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The church are running two activity days on the topic “Light”. They will be held on Monday 27th and Tuesday 28th October 2008 and is aimed at two age groups. Children who are 3 - 11 years will have activities on both days from 10.00 until 13.00 and young people of 11+ years will have activities on both days from 13.00 until 16.00. For more information contact Emily Young on 07960 330556 or email emilyrayoung@hotmail.com.
Tucked away in one of the hundreds of containers on board the MSC Eleni currently on the way to Felixstowe are 4 crates containing sculptures made at Silveira House (www.silveira.co.zw) in Zimbabwe. 2 crates are destined for Crawley and Horsham URC and the two other crates are heading for Walton on Thames and one contains something rather special - a large stunning sculpture commissioned by a local community body which will hopefully give the artists publicity. The other crate contains some orders from URC members all over the country. The crates contain crafts made at Silveira House, uniquely designed baskets, handmade batiks, necklaces made from malachite stone and much more. The proceeds from the sale of these pieces will support the artists and their families (almost 200 people) for most of the next year.
To view samples of the artists’ work click on http://www.flickr.com/photos/27704691@N06/sets/72157605628074249.
If you would like to order a sculpture contact Johnston Simpson on 07801 975474 or email jbsimpson@ntlworld.com
The aim of the day is to inspire and challenge everyone, those who already know a great deal about the Bible and those who don’t. It will take place at the Church on Saturday 1st November from 10.00 until 16.00. For more information contact Alison Holt on 020 8541 0276. All are welcome.
We, the members of this Church, acknowledge God to be our Heavenly Father, and Jesus Christ His Son to be our Lord and Saviour.
We commit ourselves above all to God and to one another, to live in the unity of the Holy Spirit and in the order of love of a Christian Church.
We affirm our desire to follow the example and teachng of our Lord Jesus Christ, by the guidance of His Spirit; and to witness to His love, and serve His world, by the consecration of our talents, time and means.
We acknowledge our Church to be part of the United Reformed Church; to be in a Local Ecumenical Covenant with All Saints Parish Church, and Union Street Baptist Church, and, by God’s grace, we seek fellowship with all other Christian Churches, praying and working for unity throughout the world.
Classes: Friday 2pm for beginners; 3pm for improvers or come for the whole session, 2 - 5pm. No classes on Oct 17th and 24th, restarts Oct 31st.
This has become the well-known name for our weekly sessions of Ballroom and Latin American dancing, in the Mayo Hall.
In January, we were introduced to Jeff and Debs Clark, who are medal-winnng dancers, and who had taught dancing in the past. They were keen to begin leading classes on the superb floor in the Mayo Hall, and the advertising began.
There is clearly an urge to dance in Kingston - and many would-be dancers flocked into the lessons on Friday afternoons. With a break half way through for light refreshments, Jeff teaches the waltz, quickstep, tango and foxtrot, alternating with samba, cha cha cha, rumba and salsa, and a taste of “ballroom jive”
Some dancers have come along with partners, but many have not, and there are always more women than men - but a “bus-stop” arrangement makes sure that everyone dances, with fair turns, and Jeff dances with all the ladies as often as possible. He also leads one or two numbers of salsa or line dancing, where no one needs a partner.
We are now in our 10th month of dancing - and there have also been six Tea Dances in and amongst the classes, especially during the summer months. Here, we serve a scrumptious cream tea at the interval - it’s worth it just for the tea! We are gradually getting better known - and Kingston includes us on its Active Living Directory, so that dancers can get their passports stamped each time they come along!
The initiative of the dancing came from the Community Ministry Group. We work to use our buildings in ways that benefit the wider community. June Avery “found” Jeff, without whom the dancing would not exist. The events are all staffed by Volunteers from the church, who also provide the refreshments, and gradually some of the dancers have joined in to help and become a part of the whole thing. 90% of the dancers come from beyond the church - it is truly a Community event! All are welcome - classes cost £4 a time, and Tea Dances £5.
For more info call June on 8549 0999, Liz on 8549 1373 or Barbara on 8942 0727
Ken Bartlett will be leading a short three-session course on St Paul in November. The Church has designated 2008 for the study of Paul, and his Philippians letter has been described as ‘his last will and testament’. It is an inspiring document, written in prison, probably from Rome. In it we see Paul developing his thinking on the meaning of Christ’s life, death and resurrection for himself, us and the world.
