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New this week:
Dates for your diary
New roles in WM District
Meth Sch Governor needed
In case you
missed it:
MAST Trustees Needed
Two Funding Opportunities
Children, Youth and Families' Worker needed
Learning Development Officer Vacancy
Operations Manager needed
New Anchor Circuit
Last Chance to sign up for Scratch Choir
3Gen Tickets and Grants
New Circuit Numbers for New District
Advanced Safeguarding Training
New District Website - reminder
Dial-a-prayer
free phone line to hear prayers : 0808 281 2514 Methodist News :
0808 281 2478
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Dates
for Your Diary
Some
dates for your diaries:
Revd
Rachel Parkinson's leaving service:
Saturday 26th July 3pm at Berkswich Methodist Church.
The
inauguration service for the new District and welcome to new
Chair - Saturday 30th August 3pm at Walsall
Central Hall
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New
District Roles available
The new
West Midlands District have a range of paid and voluntary roles
available from September 2025:
If you would like to be part of this exciting new District,
please check out the new District Website below.
HR Officer
District Policy Committee Secretary
Manse Roles
Assistant Lay Stationing Rep
Synod Elected DPC member
Resourcing Mission Committee roles
Full details of roles and how to apply can be found at West
Midlands Methodist District | Vacancies
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Methodist
School Governor Required
The Methodist Church Telford
Circuit
School
Governor John Fletcher of Madeley Methodist/CE Primary School
Home based in the West Midlands District.
Voluntary. Up to 24 hours per year.
Serving as a school governor offers a unique opportunity to make
a meaningful impact on the strategic direction and success of a
school. This voluntary role involves collaborating with the
headteacher and fellow governors to establish the school's
vision, monitor its finances, and hold the institution
accountable for achieving its objectives. The position is both
fulfilling and intellectually stimulating, providing avenues for
personal growth, professional development, and meaningful
engagement within the community.
Full training and support will be given. No experience is
necessary.
If you are interested in exploring this voluntary role then
please contact the Superintendent Minister of the Telford Circuit
who is the current Chair of the Governors : adrian.burdon@taw.org.uk
http://www.johnfletcherofmadeley.co.uk/
For more information click here
An enhanced DBS Certificate will be required for this role
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MAST
Trustees Needed
MAST is
a Methodist Schools Academy which has been granted delegated
powers from Connexion as the religious authority for 66 schools,
overseeing 15,000 pupils all over England.
We are looking for Trustees from all parts of England and all
walks of life who have experience in Governance and/or Education
and who are passionate about education and wish to make a
difference in the education of mostly primary-aged pupils.
For the majority of our pupils, attending a Methodist School is
the only connection they have with Church. Trustees meet four
times a year, three times in London and once at a Methodist
School.
Attached is the MAST Trustee Role Description. If you are
interested in the role, please contact me at afoster.trustee@methodistschools.org.uk
with a CV and a letter explaining why you are applying for the
role.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Kind regards
Annette
Annette Foster
Interim Chair
MAST
afoster.trustee@methodistschools.org.uk
www.methodistschools.org.uk
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Two
funding opportunities
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At
4front Partners we share our charitable grant of choice every
week and this week we have a Double Whammy!
Firstly, we have the new programme from Lloyds Bank Foundation
for England and Wales - the Deaf and Disabled People’s Organisation
Fund.
Now open for applications, the successful charities and CICs
will receive a grant of £75,000 of unrestricted funds over
three years. The criteria is for registered small and
local charities and CICs that are led by and work with Deaf and
Disabled people experiencing poverty. Your organisation will
work directly with Deaf and Disabled people to support them to
have more choice and control over their lives, access their
rights and entitlements, and challenge the barriers they face.
The grants also come with a breadth of tailored support to
strengthen the successful organisations.
There is a pre-application webinar on 16th July to
talk through the programme, eligibility and shortlisting. You
can sign up for this here ; https://www.lloydsbankfoundation.org.uk/about-us/fundingdeaf-and-disabled-peoples-organisationspre-application-webinar/
With a deadline of 4th September we appreciate that
the summer holidays will mean you are likely short of capacity
to complete this application in time so the 4front Partners
team is here to help!
Secondly, we have the npower Business Solutions Foundation.
This fund is for organisations operating within 50 miles of
npower’s Leeds or Solihull offices, so make sure this is right
for you! They are looking for projects covering four main
themes;
• Improve the environment.
• Forge stronger community
bonds.
• Support local educational
institutions.
• Encourage responsible
business.
• Improve places and
spaces.
There’s also a range of different size grants right up to
£100,000 so not insignificant! Check out all the details
here; https://npowerbusinesssolutions.com/foundation#video
If these grants aren’t right for you, we will have others that
are. Our horizon scanning service aligns charitable organisations
with pots of funding, along with assisting with the
applications. Do get in touch at info@4frontpartners.co.uk
Tony Carr - 4front Partners
Email: tony@4frontpartners.co.uk
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Children,
Youth and Families' Worker needed
The Methodist Church Telford
Circuit
Children,
Youth and Families’ Worker
£27,570-£31,320pa depending on
qualifications and experience
37.5 hours per week with 30 days
holiday per annum, plus statutory holidays.
Commences 1 September 2025
· Can you inspire and support the
Telford Circuit and its churches in our work with children, young
people, and families?
· Can you increase engagement
with our existing connections within the circuit and local
churches?
· Can you innovate to connect
with those not yet involved, using principles of pioneer mission
and the God for All strategy?
