Mission Statement
The new Mission Statement agreed at the last congregational meeting reads:
‘Toll Gavel United Church where faith, people and justice matter.’
There is an accompanying list of ideas how this will be put into practise. This is still in draft form and, when it is finally published, please familiarise yourself with its content. There will be an opportunity to explore ideas at the AGM on November 16th at 11.45am
Revd Fran writes:-
A Reflection on the Psalms and the lecture given in September. I really appreciate the psalms which cover the whole gamut of emotion that we experience, from delight to anguish, fear and hatred, and everything in between. At a recent lecture for the Beverley Mission Area about the crises that seem to be coming thick and fast in our day, the lecturer inspired us to turn to the psalms for help.
Of distress, she quoted how ‘it is one of the most common themes of the psalms.
Particularly in the first half of the book, psalm after psalm portrays distress and anguish in eloquent description and graphic imagery. The writers feel besieged, constricted, burdened, bogged down, submerged and drowning… Surrounded by enemies, suffering physically, punished by God, they cry out to God for relief and deliverance.… Unlike most modern prayers, attempts to qualify or justify the current situation are rare, while pleas of desperation and outburst of indignation are frequent.’
1 Some people find that the frequent presence of enemies, of violence, and desire for revenge are too disturbing to be able to use the psalms as they are. And indeed, I’ve come across some wonderful rewritings of the psalms. 2 Our lecturer, Dr Ann Conway-Jones proposed that the presence of enemies indicates the honesty of the psalms: ‘Enemy language belongs to faithful living, not because the psalms come out of an ancient culture that didn’t know any better, but because enemy language is faithfully honest about life in a fractured and often cruel world. It’s honest about other people and their capacities to harm, wittingly or unwittingly. It’s honest about oneself – about the heart of darkness that lies within. And it’s honest to God.’ 3 And on the desire for revenge, read these wise words from the former Chief Rabbi of our country: “The belief that God will avenge wrongs spares human beings from having to do so. Not all injustice, let alone perceived injustice, can be remedied by human beings. The attempt to do so creates more violence and more perceived injustice. “Preserving the fundamental difference between God and non-God, the biblical tradition insists that there are things only God may do.” … If vengeance belongs to God, it does not belong to us.’ 4 When you’re next totally at a loss after watching or reading the news, why not have a look at a psalm? Our lecturer particularly recommended Psalm numbers 6, 13, 22 and 44.
Revd Fran
1 Philip S. Johnston & David G. Firth (eds), Interpreting the Psalms: Issues and Approaches (IVP, 2005), 63, 72.
2 Nan C. Merrill, Psalms for Praying: An Invitation to Wholeness (Continuum 2007), or Robert Alter, The Book of
Psalms: A Translation with Commentary (Norton, 2007)
3 W. David O. Taylor, Open and Unafraid: The Psalms as a Guide to Life (Nelson, 2020), 109-110
4 Jonathan Sacks, Not in God’s Name: Confronting Religious Violence (Hodder, 2015), 246-7
Gift Day Sunday November 16
All of you would have been pleased to see the healthy balance on the church financial statement for the end of the financial year ending August 31. Nigel explained some exceptional incomes for the year which will not be repeated. First, the income from Barclay’s and secondly the money we received from The United Reform Church, which was the residue of money left when Lairgate Church closed. This could only be used for paying for the minister’s stipend. Because the two exceptional funds referred to earlier have now expired, Nigel forecast that the next year we could have a deficit of £37,000. This would need to be covered by external donations, legacies, initiatives like the Gift Day. Last year these amounted to £4,000.
Expenditure will increase as we now have to pay the minister’s stipend from normal funds. Also, the wages bill has increased due to an increase in hours and the change in national insurance payments. Our previous energy contracts protected us from some of the energy increases we have all experienced, but for the new ones we will be paying the full increases. The tide is turning. So, by the end of this current financial year the story will be starting to change. So, we are planning a Gift Day for Sunday November 16. Gift envelopes will be distributed from 2nd November. Please give as generously as you are able or consider increasing your weekly giving. If you wish to receive a full copy of the accounts and Nigel’s 2025/26 budget, please ask Sarah, Nigel or John.
Festival of Christmas Sunday December 14
Our contribution for the Festival of Christmas is to provide shelter, a place for refreshments and some musical entertainment. This has been the successful format for nearly three decades. This year half the funds raised will be donated to Jacob’s Well and the church will retain the other half.
Arocha Eco tip for November 2025
Measure your carbon footprint. Take an audit of your individual or household carbon footprint and repeat each year to see if you can reduce it! There are lots of ways to do this, from switching energy suppliers to changes in your diet. Some great tools to use are available, for example the carbon calculators provided by Climate Stewards at climatestewards.org/carbon calculators, and Creation Care creationcare.org.uk, offers a specific resource for households giving ideas and helping you track your progress. As you look at different areas of your life, offer each area or action to God as an offering.
Toll Gavel United Church where faith, people and justice matter 