THE OPEN DOOR

Georgia

The Magazine of the

Lymington United Reformed Church

JULY/AUGUST 2013

FROM OUR MINISTER Dear friends, “For one swallow does not make a summer, nor does one day; and so too one day, or a short time, does not make a man blessed and happy.” So wrote Aristotle (384-322BC), while Erasmus (1466-1536AD) wrote “It is not one swalowe that bryngeth in somer. It is not one good qualitie that maketh a man good”. They must both have experienced English summers! Then again there’s the hymn, “Summer suns are glowing over land and sea4” As I write summer has finally appeared – long sunny days, warmth, an abundance of flowers in the meadows, birds visiting our gardens. For some we might add hay fever and other allergies4 So what REALLY makes our summer and what do you plan to do with it this year? • I hope you will have the chance to rest and relax at some

stage, taking the opportunity to recharge your batteries both physically and spiritually. Some of us are fortunate enough to go on holiday, either in this beautiful country of ours or by exploring other parts of God’s wonderful world, while others rejoice in the many beauties of our own area – the New Forest, the sea wall, maybe a hop across the Solent to the Isle of Wight4

• Several of our young people have just received or are

awaiting exam results – university, AS levels, A levels. We pray that your achievements enable you to move on to your hoped-for next stages in life and pray for you as you make your way in the adult world. Slightly younger friends are about to start secondary school or are preparing to move up a class, with new teachers and timetables awaiting you – we pray for you too.

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• One event that typifies an English summer is a wedding and we are eagerly looking forward to Hannah Bowell’s marriage to Matthew Hill in our church on 13

th July. Not surprisingly

that is the highlight of their summer and they are inviting all church friends to come along to the ceremony.

• We have set aside Sunday 4

th August for the grand opening

of our church garden. After our morning service, which will be a joint Communion with our Methodist friends, we shall gather in the garden (good summer weather required please!) to welcome our invited guests, officially open the garden and share lunch together. Please put it in your diary and plan to be there to rejoice in the amazing transformation which has taken place!

• Since my early twenties I have been involved in Summer

Mission and Children’s Holiday Clubs, which have become an integral part of my summers. It’s a great delight therefore that Lymington URC is hosting the Rocky’s Plaice Holiday Club every morning from 12

th to 16

th August. It’s being run by

a Churches Together team and invitations will be going out to all primary aged children to come and learn more about God through this exciting medium. We can take the first sixty who apply and will be transforming our hall and church for that week.

Of course all our regular activities continue, with some extra strawberry teas, cream teas and garden parties thrown in. Do check the fundraising team’s page and keep an eye on the weekly notices for updates. Whatever you are doing, I pray that it may be a good season for you and that, to quote again from the hymn I mentioned earlier, “all earth’s thousand voices swell the psalm of praise”.

Your friend and minister, Chris

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SECRETARY'S NOTES JULY/AUGUST 2013 Summer should be here.....but as I write it's pouring with rain, blowing a gale and cold. It can only get better! Let's hope that by the time you read this we are enjoying some warmth and sunshine. Have a happy holiday if you are going away. I enjoy receiving postcards if you can be bothered to let us know where you are. We will be holding our Annual Church Meeting on 16th July and combining it with the Elders' Election. Please make every effort to come. Pastoral visitors can arrange lifts if that would help. Please ask your visitor. Secretaries of committees and leaders of groups please prepare a written report to read at the meeting. There is a lot to celebrate in this last year and it will be good to look to the future, too. We will enjoy the company of our Methodist friends once again when they worship with us on 4th August. It will be a Communion Service led by our Minister. It will be followed by a lunch and the Grand Opening of our garden, which will be a great milestone. Our thanks to James, our gardener and to John, who has organised the entire planting etc., with his trusty volunteers. All your hard work will be rewarded. Well done! A Garden Party at the Manse on 24th August hopes to raise money for more Cottage Garden furniture. Please go along. Youngsters are in for an exciting time at our Children's Holiday Club in August, exploring Rocky's Plaice. It's a real Churches Together venture which is great news. If you would like to be involved in some way please contact our Minister. Lots of times for us to enjoy fellowship and worship this summer. See you there!

