HTC News - Holy Trinity Claygate

Bishop-to-be!
Julian Henderson, former Vicar
at HTC 1992-2005, has been
appointed
Bishop
of
Blackburn.
He will be
consecrated
Bishop
on
Thursday 10 October at York
Minster - so if you would like to
join a group travelling there by
coach
and don’t
mind an
early start
please
sign up!
HTC INFO
Sunday Services
8am
Traditional
9.30am
Lively
11.15am Reflective
4.00pm
All welcome, tea served
6.30pm
Contemporary
See website for more details.
Church Office
Monday to Friday — 9am to 5pm
www.holytrinityclaygate.org.uk
churchoffice@
holytrinityclaygate.org.uk
℡ 01372 463603
Philip Plyming
Vicar
Mike Harle
Curate
Linda Morgan
Asst. Minister
Jill Griffiths
Children &
Families Minister
Drew Waller
Youth Minister
Janet Watkins
Church
Administrator
12
Breakfast with God
Judi Curtis writes:
On 2 March, 120
women ranging in
age from 15 to
85+, gathered in
the Church Hall for
the
fourth
W o m e n ’ s
Breakfast.
The
morning
c omme nc e d
wi t h
a
delicious breakfast, served
by 4 lovely men, who kindly
gave up their morning to
allow their wives and
girlfriends to enjoy the
fantastic talk given by
Jennifer Rees-Larcombe,
known to many of us for her
autobiography – ‘Journey
into Gods Heart’, a moving
account
of her life.
Jennifer’s
talk
was
entitled
‘Walking
with God
w h e n
Times are
Tough’ in which she talked
about her life-threatening
illness and subsequent miracle
healing, and other
difficult times in her life.
Moira Wakefield, described
this as being “so inspiring, to
hear of her faith following
all she’s been through and
overcome”. Jen spoke so
movingly of her life and
how God had seemed so
far away at times, but that
while she sometimes felt
distant from Him, she came
to realise that He
had never left her
side and in her
darkest moments
He was carrying
her.
My daughter Ellie,
home
for
the
weekend
from
university said: “It
was a great talk, which I
think hit home with women
of all ages. It was also really
nice to meet women from
across the church”.
As someone who has been
going through her own
challenging times recently,
this morning really lifted my
spirits and allowed me to
reconnect with God in a
way that has
been a bit of
a
struggle
over the last
6
months.
Having both
daughters
there,
plus
husband and
‘boyfriends-in-law’ in the
kitchen, made this a real
family event from which we
all gained a great deal. A
highly
enjoyable
and
uplifting
morning
that
certainly made the early
start well worth the effort.
The Women’s breakfast
team are always keen to
receive
feedback
or
suggestions, so please contact
Ruth
Ray
ruth.ray@tiscali.co.uk or via
the letter rack.
Spring/Summer
2013
St Mary’s East Molesey
Inside this issue
Philip’s Letter
p2
East Molesey launch
p3
Living in the Word
p5
Woolly Wonders
centre
India and Uganda
p8
Journey of Faith
p10
Women’s Breakfast
p12
….and a great deal more
to keep you in touch!
Our vision is:
• more followers of Jesus
• deeper followers of Jesus
• closer followers of Jesus
120 people came together for
the very first brand new 10.30am
service at St Mary’s Church, East
Molesey on 24 March.
The new contemporary service
is a key part of HTC’s Mission
Initiative to East Molesey, led by
HTC’s former Associate Vicar
Richard Lloyd. Richard was
thrilled with the turn-out, “It was
wonderful to see a full church of
people, young and
worshipping together!
old
The core team from HTC was
joined by many members of the
existing congregation at St
Mary’s as well as family and
friends who came to support
us!”
Full story on page 3
Dates for the Summer
23 April
21 May
18 June
16 July
3.30 - 6pm
Holy Trinity Claygate
Following Jesus Together
Letter from the Vicar
Alpha Update
Our
next
daytime course
with
crèche
starts with an
Open Coffee Morning from
10am on Thursday 25 April
in the Ministry Centre. Why
not invite a friend or
neighbour to come along
and find out more?
The Alpha course will then
start on Thursday 2 May.
