C I Messenger - The United Reformed Church in Jersey

Birthday Greetings this month go to Morag McDonald on 4^th; Ian Sperry on 11^th; Bruce Holcroft on 17^th and John Verbeyst on 23^rd. Off Island we send greetings to John Bint on 7^th.

We are pleased to learn that Beryl Richard is making good progress and by the time you read this we trust that John Verbeyst will have recovered from his recent accident. As always we remember those unable to be with us on Sundays and especially Betty and John Du Fresne and Olivia le Marquand.

At the last Church Meeting, a programme of social and fund-raising events was agreed. It was agreed that there would be no Autumn Fayre this year since there were fewer members available to provide assistance with the organising of this fund-raiser. However, the church is not in a position to afford the loss of the income from this event. Whilst we have cut our expenditure by effectively halving our M&M contribution to just over £8,000, we will still need to raise significant funds to cover the costs of maintaining church property. Most immediately, damp penetration is significantly affecting the internal decor of the Sanctuary at its southern end. This work alone will require the sealing of external structural cracks, the removal and replacement of internal ceiling plaster and general redecoration. As well as this, we will need to repair and/or replace some of the windows on the eastern side of the sanctuary and in the long room.

At this point in time, we are seeking quotes and hope to begin the work as early as possible in order to prevent further deterioration to the building and hence the significance of the fund-raising events this year.

The first of these is a jumble sale on Saturday 20^th March at St. Bernadette’s. Our last jumble sale was a great success and resulted in excess of £300 being raised. We would like to achieve a similar or greater target but this depends on the extent and quality of goods we have to sell and the degree of help we have on the day. Consequently, I would encourage you to see what items you could give to the church in order to sell and if you could offer some time on the day with organising the event.

We have planned a second jumble sale in the Autumn and hope to have a number of car boots and so the more you can offer means the more we can sell and the more funds the church raises.

I was taken aback recently when one of my daughters asked me the meaning behind Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday and its relationship with Lent. I explained the importance of Jesus’ 40 days of temptation in the wilderness and its meaning in a modern Christian’s life. However, whilst she understood this she was still struck by the terms “shrove” and “ash”. I found myself having to explain the ancient concept of being shriven and penitential symbol of ash. Surprisingly, it seemed to make sense to her but she finished by saying that she still did not intend to give up chocolate for Lent as some of her friends had stated.

Personally, I find these modern “sacrifices” or penances rather self-indulgent since they have more to do with young women wanting a better figure than suffering as the Lord did. In our modern Christian world concepts such as fasting no longer seem necessary and penance seems such a medieval concept. So what should we do in Lent?

Importantly, we should actively recognise the interests of others less fortunate than ourselves and make some sacrifice to help them. Lent lunches are a small but significant symbol of our commitment to this concept. By attending and eating a simple basic lunch, we recognise the simplicity of other lives and by generously giving, we show our sacrifice to our fellow man.

This year we are hosting lunches on March 6^th & 27^th at 12.00am. I would urge you to attend and give generously. This year all proceeds from the URC lunches will be passed to Commitment for Life and particularly to be used to support the ongoing work in Jamaica.

Monday	1^st	2.30pm	3M’s
Thursday	4^th	10.00am 7.30pm	Bible Study at The Manse Elders’ Meeting
Friday	5^th	1.00pm	Women’s World Day of Prayer at The Salvation Army Meeting Room, Minden Place
Saturday	6th	12-2pm	Lent Lunch at URC
Sunday	7^th	10.30am	Morning Worship and Holy Communion - Rev’d Patrick McManus Charity Fund: Jersey Parkinson’s Disease Society	Coffee
Tuesday	9^th	7.30pm	Church Meeting
Saturday	13th	12-2pm	Wessex Synod at Avenue St. Andrews Lent Lunch at Sion
Sunday	14^th	10.30am	Mothering Sunday -Morning Worship with Amnesty Letter: John Verbeyst	Coffee
Saturday	20^th	10.00am 12 – 2pm	Jumble Sale at St. Bernadette’s Lent Lunch at St. John’s School Hall
Sunday	21^st	10.30am	Morning Worship: Revd Patrick McManus Deadline for Messenger Copy	Coffee
Thursday	25^th	7.30pm for 8	Bible Study at The Manse
Saturday	27^th	12-2pm	Lent Lunch at URC
Sunday	28^th	10.30am	BST begins – clocks FORWARD 1 hour All Age Worship: Revd Patrick McManus	Coffee

