February/March 2017
The Magazine of
St. George’s United Reformed Church
Newton Road, High Heaton,
Newcastle upon Tyne, NE7 7HP
Thoughts from the Manse
The managing director of an engineering company called his engineers together. “I'm looking for
someone to lead a new project,” he said. “Someone with a passion for success.” “Is there any extra
money?” asked one of the engineers. “This isn't about money!” the managing director replied, with
some impatience. “It's about a passion for success!”
Obviously annoyed at his employees' lack of enthusiasm, the managing director continued for several
minutes to talk about passion, drive and vision. Meanwhile, one of the engineers turned to his neighbour
and asked quietly, “What about you, Wally – do you have a passion for success? “No,” answered Wally.
“Just a mild preference.”
This is not a true story. It comes from 'Dilbert', a long-running cartoon strip about office people, drawn by
artist Scott Adams, that has appeared in magazines and newspapers (more than 2,000 at the last count)
since 1989. But then again it may have roots in the way things really are, since Adams admits that many
of his best strips have been based on true stories of office culture and corporate idiocy sent in by his
readers.
Let me tell you another story – this time, one that is definitely true. Les Woodland has written many
books about cycle racing and coaching. In one of them, he reflects on his own days as a racer, a racer
who never quite made the grade.
He tells how in a race, after an hour or two, the few riders truly committed to winning would ride off
together to fight it out, and leave the rest behind. What is interesting, and what links this story to the
Dilbert cartoon, is how the others felt when the leaders left them behind. You would think, after all the
hard work of training, that they would have been disappointed. But secretly, the under-achievers felt
relieved – they could ride the rest of the race at their own speed, without the real competitors there to
make them suffer.
Do these stories strike a chord with you? Do you see any parallels with the way things often are in
churches? I have met several church leaders who left their own denominations because they had a
passion for what God was asking them to do, and no one in their churches would listen. I have met many
Christians who felt deeply frustrated and dragged down, because the people around them seemed to
have no passion for the gospel – just a mild preference.
It can be uncomfortable being around passionate people – people who are never satisfied, who do not
see the obstacles and will not listen to excuses, who keep starting things off and demanding that others
join in, who go on asking the awkward question, “Why not?” But they are the people who make church
life worthwhile and enable churches to grow.
I wonder what sport the apostle Paul took part in. Something in the way he writes convinces me he really
was a competitor at some time in his life – he does not talk like a spectator. When he speaks about
training and competing, it's with a real sense of the physical demands: I do not run aimlessly, nor do I
box as though beating the air; but I punish my body and enslave it (1 Corinthians 9:26–27). It's with
a real sense of determination to achieve what he set out to achieve, to push through the pain: Forgetting
what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize
of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:13–14).
When the race is really on it is comfortable to be the one of the ones left behind – until we realise we are
no longer part of the race. Then, the whole business becomes very hollow indeed. The ones left behind
by the leaders never feel the thrill that makes all the pain worthwhile – the wonderful exhilaration of
fighting out the sprint in the home straight, and for one rider at least, the joy of throwing up their arms in a
victory salute. So in your journey with God and in your membership of the church, press on towards the
prize – and encourage others who are doing the same.
Your friend in Christ,
Grant
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THANK YOU
Those of you who kindly ordered Christmas Cakes will be pleased to know that I have been able to make
a donation of £130 to church funds. Thank you for all your orders, and your continued support.
Audrey Matfin.
Dear friends
My challenge for 2017 is to compete in the Ashington sprint triathlon on Monday the 1st of May. the
distance is 400 metre pool swim, 22km bike ride and 5 km run.
I lost a dear friend in July 2016 at the age of 52yrs. She had a very rare aggressive cancer. We are
attempting to raise money to fund a 4 year PhD research student to research into this very rare cancer
and hopefully improve the prognosis and treatments of this form of cancer.
I would be very grateful if my friends at St Georges would sponsor me in this event. I will leave a
sponsor sheet at the back of the church. I will keep you all updated of my training schedule and let you
all know how it goes. Wish me luck.
Thank you
Irene Ewart.
Church Family News
Harry and Denise’s daughter Lorna, has just presented them with a new grandson, Angus, who weighed
in at 7lbs 15ozs. Our love and congratulations go to the proud parents and grandparents.
Bake Off comes to High Heaton!
Our Evangelist Support Group have come together again to start planning the next St George's outreach
event. The latest plan is for a Bake Off Competition and Coffee Morning on the 1st April - please
make a note to come along in your diaries. Details are still being worked out but the plan so far is to ask
people to bring along their cakes for two competitions, one for taste and another for decoration. There
will be different age categories for adults and children. Along side this we hope to have a coffee morning
with free tea, coffee and cake and a table that allows you your chance to try your own hand at decorating
cupcakes or cookies too.
So if you and your friends fancy joining in the fun please come along and if you want to try your hand at
the competitions, get thinking, the competition rules will be out shortly. We would also ask if anyone
would like to help with the event to let us know. We are in need of everything from judges (no
qualifications needed, just a love of cake) to leafleters and cupcake makers. Thanks.
Paul Dempster
Big Church Day Out
St George's turned out in force last year for the Big Church Night In at City Hall, to hear Kari Jobe and
Matt Redman. The Big Night In however is only the little sister of the Big Church Day Out – a Christian
music festival that takes place over two days at two sites, in West Sussex and Cheshire.
A few of us are going to the northern event, on 2nd and 3rd June, at Capesthorne Hall. There are several
stages, but main stage performers include Bethel Music, Rend Collective, Newsboys, Casting Crowns,
Tim Hughes, and Matt Maher, with more promised.
