Epistle, News & Views

Epistle 33

17th August 2008

St. Paul ’s Church at The Crossing

Last Saturday, I went into Birmingham Cathedral for a Vigil to commemorate Hiroshima and Nagasaki Day. There may be differing views about the rights and wrongs of “ending the war” in this way but the poems, the music and the talk by one of the Cathedral Canons made it a very moving experience.

Perhaps this was why I felt so disturbed at what I had seen as (to avoid the heavy rain) I had taken a short cut through Rackham’s store. I like clothes, food and wine as much as the next person. BUT, and it’s a big “but”, how could I, as a Christian, with long-held links to various justice movements, face up to this palace of consumerism? I know that we have to keep the economy going, some of us have pensions which depend in part on the success of retail shares and the luxury stores keep people in employment (although, the determined looking females who offer a “make over “ as you pass the cosmetics counters really put me off, or have I just given up hope?)

Earlier that morning I heard on the radio the latest figures of homes repossessed, of life prolonging drugs not affordable on the NHS, of increasing numbers of redundancies and of the discrepancy in life expectation even in different parts of the UK.

I don’t think that my reaction (and I told the Canon that I almost felt in need of counselling when I picked up a red plastic mac at £289 because it had a “designer label”!) was “political”, just a great sadness that all these expensive “goodies” could be so important in some few lives.

In the Cathedral I picked up a card with a text which said it all. “Don’t judge a person by the clothes he wears; God made the person, the tailor made the clothes. Jesus can still transform lives by His Presence”. All this left me wondering - do we leave room for Him to transform our lives or do we rely on what we see in the shops?

Alison Beardwood. Beacon Christian Justice Group

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CHURCH DIARY PAGES

‘We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield.
In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.
Let your unfailing love surround us, O Lord,
for our hope is in you alone. Psalm 33:20-22

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Advance Notices for August/September

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FELLOWSHIP NEWS

Contact Details for The Crossing at St. Paul’s

Email Revd Mark Kinder: mkinder@hotmail.co.uk

Sue Howles: sue.howles@btconnect.com
(please use email links on the left side of this, and every, page on the site.)

Foundations for Ministry
A one year course for people who would like to learn more about their faith, study the Bible in greater depth, and want to explore their Christian calling.  The course is being run by the Walsall Central Cluster, and begins in September 2008.  The course consists of three study units, each with nine sessions.  The three units include:

Unit 1: This is Our Story Relating our faith stories with the story of the people of God as told in the Old Testament.
Unit 2: Jesus and His Story Studying the New Testament.
Unit 3: Past Forward Exploring the relationship between personal faith and theology from the Christian past into the future.

Foundations for Ministry Application Forms are available in Church today and during the week from Sue in the Church Office.

 Quiet Garden Day at 378 Birmingham Road
Thursday 11 September 2008
10.30am-2.30pm - Bring and Share Lunch

Martin Brumhill
Martin has retired from our team of Chapel Helpers at The Manor Hospital. We wish to record our sincere thanks to him for his dedication and support of many years faithful service.

Sylvia Buller
Sylvia is now residing at Water’s Edge, Room 48, Stafford Road, Gt. Wyrley, Staffs, WS6 6BA. Should you wish to visit Sylvia, Bus No. 351 and No. 1 will take you there from Walsall Bus Station and drop you outside Water’s Edge. N.B. from Della – Sylvia will be 88 on 17 th August.

Events at Central Hall Methodist Church, Ablewell Street, Walsall
* A Photo Competition with 6 categories, so something for everyone and excellent prizes for the winners of each category. Entry forms still available at £2 – closing date 1 September 2008.

* A McMillan Coffee Morning will be held on Friday 26 September when the winning photos will be on display.
* A Gilbert & Sullivan Concert at Saturday 11 October at 7.30pm. This is expected to be a sell-out at only £4 per ticket so put the date in your diary now.
* Further information about all events available from Christine Gregory on 01922 726143.

News

NEW CURATE

QUIZ NIGHT

Invitation to come to The Butts Tavern on the second Tuesday of each month (excluding August) for a Quiz Night.

QUIET TIME

On Wednesday 30th January 2008 Bishop Clive of Wolverhampton came to Bless the Book of Remembrance and the newly furnished Day Chapel.

Below is a pictorial record of the event.

The Bishop's entrance into the Day Chapel.	Betty Orton gives a reading.
The Bishop delivers a reading.	Saying Prayers.
Revd Kinder asks the Bishop to bless the Book of Remembrance.	The Bishop blessing the Book of Remembrance.
Giving Blessings to the parishioners, the people of Walsall and the newly furnished Day Chapel.	Revd Kinder thanks The Bishop and winds up the proceedings.
The parishioners take a look at the Book of Remembrance.	The Bishop and Betty Orton with the Book of Remembrance.
The specially made table containing the Book of Remembrance.	The Book of Remembrance.

THE FORGIVENESS PROJECT

Read below for more information.

“We cannot live with broken hearts. In time we have to accept these things have happened to us. To stay with the past will only bring you into turmoil”

These words are from the story of Christo Brand & Vusumzi Mcongo from South Africa. Christo was a prison warden and Vusumzi one of the prisoners along with Nelson Mandela who were confined in Robben Island prison for many years. Their story of forgiveness and reconciliation is one of many inspiring and deeply challenging stories brought together by the Forgiveness project.

During Lent an exhibition of these stories will be held at St Paul's. This is intended to link with our lent course on Grace. I hope that many of you will take time to read the stories.

So many of us live with turmoil from past events, so much of our society is bound by its painful history. The Good News of the gospel is that we can be set free from this turmoil, and that we can set others free by our forgiveness. As a church let us clearly communicate that message, and live it out in our town, homes and places of work.

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Views

If you have any views on church issues or anything you may wish express, email them using the email link. We will endeavour to include them here.

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