Each Week we send out a weekly e-newsletter. This is this weeks.......
- Hello to everyone on another beautiful summers day.
This is the first mailshot of Chris’ sabbatical. A different elder will write the introduction each week and I hope you will enjoy hearing our different reflections on life.
I am writing this having just returned from an amazing trip to Malawi in central East Africa. This is where my son-in -law Mackoi comes from. We went with Mackoi, Sarah (my daughter) and their two children Isaac 4 and Thoko 2. Malawi is a very poor but beautiful and friendly country. Mackoi’s friends and family were so pleased to meet us and looked after us so well. They live in a village on the shores of Lake Malawi which runs down much of the country. Live revolves around the lake, fishing is important and the lake is used to wash clothes, dishes and people! There are also stunning sunsets every night. We visited a couple of islands in the lake and travelled to other parts of the country. However the infrastructure is poor which made travelling a challenge. The roads are very poor even worse potholes than here!! Petrol supplies are erratic. There is no public transport so taxis, not always built for the conditions were our only option. However everyone just gets on with it in very good humour. We went on a safari which was wonderful and saw a lion, several elephants and hippos at close quarters. One Sunday we went to a small church where the singing was wonderful and the leader kindly preached in English with someone translating for the congregation just because we were there!
I could happily bore you with hours of photos if you are interested!
Now back home we are digesting this wonderful experience and adapting to a new homelife as Sarah, Mackoi and the boys will be living with us for a few months.
All the things we have seen and experienced over the last few weeks have hopefully made us more adaptable and relaxed. The people of Malawi showed us what was important: friendship, a smile and a willingness to help and share.
During Chris’ sabbatical and going forward as we work with Pype Hayes and Erdington let us ask God to help us know what is important and help us show a willingness to smile, share and help.
Helen
Sad News
Church Meeting 13th July 2025
The next church meeting is Sunday 13th July after the morning service.
As we have a visiting preacher we will have the service and church meeting in the sanctuary.
Coffee and refreshments will be served in Highbridge Hall.
You should have received the agenda and documents relating to the meeting by email.
Events for this Week
Thursday 10th
6pm True Colours Group
Friday 11th
9.30am Highbridge Baby & Toddlers (Teddy Bear's Picnic on the field)
Saturday 12th
10am - 12noon Fair Trade & Eco Shop
10am - 1pm Roy's Repair Shop (Highbridge Hall)
2pm - 4pm Community Garden
Sunday 13th
11am Morning Worship led by Barbara McDowell
12.15pm Church Meeting in the Sanctuary
6pm Reel Conversations Room 1: We are showing 'Conclave'
Conclave follows one of the world's most secretive and ancient events - selecting a new pope. The church's most powerful leaders have gathered from around the world, locked together in the Vatican halls. Tasked with running this covert process, Cardinal Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes) finds himself at the centre of a conspiracy and discovers a secret that could shake the very foundation of the church.