Note: This magazine is free to all members and friends of Knowle URC. We rely on donations to help cover the costs.

Transcription

1 July/August 2009

2 Minister Rev. Kevin Jones Tel: Secretary Mrs. Jenny Scott, Elder Hanbury Rd., Dorridge, Solihull. B93 8DW Tel: Rest Day: Friday Treasurer Mike Robertson Elder Lodge Rd., Knowle B93 0HF Tel: Hall Secretary Mrs. Edna Grimmett, Tel: Property Secretary Mr David Stewart Elder Links Drive, Solihull B91 2DJ Tel: Magazine Editor Mary Kirwan Elder Newton Rd., Knowle, Solihull. B93 8HN Tel: Typesetter Dr. Graham Tall, Elder 2007 Church Notices Mike Robertson Elder 2006 Tel: Serving Elders in addition: Sue Bateman 2007 Alison Hockley 2009 Isobel Robertson 2008 Jenny Scott 200? Stephenie Tall 2009 Kath Vale 2009 Non-serving Elders: Margaret Allen Kenneth Alway Jones Clive Griffiths Edna Grimmett John Heatley Glenys Lamb Alan Lang Lucilla Lang Pat McKee Ian Miller Eileen Pitkeathly 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.

3 Minister s Letter [Helen Carr, who is working alongside our minister as part of her training for the ministry, has written this letter] Recently I sat down with my niece to read a story. The book was called; The Whale and the Snail By Julia Donaldson The snail wanted to travel the world, but felt so small he didn t think it possible. But one day a whale decided to take him on his dream journey. But the whale found himself stuck on a beach unable to move. It was the snail who went for help and therefore saved him. Finally the whale once rescued returned the snail home. On returning home the snail told his story to all the other snails. so inspired they also wanted to travel the oceans. So; Then the humpbacked whale Held out his tail And on crawled snail after snail after snail They were I realised this was not just a story for my niece, but for me too. We all need to find the courage to tackle this world, even when we feel so small and insignificant. Only when we take great leaps of faith, will others follow us in trying to understand and possibly change the vast ocean in which we live, the world in which we care for. Helen Carr Student Minister Flower Rota July 5 th Pam & Bruce Don, Aug 2 nd Mauvine Jul 12 th Christine Harfoot Aug 9 th Pam & Bruce Don. Jul 19 th Kath Aug 16 th Ian Don. Jul 26 th Avril Donation Aug 23 rd Aug 30 th 3

4 CHURCH FAMILY Happy July Birthdays to Margaret Allen 3rd, Elsa-May 16th, Chris 21st, Kath 25th, Mauvine 30th. July s Birthstone is Ruby, Red. The most precious rubies are said to be the colour of Pigeon s blood-red with a blue tint. The Latin word Rubeus means red. Rubies are very hard, and although less hard than diamonds, large rubies are rarer and so are the more expensive gem. Happy August Birthdays to Lucilla 7th, Jenny 14th, David McMillan 19th, George 20th, Brian 28th, and Margaret Millar 29th. August s birthstone is Peridot, greenish or yellowish brown. Also called Chrysolite, from the Greek name for a gold stone. These gems were brought to Europe in the middle ages by the Crusaders and have often been used to decorate religious artefacts. Belated wishes to Mike & Isobel who recently celebrated their 45th Wedding Anniversary. Edna & Dave Grimmett would like to thank everyone for offers of help, phone messages received on Dave s admission to Solihull Hospital for surgery. Glad to say his operation has now taken place successfully and Dave hopes to be home in a few days time. Bless you all for your kindness and prayers. Edna PRAYER FELLOWSHIP was held on Sun June 14th and Edna attended. Kath& Eileen in Choir. Apologies from Jan, Chris & Mary K. Remembered in Prayer were Steve, Karen, Terry, Dr Morgan, Peggy, Simon Kellond & Family, John Wormald & Family, Keith, Avril & Clive, Julie, Sylvia, Ann, Adrian, Geoffrey Rose, Edna & Family, Sophie, Lilian & Bill, childless Couples, Pam Lowerie, John of Leeds, Guy & Karen, May s 85yr old Auntie, especially Chris Harding on the loss of her husband Hugh, David McMillan on the loss of his Mother, Sally & Julian, Jenny, Gordon & Duncan, Dorothy Williams, Joyce Freeman, John & Mable, Sheila, Joanne & Family, Marjory Evans, Sue & John, Helen and Phyllis-giving thanks for their new employment, Dennis & Barbara, Alison & Matt, John Pitkeathly- recovering from recent surgery, David & Ruth, Ron Farish, the congregation of Wigan URC, and Moira s Sister & Brother-in-Law who were knocked down on a pedestrian crossing in Luton. 4

