Highbury - a place to share Christian Friendship, explore Christian Faith and enter into Christian Mission with Christ at the centre and open to all
Oxford Street. Cheltenham. GL52 6DU
www.highburychurch.co.uk
News
Congregational Church
September 2013
Highbury
An Invitation ... ... to two very special services we are to fill in on page 5 of this Highbury having this month. News. Think about what you can offer We do it every Sunday, but this Sunday to do at Highbury, and make that your we are going to do it a little differently! ‘offering’ as a new session in the church’s calendar begins this month. It’s not just a collection we take during our service on Sunday. We call it our And of course make a date in your ‘Offering’. As we ‘make our offering’ diary for our Harvest weekend, the last everyone is invited to stand ‘as we weekend in September. A Harvest offer our gifts and offer ourselves in Supper with something for everyone the service of God and in the service of on Saturday evening, and on Sunday 29th September the services will focus others.’ on Middle East Concern and the It is a significant and moving part of persecution so many parts of the our service. church are facing in that region. On Sunday 8th September we are going We will also be supporting CCP’s to give everyone a slip of paper to programme as we make a write out their ‘Offering’. You will find special offering of provisions that day. a copy of what we are going to ask you
Deadline for October Highbury News: Sunday 8th September
Highbury Congregational Church 01242 522050 Richard.cleaves@highburychurch.co.uk
Highbury News
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September 2013
Minister’s Memo Put on the spot I found myself ‘telling my story’ in the way I had been asked to do at Brunel Manor.
What’s it all for? Did you have a go? I hope you did.
Felicity followed suit and our I am almost inclined to ask people to conversation took quite a different hand in their homework! course from the one we were But I’m not going to ... or should I? expecting! If you didn’t fill in that blank page in It’s great to have this focus on mission last month’s Highbury News ... there’s and outreach. still time! It chimes in with much that I have Go on, have a go!
been passionate about for a long, long What would say if you only had time. one minute to share God’s Good News I have often heard it said that church with someone! is the one organisation that exists for I for one am glad Jonathan Rowe the sake of those who do not belong. prompted me to give it some thought Church is all about mission. as we were focusing on mission and The great commission of Christ goes to outreach at Brunel Manor. the heart of the matter - “Go and make I am glad Eric Burton challenged us with that verse from I Peter, when he joined us to mark the 60th anniversary of his ordination, that we should always be ready to give an account of the hope that is within us.
disciples of all nations.” Jonathan invited us to reflect on God’s Mission: Our Mission and then to reflect on the story each one of us has to tell as we explored God’s Mission: Our Witness.
It was my day off (Monday, if you don’t It was in the third of our sessions that already know!) and we were in town our reflections on Mission and doing some business ... as you do! Outreach really took off for me: God’s The person interviewing us asked me Mission: Our Worship. what my job was. They had to find it Mission is not the ultimate aim, from a ready-made list so I came up suggested Jonathan. with the ‘formal’ title, Minister of Mission itself has an ultimate purpose. Religion. He quoted John Piper in a book with I don’t remember being asked the next the title, question before in quite that setting. “Missions is not the ultimate goal of the So why are you a Christian? Have you Church.” had some kind of conversion As soon as I read that I thought there experience? was a mis-print. Jonathan assured me there was not.
Highbury News
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September 2013
John Piper was making the point that missions and all the things that go with them have a purpose beyond mission itself. “Missions is not the ultimate goal of the Church. Worship is Missions exist because worship doesn’t. Worship is ultimate, not missions, because God is ultimate, not man.”
The language we speak owes so much to the Latin of the Romans, the Germanic languages of the Angles and the Saxons, the French of the Normans. And now it has become such an international language that my web browser insists on giving me the option to store favourite web sites in a folder named ‘Favorites’.
That’s quite some thought provoking Visit Hadrian’s wall and you discover people from Africa arrived in these comment. islands at least 2000 years ago. Even We are made to worship God in spirit as I write these words a Royal Prince and in truth. has been born whose ancestry is a rich Those remarkable visions of God’s mix of the European nationalities we glory in the Book of Revelation speak are bound to, and who is third in line of the way people “from every nation, not only to be monarch of these lands from all tribes and peoples and but Head of the richly diverse languages ... are before the throne of Commonwealth, whose very existence God and worship him day and night.” results in the wonderful diversity of It was at this point that the throwaway peoples living in these islands. line came that really set my mind The coming together of peoples from thinking. every nation, from all tribes and If you want a glimpse of heaven, suggested Jonathan, don’t look for some supposedly idyllic place where everyone speaks the same language and has the same culture. Instead walk down a street where people seem to speak all the languages under the sun and have many different cultures.
peoples and languages on the streets of our towns and cities, is not something to be feared: it is a foretaste of heaven and all its glory! What a thought! And what a mission!
