Weybridge United Reformed Church NewsMay 2020Letter from the MinisterDear Friends,These are strange time we’re living in. Who knows when, and how, the current restrictions will be lifted but a month on a new style of church life is beginning to emerge for the moment so let me take this opportunity to run through a few things that are happening. Let’s begin with worship.On a Sunday, full services are available via the media and on the internet. As well as those on BBC radio you can join in a weekly URC service at 10.00am via the URC’s website. Woking URC are streaming a live service at 10.30am, again accessible via their website and their Facebook page. Within our pastorate I am writing and sending out a weekly “Thought for the Day” and a prayer and this is going to everyone, either via email or by post. There is also a weekly Zoom service at 11.30am, slightly expanding on the “Thought for the Day” material which is followed by an opportunity to see each other and have a bit of a chat. This is developing as our IT skills develop! By the way, the 11.30am start is so as not to clash with the main URC service at 10.00am. So, there are lots of worship opportunities and materials available, created both within and without the pastorate.Moving on to pastoral care I know that a number of you are keeping in touch with each other by all sorts of different methods and this is really important. The caring phone calls being made by the Elders to the people in their districts are so important, too. I have phoned and spoken to almost everyone at least once in the last month. I shall probably do another ‘phone all’ if the current restrictions go on much longer because I think that keeping in touch and hearing a friendly, familiar voice is so significant at the moment.One of the advantages of an increasing number of you having Zoom is that it does give you the chance not only to chat with one another but to see each other. The importance of that was obvious on Easter Day and in the responses to the Zoom Communion. The feeling of togetherness when we were all feeling rather at sea was extremely moving and something that I think I shall always remember as being a highlight in my ministry. So, do use Zoom to chat to each other. You can easily initiate a meeting and invite people to join you and if any of you don’t know how to go about it, just give me a ring and I’ll explain as best I can.Mollie and Norma (St Andrew’s) are making another important contribution to church life in keeping the magazines going. It’s not an easy task at the best of times and at the moment getting material to create an interesting magazine to read is challenging. I know they would both be grateful to receive anything from you. What they are editing is particularly crucial at the moment and we are greatly indebted to them.So, we are finding ways of communicating and of worshipping and of “being church” in new ways, even if some of us are on steep learning curves. Actually, I can see that there are some positives emerging which we can build on in the future but, inevitably, there are problems at this time, too.Actually visiting the sick and the dying isn’t possible, even for immediate families. I cannot do home or hospital visits other than by phone. Families cannot be together at critical times and precious, irreplaceable moments are being lost. Trying to organize a funeral at the moment is a nightmare and what’s possible is, let’s be honest, fairly unsatisfactory. Trying to support elderly relatives from a distance is also extremely difficult and many people are worried about money and job security, fearing that the future is going to be pretty bleak.In all of this though there is one thing that we do know. The restrictions will eventually be lifted and we shall be able to reopen our church buildings and resume regular services. What are we going to do to celebrate? How are we going to party? How are we going to give thanks to God? Let me have some ideas and suggestions. Vera Lynn used to sing, “When the lights go on again all over the world”. Let’s look forward and start to have some ideas for then.Finally, I am here! I am always happy to be a familiar voice or a listening ear and I am only a phone call away – though you may have to try a couple of times because the telephone line is quite busyat the moment.With all good wishes,

News of the Church FamilyIn MemoriamWe were sad to hear that Jean Smith died in Coventry on 23 April. She was received into membership here in 1958 and had a prominent role in church activities until declining health meant she had to go into a care home in 2015. Please remember her daughter, Cathy, and son, Richard, and their families at this time. There will be a tribute to Jean in next month’s News.Many of you will remember Joan Carter and will be sorry to learn that she died on 6 April. Joan was received into membership in 2006 and particularly enjoyed sharing in the Bible Study Group and Wednesday Coffee Morning. Rapidly declining health in recent years meant she was no longer able to get around. Our sympathy goes to her son, Tim, who is a Baptist Minister, and the family.

