On our recent trip to Botswana (see report from Judith below) it was often frustrating to be kept waiting whilst people were still apparently organising themselves.  This was until we began talking about it all a bit more philosophically and realised that we were getting really uptight, whilst our hosts were not.  It was all a matter of perspective, and even when things were late, even by Botswana standards one just had to keep in mind that for all of this, the welcome and the generosity we had received far outweighed the matter of timekeeping.  In Botswana and, I am sure in other countries too, time does not matter so much, but people do.   Colin Udall

ECO-CONGREGATION  We are looking for a congregation who are willing to host a session on becoming an Eco-congregation and who will also be willing to open that up to other churches in the area.  If you are interested or would like more information, please contact Charles Jolly, Church and Society Officer on Tel: 01298 22557 or Email: charles [dot] jolly1 [at] talktalk [dot] net

DERBYSHIRE

ORTHODOX STUDY DAY  Saturday 24th April 2010 Town End House, Hopton, Nr Wirksworth DE4 4D.  These talks are dedicated to the memory of the Reverend Bernard and Xenia Fielding Clark.  They died in Wirksworth after lives spent in Russia and India, ministry in London and Hazelwood:  Brave scholarly and controversial, we owe them much. . RSVP to Vaila Cochrane, Town End House, Hopton Wirksworth DE4 4DF 01629 540349. vaila [dot] cochrane [at] virgin [dot] net.  Contributions up to £15.  Maps and bus times on request.  Please exhibit this anywhere suitable and pass on to friends.

LEICESTERSHIRE

News on Young People leading services from Hinckley URC - "The MundiBand is a group of our own lads who lead worship from time to time, none of whom are older than 15. Megan (aged 11) who will do the All Age slot has prepared a Power Point.  Margaret M is our TLS student from West Mids, and the opening prayers will be led by one of our own congregation. So we are working hard to get involvement in worship and experience of leadership.  We have several lay preachers in the congregation. But most of them have their own `circuit` and only one is TLS qualified though all are competent.  Love in Jesus, Malcolm Clarke"

ST. PHILIP'S CENTRE

Presence and Engagement in a multi-faith World, a 3-day course.  The Objectives are: How can we learn from other faiths but also be aware of our own distinctiveness? What is an appropriate approach to mission within a multi faith world? How do we account for the evident goodness and piety we see in people of other faiths? What of issues of Truth ... of Grace ... of Salvation? This course seeks to explore these issues and will include visits in Leicester and to the Islamic Foundation with which we have special links. The cost of the three day course, including lunch and refreshments, is £120.00.

We can arrange bed & breakfast in the homes of local clergy at £18 a night or in a nearby hotel for

£45 per person. Dates of next courses: 18th May, 1st & 15th June 2010 and 28th, 29th, 30th September 2010. St Philip's Centre, 2a Stoughton Drive North, Leicester LE5 5UB.  Tel: 0116 273 3459 admin [at] stphilipscentre [dot] co [dot] uk www.stphilipscentre.co.uk

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE

ELECTION HUSTINGS

Organised by Northampton Christian Network for Justice & Peace and on behalf of Churches Together in Northampton. For Northampton North the meeting is at Kingsley Park Methodists 7.30 p.m. on Monday April 26^th. For Northampton South the meeting is at Castle Hill United Reformed Church, 7.30 p.m. on Tuesday April 27^th. More information can be found on their web site: www.churches-together-northampton.org.uk Secretary: Churches Together in Northampton.

PENTECOST SUNDAY

As part of the preparation for the Festival!  event on Pentecost Sunday in Abington Park we are inviting Churches to be involved in Ten Days of Prayer from 14th - 23rd May.  We would be grateful if you and your congregations could come up with creative ways in which to cover these days with prayerful expectation of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. We are hoping that different Churches will make themselves responsible for taking on one of these days and in different ways filling it with prayer. Could you please think about how your church might be involved in this either by: 1. Taking on responsibility for one of the ten days (or a 12 hour slot) and making sure that that day/night are covered with individuals or groups praying (or a mixture of both). We can then put these together to form a prayer rota for the ten days. 2. Making your church open as a venue for people to come and pray at a certain time/s during those ten days. 3.  Hosting a prayer event during that time to which we can invite all the Churches.  These can then be advertised on the Hope Northampton and Churches Together in Northampton websites. Please let us know, as soon as you can, how you'd like to be involved or put us in touch with someone from your church who can act as a liaison person. Prayers resources will be made available to you.  John Udris: johnudris [at] northamptoncathedral [dot] org Pam Pitt: pam [dot] pitt [at] salvationarmy [dot] org [dot] uk  on behalf of the Hope Northampton Team

