Post on 16-Jul-2020
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KEY CONTACTS Ministers Neil Eldridge Mark Fisher mjf.urc@me.com 07950 399615
Church Contacts Olton Duty Elder 07961 216867 Hobs Moat Duty Elder 07549 610765 Christ Church Gordon Justham gordonjustham@talktalk.net 01564 776229
Worship Rotas Enid Chapman 0121 706 1851 Janet Ince ar st4you@b nternet.com 0121 706 0204 Gordon Justham gordonjustham@talktalk.net 01564 776229 Website www.solihullurcs.weebly.com
Newsle er Correspondents Marian Ba en: mborchard@blueyonder.co.uk 0121 689 8213 Elaine Eldridge elaineldridge@b nternet.com 07939 222413 Ailsa Be s ailsa.be s@blueyonder.co.uk 0121 711 7518
SEPTEMBER NEWSLETTER
Material for the September edi on is due to your Church
Newsle er Correspondent by
Sunday, 24th August,please.
Christ Church Hobs Moat Olton
July/August 2014 Newsle er
That we can glimpse you within crea on is a beau ful thought,
but also tells us that you desire to be seen, to be found and known. Open our eyes, Lord,
as we walk through this world, feel the wind and sunshine, see the majesty of crea on unfolding before our eyes.
Help us to see you.
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SOLIHULL UNITED REFORMED CHURCH
Formerly three independent churches, Hobs Moat, Olton and Christ Church are now united as a single church We are now holding only one Sunday worship service - using the premises in the different neighbourhoods for a month at a me.
July - at Olton August - at Hobs Moat
September - at Christ Church
As we develop our life together we con nue to explore how we might con nue to serve the two neighbourhoods and the town centre. This will involve some ra onalisa on and development of our various premises. Prayer is at the heart of what we are doing, as our desire is to be fulfilling God’s calling to us as a Chris an fellowship. We invite you to join us on the exci ng, and at me scary, journey and look forward to seeing you in Sunday worship - wherever.
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G A R D E N P A R T Y
Everyone is invited to a Garden Party
on Saturday 19th July from 2.30pm to 5.00pm At 64 Widney Manor Road
Proceeds for this year’s Church Charity Some parking at 64 more at the 6th Form College
Afternoon Teas Games
Bring and Buy Stall Quiz
Admission £5 - this includes the tea
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ZIMBABWE - Stories for Change No.100
A prayer from Zimbabwe (slightly adapted) Lord God, You are a God not of the dead but of the living. We give thanks that you sent your only Son to give us life. In the midst of wealth we are crushed by poverty, and while we are offered Christ-life in all its fullness, we are surrounded by disease, death and destruc on. We are tempted to despair, and yet keep hoping, knowing that you care. At mes we weep silent tears, and cry out with deep emo on. We come to you, our only hope and refuge. Thank you for the gi of laughter, even when the going is tough. With you, O Lord, we may be troubled but not destroyed.
There is concern over the health of President Mugabe and the number of trips abroad he is making. There has been rumour that the government could pass a law to stop discussion on both the succession issue and Mugabe’s health. This has been viewed in many quarters as an indica on there is concern in the ruling party that their leader’s health is failing. This concern is growing at a me when the economy in the country is collapsing. His protracted absence is exacerba ng the country’s problems as, whilst he is away, key policy issues are not discussed. In Western countries the health of the leader is on official record. If the leader dies or is incapacitated there are rules and systems in place to assure the smooth running of the country. Most African countries, including Zimbabwe, lack that. THANK YOU To Trixie and Chris Harman for hos ng the Garden Lunch. To Pauline and Nigel Motl for leading the Church Walk To Judith and Alan Kembery for hos ng the Garden Party, and to all others who contributed to these events. Reports may appear in the September Newsle er.
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Par cipants not Passengers’ - Mark’s hope
Dr Rowan Williams, in his valedictory speech to the House of Lords as Archbishop of Canterbury (December 2012), sought to counter the view, o en promoted in the media, of older people being 'a burden’. He spoke of more than half of the over-60 popula on who are engaged in voluntary work and the many more who do this informally, contribu ng to the fabric of society. He urged more support for those with decreased physical independence in order to maintain their capability to contribute. He also cited the churches and other faith communi es playing a key role in enabling different genera ons to engage with one another and value each other.
While Rowan Williams’ comments were directed at society as a whole, it strikes me that in the Chris an Church, above all, we should find a community where people of all ages and abili es are able to contribute. I would therefore want to encourage us, as Solihull URC, to consider carefully how all our members might par cipate in our mission, enabling all to be par cipants and none to be passengers.
