The Church of St. Mark,
Shelfield and High Heath
The Area
Shelfield and High Heath are residential areas of Walsall containing mixed housing. There are two schools which serve the many families and children in the area: Greenfield Primary School and Nursery Unit and Shelfield Sports and Community College. Links between Church and Schools have been strengthened over the past few years and there is much promise for the extending and deepening of these relationships in the future.The Church
St Mark's is situated in Green Lane and lies in the heart of the community which it serves. The Church was built in 1965 to amalgamate two existing Christian communities - the old St Mark's Mission Church (founded 1886) which served the village of Shelfield and Christ Church which served the original farming community of High Heath.The present Church is a modern, dual purpose building which includes a flexible and pleasant worship area and Annexe to the side. There is full access and facilities for disabled people and there is a loop system installed.
During the week the building is well used by the community with a wide and varied range of church and community clubs and groups for people of all ages.
Main Worship Area of St. Mark's Church, Shelfield
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Entrance to St. Mark's Church, Shelfield
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Three of the windows can be seen here
New Stained Glass Windows
St. Mark's has been transformed with the help of six newly-designed stained glass windows. The colourful designs feature such items as candlesticks and the symbol of St. Mark - a lion.
Church Leaders
The Revd Jenny Hill was ordained in 1997 in Leicester Diocese and has been the Resident Minister or Vicar at St Mark's since 2001. She has been Rural Dean of Walsall since 2005.
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In 2005 she was joined by a Curate, The Revd Christine Silvester.
Christine‘s ordination was a very happy and important occasion for the people of St Mark's!
St Mark's prides itself on being a welcoming and inclusive church where all may come and find a spiritual home, a warm welcome and friendly faces! People of all ages and all abilities, the young and young at heart, handicapped and able bodied who are willing to take an active role are encouraged and enabled to find their potential in all areas of Church life to the benefit and enrichment of us all.
We use Common Worship and the new liturgies of the Church of England. Our worship is relaxed; vestments are used, especially for special festivals and the Sacrament is reserved for taking Holy Communion to sick and housebound parishioners.
Daily Prayer (Common Worship) is said in Church at 9.00am and 5.00pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. There is a Midweek service on Thursday mornings with an opportunity for coffee and time to chat afterwards. A service of Prayer with Silence — 'Wells of Silence' - is held once a month. This uses the pattern of The Fellowship of Contemplative Prayer and the contemplative silence flows from meditation on a phrase from the Bible.
There are thriving weekly groups including a Drop-in Lunch, Evergreens (senior citizens club) and 'Scamblers', our group for toddlers with a carer. Ladies Friendship and a Craft Club both meet twice a month and Men's Group meets monthly.
The building is used at times for private hire for parties or meetings; for a surgery for our local parish councillor, for other public meetings and as a Polling Station; and for a Buddhist Prayer Group.
Sharing in the social activities is very important part in the life of St Mark's. We have a social activity usually once a month, including a regular Fish & Chip Supper and various other activities where laughter and food combine to give us an opportunity to really enjoy ourselves.
Church Activities
We have an enthusiastic and committed choir of 10 adults who sing at all main services; many members of the congregation participate in serving at the altar, administering the chalice, reading and leading intercessions. We have a Junior Church in the process of reforming in answer to the needs of the young people it now serves.
Minstry at St. Mark's
Jenny and Christine are supported in ministry by a number of lay people who are licensed to take Holy Communion to parishioners who are in hospital or housebound. They are also trained to offer support especially to those grieving the loss of a loved one and in Baptism preparation.
Pictured left to right: Jean Llewellyn, Rosalind Male and Doreen Jones
Church Wardens:
Rosalind Male is our Parish Warden and John Slivester is our District Warden.
The Church regularly supports a number of charities including Christian Aid and The Children's Society and has also supported and encouraged a young man involved in voluntary service in Malaysia in a home for the Blind and Visually Handicapped.
Services
Day
Time
Service and InformationSunday 8.30 am Eucharist 10.00 am Sung Eucharist 10.00 am All Age Eucharist (1st Sunday) 6.00 pm Evening Service
This may take the form of Songs of Praise; Service with Prayer for Healing; Memorial Services; Meditative Services and at in Advent and Christmastide, Christingle and Carol Services Monday 7.30 pm Wells of Silence (2nd Monday of each month)
This is a time of Prayer in Silence following the pattern of the Fellowship of Contemplative Prayer. The session is based on a Bible Passage/phrase to lead us first into a meditative silence and then a time of contemplation. This is followed by intercession as we turn our prayers outwards for people and situations for whom we feel called to pray. The time of prayer lasts about an hour.
Tuesday 9.00 am Morning Prayer 5.00 pm Evening Prayer Thursday 9.00 am Morning Prayer 9.30 am Midweek Service
This service is usually a simple, said Eucharist but may at times take the form of an informal Prayer Group or a Bible Study. there is the opportunity to chat over a cup of te or coffee after this service.5.00 pm Evening Prayer Saturday 9.00 am Morning Prayer 5.00 pm Evening Prayer
Church Groups
Monday:Craft Club — 9.30am — 11.30am 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month.
Drop-in Lunch — 11.30am — 1pm — every Monday
Tea Dance — 2.00pm — 4.00pm — most Mondays, including Bank Holidays.
Ladies Friendship Club — 7.45pm — 9.30pm 1st and 3rd Mondays
Tuesday:
Senior Citizens Keep Fit 10.00am — 11.30 am — contact St Mark's for term dates
Evergreens Senior Citizens Club 1.00pm — 3.00 pm Every Tuesday — Ring and Ride can be arranged.
Wednesday:
Scramblers Toddler Group — 1.30 pm — 3.00 pm Wednesdays in term time.
Choir Practice 7.30 pm every Wednesday in Church
Thursday:
Midweek Service and Coffee and Chat-time — service 9.30am —coffee/tea available from 10.00am
Men's Group meet at 7.30 pm on the 3rd Thursday of each month.
For Baptisms, Weddings, Wedding Blessings; Renewal of Wedding Vows; Funerals Please contact The Revd Jenny Hill
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St Mark‘s congregation are very friendly group of people who welcome visitors and enquirers. We look forward to seeing you!
Contact us:
The Rev‘d Jenny Hill
Church House
25 Green Lane
Shelfield
Walsall
WS4 1RN
Telephone: 01922 692550
email: jennyhill@pawstime.co.uk
email: jennyhill@stmark-shelfield.com
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