Church Notices for Trinity 20 (17th October 2021) Hello Everyone, I’m back from my retreat and holiday - greatly blessed by lots of fresh air in exceptional weather for the time of year and a good catch-up on sleep. As I was going away we were experiencing a lot of IT problems in the church office and have had to change the church e-mail address. Please use enquiries@saintlaurence.info from now on. All our contact details are at the bottom of this e-mail and they are the best ones to use rather than reply to the one we use to send this mailing out. It has been good to hear that ‘Coffee after Church’ in the Pastoral Centre has worked well and looks to be continuing. If you can help please contact Sandra Reynolds - sandrareynolds@hotmail.co.uk Having paused Zooming whilst I was away we will resume it again for the 9.30am service this Sunday. We’ve also improved the sound quality of conference call for the 10am service on Wednesdays. Full details of how to access these below. September and all our ‘Northfield Revealed’ events feel a long time ago now but a huge thank you to all who helped in any way. “Edith Holden’s Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady in Song” was an amazing production and greatly enjoyed by those who attended. Thank you to Elaine Clements, Sarah Vernon and Gerardine Merrick for taking the GREEN HEART TREE to the meeting with Northfield MP Gary on Friday 1st October. I hear it made quite an impact! It will remain in church in the run-up to Cop26. Thank you for all the donations for Harvest. The produce was picked up by Northfield Community Partnership Food Bank and they put a Thankyou on their FaceBook page. We should have an update on the amount donated to support our link Dioceses in Malawi. There is still time to donate …. please write ‘Malawi’ on the back of cheques and use ‘Malawi’ as the reference for Bank transfers. A/c: St Laurence PCC, Sort-code 40-52-40, Number 00095606 We’re also holding a short Harvest service at the Masefield Community Garden on Wednesday 20th October at 11.30am. Sally and her team at the Garden are always very welcoming and hospitable so do come along …. It is an outside service. 100 Club draw number 10 took place Tues 12 Oct at coffee morning at Rowheath.  Jeff Carr has notified the winners. First prize Steve Clements £20 number 74; second prize Alan Bisseker £15 number 6; third prize Roy Dutton £10 number 25. A reminder that the November and December prizes will be enhanced from the usual payout of £20 £15 and £10, to £30 £25 and £15 for November, and £40 £30 and £20 for December. Good luck to all participants in the forthcoming bumper prize draws. General updates about the 100 Club can be seen by clicking the link :- https://www.dropbox.com/sh/nhoqjvek80fr7dp/AABLhEOGohljG0lVOnstZNzEa?dl=0 We are welcoming Liz Clarke back to deliver a POTTERY WORKSHOP on Thursday 28th October at 10am in the Pastoral Centre.   The workshop will last 2-3 hours and the cost is £18 per person which includes all materials and hot drinks!   If you would like to join in please contact Rowena on 0121 605 9486 or rowena.nicholls@sky.com October is Black History Month and within it a Racial Reconciliation Service led by Time4change with church leaders and representatives of denominations from across the city is being held on this Sunday at 4pm at St Andrew’s Stadium, Birmingham City FC, Cattell Rd, Birmingham B9 4RL. More details are available via the Time4Change website https://www.time4change.uk/. For free tickets to attend, please visit https://www.time4change.uk/tickets. Bishop David’s 3-4 minute video message is well worth a look at - click HERE. There is also a huge and exciting programme of online and in-person events across Birmingham and beyond! Browse the Black History Month website for details… and while you’re there, dig deeper for a wealth of inspirational stories and resources to honour the too-often unheralded accomplishments of Black Britons in every area of endeavour throughout history. https://www.blackhistorymonth.org.uk/listings/region/west-midlands/birmingham/ Racism has to end, unity needs to grow. It's a big ask but together - with God’s guidance - we can do it. Birmingham Cathedral is hosting an online Pause for Hope service for all affected by cancer on this Sunday (17th October) at 3.00pm. Everyone is welcome to attend this special service of candles, music, and prayer. The service will also be live streamed and available on the Cathedral website http://www.birminghamcathedral.com and YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P777G2zhr8g Eco Tip: Whatever your feelings about protesters gluing themselves to roads, home insulation is a serious business to prevent wasting energy, as well as cutting bills and making your home cosier as we head towards winter. According to the Energy Saving Trust, loft insulation is a quick win, cutting down around 15% of heat loss. You can recoup the cost of installation back in less than two years through lower energy bills. And why not also consider using draught-proofing strips around windows, doors and loft hatches, or sealing skirting boards with silicone, all of which may mean you can turn the thermostat down a little. Congratulations to St Brigid’s Roman Catholic Church which is finally being consecrated this Saturday by Archbishop Bernard. It’s been a long time coming! Finally, over the next week we’ll be planning what we can offer to mark All Saints, All Souls and Remembrance Sunday. Don’t forget to enjoy the colours of the autumn leaves – they were looking lovely along Greatstone Road in today’s sunshine. Blessings Can Jan For your Prayers Those who are ill Barbara Finch: now home Peter Valentine: father of one of our recent brides currently in hospital Roger Morton: Husband of Revd Theresa Pete Coyne: following a fall whilst cutting a hedge Those who have died Community News  The Community Hotline continues via Northfield Community Partnership … 0121 411 2157 (10am – 3pm Monday – Friday) for help including shopping and picking up medication as well as advice or if you’d just like a friendly phone-call.  