Trinity magazine Sep Oct 2014

The magazine of Holy Trinity Parish Church Sutton Coldfield Sep / Oct 2014 60p

Above: Becky’s ordination party at the Trinity Centre Below: Becky’s ordination at Birmingham Cathedral

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From the Editors ...

...to

Trinity Contents:

And what a bumper edition we have for you! Kicking things off on a sombre note, John Routh reflects on some of the terrible events happening around the world, but reminds us all of the need to spread God’s grace. A theme that is continued by Jean Schneider in this edition’s ‘Through a Glass Darkly’.

One highlight for this edition is Becky Stephen’s account of her ordination which took place in July. Whilst we do hope to hear from Becky in future editions, this may be the last article that she writes for us for a while as she settles into her new role as a Curate in Coleshill — our best wishes and prayers go with her.

This edition also features a sneak preview of the forthcoming ‘Friends’ events for the 2014/2015 season. Our thanks go to all of the Friends Committee but especially Nick Revell for arranging such a wonderful programme for us to enjoy. Do try and support the Friends if you can, there’s sure to be something for everyone this year!

Louise

John Routh writes

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A season of invitations

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Through a glass darkly

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Why go to Church?

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Harvest Quiz

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Book Review—Life after life

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Youth Matters

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3D discipleship course review

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Highlights from the PCC meeting 15 SCCC concert (Friends event)

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Friends 14/15 season preview

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From the registers

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My ordination by Becky Stephens 20 Bishop Vesey

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Christmas Tree Festival II

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Trinity & Bible verse

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Stella 329 2101 s_thebridge@yahoo.com Louise 240 6366 louisejharden@hotmail.com

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John Routh writes Yet another bad news day It's getting to the point where I have to steel myself before turning on the radio or TV news, before daring to look at the front page of the paper.

This morning's main stories included ... the deaths of dozens of innocent bystanders in Israel's military action in the Gaza strip; about the heightening stand off with Russia over the future shape of Ukraine; about a seemingly unstoppable breakout of ebola in western Africa; about a paedophile ring operating in the UK in the 1980's, allegedly protected from investigation by MI5.

Awful as they are, I know that for each of these stories there are dozens like them that have slipped from the headlines, relegated to the inner pages of our papers because they are no longer 'news' ... we have become so used to them. You know what I mean ... minor, old-hat matters like civil war in Syria, assassinations in Afghanistan, war in central Africa, and all the rest.

Truly, this is a flawed and fallen world. And we human beings perhaps the most flawed and fallen part of it.

How should we respond to all this gloom? Should we push it all aside, ignore the world's problems, ask our news media to focus only on the positive stories that make us feel good? Or, at the other extreme, should we become so caught up in the awfulness of the world that we see no hope, and live in despair?

Of course, my answer to this is - no, neither of these. My answer is to follow a different path, one that stems from our shared faith.

The Christian faith recognises our fallen-ness and our need for God's grace, and finds a response in resurrection. Death gives way to life; despair gives way to hope; hatred gives way to love. It is true of us as individual people, and it is true of the societies in which we live and the world in which we move.

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So, in faith, I hold that ... one day peace will come to Israel and Palestine, to Ukraine; one day the ebola virus will be overcome; one day justice for victims of paedophilia will rule over expediency. One day. Of course, it won't just happen: ignoring bad news won't change it; despairing at bad news won't change it ... action rooted in God's grace will.

That is a call to us: as people of the Christian faith we are called to be God's hands in this age. So its up to us to spread God's grace, to make these 'one days' the reality of the here and now, to make the bad news good.

John

A Season of Invitations…

Ten years on from the launch of Back to Church Sunday, we are being asked to think about inviting those who attend church less frequently to some of our special occasions, such as: ♦ Harvest ♦ Remembrance Day ♦ The Service of Commemo-

ration of the Departed ♦ All the services in the build

up to Christmas, including our Christmas Tree Festival.

The reason for the change is that that research shows people are much more likely to come to church and keep coming if they’re invited several times.

