The magazine of Holy Trinity Parish Church Sutton Coldfield
Heartfelt thanks were expressed to
Nina Hollow who had finally managed to stand down after many years as Chair of the Trinity Centre Management Committee and together with Peter as a regular volunteer in all aspects of work for the Centre. We know she and Peter will continue to serve Holy Trinity but we also hope they will feel it is OK now to have a break from time to time!
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From the Editors ...
...to Trinity We have had fund-raising fever recently, with the Malawi Church crawl at the end of April, Christian Aid week in May and a spectacular sky-dive for Help for Heroes by Peter Anderton, who gives us the lowdown (speedy at that!) on his epic descent (page 20). New beginnings for the PCC who have to lead us through the reordering project as well as the regular and unexpected decisions to be made on a range of things affecting the church, not least its boundary wall. We are lucky to have so many dedicated people serving us in so many ways, and the thank you lunches for Nina Hollow and Hazel Benton remind us of dedication and loyalty in different ways to the running of the Trinity Centre (see inside covers).
Contents: John Routh writes Through a glass darkly The final inspection Youth Matters Your choir needs you Highlights from the APCM Book review Margaret’s memories PCC Contact from the past! Church repairs—18thc. Style by Roger Lea Royal Puzzle Time Skydive spectacular From the registers Ten reasons… Fund-raising Trinity arrangements Bible verse Editors:
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Stella 329 2101 s_thebridge@yahoo.com Roger 308 1185 roger.smallwood@btinternet.com
Every blessing for the summer Louise 240 6366 louisejharden@hotmail.com season. Stella
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John Routh writes … . Summer Holiday Season
As I write, my daughter will be home from university in just a couple of weeks. It seems the summer holidays are almost upon us. For those with school age children there's a little longer to go, but make no mistake ... Summer holiday season will be with us very soon. I know that those who don’t have school-age children aren’t tied to July and August holidays. Even so, quite a few members of the congregation will be away for a week or two during these coming months. In a busy world there are many demands on our time. We need to be able to spend time on our families, and on ourselves. So, if you're preparing for a summer break, I hope you thoroughly enjoy yourselves wherever you go, and however long you are away for. If you are with friends or family, make the most of your time with them. But, just as important, spend some time focusing on yourself as well. This is an extract from a Michel Quoist meditation entitled ‘Lord, I have time’. I thought it was quite appropriate ...
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People run after time, Lord. I went out, Lord. They pass through life running People were coming out. hurried, jostled, overburdened, They were coming and going, frantic, walking and running. and they never get there. They Everything was rushing, cars, lorries, the street, the whole town. haven’t time. People were rushing not to waste time. Lord, you must have made a mistake in your calculations. They were rushing after time, There is a big mistake someto catch up with time, where. to gain time. The hours are too short, the days Goodbye, sir, excuse me, are too short, I haven’t time. Our lives are too short. I’ll come back, I can’t wait, You who are beyond time, Lord, I haven’t time. you smile to see us fighting it. I must end this letter I haven’t time. I’d love to help you but I haven’t time. And you know what you are doing. I can’t accept, having no time. I can’t think, I can’t read, I’m swamped, You make no mistakes in your Page distribution of time. I haven’t time. I’d like to pray, but I haven’t time.
You give each person time to do what you want them to do. Lord, I have time, I have plenty of time, all the time that you give me. the years of my life, the days of my years, the hours of my days they are all mine. Mine to fill, quietly, calmly, But to fill completely up to the brim, to offer them to you, that of their insipid water you may make a rich wine such as you made once in Cana of Galilee. Enjoy your time away. The rest of us will be thinking of you!
