july highbury news

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Highbury Congregational Church

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

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Highbury News - 2 - July 2012

Deadline for August Highbury News: Sunday 8th July

... to find out more about our worldmission partnership, the Council forWorld Mission.The Council for World Mission is apartnership of 31 denominationsaround the world in mission.Very recently its headquarters havemoved from London to Singapore. Itsassembly, bringing togetherrepresentatives from all those bodies,has recently been meeting in AmericanSamoa.On Tuesday 3rd July Wayne Hawkinsand Wesis Porop will be joining us atHighbury for an afternoon from 2-30 to4-00 when they will be reflecting onmission in the CWM context.

You can read more about the work thatWesis and Wayne are doing on page19 in this issue of Highbury News.If you can, do join us and friends fromthe South West Midlands Area of theCongregational Federation.Pencil in the evening of Tuesday 17th

July, when Sharon and the Boliviateam hope to welcome Suzanne fromBolivia to an open Transformersevening with a Bolivia theme, and stayon afterwards for a first report of therecent Bolivia team visit.As we look forward to the beginning ofthe Olympics with our Malawipartnership at our Parade Service onSunday 8th July, how good it is to bepart of the world-wide family of thechurch!

An invitation ...

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

the Council for World Mission and Churches Together

[email protected] 522050


Not the church of the futureIt’s very tempting to think that way.And indeed there’s more than amodicum of truth in that phrase.I guess it’s how the disciples of Jesusfelt when they angrily turned away theparents of those little children whohad come to listen to Jesus.Jesus’ response was telling.It is one of those rare occasions whenwe read of the anger of Jesus.But his anger was not directed at theparents.It was directed at the disciples.What he said to them is very tellingand gives the lie to that phrase thattrips off the tongue so easily.“Let the little children come to me; donot stop them; for it is to such as thesethat the kingdom of God belongs.”Notice the tense!Jesus does not say how precious theselittle ones are because one day, whenthey are old enough, and have come toan understanding of all the ins andouts of the Christian faith, and havereached the point at which in an adultway the can make a full confession offaith ... then the kingdom of God willbelong to them.What he says is quite simple.“... it is to such as these that thekingdom of God belongs.”That was nothing new.It was an age-old part of Jewishthinking. Children belong. They arepart of the people of God.

As a child of the Jewish people Jesushad not only been dedicated at eightdays, but he had also received the signof being part of the people of God,circumcision.Jesus was adamant.The kingdom of God belongs to thelittlest of children.From its very beginnings Highbury hastaken children seriously.Andrew and Susan Morton Brown builton the passionate commitment to non-denominational Christian education ofHighbury people by opening a dayschool in our Grosvenor Streetbuilding. For 80 years we had abuilding dedicated to working withchildren.Alice Brown still remembers theSunday school that met there until 80years ago this year!When Eric Burton joined the church in1966, fresh from working as achildren’s and youth officer for thethen Congregational Union of Englandand Wales he published his book,

as a passionate plea forall-age church.It comes to something when wereceive a plea from Eric’s predecessor,Lawrence Squires, who at 101 iswanting to know what Messy Church isso that he can help launch it in his ownchurch!!!When Becky joined us she had justcome to the end of a project with theCongregational Federation developingyouth work. It wasn’t long before herbook came out, .

Minister’s Memo


And in the time Becky worked with usas Pastoral Assistant we saw many ofthe ideas she had developed coming tofruition here at Highbury.It’s great now that Carolyn is buildingon the work Becky has done anddeveloping new initiatives tostrengthen and build up our work withchildren and young people.Carolyn shares some of her insightsinto children at church on pages 7 and8 in this issue of Highbury News.It’s great to see children and familiesat church on a Sunday morning and toremember in our prayers Bubbles,Splash, X-Stream and M:Ocean.It’s great to see so many at Hy-Tec onSunday evenings, and to know thatRuth Wyatt and Sweep of Hy-Tec areso involved in the Federation’s newinitiative with young people, CF-Xtra.It’s great to see Transformers goingfrom strength to strength.It’s great to see the Toddler Groupgrowing in numbers.It’s great to see the work done with theScout Group and through Girlguiding.Some of those groups would not seethe children who belong to them asbelonging to ‘church’, though they arevery much part of Highbury’s extendedfamily.

The same could be said of some of theadult groups we work with too!But most of the groups we work withare very much part of the church, thechildren who belong, belong to ourchurch.They are not ‘the church of the future’they are ‘the church of today’.Perhaps I should re-phrase that.We, all of us who belong, make up thechurch here in this place.We are the body of Christ here in thisplace. In Paul’s words “we, who aremany, are one body in Christ, and webelong to each other.”I guess that’s why, when asked at thebeginning of the year, people came upwith those particular words andphrases about children to describewhat’s special about Highbury -

This is the church we are now!

Every blessing,Richard Cleaves

Christian AidThank you to everyone who helped to raise a truly amazing total of

£1,488:14 in Christian Aid Week ....this is significantly more than we have raised in the last few years.

