October

The monthly magazine of

Bath Central United Reformed Church—30p

CONTACT2016

Autumn Glades

We stroll through leafy autumn glades,

An amber carpet ‘neath our shoes;As Nature’s summer beauty fadesShe clothes herself in golden hues.

The stillness of October days,The chillness of a frosty dawn,

Yet autumn sunshine’s slanting raysCaress us with their glowing warmth.

They also warm the southern breeze,

Which comes upon us, as it may,Releasing crispy, ochre leavesTo gently patter on our way.

Soon, soon comes winter’s icy grip,Of freezing wind and driving snow,

But, just for now, we’ll gladly slipThrough gentle autumn’s golden glow.

By Nigel Beeton

IndexArgyle Players .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 12Christian Aid.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 6Church Buildings .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 8Church Diary .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 10Church Meeting .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 3Commitment for Life .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 7Community Conversation .. .. .. .. 4Contact Centre News .. .. .. .. .. .. 14Crossword .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 20Crossword Solution.. .. .. .. .. .. .. 17Fair Trade .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 2Harvest Thanks .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 9

Heritage Weekend .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 5Lost Property .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 8Mid-Week Communion.. .. .. .. .. .. 9Minister’s Letter .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1Organists’ Visit .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 16Poem - Waterfall .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 13Prayer .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 17Prayer Handbook 2017.. .. .. .. .. 11Preaching .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 11Real Advent Calendar .. .. .. .. .. 12St James the Least of All .. .. .. .. 19Sudoku .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 18

Note: These are the Revised Common Lectionary Bible passagesas published in the URC Prayer Handbook

The date for contributions for the next CONTACT is18th October. It will be published on the 30th October.

Lectionary ReadingsOctober 2 – Pentecost 20: Lamentations 1:1-6 & 3:19-26;

Psalm 137; Timothy 1:1-14; Luke 17:5-10

October 9 – Pentecost 21: Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7; Psalm 66:1-12;

2 Timothy 2:8-15; Luke 17:11-19

October 16 – Pentecost 22: Jeremiah 31:27-34;Psalm 119:97-104; 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5, Luke 18:1-8

October 23 – Pentecost 23: Joel 2:23-32; Psalm 65;2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18; Luke 18:9-14

October 30 – Pentecost 24: Habakkuk 1:1-4 & 2:1-4;

Psalm 119:137-144; 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12; Luke 19:1-10

10/2016 Page 1

Minister’s Letter

Dear Friends,

Once again we are well into Autumn—how quickly the year goes

by! It turned out to be a fairly good summer after a very slow start

and July must surely have been one of the driest on record. I know

some people like to keep records of amounts of rainfall in their

garden together with diurnal and nocturnal temperature variations.Garden weather stations are ideal for this purpose and I admire

those who have the patience to record measurements over a period of

years or decades and so are able to track trends in local weather.

There is something very satisfying about having a good database of

measurements to analyse and produce evidence of periods of

exceptional rainfall or unseasonal temperatures. Perhaps this is just

the scientist in me! I think the author of Matthew’s gospel must

have felt like this too when he decided to begin his work with an

extensive genealogy, providing us with solid evidence for Jesus’s

birth within Jewish history.

For competitors in the Olympic, the Paralympics Games and

almost any major sporting contest, technology has made it easy to

adjudicate. The electronic evidence is uncontroversial. Oh that

everything in life was that clear-cut! One of the complaints aboutthe referendum campaign was that we were not given enough detail

about the implications either way—many claims and counter claims

were made but we had insufficient reliable facts and figures. But I

think that life is much like this in general. We can never gather

enough evidence to be certain that our decisions are good ones. And

in any case, some of us will often make decisions based on “gut

instinct” or “heart” rather than a careful analytical process.ï

Page 2 10/2016

It is important both to keep ourselves well informed and to be

open to God’s guidance. Sometimes we need to stand back from a

situation and let our minds clear. A walk can help—Alfred

Wainwright was so distressed about the rumours of war in 1938

that he went on a walk, a very long walk of almost 250 miles! By

the time he returned to his home the country was at war but AW

was able now to cope, having immersed himself in the timeless

beauty creation.

As the autumn proceeds, nature treats us to a wonderful

display of colour. There seem to be so many berries this year—

does this mean a harsh winter ahead? The turning of the seasons

and the beauty of creation remind us that our problems and our

lives are only transitory. Perhaps the things we agonise about are

not so vital after all; God is god of creation and re-creation.

Revd Hazel

ï

Fair TradeWe now have the new autumn catalogue which containsChristmas cards, Advent calendars, ordinary calendars and gifts.Please take one and browse through and place an order if you

wish.

On the stall there are some reduced price packs of cards andindividual cards. Do have a look through the food section

starting on page 69 and suggest anything it would be worthordering. I would welcome suggestions and there are severalitems we have not tried before.

You can contact me on 01225 315493 or text on 0798951098 or byemail [janet.kingham@yahoo.com].

Janet Kingham

10/2016 Page 3

Church Meeting Notes: 20th SeptemberIn the Chair was Revd Helen Pattie. She told the meeting that as

a follow up to the Speaker at the July Church Meeting Ann Greenhas registered with an Army prayer group and in the near futurewe shall have someone or group to add to our intercessions book.

Following the cuts in manpower proposed by Synod we notedthat the Revd Kathryn Price and Revd Heather Whyte would beleaving. Elders had agreed that the Treasurer should send a

donation for each of these Ministers’ leaving gift.

The meeting was made aware that the fire alarm system needs

updating and that the cost maybe quite substantial. As a resultthe finance committee wanted church meeting thoughts on a giftday. It was agreed that if the need arose the finance committee

should take the necessary action, and go ahead with a Gift Day.

The meeting noted with sadness the death of Mrs Marion Young,widow of Revd John Young; and that of Mr Alan Charlton.

Mrs Jenny Stephens would be attending the final meeting of BathChurches together on Sept 21st. The proposal to be considered isthat Bath Churches join BathCan and it was hoped that this

organisation would continue to organise Open Christmas, theCross walks and the support of Christian Aid.

Hilary Bodger gave an interesting report on a visit from a groupof organists (see page 16).

Anne Ashworth reported on the Heritage Weekend (see page 5).

Sheena Carter announced that the annual sanctuary clean will beon Sunday November 13th after morning service.

The meeting noted that there will be a Tree Trail this year, a

somewhat shorter event from December 9th to 12th supportingthe Children’s Hospice and Genesis.

Jane T.

Page 4 10/2016

Community ConversationWe held our 3rd Community

Conversation with the Rt Hon. AnnWiddecombe DSG speaking aboutMarriage—Is there a future? Revd David

introduced the evening, explaining thatthe Community Conversation broughtthe people of Bath and beyond together

in a topical debate. The Deputy Mayor of Bath was also inattendance. (I know of one member of the audience who came

from Devon).

Miss Widdecombe gave a very interesting statistical perspectiveon marriage and divorce across the globe from the 1950’s to the

present day. She spoke eloquently about how family life andstability were taken for granted, with the mother staying athome, father working. Divorce was unusual. This has evolved

into a situation where more people cohabit and mothers as wellas fathers work.

Miss Widdecombe could see no reversal of this trend for the

foreseeable future. She felt that governments should take aneutral stance on women returning to work rather than giving

fiscal benefit to encouraging women to work. She felt that bothparents working put a strain on family life. Following her talk,Miss Widdecombe signed copies of her autobiography and her

novels. Cloth monks, acting as bottle covers were sold to raisemoney for The Leprosy Mission. The audience of approximately100 people enjoyed refreshments in the interval and this was

followed by a vibrant question and answer session and a freeranging discussion on topic such as gay marriage, mental health

issues, the financial crash of 2008, Brexit, and the MP’s expensesscandal. Miss Widdecombe was given a cheque for her charity,The Leprosy Mission of England and Wales.

