URC Magazine June 2024

A MESSAGE FROM OUR MINISTER

Dear friends in Christ,

June 2024

Well, it is now official! We are the “Southern Fellowship of United Reformed Churches” incorporating (in alphabetical order) Abbey URC, Avenue St Andrews URC, Bitterne and Bitterne Park URCs, Braishfield and Isaac Watts Memorial URCs. I like that word ‘incorporating’, it suggests the ‘taking-in’ of different elements into a new whole – it is about ‘embodying’.

At the Fellowship Inauguration Service back last month we used the image of a jigsaw to illustrate this new coming together of the six churches into a new whole. The six different jigsaw pieces (photos of our churches, or something special about each church) came together on the screen and here is the final image:

You will see the new Fellowship logo elsewhere in this issue of our magazine, again using the image of a jigsaw!

Image – Nikki Fisher (Bitterne URC)

Top left: Abbey URC; top centre: Bitterne Park; top right: Braishfield; bottom left: Avenue St Andrews; bottom centre: Bitterne; bottom right: Isaac Watts

There were people attending the Inauguration Service from all six churches, and at least one person from each church took part. Sharon (Braishfield URC) shared in the Intercessions as did Revd Alan (Abbey URC). Angela F (Abbey URC) read one of the bible readings, and there was a hymn chosen by each the six churches too. Avenue St Andrews chose ‘Dear Lord and Father of mankind’; Bitterne Park chose ‘How deep the Father’s love for us’; Braishfield’s selection was ‘Lord of all hopefulness’; Isaac Watts’ choice was ‘I the Lord of sea and sky’ and, finally, ‘Lord for the years’ was chosen by Bitterne URC.

It was a good service, well attended, and urged us all to look forward with hope and enthusiasm. Revd Mary Thomas spoke in her sermon on the bible readings Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (For everything there is a time; a season…) and Luke 24:44-53 (the Ascension of Jesus, and his promise to send the Holy Spirit to the apostles for their guidance and inspiration in, what would be for them, a time of great change).

As you probably already know, Revd Sarah Hall and I will be sharing all six churches equally between us, with an important lay-leadership role by Mr Chris Noyce (Isaac Watts). The new Fellowship will come into full operation at the beginning of January 2025, but there will be a continued gradual roll-out over the remainder of this year, with Sarah, Chris and I including all six churches in our preaching rota.

Yes, it will be a time of change – for the churches and for we who seek to minister to you whether in an ordained, including elders, or lay capacity. However, we can all depend upon the constancy of God’s love and care, of the Holy Spirit’s guidance and wisdom, and the love of Jesus as we look to the future of our shared ministry and mission.

In Christian love, Mike

MAGAZINE DEADLINE

Material for July/August 2024 to be submitted by 2pm (latest) on Sunday, 23 June 2024

Please email to abbeyurcnews@gmail.com Alternatively, you could call Carole C, pop it in her letter box, or leave in the pigeon-hole at the back of the church. Thank you.

Prayer for Ukraine, 10 June 2024

It is extremely important to unite in prayer, which is why a general national day of prayer is held in Ukraine every year at the beginning of June. Intercessory prayer for Ukraine unites millions of believers in Ukraine and around the world. Such prayer unites churches of different denominations in a unique way surrounding the dreadful experience of Ukraine.

The idea of convening the National Day of Prayer for Ukraine was proposed by an international evangelist from Great Britain – David Hathaway. David devoted many years to serving Ukraine, so he called on Ukrainians to unite in prayer so that God would change the situation in Ukraine for the better.

Therefore, from year to year, starting from 2016, Christians turn to God for the most painful and most significant:

GOD’S PROTECTION and help to all military personnel, medics, chaplains and volunteers;

GOD’S PROTECTION of the civilian population in times of full-scale war; REVIVAL of Ukraine and the spiritual awakening of our people; PEACE AND RESTORATION of territorial integrity of Ukraine; BLESSING of Ukrainian children, teenagers and youth;

The Bible narrates many dramatic events when God protected and blessed His people, answering a fervent prayer: “if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14).

(Source: https://prayforukraine.com.ua/en/)

BIBLE STUDY AND DISCUSSION GROUP

Our next Bible study and discussion group will take place on 2 June at 6.30pm on Zoom; ID 864 1780 6994 PC learning.

