buxton united reformed church hardwick square …buxtonurc.org.uk/sept 2017.pdf · buxton united...
TRANSCRIPT
September 2017
Buxton United Reformed Church Hardwick Square East
Mission And
Outreach
Worship and Teaching
Pastoral Care
Church Administration
Prayer
Dear friends, I have read a couple of books over the summer produced by the Jubilee+, an organisation which, in their own words, ‘equips churches of all denominations to engage more effectively with our communities and particularly to help churches increase their capacity to help the poor.’ The first book is called ‘The myth of the undeserving poor’ and seeks to challenge Christians to take a more biblical approach to people and be less influenced by the media’s values around us. The second one, ‘A church for the poor’, looks at greater depth at our attitudes and culture and suggests ways forward for the local church to minister to the people around them. They are both written by the same authors, Martin Charlesworth and Natalie Williams.
A good starting point is to take their definition of poverty from a biblical standpoint. The bible talks about 4 areas of poverty, thus: ‘Economic poverty: - lacking the material means to support themselves to live viably within our society. Relational poverty: lacking a family or community support network to which they can turn in troubled times. (Family breakdown is a key issue here). Aspirational poverty: - lacking hope or capacity to extricate themselves from the situation they are in.
Spiritual poverty: - not knowing “the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father” (Ephesians 1: 17)’ Jesus encountered all these kinds of poverty and made no distinction in the way He treated people. He certainly avoided a divide between ‘deserving’ and ‘undeserving’ which we can all too readily find in society around us. He often gave hope to those who were trapped in
their lifestyle whether by choice or accident (prostitutes and lepers for example). The first Christians in the book of Acts placed high on their list the economic care of those who had lost financial status through widowhood or as orphans, and James in his letter has strong words for those who ignore economic justice for their workers. The Church has often recognised one or two of these areas of poverty, but not often enough put them all together in their attempts to minister. There is much more that could be said, (so listen out for sermons on the theme!). We have talked about a new name for our church without coming to any firm conclusions (yet!). Perhaps the most exciting and challenging task is to build a church which people of all quarters of Buxton could call ‘home’, as together we share a God who sets us free from all kinds of poverty by the riches of His grace. With love, Steve
Dates for your diary.
24th September Harvest Parade Service followed by a ploughman’s lunch. Harvest gifts will be auctioned and the money raised given to High Peak Food Bank. Gifts towards the cost of the lunch will be given to Mission Direct to purchase mosquito nets. 22nd October A group of people with connections to Buxton Village, Guyana will be joining our morning worship on Sunday October 22nd and we will be proving lunch for them following the service.
Buxton URC Wednesday evenings at the manse
‘A Church for the future’ Teaching Discussion Food Laughter Prayer How are we to be God’s church? We explore the ‘new’ areas of our church’s life and how we perceive the Spirit’s voice leading us into
2018 and beyond..
Everyone is welcome to join in our new series of fellowship evenings from 7.30 until 9 pm
20th September Called to follow: The Church’s overall task 27th September Reaching our community (i) 4th October Reaching our community (ii) 11th October Worship: blessing or chore? 18th October Teaching: how do we handle the bible? 25
th October Pastoral Care
1st November Practical ministry 8th November Prayer: the power to grow 15
th November Being part of the world-wide church
(nb manse not available this evening)
East Africa again
Many thanks to everyone who supported me in Kenya recently,
in prayer, thoughts, things to take for presents and otherwise.
The project was a first for Mission Direct (the Christian charity
on which I am a volunteer staff member). It is called Emmanuel
School, Korogocho in Nairobi. Korogocho is a slum on the west
side of the city. There are many slums there, with Kibera being
the biggest and most (in) famous. Kibera receives the World’s
attention, via media and NGOs but several smaller slums, of
which Korogocho is one, get forgotten.
The background of the school is a common one – the
Government did not provide a primary school so the community
did. The children had nowhere else to go. The community has
worked together on a tiny site and there are now eight
classrooms in temporary structures. We were building the first
permanent one. With proper buildings the school should get
official recognition and some government funding to pay the
teachers. At the moment the teachers are paid by parent’s
voluntary contributions. Those who can pay do, those who
cannot don’t, but their children are welcome anyway.
People sometimes ask “what can we bring?” The answer at
Emmanuel School is that they are glad of absolutely anything, as
they are so lacking in resources. There were 14 of us on the team
and I suspect the School is now stocked up with useful things for
some months ahead.
As is so often the case with schools in poor African
communities, the children are always impeccably turned out in
the uniforms which they are very proud of! This picture proves it
(note also the drummer on the left and the chicken on the right –
both regular features in school yards)
By the time you are reading this I will be on my way back to
Africa; this time my destination is the usual one – Kumi in
Uganda where, this year, we are building a classroom at Bazaar
School. Class sizes at the moment are 130 so the school is
somewhat in need. Kumi has recently suffered a severe drought
and famine; the rains failed (again) and Mission Direct has been
helping its church partners in Kumi with a feeding programme.
Only in the last few days have food prices started to stabilise as
some late rains have come and small harvests are being
achieved.
Last year, people from Buxton URC kindly donated money for
providing mosquito nets. Here is a picture showing them in
position at the School for Deaf Children in Kumi. They are the
white things hanging over the beds and they cost £5 each. They
actually save lives – malaria is a killer of children – particularly
deaf children who do not hear if a mossie is near them at night.
Thank you all very much. More nets are always needed.
I will try to keep my blog updated when I am in Uganda. The
address is rogerinkumi.wordpress.com
Thank you all for your support and encouragement.