Laura MacLeod


Sue’s News

How busy the month of June was!Action every Sunday and all went well,of course. The Jubilee lunch was anexceptional event, though, sadly, wedid not make it to the Manse Garden.I think a lot of Garden Parties justturned into Parties that weekend!Highbury hall was wonderfullydecorated, the meal was a treat andthe ambience warm and friendly. Nodress code had been suggested butthe spontaneous preponderance ofred, white and blue showed people’senthusiasm for the celebrations. Thosewho worked so hard to contribute tothe event are to be thanked andcongratulated (see page 10 for furtherwords of thanks!)The same Sunday, I was pleased thatthe commemorative New Testamentswere so well received. Much beingmade of the Coronation NewTestaments lovingly kept by Diana andmyself was touching. I am still unsureof the meaning of “Lively oracles ofGod”. What a strange expression!As we go to press, the Aber Valley MaleVoice Choir is revisiting Highbury ... itis hard to believe that their last visitwas on Saturday 2nd June 2007.

A small committee is collecting andcollating information for a history ofHighbury. Surely everyone has acontribution to make? Even 10-20years ago is history! Please send JuneTremlett or Diana Adams yourmemories, however small they are!I shall be away visiting relatives fortwo weeks from Wednesday 4th July,inevitably missing church events. Butone always misses something ..... Ididn’t plan the date of a cousin’swedding in Ontario!Then, at the end of July, Richard andFelicity will take their annual summerbreak. We wish them a relaxing,restorative time, and pray they willreturn ready for the autumn activities.You may not be interested in theOlympic Games, but do at least showone of the ‘More than Gold’ windowstickers in your car, or home. The Echoadvertised them as bumper stickers.They clearly had not tried to stick themanywhere.

CHURCH FAMILY NEWS, AND VISITING REQUESTS please contact:

Joyce and Philip Arnold (David and Betty Butcher (

PRAYER CHAIN REQUESTS please contact:Lorraine Gasside

[email protected]


Chosen Charity for July:Gloucestershire Kidney Patients’ Association

Gloucestershire Kidney Patients’Association is a registered charitywhich was formed in 1989 to helpkidney patients attendingGloucestershire Royal Hospital. Thisincludes haemodialysis patientsattending the Cotswold Dialysis Centreat the hospital and also patientsundergoing peritoneal dialysis. Thiskind of dialysis has two types. Themost commonly used type is known asContinuous Ambulatory PeritonealDialysis (CAPD). In this form patientshave fluid in their abdomen 24 hoursa day. At the end of each period ofdialysis, they have to change thedialysis fluid themselves. The othertype is known as AutomatedPeritoneal Dialysis (APD). ‘Automated’means that a machine changes thedialysis fluid for the person, usually atnight. Membership also includespeople who are waiting for dialysis orkidney transplants as well as thosewho have had their transplants.The Association has a membership ofover 200, most of whom are inGloucestershire, but some also attendGRH from Worcestershire,Herefordshire and Wiltshire. The aimis to support patients, give themholidays, help with transport to and

from hospital, and organise fundraising. Most of the committee areeither patients or relatives of patientsand have an insight into the needs ofother kidney patients. They are athand to lend an ear to problems, pointpeople in the right direction forspecific help and generally be a helpto them. They also offer advice onhelp obtainable from the NationalKidney Federation, including the helpline and obtaining Kidney Lifemagazine. They also subscribetowards further specific local researchprojects at the hospital and of coursepromote the National Organ DonorRegister.Gloucestershire KPA has recently beenable to buy pressure-relieving pads forthe dialysis chairs in the unit as well asequipment that may be outside theNHS budget. Some patients who areon home dialysis may not have spaceto store the fluids required and theassociation is able to help in thebuilding of a suitable lean-to. Twoholidays a year are planned and inMay five patients and their carers hada week’s holiday in Bournemouthwhere they had outings arrangedaround their dialysis sessions.

Highbury Community CaféEvery Thursday 10:00am until 11:30am

Coffee, Tea and Homemade CakeBring your friends and neighbours


Children’s Worker ReportIn our original searching for ‘What’sspecial about Highbury?’ it was veryencouraging that ‘children’ wereprominent. For my part, I was equallypleased to see the concept of‘intergenerational church’ and ‘all age’qualities were important and cherishedby church members. As we celebrateand reflect on the part children play atHighbury this month, I firstly want tothank you for having the vision tosupport children’s work; financially,prayerfully and in practical service.In the last ten months, I havethoroughly enjoyed all my involvementwith the children and their activities;both at regular and special events.A recent highlight has been theTransformers Talent Show (otherwisebilled as ‘TGT’ - Transformers GotTalent!). I felt all along that much ofbeing the Children’s Worker was aboutgetting to know the children andsupporting and facilitating their ideasso that they are involved in shaping thechurch. This became a perfectexample. Andi made the suggestion,and I listened and encouraged thegroup at Transformers as they workedout what they wanted to do and howwe could make it all happen. Alongsidethe ‘show biz’, we were able to arrangea series for the God Slot about talents,gifts, creativity and character, so thatour Bible teaching and discussionssupported their interests. I am verygrateful to all the helpers who enteredinto the spirit of the thing as judges(even demonstrating their own magictalents!) to Darryl for setting up a

