January and a New Year Page 3Action for Children Page 4From the Church Secretary Page 6Letters and Emails Page 7Refurbishment Update – Dec 18th Page 8A Man Most Driven Page 10Classic Cinema for January Page 11Collection Point – Crisis Page 13Rotas Page 16

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EALING GREEN CHURCH

(Methodist and United Reformed)

Ealing, London W5 5QT

Telephone (020) 8810 0136

Web site http://www.ealinggreenchurch.org.uk/

Email egcadministrator@btconnect.comegcsecretary@btconnect.com

Contributions to Unity unitymagazine@hotmail.com

Minister Rev. Dr. Jen Smith (020) 8579 8114

Church Administrator Ms. Rebecca Catford (020) 8810 0136Church Secretary Dr. Anita Oji 07435 081342

Church SecretariatPhilip Burnham-Richards, Hector Chidiya, Fleur Hatherall

Choir Leader Mrs. Fleur Hatherall (020) 8248 6774Organist Mrs. Fleur Hatherall (020) 8248 6774

Communion StewardMrs. Hema Souri-Parsons

(020) 8840 4200

Unity Magazine Mr. Lee Horwich (020) 8567 2851Unity Distributor Mr. Peter Chadburn (020) 8537 1966Ecumenical Officer Mr. David Groves (020) 8933 8315Bible Reading Rota Church Administrator (020) 8810 0136

The Church Office is staffed on Monday, Wednesday and Friday each week between 9.30am and 12.30pm, with the exception of public and other occasional holidays.

UNITYcontributions:

All contributions gratefully received. Please hand them toLee Horwich, or email them to: unitymagazine@hotmail.com

Last date for contributions to the February issue Sunday 11th January

If you are new to the church, the following groups meet on a regular basis, either weekly or monthly:Afternoon Bible Study Thursday (monthly) 1.30 pmMonday Fellowship (fortnightly)

Monday 2:00 pm

Choir Practice Friday 7:00 pmLuncheon Club Thursday 12:00 am-1:15 pm

Full details can be found in the weekly notice sheetThere are also a number of House Groups, which meet on a regular basis - see Church Notice Board for fuller details.

You are welcome to come to any meeting.

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January and a New Year From Jen

Dear friends

Happy new year, and welcome to the January edition of Unity magazine!.

January is the time of resolutions and I suspect we'll all make a few: there are the usual health and wellbeing related ones, and the laudable commitments to service or renewing friendships. But this year I have heard about one resolution from a member at another of our circuit churches that was new to me. She has been on an NLP course, short for 'neuro-linguistic programming.' I had heard of it, but as a novice a quick trawl of websites tells me NLP is a way of intentional speech and communication used to re-shape our behaviours and responses to situations, and the pattern of our relationships with other people.

It has its critics (not least among those of us who find thinking before engaging mouth freakishly difficult) but the New Years' resolution this person told me about was interesting and deceptively simple. Wherever she would use the word 'but,' she is going to try to replace it with 'and.' As in, 'I wanted to lose the five pounds I put on over Christmas, and I fell prey to the lemon drizzle cake at lunch club,' or whatever. The idea she has is to cut across a pattern of thinking in polar opposites, whether in self assessment or negotiations with others. We had a laugh about the self-consciousness of trying to keep this in the ridiculous extreme, and also ways in which it might open instead of shutting down a conversation, especially in conflict. And I remembered the observation in James 3.5: 'the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark!' A very interesting resolution indeed.

New Years' resolutions aside, it is shaping up to be a busy winter at Ealing Green, with the refurbishment finishing initial demolition and entering the long work of construction. Look for updates on the website and from your pastoral points of contact, and let your friends and neighbours know what is going on! Many of you are working on one of the small design groups that are consulting for the new kitchen, lighting, east wall and door, front landscape, or AV support. Many more are still raising money to add to our contingency, and beginning to get a sense of what the new spaces will feel like as hoardings have gone up inside the Hall and at the front.

