Bishop's Comment

Walk Through Winter
This winter the environment is staying high on the agenda as politicians, environmentalists and faith communities gear up for the Copenhagen Climate Conference in December.  More>

Topical Comment

Treading Lightly
Richard Foreman, who worships at St Stephen's Church in Rednal and is a member of the Bishop's Environmental Round Table explains how he cut his carbon footprint by more than 4 tonnes.  More>

News

Waiting for the coming of Christ during an economic recession
16 November 2009
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Ark launched at Birmingham Cathedral
10 November 2009
Pupils from a Birmingham school will be attempting to create the world’s largest origami ark at the launch of an art installation designed to raise awareness of climate change.  More>

Introducing the Grove Education Series
10 November 2009
The Grove Education series offers and promotes Christian thinking rooting in practice for all involved in schools, colleges and churches.   More>

Notification of Appointments
09 November 2009
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Prayer Calendar Available on-line
02 November 2009
The Diocesan Prayer calendar is available for downloading   More>

‘Walk Through Winter,’ urges Bishop of Birmingham
27 October 2009
The Bishop of Birmingham is putting his best foot forward to cut carbon and reconnect with the seasons this winter in a small step to avert the crisis of climate change.   More>

Keeping your church details up-to-date on www.achurchnearyou.com
27 October 2009
Please make sure your church information and contact details are all up-to-date on the website ‘A Church Near You’.   More>

Introducing Lady Katherine Housing and Care
27 October 2009
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'BNP has nothing to do with Christianity,' say Church Leaders in Birmingham
23 October 2009
Church leaders from across the city of Birmingham have come together to give a clear message that the divisive policies of the BNP are counter to the gospel of Jesus Christ, as the BBC prepares to include the party's leader Nick Griffin on their premier political programme, Question Time.  More>

Update from the Church of England
20 October 2009
A monthly update from the Communications Unit of the Church of England.  More>

The Christmas Factor
15 October 2009
Ecclesiastical have teamed up with ChurchAds.Net and their “Christmas starts with Christ” campaign to bring you the ‘The Christmas Factor’ competition. All you need to do is compose the lyrics and melody of a new carol, no longer than three verses in total, based around the theme of the Nativity.  More>

Small Advertisements
15 October 2009
Items for sale, wanted and other small adverts.  More>

St John’s Nottingham Advent Book 2009
15 October 2009
Anticipating the Coming King…daily readings for Advent and Christmas is out now!   More>

‘Mustard Seed’ grant programme
14 October 2009
Mustard Seed grants of up to £5,000 are available to faith groups that are involved in social action in the community; the grants can support new ventures, or help groups to develop existing work to improve the level of provision.   More>

Make a difference this Advent
14 October 2009
The new CMS Advent resource Share the Light is now available to download from www.cms-uk.org/advent  More>

Courses

The Training in Jungian Analytical Psychotherapy
The training will bring together the development of personal insight, intensive and well-grounded academic study and practices of observation. The capacity to link insight, observation and theory is the kernel of good practice; its education is the purpose of this training.  More>

The Groundwork Land Volunteers Programme
Over 50 but not ready to retire? Would you like to join us and meet new friends? Gain satisfaction in seeing your local area improved? Be a volunteer and have fun!!  More>

Eating Disorders and Self Harm
A day's training on Saturday February 6th for youth workers to help equip them in the areas of Self Harm and Eating Disorders  More>

Faith Guiding Course
Skills for guiding visiting groups at places of worship.  More>

Who is fleeing persecution and seeking sanctuary?
Please join Restore, a project of Birmingham Churches Together supporting refugees and asylum seekers, for 3 information and training sessions for those interested in asylum issues or in training to become befrienders of refugees and asylum seekers.   More>

Events

Interfaith relations in Birmingham from a police perspective
17/11/2009
Time: 7.45pm Roger Hooker Memorial Lecture Chief Inspector Adrian Atherley, West Midlands Police. This is a joint meeting with Birmingham Council of Faiths.   More>

