Drayton Manor Park

It seems that the younger you are the more fearless with it. On Saturday 28^th July, we went with the Junior Church to Drayton Manor Park to have fun – stomach churning, gut wrenching fun! Only it was often the youngest amongst us who were ready for the thrills and (not to many) spills that were part of the adventure. We all paid to get in, even if it was only to spend the day acting as umpire and holding coats, lunchboxes and accessories for the those game for the rides. Personally I think there’s something to be said for paying NOT to go queasy but there you are – each to their own. And if you wanted to prepare to meet your maker there was ample to choose from – Apocalypse (a superfast, openair lift that drops you out of the sky), Pirate Ship (a real sense of being out on the open seas – bring your own paper bag) and for those who just like getting wet Stormforce 10 (shooting around up and down in a lifeboat). Thanks to Hilary and Anthea for organising the day. Any suggestions for next year? Please forward.

Fr Andrew

Sing to God a hymn of gladness

This month sees the launch of a new hymn book at St James – New Hymns and Worship Songs. And at services on 2^nd September there’s a chance to sample the new collection. Inside there are the familiar stalwarts of Songs of Praise such as Great is thy faithfulness as well as Wesley’s And can it be. Neither hymn is in our existing book. There are modern worship songs that have won a place in people’s praise – Be still for the presence of the Lord and Majesty to name but two. And there are some surprises. You’ll have to look (and wait!) to meet wage earners, the black madonna, not to speak of the elephant and the fuzzy wuzzy bear. There’s passion from Martin Luther King’s We have a dream speech adapted and set to music. And there’s power in Patrick’s Breastplate taking us right back to the dawn of Christianity in these islands. None of these are to be found in Hymns Ancient & Modern New Standard – what we’ll now inevitably start calling ‘the red book.’ If you’re wondering what will become of O Come all ye faithful and Praise my soul the king of heaven, the answer is the new book isn’t replacing the red book – we’ll just start using them together as we’re called to make a joyful noise to the Lord.

Music and hymnody also accompanies us at the month’s end. Our flower festival draws on harvest hymns transformed into floral arrangements. Harvest is a magical time midway between the August Bank Holiday in high summer and Bonfire Night with the depths of winter about to start. In the space of a few short weeks the seasons change and Harvest marks that point of transition – all is safely gathered in before the winter storms begin. That change and contrast is marked for us this year in flowers. We hope at some point over the weekend you’ll join us to enjoy the peace and beauty of the church for a few minutes, to experience some stunning music from our own choir and the Pearl of Africa, from schools around us, not to mention inspiring harvest praise. Look for further details in the magazine. You could even bring a friend with you!

Fr Andrew

Come ye faithful people come

Welcome to St James for our soon to happen glorious flower festival. Harvest is a magical time midway between the August Bank Holiday in high summer and Bonfire Night with the depths of winter about to start. In the space of a few short weeks the seasons change and Harvest marks that point of transition – all is safely gathered in before the winter storms begin. That change and contrast is marked for us this year in flowers. We hope at some point over the weekend you’ll join us to enjoy the peace and beauty of the church for a few minutes, to enjoy some stunning music from our own choir and the Peal of Africa, not to mention from schools around us, not to mention inspiring harvest praise. Look for further details in the magazine. You could even bring a friend with you!

Fr Andrew