![- 4 -
Women's Contact Group
We will be meeting for our monthly meal at the Warren Sports Ground,
Hayes, at 12.30 pm on Monday 8th
May [Please note date, which has been
changed as the first Monday this month is a Bank Holiday]. The Warren is
accessed by car from Croydon Road (address: Croydon Road, Hayes, BR2
7AL) or on foot from the junction of Warren Road and Holland Way. All
ladies are welcome.
Sylvia Mack
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 4pm 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. Wendy Smith
Messy Church
This meets on the 4th Wednesday of every month in the church from 3.30 -
4.30 pm, and children from 2 to 12 years are welcome.
Inter-Church Bank Holiday Rambles
Martin is planning to lead another two Wealden rambles on the two Bank
Holidays in May, viz on 1st
and 29th
. Meet in the Rosary Church car-park at
10.15am as usual, for a walk of about five miles. A pub lunch will be
available. All ages welcome!
The first ramble of the season (held on Easter Monday and starting from
Chelsfield) was greatly enjoyed by a group of seventeen, including members
of all four of the Hayes churches.
Ministry of Flowers
Thank you to Mavis and her helpers for their weekly choice and arrangement
of flowers in the church. Thanks go also to those who provide for these
displays week by week. For this month, they are as follows:
7th
– TBC 14th
– Marion Swanborough
21st
–David and Undine Connolly 28th
– TBC
After the service on Sunday morning, the flowers are distributed in order to
celebrate, or thank, or support, and in all cases to bring further enjoyment.](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/2017mayfinal-170427164341/85/2017-may-final-6-320.jpg)
![- 6 -
The Fairtrade Tourist Bar
This is the time of year when we come out of winter hibernation and start
making day trips to places of interest, museums, cathedrals, castles, parks,
zoos and more. Many of these places have gift shops which sell souvenir
chocolate bars (“a gift from...”) and there is an ongoing campaign to
persuade them to switch to Fairtrade chocolate. There is a website
(http://www.meaningfulchocolate.co.uk/giftbars) where you can read about
progress and be directed to an online petition – or you can simply put
pressure on your favourite destinations by asking for a Fairtrade bar when
you visit, or writing to them about it. St Paul’s Cathedral has switched, and
so has the Scottish Parliament - but the first place in the UK to have a
Fairtrade Bar on sale was the Richard III Exhibition at Leicester Cathedral!
A letter from Traidcraft
Traidcraft is the company which pioneered Fairtrade and still spearheads the
movement (as you will know Fairtrade now has a wider following with
supermarkets and others producing their own goods which meet Fairtrade
standards). Following her successful coffee morning at the close of Fairtrade
Fortnight (see previous issue) Barbara has received an acknowledgement
from Traidcraft. The letter reads as follows:
Dear Mrs Jones,
We can’t thank you enough for holding a Traidcraft Big Brew this year, and
for your amazing gift of £200.00 sent on behalf of Hayes Free Church. You
are part of a community dedicated to making the world a fairer and more just
place.
Your generosity will help change the future for families like Patrick’s in some
of the world’s poorest communities. He told us “Before, life was tough,
straining. Four of my children had to drop out of secondary education. The
time was dark back then.”
Since receiving training on soil conservation from Traidcraft’s FIVE project
he has been able to increase his crop yields significantly – enabling him to
feed his family every day, pay his children’s school fees, and access
healthcare. After participating in the FIVE project, Patrick said “now our days
are bright. The kids have a much more balanced diet. I’m so happy now they
are in school. We’ll never go back to what it was like before.”
On behalf of everyone at Traidcraft, and those with whom we work, please
extend our thanks to everyone involved in your Big Brew. We hope you all
had a fantastic time! The money you raised means together we can help
more families like Patrick’s to break the cycle of poverty for good.
