The Week Ahead

The Story of Ireland

Monday 6 August

BBC Four, 10.00pm

Fergal Keane explores Ireland’s cultural, economic and social history, documenting its role on the international stage.

Mark Kermode’s Secrets of Cinema

Tuesday 7 August

BBC Four, 9.00pm

The film critic examines techniques and conventions behind popular science fiction films. He argues that for all their spectacle,

sci-fi films ultimately derive their power from being about us.

The Foreign Doctors are Coming

Tuesday 7 August

Channel 4, 10.00pm

Cameras follow doctors from Brazil to Egypt as they adjust to life in the UK, get to grips with a new health system, culture and language, and study for their exams.

Does the Time Fit the Crime?

Friday 3 August

BBC Radio 4, 11.00am

Criminologist Professor David Wilson examines how history and society have shaped the sentencing of criminals against a backdrop of public opinion on matters.

Something Understood

Sunday 5 August

BBC Radio 4, 6.05am

Musician Jahnavi Harrison explores how physical activities, both ritual and everyday, can lead to a state of transcendence.

Reflections with Peter Hennessy

Tuesday 7 August

BBC Radio 4, 9.00am

In this series, the historian Peter Hennessy asks senior politicians to reflect on their life and times. In this episode, the guest is Baroness Warsi, a lawyer, politician and the first Muslim to sit in the Cabinet.

Remembrance 100              

To commemorate 100 days to the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War, from Saturday 4 August you can take part in 100 days of prayer for peace, hope and reconciliation. Engage in prayer and innovative peacemaking activities.  

Youth President 2019/2020

Are you aged between 18 to 23 and a member of the Methodist Church, or do you know someone who is? Why not apply to become our Youth President? This is a one year paid appointment starting in August 2019. It is an exciting and rewarding opportunity to travel and work around the Connexion and overseas, supporting young people and leading worship.

The Work of God in this Place

A collection of short prayers and reflections to encourage God-centred gatherings before, during and after church meetings. Available from Methodist Publishing.

The Charles Wesley Society 

The Society’s annual meeting is from Thursday 9 to Saturday 11 August at the New Room, Bristol. The conference will include visits to historic sites in Bristol, including Charles Wesley’s home. For further information, please email Dr Clive Norris.

A mind of unusual strength              

Come along on Saturday 11 August, 10.30am-11.30am, to a talk at Englesea Brook Chapel & Museum, Crewe. Dr Jill Barber, Past-Vice-President, will reveal the unknown story of Hannah Maria Knowles, the first Primitive Methodist women itinerant preacher.      

Thy Kingdom Come feedback

Two Methodist resources were produced for Thy Kingdom Come: Waiting in Wonder and Resources for Prayer and Worship. If you used either of these, we would value your feedback.

Sunday of Prayer for the Peaceful Reunification of the Korean Peninsula

The World Council of Churches invites churches to observe a Sunday of Prayer for the Peaceful Reunification of the Korean Peninsula on Sunday 12 August. Prayer and worship liturgy resources are available here.

The New Housing Hub

This is a network for Christians of all traditions with a vision to engage with new housing communities. It aims to encourage Christians and churches to be a prophetic voice of welcome rather than protest and to advocate for the ‘not yet’ residents of planned new housing areas. 

This week in Parliament

The UK Parliament, the National Assembly for Wales and the Scottish Parliament are all in recess.

Reflections
 

In the coming week the Prayer Handbook encourages us to pray for the World Church, Christians in west, southern and eastern Africa, as well as Britain and Ireland. The theme for next week’s A Word in Time Bible studies is ‘The Call to Perfection’.

Video Thursday: The Sheldon Hub

In this week’s film, Dr Sarah Horsman brings to life a unique, new interdominational resource for ‘doing healthy ministry together’.