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.

Minister’s Letter

Dear Friends,

The sun is shining and seedlings are forcing their way through the soil, it seems that growth is all around us this month!

New growth is such an important aspect of life: growth is seen in our children and grandchildren, growth is seen in our town, growth is seen in our worshipping community, growth is seen in our community groups.

Sometimes we miss the good things happening around us because we only focus on problems and difficulties - celebrating the good signs of growth gives us encouragement to tackle our challenges.

There are times when growth is not a good thing, the increase in ‘greenhouse gases’ is a major issue for the whole world – it has been a major focus for charities like Christian Aid for years and it’s good to see the environment being taken seriously by politicians in this year’s General Election.

As a church we have also committed to reducing our impact on the environment; which is why we use energy saving lighting, we provide recycling bins for paper and plastic, we only heat the building when it is being used and we are applying for funding to install solar panels that will generate ‘green electricity’.

As Christians, we believe that God has created this world and that we have a duty to care for one another and our environment.

In the gospels, Jesus makes many references to farming and in John’s gospel Jesus talks about us being like branches of a vine (John Chapter 15).

Vine branches need pruning at regular intervals in order to allow for new growth, in the same way we need to review our own lives to see what needs pruning back and what needs to be nurtured.

In our church life we are growing in a number of areas, but next year’s focus will be on evangelism (sharing our faith stories).

Many people shy away from sharing their faith; sometimes saying that it is a personal and private thing, sometimes fearing a negative reaction, sometimes saying that they are just not sure how to begin.

This is an area in which we all need to grow in confidence and I have just discovered a six session course written by J. John called ‘Breaking News’ which seeks to address this issue – I’ll be exploring with our elders how we might best use this resource.

This year, as a church, I can see signs that we are growing in our prayer life. I’m encouraged by all who have taken copies of the Park Prayer booklet and all who have been inspired to offer new ideas for creative and engaging prayers.

May I urge you to continue to develop these ideas: in your own prayer times, with your families, and in your house groups.

Finally, let us rejoice in the signs of new growth all around us. Let us pray for a deeper relationship with God and a greater knowledge of God’s will for each one of us.

And may God bless you with many good things, and people to support you in the challenges of life!

Yours in Christ,

Robert

Cockermouth

The retiring collections for Cockermouth on 11th and 18th April raised £170, which will be forwarded to Cockermouth URC.

Church Lunch

Many thanks to all who attended the Church Lunch on Sunday 25th April, which was held in support of the Zambia Youth Exchange which I am taking part in. In total, £350 was raised which is a fantastic figure! Thanks to your generosity, I have now fundraised around a third of my target, which is incredible.

The Exchange is taking part between young people from the UK, France and Zambia, over three years. Last year the group came to the UK, this year we are flying out to Zambia and next year we’ll be going to France. Whilst in Zambia, we’ll be visiting the work of the United Church of Zambia, and also taking part in some social action projects, though the itinerary is still to be confirmed.

If you would like to find out more about what we’ll be doing, then please don’t hesitate to get in touch; and thank you in advance for your continuing prayers and support.

Andrew Weston

Arneta Parents’ Support Network

Starting on 5^th May the Reading and Wokingham branch of the Arneta Parents’ Support network, helping to boost health naturally; meeting on the first Wednesday of the month. Further details from the Minister

Healing and Wholeness Services

May: no service, June 27th, July 18th, August 15th and September 19th - all in the evening - subject to confirmation at the Elders’ Meeting on May12th. A decision about dates in the latter months of the year will be taken later.

Churches in Reading Women's Centre AGM

You are invited to our Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, 12th May, at 2:00 pm.

We hope you will be able to join us to hear more of our work and to celebrate the achievements of the Centre, as well as hearing of our plans for the future.

If you are not able to attend but really want a copy of our Annual Report, please let us know and we will be delighted to send it to you after the AGM.

Please join us for lunch at 1.00 pm if you can; we will need to know that you are coming by Wednesday 12th May.

We regret that there is no parking at Wesley Methodist Church. Please use the Queens Road car park.

Park Family Summer Camp

9,10,11^th July 2010 at Oakley Farm, Andover Road, Wash Water, Newbury, Berkshire RG20 0LP

Last year we had such a great camp, we decided to do it again this year. Put the date in your diaries and if you would like to camp with us, contact Suzy Weston or the Minister

We can provide tents and cooking equipment if you do not have any of your own. If you'd prefer not to camp, why not come out to the site and visit for the day?

Prices will be £10 for 2 adults and 1 tent, £5 for 1 adult and 1 tent, £1 per child (16 years and under)

You can look up their website to see where the camp site is www.oakleyfarm.co.uk

More details in next month's magazine!

Spring Harvest 2010 – in pictures!

Spring Harvest 2010

We all set out to travel by coach to Spring Harvest 2010 in Minehead on Thursday 8th April. There was much excitement all the way and as the white tent of the Skyline appeared on the horizon, everyone could hardly contain themselves!

