THE BEACON

November 2006

The Parish Magazine of

All Saints’ Sedgley & St Andrew’s The Straits

50p

May 2013

2

“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow”

Albert Einstein For over 100 years you have been helping local people with sight loss

This year you helped Anne-Marie to ride a bike on her own for the first time, you helped Frank leave his house each week to meet his friends for a cup of tea and a chat and you helped William receive the care and support he needs every day.

Making a gift to us in your will can make a big difference for people like Anne-Marie, Frank, and William.

Make your last gift really count

Live for today but be their hope for tomorrow

Call Jo Ellis on 01902 880111 www.beacon4blind.co.uk/legacies

Charity Registration No 216092

3

ALL SAINTS’, SEDGLEY Sunday Services

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

Weekday Services

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

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

Weekday Service

Wednesday 7.00 p.m. Holy Communion

THE STRAITS CHURCH

Sunday Services 9.30 a.m. Prayer & Communion

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

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

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

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

or St Andrew’s by arrangement.

4

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

GORNAL & SEDGLEY TEAM MINISTRY

Team Rector The Revd Stephen Buckley 01902 883255

(Day off Friday) Team Vicar The Revd Andy Stand 883467 (Day off Monday) Asst Curate The Revd Rob Parker-McGee (Day off Friday) 01384 860525

Reader Jan Humphries 01902 661275

Authorised Lay Minister Suzanne Bradley 880055

PCC Secretary Chris Williams 672880

ALL SAINTS’

Parish Wardens Rob Lavender 01902 661325

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

Organist Mel Jones 0121 550 1604

Bell Ringers Keith Williams 01902 672585 Servers Len Millard 676339 Junior Church Barbara Price 676591 Youth Group Laura Price “

Noah’s Ark Parent

& Toddler Group Linda Edwards 672556

Hall Bookings The Vicarage 883255 Hall Caretaker Joan Moon 682902 Social Club John Dillworth 670156

Magazine Editor Christine Buckley 883255

Distribution Rob Lavender 661325 Advertising “ “ Cont. over page

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All Saints’ cont. Mothers’ Union Liz Williams 672880 Ladies’ Society Geraldine Baker 674608

Men’s Society Roger Berry 881374

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

ST ANDREW’S Church Warden Margaret Probin 01902 883163

DCC Secretary Rosemary Reed Treasurer Gordon Betteley 882777 Sacristan May Smith

Little Angels Mums & Toddlers Sarah Parker-McGee 01384 860525

THE STRAITS COMMUNITY CHURCH Pastor Maurice Powell 01902 885402

PARISH WEBSITE: www.gornalandsedgley.org.uk

CHURCH REGISTERS

BAPTISMS ALL SAINTS’ 7 April Olivia Grace Dent 21 April Ava Louise Daly 28 Apri Noah George Peak

Scarlett Iris Russell Finley Jack Moore Isla Beatrice Wilkes

ST ANDREW’S

14th April Jake Michael Collingridge

PARISH FUNERALS 3 April John Thomas Davies, aged 89 12 April Edna May Irene Davis, aged 93 “ Mavis Knott, aged 76 Cont. over page

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Parish funerals cont. 17 April Josephine Anne Cox, aged 85 16 April Lynn Abbots, aged 53

18 April George Harper, aged 93 22 April Sylvia Amy Guy, aged 87 24 April Lily Fithern, aged 85 “ William (Bill) Castle, aged 82

MAGAZINE MATERIAL

Articles for the June magazine should be sent to the Vicarage by Sunday 19

May. These may be sent by e-mail to 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 MAY

May 5 Vacant

May 12 Stella Hughes

May 19 In memory of May Hackett

May 26 David & Elaine Melhuish

CHURCH OPENING

Friday mornings from

10.30am to 12.30pm

The church is open for quiet prayer

& coffee and a chat.

We will be pleased to see you.

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“HEAVEN AND EARTH REJOICE!”

Dear Friends,

During Holy Week and Easter, Fr Dennis Berk CR, our Holy Week Guest, took us on

an honest journey through the terrifying events which make up the historic reality of

Christ’s betrayal and death. A reality attested to by historical evidence and reliable

witness. These are a sequence of events which reveal the true self-sacrificial nature of

our God. Fr Dennis spoke to us about the real costs of such unselfish and self-giving

love in our own lives: something our society so often ridicules. But as Fr Dennis went

on to plainly tell us, such self-sacrifice is not the end, since it is through such love

freely given that we open ourselves up to the grace of resurrected life.

