Catalyst

April 2014

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

Copy for the May 2014 edition needs to be handed in bySunday, 13th April.

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 richardmbrown6@gmail.com

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. & 6.00 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 Bible Society. Do visit their website for

news, events listings, etc.Here is the web address: biblesociety.org.ukNow, turn to Page 16 for more details. Ed

Sunday Services; a thought.. 2Church Notices 3 - 4Sainsbury Schools Vouchers 3Christian Aid Week 5Rhoda Leeds - Obituary 6 - 7Retiring collection; A puzzle 7Big Brew; Know what to do 8Holiday Companion; Catalyst Needs You! 9Notice Board 10 - 11Website of the month 12

Sue Powell’s interview Cont'd 13Agape Supper 14Proposed charity for Christmas Tree Festival; a saying 15Praying for the suffering church 16For those in need; The way things once were 17Quiz/Puzzle answer 19Sue Powell’s interview ends; A quote 20Church Organisations I B C

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Letter from the Minister

Dear Friends,

April with its showers is upon us; the gardens bloomwith flowers – it is officially spring – and Easter iswith us.

One of the most moving services of the Easter season for me is MaundyThursday: the moment Jesus kneels before his disciples and washestheir feet. Such a moment of servanthood and tenderness, teachingthose present that to be one that leads means to be one that serves –with love. The institution of our Lord’s Supper follows; followed by thatevening of Maundy Thursday when Jesus prays in the garden and askshis friends to pray with and for him – and they sleep… such a moment ofisolation for Jesus.

And the soldiers come…

We have such a powerful telling of that day in all our Gospels, and try asI might, I cannot begin to imagine myself into the shoes of Christ thatnight.

In Luke 22:43, an angel comes to Jesus to give him strength – and Ioften wonder how often angels come to us all in our moments of deepstress and worry.

An old hymn reminds us to Trust and Obey – difficult words at times.And perhaps the angels come to remind us to trust in God, to remind usthat we can leave it all in His hands.

The joy of Easter Morning gifts us with such joy, an overwhelming senseof relief from the darkness of the past days. The gift of EasterResurrection reminds us all that dark days pass, and new life comes as agift to us all.

As we gather on Easter Sunday to celebrate the glorious ResurrectionI pray that we will all experience the sheer joy and gift that is Easter.May God bless us all as we strive to be faithful to the God of Love.

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Sunday and Easter ServicesApril 2014

6th Sun 10.30 am - Morning Service - Martin Wilcox, Child Aid 6.00 pm - Holy Communion - The Minister

13th Sun 10.30 am - Morning Service - The Minister 6.00 pm - Evening Service - The Minister

17th ThuMaundy Thursday 8.00 pm - Holy Communion - joint service at Emmanuel URC West Wickham

18th FriGood Friday 9.00 am - Walk of Witness - From Hayes Free Church10.00 am - Morning Service - The Rosary Church

20th Sun

Easter Sunday 8.00 am - Holy Communion - The Minister10.30 am - Morning Service - Bill Michie 6.00 pm - Evening Service - The Minister

27th Sun 10.30 am - Holy Communion - Marion Bayley 6.00 pm - Evening Service -

v Martin Wilcox represents Child Aid, a charity which is transformingthe lives of children and young people in Belarus, Moldova,Russia and the Ukraine.

v Bill Michie is well known to us all. He is a Lay Preacher at HFC.v Mrs. Marion Bayley is a Lay Preacher and an Elder from our sister

church in Beckenham. She regularly leads our services.v Jim Holman is a Methodist preacher. He has led services at HFC

in the past.v David Stoner is well known to us. He is a member of various

groups at HFC.

Some notes on the visiting preachers.

May 2014

4th Sun 10.30 am - Morning Service - Jim Holman 6.00 pm - Holy Communion - David Stoner

A Thought for TodayEvery day may not be good, but there's something good in every day. Author Unknown

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

Your prayers would be appreciated for: -Jim Pearson, Mike Duke, Ruth Rees, Jessie Martin,

and Helen Hebbes.

Church MeetingsThe next Elders’ meeting will be on Tuesday, 1st April at 8.00 pm in thesmall hall.

