Last month, I described the recent ups and downs of life at Billingsley; good attendance at Remembrance Sunday but recent thefts from church, first of fuel oil and then of candlesticks and vases. These setbacks, were, I wrote, a mark of costly love; in our case, a commitment to keep the building open for the use of the community. I think all of us at the church have been greatly encouraged by the response to this. We have had offers of practical support, some gifts of both money and fuel oil (the latter being especially useful!) and above all, messages of support. We are very grateful to all who have contacted us and encouraged us in our work of trying to serve the local community!
Looking forward to 2020, we are exploring ways in which we can enhance the churchyard, to encourage wildlife, to learn more about its history and above all, help visitors understand that it is a sacred space, where there is eternal rest for the departed but the living can meet that “thing” which we in the church call God. We are extremely grateful to the “Caring for God’s Acre” team for all the work they do for us; we hope we may be able to encourage others in the community in our work of keeping this place special.
Finally, we would like to congratulate Billingsley resident and our next door neighbour at the church, Mary Nelson, on her ordination; well done Rev Mary!
David Poyner, Assistant Curate Tel 0121 204 3997/01562 68638, d.r.poyner@aston.ac.uk