Forward!

The history of any church is never complete. Some lay a foundation stone, others begin or continue the work of building. In 1986, people in St. Ninian’s, Solihull continue where others have left off; in our turn we shall pass the work on to others.

I suspect that few who met for the first time in the Council House in Solihull on 28th April 1946 could have visualised what was beginning then; they did not know what difficulties or challenges lay ahead of them, any more than we know those ahead of us. They embarked upon a project not knowing where it would end.

With the benefit of hindsight it is possible for us to see the strengths and weaknesses of their work more easily than we can see them in our own. As with those who laboured here before us, we work in faith and trust, seeking always to be faithful to our own calling.

In many ways, our own experiences will be similar to theirs, some gains, a set—back here or there, but we labour on. Hopefully such insight as we have been able to gain from this history will encourage us, so that we for our part may be able not only to pass on the work here to others, but may also pass on with it some of the encouragement we have experienced in our times of difficulty.

In fellowship with all the saints
Take courage from the past;
Before us lies eternity,
And Christ shall reign at last!