Beds, Essex and Herts 18th-20th October

North Weald minister Jason Askew, self and Chair of District Anne Brown

The President and I visited Beds, Essex and Herts on a weekend visit. We were part of a District wide Local Preacher/Worship Leader study day on the Saturday which was challengingly entitled 'Cutting Edge Worship'! The president led workshops on new ways of praying, and mine was on preaching to 21st century congregations.
 My thanks to all who engaged with this subject and provided such stimulating discussions!

I was privileged to preach at the re-dedication of North Weald Methodist Church after some extensive refurbishment. The church has been transformed and is ready 'to serve the present age' in their village.

Gloucestershire circuit

October 10-11 saw me visiting the Gloucestershire circuit, where some local preachers and I shared in a Quiet Day. We were in the lovely little chapel at May Hill, deep in the Gloucestershire countryside and surrounded by stunning views. We were delighted when a reporter arrived to do a report on our small gathering for the local newspaper!
On the Sunday, members of the newly refurbished Cinderford Methodist Church and I shared in the leading of worship. One exciting part was the prayer table, which gave us images and ideas to create our own intercessions.

Liberal Democrat Conference

This was my second party conference, and this time I had the opportunity to interview my own MP Sir Andrew Stunell, Liberal Democrat MP for Hazel Grove. Sir Andrew attends a local Methodist church when in the constituency. Here he is with the representatives from the United Reformed, and Baptist churches, the Quakers and the Salvation Army. And me!

Hazel Grove

Hazel Grove Methodist Church was built in the 1970's, but stands on the site of an earlier church dating from the 1820's - on the corner of Wesley Street and Chapel Street, which seems appropriate! The Sunday School building was opened in 1914 next to the original chapel and this year celebrates its centenary.



At the final celebrations, which coincided with the Harvest Festival, it was great to meet Rev Juliet Wriglesworth, who spent her childhood in Hazel Grove and was a member of its Sunday School. She is now serving in the Newcastle upon Tyne (West) circuit.