Oh, the joys of the one who does not follow the advice of the wicked,

or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers,

but delights in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night.

He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in season

and whose leaf does not wither. In all he does he prospers. (Psalm 1 v1-3)

————————————————————————————————

CONTACT The Small Heath Baptist Church News Magazine.

SEPTEMBER 2017

"This church is an assortment of God's people who are committed to

giving opportunities to any one to become a disciple of Jesus Christ"

TO CONTRIBUTE TO THIS MAGAZINE, PUT YOUR ITEM ON A MEMORY STICK AND GIVE IT TO

MAGGIE HAZEL OR SEND IT TO HER IN AN E-MAIL at magken77@hotmail.com

NOTE: PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR ITEMS FOR THE OCTOBER EDITION BY SEPT. 24th. Thank you.

HOW TO CONTACT CHURCH: Minister: REV. RICHARD HAYTON

Registered Office: Small Heath Baptist Church, 14 Jenkins Street, Small Heath,

Birmingham, B10 0QH Tel: 0121 766 7803. E-mail: victoria.price@shbchurch.co.uk

Website: www.shbchurch.co.uk Charity Number: 1136199

Magazine also available on our website

Pastor’s Letter

Hello Church! Like July what a fantastic month August has

been, even if the weather has tried to dampen our

njoyment of the summer! Diane and I took a short break

back in “Costa del Kent” for a week. The second day I

had a funeral of the husband of a dear friend of 35 plus

years to take, the funeral all went according to plan. The

next day we headed down to the Kent coast to stay with a ministerial friend,

his house is just five minutes from a nice beach! We were on the beach as

soon as we could and it was lovely! No sooner had we begun to settle then

the clouds rushed in and blocked out the sun. We started to pack our things

up and walk around the shops when the rain came down and the floods

came up! I could preach on that sometime! The rain just did not stop for

several hours and we were not prepared for it, so got very wet walking back

to the house. We spent the next few hours chatting with our friends when

they reminded us that it was the 13th anniversary of the death of their son

who had only been 25 years old when he died very suddenly and

unexpectedly. They were simply very happy to have friends with them at a

very tender moment in time. The next day was warm and sunny and a great

day to be on the beach. As it was a Sunday morning I posted on Facebook

“To all my friends in church at the moment thinking about being on the

beach, I am on the beach thinking about you!” And posted a picture of the

sun shining on the sea. Needless to say it drew some interesting comments!

We then headed back up to Medway in Kent for my niece’s wedding at a nice

pretty little country church. From half an hour before the service and for

some ten hours or more, again the rain came down and the floods came up!

Everyone arriving at the church were very wet indeed. The weather again

tried to dampen our enjoyment of the day. Whatever the weather, it was a

beautiful service with great worship and celebrations. The young lady

leading the worship had an exceptionally excellent voice and gift. I went to

thank her after the service to find that she went to a well-known church

here in Birmingham. She said she had “auditioned” for . . . . . CONTINUED

Pastor’s letter contd. her church’s music ministry but wasn’t considered good enough to join. I was

absolutely amazed and said I could help her find another local church that

would be sure to welcome her and her gift! Sadly, in some ways, she then said

she was getting married the following weekend and moving to Ipswich! A

chance for a new life and a new church where she had been invited to help

join the music team was already being planned. Diane and I spent the

following day wearing out three grandchildren at the local historic dockyard

before heading back home to Birmingham later that evening.

Not just the weather but a whole variety of circumstances and even our

enemy can try and rob us of our joy, “The thief comes only to steal and kill

and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full”,

John 10:10. He tries to rob us of our peace and rest and happiness, even the

enjoyment of our salvation, he tries to dampen our spirits with all kinds of

things, but our God is a God who answers by fire! He will encourage and help

us to live life to the full and enjoy it.

