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Welcome to the Buzz!
The Buzz is a great resource that brings the whole Methodist Church in Britain together by sharing good news from the Connexion. The stories below illustrate different ways in which the Church is working out the four aspects of Our Calling: Worship, Learning and Caring, Service and Evangelism.
If you have any stories to share, why not get in touch?
Have a blessed month!
Rosie Winn
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WORSHIP – Bright Hope for Tomorrow
Methodist Central Hall, London
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The annual spring festival, ‘Daffodil Day’, at Methodist Central Hall Westminster welcomed visitors for an inspiring afternoon of worship, prayer, interviews and preaching.
The theme for the day was ‘Bright Hope for Tomorrow’ (Singing the Faith 51), taken from the hymn ‘Great is Thy Faithfulness’.
A variety of guests spoke including TV presenter Angellica Bell, the Lord Mayor of Westminster Councillor Ian Adams, guest soloist Jonathan Veira, Director of Music Gerard Brooks and Sandra Goodwin, the President of Methodist Women in Britain, took part.
The Revd Dr Martyn Atkins preached and told stories of hope and courage; he challenged those present to ask the Holy Spirit for those same virtues in their own lives.
Email: Dan Forshaw Dan.Forshaw@mchw.org.uk
Website: methodist-central-hall.org.uk
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LEARNING AND CARING – Building friendships through sharing faith
Northampton Methodist District
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100 young people met in Northampton for ‘Acts 29’, a Northampton District youth event.
They were encouraged to reflect on who God is to them and develop their understanding of who they are as ‘God’s people’.
The event was energetic, with vibrant worship, thoughtful reflections, drama, group work, crafts and games. Prayer stations were placed around Park Avenue Methodist Church, so that groups could express their requests and pray for others.
The Revd Jill Marsh, the District’s Director of Mission, said: “Many of us ‘older folks’ can probably attest to the value of having friends with the same beliefs when we were younger. So let’s do our best to create spaces where young people can meet and build friendships; and to encourage them to attend national events.
“This encourages their faith, gives them a sense of belonging and reaffirms that there are other young people who share the same beliefs”.
Email: The Revd Jill Marsh jill.marsh@methodist.org.uk
Website: northamptonmethodistdistrict.org.uk
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EVANGELISM – Lindford Donkey Day
Lindford Methodist Church, Hampshire
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On Good Friday, Lindford Church hosted a community day to share the Easter message of love and hope.
Two donkeys, Nelson and Morris, provided more than 60 free rides to local children, while the church had the Easter story displayed with flowers arrangements.
Visitors to the church were welcomed by Deacon Janet Heys who gave out goody bags with invitations to the Easter celebration service as worship music played in the background.
The flower displays illustrated four parts of the Easter story, from Palm Sunday to the Resurrection. The church hall hosted various Easter craft stations for the children, including an Easter cross, card decoration and there was an Easter egg hunt.
Deacon Janet Heys said: “This day became a great witness for the wider community where the Easter story was brought to life. After a blessed and successful first event, we plan to hold another in 2019″.
Email: Deacon Janet Heys janetheys69@gmail.com
Website: lindfordchurch.co.uk
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SERVICE – Record-breaking jigsaw raises funds for charities
Christchurch Church, Ilkley
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Jigsaw enthusiasts at Christchurch Ilkley, a Methodist and United Reformed Church, took on a world-record challenge over the winter months that attracted the attention of visitors of all ages.
Linking 48,000 pieces of the world’s largest production jigsaw, it measured an impressive 25ft x 6ft, in 24 linked panels, which took considerable commitment to complete.
One special visitor to see the jigsaw was TV and radio presenter Alan Titchmarsh, who was born and raised in Ilkley. He took a close look at the jigsaw illustrations of scenes from around the world and reflected on the places he has visited.
Alan expressed his admiration for the amount of work involved in putting together the pieces and accepted a challenge to fit in the final piece.
The finished jigsaw covered most of the hall floor and was put on display in the Easter holiday, raising funds for the church, Cancer Research UK and Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
Margo Atkinson, from Christchurch Ilkley said: “All those tiny jigsaw pieces represent a huge amount of detailed work and friendly cooperation behind the project over the winter months”.
Email: Margo Atkinson mandm2@blueyonder.co.uk
Website: christchurchilkley.org.uk
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280 years ago, John Wesley wrote about his heart being strangely warmed. These additional Buzz stories focus on “the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ”.
#heartwarmed – Bake your home with us
Methodist Ministers’ Housing Society (MMHS)
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“We look back on an amazing ministry that’s been running since 1948. No organisation worth its salt can stand still, and we want to be fully responsive to the changing needs of retired ministers of the Methodist Church.” So said MMHS CEO Mairi Johnstone as the society celebrated its 70th anniversary.
The Society’s usual slogan is ‘Make your home with us’ but on this occasion it became ‘Bake your home with us” as the usual bricks and mortar were replaced by a giant cake made from 30 eggs, 1.6kg of flour, 1.6kg of sugar, 1.6kg of butter and a whole bottle of vanilla essence!
Staff and board members took part in a cake-cutting at the Society’s recent annual general meeting. The cake was shared with colleagues at Methodist Church House, London.
Email: Clive Price CPrice@mmhs.org.uk
Website: mmhs.org.uk
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