We will look more deeply at the Gospel verses we hear at our morning service at Abbey URC. All welcome!

MORNING PRAYER

If you would like to take the opportunity to reflect upon God’s word and to pray for the needs of the world and the Church in your own time during the week, here are the Psalm and Gospel readings for June:

2 Psalm 139:1-6; 13-18

9 Psalm 138

16 Psalm 20

23 Psalm 9:9-20

30 Psalm 130

Mark 2:23-26

Mark 3:20-35

Mark 4:26-34

Mark 4:35-41

Mark 5:21-43

SONGS OF PRAISE

When there are five Sundays in the month, at Abbey URC, we decided to do something a little bit different for our Sunday morning worship, with a ‘Songs of Praise’ service. Please let Revd Mike have your favourite hymns and songs, bible and other Christian readings and poems by Sunday 23 June; these will then be incorporated in our 30 June service! If you would write a few lines as to why they have become important and special to you that would be great.

CHURCH ANNIVERSARY

It is planned to have the church open on 24-25 August for visitors, to mark its 362nd Anniversary.

In 1662 Thomas Warren, who had been vicar of Houghton for 12 years, lost his job and his home for refusing to comply with the Act of Uniformity. On 24 August 1662, Thomas had to leave his home and came to Romsey to found a congregation, which today is known as the United Reformed Church. Thomas Warren was buried in Romsey Abbey in 1693.

After morning worship on Sunday, 25 August members of the Abbey URC congregation will visit Romsey Abbey to lay flowers on Thomas Warren’s grave, which can be found in the south transept, close to that of Lord Mountbatten.

Items will be borrowed from the Hampshire Record Office archives and there will also be a film from Romsey History Society about the history of the Abbey United Reformed Church buildings

Please let us know if you have any ideas for that weekend.

Jennifer and Carole

GREETINGS FROM THE GATEWAY

Greetings from the Gateway Room! I am Elizabeth Hammond, an artist who is currently in residence in the Gateway Room at the URC. I am a Visual Artist and Educator who uses drawing as my primary practice to investigate my incongruous ideas about animals and domestic objects in a body of work called The Tales. Through these compositions, a provoking and unusual narrative is created for the viewer. I completed my MA in Visual Art at Curtin University in Australia at the end of 2008 and have exhibited internationally.

I am an instinctive educator and enjoy teaching all ages and am passionate about providing creative opportunities for all. I am also a founder member and Co-Director of Artful Collective, a member of the Society of Graphic Fine Artists and a Chapel Arts Studios Associate Artist. I work for Chapel Arts Studios in Andover as the Creative Communities Programme Lead. I split my time between CAS Community, a creative community space in Andover and the studio at URC.

I would like to thank all the URC congregation for the warm welcome and for the opportunity to create art in such a beautiful space. If you would like to see some of my work, please visit www.elizabeth-hammond.com or on Instagram @elizabethhammondart

THE

We are very excited to share the details of the launch of Abbey United Reformed Church Friends.

Our church is a hub of the community and many people have connections with us through our church, our buildings and our congregation. These connections are forged through our outreach into the community; joining us for services, celebrating weddings, baptisms, special events at our church or through activities held in our buildings such as yoga, singing, youth and community groups, attending concerts or events.

However, historic buildings need champions who encourage their use, support activities and promote their continued presence. Abbey URC is no exception. It is vital it remains a vibrant part of the future life of Romsey; Abbey URC Friends is an important link between the church and the town.

Like so many churches, annual income scarcely covers the day-to-day costs of running the Church. The year 2023 was particularly challenging, with extensive work needed to the roof of the church; we were pleased when the scaffolding finally came down inside the church, just before our Christmas celebrations. This year has continued to be challenging, with maintenance on the organ pipes and refurbishment of the sanctuary area, a replacement dishwasher and work needed to the Tower and Hall roofs to ensure our buildings can continue to be a vibrant hub for our community. Finding the money to pay for repairs and maintenance of our Grade II Listed Building is becoming increasingly difficult.

This is where the Romsey community, and the Abbey URC Friends can help. Anyone can become a friend of Abbey URC. By joining, people will help us to continue our work in Romsey, as well as preserving our beautiful listed building. Help us to grow our future by joining Abbey URC Friends.

Previous generations have ensured our heritage is preserved, now we need to ensure these much-loved buildings continue to be available to our church, and to the wider Romsey community into the future.

