St. Joseph’s Church, Merry Hill, Wolverhampton

Liz Pemberton speaks on Luke 19:1-10, the story of Zacchaeus the tax collector.

As ever, listen here…or pick it up on iTunes. (Please also see the Help page on this site about this.)

Joy’s asked me to post this[*], for those (such as me, to my regret!) who missed it, and as a reminder for those who didn’t! Sorry, there wasn’t a recording of the service.

Phil’s Licensing            Wednesday 23^rd September 2009

My husband recently bought a new laptop computer and if some of you are not familiar with computers please forgive me but it has shown me how it is important to understand the instructions before you start.

As warden of St Jo’s I therefore feel compelled to present to you this evening, the user guide to the model you have selected for your new vicar, the Cansdale model.

Can I say you have made an excellent choice? We loved this model.

At St Jo’s we had the Cansdale model for 6 years so he comes highly recommended to you, during that time he has proved to be high on performance, reliable, adaptable, with plenty of memory, able to process all commands and run many programmes at the same time.

Now we are sad to see this model go but please don’t think of the Cansdale as second hand, shall we say more like pre owned and, although this model is very straightforward to run, I feel we could not let him come to you without instructions – a user guide. And as you all know you must read the user guide before operating.

This model does not have a complex turning on procedure, it is always on standby and ready to run, if fact you may have some degree of problem trying to put it in sleep mode but don’t worry about that. Just be careful not to run it for too long or it will overheat. In particular I have to tell you this this model is to be supervised at all times near naked flames,

To be honest we experienced a particular problem in this area,………….. and our Advent ring was never the same again! Candles and the Cansdale model do not go together.

When you get it up and running always check the display features to see if they are appropriate, the Cansdale model is not used to being formal and in its haste has sometimes been known to robe and forget the collar, so always complete a visual check to ensure all is as it should be.

The Cansdale model is compatible with different fonts and can use all effectively but do supervise him and check the font: he has been used to getting into a large 6′ by 4′ font in the floor, the baptistry, so just be careful as damage could occur if he attempts to do the same in a smaller one. But I am sure he will become adaptable to using a smaller font over time.

The Cansdale model manages many command programmes particularly well, especially Word, The Word is one of his strongest programmes, he is able to translate complex passages into modern understandable text, he uses the language option appropriately and can structure and lay out presentations brilliantly. You would struggle to find another model to equal in this area.

The other command function he manages well is responding and obeying the voice of the warden, if wardens here want advice on the right pitch and sound control, I will be happy to demonstrate, can I say use of the full name Philip often works.

This model is also particularly good at networking, it works well with a variety of other units, it is adaptable, it talks to them, it listens, it exchanges ideas, it combines memory and is not afraid to empower others. It communicates with young new systems and more mature models.

He is even able to communicate with those who don’t even know they are on line yet, so he is a really skilled piece of equipment.

The Cansdale also comes with a brilliant support and backup unit: the Tracey, she supports and encourages the main model but is a brilliant model in her own right, we loved her so much and all the smaller units, Lottie, Hamish and Barney, you are very lucky to get him with such brilliant and stunning accessories.

It has caused us great sadness to part with them all but we wish you all the best, you have chosen so well, the Cansdale model and accessories come with our love and highly highly recommended.

There may be other more attractive or better looking models around but non-that compare with Phil’s performance.

You have a reliable, exciting model that will give you years of dedicated service and we have not parted with him easily.

So set him up correctly, position well near a power source, of lively debate, good ideas, team players and curry. Recharge regularly, he does need time to recharge, for spiritual topping up, for feeding, so turn him off occasionally give him some time away to recharge.

And finally at St Jo’s I have a bit of a reputation for being bossy, I am sure you would find that hard to believe, but I want to give you a final clear instruction from the Parish of Penn Fields and in particular from everyone from St Jo’s, look after Phil and family, we love them very much and we entrust them to your loving care.

Amen

St Jo’s hosted a really successful – in that everybody had loads of fun, and loads of people came – Community Day on Sept 19th. Everywhere was open, everything was free, everything was for the whole community.