Sandra

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BASICS BANK Now the summer months are here we can see just how much food has gone out. We have to use our Tesco on-line shopping arrangement every week now. One week the bill came to £345. Our needs at the moment are tins of vegetables, fruit, custard, milk puddings, packets of long life milk, jars of pasta sauce, squash, jellies and milky drinks for children. We're also short of average sized carrier bags, please. About 70 parcels are going out each month and there are a lot of large families coming to us for help. We are grateful for your continuing support.

Thank you

CHURCH FAMILY NEWS Many congratulations and lots of love to Hannah and Matthew who will be getting married in our Church on Saturday, 13th July. We're thrilled to bits and wish you every happiness in your life together. God bless! Sally Rolls had major heart surgery at the end of May. We're pleased to hear that she is on the road to recovery. Our thoughts and prayers are with her and Brian at such an anxious time.

CHURCH MEMBERSHIP At our June Communion Service we were delighted to welcome Carys Cash into membership of our Church on transfer from Salisbury Methodist Church. Carys has taken up residence in Monmouth Court in Lymington. Welcome, Carys, it's good to have you with us.

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LYMINGTON URC DIARY

EVERY WEDNESDAY the Prayer Group will meet in the Church from 9.15 a.m. until 10.00 a.m. Everyone welcome.

COFFEE MORNINGS:

EVERY MONDAY, TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY, from 10.00 a.m.—12 noon, in the Open Door Café. Every Tuesday the Open Door Cafe proceeds support the Romans One Eleven Trust and local charities and groups. The Open Door Cafe will also open on Fridays and will be staffed by members of the Fellowship and Fundraising committee.

EVERY SATURDAY, from 9.30 a.m.—11.30 a.m., in the hall. SUNDAY WORSHIP

EVERY 2nd Sunday afternoon Lymington Salvation Army service. The 2nd Sunday will be a service in the Sanctuary and the 4th will be a Cafe service.

JULY 7th: 10.15 a.m. Elders’ Prayer Time in Vestry 10.30 a.m. Worship including Communion led by Rev’d George Gibson 14th: 10.15 a.m. Elders’ Prayer Time in Vestry 10.30 a.m. Worship led by Mrs Christine Pitts 21st: 10.15 a.m. Elders’ Prayer Time in Vestry 10.30 a.m. Worship including Thanksgiving for Jessica led by Rev’d Chris Vivian

28th: 10.15 a.m. Elders’ Prayer Time in Vestry 10.30 a.m. Worship led by Sandra Jackson

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AUGUST 4th: 10.15 a.m. Elders’ Prayer Time in Vestry 10.30 a.m. United Service with the Methodists, including Communion led by Rev’d Chris Vivian followed by the Grand Opening of our garden 11th: 10.15 a.m. Elders’ Prayer Time in Vestry 10.30 a.m. Worship led by Mrs Mary Ann Jardine 3.00 p.m. Salvation Army Open Air Service in our forecourt 5.00 p.m. Annual RNLI Service at the Bath Road Bandstand 18th: 10.15 a.m. Elders’ Prayer Time in Vestry 10.30 a.m. Worship led by Rev’d Chris Vivian

25th: 10.15 a.m. Elders’ Prayer Time in Vestry 10.30 a.m. Worship led by Mr Peter Storey EVERY WEEK there will be Junior Church and coffee/tea after the service.

OTHER EVENTS

EVERY FIRST MONDAY OF THE MONTH, New Forest Disability Information Service Outreach Session in the Open Door Café, 10 a.m. to 12 noon (not on Bank Holidays though). EVERY THIRD TUESDAY OF THE MONTH, from 10.00 a.m.—12 noon, Carers’ Café in the Open Door Café.

