August & September 2010
Minister Rev. Kevin Jones Tel: 0121 706 6298 Secretary Jenny Scott, Elder 2008 51 Hanbury Rd., Dorridge, Solihull. B93 8DW Tel: 01564 770730 Hall Secretary Edna Grimmett, Tel: 01564 772552 Junior Church Pat McKee Tel: 01564 773911 Magazine Editor Mary Kirwan Elder 2008 99 Newton Rd., Knowle, Solihull. B93 8HN Tel: 01564 776050 Rest Day: Friday Treasurer Mike Robertson Elder 2006 132 Lodge Rd., Knowle B93 0HF Tel: 01564 773940 Property Secretary David Stewart Elder 2008 109 Links Drive, Solihull B91 2DJ Tel: 0121 704 9906 Typesetter Graham Tall, Elder 2010 Church Notices Mike Robertson Elder 2006 Tel: 01564 773940 Serving Elders in addition: Mandy Cunoosamy 2010 Diana Dicker 2010 Alison Hockly 2009 Isobel Robertson 2008 Stephenie Tall 2009 Kath Vale 2009 Non-serving Elders: Margaret Allen Kenneth Alway Jones Sue Bateman 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 Terry Dicker 2 Note: This magazine is free to all members and friends of Knowle URC. We rely on donations to help cover the costs.
Minister s Letter The Synod has created a Mission Fund to help local churches with their mission and we can apply so that we can fulfil any Mission Pledges we decide to make. We are looking for ideas! Please pray and think about what Mission Pledge we should make. There is a considerable amount of money available with an initial sum of 1million over 4 years available from 2010 (much of this money came from the sale of St. Ninian s land and buildings. Normally grants will be up to 50% of the costs and there is no maximum but of course I m sure that many churches will apply for what is a limited amount of money. The project we come up with has to fall under one of the 10 Vision 2020 headings. These are: 1. Spirituality and prayer- growth in the practice of prayer and spirituality. 2. Identity- every local church being able to say who they are, what they do and why they do it. 3. Christian ecumenical partnerships-having confidence in our identity and the treasures of our tradition and discerning when to seek ecumenical partnerships and further unity of the church. 4. Community partnerships-a church more active in the local neighbourhood. 5. Diversity-increasing our welcoming all people equally. 6. Evangelism-proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God with more confidence. 7. Church growth-a growing church with an increasing membership. 8. Global partnerships-an active partner in God s global mission with other churches around the world. 9. Justice- keeping faith with the poor and challenging injustice. 10. Integrity of creation-safeguarding the integrity of creation to sustain and renew the face of the earth. The guidance notes state Projects must demonstrate clarity of vision, an understanding of the mission implications of the work planned and how it will strengthen and extend the life of the local church. Churches will be expected to demonstrate an understanding of the people they intend to reach out to or work with, and how they will provide committed and effective leadership and staff or volunteers to run the project. Think and pray about what we can do to share the Good News! Kevin 3
Church Family Margaret and Ian Miller are pleased to report the safe arrival (5 weeks early) of their second Great-Grandson Daniel Stephen Gallacher. His mother is our eldest granddaughter Alison. Both she and the baby are well Thanks to all church friends for the beautiful flowers. I much appreciate being remembered in this way. With warm greetings. Rosina Forsyth Les Bridgewater wishes to thank everyone for their thoughts, prayers and card received after his recent operation, pleased to say he is recovering steadily. Happy August Birthdays to Ron Squire 3 rd, Lucilla Lang 7 th, Mhaire Lamb 13 th, Jenny Scott 14 th, David McMillan 19 th, George Lamb 20 th, Brian Richardson 28 th, and Margaret Miller 29 th. Happy September Birthdays to Sheila Clarke 13 th, Roger Wilks 14 th, Helen Jones 16 th, Alan Lang 17 th, Kenneth Alway-Jones 20 th, Ondrej 20 th, Pauline Wilks 23 rd, Mike Robertson 27 th, and Jan Richardson 29 th. Many thanks for your support and generous sponsorship for my Mount Kilimanjaro climb in aid of Alzheimer s Society. It was a hard trek but very rewarding and was definitely worth the effort to see sun rise over the whole of Africa! As a team 30/31 of us reached the summit, and we have so far raised over 121,000 for Alzheimer s. Many thanks again. Kate Gibson (Alison s niece!) Very well done Kate. Alison Hockly Dave Grimmett is seriously ill in hospital. Duncan Scott (Jenny and Gordon s son) will soon be working abroad and we hope that Jan Richardson recovers completely from her attack of Shingles. We are still looking for a volunteer to represent us at Churches Together in Knowle & Dorridge meetings. Prayer Fellowship We met on Sun July 10 th and especially remembered several individuals mentioned in Church Family above. I additionally would like you to pray for Matt Baggott, Chief Constable in Northern Ireland. He lived in this community before his N.I. appointment. I shall always remember Matt thanking Mary and I, for our dedication and for all the years we have worked hard on the roads. We also received our M.B.E. s at Buckingham 4 Palace together. Kath.
