Author Archives: Ian Miller

Worship in chapel AND online

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Organ Vespers for Harvest

This short service will take the form of music from the organ, readings and prayers, themed around Harvest and Celebrating God’s gifts to us.

11th October 2020 2.30pm

We’re really looking forward to seeing some folk at Central this Sunday afternoon for Organ Vespers. It’s not going to be Church as we know it though, so we need to give you some advance warning that there are certain things that we must do in the Chapel to comply with Covid /government guidelines.

These will be as follows:-

On arrival you will be asked to ‘check in’ using the QR code which will be on display, or alternatively write down your contact details (name and tel number) for Track and Trace purposes.

– Hand sanitiser (provided) to be used on entering and exiting- Face masks will need to be worn (unless you have an exemption)

– A one way system will be in place to enter and exit the building- Some pews will be closed to allow the required social distancing- You are only able to sit with someone from your own household / support bubble.

– We have to keep service times to a minimum and therefore must encourage everyone to be seated as soon as they arrive and then leave promptly at the end of the service.

That said, and technology willing, the service we be streamed on Facebook too! You’ll be able to find the Live stream from 2:25pm onwards at https://www.facebook.com/CentralMethodistChurchYork/. Live streams are available to viewers with or without a Facebook account.

Both live streaming and meeting ‘in person’ in our Chapel are experiments for us – we’d welcome all your feedback after the event.

Being church at Central during the Coronavirus

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There will be no services in our building for the foreseeable future at Central Methodist Church York, but just because we are not meeting for public worship does not mean we cease to be church. We can continue to be a praying, worshipping fellowship even when we aren’t in the church building.

We’ll be keeping in regular touch with each other via phone and other means – we have a small Facebook group [search for ‘Central Methodist (York) virtuallers’ ].

We’ll be praying for the church family and the community around us, and caring for the physical and spiritual needs of those around us.

We’ll use ‘worship at home’ service sheets, as published nationally: https://www.methodist.org.uk/…/worship-during-the-coronavi…/

If you feel you, or someone close to you, needs help with anything, then do not be afraid to contact Deacon Judith.

Coronavirus

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The Methodist Church has now updated its’ guidance for churches during the coronavirus/ Covid-19 pandemic, and excerpts from this are below:


“It is with sadness that we recommend that worship services in Methodist Churches are suspended for the time being in line with Government guidance. We would encourage people who lead services to think about how worship might be offered in different ways, including online and using worship at home sheets.

You can find the full guidance here: https://www.methodist.org.uk/about-us/coronavirus-guidance/ 


The Church is also making available a number of resources for worship in the home:https://www.methodist.org.uk/our-faith/worship/singing-the-faith-plus/seasons-and-themes/worship-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic/ including a weekly service sheet and links to churches which stream services online.  There is also a list of upcoming worship broadcasts on TV and Radio available via https://onedrive.live.com/view.aspx?resid=9794450737E6583D!8825&ithint=file%2cdocx&authkey=!AIRgxFvQjbE2rYY  created by Paul Parker- you may like to pass this information on to those who are less comfortable with computers.

All other church activities, and other room bookings at Central have also been cancelled for the coming weeks.


Please do continue to pray for the situation and for those dealing with it, particularly our health services, and remember that we have faith in a God who is in control – even when the situation is difficult.  

God of all hope we call on you today.
We pray for those who are living in fear:
Fear of illness, fear for loved ones, fear of other’s reactions to them.
May your Spirit give us a sense of calmness and peace.

We pray for your church in this time of uncertainty.
For those people who are worried about attending worship.
For those needing to make decisions in order to care for other
For those who will feel more isolated by not being able to attend.
Grant us your wisdom.

Holy God, we remember that you have promised that
Nothing will separate us from your love – demonstrated to us in Jesus Christ.
Help us turn our eyes, hearts and minds to you.

Amen

Covenant services 2020

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‘I am no longer my own but yours.
Put me to what you will,
rank me with whom you will;
put me to doing,
put me to suffering;
let me be employed for you,
or laid aside for you,
exalted for you,
or brought low for you;
let me be full,
let me be empty,
let me have all things,
let me have nothing:
I freely and wholeheartedly yield all things
to your pleasure and disposal.
And now, glorious and blessed God,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
you are mine and I am yours.’

The Methodist Covenant Prayer

We’ll be holding two covenant services at Central this year, the first on the 12th January in the evening and the second in the morning on Sunday the 19th January. It is a form of service which many Methodists celebrate as one of the most important in the year. You can find more information about the tradition on the Methodist Church website.

Everyone is welcome to join us whichever of the services is most convienient for them, whether you are sharing in a Covenant Service for the first time, have done it annually for many years, or simply want to watch what others do. Both the services will include communion to which everyone is invited to take part.

Refreshments and chat available after the morning service on the 19th.