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There will of course be the usual stalls, cafes, and other attractions.
You can camp on-site, for a fee, and the organisers encourage this. There is even a glamping option. I
think we will probably book somewhere with a roof, a comfortable bed and a shower. Book your tickets at
bigchurchdayout.com – and let us know you're going!
Childline
Yussy George from Youth Church is working with the Children's Society to raise awareness around
missing teens and those who may be vulnerable. She is also working to raise awareness of Childline,
working with Esther Rantzen. On Saturday the 22nd 2017, Yussy and her team travelled to London. Well
done Yussy we look forward to hearing more about it so we can support and pray
Lexie
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A Big thank you to you all for making it possible for mission 2016. Thank you.
SEEDS OF HOPE AND NEW BEGINNINGS
Casting out fear building positive Christian hope in its place, a beautiful virtue and lifetransforming grace that yields multiple benefits for individuals.
Be part of God’s work:
SEE SOULS SAVED.
SEE LIVES BEING CHANGED.
SOW SEEDS AND SEE FRUITS THAT REMAIN
LET US SET OUR HAND TO THIS GOOD WORK.
Dates for 2017 mission are:
Week A:
July 21 to 30
Week B: August 14 to 20
HOLIDAY BIBLE Club 2016
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Hope moves us forwards:
Christian hope is a realistic expectation of and joyful longing for future good and glory based upon the
reliable word of God. The more we long for the future, the less we will yearn for the past. Hope deletes
regrets and underlines expectation. It diminishes drag and increases momentum.
Lost both parents the girl would have taken over
responsibility but being at the centre they can now all
get education.
• Hope energises the present:
It is worth living today because the eternal tomorrow is so much brighter. What’s
doomsday for most is coronation day for us. What most dread, we desire.
• Hope lightens our darkness:
Hope does not deny nor remove the reality of dark and painful providences. However it
does shine a bright light into these valleys and points to the sunrise at the end of them.
With hope that God will see them through their Education
providing for them through friends.
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• Hope increases faith:
Faith fuels hope, but hope also fuels faith. As Hebrews 11 makes very clear, hope and
faith are very closely tied together, the one reviving the other. Without faith we cannot
soar in hope, but without hope faith will limp home. The greatest believers are the
greatest hopers…and vice versa.
PRAY THAT THEY GET A GOOD CLASS ROOM.
PIANO ARRIVED IN NTWEETWE, GOOD FOR
MUSIC AND GIVING CHILDREN A SKILL.
• Hope Encourages:
Just as we can drag others down by our recriminations and moping, so we can inspire
and motivate through our inspiring hoping. It not only encourages other slumped
Christians but it also impacts depressed unbelievers who cannot but ask a reason for the
hope they see in us (1 Pet. 3:15)
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SOME OF GAMES AT THE HOLIDAY BIBLE CLUB
Hope is practical:
Hope does not mean we just sit and wait for the ideal and perfect place to appear. Not at
all! Hope motivates action. When we hope for better days for the church, we serve the
church. When we hope for the conversion of our children, we are motivated to share the
Gospel with them. When we hope for God’s blessing on His Word, we listen to it much
more devotedly. Hope produces action.
BETH AND INEZ WITH THE KIDS
• Hope stabilizes in the storm:
Like the anchor, hope grabs what is out of sight; as one puritan put it: “The cable of faith
casts out the anchor of hope and lays hold of the steadfast rock of God’s promises.”
• Hope defends:
Paul also depicts hope as a defensive helmet (Eph. 6:17; 1 Thess. 5:8) that must not be
taken off and laid aside until the battle is over. The helmet also points us to the area of
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greatest vulnerability and danger – our mind or thoughts. That’s where Satan usually
works to present reasons to doubt and despair. And that’s why we need our minds daily
renewed by the power of hope.
ONE OF THE CLASSES, HOLIDAY BIBLE CLUB 2016
‘Seeds of hope and new beginnings’ is involved in helping the orphaned children
and teenagers discover and enhance their talents, through Education and other
educational opportunities, help them to learn how to be economically independent
when they grow up into Adulthood. Breaking the cycle of poverty.
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See souls saved
See lived changed
Sow seed And see fruit that remain
Is it possible? Yes if we:
Pray,
Set our minds to it,
Are willing to sacrifice ourselves for it.
Work on it one step at a time.
NTWETWE HOLIDAY BIBLE CLUB 2016
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Uganda 2016
When I understood that we were going to do a mission in Uganda I was a bit apprehensive. A lot of ideas
and misconceptions were running through my head and I had no idea what it was going to be like.
The number 600 was being thrown around and when it came to few of us going I was feeling a little bit
worried. But I said to myself if don’t go now? When will I go? So we packed our bags, ticked off check
lists and boarded flights.
Arriving in Uganda that summer, experiencing the heat and the people for the first time in a long time was
the best thing ever.
We met up with students from Kyambogo University. From there we pitched our idea of the mission, after
training we gave them memory verses and explained what we wanted that by the end of the week, we
wanted the kids to know Jesus for who he is and to understand that they too are champions in Christ,
even though they are orphans there is a father of us all.
I felt that when you plan something you always predict how it will go but, you can never know for sure.
This I remember vividly. From the moment we met with the leaders. They explained to us about the kids
in Kiboga and Ntwe twe, and the main thing I could understand that In Africa some Orphans have
nothing and no one, the children are taken advantage of. No one really steps up for them, but at the
church that’s where they flock. To eat, to play. Even those that do have a home feel safer, especially
when they are with their friends in a place where they shall not be turned away.
