‘active engagement’, then we fear more names could be added to the list of the fallen. Jesus said, ‘When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified….nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom...’ (Lk.21:9-10) He was speaking of ‘the end times’ when the Temple would be destroyed and warning the disciples they would face persecution without him. When the going got tough in Israel and in the Jewish communities around the world, those who were known as Jesus’ people would be in the firing line; and, quite soon, non-Jewish communities would follow their example. If ever they needed patience, they would need it then. This passage is relevant for us today. Wherever Christians are persecuted for their faith (and sadly, this is still common in some parts of the world), they need not only the prayers and support of their fellow-believers, but also the encouragement of Jesus’ words, ‘I am with you to the end of the age.’ That should be a comfort not just to us, but to all whom we remember who have departed from this life. Yours in Christ,

Maz


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New Moderator Visits Prestbury On Sunday 20th September we were delighted to welcome the new Synod Moderator, Rev Steve Faber, to Prestbury URC for his first service in

Gloucestershire – and indeed possibly his first in his new job, having only been inducted on the 5th September. It was not his first official duty in Gloucestershire however, as he had been an official guest representing our denomination at the Installation of the new Bishop of Gloucester at the Cathedral the previous day. Steve Faber was previously the minister at Boston URC and Riverside Church, Sleaford, Lincolnshire, and has also served as mission enabler for the East Midlands Synod. As Moderator of the West Midlands Synod, the Rev Faber has pastoral oversight and responsibility for the 123 United Reformed churches in the synod.

Fiona Hall

Do you like being in at the start of something new????? We are launching a NEW Discussion/Study group. All are welcome. The first meeting will be at Prestbury URC on Tuesday 17th November at 7.30pm. It is anticipated that meetings will be monthly/six weekly and the programme will reflect the interests of the group participants. See you there.

Janet Kemp

Wednesday Women On 4th November we will be painting nativity figures. A number of sets have been made, so we need lots of women to come along and help us. If you don’t think you can manage detailed work, some of the sets will be all white! Come along for fun and fellowship. St Andrew’s at 7.15pm


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Cheltenham Scottish Society Welcomes you to

St Andrewstide Celebration

at St Andrew’s Church, Montpellier On Sunday 29th November at 11.00am

Followed by a Buffet Lunch, provided by the Society

Please SIGN UP for the lunch.

Late comers cannot be guaranteed a meal

KENYA PROJECTS (UK)

NOW TAKING APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2016 TRIP 28th December 2016 to 11th January 2017

No upper age-limit. You just need to be reasonably fit! Under 15’s must be accompanied by an adult relative.

This will be the very last trip for the charity. For full details, please visit:

http://mazallen851.wix.com/kenyaprojectsuk or phone Maz on 01242 238273

Wedding Dresses for Kenya The Kenya Project is collecting second-hand WEDDING DRESSES to take to Embu in December 2016. We are hoping to assist St. Stephen’s Children’s Home to start a wedding dress hire service, the revenue of which will help sustain their education programme. Western-style wedding dresses are very popular in Africa and much money is spent on them. A hiring facility will help poorer families. Please collect all sizes of dresses and long dress-bags. If you find suitable dresses in Charity Shops please alert Maz.


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St Andrew’s Charity for November:

EMMAUS

The first Emmaus community was set up in Paris in 1949 by Father Henri-Antoine Groués with the aim of providing housing for the homeless living on the streets of the city. From these small beginnings Emmaus has become a worldwide community, with the basic aim of getting people out of poverty and into a home. The early history is a wonderful and inspiring story worth looking up in more detail. The early years were funded by companions, as they were and are still called, gathering up unwanted items and selling them on. As time passed and the community grew groups of employed staff and volunteers established shops and cafes, and recycling Emmaus workshops renovated and repaired items for resale. A valuable spin-off was that companions learned skills that enabled them to find paid work. The same sort of activities are now part of Emmaus International, set up in 1971. This has now expanded to 300 groups in 36 countries, where its primary concerns are ethical finance, migrants’ rights, and access to education, healthcare and clean water. In 1989 a chance encounter in a Cambridge Soup and Sandwich shelter inspired businessman Selwyn Image to set up an Emmaus community in the city. There are now 24 communities across the UK. In addition to donations and recycled items, Emmaus UK collects up end-of-line or slow moving stock from a number of high street retailers, and items from its whole range of goods can be sent to other charities or businesses overseas.