So far the project has proceeded without any nasty surprises, AND long may that continue. In the midst of all of this activity, I remind us about our three basic purposes in doing these changes: worship, fellowship, and hospitality. For each, we are looking for the renewed space to allow us to open new areas in our discipleship. We want to give a more flexible welcome for children and young people, to be a place where groups can meet and rough sleepers have emergency respite. We want to be a place where worship shapes our daily lives so that bits of scripture bubble up in bus queues and the warmth of food shared is more than spiritual. We have said and heard all that before, AND it is still worth repeating! Right now, as the work enters its longest phase, we are attracting much attention in

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the community around. Do not underestimate the positive power of community buzz, to give God a good name at Ealing Green.

'The tongue is a small part of the body, yet...what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark!' Peace to you all,

Jen

Action for Children -- Home Collecting Boxes

Will box holders please bring their boxes in for emptying over the next few weeks.

Thank you.

John Collingbourne,

Home Collecting Boxes Secretary

Church Flowers – Appeal for Donors and/or Arrangers

Thank you to all those who have donated and/or arranged flowers during the past year. I am now trying to prepare the Flower Rota for 2015 but am very short of arrangers and donors!

You are invited to remember any special anniversary, birthday or occasion for family or friends, by donating money for flowers on a Sunday of your choice. If you would like to give the flowers on a specific Sunday, please let me know. Occasionally the date clashes with a date chosen by someone else, but I will do my best to accommodate your request. You will not need to arrange the flowers as well, if you do not wish to, but if you could be persuaded to ‘give it a go’, that would be wonderful – it can be a simple arrangement – just a bunch of flowers is fine.

The Flower Fund relies on your monetary support for floral decoration, Sunday by Sunday, to enhance our worship. Thank you for your continued support. Contributions would be welcome and may be handed to Gill Hatherall.

“We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day.”

• Edith Lovejoy Pierce

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Right, is it ‘Oh dear, here we go again’ or is it Wow, here’s another opportunity? In case you have missed it, it’s a New Year, Happy New Year by the way.. The timing is something of an artificial construct. Why, after all, should the New Year start with January, rather than June or some other month? After much chopping and changing with the calendar, this is what we work with these days. Those of you who read Peter Baker’s piece on the development of the calendar a few months ago will appreciate how it has changed over the centuries until now we make a few microsecond changes, which you and I don’t even notice, every few years to keepthings lined up.

It all leads up to us having the opportunity, which we should have once a year, of telling ourselves that the problems and mistakes that we ran up against or made last year can now be put behind us, and we can start again with a new slate. Not for everything, but enough to be able to say to ourselves, ‘Right, last year can be improved on and these are some of the things I have learned and some of the things I would like to do better in the future – starting now.’ They don’t have to be major things, but a little here and a little there and in time you will notice the little things have all added up and you have made a real difference.

The church is going to be quite different in 2015, compared to 2014. For a start the bricks and mortar are going to be refurbished, which will give the place a different look. Our challenge is to make that different look more relevant, not only to ourselves, but also to those around us.

We can change ourselves, indeed we, individually, are the only people who can change our individual selves. If there was no change around us, it would be more difficult to step outside ourselves and see what else we could do or how else we could/should change ourselves. But as other things around us are changing, it’s an opportunity for us to see how those changes affect us and how we can contribute to them to make the most of whatever changes are needed.

So, artificial or not this is a one-time annual opportunity to look at ourselves and see what needs to be changed – and to go for it. It’s going to be another 12 months before this chance comes again and you don’t want to waste the time the God has given you. Think how you will feel if you look back in a year’s time and say, ‘well, I could’ve done this or that and it would’ve meant this or that.’ Let’s get on and just do it.

It’s a rather thin Unity this month, but \i hope that spurs you on to let me, and the rest of the church family, know what you are doing or if you have anything that you would like to share with us. Please let me know and I can broadcast it to all.

