FEBRUARY 2015 No 636

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God,

and the Word was God. John 1:1 (NIV)

THE MAGAZINE OF PETERSFIELD & ST PAUL’S LISS

UNITED REFORMED CHURCHES

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From our Minister…

My dearest friends, for those who were in church on Christmas morning I hope you enjoyed the appearance of the Wonky Donkey and that you all had a peaceful Christmas and the beginnings of a very Happy New Year.

We never know of course what the future will hold for any of us. There have been quite a few un-well people over this Christmas period and we pray that their health will continue to improve. As the days get longer and the signs of spring begin to pop their heads once more from the damp cold soil of winter, hopefully we’ll all begin to feel a little better.

Within the next week or so the church will once more enter into the season of Lent. The Lenten season may not be the longest season in the church calendar year but it is one of the most important. Traditionally it’s a time of spiritual preparation for Easter through prayer, repentance, study and growth as the death and resurrection of our Saviour comes into focus. Then on Sunday the 29th of March it will be Palm Sunday and we will once more then enter into Holy Week as we watch our Lord enter the holy city of Jerusalem riding on the back of a donkey. Then onward to Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday - the 5th of April. Now try to imagine if you can you've just bought a brand new car. You sit it in for the first time, smell that new car smell, twiddle the knobs and familiarise yourself with the controls. Then you turn the key and the engine bursts into life. You drive it home, the purr of the motor, neighbours look as you park it outside your house. Just 25 miles on the clock, the paintwork shines in the morning sun and you look with pride at your nice new car. Two days later there’s a knock at the door and stood there are two men who you’ve never met before. “Can I help you?” you ask. They tell you that their boss has told them to borrow your car because he wants a ride in it. He intends to ride over Butser Hill and down into to city to show the people of Portsmouth just who he is. The two men tell you that they will have the car back to you in about three or four hours but they must take it straight away. “So please can we have the keys?”

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How do you think we would react? Would we shut the door in their face, lock the door and call the police? Would we ask them some questions or demand some credentials and a guarantee that the car would not be damaged? Would we inquire about their insurance, do they even have a driving licence? And who is this boss of yours anyhow? Would we just simply tell them to clear off or

more politely tell them there’s a perfectly good car rental garage up in Liss. Or just quote a line from William Shakespeare's Hamlet ‘Neither a borrower nor a lender be;’ (Said just to show off how clever we think we are.) I wonder, have you ever thought that it might have been a bit like that with the owner of the donkey on the first Palm Sunday morning? Two men approach the home of this donkey owner. He’d not seen either of them before. But, the two men began untying the animal, and simply said, "The Master has need of it." We’re not told much in the way of detail, so we don't know whether there had been any prior arrangements made by Jesus. However what we do know, and see, is Jesus once more being in complete control of the situation. On reading this account, which we find in all of the four Gospel’s, have you ever questioned what his disciples must have thought as they were given their instructions? “Find the donkey and untie it and bring it to me,” said Jesus. He then tells them, “if anyone asks you why you’re untying it, you’ll to say to them, the Lord has need of it." Again I can’t help but speculate how we choose to respond to the continuing call of Christ upon our lives which says ‘the Lord has need of

it.’ How quick are we to offer our possessions for the glory of God; offering our money, the gift of our time, our talents? Do we hesitate and hold back or unconditionally offer our gifts in obedience to our Lord’s requests? What of those two faithful un-named disciples who were sent to get the donkey; unnoticed and unheralded? That can also be the same for us. However God knows, and we will know, that we’ve been used by God for his purposes.

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So it was that the owner of the donkey learnt the art of joyful lending and the disciples learnt the joy of trustful obedience. The owner lending his donkey was taught, perhaps, the art of being willing to be used no matter how foolish it might seem. Giving what he had and taking the risk. The disciples learnt the lesson of obedience to the word of Christ and then received the joy of watching as it brought the most amazing results. We all have so much to offer, so much to present to God and so much to receive. May we all continue to give generously in this year of our Lord 2015. For the greatest giver this world has ever known of course was Jesus Christ our Lord. Leaving behind the riches and glory of His heavenly kingdom, He chose to come to Earth and willingly give His life so that we could keep ours. The second letter to the Corinthian church reveals a number of inspiring truths about giving. Paul gave a warning to the Corinthians, “Remember this,” he wrote, “whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously” ‘Each of us should give what we have decided in our hearts to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.’ 2 Corinthians 9:7) Your brother and servant in Christ – Revd Peter

From the Editors ...

Welcome to 2015 and to the February Messenger. We hope you had a good Christmas and to remind us of that season, we have a pictorial review of Christmas at Petersfield URC together with two people's particular experiences during the Christmas season. Looking forward, we have the difficult subject of same sex marriage to discuss at our special Church Meeting this month and we would do well to heed the advice in Robin Ive's article on page 24 and see what guidance we can glean from the Bible (God's Manual for life). If you have an hour or two to spare during the week, why not offer them to Liam to help in the Little Fishes cafe or Dads' Club? As ever, very many thanks to all our contributors - without you, there would be no Messenger. Keith and Mary

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Christmas at Petersfield URC

Liss Band played Advent carols for us on Sunday 7

December. The congregation participated

in 'The 12 days of Christmas'

At Tea on the Terrace on 12 December, Julie and Val entertained

us to 'An old time Music Hall'

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The Nativity on Sunday 14 December brought to life the Christmas story -

well done to all who took part including the wind band

On Christmas Day we were introduced to the 'Wonky

Donkey' as we all shared in the celebration of Christ's birth.

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Christmas Worship in three forms On Epiphany Sunday morning, Peter Norris preached on the theme of worship, explaining that the previous Sunday the family had joined Claire and Kevin at their Church in Emsworth. A totally different building and style of service from that which we experience here at either St. Pauls or College Street., and one with which, I detect, Peter felt a little uncomfortable. But for the younger generation, apparently, it is appealing and transformative. As Peter reminded us, there are different ways to worship God, from the bearing of gifts by the Magi, to the performance style of a warehouse Church. I cast my mind back to three very varied services that Gill and I attended in December, and I felt I should share them with you.

