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Member of the North West Enfield Group of ChurchesWWW.LANCASTER-ROAD-URC.ORG.UK

CONTACTFebruary 2014

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Contact details:Interim Mpderator:

The Reverend Ray AdamsChurch Secretary:

Beryl Woolley, Phone: 020 8351 1089 Email: beryl@lancaster-road-urc.org.uk

Serving Elders:Jim Holliday - Grace Huggett - John Lavers -Clare Locke - Chris Marlow

Les Moody - Mark Obeng - Maureen Prior - Rudolph Singh - Terry SilveyEdwin Stutely - Beryl Woolley

Letting's Officer:Grace Huggett, Phone: 020 8363 3269 Email: grace_huggett@hotmail.com

Contact Magazine Editors: Marilyn Carlisle 020 8364 5672 - Jim Holliday 020 8245 1903 - Laura Marlow 020 8366 6901

Email: editor@lancaster-road-urc.org.uk Photographs to: photos@lancaster-road-urc.org.ukWeb site

www.lancaster-road-urc.org.uk webmaster: jim@lancaster-road-urc.org.ukP.R. Officer:

Jim Holliday, Phone: 020 8245 1903 Email: pr@lancaster-road-urc.org.uk

Music Group Leader: Mr Chris Marlow 020 8366 6901Y.P.C.F. (Sunday School) 11.00 Sunday Leader: Mr Chris Marlow 020 8366 6901Monday Fellowship (C.L.) 14.00 -15.00 Monday Leader:Housebounders (C.L.) 14.00 - 16.00 Tuesday Leader:Lancaster Road Ladies 13.30 - 15.00 Thursday Chair: Mrs A. Gibson 020 8245 9802Thursday Youth Club 20.00 - 21.30 Thursday Leader: Mrs Clare Locke 0208367 029611th Rainbow Unit 17.15 - 18.15 Monday Leader: Miss Catherine Goodwin 07804 855160

5th Rainbow Unit 17.00 - 18.00 Thursday Leader: Mrs June Page 020 8363 912211th Brownie Pack 18.00 - 19.30 Wednesday Brown Owl: Sumita Biswas 07748 816544

5th Brownie Pack 18.15 - 19.45 Thursday Brown Owl: Mrs June Page 020 8363 9122

21st Brownie Pack 18.15 - 1945 Friday Brown Owl: Mrs Beryl Woolley 020 8351 1089

5th Enfield Guides 19.00 - 21.00 Friday Information:

Ms Helen Coningsby 0787 5154811

5th Enfield Senior Guides 19.00 - 21.00 UnitGuider:

Ms. Helen Coningsby 0787 5154811

B.B. Anchor Boys 18.15 - 19.30 Monday Officer I/C: Capt. V. Legg 020 8367 0289B.B. Junior Section 18.30 - 20.15 Monday Officer I/C: Capt. V. Legg 020 8367 0289B.B. Company Section 20.00 - 21.30 Monday Officer I/C: Lt. Edwin Stutely 01992 642332AMICUS 20.00 - 21.30 Sunday Officer I/C: Lt. Edwin Stutely 01992 642332Shoppers Coffee Morning(C.L.)

10.00 - 12.00 Friday

C.L. = Takes place in the Church Lounge

Our Church Mission Statement.“We exist to serve and learn about God in all our activities and to share the love of Jesus in our local

community and in the wider world.”

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Pastoral Letter – February 2014The Sackler Crossing is a very pleasing walkwayover the lake at Kew Gardens. Like many of thefootpaths nearby, it leads into new areas of discoveryand exploration. But only when you get on to thewalkway itself do you find that the sides of thebridge are not solid but made up of a number ofvertical posts which, when seen from the bridge,reveals the lake – thus the impression of solidprogress forward changes as you take in thesideways view.It reminds me of the architect who wrote about hischildhood and the formative influences in his life.One such was being taken by his uncle on an

‘improving’ walk on a winter’s day. They came to a field covered in snow and walked through it fromone side to the other.

When they got to the other side the uncle said: ‘There is alesson for life here. Look at our two sets of footprints throughthe snow. Mine go purposefully straight through the field fromthe gate we came in to the one we went out. But look at yours’.‘See where you walked over to the pond and tried to break theice by throwing stones into it’.‘See the place you spent time over there by the hedgeexamining a spider’s web frozen by the frost’. ‘And see theplace where you went close to the herd of cows to test whetherthey would come up to you or run away’.‘Well, my boy, if you are going to get on in life, you need to

have a sense of purpose, a clear set of goals and head directly for them without shilly-shallying’.The architect remembered. He had indeed learnt a lot that day, but his uncle would not have beenpleased to know that his nephew had learnt a different lesson from the one that was intended for him. Infact the boy resolved in future never to miss all the experiences his uncle had done by walking straightahead without looking to the right or the left.I have some sympathy with the uncle’s conclusions ( if not his methods). There are many confusingby-roads today, and we need to learn how to find a way through a bewildering range of choices andexperiences if we are to have a sense of purpose. However, people work out their beliefs and values inmany informal ways through family influence, personal or on-line conversations, self-help and otherinterest groups. Occasionally, people seek out or stumble upon ‘thin’ places – places of prayer or aspiritual tradition which has nourished and helped people in the past and still does so.I often wonder when new people arrive in our church, “why us?” rather than some other place, and“why today?” (what circumstances have made someone cross our threshold at this moment in theirlives?) We rarely know, or need to. More important is that people find us ready, welcoming andreceptive to what they seek and what they bring.It may be true that “we are pilgrims on a journey and companions on the road”, but the churchcommunity may be less of a destination for many people today than a crossing point – a sideways look– as they go on their way. That puts an important responsibility on those of us who have foundcommunities to which we belong: to do our part in offering something that is accessible, welcomingand nourishing to the visitor; and that whoever they are or however long they are with us, we may blessand strengthen one another on the journey each of us has to make.God bless youRayThe Revd Ray Adams

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2nd 10.30 am Prayer Meeting In the back room.