Why not think about who you could invite?

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Through a Glass Darkly -

LOVE, GRACE AND

CHALLENGE Once more we are being led through the letters of St.Paul but this time there is more variation : the end of the epistle to the Romans with emphasis on love rather than following the law as a duty and then a warning as a corollary to that. We should accept the honestly held opinions of other Christians as right for them, even if they are different from ours. Their views are between themselves and God. Paul then writes to the Philippians, for whom he has affection because they have accepted and proclaimed the gospel which he preached.

The response of the Thessalonians to his teaching is even more wholehearted and joyful. Their retelling of his words is so attractive that it is received not only in the whole of Macedonia and Achaia but even further afield. Paul’s great affection for them shines through his letter, the joy of a teacher whose pupils thoroughly understand and take to heart his lessons. The power of the Spirit has made this church an example to all.

We are reminded constantly by Jesus that God does not think like we do: he forgives over and over again and expects us to do the same; he welcomes with joy believers who take a whole lifetime to commit to him and accords them exactly the same love, grace and blessing as those committed all their lives.

On each of the many occasions on which the authorities try to humiliate him in the eyes of the people he has the perfect answer – one that accords with the law yet is not at odds with the truth about God that he is trying to put over. However, when he challenges the authorities regarding who the Messiah really is they are not prepared to reflect his own teaching back to him. Instead they fall back on the Old Testament prediction which Jesus then quotes back to them, asking them a question which they cannot answer. He has, after all, had experience of this kind of cut and thrust argument – he has been doing it in the temple and synagogue since he was twelve years old.

Jean Schneider Page

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Why go to church?

A church-goer wrote a letter to the editor of a newspaper and complained that it made no sense to go to church every Sunday. “I’ve gone for 30 years now,” he wrote, “and in that time I have heard something like 3000 sermons. But for the life of me, I can’t remember a single one of them. So, I think I’m wasting my time and all the priests and pastors are wasting theirs by giving sermons at all.“ This started much controversy in the ‘Letters to the Editor’ column, much to the delight of the editor. It went on for weeks, until someone wrote the following letter: “I’ve been married for 30 years now. In that time my wife has cooked me 32,000 meals. But, for the life of me, I cannot recall the entire menu for a single one of those meals. But I do know this… They all nourished me and gave me the strength I needed to do my work. If my wife had not given me those meals , I would be physically dead today. Likewise, if I had not gone to church for nourishment, I would be spiritually dead today!”

Author unknown

A date for your diary...

Harvest Quiz Saturday 11 October 7

Book review—Life After Life by Kate Atkinson A dear friend (and newly ordained curate!) recommended this book to me as a holiday read. It didn't disappoint; Kate Atkinson is a great writer and this book features something rather clever in terms of structure and storyline.

The novel repeatedly loops back in time to describe alternative possible lives for its central character, Ursula Todd. She is born in affluent and comparatively happy circumstances on 11 February 1910 and in the first version, she is stillborn.

The narrative then starts again – and again and again – but each time it takes a different course. The outcome is entirely unpredictable, with events either radically or only marginally altered.

In this way, the novel takes us through the two wars. During the Second World War, Ursula works in London for the War Office and repeatedly witnesses the results of Blitz. A further incarnation sees Ursula taking tea with Eva Braun. War, death, class, birth, love, abortion, marriage, friendship, unrequited love is all dealt with and acknowledged in this novel.

Each time Ursula is reborn, she tries to prevent the traumas of previous lives. She’s not exactly conscious of what’s been before, but she feels looming dread and déjà vu. You’d think it would be wearing to keep reading the story of one life. But such is the skill of the author that each retelling only builds our affection for and knowledge of the characters. We meet her family, friends, brief acquaintances and various villains along the way, and we see the impact of life on those characters.

Life After Life won the 2013 Costa book award and deservedly so. This book will leave you wondering for some time, if just one small thing had been changed in the past, how different things might be today.

