THE BEACON

November 2006

The Parish Magazine of

All Saints’ Sedgley & St Andrew’s The Straits

50p

November 2012

THE BEACON

The Parish Magazine of

All Saints’ Sedgley & St Andrew’s The Straits

50p

November 2012

2

“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow”

Albert Einstein For over 100 years you have been helping local people with sight loss

This year you helped Anne-Marie to ride a bike on her own for the first time, you helped Frank leave his house each week to meet his friends for a cup of tea and a chat and you helped William receive the care and support he needs every day.

Making a gift to us in your will can make a big difference for people like Anne-Marie, Frank, and William.

Make your last gift really count

Live for today but be their hope for tomorrow

Call Jo Ellis on 01902 880111 www.beacon4blind.co.uk/legacies

Charity Registration No 216092

3

ALL SAINTS’, SEDGLEY Sunday Services

8.00 a.m. Holy Communion 10.30 a.m. Parish Communion (First Sunday: All-Age Worship) 6.30 p.m. Evensong (BCP)

Weekday Services

Monday 10.00 a.m. Holy Communion Wednesday 7.30 p.m. Holy Communion (1st Wednesday: Healing Service)

ST ANDREW’S, THE STRAITS Sunday Service 9.30 a.m. Holy Communion (1st Sunday: Morning Prayer)

Weekday Service

Wednesday 7.00 p.m. Holy Communion

THE STRAITS CHURCH Sunday Services 9.30 a.m. Prayer & Communion

11.00 a.m. Family Service 6.00 p.m. Evening Prayer

(When there is a fifth Sunday in the month the three churches in the Team Ministry meet for a united service at either 9.30 a.m. or 10.30 a.m. depending on the venue.)

Baptisms & Weddings Arrangements for baptisms and weddings at All Saints’ and St Andrew’s can be made at the Vestry Hour at All Saints’, which is held on Wednesdays at 8.00 p.m. in All Saints’.

Baptisms are generally held on the fourth Sunday of the month at 4.00 p.m. at All Saints’, and on the second Sunday of the month at 3.00 p.m. at St Andrew’s. Baptisms can also take place during the Sunday morning service at All Saints’

or St Andrew’s by arrangement.

4

WHO’S WHO AT ALL SAINTS’ & ST ANDREW’S

GORNAL & SEDGLEY TEAM MINISTRY

Team Rector The Revd Stephen Buckley 01902 883255

(Day off Friday) Team Vicar The Revd Andy Stand 883467 (Day off Monday) Asst Curate The Revd Rob Parker-McGee (Day off Friday) 01384 860525

Reader Jan Humphries 01902 661275

Authorised Lay Minister Suzanne Bradley 880055

PCC Secretary Chris Williams 672880

ALL SAINTS’

Parish Wardens Rob Lavender 01902 661325

Derrick Turner 895066 DCC Secretary Pam Hunt 670787 Treasurer Derrick Turner 895066 Electoral Roll Liz Williams 672880 Verger Len Millard 676339

Organist Mel Jones 0121 550 1604 Bell Ringers Keith Williams 01902 672585 Servers Len Millard 676339 Junior Church Barbara Price 676591

Youth Group Laura Price " "

Noah’s Ark Parent & Toddler Group Linda Edwards 672556

Hall Bookings The Vicarage 883255 Hall Caretaker Joan Moon 682902

Social Club John Dillworth 670156

Magazine Editor Christine Buckley 883255 Distribution Rob Lavender 661325 Advertising " " " "

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Mothers’ Union Liz Williams 672880 Ladies’ Society Geraldine Baker 674608 Men’s Society Roger Berry 881374

Uniformed Organisations Rainbows Liz Naylor 01902 885517 Brownies Heather Churm 07530 977090

ST ANDREW’S Church Warden Margaret Probin 01902 883163 DCC Secretary Rosemary Reed Treasurer Gordon Betteley 882777

Sacristan May Smith Little Angels Mums & Toddlers Sarah Parker-McGee 01384 860525

