The following is based on a sermon preached at St Mary's on Passion Sunday, the 28th March at 10am. The texts were Isaiah 43. 16-21 and John 12.1-8; the theme, creativity and uncertainty.
If you have been involved in any creative process, you will know that it has one important characteristic: that you do not know the outcome before you begin. If you did, what happened would simply be a repeat, a pastiche of something that has already existed. It would not be a creative process if the outcome had already been determined.
One Saturday at the end of March, six of us from church listened to presentations from four architects and interviewed them with regard to the re-ordering of church. Now you may think that if we've got to the stage of interviewing architects, then already we must have decided what we intend to do. Far from it! As one of them said, 'if you've already decided what you want to do, it's a draughtsman you need, not an architect.'
Each of them stressed the importance of coming to the process with an open mind, avoiding pre-conceptions. Yes, of course, we need to have some idea about what we're trying to achieve, but not how to do it. We need to be clear about what problems we're trying to solve - and we would all say, I think, better toilet and kitchen facilities, a warm and welcoming church, more space at the back to ease the congestion after a service, sufficient meeting rooms, and so on - but not pre-judge the solutions. Otherwise we will have already dismissed so many schemes that could have been good.
The important thing about the creative process is that you don't know, and you don't prejudge, the outcome before you begin.
A good architect will spend a lot of time in the preliminary stages talking with us about what we want, and why. Challenging us: do we really need that? why do we want it there? have we thought about this different option? The architect will come up with other thoughts, other suggestions.
It's a dialogue, a dialogue in which the whole congregation will be involved before ever we begin any building. The pictures of designs in other churches, put there to stimulate our thinking, have now been taken down from the notice-board in church. Instead there is one sheet of paper on the board with a list of needs, of the improvements we know we should make, with kitchen and toilet facilities, and improved access for people with disabilities at the top of the list. There is plenty of empty space on that board - and drawing pins. If there are things that you think are important, write them down and pin them to the board. That way we can all be involved in the creative process.
This process cannot be rushed; it can take a year, two years, five years even (though we hope it will not be that long) before we know where we are going. It is a process of evolution: what we end up with will grow organically out of our perceived needs, potential solutions, and the discussions we have together. So it's going to be good, and I hope we shall all enjoy the experience as it unfolds. But at this moment in time, it can feel a bit chaotic, and that too is part of the creative process.
And somehow, we trust that God is in all this. After all, it is of the essence of God to be creative. In the reading from Isaiah, chapter 43, the Lord says:
"Do not remember the former things
or consider the things of old.
I am about to do a new thing..."
On Palm Sunday we begin the journey through Holy Week, and reflect each day on the events leading up to the crucifixion, on the new thing we believe God did in and through the death and the resurrection of Christ. As I reflect on the passion of Christ, I want to ask a question. Did Jesus know what would be the outcome of his journey to Jerusalem? Certainly, he had a fair idea that he was moving into dangerous territory, that there were those who were intent on bringing his ministry to an end. As the events of that first Holy Week unfolded, it must have become increasingly clear that nothing less than his death would satisfy those whom he had angered.
But my real question is this: did Jesus know that after the cross came the resurrection? In other words, did he go to his death knowing it would all work out right in the end? Some would say yes; if he was God, of course he would know. Others would say that his knowledge would be tempered by his human limitations. Certainly, the agony in the Garden of Gethsemane, and the cry of despair on the cross, suggests that for him this death was a real death and its perceived outcome final.
But I want to ask an even deeper question, and it's one which relates to the creative process. If God was doing a new thing in and through the life, and especially the death, of Jesus, did even God really know how it would all work out in the end? If this was truly a creative act, then perhaps the outcome was by no means certain.
After all, our human experience is that all of life is a process of risk. Our creativity, our working for good, seeks to nudge events in a certain direction, but we don't really know what the outcome will be. Perhaps the creativity of God is a force that works in all things for good, but the outcome is never certain.
So if we are called to share in the creative work of God, the work of doing a new thing, it's not going to be a very comfortable undertaking. It requires us to take risks, to be prepared to step out in faith, like Abraham who 'set out not knowing where he was going', leaving his home, his familiar surroundings, and going in response to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. He set out not knowing where he was going and came to the promised land, but he didn't know until he arrived there just what his destination was to be.