Thanksgivings
We thank God for the baptisms of
Lara Sagar-Mahoney
23 Dec
Jade Sagar-Mahoney
23 Dec
Taylor Gilbert
23 Dec
Edward Gilchrist
17 Feb
Millie Sheppard
14 Apr
Elijah Clements
14 Apr
Jacob Clements
14 Apr
We thank God for the marriage of
Jonathan & Naomi Hills 30 Mar
We thank God for the lives of
Monica Royle
21 Dec
Ruby Thompson
31 Dec
Bill Walker
13 Jan
Reg Hincks
19 Jan
Pearl Smith
26 Jan
Frederick Dysart
21 Feb
Davia Offer
22 Feb
Jean Ryan
8 Mar
Kenneth Johnson
19 Mar
Derek Watkins
22 Mar
Olive Worrell
2 Apr
Jill Raney
2
3 Apr
Annabelle and I recently celebrated
our fifteenth wedding anniversary by
going on a short break to Greece. One
of the highlights for me was visiting the
ruins of ancient Corinth, the city where
the apostle Paul spend eighteen
months of his ministry, and to which he
wrote the New Testament letters we
know as 1 and 2 Corinthians.
It is a stunning site to visit. For although
there are no complete buildings still standing, enough remains to
get a very clear picture of what it would have been like at the
time of Paul. Then it was one of the most dazzling cities of the
ancient world which attracted – and welcomed – successful and
beautiful people.
All of which makes Paul’s modus operandi ever more remarkable.
Reflecting in 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 on his first visit, Paul says ‘I came to
you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling.’ His aim was
not to impress as other visitors sought to, but rather to proclaim
‘Jesus Christ and him crucified.’ (v2). He came, therefore, not in
his own strength but in that of the Lord. He came not to speak
about himself but the gospel of Jesus Christ.
I thought of Paul’s example and words when I watched some of
the inauguration service for Justin Welby as Archbishop of
Canterbury. After he was admitted entrance to the cathedral he
was greeted by a young girl who asked him a number of questions
including ‘How do you come among us, and with what
confidence?’ Archbishop Justin’s reply drew directly from the
apostle Paul,:
A week in the life of the Ministry Centre!
Ever
wondered
what
happens at HTC during the
week?
Katherine
Willis
describes a typical week in
the life of the Ministry Centre:
After the Ministry Centre
receives its early morning
clean on Monday, it often
hosts the Associated Board of
the Royal Schools of Music,
for their termly music exams.
On Monday evening, the
National Childbirth Trust (NCT)
lead a session for a group of
expectant mothers and their
partners, and the Growing
Leaders course also meets
once a month on a Monday
evening. The welcome area is
an ideal space for serving
coffee and chatting as
participants arrive for the
courses.
“I come knowing nothing except Jesus Christ and him crucified,
and in weakness and fear and in much trembling”.
It was quite a moment.
So from the ruins of Corinth and the splendour of Canterbury
Cathedral we see two Christian leaders setting a fine example.
And as we thank God for the life of the apostle Paul, and pray for
the new ministry of Archbishop Justin, it is valuable to reflect on
what we can learn from them.
For myself as the Vicar of HTC I am reminded that the good news is
not ourselves but Jesus Christ, and the secret of effective ministry –
in whatever form it takes – is that we are increasingly conformed to
his likeness, seeking strength and finding confidence not in
ourselves but in him who died for us.
With my love and prayers,
On alternate Tuesday and
Thursday mornings,
the
Ministry Centre welcomes four
small groups, who study the
Bible together whilst their
babies and toddlers are
looked after in a crèche in
another room.
During the afternoon, a Falls
Prevention class runs, and in
the evening we again
welcome the NCT group and
the Baptism Preparation
course.
Toddlers’ Praise have recently
moved to the Ministry Centre
from Emmanuel Hall, and
hold
two
sessions
on
Wednesdays at 10am and
1pm. Alisa French said,
“Moving here means we are
more able to share with the
adults what happens at HTC
on a Sunday.”
On
some
Wednesday
afternoons an art class takes
place
led
by
David
Wakefield. David said, “We
prefer the Ministry Centre due
to
the
brilliance of
the
light,
both
from
the windows
and
the
skylights. It is
a
more
intimate
atmosphere,
and the class
have come
c l o s e r
together and shared in the
teaching much more.”