Irene Leet

10/2016 Page 5

Heritage Weekend: September 10th-11th

The Heritage weekend was much quieter this year, but the

visitors who came were interested, and some were particularlykeen to find out about our worship and how we differed from theCatholic Church and the various forms of Christianity in their

own countries. There was one large group of Italian students on awalking holiday from Syracuse in Sicily full of questions, andanother young couple of postgraduate music students from the

Bath Spa University who were fascinated by the organ and theschool memorabilia. Two young teachers, one from Weston All

Saints School, were entranced by the school teaching boards andthe picturesque staircase leading up to the school rooms from theGrove Street entrance. We had Chinese visitors and the usual Bath

residents who never seem to know what goes on behind ourclosed front doors.

Saturday morning was particularly quiet, but the weather was

bad and there were just not many people about. The numberspicked up in the lunch hour and afternoon, and we ended the daywith a total of 47 people. On the Sunday afternoon, we had 21

visitors, so the grand total for the weekend was 68, which was notmuch more than half the number for last year, which was 119

visitors.Once again, we would like to thank all those who gave so

willingly of their time to man the Church. This must seem

somewhat unrewarding when there are very few visitors as on theSaturday morning but their efforts are much appreciated. You justnever know when the people will come. We do know that good

weather definitely helps. Thanks therefore to Jane Tollyfield,Mary Ede, Ann Green, Ron Turner, Bill and Eileen Richardson,

Ronnie and Irene Leet, Jenny Stephens, Janet Kingham, GrahamWright, and to all those who updated the reports of the variousgroups. We could never manage to open the Church without

these stalwart Church members. A big Thank You!Anne Banks and Anne Ashworth

Page 6 10/2016

Christian AidChristian Aid Week

Like Central URC (which raised £1,543 plus £200 thank you),most other churches in Bath & District were slightly down ontheir 2015 total. However, we were relieved to discover that thegrand total for Bath was a very creditable £21,876 plus anestimated £2,500 gift aid, approx 10% down. See the web-site[www.christianaid.org.uk] to find out how the money is spent,though we know that the appeal at the time was to improve thelives of Morsheda and friends in the Brahmaputra delta.

Campaigns

The tax debate has moved on, and avoidance of tax bygovernments and big business is now more likely to bechallenged.

Climate Change has returned to be the main urgent concern.

The week of 8th-16th October will feature events throughout theUK co-ordinated by the Climate Coalition. Here in Bath there isa meeting with our MP on Saturday 8th at 12.30 at the SalvationArmy Cafe to discuss progress since lastJune. (Ask me for details). If you feelstrongly about some aspect (e.g subsidiesfor renewables? solar farms? nuclear?)please write to him now. He alwaysresponds to individual hand-writtenletters! We are asked to ‘Speak Up For’ allthe cherished things, people and placeswe love that are threatened by climatechange.

Jenny Stephens

Quote of the week

“The absolute consensus isthat human action is

leading to an increase inaverage temperature. I know

you may try to argue withthat, but you can’t.”

Professor Brian Cox clashes

with an Australian climate-

change sceptic.

10/2016 Page 7

Commitment for LifeCoinciding with the “Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel”, Linda

Mead has sent the latest newsletter “Moving Stories 196”(pinned on the notice board and spare copies on the table near

the library). September 21st was the special day of prayer (theme:Dismantling Barriers). A copy of a very fine prayer based onEphesians 2.14 is in the Prayer Corner in church. Here are some

extracts: “God of peace, we thank You. You are present when formercombatants stand together,with courage, to denounce violence; withEcumenical Accompaniers, bearing witness. Help us to share your

work of breaking down the walls of separation, your vital work of peace.Amen”.

The Moving Stories make depressing reading:

Demolition Facts. Since 2012, 2401 Palestinian homes and otherstructures have been demolished. In 2016 so far the number is

769, leaving over 1,000 homeless. Some are demolished becauseof nearness to military installations, others because they did nothave relevant Israeli planning permits, which are routinely

denied anyway. Limited rights to water, controls over dailymovement, intermittent education and inadequate housing alladd to their difficulties. The Case Study tells of a Bedouin family

whose tin shacks and tents were demolished. “We have no rights,no-one to protect us”.

The World Council of Churches supports the special committeewhich seeks to promote a peace settlement that secures thelegitimate rights and future of both peoples in the Holy Land.

