For over a thousand years a Church has stood on the site from which the teachings and
actions of Christianity have played a major part in the life of Dudley from a small village
to the major Metropolitan Borough of today.
St Edmunds has exercised a ministry of help to warring armies, in local disputes,
comforting plague victims and today we are constantly aware that although the
influence of religious teachings seems to go unheard, the church still has a role to play
in the life of Dudley.
With the rise of the payday lenders, and local loan sharks, the PCC took the decision
that to try to help meet the needs of Dudley citizens in today’s difficult financial climate.
Jon Harcourt from St. Edmunds explains: “The office of Castle and Crystal is just around
the corner from the church, and as more and more people are turning to them for low
interest loans, we decided that savings, although not large, would be of better use
helping in local people in a local context.
The parish has a savings account with Castle and Crystal Credit Union, and we would
encourage others to visit the office in New Street and do as we have done by opening
a savings account.”
Pray for the Castle and Crystal and
6 Towns Credit Unions which operate
throughout the Diocese and for all
those who use its services.
Stourbridge Deanery –
Rural Dean: Paul Harrison;
Lay Chair: John Nicholson
Diocese of Gloucester; Vacancy with Bishop Martyn Snow (Tewkesbury)
Diocese of Västerås (Sweden): Bishop Thomas Söderberg
Diocese of North Eastern Caribbean & Aruba (West Indies): Bishop Leroy Brooks