[You can read Patrick’s story on the Justice and Peace noticeboard in
church]](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/2017mayfinal-170427164341/85/2017-may-final-8-320.jpg)
2017 may final
- 1. Catalyst THE MAGAZINE OF HAYES FREE CHURCH (U.R.C.) May 2017
- 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 Interim Moderator: Mrs Hilary Miles Church Secretary: Mrs Mavis Righini Tel: 020 8462 1168 Treasurer: Mr. Simon Narracott Tel: 020 8462 2004 Lettings Secretary: Mrs Undine Connolly Tel: 020 8776 0108 Church Website www.hayesfreechurch.com Catalyst Editor: Miss Christine Rees Contents : Church Secretary’s Letter 1 Christian Aid 10-11 Sunday Services 2 Bromley Food Bank 12 Church Notices 3-5 Holy Week Controversy 12-13 Fairtrade/Traidcraft 5-6 Coming Events 14-15 Christian Aid events 7 Stop Press 15 URC notices 8 Monthly Calendar 15-16 Hayes Philharmonic 9 HFC Organisations inside back cover May Dates/ Quiz answers 10 Final Thought back cover -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copy for the June 2017 edition is needed by Sunday, 14th May. Please submit items in good time You can leave copy in the "R" Pigeon Hole for Christine to collect, or hand it directly to her on a Sunday morning. You can also e-mail copy to catalysthfc@btinternet.com Thank you. Editor’s note: throughout this magazine, the following abbreviations are standardly used: URC (United Reformed Church); HFC (Hayes Free Church); CTiH (Churches Together in Hayes).
- 3. - 1 - Letter from the Church Secretary Dear all, By the time you read this we will have a new Interim Moderator, Hilary Miles, and hopefully we will have all met at the April Church Meeting. Many people don't like change, preferring the comfortable rut we've settled in, but sometimes we have to move on and change. So as we move on with our vacancy one thing hasn't changed, God is still with us, loving us and caring about our future. He knows the full story and has plans for us; we just need to have faith and trust in our Lord. One thing we all can do is in our private home prayers, pray for the life of our church, that we may grow together in Christian love. A strong church is a growing church where all can feel welcomed and at home. Also praying together will help our spiritual life. We are so fortunate with such kind people willing to lead our services, such support is invaluable. So we welcome Hilary and look forward to our future together. With Christian love to you all Mavis
- 4. - 2 - Sunday Services May 2017 7th 10.30 am - Morning Service – Geoff Larcombe 6.30 pm - Holy Communion – Alan Kienlen 14th 10.30 am – Parade Service - Martin Sweet 6.30 pm – Evening Service - Martin Nunn 21st 10.30 am – Morning Service – Women’s Contact Group/ Tony Russell 6.30 pm - Evening Service – TBC 28th 10.30 am - Holy Communion – Alan Kienlen 6.30 pm - Evening Service – Judy Davies All of the evening services will take place in the Elders Vestry which is accessed from the side door in Hilldown Road. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Notes on Preachers Rev.Geoff Larcombe is a retired Baptist Minister, who has worked in India with the Leprosy Mission. Alan Kienlen is a Synod Recognized Lay Preacher from Emmanuel URC, where he is also a Serving Elder. Martin Sweet is from the Spinnaker Trust, a Christian organisation working in primary schools Martin Nunn is a non-serving Elder, and a member of Hayes Free Church since 1957. He also leads the Saturday Fellowship Tony Russell is a non-serving Elder of Hayes Free Church. He was Church Secretary for some years, and later was Church Treasurer. Judy Davies is a Synod Recognized Lay Preacher from Bromley URC, where she is also Church Secretary.
- 5. - 3 - Church Meetings The next two Elders' meetings will be at 7.00 pm in the small hall on Tuesday 2nd May and Tuesday 6th June. The next two Church meetings will be in the Church after the morning service at 12.00 noon on Sunday 28th May and Sunday 25th June. The Church AGM will follow immediately after the meeting on 28th May. Saturday Fellowship The next meeting of the Fellowship will be held on May 6th at Barbara’s house at 2.30pm. We shall be welcoming a speaker, Mrs Gill Baldwin, from Bromley Methodist Church. All are welcome. Martin Nunn Men's Group The Men's Group will be meeting this month on Thursday 18th May at 8pm in the small hall for a Games Evening, organised by John Thompson. Women's Fellowship Meetings are in the small hall at 2.00 pm, unless otherwise stated. They are held on Tuesdays and finish at about 3.30 pm. In May the programme is: 2nd Informal: Members exchange news 9th Gentle exercises with Pat Marshall 16th Talk on the Guards by Don Doncaster 23rd Members’ input – with anecdotes: Diana and Betty 30th The Shortlands Singers entertain Members who use the Mini-Ambulance service are asked to phone Sylvia Mack on 8462 1938 by 9.00 am on any Tuesday that they are unable to come to a meeting. As always, we welcome all ladies to our meetings. Please come along for a pleasant afternoon. We do have a very varied programme with plenty to interest everyone. Marion Swanborough Book Club We meet on the first Wednesday of every month at 2.00pm in the Small Hall. This month’s meeting will be on Wednesday 3rd May.
