Inside
the magazine this month
Coming Soon! - the latest DRAPES
Production
What is my favourite day of the week?
Reading-Düsseldorf Churches Interchange
65 Years of Reading Branch of
Embroiderers’ Guild
The views expressed in this magazine are those of
the individual contributors, and do not necessarily represent the views of Park
United Reformed Church.
Dear Friends,
Throughout this year we have been using the Vision4Life focus on Prayer – each of us being challenged to look more deeply at our prayer life. Our prayer booklet has provided a prayer for each week of the year; I hope that many of you have found this a useful resource.
Prayer is about communicating with God; lifting our concerns to God, giving thanks for God’s gifts, seeking guidance and listening. Sometimes prayer seems like a very natural and easy activity, sometimes prayer seems like the most difficult and challenging thing. This year I have been challenged about my understanding of prayer and I appreciate silent prayer in a new and unexpected way. There are times when our lives are so full of words, at those times we do best when we allow God to speak in the silence.
In October 2009 we launched two new initiatives, both of which are part of our mission to share the good news of Jesus Christ. Our children’s group, Pilots got off to an excellent start and now the age range is being extended to cater for 5-7 year olds, known as Deckhands. The Pilots (Adventurers and Deckhands) will be busy with a number of different art and craft activities, games and stories. We pray that this group will continue to grow and that new leaders will continue to be found.
Last October we also launched our new style evening worship called ‘ignite’, which continues to attract a regular congregation. With the new chairs, we have been able to create a more informal atmosphere. This term we are looking at the Ten Commandments as our theme, why not come along and experience this café style of worship.
The ‘ignite’ band that David and Phebe are co-ordinating is doing a great job at leading the worship. Later this month we welcome another new band which is headed up by Ben de Souza (of Wesley Methodist Church), all the band members are teenagers from Park URC and Wesley Methodist Church. We look forward to them leading a Praise Party on Saturday 20th November and leading the ‘ignite’ worship on Sunday 21st November.
The work of Park URC is not restricted to Sundays, another aspect of our mission is Religious Education in schools, which is delivered to a very high standard by local Christians through REinspired. The work of REinspired already extends beyond the schools in Earley and East Reading, with the launch of a new book in February 2011 it will be extended right across the UK. REinspired is such an exciting project and one that we have been involved in since its small beginnings ten years ago!
Park URC has been a place for the development, support and training of many Ministers in the United Reformed Church, so it is a great joy and blessing to see John Lee ordained to the pastorate in Thatcham and to see Gordon Connell inducted to the pastorate in Twyford. Signs that God’s call continues to be heard by men and women in our fellowship!
Our progress with our sustainable energy projects continues at a pace. Following the overwhelming support of the special Church Meeting in October, the letter confirming acceptance of the 50% grant has been sent off. In addition, the applications for Planning Permission and Building Controls have been submitted to Reading Borough Council. In our prayers, let us give thanks for the progress of these projects and pray for God’s continued blessing on the applications.
Let us pray fervently and constantly - for our God of grace and compassion is leading us
onward. In all the developments in our lives and in our life as a fellowship
let us give thanks and praise to the God who knows us and loves us.
Robert
It was a great joy to be present at Thatcham United Reformed Church on Saturday afternoon, October 2nd, when John Lee was ordained to the Ministry of the Word and Sacrament of the United Reformed Church, and inducted to serve at the pastorate in Thatcham. 52 people from Park attended, and we were delighted that Annie Hitchcock (who will be 100 in January) was able to be present, and also Sarah (Jones) and her husband Michael. It was good too to meet so many friends from other churches. The service was inspiring and moving. We pray for John and the members at Thatcham as they move forward together, and for Rachel as she supports John.
Kathryn Hulbert, who worshipped with us while at Reading University and has now returned to America, sends greetings to everyone at Park. We welcome new students who are joining us at the beginning of the university year.
Several members and friends are either in hospital or awaiting treatment.
