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1Making Connections | 2017 - 2018

ANNUAL REPORT 2017-2018

MAKING CONNECTIONS

COMMUNITY OF ST JOHN THE DIVINE

CSJD_Covers.indd 2 20/07/2018 22:35

2 Making Connections | 2017 - 2018

THE COMMUNITY OF ST JOHN THE DIVINE

The Mission StatementThe Community of St John the Divine, an Anglican Religious

Community, live under the threefold Vows of Religious Life, establishing a centre of worship and prayer under the patronage of St John the Divine, the Apostle of Love, and

together with the Associates of the Community form a network of love, prayer and service.

Within the ethos of healing, wholeness and reconciliation, we exercise a ministry of hospitality for people to come for

times of rest, retreat and renewal and to share in the life and worship of the Community. We seek to offer a ministry of

spiritual accompaniment and pastoral care, and to respond to the needs of the poor and marginalized.

The heart of our call is to be a praying community seeking God in our daily lives and serving Him in reaching out as

channels of God’s love to others.




The Mission StatementThe Community of St John the Divine, an Anglican Religious

Community, live under the threefold Vows of Religious Life, establishing a centre of worship and prayer under the patronage of St John the Divine, the Apostle of Love, and

together with the Associates of the Community form a network of love, prayer and service.

Within the ethos of healing, wholeness and reconciliation, we exercise a ministry of hospitality for people to come for

times of rest, retreat and renewal and to share in the life and worship of the Community. We seek to offer a ministry of

spiritual accompaniment and pastoral care, and to respond to the needs of the poor and marginalized.

The heart of our call is to be a praying community seeking God in our daily lives and serving Him in reaching out as

channels of God’s love to others.


Bishop David’s commendation for CSJD Annual ReportMaking Connections 2017-2018I am very pleased as Episcopal Visitor to the Community of St John the Divine to write a commendation for the latest edition of Making Connections, 2017-2018.

The period covered by this report charts a momentous journey for the members of the Community and for their Associates

and Friends. It is a journey which began at St John’s House, Alum Rock, with a courageous decision to sell the property at 652 Alum Rock Road and to seek a new home and a new focus for ministry. That journey has for now come to an end at their new house in Marston Green and I am delighted to see their ministry growing and flourishing as they put down roots in another part of the region.

Like all great missionary journeys, the move involved numerous steps of faith and also revealed some wonderful signs of faithfulness – by the Sisters themselves, by Interserve who bought St John’s House and by the vendors of 113 Coleshill Road who kept faith with the Community over many months.

Within the context of the history of the Community, this latest journey is one of many over the years, from its foundation in London in 1848, Sisters from the Order have variously made their homes in a number of London locations and in Hastings, Paris and Nkhota in Malawi. It is a gift of grace to be able to root ourselves sufficiently after each move, that we commit ourselves to working

for the flourishing of that place and yet sit sufficiently lightly that we are able to hear God’s call to move onwards when the time is right. Ultimately, as we work towards the coming of God’s kingdom, we are reminded that our lives themselves are a journey towards the permanent home that Jesus has prepared for us.

As you read this report, I trust that you, like me, will give thanks for the faith and faithfulness of the Sisters of the Community of St John the Divine in their journeying and in their arriving and for all the strangers and friends whom they have met along the way.

With my prayers for you all,Bishop David

The Rt Rev David UrquhartBishop of Birmingham

IntroductionWelcome to this year’s Making Connections, our Annual Report for 2017-18.There has been a long gap since our last publication – 2012-13 – during which time much has happened to the Community. It has been a case of keeping in touch by emails and letters to allow everyone to share in the journey we have been making, but now the time has come to tell the story of these last few years; of the huge decision to leave our house in Alum Rock which had been the Community’s home for the last 40 years and the story of how we found our new home and who became the new owners of St John’s House, Alum Rock.

Then there was all the preparation for the move and the excitement and the stress of the move itself, a ‘never to be repeated’ undertaking – so we said!

Then will come the great joy of sharing news of our new home in Marston Green and how we have settled here.

As usual, we want to bring you up to date with Community news; news of our Associates and those whose lives touch ours in so many ways.

This Annual Report is the ‘catch up’ story of all that has been happening, so there is a written record both to enjoy now and something that will bring back memories as the years go on.

The Rt Rev David Urquhart

Julie and Clive


Goodbye to Alum RockLife-changing decisions are not made very easily.

The thought that one day we might have to leave Alum Rock was a consideration that kept surfacing for many

years waiting to be addressed, growing in its demand for serious attention until eventually we had to acknowledge we had neither the woman-power nor the finance to continue to live there. But life-changing decisions are not made very easily. The prayer that surrounds them is always demanding and costly.

The decision to go ahead with the sale of the house was made in May 2014 and so began the process of slowly saying goodbye to St John’s House at Alum Rock.

Once this decision was made, we had an initial look on the internet to get some idea of properties that were available. It was as if 113 Coleshill Road was waiting impatiently in the wings to show itself as our new home. It was the first house that came on the screen and continued to be the first every time we searched. It felt that in God’s goodness, we were given a peep at just what ‘might be’, reinforced every time we looked, just in case we hadn’t taken it in!

