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September 2013
Beckenham United Reformed Church
www.beckenhamurc.com
SUNDAY WORSHIP
1st September Rev. Sue Powell - Holy Communion
8th September Mr. John Morley
15th September Mrs. Marion Bayley
22nd September Rev. Graham Thomson
29th September Major Cliff Kent
OTHER DIARY EVENTS
Wed 4th September 2.00pm Songs of Praise
Wed 4th September 8.00pm Elders
Tues11th September 2.30pm Crescent Club
Wed 18th September 12.30pm Luncheon Club & Songs of Praise
Advance Notice – Harvest & Harvest Lunch – 6th October
OUR VISION
Our vision is to glorify God and to serve God throughout our lives,
always open to God working through us. We seek to share the good
news of love, forgiveness and grace with all in our local community
through our actions and our prayers.
Donors Arrangers
1st Sept Helene Hill Rev. Sue Powell
8th
Sept Gladys Deat Pat Power
15th
Sept Muriel Aldcroft Muriel Aldcroft
22nd
July Available Marion Bayley
29th
July Available Monica Duncan
The Flower distribution is now going to be arranged on an ad hoc
basis, depending on who is at church that week.
Dear Friends,
What a lovely summer we have enjoyed.
The magazine is full of photographs of the various church
activities throughout the summer, so do make a point of
seeing if you can see yourself in them!
It has been a busy summer, with much happening, and I
thank all of you who have been involved in organising,
assisting, and taking part in all that we have done
together.
As we look forward to September and the coming autumn
with the changing leaves in the garden, it is good to take
some time to sit, perhaps in the garden, and reflect on all
God’s goodness around us.
“Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10).
In the midst of our world with all its war and turmoil; in
the midst of our lives with all the change and stress; in
the midst of all that life can be, God invites us: Be still,
and know that I am God.
As many of you know, the past weeks have been difficult
for me, and this verse has kept my strength secure. To be
still and know that God is there, whatever we face in life,
is quite something. In this midst of all that comes, we
have a God who invites us to be still – to take just a
moment to focus and balance ourselves in His love. It
takes just a few seconds to pause while cooking the
dinner, or before answering emails, or while out walking to
give thought to God. And as we give thought to God, we
can be inwardly still and gain that strength that only He
can give.
And so I invite you, be still and know God in your lives; be
still and focus for just a while each day – it is amazing the
difference it makes. Sue
FROM THE SECRETARY
This summer has for members of Beckenham congregation been a
very sad one. Our dear friend Beryl Leggett passed away about a
month ago. She had been a stalwart member of the Church for
many years and we all admired her determination in still attending
every Sunday. We heard that Sue’s Mum passed away at the end of
last week. She had been unwell for a long time and it is a blessing
she is now at peace. Sadly too, Henry’s daughter Rosie died from
rather an aggressive cancer. He was able to get to her funeral down
in Gloucester. Muriel’s brother Ian also passed away. He was a
member here many years ago until he went into the Merchant Navy.
He subsequently went into the Ministry and became a minister in
New England for many years. Our love and prayers go to all these
members and also to their families at this very sad time.
David Holmes has been home from hospital for the past few weeks.
He is confined to a wheelchair and very frustrated as he is unable to
walk. Marjorie and Dudley still manage to get to Church every
week, though Dudley is in respite care at the moment. Elma missed
her step coming down from the Apse, and fractured her foot, and
has for a few weeks had to wear a surgical boot. Fortunately she is
now walking normally again.
Otherwise everybody else is well and we do take away a couple of
happy memories of the summer! In June we had Roly the clown
come to take our Parade service. He was quite amazing with his
acrobatic skills, and the service was enjoyed by those who attended.
Some of our members went to the Holiday from Home at Hayes,
and had a wonderful time regaling us with their stories!
Muriel was the perfect hostess for the annual Crescent Club tea
party. Her afternoon teas are highly recommended!!
