Retreat in Daily Working Life
Beginning on Tuesday 23 September, ‘Chaplaincy Plus’ and ‘Manresa Link’ will run a six-week, Ignatian, individually- guided ‘Retreat in Daily…
‘Shine Your Light’ at Advent
25th September 2025
This Advent, let’s light Jesus up across the City of Birmingham. Together, let’s point as many people as possible toward Jesus, the greatest gift ever given. If one household in every street took part, the collective impact on the city would be immense. Birmingham needs good news! It is a city full of people who are struggling, often anxious and afraid. But across Birmingham there is a growing hunger to find Jesus. Advent 2025 is an opportunity for the church in Birmingham to shine a collective light on Jesus, bringing hope and joy to its communities.
1. SHINE YOUR LIGHT!
The ‘Shine Your Light’ initiative takes Christmas carols onto the streets. Well-produced books containing carols, prayers and testimony create the possibility of ‘audience participation.’ Using the ‘Shine Your Light’ material, Birmingham’s Christians can join thousands across the country in bringing hope and joy to the streets over the weekend of Friday 12 to Sunday 14 December. Why not go to your High Street, offer a carol singing event to a local pub? The possibilities are endless. Last year, 700 people sang together in a joy-filled evening in the Holte End at Aston Villa, accompanied by a choir and the bells of Aston Parish Church. Let’s build a choir representing the unity and diversity of the Birmingham Church and sing in Birmingham City Centre on Saturday afternoon 13 December in prominent locations. Let’s put Christmas at the heart of the Christmas market!
Read more about the national ‘Shine Your Light’ initiative HERE.
2. ADVENT TREE
Started here in Birmingham, the Advent Tree is a wonderful way to share the gospel in our communities. Lit by a solar powered spotlight, the Advent Tree lights the words ‘Love, Joy, Hope and Peace.’ A QR code next to the tree sparks curiosity, inspiring passers by to find out more. The QR code links to a website where all ages can read about the Light of the Word and the giver of Love, Joy, Hope and Peace. From a central website, communities and individuals will be able to add a link to their local website advertising next steps, Carol services or a simple email to find out more. We offer a free booklet receive a short booklet called ‘Light and Life – The First Christmas’. Over 6,000 unique visitors accessed the website from seven towns across the UK, from Sunderland to Deal. Could ten people in each congregation display an Advent Tree in their front garden? The aim is to get 100 advent trees spread across Birmingham in 2025.
Read more Birmingham’s involvement in ‘Shine Your Light’ and ‘Advent Tree’ via THIS LINK.
29 July 2025
Workplace Chaplaincy Sunday – 5 October
WorkCare West Midlands (WMM) is pioneering ‘Workplace Chaplaincy Sunday’ on 5 October 2025. This initiative has received active support from mainstream…