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JULY
/ AUGUST 2001
This is selected highlights from Lindfield United Reformed Church's
monthly magazine, Good News. It is freely available from the Church
and Lindfield Post Office. The printed edition also contains useful
information regarding local meetings and 'Family News'.
If don't live in the area, and wish to recieve a copy of the magazine,
please Email the Editors.
Worship in July and August
July
1st
9.30am Duncan Warmington
11.00am Duncan Warmington
6.30pm COMMUNION AND HEALING Simon Thomas
8th
9.30am Ian Knowles
11.00am Ian Knowles
6.30pm David Jones
15th
9 .30am Richard Tucker
11.00am Norman Smith
6.30pm Richard Walters and Ron Goodenough
22nd
9.30am David Nibloe and Stuart Dew
11.00am COMMUNION Norman Smith
6.30pm Richard Walters and Norman Smith
29th
9.30am COMMUNION Norman Smith
11.00am Norman Smith
6.30pm Brian Stone (Preceded by a farewell tea at 4.45pm)
August
5th
9.30am Mike Gardiner
11.00am Barry Piper
6.30pm Norman Smith
12th
9.30am David Walters
11.00am Norman Smith
6.30pm COMMUNION Norman Smith
19th
9.30am Norman Smith
11.00am SONGS OF PRAISE
6.30pm Norman Smith
26th
10.30am COMMUNION Norman Smith PLEASE NOTE TIME!
6.30pm Norman Smith
Coffee is normally served between the morning services
and after the evening one
From the Minister
Sarah and I had booked to have a holiday but, for
various reasons, postponed making the practical arrangements to
go away. Others reading this may have already experienced an early
break and enjoyed a week in the sun, while many are still looking
forward to the opportunity to visit a new place or an old haunt.
Even some of those unable to go far may be anticipating the prospect
of a day out. This means that a fairly large proportion of readers
have first-hand experience of travelling. In addition many local
people, of course, are all too familiar with the joy, or otherwise,
of the journey to work!
Our Christian life has been likened to a journey. It requires a
conscious effort on our part to respond to the invitation to start
out on it in the first place. It entails a decision, which may take
months or even years to be finally clinched, when we accept the
clear invitation that Jesus offers to share all aspects of our life
with him. Such an experience will bring us to times of rest and
refreshment, like a good holiday. Other times will find us facing
the frustrations and hardship of disrupted, even hazardous, times
as we face the difficulties of life, as do many people in their
work environment. We may be tempted to think, even as Christians,
we are on a mystery tour, not sure where the next destination is
going to be, but, ideally, we have all discovered that the ultimate
destination is assured. Because of Gods love for us, he has
promised all who entrust the journey of life into the hands of Jesus
that they will finally reach the glorious pinnacle of the journey
in heaven. None of us knows how long our own personal journey will
take but it is vital not to delay the start until it is too late!
YOURS IN THE LOVE OF CHRIST, Norman
Sunday Lesson Reading
If you feel able to read a Bible lesson at one of our Sunday services,
please would you put your name in the reading book. This can be
found on the windowsill nearest to the Mission table, in the concourse.
It is usual to have one reader for the 9.30am service, two for the
11.00am, and one at 6.30pm. It would be so nice if, when I check
the book on a Friday afternoon, I could see three or four names
down rather than seeing blank spaces and thinking, "Help! Who
can I ask to read?" Many thanks to all those who do read Gods
word I appreciate your willingness. If you have any queries,
please dont hesitate to ring me Alison Ward
NEWS FROM SUSSEX EAST DISTRICT COUNCIL (1st June
2001)
Michael Davies has now been inducted as President
for the next two years, and Graham Campling has become Convenor
of the District Pastoral Committee.
The meeting eventually approved all but one part of the proposal
for future ministerial deployment. This implies that, as from January
2002, Lindfield and Balcombe will be scoped to have one minister.
The one part of the total proposal being re-examined involves the
churches in and near Polegate, but each church in the District still
has to work through the implications of the proposal as it affects
each specific pastorate.
HOSPITALITY
Sharing meals, morning coffee or
together is a great way
to deepen the fellowship of the church family. Our thanks to all
those who find themselves in a position to entertain friends and
strangers, and all who do so frequently!
Although you, for various reasons, may not be in a position to respond
to this invitation, there may be some of you who would be willing
and able to explore extending the ministry of hospitality. If you
come into that category, please have a word with Norman, Fo Tingley
or Iris Green. We are especially interested in a scheme to increase
the possibility of wider hospitality on Sundays. Thank you.
OFF TO ROMANIA
John Barling and Ron Goodenough are visiting Romania
for a week at the end of August.
