FOMC News

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Sunday morning worship is moving back into the Large Hall although you'll still find us worshipping in church on some Sundays in December. Check out the Come to Church page for any changes.

 

​Some Diary Dates

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• Zoom Bible Study - third Wednesday of the month, 7.45 pm for an 8.00 pm start, finishes around 9.00 though th link stays open for those wishing to chat - details for the link and passcode from Diana B or the office 

• Men's Meeting - last Friday of the month 7.30 pm in the garden room we have now called Hillfield - come along to enjoy some fellowship with gentlemen of all ages. This is a purely social event, very informal and largely taken up with impromptu chat. Not everyone who attends is a regular on Sunday mornings and everyone is welcome. Deacon Marilyn is guest of honour on 24 November, the last meeting until January.

• Zoom Prayer Group - don't forget this opportunity every other Wednesday (link and password in the weekly notices), join for as long as you wish and pray quietly or aloud as you feel comfortable

• Monthly Bible Study - meets in the Bennett Lounge monthly, 12-2.00 pm (details in the notices). Come along to be part of the discussion, get in touch through the office if you would like to ask anything about it or need encouragement.

• Christmas Raffle - tickets are available from any of the Stewards or after Sunday services from 26 November and the prizes will be drawn after the service on Sunday 17 December. The prizes look good and they have all be donated so your ticket price goes straight to the charities we support throughout the year.

• Toy Service - the traditional start of our special services around Christmas -  join us for our Sunday morning service on 3 December, and if you are able to bring along a (new) toy that you can donate. The toys we collect are distributed to needy families in Birmingham by local charities. Practical donations of tape and wrapping paper are also very welcome.

• Lessons and music for Advent - we are invited to Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church on Sunday 3 December at 3.00 pm, with music by the Half Circle Singers

• Crafty Christmas - on Saturday 9 December the usual Saturday morning drop-in from 10.00-12.30 will have quite an artistic and seasonal twist - you can make Christmas cards and learn how to upcycle things like vases and frames. Without wanting to give away any secrets about the Big Man's schedule, there's a rumour that smaller guests might have chance to meet Santa... 

• Carols around the fire pit - join us on Saturday 16 December at 4.00 pm to sing carols around the fire pit and enjoy hot drinks and baked potatoes.​

• The Vincents' Christmas Concert - on Saturday 16 December at 6.00 pm - tickets just £5 which you'll know is an absolute bargain if you were lucky enough to see their last concert.  

• Advance notice - the big charity pound stall from 10.00 am on Saturday 27 January - put it in your new 2024 calendar now - more details to come. We're not saying that you definitely WILL get a Christmas present you don't really want, but if by any chance you did, then this would be a fabulous way of introducing it to someone who might love it more than you did, and you could raise some cash for our favourite charities at the same time.

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Christmas Meals - Deacon Marilyn and her amazing Christmas elves will again be making Christmas lunches in our kitchen on Christmas morning and delivering them with love to people all over our circuit. If you would like to receive a lunch on Christmas Day let Marilyn know your name and your address and postcode as soon as you can (and please tell her if you need a vegetarian meal). If you would like to join the elves who make and deliver these meals, also let Marilyn know. There are also opportunities to help with this work beforehand and to support it financially if you are able to  make a donation. See here for Deacon Marilyn's contact details, or just tell her when you see her.

 

Circuit Kids meets usually on the third Sunday every month at Kingstanding Church from 3.00 to 5.00 pm. It is aimed at children aged 4-11. You can check the dates on the Circuit Bulletin. If you don't already receive it, why not sign up for it on this link.

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Monday Fellowship meets on Mondays in the Bennett Lounge at 2.00. The Fellowship has a programme of speakers and events.  Come along and renew old friendships or make new ones.

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Flower Guild meets monthly and members and visitors warmly welcomed. Get in touch with the office for more details.

 

Saturday Drop-In 10.00 am to noon on Saturday mornings. Drop in for as long as you can spare to the famous Bacon Butty Fellowship, for a second breakfast (which can be healthier than a bacon butty if you like!) or just for a chat. There's also a chance to have a game of chess or play table tennis or other games if you like - but that IS optional! 

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The Messenger magazine is going bi-monthly now, so will be out every other month. Send us your news, articles, memories, good wishes, stories, thank-you messages, requests, prayers, events, and anything else you would like the church family to know about. Can you match Ian's Christmas Trivia with useless knowledge about something else? Do you know lots about an unusual subject like Brian does about lighthouses? Got a tricky puzzle or a funny joke? How about sharing a recipe? Send your contributions to the office or just by clicking the big orange button below to email us.

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Not everyone in church is comfortable online, and this is a chance to engage with everyone! 

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Incidentally, you can have the Messenger by email if you prefer - tell your Pastoral Visitor or the office.

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Toddler Group meets on Thursday mornings during school term times from 9.30-11.30 am. Contact the office for details or just turn up.

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Luncheon Club meets monthly on Tuesdays at the end of the month - get in touch through the office if you don't have the details. 

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Ladies Friendship meets on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month from 7.30 pm in the Bennett Lounge at church - get in touch through the office if you don't have the details.

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Church Giving If you can contribute to our running costs that would be fantastic. Aside from room lettings, donations are our only way of funding our activities and paying our bills. A change in banking practice means that we are charged for paying in cash and cheques now, so you can help us avoid costs by using a standing order for regular contributions or online banking or the church payment terminal for one-off donations. (If anyone ever mentions "showing their card to Donna" Donna is what the terminal is called!) Please consider adding Gift Aid if you qualify.

 

We can also accept online donations - click here.

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Financial worries are affecting many in our community, more so now than ever. Even as some day to day effects of the pandemic seem to be easing the financial position for many is worsening with rising prices, especially for fuel, energy and groceries. If you need advice, or know someone who does, please click here for contact details to receive confidential (and free) advice on the telephone from advisers working in partnership with Birmingham City Council.

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Birmingham City Mission - We deliver donations regularly to BCM. Click here to see their shopping list. Donations of food and toiletries can be left in the box in church by the office or, as during the various pandemic lockdowns, in Ian and Sue's porch (contact us using the big orange button if you need the address). Ian and Sue, or Susie in the office, are also able to receive cash donations for BCM if that is easier for you - we'll ask the Mission what they need most urgently and go shopping! Thank you for your unflagging generosity in these worrying times.

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Church Floodlighting - if you're interested in sponsoring the floodlighting you can always contact the office.

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• For up to the minute news from the Methodist Church click here.

• To open a copy of the Winter 2023/24 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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