|
New this week:
Methodist Conference Summary
Children and Youth Development Officer needed
Community Centre Co-ordinator needed
In case you
missed it:
3Generate newsletter
Journey of the Magi
SAC Panel Vacancies
Action for Children news
Trust Training for Managing Trustees
3Generate Bookings Update
Save the Date
Families Outreach Worker Needed
Safeguarding Advanced Training Dates
District Children's Activities Support Fund
Dial-a-prayer
free phone line to hear prayers : 0808 281 2514 Methodist News :
0808 281 2478
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Methodist
Conference Summary
The
District at the Methodist Conference; brief summary from the
Chair
The Methodist Conference met at the Royal Armouries in Leeds this
year. It was the first year the Conference had been a
reduced size, meaning the District representatives were also
fewer in number, but as a group we were pleased with the
significant contributions we were able to make. In the
Presbyteral Session, Rev’d Julia Skitt made a presentation on
“Doing Things Right or Doing the Right Thing” which drew a lot of
positive feedback. Deacon Helen Webster and Keith Walton
made moving contributions to the report on Singleness whilst
Denis Beaumont and Lesley Cook reminded Conference of the
important of commitment to Fairtrade through a Notice of Motion.
I presented the report from the Joint Advisory Committee on
the Ethics of Investment.
We also celebrated not only the ordination of Rev’d Juliet Kisob
from the Black Country Circuit, but also the ordination of four
other ministers who candidated from the District: Tiras
Dainty-Share and Rachel Moss from Dudley and Netherton; Stephen
Donnison from Gornal & Sedgley and Deacon Suzanne Sale from
Wolverhampton.
|
|
|
Children
and Youth Development Officer needed
The West
Midlands Synod of the United Reformed Church is seeking to
appoint a
Children
and Youth Development Officer (Ref CYDO)
This is a full-time post for 35 hours per week including
evening and weekends on an open-ended contract.
This post is subject to an Enhanced DBS Disclosure.
Salary: £40,000 depending on experience and qualifications
This post offers a challenging opportunity for an experienced and
professionally qualified Children’s and Youth Worker with
training (or development) skills. We are looking for an
enterprising Christian to serve the churches of the Synod in
offering advice and support to those working with children and
young people and to build up a Synod Youth Executive.
The Officer appointed will be a member of a professional Assembly
team and a large lay Synod team; good team working skills are
essential.
If you share our passion for children and young people
playing their part in the mission of God, please download
the job description, person specification and application form.
Click to download the Job
Description
Click to download the
Person Specification
Click to download the
Application Form
Closing date for applications: noon on Thursday 15 August 2024
Shortlisting: Monday 19 August 2024
Interview date: Monday 2 September 2024
In
accordance with the Equality Act 2010: Part 1, Schedule 9, there
is an occupational requirement for the post holder to be a
practising Christian.
We are committed to diversity and equality of opportunity. We
especially welcome applications from women and Black and Minority
Ethnic Groups who are currently under-represented in this area of
work in the Church.
With thanks for your help in sharing these details
Lindsay
_____________________________
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
|
|
|
Community
Centre Co-ordinator needed
Stratton
Street Methodist Church Community Centre.
Experienced
Part- time Community Centre Coordinator
Situated in the heart of Park Village, Wolverhampton, the
community centre has a long history in the development and
delivery of educational, social and support services tailored to
the needs of the local community.
We are seeking an experienced, part time coordinator with a
passion for community services.
Supporting the overall vision of an open and inclusive Christian
centre within a multicultural and multifaith community.
Business management, in particular a proven track record of
experience in income generation through a variety of sources as
this will prove vital to the financial stability of the centre
20 hours per week including school holidays. Flexible working
hours as agreed with line manager.
The salary/rate of pay will be: £15,600 - £17.024 pro-rata
depending on experience.
To request a job description and person specification or an
informal visit to the Stratton Street Methodist Church Community
Centre please contact Richard Stanton 01902 453234/strattonstreetcc@gmail.com
Deadline
for applications: 22/07/2024
Stratton
St Methodist Church Community Centre
Park
Village
Wolverhampton
WV10
9AJ
01902
453234
strattonstreetcc@gmail.com
|
|
|
3Generate
newsletter
If you
are still thinking about volunteering or bringing a group to
3Gnererate you can find out more here.
|
|
|
Journey
of the Magi - Spring Dance Company
Anybody
who came to Walsall Central Hall last year will know what an
impressive presentation this is for all ages. Spring Dance
Company have availability for this year in any church is looking
to put on such an event.
Journey of the Magi – a
much-loved, family-friendly, festive frolic with a profound
message for your church to host.
