Making Connections 2017-2018

COMMUNITY OF ST JOHN THE DIVINE MAKING CONNECTIONS ANNUAL REPORT 2017-2018

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CSJD_Covers.indd 2 20/07/2018 22:35 THE COMMUNITY OF ST JOHN THE DIVINE

The Mission Statement The Community of St John the Divine, an Anglican Religious Community, live under the threefold Vows of Religious Life, establishing a centre of worship and prayer under the patronage of St John the Divine, the Apostle of Love, and together with the Associates of the Community form a network of love, prayer and service.

Within the ethos of healing, wholeness and reconciliation, we exercise a ministry of hospitality for people to come for times of rest, retreat and renewal and to share in the life and worship of the Community. We seek to offer a ministry of spiritual accompaniment and pastoral care, and to respond to the needs of the poor and marginalized.

The heart of our call is to be a praying community seeking God in our daily lives and serving Him in reaching out as channels of God’s love to others.

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CSJD_Covers.indd 3 20/07/2018 22:35 Bishop David’s commendation for CSJD Annual Report Making Connections 2017-2018 I am very pleased as Episcopal Visitor to the Community of St John the Divine to write a commendation for the latest edition of Making Connections, 2017-2018.

he period covered by this report charts a momentous journey for the flourishing of T for the members of the Community and for their Associates that place and yet sit and Friends. It is a journey which began at St John’s House, sufficiently lightly that Alum Rock, with a courageous decision to sell the property at we are able to hear God’s 652 Alum Rock Road and to seek a new home and a new focus call to move onwards for ministry. That journey has for now come to an end at their when the time is right. Ultimately, as we work new house in Marston Green and I am delighted to see their towards the coming of ministry growing and flourishing as they put down roots in God’s kingdom, we are another part of the region. reminded that our lives Like all great missionary journeys, the move involved numerous themselves are a journey steps of faith and also revealed some wonderful signs of faithfulness towards the permanent home that Jesus has – by the Sisters themselves, by Interserve who bought St John’s prepared for us. House and by the vendors of 113 Coleshill Road who kept faith with the Community over many months. As you read this report, I trust that you, like me, Within the context of the history of the Community, this latest will give thanks for the journey is one of many over the years, from its foundation in faith and faithfulness The Rt Rev David Urquhart London in 1848, Sisters from the Order have variously made their of the Sisters of the homes in a number of London locations and in Hastings, Paris and Community of St John Nkhota in Malawi. It is a gift of grace to be able to root ourselves the Divine in their journeying and in their arriving and for all the sufficiently after each move, that we commit ourselves to working strangers and friends whom they have met along the way.

With my prayers for you all, THE COMMUNITY OF Bishop David The Rt Rev David Urquhart ST JOHN THE DIVINE Bishop of Birmingham

The Mission Statement Introduction The Community of St John the Divine, an Anglican Religious Welcome to this year’s Making Connections, our Annual Report Community, live under the threefold Vows of Religious for 2017-18. Life, establishing a centre of worship and prayer under the patronage of St John the Divine, the Apostle of Love, and There has been a long gap since our last publication – 2012-13 – during which time much has happened to the together with the Associates of the Community form a Community. It has been a case of keeping in touch by emails and letters to allow everyone to share in the journey we network of love, prayer and service. have been making, but now the time has come to tell the story of these last few years; of the huge decision to leave our house in Alum Rock which had been the Community’s home for the last 40 years and the story of how we found our Within the ethos of healing, wholeness and reconciliation, new home and who became the new owners of St John’s House, Alum Rock. we exercise a ministry of hospitality for people to come for Then there was all the preparation for the move and the excitement and the stress of the move itself, a ‘never to be times of rest, retreat and renewal and to share in the life and repeated’ undertaking – so we said! worship of the Community. We seek to offer a ministry of spiritual accompaniment and pastoral care, and to respond to Then will come the great joy of sharing news of our new home in Marston Green and how we have settled here. the needs of the poor and marginalized. As usual, we want to bring you up to date with Community news; news of our Associates and those whose lives touch The heart of our call is to be a praying community seeking ours in so many ways. God in our daily lives and serving Him in reaching out as This Annual Report is the ‘catch up’ story of all that has been happening, so there is a written record both to enjoy now channels of God’s love to others. and something that will bring back memories as the years go on.

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CSJD_Covers.indd 3 20/07/2018 22:35 Lunch at final service 1