· Can you lead efforts to help
children, young people, and families discover and commit to
Christian discipleship?
If so, we would love to hear from you. Please email super@telfordmeth.org.uk
for an application pack.
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Learning
Development Officer Vacancy
We have
a current vacancy for a Learning and Development Manager with the
Connexional Team. The role will involve managing Learning and
Development Officers across Wales, the West Midlands and South
West regions. It will therefore require travel including
overnight stays. We are looking for anyone with the relevant
experience and skills to join the team. To find out more about
the role please visit https://methodist.current-vacancies.com/Jobs/Advert/3885358?cid=1885
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Operations
Manager for Black Country Circuit needed
Operations
Manager (Finance & Property)
An opportunity to bring Finance and Property management expertise
to the day-to-day running of the Circuit and support the
Superintendent Minister and Circuit Stewards with a view to
releasing resources for mission work.
You will have some experience of Financial Management (including
maintaining financial accounts, payments & receipts) and
Property (including arranging maintenance & repairs, lettings
& sales and reporting to governing bodies)
Salary £40,000 pro-rata based on 60% full-time equivalent
Flexible working to be agreed; you will be required to attend
some evening Leadership meetings
Applications to be received by 12noon, 31st July 2025
Interviews week commencing 18th August, although
flexible
The post requires satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure & Barring
Service
For further information and an application form, please email the
Circuit Office – blackcountryad@gmail.com
(corrected email address)
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New
Anchor Circuit
We’re excited to share that two of our Methodist Circuits, Gornal
& Sedgley and Blackheath & Halesowen, are coming together
to form a brand new Circuit as: The Anchor Circuit from September
2025.
This decision has been rooted in prayer, careful planning, and a
shared sense of calling. As both Circuits faced similar
challenges and opportunities, conversations began, and it quickly
became clear that we had more in common than we had apart. With
support from our Church Leadership Teams, Circuit Meetings, and
the wider District, the decision to merge was warmly embraced.
So why “The Anchor Circuit”?
 A replica of the
locally made Titanic’s anchor stands between the two communities
We are anchored
in Jesus, our hope and strength
A shared history
in Boys’ and Girls’ Brigades across both circuits
With overwhelming support from church councils and circuit
meetings, and successful matches in the first round of
stationing, we’re moving forward with hope and unity. This merger
places the circuits in a stronger position for mission and
ministry in the years to come.
Let’s keep praying and supporting one another as we step into
this exciting future together.
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Scratch
Choir for launch of WM District - last chance to sign up!
Born
in Song – Come and Sing!
The launch
and welcome service at the end of August is fast approaching! You
can just turn up on the day but do book a ticket on this link to
let us know you are coming and ensure that you are catered for
after the service.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/district-launch-and-chairs-welcome-service-tickets-1420708781209?aff=oddtdtcreator
Last
chance to sign up for the choir… details are available on the
website http://www.wmmethodists.org.uk
and signup by emailing the Birmingham District office – office@birminghammethodist.org.uk
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The scratch choir will lead the congregational singing and sing a
feature item in the service on 30th August in
Walsall to launch the new West Midlands District and welcome the
new Chair of District.
- No prior singing
experience required
- No expectation on
reading music (printed music will be provided for those who
prefer to read)
- We ask that
people attend at least one rehearsal and then the rehearsal
and event on the day (30th August).
The dates are as follows:
Monday
28th July 7pm – 9pm
Shirley Methodist Church
257 Stratford Road, Shirley, Solihull, B90 3AL
Wednesday
30th July 7pm – 9pm
New Road Methodist Church Stourbridge
29 New Road, Stourbridge, DY8 1PQ
Thursday
28th August 7pm – 9pm
Carrs Lane Church Centre
Carrs Lane, Birmingham, B4 7SX
Saturday
30th August Rehearsal: 11:30am – 12:30pm Service: 3pm
– 4:30pm
Walsall Central Hall
Central Hall, Ablewell St, Walsall WS1 2EQ
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3Generate
2025 tickets and grants
3 - 5 October at the NEC, Birmingham
Ticket
sales are now live - click here
3Generate
is back and bigger than ever in 2025! We are looking forward
to welcoming even more children and young people from across
the Connexion to experience an amazing weekend packed full of
fun, faith and discipleship.
There is also financial assistance for all attendees from the
District. Please click here
to access the grant form.
There
are also 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 churches 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.
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New
Circuit Numbers for the New West Midlands District
Please
be aware that the following numbers will apply for Circuits in
the West Midlands Methodist District from 1st
September 2025
3/1
Anchor
3/2 Birmingham
3/3 Birmingham (Sutton Park)
3/4 Birmingham (West) and Oldbury
3/5 The Black Country
3/6 Bromsgrove and Redditch
3/7 Cannock Chase
3/8 Coventry and Nuneaton
3/9 Dudley and Netherton
3/10
Herefordshire (South and East)
3/11 Hidden River
3/12 Kidderminster and Stourport
3/13 Shropshire and Marches
3/14 South Warwickshire
3/15 South Worcestershire
3/16 Stafford
3/17 Tamworth and Lichfield
3/18 Telford
3/19 Vale of Stour
3/20 Wolverhampton
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Advanced
Safeguarding Courses - update
If your circuit requires a course please let me
know -
11/10/25
– Brierley Hill MC Vale of Stour 0945hrs registration - note
change of date
06/09/25 Telford
Circuit (venue TBC) Registration from 9:30am. Prompt
start at 10am, finishing around 1:30pm. (Please bring a packed
lunch with you)
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
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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