trinity magazine jul/aug 2012

From the Editors ...

...to Trinity

...in what should be high

summer, but I have absolutely

no idea whether in 2012 this

will follow the recent trend to

grey skies or revert to the long

hot days we all remember from

our youth.

No rose-tinted specs required

here. We have a lot of positive

things to report and also look

forward to our local Olympics.

We hope you will join us—it is

sure to be much easier to get

to and kinder to the purse than

the London version….

We hope you enjoy the photos

from the Jubilee celebration in

the Trinity Centre. Don’t

forget to join the next one if

you missed this, though who

knows when that will be!

Travel safely if you are on your

holidays or indeed going to

London for some reason.

Every blessing,

Stella

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Contents:

John Routh writes 2

Through a glass darkly 3

Jubilee jollity 4

The Difference 5

Youth Matters 6

Highlights from the APCM 8

From Derrig Ferguson 9

Survey update 10

Donald Grove (tributes) 15

From under the pulpit 19

Mini-Olympics 20

God is never beyond our reach 21

From the registers 22

Trinity arrangements 24

Bible verse 24

Editors:

Stella 329 2101 [email protected]

Roger 308 1185 [email protected]

Louise 240 6366 [email protected]

Page

John Routh writes …

.

The Olympics are coming

In case you haven't noticed ... the Olympics are coming. I like sport, well

some sport anyway. I have been known to spend hours watching TV when the Olympics are on - often sports I'd never watch at any other time. So

why is it I feel uninterested in it all just now?

With the Olympics happening in the UK, and

with so much money being 'invested' in it by

government and commercial enterprises, the publicity machine is on full throttle. It has been

for quite some time, desperately trying to stoke up our interest. I'm afraid that the machine is

having quite the opposite effect on me!

It's all rather like Christmas. Christmas is great - but the build up, the count down of

shopping days, the stocking of supermarket shelves with 'seasonal specials' goes on for months before. And it tarnishes the occasional. What is meant

to be a spiritually enriching time is swamped by a materialist binge.

I know that the Olympics coming to our shores is a 'once in a lifetime'

occasion. And I'm sure lots of people are getting very excited about it. But

personally I want the constant stream of adverts, and count-down events, and news articles to stop. I just want the sport to come! I'll enjoy the

Olympics well enough: I don't need the never-ending build up.

How fortunate, then, that a sporting event will be taking place a few weeks

before the Olympics - an event important enough to distract me from the

incessant build-up of the Olympics themselves. And it will be happening right here in Sutton Coldfield.

On Sun 8th July, at 2.30pm, on the field behind St Chad's, we will have our own mini-Olympic Games. Youngsters from Holy Trinity, St Chad's & St

Peter's will compete with each other in a variety of events. The honour of

the three congregations will be at stake. Which church will end the day topping the medal table?

So please, put aside the Olympic build-up for just 24 hours, and join me in supporting the youngsters from our congregation and our uniformed groups.

And more importantly, have some fun. I promise not to force you to run!

John 4

Through a Glass Darkly -

The blessings of food

Food is an important part of our life. In fact, it is our life, but we have made it much more than that. We celebrate with food, we eat together at festivals and birthdays ; at church our Reflection Team arrange that food is involved after our worship at least four times a year. This year wise and thoughtful people both in Holy Trinity Church and in the road where I live have organised celebrations of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in the form of parties where we will eat together. Fortunately they have chosen two different days, so I shall be able to enjoy both!

You who read this are probably in the same fortunate position that I am and can look forward to three meals a day. But we seem to be so made that when we lack nourishment not only is our physical strength reduced but our whole spiritual outlook is affected. Elisha certainly found this. He was very down indeed when he had been hunted, starving, into the desert, but after God had provided him with three good meals and plenty of sleep, his whole spirit revived; so much so, that not only was he able to face the future with confidence but was also able to continue his journey for a further forty days.

