“St Columba Church, Chantry Road, Moseley”Sunday Service: 10.00 a.m. (unless otherwise stated)

Fiona Elvins Lay Minister 20, Meadow View Moseley Birmingham B13 0AP Telephone: 0121 777 2628

Mary Martin Treasurer Flat 8 194 Harborne Road Edgbaston Birmingham B15 3JJ Telephone: 0121 454 1455

August/September 2015

CHANTRY NEWS

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Dear Friends I do hope that you are all enjoying this lovely Summer. Ivor and I have been blessed with two wonderful holidays this year — making up for lost time whilst he was ill!

We have found friendship in the most unlikely places — on a ferry, standing in a queue in the pouring rain — to name a couple. The ship’s captain led services on the Sundays we were at sea and we felt rather lost on the Sundays in port when no church was available — but we managed.

In the middle of the North Atlantic a small two masted yacht was observed from the bridge with the sails not deployed and the captain was called and the decision was made to turn and investigate. The Queen Mary 2 is no small ship to turn quickly but we did, as it is marine law to investigate. The coast guard was contacted and the yacht had already been reported and there were no people on board.

A poem appears later in the magazine (Page 8) which was written by the Officer who spotted the yacht.

I would like to tell you that I have been formally asked to be Lay Minister at Knowle URC to work in conjunction with St Columba. It is a huge honour and one that I shall be delighted to “work at”. One can always learn by listening and talking to you the congregation. It is your Church. I am looking forward to this and as one of my bosses used to say “my door is always

open” — although he did not mean it! — I do, so please contact me if you have any worries.

I hope to be inducted on Septem-ber 27th at 3.00 p.m. and I would be delighted to see as many of you at the service as can make it.

The mid-week services have been suspended for the summer but will recommence in September. All are welcome.

If you would like to lead prayers of intercession on the days when I lead worship please do let me know.

We have travelled from a wonderful Spring into Summer and there is no doubt that Summer leads to Autumn then to Winter and then right back around to Spring. God made a fantastic cycle when he made the world with the glorious changes of sun, rain, rainbows, snow and ice — all different and to be enjoyed and looked forward to with the sure belief that God is with us every day of our journeys.

Thank you for all your support, love and prayers. I truly am privileged to be with you all.

I wish you all a blessed Summer.Blessings,

Moseley in BloomThe judging for the Heart of England in Bloom competition took place on Wednesday July 22nd. Vicky and two children from the Montessori nursery welcomed the judges to St Columba and escorted them through our courtyard. I want to thank Mabel Fray, Joan MacDougall and Alex for all their help prior to judging day — sometimes in very heavy rain. The results will be announced in mid-September.

Jean Mackie

Church FamilyPlease keep these people in your prayers.Jean Massey is currently in Queen Elizabeth Hospital after a fall and breaking her hip. She has been operated on successfully but please keep her in your prayers as she regains her strength and mobility. Douglas Massey, Jean’s son, passed away on Thursday August 6th. We pray for Joyce, his wife, and Jean and David Walker, and Jean Massey.Mavis has been out and about in Moseley Village. She has had a carpel tunnel operation but is still awaiting her hip operation which she hopes will be in August.

Church BirthdaysHappy Birthday to: Mary Martin September 26th

We have had a beautiful baptism of (Theo) Theophilus Kofi Adu Lowson — son to Elizabeth nee Adu, Joe’s daughter, who lives in Sweden with her husband, Michael.We wish them every joy.

The Montessori Nursery celebrated their eighth graduation on Thursday July 30th in the presence of the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Cllr Raymond Hassall. There were eighteen 4 year olds who graduated. It was a very happy occasion.

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The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) have just completed their Summer session of exams — 20½ days in total at St Columba, the largest centre to hold these exams. I have taken over from Linda Martin as Honorary Local Representative (HLR). And I would like to thank all the stewards for their invaluable help.Angela Blackwood, Darryl Edgar, Ivor Elvins, Andrea Fray, Mabel Fray, Peter Gregory, Ros Tulloch.

Fiona

Montessori Nursery Graduation

Spirited AwayI’m sure my house is haunted,It’s really such a pain,And yet what other reasonCould sensibly explainWhy, when I put my pen down,Or glasses or a book,When I come back, they’ve vanishedHowever hard I look.

It’s positively spooky,This ghostly kind of game,Yet all my friends assure meThey suffer just the same.So could it be such spectresAre every household’s boast?But, oh, I wish he’d vanish,My bad, light-fingered ghost!

