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Issue No.23

Spring 2017

In this issue: • Refocus on Henlow • Thanks from West • • Event listing for Easter • • The work of the Senior Circuit Steward by Heather Harrison •

Plus details of all Ministers, Local Preachers & Worship Leaders 1 A Pastoral Letter Dear friends, When planning the wonderful gift from the Church that a sabbatical offered me, I needed time to reconnect with the people who mean the most to me, with myself and with God’s calling on my life. Also within the churches, for very different reasons, I have found myself attempting to deal with and resolve huge conflict and disagreement and feeling totally inadequate, so I chose the theme of building bridges. Those three months were a wonderful time of meeting with many people, visiting some lovely places, experiencing different styles of worship in different places, including a beach on Iona, the Methodist Church in Rome, the catacombs (where I assisted at Communion and the wine ran out) and at the prison I used to work at, where the men worshipped with energy, passion, enthusiasm and joy. I also completed the Bridge Builders Course, receiving training in Negotiation & Dialogue, Building Consensus & Making Decisions, Facilitation & Culture of Constructive Engagement and Leadership & Group Conflict, with a taste of Mediation thrown in. I learned much about the importance of process, honesty, listening, reframing, asking questions in different ways, and that conflict isn’t always bad or negative, even that some folk enjoy conflict, get a buzz out of it and often create it, much to the consternation of some of the rest of us! Even within our churches there is conflict on many issues: styles of worship, what kind of coffee, interpretations of Scripture, ways of praying, which charities to donate to and how much, leadership styles, where to put the flowers, theories of the atonement, whether to take out the pews, the young people, the old people, the middle-aged people, the missing people, traditional hymns, modern songs, homosexuality, divorce, marriage. Frankly some of these seem petty, although not to those who feel strongly and shout loudly about them. Others are crucial and deeply affect the way we feel about ourselves, other people and God, and the way we think God feels about us. Faithful, loving Christians will always have different views and understanding, different experiences - sometimes painful ones - and different longings about how the Church should be. Living with contradictory convictions is the phrase that has been used, not meaning that we don’t individually know our own minds, but that we don’t have a collective view. Disagreements happened in the past, happen today and will happen in the future. When they do, how do we stay together? Do we

3 stay together? Do some leave and some remain but stay silent? Is opinion polarised? Are we fragmented? When we are not of one mind, how do we remain of one heart?

Here is an extract from an interview with former Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks from the August 16 edition of Christianity magazine. Asked about his debates with Richard Dawkins he said:

I love him, let me be absolutely straight. He’s one of the most brilliant science writers of our time, full stop. He goes around hitting religious people once in a while and we probably need to be hit! God sent Richard Dawkins for a reason. We are too complacent as we believe six impossible things before breakfast. We’re too credulous and we accept too much as the will of God, which we shouldn’t accept. So, just as Richard Dawkins sees religious people as part of the wonderful Darwinian plan of random genetic mutation, so I see Richard Dawkins as part of the divine plan. We each make spaces for the other in our universe. He’s a great man.

What a tremendous example of the attitude of mind we need to cultivate towards those with whom we profoundly disagree, a bridge being built between very different understandings and world-views that reaches out in love and acceptance. Here is grace in the face of difference from this wise Jewish man. Jesus confronted many situations of conflict between rich/poor, strong/ weak, men/women, slaves/free, Jews/Romans, clean/unclean and Pharisees/‘sinners’. As we journey through Lent, Easter and beyond, may we seek to be bridge-builders, and may we always remember that what bridges the gap between all of us and God is the love of God shown in Jesus, who gave his life that we might live and be one with God.

Caroline Weaver

Illustration by Elizabeth Wang, T-00081-CW, ‘Christ is our bridge to heaven - the only Way across the gulf between earthly life and eternal glory’, copyright © Radiant Light 2006, www.radiantlight.org.uk

4 President of Conference Visit to BEH District

The President of Conference, Rev Dr Roger Walton, visited the , Essex and Hertfordshire District in late November. He led Sunday morning worship at Oxlease Methodist Church in the St Albans and Welwyn Circuit, where he was Minister in the 1980s, and had lunch prepared by members of the church’s Zimbabwean fellowship, before visiting Birchwood Methodist Church, where outdated church premises have been replaced by a compact and more suitable building, funded by the sale of part of the site for residential housing.

The President went on to Hatfield Road Methodist Church in St Albans, where he shared in a discussion of topical questions submitted by the audience about the contemporary mission and ministry of the Methodist Church. The day ended with a Circuit service at which the President preached. On the Monday the President travelled with the District Chair, Rev Dr David Chapman to Clacton in the Tendring Circuit to meet with the Ministers, before visiting the Brooklands ward of Jaywick, which is among the most deprived communities in Britain. Here Deacon Janet Jenkins gave the President a tour of an area in which she exercises a ministry of befriending and supporting some of the most vulnerable people in society. Then it was back to Trinity Methodist Church in Clacton for the regular Monday ‘grub club’ run by the church where guests, many of them experiencing acute poverty and even homelessness, can enjoy a free hot meal served by volunteers. Over lunch, the President had a chance to listen to many of their stories in a warm and easy-going exchange with those whose voices are often not heard, let alone respected. The President went from Clacton to High Leigh Conference Centre in Hoddesdon, where he led a 3-day retreat for those Ministers in the Bedfordshire, Essex and Hertfordshire District in their first ten years of ministry, including Gill Baalham and Graham Claydon-Knights. The common thread throughout his visit to the District was ‘Holiness and Justice’, the theme which he and the Vice-President have chosen for their Presidential year. A booklet on the theme is available from Methodist Publishing. 5 New Series on Our Circuit Churches

Five years ago, when the three Circuits merged, we started a series of articles in the magazine for each church to introduce themselves to the new Circuit. We have just completed the series and all the churches – including some now closed – have been introduced.

The editorial team thought as a follow-up it would be interesting to revisit the churches, in the same order as before, and ask them what has changed in the five years since they wrote their first article, and what their hopes and mission plans are for the next five years. In Magazine issue 1 we had Henlow Church, and here is their report five years later.....

Henlow Methodist Church It’s been five years since I wrote about Henlow Church, and at that time we were celebrating 100 years of Methodism in Henlow village. It was a year of great rejoicing and celebration both for the congregation and for all visitors who supported the many special services and events held during the year. Since that time however we have had to face some changes which have challenged us greatly. Henlow Pre-school, who had used our premises for the last 40 years or so, had the wonderful opportunity to join with Raynsford Church of Academy, which meant for them their own purpose-built classroom with all the facilities. As you can imagine, during those 40 years we had built up a good relationship with the Pre-school and their leaders, so it was with great sadness that we had to say goodbye to them. The dance school, who held classes four nights a week and on Saturday mornings, also found new premises for three of their classes including the Saturday class, which was not only another loss financially, but also for us in terms of outreach, meeting and chatting with the parents who supported our coffee mornings while they waited in the church for their children’s class to finish.

6 And last but by no means least, our Sunday School closed due to teachers/leaders moving on and, as in a lot of churches these days, a lack of children. Did Henlow folk get a bit ‘down’? Yes, I suppose we did, but we embraced the changes and came to realise that the challenge and mission for us lay in other areas of the community. So what have we achieved so far…? o Every second Wednesday of the month we have Reflections and Prayer followed by a light lunch. This is well supported both ecumenically and by people living in the village. o Coffee mornings continue to be successful with different people hosting each month, and the money raised going to a charity of their choice. o We have a bi-monthly lunch on a Saturday which is well attended, especially by people who live on their own, and gives them the opportunity for fellowship and meeting friends. o We have an Open the Book team who go into Raynsford Church of England Academy once a month. We tell Bible stories with the children joining us to act them out, there’s also a time for reflection and prayer and everyone has an enjoyable time including the team! o We have an ecumenical half-term Wacky Wednesday every half- term holiday (Dave Haseldine gave it the name!) for children aged 4–11 years. This is held alternately at Langford and Henlow churches and our Circuit Youth Workers play a big part in helping to organise and lead this. o The week after Christmas saw our first joint ‘Christmas party’ with St. Mary’s Church. We invited all the people we knew from coffee mornings and other contacts, trying especially to involve those who would feel lonely after coming back from spending Christmas with family. We had a great response from people asking if it could be made it an annual event! So, there are lots of exciting things going on for our church, and we find ourselves blessed and encouraged as our journey of faith and outreach continues, and again and again we see God’s hand guiding us and enabling us to use our time, talents and witness to build on the first 105 years of Methodism in Henlow village. Brenda Ballantine

7 When I attended a Circuit meeting and notice was given of £250 being made available for the development and outreach of churches, my ears pricked up. It is not often that such grants are given and so after consulting church members, we decided to apply and were successful!

Kempston West, like a lot of churches in the Circuit, has a small membership, and although active in the community, wanted more people to know what the Church was about. After discussion, we decided on the following priorities:

A postcard with a picture of the church on one side, and on the other side, a list of the activities going on. This was produced by Borough Council Printing Department at a very reasonable cost and delivered by members of the Girls’ Brigade to the two estates recently built and two neighbouring estates - this involved our young people and gave them a sense of ownership. The postcards were also placed within the church and in the local library. Posters are also being produced professionally, giving the same information. Two weatherproof vinyl banners were purchased to hang on the outside of the church, advertising coffee mornings and cream teas. A website still pending, produced by the Boys’ Brigade - again giving young people an opportunity to be involved. Part-funding of a Girls’ Brigade leaflet which was distributed to the local primary schools and included in an early term posting to parents. This we hoped would raise awareness of church activities farther afield and make school staff aware.

