E-News November 2007

Mexico floods: can you help?

Mexico Floods The Methodist Church has launched an emergency appeal for funds following the devastating floods that have swept through South Mexico in the wake of the heaviest rains to hit the country for 40 years.

At least 500,000 people have been made homeless and are facing the destruction of their crops and outbreaks of disease.

Revd Thomas Quenet, World Church Officer for Americas and the Caribbean, says; ‘The full extent of this tragedy is yet to be seen, but we do know that thousands of people will be faced with rebuilding their lives from scratch. We are encouraging people to offer whatever support they can, not only with their pockets, but also with their prayers.'

Please help if you can. You can donate securely online at www.justgiving.com/mexicoflood.

Alternatively send cheques, made payable to The Methodist Church Fund to World Mission, to Mexico Flood Appeal, World Church Relationships Office, Methodist Church House, 25 Marylebone Road, London NW1 5JR.

Headlines from October Methodist Council

New General Secretary and Senior Leaders

Revd Dr Martyn Atkins (right), President of the Methodist Conference, has been nominated as General Secretary of the Methodist Church from 1 September 2008.

Three other senior appointments (from September 2008) are:
Mr John Ellis as Secretary for Team Operations, Revd Dr Mark Wakelin as Secretary for Internal Relationships and Ms Christine Elliott as Secretary for External Relationships.

Pioneering Fresh Expressions

The Council approved in principle initial proposals for a pioneering scheme to create and support new forms of church in the Methodist Church. This aims to fund about 20 'pioneers' for five years to build new congregations of young people who have no current contact with church, and to support up to 60 more local initiatives. The Council directed that a final, detailed proposal be brought to the Council in February.

Human Sexuality

The 2006 Methodist Conference directed the Council to conduct a consultation on the 1993 resolutions on human sexuality and to establish whether there should be a revision of those resolutions. Following a lengthy open consultation, over half the respondents agreed with the resolutions as they stand. Of those who felt there should be change, there was a wide range of opinions as to whether they should be relaxed or tightened. As a result, the Council will recommend to Conference 2008 that there be no revision. Thank you to all E-News readers who participated in the consultation following an invitation in the February 2007 edition.

You can read the Methodist Council papers at:

www.methodist.org.uk

No room at the inn, so what about shelter for a street child?

MRDF Gifts The Methodist Relief and Development Fund (MRDF) has launched its first alternative gift catalogue, offering many unusual but often life-saving gift ideas.

It contains items such as mosquito nets to protect against malaria, camels for nomadic communities in arid Northern Kenya, shelter, food and healthcare for children living on the streets in Bangladesh, and many more ideas for helping some of the world's poorest communities.

Gifts like these and other MRDF 'small miracles' begin at just £5. A colourful fridge magnet representing each gift is provided for the giver to send instead of a conventional Christmas present. The catalogue can be used by as a focus for churches' Christmas fundraising, as well as for individual shopping.

The catalogue is freely available from MRDF by calling 020 7467 5132 and gifts can be securely ordered online at:

www.mrdf.org.uk

Have your say on the future of Women's Network

Women's Network is changing. In September 2008 the Women's Network office will become independent of the Connexional Team and the Network will become a new charitable organisation.

Women's Network want to hear from you on proposals as to the direction and form that the new organisation should take.

Consultation forms, which need to be received by 3 Dec 2007, are available at www.methodist.org.uk
or call the Women's Network Office on 020 7467 5175

World AIDS Day on 1 December - a call to faith communities

World AIDS Day Over 40 million people worldwide and 70,000 in the UK are living with HIV. Every year, over 7,000 people are newly diagnosed in the UK alone despite the fact that HIV is a preventable virus.

This Advent, the National AIDS Trust is calling on faith communities to help stop new HIV infections and overcome prejudice and discrimination. Its 2007 theme, 'Understanding through Communication', is designed to highlight the importance of talking freely about HIV/AIDS.

To find out how to get worship materials, check out events and obtain red ribbons for sale visit:

www.worldaidsday.org

Keepin' It Real - a new resource for those who work with 9 - 13s

Keepin' It Real addresses topics that affect young people and offers fun and practical ways of dealing with some difficult issues that they may face - communication, reputation, conflict and negotiation.

Produced by the Methodist Church and the ecumenical children's charity, CURBS, Keepin' It Real is published at a time when the Government is asking schools to help young people deal with anxiety, anger and conflict as well as teaching good manners and behaviour.

Penny Fuller from MethodistChildren says 'there are lots of resources to help young people deal with topics like sexuality and drugs, but not to help with less tangible things like reputation' or 'Street-Cred'. Keepin' It Real addresses those issues.

Keepin' It Real is available from mph for £6.99 plus p&p

www.methodistchildren.org.uk