KILSBY URC FLOWER FESTIVAL

Invite you to come along to Kilsby URC on June 12^th or 13^th from 12.00noon until 6.00pm.   The theme this time is inspired by the book of Acts. Various stalls will be available on Saturday, and refreshments will be available on both days. Kilsby is situated on the A5 not far from Junction 18 on M1. For those who use SATNAV our post code is CV23 8XE

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE

SIZZLE! Resources and Training for Christian Youth Workers Saturday 22 May 10.00 am - 1.00 pm
St Jude's Church Woodborough Road Mapperley Nottingham NG3 5HE Cost just *£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 include 101 ideas for your Youth Programme, Well-Being and Behaviour, Using Film, TV and Video in Christian Ministry and Serving Your

Local School.  Booking form available from:
http://www.nottinghamyfc.co.uk/downloads/events/sizzle-may-22-flier.pdf

ELSEWHERE AND EVERYWHERE

Young people's visit to Botswana- March 29^th - April9th

We, Colin Udall ( CYDO), 4 young people- Lucy Ette and Rachael Gilbert from Wellingborough; Stephanie Morley from Spalding; Lynnette Barnett from Peterborough and myself went to meet with the young people of the Botswana Synod of UCCSA( United Congregational Church of Southern Africa) over the Easter period. We went to start talking about a youth exchange with the young people of our Synod and the young people of Botswana as this Synod is our Global partner in the Belonging to the World Church programme. We met with Revd. Dr. Prince Dibeela and Revd, Cheryl Dibeela during a short visit to Johannesburg, they send greetings to all who remember them. We were made very welcome and have made some good contacts. The services over the Easter period were very moving and we were all very blessed.  If YOU or you know of young people in your church who would like to be involved in the future programme please put them in touch with Colin or myself. Judith North- j_north1 [at] tiscali [dot] co [dot] uk

Theatre Week, as you may be aware, is an ecumenical annual youth theatre event run by the Christian performing arts organisation, Faith, hope & gaffertape. Theatre Week originally began as an initiative of the United Reformed Church but has been running as an independent event since being taken over by the current directors in 2004. We are still proud to be supported by the URC and seek to work as closely as possible with you. Most of the young people who attend our events are members of FURY.

Theatre Week is a residential youth event for 16-25year olds. The challenge is to prepare a show from auditions to final performance in just one week! This year we will be preparing the Disney favourite, Beauty and the Beast.  We need singers, dancers, actors, musicians, prop-makers and backstage crew for this musical extravaganza! This year's event - Date: Friday 30^th July - Friday 6^th August 2010

Venues: Rehearsals @ The Crossways Centre, Yardley Hastings, Northants. Performances @ The Cripps Hall Theatre, Northampton School for Boys. Cost: £160 Full Board (including a show hoody). Age range: 16 - 25yrs. Contact: info [at] gaffertape [dot] biz Caroline Flint.

After the Vote on 6^th May

After the vote, it will still be left to us to help our communities cope with the continuing impact of the financial crisis. The number of people out of work has probably doubled in your area - bringing financial pressures, threats to home security, relationships and mental health. You are invited to join other church leaders to think about Community ministry and mission in this situation. Come if you:

Want to catch up on the facts; Want to help those affected by redundancy; Want to understand the mental health issues of financial pressure; Want to explore creative responses; Want to equip others in your church.  Includes input from: John Kelleher (Manager of the Ropewalk Centre, Nuneaton - The state of retailing and the local economy), Alison Hogger (Keeping Health in Mind), representatives from Next Step and Job Centre Plus, Revd Mick Vincent, (Stockingford projects), and the WORKCARE team. 10.00 - 1.00 pm, Wednesday 12th May, 2010. There is no charge for this event.RSVP by Election Day - May 6th. For more information phone Paul Simmonds on 02476543188 or email paul [at] workcare [dot] org Venue: Nuneaton URC, Coton Road, located in the heart of Nuneaton town centre.