Julie and Clive Matthews, the owners of the house, quickly became our friends as we made visits. The house had been their family home for almost as long as we had lived in Alum Rock and latterly had been a bed and breakfast. Julie said what was important to them was to sell the house to someone who would love it. Our main concern was that there could well be a long wait before we could sell St John’s House at Alum Rock. The Matthews said they were prepared to wait for us and wait they did, for two long years! We can never thank them enough for their patience and generosity.

It was proving very difficult to find anyone who wanted to buy St John’s House in Alum Rock. The only serious interest came from Interserve International (International Service Fellowship Trust), a global missionary society. Our link was through one of the organisation’s local members, James Lynch, who was introduced to us by Fred Rattley, Birmingham Diocesan Regeneration Officer. James shared with us the vision of Interserve having a house here in the Midlands. Representatives from the different branches of their mission paid many visits and at a local level there was a lot of interest, but we were never quite sure until the last minute if the different committees were in agreement with the purchase or not. Eventually, there was agreement by the Interserve Trustees to go ahead on 20th June 2016.

During this time we were so thankful to those who helped us professionally. Without their help, we would never have negotiated the complexity of the issues that had to be faced and understood.

We were so grateful for their wisdom and experience guiding us. We would like especially to offer our thanks to Mr Gerry Curran (our property consultant); Mr Dominic Curran of Anthony Collins Solicitors; Mr Peter Fowles of Sanderson, Weatherall Valuation Services; C.P. Bigwood (Estate Agents) and Mr Tony Leverington, our Honorary Treasurer.

On a more practical note, sorting out and packing up duly started and continued, it seemed, unendingly. We were very grateful for the help from Associates and friends in what felt an overwhelming process. During this time our small sitting room was made into an area we called ‘the shop’, where small items not required by us were stored and available for anyone to take. It was like a long-term rummage sale! Having liaised with Interserve, we agreed to leave for them the furniture in the chapel, seven bedrooms on the second floor, the ground floor flat and refectory and kitchen items. Other than the furniture we planned to

Lunch at final service 1

Lunch at final service 2

God Pod

Chapel

Back garden


bring with us, we gave items to several charities, including some refugee projects and Birmingham City Mission. Slowly but surely we down-sized and divested ourselves of 40 years of accumulation!

Twelve days before our move, we had our final Eucharist in the chapel on 18th June 2016. It was a celebration of our time at Alum Rock, as it felt important to mark this Rite of Passage and give thanks for all our time there. Our local chaplains, the Rev Canon Helen Hingley and Rev Bill Moore, presided at the Eucharist at which the Rev Canon Dr Alison Joyce preached. This was followed by a buffet lunch to which Associates, local clergy and friends were invited.

It is hard to try and record the different emotions that we all felt. We were tired, there was sadness at leaving our home of many years, mixed with a new excitement. Living out of boxes was making life more difficult by the day. We certainly understood the stresses of moving house! At times progress seemed very slow, then everything was happening all at once. Slowly but surely the momentum grew as we headed towards THE MOVE!

The moveA time never to be forgotten.

We were told by the removal firm that they would need four days to move us, a time never to be forgotten!

The completion date for leaving Alum Rock was 30th June but plans needed to be made for the three preceding days; where to put everything over the time of the move. The library contents and the hobby cupboards went into store and Julie and Clive very generously cleared space in their house so that boxes could be piled four high. We all finally arrived at our new home about 10 pm on 30th June and we just fell into bed at midnight, with a little space between the boxes leading to the bathrooms.

Then it was a case of where to start with the unpacking! It took the best part of three months to feel we were at last at home. We tried to be gentle with ourselves in establishing a new rhythm for the house both for our prayer life and for our daily routine. Slowly St. John’s House here in Marston Green took on its new identity.

Marston GreenA new home that ‘ticks all the boxes’.

Our new home in Marston Green is beautiful and brings us all a lot of joy. It is the right size and as they say

‘ticks all the boxes’. We have been so blessed to find it. Or was it that it was already prepared and waiting for us?

You will see from the front cover what the house looks like. One area where no down-sizing was required and definitely no up-sizing, was the car park. It is more than ample and at a guess accommodates about 15 cars – so no parking problems!

We were made to feel so warmly welcomed when we arrived by the cards we received and people coming to greet us. We trust those who visit us will always feel the same warmth too.

As you come into the panelled hall, straight ahead is the chapel. It is small but has windows on three sides looking onto the garden. We are using the hand-made furniture that was made for us when we were in London and had been carefully stored away for many years while we were in Alum Rock. The chapel holds eight people comfortably but it can be persuaded to stretch up to 12. It is the centre of our life of prayer.

On the left as you come into the hall is the refectory. It is at the front of the house and has furniture from the refectory at Alum Rock. It looks out onto the road, which


can be quite busy in the rush hour. Up to eight people can sit around the table but thankfully that number too can be increased when there are more mouths to be fed!

Next to the refectory is the Community room. It is small and cosy and it too can accommodate up to eight people. It is here that we are able to welcome small groups who come for quiet days or meetings. It is especially lovely in summer as a door opens onto a small patio and from there onto the garden.

The garden is made up of a long lawn surrounded by trees and shrubs, with an extra area beyond the trees where we have already planted fruit bushes.

