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Group Members Contact DETAILS
Connections Editor – Jayne Stephens, [email protected]
SWHG Ministers Rev. Tim Searle, Tel: 023 8027 6791, [email protected] Rev. Dr. Sarah Hall, Tel: 023 8076 8004, [email protected] CRCW Ms Pat Oliver, Tel: 023 8033 3229, [email protected]
Avenue St ANDREW’S URC www.asaurc.org.uk [email protected] Address - The Avenue, Southampton SO17 1XQ Church Secretary – Miss Susanne Dawson, [email protected] Newssheet Editor - Mrs B Marsden, [email protected]
CHANDLER’s FORD URC www.urc-chandlersford.org.uk, [email protected]
Address - Kings Road, Chandler's Ford, Eastleigh, Hants, SO53 2EY
Church Secretary – Mrs Heather Wilkins, Tel: 023 8061 7610 [email protected] Chronicle Editor - TBA
Freemantle URC www.freemantle.urc.org.uk Address - 257 Shirley Road, Southampton, SO15 3HS Church Secretary – Dr David Hoadley, Tel: 023 8022 9363, [email protected]
Fellowship Editor – Jayne Stephens, [email protected] / Lynda Crisp, [email protected]
ISAAC WATTS Memorial URC www.isaacwatts.org.uk Address - Winchester Road/Luccombe Road, Southampton, SO16 6TS Church Secretary – Mr Richard Wake, Tel 023 8039 2055, [email protected] Messenger Editor – Mr Chris Noyce, [email protected]
St Francis, Valley Park LEP Address - Pilgrims Close, Valley Park, Chandler's Ford, SO53 4ST
Website - www.stfrancis-valleypark.org.uk Tel 023 8027 1152
LORD’s Hill LEP Address - Lordshill District Centre, SO16 8HY, Tel 02380732072
Minister - Rev. Robert Sanday - [email protected]
Church Secretary - Lynn Payne - 807356
SOUTH WEST HANTS GROUP – CONNECTIONS
APRIL 2016 Volume 4 No. 3
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Services - APRIL
Avenue St Andrew’s Date Time Service
3rd
11am Service led by Mrs Karen Smith with Communion
10th
11am Service led by Rev Tjarda Murray
17th
11am Family Service led by Rev Sarah Hall
24th
9am Breakfast Church
11am Service led by Rev Sarah Hall
CHANDLER’s FORD Date Time Service
3rd
9.30am Service led by Rev Lawrence Fellick
10th
9.30am Service led by Rev Tim Searle
6.30pm Joint Service with the Methodist Church
17th
9.30pm Service led by Rev Tim Searle with Communion
24th
9.30am Service led by Mrs Karen Smith
FREEMANTLE Date Time Service
3rd
9.30am Service led by Mrs Pam Humphreys
10th
9.30am Service with Communion led by Rev Sarah Hall
17th
9.30am Service led by Rev Sarah Hall
24th
9.30am Service led by Rev Sarah Hall
ISAAC WATTS Memorial Date Time Service
3rd
11am Service led by Mr Chris Noyce
10th
11am Service led by Rev Tim Searle
17th
11am Service led by Rev Bill McCrea
24th
11am Service with Communion led by Rev Tim Searle
If you’d like to receive this magazine by email please let the editors know.
If you would like a ‘Large Print’ version please inform an editor. (Editor contact details can be found inside front cover.)
