The United Reformed Church in Jersey

The Messenger

The Magazine

of

The United Reformed Church in the Channel Islands

DECEMBER  2011

&

JANUARY 2012

Cover Photograph:  Grindelwald, Switzerland “In the bleak mid-winter….”

 © Michael Ruskin

Minister’s Letter                                                      

The URC Manse, La Grande Route de St. Jean,

Sion, St. John, Jersey, JE3 4FZ

(01534) 861386. (Jsy)  (01481) 264109 (Gsy)

RevdPatrick@aol.com

December 2011/January 2012

My dear Friends,

 I write this letter in the middle of November, and Christmas seems a long way away, but this article has to include both Christmas and the New Year.

 A few days ago, I was listening to Radio Jersey and one of the presenters said that she had been visiting a relation in the UK and “Santa” was already there in the shopping precinct. It was all a bit early for her, and it is for me, too.

 But we can’t wait until the last minute to write cards and buy presents, especially if they have to be sent to England or further afield – so can we find a balance?

 I think we can. We have a message to proclaim – that “Love came down at Christmas” – and that message belongs not just to December but through all the year. Christmas Day is special, but so is every day, if the love we show to others reflects the love that God has shown to us. And every day means all the days of 2012.

 Perhaps I can encourage you to make one new resolution: to pray daily, however simply, that you will look beyond your concerns and think of the needs of others; to be ready to act on what you see and hear. And at the end of each day, to give thanks to God for what you have received, as well as given, and look forward to the next opportunity of service.

 There are many days in 2012 – may we take the message of Christmas love into each one of them so that we may begin each day with the words of John Keble:

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New every morning is the love

Our wakening and uprising prove;

Through sleep and darkness safely brought,

Restored to life and power and thought.

With every blessing and good wishes from our family to yours

Patrick, Gillian, Matthew and Andrew

READINGS FOR DECEMBER

AND JANUARY

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David Part 1

 The occasional military successes of Judges such as Samson and Gideon may have given temporary security to the 12 tribes of Israel but did not prevent the power of the Philistines growing. In these circumstances, it is understandable that Israelites wanted a more permanent arrangement for ensuring the defence of their lands rather than the temporary interventions of the Judges. Therefore, the cry went up for a King to be appointed who could act as a permanent warrior leader.

 Samuel the chief priest was reluctant to accede to this demand since he believed that the Israelites already had a king in the form of their God, Jehovah. However, reluctantly he selected Saul to be the first king of Israel because of his previous successful military experience against the Philistines. Initially Saul had some success against the Philistines which increased his support amongst the twelve tribes. However, this situation proved temporary. Samuel criticised some of Saul’s actions stating that he had not followed the Lord’s word and had done evil in the sight of the Lord.  Consequently, Jehovah no longer considered Saul to be king.

 Instead, Samuel went to Bethlehem, to the house of Jesse and anointed his youngest son David as the new king though this was unknown to Saul. This is the beginning of David’s remarkable story, the shepherd boy who becomes the greatest king of Israel. And yet apart for the Old Testament there is little evidence of David’s existence or influence. There is no reference to his activities in the annals of Egypt and other foreign powers and the archaeological evidence has not produced precise evidence of his existence but has provided context to the period in which he is supposed to have ruled. And yet he has a huge influence over the development of Israel. He is the direct ancestor of Jesus who emphasises his association with the House of David. He establishes the capital of the Israelite state at Jerusalem and by utterly defeating the Philistines establishes Jewish authority and influence over much of modern Palestine.

 So how did this all come about. Saul was troubled by the disunity in the Israelite ranks. Samuel’s words had made him a jealous and tortured man who desperately needed solace. It appears that David’s reputation to be a fine player of the lyre was well known since Saul was advised to bring the young boy to his military camp and play for him so the demons in the mind might be banished. This seemed to work and Saul grew close to David and David grew close to Saul’s son Jonathan.

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 One day Saul and his army were forced to face the Philistine army. The Philistines taunted the Israelites by producing their champion Goliath who offered to settle the conflict through single combat. Goliath was a huge man “whose height was 6 cubits and a span” and was heavily armoured. Not surprisingly no Israelite was prepared to face this colossus until David the shepherd boy came forward who killed Goliath with a single sling shot to his temple.

