St Paul's Church - Epistle, News & Views

This week the PCC met and here is a brief report on the main items:
The financial position at the end of 2011 showed a break-even result for the year. This is an excellent result as the previous few years have shown successive deficits. Thank you to everyone who has given to the ministry of St Paul’s. The issue of how to take the collection was discussed at some length and it was decided to revert to passing the plate but with a clear explanation as to why we have an offertory, and making it clear that some give in other ways.

The PCC received a report concerning Tony Harris. The report recommended that Tony has made an excellent start and had successfully passed his probation period. The PCC congratulated Tony.
The PCC received a report from Steve Morgan about the progress he is making on the ‘pathways to ministry course’ run by the diocese and the possibility of Steve being recommended to attend a selection conference for ordained ministry. There would be further details about this as the process moves forward.

The PCC received a letter from Susan Howles informing them of her retirement in July aged 65. The meeting wanted to make sure we celebrated Sue’s work over the years and began to think about how to appoint her replacement. The PCC agreed that Mark and Anita would work to draw up the job description and bring this back for recommendation in March. It was also agreed that the post was best suited for someone who did not worship at St Paul’s.

Paula Dufty informed the PCC that the group Little Lambs would come to an end shortly due to time pressure and the children now being older. The PCC thanked Paula for her hard work and commitment over the years.
The PCC received other reports on the progress of planning for Quinta, redecoration of the church, plans for the coming weeks including Lent Groups. They had reports from Town Centre Ministry and the Deanery.

Mark Kinder
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Please remember next Sunday 29th January is our St Paul’s Day celebration in which we are inviting members of staff from the Crossing to join us. Please think about what you can bring and share for food after the service.

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‘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

ADVANCE NOTICES

ST. PAUL ’S & ST. LUKE’S EVENTS
There is an opportunity for people who regularly worship at St. Paul’s and St. Luke’s and are interested in supporting the work of The Crossing to purchase for £1 a share in The Crossing Company. If you would be interested in this please see Mark.

New Year Dates for the United Benefice of St Paul’s
and St Luke’s
Sunday Jan 22nd Baptism of Natalie Watkeys at St. Paul’s
Sunday Jan 29th St. Paul’s Day Service with the Archdeacon of Walsall at St. Paul’s followed by a shared lunch.

Quinta St Luke's/St Paul's Weekend Away, 15th - 17th June 2012 Come and join us for a weekend of relaxation and fellowship as we visit the beautiful Quinta Hall on the Welsh Border - hopefully it will be a weekend of refreshment and relaxation for all - see Liz Askey or Mark Kinder if you haven't already booked!
Many thanks to all who made a donation and signed the large Christmas Card this year. £75 has been raised for ‘World Vision’.

Hi’s ‘n’ Lows
Hi’s ‘n’ Lows have now completed painting and cleaning their premises at the back of church. Many thanks to everyone who contributed to help fund this work – donations raised by St. Paul’s Church totalled £195.55.
Mark

Advance Notice
The Women’s World Day of Prayer Service will take place at
St. Paul’s Church on Friday 2nd March at 10.30am.
This years’ service focuses on Malaysia and has the theme ‘Let Justice Flow’. Warm welcome to all, men, women and children.

Epistle
We are looking to slightly change the epistle in order to link it more in with St Luke’s. This includes putting some of the St Luke’s events on the diary. In addition we would like to ask again for contributions for the front page. Perhaps once a month we could have an article from people in the congregations, possibly about their work, interests and experiences of God at work in their lives. Please let me know if you would like to contribute, or speak to Ali Beardwood who will pass on details to the office. Mark

Joint Weekend away at Quinta – 15th-17th June 2012
The weekend will last from Friday afternoon (6pm onwards) until 4pm on Sunday afternoon. The aim of the weekend is primarily fellowship and relaxation with opportunities for worship, learning and communal activities e.g. walking and games etc. Sign up leaflets available in church today.

