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Category: News
Call to Prayer 12 September 2021
Questions about identity are very much to the fore in our day and age. The asking of a question is, of course, very much easier than providing an answer and the result is that we have many more questions than we have agreed answers.
At a pivotal moment in the Gospel of Mark, Jesus asks a question which might be said to be about identity: ‘Who do people say I am?’
In response, the disciples harvest the many opinions that are in circulation: ‘Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.’ There are many opinions, but no agreed answer.
Jesus then asks the question directly to the disciples: ‘But what about you?…Who do you say I am?’ In response, Peter replies: ‘You are the Christ.’ Amidst all the opinions of the day, Peter provides an answer to the question of the identity of Jesus and he affirms that he is the Christ.
In the midst of the many questions of our day, we affirm this answer for ourselves and resolve to follow in the way of the Cross. (Mark 8: 27-38)
We pray:
God our Father,
You anoint Your Son
And send Him forth into the world.
We receive the gift of Your Son
As Your gift to Creation and to all peoples
And respond with gratitude and thanksgiving.
Lord, in Your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
God our Father,
You anoint Your Son
And send Him forth into the world.
As we receive Your Son,
May we hear the questions He asks of us
And be willing to respond in faith and trust.
Lord, in Your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
God our Father,
You anoint Your Son
And send Him forth into the world.
As we share the gift of Your Son,
May we listen to the voices of those beside us
That we might understand more fully the breadth of Your Creation.
Lord, in Your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
God our Father,
You anoint Your Son
And send Him forth into the world.
As we listen to the many questions that are asked in our world
May we respond with grace and in truth,
And with shared silence to the questions that are hard to bear.
Lord, in Your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
God our Father,
You anoint Your Son
And send Him forth into the world.
As we hear Your Son speak to us
May we humbly confess
That He is the Christ, the anointed One of God.
Lord, in Your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Signed by:
- Lord Wallace, Moderator of the General Assembly, Church of Scotland
- Most Rev. Leo Cushley, Archbishop of St. Andrews and Edinburgh, Roman Catholic Church
- Most Rev. Mark Strange, Primus, on behalf of the College of Bishops, Scottish Episcopal Church
- Rev. Dr David Miller, Moderator, United Free Church of Scotland
- Rev. Neil MacMillan, Moderator, Free Church of Scotland
- Rev. Paul Whittle, Moderator, United Reformed Church (Scotland)
- Rev. Martin Hodson, General Director, Baptist Union of Scotland
- Rev. Mark Slaney, District Chair, Methodist Church (Scotland)
- Rev. Thomas R. Wilson, Chair, Congregational Federation in Scotland
- Lt. Col. Carol Bailey, Secretary for Scotland, Salvation Army
- Adwoa Bittle, Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
- Rev. Ruth Turner, District Superintendent, British Isles North District, Church of the Nazarene
- Pastor Chris Gbenle, Provincial Pastor, Province of Scotland, Redeemed Christian Church of God
- Bishop Francis Alao, Church of God (Scotland)/Minority Ethnic Churches Together in Scotland (MECTIS)
- Rev Fred Drummond, Director, Evangelical Alliance (Scotland)
Watch ‘Hope and Anchor”
Hope & Anchor
Tuesdays 12:45-1:15 starting 28 September
Watch online and participate on Facebook at @MethodistChurchinBritain
Hope & Anchor is a weekly online chat show that explores spirituality and faith in an inclusive, fun, nonjudgmental way. Imagine a table at your local pub where friends and strangers meet up and talk about anything and everything, from the frivolous to the sublime – this is the energy of Hope & Anchor.
The show features guests from Britain and across the world who are taking faith outside of the box, addressing challenging questions and preconceptions with intelligence and loads of laughter, and inviting listeners to explore new spiritual landscapes.
It’s a show for everyone – especially those who don’t consider themselves religious but are spiritually curious and Christians who creatively challenge the status quo and are passionate about change.
Hope & Anchor is sponsored by the Methodist Church in Britain and welcomes guests of all faiths and no faith.
Co-hosted by:
- Sonia Hicks, President of the Methodist Conference
- Thelma Commey, past Methodist Youth President
- Jenny Pathmarajah, Methodist presbyter
- Trey Hall, Director of Evangelism and Growth
More funding for redistributing surplus food
In April 2021, a group of MPs from all of the political parties including the Conservatives called on the Westminster Government to release funding for charities like FareShare to “Provide additional funding for redistributing surplus food”. Sadly in mid June the Government rejected the call.
