THE BEACON

November 2006

The Parish Magazine of

All Saints’ Sedgley & St Andrew’s The Straits

50p

November 2013

2

ALL SAINTS’, SEDGLEY Sunday Services

8.00 a.m. Holy Communion 10.30 a.m. Parish Communion (First Sunday: All-Age Worship) 6.30 p.m. Evensong (BCP)

Weekday Services

Monday 10.00 a.m. Holy Communion Wednesday 7.30 p.m. Holy Communion (1st Wednesday: Healing Service)

ST ANDREW’S, THE STRAITS Sunday Service 9.30 a.m. Holy Communion (1st Sunday: Morning Prayer)

Weekday Service

Wednesday 7.00 p.m. Holy Communion

THE STRAITS CHURCH

Sunday Services 9.30 a.m. Prayer & Communion

11.00 a.m. Family Service 6.00 p.m. Evening Prayer

(When there is a fifth Sunday in the month the three churches in the Team Ministry meet for a united service at either 9.30 a.m. or 10.30 a.m. depending on the venue.)

Baptisms & Weddings Arrangements for baptisms and weddings at All Saints’ and St Andrew’s can be made at the Vestry Hour at All Saints’, which is held on Wednesdays at 8.00 p.m. in All Saints’.

Baptisms are generally held on the fourth Sunday of the month at 4.00 p.m. at All Saints’, and on the second Sunday of the month at 3.00 p.m. at St Andrew’s. Baptisms can also take place during the Sunday morning service at All Saints’

or St Andrew’s by arrangement.

3

WHO’S WHO AT ALL SAINTS’ & ST ANDREW’S

GORNAL & SEDGLEY TEAM MINISTRY

Team Rector The Revd Stephen Buckley 01902 883255 (Day off Friday) Team Vicar The Revd Andy Stand 883467 (Day off Monday)

Asst Curate The Revd Rob Parker-McGee (Day off Friday) 01384 860525 Licensed Lay Minister Jan Humphries 01902 661275 Authorised Lay Minister

Suzanne Bradley 880055 PCC Secretary Chris Williams 672880 ALL SAINTS’

Parish Wardens Rob Lavender 01902 661325

Derrick Turner 895066 DCC Secretary Pam Hunt 670787 Treasurer Derrick Turner 895066 Electoral Roll Liz Williams 672880

Organist Mel Jones 0121 550 1604 Bell Ringers Keith Williams 01902 672585 Servers Len Millard 676339 Junior Church Barbara Price 676591

Youth Group Laura Price 678572 Noah’s Ark Parent & Toddler Group Linda Edwards 672556 Hall Bookings Linda Watkins 678830

Hall Caretaker Joan Moon 682902 Social Club John Dillworth 670156 Magazine Editor Christine Buckley 883255

Distribution Rob Lavender 661325 Advertising “ “

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Mothers’ Union Liz Williams 01902 672880 Ladies’ Society Geraldine Baker 674608 Men’s Society Roger Berry 881374

Uniformed Organisations Rainbows Liz Naylor 01902 885517 Brownies Heather Churm 07530 977090

ST ANDREW’S Church Warden Jan Humphries 01902 661275

DCC Secretary Rosemary Reed Treasurer Gordon Betteley 882777

Little Angels Mums & Toddlers Sarah Parker-McGee 01384 860525

THE STRAITS COMMUNITY CHURCH Pastor Tony Guy 01902 473270

PARISH WEBSITE: www.gornalandsedgley.org.uk

CHURCH REGISTERS BAPTISMS All Saints’ 13 Oct Tara Oseland Derric Cole

Donna Marie Boden 27 Oct Archie Joseph Oseland Kelsey Louise Archer Ryan Andrew Clayton

Charlie Thomas Preece

PARISH FUNERALS Thu 3 Oct Bernard Fones, aged 80 Thu 10 Oct John Alan Davies, aged 80 Fri 11 Oct Michael Jenkins, aged 67

Tues 15 Oct Austin Moseley, aged 83 Wed 16 Oct Norman Jones, aged 86 “ Ivy Rees, aged 91 23 Oct Eileen Nicholls, aged 68

5

MAGAZINE MATERIAL

Articles for the December/January magazine should be sent to the Vicarage by

Sunday 24th November. These may be sent by e-mail to srb55@talktalk.net

THE BEACON

If you are interested in having the magazine delivered to your home on a

regular basis please contact Rob Lavender: tel. 01902 661325. The Beacon is

published ten times a year and the cost for the year is £5.

