Rest Day: Friday Mobile: Minister Rev. Phone:

Transcription

1 October 2012

2 Minister Rev. Phone: Secretary Jenny Scott, Elder Hanbury Rd., Dorridge, Solihull. B93 8DW Tel: e-: Hall Secretary Edna Grimmett, Tel: Junior Church Pat McKee Tel: Rest Day: Friday Mobile: Treasurer Mike Robertson Elder Lodge Rd., Knowle B93 0HF Tel: e-m: Property Secretary David Stewart Elder Links Drive, Solihull B91 2DJ Tel: Magazine Team Mary Kirwan Elder 2011 Graham Tall, Elder Newton Rd., Knowle, Solihull. B93 8HN Church Notices Mike Robertson Elder 2011 Tel: Tel: s: Additional Serving Elders: Mandy Cunoosamy 2010 Diana Dicker 2010 Terry Dicker 2012 Non-serving Elders: Margaret Allan Kenneth Always Jones Sue Bateman Clive Griffiths Edna Grimmett John Heatley Glenys Lamb Alan Lang Lucilla Lang Pat McKee Ian Miller Alison Hockly 2009 Isobel Robertson 2011 Stephenie Tall 2009 Kath Vale 2009 Eileen Pitkeathly Judy Preece Jan Richardson Brian Richardson Mauvine Squire Ron Squire Note: This magazine is free to all members and friends of Knowle 2 URC. We rely on donations to help cover the costs.

3 The Search For Our Future Minister All that is now needed is the identification of a Manse for the minister and Diana Dicker and Geoff Smith from Digbeth have been working hard to ensure that that is found quickly. The cover sheet of the two Churches pastorate Profiles is designed to summarise what the pastorate has to offer the new minister. The key points are as follows: The areas in which the two churches are based are dissimilar. Digbeth is much closer to the centre of Birmingham whilst Knowle is in a greenbelt area. The population surrounding Digbeth is much more ethnically diverse than that of Knowle, which inevitably given its rural commuter belt area, has a more professional population. In other ways, however, the churches have much in common. Both: 1. Contain sufficient people to organise activities, raise funds and run the church. 2. Have a majority of older church goers. 3. Are friendly outward looking churches. 4. Are determined to support and encourage children and young people linked to them via Sunday school, Fury and youth groups using their hall. Although the two churches are completely separate, with their own Elders meetings, Church secretaries, magazines etc. they should not be considered as purely parochial organisations. Both wish to look outward and are willing to share expertise and organise joint activities. Fundamentally, the two churches are looking for a minister who can: 1. Lead them spiritually 2. Meet them socially 3. Encourage youngsters And, 4. Support members and adherents. Both churches also recognise that no minister can do everything, the Elders are there to provide support and reduce pastoral requirements. Reference is also made to the need to work with other cluster churches. 3

4 Church Family Happy Birthday to Mary K 8 th, Kevin Jones 14 th, Roger McKie 22 nd, Barbara O Neill 28 th. Birthstone Opal, Flower Marigold meaning bittersweet. Congratulations to Gordon & Jenny Scott on the safe arrival of their grandson, Alexander Christopher, and to his parents David & Irini, a little brother to Philip. Congratulations Keith Baines on the safe arrival of his granddaughter, Jasmine Nicola Faith and to her parents Gary & Vicci Steele, little sister to Grace & Nathan. Congratulations to Fiona Elvins who receives her Degree at Chester Cathedral on November 2 nd There is a special service for her at St Columba, Moseley, to receive her gown and preaching scarves etc., on October 7 th, followed by lunch to which everyone will be invited. A little bit of history! In our Oct 1971 magazine there was a welcome to Mrs V. Harwood ( Chris s Mom) and Mrs C. Smith who have started to worship with us. Christian Aid Lunches are available at St Philip s Church Hall, Manor Road, Dorridge, from pm on the following dates 3 rd and 17 th October, 7 th and 21 st November, 5 th and 19 th December. Cost 3 (Students 1.50p) Shoeboxes The list for ordering Shoeboxes is displayed on the notice board now. Please add your name and quantity. Each shoebox costs 7.50p. I will arrange to fill them on Saturday November 3rd in our church as in previous years. Volunteers welcome from 9.30 am. onwards. Any questions? See Mary K. Thank You. Hope on October We have been very grateful for Mark taking our Midweek Service once a month in the absence of Kenneth who has been so poorly. David Hall and I have been running this service too. Mark announced on Wed that he was going to visit Kenneth later that day, when suddenly Kenneth came in to join us, Liz had brought him up in the car in time for the service, tea and chat. The sun was shining and the air felt warm. It was so good for us all to be together in fellowship again for a few moments. Thank you Mark for 4 being there for us. Kath Vale

