February 2011

MinisterRev. Kevin JonesTel: 0121 706 6298

Rest Day: Fridaye-mail: Kevin.jones2@virgin.net

SecretaryJenny Scott, Elder 200851 Hanbury Rd.,Dorridge, Solihull. B93 8DWTel: 01564 770730

TreasurerMike Robertson Elder 2006132 Lodge Rd.,Knowle B93 0HFTel: 01564 773940

Hall SecretaryEdna Grimmett,Tel: 01564 772552Junior ChurchPat McKeeTel: 01564 773911

Property SecretaryDavid Stewart Elder 2008109 Links Drive, SolihullB91 2DJTel: 0121 704 9906

Magazine TeamMary Kirwan Elder 200899 Newton Rd.,Knowle, Solihull. B938HN Tel: 01564 776050

Graham Tall, Elder 2010Church NoticesMike Robertson Elder 2006Tel: 01564 773940

Additional Serving Elders:Mandy Cunoosamy 2010Diana Dicker 2010Alison Hockly 2009

Isobel Robertson 2008Stephenie Tall 2009Kath Vale 2009

Non-serving Elders:Margaret AllenKenneth Alway JonesSue BatemanClive GriffithsEdna Grimmett

John HeatleyGlenys LambAlan LangLucilla LangPat McKeeIan Miller

Eileen PitkeathlyJudy PreeceJan RichardsonBrian RichardsonMauvine SquireRon Squire

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Note: This magazine is free to all members and friends of KnowleURC. We rely on donations to help cover the costs.

Minister’s LetterI did “A” level history at school and the first topic we covered was JamesI becoming King of England in 1603 (he was already James VI ofScotland). We were very much occupied with the political implicationsof his reign and the way that the seeds of the English Civil War weresown in the conflicts between King and Parliament.

Amongst all of this there was one event which has had a huge impact onEnglish speaking people for the past 400 years. In fact the UnitedReformed Church owes a great deal to the 400 year old event that is beingcelebrated this year: the publication of the King James Bible in 1611. Itsproduction was an amazing collaboration of over 500 scholars comingtogether to produce a version of the Bible that is still widely used today. Ithas had a profound effect on the English language – phrases such as “attheir wit's end” (Psalm 107 verse 27) have remained part of everydayspeech. But this was the first Bible in English that had official backing“The Authorised Version” as it is often known – from no less than theKing himself who was no doubt hoping to stamp his authority on thepeople. Ironically by giving people permission to read the Bible in theirown language (when English versions of the Bible had in the past beenillegal) it meant that the Word of God was opened up to ordinary peoplewho were able to see if the clergy had actually been telling them what itreally said! And so by the time of the English Civil War just over 30 yearslater we can see clear roots of our part of the Church in this country. Socalled “dissenters” refusing to be told whatto believe by the authorities and trying to get back to the essentialmessage of the Bible.

Since then many versions of the Bible have been published in English andno doubt many more will be produced into the future. The reason remainsthe same – to get God's Word into the hands of people so that they canread it for themselves. A challenge and a reminder to each one of us to nottake this privilege for granted and to make sure we continue to pick up theBible and read it!

Kevin

Always remember to forget the troubles that come your way, but neverforget the blessings that come each day.

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Church Family/NewsHappy Birthday to Judy 1st, Terry 8th, Ian R 8th, Edna 9th, Harry 14th, andDaniel 23rd.

Many thanks to everyone who helped decorate church for Christmas, toKevin and Kenneth for our services which were very well supported.Thanks also to all who cleared away the snow and ice over the bad spellso that we could enter church safely. At Christmas many of us displayonly one card on the board and the money we would have spent on sendingindividual card’s was donated to St Basil’s, and this year collected a totalof £65.

As many of you know Marjory Evans has now moved to Monmouth. Shehas settled in very well and been made very welcome in her new complex.Her new address is: Mrs M Evans, 22 Chippenham Court, MonmouthNP25 3UZ

Unfortunately our Moderator’s Christmas message was too late forinclusion in the Dec/Jan magazine but you can read it as it’s on the NoticeBoard.

Please remember and pray for Women’s Fellowship at Swanwick 25-27Feb.

If you have any small change you wish to dispose of! please deposit it inour small “Fish Bowl” which is always available at the back of church,the contents are collected for church funds.

We have been given a “Thank You” certificate for the donation ofShoeboxes to Samaritan’s Purse. It is displayed on the Notice Board.

We would welcome more people to join us for Prayer Fellowship whichtakes place in the Vestry on the second Sun of each month at 11.15 am.

To all at Knowle URC, Thank You for the card, Basket of Flowers andthe cake presented to me for my 40th Birthday. It was all very beautiful.Mary Vale

FUN!Name at least 10 parts of the body consisting of 3 letters?

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I feel the year 2010 will be very memorable for its weather! Lollipoppersonage have all hated the underfoot ice which has made life difficultfor “Moms” with very little ones. I found the age of chivalry had not diedduring the heavy snow-fall. , Quite a few gentlemen offered hands andarms to lean upon. I felt like singing several times “When a Knight wonhis spurs in the stories of old, he was gentle and brave, he was gallantand bold”. How many people would remember this hymn nowadays? Itwas a favourite of the Rev Robin May at church services in the later 1960’s.

Kath Vale

REEL ISSUES – Engaging Film And FaithDigbeth In The Field URC Moat Lane Yardley.Sun January 30th 4pm The Queen Cert 12Sun Feb 6th 4 pm Toy Story 3 Cert USun Feb 13th 4 pm Little Miss Sunshine Cert 15Sun Feb 20th 4 pm Happy Go Lucky Cert 15Sun Mar 6th 4 pm Up Cert UNo Charge. Information sheet about each film and the issues it raises isavailable for all attending. An informal discussion takes place at the endfor about 30 mins.

Bible SocietyPlease Pray from30 January – Feb 5th that Bibles will reach the Chinese Christians who longfor a copy, and give thanks for the phenomenal growth of China’s church. Feb6 – 12th Please pray for creative new initiatives like the café and online siteswhich aim to help young people share Christ more widely with their peers inVietnam. Give thanks for the growth of Vietnam’s churches.Feb 13 – 19th Please pray that young people in Toga will take the GoodSamaritan programme’s, messages of faithfulness and abstinence seriously.Give thanks for how the Good Samaritan is now changing lives in more thantwenty countries.Feb 20 – 26th Please pray for perseverance for Jacques Kponheri, Bible Society’sNational FCBH (Faith Comes by Hearing) Coordinator in overcomingadministrative and financial hurdles to distribute the FCBH Proclaimers. Givethanks for the growth of FCBH and it’s impact in Cote d’lvoire.

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PRAYER FELLOWSHIP met on Jan 9th ’11. Present were Edna Kath MaryV Jan Chris & Mary K. Apologies from Mauvine. As well as rememberingall named in our prayer request book, we spent some time in thanking Godas well. Wigan URC are welcoming their new Minister from January and willbe glad of our continued prayers.Thank you everyone who helped make our Christmas so good. Kath

Commitment for Life February PrayerThe spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me to bring goodnews to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives andrecovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free. Luke 4;Ch 18

Pray for those who bring good news to those in poverty, through their wordsand their actions. Lord, grant them your justice.

Pray for those who bring good news to those in captivity, through their wordsand their actions. Lord, grant them your freedom.

Pray for those who bring good news to those who have lost their vision,through their words and their actions. Lord, grant them your healing.

Pray for those who bring good news to those who are oppressed, throughtheir words and their actions. Lord, grant them your compassion. Amen

© Helen Garton and Sally Whitehead 2009_____________________

Church MembershipIt is particularly apt, with Kevin leaving in May, for those of us who arenot members, but who attend services regularly and feel ourselves part ofKnowle URC, to consider formally joining the Church. The advantage toKnowle’s future is simple: Notionally a Church needs 120+ members to haveits own minister and 60+ to have 50% of a minister’s time. Because ournumbers were lower a decade ago, we have at present just 25% (ThoughKevin does ensure that we get that in full measure). The downside of moremembers is that our donation to the URC to pay for its Ministry increases –but this loss is less than the potential gain.At present, we have 55 members (this will fall to 54 shortly). But, there aresufficient regular attenders to increase that membership to the mid/upper 60s.Please think about it. We have grown, let us prove that toSynod, obtain more ministry and continue growing. Graham Tall

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December!!!!!

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Xmas Fayre & Ken Alway Jones Preaching on Christmas Day

Christmas, as the photographs illustrate, was very hectic this year. With snowfalling on the eve of our Christmas Fayre we were particularly hampered.Fortunately, Jonathan and Robin Tall helped Church members clear the snowand the property committee managed to obtain salt and grit to ensure thatentry to the Church was safe at Christmas.

Services were led enjoyably and effectively by Kevin and Ken. Junior Churchcame into its own, with the children being able to answer, in their own words,Gemma’s questions about Christmas and walked around the church singing,whilst Judy played her accordion. The choir sang beautifully accompaniedby Jenny Bottomly.

Indian Meal (Right)If a Christian drew a curve in the dust, a fellow Christian could identifyhimself by completing the drawing. The fish is best illustrated swimming tothe left, as shown. The fish resembles, alpha, the first letter of the Greekalphabet. recalls Revelation 1:8: "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginningand the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is tocome, the Almighty." (King James Version).8

The Children’s Play and The Choir Singing

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Mary Vale’sBirthday

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HYMN The Old Rugged CrossDuring a period of spiritual struggling, George Bennard (1873-1958)started to study and contemplate the cross of Christ. Bennard had beenvery active in the Salvation Army and later was ordained as an evangelistfor the Methodist Episcopal Church. As he studied the verse Philippians3; 10, “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and thefellowships of his sufferings, being made comfortable unto his death,”Bennard got the theme for a hymn that has become a favourite for many.

