emmanuel from the apse - downingplaceurc.org · a few notes to explain hazel and christine’s work...
TRANSCRIPT
Emmanuel from the apse
Website: www.downingplaceurc.org
Church address: 4 Downing Place, Cambridge CB2 3EL
Ministers: The Revd Dr. John Bradbury
01223 351174 (office) 07305 830462
The Revd Nigel Uden
01223 514389 (office) 01223 314586 (manse)
Children’s Ministry Team Co-ordinator:
Rosemary Johnston
01223 235090
Church Administrator:
Elaine Barker
(Elaine’s rest day is Wednesday)
01223 711494
Centre Manager (Emmanuel):
Ann Auger
(Ann is available during weekday working hours)
01223 351174
Church Secretary:
Jenny Jacobsberg
01223 215261
Clerk to the Elders’ Meeting
Owen Saxton
01223 359983
Treasurer: Ian Strachan
01223 574047
Hospital and Hospice Visitor:
The Revd. Deborah McVey
01223 410332
Directors of Music:
Mark Dawes
01954 212514
Ian de Massini
07801 234343
OTHER DOWNING PLACE HOMES:
Emmanuel Building
Address: Trumpington Street, Cambridge, CB2 1RR
Church website: www.emmanuel-urc.org.uk
01223 351174
Cherry Hinton
Road Address: Cherry Hinton Road, Cambridge, CB1 7AJ
Alison Binney Penny Milsom
Tony Bottoms Augur Pearce
Jane Bower Sheila Porrer
Elza de Bruin-Lara Alan Rickard
Colin Christy Judy Rowland
Helen Christy Owen Saxton
Elizabeth Humphreys Daphne Thomas
Jennifer Jacobsberg Margaret Thompson
Pippa Jones Stephen Thornton
Simone Maghenzani
Following election at the Church Meeting on 17th March, we are blessed with a
meeting that is rich in experience and in newness, diverse in talents and interests,
and mixed in age and gender. The meeting is a real gift to Downing Place Church
as we enter the next major phase of our uniting, which includes the work on the
St Columba’s building. We do not take for granted the commitment that these
Elders have made, and would like to urge the congregation’s prayers with them. In
that way, amongst many others, we will be able to fulfil the undertaking we made
on the 7th, as we answered the question: ‘Will you encourage and support them,
and respond to their ministry acknowledging that it comes to you from God?’
On 7th April, Downing Place Church reached another landmark in its
development. We inducted the first Elders’ Meeting to have been elected by
the newly united church.
In the Reformed tradition, elders are an essential element of the Church’s life
and work. As we were reminded at that service of Ordination and Induction,
in words from the United Reformed Church’s Basis of Union: ‘The Lord
Jesus Christ continues his ministry in and through the Church, the whole
people of God called and committed to his service and equipped by him for
it.’ Within that, some are called to be ministers, and for the first years of
Even as we look forward positively, we would like to pause also to record real
gratitude to those elders whose term of service came to an end at that service.
When Emmanuel and St Columba’s united, for the first nine months the Elders’
Meeting comprised all serving elders from both churches. This group has worked
effectively, and very hard, to offer the Church Meeting leadership through a
period at once both exciting and challenging. Apart from anything else, we
adopted a demanding timetable. It required many extra meetings and the grasping
of complex issues that asked much of us all. To a person, the elders rose to the
occasion, catching a vision, grasping nettles and offering a lead. We will forever be
in their debt, and, again through these pages, we would like to record the sincere
appreciation of Downing Place Church to
Janet Bottoms Yvonne Norgett
George Devine Tim Rowland
Penny Flynn Christine Russell
Jenny Massey Elizabeth Whitehorn
An American theologian and teacher, Tom Currie, spent a sabbatical at
Westminster College in 2014. In his book, Bread for the Journey, he contrasts
nostalgia and hope. Whilst the former is by definition retrospective, he speaks of
‘hope migrating’. Hope is not a static thing. Hope takes us on, somewhere new,
somewhere different. For every way in which the elders of Downing Place
Church – past and present – have nourished our hope, thanks be to God.
