Covid 19 and our response as a Church by the Church Leadership Team
The Church Council met on 17th July 2020 (by Zoom) and recommitted itself to worship, study and prayer. We agreed to continue to pray for each other and seek discernment and wisdom at this time. Whilst the Church Council retains legal responsibility for the reopening of the church, it delegated the task of making and executing decisions regarding the phased reopening of the church to the Church Leadership Team. During the whole of the Covid-19 the Church Leadership Team has met together every three weeks online via Zoom to pray and carefully consider/plan how as a church we can continue to worship and grow as disciples, love and support each other, and how we can serve our wider community. We are reminded that through this difficult time we remain a community who love and care for each other. We have agreed to continue the online service via YouTube every Sunday morning at 10am for at least several more months. We also have a separate printed service sheet issued every week to those who can’t access the online service. We have taken the decision to not open or start Sunday services with people attending church in September – due to all of the restrictions we would need to impose, it would be very strange and different to what we remember as normal. There would be no singing, we would need to wear masks, seats would need to be booked, lots of people would not be able to attend, there could be no refreshments or social time after the service, and we may only be able to get up to 20/30 people safely in church. We are therefore considering and setting out a plan to get us from September to the New Year – this plan can be amended, speeded up, or slowed down to reflect changing local restrictions and government direction/legislation. Regular updates on the gradual reopening of church will be provided as we continue to react to the swift changing situation and national and local guidance, including guidance from the Methodist Church. We welcome any views on these proposals via email to leadership.team (@) frodshammethodist.org, via your pastoral visitor or to one of the Church Leadership team. Every activity/event which we propose and which eventually starts will be the subject of a detailed Covid-19 risk assessment, with the wider effect and risk assessment of the church and any collateral impact from one event/activity on another also assessed. We have noted that for some of these events and activities to take place, zoning of the whole of the Church premises including the hall, annexe etc. would be required (we would need to separate parts of the church premises to make sure no one from one event/activity went into another zone of church which was saved and cleaned for a separate activity) and/or enhanced cleaning will be needed. As part of this plan we hope in September to be able to move the online service to be streamed live from church. There will be no congregation present, but it will enable more flexibility and permit more than one person to be present and help lead it. There is also the potential for funerals restarting at church later in September, but numbers attending will be significantly restricted. It is possible that we may be able to restart youth group at church in some format and maybe the regular walking group. As we move later into October, there is a possibility that we may be able to permit a very small number of people to attend our live streamed services at church, but the services will continue to be streamed on YouTube for all to attend online or listen via their phone. Even later in October we are looking at if we can start some sort of short spoken prayer service for a small number of people, possibly midweek. During November and December, and into the New Year, we will look to gradually reopen activities and events at church. Sadly it is too early yet to give any real detail of what this may look like as, at the time of writing, we have no knowledge of any potential second waves of Covid-19, how Government advice may change, of the effect of local lockdowns etc. We will keep everyone updated and we appreciate everyone’s patience, love and support as we try to carefully pick our way through this difficult situation. The Leadership Team Frodsham Methodist Church
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Jeremiah implores us: "seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you.....and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare". Although it might be a stretch to think of Frodsham as a city, nevertheless all of us around our circuit want to communicate the sense that although our buildings are closed, our church fellowships continue to pray for our communities. Members of Frodsham Methodist Church have hung bunting that celebrates God's presence and each flag carries a prayer for people in our community who are leading or serving at this time. Below are just a few of the flags, but do take a closer look when out for your daily walk. “Life Together” will be taking place from Wednesday 12th February to Sunday 16th February. Andrew Emison is looking for volunteers to cook and be present during the sessions. Please help if you can. If you are not able to help in this way, please pray for our young people as they share in discipleship in this way. Please note that Frodsham Methodist Church's car park will be closed today, Monday 31st December 2018 and tomorrow, Tuesday 1st January 2019. For any queries, please e-mail enquiries@frodshammethodist.org. The stone has been rolled away, the Easter flowers have been arranged, join us for worship at 10am and 6pm. Happy Easter. A few photos from our fantastic Meet the Craft Maker 2015. Wonderful to see so many friends joining us. Hope everyone got their Christmas presents sorted! Dear Friends,
