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Showing posts from 2014

Windhill Children's & Youth Work Initiatives

Report: Sept – Dec 14 Drop in/Open Access on Wednesday evenings: On Wednesday evenings, we are seeing very good development through activities and numbers attending. We had the first real incident in September, when we had to close and re-assess our aims and objectives. This was the first time in two years, which I thought was pretty good. Since then, the young people have responded to the rules, which were put together by them to give them a bit of self-ownership. We see a regular attendance of 30 young people and we have good relationships with each of them. The partner organisation working with us is ‘One in a Million’, who have given a 2-3 year commitment to the area and are bringing good youth work and resources to enhance the project. We have just started a School of Rock where we have drums, guitars and keyboards and this is being taught to the young people in six weeks. This has had an excellent start and will also be a boost for Friday Live. Friday Live on Fri

Coffee Morning for Zimbabwe

On Saturday 13th December, we held a Christmas coffee morning at St Andrew's to support one of our families at church, in raising money to send to their family in Zimbabwe to set up a chicken run. It was a brilliant morning and as well as raising an amazing amount, there was so much more to celebrate. It felt like the whole church was supportive from the very start, with so many people offering so many gifts. Yes, people were generous with their gifts of money but it was also a wonderful time when people shared the gifts which God has given them. Some talents were shared openly like the 100 carol piano play, the Christmas entertainment and crafts on sale by the children. Other people shared their talents in the background, by baking for the cake stall, serving teas and coffees, washing and clearing up, listening and talking to others and the setting up and organising the event. I know that none of this could have taken place without many prayers and God's help and I

Calverley Carols in the Park

Carols in the Park is always popular with the Calverley community and always well attended. This year it was led by Ruth Hall, assisted by Phil, the new vicar at St Wilfrid’s. The singing was followed by refreshments in the Church Hall - hot pork sandwiches, hot drinks and mince pies, with craft activities for the children. A positive community event, giving the people of Calverley a chance to get to know us. Rodney D, Calverley

Wrose Christmas Lights

All the churches at Wrose and from the Circuit were invited to the switching on of our Christmas lights on Saturday 22 nd November 2014. The partnership of Wrose Methodist Church with Wrose Parish Council is a successful way of encouraging church people to get together and a short service with carols was arranged before the count down to the lighting of our nativity scene.   Rev. Nick Blundell and Martin Humphreys, Wrose Parish Council Chair, led the worship and David Jessop and Ellen Imeson took care of the practical arrangements. We estimated there were around 70 people standing round the wall outside and singing, including people from the churches at Wrose and from the Circuit.  Also this year we had a group playing guitars and leading the singing,

Family Weekend at Scarborough

St Andrew’s 42 nd Annual Family Weekend was held on 14 – 16 November at Green Gables, Scarborough. It was enjoyed by several generations of St Andrew’s folk and members of other Bradford North churches, as well as some Anglican and Baptist friends. In four sessions, ably led by our new minister, Rev Christine Crabtree and her husband Stephen, we were brought into the presence of “God who knows me and loves me still (A look at Psalm 139)”. In Session One, there was quickly established an atmosphere in which people were happy to share something significant in their personal lives, despite the challenge of the title “Who are you really?” and the realisation that only God knows us fully and completely (verses 1 – 6). In Session Two, Christine graciously shared with us some of the disappointments and struggles she herself had experienced, in which nevertheless God had found her and blessed her. The title: “You can run, but you can’t hide” (verses 7 – 12) Session Three on S

Calverley Christingle

What an inspirational day we had when 3 classes from Park Side Primary School joined us to make Christingles. With the numbers involved, we decided to have three separate services: 2 groups of 30 children in the morning and a group of 60 children in the afternoon. Firstly, we had a workshop in the church hall, where Kim explained the meaning of the Christingle and what the various components stood for. Then the children set about making their own Christingles. When they were completed, we went into church for a short service, which concluded with the lighting of their Christingles and the singing of Silent Night. What a treat we had when the children sang Silent Night for us in german (!) which they had been rehearsing for their Nativity production at the school. Rodney D, Calverley  