8 An article on the history of the church is to be included in the local community newspaper with an accompanying advertisement - this is being done in April 2017 to coincide with the 'birthday' of the church.

Did we have any results?... Yes, we did! The Girls’ Brigade numbers increased by 50 % and Kempston West now has a Sunday Club! Be careful though what you pray for, because we then had to look at more 'staffing' for both. We have had a few new faces on a Sunday, which has also been a joy - so much to be thankful for. So we say again, thank you Circuit!!! Lynda Smith

- + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - PROGRESS REPORT ON SHEFFORD ROOF Although it seems slow, we are making progress. The hall now has a weatherproof roof on it, and at the time I write this (mid-January) we are hoping that the final phase, to plaster the walls, install a new ceiling, lighting and smoke alarms and repair various other places where there has been some minor damage, will be started soon. If all goes well, that could be finished by Easter, and we may then be able to use the hall while we wait for the plaster to dry out, so that redecoration can be completed in the summer holiday.

We continue to be very grateful to Circuit and other friends, who have supported our coffee mornings and other fundraising events and made generous donations. Like all good building projects, the total looks like being more than we expected, but we can still raise funds faster than the cost is going up, so things are looking hopeful.

Jim Ragless

9 Spring course Ethics in our time

Wednesdays : 26th April to 24th May 8.00 – 9.30pm

Speakers include:

Rev Bonnie Evans-Hills, Inter-Faith Advisor Diocese of St Albans – Ethics & Migration

Rev Canon Dr Peter Sedgwick, Retired Principal and Warden of St Michael’s College Cardiff and Ethicist – Just War

Sue Richardson, Christian Aid Relations Development Officer – Ethics & Poverty

Rev Dr Nick Goulding, Professor of Pharmacology & Medical Education – Ethics & Medicine

Venue: St Andrew’s Church, Kimbolton Road, Bedford, MK40 2PF Time: 8.00pm - 9.30pm Cost: £5 per person, per session (including refreshments) payable on the day

Please note our change of telephone number below: Tel: 07821 796457

email : [email protected]

Twitter : BELIEF@Beliefbeds

For more information and details of further events, please visit our website www.beliefbeds.org

BELIEF is registered as a Charity Number: 1123911

10 METHODIST SUMMER FELLOWSHIP If you are looking for a holiday with a difference this year, why not consider attending the Methodist Summer Fellowship to be held at The Hayes Conference Centre, Swanwick, Derbyshire, from Saturday 29 July - Friday 4 August 2017?

Held alternate years, 2017 is MSF’s 100th birthday!

The theme this year is “I have a dream” and will be focusing on dreams and visions from God, from people, for humanity and for the world.

What happens at MSF?

It is an opportunity to bring together a worshipping Christian community of all ages for a week of holiday, friendship, prayer, listening, reflection, conversation and fun.

The holiday aims to provide the environment, support and stimulation for personal and spiritual refreshment and growth.

It really is a holiday for EVERYONE, with a special youth and children’s programme, and you can participate in as much or as little as you wish.

There are Bible studies, seminars and workshops, worship, games and sports, and a ceilidh. Alternatively, you may wish to just sit peacefully, read, sleep, or drive out to explore some of the Derbyshire countryside.

All meals are taken together in a communal dining room and many new friendships are formed.

Costs (including full board and conference costs) Adult En-suite: ------£550.00 18 Adult Non En-suite (Single) Rooms Available ------£430.00 Full Time Student ------£295.00 Child (10-18) ------£110.00 Child (4-9) ------£80.00 Child (0-3) ------Free

11 This year’s speakers include: Tom Greggs (Chair in Historical and Doctrinal Theology at Aberdeen University) taking the morning Bible Studies Nel Shallow (lay worker in Sheffield, and trainee presbyter) leading Morning Prayers. Other keynote speakers include Rowan Williams, former Archbishop of Canterbury. We first attended in 1975, and with a long gap in-between, started going again regularly in 2003. Every one is different, but the same friendship, fellowship and fun can be found each time. I recommend it. Full details can be found on the website: methodistsummerfellowship.org

