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

Transcription

1 May 2010

2 Minister Rev. Kevin Jones Tel: Secretary Mrs. Jenny Scott, Elder Hanbury Rd., Dorridge, Solihull. B93 8DW Tel: Hall Secretary Mrs. Edna Grimmett, Tel: Junior Church Mrs. Pat Mckee Tel: Magazine Editor Mary Kirwan Elder Newton Rd., Knowle, Solihull. B938HN Tel: Rest Day: Friday Treasurer Mike Robertson Elder Lodge Rd., Knowle B93 0HF Tel: Property Secretary Mr David Stewart Elder Links Drive, Solihull B91 2DJ Tel: Typesetter Dr. Graham Tall, Elder 2007 Church Notices Mike Robertson Elder 2006 Tel: Serving Elders in addition: Sue Bateman 2007 Alison Hocky 2009 Isobel Robertson 2008 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 As I write this the General Election is due to take place on May 6 th (and no later than 3rd June). What is the role of the Church at such a time? Some would argue that the Church should stay out of politics. Others argue that the whole of life belongs to God and therefore there should be a Christian viewpoint on everything. There have been many times in the past when Christians have spoken out about issues concerning justice and I hope they will continue to do so - regardless of the criticism they may get. Archbishop Desmond Tutu campaigned long and hard for the end of apartheid in South Africa - despite the criticism from within the Anglican church worldwide. Oscar Romero, Archbishop of San Salvador once said "when I feed the poor they call me saint, when I ask why are they poor, they call me a communist". He was murdered because some people decided that he was asking too many questions. I would not say that there is one political party in this country at this time that Christians should vote for. What I would say, though, is that christians have a responsibility to consider who they vote for very carefully - not just thinking only about how we will benefit under one party's government as opposed to another, but thinking carefully about how the policies in their manifestos will help all people, not only in this country but also in the rest of the world. What are the parties' policies on overseas development? What about the ways the policies affect those older than us, those younger than us, those with differing needs to us? Jesus asks us to love our neighbour as ourselves. Perhaps you have already decided who to vote for. Perhaps you have decided not to vote because you are disillusioned with politicians especially after the expenses scandal. Now may be a good time to challenge those decisions, and to pray, reflect and think very carefully what we believe God wants us to do, and what God wants this country to be like. We must listen carefully, because God does care about the whole of our lives, and not just our spiritual well-being. We are called to be his people in the world - and we are called to do our small part in making sure that God's values of love and justice are not forgotten in our country today. Kevin Fun Q 1 What s black and white and looks round all the time? Q 2 Where did Tarzan buy his lion cloth? Q 3 Why do Elephants never forget? Q 4 Which Goalkeeper can jump higher than a crossbar? Answers on page 11 3

4 Judaism and Christianity I was doubly blessed this Easter we had a beautiful service on Easter day and the night before I went with my sister to Messianic Haggadah, the story of Passover organised by Beit ha Gefen House of the Vine. The celebration begins with the mother lighting the candles followed by the Kiddush which is the prayer of sanctification. Seder is the set order of events for Passover ceremonies, including readings, praying, eating, drinking, joy and sorrow. When we drink we lean to the left, this is to show we are free, free from slavery in Egypt. Following this we have the bitter herbs and unleavened bread (matzoh) parsley and hard boiled egg. The egg is eaten just with salt water poured over it. The salt water is a reminder of the tears of those who were in captivity in Egypt and the egg is seen as the hardness of Pharaoh s heart. Throughout the evening four cups of wine are drunk (only a little at each time!). The Lord s first promise to Moses I will bring you out second I will deliver you from out of their bondage. God s third promise to Moses I will redeem you and the fourth promise I will take you for my people. This is also known as Elijah s cup, which has been on the table throughout the seder. Jews expect Elijah to return before the Messiah comes. After eating the egg etc. (a symbolic meal) we had a full evening meal (Kosher). Traditionally the mother followed by some of the children opens the front door of the house. It indicates that whoever will may come. We remember here how in years gone by pogroms were started by the ungodly who would storm through the door left open for Elijah. The whole seder took three and a half hours and, as I said before, with much joy, lots of laughter and a few tears. There were about 75 or so celebrating Messianic Jews* from all over the country, who believe that Yeshua (Jesus) is the true messiah. Much of the seder is conducted in Hebrew, so at the end we all stood and together said L shana ha-ba-ah B Yerushalayim! (Next year in Jerusalem!) And the finale to every Jewish event The Dancing. * According to Wikipedia (web encyclopaedia) Messianic Jews are a Christian sect which retains a number of Jewish traditions. Some Messianic Jews insist that they are a sect of Judaism. Jan believes that a better description than Messianic Jew is completed Jew 4 Jan

