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The Magazine The Magazine The Magazine The Magazine

of the of the of the of the

Lymington United Lymington United Lymington United Lymington United

Reformed Church Reformed Church Reformed Church Reformed Church

MARCH 2013MARCH 2013MARCH 2013MARCH 2013

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FROM OUR MINISTER

Dear friends, By the time you read this letter we will be well into the season of Lent, as we begin our preparations for Easter. You can read elsewhere in this magazine of the various services and activities which Lymington URC is planning for Easter but for now I want to concentrate on Lent. You may have read my article in Christian Comment in the Lymington Advertiser and Times, when I wrote, ‘Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent as Christians remember the forty days Jesus spent fasting in the desert before the start of his public ministry. It is an opportunity to express sorrow for all our wrongdoing and to begin the preparation for Easter when we remember the death and resurrection of Jesus. In doing that we can express our love for Jesus and, in particular, remember his sacrificial love for us. As the Bible says, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13)’. I wonder how you are using Lent to enable your preparation for Easter? It may be that you have given something up, chocolate for example, but I want to encourage you in the weeks that remain to try to do something more positive and I can give you four suggestions:

• Join in the Churches Together Lent studies on a Thursday evening at the Baptist Church. They are organised by our good friend Phil Wiseman and are entitled “Who is this man?” based on 20 minute DVDs by John Ortberg. It is not too late to come along and you will be very welcome – 7pm on 28

th February, then 7

th, 14

th

and 21st March.

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• Come along to our own Wednesday afternoon Bible Studies in the Open Door Café. We are now using a series of studies entitled “Jesus’ Final Week”, specifically to tie in with Lent and our next meetings will be on 27

th

February, 13th and 27

th March from 2.30pm to 4.00pm.

• Very different is the Christian Aid leaflet “Count Your

Blessings 2013”, which is reproduced elsewhere in this magazine or you may already have picked up a copy at church in the weekly notices. It links gratitude for our blessings in the UK with the opportunity to give and pray for specific situations in the Third World via Christian Aid. So for instance on Monday 25

th March it says this,

“Hunger is the number one health risk. Every year, it kills more people than AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis combined. Give 50p for each meal and 20p for each snack you will eat today.”

• Finally there is “40 acts”, an invitation to “do Lent

generously” with the opportunity to perform 40 acts of generosity and receive 40 reflections during 40 days of Lent. This is for those of you who might prefer to do something more practical to express your love for God and his people as a response to all of his love for us. If this appeals to you look at www.40acts.org.uk

Jesus did so much for us when he came to this earth FOR US, died FOR US and was then raised to life FOR US. My question for all of us this month is what will we do for Him and for others?

Your friend and minister, Chris

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SECRETARY'S NOTES MARCH 2013 Hopefully, there'll be more signs of spring by the time you read this. There are a few brave snowdrops poking through the mud in my garden at the time of writing. This month, our Church Meeting will take place on the 17th after the Service and BYO lunch. Please come and be fully part of all that is happening at our church. Fun, food and fellowship is promised for our Quiz night on Friday, 22nd. We are hoping the other Churches will be involved so that it can be an inter-church event. Do please make every effort to come! Transport can be arranged if that will help. Then, we will be in to Holy Week and Easter, with a quiet reflective communion on Maundy Thursday, a united act of worship on Good Friday in the forecourt (weather permitting!) and a joint celebration of Easter Day with our Methodist friends. It is incredibly rewarding to be part of each service as we then get the full picture of all that Jesus went through for us. Please try to make that commitment to walk with Him from the Last Supper to His resurrection. Wishing you the blessings of joy, peace and love this Easter.

Sandra

BASICS BANK We are still very well stocked after all the Christmas trolley drops. But, already, we can see some spaces on the shelves. There has been a slight increase in the number of parcels

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going out. We feel, though, that there are people in need that we are not reaching. If you know an individual or family who could do with some help, please contact our Minister, and we may be able to help. It can all be done anonymously if the recipients would be embarrassed by us knowing they were receiving help. Our thanks go to Tony Miles, husband of Christine, our regular Wednesday volunteer, who has offered to run the London Marathon for the Basics Bank this year. He would greatly appreciate your support. There are details in this magazine of how you can help. Well done, Tony, we'll be cheering you on!

CHILDREN'S BIRTHDAY We wish a very happy birthday to: Byron Smith who will be 8 on the 11th Julia Saqui who will be 18 on the 16th!!!! Matthew Turberville who will be 11 on the 23rd. We hope you all have a wonderful day!!

