2018 may final
- 1. Catalyst The Magazine of Hayes Free Church (URC) May 2018
- 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 catalysthfc @btinternet.com Contents : Sunday Services 1 Events in June and July 10 Church Secretary’s Letter 2 GDPR 11-12 Church Notices 3-5 A thankyou from the Duke Family 13 Bromley Food Bank 5 STOP PRESS/ Bank Hol ramble 13 A memorial poem 6 The Wandle Ringers 14 Christian Aid week 5,7-8 Oberammergau 2020 15 Quizzes past and future 8 Monthly Calendar 16 Dates in May 9 HFC Organisations - inside back cover Polling day – public info 9 Final Thought - back cover ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copy for June 2018 is needed by Sunday 13th May 2018. The editor is very grateful if you would submit items in good time. You can leave copy in the "R" Pigeon Hole for Christine to collect; hand it directly to her, or e-mail it to hayeschoir@mybtinternet.com (please note change of email address). 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 - Sunday Services May 2018 6th 10.30 am - Morning Service – John Cox 6.30 pm – Holy Communion – Judy Davies 13th 10.30 am – Parade Service – Duncan Wilson 6.30 pm – Evening Service – Hilary Creed 20th 10.30am – Morning Service: Pentecost – TBA 6.30 pm - Evening Service – Judy Davies 27th 10.30am – Morning Service – TBA 6.30 pm - Evening Service – Judy Davies All of the evening services will take place in the Elders Vestry, accessed from the side door in Hilldown Road. ------------------- John Cox is a Reader at St Mary’s Church, College Road, Bromley (Diocese of Rochester). Judy Davies is a Synod Recognized Lay Preacher from Bromley URC, where she is also Church Secretary. Duncan Wilson started his training as a Lay Preacher in January. The course will last for eight months. Hilary Creed is an Elder at Trinity, Bromley.
- 4. - 2 - Letter from the Church Secretary Dear All, I wonder if you live with lists? I have a shopping list. Lists of things to do. List of birthdays. Everything seems to go on a list. Some lists are very useful and others can be unnecessary. We now are being asked to check over lists of people for GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation – see more on a later page). I have realised that I need to check some of my lists of people, quite a challenge. I find many of my lists reassuring because it means I can get in touch with people, I don't want to lose contact but with a memory like mine I have got to be careful. While thinking about lists I suddenly thought 'How many lists am I on?' Many charities are contacting us for permission to keep us on their lists. Perhaps you are wondering how you got on their lists in the first place. This is an opportunity to make decisions as to which charities you actually want to support. It will be lovely to just be on the lists you choose and there is one list we need to make sure we are on. In the words of a hymn ' When the roll is called up yonder I'll be there'. Yes we need to be on God's roll, the best list of all. With Christian love Mavis
- 5. - 3 - Church Meetings The next two Elders' meetings will be at 7.00 pm in the small hall on Tuesdays 1st May and 5th June. The next Church meeting will be held in the Church at 12.00 noon on Sunday 27th May. Saturday Fellowship: Saturday 5th May The Saturday Fellowship will meet for a Bible Study on Saturday 5th May at 2.30pm at Barbara’s house. Martin is the leader of the group, and you are welcome to join us. Women's Contact Group: Monday 14th May We will be meeting for our monthly meal at the Warren Sports Ground, Hayes, at 12.30 pm on Monday 14th May. 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 Men's Group: Thursday 17th May The Men's Group will be meeting on Thursday 17th May at 8.00pm in the small hall, for a Games Evening, organised by John Thompson. Tuesday Friendship Group: Tues afternoons All are welcome at the meetings of this group, which will be held in the small hall at 2.00 pm on Tuesdays, finishing at about 3.30 pm. The programme for May is: 1st 20th century collectables – Joan Egan. Bring a friend 8th Old Hayes – Laurie Mack 15th Tootswood Singers 22nd Songs from the Shows – Ruth White 29th Outing to Polhill for afternoon tea Members who use the Mini-Ambulance service are asked to phone Sylvia on 8462 1938 by 9.00 am on any Tuesday that they are unable to come to a meeting. Please come along for a pleasant afternoon. We have a very varied programme with plenty to interest everyone. Wendy