THE STRAITS COMMUNITY CHURCH Pastor Maurice Powell 01902 885402

PARISH WEBSITE: www.gornalandsedgley.org.uk

CHURCH REGISTERS

PARISH FUNERALS 1 Oct Jean Jukes, aged 81

2 Oct Bernard Iddles, aged 82 18 Oct Florence Evans, aged 95 29 Oct Eileen Southhall, aged 81 31 Oct Gordon Alfred Harvatt, aged 89

6

MAGAZINE MATERIAL

Articles for the November magazine should be sent to the Vicarage by Sunday

18 November. They may also be sent by e-mail to srb55@talktalk.net.

THE BEACON

If you are interested in having the magazine delivered to your home on a

regular basis, please contact Rob Lavender: tel. 01902 661325. The Beacon is

published ten times a year and the cost for the year is £5.

FLOWER ROTA 4 Nov Ladies Society – Jenny Lavender

11 Nov British Legion – Bob Hill, Liz Williams, Keith & Brenda Tomlinson

18 Nov In memory of Mr & Mrs Saddler

28 Oct Advent (No flowers)

CHURCH OPENING

Friday mornings from 10.30am to 12.30pm

The church is open for quiet prayer & coffee and a chat.

We will be pleased to see you

All Saints’ Church Hall

The hall is available for hire by groups on a weekly basis, or for one-off events.

(No private parties)

For further information please contact: All Saints’ Vicarage Tel. 01902 883255

E mail: srb55@talktalk.net

7

REMEMBRANCE

A number of years ago Jeremy Clarkson from Top Gear, presented a documentary, ‘The

Victoria Cross: For Valour’. This told the stories of some VC heroes, including his own

father-in-law, who he never knew. Moved by these stories, Clarkson went on to ask,

‘How can we call the likes of David Beckham a hero for scoring a goal? I wonder who

your heroes are today?’

In this season of remembrance we think especially of those who have sacrificed

their lives in war. However, Jesus calls us all to a radical and supernatural heroism

when he says, ‘You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbour and hate

your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute

you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.’ (Matt 5:43-45).

God calls us to love even those we regard as our enemies. It’s easy to love

those we get on with or find attractive. The love of which Jesus speaks, as

throughout the New Testament, is agape love. This quality of love seeks and

works only for the good of the other person. When we can pray for someone

we don’t get on with, God begins to answer your prayer by softening our

attitude toward them. We love them because they are individuals created in the

image of God and in need of God’s forgiveness and grace, just like us.

This month marks the 25th anniversary of the Enniskillen bombing in Northern

Ireland on 8th November 1987. An IRA bomb exploded during a Remembrance Day

service, resulting in 11 people being killed and 63 injured. What is remembered most

from this day is the interview Gordon Wilson gave only hours after the bombing. It

brought him to international prominence, as he described the conversation with his

dying daughter Marie, as they lay buried in rubble.

To the astonishment of listeners, Wilson went on to say, ‘But I bear no ill

will. I bear no grudge… She's in heaven and we shall meet again. I will pray

for these men tonight and every night.’ The impact of his words lay in his

willingness to forgive the bombers, and as a result Wilson went on to dedicate

his life as a campaigner for peace and reconciliation. He perfectly models Jesus

words for us. ‘No words in more than twenty-five years of violence in Northern

Ireland had such a powerful, emotional impact.’

“DON’T FIRE THE CANNON”

Much to my surprise Bishop John has appointed me an Honorary Canon of

Worcester Cathedral. I shall be installed in the Cathedral during Evensong on

Wednesday 28th November. The service begins at 5.30 pm, and you are all

welcome to attend.

Stephen Buckley

8

MIRFIELD WEEKEND

Dear Friends,

October saw a number of initiatives taking place designed to encourage and

nurture people in their faith. Whether young, old, relatively new to church

life or old hands, a number of opportunities have been taking place

designed to deepen people’s spiritual confidence. One such initiative saw

us take a group of young people to a monastery for a weekend. Unsure of

what they would find or what would be in store for them, they were all,

without exception, pleasantly surprised.

Over a period of 48 hours we witnessed young, enthusiastic Christians

grow immensely as they simply began to understand what it was to allow

God to take the lead and not be afraid of what a deeper relationship with

Him may mean.

