The monthly magazine of

Bath Central United Reformed Church—30p

CONTACT2016

I heard the Bells on Christmas Day

I heard the bells on Christmas day

Their old familiar carols play,

And wild and sweet the words repeatOf peace on earth, good will to men.

I thought how, as the day had come,

The belfries of all ChristendomHad rolled along th’unbroken song

Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And in despair I bowed my head:

‘There is no peace on earth, ‘ I said‘For hate is strong, and mocks the songOf peace on earth, good will to men.’

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:

‘God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;

The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,With peace on earth, good will to men.’

Till, ringing, singing on its way,

The world revolved from night to dayA voice, a chime, a chant sublime,

Of peace on earth, good will to men.

By Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

December

IndexAddress Change .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 8Carol Singing .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 3Christian Aid.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 7Christmas Tree Trail .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 6Church Diary .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 8Church Meeting .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 4Crossword .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 16Crossword Solution.. .. .. .. .. .. .. 13Dorothy House Coin Collection .. 6Gift Service .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 5Internal Christmas Post .. .. .. .. .. 9Memorial Service at Larkhall .. 10Mid-Week Communion Service.. 10

Minister’s Letter .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1Month of December .. .. .. .. .. .. 10Open Christmas .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 6Players .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 5Poem - The Leaping Baby .. .. .. 12Prayer .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 13Preaching .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 9Revd Michael Stolton .. .. .. .. .. .. 3Shoe Boxes.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 9St James the Least of All .. .. .. .. 15Sudoku .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 14The Date of Christmas .. .. .. .. .. 11Woodside Carols .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 10

Note: These are the Revised Common Lectionary Bible passagesas published in the URC Prayer Handbook

The date for contributions for the next CONTACT is20th December. It will be published on the 1st January.

Lectionary ReadingsDecember 4 – Advent 2: Isaiah 11:1-10; Psalm 72:1-7; 18-19;

Romans 15:4-13; Matthew 3:1-12

December 11 – Advent 3: Isaiah 35:1-10; Psalm 146:5-10 orLuke 1:47-55; James 5:7-10; Matthew 11:2-11

December 18 – Advent 4: Isaiah 7:10-16; Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19;Romans 1:1-7; Matthew 1:18-25

December 25 – Christmas Day: Isaiah 9:2-7; Psalm 96;Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-14, (15-20)

12/2016 Page 1

Minister’s Letter

Dear Friends,

There was a news article recently about ‘ear-worms’. Now I

was intrigued. Are these microscopic worms that inhabit ones

ears? And if so, (hypochondriac in me,) could I ‘have’ them?

Well, I did some research, with background music playing, and

learned that I did indeed have ‘ear-worms’. Now to explain—an

‘ear-worm’ is a piece of music you have heard that plays on and

on in your head long after the piece is finished. The ‘ear-worm’

playing in my ear that day was a piece of music playing as I

researched—“Christmas gets worse every year” by The Other

Guys.

As this song flowed round and round in my head (or as it

wriggled in my ear?) it set me thinking about Christmas. I don’t

know if the song is right and that ‘Christmas gets worse everyyear’ but it does seem that Christmas gets earlier every year.

And that begs the question—‘when does Christmas start?’

If we are going to be strictly accurate we would have to say

that Christmas starts on Christmas Day and lasts for twelve

days. However, that is not how this festive festival is understood

in the popular or commercial mind.

Christmas in the popular mind is really the Season of Advent,

plus Christmas Day, Boxing Day and the ‘party season’

preceding all of that during November. So the popular Christmas

begins just after bonfire night so it would appear.

Christmas in the commercial mind is a different matter again.

The contender for the earliest arrival in commercial settings rests

this year I think with a well-known Garden centre chain who had ï

Page 2 12/2016

the decorations up and the Christmas Carols playing from

August.

A few shops started in September and then, even in the sunny

Mediterranean island of Mallorca, the decorations & carols

started in earnest in October. There was a brief struggle as the

merchandisers made space to make money from Halloween and

then it was full-ahead for Christmas with all the big companies

releasing their Christmas adverts.

Actually one major supermarket chain seems to have become

seasonally baffled—and produced a whole aisle of Easter Eggs in

November … but I digress.

So in the commercial, money-making world, Christmas begins

just as early as they can get away with it.

To go back to the initial question “when does Christmas start?”

we could answer that in a different way …There was a young women living in Nazareth. This woman,

Mary, was a woman of faith. In practising her faith she heard the

voice of the Lord God Almighty. The voice of God sought her

faithful-obedience.

This she courageously gave without reserve and as a result the

world has never been the same again. For through her faith and

by her obedience Jesus Christ came into the world.

So the question “when does Christmas start?” can be answered

simply by saying “Christmas starts with an act of faithful-

obedience to the will and purpose of God.”

May it be so for us. May we begin Christmas with acts of

faithful-obedience to God—for that is how the world is changed

for the better … for ever.

Have a very joyous Christmas.

David

ï

12/2016 Page 3

Revd Michael StoltonIt is with much regret that we have to record the death of RevdMichael Stolton on 11th November.

Michael, who had previously been the minister in Havant, wasthe first minster of the newly formed pastorate Central URC,following the amalgamation of Argyle URC and Trinity URC.

He was ordained into the new pastorate in February 1983 andstayed until his retirement in 1993. During that time he

oversaw the celebration of the bi-centenary of the church onArgyle Street in 1989, during which many interest groups wereset up and the Child Contact centre came into being.

Carol Singing on the Steps

Are we all in good voice? Do we want tosupport the Christian Aid Christmas Appeal forrefugee families in the Middle East? Can we get

into town on Saturday 17th December for an11.15am start on the church steps? Can we keep

going until we have sung our way through theBethlehem Carol Sheet? Do you have some friends who mightcome and join us? Would you like to have a nice bowl of

homemade soup afterwards? . . .

If the answer to any or all of these questions is yes, please make anote in your diaries and let me know. The general public do

appear to appreciate our efforts! and we can usually send about£100 off.

Jenny Stephens

Page 4 12/2016

Church Meeting 15th NovemberRevd Helen was in the chair and opened the meeting with

devotions.

We heard that Churches Together in Bath will continue until thesummer next year, and that Ann Green has made contact with

the Army prayer group: we shall soon have requests in ourintercessions book.

Revd Helen told us more about the plans for the Christmas Tree

Trail. It looks even better than last year with some exciting newplans not all yet confirmed so ask the Elders for more details.

The dates are December 9th-12th. We will be supporting theChildren’s Hospice SW and the Genesis Trust. Do sign up if youcan support for a couple of hours.

The secretary told the meeting that we are giving Rush Hill theproduction cost of a booklet on their church History they havewritten to celebrate 125 years

Jane read a letter from Julian House (see the notice board in therear vestibule).

Jenny Stephens announced Christmas arrangements for Christian

Aid (see Page 7 for further details).

Sheena Carter thanked those who had helped clean the

Sanctuary on November 13th.

We heard from Ron Turner, in Brian’s absence, that the churchfinances are in better shape than hoped for in the budget and that

we had received a legacy from the estate of the late Phyllis Brown.

The meeting agreed wording for a guide to help those who let thechurch halls.

Bill Richardson reported that work was progressing with repairsand alterations to the building required by the Fire Officer.

Roy Short had sent out requests for quotes to repair or replacethe Fire Alarm system. ï

12/2016 Page 5

Gift ServiceThe annual gift service, when presents for children attending

the Contact Centre are collected, will be held this year on Sunday11th December. The Contact Centre isalways extremely grateful for the support

of members of the congregation at thistime of year.

Angela Campbell

Ron Turner drew our attention to items in Reform where thereare four mentions of ours and other Bath churches (there’s a copyin the library see if you can find them )

Martin Cawte requested more items for contact and advertisedthe forth coming orchestra concert.

The meeting agreed that the Church meeting on January 17th

should start at 2.30pm in the John Williams Room.Jane

The Argyle Players Present:

‘Out of Focus’by Peter Gordon

at 7.30pm Wednesday, 30th November toSaturday, 3rd December

The Players regret that this production has had to be postponed

due to the illness of the director, Kathy Adeane.

ï

Page 6 12/2016

Dorothy House Coin CollectionThe amount collected this year was £64. I have decided to discontinue

this after many years during which a substantial amount has beendonated, but there is now a very small number of contributors.

Many thanks to all of them.

Jean Turner

I would like to thank everyone who supported me duringmy recent stay in hospital and convalescence. We will not besending Christmas cards this year but will instead make adonation to Commitment for Life.

