Autumn 2021 Traidcraft Catalogue

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The Traidcraft Autumn Catalogue is now available to see online, and the paper catalogue is also available in church from Joan Davies. If you are not yet returning to church, you can phone 0191 491 0855 or email hello@traidcraft.co.uk to request one.

As our local fair trader, Joan can order more catalogues and items from it, should you want that. Her deliveries may come more quickly as she is a Fair Trader.

 

So what’s in the Autumn catalogue?

New foods, new flavours, exciting new crafts and fashion, beautiful handmade cards, lots of new Christmas decorations AND Very Much More.

In addition, the emphasis is on sustainability, the effect on the environment and helping to make a real difference to some of our Traidcraft producers.

Contact Joan direct or c/o clerk@carrslane.co.uk

Visit Traidcraft Exchange

Visit the Traidcraft Website

Celebration of Life – Margaret Cross

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A service to celebrate the life of Margaret Cross will take place at The Church at Carrs Lane on 2 October 2021 at 2pm.

Attending

For practical and catering purposes, those planning to attend the event should contact our office staff by phone on 0121 643 6151 (9am-5pm) or email to booking@carrslane.co.uk by 29th September.

You are invited to bring photos of Margaret to be displayed on a Memory Board. It would be helpful if you could let Neil Johnson know by email if you are going to do that (email: njohnson@birminghammethodistcircuit.org.uk )

It is still recommended that people using and attending church wear masks unless doing so would cause a problem.

Order of service

Opening Music: Treorchy Male Voice Choir

Welcome

Hymn: 313 “Thine be the glory”

Prayers of Adoration & Confession

Hymn: 51 “Great is thy faithfulness”

Tributes

Solo: 323 “I will sing the wondrous story” (‘Calon Lân’)

Tributes

Hymn: 57 “Let all the world in every corner sing”

Prayers of Intercession & Lord’s Prayer

Music: ‘Moon River’ by Andy Williams

Reflection

Hymn: 465 “Guide me, O thou great Jehovah”

Prayer of Blessing

Carrs Lane Lectures in Radical Christian Faith

Lectures in Radical Christian Faith 2021

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Flyer with information about the Carrs Lane lecture 2021Progressive Christianity: Hope for the Future?

On Zoom on Tuesday 19th October 2021 at 8pm

This year’s lecture is in association with Progressive Christianity UK and the final Marcus Borg Memorial Conference.

Book online now

Download the flyer (PDF format)

Speakers:

Photo of Revd Deshna Shine
Revd Deshna Shine
Ordained Interfaith Minister and Chaplain in USA, published author and International speaker; Former Executive Director of ProgressiveChristianity.org


Bishop Jeremy Greaves
Assistant Bishop of Brisbane in the Anglican Church of Australia; describes himself as a progressive Christian who “lives on the edge of the church”

For this on line conference we have the opportunity to learn about the possibilities and challenges for progressive Christianity, not only in America and Australia but what is common to us here in Europe. And how does the culture of richer nations, with a widely diverse population contrast to countries in the southern half of the globe? Are there common barriers and issues to progressive thinking in all our countries? And can the voices and thinking of younger leaders like Deshna and Jeremy give us hope for the future?

Book now!

Traidcraft Summer Catalogue 2021

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Have you had a chance to look at the new Traidcraft Summer catalogue yet?

The summer catalogue has a striking cover, inviting you to look further and read all about the amazing products, information about the producers, and much more. Many of you will look online and be able to access the information.

Read why FAIRTRADE-CERTIFICATION is just not enough any more and why ‘Fair Trade’ is more important to Traidcraft than ‘Fairtrade’.

Did you know that Great Taste is the largest and most trusted food and drink accreditation scheme? Only around 2% of products are awarded 3 stars each year.

Want a great cuppa? Look no further! You will find out a lot more if you dip into the catalogue. Surprise yourself by the details in there.

Read the issue online below or download it as a PDF:


Traidcraft is a Christian response, challenging deep injustices in global trade. Never has there been such a need to help families in developing countries.

We are unable to sell Traidcraft from our church building now, but there are other ways of purchasing – either through a local Fair Trader such as Joan Davies, by Mail Order or online –  whatever works best for you. Every order counts, whatever the size, so please continue or make your first order for a fairer world.

Please contact Joan direct or c/o clerk@carrslane.co.uk

Visit: https://www.traidcraftshop.co.uk/ to visit the Traidcraft website and see the summer catalogue items in close-up!

