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January
17 January, 2008
Spread a little joy this winter
Winter can be the dreariest time of year,
so The Methodist Church has launched Joy In Your
Pocket, the third in the popular series of easy to
read booklets. The booklet draws together writings old and new, all on the
topics of joy and happiness, looking at both how we achieve them and what they
mean for us.
The Revd Michaela Youngson is one of the
contributors, and she says “joy can be many different things to people. I hope
that Joy In Your Pocket
will both bring people a bit of happiness, and also encourage them to think
about how we can all share joy with others, whatever our beliefs.”
Joy In Your Pocket
follows Peace In Your Pocket
and Prayer In Your Pocket
in the popular series. All are available from mph at £5 for 50 www.mph.org.uk
<http://www.mph.org.uk>
11 January 2008
Methodist
Church launches alternative credit card for Lent
The
Methodist Church is encouraging people to buy less and live more this Lent, with
their new alternative Buy Less: Live More
credit card.
The
card cannot be used to make purchases, but is designed to be placed in a wallet
in front of other credit and debit cards to remind people to think twice before
they spend. Buy Less: Live More
aims to challenge people to curb their spending and shrink their carbon
footprint.
The
Revd Michaela Youngson, Methodist Secretary for Pastoral Care and Spirituality,
says, ‘When we take time to think about the things we buy and why we buy them,
it can help us to reconsider our priorities. I may well want to buy something,
but does that mean that I need
it? But Buy Less: Live More
isn’t about depriving yourself of those things you want; it’s about looking
at life in a new way, trying different things and taking a few risks. So as well
as reducing your carbon footprint by getting off the consumer treadmill, you can
live life in all its fullness.’
The
initiative is supported by a website (www.buylesslivemore.org.uk <http://www.buylesslivemore.org.uk>)
and a dedicated group on popular networking site Facebook. During Lent people
who sign up will receive a daily email with 2 challenges or ideas for buying
less and living more. These updates will also be available on the website and
Facebook group. People will be able to share their experiences online, swapping
stories, questions and advice.
Buy
less: Live More credit cards can be ordered in packs of 10 from mph (www.mph.org.uk
<http://www.mph.org.uk>,
01733 325002) for free, with a small charge for
postage. Product Code: PA 512.
4
January, 2008
Methodist
response to the crisis in Kenya
Anthea
Cox, Coordinating Secretary for Public Life and Social Justice says “The
violent turmoil in Kenya following the disputed election results has come as a
shock. As one of Africa’s most stable democracies and most developed nations,
Kenya’s crisis was difficult to foresee. The Methodist Church of Great Britain
is closely watching the situation so that it can respond as appropriate.”
Kevin
Fray, World Church Area Secretary for Africa, says: “The situation over the
next few days will be very precarious. Our partners in the Methodist Church of
Kenya (MCK) will be playing a vital role in helping to restore peace and
stability. Their endeavour must be matched by our practical and spiritual
assistance.”
During
2007, the World Church Office sent more than £150,000 of Methodist Church funds
to support the mission of the MCK.
Kevin
Fray continued, “When deciding how best to respond, we will be guided by the
MCK. Once we can establish communication, we will be better placed to understand
and share the need. In the meantime, we stand alongside all who strive
peacefully for a just and fair solution to this tragedy.
“We
also call upon others to join with us as we remember Kenya in our daily prayers
and church services.”
Teach
me your word, O my Lord,
That I may walk in your righteous path,
Narrow and trying as it may be.
Give me grace to claim and love it as my own.
Hold my hand and never let me go.
Till in Zion I finally lay it all down.
Taken
from a prayer by Margaret Wanjiru Kithinji, Women’s Fellowship Secretary,
Methodist Church of Kenya
Day 8 (page 22) of the 2007-8 Methodist Prayer Handbook.
2 January, 2008
Methodist Church calls on
government to revisit alcohol licensing
Anthea Cox, Coordinating Secretary for Public
Life and Social Justice: “Christmas and New Year are a time when many people
want to celebrate, and the majority drink sensibly. But the last two weeks have
shown that we have a significant problem with binge drinking and this has lead
again to trouble for some drinkers and a rise in crime and casualty treatments.
We call on the Government to revisit licensing as well as encouraging
initiatives that support people in responsible drinking and seeking alternatives
to alcohol.”
The Methodist Church ran a successful competition
in 2004 to find the recipe for Britain’s best mocktails - alcohol free
cocktails. The best recipes can be found at <http://www.mocktails.org.uk/>
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BOLTON
AND ROCHDALE METHODIST
DISTRICT