1 Cheltenham United Reformed Church
In Touch
July/August 2014
2
Welcome to In Touch – the magazine of Cheltenham United Reformed Church.
Cheltenham United Reformed Church is a joint Pastorate of the 3 United Reformed Churches in Cheltenham. This means that they share a Minister – Revd Maz Allen – and indeed they work very closely together in all respects. New readers, who may also be new to the area, can be assured of a warm welcome at all 3 Churches:-
St Andrew’s United Reformed Church is situated in Cheltenham town centre. It is a former Presbyterian Church built in 1885. Recent renovations have retained its essential character whilst at the same time delivering an impressive facility meeting the needs of the 21st Century. Current membership is around the 100 mark.
Prestbury United Reformed Church serves the village of Prestbury to the north of Cheltenham. It is a former Congregational Chapel built in 1866. Current membership is around the 20 mark. Services are normally held at Prestbury on only the 1st, 3rd and 4th Sundays of each month.
The Church in Warden Hill is a Local Ecumenical Partnership (LEP) between the Anglican and URC communities serving the large residential districts of Hatherley and Warden Hill to the south of Cheltenham. Sunday morning services currently alternate between St Christopher’s and the URC Centre with a typical congregation of 85. Ministry is shared between the URC Minister (Revd Maz Allen) and members of the Anglican South Cheltenham Team Ministry of whom the Revd Jacqui Hyde has particular responsibility for The Church in Warden Hill. The Church in Warden Hill has its own church magazine – The Lantern – but its activities and events are also publicised in this In Touch magazine. The website of the Cheltenham United Reformed Church (www.urcic.org.uk) and the website of The Church in Warden Hill (www.tciwh.org.uk) are further sources of information about the churches.
3 Cheltenham URC Services and Prayers:
St Andrew’s Every Sunday: 11:00am Morning Worship (Communion Service on 1st Sunday)
3rd Sunday : 9:30am Jump4Joy ( an informal short service for all the family)
Prayers during the week at St Andrew’s are subject to change at present – please see the Church notice board for times.
Prestbury 1st Sunday: 10.30am All-age Worship 3rd Sunday: 10.30am Morning Worship 4th Sunday: 10.30am Communion
The Church in Warden Hill Sunday Morning venue alternates between St Christopher’s and the URC Centre 1st Sunday: 10.30am Family Worship 2nd Sunday: 10.30am Family Communion 3rd Sunday: 10.30am Family Communion 4th Sunday: 10.30am Family Communion at St Christopher’s) Morning Worship at URC 5th Sunday: 10.30am Family Communion at St Christopher’s) Morning Worship at URC During term time New Shoots for younger members (2-14) takes place during the service. Every Sunday: 6:00pm Evensong at St Christopher’s, Evensong if the morning service is a Communion Service Holy Communion if the morning service is NOT a Communion Service. Daily: 8:00 am Morning Prayer at St Christopher’s Tuesday: 10:30am Communion and Prayers at St Christopher’s
4
Dear Friends, As I write, we are in the throws of the football World Cup, in the middle of the England v Sri Lanka Test series, on the eve of Wimbledon and just a few weeks’ away from the Commonwealth Games. This is an exciting time for sports’ fans. For the majority of my life I have enjoyed watching tennis, golf and crick- et on TV, (definitely not football or rugby), but it was the Olympic Games that got me interested in watching live sport. I will be going to Glasgow to watch two sessions of athletics and in a rush of patriotism, I have pur- chased tickets for the Invictus Games, spear-headed by Prince Harry to champion injured service personnel in their determination to overcome disability. As a nation, passion for sport and passion for supporting those taking part go hand in hand. Yet as a nation, belief in God and supporting the Church are far from synonymous. There seems to be an acceptance of God as Creator, plus a deep fascination with ‘spirituality’, however that may be defined. Established Christian worship, however, seems hardly relevant, particularly to younger generations. What can we do? There are no easy answers or quick fixes, but we are being challenged to take risks for Christ which may depart from our comfort-zones or long-held beliefs in how things should be done. Traditions are important; so are growth and development. Let us ask God’s Spirit to work in us as individuals and as churches that we may be- come trail-blazers for Jesus Christ in a society that needs help in engaging with Good News. Wishing you a Happy Summer. Maz
5 CHELTENHAM UNITED REFORMED CHURCH
