E-News October 2008

Methodists support those affected by Caribbean hurricanes

25 inches of rain fell in 24 hours In August and September hurricanes swept across the Caribbean leaving a trail of destruction in their wake:

Hundreds died in Haiti following floods that left 650,000 people homeless.
The Dominican Republic, one of the poorest countries in the region, suffered hundreds of millions of dollars worth of damage to buildings and more than 250,000 people lost their homes.
19 people were killed when Hurricane Ike ripped through Cuba, which normally avoids deaths during hurricanes.
In Puerto Rico, thousands of poorly constructed homes in rural communities were washed away by six weeks of constant torrential rain.
Hurricane Gustav destroyed several rural churches and manses being used as shelters in Jamaica.

The World Mission Group has responded to the devastation with a £26,000 grant.

The Revd Tom Quenet, who works with churches in Latin America and the Caribbean, said, “The need is so vast that it is clear we can’t meet it outright. But this grant from the Fund For World Mission will make a difference and is an expression of our solidarity.

“We would encourage Methodists everywhere to hold the people of the region in their thoughts and prayers.”

Anyone wishing to support the grant should contact the Fund for World Mission.

When did you last hear a prayer for estate agents?

people balancing on scales of justice David Walton, Vice-President of Conference, is asking for your help to think about the ethics of business – and what it means to operate as an ethical business person.

He said, “We do not affirm sufficiently those in our congregations who are working in the commercial life of our country. Medical and emergency services are properly and regularly prayed for in public worship – but when did you last hear a prayer for estate agents or retail workers, or wholesale bankers?”

His thinking began at a weekend consultation in Manchester at the beginning of October. But there is now the chance to add your thoughts and comments through a questionnaire on the Methodist Church website.

New web resource to support local ecumenism

A new web resource has been launched offering guidance and advice on how Methodist churches can work together with churches of various denominations to serve their communities. It offers a variety of information, from a basic introduction to ecumenical work to more detailed practical guidance about how to get involved. The pages explore the practical elements of how churches work together in unity and offer some background information for those new to the issues.

Chris Sissons, based at the Methodist Resourcing Mission Office in Manchester, said, “When churches work together, sharing their vision and resources, it benefits entire communities all over the world. This is about owning and developing the work that all churches do at local, national and international levels. We want to demystify ecumenism and encourage people to find out what’s going on, from their locality to churches internationally, and get involved.”

Become a Friend of the Methodist Art Collection

The five thousand by Eularia Clarke A new national network is being launched in November. The Methodist Church Collection of Modern Christian Art, including works by Graham Sutherland, Elisabeth Frink and other famous names, has been seen and appreciated by thousands of people.

Now there is an opportunity to become a Friend of the Collection, supporting its travels to galleries, schools and churches, and enabling other acquisitions.

Friends of the Collection will receive:

the Collection’s annual report
newsletters, giving details of recent exhibitions and new acquisitions
email bulletins, with information about forthcoming exhibitions and invitations to private views
invitations to lectures and events with a speaker or artists with work in the Collection

For further details, including an application form, click here.

Listen to the latest Methodist podcast

King Tupou V of Tonga Hear about the coronation of Methodist monarch, King Tupou V of Tonga, and how an MRDF partner project has helped farmers in Cameroon as Christine Elliot and Isabelle Carboni talk about their eye-opening visits abroad. Anna also catches up with King's College Dean, Professor Richard Burridge, at Greenbelt and asks what it means when Christians say we should be ‘biblical’ about something.

To listen, click here.