May 2009

Minister’s Letter

Dear Friends

God is still speaking…

What a wonderful Easter celebration we had in April, with good numbers of people at the Early Easter Sunday service at 8.30am, the Easter breakfast and the 10.30am service. What a joy it was to be able to move the chairs and to worship ‘in the round’ with the Communion table in the centre. Following the Easter service I was approached by Maria and Marius Richard who would like to be received into membership by transfer from the Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa. It is such a joy to be able to welcome more people to our growing fellowship.

Also during April, we had a large group from our fellowship and from FIZZANG youth club go off to ‘Spring Harvest’ in Minehead. They obviously had a really good time and opportunity to deepen their faith; the energy and excitement that they have brought back is wonderful.  I look forward to seeing their ‘video diary’ and to learning some of the new hymns that they have brought back.

In our worship on St George’s Day where we looked at the adventure of faith and the mountains of life; we heard from young and old about their forthcoming adventures.

We have Scouts and Rangers going to this year’s WINGS event at Great Windsor Park, we have Brownies going away for Pack Holiday in May, we have the whole Scout Group camping in October, we have a Trefoil Guild going to Foxlease in the New Forest and we have Guides preparing to go to Switzerland in February 2010.

We pray for God’s blessing on all these adventures, may they be times of inspiration and encouragement.

The serving Elders of our church, recently spent a day at the Church in Sonning. We spent time praying and worshipping together, as well as reflecting on pastoral care, prayer and evangelism. We spent time discussing the way God has led Park United Reformed Church and exploring places where God might be leading next.

The developments that we put into motion in January are almost complete. The carpeting of the church and the stairs is completed. The new chairs have been delivered. The roof work is nearly complete. The new electric piano has arrived. The new projector and screen are on order. In addition, a new platform for the sound desk is being constructed. I’d like to record thanks to all who have helped to prepare, plan, place orders, unpack, set up, construct and organise all of these things. The difference you have made is huge.

Our Talent Scheme was also launched in April, when money was given away by our Treasurer, on the understanding that all who took the ‘cash’ will bring back even more by the end of November. Already the creative juices are flowing and I’ve heard about plans for exhibitions, choir concerts, car washing, seed planting, cake baking and I’m sure you’ll have more surprises for us! If you weren’t around on Easter Sunday but you’d like to take part, please see our Treasurer, Alistair Knox.

God is still speaking… Speaking through your life and my life, speaking through our worship and our prayers, speaking through young people and old people, speaking through the challenges we face and the celebrations we share. God is still speaking… to a world that shares bad news more quickly than good news, to a world which is realising that money is not God, to a world which has millions of people who have not lost faith and are willing to share their faith story.

May the God who is still speaking, encourage those who are still listening, to follow in the footsteps of the Risen Christ!

Yours in Christ,

Christian Aid Week May 10^th-16^th

My thanks to the people who have already offered to collect in some of the roads which have been allocated to us. Christian Aid Week is fast approaching, and the envelopes and other material will be ready on May 3rd – please see me, or Sally Kirk after the service.

We could always do with more collectors, and if you are doubtful about collecting on your own, we can always arrange for people to go out in pairs – this is a very good way of  working.

Please contact Church Secretary if you would like to know more about Christian Aid Week in general, or the house-to-house collection in particular.

Easter Monday Walk

Stewards’ Rota for May and June 2009

Churches in Reading Women’s Centre

Cycle Ride Fundraiser

Join our sponsored Cycle Ride starting from the Women’s Centre, Queen’s Road, Reading. (Wesley Methodist Church).

The ride will follow the picturesque Kennet and Avon towpath along to Newbury. Men, women and children all welcome. (under 16 years to be supervised).

Start: 9.00 am Saturday 23rd May. Cost £10 per person, further sponsorship is welcome!

The route will be fully marshalled, free refreshments available. We suggest you catch the train back to Reading!

For further information and/or a sponsorship pack please contact Helen Biggerstaff:  (contact details available from the Church Secretary)

Annual General Meeting

We are invited to the Annual General Meeting of the Centre on Wednesday, 13th May, at 2:00 pm. We shall be able to hear more about the work and to celebrate the achievements of the Centre, and to hear about plans for the future.

Spring Harvest 2009

...great speakers, great fellowship, great music ...and great puddings!

Spring Harvest 2010

Spring Harvest is a Christian event which takes place over Easter.

It's for people of all ages and church backgrounds and features inspirational Bible teaching, seminars, and spirit-filled worship. It's about one thing: deepening your walk with God, so you return home inspired to impact your community and your friends, for Jesus.

For 2010 the theme is ‘Different Eyes: Living distinctively in a time of uncertainty’

Ethics aren't just choices. They're moral decisions about life. Sometimes everyday life. Sometimes extraordinary circumstances.

Ethics provoke the most passionate discussion whether in parliament, church, our families and schools, the office, or down the pub. Different groups of people respond differently to the same situations, because they have different beliefs. Different sense of right and wrong.

The hope of the world is not liberty or justice, or equality or democracy - it's Jesus and a community committed to ethics. The goal of a Christ-centred life and community is not to feel good, but to know and do good.

We're distinctive, because we're Christ's people and we live in God's story.

