november 2006...6 parish funerals cont. 17 april josephine anne cox, aged 85 16 april lynn abbots,...
TRANSCRIPT
THE BEACON
November 2006
The Parish Magazine of
All Saints’ Sedgley & St Andrew’s The Straits
50p
May 2013
2
“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow”
Albert Einstein For over 100 years you have been helping local people with sight loss
This year you helped Anne-Marie to ride a bike on her own for the first time, you helped Frank leave his house each week to meet his friends for a cup of tea and a chat and you helped William receive the care and support he needs every day.
Making a gift to us in your will can make a big difference for people like Anne-Marie, Frank, and William.
Make your last gift really count
Live for today but be their hope for tomorrow
Call Jo Ellis on 01902 880111 www.beacon4blind.co.uk/legacies
Charity Registration No 216092
3
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.
4
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
Reader 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 “
Noah’s Ark Parent
& Toddler Group Linda Edwards 672556
Hall Bookings The Vicarage 883255 Hall Caretaker Joan Moon 682902 Social Club John Dillworth 670156
Magazine Editor Christine Buckley 883255
Distribution Rob Lavender 661325 Advertising “ “ Cont. over page
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All Saints’ cont. Mothers’ Union Liz Williams 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 Margaret Probin 01902 883163
DCC Secretary Rosemary Reed Treasurer Gordon Betteley 882777 Sacristan May Smith
Little Angels Mums & Toddlers Sarah Parker-McGee 01384 860525
THE STRAITS COMMUNITY CHURCH Pastor Maurice Powell 01902 885402
PARISH WEBSITE: www.gornalandsedgley.org.uk
CHURCH REGISTERS
BAPTISMS ALL SAINTS’ 7 April Olivia Grace Dent 21 April Ava Louise Daly 28 Apri Noah George Peak
Scarlett Iris Russell Finley Jack Moore Isla Beatrice Wilkes
ST ANDREW’S
14th April Jake Michael Collingridge
PARISH FUNERALS 3 April John Thomas Davies, aged 89 12 April Edna May Irene Davis, aged 93 “ Mavis Knott, aged 76 Cont. over page
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Parish funerals cont. 17 April Josephine Anne Cox, aged 85 16 April Lynn Abbots, aged 53
18 April George Harper, aged 93 22 April Sylvia Amy Guy, aged 87 24 April Lily Fithern, aged 85 “ William (Bill) Castle, aged 82
MAGAZINE MATERIAL
Articles for the June magazine should be sent to the Vicarage by Sunday 19
May. These may be sent by e-mail to [email protected].
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 MAY
May 5 Vacant
May 12 Stella Hughes
May 19 In memory of May Hackett
May 26 David & Elaine Melhuish
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.
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“HEAVEN AND EARTH REJOICE!”
Dear Friends,
During Holy Week and Easter, Fr Dennis Berk CR, our Holy Week Guest, took us on
an honest journey through the terrifying events which make up the historic reality of
Christ’s betrayal and death. A reality attested to by historical evidence and reliable
witness. These are a sequence of events which reveal the true self-sacrificial nature of
our God. Fr Dennis spoke to us about the real costs of such unselfish and self-giving
love in our own lives: something our society so often ridicules. But as Fr Dennis went
on to plainly tell us, such self-sacrifice is not the end, since it is through such love
freely given that we open ourselves up to the grace of resurrected life.
Even our weather appeared to be liturgically ordered and hanging on his every
word. During the dark days of Holy Week, we wadded through snow and battled the
chilblains. Then, as we entered Easter, we were treated to momentary glimpses of
sunshine. And now, as the Easter joy begins to really take effect, we are almost at the
stage of digging out the sandals and shorts!
Two excellent and experienced priests at a funeral at All Saints’ recently reflected
helpfully on the joys of the resurrection and eternal life. Each in their own style
relayed to us how out of the pain of death new shoots emerge that are more
radiant than anything that has gone before. That, when we are at the point of
being gathered back to God, all that has been good; all the happy memories, the
hard work, the talent, all the promise, the potential, all the kindnesses, the
unrecognised successes, all the love, the joy, the excitement: all abounds and
fills the whole person as they are invited to sit at high table in the eternal
banquet – the New Jerusalem – Heaven!
