Around the Synod

AROUND THE SYNOD

December 2011

A printed version of this news is sent to each church with the monthly mailing

From the Moderator

Rowena Francis Dear Friends,

We are left holding the baby. This is clearly the case as we are pushed ever earlier into preparations for Christmas. It is also true of the Jesus story when the Christ born amongst us is left in Mary and Joseph’s hands, along with the people of
Nazareth, the Jewish race and indeed the whole of creation. And the ascending
Christ leaves us holding the baby of the new born church.

Even though parents may feel alone, rearing a child is always a shared experience.
If the African proverb, made popular by Hilary Clinton, is true that ‘It takes a whole
village to raise a child’ and God leaves us holding the baby then collaborative ministry is integral to the call of the God.

No one minister, or elder, visionary or prophet can grow a church or usher in the
Kingdom of God. Rather it is as each of us plays our part that such is grown. For the whole village does more to raise the child than the sum of individuals – in shaping, loving and giving space for the child to grow and be. It takes all of us to raise the baby of the Kingdom of God, birthed by the Holy Spirit.

This is why it is important that the baby of the church, the body of Jesus today and the coming kingdom of God is raised between us. In this there is terrible responsibility as well as great joy. It is not easy; there are different views as to how it should be done – through maintaining traditions or adapting to new realities, by being part of the wider culture or fundamentally challenging it. The good news is that while doing so we are held together in the arms of the God who is bringing healing and rebirth to the whole of creation. As we respect each other, value our diversity and
differing gifts and continue to grow in the shared vision of the prevailing grace and love of God the baby we are left holding will continue to thrive and so will we.

Delight in the baby you are left holding this Christmas and give thanks to God for all those who share the joy and burden of her care and nurture. And may the blessing of Christ, the baby born into our hands be with us this Christmas and always.

Shalom

Rowena
Synod Moderator

Formation Flying Synod Summer School

Ministers and key lay people are invited to explore collaborative and team ministry at The Windermere Centre from 25-28th June 2012. Information and booking forms are available from the synod office - or download here.

Thropton

On Sunday 20th November it was the last service at Thropton URC Church as it closes its doors and starts to worship with Rothbury Church. Revd Pamela Ward took the final service and it was very moving, but uplifting at the same time. Pamela and members of the church talked about many people in the past who have been involved in keeping the church going over so many years.

Pamela talked about not just closing a church but looking forward to new begin-nings and challenges. Life does change and we have to be prepared to go along with them to survive. There was sadness but also new hope and of course afterwards there was a magnificent buffet to mark this momentous occasion. As synod clerk I was very honoured to take part in the ser-vice. Thank you. I hope that your hopes and aspirations for your new journey will be rewarding and satisfying as well as spiritually uplifting as well.

Rhona Dunn

Church Events

St Columbas Church, North Shields will be having a Festival of Christmas Trees, alongside a Victorian Christmas market in Northumberland Square on Saturday 10 & Sunday 11th December. Why not join them to get into the Christmas Spirit?

A Winters Night Out (IN) - St George’s, High Heaton are having a family social in the church hall on 7th January with live entertainment. If you would like to go please give them a ring—they will be delighted to see you and make you welcome.

St Georges Church in Morpeth are holding an Advent Concert on Saturday 3rd December at 7.30pm. Performing will be the Mid-Northumberland Chorus and will include music from Handel’s Messiah. Tickets £6 including a mince pie and glass of wine– Just the right thing to get you started for Christmas.

St John’s URC Church, Wideopen are holding a Christmas Celebration event with the Bedlington Salvation Army on Tuesday 6th December 2011 at 7.30pm. This will be followed by a faith supper to be shared by the band members and the con-gregation. As usual there is no admission charge but donations will be given to the Salvation Army to support their work. We hope you can find time in your busy Christmas schedules to join us.

United Reformed Church, Northern Synod

SYNOD RETREAT

Tuesday 31st January—Thursday 2nd February 2012
at Shepherd’s Dene, Riding Mill

Three Voices—One Song

To act justly, to love tenderly and to walk humbly with our God (Micah 6:8)

Anyone from our churches interested in this wonderful experience
please contact Ruth Crofton—r.crofton@btinternet.com for further details

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Christmas is for sharing—why not share your Christmas lunch with someone who will not have one
or someone in your neighbourhood or church who are on their own

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United Reformed Church Northern Synod