NEWS
Monthly bulletin of what's happening at Methodist Central Mission, Birmingham.
Click here for WORD File
Langleys Community House
Looking for- Accommodation? Christian values? New friends?
This is the Vision we have for the new Christian Community at the Langley's Community House;
We are a group of individuals who seek to express our Christian journey by sharing in an outward looking community. Click here for further information (WORD File) Click here for poster Click here for details
Paris Bound
The Revd Mike Claridge, Minister on West Bromwich Circuit and Vicar in
the Ecumenical Parish of St Andrew's, West Bromwich - an
Anglican-Methodist LEP - is cycling from London to Paris in July to
raise funds for Christian Aid. If you would like to sponsor him you can
do so online at www.justgiving.com/mikeclaridge.
That website is
Christian Aid's preferred means of collecting sponsorship.
DISTRICT TRAINING GRANT Click here for application form (RTF format loadable into most word processors) Please return to District Office.
GODLY PLAY UK
For those of you who may not of heard of it Godly Play is a way of storytelling based on Montessori methods which churches across the Diocese have been using for about 5 years. Godly Play has contributed to many aspects of Church ministry, especially amongst children, since its introduction to the UK in 2001. A number of exciting projects have also pushed the boundaries of Godly Play into schools, prisons and hospital settings (two accredited teachers in Birmingham use it on a regular basis in the school at Birmingham Children's Hospital). In order to support existing Godly Play work across the regions and direct the future development of Godly Play, a national charity has been formed: Godly Play UK. To find out more about Godly Play visit www.godlyplay.org.uk
FOOTPRINT -the official newsletter of CFR FOOTPRINTS
With all the news from TOUCH OF HOPE
Click here (WORD File)
Witney High Street Methodist Church are developing the 'Catering' side of their Church.
Click here for more information
2008 marks the 65th anniversary of the founding of MHA by the Methodist Conference.
Click here for more information on events
"Rejoice at the sound of the Organ" "He has put a new sound in my mouth"
Two collections of new music and arrangements available directly from the composer, Tim Attride.
Click here for more information (WORD file)
Farming Help Appeal, launched Friday 19th October in Farmers Weekly.
Rev'd Graham R Jones
National Rural Officer for the Methodist Church and the United Reformed Church
Click here for more information (PDF file)
BBC Wesley material
http://www.bbc.co.uk/hampshire/content/articles/2007/10/11/wesley_feature.shtml
The audio was available to all BBC local radio stations across the county and broadcast by a good number of them. People should check with the BBC before using any of the audio material in services etc.
Operation Noah
Jean-Francois Mouhot
is happy to present Operation Noah and talk about Climate Change and
Christianity to any Churches (individually or as part of connected group)
which might be interested. A screening of "An
Inconvenient Truth" can also be arranged with with a debate afterwards (there might be some small
costs involved - a DVD can be provided free of charge, but there might be
copyright fees to consider if you do not have a Church Video licence) Further details are available from Jean-Francois Mouhot who can be contacted as follows:-
Jean-Francois Mouhot
Operation Noah
www.operationnoah.org
campaigns@operationnoah.org
Tel.: 020 7324 4761
Mobile: 07858 157839
Young Preacher's Network Our purpose is to support, nurture and encourage young preachers
Click here for further information
There is a small Russian singing group (four people) looking for a venue and would be happy to sing
at your church. Please, drop them a line if interested.
Andrey Sysoev
LYRA
E-mail: andrey_sysoev@yahoo.co.uk
Web-site:http://www.lyra5.narod.ru
WORLD DEBT NEWS UPDATE
Click here for a news update
To all who are journeying to justice,
Please take a moment to read Jubilee debt campaign news.
Some vital helpful information which you can use in October 2007 and then advance notice of a major event in Birmingham on 18th May 2008.
More news and details and a printed copy of the Noticeboard Issue 45 can be found at www.jubileedebt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/Noticeboard_45.pdf
Click here for information concerning Regional Co-ordinator Job
Did you take part in the G8 Human Chain in Birmingham on May 16th 1998?
