The monthly magazine ofBath Central United Reformed Church—30p

CONTACT2017

January

The Southern Cross

Three ancient men in Bethlehem’s cave,

With awful wonder stand;

A voice had called them from their grave,

In some far Eastern land...

Pale Japhet bows the knee with gold,

Bright Sem sweet incense brings,

And Cham the myrrh his fingers hold:

Lo! The three Orient kings.

Types of the total earth, they hailed

The signal’s starry frame;

Shuddering with second life, they quailed

At the Child Jesu’s Name.

Then slow the Patriarchs turned and trod,

And this their parting sigh:

“Our eyes have seen the living God,

And now – once more to die.”

by Robert Stephen Hawker 1804-75

IndexArgyle Players .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 8Church Diary .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 6Church Library News .. .. .. .. .. .. 4Church Meeting .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 3Crossword .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 12Crossword Solution .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 9Diaries .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 2Feasts and Festivals 2017 .. .. .. .. 7

Foodbank 2016 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 7Mid-Week Communion Service .. 3Minister’s Letter .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1Poem: His Name is John .. .. .. .. 5Prayer .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 9Preaching .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 2St James the Least of All .. .. .. .. 11Sudoku .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 10

Note: These are the Revised Common Lectionary Bible passages

as published in the URC Prayer Handbook

The date for contributions for the next CONTACT is

17th January. It will be published on the 29th January.

Lectionary ReadingsJanuary 1 – New Year’s Day: Revelation 21:1-6a;

Matthew 25:31-46; Ecclesiastes 3:1-13; Psalm 8

January 6 – Epiphany: Isaiah 60:1-6; Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14;Ephesians 3:1-12; Matthew 2:1-12

January 8 – Epiphany 1: Isaiah 42:1-9; Psalm 29;

Acts 10:34-43; Matthew 3:13-17

January 15 – Epiphany 2: Isaiah 49:1-7; Psalm 40:1-11;1 Corinthians 1:1-9; John 1:29-42

January 22 – Epiphany 3: Isaiah 9:1-4; Psalm 27:1, 4-9;1 Corinthians 1:10-18; Matthew 4:12-23

January 29 – Epiphany 4: Micah 6:1-8; Psalm 15;1 Corinthians 1:18-31; Matthew 5:1-12

01/2017 Page 1

Minister’s Letter

Dear Friends,

As I write this letter the first day of winter of has begun. Time to

wrap up in a warmer cloak. Yes cloak not coat.

A Wise man in the Larkhall Nativity was sporting a

‘splendiferous’ (big word!) velvet cloak. Unfortunately it was

sized to fit age 5.

What about a fetching little red number AKA ‘Little Red Riding

Hood’? “But wait a minute …” I hear you cry - “He’s behind

you!” A fashion number which is particularly attractive to

wolves … perhaps not!

The author J. K. Rowling bestowed on her fictional character

Harry Potter a rather fetching cloak of invisibility. Whilst

wearing said cloak he could move through Hogwarts School,

indeed through life-endangering moments, whilst unseen to the

human eye. Interesting concept.

The suggestion that gets my vote though comes from a member of

the Congregation at Larkhall. When asked to write on a gift tag

something they would like to wear if they could choose a

Christmas gift - wrote - ‘A Cloak of Kindness!’ Wonderful!

Can you imagine the difference there would be in our world ifpeople were dressed in Cloaks of Kindness? There would be a so

much more help given. There would be fewer arguments. We

would be slower to give our opinion, and rather more keen to

listen to others. The word ‘but’ would become obsolete … ‘I

enjoyed lunch - but’ … ‘he was a good teacher - but’.… ï

Page 2 01/2017

The scriptures describe kindness as a Fruit of the Spirit

(Galatians 5:22-23). Clearly God recognises that it does not

always appear naturally in his people.

So Lord, nurture your Spirit within us throughout 2017. May

we bear your Fruit, our lives hallmarked by the expression of

Kindness. Wrap us warmly, closely in a ‘Cloak of Kindness’.

