KURC

Kingston United Reformed Church News YOUTH EDITION April 2008

worked in a pub, been a waitress, sorted the
Interview with a Minister post, delivered the post, been a cleaner and
worked in a betting shop.
Do you work with other people well?
I guess you would have to ask them that. I do
work on my own a lot. Then with people on
projects. It is one of God’s gifts to me that I
find people very interesting.
What do you like about your job?
Two main things by way of an answer.
One is the sense of doing what is the right
thing for me to do. Second, in terms of how
my job is every day, it is very varied which is
how I can keep on going. If something is
difficult or dull I change and do something
else.
What’s your favorite food?
Fruit. (You think I am joking but it’s true).
Sweets come a close second – that’s jelly
sweets by the way - always open to offers!
Where did you learn to talk to God?
I don’t completely know what the question
means. But, if you mean how did I learn to
pray then the answer is I have belonged to
various groups that help me to pray. I go
away for a week on retreat every year. I might
go for a week in silence or a guided retreat.
Plus I know for myself that praying is
essential to me getting through every day. I
have learned from bitter experience that if I
do not begin the day with prayer then I will
‘rub against the grain of the day.’- it will be
more difficult than if I did pray.

Why did you choose to become a

EXCLUSIVE: For this special youth edition

minister?
I did not choose it, it chose me. It was a Contents
our intrepid young reporters interviewed sense that I should be doing it.
KURC’s Minister, Lesley Charlton.
What schools do you go to talk about
NEWS
Did you always want to be a minister? God?
I go to St. Paul's Kingston Hill, Southborough,
FEATURES
Yes. Since I was a child I knew that was what
I was to be. St Andrew's and St. Mark's, St. Luke's, Fern
Hill you know about, and Christ Church
OPINION
Did you have another job before you
became a minister?
Surbiton at the moment.
DIARY DATES
PICTURES
No. I went to school then six form then to What do you do for fun?
university where I studied theology then to Time with my pals and family. Plus, I am an
exercise junky, there is little better than a step
train for the ministry. I was a minister when I
was 23. However I have done loads of things class. (Please notice I have not mentioned PUZZLES
in my holidays. I have been a chambermaid, Newcastle United - that is pain not pleasure)

Don’t forget • Sunday 13 April, 11.00am, Combined service

• Wednesday 14 May: Walk on Blackheath Village & Greenwich Park - all welcome!
• Sunday 11 May: Church meeting in the Mayo Hall

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A Christian in College?
By Jayne Scorer
I have been attending The Hollyfield
School and sixth form centre in Surbiton
since I was 11 years old. When looking
for a College or Sixth Form centre I
didn’t want to move and change
surroundings as I had become happy at
Hollyfield and had a strong group of
friends.
When I was in year 9 I was asked to
stand up and speak in my R.E class
about my faith. I was actually booed by
a boy in the front who was subsequently
disciplined but I felt like an outsider.
Going to Festivals like Greenbelt and
attending FURY assembly helped me
feel included and meeting people who
felt like me was great. I was often
questioned by my peers about my faith
and some where genuinely interested
but some just wanted to laugh at
someone.
As I got older it became easier to
talk about it and I began to meet some
girls who had the same sort of feelings I
do. I have brought a few of these friends
to Girls Brigade, the 11:30 service and
Greenbelt. Being in college now we are
all in same position.
We are all scared about the future;
some of us are moving out and getting
full time jobs and of course the
inevitable exams. I find comfort in God
when these issues bother me.
When asked by my friends what I
want to do in the future I answer I’d like
to become a primary school teacher.
Why? Because it feels like a calling. If I and I was named Jayne Scorer-the
had announced this statement a few Christian rocker. I’m quite open about it
years ago I would have been given and willing to answer people questions
strange looks, teased and questioned or queries. Meeting and getting to know
but now that I am in my final year of new people during college who also
school it’s just me being me. have faith is great for me.
For me being a Christian in College Some of these people I have known
isn’t a problem. Being a Christian in for years but haven’t felt comfortable or
secondary school was a problem. happy enough to discuss their faith and
Anyone who knows me well at it’s wonderful that we all can now.
school will know that I am a Christian I look forward to moving on with my
and that it’s a very important part of my faith and continuing to meet people with
life. or without faith wherever I end up. One
During my year 11 prom we were all thing I always know is that God is with
presented with badges and nicknames me and we look after me wherever I go.