Peace with justice is our prayer.Jenny Stephens

Helen from St Luke’s Wellsway and her friend Nik are safely back from

their 3,000 mile trek from Bath to Jerusalem . They will tell their story onSunday, 13th November, 3-5pm, at St Luke’s. All welcome. They are still a

little short of their £10,000 target for Christian Aid!

Page 8 10/2016

Lost PropertyThe lost property cupboard was emptied on 13th September and

all the contents put in the office. They will be disposed of if theyare not claimed by 14th October, so could you please check withLin before then if you think any of the following items may

belong to you.

Bag (blue) containing: Fleece (grey, hooded)Shoes (black, lace-up) Fleece (child’s, grey, hooded)

Bag (Sainsbury’s), containing: Hiking poleScarf (yellow) Shirts (grey & white; grey)

Top (black & white check) Shoe bag (maroon)T-shirt (pink) Shoes (black, high heels)Snood (black/red/white/gold) Shorts (black & white)

Shoes (brown) Umbrella (black & white)Cardigan (child’s, pink) Walking stick (wood)

Any property left on the premises after 13th September will be in

the cupboard as usual so remember to check the cupboard itselfif you have lost something more recently. Valuable lost propertyis held in the office.

Sheena Carter(Convenor of House Committee)

Investing in the future of Church BuildingsThe National Churches Trust, the charity which supports and protects

churches, chapels and meeting houses throughout the United Kingdom, haspublished its Annual Review for 2015-2016.

It reports that in 2015, 177 churches, chapels and meeting houses

throughout the UK were helped by the National Churches Trust with grant

offers totalling £2,164,941.

National Churches Trust funding is available to churches open for worshipand used by a denomination that is a member of Churches Together in Britainand Ireland.

From Parish Pump

10/2016 Page 9

From the Church Secretary admin.I wish to record the church’s thanks to everyone who made Harvest

so good again this year.

• The Ladies who decorated the church• David our minister for an uplifting service.

• The team who cooked served and cleared up our lunch• Jane Gove and her helpers who distributed the harvest on the Monday.

Thank you one and all. Jane.

September Midweek CommunionThe service on 7th September, led as usual by our minister, David

Pattie, focused on prayer, including an admission that prayer isnot easy, and the mind can wander to topics such as re-arrangingone’s kitchen cupboards! An opportunity was given for people to

write a prayer to add to the prayer tree, so, despite the fact that itis now autumn it ended up looking very leafy.

As always the tea and chat afterwards gave people the chance to

catch up with those they had not seen for a while. The socialaspect of this gathering is, in some ways, just as

important as the religious for those who cannotnormally make it to church on a Sunday.

The next service will be on Wednesday

14th December, at 2.30 so do comealong and join us then.

Sheena Carter

Ann Caldwell wishes to thank her many friend at Central forthe lovely cards and good wishes she has received.

Page 10 10/2016

Church Diary – OctoberEvery Friday 10.30am Friday Coffee in the Argyle Hall.

Sunday 2nd 10.30am Communion Service: Revd Helen PattieFoodbank & Traidcraft

Tuesday 4th 10.30am Study Group session

2.30pm Women's Guild Meeting

Sunday 9th 10.30am Family Worship: Revd David Pattie

Tuesday 11th 7.30pm Elders’ Meeting

Sunday 16th 10.30am Family Worship: Revd Peter Chave

Sunday 23rd 10.30am Family Worship: Revd Dr Hazel Starritt

Tuesday 27th 2.30pm Men‘s Fellowship;Ann Green - “On being an interpreter”

Sunday 30th 10.30am Communion Service: Revd Sue Henderson

NovemberTuesday 1st 10.30am Study Group session

2.30pm Women's Guild Meeting:

Ann Liles - “Flower Decoration”

Sunday 6th 10.30am Communion Service: Revd David PattieShoe Box DedicationFoodbank & Traidcraft

