New this week:
District Testimony Service
Baby Bank
The Well - Strategic Forum
In case you missed it:
Action for Children News
Chaplaincy Talk at Cosford
Fair Traid Chair needed
Taize Pilgrimage
New Lay Stationing Rep needed - updated
BCUIM Team leader needed
Safeguarding Advanced Training Dates
District Children's Holiday Fund
3Gen Bookings

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District Testimony Service

All are welcome to attend the District Testimony Service on Saturday 15th June at 3pm at Central & Woods Methodist Church, Spring Head, Wednesbury WS10 9AD.  The service will be conducted by the District Chair and the Preacher will be the Rev’d Edward Sakwe. Parking is available in the public car park opposite the church.

Baby Bank

My name is Patience, the Baby Bank Manager for the Wolverhampton Baby Bank Project being run by The Women & Families Resource Centre.
 
Since the Covid-19 pandemic, we have worked with pregnant women and families living in poverty and have seen a growing need for practical help for new mothers and families unable to afford the basic essentials and equipment necessary to look after their newborn and young children.
Wolverhampton Baby Bank works with some of the most disadvantaged women and families with young children within Wolverhampton’s deprived communities to alleviate child poverty and support families in need. 
 
WHAT WE DO:
We collect donations of both new and nearly new baby clothing, toys and essentials to be provided to families in need, after making sure they are clean and safe.
Our newborn essential packs include nappies, nappy cream, wipes, sponges, nappy sacks, cotton wool, bibs, bottles and toiletries like bath soap and shampoo etc.
 
We liaise with a wide range of statutory, voluntary and commercial  organizations/professionals and we are reaching out to you should you have those that would require our services.
 
Our referral link is below, you can refer a person or share the link for a self referral.
Wolverhampton Baby Bank Referral
 
I look forward to hearing from you.
 
Kind Regards,
Patience Jonah-Ebong
Baby Bank Manager
WFRC Baby Bank Team
 

The Well - Strategic Forum

Monday 17 to Tuesday 18 June 2024, Cliff College
Invitation extended to Deacons involved in children’s, youth or family ministry in their districts
This two-day event is for anyone (lay worker, minister or volunteer) who is responsible for working strategically across a Methodist district, with a focus on ministry with and for children, youth, young adults, families or intergenerational settings. It will be a chance to share your district's vision for this work and map your provision, alongside exploring key areas of the current Connexional plan for ministry to children, youth and families (as agreed by the Mission Committee and Methodist Conference). The hope is that this Strategic Forum will provide opportunity to align the work that is happening across the Connexion so that we can support one another and work more closely and cohesively. Together we will co-create a plan for The Well - and any future Connexional training and events. We will also hear from keynote speakers to help us all learn together, and share in worship, fellowship and networking.
 
If you think you know someone who should be a part of this conversation, please ask them to register here: https://bit.ly/499tVfH. If you have any questions, please contact Lynne (normanl@methodistchurch.org.uk). There may be spaces available for those with strategic circuit responsibility, please enquire through Lynne.
 
*The Well is how the Methodist Church talks about and brands any activities or gatherings in the Methodist Church that aim to equip, resource or support people working in the ministries named above. This includes work done in this area by members of the Learning Network team.
 
Thank you and kind regards,
 
Felix Hanif-Banks (he/him)
Administrator, Children Youth & Families
Mobile: 07985334810
 

Action for Children News

Chaplaincy Talk at RAF Cosford

Phil Maltby, the Methodist Forces Board Projects Officer is offering a unique opportunity to visit RAF Cosford to hear about the ministry of the forces chaplain.
 
A Methodist Way of Life asks us to think about how we can help people beyond our community and speak of the love of God, sharing our faith with others.
In the context of the armed forces, the work sailors, soldiers and air personnel do is often unseen or not well understood by the rest of society. Certainly the impact that it can have on them and their loved ones is considerable, and unlikely to be appreciated unless we have family or friends in this community. Learning more of what others experience on our behalf is significant learning.
 
This invitation is to all chaplains, veterans and anyone with a interest in hearing about this important role.
Booking is essential as the visit will take place in non public areas of the base and security checks will need to be passed.
The visit will involve some walking and lunch will be included.
 
