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DIARY OF PRAYER – MAY 2016 1 Ann Banning 2 Dorothy Barker 3 John & Heather Barton 4 Paul Jennie Blake, Harry and Mollie 5 Eileen Brining 6 Jayne Brian, Martha and Seth 7 Judy Clarkson and Sam 8 Dr. Andy & Chris Coe, Alex, Peter and Michael 9 Alison Collett 10 David & Betty Connelly 11 Gloria Cordery 12 Pat & Ian Cowan 13 Robert & Alison Crichton and Rebecca 14 Michael & Donna Curran, Henry and Martha 15 Jack & Edna Dixon 16 Mavis Duckworth 17 Paul & Linda Duffy, Kate and Michael 18 Terry & Judith Eaton, Rachael and Eleanor 19 Peggy Everall 20 Matt & Caroline Flint, Ethan and Emily 21 Richard & Barbara Gillard, Rachel, Hannah and Robert 22 Anne & Tony Gilmore 23 Helen Green, Stephanie Miller and Annabel Green 24 Bert Greenway 25 Darren & Donna Hall and Emelia 26 Laraine Hall 27 Madeline Hamper 28 Glenys Hobbins 29 Fred & Anne Holloway 30 Phil & Jane Inshaw and Ashley 31 Chris Ives, Molly and Jack 2
Pastoral letter - May 2016 April Showers bring May flowers! Well, we have had plenty of showers; now we are looking forward to everything bursting out in bloom. Blossom on the trees and the hedgerows, bluebells in the woods, leaves popping out of sticky buds, seeds sending up shoots with the promise of flowers and maybe something edible eventually. May is a great time of the year. When I was working I used to travel around the UK and Ireland during the whole of May visiting Fair traders to thank them and to encourage and enthuse them about our work. I looked forward to it for a number of reasons, not least because it was a brilliant time to travel around our lovely land. My favourite stretch was the road from the port of Stranraer along the Galloway coast and up to Ayr and beyond. May is the month when we celebrate Pentecost, the bursting forth of the Holy Spirit into our world. Promised by Jesus as he returned to His Father at the end of his earthly mission; initially, He came to flawed, frightened disciples who had lost their leader and purpose. He turned their fear into courage and their weakness into strength. Still he comes with the presence, the peace and the power of Jesus Christ to equip us, his followers, to continue His mission in our world. Just as nature sings loudly in May with the exuberance of new life and the potential of fruitfulness, may we experience a surge of spiritual refreshment and enjoy the ‘life in all its fullness’ that Jesus promises. Kath Shortley
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DIARY FOR MAY 2016
Regular Events:- (except school holidays) Tuesday 10.00 Craft Meeting Thursday 9.30 – 11.00 The Coffee Pot 5.00 Rainbows 6.15 Brownies Friday 7.00 Guides Other Events: 1
st Sunday 11.00 Family Service led by Rev. Mhari McLintock, followed by
Coffee in the schoolroom. .
6th Wednesday 7.15 Elders’ Meeting
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th Sunday 11.00 Family Service led by David Tennant
7.00 Service at Tannery Court. 11
th Wednesday Ladies Circle: Outing for afternoon tea at Smith’s
Nurseries at Bagington. Tea at 3 pm. 7.15 Managers’ Meeting
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th Sunday 11.00 Family Service with Communion led by
Rev. Mhari McLintock, followed by coffee in the hall. 6.30 CHRISTIAN AID SERVICE AT Abbey Hill – see opposite page for details.
CHRISTIAN AID WEEK. 15TH
TO 22ND
MAY 22
nd Sunday 11.00 Family Service led by Helga Cornell, followed by
coffee in the schoolroom. 29
th Sunday 11.00 GIFT DAY Family Service led by Jane Woods-Scawen, a
member of our Worship Leaders Group, followed by “Bring & Share” lunch in the schoolroom. The Communion offertory for May 2016 will be donated to MAF – Mission Aviation Fellowship. 4
CHRISTIAN AID SERVICE. Churches Together in Kenilworth and District Christian Aid Service is to be held at Abbey Hill. It will take place at 6.30pm on Sunday15th May. Our speaker is Rev Gordon Gatward. There will be a film about Christian Aid's work in Bangladesh and refreshments will be served in the schoolroom afterwards. Please do come to be informed, challenged and thanked for your continued support
Gift Day
On Sunday 29th of May the Church will be celebrating its anniversary by holding a Gift day. As part of the celebrations, after the service, there will be a “Bring and Share Lunch " in the hall. Come and join in this Church Family Occasion.