Because we hope to have a similar ministry here as at Alum Rock, but on a smaller scale, we explored the possibility of having a Sisters’ studio and a ‘God pod’ in the garden. This means we can have a designated hobby room for the Sisters and the God pod is the space for spiritual accompaniment and quiet days.

Looking back at the house from the garden, the annexe can be seen to the right. It is joined to the main house with a small hallway and has three rooms, two twin guest rooms en-suite and between them the library. These rooms are used for quiet days and short stays.

The other rooms on the ground floor are the kitchen and two garages which have been converted into the laundry and the store-room.

Upstairs is the office. It is a shared space where the main computer and photocopier are housed and we all have lap-tops networked to the main system. It is a bright, sunny room from where visitors can be seen coming and going.

There are also five bedrooms, all en-suite. We feel very spoilt as we have never had anything like this before. The rooms are small but comfortable.

As we all worked at getting the house straight, we were particularly thankful to those who gave us help, including Derek Prigg, Bill Moore, Jenny and Geoff Dainty, Elaine and Geoff King and Neil Bartholomey.

For our first Christmas here in Marston Green we enjoyed making a card showing all the different areas of the house, so that everyone could have an idea of where we had moved to, especially if they were unable to visit or come to the Open Days we were planning in the New Year.

Photo 11

Guest room

Office

Sister's bedroom

Sr Teresa


Sr. TeresaGiving thanks for Sr. Teresa’s long and faithful years in the Community.

In the Annual Report ‘Making Connections 2012-2013’ it was reported that, for over a year, Teresa was becoming

increasingly frail and she herself felt she had reached the point of needing 24-hour care. As a result, she was admitted to Greswold House, a care home we knew well as other Sisters had spent time there. Shirley undertook pastoral visiting one afternoon a week.

Unfortunately, whilst there Teresa had a nasty fall that resulted in her needing hospitalisation for three weeks. On return to Greswold House it soon became obvious that she needed nursing home care and was admitted to Kingfisher House Nursing Home, run by the Methodist Homes for the Aged, which was nearby. In the nursing home her condition continued to deteriorate and she said she was longing and ready to die. Teresa needed further hospitalisation and was well looked after in Heartlands Hospital. She died peacefully early in the morning of 18th June 2014. Richard and Raelia French, her nephew and his wife, had been able to visit and returned for her funeral on 1st July 2014 at which Bishop Gordon Mursell presided. Her ashes were interred in the Community cemetery on 11th August.

At her Golden Jubilee Celebration on 1st May 1999, Teresa shared something of her life journey, which began when thoughts of becoming a missionary were in her mind whilst undertaking nursing training at the London Hospital during the Second World War.

Community NewsIt was whilst doing her Part 2 Midwifery Training with the Community, she first began to discern that perhaps God was calling her to the Religious Life.

She arrived to test her vocation in November 1946. Teresa gave an overview of life in the Community since she first arrived, sharing with us some of the enormous changes which have come about. Hearing someone speak within their own life experience brings home what those changes have meant, moving from a time when Communities hardly knew each other to today when there is real friendship; through the growth of modern technology and all the major changes in contemporary society; to how Religious Life itself has had to change even though the foundation of the Life remains the same. As far as her personal journey was concerned it had its ups and downs, times of joy and sorrow, but through it all God’s grace and guiding hand had sustained her. We give thanks for Sr. Teresa’s long and faithful years in the Community.

Finding our feetMeeting the community in Marston Green.

Besides settling into our new home, we soon started to find our way around Marston Green; important things like

getting to meet some of our neighbours, finding where the local shops were, starting to know the names of the roads and the bus and train timetables.

As far as church is concerned, Margaret continues to worship at the Cathedral, Ivy at Christ Church, Burney Lane, Shirley

Christmas 2016


at St. Barnabas Church, Kingshurst and Christine has settled into the local parish church of St. Leonard’s.

In preparation for Christmas, Ivy maintained her link with Christian Music Ministries, where the choir was preparing for performances of ‘The Inn Crowd’.

Shirley was able to attend a course at her church called ‘Jesus-Shaped People’, which was part of a diocesan-wide study programme.

In November the Community had a stall at St. Leonard’s Christmas Fair where we sold mince pies, apple pies and marmalade made by Ivy and photograph cards made by Margaret.

Then in December some of the Sisters attended Carols by Candlelight at St. Leonard’s Church. By this time Christine was part of the choir there.

Thankfully we were all beginning to feel life was getting somewhat back to normal. Visitors could now start coming for both day visits and to stay and we had the joy of welcoming folk back for spiritual accompaniment, using both the annexe and the new God pod. The God pod gives a small, warm, bright, confidential space looking out onto the garden and is a pleasure to use. As a few small groups began to come, so we found ourselves exploring and enjoying the use of our new garden studio which not only houses our hobby cupboards, but also a long table and chairs, wonderful for all sorts of jobs. One of the first things Ivy and friend Ruth Button worked on over there was decorating the Christmas cakes.

Christmas 2016So our first Christmas at Marston Green was upon us!

