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Annan United Reformed Church

www.annanurc.btck.co.uk

June 2019 Newsletter

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JUNE 2019 WORSHIP AT ANNAN URC

MORNING SERVICES AND SUNDAY SEEKERS 10:30 AM

Sunday 2nd: Anniversary Communion Service - Mrs Lesley Richmond Prayer Leader: D Maxwell

Bible Readings: J Murray H Higton

Sunday 9th: Morning Service - Rev Haydn Higton

Prayer Leader: H McNairn

Bible Readings: J Pool M Kerr

Sunday 16th: Morning Service - Rev Haydn Higton

short service followed by Church AGM

Prayer Leader: H Higton

Bible Reading: M Jones

Sunday 23rd: Morning Service - Mr David Boncey Prayer Leader: M Jones Bible Readings: D Maxwell E Woodman

Sunday 30th: Morning Service - Worship Group Prayer Leader: J Murray Bible Readings: H Higton

N Maxwell

Note to Prayer Leaders and Readers: visiting Service Leaders have the option to choose their own theme and readings, and may wish to lead prayers themselves. Such information will be given to you as soon as possible.

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DECLINING YEARS?

“I feel a bit under the weather, so I’ll give the church a miss today”, or “I won’t go to that

meeting”. Is there anyone who has not had that sort of thought? Well, we need to be more

positive in our thinking – look on the bright side of life – think of how fortunate we are.

When he was eighty, Moses was tending his father-in-law’s flock when God called him to lead

the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. So, whatever your age, look forward with hope and listen

for what God is calling you to do. Our lives are uplifted if we worship God regularly with Fellow

Christians – when we pray regularly and give ourselves opportunities to learn more about our

faith and how it can be the bed-rock for our everyday living.

The outreach of our church family needs more people to be active, to contribute their ideas to

the planning and then help to implement the decisions. This month we have the Church AGM

(Sunday June 16th) where reports of last year’s activities are reviewed and folk are appointed to

represent and work for the church.

What is God calling you to do?

Haydn Higton

WORSHIP GROUP (AFTERNOON FELLOWSHIP SATURDAY 27TH

APRIL)

I would like to take this opportunity to say a sincere thank-you to everyone who provided

transport to get the guests to and from the event.

Also grateful thanks to the ladies who so kindly helped with the catering, and to Mrs Barbara

Lewis who gave up her afternoon to play the piano for favourite hymns that the guests

requested. An enjoyable afternoon was had by all. “Chat was good!”

Marion Kerr

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ANNIVERSARY GARDEN PARTY

This is an event for everyone connected to the church however remotely, and you are invited

to bring friends and family. Unfortunately, the intended date mentioned last month proved

unsuitable and the Garden Party will now be on Saturday June 22nd

from 2:30 to 5:00 pm.

You will have the chance to try your skill in some “gentle” games or just sit and enjoy a cup of

tea or coffee with scones, or food from the barbecue. Come and sit in the sunshine and enjoy

the church garden.

Haydn Higton

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NEWSLETTER

As usual, Newsletter will take a rest at the end of June. There will be a brief Newssheet for

July, containing Service Times and Dates for your Diary and any vital information which

arrives strictly before the closing date of 23rd June.

Editor

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THE SWEET FACTORY

This is the theme of Annan Churches Together Holiday Bible Club from 22nd

to 26th July. If

you know children at one of the Primary Schools, encourage them to use one of the

registration forms in their school, and come to enjoy all the activities. It will be the best week

in the school holidays!

Haydn Higton

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SHOEBOX APPEAL

We have the usual supply of shoeboxes now, but they need to be filled! Select quality toys,

soap, hygiene items, school supplies, and so on. More guidance on items is in the leaflet in

each box, and please note the things that are not permitted but which have been acceptable

in the past – e g sweets, toothpaste, knitted toys.

Including a personal note and photo makes a big impact. Most importantly, pray for the child

who will receive your gift. For additional gift suggestions see – samaritans-purse.org.uk/occ

The President of Samaritans Purse says: “We collect shoebox gifts for children around the

world as an expression of God’s love. Join us in spreading the Good News of the Gospel by

packing shoeboxes.”

Haydn Higton

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A TRIP TO LONDON

Recently I was fortunate to experience London for five days on a school trip.

We set off from Annan early on a March Monday morning and after a lot of "how long till we get there?” we finally arrived in London. Fifty-five pupils and five adults all were allocated their rooms at our hotel near Hyde Park in South Kensington. After unpacking, we all stretched our legs with a long walk through Hyde Park viewing lots of statues as we walked and also seeing Kensington Palace. We had tea at Pizza Hut and a trip to the Bowling Alley. It was an experience crossing the busy London streets with fifty-five children!! On returning to the hotel everyone was exhausted and ready for bed after a long day.