Happy New Year,

Rev. Helen

ï

Preaching at Rush Hill and Larkhall

Rush Hill 10.30am Larkhall 11.00am Larkhall 6.30pm

Jan 1 No service Mr Paul Swift No service

Jan 8 Revd Helen Pattie Revd Dr Hazel Starritt Revd Peter Chave

Jan 15 Elders Revd Helen Pattie Revd David Pattie

Jan 22 Revd Dr Hazel Starritt Revd Helen Pattie Mr Clive Illman

Jan 29 Revd David Pattie Mrs Margaret White Mr Paul Swift

Diaries.At the December monthly U3A lecture the city archivist brought

diaries that his department holds. What a surprise, they onlyhold 4 of which 2 have connections with our church. The first by

William Jay or a friend of his, I wasn’t quite sure, and the secondby my grandfather A.W. Wills, a deacon of ArgyleCongregational Church.

You never know when and where our members past and presentwill have an influence on the local community!!

More details of the lives of both these gentleman can be found in

the Church library.Jane T

01/2017 Page 3

Church Meeting January 17thPlease note this meeting will start at 2.30 in the John Williams

Room.

I would like to discuss the Contact groups we introduced thisyear and how they have worked: (if you are in doubt they are on

view in the rear vestibule). Also the Elders are bringing aproposal to be discussed suggesting that for a trial period weshould use only the centre pews of the Church for Sunday

worship.

I look forward to seeing you there. If you are unable to attend

but wish your views felt on either item mentioned above pleasedon’t hesitate to write me a note. Thank you.

Jane T

December Midweek CommunionThe theme of December’s Midweek Communion service, led asusual by the Revd David, was “expect the unexpected.” After

engaging our attention by a tale of an organist falling into theorgan, which certainly was not expected, David developed his

theme of God doing the unexpected—appearing in his son as ababy, who was born to an ordinary girl in a stable, and wasvisited by more than just the neighbours.

The chat afterwards over tea, scones and cakes, was muchenjoyed by all present, so do come and join us next year—youdon’t want to be missing out!

The dates for 2017 are:22nd March; 28th June; 13th September; 20th December

Sheena Carter

Page 4 01/2017

Happy New Year to everyone!

I have several new items to report this month:

• Firstly, we have been given a little leaflet on the history ofRush Hill URC which has been prepared for their 150th

anniversary. I have placed this in a folder and it is on display inthe library. I found it an interesting read.

• After the recent Quiet Day, led by Sue Henderson, I was askedto find a copy of the book she used—not easy because it was outof print!—but with grateful thanks to Harry and Philip in the

Oldfield Park Bookshop we now have a copy in the library:‘Sensing God’, ideas and resources for creative worship by Stella

Bristow, pub by Inspire.

• The Bible Society has sent us a copy of ‘The Servant Queen, andthe King she serves’; a tribute for Her Majesty’s 90th birthday.

• I have been given ‘A beginner’s guide to the Old Testament’ by

Robert Davidson, pub by St Andrew Press. Michael Burgessfound it “simple, straightforward and most interesting” and he

hopes you will too.

• I have been asked to order a copy of ‘Old Grey Prayers’ byBernard Thorogood, from the URC. Unfortunately, it is out of

stock at the moment so watch this space!

• Lastly, I have been given a number of books by Jane andGeorge Gove after their ‘downsizing’ which I am sorting

through.

We must welcome the night. It’s the only time that the stars shine.

- Michel Quoist

Whether the angels play only Bach praising God I am not quite sure. I am surehowever that en famille they play Mozart. - Karl Barth

ï

01/2017 Page 5

Thank you to everyone who has recommended or given a book,

and thank you to everyone who uses the Library.

Can I remind you please that if you have a book which you thinkmight be appropriate, talk to me about it, don’t just leave it on

the shelf!Anne Banks

Church Librarian

ï

His Name is JohnZechariah, Priest of GodHad lived a godly lifeWas upright in the paths he trodAnd so was his dear wife.

But they were both advanced in yearsAnd children had not come;Till one day he came home in tearsFor God had struck him dumb.

But tears they were of joy, not grief,The angel GabrielHad silenced him through unbeliefAt what he’d had to tell.

His faithful wife, ElizabethDeprived of mother’s joyWould feel the Holy Spirit’s breathAnd have a baby boy!

A son who would bring great delightCause many to rejoice;And great he’d be in God’s pure sightAnd speak with holy voice.

Because he’d said, “How can this be?”The priest’s voice, it was goneUntil his new-born son he’d see;And say, “His name is John.”

By Nigel Beeton

Page 6 01/2017

Church Diary – January 2017Every Friday 10.30am Friday Coffee in the Argyle Hall.

