december highbury news

HighburyCongregational Church

Oxford Street. Cheltenham. GL52 6DU

www.highburychurch.co.uk

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Highbury News - 2 - December 2011

Highbury Congregational Church belongs tothe Congregational Federation and is in partnership with

the Council for World Mission and Churches Together

01242 522050

[email protected]

www.highburychurch.co.uk

... to a whole host of wonderful eventscelebrating Christmas.Elsewhere in Highbury News there’splenty of information about all thethings we have planned for Christmas.Let me single out some things that arenew this year! And one thing inparticular.On Saturday 10th December we aregoing to be joined by friends from StLuke’s as we share in a Christmas Caféwith something for all ages! TheCommunity Café team will be openingthe café, while the Hy-Speed team willbe putting on Scalextric racing in thehall. There will be a Fair Trade stall anda stall of Olive Wood crafts fromBethlehem with lots of things to buy

for last minute Christmas presents!And the church will be open, withprayer stations and things to dofocusing on the Christmas story.At 10.00am that morning a team fromHighbury will go over to Sainsbury’s,Tewkesbury Road, to sing carols forChristian Aid!So make a note in your diary andcome along to a Christmas event witha difference.Friday 9th December we welcomePittville School for a carol service, andon Sunday evening 11th December theThames Head Singers will be leadingour Service of Lessons and Carols.Look out for more information in thismagazine!

An invitation ...

Deadline for January 2012 Highbury News:Sunday 11th December


Something UnexpectedI don’t know whether you have anyfavourite words.I certainly do!And the best of all my favourite wordsis ‘serendipity’It’s a word I first encountered inBangor when the Freshers welcomewas called ‘Serendipity’.It wasn’t until the Sunday that Idiscovered the meaning of the word asRoy Jenkins, Minister at Pen’ralltEnglish Baptist Church in Bangor usedit time and again in his sermon.It’s one of those classic instances ofremembering the illustration in asermon, but for the life of me I cannotremember what the sermon was about.I hesitate to look the word up in adictionary, as in that service Roy cameup with a definition that has stuck withme ever since.Serendipity is the joy of discoveringthe unexpected unexpectedly.I found myself thinking of the word aswe received all those shoe boxes forthe Operation Christmas Child Appeal.It was great seeing them all come inand then imagining the serendipitythere would be as the boxes wereopened at Christmas time!Serendipity is going to be in the air atHighbury this Christmas. As Adventunfolds and as we share in ourChristmas services we are going totaking a look at the unexpected thingsthat happened long ago, at that firstChristmas, and the unexpected things

that we may well encounter thisChristmas too.When you come to think of it in onesense so much that happened in thecoming of Christ was unexpected.In some ways people had beenexpecting the arrival of a Messiah formany a long year. But the kind ofMessiah they were expecting wasnothing like what arrived in the babyJesus.It was a time of deep darkness whenthe Roman Power had finallyestablished itself with brute force inJudea, Galilee was under thetyrannical rule of Herod the Great.Much that the Jewish people had helddear had been severely compromised.The outlook was bleak.And many hoped and prayed for thekind of Messiah who would come andoverthrow the might of Rome. Howthey longed to see anotherconquering hero in the mould ofJudas Maccabaeus.If that’s what they longed for, it’s notwhat they got in Christ Jesus.Mary put her finger on it early onwhen she saw what kind of adifference the baby Jesus wouldmake. He would bring down thepowerful, raise up the weak and sendthe rich away with empty hands.These were stirring words ... and notexpected.Of all the people to latch on to thereality of what was happening it wasan elderly woman in her 80s who was

Minister’s Memo


nothing less than a prophet. Therewere those who felt women shouldkeep quiet - but true to the traditionsof the Hebrew Scriptures, not only didAnna speak out, but she declaredGod’s word in the most forthrightterms. She was the first to make thatprophetic statement, to anyone andeveryone who would listen, that it wasthis Jesus who would bring truefreedom to Jerusalem.It’s difficult for us to appreciate howunexpected it all was. We are so usedto the Christmas story. Why not taketime out and try to work out all thethings that happened that long agowould have been so unexpected.Anna first had her insight while afriend of hers, Simeon, was holdingthe Christ child in his arms. Herecognised the pain that the Christchild would undergo.Who would have thought that it wasthrough suffering and pain, and thedefeat of death on the cross, that theultimate victory of resurrection wouldhave been won!Among all those familiar carols we willbe singing one has become a favouriteof mine as we have sung carols atSainsbury’s. It’s by John Bell andGraham Maule of the Iona Community.

May Christmas this year be full notonly of surprises but of serendipity too!

Every blessingRichard

Hospital Carol Singing on Friday 23rd DecemberCome and brighten the Christmas of patients and staff alike by joining thechaplaincy team and other local church members to sing Christmas carols onthe wards of Cheltenham General Hospital.Meet just before 7.00p.m. at the Hospital Chapel.Any queries, contact:

Katie McClure( 08454 224286


Sue’s News ……As this edition goes to press, with adeadline on Remembrance Sunday,Christmas seems a long time away. Weall know how fast time passes!Highbury offers its usual selection ofspecial activities with festive meals,services and carol-singing events. Thechange from the usual format for theHoliday Club is all-embracing and thecombination of groups is anopportunity for all of us to see how theother groups function. Please markthat Saturday 10th December in yourdiary. Also, please note that there willbe no service of Evening Prayers onChristmas Day.Already, we have made ourcontribution to Operation ChristmasChild. It is so important to rememberunderprivileged children in some of thetoughest parts of the world. Highburyfeatured on the Sunday morning RadioGloucestershire programme whenRichard Cleaves was interviewed byRichard Atkins as a result of thepromotion in Highbury News. Therewere clearly many more local churchestaking part. I happened to be doing mybox-shopping in those popular storeswest of Boots and saw several familiesselecting items and ticking them off onthe list in the green pamphlet!On the subject of Richard Atkins’programme, I was interviewed by himsome years ago when he had read ofthe Soroptimist Bra Bra Black Sheep

Project, again in Highbury News, andthen a novel idea. (I recollect himtalking of them as ‘Brass Ears’.) As thatwas such a good fundraiser, we arerepeating the exercise (this time forlocal charities) so thanks to thoseladies who have so far contributed tothis appeal. We will continue collectingcast offs for some time to come.We may consider our town to beaffluent and elegant but, beneath thatfacade, there are many needy people.This year the economic downturnaffects us all and Highbury’s choice ofChristmas charity, C.C.P. can makesuch a difference to families in crisis.Highbury has received the usualassorted charity appeals. Sadly, wecannot support them all. One of thelocal charities is the Open Door. TheirChristmas Shelter for the homeless willbe held at St Luke’s Church Hall fromSunday 25th to Tuesday 27th

December. While we may not be able,or willing, to devote time volunteeringover that period, help is also needed toprovide goods such as warm clothingand shoes (especially men’s), towels,certain bedding items, etc. Leaflets areavailable with more detailedinformation. It may encourage you toturn out the bottom of somecupboards.So, as always, I wish you all well and Ihope you will have a peaceful, fulfillingand meaningful Christmastime.

Happiness is wanting what you havenot having what you want


We are fortunate in having theopportunity of showing our realcommitment to love in action throughour close relationship with CCP. Asyou can see from their ‘Thank You’letter below, our involvement is reallyvalued. They mention theopportunities to give food and we willput some of the money we raisetowards the Food Share scheme aswell as aiming to make a generousdonation of food.In the past I have had someprofessional involvement with the CCPEducation Centre and can assure youthat they do valuable and challengingwork. It makes sense to let themexplain what they do so I have takenthis from their website,“The aim with all our learners is toinvolve them in positive activitieswhich are tailored to meet theirindividual needs and address theissues which have led to theirexclusion from school. We give eachchild what is often their first positivelearning experience, and help to build

their motivation to take part andsucceed. This raises their self-esteem,which in turn raises performance andaspirations.Using subjects such as art, sport,exercise, cooking and conservation,we help young people understand thateducation can be fun and rewarding.We undertake work with them onanger management, communication,group working and rights andresponsibilities. We prepare them fora return to full time school educationor a progression to higher education.The Education Centre is located in apurpose-converted building in GroveStreet, Cheltenham. It offers aselection of learning environments, awell equipped woodwork room, IT andMultimedia learning facilities, a fullkitchen and a leisure area with a TV,video and a selection of board andvideo games.”To further improve their environmentwe hope to collect enough money tobe able to buy some garden furniture.

Mary Michael

Chosen Charity for Christmas and December:County Community Projects

Dear All at Highbury ChurchCCP would like to thank you for yourdonations to the CCP - theemergency food distribution servicefor Gloucestershire people and families

in times of crisis, which relies ondonations from members of the public,churches, schools and businesses, anddistributes over 500 emergency foodparcels every year.

County Community Projects15 Royal Crescent

Cheltenham. GL50 3DA


In the run up to Christmas, CCPis extended to become the

CCP , a food and giftdistribution scheme.Many disadvantaged people inGloucestershire cannot afford the basicfestive goodies which most peopletake for granted, including food andChristmas presents for their lovedones. The pressure on them to providesuch gifts leads to many gettingfurther into debt, which can last foryears to come and only acts to maketheir lives even harder. This is thestark reality for many families everyyear.

The campaignaspires to bring the spirit of Christmasto hundreds of children, young people,families and vulnerable adults,including those who are homeless.This is not just by providing them withChristmas food items and gifts, but tohelp in the longer term to reduce orwipe out the debt that can accruethrough the pressure of the festiveseason, culminating in year roundmisery.If you would like to take part in thisyear’s , or want tofind out more, please see our websitewww.ccprojects.org.uk

The Word CaféBring and Share Lunch

Sunday 4th DecemberOur Word Café started well in November and returns again this month.We have a long tradition of bring and share lunches - they are a greatopportunity to build up fellowship and make new friends, and they are fun.At our Word Café there’s all the fun of those Bring and Share lunches butwith an added dimension. With some conversation starters the idea is to‘chew over’ the theme of the service we have just shared. If you came lasttime, do join us again. And if you missed the first of our Word Cafés do joinus this time round. It’s for everyone ... so we will have some fun things todo for the children as well!We hope to start the lunch by 12-30pm if we can, and finish for 2-00pm.

Prayer Handbook 2012Common Prayers - edited by Susan Durber

2012 is the 350th Anniversary of the events in England in 1662, when the Actof Uniformity ejected many clergymen from the established church.A number of these became ministers of Independent Churches, and were laterknown as Congregationalists.

New subscribers to the Handbook are always welcome. Cost £5.00Elsie Williams


Children’s WorkerSome of the highlights of my first termat Highbury include seeing theM:Ocean group taking on the role ofSunday Special Helpers. I’ve been soimpressed with their enthusiasm,planning and skills in organisinggames, their kindness andencouragement shown to youngermembers and their amazing ability toteach 1:1 the prayer ideas we sharedlast month. In October, just aboutevery child prayed their own prayer aswe concluded Sunday Special, usingcoloured sweets to prompt ourthoughts on what to pray for, andconsider the colour of love. AtTransformers, we have explored theLord’s Prayer and finish each weekwith a quiet time in a space on our ownto pray as Jesus taught. It’s touchingto see how ‘at home’ the children areat Highbury and how willing to engagein exploring their faith in discussion. Ofcourse, another part of the churchvision is accomplished each timechildren meet together as they shareChristian friendship. I am so gratefulfor all the support I have received fromthe many volunteers making theseevents safe, happy and possible andthank you for your helpfulencouragement with the work.

Please join us on Saturday 10th

December for our Christmas Café withHy-Speed, 10am to 1pm. Drop in forcoffee and cake, watch or join in theScalextric racing, and take a walkthrough the Christmas Story set out inchurch at a series of interactive‘stations’ suitable for all ages.It will soon be my first Christmas asChildren’s Worker at Highbury. What agreat privilege to work with children atChristmas and share in their delight! Iam looking forward to exploring theChristmas Story on the AdventSundays. Our overall theme is ‘TheUnexpected’ and I dare say there willbe plenty of examples at Toddlers,Transformers and in our Sundaygroups! There is such a lot of pressureto have ‘The Perfect (beautifullyorganised) Christmas’ and the reality isthat this rarely happens. As a Christian,I am trying to remember to pray to beequipped to cope with the unexpectedrather than be protected from it. Ihope the unexpected nature of yourChristmas brings you surprises fromGod, better than you could haveplanned yourself, and that in yourjourney through the new year, heaccompanies you close by.

Carolyn Tennant

An invitation to you all - Sunday 1st January 2012Please join us after our morning worship and coffee at church for a bringand share lunch, at our home – 10 Albert Road. You are welcome to sharea lazy afternoon or join in a walk. (The walk will not be too strenuous,but stout shoes or boots, warm / waterproof clothes are essential!)

For more information please ’phone us.Jean and Roger Gregory( 01242 526002


Words For Today 2012is different from other daily Bible reading notes:

The book contains a whole year's readings in one volumeIts writers are drawn from around the globe and from manydifferent traditionsIt presents a lively, fresh and often radical approach to the text

challenges readers to act in the light of thereadingsIt combines systematic reading of texts with wide-ranging themes

can be ordered online, price £8.75 (p&p free)from IBRA (International Bible Reading Association)

http://shop.christianeducation.org.ukor( 0121 472 4242

or from me: Jenny Bartlett( 01242 231644

Exploring Christian Spirituality

It’s great having Sharon Wallington studying at the University of Gloucestershireand hearing about the studies she is doing. She has come across a series oflectures that are open to the public exploring Christian Spirituality.They will be held in the Lecture Theatre at Francis Close Hall from 5-30 to 7-00pm.

Thursday 1st December - Prof. Ursula King (Bristol University)‘Spirituality and the Earth Community:

Responding to the Spiritual Challenges facing People and Planet’

Wednesday 18th January 2012 - Dr. Mark Vernon‘What has Philosophy Got to do with Religion?’

Thursday 15th March - Rev. Rob Merchant‘Spirituality and Dementia’

Thursday 19th April - Prof. John Cottingham (Reading University)‘Spirituality, Self-Discovery, and Moral Change’

Richard Cleaves


CONGRATULATIONS to- Brenda Lamb on the birth of her fifth great-grandchild, Joshua MichaelHaydn Lamb, on Sunday 30th October, and to his parents Christopher and Carly

- grandparents Edwin and Rose Hayward, and parents Tim and Ola, on thebirth of Henry Edwin Timothy Hayward at the end of October- grandmother, Mary Michael, and parents Alex and Catherine Tattersal on thesafe arrival of baby Jake Eric Tattersal, on Wednesday 9th NovemberBEST WISHES to- Louise Cook and Oleg Kucak following their recent marriage, and on their newhome in Petersfield, HampshireIT WAS PLEASURE to welcome back- Graham and Sheryl Adams, and to meet baby Bethan on Sunday 30th October- Matt and Ruth Noonan, and to meet baby Jessica on Sunday 6th NovemberWELCOME into Church Membership- Ron and Joan Wakeman on Sunday 20th NovemberGOOD WISHES to- Rev Yvonne Brae, as she leaves her work in St. Michael’s Church and movesto Holy Apostles ChurchOUR SYMPATHY to- Becky Hartwell, her Mum Marion and all in the family, on the death of Becky’sfather, Barrie, on Tuesday 8th NovemberPASTORAL CARE NEWS- Olga Slack, who has been part of the Pastoral Care Team for the best partof 40 years, is retiring from being a Church Visitor. We owe Olga a great debtof gratitude for her untiring efforts over the years, and say a big ‘thank you’- We are pleased that Rosamund Stanley is taking on Olga’s duties as a ChurchVisitor in District 10, and wish her wellPLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS those mentioned above, and also- John Barnes in hospital, and wife Joan at home having to cope without him- Jonquil and Peter Harrison, as Jonquil faces another delay in treatment- Pat Kimber, recovering from surgery- Charles and Ruth Adams - Ron and Rachel Jacques- Frank and Anne Guppy - Janet Brown- Ann and Stan Jones - Hilda Read- Gwen Taylor - Eric Burton

News of the Church Family


- Rev Canon Ian and Mrs Hilare Pulford- Gwen Clark, now home and improving slowly and steadily- Rev Robert and Sue Pestell, and Robert’s mother in hospital in Walsall- Karen and Tony Wilkes, as they seek suitable accommodation for Tony’s dad- Romola, a regular at Community Café who is very poorly in hospital- for all our older members as winter approaches, for those who are graduallybecoming more frail and losing their mobility, and for those who care for them- others known to us personally, whose needs are perhaps not widely known,but with health, family, employment or other worries- and all those who need our prayers, help and support in the longer termCHURCH FAMILY NEWS AND VISITING REQUESTS please contact:

Joyce & Philip Arnold ( 285705 David & Betty Butcher ( 300581

PRAYER CHAIN REQUESTS - please contact:

Lorraine Gasside ( 239838 - [email protected]

Latest News of MoffatMoffat's most recent letter was written on 5th October. Some good news - theradio we sent him arrived the day before the elections in Zambia, so he wasvery pleased about that. Moffat says that the elections were conducted in atransparent manner. Please join Moffat in praying that President MichaelChilujya Sata 'will have a heart for us prisoners, much more we on death-row,and that he will not think otherwise against us.'Moffat has had another appointment with the cardiologist regarding hisenlarged heart and is now on medication. He told his doctor how worried hefeels and his doctor was very kind and encouraging and told Moffat to look uponGod as he is in control. At the time of writing the weather in Zambia was veryhot and windy and the rains had not yet come. Please pray for Moffat - for hishealing, for his appeal to be successful and for the right amount of rain to fallsoon.Please pray for Penwork Ministries as they send off payment for all the schoolfees that are now due for the sponsored children in Zambia - there is a bit of ashortfall in the amount raised for Cecilia. Please pray for the extra funding.Please also add Moses Chansa to your prayers. Since leaving prison Moses hasbecome an evangalist and has just come back from spending some monthsevangelising in rural areas and is now working with prisoners again. But thingsare difficult for him financially and he is hoping to earn some money by sellingsecondhand clothes. I understand that there are problems with the room herents and his landlord. Please pray that all these difficulties may be eased.

Thank you. Judi Marsh


Women’s World Day of PrayerThe service next March is from Malaysia on the theme

“Let Justice Prevail”Our Cheltenham gathering, when we can collect service books andposters will be on Thursday 12th January from 10-30am until 12-30pmat the Friends’ Meeting House, Warwick Place.

Felicity Cleaves

Open the Book

Thursday 8th December 7-30 to 9-00pm

They aren’t in the church Bibles. I doubt whether they are in many Biblesbelonging to people at Highbury. And yet they throw a great deal of light onthe Jewish world Jesus grew up in. If you were a Roman Catholic they wouldjust be part of the Bible you had grown up with.Through the Autumn in our Open the Book sessions we have been taking alook at some of the books of the Apocrypha to see what they tell us about theJewish world of Jesus. We have already looked at the wisdom writing of JesusBen Sirach, and at the account of the Maccabean Revolt in 1 Maccabees. Wehave found a number of themes in 2 Maccabees that threw light on the natureof Christ’s ministry. We now turn to a fascinating strand of wisdom thinkingthat goes right to the heart of our Christmas message.Do join us if you can!

Thursday 8th December The Wisdom of Solomon

Richard Cleaves

Wednesday LunchThe next Wednesday Lunch will be on 14th December.

Everyone of any age is very welcome – so why not bring a friend?Sign up on the board if you'd like to join in.

It will be followed by Carol Singingwith Hy-Way and the Choir.

The Cooking Team!


Chosen CharitiesCommunion offerings and money donated at coffeetime after morning worship this month, togetherwith our special Christmas offerings, will go to ourchosen charity for December which is ‘CountyCommunity Projects’ (see pages 6 and 7).

The money raised by our communion offerings andby those who stayed for coffee after the morningservices in October, for Listening Post, amounted to£171.94

Hy-Way in December

Our weekly meetings continue on Wednesdays 7th and 14th Decemberand then there will be no further meetings until Wednesday 11th January.

We enjoy a time of worship, a time to listen,and a social time with refreshments and chatter,from 2.00 to 3.30pm in the Morton Brown Room.

On Wednesday 14th December, following the Highbury Christmas Lunch,we shall be joined by the Choir to sing Christmas Carols

and everyone is invited to come along!You will be assured of a very warm welcome!

Welcoming Team for December

Sunday MORNING Sunday EVENINGJune Tremlett Diana AdamsJanet Rhodes Betty ButcherTricia Stone Rachel Jacques

Deacons on Vestry Duty

Sunday MORNING Sunday EVENINGNeil Gasside Mary Buchanan


Day Meeting Contact Tel. Number

Sunday 10-30am Morning Service Richard Cleaves

Sunday 6-30pm Evening Service Richard Cleaves

Sunday 7-15pm Hy-Tec Adrian Blazey

Monday 6-45pm Scouts Andy Sargent

Tuesday 9-45am Toddlers Felicity Cleaves

Tuesday 5-45pm Transformers Carolyn Tennant

Wednesday 2-00pm Hy-Way Sue Cole

Wednesday 6-15pm Cubs Ian Miller

Wednesday 6-00pm Brownies Christine Lodge

3rd Wednesday 8pm House Group Sharon Wallington

Thursday 10 - 11.30 Community Café Felicity Cleaves

Thursday 7-30pm Church Meeting

Deacons’ Meeting

Open the Book

Sue Cole

Richard Cleaves

Friday 7-00pm Guides Tania Ashdown

Friday 7-30pm Choir Mary Clifford

Saturday 10-00am Beavers Amanda Sargent

1st Saturday 2-30pm Friendship Group Olga Slack

2nd Saturday 6.30pm Hy-Speed Peter Tennant

Sunday 9-30 am Hy-Spirit Mary Buchanan

Highbury Community CaféEvery Thursday - except 29th December

10:00am until 11:30amCoffee, Tea and Homemade CakeBring your friends and neighbours