In the evening the 20s group
find it an ideal venue to listen
to a talk, and socialise
together.
Toby
Dipper,
member of the 20s group,
said, “It’s a great space to
use whatever you want to do
from having a sit down meal
to having an evening of
worship.”
In the summer and the
autumn on Thursdays , the
Ministry Centre hosts our
daytime and evening alpha
courses, during which the
groups
enjoy
a
meal
together, a talk and small
group discussions.
On Saturday, the Ministry
Centre is frequently hired out
for PCC away days by other
local churches, for which it is
an ideal venue as there are a
number of rooms that can be
used for smaller groups.
On a Sunday morning during
the 9.30am service, the
Ministry Centre is well used by
our children’s groups.
We thank God
for
His
provision
of
this
resource
which enables
us to welcome
so
many
members
of
the
l oc al
community to
HTC.
11
Journeys of Faith
Sarah Tapp and Paul Edwards
both recently attended an
Alpha course at HTC. Here
they share their journeys of
faith.
Sarah writes:
“14 years ago, I
found
myself
completely
beaten
by
alcoholism.
My
l i f e
w a s
characterised by
a n xi e t y ,
and
depression.
Eventually I found hope
through rehabilitation and a
God of my understanding
who removed my compulsion
to drink and use drugs.
For 12 years that route to
recovery was truly life saving.
I got married and had two
children, and remained clean
and sober. Intermittently,
though, I would be plagued
with anxiety, and in 2011, our
eldest
daughter
was
diagnosed with epilepsy.
I had great support from
family, friends and my God,
but I knew that I needed
something more.
My
10
friend
Anna
recommended the book
'Who Moved The Stone' by
Frank Morison and it had a life
changing impact on me. The
following Sunday I
went
to
the
9.30am
service
with my girls and
we haven't looked
back. My faith has
grown
through
Alpha,
inspired
sermons,
friends,
and a plethora of
books,
podcasts
and experiences.
I never would have believed
that being a Christian could
be so freeing, that I would
experience
forgiveness
through grace, find lasting
peace and be rooted in the
same God who saved my life
14 years ago. If I had I might
have read that
book sooner!”
Paul writes:
Alpha
seemed
like an ideal way
of dipping my toe
into the water
and exploring the
Christian faith. The
course
tackled
the fundamental questions
which
had
been
subconsciously holding me
back in my faith for many
years. I have no doubt that
God was there supporting
and encouraging me along
the way.
One of the most significant
and powerful moments of the
course was the away day
and the concept of putting
God in the centre of my life
was particularly thought
provoking and uplifting.
Our Alpha group continues to
meet regularly. I enjoy our
discussions immensely and
they are helping me develop
a deeper and stronger
relationship with God.
Alpha has fundamentally
changed my relationship with
God
and
through it and
the friendships
I have made, I
feel that I’m
on the right
path
to
continue
to
deepen
my
faith.”
Fresh Start for St Mary’s
The brand new contemporary
service got off to a flying start
at St Mary’s East Molesey on
Sunday 24 March. During the
opening worship song, nearly
40 children came to the front
with
their
parents
to
celebrate Palm Sunday in
2013 fashion, with balloons
and a bubble machine!
It was the first Sunday service
held as part of HTC’s Mission
Initiative to the East Molesey
parish, led by Richard Lloyd.
Richard was licensed as the
new Vicar of St Mary’s at a
special
ceremony
on
Monday 18 March, led by
Juli an
He nde rs on,
the
Archdeacon of Dorking - and
all in the same week that saw
the inauguration of the new
Archbishop of Canterbury
and the selection of a new
Pope!
People from the earlier,
traditional service at 9am
were invited to stay for a
breakfast of goodies such as
croissants, fresh fruit and
coffee, just before the start of
the new service. Richard said,
“This time of fellowship
between both services will
happen each week and is a
wonderful opportunity for the
new congregation to chat
and meet with people
attending the earlier service.”
Richard added, “The East
Molesey Mission Initiative
vision is simply this ‘Love Jesus,
Love Others and Serve the
World’. On Palm Sunday we
had
a
real
glimpse of the
Mission Initiative
vision coming to
life.