They expect to attend a Christian Conference and then visit sites
where Cascaid Trust is at work. It sounds like a challenging adventure.
They have been told not to assunme they can buy any of the normal
holiday requisites in Romania so they must bring their own
toilet paper, pain killers, razor blades, etc. and a sleeping
bag would make sleep more likely!
They will return with first-hand news to share with us about the
Trust we are supporting. Please pray for them during the experience.
NORMAN
BOYS BRIGADE
At the end of this session, we say goodbye to Elena
who has been an asset to our Anchor Section over the past four years.
Im sure both the staff and the boys will miss her very much.
We wish her well for the future and thank her for all she has done
and for her commitment to the younger boys in our Company.
The Junior Section is also saying goodbye to a member of staff.
At the end of this session, Brian Stone, our Junior Section leader,
will be retiring. Brian came to help at a very crucial time and
has done an excellent job with our Juniors, as the boys attendance
will confirm. We do thank Brian and wish him and his wife, Brenda,
a happy retirement.
Parents will already know that Brians replacement will be
Peter Snashall, who has had many years experience in the Brigade,
both as a boy and an officer. We welcome Peter to our Company and
ask you to give him the support that we have enjoyed over the past
30 years.
TERRY WARD, CAPTAIN
The Junior Section Five-a-Side football team came
within an ace of winning the Battalion tournament at the Triangle
Centre, Burgess Hill. In an exciting final, they lost 2-1 to the
2nd Burgess Hill. We are grateful to two dads, Jeremy Nurse and
Barry Fisher, for their work in coaching the team over several months.
We were very pleased when Paddy Lay MBE, the Founder Captain, accepted
our invitation to become Honorary Captain and he was formally appointed
as such at the Display. Paddy was also our Chief Guest and, among
the awards he presented, was a Presidents Badge to L/Cpl.
Daffyd Wagstaff. Daffyd was one of three boys who received their
Bronze Duke of Edinburghs Awards, the others being Cpls. Matthew
Heyward and Jim Johnson. The Display also saw the first public appearance
of our reformed band.
Six of our Senior boys took part in a Silver Duke of Edinburgh expedition
on the North Downs, a venture rendered more challenging than usual
by the closure of many footpaths because of the Foot-andMouth
epidemic. The Company Section competed in the Battalion Athletics
at Withdean and, although we didnt get anywhere this time,
it was the first time for some years that we have entered a team
for this event.
A very warm word of thanks must go to Ann Lay for the hard work
and enthusiasm she put in on our behalf in organising plant sales,
whose proceeds, some £300 to date, have given a much-needed
boost to our funds.
GEOFFREY COCKSEDGE
BALCOMBE URC
The main services are held on the first and third Sundays of the
month, at 11.00am. The speakers for July and August are:
1st July Sue Mummery
15th July Mike Gardiner
5th August Norman Smith
FRIENDSHIP LUNCH
This is held on the second Sunday of the month, at 1.00pm. We extend
a warm welcome to everyone, whether they are connected with a church
or not. There is no charge we just ask people to bring some
food to share. From time to time, we have a speaker who will give
a short talk, or watch a short video following the lunch.
Before the lunch, at 12 noon, we hold an informal family service
to which you are also invited. We are pleased for people to come
to one or other, or both.
N.B. Please note that there, during August, there will be only one
service and no Friendship Lunch.
MAKE ARRANGEMENTS FOR YOUR FUNERAL!
Lots of us prefer not to think, or talk, about
our own death, or the death of a loved one before it happens.
I have been encouraged lately by those people who have given some
thought to such a taboo subject, and have jotted down
information which will be of help to someone being left with the
responsibility of arranging a funeral.
I am not referring particularly to the drawing up of a Will which,
hopefully, everyone who reads this page has accepted as important
but, some information which, although occasionally included in a
Will, is often left to others to remember, or discern.
Simple instructions about a funeral service, like hymns/songs and
readings can be written down, left in a place with private papers,
or even handed to the local minister.
If you have no close relatives still alive, it is also extremely
helpful if you can make a note of any clubs or societies you have
belonged to, or special interests or hobbies you have pursued. If
you would like donations to be given to a charity, instead of flowers,
it is much better to let others know which charity, rather than
leave it to others to decide.
Occasionally, when a person senses they are about to die, they may
attempt to pass on such thoughts. My own father left it until the
very last minute before he spoke of certain wishes to me. It is
far better to address such a topic while we actually feel well and
healthy so, why delay!
