The Week Ahead

Unreported World

Friday 11 May
Channel Four, 7.30pm

The Dominican Republic is a Caribbean country famed for its pristine beaches and year-round sunshine. However, as Krishnan Guru-Murthy reports, the UN has identified terrible crimes being committed there against teenagers by sex tourists.

Songs of Praise

Sunday 13 May

BBC One, 2.40pm

Aled Jones hosts the final of Young Choir of the Year with senior and junior choirs performing their choices of inspirational song.

Burma with Simon Reeve

Sunday 13 May

BBC Two, 9.00pm

After 60 years of brutal military rule, Burma, also called Myanmar, is now a democracy and, while poverty is endemic, life has improved for most. Its State Counsellor, Aung San Suu Kyi is credited with this change but disappointingly she hasn’t condemned the attacks on the country’s Rohingya Muslims.

Famed for its Knitting

Friday 11 May

BBC Radio 4 Extra, 6.30am

In an age where countless magazines follow celebrity lives in every detail, it’s comforting to know there’s at least one publication where normal life takes centre stage. Woman’s Weekly was first issued way back in 1911, offering up a no-nonsense blend of practical advice, fiction, cookery and knitting patterns.

Sunday Worship

Sunday 13 May

BBC Radio 4, 8.10am

Canon Ann Easter, former Chaplain to the Queen, reflects on the joy in human relationship ahead of the royal wedding. Live from the Garrison Church in Windsor.

The Art of Money

Sunday 13 May

BBC Radio 4, 5.00pm

John Wilson examines rising profits in the art market as paintings are sold for record breaking prices, and considers the possible impact this will have on the cultural world.

Ascension Day statement on overcoming religious intolerance

The President and Vice-President of the Methodist Conference, the Revd Loraine N Mellor and Jill Baker, have released the following statement to mark Ascension Day, when Christians celebrate Jesus Christ’s ascension into heaven.

Thy Kingdom Come Beacon events

As part of Thy Kingdom Come, Beacon events have been organised around the UK on Sunday 13 and Sunday 20 May to celebrate this global prayer movement for more people to come to know Jesus. The Church also has lots of resources on our website. Have you taken the #Pledge2Pray?

Christian Aid Week

Poverty robs people of their dignity and lets injustice thrive. But together we have the power to transform lives. Will you #StandTogether this Christian Aid Week (Sunday 13 – Saturday 19 May) to help people live full lives, free from poverty?

Creating a culture of invitation

A day of training for ministers and stewards and those interested in growing their church, is to be held in preparation for National Weekend of Invitation (Friday 15 – Sunday 17 June). The weekend encourages Christians to invite friends, neighbours and work colleagues to church and is also an opportunity for churches to develop a culture of invitation. The training day is on Saturday 12 May at Methodist Central Hall Westminster, London.

Five-Day Community for Spiritual Formation

This programme of teaching, silence, worship and reflection is based on a Benedictine monastic pattern. The event takes place at Hinsley Hall, Leeds, from Sunday 13 to Friday 18 May. 

Mental Health Awareness Week

The focus for Mental Health Awareness Week (Monday 14 – Sunday 20 May) is on stress. Research has shown that two thirds of us experience a mental health problem in our lifetimes, and stress is a key factor. Find helpful resources for education, mental health, wellbeing and spiritual reflection online.

Sandford St Martins Awards
  

The Sandford St Martin Awards celebrates the best TV and radio covering faith, belief and ethics. The Radio Times Readers Award 2018 is your opportunity to vote for your favourites before Monday 21 May.

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) 

Local churches, circuits and districts hold a variety of personal data relating to members, employees and others. The Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes (TMCP) have compiled detailed information that explains the obligations imposed on Managing Trustees under Data Protection legislation that comes into force on Friday 25 May.

Methodist Prayer Handbook

Share the power of prayer with your friends and local community. We have copies of Jesus the First and the Last to give away. Order your FREE copies from Methodist Publishing (p+p applies).

This week in Parliament

You can find the UK parliamentary business online here. If you want to find out about the Scottish Parliamentary calendar, click here and the timetable for the National Assembly for Wales, click here.

Reflections

In the coming week, the Prayer Handbook will be encouraging us to pray with Christians in Latin America, Britain and Ireland. The theme for next week’s A Word in Time Bible studies is Vision and Judgement, written by Mandy Briggs.

Video Thursday: Thy Kingdom Come?

In this week’s film, Archbishop Justin Welby looks at the power that prayer has on the world. As we pray together for Thy Kingdom Come, encourage your friends, family and church community to get involved too!