Also call for face to face appointments or to use a computer in their Hub, 693-695 Bristol Road South, Northfield. The Creative Support/Mind Mental Health and Wellbeing Hub at 888-890 Bristol Road South B31 2NS is offering an exciting and packed timetable of short face-to-face courses to enhance well-being, including motivation & self-care, poetry, walking group, coping with low mood, coffee & chat and much more. Telephone 0121 476 4349 for more information or see the full list at https://www.birminghammentalhealth.org.uk/hubs/ Love sport? Fancy working in TV? Applications are open now for the Commonwealth Games TV Bootcamp. Learn the skills to be a Camera Operator, Editing Assistant, Assistant Floor Manager by joining the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Host Broadcast Training Scheme (HBTI). Applicants must be aged 19+. Find out more from Solihull College https://www.solihull.ac.uk/sportstvbootcamps/ Congratulations to Northfield Community Partnership’s Digital Literacy Coordinator Pauline Roche, who was a Finalist in the ‘Tech for Good’ category at the recent Women in Tech Awards. If you’re over 50 and would like some support in getting online, or even to borrow a tablet pre-loaded with data, give Pauline a call on 0121 411 2157 or email pauline@northfieldcommunity.org Beyond the Horizon is a local organisation which supports children and young people aged 4-18 years who have been affected by loss, bereavement, divorce, separation and domestic abuse. For more information call 0121 444 5454 or visit https://beyondthehorizon.org.uk/ Covid The Birmingham City Council Public Health Team has provided the following updates… * Even if you are vaccinated, testing for everyone remains a priority. That means: o Regular lateral flow tests continue to be encouraged o If you have any symptoms, even if only mild, book a PCR test. isolate immediately and only leave home to attend a PCR test appointment or to post a PCR test kit. * Cases of Covid have increased by 11% across Birmingham over the past week. * These increases have been seen in all ages and ethnic groups. * Northfield currently has the 7th highest number of cases of all wards. Frankley is 3rd. * All women who are pregnant or intending to become pregnant are encouraged to have vaccines, for the benefit of both themselves and their baby. For more information, talk to your GP or midwife, or take a look at the leaflets and videos made available on The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists website: https://www.rcog.org.uk * The impacts of flu are likely to be greater this winter, so do speak to your GP or local pharmacy about having a flu vaccine (free if you’re over 50, have certain conditions, or are a carer, otherwise a small fee may apply). * The vaccination programme for young people aged 12-15 is ongoing. If you know anyone in this age group, do direct them to the information the Government has made available specifically for them, so they get to know the facts rather than misinformation they may pick up through social media: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-vaccination-resources-for-children-and-young-people * As the chillier weather is driving us back indoors, do continue to remember fresh air, keeping a distance, handwashing and masks, alongside vaccinations and testing, help reduce the spread of Covid. Let’s all do our bit to keep each other safe. To book for services use EVENTBRITE LINKS or, if this isn’t possible phone Revd Theresa on 07557472096. Please leave a message if no answer. Please remember that if you are coming to a service in church or pastoral centre we ask you to : 1. Pre-book by the deadline (Sunday School Service only) 2. Demonstrate your care for others by wearing a face covering (unless exempt) 3. Social Distance – please be sensitive to those around you. 4. Avoid unnecessary conversation before the service – though we can chat outside afterwards 5. Be prepared to sit where directed by the church wardens 6. Bring a small bottle of sanitiser for use before receiving Holy Communion 7. If attending the Sunday School Service bring a ‘kit bag’ of pencils & crayons, scissors and a Glue-stick 8. NOT attend if you have any symptoms of Covid or you have been told to self-isolate SUNDAY SCHOOL SERVICE In Pastoral Centre for the rest of the term PLEASE book only for the dates you can attend and cancel as early as possible if you can't make it. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/170206735929 As usual, bookings for each Sunday will close at 2pm on the Saturday before. SERVICES AND MEETINGS THIS WEEK Saturdays Church open 10am – 11.30am Pop in to pray, light a candle, have a coffee and a look around. Sundays  8.30am Sunday School Service 9.30am Holy Communion In the Pastoral Centre – needs to be pre-booked No need to book- just come along. Also by zoom and zoom-phone https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84533030134 Meeting ID: 845 3303 0134 Mondays 9.30-11am 5pm Evening Prayer Sorry no Stay and Play 18th or 25th October https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89992167638 Meeting ID 89992167638 Tuesdays 10am Gridiron ‘Coffee’ 5pm Evening Prayer 7pm PCC meeting Currently meeting at 10.30am in the grounds of Rowheath Park following Covid Guidance with Coffee etc available at the Pavilion. Just turn up! https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89992167638 Meeting ID 89992167638 In the Pastoral Centre (upper hall) Wednesdays 10am Holy Communion 11.30am Harvest Service 8.30pm Compline IN CHURCH and by Conference Call only 01902 693302 Code 1139 (no Zoom) At Masefield Community Garden by Conference Call only 01902 693302 Code 1139 Thursdays 3.30 – 5.15pm Larry’s (for young people of secondary school age) 6.15pm Beavers 7.30pm Deanery Synod In the Pastoral Centre In church with Revd Theresa St Francis Church, Bournville How to Conference Call Phone 01902 693302 and when asked enter the code 1139 and then say your name. It then takes a few moments before you can hear and be heard. 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) CONTACT DETAILS PARISH OFFICE Lorraine Freeman (Parish Administrator) Open 9-12noon just Monday & Friday this week enquiries@saintlaurence.info ? 0121 475 1518 RECTOR Canon Janet Chapman Day off: 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. St Laurence Church Northfield is Registered Charity 1132975