Why were we so excited? Because Spring Harvest is such a wonderful experience and never fails to disappoint.

Every morning starts with a family worship time in the Big Top where the theme of the day is introduced with songs, drama and prayer. Then the children and youth go off to their sessions and the adults can enjoy a wide variety of sessions ranging from Bible study, deep theology, interactive discussion, and much more.

For lunch we all meet up in a few chalets and catch up on what we have all been doing and find out what each other’s plans are for the afternoon.

After lunch there are no children and youth sessions but there are more adult sessions. The youngsters usually go swimming or to the fair – both of which are on site and free, go to the beach or into Minehead, or just ‘chill’ in someone’s chalet.

After tea the youth and children’s sessions begin again and for the adults there is worship in the Big Top. This involves lots of singing, listening to a different speaker each night, and prayer. It is quite incredible sitting and praying or standing and singing with another 4, 000 people!

This year the evening worship sessions worked through the book of Esther with some fabulous drama by the Lacey Theatre Company which was at times funny, at times moving but always spellbinding as they retold the story of this amazing woman.

Worship finishes at 9pm and most people are quite exhausted from the day’s events but, if you feel up for more, there are late night sessions with Christian bands, singers and comedians.

It is wonderful and a privilege to listen to so many world class speakers and be led in worship by world class worship leaders. None of the sessions are compulsory but they are all so interesting and you learn so much from them that they become rather addictive!

Combine that with the marvellous fellowship you can share with people from many other churches and your own, and you have a winning formula.

Everyone had a fantastic time, came back filled with the Holy Spirit and are looking forward to next year!

Easter at Park – in Pictures

photos Les Dray

Jesus is ...

Sin forgiver,

Lover spreader,

Miracle worker,

Life saver,

Law giver,

Disease curer,

Water walker,

People healer,

Public helper,

Life giver,

Food provider,

Story teller,

Problem solver,

People lover,

Soul cleanser,

Feet washer,

Donkey rider,

Garden prayer,

Cross dier,

Satan defier,

Death defeater,

Barbeque cooker,

Victory winner,

Hope giver,

Honest Saviour.

Trailblazers & Lasers

Iona Worship at Anderson Baptist Church

On Sunday May 16th we are running a Worship Day at Anderson where some of my Iona Friends are coming to help lead. This is an open invitation to everyone at Park URC

Alison Adam (who came to a Centenary Event at Park URC) is coming to help facilitate and lead the day – she will send us the final programme soon.

Our theme will be Body Function (ie all parts of the body working together, picture from 1 Corinthians 12)

10am Coffee and cake..

10.15 Body Functions…introductory session for all ages led by Alison Adam to include age appropriate activities,

11.00 Workshops

· Musicians – Alison to lead (Tracy and Phil to assist)

· Creative Writing – Pat

· Floral Art – Debbie

· Games in the Park – Judith

12.30 International Lunch (Nepali, African, Albanian, Jamaican, Welsh, Scottish and English Food!)

2 pm Workshops

· New Songs – Alison to lead (Tracy and Phil to assist)

· Art – Dave

· Dancing - using your body to worship - Sedge

· Nepali Folk songs and dance – Alina and team

· So what? Action Group - Rob, Camilla, Kenny, Emma, Laura, Gabby

Body part craft, games and activity group

3.30 Tea and cake

4pm Worship Together - all participating in an act of worship designed by all and led by Alison and the team.

5.30pm Refreshments

Judith Wheatley

URC Backs Robin Hood Tax

The United Reformed Church (URC) has backed the Robin Hood Tax campaign launched on 10 February by a broad coalition of domestic charities, aid agencies, unions, faith organisations and green groups.

The campaign is calling on the leaders of the UK’s main political parties to support a global financial transaction tax on banks – of around 0.05% – to help repair damage caused by the global economic crisis, protect public services at home, fight poverty abroad and help foot the bill for climate change environmental measures.

Commenting on the moral imperative for such a tax, Rev John Marsh, Moderator of the General Assembly of the United Reformed Church said: “The human suffering caused by the global financial crisis has been immense and the impact on vulnerable households in the UK and abroad devastating.

North Korea Freedom Week

Christians unite to pray during North Korea Freedom Week.

There is no other place in the world so isolated, so spiritually dark and systematically inhumane as North Korea. All religious activity is seen as a revolt against North Korea's socialist principles and the cult of Kim Jong-il and his father Kim il-Sung. As a result of strict searches, considerable numbers of secret Christians have been discovered, arrested, tortured and sometimes killed. Despite this, and the lack of freedom to worship, many take the risk of sharing their faith and the church is growing: there are an estimated 400,000 Christian believers in North Korea.

Though many remain strong in their faith, some Christians struggle against despair. They have particularly asked us to pray for them during North Korea Freedom Week, which runs from Sunday 25 April to Saturday 1 May. Started six years ago, it promotes the freedom, human rights and dignity of the North Korean people.