Calendar for December

Thursday 1st 7.30pm Deacons’ MeetingSaturday 3rd 2.30pm Friendship Group for those who live alone

SUNDAY 4th 10.30am Morning Worship 12.30pm Word Café – Bring and Share Lunch 6.30pm Evening Prayers with Holy CommunionWednesday 7th 7.00 for 7.30pm Christmas Meal at The Clock TowerThursday 8th 7.30pm Open the Book - see page 12Friday 9th Pittville School Carol ServiceSaturday 10th 10.00am to 1pm Christmas Café with Hy-Speed Digital Scalextric Racing for all the family

10.00am Carol Singing for Christian Aid at Sainsbury’s, Tewkesbury Road

SUNDAY 18th 10.30am All Age Nativity - ‘The Unexpected Christmas Story’

6.30pm Carols by CandlelightWednesday 21st 6.00pm ‘A Messy Christingle Service’ with the Bethlehem Peace Light

SUNDAY 11th 9.00am Sunday Special 10.30am Morning Worship with Holy Communion

6.30pm Service of Lessons and Carols with The Thames Head SingersMonday 12th 1.30pm Belmont School Carol ServiceWednesday 14th 12.30pm Highbury Christmas Lunch followed by

2.00pm Christmas Carols with Hy-Way and Highbury Choir – open to all

SUNDAY 25th CHRISTMAS DAY 10.30am ‘The Unexpected Result’ - A Christmas Celebration (There will be no evening service)


Prayer FocusDistrict 12

Phil and Joyce ArnoldDavid and Betty Butcher

Tania Ashdown (Guide Leader)Tom and Nicky Archer, Eleanor, Harry and Poppy

Richard and Julie Gilpin, Ruby and PoppyChristopher and Caroline Gregory

Gwen Hewinson (for URC)Vera Januszczak

Stan and Ann JonesGraham and Sophie Lane, Alex, Freya and Poppy

Joan LeeBetty LittleyMary Michael

Claire Mortimer-White, Megan, Esther and DulcieBarbara Murrell

Matt and Ruth Noonan and JessicaDavid and Dinah NormanJohn and Angela Pickles

Heather PicklesEdna Price

Mike and Karen Pullen, Xana and SamPaula Rea

Janet RhodesAnne Saunders

Diane SeabourneNeil and Elaine Williams, Aimee, Jessica and George

Deacon: John PicklesVisitors: Anne Saunders and Janet Rhodes

Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my pathPsalm 119:105


Prayer Rota for Sundays in DecemberMorning

Sunday 4th December Sharon Wallington 236514 Sunday 11th December Mary Buchanan 583135 Sunday 18th December Children’s Nativity tba Sunday 25th December Christmas Day tba Evening Sunday 11th December John Lewis 521675

S.W. Midlands Area of the Congregational Federation invites us to pray for …

Sunday 4th December North Nibley Sunday 11th December Kingswood, Wotton-under-Edge Sunday 18th December People without a home Sunday 25th December CHRISTMAS DAY

Five Fingers Prayer1. Your thumb is nearest to you. So begin your prayers by praying forthose closest to you. They are the easiest to remember. To pray for our lovedones is, as C.S. Lewis once said, a “sweet duty”2. The next finger is the pointing finger. Pray for those who teach, instructand heal. This includes teachers, doctors and ministers. They need support andwisdom in pointing others in the right direction. Keep them in your prayers.3. The next finger is the tallest finger. It reminds us of our leaders. Prayfor the leaders of our country, leaders in business and industry, andadministrators that they make wise decisions. These people shape our nationand guide public opinion. They need God’s guidance.4. The fourth finger is our ring finger. Surprising to many is the fact thatthis is our weakest finger, as any piano teacher will testify it should remind usto pray for those who are weak, in trouble or in pain. They need our prayersday and night. You cannot pray too much for them.5. And lastly comes our little finger, the smallest finger of all. Which iswhere we should place ourselves in relation to God and others. As the Biblesays “the least shall be the greatest among you.” Your ‘pinky’ should remindyou to pray for yourself.By the time you have prayed for the other four groups, your own needs will beput into proper perspective and you will be able to pray for yourself moreeffectively.


The Church Visitors’ Meeting inOctober was privileged to receive atalk by Dr Kate Blazey on ‘SubstanceMisuse and Addiction’. These notes aredrawn from what she said.She first addressed the question, ‘Whydo people use drugs or drink toexcess?’In brief, people start from the lure ofexperimentation, for the pleasuregained from the new experience, toblock out unpleasant feelings, toescape from a seemingly imprisoningsituation, or simply from the influenceof friends or their peer-group.Continuance in use comes fromdependence (arising from addiction, ora compulsion to avoid the physical orpsychological trauma followingattempted withdrawal), pessimism,fear, or simply habit.Substances subject to misuse fallbasically into three types:1. Stimulants (caffeine, nicotine,amphetamine, methamphetamine,cocaine, crack cocaine, ecstasy,mephedrone).2. Sedatives (alcohol, benzodiazepinessuch as valium, opiates such asmorphine heroin and codeine,ketamine, cannabis, solvents, GHB /GBL).3. Hallucinogens (not dealt with in thepresentation).She outlined the numerous adverseeffects of each type of drug on theuser, and some of the potential effectson other folk.