David Rhodes in his book, Lenten Adventure, speaks of Jesus' call to the disciples, that Jesus was in effect saying to them, "Come from this place where you are secure, and where everything is familiar, and follow me, to another place where things will look different. Leave your safety zone, where you are in control and where you have security and respect. Come with me to the unknown place and meet people who will not care who or what you are."
So why did they go? Would you go? Perhaps you have; maybe those words resonate with your own experience. Maybe you have been asked already to leave the place of comfort and security and step out into the unknown.
It wasn't easy for the disciples, even after they'd made the decision. There must have been times when each one questioned the wisdom of what they had done. Maybe for Judas, the questioning and the doubt led him to the point of betrayal.
But maybe what drew them all in the first place and what kept them going was love. In Jesus they saw love; through Jesus they were offered and accepted God's love, a love which made the risk-taking and the courage required worth it. No, not just worth it - it was also that having lined up their wills with the will of God they could do no other. Wherever Jesus went, people responded to him in unexpected ways; he released something new in them, something generous, something creative, like the response of the woman who poured on his feet a pound of costly perfume, and wiped them with her hair.
So where does all this take us? I think it says that creativity is at the heart of God, and that in being creative we share in God's work. But it also says that the going is tough, the process risky, and the outcome unknown.
Some years ago we were on holiday in Lanzarote, and we visited an education centre. The exhibition focused on the environment, on the beauty and the fragility of the natural world, on the problems caused by pollution, waste, indifference. Those who had put the exhibition together were passionate in their desire to do something about these environmental issues, but no easy solutions were prescribed. Instead there was a picture of a desert with footsteps leading part-way across it ... and the inscription:
"There is no pathway ... you make the pathway as you travel ... all that is required is the willingness to change."
Yet the cross was followed by the resurrection. And this is our hope: that as we work creatively for good, as we line up our wills with the will of God, then beyond the suffering of this present time there is the possibility of new life.
Thus says the Lord:
Averyl BradbrookDo not remember the former things,
(Isaiah 43. 18-21)
or consider the things of old.
I am about to do a new thing;
now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness
and rivers in the desert...
to give drink to my chosen people,
so that they might declare my praise.
(Stop Press: The architects to be appointed for work on the re-ordering of church are APEC, with long experience of working in church settings and with two partners who live in Moseley)
We received the following letter recently and were so pleased to hear such good news that when we wrote back to Mrs Airey to assure her that we are still here, thriving, and nearly 600 years old, we asked if we could publish her letter in St Mary's News; she has very kindly given her consent. Mrs Airey left in 1952 but would be delighted to hear from anyone whom she may have known, so if you do remember her please just ask for her address, we have it in the Parish Office....
2nd February, 2004
Dear Reverend?
I wonder if you would be kind enough to write and tell me whether St Mary's still exists?
It has very happy memories for me. I was confirmed there, (1935), married (by Canon Cribb) in 1945, had my first and second sons christened there, and a much loved Uncle "Bill" Summers was buried in a '4' size grave in the 50's. I do not know if any more members joined him.
In 1952 I left England and went to Scotland (when my husband's work was moved) and I have lived here ever since. (In various places in Scotland)
I am now 81 years old and will (God willing) celebrate my 60th Wedding Anniversary in 2005.
I have six sons, 10 grandchildren and one great grandchild so we have been blessed. My husband still plays golf with gusto and we have just visited our third son who lives in Siam.
We attend Cramond Kirk now, a lovely, very old church; now a Church of Scotland, but once a Catholic Church. The services are leaning more towards the Anglican every year.
I hope all goes well with you and your congregation.
May God walk with you always
Yours truly
Betty Fletcher AireySt Mary's News is an ideal way for you to introduce yourself and your family to the church by contributing a short article.
The next edition will be out in June covering the months of June and July. Do feel free to submit your article to the editors (Ian Biggs, or Mark Simons). Articles are also welcomed from existing members of our church who wish to update us all on any news they may have.
In the last issue Mick Perrier gave an insight into the then eagerly awaited trip to Atlanta by members of the Robed Choir and St Mary's Singers.
A wonderful week was had by all. The hospitality of the hosts, congregational members and the acting Rector of Christ Church Norcross, the Revd Andrew Frearson, was quite simply 'amazing'.
Many tears were shed upon our departure. Our visit was for many quite a lifetime experience, and many, many happy memories are shared by all those who attended the trip. In the words of all, this was 'the best choir holiday ever'! It seems they just get better and better.