Racist attitudes, the scourge of society

by Conor Holt (aged 10)
Across the UK people are treating each
other badly because of their skin colour.
This is called Racism. The most
common form of Racism is when white
people are cruel to black people. Other
forms of Racism are not based on skin
colour. In this form of Racism the cruelty
is directed at the roots of a person.
People make other people feel inferior
because they come from a certain
religion or have a different way of life.
For example during the Second World
War the Nazis hated the Jewish religion.
Adolf Hitler (the Nazi leader) believed
that all Jews were lazy. He even blamed
them for losing the First World War. All
of this was nonsense but everyone
believed him. Racism is not a very new
thing; it existed in the times of the Stuart
kings and queens. The sailors of the
British Navy thought that the Black
Africans were inferior and they sold
them in to slavery. On real pirate ships
the white pirates got on well with the
black pirates. This sounds strange but
this was because the pirates were
rebels and they did not agree with the
Racism. Slave ships were popular
targets. In the modern day Racism can
be found in lots of places. Schools are
quite a common place to find it. Young
people are very cruel. Some forms of
Racism can be dealt with by the police.
Hundreds of people have their lives
destroyed by it. It is very sad.

Activity day report

By Trude (8) and Bessie (6)
At the activity day we were learning about people
getting tempted. Like Jesus getting tempted by the
devil/Satan. Satan said to Jesus three things: to jump
off a mountain; worship him and he would get the
whole world; turn rocks into bread; but Jesus said
‘NO’! Goldilocks was tempted to go inside the house,
she wasn’t allowed in the house without permission
but went in anyway. During the activity day we: cooked,
painted, dressed up, sang, playing teddy bears picnic,
ate our lunch, played with playdough, made collages,
worked with wood, read books, played in the house
and we made friends. We had a good time.
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 On a Friday night we start together as practice
Girls and Boys Brigade anchors and juniors and then the juniors marching as a
By Bessie Kakayi and explorers split up for their badge band.
Boys and Girls brigade work and games. In Explorers we play What do I like
We meet at 5:30pm till 7:00pm at the lots of games like parachute games and about Brigade?
church to do lots of cool things which I cricket and for badge work we do things I like playing
want to tell you about. like discussions about friends, family games
What do we do at brigade? and God, run around and look at especially cat
different countries around the world. At and mouse
the end of the evening the explorers and with the
juniors come back together to hear a parachute as I like been the cat chasing
bible story and prayer time as well as the mouse. I also like listening to bible
have food and drinks. stories especially the last supper as I
On Monday evenings some of us go to like it when Jesus and his disciples
band and we play bugles and cymbals. come together for the meal. I also like
During the night the beginning of the marching on parade in Kingston and on
night we line up stood to attention with district parade in the summer. I also like
our bugles and go to our classes where going on trips out like when we went to
we learn how to play our instruments. Denise’s house to see the rabbits and
Then after that at the end of the night guinea pigs etc and have some food
we all come together as the band and and drink.

Boys Brigade is 125 years old, but what is it like to be four-and-a-half and going to KURC’s Friday night
meetings? Christopher and Alfie tell us what they like about BB...

Watching the dance show!

Pancakes!
Running about upstairs!
Coming home when it’s dark!
Making Roman soldier helmets!
Painting pictures!

Greenbelt music festival really rocks! But you may miss a shower...
By Bessie and Jayne
The Greenbelt Festival is a Christian music and arts festival
held at Cheltenham Race course every August bank holiday
weekend.
In 2006 we took a large group of youngsters (21 to be
exact) including Trude and Bessie. During the weekend Trude
participated in a children’s choir who performed on the main
stage on the Sunday.
Bessie enjoyed watching her sister perform. Bessie
enjoyed looking around the various different stalls and café’s.
She liked being in a big group with us all and the camping
itself. She also liked going swimming (so that we could all have
a shower!) She loved the food that we all ate and prepared
together. She was sad when she left and would like to come
again. I have been attending Greenbelt since 2004 (when there
were only 11 of us) and I have been attending ever since. I love
the festival in particular the music and meeting people who
think and believe the same things I do.
It’s a great feeling to stand out but together all at the same
time. Last year we did some busking and donated our
proceeds half to our own personal donought fund and the rest
to Christian aid. The weather was amazing last year and we all
came a different shade than when we left. The group was
smaller lat year but we still had a wonderful experience and
were very grateful for a shower and a mattress when we got
home. We are currently preparing to attend again this year and
any families who wish to attend this year are welcome. Please
contact Emily Young.

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FILM NEWS
Review:
Goodnight
Mr Tom
by Anthony Otieno
On Thursday 21st
February I came to
church to watch the
film Good Night Mr
Tom for some fun and
I would like to tell you
about the film.
It about a boy that lived in World War
2 and had an ill mother who was bad
towards him. His mother was bad
because she abused him by locking him
in a cupboard for example and throwing
away the key. The Boy was an evacuee
cupboard. Then the Police come and
from London and was evacuated into the
find them and take them to hospital.
countryside and his carer was Mr Tom.
Then when they are in hospital the boy
The boy makes friends with other
finds out he has no relatives left and
evacuees from other cities in the
they are bound to an orphanage. But Mr
country. Mr Tom becomes a father figure
Tom comes to rescue the boy from his
towards the boy and builds up a very
misfortune and takes him back to the
strong and loving relationship. Then later
countryside where he stays with Mr Tom.
on in the film the boy is sent back to
A year later when the boy is settled in at
London on the grounds that his mother
Mr Tom’s the police find the boy and Mr
is severely ill. When he does return to
Tom and the police agree to let Mr Tom
London he is surprised to find his mother
adopt the boy.
is actually not sick at all but has had a
The film was very emotional because
child and her abusive behaviour hasn’t
there was variety of good and bad times.
changed. The boy finds this out when he
I thought it was a really good film
tells his mother about Mr Tom as she
because the characters were really
finds out that he is a Jew and doesn’t
interesting. The storyline was very
like this fact. So in her rage she locks
interesting and I liked the end bit.
the boy and his baby sister in a