Tuesday Talks
17/11/2009
Time: 1.10 pm. Revd Canon Nigel Hand  More>

Choral Communion Service - St Philip's Singers
18/11/2009
Time: 1.10 pm.  More>

Global Poverty, Seeking Justice: People of Faith in Action
18/11/2009
Time: 7.30 – 9.30 pm Part of Interfaith Week 2009 - a lively, thought provoking and varied programme from the Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim and Sikh communities, showing how they are engaged with issues of world poverty. There will be light refreshments and a chance to meet and talk. We'll be launching the JDC Multi-Faith Project at this event so come along and find out more! http://jdcbirmingham.wordpress.com   More>

A community development approach to the use of church buildings
19/11/2009
Time: 9.30 - 4.15 pm. The conference will be a mix of national and local speakers, workshops and project visits. During the day, a DVD and Toolkit will be launched, designed to support parishes and communities through a step by step approach to the development of church buildings, adopting and promoting a community development approach. Please contact Jo Gibbon for an application form.  More>

St Cecilia Cathedral Choir Concert
20/11/2009
Time: 7.30 pm.  More>

Choral Evensong with Visiting Choir
21/11/2009
Time: 3.30 pm. With St Chad's Choir, Shrewsbury  More>

Bishop's Conference - Transforming Disciples
21/11/2009
Bishop David is seeking to invite to his conference for lay people those who are: wanting to grow in their Christian faith and life looking to serve Christ better in their church, neighbourhood or daily life keen to live in the best way they can as Christian people who make a difference for God in the world already active but are open to contributing in new ways able to encourage other lay people after the conference and build on the enthusiasm and energy generated If this is you do get in touch or speak to your vicar/churchwarden.  More>

City Women Gatherings 2009 - Half day retreat
21/11/2009
10.00 am—2.00 pm A retreat for maximum 12 people with sessions led by life coach Rosalyn Clare, and spiritual director Ali Mackenzie.  More>

Meeting of the Guild of Servants of the Sanctuary
23/11/2009
Time: 7.45pm . All are welcome to attend this meeting.  More>

Tuesday Talks
24/11/2009
Time: 1.10 pm. With Revd Canon Nigel Hand  More>

Holy Communion Service
25/11/2009
Time: 1.10 pm.  More>

Preaching and Teaching about Science and Religion – a discussion group.
26/11/2009
Time: 7.00 p.m. The Darwin 150 celebrations this year, and the continuing activity of few well known 'public figures' have combined to bring publicity to the interaction between science and religion. There have been strong views expressed from both sides of the (assumed) divide, promoting standpoints of either strict biblical or strict scientific infallibility. Preachers and Teachers in the churches are faced with the need to respond to the concerns raised whilst taking in to account the scientific and theological backgrounds of their congregations . The purpose of establishing this discussion group is to allow for the exchange of ideas, experiences and resources, so that those who 'labour in the vineyard' are enabled to learn from one another and so aid the understanding of those for whom they 'preach and teach' It would be appreciated if you would indicate your intention to come.  More>

Focus on Malawi - A time of celebration and information on our Partnership
26/11/2009
Time: 19:30 This St Andrew's Tide world mission event will be focused on our Partner church in Malawi and will be a time of celebration as well as an opportunity to find out more about what has been happening during the past year. The evening will include a guest speaker from USPG who is a mission partner based in a hospital in Malawi. There will also be presentations from people from our churches in Birmingham who have been to Malawi this year. In addition there will be time for news and updates regarding all four dioceses. The trip programme for 2010 will be launched during the evening so please encourage those who may be interested in travelling to Malawi themselves.   More>

Choral Evensong with Visiting Choir
28/11/2009
Time: 3.30 pm.  More>

Advent Procession by Candlelight - Boys' and Men's voices
29/11/2009
Time: 3.30 pm.   More>

World Aids Day Exhibition
30/11/2009
30th November - 1st December. All day.  More>

World Aids Day - Fashion Parade
01/12/2009
Time: 7.30pm at The Bull and processing to the Cathedral for an Act of Remembrance and release of Sky Lanterns (weather permitting) at 8pm, followed by refreshments. All Welcome.   More>

