Happy New Year!

A happy New Year to you. For Methodists this is the beginning of our New Year and I pray that it will turn out to be a truly Happy New Year for all who read this blog.

For many this marks the beginning of new ventures in faith with new colleagues and new surroundings, and for all these I offer my supporting prayer that God will richly bless all their work for Him. This especially applies to our new President and Vice-President and the new Connexional Team - this includes the new Secretary of Conference - who will carry the responsibility of inspiring and directing all our work as a church - a connexion - this year. They will need all the prayer support that we can give them, so we pray that God will strengthen and empower them all in this coming year. Our prayers are also needed for all who are involved in Fresh Expressions of church, as well as for those who 'holding the fort' in difficult situations.

Yet there are others for whom this New Year begins with tears and disappointment, with hopes and plans in ruins, and an unknown future to face as they embark on the difficult task of finding a new station or a new job. In the midst of our joy at the begiining of a New Year, I plead for you to offer up fervent prayers for all who are picking themselves up, putting their hands into the hand of God and stepping uncertainly, fearfully yet trustingly into the future as God wills it.

This is the strength of the family of Methodism - the connexion - that when one part of the family is in distress, our hearts bleed with them and we close ranks to hold them up to the Father who cares for each and every one.

This, this is the God we adore,
Our faithful, unchangeable Friend;
Whose love is as great as His power,
And neither knows measure nor end.

'Tis Jesus, the first and the last,
Whose Spirit shall guide us safe home;
We'll praise Him for all that is past,
And trust Him for all that's to come.

Education Sunday theme is Come and See

The Methodist Church’s interest in education is not just a matter of faith schools and colleges. For many Christians, their engagement with the world of education can best be explained in terms of a sense of vocation in which teachers, administrators and others seek to be followers of Jesus. Hardly surprising when we encounter the inspirational model of Jesus the teacher. The focus of Education Sunday this year is “Come and See”, the challenging invitation that Jesus issued to his earliest disciples to learn more about Him.

Graham Russell, Chair of the Ecumenical Steering Group responsible for preparing this year’s material says: “Today we are still asked to recognise and respond to Jesus. To come and see, but also to go and tell. As we celebrate education, we look to be attentive to Jesus’ teaching and the impact of living out his example in our lives. We remember the gift of teaching and learning that sustains communities around the world as they grow from generation to generation”.

For well over a hundred years there has been an annual recognition in England and Wales of Education Sunday as a “special” Sunday, a national day of prayer and celebration for everyone in the world of education. The resources that have been prepared for those planning worship for this occasion have been sent to many congregations and schools. They are also available through many church and ecumenical websites. The aim of Education Sunday is to encourage congregations to think prayerfully about the world of education in all its aspects, and the countless people who are involved with it.

The resources are available from our website: www.educationsunday.org

Source; www.methodist.org.uk/news 11/1/2008


It is possible to celebrate Education Sunday and the start of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity both on the same Sunday but I think it's a pity that they coincide because there is a tendency for one or the other of these important 'specials' to be neglected. Here in Reading we have cause to rejoice that, after three years of all Christians in Greater Reading working to Regenerate Reading our prayers of previous years are being answered in a way that we never dared to hope! See http://www.regeneratereading.org.uk.

Methodist Church launches alternative credit card for Lent

The Methodist Church is encouraging people to buy less and live more this Lent, with their new alternative Buy Less: Live More credit card.

The card cannot be used to make purchases, but is designed to be placed in a wallet in front of other credit and debit cards to remind people to think twice before they spend. Buy Less: Live More aims to challenge people to curb their spending and shrink their carbon footprint.

The Revd Michaela Youngson, Methodist Secretary for Pastoral Care and Spirituality, says, ‘When we take time to think about the things we buy and why we buy them, it can help us to reconsider our priorities. I may well want to buy something, but does that mean that I need it? But Buy Less: Live More isn’t about depriving yourself of those things you want; it’s about looking at life in a new way, trying different things and taking a few risks. So as well as reducing your carbon footprint by getting off the consumer treadmill, you can live life in all its fullness.’

The initiative is supported by a website ( www.buylesslivemore.org.uk) and a dedicated group on popular networking site Facebook. During Lent people who sign up will receive a daily email with 2 challenges or ideas for buying less and living more. These updates will also be available on the website and Facebook group. People will be able to share their experiences online, swapping stories, questions and advice.

Note. Buy less: Live More credit cards can be ordered in packs of 10 from mph (www.mph.org.uk, 01733 325002) for free, with a small charge for postage. Product Code: PA 512.

Sourse: http://methodist.org.uk/news 11/1/2008


This is a very good initiative which not only extends the traditional discipline of fasting during Lent (limiting our food intake) but at the present time could be a help to all those who find themselves in debt.

Methodist Response to Queens speech

Anthea Cox, Coordinating Secretary for Public Life and Social Justice, says;

"The Government wants to make education, housing and health care the centre of its work over the new Parliamentary session. Methodists care passionately about these issues and welcome the opportunity for debate.

