Well, we moved to Roding Valley back in 1982 and thought we knew quite a lot about the area after all these years, but it took our son Paul, now living out in Myanmar, to ask us whether we had visited these lakes, a mere ten minutes’ drive from our home?

I duly checked their website - www.redbridgelakes.co.uk - and found out a great deal about the history and current facilities this amazing area has to offer.

In the words of their founder, “Pete the builder”: 

From a 10 acre wasteland the project was originally to develop a conservation area with lakes as a place to chill out with a fishing rod. The site has exceeded all expectations and has now become a biodiverse, ecological park and an oasis for wildlife, where nature conservationists and those of like minds can come and bathe themselves in the natural environment.

Finding the lakes is initially a bit of a challenge as they are sited just behind a nursery and allotments along Redbridge Lane North but with a sat nav to hand and a sign to indicate a cafe and some lakes, you are directed down an unmade road called Salix Lane ( IG8 8LY) until you reach the site. Parking and admission is free.

Once there, you can start by watching enormous carp in an ornamental pond waiting for you to feed them, take a nature trail past a bug hotel, bee hives, a 'gnat west tower' for bats, and many other seasonal sights and sounds that feature in the lakeside setting as the Norfolk reeds sway in the reedbeds around you.

It is a relaxing, happy and friendly environment with a truly admirable ethos. Anyone of any age will enjoy it - and there is always a welcome cup of tea or coffee in the cafe afterwards!

There is even a carol concert by the lakes on 22 December between 6.00-8.00pm.

I highly recommend you take a look and, as an Eco Congregation, St James' URC will I'm sure be particularly interested.
​
Margaret Minoletti

Even though Luke was not an eyewitness of the events he records in his gospel, and was not even a Jew, he seems to have gone to some effort to establish the facts and he gives us the fullest account of the birth of both Jesus and his cousin, John the Baptist.

The detail is remarkable, being specific about times and places and so it seems likely to me that Luke’s source for this period of Jesus’ story was Mary, possibly even directly. (Luke 2:19 “But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart”).

The announcement from the Angel Gabriel (Luke 1:32-33) refers back to a promise made to David centuries earlier “The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.”

This promise was made to David in Samuel 7:16 through the prophet Nathan “Your house and your kingdom shall endure for ever before me; your throne shall be established forever.”

It would seem that this prophecy is fulfilled through Jesus in a quite unexpected way, because David’s earthly kingdom did not last forever.

The angels that appeared to the shepherds also referred to ancient prophecy, when they said that the baby to be born was Christ (which is the Greek equivalent to Messiah) Luke 2:11.

These words are all so familiar to us from so many carol services, and it makes such a good story, but is it just a story to us, or do we really believe what we see written before us?

Luke wants us to believe it. Read the first four verses of chapter 1. Luke 1:4 “so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.”

​Kevin Haigh

Today I felt a little sad
While walking down the street
Until I caught a lovely smile
From a friend I chanced to meet.

It made me feel much better
And I thought I’d pass it on
So I gave it to a lady
Who appeared a bit forlorn.

The lady was a stranger
But she took it gratefully
She wore it for a little while
Then gave it back to me.

And when I had it back again
I kept my smile in place
And passed it on to everyone
Who wore a solemn face.

And as I wandered home again
I really felt quite glad
That just by smiling now and then
I was no longer sad.

(Contributed by Sheila Tanner, St James URC)

In my spare time, I volunteer as a Warden in Epping Forest. I do this not only because I enjoy it but also that I have a strong sense that we, as a community, have stewardship of this great asset and so we all need to help to take care of it.

The jobs are many and varied and include patrolling, checking Public Rights Of Way and talking to the public. Surprisingly though, one of the jobs that I have found to enjoy the most is helping with the
forest’s conservation herd of English Longhorn Cattle.

There are over two hundred of these animals currently spread over several sites in the north of the forest. Occasionally they need to be moved to fresh pastures and this is where the extra hands provided the Volunteer Wardens are especially useful.

One of the cattle moves this summer developed into what I now refer to as the “Battle of Copped Hall”. It took place when a team of four Wardens went to help the permanent staff to relocate 102
animals from Copped Hall Deer Park.

It was planned to be just a simple move to new grazing pastures about a mile away. But you know what they say about what happens when a plan meets reality!

All started well with the cattle being enticed up the track with the lure of their favourite food. But when they reached the open ground next to Copped Hall, it all started to go horribly wrong!

It was explained to me later that the first instinct of cattle when finding themselves on unknown ground is to turn around and go back to a place that they know. So, as we were trying to make them go up the hill and turn to the right, they started to go to the left instead and head back the way they had come.

