July / August 2018 Extended Edition

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Welcome to the Footsteps Newsletter

By Dave Herbert

Two dominant threads or themes run through the bulk of this summer issue: Grow Your Own (GYO) – releasing the gifts of the whole people of God – and creating communities of togetherness and inclusion.

When it comes to Growing Your Own, then our Mission Enabler along with mentors and tutors have been very successful cultivators of new shoots of faith, confidence and growth across many congregations through their leadership of the Growing Leaders programme. Our future as a church, as with every

generation of Christians, lies in the challenge and

nurture of deepening the faith and vocation and call to missional discipleship. Growing Leaders has already proved a fertile seed tray, and we thank God for that. We welcomed Trevor Jamison back into Northern Synod, and he is planted into a fresh ministry, and we are glad to share this season in his rich and varied ministry.

St Andrew’s LEP, Crook, enjoyed their very successful Flower Festival, as part of their 150th anniversary, conveniently maintaining my botanical drift! Is it too contrived to observe Ray’s reflection on the life and poetry of Dylan Thomas and how brokenness can lead to creativity, that it is when the petals are crushed they release the best of their scent?

I am reminded of Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians: ‘I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. The one who plants and the one who waters have a common purpose … For we are God’s servants, working together, you are God’s field, God’s building’. 1 Corinthians 3:6-9.

Finally, picking up on Paul’s word, ‘together’, we see the

full meaning of together in

the pieces about The Puffin Lounge in Amble, a united approach to homelessness (Meg’s DIT), the Great Get Together at West End URC, and Christians Together at Northumberland Pride.

Read, feed, be nurtured, be inspired and encouraged, and most importantly then pass the good news enclosed in these pages on to companions along The Way in the coming days; because I am convinced we have every reason to be optimistic and thankful and filled with hope in our discipleship.

As ever, and in Christ

David

Contents Welcome page 1 Editor’s Comments 1 My Role as Mission Enabler 2 Induction No Shields 3 Good News Story Growing Leaders 3 Good News Story Beauty in Brokenness 4 Northumberland Pride 4 Communications 5 Homelessness 6 Crook Flower Festival 6 West End Get Together 7 Puffin Lounge Amble 8

From the Editor

Summer has arrived at last and in this month’s Footsteps, two seasonal good news stories feature – the Flower Festival at Crook to celebrate the 150th anniversary of its church building and the West End ‘Great Get Together’ where many different sections of Fenham’s community came together to enjoy a happy afternoon in the church’s grounds. Amidst the enjoyable seasonal events taking place in the synod, the more serious issues are not forgotten however and Meg Robb’s article on homelessness, describes a recent day conference she attended and the various ongoing initiatives which people can support. Ian Buchanan talks about the Footsteps programme in his article and gives information about the Footsteps Website – please take a look if you haven’t already www.footstepstoolkit.com and please keep your news stories coming in. We’re always looking for a good cross-section of new stories and articles of what’s happening in and around the Synod.

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‘With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?’ He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6v6-8 (NRSV) Anyone who knows me well knows that this is my favourite passage …. and normally the passage I choose to preach from the first time I visit a church in my role as Mission Enabler. For me it captures what mission is all about and what my role as Mission Enabler for Northern Synod is about …. Discovering what our purpose is – as individuals, as local churches and as a synod of the United Reformed Church. Our mission as disciples of Jesus should be; To do justice – where do we see injustice and what do we do about it? In our communities and society? To love kindness – I think kindness is underrated in our society today, it seems simple but kindness is often forgotten about outside of telling our children to be kind. What does kindness really mean – caring, loving, do unto others as you would have them do unto you?