Jenny Broadbridge

Introducing our Senior Circuit Steward It is four and a half years ago that I agreed to join the team of Circuit Stewards – the “new Circuit” was very young, I was not, but Andrew Hollins assured me that the main thing was to be able to work with him. For the first several months I sat at meetings feeling very much out of my depth, but at least I was listening and learning – and I still am. My duties are varied, but as in all of Methodism there are meetings, some enjoyable, some less so. Basically, I help Andrew run our Circuit, along with all members of staff and a team of other brave souls who volunteered to be Stewards. It is a six-year stint, and if you open your mouth too much you end up being the Senior

12 Steward – I am now in my second year, due to the fact that I was longest serving after Peter Fletcher stood down. I pass the baton on in September to Michael Carr and will remain as a “soft Steward,” leaving my colleagues to do the tough work whilst I keep a caring watch over the staff, who work tirelessly to keep our faith alive. As in every other sphere of life, I have had to do some things that are out of my comfort zone – delivering unwelcome news at the Circuit Meeting is a bit daunting, and taking harsh decisions, or passing on facts in phone calls - when lovely people are at the end of them - does not come easy. Stationing (placing of presbyters) is a particularly difficult time, and many hours were spent with Andrew, often burning the midnight oil, deliberating, only for us to have our hopes dashed, and we had to return to page one. I would say at this point that I have a very understanding husband….. There have been highlights: presenting Anne Brown with a leaving gift at St Albans; being part of the recent service to welcome our two new members of staff and meeting our new Chair of District, and helping to host the last Synod, held in Biggleswade, working with some caring, willing, generous people from our local churches. I do spend quite long spells on the phone, but I am happy to be a listening ear, or to try to explain why things are as they are to anyone who needs more information. All the Stewards on the team have jobs, which they do to the best of their ability. We are all attached to certain churches, and we each attend those Church Councils. The work is sometimes demanding, this New Year being no exception, but usually rewarding. Can I persuade anyone to come and join us? We need one more, preferably from the Kempston area, to complete our team. My contact details are at the front of this magazine! Heather Harrison Senior Circuit Steward

13 Circuit Mission Statement

God with all our heart, soul, mind, and We will follow the Holy Spirit strength who is calling us to LOVE one another, as Jesus loved his followers all others, even enemies, as God does

becoming like Christ and be DISCIPLES OF JESUS behaving like Christ bringing others to meet and follow Christ

that God's will be done working for GOD'S KINGDOM in the Church, and on Earth for all, as it is in heaven…

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Circuit Prayer

Bind us together, Lord, in Love, Peace and Trust. Build us together, Lord, in Spirit, Faith and Truth. Unite us, so that together in your strength and following your Holy Spirit, we may work for your Kingdom as disciples of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Amen.

14 EASTER REFLECTION

It was one of those occasions which we have all experienced at some time, when, having met someone unexpectedly, conversation flowed, but the ‘cogs’ of my mind were engaged in thinking, “Who is it?”, “Where do I know you?” It was only after saying goodbye and continuing the day that suddenly light dawned! Recognition came to me. Re-cog-nition: to identify someone or something already known (English Dictionary) from the Latin “re” again and “cognoscere” to know. Recognition seems to be a key word at this season of the year. As we read of that group of close friends drawn together over a period of years, listening, praying, witnessing amazing events, and learning and laughing with one another, and all under the leadership of the One who had called them away from their normal jobs to embody a new way of living and a new kind of authority regime, so we are aware of their close fellowship and close bonds with one another. Then comes trauma (psychological and emotional shock) as the events of the final few hours of their friend’s life unfold. Having shared a quiet time of deep prayer and meditation, there is the disruption of noise. Soldiers charge in with arrest, a form of trial and howling crowds in the dark hours and the final ignominy of a cruel execution. No wonder they were traumatised: they were suffering from bereavement, and we all know what that entails. They were in fear of being arrested. There was a sense of guilt – “Could we have done more?” Their dreams were broken, leading to broken people in shock, and leaving them unable to handle the situation or know what to do in the circumstances. Then another day dawns. The women felt they could do the one thing their love drew them to, anointing the body ready for burial. They found the tomb but no body! The separated grave clothes gave food for thought to another friend, whilst Mary in her grief and loss talked to the “gardener” and then heard her name spoken. Another entered the tomb and began the process of believing, whilst another needed the evidence of his own eyes and would not accept the experience of others, and he was treated with love and understanding. And then, of course, there were the two who walked and talked Scripture with the Stranger and invited Him to supper – and He broke bread!

