Church News

MELBOURN’S CHURCHES TOGETHER

United Reformed Church

Coffee on Fridays

Fridays 10.30am until 12.30pm. Drop in for coffee and a chat, usually one or other of our ministers is present and there is also the opportunity to buy Fairtrade goods from Robert’s stall.

Historic Churches Cycle Ride

This years cycle ride takes place on Saturday 12th September and again this year Melbourn URC will provide participants and open up our church to provide a welcome for cyclists, provide a drink/biscuit and use of our facilities!!

Midweek activities

A monthly mid week Reflective Service will begin in October providing an hour or so of contemplative readings, imagery and music, a time to escape the hustle and bustle.

We are also beginning a series of Bible Study sessions, these also will begin in October see diary dates for information.

Harvest And Scarecrow Festival

On the weekend of 19th to 20th September the church will open its doors for all to visit the Harvest Display and a series of scarecrows made by various community groups.

On Saturday the church will open from 11am until 4.30pm with various displays and refreshments available. From 2.30pm there will also be a chance to listen to some organ music, a selection of musical genres.

On Sunday there will be children’s activities from 10 – 10.45 am in the hall. Our Harvest Festival service begins at 11am followed by a bring and share picnic lunch and at 1.30pm the chance to buy any of the Harvest displays.

It is not too late to bring a friendly scarecrow along, for details contact Anne Field tel 220869.

Baptist Church

Communion is held on the first Sunday of every month at 6 p.m., Coffee Break takes place on Wednesday mornings from 10.30 to 12 noon in the Church Hall. Everyone welcome. The Craft Club is also on Wednesdays mornings at 9.30 am. Again, all are welcome.

Christian Aid Week in Melbourn

I would like to give a big ‘Thank You’ to those who gave or bought cakes, joined in the Quiz night, came to the Churches Together service at the United Reformed Church and did the House to House collection, in Melbourn.

The cake stall raised £299.00 – The quiz night raised £129.00 – Church Service raised £121.50 – Street collection raised £775.50. Making a grand total of £1325 slightly less than last year.

Date for the diary. I will be having a fund raising coffee morning and tea afternoon again this year. It will be on September 25th from 10.00 to 12 noon & from 2.30pm to 4.30pm at 26 Beechwood Ave. All are welcome Helen John Christian Aid Secretary for Melbourn

All Saints’ Church

Christmas Bazaar Saturday 14th Nov 11am to 3pm

A new competition will be included this year, for the best Cup Cakes; with separate categories for Gentlemen, Ladies and Young People. There will again be a Cake Stall, so we hope that you will bake for this popular stall. We look forward to seeing you there.

SOAS (Supporters of All Saints’) 100 Club

The May draw was made 3rd June by Rev Andrew O’Brien: the first prize of £21.66 goes to Sue Toule (5) of 81 Beechwood Avenue and the second of £10.54 goes to Joan Statter of 60 Orchard Road.

The June draw was made 2nd July by Rev Andrew O’Brien: the first prize of £21.70 goes to Helena Ellis (37) of 11 Mortlock Street and the second to Margaret Lewis (48) of 41 Beechwood Avenue.

The July draw was made 1st August by Mike Rawlings (the

Vicar is on holiday). The First prize of £21 goes to Bob & Anne Biglands of 30 Armingford Crescent and the second of £10.50 to Mrs M Brooksbank of 66 Medcalfe Way.

SOAS News

Following our successful spring concert by the Royston Choral Society we pursued the summer season with our Melbourn Open Gardens on 7th June. Despite a wet morning we had a steady flow of visitors to the fifteen open gardens and the refreshments made available in the All Saints’ Community Hall. Already we have received offers of gardens for June 2010 when the open time will be 2-6pm.

We have just held a noisy, enjoyable and profitable Beetle Drive in the hall.

We continue to benefit from the proceeds of the Saturday morning Coffee Stop and are grateful to Sue Toule, Mike Scriven and the volunteers on the rota for their good work.

Kersti Llewellyn-Beard reports that the 100Club currently has 63 members (we lose a couple and gain a couple!). If you wish to join the 100 Club, contact Kersti on 01763 220703. It costs £1 a month, so that if you join in September you would pay £4 to cover you up to the new year. Our funds stand at £24,129 - all of which will shortly be needed to help with the costs of maintenance planned for All Saints’.

