Wesley – Page 51 – The Methodist Church in Scotland

The latest blog post from JPIT suggests that the Government is not looking to see whether Universal Credit is causing hardship. Foodbank referrals are increasing, and, if the Government’s plans are implements, around 6 million families will be receiving Universal Credit, including around half of the UK’s children.

October 28, 2018

Our Covenant with God

Methodists hold an annual Covenant Service, at which we celebrate all that God has done for us, and affirm that we give our lives and choices to God.

The Covenant Prayer

I am no longer my own but yours.
Put me to what you will,
rank me with whom you will;
put me to doing,
put me to suffering;
let me be employed for you,
or laid aside for you,
exalted for you,
or brought low for you;
let me be full,
let me be empty,
let me have all things,
let me have nothing:
I freely and wholeheartedly yield all things
to your pleasure and disposal.
And now, glorious and blessed God,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
you are mine and I am yours. So be it.
And the covenant now made on earth, let it be ratified in heaven.

More about the covenant.

August 4, 2018

the connexion – Testimonies

The latest issue of the connexion magazine explores Testimonies. Read about the testimonies of a wide age range of Methodist people.

May 10, 2018

Creating a culture of welcome: church-led responses to migration and refugees

At the recent JPIT conference, David Bradwell, JPIT member and Co-ordinator of Scottish Faiths Action for Refugees, and Philip Jones and other members of Wilbraham St Ninian’s URC who have direct experience of the UK asylum and refugee system, led a session on the UK’s response to refugees.

They explored practical ways your church can demonstrate love-of-neighbour. This is for everyone, whether or not you have asylum seekers or refugees living in your local area: there are things all of us can do to create a culture of welcome in church and in society.

Read the briefing paper Made for Goodness: A faithful response to the refugee crisis.

If you want to have sacred conversations on migrating within your local church or church related group @home in a strange place is a very useful resource.

Here are some Church organisations carrying out work with refugees that you can get involved with.

Scottish Faiths Action for Refugees

Christian Aid

City of Sanctuary

Churches’ Commission for Migrants in Europe

CTBI Focus on Refugees

April 30, 2018

Universal Credit is driving families to food banks

A report by the Trussell Trust notes a 51% rise in food bank use in Universal Credit Areas and a 13% rise in other areas. Many areas in Scotland are now full service areas for Universal Credit, meaning that those under pension age claiming income-related benefits for the first time will wait at least a month for their first payment.

April 30, 2018

Sight Loss Friendly Churches

The Torch Trust offers support for churches who want to become sight loss friendly, with advice available on their website to ensure that churches are safe and welcoming to all with visual impairments.

March 16, 2018

Copyright for churches – you need to know!

Every piece of original work, whether written, composed or filmed, is protected by copyright during the creator’s lifetime and generally for 70 years after the end of the year in which they died.

Copyright is an intellectual property protection which affects the use of liturgy, music, images and other resources or text in worship, online and in print.

The law on copyright has significant implications for local churches, a number of which have been pursued by copyright holders for alleged copyright infringement with the potential for significant fines and legal costs.

To stay within the law, all churches need copyright approval to: