Church Wardens.......... Deputy Wardens. Veryer: Churchill..... Oryanist: Blakedown..... Hon. Secretary P.C.C.... Hon. Treasurers P.C.C. Churchill..... Blakedown..... Covenant Secretary...... Hon. Secretary FWO Churchill. Blakedown. Sunday Club.. Adventurers... Missionary Secretary. Church Women's Guild. Women on Friday......... Church Flowers* Churchill. Blakedown. Mayazine Editor... Mayazine Treasurer... Mayazine Advert Secretary...... ‘Parrish Wirectory wr TSS Revd.Norman J. Davis +++700293 Revd.Robert C. Day . «++ 700205, Mr.Gerald Dyer ............700748 Mr.D. Houle . + +2++700459 Mr.B. Tait .. sees e+ 700576 - Mr.D. Phillips ... + 700365 Mr.L. Stock.. Mrs.J. Rand . 700881 700616 Mrs.M. Bowkett ... 515918 Mrs.J.M. Johns ... + +++ 700543 Wx RR BVM 5.90s.d010<'« « + -700231 MEG DBE mon wn. winseine 700748 Bit G5 DY OY ae ois.» nese.marecareiniee 100748 Mrs.J. Rand Mr.G. Dyer.... Mrs. S. Merrill Mrs.Macdiarmid . Mrs.S. Gordon Mrs.D. Chatwin . Mrs.A.Duffell Mrs.G. Rand .. ++-700616 Mrs.J. Jones: 700468 Revd.N. Davis ++700293 Mr.W. Cotterill ........ +++700781 Mrs.A. Duffell . ++700170 Material for the June maga%ine should be with the Editor before May 14th in order to have the magazine available on time. We especially look for contributions and points of interest for the whole community. it until the last minute. Please don't leaveMAY SERVICES 1992 "Those who worship, must worship in Spirit and in truth" May 3rd 10.00a.m. 11.15a.m. May 10th 08.00a.m. 10.00a.m. 11.15a.m. May 17th 10.00a.m. 11.15a.m. 10.00a.m. Easter 2 Family Service Blakedown Holy Communion Churchill Easter 3 Holy Communion Churchill Holy Communion Blakedown Morning Prayer Churchill Easter 4 Morning Prayer Blakedown Holy Communion Churchill MAY 24th ROGATION SUNDAY Holy Communion Blakedown 3p.m. ROGATION SERVICE ON THE CHURCHILL HILL (We shall be praying for all connected with agriculture at all the services) ASCENSION DAY THURSDAY 28th MAY HOLY COMMUNION 7.00p.m. BROOME. May 31st 10.00a.m. 11.15a.m. May 3rd May 10th May 17th May 24th May 31st SUNDAY AFTER ASCENSION Holy Communion (1662) Blakedown Holy Communion(Rite B) Churchill CHURCH FLOWERS Blakedown Churchill Mrs F Bentley Wedding Mrs P Eves Wedding Wedding Mrs Rand Mrs J Peck Mrs Rand Mrs G Porteous Mrs RandThe Rector’s Letter The Rectory 5 Mill Lane Blakedown May 1992 Dear Friends, Once again Easter is over - some may be thinking, "Did it really happen? Did Jesus rise from the dead?" You are in good company - Thomas felt’ like that too - I wonder if the story went something like this:- Thomas tugged at his beard. Why didn't his friends leave him alone? He could hardly drum up faith to hear what they said! For the hundredth time he checked off the facts on his fingers. One. At midday last Friday, Jesus had been nailed to a cross. Two. By three o'clock he was dead. Three. Before Joseph of Arimathea took the body of Jesus from the cross Pilate made double sure that Jesus was dead. Four. The body had been sealed inside a cave tomb. Surely it was final. But was it? For a whole week Thomas had been bombarded by tales that Jesus was alive. Could it be true? Was it such a short time since Jesus came into Jerusalem? Everyone knew that Jesus had returned at the peril of his life. The Jewish leaders were out to get him at all costs. It was usually Peter who made rash statements - as they returned it was Thomas who played the hero and bravely said, "Come on, let us all go and die with him!" Thomas meant it. So did the others. Of course they would stick by their Master! Even when Jesus went on to speak of his death, Thomas simply echoed the vow of them all, "If I must die with you, I will not deny you!" Now a week later, they might be able to forget how they left Jesus in the lurch. But Thomas never could. It had been the most wretched week of his life. He just wanted to be left alone to churn over his misery. Unbelief grows by what it feeds on. The other disciples came to dig him out of his black hole. They were bubbling over with their news; "We have seen the Lord!" Thomas would have none of it. "Unless I put my fingers into the marks of the nails, I just refuse to believe it. Given specific proof - of his own choosing, he might considerit. But not unless. Suddenly Jesus himself was standing there. He offered Thomas both his hands. "Thomas, put your fingers here", Jesus said. But Thomas was already on his knees calling, "My Lord and my God". The reproof came so gently, "Happy are those who have never seen me, and yet have believed". We don't need to see to believe and our unbelief can do a change about! Prayerful wishes for Penticost. Qtvelta (Onn a— CHURCHILL & BLAKEDOWN CHURCH WOMEN'S GUILD NEXT MEETING THURSDAY 7th MAY 8.00p.m. CHURCHILL CHURCH. FELLOWSHIP COMMUNION - ALL LADIES WELCOME. CHURCHILL WITH BLAKEDOWN GIFT DAY SATURDAY 13th JUNE 1992 URGENTLY NEEDED If you have any GOOD CHILDREN'S CLOTHES which are no longer needed by YOU they are needed by others. Sara Brehony is the Headteacher of a Birmingham school where often the children are in desperate need of clothing, coming from needy families. If you can help with any clothes you could pass them direct to her at 63 Belbroughton Road or pass to the Rector. Many. thanks.FROM THE PARISH REGISTER BAPTISMS March 29th Chloe Olivia Phillips Churchill MARRIAGE BLESSING. March 28th Ian Arnott and Carol Hinton Churchill FUNERAL es April 9th Arthur (Archy) Robert Richardson 88 years At Stourbridge Crematorium ROGATION WALK COME ON - Give it a go this year. Your opportunity to walk around the parish boundary, through woods not generally open to the public.’ START - 0130p.m. Saturday 23rd May MEET - At the Duck Pens (Near to Hodge Hill Nursery) BRING - Picnic, good shoes! WALK for all or just part of the way. ROGATION SERVICE Sunday 24th May - Churchill Church and walk up the Hill. DID YOU KNOW GRAND SAUSAGE MAKING CHAMP In our congregation (and a musical one-at that) MAUREEN BOWKETT is the National Sausage making champion. She came first in a big competition with entries from all over the country last month - you may have seen her on T.V. Well done Maureen and congratulations from us all. BLAKEDOWN OLD SCHOOL HALL is available at very reasonable charges for meetings, children's parties and similar functions. The facilities are now much improved (thanks mainly to the playgroup and the hard work of Brian Tait). Details and bookings ring Brian on 700576.THE APRIL MAGAZINE was late and we apologise for this as it was due to machinery breaking down at the printers. We hope May magazine is out on time but the Easter holidays may not help this. RRR RH RHR HR KR RH ATTENTION To everyone, male or female, between the ages of 16 to 25. Are your nights dull and drab? Staying in while everyone around you are going out? THEN LOOK NO FURTHER...... We are the "HAGLEY YOUNG FARMERS" in Hereford and Worcester area. We have sports, walks, talks, parties and disco evenings every Friday night - not to mention trips including visits abroad. So if you are interested and the right age, please come and join us. You WON'T feel left out. We meet each Tuesday at Churchill Village Hall at 8.00p.m. - and you DON'T have to be a farmer. P.S. If we don't do it, let us know and we will. Hope to see you soon. Further information : John - Tel: 0527 31876 RRR RRR RE RRHK BLAKEDOWN SCOUT GROUP SUMMER FAIR 30th May 2.00p.m. PLAYING FIELD - REAR OF PARISH ROOM Admission 20p Adults. 10p Children and 0.A.Ps. Bouncy Castle. Marching Band. Sit - Ride Cars. Cake Stall. Bar - B.Q. Candy Floss. Ice creamu.Children's Games and lots of stalls. COME AND JOIN IN THE FUN. RRR RRR KERR KKK RECTORY FELLOWSHIP will recommence in May - listen out for the notices.The following was contributed by Ann Edwards. AN ALTERNATIVE CROSS At a recent farewell party for two retiring colleagues, two friends were asked to prepare and cook 60 jacket potatoes, between them for the meal. One, a Vicar's wife, was well used to such a task, and the other, a less confident, decided to consult her friends in order that thi end product should be similar. Having ascertained the modus operandi, she enlisted the help of her husband to prepare the feast. After scrubbing the potatoes, he enquired what the next operation should be. "She puts across on top", explained his wife. After a thoughtful f'ew moments, he replied, "She's a Vicar's wife isn't she? So what do we put on the top for a carpet weaver's wife?" This is a true story and the recounting caused great hil- arity and certainly helped the washing of the dishes after the meal. RRR RR HHH HH NOW A SAD STORY From Catherine Clark 7 Churchill Lane. The other Monday evening I arrived home at 8.30p.m. to find my daughter's cat lying dead on the driveway. The cat had been hit by a passing car and had dragged herself onto the drive to die. This is the fifth cat we have had run over in such a way in the eleven years we have lived in Churchill Lane. My fourteen year old daughter is devastated. I do not blame the driver of the car, as cats do run across the road, and they are inevitably run over. But I do wish that when someone knows they have hit an animal, that they have the courage to stop, and see if it needs help, and not callously drive away. Is a ring on the doorbell too much to expect from people today? Please spare a thought for the poor animal's suffering, as well as the ee RRR RRR RHE BLAKEDOWN W.I. A Gardening Bring and Buy and Cake Stall will be held in Blakedown Parish Rooms on Saturday May 2nd. Admission 25p including coffee. Everyone welcomed!Wal BLAKEDOWN W.I. April 1992 "How to keep out of the hands of your Surgeon' was the theme of the humorous and forthright talk given by Mr Ron Grimley, a Surgeon/Consultant. Although the subject was dealt with in a light-hearted manner, Mr. Grimley stressed the importance of seeking medical advice early. The Speaker was thanked by President Maureen Bowkett for a very informative and interesting talk. Mrs Hilda Mottram read a letter from the Institttes Int- ernational Link, Richards Bay, South Africa. Mrs. Jan Jones gave a lively report on the Annual Council Meeting. The Gardening Bring and Buy and Cake Stall, will be held on May 2nd. Good support from members and the public is hoped for. The Competition for the Annie Harrison Plate will be held during the May Meeting. The Plate will be awarded for the best French Apple Flan. The choir entertained members for social time. A good selection of songs included April Evening and Easter Bonnet. Next Meeting May 13th. RRR RHR KE HOLIDAY LET Large Country Stone Cottage Languidic Southern Brittany FRANCE Near Sea Sleeps8+Cot ° 4 Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms For More Details and Bookings Telephone Jacky Hughes 0562 700085 BEAVERS Domestics Delivered Daily 49, Corbett Crescent, Amblecote, DIS 4IT Tel: 0384 442140 Temporary and permanent domestic staff supplied for general cleaning, spring cleaning, help with parties and functions. All staff delivered and collected