New this week:
Christmas Grants - last chance!
Action against Fossil Fuels
Safeguarding Officer Post
District Children's Activities Fund
In case you missed it:
Safeguarding Sunday
Two new posts in Hidden River Circuit
Mission and New Communities Enabler Post
Making a link to Bethlehem
Religion and Media Conference
Refresh: Lay Vocation Conference
Methodist Conference - Telford
Latest Safeguarding Training Info

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Hush the Noise Christmas Grants 

Christmas is loud, isn’t it? So much expectation. So many voices. Telling us how to celebrate, what to wear, what to eat and drink, what to watch and what to buy. Instead, this Christmas we’re inviting everyone to hush the noise. 
Christmas can indeed be overwhelming, with all the noise and expectations.
This Advent and Christmas, the Methodist Church is inviting you to create opportunities for God’s love to shine, focusing on ordinary acts of kindness that can make an extraordinary difference.  The District is supporting the Connexional “Hush the Noise” Campaign by making small grants available of up to £200.  Anyone in the District can apply, though you’ll need your Superintendent’s signature.
 
Applications will be considered by the District Chair and the Ministry & Missions Co-ordinator.  Rachel and Jo will be particularly looking for projects which:
 

• Go beyond giving gifts away to seeking to build relationship with people beyond your Sunday congregation
• Communicate the love of God in Jesus, and make room for people to respond
• Are conscious of the need to be environmentally friendly
• Include people who find Christmas overwhelming, noisy or challenging

 
Connexional resources can be found here.

Please click here for an updated application form.
Please remember to include the bank account number and Sort Code in order to speed up payment and send your application to janet@wsmethodist.org.uk for processing.
 

Take Action Now!

District joins call for major UK high-street banks to stop financing new fossil fuels
 
At the most recent District Policy Committee, a decision was made to join 70 churches and Christian organisations - including the Methodist Church in Britain - in calling on Barclays, HSBC, Santander, NatWest and Lloyds to end their financing of new fossil fuels. 
 
The joint statement which the  District has signed raises concerns over the $556 billion Barclays, HSBC, Santander, NatWest and Lloyds have provided to the fossil fuel industry since the Paris Climate Agreement. In 2023, the hottest year on record, the five banks collectively financed companies expanding fossil fuels with almost $25 billion. The expansion of oil and gas is incompatible with limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees, according to the UN, the International Energy Agency and thousands of leading climate scientists. 

More information can be found here: https://justmoney.org.uk/news/churches-call-on-major-uk-high-street-banks-to-stop-financing-new-fossil-fuels/
 
 

Safeguarding Officer needed

The Methodist Church
Telford Circuit
 
CIRCUIT SAFEGUARDING OFFICER
Home -based
12 Hours per Week 
£7488 (Actual Salary)
We seek a person with ability to lead and instruct on all aspects around Safeguarding at a Circuit Level and to support local churches in exercising their Safeguarding responsibilities.
 
The post is to commence as soon as possible.
Applications will be dealt with as they are received until we find the right person for the role.
For a full application pack
please contact the Circuit Administrator
email: circuitsupport@telfordmeth.org.uk
Telephone: 01952 505108

District Children's Activities Fund

With Christmas approaching I am sure a number of Churches are looking to run Children's activities. Want some hep with funding?
 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

 

Safeguarding Sunday 2024

Last Sunday was observed by churches of many denominations as Safeguarding Sunday.  It seemed especially fitting, coming at the end of a week which saw the resignation of the Archbishop of Canterbury following the Makin Review into abuses by the late John Smyth QC.
You can find the Methodist Church’s statement in response to this here: https://www.methodist.org.uk/for-churches/ministries/signpost-for-ministry/a-statement-in-response-to-the-resignation-of-the-archbishop-of-canterbury-from-the-methodist-church-in-britain/
A sermon text written by the Chair for last Sunday is attached here  Responses from the congregation  that received it suggested that there might be benefit in sharing the sermon text more widely.
 
