EAST MIDLANDS SYNOD

E-Letter No. 75: 11^th March 2010

Edited this week by: Revd Clare Downing

Earlier this week, I spent a day with some ministers in the West Midlands, talking about Vision2020. At the start of the day I asked them how they were feeling about church life - if they were feeling excited I asked them to stand at one end of the room, and if they felt depressed they were to stand at the other end - or they could choose a spot in the centre. Once they had moved, there were people spread right along the spectrum - and one said that they felt they should be running to and fro between two extremes - but the majority placed themselves towards the excited end of the room.

I got the same feeling about excitement at the recent Synod Roadshows. Of course some people were encountering difficulties in church life, but there was a level of enthusiasm - about prayer, about spirituality and about mission - which I think is far greater than it has been over the past few years.

Sometimes we get suspicious about enthusiasm. But if we can't get enthusiastic about Jesus in the church, then isn't there something missing from our life together?

And if you need some encouragement, perhaps you should get involved with some of the events happening around the Synod that are advertised in this letter, put the June Synod date into your diary (details are on the website), get involved in the vision4life prayer year... and remember to share your enthusiasm with others. Your story might just give the encouragement that someone else needs.

            Clare

 

EAST MIDLANDS SYNOD

E-Letter No. 75: 11^th March 2010

Edited this week by: Revd Clare Downing

 

 

Earlier this week, I spent a day with some ministers in the West Midlands, talking about Vision2020. At the start of the day I asked them how they were feeling about church life - if they were feeling excited I asked them to stand at one end of the room, and if they felt depressed they were to stand at the other end - or they could choose a spot in the centre. Once they had moved, there were people spread right along the spectrum - and one said that they felt they should be running to and fro between two extremes - but the majority placed themselves towards the excited end of the room.

I got the same feeling about excitement at the recent Synod Roadshows. Of course some people were encountering difficulties in church life, but there was a level of enthusiasm - about prayer, about spirituality and about mission - which I think is far greater than it has been over the past few years.

Sometimes we get suspicious about enthusiasm. But if we can't get enthusiastic about Jesus in the church, then isn't there something missing from our life together?

And if you need some encouragement, perhaps you should get involved with some of the events happening around the Synod that are advertised in this letter, put the June Synod date into your diary (details are on the website), get involved in the vision4life prayer year... and remember to share your enthusiasm with others. Your story might just give the encouragement that someone else needs.

            Clare

 

GENERAL ELECTION 2010

Although we cannot be certain of the date of the General Election, 6th May is commonly suggested.  It is therefore time to prepare to ask demanding questions of the candidates, in particular the Climate Question.

Tearfund, Christian Aid and others are working together to ensure that five key issues are raised with candidates and to organise local hustings.

To find out whether you are in a marginal seat, go to the Christian Aid website, enter election 2010 in the search box and then enter your details, including postcode.  Go to the Tearfund website and search for election 2010 for some very useful summaries and help in organising hustings if necessary.  Go to www.bond.org.uk/data/files/bond_manifesto.pdf (Bond for International Development Vote Global) for the very informative International Development Manifesto for the election.

I am producing five half-A5 page summaries on the five key issues for church news-sheets locally and would be happy to send a copy if you contact me on *Available from Synod Office*

Charles Jolly, Synod Church and Society Officer

 

POOLED WEB HOSTING FOR URC's

An initiative by Buxton URC through one of its members who is an NSM is now one year old, this is the provision of web hosting for URC churches at cost price by pooling our needs. If your website is already set up then we can host it for one year for £25, assuming you (already) pay for your own domain name. Any church wanting to get a foothold on the web by starting up a website can be given free support in getting a site up and running, though the content is entirely up to yourselves. The service currently hosts 5 URC church websites and one charity website. If your church is interested then please contact: *Available from Synod Office*

 

CROSSFIRE - 28^TH - 31^ST MAY 2010

Crossfire is a United Reformed Church youth camp for anyone aged 14-25 held at Cottesmore (a small village with large camping field near Leicester).

The Crossfire weekend is packed with time to praise God, listen to God and to learn about God.

