St. Mark's News

2008-01-20T18:16:00.000Z

'BUILDING PEACE...'
at St Mark's, Londonderry, Smethwick

5 Wednesday evenings during Lent, exploring peace and peace-making, close to home and across the world

Wed 13th Feb
Building peace with the Bible
Noel Moules, Director, WORKSHOP
www.workshop.org.uk

Wed 20th Feb
Building peace the disobedient way
Chris Cole, Director, the Fellowship of Reconciliation
www.for.org.uk

Wed 27th Feb
Building peace with young people
Tim Evans, CEO Worth Unlimited
www.worthunlimited.co.uk

Wed 5th Mar
Building peace in Palestine
Marwan Darweish, Peace and Conflict Advisor, Responding to Conflict
www.respond.org

Wed 12th Mar
Building peace with Planet Earth
Jo Rathbone, Co-ordinator, Eco-Congregation
www.ecocongregation.org.uk

All sessions are from 7-8.30pm,
at St Mark's Londonderry, Thimblemill Rd / Hales Lane, Smethwick B67 6LP

Voluntary donations will go to the peace-building organisations represented by the speakers.

For more details, contact Revd Al Barrett:
0121 429 1149
vicar@stmarkslondonderry.org.uk

2008-01-20T18:02:00.000Z

SERVICE TIMES HAVE CHANGED!

If you're thinking of coming to St Mark's on a Sunday morning, you've now got half an hour more in bed first!

All of our Sunday services now begin at 9.45am, and finish with breakfast - including the 1st Sunday All-age Service.

The main website page will be updated soon (just as soon as our webmaster has a moment), but for now, enjoy the lie-in, and see you on Sunday!

2007-07-12T17:09:00.000+01:00

FROM THE BIG BANG TO THE BULLRING:
BISHOP UNVEILS CHURCH'S NEW ARTWORK

Birmingham's Bullring and Rotunda, finished in gold leaf, now adorn the walls of St Mark's, as part of a resplendent 'heavenly city', created by a local community artist and 'unveiled' by the Bishop of Birmingham this Wednesday.

The Bishop, the Rt Revd David Urquhart, and the Deputy Mayor of Sandwell, Councillor Mrs Margaret James, visited St Mark's, where they also officially opened our new £140,000 Community Kitchen.

The two large panels, either side of the altar, tell 'the big story' of the Christian faith, from the creation of the universe, to its fulfilment in the 'heavenly city'. Community artist Vicky Simpson has worked with St Mark's before, helping create the 'Noah's Ark' scene around the outside walls of the Church Hall, making the place a well-known local landmark.

Vicky Simpson is a Smethwick-based community artist. She welcomes commissions for home, work and community projects.
tel: 0121 558 7557
mob: 07980 012632
or get in touch with Vicky via St Mark's (see 'Contact us').

2007-06-25T16:45:00.000+01:00

MOVING ON WITH GOD...

...is our theme for July's 'Celebrating Together' (All-age worship), on Sunday, 1st July, at 10am.

We'll be thinking about the different places in the world where we live and move, we'll be asking 'which way is God going?' in those places, we'll be thinking about the things that divert us from God's way, and we'll be praying for strength to journey on, keeping God company.

As ever, there'll be the world-famous St Mark's cakes to share together after the service!

2007-05-23T13:44:00.000+01:00

'COME, HOLY SPIRIT...'

...is the cry we will voice this coming Sunday (27th May, at 9.15am), as we celebrate Pentecost, the coming of the Holy Spirit on the first friends of Jesus.

We will remember that the Spirit, the Breath of Life, the Fire of God's Love, isn't just something that happened in the past, but moves still through the world, igniting fires of justice and peace, bringing healing and reconciliation, breathing life into communities, and filling us with courage and strength to live out the good news of God's love.

Come and celebrate with us, as we commit ourselves afresh to the work of the Spirit in our world.

2007-04-05T23:50:00.000+01:00

EASTER EVE

...begins at 8pm in church (on Saturday night), gathering together to tell the stories of God's creation, liberation, provision and healing, from the beginning of time right through to today.

From the Easter fire, we'll light our new Easter candle, and bring that light into the darkened church.

As the light spreads, we'll greet the good news of Easter with joyful singing, and then gather around the font to renew the promises made at our baptism, celebrating together the new life that Easter brings.

2007-04-05T23:45:00.000+01:00

GOOD FRIDAY

...at St Mark's begins with a reflective service, at 9am, bringing the brokenness of the world to the foot of the cross, and crying out to God, with Jesus.

