february 2014

Highbury Congregational Church

Oxford Street. Cheltenham. GL52 6DUwww.highburychurch.co.uk

New

sFebruary 2014

Highbury News - 2 - February 2014

Deadline for March Highbury News: Sunday 9th Februaryand deadline for Annual Reports Friday 31st January

... to prayerOn the day this issue of Highbury Newscomes out we will be sharing serviceswith our friends from St Luke’s Church.This year we are joining St Luke’s inbuilding up links with St John’s School.It was great to have a good presencefrom Highbury and St Luke’s at theschool’s Christmas fair.The prayer group that supports StJohn’s School has recently been re-launched. On Tuesday evening 4th

February from 7-30 to 8-30 we will behosting that prayer meeting atHighbury. Refreshments will be servedfrom 7-00 and the time of prayer will

be about an hour, when we will focuson different aspects of the school life.The prayer group that supports StJohn’s is part of a network of prayerthat seeks to cover all the schools inCheltenham. Many schools have theirprayer groups and people sign up tothe Cheltenham Schools’ Prayernetwork to pray particularly for schoolsin the town.Do join us if you can for what promisesto be a special evening.And an advance notice of our AnnualMeeting on Thursday 6th March at 7-30when we will be electing our newDeacons and Church Secretary.

An Invitation ...

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

the Council for World Mission and Churches Together

www.highburychurch.co.uk

[email protected]

01242 522050

www.highburychurch.co.uk

mailto:[email protected]


Pray without ceasingI had decided to focus on prayer formy first sermon of the New Year. Ilooked through Paul’s letters for asuitable passage to preach on,knowing full well that Paul starts andfinishes most, if not all of his letters,with words of prayer and reflections onthe importance of prayer.I hit upon the last chapter of one of theearliest of Paul’s letters, the first Letterto the Thessalonians.The very last section of chapter five,from verses twelve to twenty-eight hadlots to say about living the Christian lifeat the beginning of the year.And it had lots to say about prayer.It seemed just the right passage toread.Then it was that I realised that withinthat passage, in what is one of the veryshortest verses in the Bible, was aphrase that I had seen somewherebefore over Christmas.In the New Revised Standard Version1 Thessalonians 5:17 reads simply“Pray without ceasing”.One of the last letters to arrive beforeChristmas was a card from Wayne andLesley Hawkins, Thomas and Samuel.That’s Diana and Dick’s daughter andfamily.Wayne now works for the EuropeanRegion of the Council for World Missionand he had enclosed with his card acopy of CWM’s new Prayer Book.That’s where I had seen that phrase sorecently!

Its title for 2014.Praying without CeasingThings started to come together forme in preparing that sermon.I started out imagining I would bechallenging people ‘to pray withoutceasing’.I quickly realised I needed to hear thatmessage as much as anyone else.But then something happened and Ifound once again that prayer is verymuch a two way thing as I sensedGod’s presence with me in mypreparations.It was a Saturday as I was preparingthat sermon, and I turned to thatSaturday in the new Prayer Book.Lo and behold I found that the focusof prayer that day was our very ownCongregational Federation.More than that, the focus of prayer forour denomination was the new coursethat I have been very much involvedin, that starts with ‘Growing in FaithTogether’, the GIFT course.I was getting ready to share in aweekend of teaching on the courseand was really touched to think thatthat day, even as I was preparing mysermon, people in that missionpartnership the world over werefocusing their prayers on ourchurches, and in particular on thework I was engaged in.I found that greatly encouraging.More was to come.