Even our weather appeared to be liturgically ordered and hanging on his every

word. During the dark days of Holy Week, we wadded through snow and battled the

chilblains. Then, as we entered Easter, we were treated to momentary glimpses of

sunshine. And now, as the Easter joy begins to really take effect, we are almost at the

stage of digging out the sandals and shorts!

Two excellent and experienced priests at a funeral at All Saints’ recently reflected

helpfully on the joys of the resurrection and eternal life. Each in their own style

relayed to us how out of the pain of death new shoots emerge that are more

radiant than anything that has gone before. That, when we are at the point of

being gathered back to God, all that has been good; all the happy memories, the

hard work, the talent, all the promise, the potential, all the kindnesses, the

unrecognised successes, all the love, the joy, the excitement: all abounds and

fills the whole person as they are invited to sit at high table in the eternal

banquet – the New Jerusalem – Heaven!

We have no knowing of exactly what it is like, neither consequently do we

have the right vocabulary to explain it, simply because we have never seen it

for ourselves... And yet we know, in our heart of hearts that it is true because

very occasionally we glimpse it in the here and now. When we do a good deed

without counting the cost or stand up for the oppressed in the face of opposition,

when our Lord joins us through our engagement with others or in our Eucharistic

feast, when we pray in silence and our meditation elevates us to a place unknown,

we are treated to a tiny glimpse of heaven.

Heaven is the unreserved grace of God and through our actions we are able

to move our world closer to His heavenly realm. As we do so, the grace of

God, which is always there openly anticipating us, breaks through and warms

creation with its gentle radiance. Our Church is the community of grace,

simply because it is always seeking to enable ways to bring this about. At All

Saints’ and St Andrew’s, we do this through our self-sacrificial love and

welcome to strangers, through our prayer and through our encounter with

Christ in the Eucharist. Exciting stuff!!!

8

In like fashion, I for one am extremely elated about the prospect of our summer

fetes, those famous Sedgley shindigs. I cannot wait to join the frivolity as we

welcome young and old and reveal the exhilaration of the true resurrection-life

through our visible festivities. I hope to see you there and I pray that together

we may each glimpse a little of the grace of heaven…

With much love and many blessings (in my shorts and sandals!),

Fr Rob

MOTHERS’ UNION

April was a ‘Harper’ month as we were pleased to welcome Maureen and John

Harper to both of our meetings. In the afternoon we were ‘Exploring Yorkshire’

from Harrogate, Robin Hood’s Bay and Scarborough to Whitby with the

instantly recognisable whale-bone arch and abbey ruins. Many of us recognised

Castle Howard, the setting for Brideshead Revisited and the magnificent York

Minster as well as The Shambles, which at one time was a street full of

butchers’ shops. The word ‘shambles’ is an obsolete term for an open-air

slaughterhouse and meat market.

John Rutter’s ‘For the Beauty of the Earth’ was the setting for their evening visit

when we journeyed through the seasons of the year, visiting the many beautiful

places we have around us. We travelled to Hereford, Worcester, Shrewsbury,

Ludlow, Bridgnorth, Bewdley and The Slaughters, to name but a few.

Interspersed were slides of All Saints’ Church shown in the different seasons.

Members recognised many of the places but Maureen’s clever photography

caught us out on occasions. The evening made us realise how beautiful God’s

world is and how fortunate we are to live in this little corner of it.

Thank you to those of you who donated items to our Lent Collection for the

Women’s Refuge and to all who supported the Coffee Morning. It was lovely

to meet with members from around the Deanery and as always members were

most generous with their giving. I would also like to thank members of the

congregation who gave items for the collection. We were pleased to have

Karen, from the Refuge, with us to receive the items and bring us up to date

with their news.

