St Philip's, Dorridge & St James', Bentley HeathNews
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Weekly News Sheet
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Weekly News Sheet
To read the latest news sheet
Join together
in prayer
Building for the Future Update
Good News The Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC) have supported our proposed phased rebuilding of St Philip’s Church - For which we thank God!
We now need to pray for Solihull Borough’s decision which has been deferred to 26th October. Following this we will need a swift granting of Faculty by the Diocesan Chancellor and Registrar, so as to avoid potentially greater expense!
As we give thanks and pray we remember that, “God who has called us is faithful and he will do it.”
| Friday 28th September
Join us at the Indian Brewery In Livery Street right next to the end of platform exit at Snow Hill station.
There is a choice of 6 craft beers and a wide selection of Indian food – and fish and chips!
Join us at any time from 6.15pm onwards.
about Thirst |
Harvest Celebrations
Sunday 7th October
We will be collecting donations of food at our services on
7th October which will be donated
to Aston & Nechells Foodbank.
We will be decorating St. Philip’s Church to celebrate Harvest on Thursday, 4th October, from 9.30am.
If you would like to come and help, please let Sheila know a.s.a.p., so that we can plan accordingly.
Bring secateurs and autumn greenery as flowers will be provided. Many thanks
Where in the parish is that? Summer Quiz
The closing date for our summer picture quiz is 30th September and the answers beginning to come in.
Please give your answer sheets to Pam or Robert Beckham, e-mail them to robert@beckhams.org.uk, put them through the letter box of 5 Bushwood Drive, or leave them with the Parish Office.
Saturday 22nd September
Starting at 2.15pm from “top” car park at Baddesley Clinton by the gateway. A fairly gentle stroll with no stiles to climb, familiar to many, passing Tom of the Wood and The Navigation before returning to Baddesley. Approx. 2 hour walk and don’t forget your National Trust card for refreshments at the finish.
Further details from John & Margaret 776534.
Clothes for Homeless in Birmingham
Please consider donating any surplus serviceable second hand clothes for men or women (particularly underwear: pants & socks (clean second hand) and toiletries).
These will be forwarded to Reachout Network a Christian organisation who greatly appreciate our support. Contact Peter Marshall (tel 776647)
‘Hidden Lives Remembered’ Project
Solihull Action through Advocacy (a Dorridge Fun Run charity in 2016 and 2017) are running a Heritage Lottery Funded project exploring and recording the histories of people with learning disabilities in Solihull.
This will focus on two key places: Middlefield Hospital and Hampton Manor Homes
Do you remember anything about these places? Did you live, work or visit there or know others who did?
If you would like to tell us your story or get involved, please get in touch, we would love to hear from you, however big or small your story and recollections are. All input would be greatly appreciated – Thank you.
Claire.jackson@solihulladvocacy.org.uk; Tel: 0121 706 4696
solihulladvocacy.org.uk www.hiddenlivesremembered.com
The fortnightly Christian Aid Lunches continue on Wednesday 19th September.
A new rota for helpers is being drawn up. We need to recruit new soup makers. If you can help, please contact Kitty Gundy. The work is not too onerous as you would only need to supply soup once in every six weeks. General helpers in the kitchen are also welcome to join us. Thank you
for the full list of lunch dates
The Children’s Society
It is time to empty your boxes, count the money and send it to the Children’s Society so that they can continue their work in supporting vulnerable children. I would be most grateful if you could bring them to the Parish Office which is open on Monday, Wednesday & Thursday 9am - 12 noon from Monday 3rd September.
If you are unable to get to the Office I will collect from you.Thank you, Liz Williams
Foodbank
You may have seen the recent news regarding children not eating properly in the school holidays because of not having access to free school meals.
Like all Foodbanks, Aston & Nechells have experienced a rise in demand.
ANFB are currently very short of the following:
tinned tomatoestinned fish
tinned meat
squash
long life fruit juice
long life milk
tinned rice pudding
packet soups
biscuits
powered potato
coffee
Donations can be dropped in The Link at St Philip’s Church, or placed in the foyer at St James’ Church. Thank you for your support.
