Happy New Year!

For good reason many of us will mark the beginning of 2012 by sharing in a Covenant service: a recital of God’s faithfulness and a rededication of the calling we have received.
For the District staff the new year will immediately be marked by change and new ways of working, which will invite us to review what we as a team are particularly being called to be and do to further the District vision. (follow this link to read the full chairs’ message http://www.methodistlondon.org.uk/chairsmessage.html

Coming up in the next few weeks 

January will be a very busy month in the life of the District.  Al the usual courses resume after the Christmas break and there are many other meetings in the diary please consult the district diary http://www.methodistlondon.org.uk/diary.htm for full details.  Here is a very selective list of what will be happening.

  • Worship Leaders Training  Course  & London Course resumes  shortly. The District Training Officer, Daniella, is on leave until the 18th January if you have any queries on either of these please contact Richard Hamilton-Foyn or the District Office.
  • District Candidates Interviews  begins on Saturday 14th Jan 2012 for three consecutive Saturdays
  • Safeguarding Conference takes place on Saturday 28th Jan

Please note that the District office will be closed on Thursday 19th for the staff away day

  • Supers residential 8-9th Feb
  • MEDAL Conference 17th – 19th Feb
  • Youth Event - Get Connected 2012 Saturday February 25, 2012
  • Circuit Stewards Meetings 27th Feb              

2.     News & Forthcoming Events from Circuits & Churches

Have you used the resource "The Christ we Share"?
If you have, Sanderstead Methodist Church in the Purley Circuit are looking for an enthusiastic speaker to lead a session with an ecumenical study group, helping them to experience and explore images of Christ's Passion as depicted in art from around the world! If you are able to help please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

3.     Stories from District & Churches

 If you have any news items from your Circuit or Church that you wish to share with the District, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   would love to hear from you. Please contact her  by e-mail or by phone on: 020 7654 3850.  To share in some of what is happening around the District check out the Circuit news and District news pages on the website: www.methodistlondon.org.uk

4.     Situation VacantVisit the website for all current vacancies

5.     Methodist Partners  

Cuts to Housing Benefits
There are several major changes occurring to housing benefit which are either already in place or will be brought into effect over the next few years.  These will affect anyone who claims Government support with their housing costs.  Please download the letter and guide for all Church Leaders.  

The petition is at http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/25438  and should be signed before 7th January 2012 to have an influence on the Parliamentary debate

6.       Ecumenical Partners

New Ecumenical York Course for Lent 2012: Handing on the Torch – Sacred words for a secular world
York Courses have been producing study courses for ecumenical use for 15 years.  The easy-to-use courses bring the voices and opinions of prominent Christian thinkers into discussion groups in more than twenty countries worldwide.

For further information please contact Carrie Geddes: 07792 272010/ 01904 466516, or visit the website www.yorkcourses.co.uk

      Prayer   

Global city focus: Pray for University students, lecturers, others who work in the universities and colleges including the Methodist Southlands College within the Roehampton University and the principal – and the chaplains including Revd David Innes (Southlands), Revd Stan Brown (Kingston) and Revd Sam McBratney (City University)

 Circuit City Focus

35/22 New River                                Superintendent: Revd Andrew Dart

 Give thanks & pray for:

  • The Circuit Superintendent; Rev. Andrew Dart, for his strong and dynamic leadership and for God’s future direction, effectiveness and guidance in his ministry. Thank God for the safe delivery of his baby daughter and ask God’s blessings on him and his family.
  • For a successful appointment of a new Superintendent during the Ministerial selection and for the Church at Muswell Hill on their journey of discernment, for continuing success in their numerous activities and community groups.
  • Rev. Mark Davenport and the members of Trinity- at-Bowes as they completed the final phase of their building programme and seek God’s guidance for spiritual growth and further developments within the Church and local community.
  • Offer thanks and praise for the refurbishment of Finsbury Park Church. We pray for all members at this time of transition when Rev. Shirlyn Toppin takes on Pastoral responsibilities in September 2011 and we pray for God’s guidance in her ministry.
  • Give thanks for Rev. William Davis in his role as Ghanaian Chaplain and Circuit Ministry and pray for Holly Park Church as they seek to establish Fresh Expressions of Worship and as they strive for growth, dedication and community involvement.
  • Rev. Valentine Dedji and members of St. Mark’s Church as they affirm their faith and discipleship in Jesus Christ through vibrant worship, fellowship Groups, Bible Studies, prayer, discernment and Community Outreach Work.
  • Rev. Anthony Brazier in his bereavement over the death of his wife and pray that God will bless him with strength and courage. Pray for spiritual uplifting and revival in his Churches at Willoughby and Miller Memorial.
  • Rev. Lena Ali and members of Ravensdale Church, as they engage in creative ministry by empowering members to exercise their God-given gifts and help the young people to grow and develop spiritually and express their love for God with fresh enthusiasm and intimacy in worship.
  • We pray for the successful appointment of a Youth Development Worker in the early autumn and for all the new initiatives which are in progress with youth and children’s work.
  • Thank God and pray for all the Stewards, Local Preachers, Worship Leaders, Pastoral Visitors, Treasurers, and all those who use their gifts and talents to prosper the work of God in individual Churches and within the Circuit.  

            On the Website

If you have any news items from your Circuit or Church that you wish to share with the District, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   would love to hear from you. 

Nwabisa Ewing | Executive Assistant and Office Manager

Tel: 020 7654 3850 | This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  

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