2011 jul aug
- 1. Catalyst THE MAGAZINE OF HAYES FREE CHURCH (U.R.C.) July and August 2011
- 2. HAYES FREE CHURCH 111, Pickhurst Lane, Hayes, Kent BR2 7HU Sunday Services. 10.30 a.m. & 6.30 p.m. We are a member of the United Reformed Church. We believe in Justice and Peace. Principal Contacts Minister: Rev. Sue Powell Tel: 020 8462 2212 Church Secretary: Mr Alistair Wilson Tel: 020 8402 0026 Fabric Steward Mr. Chris Wood Tel: 020 8462 2444 Treasurer: Mr. Bill Michie Tel: 020 8658 4167 Lettings Secretary: Mrs Undine Connolly Tel: 020 8776 0108 Caretaker: Mr. Colin Ramsell Tel: 020 8402 0502 Catalyst Editor: Mr Richard Brown Contents : - Items not covered by the diary of events. Sunday Services; Footnotes 2 Christian Aid Wk, Building Church 11 Preachers’ notes 3 Notice board 12 - 13 Church notices; 3-5 King James Bible backgrnd 14, 16-18 First Impressions - Music from USA 6 Burma Campaign UK 15 Catalyst needs You - Adverts 7 Larkins Brewery visit 19 Nose use; Heartprint (Poem) 8 August Bank Holiday Ramble; Justice & Peace Group 9 The way things once were 20 Christian Aid Walk 10 Church Organisations IBC This month’s website - Burma Campaign UK There is information on the Justice & Peace Group’s notice board about this movement. More information is on Page 15. I don’t want to personalise this campaign, but I spent 2 summer holidays in the country in the 1960s. I was profoundly impressed with the gentle nature of the ordinary people. The organisation’s website is http://www.burmacampaign.org.uk Ed Copy for the September 2011 edition needs to be handed in by Sunday, 7th August. Please submit items in good time. You can leave copy in the “B” Pigeon Hole for Richard Brown to collect, or hand it directly to him on a Sunday morning. You can also e-mail copy to richardmbrown6@gmail.com Thank You. Editor
- 3. Letter from the Minister Dear Friends Summer hits, and drought! A lack of rain affects such a lot of things, from our gardens to the nation’s crops. We are noticing the difference in the price of food, petrol, and even our electricity and gas bills. Drought brings problems that we can see, and problems we cannot. A drought of spirituality also brings problems, some we can see, and some we cannot. Just as a lack of rain dries up the ground, so a lack of God dries up our very soul. So, what is ‘spirituality’? Why is it – like rain - so essential to our wellbeing? For some, spirituality is simply a longing for something beyond the material; it is best described as ‘living like a Christian’. For the Apostle Paul, true spirituality is a genuine love for others. How do we become spiritual? By showing true care and concern for all around us, passing on the good news of God’s love, trying to become more like Jesus. True spirituality is a response to God’s love, ‘we love because he first loved us’ (1 John 4:19) and true spirituality always arises from incompetence, our total helplessness before our Creator. To be truly God’s people, we have to acknowledge our own inability to be perfect (sin) and accept each other with love. We have to meet together regularly in worship, encourage and enthuse each other in our faith, and accept the Grace of God – given freely – the gift of forgiveness and the ability to live appropriately. All of these things bring us closer to God, help our spirituality to grow, and help us to be more like Jesus. And the more like Jesus we are, the more people will look and wonder what it is that church can be… That is our aim, through Jesus our Lord. Amen Sue 1
- 4. Sunday Services July 2011 3rd 10.30 am - Morning Service - Major Cliff Kent 6.30 p.m. - Evening Service - Mike Duke 10th 10.30 a.m. - Parade Service - The Minister 6.30 p.m. - Holy Communion - The Minister 17th 11.00 am - Open Air at Hayes Library Gardens - CTH. Our Minister is leading 6.30 p.m. - Evening Service - The Minister 24th 10.30 am - Holy Communion - Rev. John Key 6.30 p.m. - Evening Service - Miss Tracy Wilson 31st 10.30 am - Morning Service - The Minister 6.30 p.m. - Evening Service - The Minister August 2011 7th 10.30 am - Morning Service - Rev Geoffrey Dunstan 6.30 p.m. - Evening Service - Beckenham URC Elders 14th 10.30 am - Morning Service - The Minister 6.30 p.m. - Evening Service - The Minister 21st 10.30 am - Morning Service - Major Cliff Kent 6.30 p.m. - Evening Service - The Minister 28th 10.30 am - Holy Communion - The Minister 6.30 p.m. - Songs of Praise - Mavis Righini September 2011 4th 10.30 a.m. - Morning Service - T.B.A. 6.30 p.m. - Evening Service - The Minister Some notes on the visiting preachers. See the facing page Part of the signature to a genealogist’s message posted on a discussion board Don't judge a person by what you see, for looks do not tell their history, a vivacious past, a quiet soul, our own past is what makes us whole' SRW 2008 2