The Methodist Church welcomes the introduction of the Climate Change Bill. Earlier this year we responded to this bill in its draft form. As a nation the UK must achieve real year-on-year cuts in carbon emissions. The urgency for action is underlined by a report published by the UN today stating that carbon emissions from industrialized countries are at a record high. We argue that long-term targets should be revised in the light of the findings published this year by the International Panel on Climate Change. In addition we must not use the purchasing of carbon credits overseas to buy out our own responsibility at home.

The Human Tissues and Embryos Bill will prompt further debate on abortion and the ethical and moral issues around early human life. The Methodist Church will seek to listen, learn and speak with great care on this sensitive issue.

We take a keen interest in the proposals to combat terrorism. The Methodist Church previously opposed extending the time for which people can be held before trial to 90 days but we recognise the need to consider how a balance can be achieved between providing adequate powers to address terrorism and ensuring the right to liberty and justice for all."

Source: http://www.methodistchurch.org.uk/opentogod.news/ 6/11/07

I don't agree with the proposal to make it compulsory for young people to stay on at school or in training until the age of 18, although I fully understand the reasons behind it and am always encouraging those who left school early without much in the way of qualifications to take every opportunity to study to get those qualifications later in their lives. Anything that is compulsory tends to evoke rebellion in many teenagers, whereas I have known several who thought school was a waste of time until they found a job. Then they realised the point of it all and are quite happy to do that same study now because they can see how much it will help their work.

The opposition, who say that the Government is tackling the problem in the wrong way because we should, rather, be dealing with the cause of unqualified school leavers, has a very good point. However, it is far from easy to find a way to prevent the perfectly natural rebellion against compulsory education which happens even now and will surely increase if this legislation goes through.

Croeso i Gymru! The Methodist Youth Conference is coming to Cardiff

For three days in November, Cardiff will become the focal point for Methodist young people all over Great Britain to meet. The reason? Cardiff will be hosting the annual Methodist Youth Conference from 16-18 November 2007 in the new Urdd Centre in Cardiff Bay.

The Methodist Youth Conference is an annual conference that gives an opportunity for young people aged 13-25 from all over Britain to meet and discuss important issues they are interested in and how they relate to the Church. It is aimed at young people who are connected or wish to be connected with the Methodist Church.

Many young Methodists across Great Britain benefit from this annual meeting as not all are fortunate enough to have the chance to mix with many people their own age in their local church. ‘This is a great opportunity for the young people,’ says Reverend Susan McIvor from the Cardiff Circuit, who is one of the organisers of the conference. ‘They have chance to meet lots of other Methodist young people, talk about their concerns and draw the whole church’s attention to these issues.’

Each year the conference has a specific theme, and this year the young people have chosen to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the abolition of slavery in the UK and the freedom Christians find in their faith today.

The conference is held in a different location in Britain every year and this time it is being held in the Urdd sleepover centre in Cardiff Bay. Katie Demery, 16 from Cardiff said, ‘We think that the young people will love Cardiff Bay with its Doctor Who and Welsh Assembly connections. We also have lots of great activities planned for them. In fact, we’re a bit concerned that it will be so good they might not want to leave at the end of the weekend!’

The event has been organised through a planning committee involving young people from around the Cardiff Circuit area aged 13-25, offering the opportunity for all the young people involved not only to work as part of a team, but also to develop planning and social skills.


A hi-res image accompanying this story is available at http://picasaweb.google.com/methodistmedia/Stories/photo#5127420523095083682

New Young Congregations!

Another major report [before the Methodist Council] is into the appointment of pioneers to build new congregations. The Fresh Expressions organisation, which is jointly sponsored by the Methodist Church and the Church of England, has been successful in developing new forms of church and growing new church groups. But most of those attending Fresh Expressions-style churches are those who previously have had some contact with traditional churches. The pioneer scheme is designed to reach out to those who have never had any significant contact with any church, and this group includes a growing proportion of young people. The innovative and exciting scheme aims to fund about 20 pioneers for five years to build new young congregations across Great Britain and to support up to 60 more local initiatives. Council agreed the plan in principle.

Source: http://www.methodist.org.uk/index.cfm?

Should all church workers train in kickboxing?

No one would attack our new Deacon lightly because they would find her defending herself by kickboxing! She came here straight from College into her first appointment and introducing herself to her new congregations she wrote, among other surprising things, "For pleasure, you will find me shouting from the touch-line of the Harlequins' Rugby field at the Stoop in Twickenham, or down at the gym training to trade in my green belt for the next level up in the discipline of kickboxing." She tells a tale of her visit to a youth club where they had the kind of games console that requires you to physically interact with it. When it came to her turn, the youngsters ran downstairs calling,"Come quick! The vicar's kickboxing!" Of course her street cred went up dramatically and instantly! This is the first Minister or Deacon that we have known who has been trained in this discipline, but after reading this week's Methodist Recorder, I wonder if it could become the norm?

