holy trinity churchholytrinitywb.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/July-Mag-2016.pdf · holy trinity church parish magazine ... The Christian faith of the fastest woman in the world

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holy trinity churchparish magazineJuly 2016 30p

Fantastic anniversary few days at Holy Trinity

The 175th anniversary few days went fantastically well despite rain washed events planned for the vicarage garden ending up in church.

Vicar Neil with deputy Mayor Susan Downing and daughter Bethany during our anniversary

weekend.

The very smart Air Cadet Band getting ready for the parish

parade.

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Time Choices(Lk 10:38-42)

Martha is distracted,too busy preparing for the needs of the day.Not enough time… not enough time.

Mary is focused,taking time to meet the needs of the heart.Sitting still,seeing through the paraphernalia of every daywith a new clarity that changes her world. Mary listens to Jesus.She chooses life.

There is time…there is time.We all have our life time.What will we choose?

By Daphne Kitching

Time PrayerFather,

We are all so busy. We rush here and there, trying to meet deadlines, trying to fit more and more into our already full days. So often we seem to run out of energy and time. Sometimes we wonder what it’s all about.

Help us, Lord to recognise that we have time. You have given us every day of our lives. Help us to choose wisely how we use our life time. Help us to spend time with you first; to learn your ways; to encounter the living Jesus in the Bible and in prayer. And everything else will fall into place. In Jesus’ name,Amen.

By Daphne Kitching

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Inside This Month4/5 From the Vicarage

6 Prayer Focus - Neil and his family during his sabbatical

7 HOLY TRINITY SCHOOL

8/9 Celebrating 150 years of Reader Ministry - after the two World Wars - parishpump

9 The Servant Queen becomes a best seller

10 From the Vicar - The Battle of the Somme - parishpump

11 BACK HOME

12/13 More Anniversary Photos

14 The Christian faith of the fastest woman in the world - parishpump

15 KIDS IN CHURCH

16/18 Expat life one week in - Luke Childs ex Holy Trinity Trainee

19/21 People, Remembrance and News and HELP!

22 All in the month of July - parishpump

23 Events for your diary

24 The Celebration of a New Ministry and a New photo of Holy Trinity Church

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From the Vicarage Dear friends,

The magazine editor, Colin, has asked me to write about what Holy Trinity church can be praying in my absence. This is a difficult question to answer, because I am not sure what things you or I might face over the next three months. There are, however, some general areas for prayer which will be helpful.

For church, will you continue to give thanks for the past 175 years? Will you bring to mind everything for which you can praise the Lord about Holy Trinity and thank him from your heart?

It would then be good to pray that everyone would have their eyes open for the needs of others. Will you each pray Philippians 2:3-4? “Lord, let me do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility may I value others above myself. Help me not to look to my own interests but to the interests of the others.”

Pray for all the visiting speakers to bring a word in season and that God will build up his church as his word achieves all the purposes he sends it for. Pray that whatever happens, and we pray nothing too disastrous occurs, that Chris, Helen, Gary and Ian will be able to work together to resolve any pastoral or practical problems.

What can you pray for me? Pray for my time at London Theological Seminary to be enriching; theologically, spiritually and in fellowship with other students. Pray for our family time in Australia, Singapore and Malaysia to create good memories which last a lifetime and which strengthen our family bonds. Pray for my visits to churches and their leadership that I will be able to encourage them as they encourage me. And pray for my last 10 days or so at the end, as I pray and prepare to start another seven years of ministry that I will be refreshed.

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We held our last small group tonight and we sang this song:I hear the Saviour say,“Thy strength indeed is small;Child of weakness, watch and pray,Find in Me thine all in all.”Refrain:

Jesus paid it all,All to Him I owe;Sin had left a crimson stain,He washed it white as snow.

Lord, now indeed I findThy pow’r, and Thine alone,Can change the leper’s spotsAnd melt the heart of stone.Pray that though my strength is small, I am a child of weakness, that I will know Christ paid it all and it is to him I owe it all and that my heart melts some more.May you all have a very blessed summer.With love, Neil

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Prayer Focus Revd. Neil began his sabbatical on June 20th with 5 weeks in London studying Archbishop Thomas Cranmer’s theology of communion. After that he heads with his family to Sydney, Singapore and Malaysia which involves more studying and a family holiday.