FLOWERS IN NOVEMBER

3 Nov Ladies’ Society –Jenny Lavender

10 Nov British Legion, Bob Hill, Liz Williams

Keith & Brenda Tomlinson

17 Nov In memory of Mr & Mrs Saddler

24 Nov Vacant

CHURCH OPENING

Friday mornings from

10.30am to 12.30pm

The church is open for quiet prayer

& coffee and a chat.

We will be pleased to see you.

6

LETTER FROM BISHOP JOHN

Your Kingdom Come

Over the last couple of months we have been launching our Kingdom People

Vision. I hope you may have seen the booklets and flyers that have been produced

and that these will stimulate discussion within your parish. The Kingdom People

Vision is the result of wide consultation throughout the Diocese. It emerged from

the deliberations of the 2020 Vision Group which sought to discern God's will for

the future of the Diocese in 2020 and beyond. The exact form of the Vision was

considered carefully at both Bishop's Council and Diocesan Synod before being

enthusiastically adopted.

The Kingdom must surely be central to any Christian witness and ministry. We

pray for its coming every time we pray the Lord's Prayer. Jesus was passionate

about the Kingdom and so should we be. As the Church of England, we are

called to be an effective sign of God's Kingdom - people who embody Kingdom

values of love, compassion, justice and freedom.

There are eight marks of our Kingdom People Vision:

1. Deeply rooted in prayer and the study of scripture

2. Renewed and transformed by regular worship

3. Equipped to witness to the gospel of love, compassion, justice and freedom

4. Dedicated to helping children, young people and young adults to belong

and be nurtured in faith

5. Devoted to growing deeply in discipleship, offering our time and talents

and money to God

6. Resourced and released to minister to others

7. Ready to engage with and serve our community

8. Committed to making our buildings fit for purpose as a spiritual and

community resource.

I believe that if we are able to embrace and focus on these marks, we shall

become a healthier Church, one that is truly responsive to God's will and able

to make a real impact in the lives of our communities. There is already some

wonderful work going on in our churches and I hope that consideration of this

Kingdom Vision will enable this work to be better recognised and valued. I

hope too, that it will enable discernment of what new things God is calling us

to do and, indeed, what we should stop doing. I do hope that all parishes will

want to engage with this Vision wholeheartedly and find it to be a real gift in

developing the witness and ministry of the Church of God where you are.

7

LADIES’ SOCIETY

On 7 October we had a visit from ‘Next One Fashion’ with Tom Spark, assisted

by Sandra. Mr Spark’s Sat Nav let him down, so there was a rather late start,

but it was worth waiting for!

He gave a short talk about his goods after we had watched him and his assistant

Sandra, aided by Pauline, pushing racks of cloths into the Church Hall.

The racks were arranged to provide a very discreet ‘changing room’ in a corner

of the hall where Sandra was able to change clothes easily. She modelled a

selection of garments and made every one look absolutely superb. There was a

huge selection cardigans, dresses, jeans, trousers, skirts and jumpers. They

were offered at extremely low prices, which helped with the sale.

I think that Tom went home a happy man and left behind plenty of satisfied

customers!

Thank you Tom and also many thanks to your lovely assistant.

Our next meeting will be on November 4th when we will have a talk given by

Martin Jones on local history. I hope to see you all there. We also have a visit

see Grease at the Mill Theatre on November 20th. I am sure it will be

enjoyable and I will also see some of you there.

Next year, we celebrate our 30th Anniversary and the committee would love to

borrow any photographs or other memorabilia which might help us to

celebrate.

Molly Taft

CAMINO SPONSORSHIP

I am pleased to say that the current amount raised for the charity ‘Embrace the

Middle East’ is £2700, with some money still to come in. This has been

donated by the Team churches, St Mary’s Hurst Hill, St Margaret’s Hasbury,

and St John’s Golcar in the Wakefield Diocese, and through the on-line giving

site. Thank you all for your generosity, and thanks also to Chris Williams for

coordinating the collection.

