It is good to welcome you to this website of the dynamic and vibrant community that worships in the two parish churches here in Moseley - St Anne’s and St Mary’s. We are an open and inclusive, wide-ranging group of people of Christian faith and those exploring faith, who meet together to worship God and encourage one another. The Eucharist is central to our worship and through it we receive empowerment to share God’s love to the people in the village and beyond. Our congregations regularly contain multiple generations worshipping together and in both churches you will receive a warm welcome, experience the opportunity to worship God, to learn about faith in creative ways and to be challenged and encouraged to make new friends. We always need people to help but its also fine to ‘just be’! Some of St Mary’s services are live-streamed. Please see our weekly bulletin for details of how to access these if you are not able to join us in person. With a range of ‘services’ there is something on offer for most people – please have a look. We offer Breakfast Church, an Intergenerational service, as well as worship in traditional, contemporary, Celtic and Taizé traditions - something for most people.
During these winter months, we look for signs of hope. The first sightings of snowdrops cause our hearts to fill with joy at the thought that the days will be soon getting longer, and we shall see growth in nature. As we journey together as a Christian community, we have chosen a piece of scripture to help us see spiritual growth this year. Paul wrote to the church community in Ephesus, “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love” (chapter 4, verse 2). This verse will be our parish motto in 2025. We’ve chosen it for several reasons: firstly because it will give some shape to our growth as disciples. Every ministry in our parish will be encouraged to consider and discuss ‘what does this mean for me and for the area of church that I’m involved in’? Secondly, because it is a ‘being’ word and not a ‘doing’ word. This is not about promoting more activity, but looking inside ourselves to see how God is encouraging us to grow. And thirdly, because it will make us dependent on God. It’s very hard to be even a little bit humble, let alone completely humble! And yet with God’s Holy Spirit living in us, we can continue to be changed into a community which draws other in to know God’s love. I’m looking forward to seeing how we grow as a community this year, and for God to guide us as we do so.
The times we live in are challenging and yet we continue to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith. Despite all that is difficult about our world, we can be confident in the hope that we have through the person of Jesus. God’s love and new life has been shown to us and is now available to all who respond to his invitation. As we start this new year, let us commit ourselves afresh to loving God, asking him to strengthen us for all that we face, to experience his love in our life and for the courage to share that hope and new life to all those we know and love.
With warm best wishes,
Revd Angela Hannafin, Vicar of Moseley Parish (St Mary’s and St Anne’s churches)
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The parish of Moseley: St Mary is committed to the safeguarding of children, young people and adults. We follow the House of Bishops guidance and policies and have our own Parish Safeguarding Officer(s), PSOs. The Diocese of Birmingham’s safeguarding pages contain vital links and information including contacts for the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor (DSA) who advise our PSOs. If you are concerned that a child or adult has been harmed or may be at risk of harm please contact the DSA. If you have immediate concerns about the safety of someone, please contact the police and your local authority Children or Adults Services
Contact details for the Parish Safeguarding Officer: Janet Thorne, T: 07817 775 202, E: [email protected]
Contact details for the Bishop's Safeguarding Adviser T: 07342 993 844 E: [email protected]