We have no knowing of exactly what it is like, neither consequently do we
have the right vocabulary to explain it, simply because we have never seen it
for ourselves... And yet we know, in our heart of hearts that it is true because
very occasionally we glimpse it in the here and now. When we do a good deed
without counting the cost or stand up for the oppressed in the face of opposition,
when our Lord joins us through our engagement with others or in our Eucharistic
feast, when we pray in silence and our meditation elevates us to a place unknown,
we are treated to a tiny glimpse of heaven.
Heaven is the unreserved grace of God and through our actions we are able
to move our world closer to His heavenly realm. As we do so, the grace of
God, which is always there openly anticipating us, breaks through and warms
creation with its gentle radiance. Our Church is the community of grace,
simply because it is always seeking to enable ways to bring this about. At All
Saints’ and St Andrew’s, we do this through our self-sacrificial love and
welcome to strangers, through our prayer and through our encounter with
Christ in the Eucharist. Exciting stuff!!!
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In like fashion, I for one am extremely elated about the prospect of our summer
fetes, those famous Sedgley shindigs. I cannot wait to join the frivolity as we
welcome young and old and reveal the exhilaration of the true resurrection-life
through our visible festivities. I hope to see you there and I pray that together
we may each glimpse a little of the grace of heaven…
With much love and many blessings (in my shorts and sandals!),
Fr Rob
MOTHERS’ UNION
April was a ‘Harper’ month as we were pleased to welcome Maureen and John
Harper to both of our meetings. In the afternoon we were ‘Exploring Yorkshire’
from Harrogate, Robin Hood’s Bay and Scarborough to Whitby with the
instantly recognisable whale-bone arch and abbey ruins. Many of us recognised
Castle Howard, the setting for Brideshead Revisited and the magnificent York
Minster as well as The Shambles, which at one time was a street full of
butchers’ shops. The word ‘shambles’ is an obsolete term for an open-air
slaughterhouse and meat market.
John Rutter’s ‘For the Beauty of the Earth’ was the setting for their evening visit
when we journeyed through the seasons of the year, visiting the many beautiful
places we have around us. We travelled to Hereford, Worcester, Shrewsbury,
Ludlow, Bridgnorth, Bewdley and The Slaughters, to name but a few.
Interspersed were slides of All Saints’ Church shown in the different seasons.
Members recognised many of the places but Maureen’s clever photography
caught us out on occasions. The evening made us realise how beautiful God’s
world is and how fortunate we are to live in this little corner of it.
Thank you to those of you who donated items to our Lent Collection for the
Women’s Refuge and to all who supported the Coffee Morning. It was lovely
to meet with members from around the Deanery and as always members were
most generous with their giving. I would also like to thank members of the
congregation who gave items for the collection. We were pleased to have
Karen, from the Refuge, with us to receive the items and bring us up to date
with their news.
Our Deanery Festival is at All Saints’ on Tuesday 14th May at 7.30pm. This
will be a service prepared by St James’, Lower Gornal, Mothers’ Union. I hope
that as many members as possible will attend this service to welcome members
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Dates
7th May 2.30pm Being a Good Gardener: Rosemary Moss
14th May 7.30pm Deanery Festival, All Saints’, Sedgley
20th May 10.00am Corporate Communion
21st May 7.30pm My Road to Ordination: Revd Alma Organ
Liz Williams
LADIES’ SOCIETY VISIT TO THE MILL THEATRE, DORMSTON
In April, the very talented Willenhall Musical Theatre Company performed Calamity
Jane, adapted in the 1960’s from the highly successful 1953 Warner Bros. film of that
name. Several ladies attended the show and some commented on their memories of
Howard Keel and Doris Day, stars of their era, singing the catchy tunes of the film
Calamity Jane. If this was our benchmark of expectation of performance and
enjoyment, then what we experienced of the show certainly matched.
A most able cast, supported by a superb orchestra, gave an amusing portrayal
of life in ‘Western’ Deadwood City. Its two Peace Officers, Calamity Jane and
Wild Bill Hickock, get involved in saving the neck of local saloon operator
Henry Miller, who has been promoting an actress, Frances Fryer, but who turns
out to be male Francis instead. Angry miners are quelled by Calamity Jane, the
six pistol gal, with a reputation for being careless with the truth. She sets out to
get the miners’ real heartthrob, actress Adelaine Adams. However, in Chicago
she mistakes the maid for the actress and hauls her back to Deadwood. Soon
the maid Katie confesses, and once again Calamity needs to restore order and
persuades the folk to give Katie a chance. She soon wins the heart of every
male in Deadwood, including Calamity’s love hope Danny Gilmartin.
