High Cross Church, Knoll Road, Camberley, GU15 3SY

Telephone: 01276 66798

Email: highcross.office@gmail.com

Web: highcrosscamberley.co.uk

Message from the Manse

Life at High Cross is never dull, and there is just so much

going on. We are truly blessed by God who keeps

challenging and loving us. This last month we have been

delighted to celebrate with Helen Everard as she was

Ordained and Inducted as Minister at Wonersh URC. ‘Rev

Ev’, you go with all our prayers and best wishes, and we

hope we will still see you around at your High Cross home!

We were also delighted this month to host our biannual Community Networking

Lunch. We had over 70 organisations represented, and 90 individuals attended.

Many connections were made and organisations linked together that would not have

ordinarily met. It was also brilliant to be

able to train everyone there as a

‘Dementia friend’. We will host the next

one on 1st April. A video of the day is

available on the website.

Whilst we think about the website, we

have

launched

a new

fresh

look. Please log on and tell us what you think.

Maybe you’re even reading this on the website. We

need feedback, and want to keep the site as fresh as

possible.

As we rapidly approach Christmas and 2020 our 30th

Anniversary year, there are a couple of events in the

calendar worth noting!

15th November-15th December, is a chance to follow

the High Cross Sheep Trail around Camberley, collect

all the names and win a prize, and then come back on 15th December to learn about

the journey the sheep went on!

Sunday 24th

November, is the date

to bring back and

money raised for our

30th Anniversary

5/10/15 appeal.

A date you must keep free is the Joint Church Weekend

with Woking URC, 24-26 October 2020. Please put the date in your diary and look

out for the booking forms.

Anyway, as we come into darker nights and cooler weather, may the light of Christ

continue to shine from each of you, and from High Cross.

Mike. High Cross Church ‘A Church at the heart of Community’

It has been a delight over the

past few months to lead

services at Pembroke House

on the 4th Sunday of each month. These are well attended by residents and families

of both Pembroke House and Stokes Lodge.

The service lasts about 30 minutes and includes 3 hymns, readings and a thought for

the day. Before and after the service refreshments are available from the lovely

café.

All are welcome to attend, and to show that High Cross is ‘A church at the heart of

community’.

Service Dates:

2019 - 24 November, 22 December - Carols!

2020 - 26 January, 23 February, 22 March, 26 April, 24 May, 28 June, 26 July,

23 August, 27 September, 25 October, 22 November, 20 December – Carols.

Morning Worship with communion: 9am

Morning Worship: 10.30am

All are welcome

Service to Ordain Helen Everard as Minister of Word and Sacraments and

her Induction to serve at Wonersh United Reformed Church.

Saturday 5th October 2019 at 3pm

The service was led by the Moderator of the Wessex Synod, Rev Clare Downing,

prayers by Rev Lucy Brierley (Minister of Woking URC) and by Rev John Grundy. Rev Dr Tim

Mountain represented Northern College, where Helen was based for her 4 years of training.

He led a responsive reading and Glynis read from Colossians. Rev Ruth Dillon set the scene by

leading a statement of the United Reformed Church.

What a great privilege and joy it was to attend this memorable service! Helen looked

wonderful in one of her new clerical shirts, adorned with a gold cross given as a gift from High

Cross Church, Camberley. She was supported by members of her own family including the

music band made up entirely of family members. Friends and members from Woking and

High Cross Churches and many friends who have taken part in Helen’s ‘journey’ were there to

share in the celebration. Our own John Wood played the organ for all the hymns.

Helen has been called to serve as chaplain to the Wessex Synod Moderators and to

serve as Minister of the U.R.C. church in the village of Wonersh. Both roles will be part time.

Her new church is about 30 minutes drive from her home in Mytchett, depending upon traffic!

Helen was welcomed to the church without reservation. How blessed they are!

The preacher for the service was Rev Graham Hoslett who gave us all plenty to think

about. He asked questions such as ‘What are our chances of being abducted by aliens?’

‘Being struck by lightening?’ ‘Being eaten by a shark?’ ‘Winning the Lottery?’. All these

questions led to us being asked to consider our chances of being called by God. We give many

reasons for it not being us. ‘I’m too small’, I’m too insignificant’, ‘Surely God could never

really know or care about little me?

Graham had begun his address with 3 juggling balls which he attempted to juggle

above Ruth Dillon’s head! He made the point that a big part of ministry is learning to juggle

Ministry, Family and Jesus. I think he would have liked to try with a fourth ball for ‘Self’ but

his juggling skills weren’t up to four! He did stress the importance of ‘Self’ and that Helen

must never forget that. However, she must not forget Jesus, as it is easy to do when

swamped by everyday events. Graham said to Helen, ‘Don’t be one of the Many! Don’t make

it your aim just to have an effective ministry. Make it your aim to stay in love with Jesus and

serve him, however effective your ministry may be’.