5 LOCAL WALK There will be a local walk on Sunday July 12 th after the Church Service finishing with a Pub Lunch. More details later. Put the date in your diary now! Jan Family History, Graham was right about how fascinating family history can be! He started researching part of my history some time ago. It is a very time consuming past time with many surprises. I only wanted to find out my GrandMother s Christian names. My mother was orphaned at 10 days old as a result of the 1908 Flu Epidemic. Grandmother Julie May Melvin. David & Joy Hall continued the research for me and have traced one side back to the early 1500 s. At present, further work is suspended as David is awaiting surgery for a hip replacement. Apparently my Father s Mother, Edith Lucy was married twice, having been widowed young. Horses & Jewellery were part of my ancestry and I love Horses also. Grandmother Edith Lucy had a beautiful portrait of herself on horseback side saddle wearing a blue riding habit. Avril has always said she could picture me in a horse and trap! Kath Vale August Bangladesh Listening Lord, We bring before you all the people of Bangladesh. For those experiencing food shortages because of unpredictable weather patterns. For those who continually rebuild their homes because of soil erosion, cyclones or flooding. For those whose community or caste set them apart. For the women who have been empowered because they are part of a para sangathan ( village self-help organisation) For the men, that they can see the contribution women make to society. For the Christian Commission for Development in Bangladesh as they show communities how to prepare for and respond to natural disasters. For those affected by flood, by disaster, by despair-that they will be supported and encouraged and returned to life. May your kingdom come and your will be done on earth. Amen Commitment for Life 5

6 Cluster Meeting This was held at Digbeth in the Field URC on Tues June 9 th 09, and chaired by Rev Neil Eldridge. There was positive feedback on the open meeting held on Feb 18 th with Dr Ghannon from the Muslim Community and noted that as Christians we do have a lot in common with our Muslim friends, and agreed that hopefully there would be other meetings. It was suggested that it would be good to explore other religions also e.g. Sikh, Jewish, Catholic and other Faith Communities. Although the Holy Week services were poorly attended it was decided that they should continue. Geographically the location of churches in the cluster proved difficult for people to attend especially for those not having own transport. Date for Diary Sat Sept 26 th 10.00am till pm Venue to be decided. Subject Exploring Church Membership Are you interested in renewing your Church Membership and Vows? New and Old members welcome plus those thinking about becoming a Member,details to follow. Full Cluster report on Noticeboard. Next Cluster meeting is 7.30 pm at Christ Church URC Mary K This Year s Local Charities. Jobs Close & 1st Knowle Scouts. 1st Knowle Scout Group is one of the longest continuously active groups in the UK if not the world! and is celebrating its centenary in In order to continue their activities into their second century they need to raise 250,000 to rebuild their Scout Hut. In addition to our support, if anyone would like to donate please visit the website or contact them c/o 15 Austry Close Knowle B93 9JE Jobs Close has been caring for the elderly of Knowle and Dorridge for over 50 years. It is residential, is run as a charity and is non profit making. Fund raising is a continuous activity and is crucial for the home to maintain its excellent standards. Our Jobs Close 2008 project was to develop an area of the garden so that it was safe and accessible for activities for the residents. We successfully established a lawn, flower beds and a paved area with seats and tables and a walkway with a safety handrail. This has provided a really attractive facility for the residents to enjoy being outside with minimal supervision. We now need to upgrade the pathway from the main house-this is our project for I 6