5 Church Family Happy Birthday to Pat McKee on 27 th. And thank you s have been received from from both Glenys and David & Greta: the beautifully decorated cake (Glenys) and the magnificent flowers (David & Greta) and the beautiful cards and the warmth of the good wishes (both). We send our Sympathy and Prayers to Ron & Family on the recent loss of Ron s Brother. At the United Christian Service in January there was a talk from ER Schellenberg about the Ifakara Bakery Project and The Free Bread Funds- Tanzania, a collection was taken for the above project which raised 412, to enable them to buy 1,648 loaves of bread, a wonderful result and there is a thank you letter displayed on Notice Board. Correction! In the March Magazine, the website for donations for Kate Gibson should be All contributions can be given to Alison for Alzheimer s Society. The Head That Once Was Crowned With Thorns Thomas Kelly was the son of an Irish judge. He was ordained but fell foul of his bishop and founded his own sect, which nearly died with him. But this hymn has stood the test of time. Kelly s practical faith was put to the test during a year of severe famine. He was loved by the poorest of the people for his kindness. One man cheered up his anxious wife by saying, Hold up, Bridget there s always Mister Kelly to pull us out of the mire after we ve sunk for the last time! The head that once was crowned with thorns Is crowned with glory now: A royal diadem adorns The mighty Victor s brow The highest place that heaven affords is his, is his by right, The King of kings and Lord of lords/ And heaven s eternal light; The joy of all who dwell above, The joy of all below, To whom manifests his love, And grants his name to know. To them the cross, with all its shame With all its grace is given: Their name an everlasting name, Their joy the joy of heaven. They suffer with their Lord below, They reign with him above, Their profit and their joys to know The mystery of his love. The cross he bore is life and health Though shame and death to him; His people s hope, his people s wealth Their everlasting theme. Thomas Kelly ( ) 5

6 Barn Dance Social Here are a few comments about the recent Barn Dance at church. It was one of the most enjoyable evenings at church this year and everyone who danced or watched had a laugh and shared the mood. It was also an opportunity to welcome visitors to our church who might not ever have come otherwise. Not every one of the social events at church is attractive to everyone and that is fine. It is hoped that some will appeal to all over time and, as Isobel pointed out at the church meeting, we could not cope with the catering if everyone turned up at once! Of course we want to attract as many people as possible to as many functions as possible because they are a way of meeting and knowing each other better. As Graham Spicer used to say, Those who play together, pray together. Pat Digbeth in the Field URC May 1 st,2 nd,& 3 rd 10am 4pm ART CAFÉ, an exhibition of artwork and demonstrations. Bank Holiday w/e. admission free, refreshments. Mon May 3 rd Car Boot Sale Fri May 7 th & Fri Jun 4 th pm Afternoon Tea organized by Girls Brigade to raise funds for GB May 8 th 7.30 pm AD Concert Band in aid of Troop Aid (poster on NB) Another Miserable Teaching Failure! There are times when I think I should give up the day job! I was looking at some pictures of the Easter story with a hearing impaired child I teach because he does not write well nor easily but he is very strong orally. Ben was recounting the events very clearly and we were making good progress when he became very interested in the length of time between the death of Jesus and his resurrection. I carefully explained that Jesus took approximately three hours to die and was buried before dusk on Good Friday, before the Sabbath started. Then there was Saturday and then He came back to life on Easter Sunday. (I thought I was doing quite well and leaving out the more difficult words for a 7 year old.) Ben s eyes took on a very anxious expression, which should have warned me as to what was coming. He said, in a shocked voice, Doctor Who; 6.30pm, Saturday! I realized then that I had left out the time element! Pat 6

7 Congratulations to Glenys Lamb Glenys does not seem to think she is passing one of life s milestones, in fact she looks very happy about it and Kevin has a present ready. Isobel, normally keeps just out of the picture on these occasions, but the cake looks heavy (the board is definitely bending) and Richie looks clearly wary or perhaps it s because George is present, even though his smile is huge (note large chocolate cup cake in his hand), George looks capable of doing or saying anything. 7