Lunch at final service 2 Julie and Clive

It was proving very difficult to find anyone who wanted Goodbye to Alum Rock to buy St John’s House in Alum Rock. The only serious interest came from Interserve International (International Life-changing decisions are not Service Fellowship Trust), a global missionary society. Our made very easily. link was through one of the organisation’s local members, James Lynch, who was introduced to us by Fred Rattley, he thought that one day we might have to leave Alum Birmingham Diocesan Regeneration Officer. James shared T Rock was a consideration that kept surfacing for many with us the vision of Interserve having a house here in the years waiting to be addressed, growing in its demand for Midlands. Representatives from the different branches of serious attention until eventually we had to acknowledge their mission paid many visits and at a local level there was we had neither the woman-power nor the finance to a lot of interest, but we were never quite sure until the last continue to live there. But life-changing decisions are not minute if the different committees were in agreement with made very easily. The prayer that surrounds them is always the purchase or not. Eventually, there was agreement by demanding and costly. the Interserve Trustees to go ahead on 20th June 2016. The decision to go ahead with the sale of the house was During this time we were so thankful to those who helped made in May 2014 and so began the process of slowly us professionally. Without their help, we would never have saying goodbye to St John’s House at Alum Rock. negotiated the complexity of the issues that had to be faced Once this decision was made, we had an initial look on the and understood. internet to get some idea of properties that were available. We were so grateful for their wisdom and experience guiding It was as if 113 Coleshill Road was waiting impatiently in us. We would like especially to offer our thanks to Mr Gerry the wings to show itself as our new home. It was the first Curran (our property consultant); Mr Dominic Curran of house that came on the screen and continued to be the first Anthony Collins Solicitors; Mr Peter Fowles of Sanderson, every time we searched. It felt that in God’s goodness, we Weatherall Valuation Services; C.P. Bigwood (Estate Agents) were given a peep at just what ‘might be’, reinforced every and Mr Tony Leverington, our Honorary Treasurer. time we looked, just in case we hadn’t taken it in! On a more practical note, sorting out and packing up duly Julie and Clive Matthews, the owners of the house, quickly started and continued, it seemed, unendingly. We were became our friends as we made visits. The house had been very grateful for the help from Associates and friends in their family home for almost as long as we had lived in what felt an overwhelming process. During this time our Alum Rock and latterly had been a bed and breakfast. Julie small sitting room was made into an area we called ‘the said what was important to them was to sell the house to shop’, where small items not required by us were stored someone who would love it. Our main concern was that and available for anyone to take. It was like a long-term there could well be a long wait before we could sell St John’s rummage sale! Having liaised with Interserve, we agreed to House at Alum Rock. The Matthews said they were prepared leave for them the furniture in the chapel, seven bedrooms to wait for us and wait they did, for two long years! We can on the second floor, the ground floor flat and refectory and never thank them enough for their patience and generosity. kitchen items. Other than the furniture we planned to

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Back garden God Pod bring with us, we gave items to several charities, including Then it was a case of where to start with the unpacking! It some refugee projects and Birmingham City Mission. took the best part of three months to feel we were at last at Slowly but surely we down-sized and divested ourselves of home. We tried to be gentle with ourselves in establishing 40 years of accumulation! a new rhythm for the house both for our prayer life and for Twelve days before our move, we had our final Eucharist in our daily routine. Slowly St. John’s House here in Marston the chapel on 18th June 2016. It was a celebration of our Green took on its new identity. time at Alum Rock, as it felt important to mark this Rite of Passage and give thanks for all our time there. Our local chaplains, the Rev Canon Helen Hingley and Rev Bill Moore, Marston Green presided at the Eucharist at which the Rev Canon Dr Alison A new home that ‘ticks all the boxes’. Joyce preached. This was followed by a buffet lunch to which Associates, local clergy and friends were invited. ur new home in Marston Green is beautiful and brings Ous all a lot of joy. It is the right size and as they say It is hard to try and record the different emotions that we ‘ticks all the boxes’. We have been so blessed to find it. all felt. We were tired, there was sadness at leaving our Or was it that it was already prepared and waiting for us? home of many years, mixed with a new excitement. Living out of boxes was making life more difficult by the day. We You will see from the front cover what the house looks certainly understood the stresses of moving house! At times like. One area where no down-sizing was required and progress seemed very slow, then everything was happening definitely no up-sizing, was the car park. It is more than all at once. Slowly but surely the momentum grew as we ample and at a guess accommodates about 15 cars – so no headed towards THE MOVE! parking problems! We were made to feel so warmly welcomed when we The move arrived by the cards we received and people coming to greet us. We trust those who visit us will always feel the same A time never to be forgotten. warmth too. e were told by the removal firm that they would need As you come into the panelled hall, straight ahead is the chapel. Wfour days to move us, a time never to be forgotten! It is small but has windows on three sides looking onto the The completion date for leaving Alum Rock was 30th June garden. We are using the hand-made furniture that was made but plans needed to be made for the three preceding days; for us when we were in London and had been carefully stored where to put everything over the time of the move. The away for many years while we were in Alum Rock. The chapel library contents and the hobby cupboards went into store holds eight people comfortably but it can be persuaded to and Julie and Clive very generously cleared space in their stretch up to 12. It is the centre of our life of prayer. house so that boxes could be piled four high. We all finally arrived at our new home about 10 pm on 30th June and we On the left as you come into the hall is the refectory. just fell into bed at midnight, with a little space between It is at the front of the house and has furniture from the the boxes leading to the bathrooms. refectory at Alum Rock. It looks out onto the road, which