The next Church meeting, will be on Sunday 27th April at 12.00 noonafter the morning service.

Women's Contact GroupThe Contact Group will be meeting on 7th April at Marion Bowman’shome - 26 Stambourne Way, West Wickham. On the 12th of May we willenjoy a meal out - details TBA.Meetings start at 8.00 pm.

Sylvia MackTuesday Prayer Meetings for AprilHeld at 10.00am at the following homes:- 1st Martin Nunn’s. 8th Betty Coster’s. 15th Brenda Cordingley’s. 22nd The Church. 29th Martin Nunn’s.Then in May: - 6th Martin Nunn’s.Please address any queries to Martin Nunn.

Saturday FellowshipThe next meeting will be on the 5th of April at 2.30pm at Barbara Jones’home. Martin Nunn will be leading a Bible Study. We will then meetat the same time and place on the 3rd of May. You are welcome tojoin us.

Men's GroupOur next meeting, the lunch, will now be at The New Inn, Hayesmeeting on Thursday the 17th of April at 12.30pm.

The Sainsbury Schools Voucher Scheme for 2014 has now started.The uniformed groups will be collecting vouchers in support of this.More details will appear in next month’s Catalyst.

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Ministry of FlowersThank you to those who will be providing flowers this month.

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 RighiniHayes 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 whenadults can meet up, while the children in their care are busy playingwith toys and activities in the company of other children.

Our last meeting of term was on March 28th. We will start the newterm after Easter on April 25th.

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.

Worship GroupThe Wednesday Reflections Group meets at 6.30pm on the 4thWednesday of each month.Linda MichieNotice Sheets - April & 1st Sunday in May April 6th & 13th Pam Collison 8658 0748 20th & 27th Joan Smith 8462 3920 May 4th Daphne Cummings 8777 2487

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

6th - Linda Michie - i.m.o. Mum 13th -20th - Margaret Tannock - i.m.o. her Mother Helen Wentworth

27th - Sylvia & Laurie Mack - wedding anniversary

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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 April meetings will be: - 1st Bromley Museum 8th Child Aid – Martin Wilcox15th Service – led by Sue22nd No meeting29th No meeting

The first meeting in May will be: - 6th TBA

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

CHRISTIAN AID WEEK - MAY 11th - 17th---------------------

After 34 years (!), John Curry is standing down as the Christian AidRepresentative for HFC.

I have agreed to take on this role for 2014 as I think Christian Aid ischarity which is well worth supporting. HFC has consistentlymanaged to collect over £1,000 each year and I think it would bea shame if we were not able to continue raising such funds.

John and I are fully aware that a number of members do not likedoor-to-door collections and it has become increasingly difficultover recent years to cover the roads allocated to us. However,we have a number of stalwarts who have undertaken the streetcollections who, I hope, are willing to continue - are thereperhaps others amongst you who would be willing to considerdelivering envelopes if others are able to collect?

I would be interested to hear from anyone who may havesuggestions for raising an equivalent amount in any other way.

Kathryn Strachan

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Rhoda May Leeds6th September 1914 -9th February 2014

-----------------------Rhoda (née Thompson) was born just a month into the First World Warand spent her childhood in Camberwell, where one of her earliestmemories was seeing a Zeppelin fly overhead. Her father was amaster baker, and she had an older sister who was evacuated toHampshire during the war, so Rhoda didn’t get to know her for severalyears.

Throughout her childhood and teens Rhoda was a faithful attendee ata church in Camberwell Green, and it was at a church camp in Surreythat she met and soon fell in love with a young man named JohnLeeds, who was ten years older than her. They married in 1935, ahappy partnership that was to last nearly 70 years, till John’s death inMarch 2005, aged 101. In their courting days and early married lifethey were keen walkers and cyclists - they walked in their shorts tochurch and back for their wedding and then cycled off to theirhoneymoon! They set up house in Hayes, where Rhoda became afounder member (and eventually the longest survivor) of the newly-formed Hayes Free Church.