SOUTH WEST HANTS GROUP – CONNECTIONS
APRIL 2016 Volume 4 No. 3
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What’s happening at Avenue St Andrew’s…
Health & Fitness meet Mondays weekly at 1.45 pm in the Concourse. Aimed at the 60+ they are a very friendly group and would welcome newcomers. Avenue Café is open every Tuesday from 10.30 am until 2.00 pm. Coffee, cake and light lunches are available. All are welcome to come along. Wednesday Club meet on the 1st Wednesday of the month at 7.30 pm. On Wed 6th April it will be an illustrated talk. All welcome. Lunch Club meet on the 2nd Thursday in the month at 12.30 pm for lunch together. Please contact the church office if you are interested. Next lunch is Thurs 14th April. Film Show will be on Wed 13th April. Do come and join us followed by light refreshments afterwards. 1.45 pm. All are welcome. Avenue Singers normally meet on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday in the month from 7 – 8 pm in the Concourse. New singers always welcome. A wide variety of music. You don’t have to be an expert - just enjoy singing. There will be no meetings during April. Amnesty International Group meets monthly on 3rd Thursday of each month at 8.00pm. All are welcome to come along. Next meeting Thurs 14th April at 8pm in the Concourse. Church Social Group usually meet on 3rd Wednesday of each month for fun and friendship. Next meeting will be a Fish & Chip Supper & Games on Wed 20th April at 7.30 pm. Scrabble Group meet on the 4th Wednesday of the month in the Focus Room. All are welcome. Next meeting Wed 27th April at 1.45 pm. Boys’ Brigade Friday evenings – for all ages from 6 – 8.30 pm. All are welcome. They meet during Term Time only. They begin again on the 15th April. Breakfast Church takes place every 4th Sunday in the month. Why not join us to discuss and debate the Bible, faith and its impact over a light breakfast Next meeting is 24th April at 9.30 am. Do come along. For more information on any of these activities contact Church Office on 023 80 678787
All welcome to a Spring Concert & Tea on Sat 23rd April - see separate poster
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What’s happening at Chandler’s Ford…
Craft & Coffee – every Tuesday morning from 10 – 11.30 am
Ladies Fellowship – meets on the third Wednesday of every month at 2.15 pm. All ladies welcome.
Men’s Breakfast – the first Saturday of every month at 8 am. Full English breakfast followed by a Christian/topical discussion.
Housegroup – meets alternate Monday evenings.
Traidcraft Stall – after morning service on the third Sunday of every month.
Prayer Meeting – held on the first and third Sundays of every month at 6 pm.
World Church Committee and Ladies Fellowship – Coffee morning in support of Kate Muammar from 10.30 am until 12 noon.
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What’s happening at Freemantle…
Badminton/Table Tennis Mondays from 7.30pm – everyone welcome for a bit of exercise and a chat! Just turn up! NO BADMINTON on Monday 4th April!
Guides meet Thursday Evenings – Contact Janet Weafer 023 8049 3826 for more details.
Brownies meet Monday evenings – Contact Miss L. Travis 023 8178 6386 for more details.
Freemantle URC Theatrical Inspiration Stage, rehearsals for Jesus Christ Superstar! – Sunday evenings at 7pm. See poster for more details…
Special request
Pine cones
I am collecting pine cones throughout the year, if you are out walking, or you
have any in your garden please pick them up and save them for me. I'll be happy
to come and collect if you have a bag full , just let me know. 023 8077 3752 or
email [email protected].
Many thanks
Irene
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APRIL 2016 Volume 4 No. 3
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As a group we provide our own costumes and scenery so willing hands to help backstage are also appreciated.
The show dates are Friday 15th and
Saturday 16th July and we rehearse on Sunday evenings from 7pm.
There is still time to join us – please contact us for details and to register
your interest.
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APRIL 2016 Volume 4 No. 3
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Spring Fete
Saturday 14th May
Open 11am until 3:30pm
Freemantle United Reformed Church
Shirley Road, Southampton SO15 3HS
Games
Stalls
Competitions
Free crafts
Activities
Entertainment
Refreshments
FREE
ENTRY
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APRIL 2016 Volume 4 No. 3
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What’s happening at Isaac Watts Memorial…
11th April - 12.30pm Community Lunch 2.00pm The Community Fellowship - Sue Pearce will be doing a cake demonstration. 20th April - 7pm Prayer Meeting in the Vestibule Room. All welcome. 30th April – 10.30-noon Flower fund coffee morning - see advert for details Boys' and Girls' Brigades meet on Monday evenings during term time Contact Mr & Mrs Doswell on 02380 872648 for further information. Badminton/Social Group meet on Fridays at 2pm-4pm Contact Marilyn Cousens for details on 02380 778585.