Louise Chubb Page

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YOUTH MATTERS At the beginning of the school holidays, CYG had their annual day out. This year we went on a return visit to Weston Super Mud, oops, sorry, Mare. As the group is smaller now we were down on numbers and thought twice about going but although on paper it did not look promising, both Mike and I were convinced before God that we were meant to go. Little did we know that we would have our best trip ever!

After a good journey down where we did not encounter as many traffic cones as last year we were pleasantly surprised to realise it was actually warm!

Daringly we had arranged to meet up with one of our families, the Petleys, and surprisingly enough it worked so we all gathered together for a group council, agreed to meet up later to throw James L in the sea up at the lake.

First stop for many was the pier and arcades and rides. I was actually ON the dodgems being driven at breakneck speed when the phone rang; Mike asking where we were. I can report James P will be no mean driver when he gets his provisional license in September. On the pier it was amazing how long a ÂŁ1 worth of 2ps could keep us amused so it was soon time for lunch. Chips and ice cream! (Shared with the very persistent sea gulls).

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On our way up to the rendezvous point most of us got waylaid by crazy golf. Good job DJ is a budding pro and finished my game for me or I would still be on the course now!

It was nearly time to go home but the group held another emergency council meeting and voted to extend our visit so we pottered around for another few hours before Mike was dispatched to pick up the bus from the beach car park. Good job he did not go alone as the bus needed digging out of the sand! At least it had not floated off as some vehicles have in the past.

So we made our way home. Some sleeping, some singing, some playing cards; Alex was creating a video to put on YouTube. What a lovely day we had had; a fitting way to mark the end of a CYG era. I wonder what he has for us next?

Susie Walker

‘3D DISCIPLESHIP’ COURSE REVIEW (2013/2014) I have always loved RE and theology and so, when I heard about the ‘3D Discipleship’ Course, being run by the Birmingham Diocese and saw its syllabus, I jumped at the chance to enrol. As Colin and I wanted to attend together, it limited us to having to choose an evening session and so we had to opt for doing the course at St Clements Church in Castle Bromwich, which was held on Tuesday nights.

From the start, we were made most welcome, with lovely refreshments, friendly smiles and a brand new green folder. Each session generally began with a small act of worship and then we would be given that sessions notes (plus the next weeks in advance) and together, we would work through the guided questions, readings and discussion points. Sometimes, we would separate into splinter groups and then report back, so as to cover the wide syllabus, but we were never put under pressure to respond if we were too shy, uncertain or felt it was too personal.

Continued on page 10

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The course lasted a whole academic year, with ten sessions every term. Basically, the Old Testament was covered in the Autumn, the New Testament in the Spring and the Summer was dedicated to studying how Christianity relates to society today. The resources we were given were excellent, allowing opportunities for preparation or follow up research if you wanted. Likewise, the tutors were knowledgeable, enthusiastic and inspiring and a couple of the sessions included visits and participating in role play scenarios, such as taking the Eucharist and a Passover meal.

The Old Testament coverage in the first term was brilliant, as it gave a great background to the structure of the Bible, the creation and how the Jewish faith and its people started and evolved. From this, it was fascinating to learn and identify how many of our Christian festivals, customs, prophesies and sayings originated.

After Christmas, as we looked at the New Testament and the life, work, death and Resurrection of Christ, it became almost like the completion of a huge jigsaw. Lots of issues, things Jesus said and did, now seemed to make more sense and the discussions on Baptism, taking communion and the value of prayer were particularly enlightening.

During the Summer, we then continued to investigate how Christianity can be applied to life today. This was fascinating in noting how the Christian Church has changed with the Reformation and the growing importance of science (with the Enlightenment) and how it has had to adapt and evolve. Surprisingly though, when we talked about the struggles and fears of Christianity within our multicultural society now, it seemed that not much has really changed from Old Testament issues of idol worship and stories St Paul relates to, in his letters. Maybe then, there is a lot of truth in the old saying that history does have a habit of repeating itself, despite all the progression that civilisation and technology is supposed to bring!!

