St. Andrew’s URC
Monkseaton, Whitley Bay
Volume 81, Issue 10
October 2015
Look at
this man
standing
before you
NEWSTAND is the church magazine of
St Andrew’s United Reformed Church, Eastfield Avenue,
Monkseaton, Whitley Bay. NE25 8LU
http://standrewsmonkseaton.urc.org.uk/
@monkseatonurc
standrewsmonkseaton
Church Payphone: 0191 297 1184
Features and Regulars in this issue of NEWSTAND
Musings from the Manse .............................................. 3
58 Society update — more dates for your diary .......... 6
Church Fair — your contributions are needed.............. 8
Charity Scheme 2016 — suggestions wanted ............ 9
Activities Team ............................................................10
100 Club results — and call for new members ..........11
Harvest Coffee Morning and Contributions ......... 12/13
Film Club .......................................................................14
Sheila’s Selection ........................................................15
Book of Remembrance ...............................................16
Northern Synod Prayer Diary ......................................17
Monthly & Weekly Duties and Newstand Dates .......18
Church Calendar............................................. Back Page
If you would like NEWSTAND in larger print
please contact Carole Mallett or Tim Cooke.
You can also download it from the website.
2
T
he waiting has ended: I’m now moved into the
Manse; the boxes are getting emptied; things
are finding their place; the Ordination has taken place, and
I’ve been inducted to serve St Andrew’s and the URC’s
Northern Synod. Guess we can all put our feet up now?! I
sincerely hope we can celebrate together the beginning of
this new chapter.
It’s certainly been a new beginning that has brought about a
large number of changes in my life – some which are easier
to accept than others. There are sorrows about people and
places left behind and deeply felt emotions about things that
have ceased to be part of my world. There are a few fears
about what the coming months will bring (let’s not think
about Christmas shall we?) and how we’ll get on together. I’m
sure that for some at St Andrew’s, there will be similar
emotions as we begin to walk this path together.
Musings from the Manse
Hello St Andrew’s!
But most of all it is an exciting time, full of challenges and
opportunities, energy and enthusiasm. The preparations for the
Ordination and Induction Service involved so many people open
to new ways of doing things and to new chances for welcome.
Involvement from within St Andrew’s, the wider United Reformed
Church, building users, uniformed organisations, ecumenical and
civic representatives all show that St Andrew’s has an important
part to play in being the United Reformed Church in Monkseaton
and Whitley Bay. The welcome extended to participants and to
guests mirrored that extended to me: warm, gracious and
extensive. On behalf of all those welcomed into St Andrew’s, a big
thank you.
More for the intellectuals and grammarians
3
As the big day begins to fade away, however, the job of being the
URC in this place doesn’t. The role of St Andrew’s as a place of
community remains: a place where communities interact with
one another; a place where communities gather; a place where
some communities come to an end, while new and vibrant
communities come into existence and flourish. It is as a place in
which people meet, stories are told, pains are shared, and joys
are celebrated. It is a place where young and old meet, working
and retired mingle, the desperate meet the hopeful, and the
sharing of bread and wine offers a welcome to something more
than we can ever make possible.
In my Statement during the Ordination service I focused on my
experience of Christian community and highlighted the role that
the dining table and the communion table had on my
understanding of welcome. As Christians, community happens
when we gather around the table of Jesus. It happens when we
are reminded of the Supper where Jesus sat not only with friends
but also with a betrayer; where he sat with those of simple faith
and those who didn’t get what was being said; where he sat with
those who squabbled about whether they were right and those
who never seemed to say a word; where he sat with the bold and
those who doubted what they could clearly see. The Disciples
were not united on everything and they certainly weren’t all alike.
Yet as a community they continued in remembrance of Jesus and
gathered around a table, joining together to celebrate the Gospel
message of hope and love.
When we eat around a table we are nourished together and learn
more about one another. When we share stories around a table
we get to understand what is important to people and what
If you jump off a bridge in Paris, you are in Seine
4
things we have in common. When we are invited to the table we
join those who are not all like us and we share in something that
unites. Fellowship is deepened and communities are
strengthened.
