Epistle, News & Views
Epistle 29
20th July 2008
St. Paul ’s Church at The Crossing
Homelessness in Walsall
You will be aware that the churches have been petitioning the Council with concern that little is being done for the homeless. I wanted to bring you up to date with the outcome:
The Chief Executive of Walsall Council spent one Friday evening with the Drinkers’ Ministry and met some of the homeless people that we come across week by week.
I have met with a member of the Homelessness Team and given information of provision for homeless.
Along with others from St. Matthews and staff from The Glebe, we made a presentation to the Housing Scrutiny Committee of the Council.
Conclusions:
Definitions of homelessness are varied; there is an acceptance of a problem in Walsall, as everywhere, although work needs to be done to improve the count for rough sleepers which at zero is obviously incorrect.
There is much that is being done for vulnerable and young homeless and to prevent homelessness. The Council might be better regarded if they admitted the problem and spoke about the significant resource being devoted to solving the issue.
Homelessness is a complex problem and the solution is not always to provide hostels and food for those on the streets which simply perpetuates the problem. A better approach might be to provide support for individuals and clear paths out of homelessness. This will involve addressing addiction and relationship issues.
Debt is becoming an increasing reason for homelessness and action to help people start again is needed – this is a practical expression of Grace.
However, in addition to all the complexities identified above there are perhaps up to 100 people in Walsall who are under the radar; either through choice or circumstances. They receive none of the above support and there is perhaps need to make some provision for those who fall through the net. For example we encouraged the Council to provide some core support for the work of The Glebe. There is a meeting arranged in August to continue the process and I believe we at St Paul’s can have an important role to play.
Mark
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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
JULY |
Mon 21 |
Pray for The Crossing Office, for those who live and work in Albert Street and for Pauline Jones. Remember those who have fled the dangers they face in their countries and come to seek asylum in the UK. Pray that they will receive the information they need about the benefits to which they are legally entitled, as well as help to recover physically and emotionally from the fear and abuse they have experienced. |
9.00am |
Morning Prayer in the Day Chapel |
2.00pm |
Wives’ Group AGM at The Crossing |
Tue 22 |
Pray for Church Office, the Carers’ Office and for Gladys Shemwell from the Church amongst Deaf People. Pray for the work of the Refugee Council, co-ordinating the work of about 70 organisations concerned about the challenges facing people seeking refugee status so they can stay in the UK. Pray that there will be effective teamwork and communication between key groups and individuals. |
9.00am |
Morning Prayer in the Day Chapel |
Wed 23 |
Pray for St. Paul’s Team Leaders, the staff of Wesley Owen, Heaven Sent, A J Coles the florist and for John Bickley. Pray for the 3,000 children who arrive in the UK every year especially from Afghanistan, Somalia, Iran, Iraq and Eritrea, often separated from their parents. Pray that those responsible for their welfare and future education and accommodation may have wisdom and that the children are brought into loving families. |
9.00am |
Morning Prayer in the Day Chapel |
11.00am |
Co-op Bereavement Group at The Crossing |
11.00am |
Holy Communion |
11.45am |
Crossing Day Team Meeting |
1.00pm |
Wednesday Quiet Time at The Crossing |
Thurs 24 |
Pray for the staff of KhamRo and Hogar. Pray for those in the Border and Immigration Agency who are responsible for discerning between genuine asylum seekers and those making false claims. Pray that anyone intending to engage in criminal activities here will be identified and removed from the country. |
9.00am |
Morning Prayer in the Day Chapel |
Fri 25 |
Pray for the Church Links Office. Pray for Pat Stone and her team working on the Walsall Drinkers’ Ministry o/s The Crossing tonight. Pray for those throughout the world living in refuge camps – most of them women and children – living with extremely basic facilities and a constant sense of insecurity and danger. Ask God to protect, provide and comfort them. |
9.00am |
Morning Prayer in the Day Chapel |
8.30pm |
Walsall Drinkers’ Ministry outside The Crossing at St. Paul’s |
Sat 26 |
