Dear friends King James Bible
Transcription
Dear friends King James Bible
Dear friends Suffer little children Suffer little children, and forbid them not to come unto me, for such is the Kingdom of Heaven: King James Bible. As a child, I heard the words “suffer little children”. Well, I didn’t want to suffer. I was not impressed. Eventually it made more sense. Let the children come to me, and do not stop them, because the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to them: Good News Bible Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them, for it is to such as these that the Kingdom of Heaven belongs: New Revised Standard Version It is our responsibility as Christians to care for others. Think of the many people who have left Syria and are living in camps with few or no belongings – numerous children among them. What would we feel like in their circumstances? Helping people directly or indirectly is needed. I was a stranger and you took me in. Earlier this year I had some time in London with my daughter. Catey and I looked in a visitors’ leaflet and we walked the short distance to the Foundling Museum. We had few expectations, but what a treat we had. And what a rollercoaster of emotions. In the 1700s there was real absolute poverty. There were no benefits. If dad went out to sea, for example, there was no 1 money for food unless and until he returned home. If the boat was lost families starved. In the early 1720s Captain Coram, then a London merchant, was appalled by the sight of babies and young children abandoned in London’s streets. Lacking wealth and social connections Thomas Coram had to campaign for 17 years before he finally received a royal charter in 1739 to establish his Foundling Hospital with the support of William Hogarth and George Frederic Handel. The hospital provided care and education to thousands of children. Demand for places was huge and a system of balloting was needed to decide who should be admitted. Initially the children admitted were up to 2 months old and the father had abandoned the family. Most children were illegitimate – a deep social stigma. After 1756 children were admitted up to the age of 12 months, and mothers had to give a token to the hospital to be kept with a child to show that they were related – a piece of ribbon or a verse on a scrap of paper or a trinket. This enabled mothers to reclaim their children if their circumstances improved. I mentioned “emotions” earlier on. Well, one of the rooms in the museum was full of these tokens – representing children not returned to their mothers. There was a conker on a string as a necklace, a squashed thimble and a stone. Captain Thomas Coram did his bit for humanity in an age when this was rare. He was a stranger to the children but he took them in. So if you are in London, not far from Euston Station, I recommend a visit to the Foundling Museum and be prepared to be overwhelmed by what Thomas Coram did. Ann Rook 2 FAMILY NEWS At the time of going to press, Bill Glossop is still in the Northern General Hospital. We continue to think about him and Judy. We continue to remember those of our Church Family who are in care homes and those who are housebound. Jim Martin THANK YOU A big thank you to everyone from Leslie and Christine Smith for the many kindnesses received on the occasion of their recent Golden Wedding Anniversary. They were all much appreciated. Thanks to all those who sent me articles for Take Notice this month. It was much appreciated. Thank you to everyone for the many gifts of food, warm bedding and money which we have taken down to the Cathedral Archer Project. These gifts will make a huge difference materially to the people who use the project but also show them that people care, even though we have never met. 3 Also thanks to everyone involved in the Harvest ploughman’s supper which raised £44 for Christian Aid. We had a lovely, but noisy, time doing a variety of craft activities and preparing and sharing food. CHRISTIAN AID EVENTS Saturday 16th November 2013 Concert for Christian Aid at St Andrew’s Church 31 Psalter Lane, Sheffield S11 8YL - with the Loxley Silver Band and the Westside Singers. Tickets £10 (£7 concessions, £4 students in fulltime education, children under 12 free but MUST have a ticket) available from Tel: 269 5263 Saturday 7th December Carol singing in Fargate. There is a rota so 2 or 3 churches sing for an hour at a time and our slot is usually 12.30 to 1.30 p.m., usually with Central URC. Could a few of us get together to boost numbers? (See Elaine if you are willing to do this.) CHRISTIAN AID Some comments from Dr Rowan Williams, Chair of CA Why did you want to take on this new role? In the past few years, as Archbishop of Canterbury, I've become more aware of the priority of development