Hassocks United Reformed Church Bulletin

October 2025 Issue number 49

 

 

Sunday services at 10.30pm

05 October Mrs Jacquie Odell from Lindfield URC

12 October The Revd David Cumbers. Communion

19 October The Revd David Cumbers. Church Meeting follows the service.

26 October A family service led by members of the congregation.

 

Sunday service at 6.00pm

19 October The Revd David Cumbers. With contemporary music, a short reflection, and a time of prayer.

 

Thursday services at 10.30

02 October Mrs Claire Levin

09 October The Revd David Cumbers

16 October Mr Stuart Dew. Communion

23 October Mrs Heather McNiven

30 October Mrs Claire Levin

In September we recorded the deaths of Mike Rowell and Betty Lord. Betty Lord s funeral was held at the church on 9 September, with her family joining online from New Zealand. At the wish of Mike Rowell s family, there was no funeral service, just a simple cremation with no mourners. His daughters, Teresa and Miriam, have written thanking the church for our prayerful remembrance They were among a group of young people who enjoyed Sunday mornings in Junior Church as long ago as the 1960s.

 

Prayer Meeting, Coffee and Bible Study. Monday 13 October. Prayers 10.15. Coffee 10.45. Bible study 11.00 - 12 noon. We are making our way, with no great haste, through John s gospel, sharing all sorts of interesting thoughts along the way.

 

Church Membership. New members will be welcomed at the morning service on 16 November. If you are interested in becoming a church member there is still time if you are quick! Tell our minister, the Revd David Cumbers, by Sunday 28 September, email him on [email protected] , or phone or text him on 07732 759529. This will enable him to talk to you before Elders and Church Meetings in October, where names will be approved.

 

Directory. The next edition - now in preparation - will give telephone numbers and email addresses but not postal addresses. See Helen Abel if your contact details have changed.

 

Transform Trade. Remember to return your completed Transform Trade quiz sheets by Sunday 26 October. Julia and Peter Scotland still have copies available if you have not yet bought yours.  At the Mini Brew coffee morning on Saturday 8 November there will be Christmas Cards on sale.  Julia Scotland is able to take orders.

 

Contacting the minister: [email protected] or 07732 759529

 

Our changing world. If Jesus planned to feed the five thousand today, would he first have to check on allergies? And ask if anyone was gluten free?

Hassocks United Reformed Church Bulletin

September 2025

 

Sunday services at 10.30

7 September Miss Maureen Clarke

14 September The Revd David Cumbers. Communion

21 September Joint pastorate service at Hassocks led by the Revd David Cumbers. 28 September Harvest family service followed by lunch. (See note below).

 

Shorter Thursday services at 10.30

04 September The Revd David Cumbers

11 September Mr Stuart Dew

18 September The Revd Peter Scotland. Communion

25 September The Revd Philip Cook, a retired minister from Portslade Baptist Church

 

And a NEW Sunday evening service, with more contemporary worship

Sunday 21 September at 6pm led by the Revd David Cumbers. Please bring your singing voices as there will be a number of songs, a short reflection and prayer. If you know of any younger or younger at heart people who may be interested, please let them know about it.

 

We sadly record the death of Ron Butler, on 27 July, Betty Lord, on 12 August, and Mike Rowell on 25 August. Ron's funeral service was on 20 August; at the time of writing, those of Mike Rowell and Betty Lord are still to be arranged.

 

Prayer Meeting and Bible Study. Monday 8 September. Prayers will be 10.15 - 10.45am. There will be a short break (just time for coffee?) before Bible Study 11.00 - 12 noon.

 

Messy Church and Church Coffee. Saturday 13 September.

 

Come and join us for a roast lunch. After the harvest service on Sunday 28 September at 12.30pm. Tickets 10. On sale after Sunday and Thursday services. Advise Heather McNiven of any allergies.

 

August Garden Party. Just over 500 was raised. An impressive sum and a very enjoyable afternoon in the sun.

 

Church Membership. A service for reception of new members is planned. If you are not a member, and would like to consider membership, talk to the minister or an Elder.

 

Constitution. Revisions to the church constitution were explained at the July Church Meeting. A vote will be taken on the changes at the next Church Meeting, on 19 October.

 

Directory. The next edition - now in preparation - will give telephone numbers and email addresses but not postal addresses. See Helen Abel if your contact details have changed.

