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Coffee EncounterKnitting for Newborns in IndiaMarriage ReunionGold, Silver and StringsFlower Festival 2006Make Fairtrade Your HabitJamaica AIDS defender gunned downPhenomenal Woman comes to speak in Sutton ColdfieldBBC Politics ShowLondon Trade LobbyMaking Poverty History in BoldmereDrama at church on Palm SundayPipe DreamReview: Sutton Coldfield OrchestraConcerto selection at churchChurch Aid for Tsunami VictimsChurch Hosts International Folk GroupChurch Leaders Speak OutBritwell Toddlers Come Of AgeA Very Good FridayClare Short Short Challenges local churchesToys for all this ChristmasHelping Hope Flower
30 October 2006Muslims and Christians celebrate togetherEid celebrations took on a special meaning in Sutton Coldfield this year as Christian friends from around the royal town joined with the Sutton Coldfield Muslim Association to help celebrate the end of Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting. A party atmosphere filled the halls at Wylde Green United Reformed Church as 250 men women and children gathered on a bright Sunday afternoon to share in the Eid feast and find out more about each others’ faith. Church Minister, Ken Chippindale explained:
Dr Mehboob Mirza, Chair of the Sutton Coldfield Muslim Association added:
15 October 2006Coffee EncounterIts tea towels at the ready for a new regular coffee morning at Wylde Green United Reformed Church. Set up to run alongside the already established and popular Pop-In Lunch that runs from 12.00 until 2.00 every other Thursday, the new Pop-In Coffee Morning opens from 10.00 until 11.30 on alternate Thursdays and is an opportunity for locals to meet and chat together over a cup of Fair Trade tea, coffee or squash. Church member Anne Horton explained:
The Pop-In Coffee Morning (10.00 til 11.30) and Pop-In Lunch (12.00 til 2.00) are held alternate Thursdays at the church on the corner of Highbridge Road and Britwell Road. To check dates please visit the church website www.wyldegreenurc.org.uk or ring Anne Horton on 0121 605 6182. ENDS
Pictured from left to right: Minister, Ken Chippindale, organisers Anne Horton and Sue Miles along with Pete Higgins, gap year worker at the church.
23 June 2006Knitting for NewbornsSmall is beautiful when it comes to making a difference to newborn babies in India. With high rates of infant mortality, mothers are not confident enough to buy or make any clothes before the birth. So when they first come into the world, the babies are often wrapped in tea towels or rags. But thanks to a chance meeting and some willing knitters, a few more babies will have a bright new jacket to put on. When Melanie Frew, a member of Wylde Green United Reformed Church, went on an exchange trip to the Church of North India, she ended up chatting to a nurse, Shobha Mathews, from Himachal Pradesh in the Western Himalayas. Shobha, a staff nurse at the civic hospital, explained that it was felt to be unlucky to prepare for the child’s arrival and that the hospital was not able to provide clothes. She also told how that she took photos of the newborns, as a lasting memento to give to the parents of the child if something did go wrong. On returning to the UK, Melanie spoke to the church’s handicraft group and in a short space of time they were able to produce a collection of beautiful jackets and hats to send out to Shobha, along with some camera films. Melanie explained: Our visit to India took in the slums of Calcutta and a run down rural hospital in the middle of the West Bengal jungle, as well as many school and children’s projects. The United Reformed Church in the West Midlands is actively involved in raising funds to help this work. However, the simple act of sending out a small parcel of clothes will make an incredible difference to the lives of the families who receive them. It does not cost a lot to post out the jackets and the ladies of the church handicraft group were very willing to help out when they heard the problem. The Handicraft Group meet every Thursday at the church on the corner of Highbridge Road and Britwell Road at 2.30. If anyone did want to make a donation towards the relief work of the Church of North India or find out about other activities at the church, then please visit the church website www.wyldegreenurc.org.uk [See below] ENDS
Donations should be made payable to 'United Reformed Church West Midlands' and sent to: Melanie Frew (CNI Appeal), Wylde Green URC, Britwell Road, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, B73 5SW