March	Elder	Welcome	Reader	Flowers	Coffee
7th	Jan & Mike R	John V	Laura	Gill	Sue
14^th		Ray	Sandra	Sue	Laura & Jim
21^st	Ian	Margaret P	Mike R	Margaret W	?
28th	Brian	Mike R	John V	Noelle	Margaret P

Looking ahead to Easter – Maundy Thursday (April 1^st) 8.00pm Tenebrae here led by Michael Sheldrake; Good Friday 10.30am Service at St. Columba’s led by Revd Randolph Scott;

Easter Saturday morning decorating the Church and Easter Sunday breakfast at 9.00am approx followed by Worship led by Michael Ruskin at 10.30am to include Holy Communion. This year Patrick and Gillian will be spending Easter with the Church in Guernsey

And looking even further ahead to Liberation Day, which as you will not need reminding is on a Sunday this year, the three Churches in St. John will hold a united service in the Parish Church at 10.30am and this will be followed by a Street party in the Precinct about which more news in due course.

WROC (Women's Resource and Outreach Centre): Christian Aid has recently signed a contract for additional funding from the European Commission to strengthen the programme in St. Thomas for another 2 years. The total project cost is Euro 420,000, with Christian Aid’s contribution Euro 105,000 over 2 years. WROC will continue to implement the project. The need to find this level of funding from the budget underscores how much the Commitment for Life funding is appreciated, and how easily it can be used by the programme!

Have you looked at the Commitment for Life website recently? On it you will find an excellent Lent programme – do give it a try, you will not be disappointed (www.urc.org.uk/what_we_do/commitment_for_life/countingthecost will get you directly to it)

Looking back to 2009 I am pleased to be able to report that the Charity Fund raised the grand total of £1,612. Of that £645 went to Commitment for Life (much the same as in 2008 - £650) but giving to the other 9 Charities increased by 35% to £976 – a truly splendid effort in view of the prevailing economic situation. Thank you all very much.

One of our most successful collections was for SmileTrain from whom I have received a DVD called “Smile Pinki” which I can wholeheartedly

recommend. It is currently doing the rounds but should be available on the CfL table in Church for you to take home to watch.

In January we raised £38 for the Women’s Refuge plus £90 which went to the Red Cross to assist in relief work in Haiti following the earthquake. At the time of writing I have £132 accumulating for Commitment for Life.

In March we are thinking of The Jersey Parkinson’s Disease Society, the Jersey Branch of which was founded in 1989.

It is always very busy with fundraising activities and operating costs are minimal. Substantial monies have been raised over the years and it is considered that there are probably few, if any, branches in the country who do as much for their members.

In addition to this the Jersey Branch has funded the purchase of several expensive items of equipment for medical research in the U.K.

The arrival of a new Minister always results in a church reviewing its situation and structures. This was no different with Reverend Harmer’s ar rival. He had been previously the Minister of Hythe URC just outside Southampton and therefore he brought to the Channel Islands the experience of leading a church located in urban suburbs. He also had the added advantage of being the Interim Moderator during the interregnum and therefore had some understanding of the needs of St John.

One of his first actions was to seek the views of the church as to the direction forward by encouraging all members to contribute their thoughts through a questionnaire. In September 1985, Church Meeting gave

consideration to the first item on the questionnaire, the buildings. The concept of building a side vestibule against the east wall of the Sanctuary was still a dream for a number of members though it had been defeated two years previously. Again it was debated vigorously but again the proposition was defeated and it was accepted that it would not be raised again.