The dates are Wednesday 12, 19 and 26 November from 19.30 until 21.00 and will be held at 16 Calder Court, Britannia Road, Surbiton, KT5 8TS.
It would be helpful to have an idea of numbers, so if you think you might come do let Ken (8974 5453) or Ann (8390 0234) know.
Intested in knowing more about the Old Testament? In the autumn we will be running a series of courses looking at the Old Testament. The plan is to have two courses running at the same time - one on a Sunday afternoon and one on a Wednesday afternoon. Each session should last around 90 minutes and all are welcome.
Sundays: October 5th and 26th, November 2nd, 9th, 16th and 30th. Meeting at 16.15 for coffee and 16.30 start.
Wednesdays: September 17th, 24th, October 1st, 8th, 22nd and 29th. Meeting at 15.30 for coffee and 15.45 start.
Welcome to the web site for Kingston URC, a loving, worshipping, God-centred community in Kingston-upon-Thames.
We hold a variety of Sunday Services to suit all tastes (more info).
• 10.00am: A traditional service in the traditional Reformed style.
• 11.30am: A modern informal service with interactive worship.
• 11.00 to 11.30: Coffee time and chatting!
• 6.30pm: Evening service. A quiet, reflective service.
• 8.00pm, first Sunday of the month: A contemporary service.
• Each Wednesday: A lunchtime service at 13.10 to 13.30 for Kingston shoppers.
LATEST NEWS BELOW
Report from General Assembly July 2008
By Rev. Suk-In, Lee
Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh was an excellent place to have this year’s General Assembly. It is a new university with modern facilities and we were made most welcome. The drive from London to Edinburgh was exciting because I felt that I was really touching Great Britain and seeing parts of it that I have not seen before. Once we arrived we registered our presence and I met up with old friends from college4 and was introduced to new ones. There seemed to be many children around because the children were invited to their own assembly.
Worship throughout the weekend was based on “Pilgrimage”. The Rev John Marsh had prepared a paper in which he outlined his opinion that the URC has “quite a way to go” towards becoming catholic, orthodox and reformed. These subjects were picked up later in the worship sessions. I was particularly interested in one session, which concentrated on James’ pilgrimage when he went to Spain and followed a route to evangelise the furthest point of the then known world which was Santiago. We were shown a DVD and I noticed that our deaf friends were helped by a signer.
There were many resolutions brought to the floor and passed. For me two were particularly important. The first was the introduction of a new General Secretary, The Rev Roberta Rominga. Who is the first female to be established in this role. The Rev John Marsh, is the new Moderator and two future Moderators were elected, one lay and one ordained. The Revd. Roy Lowes was appointed Moderator of the West Midlands Synod and the Revd Dr Andrew Prasad (who was a minister in the Southern Synod) was appointed Moderator of Thames North Synod. It seemed to me that most of the people who spoke at the open meetings came from Thames North so perhaps he has inherited a head-ache!
The second resolution that seemed important to me was the Racial Justice resolution, which requests that each synod includes at least one black minority ethnic member in their group of representatives to General Assembly as from Assembly 2010. Two issues come from this. Every synod does not have black minority people in its churches and also this can result in tokenism. This resolution created much discussion, but it was eventually passed.
Another hot issue at this time is the Youth and Children’s work. General Assembly agreed that there should be a Youth and Children’s Work Training Development Officer in every synod, but this presents the problem that there is not enough money to allow this to be implemented.
The Young People were given a slot to report back from their meetings and they lead the conference in singing new songs and prayer. The ecumenical guests last year were from the Far East and this year they came from the Pacific Islands.
I was particularly struck by how much new technology has seeped into our assembly from projection to sound systems to lights and cameras. The preacher and speakers were visible to all from screens at the side of the hall. In all I enjoyed the experience and came home renewed in enthusiasm for our denomination.
Emily Thackray will be talking on “The Gift of Life: How Transplants Transform Lives” at the Church. Emily is an inspiring speaker and co-founder of the charity “Live Life then Give Life”. She had a lung transplant 18 months ago.