The Rev John Richards kindly agreed to preside here at Midnight Mass for us and came with his wife Susan

and their friend Janet. Two of our Associates, Anne Mace and Denise Raby, came to stay for a few days and Annette Hanny and Donna Williams joined us all for Christmas dinner. Judith Piggott and Judith Whalley from Birmingham Cathedral made Christmas puddings for sale. We can highly recommend the end result!

Over the next few days we enjoyed welcoming more Associates; Genny Tunbridge to preside at our St. John’s Day Eucharist when we were joined by Glenn and Elizabeth Pritchett. Whilst Christmas celebrations were in full swing, it was lovely to welcome Shirley’s daughter, Julie, her husband Graeme and their two daughters Scarlett and Ruby. Then came our duvet days (Community holiday days at home) which took us into the New Year.

House blessingAt the start of 2017, on 3rd January, Bishop David came

to bless the house. He had been before at an early stage of unpacking so was pleased to see the progress that had been made, including the two new garden studios. Bishop David presided at the Eucharist, gave a homily based on St. John’s Gospel, then blessed the Community, its ministry and the house. We enjoyed his company over a leisurely lunch afterwards.

Kris in the archives


Open daysIn January and February we planned three ‘Open Afternoons’,

to which we invited Associates, neighbours and friends from the churches where we worship. Despite the bitterly cold weather the afternoons were very well attended, with lots of people coming and enjoying their visit and refreshments, showing no hurry in needing to go, so it proved to be a real social occasion for us all.

MarmaladeAs soon as Seville oranges became available, Ivy started

making marmalade. Janet and Geoffrey Herbert generously bought a large box of the oranges which marked the start of the marmalade season, replenishing cupboards with marmalade for sale and packing a supply in boxes in the freezer to be cooked throughout the year. It is said in this house that the seasons move from Advent to Christmas to Epiphany to marmalade to Lent!

LentAsh Wednesday was on 1st March 2017 and for Lent we decided to use Paula Gooder’s Lent book ‘Let Me Go There’, that was particularly centred on desert experiences.

We all enjoyed using it, meeting each Monday afternoon to discuss the week’s reading. At the beginning of

April Rob and Kris de Winter Desij came, Kris to continue further work on the archives and Rob to meet with Mandy O’Connor with regard to Rob taking over the responsibility of the new web site.

For our Easter card, we sent a letter to our Associates and Friends on which there was an Easter painting by the Revd. David Senior. We thank David for his permission to use it.

On Maundy Thursday, Christine, Margaret Angela and Ivy went to the Chrism Mass at the Cathedral. John Richards very kindly accepted our invitation to preside over the Triduum. His wife and friend Janet joined us again, and Annie Routley offered to play the keyboard, so we were all encouraged in our singing as we offered worship.

Two major things have impacted on our lives this year:

Christine’s fallThe first to report is that on 15th May, sadly Christine fell

and fractured her right neck of femur, so had to spend a spell in hospital being put together again. As usual beds were at a premium, so she found herself coming home fairly quickly under the care of the District Nurse and Physiotherapist. Thankfully she has made a good recovery, although sometimes it has felt a long, slow and frustrating journey. Nevertheless, she has been thankful and grateful for all the help she has received both professionally and from her Sisters.

Elaine’s decision to leavethe communityThe other important news, which most of you will know by

now, is that of Elaine’s decision to leave the Community. For some time she said she had been aware of a growing relationship with a past Alongsider of the Community, Malcolm Knowles, who is a Methodist Deacon. This came to the point where she had to address the issue. She asked for Leave of Absence in June 2017 to have time and space to explore whether they were being called to a shared life together. Following a period of some four months, she then requested to be Released

Rob and Mandy

Sr Ivy and Halina Small group at quiet day


from her Life Vows. We continue to support them prayerfully as they take the next step in their life together. It has not been an easy time for everyone concerned, when such important decisions have had to be made that have affected both them and the Community.Since then we have been discerning how we can best adapt to being four Sisters in Community. We were grateful to Janet Lake, who came towards the end of June to help us reflect on all that was happening and consider how we might live our lives more simply, but with integrity.

HolidaysThankfully we have all managed to have some much-needed time away.

In July, Shirley spent a week with her daughter and family. Then in August, Ivy had invited her long-standing Polish

friend to have a holiday in this country. It had been planned well in advance, with Halina having the first week here to see the sights of Birmingham and London, with a special visit to Buckingham Palace.

This was followed by a coach trip to Scotland which they both really enjoyed. Shirley was due to have her second week of holiday when she received news of the death of her brother-in-law, so spent the week with her sister, Maureen, and was there to support the family for Dave’s funeral. Margaret then had two weeks’ holiday in the Peak District with her friend Pat and then once Christine was more mobile, she was invited to stay with Janet Lake in Dorset. Janet was very generous and kindly came to collect her and bring her home, for which she was truly thankful. Although at that point she could walk happily around the house, getting used to the outside again was another matter! Christine was with Janet for two weeks. The first week was holiday and slowly and surely she walked a bit further each day till she did over a mile in the bracing sea breezes. Janet was so kind in taking her to different places and accompanying her, helping her to get her confidence back. Her week of holiday was followed by a time of annual retreat. It was all

a wonderful time where she really flourished in Janet’s lovely home by the sea with lots of good food, fresh air and time to relax.