Our autumn programme has yet to be confirmed but, of course, we shall be at the All Saints’ Bazaar on Saturday 14th November. George Howard

Safari Supper

On 20th June we held the second Melbourn Safari Supper in aid of the All Saints’ Community Hall.

I think I speak for everyone when I say that it was a most enjoyable evening, 52 people took part (12 more than last year) and we raised a considerable amount of money towards the upkeep of the hall. At six o’clock people opened their envelopes to find the note telling them where they had to go for their starter where they met four or six other diners. At the end of that course, the host opened an envelope giving everyone directions for the main course, where they met another group of people – and so on, with everyone meeting up at the end in the Community Hall for cheese and coffee.

I must say a huge thank you to all those people who agreed to be hosts and provide meals for unknown guests (except, of course, that most people did know each other at least by sight!) – without your generosity in opening your homes there would not be a Safari Supper! Thanks also to Jane Brett who helped with all the complicated planning of who went where so that they met new people at each venue, her input was invaluable.

I hope to make this an annual event, so watch out for an advance notice in the Spring copy of this magazine – it will probably be about the same time in June and hopefully even more people will be wanting to take part and even to act as hosts. Mavis Howard

The Word of God from David Burbridge All the gods of the nations are idols, but The Lord made the heavens. Declare His glory among the heathen. Show forth His salvation from day to day. Psalm 96 v 2-5 500th Anniversary of the birth of JOHN CALVIN

This most gifted man, Jean Cauvin, was born near Paris in July 1509. He was privileged to be the means of influencing and benefiting the whole world, and Britain in particular.

After he had written ‘Institutes of The Christian Religion’ which drew together the doctrines proclaimed by all The Reformers, those who recognised that such doctrines were very clearly taught in the Holy Bible, were nicknamed Calvanists.

Through Calvin’s residence and ministry in Geneva, Switzerland, the whole religious, political and social scene was rectified. The historian James Froude wrote, ‘Calvinism was the spirit which rose in revolt against untruth; the spirit which is the inflashing upon the conscience of the nature and origin of the laws by which mankind are governed. These laws exist, whether we acknowledge or ignore them, and will have their way, to our good or woe, according to the attitude we have toward them. The laws are inherent, like the law of gravity. Whatever exists now in Britain of conscientious fear of doing evil, is the remnant of the convictions which were branded into people’s hearts by the Calvinists.’ Sadly though, today we have not only the decay of vital Christianity, but a rapid increase of indecent methods of life, national and social.

Spiritual laws are as eternal as the natural laws which govern the universe, as Calvin so clearly set out. Calvin’s life was preserved, like Martin Luther’s, but hundreds of Reformers were martyred, including 25 from Cambridge University. It was by many famous characters of history, who were nicknamed Calvinists, that we in Britain have enjoyed our worldrenowned freedom of speech. David Burbridge

SOAS

(Supporters of All Saints’ Melbourn)

What is SOAS

SOAS is a nondenominational charity and aims to enlist the support of the Melbourn Community to preserve the village character and heritage. Funds raised by SOAS through membership contributions and cultural events are spent on the upkeep of All Saints’ Church building. Membership subscriptions are discretionary with a minimum of £3 per person or £5 per family per year. Application and/or Banker’s order forms can be obtained by telephoning Shaun Coles on 260327.

WEST ANGLIA CROSSROADS

Caring for Carers, sharing the load

Do you care for someone?

We specialise in respite care for people of all ages in their own homes and in the community. Services include 1:1 support, palliative, emergency and group care. The Meldreth Group provides a range of activities for adults with various conditions. It is held fortnightly at the Eternit Sports and Social Club from 10.30–3.30. We have places available and accept referrals from the South Cambs Area. We require Support Workers within your local area. Ongoing career development with flexible hours. Additional pay for NVQ and unsocial hours. If you would like more information on services or are interested in joining us. Please contact 0845 241 0954 care@westangliacrossroads.org.uk Registered Charity No. 1091522 Company No. 4379948