The story of a film
by Anthony Otieno
This story is from a film that I saw: One
day a old lady had 3 children The old
lady took a boy to Tom’s house . Tom
cooked dinner for the boy,it was yummy,
but the boy couldn’t eat all of it as there
was so much.
Tom washed up the dishes and took
the boy to bed. The boy had a good
nights sleep and in the morning Tom
came to the boy’s room. Tom looked at
the boy’s bed , but the boy had wet the
bed. Tom was angry, he didn’t want the
boy to come to his house again.
A friend came on his bike to see the
boy, and they helped Tom to dig his
garden. Tom was grateful. The boy went
to a church, he was alone and while he
was still outside the church he saw an
angel, he drew a beautiful picture of the
angel. He kept the picture safe and it
helped him. Tom and the boy were on
their way to school, the boy saw his
friend with the bike. After recess the
teacher asked them to come back into
class. The teacher asked the boy to
spell “Dog” , but the boy couldn’t. The
teacher sent the boy to reception. The
boy went home very sadly, on the way
home he went passed the church. He
went inside the church, he saw a gold
bird, he drew the bird.Tom went to the
church, he saw the boy, “Come here” he
said, he grabbed the boy, and took him
back to his house. Later lots of people
came because it was the boy’s birthday.
Tom gave the boy a present, in the
morning the boy went to school, and
later after school he went to Tom’s
house and Tom helped him to spell using
dots to help him join up the letters.
Three people came to the house and
told the boy that his Mum was in
hospital, she was not very well.
Tom and the boy went on Tom’s
horse to the train. Tom left the boy on
the train all alone, but the boy was able
to ask to be taken to London. At the
station the boy meets his mother, she
drops her bag and he goes to pick it up
for her but she slaps him and picks the
bag up herself.
The film ends when Tom brings the
boy home, his Mum has sadly died. Tom
and the boy live together, the boy
doesn’t wet the bed again. The film is
quite sad in a way and happy in another
way. It tells of some of the bad things
that can happen to people, but how
some people are always there when
things are difficult.
Lent film nights
During Lent KURC held a Film
Night in the training suite at the
church. Some of the films
watched included Carol Reed's
The Third Man with Orson Welles,
How green was my valley (1941),
Shadowlands (1993), Ghost, the
documentary (Channel 4),
Goodnight Mr Tom (1988)

