AUGUST 2019
PASTORAL NEWS
Peter David Szeghalmy, son of Peter Szeghalmy and Gabriella Nemeth,
born on 18 August 2017 was baptised on July 3rd. Welcome in our
community Peter David and may God`s blessing be on your life and the
life of your loved ones!
OUR CHARITIES
No “Ministerial Musings” this month, Mária is taking a well-deserved
holiday, we hope that she is enjoying it.
It has been suggested that, to fill the space, we highlight those
charities which we support regularly so here goes for a spot of back-
patting and gentle reminding
Sponsored Walk
For the past ten years members and friends of the Old Meeting House
have raised money in support of the John Eastwood Hospice. The
sponsored walk takes place on May Day Bank Holiday. The average
contribution has been in excess of £1000 per year. This year the
presentation will take place in September, when another cheque in
excess of £1,000 will be presented.
“Si a la Vida” (Yes to Life)
“Si a la Vida” is a charity that takes young children, who are glue
sniffers, off the streets in Managua, Nicaragua, and gives them a basic
education and life skills. The original aim was to send these children
back to their families and villages once they were able to support
themselves and earn a living.
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The charity was started by Jonathan Riess, an American Quaker, and
Mercedes Guido, in February 1994. We have supported the charity
since December 1998 when former Minister, Rev Michael Joyce first
contacted them. Last year the Old Meeting House sent them a cheque
for £380. Chapel groups which contribute are “Yoga Group”,
“Meditation Group”, “Words, Music, Silence Group” Lynn’s Bookstall
and sale of haberdashery.
The project is on-going and now caters for both boys and girls. So far
three boys have been sent to university and one of them now works
for the charity.
Children in Need
What started as a one-off Beetle Drive became a Pudsey Drive and
now seems to be a regular event on our calendar. This event covers all
ages, a Pudsey is a bit quicker than a Beetle, the refreshments are
good and the fun is tremendous. Pudsey received £118 last
November.
Jars of Grace
This is not a charity in itself, rather a means to support a charity. We
return again to the ministry of Rev Michael Joyce who encouraged
members to save their odd coins in a jar over the period Advent
Sunday through to Easter Sunday. The Jars of Grace are presented on
Easter Day, or as soon as possible after that day. The benefitting
charity is chosen by the Chapel Committee following nominations by
any member of the Congregation. Charities are usually local and are
invited to visit the chapel to speak of their work.
The benefitting Charity for the 2018-19 collection was Send-a-Child-to-
Hucklow, £306 was raised. A précis of the charity follows.
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Send-a-Child-to-Hucklow
This national Unitarian charity provides holidays in Derbyshire based at
Great Hucklow for groups of today’s disadvantaged children. In this
year of 2019, fourteen such holidays at Great Hucklow in Derbyshire
are being held for disadvantaged children from all parts of the country.
They will involve around 300 children, including children from
Mansfield. This year we aim to raise £60,000 to pay for the holidays.
If you ask what is disadvantaged ? – in the past it was the outcome of
poverty.
Poverty is still an issue today but there are also the harsh
circumstances in which some children live – neglect, fear and even
danger. Recently one girl was withdrawn at the last minute by her
parent because she was needed at home to look after younger siblings.
Yet it was this girl who was most in need of a holiday – the chance to
be looked after for a few days and enjoy being a child herself! Another
child recently experienced the distress and public humiliation of an
abuser in the family. Thankfully she did make it to Hucklow and was
able to ‘get away from it all’ for a few days.
Thank you for your financial support and encouragement, it is very
much valued. (Derek and Pauline Smith - Trustees of Send A Child
to Hucklow)
SUNDAY SERVICES FLOWERS
Aug 4th 6-30 pm Mr C Pilkington Mrs J Lymburn
In memoriam
Aug 11th 10-45am Mr H Beaven Vacant
Aug 18th 10-45 am Rev M Pap Mrs J Ryder
Aug 25th 10-45 am Congregational Service Ms A Perry
Mrs C Wycherley
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STEWARDS
Aug 4th 6-30 pm Mr P Frost
Aug 11th 10-45 am Mrs J Tedds
Aug 18th 10-45 am Mr N Fisher
Aug 25th 10-45 am Mr R Wain
SATURDAY COFFEE MORNING ROTA CHAPEL OPENING ROTA
Aug 3rd Ms A Perry Rev M Pap Mrs L Walton
Aug 10th Mrs A Binch Mrs J Tedds Mr N Fisher
Aug 17th Miss C Wright Mrs C Wycherley
Aug 24th Ms A Perry Rev M Pap Mrs L Walton
Aug 31st Mrs A Binch Mrs J Tedds Mr N Fisher
DIARY DATES FOR AUGUST
Fri Aug 2nd Words, Music, Silence 11-45 am
Tue Aug 6th Derek Taylor Yoga Group 6-30 pm
Wed Aug 7th Women’s League 2-30 pm
Tue Aug 13th Derek Taylor Yoga Group 6-30 pm
Wed Aug 14th Meditation 7-15 pm
Tue Aug 20th Derek Taylor Yoga Group 6-30 pm
Tue Aug 27th Derek Taylor Yoga Group 6-30 pm
CONGREGATIONAL SERVICES
This month’s Congregational Service will be at 10.45 am on Sunday,
25th August, led by Catherine Wycherley. It will be on the theme of
Summer-time and you are invited to offer contributions of songs,
poems, readings or personal views by Sunday, 18th August, please.
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GARDENING EVENINGS
We seek volunteers to come along and assist with tidying the garden
for about an hour or so on Thursdays 1st, 8th and 15th of August about
6.00 pm Please bring your hoes and gloves, refreshments will be
provided afterwards. See you then!
VISITORS FROM UNDERBANK CHAPEL, STANNINGTON
On Sunday, 18th August we will be welcoming friends from the
Underbank Chapel, Stannington in Sheffield. The present plans for the
day are that our visitors will join us for our morning service, after
which we shall have lunch. Please try to join us for lunch, but do
remember to sign the list in the porch of Chapel.
After lunch we will share something of our history with our visitors and
some will, no doubt wish to look at the town centre. It would be good
if as many of our congregation as possible could join in the afternoon
activity. The afternoon is flexible as far as time is concerned.
This is a wonderful opportunity to meet and share with others in our
movement, please try to be there to make the day memorable for our
visitors and ourselves.
OCCUPATION
Alistair Hamilton
We know of many places on planet Earth that are, or have been under
occupation by outside forces, Palestine, Iraq, Tibet, Afghanistan, to
name a few.
And history often shows that these occupations don’t always achieve
successful results.
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Sometimes due to the actions of the occupier, sometimes due to the
resistance of the occupied, sometimes due to actions of them both.
Now let us come nearer home.
What about the space you are occupying is it your own? Someone
elses? Or is it shared space?
Are all the occupants being treated fairly?
If not, then there is the chance of resentment creeping in, which
results in neither advancing to their true potential.
The space we are talking about could be a hut, a mansion, a back
garden or a relationship.
Also think about how you occupied this space, did you do this fairly?
Did you do it just for you? Or, did you think of others that would share
this space?
At the end of the day all space is God given, to be shared – not
conquered!
Look through history, most wars have been fought to get “better land,
borders”, in other words, Space!
Only when we learn to truly share what we have equally, without spite
or envy, with others will we be on the way to having a peaceful planet!
So, to help prevent resentment and envy in others, occupy your space
with love, light and truth.
DEADLINE for September edition is Sunday, 18th August 2019.
