|
New this week:
Ministries Committee of Mission Council vacancies
Geoff Bond Leaving LN
Treasurer roles and responsibilities course
Wolverhampton Pride
Practical Property 2
In case you
missed it:
Rwanda Flood Appeal
EDI Resources
Youth Christian Climate Network
Tent of Nations
Mission Enabler Vacancy
Youth President Visits
Stationing Training
Advanced Safeguarding Training
Creating Church and Community: Families with Additional Needs
Every Church a Growing Church: Mission Planning for all
Children's Support Fund
Dial-a-prayer
free phone line to hear prayers : 0808 281 2514 Methodist News :
0808 281 2478
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ministries Committee of Mission Council
vacancies
Two
Volunteer Positions
Two new members of the Ministries Committee are required, one for
a lay person and one for an ordained person. The appointment
shall initially be for a period of three years and maybe
reappointed for a further period of no more than three years.
Expressions of interest are invited from lay and ordained members
of the Methodist Church in Britain, who have an understanding of
the range of ministries across the Church and commitment to
supporting effective processes. New members will complement the
skills and background of other members of the Ministries
Committee.
In line with our commitment to the Justice Dignity and Solidarity
(JDS) Strategy, expressions of interest from Black, Asian and
Minority Ethnic people are especially very welcome.
All applications will be assessed on merit.
For more information:
Membership
of the Ministries Committee of the Methodist Council. Closing
Date: 7th June 2023
|
|
|
Geoff Bond leaving LN
An
opportunity to say farewell to Geoff Bond, a member of the
Learning Network team before a gathering at Cliff College
next week. Should you wish to contribute to a leaving
gift, and/or add a leaving message, you are able to do so using
the following link:
https://www.giftround.co.uk/page/645bb32cb6524
|
|
|
Treasurer roles and responsibility Course
A brief, introduction to the role of church
treasurer, providing some insights into aspects of church
financial administration.
Date and
time: Wed, 14 Jun 2023 19:00 - 20:00
A
brief, non-technical introduction to the role of church
treasurer, providing an overview and some insights into aspects
of church financial administration.
The
course is aimed at those with limited, or indeed no knowledge, of
the specific requirements which underpin church and charity
accounts, but who may have been approached to become church
treasurer.
Those
who wish to have an overview of the role and responsibilities of
a church treasurer will also find the course of interest.
Please book here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/church-treasurer-insights-into-the-role-and-responsibilities-tickets-638606397927
|
|
|
Wolverhampton Pride
|
|
|
Practical Property 2
Come and
join Matthew McDade ( District Property Consultant), Keith Walton
(District Property Secretary) and Rosie Bryant( The Learning
Network) for an insight in to some practical property. We
will be meeting at Trinity Methodist Church, Kidderminster, from
10am- 2pm. We will look at how to complete an inspection and then
make an action plan for carrying out any required work.
We will look at the issue of consents and give some advice on
meeting some of your legal duties, for example in relation to
asbestos in your buildings.
There will be an opportunity to ask your own questions about
property and an opportunity to signpost you to other sources of
help. There will be input from TMCP on the day too, so if you
have any queries about property and want to know more come and
join us.
Tickets are available from Eventbrite visit - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/practical-property-west-midlands-tickets-626963232907
Booking is essential, as numbers are limited. If you struggle
with this, please e-mail Rosie and she will support you with
this. You can also phone or e-mail her for more information on
the event. E-mail: bryantr@methodistchurch.org.uk
Tel: 07772979625.
|
|
|
Rwanda Flood Appeal
You
may have read or heard reports in the news about the floods in
Rwanda. You may have seen on Facebook, (Wolverhampton and
Shrewsbury District Chair page) that not only have there been
many deaths, but the devastation caused by loss of homes,
hospitals, fields where crops have all been washed away to name a
few affects.
Revd.
Teddy Siwila, Church and Society secretary, has asked that
I send you the following and ask that if at all possible you
could arrange an emergency retirement collection at your churches.
We hope to send money to Rwanda as soon as possible. This news
may quickly be replaced by another story, but we hope to help.