The first was a Nativity Service in the English Reformed Church in Amsterdam. This fellowship was founded in February 1607 (although the building itself dates back a further century) since when it has served the English speaking population of the city, being part of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland. We found it in a peaceful close, right in the heart of the city, just feet away from a bustling shopping street. The Church

was packed with all ages as “The Innkeeper’s Story” was enacted, with a star performance from the young Innkeeper himself, who delighted in burying his head in a pillow in the pulpit (his bedroom) after each successive knock at the door that first Christmas Eve. The second was closer to home, the annual service of Lessons and Carols in Holy Trinity Church, Privett, a building with which some of you are probably familiar. Dominating the landscape for miles around, with its spire 160 feet above ground level, constructed in the Gothic revival style in the late nineteenth century, it is totally out of scale with its surroundings, and the community it served, and is now supported through the Churches Conservation Trust as an historic building. Impressive, but cold.

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And then Christmas Day Communion in an urban parish church in an inner suburb of Sheffield. Bar the adjacent school buildings and a couple of houses, all around were tower blocks and local authority housing. Another more modest nineteenth-century building had been converted, so that the former chancel was now a simple Church, the nave and crossing converted to a hall and kitchen. A small worship group of keyboard plus two, the service on a screen and a pleasing informality on the theme of “Unexpected Christmas”. Worship in three different forms. God in three places. One an experience, yes, but I cannot help feeling personally more at home either in Amsterdam or Sheffield. Peter Jolly

A singing Christmas.

“Joy to the world, the Saviour reigns, let all their songs employ”.

One of God’s many wonderful gifts to us is that of song. This Christmas was for me a truly singing Christmas, full of joy. It started for me, as a member of the Liss Community Choir’s Christmas concert, in the village Hall on 3rd December. Shortly afterwards I joined the singers from Liss Churches together as we visited nine Care Homes to sing carols. The singers came from six different churches and our numbers varied from about thirty singers at some Homes to about fifteen at others. Leaders from the different churches had varied ways of conducting the evening. Some started with a small talk while others read passages from the Bible or read prayers. Many carols were sung, with the main objective being to encourage the residents to take part, if able to do so. We always ended by singing “We wish you a Merry Christmas”. It was very uplifting to see how many of those residents whose memories were failing, were still able to recall some words and tunes. There were some lovely reactions. One lady joined hands with a Carer and they almost danced together as they stepped from one foot to the other as we sang. Another lady said after each carol “That wasn’t bad was it?

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We were made extremely welcome at each home – I don’t think I have ever eaten so many mince pies, or drunk so many glasses of mulled wine! I was very impressed with the excellent caring atmosphere at each home. As a retired Nurse, I was particularly aware of small gestures of kindness made by members of staff, to those residents who needed extra help. It was lovely to visit Vic at East Hill, Agnes at Eastfield, Felicity and Elsa Bulmer at Rotherbank, and also a dear personal friend at Milkwood. Visiting these homes brought back memories for me. My first nursing job, having come to live in Liss, was at Wenham Holt (in those days a Convalescent Home). I nursed a private patient in Heath Mount. I have known Chatterwood and Milkwood as private houses and Forest Brow as the home of Jean Lambert who was a great supporter of St. Pauls. I remember Easthill as an hotel. As an Honorary Secretary for the Liss and Liphook area for RUKBA (now Independent Age) I visited many beneficiaries in many of the homes. Our final Churches Together event was performing with the Liss Band to sing carols at the Liss Christmas Fair. However singing with Churches Together was not the only time I joined in singing carols. I visited some of the 24 beautifully decorated “Living Advent Calendar” windows around the village. This was the second year people had decorated a window with a Christmas theme. At dusk people stand outside as the window is lit up, carols are sung and more mince pies and mulled wine are consumed – all great fun! Over six hundred people visited the windows this year. Yet more singing was to come. Our happy carol service at St. Paul’s was followed by a visit to my sister’s family near Ashford, where there were five little children. We all joined hands around the lunch table and I sang the Grace I had sung as a child - “For health and strength and daily food we praise thy name O Lord”. Ros Hamilton

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FROM ST. PAUL’S UNITED REFORMED CHURCH

Elizabeth and I think that St. Paul’s has been blessed during the almost forty years that we have worshipped there. When we joined as I have previously said, there were twelve members including Terry and Elsie Edgar, Una Bowley, Elsie and Ian MacCullum, Ron and Jean Lockhart, Margaret Morris and Betty Parsons and her mother, and the Reverend Doctor Jock Wilson. What St. Paul’s presently does well …..is 1. Its singing, very much encouraged by Jim’s playing on our tuneful electric organ (our old one sold to the Historic Palaces is now residing in the dining room of Kew Palace). 2. Little Fishes – our mother and toddler group led by Anne and assisted by Ros, Elizabeth and Tony Catmull. Last week there were about twenty-five adults and thirty children. Quite a level of outreach! 3. Sharing our building with Forward in Faith who come from far and wide. Reverend Peter found recently their meetings included some of the staff in the nearby nursing homes. This is something we had prayed for - that the care assistants could be included within the churches of our area. 4. National Childbirth Trust also shares our building as does Fiddlesticks Music. 5. St. Paul’s is represented in Liss Churches Working Together and we have a shared prayer breakfast organised by Val three or four times a year but always including Easter morning following the joint sunrise service. St. Paul’s also assists with, and regularly donates to Liss Food Bank. Our members have sung in the combined choir that sings in the nursing homes at Christmas. 6. In the past Tony, Alan and Elizabeth have represented St. Paul’s in the Ukraine mission and Tony is going for his eleventh trip this year. We are very blessed with the services of Peter our minister who preaches two to three times a month and a number from Petersfield URC who also lead worship, as does our own Alan Jones. We also have friends from other local churches who lead us in worship on occasions. However, our membership numbers are now low and only three of us are active elders, so this year we have to think about our future and what God’s plan is for us, especially at the time of Peter’s retirement in the future. So we need to pray for His guidance. My main theme for the first Messenger of 2015 is, as we heard this morning in our reading from John Chapter 15 “I am the true vine and my Father is the gardener”. So often we go through life relying on our own ability, rushing about fulfilling our objectives and make little time to connect with Jesus. We neither use the power of scripture or writings about scripture, nor do we have an active prayer life. If we do pray and tell God our needs and wants, it is unlikely that we allow a period of silence afterwards so that God might have the opportunity to answer our prayers. I have found the prepared words of Selwyn Hughes in