Making Connections | 2017 - 2018 5 Office Photo 11

Guest room Sister's bedroom can be quite busy in the rush hour. Up to eight people can Upstairs is the office. It is a shared space where the main sit around the table but thankfully that number too can be computer and photocopier are housed and we all have lap- increased when there are more mouths to be fed! tops networked to the main system. It is a bright, sunny room from where visitors can be seen coming and going. Next to the refectory is the Community room. It is small and cosy and it too can accommodate up to eight people. There are also five bedrooms, all en-suite. We feel very It is here that we are able to welcome small groups who spoilt as we have never had anything like this before. The come for quiet days or meetings. It is especially lovely in rooms are small but comfortable. summer as a door opens onto a small patio and from there onto the garden. As we all worked at getting the house straight, we were particularly thankful to those who gave us help, including The garden is made up of a long lawn surrounded by trees Derek Prigg, Bill Moore, Jenny and Geoff Dainty, Elaine and shrubs, with an extra area beyond the trees where we and Geoff King and Neil Bartholomey. have already planted fruit bushes. For our first Christmas here in Marston Green we enjoyed Because we hope to have a similar ministry here as at Alum making a card showing all the different areas of the house, Rock, but on a smaller scale, we explored the possibility of so that everyone could have an idea of where we had moved having a Sisters’ studio and a ‘God pod’ in the garden. This to, especially if they were unable to visit or come to the means we can have a designated hobby room for the Sisters Open Days we were planning in the New Year. and the God pod is the space for spiritual accompaniment and quiet days. Looking back at the house from the garden, the annexe can be seen to the right. It is joined to the main house with a small hallway and has three rooms, two twin guest rooms en-suite and between them the library. These rooms are used for quiet days and short stays. The other rooms on the ground floor are the kitchen and two garages which have been converted into the laundry and the store-room.

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It was whilst doing her Part 2 Midwifery Training with the Sr. Teresa Community, she first began to discern that perhaps God was Giving thanks for Sr. Teresa’s long and calling her to the Religious Life. She arrived to test her vocation in November 1946. Teresa faithful years in the Community. gave an overview of life in the Community since she first n the Annual Report ‘Making Connections 2012-2013’ arrived, sharing with us some of the enormous changes which Iit was reported that, for over a year, Teresa was becoming have come about. Hearing someone speak within their own increasingly frail and she herself felt she had reached the point life experience brings home what those changes have meant, of needing 24-hour care. As a result, she was admitted to moving from a time when Communities hardly knew each other to today when there is real friendship; through the Greswold House, a care home we knew well as other Sisters growth of modern technology and all the major changes in had spent time there. Shirley undertook pastoral visiting one contemporary society; to how Religious Life itself has had afternoon a week. to change even though the foundation of the Life remains Unfortunately, whilst there Teresa had a nasty fall that the same. As far as her personal journey was concerned it resulted in her needing hospitalisation for three weeks. On had its ups and downs, times of joy and sorrow, but through return to Greswold House it soon became obvious that she it all God’s grace and guiding hand had sustained her. We give thanks for Sr. Teresa’s long and faithful years in the needed nursing home care and was admitted to Kingfisher Community. House Nursing Home, run by the Methodist Homes for the Aged, which was nearby. In the nursing home her condition continued to deteriorate and she said she was longing and Finding our feet ready to die. Teresa needed further hospitalisation and was well looked after in Heartlands Hospital. She died peacefully Meeting the community in Marston early in the morning of 18th June 2014. Richard and Raelia Green. French, her nephew and his wife, had been able to visit and returned for her funeral on 1st July 2014 at which Bishop esides settling into our new home, we soon started to find Gordon Mursell presided. Her ashes were interred in the Bour way around Marston Green; important things like Community cemetery on 11th August. getting to meet some of our neighbours, finding where the local shops were, starting to know the names of the roads and At her Golden Jubilee Celebration on 1st May 1999, Teresa the bus and train timetables. shared something of her life journey, which began when thoughts of becoming a missionary were in her mind whilst As far as church is concerned, Margaret continues to worship undertaking nursing training at the London Hospital during at the Cathedral, Ivy at Christ Church, Burney Lane, Shirley the Second World War. Making Connections | 2017 - 2018 7 Christmas 2016 at St. Barnabas Church, Kingshurst and Christine has settled into the local parish church of St. Leonard’s. Christmas 2016 In preparation for Christmas, Ivy maintained her link with So our first Christmas at Marston Christian Music Ministries, where the choir was preparing for Green was upon us! performances of ‘The Inn Crowd’. he Rev John Richards kindly agreed to preside here at Shirley was able to attend a course at her church called ‘Jesus- TMidnight Mass for us and came with his wife Susan Shaped People’, which was part of a diocesan-wide study and their friend Janet. Two of our Associates, Anne Mace programme. and Denise Raby, came to stay for a few days and Annette In November the Community had a stall at St. Leonard’s Hanny and Donna Williams joined us all for Christmas Christmas Fair where we sold mince pies, apple pies and dinner. Judith Piggott and Judith Whalley from Birmingham marmalade made by Ivy and photograph cards made by Cathedral made Christmas puddings for sale. We can highly Margaret. recommend the end result! Then in December some of the Sisters attended Carols by Over the next few days we enjoyed welcoming more Candlelight at St. Leonard’s Church. By this time Christine Associates; Genny Tunbridge to preside at our St. John’s was part of the choir there. Day Eucharist when we were joined by Glenn and Elizabeth Pritchett. Whilst Christmas celebrations were in full swing, Thankfully we were all beginning to feel life was getting it was lovely to welcome Shirley’s daughter, Julie, her husband somewhat back to normal. Visitors could now start Graeme and their two daughters Scarlett and Ruby. Then coming for both day visits and to stay and we had the joy came our duvet days (Community holiday days at home) of welcoming folk back for spiritual accompaniment, using which took us into the New Year. both the annexe and the new God pod. The God pod gives a small, warm, bright, confidential space looking out onto the garden and is a pleasure to use. As a few small groups House blessing began to come, so we found ourselves exploring and enjoying t the start of 2017, on 3rd January, Bishop David came the use of our new garden studio which not only houses our Ato bless the house. He had been before at an early hobby cupboards, but also a long table and chairs, wonderful stage of unpacking so was pleased to see the progress that for all sorts of jobs. One of the first things Ivy and friend had been made, including the two new garden studios. Ruth Button worked on over there was decorating the Bishop David presided at the Eucharist, gave a homily Christmas cakes. based on St. John’s Gospel, then blessed the Community, its ministry and the house. We enjoyed his company over a leisurely lunch afterwards.

