April Newsletter
Dear friends
How are you following the special time of Easter as we continue our journey together. Last weekend’s church leadership conference across Medway organised by Churches Together in Medway was a great inspiration in calling us to encourage fellowships in their proclamation of Jesus as King of kings, setting aside the many other distractions which come our way and realising afresh that our ownership of Jesus as our King means praying more for people to know Jesus as well as living out our belief through our actions. I urge us all to pray every day for the Church in Medway of which Gillingham United Reformed Church is part. Pray every day for us as a local church to reach those who do not know Jesus or those who have lost their way on their faith journey. Pray too that as God answers our prayers, and because we are willing, he can work in and through us to disciple others. As ever, building relationship is key to God’s call on our lives and we thank him for the privilege of being given opportunities to do that.
Our Call to Worship yesterday was Psalm 24:1 [NIV] ‘The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.’ A verse highlighted at the CTIM conference and which ahead of that had been chosen for our worship yesterday. I dare to believe that God really wants us to hear those words as we seek to own what it says. Believing what it says highlights that everything belongs to the Lord and therein sits our responsibility and that of everyone in the world. Caring right across the board comes more and more into focus in these days.
That includes us being very grateful to Fiona for helping us to be aware of actions which we can take in being examples of good stewards in looking after God’s world. Every day here in this country that can mean recycling, not wasting food, heating or lighting – to identify a few of so many examples. It is a continuing education programme and we are called to do our best in engaging with it. Fiona’s particular highlights for this newsletter are:
Heed the warnings given by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds from April 2026 and about which I quote from the RSPB Spring/Summer magazine. From 1 May to
31 October pause feeding seed and peanuts; from 1 November to 30 April provide seeds, peanuts, suet/fat and mealworms; provide natural sources of food through planting in your gardens or balconies; feed small amounts at a time; make sure that food is not accumulating on the ground below feeders; only offer water if you are able to change it every day, and tap water is likely better.
The No Mow May movement encourages us to let our lawns or a part or them, however small, grow throughout May or longer. It reduces carbon footprint, gives a deeper connection to nature and provides a lifeline for other wildlife including pollinators.
Pledging to do this can be done by going to plantlife.org.uk and clicking on the button ‘Make the No Mow May pledge’. A free guide will be given to anyone responding to the incentive.
The Big Earth Raise from 22 to 29 April through donations to A Rocha UK and partners. Donations are match funded and will go towards helping UK habitats that are being lost and wildlife declining in numbers. The campaign offers hope – restoring woodlands, wetlands and wildflower meadows. Donations can be made by going to the website donate.biggive.org and searching for A Rocha UK between 22 to 29 April.
Very locally, Fiona tells us that the next Repair Cafe is on Saturday 25 April at Wigmore Library from 10.30 am to 1 pm and the next clothes and toy swap is at Gillingham Library on Saturday May 9 from 11 am to 3 pm. Please also remember to look at the Eco board maintained by Fiona in the large hall and if you were not able to come to the bring and share lunch yesterday and would like a copy of the buy nothing new crossword and carbon crush challenge which were available please ask for copies.
Moving on, attention is drawn to two days of prayer for charities dear to the heart of Gillingham United Reformed Church. The Langley Trust Day of Prayer is from 6 pm on 17 May to 6 pm on 18 May. Blythswood’s Day of Prayer is on Wednesday June 3 when we are invited to set aside 60 minutes to give thanks for the work of Blythswood as well as saturating Blythswood in prayer as it journeys into the future.
It is still possible to obtain a ticket and make your own way to the Synod Big Day Out at Paddock Wood. My understanding is that it will not be possible a buy a ticket at the entrance on the day.
A reminder that our coach outing to Westgate is on Saturday 13th June. The coach is filling up so if you are hoping for a seat and have not said so now is the time to act!
Two coffee mornings on the horizon. Please come if you can and invite a friend.
| GILLINGHAM UNITED REFORMED CHURCH AND THOMAS FOWLE, FUNERAL DIRECTORS, UNITE TO SUPPORT MEDWAY FOODBANK. COFFEE MORNING AT GILLINGHAM UNITED REFORMED CHURCH, BALMORAL ROAD, GILLINGHAM ME7 4PU FRIDAY 1ST MAY FROM 10.30 TO 12 NOON. VOLUNTARY DONATIONS. NO CHARGE FOR ADMISSION |
and the coffee morning organised by Fiona
As I draw this letter to a close and go back to its beginning, I remind us to up our praying to the King of kings, owning the action which He needs from us. Because the world is crying out for peace which means absence from war, for communities to know what it is to work together, for the need for guidance which distinguishes between God’s way and the way of the world with its many ‘attractions’, every day without ceasing let us pray ‘Thy kingdom come’ with commitment because prayer and action go together.
Our next Christian puppet time is this Friday, 24 April from 4.30 to 5.45 pm for children accompanied by parent/carer. Please extend an invitation to people known to you for whom this might be an opportunity worth exploring. In this week’s session we will be sharing the story of the wise man who built his house upon the rock. Why? Because through it comes the proclamation that Jesus is King of kings. Apart from Him we can do nothing.
God bless you all
Pam