Fifth Sunday of Easter 14th/15th May and 21/22 May 2022 2 week edition Hello Everyone, The church is looking so much lighter and welcoming as the electricians continue their work. At the moment it is very much ‘on’ or ‘off’ but there will be finer controls in due course. Stuart Andrew has been working really hard to get together an application for permission to renew the heating. We continue to monitor the ceiling following the fall of plaster on 2nd May in the South Aisle. Covid is still around – Elaine has just tested positive. We send her our love and prayers. The wearing of face coverings in church is now optional. Some people will still feel vulnerable so if you want to sit at a distance from others please do let the church wardens know and we will do our best to enable this. Ministers will continue to wear masks for the administration of Holy Communion and can bring Communion to people in their seats. We very much want everyone to feel as Covid-secure as possible in church. Ascension Day is Thursday 26th May. As evening services have not been well attended recently and some find 9.30am on Sundays a little early we will hold a service of Holy Communion at 11am in church. St Augustine regards it as the crown of all the Christian festivals so see you there. We are in the process of booking a group buffet lunch at The Great Stone afterwards. Sign up in the porch if interested. Ascension Day will be our ‘late morning service’ in May but from June – September (and hopefully ongoing) we will be holding a service of Holy Communion at 11.30am on the 2nd Sunday of the month. It will be a little shorter and simpler than the 9.30am service but, depending on number, will include a couple of hymns. Dates coming up: 12th June & 10th July. We are also working to start “Wild Church” at 4- 4.45pm in the churchyard on Sundays a couple of times a month from June. We have a group of people, drawn mainly from the Sunday School service, planning this and are holding a couple of ‘pilot services’ prior to advertising it more widely. There will be one this Sunday. This will be an intergenerational service. Revd Theresa is embarking on a few sessions for those interested in Confirmation. She’s in touch with a some people already but if you are interested in joining the group (which is meeting mainly by zoom.) Each session will be run twice in the same week. The dates and times are in the calendar below. If you are interest in this now or maybe in the future, please do get in touch with her. Science and Faith in the Second City. Can Science explain everything? * The next lecture is “Why Climate Change Matters” with Dr Ruth Valerio on Tuesday 24th May 12.30-13.30 with light lunch at St Martins in the Bullring Café - £10  7.30 – 9pm at the Millennium Point Auditorium, Curzon St, Birmingham, B4 7XG (£10) and on line. COP26 has come and gone. Climate concerns have disappeared from our screens. So, is it back to business as usual? Ruth is an environmentalist and social activist working for the Christian charity Tearfund. She has written extensively on justice, the environment and lifestyle issues, and will argue that climate change is not going away and that it matters for all of us, while uncovering how it all relates to her Christian faith. Find out more and book your place in person or to receive your link so you can watch live and send in Questions for the Q & A session. https://scienceandfaith.co.uk/ There is a NEW Deanery Newsletter on display in the porch. The porch is open most days from approximately 8.30am –5pm. It can also be read here https://bit.ly/KNMSApril2022 There is lots of interest in it including Cycle Church and what is oversight ministry all about. Eco Tip: With the price of heating homes going up and especially the standing charge, you may be tempted to have your gas cut-off for the summer. Canon Janet has explored this. There is a charge for disconnection and reconnection, but furthermore, without the pump still working for hot water, your heating system could be damaged.  Also, you may not be able to get the gas reconnected when you need it.  MoneySavingExpert has other ideas for saving money: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/energy/ May 15th -21st is Christian Aid week Donation envelopes will be available and you can do electronic donations. Gerardine has set up a “St Laurence fundraising page” with Christian Aid https://envelope.christianaid.org.uk/envelope/st-laurence-church-northfield We’re also holding a plant sale after church on Sunday 12th June so please do get sowing seeds and taking cuttings. Our Rogationtide Service at Masefield Community Garden will be on Wednesday 25th May at 11.30am. It lasts about 20 minutes followed by refreshments and the opportunity to wander around the beautiful garden. The garden is just off the Bunbury Road, on Lindsey Avenue. The turn to it is almost opposite the Dentist Surgery. Pentecost is Sunday 5th June. Dig out something RED to wear. APCM Matters The revised church electoral roll