Information for Preachers

I have given this question quite a bit of thought and my conclusion is anyone who wants to have a look at it.

I think originally I saw it as another way of communicating information to local preachers and a means for them to share information with their preaching colleagues. I think I may also have hoped it would encourage preachers to use and access the circuit website which really can and should be a useful tool for us.

I have to admit that I have probably not used it to its full potential and will certainly be thinking about that and how we might extend and improve what we do with the page.

It may be that there would be some logic in putting a copy of the circuit plan on this page as I often seem to misplace mine (both the one I get early as a preacher and the one I invariably pick up at Pleck).

I think we could use the page as a news reporting facility to keep you up to date with developments in local preaching across the circuit, district and connexion, especially as we consider the way forward for the Faith and Worship course and the Worship Leaders Course.

It may be a place where we can share items from other circuits such as training days for local preachers and others and for what preachers may be doing in respect of continuing local preacher development or if they know about something that people elsewhere are doing.

I am open to ideas and suggestion for how we might make the page interesting, informative and a place that people will want to return to as a way of finding out what’s going on in the area of Local Preaching.

As I was writing the above item the postman arrived with a letter from Church House for the District Local Preachers Secretary and it is about the new collection of hymns for Methodist people which will be launched at Conference next year. There are also details of this in the latest Ichthus magazine which preachers should have received by now.

The letters contains details of prices of the book and information about a website which has just been launched and already has some interesting information on about the new book. Mr. Wesley’s rules for singing are also on the website and I have to say I found them very interesting.

The website is still in development but in the near future you will be able to have a look at the new book and listen to samples of the hymns.

The website address is  www.singingthefaith.org.uk

I don’t think I need to tell anyone this but it is true that we are fast approaching Christmas and the busyness that the Advent and Christmas Season bring. I would like to bring to reader’s attention the Annual Circuit Carol Service at Central Hall on Sunday 9th December at 6-30p.m.

You will know that generally one of our ministers leads on this and a group of representatives from each church meet to plan this service – well this year this is one less thing for people to have to think about as our Local Preachers in Training volunteered sometime ago to organise this event.

I am looking forward to this event and would encourage readers to pray for the group as they organise and support the event on the night – wouldn’t it be good to see Central Hall full?