- 6. - 4 - Women's Contact Group We will be meeting for our monthly meal at the Warren Sports Ground, Hayes, at 12.30 pm on Monday 8th May [Please note date, which has been changed as the first Monday this month is a Bank Holiday]. The Warren is accessed by car from Croydon Road (address: Croydon Road, Hayes, BR2 7AL) or on foot from the junction of Warren Road and Holland Way. All ladies are welcome. Sylvia Mack 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 4pm 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. Wendy Smith Messy Church This meets on the 4th Wednesday of every month in the church from 3.30 - 4.30 pm, and children from 2 to 12 years are welcome. Inter-Church Bank Holiday Rambles Martin is planning to lead another two Wealden rambles on the two Bank Holidays in May, viz on 1st and 29th . Meet in the Rosary Church car-park at 10.15am as usual, for a walk of about five miles. A pub lunch will be available. All ages welcome! The first ramble of the season (held on Easter Monday and starting from Chelsfield) was greatly enjoyed by a group of seventeen, including members of all four of the Hayes churches. Ministry of Flowers Thank you to Mavis and her helpers for their weekly choice and arrangement of flowers in the church. Thanks go also to those who provide for these displays week by week. For this month, they are as follows: 7th – TBC 14th – Marion Swanborough 21st –David and Undine Connolly 28th – TBC After the service on Sunday morning, the flowers are distributed in order to celebrate, or thank, or support, and in all cases to bring further enjoyment.
- 7. - 5 - Notice Sheets If you have an item for inclusion on the Notice Sheet on a particular Sunday, please contact the relevant person below, by the date shown: By Tuesday 2nd May for Sunday 7th : Brenda Cordingley 8462 3867 By Tuesday 9th May for Sunday 14th : Joan Smith 8462 3920 By Tuesday 16th May for Sunday 21st : Joan Smith 8462 3920 By Tuesday 23rd May for Sunday 28th : Pamela Collison 8658 0748 By Tuesday 30th May for Sunday 4th June: Pamela Collison 8658 0748 The Fairtrade Sunday Stall The Fairtrade stall is held monthly on the 2nd and 4th Sunday just after the morning service. The stall is near the refreshments trolley. Do pop by on 14th and 28th May to see what we have for sale. The items range from snacks and breakfast foods through to greetings cards. We look forward to seeing you. Richard and Barbara There is much more on Fairtrade food and drink below, particularly coffee and chocolate. It is perhaps a good job that Lent is over.... Sunday morning coffee and tea donations - an update on how your drinking habits go on giving! So far this year I have been able to send £70.00 to the famine appeal in East Africa. Ten pence pieces go in the collecting box for the Bible Society, and a donation of £50.00 was sent. The Leprosy Mission phial takes your 5p pieces and this amounted to £8.50. Finally I have sent £20.00 to a small charity called Hospice Africa, which is run entirely by volunteers – nobody is paid. This charity provides and supports the provision of palliative care in Sub-Saharan Africa for cancer and HIV/AIDS patients with chronic pain. If you would like to read more about this charity there is a leaflet on the Justice and Peace noticeboard in Church. As you can see there is no need to feel guilty about your Sunday morning drinking habit! Cheers, Barbara
- 8. - 6 - The Fairtrade Tourist Bar This is the time of year when we come out of winter hibernation and start making day trips to places of interest, museums, cathedrals, castles, parks, zoos and more. Many of these places have gift shops which sell souvenir chocolate bars (“a gift from...”) and there is an ongoing campaign to persuade them to switch to Fairtrade chocolate. There is a website (http://www.meaningfulchocolate.co.uk/giftbars) where you can read about progress and be directed to an online petition – or you can simply put pressure on your favourite destinations by asking for a Fairtrade bar when you visit, or writing to them about it. St Paul’s Cathedral has switched, and so has the Scottish Parliament - but the first place in the UK to have a Fairtrade Bar on sale was the Richard III Exhibition at Leicester Cathedral! A letter from Traidcraft Traidcraft is the company which pioneered Fairtrade and still spearheads the movement (as you will know Fairtrade now has a wider following with supermarkets and others producing their own goods which meet Fairtrade standards). Following her successful coffee morning at the close of Fairtrade Fortnight (see previous issue) Barbara has received an acknowledgement from Traidcraft. The letter reads as follows: Dear Mrs Jones, We can’t thank you enough for holding a Traidcraft Big Brew this year, and for your amazing gift of £200.00 sent on behalf of Hayes Free Church. You are part of a community dedicated to making the world a fairer and more just place. Your generosity will help change the future for families like Patrick’s in some of the world’s poorest communities. He told us “Before, life was tough, straining. Four of my children had to drop out of secondary education. The time was dark back then.” Since