Tuesday 8th 7.30pm Elders’ Meeting

Sunday 13th 10.30am Family Worship – Remembrance:Revd Helen Pattie

Hazel and Roy Shorthave moved to 27 Deverell Close,Bradford-on-Avon BA15 1UZ;

telephone 01225 867716

10/2016 Page 11

Preaching at Rush Hill and Larkhall

Rush Hill 10.30am Larkhall 11.00am Larkhall 6.30pm

Oct 2 Mr David Pendle Revd David Pattie Revd Helen Pattie

Oct 9 Revd Dr Hazel Starritt Mr Peter Swift Revd PatsyHoldsworth

Oct 16 Mr Peter Rouse Revd Dr Hazel Starritt Revd Stephen Lewis

Oct 23 Mrs Jackie Jones Mr Paul Swift Mrs Denise Meyers

Oct 30 Revd David Pattie Revd Helen Pattie Mrs Margaret White

URC Prayer Handbook 2017Feasts and Festivals

For 2017 writers from across the globe contribute

to our unique collection of prayers and mediationson the theme of feasts and festivals. This

handbook will accompany you throughout theyear as you celebrate Epiphany, Lent, Holy Weekand Easter, Pentecost, Advent.

The cover design, by Mark Howard, reflects thehandbook’s refreshing and inspiring look at Feastsand Festivals – he writes that, through festivals, we ‘express a

sense of belonging, sharing common heritage, culture and faith. Feastsand festivals weave us together like threads ...’

The Prayer Handbook is edited by Richard Church and NathanEddy and includes prayers from people of all ages from bothinside and outside the United Reformed Church.

The handbook costs £6.50 [the same as last year!]. As usual I willmake a bulk order: please tell me if you would like one.

Martin Cawte

Page 12 10/2016

Why gardener Alan digs the Real Advent CalendarAlan Titchmarsh has welcomed the

launch of the 2016 Real AdventCalendar, describing it as ‘a great idea’.Each Real Advent Calendar comes with

a free 28 page copy of the Christmasstory in the box, 24 Fairtradechocolates: sales of the calendar

support charitable causes.

David Marshall, from The Meaningful

Chocolate Company which makes thecalendars, said: “Three years ago we saw survey research whichshowed that knowledge of the Christmas story was fading. Among 5-7

year olds, 36% didn’t know whose birthday was celebrated atChristmas.

“Among adults, less than 12% knew the full nativity story and 51%

said that the birth of Jesus was irrelevant to their Christmas. As aresult of this survey we launched The Real Advent Calendar hoping tohelp adults and children engage with the Christmas story for the full

twenty-four days of Advent.”

More than half a million Real Advent Calendars have been sold,

which means over a million people have read the Real AdventCalendar Christmas story, many for the first time. This year thestory is illustrated by award winning artist Alida Massari and

includes activities and challenges.

From the charitable donations, the calendar has helped equip ababy clinic in Kenya and supported charities such as Traidcraft

Exchange and The Children’s Society.

Delivery is free on orders of at least one case of 18 calendars if

made by 1st November. Schools receive a 10% discount for eachcase ordered in October. Free resources for schools and churchesare also available online. Visit www.realadvent.co.uk.

10/2016 Page 13

The WaterfallThe noise and power of a waterfall is probably one of the most

spectacular attestations of God’s creative power that there is. Itcalls to mind the words of Psalm 66:

Shout for joy to God, all the earth! Sing the glory of his name; make

his praise glorious. Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds! Sogreat is your power that your enemies cringe before you. All the earthbows down to you; they sing praise to you, they sing the praises of your

name. Come and see what God has done. (Ps 66:1-5a)

Waterfalls bring out the poet in the onlooker:

We hear the roaring water

We see the foaming spray

The mighty pow’r of nature

Compels us all to pray

“O Mighty Lord, Creator

“O Maker of us all

“The finest work thou makest -

“The tumbling waterfall!”

The spray refracts the sunlight

Into the rainbow hues;

We feel the water shaking

The ground beneath our shoes!

We gaze into the torrents

Unto the Lord we call

“O Praise thee, God our Father

“For this, Thy waterfall!”

by Nigel Beeton

Not any more

Two young tourists went into a Quaker Guest house in Lakeland. As they

were strangers, the warden approached them and asked; ‘Are you Friends?’The answer came back politely, ‘Oh no, not now, we are married.’

