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Welcome to Earlsdon Methodist Church
Newsletter and Notices
Number 289: 29.3.26
Minister: Revd Doreen Koffie-Williams
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Additional information can be found on this website
Dear Earlsdon Methodist Friends,
Those of you who have been following the A-Z in Eco-space / Caring for God’s world may be all agog to know what ‘X’ stands for. All is revealed this week. Also related to this feature, do let Lorna or Lois know if you are interested in the Recycling Trip. A date in June is a possibility. (Details in last week’s newsletter).
Spring has officially arrived at the bottom of our garden with the annual gathering of the frog clan. Our amphibious friends have been busy doing what comes naturally with much churning of the water. We look forward to tadpoles and miniature hoppers in due course. I think we can agree with the frogs that it was a joy to feel the warmth of the sun again last week. We look forward to its return!
As the year turns and we have already passed the Spring Equinox – don’t forget to move your clocks on an hour this coming weekend. 1am on Sunday 29th to be precise! Otherwise you will be late for church 😊
* * * * *
The Gift and the Giver
Recently, someone recommended a book to me, and I realised with nostalgic delight that I already had a copy on the bookshelf at home – a gift given to us 40 years ago from the ‘Preaching Team fellowship group’ when we left Chester Methodist Church in 1985.
I dusted off the cover and started to read. To be honest, I can’t actually remember reading it back then. We were probably too busy packing and moving house – to deepest West Sussex. I have enjoyed turning the pages of this warm and gently humorous autobiography of Harry Williams’ journey in God (*)
It has been just as moving to reflect on the circumstances when the gift was given to us, the memories of that time – and a curiosity about why this particular book was chosen for us. I am reading it, thinking about the author, thinking of the friends who made this choice, the recent friend who recommended it – and how all these impact on me – now.
I expect you may have items in your home that were given to you as a gift and they mean a lot because of the giver, the context, the circumstances. The gift has taken on a special value for you.
In the coming days as we journey towards Easter, we will be reminded again of the perhaps very familiar story unfolding. The arrival of Jesus into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, the drama and gruelling events of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, the darkness of Saturday, the joy of Easter Sunday. The gift of this story and all that it means in our faith tradition, in our lives, for our world.
We might also reflect on the intention, the meaning behind the gift. What does the Easter drama tell us about God, about the message we receive from the Giver? As we enter in imagination, immerse ourselves in the unfolding drama of sacrifice, betrayal, great suffering and great love, we are given the opportunity to experience the intention and hope of God for this world, for creation, for us.
What a gift!
Ed
* ”Someday I’ll find you” H A. Williams, Mitchell Beazley, London 1984
Palm Sunday 29th March
Worship at 10.30am led by Revd Jill Marsh
Reflective Evening worship at 6.30pm led by Dianabasi Nkantah
Morning Worship is available to access via the usual zoom link
Coffee and tea are available after morning service
Maundy Thursday 2nd April
Services are held at Radford & Holbrooks Church, 7pm HC led by Revd Ian Coates
At Central Hall, 7pm, HC & foot washing led by Revd Becki Stennett.
(Services also at Nuneaton & Horston Grange – see Circuit News for details)
Good Friday 3rd April
Worship at 11am led by Revd Doreen Koffie-Williams
Meditation for Good Friday, 2pm at Woodside Avenue Methodist Church led by Revd Doreen Koffie-Williams
Easter Sunday 5th April
8.30am Holy Communion led by Revd Doreen Koffie-Williams, followed by Breakfast at Woodside Avenue Methodist Church
Worship at 10.30am with Holy Communion led by Revd Doreen Koffie-Williams
Sunday 12th April
Worship with an Eco-theme at 10.30am led by Lorna Warrener and local members
Giving Thanks resumes at the opening of worship on the fourth Sunday each month. You may wish to share a short message of gratitude
Church Family News:
A special Happy Birthday to Judy Bridgeman, who celebrates 90 on Sunday 29th March. Our warmest congratulations and love to her.
Birthdays in April:
Michael Harris (2nd) , Tae Sigauke (4th), Ethel Martin (20th), Tim Jefferies (24th)
Good wishes to you all
Offertory counting
If you would like to help count the Offertory after the Sunday morning Services you would be very welcome. It doesn't take very long.
Please see Chris Fisher
Refugees
In Wellspring today there is a collection box for donations to Carriers of Hope (and thank you to those who have already put items in there)
It will be there all next week including Easter Sunday.
Please bring any goods you can spare - tinned, packet and bottled food, household cleaning materials, personal toiletries, baby food, nappies.
These will be taken to the CoH warehouse on the Thursday after Easter where all the items we take are always very gratefully received.
If you don't know about the Carriers of Hope charity, there is information in the leaflets rack next to the kitchen door in Wellspring
Thank you - David & Lynda Pinks
Wellspring Café
Thursdays & Fridays 9.00 a.m. - 2.00 p.m. Saturday 9.30 a.m. - 12.00 noon
The usual menu of drinks and light food is available. Prayer Shawl knitters meet on Thursdays
Mondays
‘ Come and Sing!’ 7.30pm in Church. Next Meeting 30th March
Tuesdays
Intercessory Prayer Group: 11am online
Evening Bible Study and Fellowship Group 7.30pm at Ray’s fortnightly. Next meeting 21st April (No meeting on 7th April)
Wednesdays
Prayers and Bears 9.30am in term time (open from 9am), for pre-school children and a parent or carer.