Thanks to all those who supported the August outreach coffee morning, for

me it was the busiest and perhaps best one yet. There were many people

who came to help, for which we are most grateful as many people came from

the local community to enjoy the food and drink on offer. Many also came

with desperate needs and were prayed for and helped practically where we

could. It is clear that many people at this church have a real gift of hospitality

and love to entertain with good food and drink, God is taking what we love

to do and is using it for His glory. This ministry is

becoming a regular feature of life here - will you come

and join us at the next one on 30th September from

10am to midday? You will enjoy yourself, whatever the

weather!

For your prayers: Recently bereaved: * Ester and Delson; Ester’s

half-brother passed away unexpectedly * Carole &

her son, Leigh, whose girlfriend passed away

suddenly * the family & friends of Rholda

Brewster*

Those who are ill: *Jackie Price receiving treatment for breast cancer*

Heather’s sister, Abigail, receiving treatment for breast cancer * Joyce Boyd

struggling with various health issues *Naomi, Mum to Isaiah & Zedekiah

having scans for suspected appendicitis * Mary Lee * Andrea’s mum being

treated for a blood clot on her lung * Abi & Ian’s daughter, Honor, having

continuing head & back-aches plus fatigue - starts school in September *

Ruben Douglas & his daughter Selena * Hylton & Olive Dale * Hector & Ina

Lawrence * Alethia Brown, grandson Thomas, & great grandson Reon *

May Green’s father * Lucille Farquharson * Mary Thompson * Gary

Patterson * Blossom McIntosh * Andrew & Leonie whose baby has sickle-

cell * George Henry * Del Kerr & family * Goldie Mullings suffering from

dementia * Adam Brown * Heather Philips’s friend, Jill, diagnosed with liver

cancer (& her family) * Ella Wilkes, Pauline’s grand-daughter * Ricky DaCosta

and his mother, Phoebe * Pastor Richard’s friends: Angela, having radio-

therapy and baby Hope now free of cancer * Stephanie, friend of Raph &

Jen, who has cancer * Gloria & Ben Wray & friend, Thurleen Patrick *

Angela Mayne’s friend who has brain cancer * Bis & Janice’s sister-in-law,

Joanna * Dani, teenage relation of Maggie’s who has severe autism & needs

a solution for her future & that of her family * Fern’s friend, Jean Adjei,

suffering from anaemia * Catherine Richards; fitted with a pace-maker *

Emma Lee, Mavis Morris’s granddaughter * Keano and his mum, Delores *

Del Kerr & family * Christine’s brother-in-law, David, recovering from spinal

surgery * Ester & Delson’s small son, Matthew, who broke his finger *

CONTINUED . . . . .

Birmingham Community Gospel

Choir (Pauline’s choir)

Sun. Nov. 5th at 6.30 - Birmingham Town Hall - Ticket Price: £18

Birmingham Community Gospel Choir celebrates 12 years as a choir. They return for their annual Gospel Goes Charity concert, this year

supporting another 3 charities for good causes - The Wheeler Street Young Entertainers & Entrepreneurs In Action, Prostate Cancer UK

and NICE – Centre for Movement Disorders. With special guests Abbey Catholic Primary School Choir.

Tickets from Thsh website or see Pauline

For your prayers contd.

Others: Jim’s & Joy’s sons Craig & Ola * Lizzie Price back to college for

another term * Cornilious Shahbaz, & Faisal & Rebekah & family in Stockton-

on-Tees, all of whose request to stay has been refused * Abi & Ian’s

daughter, Paige, who needs a solution to unhappiness at school * Martin &

Danielle Ellis’s work with refugees in Switzerland *

In Care Homes:

Daisy Coleman in Sheldon Nursing Home, Northfield

Hilda Campbell in St. Joseph’s House, Erdington

Baptist Missionary Society — from Pauline Wilkes

Continuing Kathryn Smith’s story … `What will I be doing … When

I first move out to Thailand I will be in Bangkok the capital city, where I will

be learning the Thai language. Then I will travel up to the North of Thailand

to the city of Chang Mai I will be working with a BMS partner organisation

called The Church of Christ in Thailand’s AIDS ministry (CAM). CAM is a

Christian organisation which works on the prevention of HIV/AIDS and cares

for people living with HIV/AIDS. There are currently 440,000 of these

sufferers living in Thailand and 6,500 of these are children.

While working with CAM, I will be using the skills I have

gained through working in childrens’ hospices to develop

their palliative care service. As well as this I will be

involved with Hope Home. Hope Home was set up and is

run by a BMS worker, Judy Cook. The home specialises in

foster care and cares for seven children with special needs. It also serves as a

respite home for families of children with disabilities and as a community

support base. I will be involved in carrying out the care for the children of

Hope Home and will be providing training to the care staff on some of the

more complex needs of the children. Before I go … in preparation for my time

in mission I will be spending 8 months training at BMS International Mission

Centre (IMC) in Birmingham. This training will involve studying topics in

theology, missiology and intercultural studies. I also anticipate, at weekends,

visiting other churches around the country speaking about BMS and the work

I will be doing in Thailand. It will provide an opportunity to get to know

others pursuing their calling to mission and finding out about the ministry

they will be undertaking in different parts of the world. During this time at

IMC, BMS will provide my accommodation and food but I will need to fund

my own travel and personal items. Supporting me…. The most important way

to support me through this journey into and during mission CONTINUED

BMS continued.

is through prayer. Pray that I will know God’s presence as I move into this next

phase of my life; that God will help me to grow and develop during my

training at IMC and gain a deeper understanding into mission. Also, that He

will help me as I start to learn the Thai language. If you feel you feel you

would like to support me further, and commit to supporting me financially

then BMS runs a scheme called 24/7 Partners where you can sign up to give

regular monthly amounts. While I was at IMC this went directly to me and

now that I am in Thailand it will contribute towards the allowance BMS gives

me.

Thank you for taking time to read this letter and for your prayerful interest as

I commence my journey towards ministry in Thailand.”

Understandably, some of this letter is out of date, as Kathryn is already in

Thailand and has begun her work there, but it is still good to read about some

of the preparations which were made before she went out. We shall continue

to hear more of her as her work progresses.

Pauline Wilkes

Promises of God 15

Ezekiel 34 v11—12

The Sovereign Lord says; ‘I myself will search for my sheep

and look after them. As shepherds look after their

scattered flocks when they are with them, so I will look

after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places

where they were scattered on a day of clouds and

darkness.’

Dates for SHBC Saturday 9th September 2017, 2pm – 4pm - General Memorial Service for those who have passed away and were loved by SHBC from the last 5 years. Followed by light refreshments. 2pm – 4pm Saturday 23rd September 2017 - Florence’s play/concert. Sunday 24th September 2017 - Back to Church Sunday – Inviting those who haven’t been to church for some time to come to a family service Sunday 24th September 2017. Saturday 30th September 2017 10am - midday - Coffee morning at church. Saturday 7th October 2017 - Fellowship Meal at SHBC. Details to be confirmed. Sunday 8th October 2017 - Harvest Festival. Details to be confirmed. Saturday 11th November 2017 10am - midday - Coffee morning at church. Sunday 26th November 2017 , 5pm - HEBA Joint Celebration Service at SHBC – Speaker Rev Yinka OYEKAN, “The Gate” Baptist Church, Reading. Food and fellowship at 5pm. Service due to start at 6pm. Everyone is WARMLY invited. Saturday 23rd December 2017 10am - midday - Coffee morning at church.

Food for thought: “ . . . we are moving in the post-truth age . . ”

(David Mitchell, comedian)

The hairdresser for the homeless (from BBC news online)

Josh Coombes is a hairdresser with a huge salon: the streets of London.

The 29-year-old has been giving free haircuts

to homeless people for the past year. Photos

of the results are posted on an Instagram account which has thousands of

followers.

It's part of an campaign by Josh and friends Matt Spracklen and Dave Burt,

which is using the the hashtag #DoSomethingforNothing, to encourage

people to help others, any way they can.