Minister’s Memo


At precisely 11-14 in the morning anemail pinged into my inbox fromLorraine with an invitation to prayeron our prayer chain.After mentioning a number of peoplefor prayer, the email finished withprayers for all of us in leadership inHighbury, myself included.So at that moment others in thechurch family, as they too receivedthat email, would be thinking of me inprayer.Something special was happeningthat I found deeply moving.The Prayer Book has been puttogether by Tan, Yak-hwee, togetherwith a team in CWM’s central officethat in the last couple of years hasmoved from London to Singapore.He speaks of the way God listens andanswers prayer, then he goes on tosay something I found very profound.“Prayer is not only a personal andintimate encounter with God but it isalso a communal act. In other words,Christians are asked to continually lifteach other up in prayers.”That’s it!Prayer’s not a one way thing of mespeaking to God.Prayer’s not a two way thing of God inconversation with me.Prayer’s a three way thing involvingother people as well as God and me.It is that sense of community in prayerthat I felt very aware of that Saturdaymorning and that sense of communityin prayer that is nurtured by usingCWM’s Prayer Book.

“

That Sunday we ran out of the stockwe had acquired. By the time youread this I hope more printed copiesare available.The Prayer Book is also available inelectronic form and can be read on acomputer, a tablet and a smartphonetoo.My story might have ended there.But it didn’t.A day or so later, Felicity received amessage from Andrew White, who issomeone she follows on Facebook.We first really made contact withAndrew White through Mark andDenise Evans, when they were inBelvedere and Erith.Andrew White had grown up in thechurch there, and Mark had been intouch and built up a real friendshipwith him.For many years Canon Andrew Whitehas been Anglican Chaplain inBaghdad.He plays a very significant role inworking for reconciliation and forjustice and peace.He is one of the few people inBaghdad to have won the respect ofall sides in that conflict.Over Christmas he had been inJerusalem and then in Cyprus.It’s the very last sentence of themessage Felicity passed on to methat caught my eye.


Our Christmas collection had been forEmbrace the Middle East’s Syrianappeal. Our thoughts and prayers hadbeen in the Middle East overChristmas.

It is so easy to despair at all that ishappening in the Middle East.Andrew White is an inspiration tomany and when I read that message Isensed he was very much aninspiration to me as well.There’s nothing else for it.With our prayer chain, with our CWMpartnership, with Canon AndrewWhite, with our brothers and sisters inChrist throughout the world, in goodtimes and bad, there is nothing elsefor it.

Pray without ceasing.

With every blessing,

Richard

Highbury Lunch in FebruaryThe next lunch will be held on

Wednesday 12th February at 12.30pmwhen all will be welcome to come,

and bring friends and neighbours too -but just let the Cooking Team know you are coming, please!

Women’s World Day of Prayer

Friday 7th March from 1:45pm at Highbury

Theme: Streams in the Desertprepared by the Christian women of Egypt.

Do join us for this special service which unites uswith men, women and children around the world.


Sue’s NewsWe are another month towards thegreatest changes in Highburyleadership structure for many a year.I repeat thanks to all those who havestepped forward to assist with thechanges, showing a willingness tocooperate with each other to ensuresmooth running of the church affairs.January was to have started with theNew Year’s Day walk on 1st January. Atthe invitation of the Gregorys, theRamble of the Rabble was to start at11am for a short walk (dogs included)to generate an appetite for the bring-and-share lunch. This year it was notto be, and was cancelled due toprevailing monsoon conditions.However, a good time was had by allwho arrived for the lunch which had avaried menu and plenty of it! Thankyou to the Gregorys. Sorry the dogsmissed out!More Thanks ............. this time tothose who participated in thechildren’s scheme to contribute toChiks by using the dear little greetingcards made by Elaine, and to join inthe quiz compiled by Mary B. As I havesaid so many times, every pennycounts.I have, personally, also been able tofinance a cowshed (beyond the remitof Chiks) at Little Flower Mercy Home.As a result of that, part of the groundsis to be called “Susan’s Farm”. Imaginea tiny piece of India with my name!