GreetingsOur former Minister, Phillip Jones, sends his good wishes to everyone and hopes you will all remain safe and well in these difficult times.

PrayersPlease remember these friends in your prayers – Kate Ashfield, David & Joan Cheeseman,Gordon Faultless, Chris Goddard and John Langdon. Remember, too, those living in care homes

including Betty Brown, Eileen Turner and Tricia Weight.

Wessex Synod – Prayer Calendar for May 3 Brill; Cornerstone, Hythe; Wonersh10 Trinity, Abingdon; Maidenhead

17 United Church, Faringdon; Lymington;London Street, Basingstoke

24 Christ Church, Henley-on-Thames; Bitterne Park, Southampton31 Blackbird Leys, Oxford; Three Legged Cross; Guernsey

A Tale of Two Centuries – The Editor finds some similaritiesThe closure of churches in our 21st century world was seen as an unprecedented action but in fact Christians in 13th century England were faced with a similar situation albeit for a very different reason. Not for them a pandemic but the biggest of arguments between a monarch and a pope about who should be Archbishop of Canterbury – in those days (in pre-Protestant England) a Roman Catholic appointment. Add to the mix the almost perpetual state of conflict between England and Europe (particularly France) and you have a not unfamiliar picture. The foundations for the dispute were laid in 1205 when Archbishop Hubert Walter died. He was also Chancellor of England overseeing the affairs of day-to-day government, which gave him unparalleled power, and was a close ally of King John. At this point the monks at Canterbury (who were not particularly enamoured with the King) decided to exercise their right to make the appointment. They chose one of their number, Reginald, and despatched him to Rome to meet Pope Innocent III. Although they only had power to make this appointment with the consent of the king they omitted to inform him of their choice of candidate. Allegedly he only heard of it when Reginald could not resist boasting of his new status on his long journey across Europe. John reacted immediately by appointing his friend Roger de Gray, who was the Bishop of Norwich. The Pope took advantage of this disagreement and seized the opportunity to appoint his friend Stephen Langton, who had spent25 years as a theologian in Paris where the Pope had studied. A professor of theology who had spent so much time in the domain of his arch-enemy, Philip of France, was not acceptable to an increasingly belligerent John. The Pope, tiring of what he saw as a challenge to his authority, with the help of the Bishops in England placed an interdict on the whole of the country on 23 March 1208. The celebration of Mass was banned as were marriages in church and burials in consecrated ground. Only the baptism of infants and confession for the dying were permitted. John was enraged by the Pope’s action, refused to accept the interdict and set about punishing the clergyby confiscating their properties, lands and revenues, creating a much-needed boost to his coffers. In 1209 the Pope responded by excommunicating John. The effects of the interdict on ordinary people were recorded by the Cistercian writer Ralph of Coggeshall, who wrote of the ‘horrible and

miserable spectacle of the sealed doors of the churches with Christians shut out from entry.” In 1212 the Pope, who was increasingly attempting to exercise his authority in spiritual and temporal matters in the kingdoms of Europe, announced that John was no longer the legal King of England. When John discovered in November 2012 that Philip of France (encouraged by the Pope) was intending to invade England he decided (after pressure from his Barons) it would be wise to rediscover his spiritual values! He agreed his kingdom should become a fief of the Papacy and rule as a vassal of the Holy See. Archbishop Langton absolved John’s excommunication from the Church and on 13 May 1213 John publicly swore allegiance to the Pope and his successors and promised to defend the Holy Catholic Church, make annual payments to Rome (which continued for 150 years) and restore all confiscated goods, property and revenue to the clergy. (Apparently he was only able to pay back the clergy about half the money they were owed.) John was not renowned as a devout monarch (he is alleged to have asked one priest to hurry up with Mass as it was time for a meal) but his savvy and timely re-embracing of religion meant that the churches, after almost six years of closure, once again became central to the daily life of the people.(We might all wonder how they managed to run their campaigns from locations scattered across England and Europe without things like phones, email, Microsoft Teams, Skype, Facetime and Zoom and with horses and boats as probably the only means of transport for trusted messengers.)

