Sunday November 15th worship service is now available on our website under “Recordings of our Services“ for viewing or downloading.

The recording includes all hymns and songs.

The website allows you to download the recordings for later playback on your personal devices. Why not listen again in the car, garden, whilst walking or exercising?

There will be a delay in making today’s Sunday November 15th service available on our website. It looks like facebook has changed a few things rendering our usual tools in-operative for now.

Sunday November 8th Remembrance service is now available on our website under “Recordings of our Services“ for viewing or downloading.

The website allows you to download the recordings for later playback on your personal devices. Why not listen again in the car, garden, whilst walking or exercising?

Sunday November 1st worship service is now available on our website under “Recordings of our Services“ for viewing or downloading.

The website allows you to download the recordings for later playback on your personal devices. Why not listen again in the car, garden, whilst walking or exercising?

It is with sadness that yet again we have to suspend access to our church building to comply with Governmental instructions that take affect on November 5th.

This national lock down will legally prevent places of worship from being used except for:

• Funerals
• To broadcast acts of worship
• Individual prayer
• Formal childcare or where part of a school
• Essential voluntary and public services, such as blood donation or food banks
• Other exempted activities such as some support groups

As a result, the following planned onsite Sunday Worship services have been cancelled.

Sunday 8th – Remembrance Sunday
Sunday 22nd  – Last Sunday before Advent

We pray our planned service for Sunday 6th December, 2nd Sunday in Advent, can still be held onsite. It is hoped we can still do some type of collection for Children’s toys or maybe money. We will publish further information when it becomes available.

Except for Butterflies nursery, no one will be permitted access to our church buildings.

Our Church isn’t a building made from bricks. Our church is made from our faith and love that we have for our God, our minister and for each other and so during this time we will continue to worship LIVE EVERY SUNDAY via Facebook: Warrington Methodist Worship

Anyone without facebook can watch Sundays recording of our worship service during the afternoon via our website.

Sunday October 25th worship service is now available on our website under “Recordings of our Services“ for viewing or downloading.

The website allows you to download the recordings for later playback on your personal devices. Why not listen again in the car, garden, whilst walking or exercising?

Sunday October 18th worship service is now available on our website under “Recordings of our Services“ for viewing or downloading.

The website allows you to download the recordings for later playback on your personal devices. Why not listen again in the car, garden, whilst walking or exercising?

Sunday October 4th worship service is now available on our website under “Recordings of our Services“ for viewing or downloading.

The website allows you to download the recordings for later playback on your personal devices. Why not listen again in the car, garden, whilst walking or exercising?

This Month’s Methodist Insurance mailing list has a reminder that the overall winner of their Volunteer Awards will be announced on October 15th. They are all winners in our opinion but we wish our own Andy Barber, the North West Regional winner, our best wishes and prayers for the 15th.

Church Volunteer Awards

Sunday October 4th worship service is now available on our website under “Recordings of our Services“ for viewing or downloading.

The website allows you to download the recordings for later playback on your personal devices. Why not listen again in the car, garden, whilst walking or exercising?

Coming back to worship

We are aiming for a return to worship October 11th, 2020 at 10.45am. Hopefully going forwarded services will then be every fortnight. This will be in the form of a 30-35 minutes service with a congregation.

This will be subject to government and Methodist advice and the covid-19 situation at the time to ensure a safe return for you all

What will it be like?

Please be prepared to wear a face covering and sanitise your hands on arrival. Hand sanitiser is provided, and a disposable face covering can be provided if you forget to bring one. Please be aware some people cannot wear a face covering because of underling medical conditions.

Unfortunately, there is no singing of hymns or a time after the service for refreshment or socialising in the building

What happens when you come in?

There will be a one-way system in place

As we are required to register everyone for Track & Trace, please provide your name and contact details on arrival to a steward. All details will be destroyed after 30 days.

Monetary offerings can be left on a plate as you come in.

On arrival a steward will advise you which seats are available. Social distancing should be observed.

