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Contents

Minister‟s Letter ................................................................................................................................ 3 Sunday Worship during June ........................................................................................................... 4 Notices ............................................................................................................................................. 5 Understanding Welfare Reform ........................................................................................................ 7 Well spent ……or lost? .................................................................................................................... 7 „Celebrating a 21st Century Faith‟ ..................................................................................................... 8 „I wish you were in north Shropshire...‟ ............................................................................................ 9 Progressive Christian Network Conference – Andrew's response ................................................. 11 Welcome ........................................................................................................................................ 12 Morning worship at Carrs Lane – 14th July ..................................................................................... 12 Time After Time For God ............................................................................................................... 13 Homeless Sleep Out ...................................................................................................................... 14 The Big Bandage ........................................................................................................................... 15 WaterAid Update ............................................................................................................................ 16 Selly Oak Live At Home Scheme ................................................................................................... 17 Commitment for Life ....................................................................................................................... 18 On this day ..................................................................................................................................... 20 Living life to the full ........................................................................................................................ 23 A kind of allegory… ........................................................................................................................ 24 Time for a smile ............................................................................................................................. 26 Carrs Lane Regular Activities ......................................................................................................... 28

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Minister‟s Letter Dear friends,

ttitudes towards power and influence can cause issues for the Christian. I came across the following statement in a book that I was reading recently: „I have been glad that my church is now marginalised in the secular culture, so

that it might explore what it means to not be twinned with power‟. A lot is going on in these relatively few words! Many of us have witnessed an apparent significant decrease in the „influence‟ of Christian churches in this country…and we have both regretted this and sought to explain it. Equally, many Christians have long been uncomfortable with those situations where there appears to be too-ready identification of church and state; whilst we believe that we have something to say – challenges to issue – to those in positions of secular authority, we do not want to be accused of „cosying‟ up to them or seeking the trappings of worldly adulation. How is it possible to identify with, and to learn from, the powerless, whilst at the same time believing that we can alter the decision-making of those in positions of worldly authority? We might seem to want the best of both worlds…and we lack the words and the wisdom of Jesus which enabled him to relate effectively both to the beggar and the businessman! We understand what is being said in the quotation above, but we are not quite sure where this might leave us… For myself, I think that many British churches have been identified with the „secular‟ far too closely in the past – their structures, their ways of doing things, their approach to money, their perception of how „success‟ can be measured. If numerical decline has put some distance between ourselves and a success-oriented culture then, yes, on balance this is a good thing. Jesus was at his most powerful when the world deemed him powerless, and it may be that we need to work through the implications of this as we move on through the 21st century. We are not „twinned with power‟ any more, and as people of faith, this can be liberating rather than debilitating. As we struggle to find people to take on responsibilities, what does this say about the structures which we sustain? As more and more people in society struggle with money matters, what can the churches be saying about things of true worth and a healthy approach to money and possessions? As the gulf between the haves and the have-nots increases at an alarming rate, with whom do we identify most readily and what does it enable us to say? I am happier serving within the churches now than I was 30 years ago: ready assumptions of respectability have waned; deference borne out of perceptions that the churches were somehow powerful has all-but disappeared; because some people don‟t expect the churches to say anything of value, there is no sense that a Christian contribution is somehow „scripted‟ and should conform to set expectations. For myself, I am pleased to be able to continue to, „explore what it means to not be twinned with power‟. With much love in Christ, Your friend and pastor,

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Sunday Worship during June

Sunday 2 June

10.30am Morning worship, including the Lord‟s Supper, led by Neil Riches Key passage: Luke 7.1 – 10 Worship will be followed by First Sunday Lunch (all welcome) and the monthly lunchtime concert (details elsewhere) 4.00pm Street Banquet – food and worship for the most vulnerable members of Birmingham‟s population, based on Jesus‟ story of the Great Feast Sunday 9 June 10.30am Morning worship led by Neil Johnson Worship will be followed by a church meeting at noon (all welcome) 2.45pm for 3.00pm Kidz Aloud – A Children‟s Church. Theme: „Who is the greatest?‟ Sunday 16 June 10.30am Morning worship led by Andi Smith 6.00pm Neil Riches will be preaching at the Civic Service for the incoming Lord Mayor at St. Martin-in-the-Bull Ring (all welcome) Sunday 23 June

10.30am Morning worship led by Neil Riches. All-age, Key passage: Luke 8.26 – 39 6.00pm Radical worship, continuing a series of services examining the portrayal of Jesus in film - „The Last Temptation of Christ‟ (15) 7.30pm Concert by the Central England Ensemble (details elsewhere) Sunday 30 June 10.30am Morning worship led by Neil Riches. Key passage: Luke 9.51 – 62

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Notices

Carrs Lane Events - Concerts: Sunday 2 June 1.00pm Ranita Klimach

(French horn) Will Bosworth (piano) Sunday 23 June 7.00pm Central England Ensemble 3rd Concerto Competition Prizewinner‟s Concert. Conductor - Lee Armstrong; Soloist and Prizewinner: Rita Schindler (Harp); Leader: Anna Downes. Including Vaughan Williams: Norfolk Rhapsody no 1, Warren: Heather Hill, Debussy: Danses Sacrés et Profanes, Khachaturian: Suite no 2 from Spartacus, Copland: Four Dance Episodes from Rodeo. Tickets £10/£8 available from ceemusic@hotmail.com or call 07734 256268 or on the door. Sunday 7 July 1.00pm Laurence Caldecote (organ) Progression4 Africa is hosting a presentation and lunch on Sunday 30 June at Carrs Lane to mark UN Africa Day. African foods, cakes and tea from 12.15pm, presentation 1.50pm. There will be a retiring collection; proceeds will be donated to 18 year old University student Elizabeth Posibi, who needs assistance in buying equipment for her studies in Nigeria. The focus is on how waste can be a resource in sub-Saharan Africa if managed sustainably. There will be a bric-a-brac sale on Saturday 6 July at Carrs Lane in aid of

the Ernstweiler visit funds. The sale will be outside on the edge of the church and public pavement 10.00am - 3.00pm.

