Old News items from St. Wulstan's

'Connected' Mission

From 8th to 16th May 2004 the three churches which form the parish of St. Stephen's and St. Wulstan's together with the other three 'Connected Churches' - Selly Oak Elim, Selly Park Baptist and Tiverton Christian Fellowship - held a programme of events as outreach and welcome to the local area. Activities ranged from picnics and treasure hunts, through a Balti Quiz evening and a Question of Sport to wine tasting and a lecture on "the twilight of atheism" - so something for everyone! As well as providing lots of fun, each of the events gave people the opportunity to hear what God offers us in Jesus, and to investigate the Christian message.

The Mission was led by Michael Green and a team from Wycliffe Hall in Oxford

Visit the Connected web site for more information and up to date events listings.

Web site for St. Stephens

Our sister church, the parish church of St. Stephen's Selly Park, has launched its own web site. Information is available on their activities and sermon series together with the current parish notice sheet.

Check it out at http://www.st-stephens-church.org.uk/

Christmas services 2002

St. Wulstan's held a range of special services to celebrate the Christmas season in 2002.

As in previous years, the Church was decorated for Christmas with our life-sized nativity figures and with a selection of lovely banners prepared for us by the groups who use the church - Brownies, Rainbows, The Lunch Club, Bournbrook Ladies, Teddies and the Childminders.

On 1st December we held an all-age Advent service on the theme of light, where we were joined by the Brownies. On 15th December we held an all-age Carol service and on Christmas Eve, Janet Douglas led a meditative service in preparation for Christmas.

Harvest Festival 2002

Our Harvest Festival was held on 6th October 2002.

It was a great opportunity to reflect on the wonder of creation and the riches that God has given us.

Food was collected to give to Birmingham City Mission and the Parish's day centres for the elderly.

We followed the service with a bring-and-share lunch, and the afternoon was rounded off by unforgettable entertainment from members of the church - no-one who saw it will ever forget the memorable dance routine to Bohemian Rhapsody!

It was a wonderful way to remember God's provision, and to share together as a church family.

Summer Barbeque, 1st September 2002

The St. Wulstan's summer barbeque 2002 was held at the Stonehouse's new house at Goss Croft, Selly Oak. after the morning service.

In addition to being a fun occasion for all of us to meet together, it also marked the Stonehouse's last service at St. Wulstan's, after many years of service and fellowship with us.

The occasion was well attended, and was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone.

Sylvester family leave for Madagascar

On 11th August, the Sylvester family finally left us to move to Madagascar, where they will be working with CMS in partnership with the Anglican church in Madagascar. It was a great relief for Sarah and Jeremy to finally be on their way after many months of uncertainty caused by the political turmoil in Madagascar.

After an initial few months living in Antsirabe, to learn Malagasy, the family expect to move on to the south-west coast of Madagascar, to live and work in the town of Toliara.

Although we are sorry to see Jeremy, Sarah, Samuel and Aaron go, it has been a privilege and joy to have had them worshipping with us over the last year. The congregation of St. Wulstan's has been unique in welcoming the delays that have prevented the Sylvesters departing earlier, as it has given us all a chance to get to know them better, and to learn from their enthusiasm and committment.

Songs of Praise

As part of the celebrations of the Queen's Golden Jubilee, the BBC broadcast a live outdoor edition of its classic programme, "Songs of Praise"  on the afternoon of Sunday 2nd June from Centenary Square in the centre of Birmingham.

Several members of the congregation of St. Wulstan's turned out for this occasion, to enjoy a happy afternoon of hearty singing with like-minded Christians from all over the City.

As non-choristers, the BBC wisely placed us in the back of beyond, so as not to disturb the viewing millions ... but this did not dampen our enthusiasm or the general party atmosphere. Despite predictions of terrible weather, it remained largely dry, and was an entertaining, uplifting and joyful occasion, as well as teaching us interesting lessons about what the words 'live broadcast' really mean!

Like much of the rest of the country, we in the parish of St. Stephen's and St. Wulstan's also got excited by the World Cup.

We at St. Wulstan's joined with our friends at the Church Centre on Pershore Road to mark the beginning of the tournament.

There was a joint All Age service at 09.30 at the Church Centre, followed by bacon butties and World Cup Football at 10.30, as we watched England play Sweden.

Although England's performance on the pitch was less successful than we may have hoped for, the day itself was a great success.

Susan Barry

Susan Barry has been a long-time member of St. Wulstan's - both during her student days and more recently while working in Birmingham as a geography teacher.

Recently Sue has felt challenged by God to work with marginalised and disadvantaged communities, spending several weeks on short projects in South America over the last three years.

Sue has now gone out to Argentina to work with a non-governmental organisation called ASOCIANA in Salta in northern Argentina.

This charity aims to give a voice to indigenous communities, who all too often are under-valued and marginalised by mainstream society. It also endeavours to fight alongside these groups for their cultural and physical survival. Sue has committed herself to working in Argentina with ASOCIANA for at least a year.

