Minister:Rev. John Cook

BEXLEY UNITED

REFORMED CHURCH

HURST ROAD

BEXLEY

SUMMER

JUNE 2010 35p

Minister:Rev. John Cook

113 Blendon Road,

Bexley,

Kent DA5 1BT

Tel. Home:020 8303 7814

e-mail :

Church Address :Bexley United Reformed Church

500 Hurst Road, Bexley, Kent

DA5 3JX

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Church Secretary:Kathy Shaw Tel: 01322 557656

Church Treasurer:Peter Roberts Tel: 01322 559803

Hall Letting Officer:Sylvia Poulten Tel: 01322 521649

Junior Church

Leader:Diana RoseTel: 01322 669686

Editing,

Printing and Ann Markey Tel: 020 8304 2659

collating:e-mail:

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NO: 92

If we follow through from last month’s ideas about ‘sacred space’ they push us, not only to acknowledge the revelation of God to us, but that that revelation pushes us to shift the focal centre of what we do away from human actions in worship to a human response to God’s presence with his people. It is an obvious response to Easter, Pentecost and Trinity.

That in turn requires us to look slightly deeper at another aspect of being human. It is the fact that we know God not through ‘place’ but through our weakness. It produces what some call ‘shame’ and what is more generally today termed ‘humility’. Corrine L Carvalho suggests that the driving force behind the theology in the book of Ezekiel is not ‘shame’, but a realization of God’s real presence amongst his people. The ‘shame’ then becomes the fruit of the relationship. This is a difficult concept for us to understand and I know that it has in the past deterred people from committing their lives fully to Christ – the ‘guilt’ syndrome.

In essence we are looking at our response to the fact that we have done nothing to deserve God’s attention let alone his saving grace to restore us to all the fullness he envisaged at creation. God created us, he laments our fall, took Israel under his wing, purified them and made them Holy before himself. God simply chooses to save Israel, and called them to be an example that the world might follow. And through Jesus we are heirs to that same promise. We have celebrated it through those major festivals over the last few months.

What today’s society has lost is that sense of shame before the presence of God. So then ‘sacred space’, following on from last month, is not a right but a grace of God. If we go against him, refuse to have a relationship with him and serve our own ends, then he will circumvent us. We are as much in danger as ancient Israel. They violated Covenant and exile followed. We are in danger of believing in not just the mobility of God, but that we can command God. And no doubt we’ll be just as surprised when we come across our own exile – in whatever form that might be.

For us ‘sacred space’ must be the place where we come face to face with ‘shame’. It should, in Carvalho’s words, ‘tumble [us] head over heels before God’s presence.’[1] That presence we come face to face with in Jesus Christ, is taken up and intensified beyond our imagination – opening up the hope of eternal life. We’ve celebrated that in the Easter events that culminated with the resurrection. Failure to recognize it produces sin – a removal from God’s presence. But it is God who chooses through unmerited mercy and forgiveness to be present with us and allows us to start all over again refreshed and renewed – if we truly turn back to him.

And what’s more we’ve just celebrated Pentecost – the giving of the Spirit – and Trinity – God in all his fullness – humility is surely a right reaction. The response is what we must then offer. A huge element of that must be prayer and it brings us once again to the Vision4programme that some have been following in this year of prayer.

May God continue to bless you in your treasure hunt!

John Cook

‍

By the time this is in print I fully expect that everyone will be aware that June 2010 is the centenary of the ground-breaking 1910 Missionary Conference held in Edinburgh. It was of such importance it is being celebrated again, was on one of the courses I took at College, and continues to inspire us.

It was important in that it gathered so many people from so many different denominations, and above all different countries, that the face of mission in the world changed.

By today’s standards and understandings 1910 was a limited affair. Look on the internet and you’ll quickly find many references to Edinburgh 2010. The conference is to be ‘repeated’ – not replecated. It will be more diverse in participants, nature and world reach. It is also hoped that it will give us as vital a lead today as it did in 1910.