Saturday 8 June G8 Demonstration in London. Coach leaves Carrs Lane at 7.30am and calls at Hopwood Services (Junction 2 of M42). At 11.30 there is an Ecumenical Service at Westminster Central Hall then a walk of Witness to Hyde Park beginning about 12.30. From 14.00 to 17.00 there is a Festival and Rally in Hyde Park. The bus returns at 17.00 and arrives in Birmingham about 21.00. To book on the bus £10 return speak with CAFOD office on 01922 722944. On Saturday June 15 and Sunday 16 events will take place in Northern Ireland. Some people may be going from Birmingham. Details contact John Cooper 0121 200 2283mrjohncooper@gmail.com Thursday 13 June Restore‟s Annual Meeting and 14th Birthday celebration 7.30- 9.30pm at All Saints Church, Kings Heath. Guest speaker Revd Bill Anderson, Chair of the Birmingham District of the Methodist Church. Refreshments provided, all welcome. Friday 21 June, 7-8pm. An hour to change the world! Come and join Loretta Minghella, Director of Christian Aid in conversation at West Orchard URC, Coventry, CV3 6FP. Thursday 27 June from 7.30pm Praise

with Africa - This is an opportunity to hear the vibrant sounds of a traditional choir from Zambia. Restore will be hosting a concert at Selly Oak Methodist Church, Langleys Road, B29 6HT. Proceeds from the concert will be split between Restore and a school in Chililabombwe, Zambia. £6 tickets on the door.

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Saturday 13 July Fresh Expressions vision day Sutton Coldfield URC 10.00-16.00. Fresh Expressions vision days are a way to explore new ways of being church and how to form them. Vision days give you the chance to share your story; think about what it is to be church; ask questions; discover resources; build networks and relationships. £5 in advance (£8 on the day), bring your own lunch. Contact Rachel Vernon, 0121 783 1177, admin@urcwestmidlands.org.uk. John Bell returns to Dursley Tabernacle - in November „For All the Saints‟. John Bell, from the Iona Community, will share with us over the weekend in which the Church celebrates All Souls and All Saints. Saturday 2 November - The afternoon will feature two seminars and in the evening a Big Sing – finish 8.30pm. Sunday 3rd November 10.30am Sunday morning worship - John will preach. 6.00pm Sunday evening Big Sing. For more details contact 01453 542344 or email www.dursleytab.org.uk.

Events at Barnes Close

13 June Reflection Day – cost £15 (includes lunch) Mon 17 - Fri 21 June - Members and Friends Week. £200 (£170). Mon 29 July – Thurs 1 Aug – Camp for 11 to 16 year olds. £50 28 June, 26 July, 30 Aug Fridays at Barnes Close – 12noon to 2pm. Lunch & prayer. About People

We send our sympathies to Nick Cleaver and family whose mother-in-law has died. We would like to thanks all our friends at Carrs Lane for all the greetings and cards and the prayers of the congregation during Peter's recent period of ill-health. Having discovered a coronary artery that was a bit furred up and having a stent put in to push it back into shape, all now seems to be going very well and gradually the old Peter appears to be emerging. We have been much supported by family and friends, but we have gained much strength from your thoughts and prayers. Thank you all and we send you our love and good wishes. Pat and Peter Peirce

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Understanding Welfare Reform

he coalition government is carrying out radical reforms to our welfare system; making cuts to the welfare budget and significant changes to the way many

benefits are structured and administered. This is impacting many people in our local communities as they struggle to make ends meet, many finding themselves in crisis. This event is aimed at resourcing those working in local neighbourhoods; churches, chaplaincies, and Christian community projects, who are trying to support those affected by the welfare reforms. It will be an opportunity to better understand the reforms, their impacts and the implications for Birmingham, to hear from agencies responding to the needs that are becoming apparent, as well as providing space to explore how we might respond through our organisations. Speakers include Emma Cooke, Acting Chief Executive, Citizens Advice Bureau Birmingham and Martin O‟Neill, Head of Benefits, Birmingham City Council. This event will be introduced by The Rt Revd David Urquhart, Bishop of Birmingham on Monday 10th June 9.30am – 1.00pm at Balsall Heath Church Centre, B12 9JU. The event is FREE but please book at www.welfarereformbham.eventbrite.com. Registration from 9.00am. More information from Thrive Together Birmingham at info@thrivetogetherbham.org or 0121 675 1159.

Well spent ……or lost? A poem for reflection By George Eliot (Mary Ann Evans 1819-1880)

If you sit down at set of sun And count the acts that you have done, And, counting, find One self-denying deed, one word That eased the heart of one who heard, One glance most kind That fell like sunshine where it went - Then you may count that day well spent. But if, through all the livelong day, You've cheered no heart, by yea or nay - If, through it all You've nothing done that you can trace That brought the sunshine to one face - No act most small That helped some soul and nothing cost - Then count that day as worse than lost.

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„Celebrating a 21st Century Faith‟

(Saturday, 20th April 2013) Lumen URC, Tavistock Place, London

nder the title of our ecumenical motto „United in Jesus, serving the city‟, a group of us from The Church at Carrs Lane addressed the recent conference of the Progressive Christianity Network, a national organisation seeking to