December Prayer 2014 Column

Beyond our ken With Christmas and the turn of the year there always seems to come a fresh sense of hope.  The old, with all its flaws, failings and frustrations is about to fade away into mere memory, and newness is around the corner, offering hopeful potential.  Like a newborn baby, or like a green shoot, or like a dawn – of a new day, or year, or age. Or indeed like a prayer.  For prayer is offered to the Father, the Creator God, who is even now and all the time making everything new in his world.  And it happens through Jesus.  He is our hope, as the Christmas child, as the shoot from old David’s stump, as the startling encounter at dawn beyond the grave: himself our never-fading promise for evermore. In the name of Jesus we pray, and because of all he has done for us – dying in our place, rising from the dead and ascending to the Father – we have access to God in prayer, to his very throne room on high.  And from God come answers to our prayers: ·         answers t

Hospital Chaplaincy - volunteering opportunity

Have you ever been in hospital and been visited by the Hospital Chaplain ? As a Circuit, we are trying to engage with the team of Chaplains who work within the BRI. They do a wonderful work. However there are only 7 Chaplains in the whole hospital. They rely heavily on the work of lay volunteers to help with visiting.  They are seeking new visitors. Training will begin next September, so people who are interested have plenty of time to think about this.  I know that there are people within our Circuit who are already engaged in this most rewarding ministry.   In the Spring, I will be arranging a taster evening to find out more about this calling.  If you are interested in this work then please have a word with me and I will be happy to give you more details. In the meantime, the Chaplaincy team are holding an evening of carol singing round the wards, on Thursday 18 th December from 6pm till 8pm with nibbles. If you would like to go carol singing, then please tell me and I

Mosquito Nets for Kenya

West Yorkshire District MWiB   Mosquito Nets for Kenya I decided in the Spring of 2012, my project for the 2 years of my Presidency of West Yorkshire District MWiB would be Mosquito Nets for Kenya. Miriam and Joshua were delighted that Kathonzweni was to be one of the areas chosen to receive nets. They run Neema, a home for children with AIDS in Eldoret. Kathonzweni is Joshua’s place of birth. In June 2012, Miriam and Joshua came to stay with Diana and Ian (our contacts with Kenya) and presented me with a mosquito net. The net has been with me to meetings and talks over these last 2 years. It is identical to the ones distributed in Kenya. The project has now come to a close with the magnificent sum raised of £14,355.50.   On Sunday the 28 th September, on a visit to Diana and Ian’s, Joshua spoke at Lindley Methodist Church on the work that he and Miriam do with children with AIDS.   At the conclusion of

Government match funding for Christian Aid

The Government has offered to match any funds raised for Christian Aid , between 7th November 2014 and 6th February 2015. Every pound raised will be matched by a donation from the Government, up to a total of £5 million. Resources to help fundraising, through worship, a Christmas appeal and other efforts, are available at . If your church is wondering where to send funds to charity this Christmas, here is one way to ‘double your money’!

Andrew to stay!

We are delighted to report that the Circuit Meeting, on 16 September, voted unanimously to appoint Rev Andrew Taylor as a full-time member of the Bradford North ministerial team, from 1 September 2015 for a period of 5 years. This ends the uncertainty over the future staffing of the circuit, following the unsuccessful search for a minister from the United Reformed Church. Andrew has been working with the team in a temporary, reduced-hours, capacity over the past 12 months and his ministry has been greatly appreciated. The unanimous vote by the Circuit Meeting is a ringing endorsement of the way all our churches feel about Andrew. 

Sponsored walk for "Raise the Roof" fund at Calverley

On 6 th September, a group of friends walked or cycled a distance of 27 miles from Skipton to Calverley! This was to raise funds for Calverley Methodist “Raise the Roof” fund. A total of £1500 was raised. It was an all-age group ranging from children aged 5 to adults 80 plus years young.  Sadly it rained all day long and most people were really soaked through, when they ended their journey at Calverley Methodist Church.  Some of the children had cycled the whole of the journey.  However, arriving back at church, one would have thought they had just cycled around the park - they seemed to still have lots of energy! Yes, they were wet through and were looking forward to their bacon butties and hotdogs, but they seemed very happy. I didn’t hear any of them complaining!   The more mature friends on arriving back, well…. there were conversations of aching legs, backs and shoulders and very blistered feet – ouch!  Oh to be young a

