17th September Bulletin

Greetings friends,

I’m not sure how often these bulletins will come – once a week may turn into once a month – but for now I’m keen to reach out personally with a few key pieces of information as I arrive and hit the ground running here in the Newark and Southwell Circuit.

If you are mainly looking for the reminders and key information rather than my initial reflections, feel free to scroll to the bottom of this email.

It has been a delight to link with our staff and lead worship across the circuit. I’ve been encouraged by Warm Welcome and Memory Worship at Hope Community Church; struck by the engagement of those who attend Charles Street in an evening; woken up by the congregational responses within a communion service at Southwell; uplifted in singing some favourite (and some new) songs at North End; and thoroughly supported at Balderton, where my very first service was a funeral. I have also managed a coffee at Collingham!

Synod was uplifting as we reflected on the danger of 'mission creep' – when, despite our best intentions, we drift from where we intended to be rooted. Our Circuit Mission Statement (included at the bottom of this email) is a good anchor for us. As a staff team, we are committed to encouraging, exciting, and enabling the churches in our circuit. In terms of prayer, I’d invite you to pray for us as we continue discussions with the District about what additional support might be on offer to further our blended model of pioneering and pastoring.

Two items of news:

Our recent Local Preachers and Worship Leaders meeting was hugely encouraging. The Worship Academy is shaped by this group, and one suggestion was that the Academy might provide or signpost support for those leading worship locally. Almost immediately, we heard of a District initiative (see attached) offering a course in Grantham. If you are interested, please let me know. Our Worship Academy is open to anyone.

A reminder that the President of Conference will be visiting North Muskham Chapel at 10am on Saturday 20 September. You will also hear something of the plans being developed by the Community Café Care Team.

As we grow in our understanding of pioneering and New Places for New People, I offer the following links. Remember, the fruit of NPNP elsewhere is that we all begin asking healthy questions about who we are here for, how we can invite new people into our communities, and how to do this in ways sensitive to those who may never have been to church, or who haven’t for a long time.

Langley’s Livestream (1 September): https://youtu.be/dstyVBENdEU (Skip to 5m41s to begin; also on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/langley.mackrellhey/videos/1036193048428219) . This weekly livestream (Mondays at 8:30am, but available to watch later) includes a short introduction to NPNP alongside the week’s readings.

Heart to Heart about New Places for New People (June video, especially for local churches thinking about new work while “keeping the show on the road”): https://www.youtube.com/live/QZISNQikrTs?si=wnNYVmgCfPBzLp4p (Start from 15m) .

Methodist Church YouTube playlist on New Places for New People: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoWWaJT3-_P6dtSBO6xBXY2rv6dYtad67&si=vfUGBXynDm_hFepI

Every blessing,

Langley