Messenger

In This Month’s Magazine:

August Diary……………………………… 1 Message from the Minister……………… 2 Film Club………………………………….. 3 Washed Away (joke)…………………….. 3 Poetry Café……………………………….. 4 Flower Rota………………………………. 4 What’s On at West Orchard…………….. 5 The 1851 Census of Religious Worship.. 6-7 Technology Corner………………………..7 Napoleon………………………………….. 8 The Eiffel Tower at 130………………….. 8 Using Easy Fundraising + Humour…….. 9 News in Brief.……………………….. …… 10-11 The Robin Sang (poem)…………………. 11 Car Number Plate & Bible News……….. 12 Cycle Ride for Cherish Dementia Hols… 13 Goodbye, Hello,Thank-You & Smiles...... 14 Mouse Makes…………………………….. 15 Roof Fund update…………………………16 Church Contacts…………………………..17 Bird Bath………………………. Back Cover

“The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed - it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.”

[Matthew 13:31-32]

St Andrew’s House 19 St Andrew’s Road, Earlsdon Coventry CV5 6FP

Residential, respite or short stay care in a Christian home. St Andrew’s can help!

Telephone Lesley 02476 673745 www.standrewshouse.org.uk

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DIARY – AUGUST 2019 Thursday 1st 11 am-12 Technology Corner

Thursday 1st 12.05 pm Prayers in the Quiet Room

Thursday 1st 2.30-3.45 pm Poetry Café (Theme: ‘Numbers’)

Sunday 4th 11 am Family Service

– Revd Yvonne Stone

3 pm Concert and Cream Tea with music

from Tim Sheasby – at West Orchard

URC – FREE EVENT. No Evening

Service at West Orchard)

Thursday 8th 12.05 pm Prayers in the Quiet Room

Sunday 11th 11 am Family Service

- Revd David Tennant

Thursday 15th 11 am-12 Technology Corner

Thursday 15th 10.30 am-12 Reading Group

Thursday 15th 12.05 pm Prayers in the Quiet Room

Sunday 18th 11 am Family Service with Holy

Communion - Revd Yvonne Stone

Thursday 22nd 12.05 pm Prayers in the Quiet Room

Sunday 25th 11 am Family Service

- Revd Peter Kimberley

Thursday 29th 12.05 pm Prayers in the Quiet Room

No Film Club or Wholeness & Healing Service in August

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Yvonne’s article written for the (unprinted) May Messenger: Dear Friends,

Some of the guards went into the city and told the chief priests what had happened. After the priests had called together the elders, they formulated a plan to give a generous bribe to the soldiers, telling them, ‘You must say this – “His followers came during the night and made off with him while we were sleeping”. If the governor gets to hear of this, we will reassure him and keep you out of trouble.’ So, the guards took the money and did as instructed. (Matthew 28:11-15a)

In 1972, a story hit the headlines in the USA that was to send shock waves across the world and lead to the unseating and disgrace of a sitting President. It became known as Watergate, a scandal that tarnished forever the reputation of Richard Nixon. If he had been honest at the start, he might possibly have weathered the storm, bruised but intact but instead he tried to cover up the truth through a veil of lies, half lies and evasions. Presumably he seriously believed that this would work and that he would be able to dictate events and mould history to his wishes. Events were to prove him wrong. Since then politicians and world leaders have tried (and mostly failed) to hide behind their position.

So, it was so for those who attempted to cover up the truth about the resurrection of Christ. They had waited years to get their man and had watched with relief as he was finally nailed to a cross and sealed in a tomb. At last, they must have thought, at last their problems were over, the impostor dealt with once and for all. And for a couple of nights they would have slept easily, congratulating themselves on their success! We can only imagine their shock when rumours started to circulate that Jesus was alive after all. They would have gone for themselves and found the empty tomb and tried to put a lid on it all by bribing the guards to say they were asleep.

For just like Nixon discovered, the truth would not stay buried! The chief priests and elders could not conceal changed lives and the witness of those who had experienced the reality of the risen Christ. They could no longer ignore the faith that burnt in the followers of Jesus, nor the love and the joy they displayed.

Together such actions pointed and still point today to a truth that could not stay hidden. A truth that despite the best efforts of those in power would not be killed off – for the simple but special reason that they could not kill off Jesus either.

