Dear Friends

Last Saturday, whilst the outside world tried to keep cool in the rising heatwave, thirty -five or so  lay preachers and worship group members, including Margery and myself, from URC churches across the Lancashire Area tried hard learn from the experts in a course entitled  “Worship Basics”

The day was arranged by Daleen ten Cate, our Area Missional Discipleship Mentor, who led the opening and closing worship. The experts were heavily involved in her training; the Revd Dr Rosalind Selby, the Principal of Northern College, and Revd Dr Noel Irwin, the tutor in Public Theology and the Church Related CW Community Work at Northern College and Daleen’s mentor for her own dissertation.

We worked In groups around tables. Rosalind invited us to write down the various parts of a service of worship, to identify those which were essential parts and to be clear about any important order of events in putting together an order of service.

Our pack included an example service with match-stick men illustrating  the progression through a typical service : Praise and Adoration;  Realisation and Confession; Forgiveness and Being Lifted up; Thanksgiving and Hope; Going out and Serving

We then discussed the use of the Lectionary- some of its pros and cons. The advantages of a set pattern of readings which recur every three years; the disadvantages of never including many parts of the Bible in public worship.

During a working coffee break we were asked to read the four lectionary readings for Sunday week 14^th July  (Amos 7:7-12; Psalm 82; Colossians 1: 1-14; Luke 10: 25-37).then  come up with a  theme and an appropriate hymn. This is where it started get more difficult!  [Perhaps you would like to try for yourself.]

We, and especially me, could probably have benefitted from the whole day spent on this topic

Noel, who trained for the Methodist ministry in Belfast , explained that during his full-time ministry he would regularly  on  Sunday evening  read the lectionary readings for the following Sunday, with further background reading  and thoughts about the congregation to whom  he would be preaching, only then would he address planning the sermon and details of the service.

Rosalind gave interesting advice on choosing hymns and music in worship – consult music copies of several hymnbooks;. look at the indexes of hymns based on  Bible references; look at the tunes and alternatives; don’t have all the  hymns in the same metre; and make sure you don’t contravene copyright (a guidance handout was  provided in our pack.)

Both speakers, who clearly now preach in a wide variety churches   stressed the importance of getting to know as much as possible about the congregations, their practices and expectations.

Daleen thanked Fulwood URC for their ministry of hospitality in being willing to accommodate training sessions and other events whenever possibly at a central location within the Lancashire Area.  

I doubt that the congregation noticed any differences in the Worship Group service last Sunday – but watch out in future services for the benefits from our Saturday Training session. 

Mac Dunsmore, Church Secretary                                       

 

LECTIONARY READINGS FOR JULY-AUGUST 2019

July

7^th       2 Kings 5: 1 – 14; Psalm 30 or Isaiah 66: 10 – 14; Psalm 66: 1 – 9; Galatians 6: (1 – 6), 7 – 16; St Luke 10: 1 – 11, 16 – 20

14^th     Amos 7: 7 – 17; Psalm 82 or Deuteronomy 30: 9 – 14; Psalm 25: 1 – 10; Colossians 1: 1 – 14; St Luke 10: 25 – 37

21^st     Amos 8: 1 – 12; Psalm 52 or Genesis 18: 1 – 10a; Psalm 15; Colossians 1: 15 – 28; St Luke 10: 38 – 42

28^th     Hosea 1: 2 – 10; Psalm 85 or Genesis 18: 20 – 32; Psalm 138; Colossians 2: 6 – 15, (16 – 19); St Luke 11: 1 –

August

4^th       Hosea 11: 1 – 11; Psalm 107: 1 – 9, 43 or Ecclesiastes 1: 2, 12 – 14 & 2: 18 – 23; Psalm 49: 1 – 12; Colossians 3: 1 – 11; St Luke 12: 13 – 21

11^th     Isaiah 1: 1, 10 – 20; Psalm 50: 1 – 8, 22 – 23 or Genesis 15: 1 – 6; Psalm 33: 12 – 22; Hebrews 11: 1 – 3, 8 – 16; St Luke 12: 32 – 40

18^th     Isaiah 5: 1 – 7; Psalm 80: 1 – 2, 8 – 19 or Jeremiah 23: 23 – 29; Psalm 82; Hebrews 11: 29 – 12: 2; St Luke 12: 49 – 56