8 Helen Carr s Last Visits Helen came and enjoyed our Easter services and created the scene opposite on Good Friday to help us envisage the meaning of the crucifixation. In the photograph above, Helen enjoyed re-meeting the children that she, rightly, feels are one of our greatest assets. There was an exchange of gifts, Isobel had excelled herself in creating the Good Luck cake; Graham had created a photo montage to illustrate our Church in action and members gave a donation to help her furnish her 8 new home. Helen gave us a lectern display Gods Spirit is With Us see top photo.

9 Gordon and Jenny Scott s Wedding Anniversary Whoever created Jenny s floral display should set up classes for others because it looks beautiful. Gordon is either wary of photographs or was encouraged to come because, unlike Jenny, his smile appears slightly strained. (Mind you, it could because the photographer insisted on taking a duplicate photo outside as well... ). 9

10 Good Friday Service Chris S & Mary K said they really enjoyed our Good Friday morning service, Mary found it a wonderful e xperience. I think all of us 35 people who attended felt the same. We all approach Good Friday in our own way and with our own thoughts. Chris & Mary then called into Knowle Village Hall when the Christian Renewal Church, of Lode Lane, were ending their Good Friday service where they had enjoyed: Coffee, Hymn singi ng, Prayers, Easter egg, a prayer card and freshly baked Beckett s Hot cross buns (the Christian Renewal Church run a Coffee Morning each Friday in the village hall). Chris and Mary were made very welcome and were each given a prayer card and Easter egg, they took the buns to eat at home! Afterwards Chris & Mary went to Carrs Lane Birmingham where there was a project going on till 4pm. Most of us think of the crucifixion taking place on a hillside but here they had to envisage it taking place on waste ground, more like a town tip, and to prove the point a great deal of refuse and rubbish had been strewn all around the church steps, pulpit, etc etc almost as though the two robbers and our lord were also rubbish! Helen had given everyone at our service a NAIL to remember GF by and to hold onto till Easter Sunday. Will we remember that NAIL more than the Carrs Lane congregation the rubbish?? Kath Prayer Rhymes for Children - The Animals in the Bible The animals all love Jesus their friend, Jesus their friend, Jesus their friend. The animals all love Jesus their friend, mentioned in the Bible. Jesus loves the animals too, the animals too, the animals too. Jesus loves the animals too, he mentioned in the Bible. We all love Jesus our friend, Jesus our friend, Jesus our friend. We all love Jesus our friend, and the animals in the Bible. To be continued 10

11 May Inspiration The fledglings stretch their tiny wings preparing to take flight and Earth s nocturnal creatures stir as day turns into night. For springtime s past its heady height and summer s on its way Which never fails to cheer us with a colourful display. But nothing else will lift your hearth or thrill you quiet the same As the sweet scent of May blossom warmed by sunshine after rain. Bible Society Prayers May 2-8 An Australian music band who have impacted tens of thousands of people with the spirituality of the psalms will be touring England & Wales as part of the Bible Fresh initative and Pentecost Festival this May. Please pray for arrangements for each concert and for safety in travel. Ask for audiences to be inspired by the honesty and passion of the psalms. May 9 th 15 th Serious unrest continues in Madagascar continues to affect this country and its people, please pray for a peaceful political solution. The Malagasy Bible Society puts the need for Scriptures at 150,000 copies a year but can barely meet half that number. Please pray for sufficient funds to be able to provide the Bible for all who want it. May 16 th 22 nd please pray for the growing churches in Vietnam, that Christians responding to the gospel can be discipled and grounded in the Bible. Pray for the leaders managing the phenomenal growth. Give thanks for the commitment of The Bible Society s Action groups and volunteers, who are fundraising for Vietnam this year. May 23 rd 29 th Please pray for team members Jon Riding and Neil Rees as they work on new projects in Albania including computer support for Sign Language Scriptures. Pray for the safety in travel and fruitful outcomes as Jon and Neil meet with translation teams around the world. Pray for Oldi Morova and the hundreds of others who use Bible Society systems as they work on giving people the Scriptures in their own language. Fun Ans 1 a Football! Ans 2 At the jungle sale! Ans 3 Because nobody tells them anything! Ans 4 All of them, a crossbar can t jump! 11

