Operation Christmas Child

Members of the Junior Church will be busy on the morning of 18th November filling as many shoeboxes as they can. Donations of appropriate gifts would be much appreciated. There is a box located in the crush area for any offerings. If you prefer, a monetary donation could be put to good use. (hand to any member of Junior staff).

This is a great opportunity for staff and children to work together in a really practical way.  We enjoyed it last year, and I’m sure this time will be no different. It is hoped that we can fill at least 50 boxes – help us to achieve that aim.

Building Superintendent’s Holidays

Like all of us, Gillian and Luis enjoy their holidays. However when they are away people are needed to open and close the building for daytime and evening meetings, set out rooms for the meetings and clear away afterwards. If anyone feels they could offer their services for half a day, or full day or evening during the times when Gillian and Luis are away, please talk to Sylvia Heathcote, Jean Wood or Pat Barnes.

Post Box

This will be in the crush area on Sundays 3rd and 10th December and cards will be available on Sunday 17th December. But please remember this is for regular worshippers, and a full name on the envelope would be appreciated. Unfortunately, there are several Jeans, Doreens and Pats amongst our congregation!

 

Tail Piece

Barbara Walters did a story on gender roles in Kabul, Afghanistan, several
years before the Afghan conflict. She noted that women there customarily
walked 5 paces behind their husbands.
 
She recently returned to Kabul and observed that women still walk behind
their husbands. From Ms. Walters's vantage point, despite the overthrow of
the oppressive Taliban regime, the women now seem to walk even further
behind their husbands and are happy to maintain the old custom.

Ms. Walters approached one of the Afghani women and asked, "Why do you now seem happy with the old custom that you once tried so desperately to change?"
The woman looked Ms. Walters straight in the eye and, without hesitation, said, "Landmines."
Moral of the story: "Behind every man is an even smarter woman." 

There is a Greenhill Not far Away – and it’s 50 years old

About 50 years ago, 19 April 1956 to be precise, the minister of Nether Congregational Church, Rev J R Perry, presided over a service in the church here on Norfolk Street to form Greenhill Congregational Church. Rev Perry had a vision of a Congregational Church on one of the huge estates then being built in the south west of Sheffield. Along with Rev Frank Duckworth of Dore and Totley Independent Church, later a URC, and others, he made sure that their vision became reality only 9 years after the end of the Second World War. There were eleven founding members, two were Greenhill Estate residents and the other nine were from five other congregations.  Three were from Nether. The foundation stone of the “Dual Purpose Hall” on Low Edges Road was laid in 1957.  The money came from members and funds, a brick scheme, grants, loans, and a generous donation from Alderman J E Bennett, who was also a benefactor to the Linley Homes Trust.  In 1965 a new sanctuary, extra rooms and the Manse flat were added to the Hall.  By then it was called The Michael Congregational Church.  But why the name change?  Simple really.

Three of the earlier ministers at Greenhill had been heavily involved in The Iona Community, whose Church is called The Michael Church.  In the local area the Church is seen by the people on the Low Edges estate as ‘their’ church for baptisms and christenings, just as St Peter’s Anglican is seen as the church for those who live higher up the hill, despite the fact that few of them attend either.  The Michael Church is, along with Meersbrook and Dore and Totley, the South Group of URC churches and currently has one minister, Revd David Hudston.  It is very much involved with other churches in the area in all manner of activities, the Duke of York having visited one of them earlier this year, and has a close knit congregation where a job which needs doing soon finds a pair of hands to do it.

Why do I tell this story?  Well, it just goes to show what can be achieved from an idea in one person’s mind, a great deal of faith in Our Lord, support given to the Church Secretaries and Ministers over the years from all involved, and ‘stickatitability’.  Over the 45 years that I have known the congregations, many of them without paid ministry, they have stuck together, found ways of overcoming differences and very small congregations, and done their best with scarce resources.  A model many of the larger churches’ congregations could copy and improve with. Additionally, they celebrated their 50th Anniversary on 30th September. who live in one of the Linley Homes, and are still regular and active worshippers. By the way, two of the original members of 50 years ago who were planted at the Church from the Nether congregation are, not were, Doug and Gwen Wainwright who live in the Linley Homes are still regular worshippers.