In May 2008 Jubilee Debt Campaign will be marking the tenth anniversary of that momentous day when 70,000 people forced the G8 to put developing world debt on the agenda. This will include an exhibition in Birmingham Central Library for which I am collecting photographs and memories of the event. If you were there your contribution would be greatly appreciated. Your contribution can take the form of art work, prose, photograph or poem.
It should be no longer that one side of A4 (short quotes are also OK). Please send to me before the end of 2007. Those selected will be on display for the whole month of May 2008.
I am not able to guarantee the return of all materials but will endeavour to do so wherever possible.
Audrey Miller
Regional Representative
Jubilee Debt Campaign 0121 471 4175
www.jubileedebt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk
Book launch at Selly Oak Centre for Mission Studies
Click here for more information
Presence In 2004 the publication "Presence" described a vision for the future of the rural church. (Copies can be obtained from "The Methodist Publishing House"). This is the first of a number of occasional papers reflecting how the rural church is developing today. Click here for WORD document
MHA fundraising Click here for letter from MHA Head of fundrasing (WORD File).
Birmingham District NETWORK Newsletter Click here (WORD file)
Churches' Industrial Group Birmingham Newsletter Spring 2007
Click here for WORD document Click here for Web site version
CHRISTIAN DEMONIMATIONS COME TOGETHER TO TRAIN
All those involved in Christian Ministry across the West Midlands will now have access to a wider range of high-quality training opportunities thanks to a new agreement signed yesterday in Birmingham. The Regional Training Partnership will enable training resources to be shared so that they better support both ordained and lay Ministers. Click here for press release
Faslane 365 - Academic Blockade, 7th January 2007 at Faslane Navel Base
Click here for Professor John Hull's experiences
The police finally moved in at about 7.00 p.m on the Sunday. and arrested 17 academics and the same number of students, all of whom were released on Monday
Click here for Professor John Hull's paper
POST OFFICES
Click here for a press release from the Arthur Rank Centre, drawing attention to the ongoing conversations being held between the Post Office, the Church of England, the Methodist Church and the United Reformed Church about piloting churches hosting post offices. Examples already exist of such arrangements, using various models (click here for examples) but the intention is to draw up national guidelines which can help encourage a more widespread development of these partnerships. The ongoing conversations at national level do not preclude this agenda being pursued in the local context. The people to contact at the Post Office (click here for A4 leaflet) if you wish to do so are the Field Change Adviser and/or the Network Development Manager in your area. The Arthur Rank Centre would be happy to provide more information about the ongoing conversations or the existing schemes, if required and to hear of any new initiatives in your locality
New book by James Woodward and Leslie Houlden - "Praying the Lectionary" from Temple Balsall
Click here for flyer
GWEN BLANDFORD - POEMS
Robert Powell writes:-
Our friend Rev Gwen Blandford, now resident in Cedar Lawn MHA home in
Stratford has written a second book of poems which were published
on 16th December. Click here for a flyer in the hope that it might be made
known in the District where Gwen spent her ordained ministry.
I know the time is short and many will be involved in Christmas shopping
but then a book of poems might be just the right present .......!
COLD WEATHER RESPONSE TEAM
Out-Reach to Rough Sleepers in Birmingham City Centre this winter
Click for further information
The Family Friendly Churches Trust
Click here for a recent email to the Chair of District
Committed to making churches places where all are welcomed.
www.FamilyFriendlyChurches.org.uk
October 2006 Newsletter can be downloaded from:
http://www.familyfriendlychurches.org.uk/Newsletter200610.pdf
You can find out more about Residential Courses at:
http://www.familyfriendlychurches.org.uk/resident.htm
For more details of our prices take a look at:
http://www.familyfriendlychurches.org.uk/prices.htm
Ministry and mission go global at Queens, Birmingham. Click here for a report of the launch of the new Selly Oak Centre for Mission Studies at the Queens Foundation for Ecumenical Theological Education in Birmingham. Click here for thanks to supporters
Learn to play the drums with DRUMSENSE. Click here for flyer or www.jrsdrum.co.uk
JOHN WESLEY KOSI BAY
SCHOOL,
KWA NGWANASE
is a Mission of the local Methodist Church in
rural KwaZulu Natal, South Africa.
