Wessexsynodurc.org.uk



5424170787400012705334000Sharing the VisionMay 2021News from the Wessex SynodNote: Items headed in grey have appeared in the newsletter previouslyCould you be Synod Treasurer?The key areas of practical involvement for the Synod Treasurer:As a Trustee, taking a strategic overview of the Trust's financial position, and representing this where relevant to Synod and Trust meetings as necessaryRepresenting Wessex Synod in national and inter-Synod meetings of URC Treasurers (opportunities for sharing of practices and ideas)?Taking a lead on Wessex's response in financial terms to inter-synod resource sharing questions and other major financial issues as they arise (e.g. pensions and investment strategy)Leading the relationship with Statutory Auditors, and providing Quality Assurance to the Trust; acting as the key link with the Synod Office Finance Team?Supporting local churches in dealing with financial, software or accounting issues; ensuring that Church Treasurers supply copies of their accounts in a timely fashion.If you have any questions or would like to talk about this then contact Karen Bell (Synod Clerk clerk@.uk) or Stuart Mclean (Trust Executive Officer trust@.uk)Constance Coltman – a pioneer of women’s ordinationJoin the online launch of Constance Pioneer, Pastor, Preacher18th May 2021 at 7pm-8pmFlier available herePhishing Email ArticleAndy Jackson, Head of Communications for the URC, recently shared news about a phishing attempt from someone claiming to be John Bradbury, the General Secretary of the URC. These emails had been seen before at Church House but this attempt had been sent to others in the wider Church. Now that these emails seem to be using the names of Synod staff too, Andy shares some tips about how to tell what’s an attempt at fraud and what’s genuine. Read the article here: Phishing email articleURC Photo requestsThe URC are producing a calendar of church buildings for 2022. The idea is to use very good photographs of our church buildings. This is to give a flavour of our buildings from the length and breadth of the denomination. Victorian churches, post war pre-fabs, churches opened in the last couple of years – photos of all types of URC buildings are welcome.If possible: just the outside of the buildings; landscape orientation preferred but square and portrait images are also fine. JPG or PNG file format. Black and white images are also welcome. Please label the files with the name and location of the church (eg st-columbas-north-shields.jpg) – this will save lots of emails trying to determine which church IMG_0001 is! Please include the name of the photographer. No bigger than 3600 pixels wide please (which should be around 3Mb in size). Some email providers won’t allow big images to be sent. Please send contributions to andy.jackson@.uk. If photos are sent, the photographer is granting the URC permission to use the photographs in print and digitally.Deadline for submissions: 31st July 2021URC:Spirituality presents: Streams in the WildernessFinding spiritual water in the desert. A free week of short, standalone sessions exploring spirituality in difficult times.24th-28th MayStreams in the Wilderness is a week-long event looking at where we may find our nourishment, our spiritual water/food, during difficult times. Each session stands alone, but will all have the same overarching theme. You are welcome to join in for one session, some sessions, or all sessions!Each day will begin with?morning prayer @ 7:30am.Around lunchtime will be some?food for thought @ 12:30pm. The evening slot is where we will be?drinking deeply @ 7:30pm. All the sessions will aim to be varied, interactive, and include some takeaway thoughts.The entire week is free to attend. The Zoom link, which is sent out upon sign-up, is the same for all the sessions. So feel free to dip in and out as you see fit. There is no obligation to turn up to any particular session/s.For more information, or to sign up, visit the event page?here ()300,000 Steps for Christian AidThis year Christian Aid are asking people to take 300,000 steps to raise money for Christian Aid; and I’ve accepted the challenge. In the wet, dry, cold and warmth of May I will make sure that people who are suffering most from climate change are getting the support they need through Christian Aid. If you can sponsor me, it would be like hearing you cheer me on!You can?sponsor me by going to:?donate/137225505049642/Rev David Downing – Maidenhead & Marlow URCsGOOD NEWS STORYWhat shall we do for Christian Aid Week this year?Woking URC took on the challenge of a 24 hour Bible ‘read-a-thon’, starting with the New Testament and adding some Psalms. Half hour slots on Stream Yard were filled from Saturday 8th May at 10 am through to Sunday 9th