At 10am, we're getting the Easter Garden ready for Easter morning - come along for a bit of creativity, and probably a bit of fun!

At 2pm, we have an hour-long meditation, with music and images, journeying with Jesus on the way to the cross.

2007-03-19T18:48:00.000Z

'LOVE ONE ANOTHER...'

...are the words that will echo round the dinner table of Maundy Thursday, 5th April, at 7.30pm.

Here (we begin in the Community Hall) we will remember and share in Jesus' 'Last Supper' with his friends, the Jewish 'feast of freedom' which Jesus transformed by getting on his knees and washing his disciples' feet.

After eating and drinking together, and washing some of our own community's feet, our journey takes us onwards, into the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus watched and prayed that night, up to his arrest, and the scattering of his disciples in fear.

The church will remain open after this service for quiet prayer, up until Midnight.

2007-03-19T18:42:00.000Z

MAKE WAY FOR JESUS!

...on Palm Sunday, 1st April, at our 10am All-age Service, as we remember Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem, and the excited welcome of the crowds.

Palm Sunday is also the day when our eyes turn to the events of the week ahead, and we re-tell the dramatic story of Jesus' betrayal, arrest, trial and execution.

So come, prepared both to celebrate and to share God's passion, as we begin Holy Week at St Mark's.

2007-03-19T18:26:00.000Z

'HEAVEN ALONG THE WAY'

...is what we'll be on the look-out for on Passion Sunday, 25th March, at our 9.15am service.

Coming closer and closer to the end of our journey through Lent and into the wonderful new life that Easter brings, we'll be thinking about how we can be prepared to meet God wherever we are, along the way, and how we can ourselves help make God present in those places too.

As with previous weeks in Lent, we'll be continuing our reflections during the following week, on Tuesday evening at 7.30pm at the Vicarage (15 St Mark's Road), or Wednesday afternoon at 2.30pm at 26 Blackthorne Road. All are welcome to come and talk, listen, learn and pray together.

2007-03-02T12:31:00.000Z

'AT THE KITCHEN TABLE'

...is where we'll be for Mothering Sunday, 18th March, at our 10am All-age Service.

We'll be thinking about our homes, the people we share them with, and where we meet God in the midst of domestic chaos as well as in solitary quiet!

So come to St Mark's, ready to share breakfast with a family of assorted strangers and friends, and with God, our Home, our Mother and Father.

As with previous weeks in Lent, we'll be continuing our reflections during the following week, on Tuesday evening at 7.30pm at the Vicarage (15 St Mark's Road), or Wednesday afternoon at 2.30pm at 26 Blackthorne Road. All are welcome to come and talk, listen, learn and pray together.

2007-02-26T10:55:00.000Z

'COME TO THE WATERS!'

...is the call we'll hear on the 3rd Sunday of Lent (11th March), at our 9.15 service.

We'll be exploring the beautiful, but fragile, natural world God has given us to live in. We'll be thinking about the things we human beings do that damage it. And we'll discover again God's deep wells of forgiveness, calling us to change our ways and live gently and carefully on the earth.

Again, we'll be continuing our reflections during the following week, on Tuesday evening at 7.30pm at the Vicarage (15 St Mark's Road), or Wednesday afternoon at 2.30pm at 26 Blackthorne Road. All are welcome to come and talk, listen, learn and pray together.

2007-02-26T10:49:00.000Z

'LIVING IN THE CITY'

...is our theme for the 2nd Sunday of Lent (4th March), at our 10am All-age Service.

We'll be thinking with our heads, our hearts and our hands, about what it's like to live in the city, and how, with God, we can bring hope where there isn't much.

As every week during Lent, we'll be continuing our reflections during the following week, on Tuesday evening at 7.30pm at the Vicarage (15 St Mark's Road), or Wednesday afternoon at 2.30pm at 26 Blackthorne Road. All are welcome to come and talk, listen, learn and pray together.

2007-02-19T15:25:00.000Z

'JOURNEYING IN THE DESERT'

...is the theme of the 1st Sunday of Lent (25th Feb). At our service at 9.15 on Sunday morning, we'll be exploring the 'desert places' in our world and our lives, and getting our heads, our hearts and our feet round the idea that we are called to be 'a people on the move': a pilgrim people walking with a pilgrim God.

We'll be continuing our reflections during the following week, on Tuesday evening at 7.30pm at the Vicarage (15 St Mark's Road), or Wednesday afternoon at 2.30pm at 26 Blackthorne Road. All are welcome to come and talk, listen, learn and pray together.