A great deal of gratitude must go to Mick Perrier, without whose constant enthusiasm, (even after 25 years in his post!), the music at St Mary's would not be the standard that it is, nor as enjoyable as it is! Thanks also go to the Friends of St Mary's Choirs and Music for their financial assistance, and to all those who took part.
The following three articles from members of the choirs convey the enjoyment had by all, and hopefully give you a small insight into our life 'the American way'!
All the choir members who went on the trip to Atlanta four years ago were highly enthusiastic. I was a bit tepid - Americans play weird sports, ride around waving bits of rope round their heads and spend the rest of their time telling everybody 'to have a good day.' In addition you've got a long way to get there and you never know... you do have air-hostesses and nibbles and loads and loads of films dancing before your eyes as you sit in your seat, but is it worth it?
Things got a bit better when I read Mick's letter itemising clothes and extras needed for the journey. You were only allowed one bag! I didn't have to worry about the six shirts, undies and socks, I could get away with two. I would say I couldn't get more in my travel Flipper if accused of under-providing in my hygienic dispositions. Of course I forgot my toothbrush and almost my passport as a matter of course. (Ps: I call my case Flipper because, though it has handles and wheels it insists on suddenly turning over and wrenching my arms out of my sockets.)
This is being thoroughly silly. I have not left England, even got on the coach and I am indulging in the most trivial self-centred reminiscence. What it is to be English! If we were American actually it would be much the same. I will have, at this point, to come clean. I loved the Americans. They were so hard-working, kind and generous. It is as if they have managed to bypass the gap between image and performance. They don't seem to worry about being cool.
Atlanta was the hub of the Confederate South - when the Confederates could no longer defend Atlanta the American Civil War was over. The Northern side (Federals) had won. Yet the US is not a class haunted land. Sixty percent of its citizens are African Americans. Even the mega-Eton 'Wesleyan School' (open to all faiths) with a school theatre nearly as big as our Repertory Theatre is funded entirely by donations (no graffiti and nice kids there). It still makes generous provision for pupils who match the standards but would not be able to afford the price.
Another feature of American society is the work-ethic. The person I stayed with was a Lay Reader. She had come from business before taking a job with the church. She was at her work by 8 am and not back much before 7pm at night. One of her classes on Tuesday nights was attended by the Vicar and about twenty church members. It was a high-powered course on ethics, how the Episcopal religious approach to life was 'Ironic' rather than 'Romantic' or 'Comic'. There was a twenty page hand-out with this which was circulated a week in advance so people could read it. The next morning the committee was at their desks at 7.30 am so they could analyse the meeting held the night before and plans for the next week's meeting could be set up.
The final characteristic that I would mark is the ingenuity of Americans. What a good idea to offer visitors to the Coca Cola Museum as much as you like of forty different kinds of drink! The display varied between things you had to stand to watch and things you could sit and enjoy. It was glossy and bright with plentiful videos. In the shop the prices seemed quite steep, but those who wanted to ferret around for sale items could find the same things a lot cheaper.
Overall, I see tables of food sagging in the middle, handshakes looking you full in the eye, religious enthusiasm and a huge niceness. The visit had made me humble rather than blasé, and I came away from the best holiday of this century.
"Atlanta, here I come!" were the first words I said when I woke up at 4:30am, on the 14th of February 2004, (the day we flew to Atlanta). An hour and a half later we were well on our way to Gatwick airport. A couple of hours after that we were on the plane, flying straight to Atlanta. This being my first time on a plane, or overseas, it was quite an experience!
To welcome us into the city of Atlanta, our hosts invited us to a potluck supper at Christ Church Episcopal. After that we went back to our hosts house to get some well-earned rest! Sunday was a very long day, waking up at eight and going to bed at 9:00pm. The day was full of singing- seeing it was a Sunday.
On Monday and Tuesday we had the day off from singing to explore the many sights of this spectacular city. Some of the things we did that week were; singing at an old peoples home, climbing up Stone Mountain (I made it half way), looking around and singing at the Cathedral (the stained glass windows were just amazing!).
Then we adventured into Zoo Atlanta after exploring the Atlanta history museum, singing at Wesleyan High School (donated marble staircase and all!) and shopping at Mall Georgia. We were fascinated by the Martin Luther King museum and Cyclorama (which explained the American Civil war), then we were amazed by drinking 40 different drinks made by Coca- Cola at the Coca-Cola museum followed by a guided tour of C.N.N.
