MUSINGS FROM THE MANSE
I am just back from a refreshing holiday "up north". We stayed in a cottage near the middle part of Hadrian's Wall and spent a week walking and exploring the fascinating forts and milecastles along it. We didn't cover the whole 84-mile length but we were shamed by one piece of information we saw in a museum. This was the story of William Hutton who in 1801, at the age of 78, left his Birmingham home to walk to Carlisle. He then walked the length of the Wall to Wallsend near Newcastle, then turned round and walked all the way back again!

No doubt William would have agreed that this is a fascinating area of the country; full of the lush beauty of the rolling Northumberland landscape and packed with wonderfully interesting history. In one fort we were able to observe an archaeological team gently but effectively scraping away the earth, looking for even more artefacts left by the Romans a little short of two thousand years ago.

Unlike the Wall, our new extension here at Selly Oak is not meant to keep people out! We hope it will improve our building and make things better for our work and witness in this part of Birmingham. Much of Hadrian's Wall can still be seen after hundreds of years; maybe our extension will not last that long.


But both are legacies passed on to those who will follow us. Both reveal something of what went on at the time of building.

All that any of us do in our lifetimes can be examined - and maybe judged - by others who cannot possibly fully understand the background to decisions but who nevertheless form opinions from whatever clues we leave. Will coming generations be impressed by what the Methodists of Selly Oak did with God's gift of life in the early 21st century? It's a thought worth pondering on and one which, if we take our Christian responsibilities seriously, maybe should be allowed to shed light on the future actions of us all, in and out of church.
Doreen C. Hare

CHURCH MEMBERSHIP
Now that you have had time to check whether or not you are on the church membership lists, can I remind you that there will be a meeting for those who may have found themselves not to be members on Tuesday 8 July at 7.30 pm at church. This will be an opportunity to collect information for those who want to think about confirmation and begin to consider whether this step to membership is for them.
It is also an opportunity for those who may want to take up dual membership either across denominations or between Methodist churches. Do come and discuss what this could involve. Also if you are thinking of transferring membership from another church in order to be a member at Selly Oak come and think through what this might require. Please put this date in your diary and come along.
The follow-up meeting for those who need to go away and think about what they hear and make an informed decision on how they wish to proceed will be Tuesday 29 July at 7.30 pm.
Doreen C. Hare

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PRAYER OF THE MONTH
O Lord, support us all the day long of this
troublesome life until the shadows lengthen, the
evening comes, the busy world is hushed and our work is done.
Then, Lord, in thy mercy, grant us safe lodging,
a holy rest, and peace at the last.

JOHN HENRY NEWMAN

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OAK
Oak is the name which the Alternative Worship planning group chose for themselves. They hope to plan another event for Saturday 11 October so put the date in your diary now and remember to look out for the publicity nearer the time.

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START THE YEAR WELL!
At our recent Circuit Meeting it was decided that the first Sunday of the new Methodist year, Sunday 7 September, when we have traditionally had a circuit service, will have a new look. Just as our Anglican friends beat the bounds of their parishes we as Methodists will "pray the circuit".
The intention is to hire buses leaving Selly Oak at 2 pm. We will then progress round the circuit churches entering some of them for prayer but at others staying on the bus to use a prayer sheet. This builds on the last circuit service held here at Selly Oak on 1 June when we heard about all the mission activity taking place around our circuit which we celebrated as an expression of Hope 08. Our prayer afternoon beginning at 2 pm with light refreshments along the way will finish with a 20-minute shared prayer time at 6.30 pm at Selly Oak. It would be wonderful if the whole circuit opted into the journey and prayed for the new connexional year of shared life together here in Birmingham South-West. So that we can book an appropriate number of coaches we need people to sign up. It is hoped that families and friends who would not normally worship in an afternoon or evening might decide to make this a special time together. It will be aimed at all ages and hopefully be a fun time but surrounding the circuit mission in a circle of prayer for this new connexional year. Please look for the form on the noticeboard in the welcome area and sign up . Each church is being asked to make a contribution towards the costs of the bus. If you would like to make a donation towards your seat, that will be very helpful but it is not mandatory.

