New this week:
Enquiring Minds Event
Easter Pilgrimage Bookings Open
Re:planting Church at the Margins
Sale of Lawrence Lane MC
In case you
missed it:
Growing through Change and Conflict Courses
Online Circuit Steward Training
Becoming an Active Peacemaker
Trip to Ghana
Chaplain for Queens
Request for Tables
How to find and keep brilliant volunteers
Church Planting Intensive
Rural Ministry Course Dates
Amplify Steward Volunteers needed
Hosting a Ukrainian
Preaching the Good News into Climate Crisis Course
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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Enquiring Minds Event
Have you ever been in that situation where you don’t quite catch
someone’s name the first time you meet them. Then on each
subsequent meeting you have with them it becomes more and more
awkward to ask? Sometimes it can be a bit like this with our
faith. Maybe something in a sermon or piece of scripture prompts
a question, but we feel awkward and don’t know who to ask about
it. Maybe you lie awake worrying at night and contemplating
big questions about life, the universe and everything. Perhaps
you want to go deeper in to your understanding of faith.
If you have ever had questions about faith, but didn’t know who
to ask, now is your opportunity. This lent the District will be
holding a number of “Enquiring Minds” events where you are
invited to come and ask questions about faith. A panel of people,
including District Chair Rachel Parkinson, will answer your
questions in an informal setting and try to remove some of the mysteries
of our faith. If this sounds like it could be for you, or someone
you know, then why not come along. The first event will be
at Albrighton Methodist Church on Sunday 12th March.
Look out for further details on our other events in the Vale of
Stour Circuit on the 19th and an online event
for those who can’t get to these locations. Come and join us as
we share our questions of faith together.
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Golden Valley Easter Pilgrimage bookings open
There
are only 12 places available on this Pilgrimage which is shared
between the Wolverhampton & Shrewsbury and Birmingham
Districts, and there’s already strong interest. Dates are
10th to 15th April beginning and ending in Hereford. The
cost is £140, including everything except your return travel to
Hereford (bursaries available if needed).
This is a wonderful opportunity to take time out with God.
However this is a remote area and overnight accommodation
is very basic so please do watch the information video before
deciding to book https://youtu.be/qiNZwAhlCI4
If you decide it’s for you, please contact Richard Lockley admin@wsmethodist.org.uk as
soon as possible.
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Re:planting Church at the Margins
As
part of the visit of the President and Vice-President of
Conference, the Birmingham District has organised a one day event
at Kenilworth Methodist Church on Saturday 11th March called
Re:Planting
Church at the Margins.
There is an excellent line up, with Deacon Eunice Attwood as
keynote speaker and a really good choice of workshops including
one led by our own Ministry & Missions Co-ordinator, Jo Yair.
Worship will be led by an intergenerational team. The
day will be designed to be accessible to all personality types
and learning styles.
The Birmingham District has extended a specific invitation to
members of the Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury District. For
more information and bookings see here: https://birminghammethodist.org.uk/replanting-church-at-the-margins
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Sale of Lawrence Lane MC
As you may be aware Lawrence Lane Methodist Church is up for sale
and we have a potential buyer. As part of the sale we will have
to clear the building. We have compiled a list of the contents of
the Church and we wondered if anyone from within the District may
be interested in taking any of the items. If
there is any interest please let Elaine
Panchal know by Friday 24th February.
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Growing through Change and Conflict Courses
Please see information below on 3 courses on
aspects of Growing through Change and Conflict
Each course is online and takes place over one day. Book by
following the link to the Learning Network Eventbrite Page.
The Methodist Church Website and the LN Eventbrite Page has many
more courses provided by the Learning Network and Partners Find
out more at:
Learning
and Development Events (methodist.org.uk)
Methodist
Learning Network Events | Eventbrite
Growing
through Change and Conflict
Growing through Change and Conflict offers support and training
to Church Leaders, lay and ordained, as they recognise and
respond to conflict. The day offers the opportunity to consider
our own personal responses to conflict, to discuss our experience
of conflict within a small group, to explore how conflict
escalates within a faith setting, and to consider some simple
techniques to lower the level of the conflicts that we experience
Wed, 3
May 2023, 09:30 – 16:00 BST. Online
Growing
through Change and Conflict Registration, Wed 3 May 2023 at 09:30
| Eventbrite
Bullying
and Harrassment
Understanding the dynamics of Bullying and Harassment and explore
ways to respond
The course considers bullying and harassment through two case
studies. Topics include power, ego states, Kantor's four player
system and top tips.
Wed, 7
June 2023, 09:30 – 16:00 BST. Online
Bullying
and Harassment Registration, Wed 7 Jun 2023 at 09:30 | Eventbrite
Scripture,
Spirituality and Conflict
To deepen our understanding of the wisdom and impact of scripture
in managing change and transforming conflict.