Next Edition: MAY Articles in by APRIL 17
th 2pm
Send any correspondence to your Church Editor or alternatively to the Connections Editor: Jayne Stephens,
SOUTH WEST HANTS GROUP – CONNECTIONS
APRIL 2016 Volume 4 No. 3
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FLOWER FUND COFFEE MORNING
AT ISAAC WATTS CHURCH
ON SATURDAY 30th
APRIL 2016
10.30AM - NOON
STALLS, INCLUDING CAKES
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Thought for the month
In Exodus 17 the Israelites show us a very revealing picture of how human
beings deal with uncertainty. Despite the life-giving water which streamed from
the rock at Horeb, the passage ends in v. 7 by naming the places of Massah and
Meribah meaning to complain and to quarrel. The account provides an abiding
picture of our unerring ability to overlook the good if we can have a good old
whinge about something else instead! The Israelites, given the chance, would
have shunned their new found freedom just for the chance of some cloudy water
and a mangy loaf at the hands of their former captors. And yet is our response
any different when the chips are down and the going gets tough?
Facing a vacancy can often feel like you’ve been given a one-way ticket straight
to the wilderness. Though it won’t last 40 years like the Israelites, there’ll still
be soul-searching and doubting and quarrelling and complaining and all of the
other natural human responses to an uncertain future. And yet, just as the
Israelites went on to realise, the next part of the story cannot begin unless we
bear with our wilderness wanderings and use them to find inspiration for the
next leg. Indeed, Jesus did just the same when preparing for a period of
ministry. He would go out into the countryside, pray, wander, meander and seek
the solace of Abba.
Ministerial transitions are a feature of every mainstream church. Without these
necessary junctions our life together would be consigned to walking around in
wilderness circles for ever. None of the leaders who have walked alongside us
over the years and who have played a part in shaping our Christian journey
would have done so if God had not first made space for them to join us. By my
moving on, a space is created for God to fill and a new facet of your story to
emerge.
And whilst quarrels and complaints are staples of human coping that are here to
stay, the hope is that out of our human frailty, God brings the possibility of life-
giving refreshment. So as you camp at Meribah and circle Massah, don’t forget
to fix your eyes on Horeb, the mountain of God, and remember that what we
sacrifice in the pursuit of leading liberated lives will always give God cause to
stream forth living water.
In Christ,
Tim
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SWHG people
Martin and Joan Waldron
Joan was born in Turriff, a small market town in the North East of Scotland. Her mother was an upholsterer and her father a dentist. Joan was the oldest of four, with two brothers and one sister. She had a happy, carefree childhood, where she could walk and cycle everywhere in safety. Church played an important part in these early years and Joan attended Sunday School and the Youth Club. She moved to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary for her General Nursing training and then went to Queen Charlotte’s Hospital in London for her midwifery training. This involved six months on the district and she remembers it being just like “Call the Midwife” even though she wasn’t based in the East End. After this she became a midwife at the Middlesex Hospital in London. It was through her interest in Scottish country dancing that she met Martin. Martin, meanwhile, had been born and raised in Cardiff, the oldest of three children. His father worked for the Civil Service and his mother worked part time. Martin recalls there not being a lot of money as he grew up and how the decision taken by the family to buy a house appeared risky and worrying. Martin’s family were not regular church attenders. Martin passed his 11+ and attended a grammar school. However, when he was 16, Martin’s father was transferred to London and Martin left school. His big regret is this break, with the loss of friends and he wonders what became of them all. Martin loved sport, especially football, but was a keen cyclist and had been a member of the Cardiff branch of the Cyclist Tourist Club. Weekends away with them had introduced him to the Scottish Dance centre in London, so when he moved to London, he went there, meeting Joan. Like his father, Martin joined the Civil Service and spent much of his working life auditing the NHS. Martin and Joan married in 1966 and lived in Cardiff for four years, where their first child, Susan, was born. However, Martin had always had a dream to work abroad and seized an opportunity to work in Zambia. They did two tours of duty there, spending six years from 1971 – 1976. With independence, the British government paid to train Zambians as part of the Overseas Aid budget. Upon arrival, Martin says there was only one Zambian in a senior post. When he left, there was only one European, so the scheme was a success. Martin was able to travel extensively and feels privileged to have made many expeditions into the bush. Joan, meanwhile, worked as a midwife at the University teaching hospital and in doctors’ surgeries in Lusaka. David, their son, was born during this time. Joan had a firm faith but Martin had remained an intermittent attender. Here in Zambia he
