THE BEACON

November 2006

The Parish Magazine of

All Saints’ Sedgley & St Andrew’s The Straits

50p

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

Distribution Rob Lavender 661325 Advertising “ “

5

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’ 22 Sept Jacob Ellis Campbell

Adam Craig Campbell Lilly-Ann Upton-Lewis Elliott Stanley James Lowke Mikey Joseph Davies

WEDDINGS 28 Sept Paul Baugh & Dianne Holman PARISH FUNERALS

6th Sept Kenneth Kendrick, aged 76 10th Sept Thomas Farmer, aged 86

6

MAGAZINE MATERIAL

Articles for the November magazine should be sent to the Vicarage by Sunday

20 October. 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 OCTOBER

6 Oct Margaret Woodall & Mrs R Cox

13 Oct In memory of Mr & Mrs George Edwards

20 Oct Mrs B Farren, and Pam Parton in memory of Jack Parton

27 Oct Pam Parton in memory of Lil Parton

29 Sept Pam Garrington & Pam Parton in memory of Lil Parton,

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.

7

LETTER FROM THE BISHOP OF DUDLEY

Writing a piece for inclusion in parish magazines has been one of the constants

of my 13 years in the Diocese of Worcester. So what I'm doing now for the

last time does not feel very different from what I was doing when I penned

a piece for the first time. But that apparent similarity hides much that is

now radically different.

Back in late 2000 my words formed part of a printed insert which would appear

in piles in the Old Palace for collection by parish representatives. Now it is

conveyed electronically to each magazine editor, to be included how and

wherever they wish. Again, my early articles were handwritten, then typed up

by my secretary. Most today start their life on my iPad, either typed onto a

touch screen or dictated using voice recognition software. It has taken a lot of

change to continue to produce apparently the same thing.

Which is of course exactly what the wider life of the church is about. The things we

are called to do have remained remarkably consistent over centuries. We proclaim

the Good News of God's love in Jesus Christ. We celebrate the sacraments. We care

for the needy and for God's creation. We teach one another. We seek to continually

deepen our spiritual lives. But the means we have for achieving these constants are

themselves subject to huge change.

We have about three quarters of the stipendiary clergy we had when I arrived, but

we now have far more non-stipendiary plus hundreds of Authorised Lay Ministers.

We no longer have Diocesan Officers doing things for us, but we have Mission

Development Officers whose task is to help us to work together to do what God is

calling us to. We have fewer committees in the diocese but more groups of practitioners

guiding aspects of mission. Parishes have more diverse forms of worship, including

what we have learned to call Fresh Expressions of church. Many school assemblies

have been revolutionised through Open the Book.

In short we have all been doing what the promise made by licensed clergy at

each new appointment says; proclaiming an unchanging faith afresh in each

generation. I'm grateful for the opportunity I have had in journeying with you

over this last decade and a bit, and I wish you all the very best as you continue

along the way through the years to come.

Bishop David

8

MOTHERS’ UNION

Our Wave of Prayer Service was an occasion to remember and pray for our link

dioceses throughout the world. Jan gave the address and we were joined by

members from St James’, Lower Gornal and St Mary’s, Kingswinford. The

afternoon ended with tea and cakes provided by Jean Hale to celebrate her and

Bill’s Diamond Wedding Anniversary.

Jean Swift’s talk at our evening meeting in September was entitled ‘Omojo’,

which means togetherness. She placed a tin box on the table in front of us and

told us that this was the central focus of meetings held in many African

villages. People came and placed money they had made from growing and

making items into the tin, having first kept what they needed to live on. If they

or anyone else wanted money to buy materials for their work they could ‘dip

into the tin’ for help. Living their lives by taking out just what they needed and

putting in what they didn’t need. A simple idea which is working – makes you

think doesn’t it?

Jean told us of a couple who couldn’t see what they could do as their home was

surrounded by sand, not suitable for growing crops. Then they had an idea.

They went along to the meeting and asked for money out of the tin to buy

material to make bags. They filled the bags they made with the sand and sold it

to builders. Jean went on to tell us of her contacts with Mothers’ Union members

in our link dioceses. It was very interesting and also humbling to listen to the

news in their letters and know that they are praying for us when they have so

little and we have so much.

