Blakenall United Reformed Church
Newsletter
January 2012
Minister
Revd Wilbert Sayimani
Will be our new Minister and we look forward to welcoming him and his family.
Please direct enquiries to
Church Secretary
Ian Robertson
01922 634642 or
07956 829549
Notices January 2011
Pulpit Arrangements Services start at 11.0 am
Sunday January 1st Kath Phillips
Sunday January 8th Ges Murray Parade
Sunday January 15th Cynthia Dunn
Sunday January 22nd Revd Diana-Cullum Hall
Communion
Sunday January 29th Joint service for Pastorate at Broadway 10.30am
You will be most welcome to join us.
Porch and Offertory
Joan Gwinnett Gwen Smith
Elder Duty Maurice Phillips
Communion Servers
Jean Harper Maurice Phillips
Coffee Rota
1st January Lilian Mason
8th January Kath Phillips
15th January Judy Sumner
22nd January Sheila and Doreen Boucher
29th January Joint service at Broadway
January 2012 Editor’s newsletter
Dear Friends,
Happy New Year to everyone! Last year I can remember us recovering from deep snow falls and icy temperatures.
We hope this will be an exciting one as we embark on a new journey with Wilbert .I hope that you all enjoyed Christmas as a time when friends and families can get together.
This new year will be a challenge to us all as we try and move forward together as a church with our community.
How will we attract those new members to join our church?
How can we take the lead to our community and foster a thriving junior church which is the future membership for our church?
Certainly I see we need to offer support to schools near to us and perhaps nurture some closer links. Maybe some after school activities could provide some introduction to our Church?
The occasional distribution of a friendly newsletter to those homes that are near to our church could also bear fruit.
The coffee mornings have given a welcome boost to the social need for the community and the excellent Autumn concert brought many together for a real fund evening . The community around us can be encouraged to look upon our church as a centre of this community. There are opportunities for social enterprise and ideas that are in the new localism legislation that maybe churches can use. There are also community grants that can be applied for and run by a locally based community committee to decide on a spend in the area.
Many people will be finding their lives becoming more difficult to manage in 2012 as the cost of living rises and wages and unemployment rise also.
I believe it is a time when Christ’s message of hope, salvation and joy can sustain us in these difficult times. Please mull over the answers as you finish off those mince pies! Answers in the next newsletter!
Best wishes
Ian ( church secretary)
Other Dates for your January diary
Future dates
Tuesday 10th January Elders 7pm
Thursday 26th January 2pm Church AGM.
Jumble sale 16th January 2012 ….2 to 4pm.
There will be drop in coffee mornings on
10th and 24th January 11.am
Do come in and have a chat.. A friendly social!!
This month the Church will be praying especially for the people who live in the following streets :
Please note we have a prayer book on table for anyone to add names of those individuals who are in need of our prayers
Stanley Street Penderel Str Victoria Avenue Hamilton Str
Ryle Str
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Monday, August 29, 2011
News for September
Wednesday 7th September Joint elders with Broadway and Hatherton
Church Meeting Thursday 22nd September 2pm.
There will be drop in coffee mornings on
Monday September 11th 11am
Saturday 17th September 11am to 1pm Gift Morning
Monday 26th September. At 11 am…
Do come in and have a chat.. A friendly social!!
This month the Church will be praying especially for the people who live in the following streets :
Severn Rd, Harden Rd,
Barracks Lane, Green Rock Lane
Notice for all members of the congregation
Thanks from Franziska
Dear Friends
Thank you so much for the friendly farewell you gave me and for your lovely presents
The cake was beautiful– thank you Jean!- and the vase is something I will always treasure as a re minder of you. And the tray will be a very useful reminder of your beautiful building.
My God bless you in your future walk of discipleship and in your search for a new minister
Love to you all
Franziska.
Notice of appeal Saturday in September
There will be a special gift morning with coffee on
Saturday 17th September from 11am to 1pm
The overspend of our reserves continues to run at about £1300. We are hoping that everyone who loves our Church and wants to respond to Jesus’ love in their lives will come along and give a contribution to help with our finances.
Please bring your family and friends to the morning to support the work of the church.
God bless you all
The Elders.
September 2011 Editor’s newsletter
Dear Friends,
August was the month of Ramadan when those who follow the Koran fast during the hours of daylight and join together for a meal at sunset. We put on a free meal on Friday 12th August in St Paul’s car park for about 100 invited guests coming from the disadvantaged in Walsall… a lovely atmosphere and the current Mayor Clrl Garry Perry and the Mayoress joined us to help serve the meal. One of the 5 pillars of Islam is to give and share with the less fortunate than ourselves and this event was run by myself as a director of a ‘Christian’ charity with St Paul’s as the church along with Midlands International Aid Trust and Mohammed Aslam MBE who represents a mainly Muslim charity here in Walsall. The significance of these two charities joining together to welcome those disadvantaged members of our society during Ramadan for the last 4 years shows that we all care about our fellow human beings whatever their beliefs or status in life. My colleague Aslam is off to the refugee camps in Kenya taking some large donations to directly help those who have really hit rock bottom with the war and the drought. Hopefully we shall do some more fund raising during September with a street collection on Saturday 17th September in Walsall Town centre… if you can spare a hour or so to rattle a tin please contact me… the money will go direct with no overheads to help those in the Horn of Africa and I can report back on exactly where the money is spent and who benefited. The mosques during Ramadan will be donating some £20K for this cause which is wonderful to evidence people practising what they preach!!
Regards
Ian
My home number is 01922 634642 and mobile 07956 829549
You can email me on robertsonic@hotmail.co.uk Please feel free to call me
Church Meeting Thursday 22nd September 2pm.
There will be drop in coffee mornings on
Monday September 11th 11am
Saturday 17th September 11am to 1pm Gift Morning
Monday 26th September. At 11 am…
Do come in and have a chat.. A friendly social!!
This month the Church will be praying especially for the people who live in the following streets :
Severn Rd, Harden Rd,
Barracks Lane, Green Rock Lane
Notice for all members of the congregation
Thanks from Franziska
Dear Friends
Thank you so much for the friendly farewell you gave me and for your lovely presents
The cake was beautiful– thank you Jean!- and the vase is something I will always treasure as a re minder of you. And the tray will be a very useful reminder of your beautiful building.