To share the Good News we have heard of that love of God that brought Sometimes people hanker after some Jesus Christ into the world so that imagined time when Britain had a peoples of every nation, every people, single culture and a single language. every language can join together in As a Welsh speaker with Welsh roots, that glorious worship of God. I don’t think there ever was such a time! That will be at the back of my mind Even within England the broad when next I pray the Lord’s prayer ... Yorkshire born and bred people I met Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done in my first church seemed to speak a different language from the on earth as it is in heaven! Gloucestershire people I am so used to Every blessing, now. Richard Cleaves
Highbury News
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September 2013
My Offering for Highbury on 8th September As we make our offering at church on a Sunday we invite people to stand and offer not only their gifts of money but themselves in the service of God and of other people. On Sunday 8th September we will all be asked to make our offering by responding to the following questions. Please think through your responses and make your offering in person that day. As I stand and offer myself in the service of God and in the service of other people I feel prompted to commit myself to serve at Highbury in the following ways ...
2) 1 2 3 4 5 6
Worship Children’s Work Youth Work Discipleship Pastoral Care Mission and Outreach
IT The Church Office Membership records and master list of Church Members & Adherents Operations diary and room booking Practical arrangements for Sunday services and occasional services Sound and Vision Housekeeping Hospitality and catering Publicity, advertising, leaflets and web site Production, collection, collation and distribution of Highbury News Maintenance and security of the building & grounds, car park & Manse Development of the building and environment Health and Safety Safeguarding Disability Awareness and Inclusion
Highbury News
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September 2013
Prayers for Mission at Highbury from Brunel Manor As our weekend drew to a close people went into groups and were asked to identify what they would like to include in a prayer for mission at Highbury ... they then wrote their prayers and shared them in our worship. Here they are ... I Oh Lord our God,
4 Spiritual renewal for ourselves and Highbury Congregation.
Give us voices for a new song from you. 5 Conversion of unsaved family members. Help us to see your creation and works with fresh eyes so that we have 6 Blessing for missions in Britain and abroad. May all those in power rule enthusiasm to share your story with with justice and equity. everyone we meet. Show us how you would have us connect with people and live as IV witnesses to the Good News you have We pray for maintenance and given us in Jesus Christ, our Saviour. development of the warm and welcoming environment offered by Highbury. II We pray they feel comfort and belonging in order to integrate into the We pray that everyone will feel church family. encouraged to be part of our future plans from the time we have spent We ask for guidance and integrity as we seek to convey truth, honesty and together focusing on you. acceptance among ourselves and the Thank you for Psalm 96 - may we many others with whom we have appreciate it and study it more and live contact. it out. In your name, Lord. Dear God,
Amen.
V III
Lord, we plead with you for
Dear Lord, Please give us the courage and insight to invite people to Highbury.
1 Safety of children - physical and Help us to make newcomers feel moral as relevant to their own comfortable and welcome and we pray society. that they come with an open heart and 2 Appropriate care for elderly people mind. whether in ‘care’ or living alone. Let them leave hoping they have had a 3 Active support for those in need in positive and uplifting experience. Britain and abroad through no fault Amen. of their own
Highbury News
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September 2013
Sue’s News Already it is September with thoughts and plans for our autumn activities. Richard and Felicity have taken their summer break and I plan mine for the end of September. August has been a relatively quiet month but the one regular weekday activity is the Thursday Community Café mornings. They have continued to be a time of social chat over quality coffee and cake, with a convivial and relaxed atmosphere. It brings together a group of regular attendees and all comers are welcome. Thanks must go to the stalwart volunteers who cheerfully supply and serve the victuals. The end of September will be a time of Harvest celebration coinciding with Back to Church Sunday. Response to our invitations to others to come “Back to Church” may seem to have been disappointing in the past, but let us not be discouraged. We all know people who would gain so much from the love and fellowship to be found in a church. Invitations will be readily available for us to pass on to others. It is now three years since we distributed forms regarding details of outside contacts for members of the congregation in case of any mishap, or medical incident, in or around the premises. Beyond contacting the professionals, it is good to have contact information readily available regarding family and friends etc.. Disclosing this information to the office is voluntary and confidential, but we all wish to feel that we are a caring church and can contact the correct people should the need arise.
Highbury News
Also, this is not exclusively for our senior members as mishaps can occur to anyone at any time. Forms are available from the secretary if you wish to join the scheme or think your details may need updating! I reminded you in the August Highbury News about my involvement with Street Pastors. Not wanting to labour the issue, this is the text of a message from Howard Bartlett who had recently attended a meeting with representatives of the Police and of the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner:“We were incredibly impressed with the passion and commitment that you and your fellow Street Pastors demonstrate within Cheltenham. It is reassuring to hear about the excellent structures that you have in place to ensure that you and your colleagues are as well-equipped as possible to deliver the care, help and listening ear so many people benefit from as a result of your excellent work in addition to the well directed prayers. I am in no doubt that the work you do significantly contributes to people having a safe night out in Cheltenham, and this certainly extends beyond what the police would otherwise deliver.” I repeat my invitation to anyone with any interest in joining the Street Pastors to have a word with me. It would be good to see more than one Street Pastor from Highbury.