He continued that we were there because Helen has been called and chosen by God,

anointed and filled by Him for a very particular work, a very particular calling. He referred to

the first reading from Isaiah 61, ‘The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord

has anointed me…’

Graham went on to tell Helen that she need never be afraid because however

difficult situations may be, God is in control. All things were created by Him and for Him. He

said, ’All things are His, and you are His’ Don’t be afraid. (referring to Colossians reading).

Graham then went back to his circus theme referring to his admiration for trapeze

artists (Flyers). He explained that it was the skill of the ‘Catcher’ that is key in these acts. The

Catcher both starts the swinging and tells the Flyer when to fly. The Flyer needs to trust the

Catcher to keep him from falling. His message to Helen was ‘Let Him be your Catcher. Trust

in Him for all things.

Helen was first presented to the Moderator for Induction by Wendy Dunnett, the

Interim Moderator, then spoke eloquently about her life. She grew up in a happy Christian

family who regularly attended the Congregational Church which later became the United

Reformed Church. She and the family were all involved in the life of the church. At Bristol

university Helen met Alex her husband and they went on to have four children, Caroline,

Michael, David and Laura. She mentioned that Alex is a practising Catholic, which has

presented them with a number of challenges that they have overcome as a family.

Helen spoke about her call to ministry at first being called to study to become a URC

local preacher, which she did successfully. However, God had more plans for Helen.

Increasingly she felt the call to train for ordained ministry and was encouraged by friends

and family recognising her talent and potential. So, after successfully being selected as a

candidate for ministry of Word and Sacrament, Helen began her four years of training based

at the Northern College, Manchester which meant a long train journey loaded down with

books to read (or not) for 6 weekends a year, and placements at Ash Vale, Frimley Park

Hospital and 2 years at Woking URC.

Helen went on to thank her tutors, colleagues, friends and her family for all their

support and encouragement. She looks forward to undertaking her new roles, recognising

her need for guidance from God. Helen’s faith and conviction shone throughout her

statement as she ended with the quote,

‘We are not called to do extraordinary things but to do ordinary things with

extraordinary love’

We all stood while the Moderator led the

‘Affirmations’.

Helen made her promises in response,

the congregation made their promises and

members of Wonersh URC made theirs.

We then had a moving moment when we

all stood for Helen’s induction and ordination and

the laying on of hands. She was then presented

with symbolic gifts from Wonersh URC.

After more lively music from the family

band as we sang ‘Build Your Kingdom Here’, Helen

offered the Dismissal and Blessing. We were all

invited to a wonderful tea and had the

opportunity to chat together.

It was a superb event to

witness. Congratulations, Blessings and our love

are with Rev Helen Everard as she begins this new

chapter of her life. Glynis

Harvest Lunch and Auction

We’d like to thank everyone who supported this fruitful event by helping, attending and donating. Not only did we have a good time sharing fellowship and food but we also raised £150 for our very worthwhile charity ‘Children of the Dump’. The very successful (and at time competitive) auction of the fresh fruit and vegetables raised a further £73.20. We have had a number of services lately where we have been encouraged to think of how we can help others and so it was especially pleasing that we were able to raise a significant sum with one small event.

We could not produce this lunch without the help of a stalwart group of volunteers – so a massive thank you to Hilary, Penny, Rick and Gillian. Also thank you to Mary, Eve, Sam, Ethan and, of course, in his role of auctioneer – Mike. Anne and Elizabeth

* * * * * * * * * * * * The 10.30am Sunday morning service is a lovely mix of con-

temporary and traditional songs. Our music leader David Everard, has been leading the music group since June. He is doing a wonderful job and has been encouraging the singers and musicians. We have been learning new songs, to enrich our worship. David can play several instruments - even at the same time!! One Sunday he played the guitar and also the bass drum, with his foot!!

Calling all those who are hiding their musical talent!! If you can play any instrument or would like to join this friendly group, singing some of these lovely songs (weekly or just when you can) - please let David or Mike know. You would be so welcome. We practice at the church on a Wednesday evening at 7.30pm and/or before the 10.30am service on a Sunday.

It is fun joining together, to praise God with music.

Pam

Harvest Festival

What a fantastic Harvest Festival we had on 29th September.

It was all there!

What stands out in my mind is the enormous kindness everyone showed and how very helpful each person was. It turned hard work into fun and what more can we ask?

Mike provided a Service to remember. We were introduced to many fruits that some of us had never even heard of – let alone Tasted !

We wrote prayers of thanks for God’s Gifts and Sam attached them to the ears of corn.

It was a happy time with lovely hymns including a new one with great words and a familiar tune. Thanks David E. The choir were as splendid as usual and John’s accompaniment on the piano was a delight.