8 Making Connections | 2017 - 2018 Rob and Mandy Kris in the archives

For our Easter card, we sent a letter to our Associates and Open days Friends on which there was an Easter painting by the Revd. n January and February we planned three ‘Open Afternoons’, David Senior. We thank David for his permission to use it. Ito which we invited Associates, neighbours and friends from the churches where we worship. Despite the bitterly On Maundy Thursday, Christine, Margaret Angela and Ivy cold weather the afternoons were very well attended, with lots went to the Chrism Mass at the Cathedral. John Richards very of people coming and enjoying their visit and refreshments, kindly accepted our invitation to preside over the Triduum. His showing no hurry in needing to go, so it proved to be a real wife and friend Janet joined us again, and Annie Routley offered social occasion for us all. to play the keyboard, so we were all encouraged in our singing as we offered worship. Marmalade Two major things have impacted on our lives this year: s soon as Seville oranges became available, Ivy started Amaking marmalade. Janet and Geoffrey Herbert Christine’s fall generously bought a large box of the oranges which marked he first to report is that on 15th May, sadly Christine fell the start of the marmalade season, replenishing cupboards with Tand fractured her right neck of femur, so had to spend a marmalade for sale and packing a supply in boxes in the freezer spell in hospital being put together again. As usual beds were to be cooked throughout the year. It is said in this house that at a premium, so she found herself coming home fairly quickly the seasons move from Advent to Christmas to Epiphany to under the care of the District Nurse and Physiotherapist. marmalade to Lent! Thankfully she has made a good recovery, although sometimes it has felt a long, slow and frustrating journey. Nevertheless, she has been thankful and grateful for all the help she has Lent received both professionally and from her Sisters. Ash Wednesday was on 1st March 2017 and for Lent we decided to use Paula Elaine’s decision to leave Gooder’s Lent book ‘Let Me Go There’, the community that was particularly centred on desert he other important news, which most of you will know by Tnow, is that of Elaine’s decision to leave the Community. experiences. For some time she said she had been aware of a growing e all enjoyed using it, meeting each Monday afternoon relationship with a past Alongsider of the Community, Malcolm Wto discuss the week’s reading. At the beginning of Knowles, who is a Methodist Deacon. This came to the point April Rob and Kris de Winter Desij came, Kris to continue where she had to address the issue. She asked for Leave of further work on the archives and Rob to meet with Mandy Absence in June 2017 to have time and space to explore whether O’Connor with regard to Rob taking over the responsibility they were being called to a shared life together. Following a of the new web site. period of some four months, she then requested to be Released

Making Connections | 2017 - 2018 9 Sr Ivy and Halina Small group at quiet day from her Life Vows. We continue to support them prayerfully as a wonderful time where she really flourished in Janet’s lovely home they take the next step in their life together. It has not been an easy by the sea with lots of good food, fresh air and time to relax. time for everyone concerned, when such important decisions have had to be made that have affected both them and the Community. We have been truly grateful for the help we have received from our Associates and Friends, which made it possible for each of us to have Since then we have been discerning how we can best adapt to being time away. four Sisters in Community. We were grateful to Janet Lake, who came towards the end of June to help us reflect on all that was happening and consider how we might live our lives more simply, Ministry but with integrity. Our ministry here continues much as Holidays it did in Alum Rock but on a smaller Thankfully we have all managed to scale. have some much-needed time away. e have a lot of people who visit and we have to be careful Wnot to overbook. Many of the same folk who came to Alum n July, Shirley spent a week with her daughter and family. Rock still come here for quiet days and spiritual accompaniment, as IThen in August, Ivy had invited her long-standing Polish well as small groups. We can manage up to eight people in the space friend to have a holiday in this country. It had been planned we have available. well in advance, with Halina having the first week here to see the sights of Birmingham and London, with a special visit to Added to that, there have been lots of new friends that we have Buckingham Palace. made here, so the house is often a place of hospitality, which is lovely. It is a joy to have lots going on as well as finding some time This was followed by a coach trip to Scotland which they both and space to be together. really enjoyed. Shirley was due to have her second week of holiday when she received news of the death of her brother-in-law, so spent One thing that is important to us all is to support the local the week with her sister, Maureen, and was there to support the Foodbank, which operates under the umbrella of the Trussell Trust. family for Dave’s funeral. Margaret then had two weeks’ holiday in We regularly buy food and deliver it to the Kingfisher Foodbank, the Peak District with her friend Pat and then once Christine was which is our nearest location. more mobile, she was invited to stay with Janet Lake in Dorset. Janet was very generous and kindly came to collect her and bring All too soon it seemed we were preparing for our second Christmas her home, for which she was truly thankful. Although at that in Marston Green and welcoming the New Year 2018. Again, point she could walk happily around the house, getting used to we were pleased to welcome Rev John Richards to preside at our the outside again was another matter! Christine was with Janet for Christmas Eucharist, accompanied by his wife Susan and their two weeks. The first week was holiday and slowly and surely she friend Janet and Annie Routley kindly played the keyboard. Three walked a bit further each day till she did over a mile in the bracing of our Associates, Anne Mace, Annette Hanny and Phyllis Eaton, sea breezes. Janet was so kind in taking her to different places and also joined us but sadly Annette and Phyllis were both unwell accompanying her, helping her to get her confidence back. Her and unable to be with us for Christmas lunch. However, we were week of holiday was followed by a time of annual retreat. It was all pleased to welcome Rev Sue Restall to join us on Christmas day. 10 Making Connections | 2017 - 2018 Tent of meeting with Associates Associates at lunch Associates Our Associates are an important part of our Community. They are an enthusiastic group of some 60 people; men and women from all walks of life who desire to have a close link with the Community and share much of our life. They are seen as our extended family. Associates come to visit us as and when they can, especially meeting at the Annual Associates’ Day in May; a time to get to know each other better and catch up with news, as well as having a speaker and sharing the Eucharist together.

