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Confirmation of Autumn Representative Synod
Synod
meets on the date published in the Spring Agenda, 9th September 2023.
Synod dates are published more than a year ahead. Originally
it was indicated we would meet a week later and this later date
may have got into some people’s diaries. However, since
talks with the Birmingham District have progressed, the date was
moved forward to allow both Synods to meet on the same day.
Further details will be announced as soon as they are
available.
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Volunteer positions available at Connexional
level
Volunteer
Connexional Role - Stationing Advisory Committee
The Stationing Advisory Committee is appointed by
Conference to meet with presbyters and deacons who feel called to
something other than a Circuit appointment, and to keep in touch
with those who have responded to such a call. It is
significant work - helping ministers discern their calling while
balancing that with the needs of the Church
SAC are looking to recruit new lay or ordained members. The
work is done in panels of three to five people and is usually
done via Zoom.
If you are interested then please contact the District Office for
more information and an application form.
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Exploring Digital
A day online exploring the digital world for Methodist Churches
and communities.
Join together with Methodists from all over Britain for a special
digital gathering. Learn from key individuals who've mastered the
digital world on how to connect and share the Gospel online. The
event will feature insightful keynotes, group discussions and an
expert panel. Don't miss this chance to enhance your
church's online presence and explore faith in the digital era!
- When: Saturday 30
September, 10am to 3:30pm.
- Where: Online, so
you can join wherever you are.
- Cost: We are providing
this day free of charge.
We'll be
sharing further information about speakers, topics and resources
closer to the event. Register
for your free place now to avoid missing out and
join us on Saturday 30 September for a day
of exploration into the digital world and the
opportunities it holds for the Methodist Church.
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Windrush 75 Commemorations
It
takes a village - Windrush 75
celebration events at Central Hall. We're hoping to have a
good sized attendance to support some excellent presenters and
performers.
All events free of charge - all very welcome.
Windrush
75: 2023 sees the 75th anniversary of the HMT
Empire Windrush arriving in Britain on 22 June 1948. In this year
of national celebrations of shared history, we will be holding a programme of events
11am-4pm on 16/17
June - with speakers, musicians, drama -
and a special service led by Sharon Jackson on Sunday 18th June.
It takes a
village to raise up a child – we are now in the 4 – 5th
generation of those who came from a village.
We may use
the term ‘village’ to include all our communities. We wish
to raise up the children in our communities to learn more about
the Windrush and the Commonwealth countries who experienced
challenges of racial discrimination, homelessness, un-employment,
but through each and every struggle helped build the country
together.
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Gravestones and Greetings
Lichfield Diocese Community of
Evangelists Presents:
Steve
Hollinghurst
Mission Enabler (Environment) – Diocese of Hereford
“‘Gravestones and
Greetings’”
Tuesday
13th June 2023
6.00
pm – 9.30 pm
St
Michael-on-Greenhill Church
48
Church Street, Lichfield, WS13 6ED
Find
us - St Michael-on-Greenhill, Lichfield - A Church Near You
Google
Maps
Nearest railway station: Lichfield City, Station Road, Lichfield,
WS13 6HX.
To
book your place contact Warden, Lynne Mills, at lynne@fpe-network.org
Free
refreshments are provided – please state your specific dietary
requirements
All
are welcome
If you
are not a member of the Community of Evangelists, then you can
come to one of our gatherings to ‘try us out’ but after that you
need to join if you wish to come again.
What
can you expect from this gathering?
Introduction to the evening and to Forest Church (inside)
Forest Church outdoor celebration (weather permitting)
Sharing of local story QR trails etc
Further Churchyard resources (eg CfGA) and Q&A
As well as sharing of resources, updates and prayer groups
Introduction
to our speaker
Revd
Steve Hollinghurst
Steve is Mission Enabler, Environment for Hereford Diocese working
on evangelism and environmentalism, and spirituality in nature as
part of mission. He has a background in social science and
theology, particularly looking at culture and spirituality in
today’s world. He helps churches in outreach at Mind Body Spirit
fairs and Pagan gatherings as well as working and teaching in
mission and evangelism and is one of the founders of the Forest
Church Movement. His publications include Mission-Shaped
Evangelism (Canterbury Press 2010), New Age Paganism and
Christian Mission, (Grove 2003), and Starting, Assessing
and Sustaining Pioneer Mission (Grove 2013)
Note:
booking is essential, together with any dietary requirements.
We
look forward to seeing you there.
Lynne
Mills
Warden of
the Lichfield Diocese Community of Evangelists
(:
07810
550583 or 01922 415050
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3Generate Update
3Generate
takes place from 6 to 8 October 2023 at the NEC. It's a wonderful
opportunity for children and young people to gather
together, encounter God and be reminded of their vital place
within the wider Methodist Church. It's open to anyone aged
between 8 and 23, with a special day event on the Saturday for 4
to 7 year olds with their parents/carers.
All the information you need to book can be found here:
www.3Generate.org.uk
Here is a link to a video from last year.
https://youtu.be/NAtflE_meYo
If you have any questions or comments, please contact Melody
Jones at layworkermelody@hotmail.com.
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Thank you from Rwanda
Thank
you from Bishop Samuel of the Free Methodist Church of Rwanda
Thank you for your prayers for the devastating floods in
Rwanda. May all blessings be upon those who donate for
helping those in critical situation. Please convey my
word of gratitude to the District.
