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 2nd August)

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

------

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 new Vale of Stour Preaching Plan for the June to August 2025 quarter
can be found on the Links / Preaching Plans page here.

-----

Dear Friends

This will be my last letter to you.  I know that we have a farewell service planned and there will be time and opportunity then to make a proper farewell.  So today I wanted to focus on our churches and all that we have sought to do over these past years despite the huge upheaval of Covid and the financial challenges we have faced.

It seems to me, that at the heart of these past years, we have sought to do something that appears simple but requires deep and faithful thinking and effort – and that is to be a truly welcoming church.

This is not simple because it’s about more than a welcome. It’s about seeing God in people that are different from ourselves and going beyond that to value their Christian journey and the gifts skills that new folk might bring into our church fellowship.  It’s about accepting that not all worship will be as we would like it to be but recognising that we must support what feeds others as much as what feeds ourselves.  It’s about being a church that has its head above the parapet and our eyes focused on the horizon, seeing beyond our own needs and issues such that we are connected to our community and enabling us to pray fervently for the problems of the world.  It’s about taking risks and putting things in the hands of God and it’s about being committed to discipleship and prayer.

We all know that church life can be fragile.  That maintaining forward momentum requires everyone to engage, and above all to listen to others.  It requires the stewards and church council to consider options carefully, prayerfully and wisely.  We must be wary of dominant voices that can end up supressing others and we must seek to speak with grace and to find the good things in other people’s ideas. 

Above all I want to give thanks for how you have looked after me and Michele and our ministry as we have sought to serve you.  I pray that you will do the same for Rev Jem and his family and of course for Rev Michael, Rev Chris and Martyn Filsak our local lay pastor.

You will always be in my prayers as you live and serve in the name of Christ.

God bless you all.

Rev Alan

 ---===---

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. 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).
The Circuit Welcome Service for Rev Jem and Wendy Hawkins will take place on Wednesday 3rd September 2025 at Kinver Methodist Church. Light refreshments from 5.30pm with a service from 7pm.  Rev Novette Headley, Co-Chair of the new West Midlands District, will be presiding.  Additional parking will be available on Kinver High School’s grounds opposite the church.
 

Circuit Farewell Service for Rev Alan and Michele

Alan and Michele would like to say;

Thank you to everyone for the kind cards and messages we have received over the past few weeks.  The leaving service was humbling and also a real joy to share in worship together.  The Vale of Stour will be in our prayers, and we think particularly of Rev Jem and his family as they join you in September.

Be strengthened as you strive for perfection,
becoming what you ought to be;
encourage and comfort one another
as you seek to be of one mind and live in peace.
Then the God of love, who is the source of all goodwill, and peace will be with you.  (2 Cor 13:11)

Until Rev Jem officially takes up his station in our Circuit on the 1st September, please refer any urgent matters to Elaine on 07712332075.
 

---===---

New Toddler Group

Stourbridge Methodist Church - Gig Mill are proud to announce to all Moms, Dads, Grandparents, Guardians, that you are all welcome to pop in with babies and toddlers to a new 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.
 

Sunday Evening Reflective Service on 3rd August

There will be a Sunday Evening Reflective Service at Stourbridge Methodist Church - Gig Mill at 6pm, led by Rev Michael Payne – All Welcome.
 

Kinver Praise

Kinver Praise on Sunday 10th August will be a special service of prayer for the people of Gaza. There will be lots of time and space for prayer, including prayer in silence. Refreshments will be available from 5:30pm and the service led by Rev Andrew Roberts and will begin at 6pm. All will be welcome.
 

AFC Charity walk

Action For Children announce a Charity Walk on Saturday August 23rd, starting at 9am from the Methodist Church, Kinver.  The walk will be along the Kinver to Wolverley canal towpath, with a planned lunch stop, and there are two lengths of walk you can take.  A poster is here.
 

New District Launch and Welcome Service

New District Launch and Welcome Service – Saturday 30th August at 3pm at Walsall Methodist Central Hall. All are welcome to attend. If Circuit Stewards are attending you are asked to bring a strip of coloured fabric 5cm width, 1 metre length to be used in the service to signify our merged Districts. We will also be welcoming the new Chair of the District, Rev Rachel Deigh.
 

Thanks for the Memories - Music and Singing for our Wellbeing

The circuit is delighted to announce the launch of Monthly afternoon singing of favourite songs from the past and from the musicals.  This will be at Amblecote Wordsley, the next event being on Sunday 31st August, with tea from 3:30 and singing from 4-5pm.  All are welcome - see attached poster.
 

Community Tea

Stourbridge Methodist Church - Gig Mill present a new Community Tea initiative, Time For Tea - on Tuesday 2nd September from 2:30pm – 4pm and monthly thereafter on the first Tuesday of the month.  A poster is attached.

---===---

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.

---===---

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.