promote a new Christian vision. The question we were asked to respond to was “What are the characteristics of inclusion for a church and how do they help in its service to the community?” Neil Riches introduced our presentation by explaining the context in which we are called to serve, and the challenges of our rapidly changing city centre. Once location and its issues were outlined, Julie Grove and Andrew Veitch spoke about Neil‟s calling to the pastorate of Carrs Lane, and how questions of inclusion have been faced within a fellowship of grace. My task was to round things up with thoughts about the ecumenical future ahead of us. I decided that to do this we needed to acknowledge the theological foundations of our particular Christian community. In URC terms this means reference to the „Civic Gospel‟ proclaimed at the end of the 19th century by R. W. Dale, and for Methodists the „Social Gospel‟ of the Forward Movement, which founded the Central Halls across the country during that same period of history. Both of these foundations are radical contextual theologies that applied the Gospel to time and place. They challenged both church and society with the message that God‟s New World – the Kingdom of Heaven on earth – was open to all, even those who are dis-regarded, despised and condemned. The consequence of such theologies is that to live Good News means that we must be an inclusive Christian community. It was important for me to share something of the frustrations we have endured on our ecumenical journey, but to do so by saying that around us the life of Birmingham city centre ebbs and flows, reflecting wider issues of city, society and the wider world. Our coming together is not about propping each other up for an uncertain future, but rather we are uniting to realise Gospel-living in the here and now. We strive to be a model not simply of good practice but of God‟s practice for the church and world as we discover our own radical contextual theologies for Birmingham today. Our message continues to be that those on „the edge‟ are actually at the centre of God‟s New World. „United in Jesus, serving the city‟ - The Church at Carrs Lane is an inclusive community at the centre of a dynamic, diverse, and often divided city. I concluded with the opening words of our Guiding Principles, “Together, we seek to embody what it means to proclaim God Incarnate at the heart of Birmingham.” There were further presentations from Southernhay URC in Exeter about holding to a critical faith as a congregation, and St Mark‟s Anglican Church in Broomhill, Sheffield, which looked at the appropriate use of liturgy in expressing progressive faith. During the afternoon session „break out groups‟ were offered, giving us the opportunity to consider different approaches to public prayer, alternative worship, and promoting religious uncertainty. The group led by Neil and Julie raised issues about the future for the open and questioning Church. The final plenary was a time

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for questions and comment, most of which centred around concerns about keeping active the conversations initiated by the conference, and the need for the network to support people who feel isolated in their own congregations because of their understanding of faith. This was a worthwhile conference, with some stimulating input from individuals and congregations. The event acknowledged many of the struggles faced by those who would call themselves progressive in their Christian faith, such as the need for intellectual integrity, the divisive nature of open debate within certain contexts, and the sense of alienation from others within the local church or wider denomination. As we listened to the final contributions, I gazed around the wonderful features of the refurbished Lumen Church including its architectural beam of light which appears to stream through the ceiling. The day reminded me that we the people of The Church at Carrs Lane are truly an inclusive community, and that inclusivity embraces theological diversity. What unites us is our shared understanding that we are all seekers of the Light of God shown though Jesus Christ and in his name we are called to serve our city.

Neil Johnson

„I wish you were in north Shropshire...‟

his comment from the floor, as well as a number made to each of us individually during the day, made us realise how much we take the diversity and freedoms of our church life for granted. It was the first response offered

during the plenary at the end of the conference and it struck me then how fortunate we are. Clearly some people are not so blessed. The conference, „Celebrating a 21st Century Faith‟, was organised by the Progressive Christianity Network and held in London in April. The Church at Carrs Lane was invited to contribute, by making a presentation in the morning and taking responsibility for one of the workshops in the afternoon. Our focus was on inclusion, and it is only when challenged to talk about the very familiar that one sees it in a different light. Without apology, I want to revisit here some of what I said. Set between a description of our context and our aspirations for the future, I talked about our journey as a church, our longstanding commitment to social justice and our Call to Neil Riches. Looking at the 2005 Pastorate Profile reminded me that we had said we wanted a minister who would (among other things): „respect the past without being enthralled by it; preach what she or he truly believed; be unafraid to challenge us; enthuse, charm and disturb us‟. Going back to other papers, I was reminded just how big the challenge had been at that time...and how uncomfortable. Many of you will remember the events of the summer of 2005; others will know none of this. When Elders were informed about a prospective candidate and we received his profile, it was felt he was a perfect match for our considerable list of requirements

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but he was a divorcee with a male partner. Although the meeting‟s decision was not unanimous, it was agreed we should meet him. After an initial visit in June, including an extensive discussion with all the Elders, it was agreed he should be invited to visit again to meet everyone and preach with a view. A brief statement was given to the Church Meeting in July setting out the plans for the weekend visit in August and including an honest biography of the candidate. There was a rigorous programme of grilling sessions during the Saturday covering many aspects of ministry and finishing with an open session when the candidate was asked directly about his personal life. Despite the difficulties some people were having around this topic, everyone was impressed with his openness and integrity. After worship the following day there was a Church Meeting, the first part of which was a further exchange between the congregation and the candidate, followed by full discussion, prayer and a vote. It was a heated and difficult meeting because of the polarisation of views; many were positive, some passionately so, but others were troubled and in opposition to the call...but only on this one issue. Those of us who were utterly convinced this man was God-sent held our breath because we needed a majority of 74% in favour to issue a call...and that was exactly the result of the vote. Then there was the anxiety about whether he would accept the call on such a marginal result, and concern as to how to help those who were so upset by the decision to accept him if he did come. We need not have worried. Neil came to us in the spring of 2006 and, with his sensitivity and pastoral skills, and God‟s grace, there was no fracturing of the fellowship and no-one left...and the rest is history, as they say. I finished by saying we continue to be both blessed and challenged by Neil‟s walking with us on this bit of our journey. Andrew Veitch followed me and I was greatly humbled as I listened to him sharing his reflections on prejudice, how it can surprise us by leaping out of the depths when we are faced with a particular situation for the first time. He spoke about the same 2005 events, adding that many of us have learnt through our experience with Neil, that the labels we might use to judge people have no meaning in God's world. Neither at the time nor since have I ever thought of this as an expression of our being an inclusive church...for me, it was just the right thing to do. On the day in London, others did see it as such and told us so. But I‟m with Giles Fraser who said „Inclusivity is not an optional extra for Christians; it has nothing to do with being liberal; it‟s not a churchy version of political correctness. It‟s a Gospel imperative, fundamental to the nature of God and at the very heart of the mission and ministry of Jesus‟. What do you think? Julie Grove