On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,the emblem of suffering and shame;And I love that old cross where the dearest and bestfor a world of lost sinners was slain.

So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross, Tillmy trophies at last I lay down;I will cling to the old rugged cross, Andexchange it someday for a crown

O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,has a wondrous attraction for me;For the dear Lamb of God left his glory aboveto bear it to dark Calvary.

In the old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,a wondrous beauty I see;For ‘twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and diedto pardon and sanctify me.

To the old rugged cross I will ever be true,it’s shame and reproach gladly bear;Then He’ll call me some day to my home far away,where his glory forever I’ll share.

Some go to church to take a walk; some go there to laugh and talk;Some go there to meet a friend; some go there, their time to spend;Some go there to meet a lover; some go there, a fault to cover;Some go there for speculation; some go there for observation;Some go there to doze and nod; Some go there to worship God 11

Thanks to WilliamWilliam Tyndale was burnt at the stake on Oct 6th 1536, accused of heresy,because in 1525 he had translated the New Testament from Greek intoEnglish and later translated the first five books of the Old Testament (knownas the Pentateuch) from Hebrew into English. He gave his life for this work,and was betrayed by a so-called friend. Under God’s direction his life’s workwas to translate the Scriptures into English so that “even a boy driving theplough could read the Bible and believe and live for Jesus.

Tyndale has called “the father of the English Bible” and his translations hada large influence on the preparation of the King James Bible published in1611. Many copies of this were printed in a small size so that the book couldbe carried, or hidden in a pocket.

William Tyndale’s last words are said to have been “Lord, open the eyes ofthe King of England” and his prayer was answered by the later publicationof the entire Bible. Let’s hope that our national leaders and ordinary peoplewill have their spiritual eyes opened to the importance of the scriptures.

The Bible is for life, not just for Christmas!

The first five words of Romans, Ch13 V8 in the N.I.V. Bible are “Let no debtremain outstanding”, whilst in the original King James version (which wasin use for about 400 years) it simply states “Owe no man anything”.

I wonder if the person who devised credit cards had any idea of the misery,desperation, and on occasions suicides his brainwave has resulted in,thousands who have purchased themselves deeper and deeper into debt. It issad that so many folk make themselves miserable with worry and anxiety onhow they are going to pay off their commitment to their creditors.

I have no such worries. Why? Because I grew up in the days when we hadreal poverty and you thought that what you could not pay for, you could nothave. Therefore I have not got, nor ever will have a credit card. Over theyears, there are many things that I would have liked to have, but could not,because I did not have the money to pay for them.Nevertheless, it is a true saying “what you don’t have, you don’t miss”. Les

Bridgewater (The old Fogey)

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A Journey through the Bible with Tiglath.31. Deuteronomy Chapter 12 to Chapter 18 (verse 4).If you read chapters 12 to 31 you will find a rich store of information about thelaws and customs that Moses set out for his people as they entered the PromisedLand. These turned his people from desert wanderers to a settled civilized people— many of them farmers. I haven’t time on our long journey to summarise everychapter. What I will do is pick out what I consider to he some of the moreimportant elements.In Chapter 12 the Hebrews are instructed to wipe out all evidence of idol worshipin any country they take over. Once they have crossed the River Jordan the peopleare told that they can only eat sacrificial food in places chosen by God. Bloodthey cannot eat, it has to be poured on the ground like water.Moses is still concerned that his people may turn from the true God and worshipidols, so we find in Chapter 13 that false prophets and dreamers are to be put todeath. Further, if a relative tries to turn a member of the family towards paganreligions he shall be stoned to death.

Chapter 14 is of great interest, as it tellsthe Hebrews what they can and cannoteat. Note that the pygarg is an ibex. Iquote verse 6 ‘And every beast thatparteth the hoof, and cleaveth the cleftinto two claws,and cheweth the cud (are) among thosebeasts that ye shall eat’. Verse 7,‘Nevertheless, these ye shall noteat of them that chew the cud, or of themthat divide the cloven hoof:

and the camel, the hare, and the coney’ (the rabbit); ‘for they chew the cud, butdivide not the hoof; therefore they are unclean unto you’. The people wereforbidden to eat pigs or touch their dead bodies. The list continues to verse 20and includes instructions about birds, fishes and seafood.The question will, I know, be asked as to how and why certain animals etc wereclassified as unclean. It was not known until the 19th Century that certain animalscarry diseases dangerous to us. The Hebrews had worked out that a clean animalwas a ruminant, if it chewed the cud and was cloven hoofed. If it chewed the cudand was not cloven hoofed it was unclean. Likewise, if it was cloven hoofed anddid not chew the cud, also, that was unclean. The chapter continues to separateclean and unclean birds, fish and reptiles. Sea food certainly could not be eaten

