Synod meeting last Saturday at Loughborough United Reformed Church was a good time of encouraging and supporting one another. We commissioned our Pastoral Consultants: Chris Ford and Kathleen Pass for Nottinghamshire; David Miller and Pat Hinks for Lincolnshire, Michael Forster and David Todd for Leicestershire, Paul Bedford for Northants, and Margaret Davies for Derbyshire – Peter Meek was unable to be present because of illness. We also appointed new people to the Synod Groups including David Downing as Ministries Convener, Steve Faber as new Mission Development Group Convener, Irene Wren Search Group Convener. We agreed those who will represent the Synod at General Assembly this year, which will be held in Loughborough University in July. We asked a group of young people who are to visit our World Church partner the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa in Botswana to take our greetings to them. We heard about the arrangements for Vetting and Barring through the Independent Safeguarding Agency and we are glad to be working towards making our churches safe communities for children, young people and vulnerable adults. We received good news about our finances for 2009 and agreed to base the target figures for M&M 2011 on the 2010 targets, whilst we take more time to work out the details of the new formula based on income. We agreed to give more time to the Crossways team to develop their business plan and will make a decision about its future at the November synod. We received news of a new candidate accepted for training for ministry of Word and Sacraments – John Agbodjan, who will begin training at Westminster College in September. One of the interesting points was the number of churches who are involved with the Street Pastors scheme. 

This coming weekend please pray for Meda Stamper a minister of the American Presbyterian Church who is to be inducted to Anstey URC at 11am on Saturday.  Pray also for Boulevard URC, Nottingham who are to rededicate their refurbished building at 3pm on Saturday and Buxton URC who are celebrating their bi-centenary this year and will have a special service on Sunday morning at 10.30. 

Terry Oakley 

People

+ Mrs Gillian Spiby

We were very sorry to learn that Mrs Gillian Spiby, Secretary at Burton Joyce URC, died on 25^th February 2010. The following is from her husband, Graham:

“Dear All, It is a little difficult for me to write this but myself, Maxine and Sean wish to thank you for all the cards, messages and your prayers for Gillian.  I am sure Gillian would be touched, with the number of people who attended her Funeral, the service conducted by Rev Louise Gee and afterwards at her afternoon Tea.  We thank you all for your donations to the Cancer Support Group and pleased that Gillian life touched so many of you.  We hope to have a service at Burton Joyce U R C in April to celebrate her life and we hope you will be able to come and join with us.  I thank you for your on going prayers for me and my family as they have been such a comfort and a support to us all.In Gillian’s words: “I am not dying with Cancer…I am Living with it”What positive words for me to always remember her by.Yours in Christian Love, Graham”

 + Chris Elliott

We have learned of the death of Chris Elliott a former minister who served at Spalding and Bourne.He has been living and worshiping in Market Rasen for the last few years. Please remember all those who loved him and who were helped by him in his ministry as they mourn his loss. 

 GENERAL ELECTION 2010Although we cannot be certain of the date of the General Election, 6^th 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.  Got 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: charles [dot] jolly1 [at] talktalk [dot] net

Charles Jolly, Synod Church and Society Officer 

Lincolnshire

NEWS FROM PAULA PARISH WEST AND GRIMSBY URC

We would like to congratulate Revd Paula Parish-West on her recent graduation - Paula received an MA in Counselling with a Merit.  Paula’s dissertation is on the website – please have a read: www.urc5.org.uk/?q=ppw Also good news at Grimsby URC – the church meeting has voted in 6 new members.  We also had six new people in attendance in the congregation, people who had never come before, & we ran out of welcome bags as only four were available.  Since last Summer we have seen on a regular basis newcomers.  Many have stayed and are yet to be invited into membership.  There will be another membership service later in the year. We have transferred our café church to a Sunday evening, once a month, at the request of members who are keen for an outreach Sunday night service.   Paula PW 

THREE TRAINING DAYS FOR WORK WITH CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE

Lincoln Diocese Youth Service are holding the following three training days:-*15^th May - Group Work * 22^nd May - Pastoral care and support structures *12^th June - Faith & Spirituality in Children & Young PeopleAt Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Barton upon Humber, 9.45am – 3.30pmCost for each day is £15 per attendee (Bring & Share Lunch)For more information and for the booking form please visit: www.urc5.org.uk/?q=BARTON 

 Derby

POOLED WEB HOSTING FOR URC’S

An initiative by Buxton URC through one of its members who is a 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 mark [dot] houghton [at] BuxtonURC [dot] org [dot] uk 

Leicestershire

 Press release - FareShare wins “Britain’s Most Admired Charity” Award

FareShare has won the award as ‘Britain’s Most Admired Charity’ at the Third Sector Awards ceremony. FareShare is the national charity working to relieve food poverty by redistributing quality surplus food from the food industry to a network of over 500 community organisations that support homeless and other vulnerable people. The charity also provides training and education around the essential life skills of safe food preparation and nutrition, and warehouse employability training through FareShare’s Eat Well Live Well programme. Last year, the food redistributed by the charity contributed towards 7.4 million meals for vulnerable people.  The charity runs 12 operations across the country and every day 29,000 people benefit from the FareShare service. One of these is FareShare Leicester, which is run in partnership with the Diocese of Leicester. For more information on FareShare, please call Maria Olesen on Tel: 020 7394 2467 or email: maria [dot] olesen [at] fareshare [dot] org [dot] uk www.fareshare.org.uk  