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Progressive Christian Network Conference – Andrew's response

ttending a day conference of the Progressive Christian Network is not something I would normally do, but when your arm is slightly twisted by the church sec .. you know the rest. As Neil J has reported elsewhere in Journey

the day was about 'Inclusive' church and we from Carrs Lane were going to talk about how we attempt to be an inclusive church. Julie spoke about the situation that arose regarding the call of Neil Riches and the issues around the calling of a gay minister, while my part was to give my thoughts about the 'gay' issue from more of an evangelical viewpoint. I found this very challenging – it's not the sort of thing you talk to 100 people about, and I hope I gave a fair account of how I felt. Many of you will remember that it was not an easy situation and some people voted against the call, but there was still a substantial majority so as we all know Neil came. What surprised the conference was that despite some very strong feelings from some members, no one left Carrs Lane as a result of Neil's call. There was a very strong feeling that Neil had been called by God to city centre ministry with us in Birmingham. Although some of us found the gay issues difficult, we felt the same way – God had called Neil to our church and this was the most important fact. The conference members were surprised that no one had left and quizzed us several times about this. We responded by saying that we have a very strong 'glue' at Carrs Lane, so that when things get difficult, we don't all rush off in different directions – we respect each other‟s view point and stay together. All I really want to say to Journey readers is this – we have something very special at Carrs Lane that we mostly take for granted, we do face difficult issues, we don't all agree on the way forward, but we do stick together and work things out together in the name of love and respect for each other, and this is very, very important. Thank you Julie for that bit of arm twisting – it was a worthwhile day for me after all!

Andrew Veitch

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Welcome

hat a warm welcome was given to two strangers on The Way by Pat Davies one Thursday in early May to two sisters, one from Kent, the other from Herefordshire. We had met at Moor Street Station for a day in Birmingham.

We both looked across the road to find Carrs Lane and there we were! Coming from the Congregational tradition, their family and antecedents being Congregational ministers and LMS missionaries, the name Carrs Lane always figured in their memories. In fact Jennifer, when a student at Westhill in the 60‟s was made especially welcome and invited home for Sunday lunch by congregation members. In the 50‟s we remember seeing the Carrs Lane contingent at the Westminster Chapel LMS May Meeting rally for children and young people. We were privileged to be shown your church‟s worship area. We much admired the murals. So thank you Carrs Lane and all good wishes – perhaps we can meet up on a Sunday but normally we are both involved with our own churches on that day.

Margaret Barnes, Jennifer Harrison

Morning worship at Carrs Lane – 14th

July

embers of the worship group will be involved in the leadership of worship on 14th July, and a very „different‟ kind of morning is planned! Worship and church meeting will effectively be combined; the service will start at 10.30am

as usual and it is anticipated that everything will be finished by 12.15pm. 5 short readings from Hebrews will be at the heart of the morning – and a written introduction to the book of Hebrews will be available in advance of 14th July, along with other papers relevant to the day; a number of pertinent and robust themes will be explored – including our guiding principles, the nature of community (both capital „C‟ and small „c‟), our continuing ecumenical journey and priorities for mission and development in the immediate future – and it is hoped that some of the significant ecumenical paperwork can be „signed off‟ during worship. Refreshments – cakes and more appropriate to elevenses! – will form a part of the service, and for those who cannot commit to staying until 12.15pm, it will be perfectly possible to leave at or around the normal time. We hope that everybody will be able to share in this important act of worship.

Neil

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Time After Time For God

t‟s over half my life since I was a Time For God volunteer. I arrived at Carrs Lane as an eighteen year old, my first experience of living away from home. I‟m now in my forties, living in Derby and working for the Church of England.

In between, I‟ve collected three theology degrees, lived in five different cities, been married, worked as a University lecturer, done my theological training (in two different countries), been ordained, served three different parishes, and have two children. Much has happened, but I still look back to my time at Carrs Lane and the lessons I learned from time with you. I owe much to my time in Birmingham for the way in which my faith has developed. Time spent working at Carrs Lane deepened my sense of God. I still recall Murdoch MacKenzie‟s prayers, which characteristically began by invoking the Living God. Many of mine still do. From my time at Carrs Lane I learned that there is no divide between worship and action, and that faith must be grounded in real life. And I sometimes attribute my deep love of the Church of England to my time spent with the United Reformed Church! Differing traditions helped me to learn to value my own, but to hold them in an open hand. My studies too were deepened by my time in Birmingham. It‟s not just that I still use the Biblical Commentary that the CLUE Club bought me when I left. It‟s that in my scholarship, I have always been concerned to give an account of Christian faith that relates to God, to all God‟s people and to the world that God made. Much of that I learnt at Carrs Lane. My ministry too owes much to time at Carrs Lane. I have found myself called to serve a church in the city centre of Bristol, where many of the concerns and challenges relate to those that Carrs Lane has. I now divide my time between training and development for clergy in Derbyshire, and ministry in the city centre of Derby. Again, I am putting into effect things I learnt at Carrs Lane. It is a great joy to be back in the midlands, if a little further north and east than Brum. I now work for the Diocese of Derby as an officer for Continuing Ministerial Development. I also serve at Derby Cathedral as Canon Chancellor. I keep meeting people who have Carrs Lane in their background (only today, John Hull came to lead a seminar for the Diocese), and it is always a place spoke of with affection and

interest. I am deeply grateful for my time as a TFG volunteer at Carrs Lane. I remember you in my prayers regularly. Thank you for the investment you made in the life of a scruffy eighteen year old. With love and thanks,

Simon Taylor

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Homeless Sleep Out

e have all walked past homeless people, avoided eye contact and hurriedly said “Sorry, I don‟t have any change”. It is easy to ignore the homeless and pretend they aren‟t “real” people but have you ever stopped for two minutes

to wonder why a homeless person is on the streets sleeping rough or what a cold night sleeping rough on the streets is actually like? I always have. In such hard times it is possible for nearly everyone to have a few hard knocks and find themselves without a home especially since councils across England are being forced to make cuts. Derby City Council has decided to make the cuts by cutting the homeless funds which will put at least 800 people on the streets including some young people from the YMCA Derby. During my social work training I have seen first-hand the effects such decisions have upon these young people. However, to fully understand and raise awareness of how tough life is for rough sleepers, I would need to experience what it was like to sleep rough for myself and so on a very chilly night in March, I decided to give up my bed and take part in the YMCA‟s Sleep Easy event for one night only and return home on Saturday – sadly the 2,181 homeless people who sleep rough every night don‟t have this luxury. I had no idea what it would be like, as I had never done anything like this before. I knew it would be cold but nothing; not even wearing half my wardrobe could prepare me for just how bone chillingly cold it would be and how hard my body would have to work to survive the night. Arriving at Derby Cricket Ground car park; which would be home for the night; for me and three friends we were given our cardboard boxes and told to find a place to make our shelters for the night. As temperatures plunged we made our cardboard homes in a secluded spot. A task that was a lot harder than it sounds but we

eventually managed to conjure something up and set about comparing them to the Holiday Inn that loomed over the car park - I couldn‟t help but think it was someone‟s way of joke! Tiredness soon kicked in and clambering deep inside my

