EAST MIDLANDS SYNOD E-Letter No.80     Edited this week by: Colin Udall

 I have been reminded several times recently of the talent that our young people have, whether it is performing on stage for the entertainment of others or leading, or helping to lead worship for the glory of God.  As I go around the Synod I find that more and more churches are taking young people seriously, not as the church of tomorrow, but playing a full part in the church of today.  East Midlands Synod has a number of churches with the “Child Friendly Church Award” and more are to be awarded in the autumn.  Could your church prove it is Child Friendly?  If so, contact me. 

Colin Udall 

 

 JUNE SYNOD – PRAYER4LIFE DAY

Our Prayer4life day on June 12^th is only 23 days away! Have you booked your place? At the time of going to press numbers are very low; please don't leave your booking to the last minute. There's lots going on, activities which will engage you, mind, body and soul, and with your participation it will be a great day. Are you working on your illustration of the theme "Prayer4life"? We're looking forward to joining them together to make a huge banner for display at our end of day service. Don't forget to bring your camera along on the day so that you can take a picture of it as your memento of the day.

What -not yet booked? Get in touch with the Synod Office and book NOW.  PLEASE NOTE THE BOOKING DEADLINE HAS CHANGED.  Please ensure your FIRM bookings are notified to the Synod office by phone – 0115 960 9241 or email admin [at] urc5 [dot] org [dot] uk by 12 noon on Tuesday 25^th May.  Find further details of the day and all the workshops on the Synod website – www.urc5.org.uk 

 

REPORT AND STUDY GUIDE – HOPE IN GOD’S FUTURE

Christian Discipleship in the Context of Climate Change

This report has been produced by a group of Baptist, Methodist and United Reformed Church representatives to help churches think and pray about the fundamental theological issues surrounding Global Warming and Climate Change.  The study guide is particularly helpful for group study.  Some Copies of Hope in God’s Future with Study Guide will be available to inspect or purchase (£5) at Prayer4Life on 12^th June.  Copies can also be downloaded free from the Creation Challenge website.

Charles Jolly (charles.jolly1@talktalknet) would be very interested in feed back from anyone who has used the Report and Study Guide. 

 

VETTING AND BARRING SCHEME AND CHANGES TO CRIMINAL RECORDS BUREAU PROCEDURES

There are currently a series of information evenings to update you on all the new procedures coming online regarding new procedures for CRB checks.  Dates still available are:

 ·       Tuesday 25^th May – Stamford URC, Lincolnshire

·       Thursday 27^th May – Groby URC, Leicestershire

·       Wednesday 9^th June – Newport Pagnell URC, MK

·       Tuesday 15^th June – Gainsborough URC, Lincolnshire

·       Monday 28^th June – Crossways Conference Centre, Northants

Also on 26^th May at Ministers’ Summer School

 Please book your place with Chris at the Synod office: admin [at] urc5 [dot] org [dot] uk 

 

  Leicestershire 

MINISTER AVAILABLE

Revd Frances Ballantyne, a Congregational minister in the Market Harborough area is available to preach in churches within a radius of 15 – 20 miles.  She is presently half time Hospital Chaplain in Leicestershire.  Frances’ contact details are: 22,Bellfields Street, Market Harborough, Leics LE16 8ABTelephone: 01858 431637.  Email: fabrev1 [at] btinternet [dot] com

 

 Northampton 

TEN DAYS OF PRAYER

PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES

14th – 23rd May 2010

Contact:  johnudris [at] northamptoncathedral [dot] org or pam [dot] pitt [at] salvationarmy [dot] org [dot] uk. For Prayer Resources go to: www.globaldayofprayer.com. 

 Prayer Opportunities. Ss Peter & Paul, Abington - Open for prayer 8.30 am until 4.30 pm. 

 Morning Prayer - 8.30 am. Lunchtime prayer session - 1.00 pm.

Daughters of the Holy Spirit -  Convent 103, Harlestone Rd, 5.30-6.00pm Evening Prayer and Pentecost

Novena. 24 hour Prayer Rota. Ss Peter and Paul, Abington - 8.30am – 4.30pm 

 

Thursday 20th May. Prayer Opportunities. St Andrew's Church, Great Billing – Open for prayer from 8am until 8 pm.  Morning Prayer – 8am. Prayer Service - 12 noon 

 

St James Church, Northampton (Jimmy’s End, NN5 5HA) – Open for prayer from 6am to 6pmPrime (prayers at dawn) - 6am                                

Morning Prayer - 8am Meditation on the Bible and a Christian text from the early Church – 10am                                          

Midday prayer – 12noon Evening prayer – 3pm Eucharist – 5pm. These prayer times will be about 10 or 15 minutes, with silent prayer or recorded music for the rest of the time.

 

 Daughters of the Holy Spirit - Convent 103, Harlestone Rd, 5.30-6.00pm Evening Prayer and Pentecost Novena. 24 hour Prayer Rota. St James Church - 6am to 6pm 

 

Saturday 22^nd May. Prayer Opportunities.