We have been truly grateful for the help we have received from our Associates and Friends, which made it possible for each of us to have time away.

MinistryOur ministry here continues much as it did in Alum Rock but on a smaller scale.

We have a lot of people who visit and we have to be careful not to overbook. Many of the same folk who came to Alum

Rock still come here for quiet days and spiritual accompaniment, as well as small groups. We can manage up to eight people in the space we have available.

Added to that, there have been lots of new friends that we have made here, so the house is often a place of hospitality, which is lovely. It is a joy to have lots going on as well as finding some time and space to be together.

One thing that is important to us all is to support the local Foodbank, which operates under the umbrella of the Trussell Trust. We regularly buy food and deliver it to the Kingfisher Foodbank, which is our nearest location.

All too soon it seemed we were preparing for our second Christmas in Marston Green and welcoming the New Year 2018. Again, we were pleased to welcome Rev John Richards to preside at our Christmas Eucharist, accompanied by his wife Susan and their friend Janet and Annie Routley kindly played the keyboard. Three of our Associates, Anne Mace, Annette Hanny and Phyllis Eaton, also joined us but sadly Annette and Phyllis were both unwell and unable to be with us for Christmas lunch. However, we were pleased to welcome Rev Sue Restall to join us on Christmas day.


Associates’ DaySaturday 6th May 2017For the first time it was a joy to be able to welcome our Associates to our new home in Marston Green.

Having given it lots of thought and considered lots of options, we knew we wanted to welcome our Associates

here, but had to consider how to be creative in managing it in our lovely but much smaller house. We investigated hiring a marquee but found the cost exorbitant. After further searching we found a Danish Party Tent advertised, which would hold up to 24 people. It had three transparent windows on each side and was roughly the same size as the Sisters’ studio. So to cut a long story short, we bought it so that we would have it for future meetings and it was a great success. Ken, our Gardener, and some of his family helped put it up and on the Monday after our meeting we nearly managed to get it down by ourselves.

AssociatesOur Associates are an important part of our Community. They are an enthusiastic group of some 60 people; men and women from all walks of life who desire to have a close link with the Community and share much of our life. They are seen as our extended family. Associates come to visit us as and when they can, especially meeting at the Annual Associates’ Day in May; a time to get to know each other better and catch up with news, as well as having a speaker and sharing the Eucharist together.

About 20 of our Associates came for the day, some travelling a good distance. Roughly half of them hadn’t seen the house before so after coffee, time was spent showing them around and just enjoying being together. We all gathered at 12 mid-day for our Eucharist in what has become the ‘tent of meeting’ and our two local Chaplains, the Revs Helen Hingley and Bill Moore led the worship, during which the Associates renewed their annual commitment. It really did work well although we all agreed we needed some better seating! We have since found where we can borrow some chairs, so it looks like we are already finding ways to move from good to better!

The Sisters had prepared a hot lunch followed by a choice of desserts, some generously provided by the Associates themselves, so it was no problem for everyone to get what they wanted and sit where they wanted in small groups to enjoy each other’s company. All the rooms on the ground floor were open, so there were lots of places to choose from. Right from the start it felt a very happy gathering.

After dinner we gathered again in the ‘tent of meeting’ for one big sharing session. It was fun for us to be able to highlight

Tent of meeting with Associates Associates at lunch


some of the anecdotes of the last ten months since we came here and each of the Sisters brought their different offerings. We then shared news from Associates who could not be present, followed by news from those who were there. It felt we all caught up with where we were with living our lives and it was a relaxed and much enjoyed time. The afternoon finished by exploring ‘if it worked’ in coming here, to which the answer was a resounding YES! Those travelling from afar were assured we could put five Associates up for the night if they were willing to share a room and there were offers from Associates living near who were willing to offer hospitality too. So the day came to an end with tea and scones and one by one we said our goodbyes.

News of individual AssociatesWe are sad to record that during the winter of 2016 we received news of the deaths of three of our Associates:

On 22nd November, Connie Getliffe, who had been an Associate for at least 60 years and was very actively

supportive of the Community, died peacefully, surrounded by her family, after a short spell in hospital. On 4th December, Edith Fox died after a severe stroke. She also had been an Associate for many years and was a Pupil Midwife with the Community in the late 1950s.

Then early in the New Year we heard that Brenda Hill had died of an aggressive brain tumour on 30th December. Brenda lived in Port Elizabeth, South Africa and we were concerned that we had not heard from her or her family over Christmas.

We give thanks for knowing each of these Associates and their faithful love for our Lord, their families and the Community.

2017 has been both a time of joy and sadness for some of our Associates. The Rev Canon Faith Claringbull has served this diocese for 15 years as DDO (Diocesan Director of Ordinands) and has given herself tirelessly in working with so many who will forever be thankful for her wisdom and care in discerning and nurturing their call to the Ordained ministry. She and her husband, Keith, who has been working with refugees, have now moved to Stoke-on-Trent where Faith is having a period of discernment.

We have rejoiced with the Rev Theresa Jones, who completed her five years of work on her PhD, which was followed by the Viva at the end of the year where she had to defend her work. Her thesis was titled ‘The Sublime, the Numinous and the Mysterium Tremendum’ and focused on the work of the German theologian Rudolf Otto and the concept of holiness. We all gave great thanks when we heard she had been successful and was awarded her Doctorate on 11th December and graduated at Leicester University on 25th January 2018.