Nevertheless it was accepted that there was inadequate space for members to socialise before the beginning of the service. Therefore, Mr Le Quesne proposed and Mr Ruskin seconded that the rear screen should be moved forward and three pews should be removed to accommodate its new location. This was agreed unanimously.

At the next church meeting, the focus was the second point of the questionnaire which related to the use of the sanctuary. There was pressure from some members to modernise worship but the structure of the sanctuary inhibited this. A minority proposed the removal of all pews but this was heavily defeated. However, proposed by Mr Osborn and seconded by Mr Le Quesne, it was agreed to remove some of the pews at the front of the church in order to create a more open worship space. Mr Osborn also secured the agreement of the meeting to obtain an extension dais so that plays and musical performances could be presented in the sanctuary. Mr Le Quesne also secured the agreement of the meeting that facilities should be introduced to help the hard of hearing.

In February 1986, the church began to consider the third aspect of the questionnaire which was their work with children. Initially the church received a report from Mr Mike Sheldrake who was Pilot Captain and assisted in Junior Church. This stimulated consideration of the use of more modern worship resources, involvement of parents and the position of young adults.

Discussion on this questionnaire had ended by April 1986 and it was decided to establish a sub-committee composed of the Minister, Mr Mitchell (House Manager), Mr Charles and Mr Ruskin to determine the priorities and the costs involved in the decisions already taken. In October 1987, Mr Verbeyst who had replaced Mr Mitchell as House Manager and Mr Ruskin reported the costs involved and at the December meeting, it was agreed to move the rear screen forward to increase the size of the vestibule, purchase new porch doors and acquire dehumidifiers

and heaters. It was also agreed to purchase a minibus for the church though later the decision was reversed owing to costs.

The year 1987 did involve one sad event. The anniversary oak that had been planted in 1909 on the bank in the south west corner of the church grounds had shown sign of disease. Attempts by Mr le Marquand to solve the problem failed and it became necessary to cut it down. It had lived for nearly 80 years and in 2009 it was replaced by a bicentenary tree placed in the east of the Manse garden confirming the continued flourishing of the church.

It is good to see Marie De La Mare at the coffee mornings after her spell in hospital.
Ernest De La Mare is also doing well after his operation.
Our thoughts are with Eileen Pratt as she continues with her treatment.

There have been so many with coughs and colds, too many to mention by name, but they are in our prayers.

Happy Birthday Greetings to: Joyce Anderson (4^th); Charles Pratt (10^th); Ivy Ferbrache and Kim Carre (11^th); Joan Anderson (12^th) Andrew Bough (18^th); Eileen Pratt (19^th); Mabel De La Mare (22^nd) and Ellie Knight (11 on 28^th).

Patrick and Gillian will be organising a Quiz Evening on the aforementioned date. Everybody is welcome, bring a friend or family member to make up a team of 4 to 6 the more the merrier.

We will be serving refreshments and organising a raffle. If you are able to make a cake do please let Gillian or myself know. All donations for the raffle table will be greatly appreciated. Many hands make light work......! There will be a charge of £5.00 per head for Church Funds.

Once again I will be organising the Lent Lunch, to be held in the URC Church Hall. It is always well attended and I hope that it will be the same this year.......perhaps with a few more new faces.

Please join us in fellowship, everybody is welcome. There will be a retiring collection.

Before the service on Palm Sunday, 28th March, we will be having our usual stroll round the lanes of Perelle, waving our palm fronds, in celebration of the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem 2000 years ago. I don't think we will be walking with a donkey, but there are usually a few four-legged friends accompanying us. We will be meeting at the church at 10 o'clock ready to set off at 10.10am. If you have any palms in the garden, please bring some palm fronds with you.

On the 28^th March 2010 we in the Guernsey church will be doubly blessed, not only do we have the local branch of the Royal Logistics Corps Association celebrating “Formation Sunday”, we will also have the Rainbow’s and Brownies joining us for their parade service.

Although the RLC was formed in 1993, the forming corps give it a rich heritage dating back through the years to the thirteenth century.