Unfortunately, no hugs or handshakes

Seating

Families and those in the same bubble can sit together – children who come will remain with their parent/grandparent/guardian for the whole service.

Please keep your coat etc with you.

If you have mobility concerns, please inform the steward as you enter the building.

All cushions have had to be removed so please bring your own if you need one but ensure you take it home with you afterwards.

Hymn books and Bibles.

There will be no hymn books, bibles or notice sheets.

Please do not sing or hum aloud, enjoy listening to the music and the bible readings

Holy Communion

Not at this stage. It is under review

Toilets

These are open please follow instruction.

Feeling unwell

Please do not come to church if you feel at all unwell. If you feel unwell during the service, please indicate this to someone and you will be given assistance.

After the service

The steward will guide you to the exit. Please keep your face coving on until you have left the building and observe social distancing

Hand sanitising will be available to use when you exit.

Sorry no hugs or handshakes or socialising in the building.

What happens next

The church and monetary gifts will be quarantined for a minimum of 72 hours. Toilets will be cleaned.

All decisions have been taken to keep you safe as we return to a different way of church.

Each service will be reviewed, any problems or concerns that arise addressed, and any change in government and Methodist guidelines implemented.

Rev Linda Bishop will continue with her online worship at 11am on each Sunday.

Please contact Julian or e-mail latchfordmc@outlook.com if you require further information

Sunday September 27th worship service is now available on our website under “Recordings of our Services“ for viewing or downloading.

The website allows you to download the recordings for later playback on your personal devices. Why not listen again in the car, garden, whilst walking or exercising?

Sunday September 20th worship service is now available on our website under “Recordings of our Services“ for viewing or downloading.

The website allows you to download the recordings for later playback on your personal devices. Why not listen again in the car, garden, whilst walking or exercising?

Sunday September 13th worship service is now available on our website under “Recordings of our Services“ for viewing or downloading.

The website allows you to download the recordings for later playback on your personal devices. Why not listen again in the car, garden, whilst walking or exercising?

Sunday September 6th worship service is now available on our website under “Recordings of our Services“ for viewing or downloading.

The website allows you to download the recordings for later playback on your personal devices. Why not listen again in the car, garden, whilst walking or exercising?

Christmas is coming, the geese are getting fat,
Please put an Angel in the collection hat.

OK, so Poetry isn’t my strong point; But could we please appeal for knitted Angles in time for Christmas.  Never knitted before? Why not give it a try and see how you get on?

These Christmas Angels have made a fantastic difference to peoples lives and, more now than ever, we need them even more.

We’d be grateful for as many as possible and the pattern is available on the Church website <click here>

We will figure out a way of collecting them in time for December.
Many thanks from the Latchford Mission Team.

Sunday August 30th worship service is now available on our website under “Recordings of our Services“ for viewing or downloading.

For those without internet access, the service is available by phoning the number you have been provided. The sermon starts in  part 3.

Please contact any Church steward or Linda if you need this telephone number.

The website allows you to download the recordings for later playback on your personal devices. Why not listen again in the car, garden, whilst walking or exercising?

A few people have noticed the “building closed” sign on our Church and Hall doors have been removed. Their removal wasn’t intentional but instead blew away in the recent gales.

New signs will be going up this weekend saying the following:

ALL ACTIVITIES SUSPENDED

After reviewing the latest regulations and guidance on places of worship, our demographics and the increasing possibility of a second wave we intend to keep the building closed and continue with our online worship services and mid-week pod casts. It’s imperative that we don’t undo all the hard work and sacrifices made over the past few months as well as keeping everyone as safe as possible when we do finally open.

With the exception of Butterflies Nursery and authorised Church staff, no access is permitted to the church buildings.

We are constantly evaluating this situation and will reopen the building as soon as we can.

Worship services are being live-streamed on Facebook on Sunday’s at 11am. Please check our website for information on how to access this broadcast.

We pray that everyone remains safe and healthy and look forward to the day we can re-open our door.