Let us hope for happier times as we settle back into our routine at
Beckenham. Gill Ross
“You don't know who is important to you until you actually lose
them.” ― Mahatma Gandhi
“Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no
one can steal.” ― a headstone in Ireland
Lectionary
1st Sept Psalm 81:1, 10-16 or Psalm 112; Jeremiah 2:4-13
or Sirach 10:12-18 or Proverbs 25:6-7; Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16
Luke 14:1, 7-14
8th
Sept Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 or Psalm 1; Jeremiah 18:1-11
or Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Philemon 1-21; Luke 14:25-33
15th
Sept Psalm 14 or Psalm 51:1-10; Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28
Or Exodus 32:7-14; 1Timothy 1:12-17 or Luke 15:1-10
22nd
Sept Psalm 79:1-9 or Psalm 113; Jeremiah 8:18-9:1
or Amos 8:4-7; 1Timothy 2:1-7; Luke 16:1-13
29th
Sept Psalm 91:1-6, 14-16 or Psalm 146; Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15
or Amos 6:1a, 4-7; 1Timothy 6:6-19; Luke 16:19-31
September Coffee Money goes to – MIND
Mind won't give up until everyone experiencing a
mental health problem gets support and respect.
Every year, one in four of us will experience a mental
health problem. But hundreds of thousands of people
are still struggling to get the support they need, still
unable to access the services that could change their life, still facing
prejudice and misunderstanding.
Mind believes no one should have to face a mental health problem
alone. They’ll listen, give you support and advice, and fight your
corner. And they’ll push for a better deal and respect for everyone
experiencing a mental health problem.
Through their network of local Minds also provide direct support to
almost 250,000 people each year.
Revelation 21:4
“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no
more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain
anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
PRAYER FELLOWSHIP
Bread is a lovely thing to eat –
God bless the barley and the wheat.
A lovely thing to breathe is air –
God bless the sunshine everywhere.
The earth’s a lovely place to know –
God bless the folks that come and go.
Alive is a lovely thing to be –
Giver of life, we say “bless thee”.
For all the rich autumnal glories –
the flaming pageant of the ripening woods,
the fiery gorse, the heather-purpled hills;
the rustling leaves that fly before the wind
and lie below the hedgerows whispering;
for meadows silver-white with hoary dew;
the first crisp breath of wonder in the air;
and for Summer sun and heat that linger on
we thank you Lord.
September is a time of new beginnings – children starting
school or changing classes; young people going to
university or starting work; parents facing an “empty
nest”; returning to homes and work refreshed by holidays;
joining a new club or taking up a new hobby.
Lord, we ask you to be them all.
Amen
Tribute to Beryl Leggett
Beryl sadly died at the end of July. Besides my having many happy
memories of her as a neighbour and an extremely good friend, she
had been a faithful and stalwart member of our Church.
Over the years, Beryl was involved in all aspects of Church life.
Besides being an Elder, she was Assistant Church Secretary and
Elders’ Minutes Secretary and attended many meetings of, at the
time, a thriving Church. It was a pleasure to have Beryl on any
committee as she was knowledgeable and wise. We always
welcomed her words of wisdom!
Following the retirement of Rev’d John Taylor, she became the
Registrar for the Church for weddings and Baptisms - a position that
she only relinquished last year.
For many years she was a member of the Church Choir, sitting next
to her great friend Bette Nicholson and she was a regular bible
reader. Beryl was willing to help with the cooking if there were any
big occasions for which to cater and, for Church fairs, made small
Christmas cakes which never ever made the cake stall as we all
bought them as she walked through the door! Her talents were
endless.
Beryl thoroughly enjoyed our more social events and in latter years
was a regular on the “naughty table” from which gales of laughter
were frequently heard!!
I have a photo taken of Beryl at our Centenary Pageant looking
extremely elegant in a Victorian dress. But Beryl always looked
smart and elegant even when she struggled into Church with her
trolley carrying her portable oxygen!
We have all had much admiration for Beryl over the past years as
we have watched the deterioration of her health. Church meant a lot
to her and sheer will power (and stubbornness?!) made sure she
attended every week - until last October when it became too hard,
except for special events like Christmas.
We are missing Beryl but know that now she is out of pain, can
breathe properly and is reunited with her beloved husband, Eric. I’m
sure that she is urging us all forward and smiling at the antics of her
“naughty” friends.
Gill Ross
ROSEMARY JANE TILLEY 1954-2013
The Tilley family started coming to the Congregational Church in
Beckenham when Rosie was baptised here in 1954. Her sister Margaret
started straight away and Rosie herself joined Bob and Margaret in
1956, aged two and a half. She continued till she left for university.
Monica Duncan writes:
Not many of our present church members would have known Rosie; I
well remember the Tilley family when they first came to the church.
