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

The focus of our Circuit Prayers this Sunday, 31 August is Cheddington

Dear All
Sorry this is late but the Broadband has been off all week, got it back this afternoon!
Cathy shares her thoughts on her church family travelling along together in faith.
Please pray for the lovely fellowship in Cheddington, and remember also that as we are all part of the world church, we are all part of God's family, none of us are left out or known as an 'outsider'. God knows and loves each one of us and we celebrate being part of His creation.

Pete

Cathy writes:

When we start our Christian journey, none of us knows where it will take us or more importantly where we will be guided.
Next month, Len who has worshipped with us for the past few years will become one of our members, welcomed officially into our fellowship by our minister, Noreen. During these past years, he has become, like every person in our congregation, an essential part of our family fellowship, offering to serve and help us at every opportunity.
Len's faith journey has taken him quite a bit further to places that many of us can ever dream of going. Growing up in South Africa with a mum who was a Methodist and a father a deacon in the Dutch Reformed church, Len became an elder in the church and assisted in building a new church there.
Later he travelled to and worked in various parts of Africa and despite experiencing many problems that most of us never have to endure e.g. being robbed, involved in a plane crash, he retained his faith and continued preaching even though he was working under hard conditions in the gold mining industry.
Based in Britain for the past 19 years, living in Hemel, Pitstone and finally Cheddington, he joins a fellowship where none of us can be classed 'as a local'. The members of our congregation hail from Ireland, Wales, Norfolk, Yorkshire, Lancashire, Essex, Kenya, the Midlands and Hertfordshire, etc.
Despite this diversity of ethnicity, we have bonded and care for each other as any family does, as happens in most Chapels. We all give thanks that we have been led at different times and in different ways to worship and serve in Cheddington.
Verse 2 in the hymn Brother Sister, let me serve you sums up so many of the congregations in our Chapels:

We are pilgrims on a journey
and companions on the road;
We are here to help each other,
Walk the mile and share the load.

Blessings to you all

Cathy

#On Sunday, 24 August, the focus of our Circuit Prayers was on Aylesbury

Dear All
Sally shares her thoughts on her time in the Methodist Church. Sadly, not everyone is as brave as Sally, and perhaps they struggle to cross the threshold, because it can be frightening. Again, not everyone receives the same welcome as Sally, and perception is that we are sometimes cold and aloof. We pray that every person who walks into our church may find a warm and sincere welcome, and a group of people who want to radiate the love of Christ. Please remember in your prayers this week all those who struggle to fit in, and that within our fellowship they may find a safe place.

Pete

Sally writes:

I'm not certain how long I have been coming to Aylesbury Methodist church, maybe 3 years?
I should explain I was baptised and brought up in the Catholic Church. Since then I have worshipped in Church of Scotland, Church of England (where I brought up my children), Baptist Church, Quakers, Evangelical Churches, House Churches and Gospel Churches. You could say I am an itinerant worshipper. I came to AMC because I sing in the same choir as Sue and Roger and I said to Sue one day that I had never been inside a Methodist Church. I have never looked back.

I love it here. People are friendly, but not overwhelming. There is a feeling of inclusivity that I didn't get with other churches. Because of the way the Methodist Churches are run we get a good variety of preachers who have interesting things to say and manage to get the message over succinctly. I am not left thinking "I thought that had already been said once, perhaps I didn't understand".

There is a good variety of music, how terrific to still have several musicians who can play the organ. I have to say the fact that there are 5 hymns at each service instead of the expected 4, is a winner for me. Some old, some modern and some that I have not previously come across. I get the impression of a lively church; there are still quite a number of children who, part way through some services, happily go off to another part of the building to learn in a different way. It is a nicely rounded church where I feel accepted without having to conform to any particular model of worshipper.