Dates

1st Oct 2.30pm Time goes by and Life goes on, Joyce Bush

15th Oct 7.30pm Letters from Canada, Mary Zielonka

21st Oct 10.00am Corporate Communion

23rd Oct 9.30am – 3pm AGM& Council, St Saviours, Hagley

Liz Williams

THANK YOU

Dear Friends

My family and I would like to thank you for all your love and prayers during

Ken's illness. Thank you also for your overwhelming support and love at Ken's

funeral. It helped us to get through that difficult day.

With blessings and love, Sheila, Neil, Robin and Elizabeth

9

LADIES SOCIETY

Hello everyone, I hope that you have all had a good summer break, and it was summer

weather this year. Now it is September and all our clubs and societies begin their

meetings again. must say a big “Thank you” to Anne for standing in for me for the last

three magazine articles, I did say that she could carry on, but here I am again!

Our first meeting for the new season was as usual our AGM followed by Cheese

and Wine. Our AGM as usual did not take up a great deal of time. There were

seven items on the agenda which took just 13 minutes to complete! The

Committee was re-elected “en bloc”, no rules were changed the finances were

OK. So that was that! We then went on to enjoy the rest of the evening chatting to

friends and enjoying the superb variety of cheeses with suitable salad vegetables to

accompany them, followed by a pleasant choice of dessert and a choice of wines.

The committee members had prepared all this for which we must all give a big

“Thank you”. I am sure that I speak for all our members when I also say “Thank you”

to the committee for all their work on our behalf as they choose our varied speakers and

arrange outings etc.

Now I wish to say a personal “Thank you” to all of you and also other members of All

Saint’s congregation for all the cards, messages, phone calls and visits I received as I recovered

from my recent hip operation. It is a wonderful aid to recovery to know that so many

people care. I am now in full recovery and getting better every day. We were also

delighted to see Val Trinder at our meeting and we wish her all the best with her

Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy and hope that a full recovery will ensue.

At our meeting, I was handed a note from Val asking me on her behalf to thank all

the members for the cards, flowers and presents that she had received. She also

especially mentioned that she would like, through the Ladies Society, to thank

Stephen and Bernard for their constant support and visits. She also suggested that

Ladies Society would help celebrate our 30 year’s anniversary by donating to

Stephen’s pilgrimage. Geraldine thought this was a wonderful idea, but as many of

us had already signed up to sponsor him, she and the committee had made a

decision to make his charity fund, our “Charity of the Year”. Geraldine also said

that she will ask Stephen to come and talk to us about his adventure. I expect many

of you are following it on the church web site.

Well, I had better stop rambling on, or there will not be any room for the other

articles in the magazine! I hope to see you all at our next meeting which will be

on October 7th for a talk about Fashion.

Molly Taft

10

.

Harvest Concert & Supper

Saturday 5th October

7.30pm

(in the Church Hall)

Mothers’ Union Choir

&

Friends

Tickets: £6

(from Joyce Withers & Liz Williams)

11

BLACK COUNTRY FOOD BANK

We at ‘Springs’ would like to thank you all for your very generous donations to

the Food Bank since we started twenty months ago. The requests for help are

increasing month by month.

This year we have collected six tonnes of food, donated by churches and pri-

vate individuals. All Saints’ and St. Andrew’s The Straits have collected two

tonnes of this total between them. We distribute each week, on average, enough

food for seven adults and seven children. Those coming to us range from indi-

viduals to families with as many as six children. So far this year we have dis-

tributed three tonnes of food to feed 251adults and 243 children. The remaining

three tonnes has gone to the Food Bank HQ at Halesowen, to be sent to other

distribution centres who are not as fortunate as we are, in that the donations of

food that they receive are insufficient to supply the needs of those who ask

them for help. Please continue to support us.

Thank you from all at ‘Springs’

The harvest produce was taken

to the old peoples’ bungalows

12

INTERCESSIONS FOR OCTOBER

1st Earl of Shaftsbury, social reformer

2nd World debt

3rd Harvest time

4th Francis of Assisi

5th Israel/Palestine

6th Gornal & Sedgley team

7th Displaced people

8th Youth work

9th Denys, bishop & martyr

10th William, bishop & missionary

11th Elizabeth Fry, prison reformer

12th Edith Cavell, nurse

13th The persecuted church

14th National Health Service

15th Teresa of Avila, teacher of the faith

16th Nicholas Ridley & Hugh Latimer, bishops & martyrs

17th Ignatius, bishop & martyr

18th Luke the Evangelist

19th Henry Martyn, translator

20th Worcester Diocese

21st Nursing & care homes in the parish

22nd The Church Army

23rd The hungry & thirsty of this world

24th Schools on half term holidays

25th Crispin & Crispinian, martyrs

26th Alfred, king, & scholar

27th Bible Sunday

28th Simon & Jude, apostles

29th James Hannington, bishop and martyr

30th The homeless

31st Martin Luther, reformer

13

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14

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R T KNIGHT OPTICIANS

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HADEN NEWSAGENTS

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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