Sunday 1st 10.30am Communion Service: Mr Peter Rouse

Foodbank

Tuesday 3rd 2.30pm Women's Guild Members’ Afternoon

Sunday 8th 10.30am Family Worship: Revd David PattieTraidcraft

Tuesday 10th 2.30pm Elders’ Meeting in the John Williams room

Sunday 15th 10.30am Family Worship: Revd Dr Hazel Starritt

Tuesday 17th 2.30pm Church Meeting in the John Williams room

Sunday 22nd 10.30am Family Worship: Revd David Pattie

Tuesday 24th 10.00am Bible Study in the John Williams room

2.30pm Men‘s Fellowship AGM

Sunday 29th 10.30am Family Worship: Revd Helen Pattie

FebruarySunday 5th 10.30am Communion Service: Revd David Pattie

Foodbank & Traidcraft

Tuesday 7th 10.00am Bible Study in the John Williams room

2.30pm Women's Guild AGM

Sunday 12th 10.30am Family Worship: Revd Helen Pattie

Tuesday 14th 2.30pm Elders’ Meeting in the John Williams room

Sunday 19th 10.30am Family Worship: Revd David Pattie

01/2017 Page 7

Foodbank 2016Thank you once again for your kind and generous support to the

Foodbank Christmas appeal. There were 110 gifts includingChristmas Pudding, chocolates, tins of fruit, toiletries and manymore all destined to raise someone’s spirits on Christmas Day.

Over the year, we helped to feed local people in crisis bycontributing 1132 food items. As you will be aware from themedia there is a continuing need for the benefit Foodbank

provides to disadvantaged families so please keep yourcontributions coming.

Thank you for your continued support.Mildred McArthur

Feasts and Festivals 2017The URC Feasts and Festivals planning team are gearing up for avery busy year. 2017 marks the centenary of ConstanceColtman’s ordination to ministry in the Congregational Church*;

the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation; 45 yearssince the URC was formed; and Commitment for Life marking itssilver anniversary of 25 years. It’s also 80 years since Pilots

started. See more at the URC Feasts and Festivals page[www.urc.org.uk/feasts-and-festivals]. Resources will appear in

three month sections, each including one focus per month, withmaterial for study, prayer and action. The celebratory theme forJanuary is Celebrating One Church, celebrating Christian unity

(45 years of the URC).

* Constance Mary Coltman (née Todd; born 1889 and died 1969) wasone of the first women ordained to Christian ministry in Britain, when

she was ordained by the Congregational Union of England and Walesat the King’s Weigh House (Congregational Church), London, on 17

September 1917.

Page 8 01/2017

1954 –The Argyle Players

- 2017The Argyle Players apologize sincerely for the fact that the

Autumn production of Peter Gordon’s comedy ‘Out of Focus’ hadto be cancelled. Unfortunately, two thirds of the way through

rehearsals director, Cathy Adeane, was taken into hospital withsevere respiratory problems. After investigations in Bath RUH,she was taken urgently to the Bristol Royal Infirmary, where she

underwent a triple heart bypass operation. Happily all went wellfor her, and she is now recovering at home.

For The Players it meant that difficult decisions had to be made,

since, not only was Cathy directing the play, but she was also thescenic designer, with much of her artistic work on the stage

unfinished. Of those who might of taken on the mantle ofdirector, Lorna Burgess was visiting family in Dubai; Brian Huddwas cast in a major role onstage; and Adrian Brettell was taking

the Autumn off, and had never seen the play. Manfully he didlead the Group in taking a few rehearsals before it was agreedthat the high reputation of The Players should not be put at risk

by presenting an inadequate production.

The group are now looking forward to the Spring, when LornaBurgess will be directing. Play readings for a possible

production will go forward in early January, and, if you wouldlike to be involved in this adventure, either treading the boards,

or in the vital backstage occupations, please speak to Lorna,(Bath858112) You will be made most welcome!

Michael Burgess

Financial situation...‘The budget should be balanced, the Treasury should be refilled, public debt

should be reduced, the arrogance of officialdom should be tempered and

controlled, and the assistance to foreign lands should be curtailed lest Rome

become bankrupt. People must again learn to work, instead of living on public

assistance.’ Cicero - in 55 BC

01/2017 Page 9

Prayers

Each week we pray for:1st JanuaryChurch Librarian –

Anne Banks.From those who use ourhalls: John Oswin,

organist.8th January

Coordinator for PrayerHandbook & biblereading notes – Martin

Cawte.From those who use ourhalls: Pilates.

