Rest Day: Mobile:

Transcription

1 July & August 2014

2 Interim Minister Rev. Fiona Elvins Phone: Secretary Diana Dicker, Elder 2013 Rest Day: Mobile: Treasurer Mike Robertson Elder knowleurc.org.uk Hall Secretary Edna Grimmett, Junior Church Pat McKee mike@ knowleurc.org.uk Property Secretary property@knowleurc.org.uk Magazine Team Mary Kirwan Elder 2011 Graham Tall, Elder 2013 Church Notices Mike Robertson Elder s: mary@knowleurc.org.uk; graham@knowleurc.org.uk Additional Serving Elders: Terry Dicker 2012 Alison Hockly 2012 Isobel Robertson 2011 Jenny Scott 2011 Stephenie Tall 2012 Kath Vale 2012 Non-serving Elders: Margaret Allan Kenneth Always Jones Sue Bateman Mandy Cunoosamy Clive Griffiths Edna Grimmett John Heatley Glenys Lamb Alan Lang Lucilla Lang Pat McKee Ian Miller Judy Preece Jan Richardson Brian Richardson Mauvine Squire Ron Squire Note: This magazine is free to all members and friends of Knowle URC. We rely on donations to help cover the costs. 2

3 Who is Jesus? A description by E.V.Rieu who translated the four gospels from the original Greek. I will attempt to put into words some impressions of Jesus as a man which the study of all four Evangelists has left on my mind. Superimposed on all my previous impressions is one of power, tremendous power, utterly controlled. A strong wind swept through Palestine; but if it rooted up the rotten tree, it did not crush the injured reed. The eyes that carved a way for Jesus through a murderous crowd could also draw a tax-collector to abandon his profession. It was his eyes that seem to have impressed his followers most deeply. Of the other features of his face they have left no record. But of his stature we learn this, that he was big and strong. His long stride carried him ahead of his disciples, whom he usually led, and who were sometimes hard put to it to catch him up. It was only when he sat down to teach that he had to raise his eyes to hold his standing listeners. His voice was powerful. Sitting in an anchored boat he could make it carry across the water to a large crowd standing on the beach. This was his customary teaching voice - the cases where he found it necessary to raise it to a higher pitch are noted. Interruptions must have been frequent when he was arguing with his enemies. When he was preaching to a friendly audience they came in the pauses that be left between his paragraphs. For he did not pile parable on parable with breathless haste. He was a master of ready speech and witty repartee, but most of the sayings that have come down to us bear every sign of careful preparation. They have the qualities of poetry, and with the aid of paradox, exaggeration, or play on words, were cast in such a shape as would enable them to find their way into the dullest mind and stay there. His way of putting things was as original as the things themselves. He told his disciples to say: We are unprofitable servants. We have done our duty. Who but he would have avoided the less memorable wording, We have only done our duty? In fact he chose his wording to make people use their brains, and his biographers have faithfully recorded its peculiarities, seldom venturing to correct him when he looks down on mortal time from the high viewpoint of eternity and uses the present tense for past and future events. He was a learned man, who knew the ancient Hebrew writ by heart. And though, as far as we know, he wrote nothing for publication, he was a man of letters too, for his parables are literary masterpieces. They had to be, or the lessons they conveyed would never have sunk in. Continued 3

