Catalyst

THE MAGAZINE OF HAYES

FREE CHURCH (U.R.C.)

March 2017

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: Rev. Dr Peter Stevenson

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 Biblical People (the answers) 11

Sunday Services 2 Letter from Richard, notices 12

Church Notices 3-5 Top of the Pew 13

Fairtrade Fortnight 6 Bromley Dementia Support 15

Events in March 7 Local events 16-18

Lent & other notices 8 Stop Press! 19

St David 9 Monthly Calendar 19-20

St Patrick 10 HFC Organisations inside back cover

What is simnel cake? 10 Final Thought back cover

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Copy for the April 2017 edition is needed no later than Sunday, 12th March.

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) and HFC (Hayes Free Church).

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Letter from the Church Secretary

Dear all, As we draw close to the start of Lent, I thought I would link my letter with it. We are joining together with our friends at Churches Together in Hayes to look more closely at Lent and you all are invited. (More details can be found on page 8). Some people give up something like cake, sweets or smoking or you can try and focus on a closer walk with God. If we ’put ourselves right with God’ and truly regret our sins, God is waiting to forgive us and welcome us back into the fold. I love the picture of Jesus as the Good Shepherd, loving us the sheep, and being worried and searching for the lost sheep. There is always more room in His fold for the strays, the wanderers, the lost, the confused, the lonely. If you feel lost and are tempted to return to church, Lent is the ideal time to change your ways and return. If coming into the church seems too big a step to take because it is so large and too many people, then Sunday evening could be the place for you. We are just a small group gathering in the vestry, worshipping God with a service similar to the morning service. So during Lent let us draw closer to God, so that we are ready for Easter. Let us all be ready to hear what God is saying to each one of us no matter where we are on our Christian journey.

With Christian love to you all

Mavis

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Sunday Services

March 2017

5th 10.30 am - Morning Service – Tony Russell

6.30 pm - Holy Communion – Judy Davies

12th 10.30 am - Parade Service – Martin Wilcox

6.30 pm - Evening Service – Keith Nye

19th 10.30 am - Morning Service – John Cox

6.30 pm - Evening Service – Judy Davies

26th 10.30 am - Holy Communion – Alan Kienlen

6.30 pm - Evening Service – Keith Nye

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All of the evening services will take place in the Elders Vestry which is accessed from the side door in Hilldown Road.

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Notes on Visiting Preachers

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

Martin Wilcox is Charity Manager of the Bromley-based international children's charity, ChildAid to Eastern Europe

Keith Nye is a Reader at St Mary’s Church, College Road, Bromley (Diocese of Rochester). A former teacher of Immunology at Bart’s Hospital, he has more recently read Theology at Cambridge

John Cox is also a Reader at St Mary’s Church, College Road, Bromley (Diocese of Rochester)

Alan Kienlen is a Synod Recognized Lay Preacher from Emmanuel URC, where he is also a Serving Elder

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News of the Church Family

The news this month is pictorial, and records a very happy event – confirming, as most of us already know, the birth of Maggie Greenwood’s first grandchild in January. Above, four generations appear together, Maggie with her daughter Claire, and the new arrival being cradled by his great grandmother, Doris. To the left, there is an opportunity for a better view of the baby.

- 4 -

.... and if you have any news for this section, please let the Editor know.

Church Meetings

The next two Elders' meetings will be at 7.00 pm in the small hall on Tuesday 7th March and Tuesday 4th April.

The next two Church meetings will be in the Church after the morning service at 12.00 noon on Sunday 26th March and Sunday 23rd April.

Saturday Fellowship

We usually meet on the first Saturday of each month. This month we will meet on 4th March at 2.30 pm. The leader is Martin Nunn and you are welcome to join us.

Men's Group

The Men's Group will be meeting this month on Thursday 16th March at 8pm in the small hall for a Quiz Night, organised by Tony Russell.

