MAGAZINE December 2011

The Rivers Team is a group of four Anglican Churches:

St Andrew’s Brinsworth St Mary’s Catcliffe St Helen’s Treeton St Lawrence’s Tinsley

December Diary Dates

Weekly Events: Tuesday: A Time of prayer for the parish @ St Marys 7.30pm - 8.30pm Wednesday: Prayer Meeting @ St Helen’s 9.00am Friday: Munch and Pray @ St Andrew’s Centre 12.30pm– 1.30pm

NB – Christmas dinner dance – cancelled due to excessive costs.

Sunday 4th December Puppet Musical @ St Lawrence’s 3pm Tuesday 6th December St Helen’s Church Council 7.15pm Church lounge Wednesday 7th December Brinsworth and Catcliffe Church Council; 7.30pm at St Andrew's Saturday 10th December Messy Church; 3.45pm at St Andrew's Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th December Christmas Tree festival St Helen’s Treeton Sunday 11th December Brinsworth Civic Carol Service; 6pm Brinsworth Community Hall Maranatha @ St Lawrence Church 6pm Wednesday 14th December 'Encounter', 7.30pm at St Andrew's (Bring and share meal at 6.30) Sunday 18th December Messy Crib service 10.30 St Helen’s Candlelit Carol service 6.00pm St Helen’s Carol Service 6pm St Lawrence’s Monday 19th December Carol singing at Treeton Cricket club 7pm Tuesday 20th December Carol singing at Chapel Green Catcliffe 7pm BSL signed Candlelit Carol service 7.30pm Rotherham Minster Wednesday 21st December Christmas Holy Communion St Andrew’s Saturday 24th December Crib Service at St Andrew’s 3pm Christingle service at the Baptist Church 4.15pm Midnight Communion St Lawrence’s 11.00pm Midnight Communion St Mary’s 11.30pm Saturday 31st December Watchnight service St Helen’s 11.30

2 Editorial by David Bent; Team Rector

A Christmas Blessing

Think for a moment about a nativity play you have seen. Maybe one you had a part in, or one in which your children or grandchildren had parts. Maybe it’s one you saw on TV or at the cinema.

Focus now on the central characters: Mary and Joseph. The angels. The shepherds. The kings. All there because of one thing: God the Father chose to send his only Son, conceived by the power of the Ho- ly Spirit, to become human. All from different backgrounds and situa- tions. All changed by the events that unfolded before them. And all with something to teach us through their responses.

There is Mary, obedient to God’s call on her life, and risking great shame to become the mother of our Saviour. And Joseph, obedient to God in taking an unmarried mother-to-be as his wife.

There are the angels, full of joy, glorifying God as they proclaim the news of the birth of a baby. There are the shepherds, eager to discover the truth and eager to tell others the good news, there are the wise men, persevering on their long journey to bring their precious gifts and to bow down and worship the one they recognise as King.

And there is Jesus, a baby in a manger. God become flesh. The Prince of Peace, born in poverty, coming to a world riddled with strife and division, anxiety and uncertainty...

There is a Christmas blessing which I love, based on the responses of the characters in the nativity. It goes like this:

May the joy of the Angels The eagerness of the shepherds The perseverance of the wise men The obedience of Mary and Joseph And the peace of the Christ Child Be yours this Christmastime. Amen

3 Courses running in 2011

Drawing & Painting Tuesday 11.00 am – 1.00 pm

Beginner’s I.T. Thursday 9.30 – 11.30 am

The above courses are for 10 weeks – cost £60.00

Holiday German Thursday 1.00 – 2.30 pm Learn greetings, introductions, and how to order food and drink Tutor – Diane Haigh Tel: 01709 703601/07931292348

Hire St. Andrew’s Centre for meetings or parties Excellent catering facilities available For information contact the Centre on 01709 361630 Or [email protected]

Treeton Trudgers Walking Group On Saturday December 31st, Ron Robinson will lead a walk through the Rother Valley area, including Stavely cycle track and Cuckoo Way, which is approximately 5 miles long. All walks start at the top of Washfield Lane, Treeton at 10.00am, where anyone without transport can usually get a lift in someone‘s car. Please wear sensible footwear and bring waterproof clothing and a packed lunch for daytime walks. Please ring Ron & Carole Robinson (0114 2694100) or Ian Wall (01709 519125) for further information.