Josh is the founder of the movement. He carries his hairdressing gear in his

backpack and when he finds a homeless person, male or female, he offers

his services. He says he communicates with them on a human level, talking

to them as he works, and enables them to feel fresher and sharper – and

more self-confident. One of his clients refers to his backpack as his ‘Mary

Poppins bag’, and the ‘miracle bag’.

See some of his transformation photos on Joshua Coombes Hairstylist #DoSomethingForNothing services. Cutting Darren’s hair in Picadilly, London Another delighted customer

Quiz on Rivers, Streams & Pools of the Bible (2)

1 Which building had water flowing from its

south side, as seen by Ezekiel?

2 Where did the ‘river of the water of life’

flow in the Holy City of Jerusalem in the

Book of Revelation?

3 When Pharaoh had a dream of 7 sleek cows followed by 7 gaunt

cows, which river was he standing by in the dream?

4 How many springs were there at Elim?

5 Which river did the prophet Elisha instruct the leper, Naaman, to

bathe in 7 times?

6 What happened to the rivers, pools, streams & reservoirs in Egypt

when Aaron stretched out his staff as commanded by God?

7 How are the ‘waters’ described in Psalm 23?

8 Which sea did Pharaoh’s army drown in but the Children of Israel

cross safely?

9 What did Elisha throw into a stream of bad water to purify it?

(answers next month)

Continuing the Music theme . . .

Noel Hugh Robinson (born 11 October 1962) is

a British Christian musician, who primarily mixes

Contemporary Worship Music style with gospel

nfluenced music? He was born and brought up in

Harlesden, London, in the black Pentecostal Church,

and became a Christian while a teenager. He is married to Tanya Robinson,

and they live in Essex with their children.

This softly spoken Londoner is an acclaimed guitarist who has made inroads

into the mainstream working with stars like Chaka Khan, East 17 and Mica

Paris yet who has a heart for ministry, delighting in encouraging

congregations to make the divine connection. He is an award winning

performer of Afro Caribbean gospel yet he's worked with white artists like

Graham Kendrick and Matt Redman. And possibly most important of all he's

built a bridge between black and white church cultures by demonstrating

that a praise and worship leader is a relevant ministry for ALL church goers.

About his ministry as a worship leader Noel says, "When I started to talk

about praise and worship the people in the black-led churches thought I was

crazy. In a way God kind of set me up with that. People would say, 'Come to

our church and tell us what this praise and worship is about.' So I ended up

going to peoples' churches and doing praise and worship sets, if you want to

call it that. I was one of the first black musicians to actually say, 'I am a

worship leader.'"

His early life and rise to British Christian music heights is described in the

groundbreaking book ‘British Black Gospel’ by Author Steve Alexander

Smith.

His studio albums include ‘O Taste and See’ in 1996, ‘Worthy in This Place’ in

2001 with Nu Image, ‘Garment of Praise’ in 2006 with Nu Image (named by

Cross Rhythms as one of the 20 Best Albums of 2006), ‘Devoted’ in 2013, and

live album, ‘Outrageous Love’, in 2015.

A number of Small Heath folk will remember him leading the worship at our

first foray to Spring Harvest at Skegness. (Was it 2008??)

ANSWERS TO LAST MONTH’S QUIZ:

Question Answer Reference

1 By which lake did Jesus call Peter, Andrew, James & John?

Lake Galilee Mark 1 v16-20

2 By which pool with 5 Colonnades did Jesus heal an invalid man?

Pool of Bethesda John 5 v2

3 Which river was crossed near to Gilgal?

River Jordan Joshua 4

4 What are the 3rd and 4th rivers flowing from the river coming out of Eden?

Tigris & Euphrates

Gen 2 v14

5 Which animal pants for water in Psalm 42?

The deer Psalm 42

6 What happened when Moses struck a rock at Horeb with his staff?

Drinking water gushed out

Exodus 17 v1-7

7 Whose well was Jesus beside when he met the Samaritan woman?

Jacob’s well John 4 v12

8 Which river did John the Baptist baptise in?

River Jordan Mark 1 v9

9 Where did the people sit down & weep in Psalm 137?

By the waters of Babylon

Psalm 137 v1-3

Food for thought: Alexander Solzhenitsyn said,

“The line dividing good and evil cuts through the heart of every human

being. Every human is capable of great evil. Sometimes, it is opportunity

alone that makes the difference.”