15th JanuaryThe banking teams.From Churches

Together in Bath – BathAbbey.

22nd JanuaryBible readingcoordinator – Hazel

Short.From those who use ourhalls: Pulteney Bridge

Flower Shop.29th JanuaryFriday Coffee Morning.

From those who use ourhalls: Relaxercise.

The following is the collective prayer for thismonth. We ask you to join us in prayer on the third

Wednesday of the month—18th January. We shallpray at 7.30am and/or 7.30pm: please join us.

Last Months Crossword

Across: 1 Lame 3 Obtained 8 Omit 9 Merchant

11 Burdensome 14 Crafty 15 Please 17 Blacksmith

20 Splendid 21 Tier 22 Singeing 23 Hand

Down: 1 Look back 2 Main road 4 Breast 5 Accomplish6 Near 7 Date 10 Pestilence 12 Basilica 13 Tethered

16 Action 18 Asa’s 19 Clan

A Prayer for DecemberHeavenly Father,

As we enter a new Year after celebratingthe birth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ,

we pray that this year will be a timewhen old adversaries learn that it is somuch better to love one another than to

be in conflict .

And may the refugees and dispossessedfind peace and be able to settle in a

home.

And – may you give fresh hope to thosesuffering from illness and anxiety.

Amen

Page 10 01/2017

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Challenge

It was the beginning of term at a primary school. The

teacher asked the children their names one at a time, and

for each to spell their name out loud. When she came to ayoung boy and asked his name..... ‘RavashankaVankatarataam Bannerjee,’ he replied.

‘Ah - how do you spell that?’ gulped the teacher. ‘Idon’t,’ said the little boy, ‘but my mother can.’

IT picnicLooking over the log-book kept by the computer

support staff at my office, I noticed several entriesstating the problem was PICNIC. I asked one of the

technicians what PICNIC meant.He laughed as he told me it meant “Problem In Chair,

Not In Computer.”

01/2017 Page 11

My dear Nephew DarrenI was pleased to hear that you enjoyed

your first Christmas in your parish,although a little disappointed that youreplaced the ‘boring’ Crib Service with a‘more exciting’ alternative. I have yet tounderstand the theology—or evenpoint—of your ‘Bananarama’ celebration.I’m sure your bishop would be interestedto hear of its biblical authority.

Having said that, our own CribService proved to be a little unorthodox,and far from boring. Choosing the castfrom the Sunday school is always adelicate process. One of the youngsterswho wanted to be Joseph was only giventhe part of the innkeeper. He seemed toaccept the disappointment with goodgrace, but had clearly made his plans.

On the evening of the performance,Joseph knocked on the innkeeper’s doorand asked if there was any room. This wasour innkeeper’s great opportunity. Hethrew open the door and told Joseph andMary that there was plenty of room andthey were both welcome. The cast andaudience froze, while the teacher respons-ible contemplated early retirement.

But Joseph hadn’t got the star part fornothing. He pretended to look roundinside and then turned to Mary and said,“Nah, it’s too crowded in there; we’ll usethe stable round the back.” And so the

nativity was rescued by one nine year-old. There’s episcopal material in that boy.

Christmas would not be the samewithout carol singing round the village.There is the annual dilemma of decidingjust the right moment to go and sing inthe pub. Too early, and the customersaren’t sufficiently maudlin to givegenerously; too late and they drown outthe choir with their own variations of‘Silent Night’. We are offered mulledwine at most of the houses we visit. MrPrentice’s solo as Balthazar became evermore operatic with his “sorrowing,sighing, bleeding, dying,” as the eveningprogressed. By the time of our last call hisdelivery of ‘bleeding, dying’ was soharrowing that Mrs Brody, the villagelibrarian, went pale.And so to the climax of it all, with themidnight Service. We had a full church litonly by candles, which ruin many a goodcoat every year. However, Mr Onion’sdecision to put up his umbrella as hestood under the great nave candelabra onhis way to receive Communion wasregarded as being a little de trop by mostof us.

But a New Year is now upon us; afterthe joys of Christmas, Lent comes hard onits heels. Precisely my philosophy: everysilver lining contains a cloud.