About 20 of our Associates came for the day, some travelling Associates’ Day a good distance. Roughly half of them hadn’t seen the house before so after coffee, time was spent showing them around Saturday 6th May 2017 and just enjoying being together. We all gathered at 12 mid-day for our Eucharist in what has become the ‘tent For the first time it was a joy to be of meeting’ and our two local Chaplains, the Revs Helen able to welcome our Associates to our Hingley and Bill Moore led the worship, during which the Associates renewed their annual commitment. It really did new home in Marston Green. work well although we all agreed we needed some better aving given it lots of thought and considered lots of seating! We have since found where we can borrow some Hoptions, we knew we wanted to welcome our Associates chairs, so it looks like we are already finding ways to move here, but had to consider how to be creative in managing from good to better! it in our lovely but much smaller house. We investigated The Sisters had prepared a hot lunch followed by a choice hiring a marquee but found the cost exorbitant. After of desserts, some generously provided by the Associates further searching we found a Danish Party Tent advertised, themselves, so it was no problem for everyone to get what which would hold up to 24 people. It had three transparent they wanted and sit where they wanted in small groups to windows on each side and was roughly the same size as the enjoy each other’s company. All the rooms on the ground Sisters’ studio. So to cut a long story short, we bought it so floor were open, so there were lots of places to choose from. that we would have it for future meetings and it was a great Right from the start it felt a very happy gathering. success. Ken, our Gardener, and some of his family helped put it up and on the Monday after our meeting we nearly After dinner we gathered again in the ‘tent of meeting’ for one managed to get it down by ourselves. big sharing session. It was fun for us to be able to highlight Making Connections | 2017 - 2018 11 Rev Helene Horan with Rev Joe Roberts) Barb Clay

some of the anecdotes of the last ten months since we came We give thanks for knowing each of these Associates and their here and each of the Sisters brought their different offerings. faithful love for our Lord, their families and the Community. We then shared news from Associates who could not be 2017 has been both a time of joy and sadness for some of our present, followed by news from those who were there. It felt Associates. The Rev Canon Faith Claringbull has served this we all caught up with where we were with living our lives diocese for 15 years as DDO (Diocesan Director of Ordinands) and it was a relaxed and much enjoyed time. The afternoon and has given herself tirelessly in working with so many who finished by exploring ‘if it worked’ in coming here, to which will forever be thankful for her wisdom and care in discerning the answer was a resounding YES! Those travelling from afar and nurturing their call to the Ordained ministry. She and were assured we could put five Associates up for the night if her husband, Keith, who has been working with refugees, have they were willing to share a room and there were offers from now moved to Stoke-on-Trent where Faith is having a period Associates living near who were willing to offer hospitality of discernment. too. So the day came to an end with tea and scones and one by one we said our goodbyes. We have rejoiced with the Rev Theresa Jones, who completed her five years of work on her PhD, which was followed by the Viva at the end of the year where she had to defend her work. Her News of individual thesis was titled ‘The Sublime, the Numinous and the Mysterium Tremendum’ and focused on the work of the German theologian Associates Rudolf Otto and the concept of holiness. We all gave great thanks when we heard she had been successful and was awarded We are sad to record that during the her Doctorate on 11th December and graduated at Leicester winter of 2016 we received news of University on 25th January 2018. the deaths of three of our Associates: Some other special news for rejoicing has been the Ordination to the Diaconate of Helene Horan on Sunday, 2nd July 2017 n 22nd November, Connie Getliffe, who had been in Birmingham Cathedral. She has started her Curacy at St. Oan Associate for at least 60 years and was very actively Andrew’s Church, Chelmsley Wood with Rev Mike Harman and supportive of the Community, died peacefully, surrounded by is flourishing in her new ministry. her family, after a short spell in hospital. On 4th December, Edith Fox died after a severe stroke. She also had been an We have been prayerfully supporting some of our Associates who Associate for many years and was a Pupil Midwife with the have been ill during 2017. Janet Herbert had an accident at her Community in the late 1950s. home in January, when she fell and fractured her hip. Thankfully she has made a steady recovery. Anne Mace and Steph Blackwell Then early in the New Year we heard that Brenda Hill had have both been under consultant care; please pray for the safety died of an aggressive brain tumour on 30th December. of Steph’s eyesight. Denise Raby also fractured her hip in Brenda lived in Port Elizabeth, South Africa and we were August 2017, needing a short spell in hospital. Please continue concerned that we had not heard from her or her family to pray for her in her training as a Reader in the church. Early over Christmas. in February 2018 we heard Rev Elaine King had an accident slipping on the ice and needed surgery on both her knees; we pray for her recovery. 12 Making Connections | 2017 - 2018 Ann Willis and Kathy Evans

