God for All update April 2023 |  |  |
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Dear friends, We're now past the busyness of Holy Week, but there are lots more opportunities coming up over the Spring, Summer and Autumn to share Good News with our communities. But how do we get ready to make the most of these opportunities? In this month's newsletter, you'll find resources and events to help you. There are links to download the intergenerational prayer cards, to help individuals and groups get connected with God. An online mission planning conference is offered to encourage churches to produce simple plans for sharing Good News with unaffiliated people in their community. New webpages are now available for smaller churches who are considering coming together for the sake of mission. An onsite day conference on Mission Studies is coming up, for those who are nourished by diving deeply into research. And simple ideas for making the most of the coronation bank holiday weekend can be found at methodist.org.uk/coronation. We pray you'll find something to equip you for the things God is asking you to do in this season. - The Evangelism and Growth Team |
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This month’s story of hope Two Methodist churches in the same town have responded to God’s invitation into something new. After meeting together on Zoom during the pandemic, they started meeting together in one another’s buildings, and have now become one church. Their minister explains, “I just simply began to ask questions like: Does this work? Would this be good for us, as we continue to develop? Do you think we’d be stronger if we did church together?... there was a process that was happening. I think there was a God thing happening, to be honest." Then one of the Church Councils was brave enough to write to the other Church Council, saying: "We’re going to think about our future. Shall we think about it together?" You can read more stories of churches who have discerned a future by merging together, as well as guidance to help churches in making these discernments, at methodist.org.uk/ |
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01 Celebrate. There are lots of creative possibilities for evangelism and community engagement over the coronation bank holiday weekend of 6-8 May 2023. You’ll find ideas, resources and a list of five key pointers at methodist.org.uk/coronation. Whether you join in with elaborate plans for a community street party, livestream the coronation, or sign up to host community volunteers as part of The Big Help Out, we’d love to hear what you get up to! Please email us with your stories. |
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02 Pray. Prayer: difficult, boring and frustrating Prayer: creative, life-giving and transformational Where do you sit? Prayer is an opportunity to encounter God. It can involve words spoken in a group, art we hang on our walls, or a stroll in the park. The Methodist prayer cards offer 52 different prompts for creative prayer; different ways that we can fulfil the Methodist Way of Life commitment to "pray daily" as far as we are able, with God's help. The cards can be used by individuals or groups, at church events onsite and online, in homes, schools and care homes. The cards are now available to download as a PowerPoint or PDF version for easy use in digital meetings and church services. You can also buy a print pack from Methodist Publishing. |
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03 Plan. Every Church a Growing Church: Mission planning for all 8 July | 10am-3pm (online workshop/webinar) Every church has a part to play in God’s mission, and every church has the potential to pursue growth. We long to grow spiritually, to grow in love for our community and, by God’s grace, to grow numerically too. Mission planning is a key tool for preparing for growth of all kinds. A mission plan is a simple plan of the one thing a church will do in the next year to reach its community with God’s love in Jesus. At this online conference, we'll explore God's call to share the love of Christ in word and deed, offering what we have to our community and letting the Spirit get to work. Through a mixture of presentations, workshops and team coaching sessions, we'll aim to equip lay and ordained church leaders for mission planning. By 'church leaders' we mean church and circuit stewards, lay workers, ministers and Superintendents - all those responsible for helping churches live out their calling. Individuals are welcome, but for an even greater impact, why not bring a team from your church or circuit? Register at methodist.org.uk/ |
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04 Study. Mission Studies Day Conference 11 May, 10.30am-3.30pm | London Do you love exploring ideas and hearing from people engaged in research? Do you have a passion for Mission Studies? A day conference is being hosted by Churches Together in England, in association with the British and Irish Association for Practical Theology and Global Connections. Held on Thursday 11th May at the London offices of the Evangelical Alliance, Identity, Mission and Citizenship: Intergenerational Diaspora Conversations will consider the issues around identity, mission and citizenship across the generations of diaspora communities in the UK context. A diverse, ecumenical panel of speakers will share their research into these issues. The cost is £30 including lunch, with a reduced rate for leaders under 35 and early career researchers. Book your place here. |
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05 Laugh. This month we sadly said goodbye to Dame Edna Everage and her alter ego, Australian actor Barry Humphries. You can watch the famous clip of Dame Edna at the Royal Variety Performance as part of this tribute on the Lorraine show. |
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