For full details of Abbey URC Friends, and to download an application form, please visit https://abbeyurc.org.uk/abbey-urc-friends/

CHURCH LIFE

Revd Mike and the elders are very grateful to all who undertake the many tasks required to help maintain the life of our church. The range of tasks is extensive, and many different talents are needed for us to be effective in our worship and witness.

We are grateful to Carole and Sylvia for standing again as elders at our Annual General Meeting last month and thank Val for her valuable contribution to the Eldership during the past year.

Several key posts in the church are currently vacant. If you would like to offer your time and skills but do not know how they may best be used within the life of Abbey URC, please do speak to me as I am sure all offers of help can be put to good use.

EVENING SOCIAL EVENTS – CAN YOU HELP?

Following on from the discussions at AGM suggesting an evening or after work get-together, would you be willing to help run an evening event or coffee evening? It is possible that an evening event could be held to include Friends group as one of their get-togethers. If you would be interested, please have a chat with Revd Mike or an elder.

BEGGARS FAIR CHILDRENS EVENT

As part of the Beggars Fair on Saturday 13 July we will be hosting a childrens event for those aged 4–12 years. Entitled “A Carnival of Animals” , the children will be invited to dress up as an animal of their choice and take part in a drama workshop. Parents and friends can see the children’s performance at 10.30am before the Beggar’s Fair performances start at 11am.

To safely steward the event, we need at least three more adults to supervise the children during the workshop, as well as two adults to serve refreshments to parents in Abbey Hall whilst the workshop takes place.

If you are able to help, please let Wai or Andy know as soon as possible, or join our Youth Forum meeting on Zoom at 7.30pm on 4 June to learn more, Zoom details will be on the weekly order of service for 2 June.

Andy B

THURSDAY COMMUNION

Our monthly Thursday Communion continues to take place on the fourth Thursday of the month, at 10.30am.

We join together for a 25-minute informal service, then have a general chat. We next meet on 27 June - with refreshments! All welcome!

CHURCH SALE

Our church sale will be held on Saturday, 15 June in Abbey Hall from 10.30am - 12.30pm. There will be cakes and jams by Val L as well as a raffle run by Angela and Christine. Refreshments will be served. Why not pop along for a cup of tea and pick up a bargain!

I would be grateful for donations of cakes, raffle prizes or items for our stalls. If you have any items that need collecting, please contact me. Thank you.

Gwen S

Hi everyone, just me! A little update on my farrier exams....... I passed!!!!! The photo shows my qualifying Shoe Board with the specimen shoes I produced for the exam.

I am thankful for all the support, love, and prayers and I couldn't be happier! Love to you all, I'm going to go and bask in the glory.

Kathleen Dip QFS xx

We are very proud to introduce you to our daughter, the fully qualified farrier! Thank you for all your support and prayers

Sarah and Richard

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AND CHURCH MEETING

Thank you to all who came to the AGM on 22 May. Both Carole and Sylvia were re-elected to our eldership, and thanks were given to Val Lloyd whose term of office expired.

The Annual Report and Annual Accounts were reviewed and were adopted. Revd Mike thanked everyone who had contributed to the life of the church over the past year, especially in the areas of finance and fabric in what has been a challenging year, with much work being undertaken on the fabric of the building.

Andy Bevan gave a vote of thanks on behalf of the congregation to Revd Mike Perrot for his support of the church fellowship. Moving forward, the congregation look forward to working with Revd Mike and Revd Sarah Hall in the coming year within the new Southern Fellowship of the United Reformed Church.

The church meeting followed the AGM when Revd Mike confirmed the new grouping will be called the Southern Fellowship of United Reformed

Churches and there is a new logo to represent the group (which can be seen elsewhere in the magazine). Revd Mike updated the meeting on the recent inaugural service and brought two suggestions, below, to the meeting.

• Within the Southern Fellowship, most churches hold their communion service on the first Sunday of the month, which will prove challenging to have a Minister officiating moving forward. The meeting was asked if Abbey URC would consider the change of communion Sunday to the second Sunday of the month from January 2025.

• It was also discussed that most churches hold bi-monthly church meetings, usually after a shortened Sunday service. It was asked that Abbey URC discuss moving their meeting to bi-monthly to allow a minister to chair the meeting. It was suggested by the meeting that maybe other churches should move to quarterly meetings.

