Bishop's Comment

The Five Es of Vocation
Last Sunday was Vocation Sunday – a time when the Church encouraged people to reflect on their role as co-workers with God in the world - writes Bishop David in the Birmingham Post on Saturday April 19th.  More>

Topical Comment

Military Policies adding to Pressure on Christians in the Middle East
The military policy of the west, our policies on asylum seekers and Islamophobia are all adding to the pressure on Christian communities in the Middle East, supporters of the BibleLands Charity were reminded at a recent conference held at Lambeth Palace.  More>

News

Just passing through
28 May 2008
Roy Smart is planning to undertake a sponsored journey using the new national bus pass to raise funds for The Children's Society.   More>

New Eco-congregation website launched
09 May 2008
The new Eco-congregation website is now up and running.   More>

Christian Aid Week : Sunday May 11th – Saturday May 17th 2008
05 May 2008
Which is Britain’s biggest house-to house collection, involving more than a quarter of a million people? The answer? Christian Aid Week.   More>

Whitsun Walkers to Bless City
30 April 2008
Christians from across the region will be converging on Birmingham Cathedral in a move to mark Pentecost, or Whitsun, with a special Hope 08 celebration.  More>

Campaign Launched to bring Brummies Back to Church.
28 April 2008
The Diocese of Birmingham is launching “Back 2 Church Sunday” campaign this week, building on the success of a pilot project run in 2007.  More>

Prayers for asthma victims and sufferers
28 April 2008
World Asthma Day is held on the first Tuesday in May every year. The George Coller Memorial Fund is proposing to make Sunday May 4th an occasion when local churches in Birmingham will include prayers for asthma victims and sufferers and those who grieve as a result of losing a relative from asthma especially the parents.  More>

Update from the Church of England
28 April 2008
A monthly update from the Communications Unit of the Church of England.  More>

20 years of action in the poorest communities: Church Urban Fund Sunday, 1st June 2008
25 April 2008
Church Urban Fund is inviting churches across the country to join them in prayer and action and celebrate 20 years of supporting people in England’s poorest communities.   More>

Notification of Appointments
23 April 2008
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The Quiet Garden Movement
23 April 2008
Quiet Gardens offer a variety of local venues where there is an opportunity to set aside time to rest and to pray.   More>

Small Advertisements
21 April 2008
Items for sale, wanted and other small adverts.  More>

CHURCH LEADERS, POLITICIANS AND A COMEDIAN LAUNCH DROP THE DEBT FAST
17 April 2008
A fast for the worlds most indebted countries was launched in Birmingham on Saturday as the city began the countdown to the 10th Anniversary of the G8 Summit when protesters formed a human chain around the ICC as global leaders debated issues of world poverty and debt relief.   More>

Church Commissioners’ loan schemes
14 April 2008
The Church Commissioners’ Assets Committee wishes to give notice of its decision, in principle, to close some of the Commissioners’ loan schemes to new business (with existing borrowers unaffected).  More>

Courses

MA and Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Theology
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3D Course
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Leading your Church into Growth 2008
A 4 day course for clergy & lay leaders from across different traditions and denominations who are looking for help and encouragement in leading their church into growth.  More>

MA in the Theology of Mission and Ministry
The MA in Theology of Mission and Ministry is a 12 months full-time programme commencing in September. It may also be undertaken on a part-time basis over 24-48 months.   More>

The Midlands Centre for Youth Ministry
The Midlands Centre for Youth Ministry based at St John's Nottingham is looking for both students and placements for their courses in Youth and Community Work and Applied Theology.   More>

Postgraduate Diploma in Pastoral Counselling
A part-time course, integrating professional counselling training with theological understanding of human process and development.  More>

Greek in a week!
14 - 18 July 2008 brings another chance to attend this enjoyable ‘crash course’.   More>

Events

Match, Mismatch and Rematch: An exploration of the Interactive Processes between Parent and Baby, and Therapist and Parent.
10/05/2008
Time: 10 - 12.45 pm. Contemporary Jungians in Practice. Please book in advance. Visit website: www.wmip.org  More>

Fan the Flame Family Event
10/05/2008
Time: 10 am to 12 noon Everyone is welcome to come and join the Children's Ministry team in the fun of learning and sharing together in worship, exploration, craft activities and birthday cake! There will be activities suitable for all ages. See website: www.solihullparish.org.uk  More>

