The Fringe events organised around the Methodist Conference are open to all and provide an excellent opportunity for the District to access some wonderful events, all held within the Telford International Centre.  
Some of the highlights include:
 
Friday 24th June 7.30pm.  The MWiB Mary Bosanquet Lecture. - CANCELLED DUE TO TRAIN STRIKE
Dr Paula Gooder theologian, lecturer in Biblical Studies, author, and Chancellor of St. Paul's cathedral will deliver a lecture entitled  'Reading between the Lines': finding women in the stories of the bible even when it looks like they are not there.’ 
 
Monday 27th June 8pm.  JPIT presents the Beckly Lecture for 2022
Rt Hon Lord Boateng: “Britain: Global Power or Good Neighbour?”
 
Tuesday 28th June 7pm “Justice and Peace for Palestine and Israel”
organised by Sabeel-Kairos (at Meeting Point House)
 
Tuesday 28th June Methodist Church Global Relationships
Climate Change in Context: Bible Study from Different Global Perspectives.  
 
The full Fringe agenda is here: https://www.methodist.org.uk/about-us/the-methodist-conference/conference-2022/fringe-events/   Please note that most events need to be booked online beforehand.
 

The Presbyteral Session of Conference starts this week in Telford on Thursday, with the Representative Session opening on Sunday.  Please keep the Conference in your prayers, particularly our team of District Representatives and the Rev’d George Heinz, of the Shropshire & Marches Circuit, who will be Received into Full Connexion and Ordained this Sunday at St Andrew’s Church in Shifnal.  The photo is from the District Testimony Service for George last Saturday at Ludlow, with Kim Stilwell, District Probationers’ Secretary and Richard Hall, Superintendent Minister. 

3Generate, the Children and Youth Assembly of the Methodist Church, is back at Birmingham NEC from 30th September to 2nd October this year. Tickets are available online.
This week the District Resourcing Mission Committee decided to support people attendance at 3Generate by funding a coach, leaving from Wolverhampton.
 

Many congratulations to Vanetta Griffiths, a member at St Andrew’s, Sedgley.  For a number of years Vanetta has been a voluntary chaplain through the Black Country Urban Industrial (BCUIM) with the West Midlands Ambulance Service.  She’s received the WMAS Chief Executive’s award for pastoral care throughout the pandemic.  Given the particular pressures on the Ambulance Service both then and now, this is an extremely valuable ministry to offer.
If you feel a call to chaplaincy but don’t know where to start, then the District works with a number of bodies  such as BCUIM, Borderlands, and Faith at Work in Worcestershire, who could guide and support you.

We are sorry to bring news of the death of the Reverend John Trudgill, a Supernumerary Minister in the Telford Circuit.  Please remember Liz and John’s wider family and friends in your prayers.
 

Cliff College, located in the Peak District, has been training people in evangelism and mission since 1903. Today it continues in its mission to equip the church in evangelism and mission through a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, a wide selection of short courses, an annual Festival, partnerships with other institutions globally and churches locally and a busy conference centre and leisure business.
Cliff is now seeking to appoint to the new role of Community Warden. This will be a key role, overseeing the student life of the College, developing community cohesion, supporting the provision of student welfare and shaping the student spiritual formation programme.
We are looking for someone who:

• has relevant training to support the post
• has good knowledge of special educational needs
• is a good listener
• is passionate about developing a creative, bespoke spiritual formation programme for our students
• is willing to play a key role in the life of Cliff College

If this is you then please contact the Michelle Foulkes for more information or download the details from our website: https://www.cliffcollege.ac.uk/news-events/hiring-community-warden
Salary:                  £25,000 with accommodation provided. All occupants of Cliff College premises will be expected to abide by the Conditions of Residential Occupancy.
Closing date:      12 noon on Tuesday 19th July
Interviews:         Wednesday 27th at Cliff College
Applications are welcomed on a College application form or through a CV with covering letter, outlining suitability for the criteria required.
For more information or to arrange an informal conversation about this post please contact Michelle at m.foulkes@cliffcollege.ac.uk or 01246 584200.

I'm very pleased to announce that bookings are now open for the District youth afternoon event on Sunday 17 July.
The venue is St. Michael's school in Tettenhall, Wolverhampton and the event will take place from 1.45 (for a 2 p.m. start) to 4.30 p.m.
 
The event is broadly speaking for 11-18 year olds with the exception of younger siblings and those with additional needs who may be over 18.
 
There is an exciting programme planned including 5-a-side football, prayer space, Bible study, art zone, team building games, playing your musical instrument in worship, campfire activities, photo booth and more. 
 
Light refreshments will be provided. 
 
The event will close with a short Bible reflection. 
 
Bookings can be made by following this link:
 
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/wolverhampton-and-shrewsbury-district-youth-event-tickets-370102605857
 

I recommend that this link is shared with parents, who register their young people. I will then send them a consent form to complete.
 