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cardboard shelter, I began to think about how vulnerable I would have felt without others around me, if I had to sleep rough night after night. I would have been terrified, awake at every sound. That‟s when I started to really miss loved ones and understand why homeless people might use drink or drugs to cope. Eventually I could think no more and I passed out with sheer exhaustion. Despite the tiredness, the plunging temperatures meant that there was no shielding from the bitter cold, or the hard concrete floor, or the fear of being accosted made sleep almost impossible. I was also starting to feel ill from my body‟s constant shivering. It‟s hard to explain just how cold I was feeling but nothing; not even the flames of the make-shift fire could quench my need for warmth and I can honestly say that I have never been happier to welcome the break of dawn! I know what I experienced was just a fraction of what it truly means to be homeless and afflicted. But it is an experience that has helped me to deepen my understanding of life on the streets and I cannot, after one night, even begin to imagine what it must be like to sleep rough on the streets night after night.

Kate Waplington

The Big Bandage

his year support the ground breaking work of Birmingham Children‟s Hospital by taking part in The Big Bandage and celebrate the world class children‟s hospital that‟s right on your doorstep. On Friday 12 July, The Big Bandage will

be taking place over the West Midlands. You can play your part by simply wearing a bandage and donating £1. Visit www.thebigbandage.org.uk for more details.

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WaterAid Update

hen we first met Ayelach late last year, she had recently given birth by the banks of a river as she walked to collect dirty water. Now, thanks to the continued generosity of WaterAid supporters like you, a new, promising

chapter has just begun for Ayelach and her baby Oytiba, who are enjoying clean, running water for the very first time. This moment, which you made possible, marks the start of enormous change. Ayelach's words say it all... Change for women "Women will not have to go to collect water from the river anymore. They can save their time... they will be happy." Change for health "We can clean ourselves, wash our children, give them a shower – we weren‟t able to shower at all before. I can clean our clothes, all of our plates, and all of our food materials. This cleanliness gives us health." Change for education "The children will be able to go to school now – in the past the girls would go to collect water and they would get back late so they would stay at home and not go to school. I am just thinking that when he (Oytiba) grows up he will be educated and he can help his community and help me as now you are helping us." Change for the future "In the future we can do a lot of things – we can have good food, our cattle can have water, we can clean ourselves, we can continue to use this and hope that things continue to change in the future." "Thank you very much for helping us to get water."

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Change has begun! WaterAid supporters have turned on the taps for Ayelach, her family and her local community in Lahyte, Ethiopia.

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Selly Oak Live At Home Scheme

his month MHA marked its 70th Anniversary – Methodist Homes began in 1943. It is also 25 years since the first Live At Home Scheme was started in Lichfield. The Selly Oak Scheme is the 54th and we are learning a lot from the

programmes that are already active. Each one is different and has developed to fit the needs of the area and membership locally, so we are feeling very positive about the beginnings of our programme here. The AGM on 3 March 2013 was attended by 24 people as well as the members of the committee. We were especially pleased to have present a team from the Bournville Village Trust who illustrated some of their activities and expressed their desire to find ways to work with the Selly Oak Live At Home Scheme. We received financial assistance from this team through Bournville Vision 2012 last year. Six of the committee members were re-appointed for another year, four have given up their posts and two new members were appointed to the committee. We express our thanks to the committee, friends and to other donors and well-wishers of the Scheme and to MHA for their continued financial support. Next AGM will be in February or March 2014, the date to be arranged nearer the time. We now have six volunteers who are being processed as regards references and DBS [formerly CRB] checks. Volunteers will be given an initial induction to MHA and specific training for the particular role they have opted to perform. Policies are determined by MHA nationally and we follow their guidance and experience in our practice. Befriending volunteers will be matched to members carefully. We are continuing with our recruitment drive for volunteers to offer the following services:-

Telephone befriending – making weekly calls to members Telephone prompt – where a member would like a gentle reminder of appointments

Befriending – regular visits by a volunteer to a member‟s home Accompanied shopping trips and assistance with transport to appointments

Please let us know if you are interested in becoming a volunteer, and do pass this invitation on to others who might also like to be involved. If you know an elderly person who might benefit from being a member of the Scheme, please tell them about us and encourage them to apply. Qualification for being a member – the person must be over 60 years and wishing for the help that LAH volunteers offers, as indicated above. Members will pay £5 per month as a subscription and a small charge for other services that they access. Abraham Lincoln said “it is not the years in your life that count but the life in your years”. We hope you will enjoy the life in your years as the world around us comes to life again this spring. For more information email sellyoak.liveathome@mha.org.uk or call 0121 472 5913

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Commitment for Life Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories (from Moving Stories 160)

amallah/Jiftlik, (IRIN) - As night descends in the Jordan Valley, a family in the village of Ras al-Ahmar

lights a small paraffin lamp in the tent they call home. There is no electricity here and the nearby Palestinian villages are enveloped in darkness. The only visible cluster of light is from a nearby Israeli settlement. Humanitarian agencies are well aware of the needs in this part of the occupied West Bank, but they face a challenge: play by the rules established by Israel or face the risk of having projects demolished. Despite being outside the state of Israel, 90 percent of the Jordan Valley is under full Israeli civil and military control as part of Area C, a zone that covers 60 percent of the West Bank. Palestinian communities here, among the poorest and most vulnerable in the occupied West Bank, desperately need access to water, electricity, sanitation and other basic infrastructure. But despite the needs, development organizations that try to improve living conditions in Area C say they find their ability to make any lasting impact hampered by Israeli restrictions and bureaucracy. Like Palestinians, organizations that want to build basic service infrastructure such as houses, schools or water systems are required to submit an application for a permit to the Israeli authorities. Often, these permits are not granted. According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, more than 94 percent of applications submitted by Palestinians to the Israeli authorities for building permits in Area C were denied between January 2000 and September 2007. “The permit regime is very confusing. There is no clarity about the status of an application, whether paperwork has been received, if it is complete,” Willow Heske, a spokeswoman for Oxfam, said. “Agencies have sometimes waited for two years only to get a rejection that comes without any explanation.” “A few years ago we put in plans to build a water reservoir in al-Jiftlik, to provide half of al-Jiftlik with running water,” said Heske. “The reservoir was considered a „building‟ and we didn‟t get the permit. So we moved to a plan B which still involved setting up a reservoir and piping system but above