Our Deanery Festival is at All Saints’ on Tuesday 14th May at 7.30pm. This

will be a service prepared by St James’, Lower Gornal, Mothers’ Union. I hope

that as many members as possible will attend this service to welcome members

9

Dates

7th May 2.30pm Being a Good Gardener: Rosemary Moss

14th May 7.30pm Deanery Festival, All Saints’, Sedgley

20th May 10.00am Corporate Communion

21st May 7.30pm My Road to Ordination: Revd Alma Organ

Liz Williams

LADIES’ SOCIETY VISIT TO THE MILL THEATRE, DORMSTON

In April, the very talented Willenhall Musical Theatre Company performed Calamity

Jane, adapted in the 1960’s from the highly successful 1953 Warner Bros. film of that

name. Several ladies attended the show and some commented on their memories of

Howard Keel and Doris Day, stars of their era, singing the catchy tunes of the film

Calamity Jane. If this was our benchmark of expectation of performance and

enjoyment, then what we experienced of the show certainly matched.

A most able cast, supported by a superb orchestra, gave an amusing portrayal

of life in ‘Western’ Deadwood City. Its two Peace Officers, Calamity Jane and

Wild Bill Hickock, get involved in saving the neck of local saloon operator

Henry Miller, who has been promoting an actress, Frances Fryer, but who turns

out to be male Francis instead. Angry miners are quelled by Calamity Jane, the

six pistol gal, with a reputation for being careless with the truth. She sets out to

get the miners’ real heartthrob, actress Adelaine Adams. However, in Chicago

she mistakes the maid for the actress and hauls her back to Deadwood. Soon

the maid Katie confesses, and once again Calamity needs to restore order and

persuades the folk to give Katie a chance. She soon wins the heart of every

male in Deadwood, including Calamity’s love hope Danny Gilmartin.

Ultimately Calamity Jane overcomes her jealousy of losing Danny and finds

her true love for Wild Bill Hickock.

As the story unfolded we were treated to fine performances of the main

characters, supported by a cast of good dancers and actors, who seemed to

enjoy their presentation. The show, of course was interspersed with well known

songs such as ‘Men!’, ‘Windy City’, ‘The Black Hills of Dakota’ and ‘Secret

Love’. A great show! Thank you, Barbara, for your organisation of our visit to

see a most enjoyable production.

Our next outing on 10th May is to the ‘White Lion’ (opposite the Beacon

Hotel) for a meal at 7.30pm, meeting around 7.15. The walk over the Beacon

will now take place at a later date. Hope to see many of you at the White Lion.

Anne Wakefield

10

GOOD FRIDAY WORKSHOP 2013

This year’s workshop on Good Friday was exceptionally well attended with 67

children registering for the activities. This was an all-time record! Many adults

also stayed with young children, and helpers from church and the Youth Group

assisted with the activities, making the event very successful.

Activities on offer this year included: ‘stained glass’ Crosses and Butterflies;

Easter cards; Easter Gardens; Story Wheels & a Cross Chain; Painting; Quiz

sheets; Colouring for the very young; the ever-popular Cake Decorating; and

our Cross which was decorated with Daffodil Prayers. The children moved

from table to table and seemed to enjoy all the activities, leaving some of their

work for display in church over Easter. We again took some photos of the

activities this year and these were also displayed in church. There was an

Easter Egg prize draw for registration, which was won by Nicole Dalley, Lucy

Seedhouse, and Joseph Dowen.

After the activities, everyone enjoyed well-earned refreshments and hot-cross

buns. Stephen came, with Maximus Mouse, to tell the children a story about

Easter, and the morning finished with songs and prayers. We were very grateful

to Joyce, who came to play the piano at such short notice. Everyone appeared

to have enjoyed the morning and left happy and uplifted.

This year around 20 adults and young people from Junior Church, the Noah’s Ark

Group, Youth Group, and from the Congregation gave up their time to help with

the activities and support the event. I am overwhelmingly grateful for their help

and support, without which it would not be possible to hold these events. There is

no doubt how much pleasure the children get from these activities, which is

obvious from the increasing numbers attending year after year.

My heartfelt thanks go to everyone for their hard work on what was a truly

rewarding morning.

