The value of creative waiting
Waiting is often seen as something to be avoided in the 21st Century. We have fast-food, instant communication and tend to live our lives at a breath-taking pace. But nature shows us that times of waiting are creative, it is the time when things can grow, change and be transformed.  More>

Topical Comment

Destitution among asylum seeker and refugee families
We all know people are homeless. A knock on the door asking for money, chance encounters on the High Street or a conversation over coffee can bring us face to face with poverty, addiction, mental health issues and destitution.  More>

News

Centre puts the Spring into Springfileld' says Archbishop of Canterbury
18 November 2008
On Saturday 15th November Dr Williams officially opened The Springfield Centre at St Christopher's Church, Springfield, and met with parents, children, staff and volunteers from the Centre.   More>

2009 Awards Scheme for Church Magazines
17 November 2008
The Association for Church Editors starts its quest to seek some of the best editors of church magazines in the country.  More>

Buy British this Christmas
12 November 2008
As part of a greener Advent and Christmas this year please think about buying British food.   More>

Free Church Youth Group in Kings Norton Deanery
11 November 2008
All Youth between the age ranges of 12-18 across all backgrounds (Christian or non) can join.  More>

Bishop on Birmingham Waste Paper Trail
10 November 2008
The Bishop of Birmingham is set to follow a waste paper trail on Friday 21st November as he joins recycling crews to find out the ultimate destination of the contents of his blue recycling box.  More>

Warm welcome for new Bishop of Aston
03 November 2008
Christians from across the region will gather in Birmingham Cathedral next Saturday (November 8th) to welcome the new Bishop of Aston, the Rt Revd Andrew Watson.  More>

Solihull girl scoops top BBC choral award
03 November 2008
Alice Halstead, a 14 year old choir girl at St Alphege Church, Solihull and a pupil at King Edward’s VI High School for Girls, Birmingham, has won the coveted title of “BBC Radio 2 Young Chorister of the Year 2008”.   More>

Update from the Church of England
30 October 2008
A monthly update from the Communications Unit of the Church of England.  More>

Helping Anglican Schools and Hospitals in Malawi
02 October 2008
The Rev’d Richard Tucker, with help from others, is arranging for a container of goods to go from Anglican Christians in Birmingham and others including Birmingham Children’s Hospital, to the Diocese of Upper Shire, one of four in Malawi.   More>

'Stop before you shop' urges Bishop of Birmingham
30 September 2008
On one of the busiest shopping days of the year, Birmingham Cathedral will host the big green give-away offering an extra present to those passing through the Cathedral grounds.   More>

Can you help our Church schools?
22 September 2008
Would you like to be a Governor of one of our schools, or sit as a member of the appeals panel?  More>

BIRMINGHAM PILOTS GREEN CHRISTMAS WEEKEND
02 September 2008
A national initiative to encourage a greener Christmas is being piloted in Birmingham this year as the Church of England has joined Operation Noah to call for an end to excessive consumption as a way of celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.   More>

NEW BISHOP OF ASTON ANNOUNCED
02 September 2008
The new Bishop of Aston, announced on Tuesday September 2nd, by Downing Street, will be the Revd Andrew Watson. He will succeed the Rt Revd John Austin who died in 2007 following his retirement as Bishop of Aston in 2005.  More>

Do you know someone about to become a University student?
04 July 2008
  More>

Courses

Learning for Discipleship 2008 - 2009
This study has grown out of and builds on the popular Introduction to Theology programme and offers many of the same opportunities, plus some exciting new ones.  More>

Birmingham Churches Together Training Opportunities
BCT Training provides learning opportunities for those who facilitate or support the learning of adults, young people and families.  More>

Events

Faithful Youthwork in a City of Faiths
19/11/2008
Time: 10:30 – 3:30. Training for Christian youth workers to gain a basic understanding of diff erent faith communities in Birmingham. ‘Same City Diff erent Cultures’ This day will include the chance to visit and explore a predominantly Asian area of the city and to reflect on what people have seen and experienced. There will also be a session on ‘Mission and Ministry amongst people of Different Faiths’. Led by Dr Andrew Smith, leader of Youth Encounter for Scripture Union. Please book in advance.  More>

Choral Communion Service
19/11/2008
Start: 1.10 pm.  More>

Birmingham University Singers Concert
19/11/2008
Start: 7.30 pm.  More>

Wholeness and Healing Service
20/11/2008
Start: 1.10 pm.  More>

Choral Evensong with The Fountain Singers
22/11/2008
Time: 3.30 pm.  More>

Feed the Children Gospel Concert
22/11/2008
Start: 7.00 pm.  More>

Story-telling
22/11/2008
Time: 9.30 am - 3.30 pm. Learning, listening to and telling stories. Led by Simon Airey. The day will involve looking at personal stories, biblical stories and folk tales. Please book in advance.  More>

Tuesday Talks
25/11/2008
Start: 1.10 pm. With The Revd Canon Peter Howell-Jones  More>

Growing Gifts, Autumn Practical Workshops
25/11/2008
Time: 9:30 am to 3:30 pm Topics will include Worship in Residential Homes for the Elderly; Working with Small Groups; and Building Community through emotional caring. For more information or to request a brochure please contact Andrea at the Diocesan Office.  More>

Holy Communion Service
26/11/2008
Start: 1.10 pm.  More>

World Aids Day Wall of Love in the south aisle
28/11/2008
11.30am on Friday 28 November through to 8.30am on Tuesday 2 December 2008. Wall of Love and Lighting of Candles  More>

Advent Action - the Big Birmingham Green Give-Away
29/11/2008
A day of action to Reclaim Christmas working with Operation Noah. The day includes worship at household recycling site, a service of lament at Birmingham Cathedral and the chance to give away all the unwanted presents, books, DVDs, etc that many of us have at home. 9.00 am – Pilgrims gather at household recycling centres around the city for a very short act of worship 9.30-10.30 am - Pilgrims walk/bus/cycle to the city centre bringing things from their home that they have never used 10.45 am – Short service of lament in Birmingham Cathedral 11.15 am onwards – All the donated goods are given away to people shopping in the city centre – with the request that they use them as a Christmas present for a friend or neighbour 2.30 pm - Screening of God is Green documentary presented by Mark Dowd 4.00 pm - Evensong – a celebration of creation and creativity  More>

Advent Procession by Candlelight
30/11/2008
Start: 3.30 pm.  More>

The Positively Red Lantern Parade
01/12/2008
The Parade will arrive at the Cathedral for approximately 7.00pm. 2-3 members of the parade will then come into the Cathedral and the main candle will be lit, this will then join the parade and continue onto the Town Hall.  More>

Asylum Seekers Vigil in the Churchyard
01/12/2008
Start: 5.00 pm  More>

The Positively Red Lantern Parade for World Aids Day
01/12/2008
Start: 7.00 pm. The Parate will arrive at the Cathedral and 2 members will come into Cathedral and the main candle will be lit, this will than join the parade and continue into the Town Hall.  More>

Tuesday Talks Carol Service
02/12/2008
Start: 1.10 pm. With The Revd Canon Peter Howell-Jones  More>

Laughing Sole Comedy Club
02/12/2008
Start: 8.30 pm. Visit: thelaughingsole.org.uk  More>

Holy Communion Service
03/12/2008
Start: 1.10 pm.  More>

Music for Christmas Lunch Recital
05/12/2008
Time: 1.10 pm.  More>

Birmingham’s Great Big Christmas Sing
05/12/2008
Time: 7 pm. Start your Christmas celebrations with a festive feast of favourite carols. Nader Abu Amsha, from the East Jerusalem YMCA, will transport you to another world with unique stories from Bethlehem. School choirs, gospel singers and special guests join to raise money for Christian Aid’s work with the world’s poorest communities. Compared by Spoz (Birmingham Poet Laureate) and accompanied by Paul Carr (internationally acclaimed organist), acts already confirmed include Harmonise Gospel Talent Competition Winner ‘Zoe Uputah’ and St Clare’s Catholic School, Handsworth. Final acts still to be confirmed. Book via Birmingham Library Box Office, 0121 303 2323 www.birminghamboxoffice.co.uk   More>

Wholeness and Healing Service with Communion
06/12/2008
Start: 9.00 am. With The Revd Canon Henry Burgess  More>

Mediaeval Baebes Illimination Christmas Concert
06/12/2008
Start: 8.00 pm.  More>