Children’s exam papers
The following real life answers to various exams explain why
teachers need long holidays…
What is a nitrate?
Cheaper than a day rate.
What was Sir Walter Raleigh famous for?
He is a noted figure in history because he invented cigarettes and
started a craze for bicycles.
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Unintended Consequences It seemed a good idea to put empty plastic bottles in the cisterns of the church loos to save water. This is a method highly recommended by Green Groups. Unfortunately, labels were left on the bottles. These came off and affected the flow of water and the flush, so a plumber had to be brought in, thus nullifying any savings! Tools with a Mission (TWAM) I was asked about this organisation. Groups of volunteers clean and repair old tools and equipment. These are then sent to partners in Africa or Asian countries. These teach skills then give out tool kits to enable poor people to earn a living as carpenters, builders, sewers and so on. Items needed in any condition include: Hand and electric tools, typewriters, garden tools, sewing machines (manual or electric), Bikes (Not racing), Computers (notebooks etc.) woodworking or other tools like saws, hammers, pincers etc. however rusty! The Kenilworth branch clean rusty tools and it is surprising how they can be restored to a nearly new condition. Other items are sent to Coventry for treatment. I am willing to collect any of the above which you wish to donate. David Connelly 8
Chinese government tears down more church crosses
China has torn down more church crosses in Zhejiang, raising fears that soon no Christian crosses will be left standing on churches throughout the province. Release International, which supports persecuted Christians worldwide, is concerned that this campaign of growing intolerance towards Christians in the coastal province of Zhejiang could even spread on throughout China. Release’s partners report another 49 crosses have been torn down since the start of the year. Where churches are refusing to demolish them themselves, the authorities are cutting off their water and electricity. So far, around 1850 crosses have been removed. Release International has recently launched a petition calling on China’s president Xi Jinping to release the jailed Christian human rights lawyer Zhang Kai, who mounted a legal campaign to challenge the cross removals. To sign the petition, search for Zhang Kai on change.org
Measure of a Man. Not – How did he die? But – How did he live?
Not – What did he gain? But – What did he give? These are the things that measure the worth
of a man as a man, regardless of birth. Not – What was his station? But – had he a heart?
And – How did he play his God-given part? Was he ever ready with a word of good cheer?
To bring back a smile, to banish a tear? Not – What was his church? Not – What was his creed?
But – had he befriended those really in need? Not – What did the sketch in the newspaper say?
But - How many were sorry when he passed away? These are the things that measure the worth
Of a man as a man, regardless of birth.
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NEWS OF THE CHURCH FAMILY FOR MAY. MAY BIRTHDAYS. A Happy Birthday to all of the following :- 1st May Betty Connelly 2nd May Bob Watson 5th May Vic Jones 16th May Rosemary Lawrence 17th May Iain McKenzie 19th May Matthew Flint 20th May Bert Greenway 21st May Paul Duffy 24th May Trevor John 25th May Lorna Spencer 31st May Gerald Lawrence Very best wishes to Molly Ives who will be 16 on 27th May. WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES. Happy Wedding Anniversary wishes to 5th May Fred & Anne Holloway 15th May John & Viv Nichols 28th May Phil & Jane Inshaw. Special congratulations are sent to Jane & Phil on the occasion of their Silver Wedding Anniversary. UNWELL/IN HOSPITAL Barbara Jones has now had a positive diagnosis and sadly she has Motor Neurone Disease. Several people have visited her both in hospital and in her new surroundings (see below) and find her very positive. CHANGE OF ADDRESS Three ladies in our congregation have moved during the past month. They are:-
Eileen Brining Methodist Care Home 77A Beake Avenue Coventry CV 6 3AQ
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Barbara Jones Room 40 Richmond Bede Village Hospital Lane Bedworth Coventry CV12 0PD Heather Nichols Homewood Care Home Kenilworth Road Leamington Spa.
