Join us:
Where
119 Jerviston Street
New Stevenston
ML1 4HT
(map)
Contact
Deacon Anita K Shaw Tel:01698 317220 Email: anitakshaw@gmail.com
Worship resumes at 11 am on a Sunday from 4th October
October 2020
Dear Friends,
Greetings in this strangest of autumns. Yet the trees are beginning to parade their autumn colours, the sunlight of the season has been stunning on the hillsides, the waterfalls cascade and thunder; the harvest is celebrated. God’s grace is sufficient. Yet we sense incompleteness, unable to connect physically with those who are dear to us, knowing that the creation is groaning in travail under the consequences of a rampant virus.
We have said goodbye to Tim and welcomed Bob into the staff team. We have already laughed and cried together as we try to minister in Strathclyde, alongside so many of you who pray with and for us. We are finding new ways to express worship, new avenues for service; we are learning at a new depth and finding opportunities to share the hope that is in us to new people. 5@5, YouTube on Sunday mornings, Zoom Bible studies, Online Love Feasts have become part of the rhythm of life. I hope you are managing to tune in to some of them. We want to make these online experiences more widely available.
Most of our churches are now open for physical worship – but it is not “the same”. It cannot be. Methodists not singing. Preachers unable to “read” the faces of the congregation. Neither a cup of tea nor a Tunnock caramel bar after worship. Yet, in it all, God’s grace is sufficient. Some of us are struggling to deal with all the uncertainty – the “not knowing” whether this is a comma, a semi-colon or a full stop (as the Secretary of the Conference remarked recently) is somehow disturbing. We try to make plans . . . but are conscious that they may well come to nothing.
Perhaps we have become more aware of what does matter to us, what we have taken for granted; more aware of the world’s inter-connectedness and brokenness; more aware of the reality of the God who draws near to those who are the least, the last and the lost. There is good news: that God in Christ has met us in our weakness and has proved love for us that goes beyond our imaginings.
Thanks to all those who will lead us in worship over the next few weeks. We hardly dare imagine what Advent and Christmas may be like. Thanks to those who have communicated kindness throughout the last six months – in emails, letters, cards, phone calls, in praying for each other. This is a remarkable community of faith – and I am humbled to be part of it.
There has been a lot to learn, and our resources have been stretched. We rejoice with East Kilbride in completing their renovations. The building looks good. We are thankful for those in our circuit who work in the NHS and in the nation’s schools and have done the work which is enabling us to function. Our prayers are for the church in East Glasgow/Shettleston as they seek to find a new “home”, for the congregation at Clydebank after the fire and break-in one September night, for those in leadership in these islands.
Peace to you all.
Andrew
The circuit service is broadcast every Sunday morning at 11.00 am online Service
and you can pick it up there any time after the Sunday morning. I am continuing to broadcast for 5 minutes live at 5 pm (5@5)on Saturdays on Saturday 5 minutes at 5pm
The church is keen to serve the community and offers several opportunities throughout the week for people of all ages to meet. The Welcome Break lunch on Fridays (Noon till 2.30pm) offers food and a welcoming place for everyone in the community to come together to share life’s stories.
About Us
The present church was opened in 2002, replacing an older building. The worshipping community is a gathered congregation bringing together local people and Methodists from other parts of North Lanarkshire including Airdrie and Bellshill.
Rooms Available to Rent please see details: rooms-available-to-rent
For further details please phone Jim McKerley 01236 769917
A Wonderful Display done for Harvest 2018 by the Girls Brigade
Photos from Harvest Celebration Farmhouse Tea in Aid of ALL WE CAN
Photo’s From The Prayer Walk
‘Finding a Voice’ .Fourteen people met at New Stevenston
for 5 consecutive weeks to study the film ‘ The King’s Speech’
and to explore how as Christians we can find our voice both in
the church and in society.