According to Solzhenitsyn, Christians should live out the high calling of Christ in their daily lives in an attempt to influence those around them. . . . . . . . .

Recent Events in the life of the church

Alexander Hamilton played

Melody & Isaiah helped the drums during the Family

Courtney Brown from Service on 27th Aug.

The Gideons during the

Family Service. Every Sunday one of the

boys or girls reads a

Thanksgiving Prayer for

the offering, then leads

the congregation in

saying the Lord’s Prayer.

Ken is offering prizes to any

boy or girl who can say The Pastor Richard

Lord’s Prayer. About 12 praying before

books and fidget spinners preaching one

have been won so far. Sunday.

Butterfly Container News We have now received and somewhat organised the

container. It has brought many blessings (but some

disappointments), but there has been a positive change

here at the centre since it has arrived, as the kids who come here have so

much more to do than before, with the extra resources that we now have.

Positives: - We now have six very high quality projectors and speakers for them. These

came from a London school which supports us and are basically

fantastic. We believe that they can help start up the Youth Hub and perhaps

generate money by using them in rooms for hire. We are using them at the

moment to show films for the kids in cinematic format.

- The keyboard and amplifier are working and have proved very popular. The bikes are all here and have started to be used. - The snooker table has been an enormous hit and I have had to withdraw its use for now, as it was attracting people from far and wide, mostly non-members. - The football and athletics kits and equipment has gone down well with the coaches and kids. - The boardgames are pitched very well for the children we have coming to the centre. - The books are also perfect and we plan to distribute many of the educational books for next term. - The school desks and chairs are all complete and we hope to take them to Koro shortly. - The exercise bikes are in place and constantly in use. CONTINUED . . . . . . .

Container news contd

Negatives: There were some thefts by warehouse staff at customs. Regarding these thefts, we are going to write to the Managing Director of

the Warehouse company and ask him to investigate the thefts. I have also

linked with a lawyer to discuss whether we can take any action against any

of our partners here about the problems we have had.

Thank you to everyone in the church who either donated goods or helped to

raise money for the transport of the container from the UK to Uganda. The

final arrival of the container and its contents have made a huge impact on

the children here.

Ben Parkinson

HARVEST COLOURING

PHARAOH DREAMED OF . . .

Read the passage in Genesis 41 verses 1 – 39 and find out what their

meaning was (if you don’t know already!)

JOB ADVERTISEMENT FROM CANNON ST.BAPTIST CHURCH

JOB DESCRIPTION – CARETAKER / BUILDING MANAGER Hours/salary 24 hours per week at £8 per hour. Monday - Friday with occasional weekends. Job Title: Caretaker . (Heather Ellis has more details if you are interested)

MINISTER FOR SPORT 1

Hello Church! I am often asked, “Pastor, how

will I know Gods calling on my life?” Just one of the ways is

that God takes what you love doing and if you work with

Him, uses it for His glory! Anybody who knows me knows I love sport and

football in particular. Before moving to Small Heath my football involvement

was: for 18 years coaching football at a local Junior School, Secretary of two

adult teams, referee for over twenty years, Vice Chairman of a local adult

league with 100 plus teams, also on The County FA as well! As if that was not

enough since 1995 until just before my move I was also Chaplain to Gilling-

ham F.C. What a privilege, a team I had supported as a boy from about 1969 I

was now being given a chance to minister God’s grace and mercy to.

In the early days Gillingham very nearly went out of the Football League and

out of business altogether, dark days for the club. I introduced myself to the

new Chairman, Mr Paul Scally, as the Chaplain and he said, “I didn’t know

things had got that bad!” To which I replied, “Don’t worry I haven’t come to

give you the last rights!” At the end of my first season Gillingham not only

survived as a club but gained promotion too. Someone wrote to me asking if

there was any connection with me becoming Chaplain and the clubs rise up

the football league? I answered, “I’d like to think so but a new Chairman,

new Manager (Tony Pulis! Now at W.B.A), and fifteen new players may just

have swung the balance”.

