Recycling for Good Causes
We support Traidcraft Exchange which is the Charity arm of Traidcraft PLC.
We’re collecting jewellery, coins & currency, stamps, mobile phones.
Thank you to everyone who has donated gifts and particularly those who have given in the recent past. Even so, we have a long way to go to achieve the required minimum weight of 10kg for collection.
Can we aim to raise another 9kg before Christmas to add to the 1kg that we already have? Let’s try!
Please bring items in a clear plastic bag so we can avoid opening them at church. We have to check them before we post as some items are not acceptable. Thank you!
Please place items in the box in the church.
Take another look at the list of items which are needed; these are then sold and the money raised supports Traidcraft Exchange’s excellent work.
Celebration of Life – Margaret Cross
A service to celebrate the life of Margaret Cross took place at The Church at Carrs Lane on 2 October 2021 at 2pm.
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”
- Tribute on behalf of the church
- Solo: 323 “I will sing the wondrous story” (‘Calon Lân’)
- Tributes from Family
- 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
Watch the service here:
To read the tribute from the church, see: Remembering Margaret 02.10.21pdf
Autumn 2021 Traidcraft Catalogue
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
Lectures in Radical Christian Faith 2021
Progressive Christianity: Hope for the Future?
This year’s lecture, in association with Progressive Christianity UK and the final Marcus Borg Memorial Conference, was held on Zoom on Tuesday 19th October 2021 at 8pm.
A recording of the event can be found at https://www.pcnbritain.org.uk/resources/videos/hope-for-the-future
Speakers:
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?
Become a workplace chaplain
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 
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
Time4Change – The Birmingham Charter
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
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We the churches, Christian organisations and followers of Jesus, acknowledge the issue of racial injustice and its systemic and institutional nature.
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We commit to challenge racism confidently across Birmingham and see it removed from the church and society.
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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.
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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.
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We repent – we have caused or ignored hurt and we pray for a deep healing in our city.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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