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United Reformed Church
Issue #7 of Wheatley Area Newsletter
Horton cum Studley Oakley
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Beckley CHRISTIANS | | IN
| |
Stanton St John +----+ +----+
| | Worminghall
Forest Hill +----+ +----+
| | Ickford
Holton THE | | COMMUNITY
Wheatley | |
Horspath | | Tiddington
+---+
Cuddesdon Great Milton
Garsington Great Haseley
Little Milton
A monthly newsletter for Christians in the Wheatley Area.
To join or to send news: email Kevin1.Betts@ntlworld.com
Please forward to those who may be interested, or print off
for them if they have no email.
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| HEADLINES: Prayer & Vision Night, Easter Family Festival, |
| We are going for Gold!, Christian Aid Week |
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"Then the two from Emmaus told their story of how Jesus had
appeared to them as they were walking along the road and how
they had recognized him as he was breaking the bread. And
just as they were telling about it, Jesus himself was
suddenly standing there among them. He said, "Peace be with
you."" Luke, 24:35-36
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| ><> GOOD NEWS <>< |
| Building the Kingdom Locally |
+-----------------------------+-----------------------------+
><> Prayer and Vision Night 3rd March 2004 by Lucy Betts
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Over 40 Christians of all ages and from a range of villages
gathered at the Primary School to hear reports about what God
has been doing in the Wheatley area. Marty Woods from Fusion
spoke on his vision to see God's Kingdom coming and how we
can make this happen in our area. Reports were given on the
Festivals by Lucy Betts. Hilary Dunbar talked about
Children's work in the village and the plan to go to Legoland
on 15th May. Dan Evenhuis, a Fusion Youth worker talked about
ways of reaching young people and Danni Evenhuis talked about
a prayer network.
Specialist groups were then made to talk about Prayer, Alpha,
Older People, Festivals, Children and Youth Work. The groups
talked about their dreams and prayed together. A brief
feedback was then given and the evening ended in prayer.
Some of the comments from the evening were "encouraging and
stimulating", "great to be amongst so many Christians and
being able to share", "there are more Christians out there
than I imagined!" The steering group from the evening will be
discussing the feedback and there will be other opportunities
to meet together and take ideas forward.
If you would like more information please contact Lucy Betts
01865 875436.
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><> EASTER FAMILY FESTIVAL 27th March 2004 by Lucy Betts
+-----------------------------+-----------------------------+
There were face painters, balloon sculpters, kid's carpentry,
a bouncy castle, egg decorating, Easter bonnet making and
lots more at Wheatley Primary School. It was an afternoon of
free fun and activity and over 250 people enjoyed the event.
From 2 - 4:30 the main hall and outdoor square at the school
played host to lots of local families who were able to take
part in the craft activities and games and even a tug of war!
There was an Easter bonnet parade, a competition to win a
ticket to Legoland and prizes for the best decorated eggs.
The event was rounded off with a presentation on the stage
about new life and everyone was invited to the Easter
services at the local churches.
For the volunteers it was an opportunity to learn new skills
and make new friends as well as have fun and we were grateful
for all the donations given by members of the local churches
as well as some of the supermarkets in the area. It was a
wonderful witness to our community to be able to offer this
event for free and many are already asking when the next
event is!
If you would like to be involved in the next event please
contact Lucy Betts on 01865 875436.
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| ><> EVENTS <>< |
| Signs and Wonders |
+-----------------------------+-----------------------------+
Apr 24 (Saturday)
><> 7:30pm - Auction of promises for St Peter's Church,
Great Haseley Village Hall
Comedian Mel Smith, will be the auctioneer at Great
Haseley's Auction of Promises, to raise funds for the
village hall and St Peter's Church. Some fantastic
Promises have already been donated, including four rounds
of golf at the Oxfordshire, four rounds at Woodstock, a
side of beef, a visit to a film studio to meets the
stars, tickets for the Oxford Playhouse and tickets for
the Cotswold Wild Life Park. Further donations, which
would be gratefully accepted, can be made by contacting
Mrs D Mann, on 01844 279334, 45 Great Haseley, OX44 7JZ.
Apr 29 (Thursday)
><> 7:30pm - Christian Aid launch evening - URC, Wheatley
Speaker and refreshments, plus Fair trade wine - come
along and have a taste!
