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New this week:
Legacy of Peace
District Chair's Lent Pilgrimage Walks continue
Day Walking with the Easter Pilgrimage
Love Pray Vote
JPIT Internship Opportunities
3Gen Volunteer sign-up open
Last Supper Film in Cinemas
Vocation Sunday Worship Resources
In case you
missed it:
LDO Vacancy
Representative Synod Venue
New District Synod Secretary and Deputy Chair applications open
Rejoice and Sing Live!
Grant Funders Training Course
District Small Grants for Suzanna's Table
Spiritual Companions Course
Exploring Ordained Ministry?
MWM Annual Global Missions Conference
Stationing Briefing - save the date!
Wholehearted Monthly Mission Series launches
Advanced Safeguarding Training update
New District Website - reminder
District Children's Activities Fund
Dial-a-prayer
free phone line to hear prayers : 0808 281 2514 Methodist News :
0808 281 2478
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Could
You Help? Leaving a Legacy of Peace
.
Could
you help? Leaving a legacy of Peace.
As conflicts rage and international tensions rise, the final
Synod of the Wolverhampton & Shrewsbury District will explore
how we may become ambassadors for peace in the name of Jesus.
In preparation we invite everyone - as individuals or groups - to
send in
an image that communicates something about peace
……..finding it, promoting it, campaigning for it, or lamenting
its loss. The photo collage below may give you some starter
ideas….
You may want to create an artwork or take a photo. You can
send us a few words but your submission will be displayed as a
7”x5” photo so nothing too wordy please.
Our District has a proud history of involvement in peace and
justice issues - help us to celebrate it! After Synod, our
“Pieces of Peace” will be displayed at the Englesea Brook Chapel
and Museum.
Submissions should be in landscape mode (7”x5”) and emailed to
the District Office as a photo (jpeg) file by 5th May.
Please also send in any words you may want displayed on the
image, together with the name(s) of the creator and the church /
group they belong to. Thank you.
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District
Chair's Lent Pilgrimage Walks continue
District
Chair’s Lent Pilgrimage Walks
On Fridays in Lent, the District Chair has been making pilgrimage
prayer walks in the Circuits. The photo collage is
from last Friday’s pilgrimage through the Hidden River Circuit,
stopping at various churches along the way.
The next walk will be in the Wolverhampton Circuit on Good
Friday. If you have any prayers that you would like her to
carry on the pilgrimage, or your would like to join her
for all or part of the journey, please contact Rachel by
email - chair@wsmethodist.org.uk
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Day
Walking with the Easter Pilgrimage
The
Districts’ pilgrimage group will gather at Ludlow on the evening
of Easter Monday 21st April. We will then walk to Craven
Arms / Clun / Bishop’s Castle / Stiperstones / Church Stretton on
subsequent days, arriving in Church Stretton on Saturday evening.
Each day’s walk will be between 7 and 10 miles, mainly
off-road with some stiles and muddy sections.
Day walkers are welcome to join the group. You need to be
at the Methodist Church in the relevant village by 09.45am at the
latest on the day of the walk. Bring a sandwich lunch.
We will be able to bring two walkers back to the start to
pick up their cars at the end of the day….beyond that people will
need to make their own arrangements.
If you would like to join a walk - and particularly if you want
to “book” a place in the car going back - please contact Rachel
on 07950 808240 up to the night before.
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Love
Pray Vote
On
Thursday 1 May, elections will be held for 23 councils and six
mayors in England. JPIT has produced a short briefing with links
to helpful resources on registering to vote, photo ID, and a
prayer: www.jpit.uk/localelections
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JPIT
Internship Opportunities
Applications
are open for two full-time paid internship roles, aimed at
Christians aged 21-30 who are passionate about issues of justice
and peace, want to explore the intersection of faith, policy, and
politics, and potentially pursue a career in one of these fields.
Anyone interested in finding out more or applying should visit www.jpit.uk/internship.
Please share news of these brilliant opportunities with relevant
groups and individuals.
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3Generate
2025 Volunteering Sign-ups are live
3Generate
is back and bigger than ever in 2025! Volunteer sign-ups are live
and we look forward to welcoming even more people this year, to
help children and young people from across the Connexion
experience an amazing weekend packed full of fun, faith and
discipleship.
There
are volunteer roles to suit everyone, no matter your skills,
experience or ability. You’ll join a dedicated team of volunteers
– and a great network of like-minded people! Please encourage
your districts to sign up. Find out more about the different
roles available and how to sign up at the following link: http://www.methodist.org.uk/3Genvols.
Keep an eye out for more information on ticket sales, which go
live on April 29th.
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The
Chosen: Last Supper film in Cinemas now
Cineworld
Telford and Wolverhampton are showing The Chosen:
Last Supper 12A:
Thurs. 10th April at 7.15pm. (IMAX
screen at Telford)
Fri. 11th April ;(standard
screen)
Sat. 12th April (standard
screen)
Sun. 13th April (standard
screen)
For details see
intl.thechosenlastsupper.com
Do encourage your congregation to come. I am sorry for the
short notice.
