LET THERE BE LIGHT - palmersgreenurc.org.uk

Palmers Green URC Magazine February 2011

WORSHIP IN FEBRUARY

. 11 am Morning Worship including Communion - Revd. David Jenkins
Sunday February 6th Theme: ‘Wise or Foolish Living?’
Sunday February 13th
11 am Parade Service - Mr. Martin Wells
Theme: ‘Making Friends’

Sunday February 20th 11 am Morning Worship - Mr. Paul Ashitey
Theme: ‘Wise or Foolish Loving?’

Sunday February 27th 11 am Morning Worship - Revd. David Jenkins
Theme: ‘Praying Alone’

Worship is followed by Vision4Life activities in the Burford Hall
and lunch at 1.15 pm.

Revd. Ray Adams is on sabbatical leave for the month of February.

Wednesdays at 12.15 pm - prayers with of the Burford Day Centre, to which anyone is welcome.

The lectionary readings for February Sundays are:

6 February Psalm 112: 1-9
Isaiah 58: 1-9a, (9b-12) Matthew 5: 13-20
1 Corinthians 2: 1-12,(13-16)

13 February
Deuteronomy 30: 15-20 or Sirach 15: 15-20
Psalm 119: 1-8 1 Corinthians 3: 1-9

Matthew 5: 21-37

20 February Psalm 119: 33-40
Leviticus 19: 1-2,9-18 Matthew 5: 38-48
1 Corinthians 3: 10-11,16-23

27 February Psalm 131
Isaiah 49: 8-16a Matthew 6: 24-34
1 Corinthians 4: 1-5

Pastoral Letter

A former teacher of mine wrote in one of her books that she keeps in
her desk drawer a postcard-sized photograph of a dandelion clock.

Looking at it gives her an overwhelming sense of wonder - that something
so often taken for granted can convey the beauty and mind of its Creator.
Yet the beauty of the dandelion depends also on the way in which each
seed is held together.

In tension with that thought is the equally strong sense that, just like the
dandelion clock, what holds people together in a local church or community is fragile. Much depends on
the efforts and commitment of the few to permit things to continue. It explains something of the anxiety
people feel when those in authority try to change church structures (deployment) or society (spending
cuts). Do they know what they are doing? Do they understand us well enough and appreciate sufficiently
the integrity of what holds us together so as to make the right decisions? Are they committed to staying
the course with us and seeing it through, or will they drift off and tinker with something else leaving us
shaken but not stirred?

Palmers Green URC Magazine February 2011

Not everyone takes the same delight in dandelion clocks. Some may see such enthusiasm as a childlike
trait, or just an inability to call a weed a weed! We may indeed be too sentimentally attached to the things
we hold dear, so it will take courage to hear and take on board the views of people who see things
differently from us, who may tell us hard truths. But they may also, if we are prepared to listen, help us
make our churches and communities stronger and more effective.

Looking at a dandelion clock should drive us back to first principles. What is it for? Why is it shaped as it
is? It is certainly not designed to be admired for long, but to be blown in the wind, carrying off seeds to
take root in new places. It is obvious really - to have insight and appreciation of God’s Creation is
wonderful, but Creation is always in process, and moving towards something else.

There are limits to any metaphor. We are not like seeds blown randomly on the wind. We have choices,
influence and opportunities to participate in shaping the future of the communities we hold dear and
belong to. May we always use them positively for the benefit and health of others as well as ourselves.

God bless you.

Ray The Revd Ray Adams

BC:AD

I have just returned from the church's CELEBRATION OF CAROLS held on the Wednesday before
Christmas. Christmas had started for me a week before when daughter, a daughter - in - law, two sons
and the parents of the other daughter-in-law (she was unwell and therefore could not join us) had been to
the Barbican for THE SIXTEEEN's performance of MESSIAH. I once again succumbed to the poignancy of
Catherine Wyn-Rogers singing of 'He was despised and rejected of men' and marvelled at her singing of
the word 'Behold' - as an expression of wonder - in the recitative 'Behold, a virgin shall conceive'.