My God bless you in your future walk of discipleship and in your search for a new minister
Love to you all
Franziska.
Notice of appeal Saturday in September
There will be a special gift morning with coffee on
Saturday 17th September from 11am to 1pm
The overspend of our reserves continues to run at about £1300. We are hoping that everyone who loves our Church and wants to respond to Jesus’ love in their lives will come along and give a contribution to help with our finances.
Please bring your family and friends to the morning to support the work of the church.
God bless you all
The Elders.
September 2011 Editor’s newsletter
Dear Friends,
August was the month of Ramadan when those who follow the Koran fast during the hours of daylight and join together for a meal at sunset. We put on a free meal on Friday 12th August in St Paul’s car park for about 100 invited guests coming from the disadvantaged in Walsall… a lovely atmosphere and the current Mayor Clrl Garry Perry and the Mayoress joined us to help serve the meal. One of the 5 pillars of Islam is to give and share with the less fortunate than ourselves and this event was run by myself as a director of a ‘Christian’ charity with St Paul’s as the church along with Midlands International Aid Trust and Mohammed Aslam MBE who represents a mainly Muslim charity here in Walsall. The significance of these two charities joining together to welcome those disadvantaged members of our society during Ramadan for the last 4 years shows that we all care about our fellow human beings whatever their beliefs or status in life. My colleague Aslam is off to the refugee camps in Kenya taking some large donations to directly help those who have really hit rock bottom with the war and the drought. Hopefully we shall do some more fund raising during September with a street collection on Saturday 17th September in Walsall Town centre… if you can spare a hour or so to rattle a tin please contact me… the money will go direct with no overheads to help those in the Horn of Africa and I can report back on exactly where the money is spent and who benefited. The mosques during Ramadan will be donating some £20K for this cause which is wonderful to evidence people practising what they preach!!
Regards
Ian
My home number is 01922 634642 and mobile 07956 829549
You can email me on robertsonic@hotmail.co.uk Please feel free to call me
Friday, July 15, 2011
July News
Pulpit Arrangements Services start at 11.0 am
Sunday 3rd July Ges Murray
Sunday 10th July Revd Franziska Herring
Sunday 17th July Ges Murray
Sunday 24th July Revd Franziska Herring
Sunday 31st July Geoff Owen.
You will be most welcome to join us.
Dear Friends,
How time flies! It is time to write my last newsletter greeting to you – a year since Diana retired, and hopefully not too long before you get a new minister.
In March 2009, you gave me a party in recognition of five years of ministry, and you presented me with a grape vine. This was duly planted in my garden and has now nicely taken root. What a lovely surprise to see it produce its first flowers this week! They look just like miniature bunches of grapes.
There must be a deeper meaning in this observation!?? I have thoroughly enjoyed my nearly eight years with you, and I am sure my faith has grown in leaps and bounds. As we now go our own separate ways, I will always remember you as friends and fellow travellers. We may be apart, but we will remain branches of the same Vine, which is Jesus Christ our Lord.
And perhaps now is the time to look for fruit that might come from out time together? The fruit on my grape vine is still nothing more than a promise and there will still need to be a lot of sunshine and rain before I can taste it.
Our Lord will need to lead us all through a lot more highs and lows before the fruit of our faith is ripe – but the promise is there. Thanks be to God.
Perhaps I can send you a picture when the first bunch of grapes is ready to eat.
God bless you all,
Franziska
AUTUMN CONCERT
It is hoped to put on a concert in which all groups and individuals people using the church take part.
The date is Saturday 15th October 2011
Start at 7.0pm
What can you do???
Sing , give a Keep fit demonstration; Dance, read a poem, play an instrument… the list is endless…
If you or your group are willing to take part can you let Yvonne know by the weekend of Saturday/Sunday July 9th/10th
You can either phone Yvonne on 01922 682078
Or leave a note on the table in the vestry.
It is hoped that this will show how we can all pull together to make such an event work!!
Yvonne
Church Social Secretary
Bake A Cake Monday
On Monday 4th July— under Jean’s guidance– there will be a CAKE –BAKE afternoon from 2pm onwards.
This afternoon could be seen as the Guide Motto which says ‘ Be Prepared’ so other members of the congregation can help with the baking of cakes for sale on Sundays and at other social events.
Come and join us for the afternoon. All welcome
There will be a sheet put up on the notice board and if you would like to come along
PLEASE PUT YOUR NAME DOWN so that Jean knows some idea of numbers attending
Many thanks
Yvonne
Social Secretary Now is your chance to learn the trade secrets of that lemon drizzle cake! … Ian
13th Bakeathon for Christian Aid
Many thanks to everyone who helped raise £1435.56 this year for Christian Aid.
Whatever you did either donating money, ingredients, made cakes or bought or sold them.. It all helped to raise this wonderful total.
This money will help a lot of people have better lives especially in Nicaragua where the people there have worked together to build a better future.
Many thanks for your support Jean Harper.
Sunday 3rd July Ges Murray
Sunday 10th July Revd Franziska Herring
Sunday 17th July Ges Murray
Sunday 24th July Revd Franziska Herring
Sunday 31st July Geoff Owen.
You will be most welcome to join us.
Dear Friends,
How time flies! It is time to write my last newsletter greeting to you – a year since Diana retired, and hopefully not too long before you get a new minister.
In March 2009, you gave me a party in recognition of five years of ministry, and you presented me with a grape vine. This was duly planted in my garden and has now nicely taken root. What a lovely surprise to see it produce its first flowers this week! They look just like miniature bunches of grapes.
There must be a deeper meaning in this observation!?? I have thoroughly enjoyed my nearly eight years with you, and I am sure my faith has grown in leaps and bounds. As we now go our own separate ways, I will always remember you as friends and fellow travellers. We may be apart, but we will remain branches of the same Vine, which is Jesus Christ our Lord.
And perhaps now is the time to look for fruit that might come from out time together? The fruit on my grape vine is still nothing more than a promise and there will still need to be a lot of sunshine and rain before I can taste it.
Our Lord will need to lead us all through a lot more highs and lows before the fruit of our faith is ripe – but the promise is there. Thanks be to God.