Transform Trade Quiz. Don t forget to exchange 1 with Julia or Peter Scotland for a Transform Trade Quiz to test your knowledge and learn about tea. Clues will be left around the church building!  The Tea Trail with Simon Reeves on Catch up TV might help!

 

Contacting the minister: [email protected] or 07732 75952

Hassocks United Reformed Church Bulletin
August 2025

 

Sunday services at 10.30

3 August Deacon Vicky Welsh. Vicky is a Methodist Deacon called to link church to surrounding communities, with churches in Crowborough and Uckfield. 

10 August The Revd David Cumbers. Communion

17 August Mrs Heather McNiven

24 August Mrs Fran Boto

31 August The Revd David Cumbers

 

In August there are no Thursday services and no Messy Church.

 

Church Garden Party. 2 August at 36 College Lane, Hurstpierpoint. 2.30-5pm.Tickets, 10, are available up to 31 July. Telephone Annette Squire if you still need one.

 

Bible Study. Monday 11 August. 11am. Small hall. Continuing at John 12.v.1. From September, the Bible Study will be preceded by a Prayer Meeting from 10.15-10.45am.

 

A monthly evening service with contemporary worship music, and a short talk will begin at 6pm on Sunday 21 September. It is hoped that this will attract some younger people.

 

Church Membership. A service for reception of new members is planned. If you are not a member, and would like to consider membership, talk to the Minister or an Elder.

 

Church Constitution. Revisions were explained and agreed at the July Church Meeting.

 

Church appointments. An updated list is being circulated and will be brought to the October Church Meeting for confirmation.

 

Elders. Annette Squire and Heather McNiven have been re-elected to serve.

 

Directory. The next edition, now in preparation, will give telephone numbers and email addresses but not postal addresses. See Helen Abel if your contact details have changed.

 

Reading in church. A rota of readers is being drawn up. Talk to the Minister if you feel able to read the Bible in church.

 

Church Lunch. After the harvest service on Sunday 28 September. More details in the September Bulletin. .

 

Books. Colin Brittain has Christian books to give away. They are at the back of the church.

 

Contacting the minister: [email protected] or 07732 759529

 

On a lighter note:

I was admiring an old Sussex Church.
I said to the vicar: 'This is a lovely old church'.

He replied: 'Norman'.

I said: 'Nice to meet you Norman. It's a lovely old church'.

 

Hassocks United Reformed Church Bulletin
July 2025

 

Sunday services normally at 10.30

06 July Joint service at Haywards Heath URC.10.45am. No service at Hassocks

13 July The Revd David Cumbers. Communion

20 July The Revd David Cumbers. Followed by Church Meeting. (See note below).

27 July A family service led by members of the congregation

 

Shorter Thursday services at 10.30

03 July Mrs Heather McNiven

10 July The Revd David Cumbers

17 July Mrs Jill Hewer and Mr Stuart Dew. Communion

24 July Mrs Heather McNiven

31 July Dr Graham Campling

 

Messy Church and coffee in the church. Saturday 12 July.

 

Bible Study. Monday 14 July.11am. Small hall. Continuing at John 11.v.38. From September, the Bible Study will be preceded by a Prayer Meeting from 10.15-10.45am. .

The Annual General Church Meeting will follow worship on 20 July. This is the opportunity for everyone to reflect upon how the church runs, and help chart a future path. Elders have been reviewing and updating the church constitution to make it more relevant to current circumstances. This has been emailed to members for comment; amendments will be approved at the Meeting. If you have not received it, or would like a paper copy, please speak to, or email, Helen Abel on [email protected] Please consider and pray about how we can best fulfil roles and responsibilities in the church.

 

Church Garden Party. 2 August at 36 College Lane, Hurstpierpoint. 2.30pm-5pm. Tickets, 10, will be available on Sunday mornings from 13 July. Those who might be able to offer scones are asked to contact Helen, Moira, Heather or Annette.

 

Church Membership. A service for reception of new members is planned. If you are not a member, and would like to consider membership, please talk to the minister or an Elder.

 

Church Directory. The next edition will give telephone numbers and email addresses but not postal addresses. See Helen Abel if your contact details have changed.

Church Lunch. After the harvest service on Sunday 28 September. More details later.

 

For Prayer:

The Revd Bridget Banks, URC Synod Moderator, who has retired because of ill-health.

The family of the Revd Alex Mabbs, who died in June. (Alex was our interim moderator after Darryl left. He was minister at Brighthelm in Brighton, before moving to Newcastle).

 

Minister: The Revd David Cumbers. [email protected] or 07732 759529.