is now on display in the porch. Please do check that your name has not been accidentally omitted if you think you should be on it. Any errors please notify Ruth Clarke (Electoral Roll Officer) via the Parish Office. Our APCM is on Sunday 22nd May. It will be held within the 9.30am service. The inspected accounts have now been approved by the PCC and are on display in the porch. We are looking for up to 4 people to join the PCC and serve (hopefully) a 3 year term. We also have 2 vacancies on Deanery Synod (which includes being on the PCC) and these are just for a year. PCC meets 8-10 times a year for about 2 hours with the reading of papers required beforehand but it is the best way you can serve and shape the future of the church both locally and regionally. Copies of the Annual Report are available in church (please read and return to save paper) and are also on our website. https://bit.ly/StLaurenceAnnualReport2021 I’m hoping to have another pack available in church tomorrow for those on the Electoral Roll. It will contain more papers for the meeting including a summary of the accounts. The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee will soon be upon us. We are holding our events the weekend PRECEDING the Bank Holidays (which are on Thursday 2nd and Friday 3rd June) with Jubilee Tea Party on Saturday 28th May 2.30 4.30pm. There’s a sign up list in the porch to give us a rough idea of numbers. If you can bake/bring a cake please put a C after your name. The 9.30am service on Sunday 29th May will mark the Jubilee too. Finally, I’m taking the 10am service at St John the Baptist Church, Longbridge this Sunday (15th May) and then off to York with Year 6 from St Laurence CofE Juniors from Monday – Thursday. Blessings Canon Janet For your Prayers Those who are ill Peter Valentine: still in hospital. Little change in recent months. Pat Billingham who is still waiting for back surgery. Christine Dwyer (Lorraine's sister) gradually improving. Pete Coyne awaiting full results of latest scan. His mother is also very ill. Beryl Symes recovering from a fall Barry Chacksfield (Fr John’s brother despite the name difference) Those who have died Jane McArevey: funeral in church 12noon on Tuesday 24th May by invitation only. Community News  (by Revd Theresa) Northfield Community Partnership Hub is open Monday - Friday 9am-5pm for any advice or support: 0121 411 2157 email info@northfieldcommunity.org or just drop in at the NCP Hub, 693 Bristol Road South, Northfield, B31 2JT Spotlight on…St Bart's Local Pantry St Bart’s Local Pantry has been open since March, but the official launch is on Saturday! Pop along to see what it’s all about, sample some earth oven baked pizza, enjoy the entertainment and children’s activities, and visit the Community Garden. Here’s a little more information… A significant number of children are defined as being in poverty and since the pandemic reliance on food banks has soared. A Community Food Pantry's mission is to directly serve local residents who suffer from hunger. 'Your Local Pantry' is a network of community food stores, creating a sustainable and long term solution to food poverty and helping families save money on their food bills. The pantry model is an effective way to make sure that people's budgets go further, and it provides a breathing space for struggling families, offering fresh food to households that would otherwise be limited to cheap, less healthy food. For a weekly membership of £5, local residents can choose a minimum of at least 10 items worth  £15 or more. This provides a step up from a food bank encouraging independence, choice and budget management.   A local allotment will donate surplus produce. The Local Pantry is open to those living within a 3 mile radius of Allens Cross Community Centre, on Fridays 1.00pm to 2.30pm, and Saturdays 12.30pm to 2.30pm. We are in the heart of a needy community and will use the Local Pantry to signpost other support systems locally. We also offer a welcoming coffee / drop in and chat facility as well as advice sessions whose content will be determined by what we learn is needed in the community.     Our trained volunteers (as well as our clients, currently  80 plus members) have a voice in determining the direction that our project moves as it becomes a hub from which all sorts of activities could grow, sustaining well being and improving mental health through reducing isolation. Keep up to date with news via Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StBartsLocalPantry.northfield Covid: Vaccines are important in preventing serious illness, however wearing face coverings, social distancing and maintaining air flow continue to be recommended to prevent the spread of Covid. Anyone with symptoms of a respiratory infection and a high temperature, or who feel unwell, should try stay at home and avoid contact with other people. Call free on 119 with any Covid questions. SERVICES AND MEETINGS COMING UP Saturdays 10am – 12noon 21st May 9.30 – 1pm Bell peal 