4 And they are full of quiet humour. The crowds must often have laughed. But did Jesus himself laugh? Later writers say he did; but the Gospels leave us only to read between the lines and yearn for some record of a lighter-hearted moment. I myself venture to find one in Matthew s story of the silver coin that Peter was instructed to discover in a fish s mouth. This has never been explained on a serious level, and I regard it as the confused report of a joke that Jesus, made at the expense of Peter or his friends the tax-collectors. He was certainly no glum ascetic and when he joined these easy-living friends of his to enjoy a glass of wine with them, what was his conversation? Again, we have no reports. Yet it must have had irresistible charm, or they would not afterwards have gathered round to hear him speak. But there was little relaxation. He had his times of rest and prayer (if prayer was rest), but when in action he was ruthless to himself and well-nigh inexhaustible. Not quite; for the great reservoir of healing power within him was sometimes drained.* Then he evaded the. importunate crowds or fell into the sleep of exhaustion. On one occasion he slept through a storm at sea; yet the moment he was wakened he was in command. Sometimes too it seems that the power was not at his disposal. He was of two worlds and always mindful of his great commission; but there were hours of doubt and disappointment. He had his times of exultation, but moments of divine impatience too, when he was homesick for Heaven. He kept his eyes on Satan and he saw him fall like lightning from the sky; but Satan also had his eye on him. The passage from the Jordan to beyond the empty tomb was not an effortless and undisputed progress; and no man can conceive the force that went into the final victory. I have tried to catch a few glimpses of the Perfect Man through the eyes of his disciples, concentrating on his human attributes because it was as a man that they themselves first learnt to know and love him. Indeed they labour to portray his full humanity and make it clear that it was not till the very end, or after it, that they realized the fact, and understood the purpose, of his descent from Heaven. The significance of his self-revelations was hidden from them for a little while by Providence, to be afterwards made clear; and I have thought it right and natural to follow in the way that Providence laid down for them. For the rest, let the Gospels speak. Of what I have learnt from these documents in the course of my long task, 1 will say nothing now. Only this, that they bear the seal of the Son of Man and God, they are the Magna Charta * In my opinion, the fact that Christ passed on to others his powers of healing the bodies and the souls of men shows that his miracles constituted no breach of universal law, and also that he wished us to understand this. The distance at which we lag behind him in our efforts is one measure of the spiritual force he expended. 4

5 of the human spirit. Were we to devote to their comprehension a little of the selfless enthusiasm that is now expended on the riddle of our physical surroundings, we should cease to say that Christianity is coming to an end - we might even feel that it had only just begun. Highgate, May 1952 E.V.R I hope the above impresses you as much as it did me when I was just 18 years old. Graham Tall Church Family Happy July Birthday to Margaret Allan 3 rd, Elsa-May Kellond 14 th, Chris Smith 21 st, Kath Vale 25 th, Abigail Lamb 28 th, Mauvine Squire 30 th, Jenny Bottomley 30 th. Birthstone Ruby. Flower Water Lily meaning perfect beauty. Happy Anniversary to Derek & Phyllis on 15 th. Happy August Birthday to Ron Squire 3 rd, Lucilla Lang 7 th, Mhairi 13 th, Jenny Scott 14 th, David McMillan 19 th, George Lamb 20 th, Brian Richardson 28 th and Margaret Miller 29 th, Birthstone Peridot. Flower Poppy meaning wonder of dreams. Happy Anniversary to Graham & Stephenie for 11 th. Our trip to the Holy Land has been organised by United Reformed Church ( Birmingham) from 14 th 23 rd April Thank you to Alison for organising our church on behalf of Ivor Elvins. Please note that June Johnson is the new Secretary for Digbeth in the Field URC. Thanks to Jack Butcher for all he has contributed over the years. Congratulations to Chris Smith on becoming a Great Grandmother on June 18th, with the safe arrival of Leo Colin, baby son to Zoe, who is Chris's eldest granddaughter. To everyone at Knowle URC. We would like to thank you all for all the good wishes, cards, lovely cake and very pretty flowers. It was much appreciated and started our special day off so well. Thank you all. Mike & Isobel. Our condolences to Fiona Elvins on the recent loss of her cousin, Fiona & Family are in our thoughts and Prayers. 5

