Rev David Easton’s farewell and thank you service is on Sunday 31^st July 2022 at 3pm at Stockton Heath Methodist Church

If you will be attending please let Viv Palmer at Stockton Heath know – [email protected]

As previously announced at the Synod the Liverpool District is running a series of sessions looking at topics raised by various reports to the conference this year.

As you will see the first one is next Wednesday – we thought these details had been issued last week – but appears that they didn’t go out as anticipated – please give wide circulation (e.g. in church notices etc.).

These are open to all and each one starts at 7:30pm, each one is a stand alone session so whilst you are encouraged to attend as many as you wish there is no presumption that anyone will attend all of them!

Wed 20th October – Enabling Inclusion: Theology of Disability led by Rev’d Dr Christine Jones

https://zoom.us/j/93347068789?pwd=elpEV0p0Y0ZTT3lOZEx5M2c3cHBtQT09

Meeting ID: 933 4706 8789
Passcode: 721387

Mon 15th November – The theology of safeguarding with Rev’d Dr Nicola Price Tebbutt (Secretary of Faith and Order Committee) and Mr Tim Carter (Connexional Safeguarding Officer)

https://zoom.us/j/95446293775?pwd=RzUyYWE5NnkzRElKN3JvODlCZW1QQT09

Meeting ID: 954 4629 3775
Passcode: 738583

Wed 19th January – Transforming Lives: Education Strategy with Revd Dr Roger Walton (Chair of Methodist Schools Committee)

https://zoom.us/j/95741038166?pwd=TlZzV0dWd2NXV0Zlb0tGQUVZbHNQdz09

Meeting ID: 957 4103 8166
Passcode: 766438

Tuesday 15th February – Ministry in the Methodist Church and Changing Patterns of Ministry with Craig Price and others (Faith and Order
Committee)

https://zoom.us/j/97897320499?pwd=aDRKSFd3b3F4RHErQzF6UVg3R1lndz09

Meeting ID: 978 9732 0499
Passcode: 169248

Thursday 24th March – Oversight and Trusteeship with Rev’d Dr Nicola Price Tebbutt (Secretary of Faith and Order Committee) and Rev’d Dr James Tebbutt (Chair – Cumbria District)

https://zoom.us/j/96608148173?pwd=dCsxMkNVVVNaM1MvaUNvZnJqZWNKUT09

Meeting ID: 966 0814 8173
Passcode: 658105

A copy of the Sankey Valley Methodist Circuit Circuit preaching plan for September, October and November of 2021 can be viewed on our website under “our Church” -> “Church Schedules”.

Rev David Easton will be running a ‘Disciple Course’ if anyone wishes to participate.  This will be an on-line course using zoom with occasional face to face meetings.

The ‘Disciple Course’ aims to cover 75% or so of the bible over 34 weeks and is an intensive bible study.

Wednesday 25^th August – Unit 1
Wednesday 1 September – Unit 2

7.30pm to 9.30pm.

If you are interested please let Emma know ASAP so I can let you have the zoom details or contact any church steward for Emma’s details.

An appeal from our District and Circuit

An appeal that is from the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine

The appeal asks that we, who are so lucky to have our vaccinations free on the Health Service, donate the price of a vaccine (£25) to Malawi and other African countries who have no health service and no vaccines to date.

I am aware that the Government is supposed to be donating through Covax, but this is an individual response to say thanks for what we have. I am sure you are aware that PPE etc. has been in very short supply and the LSTM started this appeal off to supply PPE to Malawi etc, realising that this was the first step.

LSTM have a young graduate working in Zomba Hospital in Malawi. As Christians, Jesus ask for our commitment to the poor and needy and this appeal is one of those appeals that is to serve that need.

Please go to the website detailed above – it tells you all about the appeal and who it helps and how to donate.

https://www.lstmed.ac.uk/support-us/bump-it-forward

Thank you!
Jenny Ashcroft,
Local Preacher, Skelmersdale LEP

Rev David Easton is holding three Advent meetings on zoom which anyone from across the circuit is welcome to join. The studies will be based on a book by Revd  Stephen Dawes called “Who is this Jesus born of Mary?”

His book looks at Matthew chapters 1 and 2, Luke chapters 1 and 2, and John 1 vv 1-18.  It is not necessary to have a copy of the book to join the study course but I understand it is possible to get the book through Amazon or possibly ebay.

The dates and subjects are:

30th November @ 7.30pm – looking at Matthew’s account of the birth of Jesus
7th December @ 7.30pm – looking at Luke’s story of the birth of Jesus
14th December @ 7.30pm – looking at John’s explanation of the coming of Jesus

Anyone wishing to join us should email <…..> for the zoom joining details.

Please e-mail [email protected] for the contact name.

The circuit have been working with Trinity Safe Space during Covid but it has
been difficult giving the ESOL lessons and supporting the asylum
seekers. As lockdown and Covid are likely to be with us for some time
yet, we’ve been reviewing how we can support people without actually
meeting them face-to-face. We’ve identified several roles that we need
help with and I’m wondering if anybody in the Circuit has any spare time
to help with the following:

ESOL lessons – we’re using Zoom and What’s App. We have a qualified ESOL
tutor to help with any training needed

Befrienders  – loneliness and mental health is an issue with many of the
asylum seekers and we thought that if someone was prepared to telephone
them perhaps once each week or fortnight that would help. We are
currently looking at some ‘Listening’ training

Administration – as we often apply for funding, we’re looking for
someone who could collate paperwork. Also, we have been offered a
storage unit to keep clothing and food but need somebody to oversee it.