Then came Friday, the night of the big concert at Christ Church! The concert went down a treat with many an applaud! Saturday was the day of our departure, but before we left for the airport we had a potluck lunch at an American equivalent of Centre 13! And before you knew it we were home.
It was an experience I'll never forget!
On Saturday the fourteenth of February, a plane left for Atlanta, Georgia, America. On that plane were representatives of St. Mary's Choirs heading on a mission to sing in America.
Where did they go first?
First they went to the zoo. There weren't many animals there, so they got a discount. They saw giant pandas, elephants, tigers, snakes, red pandas, komodo dragons and may more. Secondly, they went to Martin Luther King museum. There were lots of videos and there were large amounts of information to read and see. Thirdly, they went to the Coca Cola museum. There were lots of varieties of Coca Cola to taste.
But what about the singing? There was plenty of that too! For example, on the last Friday, they had a large concert in which St. Mary's was joined with Christ Church Choir and there were many songs. The first Sunday there, saw a morning communion service and St. Mary's sang the anthem Sicut Cervus.
Everybody thoroughly enjoyed themselves!
If you had been out in St. Mary's Row at 4:30 a.m. on Saturday 14 February you would have been surprised at the level of activity opposite St. Mary's Church. Numerous youngsters and adults were busily packing cases onto a coach ready to be whisked off to Gatwick Airport and thence across the world to Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
The journey passed in a soporific blur as the various participants from St. Mary's Choir and St. Mary's Singers caught up on much needed sleep before breakfast at Oxford Services. Fortified and awakened, the adrenaline began to flow as Gatwick Airport appeared over the horizon and the prospect of the trans-Atlantic flight loomed ever nearer.
British Airways worked wonders and, before we knew it, the eight hour flight was past and we touched down on the other side of the world. The warmth of the welcome from Rev. Andy Frearson and members of his congregation from Christ Church Norcross as we emerged from immigration gave us all a wonderful sense of anticipation as to what the trip would offer! We weren't to be disappointed.
Before long our coach had dropped us off at Christ Church itself - a large "Welcome" notice adorning its prominent, roadside notice board. They do a good line in "potluck suppers" in the southern states and we were treated to a superb one on arrival. Our hosts embraced us metaphorically and physically and, after meeting and greeting over ample platters of food, we were transported off to rest and enjoy the start of a week of unparalleled hospitality.
Sunday morning saw us in Church, sharing morning service with the Choir and congregation of Christ Church. Their worship was at the same time personal, engaging, joyful and reverent, all participants feeling drawn in by the corporate commitment. This was new and exciting for many of us. We sang Howell's "Like As The Hart" and Palestrina's "Sicut Cervus" in the service, greatly appreciated, judging by all the comments after service.
We were soon transported to lunch at a superb family pizza house near Atlanta Cathedral, which was followed by a visit to the mother church itself and thence to the Atlanta Discovery Centre, detailing the incidents of the Civil War and the contribution of Native Americans to the history of the country. Family hospitality enveloped us during the evening.
Monday was cold - VERY cold! We visited Atlanta Zoo (half price, as it was too cold for many of the animals to venture out!), Cyclorama (the world's largest diorama telling the story of the Battle for Atlanta in the Civil War), Turner Fields (the Atlanta Braves' baseball ground, formerly the Atlanta Olympic Stadium) and, lastly, the Martin Luther King Memorial. The latter was intensely moving as one felt oneself in the presence of a saint. King's original church is preserved as a shrine, while a huge new church ministers to the congregation. The MLKing Centre details his life and brings "the struggle" up to date, chronicling the moves towards ensuring freedom for all the world's peoples.
On Tuesday we sampled public transport! MARTA, the Atlanta Metro, was efficient in getting us into the city. We did the tourist thing - Coca Cola Museum (fascinating to be able to taste so many regional variations on the theme), Underground Atlanta (stalls and shops offering many specialities) and thence to the CNN Centre where we were enthralled to see how a global news network functioned in the electronic world. A leisurely afternoon enabled some to browse bookshops, others to dodge the water fountains in Centennial Square and others to relax over endless cups of delicious coffee.