With love and Blessings,
Latchford Methodist Church
28^th August 2020

Sunday August 23rd worship service is now available on our website under “Recordings of our Services“ for viewing or downloading.

For those without internet access, the service is available by phoning the number you have been provided. The sermon starts in  part 3.

Please contact any Church steward or Linda if you need this telephone number.

The website allows you to download the recordings for later playback on your personal devices. Why not listen again in the car, garden, whilst walking or exercising?

Rev Mark Coles has decided that any materials he produces from August onwards is for his own use only. We therefore can no longer re-share any of his work on our website or facebook pages.

For anyone without access to Linda’s facebook page a copy of August 16th available on our website under “Recordings of our Services“ for viewing or downloading.

For those without internet access, the service is available by phoning the number you have been provided. The sermon starts in  part 2.

Please contact any Church steward or Linda if you need this telephone number.

Mid-week recordings are also available for viewing.

The website is updated frequently during the week and it also allows you to download the recordings for later playback on your personal devices. Why not listen again in the car, garden, whilst walking or exercising?

For anyone without access to Linda’s facebook page a copy of August 9th Sunday worship service led by Rev Linda Bishop is now available on our website under “Recordings of our Services“ for viewing or downloading.

For those without internet access, the service is available by phoning the number you have been provided. The sermon starts in  part 2.

Please contact any Church steward or Linda if you need this telephone number and please let people without internet access know this facility is available for them to use.

Sorry but no recording of Rev Mark Coles this week.

Mid-week recordings are also available for viewing.

The website is updated frequently during the week and it also allows you to download the recordings for later playback on your personal devices. Why not listen again in the car, garden, whilst walking or exercising?

For anyone without access to Linda’s facebook page a copy of August 2nd Sunday worship service led by Rev Linda Bishop is now available on our website under “Recordings of our Services“ for viewing or downloading.

Sorry for being late this week, it was due to circumstances beyond my control.

For those without internet access, the service is available by phoning the number you have been provided. The sermon starts in  part 2.

Please contact any Church steward or Linda if you need this telephone number.

Mid-week recordings are also available for viewing.

The website is updated frequently during the week and it also allows you to download the recordings for later playback on your personal devices. Why not listen again in the car, garden, whilst walking or exercising?

For anyone without access to Linda’s facebook page a copy of today’s Sunday July 26th Sunday worship service led by Rev Linda Bishop is now available on our website under “Recordings of our Services“ for viewing or downloading.

For those without internet access, the service is available by phoning the number you have been provided. The sermon starts in  part 2.
Please contact any Church steward or Linda if you need this telephone number.

Mid-week recordings from Rev Mark Coles and Rev Linda Bishop are also available for viewing.

The website is updated frequently during the week and it also allows you to download the recordings for later playback on your personal devices. Why not listen again in the car, garden, whilst walking or exercising?

Today’s worship service by Rev Linda Bishop is 2 hours in duration and unfortunately too large to upload to our website.  Linda’s service can only be viewed via the Warrington Methodist Worship facebook channel.

Sorry but the phone dial in service to listen to Latchford’s service is not available this week.

For anyone without access to facebook then Rev Mark Coles worship service can be viewed on our website. under “Recordings of our Services“ for viewing or downloading or at the Sankey Valley Methodist Church youtube channel.

A reminder of the links to the following live-streamed services

Methodist Central Hall Westminster

Sundays 11.00

https://mchw.live

Wesley’s Chapel London who will live-stream from the chapel (the Minister lives on the premises)

Sundays 11am

www.youtube.com/channel/UCUAUqhmhevz5sqhh72LIMxA

Swan Bank Methodist Church in Burslem, this worship will be studio based – with strict distancing rules being followed

Sundays 10:30

www.youtube.com/user/SwanBank and www.facebook.com/swanbank/

For anyone without access to Linda’s facebook page a copy of today’s Sunday July 12th Sunday worship service led by Rev Linda Bishop is now available on our website under “Recordings of our Services“ for viewing or downloading.

For those without internet access, the service is available on the phone number you have been provided with the sermon in part 2.

