EAST MIDLANDS SYNOD

E-Letter No. 70: 10^th December 2009

Edited this week by:

Terry Oakley, Deborah Anderson & Colin Udall

A YEAR OF PRAYER

We have entered the second year of Vision4Life - a year of prayer! There are lots of good resources on the URC web-site (http://www.urc.org.uk/). But it's the resources within you that are just as important. Do you expect something to happen when you pray - we hope so! Of course prayer is not only about asking for something. It's also about listen to God, being in God's presence, expressing our thanks and praise, and even resting. We have a prayer section on the Synod web-site inviting you to pray for our minsters and churches - it's at the bottom of the home page. You could use it each day - and check up on what's new while you're there. We've just learned that there is to be a week of continuous prayer in Holy Week next year (see below). Some of our churches have begun Advent with prayer vigils.  Perhaps your church could arrange a day of prayer, or a week of Prayer in Daily Life. If you want to know more contact the Revd Mike Playdon our Synod Prayer & Spirituality **details available from Synod Office**. And don't forget to keep praying for Christian Unity - the octave is from 18^th to 25^th January (see below)

We pray that you will have a peaceful and joyful Christmas, that you will hold the poor of the world in your prayers, and that in the New Year we will grow together in our faith and in our service in the name and Spirit of Jesus Christ.

Terry, Deborah and Colin

 

WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY 18^TH -25^TH JANUARY 2010.

‘Dwelling together in unity' an opportunity to experience praying together in different styles. Thursday, 21st January 2010 at 7.45 pm (till 9.15 pm) (Refreshments from 9.15 pm). Hosted by. The Salvation Army, Conniburrow, Milton Keynes. With contributions by members and leaders of different churches.

URC HOLY WEEK 2010 24/7 PRAYER

During Holy Week 2010 the URC is having a continuous week of prayer, leading up to Easter Sunday. A group is to make people aware of this, and to share ideas of how you could contribute in your church. If your church would like to sign up for a prayer slot during the week, please contact Heather Latimer on 020 7916 8682 or at youth [at] urc [dot] org [dot] uk.

 

NORTHANTS

HELEN CARR

Helen is training to be a minster of Word and Sacraments in the United Reformed Church and has just been called to serve in Toller, Kettering and Desborough. Please pray for her as she completes her final year of training and pray for the churches as they prepare to receive her ministry.

 

ROSEMARY PULLEN

Rosemary will be inducted to the NW Northants Group on Saturday 9^th January 2010 at Long Buckby URC. The service begins at 2.30pm and you are all invited!

 

LINCOLNSHIRE

LOVE CAME DOWN AT CHRISTMAS...

Churches Together in Central Peterborough is behind a really exciting new project for our city as Christmas approaches. We have taken on an empty shop unit in Long Causeway for the run up to Christmas - not to sell anything, but simply to remind shoppers of the true meaning of Christmas.

We will be linking in with an initiative called "Get in the picture" which has run successfully in other areas of the country in previous years. The vision is to offer a free gift of a picture to remind people of the Christmas story. This will be done by creating a nativity scene and inviting individuals and families to ‘get in the picture' and have their photograph taken as part of the nativity scene. These photos will then be available for secure download from the website.

So, our aim is to create a living nativity scene within the shop, complete with straw, and even a real donkey. We will be offering coffee and mince pies or gingerbread biscuits, as well as a small oasis of peace and quiet and the opportunity to remind busy shoppers of the true meaning of Christmas.

The shop will be open Thursdays 5pm-8pm, Fridays 2pm-8pm, Saturdays 10am-5pm, and Sundays 12 noon - 4.30pm for three weeks from 3rd to 20th December.

Jo Vernon Project Co-ordinator. Love came down at Christmas. Tel: 01832 272191 (home); 01733 313898 (work); 07963 660621 (mobile). www.getinthepicture.org.uk

 

CHURCHES TOGETHER IN ALL LINCOLNSHIRE LATEST EDITION OF NOTEPAD

The latest edition of Notepad is available to download via the CTAL website. http://www.ctal.org.uk/.

To go straight to Notepad click the link below. http://www.ctal.org.uk/notepad%20December.pdf From: Simon Dean [mailto:Simon [dot] Dean [at] lincoln [dot] anglican [dot] org]

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE

THE NOTTINGHAM AREA WORLD CHURCH SUNDAY

The Nottingham area World Church Sunday event on November 15th was both informative and thought-provoking. Speakers Addie and Barbara Redmond took early retirement to go as VSO volunteers to Namibia and spent nearly 4 years there. Apart from teaching, training teachers, and producing a science road show (with very little and very basic equipment) they got very involved in the local church. Would the early missionaries to southern Africa have recognised service with a secular organisation as "Mission"? It is good to hear of the different ways that God is calling people to serve Him in the 21st Century. Folk from 5 of our former district churches came (where were the other 13?) plus some Anglican and Catholic friends. We hope to continue this annual event. If anyone has an idea for a speaker for November 2010 we would be pleased to know. Sylvia and Ian Salmon

NOTTS & DERBYS.

