Hazelwell Weekly Contact January 22nd 2023
20 Jan 2023 • Weekly Notices
Hazelwell Weekly Contact
January 22nd 2023
Hazelwell Morning Worship
In Church at 10.00am (and on Zoom)
Led by Andy Harris
Please pray for
All those awaiting medical assessments this week
Kian (9) and his family; Kian is suffering with Guillain-Barre syndrome.
Stuart currently in hospital as he has a brain tumour with terminal prognosis
All who died in the plane crash in Nepal
Those killed and injured as a result of the shooting in Lewisham
For Unity amidst Injustice world-wide
Parish Update
If you are unable to be in church but would like to join us on Zoom for the service this week please follow the link below.
you are invited to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: 10.00am Sunday Worship
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82034815319?pwd=Mi9VdTlmRTNwOEtnMDFOaDd6dk1yZz09
Meeting ID: 820 3481 5319
Passcode: 827426
ØDiary Dates
Saturday February 4th 11.00am
Andy Harris will be licensed as a reader for Hazelwell Church, at a service in Birmingham Cathedral at. He would be very pleased to see anyone from Hazelwell who is able to attend the licensing service to support him.
We have re-introduced foodbank collections in church. The recipients will be the Spearhead trust based at Bells Farm, Druids Heath Fred Rattley is our link with the trust and the following is a recent appeal from their website.
“The Spearhead Trust at Bells Farmhouse runs a foodbank alongside other services to help and support members of our community. Due to the recent rise in the cost of living we have seen a massive increase in demand for our foodbank and food supplies are running low.”
You are still encouraged to donate directly to the B30 foodbank during your weekly shop if that is more convenient
A Reflection On Christian Unity
Taken from the Churches Together Booklet for the week of prayer for Christian Unity (Day 2)
Readings Isaiah 1:12-18 John 17:13-26
Jesus prays that we will be “completely one”, praying for an authentic and selfless unity, one with no half measures, reflected in the person of God, in the unity of the Trinity.
Such unity is challenging, it requires self-reflection, humility, a release of power and control, and an openness to change. Is this the unity that you are praying for this week? Isaiah reminds us of the hypocrisy that can still exist in our churches, claiming a love for others, but really only extending a full welcome to those who are like us.
Many have experienced pain, rejection, abuse, and exclusion within the Church. A Christian expression of unity must include everyone and offer healing and justice. This is rarely done in isolation, but more often together. Instead of offering empty worship Isaiah calls us to “learn to do good; seek justice” (Isaiah 1:17). Learning to do good also requires an openness to change.
This is the perfect season for Christians to reflect not just on unity but on the role we can all play together in promoting racial justice. To seek justice is to create space for God’s just ordering and enduring wisdom in a world all too often unmoved by suffering. And yet, there is joy in doing what is right. There is joy in affirming that “Black Lives Matter” in the pursuit of justice for God’s oppressed, dominated, and exploited beloved. There is power in giving in to wisdom’s call for justice, and in doing it as a church together.
