Middlesbrough and Eston Methodist Circuit Website
Report to Spring Synod 2018
Worship
At Nunthorpe, blessed with growing numbers of children at our services and seeking to make our worship touch and echo their experience, the 2nd hymn is now chosen by them from their CoGS Children of God Squad songbook. Sunday's Cool , an Out of the Ark resource we purchased, which is used in local schools. We are learning the simple tunes, even our 80 year-olds are coping with the fast beat and syncopated rhythms, thanks to the accompanying CD. Exhilarating, vibrant and of the children's world, together we celebrate and feel God's love with songs like "Thank you for loving me", "He'll be there". Recommended!
Learning and Caring
In partnership with Aging Better Middlesbrough and local Anglicans, in 2018 we are helping facilitate Grave Talk, an Anglican resourced cafe style event encouraging conversation about bereavement, death and dying, open to people of all faiths and none. Through training for these events, indeed by participating and hosting, we want to grow in our own faith and understanding of the big questions of life, existence and suffering. Grave Talk is a vehicle for us to learn how to support and care for those who are fearing and hurting in face of Life's extremes.
Service
Following a complete restructure of staffing and responsibilities LRRC Linthorpe Road Resource Centre based at Linthorpe Rd Methodist Church, an "inner city" church witnessing since 1892, is now making new contacts with its ever changing neighbours. Austerity, stresses due to unemployment and the roll out of Universal Credit, in addition the needs of refugees welcomed to the town, mean demands in Middlesbrough are high. LRRC is developing closer informal working partnerships with CAB, MIND and MAP Methodist Asylum Project and its recently appointed Project Manager is actively seeking fresh challenges and opportunities to serve.
Evangelism
TTFC Trinity Family Friendly Centre, an arm of Trinity Methodist Church Acklam, has responded to Holiday Hunger in Middlesbrough with its Feast of Fun serving its neighbours. Just as in Acts, where the apostles witnessed and evangelised in response mainly to questions asked by the people they met, so too, TFFC works to evangelise through meeting people where they are. Its new Families Outreach Worker has initiated Shining Lights, a Wednesday "Sunday School", Singalong Baby, as well as Ruth and Naomi, a forum to give women confidence and growth in their faith. A Breakfast Club for mums and dads after school has started. All these are opportunities created by TTFC to meet people with their needs and be there to answer questions, to tell of, and show God's love.
Ruth Lewis
Circuit Steward