John Heatley Glenys Lamb Alan Lang Lucilla Lang Pat McKee Ian Miller

Transcription

1 March 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: 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 Hockley 2009 Isobel Robertson 2008 Stephenie Tall 2009 Kath Vale 2009 Non-serving Elders: Margaret Allen Kenneth Alway Jones Diana Dicker Terry Dicker Clive Griffiths John Heatley Glenys Lamb Alan Lang Lucilla Lang Pat McKee Ian Miller Judy Preece Jan Richardson Brian Richardson Mauvine Squire Ron Squire Edna Grimmett Eileen Pitkeathly Note: This magazine is free to all members and friends of Knowle URC. We rely on donations to help cover the costs. Did you know?! We have tea-towels for sale at 2.50 each, notelets 1, URC Car, sticker 50p, key 50p and pens (now ½ price) 25p each. Please contact Mary for 2 purchases.

3 Minister s Letter (By Helen Carr) I am coming to the end of my placement with Digbeth-in-the-field and Knowle, and can not believe how quickly the time has gone. I will soon be moving to two churches in Kettering. The larger church is in the town centre which is surrounded by shops, and a smaller church in a large village on the outskirts of Kettering. My life will change when I move, but so will the kind of ministry I can offer to those I will be serving in the churches and area. The challenge of being church in a shopping centre is one I am looking forward to. But the smaller church will offer me a different type challenge, as the area is developing into a commuter belt for London. The two churches and their outreach is very different, but the experience I have gained with Digbeth and Knowle has helped prepare me. But there is one thing which I find consistent. The churches are both surrounded by thriving communities; though one is retail and the other is residential. If we, as Christians, disconnect ourselves as a Church from our local communities it is easy to loose sight of where God is calling us to be. One of my favourite poems is written by an Indian writer called Tagore. It is this poem which reminds me of what ministry is all about. It begins: Come friend, flinch not, step down upon the hard earth. Do not gather dreams in the dusk It reminds me that the work (or ministry) of all Christians is about remaining in the real world, with real people, who have normal everyday joys and problems in their lives. I hope my ministry will be one which is grounded and root in the everyday life of the people God has called me to encounter. So let us flinch not in God s work, and get on with the task laid before us of sharing the Good News with all. Helen Carr Fred Kaan and his Hymns. A service of celebration and thanksgiving. Saturday April 10 th 2.00 pm at St Andrews URC, Cheltenham. Montpellier Str. GL50 1SP. 20 minutes walk from the Railway Station. The Festival will include recollections of Fred, by Fred s biographer Dr Gillian Warson and Fred s wife Dr Anthea Kaan 3

4 Christian Aid Week 9th to15th May, 2010 I am hoping that the folk who have collected in the past for Christian Aid will be able to do so this year. You may not realise it but we are a part of the 8000 to collected by the churches of Knowle and Dorridge each year, a good contribution to the work of this important charity. I would also like to ask if anyone in church would consider taking on the role of coordinating the collections in this area as Jane Holt would like to step down after a good number of years' service. I should like to take the opportunity to thank her for her help. She assures me that it is not onerous and the person just needs to be organised and to trouble shoot if necessary. I am sure that there is someone in our congregation who could do this! Please consider this if you would like to contribute in this way and tell me. Thank you, Pat HOLY WEEK Wed Mar 31 st 7.30 pm Knowle URC Maundy Thurs Apr 1 st 7.30 pm Worship and Digbeth in the Field URC Good Friday Apr 2 nd 10am Knowle URC FUN 1 How do make a bandstand? 2 Why do hummingbirds hum? 3 Why do bees have sticky fur? 4 How do you get rid of varnish? 5 What do you call two rows of cabbages? 6 What is a bear without an ear? Easter Anagrams! Can you solve them? PASTY HEAPER DAY SUN LAMP STEERED A RAPA CRUSH BOSTONS CT GOOGLE ACHE RUSTY AND A SEE TREE BANS TONE HUG STRANGER TREE Answers in April magazine 4