Pray for The Crossing Coffee Shop and for Jean Tame. Pray for refugee children in this country who feel frightened because everything is new and difficult to understand. Pray that they may find people who will help them and be ready to teach them the things they need to know as well as offering them friendship. |
8.30am |
Morning Prayer in the Day Chapel |
|
Our Curate, Sam Leach, and Jo Berry to be married in Surrey |
Sun 27 |
Heavenly Father, we thank you for the ‘peace which passes understanding’ that we have in Christ. Please help us to serve you by being peacemakers in situations that are ruled by discord and fear. In Christ’s name. Amen. |
8.50am |
Chapel helpers on duty at The Manor Hospital |
10.30am |
Holy Communion |
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Advance Notices for July/August
JULY |
Wed 30 |
11.00am |
Co-op Bereavement Group at The Crossing |
|
11.00am |
Holy Communion with Revd Peter Rainsford |
AUGUST |
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Fri 1 |
8.30pm |
Walsall Drinkers’ Ministry o/s The Crossing at St. Paul’s |
Sun 3 |
9.00am |
Holy Communion |
|
10.30am |
All Age Worship |
Tue 5 |
12.30pm |
SSHH Breastfed Baby Group |
|
1.45pm |
St. Paul ’s Little Lambs offers a warm welcome to all parents, grandparents, babies and toddlers. |
Wed 6 |
11.00am |
Co-op Bereavement Group at The Crossing |
|
11.00am |
Holy Communion |
Fri 8 |
8.30pm |
Walsall Drinkers’ Ministry o/s The Crossing |
Sun 10 |
10.30am |
Holy Communion |
Wed 13 |
11.00am |
Co-op Bereavement Group at The Crossing |
|
11.00am |
Holy Communion |
|
11.45am |
Crossing Day Team Meeting |
|
1.00pm |
Wednesday Quiet Time at The Crossing |
|
5.30pm |
The Crossing at St. Paul’s Board Meeting |
Fri 15 |
8.30pm |
Walsall Drinkers’ Ministry o/s The Crossing |
Sun 17 |
10.30am |
Service of the Word |
Please Note |
There will be no 4.00pm Holy Communion for the Church among Deaf People today |
|
Tue 19 |
12.30pm |
SSHH Breastfed Baby Group |
|
1.45pm |
St. Paul ’s Little Lambs offers a warm welcome to all parents, grandparents, babies and toddlers. |
Wed 20 |
11.00am |
Co-op Bereavement Group at The Crossing |
|
11.00am |
Holy Communion |
|
1.00pm |
Wednesday Quiet Time at The Crossing |
Fri 22 |
8.30pm |
Walsall Drinkers’ Ministry o/s The Crossing |
Sun 24 |
10.30am |
Holy Communion |
Mon 25 |
August Bank Holiday The Crossing and Church Office closed |
|
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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.)
'Wednesday Quiet Time at The Crossing'
Every Wednesday 1pm -1:30pm at St. Paul’s Church, Darwall Street, Walsall.
Soup and roll with drink provided. All welcome. Tel Mark on 620669.
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 or during the week from Sue in the Church Office.
Future Quiet Garden Day Dates at 378 Birmingham Road for your diary:
Thursday 14 August – Variations in art
Thursday 11 September – T.B.A.
10.30am-2.30pm - Bring and Share Lunch
SSHH & Little Lambs
Teddy Bears Picnic
Tuesday 5 th August 2008 at Beacon Park, Lichfield
(meet by the young children’s play area, near the crazy golf)
11.30am onwards
Bring some lunch and your teddy.
If you require a lift please phone Paula on 07949507232
Children’s Society Boxes
When we opened the boxes we were able to send £143.88 to the Children’s Society. Thank you to all box holders and money counters. The boxes will be in the vestry for collection. We have some spare boxes if anyone would like to contribute. Thank you, Ann Barratt
Mark & Helen would like to thank everyone who helped and contributed to making last Sunday’s BBQ an enjoyable and relaxed occasion.
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News
NEW CURATE
Sam Leach, our new Curate, has arrived in the parish and will start work from the beginning of July. He will be ordained at Lichfield Cathedral on 27th September 2008.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.
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 Betty Orton gives a reading. |
| The Bishop's entrance into the Day Chapel. | |
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| The Bishop delivers a reading. | Saying Prayers. |
Revd Kinder prepares to give the Bishop the Book of Remembrance to bless. |
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| The Bishop blessing the Book of Remembrance. | |
 |
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| 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. |
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| The Bishop and Betty Orton with the Book of Remembrance. | |
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 The Book of Remembrance. |
| The specially made table containing 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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