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SPORTS NEWS
by Lara Okunola
Hockey is a very energetic sport so you
need to be fit to be able to run around
the pitch and keep up with the ball. The
game is played with two teams of 11
people each with a long curved wooden
hockey stick which is used to hit the ball.
I like playing this game because
nobody can stand around doing nothing,
there’s always something to do. I used
to play in the school’s Hockey team and
prefer playing Centre or Goalie.
I have also played Rugby, also a
team sport but without a stick and with a
larger egg-shaped ball. There are two
types of Rugby – Contact Rugby and
Tag Rugby. Tag Rugby is the version
where you have to get the tag off the
opposite team while one of its players is
holding the ball, and the ball has to be
thrown immediately to someone else on
your team. I like playing Tag Rugby
because everyone has a part to play
and has to doing something.
Christians
in sport
by Tomos Robinson
Many aspects of religion can be found in
sport. To illustrate this I will use several
of the Ten Commandments, found in
both the books of Exodus and
Deuteronomy.
• “You shall have not other Gods but
me”- This can apply to sport in terms of
dedication. The best sportsmen/women
are completely dedicated to their
discipline. An example is the 7 time Tour
de France champion Lance Armstrong.
He came through testicular, brain and
lung cancer to triumph in seven
consecutive tours, a phenomenal
achievement, and testament to the
devotion for his sport.
• “Respect your father and mother”- This
can apply in terms of coaching and
leadership. The best leaders are those
who can pull a team/individual through a
high pressure situation. An example of
this leadership is the captain of the
victorious England Rugby team of 2003,
Martin Johnson. Many commentators
and journalists have said that he was
perhaps one of the greatest leaders in
modern sport due to his ability to
galvanise his side and lead by example.
• “You must not give false evidence
against your neighbour”- This can apply
to sport in terms of fair play and
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Picture by Issac
I don’t do ice-dance, but more do Ice-hockey when I am a bit older. I’ve
speed-skating because I am trying to wanted to do this since I was four years
become a good enough skater so I can old and I saw a match on television.
cheating. Many large events such as the on playing in the 1995 Rugby World
Tour de France and the Olympics have
been marred by cases of deception. A
Cup, when he was at the peak of his
career. This shows that for some their
particular example that springs to mind religion is everything, and will sacrifice
is the recent case involving the their careers for their belief.
American athlete Marion Jones and her
drug use during the 2000 Olympics in • “You must not be envious of your
Sydney. She had a brilliant games, neighbour’s goods”- This can apply to
winning four medals including three sport in terms of sportsmanship and
golds, and was the most respected and respect for the game and the other
admired sportswomen in the world for a competitors. An example of this was
period. Yet she has now admitted using Andrew ‘Freddy’ Flintoff’s consoling of
banned substances in order to enhance the Australian cricketer Brett Lee during
her performance during the games, the 2005 Ashes Series (below). Australia
resulting in her medals being stripped had come very close to an amazing fight
and banned from competing for life. back in the second test match, only to
lose by 2 measly runs. Flintoff comforted
• “You shall remember and keep the an obviously distraught Lee, and the
Sabbath day holy”- This can apply to image of their embrace became the
sacrificing certain aspects of their defining memory of the entire series.
sporting
careers for
religion. A
literal
example of
this is the
great New
Zealand
rugby player
Michael
Jones, who
refused to
play rugby on
Sundays due
to the extent
of his faith.
He
consequently
missed out
 Bob is best!
Kids corner! Rebecca Holt (aged 8)
In a survey of TV
favourites at Activity Day,
Bob the Builder came out
tops. The children asked
Doctor Who Quiz were aged between 2 and 11.
by Aaron Otieno (aged 10)
The programmes and their scores were:
1. What is a Dalek? Bob the Builder 7 votes
2. Who is the Doctor? Doctor Who 4 votes
3. Who is the Master? Young Dracula 3 votes
4. How many Doctors have there been? Alvin and the Chipmunks 3 votes
5. Who plays the 10th Doctor Who? Charlie and Lola 2 votes
Night Garden 2 votes
Peppa Pig 2 votes
High School Musical 2 votes
Horrid Henry 2 votes
The Simpsons 2 votes
Thomas the Tank Engine 1 vote
H_O Just add water 1 vote
Sponge Bob Square Pants 1 vote
4. David Tennant
3. He comes from GALEFRY and is also an enemy of the Docor. Donald Duck 1 vote
from a war with the daleks. World Wrestling Entertainment 1 vote
2. An alien that is from GALERFRY, which is a world that was lost Postman Pat 1 vote
1. An alien that is made to kill every living thing Phineas and Ferb 1 vote
Buzz Lightyear 1 vote
Answers
Hi - 5 1 vote

Colour in the picture of Jesus entering Jerusalem

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 Showtime!
Christmas panto anyone?
Sorry to let you know that our plans for a summer theatre production
have come to a halt. However, don't despair, we are planning a
christmas time panto! I will hopefully be running a couple of workshops
over the summer with drama games and sharing ideas. If you wish to
be involved or have any helpful information please contact Rebecca
Seymour on 07754392758. Thanks!
What I like to do
By Bessie (aged 8)
In my class we love to do Art
because we want to be artists.
And we like to do sports, because we
want to be healthy. We like to play hide
and seek in the playground with my
friend Jessica and Tabarack. I like to
play music sometimes at home.
The Bugel and the recorder.
Water aids understanding
By Lara Okunola
At my school, Fernhill School, we
had a special day focusing on Water
Aid.
We all dressed up in blue – to be
drops of water.
We found out that carrying two
buckets of water across our
playground was very hard – your
back hurts because the work is very
heavy.
We looked at how difficult it is for
people who don’t have water – how
difficult their lives are because of
poor facilities – no flushing toilet,
having to wash in dirty water which
causes diseases AND we saw how
Wateraid helps to change their lives.
For more information visit
www.wateraid.org
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Support KURC by shopping? You must be joking?
You can now support KURC financially by doing your shopping online,
paying no more than you normally would by going to a range of online
shops via our buy.at affiliate page: www.buy.at/kurc .You just access a
retailer's usual website through this address, and every time you buy
something KURC gets a commission. QED! Retailers pay the
commission out of their marketing budget and it has cost us nothing to
set this up. Buy.at does not pass on any details and strictly prohibits
retailers from doing so. It is anonymous - we do not know who has
bought what. Please take a look, there is no obligation.
My favourite popstar
Bessie writes: “My favourite pop star is Soljer boy
because he has very good dance moves to his songs.
He looks like a gangster but he wears black sun
glasses that say Soljer on the left and it says boy on
the right. I like the words of his songs because they are
catchy and amusing. When I am singing with the music
I do the dance at the same time.”
Mayo have this dance?
Interview with Liz Cook on the Dance Classes in the Mayo Hall
Is ballroom dancing the only dance you do?
No,we also do Latin American e.g. cha cha and rumba
Why do you like it?
It is friendly, it’s good exercise, and it’s good to see people enjoying themselves
What’s your favourite type of
dance?
The quickstep because you can
spin round fast
What type of outfits do you
wear?
Nothing glamorous because
we’re just learning, but nothing
too warm. And men and women
have to wear smooth soled
shoes so they can glide on the
floor.
Are there as many men as
there are women?
No, there about 2 women to
every man, so women
sometimes have to dance
together. But we do a “bus stop”
system, so women all get a turn
at dancing with men and the
teacher changes partners a lot
Your editorial team hard at work!