and aid issues worldwide. I was wondering how best to carry on this work when I stepped down, so when the suggestion came that I might think about this role I was delighted. Christian Aid's latest strategy is called Partnership for Change. How important is it for a spirit of partnership to inform how we work? One of the most important things in any kind of aid organisation is to recognize and build the dignity of people we're working 4 with. It won't do to see them as victims, as recipients of handouts. We are bound as Christians to work in such a way that they have the dignity of themselves as givers, as people with something to share, and the model of partnership that Christian Aid is developing takes that kind of dignity absolutely seriously. How do you feel about Christian Aid's commitment to work with and for people of all faiths and none? It's very important that Christian Aid has a perfectly clear Christian vision animating and energising it. Without that energy we wouldn't be where we are. But, while we come from a Christian background, we need have no qualms about extending what we do, how we partner with anyone and everyone. We don't need to be anxious about that. Christians are not always portrayed as a particularly dynamic group. Do you think it's possible for a Christian organisation such as ours to retain a radical agenda for change? It's not only possible but essential that a radical agenda remains. We are in Christian Aid presumably because we're not prepared to sit down quietly under a system that seems unjust and that pushes people out of the way for the sake of profit - a global system that often overrides the interests of actual human beings and societies. It's of the first importance that as Christians we say we live from a set of values that will challenge the way the world runs. And while we're not in the business of violent revolution, or the expectation of overnight change, we have to go on saying that change is possible; we've seen it happen, and with the grace of God we can make it happen. Article from Grange-over-Sands & Allithwaite URC magazine 5 WALKING GROUP The walking group will take a break over the winter, and resume at half-term in February. Any suggestions for 2014 will be very welcome. Thank you all who have supported the walks in 2013. Jenni Slack LADIES’ GROUP Cathie Harris and Faye will be talking to us about Guide dogs on Wednesday 13th November at 8 p.m. in the Garden Room. Refreshments will be on sale with the proceeds going to Guide Dogs for the Blind. We shall be going to Joe and Dolores (the former Dore Grill) for our Christmas meal on Wednesday 4th December at 7 p.m., giving us time to see the Dore Lantern Parade before we go in. The meal will cost £18.50 - please see Jeanne for menu choices and to pay £3.50 deposit. The book we were to read for our January meeting has been changed as it was only available as a hard back. The one chosen instead is ‘The Choir’ by Joanne Trollope. If you’d like me to get you a copy please let me know. Jeanne Clark TRANSPORT 17 CHRISTMAS FAYRE This will be held on Saturday 16th November from 10 – 12 noon in their Baslow Road office. 6 SINGING IN OUR BUILDING Fancy a good singsong? Two groups meet on our premises both of which offer the opportunity to enjoy yourself – and keep fit by singing. SHINE ACADEMY – Shine On Choir This is a contemporary modern choir teaching breathing, pitch, movement and song in a great environment with like-minded people. The choir is really building with about 30 members but will not go above a certain number so as to keep things close and more bespoke. There are several Christmas shows coming up: Dec 4th the Dore Lantern parade Dec 5th 8 p.m. at Dore and Totley United Reformed church Dec 7th 12.30 p.m. at The Forge, Dronfield Dec 14th at Bradway Bowling club This choir is a celebration of ladies, their camaraderie and their strength. So step out and join us, Ladies, you will have no regrets. Learn to really sing with Sheffield's own Diva! Liz Mack Enjoy singing in the shower? Why not join ROCK CHOIR in Sheffield?! The National Phenomenon ‘ROCK CHOIR’ that is sweeping the country is now running in Sheffield with weekly fun rehearsals held weekly at Dore & Totley United Reformed Church. Whether you are an experienced singer or just a novice, Rock Choir is the choir for you! Rock Choir is for absolutely anyone of any age or ability. Sheffield Rock Choir is led by local musician and performer Kate Threlfall who studied piano with the London College of Music 7 and trained at the renowned Italia Conti Academy in London. She says “I am very proud of what Rock Choir has achieved since we started in 2005. We pioneered the new move towards ‘no auditions and no requirement to read music’ in choirs and we really do welcome everyone