February is the time for planning andpreparation for the Annual Meeting inMarch. An important regular feature ofthe meeting is the appointing of thenew Diaconate. This year only fiveDeacons are to be appointed. AllHighbury members will have had theopportunity through January tonominate other members, and nowthe Minister will be contacting thosewith the minimum five nominations tostand for election. If approached,please give thought and prayer to yourresponse. We all have talents to offerto the new programme ‘structure’. Theteam of Ministry Leaders is now inplace and this should be a time ofgreat opportunity for changes from settradition. Ensure that the March date,Thursday 6th, is in your diary so that asmany as possible will attend theAnnual Meeting. Please rememberHighbury and all that goes on (and isto go on) in your prayers.A final note for the ladies: You mayremember the appeal some time agofor your worn out bras, in any state ofdisrepair, for recycling by ladies indeprived countries. This appeal iscontinuing, though with a lowerprofile, and, as you are planning yournew Spring wardrobe, I will be happyto discretely accept those cast-offs!Those suitable will be resold in thosecountries, the rest dismantled and theparts recycled as metal/plastic/fabric.No whalebone, Thank You!


Highbury Community CaféEvery Thursday from 10:00am to 11:30am

Coffee, tea and homemade cakeBring your friends and neighbours

Chosen Charity for February:Open The Book

Not to be confused with our ThursdayBible Study, ‘Open The Book’ is anational charity that offers aprogramme of themed and dramatisedBible stories at no charge to theschools. Have you ever thought thatchildren in schools might be missingout on what the Bible has to showthem? They could go through theirentire school life without ever learningabout Adam and Eve, Noah, David,Jonah ... or even the life of Jesus andthe stories of the New Testament.‘Open The Book’ sessions are around10 minutes long and fit comfortablyinto assembly times. Volunteer story-tellers use drama, mime, props,costume - and the children themselves- to present Bible stories in ways thatare lively, engaging, informative ... andgreat fun for everyone involved!‘Open The Book’ started in Bedford in1999 where a group of Christians firststarted presenting Bible stories inschool assemblies, partly inspired byBible Society’s “Open The Book”Millennium initiative. Word reachedother schools and areas and so grewfrom a local initiative into a nationalenterprise. In September 2013 ‘OpenThe Book’ merged with Bible Societywhich seems logical since the vision

and mission of both organisations areso closely aligned. About 254,500primary children are now regularlyenjoying the great story of Scripture inschool assemblies as there are now1,497 ‘Open The Book’ teams acrossthe UK (an increase of 137 in the past6 months) and 8,651 volunteers (anadditional 1,131).

Phil Arnold, Jean Gregory and Ibecame involved as part of Hope ’09,and we are part of an ecumenical teamgoing into Oakwood School on aThursday morning. We would lovesome more people to join us, so don’tbe shy, and come along if you wouldlike to see what happens before youjoin us. Money raised helps to buy thebooks we use, and to help with propsand costumes. If you would like to helpus by making these we would be verygrateful, so please have a chat withJean or myself.

Mary Michael


Chosen CharitiesCommunion offerings and money donated atcoffee time after morning worship will go to ourchosen charity for February which is Open theBook (see page 7).

The total raised by our Christmas Offering,communion offerings and by those who stayedfor coffee after the morning services duringDecember for Embrace the Middle Eastamounted to £1,368.82 including Gift Aid

Welcoming Team for FebruarySunday MORNING Sunday EVENINGShirley Fiddimore Jean GregoryIan White James MartinLorna White

Vestry DutySunday MORNING Sunday EVENINGDarryl Mills Lorraine Gasside

Evening Service Readers in February will be:Sunday 2nd February Martin Evans

Sunday 9th February Marion Taylor Sunday 16th February Diana Adams Sunday 23rd February Felicity CleavesThank you to all those who have helped with reading, at both morning andevening services.Volunteers are always welcome. Please see me in church, or ’phone me:

Jonquil Harrison

Hy-WayWe usually meet on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays each month

in the Morton Brown Room at 2:00pm, and all are welcome to join us.