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 March the programme is:

7th The Tootswood Singers 14th Holiday slides: Mary Moore 21st Croydon Palace: Jan King 28th A talk on Haiti Hospital

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

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Women's Contact Group

We will be meeting for our monthly meal at the Warren Sports Ground, Hayes, at 12.30 pm on Monday 6th March. 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. Our last meeting this term will be on March 17th. We will meet again to begin our summer term on April 21st. 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.

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 1st March.

Ministry of Flowers

Thank you to those who will be providing flowers in March.

5th – Pat Marshall 12 – TBA

19 – Maggie Greenwood 26 – Gill Bran

A big thank you to those who kindly arrange the flowers when needed.

After the Sunday morning services, the flowers are distributed to members and friends, bringing joy to the recipients. Mavis Righini

Trading Post

In the small hall is a notice board called “Trading Post”, which is there for all to use. You may be downsizing and unable to take all your furniture with you, or you may be setting up a new home and in need of household items. This will enable people to link up with each other. Do please make use of it. Mavis Righini

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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 12th

and 26th March 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

Fairtrade Fortnight

This began on Monday, 27th February and runs until Sunday, 12th

March, focussing on the plight of farmers trapped in a system that is

unfair, one that rips them off. However hard they work to provide

the things we depend on, they still aren’t paid what they deserve.

And every time people buy products produced in this way, they

become part of the problem. We are supporting the cause - see a

note from Barbara below. Richard & Barbara

Big Brew

I will be holding a coffee morning on Saturday March 11th to raise money to help change families’ futures in some of the world’s poorest communities. It will be held in the small hall at Church from 10-12. Come and enjoy coffee and cake and do bring a friend. There will be homemade goodies to buy as well. Barbara

Don’t feed exploitation. Choose Fairtrade.

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Caffeine may be the key to a longer life Scientists have found that caffeine, ingredient in coffee and tea , blocks chemicals that can trigger heart disease. So all the more reason to enjoy a cup after Church on Sunday ! Below are a list of the charities that benefited, before Christmas, from your donations. Salvation Army £19; Clinical science educational foundation £25; Carers Bromley £100; Tearfund Emergency Appeal for the Yemen £20 . If you have a charity you would like a donation from Sunday coffee money to go to please let me know. Heartfelt thanks for all your caffeine drinking . Barbara

Singles’ Lunch

It is proposed to hold a lunch at The Warren for people who live on their own, on Sunday 19

th

March. The cost will be £15.00. If you would like to come along please contact Joan Smith (8462 3920) by 12

th March so a booking can be made.

Lifts can be arranged.

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 usually in the previous month’s magazine):

By Tuesday 7th Mar for Sunday 12th: Pamela Collison 8658 0748

By Tuesday 14th Mar for Sunday 19th: Brenda Cordingley 8462 3867

By Tuesday 21st Mar for Sunday 26th: Brenda Cordingley 8462 3867

By Tuesday 28th Mar for Sunday 2nd April: Joan Smith 8462 3920

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March events

Below are some dates in March, worth remembering for a range of different reasons:

Wednesday 1st March: Ash Wednesday; St David’s Day

Friday 3rd

March: Women’s World Day of Prayer

Wednesday 8th March: Churches Together Lent Course starts

Sunday 12th March: the final day of Fairtrade Fortnight

Friday 17th March: St Patrick’s Day

Sunday 26th March: Mothering Sunday

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Women’s World Day of Prayer

Hayes will mark the Women’s World Day of Prayer with a service on Friday 3

rd March at 2pm in the Rosary Church (West Common

Road, BR2 7BX). This year the Service is prepared by the Christian Women of the Philippines, and is titled “Am I Being Unfair To You?”