- 5. News of the Church Family Announcements are welcome :- BMD - Changes of address, etc. There were no announcements at the time of going to press. Church Meetings The next Church meetings will be held at 12.00 noon on Sunday, 31st July, and 25th September. The next Elders’ meetings will be on Tuesday, 19th July, at 8.00 pm in the small hall, and on Tuesday 20th September . There will be no meetings during August. Women's Contact Group The Contact Group will next meet at 8.00 pm on Monday 4th July at 48, Woodlea Drive - Janet Moren’s home. We will not be meeting in August. Sylvia Mack Some notes on the visiting preachers. v Mike Duke is one of the Sunday Club leaders. v Major Cliff Kent belongs to the Regent Hall Branch of The Salvation Army (the only church in Oxford Street, London). He was formerly from the Thornton Heath branch of The Salvation Army. He has conducted Sunday worship at HFC on many occasions. v Revd John Key is a retired U.R.C. Minister who lives in Dulwich. v Tracy Wilson is a student on the TLS course. She is currently worshipping at Christ Church URC/Methodist church in East Dulwich. v Beckenham URC Elders are from our sister church which is situated about 3 miles north-west from HFC. v Revd Geoffrey Dunstan is the former head of Religious Broadcasting in South Africa and a retired URC Minister. v Mavis Righini is one of our Elders who is the HFC flower arranger, and has led several of our services. She is responsible for the visiting preachers list, and keeps internal notice boards updated as well as taking on several other roles. 3
- 6. Tuesday Prayer Meetings Held at 10.00 am at the following homes:- July 5th Martin Nunn’s. 12th Betty Coster’s. 19th Brenda Cordingley’s. 26th The Church. There won’t be any meetings during August. Please address any queries to Martin Nunn. Saturday Fellowship On the 2nd of July, a group from HFC will be going to Reigate Park URC for a quiet day in preparation for the year of Evangelism. The day will be led by the Revd David Helyar. We will be setting off from HFC at 9.30 a.m. Details on the notice board, or from Martin Nunn. We will not be meeting in August. Men's Group We will next meet at 8.00 p.m. on 21st July for a Barbecue at Mounthurst, organised by Andy Luck. Ministry of Flowers Thanks are due to those who will be providing flowers in July and August. July August 3rd - Sue Powell 7th - Malcolm & Teresa Cheyne 10th - Wedding 14th - Jean Ritchie 17th - Janet & John Moren. 21st - Jean Ritchie I.m.o. Sheila, my sister 28th - 24th - Colin Righini. I.m.o. mum. 31st - Jim Pearson A big thank you to those who kindly arrange the flowers when needed. I wish to thank Margaret Morley for arranging the flowers on May 29th and June 5th while I was away. After the Sunday evening services, the flowers are distributed to members and friends, bringing joy to the recipients. Mavis Righini Justice and Peace Group Our next meeting will be announced at a later date. You will be welcome to join us. 4
- 7. Hayes Mothers’ & Toddlers’ Club We welcome all babies and children under school age, accompanied by their parents, grandparents or carers, to our club on Friday afternoons between 2 and 4 pm during term time. The fee is £1 per family – tea, squash and biscuits are provided. This is a time when adults can meet up, while the children in their care are busy playing with toys and activities in the company of other children. The last meeting of the Summer term is on July 15th. The club meets again in the Autumn on September 9th. Do come and join us! Judith Stoner - Secretary. Notice Sheets - July - 1st Sunday in September 2011 3rd & 10th Joan Smith 8462 3920 17th & 24th Daphne Cummings 8777 2487 31st Brenda Cordingley 8462 3867 There won’t be any notice sheets produced until the 4th of September. If you require items to be included in the notice sheets, please contact the appropriate person by the previous Tuesday. Women's Fellowship M eetings are in the small hall at 2.00 p.m., unless otherwise stated,on Tuesdays and finish about 3.30 p.m. The programme for July is:- 5th Memories of Hayes - Mr John Thompson 12th Holiday from Home - Sue Powell 19th 1.00 pm LUNCH followed by entertainment by Brian and Marion Edwards There will be no meetings during August. We will then meet on the 6th of September. The programme is varied. Who knows, you may like the Women's Fellowship and decide to come to future meetings. I hope so. Jessie Martin 5
- 8. First Impressions present your favourite music and songs from the golden era of the Rat Pack and the Hollywood musicals Songs made famous by Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jnr. Hayes Free Church 111 Pickhurst Lane, Bromley BR2 7HU Friday 1st July at 7.30 pm Tickets £8.00 (tables of 4, 6 or 8 or more) Bring your own drinks and nibbles In aid of the Mounthurst Road Scout Hut Development Phone 020 8402 0026 to reserve a table. 6