At the time that I write this I, like many others, have been collecting for Christian Aid. As always, I have been encouraged by peoples’ generosity and it is heartening to reflect that while we feed the hungry of the world we are not just nourishing their bodies for the next day’s work but feeding their spirits too, giving them hope, encouragement, belief if the future and the will to go on. Jesus knew this too, of course, when he fed 5,000 people out in the countryside, combining the message he had been preaching with the spiritual uplift provided by the food. This links in very well with his description of himself as the Bread of Life – what an uplift of spirit is provided there.

I hope you will have the opportunity of enjoying some festive meals – and have a good summer.

Jean Schneider

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Jubilee Jollity

Once again the social committee did us proud, and those of us whose roads did not have parties were able to join in a great lunch at the Trinity Centre where Coro-nation Chicken (what else?) was much enjoyed alongside a feast of other tempting foods, many of which might not have been so readily avail-able in the early 1950s...

The other advantage was that, unlike the previous (Pentecost) weekend, Trinity Sunday decided to be the wet-test on record (that’s not official but highly likely), so an in-door party on the 5th June was actually a very sensible sug-gestion.

We started off joining in the service from St Paul’s (note they followed Holy Trinity’s example and sang the Coronation version of All people that on earth do dwell just as we had on Trinity Sunday) watching via a giant projection onto the TC wall. We lunched, we did some quite difficult Jubilee quiz-zes from the Internet (won by Pauline), we sang, and we had a raffle, so hopefully made a bit of money for charity as well.

A good time really was had by all and huge thanks are due to those who contributed food, organised it, decorated the room, made the wonderful cakes (Pam, with crown by Wendy!) and the singers and pianist—Lesley, Michael, Mark and Stella.

Biggest thank you of all to Colin, though, for his technical wizardry with the broadcast, quizzing and general master-minding of the whole event. It was a lovely way to celebrate.

See inside front cover for a selection of photos.

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The Difference

I got up early one morning

And rushed right into the day;

I had so much to accomplish

That I didn’t have time to pray.

Problems just tumbled about me,

And heavier came each task.

“Why doesn’t God help me?” I wondered.

He answered, “You didn’t ask.”

I wanted to see joy and beauty,

But the day toiled on, grey and bleak;

I wondered why God didn’t show me.

He said, “You didn’t seek.”

I tried to come into God’s presence;

I used all my keys at the lock.

God gently and lovingly chided,

“My child, you didn’t knock.”

I woke up early this morning,

And paused before entering the day;

I had so much to accomplish

That I had to take time to pray.

Anon.

Submitted by Don Smith

Youth Matters

I don’t know if any of you venture out as far as Mere Green although I have seen a number of you in nearby Sainsbury’s (other supermarkets are available), but if you do, or if you read the Sutton

Observer (other local papers are no longer avail-able), then you will know that Mere Green is up for development. There have been various schemes suggested over the years and the current one is, as I write, displayed in Mere Green library, so I called in to view it and make my comments. All I will say is that I somehow think there is quite a long way to go before a scheme is suggested that will be acceptable to local residents, of which I

am one.

Afterwards I was cogitating about it and realised that there are a few similarities between

thoughts regarding Mere Green and parallels in the Christian life.

First off, the proposed scheme looks quite glossy and glitzy but will it work in practice? It will be a dead duck if it doesn’t. Sometimes we, too, can give the impression that we are very holy and devout, and can be rather reluctant to recognise our fragilities and hang ups. Yet if our faith does not reach down to the depths of human experience and make sense of them then what do we have to say to the large majority in the world that struggle in some way? Our

faith has to work in practice.

It is entirely appropriate that there is a consultation process. No scheme should be imposed on a community whether a physical or spiritual community. All ideas should be welcomed and heard and considered. On the other hand, if people have opinions and don’t express them when they have the chance and in the proper manner but either moan amongst themselves or say nothing until a decision is made and then complain then that becomes subversive and can destroy a community of any sort. Certainly a lot of the great spiritual writers of the past have plenty to say about mumbling and I know at my own ex Convent, a big part of novitiate

training was on the subject.

