I thought the Queen’s visit to Leicester would be a wonderful, exciting occasion, and then I was given the opportunity to ‘do’ a floral display in a window sill at the Cathedral and become part of the preparations.

19 flower arrangers decorated the Cathedral inside and out, also St Martin’s House; 2 of us from Birstall Flower Club, Sylvia Simes and I. I had a face-to-face experience with the Queen, but did not have to Curtsey, a blessing really, as I’m sure I would have legged myself up! Memories of the preparations, the camaraderie inside and outside the Cathedral, the ‘coming together’ of so many people involved with the success of the visit will stay with me forever. 

We can hardly believe they are old enough, but two people who make a huge contribution to our Circuit life both reach 50 year anniversaries this year.  It was 50 years ago that Jack Hanson was ordained, and 50 years ago that Rosemary Kelham became an accredited Local Preacher.  We offer our congratulations to both of them, and our thanks for all the blessings they bring through their presence amongst us.

Easter crafts at Birstall Messy Church....

It was a delight to welcome the two Year 6 classes from Rushey Mead Primary School to Harrison Road Church this year.  It’s a while since the school have visited and it was good to make contact again.  Teachers and pupils were interested to hear from Brian Cottam how the school and church are “twins” having been built around the same time.

Syston Junior Church have been holding an Easter craft morning on Good Friday for as long as I can remember. This year we had about 50 children filling the hall with chatter and excitement, as well as the adults that had brought them.

.Particpants: Sylvia Taylor, Kathleen Wade, Lindsey Smith, Eileen and Pete Molesdale 

If we had believed the weather forecast on the morning of the Bluebell Walk we might have just decided to unpack our rucksacks and stay at home for the day.  But we didn’t…..

As we set off from Oakham there was a sprinkling of rain (the soft kind – not the wet kind). 

Article from Longslade College website:

As part of their AS Level Citizenship course, Matthew Parkinson, George Line, Jordan Russell, Corisande Collins, Emily Cox, Sinead Moule and Hannah Rushin volunteered to help out at Luncheon Club at Birstall Methodist Church - this was in aid of building up an active Citizenship profile, showing that they are not just citizens of the college, but also of the wider community.

Luncheon Club provides a lunch service for the senior citizens of Birstall, where for a small fee, they are served lunch and provided with an opportunity to meet other senior citizens from the Birstall area.

Syston church was full for the Circuit Service on 29th January.  The singing went very well enhanced by the organ, choir and the Laudate band.

The preacher was the Rev’d Inderjit Bhogal, former President of the Methodist Conference and now leader of the Corrymeela community in Belfast. 

Jill Marsh, minister at Bishop St Methodist Church in Leicester City Centre; Dave; Rachel; Inderjit Bhogal and his wife Kathy

The theme of the service was that “in the shelter of each other we find sanctuary.”  Inderjit spoke of the different places in the UK, including Leicester, where people are working together to make cities of Sanctuary.  He called on us to try to create sanctuary in the areas where we live.  In our churches this will involve working and talking together and, in particular, gathering together around God’s table to worship.  It will involve each person loving God above all, and our neighbours as ourselves.  Above all we will need to ask God for his blessing in all we do so that he can work through us.

After worship it became clear that some people had been very busy to provide us with a good lunch!

Joan, Jean, Jim, Olga, Jane, Marion and Sylvia enjoy lunch after the Circuit service.  The delicious soup was made by members of Syston congregation 

Our children and younger people breaking down the barrier they had made, representing the barriers that keep people apart

On Sunday, 22nd January 2012, the Christian community in Birstall joined the women of the Cameroon Christian Women Fellowship (CWF) at the Birstall Methodist Church at a gala to celebrate the golden jubilee of the CWF Movement.