LAUNDE ABBEY ON EASTER SUNDAY

Are you at a loss as to how to entertain the family this Easter? If so why not treat everyone to a lunch at Launde Abbey, where the spring lambs are in the parkland and the beautiful Spring flowers are just starting to make an appearance? The retreat house is once again opening its doors for delicious lunches and teas this Easter Day.  The Abbey will be hosting a three course carvery lunch followed by tea and cake in the afternoon and an Easter Egg hunt for the children. Lunch will be served from 12.00 pm, with tea available from 4.00 pm.  Pre-booking is essential via the General Office at Launde Abbey on 01572 717254 or visit the website:  www.launde.org.uk.  Lunches cost £16.00 per person (Children under 12: £10.00, including the Easter Egg Hunt and under 3s free).  A family ticket is also available (2 Adults, 2 Children) for £47.00.Enquiries to Nick Quinn on 01572 717254 or nick [at] launde [dot] org [dot] uk 

Northamptonshire

PRAYER AROUND THE CROSS

The town centre ministers invite people to ‘Prayer around the Cross’ on Good Friday morning at the Cathedral, Barrack Road, Northampton.  10.30am – 11.30amPreacher: Bishop Peter Doyle - Musicians welcome to bring their instruments.

Ted Hales 

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 at susanscott469 [at] googlemail [dot] com to book a place.  

Northampton Pentecost Festival – Organised by the hope northampton team

On Sunday 23rd May 2010, 12.30pm – 6.00pm at The Bandstand, Abington Park, Northampton

We look forward to visitors from across the county when the Northampton Pentecost Festival swings into action with a joint church service led by our special guests: Graham Kendrick and Band. This service at 12.30pm is only the start of a full afternoon of activity for all the family.  At 2.45pm we link with the rest of the world for the Global Day of Prayer. Prayer led by regional Church Leaders from the Anglican, Baptist, Catholic, Methodist, United Reformed Church and Salvation Army, together with music from Graham Kendrick will help us join the wave of worldwide prayer as it moves through our time zone.  During the afternoon there will be an array of activities for all to enjoy. A bandstand programme of choirs and groups will reflect the diversity of the church and a 'village' of gazebos and tents will offer crafts, ministry exhibitions, bookstalls, face painting, refreshments, prayer tent and focussed areas for family, children and young people.We also look forward to the Rock Centre's climbing wall and the Harleys and Hondas of the Christian Motorcycling Association, with a chance to take lots of photos of your kids [even the grown up ones].
For more information please visit: www.urc5.org.uk/?q=HNPF2010  

Nottinghamshire

 Please remember Boundary Road URC, Beeston as they face an uncertain future. Pray for Richard Turnbull their minster and the elder and members.     

  Milton Keynes

Responding to Dawkins - Milton Keynes Theology Forum

 Monday 19 April 7.30 pm

The Forum is a project group of the Milton Keynes Mission Partnership that seeks to serve all the churches of the Milton Keynes area.  This spring we launch a new initiative, a series of open discussions on key issues of concern to local Christians.  The first of these, 'Responding to Dawkins', considers our response to the challenge of the 'New Atheism' propagated by Richard Dawkins and others.  Prof. Alan Sell will introduce the subject which will be followed by a discussion open to all.  The evening is for any Christian interested in the subject and is designed to inform and equip our response.  Full details are at: www.urc5.org.uk/?q=MKTF.  You are warmly invited to attend and we would be most grateful if you could make this known in your church or ministry.  Steve Chilcraft, Chair, MK Theology Forum   

All Creatures Praise You - A Service of Thanksgiving for Animals

At the Cathedral of Trees, 3:00pm on Sunday 25^th April 2010

We want everyone to enjoy this service so please take due care by keeping your pets under close control and taking responsibility for their actions. The Cathedral of Trees is opposite Willen Lake at Newlands, just off the junctions of V10 Brickhill Street and H5 Portway.  For more information please ring Revd Stephen Mosedale, Tel: 01908 312043 

Could you be ‘Young Preacher of the Year’?

The College of Preachers and Premier Christian Media are looking for a fabulous young preacher in their just launched ‘Young Preacher of the Year’ Competition.  The aim is to find the very best up-and-coming preachers across the UK.  So, if you’re aged between 18 and 30 (as of 18 January 2010) and think you have what it takes to impress our panel of judges, then this could be for you!

The competition aims to encourage the next generation of Christian preachers and, at the time of registering, entrants must be a Christian preacher or a preacher in training, formally recognised as such by the church or denomination to which you belong. Entrants must provide a sermon preached in front of a congregation in an act of worship, in audio format with full transcript and an ordained minister within your church must support your entry. 

A panel consisting of tutors from the College of Preachers will judge all sermons entered, and, for the final, special guest assessors will join them.  The judges will be listening and looking to see how each entrant engages faithfully with the Bible, directly with the congregation and relevantly with peoples’ concerns and experience. They'll also be considering the content, shape and delivery of each sermon.The Revd Roberta Rominger, General Secretary of The United Reformed Church, encourages all young preachers from every part of every URC synod to consider entering this competition. She says: “Within the URC there are some terrific young preachers and I fully endorse this competition, which highlights the continued importance of preaching across the Church.”

For more information, and to register your interest in taking part, just follow the link below. The competition closes on 28 May 2010, and the final and awards ceremony will place in London in November 2010.  For more information please visit:

 http://www.urc.org.uk/news/news and click on ‘Could you be ‘Young Preacher of the Year?’ 

YEAR BOOK CHANGE

·       The Revd Nancy Babarinde, minister at Corby (5D11) and Rothwell (5D37) URC now has a landline. **available from Synod**

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

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

Copy Date for Next E-Letter: 6^th April 2010

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