District
Secretary Vacancy details updated
The new West Midlands Methodist District is being formed from the
Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury and Birmingham Districts. The new
district is looking to appoint a Senior Manager from Easter 2025.
This presents an exciting opportunity for mission, creative new
ideas and vision, as well as an opportunity to form and grow a
new and dynamic team. The new West Midlands District needs
someone who can lead and line-manage a dedicated and enthusiastic
staff team. You will report to the Chair of District and
ensure the smooth running of the district support organisation.
We need someone who
- can think
creatively and strategically yet works collaboratively
- flourishes in new
situations or uncharted territory and is able to unite the
diversity within a very varied district
- is an experienced
line manager, people developer, team leader
- has project
management skills, and experience overseeing finance, IT and
HR
- can empower
individuals to flourish, and take difficult decisions when
appropriate.
An
application pack and other relevant papers can be obtained
from
https://www.wmmethodists.org.uk/vacancies/district-secretary.html
or
email: info@wmmethodists.org.uk
If you
would like more information and an informal conversation about
the role please contact Andrew Beattie synsec28@gmail.com
Completed
application forms should be returned by 12 noon on 6th
February 2025
and
interviews will be held in central Birmingham on 18th
February 2025.
|
|
|
Easter
Pilgrimage 2025: 21st - 26th April
People linked to either the Wolverhampton & Shrewsbury or
Birmingham District are invited to join a “pilgrim community” of
up to 12 people this Easter week on a route in the beautiful
South Shropshire countryside, gathering at Ludlow on the evening
of Easter Monday and finishing at Church Stretton the following
Saturday. It is possible to get to both the start and the
finish by train. During this six day experience, we will
walk, pray and eat together and share sleeping space in a number
of Methodist Churches. Luggage (including your airbed /
camp-bed and bedding) will be transferred each day. Mileage
will be around 7 to 11 miles, taken at a gentle pace on rural
routes that may include stiles. We share cooking within the
group.
This is now a “tried and tested” formula which has been greatly
appreciated by previous pilgrims. Being willing to be part
of a short-term community is far more important than being
super-fit, providing you can manage a modest amount of walking
over a number of consecutive days, followed by nights on a church
floor! The pilgrimage will be led by a small team of
previous pilgrims, including Rachel Parkinson, Chair of
Wolverhampton & Shrewsbury District.
If means allow, we suggest a contribution of £120 to the kitty to
cover food, accommodation and luggage transfer.
Unfortunately, the living arrangements mean we cannot
include children and young people, though they will be welcome to
join us as accompanied day walkers (details later).
Numbers are strictly limited so if you are interested in joining
the group this year, please don’t delay - contact Richard Lockley
in the W&S District Office: admin@wsmethodist.org.uk
|
|
|
Special
request for Hymnbooks for Africa
Special
request from the Music Association of the Methodist
Church in Southern Africa
Do any British Churches have any old Methodist Hymnbooks hanging
around that aren’t being used, especially music copies with
music or tonic salfa annotation? The tunes in these hymnbooks are
still widely used in Southern Africa and copies would be
much appreciated.
If anyone can help, please contact Andrew Ashdown, Partnership
Coordinator for Africa. E-Mail: ashdowna@methodistchurch.org.uk
|
|
|
The
Greenhouse at Barnes Close Retreats
This year the Greenhouse at Barnes Close are running six
residential retreats - three led Encounter retreats (Lent,
Psalms, Advent) and three Time & Space retreats (which
are just that).. For further details all the info is here https://greenhouseatbarnesclose.org.uk/events/ including
details about our Lent retreat in March.
|
|
|
Leadership
Learning Space 2025
The Leadership
Learning Space (LLS) is an enriching
initiative from the Methodist Church, designed to equip both lay
and ordained leaders with practical skills and spiritual
insights.
Open to individuals from all walks of life, LLS
recognises that leadership extends far beyond the boundaries of
the church. Whether you are guiding a team in a workplace,
operating in the community, working or volunteering for a
charity; or serving in a church, LLS offers tools and
perspectives to empower you to be a better leader.
LLS runs across six Monday evening sessions, each
carefully curated to explore key aspects of leadership, including
vision casting, decision-making, nurturing others, and personal
growth. It provides a welcoming and collaborative environment
where participants can engage with experienced facilitators,
share insights, and grow alongside peers.
With its emphasis on Christ-centred holistic
leadership for every context, LLS is a unique opportunity to
deepen your understanding of leadership and your capacity to
serve effectively in God’s world.
Dates for LLS 2025 (all Monday evenings, 7-9 pm on
zoom)
27th January 2025
24 February 2025
17th March 2025
28th April 2025
19th May 2025
23rd June 2025
To give the facilitation team an idea of next
year's cohort please include an introductory paragraph with your
request to join the Leadership Learning Space - here are a few
guidelines
- who you are;
- what leadership
role(s) you currently have;
- why you would
like to do LLS; and
- what further
skills, knowledge and understanding you would like to gain
from doing LLS
The course is run by members of the Ministries,
Evangelism and Growth Team, experienced Church leaders and guest
speakers.
There is no cost for the course but places are
limited to 15. In order to ensure that we create and develop a
learning community and get to know one another and our contexts
over the six months please check you are available for all the
sessions before asking for a place. Places will be offered on a
‘first come, first served’ basis.
To reserve your place please email: mvw@methodistchurch.org.uk by Friday 17 January
2025 at the latest.
|
|
|
Advanced
Safeguarding Courses - update
If your circuit requires a course please let me
know -
25/1/25
– Ledbury MC Herefordshire HR8 2AA -– 0915hrs registration
04/02/25
– Chester & Stoke-on-Trent District Centre, Bishops Wood,
Nantwich CW5 7QD 10am start
29/3/25
– Carrs Lane Birmingham 0945hrs registration
05/04/25
– Leabrook MC WS10 7LY – 0945hrs registration
04/10/25
– Brierley Hill MC Vale of Stour 0945hrs registration
Also
for online courses use this link – its uploaded with new options
regularly – if someone requires on line option can they please
email me so I can create an account with MCBX as there is pre
course work with this option -
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/nottingham-and-derby-methodist-district-32226456073
Online courses –
24/3/25 – 10am x 12pm
24/3/25 – 7pm x 9pm
12/6/25 – 10am x 12pm
12/6/25 – 7pm x 9pm
With on line options there is a requirement to complete the pre
course work via MCBX so anyone wishing to choose online course
need to email myself, Stephanie Bradley at StephanieBradley@birminghammethodist.org.uk so
I can create an account with MCBX as there is a requirement
to complete pre course work on MCBX – some people are just
attending the course without completing the MCBX work. The online
option is far more time consuming than face to face and the
feedback I receive is that the MCBX work is repeated at the on
line session – just for people to consider.
|
|
|
New
District Website and Socials launched
If you are looking for updates and news of the progress of the
District merger, the launch of the new website and socials
has now taken place so please click the link below to sign up for
news regarding the new West Midlands District so you don't miss a
thing!
https://www.wmmethodists.org.uk/
|
|
|
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
If
your Church is looking to run Children's activities and
want some hep with funding, (up to £500)don't forget to apply to
the District Children's Activities Fund using the application
form linked to this and forward to Tim Lorimer at childrensfunding2024@gmail.com
|
|
|
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!
|
|
|
|
|
|