5 Prayer Fellowship on Sun Sept 9 th We remembered those on our Prayer List with love and hope. Two new young gents welcomed in our prayers, Alexander Christopher Scott and Benjamin Brian Tall. Ain t it good. Kath. 80 th Church Anniversary Open day Saturday November 24th /Service on Sun November 25th. Commitment For Life Prayer for October - Prayer for Jamaica AIDS Support (JAS) To you whose touch brings healing, we pray, touch those with HIV/AIDS and through the work of JAS, bring healing. Healing from bigotry and hatred, healing from fear and pain, healing from isolation and loneliness. But we ask, touch us too, that we may be moved with compassion, healed of our prejudices and freed to respond in love. Amen Prayer for Zimbabwe Most gracious and living God, we are sorry for being part of a world that is capable of hate and destruction. We want to stand beside our fellow Christians but often we fail them. Give us the understanding to fully appreciate what is happening in your world. Give strength and comfort to those in Zimbabwe who suffer daily because of the words and actions of a few. Living God, we ask for courage. Living Lord, we ask for clear vision. Living Spirit, we ask for stamina to do your will. Prayer Partners 2006: Commitment for Life. Letter from Elsa May To everyone at Knowle URC, I just want to say a really big thank you to everyone for the money that you all gave to me as a gift. I am very touched and I know that it will come in very useful when I begin to order all of my new books. My first week here in Exeter has been fun and very tiring! It is definitely harder than I expected being away from home and also all of you, my church family. I know that soon however, when work begins, the time will start to fly by and I'll be home for Christmas before I know it. Thank you to all of you once again. I look forward to seeing you all at Christmas and will definitely have lots to tell you! With love, Elsa-May 5

6 The Story of Stone Soup Junior Church acted out the Stone Soup story at Harvest Festival, Even the youngest child took part and everyone enjoyed watching it see pictures on page 9. Once upon a time, somewhere in post-war Eastern Europe, there was a great famine in which people jealously hoarded whatever food they could find, hiding it even from their friends and neighbours. One day a wandering soldier came into a village and began asking questions as if he planned to stay for the night. "There's not a bite to eat in the whole province," he was told. "Better keep moving on." "Oh, I have everything I need," he said. "In fact, I was thinking of making some stone soup to share with all of you." He pulled an iron cauldron from his wagon, filled it with water, and built a fire under it. Then, with great ceremony, he drew an ordinary-looking stone from a velvet bag and dropped it into the water. By now, hearing the rumour of food, most of the villagers had come to the square or watched from their windows. As the soldier sniffed the "broth" and licked his lips in anticipation, hunger began to overcome their scepticism. "Ahh," the soldier said to himself rather loudly, "I do like a tasty stone soup. Of course, stone soup with cabbage -- that's hard to beat." Soon a villager approached hesitantly, holding a cabbage he'd retrieved from its hiding place, and added it to the pot. "Capital!" cried the soldier. "You know, I once had stone soup with cabbage and a bit of salt beef as well, and it was fit for a king." The village butcher managed to find some salt beef... and so it went, through potatoes, onions, carrots, mushrooms until there was indeed a delicious meal for all. The villagers offered the soldier a great deal of money for the magic stone, but he refused to sell and travelled on the next day. The moral is that by working together, with everyone 6 contributing what they can, a greater good is achieved.