Your loving uncle,Eustace

St James the Least of All by the Rev Dr Gary Bowness

On the perils of the crib service

The elderly Anglo-Catholic vicar, Eustace, continues his correspondence to Darren,

his nephew, a low-church curate recently ordained…

Page 12 01/2017

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

8

9 10

11 12

13

14 15 16

17 1918 20

21

22 23

24 25

CrosswordFrom Parish Pump

1 2 3 4 5

6

7 8 9

10 11

12

13 14 15

16

17 1918

20

21 22

23

Across1 Protective covering

recommended to theEphesians (Ephesians6:11) (6)

4 The number of apostles(Matthew 10:2) (6)

8 Tenth-century Bishop ofAugsberg for 48 years,who became the first saintto be canonized by a pope(5)

9 ‘Do not — what is evil butwhat is good’ (3 John 11)(7)

10 Reading desk in a church(7)

11 ‘He looked up and said, “I seepeople; they look like —walking around”’ (Mark 8:24)(5)

12 One of the qualities that Paulexhorted Timothy to pursue (1Timothy 6:11) (9)

17 One of the meaninglesspleasures acquired by theTeacher (Ecclesiastes 2:8) (5)

19 ‘Like — babies, crave purespiritual milk, so that by it youmay grow up in your salvation’(1 Peter 2:2) (7)

21 Jesus said that Moses allowedthis only because men’s heartswere hard (Matthew 19:8) (7)

22 Girl’s name (5)23 Most sagacious (Judges 5:29) (6)24 How Stephen, the first Christian

martyr, died: after being —(Acts 7:59) (6)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

8 9

10 11

12 13 14

15 16

17 1918 20

21 22

23 24

Down1 A Jew whom Paul met in Corinth, whose wife was

Priscilla (Acts 18:2) (6)2 For example, turning water into wine, feeding the

five thousand, walking on water (John 7:21) (7)3 Abram’s relationship to Lot (Genesis 14:12) (5)5 ‘Jesus answered, “It is —: ‘Man does not live by

bread alone.’”’ (Matthew 4:4) (7)6 ‘Peace I — with you; my peace I give you’ (John

14:27) (5)7 ‘May the Lord deal with me, be it — — severely, if

anything but death separates you and me’ (Ruth1:17) (4,2)

9 Lack of knowledge (Acts 17:30) (9)13 This woman ‘followed Paul and believed’ after his

words to the Areopagus in Athens (Acts 17:34) (7)14 Or noise (anag.) (7)15 ‘Even though I walk through the valley of the — of

death, I will fear no evil’ (Psalm 23:4) (6)16 ‘ — Christian soldiers, marching as to war’ (6)18 Saver (anag.) (5)20 ‘Unless a grain of — falls to the ground and dies, it

remains only a single seed’ (John 12:24) (5)

ActivitiesSunday Worship: 10.30am Family Worship for all ages.

Church Meeting: Third Tuesday of alternate months at 2.30pm (Jan on)

Elders’ Meeting: Second Tuesday of the month at 7.30pm

Women’s Guild: Secretary: Mrs Gillian SwiftFirst Tuesday each month at 2.30pm

Men’s Fellowship: Programme Secretary: Mr John OsborneFourth Tuesday each month at 2.30pm

Allsorts Group: Contact: Mr Paul Swift Third Saturday each month

Argyle Players: Secretary: Mrs Helen Brettell Thursdays at 7.30pm

Argyle String Orchestra: Church Contact: Martin Cawte

Thursdays at 7.30pm

CommitteesBuildings:Convener; Mr MHH Burgess: Secretary; Mr RM Short

House: .. ..Convener; Mrs Sheena Carter Secretary; Mrs Angela Campbell

Finance: ..Convener; Mr RB Turner: .. .. ..Secretary; Mr WE Richardson

Copy in most formats is acceptable, from manuscript to email

(martin.cawte@btinternet.com).

Please note the copy and publication dates.

Editor: Martin Cawte, 6 The Chestertons, Bathampton, Bath BA2 6UJ a469807

Ministers: Revds Helen & David Pattie .. .. .. .. .. .. .. a 01225 331952

Revd Dr Hazel Starritt.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. a 01373 467814Church Secretary (Administration): Jane Tollyfield .. .. a 01225 833178

Church Secretary (Worship): Peter Rouse .. .. .. .. .. .. .. a 01225 332760Church Treasurer: Brian Campbell .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. a 01225 463989

Published by:

Central United Reformed Church, Argyle Street, Bath BA2 4BA

Postal address: Central URC, Grove Street, Bath BA2 6PJ a310050

Web site: www.bathcentralurc.virb.com Registered Charity No 1130339