It links nicely with our thoughts elsewhere and to our recognition that we must understand everything as God’s grace to an undeserving people. It then, as we said, will invite a response. It meshes with the Vision4 programme and our own hopes and thoughts about outreach, justice, serving the ‘poor’ and releasing ‘prisoners’. It was described by John R. Mott, the 1910 Conference chairman, “the most notable gathering in the interest of the worldwide expansion of Christianity ever held, not only in missionary annals, but in all Christian annals.” But even more than this it is suggested that this was the start of the modern worldwide ecumenical movement. A ‘banner’ we still ‘carry’ today.

As churches that stem from the Congregational stream we are well aware of the London Missionary Society and the ‘John Williams’ ships that plied the Pacific islands. I still have some ‘ship’ halfpennies even now. It is therefore no coincidence that Vision4brings to the fore a renewed desire that we should focus on our mission. Nor should it surprise us that our once large mission fields now see ourselves as a mission field. As they grow so we have been diminishing, it would seem, and to everyone’s alarm! Yet we are slowly learning the lessons of ecuminism. Even now [Feb 2010] the President of Methodist Conference has suggested that Methodists are now ready to unite with the Anglicans, although a step back has been taken on this one – and that just as the URC has come to the realisation that further organic union is perhaps not the way forward. Hey ho, life is a challenge and added to Edinburgh offers us food for thought, avenues of exploration and aspirations to live up to.

I think Southern Synod has tried to do this. The minority participants in 1910 were small indeed and not expected to make a ‘real’ contribution. The most telling was by South Indian priest V.S. Azariah who concluded: “Through all the ages to come the Indian church will rise up in gratitude to attest the heroism and self-denying labours of the missionary body. You have given your goods to feed the poor. You have given your bodies to be burned. We also ask for love. Give us FRIENDS!” The exchange between Southern Synod and the Church of South India is well known in many ways.

In a later conference – the inauguration of the World Council of Churches – they sang a hymn based on Ps 100; it encompasses not just thanksgiving for God’s people but for the whole cosmos. We have a God who is King and Ruler of the whole cosmos and with a challenge to us to suit. I’m glad our two churches are taking it up

Letter from a Non-Serving Elder

The French writer Voltaire is credited with telling an opponent: “I disagree strongly with what you are saying, but I will defend to the death your right to say it”. He lived in the eighteenth century, a time when France was in the grip of an authoritarian regime, when to voice any criticism of the Church, the Monarchy or the Government was to run the risk of fines, impresonment, exile or worse. Voltaire came to England to escape; and he found much to praise in the freedoms which the English enjoyed, the vigour of argument and dissent.

What would Voltaire make of today’s England? We Christians seem especially to be singled out for criticism: we are expected not only to tolerate all manner of behaviour alien to our faith, but are in effect forced to approve. To voice disapproval is to be labelled bigots; to say things which might offend is no longer legal – and this at a time when there are so many people making a living of disapproval, as much on their own account as on that of people who can see no offence; to stand up for our beliefs seems no longer to be acceptable. Where is the tolerence in that? Or is tolerance a one-way street? It is quite odd that it is considered bigotry when Christians disapprove of, say, sex outside marriage or homosexual behaviour; but quite acceptable for Muslims to do so.

Perhaps we should start inviting “persecution” by expressing those ideas we believe in so passionately, and point out the alarming tendencies towards a new totalitarianism among our rulers. We should press our “persecutors” to argue their case with us, rather than simply sit back and allow them to go unchallenged. We should point out to them that it is in the end far more effective to poersuade people of the rightness of one’s case, rather than bludgeon them into cowed acceptance. And – even more strongly – we should press home the fact that our whole civilisation here in the West is underpinned by the Christian faith: Christians were the first to set up schools, hospitals, relief for the poor – not atheists!