Ultimately Calamity Jane overcomes her jealousy of losing Danny and finds
her true love for Wild Bill Hickock.
As the story unfolded we were treated to fine performances of the main
characters, supported by a cast of good dancers and actors, who seemed to
enjoy their presentation. The show, of course was interspersed with well known
songs such as ‘Men!’, ‘Windy City’, ‘The Black Hills of Dakota’ and ‘Secret
Love’. A great show! Thank you, Barbara, for your organisation of our visit to
see a most enjoyable production.
Our next outing on 10th May is to the ‘White Lion’ (opposite the Beacon
Hotel) for a meal at 7.30pm, meeting around 7.15. The walk over the Beacon
will now take place at a later date. Hope to see many of you at the White Lion.
Anne Wakefield
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GOOD FRIDAY WORKSHOP 2013
This year’s workshop on Good Friday was exceptionally well attended with 67
children registering for the activities. This was an all-time record! Many adults
also stayed with young children, and helpers from church and the Youth Group
assisted with the activities, making the event very successful.
Activities on offer this year included: ‘stained glass’ Crosses and Butterflies;
Easter cards; Easter Gardens; Story Wheels & a Cross Chain; Painting; Quiz
sheets; Colouring for the very young; the ever-popular Cake Decorating; and
our Cross which was decorated with Daffodil Prayers. The children moved
from table to table and seemed to enjoy all the activities, leaving some of their
work for display in church over Easter. We again took some photos of the
activities this year and these were also displayed in church. There was an
Easter Egg prize draw for registration, which was won by Nicole Dalley, Lucy
Seedhouse, and Joseph Dowen.
After the activities, everyone enjoyed well-earned refreshments and hot-cross
buns. Stephen came, with Maximus Mouse, to tell the children a story about
Easter, and the morning finished with songs and prayers. We were very grateful
to Joyce, who came to play the piano at such short notice. Everyone appeared
to have enjoyed the morning and left happy and uplifted.
This year around 20 adults and young people from Junior Church, the Noah’s Ark
Group, Youth Group, and from the Congregation gave up their time to help with
the activities and support the event. I am overwhelmingly grateful for their help
and support, without which it would not be possible to hold these events. There is
no doubt how much pleasure the children get from these activities, which is
obvious from the increasing numbers attending year after year.
My heartfelt thanks go to everyone for their hard work on what was a truly
rewarding morning.
Barbara Price
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INTERCESSIONS FOR MAY
1st Philip & James, Apostles
2nd Athanasius, Bishop & teacher of the faith
3rd Israel/Palestine
4th English Saints & Martyrs
5th St Mary's, Hurst Hill
6th Rogation Day
7th The Community of the Resurrection
8th Julian of Norwich
9th Ascension Day
10th Samaritans
11th Church Missionary Society
12th Gornal & Sedgley Team
13th Christian Aid Week
14th Mathias the Apostle
15th Church Treasurers
16th Social Reformers
17th Schools in our Parish
18th Torch Fellowship for the blind & partially sighted
19th Pentecost
20th Dunstan, restorer of monastic life
21st The Homeless
22nd Church Army
23rd Church Wardens
24th John & Charles Wesley
25th The Venerable Bede
26th Trinity Sunday
27th Augustine of Canterbury, Bishop
28th Additional Curates Society
29th Josephine Butler, Social Reformer
30th Corpus Christi
31st Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
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CHRISTIAN AID WEEK 12-18 MAY “BITE BACK AT HUNGER”
In the Amazon rain forest in eastern Bolivia Christian Aid's partner, the Centre
for Research and Training of Peasants (CIPCA), has been successfully working
with marginalised indigenous communities in the region of Beni to secure the
rights to the land where they have lived for generations. The communities feel
an even stronger link to the land on which they live now that their families
have gained the official land titles. Elmy Ymanarlico, who keeps chickens
provided by CIPCA, says: ‘These chickens are better than the ones we had in
the community before because they produce more eggs and more often,
ensuring regular food and income.’ Now families are safe on their land, they
can invest for the future, too. Elmy is now able to provide food for her family
and sell surplus produce at market.
