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Parish Office

The Parish Office will be closed 

from Thursday 22nd July and reopen on Monday 2nd August.

Many thanks

Amended Parking Restrictions in Dorridge

You will probably have seen that the Council is currently consulting on proposed changes to parking restrictions across the centre of Dorridge.

Through the link below you can access details of the restrictions being proposed around the village, including Manor Road, and how this may have an impact on St Philip's Church Centre. Solihull Council consider the number of responses received during a consultation period, so please do take time to read through the information and respond with your opinion on how these proposals may affect you, and the church centre. We have included details of where to send your response and some points you may wish to use.

All responses (in support or objecting to the proposals) must be made in writing by 29th July 2021.

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Thank you for praying with us for the appointment of a new Head Teacher for our Church Primary School. On Tuesday it was announced that Mrs Hannah Cook has been appointed as Head Teacher of Bentley Heath School.

As a member of the interview panel myself, I have to say that the decision was unanimous, as Hannah was by far the strongest candidate. She is currently Deputy Head at West Hill Primary School in Four Oaks Sutton Coldfield.

Hannah is know to many of us, much better as the wife of Ben Cook our former youth minister. She expressed a strong sense of calling and vocation to this job, and she will take up her post with us from January 2022. Hannah is well placed to take on the heavy responsibility of leading Bentley Heath School into the next stage of its development and school improvement, while at the same time building on its unique and strong Christian ethos.

Please continue to pray for Bentley Heath School, children, families, staff, and governors, for a time of rest, refreshment, and renewal over the summer Holiday, and a fresh sense of vision for the new school year.

Opening Weekend Tickets

Tickets for the Church Family BBQ Supper on Friday 3rd September are available  - just click here The BBQ Supper will be held outdoors. Tickets for the Dedication Service being held on Sunday 5th September will be available via the website from Monday 2nd August - just click here

During the building of St Philip's Church Centre, Malcolm Duckett has taken some superb photographs to show us the story of the project. You can view the full collection along with the time-lapse films through the link below.

God seems to be calling together a team to work with teenagers in this Parish. 

You may not have ticked the youth work box on the recent response form, but if, when you pray, you feel God calling you to share the love of Jesus and the truth of the gospel with teenagers here, please text Stephanie Moss as soon as you can on 07881 970982. We feel God is looking for commitment and sacrificial love rather than expertise.

AND even more importantly, we know we need 2 or 3 people who will commit to pray individually for this work.

Please let Stephanie know if you would commit to pray like this.

If God is leading us in this, we are confident He will provide.

Social Evenings Return 

at the Drum and Monkey 

on Thursday July 29th 

from 8pm

Meet in the Function Room or Garden / Patio weather permitting. All gentlemen welcome for informal drinks and chat, please do invite friends and neighbours.

If you are not on the Thirst WhatsApp and would like to be kept up to date with events  and news then please text your name to 07845 722965.

General Synod Elections

Elections for General Synod are taking place this year. Why should you stand for General Synod? To find out, watch this short film.

Thank you to everyone who opened their garden, helped on the day and to everyone who visited. Despite a little rain, the day was a success and raised £1282.82 towards the church garden fund.

Opening Weekend Tickets

Tickets for the Church Family BBQ Supper on Friday 3rd September are available  - just click here The BBQ Supper will be held outdoors. Tickets for the Dedication Service being held on Sunday 5th September will be available via the website from Monday 2nd August.

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“MY joy in you ... your joy complete” 

(John 15.11) 

Click here to read the Contemplative Prayer for July

Work Party Needed 

Saturday July 31st 

Can you help?

All able bodied people are invited to help unload the containers of church property that have been in storage. It's also of course an opportunity to get a sneak preview inside this magnificent building!

Many hands make light work and it will be great fun so do please keep the date free. If you can come along that morning (precise timing to be advised), please let Justin Sasse know so we have an idea of numbers: 

Thank you

Eco Church

Following our Climate Sunday Service, have a look at our updated Eco Church

web page. The page is  full of information on what we are doing as a church and what you can do as an individual to help the climate emergency. 

