The Birmingham District rose to the challenge of the lock down restrictions with live streaming from various locations to bring together another service.If you missed it the service sheet is below.

A new poster has been erected to publicly remind people that it is to hundred years since we were founded in the village.
Our volunteers put this up with all the necessary social distancing measures being observed often with one of us at the top of a ladder and another at the bottom!
Next time you are passing on an essential trip or walking past on a health walk do admire it. 

Christians are being asked to light a candle in the window around 7pm tonight. This is to show a light of hope and a call to prayer in these troubled times.

​If you missed today service the video is now available here

Next Sunday subject to any new restrictions the Birmingham District plan to repeat the success of the online service once again at 10.30am 28th March.

​In response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the cancellation of worship services, the District will be broadcasting a worship service at 10:30am on Sunday morning via Facebook Live and it will also be available on the District Website:
If you are unable to join us on your computer, tablet or phone, the attached will enable you to journey with us as we worship together in our homes around the District.
From Ian Howarth - Chair of the Birmingham District - who was here in our chapel last month celebrating our bicentenary

Dear friends,
​​I hope this finds you well, and in relative good spirits despite the circumstances we find ourselves in.
Earlier this week we were advised by both the Methodist Church and Government not to gather as congregations and any other groups until further notice.
We are aware that this may cause anxiety and isolation for some of us but please let’s try by all means to keep in touch one way or the other. Let’s try to do whatever we can to keep an eye and care for each other.
As most of you know I live away from my family and in times of crisis, it is difficult for us to pray together.  So we devised a plan whereby we each light a candle and all of us pray together at the same time wherever we are. It might be something we may want to try…..or not.  But it keeps us together and united in spirit.
“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord”
 
Romans 8: 38 – 39 NRSV
O God,
When the darkness seems unbroken,
I shall hold on to these words,
For they hold the eternal truth.
 
There is nothing that can break us away from your love,
Nothing that will stop you loving us,
And nothing that will turn you away from us.
That changes life,
And makes everything worthwhile.
 
Even as we are separated yet united in You
Help us to live for each other, and to love
One another, in both deed and word.
 
O God!
How I thank you for Christ.
He changes my life and
Makes everything worthwhile.
All praise to you, Compassionate,
Loving , gracious God.
AMEN
 
Therefore, sisters and brothers, as a result of knowing that we are loved by God, even under these circumstances, let us begin to live differently, to love differently, marked as a community of people of joy, love, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and self control.
Peace be with you,
Revd Farai Mapamula

A good number of ladies and gentlemen joined together for the World Day of Prayer service this year at the Methodist Church. The choir led the singing and Rita Poulson was the leader, ably assisted by Lucy Harvey and Gill Noble.The service was written by the ladies of Zimbabwe and the theme was Rise, Take your Mat and Walk. Our own minister comes from Zimbabwe and told us a little of the problems she has encountered and the effect that sanctions have upon her country. She brought some musical instruments and a sisal mat for us to look at.
£167.20 was collected for the work of peace,love and reconciliation which was symbolised by white,red and yellow candles respectively.

A lighter attended coffee morning than most met to raise £85 for the Edwards Trust today.