5 Church Family Happy Birthday to Martha 1 st Tim 1 st Richie 11 th Christine 19 th Glenys 22 nd Betty 24 th Chris Harding 24 th. Happy Anniversary to Terry, David and then Kevin & Helen on 30th. Congratulations to Christine Harfoot & Family on the safe arrival of Isla recently. I had an extended Birthday this year with the actual day December 7 th being spent on the high seas on our Caribbean cruise, which was very relaxing and enjoyable. So, many thanks to all of you for my Card, Cake and gift token which was a lovely surprise when we returned. This was greatly appreciated and it s lovely to know we both have so many friends at KURC. Thanks again John Heatley Thanks everyone for saving their used postage stamps for me, keep them coming, please save your Easter Egg foil and also save your egg (not Easter) boxes for me. Prayer Fellowship led by Kath met on Sun Feb 14 when we remembered all our long term people, and our most recent people in need of prayer, especially those of our congregation who have not been able to be with us recently some recovering from op s and illness and other s travelling the world. We were sad to hear of the death of Pauline Brand recently, our thoughts and prayers are with her Family. Is there anyone willing to host a Coffee Morning in the coming months? Sue Heatley is willing to raise church funds by producing a book of recipes, and would like you to give/send her your favourite recipe to be included, she will also include your favourite household tips! On Sunday Feb 7 th we celebrated Edna s 80 th Birthday (actually on the 9 th ) she received beautiful Flowers and a Cake (Daniel was delighted; another cake!) Edna was also presented with a beautiful pictorial reminder of the years she has been attending our church. Mary K was on camera duty again to record the occasion. Kath Vale Edna wishes to thank everyone for Birthday celebrations on Sun , the lovely memorable picture, flowers, cake and many cards and other presents etc. How lovely to have so many church family. Junior church card and present was beautiful. God Bless you all. Edna 3000 miles Charity Drive in aid of Cancer Research UK and The Down s Syndrome Association. One participant is David Vincent Son-in-Law of Sue & John Heatley. Can you offer support? 5

6 It s excellent news that St Ninian s building is still to be used as a church, and the information on Joseph, Mary and Jesus s journey was interesting. Helen Congratulations on your Graduation, we shall miss your bright bubbly presence. Thank you from all of us at Knowle URC/ Kath Vale Thoughts for Mothering Sunday: M is for the million things she gave me O means only that she is growing old T is for the tears she shed to save me H is for her heart of purest gold E is for her eyes, with love-light shining R means right, and right she ll always be, put them all together, they spell MOTHER a word that means the world to me. A mother is one who can take the place of all others but whose place no one else can fill. No one ever outgrows the need for a Mother s love Bible Society News Midlands Celebration, St Mark's Church, Rugby, Sunday 21 st March 6.00pm-7.30pm Come and see for yourself the desperate hunger for the Bible around the world and praise God with us for the ways that he is changing lives through his Word. Discover how you can be part of providing the precious gift of a Bible to the millions in China's fast growing Church. For details: or contactus@biblesociety.org.uk Ferncumbe Ladies Charity Breakfast 8-.OOA.M. Saturday 13 th March 2010 Hatton Village Hall 'Saying 'Yes' to God and what happens when you do' Talk by Bridget Plass including Continental Breakfast Eat breakfast in a relaxed friendly atmosphere, and listen to an inspiring and amusing talk by the wife of a well known speaker and author Adrian Plass. Bridget talks about everyday family life in a down to earth way. For more information and tickets phone Linda Or Helen

