Big Sing 2013

On Saturday 11 May 2013, 2.30-5pm at Central Methodist Church, we held an Iona-style Big Sing with Margaret McLarty, church and community musician and former Iona Abbey musician.

We learnt songs from around the world and the Iona tradition. Much of it sung in harmony and unaccompanied – we made a glorious sound with just our voices. There was a special focus on songs appropriate for Christian Aid Week (which started on 12 May). We used some of the songs  in our Sunday morning service for Christian Aid week the following day.

Here’s the songs we sung:

Gloria (Peru)
Hallelujah (Zimbabwe)
If you believe and I believe (Zimbabwe)
Bless the Lord (Kenya)
Oh the earth is the Lord’s (Charles Irvine – Common Ground)
Jesus you are the bread we long for (Bernadette Farrell – Restless is the Heart)
Malembe (DRC – The Truth That Sets Us Free)
We will be fed (John L. Bell – We Walk His Way)
How could a crowd (John L. Bell – The Truth That Sets Us Free)
Listen now for the Gospel (Zimbabwe)
I was hungry (John L. Bell – We Walk His Way)
Kwake Jesu/Christ’s The Rock (Kenya)
Men and women let us walk (Bolivia – Sent By The Lord)
Fan, fan into flame (Margaret McLarty)
Alleluia, Raise The Gospel (Bernadette Farrell – Go Before Us)

 

 

You can find out more about what happened at our previous Big Sing at www.centralmethodistyork.org.uk/bigsing2012/

 

Lent series 2013

Walk with us towards Easter:

Service of Holy Communion with imposition of ashes

Led by Revd Nick Bird.  Wed 13th February 12.45pm

Lent Talks: People of the Passion

Wed 27th February – Revd Dr Peter Doble (York Methodist circuit)
Wed 6th March – Revd Neville Simpson (York Methodist circuit)
Wed 13th March – Mr David Redrobe (Kirton in Lindsey, Lincolnshire)
Wed 20th March – Revd Christopher Humble (Central Methodist Church)

Talks begin at 12.45pm
Light lunches served from 11.45am

Everyone welcome
For further information
tel: 01904 426483

Lent flier 2013

When they ask ‘who are you?’

Rev Peter Doble challenged the congregation at Central with his ‘mission statement’ during this morning’s service. I though I’d share it here as I think it sums up our faith pretty well:

When they ask ‘Who are you?’

Say –

We are a People gathered around, attentive to, and shaped by Jesus’ story,

committed to following him in his way of selfless love,

knowing that ‘following’ entails ‘taking up a cross’;

being nourished by his means of grace: especially by praying his prayer and gathering at his table;

drawing from the wells of our tradition while

contributing to that tradition through our own responses to what God has done and continues to do through Jesus;

seeking to embody his mission in our living, both corporate and personal.

We are vigorously seeking to become a fellowship who own disciplined values are those of God’s Kingdom.

– revealed through Jesus’ life, death and vindication;

– now expressed through local Christian social, economic, and political commitment;

– probably the only basis for a global, prophetic message of God’s peace [shalom; salaam],

– particularly in Mammon’s current crisis!

In God’s kingdom,

– orthopraxy (living right) outweighs orthodoxy (creeds);

– ‘walking’ is better than ‘talking’;

– choosing God entails refusing Mammon (idolatry!).

 

Rev Peter Doble (used by permission)

Big Sing!

On Saturday 13 October 2012 at Central Methodist Church we enjoyed an Iona-style Big Sing with Margaret McLarty, former Iona Abbey musician.

We were joined by over 50 people from around Yorkshire and beyond. “The Big Sing was good fun and the singing was mesmerising at times.” reported one singer.

Below are some photos of the event:

 

This is the list of songs we sung (source books in brackets):

We hope to organise more Big Sings in the future, and other worship in the Iona tradition. Please get in touch through the comments box below if you’d like to be kept informed of these events.

Margaret is a freelance musician and worship resource worker in central Scotland. If you’d like her to lead a Big Sing at your church, please get in touch through the comments box below and we’ll put you in touch.

Welcome!

This is the new website for Central Methodist Church in York. It replaces the old site hosted elsewhere

Please have a good look around and let us know if you can suggest improvements. We’re particularly interested in articles and photos that reflect the life of the church.