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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

Ianhipkissdrivingschool@hotmail.co.uk

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 &

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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: lajlocksmith@live.co.uk

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:

22

RUSSELLS REMOVALS

House & Office Removals Fully Insured

Clearances & Storage Free Estimates

13 Robert Street Lower Gornal

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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.

mailto:sweettraditiions@virginmedia.com

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–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

24

AROUND THE PARISH

Good news and a Thank-you message. Val Trinder is now out of hospital and

wishes to thank everybody for the Get Well cards and flowers she received

while in hospital for six weeks. She still needs hospital treatment. Please

remember her in your prayers.

Happy Birthday to Joyce Withers who will be 80 years young on October

10th. Also Happy Birthday to Margaret Probin who will be 70 years young in

October. Other birthdays in October are Liz Williams and Margaret Castle.

Hope they enjoy their special day.

Engagement. Congratulations to Laura Price and James Robinson on their

engagement on Tuesday August 27th. They are now planning their wedding

which will be at All Saints’. James will be confirmed at Worcester Cathedral in

November. Laura has recently completed an Authorised Lay Ministry course in

Youth Work, with Sarah Parker-McGee. They received their certificates from

Bishop John at Worcester Cathedral on Sunday 15th September.

The Heritage Day on Saturday 14th September was a resounding success. The

displays in church were excellent and much was learned about past members,

not only those who attended All Saints’, but inhabitants of the village. The craft

fair in the hall, I believe, did a good trade. My thanks go to the staff who

supplied us stall holders with coffee and biscuits throughout the day. Also to

Christine Buckley who made sure everything was fine.

News from Noah’s Ark. The autumn term started on Tuesday 17th September.

There were four new children, two called Daisy, Sienna and Joshua. Also baby

Elsa came back after a short break. Hilary, grandmother of Olivia who left last

term, has offered her help as a volunteer, which has been gratefully accepted.

Get Well Wishes for Hazel, mother of Beccy Hill, who is seriously ill in

hospital. We hope it won’t be too long before her health improves.

A quote from Thoughts for Every Day: ‘There are times when it’s hard to

keep fighting. There are times when you’d like to give in, But the one who

holds on when the last hope has gone. Is the one who is certain to win.’

Dorothy Inett

25

‘THERE AND BACK AGAIN PT 1’

Well, we did it, me and my 4 companions! Porto to Santiago,

150 miles in 14 days. Which isn’t bad for gentlemen with a

combined age of 256. However we were reminded never to

boast about that, as there’s always someone older than you

who's walked further, and we met people of all ages, the oldest

being a remarkable Roman Catholic priest of 87, who’s planning

to come back, and do it all again next year! We walked

through two countries, Portugal and Spain, often following the Roman road,

known as Route 19, and crossing remarkably well preserved Roman bridges,

then a short time later we would find ourselves walking along the edge of

modern motorways, dodging the lorries. All along the route there are

‘Albergues’, special hostels only for those who are walking the Camino. We

became used to getting up at 6.30 am in the dark to be on the road by 7.30, as it

got so hot by the afternoon, 36 degrees was normal, that we needed to be to our

next destination by just after noon.

We were met with great kindness and generosity wherever we went, but one of

the high points for us was our stay at Casa Fernanda, a house right out in the

countryside surrounded by a beautiful garden. We were ushered in, given a

drink, then lunch was prepared especially for us. Our washing was done, and

we settled down to a ‘siesta’. There was a communal meal in the evening, and

we all had to sing for our supper. As my companions all came from

Huddersfield it could only be, ‘On Ilkley Moor bar t’at’! We were sent on our

way next morning after a wonderful breakfast. The couple who run the house

have no set charge, but just ask for a donation. A great sense of camaraderie

grew up amongst “Peregrinos” as pilgrims are called, as we met up with same

people often for several nights, and if you look at the photo’s of us on the

Sedgley website eating we are always accompanied by ladies of different

nationalities: German, American, Australian, New Zealand, and British. One’s

needs become very basic, ‘Are my feet all right? Have I got enough water?