The Cheltenham Emmaus shop is in Henrietta Street. There is a range of goods for sale and donations of items are always welcome. Almost all the proceeds go towards Father Groués’ original cause - the relief of poverty and housing for the homeless.

More information on Emmaus is available on www.emmaus.org.uk

St Andrew’s URC Montpellier Street

‘Christian Gift Shop’

Every Thursday and Saturday 10.00am – 12.00noon


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Tales of a Club and a Glubb

You know all those old photos you’ve got stuffed in a box on top of the wardrobe? Well, how many of them do you recognise? Do you go through a sort of cross examination. “Who’s that standing next to Auntie Flo?” “When did we go to Skegness?” “Where did you get that hat from?” “Why is there always a line of washing in your pictures?” Annoying isn’t it? But that’s photographs for you. Records of the unforgettable that’s soon forgotten, and cameras are dangerous things for the uninitiated. Sometimes I wish that chap Kojak had never invented them, and I could never understand why he got the Brownies involved in it all. Then again, folks who know about cameras can make them work pretty well, take clear pictures. Like the folks at Cheltenham Camera Club. It’s a good thing then

that at the Forum on Tuesday 10th November Wendy Outram will focus on “The History of Cheltenham Camera Club”. All welcome.

We don’t hold any meetings ‘in camera’. Sorry, couldn’t resist it. Come to think of it, not only are our meetings open to anyone, but they’re also regular, friendly and cosy, unlike some other sorts of meetings. Some are often not cosy at all, political meetings, trade union meetings, sports meetings, battlefield meetings, diplomatic meetings, and so on. At the international level it is often someone with special ability or talent who finds himself or herself cast in the role of problem solver. Someone like Glubb Pasha, for example. Why pick on him you ask. Well, it’s pure

coincidence (not really, but I had to get round to him somehow) that Brian Ashworth will be talking about “Glubb Pasha” on Tuesday 24th November. Like Lord Lucan, he’s one of those people you’ve vaguely heard about but can’t quite place, Glubb Pasha I mean, not Brian Ashworth, because we can place Brian well enough, second row from the back at St Andrew’s.

Keith Norcott

Creative Cards On sale at Prestbury, St Andrew’s

and Warden Hill URC Centre


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Traidcraft Report As you are probably all aware, we are running down the Traidcraft stall. This is because so many of you are now buying your Fair Trade goods from your supermarkets. At the moment stock consists of jam, marmalade, Demerara sugar, kitchen roll and toilet rolls! So please do help us to get to zero stock! HOWEVER we will still be receiving the catalogues, and I am more than happy to take orders, including for food items. (I shall be ordering tea bags for me!) Please email me [email protected] Christmas orders should be with me by 14th November. Thank you for all the support you have given to Fairtrade over so many years.

Carole Pennington

St Andrew’s Lunch Club St Andrew’s URC, Montpellier Street

1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month at 12.30pm Soup, Bread Roll and Dessert £3.50

Working in Partnership with Star College, Cheltenham

Saturday Mornings at St Andrew’s Advertisements have gone out to Cheltenham based Charities asking if they would be interested in using St Andrew’s Garden Room and Kitchen at a flat fee of £35 on the 2nd Saturday of the month for their own Charity Coffee Mornings. If you know of any charity that would be interested please pass the message on. Church contact: Janet Kemp - [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]


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Remembering…………

Remembrance Sunday

In Prestbury Please remember that there will be the Prestbury village Act of Remembrance at the War Memorial on Sunday 8th November starting at 10.45am. Although we do not have a service that day, we are always welcome to join with our friends at St Mary’s for their morning service afterwards.

In Cheltenham The Borough Remembrance Service and Parade will be on Sunday 8th November at the War Memorial in Long Gardens, 10.55am start

At St Andrew’s At The Church in Warden Hill The Service starts at 10.50am The Service starts at 10.30am


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Remembering…………

Have you ever visited

The National Memorial Arboretum?