As you will know, in October we had a Gift Day. Church Meeting agreed that its purpose would be to raise funds to help support our new part-time youth and children’s worker, Mrs Danie Neads, who took up her position on 1st October. The benefit to the Church of having someone to carry out this work is significant and noticeable. You may already have read that our Pilots company has grown very well in its first year and later this month is extending its provision to include 5-7 year olds.
It is important to realise that Park URC's share of the cost of supporting this position is around £6,000 per annum and the Elders are hoping that we will raise a very substantial proportion of that sum through this year's appeal.
As of 31st October, we have received 35 donations to a total of £2,355. Of this sum, £2,020 (28 donations) has been Gift Aided, giving a potential tax refund of £570, so the total benefit to the Church so far is £2,925 – nearly half way. We sent out 120 letters, so there should be more to come...
Many thanks to those members and friends who have supported this appeal. Donations are still coming in so, if you have not yet made a donation, there is still time. Don't worry if you have mislaid the Gift Day envelope that accompanied the letter you received – I can always provide another one!
Alistair Knox
An Advent Calendar with a difference, by Rev Nina Mead - a further note about this:
The price is now reduced to £8.00, making it a real bargain!
Copies will be on sale after church and at the Christmas Fair. Make sure you get it in time for the beginning of Advent (November 28th).
Coming Soon! - the latest DRAPES Production
To all at Park:
We would like to thank everyone for the cards, messages, flowers and prayers for the recent sad loss of our grandson Lee, also a big thank you for all the donations to the Memorial Fund in memory of Lee to the Addington School Association, which was £293.92.
Thank you all again,
John & Olive Goodchild.
All at Park
I would like to thank you all for the cards, messages and prayers for the recent loss of my son Lee. It was a great comfort for myself and his brother Malick to receive them at such a sad time.
Thanking you again,
Anna Gai.
Dear All at Park,
Thank you so much for the lovely CDs and Amazon voucher – it really was incredibly generous of you. The Amazon voucher thrilled me as it is going to come in so useful.
It has been a pure delight working for Park and Wesley and I have thoroughly enjoyed it. I am now taking on something completely alien to me and I’m very unsure about it … BUT so far, I’m really enjoying it despite such hard work. Long may that continue! I will definitely stay in touch and won’t be a stranger!
God Bless!
Laura
Xx
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3rd |
9.30 am |
Morning Prayers |
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7.30 pm |
Finance and Strategy Group Meeting |
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Sun |
7th |
10.30am |
Morning Worship with Holy Communion |
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4.00 pm |
Songs of Praise at Sutton Court |
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7.00 pm |
IGNITE! Worship |
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Wed |
10th |
9.30 am |
Morning Prayers |
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7.30 pm |
Elders Meeting |
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Sat |
13th |
URC Wessex Synod Meeting at Camberley |
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7.00 pm DRAPES Murder Mystery Evening |
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Sun |
14th |
10.30am |
Parade for Remembrance Sunday |
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7.00 pm |
IGNITE! Worship |
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Wed |
17th |
9.30 am |
Morning Prayers |
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Sat |
20th |
CTEER Prayer Day at Our Lady of Peace Church |
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Sun |
21st |
10.30am |
Morning Worship |
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12 noon |
Church Meeting with Election of Elders and F&GP members |
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7.00 pm IGNITE! Worship |
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Wed |
24th |
9.30 am |
Morning Prayers |
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Thur |
25th |
Ministers’ Quiet Day at Romsey Abbey |
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Sat |
27th |
CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL AND CHRISTMAS FAIR |
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Sun |
28th |
10.30am |
Morning Worship |
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7.00 pm |
IGNITE! Worship |
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Last day for contributions for the December/January magazine |
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House Groups meet on Mondays and Tuesdays. Please speak to Rev. Robert Weston if you are interested in joining a group.
There is now a new ‘Ignite-Plus’ House Group on Mondays at 7:30pm at 9 Norris Road.
The final total for the house-to-house collection last May in Earley and East Reading was £11,109.47. The Regional Office at Oxford have sent thanks to everyone.
These contributions are making a difference to some of the world’s poorest communities. In Kenya, for instance, Christian Aid’s partner Maji na Ufanisi is working alongside slum communities to provide water and sanitation facilities.
