The District echo the sentiments of the President and Vice-President of Conference as they join the nation in grief, and thank God for the Queen's long and distinguished reign. 
 
The Revd Graham Thompson and Anthony Boateng said;
“We give thanks to God that her duty as monarch was grounded in a deep faith in Jesus Christ, which has been an inspiration to countless people throughout her reign. Her dedication, commitment and service to her people will never be forgotten and will sustain all those who mourn in the coming weeks. Our prayers are for her family who have lost a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and aunt and we pray that all may be inspired by her service and guided by her example.
The prayers of the Methodist people are also offered for His Majesty the King in his new role.”
 
(Reflections offered by the District Chair during this period of National Mourning can be found here: Blog 1 — Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury Methodist District (squarespace.com))

This is the first District Mailing of the new Connexional year.  We’re glad to welcome new arrivals to the District including:
Rev’d Rosemary Nash, a presbyter in the Wolverhampton Circuit
Deacon Helen Webster, a deacon working across the Walsall and Brownhills & Willenhall Circuits
David Bintliff, the new Superintendent of the Stafford Circuit
John Hartley, a presbyter in the Gornal & Sedgley Circuit
Nik Wooler, a presbyter in the Telford Circuit.
 
We also welcome Supernumerary ministers:
Sheila MacInally to Shropshire and Marches
Alan Jenkins and Deacon Janet Jenkins to Cannock Chase
David Hill to Stafford.
 
We note that we have a new Superintendent in the District, Nick Collison having taken over the Superintendency from Sue Levitt.
We pray that those named above, and all others who have moved into the District, will find this a good place to put down roots and to grow and flourish.
 

We are still searching for a Secretary to Synod to take over from Andrew Beattie, who has valiantly agreed to continue until someone comes forward. If you are unsure about what the role entails or would like to find out more (or even volunteer!) please message Andrew Beattie on synsec28@gmail.com. This is a voluntary position but assistance would be offered by the District Administrator. We would be delighted to hear from you!


 

This coming Saturday is Synod Saturday!  The decision has been made to gather online in support of the District’s desire to head towards carbon net zero and to reduce risks still present from the spread of COVID.
Our main speaker will be the Rev’d Al Barrett, an Anglican priest serving an LEP in Hodge Hill, East Birmingham.  Al is co-author with Ruth Harley of the book “Being Interrupted: Re-imagining the Church’s mission from the outside, in”.  



 

Any DAF Grants for the October meeting need to have been received by myself (District Grants Officer) by Monday 19th September.  If any project is looking to submit a grant and are not able to make this deadline, please can they get in touch with me asap.
 
Many thanks & blessings
Helen
 
Rev Helen Croft
District Grants Officer
Vale of Stour Methodist Circuit
Tel No: 01384 413692
 

To book please go to: Practical Property ( West Midlands) Tickets, Sat 8 Oct 2022 at 10:00 | Eventbrite

Dudley Showcase cinema will be showing a new Christian film Redeeming Love:
at 4.05pm this Sat. 17th and Sun. 18th Sept. only
For details and to book visit:
www.showcasecinemas.co.uk/film-info/redeeming-love
Do go if you can.  If these showings are well attended, Showcase may well bring it back for a second week.
The film is adapted from a famous novel by Francine Rivers based on Hosea chapters 1 - 3.
"I was moved to healing tears while watching new film Redeeming Love, it's a story with God woven throughout"
  -  Stephanie Pena, reviewer, Woman Alive! magazine
 
In this Sunday's notices you may want to encourage those aged 15 and over to go to the 4.05pm showing that day.  Redeeming Love is based on Hosea - so think Christian version of Pretty Woman.

A festive, light-hearted, joyful event with a moving and profound message. 
 
Share the joy and wonder of Christmas with your church and local community through this exhilarating, critically acclaimed performance. The show offers a bridge between contemporary life and Jesus’s birth, comparing our own personal journey to Christmas day with the journey that the wise men took. With sparkle and songs to keep the children entertained and bags of good humour for the grown-ups, Journey of the Magi delights audiences of all ages and offers a chance to reflect and refocus.
 
“Absolutely fabulous show. Wonderful mix of fun, wit, and meaning. It made me laugh and it made me cry all in a couple of minutes. (Hope you'll come back.)”  Richard, Poynton Methodist Church
 
Springs is inviting churches to host a performance of Journey of the Magi, which will be available nationally during Advent 2022.
 
