WARKWORTH UNITED REFORMED CHURCH

Minister's Message Church Family News Women's Association Services Diary dates
John Judson Gift Day 2010 Gift Aid Leprosy Transport Flower Rota Mothering Sunday

Revd Barry Hutchinson Changing Times URC Headquarters Reform Magazine Feedback Amazon

United Reform Church, Warkworth

Minister’s Message

Dear Friends,

It always seems strangely appropriate to me that November is a time of remembrance and December is a time of new beginnings. How? Well, November has the obvious Remembrance Day, but it is also the end of the church year. It also seems to be a time when the weather encourages reflection. The colourful autumn is over and the winds and weather of the winter start to set in. We tend to look back over the year, remembering the many things that happened, the people we miss and wondering where the time went! Perhaps thankfully, the end of November sees the beginning of the church year with the start of Advent. Maybe I am just an oddity, but in December I find myself looking forward to another year, not looking back on the old one. Advent itself helps us to look forward as it is a great time of waiting and anticipation. We may moan about Christmas coming and all the work and expense involved, but would we really want to miss it? It is a special time, both in the church and in our families. Yes, a huge part of our celebrations revolve around the "true" Christmas, the celebration of Jesus' birth and that in itself is another dose of hope for a year; but it is also a special time when we take time to be with others, when we reach out to passersby, when we think of others.

Would Christmas be the same if we divorced the religious from the commercial? How about if we had St. Nicholas' Day in early December to enjoy presents and Santa and family and then a purely religious Christmas on the 25th? Do you think it would work? I don't know. For us in the church, perhaps it would be an improvement. But for the vast numbers of people who are not church goers would the story of Christmas be lost? More people come to church at Christmas than at any other time of the year. Why? It is part of a package, the music, the story, the lights and candles and trees... it is a memory of the past strangely mixed with hope for the future. How many are actually thinking about what is to come in 2012 when we are singing the carols and listening to the Christmas story in 2011?

January can be depressing, but not when you still have the glow of Christmas in your heart. You're still looking forward and hoping for all the best that is yet to come, even though you haven't kept any of your New Year's resolutions!

Take the time this November to reflect on 2011 as it slides away, but when Advent arrives start to look forward. Anticipation of the birth of Christ and of a new year is something to get excited about!

Joan

WOMEN'S ASSOCIATION

I am delighted to tell you that Joan, our Minister has agreed to come to our meeting as our Speaker on Wednesday, 14th December, 2011 at 2.30 p.m.

I do hope that as many ladies as possible will come that day when we shall have a special afternoon with the theme "TOWARDS CHRISTMAS".

We shall need items for a pooled tea.

Margaret Burrell
Hon Sec
Tel: 01665 711 395
16, The Butts, Warkworth, NE65 0SS

Services and Meetings

Most Sundays	Service in Warkworth Church	11.15 a.m.
Please check the "Dates for your Diary" page for more information.

Flower Rota
Date	Name
27th November, 2011	Mrs Mary Dixon
4th December 2011	Mrs G Findlay
11th December 2011	Mrs B Dixon
18th and 25th December 2011	Christmas Flowers
1st January 2012	Christmas Flowers
8th January 2012	Vacant
15th January 2012	Mrs L Egan
22nd January 2012	Mrs J Warwick
29th January 2012	Cluster Service

Margaret Burrell
Tel: 01665 711 395
16, The Butts, Warkworth, NE65 0SS

Shilbottle Transport Rota
Date	Driver
Please contact Jan when you need transport 01665 711 304

Dates for your diary

Date	Subject	Time
23rd November 2011	Visit Lakeland, Eldon Garden. Leave Dial Place, Warkworth	4.55 pm
	Leave Guilden Road, Warkworth	5.00 p.m.
24th November 2011	Elders' Meeting at Dalserf	7.30 p.m.
26th November 2011	Looking Ahead for Worship Group at St. James's, Alnwick	10.00 a.m.
27th November 2011	Our Minister Rev Joan Gridrod-Helmn	11.15 a.m.
4th December 2011	Rev J Watson	11.15 am
11th December 2011	Our Minister Rev Joan Gridrod-Helmn Christingle Service Please bring along your oranges already prepared	11.15 am
14th December 2011	Women's Association Meeting	2.15 p.m.
18th December 2011	Rev Canon Alan Craig, Alnwick	11.15 a.m.
24th December 2011	Christmas Eve Service - Mr Philip Stuckey	11.30 p.m.
25th December 2011	Our Minister Rev Joan Gridrod-Helmn	10.30 a.m.
1st January 2012	The Worship Group and Friends	11.15 a.m.
8th January 2012	To be arranged	11.15 a.m.
15th January 2012	Rev Rowena Francis, Moderator	11.15 a.m.
19th January 2012	Cluster Meeting at St James's, Alnwick	07.30 p.m.
22nd January 2012	Our Minister Rev Joan Gridrod-Helmn	11.15 a.m.
29th January 2012	Cluster Service at Longframlington	10.30 a.m.