Page 14 10/2016

Contact Centre NewsBath Child Contact Centre (BCCC), held every Saturday in theWilliam Jay and Percy Halls, celebrated its 25th anniversary inearly September. The charity, founded in 1991 by Linda Wyon

during the ministry of Rev Michael Stolton, provides a neutralmeeting place where children of separated parents can meet theabsent parent or relative in a relaxed and safe environment.

In order to celebrate the occasion, BCCC opened its doors tosupporters and those working with families requiring this

support, who were able to view the centre as it is set up on aSaturday afternoon. BCCC chairwoman, Irene Sims, gave anoverview of the work of the centre in her opening words of

welcome as well as thanking those who had made generousdonations enabling the purchase of new toys and equipment, andcontributing to the day to day running costs.

A number of members of Central have assisted at the centre overthe years and have been part of the ongoing and valuable workcarried out by dedicated volunteers. The success of the centre

has been demonstrated in the number of families who go on tomake their own arrangements in facilitating regular contact

between children and both parents. The Bath centre is nowconsidered one of the flagship centres in the UK due in no smallpart to the commitment and dedication of those who give up

their time to help others.

Angela Campbell

Who is God? During a youth service, the minister asked if anyone could tellher who God is. One youngster waved a hand, and ventured: “Isn’t God the

man who saves the Queen?”

10/2016 Page 15

1954 –The Argyle Players

- 2016The Players would like to thank allwho supported the Summer pro-duction of ‘The Hound of theBaskervilles’. It proved a very pop-ular choice, with Conan Doyle’stale of mystery and suspensebringing in almost capacity audi-ences on each night of the produc-tion, and appreciative commentscoming from all who saw it.

Over the years The Argyle Playershave brought to the stage produc-tions set in many and various loca-tions. There have been a greatnumber of what are commonlycalled ‘drawing room comedies’,but others have included creepywayside railway station in ‘TheGhost Train’, a school staff com-mon room in ‘The Happiest Days ofyour Life’, and an outdoor settingfor a village fete in ‘Confusions’.For ‘A Small Family Business’ thevarious rooms of a completehouse, including a kitchen with aworking refrigerator, and a bath-room with what appeared to be afunctional toilet were built on thestage; whereas for JB Priestley’s‘They came to a City’ an entrancegateway into what might be the

afterlife, was built. However, inall these years a setting very famil-iar to most, has never put in anappearance. Peter Gordon’s hilari-ous comedy ‘Out of Focus’ rectifiesthis omission, setting itself in asomewhat run-down church hall.

The nightmare for any lettingofficer has arrived, as not only theBrownies are booked in for theevening, but the badminton teamhave a match to play, and anenthusiastic railway buff is sure hebooked the hall for his fascinatinglecture, whilst members of the pan-tomime society appear for arehearsal. Comic disaster piles onutter confusion as each group con-fronts the other. How, or if, theysort out their problems makes foran great fun evening for the audi-ence.

Director, Cathy Adeane has drawntogether an experienced cast tobring this sparkling show to theTovey Hall stage from Wednesday30th November to Saturday 3rd

December. Publicity materials andtickets will be available nextmonth. Don’t miss it!

Michael Burgess

Page 16 10/2016

Organists’ VisitAt the request of Peter King (organist at the

Abbey, and President of the IncorporatedAssociation of Organists 2015/16 [IAO], whogave a recital on our organ after its latest

‘overhaul’) we opened our organ for membersof the IAO’s “Congress” or “Festival” (held inBath in August) to come and play if they

wished. Francis and I opened the Church -not knowing how many, if any, might turn up

in the allotted two hours!

In the event, we had a steady flow, starting with the organistfrom York URC, followed by others from Cumbria, Penzance,

Bournemouth, Auckland NZ, South Australia, Worcester & theIsle of Man to name a few! I thought you would a like to knowthat Central has been put on the map by its organ (which

received some a very favourable comments.)

Peter has now retired from the Abbey and is living in Exeter. Hewill be sorely missed from Bath, but we wish him all the best for

the future.Hilary Bodger

Some Dates:Saturday, 15th October: Concertino Concert at St Bartholomew’sChurch, King Edward Road with Stephen Macallister, Trumpet.

Tuesday, 8th November: Bath Young Musician in the Pump Room.