Stephen Buckley

8

MOTHERS’ UNION

We welcomed Joyce Bush to our October afternoon meeting when her talk was

entitled ‘Time goes by, life goes on’. She compared life to a train journey. We

travel along life’s road, sometimes taking the wrong turning and having to turn

back. Having delved into her family history she discovered that instead of

being of Swedish origin she was in fact of Norwegian descent. We heard of her

ancestor’s cordial business, life as an enquiring child during the Second World

War, and her first encounter with criminal justice. There was a ‘witch’ who

lived on the edge of the woods near to where she lived. Joyce and her friends

would walk past the house but never saw her. One day Joyce, being curious,

went into the garden to admire the beautiful flowers and decided to pick some.

The ‘witch’ came out and caught Joyce, flowers in hand. Joyce explained she

had picked the flowers to take to her teacher. Instead of being cross the ‘witch’

who was just an ordinary, probably lonely, old lady said to her, ‘You may have

flowers every week for your teacher as long as you knock the door and say

hello.’ Joyce went on to tell us of her life in criminal justice and her work with

the Mothers’ Union prison project. A rich life with many challenges and much

humour along the way, Joyce gave us a most interesting and entertaining

afternoon.

Mary Zielonka shared her ‘Letters from Canada’ with us at our evening

meeting. Thirty years ago Mary decided to do a ‘Teachers’ Exchange’.

She wanted to go to New Zealand where she had relatives but there were only a

few places available so she was offered Australia or Canada. Deciding

Australia was too far and too hot, Canada was Mary’s destination. Kitimat, a

coastal city in northwestern British Columbia built by the Aluminum Company,

Alcan, during the 1950s, was where the school was that Mary spent her

exchange year. We heard about the friends she made, joining the church choir,

appearing in the local paper for winning a squash tournament and many more

interesting and often amusing events, through the letters she wrote home to her

parents. The letters are a wonderful record of Mary’s time in Canada – how sad

that nowadays many of us communicate by emails which are deleted once read.

We did not hear all the letters and are looking forward to Part 2 next year.

On Sunday 24th November Margaret Skelding will be enrolled into the

Mothers’ Union. This will take place at St Andrew’s, The Straits, during the

9.30am service. It is hoped that as many members as possible will come and

support Margaret.

Congratulations to Joyce Withers who celebrated her 80th Birthday in

October.

9

Dates

5th Nov 2.30pm The Women’s Refuge: Karen Turnock

15th Nov 7.30pm Handbell Carols: Mary Zielonka

18th Nov 10.00am Corporate Communion

24th Nov 9.30am Enrolment Service, St Andrew’s, The Straits

Liz Williams

CHARITY OF THE MONTH

The charity of the month for November is the Royal Centre for Defence

Medicine (RCDM) Patient Welfare Fund. The centre’s Clinical Unit is the

primary receiving unit for all military patients from overseas. In addition to

operational casualties, they receive routine military referrals from across the

UK. To deliver this care they work in partnership with the University Hospitals

Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, mainly with the Queen Elizabeth

Hospital, Birmingham, but also a number of other NHS hospitals in the

Birmingham area. Set up five years ago, the fund is used entirely to enhance

the patients’ stay, provide some luxuries and improve the quality of life during

admission at the QEHB, which can be anything from a week to over a year. For

more information about the charity see the Charity of the Month notice board

at the back of church.

CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL

We will be holding a Christmas Tree Festival in church from Friday 6th to

Sunday 8th December and Friday 13th to Sunday 15th December. The theme

this year is ‘Musicals’. Admission will be free, light refreshments will be

available and any donations during the weekends will be for the Embrace the

Middle East charity.

We look forward to seeing you and your family and friends.

10

KOREAN WAR PHOTOGRAPH PLEA The United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Busan, South Korea, has the graves of

over 800 British servicemen. The authorities there wish to obtain photographs of

the servicemen interred there, and also of those who were killed but have no known

grave. The photographs will be attached to the men’s records and will also be

displayed on the walls of the Cemetery Hall of Remembrance for all time.

Any family who has lost a loved one in the Korean War can send the photograph

to James Grundy, 102 College Croft, Eccles, Manchester, M30 0AN, telephone

0161-789 7633, e-mail james.grundy102@yahoo.com.

There are two servicemen from the Korean War, Roy Leyland and Gordon

Wall, listed on the Second World War memorial in All Saints’ church. Would

any relatives of these two men please contact James Grundy, if they would like

their loved one commemorated in Korea.