7 Digbeth-in-the-Field URC "The Inn Crowd" Thank You Derek Clayton and Helen Jones would like to say a BIG thank you to all those who helped with the production of Roger Jones' "The Inn Crowd" on Sunday December 13 th at Digbeth-in-the-Field URC. We really appreciated your warm welcome to visitors and the help in ensuring people were fed and watered and seated safely! (which includes cast, choir and paying guests!) As the weekend drew closer, we both wondered what we had committed to do when we had decided to put a third production on which meant moving everything "lock, stock and barrel" after the Saturday night's performance at St Michaels to Digbeth-in-the-Field - we did just about see our beds before midnight! That, however, was not the real challenge! The real "Challenge Anneka" was getting the church ready after the morning's children's and young people's Christmas service in 1 hour - which included turning all the pews around, erecting a stage, lighting and getting the sound right, plus carrying and putting out 70 chairs for the choir to sit on! Once again, thank you to those who responded to our appeal to help - we could not have done it without you. Thank you also to Craig Smelt and Neil Witcombe who did not flinch under such pressure to get the sound and lighting right in a miniscule amount of time. Roger arrived at 1.30pm and we were ready! Digbeth-in-the-Field was packed and it was wonderful to see the church filled to capacity. The Moderator and his wife also attended. On Saturday we were able to present a cheque to the Lord and Lady Mayoress of Birmingham for for The Birmingham Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research from some of the proceeds of ticket sales from the 3 performances. The weekend was exhausting but exhilarating and thanks must also go to everyone in the cast and choir and special mention to our Digbeth folk, Shirley Hill, Audrey Votes, Sue Fielding, Mary Wheeler and Kevin Jones who like everybody else did not see a Sunday lunch from September to December due to Sunday rehearsals starting at 2pm prompt! Chris and I attended the above performance at St Michael s and it was fantastic. Congratulations Mary K 7

8 Edna s Present

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10 A letter from Kate Gibson (niece of Alison Hockly) On 21 st June 2010 I will be joining 29 other volunteers on the 2010 Alzheimer's Society Trek Kilimanjaro Challenge. My Grandfather was badly affected by Alzheimer s and the Alzheimer's Society provided great support and advice to my family at a time when support was so greatly needed. For this reason I joined the Birmingham and Solihull branch of the Alzheimer's Society and spent the University holidays of 2006 organising the Birmingham and Solihull Memory Walk. This year I have decided to take on a walk that is (slightly!) more physically challenging and certainly a lot more adventurous than Canon Hill Park- the Kilimanjaro Trek. Mt Kilimanjaro is the world's highest free standing mountain and the highest mountain on the African continent at 5895m above sea level. The climb will take us up the Machama route-6 days and over 100km uphill through scrubland and rainforest, progressing up to rocks, glaciers and volcanic dust (and a potential 30c) at the summit. For the trip I have pledged to raise a minimum of 3,500 for the charity and my fundraising is currently going fairly well. I organised a party in September, a Christmas coffee morning (and evening) with my mother in December and more recently a tea party in my office. I have a few other plans in the pipeline and my friends, family and colleagues have been providing invaluable support with my fundraising activities. Between the 30 climbers we hope to raise a considerable sum for the Alzheimer's Society so that the Society can continue their amazing work in providing support to families like mine. If anybody would like to support my climb they can donate online at March Inspiration The yellow drifts of daffodils at this time of the year are just the sign we ve waited for at last, springtime is here Weak sunshine dapples ponds and lakes and they become alive with plants and creatures who ll begin to reproduce and thrive And in the fields, the newborn lambs can really melt your heart as all around us nature wakes to make a fresh new start 11

11 Multicultural Day At Carrs Lane What an experience it was to be present to celebrate our 'multicultural-ness' at Carrs Lane URC in December. Over 350 people were present from all over England and Wales to share in the events of the day organised by Revd Michael Jagasser, URC secretary for racial justice and multicultural ministry. Presentations were made to the winners of the URC's Multicultural Congregation Story Award with 2 Birmingham URC's being recognised - one as a winner and one highly commended. We had a full programme involving people of every nationality and age - presentations in drama, storytelling, dance, poetry and song -we learnt some new hymns and songs from other countries. A highlight to me was the offering - always important but especially important on that day - we did this as they do in Ghana as a joyful celebration. We danced and sang as we all came forward to present our gifts of money and our lives in gratitude. Our final act of worship included an address by our General Secretary Roberta Romminger who explored the theme of the event "A table for all' reminding everyone that 'we together are the URC - it is we, not 'them and us'" felt very privileged to be part of a church that celebrates such diversity - I will remember and treasure an eventful, full day that was so full of joy. Irene Bound Taken from Olton Magazine. Thanks for the report Irene. Mary K Churches Together Christian Aid Lunches on the 1 st and 3 rd Wednesday s (every Wednesday during lent) at St Philips Church Dorridge. Time Knowle Mother s Union Lent Lunch on Thursday 4 th March in the Guild House, and on 18 th March in St John s Hall Times pm St Mary s Church Warwick Sat Mar 27 th 7.30 pm The Collegium present s John Rutter s REQUIEM. Tickets available from Alison or on the door. 12