To walk humbly with God? Do we seek God? What is our relationship with God like? Do we make time to read and explore our bibles (both as individuals and in groups)? How do we put God at the centre of all we do? Justice and kindness flow out of our walking humbly with God! If God is at the centre then we will want to act with justice and be kind people. Perhaps we should have this written on our agendas at church / elders’ meetings? The United Reformed Church has lots of resources to help us fulfil our purpose as disciples and churches – Nationally we have Walking the Way: Living the life of Jesus today. The URC website says: ‘Walking the Way is the United Reformed Church’s exciting focus on lifelong Christian discipleship and mission. It moves beyond a set of programmes into the world, where each step we take is accompanied by Jesus, helping us to bring about change in our own lives and, ultimately, in Church culture and society. As you engage in Walking the Way, we hope your understanding of what being a Christian disciple means will deepen. Who knows, you may grow beyond your wildest dreams, living as a disciple in all parts of your life.’ My dream is that all churches in Northern Synod engage with this – perhaps using the Holy Habits books and resources. Let me

know if you’re interested in exploring this Starting in September this year we have Stepwise – a whole church learning programme. It has 5 streams starting with Faith filled life – 3 month programme looking at who we are and who God is etc. Over the coming years other streams will come on board – Faith fuelled leadership, faith filled community, faith filled confidence and faith filled worship. Stepwise is open to all ages and we hope that many churches will engage with it and grow in discipleship and confidence. Locally we have many opportunities for getting involved in discovering our purpose and growing in our mission. The Footsteps Toolkit is available as both a booklet and on the website (where there are more ideas and good news stories) – this could be used during elders’ meetings to look at how your church is doing and whether you could do something new. Growing Leaders will be starting again in September (and it will become the main focus for the Stepwise Faith fuelled leadership stream) – a course to help grow our own leaders – covering subjects such as identity as leaders, God’s call, developing vision, looking after ourselves as leaders. Twenty eight people ‘graduated’ this summer from the first course and many found it really helpful and challenging. Mission shaped introduction and mission shaped ministry are two courses offered by Fresh Expressions which we are hoping to run locally in Northern Synod. MSI is a short course looking at foundations for mission and

how we build missional communities and Fresh Expressions. MSM is a longer course (a year) looking at setting up and developing Fresh Expressions within the contexts we live in. (The Fresh Expressions website can be accessed via the Footsteps Toolkit website). These are just some of the things we as a synod can offer to help local churches – remember that the synod team and I are on hand to do focussed pieces of work with churches and also to just offer advice and support where needed. The synod field team is made up of me (Jane Rowell) the synod mission enabler, Hannah Middleton our children’s work advisor (who can offer advice and support on work with children – everything from Messy Church to schools’ work) and Andy Lie (who is available for advice surrounding ecumenical and interfaith work). The field team together with the moderator aim to resource the church and support local churches. We are your team so use us! So, my prayer for our synod is that we will seek what God desires of us – to do justice, to love kindness and to walk humbly with our God!

My Role as Mission Enabler By Jane Rowell

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Last September about 30 of us from across the Synod started the Growing Leaders course. We met monthly, usually at one of four centres spread across the Synod with a mid-course 24-hour session at the Kingston Park Novotel. On June 9th we all met up again at Jesmond URC for our final session. We reflected together on the main aspects of the course and thought about what we had each particularly valued and what we would take away with us to help us in

the future. It was a lively, amusing and positive session notable for the confidence with which people contributed and the friendly atmosphere as people from different parts of the Synod talked about what we had in common. We were then joined by our mentors who had met with us individually between sessions to discuss the course. Peter Rand and Jane Rowell led us in Worship during which we were each presented with a

Revd Trevor Jamison was given a warm welcome as he returned to Northern Synod, at his induction at St Columba’s, North Shields. Trevor previously served in the Synod as Adult Education Officer 2001 – 2006 as part of our then Development Team. This time, he will be devoting 25% of his time to Synod projects alongside his ministry at North Shields. Our travelling Synod bears Naomi and Elijah were at

certificate. David Whiting and Stephen Collinson, who had also acted as course tutors, helped to distribute these. We joined enthusiastically in hymns specially chosen for the occasion. After the service we adjourned to the hall where a very bountiful buffet was set out. Everyone enjoyed both the food and the opportunity to chat. We are all now much more aware of the enormous variety of outreach activities taking place across the Synod. We were so busy talking that we forgot to take photos although we all managed to have a hearty meal.

