Methodist Women in Britain EASTER OFFERING
We are delighted to announce the completion of the promised
video-recording of this year’s Easter Offering Service, ‘Into all the
world’, which is now available for you to watch on our brand new MWiB
YouTube channel. The video has been produced by the MWiB Executive, and
lasts around 45 minutes. With the text of the service on screen, and
recordings of hymns and songs to join in with, the video is ideal
particularly for smaller groups (if able to meet) and for individuals to
watch at home.
If you’re unable to meet, why not arrange a time for your group to watch
it at home ‘together-apart’, and perhaps arrange an online/Zoom chat
over coffee afterwards?
You will also find at the end of the service the following information
regarding payment of donations to the Easter Offering (and please note
especially that however you make your donation, you need to reference it
for “Easter Offering 2021”, so that it can be counted in this year’s
total):
~ Any offerings made via the EO service are wholly donated to the World
Mission Fund.
If you would like to donate directly, via the Just Giving page, please
visit www.justgiving.com/mcfworldmission/donate and reference your
donation with EO Service 2021. You can also access this page via the
Methodist Church website (www.methodist.org.uk) when you search for
World Mission Fund.
~ If you would like to make an offering in your usual way, please
contact your treasurer with the offering and make sure they know it is
for the World Missino Fund.
~ Offerings can also be made to the WMF via Bank Transfer with the
reference EO 2021. You can access this information from your church or
regional group.
Add title
The link to the YouTube video is:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qg9uuQq_6qM&t=2s
All of this information, with accompanying links, is available on the MWiB website : mwib.org.uk
| The Methodist News |
| 18 March 2021 |
| Hello everyone and welcome to the Methodist News. Yours, The Communications team |
| News |
 Women’s Safety Rachel Lampard, Team Leader of the Joint Public Issues Team, considers the way forward for women’s safety following the death of Sarah Everard. Read Rachel’s blog here. | | Reset the Debt prayer and action  Since the pandemic began, millions of people have been forced into debt simply to make ends meet. One year ago, many families received their first unpayable bill because of Covid-19. On Friday 26th March, we’re joining together in prayer for just and compassionate solutions to the debt crisis we now face in our communities. Find out more here. | | A year of the pandemic Reflecting on the pandemic a year on, the Revd Richard Teal and Carolyn Lawrence, the President and Vice-President of the Methodist Conference, have released a message ahead of the anniversary of the first lockdown. Read the message here. |
PeerTalk The mental health charity PeerTalk will be holding a “Let’s Have A Chat Day” on Wed, 24 March.The morning event will discuss the benefits and value of PeerTalk groups. You can book here. The afternoon session, A Personal Journey : Danny Sculthorpe – Former Rugby League Star, can be booked here. | | JPIT – Internship Apply to join the JPIT intern for 2021-2022. Learn more about this varied role making links between faith, politics and policy, ranging from climate justice, to disarmament, to economic equality campaigns. Read more and apply here. | | ONE Programme The ONE Programme is about equipping, empowering, and encouraging young people in their discipleship, vocation and leadership. You can read stories of how young people have developed and supported their churches through this extraordinary year here. You can read more about the programme here. |
Memory Worship “By God’s grace we are renewed” is the theme of the March Memory Worship service from the Highlands Methodist Church, near Southend. The service is for people with and without dementia. Watch here.You can catch up on previous Memory Worship at home services following link. | | Prayer A prayer for the environment – written and read by Andy Atkins,CEO of A Rocha UK. Watch here. | | All We Can – Lent You can be a part of the change that is happening for families and communities around the world, and in your own journey with God.You can still download your copy of a daily devotional for Lent 2021 below, or order a physical copy, for you to use at home, in small groups or with your whole church. Click here. |
World Methodist Council The World Methodist Council is organising a webinar to pray with and for migrants and refugees during the Covid pandemic. During the event there will be stories of grief, pain, solidarity and hope with calls for prayer and action from around the world. You can register for the webinar, that takes place on the 25 March, here. | | World Council of Churches  The World Council of Churches Assembly in Karlsruhe, Germany (21 August – 10 September 2022) is accepting applications from young adults, 18 to 30, to serve as stewards. You can read more information here. | | Defence Church leaders across seven denominations, including the Methodist Church, have made this statement following the publication of the Government’s integrated review of foreign and defence policies. |