For several years Rhoda worked in London in a shop called‘Needlewoman’, but after her children - a son and two daughters -arrived, she limited herself for a while to cleaning work in local homes.She adored her family and proved a resourceful, caring and talentedmother, a very good cook, knitter and dress-maker; she grew her ownvegetables and fruit - her Bramley apple trees became so prolificdown the years that most of her friends shared in their bounty! Rhodaalso developed her talent for painting pictures and making pottery;she enjoyed producing cards and pictures using pressed flowers.

Rhoda was in her 50’s when John retired, and with the children by nowall grown up, the pair were free to travel. During the Second WorldWar, John had been billeted with a family in Rhodesia (nowZimbabwe) and had kept in touch with them, so one of their first longtrips was to stay with that family, the Shipworths, on their large estatethere. That visit lasted about 9 months! Over the years they visitedAustralia several times to stay for some months with their daughterMargaret (Maggie), and they travelled widely in Europe, particularlyliking Switzerland, Spain and Russia (Rhoda said that she fell in lovewith Moscow!).

Rhoda was very involved with the life of H.F.C. She was our LeprosyMission Secretary for 50 years or so, and a devoted member of the

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The retiring collection atRhoda Leeds Service of Thanksgiving

for Action on Hearing Loss(the new name for RNID)

amounted to £400.

Women’s Fellowship, where she was always willing to lead the openingdevotions - and ready to regale the ladies with a joke or two from thestore she kept in her handbag! She also attended Saturday Fellowshipand (in her younger years) the Scottish Dancing Group. Except whenaway on her travels, she hardly ever missed a Church meeting ormajor social event, and for many years came regularly to bothmorning and evening services on Sundays. Her faith was both realand alive!

Rhoda was always a happy, social and contented lady, modest, yetalways firm in her beliefs and opinions. She was much loved andrespected by all her family, and indeed by all who knew her - a trulygenuine Christian disciple, who is assuredly now in the presence of theLord she served through her long and fulfilled life.

Martin Nunn(With acknowledgements to Sueand to Rhoda’s family)

Rhoda enjoyed the puzzles and quizzes which appeared in Catalyst.I think she would have enjoyed this one ...... (Ed)

THE MOTHER OF ALL RIDDLES......!! Only 5% of Stanford University graduates figured it out!Can you answer all seven of the following questions with the sameword?

1. The word has seven letters....2. Preceded God...3. Greater than God...4. More Evil than the devil...5. All poor people have it...6. Wealthy people need it....7. If you eat it, you will die.

Did you figure it out? Try hard before turning to the answer on page 19.

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Women’s Contact Coffee MorningWe will be holding the next coffee morning in the Small

Hall on the 12th of April from 10.00am to 12.00 Noon.We are continuing to raise monies to contribute to

disaster relief funds in different parts of the world.We hope to see you at the Coffee Morning, and why not bring a friend?

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 April, the stall will be held on the 13th and the 27th.Please continue to support your fair trade stall. Thank you.

Richard and Barbara.

Big BrewThis year we had a great turn out for our Big BrewSaturday coffee morning. Thank you to all who came.I was able to send a cheque for £123 to Fair Trade.The new catalogue is out. You can see it at the backof the church. Anything you order from it will be postfree if you place your order with Richard or myself.

Barbara

Know what to doThe town's fire prevention officer was conducting a health and safetycourse at the local church. The officer said to the minister: "Nowimagine this: it is a Sunday morning and you have a number ofpeople, spread throughout your church building. Some are in thechoir stalls, some are in the kitchen, and some are in the nave.Suddenly, a big fire breaks out. What are the first steps you wouldtake?"

The minister thought carefully for a moment. "Really big ones," he said.

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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.

A lady to share a holiday with

Jeanette Hornsey is wanting alady to go on holiday with herto Lake Garda for 10 days at

the beginning of June.

Anyone interested, pleasecontact her on 020 8462 3354

Those wonderful entries- such as Pictures, text, thoughts

or drawings -which may be shared on this

page

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NOTICE

SOCIAL EVENING FOR CHRISTIAN AID WEEK-------------------------------------------

Quiz and The Trading Game with fish and chip supper7-9pm on Saturday 17 May in the large hall

Enter a team of 4-6 people for the quiz and game, or justjoin up with other people on the evening to make ateam. The Trading Game is a Christian Aid game

exploring how a country's prosperity is affected by trade.Tickets cost £10 and are available from John Curry.

