2013 dec 2014 jan

Catalyst

December 2013January 2014

THE MAGAZINE OFHAYES FREE CHURCH (U.R.C.)

Final preparations for the Christmas Fair on 9th November 2013.

Copy for the February 2014 edition needs to be handed in bySunday, 12th January.

Please submit items in good time.You can leave copy in the “B” Pigeon Hole for Richard Brown to collect,

or hand it directly to him on a Sunday morning.You can also e-mail copy to [email protected]

Thank You. Editor

Principal ContactsMinister: Rev. Sue Powell Tel: 020 8462 2212Church Secretary: Mrs Mavis Righini Tel: 020 8462 1168Fabric Steward Mr. Chris Wood Tel: 020 8462 2444Treasurer: Mr. Simon Narracott Tel: 020 8462 2004Lettings Secretary: Mrs Undine Connolly Tel: 020 8776 0108Caretaker: Mr. Ian Jones Tel: 020 8313 1556Church Website www.hayesfreechurch.comCatalystEditor: Mr Richard Brown

Contents : - Items not covered by the diary of events.

HAYES FREE CHURCH111, Pickhurst Lane, Hayes, Kent BR2 7HUSunday Services. 10.30 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.We are a member of the United Reformed Church.We believe in Justice and Peace.

This month’s website: -The website of the month is the one from which material will be drawn

for "The Way Things Once Were" over the next year. This link will takeyou to the home page - www.oucs.ox.ac.uk/ww1lit/about

Now, turn to Pages 16 & 17 for more details of the website, and of acompetition........ Ed

Sunday Services 2Church Notices 3 - 5Notes on visiting preachers 3A Quote 4How wrong you can be 6Christmas Tree Festival 7Christmas Fair & Charity Card Sale 10The Nation’s 10 best hymns 10Season’s Greetings 11, 14

Notice Board 12 - 13Three Christmas stories 15Website of the month and competition 16 - 17Extra Notice Board 18 - 19URC Moderator’s letter 20 - 21The way things once were 21Things you never hear in Church 24Church Organisations I B C

1

Letter from the MinisterDear Friends,Christmas! Do you remember the excitement?In those days before ‘political correctness’ cameinto being… I refuse to purchase cards with thewords ‘Seasons Greetings’ or ‘Happy Holiday’. Weare celebrating Christmas –the celebration ofChrist’s birth.

So many people in our multi-cultural, multi-faith society feel the need toprotect others from ‘insult’ when our Christian country celebrates itsfaith. Yet Muslims and Hindus and others are happy not only for us tocelebrate, but to join in. In her first Christmas as Conservative Partychairman, Baroness Warsi had been upset to discover that the proposedofficial chairman’s card had no mention of Christianity – so she binned itand replaced it with a ‘proper traditional card, with Merry Christmas on it’.She insisted that, for her, there was no contradiction between being adevout Muslim and celebrating Christmas. Dr. Rowan Williams said: “Theweary annual attempts by right-thinking people in Britain to ban ordiscourage Nativity plays or public carol-singing out of sensitivity to thesupposed tender consciences of other religions fail to notice that mostpeople of other religions and cultures both love the story and respect themessage.”

It’s far more likely to be people of no faith who are flying the flag forpolitical correctness!

We seem to spend too much of our time and energy lamenting the“politically correct” brigade instead of focusing on our own spiritualpreparations for the season. In the words of the old song, we need to

“accentuate the positive and eliminate the negative.”Every peace-loving Christian and congregation could do with showing moreunconditional love. Instead of judging others and condemning others, weneed to get alongside others, and seek to understand them and love them.After all, that is what our God did when he came as a vulnerable child intoour dark and sinful world, one cold winter’s night in Bethlehem. What hedid for me and for you, we need to do for others or else we lose allcredibility in the eyes of the world.

May you all enjoy a blessed Christmas.

2

Sunday ServicesDecember 2013

1st10.30 am - Morning Service - Jim Holman 6.30 pm - Evening Service - The Minister with Pickhurst Junior

School (No Holy Communion)

8th10.30 am - Parade & Gift Service - The Minister 6.30 pm - C.T.H. with musical accompaniment by musicians

from Hayes School

15th 10.30 am - Morning Service - Margaret Smith with puppet 6.30 pm - Carols by Candlelight - The Minister

22nd10.30 am - Nativity by the Brownies & Holy Communion -

The Minister 6.30 pm - Evening Service - Pastor Roy Powell

29th10.30 am - Joint Morning Service - at Beckenham United

Reformed Church There will be no Evening Service.

