Category Archives: News

Unbounded Love is the theme of the Lent campaign for the Methodist Church in 2024 – holding together our commitments to be a justice-seeking church, and people who experience and proclaim the good news of God’s uncontainable love. Sign up for our daily reflection emails and find a range of resources that connect the Gospel readings from the Sunday lectionary throughout Lent to weekly themes, each one a line lifted from Charles Wesley’s hymn “Love divine, all loves excelling”.

• Access a webpage version of the worship resources
• Download a PDF version of the worship resources
  Resources for churches include a poster, ideas for either Sunday services or small groups, and a social media campaign pointing people to local churches.

Read the JPIT blog on how this evolved.

Poverty levels in the UK are in violation of international law, according to a UN envoy, last month. 

Read our JPIT’s blog post on poverty in the UK, and find out what you can do to respond: https://jpit.uk/poverty-in-the-uk

We are pleased to announce the launch of the Property Stewards’ Handbook!  
This handbook is design to be an across-the-board information resource for property stewards at a church, circuit and district level.  
It includes the Top 10 Essentials of being a property steward as well as other useful information and links. 
Click here to download a copy.

Stirling Methodist Church commissioned two banners to mark the COP 28 Conference starting this week. These now hang outside the church. Our thanks to David Crossley, a talented local artist, for the artwork and the donation of his time. We pray that the Conference will take some positive and radical decisions and these will be followed through by the governments of this world to preserve this wonderful planet.

Every Sunday at 7am the Circuit releases a video compiled by different people to offer an opportunity to worship from the comfort of your own home, as you nestle a hot cuppa. You have the choice to stop and start the video if you need to take a break or pray a wee while longer at a particular point.

The new link is https://www.youtube.com/@PollokshawsMethodist/videos

Pollokshaws are taking over from the closed Shettleston site and are merely acting as the digital mother church so we can stream the video across the circuit (and beyond) – it’s a bit like Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the Earth 😉

When a church ceases to meet, there are various steps that need to be taken as part of the closure process.  The Guidance on Closed Church Buildings was created collaboratively by the Conference Officer for Legal, Constitutional Practice, the Law and Polity Committee, TMCP, the Property Development Committee, the Heritage Committee and the Property Support team.  The aim of the guidance is to provide useful information, including a checklist and templates, to assist with this process.  

Click here to view a pdf version of checklist or click here for a Word version.

Additionally, click here for further pastoral support on Endings.  

The Revd David Hardman, the Methodist Liaison Officer for Jerusalem, has been talking to JPIT’s Politics
in the Pulpit podcast. The podcast considers the political dimensions in the Bible readings that are to be
explored in churches the following Sunday.
David talks about history, propaganda and peace in the context of his recent experience of living in
Palestine and what it is to be a Christian activist and disciple.

The President and Vice-President of the Methodist Conference have released a statement on the situation in Israel and Palestine. They have written to the UK Government to ask them to work for peace in the region and are asking you to join them in praying for those affected by the attacks. The Methodist Church has published resources, prayers, background and reflections.

Merciful God
We cry out to you, in anguish and horror, at the situation in Israel – Palestine
The images we are seeing, the stories we are hearing, of homes, hospitals, places of sanctuary, healing
and care, destroyed.
We know that there are so many more stories which have not yet been told, and perhaps never will be.
Of precious lives lost, of grief and trauma beyond that which most of us can imagine.
Compassionate God, you came and dwelt among us; you know and understand the suffering of this world.
There is no place beyond your reach; you are everywhere, even in places where we fear there is no hope
left.
Where we are tempted to despair, your spirit brings mercy, and justice, and healing.
You call us, again and again, in times of conflict and destruction, to be attentive to those who are most
vulnerable.
Give us the compassion to weep with those who weep, and mourn with those who mourn.
The discernment to recognize the limits of our own wisdom, and to avoid those actions and words which
may cause further harm.
Inspire in us a renewed commitment to walk humbly with you, seeking the peace and flourishing which
you desire for all of your beloved children,
Amen