All profits to Christian Aid.More details from:

John Curry ( 8249 3663) or johncurry132@hotmail.co.ukOr

David Hawthorn ( 8249 7188) ordavidw. hawthorn l @ btinternet.com)

Christian Aid Week 11 - 17 May, 2014

---------------------------On Sunday 11 May the evening service will be

on the Christian Aid Week theme of “Give people a future without fear”.

We'll be using prayer stations (displays of text,images and objects) to explore the theme in

the light of our lives.If you would be interested in preparing one ofthe prayer stations, either alone or with some

other people, please let David Hawthorn know.Contact details in the notice below.

IMPORTANTAt the MarchChurch Meetingit was decided

to haveChurch Meetings

EVERY monthon the fourth

Sunday.

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BOARDKent Association for the Blind … VIPAS groupVisually Impaired Persons Activity and Social group.Invite you to a Quiz night at the Hayes Free Church.

---------------------------All proceeds in aid of the Visually Impaired in the local area.

Friday 11th April. Quiz Night.Meet 6.45 pm for 7 pm Quiz.

AtHayes Free Church, Church Hall. 111 Pickhurst Lane, Hayes,

Bromley. BR2 7HU. A friendly fun Quiz night, with Raffle. Teams willbe up to 8 people so why not try to raise your own team.

Don't worry if you are coming along on your own as we willorganize teams on the night.

Finish approximately 9.30 pm. Cost £3 per person.------------------------------

Please bring your own drink and nibbles, (and take home withyou any rubbish, bottles plates etc.)

Book as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.To book… Contact: Joan Dixon 020 8462 7903

eyejandk@btinternet.com

An Appeal for Wool----------

Denise Benbow is looking fordonations of skeins or balls of

double knitting wool.She needs the wool forknitting blankets which aregiven to whomever needs

them.Please leave donations withDenise or in her pigeon holeat the back of the Church.

Thank you----------

I am pleased to report thatthe total amount donatedfor “White Gables”, the

Alzheimer’s Day Centre inBromley Common was

£1,810.My grateful thanks to allwho contributed to this

magnificent total. John.

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Website of the Month (The) Bible SocietyTwo pages from the website appear here.The society has been in existence for a very long time.Our Bible Society representative is Betty Coster.

Main topics inthe website: -

· Who we are· What we

do· Our work· Where we

work· Appeals· Reports and

accounts· Contact us· Jobs

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Sue Powell’s interview on the Huffington Post websiteContinued from last month.......5 Considering that so many of Christianity's ideas are profound and

relevant - in your mind, why have people turned away fromreligion? why are less people attending church regularly?

This is a question I often ask myself, and others. 'What is the point?' isthe answer I usually get. I can pray in my own home, I don't need todo it with a group of people I might not even like. Yet the point ofcoming together in church is to encourage each other - being aChristian is not an easy task, it is a daily challenge, and we need thesupport and encouragement of others if we are to get it right. Othersalso help us stay on task and on track, it is easy to get carried awayalong one path only to find yourself spending a lot of time andenergy doing something to no great good. Just as family groups arenow spread far and wide and no longer together in community, thesame has happened with the Christian community - to the point thatjust as family become so far spread that we hardly know our owncousins any more, so the Christian family seems to have become thepart of the family that we have lost touch with. The problem thatcauses is that the message of the Christian faith, the love and hopeand joy that God gifts us, loses its place within us too...

6 I recently wrote about the elderly and my 'search for a secularchurch' - I observed that the lack of community has a tragic effecton people's lives. I saw that the elderly who are church members,were the ones with an 'extended family' and were cared for byfellow church goers. I asked the question of what are non churchgoers to replace this with? how can they create a network of peoplethey know, trust and can depend on in time of need? hence thesearch for a 'secular church' can you please reflect on that?