You are invited to sign a petition to ask the Government to reconsider this decision.
Fareshare operate in Scotland, redistributing wholesome surplus food to organisations that can use it to provide meals and food parcels for those in need.
Methodist Prayer Handbook 2021 to 2022
The theme for the 2021/2022 Methodist Prayer Handbook is ‘A Place for All’.
As the Church strives to be God’s people in a world changed by a global pandemic, use the prayers from this book, which has been written by the Methodist community, to resolve that, with God’s help, we may recognise and repent of our exclusivity, and that then we may be reconciling, open to all and ready to listen to all voices equally. Purchase here.
All We Can: work in India
From April 2021 India has been in the grip of the very worst of Covid 19; at the peak of the second wave of the virus, India recorded more than 414,000 newly-confirmed cases and over 3,900 deaths in a single day. Towards the end of July, there had been confirmation of over 31 million confirmed cases and more than 418,000 Covid-related deaths – the true total is thought to be much higher.
All We Can’s local partner based in Odisha (east India) has striven to assist the most vulnerable families in that region to have access to vital emergency resources. As identified by village leaders, the most vulnerable people were given sanitary kits and food supplies including rice, dal, oil, and biscuits, helping over 1,100 families across 5 villages. Because travel and access to work were interrupted, these kits have been an especially critical resource. It has proved difficult to reach all in need, and demand has increased as people returned from urban to rural centres. Further challenges lie ahead in the areas of longer-term food and income security.
Worship We Bring You …
Worship we bring you
Saturday 21st August, 9.30am-1pm
An online gathering for all in the Scotland and Shetland region who would like to become involved in worship leading and preaching in new ways or refresh their experience. Following up the strategy for worship leading and preaching in our region, we are offering two sessions linked by a period of shared worship. Whether you are experienced or exploring these roles, we invite you to join us for one or more of the sessions as appropriate to you.
Session 1 : Introduction to Worship Leading & Local Preaching, 9:30am – 11:00am Open to any with an interest in finding out more about these roles. Experienced Worship Leaders and Local Preachers also welcome to share in this time reflecting on our roles and sharing our experience with one another.
Link Session: ‘Worship we bring you…’
11:00am – 11:30am A time of worship and prayer for all attending either session.
Session 2: Exploring the roles of Mentor and Tutor, 11:30am – 1:00pm Looking more closely at the Worship: Leading and Preaching course and the roles of mentor and tutor within the training programme. Open to any who are considering offering themselves in either of these roles.
Register here
Resumption of in-person worship
On 15th August 2021 there will be an act of worship at 11 am in Marketgait conducted by Jenny Easson; the Rev Nick Baker has mailed a letter to provide guidance and information about this. If you hear of anyone who has not received this letter please contact Nick as soon as possible; also consult him or a Church Steward about any uncertainties. The Church Council (18th August) will include next Sunday’s experience as part of our discussions and wider decision-making.
Prayer in the Evening
As the Methodist Church in Scotland prepares to be involved in new ways in the Connexional Evangelism and Growth strategy we have been encouraged to pray, perhaps finding new and varied ways to pray together.
As one small offering towards the wider prayer menu of the whole district, Andrew and Jill Baker plan to offer ‘Prayer in the Evening’ on each of the following Saturday evenings – and if you would like to join us on Zoom to share in that, you would be very welcome.
- Saturday 31st July
- Saturday 7th August
- Saturday 14th August
- Saturday 21st August
A Zoom link (the same for each week) is available from either of us or from the District Administrator, Sue Marshall-Jennings.
ejillbaker@btinternet.com
amb.strathclyde@btinternet.com or
districtadmin@methodistchurchinscotland.net
Our hope is that different people attending the prayer time would read/lead various sections of the worship. The liturgy will be based on the one found at pp15-25 in the Methodist Worship Book and will be posted in the chat for each meeting and sent out with the Zoom link (although any printed copies must be destroyed after the meetings for copyright reasons).
The whole service takes less than 15 minutes; the Zoom room will open at 9pm on the dates above, allowing a short time for conversation/sharing concerns for prayer and the liturgy will begin at 9:15pm after which participants will depart in silence, with the meeting closing by 9:30pm.
So do contact one of us or Sue if you would like to give this a try on one or more of the Saturday evenings over the summer period.