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September 2013
Harvest Weekend Saturday 28th September at 7:00pm A Harvest Supper with a Middle Eastern Flavour and something for all ages! Sunday 29th September at 10:30am and 6:30pm Our Harvest Weekend is one of those weekends in the year when we ask people to give financially, not just for the work of Highbury and its mission, but also for the needs of the wider world. Half our Harvest Offering will go to our own Mission Project, funding our Children’s Worker post. The other half of our offering will go to Middle East Concern. You can see on the opposite page a description of the remarkable work this small, locally based organisation does in support of churches and Christians in the Middle East. We have a general concern for the peoples of all the Middle Eastern countries. But these are troubling times especially for our brothers and sisters in Christ in many of those lands. I caught a glimpse of the troubles so many face first hand when visiting a small house-church in Bethlehem for their Sunday evening worship. The cousin of our host had been killed only shortly before, because he ran a Christian bookshop in Gaza that was supported by the Bible Society. The couple whose house we were in had then been subjected to a terrifying ordeal as the previous week their house had been taken over by Israeli soldiers who used the top floor to fire on neighbouring houses as two of them were being demolished. Through Andrew White and his connections with Mark and Denise Evans’ former church in Belvedere and Erith we have been made acutely aware of the plight of Christians in the developing civil war raging in Iraq. And constantly on the news from Syria to Libya to Egypt and in so many parts of the Middle East the persecution of churches and Christians is of very real concern. As we celebrate the gifts of God’s wonderful creation we will be remembering in prayer those facing such persecution. And closer to home we will be inviting people to make a special offering of food and produce for County Community Project’s programme.
Highbury News
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September 2013
Chosen Charity for September: Middle East Concern We support those in the Middle East & North Africa who are persecuted for being or becoming Christians
Training community leaders on constitutional rights and international law Providing practical training on issues such as crisis management and handling arrest and interrogation
We work with Christian churches and community leaders to monitor discrimination and persecution. Upon The Suffering Church the request of the local church leadership, we provide support in the Persecution takes many forms. following ways: From oppression and discrimination to blatant denial of constitutional or intervictims of persecution: nationally recognised freedoms, Offering encouragement and religious persecution is the deliberate informed, trustworthy expertise suppression of a person or Mobilising world-wide prayer, in community’s right to hold and manifest open or confidential networks their religious beliefs. Initiating political advocacy on For centuries, Christians in the Middle behalf of victims of persecution East and North Africa have been Providing practical and financial discriminated against, marginalised support, for example to those and at times violently persecuted. fleeing life-threatening persecution Some have been imprisoned, tortured laws, policies and or even killed for their faith in Jesus attitudes: Christ. Their pain and suffering are Undertaking research-based often silent. They are cut off from advocacy on legal and structural family and Christian fellowship. They are vulnerable to abuse by state issues that underlie persecution Campaigning for the re- security services, extremist groups, instatement of civil rights to their communities and their families. converts from other faiths We believe that all Christians are called Addressing unhealthy responses to to stand with those who are persecution such as hasty persecuted. Christians are called not relocation to the West only to expect persecution but to also Christians to face fight injustice. Responding to the injustice of Conducting seminars to help persecution is part of the Christian Christians respond Biblically to calling. suffering and persecution
persecution:
Highbury News
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September 2013
Organisation Our vision is that Christian communities and individual Christians in the Middle East and North Africa will be able to practise their faith freely. We are a coalition of Christian agencies and individuals advocating for the human rights of Christians. In addition to the Bible, we take our mandate from the following documents:
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948 (Article 18) The Lausanne Covenant, 1974 (Paragraph 13) Dignitatis Humanae (Declaration on Religious Freedom), 1965 We were founded in 1991 in response to needs expressed by Christian leaders in the region. Our individual and corporate membership includes Christians living and working in all countries of the Middle East and North Africa.
