Inside the magazine this month
Holiday
Forum – from a first timer’s perspective!
Tribal
Fusion Bellydance Classes
Stewards’
Rota September and October 2010
Just Listen!
– coming soon to Park
Request for
Prayers this month
IGNITE
Evening Worship from 3rd October
Commitment for Life – news
from Jamaica
The
Reading-Düsseldorf Churches Interchange
Churches In
Reading Drop-In Centre
The views expressed in this
magazine are those of the individual contributors, and do not necessarily
represent the views of Park United Reformed Church.
7 High Tree Drive,
Earley,
Reading
RG6 1EU
0118 966 8647
Dear Friends,
Firstly, let me welcome any new readers to our church magazine and to welcome back those students who have returned to their studies at Reading University.
It is a great joy to worship together with people of all ages at Park URC and we rejoice in the great diversity of people of all ages and backgrounds.
Diversity is an important aspect of the life of our church and we will be celebrating diversity in our worship in October.
At the beginning of October we welcome back Rev Kate Pryde who has a long association with our fellowship.
The following week is our Gift Day to support our youth and children’s work.
On the 17th October we welcome visitors from the advice centre called ‘Communicare’.
Then, our One World Week service on 24th October will be led by many of our African members.
Diversity is a biblical theme, God created the world with all the diversity that we find – different landscapes, different animals, different people. It always amazes me how intricately and beautifully God has worked to produce this fascinating planet.
The disciples that Jesus called were a diverse bunch of people too, with differing skills and temperaments. A reminder that all of us have a place in the kingdom, no matter how different we may appear to others.
Diversity also presents a number of challenges. Perhaps I’m not the only one who feels that the increasingly diverse nature of our church fellowship is raising some challenges? We’ve always enjoyed a range of musical preferences in our worship, a range of styles of prayer, a range of activities. Rather than reducing the variety of activities – it seems that we are ever increasing the range!
This is not a bad thing, but a healthy development – so long as we recognise that not everyone needs to be involved in every activity.
For example, some people love camping under canvas and others can think of nothing worse, some people love going on a long walk in the country and others would prefer a chat over a mug of coffee.
In a large church like ours, it is great that we can enjoy a wide range of activities whilst not feeling compelled to be involved in everything!
God continues to do amazing things at Park URC and we are called to live faithfully, responding to the challenges and the changes that we see in the world around us.
This month we will have a clearer idea of where God is leading with regards our environmental projects, please continue to hold these in your prayers.
During October I will be approaching a number of people who have been nominated to serve in the role of elder, please pray that God will guide each person as they prayerfully consider their response. Our elders play a significant role in the ministry and leadership of the church, and we are all indebted to them for their many gifts.
Finally,
may the God of yesterday, today and tomorrow; the God of diversity; the God of
comfort; richly bless you and your families.
Yours in Christ,
Baptisms
5th September 2010 Emily McGready
19th September 2010 Polly Werro
25th September 2010 Sonja Bormann
Funeral
16th September 2010 Lee Gai
Many thanks to the team of 9 who managed to reach 30 churches between Tilehurst and Wokingham on 11th September.
Cooler
weather meant an easier going, and the team were pleased that they had managed
to visit 15 churches by lunchtime.
It’s always great to receive a welcome from the churches that are manned, and some are very generous with refreshments – the younger members were particularly pleased to have chocolate at one stop! There were weddings at two churches, which always proves a challenge to be discreet.
The team appreciate, as always, the support of everyone who sponsors them and they are pleased to say that a total in excess of £450 has been raised this year.
Having already booked and knowing that I would have comfortable accommodation it was with slight apprehensiveness that I travelled with Janice from Thatcham URC to Swanwick for our week away.
I had all sorts of questions in my mind such as “How would I cope? Would I find it enjoyable? Would it be too religious? Would I cope with so many people in one place?”
All
these worries were pushed aside as at the welcoming tea Janice introduced me to
‘friends’ from previous years and I met up with Les and Doreen.
Well, I must say that I found the fellowship, worship and prayer times to be led by exceptional people and I learnt so much. I chose to do the musical workshop learning new songs and works which were performed throughout the week so that was the mornings taken up.
