All
Age Advent Eco Retreat
“In
Labour all Creation Groans”
An Advent Eco-Retreat for all ages with the President and
Vice-President of the Methodist Conference; Sonia Hicks and
Barbara Easton
Worship
and Advent Reflections; Stories of Climate Change from around the
world; Prayer Stations; Community preparation of bread and
soup lunch; Collage Craftivism
Date and time: Saturday
11th December 2021 from 10am to 3pm
Venue: Wellington
Methodist Church, Telford
Booking required via Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/in-labour-all-creation-groans-an-advent-eco-retreat-wellington-mc-tickets-212380916037.
Tickets are free. Donations to All We Can
warmly welcomed.
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Inclusive Carols with the President and Vice
President
11th
December 2021
The theme adopted by the President and Vice-President of
Conference this year is “God’s table - an invitation for
all”. As part of Sonia and Barbara’s visit on Saturday 11th
December, the District is hosting Inclusive Carols
at Fallings
Park Methodist Church, Wolverhampton, starting at 7pm.
This promises to be an interactive, joyous and dynamic evening,
with traditional carols and songs accompanied by Eeek.
For a preview of the style of music, listen to Eeek’s rendition
of “Go tell it on the Mountain” here : https://youtu.be/1kes3mmxjQo
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Advent and Christmas Grants: Good news for all
people
This year the District is again supporting the Connexional
Advent
& Christmas Campaign by making small grants available of up
to £150. This is for projects which seek to demonstrate to
our communities that the birth of Jesus is Good News for All
People. Your Superintendent’s counter-signature
will be needed, but anyone can apply on behalf of their church or
Circuit. Please complete this form
as fully as possible and email to Richard Lockley via admin@wsmethodist.org.uk
Applications will be considered by the District Chair and the
Ministry & Missions Co-ordinator. Most Circuits will be
have a maximum of 3 grants awarded, with more negotiated for very
large Circuits (eg Shrophshire & Marches)
To build on previous years, Rachel and Jo will be particularly
looking for projects which:
- not only give
gifts away, but seek to encourage community engagement and
participation
- are conscious of
the need to be environmentally friendly in their
implementation
To
find out more, here is the Connexional
link.
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Wolverhampton
Fair Traid
Friends of Wolverhampton Fair Traid will be pleased to know that
we have opened a pop-up shop in the Mander Centre, Wolverhampton.
We will be open until Christmas Eve, 10.00am – 5.00pm, Mondays –
Saturdays and would love to see you!
We are in a very small unit on the ground floor, 2 doors away
from Bon Marche. We are well stocked with chocolates (several
vegan varieties) and socks as well as a variety of craft and gift
items.
Because we are in such a small space, we are not selling tea and
freeze-dried coffee there but do have a space at Beckminster
Methodist Church, WV3 7BQ and are open each Wednesday between now
and Christmas, 10.00am – 12.00 noon.
How about buying ethically sourced goods this week instead of
signing up to Black Friday!
Brenda Shuttleworth
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Telford
'22 Methodist Conference Volunteers Needed
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Arthur
Rank Centre Vacancy
Digital Media and Communications Manager
28 hours a week, £26,999 to £28,785 pro rata CV8 – Holly Farm
business Park, Honiley
We are a national charity looking for a Digital Media and
Communications Manager with a proven track record to join our
small, friendly team. We love building relationships with people
all over the UK, and we need your help with our work.
You will be responsible for
• Develop marketing plan for ARC, in-line with 5-year plan and
charitable objectives
• Responsible for the maintenance of the ARC website via
WordPress
• Responsible for content on all existing communication channels
and developing a presence on new platforms as they emerge.
• Sound understanding of Creative Commons licenses.
• Write press releases and liaise with radio, television and
written publications
• Manage branding house style and guidelines for external
partners
• Responsible for the writing of the monthly in-house digital
newsletter ARC News
You will
• Copywriting skills
• Excellent IT skills, including proficiency in the use of all
aspects of Microsoft Office
• Proven track record of maintaining a website and social media
channels
• Comfortable around digital media and communicating with a wide
variety of supporters and stakeholders
• Be able to proofread own and others work
• Show initiative and be able to help drive the organisation
forward to meet charitable objectives and maintain KPI targets
• Video editing and digital photography skills
• Good understanding of Church structures or willingness to learn
about them
• Be in sympathy with Christian ethos and the aims of the Arthur
Rank Centre
If you are looking for a supportive, encouraging workplace with
excellent coffee, and want to contribute creatively to a changing
organisation, please visit our website arthurrankcentre.org.uk
for an information pack and application form.