CHURCH FAMILY NEWS Many congratulations and happy birthday wishes to Julia Saqui who will celebrate her 18th birthday on the 16th. Enjoy your celebrations!! Our thoughts and prayers are with Dorothy Cooper who is in Southampton General Hospital after suffering a stroke at the beginning of February.

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LYMINGTON URC DIARY

EVERY WEDNESDAY the Prayer Group will meet in the Church from 9.15 a.m. until 10.00 a.m. Everyone welcome. COFFEE MORNINGS: EVERY MONDAY, TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY, from 10.00 a.m.—12 noon, in the Open Door Café. Every Tuesday the Open Door Cafe proceeds support the Romans One Eleven Trust and local charities and groups. The Open Door Cafe will also open on Fridays and will be staffed by members of the Fellowship and Fundraising committee. EVERY SATURDAY, from 9.30 a.m.—11.30 a.m., in the hall. SUNDAY WORSHIP EVERY 2nd, 4th and 5th Sunday afternoons Lymington Salvation Army services. The 2nd Sunday will be a service in the Sanctuary and the 4th will be a Cafe service.

3rd: 10.15 a.m. Elders’ Prayer Time in Vestry 10.30 a.m. Worship for including Communion led by Rev’d Chris Vivian 10th: 10.15 a.m. Elders’ Prayer Time in Vestry 10.30 a.m. Worship for Mothering Sunday led by Mrs. Brenda McCarron 17th: 10.15 a.m. Elders’ Prayer Time in Vestry 10.30 a.m. Worship led by Rev. Chris Vivian followed by BYO lunch and Church Meeting

24th: 10.15 a.m. Elders’ Prayer Time in Vestry 10.30 a.m. Worship for Palm Sunday led by Rev. Bill McCrea

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EASTER SERVICES Thursday 28th 7.30 p.m. Maundy Thursday Communion Service (Tenabrae) led by Rev. Chris Vivian Friday 29th 10.00 a.m. United Service for Good Friday in the Forecourt, followed by coffee/tea and Hot Cross buns in the hall Sunday 31st 10.30 a.m. United Methodist /URC Celebration of Easter Day including Communion led by Chris Vivian

EVERY WEEK there will be Junior Church and coffee/tea after the service.

OTHER EVENTS EVERY FIRST MONDAY OF THE MONTH, New Forest Disability Information Service Outreach Session in the Open Door Café, 10 a.m. to 12 noon (not on Bank Holidays though). EVERY THIRD TUESDAY OF THE MONTH, from 10.00 a.m.—12 noon, Carers’ Café in the Open Door Café.

EVERY 4th SATURDAY ON A BI-MONTHLY BASIS, (started on the 22/09/12) Cruse Bereavement New Forest will have an Information Table in the Open Door Cafe 9.30am to 11.30am. Cruse is committed to breaking the stigma around grief and ensuring that everyone, no matter how old or young can access the highest quality support following a bereavement. Trained Cruse Bereavement volunteers will be on hand in the Open Door Cafe to offer information, help and advice. Cruse will be in the church on: 23rd March 2013 & 25th May 2013.

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Fri. 1st 2.00 p.m. Women's World Day of Prayer Service at the Roman Catholic Church. Speaker: Rev. Kate Wilson, Oakhaven Hospice Chaplain Tue. 5th 7.00 p.m. Elders' Meeting Thu. 7th 7.00 p.m. CTLP Lent Course at the Baptist Church Fri. 8th 12 noon Basics Bank Committee Meeting in the Basics Bank Sat. 9th 10.00 a.m. Wessex Synod Meeting at Richmond Hill St Andrews URC, Bournemouth Wed. 13th 2.30p.m. Bible Study in the Open Door Cafe 6.00 p.m. Pastoral Visitors Meeting, in the Open Door Café Thu. 14th 7.00 p.m. CTLP Lent Course at the Baptist Church Tue. 19th 7.30 p.m. CTLP Council Meeting in the hall 2.30 p.m. Solent Mead Easter Service led by Rev. Chris Vivian Thu. 21st 7.00 p.m. CTLP Lent Course at the Baptist Church (last) Fri. 22nd 6.30 p.m. Quiz with Fish and Chips

Wed. 27th 2.30 p.m. Bible Study in the Open Door Cafe Sat. 30th 10.00-11.30 a.m. Children's Easter Craft Workshop in the Open Door Cafe

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CLOSING DATE FOR APRIL 'OPEN DOOR’: 10th MARCH

Free Wi Fi connection to the internet available in the Open Door Cafe, Balcony and Main Hall areas. Just ask for the required password!

NEW ART CLASS…..JUST COME ALONG!