Regards
Samuel
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New People New Places Enabler for Additional
Needs post re-advertised
The Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury District is
seeking to recruit a New Places for New People (NPNP) Enabler for
Additional Needs.
The District believes that everybody should be
given the opportunity to connect with and follow Jesus, and to
belong and participate in a worshipping community where they are
loved and valued. This District role will aim to create a culture
of disability inclusion, belonging and spiritual deepening of
those who serve within the church and those who are yet to
connect with Jesus; so that this becomes not just something we
say but something we live out in practice.
The
overall aim of the role is to support, equip and enable
disability inclusion across the district, enhancing existing
ministries and pioneering new ones.
You
will be a self-starter with a proven record of accomplishment
using disability inclusion practices. Working within a team you
will have pioneered new places for new people and know what it is
to work collaboratively with those both within and outside of
church.
Salary:
£29,000-£31,000 per annum dependent on experience and
qualification
Location:
Home based with frequent work/travel across the District
Terms
of appointment: full time
Normal
working pattern: 37 hours per week including evening and occasional
weekend work as required.
Please
email the District office for an application pack.
admin@wsmethodist.org.uk
Closing
Date: 16th June 2023
Interview
date: 7th July 2023
There
is an occupation requirement that the role holder is a committed
Christian in accordance with Part 1 of Schedule 9 of the Equality
Act 2010.
We
encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim
to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we
serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We
champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a
workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of
belonging.
To
find out more about how we do this visit:
The Inclusive Methodist
Church
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Lay Pastor required in Cornwall
Cornwall
and Isles of Scilly District Camborne, Redruth and Hayle Circuit
(12/01)
Job Opportunity for a Pastor
We wish to appoint a Pastor to join our circuit team, to work
alongside existing staff, Circuit Stewards & members in the
leading and nurture of four churches and to assist the Circuit in
developing discipleship.
This is a new post within the Ministry Team of the Camborne,
Redruth and Hayle Methodist Circuit, under the direction of the
Superintendent Minister. The role is full-time (35 hours per
week) and is initially for a period of 4 years. Part time may be
considered.
This appointment will begin on 1st September 2023, or as close to
this date as possible.
Salary: £27,300 per annum or part time equivalent.
Accommodation is available if required (with appropriate
adjustment to salary)
We are looking for someone who can demonstrate the life of Jesus
for the 21st century, and who is willing to be led by the Holy
Spirit and the Bible.
This is an exciting opportunity to join our Circuit as we look
forward, and focus on being and making disciples. The Circuit
staff team currently consist of the Superintendent Minister, one
presbyter and 3 part time Lay Pastoral Workers and a part time
Circuit Administrator. The Circuit consists of 12 church
societies.
The successful applicant for this role will be required to
provide their own transport for which they will receive the
standard Connexional travel allowance for lay workers, payable on
all work-related mileage within the boundary of the Circuit.
There is a Genuine Occupational Requirement that the post-holder
is a Christian. This appointment is subject to a satisfactory
Enhanced DBS check.
For further information and an application pack, please email: recruitCRH@hotmail.com
The closing date for applications is 12noon on Wednesday 14th
June 2023.
Interviews will be held in the week beginning Monday 26th
June 2023.
We look forward to hearing from you.
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A4C Recruitment Open Day
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News
for your District from Action for Children
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Hello from Action for Children!
I am delighted to let you know that the Action for
Children Sunday resources are at the printers and will
be with you very soon. They are available now on our website. More details below. Please
let either myself or your regional fundraiser know if
you would like a speaker to come to a Action for
Children Sunday service - we will do our best to match
someone for you.
Best wishes and continued thanks for all you to do
support us,
Anna
Faith Partnerships Lead
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News
from Action for Children
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Growing and
Flourishing Together this Action for
Children Sunday
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Action
for Children Sunday is on 9th July and
we have released worship resources to
support churches in supporting this
special Sunday. The theme is all about
the interconnectedness we have as
humans, and the commandment to love one
another as we are loved by God. In
these challenging times for so many
families, we hope that this resource
will supplement the Methodist calling
as people of faith to respond to God's
love through worship and mission.
This year, we have created two short
videos to complement the resource. One
features Tan Y Bryn, a home offering
safe and happy childhoods to children
who have experienced trauma. The other
is from Terri, a mum who benefitted
from our parenting classes and support.
The stories also feature in the worship
material.
The resources can be found here.
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Responding to the
latest figures on Universal Credit
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Poverty
can have a number of effects on
children’s physical and mental health.
Families in poverty are less likely to
be able to afford essentials such as
food and heating. Parents in poverty
cannot provide a decent standard of
living or take part in enjoyable
activities with their children. They
also face food insecurity and cramped
living situations, and all of these
issues impact children’s mental health.
The cost-of-living crisis has
highlighted the poverty in the UK to
such an extent that we now accept it as
a well-known fact. The rise in
inflation and the COVID-19 pandemic has
caused a worrying decrease in the
income of UK households, putting many
people in financial distress.
Read our detailed analysis of how
poverty affects children's mental heath
here.
Find resources to support your child's
mental health here.
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Plan for
Boycott Your Bed
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If
you are looking for a fundraising
challenge to plan for this autumn then
Boycott Your Bed may be the answer. We
will be hosting number of live events
around the country but also will
support small groups who want to
organise their own event. More
information will follow in
June.
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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
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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
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Wolverhampton Pride
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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.
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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
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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
Date and booking: 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.
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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?
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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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