Central to this, of course, is prayer and contemplative liturgy and worship.

Through our daily and weekly offerings, our central purpose should be to move

into a closer relationship with our Creator God who loves us unconditionally

and, in the words of St Gregory of Nyssa created humanity in order that it may

‘participate in the divine goodness’.

It is this divine goodness that we should, if it is done well, manage to get

fleeting glimpses of through our liturgical offerings. Space, silence and gentle

rhythm are all key to this, but so too is an understanding from within each and

every worshipper that moving closer to the divine nature and participating in

the ultimate goodness of God are longings that are ingrained parts of our very

being, planted within us from our very creation. In our prayer and worship we

are allowing these longings to be nourished and grow.

Essential to all of this, of course, is prayer. If we really do accept that we all

have a built in longing for divine goodness then we must start to deepen our

relationship with the very essence of that goodness. Just as when we develop a

friendship with another person we have to communicate with them and we

have a real longing to learn about them, so is the case with God. The more we

talk to Him, the more we pray; the more we learn about Him, the closer we

move towards His divine goodness.

One of the monks on the weekend away told the youngsters that he sometimes

found two things difficult; prayer and the other monks. Relationships are not

always easy, and sometimes they take time and perseverance. Often, if a

relationship is to become anything more than just superficial, one has to long for

something more and become intrigued about what it is that makes the other person

what they are: seeking to delve ever deeper into the essence of the other person’s

being; removing the layers that can obscure the real person within as they go. This

is exactly what prayer is all about.

9

Of course it is important that we pray for the big things in our world, places

experiencing natural disasters, those caught up in conflict, people who are in

the grips of sickness. ‘But what’, many people ask me, ‘do we do when we

simply can’t focus on these more detached concerns?’ ‘We know that to be a

good Christian we should pray for these things, but can’t stop ourselves getting

distracted,’ they say. Herbert McCabe OP, the highly respected philosopher and

theologian, suggests that the reason we sometimes can’t concentrate on these

things is simply because there are more pressing personal concerns on our

minds. They may be serious or things we think are trivial, but whether it is a

personal illness that is dominating our thoughts or that new Xbox we

desperately want for Christmas, we should not be shy to offer it up to God.

God may well grant our prayer, or he may use it as an opportunity to teach us

something new, either way it will not fall on deaf ears and He will respond.

As we mentioned earlier, God is drawing us into deeper personal relationship with

Him and we all feel the deep longing to become ever more enfolded in His divine

goodness (even if we don’t yet recognise it). This requires real and deep friendship and

this in turn requires us to share all that we are. God was so concerned with our well

being that He came among us in the form of His son. Christ was fully human and as

such He was not only concerned with the highfaluting grand problems of the world, but

with the messy and dirty business of daily life. He was as concerned with the immediate

and ‘trivial’ as he was the detached and the political. In Christ we are shown that our

God is a caring God, one whose essence is goodness and whose care is with each and

every one of us as individuals.

Fr Rob

CHILDREN’S SOCIETY AUTUMN FAYRE

Held on Saturday 6th October

Our Autumn Fayre, held just a few weeks ago, was very successful. Not only

did we raise £ 1,387.70 for the Society but it seemed more successful than ever

as a social occasion. Maybe it was the lovely sunshine that made the people

who attended so cheerful. We also had the pleasure of welcoming the Choir of

the Alder Coppice School who sang a number of very cheerful songs

beautifully enhancing the enjoyment of the occasion for everyone.

It only remains for me to thank not only our organising Committee but also people

who donated prizes for the stalls, bought raffle tickets and helped on the day,

including the stall holders, kitchen staff and the heavy mob that put out the tables.

Anne Hart

10

MOTHERS’ UNION

Everyone enjoyed our Bring and Share Harvest Lunch at the beginning of

October. Members provided a lovely selection of food and the games of Beetle

which followed made for a very pleasurable afternoon of fellowship.