- 9. Catalyst needs you This page will be kept for YOUR contributions - NOTHING ELSE will go on this page. It would be great to receive items from Leaders - please encourage your charges other groups - Mothers and Toddlers, the to be creative. Catalyst has wonderful cubs, brownies, Sunday Club. Also, material from the adult members and family members are most welcome to friends, but this magazine should be for all submit material. of us to enjoy. Also, isn’t it nice to see your Uniformed groups - can your members message or creation in print? earn a badge for contributions to this Surely, an important aspect of our lives is to page? encourage the youngsters to develop - to Pictures, poems, letters or thoughts are all be creative. So, this page is here to help welcome. with this. 'Sandcastles & Sky' Poems by James A. Wyatt. Booklet £5.00 incl p&p. (The correct price) If interested send cheque payable to J. Wyatt, 79 Bredhurst Close, Brought to you by London. SE20 7BH. Mo Mollison’s daughter Chiropodist Linda Jennings B.Sc (Hons), SRN, RM, FSSCh, DipPodMed, MBChA, HPC Registered Member of the British Chiropody & Podiatry Association Appointments in your own home available Ring 020 8300 9706 or (mobile) 07778 238587 7
- 10. TOP TEN THINGS TO DO WITH YOUR NOSE WHEN YOU’RE BORED… 10) Look down it at somebody (Pride) 09) Poke it into someone else’s business (Strife / Dissension) 08) Snoop around with it (Nosey / Gossip) 07) Get it out of joint (Anger) 06) Cut it off to spite your face (Bitterness) 05) Pay through it (Materialism) 04) Find something right under it (Love / Salvation) 03) See past it (Eternity / Hope) 02) Keep it clean (Humility / Obedience) AND THE NUMBER ONE THING TO DO WITH YOUR NOSE… 01) Get it stuck in a book (The Bible!) "Heartprint." By Ruth Calkins Whatever our hands touch, We leave fingerprints! On walls, on furniture, On doorknobs, dishes, books There's no escape. As we touch, we leave our identity. God, wherever I go today Help me to leave heart prints! Heart prints of compassion, of understanding and love, Heart prints of kindness and genuine concern. May my heart touch a lonely neighbour, Or a runaway daughter or an anxious mother or perhaps an aged grandfather. Lord, send me out today to leave heart prints. And if someone should say "I felt your touch," May that one sense Your Love touching through - me. 8
- 11. The Justice and Peace Group. This time around, the following notice should prove of interest . We in the J&P Group are Laurie Hobbs, Barbara Jones, Jim Pearson, Christine Rees, Judith and David Stoner. Inside Out CWM (Council for World Mission) is a community of 31 churches worldwide, one of which is the United Reformed Church. About four times a year, CWM publishes a magazine, Inside Out, with news and discussion articles from the different churches and lands. The summer issue of Inside Out has just arrived and is available at the back of the church. Please borrow, read, and then return it. A couple of interesting articles caught my eye: one about Christchurch, New Zealand, and the effect of the earthquake on the churches and their congregations, and one about the Indian churches' response to persecution suffered by Dalit Christians. Women’s Contact Coffee Morning 10.00 am - 12.00 We continue to raise funds for disaster relief causes. Our next coffee mornings will be on the 9th of July, and the 13th of August. We hope to see you there, and why not bring a friend. Our cakes are to die for!! (Yum, yum) Barbara Jones The Fairtrade Sunday Stall There will be a stall after the morning services on the 3rd, & 31st of July, the 14th & 28th of August, and the 11th of September. The regular items for sale are food and drink - all of very good quality. Remember that by purchasing Fairtrade goods you are helping to support communities in the world, and to give those communities a chance to enjoy a better life for their families - standards which we may take for granted here in the UK. Please continue to support your fair trade stall. Thank you. Richard, Barbara and Helen. 9
- 12. Christian Aid Walk 2011 This year Mike and I were stewarding at St Ethelburga’s Church in Bishopsgate for the Christian Aid Walk. The church was rebuilt in the 15th century – possibly around 1411 – and a small square bell turret was added in 1775. In order to raise revenue for the church, whose parish covered just three acres, a wooden porch was built over its exterior in the 16th century to house two shops. It underwent major changes in 1932, when Bishopsgate was controversially widened. The shops were demolished and the porch dismantled, revealing the façade of the church for the first time in centuries. It suffered modest bomb damage during the London Blitz of the Second World War and was restored in 1953. In 1993, the church was almost completely destroyed when a massive IRA bomb exploded nearby, devastating Bishopsgate and causing an estimated £350M worth of damage. The Church of England proposed to demolish St Ethelburga's in the aftermath but following a public outcry, it was rebuilt to its original plan, though much changed internally. It now houses the St Ethelburga's Centre for Reconciliation and Peace. The Centre organises a programme of more than 100 public events a year exploring the relationship between faith and conflict, as well as inter-faith dialogue and training; over 2008-09 20,000 people attended its programmes. It is also used for private meetings to reconcile people in conflict. We spent an interesting day signing about 150 forms for people taking part in the walk. One of the last couples to come in had been married at St Ethelburga’s 53 years ago! At the back of the building is a little garden, and behind that “The Tent”. This is a unique space dedicated to the meeting of faiths. It’s made of woven goats hair in the Bedouin manner and was made in Saudi Arabia. There are regular public events in The Tent. I wonder whether anyone in the church has got a St. Ethelburga rose in their garden. By buying one you can help this centre for Peace and Reconciliation. The “Final Thought” prayer on the back cover is displayed on the altar of the church. Barbara Jones 10
- 13. CHRISTIAN AID WEEK 15 - 21 MAY 2011 On behalf of Christian Aid, many thanks to the 25 people who helped deliver and/or collect envelopes from 20 roads in the area. The sum raised was:- House-to-house collection £1008.74 HFC tin £126.52 Saturday morning coffee £40.00 Sunday morning coffee £80.00 £1255.26 Additional funds will be collected from HMR&C direct by Christian Aid from the 44 people (31 last year) who completed the Gift Aid declaration on the envelopes. One envelope contained an incredible 241 coins totalling £5.89. They were all 1p or 5p coins!! Of the 21 churches in the Bromley District who took part in the house- to-house collection only 8 churches assisted in the flag day collection in central Bromley, and whilst there were 30 collectors (46 last year) there was only one from HFC who collected £98.54. The total raised was £871.54. (£903.31 last year). Kathryn Strachan/John Curry BUILDING CHURCH Jesus is Lord, and this is his church. Jesus is risen, his church is alive. His church is composed of people like me. I help make it what it is. It will be friendly, if I am. Its seats will be filled, if I help fill them... It will do God's work, if I work. It will make generous gifts, if I am a generous giver. It will bring people into its worship and family, if I invite and bring them... It will be a church filled with faith, with prayer and with love - if I, who make it what it is, am filled with these things... Therefore, with the help of God, I shall dedicate myself to the task of being all the things that I want my church to be. And I will do this for Jesus, who does all things for me. Amen. (Prayer from St. Andrew's Scots Church, Valletta, Malta) 11
- 14. NOTICE A Fun Day The Parish Church (St. Mary's ) are having a Fun Day open to everyone on Sunday 3rd July in the Rectory Garden. The time is from 12 noon to 4 p.m. Bring your own picnic , drinks will be provided. There will be a jazz band, an inter-church tug of war and other games. Do come along and join in the fun . Let us support this new venture. Sylvia Mack CTH Open Air Service 22ND BROMLEY SCOUT GROUP Many of you will know that Sainsbury’s are now giving out ‘Active Kids’ vouchers for Will be in every ₤10.00 spent. the Library gardens These vouchers can be exchanged for on 17th July sports equipment, books and even camping equipment depending on how with a service many we collect. Last year we collected at 11.00 a.m. over 8,000 and I would again like to thank all those members of the Church who led by our Church helped us. followed by a picnic. So, if you are not already giving your vouchers to someone else, please save If wet this will be held them for the Scout Group. in the Village Hall. Please put your vouchers in the box next to our yellow recycling box on the table in the entrance to the Church. Simon Gray from the Thanking you in advance. Baptist Church will Brenda Petts be organising games. Cub Scout Leader & Beaver Scout Leader 12
- 15. BOARD Back to Church Sunday Ecumenical Pilgrimage 11th September 2011 To Rome, Assisi and Tuscany based This is the BIG Opportunity we 4 days in Rome and 4 days in have to invite spouses, Umbria 7 - 15 September 2012 relatives, friends and led by Rev John Robinson. neighbours to come to church. Brochure with full details and There will be more details in the booking form available on request from John (01271) 813783. September edition of Catalyst. However, please try the 3 Help please minute rule - after Church on Your editor is looking for each Sunday talk to someone material for your page you wouldn’t normally talk to Catalyst needs you for 3 minutes. Do this before talking to your friends. By the time Back to Church Sunday Minister's Surgery arrives, you will be used to Sue’s monthly surgery doing this. at the Church will be held on the SECOND Wednesday of each The Hayes Community Bus month is available from 3.00 - 5.45 pm. for those requiring transport. This project will be discussed at SONGS OF PRAISE the next church meeting which We are proposing to start a is on Sunday 31st July at 12.00 Songs of Praise on the noon. This is an opportunity for second Wednesday of each you to bring your spouse, month starting on 14 family, neighbours and friends September from 3.00-500 pm for a good sing song followed in the small hall. by tea and cakes. 13