11.00 am Mr J. Stibbs6.30 pm Ms Gill Nugent Café style service including Holy Communion.

7th 11.00 am The Boys Brigade Family Service.

6.30 pm Mr John Stynes

16th 10.30 am Prayer Meeting In the back room.

11.00 am Mr Terry Silvey6.30 pm Mr P. Coleman

23rd 11.00 am Rev’d ‘Bert Baker Holy Communion

6.30 pm Mr. Edwin StutelyAMICUS

Youth Service

It is with great regret that we inform youthat Anna Drummond’s father passedaway on Saturday 4th January. Our

thoughts are with Anna and her family atthis sorry time.

RETIREMENTMy thanks to folk at both Christ Church and LancasterRoad churches for all your caring and support which yougave me in the months leading up to my retirement. I wasapprehensive about retiring and moving and am veryappreciative of all the caring I received from you. It helpedme a lot at a difficult time.

I also thank both Christ Church and Lancaster Road for allyour support and help for my Farewell Service and forputting on a super Tea after the service. My thanks too forthe very generous gifts you gave me.

I am now settling into life in Lancaster and attendingTrinity United Reformed Church in Lancaster. I am alsotrying to get to know people and trying to find new groupsin which I can participate.

May the love and peace of God be with you all.

Reverend David Atkinson.

Youth Mission Statement.“The mission of our church youth organisations towards children and young people is to help themtowards faith in Christ, to grow in Christian faith and to practice Christian values and way of life.”

Milton Jones – Ten SecondSermons

The early church had everything in common, butnow somehow parts of the church have almostnothing in common with anyone!

Church is a bit like being a member of a gym.Some people like the idea of going but don’t.Others go, but aren’t really training for anythingand some actually use it to help them with therace they are running.

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The Real Easter Egg CampaignIt all began in 2010 when David Marshall, founder ofthe Real Easter Egg Campaign, received an Easter eggwhich had written on the side of the box ‘Easter is thefestival of chocolate and loveliness’. It made himlaugh, but there is a bit more to Easter than that. Thisinspired him to start the Real Easter Egg Campaign andthis year there are three kinds of egg available:

Original 150g £3.99

This has three crosses on the box and Mark’s resurrec-tion text in the lid. Inside the box is an illustrated 24page Easter story book, a milk chocolate egg, a bag ofchunky chocolate buttons and the price includes adonation to Traidcraft.

Special Edition 280g £9.99Celtic crosses with gold finish on the box. Inside thebox is a high quality milk chocolate egg, a Holy Landolive wood holding cross, a simple Easter messagecard and a milk chocolate bar with a hint of orange.

Sharing Box 400g £19.99This consists of 20 eggs and stories. Designed forgroups where you want to give away an egg and a copyof the Easter story. Each egg is 5cm with ‘The RealEaster Egg – Christ is Risen’ on the foil and an 8 pageleaflet of the Easter story.There will be limited supplies of the eggs in Tesco,Morrisons and Waitrose or you can buy them online orcheck for independent retailers atwww.realeasteregg.co.uk.

Or better still, order your Easter Eggs viaJim Holliday.

We need your orders before the middle ofFebruary to get free delivery .

Anna and family would like to thank everyone fortheir prayers, cards, sympathy and help at this sadtime.

Calling ALL youth leaders.The editors would like to ask that the leaders ofall church youth group to write an article at leasttwice a year so that readers know what you havebeen up to. Believe it or not we ARE all interest-ed in what you are doing. Perhaps you could askthe children to write about what you have beendoing and where you have been. Lets make astart next month. The last day for submissions ofstories will be Sunday 16th February. Send viaemail to: editor@lancaster-road-urc.org.uk

Thanks.

Please note that the final date for submission for theMarch edition of ‘Contact’ will be as follows;

Written bits to Laura by Sunday 16th February.

Electronic bits via email toeditor@lancaster-road-urc.org.ukby 12 noon on Tuesday 18th February.

Thank you,

Editor

Y.P.C.F.The Young Persons Christian Fellowship invitedthe congregation to tea, coffee and nibbles afterthe morning service on Sunday 19th January. Asshown below there was a great deal of enthusiasmfrom both the children and the adults. There wasa quiz and plenty of nibbles. I think they did usproud!!!

Thank you Y.P.C.F., Both the children and theteachers.

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Sunday 19th January, Our Lady of Walsingham and The English MartyrsR. C. Church.