Discussions on both these suggestions will continue at elders and then return to the church meeting for discussion and decision. The meeting split into smaller groups to discuss looking forward to the future of Abbey URC as part of the Southern Fellowship, furthering outreach and encouraging membership of Abbey URC. Suggestions were:

• direct interaction, rather than through other organisations, with the wider community with a specific, narrow focus to provide events/activities for the target group;

• evening events or social activities for working people;

• it may be possible the church should be looking at the 40-50 age range;

• the church should engage with the community to remain viable;

• use of external sources, with support from the fellowship, to assist outreach for example at Christmas, harvest, Beggars Fair.

Revd Mike thanked the meeting for a very useful discussion.

JOY

Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day.

Henri J M Nouwen

CAN YOU HELP STEWARD ROMSEY CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL AND THE BEGGARS FAIR?

We are a popular venue for both the forthcoming Romsey Chamber Music Festival and the Beggars Fair. However, to continue to host these events we desperately need more people to be help with stewarding.

The Romsey Chamber Music Festival runs from 24-30 June with the following concerts in our church:

Thursday, 27 June 7.30pm: Love is merely a madness

Friday, 28 June 1pm: Die Schöne Müllerin

Friday, 28 June 6pm: Essays of Love

Friday, 28 June 9.15 pm: Transfigured Night

Saturday, 29 June 11.30am: Family Concert

Saturday, 29 June 4.30pm: Chants

Sunday, 30 June 1.30pm: I'll Love my Love

Sunday, 30 June 5.30pm: Festival Finale Concert

Beggars Fair celebrates its 40th anniversary on 13 July 2024. We will need three stewards to cover our own youth drama workshop at 9.15am11am - further details about this can be found elsewhere in this edition.

Stewards are then needed in the church from 11am-5.30pm (final event finishes at 5pm) and in Abbey Hall from 11.30am (first event starts at 12noon) to 5pm (final event finishes at 4.30pm). In addition, we need two stewards for both Romsey Male Voice Choir at 7.30 pm on 15 June and the Michelmersh Silver Band at 3pm on Sunday 23 June.

If you can help with any of these events, please let Andy know by email andybevan1@btinternet.com or sign the rotas at the back of church. Training can be provided if you are unsure of how to be a church steward.

GOD’S WAY

Morning is God’s way of saying….. One more time, Go make a difference, Touch and hear, Encourage a mind, Inspire a soul, And enjoy this day.

CALENDAR

28 9.15pm

29 11.30am

Romsey Chamber Music Festival - Transfigured Night

Romsey Chamber Music Festival - Family Concert

29 4.30pm Romsey Chamber Music Festival - Chants

30 10.30am Morning worship led by Revd Mike Perrott

30 1.30pm Romsey Chamber Music Festival - I'll Love my Love

30 5.30pm Romsey Chamber Music Festival Finale

July

5 7.30pm

Romsey Voices concert – in aid of Abbey URC funds

The next BALM meeting will be Monday, 10 June at 10.30am in Abbey Hall Lounge. We look forward to you joining us.

Braishfield United Reformed Church

Minister: The Reverend Mike Perrott, MA 01794 512163

e-mail: revd.mike13@gmail.com

Day off: Mondays

The Reverend Doctor Sarah Hall

e-mail: sarah.hall.swhg@gmail.com 02380 768004 Day off - Thursdays

Secretary: Shirley Smith 01794 368447

Treasurer: Sharon Whitfield 01794 521937

Serving

June

2 9.30 am Holy Communion led by the Minister

July

Worship led by the Minister

Worship led by Daniel Symes

Please note that the third Sunday of the month is the time to bring in tinned goods etc for the food bank collection.

News from Braishfield

We were all delighted to hear from Sharon how well her abseil went. She was raising money for Pete’s Dragons, a charity which supports families devastated by suicide.

Sharon had to raise money to cover her costs for taking part in the abseil event. She didn’t just do that - she raised much more than expected. Please see her article and pictures for more on this. Well done, Sharon!

I was sorry not to be able to be at the inauguration service for the Revd Mike and Revd Sarah, which was held at Avenue St. Andrews, Southampton on 11 May. I was heading north to Scotland at the time but I understand all went well.

Indeed, it was lovely to hear more about it from the Revd Mike on Sunday, 19 May and to discover there had been a great turn out and the group of six churches has a name – The Southern Fellowship of United Reformed Churches. It was also good Sharon was able to take part in the inauguration service on behalf of us all at Braishfield by reading some of the prayers. I also understand the six churches in the Southern Fellowship all picked hymns for the service. Braishfield’s choice was Lord of All Hopefulness.

Sadly, I also missed the Christian Aid service. That was held at All Saints Parish Church at 9.30am and was led by the Revd Jane Thompson, the sermon was given by Andy Bevan and Sharon also took part in the readings at this service. The two village churches take it in turns to host this united service, it is always good to get together for this one, and Braishfield looks forward to being the host in 2025.

In other news, the bear isfinally going to make it to Romsey! There are still names to choose from the list Shirley holds. It is £1 a go and all proceeds go to Braishfield church funds. Please contact Shirley directly if you would like to have a go – that bear needs a good home and it could be yours!

Braishfield URC will hold its 206th Church Anniversary service on 16 June – and we don’t look a day over 205! We would love to see you at the service if you can make it.

The Flower Festival church service is on Sunday, 21 July and is always a glorious sight. The church will be open on Saturday, 20 July and Sunday, 21 July between 11am and 6pm. Please put flowers in the church on Friday, 19 July between 10am and 6pm. The church will be open for visitors on Saturday, 20 July between 10am and 6pm. The Flower Festival service will be on Sunday, 21 July, led by the Revd Mike at 10am. Please join us if you can.

The church will then remain open from 11am to 6pm for the rest of Sunday for visitors to admire the flowers. The church will be open on Monday, 22 July for the flowers to be collected and taken home. Thank you for your support for this event. The church always looks glorious when decorated with flowers for the Festival Weekend. Do come and enjoy it.

Last, but not least, I will take the opportunity to thank all who support the church in any way. Your work is seen and appreciated! It is a team effort at Braishfield.

Allison Symes

SHARON’S ABSEIL FOR PETE’S DRAGONS

Sharon undertook an abseil raising funds for Pete’s Dragons who provide comfort after suicide loss. Sharon’s niece Georgia, took her own life on 4 December 2023, devastating everyone who knew her. Pete’s Dragons has been supporting Sharon’s family and Georgia’s friends.

Sharon, Josie (Georgia’s other aunt) and Josie’s daughter, Martha, (Georgia’s cousin), raised £1,800 which was 400% of their target. The total raised by the fundraising abseil for Pete’s Dragons’ was an amazing £16,066.18 plus £3,480.27 from gift aid.

The left photo is Meldon Viaduct, just outside Okehampton on North Dartmoor, with its nice walking path across the top.

The photo on the right is the view from about the yellow cross on the first picture.

This is Sharon’s beautiful niece Georgia, who took her own life on 4 December 2023, devastating everyone who knew her.

More than 5000 people commit suicide every year in the UK. If you arethinking about it, this is what you need to know; those of us who are left behind are not better off without you.

AROUND THE SOUTHERN FELLOWSHIP OF UNITED REFORMED CHURCHES

If you want an opportunity to meet and make friends with our fellow members of the Southern Fellowship a warm welcome awaits you at the following events:

6.30pm for 7pm-8.30pm Friday, 14 June Avenue St Andrew's URC will be hosting a film discussion evening entitled Climate Truth with Hope. Each Saturday 10.30am–12noon Avenue St Andrews holds a Coffee Morning in aid of church funds.

Isaac Watts hold a Nibble and Natter the first and third Thursday of the month from 10.30am to 12 noon in the James Hall.

ISAAC WATTS 350

Isaac Watts was an English Congregational minister, hymn writer, theologian, and logician. He was also a prolific and popular hymn writer, writing 750 hymns Isaac Watts became the first to write and popularise hymns in the English language, becoming the Father of English Hymns and songs. Isaac Watts is one of Southampton’smost famous sons, born Above Bar in 1674. He would be celebrating his 350th birthday this year! This will be marked on 25 June at 11.15am by an event at the Isaac Watts statue in Watts Park, opposite the Civic Centre Library. The Visit Southampton website provides the following information:

Did you know?

• The Civic Centre Clock chimes Isaac Watts' hymn "Our God, our help in ages past our hope for years to come", every day at 8am, 12 noon, 4pm and 8pm.

• Isaac Watts wrote the Easter hymn, "When I Survey The Wondrous Cross" and the Christmas carol "Joy To The World".