Click here to look at the page.

One initiative is the production of a booklet containing practical information, including links, with steps we can all take to walk more lightly on the planet. The first one deals with what we can do as regards heating and powering our homes. Each month, we will produce another. The booklet is available to download on the Eco Church web page.

We are also in the process of setting up an Environment Group and we would love you to join. Whether your passion is the natural world, gardening, involving young people, reducing our carbon footprint, working with the local community, campaigning or otherwise encouraging the wider church, government and businesses to play their part in what’s needed, or something we haven’t thought of, we’d love to have you join the Environment Group.

If you are interested, or would like to know more, contact Caroline Egan, Carol Linfield or Roger Williams.

Would you like to help with establishing / setting up a youth cafe in the new St Philip’s Church Centre, Penny’s 2, probably a couple of times a week? 

If so please talk to Richard and Gill Arbuthnot or Duncan.

Do you know anyone who is God is calling to join us at St Philip's & St James' for a year of practical Church mission and ministry experience?  

We are looking for up to four Interns for a 12 month placement. Please pass on the details below to anyone you know who may be interested.

A Time of Opportunity

Time & Talents

Thank you to everyone who has responded to our recent appeal.
If you have not had a chance to return the forms please take a few moments to fill them in as we would love to hear from you.

Click below to read Duncan's letter and download the response forms

Meg has given a talk on, 'What the bible teaches us on the environment' which is available to watch on our YouTube channel.
Some of you may be watching and discussing this as a homegroup, or watch the talk as a family at home. 

Leaders of the G7 are being reminded to keep the poor and marginalised at the top of their agenda via a heart-warming – and witty – song at the centre of an ambitious volunteer-led initiative: Sing2G7.
You can watch the song below and click on the link to read more information on the Sing2G& initiative.

The Archbishop of Canterbury and head of the Catholic Church in England and Wales have urged the Government to re-think cuts to international aid. The decision to cut UK aid spending is “shameful and wrong”, the Archbishop of Canterbury has said.

Do you share the concerns about the Government's cuts to the international aid budget? Would you like to write to our MP, but don't know where to start?

Here is a link to a sample letter / email based on one Caroline Egan wrote to Saqib Bhatti, to help get you started.

You can pick out the points that are most important to you. What better time to consider how this news may affect those living in poorer nations than during Christian Aid Week.

The Archbishops’ Anti-Racism Taskforce has published its report ‘From Lament to Action’ proposing a suite of changes to begin bringing about a change of culture in the life of the Church of England.

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If you like to pray in a group with others, remember there are times when as a church we come together and pray.

Weekly Sessions Mondays, 7 - 7.30pm when our prayers focus on the building project Thursdays, 6 - 6.40pm for Parish Prayers Monthly Sessions Days of Fasting and Prayer on the first Thursday of each month Our next Day of Fasting and Prayer is on Thursday 6th May Prayer Breakfast at 8.30am on the first Saturday of every month  For further details and the Zoom links, email the Parish Office

It is great to hear the ANFB have stocks of most food lines due to the ongoing generosity of all who support them.

Please remember while we do not have a collection point for ANFB, you can support them through a financial gift.

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Prayer List & more

To use during your time in prayer, the Prayer booklet has all the details of 

Those in need of healing

The contemplative word

Pray for those we support as a church

Our prayer for growth & more

for your copy

Thank you for sharing your recommendations with us. Click on the link below to see what people have shared so far and please keep sending us your suggestions

E-mail details of your recommendations to the Parish Office

If you are making any online purchases, please consider signing up to the two schemes we have which raise money for the St Philip's Building Project at no cost to you.

As we enter another period of lockdown, remember the Daily Hope line is available

Church of England Birmingham Praying Together

for daily prayers

Keep up to date with all the news on the St Philip's Building Project

on the St Philip's Centre website

                              Parish Office Contact