C I Messenger - The United Reformed Church in Jersey

Apologies that for some reason this month I have been unable to include pictures or tables (i.e. Rotas etc.)

As I write this letter, I am surrounded by news, much of it rather depressing. There are floods in Pakistan and it is expected that it will take three years for communities to return to how they were. On the other hand, there is a lack of water in Niger, with consequent famine. Miners are trapped deep underground in Chile, but the joy of finding them is clouded by the fact that it will take many weeks to free them. Distressed as we are, we can pray for them all; perplexed by the scale of such disasters we can make some donation for their relief if we can do so. The Christian response will always be to pray and to act, whatever the circumstances and I trust that we can all play our small part when such things occur. Of course, the question often asked is “Where is a loving God?” Be assured that the Bible reminds us that he does not cause such things to happen – natural disasters are just that – natural. It is in nature that bad things do happen to good people. Sometimes we think God has forgotten us, but Christ’s words “I will be with you always even to the end of time” should be held on to, especially when world affairs or personal tragedies strike at the very heart of our faith.

On a happier note, there have been some television reports of very excited young people who have received their examination results “A” levels or GCSE. It seems that the percentage of passes is greater than ever, and this shows the hard work that is put in by the students to achieve the grades they had hoped for. I’m sure many of us know someone who has just successfully finished examinations – do give them a word of congratulation. For some, this will mark a stepping stone to further or higher education; some will be leaving home for the first time; others starting on their chosen career. Say a prayer for them as they venture out – however brave a face they put on it, most are at least a little anxious of the future. And do not forget that, whilst some of them have put aside church-going in favour of other activities, these days of exploration of a new life often raise questions about what faith means, and we should all be ready to give an answer if we find ourselves able to do so. Our experience of life and faith should give us a good basis to help others as they find new horizons. We may not see instant results but we ought, if we can, to sow some new seeds as the younger people find their way in life.

September brings a new “season” to the Church as activities begin again after the summer break. Do support all you can. It also brings Harvest Festivals, which are very happy times in the life of the Church. May we enjoy the displays of talent and generosity which these Sundays bring, and as we celebrate the bounty of the earth which we enjoy, may we also spare a thought and prayer for those whose harvest has not materialised and who have little cause for celebration. May we sing “Come, ye faithful people, come!” with gusto, but may we also remember those brothers and sisters in our Islands and worldwide, who have little cause for thanks.

5th	Jeremiah18: 1-11; Psalm 1; Philemon: 1-21; St Luke 14: 25-33
12^th	Jeremiah 4: 11-12,22-28; Psalm 51: 1-10; 1 Timothy 1: 12-17 St. Luke 15: 1-10
19^th	Jeremiah 8: 18-9:1; Psalm 113; 1 Timothy 2: 1-7; St. Luke 16: 1-13.
26th	Jeremiah 32: 1-3a,6-15; Psalm 146; 1 Timothy 6: 6-19; St. Luke 16: 19-31

Belated happy birthday wishes to Delma Le Tissier for her birthday on 4th August and to Brooke Carre who was 1-year-old on 30th August. Apologies for the omission from last month's Messenger.

Continued caring for Eileen Pratt.

Gary Doggett is recovering from his heart operation in England in early July and he and Julie wish to thank everybody for their kind thoughts, prayers and cards. Gary is doing well but it is a very slow process to recovery. Despite not being able to do much he is already feeling much better than prior to the operation.

Mary and Ron Norman are back in Guernsey after a car crash in England and doing well. We wish you all God’s blessings.

Winnie and Frank Keyho are the proud Grandparents of Spencer Gregory, who was born 21st August to Trulea and Gregory Keyho. Congratulations to you all.

Birthday Greetings in September go to: Alisha Batiste (2^nd), Lloyd Le Poidevin (4^th), Richard Veillard (13^th), Peter Butler (15^th), Ian Butler (18 on 16^th), Julie Doggett (19^th), Jeanne Gathercole (24^th), Gary Doggett (27^th) and Charlotte Leaman (17 on 30^th).

Congratulations to Richard and Lindsey Veillard for their Wedding Anniversary on 2^nd, Brian and Sue Veillard on 25^th and Delma and David Le Tissier for their Ruby Wedding on 1st October.

The Salvation Army have been very grateful for the bric a brac and clothing which was passed on to them when Carol, Pamela and I had a clear out - thanks to them and David for all their help.

Also I wish to thank Rosemary, Amanda, Michelle and Lindsay for their hard work on cleaning and sorting out the Toddlers toys, a major task. Well done.

Marion

Putting Green
I would like to thank everybody for having come to support the putting evening. The weather was just perfect for it, for the oldest, youngest and in-between that helped to make it a relaxed evening. Thanks to all who brought prizes for the raffle and having bought so many tickets to boost the funds. As most of you found out it was putting "but not green" as due to lack of rain the grass has lost the colour. I hope none of you found a few grey hairs the next day. But thank you all for having made it an enjoyable evening. Ivy

If you wish to go, please put your name on the list at the back of the church or tell Jean Le Poidevin Tel: 264097

Once again we will be very pleased to receive the Christmas Shoe Boxes for Montenegro and Tanzania, BUT PLEASE DO NOT INCLUDE ANY BUBBLE BATHS, PERFUME, SHAMPOO OR LOTIONS as these CANNOT pass through customs.

Also please do not use shoe boxes larger than 13” x 8” x 6” and keep the lid wrapped separately so that the contents of the box can be checked, both in Guernsey and at Montenegro or Tanzania.

We know how much time, care and money goes into each box, so we do appreciate your efforts. For further information, phone Jeanne 264746.

ü Please cover the box with wrapping paper, ensuring the lid is separately wrapped for customs’ purposes.

ü Please sellotape to the top of the box a donation of £1 towards transportation and administration costs.

International Customs require items which must be for education, health and hygiene purposes. All items must be new or in ‘as new’ condition.

Small soft toy, picture book, hat, mittens, socks, soap, hairbrush, flannel, toothbrush and toothpaste, plus any other suitable small items.

Educational book and game, simple jigsaw, ball, lego, crayons and colouring book, hat, mittens, scarf, socks, soap, hairbrush, flannel, toothbrush and toothpaste, toy vehicle, small doll, skipping rope.

Educational book and game, jigsaw, ball, card game, felt tip pens, pencils, pencil case, drawing book, hat, gloves, scarf, socks, wide toothed comb, soap, flannel, toothbrush and toothpaste, sports item, skipping rope, hair accessories.

Educational book and game, playing cards, geometry set, pens, pencils and case, pencil sharpener, rubber, writing/drawing book, hat, gloves, scarf, socks, wide toothed comb, soap, flannel, toothbrush and toothpaste, washbag, hair accessories, sports item.

Donations will also be gratefully received. A decision has yet to be made on which other charity to support.

Roy Cochran's 2010 'Guernsey changes' slide and chat show
We do hope to have lots of support on Saturday afternoon 30th October 2010 2pm for 2.30pm at Les Cotils. Raising money for the United Reformed Church. Tickets are £6.50 including afternoon tea. There will also be a raffle. Please contact Lloyd or Joyce Le Poidevin Tel 264968.

· As the Market Square was taken over by the Ice Skating Rink it had not been possible to sing Christmas Carols in the square. This could be a possibility this year and it will be raised at the October meeting.

Treasurer’s Report: The bank balance @ 31.12.09 was £4,757.10 which included £1,000 from Culture and Leisure to cover expenses for the People’s Liberation Day Service.

Elections: Chairman- Mr Roy Sarre: Treasurer - Mr Richard Whitford: Hon Secretary- Mrs Anita Carey.

The new Superintendent Minister of the Methodist Church will be invited to join the Executive Committee as a President on his arrival in the Island.

News of the Family: We understand that Sheila Charles has now returned safely after undergoing surgery. The Nicolle Family and especially Kim Hardman are in our prayers at this time as are Beryl Richard and Jean Gray.

A number of old friends have visited us during the summer and we were especially delighted to welcome Jean Le Quesne escaping the Australian winter.

Thanks from Patrick and Andrew who received the Church Flowers on their birthday at the beginning of August, and had many other cards and greetings too! All much appreciated.

Thank you to Graham from Sion Methodist Church who has brought sweet peas to Church for a number of weeks. His kind gifts have pleased so many ladies in our joint congregation and have brought sweet perfume into many households. Thank you Graham for your thoughtfulness.

Birthday Greetings this month go to Nickey Nicolle (3^rd), Shirley Osborn (21^st) and Helen Osborn (23^rd).

A JUMBLE SALE will be held on SATURDAY 9^th OCTOBER at ST. BERNADETTE’S CHURCH HALL, QUENNEVAIS, ST. BRELADE.

Please start sorting soon. Items can be left either at Church or at the Hall on the day.

During the last year, considerable efforts have been given to reducing our expenditure as a church and seeking ways of increasing our income. Significantly by cutting our Ministry and Mission contribution to reflect the size of our congregation, we have ensured that we are unlikely to suffer a deficit this year unlike the previous two years. However, we have removed from our fund-raising schedule the annual Winter Fayre and have failed so far to create an alternative event. In the past, this event has raised at least £1,000 but in recent years this figure has declined and the number of members now available to undertake such an event has also reduced. Whilst we do have a Jumble Sale in October and every effort will be made to ensure this is a financial success, nevertheless, annual fundraising in 2010 has relied more heavily on personal giving at a time of economic downturn.

crucial. For example, the recent redecoration at the south end of the church cost approximately £1,500. Wisely the decorator has advised us on establishing a rolling plan of maintenance ensuring that one wall is redecorated every year. Such action will reduce the need for more costly maintenance caused by delaying work due to lack of finance.

Therefore, I ask you to consider how generous you can be on September 26^th when we hold our annual Gift Day as we celebrate God’s generosity in our Harvest Service. Gift Day envelopes can be found in this magazine and can be handed in directly to the Treasurer or place in the offertory on 26^th September. Additional envelopes are available in Church.