19 So gradually, and through their own experiences, the light dawned and they re-cognised Him …… The Risen Lord. In what ways do we recognise Him? Breaking of the bread at Communion? Studying the Scriptures as individuals or in groups? Meditating on the whole story? Feeling called by name to do or speak on His behalf? Just knowing the truth deep within …… praying, praying, praying …… meeting Him in other believers …… seeing Him at work in our times? Look out, He is about …… and they recognised Him. Praise the Living Lord for His comforting, challenging presence this Easter. Deacon Vera Pearson

march 1st – ash wednesday ANJULITA COURT 2.30pm CARDINGTON 7.30pm Circuit Ash Wednesday Service PUTNOE HEIGHTS 7.30pm Joint service in St.Mark’s Chapel WOOTTON 7.30pm Prayer Meeting lent courses, prayer space, etc. The six churches listed below form “Churches Together in Ampthill & Flitwick”. They will be open on the Saturdays listed and the public are invited to come and go at will between the hours of 10.00am-12 noon. Flitwick Methodist Church March 4th Sacred Heart, Flitwick March 11th Ampthill Methodist Church April 1st Dates for Ampthill Baptist Church, Flitwick Parish Church and Ampthill Parish Church are to be confirmed - x - Lent Course at Priory Wednesdays March 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th and April 5th at 7.30pm based on Christ and the Chocolaterie - x - Churches Together Lent Course at Willington Wednesdays March 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th and April 5th at 7.30pm - x -

20 Shefford Churches Together hold Lent Lunches on every Saturday during Lent at the Community Hall (opposite the Methodist Church) when we share a simple lunch followed by a time of reflection. Profits go to Christian Aid's relief and development work. - x - Taizé Service at Trinity on Tuesday April 4th at 7.30pm - x - Lent Activity Day at Oakley Methodist Church Saturday April 8th from 10.00am to 4.00pm Open to everyone in the Circuit, including opportunities for prayer, meditation, craft work, making an Easter garden and decorating small crosses. A light lunch will be available between 12.00pm and 1.30pm - x - Holy Week Meditation Services at Priory Monday 10th – Wednesday 12th April, each at 7.30pm april 13th - maundy thursday services ANJULITA COURT 2.30pm CLAPHAM 7.30pm Maundy Thursday Supper and Service CRANFIELD 6.00pm Joint Holy Communion with other Christian Groups in the village followed by a simple meal LANGFORD 7.30pm Maundy Thursday Communion led by Rev Gill Baalham LIDLINGTON 6.30pm Maundy Thursday Passover Supper at the Chapel (tickets only) OAKLEY 6.30pm Maundy Thursday meal and service with St.Mary’s PRIORY 7.30pm Maundy Thursday Worship PUTNOE HEIGHTS 6.30pm Holy Communion TRINITY 7.00pm Maundy Thursday Communion with Agape meal WILLINGTON 7.30pm Churches Together Agape meal and service at Willington Methodist Church april 14th - good friday services AMPTHILL 10.00am Churches Together Walk of Witness BEESTON 10.30am [ walk of Witness - see Sandy ] 3.00pm Good Friday Service led by Rev Wendy Evans-Wood

21 april 14th - good friday services cont’d CLAPHAM 11.00am United Good Friday Service with the Anglicans at Clapham Methodist Church CLOPHILL 10.30am Good Friday Service led by Rev Graham Claydon-Knights CRANFIELD 10.30am United Service at St.Peter & St.Paul Church, Cranfield FLITWICK 10.30am [ at Clophill or Ampthill ] HENLOW 7.00pm Good Friday Service PRIORY 10.00am Good Friday Worship, followed by the Bedford Town Centre Good Friday Witness in Harpur Square at 12.00pm PUTNOE HEIGHTS 11.00am Stations of the Cross SANDY 10.30am Walk of Witness starting at Sandy Methodist followed by services at St.Swithun’s and Beeston Methodist Church SHEFFORD 11.00am Walk of Witness - beginning at the Methodist Church, pausing at St.Michael and All Angels for a short service, and finishing at the Baptist Church with refreshments TRINITY 10.30am Walk of Witness – Market Square UPPER CALDECOTE 9.30am Good Friday Service WILLINGTON 7.00pm Good Friday Meditation WOOTTON 11.00am Good Friday Service april 16th – easter sunday sunrise services AMPTHILL PARK dawn Sunrise Service (organised by Churches Together) in Ampthill Park LIDLINGTON 5.45am Dawn Service – the first service celebrating the resurrection at the Old Chancel site in the Graveyard TRINITY 6.15am Sunrise Service for 6.30am at Jubilee Wood WOOTTON 6.30am Sunrise Service – meet in the field next to Wootton Upper School see the Circuit Plan for details of other early morning services on Easter Sunday Churches not listed above may have services which were not known about at the time of printing this magazine.

