Coventry Lutheran News

Property Improvements

2009-04-23T08:11:00.001-07:00

The property may not be developed in the near future, but it certainly is being improved. In the last newsletter the roof repair over the entrance area was mentioned. That went quite well—and that ceiling is about to be repaired.

You may have noticed some other changes around the entrance area. Hot and cold running water is now available, which is certainly helpful for those making the tea. There are also some handy cupboards nearby.
Some changes have also occurred outside as well. The inset brick cross which faces Eastern Green Road was repainted. Perhaps the most significant development which pertains to ‘outreach’ is the updating of the church’s sign (see the pic).

As the property continues to improve, it will certainly be more appealing to guests and visitors—and there have been several of those lately! Hopefully many aspects of the property can continue to improve. Thanks to all who have helped so far!

New Outreach Newsletter

2009-04-23T08:08:00.000-07:00

The congregation’s website and webpage on the ELCE’s website continue to inform the Lutherans in the area and further afield about the details of Good Shepherd, but there is still more that could be done.

The plan is to update and expand the congregation’s ‘outreach newsletter’ that appears on the congregation’s webpage. If you have any ideas about this, please speak to Pastor or the congregational chairman.

Action Plan Review and Redirection

2008-12-27T01:54:00.000-08:00

For most of 2008, the action plan committee has focussed on the possible redevelopment of the property. In 2009 the focus will be mainly financial.

With the economic downturn, especially in the building market, the proposed project would have been difficult to complete successfully. The congregation was still invited to vote what their preference would have been, and the majority of members (as well as the action plan committee) thought that the relatively small amount of money that came with the new church building was too small. The majority opinion was that the financial stability of the congregation was more important than a new building. This means a slightly different focus for 2009, a slightly more financial one. It also means that the situation of the congregation is slightly more desperate! More details are available from the treasurer or the action plan committee members. Hopefully the entire situation will be resolved soon!

Right Away with the Roof

2008-12-27T01:53:00.000-08:00

Although the property redevelopment is on hold (see above), the roof near the entrance will be repaired so that the congregation can continue to worship in the church hall. (That comes as a ‘sugges-tion’ from the ELCE’s insurance company.)

The handyman given the authorization to do the repairs wants to begin right after Christmas. All the details have yet to be worked out, but hopefully it is obvious that the work should be done rather soon!

The Reformation Service

2008-11-17T04:13:00.000-08:00

The Reformation Service, held at Bromsgrove Methodist Church on 2 November, went quite well! The generous offering of almost one hundred pounds will go to continued Lutheran outreach in the UK. Approximately twenty-five people were in attendance. Cars came from Cardiff, Cambridge and London (Borehamwood). It was certainly a wonderful thing to be supported by so many Lutherans from so many directions!

The Fayre Faired Well!

2008-11-17T04:09:00.000-08:00

One of, if not the most significant event to heighten the visibility of the congregation within the neighbourhood was the fayre that the congregation held on 14 June.

Thanks should go to the many people who made that fayre possible: those at Mt Nod School, those renting the school before our group, those who helped set up the booths, those who helped run those booths, and those who helped clean up. A special thanks should go those who put up several dozen flyers around the neighbourhood. That was probably the main reason for the large number of people who turned up!

The congregation has also had booths at other fayres, and these types of things continue to supply the church with a small amount of income. Would you like to see this continue? Would you like to help? More importantly, can you think of other possible ways to get more income?

A Very Special Reformation Service

2008-10-20T08:37:00.000-07:00

There will be a very special Reformation Service at Bromsgrove Methodist Chuch (19 Stratford Road, B60 1AS) at 3.30 pm on 2November. All Lutherans--as well as other Christians--are invited! The chairman of the ELCE, Revd Dr Reg Quirk, will be the preacher. There will be special music from a London organist and the newly formed ELCE orchestra. A free-will offering will go to further Lutheran work in the Midlands.

Rupert Replies

2008-06-30T14:27:00.000-07:00

Rupert Humphrey, a long-time member at Good Shepherd, was at one time the youngest organist within the ELCE, and he has just agreed to come back to play the organ at Good Shepherd on Reformation Sunday.

Since Reformation Day (31 October) falls on a Friday this year, Reformation Sunday will be the following Sunday, 2 November. Rupert is looking forward it—along with the congregation—and certainly the organist would appreciate a Sunday off!