• He also wrote educational books on geography, astronomy, grammar and philosophy.

• Oxford and Cambridge Universities used his book on logic and reason as the standard text through the 18th century.

• He wrote more than 700 hymns and popularised congregational hymn-singing throughout the world.

• The statue to him in Watts (West) Park was unveiled on his birthday 17 July by the Earl of Shaftesbury in 1861.

ROMSEY GOOD NEIGHBOURS

Romsey Good Neighbours are looking for help. They recently received 18 requests for drives to medical appointments over the next few weeks. They strive hard to match requests with drivers but could you, or do you know someone, who could make their lives easier?

Volunteer drivers can offer a couple of hours, or a specific time of day, local drives or those further afield to hospitals. Any offer would be helpful.

The role is subject to an enhanced DBS check and you are paid travel expenses. The drivers love the role they fulfil, and certainly the clients are extremely grateful for the help they receive.

Please give some thought to whether you can help Romsey Good Neighbours, or you could pass their request on.

Contact romseygoodneighbours@gmail.com

Many thanks!

WISDOM CENTRE MEDITATION

This busy world can sometime leave little space for our soul or our own wellbeing. Why not join the Wisdom Centre’s weekly evening meditation each Wednesday from 7.30-8.30pm. You're welcome to simply 'turn up' for meditation, no need to book.

REFORM

Where can you find a spirited discussion on ‘What makes the church thrive?’ and ‘news and views’ on issues near and far? What about letters expressing all kinds of opinions on Christian life and witness, a thoughtprovoking reflection focusing on an artwork and book reviews (including one on our new Moderator’s book Pastoral care in Practice).

Also, an article written by the rock legend Rick Wakeman of the band ‘Yes’? Did you know he is a life-long Christian? He became particularly attracted to the URC when we were the only denomination that would marry divorced people. The URC, he says, has a special place in [his] heart because of “the wonderful minister who married me … he was a very special minister indeed”. So, where can you find all these things? In the May 2024 issue of our Denominational magazine ‘Reform’!

We are grateful to Joan D who used to be our ‘Reform’ distributer, but the means of distribution has changed now. You can either subscribe to a paper copy which will be posted directly to you (£29.50 per year) or to a digital version accessible on your computer or other device (£18.00 per year). Here are the ways you can subscribe:

• Online – visit www.reformsubs.co.uk (you can pay by card or set up a direct debit)

• Cheque – payable to ‘the URC’ to Reform, 86 Tavistock Place, London, WC1H 9RT with a note of your name and address

• By phone – by card or to set up a direct debit: 020 7520 2721

Do consider taking-up this magazine, it is a valuable resource for all of us to keep up to date with so much surrounding our shared mission and ministry. We will be leaving past copies of ‘Reform’ around the back of the church for you to look at as you enjoy your tea and coffee after the service!

WISE WORDS

To handle yourself use your head, To handle others, use your heart.

Eleanor Roosevelt

CHRISTIANS AGAINST POVERTY (CAP)

Hello, I’ve been given the opportunity to introduce myself and thework we do, so here goes!

My name is Deborah Niblett and, along with my colleague Sara Davis, we are the Christians Against Poverty (CAP) team based here in Romsey, covering all SO51 and SO52 postcodes. To be more accurate, we are only the employed part of the team, as CAP’s work is supported by a wonderful array of volunteers who are essential to all we do.

CAP have been partnering with churches to provide debt help and money management skills since 1996, so there is a wealth of experience and expertise behind us. In 2016 Freedom Church partnered with CAP to provide a debt centre in Romsey itself and, after a number of changes of address, is now located at The Freedom Centre on the industrial estate on Budds Lane.

Freedom Church, in turn, partner with Romsey Baptist Church (RBC) to deliver and support this free service, and we delight in the way we are able to work together to provide help for those in our community experiencing the crushing pressure of debt.

If you, or anyone you know, would like to access our help, simply phone the central freephone number: 0800 328 0006, during normal office hours. The lovely team there will ask a few simple questions and then make you an appointment with one of us.