Perhaps I can send you a picture when the first bunch of grapes is ready to eat.
God bless you all,
Franziska
AUTUMN CONCERT
It is hoped to put on a concert in which all groups and individuals people using the church take part.
The date is Saturday 15th October 2011
Start at 7.0pm
What can you do???
Sing , give a Keep fit demonstration; Dance, read a poem, play an instrument… the list is endless…
If you or your group are willing to take part can you let Yvonne know by the weekend of Saturday/Sunday July 9th/10th
You can either phone Yvonne on 01922 682078
Or leave a note on the table in the vestry.
It is hoped that this will show how we can all pull together to make such an event work!!
Yvonne
Church Social Secretary
Bake A Cake Monday
On Monday 4th July— under Jean’s guidance– there will be a CAKE –BAKE afternoon from 2pm onwards.
This afternoon could be seen as the Guide Motto which says ‘ Be Prepared’ so other members of the congregation can help with the baking of cakes for sale on Sundays and at other social events.
Come and join us for the afternoon. All welcome
There will be a sheet put up on the notice board and if you would like to come along
PLEASE PUT YOUR NAME DOWN so that Jean knows some idea of numbers attending
Many thanks
Yvonne
Social Secretary Now is your chance to learn the trade secrets of that lemon drizzle cake! … Ian
13th Bakeathon for Christian Aid
Many thanks to everyone who helped raise £1435.56 this year for Christian Aid.
Whatever you did either donating money, ingredients, made cakes or bought or sold them.. It all helped to raise this wonderful total.
This money will help a lot of people have better lives especially in Nicaragua where the people there have worked together to build a better future.
Many thanks for your support Jean Harper.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
A welcome awaits you at Blakenal Church
June 2011 Editor’s and Church Secretary newsletter
Dear All,
I hope you all voted on May 5th? It was Archbishop Tutu who said anyone who thinks that religion and politics do not mix is reading a different Bible to me’ I do welcome the comments of those are ministers on the pathways and policies that various Governments implement Likewise it is great that those who lead us in Government indicate that they follow God… revelations of others whose various misdeeds on such items as expense claims fill me with despair along with the poor example that many in public life seem to show. Now I know many of us would not claim to be perfect but I am sure we can at least sleep well at night!
We can see that unfortunately relatively few local residents vote as well as not come to our church.. Some do not see either as relevant to their lives and joining in will make no difference to their lives and this appears to be especially true for many young people.
Somehow we have to communicate to them what a breath of fresh air will happen to their lives if they come to know God and Jesus better and how this will enhance their life here on earth. How to do this? While I do not follow their thinking the Jehovah's Witnesses do get out there knocking doors… as I have been doing canvassing for votes over the last three months… Now I will let you into a sort of secret.. We go for door knocking on those who have voted on the marked register only.. Pity there is not a marked register for those who have at some time been to church...however I am sure someone is watching!! Please give some thought on how we can recruit more to also ‘vote’ with their feet to be a Christian.
Regards
Ian
Ian editor.. My home number is 01922 634642 and mobile 07956 829549
You can email me on robertsonic@hotmail.co.uk Please feel free to call me
Dear All,
I hope you all voted on May 5th? It was Archbishop Tutu who said anyone who thinks that religion and politics do not mix is reading a different Bible to me’ I do welcome the comments of those are ministers on the pathways and policies that various Governments implement Likewise it is great that those who lead us in Government indicate that they follow God… revelations of others whose various misdeeds on such items as expense claims fill me with despair along with the poor example that many in public life seem to show. Now I know many of us would not claim to be perfect but I am sure we can at least sleep well at night!
We can see that unfortunately relatively few local residents vote as well as not come to our church.. Some do not see either as relevant to their lives and joining in will make no difference to their lives and this appears to be especially true for many young people.
Somehow we have to communicate to them what a breath of fresh air will happen to their lives if they come to know God and Jesus better and how this will enhance their life here on earth. How to do this? While I do not follow their thinking the Jehovah's Witnesses do get out there knocking doors… as I have been doing canvassing for votes over the last three months… Now I will let you into a sort of secret.. We go for door knocking on those who have voted on the marked register only.. Pity there is not a marked register for those who have at some time been to church...however I am sure someone is watching!! Please give some thought on how we can recruit more to also ‘vote’ with their feet to be a Christian.
Regards
Ian
Ian editor.. My home number is 01922 634642 and mobile 07956 829549
You can email me on robertsonic@hotmail.co.uk Please feel free to call me
June message
Dear Friends,
This month we celebrate the birthday of the Church at Pentecost. With the poring out of the Holy Spirit the followers of Jesus were given an abiding resource to help them discern the will of God, to be strengthened for a difficult path through life and to build a community of believers that would endure.
We still have that same resource. It is the Holy Spirit who prompts each of us to attend worship. It is the Holy Spirit who helps us read the Bible with some level of understanding, and it is the Holy Spirit who binds us together into a community of love and care.
Pentecost is therefore a festival where we not just celebrate a birthday and remember the past. It is a festival for our present walk of life and for trusting God to lead us into the future.
In May, I went onto a retreat on Holy Island, and the opportunities I had there enabled me to gain some clarity about my future life and ministry. Holy Island is renowned for its Celtic spirituality, and looking at the beautiful pictures and prayers that come out of the Lindisfarne Scriptorium made me think how the twists and turns of Celtic patterns mirror the paths we take through life: how we have to turn around and face a new direction so many times in our lives; how we tend to stray from the narrow path that leads to Life and have to turn back again and again.
As we get older, change becomes a more daunting prospect, yet it is part of being human to have a wonderfully adaptable brain: unlike other animals, our brains take 20 years to develop, and even in old age we can still learn new things and adapt to new ways. This is how our Creator makes us able to follow the convoluted path signposted by the Holy Spirit.
So keep listening to the inner voice of the Holy Spirit and have a Happy Pentecost,
Franziska
Brownie meetings
Thursday evening 6pm to 7.30pm Girls between ages of 7 to 10 years For details please ring Fiona 01922 685063
Or Yvonne on 01922 682078
Brownies is the only uniformed organisation to meet on Thursdays..
This month the Church will be praying especially for the
people who live in the following streets :
Stanley Str.