For news of the ecumenical scene in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire see the news gathered by the Revd Philip Webb the County Ecumenical Development Officer - www.urc5.org.uk/?q=monthlydigest

 

MAKE A DIFFERENCE CONFERENCE, 22-24 JANUARY 2010 - SWANWICK
Below are details of an event that we want to encourage as many as possible to attend. As someone with a heart for reaching out to Children and young people we wondered if you would pass this on to those who might benefit from the weekend. Why not consider sending some of your children's and youth workers to help them develop their skills Contact: JohnS [at] scriptureunion [dot] org [dot] uk.  Scripture Union Northern Training Conference, Hayes Conference Centre, Swanwick, Derbyshire

WINDERMERE CENTRE WEEKEND - VISION4LIFE - 22-24 JANUARY 2010

Luke's story of Jesus is the Lectionary gospel for this year (Year C). This weekend is an opportunity to explore its narrative structure, content, major themes and message. The aim is to introduce preachers, worship leaders and Bible study leaders to the richness of what is probably the most popular of the four gospels. Expect to have your eyes opened to new insights and to be excited by what you discover.  £120 For more information, programme and booking form, please visit: www.urc5.org.uk/?q=LukeIW

ACTION - ONE MORE CARD

Take action to end the detention of children this Christmas. Dominic Mwafulirwa Junior detained in Yarl's Wood Detention Centre in 2009. Each family sends an average of 76 Christmas cards each year. We want you to send One More Card to help stop the detention of children in the UK. Send an extra Christmas card to Immigration Minister, Phil Woolas MP, and let him know that your Christmas wish is for him to stop the practice of detaining the children of people seeking sanctuary in Britain. Britain is the only country in Europe which detains the children of people seeking sanctuary.  Dominic Mwafulirwa Junior is one child who was detained in 2009. He was taken with his family to Yarl's Wood Detention Centre and held for 50 days. During that time he saw someone self-harm and another person attempt suicide. He was only released because he developed chicken pox. More than 1,000 children a year are kept in detention. Research has shown that detention causes significant mental and emotional harm to children. Ensure no child ever has to suffer what Dominic experienced. Send a Christmas card to the Immigration Minister, Phil Woolas MP, asking for the end of detention for children and families who seek sanctuary. Keep the Christmas card positive. Wish Mr Woolas a Merry Christmas then ask him (in your own words) to end the practice of detaining children and families of people seeking sanctuary. Include your name, address and the name of your church. Send your card to: Phil Woolas MP Home Office, 2 Marsham Street, London SW1P 4DF. Encourage members of your family, your church, your friends and your work colleagues to send one more card too. For more information see: www.jointpublicissues.org.uk/childrenindetention.

 

WANTED! VOLUNTARY HELP!

The many sources of hymns available today can greatly enrich worship. Sadly, however there are some churches who have only one organist or pianist, and if sickness, family problems or even - shock horror - holidays, mean that he or she is absent, the congregation must sing unaccompanied. This may be acceptable for one week, but after two or three, the novelty wanes!

Would it be possible to construct a database of keyboard musicians who are, perhaps not  playing regularly in their own churches, but who would be willing to ‘fill in' at other churches on an occasional basis? Not only would churches benefit from links with other congregations, but the regular organist might be allowed a weekend off or even a bout of ‘flu' without feelings of guilt!

Anne C Hicks, Boulevard URC.  Email: **available from Synod office**

2010 SYNOD MEETING DATES

For 2010 SYNOD MEETING DATES

For an updated list of the Synod Meeting Dates in 2010 please visit: www.urc5.org.uk/?q=2009-10dates

MISSION MEANS ME (MMM 2010) 12^TH - 14^TH FEBRUARY

At Frontier Centre, Irthlingborough, Northants

This year is MMM's 10^th Birthday and we aim to celebrate in style with a Big Birthday Bash on the Saturday evening (13^th), complete with birthday cake.  We are following the Vision4Life theme of prayer and will also be having the usual mix of speakers and thinking about our relationship with God, or beginning one if we don't already have one.  There will also be some outdoor activities.

Speakers include: Nigel Roberts and the Revd Jay Phelps.

Cost: £65 - we have fewer places available so please complete a booking form which is available at www.urc5.org.uk/?q=MMM2010 and will also have further information.

    FEBRUARY SYNOD ROADSHOWS: ‘SHARING STORIES'  

The Roadshows are open to all and we would like to share stories of good things that are happening in the churches.  Among the stories we would like to share are:

M&M - LMMR - Prayer Network - 1C100U Buildings - Role of Elders - Vetting & Barring -Worship

We would particularly like Church Treasurers to attend to talk about M&M.

Please come along to the Roadshow in your area:

Monday 8^th February - Crossways

Tuesday 9^th February - Gainsborough URC, Lincolnshire

Wednesday 10^th February - Sherwood URC, Nottingham

Monday 15^th February - Riverside Church, Sleaford, Lincolnshire

Tuesday 16^th February - Marlpool URC, Derbyshire

Wednesday 17^th February - Abbots Road URC, Leicester

7:15PM - 9:15PM

 

Tell us you're coming -telephone: 0115 960 9241 or email modpa [at] urc5 [dot] org [dot] uk 

YEAR BOOK CHANGES

 

•·       The contact details for Revd Charlie Keenan, Danesholme Community Church are as follows:   **available from Synod Office**         

• The Church Secretary at Whittlesey Church, Mr Malcolm Boucher, has a new email address: **available from Synod Office**

• New correspondence address for Revd Michael Forster, Co-ordinating Chaplain at The Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust: The Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust, George Hine House, Gipsy Lane, Leicester, LE5 0TD.

 

CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS

Please note that the office will be closed over the Christmas holidays, from Tuesday 22^nd December, and re-opens on Monday 4^th January 2010.

 

The Synod Staff would like to wish you all a very Happy Christmas and a peaceful and healthy

New Year.

 

 

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: 4^th January 2010

Email address for E-Letter Editor: editor [at] urc5 [dot] org [dot] uk

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