Maureen and John Harper are known to many of us for their work, over the

years, with the Children’s Society but they were wearing different hats when

they came to our evening meeting in October. Maureen is a keen photographer

and in ‘What a Wonderful World’ she used the well-known Louis Armstrong

song as a backing for her slides at the beginning and end of the evening. We

visited six counties in the middle section of the presentation, without leaving

our seats, and with a little help from John we were able to identify most of the

places we saw, and he told us many interesting facts about them. It was a

pleasant and relaxing evening which reminded us of the many lovely places

there are to visit in this country and how lucky we are to have so many of them

on our doorstep. It was disappointing that more members were not present to

enjoy the presentation.

A Sorbus ‘Autumn Spire’ tree, a form of ‘Joseph Rock’, has been planted in

the church garden in memory of past Mothers’ Union members. We are having

a plaque made and when that is done Stephen will bless the tree. When a time

has been arranged to do this I will let you know.

Congratulations to Alice Bradley who will be celebrating her 90th Birthday at

the end of November.

Dates

6 Nov 2.30pm Oberammergau Revd. Heather Humphrey

10 Nov 9.30am MU Council Bromsgrove

20 Nov 7.30pm Corners of a Foreign Field, Barbara Price

27 Nov 12.30pm for 1.00pm: Christmas Meal, Thornescroft

Liz Williams

FIRST SEDGLEY RAINBOWS

Rainbows caters for girls between 5 and 11, and we meet in All Saints’ Church

Hall in Vicar Street on Mondays between 5.15 and 6.30 pm. There is a whole

range of activities for the children to join in, and we have a lot of fun. If you

are interested in bringing children along, or would like more information please

contact Lizzie on 07821 612378.

11

St Andrew’s – The Straits Christmas Fayre

Saturday 17th November

11 am onwards

HOMEMADE CAKES

TOMBOLA, GROCERIES

CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS

HANDICRAFTS & BISCUITS

BOTTLE STALL, MUGS

TOILETRIES

TOYS & BOOKS

PRIZE RAFFLE DRAW 2 PM

LUNCHES & REFRESHMENTS

ALL WELCOME

12

Kevin Weston Decorating

Special rates for Senior Citizens

Local Authority approved

Advanced City & Guilds

23 years’ experience

Free quotations

Member of the Guild of Master Craftsmen

12 Himley Lane, Swindon DY3 4PW

01384 401859 07981 596109

R T KNIGHT OPTICIANS

Independent, Professional Eye care

Contact Lens Centre Glaucoma Screening

8 Dudley Street Sedgley Dudley

West Midlands DY3 1SB

Tel. 01902 883260

HADEN NEWSAGENTS

UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT

35 Dudley Street Sedgley

Tel. 01902 674200

Newspapers, Confection-ary,

Magazines, Tobacco,

Stationery, Greeting Cards,

Payzone/Mobile Top Up

Gas/Electricity payments

TO ADVERTISE IN THIS MAGAZINE CONTACT ALL SAINTS’ VICARAGE

Tel 01902 883255 E mail: srb55@talktalk.net

Rates for 12 months

Quarter page £25 Half page £40 Full page £70

The magazine is distributed to 350 households in the

Sedgley area

13

Sarah Powell Foot Health Practitioner RGN Dip, CFHP, MPSP (FHP)

Friendly Home visiting services in this area

Foot health check

Nails trimmed

Corns and calluses treated

Problem nails treated

Foot massage to finish

After-care advice given

Discount given for initial treatment

For more information or to make an Appointment please ’phone 01902 671824

14

Arthur's Jewellery

Hand made gold & silver jewellery

Repairs, remounts

Antique jewellery repaired & restored

The Craft Centre Halfpenny Green Vineyard

Tel: 01384 221567 Mob: 07856 898558

www.arthursjewellery.co.uk

FOR A GREAT DEAL CONSULT

INSURANCE SERVICES (MIDLANDS) LTD

BILSTON ST, SEDGLEY

For low cost motor insurance Household insurance Personal accident &

travel insurance

Payment by instalments available Written details on request For a free quotation call:

01902 880044

K G J

07837 767344

01902 881361

Ianhipkissdrivingschool@hotmail.co.uk

Block Booking Discounts Pass plus Tuition

Free Theory Test Guidance First Lesson: 2 hours for price of 1

15

JENNY’S

KITCHEN Speciality Caterers

Evening & lunchtime

catering to suit

all occasions

Full waitress service

(Ask for details)

