The views expressed in this magazine are those of the individual contributors, and do not necessarily represent the views of Park United Reformed Church.

Minister’s Letter

7 High Tree Drive, Earley,

Reading RG6 1EU

0118 966 8647

minister@parkurc.org.uk

It has been quite a busy month within our fellowship – news of our environmental projects have hit the headlines of the Reading Post, our Brownies have been filmed for TV show about the Centenary celebrations for Guiding, we've had two baptisms and welcomed many visitors in our worship.

In addition, we have advertised for a new Youth and Children's Worker, we have had a spring clean of our premises, our Scouts have been camping in Wales, our Pilots have been canoeing and our FIZZANG youth club have been kayaking on the River Thames.

It's not just our young people that have been busy, the Lunchtime Choir has celebrated its first year with us by holding a concert, our Friendship Club continues to thrive with the charity lunch and an outing this month.

The values that hold us together are the teachings of Jesus found in our Scriptures, 'I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.' (Matthew 18:3) Within our fellowship we value each and every person regardless of age, regardless of background, regardless of wealth.

It can be difficult and times to be open to the insights of others, especially when we are so certain of our own perspective on the world. But I encourage everyone to share their views, open to hear what God might be saying to us.

Pray that God might give us the humility to listen, without judgement or condemnation.

The summer has definitely arrived early – with a scorching June and the joys of fresh strawberries from the garden or allotment.

In the next few In July I shall only be at church for one Sunday but this year I am around for much of August, we are taking an early family holiday together before Andrew flies to Zambia for three weeks.

The first weekend of July I shall be away at the United Reformed Church General Assembly, the first one I have attended as Convener of the Youth and Children's Work Committee. Please remember all involved in the General Assembly in your prayers, this is a major gathering for our denomination in this time of challenge and change.

Whatever you are doing over the summer period, may you know God's blessing and may you know the guiding hand of the Holy Spirit. Please continue to pray for one another, praying that we might be united in bringing glory to God.

Yours in Christ,

Robert

From the Church Registers

Dedication

13 June 2010 Timothy Jenner, son of Abby and Ian

27 June 2010 Alexander Thurston (Xan) Bearne-Rolfe, son of Anne and Nick

Church Meeting News

Thank you to all who were able to attend the Special Church Meeting on 13th June which was called to discuss the issue of an application for a grant towards a Biomass Boiler to replace our existing gas boiler.

The need to discuss this arose as the working party worked through the application form for the Solar Panel project. Part of our application includes the need for a full assessment of the various environmental options e.g. wind power, energy saving options, solar thermal and ground source pumps.

The biomass boiler option appears to be an attractive proposition as the fuel costs are currently comparable with gas and projected to be much less than gas prices in the future.

Some people may still be wondering why we are looking at switching to wood pellets rather than staying with gas. The reason is that wood is a renewable source of energy because the carbon dioxide emitted when the wood is burned has been taken out of the atmosphere by the growing plant.

Even allowing for emissions of fossil carbon dioxide in planting, harvesting, processing and transporting the fuel, replacing fossil fuel with wood fuel will typically reduce net CO2 emissions by over 90%. This applies to all forms of wood fuel, including wood pellets, which can be made of highly compressed waste wood or sawdust, or from specially grown wood and grasses.

The use of wood pellets for heating is well established in other countries such as North America, Sweden, Austria and Denmark. Work on the development of a UK market started in 1999 and we are aware of local suppliers of wood pellets in Swindon and Slough.

This is a very positive step for us to take in response to the environmental challenge that we all face, often referred to as the Climate Change challenge. Unless we all change our attitudes to the use of fossil fuels particularly oil and gas, then the whole planet will suffer.

Since the Church Meeting we have received excellent news coverage via the Reading Post (18th June) and an interview on BBC Radio Berkshire (20th June).

In addition, we have received many letters of support form the many groups that regularly use our premises. All of this will strengthen our application for funding towards this ambitious project.

Robert Weston

Any Ideas At This Stage?

The stage ‘apron’ in the Large Hall needs some attention.

The apron is the extension to the stage that is used for a variety of activities. It no longer comes up to standard under the Health & Safety at Work Act for two reasons:

Manual Handling (it is extremely heavy and awkward to assemble and dismantle)
Slips, Trips & Falls (It no longer fits together to give an even, safe surface).

Unfortunately, the stage apron cannot be used until we resolve these issues.

The solution is either to replace or repair. We have investigated the possibility of providing a new flexible system but the cost is prohibitive. So we need to repair. That’s where you come in! F&GP already have a couple of ideas but they would welcome more suggestions on repairing the apron to satisfy the above two health and safety requirements. Perhaps we need to refine our existing blocks or maybe a more radical solution is required?

All your ideas will be considered by the Finance and General Purposes Committee. Please send your plans to Robert Weston by 31st July 2010.

Paul Street

30^th Reading Brownies

Since I last wrote for the magazine the Brownies have been continuing to work for their Adventure 100 Badge and we are hoping to be able to award these badges at the end of this term.

