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Lymington United Lymington United Lymington United Lymington United

Reformed Church Reformed Church Reformed Church Reformed Church

SEPTEMBER 2012SEPTEMBER 2012SEPTEMBER 2012SEPTEMBER 2012

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FROM OUR MINISTER

Dear friends, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last for ever.” (I Corinthians 9:24-25) I have been reminded of these verses several times during the Olympics, which brought great success and glory for some, but huge disappointment and a sense of failure for others. For each one who was genuinely trying his or her best, however, they deserve to be applauded for all the training and hard work which went into their preparation for London 2012. No one can do more than their best, but as Paul makes clear to the Corinthians in those couple of verses, all of us should be doing our best to “get the prize”. Some of you may have seen these words which I wrote for Christian Comment in the Lymington Advertiser and Times during August: “In the Christian life all can win the prize, eternal life with God our loving heavenly Father as we believe and trust in Jesus Christ our Lord. It does not, however, happen automatically, just as Olympic medals are not won automatically. Training is needed – living our lives in this world as trusting and faithful Christians – and we need to keep our goal ever before us. There are distractions which could cause us to turn off the path, we could become weary and give up if we are not empowered by God’s Holy Spirit or we could be running on the wrong track. Let us ensure that we are in the right race (the Christian faith), that we are training for the ultimate prize (eternal life) and that we are relying on the right source of

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strength (God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit) in order to win the race of life.” In the July ‘Open Door’ I wrote about Julius’s successes with his developing school in Uganda and he certainly worked hard to achieve that. I believe we should honour him perhaps more, however, that he kept going with his vision even when the going became tough. Having built up Day Bright School, Julius experienced his senior pastor turning on him because of jealousy and forcing him to walk away from all that he had struggled to achieve. At that time he wrote to me, “I am wearied, I see no course for my life, the children are at home and I wish I had died the day I was bornA” That was a real rock-bottom moment and many of us will be able to point to times in our lives when we have felt something similar. Fortunately the Romans One Eleven Trust and Osborne Middle School on the Isle of Wight continued to believe in Julius and I reminded him of his original vision to provide good schooling for children, a vision brought about because of his own very poor start in life. Julius returned to this goal and eventually, through the good offices of the local school inspector in Uganda, a partially-built school which was for sale was found a few kilometres away in the village of Nkondo. The widow selling it wanted the equivalent of £4000, a massive amount in Uganda and a large amount too for Osborne Middle School but the headteacher, school council, governors, staff and pupils all bought into the aim of raising £4500 for Julius within a year. With the help of the local community that goal was achieved with a few weeks to spare and I was able to visit the school (renamed Osborne Nursery and Primary School, Nkondo because of all of Osborne Middle School’s help) both in 2009 and again in 2011. That was a huge personal thrill to me as I and the school where I was working at the time had

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bought in so much to Julius’s vision and to the race to achieve our goal. I will update the story fully in a future magazine but leave you with these pictures of the early days after Julius took the school over.

Olympic athletes keep going through thick and thin, Julius has kept going in the valleys as well as on the mountain tops and we

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need to do the same. As Paul wrote elsewhere, “Forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead, I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenwards in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14) May that also be true of us.

God bless, Chris

SECRETARY'S NOTES SEPTEMBER 2012 On Sunday, 2nd we welcome Rev'd. Alan Green to lead our worship and, with Brenda, to enjoy a Church Family lunch with us in the hall afterwards. Alan will restrict his preaching engagements to Romsey at the end of the year, so this may be the last time he comes to us. We want to say thank you to them both for all that they've done for us over many years and give them our love and best wishes for the future. Please come to worship and stay for lunch!! We return to our Sunday Church Meetings on the 16th so please bring your own lunch on that day and stay, after the Service, for the Meeting. At the end of the month, 30th, we'll be celebrating Harvest and, on the same day, we'll be part of the National Back-to-Church Sunday campaign where we are urged to bring a friend to Church. There will be special invitations to give to your friends and neighbours. We hope to see lots of new faces on that day! Sadly, the summer holidays have sped by, and we think of our children and young folk returning to school, college and university. We wish them well, particularly those at a new school or college, in a new class with a new teacher. We hope you settle in quickly and have a really good term.

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Remember, the teachers are probably feeling a bit apprehensive, too, meeting lots of new children in their class.

Sandra

BASICS BANK We are progressing with all the policies and paperwork towards becoming a registered charity. We invite you to our AGM on 20th in the Open Door Cafe. We hope to adopt our new constitution and give people information about the process and why we think it is important at this time. Then we'll be thinking about 'Harvest'. We are looking forward to donations from about 30 Churches and schools to build up the stocks to last into the New Year. We are, though, asking people NOT to send baked beans(!!!) as we still have so many boxes of them. We know it is a good, healthy, filling food but you can have too much of a good thing! The volunteers are going into training for moving all the boxes and bags of goods....beats paying expensive gym fees!