Maggie Ingall

June 14th 2015On Sunday June 14th the service at St Columba was led by Revd Richard Alford. The theme was on Chaplaincy, as this was “Chaplaincy Fortnight”.

Richard explained the aims and his post as Waterways Chaplain, and how he reaches out to not only the barge owners but people using the towpath and those who have nothing and nowhere to live.

Richard’s companion was Christine McTeer. “Chrissy”, as she wished to be known, is the Chaplain for the National

Express Bus Company, based at Acocks Green and Yardley Wood garages. She explained her rôle with the drivers and all the staff of the garages. It was a moving statement by both of the guests and it was a pity it was such a small congregation to hear them.

God’s work is never finished, of which we saw on Sunday another facet, and how Christians help reach out in a most unexpected way.

May their good work continue.Ivor Elvins

Does Evil Exist?

ONE Day a professor of a university decided to defy his students. He

asked them, “Did God create everything that exists?”. A student bravely answered, “Yes, he did”. “Everything?” asked the professor. “Yes, everything” the student replied. “In that case, God created evil. Correct? Because evil exists.” To that the student had no answer, and remained silent.

The professor was delighted at the opportunity to prove once more that faith was only a myth.

Another student then raised his hand and asked, “May I ask you a question, Professor?”. “Of course” was the answer. “Does cold exist?” “Of course it does. Did you never feel cold?” The student said, “Actually, sir, cold does not exist.

According to studies in physic, cold is the total and complete absence of heat. An object can only be studied if it has and transmits energy, and it is the heat of an object that transmits energy. Without heat the objects are inert, incapable of reaction. But cold does not exist. We created the term ‘cold’ to explain the lack of heat.”

The student went on, “And in answer to your question, sir, God did not create evil. Evil is the absence of love, humanity and faith. Love and faith are like heat and light. They exist — their absence leads to evil.”

Now it was the professor’s turn to be silent.

The name of that student was Albert Einstein.

From Bournville Church Newsletter

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Saint Columba Rolling Duty List

Date Preacher Elder Steward Reader Tea and Coffee Organist Service

August 2nd Peter Mackie Mary Martin Peter Gregory Peter Gregory No Tea

August 9th Fiona Elvins Elisabeth Chapman Mabel Fray Elisabeth Chapman No Tea Andrew Bland

August 16th Fiona Elvins Ivor Elvins Alex Mackie Jean Mackie No Tea Andrew Bland

August 23rd Ann Evans Gillian Briggs Mary Martin Gillian Briggs No Tea Peter Howard

August 30th Kelly Wellman Nana Marfor-Hoare Joan McLellan Nana Marfor-Hoare No Tea Peter Howard

September 6th Wilma Frew Alex Mackie Jean Mackie Jean Mackie Joan McLellan Peter Howard

September 13th Fiona Elvins Joan McLellan Alex Mackie Joan McLellan Jean Mackie Andrew BlandElisabeth’s Farm September 19th Harvest Picnic

September 20th Fiona Elvins Peter Gregory Mary Martin Mary Martin Ros Tulloch Andrew Bland Harvest Service

September 27th Ian Carnell Mary Martin Peter Gregory Peter Gregory Mabel Fray Peter Howard

October 4th Fiona Elvins Ivor Elvins Andrew and Ashley Ivor Elvins Mabel Fray Andrew Bland Communion

October 11th Joe Blackburn Elisabeth Chapman Mabel Fray Elisabeth Chapman Elisabeth Chapman Peter Howard

Duty Rota: If you cannot manage your Sunday, please arrange a substitute from the above people. Please inform Elisabeth of any mutual exchanges that take place. Thank you.Please Note: Articles for the October / November Chantry News by September 20th, please.

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Drifter Twas sitting out back when the sighting occurred All was peaceful then all was stirred The pagers bleeped and the phone lines burned Captain arrived and the ship was turned.

We passed close by and looked upon you And over two thousand passengers casted their view But at 49 North and 22 West You have tears of rust and not looking your best.

But beneath your tears I noted your strength A fine steel hull of seaworthy length I wish you well wherever you roam I was keen to give you a nice new home

No name to be seen or souls onboard But sounded our horn to be self assured Were you a home or someone’s joy? Maybe a work horse and not just a toy?