12 O FOR A THOUSAND SONGS TO SING Charles Wesley was never quite sure of his own birthday. It was, after all, just before Christmas; he was his mother's eighteenth child, born some weeks premature, so small and frail that he seemed more dead than alive. For two months he neither cried nor opened his eyes. But he was quite sure of the date of what he called his 'second birth' 21 May On that day he responded to the love and grace of God. He wrote this hymn a year later, 'For the anniversary day of one's conversion'. O for a thousand tongues to sing My great Redeemer s praise, The glories of my God and King, The triumphs of his grace! Jesus! The name that charms our fears, That bids our sorrows cease; Tis music in the sinner s ears, Tis life, and health, and peace. He breaks the power of cancelled sin, He sets the prisoner free, His blood can make the foulest clean, His blood availed for me. He speaks, and, listening to his voice, New life the dead receive, The mournful, broken hearts rejoice, The humble poor believe. Hear him, ye deaf; his praise, ye dumb, Your loosened tongues employ; Ye blind, behold your Saviour come, And leap, ye lame, for joy. My gracious Master and my God, Assist me to proclaim, To spread through all the earth abroad The honours of thy name. Charles Wesley ( ) 13

13 A Journey through the Bible Tiglath. 24. Numbers Chapter When we paused two months ago Miriam had been punished by God with a skin disease for taking sides with Aaron against Moses. Moses begged the Lord to heal her which He did. She was kept outside the camp in disgrace for 7 days. We now begin to move towards the land of Canaan which God said He was giving to the Israelites. He also suggested that one man of high rank from each tribe should be sent forward to explore the land before them - verses 4 to 16 list the names of the spies who were sent, and verses 17 to 20 tell us what Moses required the spies to find out. The exploration took forty days. While the spies were in the country, they took samples of the fruit that grew there -- grapes, pomegranates and figs. When the spies reported back they described the country as flowing with milk and honey; they also reported that the inhabitants were very sturdy and their cities very strong (verses 23 to 29). Caleb, of the tribe of Judah, proposed that they went and attacked the country at once. Other voices spoke against, saying that the country would swallow up any who attacked it and that all the men who lived there were of a gigantic size (verses 30 to 33). Chapter 14 opens with much discord. The people made complaints against Moses and Aaron saying they would have been far happier to have died in Egypt or even in the desert. At this point Moses and Aaron flung themselves upon the ground and Joshua and Caleb, two of the spies, assured the people that they had nothing to fear as the Lord had given them the land. The people did not believe this and threatened to stone them. At this juncture the Lord appears in the Tent of the Presence. In verses 11 to 16 the Lord threatens to destroy the Israelites because they have treated Him with contempt. Moses points out that if the Egyptians hear of this they will say that the Lord could not bring His people to the land He had promised them. Moses then asks God to demonstrate His greatness by showing mercy. The Lord agrees to do this but He is still determined to punish the people. This punishment was that not one of those who saw His mighty works in Egypt and in the desert would enter the Promised Land. It was now to be forty years before their descendants would do so. All the spies who came back from Canaan with a bad report died of the plague. Only Joshua and Caleb remained alive. When the Israelites heard how the Lord was going to punish them they determined to attack Canaan but Moses warned them that no good would come of it. He had nothing to do with this venture and the Ark of the Covenant was not moved. The result was a defeat for the Israelites (verses 39 to 45). Chapter 15 describes the laws concerning offerings and is self-explanatory. An ephah was about ten litres. In the next stage of our journey through Chapter 16 we shall discover how the authority of Moses was challenged 14

