Message from the Link

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

Christmas Day Worship 2021

Today is the day - Christmas! The central candle is lit. The waiting is over. The child is born. As we celebrate the Feast and Holy-Day of Christmas, with the Psalmist (Ps. 98:4-6) we proclaim: Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; make music to the LORD with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing, with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn – shout for joy before the LORD, the King. Prayer Let us pray: Generous God, even as we praise you for the good news of today, and seek to shout for joy at the coming of the Christ-child, we acknowledge Mary’s mix of pain and joy, both today and in the days to come. As we do so, we face our own emotions on this difficult and delightful day, and ask your help to live it well. Amen. Carol You might like to sing, or reflect on the words of Geoffrey Ainger’s hymn at StF 193/H&P 95, Born in the night, Mary’s child, a long way from your home; coming in need, Mary’s child, born in a borro...

Virtual Worship - Christmas worship

Welcome Welcome to this service for Christmas Time. We hope that this act of worship will help you to celebrate the good news of Christmas. Call to worship I bring you Good News of great joy, for a Saviour has been born to you. For unto us a child is born, a son is given, Alleluia. Carol Prayer Gift giving God, how mighty you are. How wondrous the gift you have given. Foretold and promised now born among us How blessed we are. Born to redeem us, to rescue and keep us. How blessed we are. Born to transform and to take us to glory. How blessed we are. Born out of love, born to give love How blessed we are. O God incarnate gow blessed we are by your extraordinary being. God gives to us His son and to those who seek it, forgiveness of their sins Go and share the gift, show the love and know the peace that God gives Amen. Prayer of confession Generous, overwhelming God In the excitement and joy of this day We take a moment to reflect and...

Pastoral Letter - 9 December 2021

Dear friends We have been through a lot together over this last 18 months since the pandemic first started, as households, as communities and as the people of the church. At times we have struggled, but we have also recognised the support we can offer one another in times of adversity. When things have been far from normal, we have adapted in new ways to continue the life and mission of the church. In the face of great hurt and great need, we have found the value of faith and hope. Since the summer we have seen signs of hope in the re-opening of buildings and the re-starting of some of our church and community groups. However, recent news of a new variant of the virus has once again raised the level of concern. Clearly, the pandemic is not yet over. Consequently, as I am sure you are already aware, the government has decided that there is a need for greater restrictions to be in place once again - see detailed guidance dated 8th December. In the light of this, the Methodist Church...

Bradford North Circuit

Search This Blog