In the West Midlands, the St Peter’s Saltley Trust sponsors a project “Through life discipleship”, researching and seeking to support the churches as they enable people of all ages in their Chris an discipleship. They remind us that it is a life-long calling to be a disciple of Jesus Christ, and that we cannot let go the responsibility to seek a closer rela onship with and understanding of Christ. So my hope is that we can all con nue to be ‘ac ve disciples’. However, being ac ve does not equate with rushing around and ‘doing’ all the me. Jesus offers the images of salt and light, neither of which expend great amounts of energy in transforming what is around them, but just give of themselves. So, effec veness in our Chris an calling does not require ‘grade A fitness’! Many of us do express our Chris an faith through deeds and ac ons, but when ac vity becomes restricted by increasing age we have to recognise that the call to to love God and neighbour can be fulfilled in simple ways. Some mes it can mean simply ‘being present’ for someone, and prayers for others are o en simply giving them into
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God’s care. Ac ve or not we can all par cipate in mission.
As Solihull URC we are exploring things we might do together in mission, but we must not overlook what each of us is doing as individuals. Iden fying the needs of the lonely and isolated may indeed lead to the crea on of a welcoming ‘mee ng place’ as a centre of ac vity. However, this should not distract our a en on from the neighbour next door or the family member who may appreciate our company and support.
Neither should we wait un l our considera ons are ‘completed’, because there is nothing to prevent us responding to those we are ‘called to love’ right now. “Heaven shall not wait” is a hymn origina ng in the Iona Community, a verse of which is:
Heaven shall not wait for the dawn of great ideas, thoughts of compassion divorced from cries of pain: Jesus is Lord; He has married word and ac on; His cross and company make his purpose plain.
I hope that even while we seek our ‘great ideas’ we might allow our compassion, our ‘call to love’, to respond to the needs we know, thereby proclaiming that Jesus is Lord! ``` Mark Fisher
CHURCH MEETING
Monday 14th July 7.30 - 9pm @ Olton
At this mee ng we will review how progress is being made in our journey together - worship, finance, social events, cell groups etc. We will also share thoughts and ideas rela ng to our mission - a key issue around which our decision on premises will be made in the future. It will be helpful if you have read the June Bulle n, which outlines our achievements of the past twelve months and looks forward to next year.
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HANDS OF FRIENDSHIP Si ng wai ng for the service to begin one morning in June at Christ Church, the lovely collage tled ‘Hands of Friendship’ caught my eye. A er the service I took a photo for our newsle er. The figures on the collage are so lively and full of character. The collage was designed by Marian Vining and worked by a group of children who’d been invited for a sleep-over at Chris and Trixie Harman’s house in Barston during July 2005. Marian painted an a rac ve watercolour picture of the banner makers, so I thought you’d like to see a photo of that too. I’ve taken a bit of ar s c licence and adjusted the le ering in the photo of the banner to include our newly enlarged church family. We all extend hands of friendship to each other and there is a lovely feeling of warmth and love in our fellowship. Do take a closer look at the banner next me we are at Christ Church.
The theme of the banner – ‘Hands of Friendship’ inspired me to compose a song called ‘Take the Hand of Another’ which is now on Youtube under my singing name - Carol Chick. So one form of crea vity has inspired another. There are many hands of friendship in our church family and those hands are used caringly and can bring comfort and support, as I have indicated in the lyrics of my song.
Well done to the banner makers! Carol Andrews
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HOBS MOAT
CHRISTIAN AID WEEK 11th-17th May
Thank you very much to all the people who helped in any way during Chris an Aid week. Despite only having four house collectors covering four roads we managed to collect £161.62. Thank you Angela, Irene and Janice and our two deliverers Anne e and Chris. Our Coffee Morning on 10th May raised a splendid £225. Thank you to the cake makers, raffle and catering ladies, and Jean for the pre y flower arrangements. Last but not least, thank you to all those who supported the event. The quizzes and the Sunday Morning coffee jar raised a further £36. So a total of £422.62 has been sent to Chris an Aid. Janet Ince
ROSE MEMORIAL
Look at the garden in front of Church and see the lovely rose bush which Irene Lambert planted on our behalf in memory of our beloved Kath. It has many flowers already in bloom and more buds to open.
OLTON
PRAYERS In our prayers we remember: Neil and Elaine; Don who is s ll in hospital, and Norma for whom this causes much anxiety; Margaret who has had laser treatment on her eye; Chris ne who is not yet feeling recovered; and our wider church family as we grow closer together.
At the same me we thank God for the gi s and talents given to those amongst us which enabled us to experience the sense of worship and pleasure we enjoyed during the service of ‘Worship through Music’ ese are our prayers of concern, and our prayers of thanksgiving.
