The February meeting of Danbury Meeting Point heard a very interesting talk from Mrs Greenslade about the Slave Trade.

Mrs Greenslade took us through the history of how the slave trade started; the financial and economic benefits that continued it, and then the reformers such as Wilberforce and Newton who finally managed to bring it to an end.

Mrs Greenslade was thanked by our chairman David Whiteing. We then enjoyed refreshments. The club is getting stronger with 7 new members over the last 2 months, and there was a good attendance of 25 retired gentlemen at this meeting. Next month in March, we will hold a very short annual meeting, and then Bill Fancourt will rerun his DVD on the subject of Zeppelins, which did not run properly last time. The afternoon will then conclude with a presentation of slides of Essex, taken by our chairman. This will take place on Wednesday March 12 at 2pm in the URC hall. More information about Meeting Point, Danbury's Retired Gentlemen's Club, from David Whiteing on 225379, or e-mail DJWhiteing@ aol.com Monthly newsletters are sent out by paper and by e-mail, so please ask if you wish to be included.

UNITED REFORMED CHURCH

One of our regular preachers over many years comes to us all the way from Upminster, and once again Patrick Smith was welcomed to Danbury URC by elder Sylvia Hardy, who also welcomed Jill Stock playing the organ for our worship.

Sylvia gave out two notices, one from our minister Rev. Jon Sermon who is organising an Ignite Day on Saturday March 1 at the Church of Our Saviour, Chelmer Village, and for the Women's Fellowship Organ Recital taking place on Tuesday.

Patrick opened with the words We look to the mountains where our help will come from, our help comes from the Lord, and the hymn Sing praise to the Lord'. Patrick told us we were getting value for money this morning with three bible readings, from Genesis, Romans and John with the themes faith, belief in God and the spirit of God.

In Genesis Abram was called to leave everything that was familiar to go to a new land, he trusts and he goes, the word the bible gives for this is faith, as he takes a new, daring and dangerous journey. In Romans Paul defines faith as the way we receive trust in God, which we call God's grace.

In John Jesus talks about being born again, and this is the work of the holy spirit, it is a spiritual birth. Patrick closed by saying that this passage contains probably the best known words in the bible, for God so loved the world so much that he gave his only son, so that everyone who believes in him may not die, but have eternal life.

We enjoyed our usual social time after the service with refreshments prepared by Margaret Claydon and Beryl Knott. Next Sunday Ken Hughes from our sister church at North Avenue will lead worship at 9.45am.