St Helen’s Chatterbox Craft Club ‘Chatterbox’ meets each week in Treeton Reading Rooms on Wednesdays between 1:00pm and 3:00pm to make items for the Samaritan’s Purse ‘Operation Christmas Child’ annual Shoebox appeal. The group consists of around 8 members who knit, sew and stick, collect and buy items for the shoeboxes. Anyone interested in what we do will be more than welcome to join us. NO SKILLS NEEDED.

4 Christmas 2011 Saturday 10th - Sunday 11th Christmas Tree festival at St Helen’s, Treeton

Sunday 18th 9:30am - Carol Service at St Andrew’s, Brinsworth 10:30am - Messy Church Crib Service, St Helen’s Treeton 11:00am – Nativity Service St Mary’s, Catcliffe 6:00pm - Carol Service St Helen’s, Treeton 6:00pm - Carol Service – St Lawrence’s, Tinsley 6:00pm – Carol Service St Mary’s, Catcliffe

Monday 19th 7:00pm - Carol Singing at Treeton Cricket Club

Tuesday 20th 7:00pm – Carol singing at Chapel Green Catcliffe

Saturday 24th 4:15pm - Christingle Service at the Baptist Church, Treeton 11:00pm - Midnight Communion Service - St Lawrence’s, Tinsley 11:30pm - Midnight Communion Service - St Mary’s, Catcliffe

Sunday 25th 9:30am - Christmas Family Service St Helen’s, Treeton 10:00am – Christmas Day Service at St Mary’s, Catcliffe 10:30am – Christmas Day Service at St Lawrence, Tinsley

Treeton Ladies’ Group The Treeton Ladies’ Group meet on the second Tuesday of each month at Treeton Baptist Church at 7:45. Everyone is welcome. The next meeting will be on December 13th and the ladies will enjoy a Christmas Party.

The next Rivers Team Magazine will be available at the end of December. If you would like to have an article included, please get it to Nicola by letter or email by Friday Dec 10th. [email protected] 5

PARISH WEEKEND 2012

SNEATON CASTLE,WHITBY Friday, 25th to Sunday, 27th May 2012

Guest Speaker; Pastor Jonathon Dyke Jonathan has 20 years of experience in leadership and ministry. With his practical and motivational approach, his gift is to equip and release people into mission and ministry.

Children and Young People: Nick and Rachel Cowan Nick and Rachel lead the youth work at King’s Church, Great Yarmouth, ministering to over 100 young people. Their vision is to ‘Gather, Guide and Grow’ young people into a mature relationship with Jesus.

Booking forms will be available shortly. We are also arranging a payment scheme for those who would like to spread the cost of the weekend.

‘Maranatha’ Come Lord Jesus, Come!

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7 Dear Theophilus… God has plans for your life! And I have it on good authority (from the Angel Gabriel, no less) that anything is possible!

When Gabriel visited Mary with the earth shattering news that she, a young virgin, and her cousin Elizabeth, an older, childless lady, were both going to have sons, he added ‘for nothing is impossible with God’ (Luke 1:27).

Jesus uses the bizarre image of a camel going (or not going) through the eye of a needle to say that what is impossible for men is possible with God (Luke 18:27). And Paul adopts the idea when he writes from a prison cell ‘I can do all things through him who gives me strength’ (Philippians 4:13).

Isn’t it good to remind ourselves that situations which, by our standards are impossible, can be transformed by God! OK, so we’re not looking for angels and virgin births, or even children born to elderly couples, but childless couple’s do produce children after prayer ministry and God does heal where the medical profession says healing is impossible.