Elizabeth provided a great Ploughman’s Lunch with a PUDDING! She and her helpers worked so hard helped along all the time by Mike and young Eve. Please – don’t anyone mention Mike’s talent as an auctioneer to any of the local auctioneers. They might want to steal him from us!

Thank you so much to all of you who took part! Josie Birkett

Spotlight on John and Andrea Wood

Andrea was born in 1946 in Northwood, Middlesex. Her parents went to St John’s Presbyterian Church which was a considerable walk from home, but they had no car so all journeys were made on foot, bike, train or bus. It was a flourishing church with a lively minister who used to tell lovely stories about his friendly Robin! He was an able man who became Moderator of the Church for a year; his son also became a minister in very different place, the Gorbals in Glasgow!

Their faith was always a very significant part of her parents’ life, though they were not entirely conventional in their beliefs and they were open to fresh ways of thinking. Her mother wrote some poetry, most with a spiritual bias to it. Her father was very active in church in many areas including being an elder, choir member and the superintendent of the Children’s Church. He was ahead of his time in organising yearly conferences which took place at Jordan’s Quaker meeting house.

She grew up with her sister in a home full of love, but with enough discipline, where faith was frequently talked about. It was a very difficult time for them all when her father had a nervous breakdown when she was about 13. Though he did recover, it kept on recurring and his old age was overshadowed by a sadness that would have seemed impossible in his early vibrant days- a legacy from enduring huge hardship during the slump of the30s

Andrea grew up with a sense of God against whom she occasionally rebelled. As a young child, she loved the hymns of the changing seasons of the church and much preferred adult hymns to Junior church ones! She was baptised as a baby and confirmed at 14. She grew increasingly into faith with maturity, but it was always and increasingly a questioning kind of faith. As she struggled with life, so she did with faith. She has a lifelong inherited tendency to insomnia, but in spite of doubts feels a great gratitude for the love which has surrounded her all her life and mostly enabled her to cope. She is also grateful to John for his kindness and forbearance!

She went to Northwood College, leaving at 10 to attend Watford Grammar school and then Girton College, Cambridge. She left with a 3rd class degree in Classics but with a wealth of experiences and having met so many interesting people! During her time there, she was on the Prongsoc (Presbyterian/ Congregational ) committee and regularly attended college chapel, Great St Mary’s which attracted people like William Barclay and Billy Graham, and meetings of the Student Christian Movement, taking part in two missions (of a gentle variety, supporting local churches in Gorleston and Lincoln . She also enjoyed a number of May Balls! She did a one year teachers’ training at Hughes Hall, and then in 1969 obtained a teaching post at West Heath, Sevenoaks, under a charming headmistress who would often use Quoist’s Prayers of Life in assembly. She knew both Princess Diana’s sisters (Diana was not yet there) and taught one of them, Jane.

John, on the other hand, was a pre-WWII baby being born in October 1938 and grew up in Carluke, a very ordinary mining/agricultural town in central Lanarkshire. During the war (1940) his mother took him and his two elder brothers on what was an extremely

hazardous sea journey to Australia – and back in 1942 via the Panama Canal without being torpedoed! His father, a qualified mining engineer, had turned to tomato-growing as an occupation and John from the age of eight spent most of his summer holidays picking tomatoes and helping tend the plants. Life was inevitably simple and frugal, but happy, and with his two brothers there was nothing the family really lacked. The Wood family attended the nearby Presbyterian church and after achieving Grade 8 piano John, aged 14, was asked by his piano teacher (and organist and

choirmaster) if he would play the pipe organ at St Andrew’s whilst he, his tutor, was on holiday. John had two lessons and that was that! John attended Lanark Grammar School from age 11 to 17, leaving as Dux Medallist (a purely academic award), after which he studied chemistry at Glasgow University for 4 years. After a year as an industrial chemist at a Manchester cotton printing firm John moved further south to Keele University where he carried out organic chemistry research leading to his PhD in 1965. John continued in academia for a further 2 years doing postdoctoral research at Queen Mary College, London before joining BP at their research centre in Sunbury. After several years there John was transferred to BP’s Head Office in Moorgate and became a commuter, taking his bike on the train and cycling from Waterloo through the City. After a stint in BP’s Exploration Department, he joined their HR function and held various posts in manpower planning, job evaluation and database development. He took early retirement in 1995 but still retains contact with a number of ‘Old Lags’. Whilst at BP John enjoyed leading the Head Office Christmas Choir.

After a time away from organ playing, John began playing again at the old URC church in Southwell Park Road alongside David Markby and from 1990 they have continued to be the organists at High Cross as well as taking part in leading the choir – sadly much reduced in size. John has also been an elder of High Cross for many years and every 6 weeks or so plays his part as a Street Angel on the streets of Camberley. He is also a member of the local Christians in Science group which seeks to relate scientific thinking to the Christian faith.