As we began the first day of the mission it was clear, the moment the kids understood that this whole
week was for them, they came in numbers. There was a diverse age range, and we couldn’t cap it
because in our heads it wasn’t our own work that we were doing, but Gods. We were just facilitating. Our
main challenge was the language barrier. At first we had agreed to teach in English but as the first day
progressed we needed translators.
This however was overcome, because by the last day the kids were singing in English and also
responding to questions about what they learnt about faith and Jesus in English. I was very impressed
when they were able to remember the memory verses, to sing the songs in English! and just when they
knew that Jesus was the one for them.
I really enjoyed just playing with the kids, laughing with them. And just enjoyed their company. It really
made me notice, there is no difference between them and me, we are all children of God. These kids
don’t have tangible goods but it’s through the church there is shelter, there is love, they have friends, a
place to sleep, this is their home to them.
In those two weeks of the mission I felt like I truly saw Gods hand. We prayed everyday, we sang his
praises everyday. We read the bible everyday, and every night there was a crusade and songs and
praises being sung.
Being at university I feel that I don’t get the opportunity to talk about my faith as much, I didn’t notice this
until after this trip. God is everywhere and truly working. I was able to understand that all things do come
from him. Knowing that we were having our first ever mission after just a year of planning was amazing to
me.
And I would encourage others to go, it’s not about how much money you can bring, how much
knowledge you have, but spending time with these kids. Playing with them; listening to their stories and
chatting with them. Helping them understand that they do belong in the family of God.
Most of these kids have had the worst of life at such an early age but have felt the true joy of knowing
God at such an early age too.
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For 2017 my prayer is that we are able to achieve more than we did last summer. I do believe that this Is
the beginning of something big and pleases God.
A Big thank you to you all for whatever way you contributed to make it possible for mission 2016.
Thank you.
Beth Solomon.
The Void between Intent and Performance
We sing “Sweet Hour of Prayer”- and content ourselves with a few minutes of prayer each day, if even
that much.
We sing “Onward Christian Soldiers” – and wait to be pushed into the Lord’s service.
We sing “O For a Thousand Tongues” – without rightly using the tongue we have.
We sing “Blest be the Tie that Binds”- and let the least little offence sever it.
We sing “Serve the Lord with Gladness”- and gripe about all we have to do.
We sing “I Love to Tell the Story”- and never mention it all year to our friends and associates.
We sing “Cast Thy Burden on the Lord” – and worry ourselves into nervous breakdowns.
We sing “The Whole Wide World for Jesus” – and never invite our next door neighbours to church.
We sing “Throw out the Life Line”- and content ourselves with throwing out a fishing line on Sunday.
Author unknown.
The People’s Kitchen: a message from a new patron- Si King
Well, here I find myself writing to you as one of the Patrons of the People’s Kitchen. How did that
happen! I am genuinely flattered and honoured to be asked to be part of this extraordinary organisation.
I very much look forward to doing all I can to raise awareness of the great work they do.
I’ve been very lucky in my life to have the opportunity of work, a loving family, a home, support, guidance
and kindness. From all those tenets of humanity, I have developed a successful career. I’ve had the
great privilege of riding a motorcycle around the world four times and making programmes, not just about
food but about social history and the culture and celebration that surrounds the cuisines of our world. (Si
King is one half of the “Hairy Bikers”)
I’ve witnessed first-hand during my travels, the human cost of homelessness. I can only imagine the
psychological and emotional impact this has on a human being. Mahatma Ghandi once said, “Surely a
civilised society can be judged on how it treats its most vulnerable members”. I firmly believe that every
human being on our society should have the basic right to a roof over their heads, food in their stomach,
and warmth.
All of us are two steps away from homelessness. There are many reasons why people end up on the
streets. It is within my remit as Patron to use my profile to raise awareness of the psychological and
emotional impact homelessness has on human beings and particularly within a city that I love.
The North East is undoubtedly a very special place which is why I still live here. Us Geordies are
renowned for our warmth and welcome and I’m enormously proud of that reputation.
From Kitchen Times- the magazine of the People’s Kitchen.
N.B. St George’s continues to collect groceries for the People’s Kitchen, all year round. Please place
your gifts into the box at the back of church. The box is emptied from time to time and goods taken to the
Kitchen. Regular support is the best way of ensuring that the Kitchen can continue its vital services and
plan for the future. Our Socks and Chocs Appeal at Christmas 2016, when we collect items for gifts from
all the churches in the area, was very successful and we were able to make up 128 gift bags for ladies
and 135 bags for men.
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Fairtrade brings hope to Uganda's artisanal gold mines
by Martine Parry. Photograph: Ian
Berry/Magnum Photos
In Uganda communities mining gold are
trapped in poverty but now, Fairtrade’s
first certified mine in Africa offers a safer,
more prosperous future
Rain is a mixed blessing in the Busia area
of Eastern Uganda. When I arrived in the
community on a recent visit, I was greeted
by steely grey storm clouds which quickly
gave way to rain and swamped the
parched orange earth. Ironically, the
arrival of the monsoon brings joy to
farmers but for the gold miners I’ve come to see it promises danger and at its worst, even death.
For in the Busia gold mining district fatalities are frequent during the rainy season, as the soil becomes
soft and muddy unstable mines collapse or flood while workers are underground. And yet local people
continue mining for their very survival because it is the main form of employment in the region but it its
barely a living, many earn as little as £0.50 a day from it.
But now there is a glimmer of hope. I’ve come to meet a group of people who have made history and
offer hope for gold mining communities across the continent. The Syanyonja Artisan Miners Alliance
(SAMA) is the first mining cooperative in Africa to become Fairtrade certified.
