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New this week:
Wonderful Christmas Gift
Fairtrade Christmas Market
New District Grants Officer needed
District Warm Spaces Grants
District Advent and Christmas Small Grants
Rev'd Roger Moore
Assistant District Safeguarding Officer Vacancy
In case you
missed it:
Safeguarding and Admin Vacancy
MYAF Launch
Children and Families Worker Vacancy
Street Banquet Newsletter launch
Finance Officer Vacancy
Meet Emily
Vacancy - Project Leader at The Chapel in the Fields
Service of Thanksgiving for Leo Osborn
NPNP Conference
Lay Workers Retreat Day
LN online learning opportunities
Advanced Safeguarding Training
Dial-a-prayer
free phone line to hear prayers : 0808 281 2514 Methodist News :
0808 281 2478
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Wonderful Christmas Gift! Who can you invite?
The Springs Dance company will be performing “The Journey of the
Magi” on Saturday 2nd December at 5.30pm at Walsall Central Hall.
Here’s one review:
Forget The
Nutcracker, Springs Dance Company’s Journey of
the Magi is the best Christmas show I have ever seen! I
went along to see it one dark, wet and dismal night in
Birmingham and I came out having been touched, amused and
moved to tears. Journey of the Magi looks beyond
the tinsel and trappings and reveals the real meaning of
Christmas. Sir David Bintley CBE
The performance is suitable for children and adults alike.
The District has agreed to fund all costs associated with
this performance so that churches can offer this as a free gift
to people who may be blessed by it. We particularly hope
that this might be enjoyed by people who may not otherwise be
able to access a Christmas treat like this, though everyone is
welcome. (Unfortunately, whilst making it accessible
cost-wise, please be aware that nearly all the tiered seating can
only be accessed by steps…we will only have around 20 spaces
accessible for those with mobility needs which will need to be
booked).
An Eventbrite site will be up and running next week. In the
meantime:
- Save the date
- Think of who you
might be blessed by this - perhaps from groups associated
with your church. What might you need to do to
encourage them to come? Perhaps you can offer to
accompany them?
- It you would like
to bring a group along, the District can help with travel
costs. For groups, we can also provide a Christmas
craft session and light refreshments beforehand, to make
more of a day of it. Please contact the District
Office or District Chair directly.
You can find a taster of the show here: https://youtu.be/qIQmZj6hDoE?si=m3T2MvXXIMxo86iY
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Fairtrade Christmas Market
Saturday 18
November 10.30am – 2.30pm
Chocolates, Crafts, Cards, Gifts
All you need for an ethical Christmas!
Teas, Coffee and Light Lunches served
at:
Beckminster
Methodist Church
Birches
Barn Road
Wolverhampton
WV3
7BQ
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New District Grants Officer needed
We will be sorry to say farewell to the Rev’d Helen Croft,
currently serving in the Vale of Stour Circuit, who has received
permission from the Stationing Advisory Committee to explore
opportunities to serve in ministry in the United States.
Helen will obviously go with our prayers, and we will look
forward to seeing what God has in store for her.
This leaves the District looking for a new District Grants
Officer, a voluntary role open to both lay and ordained people.
This is an important role in the life of the District with
clearly outlined responsibilities. You can find an outline
of the role here.
If you are interested in exploring this, please contact the
District Chair.
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District Warm Spaces Grant Scheme
Warm
Spaces 2023
Last year many churches in the District opened a Warm Space for
the Winter. In some places it worked very well and in
others there was little demand. Most often people welcomed
the company as much as the warmth.
The Methodist Church does not want to see Warm Spaces
“normalised” in the same way as Food Banks. We want a just
society where neither are necessary. But with direct
government support for fuel bills withdrawn and prices still
high, many predict that this winter will be at least as hard for
households as last year. And whilst people are cold and
hungry, we want to help churches to meet this need (Matt 25
v.31-46). Therefore the District Policy Committee has
agreed to extend our Winter grant scheme, with £500 available to
churches opening a warm space.