The place of a table as a focal point for Christian community is
accentuated when it is used as the central part of our celebration
of Communion. Its role as a dining table is much less clear. In
Communion a table is a meeting place of pain and suffering, old
and young, joy and sorrow, and where stories are shared of hope
and of love. A table is always a symbol to us of those encounters
and their many opportunities: always open to new welcome, to
new possibilities, to new ways of showing the presence of Jesus
in and to the community. Around a table the Bible can be read
and studied and the mystery of the Sacraments shared.
It is a simple yet exciting piece of furniture that offers
opportunities for new thinking, closer discipleship, and for
stronger fellowship and community. It is my hope that we will
have chance to do some thinking and some doing about the role
of the table in our life as St Andrew’s especially about how we
can meet new people around the table while also finding new
ways to highlight the table as a focus for our continuing Christian
discipleship.
As we embark on this new chapter together, we have exciting
times ahead. I look forward to being your Minister and to working
with you all as we build up the fellowship and share in the stories
and glories of God.
Blessings,
Matthew
When she saw her first strands of grey hair, she thought she'd dye.
5
58 Society Update
N
ot long now, only three weeks in fact,
before we recommence our
meetings, and we are looking forward to a
good turnout for the first one of the season (on
Monday, October 12th), when Revd John Wall will
deliver his quaintly named talk 'Unwrecked
England'. This will be followed on October 26th by
Andrew Clark telling us about 'Life in the 1930, 40s
and 50s', and then on November 9th Alan Spoors
will give a presentation entitled 'Incredible India'.
An update on the programme for the first part of
our season (as listed in last month's edition of
Newstand) is that the speaker for our meeting on 7th
December has now been confirmed - it will be Steve
Lowe from the Northumberland Wildlife Trust, whose
subject will be ' Marine and Coastal Wildlife'.
Our programme for the second half of the 2015/16
season is as follows:2016
January 4th
'Jellicoe of Scapa' - Professor John Derry
January 18th 'A Ski Touring Expedition in Greenland' Peter Talbot
February 1st Annual General Meeting
February 15th A talk by St Andrew's new Minister,
Revd Matthew Prevett
Santa's little helpers are subordinate clauses.
6
February 29th 'Gibside' - Geoff Hughes
March 5th (Saturday) Coffee Morning
March 14th
April 4th
'John Singer Sargent' - Rob Cunningham
Year-end Dinner and Quizzes
The starting time for our meetings is 7.30 pm., and we
look forward to seeing you there.
Carole Mallett
Secretary
A
Faith and Feathers weekend — 9 — 11 October 2015
weekend of bird-watching and Christian reflection on
Holy Island, led by Revd. David Peel.
Whether you are a novice, or a veteran birdwatcher, Faith
and Feathers is a weekend of good conversation and good
birdwatching. There will be plenty of time in our programme
to enjoy birdwalks in this special place and to relax with God.
Accommodation on Holy Island will be in the Lindisfarne
Hotel, the Crown & Anchor Pub, the Bungalow B&B, or Rose
Villa B&B. Cost is £220.00 per person, which includes all
birdwalks and programme items, B and B accommodation
and a packed lunch on Saturday. Arrangements have been
made for an evening meal on Friday at the Manor House
Hotel & Saturday at the Ship Inn (to be paid for individually).
More information from Rev Rachel Poolman, 01289 389254
Acupuncture is a jab well done.
7
Church Fair
We look forward to seeing as many people as
possible at the Annual Church Fair
Saturday 14th November
10.00am — 2.00pm
During the day, refreshments of coffee and
light lunches will be served.
The following items are required to stock stalls at
the Fair and contributions would be much
appreciated.







Bric-a-brac
Cakes for Cake Stall
Books, games and toys
Jewellery for the Jewellery Stall
Scarves for the Scarf Stall
New or nearly new clothes for the
Boutique
Prizes for the Grand Tombola
Once again, all proceeds will be in aid of church
funds and charitable works.
Ann Hammond
Activities Team
The roundest knight at King Arthur's round table was Sir
Cumference, who acquired his size from too much Pi.
8
Nominations to me, with some background information
on the charity if possible, by the end of November please
following which voting papers will be issued.
A reminder that the charities chosen for the current year
and to be presented in February 2016 are: Great North
Air Ambulance, Macmillan Nurses and Children's Heart
Unit Fund (CHUF), Newcastle.