12 June 2006 Marriage ReunionLast Sunday saw over 30 couples who have been married at Wylde Green United Reformed Church gather to celebrate their lives together. In the service led by the minister, Revd Ken Chippindale, favourite hymns from the past 14 years were sung and prayers said for the couples. Present at the service were John and Barbara Micklethwaite, who were married in the church 57 years ago as well as Belinda Bailey and David Harcombe, who will be celebrating their wedding day this weekend. The service was part of a flower festival at the church on the theme of wedding anniversaries, with several hundreds of pounds being raised for the Alzheimer’s Association and church funds. Minister, Ken Chippindale said: “I want to thank everyone who attended the festival and service, making the weekend a very special event in the life of our church. It was wonderful to see so many couples again, proving that love, commitment and stability through marriage still has a part to play in today’s society. I would also like to especially thank the Sutton News readers for putting us back in touch with some couples who had moved on.” A virtual tour of the festival can be seen on the church website, www.wyldegreenurc.org.uk. ENDS
31 May 2006 Gold, Silver and Strings at ChurchVisit Wylde Green United Reformed Church on June 10 and 11 and be treated to magnificent displays of precious metals, fine crystals and coral along with other fine objects - all represented by flower arrangements to mark wedding anniversaries. The Flower Festival, which is held every other year at the church, concludes with a special celebratory service on the Sunday at 6.30pm, with prayers for couples married at the church and then a concert by the Four Quarters String Quartet, a local student string quartet, who will give a wide-ranging recital, from traditional classical to modern jazz and popular music, including items on the theme of flowers and anniversaries. As well as the flowers, there will be a display of photos of couples married at the church, a plant stall, refreshments and music recitals throughout the event which hopes to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Association and church funds. The Festival is being combined with a ‘Green Day’, an opportunity to explore issues about the environment and climate. As well as displays, there will be an opportunity to find out about your carbon footprint, and people on hand with recycling and energy advice. For details, please visit the church website www.wyldegreenurc.org.uk. The Flower Festival is open from 10am until 5pm on Saturday 10th June and 2pm until 4pm on the Sunday, with the service at 6.30pm. The church is on the corner of Highbridge Road and Britwell Road. ENDS
10 May 2006 Flower Festival remembers Wylde Green WeddingsWere you married at Wylde Green United Reformed Church – or Wylde Green Congregational Church if your wedding was before 1972? Then you are particularly welcome to the Flower Festival at the church on the weekend of 10th and 11th June. The theme is anniversaries, and you can expect stunning arrangements as well as refreshments and music recitals throughout the event. A highlight will be a special celebratory service on the Sunday at 6.30pm, with prayers for couples married at the church. Minister, Ken Chippindale, who has presided over hundreds of weddings at the church explains: “Many of us celebrate our anniversaries with cards, special meals or even parties, but we thought it would be good for people to have the opportunity to go back to where they were married to give thanks for the blessings received as a couple over the years. “The church will be beautifully decorated with flowers and there will be a special display of photographs and other wedding memorabilia to help bring back happy memories. If you were married at the church and have photos of you at the church, we would love to hear from you beforehand. We are endeavouring to contact as many couples as possible who have been married at the church over the past few years, but inevitably people move on. We would really appreciate the help of Sutton Observer readers to put us back in touch with couples married here so we can send them a special invitation to the event. The Flower Festival, which is held every other year at the church, is being combined with a ‘Green Day’, an opportunity to explore issues about the environment and climate. As well as displays, there will be an opportunity to find out about your carbon footprint, and people on hand with recycling and energy advice. If you want more details, or can help with photos or information about people married at the church, then please visit the church website www.wyldegreenurc.org.uk. The Flower Festival is open from 10am until 5pm on Saturday 10th June and 2pm until 4pm on the Sunday, with the service at 6.30pm at the church on the corner of Highbridge and Britwell Roads. ENDS
14 March 2006 Make Fairtrade your HabitWith newspaper campaigns and supermarket promotions, few of us could fail to notice that we have had Fairtrade Fortnight in March, finishing on Sunday the 19th. However, just how easy is it, living in Sutton Coldfield, to Make Fairtrade your Habit and ensure a good deal for farmers across the world? Fairtrade campaigner from Wylde Green United Reformed Church, Ruth Loutit, has spent the past week living a Fairtrade lifestyle.