I read "Churches should be more proactive in helping ministers protect themselves against violence, according to independent crime-prevention body, National Churchwatch. Christian workers should be trained to handle violent and difficult people, but the various denominations have a ‘hit and miss’ approach to training and security, National Churchwatch co-ordinator Nick Tolson told The Methodist Recorder. ‘The Church needs to be alert and proactive’, he said. ‘The statistics show that all church workers – no matter what their denomination – are at risk’. National Churchwatch, which works to safeguard church communities, calls for the church to put resources in place to promote safety issues and self-protection.
‘Ultimately, the church needs to be prepared to accept responsibility for the safety of its staff”, said Mr Tolson.

Academic research into the incidence of violence among clergy has revealed that more than 70 per cent in the South-East had been verbally abused, while between 10 to 12 per cent had suffered from a physical assault during a two-year period. The study, published by Royal Holloway, University of London,also showed that church leaders were more likely than GPs or probation officers to be attacked at work.

At present, the Methodist Church does not offer a standardised safety awareness course for pre-ordinands. Instead it relies on training institutions to instruct new Ministers on how to handle difficult situations. According to the team leader in Formation in Ministry in the Methodist Church Connexional Team, the Rev. Margaret Jones, such instruction is best given on a local, District basis.

Source: The Methodist Recorder (18/10)

YOUR WILL BE DONE

The Southampton District Celebration Day for 20 years of Network took place at Wesley Church in Reading on Thursday, 4th October when a large number of women came from all over the District for the commissioning of Mrs. Ceri Ellis (wife of the Superintendent Minister of the Reading and Silchester Circuit) as the District Women’s Network President. Many of the women came from Ceri’s previous church in Bournemouth. After a welcome by the Rev’d David Ellis, Deacon Glenda Sidding (the President for 2006-2007) led the worship and, following reports from the District Project Secretary, the District Treasurer and the District Enabler, she added her reflections on the past year.

Then Glenda commissioned Ceri Ellis as the District President for 2007-2008 and this was followed by ‘Forward Together’ – the moving service written specially for the 20th Anniversary of Women’s Network. For our picnic lunch, many of us enjoyed sitting in the church garden created and tended by the Women’s Centre at Wesley, which was awarded a third prize in the 'Reading in Bloom' Competition.

At 2pm we re-gathered in the church to hear Mrs. Christine Stuckey speak on ‘Your will be done’, based on Ephesians1; 1-14. She began by saying, “It is difficult to discern what is God’s will. Where does our world fit into God’s world? My husband’s first Circuit appointment was in Scotland, so far away from family and friends or anyone that I knew. It was knowing that God wanted us to be there that helped me to cope. My mother was killed in an accident when I was 19. God’s will? How could it be? Much later, I still had no explanation, although I realised that God doesn’t inflict pain like that on us - but God is there with us. I spent 14 years as a District Nurse worrking in terminal and chronic care, where many people suffered from ‘multiple systems atrophy’ – a living death! God’s will? Never! All things work together for good to those who love God’, it is often said, but the translation is faulty and it should read ‘IN all things God works together for good….’."

Using her experiences during her husband Tom's Presidential Year, Christine then gave us examples of the way the Church across the world is changing, with tremendous growth in places like Cuba, where once there had been despair. She continued, "God is moving throughout the world. New things are happening in the church here with ‘Fresh Expressions’, with the right people in the right places at the right time. There is ‘Nexus’ below Manchester Central Hall providing a refuge for night clubbers; The Mint in Exeter open between 11pm and 2am for clubbers; and the café bar in Guisborough allowing people from the offices and shops to have lunch with a team there to talk to them, which has been so successful that they have now hired a disused pub up the road. [She could have mentioned Tubestation, the church in Cornwall which will be officially opened by the President, Dr. Martyn Atkins, on October 21st and which has replaced its pulpit with a skateboard ramp, attracting a congregation of surfers - though that had not even been started in Tom's Presidential Year!]

She continued “Network has come of age and is becoming independent from the Methodist Church. It is a time of change and we have to be open to what God is doing." Christine will in fact be our last District Network President because next year Network will be an independent charity with a new name - yet to be discussed. She concluded with a personal list of times when she had found herself having to say 'Your will be done' and challenged her hearers with her closing words "So the message is ‘That you may be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being’."

Methodism - It's Effect on Gilbert and Sullivan

The Vice-President of the Methodist Conference, Mrs. Ruby Beech, in writing a post entitled 'Methodism - It's effect on Gilbert and Sullivan' on http://methodist-presandvp.blogspot.com talks about the way in which Methodism is alluded to and portrayed in the media and asks the question 'What makes the writers have their particular view of Methodism?'

Ruby has had no comments yet but I would think that an interesting discussion could come from this question posed by our Vice-President and I shall be watching to see if this happens.