Church Past and Future Does anyone have early back copies of our church magazine? I am looking for Apr 86. May, Jun, Jul & Aug 87. Dec 87/Jan 88. Feb, Mar, Jul, Aug, Sept 88. Dec 88/Jan 89. Feb, Mar, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sept, Oct, Nov 89. Dec 89/Jan 90. Of course, there may have been a time when no magazines were available! Please continue to collect foil, used stamps, and egg boxes for me. Now, I know it s only the August magazine, but it is time to start thinking about Operation Christmas Child (Shoeboxes)! Yes, I am stocking up again with fillings, and would appreciate your pledges to buy boxes at 7.50 each which includes 2.50 for transport costs. Do you have any spare boxes? Leaflets will be available later on. Mary Kirwan Recent Socials Clive & Avril s Coffee Morning on June 26 th, the weather was beautiful. Good company, and the result was well done. Pig Roast, Treasure Hunt, and Quiz evening ( See photos on page )The church hall looked very smart under it s first coat of white paint (at long last the Church has fulfilled its agreement to the Council Planning Committee that met decades ago! Graham). We didn t all walk, there was the preparation of the food, so very important for a Pig-roast. After a stormy week with awful weather on St Swithin s Day, the evening weather on Sat 17 th was kind to us. All in all we had a wonderful busy time. Outdoor and indoor quizzes and a raffle. Kath Vale Harvest Supper Hi all, For our Harvest Supper this year we were kinda thinking it would be nice to have an evening sharing our many talents. We re sure that you have all sorts of hidden talents. any chance you could share them with us! We would like to have Music if you are musical, Acting/Dancing/Magic. Show off Artwork/Needlework/Knitting/Jewellery. We could have performances, reading/acting, an exhibition of sorts, some nice grub and drinks of course as usual!! Thought we d give you a bit of notice so you could get excited, and get planning. There s so much more than meets the eye at our church and we d like to celebrate that. If you d let me know) if you d like to showcase or if you would like to be part of a planning core. Ooooh 5 This has potential! Mandy Cunoosamy
Digbeth In The Field URC Fri Aug 6 th 2 pm Afternoon Tea in church hall, run by Girls Brigade Wed Aug 18 th 2 pm Film & Friendship afternoon Young at Heart Wed Aug 25 th 2 pm Film & Friendship afternoon Love is Many a Splendoured Thing Thur Aug 26 th 9.30am to 11.30 (note new time) Coffee Morning in the church Mon Aug 30 th 10 am to 1 pm Car Boot Sale. Proceeds to church funds. Sat Sept 18 th Music Hall with the Optimists Social Evening. Tickets 5. Fri Sept 24 th Coffee Morning to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Care. Annual Biggest Coffee Morning, please give every support you can. Cluster News Hobs Moat URC 7.30-9pm. Monthly at the Manse based on the Christianity series, on Aug 22 nd and Sept 12 th. Christ Church s Charity for 2010 is EDucAid Africa. They have now been scoped at 50% ministry for 3 years and are now seeking a minister. Digbeth in the Field s Charity for 2010/11 is Troop Aid. Olton s Charity for 2010 is Troop Aid Olton URC Sat Aug 7 th Strawberry Surprise Sat Sept 18 th Harvest Supper Olton Prayer Meeting on Aug 18 th is for Knowle URC. Ephesians Ch 3 v 20-21, Job Ch 2 v 7-13 Digbeth in the Field Thurs Aug 26 th 7.30 pm P.U.S.H. Pray until something happens Future Cluster events, what can the cluster do for you? Ideas please. One suggestion already is Personal Christian Devotions Cluster Event: Sat Sept 18 th 10-12.30 pm Preparing short talks on the Bible at Trinity Hall Green led by Rev Kevin Jones. Trinity Hall Green hope to report about their future mission at the next meeting. Next Cluster Meeting is on Sept 6 th 7.30 pm at Hobs Moat URC 6
Clive and Avril s Coffee Morning 7
Elders Ordinated in July A very special day for the message that it gives about Knowle United Reformed Church. Three elders were ordained by Kevin, each by chance, reflecting a different aspect of the Church. Diana Dicker is the second Elder from St Ninians, to be ordained at Knowle; Mandy Cunoosamy is a recent Church member and Graham Tall a long-standing one. The Church thrives. Left: Kevin Presenting Flowers to Christine Harfoot Christine & Roger Harfoot thank everyone for the lovely Flowers and Card on the occasion of their Ruby Wedding Anniversary. 8 Right: David Stewart and Roger McKie Painting the side of the Church