Our churches and faith communities are experiencing rapid change,
which can sometimes result in difficult conversations and
conflicted relationships. These experiences would be familiar to
the early Christian church, where change and conflict were the
norm, and heated conversations were regular occurrences. What can
we learn from scripture about conflict and change? Building on
our foundation day ‘Growing through Change and Conflict’, this
material explores first an approach to scripture rooted in God’s
loving reconciliation in the world, and then secondly offers a
way in to bible study rooted in ‘the remembered bible.’ Drawing
on our own lived experience of life in our church or faith
community, we continue to support all those in our churches and
faith communities to
be peacemakers in the spirit of the gospel.
Tue,
11 July 2023, 09:30 – 16:00 BST. Online
Scripture,
Spirituality and Conflict Registration, Tue 11 Jul 2023 at 09:30
| Eventbrite
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Online Circuit Steward Training
Are
you a new circuit steward, or have been one for a while and are
looking to dive deeper in to your roles & responsibilities
and develop your skills and knowledge?
*There
are two options in 2023 to join the online Zoom Circuit Stewards
Course - join us for the above course in
March via this page link, Circuit
Stewards Training Tickets, Thu 2 Mar 2023 at 19:00 | Eventbrite
or to
join in June/July click here: Summer Circuit Stewards
Training
This 5
session course takes place on consecutive Thursday
evenings, 7-9pm, from 2nd March to 30th
March, 2022. It introduces new Circuit Stewards to expectations
and responsibilities of serving in this area of circuit
leadership and will refresh existing Circuit Stewards in their
ongoing learning and development.
Each session will offer opportunities to explore ideas and share
experiences as well as identify areas for further action, ongoing
learning and development particularly in these areas:
Session
1: Calling and Role of the Circuit Steward
- 2nd
March
Session
2: Distinctively Methodist - 9th March
Session
3: Positive Working Together - 16th March
Session
4: Continuing to Learn - 23rd March
Sesion
5: Mission Planning - 30th March
This event is being led by the Learning Network.
For more information, please contact Jenna Thorne (thornej@methodistchurch.org.uk).
Who
should come to this Learning Network event?
Anyone preparing for, or who has recently started in the role of
Circuit Steward or anyone currently serving as a Circuit Steward
who would like to refresh or develop learning and share
experiences with others.
How
much does this event cost?
This event is free and offered as part of the Learning Network
support across the Connexion - just register and you'll receive
joining instructions for the event.
About
the Connexional Learning Network
Learning and development across the Connexion is supported by the
Methodist Church's Learning Network. This work has four aims:
- nurturing and equipping
Christ-like disciples
- challenging and
equipping mission-shaped communities
- forming and
equipping those who share in lay and ordained ministry
- enabling and
encouraging creative thinkers in an environment of
scholarship, research and innovation
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Becoming an Active Peacemaker
Do you
wish to create a more peaceful society but do not know where to
start? Are you frustrated by the divisions in your church? Are
you struggling to find ways to resolve conflicts?
Events in the news, tensions and divisions in the places where we
gather, including home, church, schools, and work, threaten our
peace every day. The inability of global leaders and the
custodians of our institutions to resolve conflicts is
frustrating. But is there more we, as citizens and members of the
society can do to build peace? Can we be active peace
makers in a world of divisions, inequality and political
challenges? Can the church actively and justly promote
peace-making in fulfilment of the commandment to be peacemakers?
The ‘Becoming
an Active Peacemaker’ course equips participants with
practical skills and knowledge to confront challenging issues and
act to find solutions. This course targets persons seeking to
reduce tensions in their institutions, groups, families, and
communities.
For further information and to register – CLICK
HERE
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Trip to Ghana
Dear Sibling,
Grace and peace be with you in full measure. I am hopeful we are
all refreshed after the Christmas Season and enjoying the light
of His presence in this season of Epiphany.
The good news is that the Ghanaian Methodist Fellowship, UK and
Ireland, with Rev William Davies have come out with a suggested
dates for a plan Mission Trip to Ghana from the 11th
to 19th April 2023.
The overall objective is to explore the faith in the Ghanaian
context by interacting with both the clergy and lay in the urban
and rural settings, and to understand the concept of mission and
evangelism. We will visit some historical sites like; Cape Coast
Castle and projects that are being or have been sponsored by the
Methodist Church Britain.
The total cost involved is £2,000, and this is for the flight,
hotel accommodation, hiring of air-conditioned coach, meals and
other miscellaneous expenses. Interested participants may,
however, make their own provision for purchases like souvenirs
and gift items from Ghana.
In brief, the itinerary among others, will include:
- paying a courtesy
call on the staff at the Conference Office in Accra
- visiting the
Methodist Rafiki Satellite Village (Orphanage) in the
Winneba Diocese, to have a session with the children.