25^th     Jeremiah 1: 4 – 10; Psalm 71: 1 – 6 or Isaiah 58: 9b – 14; Psalm 103: 1 – 8; Hebrews 12: 18 – 29; St Luke 13: 10 – 17

 

September

1^st        Jeremiah 2: 4 – 13; Psalm 81: 1, 10 – 16 or Proverbs 25: 6 – 7; Psalm 112; Hebrews 13: 1 – 8, 15 – 16; St Luke 14: 1, 7 – 14

8^th       Jeremiah 18: 1 – 11; Psalm 139: 1 – 6, 13 – 18 or Deuteronomy 30: 15 – 20; Psalm 1; Philemon 1 – 21; St Luke 14: 25 – 33

 

 

  THE UNITED REFORMED CHURCH VISION STATEMENT

Called to be God’s people, transformed by the Gospel,

      making a difference in the world for Christ’s sake”

 

THE TIME IS NOW – FAIRTRADE FARMERS SPEAK OUT ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE

Last Wednesday (26th June) people from Preston and from all parts of the country travelled to London to tell their MPs that the growing climate crisis needs attention – urgently!

They were there to make sure politicians in this country don’t forget their responsibilities to farmers and workers all around the world facing devastating climate change right now. 

WHO IS RESPONSIBLE?

Certainly not the Fairtrade farmers.  The climate crisis is already badly affecting global food production. Fairtrade farmers like Ebrottié in Côte d’Ivoire, Zeddy in Kenya and Theresa in Nicaragua, suffer the effects, leaving them working longer, for less, and damaging their community.

Making sure that farmers’ voices are heard is exactly why the Fairtrade Foundation is part of the Climate Coalition, a group of over 130 organisations across the UK, working towards a world powered by clean and secure energy. 

So here – in their own words – is what the climate emergency means for Fairtrade farmers working around the world. 

‘This year we lacked food because of the heat’

Ebrottié Tanoh Florentin, a cocoa farmer in Côte d’Ivoire, speaks about the effects of the climate crisis on cocoa farming families.

‘Climate change is a global issue. We, the farmers, have to deal with its consequences every day. For instance, this year we lacked food because of the heat. The production decreased this year too, so this affects the economy. People harvested less and received less money. So we all suffer from the negative consequences of the climate: it impacts the environment and our economy. 

‘There will be a food shortage because of the heat whereas, before, there were a lot of forests, the rains were regular and the seasons were well divided. It was easier. There were four seasons, now we don’t know anymore when we should plant and when we should stop. 

‘Climate change has an impact on crops which results in less money and food available. There is also a lack of workforce, because the cocoa farming is not profitable anymore. Young people who used to work with us do not come anymore. The farmer is left with his family, struggling to keep the production because of the negative effects of climate. These are the difficulties we currently face.’

‘We fear low coffee production in future’

Zeddy Rotich, a coffee farmer in Kenya, explains how Fairtrade has helped her take action on the climate crisis locally.

‘Climate change is affecting us because the weather patterns have changed. We fear low coffee production in future because of it. But through Fairtrade we have received training on climate change and we are taking action. However, we still need more, because we need to train other people who are not aware about climate change.

‘We also need more tree nursery beds, so that we can plant more trees as a way of tackling climate change.’

‘We are responsible for the erosion of our soil’

Teresa Riviera Palaciosa, a coffee farmer in Nicaragua, calls on communities around the world to join the fight to tackle the clim ate crisis.

‘I invite all the producers of the world to organise themselves into co-operatives and to look after the environment; to stop burning the forests, clearing the land and polluting the water and to stop using banned chemical products which are harmful to coffee consumers, animals, and the environment. Chemicals also kill the organisms in the soil and lead to erosion.

‘We are responsible for the erosion of our soil – sometimes by thinking that we are improving and will produce more, over time we can end up not producing anything at all.

‘So if all the small producers organise themselves in co-operatives, we will really benefit and we will really value the world that God has gifted us.’

Climate disasters hit marginalised farmers the hardest

These farmers – who have done the least to cause the climate crisis – must not be left alone in facing the consequences. 

That’s why we are speaking up for Fairtrade producers around the world whose future is under immediate threat. 