6 Junior Church The children have worked really hard to help around church over the past few months and raised enough points on their chart to buy two toilets in Burundi, central Africa, under the toilet-twinning scheme. They were presented with framed photographs, one for each toilet in church, when Fiona took the service in June. These are now hung on the toilet doors in church! See the photograph on page 9. Pat McKee Christian Aid Collection 2014 Once again I have to say a big thank you to all the church folk who did a door- to-door collection and/or stood in Knowle streets on the Saturday of Christian Aid Week to raise money. We broke through the 500 ceiling this year (big cheer!) to raise , of which was the street collection. Eight years ago, around the time we restarted collecting as a church, we only managed to raise half this amount. Thank you again on behalf of those people most in need in the world. As one little old lady said to me This is really needed, isn t it? I m glad I was in when you came. What a lovely moment! Pat McKee Operation Christmas Child Yes, it s that time of year again! I will have leaflets in Sep/Oct. My request this year is for plenty of Scarves and Hats please. As in the past I will provide the boxes, cover them, and fill them on your behalf for 8. The Transport cost has increased to 3 this year. Watch out for the Order Form on notice board. The URC Communications department has launched an improved online store. Check it out on the homepage of the URC Website Have you noticed that August will have 5 Friday s, 5 Saturday s, and 5 Sunday s this year? Mary Kirwan Prayer Fellowship We met on Sun Jun 8 th, gave thanks again for Terry & Diana s new grandson. We asked the Lord to give guidance to the Mom who has to make a good and right decision about her unborn baby. We especially asked that Barry s friend John should be blessed as his cancer is reoccurring. We asked that Esme be blessed as she celebrates her 6 th Birthday on 11 th We also remembered everyone else on our Prayer List. Kath Vale 6

7 Harvest Supper Social I have arranged for an African Drumming workshop on the evening of harvest supper, 27th September. I did take advice on this and it was agreed that the church members would enjoy this "different" harvest celebration! Sarah Westwood, the lady who runs the workshop for Drumvoice, comes highly recommended and it is great fun so we are starting at 6.30pm to allow for any children to join us. We will have supper later, following the workshop. Tickets will cost a little more to cover the expenses. Pat Mckee. We raised 25 for the bags of Easter eggs. Will people who bought the bags please keep them and fill them with coins and return them at Harvest Isobel has extra bags if you missed Easter Sunday Glenys Lamb We hope that Mary s recent trip to Lourdes was both enjoyable and beneficial. Those of us who attended the talk on Africa on June 7 th had a very enjoyable evening, we ate well. 65 pupils to a class must be a teacher s nightmare. The support from EDUCAID Africa must be a tremendous boost. We hope all young people will do well in their exams and that September will be good for whatever they want to do towards their future. Kath Vale Social to meet our possible future Minister On Sunday 6 th July our service will be led by the minister who wishes to lead our Joint Pastorate with Digbeth URC. He will take our service at 9.30, but is unable to stay for coffee because he has to take another at Digbeth which has to start 15 minutes later than usual. In order to give our Church members the opportunity to get to know him, the minister has agreed to introduce himself to us on Saturday 5 th July AND move around the tables so that we can speak to him. The minister (in his forties) has a young family. He has been leading two churches for ten years and will, without doubt, challenge and hopefully enthuse us. Please come so that you can rationally decide, is he for us, when we take a vote at the special church meeting on July 13 th. G. T. Future Social with Jan and Brian Richardson Jan and Brian invite all our church family to a tea party on Sunday September 7 th at 4pm to celebrate Brian s 80 th birthday. More details later, but please book the day. Jan Richardson 7