stage, mic and lighting, and to Marjoryand Ken for producing a feast for us inthe interval. (You will enjoy Andi’saccount of the event on the nextpage.) There was a great sense ofcoming together and sharedenjoyment with encouragement fromparents, siblings and grandparents too,making up a supportive audience.As with our Christmas and Easter Caféevents and Fathers’ Day morningservice, ‘children’s work’ becomes awhole lot bigger and more fulfilling byinvolving all ages. I feel very proudthat Highbury achieved its ChildFriendly Church Award, and I amgrateful to be able to continue thiswork. There has been obviouscommitment by the whole churchfamily to make this happen. Rotas arein place and, without all the willinghelpers, this work could not happen.In M:Ocean we talked recently abouthow the members of the group see thechurch and their place in it. I wasthrilled to hear them talk confidentlyabout how they too value the all ageaspect of church, and identifythemselves as growing from childrentowards adult membership. They havebecome part of Hy-Tec, are thoroughlyenjoying their involvement in Hy-Spirit,and any job with responsibility such asSunday Special and Summer HolidayClub Helpers.I believe it is no accident that this hashappened. All church members have arole to play in the nurture of children.As a result of your commitment, thisarea of church has grown.


As we look to the future, there is achallenge for Highbury.Yes, we are a child friendly church.Are we friendly enough for teens, 20s,30s?Could it be possible to adapt toattract these groups?What are we missing?

The principles would be the same; getto know the group, listen and committo providing for their needs.Do come to Highbury’s Weekend atHome where everyone is welcome andwe can join the discussions on ‘What’smissing?’ and ‘Where do we go fromhere?’

Carolyn

At Transformers we had a talentshow, TGT (hence the title) and itwas great! So much talent to offerfrom us Transformers kids.

First of all Carolyn introduced theshow and Matthew and I started offwith a hello and introduced the firstact which was Tabi and Grace withmagic. They wowed us with theirtricks.

Next was Eilidh and her recorder.She played some great tunes.

The night pretty much went on likethat with Joel and another magictrick, Luke and his football skills,Sam and I sang, and Murray flew hismodel helicopter! Then we had abreak with delicious snacks and a

drink and after the break we had theresults.

As soon as Matthew and I said wewere going to reveal the results theatmosphere tensed! For the boysthe winner was Murray, and for thegirls it was Sam and me! Buteveryone got something, as well asthe kids in the audience too.

For Sam and me, winning it wasprobably a big moment, and forMurray too, but we were thrilled andcouldn’t wait to tell our parents andcelebrate too.

So as you can tell, TGT was seriouslyfun and we are a really talentedbunch.

Andi x

TransformersAndrea Moses describes the recent Transformers Talent Show held at theend of term. The whole event was Andi's idea and she did a tremendousjob of running the show with Matthew Bloxham from St Luke's ...

TGT


CONGRATULATIONS to- Vicki Paterson and Phil Davies on the birth of Benjamin Michael on Thursday24th May, a brother for Jamie and Matthew- Brenda and Raymond Clarke who celebrated their Golden Weddinganniversary on Saturday 26th May- Margaret and Roy Seago who celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversaryon Saturday 2nd June- grandmother Sandie Mason, and parents Cathy and Frank, on the birth of alittle boy, Buzz Cody- grandparents Phil and Marguerite Brown, and parents Ben and Barbara on thebirth of a baby girl, Elizabeth Grace – a niece for Chloe- Matthew Winton (Sweep) who has been elected to the CF-XTRA’s Core TeamBEST WISHES to- Brenda Lamb, as she moves to live in the Abbeyfield Home in Prestbury- Lawrence Squires celebrating his 101st birthday on Friday 6th July- Poppy Jennifer Archer on the occasion of her Baptism on Sunday 8th July,daughter of Tom and Nicky Archer, and sister of Eleanor and HarryIT IS A PLEASURE TO REPORT that- Caroline Gregory is home again with Christopher, following her surgery- George Gregory is home, recovering well following a time in hospitalOUR SYMPATHY to- John Cook and all the family following the death of Janet, a former ChurchMember and Highbury Brownie Leader- Rachel Jacques on the death of her Dad, Ron, on Wednesday 6th June inCheltenham General HospitalPLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS all those mentioned above - and- Ray and Margaret Morgan, as Ray remains in hospital- Iain MacLeod’s 100 year old grandmother in hospital- Janet Rhodes, who has fractured her wrist in a nasty fall- Maurice Wilce with continuing health problems - Joan Lee- Ann and Stan Jones - Ivy Sadler - Gwen Taylor- Ian and Hilare Pulford - Vera and David Williams- Mary Michael’s sister Magda, who was taken ill while visiting Mary- others with a variety of problems - personal, family, health, work, education- also remembering those who care for all these folk

News of the Church Family


THANK YOU - for your concern and prayers when my Dad, Peter Shrubsole,was so poorly. He has responded well to the specialised chemotherapy drug(which targets hairy cell leukaemia) and is making remarkable progress.raise God for those who design these amazing drugs too..

