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 11th 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

This morning in staff prayers we prayed for the trees, forests, seas and animals of the world who have no voice or say in their future unless we speak and act for them.  It prompted me to read the following short article on the Methodist Website…

In the village of Mortimer, nestled in the English countryside of the Southampton Methodist District, there is a new grassroots initiative called Greening Mortimer which is aimed at uniting residents in a shared mission to combat climate change through sustainable community action.

Led by Mortimer Methodist Church (that received its Gold A-Rocha Eco-Church Award in 2023) and inspired by the Greening Campaign in neighbouring Hampshire, Greening Mortimer is seeking to empower individuals to make a tangible difference by incorporating eco-friendly practices into their daily lives.

Alison Richardson, chair of the Greening Mortimer group says
“The news about climate change can feel so overwhelming that it's easy to think there's nothing one person can do. But our approach is to break it down into accessible steps and focus on the little changes we can make locally in our community – whether it's conserving energy, reducing waste, or nurturing our local environment."

I am delighted that several of our churches are engaging with the A-Rocha Eco-Church programme.  This is truly a global problem that needs grass roots action.  I wonder how we can individually and collectively impact the ecological profile of the West Midlands.

We pray together for our precious planet which God has given into our hands as curators and protectors.

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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.
 

An Invitation - What is our faith?

A five-week course at Overend Methodist Mission - open to all, starting on Saturday May 18th, 10-12.30pm, with further sessions on May 25 and June 1, 8 and 15.  This is an invitation to anyone who wants to explore the core of our faith afresh in a small group on Saturday mornings at Overend Methodist Church – led by Reverend Alan and others.  This series will support those new to faith as well as those who have been in church a long time.  We will consider Trinity - God, the life and work of Jesus, the Bible, the Church and our faith lived out in the world.   It is therefore also ideal as a confirmation class.
 

Thy Kingdom Come

As part of the annual global ecumenical call to prayer (Thy Kingdom Come) Christians are being encouraged to gather at Kingswinford Methodist Church on Pentecost Sunday, 19th May – 4pm to 5.30pm – to join with voices around the UK to pray the Lord’s prayer together.  Kingswinford Methodist are inviting people to come from 4pm to delve into the Lord’s prayer via creative activities (with refreshments of course!).  This will culminate in gathering together outside around the cross from 5.15pm for the massed ‘pray’ of the Lord’s prayer at 5.30pm.  The activities will be suitable for all ages.  It would be very useful to have some idea of numbers, so if you are planning to attend, please could you email kmc.communityevents@gmail.com and let us know.

Note that this event will be followed by our normal Café worship at 6pm (which includes tea/coffee and cake!) led by Rev Andrew Roberts and supported by ItL.
 

The Real ‘Allo ‘Allo

Wednesday 5th June – 7.30pm – Kingswinford Methodist Church

A talk by John Pitwood about his father’s experience of being helped to escape France during WWII by the French Resistance – a story of awe-inspiring courage.  Tea/coffee provided from 7.15pm.  No tickets – just donations to the Boiler Fund welcome on the day.
 

Summer Voices by Voices in Harmony

Voices in Harmony, a local 60-strong mixed voice choir, will be presenting a summer concert, “Summer Voices”, to include a variety of music to suit all tastes, at Kingswinford Methodist Church on Saturday 8 June at 7pm.
Tickets are now offered for sale at £7 each (including refreshments) and can be obtained from Judith Tyler.  Please email judith.tyler@yahoo.co.uk or text 07941 540361 to request tickets.

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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.