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CHURCH FAMILY NEWS

EVENTS

"The Quiz", Wine and Cheese

A very sincere "Thank-you" to Sally, Roger, Wilma and those who joined their team to make the evening so enjoyable and successful. The company from Warkworth and St James' with its friendly atmosphere was great; the refreshments delicious. An evening which indicated much work behind the scenes. Wilma made us all search our brains; and the winners appreciated their medals and prizes.

Thank you to all who prepared, worked and supported. Church funds benefitted by £300.

STILL TO COME

The visit to Lakeland, Eldon Square Garden, Newcastle on Wednesday, 23rd November 2011, The coach will leave alnwick at 4.40 p.m. and pick up in Dial Place at 4.55 p.m. and Guilden Road at 5.00 p.m.

PREPARING FOR CHRISTMAS

We shall prepare our Church for Christmas on Friday 16th December from 1 p.m. onwards and Saturday December 10.30 a.m. onwards. Do join in and help. The tree will be dressed, we shall need, holly, ivy, evergreens and willing hands. It's all simple and traditional..

GOOD WISHES

Congratulations to our helpful and supportive neighbours, Alan and Serena Coulter who celebrated their GOLDEN WEDDING on 28th October. We wish them many more happy years.

HARVEST SUNDAY

The special offering for the work of 'The People's Kitchen' in Newcastle amounted to £168.00. Thank you for your support.

We wish a happy and blessed Christmas to Joan and Monty and send special greetings to those who cannot join us in Church over this Special Season.

Margaret Burrell
Editor

16, The Butts, Warkworth, NE65 0SS
Tel: 01665 711 395

CONGRATULATIONS

To Rachel Gibson who will Graduate with a B.A. in English and Communication from St John University, York on Thursday 17th November. The ceremony is being held in York Minster.

And to Gillian Gibson who has now completed her graduate scheme with the National Audit Office and is now a chartered accountant (A.C.A.). Gillian will be continuing to work in London at the Audit Office.

Well done to you both.

REMEMBERING DOROTHY

As we enter the Church each Sunday morning our eyes immediately turn to the delightful colourful display of plants in the large stone troughs. They remind us of the cheerful, generous lady who loved her flowers. To Anne, Dave and Kate, and their dear friend, Richard, we say a very sincere "Thank you" for the beautiful gift in memory of Dorothy and her Family.

BIRTHDAY GREETINGS

To our editor, Margaret Burrell, in December. We hope, after being housebound for so long, that you will be out and about (without your wheels) and be able to enjoy this special birthday.

Jan Archibold
Secretary

Gift Day 2010

Yet again teamwork proved itself.

The co-ordinators and their teams had excellent support from members and friends.

We were delighted to have Joan and Monty join us. Jan met many members in church with those all-important envelopes – we are fully aware that the contents thereof represent sacrificial giving.

Thank you all for your response to the invitation for Gift Day 2010.

Jan & Margaret

	Total 2010	Total 2009
Gifts	£4,270.00	£4,282.00
Gift Aid Reimbursement	943.46	1,029.49
Grand Totals	£5,760.02	£5,890.39
Coffee morning (includes coffee and stalls)	£590.00

Paddy Conway
Treasurer

“REFORM MAGAZINE”

As from 2011, Reform will publish 10 issues per year and the annual subscription for 2011 is £20.00p.

Thiosm is the National magazine of the URC and contains news, comment, inspiration and debate. Why not be part of it?

Names and subs to Hilga as soon as possible.

Thank you.
Hilga

Wilma’s Summer Reminiscences
From the City of Jam, Jute and Journalism

Prior to the Tay Road Bridge opening in 1966 the quickest route from Dundee to Fife was by ferry across the River Tay. Known locally as “The Fifie” it left the pier at hourly intervals. Built in 1929 the “ B.L. Nairn” and the “Sir William High” were paddle steamers but the “Abergraig” and “Scotscraig” were diesel fuelled and had been built in Dundee at the Caledon Shipyard.
Only a short walk from our Church and Sunday School, we made our way to the quayside. Not many families in those days owned a car so we watched transfixed as the handful of motors were allowed to board first. Then it was a mad dash by foot passengers to get a favoured seat.
The top deck was open to the elements with seating around the perimeter and further seating on large wooden, slatted chests which held the life-jackets.
We “bagged” one of these as our den for our game of hide and seek. Four staircases led to the middle deck where the motor cars stood and the first class saloon, where, for an extra penny, one could sit in comfort. I was grown-up before I indulged in this luxury! Down below was the star attraction, the engine room. We never tired of watching the engineer as he twisted wheels, checked dials and wiped the gleaming copper and brass machinery.
On arrival at Newport we purchased drinks and biscuits from a small shop before making our way to the embankment. Choosing a flat, grassy spot we settled down to our picnic. Below us, the rocky shoreline provided endless fun as we hopped over the little pools.
Sometimes we just lazed playing guessing games or discussing recent films and film stars. I was a member of the “Patricia Roc Fan Club” and often wrote to Hollywood to ask for photographs of the stars.
About 4pm we watched the ferry leaving Dundee and knew it was time to make our way back to the pier. The few minutes before the boat docked we spent using our last pennies in the amusement arcade, ever hopeful that the huge pile of pennies were about to drop and make our day!
Sadly, the day the road bridge opened, was the last day the ferry made its crossing. The “Fifie” ended up in Nigeria but will be remembered with great affection by generations of Dundonians.
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Soo gives us an insight into “Riding for the disabled”

“If Wishes were Horses”

Horse and ponies have always played a large part in my life ever since I learned to walk using my “horsey on wheels”. Eventually I experienced the real thing and the rest is history as they say!
It was, therefore, a natural progression for me to volunteer for Riding for the Disabled, something I have been involved with for many years in different places.
The rewards, however, have remained unchanged; whatever the disability, a child’s joyous response to sitting on a living animal that is kind, willing and gentle, is humbling.
For some who are wheelchair bound, they experience independent mobility and the pride of being able to look down on their helpers. All children are encouraged to interact with their ponies through various exercises and games. Riding on a regular basis has shown to improve communication skills and strengthen limbs. Everyone achieves success and, at the end of the session, a stroke for the pony and a handshake or hug for the helper, demonstrates an understanding of polite behaviour not always seen in the able-bodied.
This is voluntary work which is always a delight.
.........................................................................................................................................

Liv’s family took part in a great day for Charity

Liv and Family would like to thank everyone
who helped with their kind words, support and donations
for the “Children’s Cancer Run 2010”

Thank You for helping us to support a worthwhile
Regional cause.

THANK YOU, CHANCELLOR

Many of you will recall the letter which Paddy enclosed with your Free Will Offering Envelopes. He felt that many may still have doubts about "Gift Aiding" their Weekly giving so he has produced the following:

To anyone who pays Income Tax
We hear a lot about GIFT AID and some people are nervous about it

Perhaps they remember the covenants in the past where one had to commit yourself to paying a certain sum to charity every year for seven years. The charity could then reclaim tax. People were, not surprisingly, wary of this long term commitment. But all that has gone. In 1990 the Chancellor introduced Gift Aid for larger donations. Ten years later Gift Aid was expanded to cover all donations to charity of whatever size.
NO STRINGS ATTACHED - gift Aid is applied to the individual donation. There is no long term commitment.

HERE'S HOW IT WORKS

The Government have announced an intention to reduce basic rate Income Tax to 20%. (I've used this figure as it's easier to calculate)

You give a donation to a charity of	£10.00
If you pay tax at the standard rate, then, in order to get £10 in your pocket you will have earned £12.20
i.e. Gross Earnings	£12.50
Less Tax at 20%	2.50
Money in your pocket	£10.00
If you Gift Aid your £10 donation the charity can reclaim from the Treasury the £2.50 paid in tax. So for every pound you give the charity gets an extra 25p

Simple:

All you have to do is fill in a Gift Aid form with your name and address, stating that you are a UK tax payer, you wish the charity to reclaim the tax and you pay in tax at least as much as your total Gift Aid. (Phone Jan Archibald 01665 711304 for form.)

If for any reason you wanted to cancel a Gift Aid declaration you can at any time.

Paddy Conway
Treasurer

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Christian Aid Bumper Week

Christian Aid Week in Warkworth and Acklington was a resounding success.

Last year the proceeds were down but the 2011 collection recovered all the lost ground and forged ahead to an all time record result. Although some streets were up and some down, the total across the area was 18% up on last year.

We do all we can to encourage people who are taxpayers to “Gift Aid” their donations; this results in Christian Aid getting an additional 25p for every £1 given. Slightly under a quarter of the house to house donations were gift aided. Not unexpectedly, these tend to be from the larger donors.

Looking for the source of the high increase this year, we found that we actually collected three fewer envelopes than last year! The average gift in the envelopes from people who did not Gift Aid was £2.91, 9% more than last year; but the average gift in those giving via Gift Aid was up from £7.99 to £12.33, a 54% increase! Our thanks to all who donated.

The coffee morning was also a great success: a well attended and very enjoyable event, which also raised a good sum. Our thanks to all those who helped with this event and thanks too to our collectors.

