UPDATES AND USEFUL INFORMATION (18th November 2020)
Dear All
As we continue to face
the Covid challenge, may God guide and bless you. It is great to hear of so many innovative
initiatives. Keep it up. I hope our weekly briefings continue to be of
use.
This briefing is posted
on the Synod website and on the blog each week, so there is no need to get the
reminder email to access it. All past
emailings and related documents remain on the Synod coronavirus blog - https://urceasternsynod.blogspot.com/
Best wishes
Paul
HOLY HABITS ROADSHOW – OR (AS THEY ARE) ONLINE TRAINING
The first eight are now on the Synod YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtYncbpZJ4PKBBrjrcXBHrw?view_as=subscriber
We are taking a break
this week, so number 9 will be posted next week – and then moving on to the final
‘habit’ of this series – and offering three reflections on ‘eating together’.
ALL AGE WORSHIP
Story time for the Under fives – Who Is God? - with Lindsey. Who Is God?
All-Age Worship - A reflection on ‘God Is’ with Nicola - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNEUuI_jx4U&t=10s
God is… a whisper
God is at work all around us even if we don’t see it. God is in the big things but also in the very small even in whisper.
Find some leaves and
leave them to dry on a piece of kitchen paper.
Take some leaves and hold
them in your hand feel how fragile and delicate they are. Know that God is in
all things. God is at work all around us even if we don’t see it. God is in the
big things but also in the very small.
Use the leaves to create
a picture on your window. Use some cling film or sticky back plastic and stick
the four corners lightly to the window so that the light can shine
through.
As an alternative you
could make your picture on a piece of paper.
Prayers stones
Find some stones as flat as possible so that the stones will stack together. Write on words that help you think about God. For example:
God is rock
God is love
God is Hope
God is Joy
God is peace
God is our tears.
Take the stones and find
somewhere quiet to talk to God. As you
place each stone ask god to be with you. When you are sad , when you need
strength, when things seem impossible, when you are confused and angry, when
you are happy. Place the stones
somewhere you will see them and where others can see them too.
Song
Our God is a great big
God
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8fcpShP19c
MINISITERS, LAY PREACHERS AND WORSHIP LEADERS:
APPROACHING
ADVENT WITH HOPE
In Autumn 2019 the Mission and Training Team led a Gift Day for lay preachers on the theme of Advent. We put together an intergenerational resource pack for participants to take away with lots of liturgy, worship ideas and service outlines. Advent looks very different this year, and there is no shortage of resources available, but if anyone is interested in this pack then please contact Lindsey. We also have a list of creative ways our churches are approaching Christmas on the website: https://www.urc-eastern.org.uk/theological-resources
GLOBAL CHURCH: EUROPE
As the government continues to negotiate the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union, it is worth reminding ourselves that we are not ‘leaving Europe’! Timely, perhaps, to remind ourselves of two of our significant links with the continent. On the United Reformed Church’s website you can find out more about our links with the Protestant church in the Palatinate region of Germany and the Waldensian Churches in Italy: https://urc.org.uk/european-partners. A number of our Synod churches have links with these partners; you can find out more from Wendy Cooper of the Faith in Action group. Wendy is also our Commitment for Life advocate: please contact her for updates on this important URC partnership with Christian Aid.
TRAINING / MISSION DATE FOR YOUR DIARIES
ONLINE COMMUNION: Tuesday 1st December, 7.30pm
Are you looking for help and ideas for sharing communion online? The Moderator and Lindsey will be leading a session for Ministers and authorised Lay Presidents. Email Lindsey to register.
COUNCIL FOR WORLD MISSION (CWM) EUROPE ..
.. are hosting a series of webinars on the theme of Building Life-Flourishing Communities, on Monday afternoons. Please see the information on these at https://urceasternsynod.blogspot.com/2020/11/building-life-flourishing-communities.html for more details and share freely with others. Having heard them speak a number of times I would thoroughly recommend the first session, led by URC minister Alex Clare Young. The others promise to be equally thought-provoking. Register by emailing sainimili.kata@cwmission.org
ECO CHURCH?
Thinking about it? Interested in the implications of the Climate Crisis and what we can do about it?
The
Synod of Wales is hosting a series of webinars, journeying with churches who
are passionate about Creation. You are invited to join any of their
sessions, “And God said…”; please see https://www.urcwales.org.uk/news/and-god-said/
for
details of the next one, on December 2nd and email jason.askew.urcwales@urc.org.uk
to register and obtain the Zoom link.
EXPLORING ELDERSHIP AND CHURCH LEADERSHIP
Following on from our overview of the role of Elder / Trustee in our churches. Suitable for all those in team leadership: ministers, stewards, deacons, elders and more. Online; max 90 minutes. Please email Lindsey – training@urceastern.org.uk - to register.
· Local Church and
Mission
January 7th
7.30pm
· Local Church and
Worship
January 13th
7.30pm
· Local Church and Pastoral
Care
January 20th
7.30pm
· Church Secretary
Training
January 27th
7.30pm
SCIENCE AND FAITH
This workshop is designed for church leaders, both lay and ordained, and those in training. Participants will explore a wide range of science and faith issues and think about their relevance in the context of the local church.
The
workshop will be held 8-9 January 2021, as an online Zoom meeting.
It
will cost £50 (£30 for those training for ministry). For more details, go to:
https://www.faraday.cam.ac.uk/event/faith-and-science-in-the-local-church/
ENQUIRERS’ EVENTS
Saturday 27th February and Saturday 2nd October 2021
Have
you ever considered a ministry of some sort, lay or ordained? Has someone
suggested it to you? Are you exploring a possible Call? These Enquirers’ events will
be held online on the dates above, with an invitation to visit a college
afterwards for more information, if desired. They will seek to include a
variety of ministries and ways that are possible, within the URC, to respond to
a Call to ministry.
OTHER UPCOMING DATES TO NOTE
25 November – 10 December - 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence - Find out more here
1 December - World Aids Day – Discover more here
10 December - UN Human Rights Day – Find information here
18 December - UN International Migrants Day – Find out more here
URC INFO
All the latest information (and links to resources) from the United Reformed Church is on the Coronavirus Advice page of the denomination’s website –
https://urc.org.uk/coronavirus.html
A PRAYER IN THE MIDST
OF CORONAVIRUS
FROM THE ARTHUR RANK
CENTRE
God of healing,
Surround us with your love as together we negotiate the complexities of coronavirus.
Guide us all as we seek to support one another. Help us to be attentive to the lonely, the isolated, the fearful and those who are ill.
Mindful of the geographical isolation of many rural communities, we pray for everyone involved in the effective provision of food, medical supplies and pastoral care.
In the name of Jesus Christ, who walks alongside us in our difficulties.
Amen
Finally,
just a reminder from Lindsey, Nicola and myself that we are still there for you
and, if there is anything you think we might offer, or you just want a chat, then
do contact us:
Our prayers and our best
wishes,
PAUL moderator@urceastern.org.uk 07534
274668
LINDSEY training@urceastern.org.uk 07801 352340
NICOLA cydo@urceastern.org.uk 07515 721172
STAY SAFE - PAUL
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