Newsletter

December 2006

News and Views

 

Committee Clips

 

Your committee meets several times a year to discuss issues relating to the running of the club, and changes that are proposed, or anything that is likely to be controversial.  All the members of the committee give up their time to do this, and we would all appreciate your prayers so that God's best plan for the club is followed.

 

The meeting in October resulted in some decisions that we wanted to share with members through the newsletter:

 

1.      Photos On The Website – there have been several comments from members about this policy, so we have amended this policy.  It is now the responsibility of any individual who does not wish their photograph to appear in the newsletter or web site, to inform the photographer of their wishes.

 

2.      Child Protection Policy – In the light of child protection issues, we now expect parents or guardians to be responsible for children under the age of 18 at all times on club events.  An event or walk leader does not take on this responsibility.

 

3.      20s and 30s events – we would like to advertise the two 20s and 30s events in 2007 outside the club and plan to produce a flyer for them.  Can those of you who have contact with young people or have youth groups in your churches, let Julie Excell know by the middle of January if possible, so that you can be sent some leaflets to distribute?

 

4.      Electronic Mailings – we had a long discussion on the 2006 trial of electronic mailings, following the questionnaire that was sent out with the last mailing.  There have been several issues that include:

·        Some members did not receive the emails.

·        Sending the emails is very time consuming, as only a limited number can be sent at one time.

·        Needs bulk mailing software.

·        A spam problem has been caused on the email address, both in spammers using the address, undeliverable addresses, and the message being filtered out by some servers.

·        We do not have the software at present to put the newsletter on the website as a pdf, in its printed format (pdf).

·        Many people have opted to revert to paper copies.

·        The cost saving on the actual printing is limited, although there is a cost saving on the postage.

 

The committee do not have the technical knowledge, skills or time to pursue this at present.  We have therefore reluctantly decided to discontinue the electronic mailings for 2007.

 

1.      2007 Annual General Meeting – As we come to the end of 25 years of the club, we would like to look ahead to the next 25 years, and your committee need your input.  Therefore the format of the AGM will be altered to bring in more participation from members, with opportunities to break into focus groups on various topics for those who wish to contribute.  Please send any ideas to the committee by the beginning of January.

 

 
 

NEW NEWS

 

Numbers:  How many events have you completed?  Do let the editor know if your total is high.

 

Congratulations to David Poole who has recorded the 200 CRC events that he has completed and is still adding to this number.

 

Wedding Congratulations:

Jane Powell married Steve Hale in Didcot on 23 September

 

Humorous Hints: 

A surprise on the Isle of Wight for Richard Blackwell:

 

Whilst checking the paths for a future walk that I was leading, the path meandered between the cliff edge and a high wall.  After some distance the path simply disappeared and, not wanting to retrace my steps, I decided to attempt to reach a coastal road.  The only way was to climb a tree and drop over into what I believed was farmland.  I shinned up the tree, pushed through the foliage and dropped onto grass.  Picking myself up I was horrified to find that about fifty nuns were staring at me.  It was a nunnery!  Red-faced, I stammered apologies and asked to be directed to that elusive coastal road.  In total silence one formidable nun let me out of a huge gate and I quickly fled.  The nuns had not uttered a word and I assume it was a silent order.  I never returned to investigate further.

 

Any more funny occasions on CRC events that you would like published, please send them to the editor.

 

Free to good home: A pair of walking trousers, Men’s Rohan Bags, 36 inch waist in dark grey.  Offers to pay postage, or collect and make a donation to CRC, to Jim Rogers please (01642 317078).

 

Prayer Patter
Celebrating Difference - Staying Faithful

(The title of Andrew Wingate’s recent book on inter-faith relations)

 

Many of us work in multi-cultural, multi-faith situations, and have family, friends, colleagues, fellow church members, clients, neighbours, or receive services from, people who are of a different culture or faith to ourselves.  But for all of us, how much are we seeking to extend our contact with people for the sake of the kingdom?

 

This week’s 4 top news stories all were about inter-faith acceptance, one of which was the Muslim woman teaching assistant who wants to cover her face with the veil. Whatever we think of the practice, she is a person made in God’s image just like me, who wants to be included in society.

 

Lord, thank you that you are a God of reconciliation. You were there reconciling the world to yourself when we were separated from you.  Thank you for bringing the issues of people in the world right close to home, so we can no longer remain uninvolved.  Lord we pray you would challenge us to help understand issues through your loving involvement with the world, and to help people feel included and part of mainstream life, and appreciated for who they are and the differences they uphold.

 

Lord, we honour people as you do, as the God of love, in simply respecting, including, being interested, doing justice, loving mercy and humbly walking with our God.  We celebrate each one of us in your image.  What magnificent creation from an infinitely almighty Creator God.  Please help us in CRC to be inclusive and learn from one another’s background, experiences, and ways of doing things.  Thank you that it stops us from insisting on what we have always done.  Please help us warmly welcome in the same way we have been accepted in you.  Amen                Judy Jones

 

 

 

Every year the CRC gives away a tithe to one or more Christian charities that a CRC member is directly involved in.

