Words from Bede Circuit

Dear Friends

Last weekend I returned to my hometown of Stockport for my niece’s wedding. It was good to see family and see how things have changed. The stewards at the church still the same, perhaps aged a little but the welcome as warm as ever. On the return we called at some friends in their new home which they are very happy with, their previous house was a stop gap, but this was their new home. The final job was to pick up the cat from the cattery, she paroled the house on her return making sure everything was where it should be, it was, especially her food. We enjoy being away many of us will not have been away quite as much as we would like but when we return to what we know we feel safe and secure. We have a base the things around you are your things you know where things are (hopefully)

We probably feel the same way about our churches, we‘ve missed them and during this time there is a sense of returning home. We probably can’t sit in our normal seat anymore – the seventh row on the left, third chair in isn’t there yet but it begins to feel like home. Over the past weeks our church has been on zoom or other online applications, perhaps we have attended another church before our church has opened. The consistent thing in all of this is that we maintain our relationship with God and able to worship Him. There is that parable of the prodigal or lost son the younger son wanted away to move away and experience the high life but realised in the end that it was time to return home, the home that was always there. He went with trepidation but was greeted with his father arms opened wide. We may go away; we may drift but God is always there with arms opened wide. So however, we see this story for ourselves whether we feel it is important to return to physical buildings or perhaps this time away from physical church has made us drift away from God. Be assured as we return, the Father God has always been ready with arms wide open, ready to receive us and wants to offer us so much more than we can ever think, yes even more than a fatted calf.

Rev Jane previously mentioned we are looking for people to be involved in a small working party looking at new opportunities for mission, what we want to do online and how to put it into place.

If you’d be interested in being part of this please contact Stephen Murray (stephen.MTG@Googlemail.com) or Ian Stimpson (stumpythekiwi@blueyonder.co.uk).’

Rev Matt Sheard will be ordained at Coventry Methodist Central Hall on Sunday 27th June. Unfortunately, numbers of people attending will be limited but the service will be live streamed, and we will pass on details once we have them. Please keep Matt in your prayers as he prepares for this important moment in his “time”. Also, for Rev Huw Sperring who is taking sabbatical leave until the end of August; that this time will be refreshing for him and his family.

************NEW ZOOM SERVICE TIME FOR JUNE *************

During June, the time of Zoom services will change to 6.00pm. then, during July and August there will be NO Zoom services during holiday time, but we hope they will resume in some form in September.
A new series of Zoom Bible studies continue on Mondays at 7pm and Thursdays at 10.30am led by Ian Stimpson our Evangelism Enabler on Faith sharing.
Wednesday prayers at 10am continue as well on Zoom.
There are Why-pay Sunday services and service sheets for use at home.
For more information, please contact your pastoral visitor or minister.

With good wishes and prayers

Revd Neil Maynard on behalf of the Bede Circuit staff team.