All are welcome to the Service – both men and women – and refreshments will be served afterwards. Sylvia Mack

The Churches Together in Hayes Lent Course The course will start on Wednesday 8

th March at 7.30pm in the

Meetings Room of St Mary’s (Hayes Parish Church in Hayes Street, BR2 7LH). It will run for 5 weeks concluding on April 5

th with a

“Bring & Share Supper”. It will start with worship, then watching a DVD, time for discussion, and home work to keep focused. All are welcome. St Mary’s Lent Course Additionally, on Monday 6

th St. Mary's will be starting a Lent

Course in the morning, "Place in the crowd". This will be held at 9.15am in the Meetings Room for 6 weeks. This too is open to all.

“When I needed a neighbour, where you there?”

This is the title of Christian Aid’s Lenten journey, a leaflet with a short reflection or note for each day. Barbara will be bringing copies to the church for the beginning of Lent. And it is worth remembering that Christian Aid week itself will be with us in a couple of months, and now that we are no longer doing house-to-house collections, we need to think how else we can mark it.

Inspiration in Your Inbox

Every day of the year, early each morning, the URC sends out, by email, a Daily Devotion consisting of a reading, reflection and short prayer. You can read them on your computer, phone, or tablet and they provide inspiration in your inbox! The Devotions are written by a team of over 90 people from a range of perspectives and places within the URC. If you would like to receive them you can sign up by going to http://tinyurl.com/URCDailyDevotions and filling in the form.

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Editor’s Note:

I cannot allow my first March Catalyst to go by without featuring St David, patron saint of Wales, who is remembered on March 1st. And fairness naturally requires the same courtesy to be accorded to St Patrick of Ireland (feast day March 17th). The four main patron saints of the British Isles are an interesting group, with many contrasting features, two very local (see below) and two who, so far as we know, never set foot here. I hope to include St George next month, and St Andrew in November - if anyone would like to write either of those features, please let me know. Meanwhile, there has been a little response to my query about the name “Catalyst”, which all agree dates from the time of Rev Allan Butler (late 60s/ early 70s). Apparently there was much discussion at the time, but it seems that little memory of the details now remains.

ST DAVID (DEWI SANT in Welsh) St David’s life is something of a mystery, since the first biography of him was written hundreds of years after his death. It is said that he was born in Pembrokeshire (on a cliff-top in a thunderstorm!), the grandson of the chieftain of that area. As a priest he undertook missionary work all over Wales and far beyond – perhaps even reaching Jerusalem, where he was made a bishop. But, more than the other three patron saints, his association with one locality was extremely strong – he was born and died in Pembrokeshire and despite his travels he is said to have spent much of his time there. He died around 589, having founded a monastery at the site of what is now St David’s Cathedral. Like St Andrew, he has a whole city named after him (though it is admittedly one of the smallest in the British Isles) and as his reputation grew over the centuries this site became revered – so much so that multiple pilgrimages to St David’s were regarded as equivalent to a single one to Rome or to Jerusalem. But his later fame doesn’t eclipse the image of a humble figure, with a simple lifestyle (eating only bread and vegetables, and drinking only water), who was content to serve God in the place where he had been set. His final words are in tune with this: “Do the little things that you have heard and seen me do”. This is a very good time to remember David, as a new Bishop was enthroned in his Cathedral on 11th February – Revd Joanna Penberthy, the first female bishop to be elected by the Church in Wales.