And you can help – share this message from Ebrottié, Zeddy  and Teresa to spread the word that the changing climate really is an emergency for small farmers all around the world.

Mac Dunsmore -thanks to Fairtrade website

 

WHY IS IT…??

• Why is it that a £20 note seems a lot when we take it to Church, but not much when we go to the Supermarket?
• Why is it that we might get excited when a sporting event goes to extra time, but complain if the Sermon lasts a few more minutes than usual?
• Why is it that we find it hard to read a chapter of the Bible, but so easy to read a novel right through?
• Why is it that an hour seems a long time to worship God, but seems to go quickly when we are doing something else?
• Why is it that we want a front seat at the Theatre, but scramble for a back seat at Church?
• Why is it that we find it easy to talk to others in front of God, but can’t talk to God in front of others?
• Why is it that we need a few weeks’ notice to fit a Church event into our diary, but can adjust our diary at the last minute for a party?
• Why is it that we find it hard to speak to our neighbour about the Gospel, but so easy to pass on gossip or bad news?
• Why is it that people believe the newspapers and T.V, but can’t possibly take the Bible seriously?
• Why should we study a set text thoroughly for the short term to get through an exam, but not study the Bible thoroughly for the long term – for life

 

TV LICENCES 

The secretary of a village church received a letter from the television licence office addressed to “The present occupier” of the church, asking why there was no record of a TV licence.  The secretary replied, “The present occupier is God.  He took up residence in 1876 when his house was opened and consecrated.  As he is an all-seeing God he has no need for a television set.”

                               

MINISTRY OF FLOWERS                  

        7^th July      Mavis Orrell

      14^th July      Vivien Manners     

      21^st July      Allison Robb

      18^th Aug      Myrtle Smith

        1^st Sept      Dorothy Sumner              

 

 

FOLLOWING IN HIS FOOTSTEPS                   

Almighty, eternal, just and merciful God, grant us the desire to do only what pleases you, and the strength to do only what you command.

Cleanse our souls, enlighten our minds, and inflame our hearts with your Holy Spirit, that we may follow in the footsteps of your beloved Son, Jesus Christ.

St Francis of Assisi 1182 – 122

 

 

THE THINGS THAT CHILDREN SAY…….

Three children were in a school playground boasting about their respective fathers.

One said: ‘My daddy’s a teacher and he makes us clever for nothing’.

The next said: ‘My daddy’s a doctor and he makes us well for nothing’.

The third said: ‘My daddy’s a minister and he makes us good for nothing’.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A little girl was taken to church for the first time by her grandfather. When it was time for the offering, and noticing how people were putting money in the offering plate, she decided that she should offer her grandfather some advice and, at the same time, save him some money. So, in a loud whisper she instructed him: ‘You don’t have to pay for me, grandfather, I’m still under five.’

 

EDITORS’ FOOTNOTE

I read this ‘warning’ in a church newsletter one day and it made      me smile: Don’t be surprised if you find mistakes. We aim to print something for everyone, and some people are always looking for mistakes.’      

 

 

	WELCOMING	READING	REFRESHMENTS
7th Jul	Craig Millar Viv Manners	James Millar Mac Dunsmore	Jean Dunsmore
14th Jul	Mavis Orrell Craig Millar	Viv Manners Margery Pitcher	Elizabeth & Norman Croll
21st Jul	Frances Fraser Viv Manners	Richard Fraser Jean Dunsmore	Frances & Richard Fraser
28th Jul	Jean Dunsmore Frances Fraser	Viv Manners Craig Millar	Frances Fraser
4th Aug	Craig Millar Jean Dunsmore	Margery Pitcher Mac Dunsmore	Elizabeth & Norman Croll
11th Aug	Norman Croll Viv Manners	Mac Dunsmore Viv Manners	Mavis Orrell
18th Aug	Craig Millar Mavis Orrell	Craig Millar Margery Pitcher	Jean Dunsmore
25th Aug	Mavis Orrell VIv Manners	Jean Dusnmore Mac Dunsmore	Elizabeth & Norman Croll
1st Sep	Jean Dunsmore Craig Millar	Viv Manners Craig Millar	Mavis Orrell
8th Sep	Craig Millar Norman Croll	Craig Millar Jean Dunsmore	Jean Dunsmore