Protecting families
Over the past few years CIPCA has helped more than 1,000 families to secure
legal ownership of the land they have lived on for generations. This in turn has
protected them from local cattle ranchers and mining and logging companies
who had been trying to drive them off their land, often destroying their crops or
intimidating their families. With rights to the land, communities are now able
to look forward to a more secure future and are able to invest their time and
efforts in caring for the land and forest in which they live.
Sustainable businesses
As well as helping these communities to gain their land rights, CIPCA is also
helping them to increase the amount of food they have while continuing to protect
the forest and the rich resources it holds. By developing new sustainable businesses
with the communities, such as growing the regions high-quality cocoa and teaching
the communities how to keep hens and woolless sheep, fear and hunger are being
replaced by safety and abundance.
Diversifying crops
Moreover, by providing each family with seeds or saplings for 52 different types of
crops, CIPCA is helping them to diversify their agriculture, ensuring that they are not
reliant on just a few crops. This means that even if there is flooding or a time of
drought, they can still harvest some foods. While some crops, such as rice or maize,
are ready to harvest within a year, the communities can plan ahead and plant cocoa
saplings or citrus trees for harvesting after a few years. They also plant their own
hardwood trees, which may take 30 years to mature but can then be sold or used to
build their children’s homes, further protecting their forest environment and futures.
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FREE QUOTATION & Home Visit
Vertical Blinds Venetian Blinds Roller Blinds Roman Blinds Plantation Shutters Pleated Blinds Conservatory Blinds Shade Sails Child Safety Blinds Awnings Canopies
Showroom: Portway House, Stream Road, Kingswinford, West Midlands, DY6 9NT
Call us NOW 0800 163 429
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: All Saints’ Vicarage Tel. 01902 883255
E mail: [email protected]
14
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
UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT
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: [email protected]
Rates for 12 months
Quarter page £25 Half page £40 Full page £70
The magazine is distributed to 350 households in the
Sedgley area
15
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
16
Arthur's Jewellery
Hand made gold & silver jewellery
Repairs, remounts
Antique jewellery repaired & restored
The Craft Centre Halfpenny Green Vineyard
Tel: 01384 221567 Mob: 07856 898558
www.arthursjewellery.co.uk
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
Block Booking Discounts Pass plus Tuition
Free Theory Test Guidance First Lesson: 2 hours for price of 1
17
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
18
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
19
ANDREW NICHOLLS Heating & Plumbing
3 Northway, Sedgley Tel 01902 683586
(Gas Safe)
New to the area, but with 30 years’ experience
Central Heating Boilers
Water Heaters, Cookers, Fires
Full Installation Service Available
Annual Services
Landlord Safety Certificates
All Kinds of Plumbing Work
20
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)
21
PHIL OLIVER SPECIALIST
CERAMIC TILER
Walls & Floors
In
Kitchens
Bathrooms
& Conservatories
12 Dudmaston Way Dudley DY1 GQ
Tel. 01384 234323 Mob. 07595 879267
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: [email protected]
GLOVERS
For all your home & office stationery
supplies ring Richard, Maria,
or Mel Bates on:
01902 871682
ONLINE
www.gloversstationery.co.uk
22
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
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.
23
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–[email protected]
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
24
JUST THOUGHTS
Words can sometimes be hard to find, but sometimes the simplest and briefest
prayers can be profound.
Sometimes silence is better than words. In silence we can have space to hold
what has happened in our hearts and cry.
It pays to keep our real priorities in mind at all times, no matter whatever trivial
matters we maybe involved in.
What we place at the centre of our life matters. It shows us what is our deepest desire.
Never consider God to be at the limits of your understanding. He is always in
the midst of what is important to you.
Its remarkable the difference between children. In the west, if you ask them
where God is they are likely to point to the sky. If you ask a child in India, then
they are likely to point to their hearts.
Adore not the sun or the moon but the one who created them.
Remember there is nothing automatic about one’s spiritual life; growth is the
result of effort, reading, thinking and praying.
Wherever hungry people are fed, homeless people sheltered, rejected people
welcomed, powerless people empowered, Christ is born again and all heaven rejoices.