The North West Enfield Ecumenical service for the first quarter of this year was held at ‘Our Lady ofWalsingham’ at the top of Holtwhites Hill. The service was entitled, Ecumenical Vespers. The service startedwith a long procession of clergy entering the church. There were three fathers from the church and many otherAnglican clergy. We sang a total of two hymns, both that we knew, and chanted Psalms from alternate sides ofthe church. John Lavers read the Scripture Reading (1 Corinthians 1:1-17). This was followed by a shortsermon by the Priest. Then followed prayers by a member of Trinity Church.

Following the service we were invited to join them for tea, coffee and biscuits.

It was nice to see so many of Lancaster Roads congregation at this service. It also so very nice to see how otherbranches of the Christian faith worship. After all we are all Christians and believe in one God, the same God!!!The only difference, deep down, is the way we worship. It would be great to see more of our congregation atthese services.

Our thanks and prayers go out to all the clergy and other organisers at Our Lady of Walsingham.

Jim

“The Big BrownieChallenge”

The Brownie movement is celebrating its Cen-tenary this year and to mark this occasion, aspecial Brownie Challenge Badge has beenbrought out. The Brownies have to complete 9challenges altogether. There are three compul-sory challenges to be completed in their sixes(groups) and six to be completed as a Unit.

These challenges have been put under theheadings of the different years when particularsignificant changes were introduced into theBrownie movement. They come under “You”,“The Community” and “World” and the idea isthat the sixes have responsibility in choosingsome of the challenges and also discussingamongst themselves how they are going totackle them.

We are hoping to hold events during the yearand these will include things we do as Unitsindividually and some, we hope the three Unitsat Armfield will work on together. Of course,as always, there may be events which may needyour support and we will keep you posted onthese. We hope to make this year as memora-ble as possible for the girls.

June

ELECTION OF CHURCH OFFICERS

At the Church Meeting on Wednesday 5thMarch we shall be voting to elect churchofficers. Nominations are required for thepositions of Church Secretary, Treasurer andthree Elders.

Please give prayerful consideration towhether you feel God is calling you to serveas an Elder in our Church here at LancasterRoad, or if there is somebody else you couldnominate. Their consent must be receivedbefore their name is put forward.

Nomination forms will be available in theChurch Lounge and should be handed to thesecretary by Sunday 23rd February.

Beryl

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January

Global Citizen are working hard to highlight the needfor action on safety and working conditions forgarment workers in Bangladesh.The Bangladesh Fire and Safety Accord has now beenestablished and more than 100 retailers, from acrossthe world, signed the Accord.However, some companies established an alternative.‘The Alliance for Bangladesh Workers Safety’ bothlooks and sounds the same but lacks legalaccountability.Take the action and tell GAP to sign the BangladeshFire and Safety Accord, with its protection ofaccountability, by sending an email to GAP athttp://www.globalcitizen.org/Content/Content.aspx?id=fec9868d-a446-4c95-9927-28871325c211 Protestagainst GCM plc Members of The WorldDevelopment Movement took part in a campaignaction in December at the AGM of the coal miningcompany, GCM plc. This company are behind thePhulbari Coal Project, which WDM has campaignedagainst in the past.  London-listed GCM Resources iscurrently under investigation by the UK governmentfollowing a complaint by the World DevelopmentMovement and the International AccountabilityProject. The complaint claims the mine would breachOECD rules by violating the human rights of thepeople who would be forcibly displaced andimpoverished by the project. The Phulbari coal projecthas been on hold since 2006 due to intense localopposition. Three people were killed and many moreinjured when paramilitary officers opened fire on aprotest against the mine in 2006. The UKgovernment’s investigation will evaluate whetherGCM Resources has breached obligations to ensuremeaningful and adequate consultation about theproject, or to carry out appropriate due diligence toensure that its project does not violate people's humanrights. The mine would violate the rights ofindigenous people living in the area, and wouldthreaten the Sundarbans, one of the world’s largestremaining mangrove forests and a UNESCO WorldHeritage site. It would also destroy almost 12,000acres of Bangladesh’s best farmland. The companyhas admitted that most of the people living in the areaaffected by the mine “will become landless”. ChristineHaigh, campaigner at the World DevelopmentMovement, said: “If it goes ahead, the Phulbari coalmine will cause unimaginable human suffering andenvironmental destruction.   GCM Resources mustlisten to the voices of the people of Phulbari, andabandon its plans to extract coal there.” See more at:http://www.wdm.org.uk/climate-change/protests-gcm-resources-agm-over-bangladesh-coal-mine#sthash.W1YZXlG6.dpuf

December

Lord of all, For the times that we buy without thoughtof those who have produced our clothes, when we havesacrificed ethics for economy, we ask forgiveness; Godof justice, Help us to hate injustice as you do, to speakup for those with no voice, and to stand with those whoare forced to work in clothes factories for little rewardin Bangladesh; King of kings, We pray for leaders andpoliticians in Bangladesh, for lawyers and for businessleaders, that you would not let them rest until there isjustice for the garment workers in that country. Amen.Us (United Society) part of the Church of BangladeshGroup. To find out more about the plight of GarmentWorkers in Bangladesh see the following web pages:

