Training
- The deadline for Faith & Worship assignments for the Autumn 2014 assessment period is Tuesday 30th September.
- Link to the new 2015 exegesis passages.
- All systems are blazing as we put the final touches on the first couple of modules of the new Local Preacher/Worship Leader training pathway. This will be piloted in selected areas later in the autumn and available across the whole Connexion from September 2015.
- The working title for the course is ‘Worship: Leading & Preaching’ and there are answers to many frequently asked questions on the Methodist Church website or you can email localpreachers@methodistchurch.org.uk.
The Role of District Chair
The Larger than Circuit Report to Conference (2013) noted that any changes to Districts would have an impact on the role of District Chair. A small working party was established to consult widely and report back on the role of the District Chair today. The group has already consulted with District Chairs, the Methodist Diaconal Order and Superintendents among others, but they’d like to hear from as many Methodists as possible. Please let them know your thoughts by completing this survey before 15 September.
Freedom Sunday, 19th October 2014 – Worship and Action Resources
Freedom Sunday is a day of worship, prayer and action on human trafficking. On Sunday 19th October 2014, churches all over the world will join together to raise awareness of the crime of human trafficking and show the world our compassion for men, women and children who are trafficked and exploited.
The Methodist Church and Methodist Women in Britain, working alongside many other churches and organisations have been involved in creating worship and action resources for use on and around Freedom Sunday to raise the issues of human trafficking.
The Freedom Sunday resource pack contains prayers, sermon outlines and Bible studies for use in church services, as well as an action pack for congregations and individuals.
Singing the Faith Plus
A short film introducing Singing the Faith Plus will launch in early September.
Singing the Faith Plus was created in 2011 to support and complement the hymn book. The new film introduces all the website’s key aspects – from its individual hymn posts, topical features and worship resources to the popular lectionary suggestions and new hymns unique to the site.
For more details, sign up to the Singing the Faith Plus e-newsletter or keep an eye out for more details on the website itself.
This newsletter
Please tell us what you would find useful. We can’t promise to meet every need, but knowing what you find useful will help us set our priorities. You can reply to this email or email localpreachers@methodistchurch.org.uk directly.
Please share your successes with us. If you’ve written or unearthed a useful resource, or tried something new that is worth sharing with fellow Local Preachers across the Connexion, please tell us. Email localpreachers@methodistchurch.org.uk.
Other Resources
Don’t forget that the Methodist website is a great place to find a wide range of news, information and resources for all of the Methodist people. There is a whole section dedicated to Local Preachers – including a Frequently Asked Questions section, information on Faith & Worship and resources for Local Preacher Secretaries, tutors, mentors and students.