Coronavirus and COVID-19
Here you will find the most recent news relating to our church family. On the Worship at Home page and the Junior Church at Home page there's a collection of ideas and materials to support us as we worship "together but separately" in response to the health crisis. If you haven't done so already, why don't you sign up for the Circuit's weekly newsletter.
Anything you see on these pages that's underlined is a link - click it to go to what's being described.
Church Re-Opening
As soon as we have information about how and when our church building can re-open you will find it on this page. Please continue to be patient. To make sure everyone is safe the process is detailed. If you are interested in what is involved, follow these links to read the guidance from Methodist Trustees and the guidance for church property managers.
With things changing every few days at the moment this note from Revd Stephen and Revd Malcolm for 13 September captures the latest from the Methodist Church.
If you need help let someone in the church family know your situation
Getting in touch
As well as all the options on the regular Contact us page, if you have an urgent concern or need help please call or text Chris on 07710 170278
Hospital visiting is restricted. If you can't get to see someone in the QE, Heartlands, Solihull or Good Hope hospitals you can email Revd Kathryn Darby of the UHB Chaplaincy Team or call and leave a message for the team on 0121 424 7676 or for Revd Kathryn on 0121 386 5612
Do you WhatsApp? Lots more of us do now than ever did before. There are two church WhatsApp groups that you might want to join to keep up with news and share fellowship. One is just for notifications from the office, and the other is a busy mutual support group where we share news, prayers, ideas, uplifting thoughts every day. If you want to be added to either or both call or text Peter on 07966 875585
Prayer Line
If you would like someone to pray for you, or with you, or for a particular concern that is on your heart
call the prayer line number which is 07942 581223
email the prayer line at fomcprayer@gmail.com
FOMC Updates
Weekly notices come out as usual and can be sent to you by email. If you don't already subscribe please email the office and ask to go on the mailing list. There's a copy of this week's edition here.
The report of the 2020 Methodist Conference which this year took place online has now been published and you can read a copy by clicking here. For this week's Methodist News, click here. For news from the Joint Public Issues Team click here. For news from Taizé click here.
Funerals have become a new challenge as most of us will be unable to attend funerals at present. A church publication containing reflections and prayers is available, and you can open a copy by clicking here.
Church Giving can continue if you are able to contribute to our running costs. You can still donate by text (see the Giving page) or you can set up a standing order or make a donation directly to our account - contact the office for the account details.
Erdington Foodbank - Our Circuit is supporting a food bank in Erdington which has unprecedented demand. Contact Revd Stephen directly, or via the WhatsApp Group, or via Peter or Chris (above) to make donations.
The Messenger, our monthly magazine has been paused. But we now plan to produce a paper version for distribution in November. Have you written an article during Lockdown? Have you got something to publicise? Have you got anything you would like to share with the church family - some news, a greeting, a thank you, a request? Now is your chance! Email it to the Messenger or click the big orange button. Contributions by 16 October please.
Birmingham City Mission - we are now delivering to BCM again. Click here to see their shopping list. Donations of food and toiletries can be left in Ian and Sue's porch and we will deliver them as soon as we can. Contact us using the big orange button if you need the address. Thank you.
Shoeboxes - yes those can still happen. If you would like to donate to this year’s shoebox appeal please pack items into an average sized shoebox and drop off at church on a Tuesday or Thursday morning between 9.30 am and 12.30 pm. If we could have your donations by Thursday 29th October it would be greatly appreciated. You can download the leaflet here. Please could you include £4 per box towards the transportation costs. Thank you.
Click the button to email us anything you would like to add:
Big Charity Sale
So many of the causes we support have been starved of funds during Lockdown. As soon as we can safely do it we want to have a massive charity sale to help. We can't tell you yet when that will be, but Peter can tell you how you can help.
A Prayer
This earth, a delicate sphere filled with light and life, all of it yours; a home and safe haven, where life may grow and flourish, all of it yours; a place where rains fall, lightning strikes and the sun shines, all of it yours.
This earth, all of it amazing, all lovingly created and all of it yours.
We offer you our love, Lord God, and all of it is yours.
Amen
Loraine Mellor, Nottingham and Derby District Chair.
In Memoriam
Revd Stephen is maintaining a memorial page on the Circuit website of those we have sadly lost during this difficult time. Please let him know if there is anyone we should add who is not already remembered there. In time we will be able to join together to celebrate and thank God for these lives and remember the ways they have enriched our own. In the meantime we hold them all in our hearts and ask God to bring comfort to those who are mourning.
Those who wish to remember the life and service of the Reverend Dr John Taylor, our own cloth-cap theologian, may do so here.