In Memoriam: We give thanks for the life of Alan Brown, member of St. Andrew's, who died suddenly on 20th May. We also give thanks for the life of Godfrey Outram, of St. Andrew's, who passed away on Thursday 12th June, following a prolonged spell in hospital. A thanksgiving service to celebrate Godfrey’s life is to be held on Monday 30th June at St Andrew’s at 12noon. Please remember Wendy and her family in your prayers. Our prayers: Joan Dickens, Rosy Pearson, Margaret Manson, Sandra Jeans, and Wendy Outram. Congratulations: to Alex and James Law, on the occasion of Ellena's baptism at St. Andrew's on 1st June; to Irene Webber, from Prestbury, who was ordained an Elder on 29th June; to baby Tamsin Cleal-Ward, being Dedicated on 13th July at the Warden Hill URC Centre. The Obituary of Alan Brown Alan and Margaret Brown joined St. Andrew's in 2012 when they came to live near their son in Pittville, Cheltenham. Alan had been an Elder and part-time church organist at one of the Norwich URC's for many years. He had a passion for Scottish country dancing, wine and food! Sadly, Margaret died in 2013 and Alan found life more and more difficult. He enjoyed the church-fellowship and will be sadly missed. Our prayers are with Alan’s family and friends. Maz
6 The Obituary of Godfrey Outram Like many of us in Cheltenham Godfrey Outram came to the town to work at GCHQ, which he served until retirement. His work took him on a tour of duty to the States, accompanied by Wendy and the children, Martin and Diane. He and Wendy later had a tour of duty in Germany, where he and I worked together on liaison duties with a number of military organisations and nationalities. His dry even sly wit and gentle tact saw many a senior military man go away happy. He and Wendy have been members of St Andrew’s since Godfrey’s retirement and until very recently Godfrey was involved in much of what was going on. He was what is so often called “one of life’s gentlemen”. Not a great one for outward show, he was nevertheless there quietly getting on with it, sharing his expertise and talents. In particular Creative Cards owes a debt to him, for the many lovely cards he contributed to. Sadly the last few years have seen Parkinson’s take its toll, but St. Andrew’s will miss Godfrey, who did so much so quietly and with no fuss. Our thoughts at this time are with Wendy and Martin, Diane and Gary and the grandchildren, Emily and Thomas, who brought a real twinkle to Godfrey’s eye. Keith Norcott
********************************************
7 Pensioners’ Forum – Wednesday 2nd July – Building Circles Building Circles is a charity whose primary focus is to offer friendship and support to people and their families. They do this with the amazing help from a team of volunteers who give a few hours of their time every month to spend time and support people with learning disabilities who are often lonely and isolated. As usual the coffee bar will be open from 10.00am and the talk will begin at 11.00am. Please invite your friends and neighbours – all are welcome. Lunch will be available after the talk, please pre book by ringing Matthew on 01242 222005. Last month we had an excellent presentation on Diabetes covering the systems, risk factors and treatment. People who are most at risk are: Aged over 40 years (or over 25 if South Asian) From a Black, African, Caribbean or South Asian origin Those who have a parent, brother or sister with diabetes Overweight Women with a waistline bigger than 80 cm Men with a waistline bigger than 94 cm Those who have ever had high blood pressure or heart attack or stroke People taking anti-psychotic medication Women who have polycystic ovary syndrome Known to have pre-diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance The more risk factors a person has the greater their risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Symptoms may include: Passing urine more often, especially at night Increased thirst Extreme tiredness Genital itching Wounds and cuts that take a long time to heal Blurred vision Losing weight without trying.
8
How can I find out if I am diabetic, a simple blood test by the Doctor or Chemist will give you the answer. It is a serious medical condition that won’t go away, but with the right treatment it shouldn’t stop you living a full life. Web site address is www.diabetes.org.uk.
There is no meeting in August, we will resume on 3rd September.
Pensioners’ Forum at St Andrew’s United Reformed Church (near Queen’s Hotel)
You are invited to the following Talks 11.00am – 12.00noon
Wednesday 2nd July ‘Building Circles In Gloucestershire’ Frances Watson
FREE ENTRY – ALL ARE WELCOME Coffee Bar open from 10.00am – 12noon Coffee/Tea 50p www.urcic.org.uk
********************************************* Reading Group The next meeting of the Reading Group will take place at 7.30pm on Wednesday 27th August 2014 at Prestbury URC. The book we will be discussing will be 'The Rosie Project'. A handsome thirty-nine year old geneticist has never progressed to a second date. He devises The Wife Project, a scientific test to find the perfect partner. However, nothing goes to his plan as he attempts to reconcile his head and his heart. Please contact Mary Cummings to find out more information about the Group.