Finally, the design of the proposed scheme is an acquired taste. Some will like the style, some won’t. In one way, perhaps that is why we have different styles of worship, and different churches reflect different traditions and, to an extent, we should feel free to choose the style that enables us best to worship and serve God. But we can’t have everything our own way and always have things done in a way that reflects just our own needs and tastes. Some things will be entirely inappropriate for both us and our church but just as not everyone will like the style of the proposed scheme for Mere Green it is unlikely that things can be arranged to

suit everyone. Compromise, give and take will be necessary.

Well, we will see what happens with Mere Green and we will see how our own churches grow

and develop. Watch this space!

Susie Walker

Margaret’s memories from the Annual meeting

Annual Parochial Church Meeting & Meeting of Parishioners

22nd April 2012

Election results

Churchwardens – Colin Ingley & Mike Somers

P.C.C. Members – Jeff Burton, Greg Dunn, Judith Exell, Ray Han-cox, Sylvia Ulyatt

Reports on Parish Life

These had been previously circulated and were generally accepted without questions. (May still be available if you did not get a copy).

• John reported that David Browning had retired as a Reader on the grounds of ill-health. A presentation had been made to him on Easter Sunday in appreciation of his long service.

• It was confirmed that the ‘Sutton Coldfield Group’ was now in existence comprising of Holy Trinity, St. Chad’s and St. Peter’s. John has now become Rector of Holy Trinity as a result.

• Repairs to the tower roof specified in the quinquennial inspection would begin in June.

• Re-ordering – still awaiting decisions by the Chancellor of the Diocese & Birmingham planning committee.

• Phil Morton has accepted the post of Curate to the Group and will be starting in July.

• A presentation was made to Ros Dyke in appreciation of her ser-vice as churchwarden.

Electoral Roll – this now stands at 195.

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P.C.C. Officers

A meeting of the new P.C.C. followed the annual meeting with the following elections taking place:-

Treasurer David Thebridge

PCC Secretary Margaret Le Brocq

Child & Vulnerable Adults Protection Officer

Liz Petley (not on PCC)

Health & Safety Officer Claire Parker

Children’s Advocate Chris Chubb

Your P.C.C. now consists of all the above named plus Peter An-derton, Mary Dixon, Jean Schneider, Roger Smallwood, Becky Stephens, Carol Hoare, Nick Revell, Simon Copeland, Ilika Cope-land, Pauline Manfield, Nina Hollow, Sue Ingley

Margaret Le Brocq (PCC Secretary)

From Derrig Ferguson

"A man was showing a friend his impressive collection of books and saying how much he loved his selec-tion...Dwelling on his favourites he said how he longed to read some of them a second time. His friend espied a book he would like to borrow. The collector flared up and said only fools lend books: he took his friend's arm and dragged him into another room with books all over the place: those books all belonged to fools..."

This thought crossed my mind as I lent a book to a trusted friend. The book was All the Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy. It is one of a trilogy. I am a slow reader and I only remember bits of my favourite books. I have all three - two being "first editions" (I was too late to get the third copy in a first edition. (The editor may have found out if C McC has entered the world of paper backs...)

[Indeed, paperback and Kindle editions are available!! It is a really weird coincidence that a work colleague recommended this book to me recently, but I haven’t got your copy, Derrig. I was going to try the public library—was that a rather unsubtle advertisement? - ed.]

Survey update

It’s not too late to send in your sur-vey that was in the previous issue of Trinity. It can also be accessed online.

Thanks to all those who did respond. Unfortunately a few bits were man-gled by the printing process so that, for example, separate choices such as where the survey had been picked up - “with Trinity” or “online” looked like a single option!

Similarly “good” and “satisfactory” were meant to be separate choices with a space in between. Apologies for that, but the written comments are the important thing.

We wanted to see how we were doing now that Trinity has been in this format for 10 years, and you have come up with some helpful suggestions, which we will try to incorporate, but some will depend on contributors coming forward!!

More information in the next issue, so do respond now if you have not already done so.

Many thanks

Stella, Roger and Louise.

The diagnosis

A doctor was going into hospital when he passed Mother Angelica walking

very briskly while saying her rosary nineteen to the dozen. Just then he

saw his associate, a psychiatrist, come round the corner so he asked if

she was alright."

"Oh, I just told her she was pregnant." the psychiatrist answered.

"Good Heavens, is she?"

