Making Room (Advent lunches 2015)

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During advent, our annual series of talk and lunches will be taking a different format. We will be following York Course’s “Making Room”. This course was produced (very shortly before his sudden death) by Rev David Gamble, a former minster at Central.

For many of us life is full of things to do, people to see, responsibilities and chores. We can sometimes feel there’s not enough time or space in our lives for the people and things that really matter. Maybe we even find it difficult to find or make space for God? This course uses New Testament stories to help us consider why and how we make room for what really does matter.

Part 1 – Tuesday 24th November

Part 2 – Tuesday 1st December

Part 3 – Tuesday 8th December

Part 4 – Tuesday 15th December

Soup will be served from 12 noon, discussion group begins at 12:30pm and will last for now more than an hour.

All are welcome.

 

 

Posada

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The Posada is an Advent festival originating in Latin America that dramatises the search of Joseph and Mary for lodging.  During Advent the figures, usually Joseph, Mary and a donkey, travel around the town or village stopping each night at a different venue where they are welcomed by the occupants. Sometimes friends are invited in to share the occasion. Those who welcome the Posada are encouraged to light a candle (included in the package) and reflect on the Christmas story and their response to the birth of God’s Son – Jesus.

There is also a ‘diary’ and camera to record the Posada’s journey and any response that the hosts wish to share.

Hosting the Posada  is an opportunity to stop and think how the Christmas story of 2,000 years ago impacts on our lives today. We will do so against a background of many people making journeys from places of conflict and oppression in the hope of finding a welcome and new start.

The first journey will be on Advent Sunday and if we have sufficient volunteers the figures will then return to church for the Carol Concert on Tues 22 Dec.

Transforming Central Mission Statement

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WELCOMING                      CARING
LIVING                  FAITH IN ACTION 

Central is part of the Methodist Communion within the world-wide Christian Church. We understand ourselves to be called to gather together as the body of Christ in this place which welcomes and celebrates human diversity as well as serve our wider community and congregation in ways which show the love and compassion of God. The inspiration for our worship and everything we do at Central Methodist Church is the life and teaching of Jesus of Nazareth. He is the origin of Christian faith and embodies a quality of humanity we seek to embrace. Jesus lived and died furthering what he described as God’s kingdom on earth: a reign of justice, compassion, healing and peace, rooted in truth and realised through the practice of love and the pursuit of wisdom.

In partnership with others we seek to find new ways of conserving and adapting our city centre church and its ancillary buildings so that we make the best use for the continuing benefit and welfare of the community of the city and its visitors. We see our building as a precious asset to be shared with the community at large and hope that those who use it may discover something of the Christian way of life.

We aspire to be a community of welcome, seeking to serve the city seven days a week, and to be a focus for helping some of the most vulnerable people in the city. Together with other like-minded organisations we are seeking to improve the quality of life, both physical and spiritual, of those who live, work and visit our city.  We are in conversation with other local community bodies that, like us, are passionate about community development.

The Church exists to be a living, breathing demonstration of the beloved community; to be a place of acceptance, a place of equal opportunity, a place where diversity is celebrated and where anyone and everyone can be at home in the love of God.

Big Sing 2015

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Iona-style Big Sing

led by Margaret McLarty and Jane Bentley

Saturday 7 November 2015

2-4.30pm

Margaret and Jane have both worked with the Iona Community in Iona Abbey and in Glasgow helping hundreds of people to discover their voices and sing songs of praise, protest and prayer.

At the Big Sing we’ll learn new songs (including some you may not know from Singing the Faith) from Iona and around the world, and enjoy the amazing sound of our voices singing in harmony. You’re very welcome to come whatever your age, and whether or not you’re able to read music or consider yourself a good singer.

Tea and cake will be provided. Please contact Hilary Blake on 01904 413890 if you can offer some baking or help with refreshments.

Donations will be taken to cover the costs of the event; we suggest £5 per person.

For more information and for a poster to display in your church, please contact Hilary Blake (01904 413890, hilaryblake81@gmail.com). If you’re on facebook you can find the event at https://www.facebook.com/events/1068728829804841/

 

Songs we sung (some references/credits to follow):

Welcome everybody (Fischy Music – I Wonder Why?)

Peruvian Gloria (WGRG – Sent by the Lord)

Come with me for the journey is long (WGRG – The truth that sets us free)

Oh bless the Lord (WGRG – Come all you people)

The truth that sets us free (WGRG – The truth that sets us free)

Freedom is coming (Anders Nyberg – Freedom is coming)

Alleluia yin oluwa (WGRG – The truth that sets us free)

Come with me for the journey is long (WGRG – The truth that sets us free)

God welcomes all (WGRG – We Walk His Way)

Greenbelt alleluia (WGRG – The truth that sets us free)

Here to the house of God we come (CH4)

If my name was Mary (WGRG – Unpublished)

Kamana o i o (WGRG – One is the body)

Music maker (Fischy Music – Down to Earth)

Salaam aleikum (GIA – Marty Haugen – Salaam Aleikum)

Ameni  (WGRG – There is one among us)

Seeking Sanctuary

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#refugeeswelcomeSecond Sunday Supplement

11th October, 5pm, Central Methodist Church, Room 1

Our regular informal act of worship will focus this month on the theme of ‘Seeking Sanctuary.’ We’ll share Scripture, songs, prayers and discussion about journeys to find a place of safety. The service, which lasts around 45 minutes, will be followed by hot chocolate and home baking.
www.centralmethodistyork.org.uk/sss