The HEATH

News, Views & Comment from the United Reformed Church, Chadwell Heath

June 2017

50p

Dear Friends, Like many of you I am enjoying opportunities to get out into the garden; and the time to appreciate the almost daily growth of colour in the flower beds, the trees and shrubs. I am also delighted to see countless little birds filling the air. This led me to consider the thought, ‘why do we use the expression a little bird told me’. When people have discovered something but don’t want anyone else to know where they got the information, they will often say, ‘a little bird told me.’ We are actually saying we got the information from a secret source that we are not going to reveal. This phrase is an example of how thought or concept originally expressed in the Bible has found its way into our everyday lives. Though the wording of the phrase has been altered somewhat, the thought is first recorded in the book of Ecclesiastes (10:20) ‘Do not curse the king, even in your bedroom; for the bird of the air may carry your voice, and a bird in flight may tell the matter.’ The message of this passage is a powerful one for us, even though we live thousands of years after it was spoken. And the moral of the story is, we should choose our words wisely because we never know who may be listening.

Our words are often carried forth to others, as though by ‘little birds’, and the person whom we are speaking about may come to know what we’ve said. Therefore, we should speak with wisdom , kindness, and honesty and especially directly. As Christians, we are constantly called upon to weigh our actions against their cost. We must achieve a balance in our lives that allows us to serve the commandments of God while we fulfil our earthly duties. When we feel off balance about something it probably means that we don’t feel it is the right thing to do. Throughout our Synod Ministers are facing the difficult decisions of how to meet the needs of their congregations, ‘what is the right thing for them to do’ at any one time. Martin and I are endeavouring to support Dorothee as we are able, but inevitably there are gaps e.g visiting members of the five congregations. The pastoral work undertaken by those holding the office of ‘Elder’ is greatly appreciated, but there are also times when a Ministers visit is needed ; as ‘a team’ we will try to cover this area of need. May we continue to devote ourselves to things that matter, to our church, our families, our homes and our faith. Wishing you all every blessing.

Ann

Thursday 1st 9.30am Foodbank, Coffee & Conversation, Church

Library time

Sunday 4th 11:15am Revd. Ann Woodhurst

Thursday 8th 9:30am Foodbank, Coffee & Conversation, Church

Library time

Sunday 11th

11:15am Roger Whipp

Followed by Refreshments

5pm

6:30pm

H & H Bring & Share Anniversary Supper

Chadwell Heath - Revd. Dorothee Büürma

Evening Communion

Tuesday 13th 7pm Elders Meeting

Wednesday 14th 2pm Wednesday Fellowship

Thursday 15th 9:30am Foodbank, Coffee & Conversation, Church

Library time

Saturday 17th 2.30pm Cream Tea at The Allisons

Sunday 18th 11:15am Holy Communion — Revd. Ann Woodhurst

Elders Jo W & Heather

Communion Table - Dianne

Thursday 22nd 9:30pm Foodbank, Coffee & Conversation, Church

Library time

7.30pm Church Meeting - Including Elders Elections.

Sunday 25th 11:15am Sarah Deamer

Thursday 29th 9:30pm Foodbank, Coffee & Conversation, Church

Library time

CHURCH DIARY JUNE

Happy Birthdays in June

10th Jayda Sullivan, 12th Madeline Clifford,

13th Harrison Mayo,

19th Jonathon Flores Arias,

24th Elaine Bailey

Worship Themes June

The Junior Church are using different teaching guides for each age group

and the themes listed below are based on the Lectionary and will possibly

be used by those leading our worship.

May 7, 2017

Acts 2:42-47

1 Peter 2:19-25

John 10:1-10

May 14, 2017

Acts 7:55-60

1 Peter 2:2-10

John 14:1-14

May 21, 2017

Acts 17:22-31

1 Peter 3:13-22

John 14:15-21

May 25, 2017

Acts 1:1-11

Ephesians 1:15-23

Luke 24:44-53

Martin read the following out in his service last Sunday and we thought it was worth putting into the magazine for everyone to

see!

What are OAP’s worth?

We are worth a fortune!

Remember old folks are worth a fortune With silver in their hair, gold in their teeth, Stones in their kidneys, lead in their feet –

And Gas in their stomachs!

I have become older since I saw you last And a few changes have come into my life.

Frankly, I have become a frivolous Old Gal – I’m seeing six gentlemen every day!

As soon as I wake up, Will Power gets me out of bed, Then I go to see Johnny Looe.

Next, Charlie Cramp comes along and when here, He takes up a lot of my time and attention!

When he leaves, Arthur Ritis shows up and stays The rest of the day; he doesn’t like to stay in the one Place very long, so he takes me from joint to joint!

After such a busy day, I’m really tired and glad to go to bed with Johnny Walker!

What a life! Oh yes, I’m also flirting with Al Zymer!

PS: The Vicar came to call the other day. He said I should be thinking of the hereafter.