Our parade service, will, as usual, start at 10:30am, during which the standards of both the local branch of the Royal Logistics Corps Association and that of the Brownies will be paraded.

It will be nice to have the Rainbows and Brownies joining us so they can get to know us and the members of Junior Church.

The Service will be conducted by yours truly, Padre to the Channel Island Branch of the RLC Association.

Please support your church. So come and join us, bring your friends and family, help us fill the church for this time of outreach and community involvement.

There will be a time of fellowship after the service, where tea and coffee will be served to enable people to chat and get to know one another.

The RLC Association is to promote and develop the Corps' corporate identity and aims to achieve this through concern for Corps members, Regular and Territorial Army, serving, retired and their dependants.

This includes fostering welfare, pride of heritage, sport and other activities. It also facilitates reunions and provides help to those in need.

The Corps family is conscious of the continuing role of the Forming Corps in the regimental family and the varying and increasing needs of our predecessors.

It is developing as The RLC matures and hopes to embrace all who have served with The Royal Logistic Corps and its predecessors.

The Association is there to provide a focus for all members of The RLC to keep in touch, to provide assistance to those of us in real need and to provide a close knit network of like-minded people for those who have left and are seeking new careers or a change in career.

Tuesday	2^nd	4.30pm 6.30pm	Rainbows Brownies
Wednesday	3^rd	10.00am	Mums and Toddlers
Friday	5^th	2.30pm 7.30pm	Women’s World Day of Prayer Forest Methodist Church: Rev Jan Le Billon Les Cotils Christian Centre: Rev Paul Chesworth
Saturday	6^th	12 noon	St. Saviour’s Parish Church Lent Lunch
Sunday	7th	10.30am	Morning Worship and Junior Church led by Lindsey Veillard & Sarah Bough Coffee
Tuesday	9^th	4.30pm 6.30pm 7.30pm	Rainbows Brownies Elders’ Meeting
Wednesday	10^th	10.00am	Mums and Toddlers
Thursday	11^th	10.00am	Coffee Morning
Friday	12^th	7.30pm	Quiz Evening (see page 9)
Sunday	14th	10.30am	Morning Worship and Junior Church led by Revd Patrick McManus - Coffee Copy for April Messenger this week please
Tuesday	16^th	4.30pm 6.30pm	Rainbows Brownies
Wednesday	17^th	10.00am	Mums and Toddlers
Thursday	18^th	10.00am	Coffee Morning
Sunday	21st	10.30am	Morning Worship, Holy Communion and Junior Church led by Revd David Knight - Coffee
Tuesday	23^rd	4.30pm 6.30pm	Rainbows Brownies
Wednesday	24th	10.00am 12.30pm	Mums and Toddlers Lent Lunch (see page10)
Thursday	25th	10.00am	Coffee Morning
Sunday	28th	10.10am 10.30am	BST begins – clocks forward one hour Palm Sunday Walk round the lanes of St. Saviour’s Morning Worship, Junior Church and Parade Service led by Revd David Knight - Coffee
Communion			Sue Veillard

March	Vestry	Door Duty	Sunday Coffee
7^th	Marion Batiste	Brian Veillard	Jeanne
14^th	Brian Veillard	Frank Keyho	Lindsey & Nikki
21^st	Marion Batiste	Jeanne Gathercole	Frank & Winnie
28th	Brian Veillard	David Le Poidevin	Julie & Gary

March	Thursday Coffee Mornings		Cleaning
4^th	Jean & Dave	12^th	Jeanne & Mike
11^th	Jeanne &Pam DLM	26th	Marion & Enid
18th	Enid & Janet B
25^th	Rose & Jennice

Guernsey Helps the Heroes

Islanders’ generosity has amazed the organisers of a festive fundraising march for wounded British troops, with donations topping a thousand pounds per mile.

The ‘Yuletide Yomp’ organised by the Channel Island branch of Help for Heroes, raised over £13,100 for wounded service personnel. The 13-mile march took place on 28 December and was the brainchild of local soldier Alex Ward, who is serving with 5^th Battalion the Rifles. Mr Ward personally took part in the event, with several other serving and retired local servicemen.