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Pig Roast Social and Elsa May s Sixteenth Birthday All those seeking treasure set out around the village Richie, Hamish, Harry, Daniel, Abbie & George all very excited. Their Moms, Dads, Nanas & Grandpas joined in as did Elsa-May, Chris S, Mary K, Mary V, Margaret, Malcolm, Ron, Mauvine, Betty, Alison, Lexy (dog), Martha, Roger, David, Greta, Judy, and Mandy. All trying to answer Lucilla s questions. It was getting cooler by the time the puzzlers returned and the food was welcome and delicious. The little ones continued to their fun with outside games on the 10 grass. In the Hall we had Lucilla s picture quiz to answer & time to chat.
Now Thank We All Our God Germany in the 17 th century was in the throes of the Thirty Years War. Martin Rinkart was a Lutheran pastor in the walled city of Eilenberg in Saxony. In spite of his frail physique, he stayed there throughout the war, enduring the tortures of famine and plague. He helped refugees from other areas who came to the city. When all the other pastors had either fled or died, he ministered to the sick and dying, and conducted some 4,500 funerals, including that of his own wife. Towards the end of the war, the city was besieged or overrun, once by the Austrians and twice by the Swedes. The Swedish general demanded a vast levy from Eilenberg s already desperate citizens; Martin pleaded with him but in vain. So he turned to his friends and said Come my children; we can find no mercy with that man let us take refuge with God. The general was so moved at seeing both pastor and people praying and singing on their knees that the demand was reduced to less than a twentieth of the original sum. This hymn began as a family grace said before meals and was sung as a national thanksgiving at the end of the Thirty Year s War. Now thank we all our God With hearts and hands and voices, Who wondrous things hath done, In whom his world rejoices; Who from our mother s arms Hath blessed us on our way With countless gifts of love, And still is ours today. O may this bounteous God Through all our life be near us, With ever joyful hearts And blessed peace to cheer us; And keep us in his grace, And guide us when perplexed, And free us from all ills In this world and the next. All praise and thanks to God The Father now be given, The Son, and Holy Ghost, Supreme in highest heaven; The one eternal God, Whom heaven and earth adore For thus it was, is now, And shall be evermore. MARTIN RINKART (1586-1649) translated by CATHERINE WINKWORTH (1827-78). 11
Property ( see photographs on page 9) David & Roger have worked extremely hard in recent weeks sprucing up the external walls, drainpipes, rails etc along with all the inside work as well. We all appreciate the difference! The original intention was just to paint the vestry wall (see right side of the bottom photograph on the right. It then expanded to the right wall of the main church (see the two on the scaffolding on the right). They suddenly found they had enough paint for the front wall of the Hall. Note the contrast in the before and after photograph (top right, p9). Now they would like a Working Party to join them in early September to help with the trimming back of all the overgrowth. If you can help, please add your names to the list on the Notice Board. Church, Then and Now. I remember going to church 80 years ago, and what a difference to today s experience! In those days of full congregations, all churches were quiet and peaceful, people only spoke to each other in whispers whilst waiting for the service to start. Whole Familys came to church, and the many children were kept in quiet control by their parents until going into Sunday School. Many familys had their own reserved pews. Also, years ago, no one would dare call the clergy by their Christian names. Another attraction on going to church on Sunday mornings was the Boy s Brigade and Boy Scouts marching behind their bands, on their way to their respective churches. In many churches today, it is like being in Paddington Station before the service starts, with people talking loudly to one another, and some, not all, children running about with no parental control, even the odd mobile phone going off during the service. I go to several of the eight churches I write for, and it is a joy to attend most of them. Greetings to you all from that old fogey, Les Bridgewater. Revd. Clare Callanan has become the first URC Woman Army Padre. Reminder that the Ecumenical Prayer Group meet at 98 Slater Road every Tuesday at 2pm. Please check with Gladys Pemberton on 777649. The Jesse Tree (Bible Garden) at the Holly Mount URC in Malvern is having an open day on Sat Sept 11 th. 12 Please pray for St Andrew s Bookshop on the Stratford Road Shirley as they are struggling at the moment.