Barbara Price

11

INTERCESSIONS FOR MAY

1st Philip & James, Apostles

2nd Athanasius, Bishop & teacher of the faith

3rd Israel/Palestine

4th English Saints & Martyrs

5th St Mary's, Hurst Hill

6th Rogation Day

7th The Community of the Resurrection

8th Julian of Norwich

9th Ascension Day

10th Samaritans

11th Church Missionary Society

12th Gornal & Sedgley Team

13th Christian Aid Week

14th Mathias the Apostle

15th Church Treasurers

16th Social Reformers

17th Schools in our Parish

18th Torch Fellowship for the blind & partially sighted

19th Pentecost

20th Dunstan, restorer of monastic life

21st The Homeless

22nd Church Army

23rd Church Wardens

24th John & Charles Wesley

25th The Venerable Bede

26th Trinity Sunday

27th Augustine of Canterbury, Bishop

28th Additional Curates Society

29th Josephine Butler, Social Reformer

30th Corpus Christi

31st Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

12

CHRISTIAN AID WEEK 12-18 MAY “BITE BACK AT HUNGER”

In the Amazon rain forest in eastern Bolivia Christian Aid's partner, the Centre

for Research and Training of Peasants (CIPCA), has been successfully working

with marginalised indigenous communities in the region of Beni to secure the

rights to the land where they have lived for generations. The communities feel

an even stronger link to the land on which they live now that their families

have gained the official land titles. Elmy Ymanarlico, who keeps chickens

provided by CIPCA, says: ‘These chickens are better than the ones we had in

the community before because they produce more eggs and more often,

ensuring regular food and income.’ Now families are safe on their land, they

can invest for the future, too. Elmy is now able to provide food for her family

and sell surplus produce at market.

Protecting families

Over the past few years CIPCA has helped more than 1,000 families to secure

legal ownership of the land they have lived on for generations. This in turn has

protected them from local cattle ranchers and mining and logging companies

who had been trying to drive them off their land, often destroying their crops or

intimidating their families. With rights to the land, communities are now able

to look forward to a more secure future and are able to invest their time and

efforts in caring for the land and forest in which they live.

Sustainable businesses

As well as helping these communities to gain their land rights, CIPCA is also

helping them to increase the amount of food they have while continuing to protect

the forest and the rich resources it holds. By developing new sustainable businesses

with the communities, such as growing the regions high-quality cocoa and teaching

the communities how to keep hens and woolless sheep, fear and hunger are being

replaced by safety and abundance.

Diversifying crops

Moreover, by providing each family with seeds or saplings for 52 different types of

crops, CIPCA is helping them to diversify their agriculture, ensuring that they are not

reliant on just a few crops. This means that even if there is flooding or a time of

drought, they can still harvest some foods. While some crops, such as rice or maize,

are ready to harvest within a year, the communities can plan ahead and plant cocoa

saplings or citrus trees for harvesting after a few years. They also plant their own

hardwood trees, which may take 30 years to mature but can then be sold or used to

build their children’s homes, further protecting their forest environment and futures.

13

FREE QUOTATION & Home Visit

Vertical Blinds Venetian Blinds Roller Blinds Roman Blinds Plantation Shutters Pleated Blinds Conservatory Blinds Shade Sails Child Safety Blinds Awnings Canopies

Showroom: Portway House, Stream Road, Kingswinford, West Midlands, DY6 9NT

Call us NOW 0800 163 429

All Saints’ Church Hall

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

(No private parties)

For further information please contact: All Saints’ Vicarage Tel. 01902 883255

E mail: srb55@talktalk.net

14

Kevin Weston Decorating

Special rates for Senior Citizens

Local Authority approved

Advanced City & Guilds

23 years’ experience

Free quotations

Member of the Guild of Master Craftsmen

12 Himley Lane, Swindon DY3 4PW

01384 401859 07981 596109

R T KNIGHT OPTICIANS

Independent, Professional Eye care

Contact Lens Centre Glaucoma Screening

8 Dudley Street Sedgley Dudley

West Midlands DY3 1SB

Tel. 01902 883260

HADEN NEWSAGENTS

UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT

35 Dudley Street Sedgley

Tel. 01902 674200

Newspapers, Confection-ary,

Magazines, Tobacco,

Stationery, Greeting Cards,

Payzone/Mobile Top Up

Gas/Electricity payments

TO ADVERTISE IN THIS MAGAZINE CONTACT ALL SAINTS’ VICARAGE

Tel 01902 883255 E mail: srb55@talktalk.net

Rates for 12 months

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

The magazine is distributed to 350 households in the

Sedgley area

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 &

PLUMBING SERVICES

FULLY QUALIFIED DOMESTIC INSTALLER

From changing a Light Fitting to a Consumer Board

From a Dripping Tap to a complete Bathroom Suite

No job too small No job too big

Call Phil: 01902 673 419 Mob. 07836 770135

Alderbrook Close, Sedgley

HARTILLS OF SEDGLEY MONUMENTAL MASONS

(BRAMM REGISTERED)