January 2014

5th 10.30 am - Morning Service - Rev Geoff Larcombe 6.30 pm - Holy Communion - The Minister

12th 10.30 am - Morning Service - The Minister 6.30 pm - Evening Service - The Minister

19th 10.30 am - Morning Service - John Cox 6.30 pm - Evening Service - The Minister

26th 10.30 am - Holy Communion - The Minister 6.30 pm - Evening Service - David and Alison Hawthorn

See the facing page for notes on the visiting preachers.

February 2014

2ndCandlemas Day10.30 am - Morning Service - Margaret Smith with puppet 6.30 pm - Holy Communion - The Minister

3

News of the Church FamilyAnnouncements are welcome :-BMD - Changes of address, etc.

Contact detailsv Helen Hebbes has moved to Glebe Court,

Glebe Way, West Wickham, BR4 ORZv Jenny Carr's e-mail address is :[email protected]

Your prayers would be appreciated for: -Marjorie Curry, Ruth Rees, and Jessie Martin.

Church MeetingsThe next Elders’ meetings will be on Wednesday, 11th December 2013at 7.30 pm, and Tuesday 7th January 2014, at 8.00 pm in the small hall.

The next Church meeting will be on Sunday 26th January at 12.00noon after the morning service.

Women's Contact GroupThe Contact Group will NOT be meeting in December. In 2014, we willmeet on 6th January at Joan Cook’s home - 12, Broadoaks Way, andthen on 3rd February at Jenny Carr’s home - 152, Langley Way.Meetings start at 8.00 pm.

Sylvia Mack

v Jim Holman is a Methodist preacher. He has led services at HFC inthe past.

v Mrs. Margaret Smith is a Methodist Lay Preacher. She has ledservices at HFC on a number of occasions. This time, she will beaccompanied by a puppet.

v Pastor Roy Powell is a Lay Preacher at Camberwell Green U.R.C. – aswell as being Sue’s husband!

v Revd Geoff Larcombe is a local representative from the Bible Society.He spoke at the Bible celebration supper in the spring of 2011.

v John Cox is known to us, having conducted services at HFC in thepast.

v David and Alison Hawthorn are members of the HFC congregation.David has contributed articles for Catalyst. They are taking the leadin two groups at HFC.

Some notes on the visiting preachers.

4

Tuesday Prayer Meetings for December and JanuaryHeld at 10.00am at the following homes:- 3rd Martin Nunn’s. 10th Betty Coster’s. 17th Brenda Cordingley’s. 24th & 31st There will be no meetings.January 7th Martin Nunn’s. 14th Betty Coster’s. 21st Brenda Cordingley’s. 28th The Church.

Then in February: - 4th Martin Nunn’s.NOTE: Double check these arrangements in the Sunday Link sheets.Please address any queries to Martin Nunn.

Saturday FellowshipWe will NOT be meeting in December. The next meeting will be on the

4th of January, 2014 at 2.30pm at Barbara Jones’ home. Martin Nunnwill be leading a Bible Study. You are welcome to join us.

Men's GroupOur next meeting will be in the small hall on Thursday 17th January at8.00 pm for a New Year’s Feast organised by Bill Bowman.

Ministry of FlowersThank you to those who will be providing flowers over the next 2

months.

A big thank you to those who kindly arrange the flowers when needed.After the Sunday evening services, the flowers are distributed tomembers and friends, bringing joy to the recipients.Mavis Righini

December 1st - Doreen Hobbs 8th - Kay & Tony Atkinson15th - Margaret

i.m.o. Nell & Syd Williams22nd - Janet & John Moren

29th - Gill at Beckenham URCJanuary

5th - Gill & Chris Woodi.m.o. Matthew

12th - Mr & Mrs Yonge

19th - Ruth White i.m.o. Her mother 26th - Amanda & Jason Matthewsi.m.o. Baby Sasha

Being kind is much more important than being right, for sometimes all aperson needs is not a brilliant mind that speaks, but a patient heartthat listens. Unknown

5

Hayes Mothers’ & Toddlers’ ClubWe welcome all babies and children under school age, accompanied

by their parents, grandparents or carers, to our club on Fridayafternoons between 2 and 4pm during term time. The fee is £1 perfamily – tea, squash and biscuits are provided.

This is a time when adults can meet up, while the children in their careare busy playing with toys and activities in the company of otherchildren.

