Community

Starting this Sunday (25th August) St. Martin’s is participating in collecting items that are desperately needed for women and children in Syria. The charity (Hand in Hand) is organising an aid convey in early September. The items that are needed are: Baby milk (up to six months); nappies and baby wipes; Children’s school materials (e.g. pencils, writing pads); women’s hygiene products; bandages and dressings; non-prescription medicines (e.g. pain killers, laxatives); children’s winter boots; baby clothes (new only); winter blankets or duvets. Please leave your items in the church with a member of staff or a volunteer by Sunday 1st September at the latest.

Our “Cuppa and Chat” has returned. This is a coffee morning held in the church every Monday from 10am-12pm for people that might be feeling isolated, lonely, struggling with life and need someone to talk to. Cuppa and Chat hosted by St. Martin’s in the Bull Ring is part of the Places of Welcome Network. Before the pandemic we made contact with many people from all walks of life coming to sit down and enjoy a free hot drink and an opportunity to have someone listen to them talk if that is what they want. The majority of the people we have seen have various practical needs. However, they have mentioned that what they most need is someone to talk to about aspects of their life that are hard. We have the privilege at St Martins of giving our time to helping people and hopefully seeing change begin to happen in their lives. We pray that God will continue to bring people along and that we can love them as Jesus would. If you would like any more information about this or think that you

We provide a crèche area (for children aged 0-4years old and their parents) during the Crossing Service (Sunday at 11am).  Children using this space are supervised by their parents. Thus we are looking for a volunteer Creche Coordinator to help us to make sure that the facilities we are making available for parents with young children are maintained to a high standard (at least once a month around the Crossing Serivce).  This is both for health and safety reasons, and to demonstrate our and God’s love to parents and children – showing that we care. You must have been part of the worshipping community for at least 6 months. For more information please download the PDF file of the volunteer role description: Creche Coordinator Volunteer_Role_Description If you would like an application form please email volunteering@bullring.org. Closing date for applications: Sunday 1st September 2013.

We are currently updating the Volunteer web page, letting you know what volunteers do and how to get involved. Please watch this space! For more information please email: volunteering@bullring.org.

After careful consideration, it is with great regret that the decision has been taken to postpone Catalyst Culture, due to take place in the Cathedral Square THIS Saturday (20th July). Catalyst Culture will be rescheduled to a day. To be kept up to date please keep an eye on this website or visit www.b-inspired.net.

St Martin’s HOTS in June reached a record so far this year. We had again a blessed time reaching out to passers-by with a wonderful team. The team was great in number and as usual in quality too. I’d like to start with this testimony a gentleman sent to me on his email: ‘Last Saturday I was in church at St Martin’s as usual, and my priest asked me to come especially the next day on Sunday as his sermon would be on baptism. I knew the HOTS team was outside on Edgbaston St so I went there for prayer.  Whilst outside chatting to two of the team members, one of them asked me ‘why don’t you just get baptised tomorrow.’ As I sat there I was holding a water bottle and I replied ‘ here’s some water why don’t you just use this…’ When she heard this she asked me to repeat what I had just said. I did, and she stepped back amazed as she said this situation was similar to something that happened in the Bible with Phillip and the Ethiopian. When

Hi, My name is Joy Cairns and I’ve just started working at St Martins as Community Lay Minister. I love travelling the world, swimming, Ballroom and Latin dancing  and watching American TV series! My husband and I moved to Birmingham 4 years ago having previously been studying at the University of Durham. Since living in Birmingham I have worked with many different people including those with substance abuse issues, mental health issues and those who are homeless, to name a few. I am passionate about caring and supporting those people who for whatever reason have had a hard life. I am looking forward to using my new role to show the love of God to the people of Birmingham and seeing what happens! Watch this space……   Photo by Nutmeg Designs – Flickr

Concert Series St Martin in the Bull Ring 12:00 – 1:00pm Free, All are Welcome   Oksana Poleshook, piano Jack Cooper, clarinet Jonathan Warburton, trombone   Piano Sonata No. 26 in E flat major (“Les Adieux”), Op. 81a, Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 – 1827) Adagio Andante Expressivo Vivacissimamente Valse de Mephisto, Episode 2, “Faust de Le au”, Franz Liszt (1811 – 1886) Musical Moment No. 4, Op. 16, Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873 – 1943) Dance Preludes, Witold Lutoslawski (1913 – 1994) Warzone,  Stan Sulzmann (1948 – )   Next Week: Fri 12th July, 12:30 -1:00pm Jonathan Warburton, Trombone Steve Sykes, Trombone Phillippa Done, Piano & Trombone   Photo: esc861, flickr  

Due to ill health of the Lord Mayor, the Civic Service due to take place at St. Martin’s on Sunday 16th June at 6pm has been postponed. The service will be rearranged and the new date will be announced when we are aware.