September 2013

Beckenham United Reformed Church

www.beckenhamurc.com

SUNDAY WORSHIP

1st September Rev. Sue Powell - Holy Communion

8th September Mr. John Morley

15th September Mrs. Marion Bayley

22nd September Rev. Graham Thomson

29th September Major Cliff Kent

OTHER DIARY EVENTS

Wed 4th September 2.00pm Songs of Praise

Wed 4th September 8.00pm Elders

Tues11th September 2.30pm Crescent Club

Wed 18th September 12.30pm Luncheon Club & Songs of Praise

Advance Notice – Harvest & Harvest Lunch – 6th October

OUR VISION

Our vision is to glorify God and to serve God throughout our lives,

always open to God working through us. We seek to share the good

news of love, forgiveness and grace with all in our local community

through our actions and our prayers.

Donors Arrangers

1st Sept Helene Hill Rev. Sue Powell

8th

Sept Gladys Deat Pat Power

15th

Sept Muriel Aldcroft Muriel Aldcroft

22nd

July Available Marion Bayley

29th

July Available Monica Duncan

The Flower distribution is now going to be arranged on an ad hoc

basis, depending on who is at church that week.

Dear Friends,

What a lovely summer we have enjoyed.

The magazine is full of photographs of the various church

activities throughout the summer, so do make a point of

seeing if you can see yourself in them!

It has been a busy summer, with much happening, and I

thank all of you who have been involved in organising,

assisting, and taking part in all that we have done

together.

As we look forward to September and the coming autumn

with the changing leaves in the garden, it is good to take

some time to sit, perhaps in the garden, and reflect on all

God’s goodness around us.

“Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10).

In the midst of our world with all its war and turmoil; in

the midst of our lives with all the change and stress; in

the midst of all that life can be, God invites us: Be still,

and know that I am God.

As many of you know, the past weeks have been difficult

for me, and this verse has kept my strength secure. To be

still and know that God is there, whatever we face in life,

is quite something. In this midst of all that comes, we

have a God who invites us to be still – to take just a

moment to focus and balance ourselves in His love. It

takes just a few seconds to pause while cooking the

dinner, or before answering emails, or while out walking to

give thought to God. And as we give thought to God, we

can be inwardly still and gain that strength that only He

can give.

And so I invite you, be still and know God in your lives; be

still and focus for just a while each day – it is amazing the

difference it makes. Sue

FROM THE SECRETARY

This summer has for members of Beckenham congregation been a

very sad one. Our dear friend Beryl Leggett passed away about a

month ago. She had been a stalwart member of the Church for

many years and we all admired her determination in still attending

every Sunday. We heard that Sue’s Mum passed away at the end of

last week. She had been unwell for a long time and it is a blessing

she is now at peace. Sadly too, Henry’s daughter Rosie died from

rather an aggressive cancer. He was able to get to her funeral down

in Gloucester. Muriel’s brother Ian also passed away. He was a

member here many years ago until he went into the Merchant Navy.

He subsequently went into the Ministry and became a minister in

New England for many years. Our love and prayers go to all these

members and also to their families at this very sad time.

David Holmes has been home from hospital for the past few weeks.

He is confined to a wheelchair and very frustrated as he is unable to

walk. Marjorie and Dudley still manage to get to Church every

week, though Dudley is in respite care at the moment. Elma missed

her step coming down from the Apse, and fractured her foot, and

has for a few weeks had to wear a surgical boot. Fortunately she is

now walking normally again.

Otherwise everybody else is well and we do take away a couple of

happy memories of the summer! In June we had Roly the clown

come to take our Parade service. He was quite amazing with his

acrobatic skills, and the service was enjoyed by those who attended.

Some of our members went to the Holiday from Home at Hayes,

and had a wonderful time regaling us with their stories!

Muriel was the perfect hostess for the annual Crescent Club tea

party. Her afternoon teas are highly recommended!!