the service, as well as visitors from various parts of the Synod. Synod Moderator, Revd Dave Herbert presided at the induction, and the sermon was preached by Revd Fiona Bennett, minister of Augustine United Church, Edinburgh, from which Trevor comes to us. Scotland has grown to treasure Trevor during his time working with Eco- Congregation, and Fiona asks us to treasure him too.

. We are looking forward to meeting up again at future Synod events

Induction of Trevor Jamison at St Columba’s, North Shields A Welcome Return By Andrew Atkinson

Growing Leaders Commissioning Service By Jackie Haws Confidence, Connections and Certificates

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Whilst on holiday a month or so ago in Pembrokeshire I had the occasion to visit the town of one of my teenage idol poets, Dylan Thomas. Dylan Thomas was one of the most renowned artists of the twentieth century. In poems such as Fern Hill and Do not go gentle into that good night, or in his radio play Under Milk Wood he continues to inspire and to entertain audiences the world over. Dylan Thomas was Welsh and his work springs from the culture and the complex history of the land in which he lived and from which he drew his inspiration. He lived at the Boat House with his wife Caitlin and their three children at Laugharne during the last four years of his short life. It was in his writing shed that he wrote Under Milk Wood. I remember at the time of the Aberfan Disaster in October 1966 playing the part of the Revd Eli Jenkins from Under Milk Wood in my Welsh Grammar School VI form production – it must have been a prophetic calling! Creativity in poetry, prose and in radio broadcasting, Dylan Thomas had in spade-loads – we say that creativity is a natural part of the human condition. We are all involved in creativity in as many mediums as there are people; as well as the great works of literature, art or music. But creativity is also connected to

personal cost. Many authors, writers, artists and musicians produce their most inspired work during times of grief, despair or oppression – Dylan Thomas certainly did – he had his demons – his personal life became increasingly difficult and dependent on alcohol; his relationship with Caitlin was at breaking point. He died in hospital in New York in 1953 aged 39, shortly after the first performance of Under Milk Wood. He is buried in St Martin’s Churchyard, Laugharne, Caitlin later buried alongside him. Dylan never learned to cope with success and wealth and he found it difficult to remain in touch with reality. Yet his poetry and his prose are among the greatest artistic achievements of the twentieth century. There seems to be a profound connection then between brokenness and openness – in music, art and literature. Perhaps it is in the ‘telling of the tale’ that light can begin to penetrate the darkness of secrecy and suffering. As Leonard Cohen sang: ‘There is a crack … in everything. That’s how the light gets in’. In the gospels when Mary of Bethany came to Jesus to anoint him with costly perfume, its sweet fragrance could only be released when the alabaster jar was broken. Creativity very often happens, not in spite of – but because of – brokenness. It is in going through the difficult challenges life inevitably throws at us that increases our potential for growth in our relationships and pursuits. Mark 14 V3

The very first Northumberland Pride was held in Alnwick on Saturday, 2nd June. A church service was held at St James URC, Alnwick in the week leading up to the main event. This was well attended, and one person commented, ‘I don’t do religion, but this service was so LGBT+ centred and the people were lovely’. On the day of the event, we walked in the march with our banner, led by the drumming group The Bangshees, who were loud and joyful. We had a Prayer Wheel at our stall, which proved very popular and there were amazing conversations. We gave out cards with words like ‘God loves Style’, ‘You are God’s Work of Art’ and ‘Be Yourself’. One person took the card ‘Made to be a blessing’. When asked if anyone had told them they were blessed they replied that no-one

ever had. It was noticed that the card was in their pocket at the end of the day! So many lovely people of all ages came to weave a ribbon in the prayer wheel, as a symbol of the desire to build a new creation where all are blessed, all are welcomed. One person commented that it was so peaceful just to stand and weave a ribbon into the wheel. Another person, who said they were an agnostic, spoke tenderly about a loved one who had died recently, as the action of weaving a golden piece of wire into the wheel was carried out. The day celebrated inclusivity and diversity, there was a lovely happy family atmosphere. It was a wonderful, and moving day, blessed with good weather and a fantastic body of people

