Moston Methodist Church

Minister – Rev Sharon Read

POSTED ON: 10 June 2020

Letter from our minister 10/06/2020

Wednesday 10th June 2020

Dear Friends,

Life in lockdown is certainly getting interesting as news and guidelines are changing so fast. At the time of writing I still don’t know if my Year 6 daughter’s class are returning to school. As I have someone in the house who needs to shield – that means she won’t be going back right now – but she is worried about her friends and not catching coronavirus. News also has hit the headlines – leaked information – about reopening our buildings. The circuit are wanting us to prepare for that possibility following guidance when it is available following on from Conference which meets online between June 25 and July 2. We must remember and pray for our connexional team and those we appointed to go to Conference for us as they meet in a very new way.

What does that mean for us? I have been discussing this with our Senior Stewards and we seek to meet as a church councils after the circuit meeting when it meets next week. If you are a member of church council please watch for an email. If you aren’t please pray for us as we meet online. We will be looking at the guidelines for reopening, risk assessments and deciding if it’s possible that together conduct this extensive piece of work for reopening our building. As Angela Ralph, Senior Circuit Steward writes, “Church Councils, as Managing Trustees of the churches, have a shared responsibility for the safety of all those who attend the church and we must ensure that we are able to meet and follow the guidelines laid down. Not to put too fine a point on it – it could be a matter of life and death if we get it wrong. (Churches have already been allowed to open in Germany but at a recent church service held there 16 of the congregation developed Covid 19)”

Last week I shared with you that I always look forward to June and I have discovered a number of you who are celebrating birthdays this month too – So Happy Birthday to you all – its definitely a different birthday in lockdown. June is also Bible Month and this year focuses on the story of Ruth. If you have online access, you can check out https://www.preachweb.org/biblemonth and why not take your time and look again at the Old Testament account of Ruth. It is a beautiful short story that links Ruth to be the great-grandmother to David. It is around 1100 BC. The book of Ruth is about famine, about losing everything, about loyalty, obedience, love and devotion and so much more. A reminder that we belong to a loving, faithful and powerful God who cares and provides for his children. I look forward to finding some space this month to have a look again at Ruth and study the material.

A new development this week is for our families and especially our children and young people. Behind the scenes we are trying to pull this together. On the website you will find a new space to be added soon – each week we will post the link to materials for your child and family to work together. It has puzzles, questions, bible reading and an activity. You will need sight of this as you link to Manchester Methodists youtube channel for the story to be told and a prayer. Its still in the planning stages but any questions give me a call.

Until next time, let’s continue to pray for one another and those who we know who need our prayers today.

With love and prayers,

Sharon

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