CCP 29th
On Harvest Sunday, September, you are invited to make a special offering of food and produce for County Community Project’s programme. This is an emergency food distribution service for people and families in times of crisis. It provides food parcels to cover an immediate crisis, or to give support in the intervening period before statutory agencies can begin ongoing longer term financial assistance. There is a continual urgent need for all non-perishable food, in particular meat based products such as tinned curry, minced beef, tinned stew, Fray Bentos pies, corned beef, tinned ham etc.. Donations of staple foods such as rice, pasta and mash, packet and other tinned foods are also needed. Please could we ask you to leave your donations in the carrier bags, if you use them, it makes our job transferring so much easier and the bags do get reused. If you bring goods in your ‘bags for life’ and transfer to the display baskets, that is also fine, but PLEASE don't take items out of other bags for us to put back in on Monday morning! People's generosity has been wonderful, and this has included some financial donations which have been left in the basket at the back of church. Please could we ask you to pass these directly to us for safety, or put them on to the offering plate, suitably labelled for our treasurer. You may have read that things are changing locally for CCP, this does not affect the scheme except it will be moving its location, so for anyone who donates directly it will now be at the back of the CCP HQ in Royal Crescent instead of the One Stop in the lower High Street. Many thanks to everyone for your ongoing commitment to this cause. Lorraine and Neil Gasside
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September 2013
Harvest Supper on Saturday 28th September at 7pm Plans are in hand to celebrate Harvest with a middle eastern flavour! Literally! You are all welcome to join us for a special meal at church on Saturday 28th September at 7:00pm, which will link our thinking and offering with eating! Everyone is welcome ‌ tickets will be available from early September. For further information please contact me ‌ Jean Gregory
01242 526002
The Harvest Offering This is to be shared between Middle East Concern (see the article on pages 9 and 10) and Highbury's own Mission project. If you are a regular gift aided giver please use your yellow envelope stamped "Harvest" - otherwise please use a brown envelope. The brown envelopes are also stamped "Harvest", and are available at the back of the church. Thank you. Roger Gregory
Hidden Potential I pick my way through autumn leaves carpeting the street, As conkers, with their prickly burrs, come plopping at my feet. Dropping, with a sudden thud, their shells split open wide, Revealing satin linings, and chestnut sheen inside. Gazing at these glossy spheres, projecting what I see, I stoop, and hold, within my hand, potential for a tree. Kathleen Gillum
CHURCH FAMILY NEWS AND VISITING REQUESTS contact: Lorraine Gasside or Diana Adams Via Highbury Church 01242 522050 Richard.cleaves@highburychurch.co.uk Prayer requests to Lorraine at the above numbers
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September 2013
News of the Church Family SUMMER HOLIDAY CLUB - this edition of Highbury News will be available from the August Bank Holiday Sunday, prior to the Holiday Club for school children from 29th to 31st August – a joint effort by volunteers from St Luke’s Church and Highbury Church – followed by a joint morning service of celebration on Sunday 1st September; thank you to the organisers and helpers - we hope and pray that it is a memorably happy time for all involved, children and volunteers CONGRATULATIONS to - Lyn Horne who celebrated her 80th birthday on 26th August A SINCERE ‘THANK YOU’ to - Jenny Bartlett, who is retiring as a Church Visitor after years of timeconsuming, faithful, but also no doubt rewarding, service - Neil Gasside and June Tremlett who have kindly volunteered to take over the visiting in District 1 - Phil and Joyce Arnold, and David and Betty Butcher, who are stepping down after completing five years devoted to co-ordinating the Pastoral Care at Highbury THINKING OF - all the Gregory family, and the induction of James Gregory as Pastor at Crediton Congregational Church on Saturday 14th September PLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS - all those mentioned above, and - Iain Wallington, Sharon, Tab, Murray and Gus, as Iain receives treatment in Gloucestershire Royal Hospital - Simon and Karen Haden
- Ellen Baylis
- Margaret Shipley
- Stan and Ann Jones
- Min King
- Maurice Wilce
- Joyce Moore, remembering Judi and David Marsh too - Brenda and Raymond Clarke
- Margaret and Ray Morgan
- Iain MacLeod who has suffered a relapse of his back condition - Vera and David Williams
- Caroline and Christopher Gregory
- Phil Davies’ mother Sue, grandmother of Jamie, Matthew and Ben - Richard Sharpe, now making good progress following shoulder surgery - Janet Brown's nephew, Peter, and his partner Alison following surgery and undergoing radiotherapy for cancer, and their 16 month old daughter Annabel - Ian White’s Uncle Roy who has a cancer which has spread to his brain, remembering Auntie Dilys too; and Ian, Lorna, Matthew, Christian and all in their immediate family in their concern for Roy and Dilys - David Butcher, following an accident in which his car was a ‘write off’
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September 2013
PLEASE ALSO REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS ... - all young people returning to school for the new term, those who are starting school for the first time, and those moving schools or progressing to further education, or starting work - other friends known to us who are ill, or have other personal, family, or employment concerns and worries
Chosen Charities Communion offerings and money donated at coffee time after morning worship will go to our chosen charity for September, which is the Middle East Concern (see pages 9 and 10). The total raised by our communion offerings and by those who stayed for coffee after the morning services during July, in aid of the Multiple Sclerosis Society amounted to ÂŁ200.88
Welcoming Team for September Sunday MORNING John Pickles Lorna White Ian White
Sunday EVENING Mary Buchanan Sue Sillence Heather Tarling
Vestry Duty Sunday MORNING Iain MacLeod
Sunday EVENING June Tremlett
Evening Service Readers in September will be: Sunday 1st September Sunday
8th
September
Sunday
15th
September
James Martin John Lewis Stan Jones
Sunday 22nd September
Felicity Cleaves
Sunday 29th September
Diana Adams
If you would like to be included on the rota please let me know. Jonquil Harrison
Highbury News
01242 520522
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September 2013
Day
Meeting
Contact
Tel. Number
Sunday 10-30am
Morning Service
Richard Cleaves
Sunday 6-30pm
Evening Service
Richard Cleaves
Sunday 7-15pm
Hy-Tec
Adrian Blazey
Monday 6-45pm
Scouts
Andy Sargent
Tuesday 9-45am
Toddlers
Felicity Cleaves
Tuesday 5-45pm
Transformers
Carolyn Tennant
Wednesday 9-30 am
Prayer Group
Katherine Stanley
Wednesday 2-00pm
Hy-Way
Jenny Bartlett
Wednesday 6-15pm
Cubs
Felicity Cleaves
Wednesday 6-00pm
Brownies
Christine Lodge
Thursday 10 - 11.30
Community Café
Felicity Cleaves
Thursday 7-30pm
Church Meeting
Sue Cole
Deacons’ Meeting Open the Book
Richard Cleaves
Hope Group
David Butcher
Friday 7-00pm
Guides
Tania Ashdown
Friday 7-30pm
Choir
Mary Clifford
Saturday 10-00am
Beavers
Amanda Sargeant
1st Saturday 2-30pm
Friendship Group
Olga Slack
2nd Saturday 6.30pm
Hy-Speed
Adrian Blazey
Sunday 9-30 am
Hy-Spirit
Mary Buchanan
Highbury Lunch The next lunch will be held on Wednesday 11th September at 12.30pm when all will be welcome to come, and bring friends and neighbours too but just let the Cooking Team know you are coming, please!
