Inside the magazine this month
Prayers
during Morning Worship
Spring
Harvest - April 9th to April 14th 2011
Healing and
Wholeness Services
All Stars
has Launched – News from South Africa.
Annual
Reading to Newbury Cycle Ride - 19th June.
Churches
Together in Earley & East Reading.
Stewards’
Rota - June & July 2010
The views expressed in this magazine are those of the
individual contributors, and do not necessarily represent the views of Park
United Reformed Church. The editor apologises for any omissions from this
magazine as he has just returned from a late night lock-in at the Green Man.
7 High Tree Drive, Earley,
Reading RG6 1EU
0118 966 8647
minister@parkurc.org.uk
Dear Friends,
The latest 'National Trust' magazine has a fascinating article about the decline of Roman Britain. For many years it had been thought that Emperor Honorius (393-423) had written a letter to leaders of the British Cities in 410, telling them to organise their own defences.
It is now widely agreed that the decline of Roman Britain began before this date and the British elite had already taken things into their own hands in 407, electing Constantine III as their emperor.
The Roman occupation of Britain played a role in bringing Christianity to our shores but it is just one part of the jigsaw. Evidence of Celtic Christianity exists, showing that the good news had travelled by other means – often via our coastline. It would be many years later before we were regarded as a Christian nation.
Whilst the Monty Python sketch always brings a smile to my face, when we stop to consider what the Romans have done for us – we do have to be thankful. The road networks that we follow are largely based on Roman tracks.
The names of our town and cities reflect our Roman heritage, not to mention heating systems, baths, clean water, wine, and so much more! For the pioneering work by the early followers of Jesus we must also be thankful.
When we reflect on our heritage and the things that our forebears left for us, it causes us to wonder what we are leaving for the next generations.
I wonder if our network of motorways will be buried under a new form of highway suitable for 'high-speed low-emissions' travel.
I wonder if our small churches will all be converted into residential homes.
I wonder if we will still treasure the countryside and coastline that has such an impact on our nation.
I believe that we will always seek to preserve the special places in our country and our lives. Some of the special places may adapt and evolve, some may stay the same, some may disappear from view.
But whatever changes, I believe God's people will continue to pray and to worship together. Please join me in praying for one another as we seek to follow our God for this generation and for every generation to come.
Yours in Christ,
Robert
Dedication
23 May 2010 Joseph, son of Davinia and Chris Mills
You may have noticed that the Elders are taking it in turn to arrange the prayers of intercession each Sunday morning.
We would like to involve a wider number of people in the leading of prayers – so if you are willing to be on a list of volunteers please see the Church Secretary or Minister. You will always be given advance notice to lead the prayers.
Spring Harvest - April 9th to April 14th 2011
Route 66 - "Biblical direction for the road we travel"
So many people came back from Spring Harvest last year saying what a wonderful time they had had and what a valuable ‘learning experience it was.
We would love to take an even larger party to Spring Harvest this year. Pleas think about coming. If you would like to come please let me know as soon as possible, as I have to book the places on the 9th June.
To reduce the cost we’re going to change to silver apartments instead of gold, this will reduce cost by £30 per Adult (over 15) to £283 - no change though for under 15 that will be £181
Also some people have requested a ‘self catering’ option, a sliver apartment for self catering will cost £644 for a 4 berth apartment.
I will need numbers as soon as possible and a deposit by the end of June (£30 per 15+ and £20 for 2-14, £60 for S/C) Full Payment required by end of January 2011 (I will accept staged payments if that will help)
Please contact me if you require any further details - 0118 9352324
Roger Clark
At the May Church Meeting it was agreed that the Healing and Wholeness Services would continue to be at 6pm and would take place on Sunday evenings, outside of the University term times.
This service is open to everyone and includes Holy Communion. The dates will be advertised in advance, the dates of the next Healing and Wholeness Services are: 27th June, 18th July, 15th August and 19th September.
It
was a great privilege for Jan Dray and I to go to Windsor Castle as guests of
Gillian and Paul Bandy for the St George’s Day National Parade of Queen’s
Scouts on 25th April.
Not only had Clare Bandy achieved her Queen’s Scout award (one of only 400 Scouts to do so this year), Gillian and Paul had each achieved their Silver Acorn awards in recognition of their service to Scouting so all had been invited to Windsor for the Parade.
