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ST JAMES’ CHURCH
Brownhills
Following Jesus
The
MUSTARD SEED
www.stjameschurchbrownhills.co.uk
50p
March 2021
Our mission is to worship God
and to serve the community by sharing the love of Jesus
Upstairs Downstairs
Cleaning Services
Proprietor: Helen Downes
Household Cleaning of the Highest Standard
Daytime: 07855 253562 – Evening: 01543 452501
Grace, Truth & Life Groups
There are now five GTL Groups which are now meeting on a regular basis.
It would be good to think we could increase the number meeting, so if you
would like to be involved, please speak to Revd Gayle in the first instance.
Telephone Prayer
If you would like any prayer ministry via the telephone, please contact
Gayle on 07545 657 636, or Liz Corbett on 01543 370162.
Magazine Articles
If, in your reading, you find an article that you think bears repeating in
the parish magazine, please let us know and we will try our best to
include it in future issues.
Do more, learn more and be more.
Girls & boys aged 6 to 18.
Based at Group HQ, Barnetts Lane, WS8 6HZ
For info: www.br
www.br ownhills-scouts.or
.brownhills-scouts.or g.uk
ownhills-scouts.org.uk
2nd Brownhills
Call: Sue 01543 276953 or Mary 01543 453293Lent as an Opportunity for
Renewal
I’ll start this month’s magazine article by sharing some of the 4th
century Christian Augustine’s words reflecting on Lent and Easter:
“Because there are these two periods of time the one that now is,
beset with the trials and troubles of this life, and the other yet to
come, a life of everlasting serenity and joy – we are given two
liturgical seasons, one before Easter and the other after. The sea-
son before Easter signifies the troubles in which we live here and
now, while the time after Easter signifies the happiness that will be
ours in the future”.
As we consider the Road-Map recently shared by our Prime Minis-
ter, the message of Lent being a time for examining ourselves and
yet also looking forward to the joyous times that await us is espe-
cially meaningful. We realise that so much wisdom and caution is
needed to ensure we do what’s most helpful for ours and others’
safety. These are still going to be uncertain days to a degree. Equally,
though, there is light on the horizon. With Spring and Summer to
look forward to, it’s looking increasingly likely that there will be en-
joyable times that we can begin looking forward to.
With this tension in mind, I’d like to encourage us all to be asking
God to make us more aware of our desires and habits this Lent, as
well as to begin looking forward, with eager anticipation, to being
more involved in God’s purposes for us as restrictions begin to ease.
Some questions that may help us in our efforts to take stock and
look forward are: -
◆ In what ways have we noticed that we’ve struggled with
lockdown?
◆ Have we noticed that during the pandemic we’ve picked up
any negative thought-patterns or behaviours/habits?
◆ What are we grateful for?◆ What signs have we noticed of God being at work in our lives? ◆ What are our biggest dreams for our lives as Christians and for our life as a church, here in Brownhills? ◆ What are our desires for the communities of Brownhills and Clayhanger? At St James’ we’re into our programme of learning and discovery all about God’s plan for our wellbeing on Sunday mornings and in our mid-week groups. Through taking into account that Lent can be an opportunity for renewal alongside this learning, I pray we’ll each make more and more connections between our faith and our lives. For example, our recent time spent thinking about having a growth rather than a fixed mindset may well have highlighted for us that we sometimes have quite unhelpful trains of thought. In contrast to Hindu/Buddhist mindfulness, which encourages empty- ing the mind to gain freedom from stresses, a scripture that teaches us about our need to have our minds renewed by God is Romans 12: 2: ‘Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be trans- formed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is his good, pleasing and perfect will’. I love it that after the resurrection, the disciple Peter wanted to go back to fishing. That was what was familiar to him and he felt he could find comfort in that, BUT God was calling him to something much more exciting.
