Welcome to the October 2005 issue of E-News, the monthly electronic news bulletin of the Methodist Church in Britain. Please feel free to circulate these stories by cutting and pasting into your church newsletter or magazine, or printing them out and pinning them on your noticeboard.

E-News is sent out to all who have submitted their details to the E-mail Directory of the Methodist Church in Britain. Visit www.methodist.org.uk (Site Ref: EM111203) to subscribe.

If you wish to unsubscribe please visit www.methodist.org.uk (Site Ref: EM111203) to remove your details.

Dave Webster, E-News Editor: webeditor@methodistchurch.org.uk

Recognition for the Gambling Bill campaign

The Salvation Army and The Methodist Church have won a top PR award for their joint Gambling Bill campaign. The two churches have won the 2005 Third Sector Excellence Award for PR Strategy. The award was presented at a dinner for 500 charity and fundraising representatives in London.

The award was given for the joint campaign run by The Salvation Army and The Methodist Church which resulted in major changes to the Gambling Bill, including reducing the number of Super-casinos from an unlimited number down to one, and the removal of fruit machines from 6,000 premises frequented by children. The campaign used a range of public affairs techniques, PR tactics and grass-roots mobilisation.

“This great award recognises the hard work put in by the whole team who work on press and public affairs and our close working relationship with our Methodist colleagues” commented Major Bill Cochrane from The Salvation Army. ”The achievements of the campaign were huge and it is very rewarding to see this recognised by our peers in the voluntary sector as well as knowing that The Salvation Army and the Methodist Church have succeeded in working to help protect children and vulnerable people. However we are still concerned that the building of a Super-casino is likely to lead to an increase in problem gambling and a range of social problems so there is still work to be done at local level and that's where Christians can play their part”.

But, says Rachel Lampard from The Methodist Church, the real winners are those whose lives will now not be blighted by gambling addiction. “We didn't launch this campaign for our own benefit. We did it because we had serious concerns about parts of the Gambling Bill, and justified fears that it would lead to an increase in problem gambling. But we made our points, the Government listened and we now have a Gambling Act that is better for people than it otherwise would have been.”

Third Sector is the weekly magazine for the charity sector and this was the inaugural event for the awards.

Time to Talk of God...

...is a new book from The Methodist Church that aims to encourage Methodists and other Christians to renew their ability to talk about God. The book, based on a report that was enthusiastically received by the Methodist Conference in 2005, was written by the Discipleship and Church Membership Working Group.

Time to Talk of God, subtitled 'Recovering Christian conversation as a way of nurturing discipleship', is aimed at ordinary Christians. The book honestly addresses the reasons why Christians can find it hard to talk about their faith, and how easy it is for churches and congregations to develop habits that make Christian conversation hard.

The richly-illustrated book contains group and individual exercises, prayers, Bible passages and practical guides to shifting church culture so that talking to each other about God is easier and more natural. This resource, says Janet Morley (convenor of the working group) “starts a stage back from evangelism. It is about how we talk - and listen - to each other about the things that matter most. How shall we be confident in sharing our faith more widely if we never have these conversations among church members? And what sort of church will genuine seekers encounter if we are embarrassed to discuss the spiritual questions that motivate them?”

Time to Talk of God is available from:
mph
4 John Wesley Road, Werrington, Peterborough PE4 6ZP 
Tel: 01733 325002 Fax: 01733 384180
www.mph.org.uk
e-mail: sales@mph.org.uk

Copies cost £3.50 each (PA339), 5 or more cost £2.75 each (PA359).

Hope for the Planet - A biblical approach to the Environment


HOPE FOR THE PLANET - A Conference for Church Leaders

Thursday 24th November 2005
St Michael's Church,
Chester Square,
London SW1

Ice shelves melting, forests shrinking, emissions growing, species disappearing. As church leaders, we hear the messages of alarm for God's creation, but are they central or peripheral to the Gospel message... or even a distraction from it?

This one-day conference will bring together top theologians, scientists, and hands-on conservationists to look at how the Christian message is one of liberating hope for the whole of creation. Co-ordinated by Christian conservation organisation A Rocha, the day is aimed at Church Leaders and is both biblical and practical.

Price £45, (£20 for ordination students).

For more information and application forms see – en.arocha.org/ukmembers/index17.html.

Celebrate Christmas with MRDF

Count down to Christmas with MRDF's beautiful advent calendar.

•  24 windows tell the miraculous story of Jesus' birth with colourful illustrations and Bible references.

•  Stories and pictures show how MRDF partners are helping mothers and babies stay healthy in rural Mali.

•  An enjoyable way to introduce children to the Christmas story and to global issues.

•  Fliers are also available to help promote this idea to your church or school.

•  Order one for yourself or as a gift (£2.50 each) by e-mailing mrdf@methodistchurch.org.uk or calling 020 7467 5132.

MAKE POVERTY HISTORY

Mass Lobby for Trade Justice at Westminster, Wednesday 2 November, 12-6pm

As crucial world trade talks approach in December, join thousands of others at parliament to meet your MP and demand that the UK Government delivers trade justice - not free trade. It's vital that governments at World Trade Organisation talks agree to stop forcing poor countries to open their markets.

If the G8 rally in Edinburgh inspired you and if you'd like to carry on making a difference, join the lobby next month. To find out more, including how to register, how to meet others from your constituency and what to say to your MP, visit www.mrdf.org.uk/Resources/mph_news.htm and download the action pack.

The Methodist Church and MRDF will be there as members of the MAKE POVERTY HISTORY coalition:

• Have a go on our Wheel of Misfortune as you wait to meet your MP.
  
• Join the ecumenical service at Methodist Central Hall at 4.30pm.
  
• Contact mrdf@methodistchurch.org.uk to let us know if you're planning to come to the lobby or to order free fliers, posters and action packs.

Using Technology in Worship and Mission

This new guide is updated and expanded from the original 'Using Technology in Worship' that came out in 2004. The guide:

• Considers why it's helpful to incorporate the visual and
  creative arts in worship through new media
• Gives an overview of the latest developments in
  technology that are relevant to worship
• Looks at some of the practicalities of using technology in
  worship and the life of the Church
• Tells inspiring ICT stories from around the Connexion

Using Technology in Worship and Mission is available to download at:
www.methodist.org.uk/index.cfm?fuseaction=pandw.content&cmid=549

Print copies are available free from:

ICT Booklet
Communication Office
Methodist Church House
25 Marylebone Road
London NW1 5JR
(please enclose a 47p A5 SAE)