Top Tips and all that Chat ……… Your comments on life todayAs part of my exercise programme I do a half-marathon (just over 13 miles) each week split into two stints a day by walking (not running) round my not over-extensive garden. It’s stimulating and every day there is something different to see such as apple blossom, butterflies, the first roses in bloom (in April!) etc. Try it – if you get tired you can always stop for a cup of tea. (I was inspired by a man who ran a full marathon on his balcony and am aiming to do the same distance!)Every weekend our family gets together online for a coffee, chat and crossword session. It’s much easier doing a crossword this way!I thought I knew how to make cauliflower cheese until I read a recent magazine article on traditional Irish recipes. Our friends from the Emerald Isle will no doubt know this already but the secret ingredient which raises cauliflower cheese to sublime heights is nutmeg. Just add some grated nutmeg to the sauce and the smell when you open the oven door is an indication of a tasty meal!I start my car twice a week and let the engine run for a few minutes. That way I know it will be ready to go when we are all allowed out again.We are all very fortunate in being given lots of information by the Minister on the many opportunities available to us to share in worship each week locally and in the wider church. Thank you, Michael.I have received lovely notes from my neighbours offering to help in any way they can.My exercise class is now online with Zoom three times a week. Great!For me one positive thing which has come out of this awful crisis is that people are speaking on the phone rather than sending text messages or emails. It is so good to actually talk to someone and the sound of the phone ringing is just wonderful.I think it is nice that so many church members are phoning round other members on a regular basis for a personal chat.Our grandson has become good friends with several elderly people in his village through doing their shopping. (There is no local shop.) ‘Shouted’ conversations conducted at a suitable distance are now a normal part of their everyday life and seem to be much enjoyed. On Easter morning he and other volunteers delivered Easter eggs to all the older residents as gifts from the Parish Church.For the first time ever I had my prescription delivered from the pharmacy. It was brought by a cheerful man who greeted me with a big smile. Made my day!

A Continuing Story from our ArchivistMay 1865

In the April issue I wrote a short note on the significant events of April 1865 leading to the constitution of our church as the “Congregational Church at Weybridge” and its first few busy weeks getting all the necessary practical issues organised. The great occasion in the following month was the opening of the new building on Wednesday 17 May. The report in the local paper says “the dedicatory services for this very handsome building were largely attended by visitors from London and from all parts of the county of Surrey”. The report describes the building itself in great detail including all the main dimensions. Services were held morning and evening and the report comments “More than an hour before the time of service the congregation began to assemble, including many persons from distant villages. These busied themselves with a careful examination of the building, which by twelve o’clock was completely filled.” Benjamin Scott, Revds A McKennel of Surbiton, Dr Waddington of Southwark, J Hart of Guildford, J Pillans of Camberwell and A E Lord of Hersham took part in the morning service and Revd S Martin of Westminster preached a sermon based on 1 Peter 1: 11. The report adds “the discourse was listened to with breathless attention by a crowded audience, including many members of the Church of England in the vicinity. Like all the pulpit efforts of the reverend preacher the sermon was chaste and sententious in style, and earnest in delivery, simply illustrated and beautiful in its simplicity.” As well as the hymns, organ music in the service, played by Mr Pickering of Wokingham, ranged from Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus to Mendelsohn’s Wedding March. After this service a cold collation was served in the house of Benjamin Scott which, it was said, “did credit to his position of Chamberlain of a city proverbial for its munificent hospitality. No expense nor pain were spared to afford enjoyment to the guests”. In addition to those invited to this event Mr W Seth Smith of Holmwood “afforded abundant and graceful hospitality to other visitors”.The evening service was obviously intended much more for the local members of the congregation and the timing would have enabled many of those working during the day to attend. There is only a very brief report of this service in the press in which it said that “Revd J Fleming of Kentish Town preached an excellent sermon to an equally crowded congregation”. The organist this time was the organ builder himself, Henry Willis, but we only know that the pieces he played were extempore. Following this service ‘the working men’ and their wives were invited to Heath House for supper. Among these were several in the first batch of church members, whose occupation is described in the church records as ‘gardener’. They had volunteered to lay out the church grounds and worked hard to ensure that everything was perfect for the ‘big day’.

