News and Coming Up

If you don’t receive a Gift Day envelope with a message from P. J. but would like to give, please let Peter know. Similarly, if you do have an envelope but cannot get to church to give it in, please let Peter know. Envelopes were sent out on Friday 23rd.

Last Sunday’s worship was on the theme of Climate Sunday. Is there anything that you think we, as a congregation, should be doing to tackle the crisis the world is facing?

During last Sunday’s worship we were able to make a presentation to Forward to acknowledge his recent accreditation as a local preacher. The presentation was 3 books by the renowned Christian author William Barclay as Forward is collecting his works.

Methodist HQ has issued some advice about what can/ cannot be done, what should/ shouldn’t be done following the nationwide lifting of restrictions. As far as KMC is concerned, there will be little change. Face masks should still be worn and all other measures we have been taken will also continue for the time being. Also, services will continue to be every other week and coffee mornings and Saturday Lunches will remain suspended, The one big difference is that we can now all sing.

News of Pat Scrase. She spent 2 weeks in Southmead towards the end of May after having a fall at her flat. Fortunately, she did not do any damage to herself, they just wanted to keep an eye on her diabetes.  She then spent 5 weeks at a Rehabilitation Centre in Yate to get her more mobile.  She has now been back at her flat in Downend for a couple of weeks and she says she is getting along, with a little help every day, although she had to self-isolate for 10 days.

The New Room is running an on-site ‘Back In Time Days’ for families in August. These activity days are being held in the museum upstairs and will feature crafts and activities based on the theme ‘Made in Bristol’. Booking is by email and requires buying a family admission ticket to the museum which will enable free entry for a year. All details here:  https://www.newroombristol.org.uk/event/back-in-time-days/?event_date=2021-08-04

Please note that the New Room is continuing to encourage visitors to observe COVID-19 guidance on site, including the use of the Test and Trace system and the wearing of face masks.

Do you pray for justice issues?  It can be difficult to know where to start, or find a rhythm of prayer that works for you. The Joint Public Issues Team (JPIT) publishes a daily prayer for a local, national or global issue. You can access it on Facebook or have it emailed to you each day. More information can be found on the JPIT website http:///www.jointpublicissues.org.uk/corona-virus/stay-and-pray

Lectionary for 25th to 31st July. 2 Kings 4.42-44; Psalm 145.10-18; Ephesians 3.14-21; John 6.1-21. A big lunch. A large crowd have been closely following Jesus, and Jesus questions his disciples as to how they will provide hospitality to the horde. Andrew, one of Jesus’ disciples, brings a young boy’s small offering to Jesus, unsure of how a trivial contribution could be used. Jesus takes the offering, thanks God for it and feeds about five thousand people – with 12 baskets left over. Could you enjoy a picnic with friends, relying on everyone bringing something to share, or would you think you had nothing to contribute to the meal? When a boy gave his picnic to Jesus, everyone was blessed by God’s sharing economy. We bring; God multiplies; all receive – whoever we are!

A Community Kitchen has been established at Holy Trinity Church. It is open on Thursdays and Saturdays, from 5pm to 8pm, in the Church Hall. Hot and chilled meals are available to anyone and everyone living or working in BS15. It is a pay as you can deal although, if possible, a donation of £2.50 would be welcome. Meals can be delivered or collected. For more details visit Wearebs15.co.uk. Order by 6pm previous day by calling 01454 300186 or emailing hi@wearebs15.co.uk

Anthony Hick has arranged a Praise Party in memory of Rosalind at the Bourne Christian Centre (where Rosalind counselled) on Monday 26th July at 6.30pm. There is an invitation for all who knew Rosalind to attend. Numbers may be limited so Anthony has asked that those who wish to be there contact him on 07794319603 or anthony.hick@methodist.org.uk to confirm.

