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

As part of their Stamp Out Poverty campaign, our local newspaper The Press have this week featured some of the work that goes on at Carecent and elsewhere to provide for the people in this city who have next to nothing. Follow the links to read the first part of the report and the second part of the report.

Please remember Carecent in your prayer and lift up before God the people who serve there and the people who depend on the food and support they find there. Pray that we may find ways of organising our society so that one day all this will not be needed.

Second Sunday Supplement is an informal act of worship at Central Methodist Church, St Saviourgate, York. We join together to pray, sing, listen, discuss, be silent and end with hot drinks and homebaking. Everyone is welcome to join us on Sunday 12 October at 5pm for worship on the theme of peacemaking. We’re very aware of particular areas of conflict in the world; we’ll also spend some time thanking God for the peacemakers we know and considering how we can be peacemakers.

Second Sunday Supplement takes place in the church hall – please come to the side door.

www.centralmethodistyork.org.uk/sss

Last night we were pleased to host the circuit welcome service at Central. Methodist churches are arranged in groups, called circuits, and ministers are appointed to serve in a particular circuit. Yesterday we welcomed two new ministers to the York circuit, Revd Leslie Newton (who will be our new superintendent minister) and Revd Julia Skitt, who comes to us from college as a probationer minister.

The service was led by our Chair of District, Revd Stephen Burgess. Revd Helen Cameron, from our ministerial training college in Birmingham, preached. It was good too to have guests from other local churches as well as the Lord Mayor of York and our local MP who welcomed Julia and Leslie on behalf of the local community.

Gathering for the welcome service

Revd Leslie Newton and Revd Julia Skitt on the steps at Central before the welcome service. Behind is Revd Helen Cameron.

There’s an article in the Guardian newspaper today about how local agencies are trying to alleviate poverty in York. Poverty is perhaps less obvious in York than in many other places but it is still a grim reality for too many folk. The Carecent project, based here at Central, is included in the report. You can read the piece here.