8 Mike and Isobel Robertson s Golden Wedding Anniversary 8

9 Junior Church Charity Work Sadly most of the youngsters were away when we received the framed photographs! 9

10 Rock Concert Mandy wrote a lovely article about her involvement with Rock Choir in one of our previous magazines. Toyah Wilcox will join Caroline Redman Lusher (Rock Choir Founder) and Midland Rock Choir members for a concert at Symphony Hall on July 19 th, times 3 pm and 8 pm. Tickets available from Plus our own Mandy will be taking part. UK-Wide August 4 th 10 Pm 11 Pm Lights Out Monday 4 August 2014 marks the centenary of Britain s entry into the First World War. And from 10pm 11pm, as many iconic public buildings as possible and homes will turn out all lights except a single one as part of a national Lights Out symbolic act. Church buildings can play a significant part in the national Lights Out across our country. Jesus said, you are the light of the world, and under a single light we hope that as many of our churches as possible will spend the hour between 10-11pm on 4th August reflecting on World War I and praying for the peace and prosperity of today s world; Churches are being encouraged to take part. August 4th Service to recognise the Empire contribution to the War (with Commonwealth Leaders) Glasgow Cathedral. Non-religious event of remembrance at St Symphorien, near Mons, Belgium Silent vigil by Christian peace groups, St Martin - in the Fields. London Candlelit vigil in Westminster Abbey August 23 rd Anniversary of the Battle of Mons Silent Night Carol Services. In 1914 there was a Christmas truce on the battlefields. Soldiers stopped fighting. The carol Silent Night rang out across No Man s Land in English and in German. Some troops even played football. One hundred years later, at Christmas 2014, HOPE is preparing Silent Night carol service resources for you to use, with a specially-written version of the carol Silent Night. Let s gather our communities in villages, towns and cities to celebrate the birth of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, as we sing carols. 'Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one s life for one s friends' (John 15:13) 10

11 Hymn Eternal Father, strong to save William Whiting: born November 1, 1825, Kensington, London, England, was educated in Chapham and at King Alfred s College, Winchester. Owing to his musical ability, he became master of Winchester College Choristers School in 1842, and worked in that capacity for 36 years. He wrote volumes of poetry, and contributed hymns to other collections. William wrote the lyrics as a poem for a student about to sail for America. Dykes fittingly named the tune after a local associated with a Biblical shipwreck. Melita was the island the Apostle Paul reached after his ship went down (Acts 28:1); today we know it as the isle of Malta. In America, Eternal Father is often called the Navy Hymn, because it is regularly sung on both United States and Royal Navy ships. Favourite hymn of U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt and was sung at his funeral in Hyde Park, New York, April The Navy Band played it in 1963 as U.S. President John Kennedy s body was carried up the steps of the U.S. Capitol to lie in state. Roosevelt served as Secretary of the Navy, and Kennedy was a PT boat commander in World War II. William died May 3, 1878, Winchester, Hampshire, England, he is buried in West Hill Cemetery, Winchester, Hampshire, England. Eternal Father, strong to save, Whose arm hath bound the restless wave, Who biddest the mighty ocean deep Its own appointed limits keep; Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee, For those in peril on the sea! O Christ! Whose voice the waters heard And hushed their raging at Thy Word, Who walked on the foaming deep, And calm amidst its rage didst sleep; Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee, For those in peril on the sea! Most Holy Spirit! Who didst brood Upon the chaos dark and rude, And bid its angry tumult cease, And give, for wild confusion, peace; Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee, For those in peril on the sea! O Trinity of love and power! Our family shield in danger s hour; From rock and tempest, fire and foe, Protect us wheresoever we go; Thus evermore shall rise to Thee Glad hymns of praise from land and sea. William Whiting ( ) 11

12 Digbeth in the Field URC Thu Jul 24 th am Charity Coffee Morning Thu Aug 21 st am Charity Coffee Morning Mon Aug 25 th 10-1 pm Car Boot Sale St Swithin s Weekend and Flower Festival at Barston Church. Jul 11 th 13 th. This year s theme is linked to the centenary of World War 1 and is called Spirit of More details on notice board in the Link area. To The Lifeboat Men On stormy nights, while some folk sleep, Lifeboat Bleepers start to bleep, there s been a call. Twin Rockets Flare, And two big bangs disturb the air, Re-echoing around the quay to signify, distress at sea. The crewmen quit warm beds in haste, (Who knows what perils to be faced?) But comrades disregarding fear, Make for the Boathouse, Don their gear, Adrenalin is flowing free, As men and lifeboat put to sea. But, any time, by night or day, Maroons may summon them away, to tanker, fishing boat or raft Or yacht, or some unlikely craft, Or any other casualty, at risk from the relentless sea. Though often tough, rewards are rare, They do not seek the media s glare, But here s to those in urgency, Respond to an emergency, Where strangers, just like you and me may be in peril on the sea. [Origin unknown] 12 Les Bridgwater, St Andrews Chelmsley Wood

