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Dates7th May 2.30pm Being a Good Gardener: Rosemary Moss14th May 7.30pm Deanery Festival, All Saints’, Sedgley20th May 10.00am Corporate Communion21st May 7.30pm My Road to Ordination: Revd Alma OrganLiz WilliamsLADIES’ SOCIETY VISIT TO THE MILL THEATRE, DORMSTONIn April, the very talented Willenhall Musical Theatre Company performed CalamityJane, adapted in the 1960’s from the highly successful 1953 Warner Bros. film of thatname. Several ladies attended the show and some commented on their memories ofHoward Keel and Doris Day, stars of their era, singing the catchy tunes of the filmCalamity Jane. If this was our benchmark of expectation of performance andenjoyment, then what we experienced of the show certainly matched.A most able cast, supported by a superb orchestra, gave an amusing portrayalof life in ‘Western’ Deadwood City. Its two Peace Officers, Calamity Jane andWild Bill Hickock, get involved in saving the neck of local saloon operatorHenry Miller, who has been promoting an actress, Frances Fryer, but who turnsout to be male Francis instead. Angry miners are quelled by Calamity Jane, thesix pistol gal, with a reputation for being careless with the truth. She sets out toget the miners’ real heartthrob, actress Adelaine Adams. However, in Chicagoshe mistakes the maid for the actress and hauls her back to Deadwood. Soonthe maid Katie confesses, and once again Calamity needs to restore order andpersuades the folk to give Katie a chance. She soon wins the heart of everymale in Deadwood, including Calamity’s love hope Danny Gilmartin.Ultimately Calamity Jane overcomes her jealousy of losing Danny and findsher true love for Wild Bill Hickock.As the story unfolded we were treated to fine performances of the maincharacters, supported by a cast of good dancers and actors, who seemed toenjoy their presentation. The show, of course was interspersed with well knownsongs such as ‘Men!’, ‘Windy City’, ‘The Black Hills of Dakota’ and ‘SecretLove’. A great show! Thank you, Barbara, for your organisation of our visit tosee a most enjoyable production.Our next outing on 10th May is to the ‘White Lion’ (opposite the BeaconHotel) for a meal at 7.30pm, meeting around 7.15. The walk over the Beaconwill now take place at a later date. Hope to see many of you at the White Lion.Anne Wakefield9

GOOD FRIDAY WORKSHOP 2013This year’s workshop on Good Friday was exceptionally well attended with 67children registering for the activities. This was an all-time record! Many adultsalso stayed with young children, and helpers from church and the Youth Groupassisted with the activities, making the event very successful.Activities on offer this year included: ‘stained glass’ Crosses and Butterflies;Easter cards; Easter Gardens; Story Wheels & a Cross Chain; Painting; Quizsheets; Colouring for the very young; the ever-popular Cake Decorating; andour Cross which was decorated with Daffodil Prayers. The children movedfrom table to table and seemed to enjoy all the activities, leaving some of theirwork for display in church over Easter. We again took some photos of theactivities this year and these were also displayed in church. There was anEaster Egg prize draw for registration, which was won by Nicole Dalley, LucySeedhouse, and Joseph Dowen.After the activities, everyone enjoyed well-earned refreshments and hot-crossbuns. Stephen came, with Maximus Mouse, to tell the children a story aboutEaster, and the morning finished with songs and prayers. We were very gratefulto Joyce, who came to play the piano at such short notice. Everyone appearedto have enjoyed the morning and left happy and uplifted.This year around 20 adults and young people from Junior Church, the Noah’s ArkGroup, Youth Group, and from the Congregation gave up their time to help withthe activities and support the event. I am overwhelmingly grateful for their helpand support, without which it would not be possible to hold these events. There isno doubt how much pleasure the children get from these activities, which isobvious from the increasing numbers attending year after year.My heartfelt thanks go to everyone for their hard work on what was a trulyrewarding morning.Barbara Price10

INTERCESSIONS FOR th28th29th30th31stPhilip & James, ApostlesAthanasius, Bishop & teacher of the faithIsrael/PalestineEnglish Saints & MartyrsSt Mary's, Hurst HillRogation DayThe Community of the ResurrectionJulian of NorwichAscension DaySamaritansChurch Missionary SocietyGornal & Sedgley TeamChristian Aid WeekMathias the ApostleChurch TreasurersSocial ReformersSchools in our ParishTorch Fellowship for the blind & partially sightedPentecostDunstan, restorer of monastic lifeThe HomelessChurch ArmyChurch WardensJohn & Charles WesleyThe Venerable BedeTrinity SundayAugustine of Canterbury, BishopAdditional Curates SocietyJosephine Butler, Social ReformerCorpus ChristiVisitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary11