9
Classic Films: The Classic films shows are on the following Saturdays in Warden Hill URC Centre at 2.15pm, doors open 2.00pm. Free admission. Classic Films—Future Dates: 2014: Sept 20th, Oct 4th, Oct 25th, Dec 6th. 2015: Jan 10th, Feb 7th, Mar 7th, April 11th, May 9th, Jun 13th Tony Jeans ********************************** Community Films: The Community films shows are on the following Saturdays in Warden Hill URC Centre at 2.30pm, doors open 2.15pm. Free admission. Future Dates - Community Films for 2014: 12th July, 16th Aug, 13th Sept, 18th Oct, 22nd Nov. 13th Dec Brian Miles
For more information on what films are being shown please contact [email protected] or [email protected]
10
Over the bridge—Footsloggers Group near Kineton in June
Friday 11th July and Monday 11th August- Footsloggers Walking Group. Details of the July walk, led by Marcus Dann, and the walk in August, led by George Jacobs, are to be found on Church Notice Boards nearer the time. All are most welcome.
11 St Andrew’s News: St Andrew’s July Charity: The Air Ambulance Service If a patient can reach hospital within 60 minutes of injury - known as the “the golden hour” - their chances of survival increase dramatically. The Air Ambulance service can provide such a rapid response to emergencies. Operating from strategically located bases in the region the Midlands Air Ambulance helicopters can reach an emergency very quickly and the maximum flying time to hospital from anywhere in the region is less than 15 minutes. The Midlands Air Ambulance operates three helicopters covering Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Worcestershire and West Midlands - the largest operating area in the UK, with a population of some 6 million. Since 1991 the ambulances have flown more than 40,000 missions, averaging 10 a day. Each ambulance carries a pilot, two paramedics or flight doctors and a full array of life support medical equipment. The Air Ambulances receive no government or lottery funding, but need some £6.5 million a year to keep the helicopters flying. All the funding comes from donations from the public and businesses. The county Air Ambulance Trust was launched in 1993 to help fund operational costs and infrastructure projects like new helipads or updates to existing ones. Nationally the Association of Air Ambulances is a representative body for all the Air Ambulances in the UK. A few facts to illustrate where the money goes: recent missions in this ar- ea involved accidents in Tewkesbury, Upton-on-Severn and Pershore; on average each helicopter uses 130 litres of fuel per mission: on average each mission costs £1,230: 40% of the missions involve road accidents: the service serves 177 hospital A and E departments throughout the UK. The helicopters and crews of the Air Ambulance service can and do
12 regularly make the difference between life and death, and it is the donations, large and small, that keep them flying.
St Andrew’s August Charity: Hearing Dogs for the Deaf Hearing Dogs for the Deaf was launched at Cruft’s in 1982, founded on a scheme that was already in existence in the United States. The first dog to be trained was a street stray that turned out to be an ideal choice. In 1983 he was placed with a severely deaf lady, who said that he completely changed her life. Since then Hearing Dogs for the Deaf has helped over 1,600 people cope with the problems of deafness. The charity’s stated aim is “to offer greater independence, confidence and companionship to deaf people by providing dogs trained to alert them to everyday sounds”. The breeds most used are cocker spaniels, miniature poodles, labradors, retrievers and cavalier king charles spaniels. The dogs are taken on as puppies, mainly supplied by the charity’s own breeding scheme, but also accepting some private donations. Some 200 puppies are taken on each year. From the age of about 8 weeks puppies are placed with “puppy socialisers” to acclimatise them to everyday family life. After 12-14 months the dogs are taken to training centres for four months intensive training. They then go to their new owners until retirement at age 11. In 2008 a pilot scheme was begun for dogs trained specifically to help children, and this is now a full part of the whole programme. More recently Hearing Dogs for the Deaf has joined the Assistance Dogs UK scheme, and some of the dogs are now trained in more than one discipline. More information is available on the website www.hearingdogs.org.uk or by phone to the admin office on 01844 348100.