22 Karibuni Children I was pleased to accept John Caves’ invitation to write an article about the charity Karibuni Children of which I am a Trustee. Two years ago, five members of Oakley Methodist Church travelled to Kenya as part of a working party to see first-hand the work that the charity does and to actually do some physical work. Karibuni Children started when Corinne Murphy opened a bank account with £2.56. A visit to an MAYC London Weekend had inspired her to do something about the children living in the slums and on the streets of Kenya.

Since then, over the subsequent 21 years, Karibuni Children has given practical hope to hundreds of needy children, supporting projects which operate where the need is greatest. Corinne was restless to make a difference – and we remain restless to do more, to give more children the chance to fulfil their potential. We may be a relatively small charity, but that gives us advantages. We can be nimble, making quick decisions when the need arises; lines of communication are short, and we are close to the projects we partner. Within the UK, Karibuni is run by a group of volunteers who combine their different skills and experience in running the charity, publicising the needs in Kenya and raising funds.

What do we do?

In the UK, we raise awareness and funds to support partner-projects in Kenya. We currently support 1400 children in schools across Kenya, who without our help would probably be on the streets without hope for the future.

Most years, Karibuni volunteers are to be seen working alongside our Kenyan partners, building, renovating and decorating classrooms.

23 Practical help is greatly valued by our partners and it gives our volunteers an invaluable insight into the day- to-day challenges the schools face.

Our Mission

Put simply, our objective is to help the poorest of the poor to fulfil their potential. Many of our families live in homes 10 feet square with no internal sanitation or running water. Yet the children are always smart, work incredibly hard, and always have a smile on their faces.

And the great thing is that each year we are taken aback by the excellent results achieved by children living in these most challenging of circumstances. We believe that, with the support we and our partner projects provide, those children can go on to become independent, productive citizens who will make a positive contribution to their country.

When we stand and look over the massive slums of Nairobi, we know that the scale of the need is huge and this could make us question what difference we can make. But we also know that for each and every child we support, we can and do make a difference. And, like Corinne, we are restless to do so for more children.

When we were out in Kenya we met a young man, Daniel, whose story is repeated time and again. His parents had no money so he could not continue his education. Karibuni stepped in, and that young man went on to achieve the highest pass mark for entry to a Kenyan University. He gained a 1st class degree and is now helping his country as a civil engineer.

Daniel’s story is what drives us on. If that strikes a chord with you, then please consider how you could lend us a hand. Michael Carr www.karibuni.org.uk/get-involved Registered UK Charity Number 1044872

24 Worship Leaders at Priory We have five Worship Leaders at Priory, with experience from one to twelve years. With three services each Sunday, contemporary and traditional in the morning, plus an evening service, and Worship Together once a month, there are plenty of occasions when we are involved in the services. The Worship Leaders are used most in the Contemporary Service, where we work with preachers to plan and deliver the service. Being involved in the arrangements at the earliest stage of thinking, preferably with a face-to-face meeting, enables us to assist in many ways because of our knowledge of the congregation. It also ensures that the service is of an informal, contemporary nature which may include some discussions, modern worship songs, drama, congregational participation and interactions. Priory also has a midweek service which is often led by a Worship Leader. In the community, we lead worship at some care homes on a regular basis, with two of our Worship Leaders and one Local Preacher heading up the teams. These services need to be short and to the point, but are very much appreciated by residents and staff at the homes we visit. Local Worship services give other opportunities for the Worship Leaders to plan and present different types of services. We led the Carol Service in 2015, which was All-Age Worship in the morning. Our most recent Local Worship was our Christingle service on Christmas Eve. We were able to work as a team to present a fun but thought-provoking service which is often attended by families from our youth groups who do not regularly attend church. We took the theme of 'Light' and included songs accompanied by the worship band, a sketch, readings from Genesis and John interwoven, and of course, the making of the Christingle. When all were ready, we stood in a circle around the church, lit the candles and sang Silent Night to recorder and guitar accompaniment. The Worship Leaders have a variety of strengths: we have two musicians, two teachers, some are good at prayers, others are good at drama and readings, and others are very spiritual in their presentation. We feel Priory benefits from the wide range of worship styles, abilities and preferences within the team. We meet once a quarter to discuss our progress, look at the next Plan, encourage each other and pray about

25 worship at Priory. We are grateful that we have a named 'supporter' from the congregation who organises the meetings, and the Minister and a member of the Leadership Team are also part of that meeting. Being a Worship Leader involves commitment, time and sometimes stress, but we all feel called to serve God in this way. It is our way of offering God the talents which He has given to each of us, and it provides opportunities for us to grow in our personal faith. It is a privilege to share God's love and faithfulness with others in our church through leading worship. Eleanor Mackirdy, Marian Knights, Lynne Gound

