E-LETTER NO. 108 – 28^th July 2011

EDITED THIS WEEK BY: REVD TERRY OAKLEY

My heartfelt thanks go to all who attended the Thanksgiving Service on the 9^th July to mark forty years of ministry, and for the gifts that you have showered on me over the last few weeks and months. I have received generous gifts from local churches, individuals and the Synod. I give my thanks especially to the synod staff and team who have been such wonderful colleagues. The next few weeks will mark significant changes for all of us, please pray for them and especially for Peter and Tracey as they prepare to move house and take on new roles. If you need to contact me after 4^th August please use terry [dot] oakley1 [at] ntlworld [dot] com or my mobile number 07989 872809. From then, Hannah will pick up messages sent to mod [at] urc5 [dot] org [dot] uk until Peter is on-line towards the end of August. East Midlands Synod is full of loving, dedicated people and churches engaging in mission and with lots of potential. I hope and pray that you will be richly blessed by God in the years to come.

Love and Peace,

Yours in Christ,

Terry

For the latest Moderator’s Blog, please visit:  http://www.urc5.org.uk/blog

People

We were sorry to hear of the passing of Mr Jack Laundon, Church Secretary at Doddridge Memorial URC,Northampton on Wednesday 13th July atNorthampton GeneralHospital. Jack served the church in many ways and over many decades, lay preaching since November 1940. He is survived by his wife Margaret with whom he celebrated their Diamond Wedding Anniversary in December 2010.

INDUCTIONS: A reminder that we have the following inductions and commissioning services coming up:-

• Revd David Dean, URC Synod Interfaith Consultant at the St. Philip’s Centre, Leicester will take place on Sunday 31^st July, 3.00pm at Evington Road church in Leicester.
• The Commissioning Service for Jennie Crane as Church Related Community Worker at Castle Hill URC, will take place on Saturday 13^th August, 3.00pm at Castle Hill URC,Northampton.
• Revd Cliff Winfield as minister at the West Nottingham group of churches (Hucknall, Westwood and Selston URC’s) will take place on Sunday 28^th August, 3.00pm at Hucknall URC, Nottinghamshire.
• Revd Kara Cooper will be inducted as International Student Minister – City of Nottingham & Chaplain to International Students at Nottingham Trent University and at St. Andrew’s with Castle Gate.  The service will take place on Sunday 11^th September, 4.00pm at St. Andrew’s with Castle Gate URC.  You are warmly invited to be present at this induction service (followed by tea) and thereby give your support to Kara as she begins her new ministry.  Please contact the church secretary [at] StAndrewsWithCastleGate [dot] org [dot] uk if you are planning to attend or for further information.
• Revd Peter Meek as Moderator of the United Reformed Church East Midlands Synod on Saturday 17^th September, 2.30pm at Sherwood URC, Nottingham.
• Revd Jane Barron, minister of Little Eaton & Melbourne URC’s on Saturday 8^th October, 2.30pm at Melbourne URC.

We say goodbye to the Revd Duncan Tuck who moves in August to the West Midlands Synod as minister of Worcester & The Malverns.  We wish Duncan and Carole well for the future.

We also say goodbye to Revd Terry Oakley who retires on 31^st August 2011.  We will all miss Terry and Joan and wish them a long and happy retirement.

2012 PRAYER HANDBOOKS – Churches will shortly be receiving order forms for the Prayer Handbook.  We will be doing a bulk purchase within the Synod office as in previous years.  If you would like to order your Prayer Handbooks through the Synod Office they can be collected at the November Synod.  Please submit the number required together with payment to Chris Willis at the Office.

BELONGING TO THE WORLD CHURCH - For the last 5 years our Synod has had a Partnership with the Botswana Synod of the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa (UCCSA). Visits have been made both ways during this time.  A group of young people visited Botswana last year and this week, Colin Udall and Lucy Ette are visiting again to plan a youth exchange between the synods for 2012 – 2013.  At the same time I will be meeting the Moderator and Chairman of their Synod along with Jane Rowell (Secretary for World Church Relations) to review our Partnership agreement. One of the things we would like to do is develop links between local churches or pastorates. This may take the form of e-mailing, exchanging church news/ newsletters/ prayer lists and exchange visits.
If your Church would like to be involved please contact me.  We are planning a visit in February 2012 to develop our Partnership and there will be opportunities for YOU to be part of that visit.
I would also like to gather information of other overseas links within our Synod. If your church is involved in any links- please let me know.
Thanks, Judith North ( j_north1 [at] tiscali [dot] co [dot] uk )

AUTHORISATION FOR LAY PRESIDENCY – On 27^th June we asked all churches to submit details of who is authorised (following training) to administer the sacraments at communion in the absence of a minister of Word & Sacrament.  To date only 22 replies have been received.  Can churches please return their request for “Authorisation for Lay Presidency” as soon as possible to Chris in the Synod Office either by post or by email to: admin [at] urc5 [dot] org [dot] uk Thank you.