John
Through a Glass Darkly God’s Gifts It is a recurring theme in the Old Testament that when people behave well and obey God’s laws he rewards them with material prosperity. We have three readings in these two months that mention this yet it puzzles us today. We see very good people often suffering cruelty or deprivation and it seems to us to be against the law of God’s love. Following God’s way does, I believe, lead to peace and happiness and that kind of calm and confidence can bestow material prosperity, but life does not always work like that. It is clear, though, that God loves to give good gifts to his children and does it all the time. We must be careful to share those gifts as fairly as we possibly can. Another reading shows how ready God is to give the gift of his mercy. He always expects the best from us even when we have let him down over and over again and he is always ready with his offer of yet another chance. The blessing that Abram (later Abraham) wanted above all from
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God was that of a son, but he had to be very patient indeed. When three men visited him and were entertained by him and, in return, promised him a son he had almost given up hope and his wife Sarah certainly had. This is the theme of the lovely icon given to us by Ted and Rose Longman when they left in 1996 or thereabout. This story is in one of our readings at this time, together with a slightly later one promising Abram many descendants. Our New Testament readings cover very familiar ground. Jesus sent out 70 followers to preach and heal, very successfully. He warns us twice against seeking material prosperity, advising us to prefer spiritual fulfilment. The story of the good Samaritan is told to illustrate neighbourliness, but it is worth noticing that the Samaritan saw the injured Jew as a neighbour and acted accordingly. It works both ways. Jesus’ answer to Martha may seem harsh and ungrateful but he had to deal with the hurt felt by Mary. Martha was more robust and he must, in any case, have many times shown his thankfulness to them both for their love and service. It is a lesson to us that there are many ways of showing love and we should learn to appreciate them all. Jean Schneider THE FINAL INSPECTION by Sgt Joshua Helterbran The soldier stood and faced God, Which must always come to pass. He hoped his shoes were shining, Just as brightly as his brass. "Step forward now, you soldier, How shall I deal with you? Have you always turned the other cheek? To my Church have you been true?"
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The soldier squared his soldiers and said, "No, Lord, I guess I ain't. Because those of us who carry guns, Can't always be a saint. I've had to work most Sundays, And at times my talk was tough. And sometimes I've Page been violent, Because the world is awfully rough.
But, I never took a penny, That wasn't mine to keep... Though I worked a lot of overtime, When the bills just got too steep. And I never passed a cry for help, Though at times I shook with fear. And sometimes, God, forgive me, I've wept unmanly tears. I know I don't deserve a place, Among the people here. They never wanted me around, Except to calm their fears. If you've a place for me here, Lord, It needn't be so grand. I never expected or had too much, But if you don't, I'll understand." There was a silence all around the throne, Where the saints had often trod. As the soldier waited quietly, For the judgement of his God. "Step forward now, you soldier, You've borne your burdens well. Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets, You've done your time in Hell.
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Youth Matters Given that IKEA is my most favourite shop in the world and I have put together rather a lot of flat packs you would think I would be an expert at following instructions. I have to tell you that I am not! I have assembled many items wrongly over the years. Sometimes it is because I don’t bother looking at the instructions at all; sometimes it is because they are not (in my opinion) very clear and sometimes because I think I know what they are going to say or because I don’t believe them. I have never done what my Dad did once when I was, as a child, bought a wardrobe: he assembled it downstairs where there was more room and then couldn’t get it up the stairs because the ceiling gap was too small. (He was a tad cross and my vocabulary was broadened that night.) However I have made plenty of other mistakes and wasted a lot of time and energy in the process AND practised using some of the words I learnt on the night of The Wardrobe Incident. My cat has been bought a little wooden lodge which is going to go outside. It’s very cute; little indoor room with a staircase leading to a covered balcony. Last week I assembled it all except the roof. A review said to check it would go out of your door if you were assembling it inside so, for once, I was sensible and did check. No problems, it would easily go through. So the lodge was assembled in my usual idiosyncratic way and is sat in my lounge. Friends have seen it and admired it, friends have helped me buy paving stones to set it on, and sand has been acquired to lay the stones on. Everyone is very happy. But then it has occurred to me that although the lodge can go out of my front door, the gap down my hall corridor is very narrow due to all the many flat pack bookshelves (with particular reference to Billy bookshelves which are totally the best bookshelves ever built) and it does not look like the lodge can get through the gap. None of us had noticed that. Typical. As it happens I think if I am very careful and lift it high enough I might be able to manoeuvre it through. Otherwise it will have to be taken apart and reassembled the other side of the hall. Hmph. As Christians many of us have discovered that there are no terribly clear instructions about how to follow Jesus and be a ‘good’ Christian. We get lots of clues through the Bible, through other peoples’ experience and through church, but few hard and fast rules. So we need each other so we can puzzle it all out together AND give our children and young people the tools to be able to do the same. Susie Walker Page
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Cal lin sin g all ger s!