From Philip Baiden

Hi everyone,

Sorry it's been a while. I was a little ill recently as were most of the foreign volunteers here so it has felt like a field hospital at times. I'm fine now and life is going really well.

Kerry and I are settled in our new home and slowly making it our own. The range of handicrafts available here is wonderful and they are bringing a bit of colour to our room. We have a bedroom and a kitchen in another building.

Our toilet is a mud hut with a hole in the ground. However, at the moment they are in the process of building a toilet next to the kitchen which will benefit us and all future volunteers.

Our days are almost approaching regularity although that is something that doesn't really exist in Madagascar.

Kerry is teaching Photography and I'm teaching some Bible. Our Malagasy is really improving as we spend more time here. I'm still leading a prayer and Bible Study group for English speakers.

I made a trip to the Theological College and explained my dissertation idea of Luke 4: 16-onwards from a Malagasy perspective. This was received with enthusiasm and I was given lots of ideas to be going on with. The college was really nice. I didn't know what to expect and was a little surprised when I found students just like the ones at home - just perhaps a little younger, Alan and Ashley.

My tutor is Laurent Ramambason who knows my tutor at Manchester John Parry very well. I also joined the library which is interesting because it has a large number of French and English books but not much in Malagasy. The printing industry isn't great over here and the churches are at the forefront but it's very expensive to print books of theology that few people may read. Much better to produce English-Malagasy dictionaries like the Lutherans to sell to foreign visitors.

I'm a bit of a zealot for Malagasy and always make a point of speaking in that language. It seems to get a good response from people but it disadvantages me because I can't find out that much whereas those that only speak French get a bit more. Still, I can feel superior! This country has a real way of connecting you with the Gospel story. It is still primarily an agrarian society and you can see the gospel stories playing out here. When you see people sitting at a well, or when you travel by pirouge on a lake as we did this weekend you are transported to the shores of Lake Galilee.

The problem will be when I get back to the UK and how I can make the story of Jesus as relevant as it feels here.

Another local custom that we saw this week. At the lakeside was a group of people gathered round a spring. They were drinking the water hoping it would cure their illnesses. So far, so Buxton. But the spring was filthy and bubbling with an unknown gas. Chickens and people had died after being lowered too close and people would vomit after the water. They believed that because a king was buried on a nearby hill that it was his water and that he gave it the life-giving power. It shows how, despite the huge number of churches and attenders Christianity still hasn’t penetrated the traditional beliefs. Much like in the horoscope reading, tarot card believing UK.

That’s all for now. God bless and Veloma!

Phil

Traidcraft for Christmas

During November there will be a display of cards and gift items from Traidcraft. There should lots of items which could help you with your ideas of what to buy. Do check it out so that you may be able to help in ethical buying.

Where does your money go?

We celebrated Harvest last month giving thanks for God’s goodness and for the way He provides in abundance for us. But we also remember those less fortunate than ourselves in the Third World. We thought of the treasures we have but reminded ourselves that the things we take for granted in our everyday lives are ‘treasures’ for the poorest people in the world. These include things like food and clean water, health care, education and the means to earn a living.

There was an extremely generous response by way of harvest gifts and our thanks to you all. Your generosity has enabled us to buy a shopping  list of goods through Christian Aid and these will be treasured by many people in many parts of the world.

Finance

Work is already being carried out to establish a national Victims Fund.  This will be used to assist victims, who have no recourse to benefits, to move on in their recovery.  A link to charitable organisations within Churches Together could provide a conduit for applications.
Within this collaborative process the UKHTC will undertake to provide:
Legal guidance and support in relation to any Memorandum of Understanding that may be considered appropriate.
Co-ordination of the training of any staff in respect of victim care issues.
A central referral point which will offer assistance on an ‘as and when’ basis on victim care issues.
Co-ordination of a support service which will care for the carers.

