President of the Conference the Rev'd. Alison Tomlin, announced that the Methodist Church will use its influence as an investor to urge companies to pay the Living Wage. The Methodist Church will from September pay all workers at least the Living Wage – the minimum wage required for a person to live and participate in society.

To a Westminster Central Hall packed with community activists celebrating ten years of the London Living Wage, Alison said: "A company cannot say with integrity it believes its workers are its most important asset and not pay them enough to live on. A politician cannot with integrity say they believe in the family values while not challenging pay levels that ensure some people must work 60+ hours a week merely to meet their basic needs. The Living Wage is an active expression of our belief that human work and endeavour is a spiritually significant thing."

The campaign includes many ecumenical partners and is co-ordinated by FairPensions. Go to www.fairpensions.org.uk to find out how to use your personal investments to put pressure on companies to pay the Living Wage.

In addition, a campaign to lobby FTSE 100 companies to adopt the Living Wage has been backed by the Methodist Church and its Central Finance Board. People are encouraged to lobby these companies directly at www.activateyourmoney.org.

What is happening?
The circuit meetings of the Chester and the Delamere Forest Circuits have agreed, after a vote, that the two circuits should merge together to form one circuit.

Why is this happening?
There is a national trend towards mergers like this. The driving force is to be able to make the best possible use of the resource we have available – financial, lay, and ministerial. Because there will only be one superintendent instead of two, the other minister who would have been a super will have more time for mission work in their
churches and communities.

When will it happen?
The merged circuit will come into effect from September 2012. September is the start of the “Methodist Year”.

Who will be the superintendent?
The superintendent will be the Rev. Neil Stacey, who is the current superintendent of the Chester Circuit. This will provide good continuity as he is already in post. It was agreed during the discussions that although Neil would take up the superintendency in the first place (and remain in Chester to minimise disruption for him and his family),
that wouldn't necessarily mean that the superintendent would always be in Chester. The next superintendent could be based somewhere else in the circuit.

Simon Kelly, 
Senior Circuit Steward

The churches in the UK have a once in a lifetime opportunity thanks to the 2012 Games being awarded to London. More then Gold is an organisation supported by the Methodist Church, and many other Churches in the UK and worldwide, to help churches 'seize the moment'. 

When the dust has finally settled they hope to have enabled 'Thousands of churches to taste the excitement of reaching their community in fresh and ongoing ways in Jesus’ name'

Serving our land

All too often the churches are seen negatively. As out of touch and only interested in themselves. The 2012 Games provides a unique opportunity for UK churches to be seen for what they really are.

By playing their part in the programmes of outreach, hospitality and service every church can help tell a different story. And waken fresh interest in who it is who makes us different and how they can know him for themselves.

To find out more visit their website.

BBC Radio 4 recently broadcast a documentary programme written and presented by historian Professor Robert Colls. It can be heard on the BBC iPlayer by following this link and is available till Monday 23rd May, 2011.

The Methodist Church in Britain has issued the following statement on the death of Osama Bin Laden in a raid on his compound by US Special Forces. 

Christine Elliott, Secretary for External Relationships, said: “We cannot rejoice in the death of another, even if that person is regarded by many as a threat. Proverbs 24:17 says ‘Do not rejoice when your enemies fall, and do not let your heart be glad when they stumble’. 

"Osama Bin Laden favoured an ideology that was destructive over the principles of basic humanity and mainstream Islam. He took responsibility for and celebrated the 3,000 deaths of 9/11 as well as other atrocities, and his language of intolerance lives on. Some like to speak of a “War on Terror” but references to war are ultimately unhelpful. 

"Across the Middle East we are experiencing momentous political change led by ordinary people. A far-reaching tolerance of diverse cultures and a search for the peace and well-being of all must become the order of the day. It is imperative that we work for peace and justice.” 

To celebrate the 400th anniversary of the translation of the Bible into the King James version, Helsby Methodist Church will be hosting a Delamere Forest Circuit reading of the Bible over the weekend of 17th to 20th June from 9.00am Friday until 5.00pm on Monday. All Churches in the Circuit are taking part. As well as the readings there will be various displays with Bible resources, old family Bibles and information about the King James Bible.

There will also be children's activities, a coffee morning on the Saturday and a faith lunch on the Sunday.

There is a poster up in the Hall along with a timetable. Frodsham's timeslots are shown on this. If you can fill any slots, please put your name alongside them. You can bring your own Bible to read and it doesn't have to be a King James version. Speak to Marg for more details or if you just want to attend.