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rather than below ground. This too was not accepted. So as a last resort we had to go back to distributing water tanks. And of course people were frustrated and disappointed.” exerpt from IRIN, a UN humanitarian news and information service. This may not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations or its agencies. IRIN is a project of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Residents of 8 villages in the South Hebron Hills face expulsion from their homes in Israeli firing zone 918 Imagine that your neighbourhood was declared a firing range. You would be threatened with forced evacuation. Demolition orders would be issued for your home, your church, and the school your children attend. Your land would cease to belong to you, and your livestock would be removed. This is what 1000 Palestinians living in Masafer Yatta face. Twelve villages lie within the area Israel claims as firing zone 918. Residents of four of the villages have been told they are excluded from the attempted eviction because the ammunition being used by soldiers training for war near their homes is not live. The 1000 residents of the other eight villages, half of whom are children, could lose their homes, their schools, their crops and livestock, their mosques and their way of life within the year. These Palestinian families were removed by the Israeli military in 1999 and many of their homes, wells and animal shelters were destroyed. Some of the region‟s residents returned in 2000 and live under constant threat of home demolition, settler violence and military harassment. On January 16 of this year the Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) filed a petition on behalf of residents and the Israeli court granted a temporary order preventing forcible transferring of the families pending a further decision. The temporary order is all that is currently preventing the forced removal of the families living in Masafer Yatta. In the past month soldiers have repeatedly driven large vehicles across planted fields, confiscated cars, cameras, phones and livestock belonging to residents, landed helicopters next to dwellings and livestock, and threatened families with imminent eviction and destruction of their homes. Children in the region find unexplored ordnance as they walk to and from school, and families are awakened during the night by the sound of repeated firing and by military helicopters and jeeps driving near their homes. CPT works with other international organizations to provide protection through presence. Once a week two CPTers travel throughout the Firing Zone visiting families and hearing stories. They stay with a family overnight in order to respond to military harassment during the night, and attempted demolitions in the early hours of the morning. (http://cpt.org/work/palestine/firingzone918 Btselem)

Contributed by Wendy Firmin

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On this day As we progress towards the creation of our LEP and consider the significance of the introduction of a regular act of all-age worship, these extracts remind us how similar issues continue to arise over the years. Plus ça change … !! From the Carrs Lane Journal [and L.M.S.] Missionary Chronicle June 1913 The Church and the Child As a delegate to the May meetings I was greatly impressed by the address given by Sir W. Robertson Nicoll on “The Church Dying and Rising Again.” He pointed out that the Church is not maintained by a process of natural increase, as the human race is. It can only be maintained by continual transferences from the world to the church. It is always dying yet rising again. It must decay unless it can win over from the world fresh members to take the place of those who pass away. The speaker emphasised several startling facts. (1) At the present time a decrease is going on in practically all the churches, the sole exception being the Roman Catholic Church. (2) Very few children are to be found at our Sunday services. (3) Four out of five of our Sunday School scholars fail to join the church. It is to the children to turn the decrease in our membership into an increase. Is the Church doing all she can to “capture” the child? The Church must set herself purposefully and lovingly to woo and to win the children of our schools and our congregations. The minister must be encouraged to study them, prepare for them, preach for them, make friends of them. A place in the service must be found for them. They must be made to feel they are wanted by the Church, and minister and teachers must do much pastoral work, diligently shepherding the souls of the children. And let us remember that if one more child could be brought into membership in each of our churches, the tide of decrease would be turned into an increase. I have given but a very inadequate sketch of a most impressive address. But I want now to ask: Are we doing all we can to “capture” the children in our own Church? In many Churches there has recently been formed a Young Worshippers‟ League. Its details vary greatly in different places. It enrols all young people over a certain age in the schools and in the congregation who will promise to attend the service on Sunday mornings. Their attendances are registered, and absentees are visited. Every effort is made to interest the members in the life of the Church. Meetings are arranged with the Minister and Officers of the Church, both for religious and for social purposes. In a word, every possible means is taken to make the children feel that they have a large place in the thoughts and in the plans of the Church, and that the Church is prepared to take great pains to win them to its membership. I put it to our teachers, and our parents also: Do we need something of this kind at Carrs Lane? Is there a gulf between our Schools and our homes and the Church? If there is, how can we bridge it? Is our Children‟s Service all that we require?