May 9 - 15
><> Christian Aid Week
Collecting at Welcome Break on 7th-9th, ASDA 13-15th,
and house to house - volunteers very welcome!
Carol Sprent (01865 872593)
May 15 (Saturday)
><> 10am - 6pm - Wheatley Community Family Outing to Legoland
May 16 (Sunday)
><> 6pm - Wheatley Area Churches Service - URC, Wheatley
May 24 - 29
><> Cuddesdon College Festival
http://www.oxford.anglican.org/rcc/
May 26 (Wednesday)
><> 7:30pm - Concert of Sacred Music, All Saints, Cuddesdon
Performance of Sacred Music by the choir of St Mary
Magdalen Church, Oxford for the 150th anniversary of
Cuddesdon College Tickets £7.50, £4 concessions.
Phone 01865 874404
May 28 (Friday)
><> 11:30am-1pm - Ripon College - Special eucharist to
commemorate 150 years of theological education in
Cuddesdon. Preacher: Richard Harries, Bishop of Oxford.
The Archbishop of Canterbury will be in attendance and
lecturing in the College in the afternoon.
May 31 (Monday)
><> 2pm - Wheatley URC Annual Fete
To be held at the house of Dr Flury, Church Road,
Wheatley. There are lots of events for the family,
beautifully maintained gardens, refreshments and a chance
to meet friends and newcomers to the village
Jun 5 (Saturday)
><> Little Milton Church Fete - Manor
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| ><> REQUESTS <>< |
| Ask and you will receive |
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><> We are GOING FOR GOLD! by Kath McNee
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Have you enjoyed some of the Festivals we have seen happening
in Wheatley? Well there's more coming ~ with heaps of
opportunities for you to experience some of the excitement of
being on THE TEAM!
Whether you are great with Kids or simply want to lend a
helping hand ~ let us show you the vast and varied ways you
can join us ~
Let us introduce you to the all NEW WICK Club
~ "Wheatley Inter-church Kids" Club! ~
For Children aged 5 - 11.
We are "Going for Gold" in the Summer Holidays!
August 24th - August 29th: 9:30am - 12 noon!
There's much to be done, much fun to be had, many different
and surprising roles to be filled! SO ~ Come join the team!
We need:
><> 'Security': Welcomers
Each morning we need to have a team of welcoming faces at our
door, issuing & collecting security passes on entry and
departure and giving parents and children confidence in the
day / weeks activities!
><> 'Runners'
Throughout the morning, there are always things that need
doing, and rather than take our Kids leaders away from the
children, runners are VERY useful to help the team run
smoothly. Much help is always needed when craft is involved!
No need to be crafty, just willing to help out.
><> 'Officials': Loving Grannies & Gramps
Hand in hand with children comes a need for a caring team of
loving people, ready to hand out a cuddle and a little bit of
TLC! Great to have some first aiders on team as well
><> 'Armchair supporters': Our Pray ~ ers!
Without people praying ~ we are simply entertaining the
masses! We would like a team of people to be praying as we
build up to the week, as we work with the children and after
the children return to their homes!
><> 'The Caterers': Morning Tea Servers
Refreshments are a vital part of our morning, another point
of contact with children that is always positive!
><> 'The Roadies' : Muscle Power
As we turn our school hall into a maze 'Olympic Villages and
Arenas', we need the muscles to make it all happen. Children
are going to WANT to come inside each day when they see their
Village!
><> 'The Media': Technical Experts!
To run a good programme these days, we need the technical
expertise on board as much as ever!
><> Runners /Support Coaches
Ever wanted to share a special moment with a child? Being a
support leader enables you to be there in the middle of the
action, but be under the guidance and leadership of a team
leader. A great opportunity for the youth of our community to
become involved!
><> Team Coaches
Our vision is to have a minimum of ten countries being
represented, with a maximum of 6 children in each country. As
such, we are praying that God will bring together ten team
leaders to lead these groups.
><> 'The Official T-shirt suppliers / printers'
We would like each child to get a T-shirt & team member (with
'Go for Gold' printed on it) and this will be worn throughout
the week. It aids in security and also gives a sense of
'belonging' to all the 'athletes and coaches'
><> 'Musicians'!
Always needed for an occasion such as this! Rock on!!!
><>.And our Athletes
.the children who join us for the week!