Ann Green

Open ChristmasThe Christmas party will take place at Kingswood School on

Christmas Day as usual. If anyone wants to help, perhaps with

transport to or fro, please contact the organisers onbathopenchristmas@gmail.com

Christmas Tree TrailFriday, 9th to Monday, 12th December

See and enjoy creative and traditionalChristmas trees placed by community

groups, service clubs, charities and others.

The event aims to raise money to supportthe work of the Children’s Hospice South

West and the Genesis Trust.

12/2016 Page 7

Christian Aid at ChristmasAs usual we shall be supporting the Christian Aid Appeal over

Christmas. Because Christmas Day is on the Sunday, any moneyyou wish to give must be put in the special envelopes which willbe available in the pews and vestibules from Sunday 18th

December. The last date for handing in will be January 8th.(Cheques should be made out to Central URC)

The theme this year is ‘Light the Way’. At a time when we shall

hopefully be celebrating with special food and presents andlights and family, we are asked to remember 65 million people in

the world who can’t be at home. Forced to flee their homes bythe darkness of violence and fear, they are searching for safetyand refuge. Christian Aid is part of the Act Alliance which gives

emergency aid where possible, but also has teams in camps thatgive longer term relief (eg Lebanon, Iraq, Sudan). The scale ofthe psychological damage, let alone the physical deprivation is

hard to imagine. All of this is in addition to the cost of reliefelsewhere when natural disasters (inevitably) strike or the effectsof climate change become increasingly evident or cause conflict

(eg. in Sudan).

Can you be a “beacon of hope”? Are you stuck for ideas for

presents for someone you know well?? Present Aid might be theanswer! How about paying for a piglet in Cambodia? A floatinggarden in Bangladesh? A solar panel in Zambia? A family

hygiene kit for a Syrian refugee? The possibilities are numerous,see on-line on the Christian Aid web site or in the Present Aidcatalogue in the vestibule. Have fun choosing and thank you.

[See www.presentaid.org/content/present-aid-explained]

Jenny Stephens

Sums up Christmas

Three phrases that sum up Christmas are: Peace on Earth; Goodwill toMen; and Batteries not included.

Page 8 12/2016

Church Diary – DecemberEvery Friday 10.30am Friday Coffee in the Argyle Hall.

Sunday 4th 10.30am Communion Service: Revd Helen PattieFoodbank & Traidcraft

Tuesday 6th 2.30pm Women's Guild Advent Celebrations:Revd Sue Henderson Open Meeting

Thursday 8th 12.30pm Men’s Fellowship Christmas Meal

Friday 9th-Monday 12th Christmas Tree Trail

Sunday 11th 10.30am Gift Service: Revd David Pattie

Tuesday 13th 2.30pm Elders’ Meeting

Wednesday 14th 2.30pm Mid Week Communion

Sunday 18th 10.30am Family Worship: Revd Dr Hazel Starritt

6.30pm Carols by Candlelight: Revd Helen Pattie

Saturday 24th 7.30pm Christmas Eve: Revds Helen & David Pattie

Sunday 25th 10.00am Family Worship: Revd David Pattie

January 2017Sunday 1st 10.30am Communion Service

Foodbank & Traidcraft

Tuesday 3rd 2.30pm Women's Guild Members’ Afternoon

Sunday 8th 10.30am Family Worship

Tuesday 10th 2.30pm Elders’ Meeting

Sunday 17th 10.30am Family Worship

Change of AddressJane & George Gove have moved to Flat 27, Minerva Court,

St. Johns Road, Bathwick, BATH BA2 6PLTelephone 635580

12/2016 Page 9

Preaching at Rush Hill and Larkhall

Rush Hill Larkhall

Dec 4 10.30am Mr Peter Rouse 11.00am Revd David Pattie

6.30pm Revd Sue Henderson

Dec 11 10.30am Revd Helen Pattie 11.00am Revd Dr Hazel Starritt

6.30pm Mrs Margaret White

Dec 18 10.30am Revd David Pattie 11.00am Revd Helen Pattie

6.30pm Revd Dr Hazel Starritt 6.30pm Revd David Pattie

Dec 25 11.00am Revd Dr Hazel Starritt 10.00am Revd Helen Pattie

Internal Christmas PostThe post box will be placed in the front vestibule on Friday,

2nd December. It will be removed on Friday, 16th. Cards will be

available for collection on Sunday, 18th.Please post cards only for those people who you know

attend church.Bill, Ron & Martin

Shoe BoxesA big “Thank you” to all those whoparticipated in any way in this year’s

effort, with either boxes, knitting or topups. We were able to send 40 boxes inall. Thank you too to all those who

helped with transport. It was asplendid effort. We hope that you all derive pleasure too fromimagining the happy smiles of the child opening your box.