Beauty in Brokenness By Ray Anglesea

Christians Together at Northumberland Pride By Pat Fuller, Carla Grosch-Miller, Mary Davidson

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Communications has been vital in Church life, since the early days of Christianity when, for example, Paul’s letters sought to commission, encourage and sustain fledgling Christian communities in the face of adversity. It remains vital today in an age of 24/7 global, multi-media communication. One communications expert has worked out that each one of us is exposed to over 3000 messages a day ….. scary though that may seem! Within the URC / Northern Synod each of us, as today’s Missional Disciples, is being called upon to assimilate a plethora of new initiatives and how they challenge us individually: ‘A Way Forward’, ‘Growing Leaders’, ‘Walking the Way’, ‘Stepwise’ …. In addition to all the ‘business’ of the Church at local level. A key communication objective of the Footsteps programme was to share Good News around the Northern Synod with a dynamic, interactive and integrated menu of media offerings that include the Footsteps brochure, newsletter, website and a Facebook Group. One of the realities that the development team recognised was that most of us still retain a preference for the printed word, hence the brochure and the monthly newsletter. As Paul used letters to communicate and many of us have grown up in the age of print media, we need to acknowledge that a growing Church of the future is more likely to embrace technology, in place of communication in print. That’s not to let us ‘oldies’ off the hook! 24 years ago, at the tender age of 46,

surrounded by a team of young 20 / 30 year old technology savvy staff, I purchased and switched on a computer for the first time and it opened up a new world of opportunities. So how is the Footsteps programme attempting to share good news around the Synod? Each local church has received 5 copies of the Footsteps Toolkit brochure and hopefully they are prominently displayed for everyone to read. The brochure sets out 7 Good News stories each outlining a Mission journey from a Church to its Community. The examples include: ‘Conducting a community audit’ ‘Joining in with an already identified community need’ ‘Participating in an ecumenical community project’ ‘Participation in a secular community project’ ‘Considering relocating to a community space’ ‘Seeking a Vision for Church’ ‘Pursuing a Vision for Church’ If you are inspired by any of the examples and would like to consider any of the approaches for your local church, please contact Jane Rowell, the Mission Enabler, in the first instance at jane.rowell@urc-northernsynod.org The Footsteps newsletter is published each month

around the 12th of the month to provide information that can be distributed to members via email or printed copies (for example on noticeboards), and also to meet the deadlines for local Church magazines / newsletters. It contains a leading article, Good News stories, URC and Global news features, news on forthcoming events and readers correspondence. The copy deadline is normally on the 26th of the calendar month preceding publication. The Footsteps website is divided into 7 easy-to-access sections. The first is a Home Page with a downloadable version of the Footsteps Toolkit. The ‘About Footsteps’ section contains a foreword by the Moderator The ‘Good News stories’ section includes regular updates on Missional activity and projects in our local churches and further afield, some written and others on video. The ‘How can we help you’ section informs us on how to contact the Mission Enabler and / or the Property Sub Group for advice on any Mission related project. The ‘News’ section contains the current newsletter and the three previous editions and a Leading Article on a matter of vital interest to us as Church members. Recent articles have included ‘A Way Forward’. ‘The Work of the Synod Trust’ and ‘Missional Discipleship’.