This month we would like our church family to pray for Neil and his family over the coming weeks both during the study time and during the holiday period.

Please pray that the Lord will guide and protect Neil and that he returns to Holy Trinity restored in body, mind and spirit.

Please pray that the Lord will guide and protect Amanda, Isha, Gillis and Elliot during Neil’s absence and during their holidays.

Please pray that during Neil’s absence God will bless this parish and all who worship and visit here. May we all carry out with joy the ministries to which we are called. And may this also be a time of prayer and reflection for us all.

Please pray for all leaders and preachers who lead us during this time especially thinking of our wardens Gary, Ian and Kevin, lay reader Christine Pegler and Family and Community worker Helen Morrow and all in our church who lead prayers or read.

Please pray for our church family to be strengthened during this time and that we will be empowered by the gifts we have been given and to be renewed as servants of our Lord.

In Jesus name, we pray. Amen.

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HOLY TRINITY SCHOOL.Please give your love and support to everyone at Holy Trinity School and remember the school in your prayers.Holy Trinity School had an Ofsted Inspection back in early May. The report is just out and paints the school in a bad light; to those of us who know the school well, it is almost unrecognisable as our school. If you have children in the school you will have seen it. Ofsted seem to make their judgements nowadays purely on the outcomes for pupils, which means the results of the statutory tests at the end of Key Stage 1 (YR2) and at the end of Key Stage 2 (YR6). These results need to be at or above the national averages for the school to get a Good grading. Everything else in the school, eg quality of work on display and in pupil's books, behaviour, care, before and after-school provision, can be good, even outstanding, but if the results are not there the school will be rated as Requiring Improvement or Inadequate.Holy Trinity has made great strides in closing the gap between their results and the national results since our Federation with Grove Vale School in 2012, but unfortunately despite everyone's hard work, there is still a gap, so the school is deemed as not doing its job well and not capable of closing the gap. Everyone in the school longs to see the pupils attaining national level results, no-one is complacent, but all of us who live and work in the community and know the school well, realise there are barriers which the school has to work very hard to overcome.The staff team at the school are committed, caring, hard-working and go the extra mile every day. There are teachers working there who have been rated as outstanding when working in other schools, but are now carrying an inadequate label. Everyone - senior leaders, governors, teaching staff, support staff, kitchen staff, cleaners, site manager - all contribute to develop the pupils in all the gifts God has given them and will continue to work tirelessly for the good of the pupils and community even though the Report is bound to be de-moralising for them.So,please, if you are questioned about the school maybe you can support the work they are doing, if you see the staff about, please support and thank them. If you can offer any time to the school, to hear reading etc, speak to Lynn Whitehouse who volunteers in Early Years on a weekly basis or speak to Parvinder, Amanda or me and we can point you in the right direction. Above all, please pray for the school as this Ofsted grading does trigger a demand for forced academisation and there will be much to be considered and decided upon. Pray particularly for the Senior Leaders, Andy, Jo and Jayne and for the Governors. God Bless,   Chris.

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ThismonthweconcludetheaddressgivenbyTheRtRevRobertPaterson,BishopofSodorandMan,whohasbeenChairoftheCentralReaders’CouncilsinceApril2009.ThefollowingistakenfromanarticlewhichhewroteforthecurrentissueoftheReadermagazine.IfyourchurchhasaReader,youcaneasily‘makethislocal’butputtingtothemthechallengethattheBishoplaysdown:howdotheyseeTHEIRfutureministrydeveloping?

Celebrating 150 years of Reader Ministry – after the two World WarsIt was probably the two World Wars that changed the initial direction of Reader ministry from being, as has often been said, a means to extend the effectiveness of the traditional parochial system to new pioneering work on the boundaries between church and world, into something more churchy.

During and following those wars (which followed one another fairly rapidly) large numbers of clergy became chaplains to the forces and many lost their lives. Readers naturally stepped into their places, at least as far as non-sacramental ministry was concerned. The arrival of the blue scarf a couple of generations ago completed the outfit, with the result that very few Readers have not been thanked for a ‘Nice service, Vicar’!

The time has come to retreat from being ‘clones of the clergy’, and to rejoice in a confident and no-way second rate lay ministry, but one which will not be the same.

Lay ministry in the future will be much more diverse. Yes, we’ll still need well-trained, articulate lay theologians, but we’ll also need people equipped, authorised and accountable in evangelistic, pastoral, formational and liturgical ministry whose focus will be on the Kingdom of God.