- 6. - 4 - Hayes Mothers' & Toddlers' Club: Friday afternoons 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 Messy Church: Wednesday 23rd May 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. Book Club: Wednesday 2nd May We meet once a month, on the first Wednesday, at 2.00pm in the Small Hall. Singles’ Lunch – Sunday 20th May Anyone living alone is welcome to come along to our Singles Lunches, which take place approximately once a month on a Sunday. They are held at the Warren, starting at 12.30pm (for details of the location see the Women’s Contact Group notice above). The next two dates (both Sundays) are: 20th May and 17th June. Further information from Joan. 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 (the first Sunday of the month is often in the previous month’s magazine): By Tuesday 1st May for Sunday 6th : Pamela 8658 0748 By Tuesday 8th May for Sunday 13th : Brenda 8462 3867 By Tuesday 15th May for Sunday 20th : Brenda 8462 3867 By Tuesday 22nd May for Sunday 27th : Joan 8462 3920 By Tuesday 29th May for Sunday 3rd June: Joan 8462 3920
- 7. - 5 - The Fairtrade Stall: Sunday 13th May The Fairtrade stall is held once a month, on the second Sunday (13th May in this case) just after the morning service. The stall is near the refreshments trolley, so do pop by to see what we have for sale. The items range from snacks and breakfast foods through to greetings cards. Fairtrade fortnight is over now but the need for support for fair trade does not go away, so please give some thought to making extra purchases at the monthly stall now and in later months. It will be much appreciated. We look forward to seeing you. Richard & Barbara 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 May, the following dates have been booked: 6th – Marion Swanborough 13th – Gill Bran 20th – David and Undine Connolly 27th – Daphne Cummings 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. Besides helping to decorate the church, supplying flowers for a particular Sunday is an excellent way to mark a special anniversary, or remember a friend or family member. If you would be interested and have not done this before, please have a word with Mavis. Bromley Food Bank The list of the most urgently needed items (as shown on their website) is again unchanged. Here it is: Coffee; longlife fruit juice; sponge puddings; jellies; instant whips; tinned meat (that can form the basis of a hot meal); toilet rolls; washing detergent (tablets, powder or liquid); washing up liquid; shower gel; shampoo; deodorant; And as usual, they do not need: beans, pasta, soup and cereal. Christmas Tree Festival 2018 Just to let you know, if you missed the March Church Meeting, that the Festival in 2018 will be in aid of the Bertha James Day Centre. Rattle a tin for Christian Aid (see also p7) Bromley Christian Aid needs collectors for Bromley Town Centre on Saturday 19th May. Please let me know as soon as possible if you can help. Thank you, Christine
- 8. - 6 - We were all very sorry to hear of the recent death of David’s mother, Florence Connolly. This poem, by an unknown author, was a favourite of hers and is included as a memorial. Heaven’s Grocery Store I was walking down life’s highway a long time ago, When I came across a sign that said “Heaven’s Grocery Store”. As I got a little closer, the door came open wide, And when I came to myself, I was standing inside. I saw a host of ANGELS. They were standing everywhere. One handed me a basket and said “My child, shop with care.” Everything a Christian needed was in the Grocery Store, And what you couldn’t carry, you could come back next day for more. First I got some PATIENCE, LOVE was in the same row, Further down was UNDERSTANDING, you need everywhere you go. I got a box or two of WISDOM, a bag or two of FAITH. I couldn’t miss the HOLY SPIRIT, for it was all over the place. I stopped to get some STRENGTH and COURAGE to help me run this race. By then my basket was getting full, but remembered some GRACE. I didn’t forget SALVATION for SALVATION is free, So I tried to get enough of that to save both you and me. Then I proceeded to the counter to pay my grocery bill, For I thought I had everything to do my MASTER’S will. I saw PRAYER as I went up the aisle and just had to put that in, For I knew that when I stepped outside, I would run right into sin. PEACE and JOY were plentiful, they were on the last shelf, SONGS and PRAISES were hanging near so I just helped myself. Then I said to the Angel, “How much do I owe?” He just smiled and said, “Take them everywhere you go.” Again I said “How much do I really owe?” He smiled again and said: “MY CHILD, JESUS PAID YOUR BILL A LONG, LONG TIME AGO!”