In the early days there was a lot of good natured mickey-taking whenever I

was around, but the man who gave me the hardest time was also the first to

phone me asking for prayer as his marriage was in deep trouble. Thank God

his family has stayed together with prayer and a lot of hard work.

Once after training while sitting in the changing room at Priestfield Stadium

with some of the players one turned to me and really did say, CONTD. . . .

Minister for Sport contd.

“O.K. Rev, what must I do to be saved?” You could have heard a pin drop and

all eyes were firmly fixed on me. I then spent the next fifteen minutes taking

questions from them and explaining the Gospel of Good News about Jesus!

Nothing happened right away, but the following week after training one of

the players held me captive for nearly an hour really wanting to know and I

was privileged to lead him to Jesus. He is still a committed Christian to this

day and actively in football too. A rare moment of pure joy.

After one home game a visiting fan attacked a Gillingham supporter who

defended himself with one clean punch. Tragically the man who attacked him

died as he fell to the ground. It was an awful day. Many people were terribly

affected by the sad incident, including the Stadium Security Chief, who was a

retired Police Chief Inspector who I still know well. We met many times to

talk and pray through what happened. Tensions were running very high and I

was the only club representative that attended the massive funeral at a

church in London.

Sometimes tragedy and humour meet in what takes place. On another

occasion, I scattered the ashes of a dearly departed elderly fan in the corner

of the pitch which brought great comfort to the family. At the time I was

wearing my clerical collar and one of the players said he didn’t often see me

wearing my uniform. I replied “Don’t worry, I will be back this afternoon

wearing my referee’s uniform and ref the game for you and you will win 6-0!”

At the reserve team game that afternoon, most unusually I was called into

action to run the line because one of the match officials had cried off quite

late. So with boots borrowed from one of the players and spare kit from one

of the referees I ran the line, and the score was 6-0! I have just signed up to

referee in the West Midlands Christian Football League for this season, I

wonder what God will do? God really will take what you love doing and use it

for His glory if you work with Him, whatever it is.

Very Kind Letter received about the Magazine

Hi!

I just wanted to drop you a quick email to say how much I always enjoy the

SHBC magazine. I always pick up a spare copy when at Small Heath every

couple of months for Crossroads duty. It's always a very encouraging read!

Great stuff!

Blessings,

Ian McDonald

Deacon - Shirley Baptist Church

Former school bus converted into a homeless shelter in

Ipswich (from BBC news online)

A double-decker bus has been transformed into a homeless shelter.

The charity Bus Shelter Ipswich has converted the

former school bus so that it can sleep 14 people in

bunk beds, and is complete with a stove, chill-out area,

bathroom and even a log burner. The bus was donated

by Stephensons in Ipswich.

Gareth Brenland, co-founder of the charity, has named the bus ‘Tiffers’ after

his daughter Tiffany. Gareth did much of the work himself. After initially

travelling around giving out warm clothes and sleeping bags, he and his

team wanted to do more. They receive referrals from local agencies.

The project, which has cost about £25,000, was paid for through donations

and crowdfunding.

The photo shows Gareth Brenland with Mark Sayer of Stephensons.

Butterfly Prayer Corner contd.

SIONE OTIM COMBONI

Sione is 14 and is doing very well

academically at school and we originally

selected him for his ability in maths. But he

has demonstrated interests in a number of

areas – ICT has been a special fascination so

far and he learnt quite a lot in a short space of time. He very much likes the

challenge of board games and likes Cosmic Encounter the best, which is a

game where you have to conquer planets to win.

He has an ambition to develop an arts/crafts project, making baskets and

beads. The beads work in the holiday was very popular and he hopes to

encourage the children to continue learning this skill so that the beads can

be sold to support their future. He learnt how to make the baskets at the

project and plans to move forward with these products over the next few

months.