Highbury News
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September 2013
Calendar for September SUNDAY 1st
10.30am
Holiday Club Worship with St. Luke’s
6.30pm
Evening Prayers with the Lord’s Supper
Thursday
5th
7.30pm
Deacons’ Meeting
Saturday
7th
2.30pm
Friendship Group for those who live alone
SUNDAY 8th Monday 9th Wednesday
11th
10.30am
Morning Worship
6.30pm
Evening Prayers
7.30pm
Good News People (see page 17)
12.30pm
Highbury Lunch (see page 14) followed by
2.00pm
Hy-Way (see page 17)
12th
7.30pm
Open the Book
Saturday 14th
6.30pm
Hy-Speed for younger members
8.30pm
Hy-Speed for older members
Thursday
SUNDAY 15th 10.30am
Saturday
21st
Morning Worship with the Lord’s Supper led by Johnathan Hunter-Dunn
6.30pm
Evening Prayers led by Pam Dix
8.30am
Maintenance Day at Church until 3.30pm Ladies and gentlemen all welcome to help!
SUNDAY 22nd
10.30am
Morning Worship with a Parade of the Uniformed Organisations
6.30pm
Evening Prayers
Thursday
26th
7.30pm
HOPE Group
Saturday
28th
7.00pm
Harvest Supper (see page 11)
SUNDAY 29th
HARVEST THANKSGIVING 10.30am 6.30pm
Morning Worship Evening Prayers
Highbury Community Café Every Thursday 10:00am until 11:30am Coffee, Tea and Homemade Cake Bring your Friends and Neighbours
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September 2013
Prayer Focus - District 9 Peter and Jonquil Harrison Philip Lewis Andrew (Scout Leader) and Amanda Sargeant (Beaver Scout Leader) Rev Maz Allen (URC Minister) Robert and Rosemary Donnelly Deacon: Iain MacLeod Visitor: Jonquil Harrison
Prayer Rota for Sundays in September Morning Sunday 1st September Sharon Wallington Sunday 8th September Jean Gregory Sunday 15th September Adrian/Kate Blazey Sunday 22nd September Richard Cleaves Sunday 29th September Felicity Cleaves Evening Sunday
22nd
September Mary Buchanan
S.W. Midlands Area of the Congregational Federation invites us to pray for ‌ Sunday 1st September Schools and Colleges at the start of a new year Sunday
8th
September
Berkeley
Sunday 15th September Highbury Cheltenham Sunday 22nd September Thanksgiving for the Harvest Sunday 29th September North Wraxall
Creator God, once more we celebrate the harvest, bringing our gifts, singing our hymns and remembering you. Lord of the Harvest, we ask for one more gift, help us to remember this festival throughout the coming year of ploughing, sowing, feeding, reaping.
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September 2013
Good News People … This a gathering place for those who want to learn how to share their faith with others. Each gathering is an opportunity to … Meet with other people who are interested in sharing their faith Think through key issues on sharing your faith today Keep people up to date with what you are doing Learn about new resources for faith-sharing Pray together Time:
7-30 till 9-00pm
When:
2nd Monday of September - 9th September
Subject:
Spirituality and the Movies: Stephen Finemore
Where:
St Matthew’s Church, Clarence Street, Cheltenham
For more information, visit our website at: www.goodnewspeople.org or email office@goodnewspeople.org or
01594 529752
St George’s and St Vincent’s Garden Party Volunteers are needed to help prepare for a Garden Party at Well Close House, residential care home in Lansdown Parade, by revitalising its overgrown garden! The Garden Party is planned for 13th September, and help is urgently needed to clear and tidy up the area. Becky Jenkins, business development manager, says, “We would like to vitalise the garden to create a space that could be used by the residents and the community, as well as by local schools as an educational facility. The garden has huge potential but is very overgrown. Our long term plan is to create a wildlife pond and wetland area, woodland trail and meadow area, and raised planting troughs with hard paving areas and paths so that the facilities can be used by people in wheelchairs.” To volunteer, please call: 01242 243030
Hy-Way We usually meet on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays each month in the Morton Brown Room at 2:00pm, and all are welcome to join us. It’s a great group, and fun to be with! We have a time for worship, and a variety of speakers or other activities, and we finish with tea, biscuits and a chat. Contact me to find out more. Jenny Bartlett
Highbury News
01242 231644 - jennybartlett20@hotmail.com
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September 2013
Update on Moffat in prison in Zambia The most recent letter from Moffat is dated Sunday 23rd June. He thanks us for paying his outstanding medical bill, and is very happy that he can now continue with the medical treatment that he needs. He writes about what happened at the prison back in February and how three prisoners escaped and how conditions became more harsh, but are slowly returning to normal. It's very cold in Zambia now and Moffat finds it worse than when he was on death row. Please pray for Moffat in this harsh environment that he may be blessed with warmth and hope. Judi Marsh
Anthology for Cecilia (Moffat's daughter) Following on from the publication of ‘HOPE I are looking to produce two anthologies.