Traidcraft Chairty Christmas Card Week 15-24 November 2014 & Festive Fair Trade Fair

Did you know that Traidcraft are launching November 15 th to 24 th as ‘ Buy a Charity Christmas Card Week ’?  This is a campaign to encourage churches and their members to show they care this festive season and send a personal Christmas greeting to marginalised members of their community.  Margaret Sentamu, Traidcraft board member, summarises what this is all about by saying, “The hustle and bustle of the lead-up to Christmas can be both a blessing and a burden for many of us.  But for lots of people, even those who are part of a loving church community, there is no one to share the joy of this time of year, and they simply can’t help feeling lonely.  So when it comes to a Christmas greeting, there really is no substitute for a knock at the door, a friendly chat, and the reminder of the card on the mantelpiece that tells us we are remembered, we are loved.  The extra Christmas card I shall give this year will be a proper card, a charity card, delivered through the letterbox, t

Changes at the top!

The Methodist Church has chosen Rev Gareth Powell to succeed Rev Martyn Atkins in September 2015, as Secretary of Conference. The appointment is subject to ratification by the Conference of 2015. Pope Francis has appointed Monsignor Marcus Stock to be the new Roman Catholic Bishop of Leeds, in succession to Archbishop Arthur Roche, who has moved to a post in Rome. The new Anglican Diocese of West Yorkshire and the Dales is now in operation, under the charge of Rt Rev Nick Baines, who is also Bishop of Leeds. He is supported by four other ‘area bishops’ who are as follows:- Bishop of Bradford: Toby Howarth. Bishop of Wakefield: Tony Robinson. Bishop of Huddersfield: Jonathan Gibbs. Bishop of Ripon: James Bell. Bishops Toby and Jonathan were consecrated at York Minster on 17 October by the Archbishop of York.

HOST UK - Welcoming International Students

HOST is once again looking for kind, friendly, hospitable people who are inspired by the idea of welcoming an international student at university here, far from his or her own family, into their home. This could be for a day, a weekend or Christmas, and you don’t need to live near a university, as students will travel for the privilege of meeting you, learning about real life in this country, and sharing their own culture. HOST is a voluntary activity which makes ambassadors for international goodwill of us all.

Calverley and the Time Warp Band

When we started fund-raising, the Lighthouse team got their heads together to think of ideas of what we could do. We have made bacon butties for the brass band concerts in the park; we had a fantastic sponsored walk from Skipton to the church on what turned out to be one of the wettest Saturdays of the year but raised £1500! Then we thought of a pop concert: Were Calverley Methodists ready for a pop concert? After much thought we booked the band, Time Warp , who play music of the 50s, 60s and 70s. After I met up with David, their leader, and told him of my concerns – “Did they expect their audiences to dance?” - he said they sometimes play at concerts and they dance, and sometimes they play at dances and no one dances. My worry was - would the Methodists of Calverley dance? Could the Methodists of Calverley dance? Why did I worry? The hall was packed with the young and the more mature, and people from the community, who don't normally come to events at the church. And

Christian action – are you an active clicker?

Throughout the circuit, friends have been interested in various websites that I have recommended.   Anyone can look at them and act, sometimes with millions of others, to press for justice. That is what we should, as Jesus-shaped people, be doing.  www.avaaz.org obtains millions of signatures for world-important actions. www.350.org is active against the human-induced changes in our climate that are destroying Gods creation which we have in trust for our children. www.38degrees.org.uk is so named since 38 degrees is the angle at which an avalanche occurs on a mountain.  This organisation lobbies for an avalanche of support for the NHS etc. Please do have a look. Christians need to be active clickers too. John A, Baildon 

Leeds in Bloom success for Calverley Methodist Church

What a surprise when we got the invitation to attend the awards presentation at the Banqueting Suite of the Leeds Civic Hall for the ‘Leeds in Bloom’ competition. The hall was packed with people from the various organisations in Leeds - churches, offices, hotels, retail parks, small shops, large shop, pubs, St Gemma’s Hospice  and several schools with garden projects. We shared a table with our friends at St Wilfrid’s parish church, who were  also up for an award. We both got Gold Medals for our efforts!   It was good to witness for the church at such an event, when we were amongst people from industry and commerce, and we were representing Bradford North Circuit, even though we are in Leeds! The morning ended with an excellent lunch too. Rodney Calverley Methodist Church

