New this week:
MHA volunteer opportunity
Christian Women's Fellowship Conference
News from Action for Children
Advent and Lent Courses
In case you missed it:
Proposal for new WM  District
Action for Hope
Part time Circuit Admin vacancy
Youth Leader Evening
LN online learning opportunities
Creative Hub Assistant Manager Vacancy
Practical Property Update
Vacancy for District Children and Youth Ambassador
Funding for HE Study
Personal Reflection Course
Called to Organise Blog
Welfare Benefits and Money Adviser vacancy
Exploring Digital
Advanced Safeguarding Training
Children's Support Fund

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MHA Volunteer Opportunity

Christian Women's Fellowship Conference

News from Action for Children

Advent and Lent Courses

We write to commend to you the London District’s Advent and Lent course booklets, created and produced as part of the District’s theme for 2019-2022. The theme ‘Woven: God’s Story. Your Story. Every Story.’ centred on the power of storytelling to transform and renew us in our lifelong discipleship as followers of Christ.
During these three years, the District produced a number of resources which include our Advent and Lent course, both of which are suitable for small groups and individual study. We have several copies of both booklets available and would like to offer them to our colleagues across the Connexion who may not have engaged with the material previously.

Watching and Waiting: a four-week Advent course that encourages us to engage in mission and discipleship as a way of life.
Woven: A Lent Course: a six-week course written by former District Chair and President of the Methodist Conference (2018/19) Revd Michaela Youngson, reflecting on our personal relationship with God and our responsibility as Christian’s to engage with the world as it is.

The booklets are free to order and there is no charge for postage and packaging. Please do note that although the booklets are dated 2020, the content is not specific to any particular year and can be used at any time. 
The booklets are available to order via the link below and will be sent out within 4 working days of receiving your order.
https://forms.gle/qo2y1qEv4odvBS336
We would be most grateful if you could share this offer with the churches and circuits within your District. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us via email (admin@methodistlondon.org.uk) or phone (020 3880 1388).
We look forward to hearing from you.
Kind regards 
Martha Yankey
Communications Officer / Admin Assistant
Please note my working hours are 8am – 5:45pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays
 
Main Office: 020 3880 1388 | Direct Dial: 020 4526 3850
 
London District of the Methodist Church, Methodist Central Hall Westminster,
Storey’s Gate, Westminster, London, SW1H 9NH
www.methodistlondon.org.uk 

Proposal for new West Midlands District

 
The Synod meeting on September 9th in Sutton Coldfield will be invited to vote “in principle” on whether to take a further step forward in bringing together our District with the West Midlands District from September 2025.  Please note that this is not the final step and the matter will be brought to Circuit Meetings if the September vote is in favour.
Synod members will be receiving their papers in the next 48 hours.  But in order to raise awareness about these proposals more widely, a video and handout have been prepared.  The video can be found here:  https://youtu.be/dmxoKjRv0Mg   The group that is working on this is very happy to receive comments and questions, preferably through the District Chair.


 
 

Action for Hope

To mark the Season of Creation in September,  the Joint Public Issues Team (JPIT) have gathered some great resources to help people and churches to engage with the Season of Creation.   As a District we hope to put together a new set of resources focusing around our Care for Creation at the beginning of 2024.  If you would be interested in helping put these together please contact the Rev’d Shalome MacNeill Cooper who is leading on this. 
 

 
 

Part Time Circuit Administrator Vacancy

The Black Country Circuit (28/12)

The Black Country Circuit seek to appoint a part time Circuit Administrator.
 
Hours  16hrs a week flexible (over at least 3 days)
Pay  £10.90 per hour with a potential 9 point scale above
Closing date for applications noon on 4^th September 2023
Interview date 11th September 2023
 
 
The administrator would

• Work with the Superintendent minister, ministers, and members of the Circuit Leadership Team in the administration of the circuit
• Provide administration support to church and circuit officers and colleagues
• Support the property secretary in administering property matters.
• Be proactive in enabling GDPR compliance across the circuit.
• Input onto circuit website

 
To request an application form or further information please contact
Rev Denise Williams
0121 520 2237
07741885827
revdenise@hotmail.co.uk
 
 

Youth Leader evening

If you are a youth leader at church, paid or voluntary then you are invited to a special evening hosted by Jo Yair and Charlotte Hambly.
We would love to say thank you for your ministry, spoil you with tea and cake, and hear how the districts can better support you.
Please book at a place to attend as it is at Jo’s home, using the following link. (There is parking but please car share where possible or if you need a lift from/to the train station then please ask).
Details on the following link:
https://app.tickettailor.com/events/birminghammethodistdistrict/979730> 
We look forward to seeing you
Jo and Charlotte.