 This famous event illustrates the difficulty of interpreting David. It is suggested by some that the story has at least been embroidered by those who wished to enhance his kingship. Close analysis of Goliath’s armour suggests that it is inappropriate for this time. It is made out of bronze when the Philistines would have been using iron weapons and its style is more reflective of that worn by Greeks hundreds of years before. It has also been suggested that the blow to the head could not have occurred since Philistine helmets covered this area.

 However, there are some pointers to suggesting this is not just an heroic tale. Goliath is described as coming from the city of Gath which was one of the five Philistine cities on the coastal plain. Excavations at this site have demonstrated that it was occupied by Philistines during the time of David. Further excavations in 2005 discovered a stone with the name Goliath scratched upon it. Whilst this does not prove that Goliath the Philistine champion did exist, it does show that Philistines at this time were called Goliath.

Michael Sheldrake

Synod November 5^th 2011.

             Synod meeting was held at High Cross Church, Camberley. The meeting commenced at 10.30 am with opening worship led by the Moderator, who then welcomed visitors from other denominations. The minutes of the March meeting were approved without discussion with no matters arising.

            The Synod Executive report was presented by Peter Pay, Synod clerk. Resolution 1 to approve the proposed appeals procedure for churches appealing against Synod decisions was agreed. Resolution 2 which requested the Ministries Committee to identify an appropriate means of providing secure photo identification for ministers, lay preachers, elders and community workers was also accepted after considerable discussion.

            This was followed by a video presentation from members of Avenue St. Andrews URC on their work with asylum seekers. Rev Robert Weston then presented Resolution 6 which was to discuss the urgent need to find ways to reverse the trend of decline in church membership and aim for church growth. Considerable discussion took place and due to lack of time continued after the

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lunch break. Eventually it was agreed to withdraw this resolution until the March Synod meeting. A selection of workshops were available, both before and after the lunch break each lasting 40 minutes.

            The afternoon session opened with a presentation from Susan Durber on the Westminster College Appeal. The college is appealing for funds for major improvements totalling £7 million. Resolution 3 which asks the Development and Support committee to implement the proposal for Lay Preacher Reviews and encourages all lay preachers to participate was approved after short discussion.

            David Page presented the Finance and Property Committees report which was approved in principle. Resolution 4 was put to the meeting asking synod to approve the recommended grants set out in this report. Grants proposed were £100,000 to Church Mission Fund, £35,000 to Commitment for Life, £100,000 to Inter-Synod Resource Sharing and four annual donations of £25,000 to the Westminster College Appeal. A majority of members felt strongly the donations to the Westminster Appeal were too low and a very long discussion took place with most people suggesting that the donations should be considerably higher. The committee members stated that to increase this would mean taking funds from reserves. The resolution was accepted subject to a further resolution asking the Finance Committee to reconsider its recommendation of the donations to Westminster. This additional resolution was accepted.

            The meeting continued with reports from the Youth Exchange Members on the Zambia exchanges. The meeting concluded with closing worship and ended about 25minutes late.

Brian Nicolle.

An historic Service in Westminster Abbey

The Church of England and United Reformed Church are to hold an historic service in Westminster Abbey, marking a significant step forward in the development of a shared relationship. This will take place on Tuesday 7^th February 2012 at 18.15, in the year of the 350^th Anniversary of the Act of Uniformity and the Great Ejection, as well as the celebration of the 40^th Anniversary of the United Reformed Church. The service, arising out of the joint report ‘Healing of Memories’ which has been to General Synod and the United Reformed Church Mission Council, will be a service of Reconciliation, Healing of Memories and Mutual Commitment. There will testimonies about martyrs of the past and stories of shared work in the present, leading to an act of commitment for the future.

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The invitation is open to all those who would like to attend and it is hoped that as many people will come as possible so that there will be as many members of the URC present as of the Church of England!   If you would like a ticket please have a word with our Minister.

NEWS FROM GUERNSEY

In December Birthday greetings to Gill McManus on 19^th, Vi Duquemin on 25^th, Thomas Veillard on 27^th and Anniversary greetings to Charles and Eileen Pratt for 16^th.

 In January to Karen Leaman (11^th), Neal Duquemin and Jacob Bough (12^th), Frank Keyho (21^st), Lindsey Veillard (22^nd) and Debby Duquemin (28^th).

