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New this week:
MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID TRAINING - EXPRESSION OF INTEREST
Children's Support Grant
In case you
missed it:
Amplify Stewards Needed
Christian Aid Changemaker Conference
Christian Aid's Lent Study
Connexional Vacancies
Local Arrangements Training
Circuit Steward Training
Calling all Spinners and Weavers
New Year Gathering for Children and Youth Workers
Free Smaller Spaces Trees
New Property Handbook
Pastoral Worker required
April Synod Date
New District Grants Officer
Christ for All Nations 2024 update
Dial-a-prayer
free phone line to hear prayers : 0808 281 2514 Methodist News :
0808 281 2478
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MENTAL HEALTH
FIRST AID TRAINING - EXPRESSION OF INTEREST
We (Brownhills & Willenhall & Walsall
Circuits) are looking at hosting a 'Mental Health Aware' course
some time in the spring/early summer. This 4-hour MHFA (Mental
Health First Aid) course is an introduction to Mental Health
First Aid, and will be provided though the Learning Network.
I've been asked to gauge the level of interest in the area, which
will determine whether we are looking at an in-person or online
course. The maximum number for the course is 25 people, and the
cost is £25 per person. If we meet in-person, there may be a
small increase to the cost to cover the trainers' and venue
expenses.
For more details of the course content, please visit:
https://mhfaengland.org/organisations/workplace/half-day/
If you'd be interested in attending this course, please let me
know via email by Thursday 1st February. Please indicate your
preference for in-person or online. My email is elizabeth.dunning@methodist.org.uk.
Rev Liz Dunning
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Children's Support Fund
We are still able to support Children's
activities through a Children's support grant. The original fund
has been spent but the District has agreed to make more funds
available so please apply using the link and forward to my email tim.a.lorimer@gmail.com
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Amplify Stewards Needed
Could
you be part of our small but mighty stewarding team? If you are
passionate about young people involved in the church and want to
be a part of a great team who will be serving, listening and
engaging with them, then being an Amplify Steward is for you!
This varied role will allow you to both be blessed by and be a
blessing to our young people. Amplify takes place between 15th and
17th March 2024 at the Pioneer Centre near
Cleobury Mortimer. You can volunteer anywhere from one session to
the whole weekend. Food will be provided for the meals you are
with us for, and there is some accommodation available to stay
with us for the weekend. You can find out more information about
stewarding and apply at www.birminghammethodist.org.uk/amplify/#stewards.
Contact Charlotte youth@birminghammethodist.org.uk
for more information. We'd love to have you on board!
Thanks,
Charlotte 🙂
Charlotte
Hambly | District Youth Coordinator
07742737437
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Christian Aid's Changemakers Conference
Saturday 2nd March 10.30am-1pm
Join us for our hugely popular annual conference to hear stories
from our partners in Burundi and to meet with fellow Christian
Aid supporters to help make Christian Aid Week 2024 a great
success. You can join us in 3 ways:
- Join us in person
in London
- Attend a local
‘Watch Party’ hosted by CA staff in Crewe (St Andrew’s) or
Warrington (The Outset)
- Or join online
from your own home.
The first 2 options are followed by a networking
lunch.
Sign up here to attend: Changemakers
Conference: Changing the world together | Christian Aid
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Christian Aid's Lent Course
Christian
Aid has joined forces for the Act on Poverty initiative with
partner organisations – including The Methodist Church, Baptist Union,
Church
Action on Poverty and The Trussell Trust.
Over 200 churches and individuals have signed up already to put
their faith into action in the run up to a General Election.
Over six weeks, those taking part will find out more about the
reality of poverty both in their communities and around the
world, through activities designed to inspire them to take
actions such as engaging with MPs.
Each pack contains:
Guidance for a short Bible study
- Access to audio
recordings of conversations featuring anti-poverty
practitioners and activists, many with lived experience of
poverty in the UK and worldwide.
- Questions and
prompts for small group discussion.
- Inspiring videos
from churches taking practical action on poverty.
- A guide to simple
steps your church can take to advocate for change.
You can also use each pack as a standalone session to explore the
issues most relevant for you.
To find out more and If you’d like to join hundreds of others
taking action on poverty, you can sign up here: Act
on Poverty - Christian Aid
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Local Arrangements Training
There will be two events held in the Telford Circuit meant to
support those asked to lead local arrangements. The event will
give ideas and support to those who find themselves having to
lead an act of worship when they are not used to doing this. It
is therefore aimed at church stewards, worship leaders,
musicians, etc. who get involved with this. The first event is
the one in Broseley mentioned on the attached on the 3rd
February from 2 – 6pm.
The second will be at Dunwell Ghanaian church in Ketley on the 17th
February from 10-2 pm. Can people bring their own lunch/tea for
these events please. Although the event has been requested by the
Telford Circuit, this is an open invitation for anyone across our
District to attend.
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Circuit Stewards Training
Are you a new circuit steward, or have been one for awhile and
are looking to dive deeper in to your roles &
responsibilities and develop your skills and knowledge?