Chris Williams

APPOINTMENT OF PRIEST IN CHARGE

The following is the text of an official announcement read in each of the Team

churches last Sunday:

Following interview and with the unanimous approval of the parish representatives,

the Reverend Rob Parker-McGee has accepted Bishop Donald’s invitation to become

Priest in Charge of the Benefice of Geddington w Weekley, in the Diocese of

Peterborough. Subject to the normal Church of England legal and administrative

procedures, Rob will serve his last Sunday in Gornal and Sedgley on 15th December

2013 and will be licensed in St Mary Magdalene Geddington on Sunday 12 January

2014 at 3 pm.

All parishioners and civic persons of Gornal and Sedgley are warmly invited to

attend both Rob’s leaving service to be held at All Saints’ on Sunday 15th

December at 10.30 am, and Rob’s licensing at Geddington, Northamptonshire,

on the 12th January 2014.

Please remember Rob, Sarah, Jasmine and Thomas in your prayers as they prepare

for their move to the Diocese of Peterborough.

11

INTERCESSIONS FOR NOVEMBER

1st All Saints

2nd All Souls

3rd Bishop John

4th World peace

5th Beacon Centre for the blind and partially sighted

6th William Temple, Archbishop

7th Cruse

8th Prison Chaplains

9th Family life

10th Remembrance Sunday

11th Royal British Legion

12th The World-wide Anglican Church

13th Charles Simeon, Priest

14th The food bank

15th Refugees

16th Margaret of Scotland, Philanthropist

17th Gornal & Sedgley team

18th The Revd Rob Parker-McGee & family

19th Hilda, Abbess

20th Edmund, King and Martyr

21st The homeless

22nd Cecilia, Martyr

23rd Clement, Bishop

24th Christ the King

25th Catherine, Martyr

26th Isaac Watts, hymn writer

27th Relate

28th The United Nations

29th The healing ministry

30th Andrew the Apostle

12

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13

Kevin Weston Decorating

Special rates for Senior Citizens

Local Authority approved

Advanced City & Guilds

23 years’ experience

Free quotations

Member of the Guild of Master Craftsmen

12 Himley Lane, Swindon DY3 4PW

01384 401859 07981 596109

R T KNIGHT OPTICIANS

Independent, Professional Eye care

Contact Lens Centre Glaucoma Screening

8 Dudley Street Sedgley Dudley

West Midlands DY3 1SB

Tel. 01902 883260

HADEN NEWSAGENTS

35 Dudley Street Sedgley

Tel. 01902 674200

Newspapers, Confection-ary,

Magazines, Tobacco,

Stationery, Greeting Cards,

Payzone/Mobile Top Up

Gas/Electricity payments

TO ADVERTISE IN THIS MAGAZINE CONTACT ALL SAINTS’ VICARAGE

Tel 01902 883255 E mail: srb55@talktalk.net

Rates for 12 months

Quarter page £25 Half page £40 Full page £70

The magazine is distributed to 350 households in the

Sedgley area

14

Sarah Powell Foot Health Practitioner RGN Dip, CFHP, MPSP (FHP)

Friendly Home visiting services in this area

Foot health check

Nails trimmed

Corns and calluses treated

Problem nails treated

Foot massage to finish

After-care advice given

Discount given for initial treatment

For more information or to make an Appointment please ’phone 01902 671824

15

FOR A GREAT DEAL CONSULT

INSURANCE SERVICES (MIDLANDS) LTD

BILSTON ST, SEDGLEY

For low cost motor insurance Household insurance Personal accident &

travel insurance

Payment by instalments available Written details on request For a free quotation call:

01902 880044

K G J

07837 767344

01902 881361

Ianhipkissdrivingschool@hotmail.co.uk

Block Booking Discounts Pass plus Tuition

Free Theory Test Guidance First Lesson: 2 hours for price of 1

ANGELINA’S CLEANERS

Regular or Occasional Cleaners

Reliable, local family run domestic cleaning service for

Coseley, Gornal, Sedgley & Tipton

CRB Checked Fully Insured

References Available

Tel. Maria on

01902 409384

Or

07969 079531

16

JENNY’S

KITCHEN

Speciality Caterers

Evening & lunchtime

catering to suit

all occasions

Full waitress service

(Ask for details)