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Glass
Fusing Workshop
Online workshop on 6th Dec
The District Chair will be exploring the art of glass fusing on
Zoom as a guest of the Strathclyde Methodist Circuit Knit and Knatter
group on Monday 6th Dec between 10.30 and 11.30. If you’d
like to join in, please contact the District
Office for Zoom details.
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Landscape
Liturgy for the District
The District welcomed Nick Mayhew-Smith, author of “Landscape
Liturgies” to the online Presbyteral Synod last week to help
ministers explore resources to celebrate and bless the earth.
In preparation, the District Chair wrote a Landscape Liturgy
for the District, giving thanks for the many
varied environments from the canals of the West Midlands to the
Shropshire hills. The Liturgy also prays a blessing over
the landscapes and those who interact with them.
This was produced as a video with the help of many groups around
the District who already engage in outdoor worship. You can
find the video here: https://youtu.be/jBDQaEX9o04
Please feel free to use it in private or corporate
worship. If you need the material as an mp4 file this is
available through the District
Office.
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Homelessness
and Housing Zoom Sessions
Two Zoom calls over the next few months looking at
various issues relating to homelessness and housing.
Movement
for Homelessness and Housing on Tuesday 30 November at 12
noon.
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At
the conference we will be asking and seeking to answer the
following question:
"How can we work together to help with
accommodation for refugees and asylum seekers as a step-down
from emergency hotels?"
Please invite everyone you know who is working on this issue
so we can have an effective and meaningful discussion.
Please contact the District
Office for the Zoom Link
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Methodist
Homelessness and Housing Gathering on Zoom
on Wednesday 26 January from 11 a.m.
to 12. 30 p.m.
We will be reporting on a recent meeting with the Connexional Property
Development Committee and subsequent Working
Group discussions to be held next month regarding our potential
involvement in affordable housing schemes.
We will also hear about progress regarding a Civil Society
Housing Fund in conjunction with Citizens UK.
We will spend time sharing with each other as to how things are
in our respective areas and pray together for our work on all
these issues.
Please contact the District
Office for the Zoom link.
I hope that you will be able to join us on these calls.
Rev.
Ian Rutherford
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Food
for the Journey Lay Conference new date
The
Lay Conference “Food for the Journey” arranged jointly with the
Diocese of Lichfield and originally to be held at Yarnfield Park
on 4th December has now been rearranged for 7th May 2022.
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Wesley
House Short Course
This
short course which is being run by Wesley House online in
February 2022. There is also the possibility of the course being
run as a one day in-person intensive for groups:
Following
our centenary event Global
Methodist Perspectives on Climate Change in the
summer Dr
Richard Davis, our Director of the Centre for Faith in Public
Life, is running a short course:
The
course is for lay and ordained preachers and worship leaders who
wish to develop greater confidence when preaching about the
climate crisis.
Further details can be found here: https://bit.ly/3wxynTO
Please
feel free to forward this email onto anyone you think would be
interested.
If
you have any queries don't hesitate to get in contact.
With
best wishes,
Dan
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News
for your District from Action for Children
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News from Action for Children
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Hello from Action for Children!
We are only a few weeks away from
Christmas! Thank you for your prayers and
support throughout 2021. I pray you and your loved
ones have a great Christmas.
Here are a few updates on our work.
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Action
for Children at 3Generate
Action for Children collaborated with a
Methodist youth worker and youth
representatives to provide a Health and
Wellbeing Centre at 3Generate. They also ran
workshops.
It was an absolute pleasure and staff
thoroughly enjoyed the conference. They would
like to thank everyone who stopped by to say
hello and show their support.
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Be
a Secret Santa for a vulnerable child
For most of us the festive season is a happy
time. But there are children all over the UK
who face Christmas without food, warmth or
love. Action for Children is doing everything
they can to change this – and they need your
help right now.
Please be a Secret Santa for a vulnerable
child. Visit iamsanta.org.uk/Methodist to give
a virtual gift or dedicate a gift to a loved
one. Thank you!
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Parenting
through the pandemic report
Action for Children has
published a report on the experiences of
parents during the pandemic. It showed
that the pandemic exacerbated the challenges
facing parents and that too many struggle to
get the support they need.
The charity will use this research to start
conversations with government officials and
MPs about parenting support.
