Coronavirus and COVID-19

Here's all the recent news about our church family. Anything we've underlined is a link to more details.

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If you don't already receive it, why don't you sign up for the Circuit's weekly newsletter. That's the best way to keep up to date with everything that's going on. 

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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. 

On the Worship at Home page and the Junior Church at Home page there's lots of ideas and materials to support us as we worship "together but separately" in response to the health crisis.  

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Church Re-Opening

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If you are interested in what is involved in resuming worship, follow these links to read the guidance from Methodist Trustees and the guidance for church property managers. Please bear in mind that with fresh announcements from the Government and new developments being issued all the time, this guidance is being updated regularly.

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If you need help let someone in the church family know your situation

Getting in touch

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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

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Hospital visiting is restricted. If you can't get to see someone in the QE, Heartlands, Solihull or Good Hope hospitals please get in touch with Stephen or Marilyn. If they can't visit either, they can contact the UHB Chaplaincy Team.

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Do you WhatsApp? There are two church WhatsApp groups that you might want to join to keep up with news and share fellowship. One just has notifications from the office, the other is a busy support group where we share news, prayers, ideas, uplifting thoughts every day. To be added to either or both call or text Peter on 07966 875585

FOMC Updates

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• For this week's Methodist News, click here. 

• To open a copy of the Autumn edition of Connexion Magazine, click here.

• Stay up to date with the Joint Public Issues Team by clicking here.

• For this month's Singing the Faith+ newsletter, click here.

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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.

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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.

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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. In recent weeks, as well as many bags of shopping, church members have collected £430 - thank you so much.

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The Messenger - We have produced a paper version for distribution. You may already have received a copy from your pastoral visitor or another church volunteer. If you haven't and you would like a copy please email the office. If you have been inspired to write something for the next one (which will come out at the beginning of February) you can submit it by clicking here.

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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.

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Toy Service - our traditional start to Advent won't be able to take place this year, but we would still like to collect toys for the Sunshine Playgroup in Nechells and Birmingham City Mission. Please can you bring any new or nearly new (in a good state of repair and complete) toys to church by Saturday 12th December. If you could include wrapping paper with an elastic band where possible it would be appreciated. If you wrap your present please will you make sure that it is clearly labelled with the sex and age of the child it is intended for. Thank you so much for your generosity!

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MHA - this year, instead of sending Christmas cards to residents, MHA is going online to minimise the risk of infection. We are invited to upload a festive photo to their site here - a winter scene, a nativity scene, your Christmas tree, your family wearing their Christmas jumpers, anything you can think of that might cheer someone who is lonely this Christmas. If you can give someone the gift of friendship this year, MHA will do the rest. 

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Junior Church Leaders - please click here for the updated guidance on social media communications.

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3Generate 365 - this is the Methodist Church's initiative to resource and support ministry amongst young people, never more important when we're all worshipping separately. Click here to find out more.

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Click the button to email us anything you would like to add:

In Memoriam

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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.

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On 8 October we said a sad farewell to our friend Catherine Page. In the current circumstances most of us joined the moving service which celebrated Catherine's life by the live stream, and so missed the chance to see this beautiful montage of photographs and music which allowed those present to share memories of Catherine and enjoy her trademark smile.

Those who wish to remember the life and service of the Reverend Dr John Taylor, our own cloth-cap theologian, may do so here.