Nigel Uden and John Bradbury
PASTORAL NEWS
Mary and Chris Wright have moved from their home of the past 25 years in
Chesterton to the village of Buckden, near St Neots, where their daughter Sue
lives. The Church Office can supply our address and we look to welcoming
friends to visit us once we are settled. We remain members of DPURC and will be
attending worship as we are able.
Best wishes, Chris
The wants to say
Thank you!
We are going to close at the end of July and want to celebrate with all of you to
thank you for your huge help and to remember all the great times we had together.
We will celebrate on Friday the 26th of July from 12-3pm. Join us for tea and
cake.
Please let us know until the end of July about your availability!
Contact is: [email protected] 01223 351174
Hens, Chickens . . . . . Swallows, Sparrows, Doves, Eagles and ?
Jesus said to them . . . ‘How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen
gathers her brood under her wings,’ [from Luke13.34]
We thought of Jesus caring for us.
Time has been spent considering names for our Sunday groups. We now have . . .
SWALLOWS (Psalm 84) for babies and toddlers:
a safe place where they can play with a variety of toys, sing some simple songs and
experience a sense of community.
SPARROWS (Luke 12:6) for pre-schoolers and children in reception
children feel valued and develop friendships by together enjoying lots of different
activities including crafts, singing and games around Bible stories.
DOVES (Genesis 8:8 and Luke 9) for children in school years 1-3
children learn more about Jesus and think about what it means in their daily lives
through activities such as craft, drama and discussions.
EAGLES (Isaiah 40:30) for children in school years 4-6 children discover together
the messages of the Bible, talk about the implications and share thoughts with a
variety of activities.
OSTRICHES / OWLS / VULTURES (Job 30:29) for teenagers – to decide!
teenagers broaden their ideas about Christian faith and share and reflect on
experiences together through small group discussions, singing and games.
There is a welcome leaflet for children and their families ready on the table beside
the visitors’ book. Please take one if you could give it to a neighbour.
The next INVITATION BREAKFAST, 10.15am, for children and their families
is planned for 16th June, Trinity Sunday.
Invitation leaflets will be available. Please think who might like to get one.
Rosemary Johnston
Look back – two decades of TfG
I’m planning an exhibition in July about the organisation Time for God and all the
volunteers to remember their wonderful time together. If you have some pictures
with, or of, some of the TfGs and you are willing to contribute them please send
them to [email protected]. It would be great to have in the end lots of
different moments to show and to remember!
Carina Bikker
A few notes to explain Hazel and Christine’s work as Hospital Chaplaincy volunteers and Deborah’s work as Downing Place URC’s Hospital and Hospice visitor. As Chaplaincy volunteers at Addenbrooke’s hospital Hazel and Christine have chosen to be part of the Sunday rota and to do a duty on at least one Sunday a month. The services offered by Sunday Chaplaincy volunteers are to visit patients on lists given on the day by the Chaplain on duty and to offer bedside Holy Communion, bedside prayers and /or a chat. The lists are compiled from requests collected during the week from the Chaplaincy team visiting individual wards, from requests given on behalf of patients by staff members or family members, as well as from forms filled in by patients on admittance. We visit patients all over the hospital between 9am and 12noon. A service including Holy Communion also takes place in the hospital chapel at 11.00am every Sunday and patients who are able can attend, being brought down to the chapel by wheelchair if necessary or preferred. Again notice is given in advance, with lists prepared, and Sunday Wheelchair volunteers collect and return patients to their wards. William McVey is one of the hospital Wheelchair volunteers for which an afternoon’s training is required. The chapel service is open to all and is conducted by the Chaplain on duty. If a member of our congregation is in hospital and would like a weekday visit from one of the Chaplaincy team as well as or instead of a Sunday visit, this can also be arranged. A direct call to the Chaplaincy office on 01223 217769 during daytime
hours is fine, or leave a message during out of office hours. One of the Chaplains is on call 24/7 and can be accessed if there is an emergency through the Hospital Contact Centre on 01223 245151 and will gladly liaise with John or Nigel. Deborah has an access badge so can also visit out of hours. 01223 410332. If a member of our congregation is in hospital and a Sunday visit is requested from that person, or from his/her family, Deborah, Hazel or Christine can be contacted to give details to the Chaplaincy team on duty that week and a name can be added to the lists. Or contact details for the Chaplaincy Office at Addenbrooke’s can be given for personal contact to be made. If a Sunday visit is requested when either Hazel or Christine are on duty we would need to know before we arrive at hospital on the Sunday morning so as to add a name to our lists. If we hear that a member of the congregation is in hospital but no request for the services offered on a Sunday have been asked for, we can only visit, if required, when our duties have finished and not in the capacity of a Chaplaincy volunteer and only during normal visiting hours. In all these situations and in the role of a Chaplaincy volunteer confidentiality is of the utmost importance and it is only with the patient’s permission that news of the patient can be given. We hope that these notes have been helpful. Should you like any further information, please do contact us. Half of the care given by the Chaplaincy team would be described as spiritual care, for those who have no connection with church and no stated faith. If a friend or neighbour has few visitors for instance, then do make contact and a gentle first visit can be made to see if support might be helpful. Addenbrooke’s Chaplaincy team is always happy to know of others who may like to volunteer in the Chaplaincy department. As mentioned, a Wheelchair volunteer needs to complete an afternoon’s training. A Hospital Chaplaincy volunteer needs a reference from his / her minister and needs to complete a ten week training programme. This training equips and continues to support the volunteer in visiting one particular ward, once a week. If you are interested do speak to any of us and we can pass the Volunteer Training Pack on to you to see if this ministry might be something to which God is calling you.