All songs and hymns will always be present.

Mid-week recordings from Superintendent David Easton, Rev Linda Bishop and Rev Mark Coles are also available for viewing.

The website is updated frequently during the week and it also allows you to download the recordings for later playback on your personal devices. Why not listen again in the car, garden, whilst walking or exercising?

Yesterday, July 4^th, the government has permitted the resumption of church worship subject to a very detailed list of rules and regulations. Our church trusties are studying this lengthy documentation along with guidance from the Methodist Church of GB, The Sankey Valley Circuit and our own minister and we will publish more information when possible.

It’s imperative that we don’t undo all the hard work and sacrifices made over the past few months as well as keeping everyone as safe as possible when we do finally open. Until that time we intend to keep the building closed and continue with our online worship services and mid-week pod casts from our circuit ministers. For those without internet access, there is a phone number you can call to listen to our Sunday services, please ask any steward for that number.

We pray that everyone remains safe and healthy and look forward to the day we can re-open our door.

With love and Blessings,
Latchford Methodist Church

For anyone without access to Linda’s facebook page a copy of today’s Sunday July 5th Sunday worship service led by Rev Linda Bishop is now available on our website under “Recordings of our Services“ for viewing or downloading.

For those without internet access, the service is available on the phone number you have been provided with the sermon in part 2.

All songs and hymns will always be present.

Mid-week recordings from Rev Mark Coles and Rev Linda Bishop are also available for viewing.

The website is updated frequently during the week and it also allows you to download the recordings for later playback on your personal devices. Why not listen again in the car, garden, whilst walking or exercising?

The Methodist Church Conference Live Stream can be viewed live by clicking here between Monday 29 June – Wednesday 1 July 9.30 am  – 12.30 pm

The representative sessions are between 10am and 12pm each day.

There are also links to the previous sessions for catch up viewing.

For anyone without access to Linda’s facebook page a copy of today’s Sunday June 28th Sunday worship service led by Rev Linda Bishop is now available on our website under “Recordings of our Services“ for viewing or downloading.

For those without internet access, the service is available on the phone number you have been provided with the sermon in part 2.

All songs and hymns will always be present.

Mid-week recordings from Rev Mark Coles and Rev Linda Bishop are also available for viewing.

The website is updated frequently during the week and it also allows you to download the recordings for later playback on your personal devices. Why not listen again in the car, garden, whilst walking or exercising?

Happy Farther’s day.

For anyone without access to Linda’s facebook page a copy of today’s Sunday June 21st MHA Sunday worship service led by Rev Linda Bishop is now available on our website under “Recordings of our Services“ for viewing or downloading.

For those without internet access, the service is available on the phone number you have been provided with the sermon in part 2.

All songs and hymns will always be present.

Mid-week recordings from Rev Mark Coles and Rev Linda Bishop are also available for viewing.

The website is updated frequently during the week and it also allows you to download the recordings for later playback on your personal devices. Why not listen again in the car, garden, whilst walking or exercising?

For anyone without access to Linda’s facebook page a copy of today’s Sunday June 14th MHA Sunday worship service led by Rev Linda Bishop is now available on our website under “Recordings of our Services“ for viewing or downloading.

For those without internet access, the service is available on the phone number you have been provided.

All songs and hymns will always be present.

Mid-week recordings from Rev Mark Coles and Rev Linda Bishop are also available for viewing.

The website is updated frequently during the week and it also allows you to download the recordings for later playback on your personal devices. Why not listen again in the car, garden, whilst walking or exercising?

Church at Home Update

Our goal at BibleProject has always been to create Bible resources that serve families, small groups, house churches, and individuals. We have created a weekly small group Bible study guide that will be delivered right to your inbox.

Each email will contain:

• A BibleProject video
• A short audio message from Tim Mackie
• 2-3 Scripture readings
• 6-8 discussion questions

If you want to receive these emails, you can sign up for the Church at Home email list here.

You can check out the last eleven weeks of Church at Home content on our website here.