Developed over a 150 acre site at Alrewas in Staffordshire, just off the A38. “The Arboretum is home to over 300 thought-provoking memorials, each with a story to be discovered. The memorials are diverse in nature, rich in symbolism and collectively represent a broad population of society from military associations, charitable organisations, emergency services, fraternity groups and individuals. Each year new memorials are added so there's always something new to see.”

The Armed Forces Memorial “Commemorates the men and women of our Armed and Merchant Services who have lost their lives in conflict, as a result of terrorist action or on training exercises since the end of WW2. Unlike the World War memorials in towns and villages across the Nation, there is nowhere else that records over 16,000 names of those who have been killed on duty in recent times. The Memorial is a stunning piece of architecture designed by Liam O’Connor, inspired by the ancient landscapes of prehistoric Britain and the classical forms of ancient Rome.” With Acknowledgement to www.thenma.org.uk


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Royal Albert Hall

SATURDAY 2nd APRIL 2016

Cost approx. £47 (depending on numbers) Coach travel, leaving Cheltenham 4pm and

returning approx. 1am

A £40 deposit per person is required by 21st DECEMBER 2015

Send to Revd. Maz Allen, 19 The Oaks, Up Hatherley, Cheltenham GL51 3TS

with your contact details

Footsloggers, September 2015 Eleven of us gathered in the car park of The Slaughters country inn and were met with a sharp but short shower of rain. However, off we went and the weather soon cleared up. We headed for Bourton - on - the - Water and took a short break to visit the pretty St. Lawrence Church on the outskirts of the village. From there we walked along a lovely meadow next to the river behind the main street. Across the road we joined a path that led us through woods, where we had our sustenance stop (in a gentle shower of rain) and up a hill to the top where we could see beautiful views of the Cotswolds. Arriving back in Lower Slaughter we had a quick look at the mill which has not been used for its original purpose since 1958 and is now a museum. On returning to the pub, we were joined by Elspeth Dick and a most enjoyable lunch was had by all.

Jill Glen


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Reminder……. Have you filled your Shoe Box yet? They should be with Dorothy Odell or Kate Alger by Saturday 7th November.

Reading Group The next book to be discussed is “The Last Runaway” by Tracy Chevalier who wrote the “Girl with the Pearl Earring. The meeting will take place on Wednesday 25th November 7.30pm at my house, Karinya, Swindon Lane.

Mary Cummings

Dates for your Diary

Christian Aid Autumn Fair St Andrew's Church, Montpellier Saturday 7th November. Free entry 10am-1.30pm Hot/Cold Lunches £5 and desserts

Montpellier Fair Sunday 29th November from 11.00am ‘Get in the Picture’ from 2.00 till 4.00 at the Fair.

One World Week Service for One World Week at Gas Green Baptist Church, 8th November, 6.30pm

Emmanuel Church

Fairfield Parade, Cheltenham, GL53 7PJ

Festival of Decorated Christmas Trees

11th-13th December


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Concerts at St Andrew’s

Cheltenham Chamber Orchestra: 14th November at 7.30pm

Conducted by Toby Purser Leader – George Ewart Programme of English and French music

Ibert - Homage to Mozart

Vaughan-Williams - Fantasy on Greensleeves

Elgar - Sospiri

Faure - Masques et Bergamasques

Vaughan-Williams - Dives and Lazarus

Poulenc - Sinfonietta Tickets £17, available from Peter Kerr or on the door

Lilliput, for the under 5’s:

23rd November 21st December at 10.30am

QI GONG At St Andrew’s With LIDA VLČEK

NEXT SESSIONS: 5th, 19th November 2015 at 12.15 pm

Cost £5.00 per session

New members welcome

call Lida 01242 233949 [email protected]


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Prestbury URC Winter Fair Our annual Winter Fair takes place on Saturday 7th November at 10.00am. Please come along and stock up early on some Christmas essentials like wrapping paper and cards. There will be stalls selling books, jewellery, toys and gifts. Try your hand at the raffle and tombola and also take home a cake or two. Naturally, there will be the usual teas and coffees and a chance to chat with friends.