- 16. Background to the King James Bible (A.V.) (Resume of a talk given by Martin Nunn at the recent Bible Celebration & Supper) Four hundred years on from its publication in 1611, the Authorised (or King James) version of the Bible is still regarded with special affection and reverence by many people. It still sells as well as any other version, although most Christians who read and study the Bible today use a modern translation. This year it is right to celebrate and reflect upon the wonderful piece of literature through which God has spoken down the years to countless thousands in the English speaking world, and also to look back and thank God for all those who helped bring it about. So how did the A.V., or King James, version come about? To understand the background we need to go back a long way in time. In the early church, most of the scriptures (both O.T. and N.T.) that were in circulation were in Greek, the lingua franca of the Middle East until about 200 A.D. However, throughout this time and for several centuries later Roman culture and the Roman language - Latin - were becoming more and more dominant, and the main centre of the Christian Church soon moved from Jerusalem to Rome. Many manuscripts of various books or sections of the Bible in Latin started circulating, but not until about 380 A.D. was an official Latin translation called for by the Pope at that time, Damasus. He entrusted the translation of the Gospels and Psalms to a devout scholar named Jerome, who went on to complete the rest of the Bible around 400 A.D. This version, known as the Vulgate, soon became the official translation, used by the Church without challenge for a thousand years (and brought to England by Augustine in 597). By the Middle Ages the Church had become both wealthy and corrupt. Many attempts were made to reform it from within. One of those reformers in 14th century England was John Wycliffe, the minister of Balliol College, Oxford in 1360, before becoming a parish priest. From an early age he attacked abuses in the Church and advocated a simple life-style as preached by Jesus in the Gospels. To help spread the message, he organised the first translation of the whole Bible into Middle English from the Latin Vulgate. The Church soon sought to suppress Wycliffe's translation, but copies of it continued to circulate - all hand-written, for the printing press had not yet been invented. Wycliffe's Bible must have been very popular, for 180 manuscripts of all or part of it still survive. However, his followers, known as 'Lollards' (a term of abuse meaning mutterers ) were soon declared heretics, and persecuted severely. Continued on Page 16.......... 14
- 17. Burma Campaign UK Burma Campaign UK works for human rights, democracy and development in Burma. Burma Campaign UK is one of the leading Burma campaign organisations in the world. We play a leading role in raising awareness about the situation in Burma, and pressuring the international community to take action in support of the people of Burma. Burma is ruled by one of the most brutal dictatorships in the world. The Burmese Army rapes, loots, burns, tortures and kills. Civilians are shot on sight, even children. It spends billions of dollars on the military while the population goes without access to proper healthcare, education and food. Aung San Suu Kyi, pro-democracy leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner, symbolises the struggle of Burma’s people to be free. Aung San Suu Kyi’s party, the National League for Democracy (NLD) won 82% of the seats in elections held in 1990. The people of Burma overwhelmingly rejected military rule yet the military refused to transfer power to Burma’s democratically elected leaders. Aung San Suu Kyi’s message is a simple one - that only by fighting fear can you truly be free - a message Burma’s military fears and aims to silence. • The widespread use of forced labour • Over 1 million people forced from their homes • Around 2,100 political prisoners, many of whom are routinely tortured • Widespread use of child soldiers • Rape as a weapon of war against ethnic women and children • Nearly half the government budget spent on the military • One in ten babies die before their fifth birthday. Aung San Suu Kyi has spent a total of more than 15 years under house arrest. When she was released in May 2002, there was hope that it would be a step towards democracy in Burma and lead to serious political reform. The dictatorship responded to international criticism by announcing a ‘roadmap to democracy’ in August 2003, in an attempt to avoid further international pressure and sanctions. The sham elections held on 7th November 2010 are part of that ‘roadmap to democracy’. 15
