Diocese of Coventry eBulletin

St Mary's, Warwick gets funding from National Churches Trust St Mary’s Church in Warwick is to share in a £437,000 urgent funding pay-out from the National Churches Trust. A £20,000 National Churches Trust Cornerstone Grant will help to pay for urgent repairs including repointing, pointing, repairing and replacing the eroded stonework of the tower at St Mary’s, Warwick, to ensure the church thrives. The church also receives a £10,000 Wolfson Fabric Repair Grant from the Wolfson Foundation on the recommendation of the National Churches Trust. Broadcaster and journalist Huw Edwards, Vice President of the National Churches Trust, said: “I’m delighted that St Mary’s is being helped with funding for urgent tower repairs. This will safeguard unique local heritage and keep the church open and in use for the benefit of local people.” “Whether seeking quiet reflection, access to community services or a place to worship, the National Churches Trust helps hundreds of churches each year and with the support of local people keeps them thriving today, and tomorrow.” Read more

Amazing Grace Learning Community This is a learning community committed to understanding: The problem of racism The experiences of those who experience racism The privilege of those who do not The ways racism undermines the mission and ministry of the church It is a learning community committed to taking intentional action – in whatever way is appropriate to each member’s circumstances – to promote race equality in our personal and ministerial contexts. We are inviting clergy and recognised lay leaders to participate. The participants will meet once every two months from Thursday 29th September 2022 – Thursday 20th July 2023. The initial three sessions will be focused on our own racism awareness, learning and formation as ministers & followers of Christ.  For the second phase, the focus will shift to how we can develop good practice and learning in our own contexts. Each member will be encouraged to take action – big or small – then evaluate its progress and share learning with the community. Venue: All Saints Church, Rectory Lane Allesley, Coventry CV5 9EQ. On-site parking is available Start Time: 9.30am – 12noon Read more

Climate resilient church A new national project is identifying churches taking successful action to make their buildings and/or their communities more resilient in the face of increased weather and climate events, and then sharing findings and solutions through diocesan workshops. Whilst climate change is often viewed as a future event, it is unfortunately true that all around the world people are already feeling the effects of a changing climate. Whilst our minds might immediately go to the recent drought in Madagascar or flooding in Bangladesh, it is also apparent that climate change is already having a real impact in the UK. All ten of the warmest years on record have occurred since 2002. Last year saw the wettest February on record resulting in widespread flooding. The wettest day on record was also in 2021, on the 3rd of October. We are also facing an increased number of storm events that will also be more extreme. These climate events and harsh conditions have a negative impact not only on the buildings the church owns, but the communities who live near them and utilise them. This new national research project focuses on how the Church can cope with these new climate challenges. The work is fully funded by the Natural Environment Research Council, who have funded a researcher from the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research in Manchester, Chris Walsh, within the Cathedrals and Church Buildings Division for 12 months. Read more

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We have 3 BCDM courses starting this month. Loving Difficult People This module is for anyone who has every struggled with a difficult person in their life. The module will look at scripture as well help you learn practical skills. The module aims to help us manage difficult relationships and learn to love needy or hostile people without being overwhelmed ourselves. There will also be space for self-reflection. Wednesdays from 14th September – 12th October, 7pm-9:30pm St Matthew’s, Salford Priors WR11 8UX Mission Shaped God This is a ‘why-to’ rather than ‘how-to’ module about mission, which will help you to understand what God is doing in the world and how you can join in. We’ll look at the ‘five marks of mission’ and find that, though evangelism is an essential and important part of mission, it’s not the whole story… Tuesdays 6th September – 4th October, 7pm-9:30pm St John’s Kenilworth CV8 1HY John’s Gospel Take a deeper look at the life of John the apostle in his context.  Explore his unique representation of Jesus as God and reflect on our responsibility as Christians today. Mondays from 12th September – 10th October, 7pm-9:30pm St Bartholomew’s Church Hall, Binley CV3 2DT Read more

Called: Mission, Ministry & Me – Vocations Course Are you wondering what God is calling you to do with your life? Do you feel called to something more? Then this course is for you. We will think together about together about what it means to be called by God, to take our place in the mission of God, and to give opportunity to explore both lay and ordained Christian vocation. It will include teaching, discussion, guest speakers and some time for reflection and prayer. We hope it will be enjoyable, encouraging and helpful to you in identifying your next step, whatever that may be. 5 week course Wednesdays 21st September – 19 October 7:30 – 9:30pm All Saints Church, Emscote, Warwick CV34 5NJ Led by Jen Stewart and Rev Mark Norris Read more