Charity Scheme 2016
W
e are once again seeking from church members
suggestions of charities, preferably with a local or
personal connection, to receive the 10% charity money
which will be raised from the social events held during
2016 (to be presented in February 2017).
Ray Hammond
Your Church Magazine
Needs You!
You may notice Newstand
has got slightly thinner over
the past few months.
If you’d like to see it packed
full of more interesting
articles about church life
and the wider community,
please do consider
contributing something.
I thought I saw an eye doctor on an Alaskan island,
but it turned out to be an optical Aleutian.
9
Activities Team
T
his month the Annual Art Exhibition and Sale
organised by St Andrew's Art Club will be held
on Saturday 3rd October from 10 am to 2 pm.
St Andrew's Craft Group will also be having a stall
displaying their various crafts and taking orders plus the
Activities Team will be serving coffee and light lunches
during the day.
Fun and games take place later in the month when we are
holding a Games Evening (Dominoes and Beetle) with Fish
& Chip Supper on Saturday 24th October at 4.00 pm.
Tickets available soon.
On Saturday 14th November we have the Church Fair,
details of which appear elsewhere in Newstand.
Looking ahead to December, from Thursday 3rd December
to Saturday 5th December, Joseph and the Amazing
Technicolor Dreamcoat will be performed at St Andrew's by
Saturday Stage School - a production not to be missed!
Ann Hammond,
Activities Team
St. Andrew's Gilbert and Sullivan Society
presents
Merrie England
Love and rivalry in the court of Queen Elizabeth I
Wednesday 7th — Saturday 10th October from 7:15pm
Tickets from Ray and Ann Hammond
She was only a whiskey maker, but he loved her still.
10
ST. ANDREW’S 100 CLUB
August Draw
92 numbers went in to the draw on
23rd August 2015 realising £460
The Winners were:
1st
No. 52
Celia Purves
£138.00
2nd No. 54
Iain Ord
£69.00
3rd
Bill Waugh
£23.00
No. 31
£230.00 was given to Church funds
Kathleen Hopper (2522345)
The 100 club has now been running for 10 years and
was originally started in order to generate funding for
the church development of 2009. After completion of
the Development Project contributors requested that
the 100 club continue monthly draws with the fund
raising element passing directly to the church funds.
Numbers of contributors have, however, declined from
a high of 109 to 92 at the present time.
If you are not a contributor I should be pleased if you
would consider whether you would like to join the club
in order to raise the number to at least 100. Should
you wish to do so would you please contact me
(Kathleen Hopper) on 2522345.
11
Please join the Flower Team for coffee and cake as they
arrange the flowers for the Harvest Festival Service.
There will be a cake and preserves stall
Money and gifts (see next page) will be collected for
The People’s Kitchen
The People’s Kitchen Autumn Fair is on
Saturday October 24th from 12pm to 2pm
It is a chance to have a tour of the building in Bath Lane.
No matter how much you push the envelope, it'll still be stationery.
12
The People’s Kitchen gratefully receive all gifts,
but here is their
HARVEST FESTIVAL WISH LIST 2015
MAIN MEALS
Tinned meat– stewing steak, mince, corned beef
Tinned tomatoes
COOKING INGREDIENTS
Flour– both SR and Plain
Sugar
Salt and pepper
Cooking oil
Dumpling mix
DRINKS
Hot– Tea bags, instant coffee, drinking chocolate
Cold – fruit cordial squashes
NON FOOD
Washing up liquid
J Cloths
Washing up pads and scourers
Paper kitchen towels
Cling film and food bags
PERSONAL EFFECTS
T o i l e t r i e s – t o o t hb r u s h e s , t o o t hp a s t e ,
shampoo, shower gel, deodorants
CLOTHING
All good quality second hand (or new) clothing
Underwear, socks, hats, gloves, scarves
Sleeping bags for rough sleepers.
A dog gave birth to puppies near the road
and was prosecuted for littering.
13
soap,
St. Andrew’s Film Club
The film to be shown on Friday, 9th October at 2.00 pm is
Nebraska, a 2013 American black-and-white comedy-drama.
