While we have enjoyed some lovely sunny weather it made me think about sayings we know about the sun. The following saying, “Do not let the sun go down in anger”, you will find in Ephesians chapter 4 v 26. This is a letter
that Paul wrote to the Christians in Ephesus. He is giving them some guidelines on how to live in a way that
people can see the holy spirit at work in their lives. There are six guidelines; why don’t you look them up yourself?

Forgiving people who have upset us, or yourself saying sorry and making up, is sometimes quite difficult to do, yet when we do, how it saves the heart ache and allows us to move on, focus on God and show his love to others. When talking about this in assembly with the children, one small child asked, “What happens when you are angry after the sun has gone down?”

The nice weather has brought the return of the buggy walks, which are meeting each Tuesday afternoon at 1.30pm at the Barnsbridge Car Park in Delamere. See the facebook page: Tots @ Frodsham Methodist for further details.

Many of us have been enjoying the nice weather and our lovely countryside as we have met for Messy Outings. In April the children ran, while the adults walked, round the lake in Delamere. We were all ready for some tea at Oakmere church afterwards. In May we met at church and walked nearer to Frodsham, some of us finding places that we didn't know were there. Again finishing with food. Look out for details about the next Messy Outing.

The children at the toddler group and Messy Mice have been out in our soft tarmac area, playing and enjoying the sun.

Andrea Ellams
Young Families Worker

At the start of the year our Activities Co-ordinator, Sandra Turnross, secured a £1000 grant from Age UK to fund 10 weeks of arts and crafts sessions led by an
artist linked to Age UK. These are held every Wednesday in the main dining area. Sandra hopes to continue these sessions after the 10 week period with the help of volunteers. So far these sessions have been a huge success, with activities including pottery, drawing, painting and printing. Recently the group has been working on a collage which was exhibited at a showcase event on Wednesday 22nd May at Hollymere in Ellesmere Port.

During the run up to Easter, some of our residents took part in making Easter Bonnets. This activity was led by Sandra, with assistance from staff and volunteers. The bonnets were then entered into a competition at the Easter party on Good Friday and were judged by a local DJ and Liam Cato (volunteer). The residents enjoyed lively music, singing and dancing. Plenty of nibbles and refreshments were served, making the afternoon very special.

More recently we played host to the Delamere Park Singers on the 24th April, which was enjoyed by all. They will return later this year. On the 7th June we are having a special Garden Day which our volunteers are helping
to organise. Through this we are hoping to encourage residents and their relatives to make more use of our wonderful garden. Some of our volunteers will be working with residents to plant up pots and a large
trough in our garden with bedding plants, whilst the not so green fingered will be there to offer a bit of encouragement! If you are interested in gardening or want to help our residents enjoy a spot of the outdoors, why not pop in and see what is going on? Feel free to bring a trowel!

All of our events and fundraising efforts would not be possible without the support of our volunteers. They are supporting our residents in many different ways. As well as fundraising, our dedicated team help with gardening, befriending, music and activities. If you are looking to do something new to help your community in 2013, perhaps you could spare some time to help us in your church, circuit, community group or in the home. As little as one hour per month could make a huge difference! If so, we would love to hear from you! Contact Ella Turner on 01928 734743 to find out more.

Ella Turner
Volunteer Co-ordinator

Dear friends,

I spent my birthday in April exploring some of the Wirral Peninsula, including a visit to New Brighton Lighthouse. Lighthouses are special to me in my faith as they remind me of the light of Jesus which always shines in the darkness. Birthdays are always an opportunity for me to reflect on the year that has passed, and to wonder what the year to come will bring. I have moved from Bristol to Cheshire in the year since my last birthday, and been welcomed into your lives with love - thank you all so much!

What does the year to come hold for each of us I wonder? And for us as a fellowship of believers in Jesus Christ at Frodsham Methodist Church? Well, in the church, some physical changes will take place - which will include the complete redecoration of the church interior, and the upgrading of our visual equipment over the summer. 

And I am hoping and praying for some physical changes in our fellowship too - to move us on from the good place where we are, to a place where we have greater confidence in sharing our faith together and with others who are seeking. So, we will be introducing sermon series on a theme twice this year, plus we hope to begin study meetings for Advent, Lent and Pentecost. And I will be introducing the Church Council to the idea of Class Meetings/Cell Church as a way of growing in our faith and discipleship in Jesus. Will you look forward with me to the year to come, and the physical and spiritual regeneration of our church?

Every blessing in Jesus,

Rev'd. Denise

Do you remember ‘Make Poverty History’?  It was to be the campaign to eradicate world poverty for good.  Well, there has been considerable progress since 2000, but there still remains a lot to do.  It’s a scandal that around the world 870 million people still go to bed hungry every night, and 2 million children die every year from malnutrition.

So over 150 organisations, including Christian Aid and MRDF, have joined together to attack the problems on several fronts.  Their aim is to lobby governments to make radical changes in trade and aid.  The world has the capacity to produce enough food to feed all its people, but there are no simple solutions.

The campaign website tells us that if we all act together, we can make world leaders change the future by tackling four big IFs:

· TAX – IF we stop big companies dodging taxes in poor countries (it doesn’t just happen here in UK!)

· AID – IF we make the right investments to stop people dying from hunger, and help the poorest people feed themselves

· LAND – IF we stop poor farmers being forced off their land, and use crops to feed people, not fuel cars

· TRANSPARENCY – IF we force governments and big corporations to be honest and open about their actions that stop people getting enough food

There is more information on all these issues from Christian Aid or MRDF, or on the campaign website, www.enoughfoodif.org.

The campaign has already clocked up one success, by putting pressure on George Osborne to keep the pledge to spend 0.7% of GDP on overseas aid.  The next step is to lobby the government and other world leaders as they meet for the G8 summit hosted by the UK in Belfast on June 15th.

You can get involved by signing up to the campaign, by lobbying your MP, by wearing an IF wristband (obtainable from the website shop, from the church Traidcraft stall or from Oxfam), even by joining one of the marches arranged to coincide with the G8 summit.  Think what you can do now, to show your support for a world free from hunger.  Remember, there’s potentially enough food for everyone IF.   

Liz Holmes