“The Spirit of the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor”       Luke 4:18

Hello! and welcome to this week’s letter and printed service – the theme of which is ‘Choose Childhood’. Action for Children believes that every child should grow up safe and happy. To make this vision a reality, they offer practical and emotional care and support, make sure children’s voices are heard, and campaign to bring lasting improvements to their lives.  This lays the foundations for children to thrive. The work Action for Children does is only possible with our support. The Methodist Church has been alongside the charity’s for more than 150 years. But, tragically, there are still thousands of vulnerable children who desperately need our help. With our worship, prayers and gifts, we can make a real difference to these children. Together we can choose safe and happy childhoods for every child.

Many Local Churches are investigating ways of meeting up again as the government have relaxed the rules.  They are working with the Circuit Coronavirus Advisory Group to work out the practicalities and how to do this as safely as possible.  Although all the churches have decided not to open before September, a number are pursuing other avenues such as outdoor meetings.  The needs, pastoral and spiritual, of those who will be unable to, or who choose not to, attend physical worship even after the churches open up, will continue to be important.  It is heartening to see how each church has found ways to keep in touch with each other.  We may have to work harder at our fellowship but we are also finding how to be a Church Without Walls.

Sunday Worship

There are plenty of opportunities to join in worship if you have the internet. We are encouraging everyone to link up with the live stream worship being offered by the Birmingham District via FaceBook on Sunday mornings at: https://www.facebook.com/Birminghammethodistdistrict/live

In addition, we will be offering services online on the Circuit’s own FaceBook page or via YouTube: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=142865293925553&id=110929903785759 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9E0b5XWCv-SB0co6kiL5AyIbMJ77Q_MN

A full text of this service is also available at this FaceBook link and is being sent by post to all those people who do not use the Internet so they can join in too. These two worship opportunities will be available and sent to you every Sunday. We will be offering worship in a similar way each Sunday as the health crisis continues.