Hello everyone and welcome to the BUZZ.

THE BUZZ is a great resource that brings the whole Methodist Connexion together and allows us to share successful ideas between districts, circuits, churches and church groups. If you have any stories you would like to share, which illustrate how your church is working out the four aspects of Our Calling, then please get in touch.

You can advertise your church, circuit or district events and news on the Connexional Noticeboard on the Methodist Church website. Here's the link: www.methodist.org.uk

After you've held your event, do let us know how it went. Your ideas can encourage and inspire others to try something similar and I'm sure the latest stories below will do just that. The contacts will be pleased to give you more information.

Best wishes
Lynne Newland

© Anjum Cheema

At Redhill Methodist Church on Sunday 17 January, 33 new members were confirmed at the morning service by the church minister, Revd Thurairajah Samuel (Sam) and the Revd Sheila Foreman (vice chair of district) and 3 members were transferred from other churches. "It was a tonic for us all to share in such a service, particularly as at least half of them were young people. It was a tremendous experience to be refreshed by the enthusiasm of new members, while all of us were encouraged by Sheila Foreman to reflect again on what our membership of the body of Christ means in terms of faith, prayer and service", said Maureen Edwards, a Redhill pastoral leader.

Redhill Methodist Church has a wonderfully cosmopolitan congregation. Those who came to be confirmed were from Britain, Indonesia, Malaysia and Pakistan and those transferred from other churches came from Britain, New Zealand and Nigeria.

"It has been a blessing and an immense privilege over recent years to be part of a church that is constantly renewed and enriched by the vitality, challenges and insights Christians bring to us from other parts of the world, encouraged and led now by a Sri Lankan minister", concluded Maureen.

The congregation of Mossley Methodist Church are prayerfully supporting their newest member, Jacob Hepworth, who is part of a diverse group of young people from all over Oldham brought together to take part in the 22nd Century Citizens Project.  It is a collaborative multimedia project run by the young people to explore the violation of human rights with specific reference to the labour camps of WW2 and the treatment of refugees in Europe in the last 60 years.
                
The first phase was a research and understanding visit to Poland last month, to explore the Holocaust and to learn about this dark period in history, visiting both Auschwitz and Birkenau. The group met an Auschwitz survivor and also heard from someone who hid Jews in their house. They recorded their journey with photography and kept diaries and they also explored the issues of the trip with drama, poetry and music.

© Pamila Baidya

BISH is a Birmingham District charity providing a home away from home for overseas students at all three Birmingham universities. Last year 350 guests from 53 countries enjoyed our hospitality and the care and support we offer to all our guests who are often away from home for the first time.

Since last autumn, BISH has been able to provide five extra rooms that are available to short stay guests, in what was the former stable block. The block had fallen into disrepair and was condemned some years ago but with well managed funds and help from a district grant and local churches it has been possible to replace the roof, install new bathroom facilities and restore it to full working order.

'Linking Lives' has been set up to build bridges and develop relationships between young and older people on two estates in Belper, Derbyshire. Funded jointly by the Belper Circuit and the Nottingham and Derby District, Linking Lives, under its manager Andrea Fox, is part of the previously existing Drop Inn Project in Belper.  The Drop Inn works with young people who have a variety of problems, particularly in the education system, and gives them access to qualifications and involvement in other community projects.

Linking Lives is a pioneering intergenerational project and is warmly welcomed in Belper.  The young people and older people enjoy one another's company and learn from one another's skills and experience.

In Summer 2009 the groups came together to produce a film, with expert help from Film City, which aimed to bridge the generation gap and break down some of the barriers and stereotypical images the groups had of one another. 'The Image of Youth' was chosen as a theme and young people were given training in film making  (with the intention of passing on this knowledge to the older people in the future) and both generations joined in the fun of creating story lines.

The climax of the film project was when both generations visited Chatsworth House and grounds to make their film - which had developed into the idea of 'role reversal' with the result that 70 and 80 years olds were dressed and made-up as 'hoodies' and the teenagers as 'older people reminiscing in a tea-shop.  Everyone involved enjoyed the experience and the film 'Image of Youth - Role Reversal' was launched on October 1 - National Older People's Day, when community groups from across Belper were represented at an informal gathering at the Drop Inn. The film will now be used to promote intergenerational work, Linking Lives and in getting more people involved.

There is no doubt that 'Linking Lives' is making a difference to both young and older people of the two targeted estates in Belper. The project is developing rapidly and another film/music project is planned this year as well as a service to provide radio broadcasts (podcasts) into various local nursing homes.

It is wonderful that the Church has enabled such valuable work to be done in transforming lives and encouraging intergenerational relationships in Belper.