Christian Aid Campaign Update

Paul Brannen, new head of campaigns, writes that the pressure put on the Government by thousands of people this year to cut funding to the IMF and World Bank until they stop pressing poor countries to adopt damaging economic policies, has been successful.  Hilary Benn, Minister for International Development, has announced that he is to push for reform of the World Bank by withholding £50 million which is a start to what we hope will be the end of these institutions forcing poor countries to accept free trade rather than fair trade. 

However, as part of the EU, our Government is pursuing trade deals - called Economic Partnership Agreements - which force free trade onto poor countries.  Many farmers and industries in developing countries will not stand a chance.  I will shortly have a supply of postcards which we are asked to send to our Government and the German Chancellor as Germany prepares to hold the presidency of the EU.  There are 15 months to go before the deals are signed, and with the potential to affect 750 million people, we must make sure these deals work for poor people.

International climate change talks are taking place in Nairobi, Kenya in November and Christian Aid is joining the Stop Climate Chaos coalition.  If we are unable to join the events which are taking place, please pray for others who are taking part.

Pressure works.

Margaret Riley

Big Sing

If you haven’t already got this in your diary then I urge you to do so. The BIG SING is on the 25th November at 7pm and is not to be missed! It will be led by Philip Jakob, who is a member of the Iona Community, and it will be an opportunity to be taught some of the wonderful songs for which this community is renowned and for us to be shown how to sing in harmony with each other. Let’s make this a great evening at Central – bring along anyone you know who loves to sing good Christian songs.

Alpha Course

Both Alpha Courses are running well and the participants are finding it challenging and enjoyable. On Saturday 11th November we will be having an “Alpha Day” at Central where we will be led by Revd Alan Evans on the subject of the Holy Spirit, and we will be joined by friends from Herringthorpe on that day.
If there is anyone who would like to join us for this special day please contact Bob or Elaine. It will take place in room 3 from 10am and will last no longer than 4pm.

Bob

District Roadshow

Most of you will be aware that the URC has been engaged in a process entitled ‘Catch the Vision’ and this has been intended to help us review our mission priorities and take practical steps to help equip us for the future. One outcome of the discussions so far has been to reduce the councils of the URC to encourage

The Civic Service

Last Sunday, 29th October, some of us were privileged to be able to take part in the Civic Service in the Victoria Hall. Whilst not full, the joy and fervour of the participants made up for lack of numbers. The different congregations who worship there at various times on Sundays shared in the worship. So we were treated to music from Africa – we were all singing in Lingala at one point – and joining in the very active singing. The Bible readings were read both in English and in the language of the reader; the Lord’s Prayer was said in whatever language was natural to the person praying. The Lord Mayor, just in front of me, took a very active part in it all.

This was a very moving experience for me – to be part of worship with so many people from different places, many with life stories containing tragedy, horror and pain – we can be very quick to grumble and complain at very little things, yet here were people whose delight in worshipping our God was so obvious despite all that they have suffered.

Should a similar opportunity arise again for us to share worship in such a way I hope that there will be full congregation that could metaphorically (and maybe even literally!) raise the roof.

Editor

Macmillan  Coffee Morning

The total raised was £256.50 and we are grateful for everyone’s support. It will be some time before final figures for the national day are announced (last year, over £6 million was raised) but we are confident that Macmillan’s Biggest Coffee Morning in the World will, once more, be in the Guinness Book of Records.

Toy Sunday

Toy Sunday will be on 26th November. This is when we have the opportunity to help those disadvantaged families locally who would find it very difficult to  provide gifts for  Christmas and birthdays. This year we are asked to provide toys (new only please) for the age group 6 – 8. Please do not wrap them – they would only have to be unwrapped. We are also asked to keep soft toys to a minimum. 
We always seem to end up with a very impressive display on the morning. Let’s make sure it is even better this year and pass on some happiness on Christmas morning.
everything, in a devastating flood in Bangladesh. The Survival Kit contains food and other essential items to help a family through these terrible circumstances. (£10)

 

£850.00
helps to offer people a better future

1. helping them to help themselves.