Our CHRISTMAS PARTY and last meeting of term is on December 6th at2.15pm

Tickets priced at £2.50 per child must be bought in advance!Our first meeting for 2014 is on January 10th at 2.00pmMay we wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!'We look forward to seeing you.Judith Stoner - Secretary.

Bible Study GroupThe Bible Study group meets on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of eachmonth at 2.30pm in the small hall.

Please note we will NOT be meeting on the 26th of December.

Worship GroupThe Wednesday Reflections Group meets at 6.30pm on the 4thWednesday of each month.Please note we will NOT be meeting in December.Linda Michie

Notice Sheets - December, January & 1st Sunday in February December 1st & 8th Brenda Cordingley 8462 3867 15th & 22nd Pam Collison 8658 0748 29th Joan Smith 8462 3920 January 5th Joan Smith 12th & 19th Daphne Cummings 8777 2487 26th Brenda Cordingley February 2nd Brenda Cordingley

If you require items to be included in the notice sheets, pleasecontact the appropriate person by the previous Tuesday.

6

Women's Fellowship

M eetings are in the small hall at 2.00 p.m., unless otherwise stated,on Tuesdays and finish about 3.30 p.m.

The December meetings will be: - 3rd Emmanuel Women’s Fellowship Tea. (Pick up from HFC)10th Christmas Party.

The January meetings will be: - 7th No meeting14th Holiday stories / Favourite Greeting cards / Reminiscences 21st Australian Afternoon - Betty Coster28th Holiday Slides – Mary MooreThe first meeting in February will be 4th Mavis and Ken Baker – a musical interlude

MINI-AMBULANCEMembers who use the mini-ambulance are asked to phone

Marion Swanborough on 8462 3981 by 9.00 am on any Tuesday whenthey are unable to come to the meetings.

As always, we welcome all ladies to our meetings. Please come along for apleasant afternoon. We do have a very varied programme with plenty tointerest everyone.

Sue & Marion

How wrong you can be

British people overestimate the number for Muslims in the country by afactor of five. In a survey of 1,015 adults by Ipsos Mori for King'sCollege, London, those who took part said, on average, that 24% ofthe UK are Muslims. The actual number is 5%.

They did even worse on teenage pregnancies, estimating 15% ofteenage girls get pregnant each year, which is 25 times the correctanswer of 0.6%.

And still worse on benefit fraud: they estimated 24% of benefit moneyis claimed fraudulently, when the true figure is 0.7%.

They thought that 26% of the population are immigrants, which is twicethe true figure; and that 30% are black or Asian, when the rightanswer is 11%.

7

Women’s Contact Coffee MorningThere will not be a coffee morning in December. We willbe holding the next coffee morning in the Small Hallfrom 10.00am to 12.00 on the 11th of January, 2014. InFebruary, the coffee morning will take place on the 8th.

We are continuing to raise monies to contribute to disasterrelief funds in different parts of the world.

We hope to see you at the Coffee Mornings, and why not bring afriend?

Please note that the monies raised from the coffee mornings areseparate from those raised through the refreshments trolley afterSunday morning services.

Barbara Jones

The Fairtrade Sunday StallWe hold a fair trade stall after the morning service on the 2nd and 4th

Sunday of each month.In December the stall will be held on the 8th and the 22nd. In Januarythe stall will be held on the 12th and the 26th

Please continue to support your fair trade stall. Thank you.

Richard and Barbara.

CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL 2013Can you Help?

--------------A number of our blind friends from KAB wish to attend the concertto be given by the Beckenham Concert Band.

Would you be prepared to give a lift to the Christmas Tree Festivalon the evening of Saturday 7th December for them: -q A lady plus guide dog from Mayfield Avenue, Orpingtonq A gentleman from Darwen Close, Farnboroughq Two ladies from Hawes Lane, West Wickhamq A lady from Eden Way, Eden Park.

Please contact John Moren if you can give a lift.

8

THE COMPASSIONATE FRIENDS

ARE HOLDING THEIR ANNUAL SERVICE OF

REMEMBRANCE FOR BEREAVED PARENTS

AND THEIR FAMILIES

AT

HAYES FREE CHURCH, PICKHURST LANE, HAYES

ON SATURDAY 21st DECEMBER

AT 6.00 P.M.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT

GILL WOOD ON 0208 462 2444

REFRESHMENTS WILL BE SERVED AFTERWARDS

9

HAYES FREE CHURCHCHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL

IN AID OF KENT ASSOCIATIONFOR THE BLIND

FROM FRIDAY 29th NOVEMBER to SUNDAY 8th DECEMBERThe Festival will be open each day from 2.00 pm from December 2 to December 7.