Deborah McVey, Hazel Morrison, Christine Russell
Wednesday 1st 1.00pm Free Lunchtime Concert –
Victoria Ayano Royce
(piano)
Emmanuel
Thursday 2nd
POLLING DAY
1.30pm
7.30pm
Knit Café
Elders’ Meeting
Emmanuel
St. Columba’s
Sunday 5th 10.00am
11.00am
12.15pm
Choir Practice
Morning Worship with
Communion led byRevd Dr
John Bradbury
Coffee & Traidcraft stall
Emmanuel
Emmanuel
Emmanuel
Monday 6th
BANK
HOLIDAY
Tuesday 7th 2.30pm Tuesday Fellowship CHR
Wednesday 8th 1.00pm Free Lunchtime Concert –
Cambridge Chamber
Ensemble
Emmanuel
Thursday 9th 10.30am
11.00am
1.30pm
7.30pm
Ferried Friends
Midweek Service
Knit Café
Singing House Group
At the home of Rosemary Johnston
Emmanuel
Emmanuel
At the home of
Penny Flynn
Thursday 9th
Contd
7.30pm
7.30pm
Local Mission and Events
Meeting
Children’s Ministry Team
meeting
At the home of Liz
Caswell
At the home of
Rosemary Johnston
Saturday 11th 10.30 am
to 4.30pm
Pastoral Training for Elders
and Pastoral Assistants
Fulbourn
Sunday 12th
CHRISTIAN
AID WEEK
BEGINS
10.00am
11.00am
12.15pm
Choir Practice
Morning Worship led by
Revd Deborah McVey
Coffee & Traidcraft stall
Emmanuel
Emmanuel
Emmanuel
Monday 13th 6.45pm
for
7.00pm
Film Night
At the home of
Rosemary
Johnston
Tuesday 14th 2.30pm Tuesday Fellowship CHR
Wednesday 15th
1.00pm
7.00pm
Last date for submission of
pieces for June Place
Matters
Free Lunchtime Concert -
Timothy Peake (piano)
Buildings Group meeting
Emmanuel
Gibson Hall at St.
Columba’s
Thursday 16th 12.30pm
1.30pm
7.00pm
Gibson’s Lunch Club
Knit Café
Elders’ Meeting
Gibson Hall at
St.Columba’s
Emmanuel
Gibson Hall at
St. Columba’s
Sunday 19th 10.00am
11.00am
12.15pm
12.30pm
Choir Practice
Morning Worship led by
Revd Dr John Bradbury
Coffee & Traidcraft stall
Church Meeting
Emmanuel
Emmanuel
Emmanuel
Emmanuel
Monday 20th 7.30pm Book Group - “The
Librarian” by Salley Vickers
At the home of
Evelyn Bailey
Tuesday 21st 2.30pm
2.30 pm
2.30pm
Tuesday Fellowship
Tuesday Club AGM and
Bring and Buy sale
‘The Word Together’ Bible
Study Group
CHR
At the home of
Ailsa Buchanan
Fulbourn
Wednesday 22nd 1.00pm Free Lunchtime Concert –
Kat Ho Fu, William (piano)
Emmanuel
Thursday 23rd
POLLING
DAY
11.00am
1.30pm
7.30pm
Midweek Service
Knit Café
Singing House Group
Emmanuel
Emmanuel
At home of Penny
Flynn
Sunday 26th 10.00am
11.00am
12.15pm
7.30pm
Choir Practice
Morning Worship – for All
ages led by church
members
Coffee & Traidcraft stall
Open Table –
Refreshments at 7.00pm
Emmanuel
Emmanuel
Emmanuel
Emmanuel
Before I’m leaving in the end of July, I would like to say thank you and goodbye to
all of you with a cream tea party in the afternoon of the 29th of June in the
garden of Stephen and Lorraine Thornton (100 High Street, Girton, Cambridge).
