E-LETTER NO. 83 – 1^ST JULY 2010

 EDITED THIS WEEK BY: THE REVD STEVE FABER

  There is no “I” in team

 Apparently there is a football tournament going on somewhere.  Some of you will be (still) watching every move.  Perhaps I’m not the only one, though, for whom it’s all a big bore?  What is certain is that the fall out from the England team’s early exit will continue for a while yet. (Another four years?  Please God, no!)  Already the pundits are discussing who should be held to blame for their poor showing – is it the manager, the “stars”, the domestic football system?  As a wholly disinterested and uninterested outsider, it seems clear to me that no one factor can be blamed.  The whole team, by which I mean the playing squad, the management and coaching staff, and the FA, need to find a way to work together to produce results.  They could do well to look at Formula One (those who know me are not surprised at this comment…)  Races and championships are won when, and only when, the designers, the factory fabricators, the team management, the pit crew, the race engineers and the driver all do their part.  If any one of them fail, the points go elsewhere.  Wait a minute, though.  Who cares if footballers learn from Formula One?  Couldn’t there be a message here for our churches?  I seem to remember Paul, who didn’t have the benefit of Grand Prix (poor man), had something similar to say about co-operation and supporting one another.  Oh well, it really is true that there is nothing new under the sun (Eccl 1:9)  Fabio and co – are you listening?  Church – are YOU listening?

Steve Faber 

 Logos

 We hope that you like the new look of the e-letter.  You will find stories relating to particular counties/areas gathered together in this issue.  Visitors to the Moderator’s office will have seen the banner with images representing the six former districts that make up our Synod – we have included those images next to the relevant stories to help you navigate around the e-letter.  Don’t forget to look at the “away” items as well as the “home” ones – it is the whole issue that tells us what is going on in our synod. 

People

 Thank you to everyone for their prayers and concern for the Moderator.  On Thursday 24 June Terry was involved in a car accident, only he was involved and he was not hurt.  Terry suffers from a mild medical condition and, after taking his prescription medication he fainted whilst driving.  Following the accident he was taken to hospital, given a medical check-up and allowed home.  The hospital has confirmed that Terry is fit to drive and he has agreed not to take his medication within 30 minutes of driving.  He is fine and is working as normal. 

Congratulations to Revd Geoffrey Satchell and his wife Margaret as they celebrate their Diamond Wedding Anniversary on 6th July. This year is also 60 years since Geoffrey's ordination. 

Congratulations also to Revd Conrad Husk who celebrates his 50^th year Anniversary of his Ordination this month. 

Ministries Group are pleased to record their congratulations to Julian Sanders (and his supportive family!) on completing his initial training for ministry through EMMTC and Westminster College. Julian is to be ordained, and inducted to the Mid-Norfolk pastorate, on Saturday 31 July.    

 Youth

TOOLKIT - a day for those who work with young people.

 If you work with young people, please put the following date in your diary - Saturday 13th November.  We will be running a Toolkit skills day for volunteers in churches with a great opportunity for you to take part in some activities and learn new skills and ideas and meet other like-minded volunteers.  The day will be held at the United Reformed Church in Wellingborough and also the Infuse Youth Cafe in the town.  There will be sessions looking at Challenging Behaviour, Using the Bible with Young People, 101 practical ideas for your group, new ways of being 'church' with young people, praying with young people, and setting up a youth project.  If all that sounds too exhausting, there will also be a prayer walk and a quiet room with prayer stations.  Further details will be sent out in early September, but put the date in your diary NOW. 

Colin Udall 

  Elsewhere

Intercultural Theology and Practice Conference

Who are WE? Identities and Belonging in the United Reformed Church

Tuesday 26^th - Wednesday 27^th October at Northern College, Luther King House, Manchester

The deadline for registration is Friday 1^st October but, please note, PLACES ARE LIMITED!!  To avoid disappointment, please click on the link below and return your form to michael [dot] jagessar [at] urc [dot] org [dot] uk as soon as possible. (Thirteen people are already registered!)

Any other information you require, please contact Michael Jagessar on 020 7916 8655 or email.http://www.urc.org.uk/what_we_do/rjmm/docs/InterCulTheoConfRegis2010

 URC Musicians' Guild Annual Celebration Day - Saturday 2nd October

The next annual meeting of the Guild will be held at Palmers Green United Reformed Church in north London on Saturday 2nd October.  This promises to be an excellent and stimulating day.  "Challenging Worship Today" will remind participants of the purpose of gathering for worship, how music can unite our praise and enhance our prayer and how those who are responsible for the different components of worship may work together more effectively.  Revd Dr John Bradbury, lecturer/tutor in theology and church history at Westminster College (and gifted musician), will lead the morning sessions and other workshops will explore situations relevant to our contemporary church life, so different from the world in which traditional patterns of worship developed.  All those who love music in our worship are welcome to attend.  Palmers Green church is within easy walking distance of Palmers Green station on the First Capital Connect line from Kings Cross to Hertford North. Further details (programme and booking form) can be obtained from the Secretary, Mrs Chris James Tel: 01462 742684 chrisjames56 [at] btinternet [dot] com 

Christian Aid – Trace the Tax Campaign'

I know that if tax justice was achieved in Africa, I would not see any more kids along the streets, I would not see women dying while giving birth, I would not see ten-year-old kids going to work because their parents cannot afford to send them to school.'  - Sandra Kidwingira, Tax Justice Campaigner, Zambia 

Over 5,000 people have co-signed my letter to Vince Cable to make sure that the UK does everything we can to stop tax dodging by unscrupulous businesses operating internationally.  Sandra's words should inspire us all to work for tax justice for the poor.

Tax dodging by unscrupulous businesses costs developing countries US$160 billion a year.  This is not some harmless accounting trick - by taking money out of poor countries, they're damaging people's ability to fend for themselves, to get clean water and to obtain basic healthcare.The people best able to describe the effects of tax dodging on developing countries are the people who see it every day. Watch Sandra describe what motivates her to campaign for tax justice, then co-sign our letter to Vince Cable:  http://action.christianaid.org.uk/watchthevideo

Multinational companies have such an important role to play in helping developing countries tackle poverty. Let's persuade them that they have the opportunity to help shape a future that would transform the lives of millions of people around the world.   Judith Cavanagh, Tax Transparency Campaign Manager, Christian Aid

 Year Book Changes

·       The Secretary & Synod Rep. for Daventry URC, Paul Couling, has a new email address:  **available from Synod Office**     

  There was an error in the last e-letter – Mrs Susan Hunt is Correspondence Secretary for Rose Hill URC.  Other secretarial duties are being shared by the elders. 

AND FINALLY: -   Please send any comments or feedback on this e-letter to admin [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 12^th July 2010

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