Happy New Year to you all

God bless you

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From the Church Secretary

As we wait for 2015 we count our blessings for 2014. The New Year is a time for me where one step back brings memories and one step forwards is taken in faith. For the week of Sunday January 18th our Methodist Circuit will be flooded with prayers within the London District prayer cycle. In addition each month on the 19th day specific prayers are said for Ealing Trinity Circuit and the people who make up our community. Prayer cycles can also be personal and I rejoice to be on friends’ prayer lists. Is the beginning of the year the time to review our prayer life and its growth? In the Methodist year new handbooks on prayer are published in September; perhaps this time is more uncluttered than the turn of the year. Yet our Christmas cards often include New Year greetings of which prayers for future blessings and letters of thanks to God for past blessings are frequent inclusions –even when sent by electronic systems. Hence prayerful connections with Methodism (and our United Reformed Church [URC] partner) at this time are relevant.

As we have contemplated in the refurbishment group the physical structure of Ealing Green Church, its foundations and mortar – the stuff that holds it together –the responsibility to discover past weaknesses and strengths and to make a framework that will last another century has been awesome. The daily work of administering, maintaining and growing our church structures is both physical and spiritual. I will therefore pass on the message from the London District on developing/refurbishing our prayer life – the stuff that holds us together with God. The word to explore is ‘intentional’. For example, we intend to refurbish our church and in prayer we share that intention; we intend to offer hospitality and fellowship and in prayer we can reflect on the diversity of experiences this brings; we intend to consolidate our mission to bring Jesus Christ into our local and wider community and in prayer we can focus on this and not be distracted by secular goals. In praying for District wide concerns we can become more aware of and more able to support one another. One form of words offered is ‘thank God for the collaborative working of lay and ordained leadership’; another is ‘pray for all those helped by the projects the District supports’ - which is particularly relevant because we owe our thanks to the Methodist District and URC for funding in part our refurbishment.

At the back of the London District Prayer Handbook is the following anonymous prayer based on Mark 7 verse 34 which to me reflects how times turn and how to steep our intentions (?New Year’s resolutions) in prayer:

Hallow our things past; hallow our things to come. Hallow our will, hallow our intention; hallow our bodies and our love.Hallow our homes and public places, our world and our hopes.Sigh over us, sigh in us ‘Be opened’.

[NB Hallow = make holy; note that ‘Halloween’ refers to the holy eve’ before All Saints Day]

Anita Oji

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Letters and emails

Christmas Greetings from Hugh and Tina

To all our friends with thanks.Heavn’ly Hosts sing Alleluia: Christ is born, Christ is born

Dearest Friends,Have just been listening to JS Bach's glorious Weihnachts – Oratorium so I am full of memories both joyful, sad and melancholic as I send you Christmas and New Year Greetings and Blessings. Alas, I am very aware that old age is catching up with me and that I am now what in one’s youth I called an 'old man'. The body and singing voice are now showing the signs of my 71+ years. So many of our friends are no longer physically with us although held in our hearts and memories. My beloved brother Michael died earlier in the year as did our dearest friend Gussi in Berlin. However, it would seem that the Lord is not quite ready for me yet and there is still life in these old bones. In my thoughts I am making plans for 2015. A trip to St Petersburg, Berlin, Dresden and most importantly Linz an der Donau are among my plans as well an exhibition of my paintings. I would also like to explore the possibility of visiting some of my Methodist brothers and sisters in Bulgaria and Romania. I count my blessings so come on Hughie have the courage! My prayer is that this Christmas, like the three Kings, we shall all be led by the star to that greatest of gifts, Jesus Christ. That each one of us will hear our name called and the tug of God's love upon our lives. That we will go to the stable and there offer our songs of praise, our contribution to help those in need, our visit to someone who is lonely. As the Weihnachts – Oratorium begins I wish you all the joys of Christmas and that the joy will continue to fill your hearts throughout the coming year.

Triumph, rejoicing, rise, praising these days now,Tell ye what this day the Highest hath done!Fear now abandon and banish complaining,Join, filled with triumph and gladness, our song!Serve ye the Highest in glorious chorus,Let us the name of our ruler now honour!

REMEMBER: Beyond the darkness, there is a star.Beyond the noise, there is an angel's song of peace.Beyond the rush, there is a wondrous stillness.And the best of all GOD IS WITH US.