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Derek’s Desk
I’m delighted that we’ve now arrived at
the point in time when we are ready for
a Youth Edition of Church News – as it
must be an indicator that we’re looking
to the future. I’m also pleased that I’ve
been asked to fill my usual page, as I
was quite ready to be told that I am
yesterday’s man! However, I’m not
quite sure what to say, as I shall only
know on publication if I’m on the right
lines or not. So let’s try!
Church Diary
Sunday 23 March Easter Sunday
09.00 Communion followed by breakfast
11.00 All-age communion
18.30 Reflective worship
Wednesday 26 March
13.10 Lunchtime service
14.15 Women’s Fellowship: Easter Tea
Friday 28 March
22.00 All-night prayers and Street Pastors
Sunday 30 March
10.00 Traditional Worship
11.30 Interactive Worship
18.30 Reflective Worship
Wednesday 2 April
10.45 Men’s Forum – “Slides of
Singapore” by Mervyn Page
13.10 Lunchtime service
14.15 Women’s Fellowship: Devotional
Friday 4 April
22.00 All-night Prayers & Street Pastors
Sunday 6 April
10.00 Traditional Worship
11.30 Interactive Worship
18.30 Reflective Worship
Wednesday 9 April
13.10 Lunchtime Service
14.15 Women’s Fellowship: Stella Taylor
Friday 11 April 22.00
All-night prayers and Street Pastors
Sunday 13 April
10.00 Coffee served in Foyer & Mayo Hall
11.00 Combined service
Copy deadline for May Church News
12.00 Church Meeting
18.30 Reflective service
Wednesday 16 April
13.10 Lunchtime service
14.15 Women’s Fellowship
Friday 18 April
22.00 All-night prayers & Street Pastors
Saturday 19 April
Kids Stay and Play
Sunday 20 April
10.00 Traditional Worship
11.30 Interactive Worship
18.30 Reflective Worship
Ph: 020 8546 0643 www.KingstonURC.org
I was born to parents who attended
Purley Congregational Church (now
Purley URC). I only really came alive to
what it was all about when I joined the
Youth Group at age 14. That was in
1944 when the country was still at war
and everything was very difficult.
However, I was welcomed into a group
of enthusiastic people who seemed to
have a real purpose for life with all sorts
of ambitions of what could be achieved.
This introduction to the Christian faith
came at just the right time for me and
has made a profound difference to my
life. My one regret is that I didn’t write
down what I felt God was calling me to
do with my life. I think I can remember,
but memories tend to get distorted with
time and are inclined to be selective
Life seems to be very different today
–or is it? I think it is in fact a lot harder.
There is now so much choice and so
many options. It seems far harder
nowadays to get the sense of
togetherness which was the hallmark of
that Youth Group. School on the other
hand was far more restricted as out-of-
school activities were very limited due to
the war. It would be very interesting to
know how everyone, say under the age
of 21, who attends one of the activities
at this Church, thinks about this. Do you
feel it would help to have a common
Church cause which would help to
cement life together?
Pastoral News
• Marion McDougall,
who was one of our
foyer visitors, sadly
died in February and
her funeral was led by
Lesley at Kingston Crematorium on 7th
March.
• Mimi Williams had a fall at her nursing
home and has had a partial hip
replacement. She is now at present in
Mayday Hospital.
• Margaret Randall has had an operation
on her hip at Epsom Hospital and is
recovering at her daughter’s home.
• Daphne Walters has also had an
operation on her hip at Epsom Hospital
and is now recovering at home.
• Tom Fisken has commenced a course
of radiotherapy at the Royal Marsden
Hospital. Tom’s first session went well
and our thoughts remain with him as he
continues with 6 weeks of treatment.
• We also think of Graham Carstens and
pray that he will be given strength and
energy as he continues with his
chemotherapy sessions.
• Lorna Tarbuck is recovering after a
cataract operation.
• Munro Mackay is still suffering from the
effect of shingles on his face and is
having acupuncture treatment for this.
Many people at the present time are
behaving as if the country is on the point
of recession. This is about to have a
significant impact on the operation of
this church, as our income from letting
rooms is about to drop by nearly £1,000
a week. This is because
Government funding is being
withdrawn from the people using the
Centre Hall for training the unemployed.
In addition, the market research
company who use our building as a
base will now be switching much of their
data gathering to on-line. However, our
building is so well located and equipped
we are confident we shall soon find
replacement users.
I’m convinced that our current
position is to be welcomed as it should
force us to think again about our mission
in Kingston. I think we need to get
together and try very hard to find out
what God is calling us to do. It seems a
strangely similar situation to me to those
days at the end of the war when we had
a united purpose to succeed and the will
to start to do new things. But the main
initiative needs to come from the up and
coming generation to shape the Church
they want for the future. It’s not good
enough to leave it to “them” as the result
of this could be a dying church with a
regular real estate income and no new
ideas. This is now your chance!
Derek Winsor, Church Secretary
• Hugh Mayall’s grandaughter has been
unwell recently. We hope that she will
soon be better and think of Hugh and his
family at this worrying time
• Our thoughts remain with Joan Butler
as she continues to have problems with
back pain.
• Very sadly, Martyn and He Yeon Verge
were unsuccessful with their IVF
treatment. We wish them luck and very
best wishes for their future plans.