Family Sheep Trail around Prestbury Knitted sheep will appear in various places around the village 1st-18th December. They will be named and participants need to say where each sheep is located. Entry forms will be available from the United Reformed Church, Rowlands Chemists and St Mary’s Infant and Junior schools. Basically for children, but adults can certainly join in ! Entry is free. The sheep will be auctioned at the URC’s Carol Service, at St Andrew’s from 3pm on 20th December. Every £10 raised will buy a real sheep for a family in Ethiopia.

C4 CHILDREN’S CHOIR

Invite you to their performance of

Behind the Stable Door

A nativity musical On

Friday 18th December 2015 7pm, Prestbury United Reformed Church, Deep Street

Free entry


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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.

OFFERED

Brand new unopened Hewlett Packard ink cartridges type 364XL (black and 3 colours)

Used wireless HP 109n Photosmart all-in-one printer Anyone interested to contact Bob Alger ().

Eco Church

Information from Claire Mitchel, Operations Manager, Vision 21

Thanks to a Community Pride grant from Cheltenham Borough Council, Vision 21 is launching "Shedlike" at the ‘Reclaim Furniture Re-use Project’. Shedlike is a new venture for Vision 21, open to both men and women aged 18 or over and it is loosely based upon the Australian initiative of Men’s Sheds. Our workshop will be open to all adults on Thursday evenings from 6.00pm – 8.00pm and light refreshments will also be available. We aim to make Thursday nights a little more interesting for adults seeking a little conversation and wishing to learn how to use small hand tools or simply wanting to keep their hand in at doing things by building small items such as bird and bat boxes or possibly repairing furniture. The sessions will be relaxed and informal, and participants are welcome to drop in. There is no charge.

For more information and/or if you are aware of interested individuals/groups please contact Reclaim, Unit 25b Lansdown Industrial Estate, off Gloucester Road, Cheltenham, GL51 8PL, 01242 228823.

Carol Drummond


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The Church in Warden Hill The Church in Warden Hill has begun a new venture - Messy Church. We all, each one of us, have a part to play. There will practical ways where help will be needed by people of all ages - and if we can’t actively take part, then we can all PRAY for everyone involved: organisers, helpers, and especially those families who come.

Pam Dainton

Heritage Open Days For the third year t Christopher’s took part in the Heritage Open Days last month. Many people came and experienced our stunning Denny windows and enjoyed (we hope) our welcome and hospitality.

Pam Dainton

Senior Club Senior Club started again on 2nd September after our summer break. The AGM was held as usual on the 2nd Wednesday in September. Pam Dainton took the chair. Frank the treasurer then gave his report notifying us that we are still solvent. Frank has relinquished the role of treasurer after many years’ work. Jean Bennett has agreed to take over this post. We welcomed Fiona Hall on 16th September, with her presentation entitled “The History of Prestbury United Reformed Church 1866-2015” We are always pleased to welcome new members on Wednesdays at 2.15pm to Senior Club at St Christopher’s in the Church Hall, for entertainment, friendship, refreshments and a raffle.

Sheila Parry Note: A full account of this very interesting talk can be found in the October edition of ‘Lantern’ Ed


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From the Editor Does it matter what language a story is told in? This plaque is one of dozens, reflecting the different languages the Bible has been translated into at The Church of the Paternoster, Jerusalem.

Photo Janet Kemp


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Editor’s information Please remember to send all contributions and communications for ‘In Touch’ to:

[email protected]

In Touch Coordinators are:

Prestbury: Ian Brooks ([email protected])

The Church in Warden Hill: Brian Miles ([email protected])

St Andrew’s: Janet Kemp ([email protected])

Please ensure that all items for the December/January issue reach the editor by

SUNDAY 8th November 2015 Distribution is on the 4th Sunday of the month, even when there are five Sundays. Any alterations to the distribution, e.g. change of address, method of delivery, or cancellation should be sent to Fiona Hall at [email protected]. The current edition of ‘In Touch’ and some back numbers (amended for legal and privacy reasons) are available on the Church website www.urcic.org.uk

Views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the Editors, the Elders, the Ministers, or of any authoritative body of the United Reformed Church