Professor Edward Kairu, the Executive Director of Maji na Ufanisi, writes: With the support of Christian Aid, we empower people here in Nairobi to improve their own lives. We give people the tools they need to speak up for their rights, to take practical steps to reduce illness and ensure they can live with dignity.
We work incredibly hard to bring the vision of an end to poverty into being. And I was told by our development colleagues from the UK of your hard work and commitment to that same cause, I was deeply moved. When I heard that you were giving your time freely and encouraging people to fundraise voluntarily to help organisations like ours, I could hardly believe it, and wanted the opportunity to thank you directly.
Your continued support is helping us to reach new generations of young people like Elizabeth Waithera of the Kiambu Youth Group, which runs one of the settlement’s five water and sanitation blocks, and organises rubbish collections to keep the environment clean. Elizabeth has already seen a transformation within Kiambu’s young people with Maji na Ufanisi’s support. It has broadened their horizons, making a different life possible.
May God bless you in the work that you do, as he blesses us in the work that we are doing. Your efforts, every Christian Aid Week, are genuinely changing lives. I see it for myself every day. Thank you, and please do not tire in this commendable work that you are doing.
Doreen Woods
As you may know, last October we launched a children’s group called Pilots. It is a Christian organisation for young people aged 7-11. We meet at Park URC on Fridays during term time where we play, create, learn and generally have a whale of a time.
Pilots is now entering its second year with a great bunch of kids led by a fantastic group of volunteers. At the start of this term I became the Captain of the group and a new volunteer, called Mary Lewis, joined the Pilots’ Leadership Team.
We are keen to build on the success we have enjoyed over the past year and we will soon be expanding our intake by welcoming children aged 5-7. The aim of our group is to teach young people the strength, joy and goodness that comes with living a Christian life – oh and we like to have a laugh while we’re at it!
Everyone in the Pilots’ Leadership Team puts a great deal of effort into making sure we provide a safe and enjoyable environment whilst thinking of creative and imaginative ways to engage the children.
However, the fun we have is definitely worth the effort that goes into creating it and that is why Friday is my favourite day of the week!
If you know someone who might be interested in joining please contact me via email at timpl66@hotmail.com
You will be very welcome to join us either at a brief Inter-denominational Service at 19.00, or at 19.30 for a bring and share supper, and a presentation on the Interchange and Reading-Düsseldorf links. Friday November 5th at St Michael's Church, New Lane Hill, Tilehurst.
More information from rdchurches@BTinternet.com, or Doreen Woods
Anthea Godfrey, national Chairman of the Embroiderers’ Guild returned to Reading, her childhood home, to help celebrate the sixty fifth anniversary of the founding of the Reading Branch of the Guild on 13th October.
The
day was marked by a lunch which was attended by sixty members and former
members.
The Embroiderers’ Guild is based in two apartments at Hampton court Palace, where they hold an extensive collections of embroidered textiles dating from the seventeenth century to the present day, most of which came from this country.
Anthea spoke to us about the future plans for the Embroiderers’ Guild which will include some exciting new developments.
The collection is a great resource for anyone interested in embroidery, for technique, history or pleasure. Anthea told us of a new curator of these textiles who wants to see them lent to the branches to appreciate them and for them to be available to historians and fashion designers. That can be the actual pieces, or photographs which can be downloaded from the internet by Flickr. It will be interesting to see fashions on the High Street based on patterns in the Embroiderers’ Guild Collection!
An exhibition of members’ work was also on show, celebrating an autumnal theme, most of the items having been in Jackson’s window during the last two weeks. The star prize in the raffle was a necklace crafted in beads by the branch President.
We would welcome as new members anyone interested in the many traditional and modern expressions of embroidery. We meet in David’s Hall at Park United Reformed Church on the last Wednesday of each month. Workshops and demonstrations begin at 10 a.m. and in the afternoon, we have well known speakers on a wealth of embroidery related topics, from 1.30-3 o’clock.
Please contact our Secretary, Val House on 0118 9692788 for more details.