7 GOD What are you calling me to? Getting to know... Helen Carr Training for Ordained Ministry in The United Reformed Church I have been asked to answer a few questions for the magazine about my call to ministry. Hopefully it will give you some insight into who I am, what I'm here to do and where 1 might be going? 1) What has been your personal journey to this point in time? I've always lived in Birmingham and I have grown up in the United Reformed Church at Weoley Castle. I started my working life as a corsetry fitter for Rackhams, and then moved into optical work, where I trained and worked as a Dispensing Optician. Church has always been a big part of my life and has felt like a place that I could call home. But like many teenagers I refused to identify myself with the Christian faith for many years, saying that I went to church because it was a place where I could meet with friends. However, when I reached sixteen I had the opportunity to go on an exchange programme to Germany, where I had a profound spiritual experience in worship which changed my mind. I feel like God has not left me alone since. 2) What is the process of candidating for ministry? It's a complicated one!!! The hardest decision I made was to stop avoiding what God wanted for me and to start facing the reality that God may even want someone like me to work for and represent the church. It was a long process of interviews and gaining practical experience. Throughout my call to the ministry was tested. Was I really following the will of God, or could it be more about my own motivations? However, as I journeyed along the interview process it became clearer to me what God was asking and where God wanted me to be. 3) Where do you train? Why there? What is special about there? I have to train for 4 years at Queens College in Edgbaston. I study along side people training from other churches (such as Methodists, Church of England and Pentecostals). The course is a mixture of practical work (placements) and academic study towards a Degree in Teology. Someone once described theology to me as being "God talk". Believe me this is a great description of what we do. It can be challenging; but fascinating. I'm now on my final year of training which is focused in the main on practical work here at Digbeth-in-the- Field and at Knowle. 7

8 4) What would you say to encourage others to consider becoming a minister? You have to look at where God wants and needs you to be. We are all called to one kind of ministry or another. To be called to Ordained Ministry is just one specific role which works alongside many others. So to become a minister of a congregation is to be able to work with others who are also part of God's work, such as elders, church members and youth workers. For me I had to identify "why not any other kind of ministry?" For a long time I did explore other options, as I needed to make sure that I was going to be in the right place to do the work God required of me. I think for all members of the congregation it is important that we all discern what God has called us to, whether it is to a form of ordained ministry or whether it is to a more subtle ministry which maybe goes unnoticed in our churches. The gift of prayer and conversation are two such ministries which many people do regularly, but do not recognise as God's call. We should value all people's gifts, but reflect regularly on what we ourselves have to offer to God. From Digbeth In The Field URC Magazine Blue Gift Aid Envelopes One of our newer members recently showed that he misunderstood the reason for the treasurer supplying yellow weekly and blue monthly envelopes. He thought they were simply alternative ways of giving the Church collection. In fact, the purpose of the blue envelopes is very different. The blue envelopes replace the communion collection plate and all the Communion money so collected is donated to International Charities, not used for our own Church. Local charities are supported by the Harvest Festival M&M or Easter Egg tubes. Our other major charity collection is for the Indian Hospital that we help support with our Carol and Christmas day collections. 8

9 Mike And Isobel Robertson s 45 th Wedding Anniversary Mike and Isobel celebrated their anniversary on Sunday 14th June by returning to Dundee to attend church where they were married. This photograph was taken on the 21 st in our Hall after they had worked hard the previous day in the Knowle Festival in the Park. 9

10 Knowle Festival in the Park Most of the helpers were longer serving members almost certainly because recent members tend to live further away however our newest Elder (Alison) did manage it. The picture below shows Elsa May doing the walk. 10

11 Pat McKee s Birthday Pat has clearly had a busy month. After her birthday, she organised our Festival in the park activity, but desperately wanted to see Billy (front row right). And Tara (2 nd row right) playing in a Samba band named Loco Louca 11

