A Message from Rev Linda
Dear friends
‘…Ever since I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all of God's people, I have not stopped giving thanks to God for you. I remember you in my prayers and ask the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, to give you the Spirit, who will make you wise and reveal God to you, so that you will know him. I ask that your minds may be opened to see his light, so that you will know what is the hope to which he has called you, how rich are the wonderful blessings he promises his people, and how very great is his power at work in us who believe. Ephesians 1:15-19
I pray this prayer for you all and ask that you hold on to these encouraging words of hope as we continue to move through this Covid-19 time. The Autumn Methodist edition of Connexion is on the theme of Hope and, if you are on the internet, you can download your free copy at https://www.methodist.org.uk/about-us/news/the-connexion-magazine/. It holds some wonderful stories of hope from across the Methodist Church and I encourage you to have a read. If anyone would like a hard copy, please inform myself or Glenn and we will order online.
The Circuit Leadership Team continues meeting regularly during this time. Our discussions have moved round to Advent and Christmas. We will be sending out to our Local Preachers and Church Stewards two copies of the December Plan: one for if the churches are closed; one for if they are open. We want to keep you all safe at this time and especially as the numbers of Covid-19 cases are rising in Stoke on Trent. We have therefore decided that the Circuit Churches will still be closed on Sunday 6 December and, depending on guidelines, will possibly open on Sunday 13 December.
Up Coming Events
CIRCUIT ADVENT BIBLE STUDY 2020: A STRANGE CHRISTMAS
All are welcome to this time of fellowship together. We are using the Advent Cover Book, A Strange Christmas. If you wish to purchase the book it is available from the Methodist Book Centre, phone no 01782 212146 or order on line at www.CRfL.co.uk – they will post it out. The Bible Study will be held across the Circuit on WhyPay and Zoom starting from week beginning 22 November for four weeks. You may choose which day you join.
The Bible Study will run on the following days:
* WhyPay: Tuesdays from 12 noon to 1.00pm and Wednesdays 2.00pm to 3.00pm
Tel No: 0333 0110 946, Conference Room: 21739836 #, Pin No: 9590#
* Zoom: Thursdays 7.00pm to 8.00pm
Join Zoom Meeting via the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4775422768
or just click here.
PHONE IN on:
02034815237, ID No. 4775422768#
Or
02034815240, ID No. 4775422768#
This Zoom number is the same for any joint Circuit gathering.
CIRCUIT CHRISTMAS CRACKER: A Christmas Coffee Morning on Saturday 12 December from 10.30am to 11.30am on Zoom (contact details as for Thursday’s Zoom above). Join us with a Cracker, Mince Pie and Coffee/Tea/Juice (not compulsory but fun). Be prepared to be challenged with Jeff’s Christmas Quiz, enjoy singing some Carols and wowed by a video of the work by Action for Children. We encourage you to donate online to this amazing charity.
CAROLS ON SUNDAY 20 DECEMBER:
* CAROLS ON YOUR DOORSTEP: Premier Radio will be playing Carols for you to sing on your doorstep at 5.30pm on Sunday 20 December. This is an initiative from the Newcastle-upon-Tyne Methodist Churches and they invite you to ask your neighbours to also join in.
This will warm you up ready for our…
* CIRCUIT CAROL SERVICE at 6.00pm for 6.15pm on the Zoom number above. We will sing Carols with our Circuit soloists/duet, hear the Christmas Story and give thanks to God as we prepare for the coming of Jesus Christ.
We will miss holding our Midnight Communion Services this year BUT Come and join us at the CIRCUIT CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE on Zoom at 6.00pm.
PRAYERS
We are hearing each week of church family who have the virus and we hold them in prayer. This week we especially think of Lorraine and Terry of Lightwood and Sandra and Jim of Longton Central Hall.
We will ensure you are kept up to date with any changes to services and events.
If anyone has any questions or just needs to talk please contact your Minister or one of the Church or Circuit Leadership Team. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
God bless from Linda
On behalf of the CLT (Circuit Leadership Team)
Rev Linda: Email: revlindcat@gmail.com Tel: 01782 848699
Circuit Administrator, Glenn: office@stokesouthmethodist.org.uk Tel: 01782 847489