CHRISTIAN AID WEEK 12-18 MAY“BITE BACK AT HUNGER”In the Amazon rain forest in eastern Bolivia Christian Aid's partner, the Centrefor Research and Training of Peasants (CIPCA), has been successfully workingwith marginalised indigenous communities in the region of Beni to secure therights to the land where they have lived for generations. The communities feelan even stronger link to the land on which they live now that their familieshave gained the official land titles. Elmy Ymanarlico, who keeps chickensprovided by CIPCA, says: ‘These chickens are better than the ones we had inthe community before because they produce more eggs and more often,ensuring regular food and income.’ Now families are safe on their land, theycan invest for the future, too. Elmy is now able to provide food for her familyand sell surplus produce at market.Protecting familiesOver the past few years CIPCA has helped more than 1,000 families to securelegal ownership of the land they have lived on for generations. This in turn hasprotected them from local cattle ranchers and mining and logging companieswho had been trying to drive them off their land, often destroying their crops orintimidating their families. With rights to the land, communities are now ableto look forward to a more secure future and are able to invest their time andefforts in caring for the land and forest in which they live.Sustainable businessesAs well as helping these communities to gain their land rights, CIPCA is alsohelping them to increase the amount of food they have while continuing to protectthe forest and the rich resources it holds. By developing new sustainable businesseswith the communities, such as growing the regions high-quality cocoa and teachingthe communities how to keep hens and woolless sheep, fear and hunger are beingreplaced by safety and abundance.Diversifying cropsMoreover, by providing each family with seeds or saplings for 52 different types ofcrops, CIPCA is helping them to diversify their agriculture, ensuring that they are notreliant on just a few crops. This means that even if there is flooding or a time ofdrought, they can still harvest some foods. While some crops, such as rice or maize,are ready to harvest within a year, the communities can plan ahead and plant cocoasaplings or citrus trees for harvesting after a few years. They also plant their ownhardwood trees, which may take 30 years to mature but can then be sold or used tobuild their children’s homes, further protecting their forest environment and futures.12

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R T KNIGHT OPTICIANSHADENNEWSAGENTSIndependent, ProfessionalEye careUNDER NEW MANAGEMENTContact Lens CentreGlaucoma Screening35 Dudley StreetSedgleyTel. 01902 674200Newspapers, Confectionary,Magazines, Tobacco,Stationery, Greeting Cards,Payzone/Mobile Top UpGas/Electricity payments8 Dudley StreetSedgleyDudleyWest Midlands DY3 1SBTel. 01902 883260TO ADVERTISE IN THISMAGAZINE CONTACTALL SAINTS’ VICARAGEKevin WestonDecoratingTel 01902 883255E mail: srb55@talktalk.netSpecial rates for Senior CitizensLocal Authority approvedAdvanced City & Guilds23 years’ experienceFree quotationsRates for 12 monthsQuarter page 25Half page 40Full page 70Member of the Guild of Master Craftsmen12 Himley Lane, Swindon DY3 4PW01384 40185907981 596109The magazine is distributedto 350 households in theSedgley area14

Sarah PowellFoot Health PractitionerRGN Dip, CFHP, MPSP (FHP)Friendly Home visiting services in this area Foot health checkNails trimmedCorns and calluses treatedProblem nails treatedFoot massage to finishAfter-care advice givenDiscount given for initial treatmentFor more information or to make anAppointment please ’phone 01902 67182415

FOR A GREAT DEALCONSULTArthur's JewelleryHand made gold& silver jewelleryKGJRepairs, remountsINSURANCE SERVICES(MIDLANDS) LTDBILSTON ST, SEDGLEYAntique jewelleryrepaired & restoredThe Craft CentreHalfpenny Green VineyardFor low cost motor insuranceHousehold insurancePersonal accident &travel insurancePayment by instalments availableWritten details on requestFor a free quotation call:01902 880044Tel: 01384 221567Mob: 07856 898558www.arthursjewellery.co.uk07837 76734401902 881361Ianhipkissdrivingschool@hotmail.co.ukBlock Booking DiscountsPass plus TuitionFree Theory Test GuidanceFirst Lesson: 2 hours for price of 116