W. A. L.

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From the Carrs Lane Journal – June 1963 From the Vestry (by Philip Lee-Woolf) For several years we have talked about the rebuilding of the Church, and the need to take decisions is at hand. As I reported at the April Church Meeting, the Methodists at the Central Hall may also want a new place of worship and church life, and the people at the Cathedral are looking for a building in which their activities, other than worship, can be housed. By the time this Journal reaches you we shall know if we are to try to plan to meet the needs of these three congregations by buildings on our site: perhaps one in which we and the Methodists would hold worship and another for the general life of all three bodies. Obviously the difficulties of such a plan are great, especially as it is essential to preserve the identities and to carry the responsibilities which each congregation now has. The Methodists and Anglicans throughout the country are officially engaged in conversations about reintegration, and they must be available for that. We are likely soon to think of union with the Presbyterians. And each of us has links with other churches of our own communion and responsibilities for example such as ours with the London Missionary Society, which we must continue to discharge. It may be that one or other of us will have decided already that these difficulties are so great that it is a waste of time even to begin to try to find a way through them. But if, for the sake of the breakthrough in co-operation that it would represent, we have decided to try to find a way, I shall write more about it later on. In any case we face decisions about rebuilding that will affect our church‟s life deeply and for many years. Our present buildings, put up (for £11,000!) in 1820, and altered in various ways sixty years later, have done noble duty, and I myself do not share the view that calls them “a sacred warehouse”. But with the city being rebuilt around us, what of the future? Not only are they expensive to maintain, but I think that there are few, however attached to them, who would start again and build them in their present form. Then, if we do decide to build again, in what form should it be? That depends on what we believe that as a church we are called to be and do. For instance, the best shape of a place of worship depends on what worship is? Does the building help or hinder the congregation to worship corporately? Is a church at worship a family round a table? Then the Communion Table must not be hidden far away at one end. Is Junior Church truly part of the Church? Then it needs a place that helps its life as such. If we decide to build again, the architect whom we appoint will need to know what kind of life we believe should be expressed in what he designs. The best help that we could give would be to let him know about that as clearly as we can. For that purpose the Rev. Barry Jones has prepared a questionnaire about worship, the place in it of people and minister, about the church meeting, etc., which could help greatly in finding a common mind before we brief an architect. I hope the fireside groups will take it up in the next few months, and I believe that dealing with it will help with the clearer understanding of worship, whatever we decide about rebuilding.

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Also from the June 1913 Journal, this appreciation of the benefits of a holiday in a beautiful location. Since my sister and I spent our first independent holidays in the shadow of Cader Idris, I found it particularly appealing. Our response was photographic rather than poetic, but I wonder what thoughts other readers might care to share about a favourite holiday location, about the process of returning to normal routine, and the ways in which God provides respite from the „daily grind.‟ NEAR DRWS-Y-NANT: Losing sight of Cader Idris by Bishop Waltham How Round this purpled shoulder, like a pageant, One by one the mountain summits die:- Even as earth‟s narrow outlines near us Hide the infinite glories from the eye. Homeward once again. Ah! vanished mountains,- Like old friends, your faces many a day Over the bowery woods shall rise before me And the level corn lands far away. By the dreamy rippling in the sunlight, By the windy surgings of the shore, Up the thymy sheep-tracks through the heather, I must wander, glad of heart, no more. Yet I bear with me a new possession; For the memory of all beauteous things, Over dusty tracks of straiten‟d duties, Many a waft of balmy fragrance brings. Was it thriftless waste of golden moments, That I watched the seaward-burning West, That I sought the sweet, rare mountain flowers, That I climb‟d the rugged mountain-crest,

That I wander‟d up the narrowing valleys, Plying oft the angler‟s lonely art, Valleys deepening from the glorious ocean Far into the mountain‟s silent heart, - Splendid glens, instinct with magic beauty, - Glimmering lights among the tender green, Glancing waters, trembling into hollows, Thro‟ the latticed branches dimly seen, - Upward still to wilder, lonelier regions, Where the patient river fills his urn From the oozy moorlands, „mid the boulders Cushioned deep in moss and fring‟d with fern,- That I wander‟d, treasuring the beauties, Unfamiliar forms to lowland eye, - Filling all the soul with silent praises For the glory of the earth and sky? Let me rather dream that I have gather‟d On the lustrous shore and gleaming hill, Strength to bravely do the daily duty, Strength to calmly bear the chancing ill.

Contributed by Wendy Firmin

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Living life to the full

know that the reviews were very mixed, but I enjoyed Life of Pi when I saw it at the cinema earlier in the year…and I was intrigued to read that a poll of the 50 things „essential‟ for us to be happy had been commissioned to coincide with the

release of the film on DVD and Blu-ray. Intrigue turned rapidly to surprise, puzzlement and a degree of dismay when I read the list, however… The blurb said that, „The average person is able to tick off just eight of the fifty‟, and so perhaps I should have been pleased that I was able to get well into double figures…but, candidly, there were a number of things that I would never wish to tick and some which I didn‟t really understand. I don‟t know whether I reached my career peak by the age of 40(!), I am unlikely ever to play the hero by rescuing somebody and I know that I will never pass my driving test; it therefore follows that I will never drive a really fast car. Having said that, I was comfortable ticking some seemingly unlikely boxes – „travel alone‟ was one, which I have done many times – and the recurring theme of „experiences rather than money‟ was one which does resonate with me. There were several injunctions to „stop worrying…‟, but for some people this is much more difficult than others. I don‟t actually know what it means to, „treat each day like it‟s your last‟. So – a lot of well-meaning, feel-good gobbledegook (good – no spellcheck alarm bells ringing!), with absolutely no reference to spiritual matters. Genuinely surprisingly, given robust research on the relationship between faith and well-being and the overtly spiritual dimension to the film. No mention of small boats and tigers in the poll; perhaps this falls within the box which reads, „Embark on adrenaline-packed activities…‟, but it is one which I intend to leave well alone.

Neil

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A kind of allegory…

verall, I enjoyed my retreat very much this year: thanks to all for allowing me to spend significant time in this way. I sent over 30 cards and letters this year – a record which speaks of a particular focus for my prayers during the week.

The weather was bright, but blustery…a distinct improvement on the rain which dominated Yorkshire during my last two retreats! I don‟t wish to write about the week overall, however, but do want to comment on one particular day‟s walk. In the morning, I managed an uncomplicated, sunny ascent of one of the local mountain(ettes!) – Myndd Allt-y-Grug; much of the land close to where I was staying was „open access‟ land, and I made my own way through forest and across slightly boggy moorland. Good visibility – and few problems. In the afternoon, I dropped down off the tops into a valley with a number of rights of way marked very clearly on my 1:25,000 map of the area. I aimed to follow a fairly robust stream marked Cwm Du until it crossed over St. Illtyd‟s Way in the bottom of the main Swansea Valley. I suspected that things were going to go a little pear-shaped when I asked for directions to the (unmarked) right of way at the first farm that I came across, and the farmer directed me to a path which promptly fizzled out in some marshland less than 100 metres away from the farm… Thereafter things deteriorated rapidly: a yellow footpath marker followed immediately by two barbed-wire fences alerted me to things to come. Following a water course is not the most challenging task from the point of view of navigation…but the path was all but invisible, a total of 14 unavoidable fences separated me from my destination, brambles sprouted enthusiastically at every turn, and necessary water crossing resulted in wet feet and judicious use of a fallen tree. I knew that a fairly steep ravine housed a series of waterfalls about 1 km into the walk: bunched contour lines indicated that I would have to walk around it…but the path failed to materialise, and in the end I had to scramble up and out of the valley into farmland (and yet more barbed wire). Thankfully, the fields harboured nothing more dangerous than sheep. I was both pleased and annoyed when I eventually reached my destination. Pilgrim‟s Progress? Perhaps not… but it struck me that what could have been hard was actually very easy, and the potentially straightforward was a nightmare. Should I have turned round or was I right to persevere? No mobile signals in this particular valley. Should I have tackled so many fences – or should I have accepted the active discouragement which they were intended to offer? There can be a world of difference between map and reality – and though I was never lost, it almost felt as though I was with so many things outside of my control. Sermon material a-plenty…and a good night‟s sleep at the end of it!