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Chapter 15 informs us that every seventh year was to be a year of release.This release referred to loans to brothers and neighbours. It also referredto Hebrew men and women who were slaves to other Hebrews. These hadto be released during the seventh year and not sent away empty-handed.If a Hebrew slave wished to stay with his or her master after seven years,an awl was pushed through their ears to fix them to the door. After thisthey were servants for ever (verse 17).

Do read Chapter 16 as it gives a very full account of how the Feast of thePassover is to be kept. To this day this is the main Jewish Festival. Twoother Feasts, namely Weeks and Shelters (Tabernacles), are also describedin this chapter.Chapter 17 continues the theme that those who worship idols must beslain. Verse 14 envisages that God will set a king over His people anddescribes the duties of a king.Chapter 18 begins by describingthe Priests of Levi. Because theywere the priestly tribe they did notinherit any of the Promised Land.As they couldn’t farm, theycouldn’t produce food and winefor themselves. Moses sets out, indetail, what food is to be given tothe Priests. For example, if an oxor sheep wassacrificed they received the shoulders, two cheeks and the maw (jaw orgullet). Also, the Priests were to have the first fruit of the corn, and of thewine and of the oil and also the first fleece of the sheep.Next month on our journey we shall continue to look at laws and customs.

From the Pulpit!When the vicar got home from a parish visit, his wife observed that shewas having trouble with her car. It had water in the carburettor. “I doubtit” said the vicar.

“It’s true, though”, insisted the vicar’s wife.“You don’t even know where the carburettor is”, he said.“Where is the car?”“In the swimming pool” his wife replied.

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RotasVestry and Communion EldersSun Feb 6th Mary Kirwan SunFeb 13th David StewartSun Feb 20th Mike RobertsonSun Feb 27th Graham Tall & Alison HocklySun Mar 6th Kath Vale

Door StewardsSun Feb 6th Mike & Isobel Robertson SunFeb 13th Sue Bateman & Pat McKeeSun Feb 20th Mary Kirwan & Chris SmithSun Feb 27th Clive & Avril GriffithsSun Mar 6th Brian & Jan Richardson

Junior Church HelpersFeb 6 13 20 27 Jenny Christine/Moira

Flower RotaFeb 6th Chris Harfoot Feb13th Jenny ScottFeb 20th Edna GrimmettFeb 27th Ian R (Donation)

Lectionary ReadingsFeb 6th Eileen Pitkeathly Psalm 112; 1-9 Matt5; 13-20Feb 13th Kath Vale Psalm 119; 1-8 Matt 5; 21-37Feb 20th Mandy Cunoosamy Psalm 119; 33-40 Matt 5; 38-48Feb 27th Isobel Robertson Psalm 131. Matt 6; 24-34Mar 6th Avril Griffiths Exodus24; 12-18 Matt 17; 1-9

FUN Answers:Parts of the Body: Lip Eye Ear Leg Jaw Arm Gum Rib Toe Hip.

There are more!15

Church DiarySun Feb 6th 9.30 am Mr Ian ThompsonMon Feb 7th 7.30 pm Cluster Meeting at Olton URC WedFeb 9th 11 am Midweek ServiceSat Feb 12th 7.30 pm Social Evening – Talk on Russian

HolidaySun Feb 13th 9.30 am Mrs Fiona Elvins

11.15am Prayer FellowshipSun Feb 20th 9.30 am Rev Roger HallWed Feb 23rd 11 am Midweek ServiceSun Feb 27th 9.30 am Rev Kevin Jones CommunionSun Mar 6th 9.30 am Mr Joe Blackburn

Interesting DatesSat Jan 29th – Feb 6th is Poverty Homelessness Action WeekFebruary is National Heart Month and Raynaud’s Awareness Month.Thu Feb 3rd is Chinese New Year, year of the rabbitFri Feb 4th -10 is Tinnitus Awareness weekMon Feb 7th Cluster Meeting at Olton URCMon Feb 14th St Valentines Day / Gold Heart DayMon 21st – 26 is Eating Disorders WeekFri Feb 25th National Wear Red Day for British Heart

FoundationMon Feb 28 – Mar 13th Fairtrade FortnightFri Mar 6th Women’s World Day Of Prayer

The Solihull Centre Chaplaincy team require more members. If you canhelp please contact Beryl Moppett on 0121 705 0337 or emailberyl.moppett@virginmedia.com

Articles for March Magazine to be with Mary by Feb 16th Please