For anyone without access to Linda’s facebook page a copy of today’s Sunday June 7th Trinity Sunday worship service led by Rev Mark Coles is now available on our website under “Recordings of our Services“ for viewing or downloading.

Unlike facebook, all songs and hymns will always be present.

Mid-week recordings from Rev Mark Coles and Rev Linda Bishop are also available for viewing.

The website is updated frequently during the week and it also allows you to download the recordings for later playback on your personal devices. Why not listen again in the car, garden, whilst walking or exercising?

For anyone without access to Linda’s facebook page a copy of today’s Sunday May 31st Pentacost worship service led by Rev Linda Bishop is now available on our website under “Recordings of our Services“ for viewing or downloading.

Unlike facebook, all songs and hymns will always be present.

Mid-week recordings from Superintendent David Easton, Rev Mark Coles and Rev Linda Bishop are also available for viewing.

The website is updated frequently during the week and it also allows you to download the recordings for later playback on your personal devices. Why not listen again in the car, garden, whilst walking or exercising?

For anyone without access to Linda’s facebook page a copy of today’s Sunday 24th May worship service led by Rev Linda Bishop is now available on our website under “Recordings of our Services“ for viewing or downloading.

Unlike facebook, all songs and hymns will always be present.

Mid-week recordings from Superintendent David Easton, Rev Mark Coles and Rev Linda Bishop are also available for viewing.

The website is updated frequently during the week and it also allows you to download the recordings for later playback on your personal devices. Why not listen again in the car, garden, whilst walking or exercising?

For anyone without access to Linda’s facebook page a copy of today’s Sunday 17th May worship service led by Rev Linda Bishop is now available on our website under “Recordings of our Services“ for viewing or downloading.

Unlike facebook, all songs and hymns will always be present.

Mid-week recordings from Superintendent David Easton, Rev Mark Coles and Rev Linda Bishop are also available for viewing.

The website is updated frequently during the week and it also allows you to download the recordings for later playback on your personal devices. Why not listen again in the car, garden, whilst walking or exercising?

For anyone without access to Linda’s facebook page a copy of Rev Mark Coles thoughts for today, Thursday 14th May, is now available on our church website at Recordings

Mark explains the history of the hymn Amazing Grace and discusses God’s grace.

All the video’s on Linda’s facebook page are available on our church website for online viewing or for downloading for playing on your personal players as you go about your daily activities.

Unlike facebook, who have no control over our website, the songs and hymns in the video’s are shown in full.

For anyone without access to Linda’s facebook page a copy of today’s Sunday 10th May worship service led by Rev Linda Bishop is now available on our website under “Recordings of our Services“ for viewing or downloading.

All songs and hymns will always be present.

For anyone without access to Linda’s facebook page a copy of Superintendent David Easton thoughts on May 10th is now available on our church website at Recordings

Copies of Rev Mark Coles video’s for this week are also available for viewing.

For anyone without access to Linda’s facebook page a copy of today’s Sunday 3rd May worship service led by Rev Linda Bishop is now available on our website under “Recordings of our Services“ for viewing or downloading.

All songs and hymns will always be present.

For anyone without access to Linda’s facebook page a copy of Rev Mark Coles thoughts for today, Sunday 3rd May, is now available on our church website at Recordings

All the video’s on Linda’s facebook page are available on our church website for online viewing or for downloading for playing on your personal players as you go about your daily activities.

Unlike facebook, who have no control over our website, the songs and hymns in the video’s are shown in full.

For anyone without access to Linda’s facebook page a copy of Superintendent David Easton thoughts on May 2nd is now available on our church website at Recordings

For anyone without access to Linda’s facebook page a copy of Rev Mark Coles thoughts for today, Thursday April 30th, is now available on our church website at Recordings

As the weather has turned wet and dull then for anyone stuck inside with the covid-19 blues perhaps now would be a good time to knit Christmas Angels. Never knitted before? Why not give it a try and see how you get on?
We’d be grateful for as many as possible and the pattern is available on the Church website <click here> Many thanks from the Latchford Mission Team.

