FEBRUARY & MARCH 2015 Issue No. 25 Monday 2nd February, 11.00am: Property Sub-Group meeting at Lozells Methodist Church The Circuit Connector News from the Birmingham Methodist Circuit Dear Sisters & Brothers One political commentator has recently described the forthcoming General Election as the most significant election that this country has faced since 1945. That is a debatable point, but there is no question that we as a nation have to decide on the type of society we want to live in, which means thinking about how we relate to one another and the wider world. To help each one of us reflect on our values and vision several groups and organisations are compiling discussion papers, including the Joint Public Issues Team which is supported by the Methodist, Baptist and United Reformed Churches. Another ecumenical organisation called Together for the Common Good has written in its latest public statement: The Church cannot propose concrete political solutions, but its body of thinking and its people can inform rational argument, promote spiritual awareness and bring positive energy. We think that Christians of all traditions are ideally positioned, in their diverse spheres of influence, to introduce the practice of the Common Good at every level of society. As we prepare to decide about the future of Britain along with our neighbours on Thursday, 7th May, we the Birmingham Methodist Circuit challenge our own values and vision through the Holy Habits programme to be launched at the ICC on the morning of Sunday, 17th May. Grounded in our mission priorities of developing discipleship and offering hospitality, and built on the common life of the first Christians recorded in Acts 2, the programme will make us face up to how we relate to one another and the wider world as the people called Methodist in this time and place. Happy New Year and may the peace of God with you! Neil Johnson (on behalf of the Superintendents’ Team) Tuesday 10th February, 7.30pm: Circuit Executive at Acocks Green Methodist Church Sunday 15th February, 6.30pm: Circuit Praise at Perry Hall Methodist Church Monday 23rd February, 7.30pm: Resources Forum at Maypole Methodist Church Tuesday 3rd March, 10.00am: Ministers Staff Meeting at St Andrews B30 Saturday 7th March, 10.00am – 1.00pm: Creating Safer Space Training at The Church at Carrs Lane Wednesday 11th March, 7.30pm: Circuit Executive at Acocks Green Methodist Church Thursday 19th March, 7.30pm: Preachers and Worship Leaders Meeting at The Church at Carrs Lane Saturday 21st March, 10.00am: Circuit Assembly at The Church at Carrs Lane Monday 20th April, 7.30pm: Service & Evangelism Forum Meeting at The Church at Carrs Lane Saturday 25th April, 10.00am: District Synod at Dorridge Methodist Church Wednesday 29th April, 7.30pm: Worship, Learning & Caring Forum at Selly Oak Taize - Brother Paulo Brother Paulo is coming to Birmingham for the weekend 7/8th March and will lead a weekend of prayers, bible study and workshops starting with midday prayer at The Church at Carrs Lane on 7th and including evening prayer probably also at Carrs Lane that day. CONTACT DETAILS CIRCUIT PRAISE at Perry Hall Methodist Church An evening service including modern worship songs and hymns, and a time of openness to the Holy Spirit Sunday 15th February at 6.30pm Circuit Assembly The next Circuit Assembly will be taking place on 21st March 2015, 10.00am to 1.00pm at The Church at Carrs Lane. The morning session will include various charities who have been invited to share with us the important work they are involved in and will give a brief presentation followed by workshops. The Assembly is open to all who would like to attend and look forward to seeing you. HOLY HABITS If you haven’t heard about it yet our Circuit, Birmingham Methodist Circuit, is going to be undergoing a two year programme where we will be seeking to challenge ourselves with the ten holy habits found at the start of the book of Acts. To find out more about it you can ask your Minister or check out the Circuit’s website www. birminghammethodistcircuit.org.uk. This new programme will officially be launched on the 17th of May 2015 and will finish around the same time two years later. We are looking for people interested in any of the following; Writing, Preaching, All forms of Worship, Prayer, Communications, Graphic Design, Proof Reading, or any other skills you may have, please contact bfrancis@birminghammethodist circuit.org.uk SUPERINTENDENCY TEAM Rev Helen Jobling - Resources - 0121 240 4767, [email protected] Rev Neil Johnson - Service & Evangelism - 0121 616 1800 [email protected] Rev Tony Malcolm – Worship, Learning & Caring - 01564 779 720, [email protected] CENTRAL OFFICE Shelley Roberts - Finance & General - 0121 616 1800 [email protected] Beverley Francis - Circuit Administrator – Website News & Events, Room Bookings 0121 616 1800 [email protected] Sue Saunderson - Circuit Administrator – Personnel Statistics & Plan Tel 0121 472 1060 (based at Selly Oak Methodist Church) [email protected] Ken Evans Property Officer, Lozells Methodist Community Centre, Tel 0121 554 9360, Option 9 [email protected] Office address: Birmingham Methodist Circuit, Central Office, The Church at Carrs Lane, Carrs Lane, Birmingham, B4 7SX, Telephone - 0121-616 1800, Website address: www.birminghammethodistcircuit.org.uk Birmingham Churches Winter Night Shelter This year’s shelter begins on 12 January for 8 weeks. The 12 bed shelter is an ecumenical project which sees churches offering shelter to those who find themselves rough on the streets of Birmingham this winter. Seven host churches will provide their building, volunteers and food, as well as 3 outreach teams and Sifa Fireside are also part of the project supporting the homeless guests and providing referrals. For more information or if you wish to make a contribution please contact Sarah Turner, Development Worker, [email protected] phone no 0121 426 0442. Thank you. Can You Help Or Do You Know Someone Who Could? It is now over 3 years since we came together as the Birmingham Circuit. We are no longer 'new' and we are thankful for the many people who have helped with some of the day to day tasks within the Circuit. We now need some more people to help. We need a new treasurer to replace Brian Dickens who has done an excellent job for us over the last four years; we need some more people to be Circuit Stewards. Gill Fletcher has been an amazing conscientious Manse Steward and Visitor for many years - are there others who could now help with these tasks? Over the coming weeks we will be encouraging each Church to release someone to serve in the Circuit. Could you be that person?
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