As a conclusion therefore, I would like to say that the ‘3D Discipleship’ Course was (and is) excellent and well worth doing. I would recommend that those who want to increase their theological knowledge or develop their faith spiritually, would be well advised to indulge. It has certainly made me hunger for more religious insight – my only regret being that it ended too quickly!!

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Sue Ingley

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Margaret’s memories from the June 2014 PCC meeting As this was the first meeting of the new PCC the meeting began with a celebration of Holy Communion.

New and returning members to the PCC were welcomed and committee membership was reviewed.

The possibility of regular house groups throughout the year is to be investigated.

Concern was expressed that not all the vacancies on the PCC had been filled. It was agreed to put a proposal to the 2015 APCM that the size of PCC be made reduced, in line with the numbers recommended in the Church Representation Rules.

Re-ordering: • It was agreed that the new digital organ should be an ‘Allen Q-370’

model.

• A Campaign Executive Committee has been formed to manage

fundraising, working from a donated office in Midland Drive.

• A regular update of the campaign is to be published monthly called

‘Holy Trinity Matters’.

It was noted that there will be a number of roles to fill following Becky Stephens’ departure to Coleshill. Also we need a publicity officer to coordinate the various means of publicising events.

A finance report was given. Giving is below budget, but overall we are not too far where we planned to be.

PCC agreed to purchase various items of equipment: a new photocopier & replacement PC for the office, and - using a donation from Peter Hunston's family - a replacement water boiler for the Trinity Centre.

Reports were received from the various 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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Friends of Holy Trinity

and special guests On Saturday 21 June - the longest day of the year - we were very pleased to welcome to church the Sutton Coldfield Chamber Choir plus special guests, for an evening of beautiful choral music.

Sutton Coldfield Chamber Choir has been providing entertainment and giving charity concerts in the Birmingham area for almost a decade.

Led by choir director, Gordon Thornett, their repertoire spanned more than four centuries and covered a range of different musical styles, from Rachmaninov to Rutter.

We were also delighted to welcome special guests, the talented Gospel Choir of Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls, who brought us bang up to date with a rousing gospel version of 'Happy' by Pharell Williams.

We are very grateful to CM2000 who kindly sponsored the event.

The event generated a surplus of over ÂŁ1,250 which together with proceeds from the other five events means we have beaten our target of raising over ÂŁ10,000 to support church funds.

The wonderful mid-summer's eve event was a fitting finale to the Friends of Holy Trinity inaugural season. For a sneak preview of events planned for the forthcoming season, please see pages 17 and 23.

For photos, please see inside front cover—Ed Page

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Friends of Holy Trinity—New Season The Friends Committee have been busy finalising an exciting programme of new events for our forthcoming season and I’m delighted to be able to give Trinity readers an exclusive sneak preview of what we have to look forward to!

Kicking off our second season will be the Royal Town Gala Concert, on Saturday 15 November with this year’s event being extra special as we celebrate confirmation of our Royal Town status! We are excited to announce that Les Ross MBE will be the host for the evening, and will be introducing BMOS Musical Theatre Company, the only amateur company to perform on the prestigious Hippodrome Main Stage, and Di Xiao, an internationally acclaimed concert pianist.

Also back by popular demand is our Christmas Tree Festival, which will be taking place from 5th to 7th December. We are confident that this year’s event will prove just as popular as before, with a “Winter Wonderland” concert supported by Newhall Band to take place on the Saturday evening. Further information can be found on page 23.

We then have a completely new line up of exciting events for 2015 so make sure you make a note of these dates for your diary: Saturday 7 February at 7:30pm: The Night Watch. Mediaeval, renaissance and early baroque music played using period instruments.

Saturday 14 March at 7:30pm: Lichfield Gospel Choir.

Saturday 16 May at 7:30pm: Icknield Male Voice Choir.

Saturday 20 June at 7:30pm: Midsummer Jazz Concert.

Please try to support these events if you can and help the Friends achieve their aim of raising as much money as possible to support the maintenance of our beautiful church building.