This resulted in a stand-off between we humans and the cattle who refused all our efforts to make them move forward.

Then, their second instinct kicked in – Run! Did you know that cattle can run at up to 30 mph? The sight of many half-ton animals running towards you from a short distance certainly helps to focus your priorities!

The Herdsman, however, did a magnificent job in heading them off. Using a truck to get around the large field, he managed to coax the cattle to move in the right direction. We non-professional Wardens just did our best to keep up.

The outcome, however, was never in doubt and the cattle were soon happily ensconced in their new
pasture.

The Wardens still have a lot to learn from the Herdsmen but we enjoy the work and might be a little more useful to them in the future.

​Paul Corney

The Synod was held on Saturday 19 October at Fairford Leys Church, in the Chiltern Local Area Group, which comprises fourteen churches, five of which are LEPs. Fairford Leys Church was built in 2002 and looks very modern and spacious.

After being welcomed by Revd. Dr. Andrew Prasad, we proceeded to the business part of the meeting.

The Minutes of the previous Synod were accepted. Four ministers had joined Thames North Synod and a special welcome was given to Revd Yufen Chen, from the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan. She
ministers to Mandarin and Taiwanese speaking students and others, at Lumen URC in Regents Square in London.

Lorraine Downer, from High Cross URC, was commissioned as Children’s Youth and Development Officer.

The Synod Clerk then went over the procedure for selecting a new Synod Moderator, as Andrew Prasad will be retiring in February 2021. Those who have been shortlisted for the post will be told in
June 2020 and Andrew’s successor will be announced at General Assembly in July 2020.

Nigel Udin, Moderator of General Assembly, gave an address in which he praised the URC’s Children’s and Youth Work, which is also commended by other churches. He said we should be a ‘listening people’.

The church’s task is to help the world see what God offers in Jesus Christ. We must continue to press for justice and be instruments of reconciliation in our world. Although some churches are shrinking in Britain, God is faithful and will work through us. We mustn’t change with the times but for the times. We must be a church which is engaging with the world and constantly changing.

The Synod Accounts, which show an increase in funds, due mainly to the closing and sale of Queen’s Park church, were approved by Synod.

Synod agreed to follow the resolution from Mission Council that the URC should not invest in companies whose total turnover is more than 10% derived from the extraction of fossil fuels and/ or the supply of fossil fuels.

Rachel Williams reported on her recent educational visit to Israel/ Palestine. We saw slides depicting scenes of settlements built illegally on Palestinian territory, young Israeli soldiers carrying guns
at check-points and horrifying signs saying, DANGER and FIRING AREAS! Encroachment onto olive tree plantations meant Palestinians are losing the means to earn a living. It is a complex situation and prayers for reconciliation are needed. Rachel is keen to visit URCs to talk about her visit.

A letter had been received from John Proctor, General Secretary of the URC, about the management of General Assembly. His proposals are that should meet annually and only one moderator should be
elected for a year. That person could be a minister, a CRCW or an elder. He also proposed that Mission Council’s name should be changed to Assembly Executive. Synod agreed to these proposals.

James Fields, from the Pastoral Committee spoke about bullying being a reality in our churches, which is never acceptable and should be dealt with.

After a break for lunch, Anne Sardeson, the Synod Training Officer then told us about Stepwise, a programme for Christian Discipleship for all of us. It can be accessed on the Internet and shows how God is present in our everyday lives. By following the course we learn how to follow in the steps of Jesus, learning from each other.

We were then asked to discuss this question at our tables: Where have I seen God this week?

At my table, some of us talked about seeing God in the beauty of creation, in help given to us by
other people and in stillness.

Anne told us a new Stepwise group would soon be starting in Enfield and on 22nd January, and a day for mentors will be held at the Synod Office in Bayswater.

A TLS Lite course for potential lay preachers will also be set up. Three accredited Lay Preachers were then asked to come forward and were congratulated. Sadly, Joan Manning, known to us in The Forest
Group, was unable to be present to receive her congratulations.

There was an update on the Adeyfield project, due to be completed in November after sixteen years. There had been a £2m shortfall in the cost of the project so a loan had been obtained from Synod.

The building project at Christ Church, Newham is awaiting planning approval, with tenders going out for the work. So far, Christ Church has received a grant from the Synod, but as costs have risen, a loan of £940,000 is now needed from Synod, if work is to start in April 2020. Resources Committee will look into this and Synod approved.

The Synod budget was then put forward, with a possible deficit envisaged. This was accepted by Synod.