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Everyday with Jesus exceptionally useful where he encourages us to read the scriptures where we might find the answers we all search for. Pages dated Wednesday 14th January 2015, Thursday 15th and Friday 16th are particularly relevant. Maybe we shall be able to get some extra copies for folk to read. Only through scripture reading, prayer and silent time will we get to know God better and I quote from Word for Today January 1st 2015 : “Get to Know God This Year.” Let Him Boast .. that He understands and knows me! Jeremiah 9 verse 24God Says: “Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows Me..” (verses 23-24). The truth is, if you don’t know God it doesn’t matter how much money you have in your bank account, or what diplomas hang on your wall, or what position you hold in the company. Until you have a relationship with God, you haven’t really begun to live! And part of getting to know Him is learning the truth about yourself. After witnessing the miracle-working power of Christ, Peter acknowledged, “I am a sinful man!” (Luke 5:8). When the prophet Isaiah saw the Lord sitting upon His throne, he cried, “Woe is me!” (Isaiah 6:5). But God doesn’t tell you the truth about yourself and then leave you that way. No, like a good doctor, He tells you you’re sick so that you can get the proper treatment. And the proper treatment for sin is salvation through the blood of Jesus. You will never know God until you are related to Him through Jesus Christ. So if you’ve never accepted Him as your Saviour, start this New Year by praying “Lord, I repent and turn from my sin. I place my life in Your hands, trusting You as my Lord and Saviour. By faith I receive the gift of eternal life. Starting today, I ask You to lead and guide me and fulfil Your will through me. In Jesus’ name I pray; Amen” From John’s gospel, we hear that Jesus is the vine and His Father is the gardener. So we need a relationship with Jesus, then we will be connected through Him to God the Father, encouraged by the Holy Spirit, so that we can become fruitful in 2015 and during our lives, fulfilling His Purpose for His Glory. This can only be achieved by regular reading of scripture, applying its knowledge to situations in which we find ourselves, praying about our needs and all the world’s needs and allowing silent time to find the answer. This applies to me. May God bless you all this year. Tony Phillips

Dads’ Club: Are You The Man For The Job? Are you a man, free roughly one to two hours on Saturday mornings, once or twice a month? Then you might be just the person that Dads' Club needs! We're looking for a couple of men from the church who can help with setting up, packing away, making tea & coffee, and just getting to know the guys! If you'd be interested in helping out (whatever you age!) please contact Liam for more information (T. 07742 791 009, E. Liam@PetersfieldURC.com). For more information about Dads' Club visit: www.petersfieldurc.com/DadsClub

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Each month we interview a member of Petersfield or Liss church, so that we can get to know a bit more about them. This month we would like to thank Julie Pejnovic from Petersfield URC for sharing her experiences with us.

Tell us about your childhood and early life My father was in the Royal Navy. My parents, younger sister and I lived in Cowplain, where it seemed like everyone we knew had a link with either the Navy or the Dockyard. I remember lots of times waving Dad off as he went away to sea for 9 months, or getting very excited when we went to meet the ship when he came home again. I went to school in Cowplain and Purbrook where I was quite quiet and studious, and passed lots of exams! I still enjoyed myself, and once I discovered music I loved going to rock concerts with my friends, which caused my poor mother some anxiety especially when motor bikes were involved. I left home when I was 18 to train as a nurse.

How did you become a Christian and how has being a Christian affected your life? I was christened into the Church of England, but my family were not church goers, and I did not really become a Christian until I was 18. I had just left home, and one of my fellow student nurses invited me to go to church with him and his wife. After that I often joined them, and as I moved around as a young adult I always found a local church to go to. I must be honest and say that my Christian journey has not always been easy. My faith has been tested, but I have met some wonderful people who have supported and helped me. Attending an Alpha Course was a big turning point for me, because I was able to ask questions, not feel awkward about asking them, and importantly I was given answers or shown how to find my own answers. I find that attending a Home Group is a wonderful way of continuing that learning. Being a Christian completely enriches my life, it has given me strength to cope with life’s challenges and a great feeling of hope.

How long have you been associated with Petersfield URC? What are your main ministries there? I first became linked the URC when Robin Ive gave me a leaflet about the Alpha course as I was queuing outside the Holiday Club back in 2003 or thereabouts. We had not long moved back to Petersfield after 4 years in Wales, and knew I wanted to go to church again; I just lacked the confidence to walk in on my own. As soon as I walked into the URC, I was welcomed and I felt I had come home,

Spotlight on…

...Julie Pejnovic

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and that was it, I was there to stay. I feel very proud that I am now an Elder as I hope I can now give something back to the church that has done so much for me.

What was your employment career? I trained as a general nurse in Salisbury, and then went on to qualify as an occupational health nurse. I loved working in industry; I worked in Portsmouth naval base, and when Tom and I moved to London I worked for Unilever, both in their Head Office and in their factories in East London where they made washing powder, margarine and other products. I found nursing an ideal career to have while bringing up children, as I was always able to find hours that fitted in with childcare. About 15 years ago I made the change into the voluntary sector. I was appointed as a befriending service manager in Fratton, and went on to work for the Alzheimer’s Society for a number of years, most recently based in London. I now work locally part time as a researcher for Citizens Advice, and I really do not miss the long hours I used to spend commuting.