Great Big Christmas Sing - carol concert
04/12/2009
Start: 7 pm. Birmingham’s Young Strings Project will be the leading act at Christian Aid’s second annual Great Big Christmas Sing. Tickets are available from Birmingham Central Library or by calling 0121 303 2323 or on-line at www.birminghamboxoffice.co.uk   More>

Family Christmas Craft Workshops
05/12/2009
Time: 10:30am—12:30pm. Christmas Crafts for Families using recycled and reused materials, led by community artist Debra Hall Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Please book in advance.  More>

The Wave - the UK’s biggest ever demonstration in support of action on climate change
05/12/2009
On Saturday 5 December 2009, ahead of the crucial UN climate summit in Copenhagen, tens of thousands of people from all walks of life will flow through the streets of London to demonstrate their support for a safe climate future for all. www.stopclimatechaos.org/the-wave  More>

International Carol Service
05/12/2009
Time: 2pm Please join us for a multilingual celebration of the birth of Jesus. All Welcome.  More>

Advent Service
05/12/2009
Start: 11 am. Mothers' Union are holding an Advent Service. All are welcome. Come and help prepare the crib for the Christ Child. Young people are invited to bring a picture they have made depicting a carol.  More>

An Advent Retreat: Travelling Towards Bethlehem to be born
07/12/2009
7th – 11th December 2009 Led by John Bell Advent and Christmas are perhaps the most nostalgia-ridden times in the Christian year, so much so that there are two stories. One was scripted by Hollywood and has to do with robins, bells and drummer boys. The other was ordained by God and it is about the lighting up of insignificant people and places in a divine project. On this retreat we will journey towards Christmas and try to make it feel as if it were the first time. Visit www.launde.org.uk   More>

The 2009 University of Birmingham Carol Service
07/12/2009
Time: 6:15 pm. A joyful Christmas celebration for staff, students and families. All are welcome: no booking or ticket is required.  More>

Bearing the Open Secret: The enduring legacy of Lesslie Newbigin
11/12/2009
A day conference to mark the centenary of Lesslie Newbigin - bishop, pioneer ecumenist, missionary theologian. Information and booking forms are available at www.ctbi.org.uk  More>

Still Before Christmas
18/12/2009
18th – 20th December 2009 Led by Mark Argent Modern Christmases often revolve around food and film. Here’s an opportunity to explore the spiritual dimensions of both, looking at the way we relate to God and each other as we eat, and watch, talk and pray. Visit www.launde.org.uk   More>

Quiet Day
20/12/2009
The maker of the world is born a begging child. The Revd Ruth Tuschling www.offahouseretreat.co.uk  More>

Thinking about serving God? CMEAC Vocations Day Conference 2010
20/02/2010
Time: 10 am - 6.00 pm. Each of us is called to ministry, serving God in different ways. Understanding how we can develop our personal gifts can be a confusing process! Designed particularly for those who are 17-35, the CMEAC Vocations Conference is your opportunity to explore specific ways of developing your ministry.  More>

Vacancies

Parish Administrator & Vicar’s PA (part-time) - Christ Church Summerfield
Christ Church exists to promote the Christian faith. The post (about 12 hours per week initially) will involve participating in this purpose and therefore we want the post holder to be an active member of a Christian church.
Salary: £8.00 per hour
Closing date for applications: 06/11/2009
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Community Development Worker - Balsall Heath Church Centre
A vacancy exists for a community development worker to develop the churches’ contribution to services for isolated local people, in particular local elders.
Salary: £22001 (pro rata) (scale 6).
Closing date for applications: 19/11/2009
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Kings Norton - Team Vicar for Faith and Learning Development

Salary: Diocesan stipend and housing
Closing date for applications: 27/11/2009
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Priest - B1 Network Church

Salary:
Closing date for applications: 20/12/2009
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Co-ordinator of Music in Worship / Organist - St James, Hill

Salary:
Closing date for applications: 31/12/2009
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