13
St Andrew’s United Reformed Church Jump4Joy
Invites you to: Half an hour of family worship: songs, stories, prayers and crafts. Sunday 20th July and Sunday 17th August at 9.30am Family service followed by breakfast 9.30am-10.00am on 3rd Sunday of each month.
Eco Church Freecycle: Have you any useful items you no longer need that might be of use to someone else - please let Ann Lewis know () with full details of the item and please leave your telephone number so we can get back to you.
14
St Andrew’s URC Cheltenham Presents: INSPIRE An Evening of Encouraging Faith and Entertainment for the Older Generation ************************* Friday 25th July Doors Open 7.00pm At St Andrew’s URC Montpellier GL50 1SP ***************************** Opening Speaker: Red Nick Stanyon (Evangelist) Entertainment Laughing with Tom (Comedy magician) Guest Speaker: Red Bruce Goodwin (UOG Senior Chaplain) ********************************* Full Buffet with drinks provided. Tickets £5: proceeds going towards new Community development project.
For tickets and information contact: Matthew Johnson Development Worker St Andrew’s URC Cheltenham [email protected] 01242 222005 Or speak to your Church leader Who may have some tickets available
15
St Andrew’s Redevelopment A special fundraising event on Saturday 6th September 2014 at 6.30pm (doors open at 6.00pm) at St Andrew’s URC “A Night at the Pictures” Experience a night from the 1950s with a “Short”, a News Reel and a Classic Film plus a buffet meal
Entry to the film is free but there will be a charge of £5.00 for the buffet. A collection will be taken for the Redevelopment Fund. Pre-booking is essential as the numbers are limited to 60. Tickets will be available from June 2014 from Tony Jeans, Peter Meason or Margaret Harmsworth. To really get into the spirit, why not come in 1950’s costume!
16
St Andrew’s URC Montpellier Street
‘Christian Book Shop’
Every Thursday and Saturday 10.00am – 12.00noon
(Please note new time)
Relaxing Coffee Shop with Christian books, cards and gifts for sale. Pop in for Daily Bible Reading notes, devotional books and more……..
The Wednesday Women Group - 2nd July. There`s been a murder ! This was the news at the June meeting. No need to worry. The astute ladies in the group solved the case. ‘Murder On The Dance Floor’ was a murder mystery evening which included a lovely three course dinner with wine. Dressed to kill, everyone entered into the spirit of the evening and over £100 was raised for the Kenya appeal. fund A fun way to raise the money. The next meeting will be a summer garden party with a bring and share supper. This will be on Wednesday 2nd July. Refreshments served from 7 15pm. All welcome. Elspet Carter
17 Not Just for the Cream Tea! A sunny day, a lovely old Cotswold house, a beautiful garden with a sky- high fountain, and a strawberry cream tea. What more could you want? Well, you’d want to be there: and by happy coincidence - or was it clever planning - the folk from the Forum were at Stanway House and Gardens on one of those comfortably warm June days. And just to add extra spice to the occasion the Russell-Smiths were celebrating their 59th wedding anniversary. So, a great day out all round, much enjoyed by everyone. At our May meetings Maz Allen both entertained and challenged us with an oblique look at the words of some of our hymns, and Richard Atkins told us about life as a journalist, interviewer and broadcaster. I know you just can’t wait to get your hands on our programme for next season, so we’ll aim to have it ready by the end of July. And of course you’ve already got the date of Tuesday 9th September inked in in your diary. You haven’t? Tut tut! Keith Norcott
*********************************************
TAI CHI QI GONG Lida - telephone 01242 233949 e mail: [email protected] QI GONG At St Andrew’s with LIDA VLČEK NEXT SESSIONS On Thursday 10th, 24th, & 31st July, and 7th August see church notice board for dates in June at 12.15 pm Cost £5.00 per session
Gentle exercises especially geared to the needs of older people Based on Chinese traditional practice Promoting self healing and self regulation of the body New members welcome – call Lida for information
18 Prestbury URC News:
Coffee Mornings & Autumn Bric-a-Brac Please join us for our monthly Saturday coffee mornings on July 5th and August 2nd from 10.30am – 12.00noon. Raffle, books and cake stall. Not to mention the legendary toasted teacakes! In September as well as the Coffee Morning on 6th September we will also be holding our Autumn Bric-a-Brac sale. Good quality donations very welcome – please contact Fiona on Cheltenham 511143.
