Dear Friends,

I was pleased to be asked to write this article for your newsletter.

Being a hostage gave me a great deal of sympathy for those members of society who find themselves homeless because like them I was ignored, diminished and made to feel powerless. I have been involved with Emmaus since I opened the first Emmaus Community in Cambridge in 1992 with Lord Runcie former Archbishop of Canterbury. There are now 23 Communities up and running, including Emmaus Preston and there are several other groups working towards opening new Communities.

I feel very proud of all that the Emmaus Movement has achieved. It’s an organisation like no other in the way that it restores in people who have been marginalised a sense of their own worth and potential. It is no exaggeration to say that Emmaus changes lives. It has helped hundreds of homeless and unemployed people to find new purpose.

Residents of Emmaus Communities are required to work at the business of collecting, refurbishing and selling donated household goods in order to support themselves and each other, but they also contribute to other charities and organisations by donating some of their income and time. In this way, people who have previously been thought of as drains on society are able to make a positive contribution and to regain their sense of dignity. Some residents move on to new lives outside of Communities, others chose to stay and to help new members of the Community. Many residents become paid members of staff within the organisation.

Having an Emmaus Community in a neighbourhood means that not only is there a reliable and effective service for homeless people, but there is also a source of good quality furniture for those on low incomes. The voluntary work undertaken by the residents of Emmaus Communities also serves to enhance the lives of those living nearby. Emmaus residents have helped restore neglected playgrounds, have cooked meals for pensioners and have taken groups with disabilities on outings, to name just a few of the activities undertaken.

I would like to thank the members of Frodsham Methodist Church for their support and for making Emmaus their charity of the year. Your contribution makes a real and lasting difference.

Kind Regards,

Terry Waite, C.B.E.
President, Emmaus UK

We have spent time over the last few months looking at, and imagining, what it was like to be in Jerusalem around the time of Jesus’ death and resurrection, and in the months that followed. One of the main characters we have explored was Saul, who persecuted the followers of Jesus, but later experienced an incredible conversion on his way to Damascus.

We ended our year on an amazing high when Manor House School joined us with their visitors from Ghana. Our theme was that wherever we travel in the world, God is with us always. The Church was full as we praised God together in song, dance and prayer. The Hall was full afterwards too and we ran out of cups and bacon (despite multiple extra rations)!

Sadly, we have had to cancel our annual weekend away this year because the camp site is under water, however we will try to plan some other activities at points through the summer, weather permitting.

As we think ahead to September, we look forward to continuing to grow in faith and, led by the Spirit, to encourage others in any way we can to come and reconnect with God. May he bless all our plans this summer and refresh us ready to do his will. Amen.

Pippa Jacobson
Community & Schools Worker

No doubt some of you will be travelling further afield this summer. Wherever we get to, whether it’s for a day trip or a week away we plan and make sure we have everything. But do we plan to get lost!

Jesus walked and visited many different places bringing God’s message to the people. Had he ever got lost! I’m sure you have at some time in your life. Hopefully you weren’t lost for long. Can you remember how happy you felt at being found?

Perhaps some of you will walk through a field of sheep or just view them from a window this summer. In Luke chapter 13: 4-7, Jesus tells of a shepherd who kept on looking for the lost sheep, until he found it. Reminding us that wherever we are and whenever we stray from God he is out looking for us - to bring us back into his love.

I hope we have time to stop and refresh ourselves over the summer and ask God to renew us, fill us with his love and equip us to serve others in the coming months.

Messy Mice begins again on Monday 3rd September from 10 - 11.30am. Toddler Group is open all the way through the summer.

Thank you all for your hard work.

Andrea Ellams
Young Family Worker

What a happy afternoon we enjoyed! Residents of Chapel Fields Care Home for Older People, their family members, friends and staff joined together for a service of welcome to Susie Treeton and to mark her commissioning as M.H.A. Chaplain to Chapel Fields.

The service was led by Rev’d. Pat Christopher and the Chaplaincy Adviser for the West of England gave a short address. I think we will all remember his visual aid – a very small salt spoon. The purpose of a spoon is to stir, so here we had a mini – stir (minister - oh dear!!) which is what Susie has been called to be. She is obviously very much at home at Chapel Fields and already known and loved by the residents.

The service included prayers, familiar hymns and Bible readings reminding us that in serving others we are serving Christ. We ended on a rousing note singing the hymn ‘God is our strength and our refuge’ to the tune ‘The Dam Busters March’ after which we were all ready for a welcome cup of tea!

As part of the commissioning we said together:
Susie we welcome you!
May the Lord make you a blessing amongst us
and us a blessing to you,
as we work together for Christ.

I’m sure we can all say ‘Amen’ to that.                                     

Sylvia Langley


Presbyters from the local Methodist Church circuit, of which Frodsham Methodist Church is part, have begun holding monthly services of Holy Communion in the Care Home.