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ST PATRICK Like St David, St Patrick was born in the British Isles (though not in the land of which he is patron saint), and although he lived earlier than David, the information about him is more reliable because he wrote some of it himself. Specific dates are quoted for his birth year (387) and his death (17th March 461). It seems that Patrick was born into a Christian family, living on the west coast of Britain during the latter stages of the Roman empire, when the rule of law was under threat. As a young lad he was kidnapped by Irish pirates, and his faith really came alive for him in the years that followed, when he was a slave in Ireland, tending sheep. He eventually escaped and returned home but some years later he felt a calling to go back to Ireland. This was a largely pagan land at the time and Patrick spent the rest of his life, some forty years, in travelling, teaching the Gospel, and establishing churches. He says that he baptised many thousands, but also makes it clear that there were difficult times – later imprisonments and threats to his life. Patrick’s writings make clear that, although it was a confused situation, he was not a completely isolated figure but held formal positions in the church – as a Deacon and later a Bishop. He died in Ireland and is thought to be buried in Downpatrick. Many of the stories about St Patrick – such as expelling the snakes from Ireland and using the shamrock to explain the Trinity – may be later legends, but it is nice to think that St Patrick’s Breastplate, which of course we still sing today, goes back to ancient Irish texts and may be more authentic. And, as we know, the desperation he felt as an enslaved teenager is unfortunately a situation that is right up to date for many in the world today. Simnel Cake Simnel Cake is associated not with Easter (as sometimes believed) but with Mothering Sunday, which falls roughly halfway through Lent. Superficially this is a rather strange tradition since it involves making a rich cake at a time when you cannot enjoy it (as it has to be put aside until Lent is over). But of course in the days before fridges, fruit cakes were one of the less perishable food items, which could be relied on to keep well. Simnel cakes first appear back in the Middle Ages, and are thought to be named from simila, a type of fine flour which was used in making them. (An alternative suggestion, that they were named after Lambert Simnel, a defeated pretender to the throne in Henry VII’s time, is tempting as he was set to work in the royal kitchens. But it doesn’t hold water as the name predates him). Later on, young people in service (mostly girls) used to visit their families – presumably still living near their MOTHER church (hence the name Mothering Sunday) – and they would bake a simnel cake to take with them. These days, there are plenty of recipes available – the key features seem to be a fruit cake mix (but not as rich as a Christmas cake), topped by a layer of almond icing. This features a circle of 11 balls of icing, representing the apostles minus Judas Iscariot.

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BIBLICAL PEOPLE

Here are the answers to the clues from last month.

- A boy with a fruit, as described by Roald Dahl: JAMES

(“James and the Giant Peach” by Roald Dahl)

- His body “lies a mouldering in the grave”: JOHN

(from the hymn “John Brown’s body”)

- That boy with the fruit again: JAMES

(Dahl’s book again – a lesser known Biblical James, son of Alphaeus)

- He captains one of the teams in the BBC’s “Question of Sport”: PHILIP (Phil Tufnell)

- He captains the other team: MATTHEW

(Matt Dawson)

- A tiny little chap, really miniscule: THOMAS

(Tom Thumb)

- A tongue-twister: PETER

(“Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled pepper....etc” – strictly of course he should be Simon Peter)

- A Beatles song (the name isn’t quite the same): JUDAS ISCARIOT

(“Hey Jude”)

- He endowed a concert hall in New York, not to mention thousands of libraries and yet more thousands of church organs: ANDREW

(the philanthropist Andrew Carnegie)

- Success in a children’s game depends on paying attention to what he “says”: SIMON

(the game is “Simon Says” – this is Simon the Zealot)

- One of the twins in the Sherlock Holmes story “The Sign of the Four”:

THADDEUS

(Mr Thaddeus Sholto consults Holmes at the beginning of the story)

- The other twin: BARTHOLOMEW

(his twin Mr Bartholomew Sholto)

- And the whole group? THE TWELVE DISCIPLES (OR APOSTLES)

They are listed in St Matthew’s Gospel, ch 10, v2, and also St Mark’s Gospel ch 3, v16, where they are indeed called Apostles (I have given you Simon Peter as Peter to avoid too much duplication, though his name is given first as Simon in these references). St Luke has a list as well, but he lists Thaddeus as another Judas.

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Thank you – a letter from Richard Dear friends, I was taken completely by surprise by the presentation just before the morning service on the 12th of February. Your gift was most appreciated and will help me in continuing with my family history interests. I must admit that I enjoyed my time as editor of Catalyst and hope that you didn't find the human side in those errors too off-putting! I'm certain that Christine Rees will be an excellent editor. The February edition of Catalyst was most interesting and thought-provoking. I am looking forward to the ensuing editions. Thank you for your kindness in the presentation and for the messages and cards. I am so happy to be a part of a loving and helpful community. Richard

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Remember your purchasing power.....