Liz Preddy

The Christmas stars

Any astronomer can predict with absolute accuracy just where every star inthe universe will be as the clocks chime midnight on Christmas Eve.

He can make no such prediction about his teenage daughter

Page 10 12/2016

Woodside

Christmas Carols atWoodside Nursing Home.

2:30pmWednesday 7th December

Your support is alwaysappreciated.

A Memorial Service

Thursday 8th December at 7:30pm

An opportunity for those bereavedrecently, or in times past, to

remember their loved ones amidstthe Christmas season.

At Larkhall United Reformed Curch

Mid-Week Communion ServiceWednesday 14th December at 2:30pm in the William Jay Room.

The service will be 30-40 minutes in duration, followed byrefreshments. Transport can be provided if your require it and

you tell our Administrator, Lin, as soon as possible on 01225 -310050. (You can leave a message if she is not in the office.)

All in the Month of December250 years ago on 29th Dec 1766 Charles Macintosh, the Scottish

chemist was born. He invented a method of waterproofingfabric, and the mackintosh waterproof coat is named after him.

70 years ago on 11th Dec 1946 UNICEF, the United NationsInternational Children’s Emergency Fund, was established inNew York City.

65 years ago on 31st Dec 1951 The Marshall Plan ended. It was setup by the USA after WW2 to help rebuild Europe, anddistributed $13billion in foreign aid.

25 years ago on 10th Dec 1991 the Maastricht Treaty, whichestablished the European Union, was agreed by the leaders of 12European nations. It was signed on 7th Feb 1992 and came into

effect on 1st Nov 1993.From Parish Pump

12/2016 Page 11

Was Jesus really born on 25th December?Almost certainly not. But the story of how that date came to be

chosen as his ‘birthday’ is one that stretches back long beforehis birth.

It seems to have started on the Greek island of Rhodes in 283

BC. That year the solstice fell on 25th December, and it wasalso the year that the Ancient World’s largest Sun God statue—the 34 metre, 200 tonne Colossus of Rhodes, was consecrated.

By 46 BC, Julius Caesar had made 25th December the officialwinter solstice.

In AD 274, the Roman Emperor Aureilian chose the wintersolstice to be the birthday of the Sun God. He also decreed thatSol Invictus (the unconquered sun) was ‘Lord of the Roman

Empire’.

Fifty years after that, and Constantine had become the first pro-Christian Roman Emperor. He wanted the Church to celebrate

the birth of Jesus Christ on 25th December. Perhaps it was thatto him, Jesus was more or less the same person as the mightySun God. Or perhaps he felt that the ancient sun god’s

association with goodness, light, warmth and life would helpease the people’s transition from paganism to Christianity.

Whatever the reason, the Church went along with it, and chose25th December to be the date of Christmas. And in an ancientmosaic in the crypt of St Peter’s Cathedral, Jesus is portrayed as

adorned with sun rays and riding in a chariot—just like SolInvictus.As for the huge, bronze 200 tonne Sol Invictus? He fell over

during an earthquake in 226BC. The enormous pieces lay onthe ground for over 800 years and were was sold off for scrap

metal in 654AD by an enterprising Arab scrap merchant.Meanwhile, Jesus lives on…

From Parish Pump

Page 12 12/2016

Nigel Beeton writes: ‘Immediately preceding the very well known Magnificat

in Luke 1 is the story of Mary’s meeting with her cousin Elizabeth (Luke1:39:45). This contains the beautiful image of the embryonic John the Baptist

leaping for joy within Elizabeth’s womb at the sound of Mary’s voice.’

This runs to the tune, “Quelle est cette odeur agréable?”, a 17th-century

traditional French Christmas carol about the Nativity. [It is ‘Hymns for

Today’s Church’ at number 63, named Bergers.]

The Leaping Baby

Baby within the womb was leapingTo hear the sound of Mary’s voice;Awoken from pre-natal sleeping

As His own mother much rejoiced.Elizabeth and Mary’s greeting—Two women of the Spirit’s choice!

“Much blessed are you among all women!“Blesséd is He that you will bear!