We send good wishes to all three ladies and hope that they are settling in to their new surroundings. We continue to pray for Dorothy Barker, Eileen Bates, Eileen Brining, Peggy Everall, Rosemary Lumley, Grace Mitchell, David Steen, Jan Roberts & Joan Lightbown. All of the above mentioned and any who do not wish to be mentioned by name, are in our thoughts and prayers. EXAMS. Molly Ives and Henry Curran will be sitting GCSE exams, Scott McKenzie A Levels and Becky Crichton is working on her final graphics project prior to going to University in the Autumn. We send them (and their families) very best wishes at this time.
As through the care of many, We behold the Lord’s own face. He’s the light in every darkness And the hope in all despair- For he’s the one in everyone Who says, “My love, I’m here!” Sam Doubtfire.
Please let Pat Cowan know in person or on 01926 313904, of any Pastoral Care concerns.
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WEEK,15-22 MAY 2016
Bangladesh is one of the most densely populated and disaster-prone countries in the world. The country has a population of over 160 million people. 80 percent of this population live in rural areas and depend largely on agriculture for their livelihoods. According to the World Bank’s 2010 data, approximately 43% of people still live under the poverty line (less than $1.25 a day). Women are among the most marginalised and subjugated in all spheres of society.
Bangladesh has made considerable progress in reducing poverty. However, many challenges remain due to corruption, poor governance and an over-dependency on natural resources, the status of women in Bangladeshi society and the impact of climate change. Extreme temperatures, erratic rainfall, and an increasing number of floods, cyclones and droughts pose considerable challenges. Especially because the country is already highly vulnerable to natural hazards due to its geographical location, land characteristics, many rivers and monsoon climate. Natural disasters are invariably accompanied by a heavy loss of life, property, income and household belongings. These events serve only to push vulnerable groups and communities further into a cycle of poverty.
Christian Aid started working in Bangladesh in 1972, and are currently working with 15 partners across the country. Partners range from national level policy and advocacy organisations that focus on climate change to partners that work in the field dealing with the issue of secure livelihoods and gender. Work on climate change, disaster risk management, gender equality and human rights issues, Climate change adaptation activities has been integrated into all projects successfully as part of a programme to build resilient livelihoods. In order to build the communities’ resilience to the impact of climate change, several adaptation activities are being practiced in the field by our partners …… In order to cope with the effect of salinity in the coastal areas, saline tolerant rice and saline tolerant vegetables like ginger and turmeric are being cultivated extensively. In water logged areas, floating gardens (rafts made of water hyacinth overlaid with cow dung) are being used for vegetable cultivation. As a measure to protect households from flooding, beneficiaries have been building houses on plinths to raise the level of their houses away from floodwaters. Vermi-compost, vertical agriculture, rain water harvesting, and pond sand filters are all used to cope with the impact of climate change.
This Christian Aid Week, pray, collect and donate to transform more lives, families and communities. Many thanks for your generous support!
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Announcement of £20 million for cathedral fabric
repairs
The Church of England has warmly welcomed the recent
announcement in the Chancellor's Budget of a £20 million
fund for works to cathedrals.
Cathedrals are active community hubs hosting activities from food bank collection, lunch clubs for older people,
parent and toddler groups and support for vulnerable groups such as the homeless to concerts, exhibitions and of course
daily worship. They seek to be constantly accessible to the public and offer a setting where some of the big questions in
life can be asked.
The Church of England’s 42 cathedrals alone welcome over
11m visitors a year, including over 300,000 children on school trips. Research has shown that 78% of people living
in a city with a cathedral felt it was at the heart of their city.
£20m of grants following the 2014 Budget went a long way to help meet the costs of urgent repairs to these buildings
and support local fundraising efforts by Church of England and Roman Catholic Cathedrals.
……………………………………………………………………………………………..
Grateful thanks to all who made my birthday such a lovely success. I really loved all the cards, flowers and other
presents, especially the visits.
Alison C
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Treasurers Report April 2016 Offertory £1820 (2015 - £2019) March Communion gifts for Tools with a Mission £49 Donations: magazine £5, Coffee Pot £100 The Communion Offertory for May will be for MAF Mission Aviation Fellowship, which takes the Gospel and medical help to remote corners of the world.