The Queen’s Scouts had spent the morning rehearsing for the Parade at a nearby barracks in preparation for the Parade in the Quadrangle at the Castle. This included practising marching under the direction of people from the military and, according to our programme, also volunteers with needles and thread to deal with emergencies. We accompanied Gillian and Paul into the Quadrangle to watch the Parade – the Queen’s Scouts and the Colour Party marched supported by the Band of the Coldstream Guards and a Scout and Guide band from Davyhulme. The Parade was then brought to attention while the Prince of Wales and the Chief Scout, Bear Grylls, walked along the Queen’s Scouts speaking to all of them. Awards for gallantry were also made and then the Queen’s Scouts marched out to then take part in the National Scout Service in St George’s Chapel.
It really was a most impressive event to celebrate the achievements of the young people, the leaders and their families. The congratulations of the whole Scout Group go to Clare, Gillian and Paul.
Verity Kemp Group Scout Leader
Those
who were present at the Church Meeting last Sunday (
Recent attempts at fund raising are nowhere near as successful as they used to be and it seems that the returns fall short of the time and effort put into organising and running these events.
We had a Talent scheme which showed a fair return on the investment so possibly individual efforts by individual people is the way forward or at least one of the ways forward. The possibilities are as wide and varied as your imaginations.
So, as a starter, I have a bicycle which I no longer require (I prefer to walk these days) and I would actually prefer to have the room in my shed.
I
am offering it to anyone interested in return for a generous donation to Church
Funds. I does need a little T.L.C like new brake blocks (blame the top bit of
It comes with all the bits that you would expect a working bike to have such as 26” wheels with tyres, peddles, saddle etc., plus a pannier bag, lights (battery type), a ‘D’ lock, horn, (yes, honestly), mirror and a cyclometer,
Make me an offer and if I think that it is enough, the bike is yours.
I
also have a quantity of Classical CDs, mostly, but not all, cover CDs that came
with the Classicfm Magazine which will be available at Mick Plummer’s Plant
Sale on the 12th June,
Les. Dray
House Groups meet on Mondays and Tuesdays. Please speak to Rev. Robert Weston if you are interested in joining a group.
We are still searching for a new home for the Scout Group trailer – it is the size of a small car (old style mini) and we would prefer that it be under cover (a garage or car port) if possible. If you know anyone who may be able to help please contact Robert on 0118 926 5003.
The Beaver Scouts (aged 6-7 years) are now meeting on a Monday evening from 5.15 – 6.30pm. We have an excellent team of male leaders but would welcome a female leader – anyone interested should contact Verity Kemp our Group Scout Leader.
You may have noticed that we now have a group called ‘Ready Teddy Go’ – due to demand they are moving from a Wednesday to a Friday, please see posters for details. We are delighted to have a regular booking on a Friday – this is the only day of the week when we still have space for many more regular bookings.
We are grateful to Julie Cameron, our Centre Manager, for her hard work in updating the bookings diary. To use the online booking system (for those who have access to the internet), go to www.parkurc.org.uk click on ‘diary and events’, then click on ‘room booking’.
When you are in the foyer of the Church Halls you can now check who is booked into each room – simply move the mouse to wake up the computer and the booking page should be on display. You can find out what is happening on any day simply by going to the right month and clicking on the day.
Only the mouse is available so you cannot visit any other websites from this computer.
We record our thanks to Les Dray for setting up the cupboard and Tony Durrant for setting up the computer.
Rob Weston
Sunday 21 March, 2010, saw the launch of ‘All Stars’ – a Christian discipleship programme for children ages 6-14 years of age.
One
hundred and fifty children plus 30 plus leaders gathered at Grace
Christian Private School (the only place big enough, and with the needed
facilities to handle all the children) for the first Sunday’s
program.
Neil
was almost reluctant to ask them to bring their friends!! How many can we
handle? Registering all the children was quite a task and then
getting them into their teams was another challenge.
We thank God for all the leaders who working together were able to give the children a morning of teaching of Scripture, learning memory verse, games, drama, and a time to talk and pray over what they had learned, and also their concerns.
We
are grateful for the Bible College students who take leadership of teams. This
forms a very important part of their training.
We
have also had a couple from Dorset with us who have had many years of
experience in children’s ministry to help us get the programme started.
Ministry to children in this way is a new concept here, and one which the people here are eager to have. We thank God for the dedication of the people to work for the Kingdom of God, their willingness and eagerness to learn new things, and their contagious Christian lives.
We hope you enjoy the pictures of the launch of ‘All Stars’. Please pray for the continuing work of ‘All Stars’ and also of Alathea Bible College. Thank you.
Neil & Hilary Applegate
Please come along to the Large Hall at Park URC on Saturday 12th June 2010, where there will be a plant sale from 10am-12noon, refreshments will be served too.