Youth Worship Course We are looking for 13-18 year olds who want to learn how to worship, and develop their skills and confidence leading other people in worship. The sessions will be: Tuesday [7-9pm] \\ 20 Sep \\ 11 Oct \\ 1 Nov Saturday [10am-4pm] \\ 19 Nov Each session will start with some teaching, and a discussion focusing on questions like; What is worship? Why do we worship? We will then apply the theory – learning a song together and using it in a time of Worship You will need some musical knowledge and ability to be able to participate fully – this can either be singing or playing an instrument. The course will be held at St Laurence’s Church, Coventry. The cost for the course is £20 which is payable at the first session. If you have any questions, please get in touch with the team at: james.henney@coventry.anglican.org Read more

Autumn Difference Difference is a 5-session resource with an additional pre-gathering, that explores what it means to follow Jesus in the face of conflict and see transformation through everyday encounters. This Autumn it will be facilitated on zoom by a team of hosts, a partnership between Coventry, Birmingham and Lichfield Diocese. An offering for the Wider West Midlands, with an extended welcome to those who’d like to join us from other denominations.   The purpose of this course: – For your personal formation: We hope you will be equipped with a shared, vision, language and practice; – Take the learning to your community; – Consider hosting the course in your context;   When, Where? 6 Wednesdays, 7th September till 12th October. 19:15 for a 19:30 session start. Finish at 21:00. On Zoom. Read more

Diocesan News Black Light This new online course starts 29th September and explores the presence and contributions of black people in the Bible, in church history and in Britain today. It celebrates the remarkable growth of the church in Africa and the exciting ‘reverse mission’ impact on Europe. It does not shy away from looking at the legacies of Christendom and colonialism, but it invites creativity and courage in seizing the opportunities that are emerging. For more information, click here. Warwickshire Green Shoots Grants The deadline for Warwickshire County Council’s Green Shoots Community Climate Change grants is Monday 19th September 2022. Community and voluntary groups – particularly those in Nuneaton and Bedworth and North Warwickshire – are being encouraged to apply for funding for climate change mitigation and adaptation projects. For more information, click here.  Leamington Spa Town Council Community Grants The deadline for Community/Voluntary Groups to apply for Town Council grants of up to £2,000 is Friday, 9th December 2022. Groups can apply for support of up to £2,000 for projects that benefit Leamington residents. As always, contact Andy Duncan for support preparing grant applications: andy.duncan@coventry.anglican.org Coventry Diocesan Golf Team Victory David Mayhew says: “On 20th July our diocese won the Inter Diocesan Golf Tournament Team Championship.  Coventry last won in 1972.  We were delighted to win on the 50th anniversary of that first victory.  Our team was Keith Mobberley, Jim Perryman, Jeff Smailes and David Mayhew.  We would love to hear from other golfers in the diocese.  It helps if you have a handicap, but is not essential.  To compete you need to have the Bishop’s blessing for your ministry, whatever form that ministry takes (i.e. this is for all authorised ministers, not just clergy!)” For more information, contact davidfmayhew@gmail.com Living Out: Christian and Gay Saturday 24 September at St. Paul’s Leamington, 9.30am-2.30pm “Living Out” help churches understand how they can better help those who experience same-sex attraction to stay faithful to biblical teaching on sexual ethics and flourish at the same time. To learn more about them, visit www.livingout.org The Living Out team (led by Ed Shaw) will share their insight and stories as same-sex attracted Christians, who hold to traditional biblical teaching on sexual ethics and who have spoken and written on this subject widely. For more details, and to book in, click here. Is your church supporting or planning to support Afghan or Ukrainian refugees? Church Urban Fund has partnered with the Benefact Trust to launch their Refugee Support Small Grants Programme. Together, they are supporting Christian projects that help refugees arriving in England from Ukraine and Afghanistan. They offer small grants between £500 and £5,000. Registered Christian charities, and members of Churches Together In England are all welcome to apply. All applicants must be able to demonstrate a clear Christian foundation or ethos. They do not provide small grants directly to individuals. For more information, click here.