At the Church's celebration the Advent candles were lit, the lights on the Christmas tree were
switched on, large swathes of evergreen foliage and white blossom framed the hymn number boards
and there was a wonderful arrangement of red flowers and green leaves on the dais. The Service
followed the format but not the contents of the traditional Service of Nine Lessons and Carols: it
included six sections the first of which told of the announcement of the prophet of what will be, the
second of the visit of an Angel to Mary, then the birth of Jesus followed by the angels bringing good
news, the fifth of the wise men coming searching and the last of understanding what it means.

Each section included a reading and/or a poem and a carol and/or hymn. Compiled and led by the
Revd Ray Adams and the Revd David Jenkins, the lessons and poems were read by members of the
choir and congregation and the singing of the carols was by a well-balanced four-part choir of
sixteen voices conducted by Margaret Coolen and accompanied, sometimes at the piano and
sometimes not at all - because he was singing - by Robert Evans. There were many church
members, relations, friends and neighbours present all singing well and an Offering was taken for
Christian Aid. For all these reasons the Service was a joy.

But what about BC:AD? This is a poem by U. A. Fanthorpe which was read in the third section of the
service. Its words are:

This was the moment when Before
turned into After, and the future's
uninvented timekeepers presented arms.

This was the moment when nothing
happened. Only dull peace
sprawled boringly over the earth.

This was the moment when even energetic Romans
could find nothing better to do
than counting heads in remote provinces.

Palmers Green URC Magazine February 2011

And this was the moment
when a few farm workers and three
members of an obscure Persian sect
walked haphazardly by starlight straight
Into the kingdom of heaven.

A poem by Verna S Teeuwissen included in the Service ended with these words:
But if you lose Christmas when troubles befall,
you never have really had Christmas at all.
For once you have had it, it cannot depart
when you learn that true Christmas is Christ in your heart.

By the time you read this the celebration of Christmas, the New Year and Epiphany will have come
and gone but the message of the service remains.

(Brian Smith)

Biblefresh 2011
Biblefresh is a movement celebrating the 400th anniversary of the first publication of the Bible in

the version authorised by King James. It aims to get people more involved in their Bible and the practical
application of its reading, training, translation and experience. The Methodist Church has agreed to be a
part of this along with other churches and organisations. Methodist Conference is celebrating this year by
transcribing the Bible by hand, which is being done by people all over the Connexion; the plan is to have it
finished by the end of May.

More details can be found on the web at www.biblefresh.com
[source: Revd. Dr. Ebute Obiabo, London Methodist District]

UPDATE NEWS OF JUMBLE SALE
The 23rd Southgate Jumble Sale total was already reported as an unparallel success; the revised

amount raised is now being reported as £1714.12
(Donald Smith)

From the ‘Events’ Group
The Group is in the process of planning a social programme for 2011 and hope to publish

information very soon. Unfortunately we have not been able to progress the planning for the proposed
Spring Exhibition as far as we had hoped, so this event is now postponed to Palm Sunday weekend next
year.

However, on Saturday March 19th Tina Ashitey is organising a ‘Taste of Spring’ evening. This
will feature a variety of dishes from Tina’s exotic collection. If you would like to bring an unusual dessert
for others to taste, please let Tina know - it would be fun if we could share the catering in this way. The
evening begins at 6.30 for 7.00.

NOTICEBOARD

POVERTY DAY - Who Counts? - Who Cares?

Thursday 3rd February 10.30 to 4pm at Bethnal Green United Reformed Church Pott Street E2 0EF

Visiting Speakers

Frank Kantor - Church and Society, United Reformed Church

Alison Gelder - Director ,Housing Justice

Reflections from

A Homeless Person A Destitute Asylum Seeker

A Person Living with Disability A Young Person Living on Benefit

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Don’t forget to come to the BOOK SALE on Saturday 12th February from 10.30 - 12.00. There are
boxes in the Nina Anderson room (right door as you enter the main church door) for contributions of
books, CDs and DVDs..

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Palmers Green URC Magazine February 2011

Palmers Green URC Lent Series ‘Pilgrimage and Protest’

There is a kind of prayer which is a strange mix of doubt, anger and puzzlement. Gordon Mursell calls it
‘Prayer as Protest’, and develops his thinking in ‘Out of the Deep’ (Darton. Longman & Todd, 1989). This idea
has sparked the design of our own 2011 Lent Series.

Five stand-alone Thursday evening sessions at the manse at 8pm will explore different aspects of the topic,

using a variety of different media.