“My babe with holy joy is brimming!“He danced for joy to hear you there!“Much blessed are you among all women!”

“Blesséd is He that you will bear!

“O why should I receive such favour?“From thee, the mother of my Lord?

“The mother of our promised Saviour“Oh why should I see such reward?

“Through thine obedient behaviour“The future of mankind’s assured!”

All we who hear the Christmas story

Rejoice, like John within the womb.We have been born into Christ’s gloryInto His light, from Satan’s gloom.

All we who hear the Christmas storyWe can have life beyond the tomb!

By Nigel Beeton

12/2016 Page 13

Prayers

Each week we pray for:

4th December

George Gove – security& fire extinguishers.

From those who use our

halls: MetropolitanCommunity Church.

11th DecemberHealth & safety – RoyShort.

From those who use ourhalls: Two Dragons TaiChi.

18th DecemberThe BuildingsCommittee.

From ChurchesTogether in Bath – St

Michael Without.

25th DecemberAdministration Officer

– Lin Whipp.

From those who use ourhalls: Open Christmas

Committee.

The following is the collective prayer for thismonth. We ask you to join us in prayer on the third

Wednesday of the month—21st December. We shallpray at 7.30am and/or 7.30pm: please join us.

Last Months Crossword

Across: 1 Charioteers 9 Immoral 10 Cairo 11 SAE

13 Inns 16 Firm 17 Accuse 18 East 20 Ogam 21 Judith22 Seba 23 Msgr 25 Den 28 Inane 29 Entreat

30 Chrysoprase

Down: 2 Human 3 Rare 4 Oils 5 Ecce 6 Raising

7 Citizenship 8 Commemorate 12 Assail 14 Sat

15 Scouse 19 Sabbath 20 Ohm 24 Seeds 25 Deny

26 Nero 27 Star

A Prayer for DecemberDear God

As we look forward to a time ofcelebration we give thanks for all the many

benefits we enjoy.Help us all to work for peace and

harmony in our daily lives as well as in the

many war-torn countries around theworld.

Be with all those who are homeless or

hungry today and let us not forget thosewho are suffering in our own community.

Amen

Page 14 12/2016

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“Do you think it’s God’s way of saying, ‘Thou shalt

not illegally copy the carol service music’?”

12/2016 Page 15

My dear Nephew DarrenI am absolutely delighted to hear that

you are getting a dog. But be carefulwhich variety you choose. First, yourdog must be something substantial, butnot prone to fighting or makingamorous advances towards parishioners’dogs. A mongrel may be all very wellfor you as a curate, but think to thefuture when you are an incumbent. Geta pedigree. It sets a better tone at theRectory.

It should also be a breed that shedshair copiously, which should deter yourmore fastidious parishioners frombothering you at home. If it also drools,that is a bonus. I would recommend youdo not get a sheepdog. They becomeneurotic trying to round everyone up asthey roam round your lawn at theannual Summer Fete.

It can be quite useful giving yourdog a name that—naturally, bycoincidence—is remarkably similar tothat of an awkward parishioner. Beingable to bawl out commands to “come”,“sit”, and “stop that”, along with thepet’s name, can be cathartic to you,salutary to the parishioner concernedand instructive to the rest of yourcongregation.

Dogs keep every confidence you tellthem, are infinitely sympathetic when

you moan about the flower arrangers,and make an excellent audience whenyou rehearse your Sunday sermon onthem. Just like my parishioners, myLabrador gives me a look of well-meaning incomprehension as I getunderway, and within minutes slipsinto a peaceful doze, which continuesuntil my sermon concludes.

When gentlemen of the road call,before you open the door, make a seriesof very audible commands that implyyou are restraining a ravenous beast.That your ravenous beast is smiling andtail-wagging, is irrelevant. It will makeyour caller hesitate to ring the bellanother time.

Dogs also provide an excellentexcuse for terminating endless meetings,overlong phone calls, parish socials andeven visits to the bishop. Even the hard-est of hearts cannot stop you from dash-ing home to give your pet a toilet break,much, of course, as you would like tocontinue enjoying yourself with who-ever it is you are obliged to flee from.

But do not take them to your churchcouncil meetings. When difficultdecisions have to be made, you cannever rely on them voting the way youwant. My Labrador will wag her tailand agree with anyone.