If you have plants to donate please bring them along on Saturday between 9-10am or contact Mick Plummer.
Mick Plummer
From the Wesley Church, Reading to Victoria Park, Newbury along the picturesque Tow Path of the Kennet and Avon Canal.
Arrive at Wesley Church, Queens Road to register between 9am and 10.30am. Men, women and children welcome but children under 16 years must be supervised.
The route will be marshalled and there will be free refreshments along the way.
This is a fund raising activity for the Churches
in Reading Women’s Centre
The AGM for this will be taking place on Tuesday 8th June at 8.00pm at St Catharine's church, Tilehurst.
All are welcome to attend and there will be some interesting speakers, along with a new Chair who is to be appointed as Denis Smith resigns from the post.
Youth work post
We are delighted to hear that Laura Peirce has decided to take up a PGCE teacher training course, but we are sorry to say goodbye after the huge amount of energy that Laura has given to develop our youth and children’s work.
Apart from supporting the development of FIZZANG and the successful introduction of Pilots at Park and Wesley, there are many other signs of growth.
Laura has supported our young people in attending Spring Harvest, Synod Youth events in Camberley and Southampton, the Synod Youth Camp, and with the Zambia Youth Exchange.
Through her support our young people have been encouraged to start up their own housegroup meeting and a Youth Alpha course. In addition to her youth work involvement, Laura has also supported DRAPES and the IGNITE evening worship.
Laura’s departure has given us an opportunity to review the direction of our work and it is clear that we have an opportunity through Pilots to develop our work with the 5-7 year olds, as well as continuing to support our 7-11 year old Pilots and our 11-18 year olds in FIZZANG and in our junior church groups in both churches.
With this in mind, the Church Meeting agreed that we would advertise for a Youth and Children’s Worker, continuing with a part-time (15-20 hours) post, jointly appointed and paid for by Park URC and Wesley Methodist Church.
The post has to be agreed by Wesley’s Church Council in June, following that meeting we shall place an advert in our local newspapers.
If we can find a suitable person, the new appointee will begin on 1st October 2010.
Church Meeting News (cont.)
Treasurer’s Issues
The treasurer reminded the Church Meeting that we still need more people to join in increasing their giving by £2 per person per week (the cost of a coffee per week) in order to overcome the projected deficit for the year. The treasurer expressed thanks to all who had reviewed and increased their giving. With other changes it is the projected deficit has been reduced from £6500 to £4000, further efforts will be required.
Trust Funds
Thanks were expressed to the trustees of the St Lawrence Church Lands Trust, who have given £1000 towards the costs of our youth and children’s work. Thanks were also expressed to Alan Holmes who has volunteered to co-ordinate applications to trust funds.
Solar Panel Project
Robert reported that the Synod have given approval to the solar panel scheme and a working party is completing applications for funding towards this exciting and environmentally important project.
Robert Weston
We have so much to be thankful for at Park, and so would invite you this month to pray and give thanks for Julie Cameron, our lettings officer, Paul Street, Health and Safety, Les Dray who carries out all sorts of tasks on the premises, and Lorraine Butler who helps with the cleaning. Outside our premises Mick Plummer and John Goodchild are ensuring that everything looks attractive in the garden.
Helen Durrant
Drapes' AGM and garden party is to be held at Gaye and Ray's home, 27 Chiltern Drive, Charvil, RG10 9QF on Saturday 26th June at 2.30 onwards. Please bring a plate to share.
As I will be resigning at the AGM if anyone would like to come forward to be either Chair or Secretary of Drapes please contact Gaye direct to find out what is involved. Sally has already resigned.
A requirement of the Chair's post is that the person must be a member of Park church. Alan Pritchard will stand again as Treasurer and support will be given to those who might be unsure of what is entailed when taking on any of the posts.
Early notice of forthcoming event - Gordon Bird will be holding discussions soon regarding the proposed Murder Mystery evening on November 13th - watch this space for more information.
This is open to everyone of all ages who would like to take part including members of Fizzang. Come along and join in the fun!
Gaye Rees
We are always pleased to see new faces
joining us at our Evening Worship, called IGNITE, from 7.00-8.00pm every Sunday
during the University term time.
We are also grateful to all who offer
to help with these services, if you are a musician and able to help with the
band please see David Wong or Phebe Mann.
The open meeting for this is to be held at Park URC 7.30pm on Monday 14th June. Please come along and find out more about the joint work that is taking place.