The 2008 University Carol Service
08/12/2008
Time: 6:15 pm. This annual event is a Christmas celebration for staff, students and families. All are welcome.   More>

Choral Communion Service - St Philip's Singers
10/12/2008
Start: 1.10 pm.  More>

Wholeness and Healing Service
11/12/2008
Start: 1.10 pm.  More>

Signs of Trafficking and Responses in the West Midlands
12/12/2008
Time: 9.30am – 3.45pm You are invited to participate in this regional event bringing together people from a range of sectors and agencies who may come into contact with trafficked people. The event aims to: provide information about signs of trafficking to individuals and groups; examine and challenge the culture in which trafficking takes place; develop collaboration and joint actions in response to trafficking in the West Midlands. Workshops will also take place. Please book before: 25th November 2008 with Methodist and Central Mission, 0121 233 1915 Email: centralmission@btconnect.com   More>

Youth Event - Sounds of Salvation - Ska Band
13/12/2008
Time: 7.30 - 9.30 pm. Sounds of Salvation – a reading based ska band www.soundsofsalvation.com are playing for a Youth event/ service Doors open 7pm Tickets £3 via www. myspace. com/youth_fl   More>

Schola Christmas Recital
15/12/2008
Start: 1.00 pm.  More>

Asylum Seekers Vigil in the Churchyard
15/12/2008
Start: 5.00 pm.  More>

Carols for the Business Community
17/12/2008
Start: 1.05-1.55 pm You are warmly invited to a lunchtime carol service for those working in the city centre with a talk by Revd Chris Turner. Mince pies and mulled mora juice will be served afterwards. If further information is required contact   More>

Civic Carol Service
18/12/2008
Start: 12.30 pm.  More>

Corporate Communion Service
18/12/2008
Start: 2.30 pm.  More>

Still Before Christmas
19/12/2008
This retreat gives the perfect opportunity to set some time aside for God amidst the what for many is the hectic build up to Christmas allowing those attending to prepare for this major festival. It will give those on the retreat an opportunity to benefit from Beryl's reflective wisdom on the meaning of Christmas. For further information about the retreat or to book, please contact Launde Abbey or visit www.launde.org.uk   More>

Choral Evensong with Visiting Choir
20/12/2008
Start: 3.30 pm. King Henry VIII School Chamber Choir and Sovereign Singers from Coventry  More>

Radio WM Concert
22/12/2008
Start: 1.00 pm.  More>

Nine Lessons and Carols
24/12/2008
Start: 5.30 pm.  More>

First Eucharist of Christmas and Blessing of the Crib - Chapter House Singers
24/12/2008
Start: 11.30 pm.  More>

Morning Prayer
25/12/2008
Start: 10.00 am.  More>

Choral Eucharist - Preacher: Bishop of Birmingham
25/12/2008
Start: 11.00 am.  More>

Morning Prayer and Holy Communion for St Stephen's Day
26/12/2008
Start: 9.00 am.  More>

Evening Prayer
26/12/2008
Start: 4.00 pm  More>

Morning Prayer and Holy Communion Service
27/12/2008
Start: 9.00 am.  More>

Choral Evensong with Visiting Choir
27/12/2008
start: 3.30 pm. Choir: Bristol Cathedral Chamber Choir  More>

Choral Eucharist with Visiting Choir
28/12/2008
Start: 11.00 am. Bristol Cathedral Chamber Choir  More>

Choral Evensong with Visiting Choir
28/12/2008
Start: 3.30 pm. Bristol Cathedral Chamber Choir  More>

Holy Communion Service
31/12/2008
Start: 1.10 pm.  More>

Annual Pilgrimage: Stratford-upon-Avon to Coventry Cathedral
29/07/2009
Around 200 members of all ages and denomination from at least 7 European countries will be gathering in Stratford-upon-Avon to walk in small groups towards Coventry, ending in a final service in Coventry Cathedral on August 6th. Newcomers are welcome. See www.cdsf.org  More>

Rev. Michael Counsell is organising a visit to the Oberammergau Passion Play in 2010
04/08/2010
Deadline for booking is end of May 2008. Brochures will be available soon for all who enquire. The cost, including flights, half board in the hotels, all coach transfers, and the play ticket, is: Basic £1095 Birmingham airport flight supplement £25 Insurance £34 Total £1154 ===== Supplements may be added depending on accommodation   More>