Wednesday was music day! We began with an informal concert to a local rest home - greatly appreciated by the aged residents. Thence to the Wesley Hills High School - a campus with unbelievably stunning facilities that put Birmingham University to shame. Their theatre was virtually as big as The Rep with every electronic aid, the Library wouldn't have been out of place in the centre of Birmingham. The pupils were polite, motivated, well turned-out engaged and enthusiastic. This applied from the "sixth-formers" at 18 years old down to the Kindergarten at four and five years.
Each year had its own Laboratory facilities; computers oozed from every orifice; two sports halls and two stadia complemented the many courts, tracks and fitness resources.
We sang for 40 minutes to 450 of the oldest pupils in the Chapel. They listened, applauded and engaged us in conversation afterwards. We were bowled over by the experience.
From here we went back to the Cathedral where we were allowed to spend a good couple of hours recording our music in the splendid acoustics of the building. Ian Biggs had a field day exploring the large Cathedral Organ. You'll be able to sample the results on a forthcoming CD!
While some went swimming and others shopping, Ian and I with Nigel Blakey and John Carey visited the enormous new Peachtree United Methodist Church. It boasted a new four-manual mechanical action Mander Organ (- a UK firm). Costing $2m, in a church the size of a large cathedral, it testified to the wealth that is present in US religion! Marble clad every surface, oak created every pew, glorious stained glass radiated coloured light into the interior. A palace of a church.
After this we had a totally different experience: visiting a small, down-town church ministering to the flotsam and jetsam of society, to the recovering mentally ill. We sang for their evening Communion Service and shared with them a simple but lovingly prepared supper. This experience brought us back down to earth and convinced us how music can build bridges across many divides. These people needed - and appreciated our music - perhaps more than the well-heeled congregation of the previous edifice.
Thursday? Outdoors -a riverboat trip, marvellous experience, and a virtual race up Stone Mountain, centre of a nature park. Stunning views from the top (I didn't make it but others told me!). This was a super day out and a chance to explore the countryside around Atlanta itself.
Friday was shopping day - the Mall of Georgia providing every type of shopping experience for young and old alike. We clambered back onto our coach festooned with skateboards, snowboards, digital cameras, clothing and shoes! Yippee.
Then the final night concert at Christ Church itself. It was heart-warming as we were able to share our music with the Christ Church Choir and a large audience. As a splendid gesture to unity and understanding, members of the local Muslim community shared the event. It added an extra dimension to the proceedings. More pot-luck food sealed the evening and enabled us all to share socially, as well as musically, with our munificent hosts.
Saturday was leisurely, sharing time with our hosts, now firm friends and meeting together for - yes, you've guessed it - a pot-luck lunch! The Christ Church Choir sang us blessings and good wishes for a safe journey home. Later that day, that is just what we had.
Sad to leave good friends, overwhelmed by the hospitality and Christian warmth of the congregation at Norcross, humbled by those at Holy Comforter Church, exhilarated by Stone Mountain, uplifted by all the music, none of us returned home unchanged in some way by the experience. For many it was the trip of their lifetimes to date. For all it has left memories that will not fade for many a year.
Such are the experiences shared by our Parish musicians - can many other churches offer to their people such opportunities? Very few. Why not join us for the next experience - Frankfurt, Germany, February 2005!
Congratulations to members of our Robed Choir who have recently passed their Royal School of Church Music chorister awards.
The awards will be presented at Birmingham Cathedral on Sunday 23 May at 4:00 p.m. during the context of Choral Evensong. Do show your support and appreciation by attending that service if you are able.
We also send our congratulations to two ex-choristers of the Robed choir who are to be married (not to each other!) during July.
Ann Stammers will marry Kevin Morgan at St Mary's on Saturday 17 July at 2.30 p.m.
Matthew Harrison will marry Jennifer Ward at the church of St Nicholas, Cramlington, Northumberland on Saturday 24 July.
Our best wishes go to both couples for long and happy marriages.
The trouble with "Come and Sing" events is that, unless you include an RSVP with the invitation, you never quite know who is - or worse still, who ISN'T - going to come! So it was on 28 March 2004 when, having given the invitation to all comers to join in the event, at 1:30 p.m. the jitters set in as to whether we'd have all we needed to make the event a success!
First on the scene was the Double Bass (complete with its player!), trying the various doors to see which gave access to the church. Then came a violinist, together with his father intending to sing Tenor. Viola came next, with Jeremy Ballard, leader of the band, his foot in plaster following an accident. Gradually they came, cellos, more violins, singers of all shapes, sizes and vocal capabilities until, by soon after 2:00 p.m., more chairs were having to be ferried in to cope!