May at the same time. Eight acted as hosts to keep things moving and to give a Christian Aid story every hour.75 different people spanning all ages from five to 90+ (16 of those were under 18) were involved. Three read in a different language - Cantonese, Korean and French (the latter being by someone who had kept in contact following the Wessex Synod ‘Le Weekend’ held in Woking in 2019). A few others who had been sharing in the Woking live stream Sunday Services also read. In the middle of the night eyes then focussed on Australia and former Woking friends and a Church in the little town of Padthaway, South Australia. The Church there had made contact with Woking URC a few months earlier because someone had seen Woking’s live stream Sunday Services. The original target of ?6,000 was soon increased to ?7,000 exceeded. With all the Gift Aid added, and a Zoom Quiz donations as well, the final total will be over ?9,000! As soon as the marathon had ended the live stream Service welcomed in person Amanda Mukwashi, Chief Executive of Christian Aid. Her chosen theme was ‘Sing the Lord’s Song in a Strange Land’. The Church family in Woking and wider will hold on to Amanda’s inspiring words having been so blessed over these very special few days. This Service (and the 24 hour read-a-thon) can be viewed via the Church’s website - .uk. A longer report can be found in the Stories from our Churches section of the Synod website.Christian Aid Bible Reading marathon.pdfGOOD NEWS STORY World Day of PrayerWhat a wonderful blessing technology has proven for uniting so many people for the World Day of Prayer, Friday 5 March.Salisbury, Andover, Poole and Devizes joined forces and hosted a Zoom service with 198 screens joining, several with 2 people.? There were 22 people involved as readers, 3 pre-recorded musicians,?and 5 on the IT team (all from Salisbury & Andover United Reformed Churches including two men who took the day off work for the service and the rehearsal the week before).?? Folks joined us from all over the UK and one on the telephone from South Africa!? ?As one person commented, she’d never been to such a large WDP service.? Ana Gobledale, Andover & Salisbury URC’sGOOD NEWS STORYURC vaccine appeal tops more than ?23,000Generous donors have helped the United?Reformed Church (URC) raise more than ?23,000 for Christian Aid.The initiative started when Salisbury URC member Meg Abel, suggested that people might wish to show their gratitude for their own Covid-19 vaccinations by helping to raise funds to supply coronavirus vaccines to countries struggling to afford them.The idea was taken up by Peter Pay, who is also a member of Salisbury URC and who serves as one of the Moderators of the URC General Assembly. Peter made enquiries with the team which coordinates the URC’s global justice programme, Commitment for Life which contacted Christian Aid to form a partnership. The charity is already on the ground, helping keep people safe from coronavirus with practical support.The URC’s fundraising campaign launched in February with the aim of raising ?5,000. Due to the generosity of donors, the target was raised to ?10,000 in April. However, since that time ?23,172 (at the time of writing) has been raised, and people are still donating.Peter said: “I am delighted to see how much has been raised and still is, through the generosity of URC members. We recognise importance of the equitable distribution of vaccines and health measures.”Nick Georgiadis, Christian Aid’s Director for Fundraising and Supporter Engagement, talks about the Christian Aid and URC partnership in a video here. If you would like to help and express your thanks for your coronavirus vaccine, you can make a donation here. URC Holiday Forum – 21 – 27 AugustIt's time to secure your place for Holiday Forum 2021! Whether you’d like to join us in-person at The Hayes or online this August, now is the time to book your place to avoid disappointment.Jane Rowell leads our daily worship and Anthony Reddie brings us our theme of LIVING WITH & LOVING DIFFERENCE: the challenge of being human in a fractured world.For more information view this linkOBERAMMERGAU 2022The Revd Michael Hopkins has a small number of places still available on a trip to the Oberammergau passion play in 2022 (postponed from 2020).? From 15-21 May 2022, the trip will include time in the Austrian Tyrol, and is one of the best value packages available.? With the increase in vaccination, and hopes of normality, now is a good time to book.? Full details here: & Family Worker vacancy – Gosport URC St ColumbaIf you have a passion to see Children and their families meet Jesus??Then we’ve room on our team for you!We are looking for someone with enthusiasm and ideas to join our small friendly team of volunteers as we seek to take the love of Jesus out to young people and their families in our community.The post will be part time (18.5 hrs per week-flexible)? Salary:? ?10k – ?12k pa depending on experienceClosing date for applications : 9th?July 2021Interviews ?Friday 23rd?July 2021For more information and an application pack please e-mail Chris at secstcolumbas.gosport@ There is a Genuine Occupational Requirement for the post holder to be a committed Christian.?The post is also subject to ongoing EDBS checks and Safeguarding training.Vacancy flier available hereHow to Handle Later LifeGreetings from north Kent!I have been an elder of a URC church and written for?Reform. I am?also the author of a handbook for older people entitled?How to Handle Later Life?(Amaranth Books, 2017). My book’s 1,000 pages explore the main choices people face as they grow older and the ways in which they can avoid potential problems.?Reviewing How to Handle Later Life, Eric Midwinter, a founder of the U3A movement, wrote:It would be difficult to visualise a more complete and wide-ranging compendium than this on how to cope with the pressures and perils of later age. ... Health, with more than 200 pages, housing, legal matters, finance and all other facets of later life are comprehensively and sympathetically treated, with a user-friendly structure and presentation. There should be a copy in every library, council office, doctor's practice, MP's surgery, Citizens Advice Bureau, Age UK office, if not in every household.Although aimed mainly at older people themselves, professionals from nurses to?psychologists?tell me they have also found my book invaluable. Thus in his review?in the?Methodist Recorder, The Rev Albert Jewell, Methodist minister for 58 years and former head of pastoral care at Methodist Homes, wrote:Shoard addresses in a thorough-going and balanced manner the biggest concerns and decisions people face as they grow older… Reliable and comprehensive… It should be found in every public library… As someone who has been involved in dementia care and research over the years, I find the author's chapter on this subject particularly impressive. Its 25 pages are essential reading.Over the last?fifteen?months, the pandemic has taken away opportunities to sell my book, whether at speaking events, conferences and exhibitions or in bookshops. My publisher has retained copies for sale, but I have?taken?others which it would otherwise have pulped to reduce storage costs?and am offering them free to individuals?in churches, lay or ordained,?seeking?to engage with older people. If?you are involved in work with older people?within your?church and/or?your?wider community?and?would like a copy,?do?drop me a line at PO Box 664, Rochester, Kent ME1 9JB with?your name, address and a cheque made out to me for ?3.70 (to cover postage?and packing). For any questions about my offer, email?marion@marionshoard.co.uk.How to Handle Later Life?puts forward?a framework to?aid?understanding of?the realities of growing older, both physical changes to the body and the particular nutritional, exercise and psychological needs of older people.? It goes?on to examine the challenges growing older in Britain today can bring in fields from?transport,?housing?and?healthcare?to finance, help in the home and?combatting loneliness.?You can see several sample chapters, the table of contents, introduction and reviews on?Amaranth Books’ website?(at?amaranthbooks.co.uk/titles/how-to-handle-later-life).?My website?(at?marionshoard.co.uk) provides information about my background and activities, including within the ecumenical group?Christians on Ageing, of which I am a trustee.With best wishes,Marion ShoardNews UpdateNews Update is seeking anything of interest for the denomination as a whole from across the country – and the nations.Any news/photos/event information for the next edition should be sent to:ann-marie.nye@.ukYou can subscribe to News Update via the link on the URC website.View the May News Update hereJoint Public Issues TeamView the April newsletter here Churches Together in England NewsletterLatest newsletter available here:?.uk/news?Christians on AgeingChristians on Ageing provide useful resources, and are running a series of events in late spring/summer of 2021. More details from? of Date – Synod Big Day Out will now be in 2022URC Wessex Synod - Big Day OutDate: 7th May 2022Time: 11am till 5pmVenue:Hollycombe Steam Fair and Museum near Liss(Wessex Synod will have sole use of the whole site)Theme:Jubilee: 50th anniversary of the URCMore details to follow.Upcoming Synod eventsBookings for all events and training courses toRuth Heine at the Synod OfficeEmail: bookings@.uk Tel: 023 8067 4513Development and SupportFrom your DSOsDevelopment and Support Officers Mary and