Epistle, News & Views

Epistle 35

29th August 2010

St. Paul ’s Church at The Crossing

V Festival

I don’t believe there is such a thing as a Godless place or people – in fact I’d even say that such a phrase is an un-Christian thing to say. God is everywhere, and perhaps particularly in unlikely places. Take V-Fest for example.

I got back from the V Music festival on Monday and am still waking up from the late nights. I was there as part of a small Church team, providing a “porta-church” space where people could come and chat, and from where we served 16’000 free drinks.

My most powerful memory is watching one of my favourite groups perform - Faithless (interesting name.) In front of around 40-50’000 fans they blew our socks off. And as the bass pumped through our bodies, I watched as many raised their arms, and clapped and danced as they sang “This is our church. This is where I heal my hurts….. God is a DJ.”

Even here, where music and the stars of music are worshipped, there was seeking and searching for meaning. Yes there was lots of drink and yes there were some drugs, but it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be with 90’000 young people descending on the fields of Weston Park. Most were there to enjoy a drink, with their mates, to listen to good music and perhaps “get lucky” with another girl or boy or both.

Here, amongst people seeking pleasure, God was to be found. Late at night, as people wandered back to their tents, some did stop to chat, have a cuppa and talk about the deeper things in life and their perspectives on God. But I firmly believe that simply being there, the local Church being present and serving thousands with a simple cup of water, Christ’s body was doing what it is supposed to do. It was a privilege to serve those who are not godless, they just have not found him yet; to serve those who meanwhile will look anywhere and to anything, to fill the yearning inside.

Sam Leach

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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

AUGUST

Sun 29 th
9.30am	Holy Communion at St. Luke’s Church
11.00am	Holy Communion at St. Paul’s Church
Mon 30 th	Bank Holiday
	The Crossing and Church Office closed
Tue 31 st
9.15am	Morning Prayer in the Day Chapel
SEPTEMBER
Wed 1 st
9.15am	Morning Prayer in the Day Chapel
11.00am	Holy Communion
1.00pm	Quiet Time Service in the Day Chapel
Thur 2 nd
9.15am	Morning Prayer in the Day Chapel
Fri 3 rd
9.15am	Morning Prayer in the Day Chapel
Sun 5 th
9.00am	Holy Communion at St. Paul’s in the Day Chapel
9.30am	Holy Communion at St. Luke’s Church
11.00am	All Age Worship at St. Paul’s Church
Tue 7 th
9.15am	Morning Prayer in the Day Chapel
12.30pm	SSHH Breastfed Baby Group
1.30pm	St. Paul ’s Little Lambs
7.45pm	St. Paul ’s PCC Officers’ Meeting at Penel and Stephen Cockbill’s house
Wed 8 th
9.15am	Morning Prayer in the Day Chapel
11.00am	Holy Communion
11.45am	Crossing Day Team Meeting at The Crossing
1.00pm	Quiet Time Service in the Day Chapel
6.30pm	The Crossing at St. Paul’s Ltd AGM at The Crossing
Thur 9 th
9.15am	Morning Prayer in the Day Chapel
Fri 10 th
9.15am	Morning Prayer in the Day Chapel

Collect

PRAYER AND BIBLE READINGS
FOR THE MORNING PRAYER SERVICE

You may wish to use these as your daily readings

Almighty God,
you search us and know us:
may we rely on you in strength
and rest on you in weakness,
now and in all our days;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Mon Ps.23 2 Sam. 18.1-18 Acts 10.34-end
30 August

Tue Ps.24 2 Sam. 18.19-19.8a Acts 11.1-18
31 August

Wed Ps.25 2 Sam. 19.8b-23 Acts11.19-end
1 September

Thur Ps.26 2 Sam. 19.24-end Acts 12.1-17
2 September

Fri Ps.27 2 Sam. 23.1-7 Acts 12.18-end
3 September

Sat Ps.28 2 Sam. ch. 24 Acts 13.1-12
4 September

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Advance Notices

Do you need a Message File?
Message files are a really useful way of keeping people informed. If you don’t have one and would like one please put a note in Sue Howles’ message file (there is scrap paper in the front of the message file box).

An appeal for Ladies or Children’s Wooden Coat Hangers and any bits of material to make craft items for Carole Griffiths and Margaret Walker’s charities.

Hospice Bricks – please return your bricks to church on Sunday or to the church office during the week so that they can be returned to Walsall Hospice Office.

If anyone would like to raise money for the Staffordshire Historic Churches Trust there will be a sponsored ride and stride on Saturday 11 September 2010. Many churches around Staffordshire and the South Staffs area are open on that day. More information from John Wallbridge on 01902 742612.

P.S. St. Paul ’s is going to be one of the open churches for this event.

Cardiff’s 3D Theatre Company will perform Richard Parker by Owen Thomas - a Comedy Drama at The Crossing at St. Paul’s on Monday 27 th September 2010 at 7.00pm.
Running time 1 hour – refreshments available from 6.00pm
Tickets Adults £5.00 Concessions £3.50 from The Crossing Office or call 01922 645992

Walsall Hospice presents “from Russia with Love”
A classical piano recital by Varvara Valentinovna to celebrate World Hospice and Palliative Care Day - Saturday 9 October at 7.00pm at St. Paul’s at The Crossing

Tickets £10 per person available from Walsall Hospice 01922 423578

OUTSIDE EVENTS

Ken Ilett has copies of a booklet on this topic enabling you to pray daily during Ramadan, which this year is 11 August – 9 September (£2). Please see Ken if you would like help in praying at this time.

FOOD for the JOURNEY
‘In The World, But Not Of It’ A Christian Misunderstanding? A time to explore what the life of faith means today Cardinal Griffin High School, Cannock

Saturday 2nd October 2010 – 10am to 4pm

Led by Neil Richardson, Minister, Theologian and Author

A day event of inspiring leadership, discussion, encouragement, fellowship, food, fun and worship! Cost: £15 per person – Lunch included.

For further information contact Paul Lewis

01952 820135 or 07968 130912 foodforthejourney@gmail.com

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.

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

Coach Trip in September
Central Hall Methodist Church Coach Trip to Chester on Sat. 11 Sept 2010
Tickets £12 per person. Leave Central Hall 9.30am return to Central Hall 6pm approx. Booking forms & enquiries 620731. Closing dated 14 July.

Concert Saturday 9 October.
If you would like further information about any of these events call Christine Gregory on 01922 721643 or email on Christine@gregorys.myzen.co.uk

Wings Appeal Band Concert 11 September 2010
The Band of The Royal Air Force Regiment Walsall Town Hall, Lichfield Street, Walsall at 7.30pm

Battle of Britain 70h Anniversary

Tickets £12 Over 60’s/U 14’s £10 from the Box Office 0845 111 2900

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FELLOWSHIP NEWS

Contact Details for The Crossing at St. Paul’s

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

Samuel Leach: samuelinwalsall@googlemail.com

Sue Howles: sue.howles@btconnect.com

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? Contact 01296-444105 or:mentoring@trail-blazers.org.uk
www.trail-blazers.org.uk

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News

QUIZ NIGHT

Invitation to come to The Butts Tavern on the second Tuesday of each month 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.

	Betty Orton gives a reading.
The Bishop's entrance into the Day Chapel.

The Bishop delivers a reading.	Saying Prayers.
Revd Kinder prepares to give the Bishop the Book of Remembrance to bless.
	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 Book of Remembrance.
The specially made table containing the Book of Remembrance.