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>

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>

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

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>

Want to train to be a youth worker?
23 April 2008
The Midlands Centre for Youth Ministry based at St John's Nottingham have placements looking for students across the Midlands for their undergraduate degree in Youth and Community Work and Applied Theology.   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>

SHOES SHINED TO REFLECT THE LOVE OF GOD
20 March 2008
Commuters walking past the Cathedral on Thursday, March 20th, were offered a 21st Century footwash as the Bishop of Birmingham, the Dean and church leaders from across the Diocese shone shoes for passers-by.  More>

Bishop Takes Message On-Line as Lent Visits Continue to Inspire
17 March 2008
The Bishop of Birmingham has taken his Easter Message on-line as he continues his Lent visits as part of the Diocesan Prayer Initiative, Too Deep for Words  More>

Churches Must Change and Take Risks, Urges Birmingham’s Bishop
17 March 2008
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Junior Church Football League
07 March 2008
The West Bromwich Junior Church Football League, affiliated to the Birmingham County F.A. are now accepting new teams at the following age groups for the forthcoming season 2008/2009.  More>

Dancers needed for new musical
07 March 2008
We are urgently looking for dancers for the Rock tour. Auditions are in April.   More>

Courses

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

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>

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

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

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

Pilgrimage to Cyprus
25/05/2008
8-day Pilgrimage to CYPRUS 'In the Footsteps of Saint Paul' Inc. return flight & taxes, 7 nights half board and sightseeing.   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>

St Alban's Summer Lectures 2008: The Tractarian Divines
04/06/2008
Start: 7.30pm (refreshments from 7pm) Edward Bouverie Pusey: Patristic Scholare & Founder of Anglican Sisterhoods Canon Peter Cobb  More>

Growing Gifts Silent Retreat
06/06/2008
A retreat designed for beginners in mind, led by the Revd Rob Hingley and Sr Clare Grimes.  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>

Changing Attitude
18/06/2008
Start: 7.30 pm. An evening with The Revd Dr Marilyn McCord, Regius Professor of Divinity in the University of Oxford.  More>

Windrush 60th Anniversary Commemoration
22/06/2008
Tickets are now on sale on Town Hall website: www.thsh.co.uk or phone 0121 780 3333 It will be an inspiring evening of reflections on the legacy of the Windrush generation with focus also on the Caribbean today, 60 years to the day that SS Empire Windrush discharged her Caribbean passengers at Tilbury, Essex.   More>

Child Protection Training Sessions - Working Safely with children and young people
23/06/2008
Start: 7.00 pm. How to provide a safe physical environment when working with children and young people in church settings. For those who work directly with children and young people.   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>

Children's Worker - Knowle Parish Church
08/07/2008
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>

St Swithin's Weekend
11/07/2008
The event opens on Friday at 2.00pm to 5.30pm, Saturday 10.30am till 5.30pm, and Sunday 12.30pm till 5.30pm, preceded by an Open Air Service in the Hose Garden. There will be a Flower Festival in Church, an Arts and Crafts Exhibition in the Institute and refreshments served at all times in St. Swithin's House. There will be the opportunity to climb the Church Tower(inside!!) and guided tours round the Churchyard. Folk from churches within the Diocese will be able to see the full facilities of St. Swithin's House - a diocesan self catering conference centre.  More>

Child Protection Training Sessions - Working Safely with children and young people
14/07/2008
Start: 7.00 pm. How to provide a safe physical environment when working with children and young people in church settings. For those who work directly with children and young people.  More>

Summer & Autumn Retreat
11/08/2008
Six days, individually-guided in the Ignatian tradition 11th – 18th August or 3rd - 10th November with some places available for a shorter retreat (Mon – Fri or Fri – Mon)   More>

The diocese in Europe: Anglican principles in a foreign land. Ecclesiastical Law Society London Lectures
10/09/2008
Time: 5.30 - 6.30 pm. Speaker: Aiden Hargreaves-Smith, member of General Synod and partner in Winckworth Sherwood.   More>

Child Protection Training Sessions - Child Protection Awareness Raising
16/09/2008
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>

Retreat in the Sinai Desert
19/09/2008
Retreat with a rhythm of worship and fellowship, silence and prayer. Optional walks and camel rides, and a visit to St Catherine's Monastery and its unique art collection. Led by The Revd Paul and Mrs Diana Hunt.  More>

Child Protection Training Sessions - Working Safely with children and young people
22/09/2008
Start: 7.00 pm. How to provide a safe physical environment when working with children and young people in church settings. For those who work directly with children and young people.  More>

Rev. Michael Counsell is organising a visit to the Oberammergau Passion Play in 2010
04/08/2010
Deadline for booking is end of May 2008. Brochures will be available soon for all who enquire. The cost, including flights, half board in the hotels, all coach transfers, and the play ticket, is: Basic £1095 Birmingham airport flight supplement £25 Insurance £34 Total £1154 ===== Supplements may be added depending on accommodation   More>