November message from the Ministry Team

Dear Friends, At the Saltaire Quiz in aid of ZEM in October there was a pie and pea supper half-way through the evening.  I was waiting to be asked to say grace, at which point I would have pointed out that I cannot and will not thank God for mushy peas, which are clearly a crime against nature. J We didn’t have a grace, and I was able to have a slice of pie without peas, and finish the evening happily. Paul writes that we should “give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thess 5:18).  Elsewhere, too, he reminds us to be thankful.  But for mushy peas, or for anything else we are not grateful for? Really? Corrie ten Boom writes in her book “The Hiding Place” of the time she and her sister Betsie were moved to a different concentration camp.  Where they had been before was bad enough, but in the new place they had to share beds and they soon found out there were fleas in the hut.  Betsie suggested that they pray, and went on to give thanks for the women in the hut, and for the fl

Pity Poor Bradford - November 2014 Prayer Column

What is your mode of prayer: the snatched moment?  the regular slot?  And where: a private corner?  a seat on a bus?  a dog walk?  And how do you comport yourself: eyes closed?  meditating on a text?  letting the passing scene stimulate your reflections and requests?  Well, now we have the opportunity for a new take.  Through a willing landlord (and Bradford Met), access has been provided for Christians in the city to a prayer platform right in the centre of Bradford on the 8 th floor of Arndale House just off Market Street (entrance in Charles Street, behind Bright House facing the new Westfield Centre – BD1 1EJ).  Sign in and summon the lift. The 8 th floor is an open plan office space with chairs, tables, prayer resources and windows – what windows!  You can walk round the floor  and gaze contemplatively and compassionately over the once proud and prosperous city of Bradford, above rooftop level at all points of the compass across to the horizon hills; and down on the streets

October 2014 Prayer Column

Joseph and his khaki-coloured prayer shawl Joseph’s story from sneaky, swanky, daddy’s-pet dreamer to practical, protective first lord of Egypt is in Genesis 37-50 .  We’re told God was with him, as Potiphar’s slave, and in prison; God tells him what dreams mean, for his fellow prisoners and Pharaoh; and he sees God’s hand in his whole life, from betrayed little brother to family saviour in the famine.  Missing from the record are his prayers, but I think he must have prayed.  Put yourself in his sandals.  How would you pray when God gave you dreams of greatness?  Or how do you pray about his promises?  Wouldn’t you cry out to God in a pit, hungry, thirsty, bruised and miserable; or horrified as brothers flogged you off as a slave for 20 shekels; or on the long, hard road south to Egypt?  And isn’t it likely he prayed to keep his hands off the boss’s wife when she come-hithered him?  Don’t you need to pray to keep on the straight and narrow when temptation looms? He must have

Labyrinth

Labyrinth A quiet and reflective space for people of any faith, or none. Church open 7-9pm for self-guided meditation. Hall open from 7.30pm for soup/bread and drinks. You are welcome to either, or both. Saltaire Methodist Church , Saltaire Road BD183HJ . Last Sunday of the month. [Sept 28 th , Oct 26 th , Nov 30 th , Dec 28 th  in 2014]

Children’s Ministry Enabler - Vacancy

Bradford North Circuit is advertising for the 2 nd time their need of a Children’s Ministry Enabler v   Hours of working 37per week, on a 3-year fixed contract. v   Salary in the region of £19,000-£20,000 p.a., dependent on  qualifications and experience. v   The post holder will work individually and in partnership with  churches in the Circuit to evaluate and support existing work  with children and to investigate opportunities for new work. v   DBS certificate will be required. If you are interested in more details Please request an Application pack by emailing: recruitment@bradfordnorth.org.uk for the attention of Mrs. Lynne Keating Deadline for receipt of completed Application Forms: 12 noon on Wednesday 5 th November 2014 It is a genuine occupational requirement that the post holder is a Christian

