Hello everyone and welcome to the latest edition of THE BUZZ.

THE BUZZ is a great resource that brings the whole Connexion together and allows us to share successful ideas between districts, circuits, churches and church groups. If you have any success stories you would like to promote and share, then please get in touch and let us know how God is working in your local area.

Alison Pollard
  

Four more exciting and encouraging stories from around Methodism. The contacts provided will be pleased to give you more information.

“It was like a warm bath.” This was what a worshipper said as they left one of our quarterly Taizé experiences. The Taizé style of worship includes chanting, contemplation, Scripture, prayer, silence and quiet reflection - allowing people to ‘sense the presence’ of God. Worshippers often leave with an overwhelming sense of peace after being ‘marinated’ in the love of God!

It is a real privilege to allow the Holy Spirit to lead us each time we prepare the service, and we know that the ‘Harmony’ group will be at the core of the chanting.

63 people attended the last Taizé service so if you have never tried it out why not come along on 30 June, 31 August or 30 November, or perhaps get in touch for information for your church.

In March we held a ‘Daffodil Sunday’ service to remember our members and friends who are too ill or unable to attend weekly services. We wanted to celebrate their life and to recollect with joy all they have done. We remembered each person by name, and then to remind them that far from being forgotten they continue to be known to us and to God, we took them a bunch of daffodils from the service with a ribbon and their name attached.

We were told of one lady who had been given some daffodils who died later that day. Her son expressed how grateful he was that his mother was being prayed for right to the end of her life. Many who received the daffodils have said they were amazed that they were still being remembered - by name and with joy.

Throughout Lent we offered individuals across the circuit an exciting new opportunity to make a personal, reflective journey using a book called ‘How to Pray’. Almost 100 of us took part, and we began by learning how to slow down enough in everyday life to become aware of God. Next, we were introduced to a wide range of ways into prayer.

All were welcome to join in supportive daytime and evening church groups, but it was equally stressed that it was possible to make the journey individually, or to drop in on a group on just a couple of occasions. The process began with worship on Ash Wednesday and paused with a service on Palm Sunday when we were encouraged to continue in prayer in whatever ways seemed helpful to us.
 
The circuit is now reflecting on the next stage of our journey into prayer.

Inspired by one of our minister’s experiences in Guatemala last year, we organised a walk around the 11 churches of our circuit. Outside each church was an ‘alfombra’ – a picture made of flowers, sand, seeds or chalk – which congregation members had made that morning. A short act of worship took place when the walkers arrived at each church.

Three people and a dog walked the full route (which took 11 hours) and others joined in for smaller sections. Some used the occasion for outreach by giving out hot cross buns and details of what Good Friday is all about, one church invited children to help create an Easter garden and others opened their sanctuaries for prayer and meditation.