May 1984A much shorter service took place for the dedication of the opening of the current hall complex on the afternoon of Saturday 19 May when the church was filled with members, past members, representatives from other churches, project sponsors and the special guests, our Mayor and MP. Many of you will remember this day and especially the moment we moved from the church (past the about-to-be-demolished old hall) for the formal opening of the new hall by Wilfred Rogers(the longest serving church member) and Laura Steveley (one of the youngest members ofJunior Church) who carried the key carefully in a silver casket! A few brief speeches were followed by a chance to meet with friends over an excellent tea. Later we returned for a celebratory evening in which the organisations and activities across all ages in the church put on a concert – a riotous time enjoyed by all and including, of course, yet more food!

Some Further Notes from the Minister1 Zoom ServiceThose of you receiving the weekly “Thought for the Day” by email will also receive an invitation to join a Zoom event at 11.30am each Sunday. What happens in this spot is still evolving but it is a time for us to be together in sound and in sight. There will be a short service, including a slightly expanded “Thought for the Day” and we are trying to see how we can then move into virtual ‘after-church coffee’ (supply your own beverage and biscuits).Just click on the link in the emailed invitation. It may be that you don’t even have to have Zoom downloaded

first, just a computer capable of accessing it. I am also exploring how those without computer access can join in by phone but, remember, we are all on a steep learning curve at the moment. Do come and join us if you would like to, though. You will be welcome.

2 A thought from Monday 23rd MarchTuesday 17th March had been a difficult day. We had been advised that church services were going to have to be suspended and that the halls would have to be closed, too, as a result of the Covid 19 pandemic. The next days were very busy implementing this and contacting everyone. Realising that further restrictions were inevitable I did a dash down to Mum to do what I could there, knowing that it might be some time before I’d be allowed to go again. So, the morning of Monday 23rd March began but what should I do? How should I proceed? How did I actually do my job now? For that matter, what was my job now? Typically, the phone rang constantly throughout the day and I went to bed shattered and, if I am honest, a little frustrated because I’d had no time to think about my role now and felt that I didn’t really know what I was doing. Tuesday 24th dawned and I set the phone to ‘answer’. I needed a moment or two! It was when I realised that in many ways my job was little changed – it was just the way that I did it that had changed that my brain began to stop racing. The more I thought about it the more I realised that it was like taking my old teachers from their classroom and removing their blackboard, chalk, textbooks, rows of desks, wooden-sided blackboard rubber (for throwing) and cane – and then putting them in a classroom of today with the students, grouped round tables; telling them to call them by their first names not their surnames; give them a laptop and an interactive whiteboardand expect them to teach the lesson. They would still know the subject – that wouldn’t have changed – but boy would they struggle with how to deliver it.So, I decided that I still knew what I was called to do and that’s really what I have still been doing. I am working long hours and working in a very different way but I am holding on to what I am called to do and accept that my modus operandi completely changed overnight.3 ‘In quires and places where they sing’It is possibly just as well that we are not singing many hymns at the moment. You see, many of them contravene the Government’s Covid 19 advice. Let me share with you a little of the problem.

Breathe on me, breath of God NopeTake my hand, precious Lord NopeO for a closer walk with God NopeI come to the garden alone OKBind us together, Lord NopeShall we gather at the river Nope Jesus walked this lonesome valley OKPut peace into each other’s hands NopeWash me throughly OK (anthem by SS Wesley)

Matthew Chapter 18 verse 20 causes a problem, too! Perhaps the next hymnbook we are going to need is The Covid 19 Hymnal. Doesn’t look like it’s going to be a very big book.

Gift Aid – A Note from the TreasurerThank you all, on behalf of the church, for your generous financial support during the last year. Your participation in the Gift Aid scheme has been particularly useful – it has allowed the church to claim over £5,000 from HMRC for the tax year 2019/2020. You will be aware that I usually provide an individual thank-you letter and receipt for each person who has signed up for Gift Aid. In the current circumstances if any of you require such a letter in order to complete your own personal tax affairs please email me using treasurer@weybridgeurc.org.uk and I will email one or post one to you, whichever is easier for you.