The ‘Fresh Expressions’ section will refer you to the FX website and feature stories of fresh expressions of church around the country. Have a look at ‘SUNDAY@THEPUB’. The ‘Get in Touch’ section enables you to contact Synod staff by phone or by email. The website is normally updated on a Wednesday, so a good time to visit it is from Thursday onwards. Finally, there is the Facebook Group that is already engaging discussion on a frequent basis between 80 folk. It is easy to sign up to become a member of this closed group and if it is of interest please contact Jane Rowell for simple instructions. I mentioned earlier in this article that one of the communications objectives was to develop and now launch a dynamic and interactive programme under the Footsteps banner. Your contributions – through a continuing flow of Good News from Church to Synod, critical analysis, assessment and feedback on the programme and any general news – are vital in sustaining this programme.

Communications and the Footsteps Programme

By Ian Buchanan

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I often walk past people who have been sleeping rough and I wonder how best to help them. The main question I have is about why they are there. Recently NECAT (North East Churches Acting Together) held a day conference for people from across the Churches in the NE. Mel, our Synod Clerk, and I both attended. No one really answered my wondering in specific ways but I came away understanding more about how some people do come to live on the streets. One speaker did talk of how many find family life difficult and can no longer remain at home, including the story of a young 12 year old, whose parents sent him out regularly to prostitute himself and then take his earnings back to mum and dad!!! I find it quite shocking and hard to imagine in some ways as my own upbringing was so good in comparison but, in other ways, due to my time as a teacher in a primary school, I am aware that many children do not find the safety and security in their homes that is theirs by right. At the conference we were encouraged not to judge the homeless but to give to them. The hope was that

The church in Crook has been a place of love, worship and prayer for 150 years. St Andrew’s Dawson Street was built in 1868 and with other Methodist churches joining over the years had

we would give money but I have always struggled to do so because I don’t want to be feeding drug or alcohol addictions. But two major ways in which, we as individuals, as congregations and as a synod can engage is through prayer and also by taking on the Government to ensure that good housing is available for those who are in need. We could give funding and other aid to projects, one of which is the Key Project run by churches in South Tyneside. Set up way back in 1992, it is an organisation which enables young people aged 16 – 24 to learn the skills to live independently. It employs some staff but also uses young people, mainly students, as volunteers. In 2017 some of the achievements were that 121 young people received housing advice and guidance, 36 families used mediation to resolve their issues and concerns, 477 food packs were given out, 66 young people were supported in their first flats (www.keyproject.org.uk) Another initiative is Green Pastures Community Benefit Society, an ethical organisation which looks for folk like us to invest our cash so that property can established itself as a vibrant community hub. In 2009 members of St Andrew’s URC, Crook joined the church, a historic Grade II* listed building. To mark its 150th anniversary year many special celebratory events are to be held, one of which was a spectacular Flower Festival in June; its theme ‘Anniversaries’. The church was transformed into a floral masterpiece inspired by the church’s rich industrial heritage and the important role it plays in community life.

be purchased to house the homeless. There is an interest rate of no more than 5%. The project has, at present, 1000+ investors, 900+ people have been housed and partners ensure that the rent on these properties is paid and that the houses are maintained well. Could we, as individuals or as congregations or as a synod become involved? www.greenpastures.net/invest In Gateshead, Oasis Aquila Housing is a Christian charity supporting families and individuals who are homeless or vulnerably housed. www.oasisaquilahousing .org Nightstop North East is a venture whereby vulnerable young people or adults are offered a bed by couples or families who have a spare bedroom. Advice is offered as these folk are encouraged to find their own homes and people with drug or alcohol addictions are not helped in order to protect the volunteers offering room. Homelessness isn’t confined to those living on the streets for many families find themselves having live in hostels. Also many individuals and families live in rented housing which is not really fit for purpose and this issue is also being addressed by some agencies

The festival was opened by Baroness Hilary Armstrong and Jean Cowing JP. Many visitors and guests enjoyed the festival’s weekend of

