EAST MIDLANDS SYNOD

E-Letter
No. 68: 12^th November 2009.

Edited
this week by: Terry Oakley

 

Stories
from Synod

Those present at Synod in
Sherwood United Reformed Church last Saturday were moved and impressed by Mark
Dowd of Operation Noah, speaking passionately about climate change and our
calling to act based on our faith in God. He gave a clear theological basis for
responding to the challenge of climate change, and encouraged us to act
together to transform the world. We also heard from Avril Timson (Lutterworth
URC) and Tom Hackett (Melbourne URC) of their experiences in Hungary helping
others in practical Christian service. Tamara Oates and Tom had led the Synod
opening worship on the theme of journeying. The young people then visited
Creswell Crags for the day.

Synod agreed to adopt the
Deployment Policy and Strategy, and the Synod Mission Strategy 2009 - 2014, and
to engage with One Church One Hundred Uses (1C100U) and agreed in principle to
change the basis of calculating contributions from local churches to the
Ministry and Mission Fund from membership and scoping to income. The Report of
the Review Group on Synod Structures was presented by Val Morrison, Clerk of
Yorkshire Synod and will be subject to further consultation before specific
proposals are brought to the Synod on 20^th March 2010. Many felt it
had been a very good Synod and were grateful for all the work carried out
faithfully by the Synod team.

 

Terry Oakley

 

†
Mrs Ann Anderson. We remember with gratitude the life of Ann
Anderson and we express our sympathy for her husband the Revd Lionel Anderson.
Ann died on Wednesday 11^th November and her funeral will be at
10.30am on Friday 20^th November at Sutton-in-Ashfield United
Reformed Church.

 

The
Induction of the Revd David Legge to Sherwood United Reformed Church and as
Mission Enabler for Nottinghamshire will be on Saturday 28^th
November at 3pm All are welcome.

 

Revd
Nancy Babarinde has been appointed as Synod Minister to serve Corby (Elizabeth
Street) and Rothwell United Reformed Churches. Her
induction will probably be on Saturday 30^th January.

 

NATIONAL
INTER FAITH WEEK 15 -22 NOVEMBER 2009

Nottingham Inter Faith
Council, together with the Regional - Faiths Forum for the East Midlands,
will launch its celebrations for National Inter Faith Week, with a
publicity drive, from a marquee in the Old Market Square [Smithy Row] Nottingham, Saturday 7 November. 10.00 am - 4.00 pm.
Why not drop by and give the volunteers some encouragement, or help, if you
have some time to spare?  For further
information about this please contact: Norma Smith, Nottingham City Council
Communications, on 0115 915 4681 or Clive Burton, Nottingham Inter Faith
Council, on 07970 657046.

 

KICKING
IT WITH FAITH

Sunday
22nd November 2009 12 - 5pm Forest
Recreation ground (followed by evening presentation event at Djanology from: 6
- 7.30pm) for further information on the football tournament please contact:
Najeeb Nazir on: 07815032837

 

TOLLER United Reformed Church, Kettering ADVENT BOOKLET

This is the fifth booklet, produced in an attempt to encourage
daily Bible reading and prayer in our wider congregation. At first they were
comments on the set bible readings and involved ministerial input. The worship
group has continued them on the Vision4life themes, last year looking at the
incarnation through each of the gospels and this year of course through
prayer. If any one would like a copy if they let me know I will forward one to
them.  Lindsey Cole [mailto:**Available from Synod Office**]

 

 

 

 

CENTRAL URC - BECKETWELL
STREET, DERBY.

At Central we are
undergoing a process of self-analysis as a church.  The area surrounding our building is
increasingly heading towards re-development as part of the Cityscape scheme in Derby.  It is very probable that our church will fall
within the footprint of development.  We
have secured the skills of a recognised specialist consultant to steer us in
discovering; how we would like the function of our church to develop; how we
might better integrate with our local community and provide service and
facility for them, and; how we might improve our facilities to promote the
church in the city centre and secure a sustainable future.

Our future remains
uncertain as the development plans progress. 
The near future brings times of change and with that enormous opportunity
that we hope to be able to capture and enhance. 
We wish to promote our location and current facilities, and if the
opportunity arises for re-development we hope that any future building can best
be tailored to suit the needs of the congregation and the community we hope to
serve.  As part of this we look to
strengthen bonds and hope to be able to identify areas where we can be of
better service.  If anyone is aware of a club
or group who might have a need for a ‘central' venue or is looking for a service
to be fulfilled within the city centre, we would be delighted to hear from
them.  Please consider us in your prayers
as we look to discover our future path.  This item sent by Steve Levitt

 

STREET
PASTORS

Many good stories are
being told of the work of street pastors in cities across the country. Their
work is much appreciated by the police, businesses and those in the city
centres late at night. Central Church, Derby
is just one church offering support for both training and a ‘safe haven'. There
are possibilities for new street pastors in villages such as Whetstone and Earl
Shilton. Please pray for all those willing to serve in this way. If you have a
story to tell please sent it to the editor for inclusion in the E-Letter.

 

PEACE ON EARTH AND GOODWILL
TO ALL?