Love from Tina and Hugh

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Refurbishment Update, as at 18th December:

The demolition phase of the project has gone very well, with only a few hiccups - well within expectation. Specifically, when the floor was removed our contractors discovered rising damp in the brick 'sleeper' walls that support the floor joists - also in the side walls of the church. This means that they will need to be replaced at a cost outside our planning, but well within the contingency of our project budget -indeed less than half of the contingency. We're taking advice now about what the best way to deal with the damp is in the future, making sure there is adequate ventilation behind the wall panels and under the floor to prevent problems in the future.

And in more positive news, the rose window has been exposed and is not only in good shape, but absolutely beautiful with its stonework and glass in good condition. Our contractor has discovered that it is much simpler to restore the original stone arch in front of the back (east) wall of the church than we thought, so we are going to see if that can happen - this is the presently square arch below where the big cross has been. There may even be a photo in Unity if possible, to show this development.

Also, the small group looking at front landscaping has made some suggestions and changes to have a courtyard feel with a dedicated blue badge parking spot, but also a drop off point that includes a bench for people getting in and out of cars or waiting for taxis outside of the church. All of it will be well but subtly lit to help with walking at night, and designed to be as easy as possible for those using sticks,

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walkers, or wheelchairs. It is wonderful to see how such simple design thinking can make a space welcoming - this is what we are about.

In the weeks upcoming, we will be dealing with one lingering piece of rogue asbestos and getting samples of lighting to compare - chandelier lights for the church are included in our design and budget, but we are going to do some price comparison with slightly nicer, more elegant versions - for a less industrial feel. More news on that, as it comes, as well as the plans for our AV systems.

Last week Deacon Richard organised for the architect, Polly Church to meet with a small group to consult about kitchen design which will also include space for a group to sit and eat, and lowered counter space for someone to be able to do preparation using a wheelchair or simply seated. All good things, and a lively conversation about food and cooking and fellowship.

As is always the case, the best part about this process is the people: it is such a pleasure to work closely with such an interesting, good humoured, wise and strong set of representatives of our community. We may yet hit a few bumps, but so far so good, and all is well.

The Revd Dr Jennifer H Smith

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Book Review "A Man Most Driven”:Captain John Smith, Pocahontas and the Founding of America" by Peter Firstbrook, Oneworld Publications 2014. ISBN 978-1-78074-107-9.Also available as an e-book.

Who is Captain John Smith I hear you, gentle reader, wonder ? Well, so did I when I learnt from my friend Peter Firstbrook that this was the topic of his next book (avid readers of Unity Magazine may recall that I reviewed his book on President Obama a year or three back). Well, here was a man who was, perhaps, one of the first, if not the first writer of an autobiography (excluding Moses of course whose own work described a number of events after his death on the borders of Canaan - assuming you think Moses did write the first five books of the Old Testament all by himself). Although this book may sell better in the USA where he is portrayed on the Capitol frieze, his story is relevant to us in the UK as he was English and prominent in the early days of colonisation of North America.

But before this he was apprenticed to a merchant in King's Lynn, was briefly a pirate, became a soldier of fortune on the Continent (and later of misfortune as he was captured and became a slave), but eventually returned safe to London. And it was in London that he became intrigued with North America and eventually became one of the founding fathers of Jamestown.

Most of us of a certain age were brought up to believe that the first English colonists on the American mainland were the Pilgrim Fathers who arrived on the good ship Mayflower in 1620. However, prior to this, there were a number of generally unsuccessful attempts at making a permanent base on the eastern seaboard of what later became the USA. Smith sailed on the Susan Constant , the largest (at only 100 tons) of three ships in late 1606. Much of the second half of this book consists of the efforts to put the new colony on firm ground, in descriptions of relations with the indigenous people (once known as "indians") -neither side being very honourable - and, of course, the meeting with the Princess Pocahontas who, according to Smith, saved his life.

Towards the end of his life, Smith turned to writing and much of Firstbrook's book draws upon Smith's books and reports and, wherever possible, provides supportingevidence from other sources. This is a remarkable life and at times I was reminded of Gulliver's Travels: but it is a fascinating story which, if not always wholly believable, shows that times may not have changed: do not our politicians rush into print once they lose office in order to justify their recent actions ? And Churchill allegedly said "History will be kind to me for I intend to write it".