Ultimately there were some sixty singers and a dozen players, organist, conductor and excellent soloists.
Two former choristers of St. Mary's, Robert Carey (Alto, now Director of Music at Manchester Grammar School) and Byron Jackson (Bass, now a first class student at Birmingham Conservatoire) were joined by Anna Christiansen (Soprano, from Sweden, also a Conservatoire student) and Richard Priest (Tenor, owner of Allegro Music in Birmingham and a Reader at St. Peter's Church, Hall Green).
The stage was set and the performance began.
It was quite electrifying as, with no rehearsal, all participants gradually got the measure of each other and of the music and warmed excellently to their task. By the second movement the orchestra had welded themselves into a splendid team, playing with panache and vivacity and the chorus were champing at the bit ready for their first entry - "And The Glory of the Lord". Even the less familiar choruses (e.g. "Their Sound Is Gone Out") were sung with conviction, the experienced singers leading the charge and invigorating those around them).
At the interval, one soloist remarked that this was better than many rehearsed performances he'd attended! And indeed it was. The enthusiasm of all participants made it a riveting listen for those supporters who came as "audience".
The soloists gave much pleasure to the assembled multitude. Richard Priest opened the event with a most lyrical "Comfort Ye" followed by an energetic and yet controlled "Every Valley". Robert Carey, with his most mellifluous Alto, was seductive in "How Beautiful Are The Feet" and vivacious in "For He Is Like A Refiner's Fire". Anna Christiansen, whose rich tone reached to the top of her register, enthralled everyone with her "Rejoice Greatly" and "I Know That My Redeemer Liveth". Finally Byron Jackson approached his task with tremendous panache in "Why Do The Nations?" and stunning all who heard him by sky-rocketing to a top tenor A in his cadenza that ended "The Trumpet Shall Sound"!
Our own Ian Biggs welded the whole together superbly at the organ (as usual) juggling two different sets of music to cover the various needs of the moment.
As for me, I was thrilled with the whole event. The willingness of the whole team to give so freely of their time and talents - not to say their money! - to aid the Stonework Appeal and the Friends of the Choirs was humbling. Over £300 was raised for the effort.
If you came to participate or to listen, you had a treat - if you didn't, you missed a superb afternoon's music! You'll have another chance next year!!
Mick PerrierPeter Bradbrook celebrated his 21st birthday in January, and shares his experiences with us.
Hello,
I want to tell you about my parties. I am 21 now. I had two Parties.
My mum and dad invited lots of friends to our apartment. It is in the Lake District so we had people who lived near there. It was on New Year's day. My sister Kate, and her Stuart stayed with us. Friends from St Stephen's church in Bury came and some friends of my dad who worked in Wigan and in Blackpool. Some next door neighbours came too.
We had lots of food and a big cake. I had lots of presents like: CD's, a James Bond book and a little clock like a golf bag. The best present was from Kate and Stuart - an album of "This is Your Life". I did not like the pictures of me as a baby. I am not a baby any more. I am grown up. Adult.
My next party was in Switzerland. My mum, dad and I went cross-country skiing. It was difficult. I fell over a lot. Getting up was hard - "lean forward" said my mum. It was like "You've been framed". We had lovely food all week, and lots of beers. I like brandy now. I went out late on my birthday for a walk in the snow and a drink at another hotel with my mum and dad.
We went up in a chair lift and watched lots of people skiing fast downhill. It looked good, but scary. We had to be careful walking across the piste. It was very cold by the lake we went to. I had a nice drink in the restaurant on the way back. One night we went to the Ski Bar. It was good. Lots of singing, a man with a guitar, and I drank nice beer. Dad bought me a coke at the end of the night when I stayed longer by myself.
On my birthday, 7th January, I had lots of cards and lots more presents. My favourite card was one signed by everyone at St Mary's. Thank you all. My best present was "Who wants to be a Millionaire" DVD. I also had a bottle of Champagne and a chocolate bottle of Champagne too. The hotel gave me a "certificate for my Birthday".
It was all good fun. Now I want to drive a car. So watch out!