Sainsbury’s have resumed their “Active Kids” voucher programme, which runs until 2nd May. For every £10 you spend you can collect a voucher which can benefit local schools and uniformed organisations if passed on to them. And the good news is that it is now much easier to collect these vouchers from the little Sainsbury’s in Hayes (and presumably from others of this size) than it has been in the past!

Bromley Food Bank - just a reminder of their most urgent needs (as stated on their website as Catalyst goes to press – please note it is NOT exclusively food, but sometimes toiletries or washing powder):

Ladies Sanitary Items; Pasta Sauce; Squash (small bottles); Rice (500g); UHT milk (1 litre); Deodorants; Long life fruit juice; Size 5/6 nappies; Washing up liquid; Washing powder

NB They currently have enough beans, pasta, soup and cereal

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O Lord, Thou knowest how busy I must be this day. If I forget Thee, do not Thou forget me...

Sir Jacob Astley, before the Battle of Edgehill, 1642

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Top of the Pew “Top of the Pew” is a quiz competition we at Hayes Free Church have entered for many, many years. We have never won it, but have been in the final twice, and we are lucky to have a good number of church members and friends who support us in our matches, whether at home or away. It is a knockout competition between pairs of teams each consisting of four people, and is open to any church within the London Borough of Bromley. Each church also has to provide the name of a questionmaster who will be called on once each year to make up and ask the questions for a match between two other churches – thus ensuring that each match has a neutral questionmaster. Each church also provides a scorer to keep count of the points awarded. The quiz consists of 12 rounds of questions on differing subjects. Eight of the rounds consist of individual questions to each member of the opposing teams in turn. The other 4 rounds are “team” or “conferring” rounds, with the team captain giving their answer after conferring with the team. One round has to be about the Bible, and the kindlier questionmasters make this one of the team rounds. This year, as an experiment, this is to be compulsorily a team round! After 6 rounds, there is a half-time break when refreshments are served. We ask for a small donation - amount at your discretion – and the proceeds go to the local charity nominated for the quiz. Ideally, the number of churches entered would be 32, as it is a straight knockout competition, and this number makes for 5 rounds spread over the year, with the final in November. The quizzes are always at 8pm on a Sunday, except for the final, which takes place on a Friday evening. For the last few years the final has been held at Bromley Methodist Church, but this year it is expected to be held at Emmanuel URC, West Wickham, at which Bill Bowman is Minister (Bill is heavily involved in the organisation of the competition!).

- 14 -

As you can probably see, there is a lot of work needed from each church organiser in setting up each tie (making sure we and our opponents can provide 4 team members and a scorer on the agreed evening), and a huge workload falls on the organisers of the whole competition, who are our good friends Anthony and Marion Bayley from Beckenham URC. The objective is not to win at all costs, but to promote an ecumenical spirit and friendly relationships between churches in the Borough. So long as the team members can conquer their nerves(!), they enjoy the matches, and it is very clear to me that the audiences enjoy them too. My thanks go to the other team members, and to Bruce Tannock, who has been our scorer for many years, and also gives our team a half-time pep talk in the style of Eddie Jones! Thanks to the audience, without whom it would not be such fun, and special thanks to my wife Connie, who organises the half-time refreshments for our home matches, and acts as my timekeeper when I am questionmaster. And so to 2017. Teresa Cheyne has decided to step down after several years in the team – thank you for participating, Teresa! – and our team this year will normally be David Stoner, Malcolm Cheyne and myself, plus Christine Rees who has agreed to be on the team. For the last 2 years or so, there have only been 27 churches entering, so the first round consists of 13 matches. One team gets a bye, and the two highest scoring losers also progress, so we will have 16 teams in the second round. Our chosen charity this year is Carers Bromley, which is, of course, the charity supported last year by the Christmas Tree Festival. The draw was made at the end of January, and our first round match will be away to the Church of Latter Day Saints, who are close to Orpington Station. I cannot tell you when this will be as yet, but I will keep Church Meeting posted.

