March 2007

CHURCH SERVICES

Sunday 4th   Today we meet as usual at 10.30 am for our morning service at which Communion will be served.

Sunday 11th   Our morning service will be led by Nigel Hunt

At our evening service at St John's Church in Birchmoor (6.30 pm) we will be focusing on families.  You are asked to bring photographs of family memories; perhaps of yourself as a child or more recent photo's of family groups, something special to you!  There will also be more information about this year's charity 'The Smile Train'.  (The cleaning party meet as usual on Saturday at 2 pm.)

Sunday 18th   Our Parade Service falls on Mothering Sunday, so we will be pleased to particularly welcome all mothers to the service.  (No need to worry about preparing lunch, I'm sure it will be done for you!)  At the service a DVD of the work of 'The Smile Train' will be shown.  Smile Train provides funds for surgery to correct cleft lip and palate deformities in children around the world.

Sunday 25th   As we approach the end of the month we reflect on our success so far in keeping our Lent promise and our thoughts begin to turn towards the events of Easter.

SPECIAL SERVICES IN MARCH

Friday 2nd   The Polesworth Churches join together at the Congregational Church in High Street (opposite the chip shop) for the annual service to mark Women's World Day of Prayer.  The service starts at 7 pm.  This year the service is entitled 'United under God's tent' and has been prepared by the women of Paraguay in South America.  Several of the Fellowship members will be taking part and David has stepped in to summarise the theme in the absence of

Rev. Stella Wallace-Tween who is sadly not able to attend.

Saturday 3rd   We will be supporting a time of reflection arranged by

St Leonard's Church in Dordon that will take place at 12 noon near to the site where the Birch Coppice pithead stood.  The service is to mark the 20th anniversary since the pit closed, everyone is welcome.  Meet at the Gazebo on the Birch Coppice Business Park (phone David if you need transport).  Refreshments will be available following this short service.

Sunday 4th   There will be a second opportunity to mark the closure of Birch Coppice Pit when, at a service in St Leonard's Church Dordon, we meet to reflect on the impact in the community of pit life and of the many changes that have come about following its closure.  The service commences at 4. 30 pm and will be led by Rev Val Hicks (Vicar of Dordon) together with David.  Whether you have family connections with the local mining industry or not as a community we have all been affected by it and its closure, so do consider coming to this service, everyone is welcome.

THE BRIGADES

This month there is a rush of Boys' Brigade Battalion Competitions for our lads to enter.  The Swimming Gala for Juniors, Company and Senior lads is on Saturday 10th at Cheslyn Hay Leisure Centre.  Not a competition in which we have much success in recent years - even trying to drink the pool and then run along the bottom has failed to result in a win. 

Tuesday 13th is the closing date for the Anchor Boy and Junior Picture Competition; this year's theme is 'Lifeboat Action'.  Now this is a competition in which we have had quite a bit of success over previous years.

Saturday 24th is the Orienteering Competition where last year our team of Company and Senior lads got lost and failed to complete the course having won the event in 2005! 

Finally, this busy month tops out with the Ten Pin Bowling Championships on Saturday 31st.  This is for Juniors, Company and Senior lads and is one of the most popular competitions we enter.

Excitement is rising amongst the girls as they prepare for their weekend at the Woodlands Adventure Centre in Aldridge.  Canoeing, zip wire, abseiling, tracking, assault course and much more awaits the girls who will be sharing the weekend with members of the 1st Kingshurst Company.  It's some years since we last visited the Centre and it's great to be going again.  The girls will be at the Centre over the weekend Friday 23rd to Sunday 25th.

Thinking of new things to do on Company evenings is always difficult so nine of the Brigade leaders have enrolled on a one day training course where they will be considering ideas that can be used with 5 to 11 year olds.  The training is at the home of CPAS in Warwick and takes place on Saturday 17th March.

Sticking with the training theme Matt Webb and Andy Davidson are away over the weekend 24 / 25th March on a Narrow Boat Helmsman Course which will enable us to consider undertaking narrow boat weekends with the lads later in the year.

Right at the end of the month, on Saturday 31st, Mrs Harris is taking a party of the older girls and some parents to the NEC for the 'Hobbycraft and Sewing for Pleasure' exhibition.  Any other parents who would like to be included should contact Christine.

We'll finish the Brigade events with news of a couple of things happening in Birmingham that we will support if there is interest in attending. 

Saturday 10th March is the date of the next Reunited event at St Martin's in the Bullring.  We've been before, it's for 11 to 19 year olds, and its mind blowing.  Great groups, exciting worship, daft idea's, it's where David was made to eat fire!  Speak to David if interested.

For 7 to 11 year olds Scripture Union have brought their successful X:site event to Birmingham!  January saw the launch of the event and it returns on Saturday 17th March between 6 and 8 pm.  Lots of fun, live music, learn more about Jesus, energetic games, meet new friends.  X:site happens on alternative months throughout 2007.  Speak to Mrs Harris for more information and a consent form.