* NEWS *

Palm Sunday

Sunday 16th March at 10:00am for 1 hour and 10 minutes. 

Holy Communion with blessing and distribution of palm crosses.

The whole Congregation took part in the Reading of ' THE PASSION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST ACCORDING TO MATTHEW ' .

Holy Week Service - We journey with our Lord through Holy Week.

Monday 17th March at 10:00am for 35 minutes

 A simple said service of Holy Communion.

Holy Week Service - We journey with our Lord through Holy Week.

Tuesday 18th March at 10:00am for 35 minutes

A simple said service of Holy Communion.

Thursday 20th March at 8:00pm for 240 minutes

Maundy Thursday Liturgy Service of Holy Communion with Silent Watch following until midnight. (Come and go as you are able).

Friday 21st March at 10:30am for ½ hour

Good Friday Open Air Witness - Please note - this service will be held at Timberley lane Baptist Church, Shard End.

Friday 21st March at 2:00pm for 1 hour

Good Friday Liturgy - The last hour by the cross. Hymns, meditations, Veneration of the Cross and Holy Communion.

Sunday 23rd March at 10:00am for 1 hour and 10 minutes.

Easter Celebration - Rejoice! Christ is Risen! A joyful sung service with Holy Communion.

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Saturday 1st and Saturday 8th March (Lent Lunches)

We raised a total of £128.77 for church funds, and £285.71 for Malawi from a small sale of hand-made items. Our thanks go to all who contributed.

On each occasion around 25 people sat down to a simple lunch of soup with bread and cheese.  On 1st March Fr Peter Conley from the Catholic Church of the Mother of God and Guardian Angels was our guest speaker, while on the 8th Geoff and Hilary Miller (from St Matthew, Nechells) gave an enlightening and illustrated talk on their visit to Malawi with the Birmingham Diocesan skill-share team in 2006.

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Lent Courses - Churches Together in Shard End

Since the beginnings of the Christian Church, believers have prayed the prayer that Jesus gave us – The Lord’s Prayer. As Churches Together we met during Lent to learn, share, and reflect upon this prayer over a period of five weeks.

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Fish & Chip Supper - Friday 1st February

We managed to raise some cash for Church funds while enjoying an excellent social evening with a tasty fish & chip supper followed by a fun quiz and raffle.

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Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

As Christian churches in Shard End we endeavour to work together wherever we can, 52 weeks of the year. Nevertheless, this special week gives us an additional opportunity to meet together for worship and prayer.

This year our service took place on the afternoon of Sunday 20^th January, and was hosted by The Catholic Church of the Mother of God and Guardian Angels. We shared in worship, prayer, and readings, and enjoyed meeting Christian friends from the different traditions. As there was no organist, the singing was lead with boldness and energy by Fr Peter, and entered into with enthusiasm by the congregation.

It was a pleasure to be in such a beautiful church building, and the service was uplifting, though some folks lamented the lack of a cup of tea afterwards!

Within a few weeks Lent will have begun, and – as last year – we will meet together for study and prayer at a number of locations within the area. The theme this year is ‘The Lord’s Prayer.’

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 Latest News on Shard End Redevelopment

Copy of Press Release issued by Birmingham City Council - 17 January 2008

Birmingham City Council has announced plans to work with Barratt Homes West Midlands, a leading developer, to transform the Shard End Crescent shopping parade in order to initiate the further regeneration of the area and act as a focus for the local community.

The £41 million pound redevelopment will create a new ‘urban village centre’ at Shard End Crescent, off Packington Avenue, based around an extensive area of shops, homes and community facilities.

The mixed-use village is expected to contain more than 2,300 square metres of retail and leisure space, around 240 homes, a new community library, neighbourhood office and a new vicarage. All these will be arranged around a central square to create a safe, secure and pleasant living environment.

Councillor John Lines, Cabinet Member for Housing said: "This is a wonderful New Year present for the residents of Shard End. This announcement is testimony to the commitment of this council to drive through improvements in the area and build new homes and community facilities for local people.

"I am sure the residents of Shard End will welcome the fact that the transformation of this area will start taking shape very soon."

Councillor Neville Summerfield, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, said: "The proposal for Shard End Crescent is an exciting opportunity to create a safe, secure and welcoming centre for local people. We are excited at the opportunity of working alongside a leading developer to create a new and vibrant urban village centre and continue to improve the quality of life in neighbourhoods across the city."

Stephen Kinsella, Growth and Partnerships Director, Barratt Urban Regeneration added: "Barratt is delighted to be selected as the council’s partner to create a new and vibrant urban village centre at Shard End Crescent. We will deliver a scheme of the highest quality that not only exceeds the expectations and aspirations of Shard End but also sets the benchmark for future redevelopment of other local centres across the city."

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Diocesan 2D Course

Was a ten session short course in the essentials of the Christian faith. Aimed primarily at those thinking about Confirmation, but useful for any who are new to the Church.

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 2007

Christmas Services

All went well and Congregation numbers were generally up.  Fr Anthony expressed grateful thanks to everyone who helped with the services in so many different ways.

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Christingle Service - Sunday 2^nd December

It was a joyful and well attended occasion with a very good response to our collection for the Children's Society.  Our grateful thanks go to the Staff and Children of three local Schools for their wonderful contribution to our service.

• Brownmead Junior and Infant School, Pencroft Road, Shard End

• Timberley Primary School, Bradley Road, Shard End

• Hillstone Primary School, Hillstone Road, Shard End

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Christmas Fair - Saturday 24th November

We had an excellent, happy and fun-filled couple of hours with children having their photos taken with Santa and a lucky dip from his sack.  There were also some free activities enjoyed by children including making a reindeer to hang on their Christmas Trees.  It was heart-warming to welcome some new people to our Church.  A massive THANK YOU to everyone who helped and to everyone that came along.

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Bingo/Music/Refreshment - Saturday 3rd November

We had an excellent buffet lunch, fun bingo, great raffle prizes and live music.  A fun afternoon was had by all.

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Bereavement Service - Sunday 14th October

We remembered our loved ones, especially those who have died during the last 12 months. Their names were read, and family members came forward to light a candle of remembrance.