 

This year the committee decided to give half to Operation Mobilisation, and half to Trans World Radio, keeping a small amount to be used with some of next year’s tithe, possibly for youth work in the lakes.  Here is a little more information about both of these.

 

TITHE 1

 

Operation Mobilisation:  Brian Rippon works for OM at Quinta Hall and has sent us this information:

 

Operation Mobilisation is excited to share the ‘official’ figures that show we now have 4000 workers in 106 countries around the world.  Two of our most recent ventures are:

·        In India the Dalits are the lowest caste and have no rights.  OM India have opened 40 schools to give the children an education so that they can have a better future.  Many people are now sponsoring a child at £12 per month.

·        Logos Hope.  We already have two ships that go round the world spreading the gospel and aiding where necessary.  More than 15 million children have visited OM ships in 140 nations.  With Logos Hope nearing completion we will soon be able to reach many more.  To get the new ship operational is a £15 million venture.  It is soon to move from the outfitters in Croatia to Bremen in Germany for completion.  We are looking for volunteers to spend a few weeks to help with practical work on the ship at this time.

 

Behind the scenes are tens of thousands of people who generously support our workers and our ministry in prayer, by lending their skills on a voluntary basis, and in many other ways.  Thank you for your willingness to partner with us as we endeavour to bring hope to the people of the world through the Christian message.

 

 

TITHE 2

 

Trans World Radio:

 

Trans World Radio UK (TWR-UK) would like to thank the Christian Rambling Club for their kind gift of £300.  TWR-UK is the most far reaching Christian radio network in the world.  Programmes in over 200 languages and dialects are aired from more than 2,800 outlets around the world.  Every day, TWR’s broadcasts reach millions in over 160 countries. 

 

TWR’s vision is to reach the world for CHRIST by mass media, so that LASTING fruit is produced. 

 

Back in early October 2005, the CRC had the pleasure of meeting TWR – Europe colleagues in Perchtoldsdorf, a very scenic and picturesque town near Vienna, Austria.  Our visit included sight-seeing trips into Vienna, hikes and bike rides, and attending a service at an Austrian Evangelical Church.  The CRC were given a tour of the offices, studios and facilities.  Whilst not understanding the technical concepts, hearing broadcasts live on air in languages such as Arabic and Czech was just awesome.  The last trek led us on a hike to the edge of the Alps where the scenery was stunning and the weather just perfect.  The day was rounded off with an evening in Vienna for a concert featuring music by Strauss and Mozart. 

 

The next CRC and TWR trip will be to Portugal form 22 - 29 September 2007.  We look forward to seeing you there. 

 

Anita Jones

 

Trans World Radio   www.twr.org

Trans World Radio UK  www.twr.org.uk

Contact details anita.jones@onedirection.com

 

Mercy Ships

In the past CRC has given some of the tithe to Mercy ships.

 

Janet Hiles has sent us this article about her work on Mercy Ships

 

Now for something a little different  ….. 

A life on the ocean wave!  …….

And have a great time!

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are 2 hospital ships that visit the poorest countries in West Africa and the Caribbean, and offer free surgery, mostly for benign tumours, cleft lips and cataracts.  All the crew are volunteers, so there is a constant turnover of nurses, doctors, dentists, admin / IT people, engineers, galley staff, plumbers, electricians etc., you name it!

 

Volunteers commit for 2 weeks onwards.  Many are there for months, or even years.  The crew come from over 30 different nations – nothing short of remarkable.  Community life is challenging - youth hostelling is a pretty good warm-up!

 

I am in Ghana right now, on the Anastasis, and back for the academic year 2006/7, teaching Kindergarten and Grade 1.  I get off the ship as often as possible at weekends. Last year was especially memorable, with 10 months spent in Liberia, which is just recovering from 14 years of civil war, with no electricity or running water!  We have been able to help in many ways - Alpha, orphanage and prison visiting, and many many other projects.

 

Many thanks for your encouragement, CRC members at Llanddeusant, Christmas 2003!  I do value people`s prayers.

 

 

Members Meanders

 

CRC 25th ANNIVERSARY PATH:  The Coln Valley Way

 

The path resulted from a long search to find a suitable route to commemorate the Club's 25th Anniversary, and was eventually found starting almost on my own doorstep.

 

The route starts from Charlton Pool, 3/4 mile north of Brockhampton in the Cotswolds (Glos.) and continues along the River Coln as closely as possible for a distance of 26 miles to where the Coln joins the Thames near Lechlade. It can also be walked as a series of eight easy circular walks (average 7 miles), but the individual can easily adapt the length or starting point for each walk.

 

Interesting diversions from the path include Chedworth Roman Villa; Bibury Trout Farm (where the route passes the much photographed Arlington Row); and St Mary's Church at Fairford which has a unique series of stained glass windows from the 1490's.

 

The full route can be found on Landranger 163 and all but the last two miles on Explorer OL45.  The linear walk is mostly on footpaths with about five miles on quiet country lanes. Stow-on-the-Wold is the most convenient youth hostel.

 

If you would like further details or your map marked up, do contact Roger Philpott (07957 610537).

 

This path has been submitted to Gloucestershire County Council for recognition as a Recreational Route - so watch this space!

 

Roger Philpott

 

 

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