THE GRAPEVINE – OCTOBER 2025
Welcome to our October issue. The minister’s pastoral letter this month is a reflective one (the first of two) as he remembers some of his ministry over the past 38 years, while looking towards his retirement at the end of this year. News of the Church Family has a ‘taster’ of what life as a teacher in the British School of Guangzhou. We look forward to hearing more in due course. We have a moving article about working as a surgeon for the charity Cure International where children in developing countries are successfully treated for disabilities such as clubfoot, displaced hips, cleft lip and bowed legs giving them mobility, dignity and hope while learning about Christian teaching. We are transported to the island of Iona where one of our congregation recently visited on a retreat led by a URC minister. It’s Shoebox time again and we hope for shoeboxes filled with goodies for Christmas to be donated for children and the elderly in Eastern European countries. Eco Church goes on apace as we stay up to date with our Eco journey. And there is heart-warming news from ArtPeace in Zimbabwe where donations from the congregation have made it possible for Fortune, who lost his house and all his belongings, to rent a small room in a safer area. I hope you will read and enjoy.