 

Thank you

BUT …..these people need our help and support all the year round, not just at Harvest. So what can you do…….?
            You can consider buying a present for someone for Christmas or a birthday through the ‘Present Aid’ scheme of Christian Aid. Ever thought of buying someone a cow or a can of worms? If you wish to see a catalogue have a word with me.

Or you can give regularly through Commitment for Life. As a church we support CfL and a number of members give on a regular basis – we have special envelopes always available for you – you only have to ask.

GWW

Prayer Tree

Prayer is very important in the life of a church and every one can help other church members in this way.  You don’t need stamina or to be involved in the physical work of the church. Every one can pray.  In fact people who are unable to do other  tasks can minister to the needy in this way even if not in any other.
 As many of you know there has been a prayer tree running for many years here at Central where news of the family which needs prayer is passed along a telephone “tree” so that members need only ring one person to give the news and this is passed on so that people who have receive a message have only to ring one other. From time to time we look at the prayer tree to check how ell it is working. Generally this works  well but occasionally there are hiccups, especially when the person in the line of someone is the one in need of prayer, when they are out or on holiday. We ask you not to give up on the prayer tree if you experience a problem or feel you have been missed out – just let your Elder know and we will try to smooth out any difficulties.

If you are not already on the telephone branch and would like to join please let Elaine or any of the Elders know.

The elders have, as part of our regular review of the prayer tree, decided that as many people are now on e-mail we will have an e-mail branch of the prayer tree.  If you would like to be on this e-mail branch please e-mail Elaine on info@centralurc.org.uk.

Church Logo

You may have noticed that “This Week” and “In Focus” publications have not been in colour for a little while.

This is because the cost to print is over £300 per 500 sheets.  These last about 7 –8 weeks.            As you can see this is quite expensive.  We have very good computer tools and printers so if we can have an attractive logo design that can be incorporated into the programmes that we use to produce the leaflets it would be much less expensive.

Bob would like to change the logo of Central.  He would like us to show an image that reflects our work, our ethos and our Christianity rather than our building.  Yes, we are proud of our redevelopment but our presence here is not the bricks and mortar but because we, the PEOPLE of Central, are the Church in the city centre.  We redeveloped the building to further our mission not just to make it a more modern building.

As part of the design process please think and  pray about what we need.  When (and if) you have inspiration please jot it down on a piece of paper and hand it or e-mail it to Elaine, Dawn or Bob.  It doesn’t have to be perfectly drawn just an impression is adequate as we have the design tools to make it into a professional image.  The more ideas we have, the better the finished product.  Hopefully we will end up with 2 or 3 possible designs that members can choose from at a church meeting early in the new year.

So don your thinking caps and sharpen your pencils!

 

more effective communication and also to be realistic as to what we need and can sustain to enable the URC to function effectively.    At this year’s General Assembly it was agreed to dispense with District Councils and for this to take effect by September 2007 and the Yorkshire Synod has arranged Roadshows in all districts during November to allow all interested members to come along and find out how the necessary functions will be handled when district councils no longer meet.

 

We will be hosting a Roadshow on Monday 13th November at 7.30pm when our Moderator will be present to help explain the new structures. All are welcome at this event and hopefully all your questions will be answered.  This is your chance to ask the burning questions!

Third Thursday Group

From January there will be a new forum called the Third Thursday Group which is an open meeting for all who are interested in “hot” topics where we can discuss our Christian response. On January 18th the hot topic will be ‘Human Trafficking’, modern day slavery, and we will be led by Ron Craigie who is chaplain to the Police Headquarters and is also Victim Care Co-ordinator to the UK Human Trafficking centre recently opened in Sheffield. This will be both informative and challenging and is an issue which we need to know about and know how we might respond. Flyers and posters are available for this and other churches have been informed about the event and we hope for a good attendance. Please come and find out more about this disturbing subject which we cannot ignore any longer.