Secular church comes in many guises! My mothers Bingo Club wasalways a great source of help to her, if she missed her usual sessionsomeone would ring to check! Age UK has a contingent ofvolunteers who go out and shop for the elderly and visit. Local pubsare often good places for the elderly, bar staff usually know them byname, and their restaurants often know their favourite meals! Veryoften churches have groups with non-church members in them,Fellowship groups, Friendship groups, several men's groups in my area.I think secular church exists in many surprising places, and is called awhole variety of names! But apart from small groups, (like mothersBingo group) where do we go together? Village halls don't really existmuch any more, the local library no longer has the time to keep

Continued on page 20 ....

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Hayes Philharmonic ChoirSaturday 12 April 2014, 7.45pm, Hayes Parish Church

----------------------------------------------If you would like to join in a commemoration of 1914 which seeks toreflect both the deep sadness and the camaraderie of the First WorldWar, then come along to our concert (details above).

We have chosen some music from that time which you may not hearelsewhere during this centenary year. Without realising it, you mayknow the work of British composer Alan Gray through his Christmasdescants; he lost three sons in the war, and we shall be performing hismournful, but beautiful, settings of some of Rupert Brooke’s mostfamous poems. There will be music by Walford Davis, written in 1915for fallen soldiers, as well as short pieces by Elgar and others.

In contrasting mood, we shall invite our audience to join the choir insinging some of those wartime songs that are still so well known.Finally, we will remember that innocent world which was shattered(but not altogether destroyed) by the war, with some other pieces ofthe time, including Vaughan Williams’ ever-popular “Lark Ascending”,to be played by young local violinist Charlotte Fletcher.

So come and listen – and sing along (at appropriate points!).

To coin a phrase – THIS CONCERT NEEDS YOU!!

Agape SupperChurches together in Hayes

are again holding an Agape Supperat our Church

on Friday 9th May at 7.00 p.m.Our speaker this year is Andrew Dunsmore, the Official Photographerat Westminster Abbey . He will regale us with stories and photos of hiswork.

This is always a very enjoyable evening in the company of friends fromother Churches in Hayes and includes a two course meal.

The price will again be £5 and we hope that many from the Churchwill support this event.

Please see Sylvia Mack for more informationand to add your name to the list.

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What is Bromley Talking News?One of the proposed charities for the 2014 ChristmasTree Festival

· A weekly digest of local news and views in audioform

· Delivered direct to our listeners door· Completely FREE to registered and partially

sighted residents or the borough Bromley District Talking News is a free weekly digest of local news,comment, interesting articles, what’s on and useful informationdesigned to keep our listeners fully informed about what is happeningin the local community.

Talking News is recorded onto USB memory sticks and listeners areprovide with a small easy-to-use player-no fuss, no bother!Alternatively, you can listen on your own audio equipment orcomputer.

Talking News is produced specially for people with sight impairmentand is delivered by mail each week to hundreds of people in allareas of the borough.

We will also send you Talking News if you have moved out of theborough but still want to keep in touch.

Each week a team of volunteers reads the local papers and extractsthe most interesting articles.

These are then edited and recorded by volunteers.As well as the weekly news edition, BTN also produce seasonal extraswhich include stories and longer features.

Keeping up- to- date helps our listeners maintain an active interest inlife in and around the borough.

The Association is independent and supported entirely by voluntarycontributions. It is a registered

charity and all administration and production is underwritten byvolunteers.

When you reach the end of your tether,you will find the hem of HIS garment.

- Adapted from the signature ofa Roots L Genealogy forum member.

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Praying for the suffering church

From the URC Website------------------

Revd Brian Harley, United Reformed Church minister and chairmanof GEAR, the Group for Evangelism and Renewal within the URC,encourages us to pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ who sufferfor their faith

“Paul writes to the church at Corinth about the Body of Christ saying:“When one part suffers, every part suffers with it.” (1 Cor 12:26 NIV).We can all relate to this idea because when you stub your toeeverything and everyone knows about it! Parts of the Body of Christare hurting or living in fear as you read this. Events in Pakistan, Egyptand Nigeria have hit the headlines this year but the church is heavilyoppressed or even banned in many countries and such ongoingpersecution rarely features in the news. We can keep informedthrough organisations like Christian Solidarity Worldwide, OpenDoors, Release and Barnabas which all do great work in supportingthose who need our help and provide channels for giving andlobbying.

