News from Dane and Trent Circuit: and beyond

Trinity Christian Aid walk 2021: on The Cloud We can’t compete with Revd Ian Enticott (aged 61) Rector of the Congleton Parish and his Treasurer Mike Laurence (aged 78) who ran round the Congleton Parish boundary on Ascension Day, covering 17.33 miles, and raising £3,138 for Christian Aid.

However, Cath Lilley and Dennis Wood, supported by Enid & Neil Munro, did a 10 mile sponsored walk for Christian Aid from Buglawton to Timbersbrook, over The Cloud, to Bosley and back. In total we raised £410 including Gift Aid for the charity.

Despite the weather, mist on The Cloud, and umbrellas up when we ate our lunch at Bosley Chapel, it was a highly enjoyable walk.

During the first part of the year Trinity Brownies often had to meet on Zoom. This is still a little different from normal but allowed us to have meetings that would not have been possible in person.

Trinity brownies baking (at home) 1 We had a pet show where everybody introduced their pet (alive or a stuffed toy). There were prizes given out for sparkliest unicorn and cuddliest guinea pig (amongst other things) and we certainly couldn't have had all the dogs and the cats in the church hall!

We have worked to earn our baking badge which was a lot of fun - we made cakes and decorated them to illustrate a story (see photos of one home cook). We have also done crafts.

Read more: Trinity Brownies at work

storehouse foodbank: crates of supplies Wellspring is one of the churches in the Circuit and around the town actively supporting the Congleton Foodbank. Typically, this involves gathering and delivering food to the food bank. As I have a friend who works there, I asked Rev. Nic if I should check out what they might be short of and what they had in plentiful supply. My inquiry led to an invitation to pop up there and see how they operate and to best see how we could fill in some of the gaps.

Having looked in on several occasions previously, I thought I would already be familiar with how the system works. I was fascinated to learn how wrong I was and to discover the kind of helpful resources that go out with the parcels, plus exceptional BAGS OF JOY that go out to their customers to help them celebrate special events.

Methodist Women in Britain join Chester and
Stoke-on-Trent District’s Twinning Project with Peru

From times when our mothers were part of Women’s Work, Methodist women have always loved and supported the global church. When it was announced that Chester and Stoke-on-Trent District were considering twinning with the Methodist Church of Peru, Methodist Women in Britain (MWiB) felt that we had much to offer such a project.

We attended the initial meeting of people from around the district showing an interest, where the formation of a relationship with Methodists in Peru was enthusiastically endorsed. MWiB have long recognised that global relationship is about meeting in mutual partnership and enjoying friendships.

Friendships begin with personal introductions, so the group agreed that we would initially reach out using stories to say something about ourselves and our district. Read on for the greeting we have sent from MWiB.

Why have a drive-in service?

In September 2020 we started Davenport drive-in during warmer times a Circuit-wide Drive-In Service at Davenport Methodist Church, using their carpark/field. The format has grown from strength to strength. Originally occurring every week, from July 2021 it has changed to the 2nd Sunday of the month. The service provides opportunities for people who are shielding to attend a ‘live’ act of worship in a safe way.