Some churches call these house groups, or fellowship groups, Bible study groups, class meetings, even Wesley groups. We haven’t chosen a name, but they are an important part of Castle Street life.
For Lent 2021 we are starting a longer series looking at “A Methodist Way of Life”. This consists of 12 commitments or aspirations, grouped under the familiar headings of “Our Calling” > / Worship, Learning and Caring, Service, Evangelism
Video invitation to local group
We will work in 4 session sections, usually weekly, exploring one point from each heading at a time:-
18/02/2021 Worship: We will pray daily
25/02/2021 Learning & Caring: We will care for ourselves & those around us
11/03/2021 Service: We will help people in our communities & beyond
18/03/2021 Evangelism: We will speak of the love of God
15/04/2021 Worship: We will worship with others regularly
22/04/2021 Learning & Caring: We will learn more about our faith
29/04/2021 Service: We will care for creation and all God’s gifts
06/05/2021 Evangelism: We will live in a way that draws others to Jesus
13/05/2021 Worship: We will look & listen for God in Scripture, and the world
20/05/2021 Learning & Caring: We will practise hospitality and generosity
27/05/2021 Service: We will challenge injustice
03/06/2021 Evangelism: We will share our faith with others
We will start on zoom but may be able to meet physically if restrictions allow. For more information and to receive the zoom details please contact Revd. Alison Walker
LOOKING BACKWARDS to see some of the things we have discussed in the last few years, starting with 2019-20 “Talking of God Together” a new resource (July 2018) which encourages and equips Christians to speak comfortably about their experience of God and the Christian life.
“Is it your desire and design to be on this and all other occasions entirely open, so as to speak everything that is in your heart, without exception, without disguise, and without reserve?” (John Wesley).“Talking of God Together” helps people to take part in conversations with others, both inside and outside their church, about what really matters to them. This accessible resource includes people’s stories, Bible passages, questions and activities to increase user’s confidence and conviction in speaking more openly about their faith and experiences of God with fellow Christians. (Source: release notes produced by the Methodist Church) 9th Oct Opening session of TableTalk 16th Oct A Present God 23rd Oct A Listening God 30th Oct A Caring God 6th Nov A Speaking God 13th Nov Jesus as our Teacher and Model For one group see the “TableTalk” page which meets Wednesday evenings at church. There is also a regular Friday evening group meeting in someone’s home not far from Castle Street. Details of this group are usually in the weekly notices. Topics for the rest of the year may include a four-week Bible study will use the “Bible Month” resource looking at the book of Ruth. Over the course of the 2018-19 Methodist year, we looked at the Book of Jonah using the Methodist Church “Bible Month” magazine.
“Walt Disney gave us Pinocchio. Herman Melville gave us Moby Dick. The Old Testament gives us Jonah who, a bit like Pinocchio, has to be taught a lesson. Although there is humour in this absurd story, there is little to laugh about. Jonah is as obsessed as Captain Ahab; not with the whale but with his own brand of religion.”We will used ‘inductive’ Bible study methods, similar to those used in last year’s Bible Month on the Book of James, to root this strange story in our daily lives. Along the way we discussed if the story has historical truth (and if that matters), learnt more about the City of Nineveh and how Jonah may or may not be a good example in our relationships with people of other faiths. Caring for Creation (5 sessions) In view of all of the recent news about the threats to our planet, I hope that looking at these issues and our responses feels both pertinent and helpful. A lent course examining our responses as Christians Extinction Rebellion and the Lent challenges suggested by our Joint Public Issues Team see www.livinglent.org “Caring for Creation, a hope-filled faith-based response to the needs of our world, biblical texts and recent reports. Course summary Week 1 “The Environment” Focussing on God’s wonderful creation, planet earth, the place of humankind in it, and why it is under threat Week 2 “Global Warming and Climate Change” Some facts and figures about climate change, and why faith in a Creator God should give us hope Week 3 “The Age of Humans” How we human beings with our god-like powers can still undo some of the terrible damage we have done and are doing to our planet Week 4 “Coming Out of Denial” Many of us find it hard to face up to the reality of climate change, and make the necessary changes to our lifestyle. We need to understand why this is so, and how our faith can help us. Week 5 “Faith, Hope and Love” We urgently need to be clear about our Christian response to the present crisis: it challenges what we believer; it is also about how we can live in hope, and meet the demands of Christian love. The course is written by Canon Brian Davis for Churches Together in Market Harborough. Brian is a member of “Green Christian” organisation.