MEMORIALS OF DISTINCTION

New Memorials Additional Inscriptions

Renovations

Unit 1D High Street, Sedgley

DY3 1RP

Tel/Fax 01902 882466

19

ANDREW NICHOLLS Heating & Plumbing

3 Northway, Sedgley Tel 01902 683586

(Gas Safe)

New to the area, but with 30 years’ experience

Central Heating Boilers

Water Heaters, Cookers, Fires

Full Installation Service Available

Annual Services

Landlord Safety Certificates

All Kinds of Plumbing Work

20

G L S ALARMS SECURITY SYSTEMS SPECIALISTS

Intruder Alarms, Maintenance Contracts

Repairs & Upgrades, Annual Service

Existing systems maintained & repaired

Est. 15 years - Insurance Approved

sahib registered installer

68 Longmeadow Drive, Sedgley DY3 3QR

Tel: 01902 883188

The Shaggy Dog Pet Grooming Centre for Dogs and Cats

For busy people we take bookings for Bank Holidays and Sundays

17 Bilston St, Sedgley DY3 1JA

Tel: 01902 661377

Evenings: 01902 677869

(As recommended by Maisie, the Vicarage Dog)

21

PHIL OLIVER SPECIALIST

CERAMIC TILER

Walls & Floors

In

Kitchens

Bathrooms

& Conservatories

12 Dudmaston Way Dudley DY1 GQ

Tel. 01384 234323 Mob. 07595 879267

L A J LOCKSMITH

For all your household needs Replacement locks/keys

Lockouts, Servicing Repairs & security upgrades

Motorcycle security, chains & padlocks Friendly service

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

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

GLOVERS

For all your home & office stationery

supplies ring Richard, Maria,

or Mel Bates on:

01902 871682

ONLINE

www.gloversstationery.co.uk

22

RUSSELLS REMOVALS

House & Office Removals Fully Insured

Clearances & Storage Free Estimates

13 Robert Street Lower Gornal

Dudley DY3 2AZ

Tel. 01902 680081

SWEET TRADITIONS DUDLEY STREET

SEDGLEY

Old Fashioned & Traditional Sweets

Pick and Mix Gifts and More

Children’s Party Bags

Has Gareth Malone inspired you to sing?

Then come and join us!

We are

Coseley Male Voice Choir

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

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

please urgently call Gordon on 01902 658402.

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

23

SEDGLEY POWERWASH SERVICES

PROFESSIONAL DRIVEWAY &

PATIO CLEANING SERVICE AT AFFORDABLE PRICES

SKYVAC A CAMERA GUIDED GUTTER CLEANING VACUUM

Prices start from £20

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

www.sedgleypowerwash.co.uk email: pete–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

JUST THOUGHTS

Words can sometimes be hard to find, but sometimes the simplest and briefest

prayers can be profound.

Sometimes silence is better than words. In silence we can have space to hold

what has happened in our hearts and cry.

It pays to keep our real priorities in mind at all times, no matter whatever trivial

matters we maybe involved in.

What we place at the centre of our life matters. It shows us what is our deepest desire.

Never consider God to be at the limits of your understanding. He is always in

the midst of what is important to you.

Its remarkable the difference between children. In the west, if you ask them

where God is they are likely to point to the sky. If you ask a child in India, then

they are likely to point to their hearts.

Adore not the sun or the moon but the one who created them.

Remember there is nothing automatic about one’s spiritual life; growth is the

result of effort, reading, thinking and praying.

Wherever hungry people are fed, homeless people sheltered, rejected people

welcomed, powerless people empowered, Christ is born again and all heaven rejoices.

A non-believing surgeon said to a gardener, ‘I’ve cut open hundreds of people

but I’ve never ever found a human soul.’ The gardener replied, ‘Well, if you cut

into a tulip bulb, you wouldn’t expect to find a flower, would you?’