Some other special news for rejoicing has been the Ordination to the Diaconate of Helene Horan on Sunday, 2nd July 2017 in Birmingham Cathedral. She has started her Curacy at St. Andrew’s Church, Chelmsley Wood with Rev Mike Harman and is flourishing in her new ministry.

We have been prayerfully supporting some of our Associates who have been ill during 2017. Janet Herbert had an accident at her home in January, when she fell and fractured her hip. Thankfully she has made a steady recovery. Anne Mace and Steph Blackwell have both been under consultant care; please pray for the safety of Steph’s eyesight. Denise Raby also fractured her hip in August 2017, needing a short spell in hospital. Please continue to pray for her in her training as a Reader in the church. Early in February 2018 we heard Rev Elaine King had an accident slipping on the ice and needed surgery on both her knees; we pray for her recovery.

Rev Helene Horan with Rev Joe Roberts) Barb Clay


Barb Clay in Canada is in regular contact with us and has settled well in her new flat in Toronto near some family members.

Lynne Fontaine has now joined a Lay Benedictine Community in Canada. She visited us for a few days at the end of August before returning to make her First Profession and therefore is no longer an Associate but becomes a Friend of the Community.

We are constantly grateful for the help we receive from our Associates in so many different ways. Mandy and Michael O’Connor have continued to advise and help us with our computers. In April 2017 they handed over the work of producing a new web site for the Community to Rob de Winter, Margaret’s cousin.

Myra Kingscott now comes regularly once a fortnight to help us and we are very appreciative of her oversight of the library and for her and her husband Keith’s help moving books and bookcases when the new carpet was laid. Donna Williams comes on Saturday mornings to assist in the kitchen and for many years we have been grateful for the help Janet Herbert was able to give on Tuesdays. Jenny Dainty and Denise Raby have been generous in staying to help us over holiday time and Jenny and her husband Geoff kindly stained the pergola and the decking outside the Community room. Other Associates have given us time as and when they were able.

We regularly give thanks for each of our older Associates, for their years of faithful love and commitment, especially remembering Joan Pritchard who celebrated her 100th birthday in the autumn of 2016. A very momentous milestone! Among our other older Associates, we remember Joan Bowles, Ivy Cooper-Barlow, Liz Stirling and Fr Henry Burgess who is now being looked after in a care home in Lichfield.

New AssociatesOn Tuesday, 30th January 2018, we had the joy of admitting

two new Associates – the Rev Kathy Evans and Mrs Ann Willis. Kathy has recently moved to be Vicar of Oldbury, whilst

Ann is a Reader in the Church and has been recently Licensed to St. Peter’s Church, Sutton Coldfield. Both Ann and Kathy were regular visitors for quiet days when we were at Alum Rock, so we are delighted to welcome them to the family of our Associates.

Another new Associate was admitted on 1st May 2018 – Helen Lloyd. She has been a regular visitor for a number of years and is an oral historian, as well as helping with refugees.

BishopsIt has been a very great pleasure to welcome both our

Bishops to our new home in Marston Green. We felt very encouraged by a visit from Bishop David, our Bishop Visitor, a few weeks after our move when we were still in the throes of unpacking. Then again he kindly came to bless the house on 3rd January 2017.

In November 2017 we were able to welcome Bishop Anne Hollinghurst, Bishop of Aston, for her visit to the Community in Marston Green.

We have so appreciated the interest shown by our Bishops on their visits and are grateful for their prayers, support and encouragement.

Local ChaplainsBoth our Local Chaplains, the Rev Canon Helen Hingley and

the Rev Bill Moore, have been very supportive in their care for the Community and this has been deeply appreciated both in times of sorrow and in joy. We value their friendship and wisdom enormously.

Our former Chaplain General, the Rt Rev Gordon Mursell, still stays in touch with the Community as an Associate and when he travels south from Scotland and has engagements in Birmingham, he makes time to come and see us.

(Include photo 24 - Myra Kingscott)

Ann Willis and Kathy Evans

Helen Lloyd and Ann Willis Bishop Anne with Sisters


VisitorsThose who come to see usWe enjoy welcoming people to the house who come for quiet days and spiritual accompaniment.

Our ministry of hospitality flows from the daily rhythm of living the Religious Life, with time for personal

prayer, sharing in the offering of Morning and Evening Prayer and Compline, together with the Eucharist being the focus of our worship at lunch-time, at least three times a week. We are blessed in that up to 20 of the local clergy come to preside at the Eucharist for us and stay for a meal. In the midst of their very busy lives it means so much to build meaningful relationships where they not only minister to us, but where we, too, can support them prayerfully in their individual ministries, particularly at this time of major change in the Church.

We enjoy welcoming people to the house who come for quiet days and spiritual accompaniment. Christine, Margaret and Shirley all see people regularly. Those who come are always invited to pray with us, to eat with us and to find the time and space, rest and refreshment needed to ‘re-charge their batteries’.