Whilst Smith's story may appeal more to our American cousins, it is well worth reading for the insight it provides into the early days of colonial Britain. This book makes clear that whilst there was some, rather minimal, effort put in to taking Christianity to the New World, the main driving force behind these hazardous trips was trade - in particular the lure of gold. Lack of gold contributed to the failure of many small colonies as the money to supply them from England dried up. So nothing much changes does it ? Booklover68

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Classic Cinema Club Ealing January 2015

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Twentieth Century (1934)

Directed by Howard Hawks, Starring John Barrymore, Carol LombardBroadway director Oscar Jaffe (John Barrymore) is a bigger ham than most actors, but through sheer drive and talent he is able to build a successful career. When one of his discoveries, Lily Garland (Carole Lombard), rises to stardom and heeds the call of Hollywood, Oscar begins a career slide. He hits the skids and seems on his way out, until he chances to meet Lily again, on a train ride aboard the Twentieth Century Limited. Oscar pulls out all the stops to re-sign his former star, but it's a battle... because Lily, who is as temperamental as Oscar is, wants to have nothing to do with her former mentor.

Gold diggers of 1933

Directed by Mervyn LeRoy, Starring Dick Powell, Ruby KeelerBarney Hopkins is producing a new show on Broadway, but the day before it opens, the set and costumes are confiscated due to unpaid bills. Everybody is sitting in the street, and due to the Depression, there is no work for the three chorus girls Carol, Trixie and Polly. But they hear rumours that Barney is producing a new show. They talk to him, and he promises to give them work - when he finds a backer to produce the new show. Barney hears the tunes of the composer next door, Brad Roberts, Polly's friend. Brad joins them and agrees to back the show. On opening night Brad takes over for the juvenile lead, who is suffering from lumbago. Brad has been very publicity-shy, because he is a member of an upper-class wealthy Boston family. When his family hears what he is doing, his brother Lawrence and the family attorney Peabody come to New York, to end his relationship with Polly. But Lawrence mistakes Carol for Polly, who does not correct his mistake. Lawrence decides to separate Polly and... Written by Stephan Eichenberg <eichenbe@fak-cbg.tu-muenchen.de>

French Can Can (1954)

Directed by Jean RenoirHenri Danglard, proprietor of the fashionable (but bankrupt) cafe 'Le Paravent Chinois' featuring his mistress, belly dancer Lola, goes slumming in Montmarte (circa 1890) where the then-old-fashioned cancan is still danced. There, he conceives the idea of reviving the cancan as the feature of a new, more popular establishment...and meets Nini, a laundress and natural dancer, whom he hopes to star in his new show. But a tangled maze of jealousies intervenes... Written by Rod Crawford <puffinus@u.washington.edu>

Limelight 1952

Directed by Charlie ChaplinChaplin's final American film tells the story of a fading music hall comedian's effort to help a despondent ballet dancer learn both to walk and feel confident about life again. The highlight of the film is the classic duet with Chaplin's only real artistic film comedy rival, Buster Keaton. Written by Kenneth Chisholm <kchishol@execulink.com>

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Soul in Ealing

This month’s collection if for Soul in Ealing and the Christians Against Poverty movement, which is one way we can all contribute to helping our fellow men/women

How it all started

With a small donation and big faith, John Kirkby started Christians Against Poverty in 1996. He believed God was calling him to sacrifice his career in finance and use his knowledge of the industry to help the poor.

In his hometown of Bradford, John set off on the incredible journey of CAP. His faith adventure led him to people crippled by debt; parents who couldn't feed their children, families facing eviction and desperate people living in fear and without hope. He used his expertise to negotiate with creditors, set up budgeting systems and offer a lifeline to those trapped in debt.

Since then, CAP has rapidly grown its centre network and provides the best debt help service to those with the very least. CAP started running CAP Money Courses in partnership with local churches to help people budget, save and prevent debt. Our vision is to help answer the national problem of debt by opening a CAP Debt Centre and running a CAP Money Course in every town and city in the UK so anyone can receive CAP's life changing help.