They’ll include evangelists, chaplains, teachers of the faith, lay congregation leaders, pastoral assistants, youth and children’s workers, community workers, worship leaders and people like Readers who can bring God into the conversation. I have no doubt that some of the trappings will need to be shed en route.

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Let us see what some others have pointed to about this gospel ministry. Bringing God into the conversation is about introducing people to the Lord Jesus Christ, just as you would introduce two people to one another because they are your friends.

That means you have to know Jesus and you have to know lots of people who are not-yet Christians. Our friends won’t respond well to being introduced to Christ unless they see in my life and yours that knowing Jesus has made us more spiritually beautiful, that it is changing us from glory into glory. Every Christian disciple is called to ‘make Christ visible’.

So the future is yours. I have asked the Archbishops to allow me stand down from being Chair of CRC after Follow#2016, because the movement needs someone younger with fresh vision after my seven years or so in the job. It has been great fun and I’ve had the privilege of boring Readers in most of the dioceses of England and Wales during that period. I remain totally committed to the discipleship of every Christian and to commissioned lay ministry until my last breath.

The Servant Queen becomes a best sellerThe Bible Society has announced that the book The Servant Queen and the King She Serves is so successful that the initial print run of 50,000 has been increased to over 200,000. The book is produced by Bible Society, HOPE and the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity and celebrates The Queen's 90th Birthday. It uses her own words to describe the place of her Christian belief. For copies: [email protected]

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ParishPumplaunchedanewfeaturelastmonth–a‘Vicar’sLetter’foryoutoconsiderwhenyourministeriseitherabsentorjustoverwhelmedwithworkinanyparticularmonth.Itisadaptedfromoneofourregulardevotionalitems,andaimstoprovideashort‘thoughtforthemonth’towhichyoucouldaddyourowngreetingandotherlocaldetails.Wewouldlovetohavesomefeedbackfromyouaboutthis–howcanweimprovethissoastohelpyoumost?

From the Vicar - The Battle of the SommeOn the 1st July 2016 we commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme and remember those who fought and died during the battle. The Somme was one of the deadliest battles of the First World War. During five months of combat, the total number of men killed, wounded and missing reached over one million.

A century later the battle scars still remain. It’s still difficult to make sense of what happened and see God’s place in the conflict. It challenges any image of a safe, problem-solving God who protects at all costs from pain and suffering. As Jesus’ prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane demonstrates, God is to be found alongside in the pain: ‘Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.’ (Luke 22:42).

Geoffrey Studdert-Kennedy, the chaplain popularly known as ‘Woodbine Willie’, served at the Somme said: ‘We have taught our people to use prayer too much as a means of comfort: the comfort of the cushion, not the comfort of the Cross.’

He is saying that prayer in itself won’t save us from suffering, as it didn’t save Christ from the cross. But it is does enable us to fight evil in a way that will transform the situation, like Jesus going to the cross.

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BACK HOME

If I had the power to turn back the clock,Go back to that house at the end of the block-The House that was HOME when I was a kid,I know that I’d love it more now than I did.

If I could be back there at my mother’s knee,And hear once again all the things she told me,I’d listen as I never listened before,For she knew so well just what life had in store.

And all the advice my dad used to give,His voice I’ll remember as long as I live;But it didn’t seem really important then;What I’d give just to live it all over again.

And what I’d give for the chance I once had,To do so much more for my mother and dad;To give them more joy and a little less pain;A little more sunshine - a little less rain.

But the years roll on and we cannot go back,Whether we were born in a mansion or in a shack;But we can start right now - in the hour that’s here,To do something more for the ones we hold dear.

And since time in its flight is travelling so fast;Let’s not spend it regretting that which is past;But let’s make tomorrow a happier dayBy doing our “good to others” - TODAY.

(Author Unknown)

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Glen Scrivener our speaker for the day challenging 12 year old Eve to an arm wrestling contest. Assistant warden Kevin stepped in to help Eve out.

Glen faces a more formidable opponent in 6ft 5in vicar Neil who just edged it.

“Splat the Rat” as it runs down the drainpipe with PCC member Dave and young challenger.

D a v e o u t again this time on the parade w i t h H T b a n n e r supported by Vicar ’s w i fe Amanda.