Andrea first met John in Cambridge when he came there to a ball invited by a friend, but it was a few years before the relationship grew and they married in 1971. They lived for a short while in Addlestone while waiting to occupy the house they had bought in Sandhurst, just a stone’s throw from the bigger house to which they moved in 1977. John worked for BP in Sunbury, so Andrea got a job at the Welsh Girls’ school in Ashford, Middlesex, and they travelled to work together up the A30 for two years before she left to have Robert (1973) followed by Andrew (1975 ) and Jonathan (1978). Jonny was born prematurely with a cleft lip and palate, so there followed many hospital appointments,

operations, dental appointments and speech therapy over the years. The treatment was successful and he became a keen sportsman in all areas, running the London marathon 3 times, as well as graduating from Liverpool University with a good degree and finally becoming a management accountant. Robert graduated from Birmingham and Andrew obtained a first at Bristol, going on to do a doctorate. Both then became IT consultants. All three are married with 2 children each, but only one out of the six is a girl (Anna)! Their wives are Italian, English, and Indian, so John and Andrea have an interesting time!

Andrea returned to teaching after about 13 years off with the family and felt there was a different, more critical, ethos. She taught Latin in two boarding schools in Ascot with mixed success, and after being dismissed from the first one after only a term, did a stint in prison education at HMP Coldingly- a challenging but enlightening experience! She was also a parent governor and a lollipop lady at the children’s school. The second school where she worked part time for about ten years proved a happier experience, but she was ready for a change at 55. Since then, she had a period doing Hospice home support until the granny duties came along. For about 15 years she has enjoyed rather infrequent Italian lessons and at church has helped with the prayer group and run the meditation group as well as attending some lovely days in Guildford related to meditation. She has just returned from a very inspiring conference led by Rowan Williams entitled “What the body knows”, encouraging us to inhabit and receive our bodies in a civilization which tries to persuade us that what is more significant is the brain. She also attends a theology group, originally set up for C of E vicars to express their thoughts more freely than they felt able in their congregations, but open to all who are still seeking ...

She also values her friends greatly and tries to give support to those needing it. She loves being outside, walking, cycling, the sea, the mountains and the country. Some of the best holidays have been spent Eurocamping in Switzerland with the boys and walking in the Lake District and along the South West Coast path in Devon.

In 1971 she began attending the URC in Camberley to which she was attracted as a good family friend (Howard Jutson) had been a minister there. By then, Alan Burroughs was minister, followed by Tony Spring (who gave so much support over Jonny’s birth and moving house) and then Graham Long, who orchestrated the transfer to High Cross. She was a council steward for a time and a choir member and remains a pastoral and hospital visitor on a number of rotas and the baptismal representative.

She hopes High Cross may continue to be a church which welcomes all, allows all to be themselves and nourishes the spirituality of all, however diverse, enabling each one to love the other and find God.

FOCUS ON FRIENDS

It was sad to hear of the death of Alex Everard’s parents and Liz Lapointe’s brother. We send our love and sympathy to Liz and family and the Everard family. I am sure many of us will remember Graham Long whose wife Beryl has sadly died. We send our love and sympathy to Graham. Heather Garner, Eileen Evans, David Hattersley and Margaret Hamilton have had spells in hospital. We send them our love and best wishes. It was lovely that a number of us were able to attend Helen Everard’s Ordination and Induction Service at Wonersh URC. We send our love and best wishes to Helen. God Bless Gillian

BIBLE STUDY GROUP

Wednesday morning at 9.45 We meet in the Vestry and have been active for 25 + years. Our present study is based on the Life Builder Bible Studies and we are currently reading the study Evangelism: A way of life.

We meet to read, discuss, pray, sing and share coffee afterwards. The major focus is on exploration of the study content and how it applies to our everyday interaction with fellow Christians. There is no better introduction than to list a few members' comments - It keeps our faith alive We learn from one another God's word is an energising force An opportunity to read our bibles together It has given me a sense of belonging, like family.

Are you interested? Curious perhaps? Come along and find out!! Liz Woodason. 01344 774708

It is time to plan for our church

30th Anniversary Celebration.

When you consider the number of people that have

been a part of this family who have graced the doors

over the years, you can image that keeping track of

them all can be a challenge.

Not unlike most very large families, we can loose track

of some of the members. So this is where you come in

to play. If you know of a person(s) that you believe

should be invited to the 30th Anniversary Sunday, please can you forward

their contact information - with their permission of course - to the Mis-

sion and Outreach committee.

This can be done by contacting Sharon Wright on 01344 780262 and leaving a

message or by email sharonhwright@yahoo.ca

As part of our 30th Anniversary Celebration we are asking

members if they would like embroider, cross stitch,

patchwork or collage on a square of material.

When they are all completed I will sew them together to

form a wall hanging. It would be good to have them

finished by January.