• Claire Tchen is moving to Aylesbury, so
we wish her all happiness for the future.
• Congratulations to Alan Johnson who
was 80 in February.
• We congratulate Tomos Robinson on
celebrating his 18th Birthday
• Our congratulations also to Hilda
Tunley who is 90 years old on Easter
Sunday and hopes to join us at Church.
We pray for Lesley and for her work in
and outside this Church, and for those
on our regular prayer list:
Margaret Fisken, Christine Burgess, Ann
Mackay, Ken Trigg, Philip, Olwen and
William Sawney, the Austin family,
Malcolm Levy, Kathleen and Alan Clegg,
Colin Veal, Olive and Jim Webb, Enid
Clark and Muriel Adam.
Maggie Arnold
An Asian looks at Kingston, by Rev. Suk-In Lee, KURC assistant minister
I understand
that many
people who
read the
Church News
do not live in
the area so I
thought it
would be
interesting to
tell them a bit about Kingston from my
point of view.
When I searched for Kingston on the
web site I discovered that there are
many places named Kingston in
England; not only in England but also in
Canada, Australia and South Africa and
even in some places in Asia. So when
asked where is your church Kingston is
not the correct answer it should be
Kingston upon Thames.
There is a bridge over the Thames at
Kingston and quite close is Hampton
Court Palace and at the other end of the
Borough is Richmond Park, which is a
very beautiful place. In Richmond Park
are found many deer and the local
people enjoy picnics and walking and
horse riding in the park.
In Kingston there are many shops. It
is well known for the variety of shops
and is always full of eager shoppers.
Only in Seoul is it possible to buy the
expensive “designer labels“ that can be
found in Bentalls for instance. As well as
the expensive shops Kingston has a
market place where it is possible to buy
almost anything quite cheaply. Every
kind of shop is to be found in the
relatively small area that is Kingston
town centre. There are many
international eating-places in Kingston
so that with very little trouble it is
possible to choose almost any menu.
You can find evidence of Kingston’s
long history in the architecture, and also
in the three salmon badge, which shows
First woman to be made URC general secretary
The United Reformed Church has
appointed the Revd Roberta Rominger
as its general secretary. She is the first
woman to hold the post in the Church, or
in any of its predecessor denominations.
“I am passionate about the vision of a
Church that is enthusiastically engaged
with the world,” she said.
Revd Rominger trained for ministry in
the USA, and was ordained in California,
in the United Church of Christ. She
came to Britain in 1985 and has been a
minister in the United Reformed Church
Ph: 020 8546 0643 www.KingstonURC.org
that Kingston was once a salmon fishing
area. Now the river is not suitable for
salmon fishing but the symbol remains.
I don’t know why the town is called
Kingston, but I believe it has something
to do with the big stone, which is proudly
displayed near the town hall and was
used as the place to crown kings in the
past. But Kingston isn’t only an old town
it is also very modern with artistic
designs and is a convenient,
comfortable area in which to live and
work.
Kingston boasts a university and has
a good reputation for the standard of its
education, with grammar schools and
excellent private schools. Many Asian
people like to live in this area for their
children’s education.
Unfortunately Kingston does have a
bit of a dark side. If you were to leave
your bed in the middle of the night you
would find almost as many young
people there as there are people during
the day. The town has several discos
Changes to international discussion groups
After a time of experimenting to find the
best arrangement it has been decided to
change the timing of the International
Discussion groups, writes Rev. Suk-In,
Lee.
At New Malden the Tuesday Evening
café will now be held on a Friday
afternoon at one o’clock until three
o’clock. This is so that the young
mothers, who have small children, will
be more easily able to attend. They
have to pick up their children from
school at three thirty and after-school
activities then begin. The helpers are
being checked by the CRB (Criminal
Records Bureau) because the young
women will bring their very young
ever since, serving as Moderator of the
Thames North Synod for the past ten
years.
She will take up the post in July. She
replaces the Revd Dr David Cornick,
who is to become general secretary of
Churches Together in England, an
appointment that reflects the United
Reformed Church commitment to
ecumenism.
Roberta Rominger is also an
accomplished cellist, with a special love
of chamber music.
and nightclubs, which attract thousands
of youngsters from all around. They
come for a good time, which for some
includes getting drunk and then of
course disorderly. Policemen wander
around and sirens blaze as police cars
and ambulances rush through the
streets. I have to confess that it is the
same in Korea where young people also
set out to have fun and end up sick and
hung over.
The truth is we all have two faces.
One is good and law abiding and the
other is self-centred and careless.
Everyone needs love and interest from
another and in the search we tend to be
selfish. The answer of course can be
found in the churches where real
sacrificial love can be seen. From the
local church magazines can be seen
many activities where it is possible to
find what you need and ways to help
others. Don’t hesitate to ask for help. It
takes courage to approach anyone for
help, but it is available when you ask.
children who will be cared for by the
helpers. Of course this is not only to
target young mothers, but also anyone
who is free in the daytime.