Tell us about your family life and leisure interests I have been married to Tom for 32 years. We have lived in Petersfield for most of that time, apart from a couple of years in London and 4 years in Cardiff when Tom had to work there for while. Tom works for a U.S insurance company, and although he is based in London he often travels abroad. Sometimes I am able to join him, which is very exciting. Tom’s parents are Serbian; they came to the UK as political immigrants after WW11. He was brought up in the Eastern Orthodox Church, whose traditions are very different from those of the URC. It makes for some interesting debates! Tom and I had three children. Sadly, our son David died from cancer many years ago, but we have two lovely daughters Anna and Jeanette. Anna is a nurse, working at the Royal Marsden Hospital, and Jeanette is studying fashion and textiles at Portsmouth University. Now that I am working part time, I have time for hobbies again. We have a scruffy mongrel dog, Dylan, and I enjoy walking him. I love reading, and belong to a small local book club, which is encouraging me to read all sorts of books that I may not normally have even considered. I am not a bad cook and dressmaker. My favourite thing to do is to spend time with my friends and family. What is your favourite Bible verse and what does it mean for you? My friend who first invited me to go to church with him in Salisbury gave me a bible and wrote this at the front. It is from Ephesians 3, verses 16-18 ‘I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your

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hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,’ What a wonderful hope to have for someone. And I think those prayers have worked, because I do feel strengthened and I am beginning to understand the extent of Christ’s love. I wish the same for everyone.

A new book for the Church Library: ROSEMARY’S RAMBLINGS by Rev Rosemary Solomon (formerly Pullen).

This little book provides us with a number of ‘thoughts’ all drawn from everyday life and recounted with an endearing sense of humour. Do borrow and use it. It is of special interest to us all as Rosemary and her family came here in the 1980’s. She was called to ministry from this Church and for a time served in the Hindhead area where we and St Paul’s were able to keep in touch with her. A recent sabbatical gave her the opportunity to realise a long-standing dream: to write a book. For those of you who knew Rosemary: She re-married last year and is now happily settled in the Chesterfield area with her new husband and, of course, her dog. If you want to know more, ask a Perry. Joyce Perry

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Petersfield Rotas February 2015

St Pauls’ Rotas February 2015

Sunday Elder Welcomer Flowers February 1 Anne Glenn Tony Catmull

Tony Phillips February 8 Tony Phillips Betty Parsons

February 15 Elizabeth Phillips Val Torrance Ros Hamilton

February 22 Anne Glenn Tony Catmull

Birthday greetings are sent to all those who celebrate their birthdays in February including:

Steve Glenn 3rd, Derek Chandler 21st Anne Glenn 7th Claire Osborne 21st Tony Catmull 10th Laura Bibb 28th

It's never too late to be the person God wants you to be ... but

Ultimately ... it's all about Jesus

Join us for a NEW evening Service in Petersfield as we unpack the

Gospel of John @ TrinityLocal meeting at Petersfield URC

starting on Sunday 8 February and taking place every Sunday evening

(except the first Sunday in each month)

Refreshments will be served from 6 pm

Service starts at 6.30 pm

TrinityLocal is an evening congregation of Trinity Church, Liphook

Sunday February 1 February 8 February 15 February 22

Stewards Maureen Gilbert & Tony Crew (am) Peter Crane (pm)

David Darling & Janet Clemmy

Lyn Norris & Volunteer needed

Sylvia Bressey & Gwen Peake

Welcomer Doreen Lewis Mavis Marlow Peter Jolly Graham Fountain

Elder Jo Oru (am) Brian Blogg (pm)

Ron Wing Sue Bone Carol Tubbs

Communion Servers

Brian Blogg & Joyce Perry

Sue Bone & Ron Wing

Flowers Dee & Peter Crane Sue Bone

AV Keith Evans Carolyn Barton Liam Maguire David Darling

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Petersfield Church Calendar – February 2015

Sunday 1 11 am The Minister

6.30 pm The Minister (Holy Communion)

Monday 2 11.30 am Ladies Bible Study CFC

8 pm Prayer Time CFC

Tuesday 3 9.30 am Little Fishes Toddler Group CFC

7.30 pm Elders' Meeting CFC

Thursday 5 7.30 pm Home Fellowship Group (see Liam or Esme for details)

8 pm Home Fellowship Group 12 Geddes Way

Saturday 7 8 am Menunited Men's Breakfast CFC

12 noon Christian Aid Simple Lunch Methodist Church

Sunday 8 11 am The Minister

Monday 9 11.30 am Ladies Bible Study CFC

1 pm Little Fishes Bible Study CFC

Tuesday 10 9.30 am Little Fishes Toddler Group CFC

7.30 pm Women's' Fellowship CFC

Wednesday 11 7.15 pm* Home Fellowship Group 30 Marden Way

Friday 13 2.30 pm Tea on the Terrace CFC

Sunday 15 11 am The Minister (Holy Communion)

Monday 16 8 pm Prayer Time CFC

Tuesday 17 2 pm Connie's Handicraft Group CFC

Thursday 19 7.30 pm Home Fellowship Group (see Liam or Esme for details)

8 pm Home Fellowship Group 12 Geddes Way

Friday 20 7 pm Love life, live Lent CFC

Saturday 21 10 am Dads' Club CFC

Sunday 22 11 am Pathways Service

Monday 23 11.30 am Ladies Bible Study CFC

1 pm Little Fishes Bible Study CFC

Tuesday 24 9.30 am Little Fishes Toddler Group CFC

7.30 pm Special Church Meeting CFC

Wednesday 25 7.15 pm* Home Fellowship Group 30 Marden Way

Friday 27 7 pm Love life, live Lent CFC *Please note the earlier time of the Marden Way Home Group

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St Paul’s Church Calendar – February 2015