Roger
Future Arrangements
Monday October 16th at 7.30 pm
at the church - we have a visit from
our Synod Moderator, the Rev'd Peter Meek and his pastoral consultant Rev'd Camilla Veitch.
They will be talking about the future arrangements when Steve retires. All leadership group members are very welcome to attend.
Quotes from Martin Luther
I cannot and will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. Here I stand, I can do no other, so help me
God. Amen.
I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God's hands, that I still possess.
The University of Derby Chaplaincy and Churches Together in Buxton
present
FROM BAKE OFF TO BUXTON:
AN AFTERNOON WITH
MARTHA COLLISON
Wed October 18, 2017, the Devonshire Dome,
Buxton SK17 6RY
2pm: Baking demonstration and interview
with Martha Collison
3.30: Judging of Baking Competition
(Entry details below)
Refreshments
Martha Collison started cooking at the age of eight and is the
youngest ever baker on The Great British Bake Off, competing
while still at school. Since completing her A levels, Martha has
published two recipe books, the best-selling Twist and now
Crave (available to buy on Oct 18th).
Martha’s vibrant Christian faith has helped her to cope with the
ups and downs of the media spotlight and is the inspiration for
her involvement in charitable campaigns including Tearfund’s
No Child Taken.
Tickets £5 from Chapter and Verse, Buxton Christian
Bookshop; or The Source Café, Buxton
Baking Competition –
to be judged by Martha Collison
Your ticket entitles you, if you wish, to enter a cake on the
theme of “Autumn.” Martha Collison will judge the entries on
taste,
level of skill and
interpretation of the theme.
There will be three classes, with a prize for each class of a
signed copy of Martha Collison’s new book, “Crave.”
1. Bakers aged under 17 years
2. Bakers aged 17 – 21
3. Bakers aged over 21
We are limited to accepting the first 30 entries only – first come,
first served. Entry forms are available with the tickets. Cakes
should be brought to Devonshire Dome Reception between
8.30am & 1pm on Wednesday, October 18th. Entrants must
agree to their cake becoming part of the refreshments offered to
the audience after the cookery demonstration. They may not get
any or all of it back!
My son in law was given the subject of faith in his church
housegroup a bit ago and he came out with a rap poem type
thing which he also gave me. It came to my attention again about
a month ago and I found a rhyming poem coming.
FAITH FOR REVELATION
Your life it really has much more
Jesus is knocking at your door
O please let Him come in
Open your heart and He will trim.
We have free will, God had a plan
To send Jesus to die for man
We then follow the correct path
To prevent bad aftermath
The wind it blows to and fro
Where it comes from we don't know
God also cannot be seen
You'll know when He has been.
Jesus came into an empty womb
And left us with an empty tomb.
He died upon a wooden cross
He is now our eternal boss!
Jesus came good news to preach
To minister, heal and teach.
To bring freedom we all need
And give us all release.
There are many times we make a mess.
Jesus says 'Do not stress
I don't love you any less.
I really do want to bless.
Come to Me and confess.'
When we share
Things are easier to bare.
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
A car to run on an empty tank.
To have our own successful bank!
These prayers may sound a little funny,
But we all need money!
The deal is on the table.
With god we are all able.
All this sounds good to me.
How about thee?
By Fiona Bingham and Martin Brewer
Buxton United Reformed Church
Everyone is welcome to come to our Sunday Services
September 3rd
10.30 am
Morning Worship – Rob Williams
September 10th
10.30am
Morning Worship - Ann Cooke
September 17th
10.30 am
Communion Service – Steve Fisher
September 24th
Harvest
10.30 am
Parade Service – Steve Fisher
October 1st
10.30 am
Fellowship Service
In a Minute
A man trying to understand the nature of God asked him: "God, how
long is a million years to you?" God answered: “A million years is like a minute."
Then the man asked: "God, how much is a million pounds to you?"
And God replied: "A million pounds is like a penny.”
Finally the man asked: "God, could you give me a penny?" And God
said, "In a minute."
PLEASE PRAY for
The reorganization of our church as we establish teams for each of the four areas of work and we consider our individual roles in the new arrangements.
Roger Horne working in Uganda with Mission Direct.
Fiona Bingham who, following a time in hospital, is now waiting for the consultant’s decision regarding future treatment.
"Prayer is not overcoming God's reluctance, but laying hold of His willingness."
Martin Luther
Dates to Remember
Lunch Club
Next lunch – 5th October Church Meeting Sunday September 17
After the morning service (12 noon approx.)
Fellowship Evenings Wednesdays at 7:30pm
Mostly at the Manse.
Contributions for the magazine We appreciate your contributions so please keep
them coming.
Contributions please for the next magazine to
Eileen and Peter Blane by
Monday 25th
September 2017
for the October publication.
To ensure your magazine is as informative
as possible please keep us up-to-date with
news and events. Tel: 01298 27591 or email [email protected]
Baptism of Alana Mosley on 6th August 2017
Sunday Worship Family Service 10.30 a.m.
Communion Service - 2nd
Sunday of each month
We offer a sincere, loving welcome to all in Christian Worship
Minister: Rev. Steve Fisher
Tel. No: 01298 938831.
Web site: www.buxtonurc.org.uk
Weekly Activities for Children and Young People
Rainbows: Tues. 5 - 6pm
Leader: Stephanie Sterndale
(Mobile Tel. No: 07967205209)
Brownies: Thurs. 6 – 7:30pm
Leader: Cath Sterndale (Mobile Tel. No: 07973670595)
Guides: Tues. 6pm
Leader: Stephanie Sterndale
(Mobile Tel. No: 07967205209)
Other Activities
Fellowship Evenings – Mondays Lunch Club – 1st Thursday in the month
Tuesday Club every week 2pm