Penderal Str.
Victoria Ave.
Hamilton Str.
Ryle Str.
This month we celebrate the birthday of the Church at Pentecost. With the poring out of the Holy Spirit the followers of Jesus were given an abiding resource to help them discern the will of God, to be strengthened for a difficult path through life and to build a community of believers that would endure.
We still have that same resource. It is the Holy Spirit who prompts each of us to attend worship. It is the Holy Spirit who helps us read the Bible with some level of understanding, and it is the Holy Spirit who binds us together into a community of love and care.
Pentecost is therefore a festival where we not just celebrate a birthday and remember the past. It is a festival for our present walk of life and for trusting God to lead us into the future.
In May, I went onto a retreat on Holy Island, and the opportunities I had there enabled me to gain some clarity about my future life and ministry. Holy Island is renowned for its Celtic spirituality, and looking at the beautiful pictures and prayers that come out of the Lindisfarne Scriptorium made me think how the twists and turns of Celtic patterns mirror the paths we take through life: how we have to turn around and face a new direction so many times in our lives; how we tend to stray from the narrow path that leads to Life and have to turn back again and again.
As we get older, change becomes a more daunting prospect, yet it is part of being human to have a wonderfully adaptable brain: unlike other animals, our brains take 20 years to develop, and even in old age we can still learn new things and adapt to new ways. This is how our Creator makes us able to follow the convoluted path signposted by the Holy Spirit.
So keep listening to the inner voice of the Holy Spirit and have a Happy Pentecost,
Franziska
Brownie meetings
Thursday evening 6pm to 7.30pm Girls between ages of 7 to 10 years For details please ring Fiona 01922 685063
Or Yvonne on 01922 682078
Brownies is the only uniformed organisation to meet on Thursdays..
This month the Church will be praying especially for the
people who live in the following streets :
Stanley Str.
Penderal Str.
Victoria Ave.
Hamilton Str.
Ryle Str.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
dates for events at Church
From the congregation at
Blakenall United Reformed Church
At the junction of Blakenall Lane & Chantry Avenue
Junior Church and the Crèche are held at same times as the Sunday service
Youth Club at present is not running but we would like to resume if there is support..
Keep fit Wednesday night 7.30 to 9pm
—————————————————————————
Beavers ( age 6-8) Mondays 6 to7 pm
Cubs ( age 8—10 1/2 ) Tuesday 7 to8 pm
Scouts ( age101/2 to 14) Monday 7 to 8.30pm
Explorer Scouts ( 14 –18) Monday 7—8.30pm
Contact Phil Webster 07515251962
—————————————————————————
Brownie meetings Thursday evening 6pm to 7.30pm
Girls between ages of 7 to 10 years
For details please ring Fiona 01922 685063
Or Yvonne 01922 682078
Church Secretary Ian Robertson 01922 634642 or 07956829549
Email robertsonic@hotmail.co.uk
Blakenall United Reformed Church
At the junction of Blakenall Lane & Chantry Avenue
Junior Church and the Crèche are held at same times as the Sunday service
Youth Club at present is not running but we would like to resume if there is support..
Keep fit Wednesday night 7.30 to 9pm
—————————————————————————
Beavers ( age 6-8) Mondays 6 to7 pm
Cubs ( age 8—10 1/2 ) Tuesday 7 to8 pm
Scouts ( age101/2 to 14) Monday 7 to 8.30pm
Explorer Scouts ( 14 –18) Monday 7—8.30pm
Contact Phil Webster 07515251962
—————————————————————————
Brownie meetings Thursday evening 6pm to 7.30pm
Girls between ages of 7 to 10 years
For details please ring Fiona 01922 685063
Or Yvonne 01922 682078
Church Secretary Ian Robertson 01922 634642 or 07956829549
Email robertsonic@hotmail.co.uk
Services for May
Notices May 2011
Pulpit Arrangements Services start at 11.0 am
Sunday 1st May Kath Phillips
Sunday 8th May Ges Murray
Sunday 15th May Frank Clare
Sunday 22nd May Ray Bunn
Sunday 29th May Rev Franziska Herring
10.30am At Broadway with Communion You will be most welcome to join us.
Pulpit Arrangements Services start at 11.0 am
Sunday 1st May Kath Phillips
Sunday 8th May Ges Murray
Sunday 15th May Frank Clare
Sunday 22nd May Ray Bunn
Sunday 29th May Rev Franziska Herring
10.30am At Broadway with Communion You will be most welcome to join us.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
April News
Notices April 2011
Pulpit Arrangements Services start at 11.0 am
Sunday 3rd April Ray Bunn (Mothering Sunday)
Sunday 10th April Rev Franziska Herring Parade
Commitment for life
Sunday 17th April Ges Murray
Thursday 21st Rev Franziska Herring 7.30pm
Maundy Thursday with communion
Friday 22nd April Good Friday Rev Franziska Herring
Sunday 24th April Easter Day Rev Franziska Herring
with Communion
You will be most welcome to join us.
Porch and Offertory
Bernard Wright Audrey Wright
Elder Duty
Ges Murray
Communion Servers
Cynth Murray and Ian Robertson
Coffee Rota
3rd Cynthia Murray
10th Sheila Wooton Doreen Boucher
17th Lilian Mason
24th Gwen Smith
Dear Friends,
As I am writing to you, we are half-way through Lent: through the period of preparing for Easter in whichever way each of us has chosen to mark it. Our Lent course is going well. We have so far had some very enjoyable and enriching discussions on the Lent course, and I am grateful to be able to experience the fellowship and depth of sharing here at Blakenall.
This year, it is Blakenall’s turn to host the Maundy Thursday Communion for the Walsall Pastorate. We hope we’ll have a good time of fellowship with one another and with our friends from Broadway and Hatherton. On the next day, Good Friday, we’ll have the Churches Together Walk of Witness in the morning and our traditional Frugal Supper in the evening.
And then Easter: arguably the greatest Church festival of the year! Easter reminds us that we serve a risen Saviour – that He is in charge of our community, and we can and must rely on His power too lead us into the future.