The Church will be open at service times each Sunday (10.30 am and 6.30 pm)

Admission charges: -THE SNOWMAN - Children £2.00

Adults £4.00IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE -

Adults £4.00CHRISTMAS QUIZ - £2.00 per Person

(Bring your own drinks & nibbles)Tables of 8. Form a team or we willmake up a team if you are on your own.

Programme of Entertainment for the FestivalNovember

Friday 29th Opening Concert 7.30 pmSaturday 30th Film The Snowman

Followed by Tea for Children2.30 pm

Saturday 30th Film It’s a Wonderful Life James Stewart and Donna Reed

7.30 pm

DecemberSunday 1st Pickhurst Junior School 6.30 pmMonday 2nd Bishop Justus School 7.30 pmTuesday 3rd Friends of the Allegri Singers 7.30 pmWednesday 4th Wandle Ringers 7.30 pmThursday 5th Orpington Rock Choir 7.30 pmFriday 6th Christmas Quiz 7.30 pmSaturday 7th Beckenham Concert Band 7.45 pmSunday 8th Churches Together in Hayes with musical

accompaniment by the musicians fromHayes School

6.30 pm

All money raised will go tothe Kent Association for

the Blind

HAYES FREE CHURCH111, Pickhurst LaneBromley BR2 7HU

www.hayesfreechurch.com

Tickets for the films and quiz from John Curry Tel: 020 8249 3663Cheques should be made payable to: -

HAYES FREE CHURCH TREE APPEAL

10

THE NATION’S 10 BEST HYMNS

On Sunday 27 October Songs of Praise had the Big Sing from the RoyalAlbert Hall when the Nation’s 10 best hymns were sung. They were:-

10th The day thou gavest, Lord, is ended 9th Make me a channel of your peace. 8th Guide me O thou great Jehovah 7th Abide with me; fast falls the eventide. 6th And can it be that I should gain 5th Here I am Lord 4th Dear Lord and Father of mankind 3rd Be still for the presence of the Lord 2nd In Christ alone 1st How great thou art

CHRISTMAS FAIR AND CHARITY CARD SALELet me start on behalf of Pam, John Curry and myself by thankingeverybody involved before, on the day and those who helped clearup afterwards.

Once again our usual hard working stall holders did the majority of thework for which we give them great thanks, but to me the success ofour Christmas gatherings proves one thing, we as a church work wellwhen we pull together. It is so rewarding to see all of your smilingfaces, in both halls and with approximately 600 people comingthrough the door on what was a pretty awful day (weather wise), itkept our gallant ‘kitchen kings’ on their toes, culminating in anamazing £2,200 being raised on the day.

It was good that ‘the charities’ had a reasonably good day, andalthough charity cards are available from so many outlets these daysit is no surprise that takings were slightly down, but all the time ‘thecharities’ are keen to have stalls in our church, I feel we shouldwelcome them.

So thank you all again and any constructive recommendations onhow to improve next year would be gratefully received.

Chris Wood

11

Catalyst Needs You!This page will be kept for YOUR contributions - NOTHING ELSE will go on this page.

Hopefully, you will be inspired to share some pictures, poetry or stories.

We send Christmas Greetings to everyonein Hayes Free Church

and best wishes for a peaceful New Year.

Ann and David Watson

Season's Greetings

Continued on page 14 . . . . . .

Christmas Greetings andBest Wishes for the New Year

to everyone at HFC.Our sincere thanks, too, for the warm welcome you have given us.

Kate and Philip Sheardown

To all in Hayes Free ChurchWishing you a happy and peaceful Christmas

Love from Daphne

To all my friends in my Church family with bestwishes for Christmas and the New Year.

May we continue to reach out to each other in love& share Peace and Tranquility of the Holy Spirit

within our Church. X

Jean Ritchie

12

NOTICE

HFC CHRISTMAS POST--------------

It was agreed at a Church meeting earlier this year that itwas an unnecessary expense to send cards to peoplethat we see every week. In these austerity days it was feltthat this was a sensible decision.

Therefore there will be NO Christmas Post this year.However, it was agreed that we could send a card to allour friends at the church and that the card will bedisplayed at the front for all to see. It was also agreed thatwe would make a contribution to a charity, as usual, inlieu of postage. The chosen charity will be decided at theNovember Church meeting.