Besides individuals, we have again been able to welcome small groups of up to eight people. These can be for quiet days or meetings. Two groups that used to come to Alum Rock could hardly wait for us to get settled here before booking to visit again. The Hall Green Churches Together group and

the Vision Group from Christ Church, Burney Lane, now continue to come here regularly and it is always a pleasure having them.

We have also had a small group from St. Michael’s Church, South Yardley. Rev Liz Howlett has brought the Continuing Ministerial Education group (CME) to work on plans for Lay Education in the Diocese.

In winter the Community room where they meet is warm and snug, with hot drinks always at hand. In the summer, it is lovely to see the doors open onto the patio and people able to enjoy the garden.

Lots of people have visited us and looking back in the diary, the realisation dawns that it is impossible to mention everyone. What we can say, is that we have valued each one of your visits and your friendship, thank you for coming.

We were particularly glad to be able to help Mrs Veronica Whinney, who came to us for some convalescence and was with us around the time of the death of her husband, Bishop Michael. We felt privileged to play a small part in supporting her in her recovery and in her bereavement.

Among friends who have been to see us have been Fr Simon Holden, CR and Rev Canon Philip Wells in November 2016 and Rev Peter Fisher in January 2017.

The Rev Peter and Mrs. Lizzie Smith and Naomi called to see us before they left Christ Church, Burney Lane on 19th March 2017 and we are praying for them in their new ministry in Wolverhampton.

Rev Aida Kim Sr Vongai Patricia


We enjoyed welcoming Rev Aida Kim from South Korea, who came for a short visit en route to returning home after a time of retreat on the Island of Iona. Many years ago, Aida lived with us for some time whilst she was improving her English and studying for Ordination at Trinity College, Bristol and Birmingham University. She waited, however, to be ordained until the Church in South Korea were ordaining women.

It was also a joy to welcome Sr Vongai Patricia who came for a weekend mid-May 2017. Sr Patricia is from Zimbabwe and is currently working as a nurse in this country helping to support her Community. We have known Patricia for many years. She first stayed with us whilst she was working through the long and complicated application for British Citizenship and visits as and when she can from her busy life in nursing.

During the early months of 2018 we had two visits from some members of the ‘Call the Midwife’ team. We enjoyed welcoming them among us. On 9th February Anne Tricklebank , the Producer, came with two of her team, Katy and Rosie, arriving in time for lunch. It was a happy, relaxed time getting to know each other, then in the afternoon we enjoyed discussing ‘Call the Midwife’ and answering queries that they had, particularly about the Religious Life and how the things they were asking were relevant to the next series. Then on 16th March Claire and Kelly came from the Costume Department. Apparently, the Sisters in the series needed new Habits and we had fun unpacking one of our old Habits from the Archives for them to try on and take away as a pattern. Both visits were mutually really enjoyable as well as, we hope, helpful.

One of the Sisters was asked to visit the set in April. Margaret agreed to go to represent the Community. From what she said we all felt she had a great day. She told us that she had met some members of the cast, the Production

team, the Director and those involved in the various aspects of producing and filming the series. Everyone made her very welcome. We four Sisters have been invited to spend a day on the set in August, so watch this space – more in next year’s Report!

Friends we certainly do not want to leave out of our Annual Report are Julie and Clive Matthews. They are the people who sold us this house and were so wonderfully patient waiting for us to come. They hope to move into their new house next door in the Spring of 2018 and we look forward to having such lovely neighbours.

House & GardenWe are grateful to Brenda Shipman who comes for 20

hours a week to clean for us and is also employed by Rev Penny Harrison, our Vicar, two afternoons per week. She also cleans for her own mother on a Friday afternoon.

The garden gives Ken Jones so much pleasure and it is a joy to see new things growing and the pollarded trees looking healthy. Soft fruit and beans have also grown well. We have purchased Winter Flowering Cherry, Victoria Plum and Conference Pear trees, which are all growing well and the new flower beds that Ken has created are looking good.

In the Autumn of 2017, Vena Thompson began working for us as a part-time cook, three mornings a week. Having her has made an enormous difference, freeing up Margaret and Ivy from some of the cooking duties. Christine knows Vena from the choir at St Leonard’s Church where she is very actively involved.

Although not a member of our staff, we are grateful to Liz Garrard who comes on Wednesday mornings to help in the kitchen. Liz came to us initially through contact with Ivy at the Christian Music Ministries choir, after reading Making Connections.

Katy, Anne and Rosie Sisters with Claire and Kelly

Vena Brenda Ken


Lucy and Kitty, our two cats, both settled in much better than we ever dared hope when we moved to Marston Green. Lucy is very much an indoor cat whilst Kitty loves the great outdoors - except when it is very cold or wet!

Looking ForwardIn this Annual Report we have tried to bring you up to date

with the things which have been happening in Community over the last few years up to the end of March 2018 and we plan for our next Annual Report to begin at Easter 2018. This will include more on the Associates’ Day 2018 and the celebration of Sr Margaret Angela’s Golden Jubilee.

Interserve’s Ministry at Alum RockWe thought that you might like to know more about Interserve and the exciting things that are happening at Alum Rock.

