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Hello everyone and welcome to the BUZZ.

THE BUZZ is a great resource that brings the whole Methodist Connexion together and allows us to share what's happening in our districts, circuits, churches and church groups. If you have any stories you would like to share, which illustrate how your church is working out the four aspects of Our Calling, then please get in touch.

You can advertise your church, circuit or district events and news on the Connexional Noticeboard on the Methodist Church website. See www.methodist.org.uk/local

After you've held your event, do let me know how it went. Your ideas can encourage and inspire others to try something similar and I'm sure the latest stories below will do just that. The contacts will be pleased to give you more information. The contributors have given permission for their images to be used by Methodist churches and ask only that they are credited in any publication.

If you would like an 'rtf' version of Buzz 90 for copying and pasting into your church newsletter click here

Lynne Newland

WORSHIP - New cross for church tower unites village
From: Burton Joyce Methodist Church, Nottingham East Circuit

"For several years the local council put a large illuminated cross on our church tower as part of the Christmas decorations for the village. It shone down Main Street and was an important marker for Advent and Christmas", reports Dinah Dudley of Burton Joyce Methodist Church. 

Eventually, the old cross became too decrepit and the council could not afford a replacement so our very small, ageing congregation decided that we had to raise the £1,000 necessary to replace it. We thought it would be difficult but within three months we had our £1,000. Donations were received, from the very small to the quite large, from many diverse members of the village community for whom the cross, with its message, was enormously important, even though church is not. A complete stranger thrust £40 into my hand and said "that cross - my family think it's so important!" and rushed off before I could thank him properly. 

Our cross shone out from the first Sunday in Advent and throughout the Christmas period and, as it is now a permanent installation, we can use it for Easter or at other times.  We feel so blessed by this and have learned a great deal from the whole experience. 

Credit: Margaret Brown

Kilsyth has experienced revivals in the past and there continues to be a calling on Christians in the area to both pray and share together. Bearing witness to this is the town coat of arms which contains a Bible representing the great Christian heritage which has been passed from generation to generation and the town motto of 'Spe Expecto' (look forward with hope).

Especially over recent years churches in the area have been united in looking forward with hope as they have shared in witnessing their faith and working together in outreach initiatives. One of those initiatives has been Healing Rooms. 

Healing Rooms Scotland's mission is to have healing rooms in as many towns and villages as possible with the purpose of providing a private place where anyone can receive healing prayer for physical, emotional and spiritual conditions. A Healing Room has been operating in a Kilsyth cafe on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday in the evening from 7-9pm. Excellent training is provided for those wishing to participate. This has involved people from all the churches in the town who have gained so much by sharing in this ministry and witnessing to all who come for prayer.

From this close working relationship has come another venture. Kilsyth & District Churches Working Together hosted a week of prayer at Kilsyth Community Church called The Big If, (2 Chronicles 7:14 - "If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray").The church was open from 8am to 10pm, Monday to Friday. Several areas were set up within  the church where people could spend time in prayer. There was an area designated for praying for the local community and those in leadership within the town and area, an area to pray for Scotland and a prayer labyrinth in the sanctuary which included a children's corner. There was also a quiet room where people could draw aside to spend time with the Lord and a diary which they were invited to write down what they felt God was saying.  Reading the diary was inspiring.  Over 200 people attended, many returning for second and third visits. Representatives from all the churches helped to organize the week and to steward the church during opening times.

The churches of the Kilsyth area continue to work together and look forward with hope as they share in what the Lord is doing, believing that this is the beginning of new and wonderful outreach.

EVANGELISM - Reach Out Market Stall
From: St John's Methodist/URC Church, Stafford Circuit

Credit: Cyril Unsworth

Some years ago, members at St. John's Methodist/URC church had a vision for a Christian bookshop in Stone, Staffs. Unfortunately the rent and overheads were far too high, so the suggestion was made to have a monthly market stall in the High Street. This was started in August 2008 with the help of a grant from the Stafford Circuit of £1,000 to cover membership of the National Market Traders Federation (which gives public liability insurance), balloons, a banner and other equipment. St. John's Mission Fund has also given financial support.

Every month around 150 balloons bearing the church's name are given to children. At Christmas and Easter they are also given colouring sheets with the appropriate story. Some months ladies are given a single flower with a text attached. 315 mince pies were given away with serviettes with the Christmas message and a copy of Christmas in Your Pocket in December 2009. 240 hot cross buns with a serviette carrying an Easter message were given away in April 2010. Since the stall began, 31 Bibles and over £4,000 worth of Christian books, cards and gifts (provided on sale or return by the Methodist Book Centre at Hanley) have been sold.

There is a team of around 20 willing helpers on the day, and many people who are unable to work on the stall help in the preparations. The costs of the stall rent are largely covered by members and friends throughout the Circuit who kindly give surplus cards which are sold at reasonable prices. Church members give mince pies and hot cross buns or £1 towards them, so many people support this outreach.

The main purpose of the stall is being there and being friendly! People come and share their stories of illness, bereavement and other concerns. There has been a pastoral visit referral, and a teacher who had to teach Bible stories and who didn't know any was able to buy books. Children's Bibles and prayer books are bought for babies' baptisms. Christians from other churches and denominations come to chat.

An unexpected bonus of the stall is the closer friendships that are developing as we spend time working together. We have also been strengthened in our faith as we have learnt to depend on God to provide the resources we need to continue.

Credit: Steve Christie

Bladon Junior Church has recently completed a week's run of Disney's Beauty and the Beast . This was an extremely ambitious undertaking for an amateur group in a small village. The rights to the show have been released by Disney for a limited period only, however due to the technically complex nature of the show, not to mention the difficult costuming, very few societies have attempted to stage this award winning musical. Our cast numbered 40 children and young people, aged from 4 years upwards and we believe we are the only such group in the county, if not the country, to have undertaken such a demanding production.

Bladon Methodist Church was transformed into a magnificent castle for our production of this classical musical love story which included spectacular lighting effects, dazzling production numbers such as Be Our Guest and breathtaking pyrotechnics! The show was great fun to rehearse and perform and the audience loved it. All six performances were sold out and we received excellent reviews and at least one standing ovation!