Parish News Holy Cross Group Of Churches October 201 9 Price: THE CHURCHES OF HOLY TRINITY, ST MARK’S AND ST LEONARD’S 50p SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF BELBROUGHTON, FAIRFIELD AND CLENT We are an independent, family run firm of Funeral Directors under the personal attention of Stephen, Sue, William & Lucy Downing Based in Hagley, opposite the Free Church, we offer a complete funeral service. Facilities include a private Chapel of Rest, help with flowers or printing, Horse Drawn Hearse and Pre Paid Funeral plans through our association with Golden Charter. Home visits are also available on request. Tel: 01562 888041 24hr Service The Parish News October 2019 Letter from Revd Canon Sue Oliver How this past year has flown and as I write this, it is not long after the first anniversary of being your parish priest. And an anniversary gives an opportunity to look back…and to look forward. Looking back, I don’t think anywhere I have worked as hard and for such long hours as I do here. Each of the villages is different, each has duplicates, not just of churches but also village/church halls, village institutions; there are three schools, three PCC’s ……it is impossible to do as much as I should like let alone what you all want me to do. Thankfully, I just love living in our beautiful countryside and being a parish priest. And looking forward, I have plans to seek to appoint a children and families worker , initially in Fairfield and Belbroughton who will be able to do so much more than I can with links between our schools and churches, working alongside young parents and following up on all the Baptisms/Christenings I do. And as we all need to do, I need to plan how to keep myself healthy and in good mental and spiritual shape. Being informed recently that I’m at risk of developing type 2 Diabetes, I need to do more exercise and lose weight. So, when you and if you see me around, please encourage me …we all need encouragement. As for the mental and spiritual well-being maintenance, in the first week of October I am going on a Pilgrimage, to Rome. Three years ago, I went with many of the same people t the Holy Land on pilgrimage and know that I am going to find it both a challenge and a joy (Just like parish life). It’s a Ecumenical Pilgrimage, jointly with Roman Catholics, half and half, co-led by Bishop John Inge, our Diocesan Bishop and the Roman Catholic, Archbishop Bernard Longley, both of whom are good friends. The whole experience is soaked in prayer and worship and I shall return brim full of the fruits of the Spirit, love, joy, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness and self-control (Galatians Chapter 5, verses 22-23). I came across in putting together some materials for something I have to do in Rome, the following prayer which speaks from where I am at and I commend to us all. O God, our Heavenly Father; we come to you in our weakness asking for strength. Help us always to be of good cheer. Let us never doubt your promises. Give us grace to be encouragers of others, never discouragers, always making life easier, never harder for those who come within our influence. Help us to be as Christ to others, that they may see something of His love in our lives and learn to love Him in us. Amen. Prayers and Blessings Canon Sue 1 INDOWS HOWARD YARNOLD INDOWS By WINDOWS Windows & Doors Ltd The Family Business manufacturing & installing to the Standards of Yesteryear Honesty, Civility & Personal Service throughout High Security Windows, Doors, Patio Doors & Bi Folding Doors • UPVC White & Woodgrain Finishes • • Aluminium 200 Colour Finishes • • Hardwood Bespoke Oak Framed Sunrooms • Reg. Fensa No. 10626 Trading under the same name since 1967 Remove the uncertainty, confusion and risk Ring Now Howard Yarnold 01746 781538 www.howardyarnold.co.uk [email protected] The Parish News October 2019 Letter from the Archdeacon of Dudley Over the summer I read the Good Childhood Report 2019 published by The Children’s Society, and was sad, but not surprised, to learn that children and young people have become increasingly unhappy as childhood becomes ever more complex. The society’s research shows that many children are unhappy with their friendships and their appearance, and are concerned about wider issues like school culture, the experiences of those with low or strained family finances, and whether or not some children actually feel safe during the school day. Too many children are struggling with their lives now, and large numbers are also anxious about their future. Large proportions of children are worried about everything from money and getting good grades at school, to wider issues like crime and the environment. It is