Please find below the new strategy for our Church, which we are launching today. This is an exciting document which sets out the new vision and mission statement for our Church, and how we hope to deliver it over the next five years. Please take time to carefully read it and let Mr. John Holmes, Mr. Alan Carter or any of the Leadership Team know if you have any queries or want more information. Please use the sign up sheet in the Church Hall, or e-mail enquiries@frodshammethodist.org, if you would like to:-
Many thanks, The Leadership Team People from a variety of Christian denominations, from Merseyside, Manchester, Altrincham, Stoke-on-Trent and across the Cheshire plain came to Frodsham Methodist Church on Saturday 29th March. Why? because of their concerns about human trafficking in the U.K. and internationally. In a full day’s forum, a range of speakers explained the facts about what human trafficking is, what is being done to stop it and how to support victims. Major Anne Read from the Salvation Army Headquarters and their National Anti-Trafficking Response Co-ordinator led the day. Anne was supported by her colleague Major Gladys Ljungholm from the North Western Division. Other speakers included the local M.P. Graham Evans and Hannah Flint from International Justice Mission. Discussion in the afternoon was chaired by Frodsham Methodist Church’s minister, Rev’d. Denise Harding. The Forum, supported by Frodsham and Cheshire Churches Together, sought to inform individuals and encourage them to discuss and identify positive forms of action. The Forum was an opportunity for concerned individuals to identify how the Church and other organisations could respond to this issue in a modern world. If you are concerned that someone may have been trafficked, telephone Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111 or The Salvation Army on 0300 3038151. For further information on the Forum e-mail enquiries to: frodshamforuminfo@gmail.com. Human trafficking is trade in human beings – most commonly for the purpose of sexual slavery, forced labour or commercial sexual exploitation. Another motive behind the trade is the extraction of organs or tissues. Human trafficking is condemned as a violation of human rights by international conventions. Yesterday afternoon, Frodsham Methodist Church Hall was full with over eighty people of all ages enjoying pancakes, in some cases a lot of pancakes! Over 20 pints of milk were used to make all the pancake batter required. All the usual toppings were available ranging from the traditional lemon juice and sugar to bananas and cream and maple syrup and chocolate sauce. It was wonderful to see so many people making full use of the building with lots of families in the Church Hall, pool and table tennis tables in use, football games outside and teenagers jamming in Church. Well done to everyone in the kitchen who churned out the hundreds of pancakes! The latest edition of our Magazine is available by following this link. As ever, if you have any queries, please contact the Editor, Marg Jacks, by e-mail: magazine@frodshammethodist.org. Order forms for bedding plants are now available in the Church Hall or by contacting Church by e-mail on enquiries@frodshammethodist.org. Plants will be ready for collection at Frodsham Methodist Church between 2.00 and 4.00pm on Saturday 12th May, 2012. A Theme for Lent A special event was held for Lent on Sunday 4th March here at Frodsham Methodist Church when the Delamere Forest Circuit joined the Chester Circuit for a shared afternoon of CRAFTS, ACTIVITES and CHAT. There was a short time together in the Church for WORSHIP followed by an excellent HIGH TEA. Later this year, the two Circuits are merging to further strengthen ministry and mission across this part of Cheshire. For more details contact the current Delamere Forest Circuit Superintendent Minister, the Rev'd. Pat Christopher on (01928) 733180 or pat.christopher@frodshammethodist.org. Mr. and Mrs John Lewis. Our retiring property steward John Lewis and his wife Evelyn were presented with a framed picture of Frodsham Methodist Church at Morning Worship on Sunday 20th November in recognition of John's work over the past years. Thank you John. Pictures from our Harvest Celebrations on 25th September, 2011. Donations of food were collected for local charity Save the Family and gifts of money for the work of the Methodist Relief and Development Fund.