How far are we walking today? Will there be room in the hostel tonight?’ If

anyone had a problem there always seemed to be someone on hand to help.

It’s said that everyone walks their own Camino, and has a different experience.

For me the great joy of the Camino was in the people we met, in ‘the small

miracles’ that happen when people share such an experience, for where else

should we meet God, but in those who walk with us on the Camino or in our

daily lives. I can’t cover all that happened in one article, so more next month.

Father Stephen

26

HERITAGE OPEN DAY

For the first time, All Saints’ opened as part of the Heritage Open Day scheme

on Saturday, 14 September. As planned, members of the local branch of the

Birmingham and Midland Society for Genealogy and George Blackham of the

Local History Society put up their informative stands. Martin Jones displayed

sections of a PowerPoint presentation, part of a talk he gave the previous

Thursday to the History Society, and a very long banner he had made up a year

or so ago. The PowerPoint sections related to the local oral histories he

recorded and transcribed for his Diamond 60 exhibition last year; the banner is

a composite of pictures he’d taken from the church tower one Ascension Day.

While we weren’t exactly overwhelmed with visitors, they arrived in a steady

stream. Many of them spent a good deal of time talking to the exhibitors, who

were pleased with the level of interest shown by those who did turn up.

When I first thought of the idea, what drove me was the poor showing of

Dudley borough in relation to the scheme. Wolverhampton produces a booklet

to feature their locations, 28 this year; Dudley had six events – including us.

The initial appeal for volunteers from the congregation had been disappointing,

however. I feared that if members of All Saints’ weren’t much interested, the

general population of Sedgley would similarly give an open day here a miss.

Was it worth asking anyone to steward, if hardly any visitors were likely to turn

up? All credit, then, to Liz and Chris Williams, who insisted that we should

participate, or at least discover what interest there was. I suspect a bit of arm-

twisting took place, and sufficient volunteers emerged. Huge thanks to them.

Martin attracted some publicity in the local press, but otherwise, the event was

kept relatively low-key. It was intended to consist of what the participants

could put together themselves, with little or no extra expenditure. Martin also

arranged to borrow Dudley Archives’ portable display boards; my thanks to

him, and to the Archives.

My own main input was to provide potted biographies of the individuals

commemorated in wall plaques, windows and so on in the church, alongside

others’ research. Some of it had been displayed previously, such as Carl

Higgs’s work on the Parkshouse family. Other material was sent by members

of the Sedgley genealogy list on Ancestry, for example David Sheldon’s on the

pen-maker and his brothers, founders of the Cannon factory. Further material I

put together specially for the Open Day, from recent research, often in

collaboration with family history researchers, both in this country and all over the world.

27

I was able to expand material given to me in the past – omitted from our WWII

memorial board is a victim of the ‘Salford Lancaster’ crash, buried in Gospel End

Street cemetery. Something of his story was pieced together from photocopied

pages of a book on the accident, also sent to me by a contact, plus on-line material.

The names of our Korean war victims on the WWII board appear to be wrong; I’ve

yet to discover why, and what their local connection was.

A craft fair was held in the church hall to coincide with the Open Day, organized by

Helen Davies of Beacon Crafts. New arrangements at the Community Centre had

meant that it was no longer practicable to use it as a venue for her regular fairs. The

church hall proved a successful substitute, and we hope she will organize such fairs

twice a year in the hall from now on. Thanks to our staff who turned out to man the

bar in the social club for Helen, especially as they had minimal custom – no doubt

because we weren’t able to publicize it sufficiently in advance – and thanks to Rob

Lavender for supervising the setting out and clearing away of the tables.

I ran out of time to write up information about the most complex family groups

commemorated in the church, the Whitehouses and the Bagley–Fereday–Smith

connections. It dawned on me the week after the Open Day that I’d completely

missed the dedications of one of the Camm windows. Although E. A. Underhill

transcribed much of the wording on these windows, in fact what’s in The Story

of the Ancient Manor of Sedgley about them is incomplete. There will be plenty

of scope for new material for an Open Day next year . . . we have been blessed

with several brilliant local historians in the past, but it seems there’s always

more to discover about our past.

Christine Buckley

FAREWELL TO BISHOP DAVID

There will be a farewell service for Bishop David at Worcester Cathedral on

Sunday 13th October ay 4.00 pm.