Karen Haden

Diamond Jubilee Celebrations“Thank you for the excellent community lunch, and especiallyall the volunteers and helpers who cooked and washed up, as Iam sure a lot of work went on behind the scenes to make it asuccess. We learnt much about people we have seen as familiarfaces for years but never actually spoken to. It was lovely to beserved.”

Stephen and Helen - neighbours“Thank you for the splendid food and atmosphere at the Big Lunch - for me,very much on my own, it was a joyous occasion.”

Richard 11“Thank you for the invitation to the well organised and very enjoyable DiamondJubilee lunch. We had a great time.”

Sue and Derek - neighbours“Thank you so much for a lovely lunch.”

Polly, Steve and Wilf - neighbours“I really enjoyed the lunch and the service, and was gutted I didn’t have thevoice to sing.”

Amanda“Thank you for a lovely meal, and we liked the rousing hymns and the music.”

Vera and Gerry - neighbours“Thank you for a very memorable day! The morning service, with the wonderfulhymns and especially Richard Sharpe’s ‘organ fanfare’ prior to the NationalAnthem, was truly inspirational. What a lovely idea to give the children a NewTestament as a souvenir of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, just as Sue and Dianahad received in 1953 for the Queen’s Coronation (and it was good to see theircopies were not in pristine condition – maybe proving they had been well used?)There was a happy, friendly, celebratory atmosphere at the Big Lunch, the mealwas delicious (Coronation Chicken, how appropriate!) and a number of peopleobviously worked extremely hard in preparation, cooking, serving, clearing awayand washing up afterwards – thank you all!Finally, the ‘Hymn for the Nation’ sung by the choir during the evening service.All in all, an excellent day. Thank you.”


Highbury@HomeFriday 28th to Sunday 30th September

Having discovered everything that is good about Highbury Church ...

... we now look to what we can do to make it even better!What is included?Evening meal on Friday.Lunch and Evening Meal on Saturday.Breakfast for those are on the sleepovers or for the early birds.Opportunities for fellowship, discussion, to have your say on Highbury’sfuture. Meeting people you only know by sight. Worshipping together.Engaging with the Bible. Having fun together.What is expected of you?That you commit to the full programme from Friday evening through toSunday.Friday night sleepover option for year 1 to year 6.Saturday night sleepover option (with film) for year 6 upwards.What to do next!Be sure to fill in a booking form and leave it in the box at church ... andcome along to what promises to be a wonderful weekend together,culminating in our Harvest Celebration on Back to Church Sunday!


Chosen CharitiesCommunion offerings and money donated at coffeetime after morning worship will go to our chosencharity for July, which is Gloucestershire KidneyPatients’ Association - see page 6.The total raised by our communion offerings and bythose who stayed for coffee after morning services inMay, for The Woodlands House of Prayer Trust(Brunel Manor) amounted to £151.57

Hy-WayWould you be able to help out from time to time at the lovely Hy-Way groupfor older people? The group meets every Wednesday afternoon from2.00pm to 3.45pm and enjoys a short time of worship, some form of‘entertainment’ – a talk, DVD, quiz or anything else that takes our fancy!We need help to provide transport, preparing the room, hosting theafternoon, leading prayers, providing some kind of entertainment, makingmugs of tea, washing up and clearing away.Any amount of help welcome. It’s a great group and fun to be with.Please get in touch to find out more.Have a chat with Janet Rhodes or Joyce Jones.Or contact me:

Jenny BartlettOur meetings continue on Wednesday afternoons in July

in the Morton Brown Room and all are welcome to join us!

Welcoming Team for JulySunday MORNING Sunday EVENINGShirley Fiddimore June TremlettDavid Butcher Rose HaywardGwyneth Rattle Edwin Hayward

Vestry DutySunday MORNING Sunday EVENINGSharon Wallington Mary Buchanan


Open the BookOn Being the Church

Thursday 12th July 7-30 to 9-00pm

In June and July we are going to continue our look at what it means to bethe church. We began with Jesus, moved on to look at Paul, Peter andJames and now turn to John the Divine.Do join us if you can...Thursday 12th July On being the Church ... the seven letters of Revelation

Richard Cleaves

Prayers for CheltenhamMonday to Friday12-30 to 12-45

St Mary’s Church in the Town CentrePeople from all the churches of Cheltenham are invited to join togetherin prayer for our town each weekday lunchtime from 12-30 to 12-45 inSt Mary’s, the parish church of Cheltenham.

Richard Cleaves

Advanced Notice – date for your diarySaturday 27th October at 7pm

UKEBOX JURYPlease join us for a fun evening of music with this Ukelele Band

- more details will follow nearer the timeLorraine Gasside

When the weather is wet we must not fret,When the weather is dry we must not cry,When the weather is cold we must not scold,When the weather is warm we must not storm,But be thankful together we can weather the weather.


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 LunchThis month the lunch will be held onWednesday 11th July at 12.30pm

All are welcome to come along,bring your friends and neighbours -just let us know you are coming!