Sunday 1 9.30 am Morning Worship with Holy Communion

The Minister

Monday 2 9.30 am Little Fishes Church & Church Hall

Tuesday 3 9.30 am Fiddlesticks Church Hall

Wednesday 4 10 am NCT Meeting Church & Church Hall

Saturday 7 8 am Menunited Men's breakfast Petersfield URC

Sunday 8 9.30 am Morning Worship The Minister

Monday 9 9.30 am Little Fishes Church & Church Hall

Tuesday 10 9.30 am Fiddlesticks Church Hall

7.30 pm Elders' Meeting Church Hall

Wednesday 11 10 am NCT Meeting Church & Church Hall

Saturday 14 8.30 am LCWT Prayer Breakfast At Justin's home

Sunday 15 9.30 am Morning Worship Ron Wing

Wednesday 18 10 am NCT Meeting Church & Church Hall

Thursday 19 10 am Holy Communion at Rother House (combined service with Anglicans)

Sunday 22 9.30 am Morning Worship The Minister

Monday 23 9.30 am Little Fishes Church & Church Hall

Tuesday 24 9.30 am Fiddlesticks Church Hall

Wednesday 25 10 am NCT Meeting Church & Church Hall

Thursday 26 6.30 pm NCT Meeting Church Hall

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For your information and prayers, there will be news from several Missions each month. If you support a mission that has any

information and prayer updates, please send these to the editors so that they can be included

"In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33b

Open Doors launches 2015 World Watch List Islamic extremism threatens Middle East Christians As the Western world reels from the Islamist attacks in Paris this week,

our 2015 World Watch List reveals that Islamic extremism has been devastating for Christians around the world in the past year - it's a major factor for 18 out of the top 20 countries. The Middle East is a region of particular concern, with Iraq and Syria taking positions 3 and 4 following the rise of Islamic State. Only 300,000 Christians are left in Iraq, down from 1.2 million in 1990. Over 700,000 Christians have left Syria since the conflict broke out in 2011; 200,000

Christians fled the country in 2014 alone. Lisa Pearce, CEO of Open Doors UK & Ireland, visited an Iraqi refugee camp in November, where one desperate mother told her: "I haven't seen my daughter since IS took her. I cried and shouted at them - what could they want with a three-year-old? She's just a child." 'Defining moment'

Beyond the Middle East, one of the biggest trends is the rise in

persecution in countries where it has not historically been an issue - in parts of Asia, Latin America, and especially sub-Saharan Africa. Even Christian-majority states are experiencing unprecedented levels of exclusion, discrimination and violence; Nigeria has moved up from number 14 to number 10, and Kenya is the highest climbing country on the entire list, at number 19.

Open Doors is inviting MPs to come to the launch of our report on

global persecution on 20 January - email your MP to invite them and encourage them to meaningfully engage with the issue of international religious freedom.

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Please Pray: for comfort for all who suffer at the hands of Islamic extremism, including

the thousands of refugees who are suffering through the winter in Syria

and Iraq

for an end to violence in Nigeria and Kenya, and protection for Christians

there

for wisdom for the international community as they attempt to tackle

Islamic extremism in its various forms, and engage with the issue of

religious freedom.

Compassion is known primarily as a leading child development organisation that works through local church to provide ongoing support and opportunity to

children living in poverty. But, when disaster hits, that provision can be compromised so Compassion steps in, in whatever ways are necessary, to restore normality. Last year, Compassion UK raised nearly £443,000 in a

matter of weeks to send to Compassion Philippines as they sought to meet the needs of their devastated communities. - See more at:

http://www.compassionuk.org/news-ph-haiyan-update-2014-11#sthash.cmOginbH.dpuf

Typhoon Hagupit #RubyPh Typhoon Hagupit #RubyPh 9 December 2014 The storm has now passed over the islands and is heading across the sea towards Vietnam. Windspeeds have dropped considerably. Final casualty figures are not in yet but the number of deaths seems to have remained in the 20s, significantly better than last year's typhoon. Over 3,000 children and their families have taken refuge in Compassion partner churches where

they found shelter from the typhoon. Many remain there and the projects are providing food and water. - See more at: http://www.compassionuk.org/news-ph-typhoon-hagupit-12-14#sthash.8Uz7xD0D.dpuf Compassion brings restoration to the Philippines A year on: Compassion brings restoration to the Philippines. On November 8, 2013, Typhoon Haiyan raged across the Philippines and went down in history as the strongest tropical cyclone to ever hit the country. It killed thousands and displaced more than 3 million families.

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Greetings from New Zealand

Hello everyone, I am sitting in glorious sunshine in the second week of our New Zealand trip. We have been blessed with good weather the whole time and have enjoyed many experiences so far. Our stay in Singapore for new year was memorable for lots of reasons but mainly I will remember seeing all the Christmas decorations everywhere and it being 28 degrees outside and very humid! When we arrived in New Zealand the weather was less humid and more like really lovely summers days in England. We visited a lovely island off the coast of Auckland where Lyn has since told me Ros Hamilton's brother lives. A beautiful island. We have travelled South since then and been to see the thermal area at Rotorua. Andy has been inspired to do a calendar full of paintings of New Zealand for next year! We will see! We visited a Maori village and learnt about their culture and history. One thing that really struck me was that in the past the God that they used to worship is our God and they appear a very religious race. We said a Maori grace before the meal which was very moving. We had a walk through the redwood forest just outside Rotorua and it was stunning. These magnificent trees, planted alongside many other variety of tree to establish which would fare best in NZ, are now some of the only ones left there. It was so peaceful and gave me a real sense of being in touch with nature. We went underground yesterday exploring magnificent caves with amazing stalactites and stalagmites and then floated down the underground river in the dark to see thousands of glow worms. It was like looking up into the night sky on a really clear night....but the stars were much closer! And then we arrived at Lake Taupo....oh my.....what a lovely place!

