Appointment of new Lay Stationing Representative

With the Stationing process for 24/25 already under way, the District is in urgent need of appointing to this role.  No candidate has yet been found.  Please do consider whether this might be a vocational calling for you, or someone else you might suggest it to.

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.  
 

The Methodist Conference meets at the Royal Armouries in Leeds from 27th June to 3rd July.  Your prayers are invited for:

• our District Reps; Rev’d Julia Skitt, Deacon Helen Webster, Denis Beaumont, Lesley Cook and Keith Walton and our District Chair
• Rev’d Juliet Kisob who will be received into Full Connexion and ordained on Sunday
• the whole Conference, that we might work together to discern and fulfil God’s will for the Methodist Church

You can find more details here, including how to follow online: https://www.methodist.org.uk/about/structure-and-governance/the-methodist-conference/conference-2024/
 

Our District Chair, Rachel, was one of three ecumenical guests on Election Special of this regular podcast produced by the Joint Public Issues Team.  If you are leading worship this Sunday, the podcast reflects on how you can help the congregation to prepare for the election and looks at how the lectionary readings might also speak to this theme.  You can watch on Youtube, listen to the podcast or follow a script.  Details are here: https://jpit.uk/politicsinthepulpit
 

We are particularly looking for new lay members of the SAC Panels, so if you are aware of anyone who may have the gifts as outlined here and so be able to serve in this way, please  get in touch with the District Office.
This is rewarding work and is restricted to a couple of days a year and only on Zoom!
.

 

 

 

Calling all Treasurers, Finance Stewards, Ministers and anyone else who deals with, or is interested in, trusts that are held with TMCP.

TMCP are asked a variety of recurring questions about the trusts which we hold for you and so we are pleased to introduce our planned live and interactive training sessions for Managing Trustees regarding the various types of trusts that they may hold.  The sessions will cover the following areas:

• The different types of trusts;
• New bequests;
• The relevant Standing Orders you need to know about;
• Model Trust Directions; what they are and why are they needed;
• Withdrawing funds;
• The effects of the Charities Act 2022;
• Merging Churches and
• Shared churches & LEP’s.

It is proposed to initially hold three training sessions on the following dates and times, although more can be arranged if they prove to be in high demand:

• Wednesday 24th July at 12:00pm
• Thursday 8th August at 12:00pm
• Monday 19th August at 18:30pm

It is not proposed to record these sessions but instead to record shorter videos on each of the topics listed above.  It would be helpful if you could send any questions which you wish to be covered ahead of the training sessions so that we build these into the sessions and videos.

Please register your interest by emailing legal@tmcp.org.uk and copying and pasting into the subject heading the unique reference in bold below:
NT – MT Trust Training 2024 [TMCP-M-03112-S207165]

Using the above reference in the subject line of your email, exactly as it appears above with the unique Tag in the square brackets, will ensure that all responses are automatically filed to this Matter on our Matter Management System and can be dealt with efficiently and responses reach you in good time.

 

If Managing Trustees have any queries then please contact TMCP for further assistance 

An updated and free resource from Care for the Family:
‘Kitchen Table’ resource – ‘Children’s Faith: A Whole Church Approach to Family Ministry’.  This material is designed to help church leaders structure conversations with their leadership teams and church communities and identify how they can partner with parents to nurture faith.  Here is the link which tells you more about the resource:
 
https://kitchentable.org.uk/church/wholechurchapproach/ <https://kitchentable.org.uk/church/wholechurchapproach/> 

This link <http://childrensfaithautumn.eventbrite.co.uk/>   will take you to the Eventbrite page, which has all the information around the three coaching sessions using the resource which is taking place in the Autumn.  One ticket will cover a person for all three sessions and includes a complimentary copy of the resource.
 

An exciting opportunity for an ordained minister in the Methodist, Baptist or United Reformed churches to join the well-established chaplaincy team at Keele University.

The chaplain will support the pastoral and spiritual needs of staff and students in an ecumenical and multi-faith university context, and co-lead the worshipping community at Keele Chapel.

Stipend to be agreed in line with denominational guidelines

Full Profile, Information Pack and Application Form: www.keele.ac.uk/chapel

Closing date: 12noon Monday 8th July

Interview: Sunday 28th and Monday 29th July

Many of you may be aware that we have been actively looking for a new Convener of the Stationing Advisory Committee. We are still looking but perhaps you can help with this.
 
You can follow a link to the role description and instructions for how to apply here: https://methodist.current-vacancies.com/Jobs/Advert/3522250?cid=1885. I would appreciate it if you would consider the role either for yourself or send the link to someone you know who you think would be interested. All questions about the role should be sent to hr@methodistchurch.org.uk. 
 
Many thanks,
 
Paul Dimmock  
Executive Officer to the Assistant Secretary of The Conference | The Connexional Team  
Phone: +44 (0) 20 7467 3779  

 

 

 

Wolverhampton & Shrewsbury District - The Methodist Church

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