This 6
session course takes place on Monday evenings,
7-9pm, from 26th Feb-15th April, 2024. It
introduces new Circuit Stewards to expectations and
responsibilities of serving in this area of circuit leadership
and will refresh existing Circuit Stewards in their ongoing
learning and development.
Each session will offer opportunities to explore ideas and share
experiences as well as identify areas for further action, ongoing
learning and development particularly in these areas:
Session
1: Welcome and Introduction to Circuit Stewarding
- 26th
Feb
Session
2: Calling and Role of the Circuit Steward
- 4th
March
Session
3: Distinctively Methodist - 11th March
Session
4: Positive Working Together - 18th March
Session
5: Continuing to Learn - 25th March
Session
6: Mission Planning - 15th April
This event is being led by the Learning Network.
For more information, please contact Jenna Thorne (thornej@methodistchurch.org.uk).
Who
should come to this Learning Network event?
Anyone preparing for, or who has recently started in the role of
Circuit Steward or anyone currently serving as a Circuit Steward
who would like to refresh or develop learning and share
experiences with others.
How
much does this event cost?
This event is free and offered as part of the Learning Network
support across the Connexion - just register and you'll receive
joining instructions for the event
How do
I book a place?
Go to Eventbrite, you can follow the link here Circuit
Stewards Training Tickets, Mon 26 Feb 2024 at 19:00 | Eventbrite
Rosie
Bryant
Learning & Development Officer | The Connexional
Team
Phone: 07772979625
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Calling all Spinners and Weavers!
Are
there any spinners and weavers in the District? If so, would you
enjoy getting together for some quality spinning and weaving
time? Is there anyone who would like to learn?
Get in touch with me and let's see if we can make something
happen. I'm currently supporting 'Canuary' which is the
challenge from
'All we Can' to do as much of something as we can
in January to raise funds for a project in Liberia. I'm spinning
as much as I can!
Frances Biseker. francesbiseker@rocketmail.com
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New Year Gathering for Church Children and
Youth Workers
Jo
Yair and Charlotte Scrivens are organising a New Year gathering
for all who work with Children and Young People in a church
context across the West Midlands. Come along to meet others,
share your ideas, and to feel refreshed as the new year starts.
Coffee and cake will be provided!
For
date, venue and booking, please follow the link.
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/birminghammethodistdistrict/1108912
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Free Smaller Spaces Trees
A
fantastic opportunity is available to us- free trees suitable for
smaller spaces are being made available through the West Midlands
Virtual Forest. To access some free trees for planting at homes,
churches or other places, simply contact them. They can either
plant trees on your behalf, or, you can set up a hub at an
appointed time in Wolverhampton and surrounding areas for pick
up. This is a great way for churches to help care for creation,
and, you can register to follow your tree’s progress!
Get
your trees here
Free
Trees
Share
your progress on the Care for Creation Facebook Page found at
https://www.facebook.com/groups/wolverhamptonandshrewsburycareofcreation/
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New Property Handbook
The
Methodist Church have produced a new Property Handbook for
Property stewards which contains some helpful resources and
(almost) everything you need to know if you are in charge of a
Methodist building.
Please click here
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Pastoral Worker required - Telford
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April Representative Synod Date
Please
be aware that the Spring Representative Synod will be held in
person in the Shropshire and Marches Circuit on Sat 20th April
so please save the date. More details to follow.
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New District Grants Officer
We’re
delighted that, subject to confirmation of the appointment by the
District Policy Committee, Rev’d Denise Hargreaves of the
Shropshire & Marches Circuit will serve as the new District
Grants Officer working with the Resourcing Mission Committee.
The next meeting of the RMC will be on 15th February.
Denise will glad to receive applications by Wednesday 18th
January
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Christ for All Nations 2024
www.cfan.org.uk
2024 is a big year for CfaN so as a leader that is based in West
Midlands and surrounding area, we would like to invite you to our
Leaders Vision Breakfast for Birmingham on Saturday 10th Feb 2024
at 8.30am at The Birmingham Conference & Events Centre.
This Vision Breakfast is an invitation to church leaders to come
together and contribute significantly to Birmingham and the UK's
spiritual landscape.
Event Highlights
*
Visionary Talks: Engage with leaders as they discuss CfaN's past
achievements and envision the exciting future of evangelism.
*
Networking Opportunities: Build connections with members of the
faith community who share your dedication and passion.
*
Detailed Insights: Gain in-depth knowledge about CfaN's School of
Evangelism and the upcoming Gospel Campaign and opportunities.
Please find attached the link to CfaN's web page for more
details www.cfan.org.uk/vision
<http://www.cfan.org.uk/vision>
Tickets are £25 per head, but as you are a leader we would like to
offer you a complimentary ticket, but places are limited, if you
require further information or to book your free ticket please
give CfaN a call on 0121 602 2000.
They are looking forward to welcoming you on the 10th February
2024.
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