Before half term we spent some of our meeting time preparing for Pack Holiday – colouring table mats, making posters and designing a badge to go on a t-shirt. We also managed to hold our annual fair and raised £170 – it was good to welcome the Rainbows and also parents and friends on this occasion.

On Saturday 22nd May 13 Brownies left Park at 7am to travel down to Foxlease, one of our Guiding Centres, which is situated in the New Forest. The reason for the early start was that, along with Guide units from Bristol and Southampton, we had been asked to take part in a day’s filming for the ITV programme Countrywise. We were not really sure how the day would evolve so it was all quite exciting. There was a fair amount of hanging around, but Foxlease had laid on activities for the girls to do.

Some of the Brownies were filmed climbing and others were involved in planting out some of the garden areas with the presenter Rachel de Thame. The programme is about the New Forest area in general, but hopefully there will be enough footage of the girls to show that Girlguiding is an exciting and popular organisation to belong to. The programme is due to be shown on ITV1 at 8pm on Monday 26th July (although as always this could change).

At the end of the following week 12 Brownies, 1 Guide and the Leaders set off on Pack Holiday. This year we decided to venture somewhere new and went to Blacklands Farm, a Guiding Centre near East Grinstead, Sussex.

Our theme was based around the Centenary of Guiding and we explored activities past and present. The girls were able to take part in canoeing, bungee trampolining and swimming and also tried out the zip wire and crate challenge.

On Saturday 19th June we were on our travels again – this time to Newbury Showground for Festival 100. This was Girlguiding Royal Berkshire’s County Celebration to mark the Centenary of Guiding. There were around 3000 of us there, from the youngest Rainbow right up to members of the Trefoil Guild.

The day was split into four sessions, during which we took part in a variety of activities centred around a series of themed zones focusing on Heritage and Future, Craft, Adventure, and Music and Dance. The girls all had a fabulous time and the day finished with everyone singing ‘Happy Birthday’ and dancing to the band ‘Skadilly’.

We are now looking forward to the last few weeks of term, when our activities will include a visit to Monkey Mates and finishing our Agility, Brownie Traditions and Adventure 100 Badges.

We shall also be saying goodbye to six of our older Brownies who are now ready to move up to Guides. We thank them for their contribution to life in the Brownies and hope that they will enjoy the next stage of their Guiding journey.

Jenny King

Air Ambulance Stamps

Many thanks to everyone who has contributed lately, it must have been very good as my contact Les has been very generous.

The Trust, without any help for the government, NHS or the Lottery raise over £100,000 every month to keep the helicopter flying. Our donations help, thank you all

Peter Short

Further Fund Raising

Following on from Les Dray’s great idea I can offer ‘for a generous donation to the Church funds’ the following.

Magnolia Soulangeana seedlings, 4 in all remain.

These are 3-4 years old and could flower in 10 years or so, growing to 12 feet high and 25 feet wide eventually.

They will need patience and will be worth it in the long run. The RHS website can tell you more.

Interested? Or know anyone, do contact me, another church has acquired one

Peter Short

Yeldall Open Day

The Yeldall Manor Open Day is on Saturday 10th July is a fun afternoon for all the family. Gates open at 1pm for a hog roast (or your own picnic) and lots of games and stalls.

At 3pm, we move to marquee for a Celebration of all that God has been doing during the year.

We will round the afternoon off with a delicious strawberry tea on the lawn. Do join us to share in the fellowship, food and fun!

Pilgrimage to the Holy Land

Adrian Bulley will be leading a ten day pilgrimage to the Holy Land, based in Jerusalem and the Galilee, from 10th to 19th May 2011.

Further details, a full brochure and booking form can be obtained from the Synod website.

URC Holiday Forum

URC HOLIDAY FORUM still has places available for this year. The event is being held at The Hayes Conference Centre, Swanwick, Derbyshire from 21st -27th August.

The theme, God Is Still Speaking, is to be led by the Revd Roberta Rominger and the Worship Leader is Revd Heather Whyte.

A booking form which gives more detailed information can be downloaded from the website www.urcholidayforum.org.uk or

The conference is ideal for families and if you know of a family or individual who would benefit from this event, financial help may be available from the bursary fund.

The Mayonnaise Jar

When 24 Hours in a day is not enough...
Remember the mayonnaise jar and 2 cups of coffee.

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls.

He then asked the students, if the jar was full.

They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar.. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls.

He then asked the students again if the jar was full.

They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else.

He asked once more if the jar was full.

The students responded with a unanimous 'yes.'

The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand.

The students laughed.

'Now,' said the professor, as the laughter subsided, 'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life.

The golf balls are the important things – God, family, children, health, passions.

Things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.

The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, house, and car.

The sand is everything else --the small stuff.

'If you put the sand into the jar first,' He continued, there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls.

The same goes for life.

If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you.

So:

Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.

Wholeheartedly worship God

Play with your children.

Take time to get medical checkups.

Take your partner out to dinner.

There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal.

'Take care of the golf balls first - the things that really matter.

Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.'

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented.

The professor smiled.

'I'm glad you asked'.

It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend.'

from Barbara Badoo

Ranger Guides/Senior Section Open Day

We are a small group of 14-25 year old girls who meet every fortnight in Park United Reformed Church.