The
devastating floods have caused unimaginable damage to the most
vulnerable communities in Rwanda. Our District is appealing for a
retirement collection so that we can help in some small way to
alleviate the difficulties that our friends in Rwanda find
themselves in. Congregations can donate to Rwanda by sending
money to the District account. Co-op Bank, sort code 08-92-99,
Bank account 65495391, Account name Wolverhampton &
Shrewsbury Methodist District.
If
they pay on line can they send an email to janet@wsmethodist.org.uk stating
the amount they have paid and that it is to support our people in
Rwanda after the floods.
If
they wish to send a cheque can they send to the District office,
Beckminster Methodist Church, Birches Barn Road, Wolverhampton.
WV3 7BQ and to enclose a note stating the purpose of the
donation.
Teddy
Thank
you for your help.
|
|
|
EDI resources
Just
a quick message to let you know that new resources have been
published to support people completing the Equality, Diversity
and Inclusion training module, for those who are meeting together
to complete the training and not use MCBX.
Full information is available at: Mandatory
EDI Training (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion)
(methodist.org.uk)
and the resources are at: Training
Resources (methodist.org.uk)
the material is the same as the online MCBX. But this resources
can be used in 2 ways
- As a led training
session(s) group in church, circuit or district.
- As a study group
Best wishes
Geoff
Bond | Regional Learning & Development
Coordinator - LN West Midlands
The Connexional Team
07799 900486 [Mobile]
|
|
|
Youth Christian Climate Network
I
hope you are well. My name is Phoebe and I currently volunteer as
the Secretary for the Young Christian Climate Network, a group of
Christians aged 18-30 who are passionate about climate justice.
We are currently running our latest campaign, Take the Veg
Pledge. This is encouraging Christians to commit to being
vegetarian between 5-11 June 2023. Alternatively, if you are
planning on attending a Christian festival this summer, then we'd
love for you to commit to eating a vegetarian diet for the
duration of the festival.
We understand that food represents so much more than a meal on a
plate - it is part of our identity and culture. But it is for
this reason that we would love for you to consider signing up for
our campaign - diet is one of the key changes one can make to
help tackle climate justice.
You can find out more about the campaign, including resources,
FAQs, and details about the science behind our campaign here.
We'd really encourage you to share this with the churches in your
district, as well as committing yourself.
As a fellow Methodist, I am enthusiastic about our identity as a
justice-seeking church and hope you will see how this small act
can be part of that calling.
Finally, if there is anyone aged 18-30 in your district who is
interested in climate justice, please do encourage them to contact YCCN
- we are a very friendly bunch and would love to have them join!
Every blessing,
Phoebe Parkin
|
|
|
Tent of Nations
Visit of Tent of Nations to Lichfield 27th May
10.30 - 3.00 pm
The Tent of Nations is a peace building project
located at Daher’s Vineyard, a family organic farm in the
hills south-west of Bethlehem. The Nassar family, who have
owned the family farm for over a hundred years, have strong links
with the Methodist Church. In 2018 they were recipients of
the Methodist World Peace Prize.
Here is an opportunity to meet members of this inspiring family
in Lichfield on 27th May.
|
|
|
Mission Enabler Vacancy
Shropshire & Marches Methodist Circuit (Registered Charity No.1139091) are seeking to
appoint a part time Christian
Outreach Mission Enabler in North Shropshire
(areas surrounding Oswestry and Wem) to work with new bespoke
mobile trailer FOR 832 HOURS ANNUALISED OVER THE YEAR (equating
to a flexible16 hours per week)
This is a new and exciting opportunity for pioneering ministry
with the Methodist Church in a new setting, within a new project,
using an untried form of outreach in a brand new bespoke mobile
trailer unit. It is anticipated that the project will enable
people to meet Jesus in diverse and innovative settings as well
as the traditional and familiar.
The Mission Enabler will be responsible for liaising with
volunteers and co-ordinating events to enable a Christian
presence that is both alongside and active in local communities.
The role will suit someone who is passionate to take the gospel
beyond the walls of buildings, who engages well with all ages, is
energetic and dynamic, but also deeply embedded in prayer and
reflective practice.