With all good wishes,
Jill
Call to Prayer 12 September 2021
Questions about identity are very much to the fore in our day and age. The asking of a question is, of course, very much easier than providing an answer and the result is that we have many more questions than we have agreed answers.
At a pivotal moment in the Gospel of Mark, Jesus asks a question which might be said to be about identity: ‘Who do people say I am?’
In response, the disciples harvest the many opinions that are in circulation: ‘Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.’ There are many opinions, but no agreed answer.
Jesus then asks the question directly to the disciples: ‘But what about you?…Who do you say I am?’ In response, Peter replies: ‘You are the Christ.’ Amidst all the opinions of the day, Peter provides an answer to the question of the identity of Jesus and he affirms that he is the Christ.
In the midst of the many questions of our day, we affirm this answer for ourselves and resolve to follow in the way of the Cross. (Mark 8: 27-38)
We pray:
God our Father,
You anoint Your Son
And send Him forth into the world.
We receive the gift of Your Son
As Your gift to Creation and to all peoples
And respond with gratitude and thanksgiving.
Lord, in Your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
God our Father,
You anoint Your Son
And send Him forth into the world.
As we receive Your Son,
May we hear the questions He asks of us
And be willing to respond in faith and trust.
Lord, in Your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
God our Father,
You anoint Your Son
And send Him forth into the world.
As we share the gift of Your Son,
May we listen to the voices of those beside us
That we might understand more fully the breadth of Your Creation.
Lord, in Your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
God our Father,
You anoint Your Son
And send Him forth into the world.
As we listen to the many questions that are asked in our world
May we respond with grace and in truth,
And with shared silence to the questions that are hard to bear.
Lord, in Your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
God our Father,
You anoint Your Son
And send Him forth into the world.
As we hear Your Son speak to us
May we humbly confess
That He is the Christ, the anointed One of God.
Lord, in Your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Signed by:
- Lord Wallace, Moderator of the General Assembly, Church of Scotland
- Most Rev. Leo Cushley, Archbishop of St. Andrews and Edinburgh, Roman Catholic Church
- Most Rev. Mark Strange, Primus, on behalf of the College of Bishops, Scottish Episcopal Church
- Rev. Dr David Miller, Moderator, United Free Church of Scotland
- Rev. Neil MacMillan, Moderator, Free Church of Scotland
- Rev. Paul Whittle, Moderator, United Reformed Church (Scotland)
- Rev. Martin Hodson, General Director, Baptist Union of Scotland
- Rev. Mark Slaney, District Chair, Methodist Church (Scotland)
- Rev. Thomas R. Wilson, Chair, Congregational Federation in Scotland
- Lt. Col. Carol Bailey, Secretary for Scotland, Salvation Army
- Adwoa Bittle, Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
- Rev. Ruth Turner, District Superintendent, British Isles North District, Church of the Nazarene
- Pastor Chris Gbenle, Provincial Pastor, Province of Scotland, Redeemed Christian Church of God
- Bishop Francis Alao, Church of God (Scotland)/Minority Ethnic Churches Together in Scotland (MECTIS)
- Rev Fred Drummond, Director, Evangelical Alliance (Scotland)
Watch ‘Hope and Anchor”
Hope & Anchor
Tuesdays 12:45-1:15 starting 28 September
Watch online and participate on Facebook at @MethodistChurchinBritain
Hope & Anchor is a weekly online chat show that explores spirituality and faith in an inclusive, fun, nonjudgmental way. Imagine a table at your local pub where friends and strangers meet up and talk about anything and everything, from the frivolous to the sublime – this is the energy of Hope & Anchor.
The show features guests from Britain and across the world who are taking faith outside of the box, addressing challenging questions and preconceptions with intelligence and loads of laughter, and inviting listeners to explore new spiritual landscapes.
It’s a show for everyone – especially those who don’t consider themselves religious but are spiritually curious and Christians who creatively challenge the status quo and are passionate about change.
Hope & Anchor is sponsored by the Methodist Church in Britain and welcomes guests of all faiths and no faith.
Co-hosted by:
- Sonia Hicks, President of the Methodist Conference
- Thelma Commey, past Methodist Youth President
- Jenny Pathmarajah, Methodist presbyter
- Trey Hall, Director of Evangelism and Growth
More funding for redistributing surplus food
In April 2021, a group of MPs from all of the political parties including the Conservatives called on the Westminster Government to release funding for charities like FareShare to “Provide additional funding for redistributing surplus food”. Sadly in mid June the Government rejected the call.