Learning Network online learning opportunities

Three different online learning opportunities around the Pilot project and faith rooted organising.
 
12th September,
This will be a regional LN event, led by Eddy and I, on ‘What is faith rooted organising?’ for anyone from any Methodist churches across the region to attend. We plan to record the presentation part so we can share it more widely. 
 
20th September
Eddy and Kerry in partnership with Birmingham Citizens- focusing on Community organising more widely- so not just for Churches. But it will help people understand how organising is different from community engagement, or asset based community development, etc. And why it is important that we think about why we are motivated to get involved, which will be different for different groups.
  
9th November
Alison Webster (theologian in residence for Citizens UK) in collaboration with Kerry and Eddy on one of their regular’ learning Thursdays’ slots.

More information in the following link: 
 
https://actionnetwork.org/events/how-involvement-in-community-organising-can-transform-congregational-life-in-the-methodist-church?source=direct_link& <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__actionnetwork.org_events_how-2Dinvolvement-2Din-2Dcommunity-2Dorganising-2Dcan-2Dtransform-2Dcongregational-2Dlife-2Din-2Dthe-2Dmethodist-2Dchurch-3Fsource-3Ddirect-5Flink-26amp-3B&d=DwQGaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=gdaNOclgGaSJ6HtVNufdJPbEaIpYfiHISU4IblPJydQ&m=8p6ykhtNm8H4iViJorkiPaxJLKZRYU1UJA_QJ9ji-nU&s=oR3VewlWoTFXZuC4riL1iefsFJVO0-UkZxUUe2WEl_g&e=>
 
 

Creative Hub Assistant Manager vacancy

291 Community Association CIO is recruiting for an
 
Assistant to the Manager of the 291 Creative Hub
 
To be based at the rear of Wesley Methodist Church
291 High Street, West Bromwich B70 8ND
 
Hours: Part time (12-month Fixed Term Contract) - 10 Hours per week
 
Salary range £10.42p  -  £12.00p per hour.
 
For a Job Description and Application Pack
 
Please email:
 
 ch291wbz@hotmail.com
 
 
291 Community Association CIO
Wesley Methodist Church
291 High Street
West Bromwich
B70 8ND
 
Closing Date 31^st August 2023.
 
 
 
www.291communityassociationcio.co.uk
291 CA CIO Charity No. 1185192
 

Practical Property update

Come and join Matthew McDade ( District Property Consultant), Keith Walton ( District Property Secretary) and Rosie Bryant( Learning Network) as they uncover some of the mysteries of property.

Learn key points about completing your annual returns and getting consent for work. Find out what your legal responsibilities are with regards to asbestos in your buildings. Take part in a building inspection and see how you should be using the quinquennial to inform your decisions and more.

There will be opportunity to ask questions of experts and we invite you to submit questions or areas you are interested in learning more about before the event, so we can tailor part of the content to your needs.

The event will take place on the 7^th October at Trinity Methodist Church, Kidderminster. The event is free and lunch will be provided.  Drinks will be served form 9.30 onwards so we can start promptly at 10a.m. For further details or queries contact Rosie at bryantr@methodistchurch.co.uk. Please book via Eventbrite.

Vacancy: District Children and Youth Ambassador

 The District would like to record our gratitude to Melody Jones of the Cannock Chase Circuit who is stepping down from this role after a number of years of service.  Thank you Melody!
We are now looking to make a new appointment to this voluntary position.  It is suitable for someone aged 18 or over, but beyond that is open to all, both lay and ordained.  A role outline can be found here.  
Please consider whether this might be a vocation for you, or mention it to others whom you think may be suitable.
Expressions of interest should be made to the District Office by 1st September.  The Chair is very happy to have further conversations with anyone who wants to explore whether this role is for them..
Role Description here.
 