One week later, we’ll be looking forward to the Royal Wedding. We’ll have a party here at Blakenall in the afternoon. If recent social events like the Beetle Drive on 26th March are anything to go by, we’ll have an excellent time of fun and fellowship. And we’ll have more opportunities to grow together as a community of friends. A friendly and welcoming community is the prerequisite, if our church is to grow – both in numbers and in the spiritual maturity of all its members.
So do join us for all our April celebrations, and have a Happy Easter,
Franziska
Saturday 16th April
Congregational Social Evening in the Church Hall
Time 7 pm to approx 9pm
Tickets £1
Bring a Plate ( with goodies on it… to Share
Do you have any ideas for future Social Events?
Would you be willing to help at these events?
If you want Social Events it is up to you to support them if at all possible.
Why not bring a friend along?
regards
Yvonne
Church Social Secretary.
Invitation
To a Royal Wedding Party
At Blakenall United Reformed Church
On Friday, 29th April
3 pm
With a Bring and Share Tea
Contributions will be received towards our Chosen Charity
for you Royal Wedding Presents (the Manse Fund)
Other Dates for your April diary
1st April Lent Lunch – All Saints Noon
5th April Service at the Glebe Centre 1.30pm
7th April Lent Course 11.30am at Blakenall
And 7.30pm at Broadway
8th April Lent Lunch – Blakenall URC Noon
11th April Coffee Morning 11.00am
12th April Elders Meeting 7.30pm
14th April Lent Course 11.30am at Blakenall
And 7.30pm at Broadway
14th April F & M Meeting 7.30pm
15th April Lent Lunch – St Peters Noon
16th April Congregation Social & Bring a Plate of Food to share 7pm to 9pm
21st April Joint Maundy Thursday Communion at our Church 7.30pm
22nd April Walk of Witness 10.15am
22nd April Frugal Supper and Service 7.00pm
29th April Joint Pastorate “Royal Wedding Party & Donation 3.00pm
To Manse Fund” – Bring a Plate of Food to Share
Brownie meetings
Thursday evening 6pm to 7.30pm Girls between ages of 7 to 10 years For details please ring Fiona 01922 685063
Or Yvonne on 01922 682078
Brownies is the only uniformed organisation to meet on Thursdays..
This month the Church will be praying especially for the people who live in the following streets :
Church Street Church View Close, Usk Close
any issues please ring Ian Robertson -01922 634642
Pulpit Arrangements Services start at 11.0 am
Sunday 3rd April Ray Bunn (Mothering Sunday)
Sunday 10th April Rev Franziska Herring Parade
Commitment for life
Sunday 17th April Ges Murray
Thursday 21st Rev Franziska Herring 7.30pm
Maundy Thursday with communion
Friday 22nd April Good Friday Rev Franziska Herring
Sunday 24th April Easter Day Rev Franziska Herring
with Communion
You will be most welcome to join us.
Porch and Offertory
Bernard Wright Audrey Wright
Elder Duty
Ges Murray
Communion Servers
Cynth Murray and Ian Robertson
Coffee Rota
3rd Cynthia Murray
10th Sheila Wooton Doreen Boucher
17th Lilian Mason
24th Gwen Smith
Dear Friends,
As I am writing to you, we are half-way through Lent: through the period of preparing for Easter in whichever way each of us has chosen to mark it. Our Lent course is going well. We have so far had some very enjoyable and enriching discussions on the Lent course, and I am grateful to be able to experience the fellowship and depth of sharing here at Blakenall.
This year, it is Blakenall’s turn to host the Maundy Thursday Communion for the Walsall Pastorate. We hope we’ll have a good time of fellowship with one another and with our friends from Broadway and Hatherton. On the next day, Good Friday, we’ll have the Churches Together Walk of Witness in the morning and our traditional Frugal Supper in the evening.
And then Easter: arguably the greatest Church festival of the year! Easter reminds us that we serve a risen Saviour – that He is in charge of our community, and we can and must rely on His power too lead us into the future.
One week later, we’ll be looking forward to the Royal Wedding. We’ll have a party here at Blakenall in the afternoon. If recent social events like the Beetle Drive on 26th March are anything to go by, we’ll have an excellent time of fun and fellowship. And we’ll have more opportunities to grow together as a community of friends. A friendly and welcoming community is the prerequisite, if our church is to grow – both in numbers and in the spiritual maturity of all its members.
So do join us for all our April celebrations, and have a Happy Easter,
Franziska
Saturday 16th April
Congregational Social Evening in the Church Hall
Time 7 pm to approx 9pm
Tickets £1
Bring a Plate ( with goodies on it… to Share
Do you have any ideas for future Social Events?
Would you be willing to help at these events?
If you want Social Events it is up to you to support them if at all possible.
Why not bring a friend along?
regards
Yvonne
Church Social Secretary.
Invitation
To a Royal Wedding Party
At Blakenall United Reformed Church
On Friday, 29th April
3 pm
With a Bring and Share Tea
Contributions will be received towards our Chosen Charity
for you Royal Wedding Presents (the Manse Fund)
Other Dates for your April diary
1st April Lent Lunch – All Saints Noon
5th April Service at the Glebe Centre 1.30pm
7th April Lent Course 11.30am at Blakenall
And 7.30pm at Broadway
8th April Lent Lunch – Blakenall URC Noon
11th April Coffee Morning 11.00am
12th April Elders Meeting 7.30pm
14th April Lent Course 11.30am at Blakenall
And 7.30pm at Broadway
14th April F & M Meeting 7.30pm
15th April Lent Lunch – St Peters Noon
16th April Congregation Social & Bring a Plate of Food to share 7pm to 9pm
21st April Joint Maundy Thursday Communion at our Church 7.30pm
22nd April Walk of Witness 10.15am
22nd April Frugal Supper and Service 7.00pm
29th April Joint Pastorate “Royal Wedding Party & Donation 3.00pm
To Manse Fund” – Bring a Plate of Food to Share
Brownie meetings
Thursday evening 6pm to 7.30pm Girls between ages of 7 to 10 years For details please ring Fiona 01922 685063
Or Yvonne on 01922 682078
Brownies is the only uniformed organisation to meet on Thursdays..
This month the Church will be praying especially for the people who live in the following streets :
Church Street Church View Close, Usk Close
any issues please ring Ian Robertson -01922 634642
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Friday, February 4, 2011
Jesus Heals.. come and join us
What you need is a shot of something really special!