17 JULY 2012 CHURCH MEETING The meeting approved unanimously the motion to give £19,990 to our Wessex Synod. This amount being our church's contribution to the Maintenance of the Ministry (M&M) for 2013. There was another motion to give a further one percent, i.e. £200, for our 2013 M& M contribution, providing that we had sufficient funds at the end of our 2012/2013 financial year. This motion was passed by a majority.

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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. 2nd: 10.15 a.m. Elders’ Prayer Time in Vestry

10.30 a.m. Worship, including Communion led by Rev'd. Alan Green followed by a Church Family Lunch 9th: 10.15 a.m. Elders’ Prayer Time in Vestry

10.30 a.m. Worship led by Sandra Jackson

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16th: 10.15 a.m. Elders’ Prayer Time in Vestry

10.30 a.m. Worship led by Rev'd. Chris Vivian followed by BYO lunch and Church Meeting 23rd: 10.15 a.m. Elders’ Prayer Time in Vestry 10.30 a.m. Worship led by Mrs. Christine Pitts of Southbourne. 30th: 10.15 a.m. Elders’ Prayer Time in Vestry

10.30 a.m. Harvest Festival and National 'Back to Church' Sunday led by Rev'd. 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, 10am to 12noon, with Jean Reece (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 THIRD THURSDAY OF THE MONTH, Cruse Bereavement New Forest outreach in the Open Door Cafe 10am to 12noon. Death is a part of life, and grieving a natural process. 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 help.

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Tue. 4th 7.00 p.m. Elders' Meeting Tue. 11th 7.30 p.m. CTLP Council Meeting at St. Thomas' Mon. 17th 7.30 p.m. United Prayer and Praise Fellowship meets in our hall, led by St Thomas’ Thu 20th 7.30 p.m. Basics Bank AGM in the Open Door Cafe. All welcome. 25th August - 2nd September: Minister away on holiday CLOSING DATE FOR OCTOBER 'OPEN DOOR’: 9th

SEPTEMBER

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

CHURCH FAMILY NEWS Congratulations to Elizabeth and James on the safe arrival of their baby, Jessica, on 17th July. Love and best wishes to them and to her proud Granny and Granddad, Leanne and Les, and a delighted Great Grandmother, Audrey. Wonderful news for all the family!! We were delighted to receive 6 friends into full membership of our Church at our Communion Service on 5th August. We welcomed Julia Lane; Ken and Jan Lane; Helen Owen; Tom and Mavis Woodcock. It is great to have you with us.

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At the same service, Catherine Bowell was inducted to serve a further three year term as an Elder. Thanks, Catherine for your commitment.

THANKS Stuart and Mary Ann would like to thank everyone who sent cards and good wishes for their recent Golden Wedding Anniversary. We celebrated with a really enjoyable family get-together at our home with our three sons and their families, as well as our brothers and sisters and their families. The "icing on the cake" was a surprise visit from my New Zealand sister and her husband! Altogether we feel truly blessed.

THANKS2

A "Thank you" to all those who helped in any way towards making the Lymington Arts Festival June 2012 here at the church a success again this year. It is hard work but rewarding not just for our fund raising but welcoming a lot of people in to the church especially during the main music stage Saturday performance Day. Certainly another example of our Open Door in action!

THANKS3

Thank you very much to everyone in church for their good wishes on the birth of my great granddaughter Jessica. She has brought so much joy into our family!

Audrey

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POETRY CORNER Shelagh Richardson writes “One of our members, Mrs Anne Harnett, recited this poem to me recently. She had written it a few years ago and had it read out on Radio Solent. A privileged pastoral visit!” The Osprey How majestic you look as you soar on high, The tips of your wings seem to touch the blue sky. When you dive for a fish in the water so deep You are elegant, accurate, all in one sweep. Then with your catch you eagerly fly To the perilous tip of the pine tree, so high. There your young ones await you with appetite keen Unaware of the hazards through which you have been. To keep them well fed with salmon galore You make many trips to and fro, that's for sure With the wind in your wings you provide for each day Even though storms and dangers are not far away. Then one day when your off-spring is ready and strong When they've learned the art of right flying from wrong You'll leave our rugged mountains for a much warmer clime And we'll wait and we'll hope to see you next time. Anne’s explanation: "I was inspired to write this poem after observing this wonderful bird from a hide in the Cairngorms of Scotland. The nest was on top of a 40 foot pine tree where he fed his young

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birds with fish from a nearby loch. Also the tenacity of this bird reminded me of a favourite verse from Isaiah Chapter 40, verse 31. They that wait upon the Lord, shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. A truly remarkable bird and one worthy of my poem.” Anne Harnett

CHURCH INFORMATION UPDATED: Helena's 2012 holiday dates; • Bank Holidays

• Monday 3rd September, • Tuesday 25th September and • Monday 12th November.

We have a new church "Welcome Leaflet", it has been issued and is available in the church.

TIME TO SMILE

Believe it or not!