He says he has learnt how to save money at the project and has improved

his typing speed dramatically in a short space of time. He feels strongly that

he has developed an ability to be honest and enjoys the idea of being a social

entrepreneur in a community, developing businesses and ideas not just for

himself but for the community and his neighbours.

He says life is hard in Uganda and it is really important to learn how to

generate income from a business. He wants to be the one to bring these

ideas and create a more self-sufficient outlook from youth living in rural

areas.

He has enjoyed visiting places and has learnt a lot about Kampala in

particular. He feels he has developed some important experience, which he

can take back to his community. CONTINUED . . . . . . . . . . .

Butterfly Prayer Corner contd

ROSE ALOYO

Rose is 13 and quite shy, but she is very

interested in music and has been running

a gospel choir project during the holiday

with the children living in the Acholi

Quarter.

She chose to do a singing project, because

she felt that many children locally have

no connection to God and by singing they can establish a connection. She

enjoys singing and praising God, which has changed her life.

She has also been advising girls in her village to focus on their education, so

that they can be somewhat protected from being married off early. She

feels that girls lack respect for their parents and this leads them to abandon

their families, moving into early marriage. She wanted to start this project,

because she felt that advice could stop this happening and save the lives of

many girls who might get pregnant too early. She observed the problem,

when a friend of hers was married off early and who died when she was

giving birth, just aged 14.

In the Acholi Quarter, where we are based, she has also discussed these

same issues with local girls from the slum area. There is the same problem

in the slum area and many girls are being led astray by older men,

promising them education and good things.

She wants to educate girls to also follow in her footsteps, encouraging them

to also give good advice, if it has served them well.

She believes that she has learnt that to run a project, you need to be

confident and have empathy for those around you. She sees how

important it is not just to help friends and family but all people.

Did you know that . . .

There is a new organisation in Winson Green called ‘CRIB’?

Their motto is “Strength for today, Hope for tomorrow”.

CRIB is a community organisation with a Christian ethos, but their services

are open to all young people of all faiths (and none), all cultures, social

backgrounds, ethnicities and nationalities. Their intention is to promote

unity in their community and have a place where members of the

community can see Christianity in action is essential to our multi-faith,

multi-cultural community.

Their hope is that CRIB will give a loving, positive reflection of the Christian

faith to young people. They want to show the Agape love of Jesus Christ by

reaching out.

CRIB is a new Community Interest Company based in Winson Green, B’ham.

The centre is a facility that provides young people, aged 16-25, with a place

where they can socialise, receive training, obtain advice and information and

gain assistance with finding employment / work experience.They hope to

transform the community through youth participation.

Florence’s Fund-raising Play and Concert: Sat. Sept.23rd

This year the title of the play is ‘John the Baptist’ Time: 5.30. Price: £6 adults, £3 children aged 10 & under.

Tickets available from Florence or Marcia, or at the door.

Also choirs & recitation. Refreshments to follow.

OPEN DOORS NEWS

ETHIOPIA: 1 CHRISTIAN WORKER ATTACKED WITH MACHETES 01 August 2017

Please pray for an Ethiopian Christian attacked with machetes on account of

his evangelistic work. Mustafa Ahmed* (27) was attacked by a mob on 16 July in the rural Ethiopian town of Hirna, about 400 km east of Addis Ababa.

The attack took place because local Muslims were angry over his evangelism

efforts. Local Christians report that an unknown number of assailants first

went to the local Full Gospel Church and partly damaged its roof and walls.

They then went to Mustafa's house where they attacked him with machetes.

He sustained two deep wounds to the back of his head.

The local clinic in Hirna referred him to the hospital in nearby Asebeteferi.

Doctors there sent him to Adama where a Christian doctor took a risk to

operate on his wounds, believing Mustafa would otherwise die on route to a

bigger hospital. The surgery stabilised him enough to be taken for more

specialised treatment elsewhere. But he is not out of the woods yet, and

local Christians ask for prayer.

Open Doors' local partners are providing emotional and financial support at

the moment. *Name changed for security reasons.

PLEASE PRAY: For Mustafa's recovery from his wounds

For wisdom for church leaders in this difficult situation. CONTD . . . . . . .

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Share with the Lord's people who are in need..." Romans 12:12-13

OPEN DOORS contd. That the Lord will open the eyes of government officials to protect their

citizens, irrespective of religious affiliation.

WIDOW AND SON LOSE ALMOST EVERYTHING

The house and crops of Christian widow,

Tutu*, and her son Biruk*, have been burnt

in a strict Muslim-dominated community in

Ethiopia's southwest. Tutu tells Open Doors

workers visiting them, "I thank the Lord for

sparing our lives. We cannot complain about

the loss of material things."

All but one room of their house has been totally destroyed, and they have

lost most of their belongings including clothing, bedding, furnishings,

kitchenware, food and cash. The family - who converted from Islam to Christianity - has already suffered much at the hands of extremists because of their conversion.

After Tutu's husband, Haile*, died around 18 months ago, local Muslims

displayed their anger by exhuming Haile's body and dumping it next to one

of the village roads. Local authorities stepped in, but it has taken a long time for Tutu and her son to recover from the shock. And in January this year, another man from the village assaulted Biruk and told him he would continue to cause trouble until Biruk and his mother returned to Islam. Open Doors is providing financial aid and food to Tutu and Biruk, and will continue to help them regain their livelihood.

PLEASE PRAY: For the Lord's encouragement and comfort to Tutu and Biruk, and for His protection over them in the midst of repeated attacks

The church in areas of Ethiopia is coming under increasing attack. Please pray for the Lord's protection over believers, and for wisdom for church leaders as they pastor these believers. *Names changed for security reasons

Next door at Hawthorne Court:

‘STANDING STRONG’ - Open Doors Celebration 2017 Place: B’ham International Convention Centre Date: 14th Oct.

Time: 9.30-17.00 Cost inc.lunch & refreshments: Adults £24.

Standing Strong is a one-day celebration of God's faithfulness in

places where faith costs the most. WHAT TO EXPECT: The day will be jam-packed full of inspiration and challenge from the persecuted church. Your faith will grow as you hear amazing stories of how God is at work. There will also be a global perspective on Open Doors work with times of worship and prayer for our persecuted family. On arrival please bring your ticket to be scanned at the registration desk where you will be issued with a wristband. Without a wristband you will not be permitted into the venue.

WE'D LOVE YOU TO JOIN US!

Slimming World hire our premises for two sessions a

week, 52 weeks of the year:

NB NEW TIMES!!

Tuesdays only:

9.30—11.00

And 4.30pm – 9.30pm

The Rotas

STEWARDS WELCOME TEAM

Sept 3 Ben, June, Janet Sept 3 Delores & Euvine

10 Othniel, Simeon, Mr. Atkinson 10 Janet & Fern 17 Muriel, Mary, George, Daniel 17 Beth & Devere

24 Ran & Leonora 24 Mary B & Mavis D Oct 1 Lloyd, Lemuel, Keano, Denzil Oct 1 Ben & Gloria

8 Ben, June, Janet 8 Lloyd & Joan

COFFEE FLOWERS

Sept 3 Leonora & Mary B. Sept 3 -

10 Ran & Carole 10 Erol & family in memory of Linda

17 Robbie & Euvine 17 Joyce in memory of Mr. Boyd

24 Pauline, Andrea & Alexander 24 Keith Hylton

Oct 1 Joan & Maggie Oct 1 Jen & family in memory of Mum

8 Joy & Jim 8 Simeon & Alethia; their 60th wedding anniversary

WORSHIP BMS BIRTHDAY SCHEME

Sept 3 Jennifer

NONE IN SEPTEMBER!

NB If you would like to remember your birthday with a gift to BMS, please see Pauline Wilkes.

10 Judith

17 Jennifer

24 Ester

Oct 1 Pauline

8 Raphael

Last date for submitting items: Sun. September 24th

Next month’s magazine will be available on Sunday 1st October, 2017