Welcome
Welcome to the Website for Chorley and Leyland Methodist Circuit.
We are proud to be Members of the METHODIST CHURCH in Great Britain. OUR CALLING was re-affirmed in 2018 and is expressed in the following 4 areas:
Worship Learning Service Evangelism
Not only does this website inform you about who we are and what we do, it also provides links to the Lancashire District, Partner Organisations and the wider community.
We are also now on Facebook 
, click the logo to visit.
The Three Priorities of our Circuit
Early in 2017, the Leadership Team of the Circuit discerned the following as God’s Priorities for the work we are called to. They continue to inform the use of our energies and other resources.
Members of the Methodist Church are disciples of Christ and we are almost a thousand strong in the Chorley & Leyland Circuit! Together we are called to many tasks and need to be encouraged and resourced in this work. Our “Growing Leaders” course is just one way that people are being empowered, but other wider initiatives are in the pipeline.
The Circuit, with District help, are funding a 5 year appointment of a Pioneer Ministry Enabler on Buckshaw from 2018. This is an exciting new work with ecumenical partners. But we hope the creative exploration of such ministry will be catching and all our local churches will be inspired for new initiatives.
Our ongoing Schools worker project expresses our commitment to working with children. This Schools Plus Priority seeks to expand & integrate work in schools with the important children’s work in churches, including Messy Church. We aim to strengthen existing church/school links through school “Champions" & establish new links with community schools.
Advent and Christmas 2020
Join us each day through Advent, beginning on 30th November, and click on the door for the day on our Advent page
There you will find a daily reflection (bible verses and prayer), an Advent or Christmas Carol sung by people from across our family of churches, a challenge for the day, and an activity related to our Advent and Christmas In A Box which many of our families are following.
Have fun, and let's share something of this journey together - and do give us feedback as your journey along with us.
GOD BLESS YOU, as we celebrate 'God With Us'
Messiah 2020 - Spendmore Lane Methodist Church, Coppull
Spendmore Lane Methodist Church normally host 'The Messiah' each Christmas on the first Sunday of Advent. Unfortunately, due to the current restrictions this has been unable to go ahead as normal. This year they have produced the above video to enable us all to still participate.
Online Communication Questionnaire
We have produced a questionnaire which would give us an idea of how many people
are accessing what’s on offer – online and offline – at this time, to assist
with our plans to develop what we’re doing to reach more and more people.
We are inviting people to complete our questionnaire and to return to Kathryn Townson, Circuit Administrative Assistant (office.chorleyandleyland@gmail.com), or you can complete the form online by clicking Here, or by downloading the form Here.
Advent Meditations - from the Chair of District, Rev'd Paul Davis
During Advent many of us will be taking up extra challenges to reflect upon during this season. I am sure they will prove beneficial. At this time our worship activities will not be the same as in previous years. However, that won’t stop us worshipping.
At the beginning of Advent, we will be in lockdown, for the following couple of weeks at least we will be in Tier 3. Whatever you do please stay safe and take care. Share in worship where you can, whether that be in church or via printed sheets, the radio, television, telephone or online.
Each week in Advent, and on Christmas Day, Paul Davis, Lancashire District Chair will share a short reflection on the District Website a short reflection on a traditional theme for the week.
Online Communication Questionnaire
We have produced a questionnaire which would give us an idea of how many people are accessing what’s on offer – online and offline – at this time, to assist with our plans to develop what we’re doing to reach more and more people.
We are inviting people to complete our questionnaire and to return to Kathryn Townson, Circuit Administrative Assistant (office.chorleyandleyland@gmail.com), or you can complete the form online by clicking Here, or by downloading the form Here.
Thy Kingdom Come #Prayerforthenation
Thy Kingdom Come invites us to pray each evening at 6pm during this second lockdown. Why not set your alarm, or light a candle? The following resources may be helpful.
Church of England Website
Prayer Booklet
Year of Prayer
Why a Year of
Prayer?
The Conference has declared 2020/2021 a year of prayer so that our Church-wide commitments to evangelism, church growth, church at the margins, and pioneering and church planting will flow from a deep, contemplative orientation to God’s grace and love.
Be part
of this movement of prayer as we ask the Holy Spirit to help us be a growing,
evangelistic, inclusive, justice-seeking Church of gospel people.
Click Here to read more
Coronavirus update from The Methodist Church
2nd November 2020
Following the Prime Minister’s statement on 31 October, it has been confirmed that new National Restrictions will be brought into effect from 5 November 2020 (subject to a Commons vote on Wednesday) in England.*
As part of these new restrictions, places of worship and their ancillary accommodation will have to close or remain closed for congregational worship and all other user groups, except for the following:
Click Here to read more
Meeting the President
From 9th - 11th October 2020, The President of Conference, Rev'd Richard Teal was with us (virtually) in our District - and he kindly found time to speak with Margaret Bibby, fresh after the announcement of her M.B.E., and he prayed for her and for Euxton Methodist Church in their 175th Anniversary year.
