Tilehouse Street Baptist Church, Hitchin

OUTLOOK

Outlook June/ July 2025

Church Community News

(formerly Pastoral Care Report)

Look forward to a future which leaves the past behind.
Take with you only memories; the best that come to mind.
There is a way ahead for us - it’s coming into view.
The light will soon shine brighter - and help us see it through.
We know it won’t be easy; but it will prove worthwhile _
When the only thing that’s spreading is, on every face, a smile.

This poem was written by Val Chivers and was read at her funeral just a few weeks ago. Val sadly passed away in April quite suddenly and we are still trying to fill all the gaps she has left in the life of the church. She also loved horses and so it was fitting that her final journey was in a horse and carriage. We continue to remember her daughter, Anne, and son, Robert, in our prayers.

Val’s style of report was to comment on the season as well as include a verse of a hymn or poem, so it seemed appropriate to include Val’s poem here.

Horse=drawn hearse
Horse-drawn hearse at Val's funeral [Anna Lomas]

We also note that Audrey Shepherd, a member since 1959, passed away recently.

In other news, we continue to pray for:

Anne as she continues with her chemo treatment Aud and Harry with their health challenges
Lilian who has broken her right-wrist (she is right-handed) Pam as she waits for further tests and an operation
Mary T struggling to cope with limited mobility

Mary B
Mary B with her walker
[Rev Jane]

We give thanks for:

John’s recovery after the operation on his ankle
Mary B’s good response to regular physiotherapy
The warm welcome we receive each month at Foxholes when we take the service there
New friends who have recently joined us on Thursdays at Open Church

And, finally, we were delighted to celebrate with Carol as she was baptised on Easter Day and came into membership. We have already been blessed by her many contributions to the life of the church and look forward to the ways in which God will use her in the future.

At May’s Church Meeting we spoke about the much-appreciated flower ministry and acknowledged the commitment of our three flower 11 arrangers: Barbara, Deb and Dorothy; as well as Sue’s willingness to distribute flowers each week. We give thanks for them all (and others who help as they are able from time to time).

Please do read the notice about requests for help and contributions found elsewhere in this magazine.

Correspondence

Dear Friends

Just a little note to say a very big thank-you for the lovely flowers Sue gave me for my birthday. Richard and I celebrated by going to London to see the musical "Oliver" which we thoroughly enjoyed. Our trip reminded me of when aged 21 I went to London to see the same musical - not the same version obviously as that was years and years ago!

Best wishes to you all.
Hilary