The November Church meeting will also decide whichcharity will benefit from the collection on Christmas Day.

John Curry

13

BOARD

Saturday 14 December 2013

Due to their previous success theBromley Rock Choir are returning toHayes Free Church, this time to raisefunds for our friends at Nash Collegewhich relies on charity to carry out

their very worthwhile work for studentswith disabilities aged between 17

and 25 yearsThe gig will start at 8 pm and tickets are

available from Margaret Tannock@ £10 which will include mulled wine

and mince pies.If you didn't come the last time let me

encourage you to support thisfund raiser.

Thanks Margaret

Do come to“A CHRISTMAS CRACKER”

PerformanceAt

Bromley Central LibraryOn

Thursday 19th December12 Noon to 2.00 pm

Tickets £5 from Enquiry DeskAnd with refreshments.

It is the last performance this year,directed by Adrian Boynton, and

it’s always excellent.

14

Season's Greetings. . . . . . Continued from page 11

Our best wishes to everyone at HFCfor a Merry Christmas

And a peaceful and prosperous New Yearfrom

Richard & Flora Brown

Best Wishes for aVery Happy Christmas

and New YearTo all my friends at H.F.C.

Thelma Baggs

Merry Christmas and Happy 2014to all at HFC

Judith and David Stoner

15

From the ForumsThere is a family friendly forum dedicated to iPad users. The forumcovers technical and social topics. There is one discussion threadcalled “Everything to do with Christmas”. These are two posts fromthat thread.....

Our family has three Christmas traditions1) We open one gift on Christmas Eve and discuss how we think thatgift will change and/or affect our daily life.

2) The eldest family member present reads "'Twas the night beforeChristmas" just before bedtime.

3) Christmas dinner is not complete without some type of candyscattered around the table - between the dishes. It's usually M&Msor gummy bears and serves as both afters and decoration for thetable.

I'm not sure how or when these traditions started but I remember themsince I was a kid.

The Christmas PuddingI have just recalled the year that my mother decided to buy aChristmas pudding in a can (tin). She had never bought one beforeso had to read the heating instructions on the label which called forheating the can in boiling water. My dad was just about to take a sipof his scotch when there was such a BOOM that he ended upthrowing the glassful in his face. He was yelling in agony with neatwhiskey in his eyes, my mother was frozen with shock at the noise aswe kids headed off to find the source of the explosion. Well.....therewas Christmas pudding all over the kitchen walls, floor and ceilingalong with shrapnel from the can.

She had missed the instruction to pierce the can before heating!Oops...

From the Lincolnshire Family History Society Journal Feb 2013----------------------------------

DRAKARD'S STAMFORD NEWSFriday 3rd January 1834

'GOSBERTON: On Christmas Day the Choir of singers connected withthe Parish Church of Gosberton were desirous of exhibiting their vo-cal powers by singing an anthem on the Nativity of Christ. but as per-mission to do so was peremptorily refused by the Clergyman, thewhole choir took up their instruments and books and left the ministerand congregation to learn the value of their services by the loss ofthem!'

16

Website of the Month

The First World War Poetry Digital ArchiveThere are 2 main sections; the First World War Poetry Digital Archive,and the Great War Archive . Both sections contain a variety of itemswhich relate to WW1. Two examples of memorabilia are shown here.The following wording has been taken from the website.

The First World War Poetry Digital Archive (based at the University ofOxford) made available to the general public a wide array ofarchival resources relating to literature of the First World War. Buildingon the success of Oxford's 'Wilfred Owen Multimedia Digital Archive',and the 'Virtual Seminars for Teaching Literature' project (1996), thismultimedia digital archive contains archival resources from othermajor British poets of the First World War plus images, text, audio andvideo of primary contextual materials.

The archive was one of 22 projects funded by the JISC Digitisationprogramme (Apr 2007 - Mar 2009) delivering high quality onlinecontent for use by the UK further and higher education communities.Further work was made possible through the JISC Enriching DigitalResources Programme (Oct 2008 - Sept 2009).

There can be no doubt aboutthe widespread popularity ofwar poetry, and First WorldWar poetry in particular, inliterature and history coursesacross the country. It is taughtin most universities, FEcolleges and, of course, atschool level. It also continuesto attract considerable

public attention due to the culturalimportance of the period for modernday Britain, and the way it shapedattitudes to warfare.

The Great War ArchiveA Community Collection

The development of The Great WarArchive has enabled the remotecontribution of digital objects to thecollection, thus releasing material which

Item A

Item B Continued on Page 17 ....