This landmark achievement is the result of four years of planning, preparation and hard work that has
been truly transformational for the four mining groups involved in SAMA. For the members of the cooperative, for the first time small scale mining is now safe and legal. This is a region where despite being
the main source of employment, the industry operates illegally and now SAMA’s mines are registered
with the local government and have adopted improved health and safety and production standards.
They are now ready to become an export industry. Once the export supply chain has been established,
they’ll be able to sell their gold to the 14 Fairtrade global markets for gold. They will be guaranteed for a
better price plus the Fairtrade Premium – extra cash that goes to the community to invest in development
projects.
Gold was first discovered in the Busia goldfield in 1932, where it occurs in the rich quartz veins and
bands of iron which lay beneath the ground. When the colonials left, local people continued ‘scratching’,
mining the seams. Discovering gold on your land is seen as a ‘blessing from God’ in a very poor district.
Sadly however, it is a subsistence economy. The miners are not officially employed by a mining company
but rather work independently working with hand tools. In addition to the hazards in the pit, as miners
chip away at ore and follow veins until the walls collapse, the processing of gold can cause mercury
poisoning without the right equipment. As the son of the owner of an informal mine 24 year old Ayubu
Musisizi says of using mercury: “We should have masks and other equipment but it’s too expensive so
we can’t afford it. We know it’s not safe as we hear from different organisations that it is too dangerous to
burn mercury.” It’s also damaging the environment; it’s suspected that irresponsible use of mercury used
to amalgamate the gold seeps downstream into Lake Victoria which lies 30 km downstream, via a series
of wetlands. One of the main aims of the new Fairtrade certification is to counter these health and safety
and environmental hazards.
At SAMA, the miners are now able to recover 95% of gold from the ore they process, thanks to the gold
katcha funded by Fairtrade campaigners. The device is a concentrating centrifugal machine which
washes the heavier elements added, allowing the lighter elements to be washed away into a sealed
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water pond which is then recycled. The miners are now able to concentrate the gold containing elements
in smaller volumes. It means they are less reliant on using mercury to wash the ore which doesn’t
capture as much gold.
Wabwire Simon, chair of SAMA says “Before, with sluicing, we could recover just 30-50% and it took us
three to four days. Even the tailings result in 50% recovery. The machine makes everything much easier.
People outside of our group in the wider community are seeing the benefits too. They wish for more gold
katchas in the area, but we said no, go slowly and gradually build on your practice. The whole community
is very excited about its potential.”
From the Fairtrade blog, January 2017.
N.B Fairtrade Fortnight is 27th February to 12th March.
Stories about hymns: What a friend we have in Jesus
Not far from Port Hope, Ontario, stands a monument with this inscription: “Four miles north, in Pengally’s
Cemetery, lies the philanthropist and author of this great masterpiece, written at Port Hope, 1857.” Above
the inscription are the words of the beloved hymn, “What a friend we have in Jesus”. Joseph Scriven, its
author, was a man who had experienced the friendship of Jesus through a life filled with personal
tragedy.
When Scriven was a young man in Ireland, his fiancee accidentally drowned on the eve of their wedding.
Soon after this, he set sail for Canada. He seemed destined to live his life alone, with Jesus as his only
close friend. In Canada he determined to be a friend to those in need, and he became known as the
“Good Samaritan of Port Hope”.
Scriven never intended to publish this hymn. He wrote the words to accompany a letter to his mother in
Ireland when she became ill. He had no material resources to send her- only a reminder that the most
perfect of friends, Jesus himself, was nearby. Later, when Scriven himself was ill, a visiting friend noticed
the hymn scribbled on a piece of paper near his bed. “Did you write this?” asked the friend. “Well, not
completely” Scriven answered. “The Lord and I did it between us”
Scriptures: Proverbs 18, 24: John 15, 13-16: Philippians 4, 6-7.
What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer!
From the Complete Book of Hymns by William J Petersen.
Bible a Month Club: Ethiopia
“No one can have faith without hearing the message about Christ” Romans 10, 17. (CEV)
Ethiopia is a large East African country and is surrounded by Eritrea, Sudan, South Sudan, Kenya,
Somalia and Djibouti. It covers an area of 1.104,000 sq km, approximately 4.5 times larger than the UK.
It has a population of 94 million, about one and a half times that of the UK. But the literacy rate- people
who can read and write- is 39%. Languages include Amharic, Oromo, English and other local
languages.
Ethiopia has one of the lowest literacy rates in the world- a mere 39%. So our team in Ethiopia wants to
bring the Bible to thousands of people through our Faith Comes By Hearing programme.
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We provide illiterate people in Ethiopia with Proclaimer audio bibles so they can listen to Scripture and
have the opportunity to engage with the Bible in an accessible way. We already have audio Bibles in
Amharic, Ethiopia’s main language- but this year the team is translating and producing audio Bible in
minority languages like Borana too.
One person, Hirpo, who listens to the Bible with his listening group, told Bible Society that his
community’s encounter with the Bible had changed the way people thought. When talking about the
impact of Faith Comes By Hearing on his listening group, he said people “discovered the word of God is
shaping our spiritual, moral and social life. It is a guide for us”.
Prayer Pointers
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Give thanks for the thousands of people who have already received Proclaimer audio Bibles in
Amharic. Pray that as people continue to listen to the Bible they would be transformed.
Pray that the new minority language translations will be completed on time and that as the listening
groups are set up people will be changed as God speaks to them through the Bible.
Pray that our team in Ethiopia would have the strength necessary to do their work and that through
God’s help they’d be able to set up 1,000 new listening groups.
URC Prayer Diary
Please pray for these churches, situations and people within the Northern Synod.
