The Bay URC – Monthly Newsletter (End of April ‘26)
The Bay URC’s Vision Statement:
“We are Christians. Growing with God. Loving and caring for one another.
Serving the community in word and deed. Empowered by the Holy Spirit.”
A very warm welcome to our latest newsletter!
It’s always a joy to share what’s happening at The Bay URC. Whether you are a regular part of our church family or just getting to know us, we hope you’ll find something here to encourage you and invite you to join in.
Coffee Morning on Thursday 7th May at 10.00am: Why not come along for coffee, conversation and fellowship? There will also be a gift stall and raffle, with plenty of lovely items and tasty prizes to enjoy.
Saturday Shop on 16th May at 10.00 – 11.30am: Come and browse our popular Saturday Shop in the main hall. You’ll find bric-a-brac, crafts and cards, games, toys and jigsaws, homemade cakes, pastries, marmalade and jam, books galore. Try your luck at the Tombola or relax with coffee or tea, bacon roll or a slice of homemade cake. It’s a wonderful chance to catch up with friends – old and new – and you’ll always receive a warm welcome.
Please note: June’s Saturday Shop will be on Saturday 13th June (not the third Saturday).
Intergeneration Service on Sunday 17th May at 10.30am: An all-age service where we worship together in a relaxed, café-style setting. A joyful and informal way to share worship as one church family.
The Bay URC Open Lunch on Thursday 28th May at 12.30pm: Come and enjoy a relaxed two-course meal followed by tea or coffee and good company. A raffle will be held, with proceeds going to the charity chosen by our chef for the day. Please contact Ted (01843 842768) so we can prepare enough food and seating for everyone.
Dates for your diary: Bangers & Bingo Saturday 30th May and Quiz Night Saturday 24th Oct
Weekly Social Activities at The Bay URC: Monday: Mahjong Group 10.00 – 12.00 noon
Wednesday: Toddler Group 10.00 – 11.30am
Bridge Group 2.00 – 4.00pm
Rainbows 4.15 – 5.15pm
Scottish Country Dancing 7.00 – 9.30pm
Thursday: Blend Singing 7.30 – 8.30pm
Friday: Art Group 10.00 – 12.00 & 2.00 – 4.00pm
Brownies 6.15 – 7.30pm
Sunday Morning Services at 10.30am: Everyone is welcome to join us each Sunday morning for worship. Holy Communion is celebrated on the first Sunday of every month.
Home Communion: If you are unable to attend church but would like to receive Communion at home, please speak to an Elder who will be happy to arrange this.
Sunday Junior Church at 10.30am: Our young members begin in the main service before enjoying their own time together in the Penford Room. Through stories, prayers, crafts and activities they explore the weekly theme, and we always enjoy welcoming them back to share what they have been doing.
Prayer Groups and Bible Study Groups: Our Prayer Group meets on Mondays at 1.30pm and Bible Study Groups meet on Thursday morning, afternoon and evenings. Please ask if you would like more details – new faces are always welcome.
FAST Group on Tuesday 28th April at 4.30pm: FAST (Fun, Action, Story Time) is for primary school children and is always full of energy, laughter and friendship! Children explore Bible stories by acting them out together and sharing food along the way. This month learning about Jesus’ Miracles!
Southern Synod Big Day Out on Saturday 20th June 10.00am – 4.00pm: Come and join the fun at Southern Synod’s Big Day Out at The Hop Farm, Tunbridge Wells – worship together, inflatables for all the family, pop up choir, creation stations, prayer and reflection. Tickets cost £5 which includes a burger and soft drink, additional food and drink will be available to buy. A coach is being arranged to travel from Thanet, please let Alan know if you would like to reserve a seat on the coach.
Pastoral Care: An updated membership list is now available. Please remember you can speak to any member of the Pastoral Team: Alan, Fiona, Freda, Helen, Mary, Pauline, Petra, Rosemary, Ruth, Ted and Vera at any time.
New Membership: If you are thinking about becoming a member of The Bay URC, please have a chat with an Elder, who will be pleased to help.
The Bay URC Carpool: Need a lift to church services, church social activities, or medical appointments? Or able to offer lifts to others? Please speak to Alan – help is always appreciated.
Next Elders’ Meeting: Monday 18th May at 7.00pm
Church Contacts:
Email: the[email protected]
Website: The Bay URC (thebayurc.org.uk) Facebook: The Bay United Reformed Church
Church Secretary: Mr. Alan Murray 846426 [email protected]
Hall Bookings: Mrs. Helen Cole 07989 616007 [email protected]
Wherever you are on your faith journey, you are always welcome at The Bay URC.
The Bay URC – Monthly Newsletter (End of March ‘26)
The Bay URC’s Vision Statement:
“We are Christians. Growing with God. Loving and caring for one another.
Serving the community in word and deed. Empowered by the Holy Spirit.”
A Warm Welcome: As we move into spring, we give thanks for new beginnings and opportunities to gather in faith and friendship. There are many ways to connect this month – through worship, fellowship, learning and service. Whether you are a regular member or visiting for the first time, you are always warmly welcome at The Bay URC.