Tel: 01384 400733

www.jennyskitchen.co.uk

Dental

Surgery

Stephen L Rees B.D.S. U. Birm MFGDP (UK)

Tel:

01902 670080

The Surgery

Sedgley Hall Avenue

Sedgley

Dudley

DY3 3TA

Taylors

Independent Estate

Agents & Valuers

For a friendly &

personal service

2A Dudley Street

Sedgley

Dudley

West Midlands DY3 1SB

Tel. 01902 880888

Fax 01902 665075

www. Taylors– estateagents.co.uk

Sandyfields Home improvements

Andy Barnfield

Painting & Decorating

Flooring & Fencing

Jet Washing & Gardening

45 Sandyfields Road Sedgley Dudley

West Midlands DY3 3LB

Tel: 01902 884807 Mob: 07852 435060

16

Painting & Decorating Services

Papering - Painting

Property Maintenance

Houses - Shops - Offices

Residential & Commercial

Member of Dudley Age Concern Fix a Home Scheme

Worth Sides

Turf Specialist Quality Lawn Maintenance

Mowing & Edging Turf Installation

Hedge Trimming Light Hauling

Wood Chip Mulching

Pressure Washing

Mobile 07816 250387 Home 01902 881206

Phil Orton

For an estimate:

Tel: 01902 894830 Mob: 07974 281894

P & C ELECTRICAL &

PLUMBING SERVICES

FULLY QUALIFIED DOMESTIC INSTALLER

From changing a Light Fitting to a Consumer Board

From a Dripping Tap to a complete Bathroom Suite

No job too small No job too big

Call Phil: 01902 673 419 Mob. 07836 770135

Alderbrook Close, Sedgley

HARTILLS OF SEDGLEY MONUMENTAL MASONS

(BRAMM REGISTERED)

MEMORIALS OF DISTINCTION

New Memorials Additional Inscriptions

Renovations

Unit 1D High Street, Sedgley

DY3 1RP

Tel/Fax 01902 882466

17

ANDREW NICHOLLS Heating & Plumbing

3 Northway, Sedgley Tel 01902 683586

(Gas Safe)

New to the area, but with 30 years’ experience

Central Heating Boilers

Water Heaters, Cookers, Fires

Full Installation Service Available

Annual Services

Landlord Safety Certificates

All Kinds of Plumbing Work

18

G L S ALARMS SECURITY SYSTEMS SPECIALISTS

Intruder Alarms, Maintenance Contracts

Repairs & Upgrades, Annual Service

Existing systems maintained & repaired

Est. 15 years - Insurance Approved

sahib registered installer

68 Longmeadow Drive, Sedgley DY3 3QR

Tel: 01902 883188

The Shaggy Dog Pet Grooming Centre for Dogs and Cats

For busy people we take bookings for Bank Holidays and Sundays

17 Bilston St, Sedgley DY3 1JA

Tel: 01902 661377

Evenings: 01902 677869

(As recommended by Maisie, the Vicarage Dog)

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PHIL OLIVER SPECIALIST

CERAMIC TILER

Walls & Floors

In

Kitchens

Bathrooms

& Conservatories

12 Dudmaston Way Dudley DY1 GQ

Tel. 01384 234323 Mob. 07595 879267

L A J LOCKSMITH

For all your household needs Replacement locks/keys

Lockouts, Servicing Repairs & security upgrades

Motorcycle security, chains & padlocks Friendly service

(Don’t forget to add the tel. no. to your mobile, you never know when you might need to use it!!)

Tel: 07905882148 E-mail: lajlocksmith@live.co.uk

GLOVERS

For all your home & office stationery

supplies ring Richard, Maria,

or Mel Bates on:

01902 871682

ONLINE

www.gloversstationery.co.uk

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RUSSELLS REMOVALS

House & Office Removals Fully Insured

Clearances & Storage Free Estimates

13 Robert Street Lower Gornal

Dudley DY3 2AZ

Tel. 01902 680081

SWEET TRADITIONS DUDLEY STREET

SEDGLEY

Old Fashioned & Traditional Sweets

Pick and Mix Gifts and More

Children’s Party Bags

Has Gareth Malone inspired you to sing? Then come and join us!