Ray continue to support churches, elderships and ministers, individually and through their work with the pastoral committees.?If you or your church feels that they can be of assistance, please do be in touch with them.Ray Stanyon – dso-n@.ukMary Thomas – dso-s@.ukElders’ Conference – Saturday 17 July 2021 – save the dateSaturday 17 July 2021. A development day for Elders with speakers Andrew and Sally Willett, from Thamesmead Pioneer Church Project. The theme will be the Holy Habit of Making Disciples with a particular emphasis on your role as Elders.The Elders’ conference was a hugely successful event two years ago, so we hope to be able to make this year’s event available to as many as possible.Location: Pre-pandemic we booked a room at Sarum College in Salisbury and the room booking plus lunch is still good, although numbers may be restricted. A decision about meeting in-person or on Zoom will be made in due course, so save the date and keep an eye out for further information to all Elders via Church Secretaries. Stepwise – new online groupFaith Filled Life is the first of the Stepwise streams. Find out more about the course but contact the Synod Office to register your interest.A new online group will be starting in September, (probably on Monday evenings 7pm-9pm, tbc). The group will meet once every few weeks, dates to be arranged with the group. Book your place to receive further details.Church Secretaries – 21 September 2021Tuesday 21 September 2021, 7pm – 8.30pm on zoom. This is an opportunity for church secretaries to get together and discuss topics of interest. If you have a topic to suggest, please mention it when you book your place.Church Treasurers – 23 October 2021Saturday 23 October 2021 at 2pm on zoom. This get-together for treasurers will focus on the ‘Data Developments’ software packages, ‘Donations Coordinator’ and ‘Finance Coordinator’.? Karen Bell who uses this software will be able to share screen to show you, followed by questions and answers.? Some of you may already be using this software and be more experienced, in which case you would be welcome to attend and share your knowledge. Please save the date and book your place to receive the zoom link.Lockdown Habits – Holy Habits booklets available to loanWhilst now might not be the time to embark on huge projects, the Holy Habits material is an ideal resource for churches to help consider what habits are already developing naturally, AND how to keep the good habits once face to face meeting becomes possible again.??? There is a copy of the series of Holy Habits booklets in the Office, and Ray Stanyon (DSO-n) has another for you to borrow all or part of.Reminder that there is information about Holy Habits on the synod website.Children’s and Youth Events and TrainingSupersleuths – New URC Holiday Club resources Get your detective hat and coat on, grab your magnifying glass, there are some cases to solve and Supersleuths need you! Picking up the URC Children’s and Youth Work theme for 2021, Heroes and Villains, the team have come together to write the URC CYW’s first ever holiday club programme. Packed with Bible stories, drama, prayer, games, activities, snack ideas, original songs and much much more, Supersleuths is set in a 1950s Detective Agency and explores the stories of seven Bible characters from both the Old and New Testament. The pack is accompanied with:suggestions on how to adapt the material for use over Zoom as well as face-to-face and some suggestions for outdoorsa pick and mix selection of ideas with suggestions of how these might be used for a week’s holiday club, 2 days, 1 day Appendices on how to extend the material for 11-14 year olds, for an intergenerational gathering, for a vintage holiday clubGuidelines on setting up and ideas for decoration Advertising material Video material on our YouTube channel for use over Zoom or for churches where volunteers are less experienced/confident in story-telling and drama Reflections for leaders The material will be available as a downloadable PDF from .uk/resources-for-children-and-youth from 1st June 2021Bimonthly Newsletter – May 2021Bi-monthly update – May from the Children’s & Youth Team at Church House.Wessex Summer Camps – it’s not too late to book16 – 18 July 2021 at Oakwood Activity Centre, Wokingham.