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New this week:
District Pilgrimage 2024
Love Pray Vote
Survivor Awareness Webinar
Taize Pilgrimage
New Lay Stationing Rep needed - updated
In case you
missed it:
BCUIM Team leader needed
FE Sunday Resources
Christian Leaders in Public/Private sector
MHA Sunday Resources
Stationing Training and Preparation Meeting - Correction
Equipping those working with young people
Safeguarding Advanced Training Dates
District Children's Holiday Fund
3Gen Bookings
Dial-a-prayer
free phone line to hear prayers : 0808 281 2514 Methodist News :
0808 281 2478
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District Pilgrimage 2024
Following
this year’s pilgrimage, Rev’d Dee Yeadon (who has been stationed
to the District from this September) wrote a short reflection.
This now forms the basis of a 2 min video, with photos from
the pilgrimage. You can watch it here: https://youtu.be/bIhnAZtqKwo?si=4hZYJH42FbX9Dg0_
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Love Pray Vote
–
engaging with the General Election
A webinar at 7pm on 21 May will introduce JPIT’s resources for
individuals and churches for the election, including how to
encourage voter registration, put poverty on the agenda, host a
successful hustings, and preach and pray in the election period.
Register for the event and access the resources at www.jpit.uk/election
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Survivor Awareness Webinar
How
to speak to and about survivors of abuse
Tuesday
14 May 2024 at 11am – 12:30pm on Zoom
Trigger
warning: victims and survivors of abuse
This webinar is being organised and led by the Methodist
Survivors Advisory Group with support from the Connexional Safeguarding
Team. It is estimated that as many as 1 in 3 people will
experience some form of abuse or traumatic experience during
their lifetime. Survivors of abuse choose carefully who to
disclose to. They might not always go to “the Safeguarding
Officer” but rather the person at church they think is most
likely to listen to them, believe them, offer support and perhaps
act on their concern if that’s what they want. When someone
speaks out to you about their experience of abuse and trauma, you
are being given their trust.
There will be many people in our congregations still suffering in
silence, too scared to speak out at church for fear of being
judged or blamed. Some survivors have unfortunately experienced a
negative response from churches: being told they are to blame, or
that what happened was God testing them, that they should just
forgive and forget, or even that they are a liar. Survivors hear
those messages and believe them. They don’t hear the message of
“God loves you” loud and clear enough, perhaps because of shame
and guilt, perhaps because of negative experiences, or perhaps
because this part of life simply isn’t ever raised in our church.
So how can we speak out from the pulpit, giving the good news of
God to survivors of abuse? How can we respond well to survivors
of abuse and offer them support? How can we let them know “God
loves you” and “it wasn’t your fault”? If you want to find
out more please register for the webinar here: https://www.methodist.org.uk/safeguarding/webinars/survivor-awareness-how-to-speak-to-and-about-survivors-of-abuse-14-may-2024/
(If you are anyone else you know are personally affected, you
could contact our local District Safeguarding team or one of the
organisations listed on our website here:
www.methodist.org.uk/safeguarding/support-for-survivors/contacts-for-survivors-organisations/
or here:
www.methodist.org.uk/safeguarding/support-for-survivors/other-organisations/
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Young People's Pilgrimage to Taize
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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.
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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
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Further Education Sunday resources
Sunday
12 May 2024 is Further Education Sunday! It's a great opportunity
for you to pray for your local Further Education or Sixth Form
College and consider how your church or church project could
partner with your local college to bless and support young people
and the staff who work with them.
You can
find videos, prayer and Bible resources for FE Sunday on the
website www.fe-sunday.uk, where you can
also get in touch to find out more about partnering with a local
college. Share your prayers and actions on social media
using the hashtag #FESunday24.
Many thanks,
Lynne Hayes-James
Administrator and Clerk to Trustees
St. Peter's Saltley Trust
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Christian Leaders in Public and Private
sectors
Forward
Partnership and St Peter's Saltley Trust would love to hear from
Christians leadership roles (emerging, middle or senior) in the
public, private or voluntary sectors (but NOT local church
leaders), who see their role as contributing to the renewal and
transformation of society. We want to understand more about
how your sense of calling relates to your work role, and how the
local church might better support you in your vocation. You
can do this by...
Taking part in a short (3 minute) online survey here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf3texnY-KI8nmULaBdu_jH2ontvMKxI_ZXr5iUE-mnxCgk1g/viewform
and/or
Joining a one-off, 90 minute focus group with other Christians in
leadership, at a mutually convenient time, to share your
perspectives. To sign up, please contact Ian Jones (director@saltleytrust.org.uk).
