E-News April 2008

Name that campaign - your opinion is needed

The Church is for everyone - whatever age, race, size, shape, colour, ability, state of health, gender, sexual orientation, personality - you name it. Everyone is different but equal, as far as God is concerned.

The Methodist Church aims to ensure that every single person is able to worship in its churches; that all are taken seriously in their Christian growth; that all are equipped to serve and that how the Christian message is shared makes sense to everyone. The Equalities and Diversity group of the Church has been working on a campaign to support churches celebrate diversity and work towards equality.

There will be introductory material, posters, postcards, housegroup and worship material, personal reflections and resources for children and young people. Most of this will be free of charge and downloadable from the Methodist Church website. All that's lacking is an appropriate title for this campaign. What, for you, epitomises diversity and equality in the Church? Vote in our poll now:

My Vote

The Global Day of Prayer - London

You are invited to what might be the world's biggest prayer meeting on Pentecost Sunday, May 11, as up to 30,000 people gather at Millwall Stadium, London, where the Methodist Church is supporting the national call to prayer.

This event will unite all ages, denominations and nationalities as people join together in praying for God's transformation and healing in areas such as child trafficking, knife and gun crime, church unity, young people and countries in crisis. Worship will be led by All Souls Orchestra, Graham Kendrick and many other inspirational worship leaders.

Tickets and further information from:

www.gdoplondon.com

Seven days in May

Which is Britain's biggest house-to-house collection, involving more than a quarter of a million people annually? The answer is Christian Aid Week which this year takes place from 11-17 May.

Christian Aid will be holding hundreds of events over that one week in May. They are offering a range of free resources to help you mark the week including material to hold 'the best quiz night in town'. The Quizaid question pack has hints and tips on how to make your quiz night a fun and memorable event and includes everything you will need. Why not arrange a Quizaid event in your home, your church hall or even at your local community centre? Wherever you hold it, you'll be helping to raise money for the world's poorest people.

You can order your Quizaid pack or freely download the resources and learn more about Christian Aid Week at:

www.christianaid.org.uk

Join the Journey to Justice in Birmingham on Sunday May 18

In May 1998 70,000 people formed a human chain in Birmingham to demand that the G8 countries drop the debt owed by the world's poorest countries. Ten years on its time to celebrate achievements, discover the impact of debt cancellation and demand a lasting solution to the debt crisis.

The Jubilee Debt Campaign, supported by the Methodist Relief and Development Fund, is organising an exciting day at the International Convention Centre, Birmingham on Sunday May 18, with a powerful mix of speakers, interviews, music and film. The keynote speaker will be Archbishop Ndungane, former Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town. Tickets cost £10 (£5 concessions) available from www.journeytojustice.org

Special Jubilee services will take place at churches in Birmingham, there will be an exhibition at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery and other outdoor events will take place in Centenary Square from 12.30pm where the event will end with a moment of campaigner action at 5pm.

More information from:

www.journeytojustice.org
www.jubileedebtcampaign.org.uk

If you have any comments about E-News please contact newseditor@methodistchurch.org.uk

E-news Editor, Methodist Church House, 25 Marylebone Road, London NW1 5JR