Kofi Annan International PeaceKeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC)
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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