The Cooking Team


Calendar for July 2012

SUNDAY 1st 10.30am Morning Worship 6.30pm Evening Prayers with Holy Communion

Tuesday 3rd 2.30pm A Worldwide Partnership in Mission (see page 19)

Thursday 5th 7.30pm Church Meeting - all are welcome

Saturday 7th 2.30pm Friendship Group for those who live alone

SUNDAY 8th 9.00am Breakfast and Sunday Special10.30am Morning Worship and Baptism of Poppy

6.30pm Evening Prayers

Tuesday 10th 7.30pm HOPE Group

Wednesday 11th 12.30pm Highbury Lunch (see page 14)

Thursday 12th 7.30pm Open the Book (see page 13)

Saturday 14th 6.30pm Hy-Speed for younger members 8.30pm Hy-Speed for older members (www.hy-speed.co.uk)

SUNDAY 22nd 10.30am Morning Worship led by Paul Bennett 6.30pm Evening Prayers led by Rev Jill Stevens

SUNDAY 29th 10.30am Morning Worship led by Judi Holloway 6.30pm Evening Prayers led by Alan Barratt

SUNDAY 15th 10.30am Morning Worship with Holy Communion 6.30pm Evening Prayers

Tuesday 17th 5.45pm Transformers’ Bolivian Messy Church


Prayer Rota for Sundays in July Morning Sunday 1st July Sharon Wallington Sunday 8th July Mary Michael Sunday 15th July Richard Cleaves Sunday 22nd July Janet Partington Sunday 29th July Iain MacLeod

EveningSunday 15th July Mary Buchanan

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

Sunday 1st July Frampton on Severn Sunday 8th July Witney Sunday 15th July Kingswood Bristol Sunday 22nd July All Holiday Clubs Sunday 29th July Hawkesbury Upton

Please also remember in your prayers the lay-preachers and all who ministerto the churches in the Area, especially thinking of Adrian Wyatt and his wifeSheren - Adrian is minister of the church at Kingswood, Wotton under Edge

Prayer Focus - District 7

Richard and Diana AdamsMark (Assistant Scout Leader) and Lizzie Addington, and Louis

Désirée BeerDavid and Joyce Bullows, Grace, Isabel and Heather

Mary CliffordJohn Lewis

Steve and Alison MerrettRoger Merrett

Deacon: Iain MacLeod

Visitor: John Lewis


Entry into Christian Ministry – in the beginningPart 1:Once upon a time, Sunday 29th September 1944, I woke up to quite unusualweather conditions after fire watching at the Perse School. Towards the end ofWorld War II fire watching was a necessary public duty, to be ready if wantedduring an overnight air raid. You had to be prepared to extinguish incendiarybombs which may have dropped on the roofs of buildings, before they becamegutted by fire. After a raid on that September morning, with heavy rain and asudden drop in temperature, the roads were left glazed with hard packed frozenice. Cycling home was not at all easy! When I arrived home my father, a newlyappointed Methodist candidate being considered ‘on trial’ as a local preacher inthe Cottenham Circuit, had a problem. How was he to get a message to his firstappointment that morning at Waterbeach Methodist Chapel to say that he wasunable to get there? Very few homes had telephones. With all the impulsivenessof a headstrong youth I accepted the challenge to attempt the seven mile cycletrip to Waterbeach to inform them my father was unable to be there.At Waterbeach Chapel in those days there was a much-loved ageing Methodistlocal preacher affectionately known as ‘Daddy Buckenham’. After a never to beforgotten hazardous cycle ride I arrived at the little vestry at the Chapel and wasgreeted by Mr. Buckenham with a warm welcome and hand-shake. Afterdelivering my message as to why my Dad could not come, we sat down to givethe situation quiet thought and prayer. Then, dear old Mr. Buckenham his faceshining as did that of Moses when he came down from Mount Sinai (Exodus 24v.29) looked straight at me and said: “You can lead the service for us! I’ll bethere with you should you need me . . .”Thus, ‘dropped in at the deep end’ after further prayer together I went in to facemy first congregation of eight faithful members of that chapel, and gave themmy first sermon. So my ministry began! (to be continued …)

Eric Burton

Lessons in Proof ReadingThese sentences all appeared in church bulletins ...

The evening sermon topic today will be “What is Hell?” Come early and listen to our choir practice.

Don’t let worry kill you off – let the Church help.The Fasting and Prayer Conference will include meals.Coffee and mice pies will be served after the evening service.The sermon topic this morning; “Jesus walks on the water.”The sermon topic this evening: “Searching for Jesus.”Next Thursday there will be auditions for the choir.They need all the help they can get.


CWM Service of Thanksgiving“for the time being...”

CWM staff past and present, currentand former mission partners,ecumenical friends and colleagues,representatives and members ofCWM member churches andRegions, friends and supporters ofCWM in a whole variety of ways, allgathered together at the City Templein London, in May, for a Service ofThanksgiving.

It was an opportunity to give thanksto God for the life and witness ofCWM at this special moment, asCWM’s General Secretariatrelocates from London to Singapore;to thank God for the shared past,discern God’s presence in thismoment, and to commit a sharedfuture to God’s blessing.

CWM Assembly in Pago Pago, American SamoaThe theme: “Hope - the language of life”

The Assembly in June brought together 125 representatives from CWM’smember bodies to read the signs of the times, to listen to God, to setstrategic priorities, and to select trustees for the CWM Council.