To volunteer or for further information, contact Kath McNee
on kathm@whereverweb.com or Hilary Dunbar on
dunbarhcd@hotmail.com
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><> Christian Aid Week, 9th-15th May by Carol Sprent
+-----------------------------+-----------------------------+
Although Christian Aid support in Wheatley jogs along through
the year, we do make a concerted effort to collect during
Christian Aid week. This year we will be collecting at the
Wheatley Services (Welcome Break) on Friday, Saturday and
Sunday, 7th-9th May; and ASDA on Thursday, Friday and
Saturday, 13th-15th May. We also do a house to house
collection, so we will be fully stretched. We would welcome
volunteers for any slots!
There will be an open evening to launch the Christian Aid
Appeal this year at the URC Hall on Thursday 29th April at
7:30pm. There will be a speaker and refreshments. I have lots
of material for young people and also for prayer groups. A
video too is available showing the countries and people whom
we are supporting this year. You are welcome to borrow it. I
would be please to hear from anyone who is interested in the
above.
"It's time to help people in the Third World to stand on
their own two feet." - Carol Sprent (01865 872593)
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><> Operation Christmas Child by Lucy Betts
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Who likes getting a present? I would imagine a majority of
people do! Did you know that in December 2003 over 10,000
shoeboxes full of gifts and practical items were sent from a
Watlington warehouse to Romania to children who are in need?
Many of the boxes were donated by individuals, churches and
schools as well as children's groups from the Wheatley area.
This project is organised by Samaritan's Purse, an
international Christian charity who run Operation Christmas
Child yearly whereby people across the world pack a shoebox
with toys, toiletries and sweets as well as a warm hat, scarf
or gloves and they are transported to needy children, who may
not receive any other Christmas gifts.
Our gifts in 2003 went to children in Romania and we are
already beginning to think about the task for collecting and
checking boxes for Christmas 2004. As there is a great deal
of organisation that needs to be done we start collecting
boxes in October and November and these go to the warehouse
in Watlington to be checked. Would you be interested in
becoming involved this year? We need people who would like to
make up a shoebox for a child and we also need some other
gifts that can be put in extra shoeboxes.
CAN YOU KNIT? We are always desperately in need of warm hats,
gloves and scarves for children aged 2 - adult. Would you be
able to start knitting some or do you have some wool and old
patterns that you could donate for knitters? If so please
contact me. We also collect soft toys and soap, toothpaste,
toothbrushes which can go in the shoeboxes.
If you would like to know more please contact Lucy Betts
(01865) 875436
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><> Meeting Point by Lucy Betts
+-----------------------------+-----------------------------+
Did you know that there is an open coffee morning on Saturday
from 10am - 12 noon in the Merry Bells every week? This is
run by Wheatley Area Churches and offers a warm welcome to
all and opportunity to meet up with others for a chat and
coffee and biscuits. All ages are welcome and it is a great
place to take a break from your shopping and meet other
people from the village. We offer Fairtrade coffee and tea
and look forward to welcoming you!
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| ><> LOCAL LINKS <>< |
| wwjd.com |
+-----------------------------+-----------------------------+
Revamped Wheatley Churches Website:
http://www.wheatleychurches.org/
The Parish Church of St James, Little Milton
http://www.littlemilton.org.uk/TheChurch.htm
Local Artist, Nicholas Mynheer:
http://www.mynheer-art.co.uk/
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| ><> REVELATIONS <>< |
| And finally... |
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Does anyone have any interesting photographs of past church
events in Wheatley? Your editor has volunteered to take on
the maintenance of the Wheatley Churches website, and while I
have added some photos taken of the churches this sunny
Good Friday (and borrowed images from existing church
materials - I hope that is OK!), the churches were empty at
the time! It would be great to show some real people too, and
leave visitors to the website with the correct impression
that we have a very lively church community here!
Please send any photos to Kevin1.Betts@ntlworld.com
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| ><> SMALL PRINT <>< |
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Christians in the Community is a digest of Christian
happenings in the Wheatley area and beyond. It is compiled by
Kevin Betts from information he gets sent. Submissions
deadline for next issue is May 8th.
Past issues can be found here:
http://www.wheatleychurches.org/newsletter/
(Un)subscribe or News to Email: Kevin1.Betts@ntlworld.com
Phone: 01865 875436
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