We'll be discussing real issues. Things like: Crime and rehabilitation, Ethical consumerism - fair trade and food miles, Banks, economics and bonuses, War and peacemaking, Euthanasia and assisted dying

Come and have your perspective - and your life - shaped by applying Biblical truth to issues you face at this uncertain time.

May Calendar

Easter 2009

The PUFF Club

Ever thought about running but thought you’d never be able to? Fancy giving it a go, but very gently?

Then why not join The PUFF Club(Park United in Fellowship and Fitness) in aid of the Talent Scheme.

The club will walk and run gentle routes at different venues helping you slowly build up your fitness and stamina.

• Meeting 3 times a week, Tues 7.30p.m., Thurs 8.30a.m. and Fri 7.00p.m.,
• Liquid refreshment will be provided for the end of each session!
• Only £1 per session – come to whatever sessions you can manage!;
• Bring along all your family, friends and colleagues to join in!

Contact Carrie King (contact details available from the Church Secretary) for further details.

You can do it!!!

May Fair

The May Fair is rapidly approaching! On 9th May from 10am until 2pm we will be running our first May Fair, which replaces our Woodley Market event.

At the May Fair you'll be able to buy plants, household goods, refreshments, books, videos and games.

If you haven't signed up to help on the day then please ring Robert on 0118 9265003 and leave a message to say which stall you'd like to help on.

New Carpets

Our thanks to Ashby Carpets of Silverdale Road for the excellent work on installing the new carpets in the church, the church porch and the stairs in the church halls.

We also record our thanks to Ron Bosher, a faithful member of our church. Ron regularly contributed to the monthly worship at Sutton Court by preparing the room. Ron helped in many ways and his legacy has helped the development of Park Church for the future.

Church Meeting

Our next Church Meeting will be on Sunday 17th May from 12 noon, the meeting will be chaired by our Church Secretary (Roger Clark) as the Minister is attending the URC Mission Council, as the Convenor of the Youth and Children's Work Committee.

The main item on the agenda is to review the church accounts from 2008.

Exhibition of Pictures of the Annunciation

Preparations are well in hand for this church fund raising event  which was described in the April edition of this magazine. The arrangements are as follows:

Friday 5th June & Saturday 6th June 2 – 6pm

If you are unable to come on either of these days I shall have the exhibition open from 3pm until 6pm on Sunday 7th June, again with tea & cake available. All proceeds from the Sunday event will be in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.

Admission charge to the exhibition will be £1. Tea & cake will be charged separately at £1.

30 or so examples of Annunciation scenes have been enlarged for the exhibition and there will also be themed albums on display which contain more pictures and information. There will also be a catalogue giving details of each example.

If you are able to help for an hour or two as a steward or in serving refreshments I should be very pleased to hear from you.

This event is being held at: Beryl Levett’s house (contact details available from the Church Secretary)

I do hope you will visit me to enjoy tea in my garden and to see the exhibition which will be indoors.

Zambia Youth Exchange

This summer the URC Wessex Synod and the Southampton District of the Methodist Church are hosting a group of ten people from the United Church of Zambia.

Alongside the ten young people from Zambia we have chosen ten from the UK, who will travel to Zambia in 2010.

The exchange begins in Reading, so we are looking for volunteers to host twenty people between the 3rd August and 10th August. Hosts will be asked to provide bed and breakfast and some evening meals.

Ideally hosts should be no more than 30 minutes drive from Park URC, to reduce the amount of travelling each evening. During the days there will be a range of activities to keep everyone busy, and to show our guests round Reading.

If you can offer a bed or two, please let Robert know as soon as possible on 0118 9265003 or email minister@parkurc.org.uk

Development Project

Our last Church Meeting agreed that we should investigate the possibility of developing our church premises in phases, starting with the kitchen development. 

Meetings with the architect will begin on 5th May.

Please pray for wisdom and that the money to develop our premises may be found.

Fairtrade Fortnight Highlights

Fairtrade Fortnight was bigger and better than ever. Thousands of people across the country took part in everything from debates to pancake making, and Fairtrade wine tasting to film viewings.

Thank you to everyone for getting involved.  Almost half a million people took part in the Go Bananas world record attempt on 6-7 March!

Over 5,000 churches are now Fairtrade Churches and to celebrate this commitment Traidcraft has developed a Fair Trade Covenant Service. It is based on the famous prayer by John Wesley and has been adapted to give it a fair trade emphasis.

Community Service

We record our thanks to Lorna McCarron who has been helping in the Church Office with some administrative tasks, this month.  Lorna is giving these hours of service as part of Maiden Erlegh's School programme that encourages all pupils to volunteer time to serve the local community. Lorna has been busy putting up posters, photocopying, folding leaflets, and addressing envelopes.

If anyone else would like to offer time to help with any administrative tasks, please talk to Robert Weston.

Letters

Andrea & I would like to thank the church for the thoughts, prayers and flowers for us when Andrea's sister, Celeste, died at the end of March.

Celeste had undergone treatment for melanoma, but sadly this returned in an aggressive form of cancer earlier this year and she was unable to continue the fight. 

The support was very much appreciated.

Weekly Activities at Park

Further information from the Church Office 0118 926 5003/506