We remain in lockdown, and the church, like the schools, remain open.

We, and those we seek to care for, serve, and partner with, are sharing a common experience and yet, each one of us have our own unique experiences and stories.

In our team, we especially notice that within the church some people have found new energy and some people are worn out.

We hope that the range of events in this newsletter offer something to you, in your situation.

We offer this prayer from the Northumbria Community and if this is what you need to pray today, know we are praying it too.

Lord, You have always given

strength for the coming day;

and though I am weak,

today I believe.

Lord, You have always marked

the road for the coming day;

and though it may be hidden,

today I believe.

Contents:

• February events

• Details about some events

• March events

• Save the dates – Lay Employees

• Save the date – Vocations Sunday 2 May

• Stay in touch

February

• Monday 8 February, 7:00 to 8:30pm

Thinking Theology 2/6

Flyer here

Booking with Rob

• Tuesday 9 February, 10:30am to Noon

Involving children and young people in mission planning

Booking with Lynne

• Wednesday 10 February, 2:00 to 3:30pm

TRIP Theological Reflection In Practice 2/4

Flyer here

Booking with Rob

• Thursday 11 February, 9:30am to Noon

Local Lay Pastors Community of Practice

Booking with Kristie

• Thursday 11 February, 7:30 to 9:00pm

The Gathering : Moving Forward : For Children's, Youth & Family Workers and Volunteers

Flyer here and more info below

Booking with Rob (stating which day)

• Friday 12 February, 1:00 to 2.30pm

The Gathering : Moving Forward : For Children's, Youth & Family Workers and Volunteers

(Repeat of event the day before)

Flyer here and more info below

Booking with Rob (stating which day)

• Saturday 20 February,  10:00am to 12:30pm

RSVP: Listening to God’s Invitation Biblical Callings: My Calling

Flyer here and more info below

Booking with Rob

• Wednesday 24 February, 9:30am to 3:45pm on Zoom

Growing Through Change and Conflict

Flyer here and more info below

Booking with Rob

• Friday 26 February, 10:30am to Noon

Exploring calling and discernment with children and young people

Booking with Lynne

• Friday 26 February, 12:30 to 1:30pm

Taketime meditations

More info below

Bookings here

More detail

The Gathering : Moving Forward

For Children's, Youth & Family Workers and Volunteers

Thursday 11 February, 7:30 to 9:00pm or Friday 12 February 1:00 to 2:30pm

As the uncertainty continues and a new report examines the impact of the pandemic on CYF ministry, we will explore how we effectively stay connected with the children and young people; how we navigate the unknown of the next few months; what we can do differently and what we have learned along the way.

More info from Alison Hulse

Booking with Rob (stating which date)

Flyer here

Taketime meditations

Trying to work from home, while home schooling and keeping an eye on everything else, can leave you totally frazzled!

Some meditation time may be helpful and indeed studies have shown that it can boost your energy and reduce stress levels.  So why not come and try a Taketime meditation?

Join us the last Friday of the month in February, March and April for a guided mediation.

These meditations provide a calm and comfortable space in which to meet God.

Facilitated by Fiona Fidgin, Lorraine Darlow and Rachel McCallam from the Learning Network and Clive McKie from Taketime.

Book your place here.

Bible month preparation days on Zoom

Saturday 20 March (repeated on Saturday 8 May)

10:00am to 12:30pm input from speakers

2:00 to 4:00pm workshops

Gunboats and Buttercups: Empire and Kingdom in Mark’s Gospel

Revd Dr Catrin Harland

‘I can’t breathe!’ a loud cry and then silence - Mark 15:27

Revd Dr David Holgate

These two excellent speakers are leading inputs in the morning, and then there are workshops in the afternoon.

This is a high quality event open to all, and of particular interest for all those leading worship, preaching and leading small groups on the book of Mark during Bible month.

Booking with Rob (stating which date)

More info from Jasmine

Flyer here

Small Group Skills

Do you lead a Christian small group who have been meeting online?  Will you lead a small group face to face later in the year?  Fancy meeting with other small group leaders and together hone your skills?

Four sessions, each one stands alone, or come to them all.

7:00 to 8:30pm on Zoom

Tuesday 23 March – learners; variety, diversity, accessibility

Thursday 22 April – groups; dynamics and development

Thursday 27 May – facilitators; what’s my style?

