On Sunday, 29th August members of the Methodist Church in Bitton were joined by a large number of friends as they held a special Service. They included the Vicar of Bitton, Rev. Paul Denyer (left) and the Vicar of Longwell Green, Rev. David Adams and members of their congregations. Behind is Mr David Pullin, member of the Church. They will not have regular services at the Chapel in future, but hope that the building will be part of a good Christian presence as a centre for the Community.
There are more photos of the occasion on our Gallery.
You can read the latest news about relief efforts in Pakistan if you click HERE: this will take you to the Methodist Relief and Development Fund pages about this tragedy.
A family wades through waters while fleeing the flooded village of Karam Pur in Pakistan's Sindh province.
© REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro, courtesy of http://www.alertnet.org/
Please check if the Tweets shown on the left of this have an update on relief funds
A NEW BOOK RECOMMENDATION FROM Peter Grimwood is on
THE 'PEOPLE' PAGE (click to go there, please)
BLASTOFF!
Among many events around the churches during this summer has been a Holiday Club at the United Church in Longwell Green, with the Church filled with space-themed fun.
Great work is done for and with Students in Bristol through the ministry of Victoria Methodist Church and the Free Church Chaplaincy in the care of Rachael Fletcher.
You can catch up with Rachael's Summer Term report by clicking on the Chaplaincy Logo (Left)
Editors of newsletters can find items of interest from the Bible Society every week: please click HERE to find out how to do it
News of other Methodist events -especially good news as in an online publication called BUZZ, can be obtained regularly if you look at the list of 'Tweets' on the left, or you can subscribe to the Methodist E-Letter, which you can receive free.
Click HERE to get to the registration page for them, please
If you Want to do Something Useful ............
(or if you know somebody who has time on their hands)
Churches and charities would quickly fold if it were not for those who give time to help others in all sorts of ways -and sometimes it is those with the least time who do the most.
Those who retire find that they still want to be active, and discover that they still have skills and friendship to offer in a rewarding way.
Younger people between jobs or waiting to start work often cannot yet find the employment they feel is right for them. They do not realise that they not only could offer their time to keep them alert, but also gain valuable skills over a short period which might make the difference when their CV is seen by a potential employer.
So if you know of somebody who needs a helping word of advice about how to get more satisfaction out of life, invite them to log in here and read below just a few of the places where they might be just the person to share the work of local voluntary organisations.
- Every charity shop in our area would probably welcome more helpers, and the ***Methodist Centre (see below, too) in Midland Road has a busy shop
which always will find you something to do
read the latest Methodist Centre Newsletter by clicking HERE
- Many hospitals and care places look for members of the public for all kinds of extra pleasures that people from the community can provide
- Some schools welcome help with helping to hear reading by pupils
- Our own busy Circuit Women's Network is looking for a Co-ordinator to take over from Mrs Chris Perkins when she becomes the District President MHA is very active in Bristol
and Mrs Margaret Naish who is busy with MHA, a hardworking volunteer herself, has identified a particular place where help would be appreciated:
Hartcliffe Nursing Home needs volunteer help to assist the Activities Co-ordinator.
This may include talking to residents at coffee mornings or assisting with leisure pursuits. Any help offered will increase the quality of life for the residents. For further information please contact the Nursing Home on 0117 964 1100 or home.hcl@mha.org.uk
- the New Room, John Wesley's Chapel in Broadmead, Bristol, has a team of Stewards, but a heavy commitment to find SIX a day in 2 3-hour 'shifts'. In particular the New Room would be able to develop its tellling of the Methodist story if somebody with experience might offer to work as a Curator at the Museum. There are details on their WEBSITE, or you can telephone the Manager -David Worthington - on (0117) 926 4740
*** THE METHODIST CENTRE, Midland Road, Bristol
After the closure of the Methodist Central Hall in Old Market many years ago, there were those who maintained the witness and caring ministry in the city by opening the Methodist Centre, with a charity shop front, but a ministry exercised to many needy people in the premises.
The Manager is Ian Webb, helped by a team of volunteers from around the city, many from the churches in our Circuit.
FAITHSPACE
is a new mission venture in
South Bristol
A place to touch the love of God
A space for Life
A space for Dreams
A space for Art
A space for Family
A space for Faith
Right in the heart of Southville is an undiscovered gem.
faithSPACE is a new way of seeking God in the community. We want to walk with our neighbours as they journey through life. We've got some flexible premises which are open to a range of possible uses and our interest in the arts, the environment and families is opening up some interesting conversations.
BETHESDA COMMUNITY ARTS CAFÉ
on the main road in St George Bethesda Community Arts Café is a not-for-profit project and is a company limited by guarantee.
It operates from Bethesda Methodist Church in Redfield and is open
Tuesday to Friday 10am-2pm every week.
"We seek to provide a relaxed, friendly, informal atmosphere in which local people can meet, eat and enjoy a little time away from the demands of their daily routines."
Many other churches have been kept, transformed from the old, cold and often beautiful vast buildings into fresh and welcoming places. In some cases, after faithful and devoted care by members, buildings have been closed. Some of them join and bring fresh life to other existing churches.
And services are not always 'traditional' - there are several 'Messy Churches' and 'Early Bird' services, for instance.
In the Circuit there are several
CHAPLAINCIES
to Bristol University and the University of the West of England
and also to five hospitals
2 prisons
1 MHA establishment
The Bristol City Council
Rolls Royce and Airbus
Railtrack
and, at Midland Road (see above), there is a unique ministry to those who have many social needs
OTHER EXAMPLES ARE
Drama Groups
at least one Orchestra
several Choirs like the Gospel Group at Parkway and
Horfield's Music Group
at least FOUR Puppet Groups
at Potters Wood, Kingswood, Hanham and 'Handstands' at St Andrews, Filton
HISTORICAL SITES are also places where our faith is expressed in fresh ways, following the maxim 'Mission through Heritage' and a reminder that our Methodist witness is based on times when the Gospel was brought to life in fresh ways
Hanham Mount
This historic site is preserved by the local Council and under the oversight of the Friends of Hanham Mount The new green beacon which shines out from Hanham Mount, commemorating a special place from which the Gospel has been preached by early Baptists, George Whitefield, and John Wesley, was formally dedicated on Sunday, 20th July, 2008.
After a service led by Rev. Dr David Hardy (right), the Chair of the South Gloucestershire Council, Councillor Brian Freeguard (left), unveiled a new plaque to mark the occasion. (Also in the picture, Councillor John Goddard (centre), Chairman of the Friends of Hanham Mount.)
'SABBATICALS'
are an opportunity for ministers to do something special each seven years:
they appreciate it very much.
If you click on the picture of David Hardy on the left
you can read one Minister's fascinating study during his time of study leave
IMPORTANT: CPD
If you need to know the rules by which the Church tries to be properly Methodical, you can find and download the complete text -or any bit you need - of the official "Constitutional Practice and Discipline of the Methodist Church" ('CPD')
HERE