Tel: 01384 400733

www.jennyskitchen.co.uk

Dental

Surgery

Stephen L Rees B.D.S. U. Birm MFGDP (UK)

Tel:

01902 670080

The Surgery

Sedgley Hall Avenue

Sedgley

Dudley

DY3 3TA

Taylors

Independent Estate

Agents & Valuers

For a friendly &

personal service

2A Dudley Street

Sedgley

Dudley

West Midlands DY3 1SB

Tel. 01902 880888

Fax 01902 665075

www. Taylors– estateagents.co.uk

Sandyfields Home improvements

Andy Barnfield

Painting & Decorating

Flooring & Fencing

Jet Washing & Gardening

45 Sandyfields Road Sedgley Dudley

West Midlands DY3 3LB

Tel: 01902 884807 Mob: 07852 435060

17

Painting & Decorating Services

Papering - Painting

Property Maintenance

Houses - Shops - Offices

Residential & Commercial

Member of Dudley Age Concern Fix a Home Scheme

Worth Sides

Turf Specialist Quality Lawn Maintenance

Mowing & Edging Turf Installation

Hedge Trimming Light Hauling

Wood Chip Mulching

Pressure Washing

Mobile 07816 250387 Home 01902 881206

Phil Orton

For an estimate:

Tel: 01902 894830 Mob: 07974 281894

P & C ELECTRICAL &

PLUMBING SERVICES

FULLY QUALIFIED DOMESTIC INSTALLER

From changing a Light Fitting to a Consumer Board

From a Dripping Tap to a complete Bathroom Suite

No job too small No job too big

Call Phil: 01902 673 419 Mob. 07836 770135

Alderbrook Close, Sedgley

HARTILLS OF SEDGLEY MONUMENTAL MASONS

(BRAMM REGISTERED)

MEMORIALS OF DISTINCTION

New Memorials Additional Inscriptions

Renovations

Unit 1D High Street, Sedgley

DY3 1RP

Tel/Fax 01902 882466

18

G L S ALARMS SECURITY SYSTEMS SPECIALISTS

Intruder Alarms, Maintenance Contracts

Repairs & Upgrades, Annual Service

Existing systems maintained & repaired

Est. 15 years - Insurance Approved

sahib registered installer

68 Longmeadow Drive, Sedgley DY3 3QR

Tel: 01902 883188

The Shaggy Dog Pet Grooming Centre for Dogs and Cats

For busy people we take bookings for Bank Holidays and Sundays

17 Bilston St, Sedgley DY3 1JA

Tel: 01902 661377

Evenings: 01902 677869

(As recommended by Maisie, the Vicarage Dog)

19

L A J LOCKSMITH

For all your household needs Replacement locks/keys

Lockouts, Servicing Repairs & security upgrades

Motorcycle security, chains & padlocks Friendly service

(Don’t forget to add the tel. no. to your mobile, you never know when you might need to use it!!)

Tel: 07905882148 E-mail: lajlocksmith@live.co.uk

20

RUSSELLS REMOVALS

House & Office Removals Fully Insured

Clearances & Storage Free Estimates

13 Robert Street Lower Gornal

Dudley DY3 2AZ

Tel. 01902 680081

SWEET TRADITIONS DUDLEY STREET

SEDGLEY

Old Fashioned & Traditional Sweets

Pick and Mix Gifts and More

Children’s Party Bags

Tel: Sedgley 07906 653937 sweettraditiions@virginmedia.com

Has Gareth Malone inspired you to sing?

Then come and join us!

We are

Coseley Male Voice Choir

And we want more men to join us. Tenors particularly welcome.

We practise on Monday evenings approximately 1 mile from Sedgley. If you are interested

please urgently call Gordon on 01902 658402.

We are also taking Concert Bookings for 2013 and if you would like the Choir to perform for you please speak to Sheila on 0121 520 0739.

21

SEDGLEY POWERWASH SERVICES

PROFESSIONAL DRIVEWAY &

PATIO CLEANING SERVICE AT AFFORDABLE PRICES

SKYVAC A CAMERA GUIDED GUTTER CLEANING VACUUM

Prices start from £20

Call for a free no obligation quote Contact Pete on 07791 241952

www.sedgleypowerwash.co.uk email: pete–mason@live.co.uk

PENNY FARTHING COFFEE HOUSE Penny Farthing Arcade, High Street,

Sedgley, DY3 1RW

Telephone 07515 898038

Come in and try our scrumptious cakes,

our selections of delicious hot and cold drinks.