Mission Streams CONTACT DETAILS FOR STREAMS Leadership Andrew Hollins [email protected] 01234 340167 Heather Harrison [email protected] 01767 318010 Service Marian Blyth [email protected] 01234 781469 Evangelism and Discipleship Jane Mills [email protected] 01234 348091 Rebecca Caird [email protected] 01525 753689 07877 342640 Worship Caroline Weaver [email protected] 01234 767865 Gill Baalham [email protected] 01234 930025 Resources Anne Foley [email protected] 01525 633316 Children and Young People Graham Claydon-Knights [email protected] 01525 713468 - X - X - X - X - X - X - X - X - X - X - The Evangelism and Discipleship Mission Stream are inviting the churches of North Bedfordshire Methodist Circuit to participate in 5@5. This will be presented at the Circuit Meeting, where each church will receive shoelaces for each member of the congregation as an aid to praying for 5 people every day between Ascension Day and Pentecost at, or near to, 5pm. Watch out for your shoelace…and further explanations from your church Circuit Meeting reps!

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Well hello everyone… As I sit writing this article, I’m feeling a bit sad that all the Christmas decorations are down; it’s a bit gloomy outside, and there is still a mountain of chocolate hanging around in this house, despite my best efforts! However, it is hard to stay sad for too long, as there is so much to look forward to this year and we are busy planning and preparing again. But before we give you the long list of everything that is happening this year, it is a good time to look back and reflect a bit on last year’s achievements! Flitwick, Clophill, Biggleswade, Willington, Wixams and Wootton Messy Churches are continuing to thrive and grow! Priory has a new Sunday morning group – Eternal Light – which has helped engage their young people in exploring what worship is…the group took the Contemporary Service on January 29th! They had five young people at 3Generate 2016. Clapham’s Holiday Club was a roaring success in the summer holidays. Wootton’s Girls’ Friday night group continues to grow with two of the girls joining in November’s 3Generate trip. Langford and Henlow ran their Wacky Wednesday programme every half- term holiday and have been oversubscribed…!! Hurrah!! Upper Caldecote Youth Club – still going strong after many many years! Six of their young people attended 3Generate for the first time. 12 of us travelled to Staffordshire to attend Momentum. 20 of us participated in the year 9 and over February residential. A successful tweenager sleepover at Oakley, with four Oakley youth group members joining in for the first time. A fabulous Circuit Easter Egg Hunt!!

27 And that’s just some of it! There are many Sunday groups, uniformed organisations and midweek groups running in many of our churches! Keep up the good work everyone. Now – back to 3Generate... A very enthusiastic busload of 33 travelled to Swindon one very busy gloomy Friday night in November…! A weekend full of fun, excitement, late nights, early mornings, a building evacuation for some of us, and an unscheduled 45 minute “rest” on the way!! But we all survived. Here are a few comments from some of our young people who attended. Olivia: I made new friends and the Giant Swing was great fun! Jake: This was my second year of 3Generate and this year I found the worship was a lot better and some of the sessions were better as they went into the church life a bit more Ella: I went for the first time and I really enjoyed it. It’s really fun when you do the outdoor activities. I did abseiling. It was cold but challenged my ability of heights. The stairs were scarier than the actual abseiling bit. Kady: When I went to 3Generate for the second time I had an amazing time. I made loads of new friends and did some lovely activities, like The Big Swing and sports in the barn. We played volleyball, and I found out that I can’t play volleyball. The worship was really jolly and it was a nice place to meet up with your friends that were not sharing your dorm. Becca: I went for the first time and it was really great fun. I made loads of new friends and did lots of great activities. So….there seems to be a theme…fun, activities and making new friends. All of which are an important part of our young people’s lives; all of which are key to helping us grow well-rounded, enthusiastic and confident young people. I don’t know about you, but the best bits of my life in my church and helping me with my faith when I was young were the residentials, the trips and adventures away from home, parents and siblings!! Monica talked about relational youth work in the last magazine, and time away with our young people is paramount to our work. It gives us opportunities for teachable moments, for those deep conversations to be able to take place and for those difficult questions to be explored together. We cannot encourage you more to help your young people in your churches to attend the youth services, the sleepovers and the residentials, so that they have the opportunities to make friends with others from around the Circuit, so that they feel confident in exploring faith in different environments and experience worship differently…..I am sure many of you

28 have attended BIG worship events….MAYC events, Greenbelt in the 80’s (showing my age), Spring Harvest etc., etc. Please help and encourage your young people to dip their toe into the fullness of Christian life inside and outside of their local churches. Lots of love Bek and Monica