12 Knowle s newest members: Tim and Rosina Forsyth Footsteps see Knowle Festival in the Park centre pages 12

13 The Volunteer Organist The preacher in the village church, one Sunday morning said, Our organist is ill today, will someone play instead? An anxious look crept over the face of everybody there, As eagerly they looked to see who d fill the vacant chair. A man then staggered down the isle whose clothes were old and torn How strange a drunkard, seemed to me, in church on Sunday morn, But, as he touched the organ keys, without a single word, The melody that followed was the sweetest ever heard. Each eye shed tears within that church The strongest men grew pale The organist in melody, had told his own life s tale The sermon of the preacher was no lesson to compare With that of life s example who sat on the organ chair. But when the service ended not a soul had left a seat, Except the poor old organist, who started for the street. Along the aisle and out the door, he slowly walked away The preacher rose and softly said good brethren, let us pray. Origin unknown Les Bridgewater St Andrew s Church Chelmsley Wood The scene is one I ll never forget, As long as I may live, And just to see it over again All earthly wealth I d give The congregation all amazed The preacher old and grey. The organ and the organist Who d volunteered to play. 13

14 HOW SWEET THE NAME OF JESUS SOUNDS Neither John Newton s language nor his talent for verse had always been used for sacred purposes. In his early days on board ship, he taught the rest of the crew a song he had composed; what the lyrics said about the captain, his character, his family and his ship,-was unprintable like most of Newton s general conversation. Another captain under whom he served was so appalled by Newton s constant blasphemy that when the weather turned stormy, he was convinced he had a Jonah on board: Newton would have to go! His conversion to Jesus Christ brought about startling changes for Newton, and this hymn is clear evidence that his had had a spring-clean! He now used the name of Jesus in a new way, and his gift for choice of words had been completely redirected. How sweet the name of Jesus sounds in a believer s ear! It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds, and drives away his fear. It makes the wounded spirit whole, and calms the troubled breast; Tis manna to the hungry soul, and to the weary rest. Dear name! the rock on which I build, my shield and hiding-place, My never-failing treasury filled with boundless stores of grace. Jesus! My shepherd, Husband, Friend, My Prophet, Priest and King, My Lord, my Life, my Way, my End, accept the praise I bring. Weak is the effort of my heart, and cold my warmest thought; But when I see thee as thou art, I ll praise thee as I ought. Till then I would thy love proclaim with every fleeting breath; And may the music of thy name refresh my soul in death. John Newton ( ) Note: The magazine needs extra writers else you ll have more page 18 s. You have been warned! The current BEN magazine, magazines from cluster church s, Solihull event guide, etc, etc. are at the back of church. 14

15 Christian Aid This year to thank you for all your hard work and to celebrate the fundraising in Christian Aid Week and throughout the year, Christian Aid are holding a Thank You Event: Saturday July 18th at Christ Church, 953 Pershore Road (A441) Selly Park, B29 7PS at 4pm. The event is being held to thank supporters for their dedication and commitment to the work of Christian Aid. Christian Aid will be showing you how the support of people like yourselves is enabling Christian Aid to root out poverty from the world. Strawberries and cream tea will also be provided with entertainment provided by Sandra Godley, a talented Gospel singer A special awards ceremony will also be held to recognise some of the most inspiring Christian Aid Week fundraisers and supporters. Nominations required for the following categories: Long Service Award Most innovative fundraising idea Going the Extra Mile Most inspiring person Do you know someone you would like to nominate? The nominee must be able to attend the event. If you would like to attend or nominate someone then please contact Christian Aid birmingham@christian-aid.org Energy4life Sunday July 12 th hrs There is Worship Celebration at Loughborough URC, Frederick St, Loughborough, LE11 3BH The Revd Terry Oakley, Moderator of the East Midlands Synod of the United Reformed Church said: It will be an exciting and uplifting experience, in which we will show how good we can be at being the Church at worship - and the Church engaged in the world. We offer an invitation to anyone who wishes to come, to share in this occasion, which is for the whole United Reformed Church. All details on Noticeboard. Further details can be obtained from Energy4life at the East Midlands Synod Office Tel or Energy4life@urc5.org.uk 15