into our family.” Rock Choir is all about having fun with singing and enjoying some well-deserved ‘me time’ and members go away from the sessions feeling relaxed, refreshed and confident. We never ask anyone to sing on their own unless they want to and it’s just brilliant - everyone should try it! Rock Choir is now the UK's leading contemporary choir and we have recently been featured on The Alan Titchmarsh Show and had our own documentary on ITV1 called The Choir That Rocks. This year we also performed our very own show live at the Liverpool Echo Arena which according to one Barnsley member was “A unique and spine-tingling experience. To be given the opportunity to sing with thousands of other Rock Choir members in such an iconic venue was a dream come true for me.” In the last year Rock Choir has performed at Graves Park for the Weston Park Cancer Charity Fun Run, Meadowhall Shopping Centre for Support Dogs and the Sheffield Winter Garden. We are always on the look-out for local performances too! Our weekly sessions are friendly and up-beat and our unique arrangements of pop, rock and Motown songs make singing in a choir fun and rewarding! There is so much to be excited about when you join Rock Choir - the singing, the performing, the fun, the health benefits and of course it's one of the best ways to engage with your local community and make new friends for life. 8 Come along and experience for yourself the benefits of singing in a choir! Book your FREE taster session or join us now - go to www.rockchoir.com or call 01252 714276. Brand new weekly sessions run every Thursday (excluding school holidays) from 11.30 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Dore & Totley United Reformed Church. We look forward to meeting you there! Kate Threlfall The flowers on November are in memory of Gladys and Sidney Edwards (Bob’s parents) 17th 9 REMEMBRANCE Will you buy a Poppy sir? Will you wear it well? For you will hear a band, sir, not a screaming shell. It’s good to hear you’re well, sir, and feeling in the pink Two minutes isn’t long, sir, to close your eyes and think. Will you buy a Poppy sir? Now that it’s November? And more important, may I ask, sir, will you remember? We see our children play and laugh, we watch them as they grow. We remember, and we bless the men who made it so. Will you pray, sir, will you cry? Yes, sir, yes, sir, so will I. Glyndwr Evans 10 THE SENILITY PRAYER O God, grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked anyway, The good fortune to run into the ones I do like and the eyesight to tell the difference. Sent in by Ann Rook THE PASTOR'S CAT Hope the story leaves a bright spot in your day. Whoever said the Creator doesn't have a sense of humour? Dwight Nelson recently told a true story about the pastor of his church. He had a kitten that climbed up a tree in his backyard and then was afraid to come down. The pastor coaxed, offered warm milk, etc. The kitten would not come down. The tree was not sturdy enough to climb, so the pastor decided that if he tied a rope to his car and pulled it until the tree bent down, he could then reach up and get the kitten. That's what he did, all the while checking his progress in the car. He then figured if he went just a little bit further, the tree would be bent sufficiently for him to reach the kitten. But as he moved the car a little further forward, the rope broke. The tree went 'boing!' and the kitten instantly sailed through the air - out of sight. The pastor felt terrible. He walked all over the neighbourhood asking people if they'd seen a little kitten. No. Nobody had seen a stray kitten. So he prayed, 'Lord, I just commit this kitten to 11 your keeping’ and went on about his business. A few days later he was at the grocer’s and met one of his church members. He happened to look into her shopping cart and was amazed to see cat food. This woman was a cat hater and everyone knew it, so he asked her, 'Why are you buying cat food when you hate cats so much?' She replied, 'You won't believe this,' and then told him how her little girl had been begging her for a cat, but she kept refusing. Then a few days before, the child had begged again, so the Mum finally told her little girl, 'Well, if God gives you a cat, I'll let you keep it.' She told the pastor, 'I watched my child go out in the yard, get on her knees, and ask God for a cat. And really, Pastor, you won't believe this, but I saw it with my own eyes. A kitten suddenly came flying out of the blue sky, with its paws outspread, and landed right in front of her.' Never underestimate the Power of God and His unique sense of humour. Anyone can count the seeds in an apple; but only God can count the apples in a seed. Give me a sense of humour, God; give me the grace to see a joke, to get some humour out of life and pass it on to other folks. And remember: each day is God's gift to you; make it blossom and grow into a day of beauty. Never doubt God. Sent in by Jean Fermie A FESTIVE CRACKER Please book tickets early for this concert on 8 th December and let Elaine or Brenda Harrison know if you would like a lift. We are happy to arrange this. It promises to be a great evening – not to be missed! 