Casted away from shores unknown I wonder from where you may have blown You look awfully lonely in the mid-Atlantic It’s blowing a 7 and seas are frantic

But you’re faring well without any crew So may you gracefully awash on a land that’s new Where hands attend you with paint and a shifter I hereby name you Sailing Yacht Drifter.

So with headway on and without further ado We wish you safe drifting from Queen Mary 2.

Mark Solomon, First Officer, RMS Queen Mary 2

Retirement Service For Revd Roy LowesSaturday July 11th 2015 at Sutton Coldfield URC

I felt very privileged to be able to attend the Farewell and Retirement service for

the Revd Roy Lowes, the West Midlands Moderator of the Synod, held at Sutton Coldfield URC on Saturday July 11th.

The service was led by both Roy Lowes and the Revd John Marsh, and the Preacher was the Revd John Proctor. We were welcomed by members of the Sutton Coldfield URC and handed a card with the words, ‘What Matters?’. We started with the hymn ‘Eternal God, your love’s tremendous glory’. Following that we sang ‘Ubi Caritas’, with prayers following.

There was an introduction to conversations reflecting Roy’s early years and training as a teacher, including music from the Beatles’ ‘I love you more’. Roy’s years in Theological College and his first churches with music ‘The Lord Bless You and Keep You’.

Another interesting period was Roy’s years in Kingston-on-Thames — this had been an exciting church with a strong culture of being a city centre church. Music: ‘Jesus Christ the Apple Tree’, sung by Nicola Wookey and Tony Wenman. Very moving.

Following was Roy’s years in the South Western Synod and Church House, London. A reading — poetry and music. ‘The Kingdom’ by R.S. Thomas, ‘Wild Geese’ by Mary Oliver with ‘If I Could’

by Pat Metheny. Finally, many people spoke about Roy’s years in the West Midlands Synod.

There was a concluding Reflection with music: ‘Be still and know that I am God’ — from the Iona Community. Readings included: Ruth 1: 6 - 8 and 14 - 19, Philippians 4: 4 - 9 and Matthew 16: 24 - 26. These were read by members of Roy’s family, etc. A very good sermon was given by Revd John Proctor about his friendship with Roy whilst he was Moderator in the West Midlands.

Hymns followed, ‘Brother, Sister’, ‘Sing High, Sing Low’, sung to Auld Lang Syne, with prayers and a Blessing for Roy and Avril. A lovely presentation had been made to Roy as thanks for all his work over the years as Moderator.

This was a wonderful, very uplifting service with around 100 people attending. I met up with Peter and Irene Bound, Joe Blackburn, Gordon Moyes (who wished to be remembered to everyone at St Columba’s), Joan Tate, the widow of the late Geoffrey Tate.

There was a fantastic tea afterwards attended by almost everyone present. Also present was Barbara McDowell, who often comes over to preach at St Columba’s, and who is a member there.

I came away feeling great and reflecting on the service.

Gillian Briggs

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Trip To St Columba Church

AS part of our Citizenship Week we travelled to Birmingham to

see a number of their different faith communities, and on one of them we were welcomed by Fiona Elvins, who is the Lay Minister at St Columba Church, and her husband Ivor who is an elder and also looks after the church buildings.

When we arrived we all sat in the church pews, which were similar to the ones we have in Chapel. Fiona then told us about the history of St Columba Church, explaining that it had originally been a Presbyterian Church with a number of Scottish families who had moved into the area. However, later it joined with other churches to become

part of the United Reformed Church. Fiona told us about the various things in the church, and all about the services. What was very interesting was to hear that many different churches met in the building: along with St Columba, there was a Korean and a Romanian Church that used the buildings, so that lots of activities went on through the week. There was a real desire to be of use to the community and for instance they had a pre-school meeting in their halls.

It was also interesting when we were allowed to look round the church on our own, and we were allowed to play the organ and the piano.

A school from Cheltenham

Solihull United Reformed Church

HOBS Moat, Olton and Christ Church United Reformed Churches

have united and will be known as Solihull URC. The minister is Revd Mark Fisher.

At the present time all three buildings are still functioning. Sunday morning worship is in the Christ Church building at 10.00 a.m. and various worship services and prayer meetings take place in all three buildings.

At Hobs Moat the neighbourhood coffee mornings still take place and the Singing for Pleasure

group meets each week. The building is still used by community groups who hire premises and each Sunday the

Presbyterian Church hold their church services in the church.

At Olton the building is still fully used each day by the various groups who hire the premises — it is very much the community centre for Olton. The church is still involved with the Olton Churches Together group.