 Congratulations to Sara and Matt Waters on the birth of their Daughter Amelie,  Also congratulations to Debbie and Neil Duquemin on the birth of their Granddaughter.

 Caring:- Frank Keyho is back home from Southampton where he had heart surgery.  His progress is slow but sure.   Eileen Pratt continued caring.

 I wish to thank all who cared for us while we were in Southampton as Frank had a heart operation.  Thank you to all who sent cards, it was a great support to us.  Thank you also to Patrick and Gill for being in touch, it was also good to have a visit from Graham Long.  Frank is doing well but is not having visitors yet.
                                                                              Winnie and Frank Keyho

 Ministry of Flowers:  We are very grateful to those on the league of love flower rota for the pleasure your flowers give to the congregation week by week.  We know of the pleasure given to those who receive the flowers afterwards, reminding them that we are remembering them when they are unable to join us in worship.

God bless you all                                                                            Alice Le Page

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Guernsey Fellowship Singers:   On the Friday of the Harvest Weekend the Guernsey fellowship Singers gave a very moving performance at a concert organised by Eileen Pratt assisted by David Knight and Lloyd and Joyce Le Poidevin.  Afterwards we all enjoyed the delicious refreshments and a raffle.  The evening made an excellent £171.50 for church funds.

 Rosemary, Amanda and Marion would like to invite you to the toddlers Christmas party on 7th Dec 10am -11.30am.  There will be a small nativity story (not by the Children).  Please come along you are more than welcome.

 Christmas Greetings

Jeanne and Mike Gathercole wish everyone a very Happy Christmas and a healthy and Happy New Year.

Alice Le Page wishes all friends in Guernsey and Jersey a Happy Christmas and God's blessing in the New Year.

Irene Domaille would like to wish Guernsey and Jersey friends a Happy Christmas and good health and happiness for 2012.

Julie and Gary Doggett send Christmas greetings to all their friends and a very happy 2012.

Natalie Gilman would like to wish all of you a Happy Christmas and a Happy New Year, and hopes she has not let you down in the new Christmas decorations department!!! 
Thank you all who sponsored her on the marathon and here is hoping the hard work has paid off.  Sending hugs. Xxxx

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GUERNSEY’S DIARY FOR DECEMBER

ROTAS for DECEMBER

Cleaning – December 16^th Pam & Phyllis

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GUERNSEY’S DIARY FOR JANUARY

ROTAS for JANUARY

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ROTAS for JANUARY (Continued)

Cleaning – January 13^th – Jeanne & Mike

NEWS FROM JERSEY

 NEWS OF THE FAMILY.   Birthday Greetings for December go to George Patterson (1^st), Lucy Sheldrake (2^nd), Christine Holcroft (7^th), Marilyn Gaskell (11^th), Noelle Johnson (13^th), Nathan Nicolle (11 on 15^th), Ron Welling (18^th), Gillian McManus, Ray Robinson and Michael Ruskin (19^th), Phil Osborn (20^th) Carol Romeril (25^th), Mhairi Westwater (2 on 28^th) and Brian Nicolle (31^st).

And in January to Sandra Nicolle (3^rd), Christine Papworth (8^th), Harold Gaskell (13^th), Margaret Welling (a ‘special’ on 18^th), Graeme Mauger (26^th) and Jan Sheldrake (29^th).

 Congratulations to Jonathan Le Brocq on his recent Engagement and to Morag McDonald on her forthcoming ‘happy event’.

 A number of members and friends are suffering from seasonal ailments and   doubtless during the life of this bumper edition of the Messenger others will succumb to colds and coughs, so in advance we wish you all a speedy return to good health.   To those travelling over the Christmas and New Year holidays we wish safe journeys and if you happen to be visiting Jersey you are most welcome.

CHRISTMAS GREETINGS CARDS

As usual, there will be a Post Box available in the vestibule from Sunday 4^th December, for cards to be exchanged with church friends. The last date for distribution will be Sunday 18^th December.

If, as an alternative, you would prefer to leave a single card for display in the church, then please consider making a donation, either to church funds or a charity of your own choice.