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8 Social: Musical Quiz 8

9 Harvest Festival Junior Church: Stone Soup Choir: 9

10 Hymn Lead, Kindly Light Cardinal John Henry Newman ( ) Cardinal Newman wrote these celebrated lines during a crisis of faith he underwent in 1833, returning to England by ship after falling seriously ill in Sicily. Inspiration came on night when the vessel lay becalmed somewhere between Corsica and Sardinia, Newman spotting a single light shining through the darkness from the distant harbour and seeing it as a symbol of his spiritual need for guidance (He converted to Catholicism some years later). Admirers of Newman s hymn have included Queen Victoria, who had it read to her as she lay on her deathbed. Lead, kindly light, amid the encircling gloom, Lead thou me on; The night is dark, and I am far from home, Lead thou me on. Keep thou my feet; I do not ask to see the distant scene, one step enough for me. I was not ever thus, nor prayed that Thou Should st lead me on; I loved to choose and see my path; but now Lead thou on me I loved the garish day, and, spite of fears, pride ruled my will: remember not past years. So long Thy power hath blest me, sure it still Will lead me on, O er moor and fen, o er crag and torrent, till the night is gone; And with the morn those angel faces smile, which I have loved long since, and lost awhile. Newman was born in the City of London, the eldest of a family of three sons and three daughters. His father, John Newman, was a banker with Ramsbottom, Newman and Company in Lombard Street. His mother, Jemima (né e Fourdrinier), was descended from French Huguenot refugees in England. He was an important figure in the religious history of England in the 19th century. He was known nationally by the mid-1830s. Pope Benedict XVI beatified Newman on the 19 September 2010 during his visit to the United Kingdom. Beatification is the first stage in proclaiming an individual a saint in the Roman Catholic Church. 10

11 Carrs Lane Church Centre Sat Oct 1 st Musician s Guild Celebration Day ASSIST OUR SONG using music to broaden horizons in worship. Details on notice board. Sat Oct 20 th 10 am 4 pm Radical Christian Faith Lectures all details on notice board. Digbeth in the Field URC Oct 20 th 7.30 pm Quiz Evening, teams of 6. 5 each. Bring own drinks. Fri Oct 26 th Macmillan Coffee Morning 10 am 12 noon Raffle Harvest Festival and M&M Tubes Isobel proposed that we distributed M&M tubes at Easter in The first tubes were made by M&M hence the name. The advantage of the tubes was that they were big enough to take all coins but the 50p piece. Subsequently, when no new M&M tubes were available we have had to use Cadbury tubes and plastic Easter eggs. The concept behind the tubes was that after being given a tube full of chocolate eggs at Easter, members refill it with money and return it at HF and hopefully raise more money than would be obtained from a simple donation request. Over the years the annual mount raised has fluctuated but has never been less,when Gift Aid has been added, than 250 and occasionally been as high as 500. Inevitably, we would have raised more if everyone had given their envelope number because we could then claim gift aid. (So, if you didn t number your tube, please let Mike know and give him some idea of the amount involved.) The monies raised are given to local charities, selected by members at a church meeting, such as the local Citizens Advice Bureau, Jobs Close and SCAH. A major factor in choosing the charities has been the insights and concerns of individual members. Last year, it was questioned whether we should continue with the tubes, but members felt they continued to be effective. However, it is also evident that whilst the congregation has grown, the amount raised has not. It is hoped that by ensuring new members are informed of the history and raison d etre of the tubes that they will continue to be an effective method of continuing to raise money in the future. Graham Tall 11

