Words from Bede Circuit
Dear Friends
I hope this letter finds you well and that you are coping under these covid restrictions that we find ourselves in. Whilst we enter the middle of the month it is still a relatively new year. When in my secular work in finance it would just be around this time when I would type in the right year all the time and when writing cheques would be reasonably confident, I had written the right year on the top right-hand corner. As a circuit we celebrated (if that is the right term) last Sunday our covenant service on zoom, one of those things we do in a new year. The service of one of re-evaluation of ourselves and how we relate to others, it is a service of tradition but also one of looking forward. In normal times one of my interests is in aircraft I will go to an airport and watch what is going on for hours (sad I know), there is a chance to see something new, a new aircraft a new livery something I have not seen before. Others with different interests will enjoy seeing new things in a similar way.
Just today I received notification of when my welcome service will be in my new circuit in September, a new start for me. It makes us question and consider what new things God has got instore for us, as individuals and as churches and for that matter as a circuit. In scripture we hear from the covenant scripture we read on Sunday in Jeremiah about a new covenant and in Revelation a new heaven and a new earth. Are we ready to see a new Gateshead or a new South Shields, a new Glebe or a new Talbot Road? Recently I went through the relative trauma of my lap top breaking, resulting in a loss of a lot of stuff but on the bright side it works a lot better it is not cluttered by all that stuff gathered over the years, it is a lot cleaner more useful. Do our lives need to be de cluttered? Be open at this time to what God is telling you, is He wanting you to experience new things and/or seeing things in a new way. See this time not as a time when you are being stopped from doing something but as a time when you can just be, be with God and to listen to what He has in store for you.
As a circuit we would like you to be made aware of some free phone lines that are available from the Methodist Church. You can listen to a prayer on 0808 281 2514 which is updated every Thursday. You can listen to a pastoral message from the President and vice President conference on 0808 281 2695 which his updated every Monday. Or alternatively listen to the Methodist podcast on 0808 281 2478 which is updated on the 1st and 3rd Thursday in each month. These will be especially useful for those not on-line so please pass these on to those you may feel will benefit from this.
Sunday worship continues on Zoom at 10.30am
Zoom Bible studies looking at the Book of Proverbs on Monday evenings at 7.00pm and Thursday mornings at 10.30am
Zoom Wednesday Morning prayers are at 10am
There are also Sunday services using Whypay telephone conferencing and a Sunday worship sheet.
Please contact the Senior Church Steward (Brenda Wallace) for more details: wesleymemchurch.pr@gmail.com
With good wishes and prayers on behalf of the Bede Circuit staff team,
Revd Neil Maynard