They urgently need funds for NEW SCHOOL BUILDINGS Click here for further information
MISSIONARIES IN CHILE
Chris, Alison, Luke and Bethan would like to keep in touch with you. Their email address is eyes_chile@yahoo.co.uk. They will try and answer your questions.
Click here for an extract from their latest newsletter.
Previous Newsletters: October 2005 July 2005 December 2005 January 2006 April 2006
July 2006 October 2006 Feb 2007 May 2007 August 2007 November 2007
They write:-
PLEASE, please, please - can those of you who have not updated your records, change the postal address that you use for us. Alison is no longer working at Colegio Ingles, and therefore anything sent there will take some time to get to us. The correct postal address is:
Heroés de la Concepción 1924,
Condo Heroés II, Depto G-21
Iquique,
I Region
Chile
A report, by Val Ogden, of her visit to the World Council of Churches Ninth Assem
held at Porto Alegre, Brazil, from 14-23 February 2006.
Click here for the report.
Marches Energy Agency Congregations for a Low Carbon Future
The objective of this project is to help faith groups in fulfilling this objective, by taking steps to tackle climate change. The project will work with churches, members and in vicarages to deliver significant savings in energy and carbon emissions through energy efficiency and renewable energy measures. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas produced in the combustion of fossil fuels, and is widely acknowledged as being a major contributor to climate change.
TCongregations in the Birmingham District - Click here for paper distributed at Synod
Click here for possible next steps.
Christian Unity - Sermon Preached by Rev David Hewlett
Principal, The Queen's Foundation, Somerset Road, Edgbaston
at Birmingham Churches Together commissioning service on 11th May 2006
Birmingham International Student Homes - Jubilee Appeal
The Jubilee Appeal is to finance the building of extensions at
Asbury Overseas House
and
Wesley International House.
MISSION PARTNERS IN SRI LANKA
Rev Rosemary Fletcher and Mr James Rowley
at Theological College of Lanka, Pilimatalawa, Sri Lanka
Their website is up and running at www.rosemaryandjames.methodistchurch.co.uk
Click here for their latest newsletter which is full of interesting information.
Click here for FAIRTRADE NEWS
Palestinian Olive Oil - New Seasons supplies now availalbe. Click here for details
20's - 30's E-GROUP
Following on from a report at conference, this e-group was set up to enable methodists in their 20's - 30's to be in contact with each other, share their stories, pray and encourage one another. This has turned into quite an active e-mail group with people from all different perspectives.
If you're aged between 20 and 40 and would like to be involved, visit the url below and sign up!
http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/20s30s-initiative/
For more information, contact Melissa Williams by email.
Asylum Seekers and Refugees - Strangers No More - Drop In
Wednesday 11am - 1pm - Small Heath Methodist Church, Birmingham
This Centre is NOW open
See also Asylum and Refugee Drop In at Selly Oak Methodist Church
Welcome the Stranger - Hospitality Scheme
CARM (Campaigning, Asylum Seekers, Refugees and Media)
ICA - International Community Assist
Help for Asylum Seekers or Refugees Returned from the UK to Albania
ICA works in Eastern Europe primarily in Albania where they help the needy and advance education:
www.ica-uk.co.uk refers.
They help asylum seekers or refugees who are returnees from the UK who have been befriended by.~e,in the UK. They have located returnees, given detailed guidance, moral support, built houses, provided animals, helped with education, exchange of information between the UK and Albania including digital photographs and helped the UK supporters to visit their contacts in Albania.
If you would like ICA to assist please contact:
ICA Church View Patney Devizes Wiltshire,
SN10 3RD
Tel: + 44 (0) 1380 840990 Fax: + 44 (0) 1380 840166 e-mail:
icauk@btopenworld.com
Respect - Understanding Caribbean Christianity by Bishop Dr Joe Aldred
Click here for details of this recently published book.