“Hope is stepping out with assurancethat it will be alright whatever ‘it’ is.”

J. McConnell, Jamaica“Hope is an expectation of what is tocome which demands patience andconfidence in waiting.”

A. Imchen, Samoa“In the spirit of ‘tlawmngaihna’ wealways hope, even if there is nohope.”

Z. Pachuau, Botswana“When all is lost, we turn to God forcomfort; He is the hope of everysituation.”

P. Mulambya, Zambia“Let hope be a hope that neverfades away from you and me.”

A. Imchen, Samoa“Hope inspires me to dream the bestdreams for myself.”

A. McCalman, Guyana

“If there is no hope then energy issapped away and there is no urge tocarry on.”

C. Clay, Wales“A community with hope can make abig difference. The community isvibrant, focused and knows what it islooking for.”

J. Samuel, India“Hope rests in the God whosepurposes for the world are graciousand just, and in the Christ who isLord of a Kingdom which standsbefore us as a promise we trust.”

R. Rominger, URC, UK“We plant hope in every seed we putinto the earth, trusting God’s handsto be in the soil.”

S. Cutting, Asian Rural Institute“Hope is the life-line of our faith.”

J. Samuel, India


CWM - A World-wide Partnership in MissionAmong all the partner churches of the Council for World Mission Papua NewGuinea has a particularly warm place in Highbury’s heart.Alison Stelley’s father, Cyril, was a missionary with the then London MissionarySociety, now CWM, in Papua New Guinea back in the early part of the twentiethcentury. Maureen Williams went as a nurse to Papua New Guinea shortly afterthe Council for World Mission came into being, and was the first person fromthe Congregational Federation to serve as a missionary.On Tuesday 3rd July we will be welcoming Bishop Wesis Porop to Highbury tomeet with ministers and church leaders from the Congregational Federation inthe morning and to share in an open meeting from 2-30 to 4-00 in the afternoon.Bishop Wesis will be joined by Wayne Hawkins, who is the European RegionalSecretary for Mission in CWM. Wayne will recently have returned from the CWMAssembly in American Samoa, and will be reporting on the vision for missionthat CWM has for the future.Wayne tells us a little more about Wesis:

Do join us from 2-30 to 4-00 on Tuesday 3rd July for what promises to be aninteresting afternoon.

“Hope is what reminds me to honourmy life with faith and to rely on Godto divinely guide and sustain me inevery circumstance.”

A. McCalman, Guyana

“Hope, I believe, is vital to life and tofaith because hope presses towardsthe future and hope looks forward.”

R. Nokise, Fiji

“Hope energises a community tokeep going, to not accept defeat andto not let destruction have the lastword.”

R. Nokise, Fiji“Hope is defined by the goodnessand light it brings to people’s lives.”

W. Hawkins, Europe“Hope remains because Jesus wasresurrected.”

J. Samuel, India


According to historical records, the firstancient Olympic Games can be tracedback to 776 B.C. They were dedicatedto the Olympian gods, and were stagedon the ancient plains of Olympia. Theycontinued for nearly 12 centuries, untilEmperor Theodosius decreed in 393A.D. that all such “pagan cults” bebanned.Olympia, the site of the ancientOlympic Games, is in the western partof the Peloponnese which, according toGreek mythology, is the island of"Pelops", the founder of the OlympicGames. Imposing temples, votivebuildings, elaborate shrines andancient sporting facilities werecombined in a site of unique naturaland mystical beauty. Olympiafunctioned as a meeting place forworship and other religious andpolitical practices as early as the 10thcentury B.C. The central part ofOlympia was dominated by themajestic temple of Zeus, with thetemple of Hera parallel to it.The Games and ReligionThe Olympic Games were closelylinked to the religious festivals of thecult of Zeus, but were not an integral

part of a rite. Indeed, they had asecular character and aimed to showthe physical qualities and evolution ofthe performances accomplished byyoung people, as well as encouraginggood relations between the cities ofGreece. According to specialists, theOlympic Games owed their purity andimportance to religion.Victory CeremoniesThe Olympic victor received his firstawards immediately after thecompetition.Following the announcement of thewinner's name by the herald, aHellanodikis (Greek judge) would placea palm branch in his hands, while thespectators cheered and threw flowersto him. Red ribbons were tied on hishead and hands as a mark of victory.The official award ceremony wouldtake place on the last day of theGames, at the elevated vestibule of thetemple of Zeus. In a loud voice, theherald would announce the name ofthe Olympic winner, his father's name,and his homeland.Then, the Hellanodikis placed thesacred olive tree wreath, or kotinos, onthe winner's head.