receiving training on soil conservation from Traidcraft’s FIVE project he has been able to increase his crop yields significantly – enabling him to feed his family every day, pay his children’s school fees, and access healthcare. After participating in the FIVE project, Patrick said “now our days are bright. The kids have a much more balanced diet. I’m so happy now they are in school. We’ll never go back to what it was like before.” On behalf of everyone at Traidcraft, and those with whom we work, please extend our thanks to everyone involved in your Big Brew. We hope you all had a fantastic time! The money you raised means together we can help more families like Patrick’s to break the cycle of poverty for good. [You can read Patrick’s story on the Justice and Peace noticeboard in church]
- 9. - 7 - In a few weeks, Christian Aid week will be upon us, and now that the church has given up house- to-house collections, we will mark it in other ways. These are our plans: Sunday 14th May – the start of Christian Aid week. This will be mentioned in the service, and there will be an opportunity to donate in the church instead of via a house-to-house collection (of course we can’t guarantee that you won’t have someone knocking on your door from another church!) Thursday 18th May – Coffee morning, 10.00am – 12.00noon in the Small Hall. Held by the Women’s Contact Group. Featuring a bring-and-buy stall; second hand book stall; and (of course) a cake stall. Not to mention tea and coffee and a chance to stop and chat with friends from other Hayes churches as this will be an Inter-church event. Sunday 21st May – Christian Aid’s annual fund-raising walk around the City Churches – “Circle the City”. We have church members both walking and marshalling on the day. (read more about Christian Aid on pages 10 and 11) A camellia from Jean Haddon’s garden
- 10. - 8 - Daily Devotions from the URC You may remember that these were mentioned in Catalyst a couple of months ago, and I know that people who use them are finding them very helpful. The system has now been enlarged so that, besides receiving a daily message in your inbox for thought and prayer, you can now look up past examples as well. The link has also been updated, and so the URC has sent out a revised description of how things work with this new facility – and here it is: Every morning a reading, reflection, and prayer is sent out by email from the URC. They are written by a team of around 100 people from different places and perspectives and provide inspiration in our inboxes! The devotions are designed to help enrich our discipleship and, whilst designed for personal use, have been found helpful for Bible Study groups, service preparation and devotions at the start of meetings. You can read them all by going to http://devotions.urc.org.uk where you can also sign up to receive them yourself using the link on the bottom left of the screen. the United Reformed Church Past Case Review You will remember that a statement about this Review appeared in the April edition of Catalyst. It included the words: “We truly want to hear about any behaviour which may need challenging, or if you have been hurt in the past by anyone in the United Reformed Church.........We want our churches to be safer places, where people can grow without fear.” And it invited anyone who wished, to contact the Review Team at: Telephone: 020 7916 8682 Website: www.urc.org.uk/past-case-review Email: pastcase.review@urc.org.uk Further resources and information are available online at www.urc.org.uk/past-case-review Full information is still available on the noticeboard running along the side wall of the church
- 11. - 9 - A little bit of Hayes passes into History... In 1944, the two Hayes churches (as they then were) were making plans for services to the local community after the war. One such initiative was the Hayes Churches Musical Society, which was already “up and singing” by the time of the VE Day Service on Hayes Common. There was an orchestra too (now Hayes Symphony Orchestra), which split off in 1947, and in 1951 the Hayes Churches Musical Society became Hayes Philharmonic Choir. Singers from outside Hayes were welcomed, but there has always been a close local connection, with performances in the churches of Hayes, and strong support throughout from the Rector as President and the Minister of Hayes Free Church as Deputy President, joined in recent years by the Pastor of Hayesford Park Baptists. The choir is very grateful to them all. The choir also owes an immense debt to Rodney Williams, its conductor since 1981, and Ken Baker, just completing his 50th year as accompanist. Rodney has conducted a varied repertoire, ranging from large-scale oratorios such as Mendelssohn’s Elijah and Handel’s Messiah to a large and unusual collection of Christmas carols. The choir inspires great affection, and some singers have been members for decades. Sadly Hayes is about to lose its choir. With changing musical tastes, and the pressures of modern life, membership has been falling for some years and it is now impractical to carry on. Ironically, the meeting which decided to close the choir, on 22nd February 2017, took place on the anniversary of the inaugural meeting on 22nd February 1945. The final concert will take place on Saturday 13th May 2017 at 7.45pm in Hayes Parish Church, with a cheerful mix of short pieces, many of them by British composers. We hope that Hayes will turn out in force to remember the good times, and enjoy a final celebration of choral singing. Information from 07989 192928. Christine Rees