Come and join us ! We are really friendly !
Details inside… Come along and give us a try!!
Newsletter February 201
Minister
Rev Franziska Herring 01543 423268
Thursday, January 13, 2011
January News
Notices January 2011
Pulpit Arrangements Services start at 11.0 am
Sunday 2nd January Kath Phillips
Sunday 9th January Ges Murray
Sunday 16th January Frank Clare
Sunday 23rd January CTBB exchange preacher
with Communion
Sunday 30th January Ges Murray
You will be most welcome to join us.
January 2011 Editor’s newsletter
Dear All,
I write this looking over a snowy scene which reminds me of all those who have struggled to cope with the last few weeks and could have difficulties in joining together in the birthday celebrations with families and friends over the Christmas holiday. .Even more so those who have no family of friends and have to cope with extreme conditions. I am delighted that there has been great cooperation between the voluntary organisations such as the Glebe centre which we support ( and they send their thanks for the regular donations organised by Jean) Highs and Lows ( based at St Pauls) , other churches and the Council ( who have a statutory duty to provide emergency night shelter in such severe weather) We have had sheltering between 8 and 16 fellow human beings over the current severe weather. There are many others who could be described as ‘sofa sleepers’ who as the name suggests use temporary accommodation. We can remember the act of kindness on that original Christmas eve when there was no room at the inn and to me such support today to such individuals and families who for many reasons are currently dependant on Christian kindness from others.
There is also an even worse void for those who in that position after Christmas when all of us have gone back to our own families.
As our dear departed Wyn Taylor would have said…
’ Lord wrap your arms around them and bring them home’
I hope we can live up to her example of Christian love.
Regards
Ian p.s Note that the Preacher in week for Christian Unity will be Revd Roger Williams Vicar of All Saints ( 23rd January)
Dear Friends,
The Christmas season is coming to an end, and the legacy of Christmas is upon us. To me it means becoming more aware of the difference the birth of our Saviour is making to each of our lives and working out just how to follow Jesus day by day.
This year, we are in the “Year of Evangelism” in the Vision4Life Cycle, and that means we will all need to acquire and practice the skills of sharing the Good News.
We will be getting the first batch of targeted help on Saturday, 22nd January. A team from Synod will be visiting our area on that day, coming to Broadway URC to give us some Evangelism Training. This is not just for officers of the church, but for anyone who is not quite sure of the best way to share their faith story with friends and neighbours. If you want some useful pointers where and how to begin with this task, you will be most welcome to come along to the morning session, beginning at 10 am.
After a soup lunch – and the opportunity to eat your sandwiches in the company of church friends from all of the Black Country Area – the Moderator Roy Lowes and a team of Synod Officers will visit us for the afternoon for a Synod Road Show. We’ve had a special weekend, Making the Synod Sizzle, last March, and this Road Show will be the opportunity for those who did not get to it to receive some first-hand feedback.
There will also be surgeries, where the Synod officers will be available to speak with us on the work of Synod and some of the help Synod can give to us, from working out a fair financial balance, through supporting our youth work and lay training, to strategies for church growth and mission work.
Finally, we will be able to share stories relating to the areas of church life closest to our hearts, from membership issues to the working out of team ministry.
It would be great if as many as possible of our friends and members were able to come to either the morning or the afternoon of January 22nd, or even to both. A good attendance at this event is a crucial basis to renewing our visYou may be aware that at the point of writing this, it is 5 months since Diana retired, and the vacancy for the pastorate has still not been declared: officially nobody knows we are looking for a new minister. The main sticking point is the inadequate state of our Manse and the difficulty of deciding what to do about it, and how to finance any work that needs doing. Over the past few months there has been some hard work done on our behalf, and a preliminary plan of action has been worked out and sent off to Synod. This will now need to be agreed by all three churches and by Synod, who will pay at least half the cost of the work. Once the plan is agreed, the vacancy can be declared and we will need to raise funds for the work as well as look for a new minister. May God guide us and empower us through all these stages, so that we will have the chance of finding the minister to Walsall whom God wants call into our midst.
May God bless your journey through the New Year,
Franziska
ion for the Walsall Pastorate and becoming quite clear where Jesus wants to lead us in 2011.
Other Dates for your January diary
4th January Glebe Service 1.30pm
5th January Elders Meeting 7.30pm
9th January Epiphany Service at Broadway 3.00pm
10th January Coffee Morning 11.00am
18th-25th January Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
20th January F & M Meeting 7.30pm
22nd January Synod Area Road show at Broadway 10.30am
24th January Coffee Morning 11.00am
27th January Church AGM 2.00pm
30th January Joint Walsall Pastorate Service 11.00am at Blakenall
Brownie meetings
Thursday evening 6pm to 7.30pm
Girls between ages of 7 to 10 years
For details please ring Fiona 01922 685063
Or Yvonne on 01922 682078
Brownies is the only uniformed organisation to meet on Thursdays..
This month the Church will be praying especially for the people who live in the following streets :
Thames Road, Mersey Road, Severn Road, Harden Road
Pulpit Arrangements Services start at 11.0 am
Sunday 2nd January Kath Phillips
Sunday 9th January Ges Murray
Sunday 16th January Frank Clare
Sunday 23rd January CTBB exchange preacher
with Communion
Sunday 30th January Ges Murray
You will be most welcome to join us.
January 2011 Editor’s newsletter
Dear All,
I write this looking over a snowy scene which reminds me of all those who have struggled to cope with the last few weeks and could have difficulties in joining together in the birthday celebrations with families and friends over the Christmas holiday. .Even more so those who have no family of friends and have to cope with extreme conditions. I am delighted that there has been great cooperation between the voluntary organisations such as the Glebe centre which we support ( and they send their thanks for the regular donations organised by Jean) Highs and Lows ( based at St Pauls) , other churches and the Council ( who have a statutory duty to provide emergency night shelter in such severe weather) We have had sheltering between 8 and 16 fellow human beings over the current severe weather. There are many others who could be described as ‘sofa sleepers’ who as the name suggests use temporary accommodation. We can remember the act of kindness on that original Christmas eve when there was no room at the inn and to me such support today to such individuals and families who for many reasons are currently dependant on Christian kindness from others.