God bless, Yvonne

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(NO FILM CLUB IN AUGUST)

Wednesday 4 September ‘Fisherman’s Friends’ (Released 2019 rated 12)

A fast-living, cynical London music executive heads to a remote Cornish village on a stag weekend, where he’s pranked by his boss into trying to sign a group of shanty singing fishermen. He becomes the ultimate

fish out of water as he struggles to gain the respect or enthusiasm of the unlikely boy band and their families, who value friendship and community over fame and fortune. As he’s drawn deeper into the traditional way of life he’s forced to re-evaluate his own integrity and and question what success really means. Starring Daniel Mays, James Purefoy, Tuppence Middleton and David Hayman.

Please arrive at 1.45 as the film will start at 2 pm. There will be a brief interval for ice creams and a chance to chat about the film over tea and cake before travelling home at about 4.45. To book for the film (£4), please phone the Church Office by the previous Friday on 024 7622 0299 (money can be paid on the door). Or email: office@wrurc.co.uk.

Washed away A grandmother took her little grandson to the beach. They were having a good time until a huge wave came in and swept the boy out to sea! The grandmother fell on her knees and cried to the heavens: "Please, Lord, return my grandson! Please! PLEASE!” Lo and behold, a wave swelled from the ocean and deposited the drenched child at her feet. She checked him over head to toe. He was fine! But the grandmother looked up to the heavens again and frowned:

"He had a hat." Parish Pump

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POETRY CAFÉ

Thursday 1 August Theme: ‘Numbers’

Thursday 5 September

Theme: ‘Festivals’

Open Doors Café Warwick Road Church Centre 2.30-3.45 pm

Informal meetings with tea/coffee and biscuits (£2 donation).

If you love poetry - performing or just listening, please come along!

Flowers

August 2019

Communion Table Vestibule

4th

Mrs Dorothy MacDonald Miss Margaret Saben - in memory of Mum

11th Margaret & David Jones

-

18th

Annette & Roger Greenwood

Liz Kershaw - in memory of Aunt

25th

Annie & Trevor Gay - in memory of both Dads

Sue Reekie - in memory of Gertie

Chattaway and Bob & Edna Checketts

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WHAT’S ON AT WEST ORCHARD URC 83 Baginton Rd, Coventry CV3 6FP

Free Concert and Cream Tea Sunday 4 August at 3 pm Come and enjoy a free cream tea in the Church, while being entertained by Tim Sheasby.

Holiday from Home – 5-7 August 2019

West Orchard has arranged a ‘Holiday from Home’ and the invitation is extended to members of Warwick Road. A summary of the program is:

Monday: Coach trip to Evesham Country Park, departing from WO at 9.45 am and WR at 10 am, returning at around 3 pm. (Lunch not included). Tuesday: 10 am–4 pm. Craft Activity Day (painting, pottery and other crafts). Fish and chips lunch included, with plenty of tea and coffee. Wednesday:10 am–4 pm. There will be a variety of activities including a falconry display. A jacket potato lunch included, with even more tea and coffee!

Cost: £20 for the three days, with an option of £7.50 for the Monday only. Some food included on Tuesday & Wednesday. Places are still available – see Keith or George in The Warwick Road office.

Also at West Orchard:

Friday 9 August 2-4 pm: Tea Dance. £2 for dancers or £1.50 to just listen and watch.

Saturday 17 August 8.30 am: Women’s Prayer Breakfast. All women are welcome to come along to share breakfast and fellowship. Just bring along some breakfast food to share – there is always more than enough.

Wednesday 21 August: 5-mile walk to Ashborne and Newbold Pacey. Meet in the church car park at 9.30 am and please bring your own picnic.

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The 1851 Census of Religious Worship Recently, I went to the Book Barn at Astley near Bedworth and came across a publication entitled ‘The 1851 Census of Religious Worship: Church, Chapel and Meeting Place in Mid Nineteenth-Century Warwickshire’. It was edited by Keith Geary and published by The Dugdale Society recently in 2014. Now you might be forgiven for thinking this is a bit of dry read but, of course, it is really a reference work for dipping into. And there are some fascinating pieces of information to be found within its covers.

