Rivertown United Reformed Church

“Sorry seems to be the hardest word”

Let me be one of the first to congratulate – if that is the right word – the new Roman Catholic Archbishop, Most Rev Vincent Nicholls, on his new office. He has promised to raise the profile of the church, so that it plays a larger role in democracy. That is something that we should all support.

But - did you know you could be a priest without ever turning your collar round? Or even going to college? In fact all praying Christians (is there any other kind?) are priests. For the role of the priest is to be a go-between between God and God’s children. Not just the churchy ones – all of them. To pray for them when tragedies occur – but also when they themselves make a mistake. In Exodus ch 19 verse 6 God tells Moses that the fledgling Israelite nation is to be “ a priestly kingdom (RSV “a kingdom of priests”) and a holy nation”.

Deeside Pastorate Newsletter – May 2009

Are we afraid of being raised up? OR “Walk Tall!”

As you will know, I have been my current “lamp post” shape since the age of 13/14. What I must inform you now, with great shame in this part of the world, is that, apart from school, and maybe due to my sports experiences there, I have never been a rugby player, let alone a fan. Of course, there was a certain football team based close by, who succeeded, to my great delight, in winning the Cup and League “Double” during my Tottenham residence. But in rugby I faced one insurmountable problem – my shape, and my light weight. No stamina for running; half a tackle - and I was floored. (My brief attempts at boxing produced the same result!).

My first proper paid job (age 18-20) was as a Clerical Officer for what was then the London West Collection of HM Customs and Excise, based at Ebury House, 150 Victoria Street SW1.

Pilgrimage at a pace!

Greetings once again, and may the peace of God be with you. As you will know, Ruth and I took up the offer (from Ruth’s sister Heather, an Anglican parish priest in Leeds) to join a 10 day pilgrimage to the Holy Land, 1st – 10th February. I am grateful to the pastorate for allowing us to make the one-off trip; in due course a presentation will be forthcoming.

Since our return, many people have asked “How did the holiday go?” Well – yes, there were short ‘spaces’, such as the wonderfully peaceful sail across what was a millpond Sea of Galilee, in gentle sunshine. And the food throughout was wonderful and plentiful! And the company too (we were the only non-conformists in a group of 23)! But we were very busy! And we were following a tight schedule - we had to, to cover all the ground. We rose daily at 6.30 / 7am! We actually visited 19 churches, passing by with reference another 8!

Who cares?

Such are the pressures, the disappointments, the disillusionments abroad in virtually every field of working life today, that I believe people have neither the encouragement nor the energy nor the enthusiasm to care about their as much as they might. Part of the reason for this is surely the “Credit Crunch” as it is called, causing companies to fear for their future unless employees are put on short time or simply made redundant. There is the feeling that those at the top, however caring they may appear to be, however hard they might appear to be working to safeguard the company, they are basically trying to save their own skins first and foremost. People in every walk of life are feeling cynical, unappreciated – as if even their very best is no good because ultimately it will not save the day.

25th April

Over the coming weeks Rivertown fellowship will be asked to 'pos' their BIG QUESTION. What is it that puzzles them along their faith journey? What question remains unanswered or appears to be unsolvable?

Some of the questions will be incorporated into a Sunday service as we, together, explore what the answers might be - or maybe raise even more questions!

Several people from Rivertown attended an excellent evening at Dyserth to better understand the Vision4life process. On 30th January a number of us met at the Manse to consider some ideas emerging:

1. Using the NIBBLES at worship as a run up to the full Launch of V4Life
2. Having a Grand Event 4 times a year
3. A regular Tea Event

Although this report illustrates our current ‘thinking’ it will be further discussed by the Elders later in February.

Deeside Pastorate Minister’s Letter December 2008 / January 2009

Do you have “sacred spaces”? Moments you look forward to every year, times you almost feel you cannot do without? For me it has to be Christmas Dinner. (I have to be careful what I say next - this feeling could be deemed “sexist”!). No – what I mean is, that hour or two of supreme relaxation (and yes, we do try to make sure it’s that for ALL of us!) when, as a couple, a family, we can sit down together and say “this time is ours”. Quality time which, hopefully, will leave us all feeling more loved, more appreciated, more an essential part of the family.

People have an increasingly multicultural attitude to food these days We have for some years taken to Christmas Day salmon, easy and quick to cook. But what will the food air miles be for our Christmas celebrations? Much of the traditional fare hails from far afield across the ocean.

“Because I love them”

Greetings! It is so good to have settled among you. We are already starting to feel “at home”! And once again, many many thanks for all the wonderful expressions of goodwill – and all the hard and generous work that has gone into making the Manse such a lovely home. Thank you very much indeed!

It happened on a beach in Tenby, not long before we moved. We were 4 – Joanna our daughter, Ruth and I, and of course, 12 year old dog Toby. As we played with him on the beach, a couple came up to us and asked “Does your dog moult a lot?” “All the time!” I replied, “he must grow it again very quickly – and thickly – otherwise he would have been bald years ago!”

We are now truly in Autumn, as the green turns to beautiful shades of red, yellow, orange and gold.

On October 13th at 7.30 at Rivertown Church. The start of a six week programme to discuss the world we all want and discover how the Bible can help.

On Saturday 4th October we enjoyed a celebration to mark the calling of Rev. Colin Foreman to the Deeside Pastorate. The service was well attended and well received by all. Our time together included the necessary formalities but the overall feeling was of a special time together in the presence of God.

Our thanks go out to all those people who traveled far and wide to be with us and to be share Colin and his family's special day. People came from his recent pastorate in Milford Haven and others from past days at Rivertown. We were also pleased to see representatives of local and national government supporting us at this time.

Despite the difficulties caused by the roof work and scaffolding we managed to move from the induction service to a time to sharing and refreshments with relative ease!

Thank you to the people who presided, those who shared worship with us and a special thanks to those who took part.

The induction of Rev. Colin Foreman into the Deeside Pastorate (Garden City URC, Rivertown URC and Northop Hall PCW) will take place at Rivertown URC Chester Road West Shotton Flintshire on Saturday 4th October at 3pm.

DIRECTIONS

From M56 Manchester/M6

Follow M56 to the end then bear left onto the A5117 following signs for North Wales. There are currently extensive road works along this route. Follow temporary signs to North Wales until you join the A550. Soon after crossing over the River Dee take the next exit, sign posted Connah’s Quay. At roundabout take last exit right. Bear left through the traffic lights (do not turn left into ASDA) along Chester Road West for about ¾ mile. You will pass Deeside Leisure Centre on your right. Go through a set of traffic lights, passing Pizza Hut and B&Q on your right, then an ESSO garage and the St Ethelwold Parish Church on your left.