In the afternoons we also had full programmes if you wanted to participate and I tried my hand at archery (no good!), table tennis (passable), and went on a National Trust outing to Sudbury Museum. I also thoroughly enjoyed the poetry, desert island discs and the quiz (our team came 6th!)
Yes, there were serious times, a healing service and ‘walking the labyrinth’ but oh what fun we had too. After dinner there was always something going on in the evenings whether line or folk dancing (definitely needed after the hearty meals that were served) a talent show, young people’s service or yes, you could just relax at the bar!
There was no pressure but Yes, so much to do and so many choices to make. Even mealtimes were exciting as one sat with new found ‘friends’ and found out how both different and yet alike we all were. I even met an old friend I had not seen for 20 years and what a wonderful blessing that was too to catch up on news.
Yes, it was challenging, and it took a little time to adjust but oh the benefits and blessings I received whilst walking in the beautiful grounds and around the lakes.
These were especially lovely in the beginning of the week when the weather was fine and in the early morning quietness.
I even made the early morning services at 7.45am but again these were optional like all of the activities.
So, would I go again - You bet! You can come too if you like and try out new experiences like me, what have you to lose!
Gaye Rees
“Oh, come off it Les” I hear you say, “we have not had Christmas yet, why are talking about Easter all ready?”
The answer, dear people, is because I have done them for the past few years and I would be very grateful if someone else would take them on for 2011, and it is not too early to start thinking about them.
There is certainly room for some variation of ideas for them and they can be prepared in advance to save having to do them on the Saturday before Easter, in fact it is good if they can be in place on Good Friday.
So, if you feel that this is something that you could manage, please get in touch with either Suzy Weston or Les Dray.
Les. Dray
A new dance form has come to the Park Church centre. I teach Tribal Fusion bellydance classes at the centre on a Wednesday evening.
Tribal
fusion is a style of dance derived from Middle Eastern dance, including
stylisations from Indian dance and Flamenco as well as being influenced by
modern dance, ballet and street dance among others. It grew out of a style of
bellydance called American Tribal Style (where dancers improvise together on
stage using predefined steps and cues) and has been increasing in popularity
for the past ten years. Currently no other teacher in Reading focuses on this
style.
The class is an introduction to this style for individuals relatively new to Tribal Fusion (though not necessarily to bellydance). It is a challenging dance due to it's influences, requiring strength and flexibility.
I use body conditioning and movement drills to improve flexibility and prepare the body for dance, teach a range of moves and steps and and teach combinations and choreographies. Students will have an opportunity to perform if they wish, at one of the showcase nights my troupe organise in Reading.
Some Middle Eastern dance experience is useful, it doesn’t have to be extensive. Similarly the conditioning element of this dance form may be prohibitive to some people with extensive movement difficulties.
Classes cost £7.50 per session and run on Wednesdays from 7 - 8.30pm. If you have any questions please email me at kathryn.whittington@gmail.com, or else visit my website http://www.kittykohl.com for more information"
Kathryn Whittington
Stewards’ Rota September and October 2010
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Oct 3rd |
Maureen Johnstone |
Roy Johnstone |
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Oct 10th |
Julia Marsh |
Rod King |
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Oct 17th |
John Davey |
Chris Gayford |
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Oct 24th |
Rose Messender |
Lynda Fox |
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Oct 31st |
Sally Street |
Paul Street |
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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 |
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.
Many of us today have discovered for ourselves the difference it makes when someone really listens to us. Being well listened to can be a life-changing experience, and yet sadly also one which is comparatively rare in our busy world.
How can we respond to this challenge?
Just Listen! is a lively and practical way of beginning to develop the Listening attitudes and skills that we need. Produced by Acorn Christian Foundation, the course offers foundational teaching on the value of listening to others, to God and to ourselves. More details to follow!
Besides praying for the people that we hear of week by week who are in need of prayer, this month please pray for Robert, who will have been away on a refresher course following seven years of ministry, and for Suzy, Andrew, Toby and Amy.
Let us include Gordon Connell following his induction at Twyford URC, and John Lee following his ordination and induction at Thatcham URC.
Our Morning Worship on 26th September was a great
time to celebrate our Harvest Festival, with the Festival Choir in good voice.
On Saturday evening, around 50 people enjoyed the barn
dance and harvest meal. We need to say a huge thank you to all who helped by
preparing, cooking, serving, and clearing up after the meal. As always, it was
wonderful to see the church family sharing together in fellowship.