‘Heroes and Villains’ theme. For ages 8-11 years and 11-17 years.A time for young people to have fun with others through a varied programme of activities, discussion and worship. Booking information.Safeguarding Training – updateThe basic safeguarding training course is delivered online across 3 sessions. Participants must attend each of the 3 sessions to complete the training and gain a certificate. Booking is essential.Places available for those working with children & youth and/or adults at risk on the dates below. Please specify when you book your place.Safeguarding Training on Thursdays, 7pm – 8.30pmSession 1 – 24th June 2021Session 2 – 1st July 2021Session 3 – 8th July 2021Places available for those in Church Leadership (eg Elders, Safeguarding Coordinators, Ministers) on the dates below.Safeguarding training (church leadership) on Thursdays, 7pm – 9pm.Session 1 – 10th June 2021Session 2 – 17th June 2021Mental Health First Aid training datesMental Health First Aid Training courses. Wessex Synod covers the cost for members of URCs and LEPs in Wessex Synod.?Upcoming dates Mental Health Awareness. This course is one session on Zoom, 9am – 1pm. 21 July 2021 (book by 12 July)Become a certified Mental Health First Aider. Choose the adult focus or youth focus course. These courses are delivered online across four sessions with some self-learning exercises to complete in preparation for each of the live Zoom sessions with the trainer.? Upcoming dates.Become a Certified Mental Health First Aider - Adult focus15 June – 25 June 2021, Tuesday and Friday mornings 9am to 12 noon. (Book by 7 June).Become a Certified Mental Health First Aider - Adult focus12 July – 22 July 2021, Monday and Thursday mornings 9am to 12 noon. (Book by 1st July).Mentality for Students can be accessed here mentality.workThis course is aimed at University Students who would like to gain a base knowledge training so they can better support their friends, housemates and themselves. A one minute preview can be viewed at Mentality for Students | Peter Larkum. Wessex Synod will cover the cost for University Students from member churches in Wessex Synod, even if they are studying out of the Synod area.Booking for all mental health first aid courses is essential. Please email: bookings@.uk to register for a course.Mentality at Work can be accessed here mentality.workThis course gives anyone the need-to-know essentials to spot the signs of poor mental health and take action. Delivered online as a one hour video, the cost is ?15 + VAT (?18). Wessex Synod does not cover the cost of this mentality course.Wessex Synod Children’s and Youth Programme 2021Check out the exciting list of opportunities for children and young people.Mark the dates in your diary and watch this space for further information.Programme 2021.Children’s & Youth resources – on the synod websiteTake a look at the Children’s & Youth resources page on the Synod website! Families on Faith Adventures @ Home! 10 May – Spreading the WordTrialogue – online YouTube broadcast for 16 to 25 year oldsFortnightly on Thursdays at 7pm. URC Youth offer a fortnightly online live YouTube broadcast called ‘Trialogue’. Aimed at 16 to 25 year olds, each session explores a theme alongside a Bible passage, providing a spring board for further discussion and reflection. 3 Panelists, 3 Questions, 3 Values. All past episodes are available on YouTube for viewing at any time, plus all episodes (Sept onwards) are now available as podcasts.? Follow the URC Youth Trialogue Facebook page to engage and receive up to date information - URC Website for information - URC Children & Youth YouTube channel (Trialogue link) – your church have a good news story?If your church has something it would like to share with people via the Synod Website page “Stories from our Churches”, please send the article to the?Synod Office?and we will publish it on that page.NB If using photographs please ensure you have signed permission from those people featured for it to be published on the Synod Website (not just for your own personal church’s use) and supply this at the same time as submitting the article.New Stories are added as when they are received, so do keep an eye on the page regularly. Prayer CalendarThe Synod Prayer Calendar is available on the Synod Website and also each month in this enewsletter. Please note that it is updated from time to time, for example when a church closes it will be removed from the list. Please refer to the website/enewsletter before printing weekly prayer sheets to ensure the most up to date information. Thank you. June6Oxford: Collinwood RoadMereBasingstoke: Christ Church Chineham13United Church WinchesterOxford: Marston20Reading: TilehurstWaterside, Emsworth27Christchurch: SomerfordBishop’s Waltham United Free ChurchJuly4The URC Meeting of General AssemblySalisbury: Broad ChalkeSouthampton: Isaac Watts Memorial Church11BroadstoneRomsey: Abbey URC18AndoverTrinity Church, Totton25WarehamThe Spire Church, FarnhamItems for the next edition to enews@.ukby 12noon on Monday 14th June 2021Please submit news items in the form of:a heading; date and venue details; a brief descriptive sentence and a website link. ................
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