As I write this, 0930 Live! has not met since early December, which seems a long time ago. Christmas and New Year is such a busy time, and I always find it a relief to get back to ‘normal’ in January.

In February’s birthdays we shall be celebrating another year since 0930 Live! started, making it 8 years old. Birthdays are always a time to look back, and to look forwards. We can look back and thank God for how much he has blessed us, with good friends and fellowship over the years. And we can look ahead with excitement, because I’m sure that God has many challenges for us all in the year ahead.

Going forwards into February and March, we are going to be looking at God’s promises to us and what promises we can make back to him. God is able to accomplish so much more than we can ask or imagine, as we shall see in the stories of Jonah and Elisha. As we approach Lent, we shall of course, be hosting our annual Pancake Party on Shrove Tuesday. There will be hundreds of pancakes, fun and family games to play. Our theme through Lent will be ‘Becoming the Good News’, with a look at how Jesus began his ministry, how and why he cleansed the temple in Jerusalem, and ask how are we called to grow into something great?

So plenty ahead – we hope that you can join us for some of these events. We always love to meet and welcome new people to 0930 Live! so why not bring a friend along too?

Pippa Jacobson

A very big thank you to everyone who supported the Equinox Sing-a-long. Once again it was a successful evening: every chair in the building was used, even some of the children's chairs! 

We made a grand total of £1437 which will be split between church and Rotary charities. Also thank you to Rev Pat,
Patricia, Elizabeth and Matthew for their valuable assistance.

Frank and Valarie Ball

Andrew Harris, Director of Fundraising and Appeals, has written his thanks on behalf of Action for Children (AFC) for all fundraising efforts over the Christmas season. AFC is coming under increasing pressure to respond to the surge in demand for their vital support services as parents struggle to cope with illness, unemployment, debt, depression and many more complex issues. As local authority budgets are cut and family services change, often AFC services are the only place these families can turn to.

Lent is a season for reflection and the 2012 'Count Your Blessings' resource which this year is focussed around the 'Wake up to neglect' appeal is now available. In our Church, Doris Cairns is the contact for AFC and can supply sheets. 

2012 will also see the re-launch of the home collection box programme as the League of Light - its original name. In 2010 home collection boxes raised over £500,000 nationally and thanks go to box secretaries and holders. If you are interested in collecting for the important work of AFC, again, speak to Doris Cairns.

This Christmas, the Collinson Fund, part of the outreach work of Frodsham Methodist Church, gave out 59 hyacinth bulb pots to a number of people. We wanted those friends and also recently bereaved families whose loved one’s funeral had been held at Frodsham Methodist Church during 2011, to know by this small gift that they were always in our prayers. Everyone seemed touched by this small gift. Just the thought that we were thinking of them at this Christmas time gave them great comfort.

Many thanks to everyone who helped me with the preparation and then delivering the bulbs. It was very much appreciated.

For more information about our Collinson Fund or if you have a suggestion for anyone who should receive bulbs next Christmas or our weekly Church flowers, speak to Valarie Ball, Joyce Vernon, Doris Cairns or Rev'd. Pat Christopher. Alternatively, e-mail pat.christopher@frodshammethodist.org. 

Valarie Ball

Traidcraft

A very big ‘Thank You’ to everyone who supported the Traidcraft stall and catalogue sales during the Autumn.  In all we had sales of £1,200 – an excellent result which will have gone a good way towards making other people’s Christmas a happy one.

Fair Trade Fortnight

These two weeks are held nationally, to enable us to focus on the Fair Trade movement and how we can support it.  This year it is from 27th February to 11th March.  Watch out for special promotions in shops and supermarkets.

The Fairtrade Foundation is challenging everyone to ‘Take a Step for Fair Trade’ in 2012.  It could be just a simple step, like swapping your tea or coffee to Fairtrade.  Or it could be a bigger step, like asking everyone in your office, or the club or society to which you belong, to do so too. Follow this link for more information. 

What step will you take this year to further promote Fair Trade?

Elizabeth Holmes

Dear Friends,

Greetings and a happy new year! 

Some of you may already know lots about Methodist Women in Britain, to others it may be new so a brief history: in July last year, “Methodist Women in Britain” was launched at the Methodist Conference – a new women’s movement incorporating what was Women’s Network, along with the British Unit of the World Federation of Methodist and Uniting Church Women (!). I was commissioned as the first president of MWiB and so we have now been up and running for just over six months.

To spread the word about the movement, we have organised a series of six roadshows around the country and are coming to Wesley Methodist Church, Chester on Saturday 18th February (2:30pm – 4:30pm).

The afternoon will include worship, a re-affirmation of the launch of the movement which will be led by chair of the district, Rev'd. Peter Barber, a presentation by Deacon Kerry Smith about Human Trafficking and the Olympic Games, Dr. Jill Barber telling some stories of Primitive Methodist women, Rev'd. Ruth Gee (chair of the Darlington District of the Methodist Church) being interviewed about being a woman leader in the church today, drama from Peter Baker and more besides... 

There will also be a number of stalls, including the MWiB photo exhibition, and light refreshments will be served at the end. Add to all this the delights of some time in historic and beautiful Chester and it becomes a day out not to be missed!

Do get in touch with me if you have any questions or suggestions, or with Sandra Wilson from Nantwich who is overseeing the local arrangements ( sandrajwilson@yahoo.com ).

Every blessing, with love, 
Jill Baker
President, Methodist Women in Britain

If you would like to see the Sunday Link even if you are unable to attend a service, just send your e-mail address to
fmc-notices@hotmail.co.uk and you will be added to the mailing list

A very big THANK YOU to everyone who has given so generously throughout 2012 to our designated charity, Biblefresh Bibles for Burkina Faso. We have not only achieved our annual target of £1200, but exceeded it! The final total was £1386.89 - a magnificent effort, especially in such a difficult economic climate. Well done, everyone! 

This Sunday, 15th January, we launch our new charity for this year, Emmaus, an international organisation which provides housing and employment for homeless people, and of which Terry Waite is a patron. For more information, see the article in the current church magazine, or the display on the board in the Hall.

We are all impacted by Depression at some point in our lives….

Are you supporting a friend or relative who is depressed?
Are you struggling with depression in your own life?
Or do you want to get a better understanding of depression?

Wellspring Christian Trust is once again holding a 4 session course at Main Street Community Church which looks at Depression. Each session will include material from a DVD followed by group discussion – an opportunity to hear from others and share your own thoughts (if you wish). You can come along…..

Either on Tuesdays 31st Jan, 7th, 14th, 21st Feb from 10.30am to 12.30 Or Wednesdays 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd Feb from 7.30 – 9.30pm
The Tuesday & Wednesday sessions will be interchangeable each week so you could attend one week on a different day if necessary.

Everyone is welcome; you don’t need to book and there is no charge for the course.

If you want to know more, please contact Elizabeth Holmes on jandeholmes@btinternet.com