Sally

#On Sunday, 17 August, the focus of our Circuit Prayers was on our Preachers,

Dear All
We follow John's story as he shares his calling with us. John's story is truly inspirational and gives a glimpse into the vast array of ways that the Holy Spirit works His influence on us, in ways so diverse and subtle that we often don't recognise Him at work. We are truly blessed with the amazing variety of people who come forward week by week and lead our worship, each using the unique gifts that God has given them. Please pray for all those who lead worship in our circuit, that they may be truly Spirit-led and faithfully deliver God's message to us. Pray also that others may hear the call to come and offer themselves for this very worthy work.

Pete

John writes:

Next week it will be 26 years since we moved to Buckinghamshire, and it has been a privilege to serve as a Local Preacher in this area over that time. It's a privilege too to be asked to contribute to this "good news" slot and share something of my story and how God has influenced my life.
I grew up in Cheadle, just south of Manchester and my wonderful Mum, a fine Christian lady, took me along to the Sunday School at St. Philip's, which was a small daughter Church on our estate. Being part of that church was a big part of my life growing up. It was also a tremendous nurturing experience and coming to know God's love for me and accepting Jesus as my Lord and Saviour was a gradual process. When I was confirmed at the age of 12 in 1964, it was just that – confirmation of my understanding of God's love for me and of my commitment to be a follower of Jesus.
I always joke that I married into Methodism. My wonderful wife, Elizabeth, was the daughter of a Methodist Minister, Rev. Ronald Crawford, who mostly served in the Northeast of England. When we married in 1975, we first lived in Haywards Heath in Sussex and the local Anglican church on our estate was very "high" and not what either of us were used to. So, we started going to the Methodist Church, where we were made very welcome, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Prior to moving to Wendover, we had also lived in Chesterfield and Altrincham, and Elizabeth and I served in various capacities at all of the churches, including as Sunday School Teachers, Youth Club leaders and Stewards.
When we were in the Altrincham Circuit, at Hale Methodist Church, Churches Together in Altrincham became involved in Mission '89 – a Billy Graham Mission with a difference.
Whilst the mission was based in London, the use of satellite technology enabled it to be broadcast to around 200 towns and cities across the UK. I volunteered to be part of the organising committee for the Altrincham event, where my role was to oversee the finances. It was a tremendous experience to be part of that group and see God at work. One miracle was that the sports centre in Altrincham was made available to us for the whole week of the mission, enabling us to maximise attendances. In addition, all the financial needs of the mission were met. I attended most days of the mission and saw God at work in the lives of individuals as they responded to the powerful message of God's love for them.
After the Mission was over, I was left with a strong sense that God wanted me to take a different direction in my service of him. In May 1990 we took a group of youngsters from our church to a celebration weekend at Cliff College, a Methodist training college in Derbyshire, where the end of weekend speaker (Rev Paul Smith, who was about to become Superintendent of the Altrincham Circuit), preached on John 4 v35 and invited people to come forward who felt called to be "workers" in the fields gathering in the harvest. I had a strong sense of God wanting me to offer myself and so began a conversation about the possibility of training for the ministry.
On returning home I met with my own minister, Ian Souter, who was also a good friend. His advice to me was to "resist the call as hard as I could" – his argument being that if this really was God's will, I wouldn't be able to resist! He also explained that I would first need to train as a Local Preacher. I should have completed the training in 3 or 4 years, but in my case, it took 7, and I was eventually recognised as a fully accredited Local Preacher in April 1997. Over that time, the sense of a call to the ordained ministry diminished. Whether I resisted the call inappropriately I will only find out in the next life, but I feel strongly that God has called me to a different ministry as a Local Preacher, which remains a privilege and a joy.

John

#On Sunday, 10 August, the focus of our Circuit Prayers was on Fairtrade

Dear All
We hear Rod's story as he shares his passion for the creation of a fairer world. We all have skills and talents in many different areas, but wherever our interests or those skills lie, we are all capable of supporting the ideals of Fairtrade and making a difference in a world that many find so hard and hostile. Please pray for all those who are struggling in this world, and for those who strive for justice on their behalf, that the love of Jesus may prevail and poverty may be erased.

Pete

Rod writes:

Firstly, thank you to Linsay and Neville for preparing the last two Fairtrade Good News contributions. It was encouraging to hear about how they involve themselves in some of the many aspects of social justice, including Fairtrade and empowering people through ethical approaches to finances.