If you have any questions, please get in touch layworkermelody@hotmail.com

Melody Jones

Part time - 25 hrs per week
 
Berkswich Methodist Church in Stafford have been blessed to work with our local primary schools over the past decade bringing the aroma of Christ into the schools. We are now looking for a part time Schools and Community worker to continue the Christian witness in the schools and our local community.
As well as our morning service we have an afternoon service for all ages - church@4 - with Messy, Muddy and Hang Out church. Each summer we run a Holiday Club and we have church based events for the schools throughout the year.
We have active adult groups and an active community presence, which we would love to build on, exploring new ways of introducing church to our community.
Ideally you will have schools work experience, but it may be that you can bring other experiences of working with young people and in the community and we would love to hear about them as we are keen to explore new gifts and talents.
A Christian, comfortable working alongside and with people and good at establishing relationships.
Days worked are by agreement, but there is the requirement to be available evenings and Sundays on occasions.
Remuneration is £11.25 per hour, which equates to an annual salary of £14625.
For more information, an application form and an informal chat if you wish, please email our Lay Pastor Jean Harrison on berkswichlaypastor@gmail.com or call on 01785 661263.
Applications close on Monday 1 August 2022.
 

 Come and celebrate the 200^th Anniversary of the beginnings of Primitive Methodism in North Shropshire at Prees Green Chapel, SY13 2BL on Saturday 23^rd and Sunday 24^th July 2022
 
 Exhibition from Englesea Brook Museum of Primitive Methodism ~ the story's beginnings
 Displays  ~  Music  ~  Singing ~ Refreshments
 
 
                                                         Programme:
Saturday 10.00am – 4.00pm:  Exhibition and refreshments
5.00pm – 6.30pm: chapel tea, sharing of memories, old time hymns
 
Sunday  3.00pm:  Service: Speaker  Rev Tim Macquiban
                      Light refreshments to follow
 
 

I'm pleased to let you know that worship material for Action for Children Sunday is now available to download from our website: https://bit.ly/FaithFR along with the latest fundraising newsletter and bookmark template.

Action for Children Sunday is on the second Sunday in July - 10th July this year, but you can mark it on any Sunday you choose. The theme is 'There's a star in every child'. We hope you enjoy learning about what is driving our campaign to help the stars of children shine.

Please join us on UCB radio 1's 'Hour of Prayer' to pray for Action for Children's work and children from 27th June to 1st July between 12 and 1pm each day. Join here:  www.ucb.co.uk/radioplayer/uk/ 

The Stationing Advisory Committee is appointed by the Conference to meet with Presbyters and Deacons who:
•  want/feel called to do something other than serve in Circuit, District or Connexional Team appointments.
•  are serving in something other than Circuit, District or Connexional Team appointments and who want/feel called to return to a Circuit, District or Connexional Team appointment.
• want to have a conversation with sympathetic, experienced people who are not a part of their “management structure” about how their ministry might develop.
 
Most of the work takes place on Zoom.  For a full outline of responsibilities please see here.  For an application form please see here.  Expressions of interest are invited from the ordained, but also especially lay people.  
Further information can be found here.

A few years ago the District ordered a stock of small holding crosses direct from the shop of Joseph Tabesh near the Milk Grotto in Bethlehem.  Liz Dunning, of the Brownhills & Willenhall Circuit, is about to order some more and is willing to collect other orders.  The price is likely to be between £1.29 and £1.45 per cross (this includes cost of postage; crosses are £1 each) depending on the quantities ordered and resulting postage. There will be an additional cost for the onward postage to you. Hopefully we should receive them before the end of the summer.
If you would like to place an order, please contact Liz direct by Saturday 25th June.  elizabeth.dunning@methodist.org.uk or 01922 445802
 

Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury and Birmingham District are looking to employ a Congregational and Community Organiser in this exciting new project.

This 2 year, full-time role is part of a Congregational and Community Organising pilot project, working across both Districts, beginning September 2022.  
The Organiser will work with local Methodist congregations who are actively seeking to develop both as a congregation and in how they engage with the community around them.
Salary in the range of £29 – 31k per annum depending on qualifications and experience.
In accordance with the Equality Act 2010 it is a genuine occupational requirement that the post holder is a practicing Christian.
Completed Application and Monitoring forms to be emailed to  admin@wsmethodist.org.uk by  12 noon on Monday 27^th June.
Shortlisted applicants will be contacted by 5pm on Tuesday 5^th July. 
Interviews will be held on Wednesday 13^th July at Beckminster Methodist Church, Wolverhampton.
For more information please contact Kerry:  scarlettk@methodistchurch.org.uk

Please find below the link to the job description and person specification as well as the application form.
 
OPPORTUNITIES — Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury Methodist District (wsmethodist.org.uk)
 

Wolverhampton & Shrewsbury District - The Methodist Church

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