New this week:
Statement Re: Palestine
Action for Children News
In case you missed it:
Dates for your diary
New  roles in WM District
Meth Sch Governor needed
MAST Trustees Needed
Children, Youth and Families' Worker needed
Learning Development Officer Vacancy
Operations Manager needed
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

View this email in your browser

Statement from President and Vice President for the recognition of Palestine as a state

From the Revd Richard Andrew and Matthew Forsyth, President and Vice-President of the Conference.

We have been appalled and horrified by the pictures and first-hand witness accounts of the dire situation in Gaza, particularly around access to food for those existing there.

No-one could fail to be moved by the images of emaciated children and we have a moral duty to heed and act on the warnings from countless aid agencies of mass starvation and malnutrition.

We welcome the pause in military activity, but this is not enough. Red lines in international law have been crossed by the Israeli Government and they and Hamas must provide explicit acceptance of the right to peace, security and prosperity for all Israelis and Palestinians.

The Methodist Conference this year accepted a memorial (motion) from the Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury District Synod asking the Conference to write to the UK government urging it to recognise the independent state of Palestine, a position the Methodist Church has long held.

The motion stated that over the last twelve months, “the Israeli government has accelerated the seizure and annexation of Palestinian land, in violation of international law. This has implications not only for Palestinian people in the West Bank and Gaza who are forcibly displaced but also for any prospect of a future peace.”

The time is now right for the Government to take decisive action to recognise the state of Palestine, its right to self-determination, and to ensure safety for all its citizens across the West Bank and we urge them to do this without delay.

We ask the Methodist people to continue to pray for those caught up in the violence in Gaza who don’t know where their next meal is coming from. We also continue to pray for those in the West Bank who are living in constant fear of indiscriminate border closures and settler violence against them.

Prayer

Creator God, you breathed life into this world and us all. We long for an end to suffering in Gaza and pray for freedom for all your creation.

Give to those in authority wisdom to act decisively for the good of all, so that we may see a just and peaceful resolution in Gaza, the West Bank and Israel

In the name of the Prince of Peace, Amen.

Action for Children News

Dates for Your Diary

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

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

MAST Trustees Needed

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.

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
 

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, 31^st July 2025
Interviews week commencing 18^th 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)

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 .

The scratch choir will lead the congregational singing and sing a feature item in the service on 30^th 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 (30^th August).

 
The dates are as follows:
 
Wednesday 30^th July 7pm – 9pm
New Road Methodist Church Stourbridge
29 New Road, Stourbridge, DY8 1PQ
 
Thursday 28^th August 7pm – 9pm
Carrs Lane Church Centre
Carrs Lane, Birmingham, B4 7SX
 
Saturday 30^th August Rehearsal: 11:30am – 12:30pm Service: 3pm – 4:30pm
Walsall Central Hall
Central Hall, Ablewell St, Walsall WS1 2EQ

 
 

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.  

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 1^st 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

Advanced Safeguarding Courses - update 

If your circuit requires a course please let me know -
 
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)

11/10/25 – Brierley Hill MC Vale of Stour 0945hrs registration - note change of date

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.

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/

Copyright © 2025 Wolverhampton & Shrewsbury District - The Methodist Church, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you are a part of the Wolverhampton & Shrewsbury District.

Our mailing address is:

unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences