Each Week we send out a weekly e-newsletter. Here is this weeks...
Mailshot Dated 29th January 2026
I’m feeling rather organised for a change. As we are letting out our Scarborough house, we have to be organised about our year; otherwise, we might find ourselves not having use of it. So, I sat down and worked out not only the year but also sat down with both Pype Hayes Elders and the fun team /church meeting to set everything else. What we have looking at my colour coded planner is a very busy year!
But as I said at Wylde Green Church Meeting on Sunday, our challenge for all three churches is to build our numbers that are engaged in whichever study/worship that fits their needs. Our community building work is essential, but without a spiritual anchor, we simply become another charity engaged in good works. It’s got to be both/and rather than either/or.
With that aim, I’m encouraging people to come to something this year that will deepen your faith. There will be four study days, the 6pm Alt -church and the church holiday and a pilgrimage or two. There is also the Wednesday Bible Study, which we’ve moved to the lounge because it’s outgrown my vestry.
For myself, I will train to provide supervision for other clergy (a two-year mostly distance learning course in Cambridge) and I will also have a few writing weeks where I can prepare all the material for all we are doing. It takes a lot of work to prepare our programme, and I am painfully aware just how much I don’t know without studying myself.
I’m also working with a friend on a book where we are going to ask colleagues to write a chapter on how we will talk about God in 2072- the centenary of the URC. The idea was to pick a date that doesn’t personally affect us. Given I would be 107, I can safely assume by then I’ll (hopefully) just be a photo on Wylde Green’s foyer wall.
We’re also firming up the Easter programme this week, and the card is almost ready to go to the printers.
Who said we could snooze through January???????
Chris
Church Holiday - Grand Hotel Llandudno – Monday 29th June 2026 – 4 nights. Please see attached info sheet.
Fun Team Events 2026 please see attached
Coffee Rota
Many thanks to Graham Close, Caroline Smythe and Kay Monk who have volunteered to join the coffee rota.
The coffee rota is now completed until Easter, please let me know if you are interested in joining after Easter.
The rota is displayed on the noticeboard opposite the office.
It has been decided that the tables and chairs need to be put away following coffee in Room 1 therefore can everyone help to do this at the end of coffee.
The duty Elder may not be the last person to leave. Please leave via the outside door in Room 1 and the last person please ensure the door is properly closed.
From Laura Fowler: The school that I have worked at for over 20 years , Cardinal Wiseman in Kingstanding is currently competing for funds from the Tesco Stronger Starts scheme. The money we receive will be used for ‘Enrichment Opportunities’ to provide valuable opportunities to experience live theatre, in order to enhance the cultural experiences for our pupils. It is important to note that Tesco Stronger Starts supports children and young people. The project with the highest number of votes across your region will receive up to £1,500 (or the amount that was requested, up to this value), the second placed project up to £1,000 (or the amount that was requested, up to this value), and the third placed project £500. Please grab a handful of blue tokens and vote for us in any of the following stores until the end of March:
2484 Erdington Express Express B23 5TW
2933 New Oscott Extra B73 6RB
5098 Whitehouse Sutton Coldfield Esso Express Express B75 6HD
5227 Streetly Bham Express Express B74 3NA
5318 Birmingham Road Sut Express Express B72 1QL
6046 Kingstanding Bham Express Express B44 8PP
6441 Walsall Road Express Express B74 4QY
6570 Boldmere Road Express Express B73 5UB
Coming Up…
Friday 30th January 10am – Britwell Fair Trade & Eco Shop Coffee & thanks for volunteers
Saturday 31st January 6pm Burns Supper Evening “Slainte Mhath!”
Come and share in fellowship together with a traditional Haggis meal and pudding. Vegetarian & Gluten Free options available. Please Bev or Chris know you are coming along for catering numbers. Many thanks
Sunday 1st Feb 11am Morning Worship Led by Joan Winterbottom & Helen Laird
4pm Birmingham University Students Concert – Violin and Piano
6pm Reflective Space: a chance for a quiet space with candles
and reflective music followed by a short evensong service
This Week Coming…
Thursday 29th January
5pm Boys Games Group
6pm True Colours Group
Friday 30th January
9.30am Highbridge Baby & Toddlers
10am BFTES thank you for volunteers
Saturday 31st January
10am-1pm Warm Welcome café in the vestibule
10am -12noon Britwell Fair Trade & Eco Shop
2pm Community Garden
6pm Church Social: Burns Supper Evening
Sunday 1st February
11am Morning Service led by Joan Winterbottom & Helen Laird
4pm Birmingham University Students Concert – Violin & Piano
6pm Reflective Space in the Sanctuary
Monday 2nd February
2pm Gentle Chair Exercise with Katie
2pm Community Garden
Tuesday 3rd February
7pm Bible Delve for Millennials – Exploring Jesus as a Prophet
Wednesday 4th February
9.30am Bible Explore - Exploring Jesus as a Prophet
12.30pm Weekday Worship with lunch
2pm Community Garden
4.45pm-7pm Britwell Fair Trade & Eco Shop
Online Prayers: Please contact church for Zoom Link
· Tuesdays and Thursdays 6pm
· Wednesdays and Fridays 9am