Most of the time, we meet to share fellowship, challenge our views, find out more about God, and to serve our communities in a variety of ways.

We are the senior part of the international Girlguiding network

http://www.girlguiding.org.uk/seniorsection/about/index.html

We would be keen to have more girls join us, and to increase the level of networking between our church and others through this.

We have an open day coming up at 7.30-9.00pm on Thursday, 8th July, at Park URC, Palmer Park Avenue.

In the meantime, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Elizabeth Hawkness-Smith

Summer Holiday Club

Over the summer we are joining up with 3 other local churches o help offer a service to local families each Tuesday morning of the school holidays, from 10am-12(midday).

If you are able to help on the Tuesday that we are hosting, I would be extremely grateful. We need people to help make drinks, to put out toys and to lead songs.

The date that we are hosting the morning is Tuesday 31st August.

Further details are on the posters in the church halls foyer and available from our website www.parkurc.org.uk

Rob Weston

Stewards’ Rota - July, August & September 2010

July 4^th	Julia Marsh	Rod King
July 11^th	John Davey	Chris Gay ford
July 18^th	Rose Gillett	Lynda Fox
July 25^th	Sally Street	Paul Street

Aug 1^st	Joan Pearson	Barbara Mathers
Aug 8^th	Maureen Plummer	Mick Plummer
Aug 15^th	Maureen Johnstone	Roy Johnstone
Aug 22^nd	Julia Marsh	Rod King
Aug 29th	John Davey	Chris Gayford

Sept 5^th	Rose Gillett	Lynda Fox
Sept 12^th	Sally Street	Paul Street
Sept 19th	Joan Pearson	Barbara Mathers
Sept 26th	Maureen Plummer	Mick Plummer

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.

IGNITE News

Following the success of our new style of evening worship we shall be resuming this style of worship when the next University term begins. The first Sunday evening IGNITE service will be on 3rd October 2010.

We rejoice with all who have graduated this summer (Katherine, Jonathon, Emily, Frances) and we wish them well in their future studies and careers.

Rob Weston

July Calendar

Fri 2nd – Mon 5th URC General Assembly, Loughborough – Minister Away
Sun	4th	10.30am	Morning Worship with Holy Communion led by Rev. Nina Mead
		4.00 pm	Songs of Praise at Sutton Court
Wed	7th	9.30 am	Morning Prayers
		7.30 pm	Premises and Maintenance Group
Fri 9th – Sun 11th Church Family Camp
Sun	11th	10.30am	Morning Worship led by Dr Carol McCarron
			No evening service
Wed	14th	9.30 pm	Morning Prayers
		7.30 pm	Elders Meeting
Fri 16th – Sun 18th Wessex FURY weekend camp
Sun	18th	10.30am	Morning Worship
		12 noon	Church Meeting
		6.00 pm	Holy Communion with a time of prayer for healing and wholeness
Mon	19th		Scout Group AGM at Paddick’s Patch
Wed	21st	9.30 pm	Morning Prayers
Sun	25th	10.30am	Morning Worship led by Rev. Gordon Connell
			No evening service
Wed	28th	9.30am	Morning Prayers

Rev. Robert Weston will be on holiday 23rd July – 5th August inclusive

House Groups meet on Mondays and Tuesdays. Please speak to Rev. Robert Weston if you are interested in joining a group.

August Calendar

Sun	1^st	10.30am	Morning Worship with Holy Communion led by John Lee
		4.00 pm	Songs of Praise at Sutton Court
Sun	8^th	10.30am	Morning Worship
			No evening service
Sun	15^th	10.30am	Morning Worship
		6.00 pm	Holy Communion with a time of prayer for healing and wholeness
Sun	22^nd	10.30am	Morning Worship
			No evening service
Sun	29^th	10.30am	Morning Worship
			No evening service
Last day for contributions to the September magazine
Tue	31^st	Holiday Club morning for parents/carers and children under 5

Plant Sale in June

Thank you to all who came along on 12th June 2010, to support the plant sale organised by Mick Plummer. Thanks are also due to all who brought along plants to sell and all who helped with refreshments.

It was very encouraging to see the plants going to good homes, none were thrown away – all have found a place in gardens or allotments.

Rob Weston

A Date for Your Diary

This year, after a gap of many years, we plan to bring back that old favourite church social event - the Church Harvest Barn Dance.

So make sure that you keep the date of Saturday 25^th September free – more details to follow!

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
	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
	5.00 pm	Beavers
	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)

Park United Reformed Church

Family Camp

2010

Celebrating God’s Creation

Friday 9^th – Sunday 11^th July

At: Oakley Farm

Wash Water

Newbury

RG20 0LP

Cost: To camp:

£10 per night for 1 tent with 2 adults

£5 per night for 1 tent with 1 adult

£1 per night per child (age 16 and under)

£2 per day visitor

Never camped before?

Not got a tent?

Not a problem... We can provide!

Alternatively come out to the camp site and visit for the day.

The programme is still subject to change, but will include a fish and chip supper, gentle walks, games, barbeque, homemade evening entertainment, informal morning worship, laughter, relaxation, enjoying being together.