 

Two new posts in Hidden River Circuit

 Lay Employees (Pastoral and Administration Support) (2 posts)
Hidden River Methodist Circuit (Registered Charity 1134411)
Closing Date: 16 December 2024
Salary: £12 per hour – 12-16 hours a week (negotiated on appointment) - fixed term contract until 31 August 2027 (due to funding)

The Hidden River Methodist Circuit, based in the borough of Walsall and surrounding areas, is looking for two part-time workers to support our ministers with pastoral care and some administration within the circuit.
For each post we are looking for someone who:
- Is able to work alongside people of a variety of ages and backgrounds.
- Is a good listener.
- Is able to provide spiritual support such as prayer, bible reading and if appropriate, and with training, offer Extended Communion
- Is adaptable to working on their own initiative and as part of a team.
- Is organised and self–motivated
- Can offer some flexibility with working hours, taking into account the needs of the circuit.
- Is able to support ministers and churches in promoting their work and activities, especially on social media
- There is a genuine need for the applicant to be a Christian.
Interview Date: W/C 6 January 2025
Start date: ASAP after appointment
To request a detailed job description, person specification and application form, or for any further details, please contact our Circuit Administrator, Wendy Hawkins, at hiddenrivercircuit@gmail.com or telephone 07519 473883.
Please note CV’s will not be accepted.
The appointment will be subject to references and an enhanced DBS check

Mission and New Communities Enabler needed

The Vale of Stour Methodist Circuit is looking for a passionate Mission and ‘New Communities’ Enabler to ignite local churches for mission and outreach in our vibrant communities across the Vale of Stour geography.

We’re seeking an individual who can work with our Circuit Superintendent and Circuit Leadership Team (CLT) to craft dynamic mission strategies and launch exciting new worship communities.

Your Mission:

• To be a ‘Community Catalyst’ – Collaborating with local churches to create impactful mission plans and energize outreach efforts that reach beyond church walls.
• To build bridges with ecumenical partners and local organizations to amplify community initiatives and support systems.
• To ‘tell the stories’ of our mission narrative through engaging worship contributions and regular updates, sparking enthusiasm and involvement.
• Be a ‘safeguarding advocate’ who champions and upholds safeguarding policies and practices in all church activities and volunteer engagements.

What We’re Looking For:

• A deep passion for Christian values and mission work, together with a good understanding of Methodist discipline
• Experience in community engagement, church leadership, or mission initiatives.
• Exceptional communication skills and a collaborative spirit.
• A commitment to promoting equality and inclusivity.

What We Offer:

• A chance to transform lives and communities through faith.
• A supportive environment dedicated to your growth and development.
• Ongoing training and opportunities to enhance your skills.

Ready to take on this exciting challenge? If you’re called to empower and inspire the Vale of Stour community, we want to hear from you!

How to Apply:

Download the following documents:

• Job Description and Person Specification (pdf)
• Application Form (docx)
• EDI Monitoring Form (docx)

(Please let us know if you would like any of the documents in an alternative format)

Return your completed paperwork to: valeofstourjobs@gmail.com

Closing date: Monday, 2^nd December at 12 noon. Interviews are to be held, Thursday, 12^th December 2024

Join us on this inspiring journey of faith and community transformation!

Making a Link with Bethlehem

As Christmas lights are switched on in towns and cities across the country, many of us are preparing to tell once more the story of Jesus' birth.  Bethlehem will have a starring role, but for many listeners it may seem no more than a storybook setting.
This Advent and Christmas the District has decided to make a tangible link with the real "little town" by ordering 1,500 Christmas decorations carved from olive wood by Palestinian artisans in and around Bethlehem. They'll shortly be distributed across the Circuits who will each decide what use to make of them.
This project hopefully fulfils many aims. Firstly, they are beautiful, natural and durable gifts. Our hope is that they will be part of Christmas decorations in 1500 homes across our geography for many years to come - a reminder of the local church's generosity and, through that, the generosity and grace of God displayed in the birth of Jesus.  Secondly, our purchase is helping to support a Palestinian community impoverished by the collapse of tourism since 7th October 2023.  And last but certainly not least, we hope that these gifts will remind people to pray for an end to war and violence, and for a just peace, especially in the land of Jesus' birth.  