- 12. - 10 - The answers to last month’s seasonal quiz (well, it was seasonal at the time) featuring Old Testament figures: - ESAU: Jacob’s twin brother - ABSALOM: David’s rebellious son - SAUL: The first king of Israel - TISHBITE: Elijah was known as “the .......” - ESTHER: Xerxes’ queen - RUTH: Wife of Boaz, mother of Obed, and great-grandmother of David, but best known as a daughter-in-law The word spelt out is “EASTER” of course. ********* This year is a special one. It is the 60th anniversary of Christian Aid week - and did you know that it was the week which gave its name to the charity, and not the other way round? Christian Aid itself, which began under another name, is some 72 years old, and this year it will be going back to its roots, prioritising refugees, as it did when it was first founded all those years ago. And this is how it all came about. (The information which follows is taken mainly from the charity’s website at www.christianaid.org.uk) Christian Aid began in response to another refugee crisis, when British and Irish church leaders came together at the end of World War II to work out how they could best help the huge numbers of European refugees, and alleviate their suffering. The organisation which they founded was at first called Christian Reconstruction in Europe (later given a longer title, and placed within the British Council of Churches). May dates Below are some important dates in May: Monday 1st May: Bank Holiday Sunday 14th May: start of Christian Aid week Thursday 18th May – coffee morning for Christian Aid Sunday 21st May – Christian Aid walk “Circle the City” Monday 29th May: Bank Holiday
- 13. - 11 - As the years went by and Europe became more settled, the organisation started to look further afield. In the 1950s, it began to support development work in Africa and Asia, and was also responding to emergencies. It had a hand in the creation of VSO, which sent volunteers to work in the developing world. In 1957, the first Christian Aid week was launched, partly in order to raise public awareness of the problems of the world and also of course to raise money. As an annual event, it became such a success that in1964 the organisation changed its own name to Christian Aid. Gradually its attention shifted to the causes of poverty, not just the symptoms, and this led to the start of campaigning. Christian Aid is firmly of the view that religion should not and indeed cannot be kept apart from politics, and it has never been shy of challenging the British government of the day when it has considered this to be necessary (the first time was in 1969 on the issues of aid and trade policies). In the 1970s, Christian Aid placed a new emphasis on long-term development projects and again expanded its activities so that by the end of the decade it was working in 40 countries. In the 1980s, the pattern of giving began to change in the UK, with large- scale events like Live Aid, and some government funding was made available to charities, including Christian Aid. By now the charity was raising more money (£5.5 million annual income in 1979 had become £28 million in 1989) but there was a worldwide economic recession and every penny was needed. In the 1990s and onwards, Christian Aid was dealing with complex economic issues and campaigning accordingly. This was the time of establishing the Fairtrade Foundation, and there were many other campaigns – you may remember “Drop the Debt” for example. By 2007 the annual income was £86.5 million and Christian Aid was working in some 50 countries – a figure which would increase again in the last ten years. But the charity points out that if its activities have expanded, this is only because there is so much need of them, and that is not something to celebrate. And some things are getting worse: take the shocking statistic of life expectancy for women in Zimbabwe, which was 65 in the late 1990s but over the next decade dropped to 34. Natural disasters are increasing in number and Christian Aid has long been a member of the Disasters Emergency Committee, which began in 1964. The DEC website contains a huge list of appeals that have been made to the British public on major emergencies (most recently on East African famine). And so in 2017, Christian Aid is focussing once more on help for refugees in Europe. This year their posters and leaflets feature Nejebar, who has fled from Afghanistan with her husband and two sons, only for the family to find themselves stuck in a refugee camp in Greece, unable to move forward. And whilst camping in Greece would be delightful for a week or two at the right time of year, that cannot be the experience of those who are there for long periods, sometimes years, with only minimal facilities, and great concern about their future.