- a visit to Cape
Coast Castle, to be briefed about the slave trade.
- In Kumasi, we
will visit the Kwadaso Methodist Vocational Institute. This
is an institution for the training and equipping of girls
with needed skills ie; seamstress, hairdresser etc.
- In the Northern
Region (Tamale/Yendi), we will visit another area to explore
the relationship between Christians and Muslims and we
will visit some of the rural Methodist Churches to interact
with the local people.
We
are humbly inviting you to be part of this exciting trip to
Ghana and asking you to coordinate with your district chair and
other chairpersons and interested groups you know to make this
available to our colleagues both clergy and lay leaders who may
be interested.
The contact details of Rev. William Davis who will be
coordinating with us as the trip organiser is as below;
Rev William Davies, Blackheath/Crystal Palace Circuit
Tel.(mobile) 07930843207. Email - william14da@yahoo.com
I am hopeful this is going to be an exciting experience and
very beneficial for us all.
With kind regards,
Quophie Anochie Ababio
(CHAPLAIN,
GMF-UK&IR)
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Chaplain request for Queens
Chaplain
(Part-Time) to the Queen’s Foundation for Ecumenical
Theological Education
Job
Description and Person Specification
We are seeking a new (up to half-time) chaplain and envisage
appointing a person who will find a creative way of offering
support to students on different pathways of study, with
differing levels of pastoral support needs. We would expect the
person appointed to work alongside a small number of part-time
(hourly-paid) chaplains who together would form a diverse
chaplaincy team. Our hope is that the person appointed would
assist in the establishing of the team and then oversee the
team’s work, beginning in the Summer 2023.
We are keen to hear from those who have experience of chaplaincy,
who are committed to theological education, and who have a vision
for how they might contribute to the community of communities
which is Queen’s. Enquiries are sought from interested
applicants, either lay or ordained, who are in good standing with
one of the churches recognised by Churches Together in Britain
and Ireland.
Please visit our website
to apply for the post.
Deadline for applications: 2.00
pm March 2nd
It is hoped to conduct interviews before Easter.
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Request for Tables
St. John's Methodist Church in the Wolverhampton Circuit is in
need of
10 Gopak tables (1.2 metres length - 70cm height). If any
churches
across the District have any surplus to requirements we would be
pleased
to hear from you. Please contact Steve on 07963 833488. Many
thanks.
Kind Regards,
Rev. Steve Jackson | Tel. 01902 883331
Hurst Hill | St. John's | Upper Ettingshall
www.wolverhamptoncircuit.co.uk
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How to find and keep brilliant volunteers
There ARE people out there with time
and expertise to give.
We want to help you find them! Many of us are
experiencing the same issues - too much to do and not
enough people to do it.
In our next webinar, we chat with three experts who are
finding innovative ways to find and keep brilliant
volunteers.
On Thursday 26 March, 10.00am-11.45am, we'll
be joined by Cat Ross from Baby Basics, Kate Doran-Smith
from Hope into Action, and Richard Farrell from Langley
House Trust.
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Together we'll explore:
- Developing
a flexible approach to volunteering
- Working
in partnership with charities, job centres, and
councils
- Using
social media effectively
- Working
with those of all faiths and none
- Supporting
your team well
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Our webinars are split into three
sections so you can hear from our experts, quiz them and
then explore your ideas with others.
10.00am-10:45am – Our panelists
discuss innovative ways to find volunteers.
10:45am-11:00am – Put your questions
to our panel of experts.
11:00am-11:45am – Join our breakout
groups to share your experiences.
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Cat Ross, Baby Basics
Cat took over as CEO of Baby Basics in 2019. The
organisation is the largest network of baby banks in the
UK. In 2022, they supported 43,000 children and their
families with clothing and other essential items. Cat takes
a proactive approach to finding and supporting the
many volunteers who give their time to Baby Basics.
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Kate Doran-Smith, Hope into Action
After several years as a Christian youth and community
worker, Kate came to Hope into Action in 2013. She loves
the idea that church volunteers can be the ‘magic sauce’
when it comes to supporting and loving the homeless and
vulnerable.
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Richard Farrell, Langley House Trust
Richard re-joined Langley House Trust in September 2022 as
their Volunteering Manager. Prior to that, he was
the Regional Volunteering Manager at FareShare where grew
their volunteer team from 70 volunteers across two sites to
around 300 regular volunteers over seven
locations.
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Church Planting Intensive
The next Church
Planting Intensive (CPI) takes place on 17 to 19 March 2023.
CPI begins with a residential at Cliff College and then
meets monthly on the 1st Thursday between 7-9pm. CPI is a
fully funded year-long hybrid course for those who are planting
NPNPs, designed for those who actively shaping a vision, about to
launch or in an existing project. It mixes teaching and
reflection, prayer and deepening our calls. Places limited to 30,
so get in quick if you are interested. The course will run again
on 3 to 5 November, 2023.