February
5th
The ongoing dialogue between the five northerly synods as we explore ways of working more
together.
Trinity LEP (Methodist/Anglican), Ashington; St Andrew’s & St Mark’s LEP (Methodist/URC),
Newbiggin-by-the-Sea; Rev’d Jim Magee (Meth).
12th. Synod Spring Retreat at Ampleforth Abbey from 14th-16th.
Oxclose LEP (Anglican/Methodist/URC), Washington; Waddington URC, Durham; St Andrew’s
Dawson Street; Crook LEP (Methodist/URC); Rev’d Ray Anglesea, Rev’d Christopher Humble
(Meth).
19th
PCM (Mozambique), the four Presbyterian Societies- Men’s, Women’s, Youth and Activists Group,
and for our own fund raising for PCM.
Fair Trade Fortnight.
Anglican bishop of Newcastle Diocese, Rt Rev’d Christine Hardman.
26th
Bedlington; Elsdon Avenue LEP (Methodist/URC), Seaton Delaval; Blyth URC; Rev’d Greg
Thompson.
Women’s World Day of Prayer, Friday 3rd March, when the theme is “Am I being unfair to you?”
and material has been prepared by women of the Philippines.
March
5th
Synod meeting at West End URC on 11th.
Our Synod Moderator, Rev’d Dave Herbert; Synod Clerk, Mrs Melanie Campbell; Synod Treasurer,
Rev’d Dr Tony Haws.
Lent begins this week- we prepare for Easter.
12th
St Cuthbert’s Centre, Holy Island; its visitors and management team; Warden of the Centre, Rev’d
Rachel Poolman.
19th
St George’s URC, High Heaton; St Cuthbert’s LEP (Methodist/URC), Heaton; Rev’d Dr Grant
Wilson.
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Mothering Sunday on 26th and for mothers everywhere.
26th
PCM (Mozambique), its congregations in and around the capital Maputo.
Darlington Methodist Chair, Rev’d Ruth Gee.
April
2nd
St Andrew’s URC, Blackhill; Bethel URC, Chester-le-Street; Christ Church URC, Stanley; Rev’d
Elaine and Rev’d Gordon Brown as they retire this month.
9th
Our worship and activities during Holy Week and for our Easter Celebrations.
N.B. LEP = Local Ecumenical Partnership; PCM = Presbyterian Church of Mozambique
Summary of the Church Meeting held on Sunday January 15th 2017 at 11.45 am.
A full copy of these Minutes is available on request from Dorothy B or Tony Hall. They will remain
“unadopted” Minutes until they are approved at the next meeting in April.
29 members attended and there were 7 apologies.
Finance
A written copy of the Treasurers report is available to members on request. The accounts for 2016 were
accepted, and the Budget for 2017 was approved. Congregational giving has been sufficient to sustain
the operating costs of the church. Our facilities are well used by various groups. Church Meeting agreed
to transfer the annual operating surplus to the Property Development Fund to set aside funds for the
upkeep of the premises.
Members who give their gifts via the Freewill Offering Envelopes are asked to consider moving their
offering to Direct Giving rather than envelopes. This means that money is paid directly each month into
the church bank account from an individual’s account. It would lessen the number of times when it is
necessary to bank cash-a problem now, due to the closing of bank branches- thus lightening the
Treasurers’ loads.
The meeting recorded its thanks to John Hutton and Anthony Armstrong for their work as Treasurers.
Property
The new cleaner has started and she generally comes in on a Friday. She will be DBS checked soon.
The Emergency lights in the main hall, kitchen, outside play area and front door have been installed and
tested.
From the Elders
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The Membership Roll now stands at 61. Laura Cadwallader’s name has been removed as she has
moved to another part of the country.
Safeguarding; The Safeguarding Policy has been reviewed by Elders and needs no further
amendments.
Holiday Sundays. Church Meeting agreed that on the Sundays when the minister is on holiday, pulpit
supply for Altogether Worship (one service) at 10.30 am can be arranged.
Church Flowers; on some weeks the flowers will be left in church instead of being distributed.
Saturday Club. To take place every month from 2.30pm to 4.30pm. Members are encouraged to help
with the children’s activities. First session is 28th January. Others are planned for Feb 25th, March
25th, and April 15th.
It was decided to keep to the current time for our Church Meetings- 11.45 am after worship on
Sundays.
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Easter; a united Maundy Thursday service with St Cuthbert’s will be here at 7pm. We will go to St
Cuthbert’s on Good Friday. Time to be arranged. We will celebrate Holy Communion here on Easter
Sunday.
Manse (Boundary Gardens); Church Meeting agreed to the current tenants renewing their tenancy for
another year.
It may be possible in the future to use the manse as “house-for-duty” if we plan an area of work which
could be developed. A church worker would live rent free (but receive expenses and /or a wage?)
and his/her work would benefit St George’s. Suggestions are invited for possible suitable areas of
work to be planned if Church Meeting decides to follow this pattern.
Minister
Kim spoke about Make Lunch which operated in Byker last summer. It is hoped to organise Make Lunch
this Easter in the Woodlands Centre.
Heaton Festival takes place on June 24th. There is no paid organiser this year so more people are
being asked to take on areas of responsibility. It has been suggested that we could help to be
responsible for the stages- liaising with the “acts” and the technical people.
Church Meeting agreed to have a written reports book for the AGM reports.
Date of the next meeting is Sunday April 30th 2017 at 12 noon. (Time is slightly later as the minister
is preaching that day at St Cuthbert’s)
Smile!
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Chinese “Proverbs”
Man who drive like hell, bound to get there.
Man who stand on toilet is high on pot.