this year Shirley and
One is ‘Poems, Prayers and Promises’ while the other is ‘The Topsy Turvy World of Cats’ (to feature poems and short pieces of prose about both domestic cats and big wild cats). Contributions are welcome from both adults and children. Please could you let Shirley Fiddimore or me have your submission by Thursday 31st October. Thank you. Judi Marsh
Bite Size and Exploration Programmes Bite Size weekends and Exploration Programmes are opportunities for young people to explore aspects of Christian mission in local contexts. The weekends include introductions to mission, team building and preparation for the Exploration Programmes. In turn, Exploration Programmes include opportunities to participate in different forms of Christian mission in specific contexts. The Programmes include worship, Bible study as well as understanding different contexts and exploring cultures in a multicultural group of Christian young people. Previously CWM Europe have held similar youth events called “Mission: Impossible?” projects in Orkney in Scotland, Holy Island in England, Hungary and Amsterdam in the Netherlands. See: www.cwmeurope.org
Highbury News
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September 2013
Family I ran into a stranger as he passed by, "Oh excuse me please" was my reply. He said, "Please excuse me too, I wasn't watching for you." We were very polite, this stranger and I. We went on our way and we said good-bye. But at home a different story is told, How we treat our loved ones, young and old. Later that day, cooking the evening meal, My son stood beside me very still. When I turned, I nearly knocked him down. "Move out of the way," I said with a frown. He walked away, his little heart broken. I didn't realise how harshly I'd spoken. While I lay awake in bed, God's still small voice came to me and said, "While dealing with a stranger, Common courtesy you use, But the family you love, you seem to abuse. Go and look on the kitchen floor, You'll find some flowers there by the door. Those are the flowers he brought for you. He picked them himself: pink, yellow and blue. He stood very quietly not to spoil the surprise, You never saw the tears that filled his little eyes." By this time, I felt very small, And now my tears began to fall. I quietly went and knelt by his bed; "Wake up, little one, wake up," I said. "Are these the flowers you picked for me?" He smiled, "I found 'em, out by the tree. I picked 'em because they're pretty like you. I knew you'd like 'em, especially the blue."
Highbury News
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September 2013
I said, "Son, I'm very sorry for the way I acted today; I shouldn't have yelled at you that way." He said, "Oh, Mum, that's okay. I love you anyway." I said, "Son, I love you too, And I do like the flowers, especially the blue." Are you aware that if we die tomorrow, the company that we are working for could easily replace us in a matter of days; but the family we leave behind will feel the loss for the rest of their lives. And come to think of it, we pour ourselves more into work than into our own family, an unwise investment indeed, don't you think? So what is behind the story? Do you know what the word FAMILY means? FAMILY = (F)ATHER (A)ND (M)OTHER (I) (L)OVE (Y)OU
Let the little children come to me This Biblical passage, from Mark 10: 13-16, is often quoted as an illustration of Christ’s special love for children and of the need for tolerance towards them from adults. It is consequently frequently read at christenings and other services at which children are present.
For the care of your Church, encircling God, we give you thanks. In infancy we know its firm embrace, in childhood feel its gentle care, as youth we hear its challenge and its urge. Then with the growing strength of life, it gives us goals, ideals and hopes, draws on our strength, and shows us how to lean on others. In older years, the challenge and the comfort are no less, as still it takes, and gives, and calls, and trusts, and all within the orbit of your care.
Highbury News
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September 2013
Disabled People and Church In Britain, one person in six lives with one or more of the recognised disabilities - so it’s a topic for every church. The 2012 Paralympic Games profiled disabled people in a way that no other event has done previously. According to research, 75% of the general public now have a more positive attitude towards disabled people since the Paralympics. Attitudes may have changed on a superficial level but there is still a big gap between positive perceptions and positive action. The church has a God-given mandate to lead the way in recognising the needs and abilities of disabled people, to bring about positive change, and enable the full inclusion of disabled individuals within church and community life. Following the refurbishment of Highbury, when the premises were made more accessible for disabled people, Highbury achieved the Silver Standard Award, for its Services and Facilities, its Buildings and the Training of its members to be welcoming and understanding of people with four categories of disability: Mobility impairment
Visual impairment
Deafness and hearing loss
Learning disabilities
The Disability Week 2013 runs from Saturday 31st August to Saturday 7th September linking with the Special Olympics running in Bath from Wednesday 28th August to Sunday 1st September. Listen in to Premier Christian Radio for special programming on disability-related topics. ‘Through the Roof’ is a partner organisation of
.