"No, of course not, but it finally cured her hiccups!"

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Donald Grove (1922-2010)

Brian Dixon suggested a tribute to Donald who was our church architect for a number of years, notably overseeing the building of the Trinity Cen-tre. Brian has gathered together some details and thoughts from Donald’s daughter, Angela, and tributes from two people who worked with him on different aspects of his work –Canon Ted Longman, Rector of Holy Trinity at the time of the Trinity Centre build, and a local engineer, Kazik Chmiel. The tributes follow, unabridged.

There is a photograph of Donald on the inside back cover of this magazine.

From Angela Grove, November 2011:

Donald was born in 1922 and grew up in Wylde Green, attending Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School. He trained at Birmingham School of Architec-

ture, became an articled pupil to the Birmingham architect Owen Parsons

in 1938 (who amongst other work designed a number of Arts and Crafts houses in Four Oaks and Wylde Green) and an Associate of the Royal Insti-

tute of British Architects in 1944. He worked with the War Damage Com-mission before graduating in Philosophy, Politics and Economics at New

College, Oxford in 1952, making several lifelong friends along the way.

In 1953 he founded with a partner the architectural practice Harborne and Grove, working in Witton, then Coleshill Street, Sutton Coldfield until his

retirement in 2002. He designed buildings throughout the country and re-stored historic and listed buildings as well as being architect to the Sutton

Coldfield Municipal Charities for many years.

In January 1980 Donald became architect to Holy Trinity and to St Peter’s Maney. The Trinity Centre, which he designed, became one of his favour-

ite projects despite the lengthy time and many obstacles in its creation, and the building to which he became most attached. His happy relation-

ship with Canon Ted Longman and all those at Holy Trinity involved in the project contributed greatly to this affection, together with the enjoyable

problem-solving aspect and the opportunity to give Sutton a useful building

for the future. Its design was inspired by the Arts and Crafts houses with which he was familiar from his training and which helped it fit in so well

with its setting. He enjoyed overlooking the churchyard and observing pro-gress on the Trinity Centre from his offices in Coleshill Street, and felt very

much a part of the ongoing work.

...Continued overleaf

Continued from previous page…

He married Margaret at Holy Trinity in 1956 and they drove to Ven-ice in a Morris Minor for their honeymoon, Donald having motored around France and Spain in his twenties. They lived in Four Oaks thereafter with their daughter, Angela, in a house of his own design, filled with Margaret’s embroideries and furnishings. After Margaret’s death in 1995, Angela returned to live there with him, sharing many interests from architecture and conservation to walks and cross-words. In his spare time Donald loved to visit his house at Great Witley to enjoy the countryside and his Ferguson tractor.

Making a contribution to community life in Sutton was important to him, and amongst other roles he was founder Secretary of Sutton Coldfield Civic Society, Member of Sutton Coldfield Borough Council 1960-66, founder member of Aston Rotary Club and, following his retirement, a trustee of Sutton Coldfield Municipal Charities. After retirement he enjoyed learning to use a computer at classes in Bold-mere and took up watercolour painting and cookery. Donald had an early heart operation 40 years ago, a subsequent pacemaker, and survived a heart attack 5 years ago. Although these events slowed him down, he continued to pursue his various activities with great energy and delight until shortly before his death in March 2010.

From Ted Longman, February 2012:

Donald Grove was one of those private people whom the more you got to know and to know about, the more privileged you realised you were. He was self-effacing and modest, and people easily un-der-rated him. He was so ready to hear other people’s ideas or opinions and judge them generously. Over the twelve years I got to know and work with him over the alterations to the Rectory and the building of the Trinity Centre, I realised how fortunate we were. The Trinity Centre was a fine example of his gifts and his commit-ment to good architecture in the service of the church and commu-nity.

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From Kazik Chmiel, January 2012:

Donald Grove, a business colleague and, above all, my best friend, has been admired by all who knew him as an architect in the con-struction industry and also as a kind man who put his spare time for the benefit of others without seeking any limelight.

Many years ago, Donald and his business partner took care of a young girl whose parents were killed in a car accident and continued to do so until her death years later, having been confined to a wheelchair all her life after the accident. I will never forget such kindness.