You are invited to sign a petition to ask the Government to reconsider this decision.
Fareshare operate in Scotland, redistributing wholesome surplus food to organisations that can use it to provide meals and food parcels for those in need.
Methodist Prayer Handbook 2021 to 2022
The theme for the 2021/2022 Methodist Prayer Handbook is ‘A Place for All’.
As the Church strives to be God’s people in a world changed by a global pandemic, use the prayers from this book, which has been written by the Methodist community, to resolve that, with God’s help, we may recognise and repent of our exclusivity, and that then we may be reconciling, open to all and ready to listen to all voices equally. Purchase here.
All We Can: work in India
From April 2021 India has been in the grip of the very worst of Covid 19; at the peak of the second wave of the virus, India recorded more than 414,000 newly-confirmed cases and over 3,900 deaths in a single day. Towards the end of July, there had been confirmation of over 31 million confirmed cases and more than 418,000 Covid-related deaths – the true total is thought to be much higher.
All We Can’s local partner based in Odisha (east India) has striven to assist the most vulnerable families in that region to have access to vital emergency resources. As identified by village leaders, the most vulnerable people were given sanitary kits and food supplies including rice, dal, oil, and biscuits, helping over 1,100 families across 5 villages. Because travel and access to work were interrupted, these kits have been an especially critical resource. It has proved difficult to reach all in need, and demand has increased as people returned from urban to rural centres. Further challenges lie ahead in the areas of longer-term food and income security.
Worship We Bring You …
Worship we bring you
Saturday 21st August, 9.30am-1pm
An online gathering for all in the Scotland and Shetland region who would like to become involved in worship leading and preaching in new ways or refresh their experience. Following up the strategy for worship leading and preaching in our region, we are offering two sessions linked by a period of shared worship. Whether you are experienced or exploring these roles, we invite you to join us for one or more of the sessions as appropriate to you.
Session 1 : Introduction to Worship Leading & Local Preaching, 9:30am – 11:00am Open to any with an interest in finding out more about these roles. Experienced Worship Leaders and Local Preachers also welcome to share in this time reflecting on our roles and sharing our experience with one another.
Link Session: ‘Worship we bring you…’
11:00am – 11:30am A time of worship and prayer for all attending either session.
Session 2: Exploring the roles of Mentor and Tutor, 11:30am – 1:00pm Looking more closely at the Worship: Leading and Preaching course and the roles of mentor and tutor within the training programme. Open to any who are considering offering themselves in either of these roles.
Register here
Resumption of in-person worship
On 15th August 2021 there will be an act of worship at 11 am in Marketgait conducted by Jenny Easson; the Rev Nick Baker has mailed a letter to provide guidance and information about this. If you hear of anyone who has not received this letter please contact Nick as soon as possible; also consult him or a Church Steward about any uncertainties. The Church Council (18th August) will include next Sunday’s experience as part of our discussions and wider decision-making.
Prayer in the Evening
As the Methodist Church in Scotland prepares to be involved in new ways in the Connexional Evangelism and Growth strategy we have been encouraged to pray, perhaps finding new and varied ways to pray together.
As one small offering towards the wider prayer menu of the whole district, Andrew and Jill Baker plan to offer ‘Prayer in the Evening’ on each of the following Saturday evenings – and if you would like to join us on Zoom to share in that, you would be very welcome.
- Saturday 31st July
- Saturday 7th August
- Saturday 14th August
- Saturday 21st August
A Zoom link (the same for each week) is available from either of us or from the District Administrator, Sue Marshall-Jennings.
ejillbaker@btinternet.com
amb.strathclyde@btinternet.com or
districtadmin@methodistchurchinscotland.net
Our hope is that different people attending the prayer time would read/lead various sections of the worship. The liturgy will be based on the one found at pp15-25 in the Methodist Worship Book and will be posted in the chat for each meeting and sent out with the Zoom link (although any printed copies must be destroyed after the meetings for copyright reasons).
The whole service takes less than 15 minutes; the Zoom room will open at 9pm on the dates above, allowing a short time for conversation/sharing concerns for prayer and the liturgy will begin at 9:15pm after which participants will depart in silence, with the meeting closing by 9:30pm.
So do contact one of us or Sue if you would like to give this a try on one or more of the Saturday evenings over the summer period.
With all good wishes,
Jill