The impossible also happens in less dramatic ways when God transforms the lives of ordinary people like you and me as we allow him to work in and through us by the power of his Spirit. This could be a simple word of encouragement or act of service for someone in need, or it could be embarking on a new venture of faith with God. And if, like Paul, you are in some kind of prison, don’t lose hope; he will give you the strength you need. Effective ministry goes on in many prison cells, and prison doors do open and prison walls do crumble.

So, whatever is going on in your life at the moment, don’t limit what God can do by your circumstances, by your experiences to date, or by what other people say. Trust in Jesus and let the God of the impossible fulfil his plans for you.

David

Theophilus is the guy for whom Luke wrote the Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts. (Luke 1:3 and Acts 1:1) Theophilus means ‘Lover of God’ so, if you love God, it was written for you!

8 Rivers Team Prayer Diary And Daily Bible Readings

THURSDSAY 1st DECEMBER Bible Reading: Matthew 13 V1--23 Please Pray for: Brian & Molly Lingard, Clifford Littlewood Pray On World AIDS day for people to receive the medical care they need. Pray for Anna. She will be on chemotherapy until 8th December (from 28th Nov).

FRIDAY 2nd DECEMBER Bible Reading: Matthew 13 V 24--43 Please Pray for: Robert & Judith Lucket, Chris & Angela Mangham Pray Christ will be at the centre of all Christmas celebrations. Pray for those we know who are seriously ill and those caring for them.

SATURDAY 3rd DECEMBER Bible Reading: Matthew 13 V 44 - End Please Pray for: Bob, Margaret, Alison & Elizabeth Lunt Pray for the voice of poor nations will be heard at the UN Climate talks. Pray for the deaf community in our diocese as they campaign to prevent cuts to essential services.

MONDAY 5th DECEMBER Bible Reading: Matthew 14 V 1--12 Please Pray for: Pat & Chris Marlow, Evelyn McLaughlin Pray for the safety of converts from other faiths. Pray for wise decisions for the economy in the UK, Europe and globally.

TUESDAY 6th SEPTEMBER Bible Reading: Matthew 14 V 13 - End Please Pray for: Ian, Bambo, Christina & Leigh Marshall Pray for an end to inequality faced by people in India. Pray for those affected by the earthquakes in Turkey.

WEDNESDAY 7th DECEMBER Bible Reading: Matthew 15 V 1--20 Please Pray for: Vanessa, Craig & Carrick McGovern Pray Give thanks for the service of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance. Pray that the Christmas cards going out to homes in the parish with details of church services would bear fruit.

9 THURSDAY 8th DECEMBER Bible Reading: Matthew 15 V 21--28 Please Pray for: Alan & Yvonne McTeer, Hilda & Roy Mills Pray for continuing efforts to reduce malnutrition and starvation. Pray for Christians killed and churches bombed amid Islamist violence in Nigeria.

FRIDAY 9th DECEMBER Bible Reading: Matthew 15 V 29 - End Please Pray for: John & Julie Morris, Steven Morris Pray Give thanks for the wisdom and knowledge given to scientists. Pray for all Messy church families as we seek to support them and lead them on their journeys of faith.

SATURDAY 10th DECEMBER Bible Reading: Matthew 16 V 1--12 Please Pray for: Debbie Morton, Celia Morton, Debbie Orriss Pray for victims of the world’s recent natural disasters especially in Turkey. Pray for those facing Christmas without loved ones .

MONDAY 12th DECEMBER Bible Reading: Matthew 16 V 13 - End Please Pray for: James, Faith, Natasha & James Mpofu Pray for God to heal in body, mind and spirit those who are sick. Pray for the school Christingle services taking place throughout the Rivers Team.

TUESDAY 13th DECEMBER Bible Reading: Matthew 17 V 1--13 Please Pray for: John, Maria & Rachel Norman Pray Praise God for the good works in Afghanistan amidst the fighting Pray for parents feeling pressured to spend more they can afford in this difficult climate

WEDNESDAY 14th DECEMBER Bible Reading: Matthew 17 V 14--21 Please Pray for: Claire Norman, Steve & Celia Ogle Pray for Help the Heroes work to help wounded servicemen and women. Pray for the service tonight at Doncaster Minster marking the retirement of Archdeacon Bob Fitzharris.