Christian Aid Week total raised
We are delighted to announce the total raised by Knowle, Dorridge and Bentley Heath during Christian Aid Week is £9612.70!
We raised a further £272.51 by collecting outside shops in Knowle, Dorridge and Bentley Heath.
A 'Big Breakfast' at Knowle URC, Knowle Parish Church's Plant Sale, a Bag Pack at Tesco in Knowle and ongoing Christan Aid lunches at St Philips on Wednesday’s have all contributed to the grand total of (approximately)
£11,844
A huge 'thank you' to everyone who has helped achieve this.
Bibles for Burundi
Simon Guillebaud
After many years of hard work, the revised new Kirundi version is ready! It just needs ordering. But the Bible Society here is broke.
I’m desperate to see these new Bibles get into as many hands as possible, and gain broad acceptance by the Body of Christ in Burundi. So we really need your help if we’re going to raise the money for the Bible Society to get a copy of the new Bible into the hands of every Burundian who wants one.
If you are able to help, please visit www.greatlakesoutreach.org/donate
Read more from Simon here: www.simonguillebaud.com/bibles-for-burundi/
Please Pray for Rwanda
Where the government are closing churches which do not meet their health and safety regulations. 199 churches have been closed so far leaving a big number of Christians with no church to gather for worship.
Do you have unwanted baby things taking up space in your loft?
Liz Dumain would love to collect them & match them with families and fostering families who need a bit of help. Email Liz at liz.dumain@hotmail.co.uk to arrange collection - thank you!
Flower arranging in the Church
Please add your name to the rota in the Link to provide flowers for the Altar at St. Philip's Church. A selection of vases or Oasis are available in the Flower Vestry.
No experience of Flower arranging is necessary, just arrange the flowers as you like, maybe to celebrate a special occasion or in memory of a loved one.
A good time to go to arrange the flowers is on Friday mornings, when the Parish Office is open.
More details from Sheila Revans.
Used Stamps
Please continue to save used stamps for our charity ‘Canine Partners’
Please leave a small margin around the stamp.
Collection boxes are located in The Link at St Philip’s and the foyer at St James’ to put them in.
Thank you.
St James’ Church and Bentley Heath School are nut free zones.
Please ensure any food you bring in is nut free.
Many thanks
Do you worship at St. James's at 10.00am on Sundays?
Do you have a spare seat/seats in your car?
If so, please would you consider giving fellow worshippers a lift to this service.
As we are worshipping at St. James's regularly we are short of drivers on the lift rota and would greatly appreciate your help.
Please contact the Parish Office.
On the first Wednesday of every month, at 3pm there is an ecumenical Communion
Service at Ravenshaw Court on Four Ashes Road.
Everyone is welcome
Over many generations people have made Birmingham their home, built it up and found they can belong here. Birmingham is a great city because of its diversity but we cannot take that diversity for granted. It is no use sharing a street or a suburb with people from different backgrounds if we do not know them. Loneliness is at epidemic levels, prejudice threatens to pull communities apart.
We cannot love our neighbour if we do not know our neighbour, understand them and their culture, faith and identity. We all need to build friendships that cement our city together, crossing those differences that can become barriers such as age, social background, ethnicity, sexuality, gender and faith - working for peace alongside all people of goodwill.
We must meet hate with love, confusion with hope, anger with peace and fear with joy. The 'love your neighbour' campaign is owned by us all and seeks to draw people together and to believe the very best for our city and region.
So go… know your neighbour… love your neighbour.
A Love Your Neighbour Prayer
Loving God, who created human beings in your own image, you sent your son Jesus Christ to walk with us on this fragile planet. We thank you for his miraculous presence which turns confusion into hope, anger into gratitude and fear into joy. Strengthen us through the power of your Holy Spirit to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. Open our eyes to see your image in the faces of all our neighbours, open our hearts to feel your compassion for all you have created and lead is day by day to love and serve you in the world.
We ask this in the name of your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Amen
Building for the Future - Update
Information on the latest position can be seen on our Building for the Future page.
Our History
In 1978 a publication was produced to mark the Centenary of St Philip's Church and details the history of both our churches. This has now been reproduced and updated. It can be found on our Publications page and by clicking here.