1. Stimulants: dependence (physical /psychological), insomnia, loss ofappetite, irritability, violence,psychosis, cardiac effects, and lowmood on ‘comedown’.2. Sedatives: falls, somnolence,accidents, disinhibition, depression,respiratory depression, coma.3. Adverse effects associatedparticularly with the over-consumptionof alcohol included cardiovasculardisease, gastric problems, liverdisease, brain disease, nerve damage,and pancreatic disease.According to the British Crime Survey,almost a quarter of 16 to 19 year oldsuse illicit drugs; though less in olderage groups. The most commonly usedillicit drugs are cannabis, then powdercocaine, ecstasy and mephedrone.28% of men and 19% of women drinkmore than their weekly recommendedintake of alcohol. Almost one-fifth of11-15 year olds report drinking in theprevious week. 9.3% of men and 3.6%of women are dependent on alcohol.6% of men and 2% of women aredrinking in such a way that damage totheir health is likely.Enforced treatment has only limitedsuccess. Change must come from theuser, who needs to perceive thebenefits of withdrawing to be greaterthan the benefits of continuing in use.Treatment aims to engage with andsupport the person in this, in variousways – medically and psychologically,and socially through the help ofrelevant agencies and peer groups.

Substance Misuse and Addiction


Specialist treatment, often involvingdifferent agencies, has several aims:- To engage with and support theperson- To reduce the harmful effects of themisuse- To control withdrawal symptoms- To enable the person to makechanges in behaviour- To support abstinence and preventrelapse- To address the physical and mentalhealth of the user, and their socialfunctioningIn many cases drug users are unwillingto admit to having a problem which isobvious to others. This attitude mayarise from the simple fear of admittingto a problem, the stigma associatedwith it, or the implications forbehaviour, or the fear of whattreatment will entail. Until a problemis accepted, even if not admitted, littleprogress in solving the problem ispossible.How can we help?Once a problem is recognised by theuser – which may tend to despair - we

must try to give hope andencouragement.It is essential to be accepting of theuser, and non-confrontational.Leading the person to proper medical/ psychological help is vital.Identifying and pointing the way tosuitable helpful agencies, e.g. AA, willprovide the strengthening influence ofpeer groups facing similar problems.Agreeing suitable times to discussproblems is important – it is pointlessto try and speak with someone if theyare intoxicated or in an aggressivemood.It is more helpful to express one’s ownconcern (‘It makes me feel…’), ratherthan handing out advice (‘You should/ shouldn’t….’), however well meant.Seeking to engage the person inpositive activities may create a newinterest and help break the substance-misuse habit.Other factors such as loneliness maybe involved; and these are situationsin which non-professionals may beable to give real help.

David Butcher

The Advent Candles The first is for God’s promise to put the wrong things right,

and bring to earth’s darkness the hope of love and light. The second for the prophets who said that Christ would come

with good news for many and angry words for some. The third is for the Baptist, who cried “Prepare the way -

be ready for Jesus, today and every day.” “Christmas is coming” the Church is glad to sing,

and let the Advent candles brightly burn in a ring


A Christmas MessageTHE SCENE IS SETThe little land of Judea is full oftyranny, immortality and faithlessness,ruled by Herod. He was a man whohad promised so much, started sowell, but had degenerated into aloathsome tyrant, consumed withjealousy, the very symbol of all that isunworthy. There was a lot to bedesired, the situation was very bleak.Men were in despair. Where was God?What would happen?COME WITH US TO BETHLEHEM -Bethlehem! That name rings withwonder. All over the world whereverpeople celebrate Christmas, themessage of love and peace entershuman hearts for one day in the year.For twenty four hours the secret ofgood will is out. Families re-unite,friendships are renewed, quarrels areforgotten and people love theirneighbours.Who would have dreamed over twothousand years ago that the birth of alittle child in a manger in Bethlehemwould turn the world upside-down oneday of every year?The characters provide the answer.Two people, weary and tired maketheir way towards an inn. Josephknocks at the door. It is opened, andfor a moment all the light, the warmthand the laughter from within come outinto the cold night air. The faces of twotired travellers are lit with the glow oflight from within. Hope stirs withintheir hearts, then – the door is shut.All is quiet and cold and dark again.

The man who shut the door was not abad man, he was just busy, hisdwelling was full, everything wasgoing very nicely for him. But, amidstthe success of his business he missedan opportunity unrepeated throughouthistory!The two weary travellers retire to astable, the reality of its pungent stenchso very far removed from the nice,pretty, Christmas card portrayals.Then, amidst anxiety, following theshuffle of tired, worn out feet, out ofthe darkness of a black night, in someof the grimmest days of history, Godgave the loveliest of his unnumberedgifts!WITH LOVE FROM GOD - therecomes the gift of a babe, born in aborrowed manger, in a little obscurevillage, the child of a peasant woman!So the infant Jesus begins life in thisworld outside of a closed door.The tragedy of the world is that for themost part, except perhaps one day ayear, he is still given exactly the sameplace – a place outside the hearts andhomes of millions.THE STORY MOVES ON and morecharacters make their entry. They arepoor, ignorant, simple yet kindly menwho have a refreshing trust in thewords of a messenger who broughtthem news whilst they were tendingtheir sheep. Simply they trust themessage of a vision, and the result isastounding! They find the infant Jesus!Others enter the scene - wise men, socalled. Surely the really wise are thosewho stay at home, warm and