More Anniversary Photos

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The Air Cadets getting ready for

the parish parade.

Lunch is served after the

Sunday service.

Games in the church with

Glen Scrivener taking part.

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If you are sports mad, you have a great summer ahead of you! Here Stuart Weir considers the phenomenon of Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce, who is on her way to Rio…

The Christian faith of the fastest woman in the worldShelly-Ann Fraser Pryce is simply the fastest woman in the world! She won gold in the 100 metres in the 2008 and 2012 Olympics and also came top in the 100 metres World Championships in 2009, 2013 and 2015.

She said of her London Olympic win: "It's completely different to Beijing because there I was inexperienced. I was young and I never believed I could win. This time I was a bit nervous but I believed in God and I trusted Him to carry me through."

Despite her amazing achievements, Shelly-Ann never seems to get the recognition she deserves. Asked if she is recognised when she goes out she replied “I go to the supermarket and people recognise me” before adding “and they want to ask me about Usain Bolt!”

She has had a faith most of her life but in her own words, “went away from the church” in her teens but is now back in the fold. She is clear about the difference her faith makes: “ Believing in the God I believe in has worked miracles in my life. I know God for myself so I am able to say ‘Thank God’ because I know who He is and I know what He has done in me and through me. So my faith is very important and at the forefront of everything I do. I believe that everything I have, every gift I have is from Him and He has given it to me for a reason. The purpose He has given me has shown me how to live and how to experience life differently. It motivates me and directs my life”.

To deal with her nerves while waiting for the starter to call her to her blocks, she repeats Bible verses. She confesses to being a bit afraid before big races so she repeats to herself 2 Timothy 1:7 “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” Another favourite verse is: 1 John 4:4 “the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world”. She says it reminds her that if God is in control, then she has no reason to be afraid.

Shelly will be in Rio, trying to win an incredible third consecutive 100 metres title.

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KIDS IN CHURCH3-year-old Reese:"Our Father, Who does art in heaven,Harold is His name.Amen."A little boy was overheard praying:"Lord, if you can't make me a better boy, don't worry about it.I'm having a real good time like I am."After the christening of his baby brother in church,Jason sobbed all the way home in the back seat of the car.His father asked him three times what was wrong.Finally, the boy replied,"That preacher said he wanted us brought up in a Christian home,and I wanted to stay with you guys."

One particular four-year-old prayed,"And forgive us our trash basketsas we forgive those who put trash in our baskets.”

A Sunday school teacher asked her children as theywere on the way to church service,"And why is it necessary to be quiet in church?"One bright little girl replied,"Because people are sleeping.”

A mother was preparing pancakes for her sons, Kevin 5, and Ryan 3.The boys began to argue over who would get the first pancake.Their mother saw the opportunity for a moral lesson."If Jesus were sitting here, He would say,'Let my brother have the first pancake, I can wait.'Kevin turned to his younger brother and said,"Ryan, you be Jesus!”

A father was at the beach with his childrenwhen the four-year-old son ran up to him,grabbed his hand, and led him to the shorewhere a seagull lay dead in the sand."Daddy, what happened to him?" the son asked."He died and went to Heaven," the Dad replied.The boy thought a moment and then said, "Did God throw him back down?"

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Most of you will remember Luke Childs one of our Ministry Trainees pictured here with his fiancee Trista Malcolm. Luke has recently moved to live and work in Oakdale, California but had to go through a lengthy process to be able to live and work in the US. This is Luke’s post on his experience.

Expat life – one week inPosted on May 25, 2016 by childsluke

After a long run of form-filling, fees, filing and far-flung located interviews I am officially a resident of the USA who is not officially a resident of the USA.

Don’t ask – the legal peculiarities of those in the country on a certain type of visa are interesting to say the least.

A few points that spring to mind having spent my first week formally living here:

– CBP (immigration) officers are surprisingly jovial in the right situation. My officer jokingly asked me if I was sure because this was the last possible point to turn around!

– One who is not a US citizen is required to have one’s permanent residence (‘Green)’ card on their person AT ALL TIMES to confirm one’s legal status in the country. If one is inspected and does not have this documentation, one can be fined $100 and imprisoned for up to 30 days if your investigating officer has had a bad day or doesn’t like you. Since I have no Green Card yet, my equivalent is my passport containing the K-1 visa AND a print-out of an electronic I-94, showing date and point of entry. What fun.