13 A Journey through the Bible with Tiglath. 64. The 2nd Book of Kings, Chapters 6 and 7 Chapter 6 begins with a strange little story. Elisha is helping some people to build their homes in a new situation by the River Jordan. While one man was felling a beam his axe head fell into the water. The man was very upset because he had borrowed the axe. When he was shown where this had happened, Elisha cast a The floating axe-head stick into the water and the iron axe-head came to the surface and swam (v. 6). The chapter continues with an account of a war between the Syrians and the Israelites. Elisha has to warn his king about an ambush set by the king of Syria. This king is very angry because Elisha seems to know all his plans and so he determines to capture him. Read verses to discover how Elisha thwarted the king of Syria. Verse 25 to the end of chapter 6 makes grim reading because it tells of a great famine in Samaria. It became so bad that one family boiled and ate their own son (v. 29). When the king of Israel heard this he became incensed and determined to behead Elisha, whom he blamed for the famine. He did not succeed in his plan. Chapter 7 opens with Elisha prophesying that there is going to be plenty to eat in Samaria. Elisha told the king that he would see this but he would not eat any of it. We now come to the story of the four lepers. They were sitting in the gate Lepers in the Syrian Camp of the city, not being allowed to mix with the general populous. Talking amongst themselves they decided that, because of the famine, they would die if they were in or out of the city. They determined to take a chance and go to the camp of the Syrians. To their amazement, they found it empty. The Lord had made the noise of a great host and, at twilight, the Syrians had fled, leaving everything behind. The lepers ate and drank all they could and stole gold and raiment, which they hid. They then became uneasy because of their actions and told the king what had happened. At first the king did not believe them: he thought it was a trick to get his men out into the open. He was soon persuaded otherwise. When he Tiglath Continued on Next Page. 13

14 Tiglath Concluded: sent some of his servants to follow the Syrians they reported that the road to Jordan was full of garments and vessels which the Syrians had cast away in their haste. The chapter ends by describing what happened to the lord who did not believe that there would be plenty in Samaria. The people trod upon him and killed him. In the next part of our journey we shall learn what happened to the Shunammite woman. Flower Rota Jul 6 th Vacant Aug 3 rd Donation Jul 13 th Vacant Aug 10 th Donation Jul 20 th Kath Vale Aug 17 th Kath Vale Jul 27 th Mauvine Squire Aug 24 th Edna Grimmett Aug 31 st Prayer Fellowship Commitment Prayer July We pray for Guatemala, a country of contrasts: with flooding and drought, wealth and poverty, agricultural exports and food shortages; where two-thirds of the country s children do not complete primary school and literacy levels are low. August We pray and give thanks for all churches that continue to support the programme through action and giving because their faith demands it; for those who write letters, their MP s and speak out about injustice asking for patience, encouragement and a sense of witnessing God s compassion and justice. August is Psoriasis/Cataract/National Road Victim Awareness Month Aug 1 st Lammas Day Aug 1 st 6 th World Breastfeeding Week Aug 3 rd Friendship Day Aug 3 rd pm: First World War Centenary Concert at Malvern Park Aug 7 th 8-10pm Bat Walk in Brueton Park Aug 12 th International Youth Day Aug 13 th Left Handers Day Aug 18 th - 22 nd Older Folks Fellowship at the Windemere Centre. Cost 320. Aug 19 th World Humanitarian Day Aug 21 st 27 th World Water Week Aug 31 st 12 4 pm Dorridge Day. Admission 1.50p 14