Ben Remfrey, Help for Heroes Channel Island Co-ordinator, said he was delighted: We set our sights on raising £5,000, but the money just kept on coming.’ He added: ‘It’s an awe-inspiring display of Guernsey generosity and we’re all extremely grateful.’

The fundraising received an early boost from the congregation of the Guernsey URC. The Rev. David Knight, explained: ‘We were keen to get involved, so we

decided to donate the Christmas Eve collection plate to the Yuletide Yomp.’ He added: ‘We’re very pleased to hear that it’s been so successful.’

David is the Padre of No.1 (Channel Islands) Branch, The Royal Logistic Corps Association, and has recently been appointed Padre to Help for Heroes in the Channel Islands.

Bryn Parry, Co-founder and Chief Executive of Help for Heroes, commented: “When Emma and I decided to do our bit to help wounded servicemen in 2007, we had no idea so many people across Britain would decide to join us and, together, create the Help for Heroes phenomenon. ‘The money raised, £37m to date, is all used to provide direct, practical support to those wounded in the service of our country.

The Yuletide Yomp started and finished at the Rocquettes Hotel and ran via Cobo, L’Islet and the Bridge, before heading south to St Peter Port. The marching troops collected donations along the route, as well as in pubs and buses.

All serving troops marched in combat uniforms and carried 20kg packs. They were joined on the Yomp by Hero the bear, the charity’s mascot, who features in fundraising events throughout the world.

Devotions: Using the service sheet from WPCU ecumenical service Father Michael read the prayer on page 2, members read verses from Psalm 119 together and the Chairman led the Peace which was exchanged with everyone.

Review of Week of Prayer for Christian Unity – The Chairman asked the Secretary to write letters to the Guernsey Press, BBC Guernsey, Island FM and Channel Television thanking them for their coverage of WPCU. The Chairman said he had felt privileged to have led one lunchtime session. Other members who attended lunchtime prayers said, even with few people in attendance, it was good to share fellowship with Christians from other churches and was particularly worthwhile over lunch. There was ecumenical fellowship between Forest Methodists and Forest Parish Church when they combined for a lunch,

said Margaret Boden-Heaume. The Chairman wondered if the clergy would like to do something like this more often, not just during the WPCU. He added that a widely advertised Men’s Breakfast was attended by 32 men. With a few new faces but he would have liked to see 50 or more.

Pulpit Exchange: The Rev Canon Marc Trickey has informed the Chairman that he may arrange the exchange for one more year only so someone would need to take on the task in the future. There were 13 exchanges this year, compared to 23 last. Mrs Le Messurier said she enjoyed hearing a different point of view, however the exchange involving St Mary’s Lislet, didn’t take place and Mrs Bessell was unsure why. Jo Dorey said she had visited another church which proved a valuable experience meeting and sharing with other people in a different fellowship. Lloyd Le Poidevin spoke of the shared Holy Communion with St Saviour’s on the Thursday morning and pulpits were exchanged on the Sunday.

Evacuees Service on 20 June 2010: Mrs Ann Morris who was the instigator of the service which will be dedicated to the 70^th Anniversary of the evacuation has now declined responsibility through ill health. In fact, the Chairman was advised not to contact her. Mrs Morris always felt that CTG would have a part to play. Rev Philip Carrington has confirmed that St Stephen’s Church is free on the afternoon of 20 June and after considerable discussion re the suitability of using a church, it was decided that the service will take place at St Stephen’s with a Tea afterwards at Les Rocquettes, which had been the original idea of Mrs Morris. Someone will be invited to lead the service and various clergy/lay people will be asked to speak briefly about their experiences with reflection on the places to which they were evacuated. It was said, Mrs Morris had put on an exhibition at the church, and has been heard on the radio organising a Burns Night, looking for

money for the Scots people which would be given to the Provost of Glasgow Cathedral as a gift for some facility in Glasgow when Mrs Morris visits the Cathedral on about 11 April. This was confirmed by the Dean and Mrs Le Messurier. Mrs Boden-Heaume said she would make a list of suggested people to be invited. The Dean is being requested to attend the Glasgow visit.