It
was
inspiring to see
the church filled
with
people
loving Jesus and
others by giving
people
a
wonderfully
warm welcome
as they came through the
door.”
Prayer ministry is a central
part of the vision at St Mary’s
and during the final part of
the service Richard invited
people up to the Chancel to
receive prayer with members
of the ministry team. Team
member Simon Rogers said,
“It was wonderful to have so
m an y
p e op l e
c o mi ng
forwards for prayer during
that very first service. We all
need prayer for ourselves and
for others; whether we are
experiencing joy or pain or
simply want to give thanks.”
He added, “We’ve been told
that there is a long history of
prayer in the Chancel at St
Mary's, so it's great to be
continuing this tradition. We
are all so excited about
seeing God in action here
over the coming weeks and
months."
3
YF on Jerky, Jazz and Jobs!
HTC
Youth
are
currently working fullsteam ahead for the
South Africa Mission
fundr ai s i n g.
From
raking
the
vicar’s
garden, to cooking a
three course South
African meal for 80
people, members of
YF are working hard to
raise money for their
mission. Stef Frazer,
HTC’s Assistant Youth
Minister, reviews some
of their fundraising
activities…
Back in January, Sonia
Etheridge did a wonderful job
of organising a South African
dinner for around 80 people.
Members of YF were involved
in welcoming, cooking and
serving, all of which was done
to a high standard. The
evening also saw Revd Garth
Hewitt speak about work
going on in Durban, and we
4
were treated to some songs
written and performed by him
too.
Over 200 people gathered on
Saturday 16 March to enjoy
the Tiffin Swing Band, with the
concert’s proceeds going
towards HTC Youth’s summer
mission to South Africa. The
whole night was magical.
Guests were greeted by
members of the HTC youth
group who with
the
help
of
parent, Denise
E l m o r e ,
organised
the
whole evening.
During the night
the youth group
was also given
the opportunity
to share for a
few
minutes
about the work
they
will
be
doing in South
Africa.
The Tiffin Swing band,
including HTC’s Matt
Elmore, played jazz
and swing hits from
the 30’s and 40’s
which had everyone
tapping their feet and
even dancing in the
aisles! Drew Waller
said: “We were really
fortunate to have
Tiffin’s Swing Band as
a partner in our
mission to South Africa
and the night raised a
considerable amount of
money and awareness for the
good work going on in South
Africa.”
Members of YF have been
busy behind the scenes doing
odd-jobs for people in and
around Claygate. Emma Coy
said of the odd-jobs scheme,
“We’ve had three different
members of YF babysitting for
us and they have all been
brilliant! It’s been great to be
able to help them with their
fundraising.” Gerry Valter
said, “I’ve had a member of
YF come and wash my car
every three weeks. I feel in a
small way, that I’m helping
them get to South Africa to
fulfil the missionary work that
God is guiding them to do.”
IF you have any jobs for YF,
please contact Denise Elmore
denise.bill@googlemail.com
Faith in Action in Uganda
During her two month
sabbatical
at
the
beginning
of
2013,
Linda Morgan visited
our Uganda mission
partners in the remote
rural
community
of
Katete in South West
Uganda.
Linda went to stay with Faith
Aguha,
who
has
been
helping
people
in
her
community for many years,
via her ‘Faith in Action’
project.
She is currently
supporting 23 young people
through their school and
college education (five of
them through HTC), and she
has founded a growing
Anglican church that meets
regularly under the trees on
her land.
Linda said: “It was the most
wonderful visit. I was made
to feel so welcome. It was
really exciting to meet the
students we sponsor, and to
hear their stories. God really
opened doors for us while I
was there and some real
progress was made in the
dam-building water project
we have started.”
The community needs a
reliable supply of clean
drinking water and HTC have
teamed up with Christian
Engineers in Development to
build a dam. Linda spent
of a series of vital health
and hygiene sessions,
that
the
diocese
organised. This was the
first time the community
had ever received any
health education at
local level.
time
with
the
local
community to help progress
the water project at local
level.
At present the only source of
local water is a muddy pond
(pictured below), used by
both people and cattle,
which dries out completely in
the dry season.