This film is worthy of the IMAX screen as you can probably tell
from the trailer.
I hope it enhances the life of many people in preparation for
Holy Week.
Every blessing
In Christ
David Taylor
Christian films at my Cinema
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Vocation
Sunday Worship Resources
Vocations Sunday worship resources are now available: Vocations
Sunday - The Methodist Church
They
follow the lectionary readings for the day and contain:
·
Bible notes
·
Prayers
·
Hymn/song suggestions, both contemporary and traditional
·
Intergenerational and creative ideas
·
Suggested service outlines
·
A full sermon if needed
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LDO
Vacancy
The
recruitment pack for a new Learning and Development Officer
aligned to Wales Synod Cymru and West Midlands Districts has been
published on the Methodist Church website: Learning
and Development Officer
There you will find the job advertisement in both Welsh and
English for your attention. Please share this information as
widely as possible and pray for God’s leading in the appointment
process. Thank you.
Every blessing
/ Pob bendith
Delyth
Delyth
Wyn Davies
Rheolwr Dysgu a Datblygu / Learning and Development Manager
Y Tîm Cyfundebol / The Connexional Team
07799 902576 [Symudol] / [Mobile]
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Representative
Synod Venue
The next
Representative Synod of the Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury District
will be held on Sat 10 May 2025 from 10am - 3pm at Oldfallings
United Reformed Church, Oldfallings Lane, Fallings Park
Wolverhampton. WV10 8BH.
Parking will be available opposite at the Catholic Church Our
Lady of Perpetual Succour, 542 Cannock Road, WV10 8PG. There will
be limited parking at the Oldfallings URC for those that have
mobility issues.
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WM
Synod are looking for a Synod Secretary and Deputy Chair
As we
continue to grow as the West Midlands Methodist District, new
roles and volunteer opportunities will start to be released
throughout March—beginning with senior roles.
Expressions of Interest are invited for the
role of:
Synod
Secretary
This is a voluntary role open to lay and ordained Methodists
living in the West Midlands District.
You will be a member of the Senior Leadership Team of the
District and a District Trustee with particular responsibility
for organising the twice a year Representative Synod meetings.
You will need to:
- be able to think
creatively and strategically and work collaboratively
and
have
- a proven
commitment to Justice Dignity & Solidarity,
- good
administrative and organisation skills,
- knowledge and
experience of several church settings,
- a good
understanding of charity governance particularly in a
Methodist Church context.
The
appointment is for 3 years with the possibility of extension for
a further 3 years.
Click here
for a full role description.
Deputy
Chair
You will be the named Deputy for the District Chair, a District
Trustee and member of the District’s Senior Leadership Team and
take responsibility for an area(s) of District life as agreed
with the Chair
2-3 sessions a week in agreement with your circuit
Remuneration: pro-rata stipend plus appropriate allowance
You will need to be
• a Methodist presbyter in the ‘active’ work
• a reflective practitioner who models discipleship development
and the importance of self-care
• able to think creatively and strategically and work
collaboratively
• able to initiate and manage change effectively and sensitively
and have a proven commitment to JDS,
• the ability to motivate and inspire others
• pastoral and conflict management skills
For a conversation about the role please contact Novette Headley
or Rachel Parkinson or for more information and a role
description email: info@wmmethodists.org.uk
Click here
for a full role description and a Voluntary Application form.
 Interested
in getting involved?
 Keep an eye on
our website for new listings.
We’ll also share
updates right here on social media.
Not sure what
role suits you? We’re here to help! You can arrange a 1:1 chat
with a member of our team to explore the best fit for your skills
and passions.
 To book a
1:1, email info@wmmethodists.org.uk,
and we’ll connect you with someone from our team.
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Rejoice
and Sing Live!
The
United Reformed Church is running a service and celebration,
Rejoice and Sing LIVE, at Methodist Central Hall, Coventry, a
free event celebrating the 35th anniversary of our hymn book,
Rejoice and Sing, on May 3, from 12pm.
It’s a service filled with lots of hymn singing for all, talks, a
panel discussion with Steve Tomkins, Editor of Reform magazine,
poetry and a new hymn, written by the Revd Dominic Grant. An
exhibition and cafe are available from 12noon, and the service
starts at 2pm. We’re also putting together a scratch choir, and
choirs and individuals are invited to take part (lunch will be
provided).
Tickets are free and are available from www.bit.ly/reform-live
With warmest wishes and thanks,
Andy
Jackson
Head of Communications, The United Reformed Church
020 7691 9865 | 07976 848062
Get
your free tickets to Rejoice and Sing LIVE, a hymn-filled
celebration of 35 years of our hymn book, Rejoice and Sing. May 3, Coventry: www.bit.ly/reform-live
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Grant
Funders Training Course
How to search and apply to grant
funders training course
Run by Transforming Churches & Communities
Saturday
7th June 2025 9:30-10:00 start
Lanesfield Methodist Church Rear Community Hall
£49 per person
Do you need to raise money but don’t know where to start? Here is
a training session ideal for you! A four-hour session to support
churches sourcing and making grant applications with research and
knowledge from current trends and data.