2007-02-19T15:18:00.000Z

BEGINNING THE JOURNEY OF LENT

Lent, the time of preparation for the events of Holy Week and Easter, begins this Wednesday.

On Ash Wednesday (21st Feb), at 7.30pm, there is a reflective service in church, where we remember the brokenness of our own lives, and our part in the brokenness of the world, and open ourselves afresh to God's forgiveness and healing. We are then 'marked' with ash, the sign of God's intimate presence which will stay with us through the days of Lent. All are welcome at this service.

2006-12-14T15:33:00.000Z

CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS
at St Mark's

Enter into the awe and wonder, the joy and celebration, and the life-changing, world-changing peace that Christmas brings.

Christmas Eve - Sunday 24th December
9.15am 'Waiting for birth': Holy Communion
7pm 'A Night the Stars Danced for Joy': the Christmas Story and Carols by Candle-light (for all ages)

Christmas Day - Monday 25th December
10am 'A child is born!': All-age communion service

New Year's Eve - Sunday 31st December
9.15am 'New beginnings': Holy Communion

Epiphany - Saturday 6th January
7pm 'Three Wise Women': All-age communion service, followed by Fish & Chip Supper

Baptism of Christ - Sunday 7th January
10am 'Going under water': All-age communion service

For more details about any of these services, contact Alastair.

2006-11-20T16:51:00.000Z

START GETTING READY TO GET READY...!

ADVENT SUNDAY
3rd December

Come to St Mark's and celebrate the beginning of Advent - the season of getting ready, watching and waiting for the coming of God among us (at Christmas, and every day).

In the morning, at 10am, we have our All-age communion service, 'Celebrating Together', where we'll be thinking about our hopes and dreams and God's - and how we can help them come true. We'll also be 'getting into the feel of Advent', by starting to learn again the habits of silence, and seeing the first candle-light that will spread through the darkness as the weeks go on!

In the evening, at 6pm, we have a reflective service, by candle-light. Called 'Open our eyes', it will take us through some of the great readings and themes of Advent, and help prepare our bodies, minds and hearts for the weeks ahead. There will be some good bits of 'quiet space', but also a chance to sing some of the greatest Advent hymns.

2006-10-05T18:35:00.000+01:00

REMEMBER, REMEMBER...

...the 5th of November! As well as the 'All Souls' service at 4pm (see post below), in the morning at 10am on Sunday 5th November, our All-Age Service, Celebrating Together, will celebrate 'All Saints' in style!

Celebrating those special people who've left an impact on our lives, we'll be making our own 'stained-glass windows' to take away, and the familiar candles will be joined by a bit of November 5th fire and sparkle!

For more information, contact Alastair.

2006-10-05T18:32:00.000+01:00

REMEMBERING DEPARTED LOVED ONES

November 5th is the date of our annual 'All Souls' service. At the service, at 4pm, we remember and give thanks for departed loved ones, with the chance to light a candle, and have their names read out.

To find out more, or to give names to be read out, contact Alastair.

2006-10-05T18:30:00.000+01:00

DOG-WALKER?

A house-bound lady in Manor Road would dearly love to have a dog, but needs someone who would be able to walk it. A small payment could be made. If you'd like a 'part-time dog', or know someone else who might be interested, please contact Alastair.

2006-09-26T10:48:00.000+01:00

HARVEST FESTIVAL AT ST MARK'S

We're celebrating Harvest Festival on the weekend of 7th/8th October.

It's an opportunity to say 'Thank You' to God for the wonders of creation, and especially for the food that reaches our tables. It's a time also for remembering those who go hungry in our world - praying, committing ourselves to work for generosity and justice, and also to bring with us donations of food which will go to homeless young people in Birmingham, through the work of St Basil's

On Saturday night, at 7pm, we have a Buffet Supper and Barn Dance. Tickets are £4 for adults, £2 for school-age children and young people.

On Sunday morning, at 10am, we have our Harvest Festival service - a communion service (sharing bread and wine together) for all ages. Please bring some (non-perishable) food for us to take to St Basil's. If you can, try and bring at least one item with the 'FairTrade' logo on it...

For more details, contact Alastair (contact details on the website).

2006-09-25T17:20:00.000+01:00

Welcome to the new St Mark's website!

This will be the page that will tell you what's happening at St Mark's. Check back here for photos, sermons, and hopefully all kinds of even more exciting stuff!

Love and prayers,
Al