Your loving uncle,Eustace

St James the Least of All by the Rev Dr Gary Bowness

On what sort of dog a clergyman should own

The elderly Anglo-Catholic vicar, Eustace, continues his correspondence to Darren,

his nephew, a low-church curate recently ordained…

Page 16 12/2016

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

8

9 10

11 12

13

14 15 16

17 1918 20

21

22 23

24 25

CrosswordFrom Parish Pump

1 2 3 4 5

6

7 8 9

10 11

12

13 14 15

16

17 1918

20

21 22

23

Across1 ‘The blind receive sight,

the — walk’ (Luke 7:22)(4)

3 Got (Philippians 3:12) (8)8 Leave out (Jeremiah

26:2) (4)9 Castigated for using

dishonest scales (Hosea12:7) (8)

11 Weighty (1 John 5:3) (10)14 ‘Now the serpent was

more — than any of thewild animals the LordGod had made’ (Genesis 3:1) (6)

15 ‘Those controlled by the sinfulnature cannot — God’ (Romans8:8) (6)

17 Because Israel lacked one of these,tools had to be sharpened by thePhilistines (1 Samuel 13:19) (10)

20 In his vision of the two eagles andthe vine, this is how Ezekieldescribed the latter (Ezekiel 17:8)(8)

21 Rite (anag.) (4)22 Nine gigs (anag.) (8)23 ‘The eye cannot say to the — , “I

don’t need you”’ (1 Corinthians12:21) (4)

Down1 ‘Flee for your lives! Don’t — — ,

and don’t stop anywhere in theplain!’ (Genesis 19:17) (4,4)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

8 9

10

11

12 13

14 15

16

17

1918

20 21

22 23

2 Principal thoroughfare (Numbers 20:19)(4,4)

4 ‘The tax collector... beat his — and said,“God have mercy on me, a sinner”’ (Luke18:13) (6)

5 ‘The zeal of the Lord Almighty will — this’(2 Kings 19:31) (10)

6 ‘The day of the Lord is — for all nations’(Obadiah 15) (4)

7 Specified day (Acts 21:26) (4)10 Deadly epidemic (Deuteronomy 32:24) (10)12 Roman Catholic church which has special

ceremonial rights (8)13 Tied up (2 Kings 7:10) (8)16 In his speech to the Sanhedrin, Stephen

described Moses as ‘powerful in speechand — ‘ (Acts 7:22) (6)

18 ‘Although he did not remove the highplaces, — heart was fully committed to theLord all his life’ (1 Kings 15:14) (4)

19 Tribe (Deuteronomy 29:18) (4)

ActivitiesSunday Worship: 10.30am Family Worship for all ages.

Church Meeting: Third Tuesday of alternate months at 7.30pm (Jan on)

Elders’ Meeting: Second Tuesday of the month at 7.30pm

Women’s Guild: Secretary: Mrs Gillian SwiftFirst Tuesday each month at 2.30pm

Men’s Fellowship: Programme Secretary: Mr John OsborneFourth Tuesday each month at 2.30pm

Allsorts Group: Contact: Mr Paul Swift Third Saturday each month

Argyle Players: Secretary: Mrs Helen Brettell Thursdays at 7.30pm

Argyle String Orchestra: Church Contact: Martin Cawte

Thursdays at 7.30pm

CommitteesBuildings:Convener; Mr MHH Burgess: Secretary; Mr RM Short

House: .. ..Convener; Mrs Sheena Carter Secretary; Mrs Angela Campbell

Finance: ..Convener; Mr RB Turner: .. .. ..Secretary; Mr WE Richardson

Copy in most formats is acceptable, from manuscript to email

(martin.cawte@btinternet.com).

Please note the copy and publication dates.

Editor: Martin Cawte, 6 The Chestertons, Bathampton, Bath BA2 6UJ a469807

Ministers: Revds Helen & David Pattie .. .. .. .. .. .. .. a 01225 331952

Revd Dr Hazel Starritt.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. a 01373 467814Church Secretary (Administration): Jane Tollyfield .. .. a 01225 833178

Church Secretary (Worship): Peter Rouse .. .. .. .. .. .. .. a 01225 332760Church Treasurer: Brian Campbell .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. a 01225 463989

Published by:

Central United Reformed Church, Argyle Street, Bath BA2 4BA

Postal address: Central URC, Grove Street, Bath BA2 6PJ a310050

Web site: www.bathcentralurc.virb.com Registered Charity No 1130339