Evangelism and Growth
The Methodist Church is committed to being a growing, evangelistic, inclusive, justice-seeking Church – so that new people become disciples of Jesus Christ, faith deepens for everyone, and diverse communities and churches experience transformation.
“Evangelism” comes from a biblical Greek word that literally means “good news”. All Christians – not just some – are called to listen for, speak of, and live out the good news. We all have good news to share! Watch this video to hear how different people are sharing good news from their own experience of God.
Worship Video from Sunday 22nd November 2020
Weekly Meditation
Meditation may deepen one's experience of the presence of God, enhance self-awareness, and reduce stress and anxiety, valuable during this time of isolation.
Join a half-hour Zoom ‘guided meditation’ session, led by Peter Lumsden (local preacher in the Clitheroe circuit), every Monday evening at 7 p.m.
The sessions follow a pattern of 15 mins of spiritual reflection, combined with a focus on breathing, leading into a period of about 15 mins of silence.
Contact Peter Lumsden: pjlumsden58@gmail.com
Worship Sheets (Sunday 29th November 2020)
These short acts of worship have been produced for you if you are unable to attend church. If you are well enough why not spend a few moments with God, knowing that other people are sharing this act of worship with you?
Click Here for Word copy worship sheets for 29th November 2020
Click Here for pdf copy of worship sheet for 29th November 2020
Click Here for Large Print pdf worship sheet for 29th November 2020
Prayers for a New Future
by Paul Davis
September 2020
The following were prayers written for the closing of
the Lancashire Methodist District Synod in September 2020. The theme of the Synod was a new future and
gave the idea of setting sail into a new era and the green shoots of new life.
Gracious God as we leave the past help us remember how
things were,
We thought we knew how
things worked,
You showed us how small is our understanding.
We thought we knew
how to make strategy,
You showed us how limited is our grasp of your plans for
us.
We thought we were well organised,
You showed us that there is more than
ideas and meetings...... Continue
Gregorian Chant
Recently Andrew Kesiak, Community Pioneer Enabler, began preparing a Gregorian Chant service.
Whereas Gregorian Chant is communal singing and communal prayer, the current situation forces us to take a different approach to services and initiatives that, under normal circumstances, would retain their traditional character.
Please find below the video and do share with others this beautiful service.
District Sunday services November 2020, 7.00 pm
UPDATE: REGULAR ATTENDERS ONLY NEED TO REQUEST TO ATTEND AS WE HAVE ALL YOUR DETAILS.
Deadline for requests to attend is 1.00pm on Friday
The District Sunday Evening Services via Zoom are still continuing but are entering a new phase - in that we would like to invite other people to take a role in leading them in the future. Anyone who is interested in helping in this way, contact the District Office at the following email address: lancsmethodist@btinternet.com.
Please contact lancashiredistrictzoom@aol.com to book your place and not the District Office email from which this message has been sent.
Please note the deadline for applying to join the weekly service is 1.00pm on Fridays. This will greatly assist the Preston Ribble Circuit with administration. When booking you only need to state your circuit and church if it is your first time of attending, otherwise, please just send an email requesting the codes.
Click Here for instructions on how to use Zoom
DIAL-A-PRAYER
FREE phone lines for prayers and news from the Methodist Church
Listen to a prayer: 0808 281 2514
Listen to news: 0808 281 2478
Content is updated weekly on Thursday afternoon
Click Here to visit Methodist Church Website
Prayer 21 - Praying for Lancashire
From Paul Davis, 10th June 2020
It has been some weeks since I wrote Praying 21 which has been used across the District. I don’t think I am alone in finding this is probably the time to try something different. Here is a new offering to help you pray at nine pm. Keep praying 21 but if you want a new format here it is.
An Explanation:
I have a great fondness for acrostic prayers, where each line builds into something. In the prayer handbook I chose Respond here I have chosen Lancashire.
Click Here to read more
General Data Protection Regulations
The Church has always been interested in individuals in a caring, pastoral way and has sought to undertake its mission by having sufficient information available to function effectively and communicate efficiently. From the start of Methodism, John Wesley knew the value of lists!
The church, like all other bodies that hold information on people, is now required to follow regulations about how that such information is held and used. GDPR is being embraced by the church as a way to ensure the very best “good practice” as well as compliance with the law.
Click Here for more information
Cliff College
Cliff College are delighted to welcome any prospective students to come and explore our various programmes throughout the year. Our undergraduate, postgraduate and research degrees are all validated by The University of Manchester.
For most of the year, visits to the college are run on a personal or small group basis on request. If you are interested in the BA Theology programme, or the new developments in the part time BA Mission and Ministry programme, the part-time MA taught programme, or any of our Research degrees, then do get in touch using the details below to arrange one of these visits. We would love to see you, introduce you to our facilities, meet staff and students, and talk through the right options for you here at Cliff.
We also run more public Taster Days across especially the undergraduate courses. Dates for these days will appear on this page when they are available.
Click Here for more information. Click Here to visit their website.