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Hosting an OPP Project

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Applications are now open for churches or projects to host a ONE Programme Participant (OPP) in 2019/20. Closing date for applications is 5th March 2019, so do think about potential projects and check out Stirling’s Open Space project to see how the OPP in that project is developing connections and engagement with the local community,
See website for more details ‘Becoming a Host Project’:
Hosting an OPP is an excellent opportunity for districts, circuits, churches and church projects to have input from, and into, a young person aged 16-23 based in their project for a year-long, paid, training-provided, internship.
We are always keen to find a wide variety of different projects that can offer an exciting and supported year to an OPP.

Universal Credit hardship

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The latest blog post from JPIT suggests that the Government is not looking to see whether Universal Credit is causing hardship. Foodbank referrals are increasing, and, if the Government’s plans are implements,  around 6 million families will be receiving Universal Credit, including around half of the UK’s children.

An end to the hostile environment?

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Church leaders from Scotland and the rest of the UK have called on the Home Secretary to bring about and end to the hostile environment that is designed to make life so difficult for people who cannot prove they have the right to live in the UK that they will choose to leave.

Rev Dr Richard Frazer, convener of the Church and Society Council, said: “The Church of Scotland is deeply, deeply concerned at plans to evict up to 300 asylum seekers from their homes in Glasgow… many of those facing eviction have already needed to flee their homes in the past from appalling violence, terror and war. It is unacceptable that this should be happening.”

Read the full text

Creating Safe Spaces – safeguarding

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First opportunities for those in Scotland and Shetland to attend the new Advanced Module training are:

Sat 1st September Glasgow, Shettleston Methodist Church
Wed 3rd October Edinburgh
Sat 6th October Peterhead Methodist Church

The course is split in to three parts:-

  • Essential preparation (1 hr 30 mins)
  • Core training session (4 hrs)
  • Handbook (a resource for further study)

All sessions will run from 10.30am-3.30pm with coffee/tea and registration from 10am. Lunch will be provided.

All those wishing to attend should contact Lorraine Darlow at darlowl@methodistchurch.org.uk with choice of location. Details of venue will be sent with the essential preparation pack for reading/completing before the core training day.

We hope to offer other dates for Advanced Module training early 2019. The safeguarding development day will be Sat 9th March 2019 in Stirling.

A reminder of all who should attend the Advanced Module is below.

Core List – Required Attendance

  • Safeguarding coordinator – Circuit
  • Safeguarding Officer – District
  • Members of the District Safeguarding Group
  • Members of the District Policy Committee
  • All presbyters or deacons with an active preaching or pastoral ministry including those supernumerary ministers who have pastoral care of a church
  • Those who are in paid employment or a voluntary role which includes leadership within the Methodist Church, which involves direct work with children, youth or vulnerable adults
  • Lay persons who are appointed to exercise pastoral leadership within a local church
  • Local preachers
  • Worship leaders
  • Safeguarding officer – church

Warmly invited but not mandatory

  • Supernumerary ministers apart from those who have pastoral care of a church
  • It has not been possible to create a standard list. There should not be too many varied roles and responsibilities represented at the training since the material focuses on leadership responsibilities rather than general safeguarding awareness. However there needs to be flexibility for inclusion where this would be helpful. This decision making should form part of the responsibility of the District Safeguarding Group when planning the provision of Advanced Module day sessions  across the District.