– My fiance and I agree, having sat in freeway traffic for FOUR HOURS on the way home from the airport, that neither of us could cope with living and commuting in the Bay Area of San Francisco.

– I apologise British friends for what I am about to say, but I understand the predilection for pickup trucks. There is something about having an imposing presence on the road. Having said that, sometimes even a standard truck won’t save you from the giant 20,000 wheelers undertaking you. Which leads onto…

– Driving has its ups and downs. I like being able to turn right at a red light when there is no traffic across the intersection. I like having clearly-defined lanes with a cycle of traffic lights at almost every intersection. I even like the stop sign in certain places.

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I don’t like seeing signs telling me I’ll be fined $360 (!) for running a red light. I don’t like overtaking on both sides as a norm. I have braved one exit of a freeway and frankly this was one exit too many. I fear that my hand will be opening the door as soon as I get around to trying a manual car that steers on the ‘wrong’ side. Roundabouts are a fun hilarity of mine – not to navigate personally (we are the roundabout gurus in the UK), but to watch others attempt to.

– Genuine, authentic Mexican food is FANTASTIC. Back in the West Midlands, the closest thing we have was a sort-of ‘tex-mex’ pub hybrid. I like the convenience of $1 tacos at Taco Bell as well as the full restaurant experience with the simmering hot plate sat in front of you begging you to dive into its juicy goodness. Don’t get me started on the shrimp…

– It is surprisingly easy to get hold of home comforts (minus chocolate – negative kudos Hershey’s for banning actual, proper Cadbury’s). It still trips me up to see British food at the World Market – Yorkshire Tea, Hobknobs, Rich Tea biscuits and many others are a short drive away. No need to involve the folks back home and expensive air mail fees (minus chocolate).

–  The American retail experience still scares me slightly. The English have a particular way of shopping: I like to call it the ‘leave-me-alone’ approach; one quietly enters the shop, one quietly finds what one wishes to buy, one quietly and calmly wanders to the checkout, one quietly pays for one’s items (often using an automated or computerised checkout system where zero human contact occurs) and one quietly leaves said shop to continue one’s day. Around here they might as well set off some fireworks and sing Happy Birthday the second you walk in. Thankfully I recall the stock phrase used in the incredibly rare situation where one is actually spoken to in a shop in England – ‘I’m just browsing, thank you’.– Everybody wants a piece of your accent. I have found the stereotype of the American love of the English accent to be an accurate one. This relates in part to the above point on shopping, as when actual human contact does occur there is the inevitable conversation of where I am from and whether this accent is real or if I am feigning  for attention. The other, more pleasant, side of this is the social one:– People generally want to talk to you. The further south you get in England, the less you are allowed to even look at passers-by on the street save talk to them.

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A look in this situation either means that they have a giant zit on their face or are covered in boils, or you think you know them and swiftly realise you don’t before looking straight at the ground and increasing your walking pace. I like that people are more relaxed here about casual conversation – sometimes I can even now accept human contact at the grocery store! We met a checkout lady at the weekend, for example, whose partner is Australian and is coming over on a K-1 visa also. Small world. In fact, I like that people here are more relaxed in general and feel that they’re allowed to quietly get on with their lives. Maybe it’s because I’m currently in an area more out of the big cities, but I like it a lot. There is enough to do without there being too much to do.– Church. I know Orthodoxy is Orthodoxy, but it still amazes me how two communities using two buildings across 5000 miles can simultaneously share such similarity and diversity. Save for stumbling over a few words of a differently-translated Creed and taking about 30 minutes less time to say ‘trespasses’ than the average American, things have thus far flowed smoothly from one place to the other. Our community has Syriac and Iraqi people and links to it which brings home the reality of the horrors occurring at the hands of ISIS in these nations. Yesterday our priest was telling us of his visit to Syria in 2011 and a particular church he visited which had been built over the site of an ancient pagan temple – a ‘baptising’ of the building if you will, or a reclamation of it for the worship of the true God. He then crossed himself solemnly as he lamented that there was now probably nothing of this building left.Over the next few weeks I am able to apply for a Social Security Number, we plan with our priest for my fiance’s Chrismation and meet with him for pre-marital counselling, we meet with our reception venue to finalise arrangements and taste-test our caterers and we get access to our marital home to think about placement of furnishing and other living practicalities. The reality of literally living on the other side of the world hasn’t entirely sunk in yet, but there are a lot of  silly little conveniences I miss when I try to reach for them and realise they’re not there any more.I continue daily to pray for God’s guiding hand in all of our planning and practicalities for our life together and thank him for this incredible opportunity and situation.