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joined Joan at the Presbyterian church, which had links with South Africa. In 1973 Martin made a commitment to the Lord and became a member. They speak warmly of their time in Zambia, knowing that it gave them a wider perspective, and are so grateful for this. Returning to the UK, they were posted to Poulton – le - Fylde, just outside Blackpool and spent five happy years there, joining the URC and Martin becoming involved in Round Table. In 1982, they came to Chandlers Ford, to their present house. Martin had a nominal base in Southampton, but covered Hampshire, Dorset and the Isle of Wight hospitals. Joan worked at The Mount Hospital as a Night Duty Staff Nurse. The children, by this time 13 and 10, attended Thornden School and Barton Peveril College, enjoying Guides and Scouts. Susan went on to do a degree in French and German at Coventry, then a bi-lingual secretarial course and now lives in Germany. David did a Geography degree and now works as a Pensions manager. Interestingly, his French wife was also born in Africa. They live in Surrey and have two daughters, Francesca and Camille who are 10 and 7. Along with family, work and the Round Table and the 41 Club, Chandlers Ford URC has been an important part of their lives. They have both served as Elders and Joan is currently a Pastoral Visitor. Martin has in the past been Church Secretary and Treasurer and now convenes the Property Committee, is the current Treasurer, edits the Church magazine and runs a House group with Joan. Joan is the catering person at the church and is involved in banner making, the Women’s World Day of Prayer and the Ladies Afternoon Fellowship. However, she modestly considers herself to be mainly an enabler for Martin. Their interest in the World Church led Martin to serve on the local Mission Committee, chairing this for 20 years and on the Synod World Church committee, which he served on for a year, then was secretary for 3 years and finally its convener. Martin led a church group to Zambia in 2011, which was their first visit back. Lusaka had grown enormously in the meantime and virtually all the unused space had been built on. The World Church group made a bid for money to enable two ministers to come to the UK and many of you will have met Bertha. In retirement, Martin enjoys golf and drove a community bus for the last ten years. They have set up a Neighbourhood Watch group and have regular barbecues in their garden and organized the Jubilee street party which attracted over 100 people. They enjoy travelling and have visited Australia and New Zealand, California, South Africa and Canada. They’ve been to India twice, meeting Jothi Dasappa, returning home to raise money for her projects. It will be Martin and Joan’s Golden Wedding Anniversary in July this year. A wonderful couple – a real asset to Chandlers Ford, the Group and the wider church. Pam Humphreys
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HOLiday forum 2016
Every year the URC and other friends gather at the Hayes Conference Centre at Swanwick in
Derbyshire for a time of ‘Fun, Faith and Fellowship’. The age range of participants is from a few
months to 92years and there is a genuine family feel to the week we are together.
Each day there is all-age worship and a theme talk that this year will be led by Rev Dr Michael
Jagessar who was Moderator of General Assembly from 2012 -2014. His theme will be “At Home in
a Strange Place” and is an opportunity to explore questions raised in moving home or having no
home beyond the usual discourse around migration, asylum and refugee issues.
Workshops will include discussion, bible study, films and other activities. Children’s groups are
organised for those under 15. Afternoons are usually free time or optional activities with one
afternoon being an organised outing. Competitions for Scrabble, boule and table tennis take place.
Each evening has some form of entertainment such as songs of praise, a quiz or a talent show.
Above all there is plenty of time for relaxation and conversation to get to know people from all parts
of the country. And - you don’t have to join in if you don’t want to! There is plenty of opportunity to
do your own thing.