I told him I do all the time, no matter where I am In the lounge, upstairs, in the kitchen, or down in the

cellar I ask myself: ‘Now, what am I here after?’

The Treasurers bit. Offertories during April:

cash envelopes total

2nd 43 230 273

9th 11 135 146

16th 12 248 270

23rd 11 93 104

30th 19 146 165

Average offertory 192 Total for month 958

Last month major items of expenditure were £75 heater switch replacement, £240 new ladder, £610 manse maintenance and £1050 investigation into cause of cracking in wall and drain repairs. We rely heavily on hall hirings to balance our accounts and last month received £1434

David Saggers

"How are you getting on with your new pew cushions?”

We are hoping to bless them in a service later in the year, so please let Elaine know how you are getting on so we

can plan this. Thank you.

WEDNESDAY FELLOWSHIP

During Wednesday Fellowship on 10th May we spent an enjoyable time together singing some hymns and a bible reading from John 21: v 1-22 followed by News from the Pews with forthcoming events at Chadwell Heath.

Our theme was May (as in the month) and words or sayings with May in them.

As the saying goes "Cast not a clout 'til May is out" which cautions us about shedding winter clothing too early in the year. There is some debate whether the "May" referred to in the rhyme is the month of May or the hawthorn blossom also known as May Blossom. Whichever version you use, do not open your Summer wardrobe until May is out!!!

At our next meeting on 24th May we will think about Whitsun, the Christian festival of Pentecost, the 7th Sunday after Easter.

Our June meeting is 14th and then Wednesday 12th July which will be our last meeting until September 13th. No meeting on 27th September.

Angela

10.30-10.40: Sunday Morning

Private Prayers

in the Quiet Room

[Quiet time of reflection before the service

as the leaders go into the Quiet Room]

Hall Hire Report for Chadwell Heath URC Church AGM, 23/3/17

The Hall Hire Team comprises Jo Clifford (Bookings/Diary); David Saggers

(Treasurer) & Elaine Bailey (Administration).

We currently have 8 Hire organisations plus the occasional B&D Election

requirement.

These are:

Shine Stage School Charren Women’s Club

Weight Watchers Russell School of Dance & Drama

Golden Girls Rainbows/Brownies/Guides

Christian Restoration Ministries International (C.R.M.I) Christ Apostolic Church (C.A.C)

There are copies of the hall hire schedule on the notice board by the kitchen

and in the Quiet Room.

Between the three of us we manage to keep an eye on things, although

sometimes there are issues we must address regarding care and security of

the premises. Current hourly charge is £18/hr. This fee is reviewed

annually and advised in time for any changes to take place in January.

Elaine Bailey

Elder & Hall Hire Administrator

Foodbank Report for Chadwell Heath URC Church AGM, 23/3/17

Thanks to the Foodbank Team, comprising Angela & David

Saggers, Margaret Rose, Tim Marshall & Liz Thorburn, plus Jean

Quilty who looks after us by providing teas & coffees from the

kitchen. Thanks to Angela for the delicious cakes she continues to

supply each week. We, and the clients really appreciate these!

I have even had good feedback from Marks Gate Community

Centre as people to whom they have supplied the vouchers have

commented on how friendly and welcoming we are, which helps

tremendously when they are often in a very low state and even

worried about plucking up courage just to come through the door.

We currently have the services of Debbie Cattell from ICT Training

who is coming along to give advice and sign-posting to the clients.

Feedback from this is that she has helped many people when they

have been unable to get help from statutory quarters.

The statistics for the last year are:

January-December 2016 - 274 people - 1,662.7 kgs given out

January-March 2017 - 85 people - 503.5 kgs given out

We are also lucky to have had a few people drop in to take

advantage of the coffee morning side of this open morning – Diana

Baker and Jo Clifford, Diana & Karen Bailey, Ron Smith, Brian

Allison, and a few from other connections & churches.

We do not always have clients to serve and, when this happens, we

take advantage of the time together to do various small jobs around

the church premises.

Elaine Bailey

Elder & Foodbank Co-ordinator

SUNDAY SERVICES

10.30am Prayer Time

11.15am Morning Worship

Family All Age Worship 2nd Sunday

Holy Communion 3rd Sunday

Heath & Havering Group Holy Communion

2nd Sunday in the month at 6.30pm

( a t alternate Churches )

WEEKDAY ACTIVITIES

Elders Meeting second Tuesday in the month 7.00pm

Wednesday Fellowship 2pm 2nd & 4th in each month

Foodbank, Coffee & Conversation, Church Library time Thursday 9:30am

Ministers

Revd Dorothee Büürma Revd Martin Wheadon

Web site: http://www.heathandhaveringurc.co.uk/chadwellheath.html

Chadwell Heath URC is part of the Heath and Havering Group

Please send any news, information or an article for The Heath to

Dianne Crisp email dianne.crisp@ntlworld.com

The deadline is 26th June 2017 for the July/August magazine