Good News Reports

GOOD NEWS REPORTS

Richard's Message:

As I potter around the Circuit it would be so easy to be weighed down by talk of numbers, level of assessment, lack of people to hold certain roles and I know these concerns are real.
Instead, I would much prefer that these weekly offerings allow us to focus on the positives and build our awareness of where our God is at work. We all need to hear of where the new have arrived and helped transform, where faith has been deepened, where music has touched, where the Gospel is being lived out or a reminder of where God has touched in the past which then informs our present.
What stories can our people share?
It would be great if Pete Honeyball, who collates these weekly offerings, was inundated with suggestions of who to ask or even better with a piece of proper good news.
There is so much good news happening in our church which too often we do not share.
So, a few signs of good news in our midst:

• An ecumenical Christianity Explored course.
• New people arriving and staying in some of our churches.
• Times when the church acts through lunches, coffee mornings and such, and brings love and hope into lives.
• Where the church speaks for justice.
• Rooms full of excitement at Messy Church or toddler group.
• Any time faith is discussed.
• Where worship touches, where words inspire, where prayer is shared, where meaning is discerned, where tears or laughter are shared.
• Where we know Christ in our midst.

What good news is there that it would do your family in the Circuit good to hear?
Could you pen a few words to share with others?
Blessings
Richard


Previous 'Good News' reports are now archived and will be kept for 12 months.
see January February March April May June
July August September October November December

This Sunday, 29 June, the focus of our Circuit Prayers is on Weedon

Dear All
Sarah shares her vision with us. When we think of serving God, we usually turn to our churches and the roles we have within them, but Sarah reminds us that what God really wants is for us to go outside our buildings and into the communities and byways and offer God's love to everyone we meet. I asked Sarah in what way she felt God was calling her to serve Him, and she shares that calling with us now. Please pray for the lovely fellowship at Weedon, and for all those who are seeking to serve God in the way He is leading them, wherever He sends them.

Pete

Sarah writes:

What God Is Calling Me to Do
I've recently finished professional work as a solicitor and I find myself in a new season of life -- one filled with quiet moments, community ties, and the space to listen more closely to what God is asking of me.
Living in a small village since adulthood has always grounded me. When you work from home or look after family locally you become embroiled in the goings on around you and get to meet people from all walks of life and experiences – young and old. I'm always interested in how villagers have got to where they are, what their own interests are and what their views are on life. Being involved with the Methodist Chapel and our parish church at Hardwick, as well as being a parish councillor has deepened my sense of responsibility and connection to those around me. I believe God is calling me to serve my community with renewed purpose -- not just through decisions and meetings, but through the quiet rhythms of village life – presence, kindness, and practical love.
Though I've stepped away from professional life, I haven't stepped away from the vocation of serving others. I carry the skills and experiences from my career into this new chapter, where justice, compassion, and wisdom are needed in different but equally important ways. Believe me when I say it is much more satisfying than the structured duties of legal work!
Whether it's helping a neighbour, supporting community events, or being a steady voice in local matters, I feel God is inviting me to be His hands and feet here -- to reflect His care and commitment in the very heart of village life.

Sarah

On Sunday, 15 June, the focus of our Circuit Prayers was on Christchurch Thame

Dear All
We join Roy Calcutt as he shares his early Christian years with us. It is funny the things that we remember from our childhood, the odd things that stick in our minds. I remember just over sixty years ago, Rev Ray Lansley taking a 'Youth Service' at I think it was Whitchurch, where he dangled a black furry spider over the edge of the pulpit. I cannot remember what the point was that he was trying to get across, but I remember the spider well!. Please pray for the lovely people at Christchurch this Sunday, and pray also for all who lead our Sunday Schools and Bible study groups (like Richard's excellent group), that they may make the love of Christ a memorable feature of many of our young people's early years.