THURSDAY 15th DECEMBER Bible Reading: Matthew 17 V 22 - End Please Pray for: Shirley Poultney, Christine Pretty, Linda Read Pray for refugees, far from home, to find safety and food. Pray for Churches Together in Rotherham as they work together over the Christmas period.

10 FRIDAY 16th DECEMBER Bible Reading: Matthew 18 V 1--20 Please Pray for: Caroline, Jordan, Dylan, Gracie & Millie Ramsdem Pray for the millions of unpaid carers in the UK to seek rest and support. Pray for all pupils, parents and staff at Treeton CofE school and Catcliffe School as they hold their Crib / Carol services.

SATURDAY 17th DECEMBER Bible Reading: Matthew 18 V 21 - End Please Pray for: Julie Read, Alan & June Register, Doreen Riley Pray for all those far from their place of birth to not be a stranger. Pray for the elderly and those who live alone as they face the prospect of a lonely Christmas

MONDAY 19th DECEMBER Bible Reading: Matthew 19 V 1--12 Please Pray for: Colin & Ruth Roberts, Ron & Carole Robinson Pray Give thanks for the free provision of services the NHS provides. Pray for people having to work over Christmas, particularly the emergency services.

TUESDAY 20th DECEMBER Bible Reading: Matthew 19 V 13--15 Please Pray for: Andrew Roddison, Mark Roddison, Vera Rollinson Pray Give thanks for the growth of churches in Nepal. Pray for those who will be homeless at Christmas.

WEDNESDAY 21st DECEMBER Bible Reading: Matthew 19 V 16 - End Please Pray for: Bessie Roys, Philip & Maureen Sanderson Pray Ask God to draw near to those who are grieving. Pray for all our fellowship / Cell groups and their leaders.

THURSDAY 22nd DECEMBER Bible Reading: Matthew 23 V 1--12 Please Pray for: John & Kate Saxton, Pat Seyboth, Alison Shaw Pray for those facing an uncertain future in their employment. Pray that the Samaritans Purse appeal would be a huge success and that all children in poorer parts of the world may receive a shoebox.

FRIDAY 23rd DECEMBER Bible Reading: Luke 1 V 26--45 Please Pray for: Gerry, Rachel, Abigail, Deborah & David Screaton Pray Christians all over the world will join together in celebrating God’s love. Pray for all those who will be spending Christmas in Hospital.

11 SATURDAY 24th DECEMBER Bible Reading: Luke 2 V 1--20 Please Pray for: Liz Shaw, Ian Sheldon, Janet Shelton Pray Christ’s message of joy and hope reaches those who have not yet heard it. Pray for church services throughout the world.

MONDAY 26th DECEMBER Bible Reading: Acts 7 V 54 To End Please pray for: Eddie & Nic Short, David & Sandra Simpson Pray the gift of Christ’s birth will bring peace in our divided world. Give thanks to God for the greatest gift of all.

TUESDAY 27th DECEMBER Bible Reading: Matthew 2 V 1--12 Please Pray for: David, Laura, Georgina & Daniel Smith Pray for the children receiving shoeboxes to feel God’s love in action. Pray for the elderly and housebound on these cold dark nights.

WEDNESDAY 28th DECEMBER Bible Reading: Matthew 2 V 13--18 Please Pray for: Elaine Standen, Elaine Steel, Vicky Steer Pray for the homeless and the Archer Project in Sheffield. Pray for families as they enjoy this festive time together.

THURSDAY 29th DECEMBER Bible Reading: Matthew 2 V 19 - End Please Pray for: Dorothy Stevenson, Michael Storey Pray for Christians who face persecution to persevere to meet together. Pray for the Rivers Team as we seek God’s vision and direction in the coming new year.

