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Annan United Reformed Church

www.annanurc.btck.co.uk

January 2019 Newsletter

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JANUARY 2019 WORSHIP AT ANNAN URC

MORNING SERVICES AND SUNDAY SEEKERS 11:00 AM GMT

Sunday 6th January: Communion Service - Mrs Lesley Richmond Prayer Leader: J Murray

Bible Readings: D Maxwell M Jones

Sunday 13th January: Morning Service - tba

Prayer Leader: N Maxwell

Bible Readings: M Kerr J Pool

Sunday 20th January: Morning Service - tba

Prayer Leader: M Jones

Bible Readings: J Murray

E Woodman Sunday 27th January: Morning Service - Rev Iain Mackenzie Prayer Leader: D Maxwell Bible Readings H Higton

N Maxwell

Note to Prayer Leaders and Readers: visiting Service Leaders have the option to choose their own theme and readings, and may wish to lead prayers themselves. Such information will be given to you as soon as possible.

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IMPORTANT NOTICE

The Church Meeting on November 25th 2018 voted to implement the

Morning Service time change decided previously.

NEW CHURCH SERVICE TIMES:

Winter: Service starts at 11:00 am

Summer: Service starts at 10:30 am

Changes will normally take place at the switch between Greenwich Meantime

and British Summertime.

The change for the current winter period takes place NOW at the start of 2019.

This means that from Sunday 6th

January Sunday morning services

start at 11:00 am and will continue as such to the end of March.

CONGRATULATIONS

We congratulate Mrs Margaret Anne Jones on the completion of her recent studies, and on her

Ordination as Elder on Sunday 18 November 2018. Well done, Margaret!

ELDERS

When I was considering Margaret’s membership of our Church Eldership team, I realised that I

have never known who all our Annan URC Elders are! I wondered how many others are

unaware, so I asked Doug, our administrator, who provided me with the following list:

Haydn Higton (ex officio) Lyn Higton

George Holliday Margaret Jones

Mamie Lamont Christina McCreadie

Helen McNairn, Jim Murray

Robin Richardson Mary Stuart

editor

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CAN YOU CHANGE 2019?

Do you remember the comment in our November 2018 Newsletter that the number of ministers

is linked to the number of members and congregations? As these fall, so does the number of

ministers – funding is not the driver.

As our vacancy continues, we shall be visited shortly by the Rev Helen Mee, who is the

Transitional minister appointed by our Synod, and there will be an opportunity to discuss with her

our views of the vacancy and our hopes and aims for the future of our church family.

Meanwhile, the challenge for each of us in this new year is to see that folk don’t drift, and we

continue to support the church in EVERY ASPECT of its life. It has been said before, but we do

need attitudes to improve.

Firstly, we need you to come to more activities in the life of the church – not only worship

services but also Knit and Natter, “gentle” Games, Concerts particularly those involving

youngsters, Friday Fellowship, and so on.

Secondly, the fabric of the building needs maintenance and we depend on money raising efforts

to finance upkeep. So, we ask for more folk to come to Soup and Sweet lunches and similar

events – not to work but to support and have a chat with folk you wouldn’t meet otherwise.

Thirdly, one of the aims of the URC is to promote co-operation among churches, and we need

you to see that events in other buildings are supported. One chance this month is the Week of

Prayer for Christian Unity service in Annan Old Parish Church on Sunday 20th January at

6:30 pm. Churches are not competing for members but trying together to take the love of God

out into the community.

In making these suggestions it is realised that we are all adding to our years and there may be

physical limitations, but it is for us to carry on and not give up. Continue walking the way with

Jesus – change to become nearer to Him – and be an instrument of his love and peace.

Haydn Higton

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FRIDAY FELLOWSHIP

Members of the Friday Fellowship enjoyed a meal at The Anglers on Friday 14th December.

The next meeting of the Fellowship will be on Friday 25th January 2019, when there will be a

Telecare demonstration.

Marion Kerr

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WHAT IS YOUR AIM?

If we had lived when Jesus was on earth, we would see that Jesus was part of life then,

as much as it is now, where we often feel pulled in different directions and have to make

choices. When Jesus came, people were expected to speak two or more languages, and

had to handle different currencies for business and for worship.

The Pharisees dealt with the different demands by keeping to rigid laws that allowed no

leeway. Jesus was open to all – eating with sinners and non-Jews, talking to women in

the street. He concentrated on showing love in every situation.

Sometimes calls on our time seem to result in tensions – demands of our faith and family

requirements. It is never easy to decide priorities, but stick to the claims of loving our

neighbour and we shall not go far wrong. Let peace, justice and compassion be our

targets in the coming days.

Haydn Higton

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THE GIFT OF PEACE

The Christian Aid leaflet at Christmas reminds us that “Peace is possible”. As we look around

at the state of the world today, peace can seem like an impossible dream.

In 2016, more countries experienced violent conflict than at any time in nearly 30 years. If

current trends persist, by 2030 more than half of the world’s poorest people will be living in

countries affected by high levels of violence – with dire consequences for human development

and well-being.

Where there is violence and conflict, people do not have a safe place to call home, reliable

access to food, or an income. They cannot plan for the future, or fulfil their God-given potential.

Now more than ever, we need peace - and at Christian Aid, we know that peace is possible.

Across the world, our partners are protecting communities, reducing violence and transforming

conflict. By standing together with them, you can help to bring healing, wholeness and hope to

our broken world.

(words taken from Christian Aid Christmas Appeal)

PS: Everyone can help by praying for Peace; for Christian Aid work and workers, and by

continuing your support for Commitment for Life in 2019.

Haydn Higton

Dear Commitment for Life Friends

My favourite ride at the fun fair is the rollercoaster. If you’ve ever been on those dipping, diving

rides you’ll appreciate the sensation of being in a brand-new, church role: lots of fun and

laughter, but somewhat bewildering at times.

My colleagues in Church House staff members have been fabulous: gracious, kind and

welcoming; just what you would expect of a multi-talented group of Christians passionate about

serving God. They are a blessing and deserve our prayers and support.

Everyone I speak to in the office is a little in awe of the incredible justice work you do on behalf

of our Commitment for Life global partners. The effort, the prayers, the activism and the

offerings – every act and every intention - goes outward and upward to achieve God’s purposes

for the sake of a fairer, kinder and more equitable world.

I hope to meet all of you soon in my new capacity. Do not hesitate to call me if you would like me to visit you, your congregation or your Synod. My role is to connect, to share and to encourage. Please help me to do that.

continued/...

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COMMITMENT FOR LIFE - STORIES FOR CHANGE 149 - BANGLADESH

Christian Aid Bangladesh’s development portfolio includes climate change adaptation and

resilient livelihoods, inclusive market development, gender and inclusion, environmental

sustainability, disaster risk reduction and emergency response. Christian Aid promotes

inclusion, intersectionality and equality as cross-cutting themes across all its development and

humanitarian programming and firmly believes in working with the government, private sector

and civil societies to unpack the scandal of poverty. Last year, the Christian Aid programme

supported 356,335 individuals through 41 projects implemented by 22 partner organizations in

19 of the most vulnerable districts of Bangladesh. This was across the southern coastal

region, north-west, and central flood and 'haor' (wetland) areas.

Rohingya Crisis

In September 2017, Christian Aid Bangladesh scaled up its operation in Cox’s Bazar to

address the humanitarian needs of the world fastest growing refugee crisis. In partnership with

IOM, Christian Aid is managing one of the new settlements – Camp 15 (Jamtoli), home to more

than 11,000 families (over 50,000 people).

As part of the wider Rohingya humanitarian response, Christian Aid is operating in camps 12, 13, 15, 16 and 19 focusing on Health, Site Management, WASH, Shelter/NFI, Energy & Environment, Food Security & Livelihood (FSL), Communication with Communities (CwC) and Protection. With 17 projects on Rohingya response implemented both directly and through local partners targeting the most vulnerable and Persons with Specific Needs (PWSN), Christian Aid is well positioned to capitalize on its inclusive approach to bring social cohesion among host and Rohingya communities.

.../continued

My role would not exist without the inestimable Linda Mead. So amazing at her job was she,

that we now need two people to fill her shoes: Suzanne Pearson and me! We wish Linda all

God’s love and blessings in retirement.

Some of the conversations I have already had around churches have been wonderful. I do

hear though that some are feeling a bit weary and alone in their Commitment for Life work. The

author of the epistle to the Galatians encourages them (and us) not to work so hard that we

give up. God wants us to reap harvests of joy. If at times like me you get weary, then be gentle

with yourselves and take a rest. Our global partners in Bangladesh, Central America,

Zimbabwe and Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories will benefit from this enormously.

May this Christmas reveal the sheer depth of Christ’s love for you as we ‘rollercoaster’ joyfully

into a world where equity, fairness, justice and peace are the norm rather than the exception.

KEVIN & SUZANNE

Programme Officer: Kevin Snyman

Administrative Assistant: Suzanne Pearson

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A PRAYER FOR THE NEW YEAR

Grant me the strength from day to day

To bear what burdens come my way;

Grant me throughout this bright new year

More to endure and less to fear.

Help me to live that I may be

From spite and petty malice free.

Let me not bitterly complain

When cherished hopes of mine prove vain,

Or spoil with deeds of hate and rage

Some fair tomorrow’s spotless page.

Lord, as the days shall come and go

In courage let me stronger grow.

Let me with patience stand and wait:

A friend to all who find my gate.

Keep me from envy and from scorn.

As shines the sun with every morn

On great and low, so let me give

My love to all who round me live.

Lord, as the new year dawns today

Help me to put my faults away.

Let me be big in little things;

Grant me the joy which friendship brings.

Keep me from selfishness and spite;

Let me be wise in what is right.

A happy new year! Grant that I

May bring no tear to any eye.

When this new year in time shall end

Let it be said I’ve played the friend,

Have lived and loved and laboured here,

And made of it a happy year.

Church gardener

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Financial details on this page are only available in printed versions.

Editor

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JANUARY 2019 DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Sun 6th Communion Service and Sunday Seekers - 11:00 am

Tue 8th Knit & Natter - 10:00 am in hall, and every Tuesday

Tue 8th All Ability Games - 2:00 pm in hall, and every Tuesday

Tue 8th Rainbow Tribe and Spectrum - 6:00 pm, and every Tuesday in term time

Wed 9th Arts and Crafts Group (SHAP) - 2:00 - 4:00 pm

Thu 10th Soup & Sweet Lunches - 11:30 am to 1:30 pm in hall

Thu 10th Girls’ Brigade - 6:00 pm in hall, and every Thursday in term time

Sun 13th Morning Service and Sunday Seekers - 11:00 am

Sun 20th Morning Worship and Sunday Seekers - 11:00 am

Sun 20th Deadline for February Newsletter items to reach Ruth Mitchell, please, including your group meeting diary dates

Sun 20th ACTS Service at Annan Old Parish Church - 6:30 pm

Fri 25th Friday Fellowship - 2:00 pm in church

Sun 27th Morning Worship and Sunday Seekers - 11:00 am

A REMINDER TO GROUPS:

We are a Fairtrade Church.

We have committed to:

Use Fairtrade tea and coffee for all meetings for which we have responsibility

Move forward on using other Fairtrade products (such as sugar, biscuits, fruit)

Promote Fairtrade during Fairtrade Fortnight – and through other activities whenever possible