We, at St. Wulstan's, have committed ourselves to pray for Sue over the coming year, and to support her in whatever ways we can as she takes up God's call to service.

Carol Service 2001

St. Wulstan's held its annual all-age carol service on Sunday 16th December.

The church was decorated with banners produced by the groups and organisations who regularly use the building. The Brownies and Rainbows each produced a banner on the theme of 'love and care'; the Lunch Club reminded us of Food, 'Bournbrook Ladies' took the theme of Homes, and the childminders who use the building mid-week used 'giving' as their subject. The Sunday School's banner was of Hope, and Teddies, our toddler group, reminded us of 'families'.

These banners, together with our life-sized nativity figures, were a focal point of the all-age carol service, and were on display in the church throughout the Christmas period.

Click here to see details from most of the banners.

Harvest Festival 2001

St. Wulstan's held its annual harvest festival on Sunday 30th September.

The church was beautifully decorated by the children who had attended the Fun Day  held in the Church the previous day.

The children took an active part in the All Age service, as they dramatised the parable of the seeds for our reading - playing growing, shrivelling, and choking corn with great enthusiasm.

Dave Beeston, Peter Lloyd and Chris Stonehouse acted out a thought-provoking sketch from Tear Fund, which reminded us of how wealthy we are in the 'First World' compared with the lack of resources in the 'Third World', and how God's provision is sufficient for everyone if we were all to share what we have.

The service was followed by a 'bring and share' meal, and an enjoyable time of fellowship.

Harvest gifts will be given to the Birmingham City Mission.

New leadership team at St. Wulstan's

With the departure of Rev. Nigel Lacey to pastures new, St. Wulstan's has entered another era in it's varied history of leadership.

The Parish of St. Stephen's and St. Wulstan's is undergoing a time of change, with a reduction of the clergy team from three to two people, and significant building projects needed at two of the three centres. The parish is actively seeking a clearer vision of what God is calling us to, and how he is calling us to work, and during this time the congregation of St. Wulstan's will be operating largely with lay leadership.

Leadership of St. Wulstan's will be coordinated by Chris Stonehouse, Chris Stonehouse and Chris Porter, working with the St. Wulstan's committee, and reporting to Rev. Chris Hobbs, the vicar of the parish of St. Stephen's and St. Wulstan's.

Departure of the Lacey family

After four years as the minister in charge of St. Wulstan's, Rev. Nigel Lacey has been appointed priest-in-charge of West Wycombe with Bledlow Ridge, Radnage and Bradenham in the Diocese of Oxford.

Nigel's service in St. Wulstan's, St. Mary's hospice and within the broader Bournbrook community has made a major difference, and will be much missed.

Nigel will be particularly missed for his work with the older members of the community, especially his visiting, and his work with the newly re-established lunch-club. His contribution to the work with children has also been a real strength, organising several fun days and helping with Teddies and other groups for young children.

Nigel's good humour and practical hard work will be hard to replace.

All the Lacey family have played a major part in the life of St. Wulstan's, and they will all be missed - Rosie's quiet but effective work in dealing with all the cash transactions of the church has been a real service, as has Rebecca's major contribution to the music group. 

The Laceys' last service at St. Wulstan's was on Sunday 1st July. After a service where Nigel challenged the church to stay committed to Christ and to one another, a traditional 'bring and share' lunch was held - complete with the traditionally huge quantities of food, and the family were presented with gifts and good wishes.

Everyone at St. Wulstan's, together with our friends from St. Stephen's and the Church Centre wish Nigel, Rosie, Rebecca, Sarah, Sam and Miriam well in their future ministry.

St. Wulstan's Weekend Away
27th-29th April 2001, Hebron Hall, Dinas Powys.

Drawing Close to God

Click here to see more about our weekend away

Departure of Hil and Pete Welch

After almost 30 years in the parish, including 13 years at St. Wulstan's, Hil and Pete Welch left Birmingham after a final service and shared meal on Sunday 25th March 2001.

Hil and Pete have been active members at all three of the worship centres in the parish at different points during their time in Birmingham. Pete served as Warden at different times for the Church Centre and for St. Stephen's, as well as enlivening our worship by playing his drums in the Music Group.

Hil has contributed a vast amount to the children's work of the whole parish, including the organisation of inumerable fun days and holiday clubs, coordination of Sunday activities for children, the establishment of a parish children's Home Group and the development of the parish's Child Protection Policy. She was a key element in the Leadership Team that steered St. Wulstan's during the three-year interregnum before Nigel Lacey was appointed to St. Wulstan's. She has been involved in both leading and preaching at St. Wulstan's, and has also served as chair of St. Wulstan's Centre Committee.

Hil and Pete will be much missed in the parish, and we all wish them well in their new home in Felixtowe.

This site is maintained by: Chris Porter. Created: 15 June 1999 [Last updated:04 February 2005]