At Kingston we will also change the
date from Monday to Thursday evening
from seven thirty to nine thirty. This is
because Monday is far from the next
Sunday and it will be easier to invite the
students who attend to worship with us
on the next Sunday. This will be a
discussion group but more deliberately
Bible based.
On Wednesday afternoon there will
be a Korean language Bible study
group, using the Disciple Course, based
at Suk In’s new manse in New Malden.
Hey, let’s get a little co-ordinated
The old District system within URC
"Provinces" is now a thing of the past.
Instead we have Area Co-ordination Teams
(hence the ACT). Lesley Charlton chairs the
Wimbledon ACT in which KURC is involved.
The Wimbledon ACT replaces the old
Wimbledon District, but without all the admin
structure and executive powers that the
District had. Your Wimbledon Area Co-
ordination Team (ACT) met for the third time
on 19 February 2008. We were pleased to
welcome Graham Campling (Synod Clerk)
and David Skitt (Synod Pastor) to our
meeting. We also welcomed to the meeting
Andrew Fairchild, minister at Balham and
Tooting, who spoke to us about the work that
was going on in some of the South West
London churches and the plans they have for
the future. We look forward to hearing more!
Following our discussions in November
Martin Hayward, Synod Mission Officer, has
compiled a Mission Questionnaire, which he
would like piloted in this Area. One of the
ACT members will be getting in touch soon
and we hope to meet with representatives
from each church during the next couple of
months in order to complete this piece of
work. Our other meetings planned for 2008
Images from our church
Ph: 020 8546 0643 www.KingstonURC.org
are on 15 April, 17 June, 21 October and 9
December.
Some other matters to report:
• Brian King, Church Secretary at
Twickenham United Reformed Church has
kindly agreed to be our Property Liaison
Person.
• A baby boy, Nana, was born to Emma
Aikins, minister at Raleigh Road United
Church, on 30 January. Congratulations to
Emma and Jojo
• Applications for the Youth & Children’s
Synod Event on 15 March are due by 29 Feb.
• An application for funding from ‘Turn the
Tide’ for Youth Work at Leatherhead was
endorsed.
• An extension to Ceri Lewis’ ministry at
Trinity, Wimbledon has been granted.
• Pastoral Consultation for Mission had been
restarted under its new name Church Life
Review and four visits are planned this year.
• Richmond Raleigh Road and Richmond
Green churches are planning a joint
pastorate.
• It is hoped to send Richard Bailey, Sam
Akwagyiram, Sophie Akwagyiram, Suk In
Lee, Jenny Snashall and Cynthia Stock as
reps to General Assembly in July 2008.
• Permission to preside at Holy Communions
was sought from the Synod Pastoral
Committee for Alison Smith for 20 April at
Twickenham.
• Ceri Lewis has resigned as the ACT
representative on the Synod Mission &
Strategy Committee but Peter Flint will take
over. Ceri was also the ACT representative
on the Synod Strategic Ministries Group and
a volunteer for that is sought. We thank Ceri
for his service to the District and the ACT.
• Richard Goldring has agreed to be the
Candidates and Students Liaison Person for
the ACT.
• The future membership of this ACT was
discussed. Please consider whether there is
someone in your church who would be willing
to serve.
What is...
the United
Reformed Church?
Through a series of
unions over the past
35 years, the United
Reformed Church has
brought together
English Presbyterians,
English, Welsh and Scottish
Congregationalists and members of
the Churches of Christ. One hundred
thousand people make up 1600
congregations, with more than 700
ministers, paid and unpaid. Although
one of the smaller mainstream
denominations in Britain, the United
Reformed Church plays a dynamic
and challenging part in the country’s
Christian life. It seeks to work with
Christians of all traditions, believing
that all God’s people should be one. It
is committed to theological and
cultural diversity. Worldwide, more
than 70 million Christians are
members of the Reformed family of
churches, the largest Protestant
tradition. We call ourselves Reformed
because our churches began to
emerge with reform movements in the
sixteenth century.
Lesley’s Last Word different in
changing
circumstances.
How do you view a new or different thing The point is that
happening? What do you think the God is not
correct reaction of the Christian should interested in
be? God is known in a new way in each fashion or
generation. God speaks the language of popularity but in
the street. God is interested in truth, love and
communicating with us in the ways we justice. God is
understand. God wants to tell us good not interested in
news because of God’s overwhelming keeping things
love for us. the same for the
There are religious institutions where sake of it nor in
if it is new then it must be of the devil. If changing
the person who wrote the hymn is still continually
alive then the hymn must be rubbish, if either.
we can remember when the change was Thanks to
introduced then it must be frivolous. If all those who
that is you and you did not know this worked on this month’s magazine. The
month was different you might be in for atmosphere in the training room on the
a bit of a shock when you read this
magazine.
Sunday when all the work was being
done was electric. Maybe the next
The Week Ahead
Some people love novelty and challenge is for some other groups to
others find it threatening. God is Monday
get to work.
10.00 Parents & Toddlers (during
described as always new and yet
school terms)
unchanging. The essence of God is Yours, 19.00 International Friends Group
constant but how that is shown is Lesley
Tuesday
10.00 Parents & Toddlers (during

