St Laurence Church, 173 Church Road, Northfield, B31 2LX    
     Registered Charity 1132975


Dear …………………

February is upon us, the days are getting longer and we are still with very restricted lives but there is hope as more and more people are vaccinated as each day passes.  However, it sounds as though social distancing will be with us for a good while longer, even if you’ve had the vaccination.  

Meanwhile, things are beginning to happen apace at church.  The building of the Interior Porch is scheduled to start at 7.15am on Monday 1st February and with little other than funerals taking place in church we should be able to make good progress.  This last week we’ve had the asbestos check and some modifications to sockets to prepare the way.  Thank you to Roy Pouncett and Elaine Clements for looking after this.  

Also, the outline plan for replacement lighting is with the Diocesan Advisory Committee (the church equivalent of planning permission) and if we get the ‘thumbs up’ it will be going out to tender in March with the hope of the work starting later in the year.  

We’re also heard back from the Grantham Yorke Trust, and thanks to Fr David’s hardwork, we have been awarded £1745  for the St Laurence ‘Safe Spaces’ after-school club for secondary school aged young people - an initiative to reduce the temptations of gang-culture and knife crime.   This means the project is now fully funded for the initial years.  We are still looking for a few more people to volunteer for at least an hour on a rota basis to work alongside the leader from Youth Work Europe, probably on a Thursday (but Monday & Tuesday are options)  from c 3pm – 5.15pm.  Please contact Fr David to find out more: 
         tel 07821 151 484 or e-mail David.Pycock@Blueyonder.co.uk

We are still awaiting the appointment for a full-time Area Dean for the combined deanery of Kings Norton, Moseley and Shirley but the Revd Canon Catherine Grylls is to take on the role part-time for seven months, working two days a week.

Following the success of the Nativity Trail in the church-yard, one to help us pray for health workers is going up for February.  Revd Theresa has had some fun doing the illustrations.  

Lent is fast approaching.  Ash Wednesday is on 17th February and within the pack is a small packet of ash and a short DIY service to go with it. We will be holding services at 10am and 7.30pm which will include the imposition of ashes so if you are joining with these then keep your ash until then.  

There will be Churches Together Lent Groups via Zoom. In addition, included in this pack is something a little different – ‘The Blue and Gold Lent Journey’ - to undertake at home.  It should fold into an A5 booklet (unfortunately the staple has gone in the wrong place – so simple cut off that corner and fold in half).  If you want to write more than there is space for in the boxes a larger version can be downloaded from the website or simply find some extra paper at home (back of envelopes is fine!)    

This year we’ve started a weekly Bible Study at 4pm on Thursdays for 45 minutes.  We look at the readings for the coming Sunday (included in this pack) and it is amazing what we discern together.  It’s becoming my favourite part of the week – though “45 minutes of Fun” at 4.45pm on Saturdays is a close contender.  This includes quizzes, word games and we may even give the answers to the Bird Quiz enclosed! 
 
Both are designed to be phone-friendly so if you can’t zoom – DO zoom-phone.   Meeting ID Numbers are on the ‘Regular services’ leaflet.  

Meanwhile, take care and God Bless
Can Jan  
31st January 2021