15 Rotas Vestry and Communion Elders Jul 6 th Judy Preece Aug 3 rd Kath Vale Jul 13 th Terry Dicker Aug 10 th Isobel Robertson Jul 20 th Mike Robertson Aug 17 th Diana Dicker Jul 27 th Graham Tall & Jenny Scott Aug 24 th Alison Hockly & Isobel Robertson Aug 31 st Stephenie Tall Door Stewards Jul 6 th Brian & Jan Jul 13 th Jul 20 th Jul 27 th Richardson Alison Hockly & Sue Bateman Judy Preece & Pat McKee Glenys Lamb & Christine Harfoot Aug 3 rd Aug 10 th Aug 17 th Aug 24 th Aug 31 st Jenny Scott & Sue Heatley Mary Kirwan & Chris Smith Ron & Mauvine Squire Graham & Stephenie Tall Mike & Isobel Robertson Lectionary Readings Jul 6 th Heather W. Gnsis 24;34-8,42-9,58-67 Matt 11; 16-9, Jul 13 th Graham T. Gnsis 25; Matt 13; 1-9, Jul 20 th Terry D. Gnsis 28; 10-19a Matt 13;24-30,36-43 Jul 27 th Sue Heat. Gnsis 29; Matt 13; 31-3,44-52 Aug 3 rd Alison H. Gnsis 32; Matt 14; Aug 10 th Kath Vale Gnsis 37; 1-4, Matt 14; Aug 17 th Mandy Cun. Gnsis 45; 1-15 Matt 15; Aug 24 th Isobel Rob. Exdus 1; 8-2, 10 Matt 16; Aug 31 st Avril Griff. Exdus 3; 1-15 Matt 16; Sep 7 th Alan Lang Exdus 12; 1-14 Matt 18; Junior Church Helpers Jul 6-27 Judy Isobel/Joy Aug 3 Stephenie Christine/Moira 10, 24 Judy Christine/Moira 17, 31 Pat Christine/Moira Flower Rota on page 14 15

16 Church Diary Dates th Sat Jul pm Meet our possible new preacher PLEASE Sun Jul 6 th 9.30 am Preacher to View for Knowle URC. COME! Wed Jul 9 th 7.30 pm Elders Meeting Sun Jul 13 th 9.30 am Mrs Fiona Elvins Sea Sunday am Special Church Meeting / Prayer Fellowship Sat Jul 19 th 6.00pm Social Evening Treasure Hunt, Games and BBQ Sun Jul 20 th 9.30 am Mrs Ann Tempest Sun Jul 27 th 9.30 am Rev Dr Rodger Charlton Communion Sun Aug 3 rd 9.30 am Mr Nick Stanyon Sun Aug 10 th 9.30 am Mrs Fiona Elvins Prayer Fellowship Sun Aug 17 th 9.30 am Mr Andy Vail Sun Jul 24 th 9.30 am Mr Joe Blackburn Communion Sun Aug 31 st 9.30 am Mr Peter Mackie July is Bladder Cancer/Sarcoma Awareness Month Jul 3 rd 6 th General Assembly at St David s Hall Cardiff Jul 6 th International Kissing Day Jul 7 th Health Information Week West Midlands Jul 7 th National Transplant Week/National Child Obesity Week Jul 12 th pm Shirley Carnival Jul 13 th Disability Awareness Day Jul 14 th Acute Medicine Awareness Week Jul 17 th 7 pm Peter Pan & The Lost Boys at Brueton Park, Tickets 8 adult 7 children in advance or 9 and 8 on the night from Solihull Arts Centre. Take a picnic and chair. Jul 20 th pm Music in the Park: Brass Bonanza in Knowle Park Jul 23 rd Commonwealth Games in Glasgow Jul 25 th Love Parks Week Jul 27 th Ramadan Ends Jul 28 th World Hepatitis Day Jul 28 th National Parks Week August Dates on page 14 Articles for September Magazine to be with Mary by August 17 th please. 16