Man who live in glass house should change clothes in basement.
Man who run in front of car get tired.
Man who run behind car get exhausted
Man with one chopstick go hungry.
Man who eat many prunes get good run for money.
War does not determine who is right; war determine who is left.
Life’s unanswered questions
• How can something be new and improved? If it’s new, what was it improving on?
• If a word in the dictionary were misspelled, how would we know?
• If you choke a smurf, what colour does it turn?
• If Asda is open 24-7, why do they have locks on the doors?
• What do you call a female daddy long legs?
• Why are they called goose bumps? Do geese get people bumps?
• Have you ever imagined a world without hypothetical situations?
• If Pringles are “so good that once you pop, you can’t stop?” why do they come with a re-sealable lid?
•
With thanks to LIVErNEWS, the Support Newsletter for Liver Patients, their carers and families.
Family Tree Of Vincent Van Gogh
Who thinks up these things!!!!!!!!!!!!
His dizzy aunt -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Verti Gogh
The brother who ate prunes--------------------------------------------------------- Gotta Gogh
The brother who worked at a convenience store ----------------------------- Stop N Gogh
The grandfather from Yugoslavia ------------------------------------------------- U Gogh
His magician uncle ------------------------------------------------------------------- Where-diddy Gogh
14
His Mexican cousin ------------------------------------------------------------------ A Mee Gogh
The Mexican cousin's American half-brother --------------------------------- Gring Gogh
The nephew who drove a stage coach ----------------------------------------- Wells-far Gogh
The constipated uncle --------------------------------------------------------------- Can't Gogh
The ballroom dancing aunt --------------------------------------------------------- Tang Gogh
The bird lover uncle ------------------------------------------------------------------ Flaming Gogh
An aunt who taught positive thinking -------------------------------------------- Way-to-Gogh
The little bouncy nephew ----------------------------------------------------------- Poe Gogh
A sister who loved disco ------------------------------------------------------------ Go Gogh
And his niece who travels the country in an RV ------------------------------ Winnie Bay Gogh
I saw you smiling . . . . there ya Gogh
Points to Ponder
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
When we pray, God hears more than we say, answers more than we ask, gives more than we
imagine, - in His own time and in His own way.
Life is like a camera. Just focus on what’s important. Capture the good times. Develop from the
negatives from things that don’t work out…..just take another shot.
Never let your computer know that you are in a hurry. Computers can smell fear. They slow down if
they know that you are running out of time.
A strong friendship doesn’t need daily conversation of being together. As long as the relationship
lives in the heart, true friends never part.
Good deeds aren’t done by walking into a church. They’re done by walking out and helping others.
Someone else’s perception of you is not your reality. Never be defined by someone who knows less
about you than you do. John Parvlovite.
No matter how big your house is, how recent your car is, or how big your bank account is, our graves
will always be the same size. Stay humble.
Happiness is when you realise that your children have turned out to be good people.
Give the ones you love wings to fly, roots to come back and reasons to stay. Dali Lama.
St. George’s Coffee Rota – Feb - March
Date
Set up
Serve
Clear away
05/02/2017
Tony and Jackie
Tony and Jackie
Barbara
and Stewart
12/02/2017
Kim
Ann and Renee
Ann and Renee
19/02/2017
Solomon and
Youth Church
Solomon and
Youth Church
Solomon and
Youth Church
26/02/2017
Tony and Babs
Tony and Babs
Tony and Babs
05/03/2017
Dorothy and Ivy
Dorothy and Ivy
Dorothy and Ivy
15
Notes
12/03/1017
Kim
Ann and Renee
Ann and Renee
19/03/2017
Tony and Jackie
Tony and Jackie
Barbara
and Stewart
26/03/2017
Solomon and
Youth Church
Solomon and
Youth Church
Solomon and
Youth Church
02/04/2017
Clare
Sandra and Clare
Sandra and
Youth Church
09/04/2017
Tony and Babs
Tony and Babs
Tony and Babs
16/04/2017
Solomon and
Youth Church
Solomon and
Youth Church
Solomon and
Youth Church
23/04/2017
Dorothy and Ivy
Dorothy and Ivy
Dorothy and Ivy
30/04/2017
Kim
Ann and Renee
Ann and Renee
Easter Sunday
Smile!!
Southerners are urged not to travel unless necessary as snow, ice and blizzards approach.
Northerners – you’ll need your big coat.
16
Lectionary Readings for February – March 2017
Sunday
Service Date
Date of Steps
Meeting
Lectionary Readings
05-Feb-17
08-Feb-17
Isaiah 58 vs 1-9a(9b-12), Psalm 112 vs 1-9 (10),
1Corinthians 2 vs 1-12 (13-16), Matthew 5 vs 13-20
12-Feb-17
15-Feb-17
Deuteronomy 30 v 15- 20, Psalm 119 v 1-8,
1 Corinthians 3 v 1-9, Matthew 5 v 21-37
19-Feb-17
No Meeting
Leviticus 19 vs 1-2, 9-18, Psalm 119 vs 33-40,
1Corinthians 3 vs 10-11, 16-23, Matthew 5 vs 38-48
26-Feb-17
01-Mar-17
Exodus 24 vs 12-18, Psalm 2, 2 Peter 1 vs 16-21,
Matthew 17 vs 1-9
05-Mar-17
08-Mar-17
Genesis 2 vs 15-17, 3 vs 1-7, Psalm 32, Romans 5 vs 12-19,
Matthew 4 vs 1-11
12-Mar-17
15-Mar-17
Genesis 12 vs 1-4a, Psalm 121, Romans 4 vs 1-5, 13-17,
St. John 3 vs 1-17
19-Mar-17
22-Mar-17
Exodus 17 vs 1-7, Psalm 95, Romans 5 vs 1-11,
St. John 4 vs 5-42
26-Mar-17
29-Mar-17
1 Samuel 16 vs 1-13, Psalm 23, Ephesians 5 vs 8-14,
St. John 9 vs 1-41
02-Apr-17
05-Apr-17
Ezekiel 37 vs 1-14, Psalm 130, Romans 8 vs 6-11 and
St John 11 vs 1-45
09-Apr-17
12-Apr-17
Palm: Matthew 21 vs 1-11, Psalm 118 vs 1-2, 19-29
Passion: Isaiah 50 vs 4-9a, Psalm 31 vs 9-16,
Philippians 2 vs 5-11, Matthew 26 vs 14-27, 66
(or Matthew 27 vs 11-54)
17
THE URC PAST CASE REVIEW PROCESS
A TIME TO ACKNOWLEDGE PAST ABUSES, SHOW CHRISTIAN LOVE
AND BUILD A STRONGER, SAFER CHURCH COMMUNITY
The United Reformed Church has set up a Past Case Review and is now inviting anyone with concerns about the
behaviour or conduct of anyone affiliated with the URC since its formation in 1972 to raise them formally.