Further information can be found on the Springs Dance Company website page https://springsdancecompany.org.uk/productions/journey-of-the-magi/, by emailing touring@springsdancecompany.org.uk or by calling 07876 752 910


 

I am privileged to work for DFN UK helping bring dignity, freedom and hope to poor and marginalised people of South Asia. In partnership with OMIF (Operation Mercy India Foundation) our programmes reach thousands of disenfranchised people annually. We strive to live out Isaiah 61:1 with integrity by providing Education, Healthcare, Economic Empowerment and Community Development particularly to those on the fringes of society. Our work is led and directed by Asian staff to maximise the impact on communities while maintaining cultural integrity. We serve people of any or no religious background, and particularly serve outcaste women and girls who often face the additional burdens of gender discrimination and exploitation. More information on our website: http://www.dfn.org.uk
Based in Stafford, our local colleagues would love the opportunity to raise awareness, among your members and attendees, of our work. We have experienced staff suited to addressing main Sunday congregations, as well as colleagues who could speak to mid-week meetings, women’s groups, men’s groups, to teens and children’s work. Please do let me know if you’d like to pursue this, or whether you need any further information, thank you. We could easily visit to discuss any requirements with you, should you so wish.

Janet Carleton   Partner Communications                                                   

DFN UK, PO Box 3560, Stafford ST16 9QP

01785 785068                   www.dfn.org.uk                 

 

 

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/being-a-supervisee-part-i-essential-skills-for-first-time-supervisees-tickets-395087105167

 

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/142085275885

 

You can access events by visiting the LN Methodist Church eventbrite page and scrolling. 

 

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/methodist-learning-network-39884288273

 

Visit the LN Calendar regularly for any future stuff links on there.

 

https://www.methodist.org.uk/our-work/learning-and-development/learning-and-development-events/

Wellbeing Toolkit
The opportunity to develop and use new skills is a key aspect of our whole life, both at work and at home. Our wellbeing is promoted if we are able to do this in a positive way. In work this might involve updating our knowledge about a particular subject, or learning how to increase our competence in specific tasks, perhaps ones that we find challenging.
It is also important that we keep our minds open and enquiring, and pursue new interests - both within and outside work. This approach stops our mental processes from stagnating and helps us to develop emotional resilience. Check out he Wellbeing Toolkit:
Wellbeing toolkit (methodist.org.uk)
 
Introducing Positive Working Together
Within the church we believe that everyone should be enabled to flourish, to become the people whom God created them to be. Promoting positive working relationships is a key part of enabling individuals and communities to flourish.
Starting from a distinctively Christian standpoint creates an opportunity for individuals associated with the Church to behave in a manner which models the very highest standards of human interaction and relationships. On an everyday basis high standards of behaviour require attention to   how    individuals communicate with each other, how people are treated, how information is managed and shared and how difference is understood and embraced.
Positive Working Together encourages us to reflect on the importance of the way in which we engage and interact with each other within the life of the church and the wider community.
Positive Working Together is the job of everybody in the Church and the resources found on these pages aim to help everybody play their part.
Introducing Positive Working Together (methodist.org.uk)
 
Learning and Development Events Calendar
This calendar shows Learning and Development events all across the Connexion. You can change from Month view to Map view to see events happening near you, or use the Tags drop-down menu to find events in your region. So, whether you're looking for safeguarding training, vocations exploration days or Bible month events, you can find exactly what you need.    
 Learning and Development Events (methodist.org.uk)
 
Further advice and information
If you would like to discuss any wellbeing issue please contact Linda Robotham, Wellbeing Adviser on wellbeing@methodistchurch.org.uk or 020 7467 5192.
 

Please note that the postponed Tom Elliott event will take place on September 24 September 7.30pm,  at Trinity Methodist Church, Codsall. Tom is one of the UK’s most exciting comedy magicians, touring throughout the year, whilst also being founder of ‘Our Centre Stage’, a network of nationwide community arts projects coming in 2022. However, the majority of his gigs aren't in comedy clubs or theatres, they are in churches, of all denominations. He is a regular on what is known as the 'Christian circuit'.
A committed Christian, he hopes his brand of comedy can bring people closer to God.
Once described by Miranda Hart as ‘Such Fun’, Tom has appeared on BBC TV & Radio, had a feature piece in the Times Newspaper and received significant crowdfunding support for his initiatives. He's also welcomed the likes of Milton Jones & Rosemary Conley CBE onto his wellbeing themed podcast.
 
Tom is always keen to champion the goals and dreams of others, driving him to launch the People On A Pursuit Community, that helps people to pursue ambitious entrepreneurial or creative goals, increase their productivity and maintain a sense of wellbeing.
 
Please find attached a poster advertising the postponed event, together with a link below to a small video from Tom himself. If you would like further posters, or flyers, please contact Helen Share on codsallmethodist.com or 07766 106615
 
Click here to watch a favourite routine of mine
 

 

There is still money available from the above and if your Church is thinking of running any Children's activities, especially with the School holidays approaching which is traditionally the time for holiday clubs etc then, please consider applying for a maximum of £500. The attached application form needs to be completed.. Any further questions please contact Tim Lorimer on tim.a.lorimer@gmail.com Many thanks
 

Wolverhampton & Shrewsbury District - The Methodist Church

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