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Diary for November 2015 Wed 4 7.15pm Wednesday Women St Andrew’s Wed 4 12.30pm Lunch Club St Andrew’s Thu 5 12.15pm Qi Gong St Andrew’s Sat 7 10.00am Charity Event (Christian Aid) St Andrew’s Sat 7 10.00am Winter Fair Prestbury SUN 8 REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY Sun 8 3.30pm Messy Church Warden Hill URC Centre Tue 10 2.30pm Tuesday Forum St Andrew’s Thu 12 2.00pm Prayer Group St Christopher’s Sat 14 2.30pm Community Film Show Warden Hill URC Centre SUN 15 12.00noon Church Meeting St Andrew’s Mon 16 10.00am Footsloggers Tue 17 7.30pm Study Group Prestbury Wed 18 12.30pm Lunch Club St Andrew’s Thu 19 12.15pm Qi Gong St Andrew’s Tue 24 2.30pm Tuesday Forum St Andrew’s Wed 25 7.30pm Reading Group ‘Karinya’, Swindon Lane Thu 26 2.00pm Prayer Group St Christopher’s Sat 28 10.00am Christmas Fair Warden Hill URC Centre SUN 29 11.00am St Andrewstide Service St Andrew’s SUN 29 11.00am Montpellier Fair

Diary for December 2015 Wed 2 7.30pm Wednesday Women St Andrew’s Thu 3 12.15pm Qi Gong St Andrew’s Sat 5 10.00am Charity Event (Maggie’s) St Andrew’s Sat 5 10.30am Coffee Morning Prestbury Sat 5 2.30pm Community Film Show Warden Hill URC Centre

Regular Weekly Events 2015 Monday

10.00am Prestbury Urchins Prestbury URC** 4.15pm Rainbows Warden Hill URC Centre** 5.30pm Brownies Warden Hill URC Centre**

Tuesday 10.00am St Andrew’s Parents & Toddlers St Andrew’s 10.30am Tuesday Prayers & Communion Warden Hill URC Centre 8.00pm Bible Study House Group St Christopher’s**

Wednesday 9.15am Little Shepherds St Christopher’s** 2.15pm Senior Club St Christopher’s 7.00pm Bellringing St Christopher’s

Thursday 10.00am-12.00noon Coffee Morning St Andrew’s 10.00am-12.00noon Gift Shop St Andrew’s 5.30pm Beavers St Christopher’s** 6.00pm Brownies St Christopher’s** 6.45pm Cubs St Christopher’s** 7.45pm Scouts St Christopher’s**

Friday 10.30am Bible Study House Group Cleeve Hill Home** 6.00pm C4 Children’s Choir Prestbury** 6.15pm TCiWH Choir Practice St Christopher’s

Saturday 10.00am-12.00noon Coffee Morning St Andrew’s 10.00am-12.00noon Gift Shop St Andrew’s ** Term time only

Church Services

St Andrew’s URC Every Sunday 11.00am Morning Worship (Communion Service on 1st Sunday) 3rd Sunday 9.30am Jump4Joy (an informal short service for all the family)

Prestbury URC 1st Sunday 10.30am All-age Worship 3rd Sunday 10.30am Morning Worship 4th Sunday 10.30am Communion 2nd & 5th Sunday No service

The Church in Warden Hill Sunday morning services are all held at St Christopher’s 1st Sunday 10.30am Family Worship 2nd Sunday 10.30am Communion in the URC tradition 3rd Sunday 10.30am Morning Worship 4th Sunday 10.30am Communion in the Anglican tradition 5th Sunday 10.30am Communion or Morning Worship During term time New Shoots for younger members (2-14) takes place during the morning service

Evening services are at St Christopher’s except 4th Sunday at URCC 1st & 3rd Sunday 6.00pm Communion 2nd Sunday 6.00pm Evensong 4th Sunday 6.00pm Evening Worship at URC Centre 5th Sunday 6.00pm Communion or Evensong

Weekdays Monday-Friday 8.00 am Morning Prayer at St Christopher’s Tuesday 10.30am Communion at URC Centre

cheltenham united reformed church 2015.pdfthe magazine of cheltenham united reformed church, a joint...

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