Christ Church is the main centre for worship and functions as it did before.

The Revd Irene Bound

To Synods and Local Congregations of the United Reformed Church

Dear Friends,We write to let you know about last Saturday’s one-day meeting of the General Assembly in Birmingham, which discussed the marriage of same-sex couples. This was a continuation of work begun at last year’s General Assembly in Cardiff, with the same membership, chiefly drawn from the thirteen synods of the Church. The discussion was thus able to take into account the thoughts and concerns that had been shared at Cardiff. Assembly also reflected on the results of the Church-wide consultation that ran from last September until March and to which the majority of our local churches contributed.

Assembly took some significant decisions, as follows:●Assembly decided not to express a single

opinion on the matter of same-sex marriage.

Members’ convictions and views vary widely. No single view could fairly represent the URC as a whole.

●For that reason, local Church Meetings in England and Wales should be responsible for deciding whether to apply to register their church buildings for same-sex marriage services. A local church might with integrity opt either to do this or not to do it. [In ecumenical churches the decision must also depend on the other participating denominations. But, so far as the URC is concerned, the view of the local church will be the key.]

The United Reformed ChurchGeneral Secretary: The Revd John Proctor

June 29th 2015

●In Scotland, where the law focuses on the nomination of celebrants, the Synod of Scotland would act for our Church in this matter, under the oversight of the Registrar General for Scotland.

●Finally, Assembly decided, since the marriage of same-sex couples would significantly alter URC practice, to seek ratification of the above set of policies by the formal process that we use for constitutional changes. This will involve asking our thirteen synods to consider the matter, unless at least five of them ask that it ‘be not proceeded with’, bringing it back for final decision at next year’s Assembly. Only at that stage could all of the above policies come into operation.

You will surely understand that Assembly’s work was not straightforward. As well as the underlying theological issues, this matter is both legally complex and pastorally sensitive, and many of our people have been deeply affected by the Church’s discussion — for a wide variety of reasons. So Saturday’s decisions have left some hopeful of a new pastoral openness in the Church, yet frustrated by the prospect of a year’s delay before it could become reality. Others, by contrast, think it wrong that the Church might change its practice in this way, and regret that the Assembly has not adhered more fully to the traditional view of marriage. We have, in a discussion conducted on all sides with

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Set and printed byS Alban’s Church Litho UnitBirmingham B12 0XB

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good conscience and good intent, caused one another some degree of hurt.

Yet Elizabeth Caswell, who presented much of the business on behalf of the Human Sexuality Task Group, reminded us of the words of Romans 14: ‘Welcome one another’. We are not the first group of Christians to wrestle with a divisive issue. Others before us have struggled to cope when they find that sisters and brothers in Christ, people whom they know and love well, disagree with them. The words of Romans speak out of such a situation, inviting us to value the unity of our Church, so that difference of opinion may not weaken important bonds of contact and care.

In the tasks and duties to which you have appointed the three of us, we shall try to be open and faithful to all in the URC. That does not mean that the Assembly Moderators and General Secretary can interact closely with every local church. This support rôle belongs with Synods, and particularly with their Moderators. But as the Church carries forward the decisions Assembly has made, we shall try to handle

any discussion that continues with honesty, care and pastoral respect, and to lead in ways that help the people of the Church to value, trust and love one another.

You in turn, as you serve in your local churches and communities, have an important contribution to make, for the good of the Church and the work of the Gospel. Part of our distinctive witness as a denomination is that we build bridges when opinions differ. We do this in our own local churches; we do it in our ecumenical work; and we do it across the breadth of the URC as a whole. So we thank and value you, for what you give to this whole. We wish you strength, hope and wisdom, as you carry forward the work of Christ’s good news in your locality.

If you wish to reply to this letter, please address your response to the General Secretary and all three of us will then read it.

Yours sincerely,John Ellis and David Grosch-Miller

Moderators of General AssemblyJohn Proctor

General Secretary

The Dance Of The RooksWith courtly bows and stately turnsHigh up on the old church tower,The rooks perform their evening danceJust at the sunset hour.

The turrets form the perfect placeAs gracefully they glide —Advance, retreat, then to and froThey swoop from side to side.

What secret music do they hearThat helps them harmonise?Do ghosts of organ players pastStill play when daylight dies?

But when the sun has turned to redAnd sunk low in the sky,The dancers leave for waiting nestsHigh in the elms nearby.

Eileen Hay