A non-believing surgeon said to a gardener, ‘I’ve cut open hundreds of people
but I’ve never ever found a human soul.’ The gardener replied, ‘Well, if you cut
into a tulip bulb, you wouldn’t expect to find a flower, would you?’
Everyone we meet, everything we do, every word we speak, every single moment of
our lives are important. Each and every one of us counts for something – to others,
to ourselves and for sure we are important to God.
Each and every day is like a scroll; write upon them that which you want to be
remembered.
Christians can sometimes appear to be arrogant, believing there is only one
answer to life and that they have it. The truth is that God has given us a song to
sing, and, like the birds, we shouldn’t be afraid or embarrassed to sing it with
delight, attracting the attention of others.
25
Have you ever thought about God’s religion? if you tried to classify Him would He be a
Christian, like ourselves or maybe Muslim, Hindu, Jewish or whatever? Surely His
Spirit is pure, unconditional love. Should not our souls reflect this spirit in our lives,
and thereby not necessarily causing divisions between one another by labels relating to
faith? God is love, should that not be our overriding message, not division.
God is not the least impressed by national or religious identity. It’s how we
respect and behave to our neighbours that really counts.
God through the life of Jesus alerts us to the fact that we can only call ourselves
truly human when we’ve learnt to be compassionate with one another.
Life is a journey – travel it well. If you have the choice of sitting it out
watching it go by, or dancing your way through it, I hope you choose to dance.
The only really effective missionary is the one who draws people to their belief
by the way that they behave and not by threats or bribes. Jesus didn’t force
anyone to believe in him – they were attracted to him by the person he was and
still is today.
The answer to life’s questions lie inside you. All you need to do is stop, look,
and listen, and then to trust that small inner voice.
If we dwell on positive feelings, they grow . . . and they lead to happiness, for
ourselves and for those around us. If we choose to dwell on hatred, it grows
and leads to suffering, for ourselves and those around us.
Compiled by David Melhuish
CHRISTIAN AID WEEK
We shall mark the beginning of Christian Aid Week at All Saints’ with a special
service on Sunday 12th May at 10.30 am., for which we will be joined by the
congregation of St Andrew’s, Bilston Street. The theme for this year is “Bite
Back At Hunger”, and you can read about a Christian Aid project in Bolivia on
page 12 of this magazine.
Regarding our street collection, it has become obvious that we cannot cover the
whole of the Northway etc, so this year we are asking each of you to collect
from your own street. Collection envelopes will be available in church, so
please make the effort this year to get involved. I know that house to house
collecting can be a daunting business, but we are doing it on behalf of some of
the poorest and most exploited people in the world
Stephen Buckley
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AROUND THE PARISH
Noah’s Ark Mothers & Toddlers. The winners of the Easter bonnet parade
were 1st Jude Willetts, 2nd Joshua Smith, 3rd Ryan Jones, 4th Jake Groom. It
was a hard choice to make and congratulations to everyone who entered. Many
thanks to the judges.
Birth congratulations to James Wai Anderson on the birth of their daughter
Suzy Mae Lee who was born 25th February and weighed in at 7lbs 15ozs. Suzy is
the second granddaughter and third grandchild of John and Sue Anderson.
Also birth congratulations to Darren and Becci Matthews on the birth of their
son Joshua Edward who arrived four weeks early on 8th April and weighed in at a
healthy 6lbs 8ozs. A brother for Alfie and another Grandson for David and
Maureen Matthews. Further reports say that mother and baby are doing fine.
Congratulations to Alicia Watton, granddaughter of David and Maureen Matthews,
who has just gained a grade five in a singling exam. She sang Over the
Rainbow, Little Road to Bethlehem and the following two in Italian; Star
Viccino and a Vacci exercise. She has just celebrated her fourteenth birthday
and attends Wolverhampton Girls’ High School.
A baptism was held Sunday 7th April during the morning prayer service.
There was a special little visitor all the way from Australia who with her mum
had come to see her cousin Olivia Grace baptised. She won’t remember it as
she was only about 4 months old but no doubt she will hear about it when she
is older. It was a lovely service; all the children attending were as good as gold
and very well behaved. Olivia Grace is the great grandchild of Marjorie Dent
who is Alice Bradley’s sister. It’s a small world.
We welcome Des and Jean Round back to the fold; they have spent the last four
weeks soaking up the sun at their son’s home in Australia. It’s good to see them.