Both the junior and adult choirs at Holy Trinity require capable and enthusiastic singers to join them to lead worship. The commitments are to Sunday 10am services, occasional evening and special occasions, Friday practices and weddings (small payment for weddings!) Also instrumental players for occasional band accompaniment. Talk to Stella if you think you might be able to serve the church in this way. 0121 329 2101
s_thebridge@yahoo.com
Friday practices Juniors from age 7: 6.30pm-7pm Adults: 7.15pm 9
Margaret’s memories from the Annual meeting Annual Parochial Church Meeting & Meeting of Parishioners 28th April 2013 Election results:Churchwardens – Colin Ingley & Mike Somers P.C.C. Members – Mary Dixon, Ros Dyke, Sue Ingley, Roger Smallwood, & Stella Thebridge Reports on Parish Life
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These had been previously circulated and were generally accepted without questions. (May still be available if you did not get a copy)
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Hazel Benton would be stepping down at the end of May and Denise Carter would be taking over her cleaning duties at the Trinity Centre
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Discussion took place regarding the role of the Trinity Centre within the life of the parish
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Thanks were expressed to Nina Hollow who was standing down as chair of the Trinity Centre management committee
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Susie Walker was thanked for the brilliant work she undertakes as Cluster Youth Worker
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Congregation members were encouraged to use the updated and revised Holy Trinity prayer card – copies available in church
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A Service of Prayer for Holy Trinity is to be held on the second Tuesday of the month at 2.30pm in the Trinity Centre –all welcome
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Sidesmen/women are to be now known by the less clumsy name of stewards. More are urgently needed In his report John stated that we should be encouraged and celebrate the fact that, despite the loss of at least 50 regular members in the last six years, overall our numbers have remained fairly constant Electoral Roll – this now stands at 133
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P.C.C. Officers A meeting of the new P.C.C. followed the annual meeting with the following elections taking place:Treasurer – David Thebridge PCC Secretary – Margaret Le Brocq Child & Vulnerable Adults Protection Officer – Liz Petley (not on PCC) Health & Safety Officer – Claire Parker Children’s Advocate – not filled Electoral Roll Officer – Colin Ingley Group Council representatives – John Routh, Mike Somers & Simon Ambler Your P.C.C. now consists of all the above named plus Chris Chubb, Carol Hoare, Nick Revell, Simon Copeland, Greg Dunn, Judith Exell, Ray Hancox, Sylvia Ulyatt, Ilika Copeland and Pauline Manfield.
Margaret Le Brocq (PCC Secretary) Book Review
Life of Pi by Yann Martel (2001) If you saw the wonderful recent film of this book (either in cinemas or the splendour of the TC Film Club) then do read the book if you have not already done so. Some people find it hard to get into. The film is very faithful, and so the book also opens with the back story of the writer seeking out the main character Pi to learn his story. But once you are in the action it is most beautifully narrated, showing a glimpse into a very unusual childhood in Frenchspeaking Pondicherry in India and the mix of religions to which Pi is drawn. The upbringing in his father’s zoo, and the consequent nightmare shipwreck which leads to the main part of the book paves the way for an amazing story in which he claims the reader will ‘learn to believe in God’. The last part of the book is a lengthy account of the interview by the shipwrecked vessel’s insurers. As in the film, the two Japanese interrogators show some humanity when they finally come to realise what Pi has been through and the apparent truth of his tale. ST
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Margaret’s memories from the June 2013 PCC meeting
ο The meeting began with Holy Communion. New members were welcomed and committee membership confirmed. Colin Ingley is now Chair of the Trinity Centre Management Committee, Stella Thebridge chair of Mission Committee and Chris Chubb is Children’s Advocate.
ο Discussions took place on some specific items, ie the boundary wall at the end of the car park, replacement and repositioning of external notice boards, and public liability insurance with regard to Trinity Centre hirers
ο We received an update on finances. Figures to the end of May show a surplus of £560 for the year so far, even after spending £1000 on some new hymn books.