The theme is to be anything

that reminds you of High Cross, it could be a

memorable occasion, anything of the history or

something up to date.

I have squares of material to give you the size.

Rita Freeman

Christians in Science Lecture 14 at St Peter’s Church Frimley 9th July 2019

Dr Stuart Judge - ‘Just a Pack of Neurons?’ - A Christian View of Human Nature

Dr Judge is an emeritus reader in physiology at the University of Oxford, specialising in the neuroscience of vision. He is an active and committed Christian and a member of Christians in Science. The title of his talk

referred to statements made by Francis Crick (famous for his work on DNA) that ‘even our loftiest thoughts and aspirations are mere byproducts of neural activity’ and that ‘our consciousness and sense of self are based entirely on the activities of the billions of bits of jelly that constitute the brain – in short, ‘that we are nothing but a pack of neurons’, to which he added that this was ‘a dangerous idea if true’!.

The Old Testament writers believed in a single entity – consisting of body, mind and soul (nephesh) which were not seen as being separate – whereas the New Testament refers to heart, soul, and mind (psyche), possibly implying a physical distinction. So-called Dualists, including many Christians, see the ‘mind’ as being a quite separate entity (substance even) distinct from the physical body and the brain. ‘Reductionists’ or ‘Materialists’, like Crick, regard the physical brain, with all its billions of neurons and connections, as being the single source of all our mental and physical activities with no need to invoke a separate ‘mind’, and indeed Dr Judge said that many studies have shown that there is a direct association/correlation between many specific parts of the brain and particular activities, including high level behaviour such as our thoughts and feelings. However, he did ‘accuse’ neuroscientists of over-stating the conclusions to their experimental work, for example in suggesting that there is a particular part of the brain associated uniquely with religious thought. Some studies of the ‘simple’ task of pressing a button – and the question of when we decide to do it – have been interpreted as showing that we only ‘think’ we’ve made the decision to press the button – actually our brains have already made that decision for us perhaps half a second or so in advance! Dr Judge wasn’t convinced this conclusion was entirely valid either. Studies in general only indicate correlations between activities and parts of the brain – no one has any idea, for example, how the brain conceives of numbers or prime numbers for that matter!

Dr Judge was critical of the ‘reductive/materialistic’ philosophy of processes in the brain as advanced by Crick and others, and not just on Christian grounds. He felt that such a mechanistic view of the brain tended to negate what he called our ‘first person experience’, that is what we are ‘aware’ or conscious of thinking/doing at any particular moment in time, and could potentially undermine the whole validity of knowledge and scientific observation. Do we really know what we are thinking, feeling or observing? Or is it just the result of the ‘chattering’ of the neurons in our

brains? Dr Judge disagreed with the latter view and favoured the philosophy of what he referred to as Dual Aspect Monism, that is two different views of a single entity, in this case the physical brain and the ‘mind’. He did not think that we need be concerned that future neuroscience research would undermine our Christian faith but that it might helpfully teach us to be more cautious about the authenticity of some religious experiences. In an interesting Q and A session Dr Judge responded to questions and comments on topics such as the effects of damage to the nervous system including nervous system diseases such as MS and Parkinson’s, ‘locked-in syndrome’, ‘near-death experiences’ (he was sceptical re some of the claimed spiritual interpretations), and a comparison of religious ecstasy with the ‘aura’ sometimes experienced prior to epileptic fits.

Richard Heddle thanked Dr Judge for bringing his Christian faith to bear in the field of neuroscience and for expressing his view that we are not ‘just a pack of neurons’. The next meeting of the Surrey Heath CIS Group will be at St Paul’s Church, Camberley on the 29th October, 2019. (Emeritus) Professor Joanna Haigh CBE FRS will talk about ‘Climate Change’ – perhaps the greatest (science) issue the world is now facing. Professor Haigh is Co-Director of the Grantham Institute, a leading world authority on global change.

John Wood

Regular Activities Church Diary for November 2019

Monday 12.30 pm

2.00pm

7.30pm

Lunch Bunch [£5 hot 2-course meal]

Meditation Group[1st & 3rd Mondays]

Patchers [all types of sewing]

Tuesday 7.30pm

Persecuted Church [2nd Tuesdays]

Wednesday 9.45am

10.00am

2.00pm

7.30pm

Bible Study

Happy Feet [Babies and Toddlers drop

in group]

The 3F’s Club [3rd Wednesdays]

Singing Practice

Friday 10.00am

1.30pm

Tiny Feet [for children under one year]

Melody for the Mind [1st & 3rd Fridays]

Youth Group-see diary

Saturday 8.00am

10.00am

Prayer Breakfast [1st Saturdays]

Daddy Feet [1st Saturdays]

Sunday 9.00am

10.30am

6.00pm

7:00pm

Morning Worship

Morning Worship [with Junior Church]

The Point [2nd Sundays]

Music to Calm the Soul [4th Sundays]

Sat

2nd

8.00am

10.00am

Prayer Breakfast

Daddy Feet

Sun

3rd

9.00am

10.30am

3.00pm

Morning Worship

Morning Worship with Holy Communion

“Love Remembered Hope Remains” - A service of

love and hope as we remember those who have died.