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All of these experiences so far have made me realise what an amazing world we live in and how grateful I am to be able to see it. Thank you God for the miracle of nature. Blessings to you all from the other side of the globe. Much love Carol (Tubbs)

Below we share extracts from Alan and Sue Missen's Christmas letter : This time next year we will be about to embark on another ministry exchange. We are swapping churches with Peter Lyth, who has responsibility for two URC churches in Churchtown, Southport, and also in Ainsdale--the village Sue grew up in.. The exchange is for three months in January to March 2016. We then plan a further month’s holiday. My church work--both Rangiora and Presbytery--have kept me fully engaged. Our old building was demolished in six weeks through August and September. Our Sunday congregation of 100-130 or so meet happily in rooms that were built 11 years ago. Our church has a good number of children and teenagers and we are restructuring our leadership to enable a greater focus on mission. I am on the new Alpine Presbytery Council, and also have oversight for Parish reviews. We have enjoyed seeing family at times through the year. Sue joins me in wishing you all a blessed Christmas and a buoyant New Year. Sue’s account: As you can see from the above, Alan has been rather busy this year. I thought we were supposed to wind down as we got older but obviously not. Not that either of us would like to stop working. My year has been extremely busy at times, and at other times very little work. I retrained in mediation earlier this year in order to be able to offer my services (once I was contracted) as a mediator in the new Family Dispute Resolution Service, a Ministry of Justice initiative. That took a lot of effort, travel and money. I have also been running the Parenting through Separation programmes twice a month from my office – probably my ninth year now. In between the work there has been hospitality; holidays; visits to friends; visits with family; some gardening; keeping up with friends; being elder at the church and all that entails; going to Auckland with Alan as commissioner for our church at Presbyterian Assembly; becoming one of the people who conduct parish reviews as one of a small team. And I better not forget being President of Rangiora Rotary Club – how could I. That takes quite a bit of time, but I am half way through my year and everyone tells me that the second half is easier. I will see and let you all know next Christmas. I was told I needed a liver scan and have now had that, am still waiting for

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notification of the results, but my GP said there is nothing to be worried about. So I won’t. Last Christmas both my sons and grandsons were with us in Rangiora, This year we have all gone our separate ways. In March we had a couple from Sweden staying with us on a Rotary Friendship Exchange. Next March we will have a couple from Wales. We also hosted a team from Australia regarding the disaster recovery. It was an interesting and full on time. We wish you all a very happy Christmas and blessed New Year. That you will know peace, hope and love. Love Sue and Alan

The message below is from James Fells' cousin, who is a longstanding member of the church in Rangiora that our Minister went to in 2011 in a swap with Alan Missen

“Yet another loss has been our church building, demolished, as not being up to post-earthquake standards. The demolition firm has left the site very neat, and there is a large cross on the remaining wall, facing the High Street, so our presence as a church is still there. Our congregational numbers are increasing steadily, as the smaller hall complex is more intimate, and our youth group continues to thrive under our vary able leader, who is now also studying for the ministry.”

Little Fishes Café: Support Hardworking Mums! Here at Petersfield URC we think mums are great. Dedicated and caring; they keep the world running! That's why we want to do more to support the mums in our town. Little Fishes Café is a new, weekly project aimed at providing local mums a chance to put their feet up for an hour or so, enjoy a coffee and a cake, and catch up with their friends. All whilst their children are looked after in a crèche just next door. I'm looking for volunteers to commit as much (or as little) time as they are able to help run the crèche and provide a constant supply of tea and coffee to thirsty, hardworking mums. If you'd be interested in helping out (even if only once a month!) please contact Liam for more information (T. 07742 791 009, E. Liam@PetersfieldURC.com).

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Your Development Worker Needs You! Might I begin with a question: where has the time gone? I know that it is a cliché, but I can’t help but feel that the older I get the faster time moves. I’ll be just 26 this year, and yet as I begin to exit my 20s, I can’t help but feel that time is moving along with a growing momentum. Now, I don’t know if that is true, but as I write this article, I cannot help but reflect on the fact that 2015 will mark my third year as the Development Worker at Petersfield URC. Where might I ask has that time gone? Scientists say that time only appears to move faster as a person ages due to the way in which the mind works. They say that days and weeks seem longer when you are six, because a week is, after all, only a 364th of your total life span. However, when you are seventy-seven, a week is just one 4004th of your life - a mere blink of the eye by comparison. As a result your mind perceives months and years as moving faster as you age, because there are more months and years against which they can be compared. Now I don’t know if that is really true. But when I consider that all that has happen over the last three years, I am incredibly grateful for God graciously allowing me to be a part of so many opportunities in such a short time. Opportunities such as: Dads’ Club; starting a home group; and more recently a 16–18s home group as well. Taking over the Family Service team from Margaret Ramsey; the family service becoming Pathways; Leading the women’s bible study group and then passing over the leadership on the women who attend it. Things like: working with the Little Fishes team to develop and implement film days during school breaks or a free, weekly lunch for those for those who attending on a Tuesday. Most recently, we’ve also seen the introduction of a monthly drop-in called ‘Parenting SOS’ which is run in partnership with Heath Children’s Centre. These are just a few of the things God has been doing over the last three years. And who knows what he has planned for us in 2015. One thing I do know; I would like you to help us make it happen! Maybe you're sitting eating your breakfast, at work or doing the shopping, you see, read or overhear something and - BAM - suddenly, you’re hit by a flash of inspiration! Please, don’t ignore it - get in touch, I’d love to work with you to help make it a reality! Don’t be shy, my prayer is that together we can make 2015 a year of collaboration and teamwork. And remember, the only silly idea is the one that isn’t shared!

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Liam Maguire is the Development Worker at Petersfield URC.

There are many ways you can connect with him. You can drop your idea with some contact details into the Development Worker’s Suggestions box in the Church Family Centre, chat to him on a Sunday, by phone (07742 791 009) or by email (Liam@PeterfieldURC.com).