Anglican Alliancewww.http://anglicanalliance.org/pages/8376

The Ethical Trading Initiative www.ethicaltrade.orgThe Church of Scotland Church and SocietyCouncil report, “Are We What We Wear? The EthicsOf Our Clothing Choices.” available at:www.churchofscotland.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/5904/Clothes_and_Ethics_May_2011.pdf Thereare a number organisations and campaigns active inUK and internationally. These include:www.cleanclothes.org www.asiafloorwage.orgwww.labourbehindthelabel.org Reproduced from TheChurch of Bangladesh Justice for Garment Workersleaflet athttp://www.methodistchurch.org.uk/media/932282/New%20Justice%20for%20Bangladesh%20leaflet.pdf?dm_i=BVI,1TCQO,B35NAH,6HT9B,1 THE BIBLEACTION Recently, a major new report from the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) pre-sented the findings of thousands of climate scientistsfrom across 120 countries and warned that the levels ofCO2 in the atmosphere over the past century alone areunprecedented in at least the last 800,000 years. Frack-ing (the technique of extracting shale gas from deepunderground) is being used to justify up to forty newgas power stations in the UK, and this costly infrastruc-ture could lock the UK into a high-carbon future fordecades to come. Yet we know that extracting new fos-sil fuel deposits is very likely to worsen climatechange. Christian Aid is a member of the Stop ClimateChaos coalition and they are promoting a petition ask-ing David Cameron to reconsider his position on frack-ing and instead champion clean energy. To sign thepetition, go tohttp://www.christianaid.org.uk/ActNow/blog/2013/scc-fracking-action-drilling-fossil-fuels.aspx

Commitment for LifeBANGLADESH

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Engagement of Jonand Claire.

The New Year started with great joyin the Locke family on the engage-ment of Jon and Claire.

The following is the contents of an email sent byour friends at

ASWA

Anti-Apartheid icon and Nobel Peace Prize laure-ate, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu hascalled for the world to fight injustice to animals inthe same way as it fights injustice to blacks,women and homosexuals.

In a Press Release by the Oxford Centre for Ani-mal Ethics on 28 December

2013 (see below), Archbishop Tutu is quoted assaying:

“I have spent my life fighting discrimination andinjustice, whether the victims are blacks, women,or gays and lesbians. No human being should bethe target of prejudice or the object of vilificationor be denied his or her basic rights.

“But there are other issues of justice – not onlyfor human beings but also for the world’s othersentient creatures. The matter of the abuse andcruelty we inflict on other animals has to fight forour attention in what sometimes seems an alreadyoverfull moral agenda. It is vital, however, thatthese instances of injustice not be overlooked.

“I have seen firsthand how injustice gets over-looked when the victims are powerless or vulner-able, when they have no one to speak up for themand no means of representing themselves to ahigher authority. Animals are in precisely thatposition. Unless we are mindful of their interestsand speak out loudly on their behalf, abuse andcruelty goes unchallenged.”

He adds: “Churches should lead the way bymaking clear that all cruelty – to other animals aswell as human beings – is an affront to civilizedliving and a sin before God.”

A Swarm of Bees without StingsB hopeful, B cheerful, B happy, B kind,B busy of body, B modest of mind,B earnest B truthful, B firm and B fair,Of all miss B haviour B sure to B ware,B think ere you stumble, of what may B fallB true to yourself and B faithful to all.B brave to B ware of the sins that B set,B sure that one sin another will B get.B just and B generous, B honest, B wise,B mindful of time and B certain it flies.B prudent, B liberal, of order B fondB uy less than you need B fore B uying B yond,B careful, but yet B the first to B stow;B temperate, B steadfast, to anger B slow.B thoughtful, B thankful, whate’re may B tide:B just and B joyful, B cleanly B side.B pleasant, B patient, B gentle to all,B best if you can, but B humble withal.B prompt and B dutiful, still B politeB reverent, B quiet, B sure and B right.B calm, B retiring, B ne’er led astray,B grateful, B cautious of those who B tray,B tender, B loving, B good and B nign,B loved thou shalt B and all else shall B thine.

May I learn something new every day.

May I do something new every day.

May I learn something good every day.

May I do something good every day.

Amen

COMMUNION OFFERTORYAs agreed at the Church meeting, the communionoffertory for each quarter will be given to a namedcharity. The donations for January to March willbe given to The Bridge of Hope Children’s Charitywhich supports orphans and abandoned children inUganda.

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Session two —A church based on theBibleThe Bible is very important for every kind of Christian church. But our ownparticular church traditions were shaped out of a time when there was a greatrenewal of interest in the Bible. Through a time called the Reformation (whichstretched over a long period from the end of the fifteenth century to the end ofthe seventeenth) some Christians began again to study the Bible texts in theiroriginal languages (Greek and Hebrew) and to make new discoveries aboutthem. Some also argued, at a time when literacy was expanding, that everyoneshould be able to read the Bible is his or her own language and so translationsbegan to be made. Some feared that ‘ignorant’ people reading the Bible wouldlead to no good and wanted to protect the Bible from being misinterpreted, butour particular forebears were firmly on the side of opening it up to everyone.At the same time they wanted ministers to be well educated in the things ofGod so that they could help people understand the Bible. Even at the beginningof the development of the printing press printed Bibles in local languagesbecame available in many homes and churches amazingly quickly. Bibles,Psalm books and commentaries were highly valued amongst the churchcommunities from which we have come, although they remained controversialin some countries and in some time-periods for quite a while.