Wesley’s Shoes “As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace…”Ephesians 6.15 | | The Museum of Methodism at Wesley’s Chapel in London is curating an exhibition that will showcase through objects and stories the influence of Black British, Asian and British global diaspora leaders on Methodism. Can you help by nominating someone? We want to share stories of often unsung service, and by doing this, to nurture young leaders and provoke reflection on what leadership is in the Church today. Share your story with us and maybe like Inderjit Bhogal, your boots will join John Wesley’s to reveal the journey of our worldwide movement. Email your story to us here. |
| Easter Celebration Service |
| Our Easter Celebration Service is now available to download. It includes Easter hymns, readings and reflections from the President and Vice-President of the Methodist Conference. You can download the Easter Celebration Service as an MP3 here. | |  |
| Year of Prayer |
| Join others across the Methodist Church to pray, every Tuesday from 12.45pm to 1.00pm |
Participate  Next Tuesday’s service will be led by Charlotte Rumble, School Chaplain at Hippings Methodist Primary School in Oswaldtwistle and community pastor in the West Pennine Moors Circuit. More information about the Year of Prayer can be found here or use this direct link to register. | | Watch Again This week’s Year of Prayer service was led by Sally Rush,community worker with young adults at Wesley’s Chapel. You can watch the service again, here. |
| Media |
The Methodist Podcast As some children and young people return to school, the latest edition of The Methodist Podcast considers the impact of the pandemic on education. We talk to a head teacher, a parent, pupils, the Methodist Youth President and the principal of Cliff College. Listen here. | | ‘Dial-a-Prayer’ phonelines Prayer: 0808 281 2514Pastoral message from the President and Vice-President: 0808 281 2695Methodist Podcast: 0808 281 2478 You can download a print-and-cut-out sheet with details to send to others here |
Emma Hardy MP Emma Hardy MP has thanked Trinity Methodist Church, Hull for its work recycling & redistributing second hand school uniforms to local families. Emma was taking part in a Parliamentary debate on the Education Bill which addresses the cost of school uniform. Watch here. | | Dales Podcast The new Voices from the Dales podcast features chapels that were at the heart of village life in Wensleydale and Swaledale for around 150 years and discusses how Methodism is ‘still very much alive’ in places such as Gayle and Gunnerside. You can hear the podcast here. | | BBC Radio 2 Revd Delyth Liddell made her Pause for Thought debut on BBC Radio 2 this week with stories of a mischievous and adorable puppy. You can listen here from around 2hrs 27mins. |
BBC Local Radio The President of the Methodist Conference, Revd Richard Teal, appeared on two BBC local radio stations on Sunday 14 March to discuss his online visits. You can hear Richard on BBC Radio Humberside here from 1hr 8mins and BBC Radio York, here from 2hr 48mins. | | Nuclear Weapons The government’s decision to increase the number of Trident nuclear warheads the UK can stockpile by more than 40 per cent has been condemned byChurch leaders including those from the Methodist Church. You can read a report in the Church Times here. | | Faith In Politics Podcast In the latest Faith In Politics podcast, Meg and Rodney interview Labour MP Rachael Maskell. Rachel offers valuable insight into her political career, the role of her faith in politics and the contribution the UK can make by looking globally. Meg and Rodney muse on how looking globally ties in with the phrase ‘charity begins at home’ and whether it is compatible. Listen |
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CHURCH CHALLENGE
Dear friends
This coming Tuesday, is the second of our monthly section prayer meetings, and it is encouraging that there are folks from all three Churches who are coming. However, I know that there are some who can’t come for whatever reason, so here is a challenge to you – will you join us in your own home praying for the Church in Morecambe ? Specifically, that God would move in a mighty way amongst the Church. If we believe in a powerful God, then we know that it can be done. It is my prayer that, across the North Lancashire Circuit, that we might experience growth both numerically and spiritually across the Circuit. Maybe you can’t make 7:30 because of other commitments, but would you commit yourself, at some point across the day, or maybe across the whole of the day, that you will pause and ask God to pour out His Spirit upon us in a mighty way.
We are approaching Easter, when we would normally sing: Up from the grave He arose, with a mighty triumph o’er His foes; He arose a victor from the dark domain, and He lives for ever with His saints to reign: He arose! He arose! Alleluia! Christ arose!
Will you join with us in believing prayer on Tuesday, I hope that you will.
With every blessing
Roy Burley
Message from Rev. Roy Burley February 24th
Dear friends,
Covid-19 an update:
You will have noted HM Government’s “Roadmap” out of lockdown, and here, subject to detailed guidance being issued, is my assessment of where we are:General:1. Reopening buildings – we have yet to hear from the Director’s of Health in Lancashire, who are the ones who asked places of worship to close, therefore, my assessment is that we are still looking at reopening our buildings no earlier than Easter Sunday.
2. Singing – with no direct guidance from HM Government, it is my assessment that singing in Church will not be allowed for some time to come.
3. Mask wearing – Sir Patrick Vallance in his briefing from Downing Street yesterday said that mask wearing, hand hygiene and working from home could be expected to continue until next winter. This means that we can expect to be wearing masks in Church until at least the spring of 2022 and, unless Government guidance changes, organisations such as NISCU may still be advised to work from home.
Step One – 8th March The only change to current guidance is that weddings will be allowed to take place, with no more than six people (less those who are working) in attendance. Funeral teas will be allowed, but again with only six people in attendance.
Step Two – no earlier than 12th April .Funerals will still be limited to 30, however, weddings plus receptions will be allowed with a limit of fifteen, funeral teas will also be limited to 15.
Step Three – no earlier than 17th May “Most significant life events”, which includes funerals, weddings and baptisms will be allowed (baptisms for the first time) and will be limited to 30. The “Rule of Six” returns, which COULD mean that we can have refreshments in Church again, however, there should be no large groups of people taking them.
Step Four – no earlier than 21st June No legal limit on all life events, therefore, more or less back to normal. However, please be aware that for Conferences, there will be a limit of 1,000 or 50% of a venue’s capacity, whichever is the lower. In my assessment, this could mean that even after this date, and for a little while ahead, Churches MAY be limited to 50% of their capacity, which will be an increase on now (for some Chapel’s), but could still impact on some Chapel’s. On or after this date, there will be no legal limits on social contact, which in my assessment would mean that we can have refreshments again, however, a note of caution, please remember what I have noted above with regards to mask wearing, difficult having a brew wearing a mask, we will have to see how that plays out! Once more targetted guidance is issued by HM Government, I will send out further information.
With every blessing
Roy Burley Minister Bare, Torrisholme and Wesley
Methodist Church District and Circuit GDPR Champion
Circuit Covid Information Coordinator
A new message from Rev. Roy Burley
You might have had this already by email
Dear Bare, Torrisholme and Wesley friend
I have now been given a more up to date list of email addresses, and it may well be that you have missed out on knowing about events that are currently happening on Zoom.
The first is part two of a six week Lent Course, entitled Who is the Christ?, this happens on Zoom on a Wednesday evening at 7:30, if you would like the Zoom code, please let me know and I will ensure that you receive it. Next Wednesday’s study will be led by Reverend David Philo and is entitled The Humble King, further details will be released in time for those who are participating in it to have a think.
The second is a Section Prayer Meeting which takes place on the second Tuesday of the month, which means that the next one will take place on Tuesday 9th March, again at 7:30pm. The main focus of this Section Prayer Meeting is to seek God’s will for the future of Methodism in Morecambe, however, it is not limited to that. Again, if you would like the Zoom code for that, please do let me know and I will ensure that you receive it in good time.
We live in strange and troubled times, we are not able to meet together at present in our buildings, but the Church remains open because, the Church is the people. Although everything is still to be confirmed, we are planning at the moment to reopen the buildings for Easter Sunday, which will be a great time to rejoice in the resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. However, we must not forget those who have lost their lives due to Covid during the twelve months that our buildings have been shut. You may well ask why we can’t get into our buildings at the moment, and the reason for that is that the Director’s of Public Health in Lancashire have asked that we don’t meet to prevent the spread amongst the more vulnerable members of our fellowships. Please be aware that, even when we are allowed back in our buildings, it will not be back to normal, my assessment is that we will probably not be allowed to sing, and possibly have fellowship over a brew after the service. Having said that, with the numbers of people who are now being vaccinated, some of the restrictions that we are currently under may be lifted by the Government.
If you have any comments or questions, please let me know
With every blessing
Roy BurleyMinister Bare, Torrisholme and Wesley Methodist ChurchDistrict and Circuit GDPR ChampionCircuit Covid Information Coordinator
Dear Friends,
Here is your invitation to join the Weekly Lent Bible Study ‘Here and there’ – commencing this Thursday evening at 7.30pm.