ο A provisional timetable was outlined for the beginning of fund raising for the re-ordering project - more info nearer the autumn
ο A steering committee has been formed to develop a “Friends of Holy Trinity Parish church, Sutton Coldfield” . The aim is to improve our links with the wider parish. Profits made would go to help maintain church fabric. ο A Christmas Tree Festival is planned in Church for 6th-8th December. ο The points raised at the second Reflection Day continue to be considered by the working group.
ο Reports were received from all the committees, working groups and inter-church committees Plans for various services and social events were noted. Details can be found elsewhere in this publication, on the website, on Facebook or in the weekly notices
Margaret Le Brocq – PCC Secretary
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The following email arrived in the admin box just before Easter. Hello there, I was idly surfing the net and wondered how my old Church was doing. My father Eric Bagnall and I used to be in the Church choir under Harold Gray. I left to move to Hastings in 1966 and my parents moved to Ashford a year later. A lot of water has flowed under the bridge since then. Do you still have a choir? After a lifetime in the Civil Service, I retired in 2003, went to University and did a BA degree in (Anglo-Saxon) History and Landscape Archaeology and I am currently doing an MA course in Arthurian Studies, distance learning, with Trinity St David at Lampeter. I used to attend Sutton Coldfield Grammar School but left after one year in the sixth form to start work. I often wonder what my Head Mistress would say if she knew what had happened to me! Anyway, I hope you do not mind me getting in touch. The last time I visited Holy Trinity, you had recently had a burglary at the Church and the Cross had been stolen (I think?) – probably about forty or so years ago – how time flies! Best Wishes, Jane Newick (nee Bagnall) As Jane mentioned the choir I responded with news of current members. She remembered Molly Howard’s name but not others! Is there anyone out there with a fairly long memory who remembers Jane or her parents? Give us a call or send an email and I’ll pass it on!
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Caption –The nave of Holy Trinity Parish Church, showing Hiorns’ (or Hyrons’) pillars. Time exposure photo by Sir Benjamin Stone, c.1890, courtesy of Sutton Reference Library
See article on facing page [NB Sutton Coldfield Library has now opened again. It is all on the first floor incorporating the reference section]
Answers to Royal quiz p. 19 1: Eton. 2: Henry Charles Albert David. 3: Britannia. 4: An island at Althorp, the Spencer family estate. 5: King Henry VIII divorced Anne of Cleves in 1540. 6: Horse racing. 7: Princess Anne, in horseback riding. 8: Prince Edward (Really Useful Theatre Company). 9: Prince Charles. 10: They married Roman Catholics.
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As we consider our re-ordering project, here is an article by Roger Lea, Sutton’s excellent historian, from an edition of the Sutton Observer a few years ago. Church repairs—18th century style Sutton Parish Church consisted of a chancel, a nave and a tower until Bishop Vesey added to its beauty and seating capacity by building two handsome aisles. The original north and south walls were replaced by a series of large Romanesque arches supported on pillars. These arches are similar in style to those of a church in Paris which Vesey is supposed to have admired – he would have wanted the best quality work for his native town’s church. Churches need to be maintained – a feature of many parish churches today is an appeal for funds for a restoration project – and Sutton Parish Church was in need of repair in the 1730s. In 1734 the Warden and Society voted funds for “new pewing and amending”, although nothing much was done to judge by later events. On August 8th 1745 the Warden and Society agreed that “the roof of the parish Church (which is now very much decayed) shall be substantially repaired and amended out of the moneys belonging to this corporation”. In August 1758 the pews needed renewing again, and on November 2nd that year the Warden and Society resolved that trees to the value of £657 be felled in the Park. The money raised would pay for the seating and improvement to the inside of the church according to a plan by Mr. William Hyrons. In May the following year part of the church collapsed, and a special meeting of the Warden and Society was called on the 14th “to consider how the breach of the Parish Church must be made up again – it being supposed to be done by the carelessness of the men employed by Mr. Hiorns in making preparation for the new pewing”. The Chancel was to be adapted as a temporary church. At the June meeting it was conceded that they had been too hasty in blaming the workers, and that the collapse was due to poor foundations. More trees were felled, and Mr. Hiorns’ accounts were finally settled in September 1761. The repairs entailed the rebuilding of all the arches and pillars, using sandstone from a local quarry. The arches were modelled on the ones put up by Bishop Vesey, but with much larger pillars – if Vesey’s men had made better foundations, perhaps his more graceful pillars would still be standing.
