The Magazine of the Methodist Church in Ampthill, Flitwick & Clophill

(38)

These stories from around Methodism might give you ideas to take up locally. The contacts will provide more details.

WORSHIP - WITH PUBLICITY

From Connon Chape, Liskeard and Looe, Cornwall

We're not a large congregation - usually around 40. We designed some attractive leaflets to invite the local farming community and second-home owners to come to our Harvest Festival. This simple bit of publicity meant we had 120 present. We enjoyed putting out extra chairs! We're planning to follow this up with several events during the winter.

E-mail contact: mailto:johnr.ware@lineone.net

EVANGELISM (1) - ON A HILL

From Darwen, Lancashire

I had an idea. Why not put up crosses in highly visible places near the town? I prayed about it. A local farmer gave permission for three crosses on his land, where they'd be visible from the golf course and the motorway. A neighbour lent me the tools, a business-woman lent me a truck to get the crosses to the site, and local Christians helped with the hard work.

They'll stay in place until after Easter. We've recently added another cross near a main road into the town.

E-mail contact: mailto:steven.d.Williams@bt.com

Phone contact: Rev. Terry Young 01254 701311

SERVICE - ALTERNATIVE CHRISTMAS GIFTS

From Prestbury, Cheshire ....

We put together an "Alternative Christmas Fair". We got 26 organisations to come to "sell" alternative charity gifts - like goats, mosquito nets, mine clearance equipment. 400 people came, and we think the total given was more than £5000.

E-mail contact: mailto:rgrbolton@yahoo.co.uk

Phone contact: Marc Pyke 01625 871536

...and from Brackley, Northants

We asked people at Harvest to "give" a flock of sheep (£65), a fruit tree (£5) or other specific gifts for World Vision, Christian Aid etc rather than bring traditional produce. The Junior Church prepared suitable pictures, and we were delighted by the response - far more money than usual.

E-mail contact: mailto:Malcolm-w@ntlworld.com

EVANGELISM (2) - THROUGH ART

From Norwich Cathedral

We borrowed some of the Methodist collection of modern art, and displayed it in the cathedral. We trained up a number of stewards to help show people around and to engage in conversation. We publicised the exhibition widely through the churches, and via local radio and newspapers. It was a great success, and we discovered that speaking about faith was much easier with a painting as a focus than it seems to be on a doorstep or in the street.

E-mail contact: mailto:pauline@greasley.plus.com

Phone contact: Colin Sleath 01603 432844

THE BUZZ NEEDS 'GOOD NEWS' STORIES FROM YOU!

Contact Roger Hutchings mailto:rogerhutchings@methodistchurch.org.uk if you think you might have a story for The Buzz - you can just leave your name and phone number.

The Magazine of the Methodist Church
in Ampthill, Flitwick & Clophill

Pages compiled by Peter Fletcher

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