(Please note the Zoom link is different from the normal bible study one).
Thanks & God Bless
Jo
Emma Holroyd is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Lent Bible Study – Here and there – Thursday’s 7.30pm
Time: This is a recurring meeting Meet anytime
For details of access please contact Jo at the Circuit admin. office or Rev. Emma Holroyd
A New Message from Rev. Roy Burley
Dear friends at Bare, Torrisholme and Wesley
Just so that you are up to date, just a reminder that there will be a monthly Section Prayer Meeting commencing next Tuesday evening, 9th February commencing at 7:30pm. So far I have five people across the section who have expressed an interest to receive the Zoom code, if you are still thinking about it, please let me know by next Tuesday lunchtime, so that I can send out the code, and perhaps some prayer ideas.
You might like to be aware that Rev David and I will be having a Zoom Lent Course this year on the theme: “Who is the Christ?” If you are interested in taking part, please let me know, and again I will send you out the Zoom code for that. The outline will be:
17 Feb – Rev Roy – The Builder – Luke 6:46-49; Matthew 7:24-27
24 Feb – Rev David – The Humble King – John 13:1-15; 2 Chronicles 7:14
03 Mar – Rev Roy – The Holy King – Isaiah 6:1-13; Revelation 3:14-19
10 Mar – Rev David – The Harvester – Matthew 13:24-30; Acts 2:1-4
17 Mar – Rev Roy – The Risen King – John 11:25-44
24 Mar – Rev David – The Commissioner – John 21:1-17; Matthew 28:18-20
The format will be an initial input from the leader, followed by questions which will come out by email. If you are interested, the book that we are using is produced by Cover to Cover, and the author is Anne Calver, who is a Baptist minister.
These sessions will take place at 7:30pm not 8pm as mentioned at two of the Church Councils. Activities for Holy Week are still to be confirmed. It is unlikely that we will be back in our buildings until at least Easter Sunday, this is still subject to confirmation.
I hope that all of this makes sense.
With every blessing
Roy Burley Minister Bare, Torrisholme and Wesley Methodist Church District and Circuit GDPR Champion Circuit Covid Information Coordinator
A Message from Rev. Roy Burley
Dear friends at Bare, Torrisholme and Wesley,
It is my intention to hold a monthly section prayer meeting on Zoom on the second Tuesday of each month, beginning on 9th February at 7:30pm.
If you would like the Zoom details for that meeting, please let me know, and I will forward it to you, if you don’t do Zoom, that is equally fine, but I hope that you would take some time around the time of the Prayer Meeting to offer your own prayers for the fellowships in Morecambe. We should all be working together to further the Kingdom of God, and I hope that you will be able to join me as we discern the answer to this question, “What is the mission of Methodism in Morecambe?”
The vision statement that I have devised for the section is: Knowing Jesus and making Jesus known. We have a big challenge ahead with the coming of the Eden Project to Morecambe in 2024, and we know that there will be Christians among them, so what do we have to offer them?
We need to urgently call on God to give us a fresh gift of the Holy Spirit to empower our life and mission as, in 2013 across the three Churches we had 365 members, and the count for 2020, just seven years later was 235 which begs the question, “What will the Morecambe Church look like when the Eden Project opens in three years time?
I do hope that you will be able to join me, please be aware that this is not in place of any Prayer Meeting’s that should already be happening in each of the Churches, but to complement that prayer. Please encourage all, especially those you know who are not on the internet to join us at that time, this will happen even if it’s just me.
Thanking you in advance.
With every blessing
Roy Burley
Minister Bare, Torrisholme and Wesley Methodist Church
District and Circuit GDPR Champion
Circuit Covid Information Coordinator
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Rev Charles Makonde, induction as Methodist Bishop of the Coastal District in Kenya
We share the good news of Charles’ induction as Methodist Bishop of the Coastal District in Kenya, having been persuaded to come out of retirement and invited to oversee important changes in the Methodist Church in Kenya. Charles ministered in the North Lancashire Circuit prior to his ‘retirement’. Charles has also been the driving force behind establishing a primary school, Timboni at Kambe in his home district, which is supported by many in our Circuit. Joyce has joined him for his induction which will take place on Sunday, 24th January in Ribe Church. ( prounounced Ree-bay). Ribe was the first Methodist Church in Kenya (1862) and is near Kambe
Please keep Charles, Joyce, and the Methodist Church in Kenya in your prayers.