Religion and the Media

Creating Connections: Religion and the media in Wolverhampton

Join us on Thursday 28 November for our 'Creating Connections' event in Wolverhampton

13:30 Registration and refreshments

14:00 Welcome from Councillor Linda Leach, the Right Worshipful Mayor of Wolverhampton; Dr Timothy Wambunyathe, Bishop of Wolverhampton; and a representative from Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club

14:10 Introduction - Michael Wakelin, Exec Chair Religion Media Centre – What is the Religion Media Centre and why are we all here?

14:20 Presentation: The Religious Landscape of Wolverhampton - Revd Ray Gaston, Inter Faith Enabler for the Wolverhampton Episcopal Area and Adviser on interfaith relations to the Bishops of Wolverhampton and Lichfield. And Dr Opinderjit Takhar MBE, a researcher...

14:40 Who’s in the room? - Unsung heroes, untold stories, from your faith communities

15:15 Youth and Social Media Panel - Students from the city’s schools and colleges share their media insights

15:45 Networking and coffee/tea break

16:00 Media Panel - A panel featuring news editors and journalists from the West Midlands, chaired by Leo Devine, former BBC editor and leader of many different BBC regions. The panel includes:- -Gary Newby, news editor...

17:00 The Changing Face of the Media - An opportunity to catch up with the extraordinary growth of social media

17:30 - Dal Darroch, Head of Diversity and Inclusion at the Football Association will talk about the FA’s engagement with faith communities

18:00 Plenary - What we have learned and next steps

18:15 - 19:00 - Networking and Refreshments

About this event

• Event lasts 5 hours 30 minutes

Explore the way religion and belief are interwoven into the life of Wolverhampton, as people from long-standing and diverse communities share their stories and open the window into their world.

Join us at Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club for presentations and conversations with journalists, teachers, academics, and religious leaders, making new contacts and networking with local media representatives who are looking for stories.

The purpose of the day is to bring together local faith communities with local and regional journalists to improve the reporting and understanding of religion. Several media professionals from the main TV and Radio channels will be present along with print and online media editors and reporters.

Wolverhampton will be the 12th city to be visited by the Religion Media Centre for our Creating Connections initiative. Attendance is free, but you must register here beforehand.

The event is hosted by the Religion Media Centre, an impartial and independent organisation aiming to increase further cohesion and understanding in society by helping the media report and understand religion and belief. Join our mailing lists here >>

Refresh: Lay Vocation Conference

Come join us at the Berkswich Methodist Church for a day of learning, networking, and fun at our lay leader conference! Whether you're a paid worker, or a volunteer you're welcome. It is an opportunity to connect with others and to hear more about what "God for All" means to you and your role. It is also a chance to reflect and learn more about your own vocational calling.
As well as hearing from our Keynote Speaker - Trey Hall, Director of Evangelism and Growth. We will have a guest speaker from Care for the Family and there will be opportunity to speak with Jo Yair, Mission and Ministry Co-ordinator for the W&S District, Adam Sanders, Mission Enabler in the Birmingham District and Rosie Bryant from the Learning Network. So there are plenty of opportunities to find out more about training and coaching available through the church. Don't miss out on this opportunity to grow and recharge with like-minded individuals. Register now to secure your spot!
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1037817468987?aff=oddtdtcreator

Methodist Conference 2025 - Telford

Taking place @ Telford International Centre
26th June – 2nd July 2025
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

An exciting opportunity to support
The METHODIST Conference

Conference Needs
Stewards/Help Desk
Collators and paper distributors
Creche
Memorial Service Chaplains

Please make initial contact with YOUR District’s PA
Wolverhampton & Shrewsbury admin@wsmethodist.org.uk
Birmingham  office@birminghammethodist.org.uk
Chester and Stoke   chester.stoke@btconnect.com
Be part of the team that makes The Methodist Conference work!

Latest Safeguarding Training Dates

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