YOUTH DIARY DATES For more details of Circuit Youth events, see the Circuit website www.northbedsmethodist.org.uk and click NBM Youth What’s on… February Mon 13th – Thurs 16th Residential (Year 9 and over) at Felden Lodge, Hemel Hempstead Sun 26th 6.00pm Circuit Youth Service at London Road - 7.30pm (Year 5 and over) March Sat 18th – Sun 19th Tweenager Sleepover (Years 5-8) at Flitwick (further details nearer the date) April Sun 23rd 6.00pm Circuit Youth Service at Lidlington - 7.30pm (Year 5 and over) May Sun 14th Circuit Easter Egg Hunt (time and venue to be confirmed) finishing with tea and youth-style service at Cardington July Sun 2nd End of Term Circuit Youth BBQ and Service (time and venue to be confirmed) Fri 7th – Sun 9th Over 18’s weekend away! Pints & Parables All 18-23 year olds invited! at Felden Lodge, Hemel Hempstead August Sat 19th –Thurs 24th Soul Survivor – Peterborough! Week B – Details to follow

29 Circuit Diary Dates FOR DETAILS OF OTHER EVENTS AROUND THE CIRCUIT PLEASE SEE THE CIRCUIT WEBSITE www.northbedsmethodist.org.uk AND CHECK THE MONTHLY DIARY PUBLISHED BY THE CIRCUIT ADMINISTRATOR Circuit Prayer Group 2nd Monday of the month at 4.15pm at Putnoe Heights 4th Monday of the month at 10.30am at Willington FEBRUARY Mon 13th 7.30pm Circuit Meeting at Wilstead Sat 18th 10.00am BELIEF: The Very Rev Dr Jeffrey John will speak on - 1.00pm “All generations shall call her blessed” Mary in the New Testament and in the Church at St.Andrew’s, Bedford Thurs 23rd 2.30pm Worship Mission Stream Meeting at 29 Payne Road, Wootton MARCH Wed 15th 9.30am Circuit Leadership Mission Stream meeting at the Circuit Office Mon 27th 7.30pm Children’s and Young People’s Mission Stream meeting at Willington APRIL Mon 3rd 7.30pm Church Treasurers’ meeting at Sandy Tues 25th 7.45pm Local Preachers’ and Worship Leaders’ meeting at Flitwick (7.30pm for 7.45pm) Sun 30th 6.00pm Circuit Healing Service at Haynes. Prayer requests may either be sent by email to [email protected] or by post to Rev Andrew Hollins : 4 Coles Close, Bedford, MK41 9TW MAY Mon 15th 9.30am Leadership Mission Stream meeting at the Circuit Office JUNE Mon 5th 7.30pm Circuit Meeting at Henlow Mon 12th 7.30pm Children’s and Young People’s Mission Stream meeting at Willington JULY Weds 19th 9.30am Leadership Mission Stream meeting at the Circuit Office Tues 25th 7.45pm Local Preachers’ and Worship Leaders’ meeting at Henlow (7.30 for 7.45pm) SEPTEMBER Thurs 14th 7.30pm Circuit Meeting (venue TBA) Weds 20th 8.00pm BELIEF : Stages of :Life. Four sessions on Wednesday - 9.30pm evenings until 11th October (see website) Sat 30th 10.00am BELIEF : Christopher Rowland will lead a discussion - 1.00pm entitled “Gospel and Empire in the New Testament” at St.Andrew’s, Bedford

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Churches should send their dates for the next Plan (with details of preachers they have booked) to their Minister by Sunday 12th March 2017 Preachers should send their dates for the next Plan to Mrs Jean Warn (Circuit Administrator), Circuit Office, Willington Methodist Church, Station Road, Willington, MK44 3QH Telephone 01234 831174 or email the Circuit Office: [email protected] no later than Sunday 26th March All Articles for the next edition of the Circuit Magazine to a member of the editorial team no later than Sunday 26th March please

Circuit office opening hours are:- Monday core hours of 9.00am - 11.00am (plus 2 flexible hours) Wednesday core hours of 12.00pm - 2.00pm (plus 2 flexible hours) Visits at other times can be made by arrangement

Editorial Team: Cheryl Benfield (Editor) [email protected] 01234 851600 John Caves [email protected] 01234 831361 Shaun Endersby (Technical Editor) [email protected] 01767 220623 Geoffrey Hutchings ( no email ) 01234 214745 Jim Ragless [email protected] 01462 812200 Janice Skerman [email protected] 01234 343247 A meeting to discuss the content of the next issue will be on Friday 24th February at 7.30pm EVERYONE WELCOME (please contact an editorial team member to confirm location)

For the benefit of the blind or partially sighted, this Circuit Magazine is also available on Audio CD. If you know of someone who would benefit from this FREE service, please contact Amos Salisbury on 01234 855642

see also The Circuit website at www.northbedsmethodist.org.uk Circuit Charity Registration No. 1129523 32