International Service Fellowship Trust (Interserve) is a global mission agency working among the peoples of Asia and the

Arab world, wherever they are. When we had decided that we would need to move from Alum Rock, we were introduced to James Lynch, who is a Community Worker with Interserve in Birmingham. After his initial visit, several visits followed by other members of Interserve to look at the property as part of their discernment process.

After prolonged prayer, investigation and planning, the Trustees of Interserve felt that they were being led to purchase 652 Alum Rock Road, which in due time would become a

base of cross-cultural ministry and training, as well as their headquarters in Great Britain & Ireland. It would also provide a good space for their workers to stay who might be coming home from abroad; also students at mission or Bible Colleges who could come for placements, as well as for work locally among the peoples of Alum Rock, which is now a largely Muslim population.

It was an impressive vision for the use of the house and we were delighted that the Christian focus and outreach to ‘the whole person’ would continue. There is a small residential lay community who continue to meet regularly for prayer when the chapel bell is rung, so the neighbours know that prayer is continuing. We are delighted that Interserve have continued to call 652 Alum Rock Road, ‘St John’s House’.

James and the St John’s House team have re-organised many parts of the house and made space for four small flats and a board/seminar/conference room in what was the library. The area that was our Work Room has been decorated and reordered for use by the local women and the adjacent laundry has been made into a play area for the children.

The older part of the house will be the main focus of the next phase of refurbishment and will provide more office space and meeting rooms.

The ‘Bakery’ has been maintained and the ‘Place of Welcome’ continues to be open each Wednesday morning and is well patronised. Father Ray Collier, Mrs Wendy Kerr and Mrs Rose Ahmed, who were volunteers when we opened the Place of Welcome back in 2012, continue to support this vital work of social inclusion in the local area.

It is very good to maintain our links with James and the members of the Interserve Community and we have been delighted to see their vision for the work of God’s Kingdom coming to reality.

The new ‘Board Room’- (formerly our Library) Sr Margaret and Sr Ivy meet up with the new resident Interserve Community

The ‘Lounge’- (formerly our Work-Room) where local women meet up to do craft and share stories


Associates Day – Saturday, 5th May 2018This year 31 of our Associates gathered and with four

Sisters and a guest there were just under 40 of us present for the day. We had invited Canon Dr Paula Gooder, the Diocesan Director of Mission, Learning and Development, to come and address the group. We asked her if we could hear more about the thoughts and discussions taking place for shaping the future of the Church here in Birmingham and to reflect too upon how we all need to be open to change in so many areas of our own lives. She was able to give us time in the morning, so after coffee we gathered in the Tent of Meeting. I think everyone could have ‘sat at her feet’ all day, she made her sharing with us so interesting. We believe one of our Associates has managed to record it on her ‘phone and we are in the process of trying to get a copy.

At the beginning, she told us about her new book called Phoebe. She said it was her first attempt to write a novel and not an academic book. It’s an imaginative story about Phoebe the deacon and how her life intertwined with Paul. It can be read at different levels, either just as a story or using the footnotes to take it into a deeper level of understanding. It’s a truly beautiful book to read.

Phoebe by Paula Gooder

Associates Day


Thank you’sWe wish to offer our thanks:

To both of our Bishops – David Urquhart, Bishop of Birmingham, our Bishop Visitor, and Bishop Anne

Hollinghurst, Bishop of Aston.

To our local Chaplains – Rev Canon Helen Hingley and Rev Bill Moore.

To all the Clergy who regularly preside at the Eucharist for us – the Revds Stella Bailey, Nick Ball, Sue Barter, Wendy

Carter, Kathy Evans, Penny Harrison, Geoffrey Herbert, Val Hicks, Helen Hingley, Jo Johnson, Theresa Jones, Elaine King,

Bill Moore, Eddie Owen, Sue Restall, Matthew Rhodes. John Richards, Joe Roberts, Becky Stephens, Diane Thompson,

Nigel Traynor, Richard Tucker and Genny Tunbridge.

To Mandy and Michael O’Connor for their help and care of our computers; to Rob de Winter who keeps our website up to date

and Kris Desij for her work on the archives.

To those who have acted professionally on our behalf – Mr Gerald Curran, our Property Consultant, Mr Dominic

Curran of Anthony Collins, Solicitors; Carol Barfoot of Gibbons Mannington and Phipps, Accountant; Mr Anthony

Leverington, our Honorary Treasurer and Community Trustee; Wythall Heating Engineers; James Banks of David

Banks Electricians Ltd; Clive Clements who helps us with maintenance.

To our General Practitioners – Dr I. Khan and Dr M. Iszatt and the staff at Church Lane Surgery, Stechford.

To our Printer, Paul Singh, and Pat Raymer and her daughter Christianne for their invaluable help in producing

this copy of Making Connections.

To all those who support us financially and enable our continuing ministry. We are very appreciative

for your generosity

To you all, THANK YOU.

Sisters Christine Hoverd, Margaret-Angela King, Ivy Patten and Shirley Hart



ANNUAL REPORT 2017-2018

MAKING CONNECTIONS

COMMUNITY OF ST JOHN THE DIVINE


REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 210254

ST. JOHN’S HOUSE, 113 COLESHILL ROAD,

MARSTON GREEN, BIRMINGHAM B37 7HT

Tel: 0121 7880391

[email protected] https://csjdivine.wordpress.com

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