Pete

Roy writes:

Some of my earliest memories are of attending Sunday School at Long Hanborough Methodist Church. I didn't enjoy going very much and I remember – I would have been about five at the time – finding "trespasses" a very strange word. There were some good moments. After being terrified by a pantomime performance in Witney of Mother Goose, particularly by the lyrics of 'Busy doing nothing', we returned to the church and I received a Christmas present of a toy combine harvester at the church Christmas party. Other than the fact that my Dad broke my toy gavel by using it rather too enthusiastically at the Harvest Festival auction and receiving a roomful of balloons left over from church festivities, I have little recall of my early life in the church.
The family moved to Thame in 1969 and I began attending Sunday School in the 1970s. At that time there was a Methodist and a United Reformed Church. A small group of us used to go to Sunday School at the Methodist Church, with a variety of teachers, most notably Mrs Lloyd's husband. I remember vividly how we used to sprint to the URC building after our class for the last few minutes of the joint URC/Methodist service.
As I grew up, went away to university and worked and lived in London, my connection with the church generally became more distant, more sporadic. I would attend services occasionally. I did not, however, lose my Christian belief (albeit one lacking certainties). When I returned to Thame I became reconnected to Christchurch and used to attend with my father.
As I have grown older my desire to explore faith has increased. I find it helpful to consider faith through a broader lens; I read about the subatomic world where – unlike the world of classical physics that we experience around us – there are apparently no certainties, merely waves of probability. So much of the world around us, particularly at the quantum level, is a mystery to us, and I find that immensely comforting.
In recent months I have found the discussions at Richard's Bible study meetings a thought-provoking experience, offering me a new perspective for Biblical enquiry. I hope that over the remainder of my life I will be able to continue to explore my faith.

Roy

#On Sunday, 8 June, the focus of our Circuit Prayers was on Stone

Dear All
Hayford shares the story of his journey of faith with us. I am sure many of us will associate with Hayford's 'mask' where we behave differently in different situations; we may have found it difficult to project a 'Christian' presence whilst out with the boys (or girls!). When we think of ministering to people we rarely consider the image of Christ that we project in our daily lives, but often that is the only part of us that most people around us will get to see. Please pray for the lovely fellowship at Stone this week and also for those of us who find it difficult to openly profess our faith on all occasions.
Pete

Hayford writes:

As far as I can remember, my life has been church-based but notwithstanding my active involvement in the church, I had not fully surrendered my life to Christ. I wore a mask for most of my life because in church I was on my best behaviour but during the week my lifestyle wasn't any different from my friends; I participated in all the mischief carried out by them.
It all changed in 1974 when I opened the door of my heart for Christ to come into my life. This was at an Easter House Party organised by the Scripture Union. Shortly after that conversion experience, I became a member of the Methodist Church. The local church I attended, nurtured my faith through Bible-based preaching and fellowship groups (class meetings) where we met to pray and study the scriptures. We embarked on outreaches (camp meetings) to share the Good News with others. I soon qualified as an accredited local preacher.
In 1985 while studying for a postgraduate degree in Economics at the University of Strathclyde (Glasgow), I was employed by Woodlands Methodist Church as a lay pastor to offer care and support to overseas university students in the city. Just about a year into the role, the Methodist Conference gave me the green light to train for the ministry. I received my ministerial training at Wesley House (Cambridge) after which I served in four circuits before sitting down in 2018.

I am grateful to the institutions and people who have aided and supported me to travel this far in my spiritual journey. I thank the Catholic Church which sowed in me the seed of Christianity, the Scripture Union which reawakened my faith and the Methodist Church which has nurtured my faith over the years. The lion's share of my gratitude goes to God who in Christ has given me newness of life, a new family (the church) and a divine presence (Holy Spirit) that enables me to persevere despite the challenges life throws at me.

Hayford

On Sunday, 1 June, the focus of our Circuit Prayers was on Stewkley

Dear All
Linda shares her wonderful journey of faith with us. Please remember the lovely fellowship at Stewkley in your prayers, and pray also for those who have been 'pulled away' from God, that they may be 'Pulled back' again by the love we offer, that they may share our joy in our risen Lord!

Pete

Linda writes:

Whilst I cannot say I have had a moment when I became a Christian it has always been there in my heart. From a child at Sunday School to now as an elderly lady. During my late teens and twenties, I pulled away but my faith by then was deep and I was pulled back. During the good and bad times in my life the Lord has always been there by my side to help me through.
Over the years I have visited many Chapels in this country, Canada and Australia and the one thing they all have in common is a warmth of welcome, peace and tranquillity. Still today when I walk into Chapel, I find that peace which cannot be found elsewhere. Talking, praying and listening to the Lord has given me a life of contentment, joy and peace.

Linda Jones

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