Rita Routley
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SUNDAY WORSHIP
July - at Olton
6th Holy Communion led by the Worship Wrighters Group with Zaidie and Mark
13th Bap sm (Hollie Butler) led by Mark
20th Family Worship led by Zaidie 27th Family Worship led by Mark
August - at Hobs Moat
3rd Holy Communion led by Mrs Wilma Frew
10th Family Worship led by Gordon Justham
17th Family Worship led by Mark
24th Family Worship led by Mark
31st Family Worship led by Zaidie
LECTIONARY READINGS
6th July 20th July Zechariah 9: 9-12 Isaiah 44: 6-8 Psalm 145: 8-15 Psalm 86: 11-17 Romans 7: 15-25a Romans 8: 12-25 Ma hew 11: 16-19, 25-end Ma hew 13: 24-30, 36-43 13th July 27th July Isaiah 55: 10-13 1 Kings 3: 5-12 Psalm 65 Psalm 119: 129-136 Romans 8: 1-11 Romans 8: 26-end Ma hew 13: 1-9, 18-23 Ma hew 13: 31-33, 44-52
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CALENDAR for JULY & AUGUST
JULY
8th 11.00am Holy Communion @ Hampton House
12th Church Ramble from Ha on Locks
14th 12.30pm Genera ons Lunch Hour @ Christ Church
7.30pm Church Mee ng @Olton
16th 10.00am Fellowship Prayers @ Christ Church
3.00pm Worship @ The Grove
19th 2.30-5.00 pm Garden Party @ The Kembery’s
20th 11.45am Worship @ Star & Garter Home
24th 10.00am Praying with the Papers @ Olton
AUGUST
16th 10.00am Fellowship Prayers @ Olton
17th 11.45am Worship @ Star & Garter Home
1.30pm Churches Together in Olton Picnic @ The Friary
20th 3.00pm Worship @ The Grove
24th Praying with the Papers as part of Family Worship
FELLOWSHIP PRAYERS
A short prayer service with a focus on our church fellowship, families and friends. This is on the 16th of each month, 10am. Please look at the Calendar for the venue. All are welcome. PRAYING WITH THE PAPERS
An interac ve me of prayer with a focus on global concerns - ma ers in the news, Chris an Aid ini a ves we support etc. This is on the 24th of each month. Again, please look at the Calendar for the venue. All are welcome.
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CHRIST CHURCH
Message from Barbara and Alan Mence
Thank you, Bridget, for sending us the Newsle er; it is good to join up with the other churches, and gives everyone the chance to know what is going on and join in where possible. Thank you all for remembering us in your prayers, it is so kind of you. We are both feeling well, though Alan’s memory loss causes some anguish, especially as we can do nothing to prevent the course of this awful afflic on. He is s ll playing quartets with friends in various places, but some mes gets disheartened when he has difficulty finding his place in the music. His friends are aware of the problem and do their best to encourage him.
The garden is looking lovely now, and I spend as much me in it as I can. It makes me ache a li le more these days, but is good therapy. We will be opening it again this year (in June and August) for the NGS, so must get it as good as I can! We send our good wishes to you and all at Christ Church. Barbara & Alan (mence@waitrose.com ) FAREWELL from Barbara Pardoe As I am leaving Solihull for Penkridge, Staffordshire, on 17th July, I would like to wish everyone at Christ Church all the very best, and ‘thank you’ for your kindness to me since I lost my husband Reg.
HOBS MOAT
PRAYERS The following friends need our prayers at this me; may God's love and peace surround them: Maureen Bellamy, Vera Thomas, Peggy and Harold Crosby, Joan Shaw, Sue Roberts, Jean Mather, Norman Wilkins, Revd. Neil, and Elaine.
Best Wishes! To Diane Gower on her special Birthday! Jeanne
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PANTOMIME
For many years now, Olton and Hobs Moat have enjoyed a family visit to the Pantomime at Solihull Library Theatre. This year we hope that Christ Church friends will join us. 40 ckets have been provisionally booked for the last Saturday ma nee of Cinderella on 3rd January 2015. This is a week earlier than last year. Tickets are £18.50 for adults, and £16.50 for children and concessions.
The provisional booking is un l the end of August, when payment will have to be made. If you would like ckets, please advise either Marian Ba en (0121 689 8213) or Pamela Baly (0121 707 0733).