Funding for HE Study

Funding to support higher education study
 
The Methodist Church has some funding available to support course fees for any member of the British Methodist Church, lay or ordained, wishing to study a theological subject at masters or doctoral level. Further details, criteria and application forms can be found here: Scholarships and Funding (methodist.org.uk) and the closing date for applications for this year is Thursday 21^st September 2023.
 

Personal Reflection Course 

APPLY FOR ‘SOUL FOOD’
This course is about doing prayer. So a typical session will include time for prayer (using different ways of praying), personal reflection and listening to one another, as well as some teaching from the front. There won’t be long essays to write; the ‘homework’ is to spend some time each day praying.
Course venue and dates:
Day meetings: Saturdays 14 Oct, 2 Dec and 3 Feb: 10am – 3pm, St Aidan’s Church, 10a Mount Rd, Penn, Wolverhampton WV4 5SW
Zoom: Tuesdays 24 Oct; 7 & 21 Nov; 12 Dec, 9 & 23 Jan: 7 – 9.30pm
There is no entrance requirement for this course other than a desire to grow in prayer.
This is likely to be expressed in:
❖ A willingness to talk about your prayer life;
❖ A sense of (or desire for) community with other praying people; ❖ A commitment to attend all the course sessions.
If you would like to join the course, please email or write to Charles Ruxton (address below) with the following:
1. A paragraph or two on any experience of prayer that you have, and how you hope the course will help you.
2. Any access requirements (e.g. internet access, large text, wheelchair access for the day sessions etc.)? (remember to include your address, phone and email please!)
Charles Ruxton (Lichfield Diocesan Spirituality Adviser) is at charles.ruxton@trinitychurches.org
Mary Flitcroft (Worcester Diocesan Spirituality Adviser) is at spirituality@cofe-worcester.org.uk
All of the information you provide will be confidential to the Tutor Team (including Diocesan Spirituality Adviser). It will only be used for course administration and will not be passed on to anyone beyond the Tutor Team. If you would prefer your details not to be recorded in this way, please let us know

Called to Organise Blog 

 I am excited to reach out to you today to introduce our new blog called "Called to Organise." This blog aims to document and share captivating stories and resources about the two-year faith-rooted community organising pilot project in the region covering two districts, Birmingham and Wolverhampton & Shrewsbury.
 
Through the blog, we aim to spotlight the transformative power of faith-based initiatives and the impact they can have on churches and communities.
 
The two-year pilot project that forms the cornerstone of this blog has been a collaborative effort, bringing together individuals from diverse faith backgrounds, community leaders, and passionate volunteers.
 
In "Called to Organise," you will find a collection of real-life narratives, success stories, resources, and lessons learned from the project and its participants. Through these accounts, we hope to inspire others to participate in similar initiatives and bring about positive change within their churches and communities.
 
I would appreciate your support in spreading the word about this blog. Sharing these stories on newsletters and social media contacts will help us reach a wider audience, amplifying the impact of our faith-rooted community organising efforts. Your support in sharing the blog posts would mean a lot to us.
 
To explore "Called to Organise," please visit https://calledtoorganise.co.uk/. Here, you can find our latest posts. We will soon add a way to subscribe to receive regular updates to your inbox.
 
Here are our latest posts:
https://calledtoorganise.co.uk/my-community-organising-story-kerry-scarlett/
https://calledtoorganise.co.uk/my-community-organising-story-eddy-aigbe/
 
If you have any questions or need more information, please don't hesitate to contact me directly at ccorganiser@wsmethodists.org.uk or 07534573880.

 

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.
 
 
 
 

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:
 
16^th Sept – Dudley Wood – face to face – 9.45am registration
 
9^th Sept – Coventry – Central - Eadon Hall – face to face – 9.45am registration
 
14^th October – Kenilworth – face to face – 9.45am registration
 
25^th November – Solihull – face to face – 9.45am registration
 
 
 

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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