(Include photo 24 - Myra Kingscott)

Helen Lloyd and Ann Willis Bishop Anne with Sisters

Barb Clay in Canada is in regular contact with us and has Ann is a Reader in the Church and has been recently Licensed to settled well in her new flat in Toronto near some family St. Peter’s Church, Sutton Coldfield. Both Ann and Kathy were members. regular visitors for quiet days when we were at Alum Rock, so we are delighted to welcome them to the family of our Associates. Lynne Fontaine has now joined a Lay Benedictine Community in Canada. She visited us for a few days at the end of August Another new Associate was admitted on 1st May 2018 – Helen before returning to make her First Profession and therefore is no Lloyd. She has been a regular visitor for a number of years and is longer an Associate but becomes a Friend of the Community. an oral historian, as well as helping with refugees. We are constantly grateful for the help we receive from our Associates in so many different ways. Mandy and Michael Bishops O’Connor have continued to advise and help us with our t has been a very great pleasure to welcome both our computers. In April 2017 they handed over the work of IBishops to our new home in Marston Green. We felt very producing a new web site for the Community to Rob de Winter, encouraged by a visit from Bishop David, our Bishop Visitor, Margaret’s cousin. a few weeks after our move when we were still in the throes of Myra Kingscott now comes regularly once a fortnight to help unpacking. Then again he kindly came to bless the house on us and we are very appreciative of her oversight of the library 3rd January 2017. and for her and her husband Keith’s help moving books and In November 2017 we were able to welcome Bishop Anne bookcases when the new carpet was laid. Donna Williams Hollinghurst, Bishop of Aston, for her visit to the Community comes on Saturday mornings to assist in the kitchen and for in Marston Green. many years we have been grateful for the help Janet Herbert was able to give on Tuesdays. Jenny Dainty and Denise Raby We have so appreciated the interest shown by our Bishops have been generous in staying to help us over holiday time and on their visits and are grateful for their prayers, support and Jenny and her husband Geoff kindly stained the pergola and the encouragement. decking outside the Community room. Other Associates have given us time as and when they were able. Local Chaplains We regularly give thanks for each of our older Associates, for their oth our Local Chaplains, the Rev Canon Helen Hingley and years of faithful love and commitment, especially remembering Bthe Rev Bill Moore, have been very supportive in their care Joan Pritchard who celebrated her 100th birthday in the autumn for the Community and this has been deeply appreciated both of 2016. A very momentous milestone! Among our other older in times of sorrow and in joy. We value their friendship and Associates, we remember Joan Bowles, Ivy Cooper-Barlow, Liz wisdom enormously. Stirling and Fr Henry Burgess who is now being looked after in a care home in Lichfield. Our former Chaplain General, the Rt Rev Gordon Mursell, still stays in touch with the Community as an Associate and when he travels south from Scotland and has engagements in New Associates Birmingham, he makes time to come and see us. n Tuesday, 30th January 2018, we had the joy of admitting Otwo new Associates – the Rev Kathy Evans and Mrs Ann Willis. Kathy has recently moved to be Vicar of Oldbury, whilst Making Connections | 2017 - 2018 13 Rev Aida Kim Sr Vongai Patricia Visitors the Vision Group from Christ Church, Burney Lane, now Those who come to see us continue to come here regularly and it is always a pleasure We enjoy welcoming people to the having them. house who come for quiet days and We have also had a small group from St. Michael’s Church, South Yardley. Rev Liz Howlett has brought the Continuing spiritual accompaniment. Ministerial Education group (CME) to work on plans for Lay ur ministry of hospitality flows from the daily rhythm Education in the Diocese. Oof living the Religious Life, with time for personal In winter the Community room where they meet is warm and prayer, sharing in the offering of Morning and Evening snug, with hot drinks always at hand. In the summer, it is Prayer and Compline, together with the Eucharist being lovely to see the doors open onto the patio and people able to the focus of our worship at lunch-time, at least three times enjoy the garden. a week. We are blessed in that up to 20 of the local clergy come to preside at the Eucharist for us and stay for a meal. Lots of people have visited us and looking back in the In the midst of their very busy lives it means so much to diary, the realisation dawns that it is impossible to mention build meaningful relationships where they not only minister everyone. What we can say, is that we have valued each one to us, but where we, too, can support them prayerfully in of your visits and your friendship, thank you for coming. their individual ministries, particularly at this time of major change in the Church. We were particularly glad to be able to help Mrs Veronica Whinney, who came to us for some convalescence and was We enjoy welcoming people to the house who come with us around the time of the death of her husband, Bishop for quiet days and spiritual accompaniment. Christine, Michael. We felt privileged to play a small part in supporting Margaret and Shirley all see people regularly. Those who her in her recovery and in her bereavement. come are always invited to pray with us, to eat with us and to find the time and space, rest and refreshment needed to Among friends who have been to see us have been Fr Simon ‘re-charge their batteries’. Holden, CR and Rev Canon Philip Wells in November 2016 and Rev Peter Fisher in January 2017. Besides individuals, we have again been able to welcome small groups of up to eight people. These can be for quiet days The Rev Peter and Mrs. Lizzie Smith and Naomi called or meetings. Two groups that used to come to Alum Rock to see us before they left Christ Church, Burney Lane on could hardly wait for us to get settled here before booking to 19th March 2017 and we are praying for them in their new visit again. The Hall Green Churches Together group and ministry in Wolverhampton.

