Sadly due to a rainy start we moved venues back to the chapel for our Harvest Festival service and lunch today. A good number of us praised God for the blessings we have with our food offerings being delivered to the Tamworth food back next week. After the service our now legendary question master Vince put forward another challenging and tightly fought quiz which had only points in each of the four teams before the picture round clinched victory for one team. Our thanks to all those who bought our food to share, the washing up and tea crew and of course our quizmaster Vince.

Our minister Farai leaves us today after five years. Her last service today was celebrated afterwards with cup cakes and tea and coffee. We all wish her well in her new appointment in Harbourne

Today due to COVID restrictions further easing we were finally able to have a cup of tea and cake after the Pentecost service lead by Gina and Arthur. Our socially distanced tables waited on for tea and coffee proved to be a great success.

Easter service saw the chapel organ being played before the service for the first time in over a year. The communion service was led by Rev Farai and afterwards the Easter display was much admired as we left through the "tomb" exit.

Easter Sunday also sees our now traditional Easter lily flowers. These are bought by the congregation often in remembrance of loved ones departed.

We seem to have a boiler which is demanding attention. With it being a bank holiday weekend it will be Monday before it will be looked at so we have had to cancel this coming Sunday service with Fiona Beadle. Hopefully we shall be back next week.

*** Update *** Now fixed and we are warm again.

​Today we were allowed to meet again inside the chapel and it felt good to be back amongst friends again. And what a joy to see the wonderful nativity tableau erected high on the outside wall for all to behold as we entered. Such creativity amongst our congregation!
We thought about resilience;  thinking of the many examples of the same in the Bible and reflecting on our own resilience during these difficult months. 
“Be strong and courageous.
 Do not be frightened and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go”  Joshua 1:9
We thought about our ‘ring pull’ charity, the Purple Community Fund, who have been supporting some of the poorest people in the Philippines, and how amazingly resilient these people have been, not only locked down in slum conditions, but coping with a fire, a volcano eruption and three typhoons. And still strong and resilient! We looked at some of the beautiful crafts they create from ring pulls. £25 was sent to the Purple Community Fund for their Christmas appeal.
We remembered lovely friends who have passed away since we were last in chapel together. Mary Payne, Dick Dale and of course the Reverend Derek Shaw who will all be sadly missed and who have all left us with happy memories which will never be lost.

A very different service today reported on by some of our younger attendees.
"Today was harvest at church. Anne and Mike took the service. The people took fruit and vegatables. The food is going to Tamworth food bank."
Several boxes with a large quantity of donated tins and packet food is now being stored prior to being delivered. Many thanks to all those who have donated.

Twenty four people gathered to celebrate in the first service since lockdown restrictions started. Fiona led the service of prayers and reflection deliberately avoiding using music so we did not get tempted to sing! Despite the new normal situation it was good to be back in the chapel to praise God.