Doreen C. Hare

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FESTIVAL ARTS
For those who follow the annual visit to St. David's of our own Festival Arts Theatre Group, the following is a brief of their itinerary this year.
The group leaves for St. Davids on 23 July, and begins performances of "The Tempest" in the Bishop's Palace, St. David's on 29th July.
They will also be performing their own musical based on "The Land of Green Ginger" by Noel Langley, starting on 1st August, in Mathry Community Hall and then Solva Memorial Hall. These will be in repertory until 14th August.
On Sundays 3rd and 10th August they will perform the patchwork of music and words entitled 'Out of the Blue'.
If you have been to St.David's you don't need to be told what a wonderful experience it is, but if you haven't, then do try to go and support all our friends. They are extremely talented and will make your visit memorable.

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BUILDING PROJECT 2008


This picture tells the story. After many, many, meetings, letters, phone-calls, e-mails, the link between the two outer doors is finally complete.
About 6 years ago, at a church council, the unfinished building work of 1998 was brought up again, and after congregational consultation, it was decided that a scheme should be presented to church council, to enable the work to be done. The professional skills of members of the 20's group, enabled us to work with architects, building co. and working through quotes, at the beginning of the project.
This took a long time to be funded and during this time, the circuit requested that their office be situated on our premises, this was agreed, and incorporated in the design. The development which we now have is a scaled down version of what was initially on the drawing board, due to costings, but effective use is now being made of all areas.
Not everyone will like the size, width, colours, of what has been done, but we hope you will agree, it looks good!
The circuit office, has its privacy; the print room is more available: this was part of the project. The moving of furniture and computer equipment, before and after completion, was done primarily by Alastair Gibson and Martin Fisher and others from the Twenties Group, who spent a long time, enabling the office equipment to function.
The communion kitchen and the flower room, have had a face lift by members of the Property Committee - Phil Mayhew, Keith Arnold, and Arthur Cartwright - who do lots of work during the year; with other helpers washing down walls, painting and tiling.
The lounge looks better and brighter, having been cleaned and painted, curtains washed and re-hung, (still the carpet to be cleaned); these jobs carried out by 20's group, and a few ladies from Open Circle.
Members of the Shona fellowship, have painted the Welcome Area, making good where the builders had been working, and the rest of the walls.
Now, for the challenge! Having got a 'glow' in one corner of the premises, how about having a concerted week of 'spring cleaning' during Sept./Oct.?
Margaret Heath

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Stewards Coffee Morning - with Concert August 9th at 10.00am
The Church Stewards will be holding a coffee morning with a Concert and a Bring & Buy on Saturday morning August 9th. Please come along and enjoy a coffee, some music and a chat!.

The proceeds from the morning will be given to help swell the funds needed to purchase the Communion Sets for our Home Communion Teams. We need to buy three and the cost is £110.00 per set.

So do please come along to support our Stewards in this project.

We are all delighted that our current Steward's team now boasts nine members and for the record here are their names.

Margaret Nicklin Moses Dakunivosa
Margaret Heath Catherine Kirby
Martin Fisher Lorna Hewitt
Nick Tiplady John Richardson
Gill Fletcher

Margaret Nicklin ~ Senior Steward

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NEWS ITEM
It has just come to my notice that General Booth (Salvation Army leader) spoke at an open-air meeting in the middle of Bristol Road at the junction of Chapel Lane & Elliott Road.
Unfortunately the news is a bit ago - 100 years, in fact - July 13th 1908! Yet to be discovered is why he was at this location. It is a bit difficult to find anyone who remembered his visit!!
Tom Hill