A Good Year for Fairtrade in Wylde GreenThis Fairtrade Fortnight had been particularly special for Wylde Green United Reformed Church as it received its certificate as a Fairtrade Church for serving Fairtrade teas and coffees and promoting Fairtrade. The church has been selling Traidcraft products for over 20 years and now is one of the top outlets in the country, supplying a network of other churches and groups as well as the local community. Its shop at the corner of Highbridge Road and Britwell Road in Boldmere is open every Friday and Saturday from 10-12, and after the services each Sunday. Fairtrade sales are doubling every two years and all major supermarket chains now stock Fairtrade products. With the increased interest in the developing world aroused by MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY, Live8 and the political focus on Africa in 2005, buying Fairtrade products is a meaningful way of tackling poverty that everyone take part in. A full list of products and stockists can be found on the Fairtrade Foundation’s website, www.fairtrade.org.uk or visit www.wyldegreenurc.org.uk for local information and initiatives.
ENDS Note for Editors: · Wylde Green United Reformed Church has had a presence in Boldmere for over 100 years and currently has almost 200 members. · Details of the Declaration of Birmingham as a Fairtrade city can be found at www.fairtradebirmingham.org.uk · Traidcraft is the UK's leading organisation dedicated to fighting poverty through trade. Established in 1979 as a Christian response to poverty, uniquely, they combine a pioneering and successful trading company (Traidcraft plc), offering the widest range of fairly traded products available in the UK, with an innovative development charity (Traidcraft Exchange) specialising in making trade work for the poor.
5 December 2006 Jamaican HIV defender gunned down on eve of World AIDS DaySteve Harvey from Christian Aid partner, Jamaica AIDS Support (JAS), was murdered on 30th November. He ran a programme providing support to gay men and sex workers. This news is particularly significant for Birmingham as on the 25th November, Sutton Coldfield United Reformed Church hosted Daunette Wellington, a nurse from JAS, to a special event sharing her experiences of working with HIV/AIDS in Jamaica. Steve was shot in the vehicle usually used by Daunette. Three men, armed with guns, broke into Mr Harvey’s house and demanded money. They then forced him to carry valuables into the JAS car parked outside. One of the gun men was reported to have said to Mr Harvey and his two house-mates: ‘We hear that you are gay’. Two of the men denied it. They were tied up and left in the house. Steve was forced into the car which then sped away. Two hours later, he was found, shot dead. Jamaica has one of the highest murder rates in the world. With a population of only 2.7 million people, the country has seen 1,383 murders in 2005 alone. Gun violence is common and homophobia rife. Victims of homophobic violence are often too scared to appeal to the police for protection. According to Human Rights Watch: ‘Police actively support homophobic violence, fail to investigate complaints of abuse, and arrest and detain [men] based on their alleged homosexual conduct.’ Last year, the founder of Jamaica’s gay rights movement, Brian Williamson, was murdered. Investigators claimed the motive for murder was robbery, since a safe was missing and the apartment ransacked. However, many believe the killing was a hate crime. Homosexuality is illegal in Jamaica: men convicted of homosexual activity can face ten years’ imprisonment with hard labour. Melanie Frew, who arranged the event in Sutton Coldfield, said:
For more details about Jamaica AIDS Support, please visit their website www.jamaicaaidssupport.com. Donations can be made through Christian Aid www.christian-aid.org.uk. ENDS For more information contact Melanie Frew as above. Note for Editors: In 1991, the first organisation to address the HIV epidemic in Jamaica was started as a small struggling hospice. Christian Aid, in partnership with the United Reformed Church, arranged for Daunette Wellington, a nurse from Jamaica AIDS Support to visit England and share her experiences of working on the front lines of the epidemic of HIV/AIDS in Jamaica. Daunette has been a pioneer in the struggle to combat HIV/AIDS in Jamaica. In recognition of this work she was selected as one of Jamaica’s phenomenal women by the national newspaper The Gleaner in 2005.
15 November 2005 ‘Phenomenal Woman’ comes to speak in Sutton ColdfieldIn 1991, the first organisation to address the HIV epidemic in Jamaica was started as a small struggling hospice. Christian Aid, in partnership with the United Reformed Church, has arranged for Daunette Wellington, a nurse from Jamaica AIDS Support (www.jamaicaaidssupport.com), to visit England and share her experiences of working on the front lines of the epidemic of HIV/AIDS in Jamaica. Local church minister, Ken Chippindale, explains:
Daunette has been a pioneer in the struggle to combat HIV/AIDS in Jamaica. In recognition of this work she was selected as one of Jamaica’s phenomenal women by the national newspaper The Gleaner in 2005. She will be speaking at Sutton Coldfield URC, Brassington Avenue, on Friday 25th November at 2pm when candles handcrafted by people living with HIV/AIDS will be available for sale. ENDS
14 November 2005 BBC 1 Politics Show comes to Wylde GreenIt was lights, camera and live action at Wylde Green United Reformed Church on Sunday when the BBC 1 Politics Show broadcast live from the church’s Traidcraft shop – one of the top five in the country. Local MP, Andrew Mitchell, appeared alongside Patrick Burns, the BBC’s West Midlands Political Editor and local fairtrade campaigner, Melanie Frew, to discuss the benefits of fairtrade and the forthcoming World Trade Organisation talks in Hong Kong. The BBC were highlighting Birmingham’s new status as the country’s first fairtrade city. The City Council serves fairtrade coffee and tea at its meetings and in its offices and canteens. A range of fairtrade products are available in more than one hundred of the city’s shops, and served in over 50 local cafés and catering establishments. After the interview Melanie Frew from Wylde Green United Reformed Church said:
The Traidcraft shop at Wylde Green United Reformed Church on Britwell Road is open every Friday and Saturday from 10-12pm and on Sundays after the 11am service.
ENDS Notes for editors: · Details of the Declaration of Birmingham as a Fairtrade city can be found at www.fairtradebirmingham.org.uk · Traidcraft (www.traidcraft.co.uk) is the UK's leading organisation dedicated to fighting poverty through trade. Established in 1979 as a Christian response to poverty, uniquely, we combine a pioneering and successful trading company (Traidcraft plc), offering the widest range of fairly traded products available in the UK, with an innovative development charity (Traidcraft Exchange) specialising in making trade work for the poor. · The Trade Justice Movement (www.tjm.org.uk) is a coalition of more than 70 UK organisations, including campaign groups, trade unions, faith groups, environmental and development organisations, with a combined membership of over 9 million people. It is part of MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY (www.makepovertyhistory.org) – an unprecedented coalition of more than 500 organisations calling for trade justice, drop the debt and more and better aid.
8 November 2005 Sutton Coldfield Campaigners Head to London for Trade LobbyMembers of church and justice groups from Sutton Coldfield headed to London to join a mass lobby of Parliament on Wednesday 2 November, calling for trade justice not free trade. They joined over eight thousand of MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY campaigners in the pouring rain meeting their MPs to ask for trade rules to be changed in order to reduce poverty around the world. Over 600,000 people in the UK have already cast a Vote for Trade Justice in a special ballot calling on the Government to support fairer trade rules. Trade justice is one of the key demands of the MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY campaign. Millions watched as the G8 leaders failed to deliver the necessary changes needed to bring justice to the world's poor in July. Local campaigner Melanie Frew from Wylde Green United Reformed Church said: “We took part in the mass lobby so we can tell Andrew Mitchell MP that the Ambridge constituency expects the UK Government to take the lead at the forthcoming World Trade Organisation meeting by helping to rewrite world trade rules to benefit poor countries, respect workers’ rights and protect the environment. We want Andrew Mitchell MP to know that we are concerned about the impact of unjust trade rules on the world’s poorest people – and that while these rules continue we cannot make poverty history.” The mass lobby built on the unprecedented public mobilisation around the G8 summit in July.
END Notes for editors: ● The Trade Justice Movement (www.tjm.org.uk) is a coalition of more than 70 UK organisations, including campaign groups, trade unions, faith groups, environmental and development organisations, with a combined membership of over 9 million people. It is part of MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY (www.makepovertyhistory.org) – an unprecedented coalition of more than 500 organisations calling for trade justice, drop the debt and more and better aid. ● The Trade Justice Movement Mass Lobby of Parliament in June 2002 was the largest-ever parliamentary lobby. It was followed by the biggest lobby of MPs in their constituencies ahead of the last World Trade Organisation (WTO) Ministerial Meeting in 2003. In April 2005 over 25,000 people filled Whitehall at an all-night vigil. ● The WTO holds its sixth Ministerial Conference in Hong Kong from 13 to 18 December 2005. The EU represents the UK as a trading bloc with a common trade policy.