Thursday, 24th November: Argyle String Orchestra concert in thechurch includes Vivaldi’s concerto for four violins.

Wednesday, 30th November -Saturday 3rd December: The ArgylePlayers present Peter Gordon’s hilarious comedy ‘Out of Focus’.

Sunday, 18th December: Carols by Candlelight.

10/2016 Page 17

PrayersEach week we pray for:

2nd October

Marriage AuthorisedPerson – Anne Banks.

From those who use our

halls: Sue Hawkey –Meditation.

9th October

Morning tapes for thehousebound.

From those who use our

halls: Headway.

16th October

Stewards Coordinator –Maurice Liles.

From Churches

Together in Bath –Nexus MethodistChurch at Walcot.

23rd OctoberThe Stewards.

From those who use ourhalls: Jane AustenDancers.

30th OctoberThose who providetransport enabling

friends to worship.

From those who use ourhalls: Julian House

BCH.

The following is the collective prayer for thismonth. We ask you to join us in prayer on the third

Wednesday of the month—19th November. Weshall pray at 7.30am and/or 7.30pm: please join us.

Last Months Crossword

Across: 8 Kiriath Jearim 9 Toe 10 Ill at ease 11 Hated

13 Miletus 16 Started 19 Micah 22 Leviticus 24 Eli

25 Mary and Joseph

Down: 1 Sketch 2 Priest 3 Samizdat 4 Shalom 5 Wept

6 Breast 7 Embers 12 Art 14 Limassol 15 UNA16 Salome 17 Adverb 18 Decade 20 Clever 21 Height

23 Tear

A Prayer for OctoberO Lord, grant that we may walk as Christ

walked, that the spirit that was in him mayalso be in us.

Grant that we may do today, here on earth,what Christ would have done and in theway that He would have done it .

Grant that we may be given His spirit andbecome His followers.

Amen

Page 18 10/2016

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Thanks to technology, replacing worn-outhymn books didn’t cost a penny.

10/2016 Page 19

My dear Nephew DarrenI am afraid we will never agree

about the appropriate length ofsermons. Your 50 minute expositionon the theology of St. Paul concerningwomen wearing hats in church is, I amsure, of real interest to you. But asyour sermon slowly unfolds, I suspectit will prompt quite a different concernamong your congregation. Have theyset the oven timer to come on tooearly?

Whenever I even hint that a matterof theological importance may be aboutto appear in one of my sermons, anexpression of benign incomprehensioncomes over my congregation. Youknow the look—you see it on goldenLabradors whenever they try and workout what their owners are telling them.

There are certain sure signs thatshould warn you when you havepreached for long enough. One iswhen members of the congregationreach for their prayer books to try towork for the umpteenth time how thedate for Easter is calculated. Theorganist turning on the blower whenyou say “and finally” is another.

Most members of the congregationwill count the number of dead flies onthe windowsills during your sermon.

But when you can see members of thecongregation counting the numbers inthe congregation counting thenumbers of dead flies, that is absoluteproof that it is time to stop.

There has only been one occasionwhen I preached for longer than mystandard eight minutes. Our formerorganist was in the habit of taking hisdog for a walk during the sermon. Iknew I had to carry on preaching untilI heard the latch on the vestry door forthe second time. That meant he wasback, and ready to play the last hymn.Unfortunately one Sunday, his dogran away.

While he searched for it over everyfield in the parish, I spent theintervening two hours reading thegreater part of Leviticus, discussingthe food laws set forth inDeuteronomy, and arguing for aDeutero-Isaiah. I was headed for theBabylonian exile when we all heard thevestry door re-open.

After the Service, the congregationleft looking as though they had justbeen rescued from a major shipwreck.And at the next church councilmeeting, we unanimously voted to buyour organist a stronger lead.