FAST Group on Tuesday 24th March at 4.30pm: FAST (Fun, Action, Story Time) is for primary school children and is always full of energy, laughter and friendship! Children explore Bible stories by acting them out together and sharing food along the way. This month we will be learning about The Plagues of Egypt – all are welcome to come along and join the fun.
The Bay URC Open Lunch on Thursday 26thMarch at 12.30pm: Come and enjoy a relaxed two-course meal followed by tea or coffee and good company. A raffle will be held, with proceeds going to the charity chosen by our chef for the day. Please contact Ted (01843 842768) so we can prepare enough food and seating for everyone.
Annual Church Meeting on Sunday 29th March at 12.00 noon: Everyone is warmly invited to attend our Annual Church Meeting. While only Church Members may vote, all are welcome to listen, share and support the life of our church.
Birchington Churches Together Palm Sunday Tea on Sunday 29th March at 3pm: Birchington Churches Together invite you to a Palm Sunday Tea hosted by the Methodist Church. A lovely opportunity to meet friends from across our local churches – everyone is welcome.
Coffee Morning on Thursday 2nd April at 10.00am: Why not come along for coffee, conversation and fellowship? There will also be a gift stall and raffle, with plenty of lovely items and tasty prizes to enjoy.
Maundy Thursday on Thursday 2nd April at 11.30am: Everyone is welcome to join us at our Maundy Thursday Service, held in the church at 11.30am, after the coffee morning.
Birchington Churches Together Good Friday Walk of Witness & Joint Service on Friday 3rd April: We will leave The Bay URC at 10.30am and walk together to the Birchington Centre for the Service at 11.00am. You are welcome to join the walk or meet us at the Centre. Tea, coffee and hot cross buns will be served after the service.
Saturday Shop on 18th April at 10.00 – 11.30am: Come and browse our popular Saturday Shop in the main hall. You’ll find bric-a-brac, crafts and cards, games, toys and jigsaws, homemade cakes, pastries, loaves, marmalade and jam, books galore. Try your luck at the Tombola or relax with coffee or tea, a bacon roll or a slice of homemade cake. It’s a wonderful chance to catch up with friends – old and new – and you’ll always receive a warm welcome.
Intergeneration Service on Sunday 19th April at 10.30am: An all-age service where we worship together in a relaxed, café-style setting. A joyful and informal way to share worship as one church family.
Southern Synod Big Day Out on Saturday 20th June 10.00am – 4.00pm: Come and join the fun at Southern Synod’s Big Day Out at The Hop Farm, Tunbridge Wells – worship together, inflatables for all the family, pop up choir, creation stations, prayer and reflection. Tickets cost £5 which includes a burger and soft drink, additional food and drink will be available to buy. A coach is being arranged to travel from Thanet, please let Alan know by Sunday 5th April if you would like to reserve a seat on the coach.
Sunday Morning Services at 10.30am: Everyone is welcome to join us each Sunday morning for worship. Holy Communion is celebrated on the first Sunday of every month.
Home Communion: If you are unable to attend church but would like to receive Communion at home, please speak to an Elder who will be happy to arrange this.
Sunday Junior Church at 10.30am: Our young members begin in the main service before enjoying their own time together in the Penford Room. Through stories, prayers, crafts and activities they explore the weekly theme, and we always enjoy welcoming them back to share what they have been doing.
Prayer Groups and Bible Study Groups: Our Prayer Group meets on Mondays at 1.30pm and Bible Study Groups meet on Thursday morning, afternoon and evenings. Please ask if you would like more details – new faces are always welcome.
Pastoral Care: A new membership list will be available after the Annual Church Meeting. As there have been some updates, your Elder or Pastoral Aide will be in touch. Please remember you can speak to any member of the Pastoral Team at any time.
New Membership: If you are thinking about becoming a member of The Bay URC, please have a chat with an Elder, who will be pleased to help.
The Bay URC Carpool: Need a lift to church services, church social activities, or medical appointments? Or able to offer lifts to others? Please speak to Alan – help is always appreciated.
Next Elders’ Meeting: Monday 20th April at 7.00pm
Church Contacts:
Email: the[email protected]
Website: The Bay URC (thebayurc.org.uk) Facebook: The Bay United Reformed Church
Church Secretary: Mr. Alan Murray 846426 [email protected]
Hall Bookings: Mrs. Helen Cole 07989 616007 [email protected]
Wherever you are on your faith journey, you are always welcome at The Bay URC.
The Bay URC – Monthly Newsletter (End of January ‘26)
The Bay URC’s Vision Statement:
“We are Christians. Growing with God. Loving and caring for one another. Serving the community in word and deed. Empowered by the Holy Spirit.”
A New Year Blessing: May this new year unfold with light and promise. May laughter arrive often, and may love, old and new, grow deeper. God’s blessings to you and yours.
