Advent 2021, Ecumenical update from CLASP and BCCE
We are pleased to share the Advent Ecumenical Update from Churches Linked Across Staffordshire/Potteries (CLASP) and Black Country Churches Engaged (BCCE)
People
Bishop Mike Royal has been called as the next General Secretary of Churches Together in England. Birmingham-based Mike is currently Co-Chief Executive of The Cinnamon Network. He was consecrated Bishop with the Apostolic Pastoral Congress in 2016.
Read the press release about Mike’s appointment HERE.
Archbishop Angaelos, the outgoing Churches Together in England Orthodox President, recently reflected on the importance of building ecumenical relationships. He said, ‘We have healthy relationships that by God’s grace will continue to flourish as we appreciate the breadth and beauty and diversity of the body of Christ.’ Read his comments on THIS WEBPAGE.
The Rt Revd Jonathan Gledhill, who was Bishop of Lichfield from 2003 until his retirement in 2015, passed away on Monday 1 November. Following his retirement, Bishop Jonathan relocated to Canterbury with his wife Jane. Tributes to Bishop Jonathan can be found HERE.
Advent
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Birmingham has made a wide selection of Advent calendars, prayers and reflections available at THIS WEBPAGE
The ‘Guild of Health and St Raphael‘s ‘Waiting Well Advent Journey‘ interweaves scripture, prayer and the wisdom of the Christian faith into each day of Advent, to encourage waiting well together for the birth of Jesus. Information and registration HERE.
The Church of England’s Diocese of Lichfield is promoting ‘Generous Hope‘ through the seasons of Advent and Christmas. Bishop Michael Ipgrave is asking parishioners to provide support for the companion Diocese of Matlosane (South Africa), which has been hard hit by the Covid-19 pandemic. More information HERE.
The President and Vice-President of the Methodist Conference will take part in a Christmas Celebration at Fallings Park Methodist Church, Wolverhampton, WV10 0NN, at 7.00pm on Saturday 11 December. No advance booking required.
More links to Advent resources can be found on the BCCE website HERE and CLASP website HERE.
December
Volunteers are needed throughout December to help the Christmas Lunch Project achieve its goal of serving festive lunches to 1,000 families in Wolverhampton, Dudley, Sandwell and Birmingham on 23 December. Full details of how to volunteer are available HERE.
‘Food for the Journey,’ a joint project of the Diocese of Lichfield and the Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury Methodist District, will hold a one-day conference at Yarnfield Park on Saturday 4 December. The theme of the 2021 conference is ‘Discipleship Today:Being and Doing.’ Full details via THIS LINK.
‘Doorstep Carols‘ returns on Wednesday 15 December, between 6.00pm and 7.00pm. People are invited sing in their streets and raise money in aid of local charities. All BBC local radio stations and ‘BBC Sounds’ will play the backing tracks to the nation’s favourite carols during the hour. Information and carol sheets from THIS LINK. #
Resources
| Over five small-group sessions, the ‘Difference‘ course explores what it means to follow Jesus in a complex and divided world, seeing transformation through everyday encounters. The resources are offered freely by the ‘Reconciling Leaders Network and the Anglican Diocese of Coventry to people of any denomination. For more information, click HERE, or e-mail Emma at THIS ADDRESS. |
Natalie Orefice, Advisor for Parish Evangelisation in the Archdiocese of Birmingham, introduces a monthly podcast about ‘Women in Scripture.’ The most recent episode focuses on Martha. The podcast, which is part of the ‘God Who Speaks‘ initiative, is available on Spotify, iTunes and Soundcloud. Access the podcasts HERE.
WPCU
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity runs from Tuesday 18 to Tuesday 25 January 2022 inclusive. Resources for the octave have been prepared by the churches in the Middle East under the title, ‘We saw his star in the East.’ Download the material from THIS WEBPAGE.
Finally
| ‘All this is God’s doing, for he has reconciled us to himself through Jesus Christ; and he has made us agents of reconciliation.’ (2 Corinthians 5:18 – J B Phillips) For more information, visit the Black Country (BCCE) website HERE and the Staffordshire (CLASP) website HERE. For daily updates, follow the Staffordshire (CLASP) Facebook page HERE Robert Mountford Ecumenical Mission Officer [email protected] |
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