EVERY 4th SATURDAY ON A BI-MONTHLY BASIS, (started on the 22/09/12) Cruse Bereavement New Forest will have an Information Table in the Open Door Cafe 9.30am to 11.30am. Cruse is committed to breaking the stigma around grief and ensuring that everyone, no matter how old or young can access the highest quality support

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following a bereavement. Trained Cruse Bereavement volunteers will be on hand in the Open Door Cafe to offer information, help and advice. Every Saturday 8 a.m. Car Boot Sale in the Forecourt

JULY

MINISTER IS ON HOLIDAY UNTIL 10th JULY

Sat. 13th 11.30 a.m. Wedding of Hannah Bowell and Matthew Hill

Tue. 16th 7.00 p.m. Annual Church Meeting and Elders' Election

Wed. 24th 2.30 p.m. Bible Study in the Open Door Cafe studying The Lord's Prayer Lymington Arts Festival “Super Saturday” on 27th July 2013 from 9.30am onwards444..Refreshments available through the day in the main hall, Art Exhibition in the balcony area, Embroidery & Textiles Exhibition in the Sanctuary & Music Stage in the forecourt. The Lymington Embroiderers’ Guild quilt to be raffled in aid of the NSPCC.

AUGUST

Tue. 6th 7.00 p.m. Elders' Meeting (Social)

Wed. 7th 2.30 p.m.: Bible Study in the Open Door Cafe studying The Lord's Prayer

12th - 16th Children's Holiday Club: 'Rocky's Plaice'

Wed. 21st 2.30 p.m.: Bible Study in the Open Door Cafe studying The Lord's Prayer

Sat. 24th p.m. Manse Garden Party in aid of the Garden.

Tue. 27th 7.00 p.m. Elders and Junior Church Leaders meeting with Ruth White in the hall.

Hampshire Open Studios art exhibition from Saturday 17th to Tuesday 27th August inclusive, on the balcony from 10am to 5pm daily (except Sundays 1pm to 5pm). Open Door Café open 10am to 4pm Monday to Saturday.

The forecourt sales started on Saturday 25th May and the last one is on Saturday 7th September so there will be no forecourt parking during

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that period. It is likely there will be a vacant single pitch for the summer forecourt sales. Anyone interested, please contact Margaret Clark on 01590 610630 or margaretlclark@btinternet.com for details.

CLOSING DATE FOR SEPTEMBER 'OPEN DOOR’: 11th AUGUST

Free Wi Fi connection to the internet available in the Open Door Cafe, Balcony and Main Hall areas. Just ask for the required password!

CHILDREN'S BIRTHDAYS We wish Esther Bowell a very happy birthday for the 29th July when she will be 17. Have a wonderful day!

CHURCH MEETING 21 MAY 2013

The meeting agreed unanimously to the Elder’s recommendations for disbursing the Wider World

Donations as set out below.

There is £2440 available in Donations for Wider Work to split equally between local and overseas charities. Elders bring the following recommendation to the Church Meeting: Overseas £1220 -

£1000 to Julius' work at Osborne School and his church (Romans One Eleven)

£220 to Tools for Self Reliance

Local £1220 - £320 Minstead Training Project £200 Community First, specifically Nightstop £200 New Forest Alzheimer's Society £200 New Forest Disability Information Service £100 New Milton Talking News £200 Westminster College (as agreed by Church Meeting

previously)

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SPONSORSHIP APPEAL You may recall that our granddaughter, Jodie had a head cancer this past year and the treatment has resulted in her becoming blind (for the fore see-able future). The Children's Cancer charity, CLIC Sargent, have been marvellous and will continue to support her until she is 18 years old - she is currently 15. Because of their work in these cases, I have decided to try and raise some money for them. To do so I will perform a tandem parachute jump during my 66th year. Our minister was given permission by the elders for me to have a sponsor form and poster put in the Open Cafe Foyer which I will do after our short break away this weekend. The date of the Jump will be Sunday 15th September at 1230 from the Old Sarum Aerodrome. CLIC will be entering for the Guinness Book of Records over the Saturday and Sunday - the most jumps in 24 hours. Anyone wishing to sponsor me can do so either by writing their details on the form or by using the using Online secure link - http://www.bmycharity.com/skydiveforjodie

Many thanks, Ken Lane.