God’s Manual for life The Bible

The Bible has stood the test of time in spite of many critics that have tried to make the Bible look old fashioned or a myth. However even science has failed to undermine it. It is still the best seller in the world and many lives have been transformed by it. Although written by many different people of all walks of life, they were inspired by God’s Spirit to write what His purposes were for mankind. When I was a young man with family responsibilities, I saved money doing maintenance on the car. In those days cars were relatively straight forward, and with a manual it was possible to maintain the car. The secret was the manual that gave all the details. The Bible shows us how we should live. Allowing us to get to know Him by His Spirit, and applying His teaching, we will live profitable and joyful lives. Many Christians only dip into the Bible to pick out a verse or a group of verses, so never really understand it. We should read the Bible like any other book. Chapters and verses were introduced about 1551. Although it helps us to find various passages, we should read the whole book to understand its theme and purpose. The main purpose of the Bible is to show God’s plan for the world from beginning to the end, and to us individually. It would be ideal to read the book several times to appreciate the message. The Bible states that we have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23) One thing you do not have to teach children is doing wrong things as all with families know. They have to be corrected to show them what is right. The Bible also points out some of the common sins that prevent us having a relationship with a Holy God. Because God revealed Himself to this world as a man, he experienced all the temptations in life, yet without sinning. He understands our weaknesses and therefore shows us a way to avoid them. Robin Ive

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As I write this in mid-January, deputising for Carol who is in New Zealand on holiday, I have been reminded over the past few weeks how many facets there are to the role of Church Secretary, and how much, as a Church, we owe to those who have put their names forward as Church Representatives and Committee members, and more particularly for election as Elders. It was a joy therefore on 18th January to see Julie Pejnovic and Ron Wing ordained as Elders. In the service we all joined in the Statement of the Nature, Faith and Order of the URC, and reminded ourselves that the Basis of Union is a visible expression of our faith, but we affirmed our right and readiness, if the need arises... to make new statements of faith in ever new obedience to the Living Christ. (You can find the document at Hymn 761 in Rejoice and Sing, or, with difficulty, on the web.) One area in which the Church as a whole has to grapple with changing social conventions is that of same-sex marriage, and I remind everyone that this will be the subject of our Special Church Meeting on February 24th. It is with sadness that I report that Betty Taylor died on 14th January, after a long illness, and our thoughts and prayers are with George. Robin Ive has been in hospital, but we were pleased to see him back in Church, and, as many will know, both Jennie Woodward and Gwen Peake have also been hospitalised, and as I write this, Gwen is with family in Bath. We look forward to seeing them back again, hopefully before this edition is published. For others in our congregation troubled by illness, increasing infirmity and family bereavement, not individually mentioned, my apologies for not naming you. Peter Jolly

Simple Lunch for Christian Aid Saturday 7th February 2015

You are invited to come and sit with friends to share a simple lunch at the Methodist Church, Hall in Petersfield, on Saturday 7th February serving from noon for about an hour and a half. In return for your soup, bread and cheese, which will be served to you for your lunch, you may donate to the benefit of the work for Christian Aid. Even better, a saucepan of soup could be made and offered in the morning to help the distribution of the work in making the lunch. Robin Hart

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to us

So what are you all doing for Lent?

Please don’t give up on growing –

Don’t give up on discovering new things

We have the opportunity this Lenten Season to

go deeper and explore what happed directly

after the Resurrection of Jesus. See how the

early church began to grow, spread, explore

and wrestle with their new-found-faith.

So why not join me (Revd Peter) each Friday

evening throughout Lent for an hour?

Friday February 20th 6:45 for 7pm start.

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SIX FRIDAY EVENING SESSIONS

Throughout Lent

Session 1. Resurrection and beyond

Session 2. The Last and First Supper

Session 3. Peter and Paul

Session 4. Persecution

Session 5. Proliferation

Session 6. Canon of Scripture

Begins Friday 20th February 7pm

Saturday, 14th March

@ 6:30pm

Venue: Petersfield URC Grandchildren and anyone young at heart are invited to join in an evening of fun and laughter. Please help support our young people as they prepare

for their mission to Ukraine. All Welcome. Thank you. Lyn Norris.

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Women’s World Day of Prayer Friday 6th March 2015

Each year the first Friday in March marks the ‘Women’s World Day of Prayer. The programme for 2015 has been written by ladies from The Bahamas, and Petersfield United Reformed Church will be hosting this interdenominational meeting on Friday, 6th March at 1.30pm.

It is estimated that ‘3 million people, in over 170 countries, will gather to observe the day of prayer’. The programme will be ‘translated into over 1000 languages and dialects.

The day will begin when the sun rises over the island of Samoa, and continue until it sets off the coast of American Samoa some 35 hours later’. The Theme for the service is taken from John’s Gospel chapter 13 verses 1 to 17, ‘Jesus said to them; “Do you know what I have done to you?”. ‘It challenges us to demonstrate the radical unconditional love for others that Jesus showed when he washed the feet of his disciples’. We invite ladies and gentlemen to join us. Meanwhile, a representative group from local churches in Petersfield is planning the meeting. Please keep the afternoon free so that that you will be able to join with us for this Worldwide Service. Esmé, Janet and Catherine

See more on the Women’s World Day of Prayer website www.wwdp.org.uk

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WESSEX SYNOD - News and items from the January edition of 'Share the Vision' - the Wessex Synod Newsletter

FEBRUARY AREA GATHERINGS The next round of area gatherings have been set as follows:

South West

Monday 9th 6.30 for 7pm start Wesley Centre, Trinity United Church, Ringwood

South East

Tuesday 10th 6.30 for 7pm start Freemantle, Southampton

North West

Tuesday 17th 6.30 for 7pm start Christ Church Woodley

North East

Thursday 19th 6.30 for 7pm start Westborough

Growing the Church on Saturday 16 May 2015 at London Street URC Basingstoke, 10am – 4pm. Cost: £10 per person. Theme: ‘encouraged by God, encouraging one another’. Come and find out how we can grow our churches through our encounters with God. Our inspirational keynote speaker is Michael Harvey, founder of Back to Church Sunday. Our worship and workshops will include different styles and approaches to enable us to be encouraged by God.