- 18. .......... Continued from Page 14 Through the 15th and 16th centuries ferment in the Church continued to grow as the seeds of the Reformation took root. Shortly after 1500 a rash of new translations of the Bible into the indigenous languages of Europe began to appear. Two English men who were to have a great influence on, and input into, the Authorised version, which was published long after their deaths, began work separately on translations from the original Greek. William Tyndale and Miles Coverdale were both academics, from Oxford and Cambridge respectively. Tyndale began work first around 1520 and planned to publish his Bible in England when eventually completed; however he was unable to find a sponsor, mainly because he was an abrasive character who was very critical of the Church and its teaching and was viewed with suspicion or worse by many leading churchmen. He decided to go abroad to finish his translation and travelled around Europe evading arrest, until eventually finding a printer in Worms who produced 3,000 copies of the New Testament in 1526; a revised version was produced in Antwerp in 1534. All these were destined for sale in England, and were smuggled out in bales of cotton sacks of grain and the like. Copies sold like hot cakes amongst academics and the wealthy. for up to £3 a copy. The Church authorities sought to suppress William Tyndale this illegal translation, which upset many leading clerics not so much because of the translation itself - which was accurate and scholarly, yet homely and with many felicitous turns of phrase - but because of the many antagonistic comments printed in the margins, which were critical of the Pope, the bishops and clergy, and even of King Henry VIII for divorcing Catherine and marrying Anne Boleyn. (After Anne's execution, it was found that she had been using a copy of Tyndale's N.T.!). Tyndale himself was eventually betrayed, imprisoned and in 1536 strangled and burnt at the stake near Brussels. His famous last words were, "Lord, open the King of England's eyes!" - a prayer that very soon was answered. While Tyndale was producing his translation of the N.T. and much of the O.T. on the continent, Miles Coverdale was doing the same in England, without arousing the same controversy. He managed to complete the whole Bible in 1535 and dedicated his Miles Coverdale work to King Henry, who had just broken from Rome. His translation owed a lot to Tyndale, whom he visited in Germany at least twice during its preparation. Two years later, another version of the Bible was published in London Continued on Page 17 ......... 16
- 19. .......... Continued from Page 16 under the assumed name of 'Thomas Matthew'. Nobody of that name was known to exist, but as the translation bore a very close resemblance to Tyndale's work, many believe it was his final papers smuggled out posthumously that crowned his achievement as 'the Father of the English Bible', as he has often been called. In 1538 Henry VIII decreed that a large copy of the whole Bible in English should be set up for all to read in every parish church in England. He entrusted the preparation of this edition to Coverdale, who synthesised his own his own, Tyndale's and the 'Matthew' versions in its production. The so-called 'Great Bible' was the first truly authorised version of the Bible in the English language. The Psalms from the Great Bible were included a few years later in the first book of Common Prayer, and this version, in Coverdale's own words is still used in Anglican churches today. Three other English versions of the Bible appeared during the 16th century. The first and most popular of these was the Geneva Bible, published in that city by a group of Protestants who fled from England during the harsh reign of Catholic Queen Mary (1553-8). Among these was Coverdale, and this translation shows clear evidence of his handiwork. It sold well when the exiles returned under Elizabeth – it was smaller, cheaper and easier to handle than previous editions, with helpful notes in the margin, though clearly written from a Puritan point of view. This version became known as the ‘Breeches Bible’, as in it Genesis 3:7 says that Adam and Eve “sowed figge leaves together and made Continued on Page 18 ......... The The new 400th anniversary edition of the King James Bible Bible is out now Society · Exclusive foreword by HRH The Prince of Wales · New easy-to-read layout · Illustrations · Glossary of archaic terms and classic phrases list · State-of-the-art concordance and much more! £14.99+p&p bibleresources.org.uk/KJV or call 0800 652 5369 17
- 20. .......... Continued from Page 17 themselves breeches.” It was also the first Bible to be divided into both chapters and verses. The great popularity of this version led the conservative bishops under Archbishop Matthew Parker to produce a revision of the Great Bible – a magnificent volume known as the Bishops’ Bible. However, it cost nearly £25 a copy, and very few people could afford to buy it. The third and last new version of the Bible to be produced in the 16th century was a Roman Catholic translation begun in Rheims and completed in Douay by an Oxford scholar, Gregory Martin, who with other Catholics had fled to France when the Protestant Queen Elizabeth came to the throne. So, by the end of Elizabeth’s reign in 1603, there were at least six different versions of the English Bible in use, not counting the many revisions and new editions, and the Christian church