Christian Aid faces a huge dilemma this year.  For decades, it has relied on the generous donations of the general public to fund its overseas aid and development programmes aimed at alleviating poverty and addressing crisis situations.  Last year the total raised was in excess of £8m and engaged around 57,000 volunteers.

This year, due to Covid-19, there are no door-to-door collections, but we are still being encouraged to donate.  This year the focus is on Kenya, which is experiencing its worst drought in living memory, and now has Coronavirus to contend with too.  The prospect is extremely worrying.

What were we all told to do to combat Coronavirus?  “Wash your hands”.

Well, that’s not difficult if you have soap and water.

Christian Aid is helping Kenyan’s to build water traps and dams, without which many will die from a basic lack of water and hygiene.  We remember from Holy Week how when Pontius Pilate could not find any fault in Jesus he ‘washed his hands’ claiming to be “innocent of this man’s blood” (Matt 27:24).

Please let’s not “wash our hands” of the plight of our Kenyan brothers and sisters.

If you can, please donate a little something to Christian Aid this year. There is also an online petition calling for the government to cancel the debt of some of the poorest countries to help them survive.

You can give via the” Lymm Churches Together” Christian Aid Just Giving” page:   

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/gillian-chiverton

Or

You can give directly here: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/CAWeek2020.

For anyone without access to Linda’s facebook page a copy of today’s Sunday 26th April worship service led by Rev Linda Bishop is now available on our website under “Recordings of our Services“.

All songs and hymns will always be viewable.

For anyone without access to Linda’s facebook page a copy of Superintendent David Easton thoughts for Sunday 26th April is now available on our church website at Recordings

For anyone without access to Linda’s facebook page a copy of a wisdom story read by Rev Linda Bishop is now available on our church website at Recordings

For anyone without access to Linda’s facebook page a copy of a wisdom story read by Rev Linda Bishop is now available on our church website at Recordings

For anyone without access to Linda’s facebook page a copy of Rev Mark Coles thoughts for today, Thursday April 23rd, is now available on our church website at Recordings

For anyone without access to Linda’s facebook page a copy of today’s bible study meeting with Rev Linda Bishop is now available on our church website at Recordings
If you can, please try to join in these live studies via Linda’s facebook page. Copies will also be made available here.

For anyone without access to Linda’s facebook page a copy of Rev Mark Coles thoughts for today, Sunday April 19th, is now available on our church website at Recordings

A video recording of today’s Sunday 19th April worship service led by Rev Linda Bishop is now available on our website under “Recordings of our Services“.

All songs and hymns will always be viewable.

For anyone without access to Linda’s facebook page copies of Rev Linda Bishop bible study meetings for the last two days are now available on our church website at Recordings
There are only two further days of study left. If you can, please try to join in these live studies via Linda’s facebook page. Copies will also be made available here.

For anyone without access to Linda’s facebook page a copy of Rev Linda Bishop and Rev Mark Coles thoughts for today, Thursday April 16th. are now available on our church website at Recordings

For anyone without access to Linda’s facebook page a copy of Rev Mark Coles thoughts for today, Wednesday April 15th. is now available on our church website at Recordings

For anyone who doesn’t have access to facebook the final part of Bread of Angels, read by Rev Linda, is now available on our website under “Recordings of our Services“ alongside all the previous episodes. Who doesn’t love a happy ending?

A recording of today’s Easter Sunday worship service led by Rev Mark Coles is now available on our website under “Recordings of our Services“.

A recording of today’s Easter Sunday worship service led by Rev Linda Bishop is now available on our website under “Recordings of our Services“.

For anyone without access to Linda’s facebook page a copy of Superintendent David Easton two Easter Sunday messages is now available on our church website at Recordings

For anyone without access to Linda’s facebook page a copy of Superintendent David Easton Easter Saturday message is now available on our church website at Recordings

For anyone without access to Linda’s facebook page a copy of Rev Mark Coles Good Friday message is now available on our church website at Recordings

A recording of today’s Good Friday worship service led by Rev Linda Bishop is now available on our website under “Recordings of our Services“.