Sad news. Bill Castle, a well known referee and who once ran the line at
Wembley, died Wednesday 10th April; he was 82. He had not been able to
attend church for some time and we missed his friendly face and wry sense of
humour. We send condolences to Margaret, Steven, Deb, Ann and the
grandchildren. May they soon find peace in God’s Love at this sad time.
More sad news. Harold Jauncey died Wednesday 17th April. We send condolences to
his wife Joyce. Condolences also to Stand and Pam Hunt on the death of Pam’s uncle
George who died Good Friday 29th March. George with his wife Tina was living in a
care home. Please remember Stan, Pam and Tina in your prayers.
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Get well wishes to Pam Garrington. She was kept in hospital after an emergency
operation on 15th April.
From the past: May 1890. Mr Seth Pugh resigned his office of Verger at Sedgley
Parish Church which he had held for upwards of 50 years. He will be succeeded by
his son Mr Richard Pugh.
Also from May 1890: Special sermons were preached at All Saints’ Church
Sedgley in aid of the fund for the liquidation of the Church Wardens’ debt. It
stated it was a good collection but not how much.
An error in last month’s magazine. It should have read Liz Williams was 14
years old when her father died, not 3 years old as stated. Sorry.
Dorothy Inett
ICE
An item that could provide valuable assistance in an emergency Many of us carry a mobile phone with names and numbers stored in its memory. If we
were to be involved in an accident or were taken ill, the people attending us would have
our mobile phone, but wouldn’t know who to call. Yes, there are hundreds of numbers
stored – but which one is the contact person in case of an emergency?
Hence the ‘ICE’ (In Case of Emergency) Campaign. The concept of ‘ICE’ is
catching on quickly. It is a method of contact during emergency situations. As
mobile phones are carried by the majority of the population, all you need to do
is store the number of a person or persons who should be contacted during
emergency under the name ‘ICE’ (In Case of Emergency).
The idea was thought up by a paramedic who found that when he went to the
scenes of accidents there were always mobile phones with patients, but the
emergency services didn’t know which number to call. He therefore thought
that it would be a good idea if there was a nationally recognized name for this
purpose. In an emergency situation, emergency service personnel and hospital
staff would be able to contact the right person quickly by simply dialling the
number you have stored as ‘ICE’.
The Ambulance Service asks us to circulate this. It won’t take too many
‘circulations’ before everybody will know about the idea. It really could save
your life, or put a loved one’s mind at rest. For more than one contact name,
simply enter ICE1, ICE2 and ICE3, etc.
PASS THIS AROUND AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE, AS THIS CAN
HELP IN AN EMERGENCY
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St Andrew’s
The Straits
SPRING FAYRE
Saturday 11th May
11 am Onwards
Plants Toys & Books
Homemade Cakes
Tombola - Groceries - Bottle Stall
Toiletries
“All Welcome”
Prize Raffle Draw 2 pm
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DIARY DATES: MAY
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’
Tues 7th May 2.30 pm MU meets in the church hall
7.30 pm Baptism meeting in the social club
Fri 10th May 7.30 pm Ladies Society meal at the White Lion
Sun 12th May 10.30 am Christian Aid Service
Mon 20th May 7.45 pm Men’s Society meets in the social club
Tues 21st May 7.30 pm MU meets in church
‘Noah’s Ark’ Mums & Toddlers meets in the hall on Tuesdays at 9.30 am in term time.
St Andrew’s
‘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
Tues 14th May 7.30 pm MU Deanery Festival at All Saints’
Wed 22nd May 7.30 pm Licensing of Wardens at St Mary’s, Kidderminster
Thu 30th May 7.30 pm Licensing of Eucharistic Ministers at Christchurch,
Coseley
*****
QUOTE OF THE MONTH
From “How to be a bad Christian and a Better Person”
by the Revd Dave Tomlinson
“Let’s get it clear: Christianity is about faith, not belief. There is a difference. Faith
is about having trust, whereas belief is more akin to having opinions. It’s possible
to hold beliefs passionately and to argue about them until the cows come home,
without them making a scrap of difference to us. But trust is not about beliefs,
creeds, opinions, arguments; it’s more instinctive, more fundamental. It doesn’t
need words. It’s in your belly!”
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