KNOWLE UNITED REFORMED CHIJRCIL

Transcription

1 THE MAGAZINE OF KNOWLE UNITED REFORMED CHIJRCIL Station Road, Knowle AND CHRIST CHURCH UNITED REFORMED CIITJRCH Warwick Road, Solihull MARCH 2006

2 1 Church Officers Christ Church Minister : Rev Christine Fowler 47, Alveston Grove Knowle, Solihull B93 9NX Tel (Home) (Office) Secretary Mrs Margaret Parry Treasurer : Mr M.G. Drake, 20, School Lane, 80, White House Way, Solihull Solihull B91 ISE B91 2QQ Tel Tel Knowle Interim Minister Rev Kevin Jones Tel at Kevin.jones@virgin.net Secretary : Mrs Lucilla Lang Treasurer: Dr Graham Tall 96,Tilehouse Green Ln 432 Station Rd Knowle Knowle Solihull Solihull B93 9ER B93 8EU Tel Tel Langs96@btinternet.com Hall Bookings: Mrs Edna Grimmett Tel Magazine Editor Rev Kenneth Alway-Jones 103, Grange Road, Dorridge Solihull Tel

3 2 From the Editor Dear Friends, As many readers will know, I am standing down as Editor of this publication with this issue. After thirteen years at the helm of Knowle s magazine and two as editor of the joint venture,l thought it was time that some fresh fingers had a go at the editorial keyboard. It is perhaps appropriate at this time to ask the question What is the purpose of a Church Magazine, and has this been achieved during these years? A Church magazine is first of all a means of disseminating information - about services, events, meetings and family news. This is primarily for those who worship regularly. The magazine does however, reach others outside the fellowship and it has been important to ensure that information is accurate and written in a style that reflects the open and welcoming nature of our fellowships. A Church magazine can also be a means of expressing ideas, both of a spiritual nature and also dealing with the practical aspects of trying to live a christian life in a secular age. In this respect It is important that members remember it is their publication and not just the mouthpiece of the minister and the editor. I am grateful to the many over the years who have contributed their thoughts and shared their experiences through the printed word.

4 3 I am very grateful to the many people who have enabled the job to go smoothly with their lists and news and articles handed in (mostly) on time, and those who have come to the rescue at times when I have been indisposed. A special word of thanks goes to my wife who has on numerous occasions delivered copy to the printers and collected the completed magazines so that they can be available on the last Sunday of each month My best wishes to those who produce the goods in the future -please give them your fullest support! Kenneth Christian Aid Our Annual Coffee Morning at the Solihull Methodist Church Hall will take place on Saturday, May 13th, starting at l0am Offers of help and donations of books, cakes, produce and toys will be gratefully received.the collection week starts on May 14th and I shall be more that grateful to any volunteers can assist in any small way. Our takings were reduced last year due to a lack of collectors. Please contact me if you can help. Bridget Goudie ( )

5 4 Minister s Letter 47 Alveston Grove Knowle Dear Friends During March, Lent begins and Trade Justice Fortnight will take up two Sundays of the month. How will we respond to each? I like to think that we are all becoming more aware of Fair Trade and supporting producers in the Third World by paying a just price for goods in order that they may have a better life. I hope that we shall also, during Lent become more aware of some of our wasteful habits and seek to change. This may all seem like a small drop in the ocean of great need, but ripples have a habit of extending into waves with what can be huge consequences. Our support of Commitment for Life, Christian Aid and the World Development Movement (all of which are members of the Trade Justice Movement) means that we already do much to alleviate the poverty and powerlessness of many poor people. Simple actions can really make a difference. So this month let s make a positive effort to support Traidcraft, and to buy those goods in our supermarkets that are labelled Fair Trade. March will also be the month when we traditionally think more about recharging our spiritual batteries. The wilderness time is the time for asking what Lord? or who me, Lord? Entering Lent is like beginning that journey to Jerusalem, and as with those who walked with Jesus, we do not know what awaits us. Lent means pulling up our spiritual socks. We should of course try to live each day with some time for prayer, but we all know that this is not always possible. Luckily for us, our God understands, and although we may neglect him, He will not neglect us. Lent however can give us a fairly manageable 40 days in which to pause for thought, and we will be helped in this through our weekly worship, Ash Wednesday service, Lenten studies, Holy Week meditations, and hopefully the support of the church family as well as our own families.