“I am overwhelmed by what God has done. To see thousands of lives changed every year is truly wonderful. I do believe that God has given us a 21st Century answer to one of the most pressing social needs within society today. Jesus met people's needs with love, compassion and practical help. Our desire is to simply do the same and watch the miracles unfold. Please get involved in this amazing, God inspired ministry.”

John Kirkby Founder and International Director

Financial integrity

Christians Against Poverty is committed to being a good steward of our donors' money. We are dedicated to using the gifts we receive to help our clients and transform lives in the best possible way. Every single pound we receive is directed to where it is needed most.

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How CAP can help - the steps to freedom

HOME VISIT

If you live in a postcode covered by a CAP Debt Centre (use the postcode search at the top of the page to find out), phone the freephone number. After you call CAP, a Debt Coach and befriender from the local CAP Debt Centre will visit you in your own home.

AN EFFECTIVE BUDGET

Our trained debt counsellors will work out a realistic budget that prioritises your essential bills. Your local Debt Coach will then visit you again to explain the budget, any options or choices you may have to work your way out of debt, and what payments you will need to make. CAP will then negotiate affordable payments with each creditor and stop unfair interest and charges where possible.

PAYING YOUR DEBTS

To help you stick to your budget and repay your debts we will set up a debt management plan for you. You will need to make one weekly, biweekly or monthly payment into your plan to cover your debt repayments. CAP will then distribute this to your creditors on your behalf.

SEVERE DEBT

If you are in severe debt, then we can walk you through insolvency options, such as petitioning for bankruptcy. We can help you to fill out the forms and even attend court with you.

DEBT FREE

You will use your debt management plan to pay your bills and debt repayments and you will be supported by CAP until you are debt free.

Tomorrow, is the first blank page of a 365 page book. Write a good one.” Brad Paisl

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Questions

Is CAP just for Christians?

No. CAP will help anyone regardless of their religious beliefs. CAP aims to ensure that nobody receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of race, nationality, religion, age, gender, marital status, sexual orientation or disability.

Does it cost anything?

No. Our service is completely free. We do offer people the opportunity to give donations to the charity. This is completely voluntary and you won't be asked unless you have worked with us for at least six months. Whether you choose to give a donation or not, you will always receive the same service. Any money that is donated will go towards helping more families out of debt.

Will my creditors cooperate with you?

Yes. We have worked with over 1,000 companies within the finance industry and are well respected. This means that councils, utilities, mortgage companies and other creditors work with us because they have seen the results of our involvement. They know we offer fair repayments based on what you can afford.

Please give generously, Thank you

“To make 2015 (or any other) your year, keep it simple:

1) Count your blessings first2) Whatever you did last year, Do it better3) Go step by step, One day at a time.4) Create/make your own opportunities.5) Believe in your abilities at all times,6) Qutting is not an option. Keep Going.7) Finish what you started”

• Pablo

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January Rotas

January Preacher Reader PrayersCommunion

Stewards

4th 11.00 am Jennifer Smith Louise Singleton NG, GH, DG, PBR

11th 11.00 am Richard Goldstraw Ron Honor Peter Chadburn

18th 11.00 am Jennifer Smith Helen Harper Ron Honor

25th 11.00 am Christina Tom-Johnson Pat Sucher

Note: Could we have some volunteers for the Coffee Rota. All help is welcome - and it would be nice to see other faces behind the counter (no offence to those who already volunteer).

February Readers Readers1st Janette Pender Janette Pender8th Hazel Humphries Hazel Humphries

15th Fleur Hatherall Fleur Hatherall22nd Christine Edwards Christine Edwards

“I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes.

Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You're doing things you've never done before, and more importantly, you're Doing Something.

So that's my wish for you, and all of us, and my wish for myself. Make New Mistakes. Make glorious, amazing mistakes. Make mistakes nobody's ever made before. Don't freeze, don't stop, don't worry that it isn't good enough, or it isn't perfect, whatever it is: art, or love, or work or family or life.

Whatever it is you're scared of doing, Do it.

Make your mistakes, next year and forever.” Neil Gaiman