With this emphasis on reading and seeking to understand the Bible goes thestrong principle that the ‘highest authority’ for our believing and living is ‘God’sWord in the Bible’. Notice that the Statement does not simply say that ‘theBible’ is the authority, but ‘God’s Word in the Bible’. Jesus, described in John’sGospel as ‘the Word made flesh’ is the supreme authority. We believe thatreading and interpreting the Bible is not necessarily straightforward, that Godspeaks to us as we interpret and that we need the help of the Holy Spirit. It isthis reading under the Holy Spirit that we believe offers our surest hope ofworking out what is God’s will for us. We know, from looking back over history,that faithful people have not always read with wisdom and insight (we see withsadness how some Reformed Christians in South Africa believed that the Bibletaught them authoritatively that apartheid was God’s will). So we do not assumethat we can read without having to work and pray as we do so. But we trustthat it is reading the Bible in a prayerful spirit and with God’s help, above allelse, that will help us to work out what we should believe and do. We wouldlisten to what other Christians have said and still say as well. We would listenhard for the witness of our own experience and to what our own thinking andpuzzling suggest – but God’s Word in the Bible is the first source of wisdomfor us and we would turn to it first.

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5• What would it be like not to have your own copy of the Bible, but

to depend on memory (your own and others)? Work together as agroup at remembering a Bible story. See if you can put togetherthe parable of the Prodigal Son from your corporate memory.Remember the shape of the story, as many particular phrases aspossible, and what you can about the context and any kind ofinterpretation given in the Bible. Then look up the parable (Luke15:11-32) – Reflect on the exercise, on why you rememberedwhat you did, and how this story might have been rememberedand then written down by the early Christians. Move on to talkabout the parable. What part has it played in your own Christianlife? What does it mean? Does it remind you of any other storiesin the Bible? Does it remind you of any other stories anywhereelse? How does it connect with the central story of the Gospels,of Jesus who died on the cross and who rose again?

•• Questions for discussion•• • What are your earliest memories of reading the Bible or of

hearing Bible stories?• • Are there any bits of the Bible you really struggle with? If so,

what helps you in your struggle?• • If you have a difficult decision to make, in what ways might

reading the Bible help you?• • Do you have any suggestions for how the Bible might become

more central to the life of your local church?• • If you could add a book to the Bible what would it be? (If you

could take a book away which might you choose?) – you mightlike to compare your answers!

• • What can be said in favour of keeping the Bible just as it is?(the gory bits, the sublime poetry ...)

Every Person Challenge – Pastoral CareWe have a growing list of members and adherents who are housebound, in hospital or residential homes,and as mentioned in last month’s ‘Contact’ they will miss David’s visits enormously.Some members already call to see certain friends, but more people are needed to visit either regularly oroccasionally. PLEASE, don’t let’s leave it all to the Elders. Obviously, people who are working don’thave much spare time, but visits don’t need to be long.......actually, it can be tiring to the resident if theyare!Please let any of the following know if you are able to help (and I’m also told that, if you make a visit, thatperson’s Elder should be told, too.) Maureen Prior, Liz Coningsby, Jim Holliday, Les Moody, MichaelBell or me.Thank you. Brenda Brown

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Thank YouGrateful thanks for the prayers, good wishes and kind thoughts follow-ing my accident and ‘unlucky breaks’. I am making steady progressfollowing a regime of the 3 Ps – prayer, physiotherapy and persever-ance – and promise to take more care on the stairs in future. Laura

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Spring Harvest 2014

– Minehead –

Weds. 9th until Mon.14th April 2014This year the theme for Spring Harvest is ‘Unbelievable’, a teaching and worship event for everyone.  Itbrings individuals and churches together to refresh them and equip them to change their communities.I have booked three silver suites for next year and we have one place to be filled.If you would like to come along and join our ‘party’ and would like more information then please contactme Clare Locke on 02083670296.

Have you heard the news!!!!

Tony and I are just so pleased to let you allknow that just before Christmas, Jon andClaire got engaged and the wedding will

be in Spring 2015.

Clare

LET’S ‘SPRING CLEAN’ OUR CHURCH!!SATURDAY MARCH 22ND

10am until 3pmDrinks and Lunch Provided

If you can bring some cleaning equipment that would be great but moreimportantly just bring YOURSELF!!!

Please let Clare or Tony know if you can help out and at what times.

Flower Donations for February2nd -----------------------------------------------------9th Kitty In memory of her husband16th Anna Remembering Bill’s birthday23rd Beryl Celebrating Paul’s birthday

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20 December 2013

"The Lord is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life - of whomshall I be afraid?" Psalm 27:1

Middle East Prince Charles speaks out against the persecution of ChristiansPrince Charles has spoken out against the persecution of Christians in the Middle East. After a visit to theLondon cathedral of the Syriac Orthodox Church, the Prince said he was 'deeply troubled' by the 'growingdifficulties' faced by Christians in the region.

"It seems to me that we cannot ignore the fact that Christians in the Middle East are, increasingly, beingdeliberately targeted by fundamentalist Islamist militants," he said.

Noting Christianity's roots in the region, the Prince observed that today the Middle East and North Africahave the lowest concentration of Christians in the world - just four per cent - and that this has 'droppeddramatically over the last century and is falling still further'. He said that the effect of this was that "We alllose something immensely and irreplaceably precious when such a rich tradition dating back 2,000 yearsbegins to disappear."