6 Lent will lead us to Good Friday and then glorious resurrection. may we walk together through this Lenten time, humbly, prayerfully and yet hopefully. Your friend and minister Christine. 5 Forward planning dates for your diary. Ash Wednesday Service Opm 1st March ---at Trinity Holy Week Meditations: 10 th April, 7.30 pm at St Ninians 11 th April, 7.30 pm at Christ Church 12 th April 7.30 pm at Trinity, Hall Green March Gardening tips Many of you will have had potted cyclamen as Christmas gifts so do remember that when a flower or leaf fades twist it sharply to remove it. Keep watering until the leaves begin to yellow in the summer, then keep the tuber dry until new growth appears in the autunm; or put the plant outside to be shaded by a low-growing leafy plant and then in the autumn re-pot, water and grow again in a cool, light spot. Dig up a root or two of mint from the herb bed now. Plant in dishes or pots in compost, water and place in the greenhouse or on the kitchen windowsill. You ll soon have some lovely fresh mint to flavour your lamb chops! You know that supermarkets ferry vegetables from abroad. Apparently this is not a new idea. Tibeiius, the Roman Emperor had vegetables, especially leeks, transported from Germany for his delight!

7 6 CHRIST CHURCH DIARY MARCH Wed 1 Ash Wednesday Thu am Citizens Advocacy 7.30 pm Lenten discussion group Fri am Women s Day of Prayer At St Ninians URC Sun am. Family worship with Communion Wed pm The Social Group The travels of a Minister by Christine Thu pm Lenten discussion group Sun l5am Family worship followed by Coffee Tue pm Elders meeting Wed pm Discussion Group led by Gordon Justham Thu pm Lenten discussion group Sun am Family worship Tue pm Prayers for Healing group Wed am Midweek service Wed pm Social Group The Glasgow Steamie by Iris Montgomery Thu pm Lenten discussion group Sun l5 am Family worship - - Mothers Day The Drop in for coffee mornings will be held on Wednesday mornings as usual.

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9 8 A Silent Sermon The minister noticed that one of his flock, a regular attender, had stopped coming to the services, so one chilly afternoon he decided to visit him. The man was sitting alone at home by a blazing fire. Guessing the reason for the minister s visit, he led him to a comfortable chair near the fireplace and waited. In grave silence the minister contemplated the dance of the the burning logs and after some minutes he took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning one and place it to one side of the hearth all alone. Then he sat back in his chair. The host watched all this in quiet contemplation. As the one lone ember s flame flickered and diminished, there was a momentary glow and then its fire was no more. Soon it was cold and dead. Still not a word was spoken as the minister looked at his watch and chose his time to leave. He slowly stood up, picked up the cold, dead ember and placed it back in the middle of the fire. Immediately it began to glow once more, with the light and warmth of the burning coals around it. As the minister reached the door to leave, his host, with a tear running down his cheek, said, Thank you so much for your fiery sermon. I shall be back next Sunday. (Adapted from a piece by an unknown author.)

10 9 Cluster Meeting: An open meeting took place on February 16th at Knowle to consider the Assembly resolutions about the future structure of the councils of the URC. Around thirty people were present Rev Kevin Jones opened proceedings by explaining the proposal that Synods should in future be the only level of church council between the local church and assembly, thus doing away with District Councils. It was explained that it was felt that as a smaller denomination than that which was formed in 1972, there was too much bureaucracy taking up time and energy, especially of the ordained ministers. It was not feasible to do away with Synod Council as there were legal functions which would be very difficult to unravel. Among comments made by members attending, both in open session and in smaller groups were the following: 1. Disappointment that matters of structure seemed to over-shadow the need to share a spiritual vision for the future of our churches. 2. Local responses were bound to reflect situations - rural and urban settings ; ecumenical relationships, including the number of united churches. 3. If Districts were to go, coming together in clusters will be important for fellowship and support. 4. There was general appreciation that the changes proposed should enable ministers to concentrate more on local ministry and leadership. 5. It was important that any changes should be undergirt by prayer to forward our mission, and that people called to work together to work within the new Synods should have the trust and support of the churches. They will be sharing their gifts forthe good of all.