The Hayes is set in beautiful grounds and its generous meals and morning and afternoon
refreshments are a feature of the week.
If you are looking for a break that sets you thinking and combines meeting new friends with lively
activities, the 20th to 26 August at The Hayes will be just right for you.
For further information and a booking form please go to the
web-site at www.urcholidayforum.org.uk.
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Special Reports .
During March, Churches Together in Shirley has been running an Easter Experience
at Shirley Parish Church for local school children to come and find out about the last
week of Jesus’ life. Theo and I volunteered to help out and spent 3 afternoons there.
The children come and do different things around the church to represent each event
in Easter week. They write their hopes and dreams onto stones to represent the hopes
and dreams of the people during Jesus’ arrival on Palm Sunday. Then after an Easter
quiz they travel around 5 different zones. While finding out about the last supper they
eat pitta bread and grapes and drink Ribena ‘wine’, then in the garden of gethsemane
they mould clay to represent part of the Easter story or into something that they're
afraid of, while discussing how Jesus could have felt while praying in the garden.
Using a clock the children find out about Jesus’ last day and how long he was on the
cross as well as watching a short video clip and making crosses out of sticks. Part of
the church was turned into an empty tomb for the children to explore and then by
listening to a bible audio book they find out about the resurrection. The last station
was an opportunity for the children to ask any questions they wanted while eating hot
cross buns. At the end they all had a chance to write a prayer onto a leaf for the prayer
tree.
I spent one afternoon on the cross station (called the greatest act of love) and the other
two in the garden. This was an amazingly positive experience and through listening to
the children and answering their questions I feel that my understanding of and
connection with the Easter story has grown. Hopefully the experience will help the
children to understand more about the Christian faith and may lead some of them to
start their own journey of faith.
Jessica
Synod Meeting
Synod met at The United Church, Winchester, on Saturday March 19th
, so many of us could
travel there on the bus. Synod meets twice a year. The spring meeting is always more of a
business meeting, recognising appointments to committees and approving resolutions. We
have a number of people from the SWHants Group who serve on Synod committees and we
are grateful for this. Christine Hardwick serves as Assistant Synod Clerk and LMMR co-
ordinator and is on our area’s Pastoral committee with Tim Searle, who is also a member of
the Mission Development Group. Pat Oliver and David Hoadley serve on the Church and
Society Group, while Wendy White is the Inter-faith Advocate. Gerry Prosser is the Secretary
of the Listed Buildings Advisory Group and Dave Humphreys is on the Finance and Property
Committee. Synod recognised Martin Waldron’s 7 years’ work as Convenor of the World
Church group as he retired from this post. …cont…
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Time was spent discussing and approving the merger of the Finance and Property Committee with The
Wessex Trust and we recognised the 28 years service of David Page, who had taken on the role for a
three year term! We were given useful information about the criteria for applying for grants for
building work, church workers and other mission projects.
Each church is asked to contribute to the Ministry and Mission fund (the M&M) and we were reminded
that the URC average cost per member in 2016 is £365.
General Assembly meets this year and Pat will be going. We can find out about what happens from her,
or at our Area Gathering on 28th
September. Gwen and Bernie Collins will also be there, but in an
official capacity. Gwen is to be one of two Chaplains to the new Moderators and Bernie is Convener-
elect of the Mission Committee of the URC.
A lot of time was spent discussing a motion on Israel and Palestine, brought by the Havant Church. They
recommended studying a Church of Scotland report “The Inheritance of Abraham” and a Kairos
publication “A Moment of truth”.
The Ministries and Learning Committee reminded churches to approach retired ministers to preach and
preside at Communion services. Their details can be found in the 2016 directory, which was
distributed.
The Mission and Outreach committee gave interesting information about useful reports available and
reminded churches that Racial Justice Sunday will be on 11th
September this year. We are asked to
approach our 20-40 year olds about their experiences within local church and synod.