There is also an even worse void for those who in that position after Christmas when all of us have gone back to our own families.
As our dear departed Wyn Taylor would have said…
’ Lord wrap your arms around them and bring them home’
I hope we can live up to her example of Christian love.
Regards
Ian p.s Note that the Preacher in week for Christian Unity will be Revd Roger Williams Vicar of All Saints ( 23rd January)
Dear Friends,
The Christmas season is coming to an end, and the legacy of Christmas is upon us. To me it means becoming more aware of the difference the birth of our Saviour is making to each of our lives and working out just how to follow Jesus day by day.
This year, we are in the “Year of Evangelism” in the Vision4Life Cycle, and that means we will all need to acquire and practice the skills of sharing the Good News.
We will be getting the first batch of targeted help on Saturday, 22nd January. A team from Synod will be visiting our area on that day, coming to Broadway URC to give us some Evangelism Training. This is not just for officers of the church, but for anyone who is not quite sure of the best way to share their faith story with friends and neighbours. If you want some useful pointers where and how to begin with this task, you will be most welcome to come along to the morning session, beginning at 10 am.
After a soup lunch – and the opportunity to eat your sandwiches in the company of church friends from all of the Black Country Area – the Moderator Roy Lowes and a team of Synod Officers will visit us for the afternoon for a Synod Road Show. We’ve had a special weekend, Making the Synod Sizzle, last March, and this Road Show will be the opportunity for those who did not get to it to receive some first-hand feedback.
There will also be surgeries, where the Synod officers will be available to speak with us on the work of Synod and some of the help Synod can give to us, from working out a fair financial balance, through supporting our youth work and lay training, to strategies for church growth and mission work.
Finally, we will be able to share stories relating to the areas of church life closest to our hearts, from membership issues to the working out of team ministry.
It would be great if as many as possible of our friends and members were able to come to either the morning or the afternoon of January 22nd, or even to both. A good attendance at this event is a crucial basis to renewing our visYou may be aware that at the point of writing this, it is 5 months since Diana retired, and the vacancy for the pastorate has still not been declared: officially nobody knows we are looking for a new minister. The main sticking point is the inadequate state of our Manse and the difficulty of deciding what to do about it, and how to finance any work that needs doing. Over the past few months there has been some hard work done on our behalf, and a preliminary plan of action has been worked out and sent off to Synod. This will now need to be agreed by all three churches and by Synod, who will pay at least half the cost of the work. Once the plan is agreed, the vacancy can be declared and we will need to raise funds for the work as well as look for a new minister. May God guide us and empower us through all these stages, so that we will have the chance of finding the minister to Walsall whom God wants call into our midst.
May God bless your journey through the New Year,
Franziska
ion for the Walsall Pastorate and becoming quite clear where Jesus wants to lead us in 2011.
Other Dates for your January diary
4th January Glebe Service 1.30pm
5th January Elders Meeting 7.30pm
9th January Epiphany Service at Broadway 3.00pm
10th January Coffee Morning 11.00am
18th-25th January Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
20th January F & M Meeting 7.30pm
22nd January Synod Area Road show at Broadway 10.30am
24th January Coffee Morning 11.00am
27th January Church AGM 2.00pm
30th January Joint Walsall Pastorate Service 11.00am at Blakenall
Brownie meetings
Thursday evening 6pm to 7.30pm
Girls between ages of 7 to 10 years
For details please ring Fiona 01922 685063
Or Yvonne on 01922 682078
Brownies is the only uniformed organisation to meet on Thursdays..
This month the Church will be praying especially for the people who live in the following streets :
Thames Road, Mersey Road, Severn Road, Harden Road
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
news update
Wyn Taylor
We are all saddened at the news that Wyn Taylor has died on 18th December. Wyn was a deeply committed Christian and an inspiration to us all leading this Church as an Elder over many years. I am sure many Church members and friends would like to pay tribute to her memory and give thanks for her life of Christian witness. If you wish to do so, I will be pleased to publish these in due course. In the meantime our thoughts and sympathies are with her family. ….. Ian
Wyn you will be sadly missed by us both - God Bless You - Cynth & Ges
Maurice and I would like to say how welcoming Wyn was to us when we first joined. She encouraged us tremendously. She was such a lovely warm and caring person a true Christian to the end. We shall miss her warm lovely smile and friendly greeting. May she rest in Eternal Peace.
Kath and Maurice
What a friend I had in Wyn
Win was not only a friend but an advisor, helper, consoler and everything else you needed in your life.
We had great times together, one of which was doing the Credit Union which we believe helped a lot of people in the community. Win struggled for as long as she could to help man the collection point as Christchurch and she will be sadly missed by all the people there as well.
After Credit Union we would go shopping (not recently) when Win would drool over the fresh cream cakes which she was not allowed as she was diabetic and I would bring a smile to her face working out the best prices of the goods.
You could always confide in Win and she would help you see things in a different light.
I can't tell you how much I shall miss Win for many, many reasons but God bless you Win and as you used to say He will and I am positive He will for the wonderful life you lead.
Your very dear friend Jean xxx
Dear Friends,
Ian asked if I would like to send you a message in the newsletter for January. I do hope that all is well with you and that Christmas has been a time of peace as you have shared together in the story of "God with us" once again.
I know that it has also been a time of sadness as we mourn for our dear friend Wyn. She has been a pillar of the church, a huge encouragement to so many people and her sensitive intercession prayers have helped and comforted us all. We give thanks for her life and rejoice that she has been welcomed home by her Saviour.
May God be with each one of you in the coming year, guiding and leading you.
Love and blessings,
Diana
Dear Friends,
The Christmas season is coming to an end, and the legacy of Christmas is upon us. To me it means becoming more aware of the difference the birth of our Saviour is making to each of our lives and working out just how to follow Jesus day by day.
This year, we are in the “Year of Evangelism” in the Vision4Life Cycle, and that means we will all need to acquire and practice the skills of sharing the Good News.