Love from Peter BradbrookDuring the past year or so, there have been on-going discussions between the church of St Anne, Moseley, and our own church to find ways in which we might work more closely together. Already we share the preparation of confirmation candidates, and more recently have begun to share services, especially during Lent and on Ascension Day. There has been no vicar at St Anne's since Easter 2002 and so the clergy at St Mary's help the Reader, Eric Dwyer, take communion services at one of the rest homes in their parish, and occasionally take funerals for them.
St Anne's kindly invited us to come to an entertainment they organised in their church hall, and with great generosity offered us half the proceeds towards the stonework restoration fund. There have also been discussions between some of the user groups at Centre 13 and St Anne's about the possibility of using the St Anne's hall when Centre 13 closes at the end of July.
This natural process of coming together gathered momentum when we were asked as a Deanery to consider options for re-organisation under the umbrella of the diocesan initiative 'Called to a New Kingdom'. There was enthusiasm for our parishes to be joined together as a United Benefice, with the vicar of St Mary's to be incumbent overall, and a priest to be appointed on a half-time basis to join the ministry team and take particular responsibility for the parish of St Anne.
Just before Christmas last year our youth-worker, Mandy Toombs, left to return to her home town of Sheffield. Mandy had been doing some work with the young people from St Anne's as well as those from St Mary's. At the same time, Bishop Sentamu was encouraging all parishes to think creatively about how they might develop their youth work. The idea emerged to ask the diocese to consider the possibility of appointing someone full-time to join the ministry team, with a half-time responsibility for youth work across both parishes as well as having responsibility for the worship and pastoral needs of St Anne's.
Both PCC's agreed to share the funding of this additional half-time post. Bishop Sentamu was enthusiastic and we are at the moment drawing up a job-description and setting in train the process of finding a suitable person for the work.
At some time in the near future, I will be appointed as priest-in-charge of St Anne's, whilst remaining vicar of St Mary's, and there will be a new appointment of an associate priest to live in the vicarage next to St Anne's church, but to be deployable across both parishes. Once the legalities are arranged, the two parishes will form a United Benefice. At this point, I will become vicar of the benefice, and the associate priest will become an associate vicar.
But these are technicalities. The important thing is that our parishes are being re-united, for after all, St Anne's was originally a daughter church of St Mary's. We look forward to growing even more closely together and to all that the future brings.
Averyl BradbrookAs part of the celebrations of the event, the Diocese is holding a competition for a Centenary Hymn. The competition comes in two parts: (1) The composition of a text, and (2) The composition of a tune to fit the new text.
Closing dates are 31 June 2004 for text, and 1 October 2004 for music. (The chosen text will be available from mid-July).
Prizes are £250 for each of text and music.
Application forms are available from: Mick Perrier, Diocesan Music Adviser, 7 Melbury Grove, Kings Heath, Birmingham B14 6BN; Tel 0121 604 8218; e-mail mick@mperrier.freeserve.co.uk; to whom they should be returned.
On 25 March, the feast of the Annunciation, there was a celebration in St Philip's Cathedral to mark the tenth anniversary of the ordination of women to the priesthood in the Church of England. Some may wonder why. After all, there is no similar celebration to mark such an anniversary for men.
Well, perhaps our memories grow dim. We have become - at least here in St Mary's - so accepting of the ministry of women priests in the church that we can easily forget the pain of the birth-pangs that led to the possibility. For those women whose sense of vocation was never fulfilled, or not until many years later, it felt like a long hard struggle.
I was already in training when the vote went through General Synod. I felt called to be a priest, but began my training not knowing if that would ever be possible. I give thanks that the vote in November 1992 allowed me to fulfil that calling. I was ordained as a deacon in June 1993 and as a priest in June 1994, just one year later, just like the men with whom I had trained, as if it had always been so.
The women who were priested in March 1994 were those for whom it had not always been so, those who had been deaconesses and then deacons for many years, those who knew the pain of waiting, the uncertainty of what was to come, and the joy when the waiting was over. That's why it was important to mark this tenth anniversary.
There are still those who are unhappy about the ordination of women as priests, and those of us involved in the planning of the service at the cathedral did not lose sight of that. But above all, we wanted to celebrate not just an anniversary but what it has meant: ten years of ordained women sharing in the priestly ministry of Christ. Men and women together, revealing a deep truth about the nature of God.