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JERSEY’S DIARY AND ROTAS FOR DECEMBER

JERSEY’S DIARY FOR JANUARY

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FLOWER ROTA FOR JANUARY:

 1^st     (hopefully Christmas flowers still)

 8^th     Jan Sheldrake

15^th    Val Mitchell

22^nd   Mike Ruskin

29^th   John du Fresne

 3M’s

After a fascinating Meeting in November when we received a return visit from Jersey Heritage (we all had fun re-living our childhoods!), our next meeting on Monday 5^th December will be our traditional Christmas afternoon.  Please come along, you will be most welcome.

CAROLS

Once again we are invited to St. John’s Parish Church for a united candlelit Carol Service on Sunday 18^th December at 6.00 p.m.   The collection on that occasion will go to SmileTrain – with which we are all familiar.

Our carol singing during late night shopping in St. Helier is on Thursday 8^th December on behalf of The Shelter and Joint Christmas Appeal.   The venue is as usual outside BHS and after the successful time change last year we shall again be singing from 6 to 7 p.m.  As always we shall be combining with friends from the Parish Church but the more voices there are, the easier it all becomes and hopefully the collection rises proportionately.

CHARITY FUND

Our chosen Charity for December is:-

For over 60 years MAF has operated in developing countries, bringing essential aid and spiritual sustenance to many of the world’s most inaccessible and inhospitable locations.

For tens of thousands of people in such places, seeing a doctor, getting a Bible or having adequate food and clean water only happens when our planes arrive.

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Without your continued financial support MAF could not provide the aid so desperately needed. 

Because of the unexpected postponement of the December Church Meeting I regret that I cannot give you details of the January beneficiary.

More updates from Christian Aid partners in Jamaica.

Panos: The Adaptation Fund Board meeting met in June in Bonn, Germany. Panos Caribbean represented Jamaica and participated in a civil society dialogue with the Adaptation Fund Board (AFB). The meeting focused on civil society giving feedback to the AFB on ways they could improve their operational guidelines. There were also some discussions about how they could practically implement their communication strategy.

Panos suggested some collaboration with the Climate Change Media Partnership at the global level as one way to improve their media reach. This was noted as an option to be explored. Panos is also included in Jamaica’s proposal to the Adaptation Fund, to strengthen civil society voice in climate change activities in-country as well as raise public awareness of climate change through the Christian Aid part-funded Voices for Climate Change Education project.

UTCWI: United theological College of the West Indies. UTC facilitated a one-week course in Voluntary Counselling and Testing for staff from Jamaica AIDS Support for Life (JASL), a local NGO that works primarily with marginalised persons including PLHIV, the LGBT community, and commercial sex workers. There were 10 participants: 7 male and 3 female. This built staff capacity to provide pre-and post-test counselling to individuals accessing services at the NGO.

A consultant has been contracted to work on a worship manual incorporating HIV issues and anti stigma-discrimination messages. Two draft sermons have been produced, and work is in progress. This is expected to improve clergy/church leaders’ awareness and ability to raise issues of HIV within the church setting and with congregations.

Mainstreaming of HIV in UTCWI’s curriculum continues. 2 consultants have been contracted and draft documents have been reviewed and revised. This will ensure that courses are in line with the seminary’s HIV policies and do not promote stigma and discrimination.

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Name that (hymn) tune

The tune in last month’s Messenger was “Joy to the World”.   Congratulations to those who got it right and especially to Margaret Welling who was the first to respond.

Try this one – the answer will be found on page 16.

WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY – 18 – 25 January

We will all be changed

Change is at the heart of our Christian faith. Saint Paul said that anyone who is in Christ is a new creation, and we are called to live as children in the light. 

The theme for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2012 comes to us from the churches in Poland, who have reflected upon their own experience as a nation, and in particular how, as a nation, they have been changed and transformed by the many upheavals of their history, and sustained by their faith.

Change is also at the heart of the ecumenical movement. When we pray for the unity of the church we are praying that the churches that we know and which are so familiar to us will change as they conform more closely to Christ. This is an exciting vision, but also a challenging one. Furthermore, when we pray for this transforming unity we are also praying for change in the world. 

LENT LUNCHES – it might seem a bit early to be thinking about Lent but please put these dates in your Diaries.

