Stainglass window
Forthcoming Events
Bible Sunday Lenten Lunch at St Ambrose Barlow RC Church 24th March
City of Birmingham Brass Band 31st March 7.30pm
Easter Sunday April 8th
Dear Friends
I love this time of year. The Autumnal changes are well underway-the leaves are changing colour, they are falling from the trees and creating colourful carpets on the floor, and despite the lovely sunshine in recent days there has been a slight chill in the air. Of course, not many of us like change. we like the familiar, it makes us feel secure. However changes, both good and bad are happening around us all the time and whether we like it or not it can be helpful to reflect the changes that take place in life.
In the Bible (Hebrews 13:8) we are told that "Jesus Christ never changes! He is the same yesterday, today and for ever" In a world that is constantly changing, Jesus is a constant source of strength-his love, grace and mercy remain the same- no matter what changes, be they goood or bad, that takes place in our lives.
The month of November is also a month when we remember. First there's Bonfire Night. Watching the amazing fireworks and being mesmerized by the fire, we tend to forget the fact that it celebrates the execution of a Catholic by the Protestants in England!
Then, and for me more importantly, there is Remembrance Day. As I write this, Dame Vera Lyn has just launched this year's Poppy Appeal for those who have and are still serving in Afghanistan. Although we remember, and rightly so, those who have died in WW1, WW2 and wars since, it is also important that we remember that many men and women have lost their lives in Afghanistan during this last year.
As a nation our desire should be to seek, ot just justice but also peace, and so as I observe the two minutes silence, my prayer this year will be that peace may prevail in Afghanistan, Iraq and between nations and peoples of this world.
Every blessing
Paul