Crossfire has a speaker, its very own worship band, a massive camping field, halls, superb caterers, bouncy activities, hot showers (swimwear needed) and so much more.  We will have a live band on Saturday night, check website for details: www.crossfire.org.uk

It's going to be a great weekend, so book right now and bring your mates!

Cost: £60.00 and £5 for tent hire (if needed and on a first come first serve basis)

For more information and for a booking form, please visit: www.crossfire.org.uk or contact

Nicola MacLellan: bookings [at] crossfire [dot] org [dot] uk

All Bookings Must be Received by 21^st May 2010

 

Nottinghamshire

 

MINISTER AVAILABLE

Revd Gerrit Bakker, a retired minister in Newark, Nottinghamshire is available to preach at your church.  Gerrit is a non-driver; therefore churches in the surrounding area would be good. Please contact Gerrit on Tel: *Available from Synod Office*.

 

COULD YOU VOLUNTEER IN A PRISON?

PACT (Prison Advice & Care Trust) urgently need volunteers who would be willing to meet and greet the families in the visitor's centre at Nottingham Prison, help serve tea, and refreshments, advise and support the families and offer to play activities with the children.

If you are interested, there is a Volunteering Open Evening on Thursday 18th March 5pm-7pm at Community and Visitors' Centre, HMP Nottingham.  Come along and find out about volunteering opportunities at HMP Nottingham in family support and hospitality.  Look around the family visitors' centre and talk to staff.

Please RSVP to volunteers [at] prisonadyice [dot] org [dot] uk or phone 02070911293

The Prison Advice & Care Trust (pact) is an independent charity which supports prisoners and their families at prisons across the UK.

 

SIZZLE! - RESOURCES AND TRAINING FOR CHRISTIAN YOUTH WORKERS

Saturday 22nd May 2010 10.00am - 1.00pm At: St Jude's Church Woodborough Road Mapperley Nottingham.  NG3 5HE Admission Cost: £7.  The first 50 people to book will get a free copy of the book Building our Relationship with Christ -Talking with our Father and the Mission and Young People at Risk CD Rom!

WORKSHOPS:

• 101 Ideas for your Youth Programme: Games, crafts, activities, discussion starters - come away with loads of ideas! Angela Heywood
• Well-Being and Behaviour: How can we respond to and help young people with challenging behaviour. Nigel Pimlott
• Using Film, TV and Video in Christian Ministry: Why we should be using film clips in our discussions and activities with young people providing practical examples you can use and resources you can follow up with. Colin Udall
• Serving your Local School: Looking at creative ways to serve your local schools and connect with hundreds of young people. Richard Dawson

http://www.urc5.org.uk/?q=sizzle for booking form and flyer

 

Leicestershire

The Faith Leaders Forum - Election2010: Question Time

Calling people of faith to come and speak up about the issues that concern you, with a panel of candidates standing at the General Election in the city and county.

Sunday 14^th March 5.30pm at Leicester Cathedral

For Directions: http://election2010.dioceseofleicester.com

Panellists:

• Sir Peter Soulsby (Labour)
• Jane Hunt (Conservatives)
• Zuffar Haq (Liberal Democrats)
• Geoff Forse (Green Party)

Peter Yates
Director of Social Responsibility - Diocese of Leicester

 

Palestine Kairos - Nora Karmi visit - 21-23 April 2010

Nora Karmi, who is a founder member of Sabeel Jerusalem,   http://www.sabeel.org/  is visiting the UK at the end of April and will be in the East Midlands 21st to 23rd.

Her main focus will be the Palestine Kairos document published by all the Palestine Churches on 15th December 2009.
If you are interested in her coming to you for an afternoon/evening and/or if you would be interested in coming to Leicester to hear her speak please contact David Carter - david [at] meec [dot] org [dot] uk

 

YOUTH TRIP TO TRICHY DIOCESE, CHURCH OF SOUTH INDIA

Since 2002 there has been a link between Churches Together in Leicestershire and the Trichy Diocese in Tamil Nadu, South India. In 2011 young people are being offered a chance to be part of this Christian adventure.

A 12 day, ecumenical trip for a group of 12 young people (16-25 years at time of travel) is planned sometime between the dates Saturday 12^th Feb - Sunday 27^th Feb 2011. Young people will join activities and discussion with young Indian Christians, help teach English in a variety of mission schools and visit an HIV/Aids project. Travel may include into the hills to see the vast tea estates or down to the coast which suffered greatly as a result of the 2006 tsunami.