Fancy some food? Warming soups, hot meal of the day, create your

own fresh sandwich, panini, plus jacket potatoes and fillings.

You’re guaranteed a warm and friendly welcome every visit.

We look forward to seeing you.

Outside catering also available

22

CHURCH COMMISSIONERS TO FORM PARTNERSHIP WITH ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND

The Church Commissioners for England have confirmed that as part of a

consortium of investors they will be partnering with Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS)

to create a leading challenger bank from 314 RBS branches across the UK.

The confirmation follows the decision of the board of RBS to favour the bid of

a consortium which includes the Corsair Capital investment fund, Centerbridge

Partners and the Commissioners to create a new bank with a focus on ethical

standards and servicing the needs of retail and small and medium sized

enterprise (SME) customers.

The new bank, to be called Williams and Glyn’s (W&G), will be a vigorous

challenger in UK business and retail banking sector with a projected 5% market

share of the SME and mid-corporate banking markets, and a 2% share of UK

personal current accounts.

Andreas Whittam Smith, First Estates Commissioner, said that the Church

Commissioners ‘are excited’ to have the opportunity to be involved in creating

a UK challenger bank. It would be ‘operating to the highest ethical standards

and giving consumers more choice. We are delighted that the Royal Bank of

Scotland recognised the strengths of our bid and the consortium’s vision, and

have chosen the consortium as their preferred bidder.’

Andrew Brown, Secretary to the Church Commissioners, said that it would be a

‘great opportunity for the Commissioners to invest in an exciting opportunity for

the benefit of the serving and retired clergy, bishops, cathedrals and the wide work

of the Church of England throughout the country especially in areas of need and

opportunity.’ The Church Commissioners for England are responsible for managing

a well diversified investment portfolio with the aim of producing returns to support

the Church of England’s work across the country.

THE WAY I SEE IT: GUNPOWDER TREASON

‘A planned bomb attack by religious extremists on a strategic site in central

London has been foiled by the security services, acting on secret intelligence.

Eight men have been arrested and charged.’

That could be a story from yesterday’s newspaper, but in fact (as astute readers

may have guessed) it’s an account of an event over 400 years ago which will be

marked with thousands of bonfires up and down the land this month.

23

On 5th November 1605 a man called Guy Fawkes was discovered with something

like 36 barrels of gunpowder in a crypt underneath the House of Lords on the day

of the State Opening of Parliament He was apprehended, and under torture

revealed the names of his co-conspirators, all Roman Catholics intent on

assassinating the king, James I, and restoring a Catholic monarchy to England. It’s

that event which, through the murky mists of time, we commemorate with

fireworks, bonfires and – yes –‘guys’ on 5th November every year.

As a child I remember singing, ‘Please to remember the fifth of November/

Gunpowder, treason and plot. / I see no reason why gunpowder treason / should

ever be forgot’. Does anyone still sing it, I wonder? Perhaps the time has come

to forget Fawkes and the plot, and simply have the fireworks.

Until about fifty years ago there was still an anti-catholic element in some of

the bonfire night celebrations. Thankfully, just as such religious conflicts are

very much part of our distant past, so in recent times have we seen that the

endless recitation of ancient feuds helps no one – and may even distort history.

After all, even in 1605 Fawkes and his companions didn’t have the support of

most of their fellow-Catholics, and it‘s very possible that the intelligence that

uncovered the plot came from within their ranks.

We are all too aware, however, that terrorism, bombs and assassination attempts are

still very much part of contemporary life. There are people in today’s world who

misguidedly believe that they are doing God’s will by killing those who do not

share their religious practice or political beliefs. Fawkes and his friends, with the

kind of indifference to risk which modern terrorists also display, were fanatically

committed to their cause.

They, and their modern counterparts, are a reminder that while faith is a wonderfully

good thing; religious fanaticism is a dangerous delusion and violence of this kind is

never the best answer to injustice. The real game-changers in modern history have

risked their own lives rather than taking the lives of others: people like Mahatma

Ghandi, Martin Luther King, Janani Luwum, Nelson Mandela, Lech Walensa and

Oscar Romero. ‘Love your enemies,’ said Jesus. Then there’s a good chance you’ll

change them, and in changing them you may change history.