It would be great to have as many of you there as possible to eat, chat and to have
a good time together. Further information will come soon. Please let me know
about your availability under [email protected] or just tell me!
Carina Bikker
Tuesday 28th 2.30pm Tuesday Fellowship CHR
Wednesday 29th 1.00pm Free Lunchtime Concert –
James Gaughan (baritone)
Emmanuel
Thursday 30th 1.30pm Knit Cafe Emmanuel
Sunday 2nd June 10.00am
11.00am
12.15pm
12.30pm
Choir Practice
Morning Worship with Holy
Communion led by Revd
Nigel Uden
Coffee & Traidcraft stall
CHURCH MEETING
Emmanuel
Emmanuel
Emmanuel
Emmanuel
Below are the Bible readings we will be following in worship at Downing Place
during April. You are invited to read them before coming to church. The
highlighted passage may be the focus for ‘Sharing Together’.
Overleaf are prayer topics for each day, suggesting church and related matters, and
a reminder of regular weekly events that need our prayer support.
On the back page find the names of church members preaching elsewhere this
month.
May 5th: Acts 9. 1-6; Psalm 30;
Revelation 5. 11-14; John 21. 1-19.
May 12th: Acts 9. 36-43; Psalm 23;
Revelation 7. 9-17; John 10. 22-30.
May 19th: Acts 11. 1-18; Psalm 148;
Revelation 21. 1-6; John 13. 31-35.
May 26th: Acts 16. 9-15; Psalm 67;
Revelation 21.10,22-22.5; John 14. 23-29.
ARROW PRAYERS FOR MAY 2019
1. May Day! Thank God for the coming of summer days and longer evenings—take
time to relax and meet with friends.
2. Pray for the local elections, for the candidates in your area—may all who take part
make thoughtful, responsible decisions.
3. Pray for the Chaplaincy at Addenbrookes: the new Lead Chaplain Revd Mark Stobert
and the Chaplaincy at Arthur Rank Hospice – Lead Chaplain: Revd Keith Morrison.
4. Pray for Night Lite in St Columba’s this evening—as the team supports the work of
the Street Pastors with practical help.
5. Pray for our own members who are leading worship in other churches (back page).
May their message speak to the needs of all.
6. Pray for the cleaners and caretakers in both our buildings, and all who are preparing
St Columba’s for the future building project.
7. Pray for John Proctor, URC General Secretary, who is at the SW Ministers’ Spring
School for three days this week—may they find the time refreshing and stimulating!
8. Pray for all the organisations who have been using St Columba’s as they find new
homes for all their activities.
9. Pray for the two Downing Place meetings this evening—for the Children’s Ministry
and for the Local Mission and Events.
10. Pray for the Fair Shares café in Emmanuel, for the staff and the voluntary helpers.
May all those with learning difficulties find new and fulfilling employment.
11. Pray for the congregation at Clare URC and for Paul Whittle who is leading a
Dedication Service following Refurbishment.
12. Christian Aid Week: pray for the local CAW committee and the service at
Grantchester Parish Church this afternoon.
13. Pray for all who meet to share in Film Night. May they relax, think together and
enjoy conversation and ice cream.
14. Pray for Mission Council which meets for three days this week—may they find
inspiration in the news of churches across the country.
15. Throughout Christian Aid Week, pray for better conditions for pregnant Mums
across the world, that they may have healthy babies.