was divided into many parties and factions. One of the first things the new king, James – himself a Scottish Presbyterian – did on his accession was to call a conference of the leaders of the main groups If you would like to of Christians in an attempt to settle their differences discover more, there are free and as far as possible to unify the church. It soon exhibitions at the became clear that the divisions between the British Library. different factions were far too deep for any easy The Sir John Ritblat solution, and the conference (at Hampton Court in Gallery should have January 1604) seemed doomed to end in on display sacred complete deadlock until a leader of the Puritan texts, such as: - party, D. John Reynolds, a distinguished and A 10th century Bible. respected scholar from Oxford University proposed Copy of the Gospels, 995AD. that a new translation of the Bible be made, The Ramsey Psalter, because all the existing ones were flawed to some Late 10C. degree, and a new version thoroughly researched The galleries are by scholars of all persuasions would help bring open 7 days a week, Christians together. James quickly agreed to this around the proposal, and soon appointed over 50 scholars, core times of meeting in three groups at Oxford, Cambridge and 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Westminster. They were instructed to use the known Hebrew and Greek texts, and to consult all the main English translations of recent years. After much checking, cross-checking and discussion of each other’s work the final version was agreed, and in 1611, 20,000 copies of the first edition were printed to widespread acclaim, since when many million copies have been sold. For over 350 years the Authorised or King James version had no rival, so greatly was it regarded and valued. Still today, despite the plethora of modern versions, the beauty and dignity of its language ensures it remains as treasured as ever. 18
- 21. Larkins Brewery I n June, the Directors’ Lunch Club and friends enjoyed a day’s outing to Chiddingstone, Kent. We visited Larkins Brewery, which is a small independent brewery located in a converted farm building. We were well received by our hosts who invited us to sample their different ales before we went on to see how the beer was produced. We were advised that beer is delivered to independent pubs and some clubs within a 30 mile radius of the brewery. The beers are free of preservatives and chemicals, which means that once opened, a barrel or cask of beer needs to be consumed within a week. The beer names are Traditional Bitter, Chiddingstone Bitter, Best Bitter, Platinum Blond (Seasonal)and Porter. After our brewery visit, we went on to the Rock Public House to enjoy lunch and to see how well Larkins’ beers tasted when served from a traditional bar. The group would like to thank David Watson for organising the trip, and Colin Righini for driving us around. 19
- 22. August Bank Holiday Ramble. Don’t forget that a ramble will be organised for Bank Holiday Monday on 29th August. The ramble will be in the Weald of Kent where beautiful views are guaranteed. This ramble will be about 5 miles long and we will enjoy a pub lunch as part of the day. All are welcome to join us at 10.15 am in the Rosary car park. More details from Martin Nunn. The way things once were From The Nottinghamshire Almanac for June 1841. GARDEN. July - Sow mustard and cress every fortnight in the shade. Plant out German greens and savoys, six inches apart, and water them well. Sow turnips in showery weather, plant kidney beans. Water the spinach as it comes up. Grafts, disencumber them of clay, &c., and prop them. August - Sow turnips for winter supply. In the second week, sow winter spinach together with cos and cabbage lettuce. Sow the Strasburg onion for spring use. Sow early York cabbage for the main crop of next year, and likewise cauliflower; also parsley and endive. Passages transcribed as shown Ed Unfortunately no one responded to my questions. This is sad; I was hoping that someone would have come up with some answers. Well, if you did, then you should have handed them to me. 20
- 23. ADVANCE NOTICE Yes, that time of year is approaching - quickly too. It’s the HOLIDAY Season You are invited to enjoy HAYES FREE CHURCH HOLIDAY FROM HOME Monday 1st - Friday 5th August 2011 And evening of Saturday 6th August This will be a week of enjoyable activities for the over 60's A two course lunch will be served each day. The week will end with A Summer Extravaganza on the Saturday Evening Tickets are: - £20.00 for the week or £5.00 per day. The cost of the outing is still to be confirmed. To avoid disappointment, book now. Phone Sue on 020 8462 2212. For the full programme Pick up a leaflet from the back of the church. I bought a train ticket to France and the ticket seller said 'Eurostar' I said 'Well I've been on telly but I'm no Dean Martin.' 21