Walton & Hersham FoodbankThe appeal in last month’s News raised £100 (with Gift Aid) for the Food Bank.

The third in the Minister’s series on the URC Statement of Nature, Faith and OrderThis month, we turn our attention to what the URC says about the Bible.

The highest authorityfor what we believe and do

is God’s Word in the Bible,alive for his people todaythrough the help of the Spirit. We respond to this Word, whose servants we are with all God’s people through the years.

In this section we state very clearly our belief in the Bible and in its supremacy. There is no higher authority. Everything else, be it a creed or a statement or a declaration or whatever, is always subordinate to the Bible. (The ‘posh’ term for such things is “subordinate standard”.) We also clearly state our belief that what is written in the Bible is “alive for his people today” and that the Holy Spirit gives us fresh understandings to which we respond. This September will see the400th anniversary of the Pilgrim Fathers setting sail from Plymouth. John Robinson, Pastor of the Separatist congregation in Leyden, affirmed, “The Lord (has) more truth and light yet to break forth out of his holy Word”. Over the centuries since then Robinson’s statement has effectively epitomised our view on the authority of the Word of God and the decision of the editors of Rejoice and Sing to drop George Rawson’s hymn “We limit not the truth of God” remains one of their more controversial ones. George Caird’s hymn “Not far beyond the sea” (R&S 318) deserves to be better known and more regularly sung than it is and it, too, picks up on Robinson’s thinking. Next time you are bored in a sermon – look it up!The assertion that nothing should be done in worship without scriptural warrant – that scripture must give permission – can be seen very clearly in our orders of service. For example, at Communion a number of denominations will put the story of the Last Supper (The Narrative of the Institution) after the Prayer of Thanksgiving. In the URC it would be normal for it to be read at the start as the warrant for what we are about to do. Many times you will have heard those leading Communion read the account of the Last Supper and then saying, “Following his command and his example we take this bread and wine and give thanks”. Similarly, at a Baptism you will hear me start by saying, “We read in the Bible that, at the beginning of his ministry, our Lord was baptised by John in the River Jordan”. You will hear me pick up that ‘permission’ idea a few sentences later as I say “on the day of Pentecost Peter said to the people, ‘Repent and be baptised every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ’.” It’s the scriptural warrant – the Biblical permission being given for what we are doing. The first words spoken in a service will normally be from the Bible as a Call to Worship. At both Weybridge and St Andrew’s the Bible is brought into church at the start of each service and we stand as the Bible comes in as a mark of our respect for it. (The same happens at URC General Assembly.)So, in this Statement we make no bones about what we believe about the Bible and if that is then borne out in our service structure it is also borne out in another important symbol in manychurches – the central pulpit in so many of our churches, (the centrality of the Word) and the open Bible facing the congregation on the Communion Table. Such an apparently simple thing but it’s not there for aesthetic reasons. It is there to show our belief that the Bible is for all, open for all, to be read by all and not just by the Minister. Remember William Tyndale’s famous statement, “I defy the Pope and all his laws. If God spare my life, ere many years I will cause a boy who drives the plough to know more of the scriptures than you do”.So, I may have gone off on a couple of tangents this month but this clause in our Statement of Nature, Faith and Order is where we say something about our understanding of the Bible and its importance.

Prayer CornerA Meditative Poem for our Situation Today

Caroline Gardner was sent this poem by a friend and thought we might all find it helpful. The author, a Franciscan Friar looking after a Retreat in Donegal, wrote these words a few weeks ago.

LockdownYes there is fear.Yes there is isolation.Yes there is panic buying.Yes there is sickness.