Canon David Winter

Canon Winter is a former head of Religious Broadcasting at the BBC.

24

All Saints’ Church Hall

The hall is available for hire by groups on a weekly basis, or for one-off

events. (No private parties)

For further information please contact:

Linda Watkins

CELEBRATE BONFIRE NIGHT TUESDAY NOV 5th

at

St Mary’s Hurst Hill

Fire Lighting at 6.30 pm

Fireworks at 7.30 pm

Hot & cold drinks available Small charge for food

25

CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL

‘Musicals’

All Saints’ Church, Sedgley

Friday 6th to Sunday 8th December &

Friday 13th to Sunday 15th December

Friday & Saturday 10am–4pm Sundays 2pm–4pm

Admission: Free

Light Refreshments available Donations to Embrace the Middle East

26

AROUND THE PARISH

Get well wishes to Derrick Turner who fell downstairs and has broken his

wrist. Also please remember Hazel in your prayers, she is still ill in hospital.

Junior Church presented a short play at the Harvest Festival service. We're

glad they were not real mice scurrying about as I’m sure of us ladies would

have had our feet on the pews. Well done children, and thank you.

Sad news

Doris Edwards died on12th September; she was 93 years of age, mother of

Neville and mother-in-law of Linda. She was an independent lady, once a

member of Age Concern Sedgley; quiet and reserved but friendly to all. Our

condolences to Neville, Linda, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Austin Moseley died on 2nd October. He was a regular attendee at church

services and always called into church on a Friday morning for coffee and a

chat. He was a quiet and reserved gentlemen who will be missed. Our

condolences to son Martin and other members of the family.

Alan Davies, who always attended the 8.00 Sunday communion service, has

died. His funeral was in church on Thursday 10th October. He had been

receiving home communion from Revd Rob Parker-McGee. We send

condolences to members of his family.

Mike Jenkins, who was a member of the church choir, died in mid September

after a short illness. He will be missed especially by the choir members. We

send condolences to his family.

May the families of Doris, Austin, Alan and Mike soon find peace in happy

memories. God be with them at this sad time.

News from Noah’s Ark. Jenny tells me they now have 45 children on the

register. The autumn term is now in full swing. 8th October was a busy day; the

photographer who was taking the photos must have had endless patience, each

child being special.

The following children were new to the group: Leo, Ethan, Imogen, Amber,

Harry. Seven children were celebrating their birthday and Joyce, our pianist/

tea/coffee lady, was also celebrating her 80th birthday. She played happy

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birthday eight times! Joyce was presented with a beautiful bouquet of flowers.

I also had a bouquet of flowers because after almost 17 years of working in the

kitchen I have decided to retire. I have enjoyed every minute of my time,

watching babies growing into toddlers then leaving us to go to nursery school.

Thank you for the flowers and a Marks & Spencer voucher. I shall continue to

write about Noah’s Ark in the parish magazine.

Dorothy Inett

NOAH’S ARK NEWS

In October we said goodbye to Dorothy who been with us for 18 years since

just after we opened in 1995, all the time in the kitchen doing the toast and

drinks, but she feels that it is time to hang up her tea towel and leave the group.

During her time with us she has seen hundreds of babies and toddlers come and

go. She will not be leaving us completely as she will be writing up our piece in

the magazine to keep you all up to date with what’s going on at Noah’s Ark.

Thank you Dorothy for all your help over the years, we shall miss you.

Love Linda, Jenny and the helpers

SPECIAL SERVICES IN NOVEMBER

Please note that the following services will be held in November at All Saints’.

Sun 3 Nov 10.30 am All Saints’ Patronal Festival (Team Service)

6.30 pm Commemoration of All Souls*

Sun 10 Nov 10.30 am Service of Remembrance

6.30 pm Annual Memorial Service

Sun 24 Nov 6.30 pm Diocesan Confirmation Service in the Cathedral

(No evening service at All Saints’)

*If you wish to have someone remembered at this service please print their

name in the All Souls folder in church. If you add names it is expected that you

will d your best to attend.