It is estimated that, across the country, there are about 300,000 people who collect in Christian Aid Week or help with other events and all of these, of course, are volunteers – which helps to keep costs down and means more of the money is spent on the actual work.
We heard at the service about a couple of people in Nicaragua working on projects to improve the lives of people in their community. The money from our efforts – which was transferred to Christian Aid within 72 hours of the end of the Week – will enable them to support more life enhancing projects among some of the world’s poorest people.

In summary, the figures over the last years were:

2011 2010 2009

House to House Collection.....................2,272       1,977        2,189
Coffee Morning....................................   332          274           289
Other.................................................     13
Total sent to Christian Aid.....................2,617       2,251        2,475
Tax to reclaim*...................................    285          240          334

Total Value.......................................£2,903 £2,491 £2,809

We are grateful to Roger Black who, as Independent Examiner, checks our accounts.

*25p for every £1.00 gift aided. In 2010 and 2009 the tax back was 28p for every £1.00.

Note: As many of you will know, we have decided to stand down as Christian Aid organiser/treasurer in Warkworth and Acklington. We are happy to continue being the contact people for Warkworth URC but feel the time is right for us to relinquish the wider responsibilities for the area.

Our personal thanks to those who respond so positively when we ring up and say “It’s soon going to be Christian Aid Week and we were wondering...............”

Paddy and Lindy Conway

MOTHERING SUNDAY AT
WARKWORTH UNITED REFORMED CHURCH

Children of the Church giving daffodils to mothers on Mothering Sunday

FLOWERS AND CAKE WERE DISTRIBUTED BY THE YOUNG PEOPLE OF THE CHURCH

Changing Times

Another chapter in the history of Warkworth United Reformed Church is about to be written.
Today, it would seem, Small is no longer beautiful. To me it means that it is more important than ever for us to retain our reputation as an effective part within the community. Not only are we a worshipping fellowship but we must demonstrate our Faith by showing practical care and concern for those who cross our paths in everyday life.

One of the positive things about being small in number is that you can’t “leave things to somebody else.” Each individual counts. We are a TEAM, and I firmly believe that the WARKWORTH TEAM will continue to play an effective part in the “MID-NORTHUMBERLAND MISSION PARTNERSHIP.”
(Just a thought - Believe it or not – Numerically, Warkworth is the second largest congregation within the partnership.)

Last Saturday, Jan and I visited the Flower Festival at Cresswell Church – I picked up their magazine and read the following and thought I’d share it with you –

BONES

The membership of any organization is made up of four sets of bones.
There are WISHBONES, who spend all their time wishing someone else would do the work; along with the JAWBONES, who do all the talking but very little else.
Another group are the KNUCKLEBONES – they knock everything that anyone tries to do.
But, the most valuable are the BACKBONES, they get under the load and actually do the work.
To which set of BONES do you belong?

Margaret Burrell

A Note from John Judson

Dear Jan,

Many thanks for your letter of 23rd February and my apologies for not replying sooner. I am pleased to know that my resignation from the Eldership has been accepted. I believe the Eldership is a great idea and regret that mine has ended but, after 54 years and at my age, I think it was the right decision.

Thank you sincerely for the gift token. I look forward to buying one or two books to cherish in due course!

Over some sixty years as a church member I have held several prominent positions but I am well aware that I have received more than I have given. I have had a church to worship at because many others have done that; because many have laboured so that we could pay the ever-rising bills and because there have been many whom the Psalmist would call “Door Keepers in the House of the Lord.” Long may it continue!!

So “Let us Praise God for all
That is past and Trust Him
For all that is to come”

Yours sincerely
John

The Leprosy Mission

Dear Hilga,

Thank you for your letter and wonderful gift from the church. It is so encouraging to know that our work is not only remembered, but supported in this way. Be assured that your gift will make a huge difference in many lives affected by leprosy.

It was lovely to preach again in Warkworth and I hope that people felt inspired and encouraged in their support of TLM. Please pass on my appreciation to everyone.

If I can be of further help to you through a mid-week visit, or an Indian evening, do be in touch.

Thank you all again for your faithful and continued support as we seek to bring healing and hope to everyone affected by leprosy.

Best Wishes
John Roughley

Revd. Barry Hutchinson

As you may know, the Revd Barry Hutchinson retires from the Ministry of URC at the end of July 2011.

The last part of his ministry was as Director of the St. Cuthbert’s Centre on Holy Island. He and his wife, Hazel, moved into the Manse in Lewin’s Lane and settled into Island life.
Barry has taken services for us in the past and has officiated at communion on many occasions. He brought to St. Cuthbert’s new ideas and plans and set about extending the awareness of the Centre, not just in the Synod but in the Church at large.

He will be missed when he retires to Co. Durham. His final service on Holy Island is on Saturday 23rd July.

We wish Barry and Hazel a full and happy retirement.

Barry’s successor will be Revd. Rachel Poolman who will be inducted on Saturday 24th September.

Hilga