12 Synod Sat Oct 6 th 10 am 1 pm Elder s Training at Broadway URC, High Street,Worcestershire. Details on notice board. The Greatest of All Henry Blogg was born in 1876, and joined the Cromer Lifeboat in 1894 at the age of 18, in the age of pulling (rowing) lifeboats. He retired from the lifeboats in 1948, aged 71, the era of motor lifeboats after 53 yrs service, 38 of them as Coxwain. The holder of 3 Gold and 4 Silver Medals from the R.N.L.I. for bravery plus the George Cross and the B.E.M. Henry Blogg went out on the lifeboat 387 times and helped to save 873 lives, a record which earned him the title of The Greatest of all Lifeboatmen. Henry died on Sunday 13 June It was a mark of renown that 2,500 people attended his funeral, and a lorry was used to convey 100 wreaths. His coffin was borne by Coxwains of the Sherringham, Wells, Caister, and Gorleston Lifeboats. An ordinary man, made great by his exceptional courage and service had passed on, but his name is remembered by people worldwide as Henry Blogg of Cromer. In a radio broadcast after his death, the chief Inspector of lifeboats said He was a big man in every sense of the word, a kindly genial man of exemplary character, and possessing a youthful spirit; a magnificent seaman with the courage of a lion; a man of quick decisions and resolute action. Les Bridgewater. Fun To some people religious freedom means the choice of churches they may stay away from. A little light humour! A friend is someone Who thinks you re A good egg Even though you re slightly cracked! An Irish Toast You are not as young as you used to be, But you are not as old as you are going to be So watch it! Remember You may be only one person in the world But you may also be the world to one person Which character in the Bible had no parents? 12 Answer: Joshua, son of Nun

13 Tigleth: 48. Samuel I Chapter 26 to Chapter 31. At the beginning of this chapter Saul continues to pursue David. Some people called the Ziphites, who supported Saul, told him that David and his men were hiding on the hill of Hachilah. Saul went after him with 3,000 men. David sent out spies to find out where exactly Saul was camped. Verses 5 to 25 make a most interesting story. As you read, you will observe that, at no time, will David touch Saul, nor will he allow Abishai, his companion, to touch the king. The reason for this is that Saul is the Lord s anointed. As a result of this encounter with David Saul pursues him no more. In Chapter 27 David determines to flee from Saul and seek shelter in Gath where Achish was. David asks this king for a town and is given Ziklag. The end of the chapter is bloodthirsty and strange as David and his men wipe out certain tribes who are friendly with the Israelites. David seems to have allied himself with the Philistines. Chapter 28 begins by telling us that Achish has every confidence in David and wishes him to join him in battle. Meanwhile, as we know Samuel the prophet was dead and buried and a troubled Saul had no-one to turn to for advice as to what was going to happen in the near future. He had banished all the mediums and wizards. Saul was desperate to know what was going to happen as the Philistines were massing against him. He asked his servants to find him a medium and they said there was such a woman at a place called Endor. Saul cannot get any answers to his queries from the Lord so he disguises himself and goes and consults the woman. The woman refuses to help him at First as she feels she is being trapped and will be put to death. Saul assures her that, As the Lord liveth there shall no punishment happen to thee for this thing. The woman asks Saul to whom he wishes to speak. He replies Samuel. When Samuel appeared the woman realised that her visitor was Saul, there in disguise. Samuel who appeared as an old man covered with a mantle desired to know what Saul wanted. If you read verses 15 to Saul and the Witch of Endor by Jacob Corneliz van Oostsanen 20 you will realise that Samuel had no words of comfort for Saul. In fact, he predicts the death of the king and two of his sons. 13

