Links


Latest News from the Methodist Church
https://www.methodist.org.uk/

Latest News on Justice and Public Issues
https://jpit.uk/

Questions on the Christian Faith
https://www.christianity.org.uk/

 

A Pastoral Message on facing Changing the Church - YouTube link
courtesy of our District Chair, Rev Rachel Parkinson

Methodist Church centrally provided resources - to help nourish your spiritual life on a daily and weekly basis

A Green Recovery - a call from Methodist Faith Leaders 

Justice for all - take a look at the Church's perspective on Justice in the light of recent events across the world…

(Links updated Saturday 4th May)

Please click on any of the links below, to go to...

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Please be aware that some of the links on this page may take you to external sites, and although they have been checked,
the Vale of Stour Circuit is not responsible for their contents.

CIRCUIT NEWS

The Vale of Stour Preaching Plan for the March to May 2024 quarter
can be found on the Links / Preaching Plans page here.

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Dear Circuit Family

Elections are underway all over the country today.  There are those who say faith and politics should not mix - and history has indeed shown cases where a distortion of both has created very dangerous situations, but we also know that Jesus consistently throughout his ministry sought out, spoke out for and cared for the poor,  the marginalised, the dispossessed and those treated unjustly.

In this context we are called to engage in a wider view of salvation that is be rooted in the creation of a good, right and fair society.  As a colleague in the Latin America church  once said - “what good is it is we speak of the salvation of someone’s soul and ignore the fact that they are starving?”.

So, whatever our politics we should engage in the process, thinking carefully about who represents us and who makes and enacts the policies that ultimately form and mould the balance of our country’s culture.

We approach today prayerfully, seeking to respect the views of others and the outcomes of the democratic process.

Every blessing to you all as you vote.

A Prayer for Today 

Loving God, we face many choices

Be with us as we consider the options
weigh the arguments
and assess the claims and the candidates.

But also prompt us to listen:
to the voices on the margins
to the cry of the earth
and to those who reach a different conclusion to us.

God, we pray that you would stimulate our minds
stir our hearts and sanctify our choosing.

Help us also to remember
your command to love our neighbours
both during and after this vote.  Amen

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The latest Newsletter from Claire Biggs, our Childrens and Family Worker, is attached.

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Kinver Praise

It is so encouraging to see a growing number of people coming from near and far and from a variety of churches to share in this relaxed and varied time of worship, prayer and learning together. If you have not been before, you would be very welcome. Our next Kinver Praise is at  Kinver Methodist Church on Sunday 12th May at 6pm with refreshments from 5:40pm. We will be exploring the theme of Come Holy Spirit. The service will be led by Rev Andrew Roberts and Semi-tones of Praise. The postcode for the Church is DY7 6BU.
 

Wollaston Ladies' Circle

Wollaston Ladies Circle are holding their 1000th meeting on Monday 13th May !  Congratulations to them !  Please note this event is fully booked.

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Activities at Brierley Hill Methodist Church

Brierley Hill Methodist Church begin a weekly Men’s Fellowship Group, on Tuesdays from 2:00pm-3:30pm.  Initial activities are Chess, Dominoes, Local History or Current Affairs, Music, Poetry, Quizzes, Bible study and Bible meditation.  A leaflet is attached here with more information !  "All are welcome in this place."
 

Activities at Providence Methodist Church

Providence Fellowship Group extend a very warm welcome for anyone to come along and share time together, held on alternate Mondays from 10.30am till 12noon. There is normally a speaker. Refreshments are available. For more information please contact Judith Morris 01384 561020.

Providence Brunch Club will be restarting again in March 2024, weather permitting. See the attached poster for more details.
 

Activities at The United Church Lye

First Tuesday of the month - 2-3 pm Tuesday Club, informal gathering with different activities each month. Cost is £2 : contact Jacqueline Hill for details 0780 1030844 or Elizabeth Long 07928 808772.

Third Tuesday - Discussion Group 7-8pm (very informal, Bible based) contact Revd Chris on 07708 750142

The Luncheon Club now meets each Friday at 11am, 3 course meal plus friendship all for £5. Contact Margaret Mullett on 07904 514764.

Events are open to all.
 

Amblecote Wordsley Methodist Church are now holding Foodbank Collections – Tuesdays from 1:30pm till 4pm.

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VOS Virtual Platform - Please Make Use of the Circuit Online Meeting Space - It's free, funded by the circuit...

Alongside VoSWorship, the Circuit Platform has been undergoing an update thanks to the CTC team and I encourage churches to use this FREE resource - funded by the circuit for online gatherings such as Bible Study, Prayer, Games Nights etc.  It's a fantastic and easy to use environment and there are many folk already trained across the circuit who can open a room for you to host your event / meeting.
 

God bless you all and may you know the sustaining presence of God in your lives.
 

Rev Alan Combes

ONLINE Service

We are no longer providing a weekly pre-recorded circuit service.  However, for anyone unable to attend church or access online services; we attach a full text version of a service for you to use at home.

We also recommend any of the following for those of you still unable to get to church :
 

ONLINE Service Live-streamed from Kinver.

This will be the first video (on the left) under UPLOADS > PLAY ALL at the following site :
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZnnIcxNLSP5VXyOGBeuxMA

The most recent online services are the other videos found on the same page.

The dates of all the Kinver services are shown beneath each video thumbnail.
 

Wesley's Chapel’s YouTube channel has a livestreamed service at 11am on Sundays and Morning Prayer services the rest of the week at 10am.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUAUqhmhevz5sqhh72LIMxA
Again, this will be the first video (on the left) under HOME > Past live streams, and the most recent online services are the other videos found on the same page.

The dates of all the Wesley services are shown beneath each video thumbnail.
 

All previously archived live-streamed and recorded services can be found on the Circuit Website Virtual Player: 
https://www.valeofstour.org.uk/virtual-church/player
 

Order of Service
For anyone unable to attend or watch any services in person, this week's full Order of Service is here.
 

Coffee and a Chat

If you are interested in online coffee on a Sunday, please talk to any of the circuit staff and let us know what time would work for you and we can look at a time that would suit the majority of people.

Thanks to all those working in the background.

We look forward to seeing you on Sunday as we continue to pray for our communities, the church and ourselves.

God bless

Rev Alan and the Team


 

NEW LINKS

Ministers' and Preachers' Reflections, Sermons, and Orders of Service
~~updated~~

For earlier Worship Resources and Reflections, see the archive page here.