Category Archives: News

The Weardale Museum, in Ireshopeburn, County Durham, is promoting the Methodist Tapestries Project, which will show the history and heritage of Methodism via the medium of embroidery. Relating stories not only local to the Museum but those of regional, national and international interest, the Project currently has forty-nine panels at various stages of construction and is looking for volunteers to take on further designs. Images of some of the current panels can be seen on the Museum’s website, including in the Gallery section which showcases different panels every few weeks.

As the museum especially values input and involvement from Methodist communities, it is keen to hear from Methodists who might be interested in participating in the Methodist Tapestries Project. Contributions of local stories that illustrate Methodist history and heritage are always appreciated, and of course if any potential stitchers were to come forward this would be excellent.

More details of the project, including links

Stirling Methodist Church has recently donated 20 trees to the Harmony Grove to mark the 200 years that Methodism has been in the city. One tree for each decade of our existence.

Harmony Grove is a project organised by Interfaith Scotland, to witness that all faith groups believe that, by working together, they can help preserve our precious planet. The grove is a mixture of trees native to this part of the United Kingdom and will increase the bio-diversity of the area in which it is set.

For Stirling Methodist Church this is the latest project spread over the last two decades which is a part of their witness in caring for creation. Their projects have included work of the Church, a listed building, to make it more environmentally friendly as well as encouraging members to make changes in their own lives that benefits the environment.

The Stirling Methodist Church was very active in the campaign to persuading the Methodist Church to divest fully from fossil fuel investments. The Stirling Church remains active on this issue trying to persuade Stirling Council to divest their pension fund from fossil fuels.

The Church Green Team is currently putting together their application for the Eco-Congregations Gold Award. The application will highlight the work that members outside the Church in their homes and through environmental and conservation groups they support and are active in.

All this is grounded in the worship of the church where we highlight the wonderful creation that our God has given to us as well as our shortcomings in caring for it as we should.

The Rev. Mary Patterson says: “The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it” (Psalm 24 verse 1). I am proud to be the minister working alongside a congregation who put their Christian faith into action by taking care not only of God’s people but God’s earth as well.”

Church Action for Tax Justice, which is supported by the Methodist Church, amongst others,  is calling for the introduction of a wealth tax.

Read more about it, and sign the petition.

Becky, a 19-year-old with severe disabilities received a standing ovation for her preach to thousands of people at Greenbelt Festival. Yet often her experience is not so positive. Becky says, “Too often disabled people, particularly those with severe disabilities, are judged as not having an opinion that is worth listening to.”

Becky was part of a conversation between three young adults which is available to view on this video hosted by Christian disability charity Through the Roof: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Or7CZjRIsfU&t=39s. They explored what the Bible says about the inclusion of disabled people and why they still find that this often doesn’t happen.

Fiona, Hannah and Becky are three young adults who have such a lot to give and a powerful message to share. All three experience disability and all know the challenges of not feeling included in Christian life. Becky may not be able to speak but, by using eye movements to activate eye-gaze technology she was able to preach at Greenbelt – to great effect.

Hannah urges churches to follow Christ’s calling. She says, “That’s what I want to see in churches. It’s for them to be what the Bible is telling us to be – to be counter-cultural and including disabled people and paving the way for the rest of society to see that this is a good thing to do.” A powerful message indeed.

Those who have seen the video certainly believe that disabled people are worth listening to, with one viewer commenting: “The interview has certainly challenged me to think about my understanding of the challenges faced by those with additional needs”.

Through the Roof makes it possible for churches and ministries to be able to respond to this message – providing free support and resources through its Roofbreaker project to enable Christian disability inclusion. As Becky says, “I would love to see a Roofbreaking champion in every church.” Find out how we can support and resource your church at: https://www.throughtheroof.org/forchurches/roofbreakers/

On Saturdays, around 9am, we will be releasing on YouTube a series of (very) short stories lasting 73 seconds. The aim is to put into modern words the message of the passage for that weekend but conclude with a question : how would you send this story? Viewers are invited to give their thoughts in the YouTube comments : perhaps a conversation will follow. These videos are not aimed at the congregations but those on the fringes of the church or even those who are issue of the church. We are hoping that they may watch something which is so brief and engage.

The link to the series of videos is here https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLx07WDOhN8_2IX3EPy2VxVXFkfaxmmSHF. They will be released via Facebook and Twitter. Please send the link on to those who may want to catch something different.

Bob Stoner