NORMAN
Whats in a word? (FROM DAVID TINGLEY)
As a renowned bottled water producer once claimed,
"there is definitely something in the water." Reality
TV, as it has become known, is now here to stay. Big Brother created
a big splash here last summer and, since then, nasty Nigel
Lythgoe churned out popstars ten to the dozen and then went
on to hide an entire production studio on a remote island off Borneo,
and waited to see if the hand-picked cast could spot them!
It is fair to say that, for the most part, I have been hooked.
Let us be honest and say that we all experience ups and downs in
life. There are some that feel that a strangers personal trauma
should not be regarded as light entertainment, the difference here
being that the contestants and players in these rather more insular
environments have made a choice to share what they go through. Sometimes,
perhaps, we can identify with feelings we see on screen. At other
times, we may be shocked but, in my opinion, the antics and attitudes
we see televised are not a million miles away from how life is for
many in our society.
The somewhat un-Christian choice we are called to make
about whether we like somebody, on many of these shows, is a typical
example of how we can so easily be two-faced to those around us,
be it an instinctive judgement, a reaction to personality or a choice
in order to put us in favour with others. Surely we know this is
not how God has called us to live with one another?
Not only are peoples actions on show, but their language as
well. It is certainly true to say that, sadly, Reality TV
so often involves profanity on a large scale. Once more, I am challenged
to realise that many simply regard swearing as part of their day-to-day
language.
Let me just stop for a moment and admit I know I have written recently
on the use of bad language. Forgive me for repetition, but it was
just the other day that I heard a revelation that shocked me! It
was that of two middle-aged ladies, which I picked up across a not-so
crowded bus. While discussing the various negative traits of the
younger generation, one of them exclaimed: "It is not as if
they are even using the language [swearing] correctly. If they were,
I wouldnt mind." Call me naive, but I would have expected
better of that particular generation. To my mind, there is never
a good time to hear anyone talk in expletives or conduct themselves
in an under-handed manner, as it breeds contempt, anger and shows
no self-control. However, maybe it shows Reality TV
to be more real than we expected.
SOLD OUT - AND - BLOOMING MARVELLOUS!
Thanks a bunch to everyone who supported our first
venture into horticulture (selling plants, that is, to you and me!).
Over the past few months, we have been so grateful to those who
acted as foster carers, potters, transporters and sellers.
The fellowship and teamwork was both willing and wonderful, from
mums and dads of yesteryear lads, to lads now
dads with children of their own in GB and BB!
Encouraged by our friends, Betty and Roy, to base our sales on Pop-In
Thursdays, we were so pleased to welcome many folks through
the church doors, who, perhaps, had never ventured in before. In
fact, the church lounge was quite full on both days tea and
coffee well received.
The Gnomes and I are now off on our hols but not before
the Officers collared us to do the same again, in early October,
for winter and spring plants pansies, polyanthus etc.
so, heigh ho! see you then.
In the masters service,
BILL, BEN AND BLOSSOM
P.S. We desperately need flowerpots. Please give them to any BB
Officer or phone The Gnomes Ome on 236825. Happy
hols.
Spiritual Mentoring
The April meeting had to be postponed and I am now inviting anyone
interested in finding out more about this very important subject
to come along to a meeting at Ryecroft on Wednesday, 8th August,
at 8.00pm.
Norman
Songs of Praise
On Sunday, 19th August, the 11.00am service will take the form
of "Songs of Praise" using some of your favourite hymns
or songs. Please let Norman know your choice, and the reason behind
the choice, before 12th August. Many thanks.
BECOMING A MEMBER OF LINDFIELD URC
60 people may find this invitation relevant!
IF YOU ARE A CHRISTIAN, and come regularly to worship with us and
have a sense that, at least for the time being, this is your spiritual
home but have never taken the step of becoming a church member,
I make this final invitation before I retire
PLEASE think
seriously about doing so. If you do not know what is involved, just
ask me or one of the Elders. I am currently in conversation with
several individuals who are contemplating taking this step. I would
be very happy to talk with you, without any obligation. We usually
encourage young people to wait until they are nearly 16 years old,
but there is no upper age limit!
I look forward to hearing from you.
NORMAN
Situations Vacant
We are praying for Christian volunteers to assist in several areas
of church life. Among them are the following (unless, by the time
you read this, our prayers have been answered!):
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® House Group Leaders
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® Luncheon Fellowship Organiser (Wednesdays)
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® Fellowship Secretary
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® Leaders and Helpers in Junior Church, 14+ and Brigades
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® Stewards and those willing to transport others to church
services
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® Concourse Staff
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® Drama Co-ordinator
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® And
!
Ideally, all who accept leadership in any area, are church members
and they believe, in spite of feeling inadequate, that God is giving
them the gift to undertake the task. It would be good to think that
those who begin a new work do not consider it a life sentence
but one which has a limited time span. Such an approach might encourage
more individuals to explore possibilities.