A priest standing behind the altar at Holy Communion says, "this is my body, given for you" and shares with those who are present the Body of Christ. The Body of Christ is also the Church; the priest, the representative of the people. This body embraces all: young and old, the wealthy and those who live in poverty, the single, the married, the gay or lesbian, the healthy and the sick, those with disabilities, men and women. Christ's body does not exclude; and the ministers of Christ's church reflect that wholeness in all it's glory.
The feast of the Annunciation was a good day on which to have this celebration. On that day the angel Gabriel came to Mary and revealed to her that she was to bear a child. There was the strangeness of the angel's message, the uncertainty of what it all meant, the waiting-time of labour, the pain of giving birth. God was doing a new thing and the outcome was uncertain. But Mary recognised that this was of God and said: let it be to me according to your will.
Averyl BradbrookSome interesting facts following the first ordination of women to the priesthood:
"Their journey isn't over, but has certainly progressed during the past 10 years."
Facts taken from the Church Times, 12 March 2004The Women's CreedI believe in God
Who created woman and man in your own image
Who created the world
And gave both sexes the care of the earth.
I believe in Jesus
Child of God Chosen of God
Born of the woman Mary
Who listened to women and liked them.
Who stayed in their homes
Who discussed the Kingdom with them
Who was followed and financed
By women disciples.
I believe in Jesus
Who discussed theology with a woman at a well
And first confided in here his messiahship
Who encouraged her to go and tell
Here great news to the city.
I believe in Jesus who healed
A woman on the Sabbath
And made her straight
Because she was a human being.
I believe in Jesus
Who thought of pregnancy and birth
With reverence
Not as punishment
As a wrenching event
A metaphor for transformation
Born again
Anguish - into - joy.
I believe in Jesus
Who spoke of himself
As a mother hen
Who would rather gather her chicks
Under her wing.
I believe in Jesus
Who appeared first to Mary Magdalene
Who sent her with the bursting message
GO AND TELL...
I believe in the wholeness
Of the Saviour
In whom there is neither
Jew nor Greek,
Slave nor free,
Male nor female
For we are all one in salvation.
Amen.
Preparations are under way for our sex-centenary celebrations next year! We are planning to hold a series of events from February to November and these will include:
Other ideas that have been suggested are a Treasure Hunt, a Fair in the Churchyard, an Art Exhibition.
Do you have any ideas, or better still would you like to be involved in the organisation of one or more of the events? If so, please contact Jan Miller on 449 0970.
In one of our Youth Group sessions, we looked at Psalm 138, and we chose a line that meant a lot to us and we used that line to write our own psalm or poem.
Here are 2 of those from our Youth Group members:
By Sarah ClearDo not leave us, whom you made,
We shall not let your love fade,
Remind us of your holy life,
Prevent us from feeling full of strife,
We have sinned, we are bad,
We must have made you really mad,
But if you help us change our ways,
We will praise you all our days,
Help us understand what's right,
And help us, give us sight,
So if you let us try again,
We promise we will change. Amen
By Philip SimonsYou made me brave and strong,
Twisting and churning my heart's love,
Until you came to me in the form of a dove,
You lifted my spirit when nobody would,
When I realised you were the only one that could,
My love for you and your love for me,
Will last for any eternity,
You made me brave and strong,
For when I thought everyone left me,
You came and I knew I was wrong! Amen
St Mary's Youth Group is a group run every Wednesday evening for 11 - 18 yr olds who are interested in learning more about God and themselves, and having fun while they do it. It is a very informal meeting where some of the young people who attend St Mary's get together and discuss God and share ideas, relating it to their own experiences. We also look at the bible, try to establish what we think God is trying to tell us and make it relevant to today, because lets face it, even if your neighbour had an ox, it's very unlikely that you'd covet it.
However, St. Mary's Youth Group is primarily about having fun, and we do this by going on outings or having a social evening at least once a month. The group decides where the outing will be together, for example, this month they chose Cadbury World (all felt thoroughly ill afterwards!). While recovering and watching 'Finding Nemo' afterwards they decided that next month we would stay in and have a social evening! The outings and socials are also an excellent way for the members to get to know each other better and make friends with other teenagers who understand and share their beliefs.
St Mary's youth Group meets from 7.30 p.m. - 9.00 p.m. every Wednesday at 18 Swanshurst Lane. If you would like to join, or just know more, contact Becky Isaacs (247 3284), or simply come along to a meeting and see what we do.
Becky Isaacs