Making Poverty History in BoldmereLive 8 in Hyde Park may have seen 200,000 individuals united in their call to Make Poverty History, but they were joined by another 200 at a local church in their own show of commitment to the cause. Members and friends of Wylde Green United Reformed Church met at midday on the 2nd of July to wrap the church in a white ‘arm band’, the symbol of the cause. Community Minister at the church, Meriel Chippindale explained:
Everyone present signed a banner which has been sent to Tony Blair, urging him to push for debt relief, more and better aid and changes in trade rules to help the poorest nations. Youth Leader, Laura Monk said:
The arm band, which measured 180 foot long, will be displayed and then recycled at the church’s Green Day on 10th July at the church on Britwell Road.
11 March 2005 Drama at Church on Palm SundayTurbulent times are facing a local church when a new play comes to Sutton Coldfield on Palm Sunday. Based in a church, ‘One Friday Afternoon’ promises a roller coaster of a ride as the characters explore their own life style and motives against the giving of a life on a cross. Using both music and drama, Creative Director and Writer of the production, Tony Jasper, says:
Wylde Green United Reformed Church, on Britwell Road, will host the drama produced by the Jasperian Theatre Company London on the 20th March at 6.30pm. All are welcome and admission is free. one friday afternoon publicity flier
5 March 2005 A pipe dream realisedHistorically, the Christian Church has always been an important advocate and patron of the arts, and here in Sutton, Wylde Green URC has had a long and honourable history of music events for several decades now. It is enjoying a new expansion of its activities, with its recent acquisition of a Yamaha Concert Grand, and the concert on Saturday celebrated the completion of a two year programme to refurbish the organ, with an organ recital and anthems for choir and organ. To mark the centenary of the original organ the pipes were taken to the Willis factory in Liverpool and more than 200,000 individual parts were refurbished and re-installed. For the concert the 3 manual organ console was placed in the centre, and CCTV projected onto a large screen, this gave everyone the best possible view of soloist Paul Carr Paul Carr is Organist and Director of Music at St Paul's in the Jewellery Quarter, and a remarkably active musician and recitalist. The programme was calculated to the best effect to show off the many colours of the restored organ. Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D minor was followed by the Badinerie from his Suite no. 2, and then some pieces from the French tradition in which Vierne’s Naïades from the Pièces de Fantaisie was especially impressive in its unassuming yet constant virtuosity. The choirs’ contributions were no less impressive. The main choir started with Finzi’s God is gone up. From its opening fanfare to the final chords, this was a magnificent piece suitable for such a grand occasion. Other works by Elgar and Wesley were distinguished by their lovely soft singing and purposeful phrasing. Bairstow’s demanding set of choral variations Blessed city, heavenly Salem received an excellent performance. The junior choir, some of whose members looked too young to be out after dark, gave a committed performance including Malcolm Archer’s adaptation of Pachelbel’s Canon It was good to see that the continuity of the choral tradition is being looked after so well. Paul Carr’s recital continued with several of his own arrangements, including one of the Overture to Die Fledermaus. This was a splendidly technicolour transcription, and it was startling to hear such well known tunes emerge in flamboyant new clothes. Taken at a whirlwind tempo it brought the house down. The whole evening was a heart-warming family occasion, marked at the end by two encores, a round of applause for the organ builder, (present in the audience) thanks to the organisers of the organ appeal, the donators of funds, including Sutton Municipal Charities and, of course, Widor’s Toccata as a grand finale. The banner on the church wall reads “Thank God for music” This church is doing that extremely well. The next concert is Sunday 13th March 2005 at 7.45 and features the Conservatoire Gospel Choir. John Gough
11 February 2005 Review: Sutton Coldfield Orchestra Young Soloists ConcertThe acoustics at Wylde Green URC are perfect for classical music, amply demonstrated at Saturday night’s concert with Sutton Coldfield Orchestra, led by Jeremy Blunt and conducted by Paul Hilliam. The orchestra is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, and it confirmed its status as one of the Midlands’ finest by beginning and ending the concert in commanding form and ebullient fashion with rousing accounts of film music by John Williams. These exciting, modern works were an appropriate frame for the main substance of the evening, which featured movements from various concertos, performed by a number of young instrumentalists drawn from the ranks of the BSSO (Birmingham Schools’ Symphony Orchestra.) Henrietta Haines gave a spirited rendition of the first movement of Mozart’s Violin Concerto no. 3, producing a dazzlingly clear, pure tone, perfectly in keeping with the style of the music. This was followed by a very modern work, Divertimento for Flute and String Orchestra, composed by Andrey Rubtsov (born 1982) and receiving its British première. Sagar Musani was the soloist, playing with great panache and shrugging off the technical challenges posed by the work. Amy Littlewood (violin) and Tom Lingard (viola) then played the slow movement from Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante. They produced a hauntingly beautiful and mellow texture, allowing the melody to move seamlessly between the two instruments, and blending together perfectly. The second half of the concert opened with more music by Mozart, the first movement of his Piano Concerto no. 26. The church’s recently-purchased grand piano was expertly played by Jonathan Dodd, whose dazzling yet sensitive performance deservedly received rapturous applause. Samuel Barber’s Canzonetta for Oboe and String Orchestra was beautifully played by Ashley Spencer, who produced a fine tone with excellent variety of timbre. She maintained her composure well despite some nervousness in the orchestral accompaniment. David Kayente, a 15 year old violinist with a tremendous technique, gave a thrilling performance of the final movement of Saint-Saëns’ Violin Concerto. He managed to produce sufficient power to match the sound of the full orchestra, who provided firm yet sympathetic support throughout. Each of these soloists was superb, displaying a maturity of musical interpretation and a confidence belying their tender years. They gave performances of the highest musical standard and are a credit to the BSSO and their schools.