Tony Russell

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Bromley Dementia Support Hub There is now a new service in the London Borough of Bromley, the Bromley Dementia Support Hub, which provides one-stop access to support for those with dementia and for their carers. This meets a particular need, as the level of people suffering from dementia in our borough is higher than in any other London borough.

Anyone diagnosed with dementia can be visited in their own home so that support can be planned around their needs; they can also receive information about dementia, their rights and local services. Everyone is treated individually, with the support that is right for them. Carers can benefit from information, training and workshops to learn about dementia, or from personalised coaching in the home. Meanwhile, local activity and support groups are available for people with dementia, and for their carers too, enabling both to meet other local people with similar experiences. . Volunteer befrienders may provide companionship, and support with everyday activities in the home and local community; this helps people to stay active and gives family carers a break from caring. It is crucial that whilst living with dementia, people are not isolated. The Bromley Dementia Support Hub also works with local businesses, public and charity sector organisations to help make Bromley a dementia-friendly community, where people can understand more about dementia, and how it affects people. This makes it easier for customers living with dementia to be given appropriate help. Bromley Council, and the NHS Bromley Clinical Commissioning Group, which are funding the service, clearly hope that it will lessen the isolation which can be associated with dementia, and help people to retain as much independence as possible. So please pass the word around if you know anyone who might be affected. Anyone who has received a diagnosis of dementia can contact the Bromley Dementia Support Hub for support. So can their carers. The phone number is 020 3328 0366 and the website is www.bromleydementiasupporthub.org.uk.

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Notices about local events not directly involving the church will usually appear in this section of Catalyst. This month it will clearly be a busy day on 18th March!

Lunchtime Concerts at Bromley Central Library in 2017

This series of four classical concerts a year is a longstanding tradition in Bromley. The performers are Adrian Boynton along with one or two other instrumentalists or singers. Details of the coming concert are:

Thursday 2nd March 2017

12.00 noon

In the Hall, 4th Floor, Bromley Library

Admission by programme on the door £7.00

Ruth White writes: “These are most enjoyable concerts. Adrian Boynton brings along some very talented musicians with promising futures. They are all young performers at the beginning of their professional careers. Do come and support them.”

********* Hayes Horticultural Society Quiz Night Come and join us on Saturday 25th March 2017at 7.45pm at Hayes Village Hall. Tickets are £10 each, including a Fish and Chip Supper, and are available from Brenda Cordingley. Tables are for 8, but we will try to accommodate anyone who would like to come.

********* 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

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Rotary Club of Langley Park & DeafPlus/Access

ANTIQUE, VINTAGE AND COLLECTABLES FAIR

SATURDAY 18th

MARCH

2017

10.00 a.m. – 3.00 p.m. AT

HAYES FREE CHURCH 111 PICKHURST LANE

HAYES KENT

LUNCHES & REFRESHMENTS AVAILABLE

Interested table holders – tables available David Connolly. Tel: 020 8776 0108.

Visit Facebook.com/Bromley antique activities

ENTRANCE £1.00

Sponsors:- Ennis-Webb & Co. Solicitors, Wills, Probate, Tax & Trusts Elite House, 155 Main Road, Biggin Hill, Kent TN16 3JP

Telephone;- 01959 577000

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STOP PRESS!!!

DON’T FORGET Clocks go forward on the night of 25th-26

th March!

And on 28th March a new £1 coin will come into circulation. Do try to get rid of your old ones over the summer because from 15th October, they will no longer be accepted in shops, though you will still be able to exchange them at a Bank. Meanwhile, now that we are all used to the new £5 notes, the old ones will be withdrawn from general circulation on 5th May, though again it will be possible after that to take them to a Bank.