The Prince added that the decline of Christians in the region represents a 'major blow to peace, as Christiansare part of the fabric of society, often acting as bridge-builders between other communities'.

"For 20 years, I have tried to build bridges between Islam and Christianity and to dispel ignorance andmisunderstanding. The point though, surely, is that we have now reached a crisis where the bridges arerapidly being deliberately destroyed by those with a vested interest in doing so - and this is achieved throughintimidation, false accusation and organised persecution - including to Christian communities in the MiddleEast at the present time," he said.

Earlier in the day at the UK Coptic Orthodox Church Centre, Prince Charles spoke to Huda Nassar, MiddleEast director for the Awareness Foundation. "[Prince Charles] said it was heart-breaking what was going onin Syria, and that he's praying for peace."

Pray:

1. Thank God that this issue is increasingly on the radar of those with power and influence. Pray that theywould speak up and take action for those who are suffering

2. For Christians in Syria and throughout the Middle East and North Africa who are experiencingincreasing pressure to either renounce their faith or leave their homes. Pray that God would give themstrength to withstand these attacks

3. Christmas has often been a time when Christians have suffered violent attacks. Ask God to protect hischildren as they remember and celebrate Christmas.

With many thanks for your prayers.

Open Doors Prayer Team

CRISIS AT CHRISTMAS.Thank you everyone who made contributions prior toChristmas by using the collection envelopes providedand for your support at the Hall Users Concert. A totalof £324 was sent to Crisis at Christmas from theseevents.Crisis have sent a letter of thanks for your generosity.John

Women’s World Day ofPrayer

Friday 7th March 201410.30am Enfield Baptist Church, Cecil Road

Led by Major Carol Frederiksen7.30pm St Andrew’s Church, Chase Side, Southgate, N14 Led by Rev Louise MorrisseyAll are welcome. The theme this year is‘Streams in the Desert’ which has been preparedby the Christian women of Egypt. For moreinformation, please speak to Janet Silvey.

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When I bought my Blackberry, I thought about the 30-year business I ranwith 1800 employees, all without a cell phone that plays music, takesvideos, pictures and communicates with Facebook and Twitter. I signed upunder duress for Twitter and Facebook, so my seven kids, their spouses, my13 grand kids and 2 great grand kids could communicate with me in themodern way. I figured I could handle something as simple as Twitter withonly 140 characters of space.

My phone was beeping every three minutes with the details of everythingexcept the bowel movements of the entire next generation. I am not ready tolive like this. I keep my cell phone in the garage in my golf bag.

The kids bought me a GPS for my last birthday because they say I get lostevery now and then going over to the grocery store or library. I keep thatin a box under my tool bench with the Blue tooth [it's red] phone I amsupposed to use when I drive. I wore it once and was standing in line atBarnes and Noble talking to my wife and everyone in the nearest 50 yardswas glaring at me. I had to take my hearing aid out to use it, and I got alittle loud.

I mean the GPS looked pretty smart on my dash board, but the lady insidethat gadget was the most annoying, rudest person I had run into in a longtime. Every 10 minutes, she would sarcastically say, "Re-calc-u-lating."You would think that she could be nicer. It was like she could barelytolerate me. She would let go with a deep sigh and then tell me to make aU-turn at the next light. Then if I made a right turn instead. Well, it wasnot a good relationship...When I get really lost now, I call my wife and tell her the name of thecross streets and while she is starting to develop the same tone as Gypsy,the GPS lady, at least she loves me.

To be perfectly frank, I am still trying to learn how to use the cordlessphones in our house. We have had them for 4 years, but I still haven'tfigured out how I lose three phones all at once and have to run arounddigging under chair cushions, checking bathrooms, and the dirty laundrybaskets when the phone rings.

The world is just getting too complex for me. They even mess me up everytime I go to the grocery store. You would think they could settle onsomething themselves but this sudden "Paper or Plastic?" every time I checkout just knocks me for a loop. I bought some of those cloth reusable bagsto avoid looking confused, but I never remember to take them with me.

Now I toss it back to them. When they ask me, "Paper or plastic?" I justsay, "Doesn't matter to me. I am bi-sacksual." Then it's their turn tostare at me with a blank look. I was recently asked if I tweet. I answered,No, but I do fart a lot."

P.S. I know some of you are not over 70. I sent it to you to allow you toforward it to those who are.......Not me I figured your sense of humour could handle it....We senior citizens don't need anymore gadgets. The TV remote and the garagedoor remote are about all we can handle.

A good laugh for people in the over 70 group

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Christmas & New Year Meal for the Homeless & DisadvantagedOnce again we were privileged as a church fellowship to host this special festive meal for the homeless anddisadvantaged and some 65 guests enjoyed a four course meal, live entertainment from the resident band andleft at the end of the evening with a party bag containing useful items for the winter months ahead. We werealso fortunate to have a great deal of help, both from within our church and also from the local community. Ahuge thank you to everyone involved and especially to all who supported the event in prayer.

Having previously expressed his interest in this project, we were very pleased to have a visit from the Mayorof Enfield, Councillor Chaudhury Anwar MBE who spent time talking to all the guests and volunteers. Heenjoyed his visit, was impressed with what he saw and thanked the church for its work in this field.