CAP debt help is provided by Christians, and Jesus is at the heart of all we do, but our services are available to everyone, regardless of their beliefs or position on faith. We often have the opportunity to pray with clients but this is never forced or required. Clients receive a bespoke service, with visits taking place in their own home (unless they prefer

otherwise), and support offered throughout. Being linked to the Freedom Centre also means we have direct access to many other services, such as the Foodbank, Citizens Advice, and the DWP, that might be of help to our clients. It is a privilege to come alongside people in experiencing incredibly challenging situations and being able to provide encouragement, hope and transformation.

There is so much I could say, but I’d like to take this opportunity to let you know about a couple of up-coming events you might be interested in:

CAP drop-in information stall for new volunteers: Saturday 1 June, at RBC’s Community Café, 10.30am-12noon: the previously mentioned team of volunteers could always do with some new members, whether that’s as befrienders who accompany the debt coaches on visits, vital prayer support or in other, more individual roles. If you’d like to find out more please do come and have a chat at the community café at RBC. There’ll be no pressure to sign up to anything and you can always just come for a chat and a bit of cake!

CAP Money Coaching course, four Monday evenings in June, starting 3 June, 7.30-9pm at The Freedom Centre, Budds Lane: our money coaching courses are a free service designed to empower people with the knowledge, skills, tools and confidence to better manage their finances. This course is for everyone, whether you have a lot of money or a little, love working with figures or find numbers make you want to run for the hills! It is run by trained Money Coaches, using a mixture of video, discussion and activities, and previous attendees have commented on how they’ve appreciated the relaxed and informative approach. For further information or to book, contact Sara on 07907 414633.

I hope that’s wetted your appetite to find out more about this CAP service we have here in Romsey, provide by the local church for the whole community. Please do get in touch with me if you’d like to know more, either on deborahniblett@capuk.org or 07562 752141.

Deborah Niblett

A DOUBLE EDGED SWORD?!

My face in the mirror isn’t wrinkled or drawn; My house isn’t dirty, the cobwebs have gone! My garden looks lovely, and so do my lawns; I think I might never put my glasses back on!

AMNESTY UPDATE

The Romsey group is preparing for Refugee Awareness Week from 17-23 June. There will be poignant posters displayed in shop windows in the town and we’re hoping that all the Romsey churches will support us by having a display with the theme of ‘Our home’.

At our next meeting on 17 June, a young Ukrainian woman who arrived in the UK three months ago will be joining us to share her experience.

A HAZE OF DRINKING SONGS!

If you missed Kirsty’s musical evening at Abbey URC, you have a second chance to catch the performance! Join Kirsty with Ann and David Turner for a musical evening of drinking songs from folk to opera, from music hall to pop! Being held at Cornerstone Church, Hythe on Saturday, 22 June at 7pm. Free entry, donations welcomed; raising funds for Cornerstone Church.

John

THE LEPROSY MISSION

The Leprosy Mission is celebrating 150 years of work researching cures for Leprosy and helping those affected by Leprosy, either personally or relatives who have the disease.

They are currently building a new nursing college at The Philadelphia Community Hospital in Salur, India. When complete the college will offer general nursing studies plus essential training in the skills needed to treat leprosy patients. The building is nearly complete and the classrooms are being equipped to welcome the first intake of 60 students in September.

The hospital is particularly keen to recruit students affected by leprosy to train as nurses and health care experts. Surjit Pal, the Hospital Superintendent, explains that personal experiences of leprosy by the trainees will be a special blessing to their patients. Further details about The Leprosy Mission can be found at www.leprosymission.org.uk.

If you are looking for that special present for some-one who has everything why not visit their shop at www.theleprosymissionshop.com/ and see the range of gifts they have for sale, including a voucher for farm animals, schooling and training for some-one whose livelihood has been affected by leprosy.

2025 URC CALENDAR: IMPRESSIONS OF THE URC

Photos of URC church buildings are being invited for the 2025 URC Calendar. The calendar, which is again being supported by Edwards Insurance, is titled Impressions of the URC. Church buildings are very special places, and so they’re asking for your photos of them, and with the skills of the URC graphics team, will turn them into works of art, from simple line drawings to pictures inspired by the works of famous artists –the possibilities are endless.

Please send landscape photos for preference, but square and portrait photos are welcome. High quality photos at 300dpi, JPG or PNG file format, including the name and location of the church and the name of the photographer. Please email them to andy.jackson@urc.org.uk If photos are submitted, the photographer is granting the URC permission to use the photographs in print and digitally and to edit them. The calendar will be available on the URC Bookshop from September.