16. Pray for the collectors for Christian Aid Week who tramp the streets delivering and
collecting envelopes.
17. Pray for the Street Pastors—out in the city this evening. May they have
opportunities to share God’s love with the people they meet.
18. Pray for the Church of Scotland Assembly which opens today and for the new
Moderator, Revd Colin Sinclair, who has worked for the Scripture Union in Zambia and
UK.
19. Pray for the Church Meeting following worship today—that wise decisions may be
made for the future of our buildings.
20. Pray for the Children’s Ministry - for the children and their families. May they grow
in God’s love, and may more families be attracted.
21. Pray for the Tuesday Fellowship at CHR and for Julia Stone at this time. May they
know God’s presence with them all.
22. Pray for Eddie’s, the organisation that supports people with learning difficulties into
work—and for David who supports the café workers.
23. Pray for Singing House Group, that meets this evening—and for Penny and David
who lead them in music and worship!
24. Pray for all who live on the streets of Cambridge—and in all our big cities—that they
may find friends and support to change their lives.
25. Pray for the Elders and Pastoral Visitors as they seek to care for all members of
Downing Place at this time of transition.
26. Pray for the music in Downing Place URC—for Ian and Mark, the choir and the
orchestra—thank God for music and musicians!
27. Pray for Ann Auger and Elaine Barker as they share the secretarial responsibilities of
the joint congregation.
28. Pray for those you know who are failing in health, and for the doctors, nurses and
social workers who spend time caring for others.
29. Pray for the Wednesday Concerts in Emmanuel, for the performers who share their
skill – and all who enjoy the time of relaxation.
30. Ascension Day. Pray for a moment of reflection – Jesus, Christ, Son of God is with
us all, and every day for ever.
God of light, Light of light,
Light in our darkness, Light to pierce even brightness,
If truth is seen, then bless us.
If darkness, illuminate; If sin, forgive; If hope, renew.
Shine on us, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
From: ‘Seasons and Celebrations.’
May 5th
John Bradbury - DPURC
Elizabeth Caswell – Melbourn
Penny Flynn – Duxford
Maureen Kendall – Bassingbourn
Janet Tollington – Stetchworth/Cheveley
Nigel Uden - Guernsey
May 12th
Janet Bottoms – Fowlmere
John Bradbury – 9.30 Duxford; 10.30 CHR
David Cornick – Whiting St, Bury St Edmunds
Deborah McVey - DPURC
David Thompson – Castle Camps
Janet Tollington – Melbourn
Nigel Uden – am: Fulbourn; pm: Thaxted
May 19th
Chris Baker – Soham Methodist
John Bradbury – 9.30 Duxford; DPURC
Elizabeth Caswell – Haverhill
Penny Flynn – Fulbourn
Janet Tollington - Bassingbourn
Nigel Uden – Church of Scotland Assembly
Paul Whittle – Stowmarket
May 26th
Chris Baker - Fenstanton
Janet Bottoms - Buntingford
Elizabeth Caswell – Bar Hill
Maureen Kendall – Stetchworth/Cheveley
Nigel Uden - South West Hampshire Group in Southampton
Paul Whittle – Whittlesford with Duxford at Duxford
Thank you to all who supported The Cambridge Knit Café Table Top Sale. We
raised £70 with £15 going to The Sallymay Preschool to help with cost of sending
Hoodies to Sierra Leone. We would also like to thank all those who have helped
with the knitting of a Hoodie. This is an on- going project, so you can still get
involved. Thank you. Anne Disney
https://urc.org.uk/israel-and-palestine
‘Dear friends, I just wanted to let you know that I’ve reached my target for
fundraising in support of the visit in September. Thanks so much for your care
and support - it’s been a huge encouragement to me! I look forward to sharing
something of the experience with you after the visit.'
Richard Lewney
Olive Darke was born Olive Goodall, daughter of Norman Goodall, a name well
known in the Congregational Church. Norman’s life story was an extraordinary
one – born into a large family in Birmingham, not at all well off, he left school at
14, but nonetheless pursued his call to the Ministry with determination. In 1919, at
the age of 23, although he had no formal qualifications he was accepted by
Mansfield College, Oxford to read theology and went on to have a distinguished
career in the Congregational Church, the London Missionary Society, the
International Missionary Council, and the World Council of Churches. After
retirement he chaired the committee, (of which David Thompson was secretary),
that brought about the union of the URC with the Re-formed Association of
Churches of Christ in 1981. Olive remembers him as a gentle man, very wise, and
treasures her memories of walking and talking with him.