Lastly, we are all reminded to be on our guard against anyone ringing up who asks for personal details, especially relating to bank accounts etc. There has recently been a spate of suspect calls claiming to come from HMRC (as Inland Revenue is called these days). If you receive such a call, report it if you can, but in any event, put the phone down and do not give out any information. Sometimes the call may be a recorded message, apparently from the Revenue, leaving you a number to call. Do not do so!

March 2017

Wed 1

2.00 pm

Ash Wednesday: Start of Lent

St David’s Day

Book Club (p5)

Thurs 2 12 noon Lunchtime concert, Bromley Library (p16)

Fri 3 2.00 pm

2.00 pm

Women’s World Day of Prayer service at the Rosary (p8)

Mothers and Toddlers (p5)

Sat 4 2.30 pm Saturday Fellowship (p4)

Sun 5 10.30am

6.30 pm

Morning Service – Tony Russell

Holy Communion - Judy Davies

Mon 6 9.15am

12.30 pm

Start of Lent Course run by St Mary’s (p8)

Women’s Contact Group – lunch at the Warren (p5)

Tue 7

2.00 pm

7.00pm

Women’s Fellowship - Tootswood Singers (p4)

Elders’ Meeting (p4)

Wed 8 7.30 pm Start of Lent Course run by Churches Together in Hayes (p8)

Fri 10 2.00 pm Mothers and Toddlers (p5)

Sat 11 10.00 am Barbara’s BIG BREW for Fair Trade Fortnight (p6)

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Sun 12

10.30 am

6.30 pm

Parade Service – Martin Wilcox

Followed by Fair Trade Stall (p6)

LAST DAY OF FAIR TRADE FORTNIGHT (p6)

Evening Service – Keith Nye

Tue 14 2.00 pm Women’s Fellowship - Holiday slides: Mary Moore

(p4)

Thu 16 8.00 pm Men’s Group – a Quiz (p4)

Fri 17

2.00pm

St Patrick’s Day

Mothers and Toddlers (p5)

Sat 18 10.00 am

8.00pm

Antiques Fair (p17)

Beckenham Chorale Concert (p18)

Sun 19 10.30 am

6.30 pm

Morning Service – John Cox

Singles’ Lunch at the Warren (p7)

Evening Service – Judy Davies

Tue 21 2.00 pm Women’s Fellowship - Croydon Palace: Jan King (p4)

Wed 22 3.30 pm Messy Church (p5)

Sat 25 7.45 pm Hayes Horticultural Soc Quiz Night (p16)

Sun 26

10.30 am

12.00noon

6.30 pm

Mothering Sunday (p10)

Start of British Summer Time

Holy Communion – Alan Kienlen

Followed by Fair Trade Stall (p6)

Church Meeting (p4)

Evening Service – Keith Nye

Tue 28 2.00 pm Women’s Fellowship – A talk on Haiti Hospital (p4)

April 2017 (key dates for your diary)

Sun 2 10.30am

6.30 pm

Morning Service - TBA

Holy Communion - TBA

Tues 4 7.00pm Elders’ Meeting

Fri 14 GOOD FRIDAY

Sun 16 EASTER SUNDAY

Sun 23 12 noon Church Meeting after Morning Service

CHURCH ORGANISATIONS – please advise the Editor of updates as they arise

Day Organisation Contact Phone Sunday

Weekdays

9.15 -12.15pm Pre School Group Jayne Carvell 07913 299773

12.15 -12.45pm P/School lunch club

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 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 TBA

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

Final Thought

A Prayer for St David’s Day (1st

March)

Almighty God, on this special day for the people of Wales, we remember Saint David, your servant.

We give thanks for his passion for the Gospel which helped to spread Christianity;

We give thanks for his purity and simplicity of life which enabled his pursuit of Christian perfection;

We give thanks for his gentleness, but clear spiritual leadership. Grant that we may learn from him

and respond to the words that are thought to be his last: ‘Be steadfast, and do the little things’; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Copyright Anthony D. Miles March 2008, Methodist Central Hall Westminster.