Louise Chubb 19

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FROM THE REGISTERS ...

Baptisms 13th July Jade Trunkfield Matthew James Jukes Ella-Louise Leslie Trunkfield Jaiden-James Trunkfield 20th July Poppy-Rose Nicholls Charlie Joseph Winder Xavier Andrew Patrick 10th Aug Matilda Mary Jennifer Noble 17th Aug Eleanor Rose Dolman Eva Mai Kay

We welcome these children into new life with God, as part of our church family Marriages Wed 25th June: Ryan Tissington & Nicole Simpson Fri 11th July: Jeremy Noble & Jenny Slater 19th July: Philip Shaw & Michelle Leek Thu 24th July: Karl Norry & Sue Beales 26th July: Stephen Clifford & Maria Lazara 2nd August: John Byrne & Samantha Robinson Sun 10th Aug: Philip Lewins & Antonia Aguayo Prieto

We wish these couples every blessing in their future together.

Funerals 4th July: Roger Widgery 9th July: Dorothy Mary Henderson 15th July: Gwendoline Pullar 18th July: Elizabeth Evelyn Pamela (Betty) Hunter 31st July: Joyce Palmer 19th Aug: Muriel Edna Williams

We remember all who have died and ask for God’s comfort to sustain all who are bereaved.

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My Ordination—by Becky Stephens After almost 5 years of preparation the day finally arrived. On Sunday 6th July I was ordained deacon at Birmingham Cathedral.

Before the ordination we went on retreat to Holland House in Worcestershire. We spent Wednesday - Sunday mostly in silence as we were led through the retreat by Bishop Andrew. He shared with us his understanding of Jesus' model of leadership. Each morning, midday and evening we were led in worship. During our time there we also renewed our baptism vows and were encouraged to spend time in prayer. It was quite a journey, and one I will never forget.

The day itself seemed to go by in a flash. I felt extremely supported by everyone from Holy Trinity and it was so lovely to see so many of them in the cathedral. It was also hugely encouraging to catch sight of the clergy who had come to support me sitting below the east window. I enjoyed every minute of the service and wasn't at all nervous. Being away certainly helped us all to prepare. We sang one of my favourite songs, 'In the Lord I'll be Ever Thankful' and the choir sounded beautiful.

The service began with us processing in and taking our places next to our families. It was so good to see them after being away for such a long time. We then each had to declare individually that we believed this is what God is calling us to do and we took our seats at the front of the cathedral. We had already made oaths to Bishop David whilst on retreat so the service was the time where we made our promises to God. We all knelt in turn in front of Bishop David as he laid his hands upon our heads in order to ordain us as deacons. This was the moment of ordination, the moment I became a deacon in the Church of England. Did I feel different? Yes, but not how I expected. I was excited and humbled at the same time.

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After we had been ordained, our new training incumbent (the vicar of the parish where we will serve) placed our stoles across us. A deacon wears their stole across their body as opposed to a priest whose stole hangs straight down. We will spend a year as deacons before we are ordained priests in order to remind us that we are called to serve.

Then Bishop Andrew presented us all with a New Testament as another reminder that one of our roles was to proclaim the Gospel.

Then the service continued. I was able to share the peace with my friends and family which was a really special moment. During the Eucharist the newly ordained deacons and our training incumbents were invited to share in the distribution of the Eucharist. It was wonderful to be able to share the chalice with many of my friends from Holy Trinity.

After the service there was a lovely atmosphere in the cathedral grounds. So many people were there to support us and I was hugged more times than I ever remember before. It was an incredibly moving and special day.

So, now I'm ordained and wear a collar! I am a Curate serving at St. Peter and St. Paul, Coleshill and St. Michael and All Angels, Maxstoke.

The congregations there have been very supportive and I'm enjoying meeting many new people. I have quickly got used to wearing a collar and I enjoy the conversations with people I meet in the street.