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 19th-25th January: The theme for this week is “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling” (Ephesians 4:4) It’s not too late to come along to the coffee mornings this week at 10.30am: Thursday 22nd at The Bay URC, Friday 23rd at the Baptist Church in Station Road and Saturday 24th at the newly refurbished St Mildred’s Church, in Acol. On Sunday 25th there is a United Service at the Methodist Church at 3pm. Everyone is invited to attend.
Birchington Churches Together Lent Courses:Based on the artwork of Stanley Spencer and incorporating some of the observations of Stephen Cottrell, in his book “Christ in the Wilderness” the Lent Groups will be reflecting on “Christ in the Wilderness – a Lenten journey through Art”. Revd. David Yule has produced 5 studies. Each group will have a large, good quality version of the piece of art assigned for that week, together with some questions for reflection and opportunities for prayer. Everyone is welcome to attend a group; details of the groups are now available. Please ask!
World Day of Prayer: Services are on Friday6th March – morning service at the Garlinge Methodist Church at 10.30am and the evening service at The New life Church in Margate at 7.00pm. The theme of the service is ‘I will give you rest, come’ and has been prepared by the women of Nigeria. If you would like to know more about the background of Nigeria, it’s culture and history, you are very welcome to attend a breakfast and presentation on Wednesday 4th February at 9.30am, at The New Life Church. Please let Helen (07989616007) know if you wish to attend the breakfast so that they are aware of numbers.
Spiritual Growth: Over the next few months, we are looking at our vision for The Bay URC, where do we see ourselves in church life and in the community? How can we grow and support each other spiritually? Would you like a prayer group or bible study group on a different day or time during the week? Would you like to receive midweek communion? Please consider for discussion at the next Church meeting.
Sunday Morning Services at 10.30am: Everyone is welcome to join us on a Sunday morning for our regular weekly worship. The first Sunday of the month always includes Holy Communion.
Junior Church every Sunday at 10.30am: Led by volunteers (on a Rota). Our young members share in part of the Church Service and also spend some time separately, as Junior Church, in the Penford Room.They follow the theme of our weekly services through bible stories, prayers, crafts and activities. It’s always lovely to welcome them back into the church to hear and see what they have been doing.
Intergeneration Service on the 3rd Sunday at 10.30am: This is an all-age worship service; some months we may have a different church seating arrangement, with a casual, relaxed café style feel. Our next one on Sunday 15th Feb, will be a Songs of Praise.
Prayer Groups and Bible Study Groups: Our Prayer Group meets on Mondays at 1.30pm and Bible Study Groups meet on Thursday morning, afternoon and evenings. Please ask for details if interested.
Pastoral Care: Some members of the Pastoral Team met on Tuesday 13th January, to discuss the allocation of members to Elders and Pastoral aides. A new membership list will be out soon; please note there have been some changes. Your assigned Elder or Pastoral aide will contact you. Please always feel free to speak to any member of our Pastoral Team if you have any concerns.
FAST Group: Fun, Action, Story Time for primary school children. A fun and lively session where the children learn bible stories, through acting out the various parts of the story, enjoying friendship, laughter and food! They will meet on Tuesday 27th January at 4.30pm to learn about Moses.
Coffee Morning on Thursday 5th Feb: held on the 1st Thursday of the month. Everyone is welcome to come along and enjoy coffee and a chat; it’s a lovely morning for shared fellowship. There is a gift stall to purchase something nice and a raffle to win some useful and yummy prizes.
Saturday Shop on 21st Feb: held on the 3rd Saturday of the month (except in June when it will be on Saturday 13th June). Come along and browse the various stalls in the main hall: bric a brac, crafts, cards, games, toys, jigsaws, homemade produce (cakes, pastries, loaves, marmalade and jam) and books galore! Try your luck at the tombola stall in the Penford room (prizes for the tombola stall are always welcome) or enjoy coffee/tea with a bacon roll or a slice of homemade cake. Enjoy meeting friends; old and new, you’ll always get a warm welcome!
Open Lunch on 26th Feb: held on the 4th Thursday of the month. Come along and enjoy a two-course meal with tea/coffee. A raffle is held for a charity chosen by the chefs of the day! If you would like to attend, please let Ted (01843 842768) know so that we are aware of numbers for catering and table settings.
The Bay URC Carpool: We now have a list of drivers who can offer a lift to those who need help in attending church services, church social activities, GP and hospital appointments. If you are able and would like to volunteer, or you need a lift, please speak to Alan.
Church Contacts: Email: the[email protected]
Website: The Bay URC (thebayurc.org.uk) Facebook: The Bay United Reformed Church
Church Secretary: Mr. Alan Murray 846426 [email protected]
Local Worship Leader: Mrs. Janet Monkhouse 229554 [email protected]
Junior Church Leader: Mrs. Ruth Hollands 223130 FAST Group – Mrs. Freda Slade 841056
Bible Study Group (Thurs eve), Prayer Group: Mrs. Rosemary Bridge 846427
Bible Study Group (Thurs morning): Mrs. Freda Slade 841056
Toddlers: Mrs. Rosemary Bridge 846427
Treasurer: Mr. Ted Allen 842768
Hall Bookings: Mrs. Helen Cole 07989 616007 [email protected]