Yes there is even death.But,they say that in Wuhan after so many years of noiseyou can hear the birds again.They say that after just a few weeks of quietthe sky is no longer thick with fumesbut blue and grey and clear.They say that in the streets of Assisipeople are singing to each otheracross the empty squares,keeping their windows openso that those who are alonemay hear the sounds of family around them.They say that a hotel in the West of Irelandis offering free meals and delivery to the housebound.Today a young woman I knowis busy spreading flyers with her numberthrough the neighbourhoodso that the elders may have someone to call on.Today Churches, Synagogues, Mosques and Templesare preparing to welcomeand shelter the homeless, the sick, the weary.All over the world people are slowing down and reflecting.All over the world people are looking at their neighbours in a new way.All over the world people are waking up to a new realityto how big we really are,to how little control we really have,to what really matters,to Love.So we pray and we remember thatYes there is fearbut there does not have to be hate.Yes there is isolationbut there does not have to be loneliness.Yes there is panic buyingbut there does not have to be meanness.Yes there is sicknessbut there does not have to be disease of the soul.Yes there is even death.but there can always be a rebirth of love.Wake to the choices you make as to how to live now.Today, breathe.Listen, behind the factory noises of your panicthe birds are singing again,the sky is clearing.Spring is comingand we are always encompassed by Love.Open the windows of your souland, though you may not be ableto touch across the empty square,Sing. Richard Hendrick, OFM

Those on the Frontline and other Key WorkersPlease remember in your prayers the ‘decision makers’ and all those working on the frontline and in essential services in this time of crisis.

Government ministers and their scientific and medical advisersDoctors and nursing staff in hospitals, hospices and care homesSupport staff in hospitals, hospices and care homesParamedics

GPs, nurses and support staff in local Health CentresPharmacistsCommunity health workers and local volunteersEngineers and scientists designing and producing emergency equipmentScientists researching the production of a vaccineVolunteers acting as test cases for the vaccineFactory workers producing personal protection equipmentTeachers keeping schools open for vulnerable children and the children of key workersPolice and Emergency Services workersSupermarket and other food-shop workers, food delivery driversBus drivers, railway and tube train workersPostal delivery workersEnvironmental Services workers especially those who collect our rubbish

Pentecost: 31 May

Lord Jesus, as God's Spirit came down and rested upon youmay the same Spirit rest on usbestowing his sevenfold gifts.

First, grant us the gift of understandingby which your precepts may enlighten our minds.

Second, grant us counselby which we may follow in your footsteps on the path of

righteousness.

Third, grant us courageby which we may ward off the enemy's attacks.

Fourth, grant us knowledgeby which we can distinguish good from evil.

Fifth, grant us pietyby which we may acquire compassionate hearts.

Sixth, grant us fearby which we may draw back from evil and submit to what is good.

Seventh, grant us wisdomthat we may taste fully the life-giving sweetness of your love.

Prayer of St. Bonaventure to the Holy Spirit

For most of us St Bonaventure is probably not the best known saint. He was born in 1221 in Bagnorea, in the Papal States (where his father was a physician) and was baptised with the name of John. When he was four years old he became seriously ill and all the physicians were unable to cure him. His mother knew that St Francis was preaching in the area and in desperation she ran to him and begged him to come and help her son. He prayed over the child who it is claimed was miraculously cured. St Francis is then said to have spoken the prophetic words “O buona ventura” (O blessed things to come). Thus John took the name Bonaventure at the age of 22 when he entered the Franciscan Order. He was an acclaimed academic teaching Theology in the University of Paris when the Franciscans elected him as their Minister General – a post he held for 17 years during a time of great conflict within the Order. His tenure came to an end in 1273 when Pope Gregory X made him a Cardinal and appointed him as Bishop of Albano. This turned out to be a short appointment as he died suddenly on 15 July 1274 during his oversight (at the request of the Pope) of the Second Council of Lyon. The high regard in which

he was held within the Catholic Church continued and in 1482 he was canonised by Pope Sixtus IV.

PRESS DATEItems for the News are very welcome

providing they do not contravene any copyright regulations.

The June issue will be published on 31 May.

Please send your contributions to the Editor by 20 May by

email: editor@weybridgeurc.org.uk or hard copy.

www.weybridgeurc.org.ukMinister: Revd Michael Hodgson (01932 841382)