4 February 2005 Concerto selection at churchOn Saturday night (5th February) at 7.30pm, some of Birmingham’s finest young classical musicians can be heard playing at Wylde Green United Reformed Church, Sutton Coldfield. All members of the Birmingham Schools’ Symphony Orchestra, they will be performing a selection of concerto movements by composers such as Mozart, Barber and Rubtsov, accompanied by Sutton Coldfield Orchestra. SCO conductor Paul Hilliam is enthusiastic about the event: “This concert is a real celebration of the achievements of some of the city’s most talented young instrumentalists. “String instruments are represented by 3 violinists, David Kayente, Amy Littlewood and Henrietta Haines, as well as Tom Lingard playing the viola. Woodwind players are flautist Sagar Masani and Ashley Spencer on the oboe. “Wylde Green URC has a fine acoustic for orchestral music and has recently purchased a Yamaha concert grand piano. A special treat will therefore be to hear Jonathan Dodd playing the first movement of Mozart’s concerto no.26, accompanied by the orchestra. “The soloists are all studying at schools in the Birmingham area, and I hope that many local people will want to support these youngsters, whilst enjoying an evening of music which will appeal to a wide range of tastes.” Tickets priced at £7 (£5 concessions) are available on the door, or telephone 0121 686 9444 for more information.
9 January 2005 Church Aid for Tsunami VictimsYoungsters at Wylde Green United Reformed Church did their bit to help South Asian Tsunami victims this week by hosting a coffee morning and cake sale. After a week of baking and icing, and with donations already collected by the church, the total raised came in at over £950. Pictured are some of the youth group members and their leaders holding up some of the cakes they made and iced with the word tsunami.
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25 October 2004 Church hosts international Folk GroupThe Kiev Concert Players will be performing their unique blend of traditional Ukrainian folk songs and sacred church music at Wylde Green United Reformed Church on Tuesday 2nd November at 7.30 pm. Their act features a bandura – a traditional Ukrainian instrument, the bayan and piano. Admission is free but any donation will go towards the victims of the Chernobyl disaster. Music Director at the church, Philip Bellshaw, explains:
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28 May 2004 Church Leaders Speak Out Against the BNPChurch leaders in Erdington and Sutton Coldfield have issued a joint statement urging voters to turn out in force on June 10th in a stance against the British National Party. With BNP candidates in the wards of Erdington, Oscott and Sutton Vesey along with seven European candidates, the possibility of racist political parties being accepted as a part of normal political life has become a local issue, affecting us all. The statement stresses that support for organisations such as the BNP is incompatible with Christianity. A high turnout will prove what little support these groups have. The statement follows similar declarations by the Church of England, the Methodist Church, the Catholic Council of Bishops and the United Reformed Church.