CONGRATULATIONS to- Brenda Lamb on the birth of her sixth great-grandchild on 12th December- great-grandmother Joan Peirce, grandparents John and Angela Pickles,Auntie Heather, and parents Matt and Ruth Noonan on the safe arrival of babyMiles Arthur on Friday 17th January, a little brother for Jessica- Alice Brown on celebrating her 101st birthday on Sunday 19th JanuaryNEW ADDRESSES- David and Vera Williams are noth settling down well in their new environment- Joyce Marriott has moved to live at ‘Oakhaven’, Hales Road- We pray that they will all be happy in their new homesPLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS - all those mentioned above, and- Walter Kirstein, in hospital following a nasty fall and subsequent surgery- Barbara Murrell, who has been in hospital since Boxing Day- Rene Nixon, admitted to hospital after only a few days back in her home- Cindy Thomas’ son Julian, who remains very seriously ill in hospital- Laura MacLeod's father Bill in Scotland, his wife Jane and all in their family,especially remembering Laura, Iain, Eilidh and Ceitidh- Claire and Matt Gasside, and Claire’s Dad and Mum, Maitland and Gill Cook- Felicity Cleaves’ Uncle Peter in Leicester, remembering her cousin Dawn andthe family, Sasha, Lydia and Rory, in their concern for him- Malcolm Hopkins having surgery in hospital in Oxford, remembering Anne too- Mary Michael’s son, Adam, and all those who care for him- Olga Slack and all the residents of ‘Heathercroft’ Abbeyfield Home, followingthe death of ‘Taffy’ Davies, one of their ‘family’ on Christmas Day- Peter and Jonquil Harrison - John Lewis - Joyce Moore- Gill and Mike Downward - Ellen Baylis - Neil Gasside- our older members in residential homes, care homes and nursing homes- people not as strong or active as they were, and finding life more difficult dayby day, especially in the winter weather and long chilly evenings- other friends known to us, with continuing health, employment, relationshipor personal concerns and worries- many people who are very much in need of our long-term prayers, and thoseon your own hearts, but especially we remember those coping and managingon-going illnesses and their dedicated carers, and especially those coping alonewith no carers

News of the Church Family


Spirit, Soul, Body, MindA Day Conference on Biblical Spirituality

with Paula Gooder

The University of Gloucestershire in Partnership with Bible SocietySaturday 1 March 2014, 10.00-4.00, in TC103, The Park, CheltenhamDr Paula Gooder is one of the best-known teachers and writers on BiblicalSpirituality in the UK today. A New Testament scholar, her passion is to igniteenthusiasm for reading and understanding the Bible in the practice of theChristian life. Her many books include:

(Canterbury Press, 2009) (SPCK, 2011)

(Canterbury Press, 2012)Dr Gooder is the Theologian in Residence of the Bible Society, and also one ofits vice-presidents. She is a Visiting Lecturer at King's College, London, and anAssociate Lecturer at St Mellitus College, London. She is a Reader in the Churchof England and a member of its General Synod.Andrew Lincoln’s books include

(Hendrickson, 2000); (Black’s NTCommentaries, 2005);

(Eerdmans, 2013).Gordon McConville has written (Apollos OT Commentaries,2002); (Continuum, 2006, 2008); (Two HorizonsOT Commentary, Eerdmans, 2010, with S. Williams).

Programme10.00am Arrival, registration, coffee10.30-11.30 Dr Paula Gooder ‘Mind, Body, Spirit and Soul: Embodiment and Spirituality in the Writings of Paul’11.45-12.45 and 1.45-2.45 Workshops (each to run twice):‘The Spiritual Gospel’: the Gospel of John - Professor Andrew LincolnThe Psalms and the Human Spirit - Professor Gordon McConville3.00-4.00 Panel discussion

Registration £10 Register by mail or email to: Simon Cuttell, University ofGloucestershire, Francis Close Hall, Cheltenham. GL50 4AZ [email protected]


Good News People …This a gathering place for those who want to learn how to share their faithwith others.Each gathering is an opportunity to …

Meet with other people who are interested in sharing their faithThink through key issues on sharing your faith todayKeep people up to date with what you are doingLearn about new resources for faith-sharingPray together

