Year: 2019

An open letter has been sent to the new UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, from 7 Church leaders, to express concern that ‘failing to agree a deal on Brexit will “hit those held back by poverty very hard indeed”’.

As well as the argument about a general ability to cope with a no-deal Brexit and its particular effects on those hit by poverty, specific concerns are raised about food supply, pricing, the availability of medical supplies and the supply of energy.

The letter is signed by leaders from the Methodist Church in Great Britain; the United Reformed Church; the Baptist Unions of Great Britain, Scotland, and Wales; The Church of Scotland; Quakers in Britain; the Scottish Episcopal Church.

Together these Churches have approximately 700,000 members.

The Summer edition of the connexion is now available – 2 copies are on the vestibule table to borrow, read, and return. Read items by the new President and vice-President, as well as pieces about Racial Justice, the Chinese Methodist Church in Birmingham, and lots more.

Worship in Marketgait on this date will be a Local Arrangement, ie prepared and presented by ourselves.

The Stewards have had 1 suggestion for a theme – “Creation and our care for the planet”and would be grateful for suggestions of other themes, during this week.

This year marks the 350th anniversary of the birth of the mother of John & Charles Wesley (& their 17 siblings).  Various commemorations have been arranged including a “Bright Succession” Conference at Lincoln University from 12-14 July.  The Conference includes an excursion to Epworth Rectory, her home with the Rev Samuel Wesley, for nearly 40 years.

Susanna’s influence is of course best seen through the lives of her sons John and Charles; however, from her own Puritan-family background, she offered a clear example of devotional Christian living – her writings include letters, meditations & extended commentaries, and prayers, some of which have been included in Methodist Prayer Handbooks.

• The Rev Dr Barbara Glasson was inducted as President of Conference for this Connexional year and Professor Clive Marsh as Vice-President.
• The President-designate (ie to serve in 2020-21) is the Rev Richard Beale (Chair of the Cumbria District) and Carolyn Lawrence (a former Mission Partner in Guyana) is Vice-President-designate.
• The Marriage and Relationships Report and a series of provisional resolutions on proposals set out in the Report are commended to us for conversation and discussion prior to final vote at Conference in 2020.
• Recognition was given to the climate emergency and Conference called on the UK to achieve zero emission well before 2050.
• In this context, particular reference was made to single-use plastics; members and churches are encouraged to reduce plastic pollution, with church cafés asked to consider joining refill schemes.

The Spring edition of the connexion magazine is now available – 2 copies are on the vestibule table to borrow, read, and return.

Read about Nik Wooller’s ‘other’ half job, reaching ‘Missing Methodists’ and ‘Churchless Christians’ in Scotland.

Pam Bostock (Perth) has offered to place an order for the new edition of the Prayer Handbook, “Responding to the Gospel”, for all the Circuit congregations.

The cost (for bulk orders) is standard print copy – £3.50; large print – £3.95.

Please sign the sheet on the vestibule table or let Jenny know if you wish to place an order.

Until early August, we are asked to see to the setting out & clearing of chairs for worship: please let a Steward know if you able to assist with setting out on Saturday or early Sunday, and, where possible, help with clearing after worship.