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28 April 2004 Britwell Toddlers Come Of AgeToddlers, along with their mums, dads, grans and minders, enjoyed a very special birthday party this week at Wylde Green United Reformed Church. The church, on Britwell Road in Boldmere, set up the Toddlers Group 21 years ago as a place for mums in the community to meet and talk, while their small children played. Meriel Chippindale, Community Minister at the church, explained: “It is a wonderful place, especially for first time mums, to meet and make friends. If anyone has a problem everyone rallies round and helps each other out. Strong friendships have been forged and a lot of children go on together to the Britwell Playgroup in the other hall, so that they all keep in touch.” Over 40 parents and helpers, past and present, and 25 toddlers met up for the celebrations, which culminated with the cutting of a birthday cake. The group, founded in 1983 by the then minister’s wife Merilyn Holroyd, meets every Monday, Wednesday and Friday in term time from 9.30 until 11.30 when all parents, grandparents, minders and their toddlers are welcome. Further details on activities in the church, and their histories, are available on-line at www.wyldegreenurc.org.uk. END
9 April 2004 A Very Good FridayOver 40 youngsters aged between 2 weeks and 15 years old from the Boldmere area of Sutton Coldfield gathered on Good Friday at Wylde Green United Reformed Church to learn more about the Easter story. Activities ranged from making hot cross buns, drama and painting to wheel barrow races on the field behind the church. This is the 5th year that the church has run the event; and probably the most successful yet. Meriel Chippindale, Community Minister at the church, was very pleased with the day: “There were children everywhere, baking, singing, drawing and hunting for Easter Eggs, all having a wonderful time while finding out more about what this special time of year means.” Pictured are youngsters getting their hands ready to paint pictures to illustrate the Easter story at Wylde Green URC on Good Friday. Clockwise from left: Lorna Tyson, Sebastian Peniket, Elizabeth Bellshaw, Grace Green, Rosie Hansford and Elinor Vokes.
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19 January 2004 Clare Short challenges local ChurchesNone of us is good enough, but we could all do better. That was the challenge from Clare Short, Labour MP for Birmingham Ladywood, at Chester Road Baptist Church on Sunday 18th January during a question and answer session on world development issues. Packed with over 200 representatives from churches in Sutton Coldfield, she answered questions on the possibility of developing countries taking up arms against the West, on the conflict in Israel, and poverty in Africa and Bangladesh. Ms Short explained that ‘the biggest moral issue facing the world is the level of poverty and inequality.’ For the first time in world history the industrialised countries have solved the problem of absolute poverty but in developing countries, the instability that poverty brings leads to failed states and war. Living in Birmingham, we have the ability to show that faith communities can work together for the future and we have to put pressure on the government to change the world order. The depth of knowledge that Ms Short displayed was impressive – she did not come across as the angry harridan she seems to be on television – she was passionate and sincere, willing to admit mistakes and candid.
END To read more about Ms Short's visit, click here
7 December 2003 Toys for all this ChristmasYoungsters from Nechells are looking forward to a merrier Christmas this year, thanks to a church in Sutton Coldfield. The event, supported by Wylde Green United Reformed Church, has been running for over ten years and saw sixty children bringing toys to be given to disadvantaged families in Nechells and Duddeston through the Bloomsbury Project. Jenny Cleghorne, from the Project, explained: “By buying an extra present this Christmas, children are learning about the true spirit of Christmas and bringing light into the lives of some of the poorest families in Birmingham.” The toy service is an annual event at the Church on Britwell Road and collects toys for babies and children up to 16 years old who have been referred to the project by local schools and health services. Pictured are some of the children as they wait to leave their gifts under the Christmas tree at Wylde Green URC on the 7th December.
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24 November 2003 Helping Hope FlowerWylde Green United Reformed Church is holding a coffee morning and cake sale on Sunday 30th November in support of Hope Flowers School, Bethlehem. The school, which is in the Palestinian territories, has as its aim to teach its children peace and reconciliation. The pupils are from Muslim families but the school prides itself on organising trips to visit Jewish schools in Israel in order to build bridges between the communities. Parents pay to send their children to Hope Flowers School but, since the closure of the borders between Palestine and Israel, many of the parents have been unable to travel to their place of work, have lost their jobs and can no longer pay the school fees. Money raised at the coffee morning will go towards teachers’ pay and keeping the school open. Michael Platt, from the Church, explained: “Even basic utilities cannot be guaranteed at the school. On more than one occasion the children have arrived to find the water tanks on the top of the buildings peppered with bullets holes. But the school’s values of peace and justice mean that it teaches its pupils not to return hatred with hatred.” The coffee morning will take place at the Church on Britwell Road in Boldmere after the morning service, which features a recent visitor to the school, the Revd Maxwell Craig. The service starts at 11.00am and coffee, cakes and plants will be available 12.15pm onwards. END
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