Happy New Year - a new Circuit - and welcomes to the District
As a new Connexional year begins, the District Team would like to wish everyone a Happy Methodist New Year.  
We offer our congratulations and prayers to the former Brownhills & Willenhall and Walsall Circuits as they begin a new chapter as the Hidden River Circuit from this Sunday (1st Sept).
We also extend a warm welcome to presbyters joining the District:  Adrian Burdon who is joining the Telford Circuit as Superintendent; Phil Summers who is joining the Shropshire & Marches Circuit and Dee Yeadon who is joining the Hidden River Circuit.
 

The District has been working with Christian charity Through the Roof to produce an online launch service for Disability Awareness Week on the theme “Journey with Jesus”.  It will be available from Sunday 15th September on this link: https://valeofstour.org.uk/daw2024
Worship will be hosted by the Vale of Stour Circuit and the preacher is President of the Methodist Conference, Rev’d Helen Cameron.  
Please do plan to make use of this wonderful resource, either personally or in congregational worship.
(The painting is one of a series to be featured in worship by Rev’d Andy Fishburne of the Evangelism and Growth team).

 
 

Over the summer we said goodbye to Eddy Aigbe from the District Team.  Eddy had been working on the two year FRCO pilot across the West Midlands.  You can read a report on the pilot study here: https://calledtoorganise.co.uk/the-west-midlands-frco-pilot/


 

3Generate is on the District’s doorstep at the Birmingham NEC from 4th to 6th October 2024.  Those who get involved often find it to be one of the highlights of their Methodist year, bringing a real sense of energy and hope. 
The 3Generate team is still in need of more volunteers, particularly Village Hosts, Youth Support and Set-Up team (who operate on Friday 10am – 5pm and Sunday 1pm – 5pm only). If you would like to learn more about volunteering at 3Generate, click the link: Join the 3Generate Delivery Team - Methodist Church
You can also watch a short video for more info on volunteering and the roles available: Volunteering Roles


 

Now’s the time to apply for a grant from the District
The Resourcing Mission Committee next meet on 17th October and require grant applications to the District Advance Fund to be submitted beforehand.  Advice on grant submission is available from our District Grants Officer Denise Hargreaves who is also the person to whom completed applications should be sent.  dkah26@gmail.com
 Here is a link to the DAF grants page of the District website where you will find the relevant forms and documentation.
FINANCIAL RESOURCES — Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury Methodist District (wsmethodist.org.uk)

Early notice of District Advent & Christmas small grant scheme
For those thinking ahead to December, the District will once again run a small grant scheme (up to £200) in support of the Connexional Advent and Christmas campaign “Hush the Noise” https://www.methodist.org.uk/for-churches/christmasresources/
More details will be available later

 

At the Spring Session of the Representative Synod, the District agreed to send a memorial to Conference expressing concern that the Telford International Centre, which will host the Methodist Conference for the next two years, is also now the home of the Specialist Defence and Security Convention UK (SDSC-UK). This major defence and security exhibition hosts arms companies with an active interest in the development of weaponised unmanned aviation vehicles (military robots) and laser weapons. The exhibition also enables companies to market surveillance equipment that is being sold to countries that are governed by autocratic regimes.
Next week there will be a Peace Pilgrimage from Malvern (the previous site of the SDSC) to Telford led by an ecumenical group with a strong Quaker presence.  The pilgrimage aims to act as both a witness to peace in itself and to raise awareness of the Arms Fair in November.   The route of the pilgrimage is Tues 10th: Malvern to Worcester (6.2 miles); Wed 11th: Worcester to Kidderminster (14.6 miles); Thu 12th: Kidderminster to Stourbridge (6.8 miles); Fri 13th: Stourbridge to Wolverhampton (10.9 miles); Sat 14th: Wolverhampton to Telford (15.9 miles)
The Chair will be joining the pilgrimage on Friday 13th.  Anyone wishing to join or support the pilgrimage can find out more here: https://peacepilgrimage.org.uk/malvern-to-telford/
 

Here is a link to the Action for Children's Autumn Synod report:
 

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Wolverhampton & Shrewsbury District - The Methodist Church

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