Skip to main content

Message from the Link


D
ISSUE 16 OCTOBER 2012
ear Friends

How many times have you heard people say in your church ‘Well, I didn’t know about that!’  Quickly followed by, ‘Well, if you read the notices …’

Communication within churches can be wonderful, it can be a little frustrating and it can be never quite what we had hoped.  The same is true across the Circuit, and very soon we will be reviewing methods and means of communication.  Part of this review may include looking at ‘The Link’ and ‘Outlook’ in the light of our focus upon Mission.  For example, it may be that we move more towards what has happened and how it worked to encourage churches to think about the stories that they have to share, rather than being a notice sheet of things to come.

Which leads me to ask, have we ever wondered about who it is we are trying to communicate to, and about what?  For example, there have been many adverts in ‘The Link’ about coffee mornings and cake.  Indeed, it has sometimes read as though that is all we do!  So, what are we trying to communicate?

·      Are we inviting friends from all over the Circuit to come and support each others churches in their efforts? 
·       Are we saying to each other, “Look we’re doing this”? 
·      Are we saying to each other, “This appears to work at our church - might you try it as well?  If so, we might be able to offer you some advice and help.”

We could be saying all of these things, and there would be nothing wrong with that.  But how often is the result that people from church support people from church?  It may be different churches, but is essentially reaching people who already support the Christian Mission in our Circuit.  Yes, we can find ways of letting each other know what is going on, but would it be better if we spent more energy in communicating and engaging with those in our own locality about what we are doing.  Reaching new people, maybe even people we don’t already know!

Yes, lets support each other with ideas and experience, offers of help even.  Let us also remember that Jesus commanded us to “Go to all nations …” and start where we are with the communities that surround us, and the churches we attend.

Every Blessing Ian

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

April 2014 Prayer Column

Prayer for Bradford City and Surrounds What are we all doing for our contribution for the p4b Lenten prayer, on your chosen day – Monday or Tuesday 14-15 th April ? Here are some ideas Get a picture of the place, or the bit that matters most to you: ·          Look at a map: see where you are, and your neighbouring areas ·          Collect some photos: places, faces, events, memories ·          Stand at a viewpoint over the area you want to focus on ·          Take a walk through the area, or a bus, or even drive Listen to what’s going on in the area: ·          Scan the T&A or freebie local paper, Look North, Calendar, radio ·          Listen to what they’re saying  at bus stops, shop queues, etc. ·  ...

Virtual Worship - 13 February 2022

Welcome to worship with the Bradford North Methodist Circuit this morning. This service will be shared this morning by Rev Nick Blundell and the members and friends at Bolton Methodist Church. Service Sheet   (pdf) Call to worship We are blessed to be here today. We are blessed to be together today. We are blessed to be a family. We are blessed that God is with us. Let us enjoy God’s blessing as we worship today. Lord, thank you that we are blessed. Help us to recognise all that you have given to us. We pray that not only will we reflect on your blessings we will also seek to be a blessing to others, with your help and in your name. Amen. Hymn You might like to sing, or reflect on David J Evans’ hymn at Singing the Faith 20, Be still. for the presence of the Lord, the Holy One, is here. Prayers Father, we worship and adore you for the light you bring to this dreary time of year, when we long for spring. Thank you for the blessing of every shoot and bud, the reminders of your...

Christmas at Thackley

Our Christmas activities started in early November collecting donations for Christmas hampers for Bradford North Foodbank. Our Christmas Fair swiftly followed on a very chilly late November morning with the first snow of winter! The Fair raised over £600 and we are grateful to Monday Mums for serving refreshments, to the Ladies Group for their yummy cake stall, to the Brownies for their chocolate tombola, the Guides for their tombola and for making lip balm and to everyone else at Team TMC for the many varied ways in which they contri buted to the success of the morning. For several years we have shared one big Christmas card and given the money we would usually spend on cards to charity. The charity is Caring for Life which changes lives by sharing Jesus' love with the vulnerable; if you've not visited their wonderful coffee shop, make it a New Y ear's resolution to do so - http://www.caringforlife.co.uk/ . This year's fabulous Chr...