Apples wanted - Community Harvest Festival

On Saturday 1st October, from 4pm until 6.30pm, we will be hosting a Community Harvest Festival.  Please put the date in your diary now. We are organising it with the other churches and with Birstall Transition Group, a new group looking at practical ways to promote sustainable lifestyles.  We have hired an apple press for the festival itself and to take into both Primary Schools.  We will need lots of apples - both eaters and cookers - to make into juice and apple crumble. You're invited to bring any apples surplus to your own requirements into the Coffee Shop when it's open (or to church on Sundays) and we will store them on the premises.  If you need help harvesting your apples let Rachel know, and she will arrange for someone to collect them from your home.

"Grow in the Spirit"

Six weekly sessions exploring the claims of Christianity and its relevance for life today.

Led by Rev'd Rachel Parkinson and Charles Hilton

For questions or to register your interest please speak to Rachel on 0116 2671804 or Charles on 0116 2207045.

First session Wednesday 21st September at 7pm, then meeting every week until 26th October.

Location t.b.c depending on size of group.

Sunday 10th April Rothley Methodist church celebrated the 188th Anniversary of the Church. The service was taken by Mrs Joyce Hearn, whose husband the Rev Ken Hearn was minister here in 1980's. Afterwards the congregation enjoyed tea & cake, gifts from Joyce Hearn & Iona Chester.

The churches of Leicester North Circuit took part in a combined service for Palm Sunday at Harrison Road Methodist Church. The service was conducted by Rev Rachel Parkinson with support from Rev David Warnock. The music group Laudate from Birstall led some of the hymns and the gospel reading was read by Brian Cottam. Prayers of intercession were led by members of Rothley Methodist Church. Beverley Sweetman sang a solo accompanied by Jean Porter both from Harrison Road. A sketch 'Dangerous Donkey' was presented by Christine Daye and Sue Greasley from Claremont Street.

Christine and Sue in the Donkey Sketch Rev Rachel Parkinson & friend

As part of the service a carved wooden plaque depicting The Triumphal Entry was presented to the circuit by David and Joy Bark which had been given to them on their visit to Cameroon in November last year. The plaque was sent as a token of thanks to the Leicester North Circuit for their kind assistance in providing a new roof for The Manse in Buea following the visit of Edward Sakwe and 12 members to Cameroon in November 2007.

Plaque Presentation Cameroon Plaque Manse roof

Next week, see Birstall Methodist Church like you've never seen it before.  For one week only, we're taking all the pews out, and using the space in ways which should offer something for everyone.

Sunday to Wednesday:  Favourite Things Display

These are a few of my favourite things...and 261 other people have taken part in this display. Come and see who you recognise, and find out if you have any favourite things in common.  Also see the art work showing favourite things of some of the children and young people in the village.

Sunday 17th April

Doors open to display at 3.30pm.  At 4pm, prizes will be awarded in the art competition by two Birstall locals - artist, sue Faulks and children's novelist, Rose Impey.  Then at 4.30pm there will be a Sing along Sound of Music!  At 7.30pm, come and see the first part of our showing of "Jesus of Nazareth" (the one with Robert Powell in).  All events free.  Refreshments on sale

Monday 18th April

Messy church moves to a Monday slot for the holidays - 10.30 till 12.30.  Lots of Easter crafts and stories - but bring some food so we can share lunch together.  From 2.30 till 4.30, come and spend a nostalgic afternoon playing Old-fashioned games such as skittles, hoopla and donkey derby.  At 7.30pm see Jesus of Nazareth part 2.

Tuesday 19th April

Enter an oasis of peace and tranquility as you walk the "Big Story labyrinth" - an interactive prayer walk which will be available from 10-noon, 2-4pm and 6-8pm.  You won't regret taking the time out.

Wednesday 20th April

In the morning, 10-noon, there's one more chance to catch the prayer labyrinth.  Then come along for a fun afternoon of  Wii games.  We have bowling, just Dance and Wii  Guitar Hero.  There'll be a tuck shop from 2 till 4pm, and burgers and hot dogs on sale at the evening session of 7-9pm.  

Thursday 21st April

Our mood changes as we approach the end of Holy Week.  This evening at 7.30pm, come and share in a Maundy Thursday service of Holy Communion, and stay afterwards to hear the Passion story read as we extinguish the lights and head into the darkness of Good Friday.....

Friday 22nd April

Join us Churches Together on the Edith Murphy car park at 10am for an open-air witness, then come back to the Coffee shop for coffee and hot cross buns.  But don't go too far....from noon till 3pm you can drop in on our Good Friday Vigil service.  Readings, poetry, hymns, music and prayer actions on the hour and half-hour, with time to come and go inbetween.  Where else would you want to spend Good Friday except in church?  (with apologies to those for whom Good Friday is a normal working day :o(  )

And that's all heading towards our Easter Sunday service - 10.30am - Family Service with Holy Communion.  Bring a flower!!

As a mother of sons, the story of Esau and Jacob - twins who were fighting each other whilst still in the womb - is one of my favourites.  It's a story of trickery and deceit, of falling out and (eventually) of getting on again.  We made "twin pictures";  collages of Esau and Jacob (they weren't identical twins and Esau was much hairier than Jacob!) and clay bowls to remind us of the bowl of lentil stew which Esau exchanged for his birthright.  Highlight of the session was the tug of war down the church aisle!

Birstall Coffee Shop celebrated 30 years of service and outreach to the people of Birstall this year.  Run by a team of volunteers from all three Birstall churches and beyond, it opens every Tuesday to Saturday from 10am until noon.  It offers tea, coffee, delicious homemade cakes and scones but, more importantly, a place to come and meet your friends and, if you don't feel you have many, a place to come and make new ones.  For many people living by themselves the coffee shop is a hugely important place of contact with others.  It's for all ages, and there's often an age-span of ninety years between the youngest and eldest coffee shop customer.  On top of all that, the coffee shop raises significant amounts to support charities every year.

Our annual service to celebrate the coffee shop was, appropriately, a cafe style service on the theme bread and fishes.  We thought of the "bread and fishes" that the coffee shop offers (a room, friendly volunteers, tea and cakes) and shared stories of when we've seen God take that offering and make much more of it.  We also made a tableau of the feeding of the 5000 in playdough, though you have to appreciate that we were working in the Impressionist style!