Fairtrade Fortnight runs from 9 to 22 September 2024.
Join us in urging everyone to Be the Change, by picking up Fairtrade products and speaking up for fairer trade.
Don’t miss Revd Helen Cameron, President of the Methodist Conference, Moderator of the Free Churches Group, and President of Churches Together in England, preaching to launch Disability Awareness Week, calling for justice, equality and access.
Watch the Disability Awareness Week launch service, available after 3pm on 15 September 2024 at https://valeofstour.org.uk/daw2024
More information about Disability Awareness Week.
9am Morning worship
9:30-10:30am Keynote session with Deacon Eunice Attwood
10:45 -12noon Synod for members (other activities on offer for non-Synod members)
1pm Gathering lunch. Soup & sandwiches – no cost, but please sign up for this.
2 – 3pm Gathering in Groups: a chance to meet with others from around Scotland with a shared interest/concern. The groups will be informally facilitated as shown below:
1. Local Preachers facilitated by David Wilkinson
A time to reflect on the call and practice of preaching and leading worship – the reality of the challenge, how to address those challenges and how to go forward in hope.
2. Supernumerary ministers and spouses, ministers’ widows and widowers facilitated by Mark Slaney
An opportunity for Supernumerary Ministers, Spouses and widow/ers of Ministers to gather for mutual fellowship and support, expressing hopes and dreams for the Methodist Church in Scotland and discerning God’s particular call upon us in this context. Tea and biscuits served.
3. Worship Leaders facilitated by Lorraine Darlow (Learning Network)
As we reflect on reality, how is worship enabling others to encounter God?
In our varied contexts, how is grief given space as a caring aspect of worship and discipleship?
Through the lens of hope, how can worship enable mission and growth?
4. The Well Community facilitated by Kathryn Campbell (Learning Network)
For those who would like to see growth in youth, children and family ministry. For grandparents, parents, carers, youth volunteers, Sunday school leaders, or anyone who values how we nurture faith in the younger generations. Come, join the chat and get to know others in the district who share your priorities.
5. Action for Hope facilitated by Hamish Leese, Connexional Action for Hope Implementation Officer
The Methodist Church is on a journey to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2030 (Action for Hope). This group will offer you the opportunity to connect with others who share a passion for the environment and care about climate change, as well hearing practical steps we can take as a Church.
6. Children’s Club facilitated by Emma Williams, Children’s programme leader
Are you ready to go on an adventure? Come and join us as we see how Jesus met with so many people, told them stories and helped those in need. We will explore how his ministry grew and how he invites us to be one of his friends too. There will be games, songs, stories, crafts and even some magic.
What does it look like to be justice-seekers in today’s church and world? Not just in what issues we focus on, but in how we go about it. All We Can have been on a journey exploring the ‘how’ as well as the ‘how much’ of international development. Let’s explore together what this might look like in Scotland.
7. Discerning God’s call to mission in Scotland facilitated by Eunice Attwood in the Ballroom
Take a moment to listen, observe and dream. How are you listening to God. Where do you see God at work around you? How is God inviting you to respond?
If you would like to attend a group, please email scotmethgathering@gmail.com indicating your three choices in preferred order. (First choices will be given as long as space allows).
3:30pm Perspectives on growth: a magazine style session with a Bible study led by David Wilkinson, ‘Church at the margins’ with Eunice Attwood, news from around the district and a panel discussion. Followed by…
5:15pm Tea-Time worship led by the children.
5.30-7:30pm Free time to find dinner/enjoy Stirling.
7:30pm Old Scots – New Scots A celebration of the cultural diversity of Scotland.
9:00pm Night Prayer
9:30pm Film Club: Intelligent Trees
For more information about any aspect of the Gathering email scotmethgathering@gmail.com
When a teenager was murdered in the street, a nearby church decided to step-up its
community work. Caroline reveals what happened next in the connexion magazine.
You don’t need to attend church to subscribe to future issues of the magazine (it’s
free!).
Read online now or subscribe to future issues of the magazine.
Could you be the next singer of our Christmas single as part of our Hush the Noise campaign?
After the success of our Christmas single release last year, ‘Be Born’, we are once again looking for a
talented singer to be the voice of our Christmas song.
We are looking for a young adult (18-30) voice who is able to sing in the style of indie, folk and pop. If
that could be you, please send in a recording of you singing your favourite indie, folk or pop track to Ben
Lawrence, our Digital Content Producer.
Audition recordings must be received by 30 August 2024
Harvest resources are now available from Christian Aid.
The Morrisons Foundation supports registered charities making a positive difference in local communities across England, Scotland, and Wales.
Grants are available for up to £10,000 for capital spend or direct project delivery.
The Morrisons Foundation prioritises applications from small charities, those with an income of less than £1m, but applications from larger charities are welcome. Click here to learn more.
The William and Jane Morris Fund supports smaller programmes of work concerned with the conservation of decorative or non-structural features inside the building, between £500 – £5000. This might include stained glass windows, sculpture, furniture, monuments and tombs, or wall paintings.
The object must have been made no later than 1896 (the year of William Morris’s death), even if it is in a building which is older. Turret clocks and organs are not grant aided. However applications for a clock or an organ case that makes a significant contribution to the interior of a church, and/or is of specific antiquarian interest, may exceptionally be considered. Click here to learn more.
In collaboration with the Methodist Church, All We Can have produced a resource to help churches explore and embody the 5 Practices of Justice from the Justice-Seeking Church report. This is not to encourage churches to start lots of new initiatives, but to help congregations ‘move the dial’ towards better ways of doing justice in what they are already doing. The sessions feature games, prayer activities, videos, and practical suggestions around the areas of Being With Not For, Humility in Community, Self-Awareness and the Use of Power, Transformation, and Prayer.
