News from the Square

News from Beyond

Below, you will find news items concerning the Square Methodist Church, and the groups that are associated with it.

Items are arranged in date-received order, newest first, so once you reach something you have already seen, you can stop reading! 

Below, you will find news items received from external organisations, that may be of interest.

Items are arranged in date-received order, newest first, so once you reach something you have already seen, you can stop reading!

12 Jan: Panto Dates Changed

In case you had not already heard, the dates for the Square Drama Circle's panto this year have been put back to February 24/25/26. Click to enlarge the poster.

16 Dec: Christmas Message from Rev Patrick Kandeh

Our Circuit Superintendent Minister, rev Patrick Kandeh, has sent this Christmas message.

26 Nov: Vacancies at the Square

There are a number of vacancies for volunteer roles at the Square. We would like to have several volunteers for each role, so that the workload can be shared. Please see this document for full details, and find yourself a suitable role.

23 Jan: Training Course

This is a reminder that the first of our face-to-face Foundation Creating Safer Space Training Courses is taking place at 1.00pm on Saturday 29 January at Toddington Methodist Church.

There are still plenty of places available.  Places can be booked via Eventbrite, or you can contact me directly at office@southbedsmethodist.org.uk or on 07711 985327.

20 Jan: Prayer for Tonga

The President and Vice President have expressed their concern over the situation in Tonga caused by the volcanic eruption and subsequent tsunami. They ask the Methodist people to pray for those affected. Click here (or on the Prayer menu item above) to read the suggested prayer.

20 Jan: Training Opportunities

Two training opportunities: Leadership Essentials and Growing Through Change and Conflict. See the External Events section of our What's On page for more details.

20 Jan: Youth Teams Gathering

A free one-day gathering on Saturday 12th February in Bute Street, Luton, for teams and volunteers working with young people in Christian settings. Full details here.

14 Jan: WPCU Zoom Prayer Meeting

Join Christians across Hertfordshire in prayer on 25 January at 7:30pm.
Further details here
Meeting Id 894 6588 1609 passcode 656904
or click the link

14 Jan: Scam Alert

If you receive a parcel that you didn't order, then someone comes to collect it back again, beware - this is probably a scam. See this document for more details.

14 Jan: Neighbourhood Watch

Neighbourhood Watch is celebrating its 40th year, and you can read all about it, amongst other things, here.

14 Jan: Circuit Admin Job Vacancy

South Beds Methodist Circuit has a vacancy for an administrator. Details here.

14 Jan: Christchurch Hitchin
Job Vacancy

Christchurch in Hitchin is looking for a Youth and Children's Worker. Details here.

14 Jan: Beds Fire and Rescue Service Consultation

BFRS has launched a consultation on budget and priorities, and is asking for your input. Read all about it in their document here.

11 Jan: Safeguarding Webinars

Two informative and thought-provoking webinars are being planned by the Methodist Survivors’ Advisory Group members for an audience across the Methodist Church. Please see External Events on our What's On page for full details.

16 Dec: Prayers for Afghanistan

Children are starving to death as Afghanistan faces the bleakest of winters. The country is in the grip of a catastrophic food shortage – half of the population don’t have enough to eat. Now, the bitter cold is setting in, with temperatures dropping as low as -20°C.

Your prayers are urgently needed.

If you would like to support this appeal financially then you can do so here.
Unfortunately, the backup material that was provided to support this is covered by "please don't put this on the web". If you would like a copy, please get in touch.

10 Dec: Creating Safer Spaces online courses

Please see below training dates for the advanced module online for the first few months of 2022. We plan to have a face to face course in March and as soon as the location has been secured I will circulate the details.

January 25th 2022 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/224038012727

January 31st 2022 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/224056969427

February 9th 2022 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/224057922277

March 23rd 2022 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/224058915247

For more information, contact Pauline Jackson, District Safeguarding Officer
Email:  pauline.jackson@behdistrict.org.uk

3 Dec: Reflecting on the Church post-Covid

On 22 January, an event for Christians in Luton, marking the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. With Rt. Rev David J Oakley. Full details here.

11 Nov: Treasurer Wanted

Houghton Regis Community Development Charity, which is supported by the Methodist Church and Central Baptist Association, plus local congregations, has employed a Pioneer Worker on the new housing development, ‘Bidwell West’, in the town.

The Charity is seeking a Treasurer, to deal with the reasonably small amount of financial dealings. The Treasurer would become a Trustee of the Charity. The Charity is moving into a new phase with the project, as it bids to develop a significant community building in Bidwell West in 2022.

So, it is also looking to develop the trustees team, identifying people with relevant experience and expertise to serve as trustees and support the team administratively.

For more information, contact David Skinner on
david.skinner4@ntlworld.com

4 Nov: Methodist Women in Britain

The Queen Victoria Seamans Rest is our new MWiB project for this year.  They look after seafarers who travel around the world and away from home for long periods.  It is a place where they can relax away from their working environment.  They can use the facilities such as T.V, snooker, table tennis and the café is open for food.   Port Chaplains are on hand for pastoral care and companionship.

Covid-19 restrictions proved very difficult as they had no access to the NHS and with help from the Home Office many were able to be vaccinated locally by the local G.P  at Tilbury.

QVSR send out Christmas parcels containing woolly hats, scarves, gloves and toiletries. Contributions are welcome at any time and if you feel this is a charity you can support please contact Lilian Appleby for more information.

29 Oct: Worship at Home services

Due to popular demand the Ministries: Vocations and Worship team have decided to continue coordinating the Worship at Home services up to the end of August 2022. Find the services here. 

We are now looking for volunteers (ordained and lay) to write some of these services. If you are willing and able to, please e-mail Gabriella at mahadevag@methodistchurch.org.uk

29 Oct: Submit a prayer: Methodist Prayer Handbook 2022/2023

The theme for the 2022/2023 Prayer Handbook is ‘The Greatest Commandment’ (based on Matthew 22:37-39 with further inspiration from Acts 2). The Methodist Prayer Handbook has prayers for every day of the year in a 31-day prayer cycle and is written by the Methodist community. Would you like to contribute a prayer to this resource?
Submission details here. Deadline is 22 Jan.

24 Sept: Pilgrimage to Iona

St Augustine's Church is planning a pilgrimage to Iona in summer 2022. If you would like to join in, or just find out more, see this document.