Thursday 20th October 2011 The Crossing presents “Much Ado About Wenlock” The play is very topical because as you probably know in the year 1850 the small village of Much Wenlock gave host to it's very own Olympian Games. So with our own Olympics in 2012 we thought this was the play to bring the Olympics to Walsall. Mike has been to see the play by Vamos the same group who will perform this one, and he reports that it was excellent. We will have all the details i.e ticket prices etc very soon including the super sponsor deal of 4 tickets and your name listed on the programme

Selwyn Lecture
This year’s Annual Selwyn Lecture will be held at Lichfield Cathedral on Wednesday 12 th October 2011 with guest speaker Professor John Lennox. He is Professor of Mathematics in the University of Oxford, Fellow in Mathematics and the Philosophy of Science, and Pastoral Advisor at Green Templeton College, Oxford. He is also an adjunct Lecturer at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford University and at the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics and is a Senior Fellow of the Trinity Forum. In addition, he teaches for the Oxford Strategic Leadership Programme at the Executive Education Centre, Said Business School, Oxford University.

St. Paul ’s Memorial Book
We will soon be sending new memorial book entries to Scribes at Hawkesyard Hall, Armitage. If you would like the name of a loved one included please contact Sue in the Church Office for a Memorial Book Form. Each entry costs £15. Sue can be contacted on 620669 or by email: sue.howles@btconnect.com

OUTSIDE EVENTS

Prayer- the Real Battle
This powerful and inspiring booklet by Brother Andrew will encourage you to pray more effectively. It is for individuals, groups or churches. Copies available from Open Door at £2 on 01993 885400 during office hours.

Please Pray for Egypt
The Vice President of the Protestant Community in Egypt asks us to pray for a peaceful resolution to the present crisis and for the well-being of the Christian community as it seeks to sustain witness in demanding circumstances.

Could you volunteer to help on a holiday club, a holiday for children or families or a beach mission this summer?
Scripture Union runs loads of holiday activities of all sorts to show God’s love in action and depends on volunteers for them. How could you help? For more information, go to www.scriptureunion.org.uk/countmein

On 8 Oct. 2011, Noel Tredinnick is bringing the All Soul’s Orchestra and soloists to Symphony Hall, Birmingham for a performance of Prom Praise.

Prom Praise is a programme of popular classics, incorporating hymns and worship songs for the audience to join in with and suitable for all ages to enjoy with a ‘Last Night of the Proms’ feel. Penny Wheble from St. Martin’s Church, Walsall is looking for singers to form a choir and to be part of this special event. Rehearsals will be held in St. Martin’s Church, Sutton Road, Walsall on a Monday evening, commencing on the 27 th June at 7.45-9.30 and will continue through July (apart from 11 th) breaking for August and resuming on 5 th September. Music (and possibly a learning CD) will be provided at a cost of £10 to include a singers’ seat at Symphony Hall, and there will be a weekly charge of £2 per person to cover use of the church etc.

If anyone wants to know more, please email Penny Wheble at penny.wheble@btopenworld.com or telephone Penny on 07989567595

Opportunities to serve in the Middle East
Short term workers are urgently needed for two schools in Lebanon; teachers or classroom assistants needed available for at least 9 months; Also a couple to assist in a Christian café in Turkish Cyprus on a long term basis; teachers, including a Head, required in Jordan; and more English teachers for the Episcopal Training Centre in Cairo.

Contact Pam of Middle East Christian Outreach at info@twoffice.co.uk (01892 521541)

To Everest Base Camp (17,500ft)
An illustrated talk by David Prentice who did the trek in aid of Compton Hospice.
Holy Trinity Church , Short Heath on Wednesday 14 September 2011 at 7.30pm

FELLOWSHIP NEWS

Church email: stpauls.crossing@btconnect.com
(email links are also on the left side of this, and every, page on the site.)

Other Events

Could you help a young man stay away from crime?
Brinsford Young Offenders Institution, Wolverhampton need volunteers to work as MENTORS with young offenders. You will need a mature outlook on life and be willing to make a weekly commitment 12 months min. availability.

Brinsford will provide you with quality training, individual ongoing support & travel expenses. Interested?

NEWS

QUIZ NIGHT

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

QUIET TIME

NEWS ARCHIVE

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

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.

Epistle, News & Views

Epistle 4

22nd Jan 2012

St. Paul ’s Church at The Crossing

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