Are you interested in improving your drawing or painting skills, then come along on a Friday to the main hall at the United Reformed Church to try an art session with locally born artist and teacher, Heather Jolliffe. Heather studied at Priestlands School, Brockenhurst College, Bournemouth and Poole College of Art and then the Royal Academy Schools of Art in London and is now running art classes here in Lymington. Her teaching style is informative, with plenty of tried and tested practical help, whilst at the same time creating a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere to learn in. Her love of the local coastline and countryside is reflected in her own work, which you can view at http://www.heatherjolliffeart.co.uk/ and find out a bit more about her. Heather is an experienced teacher and practicing painter, who is happy to help people learn in most drawing and painting mediums, and at all stages of becoming creative, beginners or the more experienced. The art sessions run every Friday morning from 11.15 to 1.15 and costs £10. So do pop in and have a dabble with a pencil or brush! If you wish to speak with Heather contact her on 07545 973870 or by email at heather@heatherjolliffeart.co.uk.

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ROTAS FOR MARCH COMMUNION SUNDAY: 3rd COMMUNION ELDERS: Mary Ann and Catherine DUTY ELDER READING IN CHURCH 3rd: Margaret Clark Peter Richardson 10th: Jenny Henderson Glenys Bradshaw 17th: David Bywater David Hooper 24th: John Wiseman Wyn Davies 31st: Mary Ann Jardine Jenny Henderson

STEWARDS SOUND SYSTEM 3rd: Peter and Shelagh Richardson GC 10th: Margaret Evans and Glenys Bradshaw PR/KL 17th: Norman and Lizbeth Eason WD/MC 24th: Mike and Norma Bell KL 31st: Liz Griffiths and Steve Turberville MS/GC

COFFEE MORNING ROTAS Saturday Sunday 2nd Mary Ann Jardine 3rd Helena Carr 9th Judith Baker 10th Jenny Henderson 16th The Salvation Army 17th Ann Hooper 23rd Ann Webber 24th Kate Noon 30th Mary Ann Jardine 31st Ann Longney

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Whilst every care is taken to ensure information in the magazine is accurate, Lymington URC does not accept, and disclaims, any liability to any party for loss or damage caused by errors or omissions which results from negligence, accident or any other cause. Lymington URC does not officially endorse any advertising material included in the magazine.

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CHURCHES TOGETHER IN LYMINGTON AND PENNINGTON

Calling anyone interested in helping to run a

Children’s Holiday Club

(based on Scripture Union material)

12 – 16 August 2013, 10.00am to 12 noon

at the United Reformed Church

to a preliminary meeting at Lymington URC, High Street, Lymington

at 7.00pm on Wednesday 13th March.

Please just turn up or contact Chris Vivian (01590 675633 or chrisvivian@btinternet.com)

PAINTING AND DECORATING

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Full Hygiene & Nappy Waste Service For a free no obligation quote please contact

01425 613860 Email enquiries@twocountiescleaning.co.uk

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PLEASE NOTE: This magazine is printed on paper from renewable sources out of our concern for the environment.

OPEN DOOR FELLOWSHIP AND FUNDRAISING

Forthcoming events:

The Fellowship and Fundraising Committee has a pro-

gramme of events which we hope will receive your usual

enthusiastic support:

• Quiz night, with fish and chips, 22nd March

at 6.30 p.m., in the church hall.

Occasions for fellowship and fundraising in 2013 may

include:

• Pimms, Pasty and Pudding on a May Saturday,

• Grand opening BBQ for our garden,

• Beach BBQ depending on work on Ann W’s beach hut,

• Cream Teas,

• Strawberry Tea,

• Anniversary lunch,

• Salvation Army concerts.

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CONTACT DETAILS

Minister: Rev’d Chris Vivian. Tel 01590 675633 e-mail: chrisvivian@btinternet.com Church Secretary: Sandra Jackson. Tel 01590 676306 e-mail: secretaryurclym@btinternet.com Magazine Editor: Wyn Davies. Tel 01425 616384 e-mail: WynBDavies@sky.com Church web site: http://www.lymurc.org.uk/ Tel 01590 676306 e-mail: adminurclym@btinternet.com Other web sites that list the church: http://www.joinmychurch.com http://www.findachurch.co.uk http://www.searchchurch.co.uk Centre Manager: Helena Carr. Tel 01590 676306 On site Monday-Friday 8.30am to 2pm. The church of-fice is in the cottage. If the main hall doors are locked during the office open times, please proceed to the cot-tage which is a separate building at the rear of the church main hall. Basics Bank web site: http://www.basicsbank.org.uk/ Tel 01590 610008 e-mail: nfbbsecretary@gmail.com