The Vision of Through the Roof is ‘of a world where all people live interdependently, mutually giving and receiving, as God intended’. Through the Roof’s Mission is ‘transforming lives through disabled people’. This is achieved through two strategic aims, to: Provide life-changing opportunities for disabled people Equip churches and the Christian community to do the same Inclusion is at the heart of everything Through the Roof does. In line with their values of Equality and Relationship they believe that every person can be included and play their ‘part’ in church and community life. Disabled people across the UK are welcomed, valued and included as part of local Disabled Christian Fellowship groups, holidays or CD Ministry and Prayer Hubs. Disabled children in developing countries can now be included in school and church activities as a result of Integr8 mission trips to deliver training workshops.
Highbury News
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September 2013
Disabled people in developing countries can be included in church or school after being provided with a wheelchair by Wheels for the World. Disabled people themselves are a blessing to others in the UK and overseas by being included in much of the work of Churches inc, DCF, Integr8 and ‘Wheels’ through sharing their gifts and personal experiences of disability in presentations, as leaders, team-members, writers, or contributors to the website. Which countries does Wheels for the World visit? So far, wheelchairs have been taken to Romania, Albania, Kenya, Ukraine, Jordan, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Ghana, South Africa, Ethiopia and Tanzania. Some of these destinations have had several Wheels for the World distributions. In November a six-member Wheels for the World team from the UK joined staff and volunteers from the Nyeri Hospice, in Kenya, for the distribution of wheelchairs and mobility aids. A total of 193 people were seen, assessed and helped with one form of aid or another. The ‘clinic’ sessions were over eight days, and it was amazing how the needs presented in that time so precisely matched the equipment that was shipped to the hospice. We can only thank God for that, as well as appreciate the involvement of all our friends, volunteers and fundraisers in the UK. “Today marks the happiest moment of my life to see my grandmother Susan has acquired a wheelchair through Through the Roof with the Wheel for the World initiative” wrote Philip, an overjoyed resident of Kirinyaga. “For the last four years it has been very challenging since my grandmother became paralysed on the left side. My grandmother is now more relieved and this has also eased my mother's work. For sure, God is great.” Most clients had been pre-assessed by local physiotherapists and registered at the hospice in preparation for the arrival of the precious shipment of 160 wheelchairs and other aids. Once news of the opportunity spread, family members brought other disabled people from all around along for a chair or mobility fitting. On the first full day at the Nyeri Hospice our team member, Kenyan pastor Davis Gatua, held a disability awareness workshop for a group of church ministers and local officials. Among the attendees was the prison chaplain, who quickly came to speak to the team about the needs of some of the Nyeri prisoners. Two team members made a trip to Nyeri prison, taking with them two wheelchairs and a collection of crutches and walking aids. Eight prisoners were seen and helped. The wheelchairs had been renovated by the prisoners at Parkhurst, and now they have transformed the lives of prisoners in Nyeri, creating an unexpected link between the two. One team member reflected on this visit to the prison, saying, “One of my highlights was going into Nyeri Prison and fitting a wheelchair reconditioned by a Parkhurst Prisoner to a Kenyan inmate.
Highbury News
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September 2013
His gratitude and delight at being independently mobile instead of having to be carried by other prisoners was a sight to behold. We were struck by the level of care which non-disabled prisoners had for those who needed help, and there was lots of laughing, joking and camaraderie whilst each inmate was seen. The needs of disabled prisoners are often ignored and this Wheels trip has certainly raised their profile.” This was Glenda Pike’s last trip before her retirement as Wheels Co-ordinator, and friends and contacts in Kenya presented her with certificates and gifts to say thank you for all that she’s done for Nyeri. What an amazing trip! The Wheels for the World team recently returned from Mukono, Uganda, where they gave away the 8,000th wheelchair ever distributed by Wheels. It’s an amazing accomplishment, but it’s only part of a fantastic distribution. Blessing is 12 years old, and attends a special school near Mukono, which took her in after her parents died. She was born with deformed legs, and is both deaf and unable to speak, she uses sign language to communicate. Until now, she’s crawled on her knees to get around, something that the team saw a lot of in Mukono, an area where there is still a great need for mobility aids and support, but now she has the chair, she’ll be able to join in with many more of her school’s activities. Wheels has been refurbishing and distributing chairs for 16 years, and each individual chair makes a huge change to many lives. Linda Head, Wheels team member was “newly struck by how life-transforming the work of Wheels is. Not just giving people mobility aids, but how these items impact and improve the lives of the recipient’s family. By working with local charities like RILD (Response Initiative for Learning disabilities) we are able to help people access local help for other areas of their lives, and the therapists are able to serve families by offering advice, encouragement and education during the fitting process.” Nigel Drury, the International Missions Manager was team leader for this distribution, and reported that it all went well, “Two physiotherapists (Eileen and Pam), two OTs (Gunn and Gail), technician Graham, administrator Linda, and me as general factotum, made up the team from Wheels for the World. On the fourth day of the distribution I asked Pam how she thought things were going. Without hesitation she said ‘BRILLIANT!’ That summed up our feelings. We were blessed with the lovely fellowship and support of the local team of RILD; the weather was just right with heavy rain just missing us twice, no tummy bugs and no mishaps throughout the distribution. Recipients ranged from children to one 98 year old lady, and we saw a massive 92 people on the final day. It felt as if we were going out with a flourish!”