Wed

6th

10.30am Prayer for the Nation

Thurs

7th

7.30pm

7.30pm

Wednesday Club– Pie Night

THURST meets at the Duke of York

Sat 9th 10.00am Christmas Fair

Sun

10th

9.00am

10.30am

2.00pm

6.00pm

Morning Worship with Holy Communion

Morning Worship – Remembrance Sunday

Civic Remembrance - at St Michael’s Church and

Camberley War Memorial

The Point

Fri

15th

12.00pm

5.30pm

Crosstalk deadline

Youth Group

Sun

17th

9.00am

10.30am

Morning Worship with Holy Communion

Morning Worship

Wed

20th

2.00pm 3Fs Film Club

Thurs

21st

8.00pm THURD Ladies Social Group meet at Wetherspoons

Sun

24th

9.00am

10.30am

3.00pm

6.00pm

Morning Worship with Holy Communion

Morning Worship

Pembroke House Service

Music to Calm the Soul

Wed

27th

11.00am Crosstalk Collation

The Chobham Handbell Ringers are coming to give their regular Christmas

performance at High Cross on December 14th at 11.00 am

Please ask in the Church Office or talk to one of our Church Stewards

on a Sunday morning if you would like to know more about any of the

above groups mentioned in Crosstalk. You will be given a warm

welcome at any of them.

Crossgroups Daytime Crossgroup

A weekly Bible study group, meeting at High Cross on Wednesday mornings at 9.45 am

This is a small lively group and a welcome awaits anyone who would like to join us for the study and coffee in the café afterwards.

For more details contact: Liz Woodason 01344 774708

BERKSHIRE BORDERS CROSSGROUP

meeting in The Red Room at High Cross

Monday 25th November 2019 at 10.30am

Study in Acts (by Tom Wright)

3) Acts 2 : 42 – 3:26

Restoration and Refreshment

for information contact: Pat Fahey : 01252 620445

pat.fahey@btinternet.com

Wednesday Afternoon Crossgroup

We meet every Wednesday afternoon in the Three Mariners pub in Bagshot at 2 pm. This is a joint group with members of Bagshot Methodist Church. It is a great opportunity for fellowship and Bible Study.

For more details contact Mary Glauert or Sharon Wright via the Office.

Thursday Evening Crossgroup

Last Thursday of the month

Please contact Glynis 01252 836788 for venue nearer the time

Bible study and discussion led by Jenny Hattersley

Social Groups

The 3Fs Club THURD

THURD meets every third (hence the name!) Thursday evening at Wetherspoons, Camberley from

7.30 pm. All ladies over the age of 18 are welcome to join us for a

chat, a laugh, a drink and a meal. New ladies are always welcome.

Our next meeting is on

Thursday 21st November

Mary Glauert

The 3Fs meet for Fun, Film and Fellowship.

We meet on the third Wednesday of each month at 2.00 pm in the

Chapel for a film (modern, classic, comedy, drama) followed by refreshments and fellowship.

Our next meeting is on

Wednesday 20th November Please join us – all very welcome.

Gillian Foster

Wednesday Club Thurst

The Men’s Group, “THURST” will meet at “The Surrey Arms” in

Camberley High Street.

We meet on the first Thursday of each month.

Hope to see lots of you there from 7:30pm onwards.

Geoff Line

The Wednesday Club meets every first Thursday evening of the

month at 7.30 pm

Thursday 7th November

Pie night

All welcome

Contact:- Glynis 01252 836788

PRAYER BREAKFAST: Meeting at High Cross

Next 2 dates: Saturday 2nd November 2019 8.00am - 9.00am Saturday 7th December 2019 8.00am - 9.00am

Start your Saturday with friendship and a light breakfast, followed by a quiet time - as we pray for our world, our church and for the needs around us. If you are worried about sharing your prayers, then don't be. You can just sit back and listen. We would love you to join us. It's fun to have breakfast together and to thank God for his love and care. It's helpful to have an idea of numbers for catering, so please let Pam Boyle know if you would like to come. Tel: 07967131354 or e-mail: duckgirl@ntlworld.com

We usually meet on the 1st Saturday of each month

DEADLINE FOR NEXT CROSSTALK

15th November specialbranch247ltd@gmail.com

Sunday Morning Flowers

We all appreciate seeing beautiful flower

arrangements in our church every Sunday, but we

don’t all know how much work goes into them.