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HappyBirthdaytoyouToJesusbetrue

MaytheLordblessyourichlyInallthatyoudo

HappyBirthdaytoyouHappyBirthdaytoyou

MayGodBlessyouandkeepyouHappyBirthdaytoyou.

Birthday Celebrations - July 2016 2nd Tyler

10th Jill Forrest-Sadler

12th James

23rd Betty

People and News

Remembrance - July 20163rd Checketts - In loving memory of my dear husband Percy who

died February 195710th P. Evans - Thank offering for a happy married life

17th Mrs Grice - In loving memory of a dear husband

24th Hughes - Thank offering for a good Christian home31st Kershaw - In loving memory of a dear husband and father

Edward Kershaw who died February 17th 1957. In loving memory of Elizabeth Alice wife of Edward. Passed away August 26th 1961.“Joy in the Presence of the Lord” from daughter Alice. 7th

Grant unto them eternal rest, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them . May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the

mercy of God, rest in peace.

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, you promised through your son Jesus Christ, to hear us when we pray in faith.  Help us to pray simply and sincerely, unselfishly and gratefully, remembering the needs of others as well as our own, and giving thanks always for all things in the name of Christ our Lord. Grant that all who come in to our church may be enabled to renew their relationship with you and may find your peace, your strength, your grace and above all your presence.  Help us as a congregation to be outward looking, so that what we find within our fellowship we may share with those outside, for the benefit of all and for your greater glory.Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer

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Regular DonationsBooks and Magazines - for the League of Friends at Sandwell Hospital.

West Bromwich Food Bank - * Milk (UHT or powdered) * Sugar (500g) * Fruit juice (carton) * Soup * Pasta sauces * Sponge pudding (tinned) * Tomatoes (tinned) *Cereals * Rice pudding (tinned) * Tea Bags/instant coffee * Instant mash potato * Rice/pasta * Tinned meat/fish * Tinned fruit * Jam * Biscuits or snack bars * Or cash donation

Regular Prayer TimesSunday Morning Prayer - Every morning at 10.00 am. prior to the morning service for quiet prayer.

Tuesday Morning Prayer - Prayer and Bible Study at 9.30am.

Tuesday Evening Prayer - A time time for open intercession or quiet prayer run by Kevin at 8.00pm

Midweek Morning Prayer - Every Monday and Wednesday mornings at 8.00am there is a time for quiet prayer.

Please pray for Holy Trinity MinistriesTNG - youth workMessy ChurchKids ClubTrinity TotsSoup & Roll Lunch ClubSocial AfternoonCoffee Morning

Please pray for our Church LeadersVicar Neil and his familyWardensPCCLay ReaderReaders and all who help in any way in our churchHelpers and supporters

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Mugs or framed picturesIf anyone would like an

anniversary mug as shown in the picture or framed pictures of the church

please contact Madeline or Jacqui Banks. The mugs are £2.00 and the framed

pictures are £3.00

HELP PLEASE!As editor I get articles and news stories from various sources. Sometimes its easy and the articles and stories just flow, but sometimes its difficult and I struggle to produce a magazine thats a good read.So, I’m asking if any of our readers have stories that they would like to share, from your holidays, work, family, whatever, to please send them to me by email, text, WhatsApp or handwritten and I will type.It doesn’t have to be overly long, just a short anecdote will do. Or if you have any ideas that might be useful for a series as JP did please also let me know. You don't have to do all the work, I will do research if needed.There is also a list at the back of church for people to sign up for the monthly Prayer Focus but there’s not a lot of people on it. It would be great if you could sign up for one month per year either as a group or singly so that we can pray for topical events and our church and church family. One time a year is all you need to do.And finally, if anyone is interested in helping to run the magazine, possibly with a view to taking over - I’m not getting any younger - then please let me know. We can work together initially if required and it would be great to have younger people with different ideas getting involved.My email address is [email protected], my mobile is 07951768083 and my home number is 0121 358 6203.Please have a think and contact me if you think you would like to help in anyway.Thank you. Ed.