Stephen Buckley

ALL SOULS We shall be holding our All Souls Eucharist on Sunday 3rd November at 7.30

pm. If you wish to have people remembered at the service the All Souls list will

be in church from Sunday 13th October. As in previous years if you add names

to the list it is expected that you will do your best to attend.

Stephen Buckley

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BLOCK BUSTER SKITTLES EVENING

(with Fish & Chip Supper)

Church Hall Nov 23rd 2013

7.30pm prompt start

Tickets £5.50

Available from:

Roger Berry: 01902 881374

John Howe: 01902 678576

Strictly limited places available, so don't delay

First come first served

Bar available

HARVEST FESTIVAL

We shall be holding our Harvest Festival at All Saints’ on Sunday 6th October.

Please bring harvest gifts to church on that day Any produce donated will be

given to our local Cheshire Home as usual.

SANTIAGO PILGRIMAGE

There wasn’t room in my main article on our Pilgrimage to mention the great work

done by Martin Jones in putting our daily reports and photographs on the parish

website; I know many of you followed our progress daily. So, thank you Martin on

behalf of us all. Thanks also to those who sent messages of congratulation, and for

the concern expressed over my ankle, which is much recovered

Stephen Buckley

P.S. Despite photographic evidence to the contrary we didn’t spend our whole

time eating and drinking!

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BOOK REVIEWS

Living Through Grief – strength and hope in time of loss

By Harold Bauman, Lion Hudson, £1.99

No one escapes grief. Sooner or later we will all have to go through the grieving

process. And while the simple truth is that no one fully understands grief until they

experience it for themselves, still grief does have a common pattern. It can help if

we know what to expect. This book gently explains the stages of grief and suggests

practical steps for learning to live again. It shares the profound comfort and hope of

the Christian faith. It points the way to healing.

Faith and the Creeds: by Alistair McGrath, SPCK, £8.99

The Christian Belief for Everyone series comprises five reliable, accessible and

readable guides to the basic ideas of the Christian faith. Full of stories and helpful

illustrations, these guides have been written primarily for ordinary churchgoers but

will also appeal to interested readers outside the church.

The approach Alistair McGrath adopts is non-denominational, very similar to the

‘mere Christianity’ advocated by C. S. Lewis. Indeed, the series may be seen as a

guide to ‘mere Christianity’, focusing clearly as it does on the life of faith. We look

at why Christians believe what they do, how we can best understand these ideas,

and the difference they make to the way we think about ourselves and our world.

The first volume, Faith and the Creeds, concentrates on the nature of faith and

the history and relevance of the creeds, in a thrilling reflection on what we

really mean when we say ‘I believe’. This is an excellent preparation for ex-

ploring the leading themes of the creeds in four subsequent volumes: The Liv-

ing God, Lord and Saviour: Jesus of Nazareth, Spirit of the Living God and

The Christian Life and Hope.

Dear God, It’s Me and It’s Urgent – Prayers for every season of a woman’s life

By Marion Stroud, Monarch, £8.99

Here are soul-building moments for every woman, at every age. These prayers are

ideal for private devotion and meditation, or for sharing with other women. Inspiring and

enriching, they are rooted in everyday life. Topics range widely, from a Bride's

Prayer on the eve of her wedding to Shopping with a Daughter and Blue Monday.

With imagination and care Marion offers prayers for every season. Each prayer is

enriched with Scripture and thought-provoking quotations.

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DIARY DATES: OCTOBER

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

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

pattern is shown below.

All Saints’

Tues 1st Oct 2.30 pm MU meets in the church hall

Sat 5th Oct 7.30 pm MU Harvest Concert in the church hall

Mon 7th Oct 7.30 pm Ladies Soc. meets in the church hall

Tues 15th Oct 7.30 pm MU meets in church

Sat 19 Oct Children’s Society Fair in the church hall

Mon 21st Oct 7.45 pm Men’s Society meets 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

‘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

Wed 2 Oct 7.30 pm ‘Exploring Faith’ Group meets at St Andrew’s

Tues 8 Oct 7.30 pm PCC meets in St Andrew’s church hall

Wed 9 Oct 7.30 pm ‘Exploring Faith’ Group meets at St Andrew’s

Wed 16 Oct 7.30 pm ‘Exploring Faith’ Group meets at St Andrew’s

Wed 23 Oct 7.30 pm ‘Exploring Faith’ Group meets at St Andrew’s

Wed 30 Oct 7.30 pm ‘Exploring Faith’ Group meets at St Andrew’s

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