Places are strictly limited
Reserve your space today by emailing edbridgewood@gmail.com
today
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New
roll-out of District Small Grants Scheme - Suzanna's Table
Could
you host a community meal in your neighbourhood?
In support of the “Soul Food” Connexional campaign for Lent and
Easter, the District is making available small grants of up to
£200 to help churches or Circuits plan a “Suzanna’s table” event
between Easter and Pentecost this year.
Where might you set a table? What will be on the menu?
Who will be on your guest list? And how will you invite
Jesus to be a guest at the table too?
Background resources borrowed from the Yorkshire West District
are here: https://ywmethodist.org.uk/susannas-table/
If you would like to discuss your plans please contact the District
Office and we will be glad to put you in touch with
further help.
Please note that this District will be working to a longer
timetable and have our own grant form. Grants will be
awarded to support a new expression of hospitality rather than
things which are already a regular part of your church’s
programme
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Course
for Spiritual Companions
Birmingham
Forum for Spiritual Directors and Companions are organising a one
year ecumenical Spiritual Accompaniment training course for lay
and ordained Christians from September 2025 to July 2026
It is ecumenical and two of the facilitators are Methodists.
Please click here
for more details.
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Exploring
Ordained Ministry - 14 June 2025
We are
now taking bookings for the next Exploring Ordained Ministry Day!
It will be held on Saturday 14 June 2025 from 10am to 12:30pm.
The link to book your place is here.
Please pass this on to those who might be exploring a Call to
Ordained Ministry.
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MWM
Annual Global Missions Conference
"The World is my
Parish – Celebrating World Mission in Methodism’s past
and exploring God's Mission in the future." happening at
Cliff College, from Fri 30th May to Sun 1st June.
You may already know about this and some from your district may
already be booked on. The conference is run in partnership with
Global Relationships and as well as commemorating and
celebrating overseas lay mission of the Methodist Church
over many many years, we will also be looking to the future,
exploring new mission paths, including District
Partnerships. Our Keynote speaker is Rev’d Reynaldo Leao
Neto, General Secretary of the World Methodist Council. The
Connexional Vice President, Carolyn Godfrey, and the Methodist
Youth President, Bea Hulme, will also both be present, along
with some returned mission partners, and other organsiations, to
share their thoughts and experiences.
If your district would like to bring any information about your
district links, we will have a 'market place' space to share
this.
We are hoping the weekend can be one of celebration and
affirmation.
Please do publicise it, especially to those networks with
particular interest in overseas missions or with global
connections/partnerships.
To register and for more information, including booking
procedures, please go to https://mwm.org.uk/conferences/
Please click the link for a flyer.
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Stationing
Briefing 25/26: Save the Dates
The West
Midlands District preparation and training meeting to outline the
stationing process will be held online on 1st May at 7pm.
In Circuits where invitations come to an end in 2026, those
expected to attend are presbyters, deacons, Superintendents
and Circuit and Church Stewards who will be involved in
the process. Spouses/partners or other supporting people are
warmly invited to attend the briefing
alongside ministers.
There will be a follow-up online session on 13th May at
7pm for those who engaging with the
processes of re-invitations. Recognising that this can
be a complex process, this session will go into more details
around the protocols and will give greater space of
questions to be aired.
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'Wholehearted
Monthly' Mission Series Launches
The Methodist Church is thrilled to announce the launch of
wholehearted monthly, a free, online mission series starting in
March on the second Tuesday of each month, 7:00pm - 9:00pm
GMT/BST. People from all traditions and countries are welcome.
What
is wholehearted monthly? Think community
organising rally meets immersive spiritual laboratory. It's
for anyone committed to a vibrant friendship between
"Church" and "World" — and a desire for
both to flourish. Each month, testimony from local innovators,
input from a renowned guest speaker, and wisdom-sharing in
networks around Gospel justice, inclusion, evangelism, and
growth.
Speakers for these gatherings are now public!
Chine
McDonald is a writer, broadcaster and
author, and is Director of Theos, the religion and society think
tank. (Tuesday
13 May)
Get your seat at the online table here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/wholehearted-monthly-tickets-1082365166349?aff=evangelismgrowth
Hosted by The Methodist Church in Britain and open to all.
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Advanced
Safeguarding Courses - update
If your circuit requires a course please let me
know -
12/04/25
– Beckminster MC - Wolverhampton Circuit – 0945hrs registration
14/06/25
– Central Hall - Coventry Circuit – 0945hrs registration
31/5/25
– Sutton Park Circuit – Four Oaks Methodist Church – 0945hrs
registration
21/06/25
– Studley MC – B80 7NJ – Bromsgrove Circuit 0945hrs registration
05/07/25
– Selly Oak MC Bham – 0945hrs registration
12/07/25
– Blackheath & Halesowen Circuit - Blackheath Central
Methodist church, High street Rowley Regis B65 0EH
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 – please bear in mind there is pre
work for online course via MCBX
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/nottingham-and-derby-methodist-district-32226456073
Online courses –
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.
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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/
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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
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