Rivertown United Reformed Church

Meanwhile the disciples were urging him, ‘Rabbi, eat something.’ But he said to them, ‘I have food to eat that you do not know about.’ So his disciples said to one another, ‘Surely no one has brought him something to eat?’ John 4:31-33

The disciples’ puzzled inability to understand is oddly endearing. Surprised to find Jesus talking to a woman, they didn’t, however, feel able to voice their disquiet. As she left, they set out the picnic, urging Jesus to join them. His response puzzled them even more, as he added metaphors of food and harvest to that of water.

The disciples frequently failed to understand what Jesus was talking about. They asked for explanations of parables. They rejected his warnings about his own death. When he spoke about the ‘yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees’, they thought he was talking about the bread they had forgotten.

As he washed their feet he told them, ‘You do not know now what I am doing but later you will understand.’ As he rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, they did not understand, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered – and understood. They didn’t understand – Luke says it, Matthew says it, Mark and John say it. Writing in the post-resurrection power of the Holy Spirit, they look back at their failure to understand, recording that Jesus kept on teaching them as they travelled with him, listened to him and watched him in action. He knew he was investing in their part in taking the gospel to the world.

The fruit of the Spirit is … goodness (Gal. 5:22)

In spite of nasty phrases like ‘goody-goody’ and ‘do-gooder’, there is something extraordinarily attractive about goodness.

There is a simplicity and transparency about ‘good’ people. Try peeling the layers off them, and you will find soundness all the way through. What you see is what you get.

Attractive – yes – but also in some ways disconcerting. More than any other virtue, perhaps, goodness throws into stark relief the pettiness, hypocrisy and inconsistency of most human beings. That is why the ‘goody-goody’ is mocked; he or she is ‘too good to be true’ and hence probably isn’t true, but is trying to suck up to someone, or win some advantage over others.

The scornful phrase, ’do-gooder’ is one that is often directed at Christians who engage in acts of love and compassion. Calling you a do-gooder lets me off the hook. I can suspect you of paternalism, of hypocrisy, of, in Jesus’ words ‘doing your “acts of righteousness” before men to be seen by them’. And I can then go on my selfish way with a (reasonably) clear conscience.

Dear Friends

Are you a hoarder or are you ruthless in throwing things away? Do you keep things just in case they might be useful at a later date or do you throw things away even though you know there is a risk that they might be needed in the future? Do you hold on to things because of sentimentality or do you see things merely as inanimate objects?

We live in a throw-away society today, much different from the way things were 50 or more years ago. Then items for the home were expected to last for many years and the purchase of new furniture such as a dining table and chairs or a sofa would be seen as an investment that would stay with the purchaser possibly for the rest of their lives. Then, TV sets were only just beginning to be commonplace and few homes had refrigerators or washing machines. Today, most homes have a wide range of domestic appliances and many have personal computers and other electronic paraphernalia. With the rapid change in technology we have experienced over the past few years, we now no longer buy items to last for a long time but buy them in the knowledge that when they wear out or break down we will be able to replace them with the latest version which is much improved on the “old” model we had.

The vacancy for Deeside pastorate (Rivertown URC, Garden City URC, Northop Hall PCW)is confirmed and the joint Eldership have created a profile that is available on request (e-mail chris@rivertown.org.uk) - updated August 2007. The revised profile is with the moderators. The three churches have created a small group to manage the process in the initial phase. If you wish to progress your interest please contact our interim moderator:

Contact: pete@peterandlesley.f2s.com

Update: we had a visit from a prospective candidate this weekend (5th and 6th April). We enjoyed a full programme with the candidate - a joint Elders (informal) meeting; a trip around the pastorate; a social gathering with tea and plenty of cakes where people from the pastorate were able to meet informally. The conclusion was two services - one at Rivertown in the morning and the second at Northop Hall in the afternoon. It is now in God's hands to enable and answer to the call to be answered.

Rivertown supports the Commitment for Life charity and Janet (our co-ordiantor) has created an information corner in Church to keep us up to date on events and concerns. Our Commitment for Life partner is The Occupied Palestinian Territories - look out for latest news on the wall and occupation and how these affect Palestinian people.

A notice outside Chichester Cathedral advertising lunchtime concerts said: “SANDWICHES MAY BE EATEN.” Someone had scrawled underneath: “SO IF YOU ARE A SANDWICH, DON’T COME.”

Seen scribbled in the dirt of a van which was a murky grey because of the winter weather, and was in need of a good wash, “ALSO AVAILABLE IN WHITE.”

A new Christian wrote to the Inland Revenue, “I can’t sleep at night so I am enclosing £100 I forgot to declare.” P.S. “If I still can’t sleep I will send the rest.”

Signing the register at a wedding the best man had difficulty in making his ball point pen work. “Put your weight on it,” said the vicar. He duly signed – John Smith (ten stone four pounds).

Many thanks to those of you who supported Pilots “Children In Need” fund raising evening and also for the donations given to us.

Lynda, Val and the Voyagers group organised the evening which was brilliant The children held a mini Eisteddfod which was so enjoyable. I give them all "first prize".

Menu for the supper

Leek and potato soup followed by welsh cakes and tea or coffee.

We held a raffle (thank you for the prizes donated), a Pudsy Bear scratch card game (winner to be announced after the BBC programme), guess the number of sweets (sweets given by Mrs Skilbeck and we thank her for this contribution) which were won by Joseph. Voyagers painted a Welsh flag, which was covered in coins.

We raised £140 to help Children In Need.

Thank you.

Rella Jones

If you need any information regarding the Churches Together please contact us and we will try and give you an answer to your questions. The next meeting is 23rd April - the AGM

On Sunday 20th November Rivertown joined in the country wide Bible Readathon to raise funds for HHI's latest project, to build a hospice in Sothern India for mentally disturbed people. We read from John's gospel (chapters 13-18) in two parts, 15 minutes before our morning and evening services. We exceeded our £150 target and recently sent a cheque for £200.

It is now confirmed that HHI will feature on Songs of Praise on Sunday 19th February.

Hot of the press - on Saturday 19th Novemeber the Deeside Silver Band won three out of three categories at a band competition. More of this story to follow.

The band use the Rivertown premises to practice and a number of the fellowship play in the band.

Congratulations.