The new Vale of Stour Preaching Plan for the new March to May 2026 quarter
can be found on the Preaching Plans page here.
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New Superintendent for the Vale of Stour Circuit
We are delighted to welcome Rev Jem Hawkins and his wife Wendy, who has joined us as our new Superintendent Minister. We are thrilled to begin this new chapter and look forward to sharing in his ministry among us. Rev Jem now has a page on this site where you can read all about him.
We are pleased to report that Luke Denley has returned to work on a ‘phased’ basis over the coming weeks.
We pray that he will be supported by us all as he recommences his activities with our churches and their communities.
Please also pray for his family, especially Jo and the children. All enquiries to be made through Elaine. - Rev Jem
Wesley Methodist Church has now been sold and has new owners. We give thanks for its life and witness over many years, and for all who worshipped faithfully within its walls. We wish all former members well and are pleased that many have transferred to other churches, in particular Amblecote Wordsley. We are grateful to Mike Sykes, Circuit Property Steward for his hard work throughout the sale process.
All singers from our Vale of Stour Circuit are invited by our sisters and brothers at Shirley to join in “Bring and Sing”, a joint district concert of Stainer and Faure choral music, at Shirley Methodist Church on Saturday 28th March. It’s organised by Adam Sanders, one of the coordinators of last summer’s district merger event at Walsall, and is an opportunity for any Vale of Stour singers who couldn’t attend the Walsall service : a group from Stourbridge Methodist Church (Gig Mill) are definitely planning to participate. An Information Sheet with contact details, and a Poster, are attached.
Visit of the President of Conference
The President of Conference, Revd Richard Andrew, is coming to our District on Saturday 9th of May, at Trinity Methodist Church, Kidderminster, DY10 2JL, when he will be joining with us for 'Our Story, Our Song: Growing your Calling in Worship", a day designed to encourage, equip and inspire everyone involved in worship across our churches. We would like you to help ensure that individuals are given the opportunity to come along to this exciting and inspiring event by sharing publicity for the day with the churches in your circuit and adding details to any social media that you may cover. We appreciate that you will be busy, but this is an important event as we establish ourselves in the new West Midlands District. A poster is attached here.
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Circuit Services
Kingswinford Café Praise - Kingswinford Methodist Church - Sunday 15th March - 6pm - led by Megan Ashmore.
Circuit Palm Praise - Kingswinford Methodist Church - Sunday 29th March - 6pm.
Circuit Pentecost Praise - Kinver Methodist Church - Sunday 24th May - 6pm.
Lenten Worship Sessions
Lent is now upon us. The season of Lent provides us with a special reason for giving time to reflection on the Bible messages and our Christian faith. We are running a series of coffee mornings and cafe worship sessions at Brierley Hill Methodist Church every Wednesday morning during Lent, from 10:30am - 12:00 noon. This will give us the opportunity to socialise but also to worship and discuss some interesting topics.
Kingswinford Methodist Church Quiz
Kingswinford Methodist Church are holding a Quiz on Saturday 28th March at 7pm. Tickets are £5 (available from KMC) and the teams will be up to 6 people. Come as a full team or join with others on the night ! Drinks and biscuits will be provided and there will also be a raffle drawn on the night.
Thanks for the Memories - Music and Singing for our Wellbeing
The circuit welcomes the return of afternoon singing of favourite songs from the past and from the musicals. This will be at Amblecote Wordsley, the next event being on Sunday 29th March, with tea from 3:30pm and singing from 4-5pm. All are welcome.
Circuit Holy Week Walk of Witness – Date for your diary – Wednesday 1st April – led by Rev Michael Payne. Starting at Kinver at 8:30am and ending at Kingswinford at 6pm, followed by a short act of worship at 6:30pm. More details can be found here.
Easter Egg Donation Collections
Amblecote Wordsley Methodist Church is now holding drop-off collections for donated Easter Eggs – Tuesdays from 2pm till 4pm and Sundays from 11:30am till 12 noon - until Tuesday 17th March. A poster is here.
'Anchored' Kinver Youth Group
Kinver Methodist Church have begun a new Youth Group – "Anchored" – for secondary school aged young people. Friday evenings, from 5:30pm - 7pm – See the attached flyer.
Eden Toddler Group at Stourbridge Methodist Church (Gig Mill)
Stourbridge Methodist Church (Gig Mill) - all Moms, Dads, Grandparents, Guardians, you are all welcome to pop in with babies and toddlers to the Eden Toddler group ! The group is held weekly on Fridays, from 9:30am to 11:30am.
We look forward to welcoming you. A poster is here.
Foodbank Collections
Amblecote Wordsley Methodist Church are now holding Foodbank Collections – Tuesdays from 1:30pm till 4pm.
Activities at The United Church Lye
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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.
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Third Tuesday - Discussion Group 7-8pm (very informal, Bible based) contact Revd Chris on 07708 750142
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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.
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.
Full Text 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 Jem and the Team