Category: News

Holiness Journal

The latest issue of Wesley House’s online open-access, peer-reviewed journal – Holiness – is out now!

This is the first of two special edition centenary issues which seek to celebrate 100 years of theological leadership, fellowship and excellence.

The journal offers a range of scholarship that formed part of Wesley House’s centenary events and articles and sermons beyond it. From Paul Chilcote’s excellent survey of the current state of the global Methodist communion in ‘Mapping Global Methodist Theology’, to Paul Glass’ intimate retelling of the ‘Story of Wesley House’. From Ruby Quantson-Davis’ pertinent treatment on the importance of ‘Sitting with the Discomfort of Decolonisation’, to Jane Leach’s deeply personal consideration of ‘A Century of Theological Reflection’ in Cambridge.

We hope you find something to enjoy, and keep an eye out for the next!

Pastoral Letter from Nick

Dear Friends
Pointillism drove me dotty! I am always learning and recently was privileged
to see original works by Impressionist painters such as Claude Monet. I knew
Monet was a famous painter but didn’t really appreciate why. He was part of a
movement of painters that sought to paint using small blobs of thickly applied
paint to build up an ‘impression’ of what the artist was looking at. The
pointillists took this a stage further using brightly coloured dots to build up a
picture. I was looking at a painting by Paul Signac and when you got up close
all you could see was some brightly coloured dots! They look like random
blobs of paint. Only on standing back can you see the picture with the eye
making the connections.
As we travel into the new Methodist year, it may feel at times we are looking
at blobs and going a bit dotty! A lot of change is underway and sometimes we
can only see small parts of it and can seem to be a bit random. At such times it
is good to remember the bigger picture of who we are (followers of Jesus
Christ) seeking to live out our lives as disciples (with a Methodist perspective).
At times the painting can get messy – especially when it is incomplete, but
God is at work, painting the church anew and we are part of that.
The impressionists were not received well by the conventional art community
in France (perhaps a bit like the early Methodists were not received well with
the established religious communities). Change can be difficult, but the
impressionists left a lasting legacy which is stunning. Then, as I moved on, I
encountered the post impressionists such as Toulouse–Lautrec. He stuck
together random bits of cardboard on which he painted. I was amazed, and
again reminded of how creative beauty is brought forth from a random mess of
life. Change comes and we go on together trusting in our faithful God and
remembering we encounter Christ in the unlikely, the random & the neglected.

With love,

Nick

Lost in Wonder – Volunteers required

The Methodist Church are being part of the Edinburgh Fringe this year between the 14th and 19th of August, with Lost in Wonder an immersive storytelling experience, offering a micro-sabbath experience in Edinburgh. With moments of silence and reflection, and moments of creative participation. https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/lost-in-wonder

If you would like to help with the experience – we need people to help guide and support those attending, along with some to help with set up and take down – then there is an opportunity to volunteer by filling in the form on this link https://r1.dotdigital-pages.com/p/BVI-13Y4/volunteer-with-us-at-festivals-and-events

Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry

The Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry has launched its listening project, Let’s Be Heard, inviting the public to share their experiences of the pandemic and any lessons they believe should be learned. Everyone who was in Scotland between 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2022, or was affected by decisions made in Scotland during this time, is being invited to share their experiences of the pandemic with Let’s Be Heard. The project is keen to hear about what lessons should be learned and is asking for experiences to be submitted by 31 October 2023.

Find out the ways that individuals and groups can take part in Let’s Be Heard by visiting https://lbh.covid19inquiry.scot

Paper copies of the submission form are available at GPs, community pharmacies, libraries and other community buildings across Scotland. A paper copy can also be requested by emailing LetsBeHeard@covid19inquiry.scot ,leaving a voicemail at 0808 175 5555, or writing to us at Freepost SCOTTISH COVID-19 INQUIRY.

Farewell to Rev Mary Patterson

The farewell service for Rev Eddie Sykes and Rev Mary Patterson takes place at 3pm on Sunday 30th July at Grahamston United Church, Falkirk, Bute Street, FK2 7DH. All are welcome to attend. For those who can not make it to the church, the service will be livestreamed and available to view at https://www.youtube.com/@grahamstonunitedchurch/streams

We give thanks for the ministry of Eddie and Mary and wish them every blessing on their retirement.

Illegal Migration Bill

On 18 July 2023, the government’s Illegal Migration Bill passed its final parliamentary stages and will shortly pass into law. Church leaders from JPIT’s denominations have joined with civil society groups and charities in a solidarity statement to mark this moment, and express their concern about the impact the Bill will have on people seeking asylum in the UK. The statement reads:

“We all deserve to live safe from harm. But this senselessly cruel Act will have a devastating impact on people’s lives. It turns our country’s back on people seeking safety, blocking them from protection, support, and justice at a time they need it most.

In abandoning the UK’s moral and legal obligations, the Act risks breaching multiple international human rights treaties including the Refugee Convention and the European Convention on Human Rights while shielding the Government from accountability. The UK Government has admitted that it cannot confirm if the Act is compatible with the UK’s obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights.

The Act will force people into situations that threaten their lives – whether by placing children in detention or sending people off to countries where their lives might be at grave risk. Moreover, the Act attacks the very core of human rights, which is the principle that we all have them regardless of who we are or where we are from. In stripping the most basic rights from people seeking safety and a better life, the Act dismantles human rights protections for all of us.

Either all of us have human rights, or none of us do. While the UK Government’s plans will harm those seeking safety the most, this is an attack on all of us and the values we hold dear.

The government has rushed through this law despite broad and deep opposition. But our fight is not over. As caring people, we will continue to fight for the right for people to seek safety and a better life without being forced to take dangerous journeys and without being punished for how they enter the UK. We will keep holding those in power to account for upholding the UK’s international obligations. We will strive for an asylum and immigration system that treats everyone with dignity and respect. We will stand in solidarity with and fight alongside everyone who makes the UK their home and build a society that treats everyone with compassion.”

Click here to read the statement with the full list of signatories.

Methodist Prayer Handbook – Circuit order

Pam in Perth is again offering to place an order for the new Prayer Handbook (becoming available during August) for all the circuit’s congregations.  Those in Dundee wishing to order a copy are asked to let Jenny E know by the end of July if possible and she will then liaise with Pam.

Cost (for 10+ orders) £4.15

Large print order – £4.50