Redundancy: If you are under written notice of redundancy and live or work in the West Midlands, funding for advice and free training is available through the Better West Midlands Project. The Chamber’s Economic Development & Partnership team is promoting the programme which is expected to support over 13,000 people until December 2010. Tel. Steve Havins on 0121 607 1881 for further information.
The latest booklet in the Just So series has ideas and insights on public theology and the economy from Revd Dr John Reader and Revd Phillip Jones. A printed copy will be sent to clergy in the diocese and an electronic version can be downloaded from the Diocese of Worcester website. Other articles by the same authors can be found on the William Temple Foundation website
This first item is offered courtesy of the Shirley Deanery and may be useful in small group work. We thank them for their work.
In the next few months we will be voting in a general election. The vital underlying question is ‘What sort of society do we want to create and live in?’
As part of the West Midlands Regional Churches Forum, CIGB has helped to draft questions for parliamentary candidates in key policy areas that affect us all. The questions may be asked at a local hustings or to candidates individually.
The following booklet was prepared by Ian Jones, Director of the Saltley Trust and our Team Leader, Barbara Hayes in response to the ‘Transforming Discipleship Day’. It has been widely acclaimed within church cirles and is now available for you to read and utilise. You are welcome to use elements of ‘ About our Father’s Business’ but please ensure you give the reference.
Microsoft Word – Faith and Work Resources – Formatted Bookfold 1 _2_
‘Here to Stay’? is a report by Churches’ Industrial Group Birmingham and the WMIMA (West Midlands Industrial Mission Association) and examines the modern phenomenon of migration particularly in the West Midlands. It is available here in a downloadable pdf format.
The Churches’ Industrial Group Birmingham is now sending out e-newsletters to members updating them on new initiatives and events. If you would be interested in joining us as a member please check out the ‘About us’ pages on how to become a supporter.
Our annual chaplains commissioning service was very well attended at Solihull Methodist Church. We were joined by the Mayor and Mayoress of Solihull, Councillor and Mrs Davies, the Bishop of Birmingham and the Chief Fire Officer Vij Randeniya for the West Midlands. The service was attended by over 60 people and 9 new chaplains were commissioned.
Westhill Endowment Trust has a programme of ‘Gifts in kind’- a number of art exhibitions for loan to interested organisations. These are often church or community organisations but from July 9th to August 6th the pictures from the ‘Meaningful Textiles’ exhibition will be displayed in key staff areas at Birmingham airport. An airport can be a stressful place so the theme of the exhibition is ‘Seeking Peace’ – using pictures of the natural environment and also works from the ‘Peace and Reconciliation’ collection.
Apart from the ‘bite size’ exhibitions in key areas there will be two coffee mornings during the event, to hear how staff have reacted to having the pictures around. In explaining the project and sending out material, most people’ reaction has been very positive – ‘It’ll be good to have something beautiful around’, ‘It’ll brighten the place up’, ‘I like that picture’.
Whether it provokes anything deeper, we wait to see. Or, is that deep enough?
Our Annual General Meeting took place on 11th June 2009 in the Banqueting Suite of the Council House, Victoria Square, Birmingham.
The Lord Mayor Councillor Michael Wilkins (our Patron) attended.
The public presentation entitled ‘Corporate Social Responsibility – a luxury we can no longer afford?’ followed with our guest speakers Mrs Carole Parkes, Lecturer and Head of Department at Aston University and a member of the United Forum for Responsible Management Education and Dave Pinwell, CEO of Sustain.
Presentation from Day Conference 26.02.09
‘Can climate change save the West Midlands economy?’ with Dr. Simon Slater, Head of Sustainable Development, Advantage West Midlands and Professor Peter Braithwaite, Director of Sustainable Solutions, Arup.
Please find below the powerpoint presentation and newspaper report on the event from the Birmingham Post.
Can_Climate_Change_Save_the_West_Midlands_Economy
In response to the bicentennial celeberations of the abolition of the Slave Trade, CIGB responded by organising a public presentation entitled:
‘Has slavery been abolished? Combating contemporary slavery’ with guest speaker Christien van den Anker an acknowledged expert in Trafficking and Women’s Rights: Beyond the Sex Industry to ‘Other Industries. Please find a powerpoint of Christien’s presentation below.
In partnership with the Birmingham Centre for Business Ethics, CIGB organised ‘Business meets the bishop’ on December 6th 2006 to brief the Right Revd. David Urquhart, the new Anglican Bishop of Birmingham, on issues in the area’s economic life.
Among key points made was the need for an inclusive economy which prevents polarisation and the need for employers to realise employees aspirations, not just in monetary terms, but in terms of their values and responsibility.The event was attended by key people from business and public sectors in the Birmingham/ Solihull area and sponsored by Wragge and Co & HSBC.
Birmingham Solihull PosterView our calendar to see what’s happening. Updated regularly.
CIGB’s Annual General Meeting will take place in the Banqueting Suite of the Council House on Thursday 10th June 2010.
The subject of this year’s debate is ‘Change and renewal – a new economy for Birmingham and Solihull?’
Click on link for more information AGM Website flyer
CIGB’s Annual Commissioning Service will take place on Sunday 21st November 2010 at the New Life Baptist Church, High Street, Kings Heath, Birmingham. Our guest speaker this year will be Major Samuel Edgar, Divisional Commander of the Salvation Army and President of CIGB.