17

up to now has been stored by individuals but inaccessible to scholars.…. Because of the chronological proximity of the First World War,many people hold personal items to do with the war that they havebeen happy to share via a straightforward licence. …. In total over6,500 items were submitted to the archive, all of which are now freelyavailable online in the Great War Archive.

Fully aware of the educational significance of this archival collection,in conjunction with teachers and lecturers the project has developeda rich education area for both educators and learners. …. Visitors tothe archive can create their own annotated trails through thearchive for others to use …. and also map historical and archivaldata using the site's interactive timelines.

Beyond the ArchiveOne of the things that makes this resource so rich is the communitysurrounding its webpages. …. From time to time we may runworkshops for educators and other special events.

------------------------------------Item A is from The Great War Archive, University of Oxford(www.oucs.ox.ac.uk/ww1lit/gwa); © James Mottershaw

Item B is from The Great War Archive, University of Oxford(www.oucs.ox.ac.uk/ww1lit/gwa); © Laurie Thomas

------------------------------------

The CompetitionThere are 2 prizes on offer.One prize is for those who can work out what the 2 items are, butdon’t have access to the Internet. The questions are: -

1) What is Item A and whose name is associated with this item?2) What is Item B?The other prize is for those who can answer the following questions bychecking through the website.

3) How many images are associated with the first item? Item A4) Who contributed the image for the second item? Item B

Answers must be received by the editor in writing, or by email beforethe 12th of January press date. Winners will be announced inFebruary’s edition of Catalyst.

Good luck. Ed

.... Continued from Page 16

18

extra NOTICE

Heart StartSome of you may remember the 'Staying Alive' TV advertlast year with Vinnie Jones. This formed part of a campaigncalled HeartStart run jointly by the British Heart Foundation

and the various ambulance services.The campaign aims to increase awareness of how to treat

someone who is having, or has had, a heart attack.The training involves a single session, after which you will

receive a certificate of completion. No prior first aidexperience is required.

I will be running a number of sessions in the new year, datesto be confirmed.

If you are interested in attending one of them, pleasecontact me to register your interest.

Tom Strachan22nd Bromley Explorer Scout Leader

[email protected]: 07745 813295

Commitment for LifeThe choice is yours

It is now that time of year when your commitment forlife envelope is attached to your copy of Catalyst.

The season of goodwill is fast approaching, and eventswhich have been reported during 2013 will surely test

our strengths and compassion.

FURTHER INFORMATION FROM CHRIS WOOD ON 0208 462 2444

19

BOARD extra

Music to the ears Martin’s niece, Jenny Nunn, hasproduced a professional recordingof some of her most recent songs.

It is a beautifully movingperformance including keyboard,

violin, flute and clarinet.Copies of the CD are available from

Martin Nunn at the special price of£10 (normally £11.50).

Subscriptions for CatalystSubscriptions for 2014 are due in December. The cost is £6if you wish to receive Catalyst via the pigeonholes at theback of the church. Please let Judith or David Stoner havethis amount as soon as possible.

If you wish to have the magazine sent by post, the cost is £11and you should send your subscription to:

Judith and David Stoner113 Bourne WayBromley BR2 7EX

Cheques should be made payable to Hayes Free Church.It would be helpful if subscribers who no longer wish to receiveCatalyst by post would let us know.

If you would like to receive Catalyst on-line, you will not haveto pay a subscription. Kindly email the editor if you wish touse this service, and advise Judith & David of this.

20

7nbsp

12th November 2013

Dear Friends,

The people who walked in darknesshave seen a great light; those wholived in the land of deep darkness -on them light has shined. The truelight, which enlightens everyone, wascoming into the world. He came towhat was his own, and his ownpeople did not accept him.But the light shines in the darkness,and the darkness has not overcome it.

Last night as I was driving home from church (in mid November) I wasstruck by the number of homes that had Christmas lights strung andbrilliantly lit. There were houses with Santas (more than one!) andhouses with stars and bells and reindeers and a plethora of angels, allflashing like beacons in the darkness. It gives new meaning to thephrase ‘your Christmases have come early this year’.

As I drove on I wondered why there are so many lights so early thisyear? And what kind of people live in the houses behind those lights?Did those lights illuminate the homes of both those who did and didnot proclaim Jesus as the Christ-child?