Everyone we meet, everything we do, every word we speak, every single moment of

our lives are important. Each and every one of us counts for something – to others,

to ourselves and for sure we are important to God.

Each and every day is like a scroll; write upon them that which you want to be

remembered.

Christians can sometimes appear to be arrogant, believing there is only one

answer to life and that they have it. The truth is that God has given us a song to

sing, and, like the birds, we shouldn’t be afraid or embarrassed to sing it with

delight, attracting the attention of others.

25

Have you ever thought about God’s religion? if you tried to classify Him would He be a

Christian, like ourselves or maybe Muslim, Hindu, Jewish or whatever? Surely His

Spirit is pure, unconditional love. Should not our souls reflect this spirit in our lives,

and thereby not necessarily causing divisions between one another by labels relating to

faith? God is love, should that not be our overriding message, not division.

God is not the least impressed by national or religious identity. It’s how we

respect and behave to our neighbours that really counts.

God through the life of Jesus alerts us to the fact that we can only call ourselves

truly human when we’ve learnt to be compassionate with one another.

Life is a journey – travel it well. If you have the choice of sitting it out

watching it go by, or dancing your way through it, I hope you choose to dance.

The only really effective missionary is the one who draws people to their belief

by the way that they behave and not by threats or bribes. Jesus didn’t force

anyone to believe in him – they were attracted to him by the person he was and

still is today.

The answer to life’s questions lie inside you. All you need to do is stop, look,

and listen, and then to trust that small inner voice.

If we dwell on positive feelings, they grow . . . and they lead to happiness, for

ourselves and for those around us. If we choose to dwell on hatred, it grows

and leads to suffering, for ourselves and those around us.

Compiled by David Melhuish

CHRISTIAN AID WEEK

We shall mark the beginning of Christian Aid Week at All Saints’ with a special

service on Sunday 12th May at 10.30 am., for which we will be joined by the

congregation of St Andrew’s, Bilston Street. The theme for this year is “Bite

Back At Hunger”, and you can read about a Christian Aid project in Bolivia on

page 12 of this magazine.

Regarding our street collection, it has become obvious that we cannot cover the

whole of the Northway etc, so this year we are asking each of you to collect

from your own street. Collection envelopes will be available in church, so

please make the effort this year to get involved. I know that house to house

collecting can be a daunting business, but we are doing it on behalf of some of

the poorest and most exploited people in the world

Stephen Buckley

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AROUND THE PARISH

Noah’s Ark Mothers & Toddlers. The winners of the Easter bonnet parade

were 1st Jude Willetts, 2nd Joshua Smith, 3rd Ryan Jones, 4th Jake Groom. It

was a hard choice to make and congratulations to everyone who entered. Many

thanks to the judges.

Birth congratulations to James Wai Anderson on the birth of their daughter

Suzy Mae Lee who was born 25th February and weighed in at 7lbs 15ozs. Suzy is

the second granddaughter and third grandchild of John and Sue Anderson.

Also birth congratulations to Darren and Becci Matthews on the birth of their

son Joshua Edward who arrived four weeks early on 8th April and weighed in at a

healthy 6lbs 8ozs. A brother for Alfie and another Grandson for David and

Maureen Matthews. Further reports say that mother and baby are doing fine.

Congratulations to Alicia Watton, granddaughter of David and Maureen Matthews,

who has just gained a grade five in a singling exam. She sang Over the

Rainbow, Little Road to Bethlehem and the following two in Italian; Star

Viccino and a Vacci exercise. She has just celebrated her fourteenth birthday

and attends Wolverhampton Girls’ High School.

A baptism was held Sunday 7th April during the morning prayer service.

There was a special little visitor all the way from Australia who with her mum

had come to see her cousin Olivia Grace baptised. She won’t remember it as

she was only about 4 months old but no doubt she will hear about it when she

is older. It was a lovely service; all the children attending were as good as gold

and very well behaved. Olivia Grace is the great grandchild of Marjorie Dent

who is Alice Bradley’s sister. It’s a small world.

We welcome Des and Jean Round back to the fold; they have spent the last four

weeks soaking up the sun at their son’s home in Australia. It’s good to see them.

