Information and Messages about the spiritual and pastoral life of the church

“For I know the plans I have for you”, declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”. – Jeremiah 29:11

CREATION CARE by Andy Evans in Germany

A Pastoral Letter to the Methodist People from the President and Vice-President of the Conference and the General Secretary

Dear All

We only find the expression “The Lord’s Day” once in Scripture (Rev 1:10) but there is evidence that it has been the formal expression of the Christian day of worship from New Testament times.   The early Christians named the first day of each week “The Lord’s Day”, associating it with Christ’s resurrection, and met together for worship.  The title suggests that it is Christ’s own day.  It belongs to him because of His resurrection, when he was “declared to be the Son of God with power” (Romans 1:4).  The title derives from the Lordship of Christ, which was declared in the resurrection on “the first day of the week” (Mark 16:2).  One can imagine the controversy in declaring the “Lordship of Christ” in the hostile Roman Empire as well as in other regimes down through the centuries and even in secular Britain today.

As a member of Knutsford Methodist Church you are, of course, a moamber of the Alderley Edge and Knutsford Circuit, and it is with this in mind that I am writing to you. Exciting developments are taking place in the Circuit, not least that as from September 2009 we will have a hew Minister coming to join us. When Rev. Richard Byass moves south to a new appointment in the Stevenage Circuit, Rev. Jackie Betts is arriving to become the minister to our churches in Over Peover, Snelson and Mobberley, and to be joint chaplain at the David Lewis Centre; in addition, she will take over the Superintendents role in the Circuit, thereby allowing me to concentrate on my increasing workload in Knutsford. To complete the Staff, Rev. Ben Clowes will continue as minister at Alderley Edge and Mottram St.Andrew, whilst taking responsibility for the Welcome. Jackie will live in Mobberley, in Wesley Cottage, Faulkner's Lane, and in order to bring this house up to the requirements laid down by the Methodist Church it is necessary to carry out some extension work. Plans have been agreed with the Council. The process of organising contractors to do the building work is being dealt with at present, and it is essential that everything will be completed and ready for Jackie to move into by the end of July this year. The anticipated cost of this work is in the region of £90,000. Of course, this brings an additional burden of cost into the Circuit's budget. To date we have monies available of £26,100 plus promised, short-term loans of £17,000, giving a total of £43,000, as well as a mortgage of £45,000 arranged with Chapel Aid taken over ten years. These latter amounts, totalling £62,000, have to be paid back via fundraising efforts. People are already working very hard to arrange events, and the first £2000 is almost in the pot! My reason for writing this letter is to encourage you to give earnest consideration as to how you, yourself, can help us achieve this challenge. Fundraising events are excellent, and provide meaningful opportunities for getting together and enjoying time with others. We have several dates in the calendar already but we are looking towards other ways of raising the capital too. If you feel you could give a direct donation to the project, that would be much appreciated, or perhaps you might be able to offer an interest-free loan for a period of time. Or maybe you know of others who would wish to support the work in our Circuit by giving a donation or a loan; also, if you are aware of any schemes through work or the wider community which have criteria that this project could fit into, then we would be glad to follow them through. The developments I have outlined are indeed exciting; to have the need for three full-time ministers shows the level of work our staff undertake on a daily basis, and the future looks full of optimism here in the Alderley Edge and Knutsford Circuit. However, we do need to have the house ready for Jackie's arrival in the summer, and to press ahead with gathering together the funds to cover the substantial outlay. Please give this letter your prayerful consideration, and, if I can be of help in any way, do not hesitate to get in touch with me or send any donations direct to our Circuit Treasurer, Michael Barker. Circuit Gift-Aid forms are available from Michael or the Office. Love and Prayers, Paul

Dear Friends, Welcome to all those who have recently started worshipping with us. I hope that you are already feeling part of the KMC family. Whilst we are seeing an increase in attendance at the 9.15am and 10.45am services, concern has been expressed in the General Church Meeting and at the Stewards’ meeting at the fall in numbers at the 6.30pm services. This is in part due to the morning services meeting the worshipping needs of people, a decline in the number of people attending church twice on Sunday and the timing of the services. In November we introduced Café Church in the hall. This was well received with comments about how it may be improved. We shall be holding our next Café Church on 22nd February. This will commence at 7.00pm with time for a chat and will run till around 8.45pm. This is flexible and will allow people to come and go as they wish. Young families have requested a later start time. So we have listened and will see what people feel. There has also been a request to increase the frequency of Café Church and we shall trial this over the March to May period. The styles may vary slightly with film based discussion, opportunities for testimony and even grill a minister! (Why should Sunday lunch be the only opportunity?) I have also been asked to include Holy Space, a reflective personal journey around several activity/prayer stations, increase the number of celebrations led by the young people whilst maintaining the Healing Services. I will do my best. Richard Forster says, “Worship is our response to the overtures of love from the heart of the Father.” We each respond in different ways according to our personality. However, we seek to respond in ways which include everyone and will be attractive to those who are not familiar with attending church. The Church continues to be open for personal prayer on Wednesday morning and for Space on Thursday lunchtimes. At the heart of all of these various styles of worship will be the presentation of the Word of God so that we can grow in our knowledge of God and how we should live in obedience to him. As we follow the life of Jesus as recorded in Mark during February we will discover how his public ministry was resourced by time alone with God. The outcome was transformation in many lives. As we respond to God, inevitably we will experience his compassion for others and seek transformation within our own community and the wider world. KMC has a heart for justice and will be focussing on Fairtrade at the Coffee morning and later in the month at the start of Fairtrade fortnight. It is important that we don’t forget the people in greatest need during the worldwide economic crisis. I hope that many of you will be able to attend the Church-Family Fun Evening on 7th February.

Dear Friends,

Over the next few weeks there is the opportunity to participate in times of prayer for the circuit and for KMC.

On Wednesday 13th May we are holding a circuit prayer and gift day at Snelson Methodist Church from 2.00pm to 8.00pm.  In the March Open Doors I laid before you the need for financial gifts to fund the extension of Wesley Cottage in preparation for the arrival of Rev’d Jackie Betts in September.  The building work has now begun. The Circuit Staff felt that we should give people the opportunity to bring their gifts on 13th May and also have a time of prayer to pray for the mission of all the circuit churches.  In the past, these prayer times have brought direction and encouragement to the churches.  Please drop in to pray even if you are unable to make a gift.

Another busy year of mission and ministry is drawing to a close.  It is difficult to assess what has been the highpoints but I am sure that you will be able to think of your own.  Here are some of mine.

As holidays go this one hasn’t been quite so bad.  We’ve had the flat for free, only a minute’s walk from a view of the Menai straight.  We’ve had two glorious days of sunshine – if you like that sort of thing.  We’ve visited various towns in the vicinity and sampled their cafés, shops, sand, slides and swings.  It’s been good, and it seems we’re surrounded by sailing boats.

It’s summer!!!! Hmm?-  where you say, “Well,  apparently summer happened here in England on Tuesday the 16th June!!” (according to the pilot that flew Neil, myself and about another 200 or so passengers back from Cyprus)