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St Andrew’s – The Straits Christmas Fayre

Saturday 17th November

11 am onwards

HOMEMADE CAKES

TOMBOLA, GROCERIES

CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS

HANDICRAFTS

BOTTLE STALL, MUGS

TOILETRIES

TOYS & BOOKS

PRIZE RAFFLE DRAW 2 PM

LUNCHES & REFRESHMENTS

ALL WELCOME

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BOOK REVIEWS

Rules for Reverends! By Jeremy Fletcher, BRF, £6.99

Many books about the church take themselves very seriously. Only

occasionally does an author come along who can skilfully use humour to poke

fun at the inconsistencies of the church way, while at the same time gently

question what is actually going on. The Vicar of Beverley Minster Jeremy

Fletcher’s new book, which has already featured in THE TIMES (Sat 24 Aug)

and on BBC Radio 4, is one such title.

The book is a collection of simply stated rules—‘rules’ used in a somewhat

tongue-in-cheek way, covering such things as worship , clergy households,

money, curates, social events, bishops, schools, what (not) to wear, weddings,

people, funerals, preaching, buildings and organisations. ‘Rules’ such as: ~

Annual Parochial Church Meetings would be enlivened if people could be

voted off rather than on. But you might be first. Or ~ It’s only when you’re in

the pulpit and coughing that you realise you’re not sure whether the jug and

glass have been there for five years without being changed. Or ~ The preferred

communication style of most churches is osmosis and telepathy.

Church Times cartoonist Dave Walker has provided twelve cartoons to

illustrate the rules and entertain in the unique Walker way.

The Most Unreliable Bible Dictionary, Ever! Words you never knew you needed

By Nigel Bayley, Monarch, £5.99

The Bible is full of words which don’t really work hard enough. Nigel Bayley

has provided outrageous but hilarious definitions, describing situations that

were just waiting to be brought into the light:

Junia (n.) The intelligent young volunteer who is inadvertently outwitting you

and thereby gently ruining your poorly thought out children’s talk.

Hittite (n.) One towards whom your immediate and overwhelming pastoral

instinct is to punch them really hard in the face.

Shamsherai (n.) The vocal mayhem caused by songwriters who think it would

be pleasing and authentic to have a line in Hebrew.

The finest antidote to boring sermons and the best possible reading for the smallest

room. This book will make a splendid gift for the less reverent members of the

congregation.

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DIARY DATES: NOVEMBER

Sunday and weekday services at All Saints’, St Andrew’s and The Straits

Community Church are advertised on page 2 of this magazine. Any alteration

to this pattern is shown below.

All Saints’

Sun 3rd Nov 6.30 pm Commemoration of All Souls

Mon 4th Nov 7.30 pm Ladies’ Society meets in the church hall

Tues 5th Nov 2.30 pm MU meets in the church hall

Sun 10th Nov 10.30 am Service of Remembrance

6.30 pm Annual Memorial Service

Tues 12th Nov 7.30 pm DCC meets in the church hall

Mon 18th Nov 7.45 pm Men’s Society meets in the social club

Tues 19th Nov 7.30 pm Baptism meeting in the social club

‘Noah’s Ark’ Mums & Toddlers meets in the hall on Tuesdays at 9.30 am in

term time.

St Andrew’s

Mon 11th Nov 7.45 pm DCC meets in the church hall

‘Little Angels’ Mums & Toddlers meets in the hall each Monday at 9.30 am in

term time.

St Andrew’s ‘Silver Threads’ (over 60s) meet each Wednesday from 10.30 am to

12.30 pm in the church hall.

Parish Meetings/Services

Sun 3rd Nov 10.30 am All Saints’ Patronal Festival

(Team Service)

Wed 6th Nov 7.30 pm ‘Exploring Faith’ Group meets at St Andrew’s

Wed 13th Nov 7.30 pm ‘Exploring Faith’ Group meets at St Andrew’s

Thu14th Nov 7.30 pm Deanery Synod meets at Christ Church, Coseley

Sat 16th Nov 11.00 am St Andrew’s Fair

Wed 20th Nov 7.30 pm ‘Exploring Faith’ Group meets at St Andrew’s

Sun 24th Nov 6.30 pm Confirmations in Worcester Cathedral

Sat 30th Nov 10.30 am St Peter’s Fair

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