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Please send all contributions to the Editor, Ms Sue Jones. Download In Touch - our 2006 Christmas Newsletter for the local community
June 2008 TidingsLetter from Ken, Prayers for June 2008, Music Recitals, Doodle Day, Notices, Choir visit to Coventry
My Dear Friends I want to devote this letter, in this series giving an overview of our Church life, to what is, and always has been, the “jewel in the crown” of Wylde Green URC, namely our children and young people. As with the musical side of our church, this has flourished over the decades. However, one major difference in the last 30 years or so is that parents now very rarely send their children to Sunday School, which is how I was introduced to church. Today children are nearly always brought to church by a parent. Having said that, it is a bit of a ”chicken and egg” question, since parents only come if they feel there is something here for their children. However it has happened, the fact is that many churches which once had a strong Junior church now have few, if any, children, whereas we have sustained a Junior church at about the same level as we had in 1980. This is in no small part due to the commitment of very many people who have been willing to be Junior Church staff over the years, willing to undertake the preparation and go out with the children on a Sunday morning. It requires a considerable input of effort and energy to sustain this level of work for the children and young people, and we are thankful for all those willing to play some part in this. I would also hazard a guess that a contributing factor in sustaining this level of children’s work has been the existence of the Junior Choir, and the Scout and Guide groups associated with our church. So we also give thanks to those who have run these organisations over the years - too many to mention by name, I’m afraid. I guess what I want to say in relation to all this is - keep up the good work! We cannot rest upon our laurels, and just expect it all to continue automatically. Parents with children will need to be positively welcomed to services and encouraged to join us in whatever way is possible for them, and at whatever level suits them at the stage their children are at. As I look back over the years we have been here, I would identify an important turning point in our commitment to children and young people. About 10 or 11 years ago, the question was raised about the noise generated by some young children before the morning service, when some people were trying to be quiet and prayerful. As we were debating this at Elders, Elizabeth Kasten, who was a German ordinand on placement with us, observed that in most German churches there was a deep peace before every service, but there were no children present. Not surprisingly, the positive decision was made that we would accept whatever, admittedly minor and transitory, disturbance - the odd squeal from a baby or a toddler running in the aisle - for the sake of being welcoming to all children. It is a small price to pay for the joy of their presence in our midst and the hope they bring for the future. This was so evident, for example, at the recent Pentecost service when so many of our children were involved in dance and in the Junior Choir. One reason we have chosen to settle in Shrewsbury, is that the URC there, with a membership as large as ours, also has a good number of children and young people. We could not envisage being in a church with no children after being so richly blessed here. I am absolutely delighted to be able to close this letter with the news that we have appointed our first full-time Youth Worker. After a short listing and interview process, the chosen candidate accepted the position yesterday. He is Phil Robinson, from Winchester, who is 29 years old. He will complete a degree in Youth and Community work through the Centre for Youth Ministry in June, and he already has his Youth work qualification. Phil also has a History degree from Cardiff University, and has been on placement at a church in Bath for the past 3 years. I will be asking him to write something about himself for our next Tidings. This has been a long and heart searching process, especially for Youth Leadership Support Group, involving having to advertise four times in order to find the person we feel God is calling to be here. So I want to especially thank them for bearing the brunt of the running of the youth groups over the past 18 months in order to support Pete Higgins, and in meeting to shortlist and interview the candidates. It has involved much time and effort from already committed people - Thank you to Richard Green, Sue Miles, Beky O’Dowd, Helen Rowe, Esther Short, and Sarah Steel. It is therefore with considerable thankfulness that I can end this letter, looking forward, for you, though not being with you, to the future for the work of God amongst the children and young people here. Yours sincerely Ken
Text: ‘For He will deliver the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help. He has pity on the weak and the poor…….God will rescue them from oppression and violence, for precious is their blood in His sight’ Psalm 72:12-14 Pray for the whole of China and its leaders remembering particularly South West China and the province of Sichuan and Beichuan and all area affected by the earthquake. In some areas 80% of buildings have collapsed including many schools killing children and staff. Many thousands have been killed in this terrible disaster. Pray for bereaved families and for communities suffering grief in the midst of terrible devastation. Pray that God will bless and sustain relief workers from all agencies, providing water, food, clothing, shelter and medical supplies. Pray for those who are able to minister by giving moral and spiritual support. Ask for God’s comfort and blessing upon the peoples of China. We uphold before God Burma - that international aid may be allowed to reach those in need. May God bless and sustain the bereaved and injured. Pray for those throughout the world to whom God has entrusted leadership in the Church; that He will help them to live Godly lives and fulfil their calling to preach the Gospel, teach, pastor and inspire others. Remember ministers and leaders in Boldmere and Wylde Green churches and especially for the appointment of a new youth worker in our church. Creator God, forgive us for not being more faithful in our stewardship of this earth. Grant insight and wisdom to all who seek to protect the planet from further harm, and show us ways we can increasingly care for the environment ourselves. Thank you God for the vision and conviction of those who pioneered the National Health Service 60 years ago, and for everyone who has served in the NHS. Intercede for babies and children who have been diagnosed with serious medical conditions and ask God to give their families the strength and courage they need. Father God, we lift to You all who work within the justice system: judges, barristers, solicitors, civil servants, court officials and those in the Police and Crown Prosecution Service. May they serve with integrity and impartiality striving to do what is right.
As part of our regular Sunday series of evening recitals at 8.00 pm, Wylde Green URC is pleased to announce two forthcoming concerts, lasting 45-60 minutes, many featuring its Yamaha concert grand piano. Admission is free but there will be a retiring collection in aid of church funds. No ticket is required & all are welcome. Sunday 15 June 2008 - Paul Mocroft (baritone) & John Jenkin (piano) Worcestershire baritone Paul Mocroft completed his post graduate vocal studies at Birmingham Conservatoire. This recital of English song will include Finzi’s Earth, Air and Rain and is one of a series the pair are giving across the Midlands. John Jenkin was an organ scholar at Cambridge before enjoying a successful career as an English teacher. He is now enjoying a second career as accompanist at Birmingham Conservatoire. Sunday 13 July 2008 - Helen Reid (piano) Helen Reid first came to public attention when she appeared on BBC television in the National Keyboard Finals of the BBC Young Musician competition in 1998. In 2000 she won first prize in the Karic International Piano Competition, going on to give recitals all around the UK, including the Wigmore Hall, Purcell Room, Bridgewater Hall, and the Aldeburgh and Buxton Festivals, as well as a broadcast on BBC Radio 3. She is professor of piano at Trinity College of Music Junior Department, at Leeds College of Music and at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
Sunday 6 July 2008 In aid of the Youth Worker’s Fund We are pleased to announce that we are holding another Doodle Day this year by popular request. But this year it will have a ‘theme’ - to make it easier for those of you, who said, “I can’t think of what to draw!” This year, the theme will be all about Ken and Meriel (please don’t tell them as it is a surprise)! This is a fun idea and can be your interpretation of how you visualise them (be careful here!!). Doodles will cost £1 each and I am happy to receive them as soon as possible. Please try to get them to me by 5 July at the very latest as they have to be displayed. Thank you. There will also be a cake stall and card sale all in aid of the Youth Worker’s fund. Could all cake bakers please bring their creations on the day. Good luck and get doodling!! Anne Horton
London Marathon I would like to thank everyone in the choir and church family who sponsored me when I ran the London Marathon. To date, I have raised £1,750 for Cancer Research. The marathon was a great experience and very humbling running with so many people raising money for lots of different charities. Crossing the finishing line was a very proud moment. Thanks again. Stuart Brookes Transformed by the Bible We have planned two evenings to discuss together material provided by the URC to introduce the Vision 4 Life programme. They are both Monday evenings - 16 and 23 June - at 7.30 pm for a 7.45 pm start, in the Highbridge Hall. The title for this mini-series is "Transformed by the Bible" and it will be on the lines of our "Lost for Words" course. It will not be a Bible study, but an exploaration of how we use the Bible in church and in our everyday lives, how much we are helped by this, and whether we can do things differently. We hope as many of you as possible can come to one, or preferably, both of these, because the whole exercise depends on your comments and experiences. Ken
Choir Visit to Coventry Cathedral Saturday 28 June 2008, 4.00 pm Our junior and senior choirs are singing evensong at Coventry Cathedral on 28/06/08 at 4.00 pm. We have sung at many cathedrals in previous years and are one of the few non-conformist choirs to do so. This will be Ken and Meriel’s last cathedral visit with us and we are hoping that some of the congregation might like to travel to Coventry to support us. There is car parking available nearby and frequent train services. A cathedral visit is always a special occasion with a real sense of worship - we hope that you are able to join us. Kathryn Bellshaw Choir secretary
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