Time: 7-30 till 9-00pmWhen: 2nd Monday of February - 10th FebruaryTheme: The Holy Spirit and Faith SharingWhere: St Matthew’s Church, Clarence Street, CheltenhamFor more information, visit the website at: www.goodnewspeople.orgor email [email protected] or 01594 529752

Open the BookThursday 13th February from 7.30 - 9.00pm

The Poetry of Prayer

The Psalms of the Bible offer a wonderful resource for prayer. Treasured byJesus, treasured through the centuries, they are a treasure trove to enrichthe prayers of us all.We taking a look at some groups of Psalms, and explore the way we can usethem in prayer, individually and together as a church family. 13th February Prayers of Pain - the Psalms of Lament 20th March Prayers of Praise - the Psalms in praise of God

Please note: back to the second Thursday in Februaryand a changed date in March

Quiet time before morning worshipThe Prayer Parlour in the Morton Brown Room is open from 10.00am

to 10.15am each Sunday morning for a time of quiet prayer.There is an open invitation to all who wish to pray for the day’s worship

and for the total life of the Church.


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 9-30 am Prayer Group Katherine Stanley

Wednesday 2-00pm Hy-Way Jenny Bartlett

Wednesday 6-15pm Cubs Felicity Cleaves

Wednesday 6-00pm Brownies Christine Lodge

Thursday 10 - 11.30 Community Café Felicity Cleaves

Thursday 6 - 7.15pm Brownies Kate Fleming

Thursday 7-30pm Church Meeting

Deacons’ Meeting

Open the Book

Hope Group

Sue Cole

Richard Cleaves

David Butcher

Friday 7-00pm Guides Tania Ashdown

Friday 7-30pm Choir Mary Clifford

Saturday 10-00am Beavers Amanda Sargeant

1st Saturday 2-30pm Friendship Group Olga Slack

2nd Saturday 6.30pm Hy-Speed Adrian Blazey

Sunday 9-30 am Hy-Spirit Mary Buchanan

CHURCH FAMILY NEWS AND VISITING REQUESTS contact:

Lorraine and Diana


Calendar for February

Saturday 1st 2.30am Friendship Group for those who live alone

SUNDAY 9th 9.00am Sunday Special 10.30am Morning Worship 6.30pm Evening PrayersMonday 10th 7.30pm Good News People at St Matthew’s - see page 11Wednesday 12th 12.30pm Highbury Lunch - see page 5 2.00pm Hy-Way - see page 8Thursday 13th 7.30pm Open the Book - see page 11

SUNDAY 2nd 10.30am Morning Worship 6.30pm Evening Prayers with Holy CommunionWednesday 5th 11.00am Pensioners’ Forum at St Andrew’s URC - see page 19Thursday 6th 7.30pm Deacons’ MeetingSaturday 8th 6.30pm Hy-Speed for younger members 8.30pm Hy-Speed for older members

SUNDAY 16th 10.30am Morning Worship with Holy Communion led by Rev Dr Dee Brierley-Jones 6.30pm Evening Prayers led by Pam DixMonday 17th to Friday 21st Half Term

SUNDAY 23rd 10.30am Morning Worship 6.30pm Evening PrayersWednesday 26th 2.00pm Hy-Way - see page 8Thursday 27th 7.30pm HOPE Group

MarchSaturday 1st 10.00 to 4.00 Spirit, Salt, Body, Mind - Day Conference at University of Gloucestershire - see page 10SUNDAY 2nd 10.30am Parade of the Uniformed Organisations


Prayer Rota for Sundays in FebruaryMorning

Sunday 2nd February Felicity Cleaves unday 9th February Karen Haden unday 16th February Karen Waldock Sunday 23rd February Richard Cleaves Evening

Sunday 16th February Mary Buchanan

S.W. Midlands Area of the Congregational Federationinvites us to pray for ...

Sunday 2nd February Council for World Mission and Partner Churches Sunday 9th February Draycott Sunday 16th February Horningsham Sunday 23rd February Stroud

Prayer Focus - District 2

Phil and Marguerite BrownDavid Cleaves and Lake

Sue ColeSybil Cowling

Andy and Amanda Ford, Eleanor, Alexandra and AnnaBridgette HyettLynda Ingram

Iain and Laura MacLeod, Eilidh and CeitidhMason and Stokes (advertiser)

Roy and Audrey MillerDan and Solu Moses, and Andrea

Kathleen SmithJohn and Tricia Stone

Solomon and Dheenal Udayakumar, Dorothy and Derek

Deacon: Lorraine GassideVisitors: Marguerite Brown and Tricia Stone


Update on Moffat in prison in Zambia

Moffat wrote to us on 11th December. He was very pleased to receive a newphotograph of his daughter Cecilia, yet also sad as it is some time since hehas seen her face to face and he worries about her. I have written to tellhim that Cecilia passed her exams for secondary school and has beenenrolled. Please pray that the transference of the money for her fees will gothrough smoothly and without any delay.We are concerned about Moffat's health as he tells us that for a while hestopped taking some of his medication. He was feeling that he was takingtoo many tablets. That resulted in him being admitted to hospital. He hasbeen for counselling and tells us that he won’t stop taking his medicationagain - I think the episode he suffered really alarmed him.He has been looking back at his life and gives thanks to God that the pastis behind him and he has “allowed only Jesus to take control of my life.”Last year the President of Zambia commuted Moffat's death sentence to lifeimprisonment - please thank God for that and the hope it brings - nowplease join us in praying that the President will release him.

Judi Marsh

Poems, Prayers and Promises

This is one of our new anthologies which are on sale in church, with poemsby Shirley Fiddimore, Dee Brierley-Jones, Malcolm Williams, Gill Wyatt andmyself.The Prayers and Promises sections contain contributions from a number ofHighbury people including Richard who has written on the theme of ‘Christat the Centre’.Junior Church also has a section.Illustrations are by Ros Stanley, Dee Brierley-Jones and David Marsh.

Please also see The Topsy-turvy World of Cats which has poems,prose, pictures, very short stories, facts and jokes.

Proceeds from the sale of these two books will go towards Cecilia's schoolfees. We are thankful that within a few days of the anthologies going on salethere was miraculously enough money to pay the printing costs. Now pleasehelp us raise as much as possible for Cecilia. Thank you.

Judi and David Marsh


A couple of years ago I met Elis Matthews. He was then employed at Gilwell Parkthe home of the UK Scout Association. He was offering advice to leaders on ‘theuse of social media to promote your Scout Group’. I followed up on his adviceand started a Facebook page for the Highbury Scout Group and for the Church.Eighteen months ago Elis left Scouting and started to train for the Anglicanministry. He is at Ridley Hall, Cambridge where our friend from St Luke’s,Michelle Porter-Babbage, is also training.As a friend of Elis on Facebook I spotted this post in which he said that he wasrealising he didn’t have much experience of older people, and that he neededto put this right. As he was thinking about this he was moved to write thefollowing poem. I hope it helps you to think about your relationships with olderpeople, or if you are an older person perhaps it will encourage you to keep theflame alive.

Felicity Cleaves

Time keeps ticking, never quickens but thickensTick after treacly tock.Day follows day, month, month and year, yearOn the wrinkly hands of the clock.

The sceptre of fate scythes its way through the stateOf faculties mental and deep,As your arthritic hands try to grip hold of plansYou made when 'life' seemed something cheap.

Life should not fade, slip away or erodeLife is a flame not a shade.So don't let your colours run, let them explode -Fireworks in the night-sky displayed.

To those of us left to watch, care and befriendThe elderly in our horizon:Show no complicity forcing invisibilityUpon them. Open your eyes, son.

See, here are the lovers, the soldiers, the sonsWith hearts that beat, stories to tell.Their legacy's won, ours has hardly begun;We earn it by treating them well.