Let us hope for happier times as we settle back into our routine at

Beckenham. Gill Ross

“You don't know who is important to you until you actually lose

them.” ― Mahatma Gandhi

“Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no

one can steal.” ― a headstone in Ireland

Lectionary

1st Sept Psalm 81:1, 10-16 or Psalm 112; Jeremiah 2:4-13

or Sirach 10:12-18 or Proverbs 25:6-7; Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16

Luke 14:1, 7-14

8th

Sept Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 or Psalm 1; Jeremiah 18:1-11

or Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Philemon 1-21; Luke 14:25-33

15th

Sept Psalm 14 or Psalm 51:1-10; Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28

Or Exodus 32:7-14; 1Timothy 1:12-17 or Luke 15:1-10

22nd

Sept Psalm 79:1-9 or Psalm 113; Jeremiah 8:18-9:1

or Amos 8:4-7; 1Timothy 2:1-7; Luke 16:1-13

29th

Sept Psalm 91:1-6, 14-16 or Psalm 146; Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15

or Amos 6:1a, 4-7; 1Timothy 6:6-19; Luke 16:19-31

September Coffee Money goes to – MIND

Mind won't give up until everyone experiencing a

mental health problem gets support and respect.

Every year, one in four of us will experience a mental

health problem. But hundreds of thousands of people

are still struggling to get the support they need, still

unable to access the services that could change their life, still facing

prejudice and misunderstanding.

Mind believes no one should have to face a mental health problem

alone. They’ll listen, give you support and advice, and fight your

corner. And they’ll push for a better deal and respect for everyone

experiencing a mental health problem.

Through their network of local Minds also provide direct support to

almost 250,000 people each year.

Revelation 21:4

“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no

more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain

anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

PRAYER FELLOWSHIP

Bread is a lovely thing to eat –

God bless the barley and the wheat.

A lovely thing to breathe is air –

God bless the sunshine everywhere.

The earth’s a lovely place to know –

God bless the folks that come and go.

Alive is a lovely thing to be –

Giver of life, we say “bless thee”.

For all the rich autumnal glories –

the flaming pageant of the ripening woods,

the fiery gorse, the heather-purpled hills;

the rustling leaves that fly before the wind

and lie below the hedgerows whispering;

for meadows silver-white with hoary dew;

the first crisp breath of wonder in the air;

and for Summer sun and heat that linger on

we thank you Lord.

September is a time of new beginnings – children starting

school or changing classes; young people going to

university or starting work; parents facing an “empty

nest”; returning to homes and work refreshed by holidays;

joining a new club or taking up a new hobby.

Lord, we ask you to be them all.

Amen

Tribute to Beryl Leggett

Beryl sadly died at the end of July. Besides my having many happy

memories of her as a neighbour and an extremely good friend, she

had been a faithful and stalwart member of our Church.

Over the years, Beryl was involved in all aspects of Church life.

Besides being an Elder, she was Assistant Church Secretary and

Elders’ Minutes Secretary and attended many meetings of, at the

time, a thriving Church. It was a pleasure to have Beryl on any

committee as she was knowledgeable and wise. We always

welcomed her words of wisdom!

Following the retirement of Rev’d John Taylor, she became the

Registrar for the Church for weddings and Baptisms - a position that

she only relinquished last year.

For many years she was a member of the Church Choir, sitting next

to her great friend Bette Nicholson and she was a regular bible

reader. Beryl was willing to help with the cooking if there were any

big occasions for which to cater and, for Church fairs, made small

Christmas cakes which never ever made the cake stall as we all

bought them as she walked through the door! Her talents were

endless.

Beryl thoroughly enjoyed our more social events and in latter years

was a regular on the “naughty table” from which gales of laughter

were frequently heard!!

I have a photo taken of Beryl at our Centenary Pageant looking

extremely elegant in a Victorian dress. But Beryl always looked

smart and elegant even when she struggled into Church with her

trolley carrying her portable oxygen!

We have all had much admiration for Beryl over the past years as

we have watched the deterioration of her health. Church meant a lot

to her and sheer will power (and stubbornness?!) made sure she

attended every week - until last October when it became too hard,

except for special events like Christmas.

We are missing Beryl but know that now she is out of pain, can

breathe properly and is reunited with her beloved husband, Eric. I’m

sure that she is urging us all forward and smiling at the antics of her

“naughty” friends.

Gill Ross

ROSEMARY JANE TILLEY 1954-2013

The Tilley family started coming to the Congregational Church in

Beckenham when Rosie was baptised here in 1954. Her sister Margaret

started straight away and Rosie herself joined Bob and Margaret in

1956, aged two and a half. She continued till she left for university.

Monica Duncan writes:

Not many of our present church members would have known Rosie; I

well remember the Tilley family when they first came to the church.

Rosie was a lovely bright girl who attended Beckenham Grammar

School for Girls (as it then was), and then went on to Keele University,

(as did Margaret and Bob). Keele in those days was a four year course.

Rosie chose Politics and American Studies with Law and Maths as

subsidiaries.

While at university, she met Nick Wright, her future husband, and

followed him to Australia, when he got fed up with banking. They lived

in Canberra, the Australian capital, for over ten years and both acquired

Australian citizenship. Rosie’s main job was for the national teachers

trade union, where she made many government contacts. Nick was

working for the department looking after aborigine interests. As a

sideline they both began to work on a computer software package,

aimed at improving the English of businessmen, eventually naming it

Stylewriter. Peter, their business partner, was the technical wizard.

They decided to come home to England, settled in Gloucestershire, and

concentrated on marketing Stylewriter. Their business received a boost

when President Clinton berated the American civil service for its

sloppy English, and Stylewriter is now sold all over the English

speaking world, and to many Chinese and Japanese businessmen.

Rosie and Nick had two daughters, Anna, who has just graduated from

Liverpool University with a degree in architecture, and Alice, who has

spent two years training to be an actress. Our thoughts and sympathy

are very much with Henry and his family at this sad time.

Henry tells me the family were amazed at the size of the congregation

at Rosie’s funeral. A large church was full with perhaps 300 people,

including several from Australia and old friends from university and

her Beckenham schooldays. One of several eulogies was given by her

Beckenham boyfriend, with whom at 15, she used to go to the Three

Tuns to hear David Bowie, the future Ziggy Stardust. Both her sisters

said they had learned more about Rosie than they had ever known.

Although Rosie was married she was always Rosie Tilley, fiercely

proud of her family.

Monica C Duncan

An extract from Keat’s poem “On Death”, was read Rosie’s funeral

service by her daughter Alice :-

Can death be sleep, when life is but a dream,

And scenes of bliss pass as a phantom by?

The transient pleasures as a vision seem,

And yet we think the greatest pain’s to die.

How strange it is that man on earth should roam,

And lead a life of woe, but not forsake

His rugged path; nor dare he view alone

His future doom which is but to awake.

Holiday at Home

Another year and the “Beckenham Belles” i.e. Sheila, Hilda, Helene

and yours truly went off to Hayes Free Church for our Hols!

What a week with quizzes, talks, organ recitals, flower arranging,

games, pottery, and painting. Mid week we went to Clandon Park,

near Guildford, the Palladian House owned by Baron Onslow, and

still lived in by the last member of the family. In its day it must

have been the best of fine living, with 24 servants at your beck and

call, plus ground staff to keep the gardens going. Thursday we had

a sing a long with Roland and Dave, which was really good, and the

last day we had a film – Top Hat, with Ginger and Fred.

The holiday gets better each year and we thank the Rev. Sue Powell

and all her merry band of volunteers who made it possible. We also

thank Hayes Free Church for making us feel so welcome.

Then we finished a successful Crescent Club year with a garden tea

party in Muriel’s lovely garden. We look forward so much to that

event and cherish the fellowship, and praise our dear Lord for all his

blessing.

We need to pray for the members of our church who are in poor

health, and give thanks for the life of our dear Beryl Leggett. She

was a lovely lady and will be sadly missed. She is now at peace and

free from pain. We are all the better for having known her.

Patricia Power

OFFERINGS

The offerings during June & July were as follows-

June 2 £287.00

June 9 £166.70

June 16 £203.00

June 23 £144.00

June 30 £257.85

July 7 £180.50

July 14 £156.10

July 21 £197.00

July 28 £294.10

The after service coffee collections during this period were as

follows:-

Sense £102.70

School bus in Kenya £75.75

It was agreed by the Elders that the sum raised for the school bus be

increased to £250 from church funds. This was the sum suggested

from donors. I have now heard from Rev’d David Bedford who, you

will recall, went to Kenya and was organising the money raising and

he tells me that with our funds they have now reached the target and

by the time you read this the bus will have been purchased in Kenya.

David sends his grateful thanks to all who contributed.

Anthony Bayley

A MELODY OF FLOWERS St. Andrew’s United Reformed Church Brockley

presents a

Floral Demonstration By Graham Harmer, S.F.Dip, Florist & Chelsea Gold Medalist

Assisted by June Ford and the Choir of St. Andrew’s

Saturday, 12th October 2013 at 6.30pm

All Proceeds to Christian Aid

Light refreshments sponsored by the Co-op Funeral Directors Tickets: £10 for adults : £8 for children over 16

available from: Shirley Rochester 020 8690 2198/ 07946467555

and on the door

Holiday at Home

Hayes Free Church 2013

Quizzes, tea breaks,

sing-a-longs

And much much more ….

Other Summer Fun

Barbeques and fun and games

Beryl Leggett - A Family Tribute

Wendy Roberts, Beryl’s daughter, gave a moving tribute to her

mother at the funeral service. The following is an edited version of

that tribute:

“My mummy: My mummy wears her hair up and has very red

nails”. When he was little Paul wrote this at school which Mum

read at a parents’ evening. I remember it because she came home,

mortified at the image it seemed to paint!

But truth to tell he was spot on, because our earliest memories are of

a beautiful, elegant lady, slim with swept up hair that reached to her

waist when let loose, who took great pride over her appearance.

She worked at this. She was a terrific dressmaker and she made us

both clothes. She was way more practical than our father and when

she wasn’t dressmaking she was laying carpet, decorating,

gardening, trimming poodles and cooking. She was also a

wonderful, adventurous cook; we ate very well in the warmest and

most loving of homes.

And when she was doing all these tasks she would often talk about

her childhood in Nottinghamshire and her younger twin brothers,

Marshall and Trevor. I think she was like a little mother to them

and I loved to hear the stories of the tricks that they played and of

their antics that certainly one of them got up to in the Army.

Mum would also tell us about her first job working as a secretary

for the Duchess of Portland. This just added to her glamour and I

relished the stories she told of visiting Eastern European princes and

wonderful social events. She was excellent at her job…. the

Duchess thought the world of her, as was evident when the Duchess

accused Dad of stealing her away.

Mum and Dad met when Dad was a reporter covering a garden

party where she was with the Duchess. Mum did not marry a foreign

Prince but a prince among men ….our father. He adored my mother

and they enjoyed a long, happy marriage. They were each a

steadfast support to the other through the happy years of creating a

secure and loving family and working, Mum as a highly regarded

medical secretary. And when it really mattered they supported each

other through illness which both of them bore with incredible

bravery and utter, selfless devotion.

In return Mum was loved by two families, who in turn were devoted

to her.

My husband Dave remembers how welcome Eric and Beryl made

him feel when he first met them and the meals that Beryl used to

cook for me to take to him in his flat which, contrary to what he

thinks…I never tried to pass off as my own. I reasoned that an

excellent mother in-law was a plus point in my favour.

We had many holidays together when Dave and I lived aboard in

the Far East and San Francisco and it was so much fun to expose

them to new experiences. We even persuaded Beryl to have a

gamble in Las Vegas where she proceeded to win enough for a

superb meal for all of us. This must have spurred them on because

then they went off and had exciting holidays themselves to Egypt

and Sri Lanka.

Dave and I also remember with pleasure Mum’s involvement with

our daughters and the invaluable help Mum and Dad used to give

me so that I could go back to work…the Monday night meals they

brought round to our house to cook for us and looking after the girls

when they were off school.

Mum took immense pride and joy in her four grandchildren, Claire,

Jonathan, Charlotte and Sophie, in their many achievements and in

the fine young adults that you see here today.

Mum’s legacy is as a role model, and I would urge my two girls,

along with their special memories, to remember her dignity,

fortitude, love and kindness and to try to follow her example. My

mother was a private, dignified lady who didn’t make a show of her

feelings but at her core was a strong and abiding faith which

coloured every aspect of how she conducted her life. Many of her

friends have told me that this was a shining example to them and I

have enjoyed immensely reading the kind things that you have said

about her.

I take comfort in knowing that now it is as it should be, Mum and

Dad are together leaving us with a life time of precious memories to

draw on and cherish.

In his own words, my brother Paul would like to add some of his

thoughts on what made Mum so special to everyone who knew her:

My first memories are when I was five and suffering from a series

of ear complaints that went on for a year, in and out of hospital.

Ill children are always a challenge but all I remember is the warmth,

compassion and love that she gave me night and day and not a year

of pain.