The dam will provide clean
filtered for the people and
their animals right through the
year. We are now half-way
there to funding the water
project and have now
purchased the land on which
the dam will be built.
Faith actively develops
education in the community
as literacy levels are quite
low. She holds an annual
children’s
prize
giving,
following on from the Sunday
church service held on her
land.
Some 200 people
attended this year whilst
Linda was there, all of whom
received a much welcomed
meal.
This year Aidah
(pictured),
HTC’s youngest
sponsored student, received
one of the prizes!
Linda said “I thank God for
the generosity of HTC
members who by sharing in
God’s mission have enabled
these exciting developments
in Uganda to happen”
The local Church of Uganda
diocese is enthusiastic about
the water project and Linda
joined 100 villagers in the first
9
India Mission 2013
Living in the Word
Three church family members share their experience of our Lent Bible reading initiative...
Penny
&
John
Alpass report:
After many hours of
travel by plane and
a long and bumpy
bus ride, as soon as
we arrived at The
Rhema Garden, we
sensed immediately
we were in a happy
place and we came to
appreciate
that
this
happiness
was
a
true
Christian joy, sustained by
faith and nourished by the
Holy Spirit.
There were 14 of us in the
party, (including Bob and
Colleen Glendening, lately at
HTC but now in Salt Lake City,
USA).
Our aim was to
strengthen HTC’s link with the
work of the Rhema Garden,
and bring encouragement. In
the event we received much
more than we could give. We
joined in Sunday worship at
three of the churches Rhema
Garden supports, in the
poorest
communities.
At
each church there was the
8
be a difficult calling was
immensely impressive .
same warm welcome from
adults and children, with lively
singing, fervent prayer and
clear preaching - plus a
puppet show laid on by our
team!
Over the next few days we
settled into helping with the
regular
activities
in
the
Garden. We joined in early
worship and supported the
‘prayer warriors’ (a small
group
who
carry
out
sustained daily prayer for the
work of the Garden). One
day we joined in with
Rhema’s
medical
work,
providing primary care; the
clinic was open all day and
treated 264 people.
We also worked with the
group of fifteen theological
students who live on site and
are preparing to become
pastors in Rhema churches,
assisting them with their
English and sharing Christian
experience. Their faithfulness
and commitment to what will
Almost 60 children live in
the
garden,
mostly
orphans or near-orphans,
their care covered by
Rhema
supporters’
monthly
sponsorship.
Most of them attend
local schools. When they
returned in the evening we
played games, and tried our
hand at Indian dancing.
Jess Balding said: “A highlight
for me was the handprint
mural. The vision for this mural
was that although children
come and go, due to
different circumstances, a
Josie Darwin: “I’ve never read a Bible study guide before and I guess I
wasn’t even really aware that they existed so when shown Engage at YF I
bought it just for the sake of it, but wasn’t really sure where it might take
me. I can definitely say it was the best thing I’ve bought for ages! It has
really encouraged me to actually find the time to pick up my Bible each
day and enjoy spending time with God’s word in between heaps of
homework. It gives real structure to what I’m reading. Before I would
randomly flick through the Bible asking myself “Why am I actually reading
this?” Instead, the questions on each day help me to really focus on what
the passage is about and I can definitely see the impact that actually
really understanding God’s word, a little bit each day, is having on me
growing in my faith. I’m only on day 40 with 50 days to go but I’m actually happy about that! I will
definitely keep reading the Bible each day, for long after Lent has finished.”
Natalie Warren: “During ‘Living in the Word’ I bought two resources for Joseph aged 8, I purchased ‘The Book of Beginnings’ and for
Isabella aged 3 ‘Beginning with God’, to encourage them to read a
part of the Bible every day.
Joseph reads his book mainly at bedtime and loves it because it has a
puzzle to start with then a passage from the Bible. Then he says a small
prayer. It is a fun and active way to learn about the Bible. Isabella is
enjoying the stickers in her book and I read her a story most days at
lunchtime.
It has therefore helped us to explore the Bible together and Joseph
said, “it has helped us to pray together as a family which is great”. We will be carrying on with the
resources and hope that it brings us all closer to God”.
memory of them will always
be there at the Garden.”