Feeling powerless can be an uncomfortable experience, as can seeing others face the same experience. The latter may be behind why I hear so many say they no longer watch News reports. It can be a tough watch to see people's anguish, discomfort and need. However, those in troubled circumstances are unlikely to have anything like an off button to switch. Without the involvement of others, awareness and practical actions, nothing changes and benefit does not happen or is postponed.
The creation of Fairtrade back in the 1970s was stimulated by Christians who not only saw a need but proffered a solution, giving opportunities for self-help and providing means to change circumstances. I am so pleased they stepped out, took a risk and prompted change.
I spent my working life in a career which came out of the Temperance Movement and had many ties with Methodism. There was a focus on social justice, encouraging care and mindfulness between and for others, as well as encouraging socially-appropriate behaviours. I did this with the background of being brought up in a Christian family and being 'churched' as a child. That was not the case for many of my colleagues.
In many ways, it is not surprising that my 40yr working career and 30yr 'hobby' of Fairtrade have stemmed from the same drive for justice and, potentially from some of the guiding principles of my parents about 'helping out/sharing with others' and recognising the difference between 'need' and 'want'. One pointed mantra I saw in use during my working career was 'If you don't change, nothing changes'!
As I have mentioned in a past contribution, Jesus was very good at noticing what was happening around him, taking action and providing for needs, regardless of social standing or nationality. May we too remain observant to situations around us and pray for strength to give or receive as our situation requires to whoever needs it.
We remember all involved with Foodbanks and all involved in actions that empower the exploited and those less powerful.
We also bring to mind those who struggle to maintain hope or the sense that others have a care for them.
As with the Good Samaritan, may we be able to show that practical action has its place.

Rod

#On Sunday, 3 August, the focus of our Circuit Prayers was on Karibuni Children

Dear All
Karibuni Children is a charity that is very special to us in this circuit. It is wonderful to know that our efforts in supporting this brilliant organisation are resulting in real results as George Mwabu was able to say when he visited, because he had seen at first hand that support at work in the lives of youngsters that he knew. Please pray for all the many people who have worked to enable this scheme to function, and pray for the young people that they may acquire the skills to create better lives for themselves and those around them.

Pete

Joy and John write:

Good News from Karibuni Children

As you know, 2025 marks the 30th anniversary of the Circuit-supported charity, Karibuni Children, being founded by Corinne Murphy.
With help from loyal supporters, be they individuals or churches throughout the UK, the charity has come so far and achieved so much since then.
To mark this milestone, in June we had a Karibuni weekend at Aylesbury Methodist Church, with a presentation and delicious African themed meal on Saturday 21st June followed by a very well attended and joyful thanksgiving service, involving folk from many Circuit churches, on Sunday 22nd June. The weekend was completed by Cream Teas and a Barn Service at Swanbourne later the same day. We are most grateful to the folk at AMC and Swanbourne for all they did to make that weekend such a success, which included raising well over £2,000 for Karibuni Children.
Throughout we had the company of George Mwabu, who runs the children's project which Karibuni Children supports in Tharaka, a semi-arid region north east of Nairobi. When he visited Swanbourne Methodist church for a cream tea, George was delighted to see that the walls featured news of Karibuni's work in Kenya and even more so when he spotted that one item featured a boy named Samuel who had been sponsored by Karibuni Children through the Tharaka project. Samuel had come from a very challenging background but George was able to tell us that he has achieved much in his education and is about to complete a course leading to a Diploma in Agriculture.
How wonderful that George was able to see for himself how one of our Circuit churches supports projects such as the one he runs and for the folk at Swanbourne to hear at first hand how young Samuel's life has been transformed with money given to Karibuni Children!
God truly moves in a mysterious way, given that, via George Mwabu, he connected a village chapel in rural Buckinghamshire with a children's project located in a fairly remote part of rural Kenya. It was indeed wonderful to see the joy on the faces of Frankie Fisher and George when they both realised how God had brought them together.

Joy and John