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 Friday 6th December)

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 December 2024 to February 2025 quarter
can be found on the Links / Preaching Plans page here.

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Dear Circuit Family

I have just returned from conducting the funeral of a beloved member of a number of local Methodist Churches - Val Avenell.  It turns out that she loved Christmas.  So much so that we were all instructed to wear something 'Christmassy!'  In my case a tinsel stole made people smile. 

It is a sadness that the winter often brings with it the passing of those we love in greater numbers, but in faith we give thanks for good and often long lives  (in Val's case 94 years), well lived.  There was a true sense of joy amongst the grief as Val was heard to have said, not long before she died:  "I know where I am going, and I am ready." 

Funerals in Advent are particularly poignant because the great mystery of Christ's birth binds life and death together as Emmanuel - the living word comes to us in this life and in so doing initiates the incredible journey to the cross, salvation and eternal life.

May we be ready for his coming... 

Every blessing for your special events, projects and services in the coming weeks.

Rev Alan and the Circuit Team

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New Superintendent for the Vale of Stour Circuit

Following the Stationing Visit on Saturday 16th November, we are pleased to confirm that Rev Jem Hawkins has been offered and accepted the position from September 2025. We are thrilled and delighted, and we look forward to sharing in his ministry with us. This appointment will now need to be ratified by Conference in June. Rev Jem knows the area well having been stationed in the Dudley and Netherton Circuit some years ago and most recently in the Hidden River Circuit (Walsall combined with Brownhills and Willenhall). Thank you to all the Circuit Invitation and CLT Reps for their work and support. Elaine Panchal and Jill Martin

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A farewell letter from Claire Biggs, our outgoing Childrens and Family Worker, is attached.

As Claire Biggs journey takes her to new pastures, we take a moment to give thanks for all that she has done in so many different churches and areas of circuit life - from AFC to Schools Work, families, Shine Church, holiday clubs to name but a few.  She has been a most excellent colleague, and I know she will miss us as we miss her.

God bless you, Claire.

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UPDATE ON OUR CHRISTMAS TOY COLLECTION at AMBLECOTE WORDSLEY

This last week or so June has been trying unsuccessfully to contact Blackcountry Toy Collection to arrange for the collection of toys that have been kindly donated by our local churches.  Their website says they are ‘permanently closed’ : no reason is given.

Thanks to some detective work by several people another local charity has been found who are more than willing to collect;  They are KIDS CLOTHES PROJECT and are based in Albion Street, Brierley Hill - further details can be found on Facebook.
 

Memorial Services Across the Circuit

It is customary at this time of year to offer memorial services.  Here is advance notice of :

- Kingswinford Memorial Service - TUESDAY 10th December at 7.30pm

This service will offer the opportunity for names of loved ones to be read out and candles to be lit.  All are welcome.
 

Eco Christmas Festival

At Kingswinford Methodist Church on Saturday 7th & Sunday 8th December

Christmas themed displays from re-used materials.

Refreshments available throughout the Festival.
Free Entry. Donations welcomed for A Rocha and the Boiler Fund.

Saturday 7th December - from 10am to 3pm
Including: Christmas craft activities from 10am to 11am & 12pm to 1.30pm
Carols by request: 11am to 12pm & 1.30pm to 2.30pm (get your requests in quick to megan@ashfam.co.uk)

Sunday 8th December - from 12pm to 3pm
Including: Christmas craft activities and display elements available to take for donation

There may still be time to contribute a display to this festival if you would like – either as a group or an individual – contact Megan for details (megan@ashfam.co.uk)
 

UNITED LYE – CHRISTMAS FAYRE – SATURDAY 7TH DECEMBER – 10.30am – 1pm
 

Gentleman Songsters Christmas Concert

At Stourbridge Methodist Church (Gig Mill), on Saturday December 7th at 3pm, the Gentleman Songsters will perform their Christmas Concert. Tickets £10.00, including refreshments, available from John Walley. All welcome. A poster is here.
 

Longing for light at Kinver

You are warmly invited to Advent Kinver Praise at Kinver Methodist Church on Sunday 8th December at 6pm when we will be celebrating Advent themes of light and joy. Light refreshments will be available from 5:40pm.
 

"Sing a Song of Christmas" at Wesley

At Wesley Methodist Church on Tuesday 10th December at 7:15pm, Accord present "Sing a Song of Christmas" concert.  Tickets £5, please book in advance with Margaret Kite (01384 392310), to assist with provision of refreshments.
 

HEADLIGHT Christmas Carols

Headlight present Christmas Carols on Wednesday 11th December at 7:30pm at the Royal British Legion, Summer Hill, Kingswinford. Free admission, with a raffle in aid of The Mary Stevens Hospice – see the attached poster or contact Geoff Harrison.
 

Dudley Wood Methodist Church Christmas Services

Sunday 22 Dec at 6pm : Coffee and Mince Pies, followed by CAROL SERVICE

CHRISTMAS DAY Family Worship 10.00 - 10.30. Everyone welcome.

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

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 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.
 

Friday afternoon Fellowship and Bible Study at Wesley

This group has been running for a while now and new members are always welcome.

We meet weekly at 1.30pm at Wesley Methodist Church, Mount Pleasant, Quarry Bank.
There is informal fellowship over a beverage, time to pray together, and discussion of a Bible passage.
On 5th July we start a six-session course looking at Psalms 1 and 2 in detail, presented on video by Desi Maxwell of Xplorations Ministries. Desi is an engaging speaker who will help you see Scripture in a new light.

If you are free on Friday afternoons and have a desire to know the Bible better, then we look forward to seeing you.
Just turn up or contact Martyn Filsak for more information.

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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.