Please apply here after
reading the safeguarding considerations here and
the examples here
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District Advent and Christmas Small Grant
Scheme
This Advent and Christmas, the District is supporting the
Connexional campaign “Out of the Ordinary” by making small grants
available to churches wanting to reach out beyond their Sunday
congregation with the message of God’s love in Jesus. In a
change this year, the top limit you can apply for has been raised
to £200 and the cap on the number of applications that can be
made in a Circuit has been removed. These grants are easy to
apply for but they are carefully scrutinised, so please make sure
you’ve thought through how you can meet the criteria!
Click here
to apply.
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Rev'd Roger Moore
We are
sad to bring news of the death of the Rev’d Roger Moore,
Supernumerary Minister in the Brownhills and Willenhall Circuit.
We give thanks for Roger’s life and ministry in the
Methodist Church and offer prayers for Liz and their family.
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Assistant District Safeguarding Officer
Vacancy
Assistant
District Safeguarding Officer for Wolverhampton & Shrewsbury
and Birmingham Methodist Districts
The Methodist Church is committed to ensuring its churches are
safe spaces for all. We work hard to ensure compliance with legal
requirements, develop good practice, provide effective training
and give professional advice on individual cases. We
have an exciting opportunity to join our team and take forward
this work which will include implementing recommendations from
the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA). The post
holder will work alongside the District Safeguarding Officer for
both districts.
Do you have extensive experience of safeguarding?
Do you have Training and Quality Assurance skills and Experience?
Are you able to work flexibly and independently?
Are you open to working in the faith sector?
If so,
this post may be for you.
- Salary is
currently under review but will not be less than £32,732 FTE
pro-rata
- 20 Hours per
week, with flexibility including evenings, and occasional
weekends
- Home based
- Travel required
across both Districts
Full
details are available on request from admin@wsmethodist.org.uk
Please
return the application to admin@wsmethodist.org.uk
.
Closing date and time for applications: 17:00 15th
November 2023
Interviews will be held on Monday
20th November 2023.
These will take place at Walsall
Methodist Central Hall.
Post
subject to satisfactory references and an enhanced DBS check.
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Safeguarding and Administrative Worker Vacancy
The
Stafford Methodist Circuit is seeking a Safeguarding & Administrative
Worker to support and oversee the Circuit’s Safeguarding
Practices and to provide day to day administrative support to the
Superintendent Minister, in collaboration with the Circuit
Administrator.
Working closely with the Superintendent Minister, we seek someone
with the ability to lead and instruct on all aspects around
Safeguarding at
Circuit Level. Applicants should have experience in
Safeguarding within a volunteer or employed environment with a
working knowledge of
workplace IT systems.
20 hours per week
Salary: £25,967 per annum (pro-rata)
Fixed term – until September 2025
Closing date for applications: 1st December 2023
For
Job Description & Person Specification, please contact admin@staffmc.org.uk
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Methodist Young Adult Fellowship launched
Taking
inspiration from the Wesley's Holy Club, Methodist Young Adult
Fellowship (MYAF) has been formed by a group of Young Adults
within the Methodist Church as a group to offer fellowship to one
another. Comprising of a WhatsApp group and monthly zoom gatherings,
MYAF hopes to be a safe and inclusive space for young adults to
meet, chat, pray and get to know one another in a church which
can sometimes feel very grey.
The group is for 18-30 yr olds who have connections with the
Methodist church and would like to spend time connecting with
other young adult Methodists.
To join the group or find out more, please email admin@yorkshirenemethodist.org
Many thanks
Naomi
Prince
District Administrator, PA to the District Chair, Assistant
Treasurer
admin@yorkshirenemethodist.org
07539 027151
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Children and Families Worker Vacancy - updated
The
Black Country Circuit seeks to appoint a full-time Children and
Families Worker, working 35 hours per week, days to be agreed
with some flexibility needed.
Salary: £19,838 - £25,769 depending on qualifications/experience.
We are looking for a full-time Children and Families Worker to
support the vision of the Circuit in engaging with children and
families in the church and wider community.