The majority of our guests are friendly and enjoy a chat and it is clear that they appreciate the effort that goesinto putting on an evening. It was good to see party hats in place, laughter, even some dancing as they tuckedinto turkey etc, but we should remember that for many, life - particularly in winter - can be pretty hard to dealwith when they leave the comfort of the church hall. Let us remember them in our prayers from time to time.

Six further meals are arranged for the remainder of this year, the next on Saturday the 22nd February 2014 at6.00pm.

Graham

Christmas Morning ServiceOur joint service with Christ Church, was a very well attendedservice, also very well led by the Reverend ‘Bert Baker. It isalways nice to see the church full but when it’s full of smiling,happy faces of not only children but also of adults and Minis-ter……. Having said that, it looks in the picture below, thatmaybe one member had a ticking off……

Thanks, ‘Bert, for leading us in worship on this very special day.

Photographs courtesyof Tom Boorman of

Christ Church.

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Bridge of Hope Children’s MinistryWe are really delighted to let you know that the recent clothing collection raised an amazing £767 for thechildren in Uganda. We have also filled over 20 suitcases with clothes for the children and adults that needthem.

Thank you to everyone who saves their unwanted clothes etc. For BOHCM we really appreciate your sup-port with this event.

Our next Clothing Collection will be held on the 29th and 30th March 2014.

Geoff and Barbra Skerratt.

Unwanted Clothing, Shoes, Handbags etc March 29th & 30th

If you have any of the following items:· Good quality second hand or new ladies, men’s or children`s clothing· Bed sheets, blankets, towels, curtains· soft toys· shoes, belts and handbags.

and are happy to donate them to raise funds forBridge of Hope Children’s Ministry

Supporting orphans and abandoned babies in Uganda please bring them to: -The scout Hut in the car park of

Enfield Baptist Church, Cecil Road, EN2 6TGon Saturday 29th March

Between 10am & 12 noon

Sunday 30th March is the last date we can accept themeither before or after the 10.30 am service

We select items that are suitable for us to take to Uganda while other articles will be sold to raisefunds. All proceeds will go to our charity to support orphaned & abandoned children in Uganda.

Please do not include:

· Torn clothing· Single shoes· Off cuts of material· Mats· Carpets· Pillows or Duvets

For more information please speak to Barbara or GeoffCharity Registration No. 1126408 Registered Address: 10 Government Row, Enfield, EN3 6JN. Telephone 01992 712427

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HEREFORD REVISITED   In January 2013 I wrote in Contact about my visit to Hereford and how I hoped to return soon to learn moreabout this fascinating historical area.

   I will not bore you again with details of the old building we stayed in, the magnificent Cathedral housing theMappa Mundi and Chained Library, Castle Green, Hereford's Nelson's Column, the Victoria footbridge and theWye Bridge.   However I will tell you about my new findings, starting with the birthplace of Nell Gwynne, the Hereford bornorange seller, actress and mistress to Charles II.  She was the founder of Chelsea Hospital and Mother of the 1stDuke of St Albans.  She was born in what is now named Gwynne Street, (a narrow, steep winding lane)  in 1650and died in 1687.  The house she was born in was demolished in 1858.  A blue memorial plaque now commemo-rates the site.    Just around the corner from Gwynne Street are the Cathedral grounds.  A very striking statue of a thin personlooking upwards with extraordinary long arms outstretched up high towards the sky stands in the centre. This isaptly named 'Beyond Limitations' by its sculptor, John O'Connor who produced this in 2011. A quote from Johnstates "More often than not our potential far exceeds our self limiting ideas of ourselves." An inscription  explainsthat 'one can achieve and be much more than you imagine yourself to be... ... it beckons us to step beyond our ownillusions and to become the greater man or woman that we really are.'  Now that's encouragement for us all!     Along the road from the Cathedral is the Doric style Roman Catholic Church of St Francis Xavier, opened toworshippers in 1839.  The interior has a very striking marble High Altar and richly gilded Tabernacle based on thatdesigned by Bernini in St Peter's, Rome.  In a reliquary of brass an silver-plate decorated with enamels and rockcrystal is the left hand of John Kemble, who was born in 1599 in Herefordshire and ordained as a Priest in Febru-ary 1625.  He spent over 50 years serving as a Priest in Herefordshire.  During this time the 'Popish Plot' of 1678brought back the persecution of Catholics.  He was arrested, having refused to run away from those trying to cap-ture him.  He was taken to London where he was charged with treason, and being a Catholic Priest.  The lattercharge giving him a sentence to be hanged, drawn and quartered! On 22nd August 1679 he was hanged, back inHereford. The drawing and quartering was carried out later.  During the execution, a devout follower picked up hishand and took it home in her apron! One of her descendants, Mr Monteith, gave it to the Parish of St Francis Xavi-er, Hereford. John Kemble was beautified in 1929 by Pope Pius XI. He was Canonised as one of the 40 Martyrs on25th October 1970. There have been at least 4 miracles claimed for John Kemble. The wife of Captain Scudamore,who arrested him, was cured of deafness and his daughter was cured of a dangerous throat infection. More recent-ly, in 1990 Canon William O'Connor, a former Parish Priest of St Francis Xavier's was cured of a blood disorderand in 1995, Dom Christopher Jenkins, another Priest, had a near-fatal brain haemorrhage. The day after having thehand of St John Kemble placed on him, he recovered.     Walking along the River Wye footpath I came across a sculpture of a bulldog with the following inscription, 'Atthis spot occurred in 1898 the incident depicted in Variations no.11 of Sir Edward Elgar's Variations on an OriginalTheme (Enigma) a bulldog belonging to Dr George Robertson Sinclair, organist of the Cathedral, fell in the riverduring a walk with G.R.S. and his friend the composer'. Elgar rose from humble Worcestershire origins to becomeone of England's greatest composers. By the time of his knighthood in 1904 he had moved to Hereford.  He was akeen cyclist. There is a super sculpture of him with his bike gazing at the Cathedral in the Cathedral grounds. In1900 he named his Royal Sunbeam bicycle, Mr Phoebus.  He maintained his cycle rides provided him with greatmusical inspiration and thinking time - and I personally can well believe that!!  He lived from 1857 to 1934.      Returning to our accommodation I passed St Ethelbert's Well. St Ethelbert was King of East Anglia and mur-dered by King Offa in 794 about 5 miles north of Hereford. As his remains were moved to Hereford his head felloff the bier. A blind man stumbled over it, and his sight was restored. When Ethelbert's body was set down in Here-ford, a spring on Castle Green appeared and its waters cured eye ailments. As a result the Shrine of St Ethelbert inHereford Cathedral became a great pilgrimage destination in Medieval times, second only to Canterbury Cathedral.       I am sure there are many more historical 'gems' to be found in Hereford, including fascinating facts I glimpsedin the Hereford Museum in Broad Street and another museum in The Old House which I ran out of time to enter.       There is also some very good walking country nearby, although on this occasion, VERY wet and muddy fol-lowing the recent flooding - but that's another story!