A Journey through the Bible with Tiglath 23 Numbers Chapter 10 to 12 Chapter 10 begins with God s instruction to Moses that two silver trumpets should be made to call all the people together, and to break camp in preparation for setting off across the desert. The sounding of the trumpets was to be, for all time, the duty of the Aaronite priests. Verses 9 and 10 instruct when the trumpets should be sounded in the future. On the second year of the exile, on the twentieth day of the second month, the cloud lifted from above the Tabernacle and led the Israelites onward. Moses brother-in-law went with them as a guide. Verses 11 to the end of the chapter describe the order in which they were to break camp. Chapter 11 describes much trouble. The people became very angry about their hardships and complained to the Lord. This made Him very angry and He set fire to one end of the camp (verses 1, 2 and 3). Then a party of strangers joined the Israelites and grumbled about the food on offer. This disturbed the Israelites who began to think of the good food they had enjoyed in Egypt fish, cucumbers, water-melons, leeks, onions and garlic. All they had was manna which were like honey wafers. They were sick of manna, and this grumbling made the Lord very angry. Moses also was very troubled. He asked the Lord why he had to carry the burdens of the whole people. He wanted to know where he could find meat for such a vast number of people. Of course, as He always does, the Lord came up with a solution He transferred part of Moses responsibility to seventy elders of the tribes (verses 16 and 17). The Lord also said that He would supply everyone with meat for a whole month until they were heartily sick of it (verses 18 20). Moses now calls the Elders together and tells them they are to share responsibility with him. Verses 26 30 tell of what happened to two Elders who were left behind in the camp. Verses 31 34 describe how the Lord provided meat for the Israelites and what happened when they had too much of it. Quails are very small game birds and the only ones that migrate. Their migration from Africa to Europe would have 13
Tiglath Continued: taken them across the Israelites in the desert. Chapter 12 is very troubled and bitter. Miriam and Aaron took sides against Moses because he had married a Cushite woman. Probably this was just an excuse and the real reason was that they were jealous of Moses as the leader. God came in a cloud and confronted Aaron and Miriam. He told them that Moses, alone, was faithful to Him. He then punished Miriam with skin disease, probably because she was the instigator of the complaint about Moses. Verses 11 Thankyou Sally & David Vincent and Craig & Mike Gardner would like to say a HUGE thank you to the congregation of The United Reformed Church, who so very kindly and generously donated to our charity drive "3000 miles", which started on the 1st June, visiting every city in mainland Britain (61), in two classic Jaguars (XK150 and E-Type). Finally reaching the end of the trip at Coventry Motor Museum on the 13th June after covering 3251 miles!! We have managed to raise at least 10,000 from this wonderful event for Cancer Research and the Downs Syndrome Association. To see all the photos and read the exciting story about the trip please log on to www.3000miles.co.uk Many thanks once again to everyone who donated. Sally (Vincent) FLOWERS Aug 1 st Mauvine Sept 5 th Kath & Mary Aug 8 th Moira Sept 12 th Edna Aug 15 th Jenny (Donation) Sept 19 th Ian R (Donation) Aug 22 nd Kath & Mary Sept 26 th HARVEST Aug 29 th Mandy Volunteers are needed to help to decorate for Harvest Festival on Sat 25 th Sept from 10am. 14