Sad news. Bill Castle, a well known referee and who once ran the line at

Wembley, died Wednesday 10th April; he was 82. He had not been able to

attend church for some time and we missed his friendly face and wry sense of

humour. We send condolences to Margaret, Steven, Deb, Ann and the

grandchildren. May they soon find peace in God’s Love at this sad time.

More sad news. Harold Jauncey died Wednesday 17th April. We send condolences to

his wife Joyce. Condolences also to Stand and Pam Hunt on the death of Pam’s uncle

George who died Good Friday 29th March. George with his wife Tina was living in a

care home. Please remember Stan, Pam and Tina in your prayers.

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Get well wishes to Pam Garrington. She was kept in hospital after an emergency

operation on 15th April.

From the past: May 1890. Mr Seth Pugh resigned his office of Verger at Sedgley

Parish Church which he had held for upwards of 50 years. He will be succeeded by

his son Mr Richard Pugh.

Also from May 1890: Special sermons were preached at All Saints’ Church

Sedgley in aid of the fund for the liquidation of the Church Wardens’ debt. It

stated it was a good collection but not how much.

An error in last month’s magazine. It should have read Liz Williams was 14

years old when her father died, not 3 years old as stated. Sorry.

Dorothy Inett

ICE

An item that could provide valuable assistance in an emergency Many of us carry a mobile phone with names and numbers stored in its memory. If we

were to be involved in an accident or were taken ill, the people attending us would have

our mobile phone, but wouldn’t know who to call. Yes, there are hundreds of numbers

stored – but which one is the contact person in case of an emergency?

Hence the ‘ICE’ (In Case of Emergency) Campaign. The concept of ‘ICE’ is

catching on quickly. It is a method of contact during emergency situations. As

mobile phones are carried by the majority of the population, all you need to do

is store the number of a person or persons who should be contacted during

emergency under the name ‘ICE’ (In Case of Emergency).

The idea was thought up by a paramedic who found that when he went to the

scenes of accidents there were always mobile phones with patients, but the

emergency services didn’t know which number to call. He therefore thought

that it would be a good idea if there was a nationally recognized name for this

purpose. In an emergency situation, emergency service personnel and hospital

staff would be able to contact the right person quickly by simply dialling the

number you have stored as ‘ICE’.

The Ambulance Service asks us to circulate this. It won’t take too many

‘circulations’ before everybody will know about the idea. It really could save

your life, or put a loved one’s mind at rest. For more than one contact name,

simply enter ICE1, ICE2 and ICE3, etc.

PASS THIS AROUND AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE, AS THIS CAN

HELP IN AN EMERGENCY

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St Andrew’s

The Straits

SPRING FAYRE

Saturday 11th May

11 am Onwards

Plants Toys & Books

Homemade Cakes

Tombola - Groceries - Bottle Stall

Toiletries

“All Welcome”

Prize Raffle Draw 2 pm

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DIARY DATES: MAY

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

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

to this pattern is shown below.

All Saints’

Tues 7th May 2.30 pm MU meets in the church hall

7.30 pm Baptism meeting in the social club

Fri 10th May 7.30 pm Ladies Society meal at the White Lion

Sun 12th May 10.30 am Christian Aid Service

Mon 20th May 7.45 pm Men’s Society meets in the social club

Tues 21st May 7.30 pm MU meets in church

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

St Andrew’s

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

term time.

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

12.30 pm in the church hall.

Parish Meetings

Tues 14th May 7.30 pm MU Deanery Festival at All Saints’

Wed 22nd May 7.30 pm Licensing of Wardens at St Mary’s, Kidderminster

Thu 30th May 7.30 pm Licensing of Eucharistic Ministers at Christchurch,

Coseley

*****

QUOTE OF THE MONTH

From “How to be a bad Christian and a Better Person”

by the Revd Dave Tomlinson

“Let’s get it clear: Christianity is about faith, not belief. There is a difference. Faith

is about having trust, whereas belief is more akin to having opinions. It’s possible

to hold beliefs passionately and to argue about them until the cows come home,

without them making a scrap of difference to us. But trust is not about beliefs,

creeds, opinions, arguments; it’s more instinctive, more fundamental. It doesn’t

need words. It’s in your belly!”

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