16 Swithin was Bishop of Winchester in the ninth century. He was well loved so his last wish was granted when he was buried outside the West Door of the Old Minster. A century later, on July 15th, 971, his bones were dug up and reburied inside the cathedral. As if in protest the heavens opened and it was claimed that it rained for 40 days. St. Swithin has never been forgotten and every 15th July people still look at the sky and hope it won t rain, just in case Friendship Book 2008 Commitment for Life Prayers July Confession The greed that damages tomorrow s world to comfort today s; Forgive, O Lord, forgive! The recklessness that warms tomorrow s world to convenience today s; Forgive, O Lord, forgive! The laziness that litters tomorrow s world to ease today s; Forgive, O Lord, forgive! The injustice that deprives tomorrow s world to enrich today s Forgive, O Lord, forgive! The stupidity that forgets tomorrow s world and lives for today s; Forgive, O Lord, forgive! Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord have mercy. Amen P. Greystone Local Activities Knowle W.I. meet on a third Monday, 2pm, in the Guildhouse Knowle Art Group meet every Tuesday eve, 7.30 pm, in Downing Hall. The Knowle & Dorridge Macular Disease Support Group meet on the 4 th Thurs of the month, 2-4pm, in the Guildhouse. Meetings are open to anyone suffering from central vision loss. Companions are welcome. Details Sue Terry Advance Dates! Fri Sept 11 th 7.30 pm Malcolm Stent s Songs of Solihull Library Theatre tickets 12 on sale now, all details on Music Noticeboard. Sat Oct 17 th 7.30 pm Prom Sympathy Hall Birmingham. Guest Archbishop John Sentamu. All details on Music Noticeboard. 16

17 Remember To Live First I was dying to finish high school and start college. Then I was dying to finish college and start working. Then I was dying to marry and have children. Then I was dying for my children to grow old enough for school so I could go back to work. Then I was dying to retire. Now I am dying, and I have suddenly realised that I forgot to live. Author unknown Collegium Choir at St Mary s Church, Warwick on Sat July 4 th 7.30 pm Bernstein s Chichester Psalms, Kodaly s Missa Brevis, Britten s Rejoice in the Lamb. Tickets Concessions 10 Children 1 available at the door or from Alison Hockly Goodness Is Stronger Than Evil Goodness is stronger than Evil; Love is stronger than Hate; Light is stronger than Darkness; Life is stronger than Death. Victory is ours, Victory is ours, Through Him who Loved us. Desmond Tutu Fun! 1 What is a hedgehog s favourite food? 2 Why did the pyramid cry? 3 What sweets are good for your teeth? 4 What do you call spiders who just got married? 5 What do you call a girl that sits in the middle of a tennis court? Answers elsewhere Aug 1 st is Lammas Day, also known as the Feast of First Fruits, Lammas is a festival of the first harvest when the corn was made in to bread and offered in churches. Lammas lands were opened for common winter grazing. Trees (especially oaks) put on a second flush of bright leaves, known as Lammas growth. Sat Aug 15 th 7 pm Digbeth in the Field URC Summer BBQ Aug 31 st Barston Fete. 17

18 Answers to fun! 1 Prickled Onions! 4 Newly Weds! 2 Because it lost it s Mummy! 5 Annette! 3 Gums! The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins Dawkins underlying position is that the 'God Hypothesis' should be considered and analysed as sceptically as a scientific hypothesis. Dawkins argues that: 1. All the information on Jesus comes from oral records, the Gospels weren t written until long after his, and his disciples, death. 2. The only scientific theory that can explain the world and its inhabitants is Darwin s theory of evolution 3. The stories of a virgin birth and resurrection are scientifically impossible and were devised long after Christianity had developed into a major religion of the Roman Empire. 4. If God created the universe God MUST be complex and if so, how can be have come from nothing? How valid are Dawkin s arguments: A. Dawkins criticism of the inaccuracy of all oral evidence is wrong! Accurate repetition is clearly evidenced by ballads and songs. The same would be true of Jesus's method of teaching - the beauty of parables are that they are memorable - How did the Good Samaritan help the man set upon by robbers? What did Jesus say to the woman who touched his cloak as he was walking? B. Scientific theories are simply the hypotheses that are supported by the most evidence. They are ideas, not absolute truths. Evolution has no evidence of how cellular life developed. At best science has hypotheses ultimately logical guesses. Dawkins cannot take the theory of evolution and expand it beyond its theoretical base to explain the origin of the universe! C. As far as the complexity of God is concerned, science is always looking for a convincing explanation to find the reason for something happening. Sadly for scientists, the origin of the universe is a scientific conundrum - either something created the universe (something complicated?) or the universe must always have been here (which is, after all, is something from nothing). Hence they are left in a quandary and quite simply don t lnow. 18 Graham Tall