To Mum, family was everything and she was delighted when I

announced that I was to marry Carol. She and Dad were genuinely

delighted and Carol has played a major part in Mum’s life ever

since. I am so pleased that Claire and Jonathan had the chance to

spend a good part of their lives knowing Mum and she gave them

nothing but complete love and support in anything they did. Mum

and Dad always involved themselves as much as they could

throughout their lives, whether coming on holiday with us in the

early days to give us some time for ourselves, babysitting or just

telling them the embarrassing stories about me when I was young.

Mum has had a profound effect on all our lives and, once the pain of

loss has subsided, we will all look back with immense joy on the

great times we had together.

CRESCENT CLUB

10th

Sept Bring an Item you cannot bear to part with.

1st Oct Mrs D Larcombe " A Journey to India"

BROMLEY BOROUGH FOODBANK

Currently the most necessary items are as follows:

Milk (UHT or powdered) Sugar 500gram packets

Fruit juice (Long-life carton) Potatoes (Tinned)

Sponge pudding (tinned) Cereals

Rice pudding (tinned) Custard (tinned)

Tea bags/Instant coffee Tinned meat/fish

Tinned fruit Jam

CHRISTMAS FAIR

I know I am writing this in August but this is an early advice that

this year our Christmas Fair will be held on

Saturday morning November 30. Make sure you

book the date in your diaries and tell all your

friends. Full details will follow nearer the time.

Anthony Bayley

SYRIA CRISIS

Following our recent collection for the above, the following is an

extract from a letter I have received from the Chief Executive of the

Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC).

“Today, helped by your generous gift of £105 to the DEC Syria

Crisis Appeal, thousands of families who have been driven from

their homes by fighting across Syria now have real hope for the

coming months.

A return to their cities and towns in Syria still seems a long way off.

But for the first time in over a year many can now look forward to

the possibility of decent shelter, regular food, proper sanitation and

basic medicines.

When I visited refugee camps in Jordan and Lebanon in early

February, hope was in short supply. Despite the relative safety of

the camps, many of the refugees remained traumatised and terrified

after what they had been through. The countries hosting the refugees

have done their best but the sheer number of people forced to flee

Syria simply overwhelmed them. The result has been an acute

shortage of vital supplies.

But you, and thousands of other kind people across the UK, have

helped to provide those who have fled their homes with the prospect

of food, shelter, warmth and vital medicines. And you have shown

them that the outside world not only cares about their plight but will

act to help them.

As I reflect on my own experience in Jordan, and the people I saw

there, I can’t help but think of the 5 year old boy, Omar, who I met

in the food queue. Omar’s main concern was getting food on his

plate. Meanwhile his mother and father told me they were worried

about where they would find shelter.

Thanks to your generosity, I’m confident Omar, his family and

thousands more Syrian families who have fled the violence in their

towns and cities can face the future with far greater hope than when

I saw them last. Thank you.”

A.M.B.

Copy for the October Outlook by 22

nd

September please.

BECKENHAM UNITED REFORMED

CHURCH

Oakhill Road (off Crescent Road)

Minister Rev’d Sue Powell 020 8462 2212

Secretary Mrs G Ross 020 8650 2959

Treasurer Mr. A. Bayley 020 8402 2563

Outlook Editor Mr J Ball 020 8659 5337

Asst. Editor Mr A Bayley 020 8402 2563

Organist Mr. D. Holmes 01689 838967

Church organisations

Crescent Club Mrs. M Aldcroft 020 8650 9518

Luncheon Club Mrs M Duncan 020 8658 3309

Brownies Mrs. M. Watson 020 8650 4536

Rainbows Mrs M Sloper 020 8658 2834

Pilates Monday 19.30 – 20.45

Tuesday 09.30 – 13.15

Friday 09.30 – 12.00

U3A Arts Class Monday 14.00 – 16.00

Janie Harris Ballet School Monday 15.15 – 19.30

Tuesday 16.00 – 21.00

Friday 16.45 – 19.15

Saturday 08.00 – 15.45

Montessori Mon - Fri 08.30 – 12.30

Jazz Dance Monday 17.15 – 18.30

Thursday 16.15 – 20.15

Saturday 09.15 – 12.30

Tai Chi Chuan Monday 20.00 – 22.00

Spanish Dancing Tuesday 20.00 – 22.00

Saturday 14.30 – 16.30

U3A Guitars Wednesday 14.00 – 16.30

Rainbows Wednesday 17.00 – 18.00

Brownies

Thursday

18.30 – 20.00

For lettings apply to Mr. Anthony Bayley 020 8402 2563