14 Tiglath Continued: Hearing all this Saul collapses. He had been fasting all day and refuses food which the woman offers. However his servants persuade him to eat and thus we find him feasting on veal and unleavened bread at the end of Chapter 28. Surprisingly as Chapter 29 opens we find David wishing to join king Achish and the Philistines against the Israelites. The Philistines would have none of this as they thought David and his men might change sides in the heat of the battle. Achish had assured the Philistines of David s faithfulness but the Philistines were adamant so David left with his men. As Chapter 30 opens David and his men return to Ziklag. They discovered that it had been attacked by the Amalekites and burnt. David s two wives and the wives of his men had been captured and taken away. David sent for an ephod which was a kind of surplice worn by Jewish priests. He then consulted the Lord who encouraged him to pursue the Amalekites. David took 600 men with him but 200 were too weak to cross over the Besor stream and had to be left behind. Verses 11 to 16 tell how a young Egyptian was found by David s men. He was wounded and had been left behind by the Amalekites. After being assured of his safety he led David and his men to where the Amalekites were celebrating their recent victory at Ziklag. At twilight the Israelites attacked and completely destroyed the Amalekites. Only 400 young men escaped. Thus, David and his men recovered their wives and they recovered everything that had been stolen. Read verses 21 to 31 and discover what David s reaction was when the men who had done the fighting urged him not to share any of the spoil with the weary men who had remained by the brook Besor. Chapter 31 tells of the death of Saul and three of his sons while fighting the Philistines on Mount Gilboa. When Saul, wounded, saw that his sons Jonathan, Abinadab and Malchishua had been killed he asked his armour-bearer to kill him also. This the armour-bearer refused to do so, Saul took a sword and fell upon it (verse 4). The armour-bearer then, also, The Death of Saul committed suicide. The chapter has a very gruesome ending. In our next episode we shall begin the journey through the Second Book of 14 Samuel which is very much concerned with the reign of King David.

15 Rotas Vestry and Communion Elders Sun Oct 7 th Sun Oct 14 th Sun Oct 21 st Sun Oct 28 th Sun Nov 4 th Door Stewards Sun Oct 7 th Sun Oct 14 th Sun Oct 21 st Sun Oct 28 th Sun Nov 4 th Stephenie Tall Mandy Cunoosamy Mary Kirwan David Stewart & Kath Vale Mike Robertson Sue Bateman & Judy Preece Mary Kirwan & Chris Smith Glenys Lamb & Christine Harfoot Mike & Isobel Robertson Alison Hockly & Pat McKee Flower Rota Oct 7 th Ian Rogerson (Donation) Oct 14th Kath & Mary Oct 21st Christine Harfoot Oct 28th Jenny Scott Thank you all for your help during Harvest Thanksgiving. Kath Lectionary Readings Sun Oct 7 th Edna Grimmett Job1; 1, 2; 1-10 Mark 10; 2-16 Sun Oct 14 th? Job 23; 1-9, Mark 10; Sun Oct 21 st Elsa-May Kellond Job 38; 1-7 Mark 10; Sun Oct 28 th Jenny Bottomly Job 42; 1-6, Mark 10; Sun Nov 4 th Jenny Scott Ruth 1; 1-18 Mark 12; Junior Church th October 7-28 th Stephenie Helpers Mandy/Martha 15

16 Church Diary Wed Oct 3 rd 7.30 pm Elders Meeting Sun Oct 7 th 9.30 am Mrs Ann Evans Wed Oct 10 th 11.am Midweek Service 7.30 pm Cluster Elders Meeting at Christ Church Sat Oct 13 th 7.30 pm Church Social Nostalgic Puddings Sun Oct 14 th 9.30 am Mr Joe Blackburn Prayer Fellowship Sun Oct 21 st 9.30 am Mr Michael Platt Wed Oct 24 th 11 am Midweek Service Sun Oct 28 th 9.30 am Mr Martin Withers Communion Bible Sunday Dates October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month Oct 1 st World Vegetarian Day Oct 4 th National Poetry Day Oct 5 th Jeans for Genes Day Oct 5 th The Inauguration of the United Reformed Church th Anniversary Oct 11 th World Sight Day Oct 12 th World Arthritis Day Oct 17 th Child Poverty Day Oct 22 nd International Stammering Awareness Day Oct 27 th 11 am 3.30 pm Westminster College Open Day, theme will be the 350 th Anniversary of the Great Ejectment. All are welcome Oct 28 th Clocks go back one hour Oct One World Week, see Poster on notice board Oct 31 st Halloween Nov 6 th - 10 St Alphege Musical Production Society (STAMPS) are presenting Annie Get Your Gun at Solihull Arts Centre pm Sat Matinee 2.30 pm. For Tickets please see Jenny Bottomly. Articles for November Magazine with Mary by October 14 th please. 16