Bible Society sponsors U.R.C Choral work for 2011 Celebrations

As part of the 2011 national celebrations for the 400^th Anniversary of the King James Bible, a new oratorio from a URC minister written for soloists, choir and orchestra is being promoted by the Bible Society. Re:Creation tells the biblical story using modern English text compiled by former Newham based   Derek Wensley and is set to a musical score written by the Surrey composer, David Perkins.

Excerpts and the libretto can be downloaded from the website:

www.recreationtheoratorio.com

Information packs and scores are available from the Librettist:

Rev Derek Wensley, 59 Ashenden Road, Guildford, Surrey GU2 7XD  Tel: 01483 836776. 

Email: enquiries [at] recreationtheoratorio [dot] com  Further details are on the website.

CHURCHES REFUGEE NETWORK & MIGRANT VOICE ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2010 -

Caged Kids - Caged Minds Britain's invisible handcuffs. Saturday 5 June 2010      10.30am - 4.30pm. Holy Apostles Church, Cumberland Street, London SW1V 4LY. Keynote speaker, Lord David Ramsbotham, former HM Inspector of Prisons.  To book places please contact: Wendy Cooper, Church and Society, United Reformed Church, 86 Tavistock Place, London W1CH 9RT; email: wendy [dot] cooper [at] urc [dot] org [dot] uk. Phone: 020 7916 8632; fax: 020 7916 2021

FOLLOWING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF ABRAHAM A CHRISTIAN-MUSLIM MEN'S RETREAT    4th-6th June 2010.  Symon Hill (Author of the 'No nonsense guide to religion'). Exploring the significance that Abraham's journey plays out in our lives as Muslim and Christian Men. Abraham's spiritual journey is one shared by both Christian and Muslim alike and is a story that continues to inspire and guide us throughout our lives as men of faith. This years retreat will be led by and Abdullah Trevathan (Senior Lecturer in Religious Education at Roehampton University and leader in the BBC's 'Retreat'. To reserve your place or find out more about the retreat please email: mustafa [at] christianmuslimforum [dot] org or call: 0207 820 0444

YEAR BOOK CHANGES

• Alison Hazelwood is no longer secretary at Bardon Park Chapel. There is not a new secretary at present, but please forward any post to Richard Norburn, the Church Treasurer: available from Synod Office
• There is a new treasurer at Spalding URC: Mrs Maralyn Robinson available from Synod Office
• Ms R. Taylor is no longer secretary at Daventry URC. Mr Paul Couling is currently accepting all correspondence: available from Synod Office
• Also at Daventry URC, there are now joint treasurers: Penny Madley & Terry Charker: available from Synod Office
• There is a new treasurer at St. Columbas, Lincoln: Mrs Nicole Bond: available from Synod Office
• There is a new secretary at Belgrave Union: Carol Patel: available from Synod Office The new treasurer is: Gloria Thomas: available from Synod Office
• There is a new treasurer at The Church on Oakwood LEP: Mrs Elizabeth Emley: available from Synod Office
• Dronfield Hill Top are now worshipping at Guideacre, Hilltop Road, Dronfield, Derbyshire
• Mrs Maureen Dodd, Treasurer & Synod Rep at Little Eaton URC, has a new email address: available from Synod Office
• Lay Preacher, Mrs Sheila Ashmore has a new email address: available from Synod Office
• Lay Preacher, Ray Parker has a new email address: available from Synod Office
• Lay Preacher, George Hall has a new email address: available from Synod Office

• Please note CTBI's new address: 39 Eccleston Square, London SW1V 1BX. Telephone 020 7901 4890. LSN's address and contact details remain the same.

AND FINALLY: -  

Please send any comments or feedback on this e-letter to Colin Udall: cydo [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 May 2010

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

If you do not wish to continue receiving the e-letter, then please contact admin [at] urc5 [dot] org [dot] uk

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