Roger Lea 19
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ROYAL Puzzle time With the Royal heir to the throne expected imminently and in this 60th anniversary year of the Queen’s coronation, now is the time to brush up on the family. How many questions can you answer correctly? Answers on page 16.
1. Prince William graduated from which famous British school? 2. What is Prince Harry's full name? 3. As an economy measure, the royal family gave up their yacht in 1997. What was its name? 4. Where is Diana, Princess of Wales, buried? 5. When Princess Margaret and the Earl of Snowdon divorced in 1978, it was the first royal divorce since whose? 6. The Queen Mother was a particularly dedicated fan of which sport? 7. Which royal has competed in the Olympics? 8. Which royal has worked for composer Andrew Lloyd Webber? 9. Which royal has been criticized for condemning modern architecture? 10. Prince Michael of Kent and Prince George, the Earl of St. Andrews, cousins of the Queen, are excluded from the succession. Why? 21
Peter Anderton’s Skydiving on behalf of the Help for Heroes Charity on Saturday 25th May, 2013 I finally managed to do my Skydive more than a month after my first booking on 28 April. Initially, I had the support of my son, one of my daughters and her partner and five friends and my close friend Denise. We had a very frustrating day. It wasn’t until well into the afternoon I was told that, because of high winds, there wouldn’t be any more flights that day. I rebooked to try again on Thursday, 23 May. I called the airfield to be told that there wasn’t any chance of sky diving that Thursday because of the weather so subsequently I didn’t go to the airfield. I am glad to say that the third attempt on 25th May was successful. Denise and I set off at 08.30 a.m. We arrived at Sibson Airfield on Saturday 25th at 10.15 a.m. and reported to the Reception to be registered. The process from then on is, to say the least, very flexible. There were Sky Diving Club competitions taking place as well as the ‘First Time Flyers’ waiting to have their Experience. Some people had arrived at 8.30 in the morning but together we weren’t given the go ahead until 2 p.m. It was fortunate that the sun was shining and everyone was in a reasonably good mood. However, once we did start to prepare for the jump things moved at a fast pace. We had to go through the Safety Briefing again, and then put on the Jump Suit, gloves, helmet and goggles before meeting our Instructors. My instructor was called Mike and he ensured that my harness was correctly fitted. He then told me what would happen and when. He was very professional and treated me with great care and kindness. When the plane was ready, we made our way to it and clambered aboard via a metal ladder! The plane was small so we were squashed together like proverbial sardines. The journey to 13,000 feet took about 20 minutes and the plane circled until we were travelling in the appropriate direction for our departure and descent. Mike pointed out a Prison and a Hospital. He asked me in which one I wanted to land!!!!! Before making our way to the door Mike connected me to his harness via strong clips and, after I had made myself comfortable sitting on his thighs, he tightened mine for safety and comfort. We then shuffled our way to the open door where he sat on the edge of the flight deck whilst I was leaning out into space! The next thing I knew we were hurtling, head down, towards the Page
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ground in free fall. I had forgotten all instructions about looking to my left to ‘Smile at the Camera’. Needless to say the air temperature was so cold that it took my breath away at first. After about 50 seconds we had reached a speed in the region of 120 m.p.h. Mike opened the small drag chute and the descent became slower and constant. We carried on down with Mike controlling the direction and rate of descent. I was feeling quite exhilarated by this time and my senses were sharpened by the views that I was taking in. Sarah had jumped out first and started taking pictures and running a video camera. By this time we were well into our dive and Mike deployed the main parachute and we slowed down. We passed through a cloud which was very eerie. Mike then showed me how to bank and turn to the right and then the left. Shortly after this, I gave the controls back to him because we were approaching the landing zone. It surprised me, that during the whole of the descent, we could talk to one another quite clearly. During the landing I had to raise my legs, to as near horizontally as I could, while Mike made a controlled slow descent and he grounded first with his feet. Then it was all over. I was still smiling like a Cheshire cat well into Sunday. The experience from leaving the plane to landing lasted all of 5 minutes. BUT WHAT A WONDERFUL 5 MINUTES THEY WERE!!! Conclusion In Paul Duckers’ Sermon on Sunday 26th May he talked about Mystery, Faith, Experience and Understanding. I now know about all four of those human experiences.