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Worth SidesPhil OrtonPainting & DecoratingServicesPapering - PaintingProperty MaintenanceHouses - Shops - OfficesTurf SpecialistQuality Lawn MaintenanceResidential & CommercialMowing & Edging Turf InstallationMember ofDudley Age ConcernFix a Home SchemeHedge Trimming Light HaulingWood Chip MulchingPressure WashingFor an estimate:Tel: 01902 894830Mob: 07974 281894Mobile 07816 250387Home 01902 881206P & C ELECTRICAL&PLUMBING SERVICESHARTILLS OF SEDGLEYMONUMENTAL MASONSFULLY QUALIFIEDDOMESTIC INSTALLERMEMORIALS OFDISTINCTION(BRAMM REGISTERED)From changing a Light Fittingto a Consumer BoardNew MemorialsAdditional InscriptionsRenovationsFrom a Dripping Tap to acomplete Bathroom SuiteUnit 1DHigh Street, SedgleyDY3 1RPNo job too smallNo job too bigCall Phil: 01902 673 419Mob. 07836 770135Alderbrook Close, SedgleyTel/Fax 01902 88246618

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The Shaggy DogPet Grooming Centre for Dogs and CatsFor busy people we take bookingsfor Bank Holidays and Sundays17 Bilston St, Sedgley DY3 1JATel: 01902 661377Evenings: 01902 677869(As recommended by Maisie, the Vicarage Dog)G L S ALARMSSECURITY SYSTEMS SPECIALISTSIntruder Alarms, Maintenance ContractsRepairs & Upgrades, Annual ServiceExisting systems maintained & repairedEst. 15 years - Insurance Approveds ah i b registered installer68 Longmeadow Drive, Sedgley DY3 3QRTel: 01902 88318820

GLOVERSPHIL OLIVERSPECIALISTCERAMIC TILERWalls & FloorsInKitchensBathrooms& ConservatoriesFor all your home& office stationerysupplies ringRichard, Maria,or Mel Bates on:12 Dudmaston WayDudley DY1 GQ01902 871682ONLINETel. 01384 234323Mob. 07595 879267www.gloversstationery.co.ukL A JLOCKSMITHFor all your household needsReplacement locks/keysLockouts, ServicingRepairs & security upgradesMotorcycle security, chains & padlocksFriendly service(Don’t forget to add the tel. no. to your mobile, younever know when you might need to use it!!)Tel: 07905882148E-mail: lajlocksmith@live.co.uk21

SWEET TRADITIONSRUSSELLSREMOVALSDUDLEY STREETSEDGLEYHouse & Office RemovalsFully InsuredClearances & StorageFree EstimatesOld Fashioned &Traditional SweetsPick and MixGifts and MoreChildren’s Party Bags13 Robert StreetLower GornalDudley DY3 2AZTel. 01902 680081HasGareth Malone inspired you to sing?Then come and join us!We areCoseley Male Voice ChoirAnd we want more men to join us.Tenors particularly welcome.We practise on Monday evenings approximately1 mile from Sedgley. If you are interestedplease urgently call Gordon on 01902 658402.We are also taking Concert Bookings for 2013and if you would like the Choir to perform foryou please speak to Sheila on 0121 520 0739.22

SEDGLEY POWERWASH SERVICESPROFESSIONAL DRIVEWAY&PATIO CLEANING SERVICEAT AFFORDABLE PRICESSKYVACA CAMERA GUIDED GUTTER CLEANING VACUUMPrices start from 20Call for a free no obligation quoteContact Pete on 07791 241952www.sedgleypowerwash.co.ukemail: pete–mason@live.co.ukPENNY FARTHING COFFEE HOUSEPenny Farthing Arcade, High Street,Sedgley, DY3 1RWTelephone 07515 898038Come in and try our scrumptious cakes,our selections of delicious hot and cold drinks.Fancy some food? Warming soups, hot meal of the day, create yourown fresh sandwich, panini, plus jacket potatoes and fillings.You’re guaranteed a warm and friendly welcome every visit.We look forward to seeing you.Outside catering also available23

JUST THOUGHTSWords can sometimes be hard to find, but sometimes the simplest and briefestprayers can be profound.Sometimes silence is better than words. In silence we can have space to holdwhat has happened in our hearts and cry.It pays to keep our real priorities in mind at all times, no matter whatever trivialmatters we maybe involved in.What we place at the centre of our life matters. It shows us what is our deepest desire.Never consider God to be at the limits of your understanding. He is always inthe midst of what is important to you.Its remarkable the difference between children. In the west, if you ask themwhere God is they are likely to point to the sky. If you ask a child in India, thenthey are likely to point to their hearts.Adore not the sun or the moon but the one who created them.Remember there is nothing automatic about one’s spiritual life; growth is theresult of effort, reading, thinking and praying.Wherever hungry people are fed, homeless people sheltered, rejected peoplewelcomed, powerless people empowered, Christ is born again and all heaven rejoices.A non-believing surgeon said to a gardener, ‘I’ve cut open hundreds of peoplebut I’ve never ever found a human soul.’ The gardener replied, ‘Well, if you cutinto a tulip bulb, you wouldn’t expect to find a flower, would you?’Everyone we meet, everything we do, every word we speak, every single moment ofour lives are important. Each and every one of us counts for something – to others,to ourselves and for sure we are important to God.Each and every day is like a scroll; write upon them that which you want to beremembered.Christians can sometimes appear to be arrogant, believing there is only oneanswer to life and that they have it. The truth is that God has given us a song tosing, and, like the birds, we shouldn’t be afraid or embarrassed to sing it withdelight, attracting the attention of others.24