For anyone without access to Linda’s facebook page a copy of Superintendent David Easton Good Friday message is now available on our church website at Recordings

A recording of today’s Maundy Thursday meeting in the upper room led by Rev Linda Bishop is now available on our website under “Recordings of our Services“.
Sorry this took so long; Facebook has been extremely slow today.

For Thursday’s Maundy Service live at 7pm on facebook, or if your watching the recording on our website afterwards, could you please have the following items to hand:

For communion:

• A small piece of Bread, a biscuit or Cake or anything else readily available.
• A drink

If you wish to take part in the optional feet washing:

• A bowl of Water & towel if you wish to take part in the optional feet washing

Nick Fawcett from the Southport Circuit contribution to our daily prayer during Holy Week can be accessed by clicking on For Such a Time as This.

.

Katy Hansford from Lymm Methodist Church has produced an excellent resource booklet that we can all use for our personal reflections during Holy Week.

A copy can be accessed by clicking on Easter Prayer Resource Pack.

During Holy Week Superintendent David Easton has been posting video messages on facebook.
For anyone without access to Linda’s facebook page then copies of these messages, including today’s, can be found on our church website at Recordings

A recording of today’s, Sunday 5th April, worship service led by Rev Linda Bishop is now available on our website under “Recordings of our Services“.

SANKEY VALLEY METHODIST CIRCUIT
Superintendent Minister Revd David J Easton

(To all members of the Circuit Meeting, Local Preachers and Worship Leaders and for sharing in the Circuit Churches)

31^st March 2020

Pastoral letter from the Superintendent Minister

Dear friends

I wanted to take the opportunity to write to you personally given the difficult circumstances that we find ourselves in at the present time. I am very much aware that many of our members are among those deemed by the government to be ‘vulnerable’ or ‘at risk’ as the coronavirus continues to spread bringing illness and death to people in this country and across the world. My thoughts and prayers are with you in this unsettling time which is drastically affecting our lives and the mission of the church. I will try to support you in any way I can as we work together through this crisis. I thank God for you and ask his blessing on you in these difficult days. With measures introduced by the Government our nation has effectively been placed in lockdown, our personal choices restricted, and our churches closed for the foreseeable future.

The purpose of the church is to engage in God’s mission to the world. Simply put because our church buildings are closed for the foreseeable future that does not end our mission imperative. There are many bewildered and confused people around us who need to know that God loves and cares for them. Expressions of this through conversation, observing social distancing, by phone calls and through social media are ways we can reach out to those around us. There will no doubt be some who blame God for the pandemic. Pandemics do happen as do other natural evils but that does not mean that we need to blame God. They are a natural consequence of the world we live in. Can what is happening be used to deepen rather than reject faith in God?

Throughout the period of the enforced closure of the church we are having to find new ways of being church. Linda Bishop has set up a Facebook page ‘Warrington Methodist Worship’ and I encourage you to take a look at that. I am putting material on the Stockton Heath web site related to the various Sundays and colleagues will be doing the same on other church web sites. Linda Bishop’s worship service can be accessed through the Latchford church website as can all their weekly services. There is also material, including streamed services, on the Methodist church website. It is unfortunate that the Circuit web site is not able to be used at this time for reasons reported at the February Circuit Meeting. For those not on the internet there is on the radio BBC Radio 4 and Premier Radio (DAB 725).  Joan and I have been joining in with the worship broadcast on BBC television on Sunday mornings and watching Songs of Praise and we have enjoyed these. I encourage you to take a look if you can and find out what is out there and to participate as you are able in these different worship styles. These initiatives offer new ways of being church which might for some be seen as offering a different way of being church in the future. Being church is not all about our buildings and we can join in Christian worship without buildings.