comfortable, with no risks, nosurprises? The wordly wise do notallow a glimmer of light from a star totrouble them. Those who enjoy thesolid pleasures of life, are mindful oftheir own interests, tread firmly onsolid ground and refuse to set out onhair-brained expeditions in pursuit of acurious star. It is ordinary prudenceand common sense to take care ofoneself and not worry about otherpeople, or other things. If this is beingwise then on this occasion the so-called ‘wise men’ were foolish, for theyfollowed a star of light in a dark, darkworld. And their folly brought theminto the presence of Jesus!Shepherds and wise, truly wise men:how great is the contrast! The ignorantand the wise, the poor and the rich,the governed and the governors: it hasbeen an age-long problem to findcommon meeting ground for all.Yet the new born Jesus bringstogether these contrasting people in acommunity of love and peace.The story is so simple that many of themost learned stumble over it!THE STORY ENDS - the curtaincloses, soon Christmas will be here.There will be presents, the excitementof little children, the fellowship offiresides, good things to eat, memoriesof earlier years and, hopefully, a veryhappy Christmas for us all.Those things are very lovely, but thefull meaning of Christ’s coming goesfar, far deeper. Is this to be just arepetition of other Christmases wehave known? Let it not just end withthe filling of a stocking, the pulling ofa cracker, or wearing of a paper hat.

Remember there are many meaningfulfeatures of the old Christmas Biblestory which have much in commonwith the scene of life today. There is agreat deal to be wished for in ourworld of 2012. People are in despair,hopes fail and Jesus is still left outsidea closed door.The characters are much the sametoo. We are busy people, not reallybad, but, like the inn keeper, throughour indifference we miss ouropportunity. Simple trust like that ofthe shepherds can alone help us todiscover Jesus. The wisdom of thetruly wise who follow a ray of hopewhich comes to their attention, canalone bring us the reward of findingJesus, our only true Saviour.In the middle of Christmas Day haveyou ever suddenly felt disappointedbecause you know it will all end in afew hours? Have you ever felt theanti-climax of Boxing Day, or the dayafter when maybe work faces youagain, and everything seems to fallflat? We need not feel like that. If wedo then we have forgotten the centralmessage of Christmas.If only one could wake up everymorning and feel and find a pledgefrom all Christians everywhere to keepthe message of Christmas all the yearround.If only we would begin by pledgingourselves to Jesus, new born in us.What a resolution would follow!He stands before the world and us,waiting to be recognised as King –your Christmas gift from God, andmine.

Eric J Burton


The 2012 Assembly Celebrating the 40th Anniversary

of the Congregational Federation

will be held on Saturday 12th May 2012

at The Vine Venue.

131 Garvock Hill. Dunfermline. Scotland. KY11 4JU

There will be a significant fringe event the night before.A range of accommodation options and a full weekend package

will be available in due course.

Why not make plans to be in Scotlandon Saturday 12th May?

Amnesty International

Gloucester and Cheltenham Group

Our annual “Get Together” with Music, Singing and Readingsconcerning Amnesty’s work will be held

onSaturday 3rd December at 7.30pm

in the United Reformed Church, Park Road, Gloucester(opposite the Park and the War Memorial)

Free admission Refreshments Retiring collection

Amnesty is a movement through which ordinary people stand up for humanrights: our purpose is to protect individuals wherever justice and fairness,and freedom and truth are denied.Please come and support our work. For further information contact ...

Alan Frost( 01452 616329

Lord in these challenging times,we pray for still more workers to share the joy of your peace.


We at last have the flu phase behind us– hopefully. The ‘winter’ was long anddry, which in the end has left ourrespiratory tracts dry and vulnerable.Each one of has had their fair share ofcolds in recent weeks. We hope thatyou all had a chance in the last weeksof September to get a little sun shineon your immune system in order tostart the autumn properly. We will nowneed to adjust to the warm, humidsummer weather.The weather changes beyond ourcontrol, but other changes we are ableto consciously address.The next few paragraphs will be justabout this.Since July, as previously planned, weare now living in the house of ourcolleagues. They are in Switzerland forone year to visit friends and family.The move went very well and we havesettled in very quickly. The bigadvantage of this move is that we canleave almost everything in place whenit will be our time to visit friends andfamily in Europe.But the new place has otheradvantages too: the school is locatedonly 200m from our front door andMarit and Simeon enjoy this new wonindependence. And we have space –so much space. It seems to be veryeasy to move from small to large. Allof us enjoy this too.Stefan has more and more routine inhis job – his language continues toimprove. The planning and proceduresin the university appear much morefamiliar, and he thoroughly enjoys

teaching and getting to know theperspectives and challenges of hisstudents. I also have set some new challengesfor myself.First, I took over a ‘night shift’ in thecasa feminine from the Cervin. Thismeans that each Monday I arrive thereat 5pm and spend the evening with thewomen, conversing and working onhand made cards to be sold for theCervin. The next morning, I lead ashort devotional, we have breakfasttogether and then I head back home.On Tuesday afternoons, I work on thesame handicraft project with teenageboys at another unit of the Cervin (seetheir website cervin.org.br which isavailable in English). At first it was justan attempt to see if the boys are up tothis challenge, but at least some ofthem really have taken on the quillingtechnique. The creativity and skill ofthe boys amazes us again and again.Of course, not all appreciate this kindof activity - but that's the same withthe women.Since our youngest, Jakob, startedpre-school in February, the questionwas, how can I use my increasing freetime. Since I am a physio, the firstattempt was to find out how to getstate registration with this profession.Now we know that this would be a verylong process, with a completely openoutcome. The systems are hardlycompatible from a bureaucratic pointof view. The way to be aphysiotherapist in Germany is a three-year school and hospital based

