Our Circuit is attempting to raise £10,000 for a Christian Aid project "Transforming Women's Lives in Afghanistan‟. 

Christian Aid‟s partner - the Afghanistan Women's Education Centre (AWEC) is taking steps with our support to make the lives of women and children in Afghanistan better. Work has continued relatively smoothly despite the difficulties surrounding the 3rd presidential election. 

New women and youth shuras continue to be successfully established. Since the project began AWEC has supported 1,200 women and 360 youths through capacity building workshops and literacy classes.

So far, as a Circuit we have raised nearly £7,500 which is fantastic! We still have plenty of events in the pipeline too and if your church hasn;t done anything yet - there is still time!

Events to come include:
8th September 7pm Fun Quiz at Tarvin 
20th September 11am - 12.30pm Coffee Morning at Oakmere 
27th September Murder Mystery Evening at Saltney
10th October Quiz Night 7pm at Saughall
19th October Caldy Valley Big Sing Circuit Service 4pm

Please pray for the project in Afghanistan, for families affected by conflict and for our partners who work, often at great personal risk, to support those in need. Thank you partnership has the power to end poverty.

It is the intention of the Circuit to begin a course of training for Worship Leaders this Autumn. If you would like to explore what is involved in being a Worship Leader in the Methodist Church or are interested in the way that the various elements of worship are developed and worship constructed, then this course may be of interest to you. 

If you join us there will be no pressure on you to become a Worship Leader. 

I have been asked by the Local Preachers’ Meeting to facilitate this group. I imagine that the course will consist of six to eight sessions of around 2 hours. 

Please contact enquiries@frodshammethodist.org to be put in touch with me by the end of August / beginning of September if you are interested in joining us for this exploration of worship and worship leading.

Rev'd. David Ray

People are being urged to dedicate a special time of prayer to the ongoing crisis in Iraq and Syria next Sunday. 

The President and Vice-President of the Methodist Conference, the Revd Ken Howcroft and Ms Gill Dascombe, are asking Methodists to ensure that they spend some special time in prayer for persecuted minorities during worship on 31 August. 

They have written this special prayer for use by churches and groups (responses in bold):

God of love, guide us as we pray:
God of love, guide us as we pray.

God of all nations and peoples, hear our prayers for the people of Syria and Iraq, and for all whose lives are torn apart by hatred and violence, whose heartbreak is more than we can imagine:
God of compassion, guide us as we pray.

For leaders and politicians and those who seek to negotiate for peace, whose responsibility is more than we could bear:
God of wisdom, guide us as we pray.

For aid workers, medical staff, those who care for refugees, orphaned children and older people, whose daily workload is more than we could tolerate:
God of goodness, guide us as we pray.

For those who feel compelled to accomplish their justice through warfare or terrorism, whose motivation is more than we can comprehend:
God of justice, guide us as we pray.

For ourselves, who look on, devastated and helpless, praying to our God whose peace is beyond our understanding:
God of peace, guide us as we pray.

In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit: 
Amen.

“The situation in Iraq and Syria can only be described as a living nightmare,” said Mr Howcroft and Ms Dascombe, adding, “as Methodists we stand in solidarity alongside all those who are persecuted. As followers of Jesus who was crucified we stand with all those who find their religion twisted by others out of all recognition in order to justify horrific acts of violence. We stand in prayer, crying out together to a God of justice, peace and mercy. May God have mercy on us all.”

Listen to Rev'd. Dr. Martyn Atkins, General Secretary of the Methodist Church, on Methodism and Church decline on Radio 4's Sunday Programme here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04f8k43.