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Wecontinueourcolumnthatlooksatmemorabledatesinthemonth(thistime,July)downtheyears.Hereisarangefromwhichtopickandchoose,asyourspaceallows.Someofoureditorsrunadateatthebottomofeachpageoftheirmagazine…wouldthatworkforyou?

All in the month of JULY150 years ago: on 28th July 1866 that Beatrix Potter was born. This children’s writer and illustrator created enduring animal characters including Peter Rabbit, Squirrel Nutkin, Mrs Tiggy-Winkle and Jemima Puddle-Duck. 100 years ago: from 1st July to 18th November 1916 that the WW1’s Battle of the Somme took place. The slaughter was epic, the result inconclusive. It was the first battle to use tanks.75 years ago: on 19th July 1941 that Prime Minister Winston Churchill launched his ‘V for Victory’ campaign.70 years ago: on 21st July 1946 that bread and flour rationing were introduced in Britain as the country’s wheat crop had been ruined by continual rain.Also 70 years ago: on 22nd July 1946 that the King David Hotel in Jerusalem was bombed by a militant right-wing group. It was the British admin HQ for Palestine. 91 people died.60 years ago: on 2nd July 1956 that Elvis Presley recorded the song Hound Dog. Critics nicknamed him ‘Elvis the Pelvis’.50 years ago: on 30th July 1966 that the 1966 FIFA World Cup final was played in London. England beat Germany 4-2. (This remains England’s only World Cup win.) 40 years ago:- on 4th July 1976 that Operation Entebbe took place when Israeli commandos staged a counter-terrorist hostage-rescue mission at Entebbe Airport in Uganda following the hijacking of an Air France plane a week earlier.Also 40 years ago: on 18th July 1976 that Romanian gymnast Nadia Comaneci, aged 14, became the first female to score a perfect 10 in an Olympic gymnastic event. 20 years ago:- on 5th July 1996 that Dolly the sheep, the world’s first cloned animal, was born. 15 years ago:- on 7th July 2001 that 120 police officers were injured in the Bradford race riots.10 years ago:- on 15th July 2006 that Twitter, the online micro-blogging service, was publicly launched.

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Weekend away at Quinta Christian Centre Shropshire

Friday 30th September - 2nd October It will cost £50 per person for the weekend away, £18 for

the day on Saturday. Our aim is to raise £3500 as a church family for 70 people to come along. If you want to come,

please book and give what you can towards coming. If you can’t give much, don’t worry, it’s more important that

everyone who wants to come is there. Please fill out the booking form at the back of church to Helen ASAP.

HolyTrinity’sBigWeekendAway

Events for your diaryLadies Cake & Craft

Saturday 16th July 7pm

Holy Trinity Church

£2 each on entry

(to cover craft costs)

Please bring a friend

& a cake or soft drink

to share with others

over 16's only

Whether you are an experienced crafter or a complete novice join usfor a relaxed evening of creativity and refreshments.

Ros Clarke (Lichfield Diocese Online Pastor) will be joining us toshare her crafting expertise and to help us think about God's

creation.

for more info call Helen: 078 23 88 9765

Ladies Evening 16th July 7.00pm

Holy Trinity Church West

Bromwich

�24

A 1906 Holy Trinity picture taken f rom a postcard advertised for sale on eBay which Barry Page won. Notice the wrought iron gates-long gone now-the wall surrounding the church-also long gone-and the doors on the left and right of the main door-also replaced by two porches.The spires were t h o u g h t t o h a v e b e e n removed prior to WW2.

Rev. Neil Robbie 0121 525 3595

Find Holy Trinity on Facebook www.facebook.com/pages

www.holytrinitywb.org holy trinity church 1 burlington road west bromwich B70 6LF

THE CELEBRATION OF OF A NEW MINISTRY

Ex Holy Trinity Ministry Trainee Tommy Merry was licensed as Priest-in-Charge of Christ Church Fenton and Team Vicar of St Paul’s Mount Pleasant by The Rt Revd Geoff Annas - Bishop of Stafford on Sunday 5th June 2016.

We’re confident Fr. Tommy’s new congregations will give him their support and enjoy the fun and fellowship as they get to know him.

All at Holy Trinity send Fr. Tommy their congratulations and best wishes for his new ministry in Stoke. God bless Fr Tommy.

A NEW HT PICTURE