I would like to believe that the lights that I saw were expressions ofdefiance in the face of dark times whether it be poverty at home, orearthquakes in China and flooding in the Philippines not to mentionwar and rumours of war that still encircle our world. I would like tobelieve that they are tangible statements that when all is increasinglydark there is always hope. I would like to believe that they are anattempt on the part of believers and non-believers alike to affirm that,at this Christmastime, there is goodness and tidings of great joy to behad.

Synod office East Croydon URC Addiscombe Grove Croydon CR0 5LPT e l e p h o n e 0 2 0 8 6 8 8 3 7 3 0 F a x N o 0 2 0 8 6 8 8 2 6 9 8

Website - www.urcsouthern.org.uk

Southern Synod

Continued on the next page .......

21

The following gratifying letter was received on December 18, 191#:-The Oaks School,

Harrow on the HillDear Sir,

The £7 I am sending herewith represents the proceed of a schoolChristmas party given to parents and friends of the pupils here, whenwe made a special appeal for the funds of your Society. The motivefor this is supplied by yourselves. I can never be grateful enough forthe help and kindness proffered to my son, a “Shipwrecked

Mariner” as a result of being torpedoed last April.-------------------------------------

This item is from The Great War Archive, University of Oxford(www.oucs.ox.ac.uk/ww1lit/gwa); © Julia Allison

The way things once wereThis year’s theme covers sayings or poetry from the First World War

Synod Moderator The Revd Nicola Furley-Smith 020 8688 3730 [email protected] Clerk The Revd Derrick Dzandu-Hedidor 020 8660 3415 [email protected] Treasurer Mr Ian Fleming 020 8337 8581 [email protected]

We all need to defy the darkness. We all need hope. For me, thelights of Christmas provide this. Even as I get older the anticipation ofthe birth of the Christ-child grows. I find it so exciting to prepare forChristmas by hanging lights and decorating trees and preparing gifts forthose you love. I drive my husband mad! But I find it even moreexciting knowing that the reason for my eagerness is that a time iscoming when the whole world will have hope. It is because of the birthof the Light of the World at the first Christmas. It is because of hislife, death and resurrection and his promise to come again. It isbecause he is present in the hearts of all those who believe in himthrough his Spirit that the world can have hope and change and be atpeace.

The growth of food banks in our local churches working in co-operationwith local authorities, the increasing numbers of people involved inStreet Pastors, those supporting the homeless through night sheltersare all testament to the fact that our world is hopeful. The light of theworld has truly come!

May His light shine from your homes this Christmastime and in all theseasons of your days.

Christmas Blessings,

... Continued from the previous page

22

December 2013

1st Sun10.30 am - Morning Service - Jim Holman 6.30 pm - Evening Service - The Minister with Pickhurst Junior School (No Holy Communion) Page 9

2nd Mon 7.30 pm - Bishop Justus School Page 9

3rd Tue 2.00 pm - Women’s Fellowship Page 6 7.30 pm - Friends of the Allegri Singers Page 9

4th Wed 7.30 pm - Wandle Ringers Page 95th Thu 7.30 pm - Orpington Rock Choir Page 9

6th Fri 2.15 pm - Mothers’ & Toddlers’ Club Page 5 7.30 pm - Christmas Quiz Page 9

7th Sat 7.45 pm - Beckenham Concert Band Page 9

8th Sun

10.30 am - Parade & Gift Service - The Minister Followed by Fairtrade stall Page 7 6.30 pm - C.T.H. with musical accompaniment by

musicians from Hayes Page 99th Mon10th Tue 2.00 pm - Women’s Fellowship Page 611th Wed 7.30 pm - Elders’ Meeting Page 312th Thu 2.30 pm - Bible Study Group Page 513th Fri14th Sat 7.30 pm - Bromley Rock Choir Page 13

15th Sun 10.30 am - Morning Service - Margaret Smith with puppet 6.30 pm - Carols by Candlelight - The Minister

16th Mon17th Tue 8.00 pm - Men’s Group Page 418th Wed19th Thu20th Fri

21st Sat 6.00 pm - Compassionate Friends’ Service Page 8

22nd Sun

10.30 am - Nativity by the Brownies & Holy Communion - The Minister Followed by Fairtrade stall Page 7 6.30 pm - Evening Service - Pastor Roy Powell

23rd Mon24th Tue

23

December 2013

25th Wed Christmas Day26th Thu Boxing Day27th Fri28th Sat

29th Sun10.30 am - Joint Morning Service - at Beckenham United

Reformed Church There will be no Evening Service.

