BLACK COUNTRY/
STAFFORDSHIRE
Ecumenical UpdateJuly 2024
GENERAL ELECTION
On 4 June, 21 senior West Midlands Church leaders issued a Joint Statement ahead of the General Election of 4 July. Signatories included the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Birmingham, the Anglican Bishops of Lichfield and Stafford, the Chairs of the Chester/Stoke-on-Trent and the Birmingham Methodist Districts, the Regional Ministers of the Heart of England Baptist Association, the Moderator of the West Midland Synod of the United Reformed Church and the Interim Commander of the West Midlands Division of the Salvation Army. Read the Joint Statement HERE.
Over the last few weeks, hustings organised by 'Churches Together' groups have taken place in, for example, Burton upon Trent, Lichfield, Newcastle-under-Lyme, the Stoke-on-Trent North, Central and South constituencies, and Stourbridge (pictured).
Those intending to vote in person on Thursday (4 July) will need to show photo ID in order to vote at polling stations in the UK parliamentary election. A full list of acceptable forms of ID can be found HERE.
JULY
The 2024 Methodist Conference continues in Leeds until tomorrow (3 July 2024). Last Saturday, the Conference elected Revd Helen Cameron to serve as President and Carolyn Godfrey to serve as Vice-President for the coming year. Full details of all matters relating to the conference can be found via the Conference webpage HERE.
The Right Revd Michael Ipgrave, Lord Bishop of Lichfield, will speak on the theme of 'Pilgrimage' at the online meeting of the Potteries Theological Society, which will take place at 7.00pm tomorrow evening (Wednesday 3 July). Join the meeting from 6.30pm onwards. To obtain the Zoom link, e-mail THIS ADDRESS.
Walsall Christian leaders will meet over breakfast in central Walsall on Thursday morning (4 July). For more information, e-mail THIS ADDRESS.
Christian leaders in Dudley Borough will meet for breakfast, conversation and prayer next Tuesday morning (11 July). For more information, e-mail THIS ADDRESS.
Wolverhampton Christian leaders will meet for prayer, fellowship and lunch next Tuesday (11 July). For more information, e-mail THIS ADDRESS.
To mark the 400th anniversary of the birth in July 1624 of George Fox, founder of the Religious Society of Friends:
Stafford Quakers will hold a Staffordshire Area Picnic from 11.00am to 3.00pm on Saturday 20 July at the Quaker Meeting House, 70 Foregate Street, Stafford ST16 2PX.
Leek Quakers will hold an Open Day, including a shared lunch, from 10.00am to 3.00pm on Saturday 27 July at the Quaker Meeting House, Overton Bank, Leek ST13 5ES.
ARRIVALS
On 1 June, Joanne Watters became the first female CEO of Father Hudson's Care, the social care agency of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Birmingham, which covers the Black Country and Staffordshire. Joanne has worked as Head of Community Projects for Father Hudson’s Care for the last nine years. Read the announcement HERE.
On 1 July, Major Adrian Allman became Commander of the West Midlands Division of the Salvation Army and his wife Clare its Divisional Personnel Officer. The West Midlands Division encompasses almost 40 corps situated from Leek in the north to Hereford in the south, and from Shrewsbury in the west to Coventry in the east.
Canon Richard Walker (pictured left) and Mgr Timothy Menezes (pictured right) will be ordained Bishops in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Birmingham at an invitation-only Mass to be held at St Chad's Cathedral, Birmingham, on Tuesday 16 July. It will be possible to watch the Ordination Mass via the St Chad's Cathedral live-stream HERE.
The Right Revd Jan McFarlane, Interim Dean of Lichfield and Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of Lichfield, has been appointed next Dean of Lichfield. Bishop Jan will be installed at an invitation-only service at Lichfield Cathedral on Saturday 21 September. Read the announcement HERE.
AUGUST
The 'Limitless Festival' for 11-18 year-olds will return to Stafford Showground from 3 - 7 August. Limitless is a vibrant summer gathering for young people that's all about community, connection and change. Limitless features dynamic venues as a packed programme of activities, sports, events, seminars, workshops, and after-hours venues. Information and registration HERE.
Ecumenical Officer Robert Mountford will lead a three-day 'Methodist Heritage' pilgrimage for senior Church Leaders over the weekend of Friday 16 to Sunday 18 August inclusive. Locations to be visited en route include the Englesea Brook Primitive Methodist Chapel and Museum.
The theme for the 2024 Season of Creation, which runs from 1 September to 4 October, is 'To hope and act with creation.' Information about the Season of Creation, together with resources, prayers and a list of supporting Churches, can be found HERE.
FAREWELLS
A Farewell Service for Revd James Pritchard and his family will take place at Keele University Chapel at 3.00pm on Sunday 14 July. After eleven years at Keele Chapel, James will be working from September 2024 as Chaplain at Queen's Foundation for Ecumenical Theological Education in Birmingham, as well as in the North Staffordshire Methodist Circuit.
After 25 years as CEO of Krunch, a Christian charity based in Oldbury with an experienced staff team supporting young people via one- to one mentoring and small group work during the school day and beyond, Jon Grant will step down at the end of July. Jon will continue to work in the voluntary sector in Sandwell - and as chaplain to Aston Villa FC. Read more about the work of Krunch HERE.
After 18 years Leek Trinity Methodist/United Reformed Church LEP, Revd Richard Pope is relocating to Bridgwater, Somerset. Richard's Farewell Service will take place Trinity Church, Derby Street, Leek, at 10.30am on Sunday 4 August. The service will be followed by light refreshments.
The Right Revd John Inge, Bishop of Worcester, has announced his retirement. The Anglican Diocese of Worcester covers the Borough of Dudley. Bishop John's Farewell Service will take place at Worcester Cathedral on Sunday 29 September. The retirement announcement can be found HERE.
FINALLY
'Be devoted to one another in love.
Honour one another above yourselves.'
(Romans 12:10 NIV)
Please forward this e-newsletter to those
for whom it may be helpful and relevant.
For more information,
visit the 'Black Country Churches Engaged'
website HERE and the
'Churches Linked Across Staffordshire and the Potteries'
website HERE.
For daily updates, follow the CLASP Facebook page HERE.
Robert Mountford
Ecumenical Mission Officer
bcce.clasp.emo@gmail.com