On Sunday September 26th we will be celebrating our Harvest Festival and Gift Day. It was agreed at our last Church Meeting that we should have a token display of fruit and vegetables, together with the traditional floral decorations, and concentrate on non-perishable tins, packets etc. which would go to the Grace Trust to add to their monthly grocery parcels which they distribute to needy Jersey families. Throughout September there will be a box in the vestibule for tins, packets etc. and if you would like to donate these in advance this will help in the decoration of the Church on Saturday September 25th. (Please check that all produce is well within its sell-by date.) Anyone who would be willing to help in the decoration of the Church on that day will be warmly welcomed - from 10 a.m. onwards - and any flowers, fruit and vegetables which you can donate will be appreciated. Please help to make this a day of celebration as we thank God for his unfailing goodness to us and try to help those who are in need.

St. John’s Church, Sion, has had a variety of relationships with the national church and this has impacted on the spiritual leadership. At times in the past, it has not always had full-time ministry or has been formally attached to the Congregational Union. At the beginning of its life in 1809, spiritual leadership was provided by the Perrot brothers but they also had responsibilities for other churches, not least the “mother” church in Halkett Place. The Perrots also seemed to sustain a relationship with the national church through Dr Bogue who ran a school for priests in Portsmouth. Even

in the present lifetime, St John’s has benefited from both the lay leadership of Bertrand Chalmers and the stipendiary ministry of Michael Stolton, Graham Long, etc at different times. During the Reverend Chalmers’ period it was an independent chapel and then in the 1980s it became part of a two church pastorate through the URC.

So this demonstrates that the leadership and status of the church has changed on a number of occasions and that it would not require much crystal ball gazing to suggest that changes will occur in the future. To some extent, these changes will occur because of the circumstances of the URC and its structure. For example, we have seen the demise of District Councils in order to reduce bureaucratic inertia. Though some have suggested that it has only produced more isolated churches, it does suggest that the URC wants to reinforce the independence of churches to act on their own needs. It is also clear that the reduced numbers of stipendiary ministers nationally and the reduction of individuals seeking training has demanded that churches must take greater control over their spiritual affairs.

There will be many churches concerned that in the future stipendiary ministers may not be provided by the URC. In fact, this movement is a return to our Calvinist roots in the 16th century when reformed churches selected their ministers from amongst their members. It needs to be remembered that in our reformed tradition, we believe that all have a spiritual role in leadership as part of that community of “priesthood of all believers.” It is this principle that makes us different from some of the larger denominations. Consequently it should not surprise us that in the next few years the URC may not provide us with a stipendiary minister. It is my view that we should greet this situation as a challenge to build a more cohesive spiritual community rather than relying on the efforts of one man or woman referred to as the Minister.

This development will cause us to have to review our relationship with the URC and our partner church in Guernsey. At present we pay annually £8,004 to the URC as our Ministry & Mission contribution. Clearly if the URC does not provide stipendiary ministry in the future, then it is reasonable to question the need to pay some or all this fund for a service we are not receiving. I know that both in Jersey and Guernsey there are a number of members who question the quality of support that we do receive from the URC at present.

Therefore, if a form of lay leadership or non-stipendiary ministry was to replace the present situation, it would make it very difficult to maintain the

joint pastorate. For example, a non-stipendiary minister in Jersey holding down a secular full-time job could not be expected to travel to Guernsey on a regular basis and vice versa. Certainly the joint pastorate has created unique pressures for the ministers compared with similar arrangements in England. Whilst the two churches may only be 40 miles apart, the water barrier between, can sometimes seem like a chasm. Whereas, in England where they might be two churches with one minister 40 miles apart, the spiritual and pastoral needs of both can be served by a minister using a car and providing almost immediate service and comfort before returning to his/her single home. This is not possible in the Channel Islands and it can be argued that the present arrangements that require the Minister to live one week in four in Guernsey and three in Jersey is a barrier to many a minister accepting the call to the Channel Islands particularly a young minister with family.

Therefore, I am anticipating that the future will lead to either lay or non-stipendiary leadership with a looser tie to the URC. I also feel that the days of the joint pastorate are drawing to an end through the frustration of the present arrangements that both churches feel combined with the changing nature of spiritual leadership. I do not see these changes as negative but should be viewed as a challenge. The church at Sion has risen to these challenges before and more often than not has grown through them.

July’s Charity was Motor Neurone Disease Association and thanks to your generosity I was able to send £83.25. In August Commitment for Life received £115.85.

This month Church Meeting decided to support Sailors’ Society which is an inter-denominational Christian organisation providing pastoral care to seafarers.

The Society was formed in 1818 as the Port of London Society. Following mergers with two other societies, the name was changed to The British & Foreign Sailors’ Society. In 1925 it was changed to The British Sailors’ Society. In 1995 the name was changed to The British & International Sailors’ Society. The most recent name change took place on 1 December 2007 when the present name was adopted.

The Society has close links with many of the mainstream Protestant Churches in the UK, such as the Church of Scotland, the Methodist Church in Great Britain and the URC. The headquarters are in Southampton.

The United Reformed Church in Jersey

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