It’s understandable that we will want and need some stability as
restrictions are relaxed. Nonetheless, it would be a sadness for us
to try to go back entirely to the way things were before the pan-
demic, just as it would have been for Peter simply to resume his life
as a fisherman. I believe and trust that God is calling us to some-
thing much more exciting. For instance, as a result of our commit-
ment to God, each other, and letting ourselves be encouraged to
flourish in every area of our wellbeing, I pray and hope that our new
normal is gong to involve increased passion and care for the local
communities, as well as more goodness and zeal for God’s King-
dom. This will mean that we’ll have a keen interest in finding out
more about what God’s heart is for those beyond our churches’
walls.
With love and prayer,
Rev’d Gayle
Real Easter Egg dropped by pandemic
hit supermarkets
The UK’s top supermarkets will not be stocking The Real Easter Egg
in 2021. For the past ten years Tesco, Waitrose, ASDA and Morrisons
have made room on their shelves for The Real Easter Egg.
The head of The Real Easter Egg, David Marshall, said: “Easter 2020
was right at the start of lock-down and we saw people change the
way they shopped. We saw an increase of 40% in people buying from
our website for friends, family and food banks. However, at the same
time, the early pandemic led to the supermarkets having a disastrous
Easter as people stayed away from high streets. This year, supermar-
ket buyers were told to cut brands, reduce the volumes and in some
cases ask for stock to be supplied at a loss or cost price. It means
there will be fewer brands, including the Real Easter Egg, on super-
market shelves this Easter. So, if you are one of the 80,000 people
who usually buy a Real Easter Egg from a supermarket then go online
and order direct from www.realeasteregg.co.uk”.Remedy Foot Care
Keeping your feet happy and healthy is so important. Poor foot
health can make doing even the simplest things uncomfortable
or even painful.
As a qualified foot health practitioner, I can help identify and
treat a range of foot conditions, allowing you to get back to liv-
ing your life. From my Brownhills-based clinic, I offer remedial
treatment, and long-term care advice, keeping your feet happy
for years to come.
At the Remedy clinic, I offer treatment for the following foot re-
lated problems -
❇ Corns ❇ Thickened toenails
❇ Callus ❇ Toenail trimming
❇ Cracked heels ❇ Diabetic foot care
❇ Verrucas ❇ Ingrowing toenails
❇ Fungal toenail ❇ Safe application of gel polish.
❇ Athletes foot
We are still operating and business as usual in this horrible time
due to coming under a medical purpose.
We do have a website www.remedyfootcare.com with
coronavirus updates on also.
If you are interested please ring Isobel on 07399 615433. We can
also be found on Facebook or appointments can be made through
our website. If you mention that you found us in the Parish Magazine,
you will get a 20% discount on your first treatment.
We are a completely Covid safe clinic following all regulations.
God must work in you before God can
work on you.Readings for March
The readings are the ones we will use in church and online.
7th March 2021 – Morning Service -
Matthew 6 v 5–15 & Psalm 4
7th March 2021 – Evening Service -
John 2 v 13–22 & Psalm 19
14th March 2021 – Morning Service -
Exodus 15 v 22–27 & 1 Corinthians 6 v 12–20
14th March 2021 – Evening Service -
John 3 v 14–21 & Ephesians 2 v 1–10
21st March 2021 – Morning Service -
Isaiah 26 v 1–12 & Psalm 91
21st March 2021 – Evening Service -
Romns 8 v 31–39 & 1 John 4 v 7–21
28th March 2021 – Morning Service -
Mark 11 v 1–11 & Philippians 2 v 5–11
28th March 2021 – Evening Service -
John 12 v 12–16 & Psalm 31
The reason a dog has so many friends is that he
wags his tail and not his tongue.
Blindness. 14, Deny. 15, Spew. 18, Awake. 20, Ideas. 21, Lydia. 22, Odes. 23, Lean.
DOWN: 1, Path. 2, Adulterer. 3, Tract. 4, Rigid. 5, Gust. 6, Exude. 10, Irish. 11, Uriel. 12, Esau's. 13,
19, Hillside. 24, Baldhead. 25, Bede. 26, Census. 27, Arisen.
ACROSS: 1, Planet. 4, Rugged. 7, True. 8, Augustus. 9, Attitude. 13, Bed. 16, Participation. 17, War.
CROSSWORD ANSWERSHistorically, the Church of England has had its share of eccentric clergy. Even nowadays, hiding
away in remote parishes, there are still some colourful clergy about. Clergy such as the elderly,
Anglo-Catholic Uncle Eustace, who is incumbent in the small parish of St James-the-Least-of All,
somewhere in Very Rural England. Eustace despairs of his nephew, Darren, who has become an
Evangelical curate in a busy urban parish… and so he writes letters, to try and properly
'educate' Darren in parish life.
On how to deflect
those staff appraisals
The Rectory
St. James the Least
My dear Nephew Darren
So, your vicar has introduced staff appraisal for all the officers who
work for your church, including yourself. It seems a very dangerous
innovation; as far as I am concerned, ministry is only successful when
parishioners have no idea what the clergy get up to.
I imagine that he will look at the number of services you take in a
year. Funerals can only be increased if you resort to murder, which is
likely to be frowned on – although I have been sorely tempted during
endless church council meetings. Perhaps if you take a flask of water
wherever you go and if you find a baby unattended, you could resort
to a spontaneous baptism. That would get your numbers up, even if
returning mothers may marvel at the highly localised and brief
shower that seemed to have taken place over the pram.
Visiting targets are easily increased. Compile a list of when
parishioners will be out and call on those days; a card through their
letterbox will prove to your vicar that you were there. Should theyhappen to be in, mention that you are collecting for the organ fund
and they will immediately excuse themselves for an important
appointment. You are then free to move on to clock another visit.
Your vicar is also bound to want to see the congregation increasing.
This is not sustainable, and you should put a stop to such ambitions
at once. It is easily done. All you have to do is to approach your
friends at the local football club and bribe them with your homemade
beer to come along to church several Sunday mornings in a row. If
you give them enough beer BEFORE the service, they will be likely to
make just enough muted disruption as to leave your vicar a bit rattled,
and thinking that perhaps after all, ‘less’ is ‘more’ when it comes to
the congregation.
But whatever you do, make sure that you never preach a better sermon
than he does. You don’t want anyone thanking you at the door for
your ‘so interesting sermon’ in front of him, when they have been
sleeping through his sermons for years. If you offend the vicar this
way, he will take swift revenge, and ask you to organise the parish
summer fete.
Your loving uncle,
Eustace
Always remember . . .
There are no strangers in our church –
just friends you haven’t metMarch
Crossword
Across Down
1 The earth is one (6) 1 Where some of the seed scattered by the
4 ‘On a hill far away stood an old – cross’ (6) sower fell (Matthew 13:4) (4)
7 ‘I am the – vine and my Father is the 2 Sexually immoral person whom God will
gardener’ (John 15:1) (4) judge (Hebrews 13:4) (9)
8 The Caesar who was Roman Emperor at the 3 Gospel leaflet (5)
time of Jesus’ birth (Luke 2:1) (8) 4 Physical state of the boy brought to Jesus
9 ‘Your – should be the same as that of Christ for healing (Mark 9:18)
Jesus’ (Philippians 2:5) (8) 5 Tugs (anag.) (4)
13 Jesus said that no one would put a lighted 6 To put forth (5)
lamp under this(Luke 8:16) (3) 10 Nationality associated with St Patrick (5)
16 Involvement (1 Corinthians 10:16) (13) 11 Leader of the descendants of Kohath (1
17 Armed conflict (2 Chronicles 15:19) (3) Chronicles 15:5) (5)
19 Where the Gaderene pigs were feeding 12 ‘After this, his brother came out, with his
(Mark 5:11) (8) hand grasping – heel’ (Genesis 25:26) (5)
24 What jeering youths called Elisha on the 13 At Dothan the Lord struck the Arameans
road to Bethel (2 Kings 2:23) (8) with at Elisha’s request (2 Kings 6:18) (9)
25 The Venerable – , eighth-century Jarrow 14 ‘Peter, before the cock crows today, you
ecclesiastical scholar (4) will – three times that you know me’
26 8 Across issued a decree that this should (Luke22:34) (4)
take place (Luke 2:1) (6) 15 Spit out (Psalm 59:7) (4)
27 Come into prominence (Deuteronomy 18 '’When I – , I am still with you’ (Psalm
13:13) (6) 139:18) (5)
20 Concepts (Acts 17:20) (5)
21 Thyatira’s dealer in purple cloth (Acts
16:14) (5)
22 Does (anag.) (4)
Crosswords reproduced by kind permission of BRF and John 23 The second set of seven cows in Pharaoh’s
Capon, originally published in Three Down, Nine Across, by
John Capon (£6.99 BRF)
dream were this (Genesis 41:19) (4)Finding God in Each
Moment of the Day
Do you know the popular series of books entitled Where’s Wally? These
books are filled with very detailed cartoon drawings in each of which is
hidden Wally. He is dressed in a red and white striped ski cap and glasses
and the challenge is to find Wally. You have to search for some time to pick
him out of the crowd, but Wally is always there!