We are

Coseley Male Voice Choir

And we want more men to join us. Tenors particularly welcome.

We practise on Monday evenings approximately 1 mile from Sedgley. If you are interested

please urgently call Gordon on 01902 658402.

We are also taking Concert Bookings for 2013 and if you would like the Choir to perform for you please speak to Sheila on 0121 520 0739.

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Sedgley P o w e r w a s h S e r v i c e s

Cleaning Specialists in:

Blocked Paved Driveways Pathways Patios Garden wall & Stone Ornaments Oil Stain Removal Camera Guided Gutter Cleaning

CONTACT PETE ON 07791 241952

PENNY FARTHING COFFEE HOUSE Penny Farthing Arcade, High Street,

Sedgley, DY3 1RW

Telephone 07515 898038

Come in and try our scrumptious cakes,

our selections of delicious hot and cold drinks.

Fancy some food? Warming soups, hot meal of the day, create your

own fresh sandwich, panini, plus jacket potatoes and fillings.

You’re guaranteed a warm and friendly welcome every visit.

We look forward to seeing you.

Outside catering also available

22

LADIES’ SOCIETY

The Royal Hospital

Poor Geraldine! Once again our designated speaker was unable to come, and

once again one of our members, Pauline Turner, was able to fill the breach. We

certainly have some talent in our group! I do however, as I’m sure all of my

fellow members do, wish our intended speaker, Roy Stallard, a speedy

recovery from his broken back. Perhaps we will see him another time?

Pauline regaled us with her experiences as a nurse at the Royal Hospital. Her

initial training was shared between the Royal and New Cross hospitals, but she

really “belonged to” the Royal. Pauline told us of her initial training where she

wore a bright yellow uniform and she and her colleagues were referred to as

“The Daffodils”. I’m sorry Pauline, but somehow I can’t see you as a Daffodil!

Pauline gained experience in the Diabetic Clinic, E.N.T. and Orthopaedic

departments, and began her “Proper Training” in 1970. She began in Female

Surgical but preferred the men’s ward – I wonder why? She had the job of

swabbing the operating theatre after operations which on occasions with her

colleagues developed into a “Water Fight”, to such an extent that water was

running down the stairs and there was an enquiry about burst pipes!

There were lots more anecdotes of a similar nature which made us all laugh.

Pauline was quite sad when the Royal closed and everything (including Pauline)

was transferred to New Cross. She is still happy though and I have been privileged

to see her in action at work. She is obviously very efficient, but is still the same

“Bubbly” Pauline that we all know. Pauline obviously loves her work and it is

comforting to know that the NHS still has some caring personnel, refuting all the

criticism that they seem to get these days. It will seem strange to see the Royal in

its’new guise: a supermarket, a conference hall, and residential properties. At least

they are keeping the Façade intact. Thank you very much Pauline, keep up the

good work, with you the NHS is in safe hands!

Just two days after our meeting, quite a few of our members were at the Mill

Theatre to see a performance of “Whistle Down the Wind”, as usual from our

various local amateur societies, this production was very good and well received by

the whole audience. Our thanks go once again to Barbara who organised this outing

for us.

I hope to see you all ladies on November 5 for a talk and demonstration of

Party Jewellery.

Molly Taft

23

CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL

We will be holding a Christmas Tree Festival in church from Friday 7 December to

Sunday 9 December and Friday 14 December to Sunday 16 December. The theme

this year is ‘Tell me a Story’. Admission will be free, light refreshments will be

available and any donations during the weekends will be for the Biblelands Charity.

We look forward to seeing you and your family and friends.