Everyone was up early on Tuesday morning, the coach picked us up and we headed to the Houses of Parliament for a guided tour and a meeting with our local MP Mr David Mundell. The Houses of Parliament were very interesting: it was great to see all the places that feature on the news daily: I can now say "I’ve been there". It is a busy place with so much history contained within its walls. We continued on foot and walked past 10 Downing Street and The Cenotaph. We walked down The Mall to Buckingham Palace and on the way, we stopped to watch the Changing of the Guard. We had lunch in Trafalgar Square and afterwards visited the National Art Gallery and viewed lots of fascinating pieces of art by famous artists. After returning to the hotel to rest tired feet it was off for tea near Covent Garden and a trip to see Matilda The Musical, at the Cambridge Theatre. This was a very enjoyable evening; we were amazed by the talented young children: they were fantastic.

After breakfast on Wednesday morning, we all headed out to visit the Science Museum where everyone was fascinated by all the amazing things on display in the Wonderlab. It was very much hands on and the pupils had lots of fun trying things out and wondering what made that work. After lunch we visited The Natural History Museum – WOW, so many amazing things to see! The dinosaurs were definitely the favourite exhibits as they roared and moved. Our meal on Wednesday evening was at the Rainforest Café; this was a fun dining experience: as the jungle drums roared the animal models came to life. We continued on to the Gillian Lynne theatre, this time to watch a performance of School Of Rock which was very much enjoyed.

Thursday morning arrived and this was the day of the visit to Harry Potter studios which some of the pupils had been waiting excitedly for since they had arrived in London: and they weren’t disappointed; it was amazing viewing the sets close up, seeing the actors’ props and visiting Privet Drive where the story all began. There was a visit to the shop where Harry Potter wands were bought, either in chocolate form or replica ones; a spell was cast on the journey back as there were a few sleepy passengers: the week’s busy schedule was catching up on some. The next stop was at the London Eye, where we enjoyed panoramic views of London.

After our evening meal, we had a long walk back to the hotel through Kensington where we viewed the amazing properties. It was time to pack up. Friday morning arrived and we all boarded the coach for the long journey home. It would be nice to have a full night’s sleep after a fantastic few days in London.

Fiona Glass

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JUNE

If I should sleep through many moons and seasons,

and then one morning waken from my dreaming

to find around me glistening and gleaming

ten thousand buttercups …

if in the hedge I found a wild rose twining

and giant hollyhocks were climbing high,

if creamy-white syringa boughs were shining

and swifts sped through the sky …

if in the grass I found a skylark nesting

and busy bees droned out their humdrum tune …

I should not need a calendar to tell me

that it was glorious June!

Church gardener

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A REMINDER

THE MUSIC OF THE SPHERES – A DG ARTSLIVE TOURING EVENT

Nicolaus Copernicus, Tycho Brahe, Johannes Kepler, Galileo Galilei, John Dee.

Astronomy or Astrology? In the 16th and 17

th centuries these disciplines were much closer than

they are in our world of minute measurement. The most respected of astronomers, the

stargazers, also spent time and earned reputation and income from casting horoscopes for the

aristocracy of their homelands. In this newly written text Vivien Jones imagines the lives of the

most revered astronomers through the voices of the women in their lives – sisters, wives,

mistresses and housekeepers – and the Galloway Consort illustrate their stories by playing

renaissance music from the countries where they lived and worked. This includes a musical

tribute to the earlier Islamic scholars of Andalucia whose work provided the mathematical and

observational base for many European discoveries.

The Galloway Consort is well known for interweaving renaissance music within a story-telling

framework – the soft sound of viols and recorders, the plaintive chanson and madrigal, the

perkiness of the dance – all combine to evoke a sound that illuminates the text.

Saturday 20th

July – 7:30 pm – United Reformed Church, Annan

Tickets: https//www.ticketsource.co.uk/event/301621

or email: vivien@freeola/com

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JUNE 2019 DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Sun 2nd ANNIVERSARY Service and Sunday Seekers - 10:30 am

Mon 3rd Floral Art Group - 7:00 pm

Tue 4th Tuesday Tots (SHAP) - 10:00 am in hall, and every Tuesday

Tue 4th Knit & Natter - 10:00 am in John Tweddle Room, and every Tuesday

Tue 4th All Ability Games - 2:00 pm in hall, and every Tuesday

Tue 4th Spectrum - 6:00 pm, and every Tuesday until June gig

Thu 6th Girls’ Brigade - 6:00 pm in hall, and every Thursday in term time

Sun 9th Morning Service and Sunday Seekers - 10:30 am

Wed 12th Arts and Crafts Group (SHAP) - 2:00 to 4:00 pm

Thu 13th Summer Lunches - 11:30 to 1:30 pm

Sun 16th Morning Worship and Sunday Seekers - 10:30 am

Church AGM after shortened service

Sun 23rd Morning Service and Sunday Seekers - 10:30 am

Sun 23rd Deadline for July Newssheet items to reach Ruth Mitchell, please -

services, diary and important notices.

Sun 30th Morning Worship and Sunday Seekers - 10:30 am

A REMINDER TO GROUPS:

We are a Fairtrade Church.

We have committed to:

Use Fairtrade tea and coffee for all meetings for which we have responsibility

Move forward on using other Fairtrade products (such as sugar, biscuits, fruit)

Promote Fairtrade during Fairtrade Fortnight – and through other activities whenever possible

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7:00 pm Tickets £5