Why is this happening and what does it mean for us?
There is the highest level of public and political concern about past failings in the behaviour of national bodies
which have resulted in past abuses being ignored or covered up. A number of high profile cases involved national
figures in positions of authority or influence who were found guilty of abusing their power, authority or celebrity
status (such as Jimmy Saville and Rolf Harris), in particular involving the abuse of women and young people.
The churches have recognised that they have ignored evidence about past abuses. Some church leaders have been
found guilty, including a Scottish Cardinal and a former Anglican Bishop of Lewes. The Pope has said that abuse of
children was like "leprosy" infecting the Church, according to the Italian La Repubblica newspaper. Pope Francis has
strengthened the Vatican's laws against child abuse and has sought forgiveness from the victims of sexual abuse by
priests. Sadly, there have also been a few cases within the URC.
Concern about abuse is now widespread around the world and several countries have established public
enquiries. The UK government’s Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse is investigating a wide range of
institutions including local authorities, the police, the armed forces, schools, churches and mosques to consider the
extent to which State and non-State institutions have failed in their duty of care to protect children from sexual
abuse and exploitation; to consider the steps which it is necessary for State and non-State institutions to take in
order to protect children from such abuse in future; and to publish a report with recommendations.
All the UK churches are reviewing their own files and past practices concerning all forms of abuse. A consistent
finding is that mistreatment is usually associated with abuse of power by people exercising authority. Examining
these cases has therefore inevitably led churches to explore the ways in which power is used and abused within the
church and, in particular, the concept of spiritual abuse, meaning the use of spiritual authority or The Bible by an
ordained or lay church leader to coerce, intimidate or ill-treat people, not only physically but also emotionally and
spiritually.
The URC has established a formal process to receive, evaluate and respond to any allegations involving ordained
ministers and also lay church leaders. All churches are being asked to draw this to the attention of congregations.
A brochure (explaining the process in detail) and a poster are available (www.urc.org.uk/past-case-review). A team
of independent people will respond to the allegations and provide support to all involved.
18
What happens next?
Past and present members of local congregations are now being given the opportunity to raise any concerns about
past physical, sexual, emotional and spiritual abuse. If a disclosure is made in a local church context, the person
who wishes to disclose will be put in touch with the Past Case Review team. There will be no pressure on people to
disclose, but should they want to, there is a clear process in place which has been authorised by General Assembly.
If an issue of concern about past abuse is raised in a particular local congregation, this can provoke strong emotional
reactions and upset. If it becomes public, there may be contrary opinions, shock, outrage, denial and deep hurt. We
trust that God will guide us and grant us wisdom, sensitivity and open minds as it progresses.
Anybody from our church who wishes to talk over a concern can speak with the Minister, their Elder or
Safeguarding lead. You can also contact the Past Case Review team direct, no matter who you are or what your
question, by sending an email to [email protected] .
The URC and our own local church aim to be an open, respectful and trusted community, guided by Christian love
and respecting the humanity of all involved. We know this does not work perfectly; people do get hurt in churches
and serious abuse does happen. This process enables us to hear and respond to deep hurts, which may have been
nursed for many years. The process of talking, listening respecting and apologising can be healing and should help us
to be stronger communities.
The website is full of information and resources, including a wide range of counselling services:
www.urc.org.uk/images/PCR/PCR-docs/Past-Case-Review-Brochure-10-09-2016.pdf.
We pray that as the process works its way through, we will see the love of God at work, that our churches will
become safer spaces for worship and fellowship, and that we will be able to care for each other in Christian respect
and compassion.
19
Diary
February
5th
12th
16th
19th
26th
28th
March
1st
3rd
5th
7th
12th
14th
16th
19th
21st
26th
28th
28th
April
1st
2nd
4th
9th
13th
14th
10.00 am
10.00 am
11.00 am
7.00 pm
10.00 am
10.00 am
11.00 am
2.00 pm
10.30am
10.00 am
12.30 pm
10.00 am
12.30pm
7.00 pm
10.00 am
12.30pm
10.00 am
11.00 am
12.30pm
2.00 pm
10.30am
10.00 am
12.30pm
10.00 am
11.00 am
7.00 pm
11.00 am
Worship led by Rev’d Grant Wilson, Holy Communion during Praise Worship.
Praise worship led by Harry Fawcitt
Traditional worship led by Mrs Jackie Haws
Development Elders meeting PLUS Pastoral Elders and Visitors.
