August 2017
Dear Friends
The Birmingham Circuit is looking forward to welcoming you as members of the Synod of the Birmingham District of the Methodist Church to the next meeting of the Representative Session of that Synod. It will be held on Saturday 9th September 2017 from 10.00 am to 4 pm.
We have chosen Solihull Methodist Church to host this meeting of the Synod because it is hosting “Come and See”, an exhibition of paintings from the wonderful Methodist Modern Art Collection from Thursday 7 September to Saturday 30 September from 11 am to 5 pm each day (except Sundays). One set of paintings will be in the church, and another in the Courtyard Gallery of Solihull Library, which is 10 to 15 minutes’ walk away. We hope that there will be time in and around the Synod for you to look at least at the paintings in the Church, and that you will be inspired to go away and recommend that others “Come and See”, or even arrange to bring them. The paintings are magnificent! And if you want to stay on after the Synod, there is a concert of popular music and light classics in the church (surrounded by the paintings) by Nigel Ogden, the famous organist on Radio 2 and elsewhere. You will need tickets in advance for that, though, which can be ordered from 0121 705 7367.
Because of the exhibition, our sessions of the synod will mainly be held in the Church Hall and its ancillary rooms.
As usual refreshments will be available from 9.30 a.m., at lunch time and at the end of the day for those who wish to stay. Representatives are advised to bring a packed lunch, although there are also places that sell or serve food in the town centre 5 to 10 minutes’ walk away.
Transport and Parking
Solihull Methodist Church is on the corner of Blossomfield Rd and Station Approach at B91 1LG.
We strongly advise using public transport to get there. The Church is right next to Solihull rail station (on the line from Snow Hill and Moor St to Warwick, Leamington Spa and London Marylebone). The X12 bus runs every twenty minutes or half hour from Birmingham International Station (on the Euston line) and takes just over half an hour. It drops off in the town centre then comes to its terminus at the railway station over the road from the church. Other buses stop at the railway station or in the town centre (10 minutes’ walk away) or both.
If you have to come by car, we strongly advise car sharing.
The church has a car park but there will not be much space in it. Only those who have notified Solihull Methodist Churchin advance and been sent a confirmation will be given a place. Priority will be given to those who need disability facilities, and those needing to bring equipment for displays and talks. If you wish to have a space, please notify the church office on 0121 705 7367 by 9 amon Friday 8 September (after that time we shall not be able to process requests).
Apart from the church,there are car parking facilities at Tudor Grange Leisure Centre (free for the first 3 hours, then charges), Monkspath, Touchwood and other places with 10 or 15 minutes walk in the town centre. For details see http://www.solihull.gov.uk/Resident/Parking-travel-roads/parking/car-parks/solihull-town-centre-car-parks.
Space for displays
Because of the Art Exhibition, space for displays may be limited. If you wish to have a display to set up please contact from 0121 705 7367 by Friday 01 September with details of how much space you require.
Access for setting up displays can be made available from 9.00 a.m. on the day.
Crèche Facilities - if you require care for children under the age of eleven years please contact from 0121 705 7367 by Friday 01 September
DVD or power point presentations – if you require power point or DVD projection facilities for presenting business to the Synod or in workshops, please contact from 0121 705 7367 in advance and no later than Friday 01 September. Please note our system is PC based.
We look forward to seeing you all on the day.
Yours in Christ
Tony Malcolm