FRIDAY 30th DECEMBER Bible Reading: Colossians 1 V 15--23 Please Pray for: Jean & Derek Thomson, Elise Todd, June Turner Pray for our churches to reach out into our wider communities. Pray for the preparations for the Saltmine theatre company to come to Treeton to present their production of ‘A Christmas Carol’ .

SATURDAY 31st DECEMBER Bible Reading: Colossians 1 V 24 - 2 V 7 Please Pray for: Martin, Jeanette, Kirsty & Hayley Tipper Pray Give thanks for all the gifts we have received this year. Pray That hope may reign in the hearts of all God’s people.

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Messy Church is a time where whole families can come together and have fun doing crafts and activities. It includes a time of teaching that both young and old can appreciate. An important part of Messy Church is the meal where every- one can sit and enjoy time together. Where & When? St Andrew’s: Saturdays December 10th & January 14th @ 3:45pm St Lawrence’s: Sunday December 4th @ 10.00am Treeton Primary School: Sundays January 8th & 22nd @ 3.30pm Who For? Whole Families (Children must attend with an adult) Cost? Donation at the event

Luncheon Club Luncheon Club happens every week in St Andrew’s Church, providing a friendly place to meet and socialise with other people. The meal includes a main course, pudding and a cup of tea or coffee.

Where? St Andrew’s Church When? Thursdays at 1.00pm Who For? Anyone Cost? £3.50

7UP is a youth group aiming to provide those in School Years 7 and up with an alternative to meeting up on the streets. We offer a different view point on the issues faced by teens today, through teaching, games and activities. Where? St Andrew’s Church Who For? School Years 7 and up When? Monday during term time, 6:30pm—8:00pm Cost? £0.50 13

A very popular group, our Parents and Toddlers meet weekly to play! The Church is full of things to keep the little ones entertained - it’s amazing how a grizzly child turns into a happy, sweet one when you give them a change of scene. It’s also a great way of meeting other parents with children your child’s age.

Where? St Andrew’s Church Cost? £1.70 per family When? Wednesdays & Thursdays, 9.30 to 11.30am Who For? Toddlers with Parents or Carers

‘Whatever’ is a club for kids in the last two years of Primary school and the first year of Comp. In this turbulent time of their lives we provide something consistent that they can rely on even when everything around them seems to be changing. ‘Whatever’ looks at lifestyle issues from a Christian perspective, and also features games and activities in a structured environment.

Where? St Andrew’s Church Who For? School Years 5 - 7 When? Tuesday during term time, 6:30pm—8:30pm Cost? £1.00

Being a Rainbow is all about learning, developing self-confidence, building friendships and, of course, having lots of fun! If your daughter is aged 5 to 7 years old and interested in joining the 31st Rotherham Rainbows, please contact Julie Read on 01709 371989.

Where? St Andrew’s Church Who For? Ages 5 - 7 When? Monday during term time, 5:00pm—6:00pm 14 Wednesday 14th December 7:30pm at St Andrew’s Brinsworth

Worship, Keynote Talk, Discussion in Small Groups & Refreshments

‘Encounter’ is an opportunity for us to meet together as a team with God and to move forward with him. If you are concerned to see the kingdom of God advance in our communities, please make this evening a priority.

15 Children: the hidden victims

Open Doors is currently highlighting the plight of the ‘Secret Children’: the hidden victims of the persecuted church. As we celebrate God’s coming into our world as a vulnerable child, please remember children such as:

- Rika, desperately poor and too young to be selling colouring books on the streets of Pakistan, carrying her baby brother. Her church meets in a field.

- Pedro, wanted by illegal armed gangs in Colombia and no longer in school after being bullied by teachers and pupils for his faith. “I trust that God will help me, because He knows we serve Him with our hearts.”

- Susan, locked up by her father in Uganda for 6 months for becoming a Christian. Her brother poured water under the door for her to drink; most days she fed on mud. She can talk and eat now, but can’t walk.

- Xiao Ming, eight years old when his dad was imprisoned in China for being a church leader. Eight years later they were reunited, but were strangers. Open Doors has worked with them to rebuild their relationship.