His wife Doris, née Stanton, was distinguished in her own right, as one of the few
pioneer women doctors, practising in New Barnet and High Barnet, when the
family moved from Birmingham to London. They had three children, David, who
became a Congregational Minister and tutor at Mansfield, Peter who went into
medicine and became a surgeon in Derby, and Olive.
Olive married Hubert Darke, a prominent Persian and Arabic scholar who lectured
in the Cambridge Faculty of Oriental Studies from 1961 to 1982. Hubert’s father
was Harold Darke, the celebrated organist and composer, whose name can be
found in our hymn books. Harold was organist of St. Michael Cornhill in London
for half a century, also serving as Director of Music at King’s College here in
Cambridge during the Second World War. His wife, Dora Garland, was a
professional violinist, the first woman to lead a major London orchestra (the
Queen’s Hall Orchestra), but she gave up her career after marriage to bring up her
family. Harold and Dora were cared for by Olive and Hubert in their Cambridge
house at the end of their lives.
Music runs right through Olive’s family – Olive herself studied composition and
cello at the Guildhall and also played the piano. Her father was an amateur
violinist, her mother an accomplished singer, her brother David was Organ Scholar
at Balliol and organist at Mansfield. Her husband Hubert was a fine pianist, and
her son Andrew was a chorister at King’s and still sometimes sings with the choir
there. Olive still sings in the Downing Place choir on Sundays, but her fingers can’t
manage cello or piano these days.
After she married, Olive had her three children – Stephen, Caroline and Andrew –
and immediately after Andrew’s birth the family went out to Qatar where Hubert,
with his knowledge of Persian and Arabic, had been appointed personnel officer
for non-Europeans with the Qatar Petroleum Company. He moved out there
straightaway, leaving Olive to pack up the house while looking after three small
children! Olive spent seven enjoyable years in Qatar, learning to drive a Landrover
in the desert and trying (not always successfully) to avoid the rocks. Now she no
longer drives, but hasn’t abandoned her bike.
When the family returned to the UK Hubert followed his academic career, while
Olive devoted herself to home and family – and to acting, which she loved, joining
the St. Mary’s Players in Saffron Walden.
They bought a house, the house where Olive still lives, which stood in a large and
very overgrown piece of land, which they had “great fun” taming and turning into
a lovely and productive garden where they grew their own fruit and vegetables.
There were also animals, cats, a dog, and geese – Olive hatched the goose eggs in
an incubator in the potting shed – and even a
gazelle. Olive still grows vegetables now, with
raised beds to make life easier. It was from
Saffron Walden that Olive transferred her church
membership to Emmanuel in December 1975.
She quickly established herself as someone able to
get alongside others, but has never been one to
dominate conversation. Not surprisingly, she was
elected to the eldership and served from 1980 to
1992, the extended term being the consequence
of becoming elders’ secretary. This was the
period when the congregation made its decision
to re-develop the premises, worked to raise the
funds and saw the project realised.
A portrait painted in Qatar
The then minister, Derek Wales, knew that he could depend on Olive’s good sense
and absolute discretion, mentioning “faithfulness in service” when her term of
office came to an end. After two years she was once again an elder, completing
that term in 2002, having been responsible for worship matters during the
previous two years. Olive’s trusty typewriter must have prepared scores of reports,
committee minutes and letters. She rarely missed a Church Meeting – “An Elder’s
View” would appear promptly in the next monthly NewsLetter, continued as “A
church member’s view” until quite recently.
All this might be expected of an officer, (and Olive took on extra responsibilities at
Synod and General Assembly levels too). At the same time, she has exercised a
ministry of caring and much befriending, documented under Pastoral News before
the advent of data protection considerations. Certain individuals also have many
reasons to thank God for Olive’s friendship and prayerful concern. Those who
have been her elder have valued her wisdom, and known that they have been
supported and affirmed by her. Hospitality has been a characteristic form of
ministry, since she has been able to give space for study groups, the worship
committee and After Eights.