Rotas Vestry and Communion Elders Aug 1 st Isobel Robertson Sept 5 th Mary Kirwan Aug 8 th Mandy Cunoosamy Sept 12 th David Stewart Aug 15 th Jenny Scott Sept 19 th Mike Robertson Aug 22 nd Alison Hockly & Diana Dicker Sept 26 th Graham Tall & Mary Kirwan Aug 29 th Stephenie Tall Oct 3 rd Kath Vale Door Stewards Aug 1 st Ron & Mauvine Squire Sept 5 th Clive & Avril Griffiths Aug 8 th Glenys Lamb & Judy Preece Sept 12 th Christine Harfoot & Alison Hockly Aug 15 th Mary Kirwan & Chris Smith Sept 19 th Graham & Stephenie Tall Aug 22 nd Brian & Jan Richardson Sept 26 th Judy Preece & Sue Heatley Aug 29 th Sue Bateman & Pat McKee Oct 3 rd Mike & Isobel Robertson Junior Church Creche Aug 1-29 Judy Preece Mandy/Martha Sept 5-26 Pat McKee Isobel/Fiona Oct 3 Pat McKee Christine/Moira Flower Rota On Page 14 Lectionary Readings Aug 1 st Eileen Pitkeathly Hosea 11; 1-11 Clssns 3; 1-1 Aug 8 th Kath Vale Isaiah 1; 1 & 10-20 Hebrws 11;1-3&8-16 Aug 15 th Amanda Isaiah 5; 1-7 Hebrws 11; 29-12.2 Cunoosomy Aug 22 nd Isobel Robertson Jrmiah 1; 4-10 Hebrws 12; 18-29 Aug 29 th Avril Griffiths Jrmiah 2; 4-13 Hebrws 13; 1-8&15-16 Sept 5 th Alan Lang Jrmiah 18; 1-11 Philemon; 1-21 Sept 12 th Moira Williams Psalm 14 1 Tim 1; 12-17 Sept 19 th Mike Robertson Psalm 79; 1-9 1 Tim 2; 1-7 Sept 26 th Diana Dicker Jrmiah 32; 1-3a& 6-15 1 Tim 6; 6-19 Oct 3 rd Edna Grimmett Lmntns 1; 1-6 Luke 17; 5-10 15
Church Diary Sun Aug 1 st 9.30 am Blair Kesseler Sparkhill United Church Sun Aug 8 th 9.30 am Rev Graham Spicer Stratford URC Sat Aug 14 th 7.00 pm Safari Supper Sun Aug 15 th 9.30 am Rev Kenneth Alway-Jones Sun Aug 22 nd 9.30 am Rev Kevin Jones Communion Joint Service with our friends from Christ Church URC Sun Aug 29 th 9.30 am Ashton McIntosh Sun Sept 5 th 9.30 am Martin Withers Mon Sept 6 th 7.30 pm Cluster Meeting @ Hobs Moat URC Wed Sept 8 th 11.00 am Midweek Service 7.30 pm Elders Meeting Sun Sep 12 th 9.30 am Congregational Service Racial Justice Sun. 11.15 am Prayer Fellowship Mon Sep 13 th 7.30 pm Junior Church Meeting @ 210 Longdon Rd. Sun Sep 19 th 9.30 am Alan Cotgreave Weoley Hill URC Wed Sep 22 nd 11.00 am Midweek Service Sat Sep 25 th 7.00 pm Harvest Supper plus Talent Evening Sun Sep 26 th 9.30 am Rev Kevin Jones Communion Sun Oct 3 rd 9.30 am Ann Tempest August (National Road Victim Month) September Bear Necessity Month Aug 1 st Lammas Day (Saint Peter`s deliverance from prison) Aug 1 st to 7 th World Breastfeeding Week Aug 4 th 12.15 1 pm Christian Aid Lunch in St Philips Church Hall Dorridge Aug 6 th The Transfiguration Aug 12 th to Sept 9 th Ramadan Aug 21 st To Aug. 27 th The URC Holiday Forum Aug 30 th Bank Holiday. Barston Fete Sept 6 th 7.30 pm Cluster Meeting @ Hobs Moat URC Sept 12 th Dorridge Day Sept 15 th 12.15-1pm Christian Aid Lunch in St Philips Church Hall Sept 18 th 10-12.30 pm Cluster Project @ Hobs Moat URC, led by Kevin Sept 19 th Canoldir Concert @ Birmingham Town Hall Articles for October magazine to be with Mary by September 12 th please.