The successful applicant will work within, and be supported by a
ministerial and volunteer team but will be expected to lead and
co-ordinate outreach events in innovative and resourceful ways.
The role might suit two people sharing roughly16 hours a week,
for the right applicants. We are willing to be flexible as to how
the hours might work but you must be prepared to work some
weekends and evenings. The hours will be annualised to enable more
hours in some weeks, but less in others and to fit around the
commitments of the both church and post holder. An ability or
willingness to learn to tow the trailer would be an advantage but
not essential.
Salary in the range £10.90 - £13 per hour depending upon
experience and qualifications
Closing
dates for applications: 9am on 29th May.
Please apply as below for application form. Interviews will be
held on 14th & 15th June Starting date as
soon as possible.
For more information please contact Rev. Julia Skitt on
07810360778
For application form and information pack please email: juliaskitt@mail.com
|
|
|
Youth President visits
The
Youth President, James Carver, is currently planning for the
third quarter of his year. If any youth groups would like him to
come and visit over video call, please feel free to contact him
at youthpresident@methodistchurch.org.uk"
|
|
|
Advanced Safeguarding Training
Advanced
Safeguarding Training Dates.
Anyone wishing to book onto one of these sessions needs to email kayredfern@birminghammethodist.org.uk
All of the below are training dates at The Methodist Churches
below:
24th June 23 – Pleck – face to face – 9.45am
registration
22nd July – Wednesbury Leabrook – face to face –
9.45am registration
16th Sept – Dudley Wood – face to face – 9.45am
registration
9th Sept – Coventry – Central - Eadon Hall – face to
face – 9.45am registration
14th October – Kenilworth – face to face – 9.45am
registration
25th November – Solihull – face to face – 9.45am
registration
|
|
|
Creating Church and Community Amongst Families
with Additional Needs
A one hour workshop featuring “The Gate Church”* Experience, led
by Jo Yair (Wolverhampton & Shrewsbury District Ministry
& Mission Co-ordinator) and Geoff Bond (Regional Learning
Network Co-ordinator) exploring how to establish, resource and
equip churches for working with families with additional needs
Dates and booking: 24th
May 23, 12th June 23
Eventbrite Link: Church
& Community: Families with Additional needs | Eventbrite
*The Gate Church, founded in 2018 by two lay workers, at The
Storehouse in Brierley Hill, followed a long history of listening
to, and journeying with parents whose children have additional
and complex needs. The Gate Church was a natural step for a group
of parents who were previously supported by circuit children
& families workers, to bring their families to worship. The
group began to Meet once a month on a Friday evening, it enabled
the whole family to come along and connect together as a church
family. The formation of The Gateway discipleship group quickly
followed, enabling adults to meet whilst their children were at
school to explore where God fits into their life.
|
|
|
Every Church a Growing Church: Mission
Planning for all
Be
inspired, gain practical tips and receive help tailored to your
context, so that every church might freely share God's love in
Christ.
Date and time:
Sat, 8 July 2023, 10:00 – 15:00 BST
Location:
Online
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/every-church-a-growing-church-mission-planning-for-all-tickets-525626953367
Perhaps you have found yourself asking some of these questions:
How do we do mission when we’re all worn out?
What if we have big ideas and a small congregation?
How do we produce a circuit mission plan?
This online conference seeks to inspire you to
discover the particular gifts your church/es have to offer the
community and to create simple, useful plans for positive action.
Through a mixture of presentations, workshops and team coaching
sessions, we'll explore God's call to share the love of Christ in
word and deed, offering what we have to our community and letting
the Spirit get to work.
Maybe your church has struggled to get started with mission
planning. Or you've made a start, but got stuck along the way.
Perhaps you have a mission plan, but it hasn't yet translated
into positive action. Or maybe you're leading a whole circuit in
mission planning. Wherever you are, this conference will help you
get unstuck and get going. Workshops will explore topics such as
doing mission in small churches, building community partnerships
and mission planning at circuit level.
The conference is aimed at lay and ordained church leaders -
church and circuit stewards, lay workers, ministers and
Superintendents - all those responsible for helping churches live
out their calling. Individuals are welcome, but for an even
greater impact, why not bring a team from your church or circuit?
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