Nearly four centuries ago, a visionarynamed Robert Dover revived the spiritof Ancient Greece, on the Hill aboveChipping Campden. These ‘CotwoldOlimpicks’ may not be the largestOlympic Games, but they claim to bethe most accessible, and certainly themost friendly and enjoyable; and theyare the oldest ‘modern’ sporting

meeting in the world, having run (withinterruptions) since 1612, and aregenerally recognised as one of theforerunners of the modern OlympicGames.The 400th anniversary of the CotswoldOlimpicks was held in June 2012, withan evening of sport and entertainment

Robert Dover’s Olimpick Games

Ancient Olympic Games


- both ancient and modern – showingsupport for the true Olympic ideals,ethics and values of sportingexcellence, friendship and fraternity,and beginning the build-up to theLondon Olympics.The organisers of the event (which hasbeen taking place in the same location,on the wonderful natural amphiteatreof Dovers Hill since 1612), laid on anambitious programme of activities andentertainment.As well as the perennial favourites,such as shin-kicking, the 5 mileOlimpick Run, Championship of TheHill and the Tug o’ War, this year’sGames featured a raft of special eventsto celebrate the 400th Anniversary ofthe Games.And in case you think it serendipitousthat the ‘Olimpicks’ celebrated its 400th

in the same year as the London 2012Olympics, such is the importance of theCotswold Olimpicks to the birth of themodern Olympic Games, that theLondon 2012 bid committee used the400th Anniversary as part of itsjustification for winning the Games in2012! In their winning bid they said,“It will be exactly 400 years from themoment that the first stirrings ofBritain’s Olympic beginnings can beidentified. Whatever the eccentricnature of the event, this was the pre-dawn of the Olympic movement andthe Cotswold Games began thehistorical thread in Britain that wasultimately to lead to the creation of themodern Olympics.”This year’s Games expanded into anall-day event, finishing with thetraditional torchlit descent into

Chipping Campden at 10.00pm (thelargest torchlit descent in Europe!)A real flavour of the 1612 Games wasprovided by a complete JacobeanVillage on Dovers Hill, with activitiesand games for children, Jacobeanmusic, backswords displays and more.The organisers entered into the spiritof 1612, dressing up in Jacobeancostume for the Games.Perhaps one of the most excitingfeatures of this year’s Olimpicks was abrand new ‘Olimpick Stage’, featuringa selection of musical acts, including achoir of 150 members, for the WorldPremiere of ‘The Welcome Songs’.These songs come under the aegis ofthe London 2012 Festival, part of theCultural Olympiad, and involve fourcommunities across the countryperforming celebratory ‘WelcomeSongs’. They take inspiration fromfour geographical areas with links tothe London 2012 Olympic Games andParalympic Games – ChippingCampden, Much Wenlock, Weymouthand Stoke Mandeville; and the songsform a narrative suite inspired by thevalues of both the modern Olympic andParalympic movements. Bedded inEnglish traditional music, the suite wasarranged for choral voices by IFagiolini.Organisers welcomed record crowds ofover 5,000 for the Games which werecovered by TV crews and media fromaround the World.The Games’ climax was a traditionalfirework display, although a speciallycommissioned beacon replaced thisyear’s traditional bonfire - one of themany Jubilee Beacons across thecountry.


Pray blessing on the London 2012 Olympic Games

B – Body: for physical fitness and safety for all involved.

L – Labour: for those who have been and will be employed in this hugeevent, that they will find work afterwards.

E – Emotions: that the atmosphere of the Olympic village (where athleteswill live) will be healthy, joyful and wholesome.

S – Social: that every place where the Games take place will benefit as aresult of the investment received.

S – Spiritual: that the Games will be marked and defined by integrity,righteousness, truth and light, and that their legacy will be more of God’sglory revealed in this land.

Pray for all those participating in the Games.Keep your eyes and ears open to notice when the Games arementioned in the media, and develop the practice of praying ‘YourKingdom come’ each time you hear or see reference to the Games.

The Lord’s Prayer In Chichewa from Malawi

Atate athy a kumwambaDzina lanu liyeretsedeweUfumy wanu udze, Kufuna kwanu kuchitidwemanga a kumwamba chomwecho pansi panoMutipatse ife lero chakudya chathu cha leroMutikhululuhire zochimwa zathuMango ifenso tiwa khululukira a mangawa athuMuzati tengere kokatiye saKome mutipulumutse kwa dipayoChifukwa wanu uli ufumu dni mphamvu ndi ulemererowas nthawi zones, Amen


Congregational Federation South East Areais looking forward to welcoming you to

The Annual May Assemblyat The River Centre, Tonbridge, Kent

on Saturday 11th May 2013so put the date in your diary now!

The River Centre is a prestigious, state-of-the-art venue located in thecentre of Tonbridge. It is less than 10 minutes from Tonbridge station, withregular services to London taking only 45 minutes.There are 94 parking spaces on-site. The M25 (junction 5) is 15 minutesaway, Maidstone 25 minutes, Gatwick 45 minutes, and Heathrow 1 hour.