12 Guide of Dunkirk. In June this year, (2010) it will be 70 years since the evacuation of Dunkirk. A little known fact is that twenty R.N.L.I. lifeboats took part in that event During the evacuation, the Hythe lifeboat was sunk, and the Eastbourne lifeboat was so badly damaged, that it was abandoned mid channel, but was towed back to Britain two days later, by a Royal Navy warship. Later, it was repaired and went back into service. A French and a Belgian lifeboat were captured, and they served with the R.N.L.I. until the end of the war, when they were returned to their own countries. One of the 20 lifeboats that went to Dunkirk was a brand new one waiting to be allocated to a station. It had been paid for by the girl guides of the British Empire. In 1941, it was named "Guide of Dunkirk" and stationed at Cadgwick lifeboat station and served there until Last year (2009) it was seen on display at Mevagissy harbour. Les Bridgwater. Eco News - Dates for your diary Advance Notice - Sunday 16 th May at 6.30 p.m. at St Phillips Peter Braithwaite will be the speaker at the Churches Together Service in our church. Until recently Peter worked on the site for the 2012 Olympic Games and was responsible for seeing that all the sustainability promises for the low energy, water use, and purchasing of materials are being delivered. He is therefore the ideal person to place all this into perspective for our responsibility for God's work in Knowle and Dorridge. Make a note in your diary and come along to be inspired. Secondly:- As a sequel to this service, there will be an informal meeting on Monday 24 th May for all those in our local churches who are concerned about "sustainability" and reducing our "carbon footprint" in their own church. Are there any volunteers to represent our church at the sequel on Monday 24 th? Mary K Dorridge Methodist Church has a DVD entitled " Age of Stupid". relating to environmental issues from a 2055 perspective regretting not having done things in the early 2000's. 12

13 A Journey through the Bible with Tiglath. 26. Numbers Chapter 20 verse 14 to Chapter 24 verse 25. The Israelites are now wishing to move on from Kadesh where they received the water from the rock, and where Miriam died and was buried, At this point Moses wished to lead the Israelites through the land of the Edomites - this gave a direct approach to the Promised Land. Verses 14 to 21 tell what happened when the Edomites refused to allow the Israelites into their country, although they promised to pass through in peace. Near the frontier of Edom was Mount Hor. Moses was instructed by God to take Aaron and Aaron's son Eleazar to the top of the mountain. There Moses divested Aaron of his priestly robes and invested his son with them. Aaron died on the top of Mount Hor. He was not allowed to reach the Holy Land because he and Moses had rebelled against God over the waters of Meribah. Chapter 21 begins with the destruction of the Canaanites when they attacked the Israelites (verses 1-3). At this point the people began to complain of the conditions in the desert and asked why they had be brought out of Egypt. The Lord sent a plague of poisonous snakes among the people so that many them died (verse 6). The people pleaded with Moses to ask God to get rid of the snakes. God told Moses to make a bronze serpent as a standard. Anyone bitten by a snake had only to look at it and they would recover (verses 8 and 9). The remainder of Chapter describes how the Israelites fought various tribes on the way to the Promised Land. Chapter 22 finds the Israelites encamped on the lowlands of Moab. They were a large body of people and terrified the Moabites. Balak. the king of Moab, sent for Balaam, a kind of mercenary prophet who lived by the Euphrates and asked him to denounce the Israelites, Balaam consulted God and was told to do no such thing but go back to his own country. Again Balak sent for Balaam and again Balaam consulted God who told him to go with the Moabite chiefs but only to do what God tells him to do. Here the story becomes confusing because verse 22 tells us that God was angry because Balaam went with the Moabites. Continued on P 14 Balaam and the angel, Gustav Jaeger 13