Completed application forms should be sent by 1^st May 2010

For more information and for the booking form, please visit: www.urc5.org.uk/?q=youthtrichy

 

 

Derbyshire

BETTER THAN OK - LET'S BE OUTSTANDING

Wednesday May 19th 10am-3pm at St. Alkmund, Kedleston Rd, Derby

A day of training for all those who as volunteers or clergy deliver assemblies or run Christian Clubs in Primary Schools.

For more information and for the booking form, please visit: www.urc5.org.uk/?q=betterthanok 

 

ASK THE CLIMATE QUESTION

A meeting with Derby North prospective parliamentary candidates (Conservative, Labour, Lib. Dem.) to find out their views on climate change questions. 

Friday 26th March at 19.00 at Central United Reformed Church, Becket Well Lane off Victoria Street, Derby, DE1 1JW.  To suggest a question, telephone Peter Robinson,  *Available from Synod Office*

Other queries to Rev Keith Burchell  *Available from Synod Office*  (Arranged by Derby Climate Change Coalition.)
With thanks.  Keith Burchell

 

 

Northamptonshire

PORTABLE BAPTISTRY HIRE

Can anyone lend or hire Grange Park Church in Northampton a Portable baptistry to use for Palm Sunday service?  They are willing to hire and collect.  Alternatively, does anyone want to jointly purchase one to share?

If so, please contact Revd Charlie Nobbs, Anglican Minister, Grange Park Church, Northampton.

Tel: *Available from Synod Office*

 

STARBURST 2010 - life in all its fullness - SATURDAY 8 MAY,  10am - 4pm    

A day conference for all those who work with children: Clergy and licensed ministers, Children's leaders and workers, Junior leaders, Teachers, Parents, grandparents and Godparents

At All Saints Primary School, Boughton Green Road , Northampton NN2 7AJ

Keynote speaker:  Nick Harding (All-age Everything; Boys, God and the Church)

Workshops to include: Under 5s * Using Puppets * Music * Children growing in faith * Godly Play * Children and Communion * Children and the Internet * Centring Prayer * Crafts

Welcoming and Integrating Families * Faith in the Family

We cannot offer a crèche on this occasion, but you are welcome to bring your children with you (free of charge).  We suggest that you choose workshops that they will find of interest such as the Godly Play taster, puppets, crafts, music or faith in the family.

Tickets: £10 per person or £35 for 4.  Tel: 01604 887048          

Download a flier for the event at:

http://www.peterborough-diocese.org.uk/downloads/starburst2010.pdf

 

Study Day at Wellingborough URC

Led by Revd Neil Thorgood from Westminster College Cambridge entitiled 'Art, and the Arts of Prayer'.  This is on Saturday 12^th June from 10 am to 3 pm.  Please bring your own lunch. Refreshments provided. Cost £3.

This does clash with Synod but we have had Neil booked for over 2 years.  A rare opportunity, not to be missed.  Contact Sue Scott *Available from Synod Office* to book a place.

 

Celebrating the gift of sexuality

Claire Goldthorp is working on a project for the URC's Human Sexuality Task Group The project is to collect liturgies, prayers and other worship material (including hymns/songs) which celebrate and encompass a wide range of areas pertaining to human sexuality.  This will then be published in some form, probably on the website and in a paper booklet.  Please visit www.urc5.org.uk/?q=CGS further details.

 

YEAR BOOK CHANGES

·         The Treasurer at Riverside Church, Sleaford (5C21), Mr Brian Coaker, has a new telephone number and email address:- Tel: &  Email: *Available from Synod Office*

• There is a new Treasurer at Sutton in Ashfield URC (5E04): Mr David Richmond:*Available from Synod Office*
• Retired Minister, the Revd Derek Fitch, has a new email address: *Available from Synod Office*

AND FINALLY: -   Please send any comments or feedback on this e-letter to Clare Downing: 

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

Telephone: 0115 960 9241.  Facsimile: 0115 960 9202

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

Copy Date for Next E-Letter: 22^nd March 2010

Please forward this e-letter to members of your congregation or anyone who would like to receive it.

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