14 Making Connections | 2017 - 2018 Vena Brenda Ken

Katy, Anne and Rosie Sisters with Claire and Kelly

We enjoyed welcoming Rev Aida Kim from South Korea, team, the Director and those involved in the various aspects who came for a short visit en route to returning home after of producing and filming the series. Everyone made her a time of retreat on the Island of Iona. Many years ago, very welcome. We four Sisters have been invited to spend a Aida lived with us for some time whilst she was improving day on the set in August, so watch this space – more in next her English and studying for Ordination at Trinity College, year’s Report! Bristol and Birmingham University. She waited, however, to be ordained until the Church in South Korea were Friends we certainly do not want to leave out of our Annual ordaining women. Report are Julie and Clive Matthews. They are the people who sold us this house and were so wonderfully patient It was also a joy to welcome Sr Vongai Patricia who came for waiting for us to come. They hope to move into their new a weekend mid-May 2017. Sr Patricia is from Zimbabwe house next door in the Spring of 2018 and we look forward and is currently working as a nurse in this country helping to having such lovely neighbours. to support her Community. We have known Patricia for many years. She first stayed with us whilst she was working through the long and complicated application for British House & Garden Citizenship and visits as and when she can from her busy e are grateful to Brenda Shipman who comes for 20 life in nursing. Whours a week to clean for us and is also employed by Rev Penny Harrison, our Vicar, two afternoons per week. She During the early months of 2018 we had two visits also cleans for her own mother on a Friday afternoon. from some members of the ‘Call the Midwife’ team. We enjoyed welcoming them among us. On 9th February The garden gives Ken Jones so much pleasure and it is a joy Anne Tricklebank , the Producer, came with two of her to see new things growing and the pollarded trees looking team, Katy and Rosie, arriving in time for lunch. It was healthy. Soft fruit and beans have also grown well. We have a happy, relaxed time getting to know each other, then in purchased Winter Flowering Cherry, Victoria Plum and the afternoon we enjoyed discussing ‘Call the Midwife’ Conference Pear trees, which are all growing well and the new and answering queries that they had, particularly about the flower beds that Ken has created are looking good. Religious Life and how the things they were asking were relevant to the next series. Then on 16th March Claire and In the Autumn of 2017, Vena Thompson began working Kelly came from the Costume Department. Apparently, for us as a part-time cook, three mornings a week. Having the Sisters in the series needed new Habits and we had fun her has made an enormous difference, freeing up Margaret unpacking one of our old Habits from the Archives for and Ivy from some of the cooking duties. Christine knows them to try on and take away as a pattern. Both visits were Vena from the choir at St Leonard’s Church where she is very mutually really enjoyable as well as, we hope, helpful. actively involved. One of the Sisters was asked to visit the set in April. Although not a member of our staff, we are grateful to Liz Garrard Margaret agreed to go to represent the Community. From who comes on Wednesday mornings to help in the kitchen. Liz what she said we all felt she had a great day. She told us came to us initially through contact with Ivy at the Christian that she had met some members of the cast, the Production Music Ministries choir, after reading Making Connections.

Making Connections | 2017 - 2018 15 The ‘Lounge’- (formerly our Work-Room) where local women meet up to do craft and share stories

The new ‘Board Room’- (formerly our Library) Sr Margaret and Sr Ivy meet up with the new resident Interserve Community

Lucy and Kitty, our two cats, both settled in much better base of cross-cultural ministry and training, as well as their than we ever dared hope when we moved to Marston Green. headquarters in Great Britain & Ireland. It would also Lucy is very much an indoor cat whilst Kitty loves the great provide a good space for their workers to stay who might be outdoors - except when it is very cold or wet! coming home from abroad; also students at mission or Bible Colleges who could come for placements, as well as for work locally among the peoples of Alum Rock, which is now a Looking Forward largely Muslim population. n this Annual Report we have tried to bring you up to date Iwith the things which have been happening in Community It was an impressive vision for the use of the house and we over the last few years up to the end of March 2018 and we were delighted that the Christian focus and outreach to ‘the plan for our next Annual Report to begin at Easter 2018. whole person’ would continue. There is a small residential lay This will include more on the Associates’ Day 2018 and the community who continue to meet regularly for prayer when celebration of Sr Margaret Angela’s Golden Jubilee. the chapel bell is rung, so the neighbours know that prayer is continuing. We are delighted that Interserve have continued to call 652 Alum Rock Road, ‘St John’s House’. Interserve’s Ministry at James and the St John’s House team have re-organised many parts of the house and made space for four small flats and Alum Rock a board/seminar/conference room in what was the library. We thought that you might like to The area that was our Work Room has been decorated and reordered for use by the local women and the adjacent know more about Interserve and the laundry has been made into a play area for the children. exciting things that are happening at The older part of the house will be the main focus of the next Alum Rock. phase of refurbishment and will provide more office space and meeting rooms. nternational Service Fellowship Trust (Interserve) is a global Imission agency working among the peoples of Asia and the The ‘Bakery’ has been maintained and the ‘Place of Welcome’ Arab world, wherever they are. When we had decided that we continues to be open each Wednesday morning and is well would need to move from Alum Rock, we were introduced to patronised. Father Ray Collier, Mrs Wendy Kerr and Mrs James Lynch, who is a Community Worker with Interserve in Rose Ahmed, who were volunteers when we opened the Place Birmingham. After his initial visit, several visits followed by of Welcome back in 2012, continue to support this vital work other members of Interserve to look at the property as part of of social inclusion in the local area. their discernment process. It is very good to maintain our links with James and the After prolonged prayer, investigation and planning, the members of the Interserve Community and we have been Trustees of Interserve felt that they were being led to purchase delighted to see their vision for the work of God’s Kingdom 652 Alum Rock Road, which in due time would become a coming to reality.