19 Rotas Vestry and Communion Elders Jul 5 th Alison Hockly Aug 9 th Graham Tall Jul 12 th Stephenie Tall Aug 16 th Kath Vale Jul 19 th Mary Kirwan Aug 23 rd Isobel Robertson & David Stewart Jul 26 th Mike Robertson & Alison Aug 30 th Sue Bateman Hockly Aug 2 nd David Stewart Sept 6 th Jenny Scott Door Stewards Jul 5 th Glenys Lamb & Judy Preece Aug 9 th Christine Harfoot & Margaret Allen Jul12th John & Sue Heatley Aug 16 th Ron & Mauvine Squire Jul 19 th Mike & Isobel Aug 23 rd Brian & Jan Richardson Robertson Jul 26 th Pat McKee & Jenny Scott Aug 30 th Alison Hockly & Glenys Lamb Aug 2 nd Mary Kirwan & Chris Smith Sept 6 th Judy Preece & Pat McKee Junior Church Creche July 5 th 26 th Stephenie Tall Chris Smith/Diana Dicker Aug 2 nd 30 th Jenny Scott/Judy Preece Glenys Lamb/Phyllis Hughes Sept 6 th Pat McKee Lectionary Readings Jul 5 th Isobel Rob tson Mark6: Samuel 5:1-5 & 9-10 Jul 12 th Avril Griffiths Mark 6: Samuel 6: 1-5 & Jul 19 th Alan Lang Mark 6: & Samuel 7:1-14a Jul 26 th Amanda C. John 6: Samuel 11: 1-15 Aug 2 nd Moira Williams John 6: Samuel 11:26-12: 13a Aug 9 th Mike Rob tson John 6;35, Samuel 18; 5-9, 15, Aug 16 th Rosemary John 6; Kings 2; 10-12, 3: 3-14 Hillyard Aug 23 rd Diana Dicker 1 Kings 8; 22-30, Eph 6; Aug 30 th Edna Grimmett Mark7; 1-8,14-15, Song of Solomon 2; 8-13 Sept 6 th Ken A-Jones Mark 7; Prvbs 22; 1-2,8-9,22-23 Flower Rota is on page 3 19

20 Church Diary Sun Jul 5 th 9.30 Ron Peach Rubery Wed Jul 8 th 11am Midweek Service Sat Jul 11 th BBQ and Games Eve Sun Jul 12 th 9.30 Rev Roger Hall Coventry Sea Sunday Church Walk & Pub Lunch after Service Sun Jul 19 th 9.30 Blair Kessler Sparkhill United Church Wed Jul 22 nd 11 am Midweek Service Sun Jul 26 th 9.30 Rev Kevin Jones Communion Aug 2 nd 9.30 Martin Withers Aug 9 th 9.30 Rev Graham Spicer Aug 16 th 9.30 Joe Blackburn Erdington URC Aug 23 rd 9.30 Rev Kevin Jones Communion Slavery Memorial Day Aug 30 th 9.30 Peter Mackie Christ Church URC Joint Service at Knowle Please note there are no Meetings or Midweek Services during August. Sept 6 th 9.30 TBA Dates for your Diary Sat Jul 4 th 10-2 pm Car Boot Bentley Heath Community Centre 7 per car, also Table Top sale. Details on Sun July 5 th pm Teddy Bear Picnic in the Children s N.T. field off Kixley Lane Knowle. Bring a Teddy, Games, Bouncy Castle, etc. Details on Sat Jul 11 th 1-4pm Summer Fete at Digbeth in the Field URC admission 30p Sat July 11 th 7.30 BBQ & Games Social evening at Knowle URC Sat Jul 11 th Funday at Bloomsbury Mission Project, Neechels, B Ham Sat Jul 11 th Holiday Happening in Dorridge (details from Kath) Sat Jul 11 th Energy 4 Life event in Loughborough Sat Jul 11 th 7 pm Knowle Party in the Park. 20 Articles for September Magazine to Mary by August 16 th Please