Exciting ‘fringe event’ on Friday eveningDedicated facilities for children and young peopleGood access for people with disabilitiesChurch book shop availableExhibitionLunch availableTea and coffee provided

Update on Moffat in death row in ZambiaIn the most recent letter from Moffat, written in March, he thanked us for oursupport, prayers and encouragement; and he was getting excited on our behalfabout the Olympics! In a previous letter I told him about Eric Liddell, and as heshowed interest I have sent him a copy of 'Chariots of Fire'. I think that thereason we haven’t heard from him for a while is that he has still not receivedthe quarterly payments that we send, and stamps in Zambia are expensive, likehere now. Please pray for Moffat as he may be feeling anxious and isolated. Themoney could go towards paying for his medical bills, nourishing food, stampsand toiletries. Also, his pastor who in the past has helped him with postage costsis retiring, and I don't think another has been appointed yet.Please remember Moffat’s daughter, Cecilia, in your prayers. Her head-teacheris pleased with her progress over the last twelve months, and has said that shewill send me a photograph of Cecilia with her classmates.Also, Moses Chansa still needs prayer. This ex-prisoner, now an evangelist, hasproblems with his health, finance and accommodation.

Judi Marsh


18+ Activity Weekendfrom 20th to 22nd July for ages 18 to 29

2012 THEME“more than we ever dreamed”

(John 10:10)

Where is it?We are at Marrick Priory in North Yorkshire. This is a Christian-run activity centrein beautiful countryside near Richmond in North Yorkshire:www.marrickpriory.co.uk

What will we do?As well as some outdoor stuff organised by Marrick, we are thinking about howGod might want to be involved with our daily work: what we do, and how wedo it.

We are also looking to support one another, build friendships and enjoyworshipping and relaxing together. We will be an international group with somevisitors from Africa taking part.

The event begins on Friday from 5.00pm and ends on Sunday at 2.00pm. (Somepeople will then stay on because they are leading Summer Camp.) For thosetravelling by train, there will be someone to meet you at Northallerton station ifarranged beforehand with the Youth and Children’s Office. Ask aboutsubsidised travel if you are making a long journey.

The fee is £30, which covers all costs including activities. Accommodation is inbunk rooms with showers. All bookings by Wednesday 11th July, please.

Please use the standard CF-XTRA booking form held by your church contact.Any questions, just contact Stephen Haward on 0115 9111 452 or at:[email protected]

vocation,vocation,vocation


Soul SeekerDown miles of unlit corridorsand through all the sunless roomsthe air - stuffy and dust-speckled -swells in the silent emptiness.

I am at home in this emptiness;this quiet place of quiet shadowsis my hiding-place.My friends do not come here;their voices have yet to echothrough this darkness.

But Your voice is different,although small and stillI hear it clearly.When you call out my real nameit doesn't bounce off the bare walls.

It is warm and Your words are armsthat reach out to save, love, protect.Somehow,beyond dare and dreamYou take delight in me.You sing of Your love for meand even these silent dusty roomsreverberate with sung love.

And now that I knowwhat my treasure isand where my heart is,sunlight and song sweep through,strong as an avalanche, to bury deepthe once irredeemable dark.

Judi Marsh

Out of the DepthsAt this event in April my fellow members of Cheltenham Poetry Society and Iread some of our own poems tracing the journey from despair to hope, doubt tofaith. Here is one of mine which was also featured by Richard in his sermon oneSunday evening. I wrote it in the 1990s and over the years have read it atvarious writing groups. Different people have interpreted it in different ways -some seeing something spiritual in it, others not picking up on that at all. I wouldrather leave the readers to draw their own conclusions, but if you want an ideaof what was in my mind - well the clue is in the title.

Hope“We do not claim that theChristian life is easy, butwe are sure of is that ourhope and ultimate goal isGod who is ever faithful.”

P. Mulambya, Zambia“I think that as hope isexpressed it takes onhands and feet, which alsomeans change andtransformation.”

W. Hawkins, Europe


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Evening ServiceReaders’ Rota

The readers in July will be:

1st July Rachel Jacques 8th July Stan Jones15th July Felicity Cleaves22nd July Diana Adams29th July Martin EvansI am using the names I alreadyhave, but if there are otherswho would like to be includedon this rota please let me know.

Jonquil Harrison01242 520522

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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

Sundays at 10.30amA time for all the Church family

to share in worship -groups for children and young people

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

Sundays at 6.30pmquiet, reflective evening prayers

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Highbury Congregational Church

Countdown to the Olympics and Paralympicsin Prayer

The flower beds on London Road now have an Olympic theme thanks toour Scout Group and the Guides. Flanking a large Union Jack will be twoMalawi flags celebrating the arrival of the Malawi Olympic Team here inGloucestershire.We will be celebrating our partnerships in the world church at a SundaySpecial Parade Service on Sunday 8th July.A team from our Congregational Federation recently visited our CWMpartners in Malawi, the Churches of Christ of Malawi. On their return theyreflected on the importance of prayer.“Prayer became an integral part of our time in Malawi. When sickness andheat left us anxious and afraid - we prayed. When our luggage was leftbehind - we prayed. When the mini-bus seemed ready to give up - weprayed When there was no fuel - we prayed.And we learnt that - When our our hosts were sick and had no money formedicine - they prayed. When they had no school fees - they prayed.When they were preparing to build a new church - they prayed. When theywere celebrating God's goodness - they prayed.”Turn to page 22 where you will find the Lord’s Prayer in Chichewa.

july highbury news

Documents

people of god

issue of highbury news

anger of jesus

thekingdom of god

thelittlest of children

jesus response

council forworld mission

little children whohad