I have been reading the book ‘Say it to God’ by Luigi Gioia. It is about the life of prayer and has really stimulated my prayer life. Using the helpful metaphor of a river he says of Jesus that “to be the Son is never something received from the Father once for all, but has to keep happening all the time, just as a river has to keep flowing and a spring gushing”. I need to reflect more on how my life of prayer can be more like a flowing river or gushing spring. Looking at unread books on my shelf I am rediscovering joy of reading and being fed through it so that maybe I can come out of this a better minister.

When this pandemic crisis is over I think things will have changed in the world and the church. I don’t see a swift ‘return to business as normal’ and maybe this is not how it should be. Whilst we don’t blame God for the pandemic I do think we need to ask the question what is God inviting us to learn from this experience? As the Government are saying to the country that there is a need to act in the short term to provide an immediate response, that only throws into sharper focus the more pressing question of our medium/longer term plans. After a period of enforced closure, we need to accept a “lessons learned from the crisis” focus and I think we need to do this in openly, in honesty and positive ways reflecting on being the Methodist people where we are.

There is a great sense of confusion and bewilderment in society, and even in our churches, and we hold in our prayers all those who have lost loved ones. In the book ‘Say it to God’ which I referred to above Luigi Gioia talks about the disciples locked away in fear of the Jewish leaders. He says “Fear was the key that locked their door, the same fear that keeps us hidden away behind our inner walls.” In these days we may be hidden away to prevent risk of infection but I hope we are not consumed by fear. In these last few days even, I have come to see my garden as a pleasure not a chore! I recall that it was in a garden that the risen Jesus revealed himself to Mary Magdalene and reminds me that as we approach Easter that our confidence is in God who offers us new life in the resurrection of Jesus. It will be strange not worshiping in our familiar places on Easter Sunday but I hope you will still experience the joy of Easter.

God bless you all

David Easton

CHURCH VOLUNTEER AWARDS
Andrew Barber is the regional winner, his story is here, please have a read then vote for him to win the national award. Andy is part of Latchford and New Song churches.

https://www.methodistinsurance.co.uk/volunteerawards/andrew-barber/

A recording of today’s, Sunday 29th March, worship service led by Rev Linda Bishop is now available on our website under “Recordings of our Services“.

If you don’t have facebook or missed today’s live worship service by Revd. Linda Bishop then a video recording is now available on our website under “Recordings of our Services“.

For those who wish to offer money for our work within the church and within our  community, could you please hold onto your donations and we will collect them once services resume within the church.

For those who use envelopes to allow us to claim tax relief on your donations, you may notice that the current batch of envelopes will soon finish. We do have new envelopes but to to reduce the risks of spreading this virus, we will not distribute them until after our services resume within the church. Please just hold onto your donations for now.

Please click on the following link for worship resources and useful information. Please share.

Methodist News March 2020

It is with sadness that, with the latest advice from both the government and the Methodist Church of GB, we have decided to suspend all worship events, clubs and activities that occur within our church walls from today, except for Butterflies nursery.

Except for Butterflies nursery, no one will be permitted access to our church buildings.

Our Church isn’t a building made from bricks. Our church is made from our faith and love that we have for our God, Our minister and for each other and so during this time we will continue to worship by audio recording on our website and via a facebook page Linda has setup to today called https://www.facebook.com/groups/505960190351950/

The Methodist Church of GB has provided this guidance “Older members and those with medical conditions causing weaker health and greater vulnerability should consider not attending church for the time being if they’re worried about infection. This is an act of mutual care and concern and not a desire that people ‘give up’ Church. If you are not an older member and don’t have underlying health conditions but feel ill and/or displaying symptoms of a cold, please consider staying away from the service.” The main thing is that people stay safe.

International Aid Trust Founder will be sharing his testimony at the Capesthorne community centre, Orford on 26^th March at 7pm. Bishop Bernard Cocker has built churches, schools, children’s homes and sent aid around the globe to demonstrate the love of God in action, he baptized 1000 Muslims in Africa. Bernard will be carrying a powerful message from God which will bless your life. Capesthorne Community Centre, Avery Close, WA2 0BJ.