Diocesan Vacancies Priest-in-Charge Fillongley & Corley, Ansley & Arley These four churches, constituting two Benefices and set in a beautiful part of North Warwickshire – with very strong ecumenical links with the local Methodist Church, including an LEP – are at an exciting stage as they develop their relationship. We welcome a country loving candidate who: – Is an inspiring and welcoming leader, able to communicate the Christian faith in a way that appeals to all sections of our expanding rural communities. – Has an inspirational and flexible approach to worship, experienced in leading using both traditional and modern worship styles. – Is willing to build on our work making our churches an attractive place for children and young families, strengthening our existing links with schools within the Benefice. – Has a track record in developing lay leaders, and promoting harmonious relationships by consulting with others to develop a shared direction. – Is gifted in developing both people’s confidence to share their faith with others, and also strategies that release the growth potential of people in the parishes through IT and social media skills. For more information, click here. Associate Minister House for Duty, The Bridges Group Two House for Duty Associate Ministers (Sunday + 2 days a week), one with a view to becoming Priest-in-Charge. One post will have a more pioneering role: to develop new, imaginative ways of being church in the community. The other post will be more traditional: to nurture and pastor those who love the traditions of the local church. We are looking for two priests who will: – Be prayerful, believe in a Christ-centred church, are empowered by the Holy Spirit, have a pastoral heart and will help every member achieve their full potential as Christians – Work strategically, creatively and collaboratively with the team of clergy, reader and lay leaders – Be happy to lead both traditional and more innovative styles of worship – Inspire, nurture and empower others to grow as disciples and serve Christ in their communities – Build strong relationships and enjoy talking with people of all ages from both inside and outside the church – Recognise the potential of our church buildings for both mission and ministry – Feel deeply at home in a rural setting. We can offer you: – A skilful leadership team and worship leaders – A supportive and resourceful deanery and chapter – A modern, detached four-bedroom vicarage (with the best views in the diocese from Napton Vicarage study!) – A group administrator – Three very good local primary schools – and the outstanding Southam College nearby Jesus tells us that “I came that you may have life, and have it abundantly.”  [John 10:10] For more information, click here. Associate Minister - Bedworth Mission Hub Church The Diocese of Coventry is recruiting a new Associate Minister, fully funded at incumbent level with housing, for an initial period of five years. This is part of an exciting and adventurous mission strategy to see healthy churches propagate, plant, or graft 150 new worshipping communities over the next ten years. Bedworth is a town located 5 miles north of Coventry. The town has a population of 32000 and the parish covers the town. There are two churches in the parish. The larger church in the town centre is All Saints, and a smaller church, St. Andrew’s. All Saint’s is a lively growing church with a variety of ages meeting across three Sunday congregations. St. Andrew’s is a small church mainly comprising of an elderly congregation with a range of new projects underway to enable it to grow and become part of the community again. Our vision is that over the next 10 years every person in Bedworth has the opportunity to have the good news of Jesus presented & demonstrated to them. We want to do this by planting churches and missional communities across our parish. So, we are looking for an Associate Vicar that can work within the predominantly evangelical charismatic theology of the parish, who enjoys motivating a large team to plant & grow new worshipping communities & who lives life to the full. We are seeking colleagues from a breadth of traditions who fit the following person specification: – Self-starters who are good team players, but also have the skills and an ability to take on individual responsibility for key church growth projects. – Have experience in leadership in a missional church. – Teaching, enabling and facilitating in evangelism, everyday faith. – Experience of leading or responsibility in a church plant, fresh expression or re-imagining the mission of the local church. – Comfortable to work in a breadth of tradition to resource contextual mission. – Engaging preaching and communication. – Experience of developing and leading digital church services. For more information, click here. Rector - St Margaret's, Whitnash St Margaret’s Whitnash is a sociable, welcoming single Parish based in a small town just south of Royal Leamington Spa. Our new Rector will be: – Excited by the priority of the Good News of the Gospel – Excited by the priority and power of prayer – Excited by the priority of holiness – Excited by the priority and passion of evangelism – Excited by the priorities of training and enabling others – Excited by the priority and purpose of giving – Excited by the prospect of joining us. For more information, click here.

External Vacancies Why do we advertise external vacancies? Office Administrator - Helping Hands Helping Hands is a local Leamington Spa based charity, serving the homeless and vulnerable through regular soup kitchens and support work. They are looking for an excellent Office Administrator to carry out general and financial administrational tasks 16 hours per week across 3 days. £19,000 pro-rata salary. You will be great at this role if you: – Are gifted and whizzy in administration and have experience in this area. – Enjoy a range of different tasks to keep you busy. – Can work quickly and efficiently. – Can fully support our Christian foundations and ethos. – Would love to be a part of a passionate team. Closing date for applications is Monday 26th September,  9am. For enquiries and application form, please email Kerstin at operations@helpinghandscharity.org.uk or download the job description by clicking here.

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