The garden, in Olive’s sole care after Hubert’s death in 1998, has provided foliage
and blooms for Emmanuel, and she still likes to check on what may be on display!
It is said that home is where the heart is – there is a sense in which Olive has given
some of her heart to her congregation.
Sheila Porrer and Margaret Thompson
The Local Mission and Events group is arranging for Tala Jarjour to give a talk about her fascinating research on connections between music and religion, especially in relation to the Middle East. Her recent book, Sense and Sadness is a musical story of the survival of a community through difficulty and pain focussing on chant at St. George's Syriac Orthodox Church in Aleppo. A reviewer has described it as "a story of rare power, told with compelling force - thought-provoking, compelling and urgent". Tala spent six years studying in Cambridge during which time she worshipped at Emmanuel and became a member. For the last eight years she has been lecturing and researching at universities mainly in the USA but she returns to Britain frequently and will be here in May. Don't miss this chance to hear her - I heard her speak at the School of Oriental and African Studies and found her talk stimulating and uplifting. It is not necessary to have a deep or technical knowledge of Music in order to enjoy her talk since Tala presents this with illustrations in a way that can be easily appreciated. Roger Wicks
The next viewing is on Monday 13th May. The film chosen is ‘The Wife’.
A wife [Glenn Close] questions her life choices as she travels to Stockholm with
her husband, where he is slated to receive the Nobel Prize for Literature.
Doors open 6.45pm for 7.00pm showing, followed by ice cream and conversation.
This is a good opportunity to invite friends or neighbours.
Rosemary Johnston
ALBERT KENNEDY TRUST, now known as AKT
SPECIAL CAUSE FOR MAY RETIRING COLLECTION ON SUNDAY
19TH MAY.
Albert Kennedy was a boy who grew up in social services care in Salford.
He was bullied because he was gay. In 1989 he ran away from his children's home,
and fell to his death from a Manchester multi-storey car park after being chased by
attackers in a car. The social worker who founded the Trust was not gay, but her
son was one of the few friends Albert had. She was only too well aware of the
rejection some young people experience because of their sexuality, and in particular
how this can lead to homelessness if a son or daughter is disowned by parents -
something that sadly still happens too often, not infrequently in the name of
religion. The Trust's services have expanded over the past thirty years, so it now
offers (a) an introduction to hosts, each assessed and trained before offering a
room in their home; (b) safe houses for emergency shelter and (c) a network of
mentors and befrienders. More details, including the stories of several people
helped by the Trust, are given on its website https://www.akt.org.uk .
Some of the statistics published on that site are eye-opening: nearly a quarter of
Britain's homeless young people identify as LGBT, and over three quarters of
those believe 'coming out' to their parents was the main reason they were on the
streets. The Trust has helped over fifty thousand young people since it was
founded.
AKT is not local to Cambridge. Both external funding, and a relationship of trust
with council social services, are crucial to its work, and such favourable conditions
have so far only been established in Manchester and London. But that should not
exclude them, or those they support, from our consideration. Religion, to be frank,
has contributed to the problem. It seems only right that religious people with more
open hearts should contribute to the solution.
Please make cheques payable to “Albert Kennedy Trust”
Augur Pearce
It is ten years since Cambridge Street Pastors first took to the streets of
Cambridge at weekends, with NightLite added later to provide the shelter and
indoor help to which the Street Pastors (and now the police and club door staff)
could send the most helpless revellers. (As readers will know St Columba’s
provided the accommodation for this, and many have been helped by it.)
After initial scepticism or even hostility from some both Street Pastors and
NightLite have become an accepted and welcome part of the night-time economy
and would be much missed if they disappeared, so we celebrate the last ten years
and pray for the next ten.
However, this is a time of change. Some (though not all) of the original 22
volunteers have retired or left the area, and others have joined, but there is an
ongoing need for new volunteers as there are some weekends when making up full
teams is difficult. In addition, NightLite is having to leave its home in St
Columba’s in June, for reasons you know well, and the task of finding an
alternative even half as conveniently sited is very difficult. At the same time the
part- time Director is moving away from Cambridge and someone will be needed
to take over this challenging role.