16 Making Connections | 2017 - 2018 Associates Day

Associates Day – Saturday, 5th May 2018 his year 31 of our Associates gathered and with four TSisters and a guest there were just under 40 of us present for the day. We had invited Canon Dr Paula Gooder, the Diocesan Director of Mission, Learning and Development, to come and address the group. We asked her if we could hear more about the thoughts and discussions taking place for shaping the future of the Church here in Birmingham and to reflect too upon how we all need to be open to change in so many areas of our own lives. She was able to give us time in the morning, so after coffee we gathered in the Tent of Meeting. I think everyone could have ‘sat at her feet’ all day, she made her sharing with us so interesting. We believe one of our Associates has managed to record it on her ‘phone and we are in the process of trying to get a copy. At the beginning, she told us about her new book called Phoebe. She said it was her first attempt to write a novel and not an academic book. It’s an imaginative story about Phoebe the deacon and how her life intertwined with Paul. It can Phoebe by Paula Gooder be read at different levels, either just as a story or using the footnotes to take it into a deeper level of understanding. It’s a truly beautiful book to read.

Making Connections | 2017 - 2018 17 Thank you’s

We wish to offer our thanks: To both of our Bishops – David Urquhart, Bishop of Birmingham, our Bishop Visitor, and Bishop Anne Hollinghurst, Bishop of Aston.

To our local Chaplains – Rev Canon Helen Hingley and Rev Bill Moore.

To all the Clergy who regularly preside at the Eucharist for us – the Revds Stella Bailey, Nick Ball, Sue Barter, Wendy Carter, Kathy Evans, Penny Harrison, Geoffrey Herbert, Val Hicks, Helen Hingley, Jo Johnson, Theresa Jones, Elaine King, Bill Moore, Eddie Owen, Sue Restall, Matthew Rhodes. John Richards, Joe Roberts, Becky Stephens, Diane Thompson, Nigel Traynor, Richard Tucker and Genny Tunbridge.

To Mandy and Michael O’Connor for their help and care of our computers; to Rob de Winter who keeps our website up to date and Kris Desij for her work on the archives.

To those who have acted professionally on our behalf – Mr Gerald Curran, our Property Consultant, Mr Dominic Curran of Anthony Collins, Solicitors; Carol Barfoot of Gibbons Mannington and Phipps, Accountant; Mr Anthony Leverington, our Honorary Treasurer and Community Trustee; Wythall Heating Engineers; James Banks of David Banks Electricians Ltd; Clive Clements who helps us with maintenance.

To our General Practitioners – Dr I. Khan and Dr M. Iszatt and the staff at Church Lane Surgery, Stechford.

To our Printer, Paul Singh, and Pat Raymer and her daughter Christianne for their invaluable help in producing this copy of Making Connections.

To all those who support us financially and enable our continuing ministry. We are very appreciative for your generosity

To you all, THANK YOU.

Sisters Christine Hoverd, Margaret-Angela King, Ivy Patten and Shirley Hart

18 Making Connections | 2017 - 2018

CSJD_Covers.indd 4 20/07/2018 22:35 Thank you’s

We wish to offer our thanks: To both of our Bishops – David Urquhart, Bishop of Birmingham, our Bishop Visitor, and Bishop Anne Hollinghurst, Bishop of Aston.

To our local Chaplains – Rev Canon Helen Hingley and Rev Bill Moore.

To Mandy and Michael O’Connor for their help and care of our computers; to Rob de Winter who keeps our website up to date and Kris Desij for her work on the archives.

To our General Practitioners – Dr I. Khan and Dr M. Iszatt and the staff at Church Lane Surgery, Stechford.

To our Printer, Paul Singh, and Pat Raymer and her daughter Christianne for their invaluable help in producing this copy of Making Connections.

To all those who support us financially and enable our continuing ministry. We are very appreciative for your generosity

To you all, THANK YOU.

Sisters Christine Hoverd, Margaret-Angela King, Ivy Patten and Shirley Hart

Making Connections | 2017 - 2018 19

CSJD_Covers.indd 4 20/07/2018 22:35 THE COMMUNITY OF ST JOHN THE DIVINE

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 210254 COMMUNITY OF

ST. JOHN’S HOUSE, ST JOHN THE DIVINE 113 COLESHILL ROAD, MARSTON GREEN, BIRMINGHAM B37 7HT Tel: 0121 7880391

[email protected] MAKING https://csjdivine.wordpress.com CONNECTIONS ANNUAL REPORT 2017-2018

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