In many ways, like finding Wally, we need to develop the skill of identifying
God’s presence in our daily lives. One approach that can help us to find
God throughout the day is to do a daily review of our day with God. It can
provide us with a means of seeing where God has been at work during our
day. It’s an opportunity of remembering how God has been at work and
how we have responded to Him. As the psalmist says, ‘On my bed I re-
member you; I think of you through the watches of the night’ (Ps 63:6).
What does this look like in practice? Here is a step by step guide:
1. Be still for a moment, and quiet your mind.
2. Acknowledge that Jesus is present. Invite Him to guide you.
3. Recall the beginning of the day, when you first woke up. Watch that
scene, as if on film. What is your reaction to what you see? Talk to God
about it.
4. Continue through the film of your day, going from scene to scene. As
you reflect on each one, some scenes may fill you with gratitude, others
with regret. Speak directly to God about this. You may also want to pray
for those you encountered during the day.
5. End your review with a prayer of thanksgiving for God’s mercy and love.
Ask him to refresh you as you sleep.
As you begin reviewing your day with God regularly, you can expect to see
two things beginning to happen:
Firstly, you will become more aware of recurring negative patterns in your
life, which will challenge these wrong attitudes and habits and increase
your desire to grow and change.
Secondly, you will become more aware of God’s presence in the ordinary
moments of your life. And when you start experiencing the reality of God’s
presence with you every day, it’s not ordinary any more!Prayers & Poems
Thoughts
’Tis God’s will I would do,
My own will I would rein; JESUS
Would give to God his due, If I could package faith into one parcel
From my own due refrain; And collect all hope into a single can
God’s path I would pursue,
If I could roll all love into one heart-ball
My own path would disdain;
And commoditise it in a living man
For Christ’s death would I care, I’d already have a fully detailed label
My own death duly weighed; Prepared before the world itself began -
Christ’s pain my silent prayer, And it would have one name -
My God-love warmer made; And that name JESUS -
’Tis Christ’s cross I would bear, At the centre of God’s universal plan
My own cross off me laid; To take the world along the course
God’s surge of love provoked
Repentance I would make, Till wholeness flows through everything
Repentance early choose; With God’s Spirit of life unyoked.
Rein for my tongue would take,
Rein for my thoughts would use; by Sam Doubtfire
God’s judgment would I mind,
My own judgment close-scanned;
Christ’s freedom seizing bind,
My own freedom in hand;
Christ’s love close-scanned would find,
My own love understand.
From Poems of the Western Highlanders
Small numbers make no difference to God. There is
nothing small if God is in it. - D L MoodyLet’s clap for mothers!
As Mother’s Day approaches, let’s hear it for all the mothers who have
been on the frontline of helping our country survive the Covid pan-
demic!
Just as we’ve clapped on our doorsteps for the NHS and other he-
roes, let’s applaud all that mothers have done – often balancing home
and employment during these long lockdown months.
Research shows that mums have carried out most of the home school-
ing and household tasks – with many also holding down important
frontline roles in the NHS and other essential services.
Women spent more than twice as much time as men on their chil-
dren’s home schooling and development during the lockdown, ac-
cording to a study by University College London. It measured how
parents responded while schools and nurseries were closed to most
families.