- 14. - 12 - Bromley Food Bank – You will be pleased to know that it is now possible to donate food while you are shopping in Hayes. A reader has reported that there is a collection point at the Fundraising Furniture Shop (3A Station Approach; between the garage and DayLewis the Chemist). There is a large wicker basket just inside the door, clearly visible from outside, and in the window a list of items that they would appreciate (NB the food collected here is sent to the Food Bank in Orpington). It remains possible to donate at Sainsbury’s, Station Road, West Wickham, and there is now also a donation box in Sainsbury’s at Bromley North. Meanwhile there is, as always, a facility to donate just inside the door at church. As Catalyst goes to press, this is the latest list of items needed (taken from the website): Longlife fruit juice; tinned meat; tinned vegetables; tinned potatoes; rice pudding; custard; sponge puddings; jellies, instant whips; washing-up liquid. But preferably not: beans, pasta, soup and cereal (they have plenty of those at the moment.) The Holy Week Controversy We’ve probably all heard it, maybe more than once: a preacher berating the fickleness of the crowd of Jesus’ followers, who cheered him and greeted him as “King of the Jews” and “Son of David” when he rode into Jerusalem on the first Palm Sunday, but only a few days later were yelling “Crucify him! Crucify him!” before a hesitant Pontius Pilate. But is this a fair or correct description of what actually happened? A careful examination of all the facts produces a very different verdict. Certainly Jesus was at the height of his esteem and popularity in that last week of his earthly life – but his words and especially his actions were causing increasing anger and hatred amongst many members of the ruling Jewish Council, the Sanhedrin, who feared their authority was becoming steadily and dangerously undermined. Two acts of Jesus in particular precipitated their decision to get rid of him as soon as practicable: first, his deliberately provocative attempt (as they viewed it) to fulfil the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9, that Jerusalem’s king would come “with salvation, and humbly, riding on a donkey”. Then, just a day later, he went into the Temple and struck a deliberate financial blow against the authorities by overturning the tables of the exploitative money-changers and driving out all who were there selling lambs, doves and pigeons.
