Issue 96
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 with me. If you wish to change or delete your details please scroll to the foot of this page.
You can advertise your church, circuit or district events and news on the Connexional Noticeboard on the Methodist Church website. Here's the link: www.methodist.org.uk
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.
If you include a link to Buzz from your own church website, the link to the latest edition will always be: www.methodist.org.uk/static/html_emails/buzz.htm
Lynne Newland
WORSHIP - Bath hymnathon results in 310 hymns in 7½ hours
From: Nexus (Walcot) Methodist Church, Bath
Inspired by a recent King James Bible challenge, Mike Renton of Nexus (Walcot) Methodist Church in Bath undertook a hymnathon to raise money for the Southdown Methodist Church and Community Centre Redevelopment Fund.
The Southdown Church and Community Partnership, based on a Methodist initiative, has been working since 1998 to provide caring support to the community of Southdown and Whiteway. The redevelopment will transform the local Methodist church into a modern, multi-purpose church and community centre.
Starting at 11.45am on Sunday 8 May, Mike played all the hymns, carols and religious songs he knew on the church keyboard. As his sight-reading is rudimentary, he was playing by ear (without music), in keys suitable for untrained voices. Members and visitors were invited to come and worship by singing along, and refreshments were provided.
It took 7½ hours for Mike to play 310 numbers. On Monday morning he was stiff but happy and contributions, so far, total over £2,500. You can see a short video (not 7½ hours) on the Nexus website.
Website: http://www.nexusbath.org.uk/nexusnews.htm
From: Springhill Methodist Church, Brownhills and Willenhall Circuit
David reports that the church is actively involved in local issues and concerns. Each member has their personal individual "visiting" ministry, be it support for families who are grieving or who have relatives in hospital or in keeping contact with people by phone or sending flowers. The church also contributes articles to the circuit magazine, sending copies to email contacts in this country and abroad, viewing this as part of its outreach. Although few in number, that doesn't stop worship from being a joyful time. As David says, "We really enjoy singing our heads off for every hymn whether it be from Hymns & Psalms or Mission Praise, in our Sunday Service. "We have been running a very active Bible study course for a few years and as part of the 400th anniversary celebrating the King James Bible, we recently used a modern copy of Wesley's Study Bible. We also exhibited an old family Bible, printed in 1769 in Birmingham, containing family records from 1801. The old Bible will remain on display for a few months so that those visiting us for our Festival of Praise, Harvest service and Christmas carol service, will be able to see it. Our deacon's son was intrigued to see such an old Bible and amazed to learn that every page was type set and every image block printed.
The chapel measures 24 feet by 24 feet and there are 8 members of the congregation, yet the enthusiasm of this church should be an encouragement to other small congregations. As David Evans, one of the members says, "When you stand up straight for the Lord, never be surprised at how tall you are".
"We try to be outward-looking and welcoming and it is often remarked by visiting preachers that there is a deep spiritual feeling and a warmth of fellowship here. Our front wall poster, in big black letters on a white background, so that passing motorists can read it, clearly says ' Enjoy life to the full with Jesus'. That's just what we want to say to everyone."
Website: http://brownhillsandwillenhallmethodistcircuit.org.uk/churches/springhill/
EVANGELISM - Flower festival proves popular with tourists
From: Dersingham Methodist Church
Dersingham Methodist Church in the West Norfolk Circuit hosted its annual flower festival over the late May bank holiday. Although the village is not big, it is on a popular tourist track and so the flower festival attracts a lot of visitors as well as locals.
Over five days hundreds of people came into the church. In the main chapel the windows were dressed with flower displays on biblical themes, and this year all of these related to gifts and talents. Most of the 12 displays were created by members of the church, but others were done by groups, including two from local schools, which helped bring lots of parents and friends through the doors. A visitor guide explained each display and the relevant Bible verses, and also meant that visitors left with a list of what else the church does throughout the week. The rooms behind the church hosted “the gift of creativity” – paintings and other artwork by members and local artists. Lunch was available in the church hall where some stalls were set up selling books, CDs, plants and second-hand items.
Overall, more than 200 meals were served and over £2400 raised, after expenses, of which £500 went to the incubator unit at the local hospital and the remainder to church funds. But most important was the number of people coming to the church, some of the first time, and all leaving with smiles on their faces.
From: The Derby Circuit
Have you ever wondered what other congregations get up to? What impact does the local church actually have on the world around us? What forms of mission and service are ordinary Christians getting involved in?
Those were the questions being answered by the Methodist churches of the Derby Circuit at a recent roadshow. Over 20 different organisations were represented, all with links to local congregations, at the event held at St John’s Methodist Church, Allestree, Derby. Every available space was used to fit in the many activities represented.
Groups represented included: Aquabox, Children of Honduras Trust, Christian Aid, Derby Church Net, Derby Refugee Advice Centre, Derby Soup Run, Educare/Phakamisa Project, Fairtrade, Friends of Kenya’s children, Highfields Happy Hens, Illuminate Project, Industrial Mission in Derbyshire, Kampala Kids' League, Kashmir Hospital, the Leaders of Worship and Preachers Trust, the Leprosy Mission, Methodist Homes and Live at Home Scheme, Methodist Relief and Development Fund, Mission Aviation Fellowship, Nigeria Health care project, Open the Book, Treetops Hospice and Women’s Network. Each had a display to show the work they do and the services that they provide, either locally, nationally or globally.
The circuit superintendent minister, the Revd Paula Hunt said “It’s an opportunity for us to show some of the ways in which Christians in Derby minister to people in need, well beyond the boundaries of the church.”
The event was well attended with much networking between representatives of the many charities present and local church representatives taking the opportunity to book speakers for forthcoming meetings.
A service was held to finish the event at which the Revd Loraine Mellor, chair of the Nottingham and Derby Methodist District said “it’s been a great afternoon… lots of different ways that people are getting involved in mission, and that is super for the kingdom and I’m pleased by that.”
If you wish to see more about this event log on to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOUt2yQlghk and see the video produced courtesy of Derby Church Net.
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