11 10 Kevin explained that all Districts and Synods within the URC will need to give their approval for the scheme to go ahead. He will take the feeling of this cluster to District on Monday, February 20 th. A show of hands indicated that those present were in general agreement with Assembly s resoiutions. Kenneth Alway-Jones Kath Vale adds the following personal comment: "1 felt at the Catch the Vision Open Cluster Meeing on Feb 16th that somehow we were being too bogged down with words. We should remember the prime command To love the Lord thy God and thy neighbour as thyself.and that prayer is the most powerful weapon. I remember when the Congregational Church became a part of the URC a minister said So long as we keep our 5-tier sandwich (hymns, prayer readings and a word) we shall do well. (Your comments on the above would be useful.... Editor) I don t know if any members of the congregation are in the process of applying for jobs at present but some of you may be in the future, so here are a few tips on what NOT to put in your CV: I am a rabid typist Proven ability to track down and correct errors Instrumental in ruining entire operation for a chain store Exposure to German for two years, but many words are not appropriate for business Personal interests: Donating blood. 15 gallons so far

12 11 We believe in life before death You add. We multiply it s not just an advertising slogan... Mary Milne from Christian Aid s churches team has written this reflection to help us consider God s role in multiplication work Use it to commit to God all the things you do during Christian Aid Week. 1 x 2 = 2 2 x 2 = 4 4 x 4 = 16 It s the miracle of multiplication. Lord, you know all about multiplication. It was your idea in the first place. 2 of every animal x Noah and his ark = an earth renewed. 5 loaves and 2 fishes x your blessing = a meal for a multitude. 12 frightened disciples x the fire of the Holy Spirit = a new way of living. This Christian Aid Week, work your miracle of multiplication among us. 2 x 40 envelopes = a flock of sheep in Bolivia. 15 collectors x 25 houses cement for a well in Mali. 60 church-goers x a prayer and action card = a government minister getting a message. Lord, make us all multipliers, so that gifts offered and time given can be taken and used and transformed in your name to build a world free from poverty and injustice. Amen.

13 12 Britons say they are Christian Most Britons describe themselves as Christian, although many of them attend church less than once a week, a BBC survey has found. The poll found that 67 % of people said that they were Christian, but only 17 % said they went to church once a week or more. 30 % said they went once or twice a year, and 17 % said they never went. Muslims are the most likely believers to attend a weekly religious service, while Jews are the least likely. The research, carried out by ICM for the BBC, found that almost 75 % of people believed that the UK should retain its Christian values - including 69 % of Jews and nearly 50 % of Muslims, Sikhs and Hindus. More than a fifth of people said that they did not believe in any religion, but 44 % of those who said they had no faith thought that the UK should retain its Christian ethos (From the Magazine of Trinity URC)

14 DIARY FOR KNOWLE URC : MARCH 2006 Friday p.m. Women s World Day of Prayer Service at Knowle URC Sunday p.m. Family Worship led by MrBill Hales ( Digbeth-in-the Field URC) 11 a.m. Junior Church Staff Meeting Wed 8 11 a.m. Midweek Service 7.30 p.m. Elders Meeting Sunday a.m. Family Worship & Communion led by Rev Kevin Jones 11 a.m. Prayer Fellowship Sunday 19 Family Worship led by Mr Ashton McIntosh (Sparkhill United Church) Wed am. Midweek Service Sunday 26 Family Worship led by Mr Michael Platt (Wylde Green URC) N.B. The Annual Church Meeting will take place on Wednesday, April 19th at 7.30 p.m. This magazine is free to all members of the congregations of Christ Church and Knowle. The Christ Church contribution to its cost comes from Church funds. Knowle s contribution is from individual donations. These may be handed either to the editor or to the treasurer.