Now Here--New Hymnals

2008-03-19T06:14:00.000-07:00

Thirty copies of the Lutheran Service Book were recently ordered by members of Good Shepherd. These are the new hymnals which were approved for use within the ELCE at the last synod.

The next step is obviously to get to know the hymnal and its various parts. With any new thing there will be some parts that are liked—with some parts that are not liked. Please take some time to get to know the various parts of this new and excellent hymnal!

Lutheran Service at St Martin's

2008-03-19T06:10:00.000-07:00

At Good Shepherd, Westfield House Sunday also ended up becoming ‘Birmingham Lutheran Mission Sunday’. The eight Westfield House students, after coming to Coventry, enhancing the worship, and eating lunch, then went on to Birmingham for a 3.30 pm service at St Martin’s Parish Church (near the Bullring).

The same student, Kevin Spaeth, was the preacher. His sermon was quite evangelistic and there were at least another dozen people who had stopped to look around inside the church. They ended up staying to hear the rest of the service. Some people asked about the next time a Lutheran service would be there. It was a very positive experience for all the students.
Does anyone know of any Lutheran contacts who would be able to come to Birmingham on a regular basis? Would you like to see more opportunities like this?

Unveiling the New Website

2007-12-28T06:31:00.000-08:00

Until quite recently the congregation has had to depend solely on the ELCE website for its main source of electronic advertising. Seminarian Kevin Spaeth, an American currently at Westfield House, has been a big help to the congregation by creating a website solely dedicated to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.

The new site can be found at www.freewebs.com/coventrylutheran/. The ELCE’s website (www.lutheran.co.uk)is still useful and has a link to this new website.

Much more information will be available on this website, including the articles which appear on the first page of recent newsletters, along with an up-to-date calendar of congregational events.
The current layout and content of this new website is simply a trial run. If you have some suggestions or note a problem with it, please don’t hesitate to email someone! :-)

Looking for Partners in Mission

2007-12-28T06:28:00.000-08:00

Good Shepherd is in a unique position to help other Lutherans in the area and the literally millions who live close by and are simply not Christian. Unfortunately the congregation must also focus on some current financial difficulties. Things would be greatly eased through three individuals or congregations each donating 1000 GBP specifically to Good Shepherd in 2008. This could even be done anonymously through the ELCE website (see above).

Keeping you posted about the Property

2007-11-07T04:45:00.000-08:00

It would be difficult to summarise all the things that have been going on regarding property development in the last couple of months.
Most importantly, there are two companies interested in building the congregation a new sanctuary in exchange for receiving a portion of the property upon which to build homes. Although other slight variations are also being investigated at the present time, this is certainly encouraging news!

Church Held in Hall!

2007-11-07T04:42:00.000-08:00

A big change has occurred just recently at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church—the congregation now meets for worship in the church hall.
The church’s insurance company was the primary motivator for making the move. Parts of the church were simply unsafe, especially for children.
For a short while there was talk of having to move to another church altogether, and St Oswald’s at Jardine Crescent was willing to have us there at noon.
Many of the members are glad to keep worshipping at the same time and on the same property. For some people it even seems like ‘old times’, since the congregation met for worship in the church hall before the new building went up.
Certainly some details have yet to be worked out—and the push toward property development continues (see below)—but it is hoped that this move will be one in a positive direction for all.

Summer 2007 Events

2007-09-12T12:43:00.000-07:00

All New Activities

There has been a flurry of new activity going on at Good shepherd – and within the ELCE. Here are a few of the new things going on:

Some of these activities have not happened in several years. This was the first year in a while that there was both an Easter breakfast and an Ascension service. On Pentecost a student preacher came from the Lutheran seminary in Germany. In June there was a get-together on Sunday afternoon for the parents of all Sunday school children. An outdoor service was set for 19 August.

The events of the ELCE’s Congregational Life Committee have been focusing on the Great Commission. The next event will be in Cambridge on 32 Sept. This year for the fist time the synod will be held in Scotland. At this event the new Lutheran hymnal will be discussed. There are even more new things to come!

BBQ…September 2

It was easy to decide that Good Shepherd would again have an outdoor BBQ when Lutherans from further afield would be invited for worship and the meal afterward. The difficulty was deciding which Sunday it would be! Currently the Oxford Lutheran Mission does not meet on the first Sunday of the month, so 2 Sept. will be the day. Pleas feel free to invite any friends or family. Invitations are on the front table. Ask Geoff for more details.