WESSEX SYNOD NEWSLETTER – SHARING THE VISION

Just to let everyone know if you wish to read the most recent edition a copy, which is issued twice a month, is in the church information carousel (found near the café area) –please have a read it keeps you up to date with what is happening in the Wessex Synod area.

READING IN CHURCH

Would anyone who would like to read the lesson in church and hasn’t already done so please contact Maureen Kerr. Her number is 01425 618819 or by e-mail: jbandmk@gmail.com

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AN INTERVIEW WITH GOD I dreamt I had an interview with God. "Come in," God said. "So, you would like to interview Me?"

"If you have the time," I said. God smiled and said:

"My time is eternity and is enough to do everything; what questions do you have in mind to ask me?" I said "What surprises you most about mankind?"

God answered: "That they get bored of being children, are in a rush to grow up, and then long to be children again. That they lose their health to make money and then lose their money to restore their health. That by thinking anxiously about the future, they forget the present, such that they live neither for the present nor the future. That they live as if they will never die, and they die as if they had never lived4"

God’s hands took mine and we were silent for a while and then I asked4

"As a parent, what are some of life’s lessons you want your children to learn?"

God replied with a smile: "To learn that they cannot make anyone love them. What they can do is to let themselves be loved. To learn that what is most valuable is not what they have in their lives, but who they have in their lives. To learn that it is not good to compare themselves to others. All will be judged individually on their own merits, not as a group on a comparison basis! To learn that a rich person is not the one who has the most, but is one who needs the least. To learn that it only takes a few seconds to open profound wounds in persons we love, and that it takes many years to heal them. To learn to forgive by practicing forgiveness.

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To learn that there are persons that love them dearly, but simply do not know how to express or show their feelings. To learn that money can buy everything but happiness. To learn that two people can look at the same thing and see it totally differently. To learn that a true friend is someone who knows everything about them4and likes them anyway. To learn that it is not always enough that they be forgiven by others, but that they have to forgive themselves."

I sat there for a while enjoying the moment. I thanked Him for his time and for all that He has done for me and my family, and He replied, "Anytime. I’m here 24 hours a day. All you have to do is ask for me, and I’ll answer."

Always remember that: People will forget what you said. People will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.

Source unknown

HAS SOMEONE GOT77777.?????? A small portable, in working order, CD/Radio/Tape player they no longer need and they are wondering what to do with it? Well, please contact Helena as the church is looking for a small portable mini/midi system which is easily moved to various places within the church. Have a look in your lofts or those dark cupboards at home4.. you’ll never know what you may find!!

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PLEASE NOTE: This magazine is printed on paper from renewable sources out of our concern for the environment.

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ROTAS FOR JULY COMMUNION SUNDAY: 7th COMMUNION ELDERS: Mary Ann and Catherine DUTY ELDER READING IN CHURCH 7th: Margaret Clark John Wiseman 14th: Jenny Henderson Glenys Bradshaw 21st: David Bywater Margaret H Evans 28th: Catherine Shelagh Richardson

STEWARDS SOUND SYSTEM 7th: Ken and Jan Lane GC 14th: Ann Longney and Kate Noon PR/KL 21st: Margaret H Evans and Glenys Bradshaw MS/GC 28th: Peter and Shelagh Richardson MC

COFFEE MORNING ROTAS Saturday Sunday

6th: Ann Webber 7th: Janice Perkins 13th: No coffee 14th: Margaret Clark 20th: Judith Baker 21st: Junior Church 27th: June Copperi 28th: Shelagh Richardson

ROTAS FOR AUGUST COMMUNION SUNDAY: 4th COMMUNION ELDERS: Jenny and Gerry,

plus two from the Methodists DUTY ELDER READING IN CHURCH 4th: Maureen Kerr David Hooper 11th Gerry Copperi Norman Eason 18th: Margaret Clark Lizbeth Eason 25th: Jenny Henderson Margaret Clark