Margaret Dimmick
November and December 2010
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Nov 7th |
Joan Pearson |
Barbara Mathers |
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Nov 14th |
Maureen Plummer |
Mick Plummer |
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Nov 21st |
Maureen Johnstone |
Roy Johnstone |
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Nov 28th |
Julia Marsh |
Rod King |
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Dec 5th |
John Davey |
Chris Gayford |
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Dec 12th |
Rose Messender |
Lynda Fox |
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Dec 19th |
Sally Street |
Paul Street |
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Dec 26th |
Joan Pearson |
Barbara Mathers |
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.
This summer saw the completion of my training for ministry after 3 years at Sarum College and a Placement Year at Trinity Church, Lower Earley, which also included some time at Grange and Tilehurst URCs. I want to write to thank so many of you for your love, interest, support and prayer.
There have been many highlights in the training experience but at the top of the list must be God’s provision for Rachel and me. I gave up work in August 2007 because of the demands of studying. Ever since then God has been faithful in providing for us and there were many answers to prayer in this area.
Near the top of the list must also be my 7 weeks placement in India on a Council for World Mission Face to Face Programme in August/September 2008. India was an incredible experience and I saw God at work in the unfamiliar through a vast, vibrant and fervent Christian community tackling abject poverty and oppression, amid persecution. I was shocked by the evil I saw but was overwhelmed to witness God at work in many areas through a mighty Church working heroically and sacrificially. India had a profound effect on me.
Rachel’s
continued support for me has also been very special. This has been invaluable despite times of
testing and with her encouragement and help we have come through them as we saw
God’s purposes unfold. Her support when
I gave up my job was also vital. As
many students do testify, the sacrifice was now biting harder particularly for
the spouse, who is not directly called but standing right beside the one who
is.
The support I received from
the Synod and Sarum College was excellent, which included their generous
reports as to the spiritual formation of this Ordinand
for ministry despite the academic struggles.
Although the study was at times hard it was always engaging. However the fellowship and working together
with 40 other students was a great experience and another highlight of the
training years.
The placement year at Trinity Church working alongside Jon Salmon was a further blessing. There were many opportunities to lead worship and preach and to pray with others, and it really was like ‘getting out to work’. It was an honour to support the smaller churches at Grange and Tilehurst too, where we were also made very welcome.
In these many areas I had learnt not to confine the possibilities or grace of God by the limits of my own faith or understanding. God is sovereign and gracious and I strongly felt he gave me the time and strength I needed to get through it all. I have also valued immensely the support through prayer which has upheld me. God has been very good in answering prayer. As I wrote previously, I remained that little boy let loose in a theological sweetshop, although I discovered that some of the sweets needed a lot more chewing over. However as many of you know eating was never a problem for me.
This summer after my placement, discussions came round very quickly to the pastorate at Thatcham URC. There seemed to be a good fit between the church’s expectations and my calling to serve in the local church. To my surprise the call was for full pastoral responsibility, which is increasingly occurring for Non-Stipendiary Ministers. So I was very pleased and honoured to accept the unanimous call to be their minister. So 6 years after the first compelling feeling that God was calling me into service in the local church, I now find myself ordained and inducted into ministry at Thatcham United Reformed Church.
The Service of Ordination and Induction on Saturday 2nd October was for me very moving and affirmed God’s plans and purposes. It was wonderful to have so many family and friends, fellow students from Sarum College and other local churches join members of Thatcham URC to fill the church for the service.
In the service I looked out and it was great to see friends from Trinity, Grange, Tilehurst, St Andrews and Maidenhead Churches. Above all, I was thrilled to see so many friends from Park Church – many of you had come by coach – and this support was such a blessing.
Many years ago I qualified
as a Structural Engineer and that qualification gave me the responsibility and
authorisation recognised and needed for the task. Now, having been ordained, I am privileged
to enjoy that responsibility and authorising for the task of serving as
Minister of Word and Sacrament. However this time it is with the recurring and challenging maxim
that ‘I am not called to be successful but called to be faithful’. I believe the same challenge is for all
Christians in their life and journey with God.