There have been no increases in pay recently, and none are predicted!
Please contact the minister, or an elder, if you are at all interested.
CALLING ALL COMPUTER USERS
Not everyone has access to a computer, and not
everyone wants access to a computer, but IF you have, read on
There is an ever-increasing selection of Christian material, including
Bibles, books, teaching resources and art-work, available on CD
for easy use on a computer. Instead of spending ages on computer
games, (although there are Christian computer games on the market)
why not save up for, or get a kind friend to give you, a marvellous
aid to help you learn more about Jesus and help you to grow as a
Christian?
A visit to the local Christian bookshop will give you a taste of
what is available. The shop will almost certainly order material
for you. Alternatively, you can contact a firm such as Sunrise Software
(e-mail sales@sunrise-software.com or ring 0845 0579 579 for a catalogue).
Items are seldom cheap but are worth having if you can afford them.
I have just been given The Essential IVP Reference Collection,
which provides instant access to: The New Dictionary of Biblical
Theology; The New Dictionary of Theology; The New Bible Dictionary;
The New Bible Commentary; The Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels;
The Dictionary of Paul and his Letters; The Dictionary of the later
New Testament; The Dictionary of New Testament Background; The Bible
Background Commentary, both OT and NT; The Dictionary of Biblical
Imagery; The Hard Sayings of the Bible; and The New Bible Atlas.
We often use items of Christian clip art in our magazine and other
publicity material.
NORMAN
URC GENERAL ASSEMBLY - JULY 2001
We are invited to pray for the General Assembly
of the URC, meeting at York University from 16th to 19th July.
As a denomination, we now have over 1700 churches, more than 92,000
members and over 93,000 children associated with the life of the
church. About 20% of our churches are in partnership with Christians
of other traditions. Nearly 900 stipendiary and non-stipendiary
ministers and 11 church-related community workers, as well as several
hundred lay preachers and over 13,000 Elders, serve us.
Pray that in this Council of the Church, as in all our Councils,
worship may be offered to the glory of God, the mind of Christ may
be found, the company of Gods people may be enjoyed and the
world may be served.
"Loving God, you have called young and old, male and female,
black and white, into your service. We come with hearts grateful
for the life of your church:
® for new life bubbling up in many communities
® for broad streams of ecumenical partnership across the land
® for challenging mission opportunities springing up in each
place
® for the deep rivers of faithful service given over many years
Unite us with all your people on earth and in heaven that we may
daily praise your holy name. Through Christ our Lord. Amen."
RETIREMENT OF BRIAN STONE
Just over seven-and-a-half years ago we were delighted
to welcome one-third of Brian Stone.
Fortunately, the remaining two-thirds remained attached as he joined
the ministerial team here in Lindfield. He had the difficult art
of juggling his weekly timetable so that two-thirds was devoted
to ministry in and through Haywards Heath URC, and one-third among
us here. For the first five years, he was our Chaplain to Youth
and Childrens work. He conscientiously applied himself to
the encouragement and support of the many volunteers involved in
our youth and childrens programmes. He got to know the children
and young people themselves, not only through the church groups
but also by being involved in the team, from the village churches,
which has now been going into the Lindfield schools to take assemblies
for many years. He has preached at our services and both he and
Brenda have been familiar faces in our evening congregation. He
spent many hours chairing the Think Tank which carried
out an audit of all our children and young peoples activities,
and then made clear specific proposals about the future, which were
welcomed by church meeting.
Latterly, following the appointment of a Youth and Childrens
Pastor, Brian became an invaluable leader of the Junior Section
of the BB, and spent time encouraging the development of the churchs
prayer life, which has just culminated in a series of three seminars,
open to all churches in the area.
We thank God for his ministry among us, his cheerfulness, even under
adversity, his patience and perseverance. We acknowledge his quiet
personal prayer ministry supporting many aspects of our church life.
We pray for him as he and Brenda prepare to move into retirement.
Several of our members have found the regular pilgrimages arranged
by Brenda to have been super occasions, not just for exercise but
also for fellowship and contemplation. They expect to be living
in Southwick, so will be in close proximity to most of their children
and grandchildren, and within easy reach of the football team they
have loved to support for much of their lives. I guess Brian, perhaps
after a brief respite, will find himself on the preaching circuit,
and possibly undertaking other responsibilities in his local area!
Brian preaches his final sermon, as one of our ministers, on Sunday,
29th July, at 6.30pm. This will be preceded by a farewell tea at
4.45pm. Please join us if you can.
Norman
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