On Sunday 6th December,
3pm at St Peter's Church, Nottingham NG1 2NW, a Christian Aid service with
music, drama and reflections will be held in preparation for Christmas. It aims
to be a thought-provoking occasion, challenging us to reflect on the realities
of Bethlehem
today and Christian Aid's work with impoverished communities. The service will
be led by Christopher Harrison of St
Peters' with Charlotte Marshall Christian Aid Middle
East emergencies officer. All welcome. If you'd like to sing or take a speaking
part please contact Mary Anderson on 01530 417522, manders [at] christian-aid [dot] org
There will be a practice for all participants at 7.15pm Tuesday 1st December at
7.15pm at St Peter's.

 

NOTTINGHAM URC AREA WORLD CHURCH SUNDAY - 15
NOVEMBER 2009

"OUR
NAMIBIAN EDUCATION"

Barbara & Addie Redmond will share their
experiences of life & work in Southern Africa.

VENUE: BULWELL URC, corner of Broomhill Rd.
& Brooklyn Rd. NG6 9GJ

TIME: 3.00 for 3.30p.m. BRING & SHARE TEA

6.00p.m.
EVENING WORSHIP. FAIRTRADE STALL.

For further information
contact Sylvia & Ian Salmon on 0115 927 5208 or email: **Available from Synod Office**

 

CHRISTIAN
JOURNEYING

 

Journeying is
a small, non-profit-making, ecumenical organisation which takes groups of
6-12 people on holiday in an informal Christian ambience to the more off-the-beaten-track
parts of Britain and Ireland.
What we offer is probably unique in Britain. Its origins lie in Celtic
spirituality and most of our trips still reflect that approach. Further
information from David Gleed at DaveGleednow [at] aol [dot] com.

 

 

 

 

FAITH
IN POLITICIANS - 27^TH
NOVEMBER 2009

Question time with Brian
Binley, Sally Keeble and Andrew Simpson

7.30pm on Friday 27^th
November at Sunley Management Centre, University of Northampton,
Park Campus. Admission by free ticket available from The Manna House, St. Giles Street,
or the University Chaplaincy. Written questions submitted to David Wiseman,
Christchurch Vicarage, 3 Christchurch
Road, Northampton NN1 5LL, or email: david [at] wiseman50 [dot] freeserve [dot] co [dot] uk .  For further details Tel: 01604 633254

 

THE
WAVE - COME TOGETHER TO STOP CLIMATE CHAOS, LONDON 5^TH DECEMBER 09

MARCH
TO SAVE THE WORLD'S POOREST FROM CLIMATE CHANGE

With the negotiations
in crisis, it is really important to convey a united message from the churches
calling for a strong agreement on tackling climate change at Copenhagen in December.  The Stop
Climate Change Coalition is organising a family-friendly march on 5th
December.  The march is scheduled to start from the Embankment at 1
pm.  People are encouraged to wear blue and bring blue fabric.  Why
not a blue church banner?  When Big Ben strikes three, the march will stop
and make a giant wave. 

The three asks
to
the UK Government to focus on are:

�        
Quit Dirty Coal: End our reliance on dirty coal
power, and instead boost the UK's
renewable energy supply to help build a green economy and create new jobs.

�        
Protect the Poorest: Provide resources to help the world's
poorest and most vulnerable people adapt to climate change.

�        
Act Fair & Fast: Deliver a fair global deal in Copenhagen that keeps global warming under 2ºC. 

Please
let charles [dot] jolly1 [at] talktalk [dot] net know if you are
hoping to attend so that we can try to link up on the day. Charles
Jolly.  Church and Society Officer

 

ELDERS AS TRUSTEES

There
is a new item on the URC website. This is a set of guidelines for elders for
their role as managing trustees of their churches. It covers the question of
legal indemnity which has been raised fairly frequently. There is a link to
this paper from the front page of the URC website (www.urc.org.uk)
at the moment (lower left hand corner). Thereafter it can be found under What
We Do / Churches / Resources for churches / Advice.

 

JOB OPPORTUNITY

Tutor
in Church-related Community Development Work post based at Northern College,
Luther King House, Manchester.  For the Job Description, Person
Specification, Outline of Terms & Conditions, and Application Guidelines
please visit: www.urc5.org.uk/?q=tutor1
Completed applications must be returned by December 7^th with the
post becoming available from May 2010.  The post could be full-time, or
alternatively 0.6 f/t. (with a p/t student tutor colleague).  Further
details are at: www.lutherkinghouse.org.uk

 

SYNOD
YEAR BOOK CHANGES  

• Revd Charlie Keenan **Available from Synod Office**, Minster of Danesholme
  LEP (BU), Rowlett Road Baptist Church and serving the new community of Little
  Stanion.

 

• Revd Fran
  Lane, **Available from Synod Office**

• Revd Nick Adlem has a new email address:**Available from Synod Office**
• Mr David Lax, Secretary at Dronfield
  Hill Top (5A24) has a new email address: **Available from Synod Office**
• The Church Treasurer at West Derbyshire URC (5A56) is Mr Laurie Peck, **Available from Synod Office**.  Our apologies for the omission of Mr Peck's name in the last e-letter.

AND
FINALLY: -  

Please
send any comments or feedback on this e-letter to Terry Oakley mod [at] urc5 [dot] org [dot] uk

 

The URC East Midlands Synod, 1 Edwards Lane, Sherwood, Nottingham, NG5
3AA.

Telephone: 0115 960 9241.  Facsimile: 0115 960 9202

 

Copy
date for Next E-Letter: 23rd November 2009

 

**Please note that
items for the next e-letter are to be sent to: modpa [at] urc5 [dot] org [dot] uk

 

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