Life is a flame


CCPThank you to everyone for your on-going commitment to this good cause.County Community Project’s programme is an emergency fooddistribution service for people and families in times of crisis.There is a continual urgent need for all non-perishable food, not just atHarvest time and Christmas, in particular meat based products such astinned curry, minced beef, tinned stew, Fray Bentos pies, corned beef,tinned ham etc..Donations of staple foods such as rice, pasta and mash, packet and othertinned foods are also needed, especially breakfast cereals.If you would prefer to give financial donations, pleasecould we ask you to pass these directly to us forsafety, or put them on to the offering plate, suitablylabelled for our treasurer.

Lorraine and Neil Gasside

So when next on a bus with a Doris or StanTurn to them, shake their hand, say God bless.Try to see, not the cloth cap, but the man,The wise woman wearing the dress.

Ask What can I learn, and What have you seen,And How can your flame ignite me?And maybe by listening, you too will sparkInside them a fresh vitality.

Death be not proud, but it needn't be shameWe all have to face it, we're in that way the same.Living is serious, also a gameSo treat death with dignity, call it by name.

Thought for the Month

One thing is certain - we are all growing older.But did you know that birthdays are good for you?

Statistics prove that the people who have the most birthdayslive the longest.

Larry Lorenzoni


Discipleship - Receiving from JesusThank you for all the encouragement since the last church meeting and tothose who've helped me reflect on what discipleship means. There's alwaysa danger of seeing it as things to rather than someone to . Readingthe Bible, praying before breakfast and filling in charity direct debit formsare excellent aims, of course, but we can't reduce discipleship to a jobs list.When the first fishermen followed Jesus they embarked on an adventure.They spent time him, and were surprised and challenged him.Relationships were key, primarily with Jesus himself but also with eachother. They received him before giving to others. We'll start aseries on this theme in March, covering the following over three months:

Being LovedBeing Looked AfterBeing Led

We'll explore the same subject in the morning and evening, maintaining thedistinctive style of each service.When things go wrong we're often forced to take stock - the England cricketteam will be studying Ashes footage now - but it can be harder at othertimes. Hopefully, the new phase at Highbury will be a useful milestone forus all.

Karen HadenDiscipleship Ministry Leader from March

News from the Ministry Leaders

Pastoral Care Meeting for Church VisitorsThe next meeting for all the Church Visitors will be held on

Tuesday 8th April at Highbury starting at 7.30pm.Please note the change of day for this meeting.

We hope that those who have been unable to attend Thursday meetingsmay be able to come.

We shall be welcoming a speaker from Cruse Bereavement Care.Visitors, please remember to share any concerns you may have(and any good news, of course!) with Richard or with one of us.

Lorraine Gasside and Diana AdamsJoint Pastoral Care Ministry Leaders


Pensioners’ Forumat

St Andrew’s United Reformed Church

meets on the 1st Wednesday of the month

Programme for 2014

You are invited to the following Talks11.00am – 12 noon

Wednesday 5th February‘Saving Energy’ - Warm and Well

Wednesday 5th March‘Arthritis’ - Glos Arthritis Trust

Wednesday 2nd April‘Need help with Transport’ - Community Transport

Wednesday 7th May‘Fair Shares – Cheltenham Time Bank’ - Sue Martin

Wednesday 4th June‘Diabetes’ - Diabetes UK – Mike Broome

Wednesday 2nd July‘Building Circles in Gloucestershire’ - Frances Watson

FREE ENTRY – ALL ARE WELCOME

Coffee Bar open from 10.00am – 12 noonCoffee/Tea 50p

www.urcic.org.uk


The Lord’s PrayerIn the USA the Lord's Prayer is not allowed in most schools anymore becausethe word 'God' is mentioned, a 15 year old pupil in Winnipeg wrote this prayer:

Now I sit me down in schoolwhere praying is against the ruleFor this great nation under Godfinds mention of Him very odd.If scripture now the class recites,this violates the Bill of Rights.And anytime my head I bowbecomes a Federal matter now.Our hair can be purple, orange or green,that's no offence; it's a freedom scene.The law is specific, the law is precise.Prayers spoken aloud are a serious vice.For praying in a public hallmight offend someone with no faith at all...In silence alone we must meditate,God's name is prohibited by the State.We're allowed to cuss and dress like freaks,and pierce our noses, tongues and cheeks...They'll outlaw guns, but FIRST the Bible.To quote the Good Book makes me liable.We can elect a pregnant Senior Queen,and the 'unwed daddy,' our Senior King.It's 'inappropriate' to teach right from wrong,we're taught that such 'judgments' do not belong...We can get our condoms and birth controls,study witchcraft, vampires and totem poles...But the Ten Commandments are not allowed,no word of God must reach this crowd.It's scary here I must confess,when chaos reigns the school's a mess.So, Lord, this silent plea I make:should I be shot; my soul please take! Amen


The Livingstone Fellowship

in Cheltenham

1954 – 1971Sixty years ago Rev Harold Hilary and Mrs Dorothy Dunkin drew the youngpeople of Highbury together to meet Bob Latham, and invited them to form aFellowship, under the umbrella of the Congregational Union of England & Walesand the London Missionary Society. That’s when our Livingstone Fellowship wasformed, and over the following seventeen years a number of us were veryactively involved and have, since then, carried its influences far and wide.

You may already have heard that we are planning to celebratethe LF Diamond Jubilee at Highbury Congregational Church

on Sunday 11th May 2014and we hope former member will be able to join us for the day.After the 10.30am service we’ll have lunch together in the church hall

and spend time reminiscing!All former members of LF are welcome so please let us know if you can come.

If you’re in touch with any other LF members from that era,please spread the word and let them know about the date too.

David and Peggy Spink - [email protected]

Dick and Diana Adams - [email protected]

LF PrayerTeach us, good Lord,To serve Thee as Thou deservest;To give, and not to count the cost;To fight, and not to heed the wounds;To toil, and not to seek for rest;To labour, and not to ask for any reward,save that of knowing that we do Thy will.


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A Prayer for Courage

Lord, I ask for courage.Courage to face

and conquer my own fears.Courage to take me

where others will not go.

I ask for strength.Strength of body to protect others,Strength of Spirit to lead others.

I ask for dedication.Dedication to my job, to do it well.

Dedication to my country,to keep it safe.

Give me Lord, concern.For those who trust me

and compassion for those who need me.

And, please Lord, through it Lord,Be at my side.


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

‘Helping Hands Catering’for all your catering needsSpecialists in funeral cateringBuffet tailored to suit all occasions

and dietary requirements o Christenings o Wedding Anniversaries o Birthday Parties o CelebrationsWe can provide a full waitress service for your event,

including hire of crockery, cutlery, table linenand flowers for tables,

either at your own home or chosen location.Delivery only also available.

Contact: Julie Miller 01242 701127mobile: 07909 917805

[email protected] Julia Howse 01242 861301

mobile: 07971 246431


Sundays at 10.30amA time for all the Church family

to share in worship -groups for children and young people

Sundays at 6.30pmquiet, reflective evening prayers

with a focus onBiblical teaching

Highbury Congregational Church

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 / etc.For a chat, or to find out more, ring Richard Cleaves on 01242 522050

The Day Ahead

Lord, this day will be like any other - littered with love gifts open to opportunities captive to challenges bling bright with blessings. Lord, may this day be unlike any other may I see and receive all that you send. Amen

Judi MarshIn ‘Poems, Prayers and Promises’

‘The Topsy-turvy World of Cats’ and ‘Poems, Prayers and Promises’are now available from church and are being sold to raise money for the

education of Cecilia whose father, Moffat, is in prison in Zambia

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

with Christ at the centre, and open to all

february 2014

Documents

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time of prayer willbe

prayer meeting athighbury

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