In February, the District will be piloting the new FX Multiplier scheme for those who hope to start a Fresh Expression of church or would like some encouragement with an existing FX.
 
I am really excited to bring you this opportunity to collaborate with other FX leaders, teams and pioneers from across the country.
 
Let me tell you the main points of the scheme…

• FX Multiplier aims to give a focus for missional energy.
• It is open to any teams who want to start, or who already lead and would like to build up a Fresh Expression community.
• A team can be made up of a minimum of 2 people, lay, volunteer or ordained, it is open for all.
• All members of the team are invited to attend the FX Multiplier launch event on February 3^rd at 7.30pm on Zoom, where Michael Moynagh, Simon Goddard and I will further explain the scheme. (Teams will be placed into breakout rooms for conversation so it’s important that at least 2 of you attend).
• We will be creating a community of practice for you to encourage one another, pray together and swap tips and ideas. Initially this will be for local teams with the view of feeding into a wider national group as the scheme progresses. This will meet twice a year.
• The scheme is centred around the Godsend app which is free to download. By using the model of listening, loving, building community, sharing Jesus and building church, and repeating the cycle, you can monitor progress and learn at your own pace.
• Free coaching will be made available to any teams who run into difficulties or get stuck along the way.

 
I would like to encourage you to pray and ask God if this is the right path for you, particularly in regard to how you may reach new people with the Good News of Jesus. If you feel that this is something that you would like to join or simply explore with other like-minded people then we would love to have you with us. Don’t worry, you don’t have to have it all sorted for Feb 3^rd, come along with your team and explore the possibilities...
 
Please do let me know if you are interested and available to join us on the 3^rd. February at 7.30pm and I will send you the joining details for the launch event and answer any questions in the meantime.
 
I look forward to hearing from you.
 
Every blessing
 
Jo Yair
 

 Advent brings us its conjoined messages of preparation, hopefulness, and the demand for lives lived with a God-centred view of the world. It is no coincidence that the beginning of this justice-infused season coincides with World AIDS Day.

Perhaps because this will be an Advent unlike any in recent memory, there are a more than usual number of resources being made available for worship (whatever form it takes) and personal reflection.

As ever we offer you StF+’s Advent one-stop shop – re-stocked and open for business throughout the Advent and Christmas seasons. Plus, this year the Methodist Church is launching its #GodIsWithUs campaign. It will feature 24 stories of individuals and their experiences of 2020 – testimonies to draw strength from each day of Advent.
(taken from SingTheFaith Plus Newsletter)

A collaboration by colleagues in the Connexional Team, with support from StF+ and many others, is behind a unique Christmas worship experience on CD – also available for download. It features specially recorded carols from – amongst others – Gareth Moore, Matt Beckingham and the National Methodist Choir, and the Jazz Church Big Band with the Huddersfield Community Gospel Choir. Music is interspersed with interviews, readings and prayers by contributors from right across the British Connexion; and a reflection by Methodist President the Revd Richard Teal.

Offered as an easy-to-use resource for those who won’t be able to access Christmas worship this year in a building or online, you might also want to order them to give to church members or neighbours to listen to. The CD is free. Order your copies here. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on the economy, not least in the number of people losing their jobs, and this is likely to get worse, much worse, in coming months.
 
This email is to invite you to a special seminar on supporting people through redundancy.  This is being organised by Faith at Work in Worcestershire, in collaboration with our neighbouring chaplaincy team Churches and Industry Group Birmingham & Solihull (CIGB) and the Jericho Foundation, a church based social enterprise organisation based in South Birmingham with long experience of supporting people through unemployment.
 
The event is free and will be held on Zoom on Tuesday December 1^st, from 14:00 – 16:00. You can book a place through Eventbrite by following this link. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/supporting-those-facing-redundancy-tickets-128867699759  Enter your name and email and you will be sent a joining link for Zoom the day before the event.
 
The seminar is aimed at anyone concerned to respond to those experiencing unemployment, including anyone interested in finding out about setting up a local job club or support group in your area.
 
The seminar will consider, amongst other topics:

1. Where are we likely to meet people facing redundancy?
2. Having a simple conversation about redundancy and the experience of being unemployed
3. A Toolkit for anyone offering one-to-one support

• helping people deal with the trauma of losing a job
• signposting to sources of help
• exploring retraining
• Practical steps back to work – CV writing, jobsearch etc.

4. Reaching out to help – part of our Christian calling.

 
Following on from the seminar we aim to sponsor a workshop, run by Jericho, under their Initiate programme developed to train groups in setting up and running a local Job Club. This will be for anyone wanting to look further into what this would entail and how to do it.
 
For further information contact me, Dick Johnson, FWW Development Officer at  07946 655450 or by email on  dickjohnson@faithatwork.org.uk
 
Yours
  
Revd. Dick Johnson
 
Joint Lead Chaplain to Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service and West Mercia Police
Development Officer – Faith at Work in Worcestershire (Registered Charity 1176881)
www.faithatwork.org.uk
 

 
Let’s make this Christmas extraordinary! Your church might like to use All We Can’s Nativity – An Extraordinary Christmas – available as a video or as a script to use in your online church services over the coming weeks.

Or you might like to join us for the Big Church Sing – Christmas Special – live on YouTube on Sunday 29^th November at 4pm. Find out more and download additional devotional resources for the season at allwecan.org.uk/nativity

You can buy an Extraordinary Gift for your loved ones this Christmas season and help transform the lives of some of the world’s poorest communities. Let’s celebrate. Let’s give and let’s change lives together – start your shopping at allwecan.org.uk/Christmas
 

Hello everyone,
 
Trust my email meets you well. I’d like to start with a ‘thank you’ before telling you about some exciting Christmas events we have lined up. 
 
Thank you
Christmas is just 53 days away! Even though it’s been a really challenging year, the unwavering support of the Methodist Church starkly stands out in our memory.
 
We weren't able to meet up with our Methodist friends during the Conference, MWIB Residential and Action for Children Sunday, but we still felt the impact of your prayers, friendship and gifts. We can’t thank you enough but at every opportunity, we will.
 
Our Chief Executive, Trustee and the children we support recorded this video message for you: https://youtu.be/6Dxl9OLhdLo
 
 
Secret Santa is back!
This festive season, Action for Children is looking for a sleighful of Secret Santas to support our Christmas campaign. For most of us, the festive season is a happy time. But there are children all over the UK who face a Christmas without food, warmth or love; Coronavirus has had a devastating impact on their lives. We are working hard to change this – and we need your help more than ever. To become a Secret Santa visit iamsanta.org.uk/methodist
 
 
 
 
Starry Night – virtual Christmas carol
On Tuesday 8th December, join us and families across the UK for an evening of Christmas carols, fun and festive cheer hosted by Channel 4 News’ Jon Snow. Tickets are £10 per household and will give you access to exclusive entertainment, readings, and performances from celebrities including Angellica Bell and Call the Midwife’s Jenny Agutter. All this from the comfort of your own home. Buy tickets here: www.starry-night.co.uk (Poster attached)
 
Blessings,
Karis Kolawole
 

Growing Lives - forging lasting links with families and young people. Find more details here.

Hope Beyond – helping communities to build resilience and a brighter future. Find more information here.

Wolverhampton & Shrewsbury District - The Methodist Church

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