Applicants must:
• Be able to work collaboratively as part of a team
• Be a committed, practising Christian who is willing to
understand and engage with Methodism
• Have excellent interpersonal skills with people of all ages
• Show awareness of issues concerning Safeguarding
• Be willing to be flexible with regard to working hours,
including some evenings and weekends as necessary
• Have relevant experience of children or families work in a paid
or voluntary capacity
• Be educated to A-level Grade C (or equivalent) or above
Closing date for applications is midnight on Wednesday 15th
November 2023.
Interviews will take place on Wednesday 29th November 2023 in the
afternoon/evening.
For further details (including job description and full person
spec) and an application pack contact Rev Ruth Childs at revruthchilds@gmail.com
or 0121 574 6758.
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Street Banquet Newsletter
Street
Banquet is a district Church at the Margins project serving the
street community of Birmingham by offering a monthly meal, a
place to belong and a place to explore faith.
We are growing in many different ways and would love to invite
you to join us on the journey. We are starting an occasional
newsletter – you can sign up on the Street Banquet Website - https://www.streetbanquet.org.uk/
or get in touch with Neil on neil@streetbanquet.org.uk.
There will be many ways to get involved in the coming months so
do get connected!
Sign up here - https://www.streetbanquet.org.uk/
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Finance Officer Vacancy
The West Midlands Synod of the URC ae seeking to appoint a
Finance Officer. Salary £45,000-£50,000. Office/hybrid working to
be negotiated. Job description, Person Specification and
application form are all on this webpage: https://www.urcwestmidlands.org.uk/job-opportunities.html
Deadline: 13 November 2023.
Lindsay Peniston (she/her)
Office Manager & PA to the Moderator
West
Midlands Synod of the United Reformed Church
Digbeth-in-the-Field United Reformed Church, Moat Lane, Yardley,
BIRMINGHAM B26 1TW
Office: 0121 783 1177 | moderatorspa@urcwestmidlands.org.uk
| www.urcwestmidlands.org.uk
My working hours are Monday–Thursday, 8.30am-4.30pm
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Meet the NPNP additional Needs Enabler
Do you
have a heart to share God’s love with all, especially those with
additional needs?
Come along to a zoom gathering where Jo Yair will introduce you
to Emily, our New Places for New People Enabler for Additional
Needs. Emily will briefly introduce you to her work, and how the
District can support you as you connect with people on the
margins who may find attending church a challenge.
We would love to see you there.
To book your place on the zoom contact Emily emily@wsmethodist.org.uk
Venue: Zoom
Wednesday 29th November from 10-11am.
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Vacancy - Project Leader at The Chapel in the
Fields
The
Chapel in the Fields, is a small refurbished chapel in the
countryside close to urban South Manchester which has become a
place of creativity, spirituality, hospitality, worship and a
resource to the wider church since 2016. The project
is sponsored by the Manchester and Stockport District.
A new project leader is being sought for a period of 5 years from
June 2024, with an application and selection process between Dec
23 and Feb 24. The post is open to lay or ordained people.
A short video for those who may be interested is here: https://youtu.be/Z7_sl5dfMss?si=wSkStJnWBeK9iqtk
For more information email the project direct at chapelinthefields@gmail.com
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Service of Thanksgiving for Leo Osborn
For
those who may have known Leo, the service of thanksgiving for his
life and ministry will be held at Newcastle Cathedral on Friday
10th November at 5.30pm
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Lay Worker District Retreat Day
If you
are a paid lay worker then you are invited to join us at a
District retreat day at Shallowford House on Friday 24th
November 10.00-3.30pm.
The
district will cover the cost of the day, lunch and refreshments
(transport costs will not be paid by the district).
This
special day for lay workers will be led by Rachel Parkinson and
hosted by Jo Yair. There will be plenty of space to connect with
God, connect with others or spend time with yourself.
Spaces are
limited. To book a place please contact Jo Yair by email at ministryandmission@wsmethodist.org.uk
by 11th November and to let her know of any special
dietary requirements.
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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:
25th November – Solihull – face to face – 9.45am
registration
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