Author Archives: Paul Carter

Advent 2014

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Advent is the season of preparation for the celebration of Christmas. Here at Central we are continuing our regular Advent Wednesday lunchtime talks this year, this time following the overall theme of What do the Wesleys have to say to us today? Light lunches are available from 11.45, with the talks themselves starting at 12.45.

On Wednesday, 3rd December Revd Leslie Newton (superintendent minister in the York Methodist circuit) opens on the theme of Charles Wesley’s missionary activity in America.

On Wednesday, 10th December Revd Canon Peter Moger (Precentor of York Minster) will speak on “And show thy real presence here”: the Eucharistic theology of Charles Wesley.

On Wednesday, 17th December our own minister Revd Christopher Humble will round up the series on the theme Any other business?

The Methodist church we know today grew out of the ministry of John and Charles Wesley in the eighteenth century: you’d be most welcome to come along and join us as we explore their relevance for the 21st century church.

Fantastic Acts

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The Riding Lights theatre company are returning to Central on Friday, 28th November at 7.30pm with their new production: Fantastic Acts.

Here’s what they have to say about the play:

Julia needs some space.

Away from constant pressure, the whirlwind of work. Somewhere to find a bit of balance. The Mediterranean, perhaps? Sun, sea and… a few surprises.

What she discovers goes way beyond ‘switching off’. Extraordinary stories, random acts of kindness, blindness and divineness… but a bucketload of questions.

Can the unsettling power and people of the book of Acts help her find what she’s looking for?

Could their fantastic acts help her stay on her feet in a cross current of misgivings and hope, persecution, faith and risk?

In classic Riding Lights style – with laughter, insight, vivid story-telling and surprising energy for a holiday in the sun – FANTASTIC ACTS! invites you to take an invigorating dip into the remarkable lives of the men and women who formed the first churches.

Here is some audience reaction from an early preview:

Tickets cost £10 and are available from the Riding Lights box office on (01904) 613000. More information (including tour dates elsewhere in the UK) is available on the Riding Lights website.

Who do we think we are?

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Who do we Methodists think we are?

We’re lucky in our York circuit to have as one of our local preachers Prof Edward Royle, emeritus professor of history at the University of York. Ted has written extensively on topics to do with the nineteenth century, religious ideas and the church in Yorkshire. Recently he brought together all those interests and more in a series of talks he gave at Acomb Methodist Church as part of their 50th anniversary celebrations.

The lectures explore the roots of Methodism with the intention of uncovering charateristics particular to Methodism and their relevance to us today.

Ted’s first talk is about Methodist history and organisation:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nrj2X2cweY

Ted’s second talk is about Methodist doctrine:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nbwD4rgwqI

Ted’s third talk is about Methodist worship:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdJX3C3i0uM