The Dean summarised that CTG is offering to support the evacuees, by arranging a service at St Stephen’s Church with Tea afterwards at Les Rocquettes, to which they would all be invited, including the wider families etc.

A letter should be sent to all churches, making the event widely known, asking if anyone would like to be involved to please contact the Secretary.

The Dean asked if Joan Ozanne knew CTG were offering to arrange the service and the Chairman replied he had spoken to her.

Treasurer’s Report: The treasurer gave his report saying there was a balance of £3,752.10 in the current account of which £1,000 is ring-fenced for People’s Liberation Day Service. Culture & Leisure have said they cannot guarantee a grant of £1000 in 2011. The Chairman said he considered

the balance of £3,700 was too much to hold on to and wondered if a donation should be made to Haiti. The treasurer said CTG has only been a charity for 18

months and in that regard the Dean said he was reluctant to agree to a charity giving to another charity and would prefer the money was ear-marked for the Talents & Treasures Festival as this is what the churches pay their subscriptions for. The Chairman remarked that Rev Mike Kierle has booked St Martin’s Community Centre free of charge and St Martin’s Church is also available to use.

Good Friday Walk: Father Philip Carrington has confirmed that he will be in touch with the churches shortly with the details.

Sunrise Service at Les Cotils: The Chairman confirmed that in place of Rev Graeme Beebee and Rev Stephen Robinson, Captain Barrie Ashton and Captain Jamie Hill would be arranging the service this Easter Sunday.

People’s Liberation Day Service: The Chairman confirmed the service will take place at St James on Sunday 9 May with the preacher being the International leader of the Salvation Army, General Clifton Shaw. General Shaw will be accompanied by his private secretary, Major Gaudion and other Salvation Army Officers. Culture & Leisure have given £1,000 to cover any expenses but any surplus must be returned with an itemised statement of expenditure by 28 May at the latest. Refreshments will be served at St James from 9.45am with the service commencing at 10.30am, lasting approximately 1 ¼ hours. There will be joint SA bands, organ and piano, singers and choirs. Two people will be interviewed by Rev Andrew Sharp about their experiences during the occupation. The Secretary has prepared a letter which will be sent to all the churches requesting that 10-15 people from each church including a couple of young ones, should be encouraged to attend the service. On 9 February the service outline should be finalised and when printed will then be available for member churches so all the churches can be united on Liberation Day. The Dean will be at the Town Church but he assures members there would be enough clergy to cover the service at St James and went on to say he rejoices that the SA are leading it because they had to close down during the war, mentioning Marie Ozanne, who wore her uniform despite the ban, she was arrested and eventually died in terrible conditions in prison. The Dean added that her uniform is on display at the Occupation Museum.

Talents & Treasures Festival: St Martin’s Church will be available during Saturday and Sunday afternoon. The Chairman said the Festival was mentioned on the back of the service sheet for the WPCU ecumenical service at Les Cotils and he asked members to go back to their churches and promote the Festival as CTG would like every church to participate. He hoped members would come back in April with positive ideas. The Dean clarified that each church would have a stall to tell their story, and the Chairman confirmed tables would be supplied. The media will be involved. One member had suggested it should be for member churches only but the Chairman thought it could be extended to all churches. If they all come, said the Dean, there will be 60. The Dean proposed that, in view of

our finances, the Talents & Treasures Festival be financed by the CTG. This was seconded by Mrs Teresa Humphry.

Date of Next Meetings: The next meeting is Wednesday 21^st April, 7.30pm at Les Cotils Christian Centre. The Chairman confirmed that the Management are happy to offer the Upper Room to CTG free of charge.

The Chairman proposed the AGM be held on Thursday 10 June so as to avoid clashing with the Football World Cup and Wimbledon coverage. The following meeting will be arranged for 30 September, 7.30pm at Les Cotils Christian Centre.

The United Reformed Church in Jersey

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Guernsey Helps the Heroes