Have you ever thought about God’s religion? if you tried to classify Him would He be aChristian, like ourselves or maybe Muslim, Hindu, Jewish or whatever? Surely HisSpirit is pure, unconditional love. Should not our souls reflect this spirit in our lives,and thereby not necessarily causing divisions between one another by labels relating tofaith? God is love, should that not be our overriding message, not division.God is not the least impressed by national or religious identity. It’s how werespect and behave to our neighbours that really counts.God through the life of Jesus alerts us to the fact that we can only call ourselvestruly human when we’ve learnt to be compassionate with one another.Life is a journey – travel it well. If you have the choice of sitting it outwatching it go by, or dancing your way through it, I hope you choose to dance.The only really effective missionary is the one who draws people to their beliefby the way that they behave and not by threats or bribes. Jesus didn’t forceanyone to believe in him – they were attracted to him by the person he was andstill is today.The answer to life’s questions lie inside you. All you need to do is stop, look,and listen, and then to trust that small inner voice.If we dwell on positive feelings, they grow . . . and they lead to happiness, forourselves and for those around us. If we choose to dwell on hatred, it growsand leads to suffering, for ourselves and those around us.Compiled by David MelhuishCHRISTIAN AID WEEKWe shall mark the beginning of Christian Aid Week at All Saints’ with a specialservice on Sunday 12th May at 10.30 am., for which we will be joined by thecongregation of St Andrew’s, Bilston Street. The theme for this year is “BiteBack At Hunger”, and you can read about a Christian Aid project in Bolivia onpage 12 of this magazine.Regarding our street collection, it has become obvious that we cannot cover thewhole of the Northway etc, so this year we are asking each of you to collectfrom your own street. Collection envelopes will be available in church, soplease make the effort this year to get involved. I know that house to housecollecting can be a daunting business, but we are doing it on behalf of some ofthe poorest and most exploited people in the worldStephen Buckley25

AROUND THE PARISHNoah’s Ark Mothers & Toddlers. The winners of the Easter bonnet paradewere 1st Jude Willetts, 2nd Joshua Smith, 3rd Ryan Jones, 4th Jake Groom. Itwas a hard choice to make and congratulations to everyone who entered. Manythanks to the judges.Birth congratulations to James Wai Anderson on the birth of their daughterSuzy Mae Lee who was born 25th February and weighed in at 7lbs 15ozs. Suzy isthe second granddaughter and third grandchild of John and Sue Anderson.Also birth congratulations to Darren and Becci Matthews on the birth of theirson Joshua Edward who arrived four weeks early on 8th April and weighed in at ahealthy 6lbs 8ozs. A brother for Alfie and another Grandson for David andMaureen Matthews. Further reports say that mother and baby are doing fine.Congratulations to Alicia Watton, granddaughter of David and Maureen Matthews,who has just gained a grade five in a singling exam. She sang Over theRainbow, Little Road to Bethlehem and the following two in Italian; StarViccino and a Vacci exercise. She has just celebrated her fourteenth birthdayand attends Wolverhampton Girls’ High School.A baptism was held Sunday 7th April during the morning prayer service.There was a special little visitor all the way from Australia who with her mumhad come to see her cousin Olivia Grace baptised. She won’t remember it asshe was only about 4 months old but no doubt she will hear about it when sheis older. It was a lovely service; all the children attending were as good as goldand very well behaved. Olivia Grace is the great grandchild of Marjorie Dentwho is Alice Bradley’s sister. It’s a small world.We welcome Des and Jean Round back to the fold; they have spent the last fourweeks soaking up the sun at their son’s home in Australia. It’s good to see them.Sad news. Bill Castle, a well known referee and who once ran the line atWembley, died Wednesday 10th April; he was 82. He had not been able toattend church for some time and we missed his friendly face and wry sense ofhumour. We send condolences to Margaret, Steven, Deb, Ann and the

the Team Ministry meet for a united service at either 9.30 a.m. or 10.30 a.m. depending on the venue.) Baptisms & Weddings Arrangements for baptisms and weddings at All Saints' and St Andrew's can be made at the Vestry Hour at All Saints', which is held on Wednesdays at 8.00 p.m. in All Saints'.