For more information about the project, click here.
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MHA Sunday Resources
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It
has been over 80 years since the Methodist Conference grasped
Rev. Walter Hall’s vision and supported the founding of
MHA. And in those 80 years, we have worked together
with our friends in the Methodist Church to meet the changing
needs of people in later life.
This year, for MHA Sunday, we are delighted to announce that
our long-standing patron and friend, TV and radio presenter
Pam Rhodes, is fronting our campaign and has supported us by
presenting our 2024 video.
MHA Sunday 2024 will be held on 9 June, but we
warmly encourage churches across the circuit to hold a
service on any day that fits with their rota or programme of
activities. We very much hope that you will be able to help
us get the message out across your Circuit: to churches,
ministers, preachers, worship leaders and stewards. Marking
June 9 on the plan as MHA Sunday serves as a useful
reminder to those planned to lead worship that day, it also
provides time to prepare using your free downloadable
resources.
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Our
focus this year follows Mark 4:30, the Parable of the Mustard
Seed, and uses the growth of God’s Kingdom to highlight the
impact a small gesture can have, especially on those in later
life.
This year our free downloadable pack includes a complete
order of service and videos, including a sermon – everything
needed to lead an MHA Sunday service and perfect for Local
Arrangements.
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We
would appreciate it if you would forward this email to all
those in your Circuit responsible for leading worship and
encourage them to take a look at the resources. For those
without email, let them know there are resources available.
It would be wonderful if every church across the Connexion
could hold an MHA Sunday service in 2024.
With faith and kindness we are stronger together.
With every blessing,
Abby Ogier
Head of Chaplaincy
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Stationing Training & Preparation Meeting
- correction
A
number of ministers in Circuits across the District are in
appointments which come to and end in August 2025. A
training / preparation meeting will be held for ministers and
Circuits on Friday
10th May from 7pm to 9pm on Zoom. Ministers
and Circuits are being individually notified. However, if
you feel you should be attending and do not receive an
invitation, please contact the District Office.
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Equipping those working with young people
An
exciting course to equip and strengthen anyone working
with/ministering to young people in churches and community
projects.
Youthscape Essentials is an innovative course for volunteers and
paid youth leaders that increases your skills and understanding
about working alongside young people today. Whether you're
running a community project, a church youth group, or
occasionally helping out on a Sunday morning, the course is
designed with you in mind! It’s not about the numbers of young
people attending, it’s about putting God at the centre of your
youth ministry.
The Wolverhampton & Shrewsbury and Birmingham Districts are
facilitating this course, and the 1st session is in
Telford on 11th May. Follow the link for more details and to book
or contact Jo Yair for more information.
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/birminghammethodistdistrict/1216754#
<https://www.tickettailor.com/events/birminghammethodistdistrict/1216754#
Jo
Yair MA l Ministry and Mission Coordinator
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Safeguarding Advanced Training Dates
Advanced Courses arranged in the following
Circuits in 2024.
Please contact Stephanie Bradley to book or for venue information
and times via the following email address: stephaniebradley@birminghammethodist.org.uk
11 May - Sutton
21 May - Droitwich
25 May - Coventry Central
01 Jun - Solihull
08 Jun - Wednesbury Black Country
19 Jun - Birmingham West & Oldbury
22 Jun - Telford
06Jul - Shropshire & Marches - Ludlow
13 Jul - Bromsgrove & Redditch
05 Oct - Vale of Stour
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District Children's Holiday Fund
As
we have now spent all of the surplus District Children's Holiday
monies I wanted to share with you some details of where and what
it has funded in the hope that Churches will still apply for
funding which is now available through the District Advance Fund.
Total amount Paid out to Churches since 2020 £16202
Number of Projects supported 39
Number of Churches supported 32
What types of projects have been approved?
Pop up Spaces
Holiday Clubs
Christmas Activity bags
Breakfast Clubs
Lego clubs
Books for reading initiatives
Summer Clubs
Special needs groups
After School clubs
So if you have a project coming up please apply for funding (up
to £500) using the application
form linked to this and forward to Tim Lorimer at childrensfunding2024@gmail.com
Note the change of email address.
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3Gen bookings
Volunteering
for 3Generate is now open! There are plenty of different ways to
join the team and help make the event happen.
Here’s Jude Levermore sharing why volunteering matters: https://youtu.be/iWCUqrTfEBU
Let’s share the news far and wide and encourage those we know to
get involved. And why not consider the opportunity yourself too?
Check: www.methodist.org.uk/3Generate for
further information and to book your place as general booking is
now open.
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