There is a list in the concourse where we are

invited to sign up if we would like to contribute to

the flowers on a special day, maybe a celebration

or in memory of a loved one. If we do, a

dedication appears in the weekly notices.

Our dedicated team purchase the flowers each

week and spend a great deal of time choosing

appropriate colours and blooms. Then they can be found in the church on a

Friday carefully preparing the pedestals, selecting which flowers to place in

the oasis and producing the delightful and artistic creations we see week by

week.

We are greatly blessed by having such a devoted group of ladies, although I

know they are always hoping to be joined by other talented folk, both men

and women. Think about offering to help them if you are interested .

Thank-you for this ministry ladies, which is continued when bunches of

flowers are distributed after each service.

Glynis

Children’s Corner at High Cross

How many children would you say come to High Cross? 3,13 or 30? Many of

you will be surprised to find out that it is actually thirty. Twenty of these are

all under 4 years old and attend the baby and toddler groups, “Tiny Feet” and

“Happy Feet”. Parents stay with their children, so, on a regular basis, we

have 20 new families that are coming in to the building weekly, which is

fabulous. (Mind you, not sure that Colin is happy being buggy parking

attendant!)

What has been clear, is the parents are getting as much out of these sessions

as their children are, because myself or Viv are always on hand to support.

We are doing one of the most important roles, being a Pastoral volunteer

just LISTENING. We allow them to try and relax, open up and ask for help

and advice from us as well as other parents.

We have completed the decorating, and the space we provide is safe. No

one from outside can see in, which is important as some of the Mums feel

very vulnerable at times. It’s important for me that while they are at High

Cross they will feel safe and supported.

We are forming good

relationships with both

parents and children. Over

the next few months, we are

planning a sheep trail

where we will have

some lost sheep in

town for the children

to find, for a

Regular events at High Cross for Everyone

Children's Activities at High Cross

Happy Feet Babies and Toddlers drop in, meet on

Wednesday mornings at 10:00—11:30am. All welcome for

play, crafts and music

Tiny Feet Babies drop in

meet on Friday morning 10:00 — 11.30am

High Jumpers (age 5—11 years;

5.00—6:30pm) is our Friday evening

youth group. Restarting January

2020.

High Dreamers—Youth Club (Secondary age; 6:30 — 8.00pm) is our

older Friday evening group. Restarting

January 2020.

Daddy Feet—drop in for male carers

and children on the first Saturday of the

month at 10:00—11:30am. Includes a

bacon bap!

Kidzone—from 10:30am, children’s

church for all ages.

Smarties tube collection for Church charities 2019

The Smarties tubes that you have all been diligently saving your pennies in will be

collected at the 10.30 service on Sunday 8 December. If you cannot be at the

service on that day please return your tubes to me any time during December.

Some people did not obtain a tube in January, so if you wish to make a donation on

the day please just place it in an envelope and hand it in when the tubes are

collected.

If you are a tax payer please kindly complete the form below and pop it into your

tube/envelope so Gift Aid tax can be reclaimed. If you do not wish to cut your

edition of Crosstalk, please speak to me and I will pass on a copy of the form to you.

This has been a year-long effort on your part, thank you. I have no doubt that it will

benefit the recipients for considerable time to come.

Many thanks for your support and generosity.

God bless you all. Mary Cooper

HIGH CROSS CHURCH

Smarties Tube collection 2019

DONOR details and declaration for us to claim Gift Aid Tax

Please print:

Title …………… First Name ……………………………………………………………..………………

Surname …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

If you are a tax payer and not yet registered for Gift Aid with this church please confirm the following by writing

your address and signing where indicated below. Cheques payable to High Cross Church.

I am a UK taxpayer and understand that if I pay less Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax

than the amount of Gift Aid claimed on all my donations in that tax year it is my

responsibility to pay any difference.

If you pay Income Tax at a higher and want to receive the additional tax relief due to you, you must include all your Gift Aid

donations on your tax return

Registered Charity No. 1137310

Address :

House Number,

Road/Street

Name and Post

Code

Signature

Christmas Fair

Saturday,9th November.

Donations of unwanted or new gifts, books etc can be brought into the office, as well as donations for the raffle and tombola. Nearer the time we would like donations of jams/chutneys and cakes etc.

In the past you have been hugely supportive and generous so we look forward to another successful fundraising event for the Church and our charities – ‘Children of the Dump’ and ‘Besom’.

67 Grosvenor Road, Aldershot,

Hants.GU11 3DZ

Tel: (01252) 319457Fax: (01252) 343093

& Odiham (01256) 704247

Ford Mears & Partners

Independent Funeral Directors Monumental Masons

24 hour personal service

Prepaid-plans available

Covering

Aldershot, Ash Vale, Bagshot,

Camberley, Farnborough, Frimley,

Lightwater, Windlesham.

Your local independent funeral

directors.