Hailed by critics as "a triumph", the film was nominated for
the Palme d'Or at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival, where
Bruce Dern won the Best Actor Award. It was also nominated
for six Academy Awards. The film tells the story of a father
and son embarking on a journey to claim a million-dollar
prize. "What begins as a fool's errand becomes a search for
the road to redemption."
As usual, there will be an interval when refreshments will be
served, including choc ices at 25p!
All profits from the Film Club are in aid of church funds and
charitable works.
Ann Hammond
Two silk-worms had a race; the result was a tie.
14
The harvest moon hangs round and high
It dodges clouds high in the sky,
The stars wink down their love and mirth
The Autumn season is giving birth.
Oh, it must be October
The leaves of red bright gold and brown,
To Mother Earth come tumbling down,
The breezy nights the ghostly sights,
The eerie spooky far off sounds
Are signs that it's October.
The pumpkins yellow,. big and round
Are carried by costumed clumsy clowns
It's Halloween - let's celebrate.
Pearl N. Sorrels
Atheism is a non-prophet organization.
15
Sheila’s Selection
It Must be October
Book of Remembrance and Church Register
The names of those we remember this month are
Charles Gordon Mallett
Edward Rye,
Eleanor Jackson
Isabella Fisher,
Henry Brandon
Mary Brandon,
Anne Robson
Jack Pearson,
Peggy Pearson
Hughina Simpson
Winifred Charlton
Winifred Emily Rye
Edith Robson
Joan Mary Forster
William Malcolm Dickinson
DEATH
WILKINSON
On 29 August 2015, Robert Edward (Ted),
aged 90 years.
Service and committal took place at Whitley Bay
on 18 September.
I wondered why the football kept getting bigger.
Then it hit me.
16
The last Sunday of each month is set aside to pray for
ecumenical partners in our region and our partner
church, the Presbyterian Church of Mozambique (PCM).
4
Mission Committee; Convenor Revd Meg Robb
11
Synod Meeting this week; Moderator's Secretary
Mrs Wendy Watson, Trust Officer Mr Andrew
Atkinson, Finance Officer Mrs Helen Hogg,
Ecumenical Officer Mr Andy Lie
18
Berwick; Crookham; Wooler; Chatton; Erskine &
St Cuthbert's, Belford & North Sunderland; Revd
David Herbert; Revd Mary Taylor
25
PCM: Churches of the Central Presbytery and the
Presbytery of the North - large tracts of the country
where Church and other resources are scarce; hopes
for good outcomes from elders' training; Bishop of
Whitby, Rt Revd Paul Ferguson
Revd Lis Mullen retires in the summer of 2016, and our
prayers are requested for the process of finding the next
Moderator for Northern Synod.
A sign on the lawn at a drug rehabilitation centre said
'Keep off the Grass.'
17
Northern Synod Prayer Diary
W
e remember week by week the churches of
the Synod, Synod officers, groups and
committees. Some significant dates in the year
are noted, and where possible churches are
placed near to their saint’s feast day.
Monthly Duties
Vestry Elder
Hazel Hall
Vestibule Elders
Ann Hammond, Ray Hammond
Stewards
Mavis Brown, Jeanne Kynoch, Eddie Gregson
Flowers
Ann Hammond, Una Ketteridge, Ann Sinclair and
Jenny Hooper
Weekly Duties
Sun 04-Oct-15
Readers: G Yarrow, S Anderson
Intercessions: Valerie Taylor
Tues 06-Oct-15
Prayers: Douglas
Sun 11-Oct-15
Readers: J MacLennan, B Burgess
Intercessions: Worship Group
Tues 13-Oct-15
Prayers: Carole
Sun 18-Oct-15
Readers: D McFarlane, A Stembridge
Intercessions: The Minister
Tues 20-Oct-15
Prayers: Ann
Sun 25-Oct-15
Readers: C Hales, TBC
Intercessions: Barbara Burgess
Tues 27-Oct-15
Prayers: Kathleen
Organ:
Paul
Organ:
Joy
Organ:
Helen
Organ:
Paul
Newstand Dates
November edition published
Sunday 25 Oct 2015
Hardcopy contributions in editor’s box
Sunday 18 Oct 2015
Email copy to standrewsnewstand@gmail.com Monday 19 Oct 2015
Earlier contributions are appreciated!
