Solihull Parish

The first point of contact will be the Parish Office, however if you need urgent clergy support, the details are:

Nick Parker 07890 720240 or

Simon Marshall 0121 704 4730 or

Sue Chandler 07970 791288.

Contact details for the Parish office are now here: Solihull Parish Office page

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Towards a More Inclusive Church

At our recent church council meeting we warmly welcomed the decision by the General Synod of the Church of England to allow pastoral use of Prayers of Love and Faith. Prayers of Love and Faith As society has come to recognise the diversity of human identity around issues of gender, sexuality and relationships, it becomes increasingly clear that this diversity echoes the richness of God’s creation and that we have a duty to celebrate all that reflects the breadth of God’s goodness and love. Whilst further national agreement is needed before we are able to hold stand-alone marriage blessings for same-sex couples, we look forward to that possibility, and in the meantime are pleased to discuss what we can offer – in the light of a resource that is designed for a wide-range of situations, and which allows for a good degree of creativity in worship. To find out more please contact the parish office who will put you in touch with a member of our ministry team.

And a note on the Rainbow

It is curious that the LGBT movement has adopted the rainbow as its symbol. This dates back to 1978 when the pride flag was created by artist Gilbert Baker who gave each of the eight stripes its own meaning. To him this ‘flag in the sky’ was a natural place to turn when thinking about the spectrum of human sexuality and relationships. More recently we may have noticed a variation most often called the pride ‘diversity flag’ which seeks to recognise the often-overlooked role of people of colour in fighting for justice and equality – the triangular shape indicating a sense of movement or progress. Of course, for Jewish, Christian, and Muslim peoples, the rainbow is something we equate with Noah and God’s promise of mercy. We may see the two coming together in Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s ‘Rainbow People of God’ – a vision celebrating both our diversity and essential unity as God’s children – each one of us dependent on God’s mercy and grace. We may also wish to note that, scientifically speaking, the whole spectrum is an essential part of what we simply know as light – the universal symbol of truth, hope, and love.

Revd Nick Parker, Priest-in-Charge (Rector Designate)

What’s Happening

This week in the Parish:

Wednesday lunchtime recitals: Wednesday 17 April – Ewan Murray and Michelle Amezcua (French horn and organ) A full listing of upcoming performers can be found here. 

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Weekdays – Morning Prayer. Beginning each day with God:

Monday, Thursday, Friday – 9.00am at St Alphege Church.
We will enter by the choir vestry door and ordinarily will meet in the Chantry Chapel.  If you would like to come but would find the stairs difficult, please contact the Parish Office so that we can arrange for the service to be held in the choir stalls. All are very welcome.   

Tuesday – 9.00am at St Helen’s Church, 6 St Helen’s Road, Solihull, B91 2DA

Wednesday – 9.30am at St Michael’s, Oak Cottage, Bryanston Road, Solihull, B91 1BS

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St. Alphege:

Sunday 21st April – Patronal Festival

8.00am – Eucharist – President & Preacher: Revd Simon Marshall

9.15am – The Junction – Oliver Bird Hall

10.30am – Sung Eucharist President: Revd Revd Nick Parker & Preacher: Revd Simon Marshall

5.00pm – Evensong – Officiant & Preacher: Revd Nick Parker

St Helen’s – 10.00am – Morning Prayer

St Michael’s: 10.30am – Eucharist at Sharman’s Cross School

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