Terry Hinks led us in Closing Worship before the Synod finished at 4:05 pm. It will next meet on Saturday 21st March 2020 at Western Road URC, in Romford, hosted by Heath and Havering
Local Area Group.

​Isabel Bala

​The Three Faiths Forum meeting on Thursday 10th October was held at Al- Madina Mosque, which is near Barking Station. The topic for the evening was Welcoming the Stranger and the speakers were
Rabbi Lisa Barratt from Southwest Essex & Settlement Reform Synagogue, Allama Sadiq Quershi, an Imam and Revd. Tom Britt, from Wanstead Parish Church.

Rabbi Lisa Barratt spoke first, telling us that Welcoming Strangers is mentioned thirty-six times in the Hebrew Scriptures. The most famous instance is of Abraham welcoming three strangers to his tent
at Mamre. They turned out to be angels, bringing a message from God. Abraham made an effort to welcome them, washing their feet and providing food.

Today, Jewish people welcome strangers at their table at Passover and during the Festival of Booths/ Sukkot, when strangers are welcomed into the home. Weekly, at the Shabbat meal on Friday evening, strangers are also welcome.

She finished by saying that peace for all will come and we are all created in God’s image.

Imam Qureshi spoke next. He spoke of Abraham and Moses being strangers in their times of wandering and of the prophet Mohammed who was an orphan. He too welcomed strangers, showing love, peace and moral support to them.

He mentioned three things to remember from the Prophet Mohammed’s teaching: spread peace, unite people and pray for them.

Revd. Tom Britt spoke next. He reminded us that strangers could be homeless people here and abroad, refugees and people suffering whom we never see. He also mentioned Abraham’s story as a good example of welcoming strangers.

He referred to the book of Leviticus, where the Jewish people were advised to treat aliens as equals and in Deuteronomy chapter ten, it mentions God’s love as being impartial. The people that Jesus spoke to would have known these texts.

Jesus, as a baby, was himself a refugee in a defenceless position. Jesus teaches mercy and compassion.

In the parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus teaches us to help people in need, regardless of their origins or race. The Samaritan in that parable put himself at risk, in an uncomfortable position. Jesus himself received hospitality, eating with tax collectors and sinners.

In the Book of Hebrews, Christians are advised to show hospitality to strangers as we could be entertaining angels unawares.

A question and answer time followed, with all three religious leaders agreeing that we should be welcoming to strangers regardless of their origins, not just in this country but overseas. Actions speak louder than words, and we as people of faith should have the same aim - to welcome people in need wherever they are.

The meeting ended with a sharing of delicious refreshments provided by our hosts, at the mosque, a time when we could talk informally with people of other faiths, realising how much we have in common, despite our differences.

The next meeting of the Forum will be an End of Year Celebration at a church in South Woodford, on Thursday 19th December.
​
Isabel Bala

Nicodemus was a high-ranking Pharisee who recognized Jesus as someone special, and wanted to understand more. Immediately, Jesus dives straight in and tells him that he must be born again.

Nicodemus then asks for clarification, and Jesus then explains that he is talking about spiritual birth. He says that no-one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. The water symbolises cleansing from sin, and the Spirit (or breath of God) gives life.

He then points out that you can’t see the wind, but you can see the effects of the wind, and similarly, you can’t see the Spirit, but you can see the effects of the Spirit. (John 3:1-8)

In the early church, they quickly realised that becoming a Christian and receiving the Holy Spirit were inextricably linked. For example, evidence of the Spirit’s power in the Gentiles in Cornelius’s house
convinced Peter that the Gospel really was for Gentiles as well as Jews. (Acts 10:46-48)

A baby does not get any choice about being born, and is helpless. In a similar way, we do not really decide to become Christians, it is an act of God (John 1:12-13).

Does belief come first or rebirth? Do we come to the decision to put our faith in Jesus, or has God led us to that point?

Jesus said “No-one comes to me unless the Father who sent me draws him” (John 6:44)

So, God has done everything for us, and none of it is our doing. If we choose to believe in Him, it is because He chose us.

​Kevin Haigh

It’s that time of the year again...

When it comes to Halloween there are so many ways we can respond, from shutting the curtains and pretending we're not home, to opening wide our front doors and taking our kids out into our neighbourhoods.

What will your approach be this year?

I know people who would never open the door on Halloween night. Better go out, not be home at all, or sit in the dark – don’t let anyone know you’re there!

I know others who, out of Christian conviction, say “We don’t celebrate Halloween.” (I then answer that I don’t “celebrate” it either, but it’s a fact of life around here, and I don’t see why Christians should be scared of it).

So why are some Christians scared?