Booking here https://forms.office.com/r/5HDCB5fqwg
I hope that you will also be interested in:
7 February, Health
inequalities and the gospel
6 June, Training
courses (methodist.org.uk)
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Rural Ministry Course dates
Rural
Ministry Course dates for 2023
“Really helpful
– practical, inspiring & encouraging!”- Oct 22 RMC
participant.
25-26th
April or 17-18th Oct at King’s Park,
Northampton.
For lay & ordained leaders new to a rural context, entering a
rural appointment for the first time, or in need of a ‘rural
refresher’.
Come and explore mission, evangelism & leadership with a
rural lens.
We’re currently offering a 50% bursary for lay or ordained
Methodist participants, whilst funds last.
If further information would be useful, please contact Sarah
Hulme, rural mission & ministry officer via hulmes@methodistchurch.org.uk
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Amplify Steward Volunteers
Amplify
Steward Role Outline
Background information: Amplify is a weekend away for young
people aged 8-18 and their leaders held at the Pioneer Centre
near Cleobury Mortimer between 24th and 26th March 2023.
Following on from the success of last year’s event, this year’s
event is going to involve even more children and young people. To
do this safely and to allow leaders to engage with their children
throughout the weekend, we need some help from those who are able
to give up a day of their weekend to steward.
Volunteer Role Title: Amplify Steward Location: Pioneer Centre,
Cleobury Mortimer, DY14 8JG
Responsible to: Volunteer will be instructed and under the
supervision of Charlotte Hambly and the Amplify Leadership Group
Time of role: Agreed shifts between Friday 24 th and Sunday 26 th
March 2023
Key volunteer activities
• Attend briefing before the event and before shifts at the
event.
• Attending a debrief session after each shift and after the
event.
• Guiding groups to their accommodation upon registration.
• Ensuring that common areas are supervised and available for
safe and fun free time.
• Keeping an eye on the bedroom corridors to make sure only those
with bedrooms on that corridor are accessing their room.
• Staffing the leader’s rest area at designated times.
• Making and serving drinks after activities.
• Alerting group leaders and Amplify Leadership Team to any
issues (safeguarding concerns, behaviour etc) in a timely manner.
We are looking for people who have the following skills and
attributes:
• Ability to work as part of a team with other stewards, the
Amplify Leadership Team and the leaders attending with their
young people.
• Ability to act under their own initiative.
• Ability to establish positive and productive relationships with
children and young people
• Awareness of and commitment to the participation of children
and young people in the life of the church.
• Commitment to and knowledge of Safeguarding, and willing to
provide evidence of, or gain, a valid regulated activity DBS and
at least foundation level in Methodist Church Safeguarding.
Criminal record check The volunteer will need a satisfactory
criminal record clearance certificate (Regulated Activity DBS).
Volunteers will be asked to provide all relevant documents for
these checks if they do not already have a valid DBS. This will
be of no cost to the volunteer.
Level of commitment: Amplify 2023 will take place between 24 th
and 26 th March 2023. The volunteer should be available for at
least 1 session (morning, afternoon or evening) on one of these
days. They are welcome to volunteer as much time as they can
during the weekend.
Accommodation, subject to availability, may be provided at a
small cost to the volunteer if volunteering on multiple days.
Training and support provided:
• Volunteers will be supported before, during and after the event
by Charlotte Hambly and the Amplify Leadership Team.
• Volunteers will have a briefing session before the event where
information will be shared and they will have opportunities to
ask questions.
• Volunteers will have knowledge of Safeguarding through the
completion of Safeguarding Training.
Applications To apply to be an Amplify Steward you should fill in
the form linked here
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#ThereisRoom...Could
you host a Ukrainian person or family in your home?
As Russia’s war in Ukraine evolves, its impact on the people of
Ukraine is being felt in new ways. Attacks on civilian
centres and shutdown of key infrastructure will force many to
flee as winter sets in. Thousands are still hoping to come
to the UK, but suitable hosts are in short supply.
The Methodist Church is partnering with Citizens
UK’s "Communities for
Ukraine" Scheme, which helps community groups to
welcome and support refugees from Ukraine. This means that as a
host, you would have more wraparound support for both you and
your guest(s), being supported every step of the way. Matt
Caeser has joined the Connexional Team to in order to support the
scheme and we’re grateful to our Safeguarding team, Sue and Kay,
for offering the local support which means that potential hosts
from this District can now apply through the scheme.
If this is something you would like to explore, even tentatively,
then please find more information and apply here: https://www.methodist.org.uk/our-work/our-work-in-britain/social-justice/methodists-for-ukraine-apply-to-host-a-ukrainian-family/
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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, 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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