CHRISTMAS CONCERT

with

The Mothers’ Union Choir

&

The City of Wolverhampton Brass Band Saturday 8 December

7.30pm

Tickets: £6 (including light supper)

24

INTERCESSION FOR NOVEMBER

1st All Saints

2nd All Souls

3rd Martin of Porres

4th The Gornal & Sedgley Team

5th Peace in the Middle East

6th William Temple, Archbishop

7th Diocese of Morogoro

8th The hungry & thirsty of this world

9th Saints & Martyrs of England

10th Kingswinford Deanery

11th Remembrance Sunday

12th Our work with the young in the parish

13th Charles Simeon, Priest

14th The Persecuted Church

15th Salvation Army

16th Margaret of Scotland

17th Hugh, Bishop

18th Bishops John & David

19th Hilda of Whitby, Abbess

20th Edmund, King & Martyr

21st The Homeless

22nd Cecilia, Martyr

23rd Clement, Bishop & Martyr

24th The Homeless

25th Christ the King

26th The work of SSAFA

27th The Bereaved

28th Beacon Centre for the Blind and Partially Sighted

29th The Missionary Work of our Church

30th Andrew the Apostle

25

AROUND THE PARISH Happy birthday and congratulations to Joan Blackmore, who celebrated her

90th birthday with her family at the Red Lion at Bobbington on 10th October.

A few weeks ago Joan fell and broke her wrist but I’m glad to say she has fully

recovered and was able to join us at church on Friday for coffee and biscuits.

A quote from “Thoughts for Every Day”. As days go by we live and learn and

with the years grow wise. We sift the false things from the true and see with

clearer eyes. As each birthday comes along we find that we can say, that time

has left a trail of blessings all along the way.

More special birthdays next month.

Silver wedding congratulations to Michael and Val Stanley of Wall-under-

Heywood, Shropshire, son and daughter-in-law of Margaret Stanley, who were

married at All Saints on 24 October 1987. No final plans at the moment but we

wish them a lovely day.

The Salvation Army Rally was once again a joyful happy day. Many people

joined from churches around Sedgley. Rousing hymns were sung and prayers

were said. The address was given by Rev Stephen Buckley. We were also

entertained by two solo violinists. The meeting ended with tea and cakes.

The Macmillan coffee morning was well attended. It was good to see so many

people supporting a good cause.

Junior church presented a short play for the harvest festival on Sunday 7

October at the 10:30 service; it was well received. Congratulations to all the

children and teachers.

Sad news. Trevor Genge died on Friday 5 October after a long illness. He has

left a legacy of books full of knowledge and pictures. He will never be

forgotten as he lectured at many organisations and clubs; his knowledge was

incredible. I never saw anything written down during his “talks”. We send

condolences to all members of his family and hope in the fullness of time that

happy memories will help to ease the sorrow they are now feeling.

Dorothy Inett

26

JUST THOUGHTS

A view on life When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day

are not enough, remember the pint glass and two beers.

A professor stood before his philosophy class, on their first day of term on the table

in front of him he had some items. When the class began, without speaking he

picked up a very large and empty pint glass he proceeded to fill it with golf balls.

He then asked the students if the beer glass was full. They all agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of small pebbles and poured them into the

glass shaking it slightly. The pebbles slipped into the open areas between the

golf balls. He then asked the students again if the glass was full. They all said

that it was. The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the

glass. Of course, the sand filled up all those little small gaps between the golf

balls and the pebbles. Again he asked if the pint glass was full. The students

responded with a unanimous yes!!!

The professor then produced two bottles of beer from under the table and

proceeded to pour the entire contents into the glass effectively being absorbed

by or filling any empty spaces between the sand. The students laughed.

“Now”, said the professor once the laughter had subsided, “I want you to recognize

that in this pint glass the golf balls are your life, your family, your children, your

health, your friends and your favourite pastimes - and if everything else is lost and

only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things in

your life that matter your job, your house, your car. The sand is everything else - the

little things in life.”

“If you put the sand into the beer glass first,” he continued, “there is no room for the

pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy

on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important for you. Pay

attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Spend time with your children.

Spend time with your parents. Visit grandparents, grandchildren. Take your wife or

husband out to dinner. Play another 18. there will always be time to clean the house, or

mow the lawn. Take care of the golf balls first - the things that really matter. Set your

priorities. The rest is just sand.”

One of the students raised her hand and enquired what the beers had represented.

The professor smiled and said,” I’m glad you asked. The beer shows that no matter

how full your life appears, there will always be room for the odd couple of beers

with friends from time to time.” Author anon.