MILTON KEYNES

Celebration of Song 16th October 2011 - We plan to have a mission partnership wide service on Sunday 16th October, 6pm at The Cross and Stable Downs Barn.  The theme will be 'A celebration of song'.  We hope particularly to mark the new methodist hymn collection 'Singing the Faith, but to look at different aspects of singing.  What we are looking for now are groups of people from churches, maybe choirs, maybe you wouldn't call yourself a choir, maybe you make music in a different way, to share n this act of worship.  We will also be looking for groups from churches which are not currently mission partnership members who may like to join in- so please feel free to forward this to any such groups that you know.
We hope to have a planning meeting on Wednesday 31st August, 7.30 at 5 Plowman Close, Greenleys.  Anyone who would like to come is welcome then, but before that - if you would like to take part or you have a suggestion of a group we could ask, please let us know.  Also please make the date known in your churches.
Thanks and best wishes, Revd Dr. Brenda Mosedale, Superintendent, Milton Keynes Methodist Circuit

PRAYER MINISTRY FOR HEALING - From Whaddon Way Church Pastoral and Prayer Ministry Group A link group with the Christian Healing Mission.  Confidential and sensitive intercessory prayer for spiritual, emotional and physical healing.  Session times: Monday evenings from 7.30 pm to 9 pm and    Tuesdays from 1.30 pm to 3 pm. 

PRAYER MINISTRY FOR HEALING Cont.

If you are unable to attend one of these sessions an alternative time can be arranged by calling Vivienne, the prayer team co-ordinator on 01908 367718.
WhaddonWayChurch is temporarily based in the  Frank MoranCentre,MK3 6PA opposite the shops onMelrose Avenue, West Bletchley until the new Church is completed.

DERBYSHIRE

COME AND SING 2011 – 22-25 AUGUST 2011 at the WINDERMERE CENTRE- Add some music to your life! This year’s ‘Come and Sing’ course, led by Martyn Smith, promises to be full of fellowship and fun, with an eclectic mix of songs, both sacred and secular, to stimulate your mind as well as your vocal chords. There’ll be opportunities to revive old favourites, and hopefully to learn something new, too.

Martyn Smith is an Elder at Burnley United Reformed Church and life-long musician – a pianist, singer and choirmaster.  Residential Guest: £195 - Residential rates include all course content plus full board accommodation.  Day Visitor: £130 - Day visitor rates include all course content plus lunch, dinner, and tea/coffee breaks.  To request a booking form, please contact the Synod Office.

MARLPOOL URC THEATRE COMPANY presents THE PAJAMA GAME (Book by George Abbott and Richard Bissell * Music and lyrics by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross * Based on the novel “7½ Cents” byR Richard Bissell) – 18-22 October 2011 – 7.15pm at The Community Hall, Marlpool URC, Chapel Street, Marlpool, Heanor, DE75 7NA.  Tickets £6 – Tues 18^th or £7.50 Wed 19^th to Sat 22^nd.  Groups of 10+ = one free ticket per party booking.  Box office: 01773 769765.

Youth

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR! - Following the overwhelming success of its production of Beauty & the Beast in Summer 2010, Faith, hope & gaffertape is bringing its exclusive production of Jesus Christ Superstar to Northampton for 2 days only.
Performances are on Friday 5th August at 7:30pm and Saturday 6th August at 2:30pm at The Cripps Hall, Northampton School for Boys, NN1 5RT. Entry is free but donations are welcome.

A MESSY FIESTA DAY – with Lucy Moore at St. John’s College, Nottingham on Saturday 8^th October 2011, from 10.00am – 3.00pm.  Find out what is being learned from the experience of leading Messy Church in a variety of different contexts (rural/urban/large/small etc) and what this may be saying to the Church.  For church leaders considering running Messy Church Events or Messy Church leaders considering next steps.  For a booking form and enquiries, please contact Helen Taylor on 0115 968 3221 or email: h [dot] taylor [at] stjohns-nottm [dot] ac [dot] uk

THE BIG E DAY – Saturday 22nd October 2011 – The Big E Day is aimed at everyone who works with children or young people, be they new or experienced. There’s a choice of workshops covering important areas of work with children and young people, and everyone will be able to choose three. There will also be a Bookstall, resources available to borrow from the Diocesan Resource Centre, and displays from other agencies working with children and young people, including Relive, MCYM, Bible Explorer, Scripture Union and Girls Brigade. Venue: The Minster School, Nottingham Road, Southwell, Nottingham.  Workshops.   Information.    Display Stands.   Cost of the Day: £10 and includes lunch.  If you would like a booking form please contact Hannah W at the Synod Office.  All bookings by Friday 7 October 2011.

YEAR BOOK CHANGES:-

• There is currently no secretary at Doddridge Memorial.  Please send any correspondence to the minister, Revd Keith Morrison until a new secretary is appointed.

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: modpa [at] urc5 [dot] org [dot] uk  

Copy Date for Next E-Letter: 25^th August 2011