Called to Preach? A Taster Session

Called to Preach? A Taster Session for the Local Preacher Training Course in West Yorkshire and Surrounding Areas starting this Autumn will be held on Saturday 4 th October at  Trinity Methodist Church Duckett Street, Skipton, BD23 2EJ from 10.30 am to 12.30 pm (Drinks available from 10 am) The course is a District alternative to Faith and Worship, it is user friendly, well supported and assessed by worship portfolios. Some people feel sure of their 'call to preach' but for others the first steps are very tentative. It is a process of discernment that is shared by the Church. This day will provide an opportunity to look at the course outline, ask questions and hear from participants on the current course. More details from Revd Richard Atkinson, Core Tutor telephone: 01756 793522 or Liz Whitfield, Course Administrator West Yorkshire District

September 2014 Prayer Column

Choppy seas How lovely it is to sail through life on calm waters, with a following breeze, in good health, well fed and supplied, surrounded by sunshine in pleasant company.  So lovely that we can be lulled into thinking it the norm, and our well-merited right.  Then we can easily feel ill done by when life shows itself in its true colours: disturbances, delays, disruptions, disagreements, disappointments, diversions and dead ends, in all our careful plans and purchases.  Shrilly we protest: How dare they!   But plain sailing is not the norm, not this side of eternity.  Jesus warned us: in this world we shall have tribulation (Jn 16:33).  And though he goes on at once to reassure: I have overcome the world, he certainly did not mean we’d never have contrary winds or tempestuous circumstances.  Rather, he leads us through them – safely, if not always comfortably.  His reassurance speaks of two things, both essential for our praying. Hope .  The risen, ascended Jesus IS Lord

Commemorating World War 1

Photograph by Ros Crosland Photography used with permission . Lord God, Father of all, keep us ever mindful of the struggles  and achievements of former generations, and of this place where we make our home, now, and in the days to come. Strengthen our hearts, hands, and minds to work together for peace; to see you in one another; and to seek your kingdom above all things; that your will may be seen to be done and your kingdom come, through Jesus Christ,  the Lord of lords and King of kings. Amen --- We Shall Keep the Faith by Moina Michael, November 1918 Oh! you who sleep in Flanders Fields, Sleep sweet - to rise anew! We caught the torch you threw And holding high, we keep the Faith With All who died. We cherish, too, the poppy red That grows on fields where valor led; It seems to signal to the skies That blood of heroes never dies, But lends a lustre to the red Of the flower that blooms above the dead In Flanders Fi

Bitter Sweet? Memorable!

What a wonderful Circuit Service we had at St Andrew’s on Sunday 20 July! The church was almost full and every church was represented. All our presbyters took part in the service, which lasted for almost 2 hours! Who can believe that? No-one noticed that it was any longer than a usual service. It was one we shall remember for a long time. Rev Nick described the occasion as ‘bitter sweet’. We were bidding farewell to Revs Ian and Sarah (“parting is such sweet sorrow” – the Bard), yet we celebrated their ministry and gave thanks to God for their involvement in the life and mission of the circuit over what has been a difficult time. Ian has contributed such a lot, that it is hard to think he arrived in Bradford only 5 years ago. In contrast, Sarah arrived as a probationer minister 17 years ago, and when she leaves us, she will continue to minister in the city (in Bradford South circuit). We have all been blessed by their gifts and graces, and it was right to thank God for sendi

Holiday at Home 7th – 9th July 2014

Monday 7 th July was a lovely sunny morning. People awoke with a sense of excitement. Holiday at Home was here at last. “Where is St. Andrew’s?” people asked. “Will my lift arrive on time?” “Will I enjoy this?” Well, at about 10.15 am, these questions were beginning to be answered. 42 Guests and helpers descended upon St Andrew's Methodist Church . All morning, there was the happy sound of chattering and cups of tea, with cakes and biscuits being devoured. Everyone was warned that diets were strictly to be left at home.  After a wonderful lunch, there was much amusement with musical Bingo and some grudge games of scrabble and dominoes. All too soon it was time to go home. Tuesday 8 th July dawned bright and fair. People were beginning to arrive but where was the coach?  It duly arrived and everyone began to board. Amazingly, we left on time at 9.30 am. First stop the Cherry Lane Garden Centre for loos, drinks and cake. It was like a plague of locusts on the cake