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               New this week: 
              Belated Welcomes 
              Warm Places 
              Synod Talk online 
              Cafe Manager Required 
              In case you
              missed it: 
              Your District needs you! 
              Property Training Event 
              Journey of the Magi 
              DFN UK 
              Evangelism Gatherings 
              Supervision Courses - with links 
              Learning and Development Events 
              Wellbeing Resources 
              Tom Elliott Event - new date 
              Children's Support Fund  
               
              Dial-a-prayer
              free phone line to hear prayers : 0808 281 2514 Methodist News :
              0808 281 2478  
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              Belated Welcomes 
              
              Apologies
              to Revd. Juliet Kisob who joins the Black Country Circuit
              and was omitted from last week's welcome message. And also
              Revd Phil Thomas who sits down within the District. 
               
              We continue to 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. 
                
               
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              Warm Spaces 
              
              All
              churches will be aware of the cost-of-living and energy crisis
              facing households this winter and will want to respond.  For
              the majority of churches that response may take the form of
              prayer, listening and conversation. However some will want to
              explore offering their building as a “warm space”, perhaps in
              partnership with other local community groups. 
              The Connexional Team have drawn together lots of information
              here: https://www.methodist.org.uk/our-work/our-work-in-britain/evangelism-growth/respond-to-the-energy-crisis-this-winter/ 
              The District Resourcing Mission Committee, meeting on 18th
              October, will be looking at how “warm spaces” may be financially
              supported using money from the District Advance Fund.   
                
               
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              Synod talk link
              
              Our main
              speaker was 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”.  His talk can be
              found by clicking on the link below: 
              https://youtu.be/WWmf8EcutyM 
               
                
               
                
               
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              Cafe Manager Required
              
              This is
              an exciting opportunity for a talented individual to further
              develop the Community Café situated in the heart of Bloxwich at
              St John’s Methodist Church and Centre. The aims of this inclusive
              community project is to support the work carried out by church/
              other groups. We are hoping to develop areas such; as dementia
              café, schemes to help people back into work, inclusive
              employment, training and work experience opportunities. 
                
              This position will be very much “hands-on” in preparation and
              serving food, with help from a small group of volunteers and paid
              worker. 
                
              The successful candidate will be responsible for all aspects of
              kitchen management; managing staff and volunteers, customer
              service, team leading, stock maintenance, ordering, shopping ,
              achieving a 5* hygiene rating (needs to have Level 3 Food
              Hygiene) and Knowledge of food allergens and intolerances. 
                
              Initially, the role will be 24 hours over a 4-day week with the
              intention to increase these hours and to build a team (according
              to demand) over the next two-year period. Some flexibility will
              be required. 
                
              Salary in the range £20,647 - £23,071 (pro-rata) dependant on
              qualifications and experience. 
                
              For more information, and an application form, please contact Jem
              Hawkins on: 
              Email: Revivecafe@stjohnsbloxwich.co.uk
                          
               Telephone: 01543
              573141 
                
              The closing date for applications is Saturday 24th
              September at midnight, with interviews being carried out during
              the week commencing on 26th September 2021. 
                
              This post is partly funded by the National Lottery Community
              Fund. 
                
              St John’s Methodist Church is a Disability Aware employer
              Registered Charity Number 1128201 
                
              St John’s Methodist Church, Victoria Avenue, Bloxwich WS3 3HS 
               
               
                
               
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              Your District needs you!
              
              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! 
               
               
                
               
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              Journey of the Magi 
               
              
              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 
                
               
                
               
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              DFN UK
              
              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 
                              
               
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              Wellbeing Resources
              
              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. 
                
               
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              Tom Elliott Event - new date
              
                
              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 
                
                
               
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              Children's Support
              Fund
              
              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 
                
               
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