Displays around Church as well as the content of our three Services this year explored the theme of 'Buy One Set One Free' and how making simple changes in our lives and how we shop can have a big impact upon other people. When I first saw this old quilt I was very excited to handle such a precious old item. Having previously seen many signature quilts, this one was very unusual in that it had an overall appliqué design with the signatures making up the pattern. The members in 1891 paid to have their names embroidered on the quilt and Mrs Robinson did the embroidery. This raised £55 in aid of the Trinity Trust Bazaar. The quilt was exhibited at the Wesleyan Centenary Bazaar on April 29th 1891. It was then purchased by Mr. J. Simpson and presented to the Frodsham Wesleyan Circuit. For many years it has been lovingly looked after by Mrs. Ruth Caldwell and was recently included in an exhibition at Frodsham Methodist Church for all to see. However, it was felt that the quilt should now be preserved in a suitable museum, so in April Ros Caldwell and I took it to the Englesea Brook Museum just south of Nantwich. The museum is tucked away in a very small village and looks like an old red brick Victorian farm house. The large arched window to the right of the building hints of something different. We were welcomed by Margaret Veal, the Education officer, who made us a hot drink. Whilst drinking, we watched a very interesting video about the museum, followed by a look around. The museum tells the story of the founders of Primitive Methodism, Hugh Bourne and William Clowes. It also has the largest collection of religious banners in the country and they are all very interesting, giving us an insight into lives in the 19 century. We then unrolled the quilt and spread it out over the pews for Margaret and Stephen Hatcher to see. They were overwhelmed when they saw it - they had never seen another like it and were eagerly reading the signatures. We explained that there are still many people with the same family names in Frodsham today. Having told them the story of the quilt we rolled it up and they said that they were interested in having it, but this had to be confirmed at a meeting and they would let us know in due course. Margaret showed us photos of a wedding dress exhibition they had held, and said that the quilt would be used for display and education in a similar manner. Very soon afterwards we heard that they would love to keep the quilt and the papers were signed to hand over ownership to the museum. The quilt is now in the safe hands of a registered museum which has the knowledge to preserve it for posterity. We can highly recommend a visit to this fascinating little museum. Camille Bradford If you would like to visit Englesea Brook Museum, you can find out more at their website: www.engleseabrook-museum.org.uk "I was delighted to have been asked by Rev Pat Christopher to perform the official opening of the newly-completed annexe to the Church on Kingsley Road on Saturday 26th March. Christine and I were warmly welcomed and given a tour of the new facility, which is extremely impressive. It blends in perfectly with the original building and has added three rooms, plus extra kitchen and toilet facilities. There is a craft room, specially built to be child-friendly, and with excellent day-light. There is a very pleasant quiet room for meetings, and a church office. This will be a much-valued extra facility for both church and community use. Already the Frodsham and District Choral Society rehearse at the church each week, and there are Men's and Women's Groups, Toddlers, Weightwatchers, Yoga, Stitching Groups and many others using the premises. It really is a community asset and a credit to all involved. After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, in front of a very friendly crowd of members and representatives of builders and funding organisations, we were able to enjoy light refreshments and talk to a lot of old friends as well as the architect and building supervisor. The afternoon ended with a short but very enjoyable service, which included presentations from Mrs Andrea Ellams, Children's and Family Worker, and Mrs Pippa Jacobson, School and Community Worker. Children from Weaver Vale School had already spent an afternoon in the Craft Room, and more work with our primary schools is on-going. Members of the Choral Society gave a rousing rendition of the Hallelujah Chorus to finish what was a most enjoyable event." Councillor Brian Lloyd, Frodsham Town Mayor Yesterday, Saturday 26th February, the extension to our Church Hall, 'The Annex', was officially opened by the Mayor and Mayoress of Frodsham, Mr. and Mrs. Brian Lloyd (see picture). This fantastic new community resource with a messy craft room and meeting room, both of which can be hired by the community, along with kitchenette, accessible toilet, Church office, gardens and outside play area was made possible by the generosity of many members, local community groups and national charities, as well as grants from the Methodist Church. The opening ceremony was followed by afternoon tea and an act of dedication and celebration in the Church. Anyone interested in hiring any of the facilities at Frodsham Methodist Church should contact Trish Percival, Booking Secretary, by e-mailing bookings@frodshammethodist.org. |
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