Sat 25^th Feb                  12.00- 2.00pm Lent lunch in Parish Hall, hosted by the

                                                                Parish Church                  

Sat 3^rd March                12.00- 2.00pm Lent lunch at les Freres

Sat 10^th March              12.00- 2.00pm Lent lunch at the URC

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Sat 17^th March               12.00- 2.00pm Lent lunch in Parish Hall

Sat 24^th March               12.00- 2.00pm Lent lunch at les Freres

Sat 31^st March               12.00- 2.00pm Lent lunch at the URC

AND NOW A VERY IMPORTANT DATE FOR BOTH CHURCHES.

THE MODERATOR’S VISIT 24 – 25 FEBRUARY – JERSEY

                                                     25 – 26 FEBRUARY – GUERNSEY

Full details in the February Issue of The Messenger but here is a message from Reverend Clare Downing:

Some reflections on my first few months as Synod Moderator.

Nine months into my time as Synod Moderator, I’ve reached that strange point where, on the one hand I still feel very new, but on the other I seem to have been here for a very long time.  I’m still struggling to remember names, faces and roles within the church and am thrown when I meet people out of context and try to work out where I know them from.  But I’m also aware that I have a broad view of the Synod that is different from what is seen from a local church.

So what have I been up to?  Here’s just a bit of what I’ve done:

·         traveled several thousand miles – but I am also aware of how many places in the Synod I’ve still not had the chance to visit.

·         had the joy of preparing for worship with groups from many different churches – as well as leading services.

·         welcomed several new ministers into the Synod and said goodbye to others who were retiring or moving on elsewhere.

·         been to numerous meetings – committees, vacancy groups, moderators’ meetings….

·         tried to get a handle on the  way things work in Wessex – and not make too many assumptions about what is ‘normal’.

·         undertaken a significant piece of work during the summer, as a member of the review group looking at the Radical Welcome campaign.

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·         run ‘meet the Moderator’ and Area consultation meetings around the Synod areas

·         tried to find the time to sit and think!

When I took up this post at the beginning of 2011, I did so with a clear sense of having been called to this particular ministry.  One part of my role is the pastoral care and encouragement of churches and ministers – listening to what is happening and challenging them to explore mission further in their own context.  The other side of the role is the strategic planning – looking at the ways in which we can use our resources wisely for the future.

The Synod does not have a purpose separate from that of local churches.  It only exists to support, encourage and equip people for mission.  And Synod is all of us – not some disembodied ‘them’.

I’ve been hugely encouraged by many of the people that I’ve met over the last few months.  I hope that over the next months and years I will continue to be encouraged by what is happening in our churches, but that I will also be an encourager.

God bless

Clare

Name that (hymn) tune; Did you get it?  Rejoice & Sing No. 177 “Once there came to earth..”

And finally.. if you are starting to plan for your Holidays in 2012 take note of some of the complaints received from guests of Thomas Cook Holidays:

“I think it should be explained in the brochure that the local store does not sell proper biscuits like custard creams or ginger nuts.”

“On my holiday to Goa in India, I was disgusted to find that almost every restaurant served curry.  I don’t like spicy food at all.”

“We found the sand was not like the sand in your brochure.  Your brochure shows the sand as yellow but it was white.”

 Happy Christmas everyone!

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Minister

The Revd Patrick McManus

The URC Manse

Sion

St. John

JE3 4FZ

Tel: (01534) 861386 (Joy)

        (01481) 264109(Gee)

E-mail: RevdPatrick@aol.com

Guernsey Local Church Leader

Reverend David Knight

Glencoe,

9, Clos du Roi,

St Peter Port,

  GY1 1PB

(01481) 724440

E-mail: Dave.knight@gov.gg

Church Secretaries

Jersey: Michael Sheldrake

Wayland

3 Le Grande Jardin

La Pouquelaye

St Helier

JE2  3GG

Tel: (01534) 724933

E-mail: m.sheldrake@hautlieu.sch.je

Guernsey: Mrs Sarah Bough

Ch'lisier

Grandes Rue

St Saviours

Guernsey

GY7 9PP

Tel:  (01481) 267127

email: ansafaff@yahoo.co.uk

Magazine Editor

Michael Ruskin

Ocean View, La Route de L’Etacq,

St. Ouen, Jersey, JE3 2FB

(01534) 482366

oceanview@jerseymail.co.uk

Guernsey Production

  Natalie Gilman

(01481) 266626. mobile 07781 126262

nataliegilman.gsy@gmail.com

Website: www.urc.org.je