- 15. - 13 - For two or three more days of that Holy Week Jesus taught, healed, and answered questions before a large and admiring audience in the Temple, but Thursday brought a major change, as everyone went away to prepare for the Passover – the commemorative family meal for which they had all come to Jerusalem. Jesus and his twelve disciples (who had probably been spending the previous nights in Bethany, in the house of Mary, Martha and Lazarus) found by arrangement an upper room in the city, where in line with nearly everyone else that evening they celebrated the Passover (The official day for this was Friday, but by Jewish reckoning Friday began at sunset on Thursday evening, so most Jewish families celebrated it then). No-one in that upper room, apart from Jesus and Judas Iscariot, knew that the latter had connived with the Jewish authorities to lead them to where they could arrest Jesus virtually in secret later that evening, but this happened as planned, and by morning Jesus had been tried and condemned by the majority (but not all) of the 70-strong membership of the Sanhedrin. They then took him to the Roman Governor, who had to sanction any death sentence asked for by the Jewish authorities. Pilate was unwilling to agree to their request, particularly after interviewing Jesus himself. He sought to find a way out, through a fortunate coincidence that it was customary for him to release one notable prisoner on the day of the Passover. A group of Jewish nationalists had arrived to ask for the release of one of their number arrested for committing murder in an uprising – a man named Barabbas. The group seemed stunned by the fact that they were offered Jesus of Nazareth as an alternative, but all the Sanhedrin members urged them to shout loud and clear for Barabbas. When Pilate asked what he should do with Jesus, it was (according to John’s Gospel) “the chief priests and their officials” who shouted “Crucify him! Crucify him!” and “We have no king but Caesar!”, and eventually their voices prevailed. So where, then, were all those supporters of Jesus who had cheered him so lustily on Palm Sunday? Probably still in their beds, after their heavy meal the night before, and all of them totally unaware still of Jesus’ arrest and conviction overnight. But they had not forgotten all they had seen and heard – and from the Day of Pentecost onwards, they responded in droves to the Gospel message wherever and whenever they heard it preached; 3,000 became Christians on the very first day! Jesus had laid very firm foundations for the success of his church. Martin Nunn ********* There is clearly a busy weekend coming up in the middle of May – see the next page
- 16. - 14 - And an early notification about June follows: Quiz Night for Nash College There will be a quiz night on Friday 12th May 2017 starting at 7.30pm, until 22.30pm. Please come and support 'The Friends of Nash' who raise funds for our friends at Nash. The evening will be held in Nash College Coney Hall. Tickets at £10 will include Ploughman's; please bring your own drinks. If you can raise a table of 8 that would be great but if not we can find you a place, for you to join someone nice I'm sure. Hope to see you there. Please contact me for more information or to book a place. Margaret Tannock 'KISSES SWEETER THAN WINE' CONCERT Celebrating 60's American Folk Saturday 13th May 2017 | Hayes Free Church Doors 7:30pm Start 8:00pm Tickets £12/£10 at door, or at: http://www.wegottickets.com/event/388576 Lilac Sheer’s female ensemble present modern acoustic renditions of loved 60's American folk classics from: Pete Seeger, Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Judy Collins, The Byrds, The Weavers, Peter Paul & Mary, Leonard Cohen and others. Come enjoy and sing along to Where Have All The Flowers Gone, If I Had a Hammer, The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down, Blowin’ in the Wind and many more memorable songs of the era. Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhHvb0vIP_A Tickets: http://www.wegottickets.com/event/388576 Vocals, Guitar, Harmonica – Lilac Sheer Violin, Mandolin – Claire Roberts Bass – Joy Chong Percussion – Mally Harpaz Hayes Philharmonic Choir, with Rodney Williams (Conductor) and Kenneth Baker (Accompanist): Saturday 13th May at 7.45pm. Hayes Parish Church. All tickets £5. The farewell concert after 72 years of music-making in Hayes. Featuring music to mark the 450th anniversary of Thomas Campion (1567-1620), the Elizabethan composer and poet, along with some of the choir’s traditional favourites, and as ever, a few rarities. It won’t be a sad occasion – do come!
- 17. - 15 - STOP PRESS!!! 1) Father Gregory Ackron has been welcomed to Hayes as the new priest at the church of the Rosary. More in the next issue. 2) Bromley Y will be the charity supported by the Christmas Tree Festival 2017. 3) Just finally on Christian Aid – a new initiative to help with gardening (as it is that time of year again). You can receive regular tips and even some seeds in return for a regular donation. Details at: https://www.christianaid.org.uk/regular-giving/gardens-do-good Calendar for May 2017 Mon 1 Bank Hol 10.15am Interchurch Ramble. Meet at the Rosary carpark (p 4) Tue 2 2.00pm 7.00pm Women’s Fellowship – Informal meeting (p3) Elders Meeting (p3) Wed 3 2.00pm Book Club (p3) Fri 5 2.00pm Mothers and Toddlers (p4) Sat 6 2.30pm Saturday Fellowship (p3) Sun 7 10.30am 6.30pm Morning Service – Rev Geoff Larcombe (p2) Holy Communion – Alan Kienlen (p2) Mon 8 12.30pm Women’s Contact Group - lunch at the Warren (p4) Hayes Horticultural Society Outing Saturday 24th June Outing to Sissinghurst Castle Gardens, then onto the private garden, Goddards Green. Cost: £27.00 for members of the National Trust or £35.00 if not. This includes coach travel and entrance fees, along with tea/coffee and cake at Goddards Green. There are leaflets at the back of the church and Brenda Cordingley will have all the details, or you can make enquiries to Liz Clark via the Society’s email hayeshs@clara.co.uk or on 020 8462 3489.