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June 6th |
Joan Pearson |
Barbara Mathers |
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June 13th |
Janet Pritchard |
Alan Pritchard |
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June 20th |
Maureen Johnstone |
Roy Johnstone |
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June 27th |
Paul Street |
Sally Street |
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July 4th |
Julia Marsh |
Rod King |
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July 11th |
John Davey |
Chris Gayford |
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July 18th |
Rose Gillett |
Lynda Fox |
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July 25th |
Sally Street |
Paul Street |
There is an urgent need for more people to join this rota. If you can help, or would like more information about what is involved, please contact Roy Johnstone.
Very many thanks to all those who went out collecting during the week, and also to everyone who contributed through the envelopes at church.
Together we raised the magnificent (and, I think, record) sum of £1778.96.
There is no way we could have raised this apart from the house-to-house collection, so a very big thank you to everyone involved.
My special thanks to Sally Kirk, and Gaye and Ray Rees for their help with organisation and counting, and to Ray for escort duty to the bank.
Doreen Woods.
You are invited to support the Pagoda Sale in Woodley Shopping Precinct on Saturday 12th June – which is being organised to raise funds for REinspired, our ecumenical schools’ work project.
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Fri 4th – Sun 6th: Minister away at URC Youth and Children’s Work Committee |
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Sun |
6th |
10.30am |
Morning Worship with Holy Communion led by Rev. Alan Holmes |
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4.00 pm |
Songs of Praise at Sutton Court |
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6.00 pm |
Evening Meal |
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7.00 pm |
IGNITE! Evening Worship |
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Wed |
9th |
9.30 am |
Morning Prayers |
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7.30 pm |
Finance and Strategy Group |
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Sat |
12th |
10 am – 12 noon |
Plant Sale in aid of Church Funds |
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Sun |
13th |
10.30am |
Morning Worship with Baptism of Timothy Jenner |
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6.00 pm |
Evening Meal |
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7.00 pm |
IGNITE! Evening Worship |
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Wed |
16th |
9.30 pm |
Morning Prayers |
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7.30 pm |
Elders Meeting |
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Sat |
19th |
10 am |
Coffee Morning in aid of Youth Exchange with Zambia |
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Church Spring Cleaning |
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Sun |
20th |
10.30am |
Morning Worship |
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6.00 pm |
Evening Meal |
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7.00 pm |
IGNITE! Evening Worship |
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Wed |
23rd |
9.30 pm |
Morning Prayers |
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Sun |
27th |
10.30am |
Morning Worship |
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|
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6.00 pm |
Holy Communion with a time of prayer for healing and wholeness |
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Wed |
30th |
9.30am |
Morning Prayers |
Sunday 27th June: Last day for contributions to the next magazine, which will cover July and August 2010
.
Minister:
Rev
Robert Weston office: 0118 926 5003
e-mail: minister@parkurc.org.uk
Church Secretary:
e-mail: churchsecretary@parkurc.org.uk
Centre Manager:
Julie
Cameron phone: 0845 463 6426
e-mail: centremanager@parkurc.org.uk
Church
Website: www.parkurc.org.uk
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Sunday |
10.30 am |
Worship |
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Young people’s groups |
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Crèche facilities |
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Holy Communion (1st Sunday) |
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4.00 pm |
Worship at (1st Sunday of month) |
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6.00 pm 7:00 pm |
Ignite Meal Ignite Worship |
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Monday |
9.15 am |
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10.00 am |
Monkey Music |
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1.45 pm |
Mayfield Singers |
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6.45 pm |
Cub Scouts |
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7.30 pm |
Housegroup |
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Tuesday |
2.15 pm |
Friendship Club |
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7.30 pm |
Badminton Club |
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7.30 pm |
Housegroup |
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Wednesday |
9.30 am |
Morning Prayers |
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10.00 am |
Ready, Teddy, Go Toddlers |
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12.00 pm |
Reading Lunchtime Choir |
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2.00 pm |
Reading Macular Society |
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5.00 pm |
Beavers |
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7.30 pm |
Mostly G&S Singers |
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Thursday |
11.45 am |
Senior Citizens’ Lunch Club |
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2.00 pm |
U3A Madrigal Society |
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2.00 pm |
Active Retirement Group |
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6.00 pm |
Rainbows & Brownies |
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7.15 pm |
Guides |
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7.30 pm |
Scouts |
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7.30 pm |
Housegroup |
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Friday |
6.30pm |
Pilots |
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Saturday |
9.00 am |
The |
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10.30 am |
Councillor Surgery |
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7.30 pm |
FIZZANG(Youth Club) |