CHRIST CHURCH
PRAYERS We pray for the following friends and rela ves and may God Bless them all: Brenda Cotes, Keith and Barbara Fisher, Rosemary, Arthur Francis, Wendy Jarvis, Chris, Trixie and Geoff Harman, Brian and Margaret Parry, Michael Hogg, John Higgins, Syd and Michelle, Jayne Williams, Be y and Helen Dodd, Margaret White, Pam Meadows, Irene Sims, Dorothy, Geoffrey Drake, John Sloan, Alan and Barbara Mence, Sheila Wya . Bridget FAITH NJERI Faith is a girl in Kenya who has been sponsored by the members of Christ Church over a number of years through EducAid. We have received a le er from Faith and a drawing, both of which can be read on the no ce-board at the back of the church. This is her last year at secondary school and in November she will take exams to secure a place at university and she invites our prayers. It is striking that what comes across most in her le er is her faith in God through a life of challenge and hardship, and that she sees our support as a gi of His.
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SOCIAL EVENTS COMMITTEE
CHURCH RAMBLE 3.5 MILES ON SATURDAY, 12 JULY
Pauline and Helen Motl will be leading a 3.5 mile church ramble on Saturday morning 12 July, star ng at 10.00am and returning at 12noon. The ramble will start at Ha on Locks car park (small charge £1.20), signposted Ha on Locks on the A4177, and coming from Solihull is just a er the Ha on Arms pub (formerly the Waterman) on the right-hand side. A short break will be taken halfway round the walk.
A pleasant scenic walk that includes some canal towpaths and across fields, crossing two main roads, through a village and past a church. As with all country rambles some livestock may be encountered. The ground may be uneven, slippery and muddy in places. Sensible walking shoes for country walking are advisable.
There is a cafe at Ha on Locks that provides light lunches, snacks, teas and coffees. Toilets are also available at the cafe.
GARDEN PARTY
Saturday, 19th July, from 2.30—5.00 pm
Everyone is invited to a Garden Party on Saturday, 19th July, from 2.30pm to 5 pm at the home of Alan and Judith Kembury. 64 Widney Manor Road. Admission £5 (proceeds for this year’s Church charity): A ernoon Tea, Games, Bring & Buy Stall, Quiz. There is some parking at 64 and more at the 6th Form College.
HEREFORD CATHEDRAL FLOWER FESTIVAL Friday, 5th September
Marylyn Pringle and Pamela Baly are organising this trip. The cost will be £20 which includes entrance to the Cathedral. The coach we will be using has a li fi ed. If you would like to go, please speak to Marylyn (743 0829) or Pamela (707 0733).
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UNITED COACH TRIPPERS
WELSHPOOL AND LLANFAIR LIGHT RAILWAY Thursday, 21st August
The bustling market town of Welshpool nestles into the upper reaches of the Severn Valley. Within walking distance is Powis Castle, recognised as the best preserved castle and garden in Wales.
The Llanfair light railway was opened in 1903 to link Welshpool to the rural community of Llanfair Caereinion. The narrow gauge allows for ght curves and steep gradients, enabling the line to follow the contours of the countryside. The trains are steam-hauled by original locomo ves. The carriages too are special, those in regular use being from Hungary and Austria with access to the enclosed sea ng area via an open balcony – a great way to watch the world go by. Departure from Welshpool 11.10 am. Senior Ci zens £12, discount for groups of over 10.
We need to know numbers as soon as possible please – John Robinson (745 3516) or Val Cross (706 9687) – to ensure that we have at least 26 people and are able to book the coach. We regret that late cancella ons will incur a cost of £10.
HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT Monday, 15th September
Lorely Burt, MP, will meet us at 11.15am in Westminster Hall. There will be two tours, at 12.20 and at 12.25. We shall also visit Westminster Abbey. If you have not already booked with John or Val, please do so without delay.
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A HAPPY DAY What a wonderful day the church family had on 22nd June. First we had a Sunday service dedicated to worship through music. The programme was master-minded by John Hacke and included some well-known hymns with organ and piano accompaniment, a Paraphrase of the 23rd Psalm which John had composed for us, pieces sung by the choir and the Singing for Pleasure group, plus items by two soloists, David Argall and Carol Andrews.
Then many of us headed off to Barston, to a lunch held at Trixie and Chris Harman’s deligh ul home and garden. Trixie’s sheep looked at us curiously as we parked our cars – what characters the sheep are. I couldn’t resist taking a photo. and Trixie informed me they must be some of the most photographed sheep around.
Trixie and Chris were wonderful hosts and were ably assisted by a number of folk from church who kindly helped with catering. We all sat in the Harmans’ flower-filled co age garden in which there were several gazebos which shaded us while we ate our lunch. The weather was amazing – sunny but not too hot, so we ladies could wear our summer dresses. A number of the church
men-folk were spor ng very impressive sun hats I no ced!
It is said that ‘families that play together stay together’ and I think there is probably a lot of truth in this. We certainly enjoyed our day together as a church family on this par cular Sunday, which helped to bind us together even more. Many thanks from us all to Chris and Trixie and members of the catering team. The food was absolutely yummy and the company even be er!
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