One last quote, from Bernard Crick, which echoes the words of Voltaire: “Tolerance is not indifference: it is a deliberate limitation of one’s response to something of which one disapproves. To tolerate an idea is not to accept the idea, but simply to accept its expression. And to tolerate the behaviour of others is not then to be intolerant if one refuses to behave that way oneself, and indeed if one says so”.

Geoff Birch

“Geoff’s Quotes”

He that gives good advice, builds with one hand; he that gives good counsel and example, builds with both; but he that gives good admonition and bad example, builds with one hand and pulls down with the other. Francis Bacon

Services for June 2010

Sunday 6th June 10.30am Preacher: Sarah Phillpot

Sunday 13th June 10.30am Preacher: Pieter Lalleman

Sunday 20th June 10.30am Preacher: Rev. John Cook Holy Communion* Sunday 27th June at 10.30am Preacher: Jenny Sheehan

*Donations to the communion fund may be made in the box at the back of the church. Communion takes place on the third Sunday morning.

Duty June 6th John 20th Mavis

Elder 13th Barbara27th

Pause June 6th Jill B.20th Junior Church

For 13th Pat Thomson27th Sylvia

Thought

Flowers June 6th Mary Everest 20th Dot Holt

13th Suzanne Foster 27th Olive Richards

Activities of the Church

Every Monday10.00am to 11.00am in the hall. Gentle exercises for the over 50s. Numbers limited, names required.

2.00pm – 4.00pm Cream Teas, tea and biscuits,

toasted teacakes and a chat with friends every Monday afternoon in the back of the church.

Every Monday eveningfrom 7.30pm onwards Badminton Club

meets in the Church Hall.

2nd Tuesday of the month2.00pm Tea Dance at the Church Hall - the

next dance is on 8th June at

2.00pm - 4.00pm. Do come along and

enjoy yourself. You do not have to have a

partner, you do not have to dance, just come

and enjoy the music, the company and the

tea. All Welcome.

Every Wednesday Morning“Meeting Place” 10.00am at St. John Fisher.

Open for coffees and lunches. This is a

United Churches event.

Alternate Wednesday Coffee morning at the homes of friends.

Mornings

Bible StudyBible Study discussions are held at 2.30pm – 3.30pm at 362 Hurst Road. Further information from Mavis Wilson

Every Thursday10.00am to 11.00am in the Hall. Gentle exercises for the over 50s.

Every Friday10am-12.30pm Coffee Bar in the Ruxley Room.

1st Saturday each Month10.00am Coffee and cakes sale in the

Church Hall. Next Coffee and Cakes Sale will be on Saturday 5th June 2010

Sunday Mornings10.05am. Prayer Group in Side Classroom.

All welcome. Please give prayer requests to

Mavis Wilson or Diana Rose.

Craft AfternoonThe Craft and Friendship Group of ladies

takes place on the third Thursday of each

month at Mavis’ house - next meeting

Thursday 17th June at 2.00pm

Elders MeetingsChurch Meetings

8th June

6th July 2nd July

3rd August

Family News

We should continue to remember in our prayers John and Mary Everest, Haydn and Sylvia Poulton, Patricia Linder, Penny Denyer, Margot Nicholls, Joyce Smith and Frank and Vera Whipp.

Congratulations to Samantha Denyer on winning Gold at the London Gymnastic Federation 14+ vault championships. She has also been selected to represent Bexley in the London Youth Games for trampolining and gymnastics.

Church announcements to leave you smiling!

The sermon this morning: ‘Jesus Walks on the Water’. The sermon tonight: ‘Searching for Jesus’.

Regeneration

Phase 3 of the regeneration of the church is due to take place in August with the renovation of the church hall. The cost of replacing the floor will be £8,540 and there will be an additional cost for painting, and cleaning curtains. The Church is also faced with the cost of refurbishing the 3 circular windows above the communion table at a cost of approximately £2,500 each window. The total cost of refurbishing all the windows, thereby improving heat retention, is likely to come to a total of around £50,000. There may also have to be some re-pointing of brick work and maybe repair to possible damage to the outside wall. Therefore, it is very important that everyone, who is able, supports fund- raising events or contributes to the Regeneration Fund.