Firstly, Warwick Road Church – or more correctly, given the date – Vicar Lane Independent Chapel, Smithford Street, Coventry, had the following information. Erected in 1724, rebuilt and enlarged in 1824, it is described as a separate and entire building used exclusively for worship. It had sitting space for 828, 161 “free sittings” and 667 “other sittings” plus 200 ft2 “free space” (i.e. for standing). On 30th March 1851, the morning congregation was 469, plus 202 scholars, totalling 671. The evening congregation was 619. The respective normal average attendances given were 720 and 530. These details were signed by John Sibree, Minister, residing at Clifton Villas, Coventry. Interestingly, a separate brief return dated 7th August 1852, and signed by C Holt, refers to Vicar Lane Calvinist Chapel (considered to be the same premises) with a total of 1028 sittings. For West Orchard Church adherents, theirs is described as West Orchard (Independent Dissenters) Chapel built before 1800 with free sittings for 150, other sittings for 800 and standing room for 250. Their morning congregation on 30th March was 359 plus 126 scholars totalling 485. The evening congregation was 383. This was signed by William Freeman Taylor of West Orchard, Coventry. A few other local (now URC) chapels were as follows.

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Potters Green Independent Chapel:

average morning congregation of 70, plus 100 scholars, totalling 170

on that day their afternoon congregation was 63 and their evening congregation was 46.

Stoke Independent Chapel:

afternoon congregation of 40, plus 70 scholars, totalling 110

evening congregation of 30.

Abbey Hill Independent Chapel, Kenilworth (erected in 1828):

morning congregation of 80, plus 111 scholars, totalling 191

afternoon congregation of 90, plus 115 scholars, totalling 205

evening congregation of 95.

Brinklow Independent Chapel:

morning congregation of 30 (less than their average of 60 plus 35 scholars)

afternoon congregation of 50

evening congregation of 60.

How times have changed!

David Lathbury

(Copies of a map of Coventry City Centre in 1851 are available in the office or on the side table in Church.)

Technology Corner

As promised, I propose to offer a fortnightly session to offer help with concerns or problems to do with modern technology. Already, several people have expressed an interest. The first session took place on 18th July and the next two are planned for Thursdays 1st and 15th August, 11 am-12, in the Church Centre. All welcome!

Keith Greenall

“I won't be impressed with technology until I can download food!”

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Napoleon – one of the greatest military leaders

Napoleon Bonaparte, Emperor of France, was born 250 years ago, on 15th August 1769. He is considered to be one of the greatest military leaders in history, but his origins gave no hint of what was to come.

He was born in Ajaccio, Corsica, an island which up to the year of his birth had been Italian. Indeed, Italian

was his first language, and when he went to military academy in France he was laughed at for his ‘peasant’ accent. His family were minor Corsican nobility, but not well off, and the sudden death of his father almost brought his incipient army career to an end.

However, he rose to unexpected prominence during the French Revolution (1787–99) and served as Emperor of France from 1804 to 1814, and again in 1815. During the Napoleonic Wars (1803–15) he demonstrated his skill as a general, but he is remembered in this country primarily for his final defeat at the Battle of Waterloo (1815).

Napoleon was baptised as a Roman Catholic, but he never showed much interest in personal faith, regarding religion as “excellent stuff for keeping common people quiet”. However, he ensured that Protestants were not persecuted while he was in power.

Tim Lenten – Parish Pump

The Eiffel Tower at 130! It’s quite remarkable how many of the world’s most iconic monuments were originally designed to be temporary. In London alone, there’s the London Eye, which opened with a five-year lease, and the Millennium Dome, which was meant to be promptly converted into a football stadium. But for influence and acclaim, both are dwarfed by the bare, metallic beauty and sheer skyline presence of the Eiffel Tower, first opened in 1889 with an intended lifespan of just two decades. The pet project of engineer Gustave Eiffel, the ‘Iron Lady’ turned 130 this year, and looks just as coldly majestic as she did receiving her final rivet.

Belfast Telegraph

“Great ambition is the

passion of a great character”

– Napoleon Bonaparte

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USING EASY FUNDRAISING TO RAISE INCOME FOR OUR CHURCH

You will be pleased to learn that a few months ago, we passed the magic £1,000. This is money earned by members purchasing online from one of Easyfundraising’s 3,300 suppliers.

The current figure raised is £1,042.33, of which my contribution is £516.13 (some of this is on Church business). We have 20 members already enrolled, but ten of them have never purchased anything - and some nothing in the last 12 months!

Please, please help the Church, we need all the income we can manage to receive, and with so much purchased online these days, (not just Amazon) there is a good chance you will find your supplier. The details of where to find Easyfundraising are always on the weekly notices, and it is no problem to download their App.

If you require more details, please have a word with me.

Many thanks. Derek

The whole church watched with

nervous anticipation as the visitors

sat where the Martins have sat for

42 years.