- Samy (8), who lost many friends when their church was bombed in Baghdad. “Are we safe? My dad tells me Jesus will take care of us and that God loves even those who hurt us.”

- Japheth, 18 months old and a survivor! He was stabbed by a Muslim extremist in Nigeria whilst being cuddled by his mum. She, his father and siblings died. Japheth is well now: pray he will live to God’s glory.

- Sama (3), born after her father, of the Palestinian Bible Society, was shot dead in Gaza. Her still grieving mother describes our prayers as “a stick that helped me walk”.

And please remember the ‘wandering swallows’ of North Korea - street children deserted by desperate parents or orphaned by famine. Jong-Cheol (11) escaped to China where he became a Christian, but was caught and returned. Guards interrogated him about his faith; he did not survive. 16 Bishop Steven Writes:

Almost everyone who reads this will be writing Christmas Cards in December. Spare a thought for the Bishop! In my official and personal capacity I send around 600 cards every year. It’s a task I normally enjoy, providingMental there is a fire burning and someHealth music playing in the room, the first mince pie(s) of the season and a glass of something or other.

Sending Challengeand receiving cards is or part ofOpportunity? the way we prepare. We send love and greetings to family, friends and colleagues as a way of reminding each other that weSt are Mary's connected. Bramall All of us belongLane, to Sheffield a wider community which spreads in many different directions. Some of our ties are strong and some are weak but at this time of year they are all important. Saturday 26th November, 9.30am-4pm The cards also remind us that as Christians we are part of the long story of God’s people. The cards we send as Christians are part of our witness to that story. We are reminding each other of the beginning of our story: the great narrative of Christ’s birth. For that reason, like many Christians, I try to make sure that the pictures on the cards I send tell part of the Christmas story. This is the story which gives meaning to our lives and which speaks of God’s love and light in the midst of darkness.

This year I’ve put a verse into the Christmas card. I love to write new things and this is an attempt at a new Christmas carol, based on the much loved passage at the beginning of John’s gospel, “In the beginning was the word”. May God be with you as you prepare for the Christmas season and celebrate Christ’s birth.

Word who was before time Word of God incarnate Word through whom worlds came. Dwelling on the earth. Word with God and of God We behold his beauty, Eternally the same. Wonder at his birth. Wisdom and power, Grace, truth and glory, Creation's mighty flow Shaping Jesus life Taking flesh among us, Taking flesh among us, dwelling here below. come to end our strife.

Life is in the Word's light Fruitful life for all. Steven Croft, 2011 Light is in the Word's life (from John 1.1-11) Cradled in the stall. Tune: Noel Nouvalet (Now the green blade riseth) Shining in darkness, banishing all fear Taking flesh among us, God's own Son draws near. 17

18 Contact Us

Revd. David Bent Revd. Margaret Baker 61 Whitehill Lane 40 Flat Lane Brinsworth Whiston Rotherham S60 5JR Rotherham S60 4EF Tel: 01709 363850 Tel: 01709 363959 [email protected] [email protected]

Revd. Judy Leverton Philip Barringer The Rectory 59 Cramfit Crescent Church Lane Dinnington Treeton Rotherham Rotherham S60 5PZ S25 2XT Tel: 0114 2696542 Tel: 01909 518194 [email protected] [email protected]

Julie Lindley St Andrew's Centre 85 Bonet Lane Brinsworth Rotherham S60 5NG Tel: 01709 361630 [email protected]

Visit our website at: www.therivers-team.com 19 Service Times

St Andrew’s Sundays 9:30am. (25th December: Joint Service at St Mary’s at 10:00am) Wednesdays 12:15pm Bread and Cheese Lunch served after the service

St Lawrence’s Sundays 10:30am Refreshments available after the service.

St Helen’s Sundays 9:30am Refreshments available after the service.

St Mary’s Sundays 10:30 for 11:00am (25th December: Joint Service at 10:00am) Refreshments & Breakfast available from 10.00 am 20