We will be getting the first batch of targeted help on Saturday, 22nd January. A team from Synod will be visiting our area on that day, coming to Broadway URC to give us some Evangelism Training. This is not just for officers of the church, but for anyone who is not quite sure of the best way to share their faith story with friends and neighbours. If you want some useful pointers where and how to begin with this task, you will be most welcome to come along to the morning session, beginning at 10 am.
After a soup lunch – and the opportunity to eat your sandwiches in the company of church friends from all of the Black Country Area – the Moderator Roy Lowes and a team of Synod Officers will visit us for the afternoon for a Synod Road Show. We’ve had a special weekend, Making the Synod Sizzle, last March, and this Road Show will be the opportunity for those who did not get to it to receive some first-hand feedback.
There will also be surgeries, where the Synod officers will be available to speak with us on the work of Synod and some of the help Synod can give to us, from working out a fair financial balance, through supporting our youth work and lay training, to strategies for church growth and mission work.
Finally, we will be able to share stories relating to the areas of church life closest to our hearts, from membership issues to the working out of team ministry.
It would be great if as many as possible of our friends and members were able to come to either the morning or the afternoon of January 22nd, or even to both. A good attendance at this event is a crucial basis to renewing our vision for the Walsall Pastorate and becoming quite clear where Jesus wants to lead us in 2011.
You may be aware that at the point of writing this, it is 5 months since Diana retired, and the vacancy for the pastorate has still not been declared: officially nobody knows we are looking for a new minister. The main sticking point is the inadequate state of our Manse and the difficulty of deciding what to do about it, and how to finance any work that needs doing. Over the past few months there has been some hard work done on our behalf, and a preliminary plan of action has been worked out and sent off to Synod. This will now need to be agreed by all three churches and by Synod, who will pay at least half the cost of the work. Once the plan is agreed, the vacancy can be declared and we will need to raise funds for the work as well as look for a new minister. May God guide us and empower us through all these stages, so that we will have the chance of finding the minister to Walsall whom God wants call into our midst.
May God bless your journey through the New Year,
Franziska
We are all saddened at the news that Wyn Taylor has died on 18th December. Wyn was a deeply committed Christian and an inspiration to us all leading this Church as an Elder over many years. I am sure many Church members and friends would like to pay tribute to her memory and give thanks for her life of Christian witness. If you wish to do so, I will be pleased to publish these in due course. In the meantime our thoughts and sympathies are with her family. ….. Ian
Wyn you will be sadly missed by us both - God Bless You - Cynth & Ges
Maurice and I would like to say how welcoming Wyn was to us when we first joined. She encouraged us tremendously. She was such a lovely warm and caring person a true Christian to the end. We shall miss her warm lovely smile and friendly greeting. May she rest in Eternal Peace.
Kath and Maurice
What a friend I had in Wyn
Win was not only a friend but an advisor, helper, consoler and everything else you needed in your life.
We had great times together, one of which was doing the Credit Union which we believe helped a lot of people in the community. Win struggled for as long as she could to help man the collection point as Christchurch and she will be sadly missed by all the people there as well.
After Credit Union we would go shopping (not recently) when Win would drool over the fresh cream cakes which she was not allowed as she was diabetic and I would bring a smile to her face working out the best prices of the goods.
You could always confide in Win and she would help you see things in a different light.
I can't tell you how much I shall miss Win for many, many reasons but God bless you Win and as you used to say He will and I am positive He will for the wonderful life you lead.
Your very dear friend Jean xxx
Dear Friends,
Ian asked if I would like to send you a message in the newsletter for January. I do hope that all is well with you and that Christmas has been a time of peace as you have shared together in the story of "God with us" once again.
I know that it has also been a time of sadness as we mourn for our dear friend Wyn. She has been a pillar of the church, a huge encouragement to so many people and her sensitive intercession prayers have helped and comforted us all. We give thanks for her life and rejoice that she has been welcomed home by her Saviour.
May God be with each one of you in the coming year, guiding and leading you.
Love and blessings,
Diana
Dear Friends,
The Christmas season is coming to an end, and the legacy of Christmas is upon us. To me it means becoming more aware of the difference the birth of our Saviour is making to each of our lives and working out just how to follow Jesus day by day.
This year, we are in the “Year of Evangelism” in the Vision4Life Cycle, and that means we will all need to acquire and practice the skills of sharing the Good News.
We will be getting the first batch of targeted help on Saturday, 22nd January. A team from Synod will be visiting our area on that day, coming to Broadway URC to give us some Evangelism Training. This is not just for officers of the church, but for anyone who is not quite sure of the best way to share their faith story with friends and neighbours. If you want some useful pointers where and how to begin with this task, you will be most welcome to come along to the morning session, beginning at 10 am.
After a soup lunch – and the opportunity to eat your sandwiches in the company of church friends from all of the Black Country Area – the Moderator Roy Lowes and a team of Synod Officers will visit us for the afternoon for a Synod Road Show. We’ve had a special weekend, Making the Synod Sizzle, last March, and this Road Show will be the opportunity for those who did not get to it to receive some first-hand feedback.
There will also be surgeries, where the Synod officers will be available to speak with us on the work of Synod and some of the help Synod can give to us, from working out a fair financial balance, through supporting our youth work and lay training, to strategies for church growth and mission work.
Finally, we will be able to share stories relating to the areas of church life closest to our hearts, from membership issues to the working out of team ministry.
It would be great if as many as possible of our friends and members were able to come to either the morning or the afternoon of January 22nd, or even to both. A good attendance at this event is a crucial basis to renewing our vision for the Walsall Pastorate and becoming quite clear where Jesus wants to lead us in 2011.
You may be aware that at the point of writing this, it is 5 months since Diana retired, and the vacancy for the pastorate has still not been declared: officially nobody knows we are looking for a new minister. The main sticking point is the inadequate state of our Manse and the difficulty of deciding what to do about it, and how to finance any work that needs doing. Over the past few months there has been some hard work done on our behalf, and a preliminary plan of action has been worked out and sent off to Synod. This will now need to be agreed by all three churches and by Synod, who will pay at least half the cost of the work. Once the plan is agreed, the vacancy can be declared and we will need to raise funds for the work as well as look for a new minister. May God guide us and empower us through all these stages, so that we will have the chance of finding the minister to Walsall whom God wants call into our midst.
May God bless your journey through the New Year,
Franziska
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