Traidcra

 

Become a workplace chaplain

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Workplace Chaplaincy Training Course Sept-Nov 2021

From Monday 20 September to Monday 8 November 2021 from 5-7pm:
Workplace Chaplaincy CIGB,  7 week Training Course for Voluntary Chaplains

Cost: £50

Download a leaflet about the course

CIGB INTRODUCTION TO WORKPLACE FAITH CHAPLAINCY 2021 Image of a leaflet outlining the 7-week evening course to become a voluntary workplace chaplain in Birmingham and Solihull

CIGB Voluntary Chaplains support people in many workplaces across Birmingham and Solihull. Workplace Chaplains act as a sign that God is engaged 7 days a week, 24 hours a day in our working lives. Workplace Chaplains provide listening, careful support and help people to see that God is at Work. Voluntary chaplains typically give about one half day per week to this ministry. Our chaplains find the experience inspiring: they report that chaplaincy helps to grow their own faith, as well as helping others to develop.

Our chaplaincies are in places like shops, offices, the fire service, transport and the local council.  CIGB, a local charity, has been providing ecumenical Workplace Chaplaincy for over 40 years and has an existing team of over 50 part-time chaplains. We also organise Job Clubs to provide Chaplaincy support to those who are currently unemployed.

Workplace Chaplaincy Training is over 7 Monday evenings from 20 Sept. The course teaches some of the core skills and strategies for Workplace Chaplaincy, as well as providing a chance to hear from some of our existing chaplains. Attending the course is not a commitment to start chaplaincy; nor does it guarantee a chaplaincy role at the end: a discernment conversation takes place towards the end of the course.

More information and a registration form is available from val.dalton@cigb.org.uk

FRIENDS OF CIGB (www.cigb.org.uk/friends) is our network of colleagues who are interested in issues of Faith, Work and Economy, and support our work.

Registered Charity 511711

Coloured light box with the words 'Make this world better'

Church Meetings 2021

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Dates of regular Church Meetings on the third Sunday of the month

Minutes are available to members upon request

  • 17 January
  • 21 February
  • 21 March
  • 18 April
  • 16 May
  • 20 June
  • 18 July
  • (August – no meeting)
  • 19 September
  • 17 October
  • 21 November
  • 19 December

Church Meetings are held monthly, usually on the third Sunday, and are open to all. As far as possible, they will always be inclusive of all expressions of church. A quorum of 25% of church members is required for the meeting to be properly constituted.

Decision making at this meeting is generally by consensus. However, the Church Meeting retains the right to take formal votes of church members present, especially in the case of the call of the United Reformed Church minister. According to sections 9-21 of the Constitution, there is also provision for a Special Church Meeting, called as necessary to deal with any single issue.

Time4Change – The Birmingham Charter

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Time4Change – The Birmingham Charter

Time4Change is a group of Churches and Christian organisations across Birmingham that have been meeting together regularly since the tragic death of George Floyd took place in June 2020. The heart and passion of the group is centred around Christian unity, harmony, speaking with one voice regarding racism, injustice and racial inequality. The group has discussed how the church, the body of Christ, can unite around the issues of racial disharmony and injustice.

At The Church at Carrs Lane, we are encouraging each other to read Reni Eddo-Lodge’s book, “Why I’m no longer talking to white people about race” as we begin to engage in conversations, creating the spaces for open, honest and frank dialogue. We celebrate Racial Justice Sunday in February and continue with this theme to enhance our activities and worship during Lent. It’s Time4Change!

THE BIRMINGHAM CHARTER
IT’S TIME 4 CHANGE

  1. We the churches, Christian organisations and followers of Jesus, acknowledge the issue of racial injustice and its systemic and institutional nature.

  2. We commit to  challenge racism confidently across Birmingham and see it removed from the church and society.

  3. We commit to an honest and open look at ourselves and our churches and where we are in relation to the issue of racial injustice.

  4. We will pray: actively encouraging prayer as a group and within and across our churches and neighbourhoods over the issue of racial injustice and disunity.

  5. We repent – we have caused or ignored hurt and we pray for a deep healing in our city.

  6. We will engage in conversations – creating the spaces for open, honest and frank dialogue. We will listen to the voices of our black and all ethnic communities, across the generations and the different parts of our city.

  7. We commit to relationship building  with church and city leaders modelling strong supportive relationships across the city. We will build a culture of honour, openness and support within our churches, neighbourhoods and workplaces.

  8. We will bridge the knowledge gap, building a shared understanding of what it is like to be black, or of other ethnicity in Birmingham today, understanding the historical context and the damage to their psyche by sustained and systemic racism.