Personal attention from our

Directors

26 Frimley High Street, Frimley,

Surrey.GU14 7JW

Tel: (01276) 25563 Fax: (01276) 670061

10.30am Service - Door Stewards Requirement

We are very short of door stewards – any volunteers would be

extremely welcome to join our happy band. It only means

arriving at High Cross by 10.10am once every six weeks. It is

quite easy to swap duties if your designated attendance dates are

unsuitable.

An anonymous prize winning limerick…………

A middle-aged matron called Barbara

Had dreams which at times were macabre

She awoke late one night

Hanging high from a light

“Oh, my word, it’s the church candelabra”

Sandhurst Singers Community Choir

[of which several are congregation

members] will be giving a concert here at

High Cross on Saturday 30th

November at 7.30pm. Admission £8 with all proceeds donated to

Parkinson’s UK. The programme will include lots of well-known and popular

songs from the last few decades.

SUNDAY ROAST LUNCH CLUB

This is a new club started for

those who live alone and miss having a

roast dinner on Sunday. We met for the

first time on Sunday 6th October at the

Toby Carvery in Frimley, 12 of us turned

up and enjoyed a delicious meal, good

company and fellowship.

It is planned to become a regular event, to meet on the first Sunday

of every month. To book a place for November 3rd see Elsie or Gillian. Look

forward to a most enjoyable Sunday Lunchtime.

Have a go?

Have you ever tried to write a hymn? If not, why not try to do so as a contribution

to our 30th anniversary celebrations at High Cross? There is plenty of time, so even

if you have never done so before, you may find unexpected inspiration! After all,

we have plenty of blessings to thank and praise our God for. If you are musical,

you might even compose a new tune to fit your words, and if you are not musical,

you can choose to write words that fit some well-known tune. This might be the

easier option for most of us. And of course you could always submit your hymn

anonymously if you feel shy. This would be in no sense a competition, but rather

an attempt at spontaneous sharing of our communal thanks to our loving Father.

High Cross Church is open seven days a week,

A wide range of activities takes place during the week.

We have a creche and groups for young people at our 10:30am worship and everyone is welcome to all of our services.

Sunday Services

9.00 am A traditional service in the Chapel

10.30 am All-age morning family service

High Cross Church - You Are Very Welcome

High Cross Church brings together people of all ages and from all walks of life, most of whom live around the Camberley area. We have all made a wonderful discovery - that Jesus Christ is a real friend, someone who gives peace and

strength for daily living and hope for the life to come.

It is our aim to spread this discovery to the people of this neighbourhood by what we do and who we are.

Crossgroups (small groups that meet regularly for prayer and Bible study) are open to people at all stages of their Christian faith. Meetings take place in an atmosphere of fellowship and

friendship within five miles of Camberley. More details of the groups’ activities this month are given elsewhere in Crosstalk.

The Café at High Cross is open from 9.00 am to 4.00 pm on weekdays and from 9.30 am to 3.00 pm on Saturdays (with a reduced menu on this day). The Café serves drinks, snacks, light refreshments, sandwiches and hot meals.

We have a number of rooms available for hire. For more information, please contact the Church Office.

Disclaimer

Whilst every care is taken to ensure that all details, dates and telephone numbers are correct, no responsibility can be taken for changes or errors. All artwork is accepted on the understanding that permission has been granted for its use in this publication and on the High Cross website. We do not specifically endorse any of the businesses featured in this publication. You are advised to make your own checks.

BESOM NEWS

THANK YOU FROM

BESOM

Your very generous

harvest gifts for Besom have helped to re-stock our shelves ready for the

winter. Thank you! We continue to be very busy as our referring agencies

regularly ask for help for their clients.

Now we are starting to think about Christmas and our hampers. Last year we

sent out 120 boxes of normal food with extra Christmas goodies.

If you would like to give something seasonal-mince pies, chocolates, fancy

biscuits, Christmas cakes, selection boxes, crackers etc., please put them in

our box by 8th December, making sure sell-by dates are for after 25th.

The hampers will be made up, wrapped and delivered by Friday 20th

December.

Save the date

Saturday 20th January 2020, afternoon

Scottish-themed social for all ages

Not-quite-a-Burns' Night' in the afternoon

Contacts Minister

Rev Mike Thomason 01276 462657 Rev Alan Costello via church office

Church Office

Debbie Welch Sam Salt 01276 66798 office@highcross.org.uk

Church Secretary Sue Shoveller 01276 507455 secretary@highcross.org.uk

Pastoral Secretary Gillian Foster 01276 501393 pastoral@highcross.org.uk

Church Treasurer Bob Jarvis treasurer@highcross.org.uk

Crosstalk Magazine

Crosstalk Team crosstalk@highcross.org.uk

Children & Family Worker Sam Salt

children@highcross.org.uk

Website www.highcrosscamberley.co.uk