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Dear GDPR contacts across the District
Two points if I may.
Firstly, a cautionary tale, I have been contacted by someone from outside the district because, they sent an email out to all of their contacts within one Church as an open copy and, one of the email addresses was slightly wrong and, obviously, didn’t go to the correct person. This contact then received two emails back, one threatening to report her to the Police. I would assume that you are all sending out emails to multiple email addresses as BCC, if you know someone who isn’t may I urge you to ask them to send things BCC. For the record, if this person had gone to the Police, they would have referred him/her to the Information Commissioner, as what my contact did wasn’t a criminal matter, there was no personal information shared in the email.
Secondly, I contacted the GDPR team in Manchester, asking if they can make it easier for people like me (and possibly you) that when we visit the GDPR webpage we can identify quickly and easily what new stuff is there. I have been informed that I am not alone with this request, I have been informed by them that, “We have started including a box outlining substantive changes at the top of the page. An example is the Test and Trace Focus Note updated just before Christmas.” Therefore, if you do visit the GDPR webpage, it should be easier to recognise what is new.
I trust that this all makes sense. Wishing you all the best for the coming year.
With every blessing
Roy Burley
Minister Bare, Torrisholme and Wesley Methodist Church
District and Circuit GDPR Champion
Circuit Covid Information Coordinator
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A Letter from Rev. Steve Charman our Circuit Superintendent Minister.
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.” John 1:5
Dear Friends,
I hope that you have been able to experience the joy of Christmas despite the
restrictions which we have been living with – Christ’s coming among us is a present reality even in
these circumstances, as the verse from John’s Gospel makes clear!!!!
Last March, when we were first placed in lockdown, some of us were hoping to be ‘back to
normal’ by September, others suggested that Christmas might be a better target. Unfortunately, we’re still not there – the new Covid variant seems to be much more easily transmissible and there were over 50,000 new Covid cases and 981 Covid deaths announced by the government yesterday. Lancashire has now been in placed in Tier 4 restrictions, with the guidance ‘Residents should stay at home, unless they have a “reasonable excuse” such as work or education’.
With this news, I believe the right decision at this time is that, once again, all church
buildings in our Circuit should be closed for worship, prayer meetings, bible studies etc. with immediate effect and we must continue with alternative forms of worship – Zoom based, printed sheets, TV, radio, You Tube etc. (funerals can go ahead with the government published limit to numbers and marriage services only in exceptional circumstances).
This decision has been taken following conversation and consultation with Rev Paul Davis
(Chair of District) and other Superintendents in Lancashire. Every encounter that we have with other people, and every building that we visit, is a risk and it is clear that we should minimise the risks that we take for our own health, the health of others (particularly the elderly and more vulnerable members of our community) and also in order to reduce the pressure on the NHS. We should therefore avoid face-to-face encounters as much as possible and minimise the different places that we go to. (Note – while communal worship is legally permitted, it does not mean that it is the right thing to do with so many vulnerable people in our communities).
It is with mixed feelings that this decision has had to be taken – I realise that it impacts on
many people across our circuit who have valued the opportunity to gather with others for worship, but we must do everything we can to minimise the spread of the virus. It is also important that we stand alongside our neighbours – those in our communities whose businesses are closed and those whose activities are curbed.
The Circuit will continue to provide two zoom-based services – Jo Towers (Circuit
Administrator) will continue to send the login information each week by email. The written ‘Worship from Home’ service sheets are also available to anyone who would like them. If anyone wants to receive the Zoom login information or the ‘Worship from Home’ sheets then they should contact Jo Towers – circuit@northlancsmethodist.org.uk or phone 07922768516.
Please continue to care for and support one another, to pray for one another and for the
wider community and the world. Please also reach out in love to the most vulnerable in your neighbourhood.