Tuesday 22 June – your focus; theory vs practice

Flyer here

More info from Kristie

Booking with Rob

Conversations About Prayer

This series of five short events is part of the Year of Prayer.

There will be a brief conversation starter from the facilitator, then time in small groups to share.

The sessions start at 11:45am and end at 12:40pm allowing time for you to attend the Connexional prayer meeting at 12.45 should you choose.

If you would like to know more please contact Edel

Flyer here

Booking with Rob

2 March - When Prayer is Difficult led by Edel McClean

27 April - Praying with Children led by Alison Hulse

15 June - Helping a Congregation to Pray led by Sheryl Anderson

13 July - Prayer at Home led by Alison Ransome

RSVP : Listening for God’s Invitation

RSVP is a series of Saturday morning sessions where we will consider how we pay attention to God’s invitation and how we understand what God’s calling might be in our lives.

Each session stands alone, and they fit together, so please do come to some or all. If you sign up for them, all we will offer you a member of the team as an accompanist for you to meet one to one if you would find that helpful.

The sessions are intended to offer you a focus for your discernment.

10:00am to 12:30pm on Zoom

20 February Biblical Callings: My Calling

20 March  Our Calling: Methodist Vocations

17 April  God’s Calling: Our Identity

15 May  Discerning Calling: Decision Making

Flyer here

Book with Rob

March

• Tuesday 2 March, 11:30am to 12:40pm

Conversations About Prayer : When Prayer Is Difficult 2/5

Flyer here and more info above

Booking with Rob

• Tuesday 9 March, 7:00 to 8:30pm

Connexional Chaplaincy Gathering

More info and booking with James

• Thursday 11 March,  2:00 to 3:30pm

TRIP Theological Reflection In Practice 3/4

Flyer here

Booking with Rob

• Thursday 18 March, 7:00 to 8:30pm

Thinking Theology

Flyer here

Booking with Rob

• Saturday 20 March

Bible month preparation day (repeated 8 May)

Flyer here and more info about this excellent event above

Booking with Rob

• Saturday 20 March, 10:00am to 12:30pm

RSVP: Listening to God’s Invitation Our Calling: Methodist Vocations

Flyer here and more info above

Booking with Rob

• Tuesday 23 March, 7:00 to 8:30pm

Small Group Skills

Flyer here and more info above

Booking with Rob

• Friday 26 March, 12:30 to 1:30pm

Taketime meditations

More info above

Booking here  

• Tuesday 30 March, 7:00 to 8:30pm

Theology Book Club Life Together by Dietrich Bonhoeffer 2/2

Flyer here

Booking with Rob

Lay Employees Days

10:00am to 1:00pm

13 April – for lay employees in Lancashire and Cumbria

20 April - for lay employees in Manchester & Stockport and Bolton & Rochdale

12 May - for lay employees in Liverpool, Chester & Stoke-on-Trent and Isle of Man

More info in the next newsletter, via emails to lay employees on the District databases, or from Kristie

Vocations Sunday 2021

#LoveThisCalling

More info coming from 28 February on social media, in newsletters and for Ministers on the Signposts for Ministry pages

Staying in touch

How can you keep in touch?

Please sign up to our newsletter to get the latest info and resources to support your ministry and Church life – to register please visit our website and sign up.  There you will find more detail on the ways we can support you.

Social media is how we share current and trending info:

• The Facebook page is where we advertise your events as well as those we are leading

• Twitter is where we chat and ask questions, and tweet articles we think are of interest

• Pinterest is an e-scrapbook where there are loads of sections and is a place to find good ideas and resources

• The YouTube channel is where we put up mini films of people teaching and sharing testimony

• On Instagram we visually record images, information and ideas

Alison Ball  07799902583

Alison shares the coordination role and is the officer linked to Chester & Stoke-on-Trent District

Alison Ransome  07799900474

Alison is now part time in the region and shares the coordination role with Alison Ball

Brec Seaton  07799900469

Brec is the officer linked to Cumbria District

Jasmine Devadason  07799902560

Jasmine is the officer linked to Bolton & Rochdale District

Kristie Legg  07799902582

Kristie is the officer linked to the Lancashire District

Simon Sutcliffe  07799902578

Simon is the officer linked to Manchester & Stockport District

Alison Hulse  07799900480

Edel McClean  07799902563

Melody Clarke is on maternity leave