A minister assured his congregation he was glad to be their servant and that they should feel free to call him anytime they had a problem. That night the minister's' phone rang at 3 am. On the other end was a dear elderly lady who said, "Reverend, I can't sleep." The minister replied, "I'm so sorry to hear that, but I’m wondering what I can do about it?" The lady replied in her sweetest voice, "Perhaps you could preach to me for a while.”

The Association for Church Editors

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News in brief from around the UK and beyond

St Andrew’s Church in Moscow has history. It opened in 1884 but it was seized by the Bolsheviks and confiscated in 1920. In 1957, it became a renowned recording studio due to the superb acoustics and from 1991 occasional services were permitted followed by joint usage: weekends for church services and weekdays reverting to music studio. In 2016, a 49-year lease was signed and worldwide appeals for funding were made. Similar to many English

churches it is now a listed building with costly repairs including an organ rebuild. This is a community church used by many and a magnet for choirs and musicians due to the superb acoustics. See www.standrewsmoscow.org

Vatican Radio has launched a new five-minute news bulletin and podcast in Latin to help revive the language. It will be called Hebdomada Papae, notitae vaticanae latine redditae or The Pope’s week...Vatican news in Latin. When Pope Benedict announced his resignation in 2013, only one journalist understood, as the announcement was in Latin. However, Pope Francis has a Twitter feed, in Latin, of 912,000 followers. That is worldwide. Certaminibus mundialibus sphaeromachiae is World Cup Football Champions!

The only diocese outside Rome to call itself a Holy See is Mainz, Germany. It has one of the oldest surviving churches in Germany, where archaeologists have discovered a Romanesque rood screen and mosaic floor. Also, a thousand-year-old sarcophagus which is thought to contain the remains of the last archbishop complete with gold embroidered mitre, armbands and shoes. The stone coffin weighing 700kg is radiocarbon dated and DNA tested.

Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris has had its first service since the fire earlier this year. Due to the Cathedral’s damage a side chapel was used but the celebrants were limited to thirty people and all had to wear hard hats. This has caused much correspondence as hats worn by men are

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not allowed in Church services. People have said in Central Europe it is very cold in winter and a hat helps keep the heat in! Some say they must wear a hat all year as they have a cold head and that Clergy wear hats in Church and also Monks have cowls.

The Church of England has admitted that priests are facing increasingly demanding pastoral workloads and that there is scant support. A proposed solution is of two rest days per week. However, many have pointed out that this is not the answer when many priests are in charge of up to eight Parishes.

In West Birmingham, a Medical Centre has appointed its own Chaplain, as GPs face problems that cannot be obviously treated with medication. The Royal College of General Practitioners has endorsed the concept, though remaining cautious. Some medics say there should be a major change in training for doctors; to move away from the biochemistry approach to see people as holistic, spiritual beings.

Barry Stelfox

The Robin Sang

The robin sang, the flowers bloomed all nature played its part, The only discord in this scene was man’s reluctant heart. The Creator’s manual he ignored so a path of pain he trod, Thinking that he knew the best man turned away from God.

The mess we’re in has been self-made, all answers lie with Him, A world of beauty now laid waste, infected with man’s sin. But knowing that these things would be, God had another plan, Though undeserved and full of grace in love He reached to man.

His Son, His own Beloved One came down upon this earth, He died, He rose, He ever lives to give to man rebirth Heaven and earth will pass away, a new Creation formed, Where birds will sing, the flowers bloom and all will be reborn.

by Megan Carter Parish Pump

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WHAT DOES YOUR CAR NUMBER PLATE MEAN TO YOU?

In Great Britain we know that the car number plate given to our car identifies the area the vehicle the car was first registered and the year of registration. Some owners, by due process, can change this to a number plate of their choosing, such as 123 XYZ knowing that when the car goes to another owner the number plate has to be changed to the original.

In America you can choose the number plate to one of your choosing so long as not already allocated to another person or is offensive. Like us on the number plate is identification of area and it needs a validation sticker for showing registration for the current tax year. A distant relative of ours has this number on his white coloured car: -

254 REX

….and the reason why is because this was his grandmother’s starting scripture/prayer for each day.

Psalm 25:4

“Show me your way O Lord, teach me your paths Guide me in your truth and teach me. For you are God my Saviour, and in you do I trust/hope/wait all this day long.”

REX means King and so this is in his prayer as he seeks first the kingdom, then follow the King who rides on the white horse’ (Rev.19:11-24).