Growing Leaders Courses – It’s not too late to sign up. Please note change of venue in the north of the Synod. In Southampton, Avenue St Andrew’s URC, SO17 1XQ. First meeting on Saturday 17 January 2015, 10am – 3pm. In Reading, St Andrew’s URC, RG1 5BD. Initial meeting on Saturday 31 January 2015, 10am – 3pm. Further details available on request from Ruth Heine, Mary Thomas or Peter Hurter. FOLLOW THE FOOTPRINTS – BOOK BY NINA MEAD A new book of stories to be read during the forty days of Lent will be available at the end of January. It has been written by Nina Mead as a sequel to her book Follow the Star. Follow the Footprints, a Lenten Journey, rather than an Advent Calendar seeks to prepare children, their parents, god parents, grandparents and teachers for the central festival of our faith at Easter. The 120 page book, priced at £5.00, will be available in local churches or from Revd Nina Mead, Avian House, 16, Wises Firs, Sulhamstead, Reading, Berks, RG7 4EH.

Solution to Bible Incomplete (on page 31): Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God

in Christ Jesus concerning you. I Thessalonians 5:16-18 More puzzles like this can be found on-line at www.bible-puzzles.com

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Petersfield Area Churches Together (PACT) The Carol singing round the town in December was appreciated by both participants and audience alike, and the Carols in the Square service was well attended. The Service of Prayer for Christian Unity was on 18th January and Will Hughes was inducted as new Chair of PACT for 2015

Items from the PACT December Newsletter ...

Volunteers needed Foodbank: PACT are looking for volunteers who can spare a morning, fortnightly or even monthly to assist Brian Edwards on the Food Bank. Food Bank is open every weekday morning at the Salvation Army Hall. Contact linda.read@salvationarmy.org.uk Soup run : Volunteers needed to help Salvation Army with soup run 7pm-8.30pm on a Monday. Contact Linda Read linda.read@salvationarmy.org.uk Advance notice: Coach Holiday to the Southern Lakes (4th - 11th July 2015) As usual, we travel by executive coach (Greys Coach Travel) with Brian (for the 9th year!) as our very popular driver. The coach will start from the Methodist Church, Station Road, Petersfield and pickup can also be arranged at Liss. The price per person for an ensuite room is £595 and this includes return travel, seven nights half board accommodation and five full day excursions. It does NOT include entry fees and gratuities. This time we stay at the Abbot Hall Hotel, Kents Bank, near Grange-over-Sands. Further information can be obtained from Gordon Churchill (01730 260454) but all bookings must be made direct with the hotel (01539 532896) stating the preferred pickup point. Spiritual food for thought: “We have a role to play in God’s plan to unite heaven and earth, to advance the story of the world to culmination and to see the earth cultivated into the garden city.” (Skye Jethani) Everyone is welcome to attend all PACT events. Full details available on the PACT website or from David and Carolyn Barton who can give you information on any aspect of PACT. Please use the PACT website for more information and also if you wish to advertise an event www.pact.org.uk

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Lectionary Bible Readings for February

The articles contained in this magazine do not necessarily represent the views of Petersfield URC and St Paul's URC, Liss leaderships.

Important - Sensitive issues Now that the Messenger is included in the Church Website, it is important that all the content is suitable for public exposure. When composing an article, if there is anything at all that you consider should be removed before publishing on the website, please inform the editors, Keith and Mary Evans.

Deadline for next Messenger is Sunday 15 February 2015. Please e-mail, post or hand deliver articles to Messenger Editors, Keith & Mary Evans, 12 Geddes Way, Petersfield GU31 4DJ tel 01730 235922 e-mail keithnmary@talktalk.net

And finally, just for fun ...

Bible Incomplete: Fill in the missing letters to complete the passage. Solution on page 29.

R_j_i_e _v_r_o_e. _r_y w_t_o_t _e_s_n_. I_ e_e_y_h_n_ g_v_ t_a_k_: f_r _h_s _s _h_ w_l_ o_ G_d _n _h_i_t _e_u_

c_n_e_n_n_ y_u.

February 1 Deuteronomy 18:15-20; Psalm 111; 1 Corinthians 8:1-13; Mark 1:21-28

February 8 Isaiah 40:21-31; Psalm 147:1-11, 20c; 1 Corinthians 9:16-23; Mark 1:29-39

February 15 2 Kings 2:1-12; Psalm 50:1-6; 2 Corinthians 4:3-6; Mark 9:2-9

February 22 Genesis 9:8-17; Psalm 25:1-10; 1 Peter 3:18-22; Mark 1:9-15

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Church Contact Details

Minister: Revd Peter Norris 24 Moggs Mead, Petersfield GU31 4NT

tel 01730 266922 (Day off Wednesdays)

Development Worker: Liam Maguire

Church Petersfield URC, College Street, Petersfield GU31 4AG

St Paul’s URC, Hillbrow Road, Liss GU33 7PX

Church Office Administrator Mrs Esme Kelly Office Hours 9am-12noon

Tuesdays to Fridays

Telephone Church Family Centre 01730 266475

Website www.petersfieldurc.com

E-mail admin@petersfieldurc.com

Sunday Services

Mornings at 11 am with Junior Family Church and Crèche

Mornings at 9.30am

Evening Worship at 6.30pm (1st Sunday in the month only)

No evening Services

Secretary

Mrs Carol Tubbs 39 Rotherbank Farm Lane

Liss Forest GU33 7BJ

Tel 01730 893489 Mobile 07766 412160.

Mr Tony Phillips, Whiteways

Malvern Road Hill Brow

Liss GU33 7PY Tel 01730 892407

Treasurer Mr Jim Cleverly, 4 Crundles,

Petersfield GU31 4PJ Tel 01730 300558

Mr Steve & Mrs Anne Glenn Hillbrow Lodge

Hill Brow Liss GU33 7NY

Tel 01730 894262

Petersfield United Reformed Church Mission Statement

“As a congregation worshipping God: we seek to reach out with the love of Jesus; to worship God in our daily lives; to draw others into the knowledge and love of Christ;

and to make disciples”

Printed at Petersfield United Reformed Church Office