STEWARDS SOUND SYSTEM 4th: Norman and Lizbeth Eason GC 11th Mike and Norma Bell PR/KL 18th: Steve Turberville and Liz Griffiths WD/MC 25th: David and Ann Hooper KL

COFFEE MORNING ROTAS Saturday Sunday

3rd: The Salvation Army 4th: Helena Carr 10th: Ann Webber 11th: Jenny Henderson 17th: Mary Ann Jardine 18th: Ann Hooper 24th: Judith Baker 25th: Kate Noon 31st: June Copperi

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Whilst every care is taken to ensure information in the magazine is accurate, Lymington URC does not accept, and disclaims, any liability to any party for loss or damage caused by errors or omissions which results from negligence, accident or any other cause. Lymington URC does not officially endorse any advertising material included in the magazine.

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A SPRING TIME TREATA SPRING TIME TREATA SPRING TIME TREATA SPRING TIME TREAT Late in the afternoon of a lovely spring day, I am just back from my walking around. It is so pleasant, a shame to go indoors So I’m sitting in the sun, a chair was easily found. The blackthorn is out, white on the hedges, The catkins are lazily dangling. The brook is busily bubbling along its way, Over the stones it is jangling. In the distance can be heard the sound Of a motor mower and a strimmer. I have my Polaroid’s over my glasses Helping the sun in my eyes to be dimmer. A robin is perched on the sun lounge roof Singing his heart away. He seems to want to let us all know How much he is enjoying the day. There are masses of buds on the magnolias, Each trying to burst itself free. One or two more days like this one, It will be a beautiful sight to see. I’ve just looked at my watch, Been here three-quarters of an hour you see. One thing I haven’t found on this lovely spring day Is a kind fairy to make me a cup of tea! A poem of Arthur Stevens, first published in the April 2003 URC magazine

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“ If you wish to adver-tise in The Open Door magazine (10 issues

per year), please contact the Lymington URC for

more details. Competitive rates,

both mono and colour adverts

accommodated in quarter, half and full

page sizes!”

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OPEN DOOR FELLOWSHIP AND FUNDRAISING

Forthcoming events:

The Fellowship and Fundraising Committee has a pro-

gramme of events which we hope will receive your usual

enthusiastic support:

• Jane Saqui’s cream tea, 5th July,

• Arts Festival Super Saturday, 27th July,

• Grand opening of our garden, 4th August,

• Cream Tea for one day only to coincide with Art Exhi-

bition, 23rd August,

• Hants Open Studios, 17th to 27th August,

Occasions for fellowship and fundraising in 2013 may

include:

Cathy’s BBQ, September, date to be agreed,

Anniversary lunch, 13th October.

PLEASE NOTE: This magazine is printed on paper from renewable sources out of our concern for the environment.

CONTACT DETAILS

Minister: Rev’d Chris Vivian. Tel 01590 675633 e-mail: chrisvivian@btinternet.com Church Secretary: Sandra Jackson. Tel 01590 676306 e-mail: secretaryurclym@btinternet.com Magazine Editor: Wyn Davies. Tel 01425 616384 e-mail: WynBDavies@sky.com Church web site: http://www.lymurc.org.uk/ Tel 01590 676306 e-mail: adminurclym@btinternet.com Other web sites that list the church: http://www.joinmychurch.com http://www.findachurch.co.uk http://www.searchchurch.co.uk Centre Manager: Helena Carr. Tel 01590 676306 On site Monday-Friday 8.30am to 2pm. The church office is in the cottage. If the main hall doors are locked during the office open times, please proceed to the cottage which is a separate building at the rear of the church main hall.

Helena's holidays 2013 - Tuesday 17/09 to Friday 20/09 To be confirmed. - Thursday 03/10 & Friday 04/10. - Thursday 24/10, Friday 25/10 & Monday 28/10. - Friday 08/11/13. - All Bank Holidays.

Basics Bank web site: http://www.basicsbank.org.uk/ Tel 01590 610008 e-mail: nfbbsecretary@gmail.com