The survey, reported by the Guardian newspaper, found that women
across several age groups took the major share of childcare and home
schooling. Those with primary school-aged children “were consider-
ably more likely” to have given up working than fathers with children
of the same age.
The pressure on families was further increased as many grandparents
and other carers were unable to help. Family and friendship networks
were put under strain with contacts restricted to online Zoom or
Facetime calls that are often difficult with younger children.
Launching a Children’s Society report into children’s welfare during
the lockdown, chief executive Mark Russell said: “We are living in un-
precedented times. Months of national lockdown, only small num-
bers of children in school, and many families experiencing real crisis.
Coronavirus has impacted every area of our lives and The Children’s
Society has been deeply concerned about the impact of this crisis on
children, especially the most disadvantaged.”
He added: “Our survey found a higher proportion of young people
experiencing low well-being than we are used to seeing. Whilst we
Continued on next pageknow that most children’s well-being will ’bounce-back’, there will be
some who do not.”
Mothers are at the frontline of helping our children cope with – and
then recover from – the effects of the Covid pandemic and the ex-
tended lockdowns.
Many working mothers lost their jobs because of the pandemic, and
families will be hard-pressed to make up for the income lost. Food
bank provider, the Trussell Trust has warned churches to prepare for a
‘tidal wave’ of poverty and to be ready to help their local communi-
ties.
This Mother’s Day, daffodils and chocolate may seem very thin reward
for the major contribution of mums across our nation.
In normal times, they have a challenging and demanding job to do.
Through the pandemic, they have risen to the challenges and sought
to ensure children thrive despite the lockdowns.
As we celebrate Mother’s Day, let’s recognise the amazing efforts made
by mothers in the home with their children.
Let’s also celebrate the vital roles many also play as do those without
children – in the NHS, in education, in the government and civil serv-
ice, in keeping vital supplies flowing – and in our pulpits and across
our churches.
Why not contact a lonely neighbour?
The public have been urged to write letters to their lonely neighbours,
as the Government has announced a £7.5million cash injection for com-
munity-boosting activities.
It is hoped that people will “reach out virtually and help combat lone-
liness”, says Robert Jenrick, the Communities Secretary. This could be
done either by “picking up the phone or writing a letter.”
He urges, “Let’s all do what we can to connect with our older neigh-
bours, in a Covid-secure way, so they feel less alone and know how
valuable they are to their communities at this time.”
The charity Age UK has said it reckons there to be about 1.4million
older people in England who are “chronically lonely.”John Short & Son
The Independent, Family-Owned
Firm of Funeral Directors
Amid the confusion of bereavement we
provide calmness, order and a sense of
dignity – so that life, as it must, can go on
with hope for the future as well as
respect for the past.
At times of bereavement we have served the local communities in and around
this area since 1866. We personally know many of the families we have assisted.
Whatever the time of day or night, we have given them the sympathy, advice
and help they have needed.
Only an independent family firm, we believe, with its roots in the community,
can offer this service with understanding and commitment.
4x Award Winning Agents for
Golden Charter
Funeral Plans
3 High Street
Chasetown
Burntwood WS7 3XE
Tel: 01543 686204
Email:
johnshortandson@outlook.comTHE PARISH OF BROWNHILLS WITH OGLEY HAY
Our mission is to worship God and to serve the community
by sharing the love of Jesus
Vicar:
Revd Gayle Greenway 07545 657636
Lay Ministers:
Pete Biggs 01922 692163
Liz Corbett 01543 370162
Graham Sutherington 01543 671020
Children & Family Worker:
Mel Pearce 07794 753210
OFFICERS
Wardens:
Margaret Powell 01543 371396
Roger Corbett 01543 370162
Lay Chair:
Dennis Powell 01543 820513
Secretary:
Brenda Stanford 01543 373063
Treasurer:
Joy Powell 01543 820513
Parish Administrator:
Joy Powell 01543 820513
Deanery Synod Representatives:
Roger Corbett 01543 370162
Joy Powell 01543 820513
Dennis Powell 01543 820513
Organist and Worship Leader:
Pete Biggs, BEd(Hons), AMusCAM 01922 692163
Brownies:
Jenny JudsonYou can also read