Information
A warm invitation is given to all who read
this magazine to come and share in our
services and activities
• Tea and coffee are served between the two
morning services, before the 11.00 service
(second Sunday) and after the 18:30 service.
• During the 10.00 service there are group
activities for young people who may wish to
leave the service after the second hymn.
Visiting children are welcome to join them.
Private Prayer
The Sanctuary is open all day; come in via
the Foyer if the main door is shut
Weekdays in the Foyer
Our foyer is normally open every weekday
and Saturday from 11.00 until 14.00 for
coffee, tea and other refreshments.
A Listening Ear
If you would like to talk with someone about a
matter of concern in the foyer between 11.00
and 14.00 on every weekday and Saturday,
you should find someone wearing a badge
who will be pleased to help.
Kingston United Reformed Church is a
member of the Local Ecumenical Project in
Kingston Town Centre with its partners
All Saints Parish Church, in the Market Place
and Kingston Baptist Church, in Union Street.
Minister: Revd Lesley M Charlton
2 Regent Road
Surbiton, Surrey, KT5 8NL
Telephone: (020) 8399 4423
Email: minister@kingstonurc.org
school terms)
15.00 The Room (for youth, during
school terms): badminton, table
Associate Minister: Rev Suk In Lee tennis, playstation, friendship
144 Malden Road
New Malden, KT3 6DS Wednesday
Telephone: (020) 8949 2070 10.00 Parents & Toddlers (during
email: leesukin@hotmail.com school terms)
10.45 Men’s Forum (first Weds monthly
Church Secretary: Derek Winsor except August)
13.10 Lunchtime Service
4 Quayside Walk, Charter Quay
14.15 Women’s Fellowship (weekly
Kingston
KT1 1HY except August)
Telephone: (020) 8549 9967 19.30 Prayer Meeting
Church Treasurer: Robin Hoar Thursday
Telephone: (020) 89771524 15.00 The Room (see above)
Church Organist: Tony Wenman Friday
Telephone: 01372 464709 17.30 Girls & Boys Brigade (during
school terms)
22.00 All night prayers + Street Pastors
Premises Manager:
Michael Brennan till 04,00
Monday – Friday 09.30 – 17.00
Telephone: (020) 8549 1888 Saturday
Email: premises@urckingston.org.uk 22.00 Street Pastors till 04.00
Handwritten items for publication in Church
News must reach the editor’s pigeonhole Sunday Services:
opposite Room 5 no later than midday on the
10.00 Morning Worship (Communion
second Sunday in each month. Electronic
on the first Sunday monthly)
copy is preferred, emailed to the editor or
provided on diskette, (contact him/her/them 11:30 Interactive Worship (Communion
for details). Contributions on matters of on the last Sunday monthly
reflection and opinion are welcome as well as 18.30 Evening worship (Communion on
reports of activities. the third Sunday monthly)
20.00 Contemporary Worship (on the
Sunday monthly)
Next copy deadline: 12 noon on Sunday,
13th April 2008. Editor: Jean Thompson On the second Sunday of each month, a
combined service at 11.00 replaces the
Thank you to Mail Boxes Etc, 22 Eden Street,
10.00 and 11.30 services
Kingston KT1 1DN (telephone: (020) 8547
1547) for printing Church News