12 One of the latest initiatives is to collect food from shoppers in the Morrison’s supermarket once a month with one group collecting between 10–12 noon and another between 6–8 pm. Another aim is to offer two weekly collection days locally in addition to the delivery service. It is hoped these will be at the Meadowhead Christian Fellowship in Jordanthorpe on Tuesday mornings and at the Gresley youth centre in Lowedges on Thursday afternoons. The food bank volunteers anticipate a simple arrangement of welcoming the users, making them a tea or coffee and handing over the pre-packed food. In addition volunteers will be available to listen if the user has other issues the food bank may be able to help with or refer the user on for. Last year at Christmas the food bank collected toys but as it is hard to know in advance how many families would be involved, the thinking this year is to try and send out each box with a giant box of sweets/chocolates with a card. Jeanne Clark 13 Sheffield Rep Orchestra presents A Festive Cracker at Dore and Totley URC on Sunday 8th December at 7 p.m. Beethoven’s Egmont Overture and Symphony No.7 and Haydn’s Trumpet Concerto Guest soloist Kenneth Brown (Halle Orchestra) plus a selection of Christmas favourites Seasonal refreshments Tickets £6 (£5 concessions) phone 2365607 Profits in aid of Lost Chord and Good News Family Care 14 EATING IN THE UK IN THE 1950s Pasta hadn't been invented. Pizza was something to do with a leaning tower. A takeaway was a mathematical problem. Prunes were medicinal. A Chinese chippy was a foreign carpenter. A Big Mac was what we wore when it was raining. Brown bread was something only poor people ate. Oil was for lubricating, fat was for cooking. Cubed sugar was regarded as posh. Fish didn't have fingers in those days. Eating raw fish was called poverty, not sushi. None of us had even heard of yoghurt. People who didn't peel potatoes were regarded as lazy. Indian restaurants were only found in India. Cooking outside was called camping. Seaweed was not a recognised food. "Kebab" was not even a word, never mind a food. Sugar enjoyed a good press in those days, and was regarded as white gold. All crisps were plain; the only choice being to salt them or not. Pineapples came in chunks in a tin; we'd only ever seen a real one in pictures. Water came out of the tap. If anyone had suggested bottling it and charging for it they would have been a laughing stock. Rice was a milk pudding, and never part of the main course. Tea was made in a teapot, using tea leaves, and we had never heard of green tea. The one thing that we never ever had on our table in the fifties was our elbows! From St Swithin’s Church magazine 15 HUMOUR FROM CHURCH NOTICE BOARDS Snippets mainly from Intake URC magazine: Don't think that God can't use you with talents small and few... Remember that the mighty oak was once a nut like you! ETERNITY SMOKING OR NON-SMOKING IT’S A HELL OF A DECISION! God so loved the world that He didn't send a committee Ladies, don’t forget the rummage sale. It’s a chance to get rid of those things you no longer want to keep around the house. Don’t forget to bring your husbands. The Associate Minister unveiled the church’s new tithing slogan last Sunday “I upped my pledge – up yours!” Weight Watchers will meet at 7 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church. Please use the large double door at the side entrance. 16 The Sheffield Floral Club Annual Exhibition of Flower Arrangements EMERALD ANNIVERSARY at Dore and Totley United Reformed Church Arrangements and competition entries on display Raffle, tombola and plant stall Thursday 21st November 2013 10.30 a.m. – 3.30 p.m. Tickets £3.00 payable on entry Donation to SAKA (Sheffield Area Kidney Association) ALL WELCOME 17 DAVID & GOLIATH KRISS-KROSS PUZZLE 3 letter word 5 letter words 6 letter words God brook afraid 4 letter words David armies bear fight battle five giant cheese Gath Jesse cubits lion sheep helmet Saul sling Israel tall spear killed 5 letter words staff shield bread sword stones 18 7 letter word Goliath 8 letter words brothers champion forehead shepherd 9 letter word forty days 11 letter word Philistines FOOD IN THE BIBLE 1. Who found honey inside the body of a dead lion? Samson 2. Elisha purified a pot of stew that had been poisoned with what? wild gourds 3. Who served cheese, milk, and veal to the Lord