Northampton Cathedral (Barrack Road NN2 6AG) – All Night Vigil for Pentecost – Open for prayer from 8pm until Sunday 8am. 24 hour Prayer RotaNorthampton Cathedral 8pm – Sunday 8am 

 

ART AND THE ARTS OF PRAYER

There are places still available for the Study Day at Wellingborough URC led by Rev Neil Thorgood from Westminster College Cambridge entitled 'Art, and the Arts of Prayer'.  This is on Saturday 12^th June from 10am to 3pm.  Bring your own lunch.  Refreshments provided.  Cost £3. This does clash with Synod but we have had Neil booked for over 2 years. This is a rare opportunity, not to be missed. Contact Sue Scott at susanscott469 [at] googlemail [dot] com to book a place. 

 

 

Nottingham 

THE BRIDGE CENTRE AT BOULEVARD URC

The Centre is looking to sporting activities in future months.  In March, Mark Kelley one of the Bridge Committee members sacrificed his magnificent beard for a 'Sponsored Shave. ‘As a result, enough money was raised to provide a Wii for the use of anyone coming to the Bridge. There will be a Grand Launch on Friday 4 June from 11.00 a.m. to which everyone is invited. If you fancy a round of golf, a game of table tennis or just to see WHAT is a Wii, please do come!

 

 WHERE DO WE FIND GOD?

Quiet Afternoon, 2010 at Mapperley Methodist Church on Saturday 5^th June, 2.30 – 6.30pm with opening worship at 3pm.  To be led by Revd Mike Playdon a URC minister who has been involved with Quiet Days for many years.  Coffee, tea or cold drinks and biscuits will be available.  Some financial help on the day, towards costs, would be appreciated please.  For more information contact the Henmans: 0115 952 3971. 

 

 

Derby 

NEWS OF SOME DEVELOPMENTS AT WIRKSWORTHWe are currently exploring closer co-operation with the Methodist and Baptist churches.This was initiated by the Baptist church last year, when they approached us and the Methodist church to have conversations along these lines.  All three congregations responded favourably to this and we set up a steering group.  As a result we held a joint morning service in February at the Methodist church which was a huge success - more chairs had to be put out, we ran out of communion wine (!) and there was a tremendous buzz both before and after the service.  We have agreed to hold two more joint services this year and have also agreed to send observers to each others church council meetings.  We will review the process at the end of the year to see where things might lead next year.

Revd Camilla Veitch 

 

Roo Walker in Concert – SAturday 22^nd May 2010

Riverside Church, Burton upon Trent is proud to host Roo Walker on his first solo tour.

Welcoming him back after his triumphant support on the recent country-wide Philippa Hanna 'Work In Progress' Tour, Roo presents his 'One Man Show'.

The perfect showcase of his guitar skills, song writing and interpretation of others 'tunes', put across in his own uniquely humorous style.

Tickets are £5 each (and £4 for concessions)

Link here: http://riversidechurch-burton.co.uk/RooWalker.aspx 

 

 

BEYOND FUNDRAISING

Generating income to become more sustainable

10.00am – 4.00pm on Tuesday 15^th June 2010 at YMCA Derbyshire: 770 London Road, Wilmorton, Derby, DE24 8UT.  COST: FREE

Book online at www.cufx.org.uk/beyondfundraisingderby.aspx  

 

 

SONGS OF PRAISE

Sunday 4^th July at Carsington Water

Ashbourne & Wirksworth Churches Together celebrate water and the life it bringsWith Ashbourne Town Band and The Dales Worship Group

Come along and join us for good music and song! 

 

 

Elsewhere 

THE WESSEX AUTISTIC SOCIETY.

Formed 41 years ago by a group of parents of children with autism, it is a voluntary organisation, which aims to ensure that all people with autism and related conditions, and their carers, in the Wessex region, have access to appropriate education, care, support, and development services. The Society covers Dorset, Somerset, West Hampshire and Wiltshire. Portfield School is run by the Society and currently educates 60 pupils aged 3-18 and tailors the educational curriculum according to each pupils needs, focusing on individuals’ strengths as well as addressing the learning disabilities associated with autism. Portfield was awarded the ‘OFSTED Outstanding’ Logo as a result of its 2007/08 inspection. The Society provides support from pre-diagnosis through to education and beyond, to community support. Contact us Call us now on 01202 802205 or e-mail info [at] greenmessage [dot] co [dot] uk 

 

 

SIGNIFICANCE AND CHANGE -THE ROLE OF THE HISTORIC CHURCH BUILDING IN MODERN MISSION 23rd October 2010 – Silcoates School.

Full details and enrolment information will follow later in the year, but meanwhile, please note the date and bring the event to the attention of everybody associated with your church who would be interested. Because the content is also of general interest a very warm invitation is extended to members of all churches. For more information contact:  St Paul’s Street Revd K Watson, 1 Sunny Hill Close, Wrenthorpe, Wakefield, WF2 0BZ Tel 01924 299957 moderator [dot] yorkshire [at] dial [dot] pipex [dot] com

Chris Reed, 59 Brook Road, Sheffield, S8 9FJ.  Tel: 0114 258 6609 clerk [dot] yorkshire [at] dial [dot] pipex [dot] com 

 

 

YEAR BOOK CHANGES·       Revd Sally Martin has a new address: **details available from Synod Office**. 

 

AND FINALLY: -   Please send any comments or feedback on this e-letter to 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: Monday 31^st 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