To read the report, visit: https://bit.ly/Parent-Pandemic
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Blessings,
Karis Kolawole
Faith Partnerships Lead, Action for Children
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Discover Church at the Margins
A 90
mins online introductory session
When:
7-8.30pm on Tuesday 2nd February 2022
For: West Midlands
Learning Network region
Over the following ten months we are holding an introduction to
Church at the Margins in each learning network region. Open
to all.
Poverty across the UK is rising with a devastating impact on the
lives of individuals and communities. How should we respond? What
is God’s invitation to us? This webinar offers an
introduction to the vision and values of Church at the
economic margins with stories from local practitioners in urban
and rural contexts.
Hosted:
by Eunice Attwood, Church at the Margins Officer and Sarah Hulme,
Rural Officer.
Click on the link below to register
REGISTER NOW
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Spiritual Direction Course starter
This
course running in Stafford this winter is open to all
denominations. Over six Saturdays we will form a learning
community aiming to grow in our prayer lives; it’s mostly
practical but will include some input from the Christian prayer
traditions. It forms the first module of our training in
Spiritual Direction (again ecumenical) but also stands on its own
for those who want to grow in prayer. Details at Diocese
of Lichfield | Spiritual Direction Courses (anglican.org)
All strength to your arm!
Charles Ruxton
Lichfield Diocesan Spirituality Adviser
(01743) 891636
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Church Magazine Editors Competition
The
Association for Church Editors organises an annual national
competition for church magazine editors and for 2022 we are
asking for A5 magazines printed in colour (even just on the
cover).
Further details and an application form can be found on our
website: https://churchmag.uk/
The closing date for entries is 7 February 2022.
Kind regards
Angela Price (Secretary ACE)
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Maternity Cover for Finance Advisor required
We are
looking for a Senior Advisor (money advice and welfare
benefits) to cover maternity leave expected to last from November
2021 to 30/5/2022 (Exact dates may vary) working 20 hours per
week at £15.44 per hour.
We are seeking a proactive and organised individual to join the
Ablewell team. Ablewell Advice Walsall is an initiative of the
Central Hall Methodist Church. Central Hall is a registered
charity and our services are authorised and regulated by the Financial
Conduct Authority.
We provide specialist advice in relation to debt and welfare
benefit matters. Our philosophy is to provide advice that is
“people-centred, putting the client and their needs first”. We
are a distribution centre for the Black County Foodbank and run a
Job Club. Working hours would be Mon 9.30- 3, Tues 9.30- 1pm,
Weds 9.30-3, Fri 9.30-3.
The successful candidate’s duties would include:
• Provision of specialist advice and casework in relation to debt
and welfare benefits
• Maintaining accurate case records and managing cases
proactively
• Oversight, coordination and off-site delivery of our advice in
schools project
• Supporting the training needs of our trainee adviser.
• Liaising with colleagues and management committee to ensure
effective service delivery
We are seeking someone who:
• Has at least 2 years recent experience of delivering welfare
benefits and debt casework within an advice agency or similar
• Is able to independently manage a caseload, taking a proactive
approach
• Is trustworthy and comfortable with handling confidential
information
• Enjoys working as part of a small team
• Is flexible and adaptable
• Is sympathetic to the Christian ethos of our organisation.
This post is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring
Service check. For an informal discussion about this role or to
receive an application pack, please contact Rachel Wood, Chair of
Management Committee: walsallsuper@aol.com.
Please note CVs will not be accepted.
Closing date: Tuesday 30th November 2021
Revd Rachel Wood
Superintendent of the Walsall Methodist Circuit
Tel: 01922 628723 or 07771 433 449
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Children's
Support Fund
The above fund has been available to access for about 18 months
now and I would encourage more applicants to support the young
and disadvantaged children from our District. As we are now
coming out of the pandemic I am sure Churches are looking at what
new activities they might be able to run and this fund may be
able to help. There is a ceiling of £500 and applications need to
made on the attached form
and emailed to Tim Lorimer @ lorimertim@yahoo.co.uk.
Some examples of activities we have supported are:
Kingswinford. Purchase of Lego sets for their Full of Spirits
Project
St John's Bloxwich. Support for School meals
Fallings Park, Stationary bags to support prayer spaces for
Children
Stafford. Tablets to help in school work
Beckminster. Christingle Bags
Aldridge. Support for their ECO warriors project
Bourne Methodists. Support for newly formed Dads and
Children's Saturday club
Cole Street.. Working with Safer Families Charity providing
activities for Children
Should anyone want more details of these projects please send me
an email.
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