News and Coming Up

Whilst shopping in Sainsburys Emersons Green last Saturday, I bumped into Pat Scrase, being wheeled around by her son. She looked well and wished to be remembered to everyone.

South Gloucestershire Council, in partnership with Southern Brooks, Healthwatch South Gloucestershire, Avon Indian Community Association and Diocese of Bristol, are hosting an online event for faith communities. “This is a multi-faith event and we are inviting communities from all faiths - and those without a faith - to come and discuss the relationship between faith and Covid-19. Faith has been incredibly important during the pandemic, and the way people worship and engage with their faith has been dramatically changed. Faith has been a lifeline for some people, and the Council wants to support local faith groups as we progress through the pandemic.” It is on Wednesday 19^th May, from 6pm to 7pm, and pre booking is required. More details here: Faith and Covid-19: an event for faith communities Tickets, Wed, May 19, 2021 at 6:00 PM | Eventbrite

Mental Health Awareness Week runs from Monday 10^th to Sunday 16^th May 2021. From their publicity: “During this pandemic, millions of us have experienced a mental health problem, or seen a loved one struggle. And we’ve seen that the support we all need just isn’t out there. For them, for us and for you – we must take this chance to step up the fight for mental health. That means fighting for change, for fairness, for respect and for life-changing support.” For more details visit www.mind.org.uk

The next Wes talk from the New Room is ‘Craftivism – how can you gain a political voice through craft?”  It will be shared on Zoom as a live webinar on Monday, 17^th May from 7.30pm. Craftivism.com defines Craftivism as “a way of looking at life where voicing opinions through creativity makes your voice stronger, your compassion deeper and your quest for justice more infinite.” It is compassion and quest for justice that will be explored in this talk. Tickets, priced £5, can be bought through Eventbrite here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/wes-talks-craftivism-how-can-you-gain-a-political-voice-through-craft-tickets-151489967571

The Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church has sold its remaining company holdings in the oil and gas sector, including Royal Dutch Shell. This follows advice received from the Methodist Church’s Joint Advisory Committee on the Ethics of Investment (“JACEI”) in April 2021, that no companies in the sector are currently aligned with the climate change targets set out by the 2015 Paris Accord.

Lectionary for 9^th to 15^th May. Acts 10.44-48; Psalm 98; 1 John 5.1-6; John 15.9-17. Friends. Jesus encourages the disciples to keep his commandments and, above all, to love one another as he loved them. He says that those who do this are his friends and he emphasises that this is his choice rather than theirs. We explore what ‘loving one another after the example of Jesus’ means in practice. What is the nature of this love (in contrast to popular usage – e.g. in something such as Love Island)? What are the implications that everyone who follows Jesus, whatever our relationship with them might be – good, bad or indifferent – is chosen by him?

Please remember that, other than Pre School, BB, Brownies and for the Sunday service, no one should enter the premises without clearing it with Helen Shears first. When on the premises there is a need to cleanse anywhere and everywhere that you touch – handles, pens, surfaces etc - and wipes are available for this purpose.

At the next Church Council, which will be combined with the AGM, on 12^th June, we need to appoint a GDPR officer. Preferably this will be someone who does not already have a number of church roles. Any ideas or, even better, volunteers?

A video of the Methodist Women in Britain Easter Offering service can be viewed here.

It was announced some time ago that the Reverend Novette Headley would be joining the circuit in September as our new Superintendent. Whilst that will still happen, she will be with us for only one year as she has been asked to become the Chair of the Birmingham District in 2022.

Whatever Next? Saturday 15^th May, from 9:30 to 12:30 on Zoom. The pandemic has thrown so much of the life of the church out of its normal patterns and there is the realisation that some of ‘normal’ will not return and that new opportunities and ways of doing things are emerging. The Bristol District Mission Team is organising a morning conference to explore ‘whatever next’ – how patterns of mission will emerge out of the pandemic. The morning will be interactive aimed at sharing ideas and looking for possibilities.  It is designed for anyone who is excited or worried about what the future pattern of mission will be.

Something you might not have been able to do for some time is make your contributions to JMA. If you would like to make a cheque out for the outstanding amount, Marion Areskog would be delighted to receive it. Please contact Marion on (0117) 961 6000.