“Sunday, 3 November 2013, was designated International Day ofPrayer for Persecuted Christians. Whilst it is, of course, good to havea day to focus on an issue, the suffering goes on around the clockso prayer is always needed. There is a monthly ecumenical prayergroup in Shanklin focussing on the plight of persecuted Christiansand these folks had been meeting faithfully for nearly 30 yearsbecause they feel the call of God to uphold members of ourChristian family around the world who are paying a high price forbeing disciples of Jesus.

“The writer to the Hebrews urges readers to “Continue to rememberthose in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and thosewho are ill-treated as if you yourselves were suffering.” (13:2 NIV).Some people certainly have a calling to be intercessors and someare called to a particular prayer focus as the Lord places a burdenon their hearts – but the whole family ought to look out for and carefor its most vulnerable members. We are in it together folks.”

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ILLUSIONSTrenches In the moonlight, In the lulling moonlightHave had their loveliness; when dancing dewy grassesCaressed us passing along their earthy lanes;When the crucifix hanging over was strangely illumined,And one Imagined music, one even heard the brave birdIn the sighing orchards flute above the weedy well.There are such moments; forgive as that I note them,Nor glaze that there comes soon the nemesis of beauty,In the fluttering relics that at first glimmer awakenedTerror — the no — man's ditch suddenly forking:There, the enemy's best with bombs and brains and courage!- Softly, swiftly, at once be animal and angel.-But O no, no, they're Death's malkins dangling In the wireFor the moon's interpretation.

The typescript of this poem by Edmund Blunden includes correctionsin black ink in his own hand. The poem is in the book “Undertones ofWar” (1928).

Repository: The Harry Ransom Center at the University of Texas at Austin.-------------------------------------

A scan of the poem is in The Great War Archive, University of Oxford(www.oucs.ox.ac.uk/ww1lit/gwa);

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

For those in needBecause of the oppression of the weak and the groaning of the needy,I will now arise," says the LORD.’ (Psalm 12:5;NIV)

Lord God, creator and giver of all that is,defender and protector of those in need,we ask you to bring the peoples of East Africabeneath your loving care.Their children are hungry and their land is dry.Lord God, bringer of hope,your love brings water to flow in the desertand light into the darkness of despair.Show us how to be witnesses to your loveand bearers of your light,alongside our sisters and brothers,who face the urgent challengesand terrible fears of lasting drought.

Linda Jones/CAFOD

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April 2014

1st Tue10.00 am - Tuesday Prayer Meeting Page 3 2.00 pm - Women’s Fellowship Page 5 8.00 pm - Elders’ Meeting Page 3

2nd Wed

3rd Thu

4th Fri

5th Sat 2.30 pm - Saturday Fellowship Page 3

6th Sun 10.30 am - Morning Service - Martin Wilcox, Child Aid 6.00 pm - Holy Communion - The Minister

7th Mon 8.00 pm - Women's Contact Group Meeting Page 3

8th Tue 10.00 am - Tuesday Prayer Meeting Page 3 2.00 pm - Women’s Fellowship Page 5

9th Wed

10th Thu 2.30 pm - Bible Study Group Page 4

11th Fri 6.45 pm - KAB Quiz Night Page 11

12th Sat 10.00 am - Women’s Contact Coffee Morning Page 8 7.45 pm - Hayes Philharmonic Choir Page 14

13th Sun

10.30 am - Morning Service - The Minister Followed by Fairtrade Stall Page 8 Catalyst Press Date I.F.C. 6.00 pm - Evening Service - The Minister

14th Mon

15th Tue 10.00 am - Tuesday Prayer Meeting Page 3 2.00 pm - Women’s Fellowship Page 5

16th Wed

17th Thu

Maundy Thursday 2.30 pm - Men’s Group Page 3 8.00 pm - Holy Communion - joint service at Emmanuel West Wickham URC

18th FriGood Friday 9.00 am - Walk of Witness - From Hayes Free Church10.00 am - Morning Service - The Rosary Church

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DATES FOR YOUR DIARY 9th May Agape Supper - (Page 14)17 May Quiz and Supper for Christian Aid (see Page 10)25 May AGM. And Church Meeting at 12.00 noon 7 June Hayes Fair

Quiz AnswerNOTHING!