Bob

Churches Together in the City Centre

Philip Jakob, Music Adviser for the Diocese of Hallam and a member of the Iona Community is having a busy day on Saturday 25th November (See elsewhere!). He is leading what is billed as a challenging ecumenical opportunity to reflect on the type of community we church-goers would like to be. This will be at Central from 10.00 – 12-00noon. Admission is free but a donation towards CITY OF SANCTUARY (which articulates a special welcome to asylum seekers and refugees)  would be gratefully received.

‘See how these Christians love one another’ ?

Tree Planting

We went to plant some trees at Longshaw on Wednesday. It was raining a lot. We got wet. On the way we saw some cows. We saw some sheep as well. We met Chris, the warden, and his helper. They gave us some spades. We dug a hole to plant a tiny tree. We planted seven trees.

Then we went to the café and had a drink of chocolate milk with marshmallows.

Jake Houlton

Sheffield – City of Sanctuary

It becomes increasingly obvious that in today’s financial climate one single denomination or faith organisation will find it difficult to develop and sustain any new and innovative welfare initiative. 

With this in mind I would like to propose a collaborative effort, through Churches Together in South Yorkshire, to provide safe house accommodation for the victims of human trafficking which will be geared to take appropriate clients from any region within the UK.

At the moment, the welfare of victims is catered for rather sporadically within the UK with accommodation being available mostly in the London area through the Poppy Project, and in the South of England (south coast only) through the Medaille Trust.

Accommodation further north is provided by the Salvation Army (6 beds) in the north east and by City Hearts in Sheffield (1 bed available at the moment).

As can be seen the provision of safe accommodation in the midlands is in acutely short  supply.

This proposal, in draft form, seeks to act merely as a mechanism to stimulate thought on how such a collaborative effort could work in practice. 

A ”wish list” of what is required follows.  It is not exhaustive and focuses on what is required to give PRACTICAL assistance to victims.

Accommodation

The setting up of a safe house within the South Yorkshire area – not necessarily in Sheffield.
Action(s):  Denominations to consider making decommissioned or empty     premises available for use.  (either by donation or on a long term peppercorn lease)
Staffing/Furnishing of the premises by donation with congregations    combining to undertake  to support a particular post or item of furniture. 

Individual congregations undertaking to provide sponsorship for a victim thereby providing toiletries/basic clothing etc as and when necessary.   

Here’s the thank you list with an indication of the sort of situations in which your gifts will provide help and support:-

Village Well : In Bangladesh families may have to walk 3 kilometres to have
clean water. What a boon to have it in your village. (cost £235)

Cow : For people in Krygyzstan a cow can provide milk to drink, manure for the
crops and calves to eat or sell. (cost £165)

2 Herds of Goats : These provide – in places like Bolivia – milk, cheese and meat.
And breeding can establish other herds. (£120)

5 Cans of worms : These are essential for farmers in Bolivia to help fertilise the
land; cheaper and better than chemicals. (£75)

Bicycle : An indispensable form of transport for volunteers of the Lukulezi
Project in Malawi, offering medical care. (£55)

6 Pigs : Providing food and income for farmers in Nicaragua where harvests
have failed for a number of years. (£54)

32 Ducks : Sell them, eat them, and barter them at market. Helps people in
Bangladesh to recover from the flooding. (£48)

2000 Saplings : Are vital in Honduras acting as windbreaks, holding soil together
in tropical storms and prevent mudslides. (£35)

36 Hours of computer training : Giving young people especially skills to enable
them to earn a living in the Democratic Republic of Congo. (£22)

Seed and Resettlement Pack : The civil war in Angola lasted thirty years,
devastating the livelihoods of farming families. The pack helps families
get their lives back on track. (£20)

Mosquito Nets : Mosquitoes kill more people than any other creature. A mosquito
net over a child’s bed in Angola can be the difference between life and death. (£11)

Disaster Survival Kit : Imagine losing your home, your possessions, in