I have to admit it feels rather strange to not be coming to Holy Trinity each Sunday... Naturally, I always knew the day would come but you can't prepare for it. I'm just very glad I'm not too far away!

Becky Stephens

Editor’s Note: The social committee ensured that Becky had a wonderful send off by organising a party at the Trinity Centre the Saturday before. Photos from the party along with photos from Becky’s ordination can be seen on the inside cover.

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BISHOP VESEY John Harman was born in 1462 in a stone cottage, now thought to be Moor Hall Farm. It is known that his father died when John was eight years old, and he later took the name of Vesey. Vesey studied at Magdalen College Oxford, obtaining a fellowship in 1487 and at this time became a close friend of Thomas, later Cardinal Wolsey. In 1489 he was an ecclesiastic in the household of Henry VII’s wife Elizabeth.

Over the next 30 years, Vesey held a number of ecclesiastic positions throughout the country, his first being at the Chapel of St. Blaize on Manor Hill.

In 1519 Vesey became Bishop of Exeter and tutor to Henry VIII’s daughter, Princess Mary. He accompanied the King on important matters of state, including Henry’s meeting with the King of France at the Field of the Cloth of Gold. Vesey spent much of his time in Sutton, building the first Moor Hall, and in 1528 obtaining the Charter from Henry, which created a new governing body, the Warden and Society It granted the Chase and Park to the inhabitants and created Sutton as a Royal Town.

By 1533 Henry had broken from Rome, outlawed Catholicism and established himself as Supreme Head of the Church of England. During the next 7 years, Henry dissolved the Monasteries and transferred the enormous wealth from the Church to the Crown. Vesey continued as Bishop of Exeter, and set about making Sutton into a prosperous town. With a growing population in the town, he extended the Church by adding the North and South Aisles, and also the Vesey Chapel.

When Edward VI was on the throne in 1551, Vesey’s enemies were questioning his allegiance to the Protestant faith. Exeter had become an extremely poor town and Vesey a very wealthy man. He resigned from Exeter, but with the accession of Queen Mary and the reinstatement of the Catholic faith, he again became the Bishop of Exeter. He died at Page Moor Hall in 1554.

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The carved effigy on his tomb in the Vesey Chapel, shows Vesey wearing the ecclesiastical robes of a pre-Reformation Bishop celebrating Mass. This was forbidden in Elizabeth I’s and Edward’s reign, but compulsory during Queen Mary’s. It suggests the effigy was carved shortly after his death.

Research – Around the Church by Margaret Gardener (Editor’s note: a

photo of Margaret Gardner can be seen on the inside back cover) – Guide-Holy Trinity.

Vivien Chubb

Christmas Tree Festival II 5th to 7th December 2014 New this year - Bring your own tree, or decorate a tree in church. All Welcome.

Schools, charities, churches, clubs, businesses and individuals.

Come and advertise YOUR group with your personal theme!

There will be the Newhall Brass Band Concert on Saturday 6th December and our Christingle Service on Sunday 7th December.

More details in the next issue, or contact Mary Dixon at the Trinity Centre on 0121 321 1144 or 0121 354 3329.

Please put the dates in your diary, we will need YOUR help!

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Trinity Arrangements for 2014 The cost per issue is 60p, and an annual subscription £3-50.

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

Nov/Dec 2014

5th October

19th October

Jan/Feb 2015

30th November 2014

14th December

Please submit material for the next issue by the deadline above to : Louise Chubb email: louisejharden@hotmail.com Written text: Please leave in the “Magazine” pigeon-hole in church OR in the Trinity Centre office.

Contributions on any topic or photographs are always welcome. A page contains about 400 words.

Bible verse for this issue Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

John 14: 27 (NIV) 24

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Above: Sutton Coldfield Chamber Choir performing at the last Friends event Right: Simon and Verity Ambler at the Trinity Lights BBQ in June Margaret Gardner, a long standing member of Holy Trinity, and parish archivist, recently moved to live near her son in Scarborough.

She is holding a photo of her first great-grandchild, Bella.

Photo by Chris Chubb

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