As the Christian Aid rep for KMC, Janet Woodward is urging everyone to donate to the circuit’s idea of " Taps Simple " instead of supporting Christian Aid Week in May, which, for obvious reasons, we will not be holding. Details of “Taps Simple” are below.

The Circuit, working in partnership with Christian Aid, has launched a campaign where people can donate money as an expression of thanks for their Vaccinations. The money will be used by Christian Aid to fund clean water, hygiene kits and PPE facilities in communities to enable COVID Vaccinations to be distributed safely. Below is a link to the TapSimple fundraising page and an article explaining the campaign. So far £3,250 has been raised. Anybody who cannot donate on line can send a cheque payable to 'Christian Aid' to Adam Biddlestone, Circuit Office, Horfield Methodist Church, Churchways Avenue, Bristol BS7 8SN with a covering note explaining you wish your donation to be added to our appeal. TapSimple Fundraising page (if you can't access the page by clicking on the link, copy and past the link into your search engine) https://giving.tapsimple.org/online/christian-aid/giving-thanks-for-our-vaccines-across-bristol-south-gloucestershire-methodist-circuit

Wesley Cottage Quiet Garden. Jesus said, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest” (Mark 6:31). This ‘virtual’ Quiet Day is intended for use after Easter 2021 as we move on with Jesus in his resurrection life. Prepared for use at Anthony Hick’s Wesley Cottage, the pack enables far more people to join in, on any day, in the comfort of your own venue of choice. Details can be obtained from Peter Shears.

A reflection on the Stations of the Cross and Resurrection in glass in the light of COVID-19 has been created by the Revd Rachel Parkinson, Chair of the Wolverhampton & Shrewsbury District. Details can be found here: Stations of the pandemic (methodist.org.uk)

The Methodist Church is to commit to a two-year project looking at how the Church speaks out on social issues and challenges injustices. The project will aim to make the Church more effective in speaking and acting for justice and transformation.

The New Room is pleased to announce a live music event this July. Folk at The New Room returns on Thursday 22^nd July with The Hut People, bringing a mix of global rhythms with folk tunes from Quebec to Spain, Scandinavia to Sussex and everywhere in between in a quirky celebration of our rich musical heritage.

The Methodist Church has a modern art collection. This can be viewed on-line by visiting The Methodist Modern Art Collection

Very advance news. A Circuit farewell service for the Reverend David Alderman will be held on Sunday 18^th July at 4pm. Either venue or zoom details will be published nearer the time. A Circuit welcome service for David’s replacement, the Reverend Novette Headley, will take place on Sunday 5^th September at 4pm at Parkway Methodist Church.

A reminder. Fund raising. Do you shop on line? Do you book travel on line? If so, if you do it via the web site easyfundraising,org.uk/panel you can raise funds for the church at no cost whatsoever to yourself. The retailer you purchase from – and there are something like 3,700 of them - will make a donation to the church.

The Church AGM will be held at 10am on Saturday 12^th June. It will be combined with the June Church Council. Whether it will take place by people attending the church or via zoom will be decided nearer the time.

Later this year P. J. will be taking a sabbatical. She will be adding annual leave at the start and finish of it meaning that she will be not be available during the period 26^th July to 30^th November.

Wednesday Worship. Each Wednesday during lockdown, the Reverend David Alderman will prepare an act of worship at 2pm on the Circuit Youtube channel. Bristol & South Glos Methodist Circuit - YouTube. This will be available to  watch at other times.

Morning Prayers. 10am, Monday to Friday, from Wesley’s Chapel in London: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUAUqhmhevz5sqhh72LIMxA

Every Friday the New Room share a reflection – details can be found here: Latest News Archives - The New Room Bristol, John Wesley’s Chapel

There is a live service from Methodist Central Hall Westminster each Sunday at 11am - https://mchw.live. And also from Wesley's Chapel London at 11am www.youtube.com/channel/UCUAUqhmhevz5sqhh72LIMxA  a present 

DailyHope, is a free national telephone line which offers music, prayers and reflections as well as full worship services from the Church of England at the end of the phone. The line – which is available 24 hours a day on 0800 804 8044 – has been set up particularly with those unable to join online church services during the period of restrictions in mind; to provide comfort and spiritual nourishment to the most isolated in our society.

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.