So please pray for the Street Pastors and NightLite at this difficult time and for the
next ten years. Pray for:
• an influx of new volunteers ready to take up the challenging but rewarding
work;
• a new (temporary) home for NightLite, near enough to be able to serve those
who need it;
• the right person to apply for the Director role and for the Trustees to discern
this wisely.
Janet Bottoms
Supermarket collections for Christian Aid – we need your help!
Christian Aid will again be holding collections at two Cambridge supermarkets
around Christian Aid Week. Please think whether you could volunteer to hold a
bucket. You will be able to sit down, under cover, with another volunteer for
company. Both stores have car parking, cafés and toilets.
This is a really good way to raise funds and publicise Christian Aid - and get
your shopping at the same time!
When and where?
Friday 3rd May at Tesco, Newmarket Road
Wednesday 22nd May at Waitrose, Trumpington
Between 9.30 and 5.30 – “shifts” of one or two hours for each collector.
Could you volunteer for one or both of these collections?
Please contact: Sheila Porrer, (Secretary, Cambridge Christian Aid Committee)
[email protected] , 01223 560066
Or Pam Richardson (Cambridgeshire Regional Coordinator)
[email protected], 07738 104495
or any member of the Christian Aid Committee for more information and to
volunteer.
This is a really worthwhile part of Christian Aid Week fundraising – please try
very hard to help, you’ll enjoy it!
Christian Aid Week 2019 starts on Sunday 12th May. This year’s appeal focusses
on maternity services in Sierra Leone, where Christian Aid is working to reduce
the number of mother and baby deaths by providing clinics, education and
nursing care.
We need your help to support the Downing Place Christian Aid fund raising
effort.
Could you volunteer for the house to house collection? We badly need more
people to deliver and collect envelopes in Petersfield East.
Could you volunteer to collect at a supermarket? Tesco Newmarket Road on
Friday 3rd May, Waitrose Trumpington on Wednesday 22nd May. (see the poster
for more details)
This year’s Christian Aid Service will be held at Grantchester Parish Church on
Sunday 12th May at 3.30 p.m. , led by the Vicar of Grantchester, the Rev. Rachel
Rosborough, The speaker will be Andrew Barton of Christian Aid. There is car
parking, and refreshments will be provided after the service. Everyone is
welcome.
For more information on all of this, and to volunteer, please contact Sheila Porrer,
[email protected] , 01223 560066, or any member of the Christian
Aid Committee.
As Christians, we seek to put our faith into action by loving and caring for our
neighbours and the Earth, our common home. And right now, both are threatened
from the impact of climate change.
Urgent action is needed to save God’s creation as we know it. Will you join the
mass lobby in Westminster, London on 26 June 2019 and tell MPs that it’s time to
act on climate change?
Climate change is devastating the world’s poorest communities right now, as more
extreme weather events, from flooding to droughts, drive families from their
homes and create food crises.
Whether it’s women like Aster in Ethiopia who struggle to feed their children
when the rains don’t come and crops burn on the stalk; fisherfolk like Lope in the
Philippines battling to make a living as climate change brings super typhoons and
extreme heat; or pastoralists like Boru whose camels are weak from drought.
Climate change is hitting the poorest hardest, right now!
Will you join the mass lobby for climate and environmental action in Westminster
on 26 June?
We know what we need to do to reverse the trend of climate change and protect
people like Aster, Lope and Boru: we need to cut global greenhouse emissions to
net zero. The existing UK Government targets don’t go far enough – we need to
get to net zero by 2045 to make a difference.
On 26 June, we’ll come together in London to celebrate our faith in action, lobby
our political representatives, pray together and energise one another for the
challenges to come.
Will you be there?
For more info please email [email protected] or go to caid.org.uk/
timeisnow
Eng and Wales charity no. 1105851 Scot charity no. SC039150 Company no.
5171525
MAGAZINE EDITOR: Sheila Porrer
01223 560066
ITEMS FOR MAGAZINE:
Please send items to both Sheila Porrer and Ann Auger
ITEMS FOR MONTHLY
PRAYER DIARY: Maureen Kendall
01223 500593
WEB EDITOR: Alison Binney
01223 294046
Please send all items to be included in the June issue to both Sheila and Ann by the
cut off date of Wednesday 15th May 2019.
Any items received after the deadline will not be included.
The June edition will be available in church from Sunday 26th May 2019.