Chorley and Leyland Methodists

Dear friends,

This month's update focuses on prayer: getting connected with the One in whom we live and move and have our being. Everything we do, everything we are, indeed our very lives depend upon the grace of God. And prayer is an open invitation to receive grace afresh in every moment: to be made more like Jesus and to be filled with the Holy Spirit. You'll read about opportunities to come together with others to pray, and you'll hear about a new resource that explores some of the contradictions in prayer. For example, prayer can sometimes feel like a dull chore, and yet at other times it can be so life-giving. Whatever your experience of prayer (and we rarely meet anyone who feels that their prayer life is 'sorted'), we pray that you'll give it a go, in whatever way works for you, so that you might know how broad and long and high and deep is the love of God in Jesus. And have a great summer!

- The Evangelism and Growth Team

This month’s story of hope

When the former Westbourne Methodist Church congregation in Hartlepool ceased to meet, a discernment process began to explore a partnership with the very large Boys’ Brigade company that met in their building. A vision to replant a new worshipping and discipling community within the context of a community hub came into being, and the Castle Eden Circuit and Darlington District worked with the Boys’ Brigade team to develop this idea.

It became clear that community space was needed by people experiencing poverty in Hartlepool, offering activities such as kids’ holiday events, Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment guidance, food provision and uniform exchange, adult craft groups to combat loneliness and teen mental health support. The idea of place is important in this context: many people that come along appreciate the space being in their community and at a walking distance.

The new community is known as six8nine: its building is close to the A689 and the name of the project links to the BB hymn, ‘Will your anchor hold?’, which is number 689 in Hymns & Psalms. The core value is inclusive hospitality: everyone is welcome in a space that provides opportunities to meet, grow and unite; where value is placed on human life through activities that support the mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing of the individual and the community, rooted in six8nine’s Christian ethos. You can watch a video about this emerging community below.

01

Pray for New Places for New People.

Online gathering | 7th August, 6.30pm

Readers who attended the Evangelism and Growth Team’s online prayer meetings during the pandemic may remember the ‘Breakthrough Prayer’ - a prayer for God to break through in the life of our churches:

God of love, God for all, your purposes are more beautiful than we can possibly imagine.

Fill us with your Holy Spirit.

Help us let go of all that holds us back.

Open our lives and our churches to new seasons of humility and faith, of change and growth.

Shake us up with the Good News of Jesus and show us the way.

Amen

Once again we are feeling the nudge to gather regularly to pray for God to break through, inspiring Methodists to begin New Places for New People and Church at the Margins in every circuit. Come and join us online on the first Monday of every month from 6.30 to 6.50pm as we connect, support, and grow the NPNP movement through prayer. The next prayer meeting will take place on 7th August, and you can sign up here to receive the Zoom link.

02

Pray with East Anglia.

Back in January, we heard a little about the East Anglia District's year of prayer, 'Pray 2-3'. The name was inspired by the simplicity of '123' as well as the beauty of Psalm 23. Seven months on, Pray 2-3 continues to help East Anglian Methodists connect with God in life-giving ways. The ‘Pray Through May’ campaign saw 36 continuous hours of prayer in Sawtry and a 24-hour prayer room in Walsingham. People had a "huge feeling of peace and closeness to God," and a "tangible sense of God's peace and presence." One person commented that it not only brought people together but also raised the profile of the worshipping community in the village and circuit. District Mission Enabler, Yasmin Finch, says: “It feels like East Anglia is doing something special this year. In a quiet, sacred way, turning to God and asking for inspiration, healing and renewal.  We're excited to see what unfolds!” To read more, check out this post on The Methodist Blog.

03

Pray through the contradictions

Prayer is foundational to our faith. It's how we communicate with God, and it is the fuel that powers our evangelism, mission and discipleship. It's the sunshine that brings a smile to our face and brings light to hidden places, and the rain that helps plants grow. And yet, for many people, it is one of the hardest things about being a follower of Jesus, partly because it is not straightforward. Prayer is full of mystery and paradox, things that are true and yet contradictory – like the classic British weather forecast of sunshine and showers. Sunshine and Showers is a six-session course looking at six different prayer paradoxes. Rather than seeking to find simplistic answers, the course encourages participants to find peace in the mystery of prayer; to be able to pray despite the confusion. We embrace our experiences of prayer, feel liberated and are reassured that there is good news in the mystery. Designed for use in local churches and communities, you can preorder hard copies of the booklet for everyone in the group or download digital copies now.

04

Prayerfully gather.

residential conference | 12th-14th Jan 2024

If you're seeking Spirit-led transformation in your church, circuit or NPNP, gather together with other Methodists for the Whole Hearted Conference, Friday 12th to Sunday 14th January at Yarnfield Park in Staffordshire. We’ll seek God, share stories, inspire one another and get unstuck. This is time carved out for the ‘important non-urgent’ work of seeking God, discerning vision, engaging in strategic planning and workshopping knotty problems. Both individuals and teams would be welcome to attend. Places on the conference, including all accommodation and food costs, are fully funded, but a deposit will be required at the time of booking. You can find out more information and book your place here. If you have any questions, please contact the Evangelism and Growth Team.

05

Laugh.

As you begin to look forward to the autumn and the missional possibilites of harvest, here's a child-friendly video you might find useful. The song is like Velcro. You're welcome. 

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