Highbury News
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September 2013
You can find much more from the team in their on-the-spot blogs on the Through the Roof website. Visit www.throughtheroof.org/wheels-blog for day-by-day reports. Eileen, one of the team physios, wrote to thank all Wheels supporters, saying, “If you are one of those supporters who pray for the International teams then we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We on the frontline need you to lift us up in prayer so that we can renew our strength each day. You are every bit as much a part of the team as those of us who go to foreign shores. Please keep up this vital work, it’s only when you get to glory that you will be aware of all those lives you’ve touched.” Plans for the next two years of Wheels distributions are taking shape. Arrangements need to be firmed up with our partners but here’s an early preview. If you’re interested in volunteering, please apply early, indicating your preferred country. The teams for 2013 filled up very quickly so don’t miss out. 2014
2015
April: Kenya (Kimilili)
April: Kenya (Nyeri)
June: Albania
July: Ghana or Zambia
October: Uganda or Zambia
October: Kenya (Elburgon)
Please pray for the continuance of the work of ‘Wheels for the World’. CONGRATULATIONS to Dèsirée Beer who has qualified for a place in the New York Marathon in November 2014. She is also running the Brighton Marathon in April 2014, with a couple of training half marathons planned before that. People have been so generous, and she is amazed and most grateful to be still receiving contributions for running the Edinburgh Marathon 2013, and the total she has raised is almost £2,000. Very well done, Dèsirée!
Highbury News
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September 2013
Helpful Guidelines for making Disabled People feel Welcome GENERAL PRINCIPLES - ASSUME NOTHING, ALWAYS ASK!
Treat disabled people the same as you would anyone else. Always speak directly to the disabled person. Always ask the person if you can help him/her in any way. If possible, seat disabled people with their friends or family. Try to be aware of people’s hidden disabilities such as epilepsy or Alzheimer’s disease, which may require assistance. Don’t use negative terms such as ‘crippled’ or ‘handicapped’. Don’t consider a companion or carer as a conversational go-between. PEOPLE WITH VISUAL IMPAIRMENT
Identify yourself by name. Show the person to a seat and introduce him/her to neighbours. Explain where things are located, and that people are willing to help. Don’t push a visually impaired person - let them take your arm. PEOPLE WITH HEARING IMPAIRMENT
Speak clearly and slowly rather than loudly. Ensure your face and mouth can be seen clearly. Look directly and speak with clear lip patterns. Don’t exaggerate or shout, or obscure your face. Don’t speak directly into the person’s ear. PEOPLE WITH SPEECH IMPAIRMENT
Give your whole unhurried attention with good eye contact. Be relaxed and communicate positively. Don’t finish the sentence or word for the person. Don’t get agitated or impatient. PEOPLE WITH MOBILITY DIFFICULTIES
Always ask before you help. Try to talk to a wheelchair user at their eye-level. Seat people with limited mobility near the entrance. Don’t hold on to or lean on a person’s wheelchair. Don’t push a wheelchair unless you are asked. PEOPLE WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES
Be patient, and give the person plenty of time. Don’t assume they cannot understand, and don’t be patronising.
Highbury News
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September 2013
W.S. TRENHAILE FUNERAL DIRECTORS Apostle House 175 London Road Charlton Kings GL53 6HN
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Highbury News
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September 2013
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Highbury News
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September 2013
Highbury Congregational Church A place to share Christian friendship, explore Christian faith and enter into Christian mission with Christ at the centre, and open to all Sundays at 10.30am A time for all the Church family to share in worship groups for children and young people
Sundays at 6.30pm quiet, reflective evening prayers with a focus on Biblical teaching
Toddler Group / Transformers for school years 3-6 / Hy-Tec for 11s & over Choir/ Music, House and Prayer Groups / Alpha: exploring faith / Hy-Way / Friendship Group / Scouting / Guiding / etc. For a chat, or to find out more, ring Richard Cleaves on 01242 522050
HOPE an anthology of poems and prayers Judi Marsh and Shirley Fiddimore have brought together a collection of poems and prayers written by folk from Highbury and other friends too. Prayer for a Broken World Lord, we come to you as broken people in a broken world. Sometimes we are so caught up in our own brokenness that we fail to see the brokenness of others in our hurting world. Sometimes we are so keen to do what we can to ease the hurt of others that we dismiss our own hurts and brokenness as unimportant. To you, we are all Your children, all broken, all in need of Your love. As we come to you with our prayers for Our families and friends Our neighbours Our colleagues Our church Our nation and its leaders Our world,
Help us to remember that we too are Family and Friend Neighbour Colleague Church Nation and Leader and World. Amen. Janet Partington
Highbury News
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September 2013