The Conference Business Digest is a report for local churches about the business of the 2021 Methodist Conference. Find a copy here: conf-2021-business-digest.pdf (methodist.org.uk)                           

 

Following prayerful consideration by the whole Church, the Methodist Conference has voted to confirm provisional resolutions on the principles or qualities of good relating, understanding of cohabitation and same sex marriages. This was the motion: “The Conference consents in principle to the marriage of same-sex couples on Methodist premises throughout the Connexion and by Methodist ministers, probationers or members in so far as the law of the relevant jurisdiction permits or requires and subject to compliance with such further requirements, if any, as that law imposes.” The vote was 256 in favour with 45 against. 29 of the 30 Synods voted in favour.

President of the Conference the Reverend Sonia Hicks said "The debate today and our wider conversation has been conducted with grace and mutual respect. As we move forward together after this historic day for our Church, we must remember to continue to hold each other in prayer, and to support each other respecting our differences." For more details visit http://ow.ly/TOU750FlUrK

Reports suggest the first weddings are expected this autumn but not at KMC. Churches are not being forced to hold same-sex marriages. We, in common with all Methodist Churches, will now have to decide at Church Council whether we will allow them: we can say ‘no’ to this. P. J. will also have to make her own mind up as to whether she will conduct same-sex marriages, again it is not compulsory that she does. As P. J. will shortly go on sabbatical, I do not expect KMC Church Council to debate the issue any time soon.

In her address to Conference, the new President, the Reverend Sonia Hicks spoke at length about the importance of the Eucharist. She finished with these words: “Let us welcome the opportunity to sit at God’s table and as we do so, let us maintain the standard of love, let us uphold the standard of hospitality and let us embrace the standard of proclamation so that the glory of the Triune God may blaze forth in these lands.                                      Words create worlds.
God spoke in Genesis, his language distilling into stars, oceans, planets.
And God still speaks today,
always innovating and constantly creative.                                                                                                              He does not bend to cultural progress, rather he leads the way.
Not innovation for innovation’s sake,
But the plan of an upside-down kingdom where the last are first,
And the dinner table is set for the unlikeliest of guests.!                                                                                          If you would like to read the full address, and it is certainly worth reading, you can find it here: www.methodist.org.uk/about-us/the-methodist-conference/conference-2021/presidency. If you do not have access to the internet, let me know and I will print a copy for you.

Sunday 4th July is the nation’s first ever National Thank You Day. For more details visit Thank You Day

The 2021 Gift Day will be on Sunday 1st August. The service that day will be led by the Reverend Mandy Briggs.

The Church AGM on 12th June agreed that:

  • Groups and organisations can restart meeting as normal from September albeit having to comply with strict cleaning instructions
  • Coffee mornings and Saturday Lunches would not restart
  • Services would continue being held every other week until February 2022

Some of the vacancies on the appointments list were filled:

  • Emma Wakeman is to become Church Council/ AGM Secretary. This does mean she will relinquish her Gift Aid role but there are 2 people considering taking this one.
  • Loice Maisokwadzo has been appointed Pastoral Secretary and will also look after GDPR matters.

Thank you very much Emma and Loice.

There are still some vacancies: Health and Safety rep, Church Representative to Circuit, Cradle Roll secretary, Circuit Youth & Education rep and World Service & Mission Secretary.  Any volunteers?

If you would like a copy, either paper or electronic, of all the reports prepared for the AGM, please let Peter know.

A while back I tried to explain over a few Newsletters the ‘Methodist Way of Life’. We now have a number of booklets with this title – please pick up a copy when you are next in church.

The New Room shares an Emmaus Service (a short services with prayers, a reading and a reflection) on Facebook on Tuesdays at 1pm. The services are also available on the New Room’s Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCefGahuFuZ2HIthS7MTVl1w

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.

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.

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

A Circuit welcome service for David’s replacement, the Reverend Novette Headley, will take place on Sunday 5th 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.

P. J. is 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 26th July to 30th November.

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.