1. Mystery – This describes the system used by UK Parachuting to organise flights and jumps! 2. Experience - Sky Diving is certainly an exhilarating experience. 3. Understanding – NOW I definitely understand GRAVITY. 4. Faith – I can honestly say that God gave me the Faith to entrust myself to Him.
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FROM THE REGISTERS ... Baptisms 21st April 2nd May 5th May 12th May
Emily Neate, Luke Thomas Boyne, Josie Mae Rita Butler Alison Hancox Scarlett Mya Campbell, Ruby Alice Campbell, Skye Alexa Iris Campbell Maison William John-Weston, Tomas Wright, William Wright
We welcome these children into new life with God, as part of our church family
Marriages 10th May
Lee Thomas & Claire Parks
18th May
Aaron Hughes & Samantha Aldred
25th May
Oliver Chance & Gemma Cooper
We wish these couples every blessing in their future together.
Funerals 26th April - Janet Elizabeth Plevey 26th April - Jean Doreen Vale 3rd May - Robert Stansbury Arrand 8th May - Mollie Watts 10th May - Norma Beryl Neal 10th May - Sheila Rose Woodhouse 14th May - Constance Swinfen 20th May - Lorna Shayler 21st May - William Roberts 28th May - Peter Raymond Jackson 29th May - Ian Lindsay Dodd 30th May - David Michael Williams
Memorial service
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24th May - Jafar Al-Rubaie
We remember all who have Page died and ask for God’s comfort to sustain all who are bereaved.
Ten reasons to be an Episcopalian (or Anglican!) [starting at number 10] 10. No snake handling. 9. You can believe in dinosaurs. 8. Male and female, God created them; male and female, we ordain them. 7. You don’t have to check your brains at the door. 6. Pew aerobics. 5. Church year is color coded! 4. Free wine on Sunday. 3. All of the pageantry and none of the guilt. 2. You don’t have to know how to swim to get baptized.
And the number one reason for being an Episcopalian: No matter what you believe, there’s bound to be at least one other Episcopalian who agrees with you.
According to comedian Robin Williams
Recent fund-raising Malawi Church Crawl — 2 members of the congregation raised £272 between them (27th April) for our partner diocese in Malawi. Christian Aid Week (May 2013) - our street collection raised over £3000, an increase on 2012. Help for Heroes — Peter Anderton raised at least £1700 through his skydive (see page 20 and cover!). Birmingham Foster Carers Association — we continue to raise funds for our chosen charity for 2013, recently a quiz in April raised around £80, and half the collection received at wedding services is also given to this cause.
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Trinity Arrangements for 2013 The cost per issue is 60p, and an annual subscription ÂŁ3-50. If you are a casual reader who would like to subscribe regularly or advertise, or if you have any other queries relating to the magazine, please contact the Trinity Centre in the first instance on 321 1144 or admin@htsc.org.uk
Publication schedule Cover date
Copy deadline
Publication date
Sept/Oct 2013
4th August (Louise)
18th August
Nov/Dec 2013
6th October (Roger)
20th October
Jan/Feb 2014
1st December (Stella)
15th December
Please submit material for the next issue by the deadline above to : Louise Chubb 240 6366
louisejharden@hotmail.com
Bible Verses I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.
St. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians 3: 14-17 (New International Version) 24
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Hazel Benton has finally hung up her mop after being the principal cleaner for the Trinity Centre since it opened! This essential and often unseen job (usually undertaken when most people are still in bed) was always done with Hazel’s characteristic good humour and spirit of Christian service. We are extremely grateful and, as with Nina, we hope that Hazel and David can have some relaxation in retirement occasionally.
Peter Anderton in mid flight! See page 20
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