14 Verses 23 to 35 tell the wonderful story of Balaam's ass. She saw what Balaam could not see an angel with a flaming sword blocking his way. Three times she turned off the track. The first time she did this Balaam beat her. The second time she turned and crushed Balaam's foot against a wall. Again he beat her. The third time the ass lay down and Balaam again gave her a good hiding. At this point the ass spoke and asked Balsam what on earth he was doing. Balaam told the ass that if he had been carrying a sword he would have killed her. At this point Balaam's eyes were opened and he saw the angel. He at once The Prophet Balaam and the Ass, by Rembrandt van Rijn, 1626 prostrated himself on the ground and said how sorry he was. He was told, in no uncertain terms, that if he hadn't stopped he would have been killed and the ass spared (verses 23-34). Balaam was then instructed to go on with the Moabites. When Balak heard that Balaam was coming he went to meet him. Again Balaam tells Balak that he can only obey the words of God. Balak and Balaam go to a high place where they can see the Israelites. Balaam instructs Balak to build seven altars and offer a bull and a ram on each. Balak is then instructed to stand by the altars while he, Balaam walks away, on his own, in case the Lord speaks to him. In verses 7 to 10 we discover what God instructs Balaam to say to Balak. In this oracle, far from denouncing the Israelites, he praises them. When Balak remonstrates with him Balaam again says that he must say the words that God tells him. In verses 13 to 30 Balak again attempts to get Balaam to denounce the Israelites. Again, Balaam consults God, and in verses he utters another oracle in favour of the Israelites. In Chapter 24 there are two more oracles from Balsam, under God's guidance, in favour of the Israelites. By verse 25 both Balaam and Balak must have been fed up with each other and they parted. As I wrote earlier, it is interesting to discover that Balsam was a mercenary soothsayer who was paid for the oracles he uttered. Next month we describe some very strange behaviour of the Israelite women! 14

15 Rotas Vestry and Communion Elders May 2 nd David Stewart May 9 th Mike Robertson May 16 th Graham Tall May 23 rd Kath Vale & David Stewart May 30 th Isobel Robertson Jun 6 th Sue Bateman Door Stewards May 2 nd Graham & Stephenie Tall May 9 th Sue Heatley & Margaret Allan May 16 th Mike & Isobel Robertson May 23 rd Jenny Scott & Sue Bateman May 30 th Mary Kirwan & Chris Smith Jun 6 th Glenys Lamb & Pat McKee Junior Church Creche May 2 nd Stephenie Tall Isobel/Fiona May 9 th -30 th Jenny Scott Isobel/Fiona June 6 th Jenny Scott Christine/Moira Flower Rota May 2 nd Kath & Mary Vale May 9 th Jenny Scott May 16 th Avril & Clive Griffiths May 23 rd Edna Grimmett May 30 th Kath & Mary Vale Thank you to everyone who helped to make our church so beautiful for Easter-time with their time and gifts of flowers. Kath Lectionary Readings May 2 nd Judy Preece Acts11; 1-18 John 13; May 9 th Fiona Kellond Acts 16; 9-15 John 5; 1-9 May 16 th Jan Richardson Acts16; John 17; May 23 rd Stephenie Tall Acts 2; 1-21 John 14; 8-17 May 30 th Pat McKee Prvbs 8; 1-4, John 16; Jun 6 th Greta Stewart 1Kings 17; 8-16 Luke 7;

16 Church Diary Sun May 2 nd 9.30 am Blair Kessler Tues May 4 th 7.30 pm Worship Planning Eileen s Sun May 9 th 9.30 am Kenneth Alway-Jones Prayer Fellowship Social outing to Fibrex Garden visit and Afternoon tea Wed May 12 th am Midweeek Service 7.30 pm Elders Meeting Sun May 16 th 9.30 am Bernell Burroughs 6.30 pm Churches Together St Philips. Speaker Peter Braithwaite Sat May 22 nd 3.00 pm Wedding Sun May 23 rd 9.30 am Rev Kevin Jones Communion Pentecost/Whitsunday Wed May 26 th am Midweek Service Sun May 30 th 9.30 am Fiona Elvins Sun Jun 6 th 9.30am Ann Simcock DATES for DIARIES May 1 st Mayday May 3 rd Bank Holiday May 6 th General Election Day May 8 th Plant Trinity URC Hall Green May 9 15 Christian Aid Week May pm The Greatest Blessing B Ham Spring Lane Church May 13 th Ascension Day May 16 th Knowle Fun Run May Revels present Blithe Knowle Village Hall May 23 rd pm One Hope - One Voice - One Family, In Victoria Sq, B ham Pentecost Sunday May 31 st Spring Bank Holiday June 2 nd Israel Palestine Church House, World Week For Peace In Palestine & Israel June 8 th Cluster Knowle URC Articles for June magazine to be with Mary by May 16 th please