Rosie was a lovely bright girl who attended Beckenham Grammar
School for Girls (as it then was), and then went on to Keele University,
(as did Margaret and Bob). Keele in those days was a four year course.
Rosie chose Politics and American Studies with Law and Maths as
subsidiaries.
While at university, she met Nick Wright, her future husband, and
followed him to Australia, when he got fed up with banking. They lived
in Canberra, the Australian capital, for over ten years and both acquired
Australian citizenship. Rosie’s main job was for the national teachers
trade union, where she made many government contacts. Nick was
working for the department looking after aborigine interests. As a
sideline they both began to work on a computer software package,
aimed at improving the English of businessmen, eventually naming it
Stylewriter. Peter, their business partner, was the technical wizard.
They decided to come home to England, settled in Gloucestershire, and
concentrated on marketing Stylewriter. Their business received a boost
when President Clinton berated the American civil service for its
sloppy English, and Stylewriter is now sold all over the English
speaking world, and to many Chinese and Japanese businessmen.
Rosie and Nick had two daughters, Anna, who has just graduated from
Liverpool University with a degree in architecture, and Alice, who has
spent two years training to be an actress. Our thoughts and sympathy
are very much with Henry and his family at this sad time.
Henry tells me the family were amazed at the size of the congregation
at Rosie’s funeral. A large church was full with perhaps 300 people,
including several from Australia and old friends from university and
her Beckenham schooldays. One of several eulogies was given by her
Beckenham boyfriend, with whom at 15, she used to go to the Three
Tuns to hear David Bowie, the future Ziggy Stardust. Both her sisters
said they had learned more about Rosie than they had ever known.
Although Rosie was married she was always Rosie Tilley, fiercely
proud of her family.
Monica C Duncan
An extract from Keat’s poem “On Death”, was read Rosie’s funeral
service by her daughter Alice :-
Can death be sleep, when life is but a dream,
And scenes of bliss pass as a phantom by?
The transient pleasures as a vision seem,
And yet we think the greatest pain’s to die.
How strange it is that man on earth should roam,
And lead a life of woe, but not forsake
His rugged path; nor dare he view alone
His future doom which is but to awake.
Holiday at Home
Another year and the “Beckenham Belles” i.e. Sheila, Hilda, Helene
and yours truly went off to Hayes Free Church for our Hols!
What a week with quizzes, talks, organ recitals, flower arranging,
games, pottery, and painting. Mid week we went to Clandon Park,
near Guildford, the Palladian House owned by Baron Onslow, and
still lived in by the last member of the family. In its day it must
have been the best of fine living, with 24 servants at your beck and
call, plus ground staff to keep the gardens going. Thursday we had
a sing a long with Roland and Dave, which was really good, and the
last day we had a film – Top Hat, with Ginger and Fred.
The holiday gets better each year and we thank the Rev. Sue Powell
and all her merry band of volunteers who made it possible. We also
thank Hayes Free Church for making us feel so welcome.
Then we finished a successful Crescent Club year with a garden tea
party in Muriel’s lovely garden. We look forward so much to that
event and cherish the fellowship, and praise our dear Lord for all his
blessing.
We need to pray for the members of our church who are in poor
health, and give thanks for the life of our dear Beryl Leggett. She
was a lovely lady and will be sadly missed. She is now at peace and
free from pain. We are all the better for having known her.
Patricia Power
OFFERINGS
The offerings during June & July were as follows-
June 2 £287.00
June 9 £166.70
June 16 £203.00
June 23 £144.00
June 30 £257.85
July 7 £180.50
July 14 £156.10
July 21 £197.00
July 28 £294.10
The after service coffee collections during this period were as
follows:-
Sense £102.70
School bus in Kenya £75.75
It was agreed by the Elders that the sum raised for the school bus be
increased to £250 from church funds. This was the sum suggested
from donors. I have now heard from Rev’d David Bedford who, you
will recall, went to Kenya and was organising the money raising and
he tells me that with our funds they have now reached the target and
by the time you read this the bus will have been purchased in Kenya.
David sends his grateful thanks to all who contributed.