  9. We aim for truth, reconciliation and healing through open discussions across the city, that understands and acknowledges the hurts of the past and hopes for the future. We will Identify actions to bring healing.

  10. We will advocate; using our influence and understanding to speak up for racial equality and equity in the church and the city. We will inspire changes in structures and cultures to remove racism. We will engage the city’s civic leaders as they address this issue. 

  11. We will build and strengthen representative leadership: Creating systems, structures and processes that encourage representative leadership in our churches and organisations. We will actively mentor and encourage young and emerging leaders.

  12. We will take practical action, developing short, medium and long term plans to equip the wider church to strengthen unity and collaboration and engage the wider community.

  13. We will equip and engage the wider church with material on theology, and key principles around justice, equity and equality, testimonies and events. We will ensure our actions and narratives are centred very clearly on Jesus, rooted firmly in the word of God and inspired by the Spirit.

  14. We will communicate and dialogue regularly and clearly, in an engaging and accessible way to ensure the wider church is kept up to date.  We will inspire Christians engaged in business, health, education, arts and media and other spheres to be champions for equity, equality and builders of unity.

  15. We commit to being a welcoming city, a super diverse community where all peoples, whatever their background or ethnicity, see that God’s people will always provide a home, a community and a generous welcome. We commit to strengthening unity and harmony across the church that we might be one just as the Father and Son are one.

VISIT THE TIME4CHANGE WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION AND RESOURCES

 

Red and white logo with wording "Real People. Real Change. 75 years of Christian Aid"

Christian Aid Week – how to donate

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GIVING TO CHRISTIAN AID – CHRISTIAN AID WEEK 2021

We are unable to take a collection through church as we are not meeting in person.

BY POST

If you would like to make a donation but cannot give online, we advise you to send a cheque direct to:

Christian Aid

35-41 Lower Marsh

London SE1 7RL

**Please quote the church reference number (OR27669)
if you send a donation by post

Cheques are payable to “Christian Aid”

BY TELEPHONE

You can also make a donation using the telephone. Call 020 7523 2046 and have your debit or credit card to hand.

Please quote our church reference number OR27669 if possible.

WITH OUR ONLINE DONATION ENVELOPE

You can donate via the online Carrs Lane Christian Aid envelope.

This means that the church gives a total donation of everything that is in this envelope:

Go to: https://envelope.christianaid.org.uk/envelope/carrs-lane

BY SPONSORING DIANA AND PAT WHO ARE WALKING FOR CHRISTIAN AID

You can sponsor Diana Cullum-Hall and Pat Davies for walking each day:

Sponsor them here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/church-carrs-lane

St Vincent Appeal

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A letter from the Birmingham Methodist Circuit

Dear Churches,Chateaubelair, St Vincent and volcano La Soufriere

Following the eruption of the volcano, La Soufrière, on the Caribbean Island of St Vincent, the World Mission Fund is sending a solidarity grant to the Methodist Church in St Vincent to help those people who have been displaced and in shelters. (When this happened in Montserrat, many people were unable to return to their home for 3 years.) We do not know how long it will be before the people in the north of St Vincent will be able to return to their homes.

The Methodist Church holds St Vincent in prayer as we have received a prayer request from Bishop, The Rev’d Everald L. Galbraith, President of Conference of the Methodist Church in the Caribbean and the Americas (MCCA) .

Read this prayer request

1. The Circuit is asking churches and individuals if they would like to give to the World Mission Fund to support the Methodist Church in St Vincent in particular. If you would like to send a donation, please a cheque payable to “Birmingham Methodist Circuit” to:

Circuit Finance Officer, Vivien Jones
Birmingham Methodist Circuit
Selly Oak Methodist Church
Langleys Road
Selly Oak
Birmingham B29 6HT

2. You can also send by BACS to:

CAF Bank: Gold Account
Account Name: Birmingham Methodist Circuit
Account Number: 00096451
Sort Code: 40-52-40

In your payment reference please quote “St Vincent Appeal” and we will send all the donations to the World Mission Fund from the Birmingham Circuit.

3. It is also possible to give direct to the Fund for World Mission on their Just Giving page:

Go to the JustGiving page

Revd Andrew and Jill Baker lived in the manse on St Vincent and Jill (Chair of the Methodist Council) has written a blog about their experiences if you would like to read it here.

Read Jill’s blog now

We pray that the community will soon be able to return to their churches, homes and farms to begin the clean up and rebuild their lives again.

Read more about the Methodist Fund for World Mission and what it does