- 24. July 2011 1st Fri 2.00 p.m. - Mothers’ and Toddlers’ Page 5 7.30 p.m. - First Impressions concert Page 6 2nd Sat All day - Saturday Fellowship Page 4 10.30 a.m. - Morning Service - Major Cliff Kent 3rd Sun Followed by Fair trade Stall Page 9 12.00 noon - Fun Day Page 12 6.30 p.m. - Evening Service - Mike Duke 4th Mon 8.00 p.m. - Women’s Contact Group Page 3 5th Tue 10.00 a.m. - Tuesday Prayer Meeting Page 4 2.00 p.m. - Women’s Fellowship Page 5 6th Wed 7th Thu 8th Fri 2.00 p.m. - Mothers’ and Toddlers’ Page 5 9th Sat 10.00 a.m. - Women’s Contact Coffee Morning Page 9 10th Sun 10.30 a.m. - Parade Service - The Minister 6.30 p.m. - Holy Communion - The Minister 11th Mon 12th Tue 10.00 a.m. - Tuesday Prayer Meeting Page 4 2.00 p.m. - Women’s Fellowship Page 5 13th Wed 3.00 p.m. - Minister’s Surgery Page 13 14th Thu 15th Fri 2.00 p.m. - Mothers’ and Toddlers’ Page 5 16th Sat 11.00 a.m. - Open Air at Hayes Library Gardens - 17th Sun CTH. Our Minister is leading. Page 12 6.30 p.m. - Evening Service - The Minister I was in the jungle and there was this monkey with a tin opener. I said, 'You don't need a tin opener to peel a banana.' He said, 'No, this is for the custard.' Tommy Cooper joke 22
- 25. July 2011 18th Mon 10.00 a.m. - Tuesday Prayer Meeting Page 4 19th Tue 2.00 p.m. - Women’s Fellowship Page 5 8.00 p.m. - Elders’ Meeting Page 3 20th Wed 21st Thu 8.00 p.m. - Men’s Group Page 4 22nd Fri 23rd Sat 24th Sun 10.30 a.m. - Holy Communion - Rev. John Key 6.30 p.m. - Evening Service - Miss Tracy Wilson 25th Mon 26th Tue 10.00 a.m. - Tuesday Prayer Meeting Page 4 27th Wed 28th Thu 29th Fri 30th Sat 10.30 a.m. - Morning Service - The Minister 31st Sun Followed by Fair trade Stall Page 9 12.00 noon - Church Meeting Page 3 August 2011 1st Mon HFC - Holiday from Home Page 21 2nd Tue HFC - Holiday from Home Page 21 3rd Wed HFC - Holiday from Home Page 21 4th Thu HFC - Holiday from Home Page 21 5th Fri HFC - Holiday from Home Page 21 6th Sat Evening only - HFC - Holiday from Home Page 21 7th Sun 10.30 a.m. - Morning Service - Rev Geoffrey Dunstan 6.30 p.m. - Evening Service - Beckenham URC Elders 23
- 26. August 2011 8th Mon 9th Tue 10th Wed 3.00 p.m. - Minister’s Surgery Page 13 11th Thu CATALYST press date is on Sunday, 14th August. I.F.C. 12th Fri 13th Sat 10.00 a.m. - Women’s Contact Coffee Morning Page 9 10.30 a.m. - Morning Service - The Minister 14th Sun Followed by Fair trade Stall Page 9 6.30 p.m. - Evening Service - The Minister 15th Mon To 19th Fri - No events 20th Sat 21st Sun 10.30 a.m. - Morning Service - Major Cliff Kent 6.30 p.m. - Evening Service - The Minister 22nd Mon To 26th Fri - No events 27th Sat 10.30 a.m. - Holy Communion - The Minister 28th Sun Followed by Fair trade Stall Page 9 6.30 p.m. - Songs of Praise - Mavis Righini 29th Mon Summer Bank Holiday (Eng. & Wales) 9.30 a.m. - Bank Holiday Ramble Page 20 30th Tue 31st Wed September 2011 1st Thu 2nd Fri 3rd Sat 4th Sun 10.30 a.m. - Morning Service - T.B.A. 6.30 p.m. - Evening Service - The Minister End Note. There have been some minor changes to the furniture layout at the back of the Church. In, the editor’s opinion these are so very welcome, and make for a more inviting place of worship. Thank you, and enjoy. Editor 24
- 27. CHURCH ORGANISATIONS Day Organisation Contact Phone Sunday 10.25 am Sunday Club Mike Duke 8462 5103 Weekdays 9.15 - 12.00 pm Pre School Group Jayne Carvell 07913 299773 Monday 2.30 & 7.30 pm West Wickham Carol Crouch 8462 3642 Arts Association 5.45 pm Brownies Sarah Humphrey 8249 9982 6.30 pm Cubs Brenda Petts 8325 3956 8.00 pm - 1st Women's Contact Sylvia Mack 8462 1938 Mon monthly Group Tuesday 2.00 pm Women's Fellowship Jessie Martin 8462 5621 7.00 - 8.00 pm Weight Watchers Area Office 0845345 1500 7.15 pm Scouts Paul Hasling 3236 0083 Wednesday 5.00 pm Rainbows Tania Venables 8462 9759 6.00 pm Beavers Brenda Petts 8325 3956 6.30 pm Worship Group Bill Michie 8658 4167 6.45 pm Slimming World Val 0750 6015064 7.30 pm Explorers Katy Reeves 07779 039 295 Thursday 2.30 pm - See Justice & Peace David Stoner 8462 3023 Catalyst Group 5.30 pm Brownies Stevie Blair. 8325 3469 7.00 - 8.30 pm Senior Guides Kerry Sullivan 8777 3139 8.00 pm - 3rd Men's Group Bruce Tannock 8325 6264 Thu monthly Friday 9.00 - 12.00 pm Coffee morning during term times 2.00 pm Mothers & Toddlers Judith Stoner 8462 3023 6.30 pm Guides Teresa Cheyne 8777 6042 7.30 pm Choir Martin Nunn 8462 5918 Saturday 2.30 pm Saturday Fellowship Martin Nunn 8462 5918
- 28. Final Thought A prayer for an end to violence God of life, Every act of violence in our world, between myself and another, destroys a part of your creation. Stir in my heart a renewed sense of reverence for all life. Give me the vision to recognise your spirit in every human being, however they behave towards me. Make possible the impossible by cultivating in me the fertile seed of healing love. May I play my part in breaking the cycle of violence by realising that peace begins with me. London 7 July 2005 This year, the image which accompanies Final Thought will be a visual variation of this scene. The idea is to challenge how we see things, and to help us appreciate how different people may actually see the world around them. Editor