Neil

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Only a Dad by Edgar A. Guest

Only a dad with a tired face, Coming home from the daily race, Bringing little of gold or fame To show how well he has played the game; But glad in his heart that his own rejoice To see him come and to hear his voice.

Only a dad with a brood of four, One of ten million men or more Plodding along in the daily strife, Bearing the whips and the scorns of life, With never a whimper of pain or hate, For the sake of those who at home await.

Only a dad, neither rich nor proud, Merely one of the surging crowd, Toiling, striving from day to day, Facing whatever may come his way, Silent whenever the harsh condemn, And bearing it all for the love of them.

Only a dad but he gives his all, To smooth the way for his children small, Doing with courage stern and grim The deeds that his father did for him. This is the line that for him I pen: Only a dad, but the best of men.

Father‟s Day Maze Help Father to find his way to the golf course…

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Time for a smile

‟m afraid I must ask for an increase,” the young curate said to his mentor. “Three other people are interested in me.” “That sounds encouraging for you” said the mentor, “may I ask who they are?” “Yes,” said the curate, ”it‟s the gas

people, the telephone people and the electricity people.”

young couple were delighted when their four year-old son was given a place at the local church school. They told him how good it would be, bought him new school clothes and were pleased when he went through the gates with no

fuss. The next morning his mum woke him and told him it was time to get ready for school. “What?” he said, “again?”

Jewish rabbi and a Catholic priest met at a social function. “This baked ham is really delicious," the priest teased, “you really ought to try it. Surely it won‟t do you any harm!” The Rabbi smiled and said “I‟ll try some at your wedding.”

he parents of two boys were so concerned over their violent and disruptive behaviour that they asked the local vicar to speak to them. The eight-year old saw him first and the vicar looked him straight in the eye and asked “Where is

God?” The boy made no attempt to answer, even when pressed. When the vicar wagged his finger and asked again, the boy bolted from the room. His ten- year old brother, waiting outside, asked what happened. “We‟re in big trouble,” the younger brother gasped, “God is missing and they think we did it.”

young theology student who came from a farming community decided to take a course in psychiatry. The first session dealt with emotional extremes. The professor asked the student, “What is the opposite of joy?” He replied,

“Sadness.” He was then asked for the opposite of depression and answered “Elation.” The final question was “What about the opposite of woe?” The student thought for a moment and replied, “I believe, sir, that would be giddy-up.”

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Please send your contribution for next month‟s Journey to the Editor, Mrs. Pat Davies, Carrs Lane URC, Carrs Lane, Birmingham, B4 7SX

or by email to office@carrslane.co.uk.

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Open here in the city at

Carrs Lane Church Centre Tuesday to Saturday 10.30am - 2.30pm

and after morning worship on first and third Sundays Visit us for your Fair Trade needs

- Traidcraft foods, gifts and much else - 0121 643 6151 fair-trade@carrslane.co.uk

www.carrslane.co.uk

Room Hire at Carrs Lane

Carrs Lane Church Centre is in Birmingham city centre and within a few minutes walk of New Street and Moor Street train Stations and the National Express Coach Station. Public car parking and bus stops are also nearby. The Conference Rooms on offer at Carrs Lane are of several sizes and situated on three floors. We can support most types of events. Rooms can accommodate from 6 up to 350 delegates. You will find that our prices are very competitive. Our staff will be pleased to discuss ideas for your event with you and advise on the suitability of our facilities. Hot and cold drinks can be supplied in the meeting rooms as often as required. Buffet meals can be pre-ordered. These range from a simple sandwich menu to a full buffet Full details and prices are available on our website, www.carrslane.co.uk., or you may call the conference team on 0121 643 6151 if you have any questions or email booking@carrslane.co.uk.

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Carrs Lane Regular Activities

SUNDAYS

Morning Worship Every Sunday at 10.30am

with Holy Communion on the first Sunday of the month

Children‟s Church Second Sunday at 2.30pm

Radical Worship Fourth Sunday at 6.00pm

First Sunday Lunch First Sunday each month at 12.30pm

Church Meeting Second Sunday at 12 noon

Singing Group Third Sunday 9.45 – 10.15am

WEEK DAYS

Lunchtime Healing Service Every Wednesday 1.15pm

Prayer Group First Wednesday at 7.00 pm

Discussion Group First Thursday at 10.15 am

Harborne House Group Fourth Tuesdays 2.00pm (various locations)

Central House Group at Carrs Lane Third Wednesdays at 6.00pm

Carrs Lane Choir Practice Fridays at 7.00pm

Carrs Lane Players (drama group) Fridays at 7.45 pm

Charity Knitting Circle First Tuesday 10.00 am - 1.00 pm

Fair Trade Shop First and Third Sunday after morning worship and Tuesday - Saturday 10.30 am - 2.30 pm

Counselling Centre Monday - Friday 11.00 am - 1.30 pm and Monday to Wednesday evenings 7.00 - 9.00 pm

Contact details for Carrs Lane Church

Carrs Lane, Birmingham, B4 7SX Telephone 0121 643 6151

Fax 0121 631 2118 www.carrslane.co.uk