Anthony Bayley
A MELODY OF FLOWERS St. Andrew’s United Reformed Church Brockley
presents a
Floral Demonstration By Graham Harmer, S.F.Dip, Florist & Chelsea Gold Medalist
Assisted by June Ford and the Choir of St. Andrew’s
Saturday, 12th October 2013 at 6.30pm
All Proceeds to Christian Aid
Light refreshments sponsored by the Co-op Funeral Directors Tickets: £10 for adults : £8 for children over 16
available from: Shirley Rochester 020 8690 2198/ 07946467555
and on the door
Beryl Leggett - A Family Tribute
Wendy Roberts, Beryl’s daughter, gave a moving tribute to her
mother at the funeral service. The following is an edited version of
that tribute:
“My mummy: My mummy wears her hair up and has very red
nails”. When he was little Paul wrote this at school which Mum
read at a parents’ evening. I remember it because she came home,
mortified at the image it seemed to paint!
But truth to tell he was spot on, because our earliest memories are of
a beautiful, elegant lady, slim with swept up hair that reached to her
waist when let loose, who took great pride over her appearance.
She worked at this. She was a terrific dressmaker and she made us
both clothes. She was way more practical than our father and when
she wasn’t dressmaking she was laying carpet, decorating,
gardening, trimming poodles and cooking. She was also a
wonderful, adventurous cook; we ate very well in the warmest and
most loving of homes.
And when she was doing all these tasks she would often talk about
her childhood in Nottinghamshire and her younger twin brothers,
Marshall and Trevor. I think she was like a little mother to them
and I loved to hear the stories of the tricks that they played and of
their antics that certainly one of them got up to in the Army.
Mum would also tell us about her first job working as a secretary
for the Duchess of Portland. This just added to her glamour and I
relished the stories she told of visiting Eastern European princes and
wonderful social events. She was excellent at her job…. the
Duchess thought the world of her, as was evident when the Duchess
accused Dad of stealing her away.
Mum and Dad met when Dad was a reporter covering a garden
party where she was with the Duchess. Mum did not marry a foreign
Prince but a prince among men ….our father. He adored my mother
and they enjoyed a long, happy marriage. They were each a
steadfast support to the other through the happy years of creating a
secure and loving family and working, Mum as a highly regarded
medical secretary. And when it really mattered they supported each
other through illness which both of them bore with incredible
bravery and utter, selfless devotion.
In return Mum was loved by two families, who in turn were devoted
to her.
My husband Dave remembers how welcome Eric and Beryl made
him feel when he first met them and the meals that Beryl used to
cook for me to take to him in his flat which, contrary to what he
thinks…I never tried to pass off as my own. I reasoned that an
excellent mother in-law was a plus point in my favour.
We had many holidays together when Dave and I lived aboard in
the Far East and San Francisco and it was so much fun to expose
them to new experiences. We even persuaded Beryl to have a
gamble in Las Vegas where she proceeded to win enough for a
superb meal for all of us. This must have spurred them on because
then they went off and had exciting holidays themselves to Egypt
and Sri Lanka.
Dave and I also remember with pleasure Mum’s involvement with
our daughters and the invaluable help Mum and Dad used to give
me so that I could go back to work…the Monday night meals they
brought round to our house to cook for us and looking after the girls
when they were off school.
Mum took immense pride and joy in her four grandchildren, Claire,
Jonathan, Charlotte and Sophie, in their many achievements and in
the fine young adults that you see here today.
Mum’s legacy is as a role model, and I would urge my two girls,
along with their special memories, to remember her dignity,
fortitude, love and kindness and to try to follow her example. My
mother was a private, dignified lady who didn’t make a show of her
feelings but at her core was a strong and abiding faith which
coloured every aspect of how she conducted her life. Many of her
friends have told me that this was a shining example to them and I
have enjoyed immensely reading the kind things that you have said
about her.
I take comfort in knowing that now it is as it should be, Mum and
Dad are together leaving us with a life time of precious memories to
draw on and cherish.
In his own words, my brother Paul would like to add some of his
thoughts on what made Mum so special to everyone who knew her:
My first memories are when I was five and suffering from a series
of ear complaints that went on for a year, in and out of hospital.
Ill children are always a challenge but all I remember is the warmth,
compassion and love that she gave me night and day and not a year
of pain.
To Mum, family was everything and she was delighted when I
announced that I was to marry Carol. She and Dad were genuinely
delighted and Carol has played a major part in Mum’s life ever
since. I am so pleased that Claire and Jonathan had the chance to
spend a good part of their lives knowing Mum and she gave them
nothing but complete love and support in anything they did. Mum
and Dad always involved themselves as much as they could
throughout their lives, whether coming on holiday with us in the
early days to give us some time for ourselves, babysitting or just
telling them the embarrassing stories about me when I was young.
