Green Sheet – 28th February 2021

Cheshire South Circuit – Audlem Mission Area

www.audlemmethodistchurch.org.uk

(Minister: Rev Robin Fox. Tel: 01270 812820 email: minister@audlemmethodistchurch.org.uk)
Newsletter for Audlem, Hankelow & Hatherton Methodist Churches
For the week commencing 28th February 2021

Dear friends

At last we have a road-map out of lockdown. It's cautious, and dates are subject to change, but there does seem to be a way forward.

I'm not going to comment here about making plans to see family and friends over Easter or the summer, but rather to ask what this means for us as a church.

Whilst legally we have not been under any obligation to close for this current lockdown, we have chosen to do so, along with many other churches in the area, and it is right that whatever we decide to do has to be done with the safety of our members and friends in mind. Of course I'm keen to see us re-open, but only when safe to do so. Exactly when that is will be a church council decision, not based just on my say-so, though to be realistic, I would be surprised if it was much before Easter. At the time of writing, I am waiting to see if the Methodist Church has published any updated guidance for re-opening. What I will say though is that we must at least be prepared for the possibility that some of the things we used to enjoy in our worship services will never be the same again. If t his is the case, at least we know that change is something to be welcomed and celebrated.

It's great that the vaccine rollout seems to be going so well, but again, I would urge caution here. No-one is safe until everyone is safe. We cannot say "Well, we've all had the vaccine", because at the time of writing I have not, though hopefully it shouldn't be too long. Whilst I rejoice with those who have had the first shot of the vaccine, we are not a private members club and must be careful not to act as if we are. It is not about what we can do, or even what we like doing, it is about how we show our love for our neighbour, in this instance, by doing all we can to keep everyone safe.

Whilst we can look forward to Easter, we are very much in Lent still. It is a time of being patient, of waiting, of trusting. We will get through this, and the more we respect that during Lent, the brighter Easter will be.

With love in Jesus

Robin

EXTRA CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING: due to urgent Property Matters, an extra meeting will be held by Zoom on Wednesday Evening 10th March, at 7.30pm. Links available from Christina, or Andrew Plows, nearer the time.

Church Notecards: The notecards, designed by Sarah Parton, have sold well so far with over half of them sold. If you would like to buy some contact Julia on 01270 811761 or 07950 774997 to order. Price £5 for 1 pack or £9 for 2 packs. All proceeds to church funds.

Jane has registered us with Easy Fundraising so that when you do any online shopping with participating retailers, a percentage of the cost you pay for goods is donated to your chosen charity, in this case AMC.To participate and help to raise extra funds without any extra cost to yourself visit the Easy Fundraising website. www.easyfundraising.org.uk/support-a-good-cause

Step 1: Find a cause – Type in Audlem Methodist Church. Agree to support this and then you are asked to create an online account with Easy Fundraising.

Step 2: Scroll down and search for the retailer you wish to shop online with, do your shopping in the usual way and then if eligible then

Step 3: Funds (percentage of the eligible shopping) will automatically be added / allocated to AMC

Basically go through Easyfundraising to the retailer rather than direct to the retailer and raise funds automatically for AMC by doing it that way!

You are warmly invited to join us for an ecumenical Lent Course on Zoom! This course continues this Tuesday at 7.30pm for 1 hour, and then Tuesday 9th March, Tuesday 16th March and Tuesday 23rd March. The theme is 'Caring for God's Creation'. You will need a course booklet, which you can order from this website: https://www.yorkcourses.co.uk/product/caring-for-creation/

Sing with us for Good Friday!

As we did for the carol service, we are planning to make a 'Virtual Singing Group' to sing a great song for this Good Friday service and so we need singers! If you sang last time, please sing again, and ask your friends to join in too! You will have access to a video to learn the song. Even if you didn't join in last time, please have a go this time. Please email me as soon as possible for further details. gsleighton@gmail.com

The Methodist Church free phone service for news and prayer. The news option looks around the Connection at what's happening and the prayer line is a prayer from particular Methodists.

Listen to a prayer: 0808 281 2514

Listen to news: 0808 281 2478 Content is updated weekly on Thursday evening.

Broomhall & Sound Chapel

Sunday 28 February 10.30 am Zoom

Led by Rev Malcolm Lorimer

The service will include a "Love Feast": a Christian Fellowship meal where we celebrate the fellowship of being part of the body of Christ.

Have ready elements to share in our virtual meal:

Cake/biscuit/bread and water/squash

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82976672769?pwd=aG9pSjMvR3dzaDJaZlFkcnduSmFTZz09

Meeting ID: 829 7667 2769