Last October we
launched a new children’s group called Pilots, a non-uniformed Christian
organisation which is for young people within the United Reformed Church, the Congregational
Federation, the Methodist Church and other denominations.
We have a strong
team of volunteer leaders and a great group of Adventurers (aged 7-11).
From 12th November
we will also be welcoming Deckhands (aged 5-7). If you know someone who might
be interested in joining please contact the new Pilots Captain, Tim Lancaster.
From 3rd October our Evening Worship will start at 7.00pm with the music led by a band, the hymns will be contemporary, there will be images, words and dvd clips on the screen, there will be opportunities for prayer and praise, there will be opportunities to meet with God in a relaxed and informal setting.
Most evenings we will begin with coffee/hot chocolate and cakes at 6.30pm and three times during the term we will have a meal together from 6-7pm.
Robert Weston
Do you sit at home watching Lewis on the TV shouting the name of the guilty party, or work out who is the murderer before Miss Marple does?
If so, then come and exercise those “little grey cells” at the Drapes Murder Mystery Evening on Saturday 13th November at 7.00pm. The evening will whisk you back to the 1920s, so dress the part for a chance to win the spot prize for the best costume.
Tickets will be available soon at £5 for adults, £3 for children and £15 for a family of four, dinner and drinks included.
Carol McCarron
"Eighty-three percent of the infections of HIV/AIDS in Jamaica are among young people 15 to 49 years old."
In Jamaica, stigma and discrimination remain a reality for people living with HIV/AIDS. This stigma and discrimination can be found in workplaces with little or no recourse for the infected individual.
Similarly little or no accommodation is made for employees whose health is failing and are unable to meet their principle terms of employment. Unfortunately this has left many people living with HIV/AIDS unemployed and unable to meet basic needs.
"Life's Work" is a work therapy programme run by Jamaica AIDS Support for persons living with HIV/AIDS. Each of Jamaica AIDS Support's three chapters run Life's Work Programs, making hand-made specialty cards, scented candles and handmade soaps.
Commitment for Life
Interested in volunteering for the 2012 London Games? Here’s your chance: online applications are open for just one more month, closing at midnight on Wednesday 27 October.
LOCOG, the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games, is looking for up to 70,000 volunteers to work in its ten volunteering departments across the 32 Olympic and Paralympic venues. The departments include: competition venues and Olympic villages; media, editorial and press operations; protocol and international relations and torch relays and ceremonies. Volunteers need to be available for ten days during the Olympics (27 July - 12 August 2012) or Paralympics (29 August - 9 Sept 2012).
Although many venues are clustered around London (including opportunities at the Olympic stadium, pictured), this is far from being a London-only opportunity. There are venues across the UK, including Eton Manor (Wheelchair tennis), Weymouth & Portland (Olympic and Paralympic sailing), Coventry (football) and Glasgow (football).
LOCOG are looking to recruit from a diverse range of communities and backgrounds, stating: “We value and embrace diversity - be it age, disability, gender, ethnicity, religion and belief or sexual orientation.” Francis Brienen, the URC’s secretary for mission, says: “Volunteering at the 2012 Games will be an exciting once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and we encourage all who are able to give up ten days of their time in summer 2012 to get online, have a look at the roles and venues available, and apply. The URC is planning to use the opportunities presented by the Olympics and Paralympics as a focus for its mission and communications outreach over the next two years and it would be great to combine that with a good number of URC volunteers!”
For full details of the venues, roles and to apply, please visit: http://www.london2012.com/get-involved/volunteer/index.php
From the United Reformed Church website: www.urc.org.uk
The Interchange has existed since the 1970s to promote friendship and understanding between Christians of all denominations in Reading and their counterparts in our twin town of Düsseldorf. Our activities focus on arranging group visits from one place to the other.
Readers may remember my article in last year’s Summer issue of the Park magazine, describing our visit to Germany in June of that year. It is a wonderful opportunity to meet people who, although from another country and to some extent from another culture, are in many ways just like ourselves, facing the same situations in their churches and in the life of their country.
Now
we are preparing for a return visit to Reading in the summer of 2011, and we
shall be very pleased to hear from anyone who could act as a host then. A visit
to Düsseldorf will follow in 2012.