Your loving uncle,Eustace

St James the Least of All by the Rev Dr Gary Bowness

On how long a sermon should last

The elderly Anglo-Catholic vicar, Eustace, continues his correspondence to Darren,

his nephew, a low-church curate recently ordained…

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CrosswordFrom Parish Pump

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Across1 He must be ‘the husband of

but one wife and mustmanage his children andhis household well’(1 Timothy 3:12) (6)

4 ‘For we must all — beforethe judgement seat ofChrist’ (2 Corinthians 5:10)(6)

7 ‘They reeled and staggeredlike drunken men; theywere at their — end’(Psalm 107:27) (4)

8 See 19 Across9 It concerned who among the

disciples would be thegreatest(Luke 9:46) (8)

13 Formed by the Jews inThessalonica to root out Pauland Silas (Acts 17:5) (3)

16 ‘He has sent me to bind up the—’(Isaiah 61:1) (6-7)

17 Moved rapidly on foot (Matthew28:8) (3)

19 and 8 ‘ — a great company ofthe — host appeared with theangel’ (Luke 2:13) (8,8)

24 Hindrance (Romans 14:13) (8)25 Comes between Luke and Acts

(4)26 Empower (Acts 4:29) (6)27 ‘Get these out of here! How dare

you turn my Father’s house intoa — !’ (John 2:16) (6)

Down1 Sunrise (Psalm 119:147) (4)2 The part of the day when

Cornelius the Caesareancenturion had a vision of anangel of God (Acts 10:3) (9)

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3 He was one of those who returned with Zerubbabelfrom exile inBabylon to Jerusalem (Nehemiah 7:7)(5)

4 ‘No one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born— ‘(John 3:3) (5)

5 Animal hunted or killed as food (Ezekiel 22:25) (4)6 ‘He encouraged them — — remain true to the Lord’

(Acts 11:23) (3,2)10 Ruses (anag.) (5)11 Jewish priestly vestment (Exodus 28:6) (5)12 Visible sign of what had been there (Daniel 2:35) (5)13 This was the trade of Alexander, who did Paul ‘a great

deal of harm’ (2 Timothy 4:14) (9)14 ‘This is my — , which is for you; do this in

remembrance of me’ (1 Corinthians 11:24) (4)15 One of Noah’s great-great-grandsons (Genesis 10:24)

(4)18 Traditionally the first British Christian martyr (5)20 Relationship of Ner to Saul (1 Samuel 14:50) (5)21 Jacob had one at a place he named Bethel while on his

way to Haran, fleeing from Esau (Genesis 28:12) (5)22 Bats (anag.) (4)23 ‘You strain out a — but swallow a camel’ (Matthew

23:24) (4)

ActivitiesSunday Worship: 10.30am Family Worship for all ages.

Church Meeting: Third Tuesday of alternate months at 7.30pm (Jan on)

Elders’ Meeting: Second Tuesday of the month at 7.30pm

Women’s Guild: Secretary: Mrs Gillian SwiftFirst Tuesday each month at 2.30pm

Men’s Fellowship: Programme Secretary: Mr John OsborneFourth Tuesday each month at 2.30pm

Allsorts Group: Contact: Mr Paul Swift Third Saturday each month

Argyle Players: Secretary: Mrs Helen Brettell Thursdays at 7.30pm

Argyle String Orchestra: Church Contact: Martin Cawte

Thursdays at 7.30pm

CommitteesBuildings:Convener; Mr MHH Burgess: Secretary; Mr RM Short

House: .. ..Convener; Mrs Sheena Carter Secretary; Mrs Angela Campbell

Finance: ..Convener; Mr RB Turner: .. .. ..Secretary; Mr WE Richardson

Copy in most formats is acceptable, from manuscript to email

(martin.cawte@btinternet.com).

Please note the copy and publication dates.

Editor: Martin Cawte, 6 The Chestertons, Bathampton, Bath BA2 6UJ a469807

Ministers: Revds Helen & David Pattie .. .. .. .. .. .. .. a 01225 331952

Revd Dr Hazel Starritt.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. a 01373 467814Church Secretary (Administration): Jane Tollyfield .. .. a 01225 833178

Church Secretary (Worship): Peter Rouse .. .. .. .. .. .. .. a 01225 332760Church Treasurer: Brian Campbell .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. a 01225 463989

Published by: Central United Reformed Church, Argyle Street, Bath

Postal address: Central URC, Grove Street, Bath BA2 6PJ a310050

Web site: www.bathcentralurc.virb.com Registered Charity No 1130339