Date: Monday 1^st July.
Time: Provisional time 9.30am- 3.15pm, this will be confirmed.
 
For more details and to book a place contact Jo Yair ministryandmission@wsmethodist.org.uk by Monday 10^th June.
 

Fair Traid Chair needed

Advert for interest in the roles of Chair of Board of Directors and Company Secretary with Wolverhampton Fair Traid

Wolverhampton Fair Trade Supplies CIC, trading as Wolverhampton Fair Traid (WFTS), was established as a community interest company in the mid-2000s, evolving out of a less formal group of volunteers.

It is governed by a Board of Directors which currently comprises nine members and the day-to-day oversight of work is done by the volunteer coordinator. We have approximately 20 volunteers who work in our shop.

At its inception WFTS acted as a catalyst for fair trade sales and education and sales were mainly  to account customers such as churches and schools but the Board had a vision to increase its reach to retail customers across the city.

Despite major setbacks (including a major fire at its then premises in Darlington Street Methodist Church in 2014 and the closing of the church which coincided with the beginning of the Covid pandemic, when the shop was in a healthy position and beginning to see good profits) WFTS made a successful transition to permanent premises in the Mander Centre in July 2022 where it is beginning to see a growth in retail sales. At the same time WFTS found a willing host at Beckminster Methodist Church both to be our storeroom and from where we serve our account customers.

We are currently looking for two people to take on the roles of Chair of the Board of Directors and Company Secretary.  

If the geography is right for you, we would love to hear from you. Job descriptions and application forms are available from shop@wolvesfairtraid.org.uk. If you would like an informal conversation, please contact the volunteer coordinator, Brenda Shuttleworth, either at the above email address or on 07845 007931.

Young People's Pilgrimage to Taize

New Lay Stationing Representative needed

The Wolverhampton & Shrewsbury District has an immediate vacancy for a Lay Stationing Rep (LSR) to work with the Chair on Stationing in 2024/25.  With the new West Midlands District expected to begin from September 2025 and the LSR for the Birmingham District indicating a desire to then step down, the person appointed to this role is expected to become LSR for the new District.  Both District Policy Committees have agreed to this, subject to this appointment being open to people in both Districts.  Indications of interest from both District are therefore invited.

The LSR plays a very significant part in the life of a District. The role involves working alongside the Chair during the Stationing Process offering a Lay perspective.  It includes meeting with Circuit Invitation Committees and with ministers and those who share their journey.  More information is on the attached role description.
 
Could this be for you?  Or for someone you know whom you could suggest it to?  If, after reading the information, you would like to explore this further, please contact the W&S District Administrator, Richard Lockley, as soon as possible and by 2nd June at the latest so that further conversations can take place admin@wsmethodist.org.uk   Appointment will be subject to safe recruiting procedures.  
 

Team Leader of BCUIM needed

Black Country Urban Industrial Mission
  
The Black Country Urban Industrial Mission is looking to appoint a Team Leader who will work with the Executive Board to drive forward the ministry of BCUIM and to support and develop an ecumenical team of Workplace Chaplains.
 
This is 0.5 Full Time Equivalent role equating to 21 hours. This role allows for hybrid working, locations to include the BCUIM office (currently Wolverhampton), and activities in the industrial environment in the area known as “The Black Country”.
 
Salary is £17,418 p.a. (£34,837 FTE), plus allowances if appropriate.
 
This role is a post to which an Occupational Requirement under paragraph 1 of Schedule 9 to the Equality Act 2010 applies, the requirement being that the post holder is a practising Christian
 
Download the Job Description and Person Specification here. Or please email: recruitment.bcuim@gmail.com
 
For informal enquiries regarding this post please contact Simon Foster: simon.foster@lichfield.anglican.org
 
To apply please send a CV, covering letter addressing points in the person specification and the names and email addresses of 2 referees to: recruitment.bcuim@gmail.com
Closing date Wednesday 29 May 5pm
Interviews: Wednesday 12 June
 
 

Safeguarding Advanced Training Dates

District Children's Holiday Fund

3Gen bookings

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