From:                              Wolverhampton & Shrewsbury District Office [admin@wsmethodist.org.uk]

Sent:                               14 December 2022 10:56

To:                                   beckminster@talktalk.net

Subject:                          14/12/2022

 

New this week:
Christmas Greetings from the District
Hosting a Ukrainian
Warm spaces...write to your MP
Membership of the INC
New Candidating Process
Action for Children News
In Harmony Choir Festival
Last Taboo courses
In case you missed it:
Warm Spaces Grants - updated updated form



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Christmas Greetings from the District

Here’s a short video based on this year’s District Christmas card which features a painting by Community Organiser Eddy Aigbe and a message linked to the #ThereIsRoom theme with a poem by the Chair.  Please feel free to share and use however you wish.
https://youtu.be/sncYYioiozA
The District Team would like to wish everyone a very happy Christmas. 
 

 

#ThereisRoom...Could you host a Ukrainian person or family in your home?


As Russia’s war in Ukraine evolves, its impact on the people of Ukraine is being felt in new ways. Attacks on civilian centres and shutdown of key infrastructure will force many to flee as winter sets in. Thousands are still hoping to come to the UK, but suitable hosts are in short supply.  
The Methodist Church is partnering with Citizens UK’s "Communities for Ukraine" Scheme, which helps community groups to welcome and support refugees from Ukraine. This means that as a host, you would have more wraparound support for both you and your guest(s), being supported every step of the way.  Matt Caeser has joined the Connexional Team to in order to support the scheme and we’re grateful to our Safeguarding team, Sue and Kay, for offering the local support which means that potential hosts from this District can now apply through the scheme.  
If this is something you would like to explore, even tentatively, then please find more information and apply here: https://www.methodist.org.uk/our-work/our-work-in-britain/social-justice/methodists-for-ukraine-apply-to-host-a-ukrainian-family/

 

 

Warm Spaces...Write to your MP

The District team is delighted to have awarded six Warm Spaces grants of £500 in response to applications from five different Circuits.  The scheme is still open.  We're sure that many more churches are providing a warm welcome to their community in these icy conditions.  However, we do not want Warm Spaces to be normalised in UK culture in the way that Food Banks are.  We do not want to have to be running a grant scheme next year!  The Joint Public Issues Team has produced resources to help us prevent this from happening.  You can find it here: https://jpit.uk/warmwelcome    You’ll find resources to help you write to your constituency MP.  And if you’re running a Warm Space, why not invite your MP to come along and talk to those both supporting and using the space?
 

 

Membership of the Interim Nominations Committee

As part of its commitment to new ways of working, The Methodist Church looks to form an Interim Nominations Committee (INC) that will bring names to the 2023 Methodist Conference for members of The Mission Committee, The Ministries Committee, The Resourcing Committee, The Nominations Committee, and other senior committees of the church as we go forward. Members of the INC will need to be aware of the Church’s commitment to Justice, Dignity and Solidarity, experience in identifying, interviewing and selecting diverse people for voluntary and/or paid roles [ordained and lay] in the life of the Church or other bodies, and able to commit time to meetings between January and June 2023. To apply:
Please submit a completed Expression of Interest Form.
Closing date: 12 noon, Friday 6 January 2023 Interview date: tbc
Further details and Expression of Interest form available from: E-mail: soc@methodistchurch.org.uk Web: www.methodist.org.uk/who-we-are/job-opportunities/ jobs-around-the-connexion 

 

New Candidating Process

Christmas and New Year are often times when we take stock and wonder what God has in store for us next.  Might it be a call to ordained ministry, as either a deacon or presbyter?
The Methodist Church has a brand new candidating process which gets up and running from 1 Jan 2023.  You can find out all about it here: https://www.methodist.org.uk/for-churches/ministries/candidating-for-ministry/new-candidating-process-starting-may-2023/
The new scheme will need people to act as accompanists.  This potentially rewarding role can be filled by either lay or ordained people.  If you are interested in applying find more information here: https://www.methodist.org.uk/for-churches/ministries/candidating-for-ministry/become-an-accompanist/
 

 

Action for Children news

 

 

 

 

 

In Harmony Free Choir Festival

Christian greetings from the "In Harmony" Free Church Choirs Committee.
 
The next biennial Festival of Church Music will be held in St Albans Cathedral on Saturday 14th October 2023
 
We are inviting singers, either choirs or individuals to join in this inspirational occasion. Many denominations will take part. Local rehearsals will be organised next spring / summer.
 
The festival music book will be available from January 2023 from our treasurer, Adrian Prisk via email; aprisk@doctors.org.uk or by phone; 01908605815

 

 

Last Taboo Courses

The Learning Network in partnership with MHA is  looking  for a couple of circuits to partner with us in offering to host a workshop:
 
The Last Taboo: a workshop developed by MHA to promote confidence in talking about death and dying in a positive and supportive way.
Death is the only certainty in life and yet we are often quick to avoid the topic.
This training is an opportunity to discuss best practice in end of life care, wishes and decision making with others in a non-judgemental setting.
It is open to all people, whether you are involved in health and social care or not and would be particularly helpful for those in pastoral ministry, lay or ordained, paid or volunteer.
 
If this course offers value to your circuit, and you would like to discuss hosting please get in touch with Geoff Bond
Email: bondg@methodistcurch.org.uk


 

 

Warm Spaces Grants - updated updated form

Many churches across the District are preparing to offer Warm Spaces this winter in response to the cost of living crisis.  At its simplest, being a Warm Space is about simple, non-stigmatising, neighbourly hospitality. Providing a warm welcome, a hot drink or bite to eat, a listening ear, and being ready to help people access further specialist support. Many churches already run activities which can be adapted to meet the current need.

We know that this provision may put strain on church finances.  If your church is stepping forward to respond to a desperate community need there will be people who can and want to contribute time, expertise or money (e.g. you might consider asking your local councillors, members of regular groups using your building, asking your local food bank for advice or applying for specific local grants). 

But to help you get started, we are offering grants of £500 to churches offering a Warm Space this winter.

 

Qualifying criteria for a Warm Spaces Grant

•    This will be a new activity or an existing activity which has been specifically adapted to respond to the new circumstances

•    You will have looked at the situation in your local community to ensure that what you provide is shaped around real need.  For instance, you will know where else “Warm Spaces” are being provided and will have worked in partnership to ensure that opening times etc complement one another. 

•    Wherever possible you will have worked in partnership, particularly with other local churches or faith organisations.  If your church is part of a team to provide a Warm Space in a different building, you may still apply for this grant

•    All necessary risk assessments will be in place before opening (guidance is available)

•    Sessions will be freely available to those participating

•    They’ll be advertised in ways that make them easy for people who need them to find out about them

•    They’ll be sustainable through the winter.  We are looking for local provision at least weekly, though this can be shared with other organisations you’re partnering with.

•    They’ll be non-judgmental, hospitable and open to people of all faiths and none

•    You’ll be prepared to listen to people’s concerns and to signpost people to specialist support if needed.

•    The Warm Space initiative will be prayed for regularly by your congregation.

Please clock on the links below for more information and application form:

Application form
Safeguarding Form
Safeguarding Guidance
Risk Assessment Proforma example

Please send completed application forms to: Richard Lockley at admin@wsmethodist.org.uk
 

 

 

 

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