Evangelism and Growth June 2021 |  |  |
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News and Resources from the Evangelism and Growth Team |
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This monthly newsletter is sent to all District Chairs to support them and their networks in the commitment to be a growing, evangelistic, inclusive and justice-seeking Church. Please share this content widely and let us have your feedback to help us better serve you and those with whom you minister.
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News from the team |
This autumn, the E+G team will launch an experimental first series of Hope & Anchor – a weekly online chat show welcoming guests from across Britain and the world who are committed to a growing, inclusive, evangelistic, justice-seeking way of being church together. We hope that fun, interactive conversations with passionate changemakers will provide an interesting view of 21st century “church” (we mean that in a broad, expansive way) that inspires: (1) unaffiliated, God-curious people and (2) committed Methodists and ecumenical friends. We’re on the search for potential guests for the show. Do you know someone who: • is leading a new ministry/mission/community project, a fresh way of being church, a pioneering experiment, an innovative social enterprise that also helps people explore spirituality? • loves people, leads collaboratively, and centres others (not just themselves) in this new thing? • has confidence and joy to tell their story in a public and interesting way? • enjoys a good natter and a good laugh; believes in their project but can also laugh at themselves? • can encourage and challenge others to try something different in their contexts? This person might be extremely well-known (e.g., Peter Sawkins from Bake Off or Marcus Rashford or Gordon Brown); they might be an "influencer" within Christian circles (e.g., Chine McDonald, Author of "God is Not a White Man", or Vicki Beeching); or they might be "ordinary" folks like you and me who are living out their calling in their own more local patch. Send us your ideas and suggestions. Trey Hall, Director of Evangelism and Growth Get to know more about our team here. | |  |
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What's on this month |
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Embedding A Methodist Way of Life Thanks to those who completed last month’s survey about how to best serve districts, circuits, and churches in embedding A Methodist Way of Life (MWoL). Your responses are being considered by the MWoL Implementation & Strategy Group as they make plans for the new Connexional Year. In the meantime, we are producing a video in time for autumn Synods that will be an encouragement for those who’ve already started engaging, and a source of inspiring stories for those who may not have heard of MWoL yet. If you are able, please pass along this survey to your superintendent colleagues so that we can gather broader input. We can’t do everything, so we want to prioritise the things that are most helpful to you and those with whom you serve. Here’s the link.
District & Circuit Funding for New Places for New People Just in case you missed it, you can find updated guidance on starting and funding new Christian communities here. Recruiting now: diverse Evangelists from across the Connexion We are seeking between 10-20 Methodists to join the Community of Evangelists which launches in September 2021 offering spiritual and practical support to people gifted as Evangelists. An Evangelist could be somebody in a formal ministry role, or somebody who informally engages in evangelism – but either way, evangelism (in diverse expressions) is their thing! We would appreciate you passing this onto anyone who may wish to apply, or to ministers who have Evangelists in their congregations who may be interested. Applications are open now. Find out more and download the guidance and application pack here.
Featured E+G Webinar Church at the Margins and Poverty in the UK: Life on the Breadline Tuesday 20 July 2021 | 7:00-8:30pm A research project analysing the nature, scope, and impact of Christian engagement with urban poverty in the UK. A presentation of the key research findings by Dr Chris Shannahan, Associate Professor in Political Theology and Director of Postgraduate Taught Programmes, Centre for Trust, Peace and Social Relations, Coventry University. Question: What is God’s invitation to us in responding to this research? Hosted by Paul Morrison, Policy Adviser, Joint Public Issues Team and Eunice Attwood, Church at the Margins Officer, Evangelism and Growth Team. Book in here. If you have any questions please contact Eunice Attwood, Church at the Margins Officer. Book E&G Team for your Autumn or Spring Synods Members of the E&G Team are available to present at your 2021/2022 Synods. We can offer keynotes, workshops, facilitated large and small group conversations that centre on church at the margins, new places for new people, evangelism, Methodist Way of Life, and much more – and will work with you to create something bespoke for those you serve in mission and ministry with. Email Trey Hall.
Find out about other upcoming courses and webinars here.
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Prayer |
 | | We have committed to a Year of Prayer and offer weekly prayer meetings every Tuesday lunchtime on Zoom. Over 500 people have signed up from across the Connexion so far. We would be delighted to see more join us. Details of how to sign up are here. |
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