Visit of the Moderator of the West Midlands Synod to Prestbury URC We are very pleased to welcome the Moderator, the Revd Roy Lowes to Prestbury to take our service on July 27th. All are most welcome to join us at this Communion Service (starting at 10.30am) and then afterwards for coffee where there will be a chance to meet Roy informally.
19
St Mary’s C of E Infant School, Prestbury, GL52 5JB Tel: 01242 244054 VACANCY Lunchtime Supervisor
If you like team-work and are looking for a small part-time job or if you are recently retired and still feel ‘young at heart’ then this may be the job for you! Lunchtime Supervisors are responsible for the supervision, safety and welfare of the children in the dining hall and during outdoor play (or inside during wet weather). Duties also include setting up and clearing away of dining tables and chairs. This is a permanent position, term-time only for one hour and 5 minutes per day, Monday – Friday from 11.55am. - 1.00pm. Details of salary, an application form and job description are available to download from the school website www.stmarysceinf- prestbury.co.uk . Please contact Mrs Lisa Collins at the school for more information. This position is subject to an enhanced DBS check.
20 The Church in Warden Hill News:
St Christopher’s Gardening Club: The plant sale on Saturday May 10th (with cakes/coffee and tea) raised £200, very many thanks to all who helped and to all who turned up to support us.
Gardening Club meeting on 29th May: 29 members attended the May meeting for a talk by Sue Brown on the Bath Road plaques; these are sited on the walls surrounding the Exmouth Arms. Sue, our vice chair and a printmaker by profession, was commissioned to create the Bath Road plaques to celebrate 200 years of trading on the Bath Road. Sue took us through the processes involved; the various meetings with people, the request for photographs, getting permission to use the photographs, and the actual process of making the plaques. For further information, please visit: http://suebrownprintmaker.blogspot.co.uk. Notices: The annual outing will be to Bristol Botanical Gardens on 12th July, £7 for the coach, and £4.50 for a guided tour, further details can be obtained from Barbara. Shaun Colvin
Windows Dedication Weekend July 5th & 6th 2014 St. Christopher’s Church, Warden Hill
Flower Festival - All weekend
Cream Teas with Displays and Music Saturday 5th July 2 -6 pm
Dedication Service Sunday 6th July at 4.00pm
21
The Church in Warden Hill News contd.
St Christopher’s Senior Club The Westbrook Singers entertained us again on 23rd April. as usual, it was an enjoyable afternoon. Their programme began with a selection from My Fair Lady. Dee then recited a poem entitled ‘The True Dragon and St. George’, very apt on St. George’s day. Solos and a duet called ‘The Colours of my Life’ taken from Barnham, were next. Howard the pianist then played a wonderful selection of tunes about springtime, including Bring me Sunshine, Singing in the Rain, and Tulips from Amsterdam. The afternoon ended with everyone singing wartime songs from song sheets. On the 30th April, Anne Poulter told us about her interest in Beatrix Potter, ever since she went to the Lake District thirty years ago and visited the house that Beatrix used to live in. We learnt that Beatrix was a lonely child, keeping many animals which she regarded as her friends. They lived with her on the top floor of her parents’ house. Her life was not very happy as her Mother was extremely domineering. In later years she even tried to stop Beatrix marrying her fiancé. Beatrix was a talented painter, illustrating her own books. The first of her books to be published was Peter Rabbit, followed by The Tailor of Gloucester (Anne’s favourite book). Her books sold well and everyone admired her illustrations. In 1909, she moved to Castle Cottage, Ambleside, this enabled her to have her paintings on show. Beatrix also kept a flock of Herdwick sheep, she won over forty silver cups showing them in local farming shows. By 1929 her eyesight had deteriorated, yet her mother who was in her nineties still expected Beatrix to look after her. Her mother died in 1933. Beatrix became so ill she was confined to her cottage. She left arrangements for her funeral; no mourning, no black, no flowers, when she died, and to be cremated in Blackpool with her ashes sprinkled on hills in the Lake District. Beatrix left over 4,000 acres, including 23 farms and land to the National Trust. Her books had made her a very rich woman. There is a Beatrix Potter society. Patricia Routledge is the President and it has over 1,000 members; half of them live overseas. This was an interesting talk as many of us had read these books. The following Wednesday we played Bingo being the first Wednesday of the month. Hearing Dogs for the Deaf was the title of the talk by Elaine Clarkson on the 14th May. We were introduced to Betty who had brought
