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New this week:
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
In case you
missed it:
Vacancy for District Children and Youth Ambassador
Funding for HE Study
Personal Reflection Course
Called to Organise BlogWelfare Benefits and Money Adviser vacancy
Wesley House Supervision Courses
Journey of the Magi - dates still available
Exploring Digital
Advanced Safeguarding Training
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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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.
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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.
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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 4th 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
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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.
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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 31st August 2023.
www.291communityassociationcio.co.uk
291 CA CIO Charity No. 1185192
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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 7th 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.
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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.
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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 21st September
2023.
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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
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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.
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Wesley House Supervision Courses
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Journey of the Magi
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 2023.
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 07775 628442.
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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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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:
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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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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