There will be an opportunity to find out more about our activities at a meeting at St Michael’s Church, Tilehurst, on Friday November 5th at 7 pm. This will take the form of a short service, a bring-and-share buffet supper, and a meeting which will include a presentation about the link with Düsseldorf generally, and the Churches link in particular.
Please get in touch with me if you are interested in getting involved with this.
Doreen Woods.
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Fri 1st – Thurs 7th Minister away (Seven Year Refresher Course) |
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Sat |
2nd |
3.00 pm |
Ordination and Induction of John Lee at Thatcham United Reformed Church |
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2 pm 7 pm |
International Music Showcase at Park Winners Concert |
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Sun |
3rd |
10.30am |
Morning Worship with Holy
Communion led by Rev. Kate Pryde |
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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! Worship |
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Wed |
6th |
9.30 am |
Morning Prayers |
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7.30 pm |
Premises and Maintenance Group
Meeting |
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Sat |
9th |
10 am – 3.30 pm |
At St Andrew’s URC, Reading.
Training Day for Local Mission and Ministry Review |
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Sun |
10th |
10.30am |
Morning Worship |
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GIFT DAY for Youth and Children’s
Work |
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6.00 pm |
Evening Meal |
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7.00 pm |
IGNITE! Worship |
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Tues |
12th |
7.30 pm |
SALT Leaders Meeting |
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Wed-Fri 13th-15th
Minister away at Mission Council Meeting |
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Wed |
13th |
9.30 am |
Morning Prayers |
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7.30 pm |
Elders Meeting |
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Sun |
17th |
10.30am |
Morning Worship |
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6.00 pm |
Evening Meal |
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7.00 pm IGNITE! Worship |
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Tues |
19th |
10.00am |
Christian Ecology Link Meeting at
Park |
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Wed |
20th |
9.30 am |
Morning Prayers |
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Sun |
24th |
10.30am |
Morning Worship for One World Week
led by our African members |
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6.00 pm |
Evening Meal |
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7.00 pm |
IGNITE! Worship |
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6.00 pm |
Service to celebrate 20 years of
the Churches in Reading Drop-In Centre, at St Saviour’s Church. |
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Wed |
27th |
9.30 am |
Morning Prayers |
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Mon-Sun 25th – 31st
Minister away on holiday |
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Sun |
31st |
10.30am |
Morning Worship |
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6.00 pm |
Evening Meal |
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7.00 pm |
IGNITE! Worship |
Reform: The Magazine of the United
Reformed Church.
Cost: approx £20 for 11 issues during the year.
Please see Dulcie Sims before November 15th to place an order
or to let her know you wish to continue receiving Reform.
United Reformed Church Prayer
Handbook
This year’s edition is called “Still Praying”, and has prayers for every
week of the year. Cost: £5.00
IBRA Notes: Words for Today and
Light for Our Path.
Daily reading with commentary, and prayers. Cost: £8.50
Daily Bread (Scripture Union).
4 issues per year. Cost at present £3.50 per quarter.
Please sign the lists on the noticeboard if you would like to order copies of these; or contact me if you would like to continue your present order.
Doreen Woods
In October CIRDIC is celebrating 20 years of service to homeless and other disadvantaged people in Reading.
There will be a Service of Thanksgiving at St Saviour’s Church, Berkeley Avenue, at 6 pm on Sunday October 24th, followed by refreshments at the Centre (next door).
Everyone will be very welcome to join in this celebration.
An Advent Calendar with a difference
A book of 25 illustrated stories in full colour throughout
A story a day for Advent - Advent means ‘coming’.
This book has been written by Nina Mead and illustrated by Cathy MacLennan for young families to read together as they prepare for the coming of Jesus at Christmas. It tells stories of celebrations in our world now and it explores ways in which the birth of Jesus lightens the lives of people in some of the poorest places of the world.
There is a story for each day and suggestions of things to do to prepare for the coming of the Christ Child on Christmas Eve.
Cathy’s lively full colour illustrations will fascinate young and old alike. A splendid way to prepare for Christmas.
The published price is £12, but if we can sell 10 copies we can keep £2 from each copy for church funds.
I still have 12 copies from last year available for sale – please see me at coffee after service if you would like to see them.
They will also be available for sale at the Christmas Fair.
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 |
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 |
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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) |
