Today is also Sanctuary Sunday. Sanctuary Sunday is a moment to both celebrate the voices and experiences of refugees in communities and churches around the U.K. and to commemorate those who have lost much sometimes even their lives – due to inhospitality, danger and abuse.
Gift Day. Copies of a letter from P. J. about giving and Gift Day envelopes are at the back of the church. Please do take one of each or more than one if you are able to pass them on. Please be assured that, despite the envelopes possibly suggesting different, all money donated will be just for KMC.: Peter ordered the wrong envelopes.
A number of dates were agreed at last Saturdays AGM. These include Christmas Fayre on Saturday 15th November Carol Service on Sunday 21st December Christmas Fun Finders on Mondays 22nd and 29th December February Warm Space week to be the week starting Monday 16th Other dates to note are Summer Fun Finders on Thursdays 21st & 28th August and Autumn Warm Space Week will start on Monday 27th October.
Kingswood Foodbank needs are tinned fruit, meat & fish, rice pudding custard, microwave rice, cartons of picnic size fruit juice, shampoo, ladies deodorant and washing up liquid. Thank you all very much.
The annual Methodist Conference starts on Thursday (26th)We still do not have any volunteers for the July Coffee Morning (due 12th July). However, we do have volunteers for the first after the summer break – 13th September: thank you Wendy and Maureen. The October Coffee Morning is due on 11th, in November it is the 8th and the December date is 13th. Any volunteers for these please?
A reminder. We now have a list at the back of the church which allows you to volunteer to do one of the Bible readings on a nominated Sunday. Please do add your name and save Sue constantly having to seek out readers.
The Potters Wood Methodist Church Flower Festival is on Saturday 5th July (10am to 4pm) and Sunday 6th (2 to 4pm) followed by a Songs of Praise at 6pm. The theme of the festival is ‘all things bright and beautiful’.
A new book about Bristol's churches - aptly called Churches of Bristol - is being published in July. There hasn't been a book like this for many years in Bristol. The book is not big enough to include every church in the city but it's still a fascinating read I’m told.
Lectionary 22nd to 28th June. Isaiah 65.1-9; Psalm 22.19-28; Galatians 3.23-29; Luke 8.26-39. Change for the better. Paul contrasts life before Christ, under the discipline of the Law, with the freedom that Christ brings to believers. Those who have been baptized into Christ have been clothed with him and previous divisions on gender or racial lines no longer exist – all are one in Jesus and true heirs of Abraham. We discover what a difference it made when God sent Jesus into the world to live, to die on the cross and be raised to new life. The world was changed forever and for the better. What changes for the better does God want to bring about in our lives?
At Hanham Methodist Church, on Saturday 21st June, at 7pm, a concert by Keynsham Brass Band. Tickets are £8 each and this includes light refreshments. The evening is in support of Turnaround Bristol.
Book club over the summer. The idea is to invite people across the Circuit to read a book, then come together to chat and discuss it. If you are interested, what book would you suggest to read? If you have an idea, please let Peter know and he will pass it on to Martin Slocombe.
A catalyst for Discipleship and Evangelism. An opportunity to be inspired, share resources, stories and ideas on Saturday (21st) at Badminton Rd Methodist Church, from 10:30 to midday.
Local News. In Kingswood Park, a Community Library. People are being encouraged to visit whenever they are passing the Park to take a book or leave a book for someone else to enjoy. There will be regular checks to ensure its kept clean and tidy.
From the Circuit Office: “Do you have a spare room you can rent to a refugee in Bristol? Refugee Welcome Homes is a local Christian CIC that supports local people to rent a room in their own home to a refugee recently granted status (right to live in UK, work etc). We provide ongoing support to refugee lodgers so you don't need to! We're specifically looking at the moment for 2 rooms in a home in Bristol for a mum and her 18 year old daughter. “
A new report has revealed the extent to which churches in Bristol are engaged in vital social action projects. The Bristol Thriving Communities report, released by Good Faith Partnership and Christian Action Bristol, analysed 195 churches in the city. It found that two-thirds of Bristol churches run social action projects, of which 75 per cent provide support for children or community hubs. Many of these are part of the national Warm Welcome Campaign, a network of over 5,200 spaces nationally which are free to enter, warm, and offer a listening ear and signposting to other support. This includes KMC.
The Methodist Church in conjunction with the faith organisation In Hope have launched the web site ‘Try Pilgrimage’. “Try Pilgrimage encourages Christians and non-Christians to embark on a unique journey to discover people, make new experiences and engage with their community. The website shares existing pilgrimage routes but also enables members of the public to step out of their comfort zone, create their own pilgrimages and share them on the website.” https://www.methodist.org.uk/about/news/the-methodist-church-and-hope-together-launch-try-pilgrimage. Peter can provide more info for those not on the internet.
The Methodist Church in Britain is issuing a formal apology to anyone who has been hurt or abused in any of the Mother and Baby Homes that it was responsible for in the past. Peter can provide more details if you would like them.
The purpose of Kingswood Methodist Church is to respond to God's Love in Christ and to live out that love in God's world.