22 along her apricot miniature poodle called Tango (he spent the whole afternoon asleep). Betty is profoundly deaf, we heard that for ten years after her husband died, Betty did not go out alone, having lost her confidence. Tango has made an enormous difference to her life; having to take him for walks and meeting other dog owners, she got her confidence back. Tango’s training took about sixteen months and each dog’s training costs £5,000. Some dogs are rescued from dog’s homes; others are bred especially to be trained to help deaf people. Tango is trained to wake Betty when her alarm goes off, alerts her when the door bell, telephone, or cooker timer rings. He taps Betty’s knee and leads her to the appropriate object. If the smoke alarm sounds Tango has been taught to lie down with his head between his paws. Elaine explained one way people can help raise money for this worthwhile charity is to save used postage stamps. Last year £57,000 was raised in this way. We all enjoyed this memorable afternoon. We have had several new members over the past few weeks; do join us for entertainment, refreshments and raffle, any Wednesday afternoon at 2 -15 pm. Sheila Parry
St Christopher’s Senior Club Program for July
Date Subject Speaker 2 July Bingo 9 July TBC 16 July The Bayeaux Tapestry Ian Willox The Strange Things We 23 July Marian Beagley Say 30 July One Man and 100 Homes Michael Fitt
23 SCTM Pilgrimage to Gloucester Cathedral On Saturday May 17th over 80 people (and some teddies) assembled in King’s Square in Gloucester to walk the final part of the Pilgrimage to the cathedral. People had arrived at the square by various means of transport; train, bus, bicycle, on foot (2 people walked the whole way, others walked part of the way and used the bus or car for the rest). Lots of church banners were carried and we sang as we walked. At the Cathedral we were met by Canon Celia Thompson (Canon Pastor) who welcomed us. We entered the cathedral through the great west door to an organ fanfare. We gathered at the High Altar before going to the cloisters to eat our lunch. At 2.00pm we had a short service led by the SCTM clergy in the Lady Chapel. After this, people had a chance to explore the cathedral and some climbed the 300 steps to the top of the tower. A wonderful experience.
Thanks... Thank you to everyone in the Church in Warden Hill for my birthday chocolates. They are very special, so I still have some left as I am keeping them for special occasions. Fiona Sands Open the Book Have you time to spend on a Thursday afternoon between 12.30pm & 2.00pm occasionally to make the children of our local infants school hap- py and learn from the Bible. The Open the Book team go each Thursday in the school term and read and act a story from the bible. The more members we have in our team the more flexible we are and we are looking for some more members (Gentlemen and Ladies). Please come and try it, it’s great fun and the smiles on the children's faces are wonderful. Contact Jean Bennett for more info.
24 Scout Group Treasurer The 1st Warden Hill Scout Group is a thriving one, comprising a Scout Troop (10 Scouts), Cub Pack (16 Cubs) and Beaver Colony (16 Beavers). There is a committee to support the work of the leaders and we need to urgently find a new Treasurer for the committee. Main duties are: looking after the money/bank accounts producing a balance sheet at the end of the year ready for the AGM Reclaiming gift aid Attending committee meetings (6 + agm per year) A full handover from the ex-treasurer will be available. You will need to be DBS cleared, If you would like more information please contact Isabel Hitchings [email protected] or ring Cheltenham 243099. Please consider helping us; it would be a shame if the group had to close due not having a treasurer.
Mothers Union We 'travelled' to Africa at our May meeting when Ann Greenhalgh told us about her experiences working in and around Lusaka, and how she still helps. The pictures showed beautiful scenery, but the living conditions for the poorer people were inadequate by any standards - her fund raising has helped to pay for wells and water pumps, roofs for buildings, books and equipment for schools, training for teachers. Her charity now sponsor children - paying for schooling, and even further education. It was inspirational to hear of the work that has been done to aid those whose lives are so different. Christian love in action. Thanks to all who contributed in any way to our Coffee Morning - we raised a magnificent £200 which will go to MU projects worldwide. Pam Dainton
25
Hold the Date!—St Philip and St James Church: There will be a drinks reception and fascinating lecture on the history of St Philip and St James Church (fondly known as Pip and Jims), Leck- hampton, on the evening of Wednesday 2nd July 2014 from 7.30pm. The lecture will be given by Adrian Barlow, a member of Pip and Jims congregation, who recently retired as Director of Public and Professional Programmes at the University of Cambridge Institute of Continuing Ed- ucation. It should make for a lovely evening! Please RSVP to Natalie Nor- man, Appeal Administrator by emailing: [email protected] if you would like to attend. The evening will include an opportunity to support the 'Pip and Jims Big Appeal', which has been launched to raise £160,000 to repair St Philip and St James’ Church. Following storm damage over the winter, the Grade II* listed church is no longer wind and watertight and English Heritage are considering putting the very important and historic church on their national ‘at risk’ register. In addition to the storm damage, the church al- so needs to undertake urgent repairs which have been identified by the recent five-year building inspection. Thank you so much for your time, and I do look forward to hearing from you. With warmest wishes Natalie Natalie Norman, Appeal Administrator, St Philip and St James Church, Leckhampton. Tel: 01242 573508 http://www.pipandjims.org.uk
26 Forthcoming Events at St Andrew’s: 30 August. Gloucestershire Symphony Symphony Orchestra Concert. Music in other churches: Gloucester Cathedral: Organ Recital on Wednesday 2nd July at 8.00pm by Steven Power, Organ Scholar, Gloucester Cathedral. Free with retiring collection. Informal Lunchtime Concert on Sunday 13th July at 2.00pm by Thomas Adewumi International College Choir. Free with retiring collection. Remembering WW1 Concert. Saturday 19th July at 7.00pm. Church- down Male Voice Choir, Military Wives Choir & Sue Black: Soprano. Tickets £12 from 08456521823 or Cathedral Gift Shop in person. Violin Recital on Saturday 26th July at 1.00pm by Prof. Michael Grube. Free with retiring collection. Organ Recital on Monday 25th August at 1.00pm by David Dunnett, Organist, Norwich Cathedral. Free with retiring collection. ***********************************
The local scene: 2-13 July. Cheltenham Music Festival www.cheltenhamfestivals.com 5 July. Midsummer Fiesta in Cheltenham, Montpellier Gardens www.midsummerfiesta.com 12-13 July. Tewkesbury Medieval Festival 14-27 July. Brewin Dolphin Cheltenham Cricket Festival, Cheltenham College www.gloscricket.co.uk 18-20 July. Summer Concerts at Westonbirt Arboretum 8-10 Aug. Lakefest 2014. Croft Farm Waterpark, Bredons Hardwick, Tewkesbury www.lakefest.co.uk 24 Aug. Sudeley Castle and Gardens ‘through the ages’ 23-25 Aug. Treefest at Westonbirt, The National Arboretum, nr Tetbury www.forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt
27
Administration: For many months now, the In Touch and other interesting articles are made available for you to read on the church website: www.urcic.org.uk, thankfully uploaded each month by our webmaster, Fiona Hall. The In Touch Coordinators currently for respective churches are as follows: Prestbury URC Please see Ian Brooks directly or forward contributions via e-mail ([email protected]). . Contributions most welcome. The Church in Warden Hill Please see Carole Pennington or Brian Miles directly or forward contributions via e-mail: [email protected] Likewise contributions very welcome. St Andrew’s Please see John Standring directly or forward contributions via e-mail: [email protected]. ***************************************
28
Cheltenham URC - Prayer
The Park area, Churches, Schools and Proper 9 University 6 July Higher Education Matt 11.16-19, 25-30 URC Churches in Gloucestershire Prayers for the World Cheltenham Centre, Churches and Schools Proper 10 13 July Cluster Churches and businesses Matt 13.1-9, 18-23 The unemployed Street Pastors Prayers for the World Montpellier area, Churches and Schools Proper 11 The Bible Society 20 July Matt 13.24-30, 36-43 Creative Cards and Traidcraft Prayers for the World Christchurch area, Churches and Schools Proper 12 Lilian Faithful Homes 27 July Matt 13.31-33, 44-52 Residential Care Cheltenham CURC Officers Prayers for the World
29 Cheltenham URC - Prayer
Cheltenham Centre, Churches and Schools Proper 13 Volunteer Bureau and Citizens Advice, 3 Aug Library Matt 14.13-21 The Salvation Army Prayers for the World Proper 14 Hatherley area, Churches and Schools 10 Aug Lay Preachers and TLS training Matt 14.22-33 Prayers for the World Lansdown area, Churches and Schools Proper 15 Police services, Law keeping forces 17 Aug Matt 15.(10-20), West Midlands Synod Moderator 21-28 Prayers for the World Lower Leckhampton area, Churches and Proper 16 Schools 24 Aug Matt 16.13-20 Greenbelt Prayers for the World Upper Leckhampton area, Churches and Proper 17 Schools 31 Aug Matt 16.21-28 Delancey Hospital, Cheshire Home Geriatric Care Housebound members Prayers for the World Leckhampton area, Churches and Schools Proper 18 Sue Ryder, Star College 7 Sept Hospice care Matt 18.15-20 Church organists Prayers for the World
The Oasis - St Andrew’s 1st & 3rd Wednesday of the month at 12.00noon.