And, of course, there are many refugees within our synod who need to be housed. There are several agencies across our synod helping here (West End Refugee Service in Newcastle along with others). Action Foundation was one we heard about at the conference learning that not only are hosts and rooms found but also daily bus tickets given out along with advice and help as refugees move into their own accommodation www.actionfoundation.org.uk The main theme I picked up during the day was that we need to take on board DIT rather than DIY. DIT is Do it Together and, of course all the projects mentioned are about empowering people to find and enjoy good quality homes. And if we can relate all of this to ‘Walking the Way’ we would need to consider what Jesus would do so that we can be living his life today.

activities including special services with Crook Churches Together

Homelessness ……..What can we do? By Meg Robb

Good News Story Crook Flower Festival Church celebrates 150 years with flowers By Ray Anglesea

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West End Church in Fenham were celebrating a Great Get Together event on June 23rd in memory of Jo Cox the murdered MP who is remembered for her dedication to working together as a community and for encouraging respect for everyone whatever their gender, ethnicity, faith or disability. The national slogan for this year’s events is ‘We have more in common’. West End worked with children from the Fenham area to produce a Peace Banner. The Synod gave a grant and West End was able to work with nearly 200 children who each were given a piece of material and they drew a picture of themselves in fabric crayons which was cut out and attached to the banner. The children were from Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Primary School, Hadrian School, Fenham Playgroup and West End. Saints Roberts, Robert Stewart Memorial and Holy Cross churches and many were in church Rainbow, Brownie, Guide or Beaver units. The children who attended the Get Together were

presented with a certificate and a small gift. The Banner will be taken around the schools, churches and units so that every child who participated gets their certificate and has an opportunity to see the completed Banner. The Get Together was a successful and happy event supported by many people, including Dave Herbert, our Moderator, Chi Onwurah our local MP., the West Fenham City Councillors and representatives from Northumbria Police and Tyne and Wear Fire Service. A highlight of the afternoon was that after the

presentation of the certificates each child attending was given a small Peace Lantern which they gave to someone they didn’t know along with a smile. Those people were then asked to pass the lantern onto someone else until hopefully everyone received a Peace message As well as the usual garden party stalls and games there were plenty of activities including a magician, pony. and trap rides, and a disco We were also entertained by some children giving a

display of traditional Indian dancing Our thanks go to the Synod for the grant which funded the making of the Banner, the Peace Lanterns and the children’s gifts and certificates. It is hoped that our Great Get Together helped to bring the community closer together and demonstrated that people from different backgrounds can join together in friendship and have fun as part of Gods Kingdom.

Good News Story West End Church, Fenham Great Get Together By Pat and Doug Fox

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The Puffin Lounge in Amble is a dementia-friendly lounge, and sessions are held primarily for people with dementia, their families The next issue of Footsteps will feature an article on the recent Cross of Nails service at Crookham. The minister at Crookham, Mary Taylor would like everyone to consider visiting the peace garden as a church group or as individuals. It could be an outing linked to visiting Holy Island! If you would like refreshments or a day

friends and carers but anyone is invited along. The photo shows us singing for the very first time a song

retreat organized please contact Mary. Crookham URC will mark its 85th birthday this summer with two afternoon services and garden parties in August. 12th August will be an informal songs of praise and garden party – hopefully in the peace garden.

about Amble – written by 2 or 3 of the Puffin Loungers, to the tune of ‘Land of Hope and Glory’. We are wondering where we might

19th August will include an illustrated talk of the earlier history of the church. Both will be from 4 – 6 pm ish. Please contact Mary Taylor on 01896 756 990 or email m.taylor_1@btinternet.com

perform it….. The Royal Albert Hall is in our sights!!! For further information check out the website: www.dementiafriends.org.uk

The Puffin Lounge Singers, Amble By Sue Swanston

Crookham United Reformed Church Peace Garden

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Readers’ comments and social media posts We are looking forward to receiving your comments and feedback for the August / September edition of the newsletter. The copy deadline for the August / September edition of the Footsteps newsletter will be 26th July 2018.