Grace and peace,
Rev Steve Charman
Superintendent Minister (North Lancashire Methodist Circuit)
Superintendent Minister, North Lancs. Circuit
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CALLING VOLUNTEER DRIVERS
Morecambe Bay CCG and their associated GP practices are seeking volunteer drivers to bring eligible individuals to the planned Covid-19 vaccination centres. The centres are currently being identified, but what we do know is that the vaccine won’t be delivered through every GP practice, but rather one practice within each GP network, alongside one or two mass vaccination sites. Attendance therefore will require a degree of travel, as such we wish to support those who may not have the means to travel via friends or family, and in turn offer a means of travel a little more controlled than public transport. If those within the volunteer network are willing to assist then please do contact me at neil.wynne@morecambebayccg.nhs.uk
Please see link for the Social media guidelines from the Methodist Church
A healthy Christian community is a safe place of mutual care, where all people feel valued, loved and respected.
These guidelines for engaging on social media reflect those values.
These guidelines apply to all content and comments posted to Methodist Church social media channels.
Methodist churches, circuits and districts, and individuals are encouraged to adopt these guidelines for their own social media channels and personal social media engagement.
Home: 01524736329/Mobile: 07922768516
A Message from Rev. Steve Charman , District Chairman
Jesus said, “Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; 30you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.” 31… “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” There is no other commandment greater than these.”
Dear Friends,
Many people have spent a lot of time and energy doing risk-assessments and completing building reopening checklists in order to get our church buildings Covid-secure and ready to use. Thank you to everyone who has been involved in that process and particular thanks go to Rev Roy Burley who has overseen the whole project for the Circuit. I know that many people who have attended worship in these buildings over recent weeks have been grateful.
I am writing to you now as we have reached a new stage in the pandemic. Unfortunately, the number of cases both nationally and locally is on the rise and becoming ever more concerning, as is the number of people in hospital with Covid-19. Lancashire is of particular concern with a significantly high number of cases – according to the government, this area is labelled as ‘Local COVID Alert Level High’.
While the current government guidelines do allow us to open our buildings for worship, it is advised that we should not meet with people in public venues (including places of worship): “In the affected local areas, we also advise that you should not meet with people you do not live with, unless they’re in your support bubble, in any public venue. Examples of public venues include pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes, places of worship, community centres, leisure and entertainment venues, or visitor attractions and parks.” from NHS Covid-19
App.
Every encounter that we have with other people, and every building that we visit, is a risk and it is clear that we should minimise the risks that we take for our own health, the health of others (particularly the elderly and more vulnerable members of our community) and also in order to reduce the pressure on the NHS. We should therefore avoid face-to-face encounters as much as possible and minimise the different places that we
go to.
This situation has led me to the decision that we will no longer provide Local Preachers or Ministers to lead worship held in a church building for the present time – this is to protect all of our Preachers and Ministers.
My recommendation to every church in our Circuit is that we suspend worship in our church buildings and return to alternative forms of worship – Zoom-based, printed sheets, TV, radio, Youtube etc. I also recommend that any midweek groups (Bible study, fellowship meetings, housegroups, prayer meetings) should also cease to meet face-to-face.
As a Circuit, we are planning to provide two Zoom-based services each Sunday – one seeking to serve those in our northern, Lune Valley and coastal parts of the Circuit and one serving Lancaster and the churches to the south of Lancaster – but anyone is welcome to attend either. We are also planning that the written ‘Worship from Home’ service sheets will be available to anyone who would like them. I recommend that you
display a poster (similar to the one attached) at your church building to communicate effectively with your local community.
Some good news… Our new Circuit Administrator – Jo Towers – started work on 2nd October, she works in the mornings Mon-Fri. Having started work at The Cornerstone, we are now planning that she will be working from home from later this week. If anyone wants to receive the Zoom login information or the weblink for the ‘Worship from Home’ sheets then they should contact Jo – circuit@northlancsmethodist.org.uk
If a local church makes the decision that they will continue to meet for worship in the building, they will be responsible for leading their own act of worship (as a Local Arrangement) and they must continue to ensure that all Covid-secure procedures and policies are followed meticulously and ‘Test & Trace’ records are kept.
The Church Council (as Trustees) remain responsible for the health and safety of all those who enter the building for any activity (including worship).
Today, I have also received communication from Lancashire Resilience Forum (see additional sheet) –
The information from LRF makes it clear that external gatherings are prohibited, which means that sadly we cannot hold worship outside either (therefore outdoor Remembrance Day Services and outdoor Carol Services are prohibited).
Please continue to care for and support one another, to pray for one another and for the wider community and the world. Please also reach out in love to the most vulnerable in your neighbourhood.
Grace and peace,
Steve
Rev Steve Charman
Superintendent Minister (North Lancashire Methodist Circuit)
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