Donald’s name is also known in Bangladesh where a fishing boat, donated by a local organisation, bears his name in recognition of his efforts.

Donald will be remembered as a quiet, mature, modest man with a soft voice, having a gentle smile, good sense of humour, a gentle-man, a good family person, with no end of much admired qualities.

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From under the pulpit…

Unfortunately the weather has taken a turn for the worst; Sun-day school on the other hand has continued to be great fun! I can’t believe that I have been at Holy Trinity for over a year now! I still remember going to church that first Sunday and really enjoying Sunday school and how friendly and welcoming everyone was – neither of which has changed.

This last term I have been involved in Sparklers and Rock-ets. In Sparklers I have thoroughly enjoyed helping the younger children. In Rockets we have been doing lots of activities which are really interesting and have made Rock-ets really fun! I really like being able to learn things about the Bible and morals whilst having funs with friends. We’ve made games, answered quiz questions, decorated display boards with Bible stories and if we want, we can discuss different topics and reflect upon our ideas.

Don’t forget you’ll have lots of fun meeting new children and learning about what it means to be a Christian when you come along to our Sunday school.

Isabelle

The churches of St Chad, St Peter and Holy Trinity invite you to their

MINI OLYMPIC GAMESMINI OLYMPIC GAMESMINI OLYMPIC GAMESMINI OLYMPIC GAMES (For under 16s. All participants to be accompanied by an adult.)

SUNDAY 8th

JULY

2.30pm

St Chad’s Church, Hollyfield Rd If you would like to enter and join in the fun please

speak to or email our cluster youth worker,

Susie Walker:

[email protected].

Travelling evensong!

Do come to the church at Badde-

sley Clinton at 2.30pm on Sunday

1st July and / or Lapworth Church

at 3.30pm for a ‘split’ evensong

led by members of choirs from

around the Diocese of Birmingham, including our own.

There will be no evening service at Holy Trinity that day.

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God Is Never Beyond Our Reach

No one ever sought the Father And found He was not there, And no burden is too heavy To be lightened by a prayer, No problem is too intricate And no sorrow that we face Is too deep and devastating To be softened by His grace, No trials and tribulations

Are beyond what we can bear If we share them with our Father As we talk to Him in prayer – And men of every colour, Every race and every creed Have but to seek the Father In their deepest hour of need- God asks for no credentials, He accepts us with our flaws, He is kind and understanding And He welcomes us because

We are erring children And He loves us every one, And He freely and completely Forgives all that we have done,

Asking only if we're ready To follow where He leads- Content that in His wisdom He will answer all our needs.

Helen Steiner Rice

Submitted by Don Smith

Page

FROM THE REGISTERS ...

Baptisms

29th April Ethan Perry 13th May Adam Peach

Finn Wootton

Heidi Jessop 27th May Daniel Chubb

We welcome these children into new life with

God, as part of our church family

Marriages

19th May John Fletcher and Louise Stockwell

Anthony Trueman and Ria McGihon

2nd June Lee Stainfield and Michelle Sweeney

4th June Andrew Hopkinson and Hannah Glover

We wish these couples every blessing in their future together.

Funerals

30th April Dr Mike Jarrett, MB ChB

14th May Irene Catherine Mary Perry

29th May Doreen Patricia Warner

We remember all who have died and ask for God’s comfort

to sustain all who are bereaved.

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Page

Trinity

Arrangements for 2012

The cost per issue is 60p, and an annual subscription £3-50.

If you are a casual reader who would like to subscribe regularly or ad-vertise, or if you have any other queries relating to the magazine, please contact the Trinity Centre in the first instance on 321 1144 or [email protected]

Publication schedule

Cover date Copy deadline Publication date

Sept/Oct 2012 5th August 19th August

Nov/Dec 2012 7th October 21st October

Jan/Feb 2013 2nd December 16th December

Please submit material for the next issue by the deadline above to :

Louise Chubb 240 6366 [email protected]

Bible verse

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

Hebrews 12: v1 (New International Version)

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trinity magazine jul/aug 2012

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