I’ve attached some role descriptions below but if anyone would like more information or an application form then please e-mail <…..>

Please email [email protected] for the contact details.

Many thanks

Text4Prayer is an initiative that was a result of prayer walking around Padgate and God speaking very clearly about a way that the community beyond the church could connect with us to ask for prayer in whatever situation they face.

There is a dedicated mobile phone that is only for texts, not calls, and each message that is received gets a personal response from one of the trained T4P team.

There are not huge numbers of texts being received – sometimes none, other times a few in a week – and the phone can be passed on to another trained team member at any time to ensure that it doesn’t become a burden.

I am now looking to grow the team and will be putting on training on Tuesday 15th December at 10am  on zoom, for anyone who is interested in learning more and possibly becoming one of those who take charge of the phone.

If you are interested in this, and are confident in using a mobile phone, please contact me for further conversation and the zoom connection.

Deacon Helen Coleman
Sankey Valley Methodist Circuit
<Please contact a church steward or e-mail [email protected] for Helen’s phone number>

There is a circuit meeting on Tuesday 8th September at 8pm on zoom.

It is really important that people attend this meeting to ensure all our churches are represented and to discuss circuit and financial items.

Please contact Rev Linda for the zoom login details.

There is a welcome service today at 3pm for our new minister joining the circuit, Revd Mark Harwood.

The service is on zoom. Please contact Rev Linda for the details.

During the August period some of our circuit ministers will be taking well deserved holiday’s at different times.  Anyone requiring urgent ministerial and spiritual support during this period can contact Emma (mailto:[email protected]) at the circuit office should your minister be away.

God in Love Unites Us at Farnworth Methodist on Sunday 9^th February at 3:00pm. Marriage and Relationships Task Group. Followed by a Bring & Share tea. For more details please see the poster on the notice board.

It is broke, and we need to build again. This will be done in the New Year as early as possible. We need to establish a team of people with IT skills that can work on this project. If you or anyone else from your church is interested in serving in this way, please contact Alan Rogers on 01925 266316 or email [email protected]. Many Thanks

Bold Street are looking for volunteers to help run their coffee shop.  It is open Monday to Friday from 10:30am to 1:30pm. The coffee shop sells cakes, tea, toasties, sandwiches and backed potatoes. It is an integral part of Bold Street, but they need volunteers to keep it open.  Please contact Karena C. for more information (Please see our paper notices or e-mail website for her phone number)

Copy of the minutes from the meeting held on 21^st February are on the pulpit table.

A Christmas concert at Antrobus Methodist Church by the Bridgewater Singers on Monday 3rd December at 7:30pm.  The event will support the Circuit Charity  –   PAPYRUS.  A retiring collection will be taken in lieu of tickets.  Refreshments in the interval.

Local Preachers Recognition Service on Sunday 25th November at Lymm Methodist at 16:00pm followed by tea.  For more details please see the poster on the notice board or check back here in a few days.

Come to Bold Street, Warrington at 4pm on Sunday 30th September to Explore, Reflect, Discuss and Understand the Holy Spirit.  Then at 6pm join in or sit back and enjoy the Circuit Worship.

Please let Emma T. know if you would like this year’s prayer book.  They are £3.50 each

At the Circuit Meeting on 20th June, David Easton announced that he will be leading a party to Oberammergau Passion Play in 2020.  the proposed date is 1st  –  8th July 2020.  there will be a meeting at Penketh on 19th July at 7:30pm where David will have some more information on what is proposed.  There will be a DVD shown describing the Passion Play Event.  All are welcome to attend the meeting to learn more about the Passion Play whether or not you decide to come to Oberammergau

Circuit Service tonight at 6:30pm at Cross Lane Church, Newton-le-Willows.  Please see the poster on the notice board for details.

Circuit Service on Sunday 24th June at 6:30pm at Cross Lane Church, Newton-le-Willows.  Please see the poster on the notice board for details.

St. James’ are having their annual strawberry tea in aid of the circuit charity. This will be held on Saturday 23rd June from 2pm until 4pm. Tickets are £3 which includes strawberries or peaches and cream or ice cream, plus cake with tea, coffee or juice.

The Circuit Charity for the last two years has been Parkinson UK. We are now looking for a new charity to support from September 2018. Proposals are invited from all circuit churches (one from each church). The proposal should be on an A4 page and give a brief outline of the charity and why the circuit should consider adopting it. The circuit Leadership Team will consider the proposals and a maximum of three will be shortlisted for consideration. The 3 churches whose proposals are shortlisted will be asked to give a short presentation at the June Circuit meeting and a vote will then be taken at a meeting to decide which one will be accepted as the circuit charity for the next two years. Proposals should be submitted to Jane Otterson, Senior Circuit Steward, by 1st June preferably by e-mail. mailto:[email protected]

Circuit Service collection on 8th October at Stockton Heath or Parkinson’s raised £318-18.