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Brownies and Guides
The Brownies and Guides are still going strong after all these years, with a steady influx of new recruits coming through the doors. Since the emergence of the Rangers a few years ago, the three groups have forged strong links together which makes it much easier for girls to move up from one section to the next.
Earlier this year the Rangers put on a Princess Party for the Brownies, having arranged the whole evening. The Brownies had their hair and make-up done, their nails painted, and then made pizzas and fairy cakes, it was a super evening and all the girls had fun.
The previous year the Guides had arranged a party for the Brownies with a beach theme, the hall was decorated with palm trees and balloons. This night was spent playing games, eating food and listening to music which was a great for some of the older Brownies, who were due to go up to Guides after the holidays - with plenty of familiar faces.
As the Rangers have organised a number of events for the other sections, this year the Guides organised a Chinese evening for the Rangers, complete with food and decorations to celebrate the Chinese New Year and the effort was very much appreciated.
The girls continue working towards badges, some they can do individually through school and classes such as swimming and dancing, but some badges are done as a group. Last Christmas the Brownies did their circus skills badge with the help of Kevin, a local clown. He came for three sessions, bringing all the equipment with him and taught the girls numerous skills, starting with the easier ones - balancing a feather on the ends of their noses and then progressing to the more difficult skills such as tightrope and stilt walking. By the end of the sessions, every Brownie had been taught to walk on stilts. He even came with all the equipment for an extra night, where the girls performed their new found skills in front of their parents.
As part of their Thinking Day celebrations this year, our Brownie Pack joined with a number of other Packs from the Division for a sleepover here at Church. It was organised by the Brownie Leader from St Wulstan's and was attended by about five Brownie Packs, including our own. We started with a fish and chip supper on Friday night and then some craftwork before bedtime. It took a long time for them all to settle down, but with 68 Brownies sleeping in the Church Hall; it was only to be expected! The following day the girls took part in activities from all around the world - games and songs from Australia, music making from Peru, drawings and art work from South Africa, fan decorating from Japan and from Switzerland, chocolate tasting and a fondue. Each Brownie had a 'passport', which had to be stamped at each station, once they had completed that particular activity.
Throughout the year the Guides maintain their links with the Day Centre, by making gifts for the members at Easter and Christmas.
They also find time for fundraising, this year they have raised money for the Acorns Hospice, organizing a range of events.
Once again this year the Guides will be going camping to Beaconfield during the summer holidays, this is always an eagerly awaited event. It provides a great camping experience for the girls, providing them with practical knowledge on every aspect of outdoor life, as well as working together in groups.
In November a joint day out has been arranged for both Brownies and Guides, they will be spending the day at Lego land in Windsor which should prove a lot of fun.

Sue Yeomans ~ Lynne Rees

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MEDICINE BOTTLES
Thank you to everyone who has placed medicine bottles in the Green box. Sadly, we no longer have an outlet for these, so please don't bring any more.
You will be informed if there is a need for them elsewhere.

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Pauls Boys' Home
Pauls Boys' Home, in Madurai, in the south of India, was started in 1998 in response to the needs of orphans or semi-orphans often picked up from the streets of Madurai with some from the more remote rural areas.
The home now has 15 boys and provides shelter, food, clothing, healthcare, support with education and the loving care of the two people who run it, Ester and her husband, Retnaraj, who are totally committed to their welfare.
It is financed by donations and by some local people giving their services free of charge. Ester also works as a teacher to ensure a regular income.
The home used to be in rented accommodation but the basic construction of a new house has now been built with some earlier help from SOMC. It is one of the charities we are supporting in connection with our own building scheme.

And Pauls? An acronym.
People's
Action for the
Upliftment of the
Less privileged in Society

More details on the notice board or via arulisrael@hotmail.com

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Sunflower Sunday
You will hopefully recall being given sunflower seeds at church earlier in the year. I know that you will all have been growing them but please don't forget to take pictures of them. Although on the Plan this does not appear as a Family Service, on Sunday 27 July at our 10.30 am service we will be celebrating the joy of Sunflowers in our morning family service.


Even if they are not in full flower at the time, please take your photographs and pass them on in whichever of the following ways is most appropriate. If, and this is preferable, you can send them electronically, please email them to Fiona Barker at fiona_elsham@hotmail.com
However if it is a photograph which will need to be scanned, please put in an envelope in the C pigeonhole marked "Circuit Administrators" at the latest by the previous Sunday 20 July so that they can be made ready to be displayed in all their glory onscreen at our service on the 27th. Please make sure your name is sent with the picture.
We look forward to a happy sunflower time together on 27 July. (Won't it be interesting to see who has grown the tallest flower?)

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PERSONALIA
Congratulations to Helen Gray (member and Local Preacher) and James Pollard on their engagement.

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Congratulations are also due to Anne and Keith Arnold who will be celebrating their Golden Wedding anniversary on August 16th.

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