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 me 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.

Lynne Newland

"We are part of a group of 11 small churches from Methodist, Anglican, Baptist, Roman Catholic and United Reformed traditions, working extremely well together as Churches Together in West Wight," reports Doreen Dace of Totland Methodist Church.

For the past two years more than 70 people aged from 10 to over 80, drawn from our churches and the local community, have joined together to perform biblical musicals. Last year we performed 'While Shepherds Watched' and this year 'From Pharaoh to Freedom' - both written by Roger Jones. Productions involve dancers, actors, musicians, singers, costume makers, programme and poster designers, lighting engineers, scenery builders and choreographers.

The impact of these productions has been absolutely amazing. Many of those involved have little regular connection with church but there are many opportunities to have meaningful conversations and many lasting friendships have been formed.

The productions have been total sell-outs, with over 100 in the audience at each performance. Family, friends and many people from the local community and beyond the Isle of Wight come together to hear and enjoy the important message of these wonderful Bible stories."

© Ros Crosland

Baildon Methodist Church, a certified Eco-congregation, is saving money and helping to reduce global warming. Despite the 70,000 users a year of the church and its Wesley’s Community Centre, the church’s carbon footprint is becoming smaller.

In 2006 the church started giving its caretaker a percentage bonus for energy saved. In 2008 energy saving equipment was installed; and in 2009 this continued with the fitting of weather compensation controls on the two outdated and inefficient boilers, insulating ceilings and cutting out draughts. This was achieved with the help of grants of over £9,000 from the Shipley Area Panel and Bradford Environmental Action Trust [BEAT].

In January 2010 Bradford Full Council unanimously passed a motion setting a target of 40% reduction in C02 emissions for the district by 2020 over those of 2005. It was among the first Councils in the country to do so.  Radical change is needed. So Baildon Methodist Church is transferring its electricity account to the RSPB Green tariff of Southern Electric on 1 June 2010. This tariff means that Southern Electric put into the grid an equivalent amount of renewably generated electricity to that which the church draws out. So, from 2010-11, the tonnes of C02 emitted because of the church’s electricity usage will be zero.

Members and users contribute to a Green Fund if they fly, drive or emit carbon dioxide  from their heating systems.  This provides seed money for future measures to reduce the church’s C02 emissions.  Baildon Methodist Church is constantly informing its users of how it is carrying out its mission as an Eco-congregation and asking them to support it. 

© Youth Space

Youth Space is an exciting new church opened on 8 May by Revd Dr Stephen Wigley, Chair of the Wales Synod, before he handed the keys to the youngest participant in the scheme, Esther (12), who with friends David and Sarah (pictured) cut the red ribbon across the entrance.

Youth Space works through participation, where those involved in the project (aged 11-18), play an active role in decision-making. The building, which was formerly a church parlour, was renovated for Youth Space and includes accessible toilets and a kitchen.  It is self-contained with its own access and when Youth Space took up ownership in February it was a bare plaster shell.  Six of the participants spent half term decorating Youth Space in their chosen colours, representing the seasons and zoning different areas of activity by colour.

The vision was to create a safe space for young people (aged 11-18); to support young people from across Cardiff in discovering themselves, their community and the world through informal learning rooted in the Methodist Church.

Revd Susan McIvor, Minister for Youth Work in Cardiff, said, “It’s fantastic to have space that’s specifically set aside for work with young people 24/7. Here they have the opportunity to worship in ways which are relevant to them, and to be supported in discovering what it means to be a Christian in the 21st century. Like every church we’re called to serve not only ourselves and that’s why we’re starting our first weekday project called, ‘Somewhere to Go’”.

This summer, Boys' Brigade, Girls' Brigade, Scouts, Brownies and youth groups who camp in Swanage will be able to experience the brand new 'Church On Tour', launched by Swanage Methodist Church.

The tour (provided free of charge) will visit various camping groups on their campsite to lead a fun and exciting time of worship, relevant to each group's youth or children. It is anticipated that this will complement a group's own programme of devotions and church parades.

Complete with songs, games, stories and a relevant message, the tour will be led in an informal manner with opportunities for all to enjoy and participate. It will be led according to the group's ages and requirements and could be tailored to the theme of a camp or holiday.

It is hoped that many groups will wish to take up the free opportunity of inviting 'Church on Tour' to their camp in Swanage this summer.