- 18. - 16 - Tue 9 2.00pm Women’s Fellowship – Gentle Exercises (p3) Fri 12 2.00pm 7.30pm Mothers and Toddlers (p4) Quiz at Nash College (p14) Sat 13 7.30 for 8.00pm 7.45pm “Kisses Sweeter than Wine” concert (p14) Hayes Philharmonic Choir Farewell Concert (p14) Sun 14 Start of Christian Aid Week 10.30am 6.30pm Parade Service – Martin Sweet (p2) Followed by the Fair Trade Stall (p5) Evening Service – Martin Nunn (p2) Tue 16 2.00pm Women’s Fellowship – Talk on the Guards (p3) Thur 18 10.00am 8.00pm Coffee morning for Christian Aid (p7) Men’s Group – Games Evening (p3) Fri 19 2.00pm Mothers and Toddlers (p4) Sun 21 10.30am 6.30pm Morning Service – the Women’s Contact Group with Tony Russell (p2) Evening Service – preacher TBC (p2) Christian Aid “Circle the City” walk (p7) Tue 23 2.00pm Women’s Fellowship – Members input, with anecdotes (p3) Wed 24 3.30pm Messy Church (4) Fri 26 2.00pm Mothers and Toddlers (p4) Sun 28 10.30am 12.00 noon 6.30pm Holy Communion – Alan Kienlen (p2) Followed by the Fair Trade Stall (p5) Church Meeting followed by AGM (p3) Evening Service – Judy Davies (p2) Mon 29 Bank Hol 10.15am Interchurch Ramble. Meet at the Rosary carpark (p4) Tue 30 2.00pm Women’s Fellowship – Shortlands Singers (p3) June 2017 (key dates for your diary) Sun 4 Pentecost Tues 6 7.00pm Elders’ Meeting (p3) Sat 10 Timing TBC Prayer Morning Sun 11 Church Anniversary and Gift Day Sun 25 12.00noon Church Meeting after Morning Service (p3)
- 19. CHURCH ORGANISATIONS – please advise the Editor of updates as they arise Day Organisation Contact Phone Sunday Monday 5.45pm Brownies Sarah Humphrey 020 3539 8113 6.30pm Cubs Brenda Petts 020 8325 3956 12.30pm – once a month, usually 1st Monday Women's Contact Group Sylvia Mack 020 8462 1938 Tuesday 2.00pm Women's Fellowship Marion Swanborough 020 8462 3981 7.15pm Scouts - 1st troop Paul Hasling 020 3236 0083 Wednesday 2.00pm - 1st Weds only HFC Book Club Wendy Smith 020 8462 1779 3.30pm - 4th Weds only Messy Church Mavis Righini 020 8462 1168 5.30pm Rainbows Jenny Longman 07730 574962 6.00pm Beavers Brenda Petts 020 8325 3956 6.30pm Guides – 4th Hayes Teresa Cheyne 020 8777 6042 8.00pm Explorers Tom Strachan 07745 813 295 Thursday 5.30pm Brownies Stevie Blair. 020 8325 3469 7.15 - 8.45pm Rangers Please use this email contact: Hayesdistrict@ yahoo.com 7.15pm Scouts - 2nd troop Paul Hasling 020 3236 0083 8.00pm - 3rd Thurs only Men's Group Bruce Tannock 020 8325 6264 Friday 2.00pm Mothers & Toddlers Wendy Smith 020 8462 1779 6.30pm Guides – 3rd Hayes Teresa Cheyne 020 8777 6042 Saturday 2.30pm - 1st Sat only Saturday Fellowship Martin Nunn 020 8462 5918
- 20. Final Thought C reator and Lord of this good earth H ave mercy on your people everywhere. R econcile all who are divided I n your world. S trengthen those who are poor and weak; T each those who are rich and powerful; I n loneliness and isolation give comfort and hope; A nd help us all to know that you are N ever far from us. A ll that I can do to share in your healing work I nspire and give me courage to D iscern. With thanks to Christian Aid for permission to use this prayer