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March
2010 |
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Welcome to this month's electronic news bulletin of the Methodist Church in Britain.
Please feel free to circulate these stories by email or by cutting and pasting into your church newsletter or magazine or printing them out and pinning them on your noticeboard.
E-News is sent out to all who have submitted their details to the Email Directory of the Methodist Church in Britain. Visit www.methodist.org.uk/signup to subscribe.
If you wish to unsubscribe please visit www.methodist.org.uk/signup to remove your details.
Ken Kingston, E-News editor: mailto:newseditor@methodistchurch.org.uk?subject=E-news
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Methodist President and Vice-President affirm Commitment to a Covenant Relationship with the Church of England
.jpg) The president and the vice-president of the Methodist Conference addressed the Church of England's General Synod last month, expressing the Methodist Church's commitment to a covenant relationship with the Church of England and answering questions from synod members in a discussion following their address. (Click here to read the text of the address.)
The Revd David Gamble and Dr Richard Vautrey said that the Covenant was a “serious, deeply committed relationship” and “not an irrelevant extra”. They said that responses to the challenges of the Covenant should be driven by a desire for mission.
However, the president's comment that attracted the most attention was that the Methodist Church is “prepared to be changed and even to cease having a separate existence as a Church if that will serve the needs of the kingdom". This follows the Anglican-Methodist Covenant signed in November 2003, which was approved by Methodist Conference, after debate and votes at all district synods and circuit meetings.
Following media attention and to clarify matters, the president and vice-president joined with the Revd Dr Martyn Atkins, general secretary of the Methodist Church to send out a pastoral letter to all Methodist people. You can read the full text of the letter by clicking here.
To read the text of the
Anglican-Methodist Covenant click here. |
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Update on Haiti
.jpg) At the end of February, the Revd Tom Quenet, partnership coordinator for the Americas and the Caribbean, visited the Methodist Church in Haiti. He met with the district's Emergency and Disaster Committee.
The money the Methodist people in Britain have given is being used to meet people's basic needs of shelter, water and food, as well as supporting six of the most affected circuits and providing emergency basic infrastructure protection work to New College Bird. The committee also spoke about the Church's priorities for the future, including education, reconstruction, health, reinstating the Community Development Office and evangelism.
You can view some of Tom's photos by clicking here. |
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Chile Earthquake
 On 27 February an earthquake and tsunami left a trail of devastation in Chile, killing over 700 people, injuring many more and destroying homes.
Bishop Mario Martinez, president of the Methodist Church in Chile said, “Until now, we have not heard of fatalities or injuries to any member of the Methodist family. Nevertheless, churches, pastoral houses, institutions, house of church members, equipment and furniture have been greatly affected.”
The Methodist Church in Britain is waiting to hear how it can best offer solidarity and assistance to its sister Church.
To keep up to date of the latest developments from the Methodist Church in Chile, look at their blog (written in Spanish).
You can also join in a prayer for those suffering from the earthquake. |
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Back to Church Sunday - 26 September 2010
 Why not invite a friend to church? Research done by Tearfund shows that there are 3 million people who would respond positively to an invitation. Back to Church Sunday provides the opportunity.
Last year about 4,500 churches took part, including over 250 Methodist churches. As a result over 80,000 extra people attended church on Back to Church Sunday, with a long-term result of around 10,000 people added to the church in one day.
Although Back to Church Sunday doesn't happen until 26 September, you need to begin planning now. Look on the Methodist Church website or the Back to Church website for more details.
You also need to register for a Back to Church Sunday resources pack by 15 June. |
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Now is the Time
 Now is the Time, a campaign by an alliance of nine UK churches, calls on the British Government to make a commitment to achieving a world free of nuclear weapons, building a safer future for all.
The Churches join the World Council of Churches and others in pressing for governments to put all bomb-grade material material under international control and commit to making the use and possession of nuclear weapons illegal through a new Nuclear Weapons Convention.
“Nuclear weapons instil fear. They are divisive and counter-productive to a sustainable peace between nations,” added Steve Hucklesby, policy advisor for the Joint Public Issues Team. “The recent commitment by the United States and Russia to reduce their missiles and warheads has injected new life into non-proliferation and disarmament negotiations. We must grasp this opportunity and commit our governments to the road to zero nuclear weapons.”
The campaign comes in the lead up to the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty Review Conference to be held in New York in May 2010.
You can add your support by signing an online petition.
Click here for further information. |
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The Olympics are coming!
 London hosts the Olympic and Parlympic Games in August and September 2012.
This once-in a-lifetime event will capture the attention and imagination of people and communities across the United Kingdom – whether they like sport or not. How can local churches use the Olympics to communicate and engage with its local community?