News of the Kürle Family in Brazil


apprenticeship training, while here youstudy on a four year course atuniversity. You might remember that10 years ago in England we faced thesame problem.England, however, was well preparedfor foreign applicants because of thethen lack of professionals. There was agovernment-regulated process that Ihad to follow and all was well. Heresome public universities should beresponsible for the recognition process- but none of them even felt able toreply to my initial request.Another idea was that there may be apossibility to teach at one of thesesmall English schools that one finds inmany cities. I asked there but becauseof lack of any qualification they sentme on a course in Londrina.This Teacher Training Course is anannual course starting in August andso I enrolled. Each Tuesday evening Istudy from 7.00 to 9.45pm and realisevery clearly that there is a hugedifference between “I can teach thatlanguage” and “I can communicate ina language”.In September, I had the chance to fillin for a colleague at a local school herein Rolândia. So I had to prepare andteach two courses (each with 2 weeklylessons). That has been a challengingbut very positive experience. As a sideeffect it is also rewarding to come intocontact with people outside church andCervin.Well, it seems that our life here hasbecome quite normal, now havingmore contacts and meeting newpeople. But it seems that there is nevertime to get too settled.

The next challenge is already in line forus, and again we are absolute novices.From July 2012 we will be on ourhome-leave for the first time. For sixmonths we will be living in Marburgand in the autumn (in October) wewould like to see you in Britain as well.We are really looking forward to thistime. It will be great to catch up on somany things in person.We look forward very much to meetingyou!Much love and God's blessing

Birgit und StefanPS:You might have heard about thefinancial situation of our mission. Theyhave already had to cut money whichnormally comes to support the localprojects in the various countries. Herein Brazil the annual missionaries’conference was cut in order to savemoney. Please do pray that newregular donors may be found. If manyshare the responsibility among them,the work can go on.

For prayerfor the remainder of thesemester until early Decemberfor Birgit's handicraft lessonsand ‘night shifts’ in the CervinThanks for new healthThank you for the manyupbeat and encouragingBraziliansfor new donors


‘Helping Hands Catering’for all your catering needsSpecialists in funeral catering

Buffet tailored to suit all occasions

and dietary requirements

o Christenings o Wedding Anniversaries

o Birthday Parties o Celebrations

We can provide a full waitress service for your event,including hire of crockery, cutlery, table linen

and flowers for tables,

either at your own home or chosen location.

Delivery only also available.

Contact: Julie Miller 01242 701127

mobile: 07909 917805

[email protected]

or Julia Howse 01242 861301

mobile: 07971 246431

BBC Songs of Praise on Sunday evening 4th Decemberwas recorded in All Saints Church, Cheltenham

so enjoy the programme and look out for anyone you may knowfrom Highbury and other local churches and choirs

HighburyMaintenance Day

Saturday 4th February 2012 Put it in your diary

There is a job for everyone!


W.S. TrenhaileFuneral Directors

Private Chapels

of ReposeApostle House

175 London Road

Charlton Kings

GL53 6HN

Tel: 01242 224897

Mason & StokesFuneral Directors

David MasonRichard Mason

Joy MasonA Family BusinessProviding a Caring

Day and Night Service

Tudor Lodge54 Hewlett Road

CheltenhamGL52 6AH

Tel: 01242 224877

Help and Advice onPre-Arranged Funeral Plans

Christmas Fairin the playground at

St John’s Primary SchoolAlbion Street

Saturday 3rd Decemberfrom 11.30am to 2.00pm

DJLMAINTENANCE

Danny James-Locke

All aspects of propertymaintenance

Telephone 01242 233921

Mobile 07901 852536

Carol Singingfor

Christian Aidat

Sainsbury’sTewkesbury Road

from 10am to 11amon

Saturday10th December

All are welcome!


Please support our advertisers and tell them you saw it here

A Sympathetic andUnderstanding ServiceWe’ll take care of all the arrangements

with care and sensitivityCall us 24 hours a day

Selim Smith & CoFuneral Directors

01242 52538374 Prestbury RoadCheltenham. GL52 2DJ

We are a local, Gloucester, family run company,

based in Brockworth

WE OFFER RELIABLE AND CONSISTENT CARE IN YOUR HOME

Care can be full time live-in, or short periods from ½hour, to suit you

We can assist you with:

Personal Care – Bathing / Showering

Preparation of, and help with, Meals

Light Household Tasks – Dusting, Cleaning,

Washing, Ironing, Shopping.

For further details / enquiries please ring Jenny or Lisa on 01452 526150


Highbury Congregational Church

A place to share Christian friendship,explore Christian faith andenter into Christian mission

Toddler Group / Transformers for school years 3-6 / Hy-Tec for 11s & overChoir/ Music, House and Prayer Groups / Alpha: exploring faith / Hy-Way /

Friendship Group / Scouting / Guiding / Hy-Speed etc.For a chat, or to find out more, ’phone Richard Cleaves on 01242 522050

The Christmas Story

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out adecree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should betaxed.

(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governorof Syria.)

And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city ofNazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is calledBethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage ofDavid:)

To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great withchild.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days wereaccomplished that she should be delivered.

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him inswaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because therewas no room for them in the inn.

Sundays at 6.30pmquiet, reflective evening prayers

with a focus onBiblical teaching

Luke 2

taken fromthe

AuthorisedVersion

First publishedin 1611, theAuthorised

Version has,thanks to the

genius ofWilliamTyndale,

shaped theEnglish

language asmuch as

Shakespeare.

It has alsoshaped the

lives of many

Sundays at 10.30amA time for all the Church family

to share in worship -groups for children and young people

december highbury news

Documents

christmas time

christmas story

christmas cafwith

minute christmas presents

highbury congregational

unexpected thingsthat

decemberhighbury news

word aswe