There is no charge for the event and refreshments will be served from 10.00 am. All are welcome.
THE GIFT OF LIFE
Donated organs can transform lives
Transplants transform lives. They are one of the most miraculous achievements of modern medicine, and one donor can give the gift of life to several people and restore the sight to two more. But this depends entirely on the generosity of donors and their families, who are willing to make this life-saving gift to others.
We realise that deciding to sign up for organ donation is a very personal and sensitive issue, and one which would never be forced on anyone.
But here at Kingston United Reformed Church we want to make it easy for you to pick up a donor card and make a lasting record of your wishes. Emily Thackray is an inspiring speaker, and co-founder of the charity “Live Life then Give Life”. She had a lung transplant 18 months ago.
Whatever you do, don’t just do nothing. Sign up, live life, then give life.
This is an article sent by John Simpson, who was at our church earlier in the year and has spoken at Mens Forum.
ZIMBABWE — HOUSE OF HORROR
by John Simpson
It came as no surprise to hear that the Zimbabwean government have refused to accept the democratic will of the people. This elite group comprised of ministers, generals, police chiefs and many judges who enjoy a fabulous lifestyle have accumulated riches beyond belief. They must have been horrified to discover that despite all the blatant vote rigging, the sheer number of people wanting change far outweighed their efforts to deceive. President Mbeki of South Africa, a close friend of Mr Mugabe stressed there was 'no crisis' in Zimbabwe. Tell that to brave Zimbabweans across the country who voted for change. A wave of fear is sweeping across the country. None are being spared : neither men , women nor children where beatings by Mugabe's 'rent a mob' are common place. Tell that to poor people who queued almost 5 hours at their local Grain Marketing Board Depot
whilst every single bag of this staple food was loaded onto army trucks. Mbeki, rejected by his own party the ANC, will leave behind a shameful legacy.
The euphoria following the results was short lived and the country is now in limbo. My mobile has been working overtime with frightened, angry text messages from friends some of which are listed below giving an insight into their feelings;
'Am in town and there is a heavy military presence mostly new recruits.' I felt the dictator's iron hand. As soon as I had finished sending the last text message, I got picked up by the young heavily armed militia and detained for no reason. I have just been released and am now on my way home.'
'We are anxiously waiting news. We are living in fear this side. The monster is so desperate.'
However, there is some better news. An exciting project on behalf of the artists is taking shape. Also, Lesley Charlton, minister of Kingston upon Thames URC, emailed me the other day. Quote - 'John, we are making Zimbabwe our target for Commitment for life starting this harvest. I wonder whether you could be part of that?' Excellent news - let's hope it spreads! The
May edition of the URC Reform magazine will feature St Andrew's support for Silveira House.
Finally, the latest text message sums up the situation in Zimbabwe: 'Things are so hard. Pray for us - we are suffering.'
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A Thanksgiving service will take place on Wednesday 23rd April at 14.00 to celebrate the life of Roy Cullum, a long standing member of our church.
On Sunday 13th April after the bring and share lunch we will be showing "Ratatouille" a recently released film which is suitable for all ages. All are welcome.
Peacebuilder is a place that you learn about Jesus and have fun. There were three places you could go to in the gym where peace builders was held: one was arts and crafts, one was writing prayers and one was playing games. We got to sing songs and play a snow ball fight. Some times we went into a church were there was the child friendly award. It was free.
by Rebecca
Ron Hinsley, Head of Certification at the Fairtrade Foundation, will be giving a talk about his book and his work, with time for questions. Fairtrade Foundation Director Harriet Lamb said, Banana wars …. is a gripping story of David and Goliath and winning against the odds, with the knowledge that human livelihoods hang in the balance. An inspiring story to shame the greedy and inspire the benevolent who identify with the downtrodden. An inspiration.
Ghosts is a documentary produced by Channel 4, looking at the events that lead to the drowning of a group of Chinese illegal immigrants, whilst harvesting cockles in Morcombe Bay. We will meet for coffee at 19.00 and the film will start at 19.30, followed by some discussion on the film. If you have time, please stay and have a chat. All are welcome
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