Here are some short clips of people talking about the event. Why I didn’t record more video of the actual things going on, I don’t know, although I had had only 5 hours sleep each night for the last week and was still jet-lagged. That also explains, in my mind if not objectively, why I couldn’t even remember what day it was. Sorry!

From Carl, who’s been selected to be the new Resident Minister at St Jo’s:

The Story So Far:

I grew up in the Chilterns before going to university in Salford where I became a Christian. Postgraduate research provided a wonderful excuse to stay in Manchester, be involved in youth work, and enjoy the walking opportunities. When it was finally time to get a job I was led to work for a healthcare company in research and commercial production. This was followed by roles in project management and planning.

Aileen & I met in Maidstone and married in 2001. Aileen is an accountant but is currently spending time growing vegetables, baking bread and drinking tea to name but a few. Her main area of ministry has been running AV systems in Seasalter.

Training for ministry saw us move to Bristol, where I studied at Trinity College and found time for some golf. After finishing college we moved to Whitstable in Kent, where I have served as curate to the Whitstable Team, based mainly at St Alphege Seasalter.

I believe it’s crucial to help and encourage people to become the people God has called them to be. I’m also passionate about prayer ministry.

Lydia is a lively 6 year old (almost 7), she enjoys cycling, trampolining and reading and is very chatty. She enjoys Rainbows and is looking forward to going to Brownies.

As a family we are keen skiers, however for most of the year we make do with cycling along the seafront. We have rackets, sticks and bats for most sports although they are not often found in use.

We are very much looking forward being part of the church at St Jo’s.

Our new Minister has been announced! He’s Rev. Dr. Carl Rudd and is currently part of the Whitstable Team Ministry in Kent,  in Canterbury Diocese.   He’s married to Aileen and they have one daughter, Lydia Joy who is 7 years old.  The licensing will be on January 26^th, and they will be moving into the parish after Christmas.

Yes, another import from Canterbury! I’m not complaining, I lived there for three years myself. More seriously, I think that all that have met Carl would agree that he’s going to be a really positive new Minister for St Jo’s. Thank you Lord for bringing him to us, for all the people who have worked so hard in the process, and for your guiding hand upon them.

We’ll be bringing you more on Carl soon…

Andy Bennett speaks on John 21:1-17 in the last of the summer season’s theme. Today he explores the richness that is there for us if we could only listen to God’s word and accept it, and the richness of human relations that is there if we can listen to, and forgive, one another.

Sorry that we can’t reproduce the fresh baked bread aroma here. You can always stick this sermon on your MP3 player and have a listen in the supermarket bread section I suppose…

As ever, listen here…or pick it up on iTunes. (Please also see a new Help page on this site explaining what that’s all about!)

I’m just back from a week of holiday – away from work at least – and suspect that many others are too. If you’re anything like me you’ll have done some mental gymnastics about the return to work. The weather’s also giving us rather too much of a hint – a great big flashing notice in fact – that playtime is over. I tend to regard this “term” as being a productive but tough time with the working world undiverted by thoughts of snow and sun, with a lot to get your teeth into and with Christmas hols and celebrations the other side of darkening nights and a lot of preparation too.

So at a time like this I’m keen to find strength where I can. This term I’m looking forward to a new set of home group meetings – our “low end” group is having new input and a slightly new structure – which will be following the theme of “One People living out God’s story” that we’re also doing in the Sunday services. Being One People – in our church and community – is I think a great source of strength not only as we deal with the day-to-day challenges of work but as we look for a better understanding of how we can take our personal journeys through life with each other and with God. Certainly it is the people of St Jo’s who have given me so much support and encouragement not only in the recent difficult times in my life but also in my development as a Christian, and who have helped me reach the strength that we are all given by the Holy Spirit.

Where are you going to find strength? Comment below! If you’ve never commented on an article on the website before, now’s your chance…if you’ve no idea where to begin, take a look over at the help page.