4.30 - 5pm Funeral Reading Practice Church Open and refreshments In church In church Sundays  8.30am Sunday School Service 9.30am Holy Communion and on 22nd May including the APCM 15th May only 2pm Confirmation Group 4pm Wild Church ‘Pilot’ Service In the Pastoral Centre – needs to be pre-booked https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/170206735929 bookings at 2pm on the Saturday before. In church and by zoom and zoom-phone https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84533030134 Meeting ID: 845 3303 0134 In Pastoral Centre In churchyard Mondays 9.30-11am Stay and Play 5pm Evening Prayer by zoom Pastoral Centre https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89992167638 Meeting ID 89992167638 Tuesdays 10am Gridiron ‘Coffee’ 5pm Evening Prayer by zoom 17th, 24th May & 7th June 7.30pm Confirmation Group by zoom 24th May 12noon Continuing to meet at 10.30am at The Black Horse https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89992167638 Meeting ID 89992167638 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89992167638 Meeting ID: 899 9216 7638 Funeral in church Wednesdays 10am Holy Communion 4.30 – 5.15pm Bible Study on coming Sunday’s readings by zoom 8.30pm Compline 25th May 11.30am Rogation Service IN CHURCH and by Conference Call only 0117 463 6922 Code 1139# (no Zoom) https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89992167638 Meeting ID 89992167638 Use above phone number Masefield Community Gardens Thursdays 2-3pm Handbell practice this week: 3.15 – 5.15pm Larry’s (Year 7+) 24th May only 11am Ascension Day Service 24th May & 7th June only 7.30pm Confirmation Group by zoom In church In Pastoral Centre in church https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89992167638 Meeting ID: 899 9216 7638 Fridays 7.30 – 9pm Bell Ringing Practice 27th May 2.30pm In church Wedding of Jade Hitchen & Ryan Giles in church Morning Prayer is said in church Tuesdays – Fridays c 8.30am – 8.55am (usually 8.20am on Wednesdays.) As it is often Canon Janet saying it alone in church we are only opening the church by arrangement. If you would like to attend or simply sit in the church and pray please let Canon Janet in advance. Also - You can Phone a Service 24 hours a day! freephone 0800 804 8044 for Daily Hope offers music, prayers and reflections as well as full worship services from the Church of England. And to hear one of the St Laurence Ministers preaching: 0121 270 4690 These are changed after the services on Sundays and Wednesdays (usually by early evening) Peter Chapman is now making Sunday and Wednesday sermons available as Podcasts: via: Spotify at https://open.spotify.com/show/16wZUENutAJSTu5a4nPDde Apple at  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sermons-from-st-laurence-church-northfield/id1603832487 and on other Podcast players the generic address is https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/1915174.rss ALSO there is now a player for the sermon podcasts at the foot of the 'Worship' page on the Church web site which allows the sermons to be played directly from that page. CONTACT DETAILS PARISH OFFICE Lorraine Freeman (Parish Administrator) Lorraine is working in the office most weekdays except Wednesdays. 9-12noon (on leave Mon16/Tues 17 May) enquiries@saintlaurence.info (note this changed in October 2021) ?0121 475 1518 Office CLOSED Bank holidays RECTOR Canon Janet Chapman On School Trip 16 – 19 May then Day off Fri 20 May Normal day off is Monday janet.rectory@gmail.com ? 0121 477 3111 ASSISTANT CURATE Revd Theresa Morton Day off: Friday theresa.curate@gmail.com ? 07557472096 READER Janice Wones Day off: Friday janice.wones@talktalk.net ? 0121 459 7417 Church Website: www.stlaurencenorthfield.org Twitter: @stlaurenceb31 Rector: @janetchapman5 Facebook www.facebook.com/StLaurenceChurchNorthfield YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/stlaurencenorthfield Safeguarding is everybody’s responsibility. If you need to contact someone regarding a church safeguarding concern (adults or children), please call our Parish Safeguarding Co-ordinator, Rowena Nicholls, on 07724 170448. If you have an urgent concern for the safety of yourself or someone else, call 999. Sadly, some people have been abused by someone from a church. “Safe Spaces” is a free, independent support service providing a confidential personal and safe space for anyone who has been abused by someone from a church or as a result of their relationship with the Church of England, the Catholic Church in England and Wales, or the Church in Wales. Although funded by the churches it is run by the independent charity, Victim Support. If you have been affected, however long ago, they can provide you with support. You do not have need to have told the police or the church authorities. Your information will not be shared without your consent unless you or someone else is in danger. Telephone 0300 303 1056 for more information. St Laurence Church Northfield is Registered Charity 1132975