All in all it was a most
humbling and memorable
visit; as Colleen commented:
“What an honour and a
privilege it was to work in
God’s vineyard!” For more
information or to support The
Rhema Partnership, please
email
jess.balding@rhemapartnership.org.uk
Michael Caporn: “For many years I took the Bible Reading Fellowship (BRF) notes; since then I have
been cherry-picking the Bible and although there are many gorgeous cherries, I needed a more
structured approach. For the ‘Living in the Word’ initiative I chose
‘Cover to Cover Every Day’. At first I was a little disappointed that the
readings were from the first book of Chronicles which seemed to be just
an A to Z of ancestors from Abraham to Zerubbabel, but of course this
was the flesh and blood of their history. Henry Ford may have said, “All
history is bunk”, but until you have studied the past, how can you
understand present-day Israel? I have enjoyed reading Chronicles’
account of David’s kingship.
A sermon can shine the torch of enlightenment onto the dark places of
knowledge, but reading and inwardly digesting can provide the
nourishment of understanding. I will certainly continue with these notes
in the future.”
5
Woolly Wonderful Fun!
During February half term,
109 children (school years
1-6)
flocked
to
the
‘Woolly Wonders’ one day
holiday club! They were
registered in the Sheep
Shed (Foyer) into sheep
themed
teams
which
included
Cas tl em il k
sheep, Jacob sheep and
Exmoor Horn sheep. Some
o l d e r
g r o u p s
really adopted the breed
names of their group as a
theme - the 'shaken but
not stirred' Bond sheep
and the 'Jamaica-Ram'
Dreadlock sheep!
The day was actionpacked from start to finish
as the children worked
together in their teams
playing ‘sheepy’ games in
the Paddock (Hall), as well
as
completing
team
challenges.
These
involved wrapping their
leader in a toilet roll and
decorating
their team
s h e e p
which they
proudly
displayed
on
the
s t a g e !
S h e e p s h a p e d
b i s c u i t
decorating
in
sticky
icing and
s w e e t s
which went
down
a
treat in the Shearing Shed
(Ministry Centre) as well as
making
cross
shaped
book marks! Each child
was given a Woolly
Wonders activity booklet
which they were able to
complete during the day
and take home with them.
This contained puzzles,
colouring and memories
of the club.
‘Together
Time’ sessions
were held in
the main hall
when all the
children
and
leaders would
come together
with the theme
of The Lost
6
his friends
as
an
e x am pl e
of
how
G o d ’ s
loves and
cares for
each and
every one
of us.”
Sheep (Woolly Wonders)
which was wonderfully
brought
to
life
with
puppet shows, complete
with cool adapted Beach
Boy and Beatles songs
and fun action songs for
the kids to join in! The
children also loved seeing
a couple of the leaders
getting covered in green
gunge in the 'Sheep Dip'!
Ingrid Johnson, one of the
leaders said: “We took the
children on a short journey
with our lovely puppets.
The main character was
Fluffy the Sheep and we
were able to use the
adventures of Fluffy and
T
h
e
children
a l s o
l o v e d
visiting
the Shepherd’s Hut (Prayer
Room) with
Shepherd
Andy Langley and learning
about
sheep.
They
discovered that sheep
have poor eyesight and so
depend on their hearing listening
to
and
recognising
their
shepherd's
voice.
As
Lorraine
Huff
explains
“Throughout the day the
message of the Good
Shepherd, who doesn't rest
until all His sheep
are safe and who
lays down His life for
the sheep, came
across very clearly.”
thoughts and messages in.
It was soon brimming with
jokes, pictures and lovely
m e s s age s
fr om
th e
children confirming that a
good day was had by all!
Reflecting on the day,
Andy Clifton writes: “The
one moment that stands
out for me was when I
summed up the story of
the lost sheep, the children
were completely silent and
very receptive to the
message, and I had a real
feeling that God was
speaking to the kids
through this story.
I would also like to give
credit to my puppet crew!
Becky Etheridge, Beth
Sadler and Mikey Helen; I
could not have done the
show without them, also to
Ingrid, who did a great job
up front. A final mention
goes to Stef Frazer and
Andy Howe for letting me
gunge them!”
A post box was
available for the
children to post
7