May Calendar

Sun	2^nd	10.30am	Morning Worship with Holy Communion
		4.00 pm	Songs of Praise at Sutton Court, preceded by Tea at 3 pm
		6.00 pm	Evening Meal
		7.00 pm	IGNITE! Evening Worship
Wed	5^th	9.30 am	Morning Prayers
		7.15 pm	DRAPES Meeting
		7.30 pm	Premises and Maintenance Committee
Sat	8^th		Elders Awayday at Grange URC
Sun	9^th	10.30am	SALT Festival Service
		6.00 pm	Evening Meal
		7.00 pm	IGNITE! Evening Worship
Christian Aid Week, 9^th – 15^th May
Wed	12^th	9.30 am	Morning Prayers
		7.30 pm	Elders meeting
Sat	15^th	Pilots’ Day at Warwick Castle
Sun	16^th	10.30am	Morning Worship
12.30 – 5.30 pm Iona Worship Day at Anderson Baptist Church
		6.00 pm	Evening Meal
		7.00 pm	IGNITE! Evening Worship
Wed	19^th	9.30 pm	Morning Prayers
Sat	22^nd	24/7 Prayer at St Andrew’s URC
Sun	23^rd	10.30am	Morning Worship for Pentecost
		12 noon	Church Meeting
		6.00 pm	Evening Meal
		7.00 pm	IGNITE! Evening worship
			United Pentecost Celebration at The Globe, Portman Road
Wed	26^th	9.30 am	Morning Prayers
Sun	30^th	10.30am	Morning Worship
		6.00 pm	Evening Meal
		7.00 pm	IGNITE! Evening Worship

Stewards’ Rota - May & June 2010

May 2^nd	Janet Pritchard	Alan Pritchard
May 9^th	Julia Marsh	Rod King
May 16^th	John Davey	Chris Gayford
May 23^rd	Rose Gillett	Lynda Fox
May 30^th	Sally Street	Paul Street

June 6^th	Joan Pearson	Barbara Mathers
June 13^th	Maureen Plummer	Mick Plummer
June 20^th	Maureen Johnstone	Roy Johnstone
June 27^th	Janet Pritchard	Alan Pritchard

Christian Aid Week

Christian Aid Week this year runs from May 9th to May 15th.

As usual we have a number of roads, mostly in the area immediately round the church, to cover in the house-to–house collection. This involves delivering envelopes and collecting them later in the week. The more people who can help, the more the work can be distributed. Please contact Doreen Woods or Sally King if you would be able to help.

Many churches are having difficulty finding collectors, and some have decided to run a fund-raising event of some kind instead. If anyone is prepared to do this at Park, I am sure it would be most welcome, but we shall still endeavour to cover as many roads as possible.

As usual there will be an opportunity to give on Sunday 16th and Sunday 23rd, if your road is not covered or you have missed the collector on their return visit.

Doreen Woods

Plant Sale in June

Please note the 12th June in your diaries, this is the date for our plant sale from 10am-12noon. Refreshments will be available.
Church Contacts

Minister:

Rev Robert Weston office: 0118 926 5003

e-mail: minister@parkurc.org.uk

Church Secretary:

Roger Clark

e-mail: churchsecretary@parkurc.org.uk

Centre Manager:

Julie Cameron phone: 0845 463 6426

e-mail: centremanager@parkurc.org.uk

Magazine Editor

Rod King

e-mail: magazine@parkurc.org.uk

Church Website: www.parkurc.org.uk

Weekly Activities at Park

Sunday	10.30 am	Worship
		Young people’s groups
		Crèche facilities
		Holy Communion (1^st Sunday)
	4.00 pm	Worship at Sutton Court (1^st Sunday of month)
	6.00 pm 7:00 pm	Ignite Meal Ignite Worship
Monday	9.15 am	English Language School
	10.00 am	Monkey Music
	1.45 pm	Mayfield Singers
	5.15 pm	Beaver Scouts
	6.45 pm	Cub Scouts
	7.30 pm	Housegroup
Tuesday	2.15 pm	Friendship Club
	7.30 pm	Badminton Club
	7.30 pm	Housegroup
Wednesday	9.30 am	Morning Prayers
	10.00 am	Ready, Teddy, Go Toddlers
	12.00 pm	Reading Lunchtime Choir
	2.00 pm	Reading Macular Society
	7.30 pm	Mostly G&S Singers
Thursday	11.45 am	Senior Citizens’ Lunch Club
	2.00 pm	U3A Madrigal Society
	2.00 pm	Active Retirement Group
	6.00 pm	Rainbows & Brownies
	7.15 pm	Guides
	7.30 pm	Scouts
	7.30 pm	Housegroup
Friday	6.30pm	Pilots
Saturday	9.00 am	The Allenova Ballet School
	10.30 am	Councillor Surgery
	7.30 pm	FIZZANG(Youth Club)