We are applying for a grant to help with costs, but it is by no means certain that we will be successful. Therefore, it is important that the Church continues its efforts to raise money. The Regeneration Committee is appreciative of the efforts already made, which have raised about £45,000 to pay for Phases 1 and 2 of the regeneration of the church.

John Johnstone ( Chair Regeneration Committee)

Regeneration Events – For your diary

Saturday 19th June 3.00pm-4.30pm Ellenor Lions Cream Tea

Saturday 26th June 7.00pm Countdown & BBQ, £7.00

Sunday 27th June3.00pm Jack Beeston Organ Recital

Please support as many events as you can this year not only will you be made welcome you will enjoy yourself and meet new people. You will also be helping the church to raise funds to build a closer relationship with people in Bexley so that they too can enjoy the facilities we are able to offer and find a

welcome and friendship.

Mid-Summer Sale – Table Sale – Plant Sale

Saturday 15th May

Shortly after 8.00am the hall was full of activity as everyone was working hard setting up their stalls. There were numerous stalls selling a great variety of plants, hand-made cards, jewellery, pickles, books, tombola, tables with allsorts of interesting items going at ridiculously low prices. There was a magnificent cake stall with cakes to meet any tastes.

There were bacon rolls on sale all morning together with tea and coffee and at lunchtime burgers and sausages in rolls could also be purchased.

Everyone worked very hard, caught up with friends, had a good laugh and helped to raise money for the regeneration fund.

A big thank you to everyone who took part and helped us to raise £480.

Discussion Group

Is there such a thing as a Just War?

The next discussion group will take place on Wednesday, 23rd June at 7.30 p.m. in the Community Room/Discussion room. Speaking for the proposition will be Philip Shepherd and speaking against will be Peter Roberts. Thereafter, the floor is open to anyone to express their views. As this will not be a formal debate there are no winners or losers. The objective as always is for people to clarify their own thinking after hearing the differing views expressed.

Do come along and support the speakers. If your preference is just to listen then you are still welcome.

John Johnstone

BEXLEY URC CHURCH HALL

First Saturday each month

10.00am – 11.15am

In Church Hall

COFFEE AND HOME MADE CAKES

A warm welcome awaits you Drop in and see us

Christian Aid Week 9-15th May 2010

A big thank you to everyone who delivered envelopes and then went back and collected them. We managed to collect £1,

Church Meeting – Minute Secretary

We are due to have a Church Meeting during the month of May however at present we are without anyone to take the minutes of the meeting. We assume church members wish to have a voice and know what Elders are proposing in respect of fabric and outreach matters and to be made aware of the new arrangements for Southern Synod, but maybe we are wrong and members want to leave everything to Elders. Most Elders already have a heavy workload and they can not be expected to carry on doing everything, sooner or later it will all become too much. We are now only having Church Meetings every other month, i.e. 6 a year, and that on a Sunday after morning worship. Surely there is someone who can spare the time to take and write up minutes just six times a year!

The London Marathon

January 2009 I applied to FSID to run for them. In May I got the phone call that I played back on loud speaker to all my friends. I had been accepted.

Training started immediately increasing my daily run before work from 1 mile a day which makes 5 miles a week to 7 miles a week to 10 miles a week, adding a 5 mile run on Sundays. By increments I gradually increased week day mileage to 18 miles and on Sunday a 7mile long run. Every run started past John and Mary’s house.

These were well tested routes but I had to increase the distance. Planned a 9 mile route for Sundays and found where John and Barbara now live as I ran past John working in the front garden.

Fund raising was a big worry I could not get sponsors and I had a lot of trouble setting up the web site.

The stepping stone was running in the O2 half marathon in September. When I completed this without stopping I was very proud however the Marathon was twice the distance.