   Marion Burdett

   January 2014 was my opportunity to do so!

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29th December 2013

Breakfast Service at Christ Church.

Members of Lancaster Road U.R.C. Were invited to join with Christ Church U.R.C., Chase Side to take partin their Breakfast Service on Sunday 29th December. The morning started with coffee, tea and cereals. Thiswas followed by bacon rolls. There were also two quiz sheets on each table. The questions sounded quiteeasy (you were given the first line of the second verse of fairly well know carols and had to give the carolname), not as easy as you first think.

The service was led by Rosemary Milns. It was a great service of friendship, singing and praise.

Thanks for the invitation.

Pictures by Tom Boorman of Christ Church U.R.C. Editors note: Don’t blame me. I publish what I get!!!

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Lancaster Road URC – Every Person Challenge

Bridge of Hope Children’s Ministry

Coffee Morning

Saturday 8th March 2014

10 – 12 noon

Armfield Road Church Hall

Homemade Cakes, Gifts, Books, Bric-a-Brac,

Come and join us for a cup of Tea or Coffee and a Chat

If you can help on the morning/make some cakes or have any items to donate it wouldbe very much appreciated.

Please contact Clare Locke or Brenda Brown

Thank you.

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With thanks toThe Young Persons Christian FellowshipFor this quiz.

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PRAYER DIARY FOR FEBRUARY.

Sat. 1st Pray for all those who have been flooded for the 2nd time in recent weeks.Sun. 2nd Pray for those leading services today.Mon. 3rd Pray for the Monday Fellowship as they meet for their monthly afternoon together.Tues. 4th World Cancer Day. Pray for all those suffering and for their helpers that they may receive support and also for the MacMillan nurses as they tend the sick.Wed. 5th Pray for God's guidance on the Elders as they meet to discuss their agenda.Thur. 6th St. Dorothea's Day. Thank God for the fruit and flowers that are beginning to grow now.Fri. 7th Pray for South Sudan that the country will stabilise after the uprising.Sat. 8th Pray for the Guides and Rangers quiz night that it will be a success.Sun. 9th Pray for the children of YPCF and Amicus as they meet with all the others for Church parade.Mon. 10th Pray for the 11th Rainbows meeting this evening.Tues. 11th Pray for the Singing Group that now meet in the mornings in the hall.Wed. 12th Pray for the 11th Brownies meeting this evening that they may have an enjoyable time.Thur. 13th Pray for the W.I. as they meet together this afternoon.Fri. 14th Pray for the Joint Bible study group as they meet this morning to enjoy fellowship together.Sat. 15th Pray that the yoga group may raise a lot of sponsor money for the Nightingale Trust.Sun. 16th Pray for Australians and the animals who live there that the weather may be at a more bearable level after the heatwave.Mon. 17th Pray for the B.B. Company Section and its officers as they meet tonight.Tues. 18th Pray for the Housebounders meeting this afternoon for friendship and a cuppa.Wed. 19th Pray for the Brass Band meeting to rehearse this evening.Thur. 20th Pray for the 5th Rainbows as they meet this evening before Brownies.Fri. 21st Pray for people in financial trouble as they try to sort themselves out.Sat. 22nd Pray for people who organise, cook and help at the Homeless Supper tonight.Sun. 23rd Pray for the refugees in Syria and the charities who are trying to help them.Mon. 24th St. Mathias' Day. Pray for evangelists that people may listen to them and be changed.Tues. 25th Pray for the Bible study group meting this evening as they study God's Word.Wed. 26th Pray for our own Church and congregation as we go forward without a Minister.Thur. 27th Pray for the residents of Cedar Park Road.Fri. 28th Pray for the Coffee morning taking place today.

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