Thursday March 10th ‘Pilgrims’ Progress’

Thursday March 17th ‘Psalms of Protest’

Thursday March 24th ‘Journeying Inwards’

Thursday March 31st ‘Images of Freedom’

Thursday April 7th ‘Images of Protest’

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‘MAGIC MOMENTS’ (formerly ‘Senior Moments’)

Weds 26th January
‘A Stroll around Chelsea’ with Sarah Brandi

Weds 16th February
‘Music for pleasure’ with Robert Evans

Weds 16th March
‘A Love Affair with Painting’ with Anne Golding

Weds 20th April
‘Ancient & Modern - Written in Stone’ with David Jenkins

Lunch at 1pm with each session from 2pm - 3pm.
Cost per person £2.00.
DO COME!

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Cause for Celebration Saturday 2nd April 10:00am - 3:00pm
at Trinity URC Slough (106, Windsor Road, Slough, Berks SL1 2JA)

The Programme includes Worship, Workshops, Celebrating the Day’s work, Youth and Children’s
programme, Banquet
The main focus of the workshops is the ‘Urban Church’ but the principles will be similar and just as
important for suburban, city centre and rural congregations.

 How can we develop and maintain a SPIRITUALITY in an urban setting?
 How can we build DISCIPLESHIP within our congregations?
 How can we respond to the call to a variety of MINISTRIES available within the URC?
Organised by the Urban Churches Support Group working with churches in the Thames North and
Southern Synods of the URC.
Contact: Sandra Ackroyd 22 Scarborough Road, Leytonstone, E11 4AL 020 8279 0533 [email protected]

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NEWS ABOUT BROOMFIELD

Broomfield House
In 2009 Faithful & Gould, based in Euston, (part of the Atkins Group) began work on the Restoration
Project for Broomfield House supported by £500,000 funding from the Greater London Authority.1

A public exhibition of the latest proposals was to be held on 20th and 22nd January 2011 at Broomfield
School, Wilmer Way N14 by Green Communications. 2 For those who missed the exhibition or want to
know more details, the proposals and a feedback form will be available online. For details of the online web
link contact Ed Grieve of Green Issues Communications mailto:[email protected]

1. http://www.enfield.gov.uk/news/article/242/broomfield_house_restoration_project_launched
2. Letter from Ed Grieve dated 5th January 2011 and Enfield Independent 12th January 2011

Palmers Green URC Magazine February 2011

Broomfield Park
To reduce the operating costs of the LBE Parks Business Unit a Premises Licence under the Licensing Act
2003 was granted on 12th January 2011 for the whole 54 acres of the Broomfield Park site for all licensable
(regulated entertainment) activities during the hours 7am to 11pm seven days a week unless they want to
serve alcohol, with the premises licence now being granted

 Subject to a prior management agreement with the LBE Parks Business Unit possible Event
Sponsors of the park will no longer have to apply for a Temporary Events Notice

 More than 12 events involving regulated entertainment may occur in the Park each year
For further information, contact Hakema Anderson, Senior Business Support Officer Parks and Open Spaces
020 8379 3154 Mobile:07908 002844, mailto:[email protected]

(Donald Smith)

Sun 6th February local and church DIARY
Sat 12th ‘A Place for Coffee’ is open every Saturday morning from 10.30 to 12 noon
Sun 27th ‘Music Makers’ at 10.30am
Mon 28th Sale of second hand books, DVDs and CDs 10.30 to 12 noon
V4L: Prayer on our own
Meeting Place at 8pm - ‘Painting and Me’ - Rev Edd Turner

Sun 6th March local and church DIARY
Thurs 10th ‘A Place for Coffee’ is open every Saturday morning from 10.30 to 12 noon
Wed 16th
Thurs 17th ‘Music Makers’ at 10.30 am
Lent Group 8pm at the Manse: ‘Pilgrims’ Progress
Sat 19th Elders’ Meeting at 8pm
Thurs 24th Lent Group 8pm at the Manse ‘Psalms of Protest’
Sun 27th ’Taste of Spring’ evening 6.30 for 7.00.
Mon 28th
Thurs 31st Lent Group 8pm at the Manse: ‘Journeying Inwards’
V4L Prayer together
Meeting Place at 8pm - Hallmarking in English Silver - David Orfeur
Lent Group 8pm at the Manse ‘Images of Freedom’