Some boys stopped to collect conkers on the way to

church. As a result they were late and they entered

the church just as the congregation were singing the

first hymn: 'See the conquering heroes come'!

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THANKS4

Thank you to all those who sent cards, telephoned and visited me while I was off during the recent knee replacement surgery - it is so kind, thoughtful and very much appreciated.

Helena CARDS FOR GOOD CAUSES (CFGC) SHOP - NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2012.

Our Cards for Good Causes shop is looking for volunteers.................if someone could spare some time please let me know. The shop dates and times are; Open Monday 05/11/12 and continues to Saturday 15/12/12 (inclusive). Days: Monday to Saturday. Times:10am to 4pm (subject to volunteers) split as 10am to 1pm & 1pm to 4pm if possible. Many thanks for your time and look forward to hearing from some willing hands!!

Helena.

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ROTAS FOR SEPTEMBER COMMUNION SUNDAY: 2nd September COMMUNION ELDERS: Gerry and Sandra DUTY ELDER READING IN CHURCH 2

nd: David Bywater Margaret Clark

9th: John Wiseman David Hooper

16th: Mary Ann Jardine John Wiseman

23rd

: Catherine Bowell Janice Perkins 30

th: Maureen Kerr Glenys Bradshaw

STEWARDS SOUND SYSTEM 2

nd: Margaret H Evans and Glenys Bradshaw PR/DB

9th: Mike and Norma Bell WD/MC

16th: Liz Griffiths and Steve Turberville DB

23rd

: David and Ann Hooper MS/GC 30

th: Peter and Jill Haslett MC

COFFEE MORNING ROTAS Saturday Sunday

1st Ann Webber 2

nd: Janice Perkins

8th

Mary Ann Jardine 9th: Margaret Clark

15th

Judith Baker 16th: Junior Church

22nd

The Salvation Army 23rd

: Shelagh Richardson 29

th June Copperi 30

th: Helena Carr

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New Course for Home-Start New Forest starting soon! We are now working with families in New Milton and Lyming-ton. Are you looking for a new challenge? Home-Start New forest is urgently seeking volunteers with parenting experience to work alongside families in the New Forest. We are currently supporting families in the Waterside, Lymington and New Milton, and are regularly asked to take on new families. We provide an 8 week training course which will be on Tuesdays, starting 25

th Sep-

tember from 9.30am until 2.30pm at Cornerstone United Re-formed Church, New Road, Hythe SO45 6BR (not including 30

th October). The course is very interesting and interactive, with

a number of visiting speakers. It is a good chance to find how your experience as a parent can be used to help other people, as well as meet new people. Our families all have at least one child under 5 and have been re-ferred to us for many different reasons, including multiple births, parents with post natal depression, and children or parents with disabilities. They are looking for non-judgemental support 2 or 3 hours weekly, normally in the families’ home. Each volunteer is allocated one family, who they will support for anything from a few weeks to eighteen months. While you are volunteering for us you will have on-going support from the organiser Terry and the Administrator Sharron. Our volunteers have found their role re-warding, challenging and fun ( as well as being good for the CV!)

If you are interested in finding out more, please telephone

02380 899995 and speak to Terry or Sharron or email of-

fice@homestartnewforest.co.uk

Home-Start New Forest

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Helping Parents

build better lives

for their children… You can make a difference to a family in your community. Many parents need help, friendship, advice or support during those early years when children are young. Your experience as a parent can help other parents. Home-Start provides a unique service for families – recruiting and training volunteers to support parents with young children. Do you have a few hours to give each week? Would you consider being a friend to a family?

New preparation course starts soon

To find out more contact: Home Start New Forest

02380 899995 office@homestartnewforest.co.uk Registered Charity 1141417

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19

Professional and Quality Contract Cleaning and Facilities Management Service Carpet and Hard Floor Cleaning

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

01425 613860 Email enquiries@twocountiescleaning.co.uk

Quizaid

In aid of Christian Aid

Friday 21st September 2012

At

Vistas Café (St. Thomas Church Hall)

10.30 am

£3 entry (all proceeds to Christian Aid)

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PAINTING AND DECORATING

DULUX APPROVED

All interior and exterior decoration Wallpaper hanging specialist.

Quick, reliable, tidy service with an experienced team of decorators.

Fully insured: 2 year guarantee

Call LEE ROBERTS

Mobile: 07801 525 130

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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:

• September 2nd, lunch at church.

• Table sale 22nd September

• Anniversary Lunch 21st October with guest

speaker, Mr Alastair Reid, Headmaster of Ballard

School.

• Christmas tree festival, week commencing

5th December.

Note: We are hoping to empty the cottage with our

table sale so we don’t hold up the renovation.

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

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. If the main hall doors are locked during these times there is a door bell located at the rear main hall fire exit door Basics Bank web site: http://www.basicsbank.org.uk/ Tel 01590 610008 e-mail: info@lymurc.org.uk