Wednesday Worship 7pm. A short act of worship held fortnightly. Coffee available from 6.45pm. Next meeting 1st April.
Maundy Thursday
Every Maundy Thursday Churches Together in Earlsdon and Chapelfields give out hot cross buns in Earlsdon Street. People from the CTEC churches gather at EMC around 9.30 and have a short prayer. We then station ourselves in pairs at various points along Earlsdon Street and offer free hot cross buns wrapped in a serviette to passers by. We take opportunities to engage with people if they are willing, explaining why we are doing it and what the significance is of eating hot cross buns at Easter.
Anyone from any of the churches is welcome to join us. Just turn up.
Good Friday
Services of worship as advertised above.
Prayers for Church and Community
Each week we are praying for a different church activity and also one which takes place on our premises but is organised by people from the community.
The two activities we will be praying for next week are the Chaplains in Wellspring and the Astronomical Society.
May Day is fast approaching so I would ask if the bakers among us could don their pinnies and start to rustle up some lovely cakes.( They do freeze)
I shall man (or woman) the stall until 2pm from early on May Day but would ask for help during the course of the day.
There will be a sign-up chart nearer the time.
Thank you with anticipation
Penny
WOODSIDE CHURCH FELLOWSHIP
We had another very enjoyable afternoon last Tuesday. A local Ensemble/Choir entertained us with a variety of songs, to a high standard. If you missed it, don't worry - they are coming again in the autumn - look out for the date.
Our next meeting is on Tuesday, 14th April, at 2pm, when we will welcome the Rev Becki Stennett. We look forward to hearing her talk about Susanna Wesley - known as 'The Mother of Methodism'. Please note that everyone is welcome - bring a friend.
It will be followed, of course, by a refreshing cup of tea (with biscuits).
FUTURE DATES:
28th April - a talk by our own Ken Holmes regarding the work of the International Children's Trust
12th May - we welcome the Rev Jill Marsh to speak to us
26th May (Bank Holiday Tuesday) - Open Meeting with music
Our Earlsdon friends are always welcome to join us at any of our meetings.
Kathleen Wykes
Newsletter Break: Please note there will be no newsletter for the weekends of Sunday 19th April, 26th April and 3rd May. Any items to be included for this period please submit in time for the edition of week commencing 12th April (ie by Thursday 9th at the latest).
Thank you
Eco-Space
Caring for God’s World
X is for Xenophobia
This is perhaps the most difficult subject to tackle in a very limited space. I write as a white person who has never experienced racism personally; I write with hesitation and humility.
Ethnicity is perhaps the most politically charged issue of our time. Discrimination on the basis of heritage or colour is nothing new, but it impacts on the whole of society and how we view others.
Xenophobia is the dislike of, or prejudice against, people who are seen as different. It results in fear and hatred. The people may have come from another country, they may have been born in the same place as us.
We see it in dramatic ways – in terrorism, Islamophobia, anti-semitism. We see it in micro-aggression, in subtle unconscious responses, in housing and poverty statistics.
We may feel pretty confident that we are not racist but whatever background we come from we will be influenced by biases we are hardly aware of.
Within UK, we are increasingly a multi-ethnic society. In communities and schools, dozens if not hundreds of different languages are spoken. Whilst we recognise the importance of integration and communication across cultures, we also acknowledge that statistics demonstrate that those in minority ethnic groups are more likely to be poor, unemployed, poorly housed and in poorer health. We also recognise that a substantial number of white people also feel discriminated against and we have seen heightened tension and violence resulting from fear and injustice all round.
What does our faith say? In the Old Testament, God speaks to his people of welcoming the outcast. In the New Testament, Jesus seeks out and loves the stranger.
Who are the people, of whatever colour or background, who are strangers, outcasts, seen as different? How do we welcome them?
LT
Adapted from: ‘L is for Lifestyle’ by Ruth Valerio
Events and meetings coming up:
Stainer: Crucifixion Friday 3rd April (Good Friday), 6pm Coventry Cathedral, Cathedral Chorus and soloists.
Great Green Gathering online Saturday 4th April 4pm – 5pm. Our regular Circuit conversation about how we can be more ‘Eco-church’ together.
Circuit Farewell Service for Revd Doreen’s Koffie-Williams at Radford & Holbrooks Methodist Church. Saturday 11th April, 4pm with refreshments afterwards.
(The leaving service is early in the year as Revd Doreen will be on Sabbatical Leave from May to July, then preparing to move in August when she leaves us for her next appointment.)
Circuit Outdoor Worship at Coombe Abbey Saturday 18th April 11am
Church AGM : Sunday 19th April. Bring and share lunch will follow morning worship with the AGM afterwards.
Easter Offering Circuit Service Sunday 10th May at EMC 4.15pm with tea and bring & share cake to follow
Ascension Day Services 14th May 7pm at Woodside Avenue Methodist Church & 7pm at Arley Methodist Church
Do let others know of these e-letters. Anyone can go onto the mailing list by posting ‘I’m in’ to earlsdonmcnews@gmail.com . You can opt out at any time by sending an email to this address.
Lois Talbot (Web version by Tim W), 13/03/2026
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