In 2008 our ministry at Balsall Heath URC has been enriched by the presence of Siaquiyah Davies who, as an MA student at Queens, was on placement for a few months at the Balsall Heath Church Centre and by Claire Gouldthorp who, as ministerial student, started her one-year internship with us in May.  Both Siaquiyah and Claire settled very quickly and comfortably in their placement/internship in the Church Centre, not least because of the warm welcome they have received in our congregation. I enjoyed supervising Siaquiyah who was a keen and observant student and who relished all the opportunities he got to get to know the Church Centre and the churches in Balsall Heath. He was also particularly interested in the multi-cultural and multi-faith community of Balsall Heath and was impressed how the Church Centre has its own unique and welcoming place in this community. Right from the start of her internship, Claire got involved in the various aspects of ministry such as leading worship, attending meetings, participating in Away Days/Quiet Days, pastoral visiting, leading Bible Study, etc. She did, and continues to do so, with confidence and flair, with her lively and keen spirit, sharing her wonderful creative gifts and engaging with people with the greatest of ease, kindness and good humour. I very much enjoy sharing the ministry with Claire (as with the NSM’s) and in our regular meetings we reflect together on the ministry (style and content) at Balsall Heath and St Columba, we talk “theology” (we have similar views on faith and faithfulness!), we plan worship together, prepare for meetings, and give each other/receive from each other feedback, etc. It is also a great privilege to have Claire bringing a youthful perspective, openness and enthusiasm in the church, to ministry and to worship…….which we sometimes miss because of a lack of members and minister(s) of her age in our congregation! I am sure we will all miss Claire when she leaves us after Easter but I trust that Claire’s experiences in Balsall Heath will help her face the joys and challenges of her future ministry in Sheffield!
“Ministry seems to be all about meetings” Claire observed after a few weeks at Balsall Heath. Yes, as usual, there have been numerous meetings, of the various church councils and committees, but also Away Days, such as the Church Centre Away Day (led by Fred Ratley), an Away Day with St Paul’s and SMSA (led by Michael), a Quiet Day at Bethany (led by Stephen Barton) and a day reflecting on our ecumenical partnership (led by Colin Marsh). They were all good opportunities of reflection and fellowship. Also Bible Studies have brought us together with members of St Paul’s and SMSA as well as an Advent preparation evening. The usual occasions of joint worship with St Paul’s CofE were appreciated, especially the Centre Sunday Communion Service. The Women’s World Day of Prayer service, prepared by the women of Guyana, as well as a Churches Together service took place in the Church Centre this year, the latter one with the theme of “God’s covenant with creation” that fitted in well with our continuous efforts to improve our “green credentials” at the Church Centre.
During the year I have continued to meet regularly with Catherine, until her maternity leave, and we always consider ways for St Paul’s and the URC to work and worship more and better together in the Church Centre.
We were happy to welcome the Blackwood family in great numbers at the service of baptism of Levi, son of Jason and Loraine and brother of Corey. A smaller congregation gathered for the funeral of Dorothy Griffin, who was remembered for her kindness and gentleness, as well her great talent of embroidery!
While feast days such as Easter and Christmas brought many church members and family members to the church, throughout the year there have been many Sundays that attendance has been rather low. This is partly due to various members struggling with ill-health. But in a congregation such as Balsall Heath one does not face one’s struggles alone, with ministers, elders and members keeping in touch with each other, praying for one another and visiting one another. May this sense of mutual concern in Christian love continue to be a hallmark of our congregation! And adding a personal note: In the months preceding my father’s death, and at the time of his death, the concern and prayers of the congregation, as well as the understanding expressed, has been a great comfort and encouragement! Thank you!
The ministry in the Church Centre continues to include the Day Centre for the Elderly, the Coffeeshop and the Garden (!) with very faithful service rendered by a number of our members. The Wednesday Communion Service has seen a drop in attendance, but hopefully that will pick up again with the arrival of new members in the Day Centre. A memorable occasion was the service of blessing of the dogs of Beryl which was a first for me….but I would be happy to lead such a worship service again when requested!
in 2008 I became interim moderator of Bournville URC which is a congregation not very different from Balsall Heath URC, hence I was very much at ease with the ethos and “way of doing things” of the congregation. It has been a privilege to briefly journey with the congregation, also in the very difficult time of losing a very faithful, talented and much-loved member. But there is also the joy of calling a new minister……
Finally, apart from our Bible Studies, Fellowship and Church meetings that are occasions of discussion and socializing, I must mention the successful Supper Club evening in the autumn, planned by Bill, which brought members of our congregation, St Paul’s, SMSA and St Columba as well as some members of the community together. I hope to organize something similar this coming autumn, when I celebrate 10 years of ministry at Balsall Heath URC and, with my family, 10 years of living in Birmingham! It really has been a great privilege and joy to share in your ministry for those 10 years in the great multi-cultural and multi-faith city of Birmingham where God is seen working in/through so many people of faith (and no faith), to improve the lives of people, to build up communities in which people live in peace and harmony, and to spread the message of peace and justice in words and deeds! May our ministry always contribute to spreading this message, in Christ’s name and for his sake!

Leonora Jagessar
March 2009

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