They say that Halloween is a form of devil worship. Celebrating the powers of dark.

Then I say: We could take this as an opportunity to truly celebrate that Jesus, our risen Lord, is the one who lights up that darkness. Carve out a friendly looking pumpkin, like Jesus carves us out and gets rid of all the mucky bits, and put a cross candle inside to light us up from inside. Some churches celebrate this as a night of light. (Forest Church does. I want to go and have a look this year).

Others say that Halloween really ought to be about “All Hallows Eve” – the evening before All Saints Day, where we remember all those who have died. It should be a sombre evening, if at all, with worship of remembrance of loved ones the next day. Instead, they do all this spooky stuff, ghosts, zombies, and go out to frighten!

Then I say: I don’t like that frightening bit either, or awful “tricks”, and liturgically, as a good Lutheran, I agree fully with the All Hallows Eve bit and November 1st as memorial. But, if we choose to abstain from the festivities, perhaps we lose the opportunity to explain Halloween's origins, or to talk about our own confidence in the face of evil forces through the death of Jesus. The commercialisation of Christmas and Easter has not stopped the church from celebrating their underlying message. Just as we can explain the birth of Jesus at Christmas, his resurrection at Easter, could we not take the opportunity of Halloween to explain Christ's victory?

I found this quote from CS Lewis:

"There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them.”

Our gospel offers more than the forgiveness of sins; it also includes liberation from the power of evil, death and the devil, and Halloween could be the best time to communicate this.

You will guess by now how the Bell family goes about Halloween: We’re part of it, someone on door duty (usually Stephen) and the others going around the neighbourhood. It’s, shockingly, the only opportunity during the year to meet the neighbours (those with pumpkins outside, that is).

Knock on the doors, have a friendly chat, also chat with those on the streets – it's a great opportunity to meet your neighbourhood and be jolly.

Admire the funny costumes. Make connections. Show the cross around your neck.

I feel like maybe next year, we could have a church party somewhere. “Treats” only! :)

Yours in Christ,

Ulrike 

As with a lot of funeral addresses, we learned things about the deceased which we wished we had known and been able to talk to them about in their life with us.

Gladys died 12 days short of her 107th birthday and must have wanted her lifespan to be shorter as although her mind was active her physical body was incapacitated for a number of years.

Ulrike had been able to visit and say prayers with her shortly before she died.

The number of people who knew her and were able to attend her funeral was rather low, but Denise, Janet and I attended from the church which occupied so much her later life until she became housebound.

However, she maintained a keen interest in us – all magazines, Church meeting minutes, accounts etc. were taken or sent to her by Denise as requested.

Gladys was born in 1912 in Kent and moved to Woodford to work at the Wilfred Lawson Hotel before marrying in 1937 and being widowed in 1954 leaving her with four children under the age of 17.

Her husband David Evans had owned a coach company and was active in local Conservative, Masonic and Rotary circles which led to Gladys being a founder member of the local Inner Wheel.

At the funeral tea at the Woodford Golf Club we exchanged memories with Jill Barton of the Inner Wheel of being hauled over the coals by Gladys for slips in procedure for our respective organisations.

Looking at the membership roll for the church, we found that although Gladys moved to Woodford in 1937, she did not become a member of the church until 1976 when she was in her sixties.

Janet thinks she would have attended the Welsh church in Leytonstone with her husband and when widowed she came to Woodford Green United Free but remaining an adherent for a number of years before becoming a member.

She gave the church well over 30 years of faithful service on the Women’s Council and as the Church Housekeeper.

Gladys was fierce but faithful and cared about our fellowship and has been the subject of lots of shared memories among our members.

​Woodford Green URC

With each of the Holy Habits, I have found myself wanting to emphasise that the early Christians acted as they did as a natural response to the astonishing actions of Jesus, His teaching, His life, death and resurrection. Any attempt on our part to reproduce their behaviour must also derive its strength from the same source; otherwise it will be a mere parody.

I believe that the early Christians shared resources because they felt “they were all in the same boat”, set apart from the world by the extraordinarily privileges they had suddenly been granted; forgiveness of sins, reconciliation with God, a promise of eternal life, the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit, and the chance to pass on the exciting news to others.

As the apostle Paul later pointed out, they (and we, if we are Christians) have been adopted as sons of God, into that most loving, intimate family we call the Holy Trinity.

It was the action of our elder brother, the Lord Jesus, in dying on the cross that made such an adoption possible, and in this way enabled us to share the love of His Father. Given the way that humanity treated Him, the generosity of that sharing is utterly astounding.

Let us bow before Him in gratitude and adoration.

​Kevin Haigh