so important that we keep reminding ourselves and each other that working with children and young people is one of our strategic priorities, and that as part of our Kingdom People vision we are dedicated to helping children and young people to belong and be nurtured in faith We can all play a part in this. Even if we don’t have many children in our church, most of us will have contact with children in our family and friendship groups. How can we better mentor them, share faith with them, instil confidence in them and communicate their inherent value to them? How can we help to ease their unhappiness? Perhaps by showing unconditional love, and spending quality time with them; certainly by committing to pray for them. Mark Russell, Canon of Worcester Cathedral and new Chief Executive of the Children’s Society, said in his introduction to the report, “How can we enable children to thrive not just survive. How do we solve problems like rising mental ill-health, millions living in poverty and the scandal of far too many young lives being lost to knife crime and exploitation? We must start by listening to young people. I mean REALLY listening. We need to stop side-lining young people and harness their enthusiasm and radical energy for change.” As a new school year gets underway, let’s commit afresh to helping the children of the Diocese of Worcester to belong and be nurtured in faith.Let’s pray for our church schools, all who work with children in paid or voluntary roles, and the Mission Enablers supporting churches as part of our Calling Young Disciples project, and let’s listen to the children and young people we know and harness their enthusiasm and energy for change, that their future might be full of hope, and our lives enriched by the part they play. Nikki Groarke Archdeacon of Dudley 2 M.A.J. PLUMBING & HEATING Fir Tree Farm, Brook Road, Fairfield, Bromsgrove B61 9JY • Central Heating Repairs • Service & Maintenance • Landlord Certificates • General Plumbing • All Work Fully Guaranteed • Established 1984 Proprietor: Mark Hutchings Telephone: Mobile: 07860 576 835 Email: [email protected] 1596 The Parish News October 2019 NEWS Belbroughton Church Hall Management Committee. DIARY DATE NOVEMBER 9th. For our next ‘POSH JUMBLE’ Sale I need you to make a note now in your diaries so you can start to make way for the next load of Christmas presents and winter wardrobe. Get going with sorting out the clothes that do not fit, presents you have no need of, or indeed anything that is of really good quality that I can have for selling to the people who need your unwanted items! For all of you who come to our wonderful Jumble Sale, the doors will open at 11.00am, refreshments will be available, and the entrance fee is still the same as ever...20p.!! So get sorting and give me a ring. Lesley Senter 730977 Contact me when ready for collection. Help required We are looking for extra help needed at Belbroughton Church during weddings and funerals Please contact church office For further details Plea for Distributors of Parish News magazines: We require new distributors, in the following areas; please contact the administrator if you can help: Clent (Odnall Lane area) Bishop’s Certificate group available in Belbroughton (High St area) Belbroughton/Blakedown starts Monday 14th October at 7.30pm; please contact Canon Sue or Andy Hewines for further details. 3 Established over 20 years ago Professionally trained and insured operator Latest cleaning system with fast drying time Hard floor cleaning also available High gloss floor shine application Scotchguard and Allergy shield FLOOD EXTRACTION WITH 24 HR CALL OUT For further details and a quotation please contact your local supplier, Terry: 01562 730410 07866 462454 [email protected] www.devilishlygood.co.uk GET PLASTERED with DAVE MOORE Professional Tree Surgery NPTC Qualified and Fully Insured • Tree Felling • Hedge Cutting • Reducing & Re-shaping • Pruning Over 40 years in the trade • 24-hour Emergency Call-out No Job Too Small For Advice or Free Estimates Tel: 01527 882505 Mob: 07810 618042 01384 353 592 1 Orchard Villas, Bournheath Road, or 07715 093 944 Fairfield, Bromsgrove B61 9HN The Parish News October 2019 NEWS COFFEE MORNING Friends for Lunch meeting Belbroughton Church Hall Belbroughton Church Hall Last Tuesday in the month Friday 11th October 12-2pm 10am to noon £4.50 each (normally second Friday of the month) All homecooked lunch In aid of Holy Trinity Church, Belbroughton Contact: Tracey 07977 170038, BIBLE STUDY Sharon 01562 731227 Email: Bible study is held weekly at Belbroughton [email protected] Church Office, at 7.30pm on Tuesdays. When the office is not available, it is sometimes held on other days.