- 9. - 7 - Christian Aid Week Mavis has mentioned in her letter that this is a good time to think about which charities we all choose to support, and one that has a special place at the heart of this church and many others, and I am sure always will, is Christian Aid. It is not a charity which focuses on aid for Christians (a frequent misunderstanding!) but one which offers Christians, individually or as churches, a way to help others and to bear witness to their faith at the same time. It was formed after WWII by British and Irish churches, initially to help the refugees of that time, and its present-day aims are to expose poverty and work to end it, whilst challenging the systems which favour the rich over the poor (NB this is a summary – see below). Christian Aid’s work has a theological base, responding to Jesus’s message of good news for the poor and freedom for the oppressed. Christian Aid week falls on 13-19 May 2018. Like several other churches, we no longer make house-to-house collections – so we need to find other ways of raising money in this special week. There will be an opportunity to fill up Christian Aid envelopes at the morning service of Sunday 13th May, and Barbara will be holding a coffee morning (details on p8 below). And with Christine she will be stewarding at Christian Aid’s sponsored walk (still time to join it!) around the City Churches on Sunday 20th May. Any more ideas or initiatives you may have will be welcome. There is usually a devotional series to accompany Christian Aid week. This year it covers 11 days because it corresponds to the period between Ascension Day and Pentecost, which is also covered by an ecumenical and global prayer movement: Thy Kingdom Come. The full document is available as a booklet, and I hope to obtain a few copies, so please let me know if you would like one (this unfortunately cannot be guaranteed as Christian Aid may run out of copies). For more information see: https://www.christianaid.org.uk/about-us/our-history https://www.christianaid.org.uk/about-us/our-aims https://www.christianaid.org.uk/about-us/what-we-believe
- 10. - 8 - QUIZ NIGHT: FRIDAY 11th MAY 2018 7.00 for 7.30pm start Large Hall, Hayes Free Church Tables of 6 to 8 people Cost £10 includes a fish and chip supper Proceeds to the Guides’ camp in Scotland Tickets from Teresa (teresa.cheyne@talktalk.net) and speaking of quizzes: Top of the Pew Your team’s first-round match took place on 15th April, an away fixture against the church of St Anthony’s, Anerley. In an exceptionally exciting and very well-matched contest, Hayes held a significant lead at half-time – but celebrations would have been distinctly premature. St Anthony’s gradually reeled us in, until they were just one point behind, and then took the lead (again by one point). Each announcement of the score was greeted by much “ooing” from an enthralled audience, in which Hayes was strongly represented. Finally, with time running out, Hayes drew ahead in the last round, and so just made it! There were several comments about the friendly spirit in which the match was played, and we are grateful to St Anthony’s for their very warm welcome, and also for the refreshments, through which over £40 was raised for the Marjorie McClure School in Chislehurst. Coffee morning for A coffee morning will be held at 133 Pickhurst Lane on Thursday 17th May from 10.00am to 12.00 noon There will be a bring-and-buy table. Hope to see you, Barbara
- 11. - 9 - Some important dates in May: Thursday 3rd May: Local elections Thursday 10th May: Ascension Day Monday 7th May: Bank Holiday Sunday 13th to Saturday 19th May: Christian Aid week Sunday 20th : Pentecost Monday 28th May: Bank Holiday THURSDAY 3rd MAY: POLLING DAY Remember that to vote in the local elections on Thursday 3rd May you will need to produce identification (ID). Bromley is one of the places where this new system is being tried. In general, you need either: - a single item with your photograph (the list includes: passport; driving licence; Oyster60+ London pass; Freedom pass) or: - two items, one of them giving your address (the list includes: credit or debit card; poll card; birth certificate; cheque book; mortgage statement; bank statement; utility bill). Please note these are NOT complete lists – you should have received full information listing all the acceptable ID, but if not, or if you need any other information about this, ring 0300 303 8665 or email electoral@bromley.gov.uk or visit www.bromley.gov.uk/VoterID. ****** And looking ahead….. Now that the weather is brightening up, and the bluebells are on the point of bursting forth, spring and summer events are starting to be organised, so on the next page you will find some advanced notices of a few dates which you may like to put in your diary:
- 12. - 10 - Sunday 10th June: Do you have used postage stamps (British or foreign)? On 10th June our morning service will be taken by a representative from the Leprosy Mission. The Leprosy Mission can make use of your stamps, so please bring all that you have to church on that day, or perhaps the previous week! Very many thanks. Wednesday 20th June: The Wandle Ringers Our friends the Wandle Ringers will be performing to raise money for the Mounthurst Road Scout hut project (see full page notice on p14). A golden opportunity to hear them if you find it difficult to get to their Christmas concert. Saturday 23rd June: Hayes Horticultural Society summer outing An outing to RHS Hyde Hall Gardens (Essex). The cost of £27.00 includes coach travel, entrance, a garden tour, a tea or coffee and cake. If you are interested please contact Liz Clark (email: hayeshs@clara.co.uk; tel: 020 8462 3489) Thursday 5th July Contact Group outing: in the footsteps of the Suffragettes A walk led by Alistair for the contact group. Timing and further details to follow. and with no set time, but probably the sooner the better - Poppy appeal with a difference: This time the appeal is for poppies, not for money! Hayes Village Association is planning a “Poppy Fall” to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War in November 1918. It will take the form of a cascade of netting, covered with poppies, to be hung beside the doors of the Village Hall. Even if you do not live in Hayes you still have a link with the village through Hayes Free Church, and I am sure that any poppies from past years that you can provide would be much appreciated. Many people are reluctant to throw them away once the Remembrance season is past, so there may well be some hiding away in an old drawer or cupboard. If you have any, please let me know and I will point them in the right direction. Thank you, Christine
- 13. - 11 - GDPR – the church must be ready – and that means you!! As mentioned previously, Hayes Free Church like all other organisations will have to abide by strict new rules about the use of information that can identify individuals. These are effective from 25th May. This is the law of the land, and there are large fines for non-observance. The aim of the legislation is to help us all to protect our own privacy, not just in the world of Facebook and others as we see it today, but for the future when advances in technology may bring new threats. So although it creates some complications, especially for small organisations like ours, it is meant to be our friend! The Elders will have to take formal responsibility for the holding and management of data about individuals. Two Elders will have special day-to- day responsibility, and they are Mavis and Maggie. If you have any list of people connected with the church, your help will also be needed. We hope to speak to all list-holders individually before the regulations come into force, but in order to do this we have to be sure that we are aware of every single list – not just the obvious more formal ones. So we have compiled a list of all the different church lists that we can think of (see below), but if you know of any others, please tell us straightaway. We are still working out the final details of these new arrangements but will have them at the next church meeting, and also in the next Catalyst. Meanwhile, if you have any questions, please speak to Mavis or Maggie, or to me. Thank you, Christine PROVISIONAL NOTE OF LISTS HELD OR ISSUED BY HFC WHICH INCLUDE INFORMATION ABOUT INDIVIDUALS LISTS BASIC TO OUR ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AS A CHURCH AND/OR LEGALLY REQUIRED Membership roll List of those eligible to serve as Elders (issued annually) Serving Elders Non-serving Elders Baptisms formal record Cradle Roll Marriages formal record Ashes scattered formal record Preachers who may be approached CTiH clergy or other contacts CTiH committee Gift aid Freewill offering envelope scheme Employee/s records Past Ministers of HFC Fabric Committee Finance Committee
- 14. - 12 - Pastoral care lists List of HFC office holders (eg Fairtrade rep, Christian Aid rep, etc) REGULAR DUTIES/ CONTRIBUTIONS Rota for church duties - door duty, reading, vestry prayer, collection count, serving Communion Rota for coffee Rota for preparing Communion Flower rota BIBLE STUDY/ SOCIAL GROUPS Sat Fellowship Women’s Contact Group Men’s Group Friendship Group Messy Church families Mother and Toddlers club Book Club Directors Club Singles lunches – list of people who might be eligible and lists created for particular lunches Baptisms – informal lists for future contact LISTS WHICH INCLUDE EXTERNAL CONTACTS Contacts for Christmas Card sale and Christmas Fair Contacts for Christmas Tree sponsors and performers Contacts (eg neighbouring residents) in relation to Mounthurst project Contacts of speakers or performers for Friendship Club or any other social groups Catalyst distribution list (hard copy) Catalyst distribution list (electronic) Church minutes distribution list (electronic) OTHER LISTS Hall hirers Records of any accidents Historical records Lists that might arise in future for church members to work together on some project as yet unknown CATALYST List of main office holders List of future preachers List of contacts for notice sheet List of contacts for church organisations Individual names as they arise for particular reasons WEBSITE All info in Catalyst (and back copies for a year) Other contact details (often also in Catalyst) (NOTE: Uniformed organisations have their own GDPR arrangements)
- 15. - 13 - Michael John Duke (1934-2018) Following the article in last month’s Catalyst we would like to thank everyone who either attended the Celebration Service on Thursday 1st March or sent us their kind thoughts for both the day and at this difficult time. The service was definitely a celebration of Mike’s life. It allowed us to highlight his journey in the Christian faith and his role as a Nurse, Police Officer and for him most importantly as a father, grandad, husband, partner and friend to many. The numerous anecdotes that were shared helped remember a great man, loved by so many people as seen through the wonderful turn out at the Church, and helped us raise many a smile. In particular we would like to extend our thanks to Reverend Bill Bowman who supported us in the lead up to the service and so sensitively led the service ably supported by Alan Kienlan and Martin Nunn. The charity of his choice, Mission Aviation Fellowship UK Limited, is continuing to receive donations in his memory and thank you to the Hayes URC family for their strong support in this respect. With best wishes Mark, Paul, Simon, Rachel and Barbara ****** !!STOP PRESS!! Bank Holiday Ramble: Monday 7th May Martin will be leading a ramble on this day. All are welcome - please meet in the Rosary carpark at 10.15am. He has planned a scenic route, passing lakes and wildlife, along the Darent valley, and including a visit to the Chequers at Darenth. The route covers about 3.5 miles and there are no stiles. Please note however that you may well encounter some stinging nettles, and that the paths may be muddy. On 19th April they had begun to dry out after the winter’s rains, but whether they will remain dry depends on the weather in the following weeks. You are advised therefore to wear trousers and stout footwear for protection.
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- 18. - 16 - Calendar for May 2018 Tue 1 2.00pm 7.00pm Tuesday Friendship Group (p3) Elders’ Meeting (p3) Weds 2 2.00pm Book Club (p4) Thurs 3 7.00pm Local Elections (p9) Fri 4 2.00pm Mothers’ and Toddlers’ Club (p4) Sat 5 2.30pm Saturday Fellowship (p3) Sun 6 10.30am 6.30pm Morning Service – John Cox (p1) Holy Communion – Judy Davies (p1) Mon 7 10.15am Bank Holiday Ramble Tue 8 2.00pm Tuesday Friendship Group (p3) Thurs 10 ASCENSION DAY Fri 11 2.00pm 7for 7.30pm Mothers’ and Toddlers’ Club (p4) Quiz night for the Guides’ camp (p8) Sun 13 10.30am 11.30pm 6.30pm Start of Christian Aid week (pp7-8) Parade Service – Duncan Wilson (p1) Fairtrade Stall (p5) Evening Service – Hilary Creed (p1) Mon 14 12.30pm Women’s Contact Group lunch (p3) Tue 15 2.00pm Tuesday Friendship Group (p3) Thurs 17 10.00am 8.00pm Coffee morning for Christian Aid (p8) Men’s Group (p3) Fri 18 2.00pm Mothers’ and Toddlers’ Club (p4) Sat 19 2.30pm Close of Christian Aid week Sun 20 10.30am 12.30pm 6.30pm Morning Service: Pentecost – TBA (p1) Singles’ Lunch (p4) Evening Service – Judy Davies (p1) Tue 22 2.00pm Tuesday Friendship Group (p3) Fri 25 2.00pm GDPR comes into effect (pp11-12) Mothers’ and Toddlers’ Club (p4) Sun 27 10.30am 12.00 noon 6.30pm Morning Service – TBA (p1) Church Meeting (p3) Evening Service – Judy Davies (p1) Mon 28 BANK HOLIDAY Tue 29 2.00pm Tuesday Friendship Group (p3) Prior notice of events in June 2018 and beyond Tues 5 7.00pm Elders’ Meeting (p3)
- 19. Sun 10 10.30pm Deadline for your used postage stamps (p10) Weds 20 7.30pm Wandle Ringers’ Midsummer Ring (pp 10 & 14) Sat 23 TBC Hayes Horticultural outing (p10) Thurs 5 July NB TBC Contact Group walk (p10) CHURCH ORGANISATIONS – please advise the Editor of updates as they arise Day Organisation Contact Phone Sunday 12.30pm – monthly only Singles’ lunch Joan Smith 020 8462 3920 Monday 5.45pm Brownies Sarah Humphrey 020 3539 8113 6.30pm Cubs Brenda Petts 020 8325 3956 12.30pm - 1st Mon only Women's Contact Group Sylvia Mack 020 8462 1938 Tuesday 2.00pm Tuesday Friendship Group Wendy Smith 020 8462 1779 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 Please use this email contact: Second hayesrainbows@ hotmail.com 6.00pm Beavers Brenda Petts 020 8325 3956 6.30pm Guides – 4th Hayes Teresa Cheyne 020 8777 6042 8.00pm Explorers Phil Butcher & Dan Perrott pip.butcher @googlemail.com danperrott@ hotmail.com 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 GOD OF THE IMPOSSIBLE God of the impossible, we pray for justice, peace and reconciliation. And when the challenges seem too many, remind us of your resurrection power, and the miracles of your love that happen whenever injustice is dismantled and rebuilt with peace. Help us to hope that the impossible can happen and live as if it might do so today. Amen. With thanks to Christian Aid for permission to use this prayer