when he made His appearance in the form of three men? Abraham 4. Who traded his birthright to his brother for some bread and lentil stew? Esau 5. What did John the Baptist eat in the wilderness? locusts 6. What did the widow make for the prophet Elijah? bread 7. Who woke up under a tree and found an angel had cooked food for him? Elijah 8. What type of bird did God provide for Israel in the desert? quails 9. What did the spies which Moses sent not return with? Honey 10. When his brothers came to buy food, in whose sack did Joseph place his cup? Benjamin’s Get the right perspective. When Goliath came against the Israelites, the soldiers all thought, "He's so big we can never kill him." David looked at the same giant and thought, "He's so big I can't miss." Q. Why was Goliath so surprised when David hit him with a slingshot? A. The thought had never entered his head before. 19 COFFEE ROTA Nov 3rd Elizabeth Keech and Liz Walkden th 10 Ella Lawrie and Isobel Frew 17th Jean Walker and Gill McAdie 24th Helen Miller and Marie Gleadhill FLOWER ROTA Nov 3rd Jane Moffat 10th Dorothy Land 17th Vera Edwards 24th Margaret Pike SUNDAY MORNING DOOR STEWARDS Nov 3rd Jane and Robb Studd th 10 Shona Picken and Gill McAdie 17th Neil and Ella Lawrie 24th Elizabeth Keech and Brenda Hague DUTY ELDERS’ ROTA Nov 3rd Elaine Ferguson th 10 Judith Norris th 17 Derek Spiers 24th Margaret Barron 20 November Diary Sun 3 Family Service at 10.30 a.m. with communion conducted by Revd Shirley Knibbs Wed 6 Mid-week Service at 11.30 a.m. conducted by Mrs Margaret Warwick Meet for a sandwich after the service. Thurs 7 Social Club at 8 p.m. - Sir Walter Raleigh by Ms Maureen Taylor Sun Remembrance Day service at 10.30 a.m. conducted by Miss Anne Dale 10 The Traidcraft stall will be open after the service. Mon 11 Elders’ meeting at 7 p.m. Copy date for December/January Take Notice. All articles in writing to Jeanne Clark by this date, please Tues 12 Totley Brook Club at 2.30 p.m. Mr Tolson – “Lock up your daughters” Service of prayer for help and healing, 8 p.m. 21 Wed 13 Mid-week Service at 11.30 a.m. conducted by Mrs Fiona Green Ladies’ Group in the Garden Room (see separate article) Thurs 14 Social Club at 8 p.m. – Member’s night - Derek Spiers Sat 16 Transport 17 Christmas Fayre Concert for Christian Aid at St Andrew’s Church (see separate articles) Sun 17 Family Service at 10.30 a.m. conducted by Mr Greg Unwin, the Terminus Initiative Elders’ election: 1st ballot. Please return your papers by Tuesday 10th December Wed 20 Thurs 21 Mid-week Service at 11.30 a.m. conducted by Revd Shirley Knibbs Sheffield Floral Club display (see separate article) Social Club at 8 p.m. ‘Music Illustrated’ by Mr John Lee Sun 24 Family service at 10.30 a.m. conducted by Revd Shirley Knibbs Wed 27 Mid-week Service at 11.30 a.m. conducted by Miss Anne Dale Thurs 28 Social Club at 8 p.m. – Member’s night Mrs Elizabeth Keech 22 Directory Phone Group Minister Rev. Shirley Knibbs 235 2271 25 Longford Road, Sheffield S17 4LP Email: [email protected] Deputy Shona Picken 235 0696 Chair 2 Poynton Wood Crescent, Sheffield S17 4NB [email protected] Secretary: Elaine Ferguson 236 5607 32 Rushley Drive, Sheffield S17 3EN Email: [email protected] Assistant Jane Studd 236 1192 5 Devonshire Road, Sheffield S17 3NT Email: [email protected] Treasurer: Rob Studd 236 1192 5 Devonshire Road, Sheffield S17 3NT Email: [email protected] Pastoral Care: Jim Martin 236 2403 15 Moorview Court, Bradway Drive Sheffield S17 4PD Email: [email protected] Editor: Jeanne Clark 236 7390 8 Abbeydale Park Rise Sheffield S17 3PD Email: [email protected] It would be appreciated if you take notice of the fact Tuesdays have been designated as a free day for Shirley www. doreandtotleyurc.org.uk A Member of the South Sheffield Group of United Reformed Churches Meersbrook Park, Michael Church & Dore & Totley 23 Mon Tues 2nd Tues Term-time 2nd Tues Wed Term-time 1st Wed Thurs Fri Zumba T’ai Chi Tatty Bumpkin (preschool yoga) Shine Academy Slimming World Aerobics Lunch Club Yoga Computer course Totley Brook Club Martial Arts Beavers W.E.A. Abbeydale Writers Shine On: Ladies’ choir Service for Help and Healing Pilates Coffee morning Mid-week Service Brownies Ladies’ Group - not often in church Zumba Rock Choir Pilates Pilates Zumba Social Club Creation Station Scottish Dancing Ella Lawrie has contact details: tel. 236 6294 24 10 – 11 a.m. 11.30–12.30 p.m. 1 – 1.45 p.m. 4.30 – 6 p.m. 6 - 9 p.m. 6.30 – 7.30 p.m. 10 – 1.30 p.m. 1.30 – 3.00 p.m. 1.30 – 3.30 p.m. 2.30 – 4 p.m. 3.45 – 5.45 p.m. 6.15 – 7.15 p.m. 7 – 9 p.m. 7.30 – 9 p.m. 8 - 9 p.m. 9.15 – 11.15 a.m. 10 – 12 noon 11.30 – 12 noon 6.15 – 7.40 p.m. 8 p.m. 10 – 11 a.m. 11.15 - 12.45 p.m. 1.30 – 2.30 p.m. 5.15 – 7.15 p.m. 7.30 – 8.30 p.m. 8 – 10 p.m. 10 – 12 noon 7.45 – 10 p.m.