“Absolutely
fabulous show. Wonderful mix of fun, wit, and meaning. It made me
laugh and it made me cry all in a couple of minutes. (Hope you'll
come back)" Richard, Poynton Methodist Church
Share the joy
and wonder of Christmas with your church and local community
through this fast-paced, brilliantly witty yet poignant
performance. The show offers a contemporary comparison between
the journey the wise men took 2000 years ago and our own
preparations in the run up to Christmas today. With sparkle, a
soundtrack to keep toes tapping and awe-inspiring dance, Journey of the Magi delights
audiences of all ages.
“The
show was wonderful and it was such a thrill to have the hall
buzzing - everyone was captivated. Inspired visual
storytelling" Sue,
Central Hall Methodist Church, Walsall
“This
event doubled our record church attendance. Our attendees really
enjoyed it. Wonderful dance relating complex story concepts.” Revd Brian, St Chad’s Church,
Coventry
Springs is
inviting churches to host a performance of Journey of the Magi,
which will be available nationally from 22nd
November – 22nd December 2024.
Further
information can be found on the Springs Dance Company website
page: https://springsdancecompany.org.uk/productions/journey-of-the-magi/
by emailing touring@springsdancecompany.org.uk or by
calling 07775 628442.
|
|
|
Stationing
Advisory Committee Panel vacancies
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!
.
|
|
|
Action
for Children News
|
Dear friends,
Welcome to the latest edition of your district news from
Action for Children. We have some exciting things coming up
that we are delighted to share with you!
We’d like to thank everyone who joined us last month in
Honouring our Heritage by looking at how our residential homes
have changed over the years. If you missed it, you can still read more about the Honouring our Heritage campaign
here.
|
|
News and upcoming events
Join our Faith Space
Join our quarterly online forum, Faith Space, for Methodists
and other church supporters. You'll connect with other
churches, communities and individuals - all inspiring each
other to help Action for Children create more safe and happy
childhoods. You'll hear first-hand updates from our frontline
staff, young ambassadors and fundraisers. And you'll see the
huge difference your support makes.
To join, visit: https://forms.office.com/e/y2701CkN5e.
Please also share the flyer linked here
with Methodist supporters.
Action for Children Sunday
Action for Children Sunday is on 14th July and the theme is
'Justice for vulnerable families'. We would be delighted if you
can hold a special service to remember our work on that date or
another day. Resources for all-ages, children and young
people services can be found on our website here: actionforchildren.uk/faithFR
NEW Nationwide Partnership
At Action for Children, we're launching a multi-million-pound
partnership with Nationwide Building Society, providing support
for tens of thousands of vulnerable children, young people and
families living in financial hardship. The programme will
provide crucial support across the UK in two services.
The Family Fund will give families immediate,
flexible support with essentials like food, bills, clothing and
equipment for their homes.
And Family Clubs will provide
welcoming, safe spaces in local communities where families can
come to eat, get warm, feel comfortable and get support with
whatever they’re facing. Poverty can change a child’s path. It
can make dreams harder to reach, potential harder to fulfil.
And it’s relentless. But it isn’t inevitable.
|
|
|
|
Trust Training for Managing Trustees
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
|
|
|
3Generate Bookings update
|
- Volunteering We’ve
been celebrating everyone who is part of the team at
3Generate during Volunteers Week recently. There are some
crucial roles that still need filling. Come and be a
village host in the camping area, guide others around the
event as a steward or support children and young people
with additional needs. You can make a real difference by
joining the team. Find out more about the range of roles
on offer here: https://vimeo.com/954311225?share=copy
|
Many thanks,
Felix
Hanif-Banks (he/him)
Administrator, Children Youth & Families
Mobile: 07985334810
|
|
|
Save the Date
The
District is planning a gathering for all paid and voluntary lay
people.
29th January 2025 10.00am – 2.30pm.
Venue to be decided.
|
|
|
Part-time Families Outreach Worker needed
Stafford
Methodist Circuit seek someone to work alongside Berkswich
Methodist Church, to be a Christian presence in the community,
bringing the Gospel to children and families.
The Church is in an area comprising both existing, new, and
growing housing estates with several local primary schools.
The role involves:
- Working alongside the wider Church family,
- sharing the good news of the Gospel in the community,
- building on the existing relationships with the primary
schools;
- Supporting existent and developing new children’s, youth, and
family initiatives within the Church;
Are you able to develop friendly and supportive relationships?
Are you a good communicator and have a passion for sharing the
love of Christ with children, young people, and their families?
Are you willing to support Stafford Methodist Circuit’s overall
vision of an open and inclusive Christian Community?
If you would like to know more, please contact admin@staffmc.org.uk for
Job Description & Person Specification
Families Outreach Worker 25 hours per week Salary: £16,315 per
annum Fixed term – until August 2026
Closing date for applications: 23rd July 2024
|
|
|
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
13 Jul - Bromsgrove & Redditch
05 Oct - Vale of Stour
|
|
|
District Children's Activities Support 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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