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ARTICLES FOR THE
JUNE 2016
MAGAZINE SHOULD BE IN BY
SUNDAY 15TH MAY 2016
PLEASE
Revival families
After the local mission outreach had concluded, the three ministers
were discussing the results with one another. The Methodist minister
said, "The mission worked out great for us! We gained four new
families."
The Baptist preacher said, "We did better than that! We gained six
new families."
The Anglican priest said, "Well, we did even better than that! We got
rid of our 10 biggest trouble makers!"
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KENILWORTH COBBLER LTD 6 PRIORY ROAD
KENILWORTH
CV8 1LL
Tel: (01926) 852057
e-mail: [email protected]
Specialists in Traditional Shoes, Riding Boots, Dance Shoes and
Surgical Footwear repairs.
Keys cut while-u-wait, Locks and Safes supplied and fitted.
Door opening service.
Trophies, Medals and Corporate Gifts supplied for all occasions.
Fully computerised engraving service.
Suitcases, Briefcases, Shopping Trolleys, Purses, Wallets, Belts, and
Walking Sticks supplied.
QUALITY PRODUCTS AND CRAFTSMANSHIP
AT
COMPETITIVE PRICES
For further information, please speak to Alan Hands.
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ROTAS –MAY 2016
Transport Flowers provided by Flowers arranged by
1
John Spenser
Bob Watson
Di Wilson
8
Phil Inshaw
Barbara Gillard
Barbara Gillard
15
Colin Ritchie
Pam Muckersie
Betty Connelly
22
John Nichols
Bronwen Todd
Bronwen Todd
29
Pat Cowan
Linda Duffy
Vivien Nichols
Projector & Sound Stewards Readers
1
John McKenzie
Winnie
Helen Green
Phil Inshaw
John Nichols
8
Ivan Pointon
Michael & Henry Curran
Colin Ritchie
15
Bronwen Todd
Linda Duffy
Eileen John
Donna Curran
22
Kath Shortley
Phil Inshaw
Donna Hall
Alison Crichton
Jane Woods-Scawen
29
David Connelly
John & Vivien Nichols
Phil Inshaw
Coffee Car Park Vestry
1
Jane Woods-Scawen
Jennifer Jackson
Phil Inshaw
Eileen John
8
Kath Shortley
Winnie Tawil
The Currans
Rosemary Lawrence
15
Kath Shortley
Winnie Tawil
David Connelly
Pat Cowan
22
Gloria Cordery
Helen Green
Alison Crichton
Betty Connelly
29
Gloria Cordery
Helen Green
John Nichols
John McKenzie
Communion Prep. Comm. Servers
15 Pat Cowan
Anne Gilmore
Pat Cowan
Anne Gilmore
Betty Connelly
Colin Ritchie
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Minister: Rev. Mhari McLintock 02476 672752
Secretary: Anne Gilmore 01926 855586
ELDERS Kenilworth dialling code 01926
Betty Connelly 855218
Pat Cowan 313904
Anne Gilmore 855586
Eileen John 511649
John McKenzie 779810
Rosemary Lawrence 850264
Colin Ritchie 512507
Kath Shortley 512451
Di Wilson 857002
Fellowship Secretary Pat Cowan 313904
Pulpit Supply Kath Shortley 512451
Treasurer David Connelly 855218
Appeals Treasurer John McKenzie 779810
Secretary Managers Ivan Pointon 855399
Junior Church Secretary Donna Curran 857437
Organist Bob Watson 02476 501681
Gift Aid Secretary John McKenzie 779810
Lettings Officer Bronwen Todd 864332
Free Will Envelopes Mary Skidmore 855651
Magazine Editor Mary Skidmore 855651
Ladies Circle Secretary Winnie Tawil 853350
Guide Leader Tracey McNamara 856922
Brownie Leader Sarah Pointer 02477 042291
Rainbow Leader Alice Maceluch 01788 576089
Crèche Ayse McKenzie 779810
Kitchen Committee Winnie Tawil 853350
Healing Group Vivien Nichols 512764
Craft Ministry Peggy Everall 855567
Weekly Notices Mary Skidmore 855651
Child Protection Link Rosemary Lawrence 850264
Transport John Spenser 854747
Kenilworth Foodbank Eileen John 511649
Church Website: www.kenilworthabbeyhill.urc.org.uk
