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 17th 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 2025 quarter
can be found on the Links / Preaching Plans page here.

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Dear Circuit Family

As many of you will know - Rev Michael Payne is a life-long Methodist minister, having served faithfully in a wide range of appointments over more than 35 years of ministry.  It is difficult to imagine this level of self-sacrifice and commitment to churches, circuits and communities in the range of stations to which Michael has been called.

It is in this context of long and faithful service that Michael has spoken to both me and the District Chair in reflecting upon what year he should sit down.  And after a lot of thinking, reflecting and praying he has decided to seek permission to retire from active ministry in August 2026.   For us, in the Vale of Stour this will be one year earlier than originally planned but will still represent the gift of many years of constancy of service to a circuit that has previously experienced quite a lot of turnovers of ministers.   The CLT and the Circuit Invitation Committee have therefore graciously supported this request.

Clearly this has not been an easy decision to make but Michael and Anita feel it is the right decision for them and also for Michael in terms of his health.  They are very grateful for the love and support they have experienced here in the Vale of Stour and Michael looks forward to the next 14 months of ministry.

We hold Michael and Anita in our prayers, and we are very grateful that he has made his decision early which allows us to enter the normal stationing cycle for 2026 which begins around now.   This means that between now and September the CLT and the Circuit Invitation Committee will work on a new Profile for a minister to come and replace Michael in the summer of 2026.

MEANWHILE a number of people have asked about the new Super and so this is also a good time to highlight the normal sequence of events for the changeover of ministers at the end of an appointment...

Rev Alan & Michele's leaving service will be on Saturday July 12th - with a 4pm tea and a 6pm service at Kingswinford.  Alan's last Sunday will be the 20th of July and then he and Michele will move immediately in order to allow time and room for the Beaubrook Gardens Manse to receive some much-needed refurbishments before Rev Jem Hawkins and his family move in during August.

Ministers in transition are given August as a time to move house (which can be exhausting) - and so Rev Jem will formally begin his ministry in the Vale of Stour as the new Superintendent on 1st of September 2025.

Meanwhile, Maryn Filsak our Local Lay Pastor, Rev Chris Watson at United Lye and Rev Michael will continue their ministry amongst you.

We give thanks for all who serve us and work alongside us in Church life.

Every Blessing.

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
 

Rev Alan’s Circuit leaving service

Rev Alan’s Circuit leaving service has been arranged for Saturday 12th July at Kingswinford (originally the 13th ; please note change of date). There will be a tea from 4pm, followed by a Circuit Service at 6pm. Further details will be made available in due course.
 

District Chair Finishing Her Term of Office

Rev Rachel Parkinson will be finishing as District Chair this summer after many years of faithful and caring service. Her leaving service will be on Saturday 26th July (location to be confirmed).
As part of a surprise gift for her a quilted blanket will be created by Sue Culver and will contain single sentence prayers of blessing or greeting that have been offered by folk across the district (approximately three per circuit).   So - if you would like to offer a sentence of thanksgiving / prayer / greeting for Rachel, please email Rev Alan.  We cannot guarantee it will be included but we will gather up offerings and send them on.  Thank you.

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Kingswinford Café Worship

You are warmly invited to the next Kingswinford Café Worship service on Sunday 18th May at 6pm. The service will be led by Rev Alan Combes.
 

Circuit Easter Offering Dedication Service

The Circuit Easter Offering Dedication Service is being held at Kinver Methodist Church on Wednesday 21st May at 2:30pm, all are welcome.
 

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.
 

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 25th May, with tea from 3:30 and singing from 4-5pm.  All are welcome - see attached poster.
 

Circuit Concert - Scratch Choir singing 'Solomon the Peaceful King'

Circuit Concert UPDATE - Change of DATE

The NEW DATE for the Circuit Concert will be Saturday June 14th - 7pm at New Road Methodist.

Come and join a scratch choir to sing 'Solomon the Peaceful King' on Saturday June 14th - 7pm at SMC - New Road

Rev Alan and the team invite you to attend, enjoy, sing / contribute to a circuit wide concert... Churches / groups are invited to offer an item or two of entertainment!

So... This is an extra appeal to anyone or any group who might like to offer an 'item' to the proposed summer concert!  Poetry, comedy, music - all offers would be welcome... And of course, WHY not join the circuit scratch choir (you don't need to read music but there are parts to learn if you do!) to learn and sing the centre piece of the concert: 'Solomon the Peaceful King' by John Pantry.   Rehearsals will be on Sundays 4, 11 & 18 May from 3-5pm at New Road. 

Let's make something special together - offering in aid of Ukraine. 

Please contact Rev Alan directly to let him know church offerings and if you will join the choir.
 

The Story of Zacchaeus at Kinver

Kinver Methodist Church present ZAC, a new musical by Roger Jones, about the story of Zacchaeus, on Sunday 29th June at 6:00 pm.
Admission free, but please book in advance. Sign up at Kinver church or via the website www.potterscross.com. A poster is here with more information.

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Stourbridge Methodist Church Open Mic Night - We're thinking about doing an Open Mic Night, venue to be decided, but we want to see if there’s enough interest to make it happen!
Whether you’re a musician, poet, comedian, or just someone who loves a good night of live performances, we’d love to hear from you.
If you’d be up for performing, please take a moment to fill out this quick form: https://forms.gle/E1NGZuhDMUBNaw4P6
It’ll help us gauge interest and decide if it’s something worth putting together.  Feel free to share with anyone who might be interested!
Looking forward to seeing what you think.

Liam Hodgetts
liam.hodgetts212@gmail.com
 

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.

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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.