The Buzz

WORSHIP

Golden Jubilee 

Christchurch Methodist & United Reformed Church, Hitchin

Christchurch Methodist & United Reformed Church in Hitchin, has been celebrating its Golden Jubilee, the 50th anniversary of the founding of one of the earliest local ecumenical partnerships.

Among services and events, they have marked the beginning of their next fifty years by planting a young silver birch.  The tree will grow to replace one that was rescued as a sapling from the roof of the old Brand Street Methodist Church, before the building was demolished and replanted at the new church when it was established in 1969.

EVANGELISM

Godly Play Bus

Lancashire District 

Lancashire District has launched the Godly Play Bus, the first mobile Godly Play classroom in the UK.

Godly Play is a form of teaching the Bible that encourages children to explore the stories and language of faith in a tactile way where God is encountered through experimentation and play. The bus is a double decker and adapted so that shelves are the only furniture on the top deck, filled with books and materials to tell the stories.
 

The project came about when two deacons and a presbyter, who had been trained as storytellers for Godly Play, had a vision of a classroom that was mobile.  With the help of district and connexional grants, a bus was offered, revamped and remodelled.  The bust will be used for Godly Play at primary schools across Lancashire.

LEARNING AND CARING

Generations
Ebenezer Methodist Church, Jersey 

Ebenezer Methodist Church in Jersey is bringing together the eldest and youngest members of its congregation in a new club called ‘Generations’.
 

The idea was inspired by the Channel 4 television programme 'Old People’s Home for 4 Year Olds' which examined the social and health benefits of the elderly making friends with the young.

The activities all have children in mind, however the older attendees are as excited to get involved and are often filled with feelings of nostalgia or eager to try something new.

Community lay worker, Amy Britton started the group to connect with the local community. She said the young are already making positive friendships with some of the older generation: "There's a young man called Ethan who is six and doesn't have elderly relatives. His mum was unsure if he would enjoy it but now he holds the most incredible conversations with people. I've seen mums brought to tears when they realise how much their children are giving, and getting back, from this relationship with the elderly people."

SERVICE

Mission Possible

Oakworth Methodist Church, Keighley

Mission Possible is an exciting project to increase the space to Oakworth Methodist Church, near Keighley and to improve community and drama facilities in support of mission, particularly with young people. The project provided for improvements including a new annex with a drama space complete with a stage.

The new space was used for the church's community panto complete with its own chaplain who spent December backstage supporting the forty young cast members at rehearsals and during the shows. The minister led a pantomime praise service where many of the cast took part in worship. With increased seating capacity, record numbers have booked and parents have organised events raising over £10,000 for Mission Possible.

The Pantomime Director and Choreographer commented: “I have been involved with the pantomime for sixteen years and seen how it brings the community together.  Life-long friendships are built and the village has a home."

With the new facilities in place, the aim is to expand and address other issues such as loneliness amongst the elderly.