NOTHING has 7 letters. NOTHING preceded God. NOTHING isgreater than God. NOTHING is more Evil than the devil. All poorpeople have NOTHING. Wealthy people need NOTHING. If youeat NOTHING, you will die.

May 20141st Thu 10.00 am - Tuesday Prayer Meeting Page 32nd Fri 2.00 pm - Hayes Mothers’ & Toddlers’ Club Page 43rd Sat 2.30 pm - Saturday Fellowship Page 3

4th Sun 10.30 am - Morning Service - Jim Holman 6.00 pm - Holy Communion - David Stoner

5th Mon May Day Bank Holiday

April 201419th Sat

20th Sun

Easter Sunday 8.00 am - Holy Communion - The Minister10.30 am - Morning Service - Bill Michie 6.00 pm - Evening Service - The Minister

21st Mon Easter Monday22nd Tue 10.00 am - Tuesday Prayer Meeting Page 3

23rd Wed St. George's Day 6.30 pm - Worship Group Page 4

24th Thu 2.30 pm - Bible Study Group Page 425th Fri 2.00 pm - Hayes Mothers’ & Toddlers’ Club Page 426th Sat

27th Sun

10.30 am - Holy Communion - Marion Bayley Followed by Fairtrade Stall Page 812.00 Noon - Church Meting Page 3 6.00 pm - Evening Service -

28th Mon29th Tue 10.00 am - Tuesday Prayer Meeting Page 330th Wed

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check on regulars, the milk man who would notice the unused milk,or the postman who would be aware of the collection of mail behindthe door have all but disappeared... there was even a time when Iknew my local park-keepers name...! The danger for the elderly is notgoing out and joining in something - there are many things out thereto be involved in, and we need to encourage the elderly to attendwhatever group it is that interests them, arranging transport wherenecessary. Perhaps it is the need to be more informative about whatis out there and getting the information in usable ways to those at risk.

7 What do you wish for this Christmas?That the peoples of this world find and know hope. There can benothing worse than an existence without hope.

8 The question of questions - do we need god to be moral? can yoube a kind, moral, ethical person without religious faith in your life?

All humanists would consider themselves to be kind, moral and ethical.All good people are kind, moral and ethical.The difference for a Christian are the teachings of Christ.Jesus didn't ask us just to be kind, moral and ethical - Jesus expects usto stand up against injustice and to protect those who are weak; toseek out His call on our lives and be the best that we can bewhatever it is that we are doing; Jesus calls us to love our enemiesand our neighbours, to hold on to the eternal hope, and to bring joyto his world... Jesus expects that as we know ourselves forgiven, wewill forgive. Jesus expects that we will go the extra mile, and then theother 500...

And with love, hope and joy, and with the message of forgiveness, wewill celebrate the birth of Christ!

Thank you so much for taking the timeThat concludes the interview.

............ Continued from page 13

Thomas Alva Edison’s last words in life before dying were,

"It is very beautiful over there."

........ This may surprise you, as he was an atheist.

CHURCH ORGANISATIONSDay Organisation Contact PhoneSunday10.25am Sunday Club Mike Duke 8462 5103Weekdays 9.15 -12.15pm12.15 -12.45pm

Pre School GroupP/School lunch club

Jayne Carvell 07913 299773

Monday5.45pm 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 0083Wednesday3.30pm - 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 295Thursday2.30pm - 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 62648.00pm - 2nd,

& 4thIgnatian Spirituality

GroupDavid Hawthorn 8249 7188

Friday9.00 - 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 Thought

At the beginning of the 1990s John Robinson, our ministerthen, asked me to take over from him putting a

quotation on the bottom of the weekly notice sheet. Overthe years this changed to “Thought for the month” on theback page of Catalyst, and now re-named “final Thought”.In those early years Rhoda Leeds gave me some quotations,and in her memory I will be using them over the next fewmonths.

Barbara

Despise not small opportunities.They are often the beginnings of great opportunities.

(First used in April 1992)