The Church &Society Group reported that Traidcraft had been worried about its sales, but that these
seem to be better this year. Churches were reminded not to let their Fairtrade standards slip. Beth John,
the intern at the local Southampton Christian Aid office (sited at Isaac Watts) has recently returned
from Brazil and is recommended as an enthusiastic speaker.
We were told of other things happening - a Quiet Day which will be on Sept 17
th at Fareham
URC and the Wessex Summer Camp at Ferny Croft over the weekend of July 15th
to 17th
.
FURY (the Fellowship of United Reformed Youth) has been renamed to simply URC Youth.
Our young people urged us to discuss issues of mental health, especially in young people and
to improve our understanding.
As always the worship was inspiring, when the singing raised the roof. There was laughter
and fun as well as serious business. A good Synod meeting. Please ask if you would like
more information.
Pam Humphreys
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Special reports
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APRIL 2016 Volume 4 No. 3
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The public issues newsletter of The Baptist Union of Great Britain, The Methodist
Church, The United Reformed Church and The Church of Scotland
Can't read this? Click here
Newsletter 77 March 2016
#Enough Child Poverty Measure Success
"We have listened, we have heard and we are willing to provide further guarantees".
(Lord Freud, Government Minister for Welfare Reform)
The last Praxis contained an invitation to write to your MP to ensure that the
Government continued to measure Child Poverty. Hundreds of you responded, joining
forces with other faith groups charities and academics - and the Government changed
its mind. This change would not have happened without people protesting and voicing
their concerns - working together we really can make positive changes.
3.7 million children live in poverty in the UK today. Your action has helped to ensure
that this unpleasant reality is much more difficult to ignore and that the government
is held accountable for the effects of it policies.
Welfare Reform and Work Bill
The Welfare Reform and Work Bill has passed through Parliament and will become
law in the next few days. It is a much better Bill now than when it was first published.
Changes protecting the children of kinship carers, families adopting siblings, people in
residential care as well as the reinstatement of Child Poverty measures have removed
some injustices from the Bill. All these changes came as the result of concerted
campaigns.The key injustices within the Bill highlighted by the #enough campaign
remain. Because of this new law the support available to many families with children
will be less than they need. This Bill will deliberately leave many families without
enough to meet their basic needs.
Much good and fruitful work has been done - but there is more work to do!
Keep Sunday Special update: Plans to relax Sunday trading halted after Commons defeat The government's plans to relax the laws on Sunday trading in England and Wales
have been dropped after a coalition of SNP, Labour and backbench Conservative MPs
voted against the proposals on Wednesday afternoon.
The Baptist Union of Great Britain, the Methodist Church and United Reformed Church
have been consistently opposed to changes to the law on Sunday trading, which
would have given councils in England and Wales the power to extend their weekend
opening hours. The laws on Sunday trading were first relaxed on a short term basis
during the 2012 Olympics. The government's last minute amendment to the
Enterprise Bill would have made this temporary arrangement a permanent one,
despite the government's repeated promises to the contrary at the time of the
Olympics.
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In a letter to The Telegraph recently, the Revd Steve Wild, President of the Methodist
Conference and the Revd David Grosch-Miller, Moderator of the General Assembly of
the United Reformed Church, joined other church leaders arguing that further
deregulation of Sunday trading laws would weaken the rhythms of community and
family life and unfairly impact upon small local businesses. They also argued that
there was no evidence base to support the government's claims that the changes
would provide a "substantial economic benefit" to Britain.
The Commons defeat, only the second since the election, was helped by the Keep
Sunday Special campaign. The campaign successfully mobilised faith and community
groups, shop workers and retailers, encouraging them to lobby their local MP with
regards to the amendment. Thanks to all of you who responded to our urgent action
in last month's Praxis - which undoubtedly contributed to this notable victory.
Freedom of Information: Success
In the #rethinksanctions report we were able to show that almost 100,000 children
were affected by benefit sanctions in 2013-14 and that people with mental health
problems were more likely to be sanctioned than others. The only way to access this
government held information was to make requests using the Freedom of Information
Act.
In July the new Government announced a commission to look at the Freedom of
Information Act. The Commissioners included prominent critics of the Act and it was
widely expected that access to information would be restricted.