18
Church Contacts
Minister
The Revd Matthew Prevett,
revdmatthewprevett@gmail.com
253 2562
50 Beech Grove, Whitley Bay, NE26 3PL
Associate Minister
Secretary
The Revd Douglas McFarlane
4 Hamilton Way, Whitley Bay, NE26 1JN
Mr Raymond Hammond, annray@talktalk.net
3 Cauldwell Close, Whitley Bay, NE25 8LP
Mrs Ann Hammond
Assistant
Secretaries
3 Cauldwell Close, Whitley Bay, NE25 8LP
Miss Carole Mallett
54 Brantwood Avenue, Whitley Bay, NE25 8NJ
Treasurer
Assistant Treasurer
Gift Aid Secretary
Mr John Cook
16 Hawthorn Gardens, Whitley Bay, NE26 3PQ
Mrs Jenny Hooper
15 Brislee Ave, Tynemouth, NE30 2SQ
Mr Kevin Ames
49 Haddington Road, Whitley Bay, NE25 9XE
252 6925
252 3319
252 3319
252 1723
251 5086
—251 3016
cookelucy@live.co.uk
Community Elder & Mrs Lucy Cooke,
Hall Lettings
4, Kingfisher Way, Blyth, NE24 3QR
01670
354834
Newstand Business Miss Carole Mallett
Manager
54 Brantwood Avenue, Whitley Bay, NE25 8NJ
252 1723
Newstand Editor Tim Cooke, standrewsnewstand@gmail.com
and Online Comms 4, Kingfisher Way, Blyth, NE24 3QR
01670
354834
Disclaimer: Details of events, contacts and other material were correct at time of
publication based on information received by the Newstand publishing team.
The views expressed are those of the individual contributors and may not
represent the view of the URC, St Andrew’s Church Meeting or its Elders.
19
Open Door Coffee Mornings
every Tuesday and Thursday
from 10am to Noon
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
1
2
3
4
Tuesday
Wednesday
to
Saturday
Friday
Friday
to
Sunday
Saturday
Sunday
6
7
10
9
9
11
10
11
Monday
12
Wednesday
14
Friday
Sunday
16
18
Saturday
Sunday
Monday
24
25
26
Friday
30
Sunday
1
Tuesday
Thursday
Sunday
3
5
8
Monday
Saturday
9
14
CHURCH CALENDAR
Oct / Nov 2015
A short Act of Worship is
held in the Church Foyer
every Tuesday at 9.30am
Elders' Meeting
Friendship Club
Art Exhibition
Prayer Group
Communion Service; Revd Matthew Prevett
Messy Church
Executive Team Meeting
Gilbert & Sullivan Society production of 'Merrie
England'
Film Club — “Nebraska”
Faith & Feathers weekend on Holy Island, led by
Revd Dr David Peel.
Harvest Coffee Morning
Harvest/Parade Service; Revd Matthew Prevett &
Worship Group
Fifty Eight Society restarts. 'Unwrecked England' Revd John Wall
North East Women's Rally at St James's URC.,
Newcastle (men welcome too)
Coast Mission Partnership (Joint Elders) Meeting at
St Columba's
Friendship Club
Communion Service; Revd Matthew Prevett
Morning Worship; Revd Matthew Prevett
Games Evening with fish and chips supper
Morning Worship; Dr Ann Sinclair
Fifty Eight Society. 'Life in the 1930s, 40s and 50s Andrew Clark
Friendship Club
NOVEMBER 2015
Prayer Group
Communion Service; Revd Matthew Prevett
Executive Team Meeting
Elders' Meeting
Remembrance Sunday/Parade Service; Revd
Matthew Prevett
Fifty Eight Society. 'Incredible India' - Alan Spoors
Church Fair
7.30 pm
2.00 pm
10.00 am
10.30 am
11.00 am
3.30 pm
10.00 am
7.15 pm
2.00 pm
Lunchtime
to
lunchtime
10.00 am
11.00 am
7.30 pm
2.00 pm
7.30 pm
2.00 pm
9.30 am
11.00 am
4.00 pm
11.00 am
7.30 pm
2.00 pm
10.30 am
11.00 am
10.00 am
7.30 pm
10.45 am
7.30 pm
10.00 am