14 Rotas Vestry and Communion Elders VESTRY Mar 7 th Graham Tall Mar 14 th Kath Vale Mar 21 st Isobel Robertson Mar 28 th Sue Bateman & Alison Hockly Apr 4 th Jenny Scott Door Stewards Mar 7 th Jenny Scott & Sue Bateman Mar 14 th Mary Kirwan & Chris Smith Mar 21 st Glenys Lamb & Pat McKee Mar 28 th Ron & Mauvine Squire Apr 4 th Judy Preece & Alison Hockly JUNIOR CHURCH Creche Mar 7, 14, 21, 28 (Palm Sun) Stephenie Mandy/Martha Apr 4 (Easter Sun Judy Glenys/Phyllis Flower Rota FLOWERS Mar 7 th Christine Harfoot Mar 14 th Glenys Lamb Mar 21 st Edna Grimmett Mar 28 th Jenny Scott (Donation) Lectionary Readings Mar 7 th Mike Robertson Isaiah 55; 1-9 Luke 13; 1-9 Mar 14 th Rosemary Hillyard Joshua 5; 9-12 Luke 15; 1-3, 11b-32 Mar 21 st Diana Dicker Isaiah 43; John 12; 1-8 Mar 28 th Edna Grimmett Isaiah 50; 4-9a Phlppns 2; 5-11 Apr 4 th Kenneth Alway-Jones Acts 10; Luke 24; 1-12 Fun Answers 1 Take away their chairs! 2 Because they don t know the words! 3 Because they have honey combs! 4 Take away the R! 5 A dual cabbageway! 6 A B! 15

15 Church Diary Fri Mar 5 th 8.00 pm Women s (Men welcome)world Day of St George & St Teresa Catholic Church Station Road Dorridge. Follow up to Women s World day of Prayer.. Mar 19 th Dorridge Methodist Church (Room 8) Stay for Friday Lunch! Sat Mar 6 th 7.00 pm Barn Dance Social Evening Sun Mar 7 th 9.30 am Led by Congregation Mon Mar 8 th Junior Church Pat s Tues Mar 9 th 7.30 pm Lent Study Wed Mar 10 th am Midweek Service / No Smoking Day 7.30 pm Church AGM Sun Mar 14 th 9.30 am Rev Roger Hall Mothering Sunday Prayer Fellowship Sun Mar 21 st 9.30 am Helen Carr Tues Mar 23 rd 7.30 pm Lent Study Wed Mar 24 th am Midweek Service Clocks go forward one hour on Sunday March 28 th Sun Mar 28 th 9.30 am Revd Kevin Jones Communion / Palm Sunday Sun Apr 4 th 9.30 am Mr Ian Carnell Communion/Easter Day Nearby Church Events Mar 1 st 7.30 pm Discovering new ways to Pray led by Helen Carr Digbeth I.F. Mar 6 th 1.30 pm Jumble Sale at Hobs Moat URC Mar 7 th 4 pm Reel Issue showing Wall-E Cert. U Digbeth I.F. Mar 13 th 7.30 pm Dancing with Derek Social evening Digbeth I.F. Mar Making Synod the Holiday Inn, Birmingham Mar 20 th 7pm Barn Hobs Moat URC (bring and share supper) Mar 24 th 7.30 pm Social Christ Church URC Mar 1 st St David s Day Mar 3 rd World Maths Day Mar 4 th World Book Day Mar 7-13 th World Glaucoma Week Mar 8 th Commonwealth Day Mar 11 th World Kidney Day Mar 17 th St Patrick s Day Mar 20 th World Storytelling Day Mar 21 st Spring begins Mar 22 nd Water Day 16 Articles for April Magazine to be with Mary by March 14 th please

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