The games create a massive opportunity to focus on mission and discipleship in lots of different ways. Many districts attended a Connexional Olympics Resource Forum in December 2009, where mission ideas were discussed and shared.
Going forward, further ideas need to be developed. If you would like to share your local church ideas and plans more widely across the Connexion, email projects@methodistchurch.org.uk. |
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Methodists raise over £70,000 to help the Victims of the Cumbria Floods
 A Methodist fundraising appeal has raised £74,432 to help victims of the floods which struck Cumbria in November.
The floods destroyed businesses and homes in the county, particularly in Cockermouth, which was badly hit by the devastation.
The Revd Richard Teal, chair of the Cumbria District, said, “This money will make an enormous difference to people. Cockermouth has been going through a sense of bereavement. All the media attention has subsided and people are left with the reality of it.”
Cockermouth Lorton Street Methodist Church is opening from 10am to 12pm, six days a week to offer people free coffee and advice. The Mana Credit Union is also using the church as a base to help people with debt management.
For more details, click here. |
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Church Leaders urge Politicians to take the Pledge
.jpg) National Church leaders are calling on politicians to commit to responsible campaigning on issues of asylum and immigration, and to act to end the detention of children and families within the asylum system. They are asking politicians to take the Sanctuary Pledge, which is an initiative of the Citizens for Sanctuary Campaign.
The Revd David Gamble, president of the British Methodist Conference, said, “Politicians must resist the temptation to use asylum as a political football in their election campaigns. We strongly support the Sanctuary Pledge campaign's call for politicians to campaign responsibly, and not to demean those fleeing persecution and seeking sanctuary in Britain. I hope people will ask candidates standing for election to sign the Sanctuary Pledge.”
To read the full story click here.
You can find more information about the Sanctuary Pledge, including details about becoming a sanctuary champion, by going to http://www.sanctuarypledge.org.uk/. |
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Keep in the Loop with Twitter
.jpg) You can now follow Methodist news releases on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/methodistmedia
You can also keep up with updates to the Methodist website and other Methodist online resources by following www.twitter.com/methodistweb. |
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Journey out of Poverty
.jpg) Come along to an MRDF conference and find out how some of the world's poorest people are stepping out of poverty – and how you can be a part of this journey.
With a keynote speech from the director of an MRDF project and workshops on micro-credit and debt, the conference is a great way to find out how to challenge the systems that keep people poor. You will also get a preview of MRDF's new Harvest pack and find out how you and your church can make a lasting difference in some of the world's poorest communities.
Conferences will be held in London (24 April) and Leeds (1 May). Book your place today. |
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Methodist Heritage Handbook launched
The new full-colour Methodist Heritage Handbook is now available.
.jpg) It gives details of over 100 different historic houses, monuments, chapels and other places of interest in England, Scotland and Wales that have shaped the story and identity of the people called Methodists. Discover how Methodism grew into a worldwide Christian Church. Find out how Methodism has influenced the nation's spiritual, social and industrial development since the 18th century, and how it speaks with relevance to today's world.
Launched officially at the Best of Britain and Ireland show (19-20 March at Olympia, London), you can also obtain your copy of the handbook free of charge by emailing Jo Hibbard. Use it to visit historic Methodist places in Britain, either by yourself or by organising a trip for your church or circuit. |
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Fair Work Coalition
 The Methodist Church helped launch the Fair Work Coalition last week. Faith groups, charities and trade unions have united to campaign for fair treatment for some of the UK's most vulnerable workers.
Millions of workers do not have the protections that most of us take for granted. Basic rights such as maternity or paternity leave, sick leave, or the right to raise concerns about safety without fear of being sacked, are denied to many. The threat of job dismissal without notice, pay off or even a reason is a part of many people's daily work experience.
To find out more go to www.methodistchurch.org.uk/fairwork.
To see if you know what rights vulnerable workers have, go to the fair work multiple guess quiz. The winner gets a presidentially signed copy of CPD! (and no - 2nd prize isn't two copies of CPD). |
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ECG Conference: Llandudno 6-11 April 2010
.jpg) This Easter, come and be part of a dynamic, innovative conference that will inspire and empower you to transform your community and build God's kingdom. It is packed with top-class teaching (including the Revd Dr Martyn Atkins and Steve Brady, principal of Moorlands Bible College) and a variety of worship encounters, as well as opportunities to experience and contribute to local mission projects.
ECG will challenge, envision and equip you to be a relevant and radical disciple of Jesus.
Go to the ECG website for more details and to purchase tickets. |
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If you have any suggestions for stories or comments about E-News please contact mailto:newseditor@methodistchurch.org.uk?subject=E-news
E-News editor, Methodist Church House, 25 Marylebone Road, London NW1 5JR
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