It is extremely welcome news that in response to widespread criticism - including a
submission from our four Churches - Government has decided not to put additional
barriers in the way of accessing information.
JPIT resource for the EU Referendum As the 23rd of June quickly approaches we will be presented with more and more
information as we try to find an answer to the question "Should the United Kingdom
remain a member of the European Union or leave the European Union?". But how do
we begin to make sense of this information and how might we bring our faith to bear
on this important issue?
Within the four denominations that make up the Joint Public Issues Team we believe
that Christians should be engaging in the political processes that shape our society as
we follow God's call to work and live for a better society. The EU referendum is one of
these processes. As you read this the team are busy preparing a resource to help
people explore some of the issues and questions that surround the referendum;
issues such as sovereignty, the single market, freedom of movement, the
environment and more. The resource entitled "Think, Pray Vote", will try to approach
these issues and more from a Christian perspective, providing information, the
opportunity for theological reflection and different perspectives from Christians
intending to vote both in and out on the 23rd of June. More details for the resource
will be published on the JPIT website but if you would like to be notified when they
are published please email us.
Syria - Parliamentary Question
We welcome the fragile truce that exists in Syria although bombs continue to rain
down on parts of Aleppo killing civilians. Since the last Praxis, Cat Smith MP has
asked a Parliamentary question on our behalf to help to establish the UK
Government's definition of 'civilian' in the context of our bombing of IS well heads
and other oil facilities. The UK practice in this area is better than most - see
SOUTH WEST HANTS GROUP – CONNECTIONS
APRIL 2016 Volume 4 No. 3
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question and response and also this response. But we will continue to demand
transparency and accountability from the UK and where possible other forces involved
in air strikes in the Middle East. We pray for a lasting ceasefire and peace agreement
as the war in Syria enters its sixth year.
Our response to the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) proposal to bind the hands of local authorities on financial investments DCLG are proposing new approaches to the management by local government of
pension scheme investments. Controversially they include a stipulation that Local
Government will no longer be free to disinvest from companies that are guilty of
gross abuse of human rights. George Osborne has publicly championed giving more
autonomy to local authority decision–making but central government seems
frightened by citizen-led disinvestment campaigns and has proposed that local
government must abide by UK Foreign Policy when it comes to investment in
companies. Our response included the following observation:
"The lesson of South Africa should cause us to pause and reflect on the
appropriateness of subjecting decision-making by democratically elected local
councils and pension fund trustees to UK foreign policy considerations. The
experience of the anti-apartheid movement contradicts the assertion of the Secretary
of State that disinvestment campaigns focused on a particular injustice undermine
good community relations. With respect to the anti-apartheid movement the opposite
case can be argued."
What do the Gambling Commission's new statistics tell us? The Gambling Commission has recently published statistics for gambling in 2015.
These involve overall participation in gambling, problem gambling rates and
perceptions of gambling. They also include data on patterns in online gambling, for
the first time. Among the main findings are these:
• Participation in gambling has fallen from 57% in 2012 to 45% in 2015 - this is
largely due to a fall in the participation in the National Lottery. But the National
Lottery remains by far the most common form of gambling in the UK
• Problem gambling appears to have settled down to a static level of 0.5%.
• The 18-24 age group has the largest percentage of problem gamblers (1.1%)
• 25-34 year olds are most likely to use mobile and tablet devices, bet in-play and
gamble outside of the home, while the laptop is the most common device for online
gambling.
Our Churches continue to track levels of problem gambling, in line with our focus on
campaigning for a gambling framework that protects children and the vulnerable from
harm. In one sense, the finding that problem gambling is not rising is welcome.
However this still means that over 300,000 thousand people in the UK are problem
gamblers, and a larger number including family and friends will be affected by the
harm caused by problem gambling.
Those interested in the Gambling Commission's findings can view them here.
Ecumenical Accompaniers The Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israeli (EAPPI) is
seeking volunteers to work as human rights monitors in the West Bank and Israel for
three-month terms in 2017. Further information and application pack here.