Looking back can be such a blessing as I see how God has, in the words of a well known hymn, ‘kept and guided, urged and inspired, pardoned and provided’, even though the journey included joys and sorrows as well as some dramatic impacts and changes of direction. When we look back we see God having been at work in our lives. So when we consider the future we can know that if we trust God he will be at work there too. In the final hymn at the ordination service we sang:
‘We
turn to Christ from all our restless striving,
Unnumbered
voices with a single prayer –
The
living water for our souls’ reviving,
In Christ to live, and love and serve and care.’
As
I write this letter it has only been 4 weeks since the ordination and induction
service and Rachel and I are enjoying getting to know the fellowship and
ministry at Thatcham, as well as the other local churches. My
ministry at Thatcham is agreed at 50% time at 20 hours per week. I look forward to being able to visit Park
occasionally while Rachel continues with you for the time being as a serving
Elder.
So it is with a grateful heart that I want to thank all our Park friends for your love, interest, support and prayer. With love in Jesus Christ
John Lee
We are very sorry to report the passing of Doreen Taylor, who had a very long association with Park Church.
We heard from her sons Chris and Roger, and from other family members, at her funeral, what caring person she was and how much she meant to all her family. She was born in 1920 in Chiswick, but her family moved to Berkshire at the beginning of the war.
Her parents, Mr and Mrs Elliott, were members of the Church – in fact one of the small reading desks was given in her mother’s memory. Doreen and her husband Ken were married at Park Church in 1950 by Rev. David Davis, and they lived first in Palmer Park Avenue and then in Waybrook Crescent, where she stayed for the rest of her life.
As well as being a church member and a member of the morning congregation, Doreen was an active member of both the Friendship Club and the Thursday Club, and a very hardworking helper at the Christmas Fair.
She worked at the Royal Berks Hospital, for many years as a secretary, and then after retiring, returned as a volunteer, helping at the Tea Bar. She had many friends in the area, notably at the Palmer Park Bowling Club, where she was captain of the Women’s Team until 2002.
She had a special place in many people’s hearts. She bore her last illness bravely and we give thanks that she is now at peace. We send our love and sympathy to all her family.
Funeral
18 November 2010 Doreen Julia Taylor
Minister:
e-mail: churchsecretary@parkurc.org.uk
Magazine Editor
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Sunday |
10.30 am |
Worship |
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Young people’s groups & Crèche facilities |
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Holy Communion
(1st Sunday) |
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4.00 pm |
Worship at Sutton Court (1st Sunday of
month) |
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6.30 pm |
Ignite Coffee & Cakes (in term-time) |
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7:00 pm |
Ignite Worship(in term-time) |
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Monday |
9.30 am |
English Language School |
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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 |
10:00 am |
Park 60+ Exercise |
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10:00 am |
Happy Feet Footcare (every
3 weeks) |
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2.15 pm |
Friendship Club |
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2:15 pm |
Reading U3A Tai Chi/Yoga (every 2 weeks) |
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4:00 pm |
Street Feet Dance |
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7:30 pm |
Earley Folk Dancing |
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7:45 pm |
Aldbrickham
Clog & Step Dancing |
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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 |
Embroiderers’ Guild (monthly) |
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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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6:45 pm |
Tribal Fusion Classes (Belly Dancing) |
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7.30 pm |
Mostly G&S Singers |
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8:00 pm |
Arnica Parent Support Group (1st Weds of month) |
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Thursday |
11.45 am |
Senior Citizens’ Lunch Club |
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2.00 pm |
U3A Madrigal Society (every 2 weeks) |
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2.00 pm |
Active Retirement Group |
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2:00 pm |
Reading Abbey Trefoil Group (4th Thurs of month) |
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5:30 pm |
Rainbows |
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6.00 pm |
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 |
9:30 am |
English Language School |
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6.30pm |
Pilots |
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Saturday |
9.00 am |
The Allenova Ballet School |
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10.30 am |
Councillor Surgery(monthly) |
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7.30 pm |
FIZZANG(Youth Club) |