The Church in Warden Hill (St Christopher’s) Every Weekday: Morning Prayer at 8.00am. Tuesday: Holy Communion & Tuesday Prayers 10.30am.
30
June 2014 – What’s On: Weekly Events: Monday 10:00am - Prestbury Urchins Prestbury 4:15pm - Rainbows URC Centre** 5:30pm - Brownies URC Centre**
Tuesday 10:00am - St Andrew's Parents & Toddlers St Andrew's 10:30am - Tuesday Prayers & Communion St Chris- topher’s 8:00pm - Bible Study House Group St Christopher‘s **
Wednesday 09:15am - Little Shepherds St Christopher’s ** 2:15pm - Senior Club St Christopher’s (not August) 7:00pm - Bellringing St Christopher’s
Thursday 10:00am - 12:00noon - Coffee Bar St Andrew's 10:00am - 12.00noon - Christian Bookshop St Andrew’s 5:30pm - Beavers St Christopher’s ** 6:00pm - Brownies St Christopher’s ** 6:45pm - Cubs St Christopher’s ** 7:45pm - Scouts St Christopher’s **
Friday 10:30am - Bible Study House Group Cleeve Hill Home ** 6:15pm – TCiWH Choir Practice St Christopher’s
Saturday 10:00am - 12:00 noon - Coffee Bar St Andrew's 10:00am - 12:00 noon - Christian Bookshop St Andrew's ** Term time only. These events will not be held from 21 July to 31 Aug
31
Specific Events: July: Wed 2 Jul 2014 11:00am Pensioners' Forum St Andrew's URC 12:30pm St Andrew's Lunch Club St Andrew's URC 7:30pm Wednesday Women St Andrew's URC Sat 5 Jul 2014 10:30am Coffee Morning Prestbury URC 2:00pm Flower Festival and Windows Dedication Weekend St Chris- topher's Sun 6 Jul 2014 4:00pm Windows Dedication Service St Christopher's Tue 8 Jul 2014 2:00pm Mother's Union St Christopher's Thu 10 Jul 2014 12:15pm Qi Gong St Andrew's URC Sat 12 Jul 2014 2:30pm Community Film Show URC Centre Wed 16 Jul 2014 12:30pm St Andrew's Lunch Club St Andrew's URC Thu 24 Jul 2014 12:15pm Qi Gong St Andrew's URC Fri 25 Jul 2014 7:00pm ’Inspire’ St Andrew's URC Thu 31 Jul 2014 12:15pm Qi Gong St Andrew's URC 7:30pm Gardening Club St Christopher's
August: Sat 2 Aug 2014 10:30am Coffee Morning Prestbury URC Wed 6 Aug 2014 12:30pm St Andrew's Lunch Club St Andrew's URC Thu 7 Aug 2014 12:15pm Qi Gong St Andrew's URC Sat 9 Aug 2014 10:00am Green Fair St Andrew’s URC Sat 16 Aug 2014 2:30pm Community Film Show URC Centre Wed 20 Aug 2014 12:30pm St Andrew's Lunch Club St Andrew's URC
PLEASE ENSURE THAT ALL ITEMS FOR THE SEPTEMBER ISSUE REACH THE NOMINATED CONTRIBUTORS BY TUESDAY 19 AUGUST DISTRIBUTION DAY IS SUNDAY 31 AUGUST 2014.