Closing date: Friday 29 April 2016.
SOUTH WEST HANTS GROUP – CONNECTIONS
APRIL 2016 Volume 4 No. 3
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Hope in a changing climate - Ecumenical World Development Conference 15-16 April, non-residential conference, at Central Hall, Coventry.
The conference aims to help people think what the next steps in climate action, after
Paris, might be for churches and individuals.
Speakers include leading climate scientist Myles Allen; theologians Michael Northcott,
Martin Poulsom, Rosalind Selby and Ruth Valerio; climate communicator George
Marshall; climate advocates Paul Cook and Mark Letcher, and church leaders Jo
Herbert, Bishop William Kenney, Rachel Lampard, and Bishop Graham Usher.
Further information including how to book is on the website and we are on Twitter at
@ewdc2016
The cost is £90 or £60 for students and unwaged. We are also offering a day rate of
£45/£30 if you are not able to attend on both of the days.
The conference is organised by a group of churches and non government agencies
such as: All We Can, Arocha, Christian Concern for One World, Christian Aid,
Commitment for Life, Global Justice Now, Operation Noah, Progressio and Tearfund.
Migration and Ministry
Wednesday 7 September at the University of Roehampton, London. Hosted by the
Susanna Wesley Foundation of the University of Roehampton in conjunction with the
Methodist Church.
Proposals for contributions in a variety of formats are being solicited by 31
March on the themes of Theologies of Migration, Diaspora Communities, Histories of
Migration, Asylum and Refuge. Abstracts or summaries (150-200 words) should be
sent to [email protected]. Find full details here.
European Union: Remain In or Leave?
Lansdowne Public Debate, Saturday 19 March, 7.45-9.30 pm at Lansdowne
Crescent Methodist Church, Malvern WR14 2AW. A panel of four sixth-form students
will lead the debate.
Free tickets here.
Keeping Faith in the EU?
Saturday 8 April, 10.00 for 10.30 am-4.30 pm at Winchester Business School, West
Downs Campus, Romsey Road, Winchester SO22 5HT
Hosted by the Centre for Theology and Religion in Public Life in association with
Theos and the Kirby Laing Institute for Christian Ethics.
Further details here. Advance booking essential.
Celebrating Body and Soul - How our bodies can save the world Green Christian retreat 2016 with Keith Hebden, Friday 10 - Sunday 12 June at
Noddfa, Penmaenmawr, North Wales.
Full information and booking details can be found here.
Joint Public Issues Team | United Reformed Church | 86 Tavistock Place | London | WC1H 9RT
SOUTH WEST HANTS GROUP – CONNECTIONS
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SOUTH WEST HANTS GROUP – CONNECTIONS
APRIL 2016 Volume 4 No. 3
Page 23
Wordsearch
Happy Birthday, Shakespeare! It's 400 years since William Shakespeare's death, and his birthday is on 23rd April.
V H A M L E T K X E B G Y L I
I L N H S X S Y C P U C K N P
O I T U C R E M B I F L P O M
L U O P O P P D L A D A R V O
A T N Z T I M D U N L E O E T
E C I R T A E B P R P T N J T
E Y O W I N T E R S T A L E O
F F A T S L A F O B E R O N B
V M T T H P O R T I A H E C D
J I E I P R P U C I R N R G I
J R K T L O H K V N I P Q K C
N A F A A M E I V T E I L U J
D N N N Y E L Z P A L S V I O
L D A I G O I Z S H Y L O C K
O A C A N S A W N D M A E R D
ANTONIO
ARIEL
BANQUO
BEATRICE
BENEDICK
BOTTOM
DREAM
FALSTAFF
GERTRUDE
GUILDENSTERN
HAMLET
JULIET
MERCUTIO
MIRANDA
OBERON
OLIVIA
OPHELIA
ORLANDO
PORTIA
PROSPERO
PUCK
ROMEO
ROSENCRANTZ
SCOTTISHPLAY
SHYLOCK
TEMPEST
TITANIA
TYBALT
VIOLA
WINTERSTALE