Barry Stelfox

THE BIBLE COULD BE A VICTIM IN TRUMP’S TRADE WAR

President Trump plans to impose a 25% tariff on Chinese imports. As millions of Bibles are printed in China each year, this is worrying American Christian groups who distribute Bibles free as part of their mission. Children's books likewise are affected as China is the largest printer of illustrated coloured books.

Barry Stelfox

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CYCLE RIDE FOR CHERISH DEMENTIA HOLIDAYS

Readers of the Messenger (June 2019) will recall that Trevor Gay is Golf Club Captain for 2019 at Windmill Village Golf Club in Coventry.

Part of that job is to select a Charity for his year as Club Captain. Trevor chose the Cherish Dementia Holiday Trust, a small local charity whose main aim is to pay for holidays for people with dementia and their carers. The connection with Warwick Road URC is that the Trust uses our premises for various meetings and training events. It’s a valued customer who does a terrific amount of silent supportive work for people living with dementia.

On Saturday 13 July, a static cycle ride took place at the Windmill Village Hotel, Golf & Leisure Club to raise funds for the Charity and it was highly successful! Some volunteers, mainly golf club members, gave up their time to cycle a few miles on a static bike. In 7 hours, they ‘biked’ a total of 260 miles. Trevor was among the cyclists and it was brilliant to add up all the proceeds at the end of the day. Around £350 was raised for the Cherish Dementia Holiday Trust.

Although Trevor is not in the pictures (because he took them), he insists that he did in fact take part doing a few miles for the team, just in case you were wondering!

The fund-raising efforts will continue for the remainder of the year and Trevor is hoping to see 2019 as a record year for the Captain’s Charity.

We will keep you posted - if anyone wishes to donate to this local charity then please let Trevor know.

Trevor Gay

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GOODBYE AND HELLO!

Martyn Smith has retired from his cleaning role after more than 10 years, but the good news is, he will continue doing his bit with various maintenance jobs as a jack of all trades. We wish Martyn the very best in his ‘semi’ retirement.

Welcome to Janine and Bryce, who have joined the staff as cleaners, on a job-share basis.

18 June

“Dear Friends,

My mother Ruth asked me to write a note of

thanks to you for the kind gift of flowers

you gave her on Sunday.

You made her so welcome, and many

memories were stirred by the visit to the

church, where she belonged during the war

years.

Thank you all. Kind regards,”

Janet Warren and Ruth Corby

(née Shelton)

Smiles

A police officer called his station on the radio, “I need back up here. An old lady has shot her husband for stepping on her recently mopped floor.” The reply, “Have you arrested her?” He replied, “Not yet – the floor’s still wet!”

(Submitted by Sandra Harper - ‘Horizons – the magazine for former HSBC employees’)

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The deadline for contributions for the September edition of the “Messenger” is Tuesday 13 August. Please leave them at the office or email anniegay@live.com. Many thanks…… Annie

CHURCH ROOF REPAIR FUND

Funds raised to date: £35,503

CAKE SALES: £2143.25 has been raised so far, including £41.81 on Sunday 7 July

NEXT CAKE SALE: 1 SEPTEMBER

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Ministers REVD YVONNE STONE Tel No 024 7669 0457 Mobile: 07500 876604 Email: revystone@btinternet.com

& REVD PETER KIMBERLEY Tel: 07581 710348 Email: peterckimberley@yahoo.co.uk Church Secretary MRS DOROTHY MACDONALD

Tel No 024 7667 3201 Email: dorothymacdonald41@gmail.com

Church Treasurer RICHARD BLANCHARD Tel No 024 7646 2455 Email: richardblanchard29244@gmail.com

Church Office 10 Warwick Row, Coventry, CV1 1EX

Tel No. 024 7622 0299 Website: warwickroadurc.org.uk

email: office@wrurc.co.uk Open Monday - Friday

10 am – 4 pm

The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily the views of

the URC or its congregation

Job Vacancy

Advert that appeared in a church notice sheet: Wanted: Editor for the magazine. Must have own computer, own paper, own printer, own ink, own car for monthly distribution, and a good sense of humour.

Parish Pump

The next time you visit the church centre, look in the garden area of the courtyard – you will see a new bird bath that was recently installed as a memorial to Beryl and Eric Brown… two of our well-known and well-loved church members. This will be a lasting memory of both Beryl and Eric.

Consider the ravens: They do

not sow or reap; they have no

storeroom or barn; yet God

feeds them. And how much

more valuable you are than

birds! [Luke 12:24]

A robin enjoys a bath