December 2010 | Fareham United Reformed Church

Christmas Around the World

Celebrating Christmas Around the World

Exploring how Christmas is celebrated in different parts of the world, was the theme of the morning service on December 19th. The congregation were taken on a whistle-stop tour of all continents and told of the special Christmas customs of a country from each one.
Around the church there were displays of nativity scenes and other Christmas items.
A nativity scene was built up using model figures from some of the stories from the differing traditions.
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Fishing Boat for Burma

At the December Church Meeting, it was agreed that the profits from the sale of Traidcraft goods should be used to purchase a fishing boat from the Christian Aid ‘Present Aid’ catalogue. For those who are not familiar with this catalogue, please read the exert below which describes the fishing boat we have purchased.
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Christingle Service

Over forty people of all ages gathered to make Christingles to take to the special service led by Mrs Gill Bailey.

Advent and Christmas at Fareham United Reformed Church

Liss and that

Well, the good people of Petersfield survived my preaching three times in one day and the Bright Party was fine, we even managed to set off a sky lantern without setting light to the trees! As for that road (Moggs Mead) it has remained a bit of a problem, but as most people seem to live there, I have had to master it. I have found that if you keep turning clockwise you eventually come to the main road and then only have the ’one way’ system to negotiate!

The Smile Train

The Smile Train is an International charity focused on solving the problem of cleft lip and palette in developing countries where millions of children with this predicament aren’t allowed to attend school, or hold a job and face lives filled with shame, isolation, pain and heartache. In fact every baby born in Uganda with a cleft is given the name ‘Ajok’ meaning ‘cursed by God’. No one knows how many newborns like this, are killed or abandoned at birth.

The Great South Run

The Great South Run is a 10 mile gallop around Portsmouth and is now the most popular run in Europe. Apart from the flat course, which is obviously always popular, the tremendous support given by the people of Portsmouth is much appreciated by the runners.

Challenge or Chore

When someone asks you to do something you have never done before, what is your first response? Do you think ‘Oh, I couldn’t do that’ or do you think ‘I’ don’t know how well I can do it, but I’ll give it a go?’ None of us can do everything, but we’ll never know what we can do and even may be good at, until and unless, we try. I had a stormy relationship with my father, but I’m grateful to him for teaching me two sayings; ’Never say ‘I can’t’ if you could say ‘I’ll try’ and ‘If at first you don’t succeed, try, try, try again.’’.

Induction of Revd Paul Bedford

The Induction of the Reverend Paul Bedford as Minister of Fareham and Sarisbury Green United Reformed churches, will take place on Saturday 29th January 2011 at Fareham URC at 2pm. The service will be followed by a celebratory tea and a chance to greet Paul and Susan and welcome them to the pastorate.