30th Mon31st Tue

January 20141st Wed New Year's Day2nd Thu3rd Fri

4th Sat 2.30 pm - Saturday Fellowship Page 4

5th Sun 10.30 am - Morning Service - Rev Geoff Larcombe 6.30 pm - Holy Communion - The Minister

6th Mon 8.00 pm - Women’s Contact Group Page 3

7th Tue 2.00 pm - Women’s Fellowship Page 6 8.00 pm - Elders’ Meeting Page 3

8th Wed

9th Thu 2.30 pm - Bible Study Group Page 5

10th Fri 2.00 pm - Mothers’ & Toddlers’ Club Page 5

11th Sat 10.00 am - Women’s Contact Coffee Morning Page 7

12th Sun10.30 am - Morning Service - The Minister Followed by Fairtrade stall Page 7 6.30 pm - Evening Service - The Minister

13th Mon

14th Tue 2.00 pm - Women’s Fellowship Page 615th Wed16th Thu

17th Fri 2.00 pm - Mothers’ & Toddlers’ Club Page 5

24

DATES FOR YOUR DIARYThere were no further dates for your diary at the time of going to press.

January 201418th Sat

19th Sun 10.30 am - Morning Service - John Cox 6.30 pm - Evening Service - The Minister

20th Mon

21st Tue 2.00 pm - Women’s Fellowship Page 622nd Wed23rd Thu 2.30 pm - Bible Study Group Page 524th Fri 2.00 pm - Mothers’ & Toddlers’ Club Page 525th Sat

26th Sun

10.30 am - Holy Communion - The Minister Followed by Fairtrade stall Page 712.00 Noon - Church Meeting Page 3 6.30 pm - Evening Service - David and Alison Hawthorn

27th Mon28th Tue 2.00 pm - Women’s Fellowship Page 6

29th Wed 6.30 pm - Worship Group Page 5

30th Thu

31st Fri 2.00 pm - Mothers’ & Toddlers’ Club Page 5

February 20141st Sat

2nd SunCandlemas Day10.30 am - Morning Service - Margaret Smith with puppet 6.30 pm - Holy Communion - The Minister

THINGS YOU NEVER HEAR IN CHURCHNothing inspires me and strengthens my commitment like

our annual stewardship campaign!.

CHURCH ORGANISATIONSDay Organisation Contact PhoneSunday10.25am Sunday Club Mike Duke 8462 5103

Weekdays 9.15 -12.15pm12.15 -12.45pm

Pre School GroupP/School lunch club

Jayne Carvell 07913 299773

Monday

5.45pm Brownies Sarah Humphrey 8249 99826.30pm Cubs Brenda Petts 8325 39568.00pm - 1st Women's Contact

GroupSylvia Mack 8462 1938

Tuesday10.00am Prayer Meeting Martin Nunn 8462 59182.00pm Women's Fellowship Sue Powell 8462 22127.00pm Scouts Paul Hasling 3236 0083

Wednesday3.30pm - 4th Messy Church Sue Powell 8462 22125.15pm Rainbows Jenny Longman 07730 5749626.00pm Beavers Brenda Petts 8325 39566.30pm - 4th Reflections Group Bill Michie 8658 41678.00pm Explorers Tom Strachan 07745 813 295

Thursday2.30pm - 2nd, & 4th

Bible Study Sue Powell 8462 2212

5.30pm Brownies Stevie Blair. 8325 34697.15 - 8.45pm Senior Guides Georgina Chappell 07983 4713088.00pm - 3rd Men's Group Bruce Tannock 8325 6264Friday9.00 - 12.00pm Coffee morning during term times2.00pm Mothers & Toddlers Judith Stoner 8462 30236.30pm Guides Teresa Cheyne 8777 6042Saturday2.30pm - 1st Saturday Fellowship Martin Nunn 8462 5918

NOTE: - Some of the organisations meet once or twice per month.This is indicated by 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th. The numbers relate to which

week day of the month, NOT the calendar date.

Final ThoughtLuke 2:8-20 God's love, a child on earth

Loving God.let tonight ring with songand shine in our heartswith light brighter than angels,as we greet the coming of Mary's boy.

Give us the excitement of the shepherds,and as we come to worship the new-born Christ,set our hearts joyfully alight.so that our praise becomes a matchfor any angel choir!

Jesus, let your nativity enchant our hearts again;and as we ponder quietly, like Mary,come home to us and stay.

Then send us outinto the cold night of the world,to proclaim the wonder of your coming:

God's love,a child on earth.

Alan Gaunt

From the U.R.C.Prayer Handbook2011