The new booklet Praying with Hymns is now available both as a downloadable PDF and as an A5 booklet, which you can order from Methodist Publishing, price £3.50. This is a resource for anyone who wants to use hymns as prayers. It is packed with easy-to-find suggestions grouped under themes familiar from Sunday worship, and includes suggestions of hymns written in the ten years since the hymn book was first published.
Comments Off on Advent Resources from the Joint Public Issues Team
JPIT has produced a liturgy for lighting Advent candles, exploring JPIT’s Six Hopes. Each week contains a reading, prayer and short reflection; there are Power point slides and short videos.
COP26 took place in Glasgow over the last two weeks. Despite hundreds of events, thousands of people lobbying and tens of thousands of delegates attending the conference, the outcomes were met with disappointment. Now, more than ever, we must focus on maintain the ambition of 1.5°c warming.
Comments Off on Through the Roof – enabling those with disabilities within our churches
“We Need To Show Another Way”
At a recent online event Jonathan Bryan, who communicates by using eye movements only, encouraged us all that, “As a church community we need to show another way from the norms of society, where disability is often begrudgingly accommodated.”
Jonathan communicated every word of his powerful presentation, although it was physically read by his friend.
At the event, hosted by Christian disability charity, Through the Roof, Jonathan shared some of his incredible journey from being unable to communicate to being freed to express his innermost thoughts and perspectives on life and faith, using eye movements alone to communicate via a specially designed spelling board.
He is used to the many disabling factors in society, and church life, that limit his full participation as part of God’s family – although his own church and youth leader intentionally involve him in the planning and decision-making of activities which affect him.
Still only aged 15, he has published a book, ‘Eye Can Write’ and established a charity, ‘Teach Us Too’calling for all children to be given the opportunity to read and write, regardless of their perceived ability.
One delegate enthused: “Jonathan showed us that although he is profoundly disabled, he is also profoundly able.”
Through the Roof CEO, Tim Wood said, “Jonathan’s presentation is highly recommended viewing for those committed to enabling disabled people to be part of church life, and absolutely essential for those who aren’t!”
The charity provides free support and resources to anyone who signs up as a Roofbreaker to champion the needs of disabled people in their church or ministry. Find out more at: https://throughtheroof.org/forchurches/roofbreakers
The Methodist Church in Britain launchied a Community of Evangelists in September 2021 – a small group of Methodists called and spiritually gifted as Evangelists. This community aims to raise up, challenge, and support theologically diverse Evangelists for our world today.
If you’re an Evangelist interested in finding out more about the Community, please download this Guidance Pack for Individuals.
If you’re a church leader who is supporting an Evangelist who may wish to join the Community, please download this Guidance Pack for Churches.
To apply to join the Community, you can use this Discernment Workbook if it’s helpful, and you can access the Application Form here.
If you would like to ask a question about the Community, please contact Holly Adams (Evangelism and Contemporary Culture Officer).
Comments Off on Christian Aid Scotland wins funds for South Sudan
Christian Aid Scotland has been awarded £120,500 from the Scottish Government’s Humanitarian Emergency Fund to reach those devastated by conflict, Covid-19 and the climate crisis in South Sudan.
Watch online and participate on Facebook at @MethodistChurchinBritain
Hope & Anchor is a weekly online chat show that explores spirituality and faith in an inclusive, fun, nonjudgmental way. Imagine a table at your local pub where friends and strangers meet up and talk about anything and everything, from the frivolous to the sublime – this is the energy of Hope & Anchor.
The show features guests from Britain and across the world who are taking faith outside of the box, addressing challenging questions and preconceptions with intelligence and loads of laughter, and inviting listeners to explore new spiritual landscapes.
It’s a show for everyone – especially those who don’t consider themselves religious but are spiritually curious and Christians who creatively challenge the status quo and are passionate about change.
Hope & Anchor is sponsored by the Methodist Church in Britain and welcomes guests of all faiths and no faith.
Co-hosted by:
Sonia Hicks, President of the Methodist Conference
Christian Aid Scotland has been awarded £120,500 from the Scottish Government’s Humanitarian Emergency Fund to reach those devastated by conflict, Covid-19 and the climate crisis in South Sudan.