Affirming Catholicism in the West Midlands
10/05/2008
Beginning with a Eucharist at 12 noon then lunch, a guided tour and Evensong at 4pm. All welcome. Please let Rowena Pailing or Peter Kaye know if you intend to come: Tel: Rowena - 0121 356 7998 email: rowena.pailing@queens.oxon.org or Tel: Peter - 0121 443 1371 email: peterakaye@googlemail.com  More>

Pentecost Prayer Event
11/05/2008
Start: 4 - 5.30 pm Bishop David Urquhart and Archbishop Vincent Nichols host a city-wide prayer event in the grounds of the cathedral, with many planning to prayer walk into the city from surrounding areas. Full details on the website: www.hope08birmingham.org   More>

Child Protection Training Sessions - Child Protection Awareness Raising
12/05/2008
Start: 7.00 pm. This course aims to address specific issues related to child protection in a church setting. For anyone who co-ordinates, supervises, leads or assists work with children and young people.   More>

Tuesday Talks
13/05/2008
Start: 1.10 pm. With The Revd Canon Peter Howell-Jones  More>

Holy Communion
14/05/2008
Start: 1.10 pm.  More>

Wholeness and Healing Service
15/05/2008
Start: 1.10 pm.  More>

Back to Church Sunday training event
17/05/2008
Start: 2.30 pm.   More>

Church Flower Arranging Demonstration
17/05/2008
Start: 11.00am Including light refreshments, raffle of flowers afterwards Proceeds to Birmingham Cathedral Flower Fund  More>

70th birthday celebrations at St. Leonard's Marston Green
17/05/2008
Saturday and Sunday. A Flower Festival depecting "Weddings". The Church will be open 10am - 6pm Saturday and 11am - 6pm Sunday. There will also be a Market Day from 10am on Saturday with dancing by the local Infant School. On Sunday at 10am we all be having a united Parish Communion with our friends from the Baptist free Church in Marston Green.  More>

Visit to The Holocaust Centre, Nottinghamshire
17/05/2008
Set off from Birmingham at 8am and from Nottingham at 4.00 pm. The Holocaust Centre provides a range of facilities for people to explore the history and implications of the Holocaust. It houses a permanent exhibition on the Nazi period and offers space for reflection in the Memorial Garden. You must book your place.   More>

Not for Sale Sunday - Churches Alert to Sex Trafficking across Europe
18/05/2008
Clergy will be interested to know that free quality downloadable resources are now available on our website www.notforsalesunday.org • addressing ‘Demand’ • releasing resources • raising awareness • educating for a change • confronting sexual exploitation  More>

Journey to Justice
18/05/2008
Start: 2.30 pm. Its purpose is: to celebrate the 10 years since the Birmingham Human Chain, to discover the impact of debt cancellation so far and to demand a lasting solution to the debt crisis. For details and booking telephone or visit www.journeytojustice.org Other events will be taking place in the Centenary Square, from 12.30pm onwards; speakers will include Shahid Malik, the first British-born Muslim MP and a Minister at the Department for International Development (DFID). Materials for Education and Worship are to be offered in pack form for all faith groups, by the beginning of April. Other materials can be found on the WWW.jubileedebtcampaign.org.uk   More>

Asylum Seekers Vigil in the Churchyard
19/05/2008
Start: 5.00 pm.  More>

Tuesday Talks
20/05/2008
Start: 1.10 pm. With The Revd Canon Peter Howell-Jones  More>

Choral Communion - St Philip's Singers
21/05/2008
Start: 1.10 pm.  More>

Back to Church Sunday training event
21/05/2008
Start: 7.30 pm.   More>

Corpus Christi Choral Eucharist
22/05/2008
Start: 7.30 pm.  More>

Faiths for the City presents: Believing in our Environment
26/05/2008
Time: 1-5 pm Come and share the tranquil experience of the botanical gardens, interactive workshops and family activities. Together we can put our faith into action. To register your attendance please contact: Christine.mills@birmingham.gov.uk  More>

2008 Conference on Bible and Justice
29/05/2008
This 4 day conference will bring together scholars from around the world to explore how the ancient texts of the Bible can play an active role in addressing twenty-first century social concerns. The purpose of the conference is to foster discussion about the relevance of the Bible to modern social issues, and promote bridges between the academic field of biblical studies and the various endeavours for a just world. Please visit our website for more information and registration. www.sheffield.ac.uk/bibs/bibleandjustice/  More>

Child Protection Training Sessions - Child Protection Awareness Raising
03/06/2008
Start: 7.00 pm. This course aims to address specific issues related to child protection in a church setting. For anyone who co-ordinates, supervises, leads or assists work with children and young people.  More>

Laughing Sole Comedy Club
03/06/2008
Start: 8.30 pm. Visit: thelaughingsole.org.uk   More>

Bishop's Study Day for Clergy
04/06/2008
From 10am to 1pm - details to follow  More>

Do you administer Holy Baptism?
05/06/2008
Time: 1.00 pm. - 4.00 pm. Baptismal Integrity invites you for an afternoon open conference on the theme HOLY BAPTISM—How is it for you? including “Implementing a Baptismal Policy”. The event will be facilitated by Committee members with an emphasis on the sharing of experience by all present “Why have a policy?” “What are the “basics””? “Enthusing the PCC” “PR in the parish” “Using the Thanksgiving for the Gift of a Child” “Pastoral Care before and after” Please call Roger Godin to book a space.  More>

Can climate change save the West Midlands economy?
11/06/2008
Start: 6.15 p.m. Refreshments from 5.45 p.m. Churches’ Industrial Group Birmingham - AGM & public debate. We have a plan – the UK’s first low carbon economic strategy. We can do industrial revolution – we’ve done it before. We have some good examples and proven ability. BUT ... Is it realistic? Are we and our leaders up for it? Speakers: Dr. Simon Slater, Head of Sustainable Development, Advantage West Midlands. Professor Peter Braithwaite, Director of Sustainable Solutions, Arup. Please contact CIGB to confirm a place.  More>

A Conference for clergy - Celebrating St.Paul
23/06/2008
Looking at the importance and relevance of the preaching of St Paul. www.smuc.ac.uk   More>

Want to know the truth behind the tabloids?
24/06/2008
Time: 7.30-9.30 pm Please join us for information sessions on ASYLUM ISSUES and training for BEFRIENDING asylum seekers and refugees on Tuesdays 24th June and 1st & 8th July. The training is offered to all those interested in becoming befrienders of asylum seekers and refugees. Anyone wishing to gather further information on asylum and refugee issues is also welcome. Befrienders and asylum seekers will share their stories. Visit: www.restore-uk.org   More>

Vacancies

Centre Manager - Kings Norton Restoration
Dynamic and exciting new heritage and community buildings in Kings Norton require a full time Centre Manager.
Salary: Scale SO1 £24,839 - £26,596
Closing date for applications: 14/05/2008
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Marketing & Promotion Co-ordinator - Kings Norton Restoration
Dynamic and exciting new heritage and community buildings in Kings Norton require a Marketing & Promotion Co-ordinator.
Salary: Scale 6.28 £23,187 pro rata
Closing date for applications: 14/05/2008
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Finance & Administration Assistant - Kings Norton Restoration
Dynamic and exciting new heritage and community buildings in Kings Norton require a Finance & Administration Assistant.
Salary: Scale 1.8 £13,778
Closing date for applications: 14/05/2008
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Duty Supervisor - Kings Norton Restoration
Dynamic and exciting new heritage and community buildings in Kings Norton require a full time Duty Supervisor.
Salary: Scale 3 £15900
Closing date for applications: 14/05/2008
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Organist - St Stephen the Martyr, Rednal
We are looking for an organist (and pianist) who will fit into our friendly group and help us continue to worship God through music.
Salary: £1700 - £1800 p.a. depending on experience and qualifications
Closing date for applications: 16/05/2008
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Children and Families Worker - St Paul’s Crossover, Bordesley Green
We are looking for a Children and Families Worker for 10 hours a week, term times only, to run our successful 'Mums and Tots' style ABC Group (Adults, Babies and Children) on Fridays.
Salary: £6.70 per hour / £2,814 per annum
Closing date for applications: 16/05/2008
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Assistant Parish Administrator - St Philip's Parish Office, Dorridge Solihull
The Parish of St Philip’s Dorridge with St James’ Bentley Heath seeks to appoint an ASSISTANT PARISH ADMINISTRATOR to assist the existing Parish Administrator in providing administrative support for our two fulltime Clergy, fulltime Youth Minister and support for our parish, as well as the day to day running of St Philip’s Church Hall and St James’ Church as halls for hire.
Salary:
Closing date for applications: 17/05/2008
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P/t Parish Assistant - St Luke's Church Centre
7.5 hours per week. Main duties - answering phone, taking bookings, invoicing and payments, preparing booklets and publicity, helping with lettings occasionally.
Salary: Pay - £6.25 per hour
Closing date for applications: 27/05/2008
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P/t Youth Worker - St Thomas Garretts Green

Salary:
Closing date for applications: 25/07/2008
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