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Life is much too short to be living someone else's dream.

Strength doesn't come from what you can do it comes from overcoming the things

you once thought you couldn’t.

Peace will come when we replace the love of power with the power of love.

Live in such a way that if anyone should speak badly of you no one would believe it.

Yes, you can. However you have absolutely got to really want to.

Life’s tragedy is that for some people they get old too soon and wise too late.

Life may not be exactly the party you hoped for, but while you are there you

might as well dance.

Life does not have to be perfect to be wonderful.

If you are not willing to learn, no one can help you. If you are determined to

learn, no one can stop you.

Compiled by David Melhuish

ALL SAINTS’ CHURCH CHRISTMAS BAZAAR

SATURDAY 1st DECEMBER 11.00 a.m.

COTWALLEND SCHOOL CHOIR

RAFFLE TOMBOLA

BOTTLE STALL CRAFT STALLS

CAKES PRESERVES

CHRISTMAS STALL

SWEETS GAMES

REFRESHMENTS

AND MUCH MORE!!

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CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL

‘Tell me a Story’

All Saints’ Church, Sedgley

Friday 7 - Sunday 9 December &

Friday 14 - Sunday 16 December

Friday & Saturday - 10am - 4pm Sundays - 1pm - 4pm

Admission: Free

Light Refreshments available Donations to Bible Lands

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DIARY DATES: NOVEMBER

Sunday and weekday services at All Saints’, St Andrew’s and The Straits Community Church

are advertised on page 2 of this magazine. Any alteration to this pattern is shown below.

All Saints’

Sun 4 Nov 6.30 pm All Souls Communion Service

Mon 5 Nov 7.30 pm Ladies Society meets in the church hall

Tues 6 Nov 2.30 pm MU meets in the church hall

“ 7.30 pm The DCC meets in the social club

Sun 11 Nov 10.30 am Service of Remembrance

“ 6.30 pm Annual Memorial Service

Mon 19 Nov 7.45 pm Men’s Society meets in the social club

Tues 20 Nov 7.30 pm MU meets in church

Sat 24 Nov 12.00 noon Wedding

“ 2.00 pm Wedding

Tues 27 Nov 7.30 pm Baptism meeting in the social club

‘Noah’s Ark” Mums & Toddlers meets in the hall on Tuesdays at 9.30 am in term time.

St Andrew’s Tues 19 7.30 pm DCC meets in church

‘Little Angels’ Mums & Toddlers meets in the hall on Mondays at 9.30 am in term time.

St Andrew’s ‘Silver Threads’ (over 60s) meet each Wednesday from 10.30 am to

12.30 pm in the church hall.

Diocesan, Deanery & Parish Events

Sun 4 Nov 10.30 am All Saints’ Patronal Festival – Team Service

Mon 12 Nov 7.00pm Diocesan Synod

Tues 13 Nov 7.30 pm Deanery Synod meets in Wordsley Church Hall

Fri 16 Nov 3.30 pm ‘Friday Fun’ a St Andrew’s

Sat 17 Nov 9.30 am ‘Dad’s Breakfast’ at All Saints’

“ 11.00 am St Andrew’s Church Fair

“Living the Life”

Mon 12 Nov 7.30 pm Group 1 meets at 9a Turls Hill Rd

Tues 13 Nov 2.30 pm Group 2 meets in the social club

“ 4.00 pm Group 3 meets in St Andrew’s church hall

Mon 26 Nov 7.30 pm Group 1 meets – venue to be arranged

Tues 27 Nov 2.30 pm Group 2 meets in the social club

“ 4.00 pm Group 3 meets in St Andrew’s church hall

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Stop smoking?

Drink sensibly?

Get free and confidential support from Dudley Health Trainers

Be more active?

Lose weight?

Whatever health changes you are planning to make, talking to a Health Trainer could be just the thing you need to get you started. Based in your local area, Health Trainers are local people who can support you to lead a healthier lifestyle and they offer:

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Appointments at a time and place to suit For more information or to book an appointment call

01384 322092 Www.dudley.nhs/healthtrainers

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