Mum has had a profound effect on all our lives and, once the pain of
loss has subsided, we will all look back with immense joy on the
great times we had together.
CRESCENT CLUB
10th
Sept Bring an Item you cannot bear to part with.
1st Oct Mrs D Larcombe " A Journey to India"
BROMLEY BOROUGH FOODBANK
Currently the most necessary items are as follows:
Milk (UHT or powdered) Sugar 500gram packets
Fruit juice (Long-life carton) Potatoes (Tinned)
Sponge pudding (tinned) Cereals
Rice pudding (tinned) Custard (tinned)
Tea bags/Instant coffee Tinned meat/fish
Tinned fruit Jam
CHRISTMAS FAIR
I know I am writing this in August but this is an early advice that
this year our Christmas Fair will be held on
Saturday morning November 30. Make sure you
book the date in your diaries and tell all your
friends. Full details will follow nearer the time.
Anthony Bayley
SYRIA CRISIS
Following our recent collection for the above, the following is an
extract from a letter I have received from the Chief Executive of the
Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC).
“Today, helped by your generous gift of £105 to the DEC Syria
Crisis Appeal, thousands of families who have been driven from
their homes by fighting across Syria now have real hope for the
coming months.
A return to their cities and towns in Syria still seems a long way off.
But for the first time in over a year many can now look forward to
the possibility of decent shelter, regular food, proper sanitation and
basic medicines.
When I visited refugee camps in Jordan and Lebanon in early
February, hope was in short supply. Despite the relative safety of
the camps, many of the refugees remained traumatised and terrified
after what they had been through. The countries hosting the refugees
have done their best but the sheer number of people forced to flee
Syria simply overwhelmed them. The result has been an acute
shortage of vital supplies.
But you, and thousands of other kind people across the UK, have
helped to provide those who have fled their homes with the prospect
of food, shelter, warmth and vital medicines. And you have shown
them that the outside world not only cares about their plight but will
act to help them.
As I reflect on my own experience in Jordan, and the people I saw
there, I can’t help but think of the 5 year old boy, Omar, who I met
in the food queue. Omar’s main concern was getting food on his
plate. Meanwhile his mother and father told me they were worried
about where they would find shelter.
Thanks to your generosity, I’m confident Omar, his family and
thousands more Syrian families who have fled the violence in their
towns and cities can face the future with far greater hope than when
I saw them last. Thank you.”
A.M.B.
Copy for the October Outlook by 22
nd
September please.
BECKENHAM UNITED REFORMED
CHURCH
Oakhill Road (off Crescent Road)
Minister Rev’d Sue Powell 020 8462 2212
Secretary Mrs G Ross 020 8650 2959
Treasurer Mr. A. Bayley 020 8402 2563
Outlook Editor Mr J Ball 020 8659 5337
Asst. Editor Mr A Bayley 020 8402 2563
Organist Mr. D. Holmes 01689 838967
Church organisations
Crescent Club Mrs. M Aldcroft 020 8650 9518
Luncheon Club Mrs M Duncan 020 8658 3309
Brownies Mrs. M. Watson 020 8650 4536
Rainbows Mrs M Sloper 020 8658 2834
Pilates Monday 19.30 – 20.45
Tuesday 09.30 – 13.15
Friday 09.30 – 12.00
U3A Arts Class Monday 14.00 – 16.00
Janie Harris Ballet School Monday 15.15 – 19.30
Tuesday 16.00 – 21.00
Friday 16.45 – 19.15
Saturday 08.00 – 15.45
Montessori Mon - Fri 08.30 – 12.30
Jazz Dance Monday 17.15 – 18.30
Thursday 16.15 – 20.15
Saturday 09.15 – 12.30
Tai Chi Chuan Monday 20.00 – 22.00
Spanish Dancing Tuesday 20.00 – 22.00
Saturday 14.30 – 16.30
U3A Guitars Wednesday 14.00 – 16.30
Rainbows Wednesday 17.00 – 18.00
Brownies
Thursday
18.30 – 20.00
For lettings apply to Mr. Anthony Bayley 020 8402 2563