News
October - Barn Dance
September - Family Evening
June
Christian Aid Quiz night on Saturday June 14th
May
May 11 – 17 was Christian Aid week. This year instead of the door-to-door collection we hosted a fete to raise money for Christian Aid’s work across the world. The bouncy castle suffered a little from the damp weather – but the other activities went down well. Chez Baptiste Café reopened for the afternoon – tea & home made cakes to the accompaniment of piano, violin & saxes – even a singer, who may or may not have been the real Frank Sinatra. In addition to the crafts, bric-à-brac, and games, there was much excitement over the visit of a team of firemen (and that wasn’t just the children!) Overall a magnificent £500 was raised.
March
We had the thrill of listening to Richard Garnett read the whole of 1 Corinthians. Phil Jackman who arranged the evening reports:
"Richard asked me if he was too angry, as we debriefed on the marathon performance of the day before. The reading of 1 Corinthians at Yardley Wood Baptist Church lasted about as long as any evening concert might, with an interval in the middle, and, yes, Paul (through the voice of Richard ) did get very angry with the Corinthians at times. Yet you feel the relationship between writer and readers very deeply as you hear the words spoken out loud. This is theology at its best.
One lady only heard about it as she visited another local Baptist Church that same morning, and came all the way from Redditch. A friend from another church said now that he'd heard it, he would certainly publicise it next time among his contacts. Just like our first reading of Proverbs 1-9 and the Sermon on the Mount in November, no-one seemed particularly conscious of the passing of time, because Richard had such a gripping and engaging reading style. As a former member of the Royal Shakespeare Company, perhaps that's to be expected, but Richard didn't disappoint".
Watch this space to find out the exact date in June we settle on for the next one, and which book of the bible we will choose. We will be consulting other churches before making a final decision."
February
During half term we received a visit from a team of young Latvians, led by Iveta Konute who was part of the church while studying in Birmingham.
14 of them led a camp with young people from our church & elsewhere. They gave lessons in playing guitar & drums, dancing, singing, song writing, drama & speaking Latvian(!) They also taught how to follow & worship Jesus – and it turned out to be a life-changing week for many of the British teenagers. Some hope to go on a return visit to the English-speaking camps run in Latvia, & we will be seeing evidence of the skills learnt in the coming months.
January
Alpha Groups start this month – for young people on Sunday mornings during the service time & for adults on Monday evenings.
December
We will be celebrating the birth of Jesus & His coming into this world
with a series of events – Nativity service, Carol singing, Candlelight
Carol Service & a celebration on Christmas morning – see the Events
diary for details.
Several of us have had the fun of joining Birmingham City Mission in wrapping
Christmas presents for children across Birmingham, who may not otherwise receive
a lot.
November
One highlight this month was a visit by Richard Garnett who spent the evening reading to us. Richard is a trained actor & enthralled us with a reading of some of the Wisdom from the Bible – from the Book of Proverbs & the Sermon on the Mount. It really gives a fresh perspective on these passages when you hear them in this way. Richard will be returning in the New Year to read some more – look out for details & dates in the Events Calendar.
October
We held our annual deacons’ election in October. This year we say thanks you & farewell to Kathy Baldwin, Philip Edwards & John Glass – and we welcome Roger Bauckham and Graham Toomer to the team.
September
Mike & Kate Wyatt left us to move to the Forest of Dean. They were members of the church for 20 years and it was with a real mixture of emotions that we said good-bye to them. They served in so many ways – Social Action Group, Sunday School, Youth Group, Additives, as a deacon, in dance and deaf signing, in strategy & planning, and in the Support Group.
Mike & Kate were our first Community workers & job-shared that role for 4 years before handing over to Ian & Marguerite Lawrence. They were responsible for starting “Lighthouse” and building links with numerous other individuals and groups working in the local community. You cannot walk through the church building without seeing evidence of Kate’s work & influence on others – with beautiful banners & hangings everywhere.But most of all Mike & Kate have been our friends – and though this will continue – we will miss them - & we send them off to their new life with our love & deep gratitude to God for their time in Yardley Wood.
Top