Worship led by Rev’d Grant Wilson
Praise worship led by Angela MacKenzie, Norman & Sandra Nossiter
Traditional worship led by Mrs Pat Gurr, Methodist Lay Preacher
Women’s Fellowship
Lent begins
Women’s World Day of Prayer service. Venue to be confirmed.
Worship led by Rev’d Grant Wilson. Communion during Traditional worship
Lent Lunch at St Francis’s church, Cleveland Gdns.
Praise worship led by Alphonsi Solomon
Traditional worship led by Mr Ken Mckenzie
Lent Lunch at St Teresa’s R.C. church, Heaton Road.
Development Elders meeting
Worship led by Rev’d Grant Wilson
Lent Lunch at St Cuthbert’s. With helpers from St George’s.
Praise worship led by Judith Das (Mothering Sunday)
Traditional worship led by Rev’d Dr Tony Haws
Lent Lunch at Heaton Methodist, Simonside Terrace.
Women’s Fellowship
THE HIGH HEATON BAKE OFF
Worship led by Rev’d Grant Wilson. Communion during Praise worship.
Lent lunch at St Gabriel’s, Heaton Road.
Praise worship led by Sharon Cowey
Traditional worship led by Rev’d Barry Hutchinson
Maundy Thursday worship HERE.
Good Friday worship AT ST.CUTHBERT’S
Open Air Worship in Library Square, Byker.
Another Date for your diary: June 4th
Café Church and Pentecost Party
Dates for Articles for April – May Contact
17th March 2017 Hard Copies
19th March 2017 Emails
Hire of Halls, Rooms and Church - Our premises are available for letting as follows:Regular Hires - based on a
maximum of a 3 hour session
Large Hall: £45
Minor Hall: £30
Meeting Room: £15
Church: £45
One-off Hires - based on a
maximum of a 3 hour session
Large Hall: £60
Minor Hall: £40
Meeting Room: £20
Church: £80
If you want to book any of the above, or require further information please telephone Mr Harry Fawcitt,
telephone number 2403129.
Duty Rotas
February
5th
12th
19th
26th
Duty Elder
Door
Steward
Communion
Stewards
Computer
Rota
Setting up
Computer
Rota
Operating
Sound
Desk
Offering
Counting
Mrs. R. Croft
Mrs. D. Barker
Miss A. Clough
Mrs. J. Das
Mr & Mrs T. Hall
Miss M. Foster &
Mrs J. Cartman
Mr. & Mrs. H.
Fawcitt
Mr. & Mrs. S.
Cowey
Bob Renton
Stewart Barclay
Lucy Cowey
Sandra Nossiter
Harry Fawcitt
Stewart Barclay
Lucy Cowey
Sandra Nossiter
Norman Nossiter
Norman Nossiter
Mrs J. Das &
Mrs R. Croft
Audrey Matfin
Harry and Denise
Fawcitt
Sandra & Norman
Nossiter
Ivy & Bob
Renton
No Donor at time
of printing
No Donor at time
of printing
Babs and Tony
Hall
No Donor at time
of printing
Flower
Arranger
Clare Hutton
Dorothy Barker
Ivy Renton
Sandra Nossiter
Flower
Distribution
Mrs. D. Fawcitt
Mrs. L. Willford
Mr. N. Nossiter
Miss A. Clough
Flower
Donations
If you are unable to do any of your duties, or they clash with something else you are doing in
church, please arrange your own swaps in advance. Please do not leave it till the day of your
duty as it is not always possible to get replacements on the day.
Duty Rotas
March
April
5th
12th
19th
26th
2nd
9th
Mrs. S.
Cowey
Miss A.
Hall
Mrs S.
Nossiter
Mr. A.
Solomon
Miss D.
Coates
Mr. T. Hall
Mrs J.
Cartman
& Miss A.
Clough
Mr & Mrs
B. Renton
Mrs. E.
Cowey &
Miss M.
Applegate
Mrs. J. Das
& Mrs. L.
Cadwallader
Mrs. A. Matfin
& Mr. A.
Armstrong
Mr. & Mrs. T.
Hall
Duty Elder
Door
Steward
Communion
Stewards
Miss A
Hall & Mrs
S Nossiter
Mrs. S.
Cowey & Mr
A. Solomon
Computer
Rota
Setting up
Bob
Renton
Sandra
Nossiter
Lucy
Cowey
Stewart
Barclay
Sandra
Nossiter
Sandra
Nossiter
Computer
Rota
Operating
Bob
Renton
Anthony
Armstrong
Lucy
Cowey
Stewart
Barclay
Sandra
Nossiter
Sandra
Nossiter
Norman
Nossiter
Norman
Nossiter
Steve &
Sharon
Cowey
Sound
Desk
Offering
Counting
Flower
Donations
Flower
Arranger
Flower
Distribution
Norman
Nossiter
Steve &
Sharon
Cowey
Audrey
Matfin
Harry &
Denise
Fawcitt
Norman &
Sandra
Nossiter
Ivy & Bob
Renton
No Donor
No Donor
Renee
Croft
No Donor
No Donor
Karen
Wilkes
Clare
Hutton
Dorothy
Barker
Ivy
Renton
Sandra
Nossiter
Karen
Wilkes
Miss D.
Coates
Miss D.
Ward
Mrs. D.
Barker
Miss L.
Cowey
Mrs. J.
Cartman
Mrs. R.
Croft
Angela
Mackenzie
If you are unable to do any of your duties, or they clash with something else you are doing in
church, please arrange your own swaps in advance. Please do not leave it till the day of your
duty as it is not always possible to get replacements on the day.